Monday, September 29, 2014

Thanks for Fall!

Hi Everyone!

We have another super fun sketch this week over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!  I have so much fun being part of the design team with these ladies - it is such a fun and supportive group.  I encourage you to drop over to the blog and check out the other Design Team creations - it will definitely inspire you.  But don't forget - the DT creations are not up on the blog until Wednesday each week.  This gives you time to play along before you see what was in our heads!

Here is this week's sketch:


I decided to turn the sketch sideways this week as I really wanted to use one of my newest stamp sets - Seasonally Scattered from Stampin' Up!  I love the sentiments in this set - Thanks, Merry & Love - simply beautiful.  I chose to use this set and incorporate some Fall colours as we are approaching a very Thankful time of year.






There are a few other challenges that I would like to enter my card in as well.

First, The Card Concept has a fall colour challenge this week - their inspiration picture also pulled me to use the stamp above on my card.  I chose to play along using my Clean and Layered card.  


Also, Stampin Up Only Challenges is having an Autumn Colours challenge and I thought my card would fit in with their concept this week.



Finally, the ladies over at Just Us Girls have a fantastic inspiration photo - I really loved all of the fall colours.  My card was definitely influenced by this gorgeous photo:



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

Card Stock: Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Flowerpot DSP
Stamp Sets: Seasonally Scattered
Inks: Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry
Tools/Techniques: Stampin' Write Markers, Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder

I would love it if you would choose to follow my blog!

Thanks for dropping by!
Steph

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Stars for Christmas

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your weekends - it has been a gorgeous weekend here in Ottawa, it almost feels like summer again!  What a perfect time for a Christmas card!  lol

Friday night I spent some fantastic time with some great friends crafting up a storm - I love those nights!  When we craft, we love to play along with challenges, they are so inspiring.  This week was no different.

This card had been rattling around in my head for a few days - it didn't turn out quite as expected but I'm more than happy with it.

First, I haven't played along with the Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge in quite some time as I've kind of been putting off Christmas cards but this week was Christmas Bingo (and I had gotten some of my new Christmas product) so how could I resist so much fun?!?!


For my card, I decided to choose Sparkle, Die Cut and Red.  Unfortunately, the sparkle from the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter Paper is not easily photographed which makes me quite unhappy.  All of the stars in this card, has the Dazzling Diamond Glitter Paper behind them and from the pictures, they don't do it justice.






The centre star is die cut using the Star Framelits and the star border is done using the Confetti Stars Punch (I am in love with this new punch - it is so fun!!) - both areas have the glitter paper behind.

I would also like to enter this card into the Anything Goes challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges.

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

Card Stock: Basic Black, Real Red, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter Paper
Stamp Sets: None
Inks: None
Tools/Techniques: Big Shot, Star Framelits, Confetti Stars Punch, Wonderful Wreath Framelits, Frosted Sequins

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

Thanks so much for dropping by!
Steph

Monday, September 22, 2014

A Happy Birthday Bloom

Hi Everyone,

Happy Monday!  I hope you all enjoyed your weekends, mine was lovely.  A little bit of crafting and cooking - you just can't go wrong!

First off, I just want to take a second to say thanks to the ladies over at Create with Connie and Mary for choosing my card (you can see it HERE) as a Top 3 pick for their colour challenge last week.  Thanks!

HolidayCardTop3Pick

Today I got together for lunch with a couple of crafty friends - so much fun as always.  After lunch, we got down to a little crafting (of course!!!).  Even though tomorrow is the first full day of fall, I found myself still thinking about summer blooms today.  Fall is my favourite time of year but today I was really feeling the flowers (again...).  And, it helped that I really wanted to colour with Stampin' Up!'s Blendabilities and what better to colour than their Blended Bloom stamp?!?!

As per normal, I decided to take part and be inspired by a couple of challenges:

1.  Pals Paper Arts

This week is a sketch challenge:

PPA220
2. Seize the Birthday

This week I chose to forego the "Sweet Treats - Toppings" option and stick to an "Anything Goes" card.


And here is my creation:






This is the first time that I have used the new 1/4" Cotton Ribbon and I LOVE it!  It is so easy to work with and so nice and soft on your hands.  Just lovely!!

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

Card Stock: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Sweet Taffy DSP
Stamp Sets: Blended Bloom, Bloom with Hope
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight
Tools/Techniques: Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities Markers, Daffodil Delight Blendabilities Markers, 1/4" Cotton Ribbon - Daffodil Delight, Modern Label Punch

It would be great if you would take some time to follow my blog. :)

Thanks for dropping by,
Steph

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Overwhelming Awesomeness!

Hi Everyone!

I am back from a month long vacation on the East Coast and it is difficult to be back into the swing of things.  Did I blink and suddenly it's September??  I honestly don't know what happened!  But nevertheless, September it is.  I must admit, I am enjoying the cooler temperatures and this is my favorite time of year.

This morning we have another great sketch for you over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  You should really pop by and play along, we would love to have you!  Tomorrow you will see all of the wonderful creations by the Design Team if you are looking for further inspiration to help excite you to play along.

Here is this week's sketch:


I decided I would also play along this week with the awesome colour challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary.  This week is Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon and Smoky Slate.  This is not a colour combination that I would normally use but this seems to be all the rage these days.  It is all over the holiday publications I have been seeing lately (shhh...let's not talk holidays just yet although I have received some great new stamp sets to play with!!!).

CCMC320

Here is my creation:





As an aside, I thought I would share a couple of pics with you from my trip to Newfoundland.  It was gorgeous weather and the icebergs will still around - it was spectacular!




I even got to eat iceberg ice - it was so fabulous!  An experience I had never had before!

Card Recipe:

Card Stock: Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Flower Patch
Inks: Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon
Tools/Techniques: Flower Patch Framelits, Big Shot, Basic Jewels - Pearls

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

Thanks for dropping by!
Steph