Kirsten's Stampin Korner

Blog Hop Blog Candy Winner

2011-12-05T21:03:00.001-08:00

The winner of the Blog Candy is ...... Vickie Steele!!

I have sent you an email, please respond back with your address so that we can get your goodies out to you!

DON'T FORGET!!!!

Everyone that joins the new and exciting upcoming event - SCORE!! - with "Special Holiday Pricing" will be entered into a Drawing to win 1 of 3 FREE Passes for an ENTIRE YEAR of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

YES!!

You read that right!!

YOU could win a whole year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events FREE!!

***Special Holiday Pricing of just $19.99 ends Dec 8th***

Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec 9th.

Click the Blinkie below to join SCORE!! with Special Holiday Pricing

and a chance to win a FREE Year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

Up on the Rooftop Blog Hop

2011-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

Welcometo the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Up On The Roof Top 2011 World ShowcaseHoliday Blog Hop.

If you have been following the BlogHop from the beginning, you have just checked out Monika's fun Counting Down toChristmas card set. Monika's project is a blast and I can't wait toinvolve my kiddos in the activities! If you are just joining the BlogHop, no problem, as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs arelinked together so you will be able to see ALL the FABULOUS projects we havefor you.

My project is a Love and Joy Stockingbanner. As soon as I saw the Stocking Builder Punch and coordinating HolidayStocking Bigz die in the Holiday Mini catalog I knew that I needed to make abanner using them both.

Eachstocking is unique just like the stockings our family has, each unique to itsowner. The letters sparkle right off of the stocking in person as theyare coated with a few layers of Dazzling Details glitter glue. Of courseall things at Christmas need to be tied up with pretty bows, so each stockingis hung with care by a bow.

Theends of the banner are anchored with a shimmery snowflake poinsettia.

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!!

Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a great goodie bag of current Stampin' Up! products. I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Tuesday, so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient!

AND there's MORE...LOTS MORE!!

You have the opportunity to get the downloadable PDF Tutorial for my project FREE!! It's a GIFT from UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Woohoo!! See the blinkie below to access the FREE Blog Hop Website.

In the Spirit of the Holiday Season, you have the opportunity to get in on "Special Holiday Pricing" for the upcoming UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! SCORE!! Event. The Stampin' Up! Simply Scored Tool is HOT STUFF and SCORE!! will feature 40+ projects, all created using the Simply Scored Tool. SCORE!! is a MUST NOT MISS Event!! See the blinkie below to join and get in on the Early Bird savings.

And now for the most exciting giveaway of the season...

YES!!

You read that right!!

YOU could win a whole year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events FREE!!

***Special Holiday Pricing of just $19.99 ends Dec 8th***

Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec 9th.

Click the Blinkie below to join SCORE!! with Special Holiday Pricing

and a chance to win a FREE Year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

Click the blinkie below and you will be taken to

THE UP ON THE ROOFTOP BLOG HOP WEBSITE!!

Of course it's ***FREE*** to join and

there you will find the tutorials for ALL the blog hop projects,

PLUS live chats, challenges and more prizes!!

You will even have an opportunity to be considered for a spot as a Guest Designer!!

Yes!! It is all FREE, so tell all your friends and

join the fun with UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

***

ANDlast but certainly not least, it's time to hop on over to the next Designer'sRoof Top, so please click the NEXT BLOG button, where you will find Carolineready to share a delightful Holiday project with you.Ifyou would like to hop back to Monika's Roof Top, please click previous blog.

Thanks again for stopping by and Happy Holidays to YOU!!

Ohand if you are interested in the Treat Boxes on the shelf above the banner, noworries all of the tutorials are still available in the I♥ theHolidays!! session of Ustamp With Dawn andFriends!!

Well Hello There!

2011-12-01T12:59:00.001-08:00

It sure has been a long time since I have been here, but I am back and have some great stuff to show you as well as a blog hop that starts tomorrow!!! This is always a crazy time of year with the Holidays and all, and then I have 3 of my kids birthdays mixed in so it gets even more crazy. I have been working on a lot of my holiday crafts in advance so that I could get them done before things got too crazy to get any of them done.

If you missed Ustamp With Dawn and Friends Knock Out Punches, you sure missed some live fun but it is not too late to access all of the great projects! This is one of my projects. This is a fun project for the Birthday Child, it is a ballpark vendor style party favor container. I don't know about your kids, but my kids just love handing out the goody bags at the end of the party. They usually cant hold them all without dropping them and getting confused and it turns into a big hassle. Well this is one way to solve the situation! I am enjoying the 1x8 cello bags from Stampin’ Up! a little too much. They are so much fun to work with and decorate.

In this shot you can see a glimpse of some of the toppers. The different toppers are listed below with what I filled each treat bag with. Hope you enjoy!

Elephant- DSP Wrapped Pencil, Snow Cone- Vanilla Bean Jelly Bellys, Punched Clown- French Burnt Peanuts, Popcorn Tub- Buttered Popcorn Jelly Bellys, Whale- Red and Yellow Swedish Fish, Lion- Yellow and Blue M&M’s, Owl- Sunflower Seeds, Monkey-Corn Nuts
Birthday Bear- $1 bill, DSP Clown- Sour Gummy Bears

Gotta love the hostess sets!

2011-10-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

I really love almost all of the hostess sets in this years catalog. I love how they are all so achievable. I was always bummed about atleast one of the level 3 stamp sets that I would never be able to earn. Now I can earn them all! I really like the images in the hostess set Aint Love Grand. I have pulled it out a couple of times but have had a hard time using it on a card. This is the first attempt that I am actually happy about. I stamped the plane image with stazon ink on some watercolor paper and then colored it with an aquapainter. I used Lucky Limeade and Pool Party for the water coloring. The paper is from the Spice Cake DSP in the Holiday Mini, it is my all time most favorite paper yet from Stampin’ Up! I’ve got a busy weekend ahead but a fun one, have a great weekend!

Up, Up and Away

2011-10-20T16:31:00.001-07:00

I have had a lot of fun with the Up, Up and Away stamp set. I have always loved hot air balloons and watching them in the sky. In fact I remember one time as a child, playing in the backyard with my siblings and seeing one float over our yard, close enough for us to shout “hello” at the people in the balloon and have them shout back at us. This card is super simple but could be used for a variety of different occasions, (I love to have those type of cards around.) The colors are Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi and Concord Crush, and were inspired by a dress my daughter was wearing.

UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! Paper Parade project #2

2011-10-17T15:41:00.001-07:00

Who wouldn’t love a 3 in 1 gift? This is a fun Nesting/Stacking trio of boxes. Although the live event it over you can still get access to all of the projects from the Paper Parade session of UStamp With Dawn and Friends, which include this tutorial.

I think my favorite part of this project is the card. I just love the look of the quilling on the strawberries.

Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! Paper Parade project one

2011-10-14T17:14:00.001-07:00

Well in my blogging absence I had two projects post on UStamp With Dawn and Friends!!. The live even is now over but you can still join and have access to all of the 50+ projects and ideas. My first project was centered around the little stamp set Merry Winter. I just love the little snowmen. I just love snowmen in general, probably because I grew up in sunny warm San Diego, the land of no snow (except Christmas Eve 1987, I was 8 and it snowed, but of course melted as soon as it hit the ground). I just cannot get enough snowmen. I don't know about you, but I always seem to be reaching for a quick card around the holidays, whether it is a quick note to give with a baked good, or a thank you for some kindness from someone else etc, I never seem to have enough cards around or I have to go digging through stuff to go find one that will work at the last second. I came up with this cute guy to have out and hide my card stash at the same time.

I can keep my snowman out as a decoration and he is a card holder at the same time.

I will have cards at my fingertips when I need them, And I will also know when I am out and need to go make more.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-12T12:35:00.001-07:00

Wow, I cannot believe it has been a whole month since I have posted here to the blog. Each of my 4 kids added one new activity to their schedules this school year. When they asked about these activities I really only thought how it would affect each of their individual schedules and not the big impact on me. Boy was I not thinking! Then my DH and I went out of town on a business trip a week and a half ago and I think I am finally caught up on all of the chores. I miss all of my time, but it is all worth it. I guess that I have learned that I am going to have to actually physically try to schedule in a specific time to work on my blog and set some posts up in advance. Or at least that is my goal to get something here to you on a more regular basis. The good news is that I do actually have some things to share with you!

Today I have a card featuring the Trick or Treat Letter Press Plate for the Big Shot. I really like the look of the de-bossed, inked image. A picture will not do it justice.

I sure had a hard time getting the plates to work right, but after I watched the video on the Stampin’ Up! website and actually followed the instructions, it worked great!

Field Flowers

2011-09-14T08:55:00.001-07:00

Goodness, I have had the hardest time with this blog and finding stampin time lately. Well at least for now things have finally slowed down a bit and we have had some of out problems solved an figured out so there is a lot less stress in our lives over here now. If only it could stay this way a while, please, I might actually get time to stamp and post on here.

During my absence I celebrated my birthday and I like to offer blog candy on my birthday so I will have to go find something to offer up and probably post it here tomorrow!

I love the new Field Flowers stamp set. You just can’t go wrong with this set. It creates beautiful cards in a matter of moments. I made this card a few weeks ago when I had less than 5 spare minutes and took them to stamp. It took more time to get out the supplies than to make this card. I’ve got to go run and get caught up on stuff like laundry and mopping the floor. Have a stamperific day!

Christmas Gift Card Holders

2011-08-30T15:19:00.001-07:00

My second project for Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! went live yesterday so I can share it with you. It seems that each year I give more and more gift cards vs. actual gifts. I always feel guilty about giving a gift card even if it is what the person really wants and has asked for. So this is my way to ease some of that gift, fun homemade gift card holders. All 5 items in this picture are different gift card holders.

My favorite one to give is the candy bar. That way the recipient gets something sweet while they are waiting for the opportunity to go spend their gift card.

Christmas and New Years Treat Boxes

2011-08-29T08:53:00.001-07:00

School is back in session and we can stick to a schedule! Hopefully that means more stamping time for me at nights.

I have a few more sets of treat boxes to share with you. Christmas was the most fun season yet. There were so many things to create. And you know the best part about all of these treat boxes is that if you make a set for yourself to keep and reuse each year, they fold up completely flat. This Christmas set folds up into a set, that I keep together with one of those black binder clips, so depending on how many are in a set you have a stack that is only 1-2 inches thick.

It is really hard to pick a favorite out of this set but I think that these have a slight edge over the others.

Here is the New Year’s Set:

I really like how Father Time and The New Year’s Baby turned out

I have had too much fun with this Candy Wrapper die and the whole project in general.

Paper, Paper and more Paper!!

2011-08-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

WOOHOO!!!!!!!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! has implemented a new FAST AND EASY way for everyone to join as a member and you no longer need to wait for Opening Day to receive and invite!!

BIG YAY on that one!!

What do you think of the new banner...I LOVE IT of course...hope you do too!!

Are YOU a Paper LOVER?? Who isn't, right??!!

Paper Parade will be focusing on showcasing Stampin' Up! Paper from the USA/Canada 2011 - 2012 Idea Book & Catalog as well as the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog!! Obviously not all papers are available in all the Stampin' Up! countries, so Designers from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand will be showcasing the Paper Designer Series Paper Stacks

(which by the way are some of my FAVES!!).

This is a HUGE Challenge to cover all the papers in 40+ projects...but all the Designers are way excited and are more than up for the challenge!! Keeping in mind that the most important element is the AWESOMENESS of the project, each Designer is working MAGIC with the Stampin' Up! Papers!!

Here is the list of all the Stampin' Up! papers that the Designers will be covering...

Cardstock

In Colors (10)

Brights Collection

Subtles Collection

Regals Collection

Neutrals Collection

Basics

White Vellum

Glimmer Paper

Waffle Paper

Watercolor Paper

Specialty Designer Series Paper

Designer Series Paper

Paper Stacks

Simply Scrappin'

Since our focus this round is PAPER and not just the upcoming Holiday Season, we have a VAST VARIETY of FANTASTIC Projects!!

Come join us and take advantage of the Early Bird Savings!! ONLY $19.99

Click the blinkie below to start the payment/signup process....it's E*A*S*Y*!!

The Paper Parade website is OPEN NOW,

so you will not need to wait for an invite on Opening Day!!

Remember, with the implementation of the new payment process allows YOU to enter the website as soon as you make your payment!! Woohoo!!

Hope you join us...I will "see" you over at the Parade Parade Website!!

Thanksgiving Treat Boxes

2011-08-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

I am addicted to the candy wrapper die. I just love it. Ok I have to admit that when I first bought it and cut out the first few boxes I wanted to pull my hair out and run away screaming. I just could not get the folds right and the ends were bent and messy and the whole thing was just a mess. So I put it aside and didn’t think twice about it. After a few months of staring at my expensive dust collector I decided that I would tackle it again and this time I would be the one that came out on top! I figured out the best way for me to assemble the die (see the current session of UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! for a video tutorial.) Once I mastered the basic box I saw all of the potential these little cuties possessed.

My favorite out of this bunch is the corn. It is just too cute? My wonderful husband suggested making several sets of these as place cards at the Thanksgiving table with after dinner mints inside. Brilliant!

Finally!!!

2011-08-11T12:18:00.001-07:00

I have some computer time and something to share. Boy this summer has been a chaotic one for me. I like being able to have everything planned out in advance and a set schedule but that is just not even coming close to happening. It has just been busy with all of the little things this summer and I have loved the time with the kiddos. But the good news is that school starts back in a week and a half and I am looking forward to some regular stamping time and a schedule.

Exciting Breaking News!! Dawn has opened up the current session of UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! a day early!

And to top it off one of my projects was shared today so I can share it with you! It is a set of 10 Halloween Treat Boxes made from the Candy Wrapper Die.

I had so much fun making these and it has been so hard to not spill the beans to anyone about them. These are my 2 favorite:

To get all of the details to make the 10 boxes head over to www.ustampwithdawnandfriends.com to sign up!

Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge #238

2011-07-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Dont forget to head on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog to check out some other samples from the Diva’s Design team and link your creation too so that we can oooh and aaahh over it!

Quick Gifts

2011-07-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

I needed a bunch of quick little gifts to give to some people who attended an event. I just LOVE the Candy Wrapper Die because it is just perfect for occasions like these. I made up a ton of these little guys. You can get 4 boxes from one sheet of designer series paper and if you are careful about how you cut them out you will have scraps left over for card making too! I did lots of these as a way to use up some of my retired paper stash but these are two from current paper. This is from the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper. For these I used Cherry Cobbler seam binding to tie bows around each one. The label is made from the Decorative Label punch and the Extra Large Oval punch. The sentiment is stamped from the Friendly Phrases stamp set. I then poked a little hole and attached them to the bow using the Espresso/White Bakers Twine.

Diva Coffee Break Design Challenge #236

2011-07-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! A post two days in a row and two nights of stamping in a row! I am one happy momma! Oh how I have missed my stamps so far this summer, but it has been totally worth it to enjoy the time with the kiddos.
This week’s color challenge was out of my comfort zone. Really when I first saw the colors I thought “ick, maybe I should skip this week”. Well I could not bring myself to skipping out on my responsibilities when I was around and could actually do them. Well here are the colors.
I am not a huge fan of Bravo Burgundy or that much of a fan of River Rock either, but I find River Rock more do-able than Burgundy. I don't know, its just not for me. After staring at the three ink pads lined up on my desk for a while I finally figured something out. I knew that it was going to have to be simple or I would not be able to pull it off.
But I really think that I pulled it off! I actually am very happy with the card and will actually use it! This card is a 3” x 6” card, a 6” x 6” piece of cardstock scored at 3”. I was able to use another new stamp set, Button Buddies as well as my Friendly Phrases stamp set. Button Buddies is such a cute stamp set, even if you are not using the buttons. It was one that I was instantly drawn to, so many fun images in it. Well I hope that I have been able to show you that you can create pretty things even if you do not like the colors. I hope that you can play along with us at the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog so that I can see what other wonderful things you all can do with these colors and inspire me to use them more!

New Toys, New Toys!

2011-07-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

I finally have some new items from the catalog and had a few minutes to play! It is so fun to get a new delivery from Stampin’ Up! and my kids even get in on the action. They love to see the UPS truck come down the street and get disappointed when it is not coming to us.

MY favorite new item from this catalog is a color, Lucky Limeade. I was really sad when Kiwi Kiss did not come return with some of its cohorts last year in the color renovation and this color really takes it place in my heart. Love. love , love it and it goes so well with Pear Pizzazz, yummy!

Well it is time to run out the door to the park so I guess I had better get my card posted.

So not only does this card feature three new in colors, the fun new ribbon but also two new stamp sets. I love the two fonts that are used in the greeting stamp set, they are so pretty together.

Well gotta run, have a great day!

Diva Coffee Break Designs #235

2011-07-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

I am really enjoying summer break with my kids right now, just not the heat. I am so ready to get below 100, but at least we have air conditioning again! This month we have a little more of a routine to our daily schedules so I am hoping to squeeze in some more stamping time. I have had a tiny bit of time and I have been spending it working on a project for the next round of UStamp and I have been having SO much fun with one of my projects is has become addicting. So I made sure that I focused on something else last night and got a few cards done. Today's card is for the Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge.

This was such a great little sketch I decided to finally break into my pack of Paisley Petals DSP. I purchased it back in April (?) when there was a promotion for it and the four frames stamp set but I couldn't bring myself to cutting it up for some reason. That is one problem no more!

I know that it is really hard to tell in this picture but the panel underneath the greeting is the river rock dsp from the same pack of paper. Well I am off to go make lunch for the kids. Have a Stamperific Day!

Definately Summer but looking towards the holdays!

2011-06-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

I love summer vacation and the extra time I get to spend with the kiddos with out all of the stress of school. But of course with that my schedule becomes more and more unpredictable. And then when I finally got the chance to get back to stamping and have some computer time to myself, the air conditioning goes out. This is just in time for triple digit weather, so we spent as much time away from home as possible. I am happy to report that we are now cool at home and I have time to stamp once again (until something else happens).

One child noticed that the gift for their teacher was not posted so he felt left out. He had the same teacher as his sister did last year so she already had a Teacher Story Journal Jar, so we made some cards and a clipboard.

I have the privilege of designing again for the next round of UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! I know that it may seem a little too early to start thinking about the Holidays but trust me it will be here before you know it. I have already got a big jump on my Christmas cards so I am excited to get started on some more holiday projects. Plus from seeing the chatter on our designer group of the ideas people are throwing around, you will not be disappointed! Plus each event is just so much fun.

I ♥ the Holidays!! 2011...

Aug 12 - Aug 31: I ♥ the Holidays!! 2011

* Get a HUGE jump on your Holiday Crafting!! Featuring FAB projects for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!!

* 40+ projects shared in 20 days!!

* Downloadable PDF Tutorial for EVERY project!!

* Live Chats!!

* Prizes!!

* Member Gallery to share YOUR creative genius!!

* So much more!!

School’s Out For the Summer!!

2011-06-14T20:12:00.001-07:00

Well the kids got out of school on Friday and we are all at home. I love being able to spend extra time with the kids. We always start summer out with trips to the library and bookstores to sign up for reading programs and of course some extra cleaning.

Last year we gave out Teacher Journal Jars, and they seemed to be a big hit, so I did one again this year. This is such a great gift idea for teachers to record their history and to share a part of them with their posterity. (You can check out the one that we did last year here with links to downloads). I was able to use up some retiring items on this gift! I will be sad to see Tart and Tangy go, the little images are so great to use for all occasions. I have also really enjoyed using the Greenhouse Gala DSP over the past year.

Blog Hop - Blog Candy Winner

2011-06-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

The winner of the free pass to the next round of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! is .........
DAWN EVANS!

Handcrafted By Dawn said...: I wasn;t sure I wanted this stamp set, but I believe you have just changed my mind. Lovely project, thanks for sharing and for the chance for blog candy.

Congratulations Dawn, and thank you ALL for the sweet comments. I will be back tomorrow with some new stamping samples for you!

First EVER UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Blog Hop - Brag Book

2011-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! World Showcase Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Beth's project. Wasn't it great technique??

If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the super projects we have for you.

For my project I of course had to use my current favorite stamp set Fabulous Florets. (I hope I have not made you sick and tired of it already.)

This is a fun little brag book to tote around or even a mini scrapbook out of. The pages are made out of Stampin' Up!'s fabulous clear envelopes. You can just slip a picture into the pocket of the envelope or you can take it a step further and decorate the pages like you would a scrapbook. I love making these books and giving them to someone special makes them even more fun. I made this one for my 3rd child who is always amazed at her baby pictures. She is 4 now and will just love to get this book. Here is a sneak peak at one of the inside pages.

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!! Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a FREE PASS to the next UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! session - I ♥ the Holidays!! I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Monday, so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient. If you have already joined I ♥ the Holidays!! for the Special Party Pricing and you are selected as the winner, you will get a FREE Pass to the NEXT event after I ♥ the Holidays!! which will launch in the Fall.

AND now for the really cool part!! You will NOT want to miss out in THIS!!

By clicking this really cute blinkie...yeah...go ahead and click it!!...

you will be taken to

THE WORLD SHOWCASE BLOG HOP WEBSITE!!

Of course it's ***FREE*** to join and there you will find the tutorials for all the blog hop projects,

PLUS live chats, challenges and more prizes!!

You will even have an opportunity to be considered for a spot as a Guest Designer!!

Yes!! It is all FREE, so tell all your friends and join the fun with UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

AND last but certainly not least, please hop on over to NEXT BLOG where you will find Gilda with another great project to inspire you.

Thanks again for stopping by!!

Fabulous and Fun

2011-06-09T11:49:00.001-07:00

I am having so much fun using the Fabulous Florets stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. I keep putting it back away so that it is not out and my “go-to” set but I cannot keep myself from grabbing it. It is so easy and fun to use. Here is a simple card that I made using the set.

The colors I used are Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point and Pear Pizzazz. I didn't really want to mat the image layer but it felt like it needed a little something so I took my Pacific Point marker and used the brush tip along the edge of the cardstock to give it a little outline, just what it needed.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the UStamp Blog Hop!

Have you heard? In honor of our 2 year anniversary for the NEXT UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! event will be FREE!! Yep, Zip, Zero Zilch, Nada, completely free, no strings attached!!

* The FABULOUS UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Design Team will have awesome projects for you to enjoy at their blogs on the Worlds Showcase Blog Hop.

* Every project will include a link for a downloadable PDF tutorial.

* Every Designer will have BLOG Candy at their blogs and YOU could be a winner!!

*We will have FUN Creative Challenges where you can share your projects

* Talent Search...would you like to be considered for a Guest Designer spot for the UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Design Team?? Get your MoJo going because details will be announced June 10th.

Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge 231

2011-06-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

This week’s challenge is a sketch. It is fairly simple so you can do a lot with it to make it your own. I have been trying to pull out some of my retiring items to get the most use out of them before they are gone. I am so sad that the spiral punch is retiring. Most of what is leaving did not bother me this year but this punch. I use it a lot, so it is one that I will keep around long after it is retired.

It is kind of funny how this card put itself together. I had the left over flowers (from my UStamp Blog Hop project coming on FRI!) cut out and sitting on top of this miss cut Top Note Die and I instantly knew what I wanted to do and who to send it to. Since I know that she loves orange I had to pull that color in to and like the way the colors pop out . It is a fun and cheery card.

Don't forget to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to play along with this week’s challenge.

A Recent Swap

2011-06-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

OK so it wasn’t all that recent, but it was the most recent swap that I participated in. I made this back before my stamping hiatus. I chose to share it with you because I really like the birds in this little stamp set and it is on the retiring list. The birds are just too cute.

This card is pretty simple to replicate so it would be great for a class or workshop. It is hard to tell in this picture but there is some saffron sponging on the bird focal image. In person it adds the perfect depth to make the image pop.

Stamps: Happy Together, Medallion

Ink: So Saffron, Poppy Parade

Paper:So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Pawsitively Prints II DSP, Whisper White

Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals, Poppy Parade Stitched Poly Ribbon

Tools: 1 3/8” and 1 1/4” Circle Punches

Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge 230

2011-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry I am a bit late, I was a day off because of the Memorial Day holiday. I was completely out of it and off by a day, I even forgot about the retired lists coming out today. I cannot believe that I missed staying up to find out everything.

Today’s color challenge is a pretty springy looking set of colors.

I love making non-traditional sized cards to tuck in with things like little gifts or lunches or even just a plate of cookies to a friend. This card measures 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. I figured it was time to dust off some of my hostess sets and use them a few more times since they will be retiring soon. I really like how easy this set is to use.

Stamps: Just Because, Three Little Words

Ink: Marina Mist, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango Patterned Paper

Accessories: Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon,

Grandmas are the Greatest!

2011-05-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

My Grandma is totally awesome, not only is she the sweetest nicest Grandma, she enjoys to paper craft. She shared a fabulous idea with me that she had for the Elegant Lines embossing folder. She thought of turning it into seaweed with little air bubble floating in it. Genius!
I loved the idea and thought it would look super cute with some punched fish.

I sponged the embossed lines with Wild Wasabi ink to create the seaweed. I really think that this card turned out cute and love the idea for the seaweed. It is always amazing to me to see all of the different ways one product can be used in ways other than its original intended use.
Ink: Wild Wasabi
Paper: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Ornament Punch, Owl Punch (circles for eyes)

Attentive Man’s Card Arsenal

2011-05-26T17:23:00.001-07:00

This is a fun class that makes a great to give to a man or even a class for men!

All of the cards and envelopes fit in a box and in the box is an Important Dates reminder card so that the “Attentive Man” can keep track of the important things (as long as he remembers to look!) All of the instructions for the class as well as a pdf for the Important Dates card and the box lid label can be found at Ustamp with Dawn and Friends!! Classes, Camps and Clubs.

2 Year Anniversary for UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

2011-05-25T17:47:00.001-07:00

Wow, have we got a surprise for you, other than the fact that this is my 2nd post today!

Have you heard? In honor of our 2 year anniversary for the NEXT UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! event will be FREE!!

Yep, Zip, Zero Zilch, Nada, completely free, no strings attached!!

For the very first time the Design Team will be participating in a Blog Hop around the world!!

There will be lots of fun, awesome projects, prizes and even a Talent Search Contest to find a few new Guest Designers!!

More info will be coming before June 1st...stay tuned because you will NOT want to miss out on the FUN!!

Finally

2011-05-25T12:06:00.001-07:00

I finally have something I can show you. I have really been struggling over the last two weeks with my stamping. The first week, I spent every night at my desk trying to create something, but nothing ever materialized in my head. It was pretty depressing. Then I started looking at some blogs for ideas and thought I came up with something, went to my stamping desk and nothing. But my two little girls went down for a nap early and at the same time, so I had some time this morning and I figured I would try to stamp again, and I created something. I am so excited to have something to share even though I am not completely, entirely happy with it.

Above is the sketch for the Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge for this week. I used my favorite stamp set from the Summer Mini. It was just one of the ones that as soon as I saw it I knew I had to get it no matter what. I love the combination of solid and line art images. I am not 100% sure on the color combo now that it is done. When I was trying to pull out colors to start with they looked great together, but maybe I used too much of the Daffodil, it just isn't sitting perfect, but I am so happy to have created something decent.

I am off to go try some more stamping while the girls are still asleep!

Stamps: Fabulous Florets

Ink: Black Craft, Old Olive, Rose Red

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Concord Crush, Old Olive, Rose Red, Whisper White, Brights DSP Stack

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Basic Black Embossing Powder

Tools: 1 1/4” Square Punch, Heat Tool

WOW.....

2011-05-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

I need to stamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been approximately 1 month 2 days and 19 hours since I last had the chance to stamp. The last month has definitely has had it shares of ups and downs, it began with the wedding of my sister, had two funerals, spring break and all of the end of the year projects and tests that the kids are working on. But I have made it a point to sit down and stamp tonight! Nothing is going to get in my way and I mean nothing. Even if I have to stamp by flashlight because the power goes out for the 3rd time in a week. I NEED to stamp!

I went looking through my pictures of projects that I have already on the computer and of course everything that I have that I could show you uses product from the Occasions Mini Catalog that expired a week and a half ago so for now I am going to show you a challenge. Of course many of you know that it is Diva Coffee Break Designs Wednesday so here is the sketch for this week. I do not have a card to go with it at the moment but I will tomorrow, because I AM GOING to STAMP tonight!

Create a card along with the Divas and link up your creation at www.divacoffeebreakdesigns.blogspot.com

Get Well Gift Basket

2011-04-07T18:49:00.001-07:00

I love being able to drop a little something off for a friend who is under the weather. Here is a gift basket that I put together for this round of Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!!In this basket I have some pick me up flowers with chocolate centers, a get well pennant, a yummy chocolate bar, several containers of cough drops, a travel sized kleenex holder, and a can of soup. I might also tuck in a good book that I just finished reading that the recipient can borrow. If you want anymore details on any of the items it is not too late to join this round of Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! There are still a few days left of live fun and you will still have access to all of the fantastic projects already posted. Just click on the button on the right for the Big Shot Brilliance event.

Already Wednesday again???

2011-04-06T16:51:00.001-07:00

My goodness time is just flying by and there is no time left for me. For this weeks Diva Coffee Break Design challenge we have a nice fun and bright color challenge.

This was sure a bright/bold color combination and I tried to tone it down a bit by adding a lot of white. I always struggle when taking picture of white cards. I usually use a white background to take the pictures but then it gets lost in the mix. I tried using black, but the background was really more of a dark gray then black (although in the store it looked black). I am not sure if I really like the black or not, what do you think?

Go head on over to the diva blog to play along with the great color challenge!

It’s Wednesday!

2011-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Good Ol’ hump day. Boy I cannot believe that this week is already over. Things have been so busy busy and there is still so much left to do! This week over at the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog we have a fabulous sketch challenge.

For some reason the heart in the sketch threw me off, and I was having the hardest time designing something with it. As soon as I sketched it down on a piece of paper with a square in the middle it all came to me (but kind of funny because in my card I used a circle).

This card took a couple twists and turns in the creating process. I had originally wanted to use Cajun Craze because that is just a color I don't use. I wanted to stretch myself so originally the Plum was Cajun but I just didn't like it so the only thing left that is Cajun is the basket. I guess I did kind of use it, but I am going to have to try again.

Don't forget to go check out the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog and play along with us!

We finally got some sun

2011-03-28T17:31:00.001-07:00

and no rain! It will be nice to dry out a bit and send the kids outside to release some energy. Of course we are going to jump from 56 yesterday as a high up to 81 for Wed or Thursday. I love the 70’s and we seem to skip right over them from winter to summer. Oh well at least there is sun!

So what do I have to show you on this warm spring day, none other than a winter themed card.

I am a very beginner when it comes to knitting. I have been making hats on a loom for years but I bought some yarn at a garage sale last fall and the lady insisted that I take some knitting needles with it. So I decided to try and teach myself. So of course when I saw the Hand Knit stamp set, I just fell in love and NEEDED to get it on the very next order. This is a fun simple card and I was able to add some knitting right in it. The knitting needles are toothpicks (not my original idea I saw it online at Stampin Connection a few times) and the “yarn” is our linen thread (this was my idea, the smart ladies that came up with the toothpick knitting needles had crochet thread and embroidery floss that they used)! It was kind of tricky getting the toothpicks to stick but I wound up some glue dots so they wouldn't show and used them. The skeins of yarn are actually stamped with Sahara Sand ink but it is stamped off first.

Stamps: Hand Knit, Curly Cute

Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler

Paper": Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Glue Dots, Stampin Dimensionals, Linen Thread, Toothpicks

Tools: Aqua Painter

Beautiful Butterfly Accordion Book

2011-03-25T20:05:00.001-07:00

My first project for Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! was posted this week. This session of Ustamp is focusing on the Big Shot, all of the Big Shot items will be used during this event (yes all 119 of them!) My project is a little 3x3 accordion fold book/album. This is what the inside of the book looks like and the belly band by itself. I had fun taking some of the same elements from the belly band and using them to create a card. If you have not signed up for this session of UStamp you are really missing out. Go check it out here.

Next round of Ustamp announced!

2011-03-25T12:42:00.001-07:00

I know it has been a while, I have been pretty overwhelmed by life the past week and a half. It has a tendency to do that to me. Just when things get going smoothly and nice, pow! things change. My husband is out of town so I have been able to get some late night stamping in, finally! I will be back later with some actual stamping but for now I wanted to let you know about the next round of Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! It is going to be so much fun!

Don't miss a day of the LIVE FUN!!

Opening Day Website Invites go out

April 29, 2011

Last Project posted May 18, 2011

*****

EARLY BIRDS ARE AWESOME!!

Early Birds SAVE $5

PLUS

a Chance to Win 1 of 5 FREE Passes

for the NEXT Event!!

Early Bird pricing ends April 6th.

Early Bird Prize winners announced April 7th.

Register for EARLY BIRD Pricing NOW

Join us for UStamp with Dawn & Friends!!

Classes, Clubs and Camps 2011!!

Do YOU l♥ve papercrating??

If you answered YES!! (and I know you did!!) than you can not miss this event!!

No way!! No how!! You just CAN'T!!

Each "project" that we share will be an ENTIRE "Class, Club or Camp"!!

YEP you read the right!! I said ENTIRE!!

What does that mean...

Well if you are not a Stampin' Up! Demo, than you will enjoy all the Classes, Clubs and Camp projects online as you always do, except that there will be WAY more projects!! Woohoo!!

If you ARE a Stampin' Up! Demo, get your calendars out because you are going to be able to schedule YOUR Classes, Clubs and Camps right away because the project design is already done for YOUR Classes, Clubs and Camps!!

How awesome and easy will it be for you to schedule your events knowing that you have all the projects already designed for your Class, Club or Camp??!!

Oh I can answer THAT....

GINORMOUSLY EASY!! WOOHOO!!

It gets even better because...

You will be enjoy 40+ of these and let me just tell you that the number of "projects" within these events types is...well...honestly just...

WAY TOO MANY TO COUNT!!

EVERY Designer "Class, Club or Camp" Project's will include product(s) from the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog and the Summer Mini too!!

40+ Stampin' Up! Colors Showcased

TOO MANY Color Combo's to count!!

Color Combo PDF Booklet

EVERY "Project" with PDF Tutorial

20 days of World Wide 24/7 Creative FUN!!

New Designer Projects Posted EVERY 12 hours!!

Live Chats, Prizes and a few fun surprises too!!

Not only is this THE Biggest ONLINE "Classes, Clubs and Camps" Event EVER showcasing Exclusively Stampin' Up! Products...

it's the ONLY one EVER!!

Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge

2011-03-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well it is another gloomy, rainy day for us here. This winter seems to be grayer than normal where we are at. We are used to some sunshine even in the winter, but we have had more clouds than sun. In fact for the first time ever we have moss growing on our tree. We have never seen that and everywhere we look there is moss growing on trees and fences, even some rooftops. Anyways I wanted sunshine so I made a nice bright card for this challenge.

It was a fairly simple sketch this week, and easy to work with. Here is what I came up with

This is my pretty much “free card” It uses Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper, Sale-a-bration Accents, and SAB buttons. I felt like my sentiment was kind of getting lost so I ended up mounting it one a large scallop circle.

Hope you day is sunny and bright, filled with ones you love.

Beautiful Peony Flowers

2011-03-14T12:23:00.001-07:00

I just have not had the time to sit down and stamp for me lately and I am really missing it. I cannot decide if I am ready for spring to come or not. I have one of those love/hate relationships, I love the brightness and the new life of spring but I have such horrible allergies in the spring. I made some great flowers that will not give anyone the sniffles.

These pretty flowers are made out of coffee filters dyed with Stampin’ Up! ink refills. They were fairly easy to make but did take a bit of time. These currently grace the top of out wood burning stove (when there isn't a fire going) and bring a bit of cheer to the room.

Diva Coffee Break Designs Color Challenge #218

2011-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

I really like this weeks color challenge. The colors are fabulous springy colors just perfect to pull one out of the winter blues. I had so many ideas for these colors the hard part was deciding which one to use. I decided to go with a fun baby card this time, but you will probably see this color combo popping up again.

This is a fairly simple card, but I just LOVE it. I stamped the three baby outfits in a row on the whisper white cardstock, then I stamped it again on each color, cut them out and glued them to their hangers. The ends of the congratulations tag were made by slipping just the ends of the paper into the Modern Label Punch.

Come on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog to check out what the other designers have come up with. There is quite a variety with this color combo. Then take the colors and play along with us so we can see your creations!

Headbands and Hexagon Box

2011-03-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

While I was struggling with my computer, my second project was posted over on UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! Oh My Word edition. I used Stampin’ Up!’s beautiful Spring Time Vintage Designer Fabric to create some headbands. This would make such a great Mother Daughter class since headbands are so popular. Although they do involve a little sewing they are super easy. Just a few straight lines. I just knew I had to have some great box to put the headbands in and came up with this tall Hexagon Box. These are the 3 different headbands that I made for this project.I really like the way that the card turned out for this project. The blossoms on the branch were colored in with versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder before sponging on the Baja Breeze ink.Here is a Mommy and Me shot. My 8 year old made her headband with just a little supervision on the sewing machine and the 4 year old helped out with hers too.

Although the live events have been completed it is not too late to subscribe to the Oh My Word Edition on Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! You can still access and down load all of the projects at http://ustampwithdawnandfriends.com.

I’m Back!!! (and have a late DCBD sketch)

2011-03-07T10:28:00.001-08:00

As I have shared my computer and I have not been getting along nicely as of late. Well a week ago Sunday night things took a turn for the worse and we got caught in a cycle of error messages and restarts and it was just a mess going no where. So we took the computer in to the “doctor” to get it fixed and the techs said it would be a day or two tops. Well that turned into 4 days and then when we get it back home and start it back up, Windows wouldn’t even launch and it went to an MS DOS prompt saying that the system fan has failed and that it needed to be serviced, so right back it went. We now have it back, running in tip top shape and we are back in business.
During our week of separation I missed a posting for the Diva Coffee Break Designs. This week was a sketch challenge. This sketch actually came together quite quickly for me, something that usually doesn't happen with sketches and me. This sketch and Stampin’ Up! designer series paper were made for each other. It was really a no brainer in trying to pick out the patterns for the different layers with the wonderful coordinating paper.
It is not too late to play along with this weeks challenge! Give the sketch a try and post your link over on the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog so that we can check out and comment on your creation.
Stamps: Party This Way
Ink: Pacific Point, Peach Parfait, Versamarker
Paper: Celebrations DSP, Real Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, and Pacific Point
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Stampin Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, 2 1/2” circle punch, 2 3/8” Scallop Circle punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Heat Tool

Last Chance for Early Bird Sign Ups!

2011-02-27T21:34:00.001-08:00

I can officially announce that I have been chosen again to be a designer for UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Big Shot Brilliance. This round is going to be amazing. Not only is the Big Shot the most amazing tool, every project is going to be a Big Shot Project, every Stampin’ Up color is going to be used atleast once, but there are some amazing new designers this round. Some of the name may be familiar to you, Linda Hansen and Jaron Winders, Jakie Topa and even Karen Burniston (designer of the pop up Cake and Christmas tree dies!). Even the banner for this round us just so fun and happy!Don't forget to post your designs out in cyberspace, as I am still on the hunt to make a new friend to give away a free pass!

Here are some of the details from Dawn.

Don't miss a day of the LIVE FUN!!

Opening Day Website Invites go out

March 18th, 2011

Last Project posted April 6, 2011

*****

EARLY BIRDS ARE AWESOME!!

Early Birds SAVE $5

PLUS

a Chance to Win 1 of 5 FREE Passes

for the NEXT Event!!

Early Bird Pricing ends February 28th

Join us now for only $19.99

Join us for UStamp with Dawn & Friends!!

Big Shot Brilliance!! Projects to DIE for 2011!!

EVERY Designer Project will include product(s) from the

Stampin' Up! Big Shot Product Line!!

Did you know that Stampin' Up! currently has a whopping

137 products in the Big Shot Line??!!

137 Big Shot Products Showcased

40+ Stampin' Up! Colors Showcased

40+ Unique Color Combo's with PDF Booklet

40+ Designer Projects with PDF Tutorials

40+ Cards with Hand Stamped/Embellished Envelopes

20 days of World Wide 24/7 Creative FUN!!

New Designer Projects Posted EVERY 12 hours!!

Live Chats, Prizes and a few fun surprises too!!

This is THE Biggest ONLINE Stampin' Up! Big Shot Event EVER!!

Clean and Simple Sketch

2011-02-25T14:11:00.001-08:00

I randomly happened upon a sketch that I took a picture of with my phone so that I could use it. But of course in my phone I do not have the address of the blog so I spent too much time today looking for it. Don't you just love how you can accidentally stumble on to something so perfect and then never find it again? Well I did eventually find it and the sketch is from Clean and Simple Stamping and Natasha shared the great sketch. Here is what I did:

I have had this one rose floating around on my stamping desk for several months just asking to get used on something. So I finally got it on a card. The oval is from the Newsprint DSP. it is a very clean and simple card, letting the rose shine through.

Stamps: Fifth Ave Floral, Bella Toile BG

Ink: Perfect Plum, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Rose Red

Paper: Shimmery White, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, Perfect Plum, Newsprint DSP

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Whisper White embossing powder

Tools: Heat Tool, Aquapainter, spray bottle with water (I used an empty hairspray bottle), Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch,

Birthday Party Try Outs

2011-02-24T10:06:00.001-08:00

We have a birthday coming up so we are starting the design process for the birthday invites, decorations, favors and such. This was a color combo that was not a winner for my almost 9 year old daughter. I was bummed because I really liked the way these colors turned out.

This is just a real simple little party favor. This is the Box #2 Die for the big shot. I just simply stamped the birthday bakery hostess stamp set repeatedly along a strip of whisper white cardstock so that the cakes go all the way around the box. So we are back to the drawing board when it comes to colors. She is not liking anything we put together.

Stamps: Birthday Bakery

Ink: Basick Black, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Wild Wasabi

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie

Tools: Big Shot, Box #2 Die

Diva Coffee Break Designs # 216

2011-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

I’m back again with another Diva Coffee Break Design color challenge! It is a really pretty color combo today.

I admit I don’t use blushing bride much, ok so hardly ever. I just forget about it. It really is such a pretty shade of pink. Today’s card is so simple but I really like it. It is funny how this one simple card took so long for me to actually make. Do you find it hard to make a clean and simple card?

Hop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Design Blog to check out the rest of the amazing samples!

Have a stamperfic day!

The winner is…

2011-02-22T21:51:00.001-08:00

Well since Emmalyn is still awake, only 2 hours and 17 minutes past her bedtime, I let her pick names out of the hat again. The winner for the free pass to UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! Oh My Word Edition is:

Lorraine Castellon-Rowe

Congratulations. I sent your email address that you included to Dawn so she will send you your invite there!

Keep coming back and leaving comments. I try to check out blogs of people who comment on mine and leave comments of my own when I can. I am on the look out for someone who’s stamping creations have inspired me for a pass to the next round of UStamp!

Thanks for coming. I will be back early tomorrow morning with a Diva Coffee Break Challenge.

UStamp With Dawn and Friends Free Pass Giveaway!

2011-02-21T12:17:00.001-08:00

I have another free pass for UStamp With Dawn and Friends Oh My Word Edition, to give away, this time as blog candy!

This free pass is open to anyone who has never been to UStamp With Dawn and Friends before. So anyone that would like a peak into the wonderful world of UStamp, with the warning that you may become addicted, go ahead and leave your name in the comments so that I can enter you in the drawing.

ETA: Sorry forgot to put in the cut off, I will accept entries until Tuesday Feb 22nd 7:00 pm pacific time. I will post the winner shortly thereafter, depending on how quickly my kids go to bed.

A fun new feature of UStamp, for the designers, is a swap. This round I was partnered with Gilda Fellows. The card that I sent her is here, and this is the fabulous swap that I received!

Also to add in more fun, the next round of UStamp has been announced and Early Bird Registration has begun!

Don't miss a day of the LIVE FUN!!

Opening Day Website Invites go out

March 18th, 2011

Last Project posted April 6, 2011

*****

EARLY BIRDS ARE AWESOME!!

Early Birds SAVE $5

PLUS

a Chance to Win 1 of 5 FREE Passes

for the NEXT Event!!

Early Bird Pricing ends February 28th

Join us now for only $19.99

*****

Join us for UStamp with Dawn & Friends!!

Big Shot Brilliance!! Projects to DIE for 2011!!

EVERY Designer Project will include product(s) from the

Stampin' Up! Big Shot Product Line!!

Did you know that Stampin' Up! currently has a whopping

137 products in the Big Shot Line??!!

137 Big Shot Products Showcased

40+ Stampin' Up! Colors Showcased

40+ Unique Color Combo's with PDF Booklet

40+ Designer Projects with PDF Tutorials

40+ Cards with Hand Stamped/Embellished Envelopes

20 days of World Wide 24/7 Creative FUN!!

New Designer Projects Posted EVERY 12 hours!!

Live Chats, Prizes and a few fun surprises too!!

This is THE Biggest ONLINE Stampin' Up! Big Shot Event EVER!!

I am honored to share with you the

Brilliant Big Shots

who will be designing for us...

(in alphabetical order)

NEW Designers for this session:

Jaron Winders

Linda Hansen

*Karen Burniston

Jackie Topa

*Designer of the Sizzix Pop-up Cake Die and the

Stampin' Up! Exclusive Pop-up Oh Christmas Tree Die!!

UStamp OMW Scavenger Hunt

2011-02-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

So we have some exciting news for you from UStamp with Dawn and Friends, Oh My Word Edition.

As one of the designers I have the privilege of participating in an awesome Blog Scavenger Hunt. Each one of the participating designers will have a “key word” in their blog posting today. Once you find all of the “key words” unscramble them to make a sentence. The first 3 people to correctly guess the sentence will win a fantastic prize.

So for my post today I am showing off some of the great SAB items. I just love all of the stuff in the SAB brochure this time. This card shows off the Ice Cream Parlor DSP & Quick Accents Pack, Ice Cream Parlor Button and Ribbon Pack, my key word is all, Sweet Summer Stamp Set and the So Happy For You stamp set!

This card is a 6x6 piece of cardstock folded in half so that the card fits in a open-ended envelope.

Have a Stamperific Day!

Stamps: Sweet Summer, So Happy For You

Ink: Craft White, Pacific Point, daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Ice Cream Parlor DSP & Accents

Accessories:Ice Cream Parlor Buttons, Stampin Dimensionals

Tools: 1 inch circle punch

And the winner is…

2011-02-18T13:55:00.001-08:00

Well there were only two of you who entered the blog candy so I had my 4 year old draw a name out of the hat. And the winner was Kathy Mc! Please send me your address so that I can mail your stamp set off to you.

Come back later tonight and I have a card and a fun post for you!

Diva Coffee Break Designs # 215

2011-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have spent every free minute I have had trying to fix things on my computer. I am running on a dinosaur as far as computers go. We purchased this computer 9 years ago this month, just a few months after windows XP came out. Anyways it has been giving me my share of problems over the last few months. It probably doesn’t help that I have a 2 year old who loves to play on the computer and do all sorts of wonky things to it. She even knows how to pick the lock on the cabinet that the computer is in and turn it on, so it is not safe from her. My latest problem was not being able to save any of my pictures to my computer, but I have that fixed so now we are in business again. I think that I have also fixed Windows Live Writer’s settings with my blog so that it is working again. Boy I missed some of the features of live writer over that last little bit. Check out the post here for a chance at some blog candy. I am going to be doing some “Spring Cleaning” of my stamping stash and will be adding more stuff to the blog candy I am sure. So go check it out.
Ok, so today is Diva Challenge Wednesday and we have a sketch for you.
When I saw this sketch, I thought “wow, what in the world am I going to do with that one?” Luckily I checked it out WAY in advance because it took some time to get it going. Here is what I came up with:
At first I was afraid of the Baby Blossoms stamp set becuase there were so many little images, but I am having so much fun with it. I really need to put it away and use some other stamps.
Please head on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog to check out what the other designers have come up with. Then take the sketch and play along with us so we can see your creations!
Stamps: Baby Blossoms, Sweet Summer
Ink: Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke and River Rock
Paper: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz and Baja Breeze
Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals
Tools: 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/4” and 1 3/8” circle punches, Scallop Trim Border punch

Baby Blossoms Box with Punchy Necklace and Blog Candy!

2011-02-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend my first project went live on UStamp With Dawn and Friends so I can now share the pictures with you.

Here is my main project:

This box is an alternate project using the same process as the circle box in the previous picture:

It's not too late to join in on the Oh My Word session of Ustamp, and there are some FANTASTIC projects you will get to learn how to make. http://ustampwithdawnandfriends.com/

Ok now on to the blog candy. I have another clear mount Vintage Labels stamp set to give away. This was one of my favorite Sale-a-bration stamp sets last year so I stocked up on them to give away at events and here on my blog and this is the last one that I have left. Just leave me a comment to be entered into the drawing. Feel free to leave me any feedback on the type of things that you would like to see here on my blog if you would like. I will post the winner on Friday! Good Luck!

Another UStamp Swap

2011-02-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

The Designers for Ustamp With Dawn and Friends did another swap this round . (Oh My Word edition starts today! It is never too late so sign up and there are some fabuolus creations this round that you will not want to miss!) This was my swap that I sent out.

It is kind of funny that the swap that I sent out for "Oh My Word" - all projects have atleast one word on them, and my swap is wordless. Well I guess you could count the background of the heart image as words, kind of. I really like the simplicity of this card and can see it being used in several different situations as needed (the reason for the lack of greeting on the front). The border on the circle is created with the double ribbon punch. It had some how fallen behind my desk, still in it's wrapper feeling neglected. I did a massive clean up and found it and LOVE it! It is such a fun punch. I hope that you all have a great weekend, I will be back on Monday with some blog candy for you!

Stamps: Punch Potpourri, Bliss
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi
Paper: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron and Very Vanilla
Accessories: Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, 2 1/4" circle punch, Double Ribbon Punch, Full Heart Punch

Love Notes Catching Up

2011-02-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have been spending every free moment I have over the last 2 days trying to update and clean up my computer. It is a very slow process. So please bear with me while I try to get all of the kinks out. I was planning on doing some blog candy in the near future and I think that I will be doing that soon to celebrate so keep your eyes open for it.

These are the other 3 cards that will be going to my other 3 kiddos in their lunches on Monday. They are all pretty simple. I will be giving them more elaborate ones at home so I didn't want to spend too much time and energy on one that would be tossed out right away or had a pb&j and capri sun smeared on it.

Diva Coffee Break Designs #214

2011-02-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Well something weird is going on here. I have been using Windows Live Writer to type up and post my blog posts but this time something wacky has happened. I thought that I had been posting to my blog but this week has been so crazy and busy I never actually went to my blog itself. I just pulled up my blog to find out that nothing has appeared. So I went into Live Writer again just a bit ago and it gave me an error message saying "It could not establish a trust relationship...." and that I must correct the error before proceeding. I am now actually in blogger doing things the old way. Anyways, today is a Diva Challenge day and we have a fun color challenge for you, perfect for the upcoming Valentine's holiday.

I have made a some little Love Notes to stick inside the the lunch boxes of my family on Monday. This was the last in the set. I had the others scheduled but they never went live so I will be posting those over the next few days. This is the card that I made for my oldest. I know that she will just love the sparkly red paper and hope that she will feel special and loved when she opens her lunch box.

Lets see what you can do with this great color combination. Head on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog to check out the other designers' creations and link yours along too!

DCBD #213

2011-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another Diva Coffee Break Wednesday! This week we have a wonderful sketch for you.

For this challenge I was able to play with some goodies from the current mini catalog. One of my favorite items in the catalog is the Create a Cupcake stamp set and matching punch. My kids (along with the rest of the country) are really into cupcakes and have been for a few years now, so this one will fit right in for making all sorts of birthday invites and cards.
This color combo is one that I pulled from the color coach. I have decided that I need to use River Rock more often. It is never a color that I reach for on its own but I always like it when I do use it. The center cupcake is popped up on dimensionals, the two in the background are stamped tone on tone, Marina Mist ink on Marina Mist paper and River Rock on River Rock. The bottom River Rock panel is embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. The cherries are also a part of the cupcake punch. I really like working with the new seam binding ribbon and I think that it adds the perfect finishing touch to the card.
Don’t forget to check out the other wonderful designs that we have made for you with this sketch over on the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog. Then play along with us and link up your creation so we can admire it!

Fabulously Fast

2011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

With 4 young kids (and only two of them in school) I don't get a lot of free time to stamp. I just love it when I can create a card in less than 10 minutes. Now don't get me wrong, I love to be able to sit down for long periods of time and just stamp and not worry about anything. But I dont get that time as often as I want. I love it when stamps lend themselves to make quick and beautiful cards. The hostess set Fast and Fabulous is one of these terrific stamp sets. This card took less than 5 minutes and a great deal of that time was deciding on the colors. The image is stamped on SU! watercolor paper and I colored it in sloppy with my markers (Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Rose Red and Regal Rose). Then I just took my aquapainter and blended the colors together. It was so fun and easy. I am using a card based off of this one for my upcoming stamp a stack.

Stamps: Fast and Fabulous

Ink: Stazon Black, Markers in Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Rose Red, Regal Rose and Wild Wasabi

Paper: Brights DSP stack, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, Watercolor Paper

Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon

Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Aquapainter

Easter Blooms for Valentines

2011-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this little girl in the mini catalog I just knew I had to get the stamp. She totally reminds me of my daughter. I wish that she did not have a basket of eggs so that she could be a little more versatile. I have figured out a few ways to get around that though!

For this card I have cut a little slit with my craft knife right along the rim of her basket. I was able to stick the hearts in her basket and cover the eggs! But in true fashion of a little girl skipping along she has let one fall out of her basket. I think that I will be using this one for quite a few of my personal Valentines this year because it is so quick but the sparkly hearts and yummy crumb cake ribbon really bring it to life.

Stamps: Easter Blooms, Well Scripted (retired)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Real Red

Paper: Very vanilla, Real Red, Red Glitter Paper

Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding

Tools: Big Shot, Tulips Border Embossing Folder, Two-Step Owl Punch (hearts)

A fun Brag Book

2011-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

I remember as a young child being amazed at a toy Jacob’s Ladder. Watching the sections flip as it appeared to climb down the ladder. A few years ago the tutorial was posted on splitcoaststampers and I was instantly hooked. I cannot count how many of these I have made for different people. I love making them and they are so much fun to give. I usually give them “blank” so that the recipient can add their own photos. Here is one version that I have made a few times over the last couple of months. When I have given this one away as an undecorated gift I have always included tons of stamped images to make sure that the person who gets it can decorate it the way that they want.

Stamps: Fox and Friends

Ink: Sahara Sand, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Poppy Parade

Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzaz, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP (retired)

Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain (retired), Coasters

DCBD #212

2011-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but we have been having some awesome weather here lately. Horrible fog in the morning but gorgeous sunny afternoons in the mid 60’s. It has been so nice to get outside and play with the kids and stretch those winter legs! This week’s Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge is a beautiful color combination that reflects the weather that we have been having. The colors are so bright and fun. At first I was a little skeptical, but once I pulled out some pieces of cardstock to start brainstorming I was sold on the colors.

This is a really simple little card that can easily be duplicated for a class or a workshop but I love it.
I can’t wait to see what you can do with these colors. Head on over to the Diva Coffee Break Design Blog and check out what the other designers have created for some inspiration. Then link up your creation so we can all oooo and aaaahh over it.
Stamps: For You Flower
Ink: (markers) Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Old Olive
Paper: Melon Mambo Textured cardstock, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Brights Collection DSP Stack, Hostess Level 1 In Color DSP pack
Accessories: Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals
Tools: Fancy Flower Punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

Butterfly Birthdays

2011-01-25T10:45:00.001-08:00

This was one of the first things I sat down to do last night when the kids were in bed. I needed to just do something for me before I sat down to finalize things for this weeks DCBD challenge and Ustamp. I am happy to say that they are both completed and a even a day before they are due. Well actually I have to wait until my husband gets back in town so that I can use his laptop to convert a word document to a pdf but the hard part is done!

I decided over the weekend that I wanted to get better at sending out birthday cards. I know that I have already missed a few birthdays this month but I will probably send something belated and catch up to the first of the year. I have some friends with birthdays this week so I wanted to make something for these before it was too late.

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Ink: Blushing Bride, Pear PIzzazz, Concord Crush

Paper: Level One In Color DSP Pack, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, and Concord Crush

Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals, In Color Glimmer Brads

Tools: Butterfly Punch

No stamping at our house

2011-01-24T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have been busy with the decluttering bug over the last few days and havent done much stamping and the stamping that I have done I cannot show you yet. I just wanted to check in and remind you that Sale-A-Bration starts tomorrow! I guess I didnt quite say that right.... SALE-A-BRATION STARTS TOMORROW!!!!! It is one of the most exciting times of the year for stampers. For every $50 in product purchase you can get something for free! (Yep you read that right you can get more than one item for free if you spend more!) I have been sitting on some Christmas money so that I can earn some stuff for free. So I am staying up late to put in my order and also the hubby is out of town on business so that means I will have lots of stamping time tonight and stuff to show you tomorrow!

I do have one card that I can show you today. This is a CASE of myself. I really liked the layout of the first card I did here so I used it again!

I really wanted to brighten up and give it to a friend as a little pick me up.

Stamps: Word play, Vintage Vogue, Bella Toile BG
Ink: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Whipser White, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Marina Mist
Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 3/4 inch circle punch

Valentines Bouquet

2011-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

This idea was copied out of the January 2010 Stampin’ Success magazine (a magazine that Stampin’ Up! demonstrators receive.) I stuck a post it note in it last year but ran out of time before getting it done for Valentine’s day. Then I thought I would give it to my husband on our anniversary so I started but did not get it finished in time. So all of the cut out hearts have been sitting in an envelope just waiting to be used. I finally pulled them out!

A lot of these papers are now retired but you can use up any of your designer series paper stash. I also threw in some flower punched from the Fancy Flower punch. The vase is actually just a coca~cola cup from the dollar store. In the bottom of the cup I have a bunch of punched hearts from the heart to heart punch.

Paper: Many different retired pink-red DSP

Accessories: Designer Buttons, Corduroy Buttons and Brads

Tools: Full Heart Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 1 inch circle punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, Small Heart punch, Heart to Heart Punch

Swap Around the World

2011-01-20T05:01:00.000-08:00

During this most recent round of UStamp With Dawn and Friends, Dawn started a swap among the designers. It was a one on one swap with also 2 extra going to Dawn. All the desingers who wanted were able to participate and the extras would be made into a big bundle to give to one lucky winner! Here is my card for the swap:

I really like how this card turned out. It is a little different than I normally do because none of the layers are matted at all. It was hard to leave it that way but it really was better without the extra layers of matting. It is kind of funny on the computer my eyes are having a hard time focusing on the greenery. It keeps getting blurry because of the shadow stamping. When I was looking at the card in real life I didn't have that problem. In looking at it again I really showcased my love of the big shot. I used it on four different elements on this card. This stamp set and embossing folder are still my favorites. I think that this would make a great all occasion card, but I did just recreate it and send it off as a sympathy card too. I think it can go either way (happy or sad) depending on the greeting you stamp inside.

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Oval Frame Die, Top Note Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder

DCBD #211

2011-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another Diva Coffeebreak Designs Wednesday. This week was a sketch week. And what a fun sketch it turned out to be.

I am trying to make use of some of my more neglected stamp sets and this is one that has not seen as much ink as it deserves. I have used the bear images more than their sayings.

I stamped the bear first and colored her in with poppy and sahara sand markers. Next I stamped the bear again on a piece of designer series paper and cut out the skirt part of the dress. Then I stamped the image again on a post it note and covered the first image so that I could sponge the clouds in the sky. (Since my post it note template was still sticky and in good shape I stuck it back in the box with the stamps to use again!) I actually used a leftover frame from the scallop oval frame die, since my main oval was the middle part of the frame, to use as my template for the clouds. I sponged in some always artichoke grass and drew a few grass lines with the same marker. The ribbon was whisper white but I colored it with my Poppy Parade marker and because I was in a hurry and couldn't wait too long for it to dry I wiped it with a baby wipe and a paper towel. It did soften/lighten up the color some but I think it still works great.

I hope that you feel inspired by the sketch and can play along with us at the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog and share your creations with us. Thanks!

Stamps: Beary Best Friends, Beary Nice Wishes

Ink: Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, and Always Artichoke

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, and Poppy Parade Patterns DSP (Hostess Pack)

Accessories: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Oval Frame Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Small and Large Oval punches, stampin’ sponge

Color Coach Combo Flower

2011-01-18T08:21:00.001-08:00

I absolutely love the new color coach it is so fun to work with and has many wonderful color combinations. I sat down to stamp and didnt know where to begin so I whipped out my color coach and just opened it up to a random card and picked the color combo off it. I ended up with Poppy Parade, So Saffron and Baja Breeze.

I love how you can mix and match the colors from different families and they coordinate together. It is also neat to see the colors almost transform when paired with certain colors. The Baja Breeze takes on a completely different look when paired together with the Poppy. I even had to double check and make sure that I did not use the retired color Sage Shadow when I was done, but sure enough it was Baja Breeze.

Stamps: For you Flower (single stamp), Pretty Petals Background Stamp

Ink: So Saffron, Poppy Parade

Paper: Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Whisper White

Accessories: Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

Tools: Fancy Flower Punch, 1 3/4 inch circle punch

A purse!

2011-01-17T09:39:00.001-08:00

Just when I get on a roll on getting post up regularly something has to thwart my progress. I had some issues with the usb port on my computer all of the sudden not recognizing the wireless internet adapter. I finally got it figured out though, and I still can’t believe I did it all on my own. I lost a lot of time troubleshooting the whole issue but I finally got the internet back up and running. WooHoo. Well back to the reason that you came here today, the stamping!

Actually today’s, sample has zero stamping on it. It is a cute purse template that I got from Becky Roberts. This is another item that we did at one of my classes. It was fun to create and is a great little tote for a small thinking of you gift to give to some one. The purse “buckles” closed with some sticky backed velcro so that you can open and close it with out destroying it.

Paper: Basic Black

Accessories: Real Red Epoxy Brads, White Gel Pen, Silver Brads, Sticky Strip, Sticky Back Velcro (non-su!)

Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

DCBD #210

2011-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Its Wednesday again, time for another Diva Coffee Break Design Challenge! This week is color challenge week and I love the colors we were given.
Such a great combination, so of my favorites to work with, so many possibilities. That was my problem there were too many possibilities. I sat down to brain storm and sketch some things out and the ideas kept coming. You will probably see this color combo used in a few more posts as soon as I get them completed.
This is the card that I ended going with. I wanted to use the Birthday Bliss stamp set because I just stumbled across it and found it unmounted. I forgot that I had it and I think that I got it last year at Sale A Bration time. So I have had it a while. Opps. So I paired it with my much neglected Fifth Ave Floral set.

We all want to see what you can do with these colors! So hop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog and check out what the other Diva Designers have created as your inspiration, create along with us and link your creation for us to check out!
Stamps: Birthday Bliss, Fifth Ave Floral
Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand and Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals, Navy Taffeta Ribbon
Tool: Wide Oval Punch

Fancy Chocolate Box

2011-01-11T09:08:00.001-08:00

My project that I created for UStamp went live today so I can finally share it with you. I am so happy with this box. I saw a box of chocolates it while shopping in the wee hours of the morning on Black Friday. I don't remember if it was Dove or Hershey bliss but it was a really cute fancy box. Someone had opened one to take a piece of candy out and it was cool looking. I checked it out while waiting in line and that was it until about a week and a half later I was asked to create for UStamp and I decided I wanted to make it. I went back to the store and of course could not find the box. I went home and spent hours trying to make it work based on my memory. Well I finally figured it out and got it working and I LOVE it! I did add my own spin on it to add in the window to see the yummy chocolate.

Who wants to worry about nutrition information when eating chocolate? So the back has the “To Do” list image. I know that it is one that I can take care of today!Here is the whole set that I made. The cards are 4x4 cards and I made some matching envelopes to go with them!

If you would like the directions for this box check out the “Year End Blow Out” session of UStamp with Dawn and Friends. http://ustampwithdawnandfriends.com/

UStamp Oh my Word Edition

2011-01-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

I am so honored to have been chosen again to be a designer for UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! I have another free pass to give away but again I am encouraged to go out and make a new friend in the stamping world that has inspired us. So make sure that you have your stamping on display out in internet land so that I might be able to find you!

Don't miss a day of the LIVE FUN!! Opening Day Invites go out February 11, 2011
Last Project posted March 3, 2011
*****

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Join us for UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Oh My Word!! Edition 2011!! Every project will have something to say and you will want to be there to hear all about it!!

Dawn is especially excited to announce that for the very first time, UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! will be showcasing every single project with at least one word. Sometimes a single word says it all and sometimes several words are the right fit. Big words, little words and everything in between...come and be inspired by projects that speak to all of us and get your creativity soaring!!

The Occasions Mini Catalog, Sale-a-bration Brochure and IB&C Hostess Products as well as some other seasonal catalog favorites, take Center Stage for this event!! Talk about FUN!! This is going to be another CAN NOT MISS Event that everyone will be tallking about!!

Color Combo's ROCK!! I know, you know!! Why change a REALLY GREAT thing, right??!! The Oh My Word!! Edition 2011 event will include a different Color Combo with every project and by the end of the event, ALL 40+ of the SU! colors will have been used in a project. 40+ different projects with at least one word, with 40+ coordinating cards & envelopes, with PDF's, in 20 days...you will be bursting with inspiration!! We are talkin' reving your Creative Mojo to the MAX!! Seriously??!! This is a tremendous value that you CAN'T pass up!!

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* A totally cool blinkie for your website/blog

Sticky Note Holder Tutorial

2011-01-07T14:24:00.001-08:00

I was so lucky, both girls are napping at the same time. I actually had time to sit down and do the tutorial. And they are still asleep so I can actually post it! This is truly a rare occasion in my house.
These are so quick and easy to create you are bound to have fun making your own. Here are two new ones I made while putting this tutorial together.
(Of course I didn't notice when I was taking my picture that the pen is not pushed all the way in, but really it does and it it the perfect size for the holder.) After doing the tutorial using the blue cover above I tried sticking a “golf pencil” in and it slid right out, and that will not work in my bag, I need them to stay together. I did make the dimensions a but different to accommodate the smaller pencil. Then it was too small for a full pad of sticky notes so I just put in a half of a pad.
Ok on to the good stuff, the Sticky Note Holder Instructions :
Supplies: Scoring Tool, Scissors, Adhesive, Cardstock cut to measure 3 ¼ by 7 3/8 inches,

Step 1: Score the long side of the cardstock at 3 1/8”, 3 ½”, and 3 7/8”. Burnish/crease the score lines to make them more defined and easier to work with.

Step 2: Fold cardstock “in half” at the middle of the three score lines. Cut a line at about 1 ¾” from the folded edges and stop at the next score line. Cut another line at about 2 ¼”.

Step 3: (In this pic the 3 ½” side is on the left.) Apply glue in the first 3/8” scored area skipping the small part between the two cuts. Fold over to glue together.

Step 4: Pop out the pencil holder (since you didn’t apply glue there it should fold out.)
Attach a sticky note pad flush with the top fold. Embellish!

These instructions were based on a mini gel pen like the one in the picture.

If you want to use a golf pencil, I found that it slides out easily so I adjusted the dimensions.
Start out with a 7 by 3 ¼ inch piece of cardstock. Score at 3 3/8, 3 5/8, and
3 7/8 inches. Everything else is the same. It does make a smaller cover so I only used a half of a sticky note pad (50 sheets).

Since I had some rare extra free time I had a chance to make the tutorial a document you can down load right here!
Holder # 1
Stamps: Cute By The Inch
Ink: Night of Navy, Marina Mist
Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Night of Navy
Accessories: Whisper White 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, 1 1/4” square punch, Scallop Square punch
Holder #2
Stamps: Eat Chocolate
Ink: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red
Paper: Peach Parfait DSP (from InColor Hostess DSP stack), Whisper White, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffetta (retired), Sticky Strip

Friends Notepad Holder

2011-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today I have another 3-d item from my last class. I am still working on getting a tutorial done for the post it note holder, hopefully I can get it done tonight. It has been a busy week getting caught up everything that didn't get done over the holidays as well as getting back in the school groove. I got this project idea from Nichole Heady on her blog. She has the template for the pencil holder and cover here. I didn't have the notepads that she sells so I had to adapt the project to fit the notepads that I had on hand, which was a lot easier than I thought. I did have to trim my pages down a little bit as they were too long to fit in a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock. This was easy to do with my table top trimmer from SU! I was able to cut through large chunks of paper at a time as well as the chipboard backing easily.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala DSP

Tools: 1/2 inch circle punch

Tissue Box

2011-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is the season of runny noses and colds so one of our big projects at my class last week was a tissue box cover. These tissue companies try to make pretty/fancy decorations on their boxes but really none of them ever match my decor, so we fixed that problem last week.

I found the instructions on splitcoaststampers here. I had out all of my embossing folders and let them pick what pattern they wanted to use. They all turned out great.
I had several email requests for the post it note cover so I will work up a quick tutorial and post it in the next few days.

Diva Coffee Break Designs # 209

2011-01-05T02:00:00.000-08:00

It’s a sketch! I know that I have complained many times before about how difficult sketch challenges are for me, but I think that I am getting better at them. I dont seem to have as much difficulty as I used to in transforming a blank sketch into something that I am happy with. I do have to admit I was intimidated when I first saw this sketch. I could not instantly think of how I was going to use these long rectangles. But it all worked itself out in the end and I am happy with the card that turned out. I had to move my faux brads to the top instead of the bottom because my bow was too big and I did not like how my smaller bows looked. The brads are 3/8 inch circle punches from the mini punch bundle that are coated in crystal effects to make them pop and look a little more like a brad.

I would love to see what you can do with this sketch, so hop on over to the DivaCoffeeBreakDesigns Blog and check out what the other Diva Designers have created and link your creation for us to check out! (Wow talk about your run on sentence!)

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Thank You Kindly

Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pear PIzzazz

Paper: Whisper White, Pear pizzazz and Greenhouse Gala DSP

Accessories: Crystal Effects, Early Espresso

Tools: 3/8 inch circle punch

Post it Note Holder

2011-01-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

I love having post it notes or little pads of paper in my bag for jotting things down while I am out and about. My previous post it not holder has been floating around in my purse/diaper bag for over a year and was looking pretty sad so I decided it was time to update.

The design is based off of some notepads that I picked up in the dollar bins at the “M” craft store ages ago. I think that the cute little gel pens came from the Dollar Bins at the “T” store also a long time ago.

The stamped image is actually stamped on Whisper White cardstock but it was just too white looking so after I colored the flowers and leaves I made a “wash” with Soft Suede to give it more of an aged and softer look to it. I just used my aquapainter and squished the lid of the ink pad to pick up ink. By doing this it also softened the other colored images. I know there are several versions of these floating around out there in blog land but if you want me to post the directions just let me know and I will figure out a tutorial.

Stamps: Dreams du Jour

Ink: Soft Suede, Black, Melon Mambo, Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi

Tools: Stampin Sponge, Scallop Circle Punch, Aquapainter

I am ready for some sun!

2011-01-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

Finally we are forcasted for some sun and dry weather. Living in California we are not used to extended periods with out the sun, I know we are spoiled. Finally the rain and clouds are gone, sun for the next 5 days! So to celebrate the sun I have a nice bright and cheery card to share with you.

I created my own DSP using the Awash With Flowers stamp set on Shimmery White cardstock. The colors that I used were Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight. Of course it is still dark so the picture isn’t the best, it is really bright and shimmery in person. The sentiment if from the Just Believe stamp set. I just inked up each word one at a time to take the one line image and turn it into one that could be punched out with the circle punch.

Stamps: Awash With Flowers, Just Believe

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Basic Black

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade amd Shimmery White

Tools: 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 inch circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot, and Two Tags Die

It’s Magic

2010-12-29T21:40:00.001-08:00

Oh my, where oh where did December go? This year December flew by even faster than normal and was about 10 time more hectic that I have dealt with before. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We had a great one as a family, my DH was able to take a few days off of work and spend time with the family without any other pressing obligations. It was a great time. Now we are back to the grindstone, and in a few days the kids will be back in school. I spent what little stamping time, and I stress little, working on my project for Ustamp, so I didn't even do any Christmas stamping or projects. I am so ready for this year to be over with, 2010 wasn’t really that nice to us. I know that we had it better than many people but it was a really hard one for us. I am hopeful that 2011 will be a good one.

So a little while ago I finally tried my hand at a Magic card. These cards were always intimidating to me and I never even looked at attempting one. I finally bit the bullet and they were not that hard! This one is a simple young boy’s birthday card. Here is a shot of the magic in action. When you pull the ribbon the picture colors itself in! This is a shot of the tag pulled completely out.It was really fun to make. I did look through several tutorials until I found one that suited me and thought I could recreate. I know I wrote down the specific tutorial somewhere but as of the moment it escapes me but I think I actually used a video off of YouTube. I have to get back to some prepping for my class tomorrow night. I am so excited I have not had a class since before Halloween, had a few prepped but things came up and they were canceled, I am so glad to get back in the swing of things and a semi-normal life again.

UStamp With Dawn and Friends!

2010-12-04T00:30:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness I have some exciting news, the day that I finally started to get caught up and get back into my stamping I was asked to be a guest designer for UStamp! I am still in shock and a little overwhelmed that I was chosen. I have enjoyed the sessions that I have “attended” and can already tell you that this one is going to be a great one too!

It is going to be so much fun. We will be focusing on new items in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog as well as the Sale-A-Bration (SAB) catalog.

Today is the last day to sign up and receive the early bird pricing of only $19.95! After today you can still sign up with out the discount just visit www.ustampwdawnandfriends.com.

MDS Christmas Recipe

2010-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite holiday simple treat recipes. I try not to make it too often becuase it is so addicting. I am not a fan of the hard caramel corn that you can get most anywhere, this is a soft chewy caramel corn that is oh so yummy. I got the recipe years ago somewhere off of the internet. Anyways I did a hybrid project using My Digital Studio to create a recipe card to give to a friend.

The colors are Wild Wasabi and Cherry Cobbler. I printed the MDS page out at my local Costco because I just could not wait to get it done through SU! printer. I then trimmed it up and mounted it on the Cherry Cobbler and then Wasabi cardstocks. Then I placed a line of sticky strip on the top and bottom of the picture and poured on the Champagne Glass Glitter. I love this glitter, it is so pretty. In fact I just had to open up my 3 jar of it last night and it has all just been for my personal use, no classes involved.

Here is a close up of the recipe for those of you who are interested in it.

Fun Christmas Countdowns or Advent Calendars!

2010-12-02T09:59:00.001-08:00

Now that we are into the full on Christmas season I have a two Christmas Advent calendars or Countdowns that I have been waiting to share. The first is the mini muffin tin advent.

These are fun and easy to make and they are all over the internet. I am not sure who the original creator was. I had a great time in October teaching some ladies at work how to make these. Just a few punches, your favorite adhesive and magnets and what a great project. I found some scriptures that we put in the muffin wells to make this a great countdown to keep the real meaning of Christmas in mind. There is also room in the wells to put in a little chocolate or treat.

This next countdown is counting down the 12 days of Christmas. It uses the candy wrapper die, I created this when the die was first released and I am so excited that I came up with it all on my own I have just been sitting on it waiting to show it to you.

Here is what it looks like hanging from my undecorated mantle.

Here is a close up of the boxes. I used the same numbers for both the muffin advent and this one in MDS, printed on Vanilla cardstock and then just punched them out and layered them.

These are bigger than the muffin tin advent so you can put something a little more substantial in it. I designed them so that you just untie the candy wrapper from the main line on the appropriate day. Then you fold the box flat and it stores nice and compact for next year. This is the prototype version so it is a little plain. I have great hopes for one all decked out, I am trying to be optimistic that there will be time to get it done!

DCBD #205 It’s a sketch

2010-12-01T05:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is good to be back. I had a great post all ready to go a few minutes ago but my husband asked me to do something for him, which he could have done for himself, and we had a brief power outage. If I had only just hit publish instead of waiting to proof read it , there would have been a great long post for you. Now it is getting late, it is way past my bedtime and tomorrow is an early day so here is the reader’s digest version.

Life is hard.

I have not had a chance to stamp in more than a month until last night. Thank goodness I had everything ready for the Royal Blog Tour done way in advance. I was able to get the cards and stamp sets mailed out to the winner, Holly in KY and she received them safe and sound!

I decided to start simple while jumping back into stamping and this sketch really helped that. Here is the great Diva Sketch:

There is not all that much stamping on my card, and I was a little disappointed in that part but am happy with the card especially considering that it was my first attempt out of the gate.

And look I didn't even really have to alter the sketch! I love this time of year and am so excited to be able to listen to Christmas songs with out being teased! (I listen to Christmas music year round.)

Don’t forget to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to check out the samples that the other divas have made. Then get out your supplies, show us what you can do with this week’s challenge and add a link to your creation for us to all see!

P.S. Sorry it has been so long since I stamped I dont remeber the names of the punch, stamp set or DSP but they are all out of the Holiday Mini catalog. The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla. I promise next time to have a full recipe for you.

Royal Blog Tour ~ Make A Monster Stamp Set

2010-11-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to your next stop around the castle. While we are featuring monsters today we are not here to scare you but to entertain! Since Halloween has come and left us sweet rewards, I have tried to align my stamping with the thoughts of the royal court jester and make some merry monsters!
The first monster you will encounter today would like to put on a show for you…

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out;
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about! Really?!

Our next monster you will find hanging from the rafters of the castle. There is no need to fear bats and other creatures when you have this guy hanging from the ceiling. He is here to remind you to have fun and let yourself do something unexpected.

The last card has a pair of monsters that have fallen for each other. Even though he may be a monster, our young man has not forgotten that it is the little things that matter and brought a fresh picked flower for his girl (even though she may end up eating it!).

I hope you have enjoyed our little friends and will be inspired to pull out some monsters just to say “hi” to someone in your life.

As your royal gift from me you have the opportunity to enter for some blog candy. You will receive these cards as well as the Vintage Labels stamp set (clear mount). All you need to do is email me with your name and email address.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope your enjoy the rest of the tour!

DCBD #201

2010-11-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

I am a little late getting this post live but I am finally up and participating in the Diva challenges again. This week the divas have a great sketch for you to work with:

Like always after any stamping break it took me a long time to be able to come up with anything at all that I could do with this sketch. I liked the look of it better turned over and made a fun little Thanksgiving card.

It is a pretty basic card but one that was great for getting my foot back in the stamping door. Maybe tonight I can get some more done, with out falling asleep at my desk again!

Stamps: baroque Motifs, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: River Rock, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, River Rock

Accessories: Champagne Shimmer Paint (mist), Stampin’ Dimensionals

Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Oval Frame Die, Wide Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Designer Label Punch

Oh Wow

2010-11-02T19:14:00.001-07:00

I have not stamped in FOR_EV_ER. We really have been dealing with a lot over in the Brown household and I have not been able to keep all of my balls that I am juggling up in the air. Unfortunately the stamping and blogging balls were the first to get dropped. But my husband is back at work, we are all currently healthy and it is ready to try and get some other things going again. Thanks for being faithful and coming back. I do have some things from a while ago to show you, a lot of it is Halloween related so I will probably skip those, but don't forget to come back for the blog tour this weekend. Luckily they encouraged us to get an early start on it otherwise I would not be able to participate. I have had those done for a month now. I am going to my desk as soon as the kids are down so that I can work on tomorrow’s Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge it is a wonderful sketch so come back and check it out. Ok now on to some stamping.

This card is one that I did for my monthly swap on the sudemoonly yahoo group. The swap was due in the mail on Sept 30 so I am guessing that everyone has seen it by now and it is safe to post, I have not had a chance to see if everyone has or not. The swap was a Christmas themed one.

This is a shadow box card, I really love the way that it turned out. I was trying to do a little something different, I think that I found the instructions on splitcoast but it was so long ago I don't really remember. The ribbon is white taffeta ribbon dyed with cherry cobbler ink, I really wish we had actually ribbon in this color. I really like the touch that the glass glitter adds to the frame.

Have a great night, and I hope I can get back to chat with you soon!

DCBD Sketch Challenge #197

2010-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to another Wednesday Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge day. Wow the time is just whizzing by. I cannot believe it is already a few days into October. Crazy! There are only like 80 or less days left till Christmas. Ok back to the not so scary stuff, here is this week’s sketch.

I have been having a lot of fun playing with the Make a Monster set. I had to get this set because I was lacking in the boy department and my son and I instantly knew we had to get this set when we saw it in the new catalog. For today’s card I chose to make some silly monsters.I re-invested in some watercolor paper from Stampin’ Up! the last time I placed an order and I am sure glad that I did. I usually use shimmery white cardstock to watercolor but it just didn’t have the right feel for these little guys. I had forgotten how great the Stampin’ Up! watercolor paper really is and how easy it is to watercolor with it. It is such a great quality, you have to get some yourself to try! I just used my ink pads and an aquapainter for these goofy guys. By the way, my son (almost 7) pulled these colors together and wanted me to make a monster card with them, didn’t he come up with a good one?

Now it is time to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to check out the samples that the other divas have made. Then get out your supplies, show us what you can do with this week’s challenge and add a link to your creation for us to all see!

Stamps: Make a Monster, Word Play

Ink: Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy and More Mustard

Paper: Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Water Color Paper, Whisper White

Accessories: Dimensionals

Tools: Aquapainter, Decorative Label Punch

Book Monsters

2010-10-04T10:06:00.001-07:00

My son was chosen to be the star student a few weeks back at school. At the end of their special week, the honored student gets to bring in a treat of some sort to the class. They do not let you bring in homemade food like cookies and cupcakes, you have to buy store made items. I do not buy those type of things from the store because I think that they are way overpriced for what I can do from scratch at home and they do not taste near as well. So we always make something to give as a gift, usually school or learning oriented. This year my son chose to make “book monsters” for his classmates. These are little bookmarks that have little monster faces poking out at you when you put it in a book. These were so simple to make that Spencer who is 6 did them almost all by himself thanks to the Big Shot. They were made out of fun foam sheets and googlie eyes with minimal stamping. All I did was cut the sheets of fun foam into pieces that were 2 by 4 1/2, and he did the rest. Some of them Spencer drew a nose on and others he stamped a mouth. I think that this would be a fun little gift to sit down with your kids and make as a Halloween gift for their friends. Hope you enjoy and get to stamp with someone you love!

Stamps: Make a Monster

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Googlie Eyes, Fun Foam Sheets

Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags Die

Friends Never Fade

2010-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I just love the name of the stamp set Friends Never Fade. I needed a special birthday card for a friend that I have not seen in over a year. We have emailed each other and played phone tag a few times but our schedules have both been so crazy we have not been able to get together even though we only live about 30 mins apart from each other. Her birthday was just a few days ago and so I needed to make her a card. She loves any kind of yellow flowers (except sun flowers) so I just knew that the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper would be perfect. It paired nicely with the Pear Pizzazz DSP stack that can be earned as a hostess. Pear Pizzazz has taken over my stamping at the moment, my poor Certainly Celery has been neglected for a while. Maybe I will have to pull some out tonight. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, In Color Patterns Paper Pack (hostess level 1), Greenhouse Gala DSP

Accessories: Dimensionals

Tools: 1 3/4 inch circle punch, 2 3/8 inch scallop circle punch, word window punch, modern label punch, Big Shot, Clear Scallop Square Die

Letter-pressing some big wishes

2010-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

I ordered the letterpress plate that are in the new mini catalog and completly forgot to use them. I finally pulled them out and played around with them. I love the debossed colored image, it is so pretty. I pulled out all sorts of scraps and just played around with them for a while. I decided to put on to use on a card.

This card uses the northern trim letter press plate. It was pretty easy to ink it up using the craft ink spots. The scalloped border on the bottom edge was created using 3/4 inch circles.

Stamps: Word Play

Ink: Pumpkin Pie (craft), Night of Navy (craft), and Regal Rose (craft)

Paper: Whisper White: Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy, Regal Rose

Accessories: Dimensionals, Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Bold Brights Buttons

Tools: Big Shot, Northern Trim Letterpress plate, 2 3/8 inch scalloped circle punch, 1 3/4 inch circle punch

Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge #196

2010-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

This week’s challenge is a pretty color combination for you. I think that this weeks color swatch is pretty.

The colors are great, but they just seemed too much with most everything I tried. I don't know what the problem was with my stamping last week when I worked on it but I was not happy. I was going through the 4 samples I created and I just could not bring myself to posting them on here. So what did I do, I took time I should have been folding the laundry and tried again. This time I like what came out.

It is fairly simple but I already have something in mind for it so it came together nicely. I wanted to give my oldest a little something special for being a big helper this week. I made a little set to stick in her lunch box. She has been begging me more more of the silly bandz bracelets. I have only bought the kids a few but thought that she earned them for her help, so I made one of the treat containers and a package fits in there perfectly.

I hope that she will be excited and feel special when she opens her lunch.

Stamps: Wish Big

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz and Brights Designer Series Paper Stack

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Poly Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags Die, Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder, Treat Box Die, 1 3/4 inch scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, and small circle from the punch pack

Just Believe Again!

2010-09-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot seem to stop using the Just Believe stamp set no matter how hard I try. I seem to pull it out almost every time I get a chance to sit down and stamp. Today I used another fabulous color combination from the color coach. The colors are Tempting, Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, and Pear Pizzazz. It was late and the lighting was not the best which made the hand cutting hard. My shadow just kept getting in my way no matter which way I turned. It was a frustrating night. I really like the look of the colored layer popped up on the same color card base, it really created a great frame.

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink: Tempting, Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, and Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Tempting, Turquoise, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, and Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Poly Twill ribbon, stampin dimensionals

Another Quick and Pretty Happy Birthday

2010-09-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Don’t you just love when you come up with inspiration when you are not thinking about it. The other day I was cleaning scraps from several different cards off of my table at the time my color coach was open to the Poppy Parade card. I was staring at the color during my stamping session the night before because I really wanted to use the color but was not liking what I was doing. That's when one of my peach parfait scraps fell on top of the card, and my clean up was put on hold. I only had a few minutes so it had to be a fun yet simple card. Here is what I came up with.

I only put half of the peach layer in the embossing folder to get the Vintage Wallpaper image embossed on only the bottom half. The ribbon that is in the bitty button is actually a super thin piece of cardstock tied in a knot. I actually poked holes and fed it through the peach layer because I did not want to see a glue dot behind the button.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Craft Whisper White

Paper: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait and Whisper White

Accessories: Bitty Buttons, Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon

Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Bitty Punches Punch Pack

Diva Coffee Break Designs #195

2010-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Its is another fabulous Wednesday. It is a big day for DH, he is getting what he calls having his “eyes zapped”! Really it is just Lasik surgery but he has been wanting it for years and things all of the sudden fell into place and we had an opportunity we couldn't pass up. So today is the big day!

Last week was a fantastic color challenge so that means that today it is a sketch. Man I really had a hard time with this one. It just felt like there were so many elements to this sketch it really threw me for a loop. This one card took about 4 days in the design process. The colors and the stamps are completely different than what I started with and I even omitted the DSP that I thought I really wanted to use.

Here is the sketch we have to work with:

See it really isn't that bad, the sketch is a nice one but it wanted to give me a difficult time. It is a good thing I was ahead of the game when I was working on this one. Here is what I came up with:

I do have to say that I am very pleased with how my card turned out. I am glad that I kept trying this sketch instead of just completing one of my rejects. Now I just need to get to some of those and see what I can salvage out of them to make into other cards.

Now it is time to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to check out the samples that the other divas have made. Then you should get out your supplies, show me what you can do with this sketch and add a link to your creation for us to all see!

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze

Paper: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze and Whisper White

Accessories: Brights Designer Buttons, Stampin Dimensionals

Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Impressions Folder, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

Diva Coffee Break Designs #194

2010-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to another great challenge Wednesday. I love the color combo that the Divas’ have in store for you today. I love the Peach Parfait with the Cajun Craze, it is such a yummy combination.

I have been working on an all occasion gift set to give away to a hostess. These cards are square 4 1/4 inch cards, so that they will fit in a traditional a2 envelope with out having to pay for extra postage! I used this combo for the “get better” card.

I used my homemade shimmer mist to help in the creation of the flowers (shimmer paint and rubbing alcohol). It helps me to crumple and shape each punched flower as well as giving the flower a nice shimmer (the camera pick up a few shimmers as the little white dots on the photo). Plus the alcohol dries quickly. This was another great combo that I would have not been able to come up with on my own.

Now it is time to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to check out the samples that the other divas have made. Then you should get out your supplies, play along with us and add a link to your creation for us to all see!

Stamps: Word Play, Vintage Vogue

Ink: Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake

Paper: Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Wild Wasabi and Crumb Cake

Accessories: Champange Shimmer Paint (mixed with alcohol for mist), Dimensionals

Tools: Fancy Flower Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch

More Cute Owls

2010-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

With the beginning of the new school year comes the need to buy all sorts of new supplies. I also create several different bookmarks for each of my kids. I make all sorts of bookmarks for them, ribbon ones, corner bookmarks, plain flat ones, some with ribbons on the top and currently their two favorite bookmarks are paper clip bookmarks. The one on the left is for my son and the one on the right is for my daughter. I find reading so important that I want to encourage it in every way possible. When ever I find that they are losing their interest in reading I whip up a few more bookmarks and it rekindles the spark!

Paper: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Brights Designer Series paper stack, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie

Its getting a little spooky

2010-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well the stores are in full on Halloween mode and in fact I have even seen Christmas sprouting up! This is a quick card I created using the new stamp set Wicked Cool. It sure is a fun little stamp set to work with.

I sponged the edges of the whisper white layers as well as the card base to go along with the “spooky” feel. I really like the way that this turned out for my first try using this stamp set.

Stamps: Wicked Cool

Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Basic Black, and Brights designer series paper stack

Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals

Tools: Sponge

A little MDS

2010-09-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

With everything that I have going on in life I have been keeping a binder to keep my life in order from kids activities, appointments, lessons etc, even what days to do which chores! It was not perfect and I was telling a friend about it at the beginning of the summer. Well last week my friend sent me a link to a website where a lady does the same thing. I took some of her tips and combined it with my own and am liking the end result much better. Now that I have the binder set up better I thought it needed a cover page.

This was created in My Digital Studio. Although I used it for a cover page, all you need to do is add in a picture in the frame and it would be a great scrapbook page. Some of the elements (Well I guess most of them) are not from MDS but the “everything” stamp, the texture overlay stamp (early espresso on the top and left sides), and the alphabet are from MDS. I love the versatility of MDS and how easy it is to use other products with it. I have been collecting digital scrapbooking elements for almost 2 years, so it is great to finally start using them!

DCBD Sketch Challenge #193

2010-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is Wednesday already, can you believe it?! This week is just speeding by. Since it is Wednesday I have another fabulous Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge for you. This week it is a great sketch.
I usually struggle a bit with sketches. When I create I usually pick my colors, then the stamp set and see where it takes me. I have a hard time conforming my brain the other way around to work my planning out backwards. But this time I rotated the general orientation of the sketch and “boom” I knew exactly what colors and stamps I wanted to use. Ok back by request I will start adding in my supplies lists. I didn't know that people really checked them out and in my rush to get things done I have skipped that for a little bit, but it will be back now, sorry.
Don’t forget to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to check out the samples that the other divas have made and to play along with us!
Stamps: Word Play, Pretty Petals
Ink: Peach Parfait, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Peach Parfait, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals, Pear Pizzazz Poly Twill Ribbon
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Cutting Mat

Crazy meets Elegant

2010-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today I have another one of the birthday cards that I made to replenish my stash. I think that the little cupcake tower/stack is pretty cute. This card uses two of the new in color from this years collection, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz with a little bit of Early Espresso thrown in. I have previously enjoyed a similar color combo of Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery. While it is still a good combo, I really like this one too. It is a little more richer and modern looking. When I first made the card I had used the Elegant Lines Embossing folder on the actual card base, but it just did not feel right. By cutting the embossed cardstock and creating it as a layer on the same color card base I was able to get the feel that I was going for. I hope that you enjoy!

Swap Card

2010-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

I participate in a monthly swap. This month’s theme was "I just LOVE ___________ from the new catalog!" There were 3 stamp sets that I fell in love with and had to have. One of them was the Word Play stamp set. There are so many fun greetings in this set and they are all nice and big so they can be used as a focal point. I also really liked the Newsprint Designer Series Paper especially for the sheet music page (I want to sit down and see if I can actually play it at some point). I am really glad that Stampin’ Up! has continued to carry the satin ribbon because I just love that stuff. I have had a lot of fun with this stamp set and really love this card. I hope that everyone has received their cards, because I have been sitting on this one for almost a month now and cannot wait any longer to share it.

Oh and I forgot to add in the Elegant Lines Embossing folder as one of those things that I just had to get and fell in love with. I like the elegance of it yet the lines aren't super thin and weak looking, they are nice and bold! I think that this card is super simple to create for a workshop but will definitely create the WOW! effect, don’t you?