Star Wars Fun on a Disney Cruise

Good morning!  We have been having a wonderful time on our Disney cruise and yesterday was our Star Wars Day at Sea which was a lot of fun to see Star Wars characters, activities, etc. as well as so many guests on the cruise really getting into the fun and dressing up.  As in past cruises the cast members on the ship have really gone above and beyond to make our vacation truly magical so we like to give gifts to the different staff, specifically our dining room team, stateroom host, and the kid’s club staff and candy is a little something special we can offer since they spend so much time on the ship working.  Since this was a Star Wars themed cruise I decided to make the packaging all Star Wars themed, thanks to the fabulous inspiration from Tami White (see her projects and tutorial HERE).  I am not a punch art expert by any means but using Tami’s guide I was able to adjust the size of my Death Star and Millennium Falcon’s to fit my packaging (given Aidan’s birthday party was Star Wars themed and all the gifts for the cruise I made about 45 Death Star and Millennium Falcon’s for different items, oye!

The first project was little kraft bags and I stamped the background using the Gorgeous Grunge and Timeless Texture stamp sets and the greeting is from Sassy Salutations.  I used the XL Oval Punch to punch out the greeting and attached the elements with dimensionals and used some retired ribbon to tie up the bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second project is a larger bag of treats for the kid’s club staff and I used one of our gusseted bags and then made a tag, using all the same supplies (made a smaller Death Star) and cut the tag out with the Big Shot and Chalk Talk Framelits.

This is a fun, easy card that is great if you need to make multiples and is nice and flat to make the post office happy.  You could easily change the greeting to make this a Christmas card as well (there’s plenty of time to still make your holiday cards this year if you haven’t started yet).

 

 

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s projects:

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of our fun and have a great weekend!

Diana

30 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 29

Happy Sunday!  It's so nice to be home after traveling most of yesterday so we're spending the day getting all settled and ready for the week (and avoiding all the crazy traffic!)  Just two more days for this years gratitude challenge and I've really had a lot of fun and have been able to send several cards out and also stocked up the card stash so I'm all ready.

This is another holiday themed card (mainly do to the colors and embossing) but could easily be modified for other occasions.

I started with Cherry Cobbler cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and a retired embossing folder.  Next I added a piece of the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper stack.  This card is all about flags and uses little pieces to really make the elements. 

Starting at the back I have a flag using Mossy Meadow Cardstock and it was embossed it with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.  The next flag uses Crumb Cake cardstock and I stamped it with the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set using the same color ink.  The top flag is for the greeting and is Whisper White cardstock and I used the Ornate Tag Topper Punch.  The greeting is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set and was stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.  For the swirled accent I used a stamp from the Oh, What Fun stamp set and Early Espresso stamp set.  The final touch was to add some Early Espresso Baker's Twine to the top of the tag and attached the whole tag with dimensionals.

This card is nice and simple an is a great way to use up scraps you have and to make multiples (and we all need these types of cards this time of year!)

Below are easy ordering links for the product's used on today's card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Just remember, the Online Extravaganza is going on right now so you can save up to 50% off select Stampin' Up! products, perfect for the crafter in your life, to help you finish you holiday projects, or just a little fun.  And don't a forget a new set of  one day, flash sale items, including Project Life products will be released tomorrow so don't miss out, supplies won't last!

Enjoy the last of your holiday weekend and if you're traveling, be safe!

Diana

30 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 28

Good morning and Happy Saturday!  It’s been a wonderful holiday vacation and I’ve enjoyed every minute, today we’re heading home (we always like to get home on Saturday to get ready for the week and to avoid all the crazy traffic on Sunday returning home).  We’re full on getting ready for Christmas so I decided to use that theme for several of my remaining gratitude cards so they are ready to go.    

For this card I started with Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder.  Next I took a piece of Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and wrapped some Mossy Meadow 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon (awesome deal on the clearance rack right now!).  For the greeting I used the Sassy Salutations stamp set and stamped it in Cherry Cobbler Ink on Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch.  The cute little tree outline is from the Project Life Season Snapshot 2015 stamp set and was stamped in Old Olive ink (I made sure to punch the greeting first to make sure I could line up the tree where I wanted it).  The final touch was to mat the greeting with a Gold Foil Doily from the Metallic Doillies Package (these are on sale right now as part of the Online Extravaganza and they come in silver and gold, you’ll love them!!).

This is a fun, easy card that is great if you need to make multiples and is nice and flat to make the post office happy.  You could easily change the greeting to make this a Christmas card as well (there’s plenty of time to still make your holiday cards this year if you haven’t started yet).

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Diana

30 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 5

Good morning!  Last month I held a mega Christmas card class where the attendees created 20 Christmas cards (2 each of 10 designs) and I love this class, not only as it helps everyone get their holiday card stashes ready but I also make a set of these cards during the class but mine are all thank you cards so I’m all set with thank you’s come Christmas time.  For today’s gratitude card I’m sharing one of the cards I made using the holiday class design but with the exception of the print of the designer series paper this card isn’t holiday specific.

