Embellishment Center

If you've been following me, you've probably come to realize that I haven't had much time for crafting. Well, a big chunk of my time has been dedicated to reorganizing, decluttering, purging, donating, selling & cleaning up my space! It was time!! Long overdue, actually. With the new catalogue launching soon, I needed to make room for the new stuff and let go of all the things I've been holding on to, but haven't used in more than a year.

I also had to do a major clean-up of my space. When I get creative, I get messy. It's how I roll. But, it was getting to be too much. Over the last several months I'd work until I ended up working in a 5" square space with piles all around me and then tidy up just enough to keep at it. Finally, that wasn't cutting it anymore. I was spending too much time looking for things and not enough time making things.

Today I wanted to share one of the areas I revamped in my space - my "embellishment center". I didn't change the way I organized my stash, but I did move things around slightly. You can read more details on some of my organization tips & tricks here, here & here.

You probably know that I'm a very visual person. If I don't see it (or if it's not labeled properly in a drawer that I can't see into), I don't use it. I especially like to see all my embellishments, paper & punches out on display and within reach. I previously had all my embellishments scattered around me, but now I house them all one area:

1. Four shelves that hold my ribbons, trims, twines & wooden embellishments. Thank you IKEA & Value Village!
2. Glass mason jars & wooden dowels hold all my baker's twine.
3. Glass jars from IKEA (that I repurposed from my kitchen) hold all my flowers, ribbon scraps, clay embellishments & my beloved Washi Tape!
4. My pride & joy. Repurposed embellishment rack that holds all my brads, buttons, do-dads & whatnots. Love, love, LOVE this spinning unit!

Hope this post helps you to reorganize or revamp a space in your house too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Golden Congratulations for SSC76

Welcome to another great challenge at Sunday Stamps! It's a sketch this round, my fav!

I switched the sketch slightly, but all the elements are still there. The biggest change I made is the main shape. I used the positive & negative images from the Lattice Bigz Die to create a larger square focal point. I LOVE this die and I'm so sad that it's retiring this year!! I added some flowers from some leftover trim and fancied them up a bit with some pearls. To keep with the gold tones, I heat embossed the sentiment. I left the inside blank so that this card could be used for either a wedding or anniversary.

Hope you'll join us this round. Check out the other DT designs for inspiration. You have until Friday, May 30th to add your link. We always love seeing what you come up with!


RECIPE:
Paper: Naturals Cardstock, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil, Gold Specialty
Ink: VersaMark
Stamps: Bitty Banners
Tools: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz Die, Heat Tool
Accessories: Flower Trim (retired), Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (retired), Pearls
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

70th Birthday

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, it was my dad's 70th birthday. Today I'll share the card I made for him for all to sign.

My dad is an awesome guy and on top of that, an inventor, handyman, woodworker and the best father and "Opa" to her children a gal could ask for. I wanted something classy & sparkly, but also something that resembled him too, hence the Hardwood stamp & silver button (retired).

I also used a new stamp set that you'll find in the 2014-2015 Annual Catalogue - Work of Art. I gave you just a small sneak peek of the set, but I think you're gonna love it. It's so versatile! I stamped several images in Silver and then heat embossed in silver too. The "70" was cut out with the Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die (that's retiring!) in Silver Glimmer Paper (that's also retiring!)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Silver Specialty, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Silver
Stamps: Hardwood, Work of Art (sneak peek), Remembering Your Birthday
Tools: Big Shot, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Silver Embossing Powder
Accessories: Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Silver Button (retired)
Techniques: Heat Embossing

Sunday Stamps SSC75

I'm loving the colour combo we've got going on over at Sunday Stamps this time around! I know you'll love them too - Basic Black, Coastal Cabana & Melon Mambo... neutrals are always welcome too. :)

Today is actually my dad's 70th birthday, so I thought it fitting to design on a birthday card... but didn't think my dad would appreciate pink. ;) I started with a Basic Black card base and stamped one of the blossoms from Stippled Blossom in White StazOn. Next, I stamped the coordinating blossom on top in Melon Mambo.

Since two of my favourite products are retiring at the end of the month (sniff sniff!!) - Itty Bitty Punch Pack & Dress-Up Framelits - I thought I should showcase them. I cut the dress form in Coastal Cabana and then created a dress using cut-up Doilies, Melon Mambo Ribbon & another stamped blossom.

For more inspiration, head on over to the Blog to see what the other DT members have designed & then play along. You've got until Friday, May 16th.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White
Ink: White StazOn, Melon Mambo
Stamps: Stippled Blossom, Banner Greetings
Tools: Big Shot, Dress-Up Framelits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack
Accessories: Doilies, Melon Mambo Ribbon (retired), Jewels

The NEW 2014-2015 Catty!

Well, the night finally happened! Last night I was able to attend the Canadian Catalogue Premier in Mississauga. Even though I would've been able to view the online version today, there's nothing like getting the actual book! Lucky for me, I also walked away with two new stamp sets!!

This morning I had a snuggle with my 4-year-old daughter (and also an avid crafter!) and we looked through the catty together, making our wish list. Of course we want it all!! It is absolutely the best catalogue ever. For many reasons.

The number one thing I'm excited about is the organization of it. Not only is it organized by occasion (!!!),  there are also tons of samples and techniques, how to's and more. Sections are often further broken down by "beginner", "casual" and "avid" paper crafters, and when projects are listed, the catty provides a breakdown of everything you need to make that exact project! The indexes are also fabulous - there's a picture sentiment index (!!!) and an accessories index too! LOVE!!

Once again, SU! offers some bundles where you can save 15% when purchasing certain products together, lots of amazing kits, there's a bigger MDS influence and lots of fun new toys to enjoy.

Over the next couple of days, I'll be playing with my new stamp sets and then hopefully I'll be getting my pre-order of a couple additional items next week. I'm excited to be sharing the projects with you.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. The catalogue goes live June 1st!

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