It's a Tri-Colour Challenge at Sunday Stamps!

Happy Sunday! This week we've got a fun colour combo for you - Early Espresso, More Mustard & Marina Mist. Feel free to substitute similar colours if you don't have the Stampin' Up! ones. Here's my card:

Paper: Watercolour Paper, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso
Ink: Marina Mist, More Mustard, Early Espresso, StazOn
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes
Tools: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits, Paper Piercing Template
Accessories: Linen Thread, Naturals Designer Button
Techniques: Watercolouring, Paper Piercing, Distressing

I started with a piece of watercolour paper. I used my clear blocks (A, B, & C) to watercolour my background. I took each block, coloured on it with my Stampin' Write Marker (make sure the block is clean!), spritzed with water and stamped on my paper. If needed, I used my Aqua Painter to blend in a bit more. Once all was stamped and blended, I set it aside to dry. It didn't take long, but you can also use your heat tool to speed things up.

I cut out an oval shape with the NEW Oval Framelits found in the Spring Catalogue and stamped my image from Serene Silhouettes with StazOn ink. I glued the oval on an angle on my card base. On the "scrap" piece, I used one of my Paper Piercing Templates (this one from the Spring Catty) and pierced around my oval. I then threaded Linen Thread through every other hole and finished off with a Naturals Designer Button at the top.

I distressed the edges of my watercolour paper a bit for an added effect and I love, love, LOVE how this card came out. Way better than what I had pictured in my mind.

Hope this card inspires you to play along with us. Please check out what the rest of the Design Team has created for you & play along this week over at Sunday Stamps!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

With Sympathy

My card today has been inspired (and pretty much CASEd) from Diane Cramer. I found her card on where else? Pinterest! ha

Thankfully I don't have a need for a sympathy card at the moment, but I have launched my cards for online sales, and want to make sure I always have a stock of all types of cards. I'd love for you to check out my online store... it's a big venture for me and I'm very excited! Still have to upload some inventory, but take a look:

www.icraftgifts.com/hofkissed

Now, here's my card:

Paper: Naturals Ivory, River Rock, Sahara Sand, So Saffron
Ink: Early Espresso, VersaMark
Stamp: Simply Soft (RETIRED Hostess)
Accessories: Linen Thread, Naturals Designer Button
Techniques: Sponging

I just loved Diane's card the moment I saw it. The simplicity and beauty of it really spoke to me. I chose a subtle colour palette and thought the addition of Linen Thread and a Naturals Designer Button was a bit rustic, but worked well with the images too.

Would love to hear what you think!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's A Scrap Yard Series - Post #4

Another simple card today using all my scraps! I debated adding a sentiment or not, but sometimes I like to keep it open until I need a card for a particular occasion. I think this will eventually become a birthday card, but you never know...

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Melon Mambo,
Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread

Like yesterday's card, all my pieces were already cut and die cut with my Big Shot using the Finishing Touches Edgelits. It was after I glued all the pieces down that I thought I needed some dimension. I just so happened to have flower buttons in all the colours! Three were from the Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon & Button Pack from SAB a few years ago (but you can purchase on the Clearance Rack currently!) and the other two are from the Brights Buttons, I believe.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Button Buddies Harvest

Even though Thanksgiving is long gone for us Canadians, the US will be celebrating in just a couple weeks. As I mentioned in my last post, I had to create some Thanksgiving cards for a client for her US friends and here is another one I made:

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Harvest DSP, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamps: Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Postage Stamp Punch, Modern Label Punch
Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread

This one didn't require much thought because Button Buddies does the work for you. Our buttons coordinate so nicely with this stamp set! I love the Harvest DSP too and the colours are just so festive for this time of year.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph