Feather Wreath

Well, it's the last day of my Christmas in July sale (check out the product here), so I thought I'd show you another Christmas card:

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Silver Specialty
Ink: Midnight Muse, Island Indigo, Pool Party
Stamps: Fine Feathers, Petite Pairs
Tools: Circle Punches - 2-1/2, 1-3/4 & 1-3/8
Accessories: Jewels, Silver 1/8" Ribbon (sneak peek!)

This is likely not the last Christmas card you'll see from me (I've got TONS more and it's only July!), but one I wanted to show you sooner than later. I loved the Fine Feathers stamp set the moment I saw it in last year's catalogue. Sad to say though, I haven't used it too much as I've had trouble figuring it out.

Several months ago I did a happy dance because I had this vision of a feather wreath. I spend FOREVER executing my vision (several different ways) and all were epic fails! Last night I was perusing the internet and saw an image that was literally a few blurred swirls that formed a circle and that set off the light bulb. I ran to my craft loft, punched a hole in my paper and got to work.

This card is the result of that, and I love it! I finished it without the ribbon and liked it a lot, but felt it needed a little something else. I remembered about that gorgeous silver ribbon I pre-ordered from the Holiday Catalogue (live tomorrow!) and added a tiny bow. Perfect!

I know this turned out to be a long winded post, but happy you made it through. I thought my readers would want to know a little back story behind this card. I know it's not everyone's taste - non traditional colours and images - but I'm in love because I'm really happy with how it turned out and that my vision finally came to light!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Winter Sparkle

I bet it'll be hard for you to believe that I used the Dress Up Framelits for this Christmas card! Check it out:

Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Garden Green, Glimmer
Tools: Big Shot, TIEF: Snowburst, Elegant Lines, Woodgrain Bigz Die: Stars #2,
Framelits: Dress Up, Edgelits: Adorning Accents

All month long I've been showing you Christmas cards I've created using non-Christmas stamp sets and it has really challenged me in a way that makes me look at all my product in a different light. I've got so many ideas for future series and cards...

Anyway, to get back to this card, I did use the Dress Up Framelits to create the tree:

Can you start to see the tree in the right image? All I did was cut the shape out from the middle point in the bust and just shaped it to be inline with the bottom skirt. I ran three more dresses through my Big Shot, moving the Framelit up approximately 1/4 inch each time so that I got the different layers. Once I had my four pieces, I ran them through the Big Shot again with the Elegant Lines TIEF and then popped each layer up with Dimensionals.

Hope you like and this will inspire you to look at your products differently too.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Colour Challenge

It's Sunday and a new challenge over at Sunday Stamps! This week is a colour challenge & hope you'll play along... this combo challenged me!

Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder
Stamps: Mixed Bunch
Tools: Big Shot, Chevron TIEF, Blossom Punch
Accessories: In Color Printed Brads (retired)

I just realized how off my picture is. Sorry for that! It's actually much more vibrant than it looks. Anyway, this colour combo really challenged me. Not a combo I've ever used before or would have used, but that's why I love this challenge! Gets me thinking and working outside of my comfort zone.

The challenge is open for two weeks and we'd love to see what you can come up with!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Pleated Tree

I was inspired to create this tree from a video series I'm watching called Paper Arts. It's pretty awesome actually... takes you through the basics of gift wrapping (my favourite thing to do!) to more tips and tricks when working with paper.

I was watching the segment last night about pleating for gift wrapping and I got the idea to create a Christmas tree with this technique. Perhaps there's something like this out there that exists already, but I haven't seen it, so I'm taking full credit for this! :)

Paper: Brights DSP Stack (retired), Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Ornament from Merry Minis Punch Pack
Accessories: Jewels
Techniques: Paper Pleating

This was quite simple to do. I started with a 6x6 piece of DSP and folded so that the bottom of my tree fanned out. I wanted a star at the top of the tree, but didn't have one big enough, so I thought "why not make one from the mini ornament punch?!" So, that's what I did. Pretty cool, eh?

I added some bling onto the tree and then used the remaining portion of my pleated piece on the inside of my card. I guess this is going to be my version of a paper folded tree this season. I seem to do one every year. :) Here is my tutorial for last year's folded tree.

If there's enough interest, I can do up a tutorial for this one... leave me some love if you're interested!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Using Scraps

If you saw my series on scraps, then you know that I save every little piece of paper. :) The other day I showcased a card and today's post uses scraps from that card. You can check out the post here.

Paper: Silver Specialty, Whisper White, Real Red, Silver Glimmer Paper
Stamps: Greetings of the Season
Tools: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty TIEF, Lattice Bigz Die, Artisan Label Punch, XL Oval Punch

Usually I don't save the tiny scraps from the Lattice Bigz Die, but because I cut it out using Glimmer Paper, I thought about saving them and using them in another cutout. I chose Whisper White and went with the Silver Specialty paper for my card base.

I wanted this card to be shimmery and simple, so I stuck with similar tones, and added a pop of red (also a scrap, by the way!). I heat embossed the sentiment and at the last minute decided to emboss my red banner. Glad I did it.

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

Working on the Road...

It's a busy life when you have a toddler and a newborn, so I often bring a small package of stuff to work on if I'm out and about at lessons and such. It helps me get some time to work, and it also generates interest...

As I was prepping cards for the upcoming holiday season, and building up my general inventory for sale, I created one "master" and then prepped several of the same card. I was dumping all the pieces to these cards in a bin so that I could assemble them later.

This weekend we headed up north and I brought my bin with me in the car to get working...

I pre-stamped, punched and embossed all the necessary pieces. I brought my snips, glue, Washi Tape and everything else I needed to get to work in the car ride. Here is the first of many cards I worked on:

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: Mosaic Madness, Delightful Dozen
Tools: Heat Tool, Mosaic Punch, Punch Pack
Techniques: Heat Embossing

This card was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest... I just had to use my new Washi Tape (sneak peek from the Holiday Catalogue!) and the Mosaic Madness stamp set that I just received. Yet another Christmas card that doesn't use a Christmas stamp set for the main images. Have I used one yet?!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Using the Old

I don't know about you, but there are some items in my craft space that have been sitting there, unused, for years! I think this has happened more to me after becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (since I try to use mostly SU! products), but I thought it was high time I used some of the paper flowers that have been staring at me for so long.

These cards were quite simple to make considering I went crazy on the flowers and nothing else, and I really like how they turned out. The flowers give a lot of dimension to the card so I didn't need to add much else, I thought.

I'm so happy that I finally used these flowers to make these pretty cards (made some other versions too)... and am especially happy that they are one less thing that I have to pack when we move in 5 weeks!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Why I Love Pinterest

Today's card is CASEd from Brian King (found on Pinterest). I just loved the look and altered it slightly to give it a Christmas feel.

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Silver Glimmer
Tools: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz Die, Window Framelits

There is actually no stamping on this card! No sentiments either... I thought about making this a "blank" Christmas card so that people could write their own message and sentiment. It could therefore be used as a thank you card during the holidays or given to someone who doesn't celebrate the Christmas season.

Why do I love Pinterest? Because I often find out things like the Lattice Bigz Die and the Window Framelits fit perfectly together to create a beautiful card! Love it...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Pierced Ornaments

Today I have another Christmas card I created. The only stamp I used on this card is for the sentiment. The rest is paper pierced. Check it out:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso
Stamps: More Merry Messages
Tools: Big Shot, Stripes TIEF, Paper Piercing
Accessories: Jewels, Stitched Satin Ribbon

I used the ornament Paper Piercing Template to pierce my ornaments of choice. Once that was done, I used my Stampin' Write Markers to "connect the dots"... this gives the look of stitching. I fooled around a bit with my Blender Pen and moved some the ink around to give the ornaments some colour.

I added some ribbon to the top of each ornament and A LOT of bling with some jewels.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

We're Getting Sketchy @ Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another Sunday at Sunday Stamps! It's been a while since I've been able to create for the Blog, but I'm so happy to return this week. This sketch deemed to be a perfect fit for a custom card I was commissioned to design for a client. Check it out:

Paper: Basic Gray, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray
Stamps: Memorable Moments
Tools: Big Shot, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, HB Embossing Folder (non SU!)
Accessories: Basic Gray Washi Tape

This is such a great sketch - so versatile. I cut some numbers from Glimmer Paper using the Big Shot which added a special little something, I think. Before embossing my first layer, I stamped the number '70' randomly all over the page.

For some added texture, I ruffled the Washi Tape in the top right corner. The beauty of Washi is that it's repositional and self adhesive!

Stop on by Sunday Stamps to see what the other DT Members have created to inspire you. We always look forward to seeing what you create! Don't forget that we're now a 2-week challenge, so you have until July 26th to play along.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 5

This has got to be one of my favourite cards from this series so far. I just love how it turned out and I'm quite proud of myself for really pushing my brain for this one!

Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar
Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Early Espresso
Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Delightful Dozen
Tools: Punch Pack Punches
Accessories: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Jewels

If you read my supplies above, it wasn't a mistake that I wrote Papillon Potpourri as one of the stamp sets used! Can you believe it?! When I first started this series, I pulled out all the stamps I thought I could work with. At our team meeting on Tuesday, my sideline (thanks Mirela!) was talking about how she's addicted to using this stamp set on all her cards... so that made me want to try using it for Christmas!

I used some grade school skills for this card... I cut a template from a piece of scrap paper and then randomly stamped one of the butterfly images, making sure to get into my pointed corners. The delicate design really worked for this:

I used the middle butterfly on the right.

Now I really set the bar high for myself on using non Christmas stamps for this series! But I gotta tell you, this has really helped me to be more creative and think about my stamps in a completely different way. I might have to try doing this series for another occasion later on, but for now, I can't stop making non-Christmas Christmas cards!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 4

Good morning and welcome to the fourth post in this series. If you're just tuning in for the first time, I'm showcasing cards that use non Christmas stamps to make Christmas cards! Here's today's:

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Occasions Alphabet, More Merry Messages
Tools: Punches - Scallop Oval, Artisan Label
Accessories: Jewels
Technique: Heat Embossing

Aside from sentiments, the goal of this series is to us show you that you don't need to own a ton of Christmas stamps (or maybe any at all) because you can use what you've got in your stash! This is one of my favs. I love the colours and the tone-on-tone stamping and heat embossing - both in Pool Party! All the stamping, minus the sentiments, are from the same stamp set, Everything Eleanor. What a great set this is! I have used it a lot... there are so many fantastic images that are great for layering.

Hope this series is inspiring you to use your non Christmas stamps to think outside the box!

Check back tomorrow... you won't believe what stamp set I used to make a Christmas card. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 3

If you missed the previous posts, you might want to check them out starting a couple of posts back. I'm doing a week-long series on Christmas cards, but not using Christmas stamps. Here's today's:

Paper: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Basic Gray
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree
Tools: Big Shot, Heat Tool, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, Snowflurry Bigz Die
Accessories: Doily

Ok, so this isn't my favourite. It looked so much better in my head! ha. I hardly ever plan my designs out... I just create as I go. This one seemed to take hours!

The Typeset Alpha Bigz Die is so versatile! I've been using it a lot. On this card, "N O E L" fit just perfectly. After stamping and embossing the trees and cutting my letters, I thought it needed something else. After playing around with several ideas, I thought about using a doily. It didn't look quite right when I just laid the doily down, so I got the idea to cut a snowflake into it. It works, but I've got some other ideas floating around in my head with those doilies, so stay tuned...

Anyway, it is what it is. Maybe you love it. Creators are their worst critics after all. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 2

Sorry for the delayed post today... dealing with house hunt craziness! If you missed my post yesterday (the first one in this series), you can find it here.

Today's card uses the hostess set, Simply Sketched. I fell in love with this set the moment I saw it! It's not a Christmas set. I comes with three images and three greetings, but none of them Christmas. I thought the branch could be used for Christmas with the right colouring. Check it out:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Stamps: Simply Sketched Hostess, Wacky Wishes (retired Hostess)
Tools: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty TIEF, Labels Framelits, Decorative Label Punch
Accessories: Dazzling Details, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Baker's Twine

I stamped the image on watercolour paper, coloured with a Blender Pen and then added Dazzling Details to the red berries. I fussy cut these by the way. :) The sentiment is from an old hostess set (Wacky Wishes) but you can easily swap this out with something else.

I added a little texture with an embossing folder & Core'dinations card stock and some of the fab Glimmer Paper.

Check back tomorrow for another card in this series.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

A New Series! Christmas in July...

For about the next week, I'll be showcasing cards for a new series called Christmas in July. Not only will I be talking about Christmas, but I will be using (mostly) non Christmas stamps to show you that you can work with what you've got!

Today I'm featuring a card using the oh-so-popular Lovely as a Tree stamp set. Check it out:

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pool Party, Midnight Muse
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Merry Messages
Tools: Heat Tool, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Accessories: Jewels
Technique: Heat Embossing

So, the sentiment is from the long ago retired set Merry Messages, but the main focal image is from a stamp set that is not specifically Christmas. This is one of two images that can potentially be used from this set, so the possibilities are endless!

After making this, I thought the evergreen would look pretty sweet if I had used Pool Party embossing powder, but I'm happy with the result. Perhaps I'll give that combo a try next.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the second post in this series...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph