It's Time to Get our Convention Groove on!

Good morning friends!  We had a great weekend relaxing and enjoying our quiet weekend with our kiddo but I also spend a large chunk of item wrapping up all my swaps for this weeks Stampin' Up! convention.  I leave tomorrow and I'm so excited to see fabulous friends and learn all of what is coming up in the new year, plus Aidan and my mom are going to meet me on Thursday so I get to see my baby (I've definately missed him!)  So this week I'm going to be sharing all the projects I've been making the past couple of months to swap. 

Today I'm sharing a card I make for general floor swapping.  I'ts actually a copy of of a card we made at a workshop several months ago and I updated the colors and added the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set.  It also features the Mixed Bunch set (I was definately doing the happy dance when I found out this set was carried over to the new catalog).  I also used two different packs of DSP, Summer Smootches for the orange piece and Brights DSP pack for the Daffodil Delight strip.  I used the apothocary framelits and big shot to cut out the orange piece.  The finishing touch was a bright button with a bow of white baker's twine that just fit these flowers perfectly.

Hope you enjoy and check back tomorrow for the next sample!

Diana

Lattice Flower: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends.  After a fun-filled vacation we arrived home this morning after flying home on the red-eye so I've been pretty tired today and worked hard to stay busy so I didn't fall asleep.  I'm hoping this will help me get adjusted back to from the time difference in WA.  Part of my day was spent in the studio working on swaps for convention and I definately wanted to play with this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  This weeks challenge was a lot of fun and definately open to different possibilities.  I used the Summer Smootches DSP as the foundation of the card and to select all the coordinating colors.  I decided to try something different with the flower and used the Lattice die and Big Shot.  After cutting out two of the lattice pieces I trimed them down and layered them to create a flower.  I also ran the flower pieces through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to add some texture.  For the center I added a Pumpkin Pie button tied with Lucky Limeade baker's twine (I've fallen in love with using buttons in the center of flowers lately). 

The greeting uses the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and matching Itty Bitty Banner framelits.  I decided the card needed something towards the bottom so I added a piece of Real Red 1/4" Stiched Grosgrain Ribbon tied in a knot, the perfect addition.  This was a fun challenge and it's so fun to see what everyone comes up with and could be adapted with all kinds of DSP and embelishment shapes. 

Hope you enjoy and have a great week!

Diana

Reversed Punched Blossom Flowers

I can't believe the end of the weekend has arrived.  We've had a great time visiting family in Washington State.  Aidan is actually staying and spending some time with his grandparents so it's going to be two whole weeks before he comes home (what will mommy and daddy do???)  Today I have the last card from last month's stamp-a-stack.  This card is suprisingly simple but packs quite a punch.  The cardbase if Tangerine Tango and then we added a piece of designer paper from the Floral District DSP pack.  Next we took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Polka Dot embossing folder and then sponged around the edges with Tangerine Tango ink.  Next we took the blossom punch and punched out a couple of partial flowers from the white piece so when it's layered the flowers show through in the shape of the blossom.  We also added buttons from the Brights button package and tied bows on each button with Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine.  Glue dots make quick work of adhering the buttons to the paper and they're not going anywhere.  Added a little Baja Breeze Seam Binding and a greeting stamped from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which was punched with the Word Label Punch and matted with the Modern Label Punch. 

This card is easy peasy and the ladies loved it!  It's fun to find new ways to use products we already have and this is perfect to showcase our great designer paper.

I'll be back shortly to share lots of new projects you won't want to miss.

Have a great week,

Diana

Reason to Smile, Birthday Wishes

TGIF!  We've had a fabulous week and hope you have as well.  I'm back again to share another card made with the Reason to Smile stamp set.  You are not going to want to miss out on this stamp set, you'll only be able to get in July and when you place an order of $50 or more you can purchase the stamp set for only $5 (that's awesome!).  This card uses Marina Mist, Rose Red, and Pretty in Pink colors.  Since this is a two step stamp it's a cinc to color in the followers with coordinating colors.  The ribbon is Marina Mist Polka Dot Scallop Ribbon.  The greeting uses two of the new framelits from the apothecary accents framelit set which are so fun.   The greeting is from one of the fun new hostess sets, Wacky Wishes, which has lots of fun greetings perfect for any any occasions.  We sponged the edge with Pretty in Pink ink after stamping and punching it out. 

I know that one of the samples I've shared will make you need to have this stamp set so please contact me and I can help you get your set before they are gone.

Happy stamping,

Diana

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Safe 4th of July!  Thank you to all the men and women who serve to protect us and the freedoms we enjoy!!

Blue Ribbon Wishes

Well, it's the start of another week, at least it's a holiday week with lots of fun and celebration.  Today I'm sharing another card from last month's class.  This card uses the new Blue Ribbon stamp set.  I knew as soon as I saw this stamp I had to have it since it makes such fabulous ribbons which are really hot right now, Aidan loves to get ribbons, for birthdays, accomplishments, etc.  This card also uses the coordinating World Spectacular DSP.  We ran the card base (Daffodil Delight) through the Big Shot with the Polka Dot embossing folder.  The ribbon is punched from Early Espresso cardstock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  We have several layers on the ribbon, either cut out with scallop and circle punches or paper snips for the tails.  We also added small pieces of Calypso Coral 3/8" ruffled ribbon as extra tails. 

This card is perfect and really helps celebrate your special one's special day!

Enjoy,

Diana

Garden Beauties

Good morning friends!  When I'm not stamping and trying to keep up with Aidan I love gardening.  It seems like I always work on my flowers but forget to take pictures and they end up getting abused by the heat of summer.  This year I wanted to play with my new camera and lens and popped out on the patio to take pictures of the beauties before the summer heat gets really bad.  I love looking at them as they always cheer up my day and thought you would enjoy.

Quintessential Flower Meets 2012-2014 In Colors

Happy Thursday! Today I wanted to share one of the cards we made at last weekends stamp-a-stack.  This was a great card since we used all the new 2012-2014 In Colors as well as the new firm foam stamp pads.  I have to say, these new stamp pads are amazing and once you use them you'll want to get them in all our colors.  The flower image is the new Quintessential Flower single stamp set.  I loved how the new Annual Catalog showcased this stamp and how you could make all the different color layers with our punches so we recreated it here.  In the center of the flower is a Dahlia flower that come in all the new In Colors. 

The cardbase is Raspberry Ripple and layered with a piece of Gumball Green (this green is awesome!) cardstock that was run through the Big Shot with the Striped embossing folder.  We also used the new Midnight Muse Stiched Satin Ribbon.  The greeting is from the Loving Thoughts stamp set and we cut the banner with the Petal Cone Die and Big Shot.

This card is nice and simple, a perfect way to showcase our new colors which we're sure to love.

Enjoy,

Diana

Reason to Smile: Sketch Challenge

Good evening friends!  I know I've been missing lately but we've been getting ready to head out on vacation but don't fear I have lots of new projects to share.  For this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I have a great new preview of a stamp set that will be available next month, Reason to Smile.  The card starts with a cardbase of Pool Party and used a piece of Summer Smooches DSP matted on Whisper White.  The main stamped image used Tangerine Tango and Island Indigo for the outline of the flowers and Daffodil Delight and Pool Party for the inside coloring.  I love the two step stamps since it's so easy to to color in images.  I also stamped the large flower with Old Olive ink on another piece of Whisper White and colored it in with Tangerine Tango and the blender pen before cutting it out with paper snips.

The ribbon is 1/4" Daffodil Delight Stiched Grosgrain ribbon which is new and so fun.  For the greeting I used the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set with Tangerine Tango and cut the banner out with the new matching Itty Bitty Banner framelits and the Big Shot.  I also sponged around the edges of the banner with Daffodil Delight ink.  Both the large flower and banner were popped up with dimensionals.  This card is not my normal color combinations but I love how bright and summery it is.

While I'm away I'll be sharing the projects from last weeks stamp-a-stack and we make another card with the Reason to Smile stamp set that you'll love so you have to check it out.

Happy stamping!

Diana

End of the Year Teacher Gifts

Good morning friends!  So Aidan's last day of school was on Friday and he wanted to make special gifts for some of his teachers this year so I whipped up these quick gifts.  I saw these on Becky Roberts blog so you can check out her version HERE and get the dimensions for the cardstock and scoring.  I used the Berry Blossoms and Just Add Cake designer paper (both retired) and picked out the cardstock and ribbon colors based on the DSP.  I cut two flowers with the Blossom punch and used Paper snips to cut two slits in each petal and layered them so they kind of looked like daisies.  Next I tied a bow with Lucky Limeade baker's twine in various Brights designer buttons. 

I stamped the thank you greeting with the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and cut it out with the new Itty Bitty Banners framelits.  I also cut an extra banner to write Aidan's name.  Inside each of the boxes are gift cards and chocolate, perfect.  These were so fun to make and came together in a snap which was perfect since I needed to make nine of them.  Aidan was so exited to give them out and was even more excited to finish school and is now a second grader.  Enjoy!

Happy Greetings: Sketch Challenge

Happy Sunday friends!  We had another great weekend with the highlight being the neighborhood BBQ that we host every year.  Not only were we joined by great friends and neighbors but the weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and cool enough we were able to be outside and even turned off the AC and opended the windows, love it!  After getting the house cleaned up I was able to pop in the studio to do a little work before we were off to Chris' softball game.  For this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I combined a little old and a little new to come up with this cute square card.  I used the new Foral District DSP to come up with the color scheme.  I ran the Rich Razzleberry cardbase through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  The next layer is Whisper White and I added a strip of the DSP that was matted with Lucky Limeade cardstock that was punched with the Scallop Trim border punch along the bottom. 

I The greeting is from the Happy Greetings stamp set (retired) but I loved the sentiment and I thought it would be perfect the little heart details.  I cut out the hearts with the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit.  I added a large rhinestone to one of the hearts and a little Lucky Limeade 3/8" ruffled ribbon for the finishing touch. 

This card turned out nice and pretty, so much fun.

Have a great week,

Diana 

Perfectly Penned: Sketch Challenge

Happy Memorial Day friends!  What a fabulous weekend, the weather was beautiful (a little humid but nice sun and no rain all weekend was great) and we were able to spend time relaxing.  After spending a lot of time outside I headed to the studio for some stamping time and I think the summer fun is definately reflected in my card for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  Once again I decided to highlight one of the great designer series papers that will be retiring at the end of of the month and I stumbled across my package of Cheerful Treat DSP.  This is a package exclusive to our hostesses and I'll admit when it first came out last summer I fell instantly in love and used it a lot and then forgot about it and this was the first time using it since then (so sad).  I used Concord Crush to mat the paper and Blushing Bride cardstock for the base (both colors are also retiring). 

For the greeting piece I stamped the birthday greetings with the Perfectly Penned stamp set in Melon Mambo ink.  I also used the flip flop image from the Sunny Fun stamp set (retired) and used Bashful Blue ink and stamped off once before stamping on the paper.  I also sponged Blusing Bride ink around both panels.  The final touch was to add a bow made of Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon and added a Concord Crush glimmer brad (retiring) to the center.

This card is so fun and cheery which I love.

Hope you have a great week and happy stamping,

Diana 

Fun at the Beach, MDS Style

Good morning!  What a beautiful morning after all the rain we've been having.  Today I'm sharing another scrapbook layout created with My Digital Studio (MDS).  I made these last night and it was fun to look at all the summery pictures as we had another rainstorm outside, definately brought back memories.  This time I made a 2 page 12 x 12 layout which used another designer template (Celebrations) in MDS.  I continue to learn new fun things with this program each time I use it.  This time I started with the designer template and removed several of the elements to make it less birthday-ish, cropped and added additional photo boxes to one side and then added a title and journaling.

What was also fun about this project is that it reminded me of all the fun we had and issues (can we say earthquake and hurrican evacation) yet we still had a blast!  You should definately try this program out since there's so much you can do, I'm only scratching the surface, and the best part is that you can try the software for FREE for 30 days.  This gives you lots of time to create projects that you get to keep even if you decide not purchase the software at the end of the trial period, how awesome is that?  If you're interested check out more information HERE and feel free to ask me any questions. 

Hope you have a great day and remember, just 3 more days until Memorial Day weekend, whoo hoo!!

Diana

Happiest Birthday Wishes: Sketch Challenge

Happy Sunday friends!  What another great weekend, not only did we have beautiful weather but we had lots of fun family activities and today I spent the day with a friend at a local vendor fair.  I decided to showcase two retiring items for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.  I used the Berry Blossoms DSP (retiring) and drew all the colors (Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeaid, and Wisteria Wonder).  I also used a striped embossing folder for the back ground.  The stamped greeting is from the Happiest Birthday Wishes Hostess stamp set (retiring) and I colored it in with Stampin' Write markers.  The final touch was to tie a double bow with the Wisteria Wonder 3/8" ruffled ribbon and an In Color Designer Printed brad for the center. 

Now check out the sketch we were provided.  Nice and simple card and oh so fun and cheery.  I hope you enjoyed the card this week and just think, we just have five days before the holiday weekend (I can't wait).

Happy stamping,

Diana

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