New Year's Picture Frame

I hope you're having a blast enjoying the last few hours of 2012.  I have one last project to share with you but I had to wait since this is a gift for a friend that we're seeing tonight and I wanted it to be a surprise.  I love to commemorate holidays and events with pictures and share those pictures so I thought this picture frame would be perfect for our friend to remember our great times together.  I used the New Year single stamp set for this project as well and embossed it with Silver embossing powder.  Next I cut it out with the Window Collection framelits and then trimmed off the top and bottom curves before sponging the edges with Pool Party Ink and adding two In Color designer printed brads.  I have lots of frames in my stash just waiting to be used.  I sponged around the inside edge of the frame with Platinum Shimmer Paint and then added a bow of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon and a designer brad (it's retired but says "Genuine" around the edges which is fitting for our friends).

 

I added Pool Party and Island Indigo cardstock inside the frame so it matches and is already for the perfect picture.  I love to decorate picture frames and give them as gifts with pictures which I think friends love since it's personalized and unique.  We've had so many changes and events in our family this year and can't wait to see what 2013 brings.  We love all our friends and family and appreciate all the love and support.

 

Take care and Happy New Year and have a fabulous 2013!

 

Diana

Bright Happy New Year's Greetings!

I told you I would be back.  My next project to share uses the single stamp set New Year.  I was so excited when Stampin' Up! announced they were having a pilot program selling single stamps and since this was a new and exclusive design of course I had to get it but this is the first time I've inked it up.  I drew the colors for this project from the candy wrapper I made for Aidan and shared earlier today.  The cardbase is Tempting Turquoise and I added a piece of Basic Black that I sprayed with Champagne Shimmer mist (it's hard to see in the picture but it really sparkles in person.  Next I inked the stamp with Stampin' Write markers in a rainbow of colors (I love the rainbow effect) and cut the image out with the Big Shot and Labels Collection Framelits.  I used the same framelits to cut the border piece out of Champagne Shimmer Paper (this is not on the carry over list so you only have until January 2 to make sure this fabulous paper is in your collection).  I used the same colors to create a rainbow of flags using the Brights DSP stack and the Polka Dot Parade designer series paper.

 

This card is so bright and cheery and is a perfect way to start the new year!  Hope you enjoy and remember you wan only purchase the single stamp sets until January 2 so you'll definately want to add this to your collection.

 

Have a great evening and be safe!

 

Diana

Happy New Year's - MDS Treat

Good afternoon friends and Happy New Years Eve!  I can't believe how quickly 2012 has passed and in just a few hours we'll be ringing in the New Year.  I'm a little late in sharing but I have three different projects I've made to celebrate the New Year so I've schedule several posts today so you can enjoy all the fun and get some great ideas for next year.  My first project is a candy bar wrapper I made for Aidan with My Digital Studio 2.  The great thing about this project is that the template was already designed from the Eventful Year digital download and all I did was add the 2013 and Aidan and tweaked the opacity of the greetings!  I love how simple it was and then I had it printed and wrapped around a Hershey bar.

 

I'm sure Aidan will love this and I love how these treats are so easy and can be tailored to any occasion and even personalized.  You've got to try this out and I can help you either learn to use MDS2 yourself or I'll help design treats for your special occasion.

 

Have a great afternoon!

 

Diana

I Couldn't Resist Sharing this Santa!

Good morning friends!  I'm sitting at the hotel pool this morning while Aidan gets in one last swim (I love that no matter where we go if there's a pool Aidan has to visit and he always meets kids and has a blast!)  So while where here, and it's snowing outside I thought it would be OK to share another Christmas card.  This card uses the Wonderous Wishes stamp set from the Holiday catalog and while I love this set I haven't purchased it but I was able to stamp several images from it while at my upline's retreat in October and I just got around to coloring it and turning it into a card this week.  I used losts of Stampin' Write markers, classic ink pads, and a blender pen to color this in and tried to add lots of dimension and texture.  The image is so beautiful and fills up most of the page so all did was a piece of designer paper from the Festival of Prints paper stack as well as the 7/8" cotton ribbon that I frayed on both edges and a strip of 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon.

 

This card is perfect for the holiday season and just think, I already have one card made for next year, yeah!

 

Have a great day!

 

Diana

The Winter Fun Continues

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas!  We had a great time relaxing and hanging out at home.  This morning I'm heading out for a little post Christmas shopping, I love to stock up on gift wrap, bags, etc. for next year while the sales are so great.  I'm also so excited since we still have a week of fun before it's time to head back to work and school.  During that time we're going to enjoy a few winter activities, including ice skating which was the inspiration for this card.  It uses the Winter Memories stamp set and I cut out the ice stake image after coloring in a few elements and mounted on a piece of vellum and Baja Breeze cardstock that was cut out with the Window Frame Framelits and embossed with the Big Shot and Snowflurry embossing folder.  Then I just added a piece of Cherry Cobbler Polka Dot Scallop Ribbon (showing the backside) designer paper from the Candlelight Christmas DSP, and the greeting is from the Christmas Lodge Stamp set.

 

This card is so soft I love the holiday memories it invokes.

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday week!

 

Diana

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!

Good morning and Merry Christmas!  I'm sitting here early Christmas morning waiting for Aidan to wake up (how crazy is that?) so I thought I would hope on the computer to share one of the Christmas cards I made this week.  This card uses the Winter Memories stamp set for the Holiday catalog and I just love how peaceful the images are.  The cardbase is Very Vanilla and I sponged around the edges with Crumb Cake ink.  Then I added a layer of Early Espresso Core-dinations cardstock that I ran through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain embossing folder and sanded it to bring out the woodgrain.  The DSP is actually from the Orchard Harvest DSP (I love when you can use paper for other holidays that what it is designed) and is matted with Lucky Limeade cardstock.  The main image was stamped with Basic Black in on Very Vanilla and colored in with a blender pen and my classic ink pads, sponged around the edges with Crumb Cake ink, and matted on Crumb Cake ink.  This layer was attached to the card with dimensionals so it pops.  The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and was punched out with the Modern Label Punch.  For the accent I added a piece of Victorian Lace Ribbon and an antique brad, it's fun to add a little texture with just a hint of ribbon and bling.

 

I love how this card turned out it's so rich and soothing.  Well I need to go, I think I hear someone stirring.  We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a blessed time with your family!

 

Diana

 

MDS2 Makes Holiday Gifts a Snap!

Good morning friends!  Can you believe we're less than one week away from Christmas?  Aidan keeps saying he can't wait for Christmas to get here and I keep telling him that it's only X days away and will be here soon.  So we've spent a lot of this week handing out gifts to neighbors, coworkers, and teachers to let them know how much we appreciate all they do all year long.  The last group of people we have gifts for is Aidan's Tae Kwon Do instructors.  No only does Aidan take classes everyday but he's also in their before and after school care programs so they spend a lot of time together.  So for these gifts I decided to turn to My Digital Studio 2 and made these super simple and cute boxes and tags.  I used the Savor the Season content disc which is awesome it has the box templates, that you can fill with any designer paper you want, the box bands, even the tags that fit perfectly with the decorative label punch.  I changed up the stamp greetings in the tags and did use the new color tool to color in the stamps with different colors.  I even made some of the tags to have birthday greetings so when I had them printed I would have some for different occasions.  A couple of the tags are matted on silver glimmer paper that I cut out with the apothocary labels framelits and the Big Shot.  Then all I had to do was fill some cello bags with candy and tie them with ribbon and everything coordinates perfectly, in a snap.

 

I love how MDS2 makes it so easy to make cards, decor, and gifts that anyone will love and you don't have to spend hours on them.  There's still time to take care of those last minute gifts on your list so if you don't own MDS2 remember you can download a 30 day trial version of the software to try it out and make all the projects you want, even have them printed, awesome!

 

Have a great day,

 

Diana

Stampin’UP! Clearance Rack Blitz – WHILE SUPPLIES LAST – some items up to 80% off!!!!

Stampin’UP! has added 300 new items for the Stampin’UP! Clearance Rack BLITZ…


WOWOW – and if you join today you can save an additional 20% on clearance rack items – YES THAT’S RIGHT.. as a demonstrator I still earn my discount and commission on clearance rack items… WOW…I’ve already shopped today.

ALL SHOPPING MUST BE ONLINE – CLICK HERE

ALL ITEMS ARE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST don’t hesitate… Just a VERY SMALL SAMPLING of the 300+ Items on clearance.. Markers for $0.99, Ribbon for $3.99, cardstock and designer series paper, even Big Shot dies and stamp sets WOOOO-HOOO Stocking stuffing time. I saw a heat tool for less than $15.. AMAZING.

I already placed my order with lots of ribbon for gift wrapping and cardstock to donate to Aidan's school (the ideas are endless but the sale is not!)

Don’t miss out – Time to SHOP!

Elegant Wedding Greetings

Last month we attending a wedding for a work friend and I decided to make a card fitting the occasion.  When I think of weddings I always think of sleek and sophisticated so I decided a monochromatic card would be perfect.  The cardbase is Very Vanilla and I added Basic Black and then a panel of Very Vanilla that I ran through the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  I love the swirling images and I added several pearls in different sizes in the holes for one of the swirls.  The greeting is from the Word Play stamp set and I heat embossed it with Basic Black embossing powder.  This was punched out with the large oval punch which was matted on a piece of Basic Black that was cut out with the Apothocary Accents framelits and Big Shot.  The final touch was to add a piece of 1/8” Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon looped with tails between the greeting layers for a little extra pizazz.

 

This card looks so stunning in person which I love.  The great thing about the Word Play stamp set is if you like this image, or another in the set but not all of them you can purchase individual stamps from this set under the current pilot program now through January 2, 2013 which is awesome!  This set has so many options for any needs you have,

Enjoy,

 

Diana

Cheerful Christmas Wrapping

Good morning friends!  So I've been spending a lot of time this week completing and wrapping gifts for Christmas.  One of the things I vowed to do this year is to try to use as many of the bags, boxes, etc. that I already have in my stash before buying anything new.  While going through my stores I found these cute little white bags that would be perfect for wrapping little gifts for our family (can't say what it is since some of them read my blog).  All I did was add a piece of Be of Good Cheer designer series paper matted on a piece of coordinating cardstock.  I used a hole punch to punch two holes in the top and threaded either Gumball Green Stiched Satin or Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon to tie the bags shut.  The tag was made from the Tags till Christmas stamp set and I used Stampin' Write Markers to color in the stamp so it would perfectly coordinate.  The tag fits perfectly with the Decorative Label punch so it's easy to cut out and I used dimensionals so it pops up.

 

These bags are so cute and festive, and the best part was I used supplies I already had so I didn't have to spend any money.  The bags were also super simple to make so you still have time to make your own.

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

Christmas Lodge Christmas Greetings

I’m definitely in full swing holiday preparations and while I’ve finished my families Christmas cards (I actually make them in the summer so there is one less thing to worry about) I know that many of you are still working on your cards so I want to provide you inspiration.  Today’s card is actually I card I made to swap for convention this summer and never shared it (can you believe that?)  This card has a Crumb Cake card base (I love how versatile this color is and use it ALL the time.  Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  The striped paper is Island Indigo DSP from the In Color 2011-2013 Designer Series Paper stack and I added a piece of Cherry Cobbler Polka Dot Scalloped Grosgrain Ribbon.  The greeting is from the Christmas Lodge stamp set and is one of my favorite Holiday images we have.  All I did was ink the stamp with Stampin’ Write markers to add all the colors, huffed on the stamp and stamped, easy peasy.  This piece was matted on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock. 

I love this card layout and have used it with several different color combinations.  This card is also great because it’s easy to make so you can make a lot, is mailable, and still has a WOW factor.  If you haven’t decided on your Holiday card design this is a great option and let me know and we can adapt it to any colors you wish and make sure you have all the necessary supplies.

Enjoy,

Diana

LIMITED OFFER – Stampin’UP! ORNAMENTAL ELEGANCE KIT – while supplies Last

Code #132832

Price $14.95


The ornament on the cover of our holiday catalog is such a hit that we are making it available to you and your customers–just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you’ve made yourself! We’ve simplified this fun project so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Our Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination. Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter (102023)!

The Ornamental Elegance Kit includes:
* Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
* Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2″ Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
* Natural Linen Thread
* Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
* Large Pearl Basic Jewels

CONSIDER ADDING THESE to your order to really dress up your ornaments

#102023 – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter for the extra sparkle

The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) for coordinated or additioanl projects

Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.

Order these now so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting–or for your family tree! Available while supplies last.

I'll be placing an order tonight so contact me if you would like to order this kits (any any extras) so you can save on shipping. 

If you don't want to wait, you can ORDER NOW – while supplies last I know they won’t last long.

# Code #132832
Price $14.95

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

Welcome back friends!  Today I just wanted to drop in to share with you the projects we'll be making at the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class, this Sunday, at 2:00 PM.  You'll be making one of each of these 5 awesome designs for $15.  For this months add on option we'll be making all occasions card and you'll be making 3 additional cards for $5. 

 

 This is going to be a fun class and the last class of the year so make sure you don't miss out on the fun.  You still have time to sign up, so contact me soon to reserve your spot.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Diana

Delightful Dozen Christmas Greetings: Sketch Challenge

Good evening!  I'm back after a fun-filled weekend and I'm in full on Christmas preparations.  We continued putting up decorations (one village up, one to go), I started gift wrapping, and I had an awesome Christmas Gift Class where we made several gifts that are going under the tree for the special people on my list.  This afternoon I wanted to take time to make a card for this weeks Fab Friday Sketch challenge, it's so easy and versatile I wanted to make sure to play along.  It also came together quickly due to the use of our awesome designer paper.  I started with Island Indigo as the cardbase and added a piece of Candlelight Christmas Speciality DSP.  Next I added a piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock and stamped the greeting from the Delightful Dozen stamp set (there's a greeting for every holiday which is AWESOME!)  I also added a little piece of the flocked window sheet from the same DSP pack and then added a piece of 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon and the Vintage Brads.

 

I love how easy this card comes together, I could easily make muliples of this for any occasion.

 

Enjoy and have a great week!

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 30

Good morning friends!  We’ve officially arrived at the end of November and I’ve successfully completed my 30-Day Gratitude card challenge.  This was a fun challenge and I want to thank you for joining me and I hope that I’ve provided you some ideas to use in future projects.  For my final gratitude card for the month I wanted to share something bright and cheery.  This card uses the Easy Events stamp set which is very versatile and perfect for any occasion, this is definitely a set that any stamper should have in their crafting toolbox.  I started with a Marina Mist cardbase and added pieces of Polka Dot DSP (in Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist) from the Polka Dot Parade DSP (love that our DSP is double-sided which offers double the options).  I also added a strip of Whisper White cardstock that I embossed with the Delicate Designs embossing folder and then trimmed the scallops with paper snips.  I added a piece of Wild Wasabi ¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon along the edge.  I stamped the image in Basic Black ink and colored the flower in with Stampin’ Write Markers.  Then I just punched it out with the 1 ¾” circle punch and matted that in Wild Wasabi with the 2 3/8” scallop circle punch.  This whole piece was attached to the card with dimensionals to give it some lift.

I hope you have a great day and definitely looking forward to a great weekend which includes my Christmas Gift class and we’ll be having lots of fun!

Enjoy,

Diana

Stampin’ UP! HOLIDAY PACKAGING BUNDLES-ALL THE CUTENESS WITHOUT ALL THE WORK

Are you done with shopping?


Are you already feelilng the “How will I ever get it done?” holiday pressure?

Let me help make your presents the cutest under the tree and take some of the holiday pressure off at the same time.

For a LIMITED TIME ONLY Stampin’UP! Has two Holiday Packaging Bundles available. Order via the SHOP now button or add to any party order!

The great thing about these bundles is there is no stamping necessary, so even my non-crafty friends can use these bundles to give fabulous gifts this holiday season.

Contact me to help you get ready for the holidays!

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 29

Welcome back!  You've just about reached the end of the challenge, just one more day to go.  I wanted to make something super awesome for today's gratitude card so I decided to use the emboss resist technique.  I had thought that this card would turn out to be Christmassy because of the colors but don't know if it's all that Christmassy.  I started with a Gumball Green cardbase (isn't this green just the most perfect Christmas green ever??) and ran it through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped the doilies from the Delicate Doilies stamp set with Versamark and then embossed them with Whisper White embossing powder.  Next I took a sponge and swirled Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler ink all over the paper.  The great thing about this technique is that after you've added the color you can take a paper towel or tissue and rub off the excess ink and the embossed images will stay white and really "pop."  This panel was matted on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and then I added a piece of Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  The greeting is from the Lacy and Lovely stamp set and is punched out with the oval punch and then matted with Cherry Cobbler cardstock that was punched out with the Scallop Oval punch.

 

What do you think?  This card is so fun and easy and really makes a statement.  I've enjoyed hainv you join me with the challenge this month and tomorrow will be the last day so you won't want to miss out.

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

Stampin’ UP! Online Extravaganza ends today with 3 AMAZING DOOR BUSTERS

Today is the final day of Stampin’UP!’s online Extravaganza and they are going out BIG… Check out these 3 door busters..


Remember you can also truly stretch your spending power

1. Add any or all of these items to a demonstrator starter kit - YOU GET your choice of $125 in product for just $99 AND a set of FREE INK PADS

*You may also add any other sale items, holiday catalog product, MDS products or Big Catalog products.

2. Hostess a $150 or higher party qualifying for Hostess benefits….


HAPPY EXTRAVAGANZA

Don't miss out on this special!  Makes great Christmas gifts for the crafter in your life.

Happy shopping!

Diana

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 28

Happy Wednesday Friends!  I'm having a great week, I just need to slow things down so I can get about 50 more things done each day and we'll be all set.  So this week I saw this really great, simple card on Mindy Backes website so I decided to use the layout for today's gratitude card.  The cardbase is Island Indigo and I added a piece of DSP from the Twitterpated DSP pack for the main design.  Next I punched four squares with the 1 1/4" square punch out of Baja Breeze cardstock, used the corner rounder punch to punch two of the corners on each square and then embossed them with the Big Shot and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and is punched out with the Word Window Punch and then matted with the Modern Label Punch and Island Indigo cardstock.  The greeting is popped up with dimensionals and I added three half back pearls to the top right corner to help balance the card.

 

This card is awesome and I love it's simplicity, definitely perfect for these crazy days and you could easily change the designer paper, colors, and greeting for any occasion.

 

Hope you enjoy and try to stay warm today (I'm most definitely not enjoying the arrival of the cold weather).

 

Diana 

30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Day 27

Good evening!  I bet you thought I forgot about you but I have a fun and simple card for today's gratitude card.  This card uses a Tempting Turquoise card base and I stamped the greeting with the Curly Cute stamp set and Midnight Muse Classic ink.  I added a strip of Daffodil Delight Polka Dot DSP that I cut into a flag and then added a piece of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon.  I cut two flowers with the Blossom Punch in Whisper White and used paper snips to trim in all the petals and then curled it with my bone folder.  The final touch was to add a Tempting Turquoise button with a bow of Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine.

 

This is another bright and cheery card, I'm loving it so you may be seeing more like this as we close out the month.

 

I wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the last day for the Online Extravaganza sale where you can save up to 50% on stamp sets, designer paper, Big Shot dies, even the new MDS2 software which you have to have.  To help close out this sale Stampin' Up! is offering three additional items on sale for 20% off tomorrow only.  The three items are the Clear Block Bundle, Clear Block Caddy, and the Stampin' Store Caddy.  All these items are fabulous and if you don't already have them you'll want to make sure to take advantage of this special offer.

 

Enjoy and good night!

 

Diana