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

It's All Plum at Sunday Stamps!

Well, what can I say? This time of year is completely nutty for me and my business. On top of that, I'm still without my craft studio & half my house is under renovations! Needless to say, my Blog has been neglected, and probably will be until the end of the year unfortunately.

The good news is that I have a colour challenge to share with you today from Sunday Stamps!

I had a wee bit of trouble with this colour challenge. Perfect Plum is not a colour I use often, but I think I made it work. I inked up my Age Awaremenss stamp set for the first time with this card. It's such a fun & versatile set.

Stampin' Up!'s Photopolymer stamps sets are AMAZING!! If you haven't used them yet, you have to give them a try. The best I've ever used or seen. They're at a great price-point and you can see exactly where you're stamping every single time. :)

Anyway, hope you'll challenge yourself and join us over at Sunday Stamps this round. Check out the other DT members too because they rocked this one!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Naturals, Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum & Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder
Stamps: Age Awareness, Flower Shop, Petite Flowers
Tools: Flower Punches
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Colour Challenge for Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another week at Sunday Stamps! This week we've got a colour challenge - Cherry Cobbler (red), Daffodil Delight (yellow), Pumpkin Pie (orange) & Tempting Turquoise (blue)... neutrals are also always welcome, should you choose.

This one was tough for me! Not just the colour combo, but also because I was challenging myself not to make a Fall or Thanksgiving card (these colours were screaming me to do so!).

A while back I did many posts around buttons, and today I went back to them again. I knew I still had some of these colours in there. I added some jewels to them (because who doesn't love bling?!) and placed them on top of some punched butterflies.

After stamping the butterflies on the base layer, I embossed it with the Honeycomb TIEF for some added interest. After all was glued, I felt like it needed something else. I remembered seeing a project with baker's twine and I thought that would be a nice touch. Turns out I was right!

Hope you'll be able to play along with us. I know you the colour scheme may be tough, but I hope you'll challenge yourself. That's what this is all about anyway, right?! Don't forget to check out the other DT Member Blogs and link up before October 31st!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight & Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: Kinda Eclectic
Tools: Big Shot, Honeycomb TIEF, Bitty Butterfly & Butterfly Punches
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Buttons, Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Blendabilities for Sunday Stamps

Welcome to another challenge at Sunday Stamps! This time around we've got a great sketch for you and I think you'll agree it'll be one you'll use again and again!

A long time ago, I did a series on using up scraps and had made up a bunch of card fronts using strips of DSP to create a herringbone design. There were a few where I only used half a card front and did this sketch scream for me to use those pieces or what?!

For the other half, I embossed a piece of Naturals Ivory CS with the Honeycomb TIEF. Once those pieces were glued to the front, I popped up my flower that I colored using some of the skin tone assortment of Blendabilities.

I actually stamped the middle part of the flower separately and popped that up as well. Behind the flower I added a few leaves from a retired Sizzlet and then finished things off with a bitty butterfly and some jewels coloured with the same blendas. :)

Hope I've inspired you to play along with us this week! Check out what the other DT members have done and then link up your design by October 17th.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Various DSP
Ink: Memento Black Ink
Stamps: Blended Bloom
Tools: Bitty Butterfly Punch, Skin Tone Blendabilities, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Big Shot
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

It's All About Gold at Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another challenge over at Sunday Stamps... and another post from me after about two weeks. :) What can I say, life has been busy! This time around we've got a colour challenge - Blackberry Bliss (so yummy!), Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green & Gold.

I needed some wedding cards, so I thought this colour combo would be perfect. The picture doesn't do this card justice. The gold foil really looks like a gold bar in real life and as if the gold foil wasn't glam enough, I used gold for the card base and sentiment, lots of embossing, gold-threaded ribbon & gold-wrapped baker's twine. :) Since I didn't want to add too much green, I only used a hint of it to peek out from behind the sentiment.

Hope you'll be able to play along with us. You have until Friday, October 3rd. We love to see your creations and don't forget to check out the other DT member blogs to see what they came up with!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Gold Specialty, Gold Foil, Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Garden Green
Ink: Gold
Stamps: Label Love
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF (retired), Decorative Dots TIEF, Snowburst TIEF (retired), Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Artisan Label Punch, Fun Flowers Bigz Die (retired)
Accessories: Gold Baker's Twine, Gold Ribbon
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Tag Topper Card for Sunday Stamps

Welcome to another week at Sunday Stamps! So excited to have you join us, and to welcome our new DT member Leena! For the next two weeks, we've got a sketch for ya, and here's what I came up with.

I stuck very closely to the sketch, as you can see. I used some specialty paper from the retired Candlelight Christmas DSP as my focal point. I loved the felting on acetate. From there, I stuck with the reds & used some card stock & glimmer paper along with some Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (retired).

The tags I punched using the Scallop Tag Topper Punch but instead of using paper that was 2" wide, I cut it down to 1-1/2" and it fit nicely between the scallops at the top.

On the inside, I added some more ribbon, anchoring my sentiment. I really love how this turned out!

I hope that you'll be inspired by this sketch and play along. You have until Friday, September 19th at 6 p.m. to link up and don't forget to check out what the other DT members have created to inspire you!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red
Stamps: Seasonal Sayings
Tools: 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF (retired)
Accessories: Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Something's Fishy at Sunday Stamps

I'm so glad to be back designing with this great team again - and excited to have a couple new members too! I took about a two-month hiatus and it feels good to be getting all inky again. This week we've got a colour challenge - Pink Pirouette, Old Olive & Marina Mist.

I've been wanting to make this type of card for a while now and since I never inked up my By the Tide stamp set yet, these colours were calling me to do so! My paper was cut down to 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and I scored at 3-1/2" and 6". Next, I rant my Window Framelits through the Big Shot, making sure to only have my cutting plates over top of where I wanted to cut. Once that was done, I stamped all my images.

Lastly, I ran my card base through again, this time with the Fancy Fan TIEF. I actually ran it through twice because I wanted the texture to be running a certain way. I thought this TIEF looked like fish scales. ;)

To finish things off, I stamped on a separate piece that I cut with the same Window Framelits and then  layered with my various pieces & some twine. The sentiment is from the new And Many More... stamp set. I love the birthday font and the entire set is fast becoming my go-to for sentiments!

Hope you'll play along with us. You've got two weeks to link up, the collection closes on Friday, September 5th. Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT for great inspiration... and welcome the new members too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette
Stamps: By the Tide, And Many More
Tools: Big Shot, Fancy Fan TIEF, Typeset Alpha Bigz Die (retired), Modern Label Punch
Accessories: Twine
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

I'm Baaaaa-ack!

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post!! I have been on a hiatus, dealing with some personal issues, in which I had to pack up my craft space. :( Anyway, I've created a temporary space now so that I can get back to my crafty ways. I'm also very excited to be able to get back to Sunday Stamps and design with the other very talented DT ladies!!

I didn't make it back in time to post for this last challenge, but I will link-up. I had a lot of fun with this sketch and it helped me design this custom card for a client. Check it out:

I kept the card relatively simple, but added lots of texture with a doily, some buttons and ribbon. The paper doily was inked up with my Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities to create an Ombre effect. That effect was kinda lost when I cut it in half and pleated it, but you can still see the different tones. ;)

The buttons are some retired SAB freebies from a couple of years ago and instead of threading them with ribbon, I punched the flower shape from the retired Punch Pack from the same DSP I used on the card.

The ribbon is also retired (jeez, I didn't realize how many retired items I used for this card!) and I wrapped it around my card front and then glued a few strips on top to create a fringe.

Hope this card inspires you... and for even more inspiration, check out what the other DT members created for you. You have until Friday, August 22nd to link up and join the fun!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Smokey Slate, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities
Stamps: And Many More...
Tools: Big Shot, Decorative Dots TIEF, Typeset Alpha Bigz Die (retired)
Accessories: Basic Grey Stitched Ribbon (retired), Rich Razzleberry Buttons (retired), Paper Doilies
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Baby Boy for Sunday Stamps SSC79

Welcome to another two weeks at Sunday Stamps! This time around we've got a colour challenge - Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist & Basic Grey... what a yummy combination!

I wanted to use my Baby's First Framelits - the onesies & hangers are super adorable! To hang them, I just wrapped some White Baker's Twine around my card base and then randomly hung my onesies that I popped up with a couple of Dimensionals. I embossed each onesie with a different TIEF and the sentiment in Silver Embossing Powder.

We hope you'll play along with us this round. Don't forget to check out the other DT members to get more inspiration. You have until Friday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. to link up!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Basic Grey, Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Stamps: Cuddles & Kisses, Something for Baby (inside of card)
Tools: Baby's First Framelits, Scallop TIEF (retired), Square Lattice TIEF (retired), Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Heat Tool
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps SSC78 - Late Again!

Well, I don't know what to tell you. I've been seriously ignoring my Blog!! Now that the weather has been better, I just want to be outside... and at the end of the day, I'm exhausted from following my two munchkins around. ha. I will try to be better. Promise!

A week and a day ago, we posted a new challenge over at Sunday Stamps. It is a great sketch challenge and one I think I will be using over and over again!

I was commissioned to create a custom card for an 80th birthday. I thought this sketch would work well for what I wanted to do. I flipped the sketch on it's side and created away. I kept it pretty simple, but adding a bit of shimmer with some Gold Specialty Paper & Champagne Glimmer Paper. It was for a man, so I could't go overboard with it. ;)

We hope you'll get inspired with us this week. You have until Friday, June 27th at 6 p.m. to link up and play along. Hope you will!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Night of Navy, Gold Specialty, Champagne Glimmer, Very Vanilla
Ink: Midnight Muse (retired)
Stamps: Memorable Moments
Tools: Big Shot, Scallops TIEF (retired), Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die (retired)
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sweet Baby for Sunday Stamps Challenge #77

Welcome to another challenge at Sunday Stamps. Love the colour combo we've got going on this time - Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point & Sahara Sand.

I am in love with my creation! When I started designing this card, I was just trying to get rid of some retiring products before the new catty launch tomorrow (hanger clips & Silver Glimmer) and am really pleased with the CAS look I accomplished.

I absolutely love the Something for Baby set (doesn't hurt that I earned if for FREE!!) that's launching in the new catalogue tomorrow AND, there are coordinating Framelits for them too! I opted to cut the pieces by hand though because I didn't want a border around my images.

Anyway, hope you'll be inspired by the colour combo and play along with us! You've got until Friday, June 13th to upload your design. We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. Come back tomorrow to see the girl version I created of this card...

RECIPE:
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Sahara Sand, Silver Glimmer Paper (retiring)
Stamps: Bitty Banners, Something for Baby
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Oval Framelits, Simply Scored, 7/8" Scallop Punch, Heart Punch (retiring)
Accessories: Hanger Clips (retiring)
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

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

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

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

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

Sunday Stamps... on Thursday

Okay, so the week got away from me a bit. This past Sunday, we started another challenge over at Sunday Stamps. Hope you'll play along with us. It's a sketch challenge, featuring my sketch. After a small hiatus from the DT at Sunday Stamps, I'm glad to be back!

It wasn't until after I posted this to the team Blog that I noticed I extended my banner across the entire card. Oops! But I guess I can get away with it because you can still see the basic sketch principles there, right?

The card is pretty simple. I didn't want to distract too much from the clay flower. Isn't it gorgeous?! I dyed the clay before adding it to the mold. Gotta love the clay accents because they pack a punch AND they add little weight to a project. You know I'm partial to SU! Product, and while they have some awesome molds, I had to venture elsewhere to feed my clay addiction. :)

Don't be afraid... play along! Check out what the rest of the amazing DT ladies have come up with too and show them a little love. You have until April 4th.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECEIPE:
Paper: Naturals White, Gingham Garden DSP, Whisper White, Primerose Petals
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Punches - Word Window, Modern Label & 2-3/8" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Clay & Clay Molds

Sunday Stamps Sketch!

Welcome to another bi-weekly challenge at Sunday Stamps! This time around, Kathya's got a fabulous sketch for us. I really enjoyed working with it.

I stuck really close to the sketch and got the inspiration for the colours from the banner I created using the Watercolouring with Tissue Paper Technique. You can see the technique here. With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I'd keep in line with the heart from the sketch. I punched the hearts from a scrap of paper using the retired SU! punch, Heart to Heart and then punched that out with the 2-1/2" Scallop Circle. I popped it up with Dimensionals, same with my sentiment. For some subtle bling, I scattered some jewels.

Hope you'll join us. You have until February 8th to play along. Check out the other lovely DT Member Blogs for more inspiration. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Calypso Coral
Ink: Calypso Coral
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Heart to Heart Punch (retired), 2-1/2" Scallop Circle, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps SSC67

I'm loving the colour combo we've got going on over at Sunday Stamps this round - Night of Navy, Strawberry Slush & Silver!

I know my punched circle looks gold, but it's truly the Silver Foil paper that I adore, but unfortunately just doesn't show well on camera. I used the now retired Lots of Love Letterpress Texture Plate on it for a subtle effect. I stamped off a few of the hearts randomly on the paper to give varying shades of Strawberry Slush. It adds a lot of depth!

I didn't want to add too much to my card, so I opted for some punched hearts from Silver Glimmer Paper and heat embossed my sentiment in silver.

We hope you'll play along with us, you have until Friday, January 25th. Make sure you check out the other DT Members for some awesome inspiration… and don't forget to leave them some love too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Strawberry Slush
Tools: Heart to Heart Punch (retired), Heat Tool, Big Shot, Lots of Love Letterpress (retired)
Techniques: Heat Embossing
Challenges: Sunday Stamps