Happy 1st Anniversary Colour Me...!

Hi Everyone!

Well today is a pretty exciting day - it's Colour Me....!s 1st anniversary.  Congratulations Tara and Hayley and all of the wonderful Design Team.

To celebrate this occasion, those of us who have Guest Designed were asked to submit a project and I'm super excited to show you a gift bag and gift card holder I made for the holidays.  :)  What was really fun about the gift card holder is that I used a regular envelope as the base for it - super easy to make and it looked really good.

Here are my projects:

That gift card holder (well tickets in this case) was so easy to make - the hardest part was making the belly band! lol

Project Recipe (all products used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Season of Style DSP (retired)

Stamp Sets - Endless Wishes

Inks - Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Tools/Techniques - Very Vanilla Envelopes, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Kraft Gift Bags (any craft store or dollar store)

Congrats Colour Me...! on a fabulous first year - I can't wait to play along some more in 2015.

Wishing all of you a fabulous New Year ahead filled with lots of happiness, love and health.  All the best.

Thanks for stopping by, I'm so glad you took the time.

Steph

A Traditional Christmas

Hi Everyone,

Can you believe that Christmas is only a few short days away???  I am in Newfoundland celebrating the holidays with my family but I did take some time to make sure that I had a card all ready for this week's fabulous sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  I know it's a super busy week but we would all love if you would take some time to drop by and play along!  Also, take a few moments on Wednesday to check out the fabulous Design Team creations, these girls are just uber talented!!!

Here is this week's sketch:

Seeing as we are so close to Christmas, I really wanted to create a more traditional type of Christmas card.   So, I chose to use Whisper White, Garden Green and Real Red as the colours.

I will be entering this card into a couple of challenges:

1. Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge

I love the candy canes that have the red and green stripes in them so I thought my card would work perfectly for this challenge!

2. Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge

They are having a fabulous "Anything Goes" challenge - love it!

I want to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Take some time to appreciate the ones you love and enjoy the magic of the season.  I wish you all health and happiness over this holiday season and for the upcoming year.

Card Recipe (all products used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock - Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamp Sets - Endless Wishes

Inks - Garden Green, Real Red

Tools/Techniques - 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Scallop Punch, 3/8" Satin Woven Ribbon - Real Red, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot

Thanks for dropping by, I'm so glad you took the time!

Steph

A Blackberry Bliss Christmas

Hi Everyone,

It's time for another absolutely fabulous sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  I had such a fun time with this sketch and I encourage you to head over to the blog on Wednesday and check out the rest of the wonderfully talented Design Team creations.  These girls are AWESOME!  Make sure to take some time to play along as well!!

Here is this week's great sketch:

I decided that it would be fun to turn this sketch on it's side and see what came to me.  I also wanted to use some non-conventional colours for this Christmas Card so I chose Blackberry Bliss and Gold.  I also had a new stamp set that had not seen any ink just yet and I wanted to try it out - Letterpress Winter.

I know it's hard to see but the images are heat embossed in gold.  I also used gold foil sheets and embossed the background.  

I will also be entering this card in a few other challenges this week:

1. Paper Players

I love their theme this week - how fun!

2. Inkspirational

This week's theme is Anything Goes with Gold - love it!

3. Just Us Girls Paper Challenge

This week is their "Word Week":

Card Recipe (all products used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock - Blackberry Bliss, Gold Foil Paper

Stamp Sets - Letterpress Winter

Inks - Versamark

Tools/Techniques - Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Gold Sequin Trim, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot

Thanks for dropping by, I am so glad you took the time!

Steph

Sparkly Pines

Hi Everyone!

We are back this week with another fabulous sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  I really think you should all head over and play along!  While there, you should also check out all of the fabulous creations of the rest of the Design Team - they are a pretty talented bunch!

Here is this week's sketch:

You know me, I took a few liberties with sketch...I hope Michelle doesn't mind!

I don't know if you all have had a chance to check out the fabulous technique and card that Cynthia Millan shared on her blog a few weeks back.  You can check out her technique video HERE.  I have been dying to try this technique using the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and to create my own version of Cynthia's card.  So here is my CASE of her card:

If you click on the third image, you can really see how fabulous the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder is.  I simply took a Versamark ink pad and covered the entire white panel with it, covered it with the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and then used the heat tool.  And it turned out lovely.  The Early Espresso panel is embossed using the Woodgrain Embossing Folder which goes right along with the theme of this card, don't you think?  This is one of my most favourite cards I've made to date and was super fun to do.  Make sure you check out Cynthia's video above and try out this technique.