I started with Early Espresso cardstock for the cardbase and embossed the front with the Big Shot and Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of DSP from the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper Stack and tucked a Silver Foil Doily behind the DSP.  The greeting is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set using Cherry Cobbler Ink on Whisper White cardstock.  The decorative piece under the greeting is from the Oh What Fun stamp set using Early Espresso ink and then I punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch.  The final touch was to tie a bow using Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine and attached it to the cardfront with a glue dot.

This card is super quick and easy and lets the embellishments really help make it fun and pretty (it’s also nice and mailable which is perfect for the post office!)

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                         
Enjoy!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Card Sketch Challenge #SSINKCS19: Grundgy Birthday Greetings

Good morning and Happy Monday!  After last weeks snow storm it was so refreshing to see the sun come out and warm up so we could actually enjoy some time outside.  I definitely was channeling this great weather for this months  Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog sketch challenge.  Aidan had a friends birthday party so I needed something quick, easy, and perfect for a "little dude" and this sketch was perfect.

I started with Crushed Curry and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock that was matted with Garden Green cardstock.  On the Whisper White layer I stamped one of the splotches from Gorgeous Grunge in Crushed Curry ink.  I also stamped the birthday greeting in Night of Navy using the Sassy Salutations stamp set.

Next I added lots of fun layer elements, a piece of Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper is along the right hand side.  I stamped a little "washi" piece using the Tape It stamp set and Garden Green ink.

For the final touch I took a piece of Basic Gray cardstock and used the Big Shot and the star border framelit from the Mini Treat Bag Framelit set (this set is AWESOME) and I layered a piece of Gold Foil behind the star strip so there's just the right amount of bling.

This layout is so fun and really lends itself to adding lots of little touches without overwhelming the card.  Plus, I was able to add elements that were fun but still kept a masculine feel to the card.  There are some fabulous cards the other design team members are sharing for inspiration so make sure to check them out and then we would love for you to come play along with us.





Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy your day!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Sassy Salutations

 Happy Friday peeps!  The weekend is almost year and we’re beyond excited.  Not only is it Valentine’s Day so I get to shower my boys with love, it’s Aidan’s birthday weekend so there are lots of fun festivities planned.  I will admit however that I’m really not looking forward to the really cold weather we’re supposed to get (if I’m going to be cold, which I don’t like, at least give me pretty snow so I can enjoy the view!)  Before the fun gets started it’s time for our weekly Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch challenge.  Carol gave us this challenge this week and boy was it a lot of fun.  No I have to admit, this all started with my little scrap pile on my desk (come on we know we all have them, little pieces that weren’t used on a project but you didn’t want to throw away).  So pulled out my scrap pile so I could hopefully make some pretties with it this weekend and on the top was this gray circle and the gold cut out “HB” so that’s what I built my card around and it was really fun to see how it all evolved. 

I started with Island Indigo for the cardbase and then added a piece of Typeset Speciality Designer Series Paper.  Now this DSP is really fun, it’s thinner than our normal paper and kind of reminds you of old book paper so you can really have fun with it.  I started by scrunching it up in a ball and then smoothed it out, mostly, and sponged all over it with Basic Gray ink.  This really helped accent the wrinkles and add lots of texture and a more antique look.  Next I added a piece of Lost Lagoon Chevron Ribbon and Lost Lagoon DSP from the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack behind the greeting. 

The greeting piece is Sahara Sand and I stamped the greeting using the Sassy Salutations stamp set and Island Indigo ink and then sponged all over it with Basic Gray ink.  I also added a couple of pearls to the right side of the greeting piece (I made the pearls gold by coloring them with the Gold Stampin’ Dazzle Marker.  The final touch was to add the gray circle (that was originally punched out with the 2” Circle Punch) using dimensionals and glued on the “HB” (that were made using the Gold Foil Sheets, Big Shot, and the Little Letters Thinlits.

I hadn’t planned on making this such a masculine card but it definitely is heading that way which works.  I really had fun with this layout so I will definitely be using it again.  The other design team members shared some fun cards as well so please go check them out and then play along with the sketch, I would love to see what you come up with.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Get Your Santa On Christmas Thank You

Happy Friday!  I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas, ours was nice and quiet and relaxing which was perfect.  It's always great to see all the join the Christmas season brings to each of us.  Now that the frenzy is over it's time for the clean up to begin and we get to continue to have fun, we don't head back to work until next year.  Of course I had to make one more Christmas card for this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge  but since the holiday is over I decided to use this for one of my Christmas thank you cards (I'm going to need a lot of these to thank people for all the lovely gifts we've received).  I designed this weeks sketch and wanted to provide something that was open to lots of possibilities for fun.

