Sketch Challenge - Baby Shower Greetings

 Good evening!  Wow it's been awhile since I've posted as I've been trying to get back into the swing of things after convention.  We've been on the run since we got back and this weekend was actually first time I got down into the studio since before convention, boy did I miss it.  When I saw this weeks Stamping 411 challenge sketch I knew it would be perfect for a baby shower I went to earlier this afternoon.

This card uses the Baby Bundle stamp set which I love because of all the little pieces that are included.  For the background I ran a piece of Whisper White cardstock through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka dots embossing folder before matting it on Chocolate chip cardstock and the Pink Piroutte cardbase.  For the main stamped image I stamped the greeting with Chocolate chip ink and then colored the hearts in with Stampin' Write markers.  I tied Certainly Celery 3/8" Taffeta ribbon around the cardstock before matting on Rose Red card stock and used the Scallop Trim border and corner punches on the mat. 

For the accents I stamped and cut out several of little pieces and cut and colored them.  3 smaller pieces were glued to the bottom right corner.  I punched holes in the 3 larger cutout pieces and used White Baker's Twine to tie them around the ribbon.  The final touch are 3 silver brads in the top right corner.

This card turned out exactly like I pictured, love it!  I love when I get to give a card I make to someone in person so I can see there reaction, it's too fun.

Hope you have a great week and happy stamping,

Diana

Heading Home

What an amazing week! I have had so much fun and can’t wait to share all I’ve learned. Today we’re heading home, which is so nice. Today I wanted to share the scrapbook page I created (with the assistance of Michelle, thanks lady!!) for a swap I was in. I decided to make a birthday layout which would be friendly for either boys, girls, kids, or adults.

I have to tell you we crammed a lot of items into this page but they all ready work well together. It also uses a lot of products from the new catalog, including: Petite Pendant Build a Punch and Bring on the Cake DSP, as well as baker’s twine, red glitter paper, Early Espresso 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon, Silver brads, Simple Birthday Decorative Strip die, as well as well as 5 different punches. Here’s close up pictures of both the cupcakes and pendants.

I have to say I love how this turned out, even if it did take a lot of time to complete. I can’t wait to just add pictures and have my layout already done.

Have a great day!

Diana

Christmas and Bookmarks, oh my!

What a fabulous Friday. Last night I took a +Fun class (Every Last Detail) where we made a beautiful tray using all sorts of great embellishments. This morning I have my make-and-take session and I can’t wait use the new stamps sets we got in our convention bag. Then we have our closing general session, which is not to be missed.

I have two more projects to share with you today. The first is a Christmas card that uses the Heard from the Heart stamp set and the Northern Frost Decorative Strip die. This was actually a pretty simple card (thanks Michelle for your help on this one). We cut out lots of snowflakes and randomly glued them on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock. Then we ran it through the Big shot with the Petals-a-plenty embossing folder so the snowflakes were embedded in the image. Once again we only embossed about 2/3 of the sheet and left the part with the greeting flat. Then we attached an additional snowflake to the card and added a Basic Rhinestone brad so that snowflake stood out. A nice and simple card but elegant looking and easy to reproduce in mass.

The second item is a book mark with the Fun Flowers Die. I got this idea from Connie Babbert and you have to check her creation out HERE! I just chose different colors of cardstock and ran it through the Big shot to cut out all the flower layers. Then I sprayed them with water and squished them up so they were wrinkled before sponging the edges with ink using a sponge dauber. Once the layers dried I stacked them how I wanted them and punched a hole through all the layers with a paper piercer before using a Brights Flower brad to attached all the layers together. The final step was to add a piece of Basic Black ribbon to the back.

This is such a fun project, we made it in last months Big Shot class and it was a hit.

We’ve had a great week but are definitely looking forward to heading home tomorrow, I think Chris and Mocha will be glad when we get back.

Have a great day!

Diana

Convention is Awesome!

Happy Friday!

We are having such a great time this week and can’t believe how fast the time has flown. I wanted to drop and show 2 quick cards I made for swaps this week.

The first is a Christmas card that uses the Greeting Card Kids and Bells and Boughs stamp set. I embossed the front of the card (Cherry Cobbler) with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder and then took my Chocolate Chip marker to highlight the centers of each of the flowers so they can look like Poinsettias. The main image was stamped with Black Staz-on ink and then colored in with a Blender pen and classic ink pads. I punched the image out with the 2 ½” circle punch and then matted on a piece of Baja Breeze cardstock cut out with the Scallop Circle #2 Die. I did run the scallop circle through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder. I did add a bow with the Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Scallop Ribbon to the front.

Now this is a fun fold card in that it is a try pod, check it from the side. The inside has a piece of Whisper White cardstock that is stamped in Old Olive with the Bells and Boughs stamp set. Then the greeting is stamped in Chocolate Chip and punched out with the Decorative Label punch. Lots of sponging around the layers and the cards all set.
So pretty, this little girl is so sweet!

The second card uses the Word Play stamp set. This is a fun swap in that everyone participating is using the same stamp set to provide lots of great ideas! I used the globe image from The Open Sea Stamp set and stamped it off before stamping on Whisper White cardstock so it’s very subtle. Then I stamped the greeting in Not Quite Navy. I stamped the same image on a scrap of paper with Cherry Cobbler ink and then punched out the little globe with the ½” circle punch before attaching it with a dimensional for it pops. I also used the Nautical Expedition DSP and the Cherry Cobbler Baker’s twine for a more manly touch. Last but not least I used the paper piecer to punch dots in two of the corners of the card base.

This is very similar to the father’s day card I made for Chris this year but I thought it was too cute not to share.
I’m having so much fun this week, I can’t seem to stop smiling and hope you are having a great week as well.

Take care!

Diana

A Cupcake to Share

What a fun day yesterday, Stampin’ Up really knows how to throw a party! Today is our first general session and first sets of classes so I can’t wait. I’ve also met some wonderful people which is so fun!

Today’s card I have to share with you today is a cute card using the Create a Cupcake stamp set and Build a Cupcake punch. These are so fun and allow you to make lots of cupcakes quickly. This card also uses the new Cheerful Treat DSP and Lucky Limeaid (one of this years new In Colors). This green is so fun and goes perfectly with the Concord Crush Poly Satin Ribbon. The final touch was to add Red glitter cherries to the cupcakes. I used the same punch with the Red Glitter paper.

Enjoy!

Diana

Let the Festivities Begin

Today convention activities begin, including check-in, Momento Mall (who wouldn’t love shopping for Stampin’ Up exclusive items!) and the welcome party. We’re also going to head out to the home office for a tour of the offices and distribution center (Aidan and mom are going to come also).

Today I'm sharing a card a created with the Day of Gratitude stamp set. The card is pretty straight forward and uses the lattice embossing folder that only embosses part way down the cardstock. The colors are Sahara Sand, Cajun Craze, and Chocolate Chip. The ribbon is one of the new polka dot scallop ribbon that I turned over so the solid side is showing.

So did you check out that button??? It’s actually a faux button that I made my layering cardstock and punching center holes before covering with Crystal Effects (definitely need to let the buttons dry overnight to make sure it’s set. The final touch was tie some twine in the button.
This was so fun and I love how this card turned out, perfect for the fall.


Have a great day!

Diana

We've Arrived

After arriving in SLC and getting all checked into the hotel we’ve decided to go to the Lagoon amusement and waterpark and tour the Sweet Candy Company factory (yum, salt water taffy).

Today I’m sharing two additional swaps. The first is a card using the new Delicate Doilles stamp set and Thank you Kindly. This new stamp set coordinates perfectly with the new Flirtatious DSP (you have to check this out, it includes 2 sheets of laser cut doilies). I also used the new Lace Ribbon border punch (love it) and one of our new in colors, Wisteria Wonder.

The second item is a little shopping bag made with the Bitty Box & Envelope Bigz XL die. This is so easy to make, just run a half sheet of cardstock (in this case either Pacific Point or Tangerine Tango) through the Big Shot and cut off a couple of tabs. The DSP is Beyond the Garden and then I wrapped a piece of ribbon (for these samples I used Whisper White 3/8” Taffeta and Daffodil Delight ¼” Grosgrain ribbon. The handles are made with the White bakers twine. Inside I included tissue paper and a Ghirardelli chocolate.

Isn’t this cute? The idea for this project was from Connie Babbert and you can check out her project HERE.

Enjoy!
Diana

Let the Adventure begin...

I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it (yes, I am channeling the Pointer Sisters)! Aidan and I got up very early this morning and left for the airport for our trip to Salt Lake City. As you read this we should be boarding our plane. We’re going out ahead of my annual Stampin’ Up convention and my mom is coming to meet us in SLC and Aidan and Gramma are going to explore the city while I’m at convention (it’s great how many great family oriented things there are to do in the city (and most within a couple of miles of the hotel).

Like last year I’m going to be sharing each day this week some of the swaps that I am taking to share. Today’s share is my card I created for a kid’s card swap. This means that everyone in the swap is creating a card geared for kids (who great is that!). I made a baseball themed birthday card using the Home Run and It’s Your Birthday Stamp sets. This card has lots of texture with the Lattice embossing on the background, popped up baseball that was cut out with circle punches as well as the greeting.  Here's a close-up of the baseball.

This card is so fun and I can’t wait to see what everyone else creates since I seem to be making kids cards regularly.

Enjoy and stay tuned for tomorrow…

Diana

July Stamp-a-Stack

Good morning!

It's been awhile since my last post, I've been frantically getting everything great to leave for Stampin' Up convention (we leave on Monday and I can't wait).  Let me just tell you the amount of paper that has been flying in studio is mindblowing, I definately have to do some cleaning before we leave.  I'll be posted pictures of all the swaps I made from convention each day next week so make sure to check back soon.  Anyway, I wanted to drop a quick note to show you the projects we'll be making at this months Stamp-a-stack, which is this Sunday.  We'll be using tons of items from the summer mini and new catalog, you're sure to love it.

Aren't these awesome!  We're going to be traveling on Saturday so please let me know TODAY if you'll be coming so everything is prepared.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Diana