30 Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 8

Happy Friday peeps!  What a crazy week, Aidan was off from school on Monday and Tuesday but we still had to work so the routine has been changed up.  For today's gratitude card challenge card I decided to combine it with the Fab Friday Color Challenge to create this fun and warm Thanksgiving card.  These colors are so fun today, it just screams fall.  The cardbase is Old Olive and I added a layer of Cajun Craze cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Lattice Embossing Folder and then matted it with Very Vanilla cardstock. 

Next I took a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped the leaves from the Gently Falling stamp set.  I stamped the outline in Early Espresso and the leaves in Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive (I stamped off to help mute the color).  I love how the 2 step stamps make coloring in images a breeze.  This piece was matted with Old Olive cardstock and attached to the front.  I added a piece of Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon and then tied a knot around it with some Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  The final touch is the greeting from the Tags 4 You stamp set.  It was stamped with Early Espresso ink and punched out with the coordinating Label Bracket Punch. and attached it to the card with dimensionals.

 

The love how this card turned out and the colors are fabulous.  I'm definitely going to have to use this combination on other projects, so warm and calming.  I hope you enjoyed today's card.  You can play along with the Fab Friday challenge or the Gratitude Card Challenge I'm working on this month, it's a lot of fun.

 

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

 

Diana

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

Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge: Gently Falling Meets Really Good Greetings

Good morning and welcome to the start of another week.  This is a really exciting week for us as we're going on a short vacation at the end of the week and we haven't told Aidan about it so it's going to be a huge surprise and it's driving me nuts not telling him.  Thankfully I've had some time in the studio so I still have lots of great projects to share so never fear.  Today I'm sharing my card for this weeks  Hand Stamped Sentiments Color challenge.  This is a fun color combination and when I first saw it I immediately thought of Christmas, but then I decided to do something different.  I used the Gently Falling stamp set for the three pieces of Very Vanilla and I stamped all the leaves (with the two step stamps it makes it a breeze to color in) and then cut them apart after stamping so they flow.  I matted these pieces on a layer of Gumball Green cardstock and added them to the Baked Brown Sugar cardbase.

I added a piece of Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon for texture.  The greeting is from the Really Good Greetings stamp set and I used the Stampin' Write Markers to color directly on the stamp to add multiple colors at once (I have to admit this was one of the first techniques I learned with stamping and it instantly WOW'd me, and still does).  I used the Big Shot and the Oval Collection Framelits to cut out the greeting, and sponged around the edge with Crumb Cake ink before attaching it to the card with dimensionals.  The final touch was to add a few half pearls, because everyone loves a little bling!

 

This card turned out so great and you could easily change the greeting for anything, birthdays, thank you, thanksgiving, etc, and keep everything else in the card the same, and changing up colors offers even more possibilities.  I hope you enjoyed and make sure to check out some of the other great creations for the challenge, such great ideas.

 

Happy Stamping,

 

Diana

Paper Players Sketch Challenge: Truly Grateful

We've made it to the end of the week, it always amazes me how difficult it is to get through a week, even if it was short due to a holiday, I guess I really just enjoy weekends!  I'm back again today to share a card I made for this Paper Players Challenge and it was really fun.  It's amazing how we were celebrating summer just last week and now I'm fully embracing the upcoming fall while still enjoying the warm weather and it really inspired this card.  The cardbase is Crumb Cake and I added a layer of Cajun Craze that was randomly stamped with the Gently Falling leaves as a background.  Next I added a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations cardstock that was embossed with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder and the Big Shot as well as a piece of Victoria Lace Trim Ribbon. 

 

The main focal image is from the new Truly Grateful stamp set. I stamped the wheat image with Chocolate Chip ink and then used Stampin' Write Markers to roughly color in the image before cutting the image out with the Big Shot and Deco Label Framelits.  To help distress and soften the image I sponged all over the piece with Crumb Cake ink.  I stamped the acorn with Crumb Cake ink and cut it out with my Paper Snips. 

The greeting is from the same stamp set (I absolutely love how our stamp sets coordinate with each other and you can make fabulous projects with just one set), and was stamped with Cajun Craze ink on Crumb Cake ink, punched out with the Modern Label Punch.  I used dimensionals to pop up the greeting and added little pearls as accents.

This card is so soft and fresh, I love how it turned out.  I send cards to family for almost every holiday, just so they know we're thinking of them so this his helping me come up with potential designs for this years Thanksgiving card, we'll see.

 

I hope you enjoy and there are some really great cards on the Paper Players Blog for this challenge so make sure to check it out for lots of great ideas!

 

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

 

Diana

Thanksgiving Gift Wrap to "Leaf" them Speechless

Welcome back (I know two posts in one day for two days in a row!)  I always take pictures of the families at our Thanksgiving get togethers but for some reason I always forget to send them the pictures so this year I made them a special picture frame to hold the pictures from last year and they can use it for future pictures as well.  In order to really wow my friends I wanted to make an equally special gift bag for the frames.  I started with a basic white gift bag and added two pieces of designer series paper from the Orchard Harvest DSP, a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock that I stamped with the leaf outline images from the Gently Falling stamp set, and a piece of Early Espresso cardstock that we embossed with the lattice embossing folder.  I also added a strip of Island Indigo ruffled ribbon.

 

I really wanted to make a wow gift tag so I used the Two Tags Bigz die to cut out the tag and used the Timber stampin' wheel along the bottom and sponged around the edges with Cajun Craze ink.  The greeting is stamped with the Day of Gratitude stamp set and inked with Stampin' Write Markers (you'll notice I used the same greeting and coloring for several of my Thanksgiving projects so they all coordinate.  The leaves were cut out with the Autumn Accents Bigz die and I used the Woodgrain, lattice, and Fancy Fan embossing folders.  For the acorn I added a piece of Champagne shimmer paper for the top (cut it out with the same die).

 

This gift bag turned out so cute you'll want to use it for gift after gift.

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day One

Good morning!  So a couple of months ago a fellow demonstrator issued a challenge to make a thank you card each day for a month.  I was taught from a young age the importance of showing gratitude and thanking people for the gifts you receive.  This included hand-writing thank you notes, a practice I still use and am teach Aidan the importance.  So when I saw this challenge I was moved but I wanted to do this during the month of November when your thoughts naturally turn to thinking of our blessings.  So starting today, through the rest of the month I'm going to work to create and share a card a day that expresses these thoughts.  Now these cards will cover all sorts of themes and occasions to give you lots of ideas you can use and they won't all be crazy over the top, but practical and useful.  I challenge you to join me and feel free to share your creations.

 

So, my first card uses the Wacky Wishes stamp set for the greeting and Gently Falling to stamp the leaves on the background.  I used two different prints from the Orchard Harvest designer series paper (the ric rack piece was cut using the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim EX Bigz die).  The final touch was to add some pearls to the top corner.

 

Hope you have a great day and enjoy your first day of November.

October Stamp-a-Stack Samples

Good morning peeps!  Hope you're having a great week.  I'm so excited for this month's stamp-a-stack class, there are some great cards for every occasion.  Class is this Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 PM, please RSVP by Friday to reserve your spot.  Make sure to let me know if you're interested in the Christmas card add-on option when you register.

 

Hope to see you Sunday!

Diana

Gently Falling: Fab Friday Challenge

Good evening friends!  We'll we've survived our first weekend of the new school year.  After a hot start the weekend we had some strong storms on Saturday afternoon which brought some much cooler weather that we loved.  Thankfully we get to enjoy this nice cooler weather for the next few days.  This cooler weather was the inspiration for my sketch card this week.  I found a new sketch site, Fab Friday that I'm really excited to participate in.  This card is for thanksgiving and uses my much loved Gently Falling stamp set (love that this set returned to the annual catalog this year!)

The cardbase is Very Vanilla and I sponged around the edge with Cajin Craze ink.  The designer paper is Orchard Harvest DSP and then I took a piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock and stamped the leaves with Early Espresso for the outline and More Mustard, Baja Breeze, and Gumball Green for the inside.  Another fun product I used on this project is the new Coordinations Cardstock (this time in Early Espresso) and it was embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  Then I took the new standing block and lightly (very lightly) sanded on the top to bring out the woodgrain.  A small piece of Cajin Craze cardstock was punched with the Scalloped Edge Border Trim punch to add along the bottom of the woodgrain piece.

 

The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, punched out with the Modern Label punch and then matted on a flag piece of Baja Breeze cardstock.  The final touch was to add a small knot of Early Espresso 1/8" taffeta ribbon on top of a small Naturals Designer Button. 

 

I love how this card turned out and is definately getting me ready for the arrival of fall.  I think it's about time to start putting up the halloween and fall decorations, that will really help set the mood.

 

Enjoy and have a great week!

 

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

Gently Falling and Spice Cake Thanksgiving Creations

Good morning.  As I've shared with you previously I have absolutely fallen in love with the new Gently Falling Stamp set and Spice Cake DSP.    Today I have two things to share with you.  The first is a thanksgiving card.  I stamped the Very Vanilla cardstock with the different leaf images.  Then I stamped the greeting from the Hand-Penned Holidays stamp set on a piece of vellum paper that I tore along the bottom.  The final touch was a strip of Spice Cake DSP and then an Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta ribbon bow.  I made a whole batch of these cards so we're all set to send thanksgiving greetings.

The second project I have to share is a box I decorated for a thanksgiving gift using the Kraft boxes and Spice Cake DSP.  I cut several pieces of DSP and mounted them on Soft Suede cardstock and added them to the sides and top of the box.  Then I took a 2" x 12" strip of DSP and used the Simply Scored tool to create a lolly rosette.  On top of that is a small scallop circle punched out of DSP and added a ribbon with a Very Vanilla 1/8" Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon knot.

These  boxes are so easy and pretty I've made several other's for christmas gifts to be prepared for those last minute christmas gifts (the great thing is that the small Bath and Body Works candles fit perfectly in the box (easy peasy!)

Hope you enjoy,

Diana

Fall Picture Frame - Simply Scored Style

 One of the great new items that Stampin' Up! released with the Holiday Mini catalog was the Simply Scored Board.  Now I will admit I have a score board from a competitor but never really used it since it didn't seem to work quite right.  After seeing Stampin' Ups board at convention this summer I new I had to give this one a try and I have to admit, I love it!  It seems like everywhere you look people are making wreaths with these pleated circles (called lollies) so I set out to make one of my own to get used to the board.  After making about a dozen of these, which were a breeze I decided to make something different, so I decorated a picture frame which will match the grapevine pumpkins I made, check them out HERE!

Here are some close ups of the lollies and decorations (lots of buttons and ribbons!)

Here's a closeup of the greeting (uses the Day of Gratitude and Gently Falling Stamp sets, along with the decorative label punch).

I love how this frame turned out, now it's time to find the perfect picture.

Enjoy!

Diana

Gently Falling - Sketch Challenge

 Happy Sunday!  What a beautiful weekend, I hope you were able to enjoy it.  I must admit, I've definitely am in the mood for fall and can't stop using the Gently Falling stamp set so when I saw this weeks Stamping 411 sketch challenge I knew this would be perfect.

This card is pretty simple because of all the punches used but is beautiful in person.




So here's a list of what I used:
  * Stamp set(s):  Gently Falling, Teeny Tiny Wishes
  * Paper:  Very Vanilla, Pool Party, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Spice Cake DSP
  * Ink:  Early Espresso, More Mustard, Pear Pizzaz
  * Accessories:  1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Basics Brads and Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.

This card sketch is so versatile and can be used for any occasion.

Have a great week!

Diana

 

Spice Cake - Petite Pockets Box

Good morning!

Today I wanted to highlight one of our upcoming class projects since it matches the theme for the week.  This box uses the Petite Pocket die and I got this idea from Fran Sabad on Stampin' Up!s Stampin' Connection website.  I used both the Spice Cake DSP and fabric along with the Spice Cake Jumbo Buttons, and the Gently Falling stamp set.  I also used the Day of Gratitude stamp set for the greeting.

I'm planning on using these for thanksgiving for both place cards and favors so this one has my son's name.

If you're local and want to make this project, along with four others don't forget to register for the Holiday Gift Class on October 8.

Enjoy,

Diana

Spice Cake Fall Decorations

Good morning!

I was shopping recently at a local craft store and found these cute grapefine pumpkins that were prelite.  As soon as I saw them I knew they would make a cute fall decoration.  I simply took a piece of our Spice Cake fabric and tied a nice floppy bow.  Then I stamped some leaves with the Gently Falling stamp set and cut them out with paper snips and tied them to the bow with Linen thread. 

Here's a close-up of the fabric bow and leaves, so pretty!

I had planned to have these on my fireplace mantle but they look so cute in the studio with the blue walls I haven't moved them to the family room and may keep them a little while longer in the studio first.

Enjoy,

Diana

Holiday Gift Class - Rescheduled so you still have time!

I wanted to let you know that I've rescheduled this years Holiday Gift Class to Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 AM.  This means you still have time to sign up for this fabulous class. 

Below are the projects we'll be making and they are so much fun. 

The class fee is $30 and as usual will include a light lunch. As an added bonus each attendee will receive to items to use in class and then you get to take them home so you can make additional items even easier!

Make sure to RSVP soon, the last day to register is September 28 or until the class is full!

Hope you can make it!

Diana

Gently Falling - Sketch Challenge

Good evening!  It's amazing how the weather has changed and fall is definately in the air.  Because of our beautiful weather as soon as I saw the sketch for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I knew I had to use the Gently Falling stamp set for the Holiday mini catalog.  This has definately been one of my go to sets lately.

This card has a base of Pool Party Cardstock with a layer of Pear Pizzaz that I ran through the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  The designer paper is Spice Cake and coordinates with the Gently Falling stamp set.  I stamped the leaves and acorn on Very Vanilla cardstock and since these are two step stamps I didn't need to color them in I just stamped the color with the fill in stamp (I did use a blender pen and More Mustard ink to randomly add some additional texture on the leaves for fun).  Then I cut out each of the leaves with paper snips.

The bow uses the fabulous new Early Espresso 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (love the texture) and an orange Fire Crystal brad.  The last touch was the greating from the Grateful Greeting stamp set that was punched out with the oval punch and then attached to the card with dimensionals.  Now check out the challenge sketch....

This card is so pretty and is definately getting me in the mood for fall.  I'll be sharing several other projects with the same product suite throughout the week so make sure to check back.

Have a great week!

Diana