I started with Sahara Sand cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  The greeting is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set and was stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.  I also used the Paper Piercing Tool and the Essentials Paper Piercing pack to  punch the accent element in the top right corner.  The flags of patterned paper are from the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack and cut with flag tails.

For the main stamped image I used the Get Your Santa On stamp set and stamped it in Memento Ink before coloring it in with Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities markers and the Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker.  After coloring in the Santa suit I cut the piece out with the Big Shot and Circle Collection Framelits.  The mat was cut out of Garden Green cardstock and cut using the Window Collection Framelits and then embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  Dimensionals were used to help pop the stamped image off the cardfront and I added a small bow made with some Silver 1/8" Ribbon.

The card turned out so fun, it's really helping me embrace every last minute of this holiday season, I don't want it to end.  Make sure to check out he cards the other design team members are sharing and then come play along with the extra time you have this weekend.


Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great weekend!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspriation Farewell Stamps: Hearts a Flutter

Good morning!  Don't you just love these short weeks?  We're already half way through the week and having lots of fun.  Today over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog we're showcasing lots of great ideas using stamp sets that are retiring, in this case today it's the Hearts a Flutter set ( the clear version of this stamp set is currently on sale so you have no excuse not to add this to your stamp collection before it's gone).  I really like this stamp set and sad that it's retiring but at least the coordinating framelits are sticking around so we have lots of good times ahead.  Today I decided to show a card that doesn't have any hearts so it can be used for other types of greetings. 

 

The cardbase is Smoky Slate and I added a piece of Whisper White cardstock that's matted with Daffodil Delight cardstock.  The greeting is from the Sassy Salutations and was stamped in Tangerine Tango ink.  I added a strip of Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper along the bottom (that I cut with the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (retiring and on sale right now) and wrapped a piece of Gumball Green 5/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon around the cardfront.

 

For the banner I stamped the different banners from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set in Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green, and Island Indigo ink and cut them out with the Hearts a Flutter Framelits.  I used Snail to attached the outside banners and then dimensionals for the center flag.  The final touch was to tie some really small little bows with the Island Indigo Baker's Twine and attached them to the card with Glue Dots.

I love how versatile the stamps are in this stamp set and can be used for lots of different things, depending on your mood or needs.  Lots of these items are retiring in less than a week and some are even on sale right now so make sure you take advantage of these sales to stock up using the easy ordering links below.

 

Hearts A Flutter Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$18.95

Hearts A Flutter Framelits Dies

$24.95

Island Indigo Baker's Twine

$2.95

Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

$8.95

Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

$99.95

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$8.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.95

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$6.95

Sassy Salutations Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$17.95

Tasteful Trim Bigz Die

$42.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

 

Make sure to check out all the other great projects by the designers for additional inspiration.

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 25

Good evening friends!  I'm back after a long, restful, and productive holiday weekend.  I hope you had an enjoyable holiday as well.  Since we got home yesterday we spent most of today putting up the outdoor Christmas decorations and getting ready for the start of the new week.  Since we now have about 80% of the Christmas decorations up I thought I would share another Christmas inspired gratitude card.  This card was another creation from the tags we made a workshop a week ago.  The cardbase is Old Olive and I used the Snowflake embossing folder.  I added a piece of Candlelight Christmas Speciality DSP pack.  Next I used the Two Tags Bigz die and cut the small tag out of Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used the Mixed Medley hostess stamp set to stamp the green snowflake as well as the "Merry Christmas Greeting".  The thank you message is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set.  For the scallop end of the tag I layered a scallop circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch (from DSP), 1" circle punch from the Champagne Shimmer Paper, and the 1/2" circle punch for the greeting.  The final touch was to add a little 1/8" Early Espresso taffeta ribbon for the tails.

 

This card is so easy and so fun, I love it!  So if you've been playing along with this challenge we have 5 days to go, let's finish strong.

 

Have a great week!

 

Diana

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 18

Good evening friends! I hope you had an enjoyable weekend, we had a great time starting to get get ready for the holidays, the decorations are still going up, but all three Christmas trees are up and decorated which I'm very happy about. We also participated in the 1st Annual Snowflake Stampede, which was a 2.5 mile fun run/walk through the Festival of Lights Christmas display, it was fun to see all the lights up close and get into the holiday spirit. I also had a workshop on Saturday for Renii and her fabulous friends. I had some extra pieces from the projects we made so I decided to use them for my gratitude card challenge and just changed out the stamp set. This card showcases the Candlelight Christmas Speciality DSP (I love that flocked paper). I just cut three different strips of DSP and cut them into flags. The greeting is from the Sassy Salutations stamp set (just got this set and was excited to ink it up). The final touch was to add a piece of Primerose Petals stiched satin ribbon. This card is so fun and versatile, you can use if for so many occasions and is fabulouse for our DSP.

Enjoy and have a great week!

Diana