I will also be entering this card at the following challenges:

1. Addicted to Stamps Challenge Blog

The theme for this week is HOLIDAY.  How fun!

2. Stampin' Celebration

Here is their inspiration photo for this week:

I really love all of the pine in these photos and knew my card would fit right in.  Isn't this a fantastic inspiration photo??

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to say thanks to the ladies over at Colour Me...! - my Subtle Thanks card I posted a couple of days ago was chosen by Julia for an honourable mention.  Yay!

Card Recipe:

Card Stock: Whisper White, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets: Ornamental Pine

Inks: Garden Green, Early Espresso, Versamark

Tools/Techniques: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponging (using Early Espresso ink)

Thanks for dropping by, I'm so glad you did!

Steph

A Subtle Thanks

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all have had a lovely weekend.  It is warming up here and I love it!  All of our snow has melted today - yay!  I'll take it back on Christmas Eve.  Lol.

I wanted to share a card with you that was super quick to make and a fun technique that I saw on Diane Dimich's site.  It is called the "Thumping Technique".  Click here for a link to the video.

The colours I used for this card were the gorgeous ones from this week's Colour Me...! challenge.

Card Recipe:

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Seasonally Scattered

Inks: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze

Tools/Techniques: "Thumping Technique, Filigree Frame Embossing Folder

Thanks for dropping by!

Steph

Blue Christmas

Hi Everyone,

Well it's officially here - snow!  Ugh, I hate the cold and the snow but it comes every year no matter what I think or say.  Go figure!  But, with snow on the ground, it has gotten me thinking about Christmas more often.  So more Christmas cards it is!

I spent today crafting with a lovely friend of mine and I have a few cards to share with you over the next few days and weeks.  Love days like today - crafting then dinner and a movie with some fabulous girlfriends.  Now if we were just wearing flip flops, it would have been awesome!

This week we have another fabulous sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge:

And, here is my creation for this week:

It's hard to tell but that sentiment is embossed in silver and is stunning.  I coloured within the sentiment with Coastal Cabana Blendabilities and I love the effect.

I will also be entering this card in the challenge over at Inkspirational.  This week they have a Word Prompt challenge and it's "Shine".  With all of the shiny silver on this card, I thought it was perfect!

Card Recipe (all items used are Stampin' Up! products unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Pool Party, Whisper White, Silver Foil Sheets

Stamp Sets: Mingle All The Way

Ink: Coastal Cabana Blendabilities, Versamark

Tools/Techniques: Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1/8" Silver Ribbon, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder

Thanks for dropping by - so glad you took the time,

Steph

A Maritime (or Atlantic!) Birthday

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all having a great week!

Today I am celebrating my grandfather who just turned 81.  He lives back in Newfoundland so I thought a nautical theme would be perfect to celebrate with.  The Maritime DSP from Stampin' Up! fit the bill perfectly.

As always, I decided to play along with a couple of challenges.

1. Freshly Made Sketches

The sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches is a great one this week:

2. CAS-ology

Check out this week's cue card:

How lucky did I get???

And here is my card:

This card ended up being super tough for me to get together - to put all the pieces together in my mind. I had stamped several images, fussy cut some, used different colours but finally it came together.  Sponging was the key to this for me.  I sponged around the oval cut out of the stamped anchor image and also took some of Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White Cotton Ribbon (which I love!) and sponged it with Early Espresso ink in order to "dirty it up" a bit.

I have to thank Hayley over at Hayley's Paper Garden for all of her help today including her photographing skills - she does a much better job of capturing the images than I do!

Card Recipe (all products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Maritime DSP

Stamp Sets: Dictionary, The Open Sea

Inks: Early Espresso

Tools/Techniques: Sponging, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Extra Large Oval Punch, 1/4" Cotton Ribbon - Whisper White

Thanks for dropping by, so happy you took the time!

Steph

Thoughts of Feathers

Hi Everyone!

Happy Monday!  I hope things are great in your neck of the woods, wherever that may be.

First off, I'd like to say thank you to the ladies over at CAS - Colours & Sketches for choosing my Neon Christmas Card as one of the top 3 last week.  You can check out my card HERE!

Sorry for the quietness lately, it has been a very busy couple of weeks for me.  Last weekend I had a friend in town (my University roommate from back in the day!) to celebrate my birthday with me - what a weekend!  So very, very busy.  I did get a chance to get one quick card in over the last little while - one card, that's it!

This week we have a fabulous new sketch for you over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  The DT will have their inspiration creations up on the blog on Wednesday, this gives you some time to come join us and play along before we show you how we've all interpreted the sketch.  Please drop by and check out what the DT has come up with and make sure to play along!!!

I also decided to play along with the colour challenge over at Create with Connie & Mary.  I decided to use the colours as an accent this week and pair them with a beautiful neutral - Soft Suede.  And I was dying to get my hands on the new stamp set - Four Feathers - and the accompanying framelits.  Luckily, my wonderful crafty friend over at Hayley's Paper Garden just purchased them and I got to play!

For the silver portion of the colour challenge, I decided to use the redesigned Silver Glimmer Paper which is so super sparkly...

Time Out Challenges also had a fun "Inspired by Words" challenge on their blog this week - "Birds of a Feather Flock Together".  I think my card fits right in with this!

And finally, this week is an "Anything Goes" challenge over at Stampin' Royalty so I decided to play along with these gals as well.

Here is my card today:

Card Recipe (all products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Soft Suede, Lost Lagoon, Very Vanilla, Silver Glimmer Paper

Stamp Sets: Four Feathers, A Dozen Thoughts

Inks: Soft Suede, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow

Tools/Techniques: Linen Thread, 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Feathers Framelits

Thanks for dropping by - I love having you!!

Steph

Merry & Bright Stars

Hi Everyone!

We have another fun sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week.  Take a run over to our site and check out the rest of the Design Team's creations, I am absolutely sure you will be inspired!

I took a couple of liberties with the sketch but I hope you still enjoy it.  Here is my creation:

I am in love with the new Christmas stamp set from Stampin' Up! - Bright & Beautiful.  It is such a fun set, especially when you pair it with the Star Framelits.  For my card, I decided that I would emboss with Smoky Slate embossing powder on Lost Lagoon card stock for the beautiful stamped star image in the centre.  I love how it turned out!

I will also be entering this card in the "Anything Goes" challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More! and this week's challenge at Merry Monday Christmas Challenge which is "Silent Night".  For me, when I think of "Silent Night" - I think of bright and shining stars.

Card Recipe (all products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Smoky Slate, Pear Pizazz, White Vellum

Stamp Sets: Bright & Beautiful, Good Greetings

Inks: Pear Pizazz, Lost Lagoon, Versamark

Tools/Techniques: Big Shot, Star Framelits, Smoky Slate Embossing Powder, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Frosted Sequins

I would love it if you would take some time to follow my blog!

Thanks for dropping by!

Steph

Joy!

Hi Everyone!

This is my second post for this evening - two cards in one day is a big deal for me these days!

Amy has such a fun sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week that I just had to play along!

And, ofcourse, Connie & Mary had a GREAT colour combination over at Create with Connie & Mary - Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, & Baked Brown Sugar.  This combo just screamed Christmas to me and I had been dying to use my new Wondrous Wreath stamp set and accompanying framelits.

Here is my creation:

Card Recipe (all products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Baked Brown Sugar, Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints DSP Stack (retired)
Stamp Sets: Wondrous Wreath
Inks: Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler
Tools/Techniques: Wonderful Wreath Framelits

If you like what you see, please take some time to follow my blog.  If you do, please let me know so that I can return the favour!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!

Thanks for dropping by!
Steph

A Neon Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

It is Thanksgiving this weekend here in Canada and it has been a beautiful weekend thus far.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends - I hope you all have a wonderful time being thankful for all of the wonderful things in your life.

I spent some time in my craft room today - it is the first time I have crafted alone in quite some time.  I miss my crafty buddies!!  There were a few ideas that had been running around in my head for a few days and I really wanted to get them out.

This week's challenge over at Merry Monday Christmas Challenge was to use neon colours.  This was a tough one for me but fun nevertheless.  I really loved trying to figure this one out and the DT over there did such a fabulous job of inspiration!

They also had a super fun sketch over at C.A.S. - Colours & Sketches Challenge that I really wanted to play along with.

Here is my card:

Card Recipe (all products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated):

Card Stock: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Cheerful Christmas

Inks: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry

Tools/Techniques: Candy Dots - Rich Razzleberry, Confetti Stars Punch

I would love if you would take some time to follow my blog.  If you do, please make sure to let me know so that I can follow yours as well. :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Steph