Sunday Stamps Sketch!

I don't know about you, but May has been a crazy month! It's been jam-packed for me and after today, I'm looking forward to a little bit of relaxation time... and hopefully more stamping! I did manage to find a brief moment the other day to work on my design for Sunday Stamps this week though. I'm hosting and have put together a simple sketch:

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Neutrals Paper Stack
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey
Stamps: Word Play, En Francais
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines TIEF, Artisan Label Punch
Accessories: Jewels

This sketch is so versatile... and the beauty of sketches is that you can use them as a starting point for inspiration - flip them, move the elements around, change the shapes, etc. I decided to stick pretty close to the sketch, just changing out the sentiment shape.

I hope this sketch inspires you and that you can play along with us this week. We love seeing what designs you can create!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Better Late Than Never!

I know it's Tuesday... but here's my post from Sunday! It's my design for Sunday Stamps. I had a pretty crazy weekend, not to mention life with a toddler & newborn. ha. I'm lucky if I remember what I'm doing half the time... But, better late than never, right?!  :)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Various Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps: Fabulous You, Bitty Banners, Stacks of Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Framelies, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Boho Blossom Punch, Heat Tool
Accessories: Jewels

This card started out looking like the sketch, I swear! But then it morphed into the card you see above. That's the beauty of sketch challenges... they're an inspiration point. Sometimes you keep it looking exact and sometimes it inspires you to create something completely different!

This was a card I made for my friend's bridal shower over the weekend. I just love the shoe from the Fabulous You stamp set. It's hard to see in the picture, but I stamped the sayings from the Stacks of Wishes hostess stamp set from the Spring Catalogue. I created a background image with them, stamping them randomly both inside and out. It's such a great set because you get so many greetings... plus, the beauty of clear mount allows you to cut them all apart so that you can use them individually, or all together by mounting them on a block again.

Hope you're inspired by Joan's sketch this week. Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Wedding Card Box

One of my very good friends is getting married at the end of the month and as one of her bridesmaids (and the "crafty one"), she asked if I wanted to create a custom card box for her. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! Although I played around with a lot of ideas and it was harder to find boxes that would work than I thought, I am extremely pleased with how it turned out...

All the boxes are glued together with holes cut through them so that the cards can drop right to the bottom. I designed it so that the lid can pop off to empty out all the cards. Can you believe this cost me less than $15 to create?! Well, maybe you can believe it, but I think it looks far richer than that! I hope my friend loves it... and that you do too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Rolling with Gold at Sunday Stamps

Good morning & happy Sunday! It's another gorgeous day here and it's gonna be a great day! Starting off with another Sunday Stamps Challenge, followed by some tidying up (OK, maybe that's not so much fun) and then my card class later this afternoon.

This week's challenge is hosted by Tara and the colours are Pretty in Pink, Midnight Muse & Gold. Since I'm making some custom thank you cards for a bride-to-be, I thought this might be the perfect challenge for that.

Paper: WW Note Cards & Envelopes
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Midnight Muse, Gold (non SU!)
Stamps: Sincere Salutations (retired), Artistic Etchings, French Foliage

The bride's theme (for her shower) is Paris. How perfect is the Artistic Etchings stamps set for that?! Sadly, it's retiring this year, so if you want it, you better get your hands on it before June 3rd! Another favourite of mine is French Foliage (also retiring!) and really, the two are PERFECT to pair together.

I know there's not much happening with my card today in terms of bling & such. But I also wanted to showcase to you that you don't always need much. Sometimes all you need is some paper & stamps. Keeping it clean & simple and just using the basics!

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the design team has created & hope you'll play along with us this week too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Butterfly 3x3 Gift Set

Today I'm sharing a project I originally designed to use up retiring DSP... but I loved it so much I created an entire line to sell in my online store. Check it out:

Now, this DSP (Lovely Flowers) I've been hanging onto for a long while! It's so pretty, but it was finally time to let it go. :) It was just perfect for these butterfly cards...

I got the basic idea for the holder based on the "Tea Bag Pocket" tutorials I've seen online. I customized it to be able to fit my 3x3 cards & envelopes. The cards fit on one side and the envelopes on the other.

This is a sweet set to give to a host/hostess for all those summer BBQs you may be attending, for a thank you, teacher gift and of course, occasions such as Mother's Day (which is on May 12th).

BUY NOW! You can purchase this here in my online store!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. If you live in or around Cambridge, we'll be making a version of this set on Sunday, May 5th in my "Fabulously Feminine" class. There are still a couple of spaces if you want to join the fun. The cost is only $10!

Mum's The Word

Happy Sunday... and if you follow my Blog, you know what that means... it's sketch week at Sunday Stamps! Holly put together a great sketch for us this week. With SU! releasing their retiring list this past Wednesday, this sketch is perfect for showcasing retiring DSP. Check it out:

Paper: River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated DSP
Ink: Basic Grey
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Oval Framelits, Holiday Frame TIEF, Boho Blossoms Punch
Accessories: Pearls

This sketch really was perfect for me because I needed to clear out some space for new products that are coming my way from the new catty (being released to customers May 31st!). It's a great sketch to use up some DSP, and I also used some card stock in retiring colours.

I decided on a Mother's Day card because Mother's Day is only a few weekends away now... but the sentiment can be easily swapped out for another. Especially when you use Teeny Tiny Wishes! I added lots of interest with the TIEF and the boho blossom flowers.

Hope you'll play along with us this week. We'd love to see what you create with the sketch!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Say Buh-Bye!

It's that time of year... time to ship out the "old" and bring in the new. Stampin' Up! released their retiring list today (and 2013-2014 catalogue for us Demonstrators!) and there are many great deals to be had!

This card seemed fitting considering Dinoroar is on the retiring list. :( This is such a fun set, especially if you've got kids in you life! I think it's definitely worth considering if you don't already have it in your collection!

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Black StazOn
Stamps: Dinoroar, Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired)
Tools: Square Lattice TIEF, XL Oval Punch

These images are so much fun to colour, but this time, I left it up to the receiver of the card. I included two crayons with each card for instant gratification! I thought this was such a fun birthday card for either a boy or a girl and so I've made several like this (and a with different images) that have become part of my cards for sale.

Have I convinced you yet to purchase this awesome set? Maybe it isn't for you, but I'm sure you'll find something you "need" on the retiring list. Check it out and then make your purchase through my online store! Remember, all consumables (i.e. paper, embellishments, etc) are only available while supplies last...

View all the retiring products here.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Circle Butterfly CASE

I created this card a while back, but never got the opportunity to post it. So long ago in fact that I forget now who I CASEd this card from or where I even came across it! :s Sorry!

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Lovely Flowers DSP (retired)
Tools: Circle Punches, Butterfly Punch
Accessories: Jewels

Is this card clean & simple (CAS) or what?! Sometimes simplicity is best, although, I can't believe I didn't do any stamping on this card! I popped up all the circles and added some small jewels for some bling. I think the Stripes TIEF was the best choice for this card... I think I'll even create more just like this, but in different colour tones. I like it so much!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. Don't forget that the SU! Retiring List will be posted tonight at midnight (MDT)!