Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Truly Grateful

Happy Friday!  I can't believe it's already August, where is the time going?  I'm so excited, not only is it a Tax Free weekend here in VA so I plan on taking care of all our back to school shopping plus maybe a little for myself, but also the boys are away at Scout camp so I have several days of quiet to myself and I plan on enjoying every minute.  Before all this fun gets started it's Friday so it's time for the weekly card sketch challenge over on the Sketch Frenzy Friday Blog.   For this card I decided to use lots of different textures and let me be the focus of this card. 

I stated with Crumb Cake for the cardbase and then added a piece of Island Indigo cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  At this year's convention Shelli Gardner showed this really cool technique where she stamped on the raised part of an embossed piece by making a mask so I decided to give it a try.  In this case I used the 3/4" circle punch to make my mask and then used the tree ring image from the Truly Grateful stamp set to stamp some rings one each of the raised dot (it's hard to tell in this picture but if you look closely you can see the pattern).  Next I wrapped some Gold Baker's Twine around the cardstock and tied a bow before attaching the piece to the cardbase.

For the main image I first took some Soft Suede cardstock and stamped the woodgrain chevron image, again from the Truly Grateful stamp set, then cut it out with the Big Shot and the Labels Collection Framelits and then sponged around the edge.  Next I added a piece of Mossy Meadow 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon over the chevron piece.  The final touch was to stamp the greeting from the Petite Pairs stamp set (I used Stampin' Write Markers to color in the greeting) and then punched the greeting out with the Scallop Oval Punch and used dimensionals to attach the greeting.

You should definitely come check out all the other cards the designers are sharing, it's sure to help inspire you for your projects.  We would love for you to come play along with us, and share you projects so we can enjoy and share some love.



Below are easy ordering links to all the products used on todays card: 

Big Shot

$99.95

Petite Pairs Clear Stamp Set

$20.95

Labels Collection Framelits Die

$26.95

Truly Grateful Clear Stamp Set

$19.95

Gold Baker's Twine

$3.50

Scallop Oval Punch

$16.95

Mossy Meadow 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon

$8.95

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Island Indigo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

As you may have noticed I really love my Big Shot and use it on almost all projects I create in some manner.  If you haven't taken the plunge and purchased your Big Shot now is the perfect time.  Starting today you can purchase a Big Shot and you can select from predesigned bundles of stamp sets and coordinating framelits for FREE (love it!)  If you already have a Big Shot, don't worry, you can purchase any of the bundles for 15% off (these are great stamp sets and framelits, I have them and use them all).

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, happy crafting!

Diana

Petite Pairs Birthday Greetings

Good morning!  I was able to spend some quality stamping time this weekend and noticed after I finished all the cards that I was using a ton of Sale-a-Bration reward items (I love that during this awesome sale you earn a FREE, exclusive item for every $50 I spend, I definitely stock up during this sale to take full advantage).  This card actually uses four of the 19 items and was a breeze to pull together.  I started with a Pool Party cardbase and added a piece of designer series paper from the Sycamore Street DSP pack.  I also added a flag from other print from the same DSP package as well as the First Edition Speciality DSP.  Next I added a Tangerine Tango button (from the Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button package, also FREE) and tied a bow with Island Indigo Baker's twine.  The stamped image is from the Petite Pairs stamp set and coordinates perfectly with the Petite Curly Label punch (both SAB items).

 

I must admit this is the first time I've used this stamp set and coordinating punch, they're so cute and have so many greeting options so you have lots of potential.  I'm also excited that the punch will be available after Sale-a-Bration (for purchase) so I don't have to say goodbye to it after a few months.  Make sure you add these items to your crafting tool box now during this awesome sale!

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

September Stamp-a-Stack Projects

Good morning friends!  I wanted to drop by to show you this month's stamp-a-stack projects.  I had so much fun creating these cards and know you'll love them as well (we'll also be using lots of fun new tools).  You'll make 5 different cards and have the option to add the Christmas Card option as well (you'll make 3 Christmas cards).

 

There's still stime to RSVP for this months class, this Sunday, at 2 PM so contact me ASAP to reserve your spot.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Diana

Lovely Letterpress Plates

Happy Tuesday!  Today I have another Valentine to share with you from a team swap I participated in in November and forgot to share.  The key to this card is the letterpress plates and the Big Shot, where the letterpress plate debosses the image and pushes the ink into the cardstock.  Also, with all the guys in our house I really wanted to make a card that didn't have lots of pink, girly stuff.  This card uses the Lots of Love letterpress plate, Versamark ink, and Marina Mist cardstock.    The stamped image uses the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and Petite Pairs (for the greeting).

Then I added a couple of tags with the Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and 3 hearts punched with the Small Heart Punch and Red and Silver Glimmer Paper (I was so happy the Silver Glimmer paper was on the carryover list from the holiday mini catalog).  This card is pretty simple but has lots of textures that are fun.

Hope you enjoy and have a great day,

Diana

Petite Pairs - Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends.  I don't know about you but this week has definately gotten away from me.  We have activities everynight and on top of that I've had some really hot items at work.  Despite all of this I really enjoy participating in the Stamping 411 challenges each week and I loved this weeks sketch since it was clean and simple and a great opportunity to spotlight some of our great designer paper.  This card uses the Berry Blossoms DSP which is bright and cheery and great break from all the Christmas projects I've been working on.   

This card also uses three of the new fabulous in colors:  Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, and Calypso Coral, as well as the fun new ruffled ribbon.  This card is really straight forward, the greeting is from the Petite Pairs stamp set and uses the small oval punch (retired) and oval punch.

This card is so bright and cheery it will definately brighten someone's day. I hope you enjoy the card and feel free to have fun playing with this sketch yourself.

Happy stamping,

Diana

Gently Falling - Sketch Challenge

Good evening!  I hope you had a good weekend.  I had a great time at a team meeting on Saturday and stamp class today as well as starting to put up Christmas decorations (I'm happy to report our tree is up, decorated, and beautiful).  I saw a sample of this emboss resist technique at my meeting yesterday and knew it would be perfect for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge once I saw the sketch. 

The card base is Crumb Cake with a piece of Spice Cake designer paper.  The main focal image started with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used the En Francis stamp set and Crumb Cake ink to stamp the background words.  Then I stamped the solid leaf image from the Gently Falling stamp set with Versamark ink and embossed it with Whisper White embossing powder.  Then I used a stamping sponge to add Pear Pizzaz and Early Espresso ink around the leaf.  I also sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink. 

The finished image was matted on an Early Espresso scallop square piece that I cut out with the Scallop Square Duo die and the Big Shot.  The ribbon is Crumb Cake 3/8" taffeta ribbon and I used one of the Antique Brads in the center.  The greeting is from the Petite Pairs stamp set, which is quickly becoming one of my new favorite greeting sets,that was punched out with the oval punch and sponged with Pear Pizzaz ink.

I love how this card turned out!  It has so much dimension and texture.

I hope you enjoy and happy stamping!

Diana

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

Good afternoon!  I wanted to drop by to share with you the projects for this weekends Stamp-a-Stack.  You are going to LOVE this class, there are so many fun techniques, folds, accessories, and stamp sets and I can't wait to share them with you.  Since this is a Christmas class we still have the add on option but will be making three everyday cards (they use the Spice Cake fabric which is so beautiful).  Check them out below....

There's still time to register, but contact me soon to reserve your spot.!

Hope to see you Sunday,

Diana

Merry & Type - Sketch Challenge

Good evening!  Where has the week gone?  We have been running non-stop and Chris has been in California this week so we're really excited for him to get home tomorrow night.  I've spent so much time making fall cards lately I was determined to make something different for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.   I loved the new Merry and Type stamp set since the July and I just received it in my last order and have been anxious to break it in.
I got the color scheme for the card from the Letters to Santa DSP (love it!) which includes Marina Mist, Old Olive, and Early Espresso. I also used the Big Shot to emboss the DSP strips into the Old Olive cardstock with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

I also used Marina Mist 1/8" taffeta ribbon and the Basic Pearls to accent the greeting. The greeting uses the Petite Pairs stamp set and the decorative label punch to cut out the cute greeting tag. I saw this great technique on Patty Bennett's website check her video out HERE! What a fun way to use this punch!

This card is very pretty in person, love it!

Happy stamping,

Diana