Thursday, October 31, 2013

Halloween Greetings!

Happy Halloween friends!  I hope you have a fun and safe day and all your little ghosts and goblins have a great time and don’t get too sick from all the candy and sweets that will be consumed.  Today I thought I would share my final Halloween card for the year, and this is the card that I made to send to our family and friends.  It’s pretty simple but has lots of fun elements.  The cardbase is Summer Starfruit and I added a layer of Basic Gray cardstock that was stamped with the large spiderweb image from the Bite Me Photopolymer stamp set.  I also added a piece of Witches Brew Designer Series Paper along the bottom and a piece of the cute Witches Brew Washi Tape along the center.  A couple of rhinestones were added to the washi tape for a little bling.

The main stamped image is from the Halloween Bash stamp set and I used Stampin’ Write markers in various colors to color directly on the rubber so I could stamp all the different colors at the same time (this was one of the first techniques I learned and it’s still one of my favorites).  This piece was cut out with the Big Shot and the Décor Label Framelits.  I created a mat for the stamped image by cutting a piece of Basic Black cardstock with the same framelits.  The stamped image was attached to the card with dimensionals so it’s raised off the card for dimension.

This card is so fun and great to send Halloween greetings.  I did use one of the stamps from the Bite Me stamp set to stamp “Happy Halloween” on the inside of the card. 

Enjoy and have a great day,

Diana
Pin It!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Post: Thanksgiving Tablescape

Good morning!  I'm so excited to be sharing a fun project today over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog.  Since Halloween is tomorrow and then it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving I'm sharing this great Thanksgiving tablescape I created.  When Stampin' Up! released this years Holiday catalog I was really excited to see the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit however since we visit friends from college and their family each year it's a large gathering and one kit would not be enough (and it was too expensive to buy multiple kits) so I decided to use elements from the kit to create this great projects (and I still have lots of pieces left for other fun projects. 

The first project is this fun napkin ring.  I took two of the coordinating pieces of DSP from the kit and cut them down and layered them and used sticky strip to make the ring.  Next I wrapped some Linen Thread around the ring a couple of times.  I took some leaves (some were from the kit) and some were cut out with the Big Shot and the Autumn Accents Bigz Die and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (this DSP package has the same, plus some additional patterns as the Tablescape kit, perfect).  I took the leaves crumbled them up and sponged them with Sahara Sand Ink (I'm going to state this now so I don't have so say it several other times in this post, anytime I used the paper cut leaves I crumbled and sponged them in the same way).  I also cut an acorn with the same Bigz Die and cut it out twice, once in Chocolate Chip (that was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder) and a second time with the Champagne Shimmer Paper and trimmed so you just use the top.  The acorn is attached to the leaves and the napkin ring with a dimensional and is finished with a bow I made with the Linen Thread.

Next up is a name card and this was another area that was going to need more than the ten elements that come with the Tablescape kit so I used the Labels Thinlit Die and the Big Shot to cut the flip card base in Sahara Sand.  I added a strip of Sweater Weather DSP down the center and wrapped some Linen Thread around the middle.  For the label I cut a piece of Very Vanilla with the matching label framelit in the set so it just fits inside the base and stamped using the Truly Grateful stamp set, the wheat image in Sahara Sand and the greeting in Tangerine Tango.  I also added a leaf that was cut the same as above for the napkin ring.  The name banner is a piece from the same Thinlit card set (love all the different pieces that come in this set).  The final touch was to add a piece of Early Espresso Core'd'nations cardstock that is embossed with the Woodgrain Embossing folder being being sanded and attached to the base.  I tore along the edge for a more rustic texture.

Next up is a candle for the center of the table and I wrapped around the candle with the Textured Wood Paper Ribbons and some Burlap Ribbon.  I also added several leaves and an acorn to to the candle so the same elements and colors from all the pieces coordinate.  I added one of the Naturals Designer Buttons (with a bow tied with Linen Thread) and the greeting is from the Harvest of Thanks stamp set and was cut out with the Itty Bitty Banners framelits

I made three of these candles in different sizes, the one above is for my table, this one to the right is larger and it's a gift for our Thanksgiving host, and will be used with the rest of the tablescape elements I created, and the candle below is the smallest and is in my living room since it's open to the dining room and is perfect on the coffee table.
Coordinating coffee table candle.



The final item I just wanted to show you is a Thankful Journal I created using just the elements from the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit (all I added were the rings on top and the Naturals Button).  This is a journal I taught in a class earlier in the month and is a perfect keepsake to record what each person is thankful for along with their picture. 
It's amazing how much project is in this one kit, and I still have lots of pieces left to make cards, and any other project I may desire.  I hope I've given you some fun ideas for this kit so you can give it a try and see what you can come up with.  It really make decorating for fall and Thanksgiving a breeze.
 
Happy stamping,
 
Diana
Pin It!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Bonus Halloween Gift Wrap Idea

I'm back again for a bonus share since I have a couple of Halloween projects I want to share and am running out of time.  This weekend we were invited to a Halloween Costume contest with neighbors so I wanted to bring a gift for the host.  I decided you couldn't go wrong with a bottle of wine, but I had to dress it up, so I made this cute tag.  I started with a piece of Tangerine Tango cardstock and used my Simply Scored Board to score the line to get around the bottle curves and used the 1" circle punch to punch a whole for the wine bottle neck to fit in.  Next I added a piece of Witches Brew Designer Series Paper and piece of Silver/Black striped Satin Ribbon from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit that was tied into a bow.
 
I decided to use the Toil and Trouble stamp set for my stamped images and started by stamping the large text image with Whisper White Craft Ink and Basic Gray cardstock before cutting it out with the Big Shot and the Apothecary Accents Framelits.  I used dimensionals to attach this element to the tag so it stands up.  Next I took a piece of Silver Glimmer paper and punched an oval with the Large Oval Punch.  This piece adds some sparkle and is the perfect layer for the bird image that's also from the Toil and Trouble stamp set that was stamped with Basic Black ink and Summer Starfruit cardstock and cut out with Paper Snips.  I also used a dimensional to attach the bird to give him some pop.
 
This tag turned out so lovely and the great thing was I was actually able to make it really quickly with tools I already had (love how the tools we offer can be used for so many projects and ideas).  With us starting to get into the holiday season this is a perfect project for all those hostess/neighbor/coworker gifts you have on your gift list, just change up the paper, stamps, and accessories for something unique for each recipient.
 
Enjoy!
 
Diana

Pin It!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Gently Falling

Good morning friends! What a fun-filled weekend, we ended the baseball season, attended two Halloween parties, tried some new recipes for some yummy treats, and even managed to get the bulbs and fall flowers planted so we're all set for spring.  Even with all that I was able to run down to the studio to make a couple of quick cards.  Today I'm sharing the card for this weeks Fab Friday sketch challenge.  This was a fun sketch and gave me the opportunity to use one of the stamp sets that's part of the 25 for 25% off sale that's ending today (you don't want to miss out).  I started with a Sahara Sand cardbase and added a piece of designer series paper from the Sweater Weather DSP package and matted it with Tangerine Tango cardstock.  I also added a piece of Victoria Lace Trim Ribbon wrapped around the DSP layer.

For the main stamped image I used the Gently Falling Stamp set (on sale) and stamped the leaves in Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, and Crushed Curry Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock (I stamped off to lighten up the ink color).  This piece was sponged with Sahara Sand ink around the edges and then matted on a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock.  I used the new Chevron Punch to punch out some chevrons with the Sweater Weather DSP and attached it along the bottom.  The greeting is from the Lovely Thoughts stamp set and was stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock with Tangerine Tango ink.  I sponged around the edge with Sahara Sand ink and cut tails on both ends with Paper Snips.  I used a bone folder to soften the cardstock and used glue dots to attach the greeting to the card so it flows.
 
This card turned out so fun and the greeting is so versatile you can use it for several different occasions.  I hope you enjoyed today's card and check out this sketch and play along, it's fun and a great way to get your creative juices going.
 
Happy Stamping,
 
Diana

Pin It!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Hey There Magnificent Maple

Good morning and we made it to the end of another week, and this one's a cold one.  I'm really excited about this weekend, it's the last weekend of fall baseball season and while I love watching Aidan and the boys play, this mamma is ready for the season to be over and have a little break, so we have a game tonight and then one more Saturday morning and then we can hang up the cleats for now.  All this time spent outside really has me in a fall frame of mind so all projects seem to be leaves and fall colors.  I originally made this card for a challenge and then realized I didn't really follow the challenge but I thought I would share it with you anyway.
 
The cardbase is Sahara Sand and I ran it through the Big Shot with the Pretty Print Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of the wood texture paper from the Thankful Tablescape Simply Create Kit (this is one of my favorite items in the kit because of the texture) and matted on a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock that I sponged around the edge with Sahara Sand Ink.  Next I wrapped a piece of Chocolate Chip Chevron Ribbon around the panel before attaching it to the card. 
 
The leaves are stamped with the Magnificent Maple stamp in Chocolate Chip and Cajun Craze ink, cut out with my Paper Snips and then sponged with more Chocolate Chip ink to add some depth.
 
The greeting is from the Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit and was colored with Stampin' Write Markers before punching it out with the Large Oval Punch and Matting on a piece of Cajun Craze that was punched with the Decorative Label Punch.
 
This card is so fun and warm, it's perfect to let someone know you're thinking of them.  I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend, which hopefully has lots of family, and a little crafting time (and try to stay warm).
 
Diana


















Pin It!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge: Lovely as a Tree

Good morning friends!  What a difference a day makes, boy is it cold outside (fall is definitely here.)  My card for this weeks Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge is perfect for these fall days.  I needed to make a birthday card for my Grandpa so I decided to use the longtime favorite, but not used for awhile stamp set, Lovely as a Tree.  I started with a cardbase of Sahara Sand and then added a layer of Tangerine Tango and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper.  I used my 2 1/2" circle punch to punch out the outline circle.  I added another piece of coordinating DSP and wrapped a piece of Canvas Trim Ribbon for a fun accent.

The main stamped image is from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set and was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I colored directly on the stamp with Stampin' Write Markers and "thumped" the different colors on the leaves so that when I stamped them it looked like fall leaves.  I used the Big Shot and the Circle Collection framelits to cut out the tree image so that it nested inside the circle cutout and attached it with dimensionals so it pops.  For the final element I stamped the greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, punched it out with the Word Window Punch and then matted on a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock punched with the Modern Label Punch.  I softened both of the punched out pieces by sponging around the edges with Sahara Sand ink.  The greeting was attached to the card with dimensionals.
 
I really like how soft and calming the card turned out, I think my Grandpa will love it, and you could easily us the card for lots of different occasions by just changing out the greeting.  I hope you enjoyed this card and this is a fun sketch that you'll want to save to play with for your own projects in the future.
 
Happy stamping!
 
Diana

Pin It!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

It's Stampin' Up's Birthday, But You Get the Gifts!


We're celebrating Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary all year long, but during the week of the actual date (October 25th to be exact) we thought we should pump up the party even more. So what better way than a sale on the very products that started it all: stamps, of course!  Between October 22-28, 2013 you can get 25 percent off 25 stamp sets (that's so AWESOME!!!).
 Below are pictures and prices of each of the sets on sale and you can click on the set name to go to the Stampin' Up! store to get more information. 
 
A Dozen Thoughts
A Dozen Thoughts
Price: $26.95 $20.21
A Dozen Thoughts
A Dozen Thoughts
Price: $18.95 $14.21
A Gift for You Clear-Mount Stamp Set
A Gift For You Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $4.95 $3.71
Abrazos Y Besos Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Abrazos Y Besos Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Agréables pensées
Agréables Pensées
Price: $24.95 $18.71
Amour sens dessus dessous
Amour Sens Dessus Dessous
Price: $14.95 $11.21
Apothecary Art
Apothecary Art
Price: $34.95 $26.21
Apothecary Art - Clear-Mount Stamp
Apothecary Art - Clear-Mount Stamp
Price: $27.95 $20.96
Art Floral - Clear-Mount Stamp
Art Floral - Clear-Mount Stamp
Price: $27.95 $20.96
Banderines Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Banderines Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $11.95 $8.96
Bannières Bitty Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Bannières Bitty Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $11.95 $8.96
Bébé Tendresse Montage Clair
Bébé Tendresse Montage Clair
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Betsy's Blossoms
Betsy's Blossoms
Price: $28.95 $21.71
Betsy's Blossoms Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Betsy's Blossoms Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $21.95 $16.46
Bright Blossoms
Bright Blossoms
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Bright Blossoms - Clear-Mount Stamp
Bright Blossoms - Clear-Mount Stamp
Price: $12.95 $9.71
Christmas Star Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Christmas Star Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $9.95 $7.46
Crazy, Mixed-Up Love
Crazy, Mixed-Up Love
Price: $19.95 $14.96
Crazy, Mixed-Up Love
Crazy, Mixed-Up Love
Price: $14.95 $11.21
Cuddles & Kisses
Cuddles & Kisses
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Cuddles & Kisses Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Cuddles & Kisses Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Deseos en etiquetas
Deseos En Etiquetas
Price: $17.95 $13.46
Eres linda
Eres Linda
Price: $24.95 $18.71
Ese Es El Boleto Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Ese Es El Boleto Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Etiquetas Florales - Clear-Mount Stamp
Etiquetas Florales - Clear-Mount Stamp
Price: $27.95 $20.96
Gently Falling
Gently Falling
Price: $39.95 $29.96
Gently Falling Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Gently Falling Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $28.95 $21.71
Gifts of Kindness
Gifts Of Kindness
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Gifts of Kindness
Gifts Of Kindness
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Gorgeous Grunge
Gorgeous Grunge
Price: $24.95 $18.71
Gorgeous Grunge
Gorgeous Grunge
Price: $17.95 $13.46
Happy Day
Happy Day
Price: $21.95 $16.46
Happy Day
Happy Day
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Hearts a Flutter
Hearts A Flutter
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Hearts A Flutter Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Hearts A Flutter Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Hello Lovely
Hello Lovely
Price: $32.95 $24.71
Hello Lovely
Hello Lovely
Price: $24.95 $18.71
Humeur joyeuse
Humeur Joyeuse
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Itty Bitty Banners
Itty Bitty Banners
Price: $15.95 $11.96
Itty Bitty Banners Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Itty Bitty Banners Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $11.95 $8.96
Jewish Celebrations Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Jewish Celebrations Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Jewish Celebrations Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Jewish Celebrations Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Label Love
Label Love
Price: $24.95 $18.71
Label Love
Label Love
Price: $17.95 $13.46
Locura de amor
Locura De Amor
Price: $14.95 $11.21
Lots of Thanks
Lots Of Thanks
Price: $22.95 $17.21
Lots of Thanks
Lots Of Thanks
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Morning Post Alphabet
Morning Post Alphabet
Price: $46.95 $35.21
Morning Post Alphabet Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Morning Post Alphabet Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $34.95 $26.21
Oh, Hello
Oh, Hello
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Oh, Hello Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Oh, Hello Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Ornament Keepsakes Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Ornament Keepsakes Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $25.95 $19.46
Ornament Keepsakes Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Ornament Keepsakes Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $34.95 $26.21
Remerciements
Remerciements
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Snowflake Soiree Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Snowflake Soiree Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $21.95 $16.46
Snowflake Soiree Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Snowflake Soiree Wood-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $29.95 $22.46
T’As Un Ticket Montage Clair
T’As Un Ticket Montage Clair
Price: $16.95 $12.71
That's the Ticket
That's The Ticket
Price: $22.95 $17.21
That's The Ticket Clear-Mount Stamp Set
That's The Ticket Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $16.95 $12.71
Un acontecimiento feliz Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Un Acontecimiento Feliz Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Price: $21.95 $16.46
Un amour d'étiquette
Un Amour D'étiquette
Price: $17.95 $13.46
Une belle histoire montage clair
Une Belle Histoire Montage Clair
Price: $21.95 $16.46
Yippee-Skippee!
Yippee-Skippee!
Price: $18.95 $14.21
Yippee-Skippee!
Yippee-Skippee!
Price: $14.95 $11.21
Zoo Babies
Zoo Babies
Price: $27.95 $20.96
Zoo Babies
Zoo Babies
Price: $19.95 $14.96

I've been challenged to sell 25 stamp sets as part of this promotion and I need your help. Please place any order for this sale (and you can include anything else in your order, including the Weekly Deals, etc) using the Hostess Code: RPQVYK2G. And when the total sales for the code reach $150 I'll do a random drawing from customers who placed orders to receive the hostess benefits for FREE.  Plus, by using the hostess code your order will ship as soon as you close your order, instead of waiting for the party to close so you can start playing sooner.
 
There are some of my favorite stamp sets included in this sale (that I use all the time) so now's the time to add them to your stampin' stash so you can enjoy them as well. 
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Thanks,
 
Diana
 
If you can't get online to place an order feel free to send me an email with your information and I'll place your order.
Pin It!

Search This Blog