Creatures for Kiddies

Sorry I was MIA on Friday, but thought I would post a quick one today in case you missed me! I haven't had much time for creating lately as we're still working through these renos! However, I was doing a few science activities with the kiddos though over the weekend from the 365 Science Activities book from Usborne Books and we came across these "water creatures". All I saw were some cute cards for kids, so I adapted them to fit in an A6 envelope, pulled out some paper and drew my creatures. Take a look:

A dinosaur.

A ladybug.

A turtle.

I scored the tops of all the feet because once you pull the card out of the envelope, you bend at the foot to make it more lifelike and 3D. I thought they were simple but cute!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Hoarding

I don't know about you, but there are two three types of crafty things I like to hoard - paper, buttons and ribbon. I don't know why I can't stop buying all the new pretty colours and patterns. Oh wait, just thought of another one... Washi Tape.

Anyway, my point is, I need to start using these things more in my card making. Here's one way I came up with to use some ribbon:

I'm sorry to say that almost all of the items I used to create this card (and sorry for the dim lighting!) is retired. But I guess that's what happens when you hoard. ;)

I wanted to showcase this simple card to you because I think it still offers a lot of punch with the various ribbon textures, colours and patterns, plus, the embossed panel & baker's twine.

Inside I kept it just as simple with a peek of the baker's twine and a sentiment.

What do you like to create with your ribbon?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For the Girls

Happy Monday. Hope you had a wonderful weekend! As I promised in Friday's post, today I was going to share the girl cards I created for a customer recently. Here's a look at the bunch:

I use the note cards and envelopes (the watercoloured ones are retired) for simple, yet beautiful cards. These are for young girls, so I used bright colours, feminine designs and colours and of course some bling!

Here's a closure look at card one:

These cute little cupcakes are from a retired set, but just the perfect size for these little note cards and a 1" circle punch. ;) For added colour and texture, I used some Cherry on Top Washi Tape.

For the second card (and perhaps my favourite), I stamped the ballerina image three times and then colored each slightly differently with Stampin' Write Markers and alcohol based ones for the skin tones. I also couldn't forget the bling, adding a few jewels to the ballerinas' waists.

The third card uses the awesome Triple Banner Punch (but you can actually make 4 different sizes if you saw my Instagram post yesterday) to created quick and easy banners. I adhered them with a tiny staple and lastly used the AWESOME stamp set Stampin' Up! released this year for RMHC called Sprinkles on Top. It also has a coordinating punch. So many possibilities!

Lastly, a cute little purse card. What girl doesn't enjoy carrying around various purses with random toys, chapstick or a few dollars in it?! I stamped them in Soft Sky, Watermelon Wonder, Wisteria Wonder and Mint Macaron and added a large jewel to each. For the sentiment, I used Petite Pairs and popped it up on a punched piece of silver paper for a little extra sparkle.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For the Boys

I was recently asked to create 25 birthday cards for a customer. I love using the note cards and envelopes because they are just the perfect size and my customers love the simpler designs and lower cost I can provide for large orders.

Today I'm going to show you the designs I created for the boys. Come back Monday to see the uber cute ones I designed for the girls! ;)

Here's a look at the three different designs:

I haven't had a chance yet to purchase any new "kid" stamp sets from the new catty (there are some AWESOME ones in there!), but I love to keep my favourites around, even when retired, because I'm asked to create cards for kids often.

Here's a look at the first design. It's actually the first time I inked up this set (from the recent Occasions Catalogue) and sad it didn't carry over. I just love them!

This set is an oldie but a goodie! Having a little boy myself who LOVES "mighty machines", this one will stay in my stash for years to come.

Aside from the sentiment and punch on this last one, the items can still be found in the Annual Catalogue. The background was easily and quickly created using the stars masks. I just sponged using Cucumber Crush & Hello Honey inks and then stamped the lego image from the Boys Will Be Boys stamp set in the same colours.

Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to check back on Monday for the girly designs. ;)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Happy Day!

Not only is today Canada Day, but it's also the first day I'm back after a loooong hiatus! I told you last week that I was switching things up a bit. You will now be able to find me, blogging, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For daily doses of creativity, you can find me on Instagram or Facebook. :)

Since today is Canada's birthday, I decided to share with you the decor wreath I created. Originally I wanted it to hang on the front door, but since it's been a little humid and rainy, I didn't trust that this mostly paper wreath was going to survive! Take a peek...

It's currently hanging on my "communication centre" at our front door with a Canadian Flag print from the local paper. This project cost me well under 10 dollars as I found the wreath at a thrift shop for $3 and then just used DSP, card stock, buttons and ribbons I had lying around. All in shades of red & white of course!

Here's a closure look:

I was also inspired to create this wreath because I have a class running on July 9th featuring projects created using the Simply Scored Tool. We won't be doing this wreath, but instead, a rosette. Using them on a wreath is only one of many possibilities. Maybe I'll show you some other ideas in the near future. ;)

Until next time, stay crafty!
~Steph

Under Construction

I know it's been a looooooong time since you saw me. To be honest, the renos on my house really drained me. My house has been under some form of construction or renovation for the last year! It wasn't always consistent, but I had to pack up my studio three times (as well as many other areas of my house) during this long process, and while I have been back at it for a few months now, I never came back to this blog.

Well, I'm writing today to tell you that I'm coming back! Starting in July, you will find posts from me every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will be brining you some form of crafty happiness on days when I think readers will appreciate them most! The start of a work week (who really looks forward to those?!), on "hump" days to get you through your mid week and on Fridays when you're excited about the weekend. ;)

While I revamp this Blog, you can still follow me on all the social media sites (I have been staying active there!). You can follow Hofkissed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.

See you in a couple of weeks. I've got lots of great things to share with you!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

sniff... sniff

My time has come to step down from Sunday Stamps. It's been a wonderful two years designing with many lovely ladies along the way. You've seen some new faces on the DT over the last few months and I know that these ladies will continue to wow you with their awesomeness!

For my last post as a DT member, I wanted to give a little sneak peek on new products coming out in January. I kept the card fairly simple because I wanted to showcase the delicate butterfly - a new Framelits collection from the Occasions catty. Do you recognize that stamp set? Probably not... but you can earn that beauty for FREE during Sale-A-Bration!

These delicate Framelits will take a little patience (clearly I've got to spend a little more time cleaning up my cutouts in the future), but I think well worth the effort! I am a sucker for butterflies after all and I think these Framelits are a definite WOW! Can't wait to play with them a little more...

You've got three weeks - until Friday, January 2nd - to play along with us this time around and hope you'll join in the fun! 

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Magazine Gift Bag - Tutorial!

A while back I posted my magazine gift bags and the post was quite popular... but I didn't include a tutorial. Well, I have one now!

As I was preparing my tutorial, I discovered that I never wrote down my measurements. haha. I spent hours and countless tries designing that bag and I never jotted down the details!! Argh. Well, perhaps this was good news because I came up with a much better design. I've always said "everything happens for a reason"...

Check out the full tutorial here. I've also entered it into a contest, so I would appreciate your vote and feedback. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph