Pierced Butterflies

I created this card a while ago and am finally now going to show it to you. :) I love randomly stamping images on a card to create lots of interest and I thought "what if I use my Paper Piercing Pack to create that type of look?" Here are the results:

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP
Ink: Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit
Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Wacky Wishes (Hostess)
Tools: Butterfly Punch, Paper Piercing Pack
Technique: Paper Piercing

I'm quite happy with the way this card turned out. I love all the piercing templates Stampin' Up! has introduced to the market since last year. I own all of them! It's great to have another element to add to cards that coordinate so perfectly with other products. What's better than a stamp set that coordinates with a punch, that coordinates with a piercing template?!

After randomly piercing my butterfly patterns across my Whisper White card stock, I stamped & punched out my butterflies and popped them up with Dimensionals. I added strips of Sycamore Street DSP for some added colour and stamped my sentiment slightly off center because my one butterfly hangs low. I think it works!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

We're Back!

We're back from our holidays over at Sunday Stamps and hope you'll play along with us this week. We've got a colour challenge for you - Night of Navy, More Mustard & Sahara Sand:

Paper: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, More Mustard
Ink: Night of Navy, More Mustard
Stamps: Simply Soft (Hostess, Retired)
Tools: Mini Curly Label Punch (Sneak Peek SAB Item!), Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits
Accessories: Linen Thread

I know the stamp set I used is retired, but it just spoke to me as I was staring at all my sets wondering what I was going to create this week. I've had a tad of a struggle getting back into my stampin' after the holidays. :)

I started with creating a tiled look with the NEW Mini Curly Label Punch that will debut in the 2013 SAB catty starting January 22nd! I created different layers by punching in my card layer and using Dimensionals. After stamping my image, I created a bow using Linen Thread and added some butterflies.

What do you think? Hope you'll play along with us this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Sparkly Snowflakes

It's my second to last day to show you some Christmas cards... it's a snowflake card:

Paper: Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo
Stamps: Snowflake Soiree
Tools: Blossom Punch
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

This is a CAS card using just two main items - the Snowflake Soiree stamp set (that has both images and sentiments), and the Blossom Punch that just so happens to fit one of the snowflake images.

To add lots of sparkle, I used Dazzling Diamonds on the snowflakes and sentiment.

Hope you like it...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Thin Snowman in Disguise

I just recently (finally!) purchased the Snow Much Fun stamp set during the recent sale. I've loved it for a long time but it just always got pushed down on my wish list. This is the first card I've made with it:

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink: Black
Stamps: Snow Much Fun
Tools: Big Shot, Northern Flurry TIEF, Circle Punches - 1", 1-1/4", 1-3/8"
Accessories: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Linen Thread, Dazzling Details

I don't know why my brain thought to disguise this thin snowman into a fat one, but it seemed cool in my head, so I created it! The card is 4-1/4" square. I scored it at 2-1/2" and 6-3/4". I stamped the snowman twice - once on Whisper White and a second time on Bashful Blue. I used my circle punches to punch him out and then used the punched Whisper White piece as a template to make sure I got my circles punched in the right spot on the front of my card.

I didn't want to have any other stamping on the card, so I ran my base through the Big Shot using the Northern Flurry TIEF for added texture. I paper-pieced my circles together on my Bashful Blue piece and then added my ribbon trim for some added colour. To finish things off, I used Dazzling Details on all his buttons.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Peace on Earth

Wouldn't that be nice?! Today's card is a CASE of Connie Stewart's card I found on Pinterest. I just absolutely fell in love with it.

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink: Gumball Green
Stamps: Merry Minis, Greetings of the Season
Tools: Scallop Punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Techniques: Heat Embossing

I changed out the sentiment she used because I just found this card so peaceful and thought the sentiment I used from Greetings of the Season fit perfectly. I heat embossed it in silver for some added texture and elegance. I just love this card!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's All Colour Over at Sunday Stamps!

Good Morning! Today is Tara's Colour Challenge over at Sunday Stamps... pop by and play along with us.

I decided to make a Christmas card because the colours, like Tara thought, would be a great Christmas pallette. Take a look:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue
Stamps: Stylin' Snowfolk, Many Merry Messages
Tools: Big Shot, Norther Flurry TIEF, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Adorning Accents,
Circle Punches - 1", 1"3/8 & 1-3/4"

I CASEd this card from my upline Leena Girsa, it was just too cute not to! It's pretty simple when you've got the right punches to create the snowman. I added lots of texture to this card with embossing folders and I think it works.

I opted out of giving my snowman a face or accessories... other than that adorable top hat! To finish up and add a little bling, I dotted my eye with a jewel.

Head on over and play along, we would love to see what you come up with this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Mini Tags

Who doesn't need tags at Christmas? Well, I've made it easy with these mini tags... check 'em out:

Paper: Festival of Prints, Be of Good Cheer, Jolly Holiday (Retired),
Merry Moments, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Tools: Ornament Punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack

I've created mini tags that are 2x2 to fit inside a little box. There are three styles and several different patterns included! The first two I just cut a 2x4 base and scored in half. The ornament I scored a piece of paper and then punched with the Ornament Punch. I used the Merry Minis Punch Pack shapes to punch out from one tag and then used those remnants to create another tag. No waste here!

I will be selling them at my Craft Show this Sunday... 20 per box. I think they'll be a bit hit!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

A Party Dress

Gotta love the tulle Stampin' Up! has in the current Holiday Catalogue. So many great uses for it. That's what I used to create a dress for this card:

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamps: Established Elegance
Tools: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Corner Rounder
Accessories: Crumb Cake Tulle, Pearls, 1/8" VV Ribbon, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz

I'm in love with my creation. :) I can say that, right?! I used the dress form stamp as my base and then gathered the tulle over top of it and tied it together with a ribbon to form a "belt". To add more elegance to this card, I added some texture with the Lacy Brocade TIEF, Smooch Spritz and a pearl. I also added some sponging for a bit of a vintage feel.

I left a sentiment off this card because I think it could work for any number of special occasions - birthday or bridal shower, to name a couple.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Gum Anyone?

Today I have another stocking stuffer I'm preparing for my upcoming Craft Show (November 25th). Who wouldn't like to receive a pack of gum in their stocking this year, when it looks like this!

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Real Red
Tools: Big Shot, Petals-A-Plenty TIEF, Curly Label Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

These are fairly easy to make... a little scoring, some cutting and a couple of punches and the project is complete! I think I might omit the punched hole at the top because not all my gum has that cutout, but other than that, I'm ready to make lots of this one!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Snowman Kisses

I know it's been a long time since I posted a card, but I had to share yet another stocking stuffer I plan to make for my upcoming Christmas Craft Show. These Tic Tac containers are floating all over the Internet, but I've never seen one using this stamp set yet. Check it out:

  

I'm calling my Tic Tac Snowman "Snowman Kisses", but you can also find them called "Snowman Poop"... complete with a poem. I preferred kisses over poop. :)

I used the snowman from Stylin' Snowfolk. I love this new stamp set because you can build your own snowman or snowwoman. There are tons of accessories, including mustaches and eyeglasses! I chose to keep him simple for this purpose.

I had to alter the dimensions of templates I found online to fit my Tic Tac container (from Costco) and used my 3/4" Circle Punch for the Tic Tacs to peek through. To finish off, I thought this snowman needed a top hat... and gives the project a bit more dimension, I think.

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

Punch Art Giraffe

I don't often do Punch Art, but when I was commissioned to do a custom card with a giraffe, I couldn't resist doing it with some inspiration from Pinterest with Linda Fisher's card.

Paper: Really Rust (retired), Marigold Morning (retired), So Saffron,
Creamy Caramel (retired), Basic Black, Blush Blossom (retired)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Stamps: Wacky Wishes (Hostess)
Tools: Punches - 3/4", 1" & 1-3/8" Circle, Owl Punch, Five Petal Flower (retired),
Small Oval, Word Window

Punch Art involves using many different punches to create something. To create a giraffe, I used the following punches:

• 3/4" Circle: toes
• 1" Circle: head, spots
• 1-3/8" Circle: body, spots
• Small Oval: nose, mouth/tongue
• Owl: eyes, nostrils, ear tuffs, tail, spots
• Five Petal Flower: ears

The key to Punch Art is to sponge all your pieces before gluing them together. This gives lots of dimension to the project. I used Crumb Cake to sponge all my pieces. I wanted my giraffe to be the spotlight of this card, so I didn't add anything else but the sentiment. My client LOVED it and thought it was truly a work of art. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Easy Peasy Thank Yous

Stampin' Up! Note Cards make it quick and easy to create beautiful note cards for any occasion. As part of the wedding samples I prepared for this weekend (see yesterday's post), I also created some thank you cards too. Take a look:

Paper: SU! Note Cards
Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Wacky Wishes (Hostess)

This card is purely stamping. No tools, no Big Shot (gasp!). I think it gives great impact, but with minimal effort. Change up the colours and sentiment and you can create these cards for any occasion. The label from Everything Eleanor is a perfect backdrop for larger sentiments.

Paper: SU! Note Cards
Ink: Daffodil Delight
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Designer Frames TIEF, Elegant Lines TIEF,
Punches - Word Window, XL Oval

This card is more elegant than the previous, simple, and eye catching. The ever-popular and always a "wow" factor of the raised impressions from Textured Impressions Embossing Folders mean that you don't need much else.

Paper: SU! Note Cards
Ink: Basic Gray
Stamps: Perfect Punches
Tools: Big Shot, TIEF's: Fancy Fan, Manhattan Flower, Lacy Brocade,
Elegant Lines, Scallop Circle Punch
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon

Again, using the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, you don't need much else! For this set of cards, I displayed four more elegant folders, used on the entire card base. I added a sentiment from Perfect Punches and accented with a pop of Seam Binding Ribbon.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Simply Christmas

Today I have another simple card for you created from a Simply Scrappin' kit. These kits are great, and not just for scrapbooking!

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin'
Ink: Old Olive
Stamps: Joyous Celebrations
Tools: Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Modern Label Punch
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Thanks to the Simply Scrappin' kit, this card was quick and easy. Perfect if you have lots of Christmas cards to make! How cute is the "peek-a-boo" window?! So simple with Framelits since you can put them anywhere on your page!

Simply Scrappin' kits come with 12 x 12 card stock (coordinating colours to match the kit contents), self-adhesive accent sheets and DSP. The one I used is retired (Christmas Lane), but there are many wonderful new kits available in the Annual Catalogue, and one in the Holiday Catalogue - Merry Moments. I hope to be able to play around with that one soon!

Don't forget, today is the last day for the Back to Spool Promotion. Spend $50 (CAD) and get your choice of FREE 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon. Maybe pick up a few Simply Scrappin' Kits...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

O Tannenbaum

I made some of these folded tree cards last year too, but this year, I thought it would be cute to make them much smaller and what better tool to use then the 2-1/2" Circle Punch?!

Paper: Cherry Cobber, Basic Gray, Gumball Green, Early Espresso,
VV, WW, Christmas Lane SS, Jolly Holiday DSP, Merry Moments SS,
Be of Good Cheer DSP, Glimmer Paper
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: Seasonal Sayings, Greetings of the Season
Tools: Big Shot, Delicate Designs TIEF, Star Punch from Merry Minis Punch Pack,
2-1/2" Circle Punch

I swear I had never seen such small, cute folded trees before. I thought I was being smart by using my 2-1/2" Circle Punch too, to create these little guys. After I had made these a while back, I was surfing the net and of course came across someone else who had done this. So I guess you can never be sure if the idea was yours or one you saw somewhere else at some point in time!

Anyway, after punching, I cut the circles in half. You can get two trees from one punch. I know there are templates out there for larger trees, but I just played around with it until I got the fold I wanted. I created my own template on my Grid Paper - basically marking where the first fold should be and then I just folded free-hand.

I wanted a little texture, so I used the Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in the background. Before gluing my trees down, I added tiny trunks in coordinating card stock. To finish things off, I added some glimmer stars, punched from Silver Glimmer Paper and with the star from the Merry Minis Punch Pack and added a sentiment.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay craft!
Steph

Snowman Head

I'm finally getting in the Christmas spirit. I've been making several different Christmas cards lately. Today, I share a cute one I made that was inspired by a tag I saw on Pinterest (but it wasn't linked to the creator of it).

Paper: Whisper White, Concord Crush DSP, Glimmer Paper
Ink: Gumball Green
Stamp: Contempo Christmas (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Snow Flurry Bigz Die, 2-1/2 Circle Punch

Isn't he so cute?! I just love him! I outlined his head with Dazzling Diamonds and also accented the snowflakes with it. I wanted lots of sparkle on this card. The DSP I used is not Christmas themed, and not really even a Christmas colour, but I think it works. I thought the little flower bursts looked like snowflakes.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Falling Leaves

There were several things that got me thinking about making a fall card for today's post. For one, the  Holiday Catty has many new items in it. Then there was a fall card we made at a recent techniques class. Add on top of that the gloomy, colder weather we've had the last couple of days (that I don't mind so much), and I guess this all inspired me to make a fall card.

Paper: Comfort Cafe DSP, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Woodgrain TIEF

This was a pretty simple card to put together. I started with some scraps I had left over from another project - the Comfort Cafe DSP rectangles. I created a "window" with them. Next, I cut the oak leaf from Cajun Craze with the new Autumn Accents Bigz Die and ran it through with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

To finish off, I used some strips of scraps and curled them around a pencil and glued them to the leaf. I added my sentiment and the card was done! Now I've got a beautiful Thanksgiving card to give to someone... two months from now! :)

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Did You Hear?

SU! retired fabric is on sale... for only $1.19!! While I admit (sadly) that I don't know how to sew, I can say that it works great for papercrafting too! Did you know you can use our fabric for card making and scrapbooking? Here's a quick card I whipped up with some of the retiring fabric:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations, Pool Party
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Stamps: Tiny Tags
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF, Sand Blocks, Window Frame Framelits
Accessories: Candy Cane Christmas Fabric

All I did to get this look is rip strips of fabric (I like the frayed edge) and adhere them to my card base. The trick when using fabric to paper is to use our Big Shot Adhesive Sheets. These are great because you can cut them to any size you want and despite the name, they are not just for use in the Big Shot!

For my focal image, I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations Card Stock with the second smallest Framelit from the Window Frames Collection. I sanded it a bit and then mounted it on a piece of fabric I cut that was the next size up.

I tied a strip of fabric in a knot and adhered it with a glue dot to some tiny tags I punched out with the Little Labels Punch Pack.

The fabric is a great deal and it's only while supplies last! Check out the fabric on sale below and contact me today to place your order.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Colour Coach

The Colour Coach is a great tool and that's how I got my colour combo for today's card. I'll be honest with you that Pretty in Pink is not a colour I use often... but I have TONS of card stock in this colour, so I'm trying to use it more and more.

Since I don't use the colour often, I needed some colour inspiration, so I referred to the trusted Colour Coach and viola! Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Marina Mist.

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery
Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips TIEF, Modern Label Punch, Simply Scored
Accessories: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

I started with a Pretty in Pink card stock base and embossed it with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I actually used the longest side of the folder and ran it through the big shot three times to get the border at the bottom of the card. The trick is to only run it through until you hit the folder and not all the way through. If you continue to run the card through the Big Shot with each additional border you add, you'd flatten your design. I love finding new ways to use SU! products! At the top of the Whisper White panel, I scored three lines using my Simply Scored, but it's hard to see that in the picture.

After stamping and cutting out the tea cup from Tea Shoppe, I added some Certainly Celery ribbon (retired) behind it for some added texture. The tea cup was then popped up with Dimensionals. I also randomly stamped the flower from the same set and then punched out my stamped sentiment with my Modern Label Punch.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Still Time to Smile!

As you probably already know, July has been a reason to smile. For the entire month, you can purchase the exclusive Reason to Smile stamp set for only $5.00 when you purchase $60.00! What a sweet deal... especially since you can choose either clear-mount or wood-mount.

As a Demonstrator, we had the opportunity to pre-order this stamp set in June already. Of course I forgot to do that and so I only recently got it. Anyway, here is the first card I made with this beautiful set:

Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Old Olive
Stamps: Reason to Smile, Tiny Tags
Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips TIEF, Little Labels Punch Pack
Accessories: Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon

I started with a Whisper White card base and masked off about a 2 inch section. Next, I stamped the Gerber Daisies randomly in Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight (two step stampin'). I then ran the card base through the Big Shot using the Framed Tulips TIEF, lining up the edge of the folder with my masked edge on the card base. To add even more dimension, I stamped another image from the same set on Whisper White and fussy-cut it out. I glued the stem to the card base and popped up the flower with Dimensionals. I added a tiny knotted piece to the stem with a glue dot and wrapped some Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon around the top and added a tag.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Patio Butterflies

I was honoured to be asked to be a Guest Designer for Sunday Stamps this week! I've enjoyed playing along for the last several challenges and look forward to many more. Here is this week's sketch and my design:

Paper: Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Patio Party DSP
Stamps: Fabulous Florets
Ink: Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit
Accessories: Jewels, Midnight Muse Satin Stitched Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

When I saw the butterflies in the sketch, I immediately thought of all those tiny butterflies in the Patio Party DSP. To add a little interest (and it's hard to tell in the photos), I stamped the large leaf image from the Fabulous Florets set in VersaMark, covered it in clear embossing powder and heated it. After all was dry, I got out my Brayer and brayered Midnight Muse ink all over the DSP. This allowed my leaf image to pop because the butterflies that were captured behind the clear embossing powder stayed lighter and you can still see the rest of the DSP, although darker, under the brayered ink. Cool, eh?!

I mounted the DSP on some Summer Starfruit card stock and punched a border in the same colour with my Scallop Trim border punch. I also added some Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon for more texture. I used my Beautiful Wings embosslit to get all the butterflies and scattered them across the front - I saved the largest one for inside the card. For the sentiment, I stamped one of the floral images in Summer Starfruit on Summer Starfruit card stock, added some Dazzling Diamonds to the center and stamped the sentiment from Petite Pairs in the center in Midnight Muse ink. Then I fussy-cut the flower out and popped it up with Dimensionals.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph