Black, White & Yellow... Over at Sunday Stamps

Happy Sunday! Sunday is quickly becoming my favourite day of the week because it's always a new challenge over at Sunday Stamps and not only do I get to create, but I'm inspired every week by all the entries too!

Paper: Whisper White, Vellum
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Sincere Salutations (retired)
Tools: Heat Tool, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Baker's Twine
Note Cards & Envelopes
Technique: Heat Embossing

I did something a bit different this week - I created a set of note cards instead of just a single card. Pretty easy to do when SU! sells Whisper White note cards with envelopes! I wanted to keep things pretty simple, so I just stamped a collage of stamps from the set Everything Eleanor.

I originally wanted to emboss the sentiment in white, but I discovered that what I thought was my white embossing powder was actually clear and I didn't have anymore white! Bummer! But I think the silver works well also.

The envelope is simply a piece of vellum that's scored and held together with some ribbon. Easy peasy!

What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to play along with us this week. I just love Kathya's colour choices this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Tiny Dresses for Tiny Babies

As I posted the other day, I've got babies on the brain. :) As promised, here is the little girl version of the card from a couple of days ago:

Paper: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Twitterpated
Ink: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Stamps: Ciao, Baby; Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Punches: Postage, Owl Builder &
7/8" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Pleated Ribbon (retired)

Aren't these dresses precious?! So easy to make thanks to the Owl Punch and some Pleated Ribbon (that's retired unfortunately). I kept the same layout as the boy card and just love how this card turned out.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Here Comes Baby

I've got babies on the brain... after all, I'm due with my second in just a couple of weeks! Here's a card I recently created:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz (retired), Nursery Nest DSP (retired),
Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Early Espresso
Stamps: Ciao, Baby, Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Postage Punch,
Owl Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Pearls

The idea to use the Owl Punch to create these adorable tiny overalls isn't mine... there are many samples floating around the WWW. I just couldn't resist creating some! I used some of the smallest pearls to create little "buttons" on each pair of overalls and the new Ciao, Baby stamp set with the coordinating 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch to create a nice cluster of images as a focal point.

The Perfect Polka Dots TIEF is just the perfect thing to use for baby cards... and when you have embossing, I find not much else is needed. Inside, I used one of the beautiful sentiments from the new Cuddles & Kisses stamp set - "A new little someone to kiss and to love, a happy addition from heaven above".

I created a baby girl version of this card that I'll share with you in another post. :) Stay tuned!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's Sketch Time at Sunday Stamps!

Haley has a great sketch over at Sunday Stamps this week! She reminds us of something too - that our sketches are just a guideline to aid in your creativity! You don't need to necessarily add every element from our sketches, but as long as you stick to the general idea of them, we're happy. :)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Elegant Soiree DSP (retired)
Ink: Marina Mist
Stamp: Just for You (exclusive with Pop Up Posies Kit)
Tools: Big Shot, Fancy Fan TIEF, Punches: Scallop Trim Border,
Scallop Trim Corner, Scallop Circle
Accessories: Flower Trim, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Pop Up Posies Kit

This card came together fairly quickly thanks to the Pop Up Posies Kit in the Spring Catalogue! I didn't use any of the flower pieces, but I did use the embossed label and buttons. The flower I made using my Scallop Circle Punch (4 punches), folded them in quarters and then added a single flower from the new Flower Trim found in the Spring Catalogue also.

I hope you'll play along with us this week. Make sure you head on over to Sunday Stamps and check out what the rest of the Design Team has created for inspiration!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Mmmmm... Chocolate!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you feel all sorts of love today from those around you...

I have some Valentine treats I created for members on my team, my loved ones and to hand out to random people today to bring them a little love too!

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Love Impressions DSP (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz Die
Accessories: Heart Treat Cups (retired), Full Heart Punch,
Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Hershey Kisses & Mini M&M's

Aren't these sweet?! Simple to make too with the Two Tags Bigz Die. All you need are two tags and two pieces of matching card stock cut at 2-1/2" x 2-3/4" for the sides. I scored three sides of each piece at 1/2" and cut the "tabs" so that my little box had sides to keep the treats in. :)

Have you liked Hofkissed yet on Facebook?! My contest closes tonight at 9 p.m. I will draw the winner of an assortment of handcrafted cards tonight... just for a simple "like" &/or sharing my page! Click here to check it out and show me some love!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Facebook Contest!

I'm running a Facebook contest in order to get more "likes" to my business page! Here are the details:

February is all about love! Show Hofkissed some love by sharing (for those who already "like" Hofkissed) and liking my business page!

www.facebook.com/hofkissed

All NEW "likes" and page shares will be entered into my contest for an assortment of handmade cards!

Don't miss out... this is a short contest. Winner will be selected randomly (using random.org) and announced by 9 p.m. on Valentine's Day!

So what are you waiting for?! Show Hofkissed some love!

It's a Tri-Colour Challenge at Sunday Stamps!

Happy Sunday! This week we've got a fun colour combo for you - Early Espresso, More Mustard & Marina Mist. Feel free to substitute similar colours if you don't have the Stampin' Up! ones. Here's my card:

Paper: Watercolour Paper, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso
Ink: Marina Mist, More Mustard, Early Espresso, StazOn
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes
Tools: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits, Paper Piercing Template
Accessories: Linen Thread, Naturals Designer Button
Techniques: Watercolouring, Paper Piercing, Distressing

I started with a piece of watercolour paper. I used my clear blocks (A, B, & C) to watercolour my background. I took each block, coloured on it with my Stampin' Write Marker (make sure the block is clean!), spritzed with water and stamped on my paper. If needed, I used my Aqua Painter to blend in a bit more. Once all was stamped and blended, I set it aside to dry. It didn't take long, but you can also use your heat tool to speed things up.

I cut out an oval shape with the NEW Oval Framelits found in the Spring Catalogue and stamped my image from Serene Silhouettes with StazOn ink. I glued the oval on an angle on my card base. On the "scrap" piece, I used one of my Paper Piercing Templates (this one from the Spring Catty) and pierced around my oval. I then threaded Linen Thread through every other hole and finished off with a Naturals Designer Button at the top.

I distressed the edges of my watercolour paper a bit for an added effect and I love, love, LOVE how this card came out. Way better than what I had pictured in my mind.

Hope this card inspires you to play along with us. Please check out what the rest of the Design Team has created for you & play along this week over at Sunday Stamps!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Hearts of Love

Whether for Valentine's Day, anniversary or perhaps a wedding, this card works. I didn't make it specific for any of the mentioned occasions, but the sentiment just speaks love...

Paper: Naturals White, Beau Chateau DSP (retired), More Amore
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamps: One in a Million
Tools: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Lacy Brocade TIEF
Accessories: Dazzling Details, 5/8" Flower Trim, tiny brad

I just love the new Flower Trim in the Spring Catty! It's so versatile... especially when you cut it up like I did to make single flowers. :) I created my paper flower from a scallop punch, if you can believe that! I punched 4 scallops, crumpled them and then folded in quarters. I punched tiny holes at the point and held the entire thing together with a tiny brad.

I cut apart some of the hearts from the laser cut sheets in the More Amore Specialty DSP. I stamped the sentiment on one of them and adhered them to my embossed & sponged layer. I thought it needed a little more "bling" when it was all put together, so I used some dazzling details along parts of the embossing. I think this card has a vintage feel to it...

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

With Sympathy

My card today has been inspired (and pretty much CASEd) from Diane Cramer. I found her card on where else? Pinterest! ha

Thankfully I don't have a need for a sympathy card at the moment, but I have launched my cards for online sales, and want to make sure I always have a stock of all types of cards. I'd love for you to check out my online store... it's a big venture for me and I'm very excited! Still have to upload some inventory, but take a look:

www.icraftgifts.com/hofkissed

Now, here's my card:

Paper: Naturals Ivory, River Rock, Sahara Sand, So Saffron
Ink: Early Espresso, VersaMark
Stamp: Simply Soft (RETIRED Hostess)
Accessories: Linen Thread, Naturals Designer Button
Techniques: Sponging

I just loved Diane's card the moment I saw it. The simplicity and beauty of it really spoke to me. I chose a subtle colour palette and thought the addition of Linen Thread and a Naturals Designer Button was a bit rustic, but worked well with the images too.

Would love to hear what you think!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Let's Get Sketchy... Over at Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another Sunday! Is the weekend almost over already?! Time is just going too fast around here... however, I do always love ending my weekend with Sunday Stamps! Holly's got a fun, simple sketch this week.

Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink
Stamps: Elements of Style
Tools: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Scallop Circle Punches, 2-1/2 Circle Punch
Accessories: Pearls, Shimmer Spritz

I liked the simplicity of the sketch and when I saw the flower, I thought about punching that space with my 2-1/2" Circle Punch. I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the floral image from Elements of Style so that it expanded from my card base to my Very Vanilla piece. I used two different colours to give added interest.

I wanted to keep the card fairly simple, so I did some embossing and then created a 3D flower using several of my scallop circle punches from First Edition DSP, crumpled them and then spritzed them with some shimmer spritz. It added some shimmer and colour, plus it dries hard. To finish things off, I added a couple of pearls at the top.

Hope you'll play along... head on over to Sunday Stamps to check out what the rest of the Design Team has created for you!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

I'm Back!

I took a small hiatus from Blogging this week, but I'm back now! I wanted to share a project with you today using the new Swallowtail stamp that's in the Spring Catalogue. I created a set of note cards with coordinating envies. Check it out:

I started with some of our note cards and stamped the image using VersaMark and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Next, I brayered each card using the following colour combos: Summer Starfruit/Old Olive, Sahara Sand/Raspberry Ripple, Pool Party/Elegant Eggplant. Once all was dry, I used the Oval Framelits to shape my note cards and I just think the shape is so much fun. Since I wanted to use these as a gift set and for sale, I packaged them simply, but in a way that anyone would be happy to receive these! I just love this new bold image... don't you?!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph