Wedding Wednesday: Brooches for Mom

Have a gift for the mother of the bride or groom yet? Stumped on what to give?

Brooches make an excellent gift, and can be personalized in a number of ways by incorporating their favourite colour or flower! Delicate petals, all hand sculpted, are layered to create magnificent one of a kind pieces...just like your mom!

2" lilac sprig brooch

They make amazing corsages for weddings - no allergy concerns and they can double as gifts for mothers and grandmothers, helping with your overall budget

2" blue rosette brooch

Have your wedding flowers already picked out? I can match the style and colour to make sure that the sculpted pieces flow seamlessly with your real flowers!

Whimsical Wednesday: Day7

7 days on the advent calendar are under our belt! I am so determined to make each and every day until Christmas extra special, both here at home and while we're on vacation.

I love that my advent calendar can collapse into a small pouch, and come with us on vacation. Since we're going to be away for a pretty good chunk of time, I want to make the most of it.

So, what's in store for today?

Day 7 - Build a Fort Inside



Much like the one that you see above, bedsheets...cushions from the couch and lots of toys!

The only difference is that we'll get to have a special lunch inside, stay in our pajamas and maybe even watch a movie all snuggled up under our favourite blankets.

What's in store for you today?

What's Next Wednesday: Advent Calendars!

It's still hard to believe that tomorrow is December 1st. Tomorrow people! Do you know what that means??

These bad boys can officially be put up, and have treats in them!





The pouches on the back of the numbers are perfect for tiny treats....little notes...gifts of the homemade kind! I will be filling ours with little slips of paper with activities that we can do while we {not-so} patiently wait for Santa.

Things like...

Bake Gingerbread Cookies

Have a Pajama Day

Watch a New Movie

Go See Happy Feet 2

And since we're off to Florida for Christmas...

Visit Shamu

Go to the Beach

Have Lunch at Frenchy's

Go Golfing with Daddy

What fun things will be in your advent calendar this year?

Whimsical Wednesday: Sweet Treat Bags

Ever find yourself in a pinch and searching for a gift bag? I have an easy peasy solution for you, and one that likely you have the supplies lying around the house for.

Sweet Treat Bags

Materials:
- brown paper bag
- scissors
- patterned paper
- coloured paper
- ink
- stamps
- ribbon


Step 1:
Cut the top edge of your paper bag with fancy scissors, or create your own edging with regular scissors.

Step 2:
Stamp desired stamps with desired ink in a hap-hazard pattern on the front of the bag

Step 3:
Cut and glue patterned and/or solid paper on the bottom 1" to 3" of the bag

Step 4:
Fold over a 1 1/2" lip at the top

Step 5:
Using a standard hole punch, punch a hole through all four layers of the bag on the folded lip

Step 6:
Thread your ribbon though the hole and tie! If you have decorative punches and want to get fancy, punch a few shapes, layer them and glue them on the flap to cover where the hole is punched through the bag.

Viola! Pretty and simple...a sweet treat bag! A great craft for a kids' party, a rainy day or even for cookies to give to friends and family at Christmas time!

Happy crafting!

What's Next Wednesday: Mini Candy Cups

Happy Wednesday!! Again, blogging a bit early as we have a busy day of nurse visits and Walk of Hope appointments tomorrow!

So...What's Next?

How about some Mini Candy Cups? These ones are going to a Candy Couture Events candy buffet at the Sunshine Foundation Golf Tournament on Thursday!







Yellow and mustardy-orange cups that measure approx. 3.5" (cup circumference and length). These ones have the word "Sunshine" handstamped in acid free black ink, strung on bright orange cotton cord, then embellished with graphite coloured glass seed beads.

I think that they are just absolutely adorable! I'm going to come up with two more sizes, a Small Candy Cup and Medium Candy Cone, to suit every candy and dessert buffet need!

Mini Cups are sold in sets of 4 for $6.99!

Bulk orders are eligible for a discount, so drop me a line about your upcoming event!

Emmy Given Wednesday: 95 Down

That's right!! 95 of these beauties are all cut and ready to be stamped, trimmed, tied and packaged!



I am absolutely in love with them all. It was so hard to pick favourites yesterday as I was cutting, and each one I felt a little pang of oooh...I should keep that one! when leafing through the pages that would create a Stack.

My absolute favourites...



Grey Damask + Royal Purple Linen + Raspberry Stone
Lime Circles + Yellow Linen + Tangerine Stone
Pink Damask + Watermelon Linen + Dove Grey Stone

The textures and colours are brilliant. I tend to gravitate toward bright colour punches with a muted tone to ground the collection, so I'm hoping that my personality as an artist shines through these 100 Stacks.

And...I did throw in some muted greys, blues and greens for variety and to make sure that the Stacks aren't too out there and shocking.

As for stamps, thank you all so much for your input as to what to adorn them with! I'm going to go with the Flowers and Reeds, Falling Leaves and I think Paisley. I'm hemming and hawing over the Tic-Tac-Toe, because I think it's adorable, but not sure it would go over well for this event.

OH! And I got GREAT news from Curry's this week. My sketchbooks that will turn into handpainted lovely journals will be to me in 3 weeks!!! Colour me happy!

Whimsical Wednesday: Banners, Banners, Banners!

Woohoo! Already at midweek and it's been an absolutely whirlwind!


First and foremost, for you Mama's of adorable little girls (or those that know adorable little girls) don't forget to enter in the Lilybugs GIVEAWAY.

I've been incredibly busy this past weekend, working on a ridiculously whimsical and adorable custom order for Jenni from Jenni from the Blog for her daughter's 1st birthday party. I've been sending her little peeks here and there via twitter (maybe you've seen the cuteness over there too!). If you're fortunate enough to be on Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers, you've seen the full breadth of the project except for the final details of the lovely little teacups.


In amongst creating Jenni's order, I was working on a banner for Jill...the winner of a giveaway that I donated a prize for over on Jenni's blog!

The results, I'm absolutely in love with and am so pleased to share with you.





Featuring the Carter collection embellishment


In fact, I'm over the moon to announce a new product to Sweet Stella's! Happy Birthday Banners, which feature Velcro backed interchangeable embellishments, are now on Etsy! Listed at $41.99, you get a handstamped (in acid free ink, on acid free cardstock) banner, strung on coordinating ribbon, and complete with one set of Velcro backed interchangeable embellishments!





Matthew collection embellishments





Nathan collection embellishments



Embellishment packs are sold in sets of 6, for only $7.99!


Do you know what this means!? Are you excited!?


One banner, with a set of embellishments included, and then all you need for future events are new embellishments!


And what's even sweeter is that the embellishments can be custom made! Right from the Yellow Submarine and periscope to simple shapes and diecuts.


Make your next birthday party sweeter with Sweet Stella's!

How-To Tuesday and Whimsical Wednesday: Chocolate Skor Cake

My apologies for a two-in-one post, highly unlike me! However, I've come down with a head cold, likely due to burning the candle at all ends!

Thankfully, today's post is absolutely DELISH!

Chocolate Skor Cake

Use your favourite chocolate cake recipe (boxed or scratch) for this. It will taste amazing no matter what recipe you use as long as it's your favourite!

Once cake is completely cooled (I like to cool the cake, then wrap in plastic wrap and further cool overnight in the fridge), place one cake on your chosen cake plate.

Fill will chocolate buttercream.

Option #1: top buttercream with crushed Skor bars

Place second cake layer on top, frosting then entire cake with chocolate buttercream.

Option #2: top outer edge of cake with crushed Skor bars

Wipe the edges of your cake plate clean, and serve with a smile!

I did say this was delish, right??

Some fun facts about chocolate:

- chocolate contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease

- The Swiss eat the most chocolate every year...nearly 19lbs per person!

- the first chocolate bar was produced in 1842 by Cadbury...now makers of the ever delicious Mini Eggs and Creme Eggs!

Whimsical Wednesday: Etsy!

Wow...already half way through the week! Fantastic!

Today for Whimsical Wednesday, I have an announcement!

I have decided to take the plunge into the great and amazing world of Etsy.

Sweet Stella's on Etsy will be going LIVE March 1st and I couldn't be more thrilled with how everything is turning out.

This past weekend, I spent a ridiculous amount of time working on favour pouches, photo boxes and tooth fairy boxes. Today, I've been working on some really amazing treat flags.

Everything will be ready-to-ship, but as always, custom orders are available and encouraged! There are beautiful new collections, all named after kiddo's of some amazing Mom's I've gotten to know over the past few months. Collections are paper based, which means that while a photo box might be in one paper, it can be made in any of the paper collections.

Also, I've lowered my shipping prices. Instead of flat-rate shipping, I've priced things more reasonably, based on the individual items. If you have any feedback on shipping, please please let me know!

Anyhow, here are a few sneak peek product photo's for items you can expect to see on Etsy!

~Charlotte~ Photo Box





~Sebastian~ Treat Flags





~Holden~ Tooth Fairy Box




~Caleb~ Favour Pouches


As you can see, the top of the tooth fairy box and the flap of the favour pouches are unfinished. This is because they are all customizable! From paper embellishments to stamped images, let me know what you're looking for and from which collection, and we'll get to work!


See you soon, on Etsy!

Whimsical Wednesday: Baby Food Journals

Good morning one and all! I can't believe the week is half over already!

This morning, in the absolute most whimsical fashion, I have a new product to announce!

l-r: Porkchop, Parfait, Nanners, Cupcake

Baby Food Journals! These little beauties measure 6"x5", feature a 4" pocket on the inside back cover, and a recipe on the inside front cover! They have 40 recycled pages for your recipes, notes and printouts....and include a special BONUS recipe hidden on one of the pages!

If you love making baby food as much as I do, these are a must. Small enough to fit in your diaper bag or purse, the pouch is perfect for holding coupons, and the pages come in handy to jot down lists of what your kiddo has tried, liked, loved, and even hated!

They come in 4 different designs...all delicious!

Listed at $12.99, pick up one of these gems today!

Whimsical Wednesday: Birthday Parties

As many of you know, I'm a bit of a party planner.

I love it. I think it's in my bones, actually.

So when it comes to birthday parties...specifically 1st birthday parties...I'm all over it.

Right now, I'm slightly obsessed with dessert tables and party themes. A theme can really be anything...

a colour

a character

a cake!

Inspiration is everywhere, if you just take a step back and look, you certainly will find it.

I'm sure where you can see this going.

Our son is going to be 1 in a few months (eek!) and I'm already busily planning his birthday party extravaganza!

The wording for the invitations is done, and their design is in the back of my head.

While he absolutely adores Mickey Mouse and the entire Clubhouse gang, we're not going to go overboard with having Mickey's lovely face plastered everywhere.

Instead, we're using the colours as inspiration and doing fun things like

Hanging Door Decor with stamped images

Sweet Treat bags with handmade Mickey closures

Blockhead Party hats from Twirlie Whirlies

Treat Flags with polka dots

You see...a theme just needs a little whimsy and inspiration!

Whimsical Wednesday: GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to Whimsical Wednesday!

I am so very incredibly excited about today's post!

A giveaway!! And not just any giveaway, but a very personal, custom, one-of-a-kind, NEW PRODUCT kind of giveaway!

A few months ago, I wrote our son a story about all of the different people in our family, here and gone. That little story turned into a hand written board book with clear photo corners to hold pictures of his dear ones.

Well...today's your opportunity to win such a book.

How to Enter:

1) Become a follower of this blog ~ if you already follow, leave me a comment to let me know that you do!

2) Become a subscriber to this blog ~ if you already subscribe to our feed, leave me a comment to let me know that you do!

3) Suggest a product that you'd like to see featured in Sweet Stella's

4) Become a fan of our Facebook page! If you already like us, post a comment here!

5) Become a follower on Twitter! If you already are following Sweet Stella's, let us know here!

The contest will run until 9:00pm EST on January 31st, at which time a winner will be selected using Random.org.

GOOD LUCK! And Don't forget to tell your friends and family about this wonderful chance to win something unique and special for a little someone special!

Whimsical Wednesday: Why Sweet Stella's?

I was recently asked by the ever lovely Grace Kelly Cakes why and how I started Sweet Stella's.


What a great thing to ponder for Whimsical Wednesday!


Sweet Stella's was a long time coming for me. I've always been into doing crafty things, and recall endless hours spent with colouring books, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and things of the sort when I was a little girl. If I wasn't destined to be a biological oceanographer (aka marine biologist) I was destined to be an artist.


Throughout highschool, I worked very hard in the social sciences, specifically history and fine art. When it came to OAC Fine Art...let's just say that my teacher and I had creative differences. I actually stood my ground with her (something that I'm very proud of now that I'm creating for a living) and dropped out of OAC Fine Art.


Fast forward about 2 years, and I'm at Wilfrid Laurier University (Go Hawks, GO!) studying History. I stumble upon the Fine Art department and decide to transfer in. I don't have the pre-requisites...but somehow get in!


I worked hard, incredibly hard, and found inspiration from the best painting teacher I have ever known, Michal Manson. She was amazing. She had such faith in me and my ability to paint...she saw my vision and she encouraged my to reach out and grab it. I keep her in my heart (though in body, she has passed), and in the back of my creative mind, every time I pick up a brush and paint, paper and trimmer, markers...anything that my hands touch.


When I was pregnant with my son, I started thinking of my passion and often found that I felt sad, knowing that it had been a long time since I had picked up a paint brush. I was about to bring life into this world, and yet I was sad that my hands hadn't gotten dirty in a while? I felt selfish, knowing that the most amazing thing was about to happen to me. And yet...I still felt like I needed to breathe.


Now that I have Owen, I can't imagine life without him. He brings so much light into my life, and it's like seeing in colour for the first time. I can't imagine not being there every step of the way...so I started to think of how I could be creative, fuel my passion for art and still have balance as a Mom.

My husband and I started talking about the post-maternity leave period, daycare costs and what (if any) impact my salary would have on things. Was I happy at the office? Of course! The people are amazing, and working with them has been a delight. Was I fulfilled? No. Not in the slightest.


My entire being was craving to create. I started painting ornaments in the fall, and with some gentle encouragement from my friend Andrea over at Cup of Tea Photo Cards, quickly opened up my webs.com store. Within a few days, it was the highest rated new site...which prompted me to buy my domain name, start this blog and brainstorm other product ideas.


Now, I have a kiddo's line, am announcing a new product every week for the next five weeks for our new party line, and am starting a wedding line soon as well. What once started with a single, handpainted glass ornament is now a full range of items, all hand painted or papered, and all of which I love.


All I can say is to follow your passion. If you love to bake...then bake! If you love to paint...paint! If there's a photographer hiding somewhere inside you, pick up a camera. Don't ever feel limited, follow your passion and believe that you can achieve your dreams.


Art runs in my veins. It's the air that I breathe. Sweet Stella's is my way to...exhale.

Y3W Friday: New Product Announcement!

Happy Friday!! You've made it to the end of the very long first week back to work after the holidays. Congratulations!

We have a special announcement today for Y3W!

That's right! We have a new product to introduce you to today!

Meet our cleverly folded and beautifully whimsical Favour Pouches! They're perfect for birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, weddings and even as customer thank-you's! Just fill with your choice of treat, and hand out to your guests!

Favour Pouches are sold in sets of 4, and are fully customizable with our selection of beautiful papers and spectacular stamps. Don't see a paper that works for your event? Let us know and we'd be happy to find it for you at no extra charge! Not sure whether to go with a monogram or whimsical stamp? Let us pull together a sample and email it to you so that you know what you're getting and are confident that it will fit with your event!

Order today! We hope you love them as much as we do!

Whimsical Wednesday

Happy Wednesday everyone! While my Monster is still snoozing, I thought I'd whip on for Wednesday's post.

Whimsical Wednesday.

Much thought went into the alliteration for today. Wholesome... Wellness... Whatever... Wonderful...ideas were plenty, but at the end of the day, I want to use Wednesday as a day to reflect on what inspires me, new products that I'm falling in love with, and hopefully inspire some creativity in all of you readers.

For our first post, I have a confession to make.

I have a paper obsession.

It's a healthy obsession, in my opinion, because just in looking at a coordinated paper pack from a fabulous scrapbooking company such as Close To My Heart, I can see the endless possibilities in products for Sweet Stella's. In truth, paper makes my imagination run a wee bit wild.

Paper is so versatile, so whimsical and absolutely lovely! I never thought that walking the aisles at Michael's and stumbling upon a 4 for $2 scrapbook paper sale would get me excited, but it certainly does!

In all honesty, paper is one of my absolute favourite products to go searching for. Thankfully, our fair city has two Michael's locations so I can buy them out at both when I find a great deal and beautiful paper for our store. If you give me an idea of the theme for your event, colours, or a pattern...I can find a paper to match it and coordinate all of your party decor! (*hint* to an upcoming new product to be unveiled next month!)

We're off on vacation come Christmas Day, and I cannot wait to get to some of the craft stores at our destination! Vacation paper!!