the 52 hand-lettered project.

I decided recently that I would participate in the 52 hand-lettered project on Instagram, as a challenge to myself. This year, I would really love to get my creative mojo back, and there really is no better way than to practice, practice, practice!

Armed with my gel ink pen (yep, that's it, really!), I am tackling this challenge head on!

Since I am starting late, here are weeks 1 through 7:

A photo posted by simply steph (@simplystephstudio) on Feb 24, 2015 at 9:39pm PST

[ 1 | 52 ] my mantra for 2015

[ 2 | 52 ] summer love list

[ 3 | 52 ] one thing to do more often

[ 4 | 52 ] a summer memory

[ 5 | 52 ] places to visit

[ 6 | 52 ] a quote about love

[ 7 | 52 ] my everyday essentials

While I'm at it, I'm also hoping to up my photography game. I would love to be able to compose better images to share my work. I have discovered that my home has awful artificial lighting, and I tend to work at night, where that light is all I have.. so it has become a personal challenge to wake up earlier and take advantage of the soft morning light, or at least take photos in the afternoon when the sun is still shining.

my first commissioned work!

I recently had the opportunity to design a mug for my friend to gift to his girlfriend.

The verse he chose serves as a reminder of why she studies law (hint: because God is good!). It's such a sweet gesture – she's a lucky gal!

"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

The other side includes the verse reference.

So, friends, if you would like me to help you create something, please let me know! I love being creative, with a purpose.

never stop creating.

At the beginning of the summer, I told myself that I would put crafting on a hold when I came to the castle. I mean, how could I possibly have time while abroad? I wasn't planning on bringing any supplies with me cause that would just take up unnecessary space, which it would. But of course, that didn't happen! I did not stop crafting and creating! I'm sticking with the simple while I'm here, but it's the simple and the basic that I love best. Making cards and prints, of course.

In no particular order..

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

We all need grace. For my roommate, Sarah!

For Jethro's birthday :)

In all fairness, I did the mug while I was in Kingston.. I didn't bring it with me abroad, haha. I made the card here and mailed it though!

A card for my mom, since I missed mother's day!

For Amy's birthday!

end-of-the-year cards + gifts!

True to my style, the cards I have been making as of lately are simple. I have really enjoyed finding myself in cardmaking. In reverse chronological order, here are some cards I have made lately for various end-of-the-year purposes!

To the best co-CGL, ever.

To the best housemates, whom I will miss greatly!

To the craziest but loveliest DG girls, whom I love dearly!

 

Grad notebooks filled with notes and pictures to the grads in our CG - you are loved!

I don't seem to have a picture of the final product.. but here are the grad dinner invites before they were cut up! Rachel and I made these together and it was my first experience with invite/type design on the computer.. so much fun!

A generic birthday card that I gave to Angie for her 21st birthday! A simple design that I am sure I will reprise sometime.

photos: cards

I love paper, and all things paper-related. Well, maybe not paper cuts, but I digress.

I love greeting cards and love to make them! But usually I am too lazy, or busy. My cards are not anything amazing (I have some friends who are amazing card makers.. I aspire to be them!!), but I love doing it, and hopefully my handmade cards will be something beautiful one day. Until then, here is a snapshot of some of the cards I have made in the last few months!

Jenna's birthday was way back in December, and this was the first card I had made in a long time that uses different materials/layers and isn't just drawn on (like the one below). As simple as it is, I thought it was SO BEAUTIFUL when I made it, haha.


My pastor and his wife celebrated their 25th anniversary around Christmastime, so our congregation got together to give them a Christmaversary present and card! This was the card, and the inside read: "Wishing you the best on your/the 25th" because it was their 25th anniversary, and Christmas is on the 25th!! So funny, right? It was all Jocelyn. I can take no credit.


Now, this card I had am amazing idea for it way back when and got really excited but had to hold tight because I know that Rosemarie reads my blog.. eep. I was so hyped up about the card itself, I had no idea what to write on/in it. So I'm not a big fan of how I wrote "Happy 20th Birthday Rosemarie" on the front, but oh well. (Oh, and she's a mountain climber, hence the mountain)


My housemate, Angela's birthday was recently too! I really really like how the individual lettering turned out. It looks fab, but cutting out the tiny letters took waaay longer than any of my other cards. But hard work always pays off, right?

That's it for the time being! If I make any other cool cards, I'll be sure to share them too.

holiday bells.

Over the Christmas break, I decided to try some new things and make some of the crafts that I had been intending to try for the longest time. I really enjoy decorating, and crafting. It is lots of fun! I made fun birthday banners for my housemates on their birthdays, and for my Christmas party I made holiday bells/hanging garlands/not sure what to call them, hehhh.

Oh Happy Day is quickly becoming my favourite blog for various DIYs. Many of my favourite ideas come from that blog, and many of the things I want to try, but am not sure if I will ever get the chance to (pop-up dinners around the city!!). There are very few things I don't *love* on that blog! Needless to say, this idea is from Oh Happy Day.

The original post is here. I made various sized bells and added gift bows that I bought from Wal-Mart. Super super simple, yet added such a colourful addition to my Christmassy kitchen decorations.

Here are Nicole and Jocelyn modelling for me! Beautiful!

Yes, I also used photobooth props from Oh Happy Day. I told you I love that blog.

It was a very craftful evening, and I assure you that everything was very easy and do-able! This is a very late Christmas craft, but it could be used to decorate for pretty much any kind of party. It's so colourful and fun!