A Social Affair

This was a card I did a while back. I got the idea from some other social media cards I did a couple of years ago on a different forum. I think you can guess what this card is based from. :)

I thought this card was appropriate to share with you because tonight I will be attending the Catalogue Premier in Canada. I'm quite excited! May 1st is the pre-order for us demos (only on some products), but I always love getting my hands on new catalogues and product. Even better, to attend a party about it! I'll be sharing what I can on social media, so if you follow me, you might be getting some sneak peeks!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White
Tools: MDS, Decorative Dots TIEF, Big Shot

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes.

Well, only a week and a day late for the Sunday Stamps sketch! I had a very busy time preparing for my last show, then I developed bursitis in my shoulder (wouldn't wish that on anyone!), got sick and then my youngest got sick. That was just in the last week! ha.

I flipped the sketch on it's side and worked from there. I omitted the sentiment because I just wanted a single letter on the front. I found this awesome quote all over Pinterest (although, not sure where it's from) - "Not all superheroes wear capes." I thought it would be particularly true for parents.

I'm putting this past week behind me and moving forward. This coming week should be especially awesome because I'm attending the Catalogue Launch Party for Stampin' Up! So excited!! Stay tuned for more detail on that... whatever I can share with you, of course.

You have until Friday at 6 p.m. to play along. Hope you will! Check out what the other designers on the team have created to spark your creativity!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Tools: MDS, Printer, Rotary Addition + Scallop Edge
Accessories: Flower (retired), Pearls, Doily, Fabric Tape (non SU!)
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

What's New?!

Well, the biggest news is FREE SHIPPING from Stampin' Up! until April 25th and the retiring product list was released today. Don't wait to place your order because everything, including stamp sets, is available only while supplies last!

This is a large chuck of what I'm losing, although, I haven't pulled out all my paper and such yet. I'm not necessarily selling all of this, but it's my way to have this retiring product in my face so that I'll use it!

You won't be seeing much of me for a little bit... I'm currently writing this post with one hand as my left one is in a sling from a shoulder injury. :( Yup, not much stamping happening now. I will also be a vendor at the Smarty Pants Sale in Etobicoke tomorrow and Wednesday if you live in the GTA.

Until next time (hopefully soon), stay crafty!
Steph

Still Time to Play!

You still have time to play with us at Sunday Stamps this week! The link will close Friday, April 18th at 6 p.m., hope you'll find some time to get inspired!

I thought I'd share another project with you for this week's colour challenge:

This was actually my original design for the challenge, but omitted it because of the scrap banners I used that consisted of a few other colours other than what the challenge calls for. While this would probably be okay since the majority of my project still uses primarily Pink Pirouette, Smokey Slate & Tempting Turquoise, I'm glad I challenged myself to try a project using just those colours. :)

This was a card I created for my SIL who is getting married in May. I attended a shower for her yesterday and this card certainly impressed! ;)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Pink Pirourette, Smokey Slate, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Silver
Stamps: Love & Laughter
Tools: Big Shot, Decorative Dots TIEF, Artisan Label Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Banner Punch
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

A Little (Blue) Bird Told Me...

A couple of years ago I did some humorous cards relating to a popular social networking site. Now I've come up with a couple more relating to another popular #socialnetworking site.

I'm sure you can guess which site I'm referring too here. I'm always trying to push card sales, not just because I make them, but also because I know how happy people are when they receive a card. Even better, a card in the mail. And even better than that, a handcrafted one!

I personally don't think wishing someone a happy birthday through social media is acceptable, but perhaps I'm "old school". hehe This card is the best of both worlds - fitting in with the social networking crowd, and giving cards. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 2" Scallop Circle (non SU!), 1-3/4" Circle, Bird Builder
Accessories: Jewel Rhinestones, MDS Software

Colour Me... Bermuda Bay & Daffodil Delight!

It's not unlike me to be working away on a project and then get easily sidetracked (sometimes several times!) in the middle of it as ideas come rushing in. Rather than jot them down on a piece of paper, I have to implement it right that minute!!

This is one of those projects I created in the middle of 3 other projects I was working on. And as I was implementing the idea, I remembered the colour combo over at Colour Me...! this week. So here's my card:

I was working away on a custom order when I got a glimpse of my oval punch and next thing I knew, my mind was picturing bunny ears and a body made of punches. But not glued onto a card, punched through it so that you could see it from both sides. I added a piece of window sheet between my 2 layers so that I could add the tail (and you can see the bunny when the card is both open & closed). I also added a small strip of paper to write on because I didn't want someone to write across the entire card and ruin the clean image of the bunny when the card is closed. :)

Hope you like my idea!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Ink: Bermuda Bay
Punches: Oval, XL Oval, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Artisan Label, Boho Blossom
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain
Challenge: Colour Me...!

Sunday Stamps SSC73

We've got a sweet colour combo over at Sunday Stamps for the next two weeks - Tempting Turquoise, Pink Pirouette & Smokey Slate.

I typically would never combine pink and blue on a baby card, but I just love the way this turned out! I've been in a "use what I have" kick lately. I cut the sentiment on my e-cutter YEARS AGO (now you know I save everything!) and when I came across these cutouts, I knew I had to use them. Next, I chose a stamp set I never used a lot when it was current, but there must be a reason I keep it around, right? So I used it! I didn't want to use a lot of other products, so I accented with punches and scattered some jewels.

Hope you'll get a chance to play along with us. We always love seeing what people create. Don't forget to check out the other Design Team members for inspiration... and leave them some love too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Smokey Slate
Stamps: Baby Boutique (retired), Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Postage Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Circle Punch
Accessories: Jewel Rhinestones
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Brown Bagging It!

I'm just about to pack up and head to a show - the Conestoga Lodge Spring Bazaar, 55 Hugo Crescent in Kitchener, Ontario - come see me if you live in the area! ;)

Anyway, I'm always looking for crafty ways to package my products for customers. I don't like to use plastic bags if I can help it (in my everyday life and my business) and don't want to invest lots of money for some boring paper bag. So, with a little money (and sometimes a lot of time. ha.) I make my bags or jazz them up in some way. Check this one out:

Just like my business card, the bags are my source of advertisement when I'm not there. When I'm at a show and customers start walking around with these handcrafted shopping bags, they may get stopped and asked about it. It's just one more way I show my craftiness and care in the quality of products I sell.

I simply cut a plain-old brown paper lunch bag, added some DSP & twine for the handles. I came up with the smart and thrifty idea to add some reinforcement tabs to the holes to make the bag extra strong. I had this bag hanging for days with at least a couple pounds of product in it and nothing gave way!

Until next time (maybe today at my show?), stay crafty!
Steph

Try It Tuesdays

Happy April Fool's! Today's post is no joke, but you will fool people with your savvy ways. :) It's a short but sweet post today - all about trying to save paper & money!

When you have several layers on a project, try to see if you can conserve paper. In this case, I was able to stamp my sentiments behind an area that was going to be covered up by paper. No one but yourself will ever know this little secret.

Give it a try! Do you have any other ways you like to conserve and save money with your crafting supplies?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph