On Your Birthday: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends.  So I know I'm a little late but today I'm sharing the card I made for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  This card highlights lots of great items that are retiring, which means you only have two more weeks to add them to your crafting arsenal.  The cardbase is Marina Mist and I used the Beau Chateau DSP (retiring) for the three different printed paper layers.   I used the adorning accent embossing folder and edgelits to cut the elegant curves on the Crumb Cake piece.  

The main stamped image uses the On Your Birthday stamp set (retiring) which was inked with Soft Suede and Marina Mist Stampin' Write markers on Very Vanilla cardstock.    Then I took the Elements of Style stamp set and inked the floral image with Crumb Cake in and stamped off once before stamping it over the greeting so it coordinated with the DSP.  I also used Crumb Cake ink and sponged around the edge of both the Very Vanilla piece and the Pink Pirouette matting piece.  I used dimensionals to mount the stamped layer so it popped up.  The final touch was to use some Very Vanilla satin ribbon (retiring) for the strip along the back and to make the double bow with the Ice circle brad (retiring) in the center. 

Now check out the sketch we were provided, so versatile.  I love how this card turned out and am sad that it took me so long to use this DSP, it's so light and soft.  Make sure to check out other great creations for this challenge on the Stamping 411 website.

Enjoy the rest of your week and happy stamping.

Diana 

Fresh Vintage Distressing Page

Good morning friends.  I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend, Chris and Aidan really made my Mother's Day special and I loved spending quality time with them all day.  We were so busy this weekend that I never even made it the studio.  So today I thought I would share the last project from the distressing class last month.  This was a decor page which fit in an 8 x 10 frame.  So we started with a piece of Soft Suede cardstock and stamped the floral image from the Fresh Vintage stamp set in Soft Suede ink and then used the sanding block to distress all over the page.  Next we took a piece of Attic Boutique DSP and tore along one of the edges and sponged along the edge with Tea Stain ink from the Distressing Essentials kit then we added a strip of Pool Party Cardstock and Poppy Parade that was punched with the Scallop Edge Trim border punch.  For the picture of Aidan I picked a picture from his Kindergarden graduation last year and printed it in Sepia so it looked aged.  The picture was matted on a piece of Poppy Parade and Pool Party cardstock that was distressed on the edge with the cutter kit and then sponged Soft Suede ink around the orders.

The piece layered in front of the picture is Very Vanilla cardstock that I stamped with the En Francis stamp set with Crumb Cake ink.  Next we crumpled up the paper, spritzed it with water, distressed the edges with the round standing tool, and sponged the edges and all over the page with the Tea Stain ink.  We spent a lot of time on this element just making it have lots of texture and detail, we even added three large pearls to the top left corner.

We also added a fun label in front.  We took a piece of Soft Suede taffeta ribbon and ruffled it up with sticky strip.  Then we embossed the oval with the Designer Frames embossing folder and tore around the edges and once again sponged the edges with Tea Stain ink.  The blue piece is DSP  was also from the Attic Boutique package that was punched out with the large oval punch and then sponged with Tea Stain ink to help tone it down.  The words are from the Loving Thoughts stamp set and was stamped in Soft Suede ink and a small pear was added to make the dot on the "I".

The final touch was the bow.  It was made with Pool Party seam binding ribbon.  We first tied the bow and then we sprayed the ribbon with water and spritzed it with water until it was wet and then crumbled it up and unfolded it part of the way and let it dry so it still add some of the wrinkles.  We used glue dots to adhere the ribbon to the page and formed the bow with the dots. 

Finally, I have to tell you a bit about the frame.  I got this frame at Ikea and it was a bargin but it was also bright white.  So I used a sponge and Soft Suede classic ink and rubbed it all over the frame including all the little nooks and cranies.  I did this several times and was rubbing the frame to work to get the color to set, I even used a heat gun.  It was a long process but I love how it turned out and it really works well with the picture.

This page turned out so awesome, it's beautiful  I made a second page during the class and that one I added to a 12 x 12 scrapbook page.  We had so much fun and the ladies loved learning how to use the kit and some great techniques that they can use in the future.

Take care and have a great week!

Diana

MDS Layout, Baby Steps

Good morning friends! So May is National Scrapbooking Month and I decided to focus on sharing fun scrapbook layouts thoughout the month. Today I'm sharing my first complete page I made with My Digital Studio (MDS). For those of you that don't know MDS is digital crafting software offered by Stampin' Up. Up to this point I've mainly used the program to make class flyers and blog headers. One thing I love is that you have the option to either start with a blank page or use one of the designer templates. This page used one of the templates (Neutral Delights Digital Tape kit) and I was able to complete the page in about 10 minutes (the hardest part was picking out the picture).

This picture is of Aidan and his friend Chase after we went to the Phineas and Ferb Live show for Aidan's birthday. The boys had a lot of fun and like to hang out together. All I did was insert the picture, change the words in the header, type the journaling, and added the date. So easy and turned out great.

Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for the next fun layout.

Happy Mother's Day!

Diana

A Fun Little Daisy Basket

Good morning friends, TGIF!!!  Today I have a fun little basket to show you.  I saw the idea for this basket at last year's convention.  You start with a box cut with the Fancy Favor die and Pool Party cardstock and you cut off an 1 1/2" from the top.  Then you cut random slits down the sides until you get almost to the bottom and thread strips of Whisper White cardstock in a basket weave pattern (do you remember making these as kids?)  Once that's complete you use sticky strip to adhere the box together and run a piece of Calypso Coral Ruffled 3/8" ribbon around the top of the box.  Next I cut another strip of Pool Party added strip of Domestic Goddess DSP that I punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch.  I love the pretty flower on the front and it was a breeze to make with the Daisy die (retiring, boo hoo!) and cut flowers with Whisper White and Calypso Coral cardstock and then alternated the flower pieces.  I used one of the small circles that were cut out with the die to add to the center and finished it with an In Color Printed brad.

This box is so bright and cheery and will be perfect to add some treats and give to your special friend, or even mom (remember Mother's Day is just two days away).

Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!

Diana

Best Friends Forever: Sketch Challenge

Good evening!  What a fabulous weekend.  Unfortunately Chris has been out of town all weekend which means that Aidan and I got to spend some much needed quality time together.  We went miniature golfing, got ice cream, planted flowers, watched movies and just enjoyed hanging out, and he was a super helper.  I was able to sneak down to the studio to make one last card for Mother's Day.  When I first saw this weeks Stamping 411 sketch challenge I immediately knew what I wanted to do.  The card base is Very Vanilla and I sponged the edges with Island Indigo ink.  Next I took a piece of Basic Black cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then sprayed it with Champagne shimmer mist.  The next layer a piece of DSP from the Timeless Portrait DSP pack and I used a piece of 1 1/4" black striped ribbon that I cut the edges off and frayed.  Next I stamped the floral image from the Best Friends Forever stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on Very Vanilla and matted it on Island Indigo.

For the flower embellishment I used the Fun Flowers Bigz L die and the small flower uses the First Edition DSP and the larger flower is Island Indigo that was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  I used my bone folder to curl the edges and adhered the two like flowers together with SNAIL and used dimensionals between the small and large flowers.  For the center I used a Cherry Cobbler button with a bow tied with Island Indigo Baker's Twine.

The final touch was to add the greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and punched it out with the Word Window Punch and matted it with the Modern Label Punch.  Of course I had to make a coordinating envelope (love these) with the Timeless Portrait DSP, Simply Scored Board, and diagonal scoring plate, so easy.  Love this card it has so much texture and dimension.  Enjoy!!!

Hope you have a great week!

Diana

May Stamp-a-Stack Sneak Peak

Today I'm sharing the fabulous projects we'll be making at Stamp-a-Stack on Sunday.  There are so many fun techniques on these cards I can't wait to share them with you.  Please make sure to RSVP from Friday in order to reserve your spot.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Diana

Apothecary Art Birthday Wishes

Today I'm sharing another card I made with the Apothecary Art stamp set.  Making layers are such a breeze with the new Labels framelits, love it.  The card is pretty straight forward, I used a blender pen and classic ink pads to color in the flowers.  This DSP is from the Attic Boutique set and coordinates with this set perfectly.  I want to give you one final reminder to make sure you've ordered everything you wanted from the Occasions Mini catalog since today is the last day to order, if you need any assistance please let me know.

Have a great day and happy stamping!

Diana

Apothocary Art: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends.  We've come to the end of another busy, fun-filled weekend, why is it that the week seems to move slowly but the weekends are gone in a flash?  Tonight I wanted to share with you my card for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  Tomorrow is the last day to purchase items from the Occasions Mini catalog and I couldn't believe that I have not used the Apothecary Art stamp set since I purchased it months ago.  This is such a pretty stamp set and so easy to use with the matching Labels Framelits.  The greeting is from the Loving Thoughts stamp set.  After stamping the image and cutting it out with the Big Shot and framelits I colored in the flowers with Stampin' Write markers and sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink.  The cardbase is Crumb Cake and I ran a piece of Pool Party cardstock through the Big Shot with the Lattice embossing folder.   

The beautiful floral designer series paper is from the Attic Boutique DSP and is only guaranteed to be available through tomorrow.  I also added some Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon and a nice fluffy bow.  The final touch was to take a small Old Olive flower button, tied a bow with linen thread and added it to the center of the bow.  I also had to make a matching envelope with the same DSP and was nice and simple with the Simply Scored and new Diagonal scoring plate.  This card is so soft and pretty, love it.

Have a great week!

Diana 

Mouthwatering: Third Time's a Charm

Happy Friday friends!  I have to tell you I'm really looking forward to the end of the work week.  Today I wanted to share another card using the Mouthwatering stamp set and features the popcicle image.   I stamped each of the popcicles by coloring directly on the stamps first to make them multi-colored and then cut them out with Paper Snips so they could be overlapped.  The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and I made sure to use the stamp-a-majig so I could line it up straight.  The card is pretty straight forward, I used Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, and Whisper White cardstock, along with the 2011-2013 In Colors Designer series pack (for the Calypso Coral polka dot DSP) and Sweet Shop DSP.  I have fallen in love with the baker's twine (Lucky Limeade) since you can make cute accents without adding bulk that would cause problems when mailing. 

This is such another bright and cheery card, I'm loving it.  There's only 3 more days to purchase this stamp set and items from the Sweet Shop product suite so make sure you don't miss out.  Hope you have a great, fun-filled weekend.

Diana

Retired Accessories Announced: On Sale and Only While Supplies Last!

The time has arrived.  Stampin' Up! has released this years retired accessories list.  Some of the items are on sale for up to 70% off so I'm sure they will go quickly.  Click here to download a PDF of the Retiring Accessories List: Download Availability_en-US

The first two and a half pages are SALE items! There are 12 pages in all. Be sure to order what you want RIGHT AWAY as this is all first come, first served! You can order from my Website, HERE.

COUPLE THINGS TO NOTE: You will notice that ALL of our Classic Ink Pads are on this list. Stampin' Up is coming out with a new design for the actual pad part, which will be available to order beginning June 1st with the new Catalog.

There is also a LOT of 12x12 cardstock on the list! Some of the lesser-selling colors will no longer be sold in single-color packs. Be sure to grab what you want now, if one of those colors is a favorite!  You will still be able to order all the colors in the assortment packages.

There are also a LOT of Big Shot items that are retiring so nows the time to grab those items that have been on your wish list.

Lastly, some of the single Stampin' Write Marker's are retiring.  Starting next year there will only be select markers that are available for purchase individually, other colors will only be available in color packages.

I know this is a lot to take in, please feel free to email or call if you have any questions or need help placing your order.

Mouthwatering, Take Two!

Good morning friends.  As promised today I wanted to share another project using the Mouthwatering Stamp set. This card was a breeze to make but has lots of fun elements.  I started with a cardbase of Crumb Cake and added a piece of DSP from the Summer Smooches DSP matted with Old Olive that  I cut a "V" out of the middle so it's a flag.  Then I stamped the cherries using Stampin' Write Markers and punched it out with the 2 1/2" circle punch.  Then I used the circle cutter to cut a circle with Old Olive as a mat.  The white doily is actually from the Flirtatious DSP and was part of the lazer cut doilies (it's actually Pumpkin Pie) but the reverse was white and perfect for this card).  Next I added an Old Olive button from the Brights button pack and used White baker's twine to tie a bow in the center.   The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and was stamped in Chocolate Chip. 

I seem to be on a birthday card kick lately, you can never have too many birthday cards.

Enjoy,

Diana

Mouthwatering: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends!  I hope you're all staying dry and haven't started to float away with all the rain we're having.  We were so happy that the most of the day yesterday was beautiful as we were able to get to all our events and complete our errands so today we just chilled out, including some much needed stamp time.  For this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I decided I definately wanted to embrace something summery and cheery.  Since we only have until the end of the month to enjoy some of the fabulous products in the Occasions Mini catalog I definately didn't want to miss out.  This card uses the Mouthwatering stamp set and Sweet Shop DSP.  The cardbase is Pool party and I used the yummy ice cream print from the Sweet Shop DSP which was matted with a piece of Calypso Coral cardstock.  For all the layers I used the ticket corner punch to add a little detail.  Next I wrapped a piece of Luckly Limeade ruffled ribbon around the piece and added a bow tied with the same ribbon with one of the Sweet Shop Jelly Bean brads in the center. 

Next I used the Mouthwatering stamp set and colored directly on the rubber with Stampin' Write markers to add all the colors for the ice cream cone, this piece was matted with a piece of Wisteria Wonder cardstock.  The greeting is from the On Your Birthday stamp set (which is retiring at the end of May) and was punched out with the word window punch and matted with the modern label punch.   The final touch was adding three silver brads in the top right corner (using the paper piercer and mat pack made lining up the brads a breeze.)  Now check out the sketch we were provided, pretty cool.

This card was so fun and I can taste the ice cream and I'm definately looking forward to the warmer weather and all the great things about summer.  I made several other projects with this same stamp set today and I'll be sharing them all week, so stay tuned.

Have a great week!

Diana

Catch Them Before They're Gone, Retired Stamp Sets Announced

Today Stampin' Up! released the list of stamp sets that will be retiring from the current Idea Book and Catalog, which means you only have until May 31 to get the sets that are on your wish list.

Check out the full list HERE!

You can shop from the comfort of your own home by going to my online store HERE, or contact me and I can help.

Thanks,

Diana

Bordering on Romance: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends!  We're being spoiled here by this beautiful "summer" weather, it's only April.  Thankfully we were able to spend lots of time outdoors so we could soak it up.  So when it came to sitting down today to make my card for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I definitely wanted something flowery and cheery.  I decided to use the Bordering on Romance stamp set that's only guaranteed to be available through the end of this month, can you please I ordered this set during my preorder in December and today was the first time I inked it up.  I stared with a Baja Breeze card base and added two different pieces of designer series paper from the Twitterpated DSP, along with Baja Breeze Pleated Satin ribbon.  For the main stamped image I used Basic Grey ink and randomy stamped the two large floral images all over the cardstock and then colored them in with my Stampin' Write markers. 

The final touch was to add a greeting to the card and again I reached for the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and punched it out with the Word Window Punch and matted it with the Modern Label Punch.  The greeting was popped up with dimensionals so it really stands out.  What a fun stamp set, I'm definately going to be using it again soon.  All the diffent patterns really complement each other and make for a beautiful card.

Have a great week,

Diana

Kid's Mother's Day Class: Love Those Build-a-Bears

Summer Smooches: 2012-2013 Annual Catalog Sneak Peek

Here's April's Stampin' Up! Special, a Sneak Peek called Summer Smooches.  It will be available in the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog will be released early this year on June 1st.

But you can get it early during the month of April!

Print the Summer Smooches Flyer

            

Product Details:

Designer Series Paper coordinating colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry.

• Designer Fabric coordinating colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango.
• Fabric Designer Brads: 24 pieces, 8 ea. of 3 designs.
• Summer Smooches Photobook Template and Digital Kit are My Digital Studio downloads.

SHOP SUMMERSMOOCHES

Sneak Peak - Big Shot Class

Good morning friends!  I wanted to share with you another project for this weekends Big Shot class.  We made a version of this project at January's Leadership Conference and I've modified the box base to be able to use a standard 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock.  You'll have to come to class on Saturday to get all the details.  Enjoy!!!!

Petite Purse Die - You have to check this out!

Good morning!  Today I wanted to share with you the absolutely adorable purses that you can make with the new Petite Purse Bigz die that's available for purchase this month.    These are so cute and these samples are with the new Summer Smooches designer series paper that is also available for purchase this month as a preview of one of the new product suites that will be in the new catalog.  We'll be making one of these purses in the next Big Shot class this coming Saturday so you won't want to miss out!  There's still time to reserve your spot in the class so contact me soon!

Have a great day,

Diana

Summer Smooches - Sketch Challenge

Happy Easter!  What a fabulous weekend, we had perfect weather and had a great time as a family.  When I saw this weeks Stamping 411 sketch challenge I knew I wanted to make a card that was as bright and cheery as the weather we've been having and knew that the new Summer Smooches designer series paper would be perfect. This DSP is part of the product suite that we can order this month and I'm absolutely in love with it and so excited that it will also be available in the next catalog (which means lots of time to play for me).  This card is a 5 1/2" square card and starts with a Daffodil Delight cardbase.  The next layer is a piece of DSP and the strip is another pattern from the same paper pack.  Then I punched a piece of Tangerine Tango cardstock with the 2 1/2" circle punch and stamped it with the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp set and Tangerine Tango classic ink.  A 3" circle was cut in Island Indigo with the Circle Cutter and the Glass Matt.   Next I took another piece of designer paper from the same pack and cut out flowers with the Fun Flowers Bigz die and the Big Shot. 

I took the two smaller flowers and spritzed them with water before crumpling them up and then carefully unfolded them and set them aside to dry so they have lots of texture.  I've been using the Brights buttons lately and have been loving how they add a pop to the center of the flowers.  I used Island Indigo and Luckly Limeade Baker's twine to tie bows in the centers of each of the buttons.  Once the flowers were dry I used glue dots and dimensionals to glue the flowers to the card and the buttons to the flowers.  The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and was punched out with the Word Window punch and matted with a piece of Old Olive cardstock punched out with the Modern Label Punch. 

This card is definately bright and and lots of patterns but I love how it turned out and will definately brighten someone's day.

I hope you had a Happy Easter and have a great week!

Diana

Sweets for Sweet - Sketch Challenge

Good evening.  I got home this evening from spending the past three days at the Remarkables Scrapbooking retreat, what a fabulous time!  We had so much fun meeting new friends, reconnecting, and crafting the days and nights way (the only thing lacking this weekend was sleep).  While I was there I decided to make a super simple card for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  This challenge is so fun and I knew the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set would be perfect.  I decided to change the the layout by making a 4" square card.  The base is Real Red textured cardstock with a piece of Big Top Birthday DSP.  Next I cut four 1 1/2" squares out of Old Olive cardstock and then ran them through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  The circles were stamped with the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set (with Real Red, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, and Daffodil Delight ink) and punched out with the 1" circle punch.  Each of the circles are popped up with dimensionals to make them really stand out. 

This card is really bright and cheery and I love it's simplicity.  Hope you enjoy as well.

Have a great week!

Diana