Dannie's Designs

Two for One

Today I managed to make a card that fit two challenges into one.  Gotta love that!  I used this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast.



I combined it with the Day 7 challenge on Paper Craft Planet which was to create a card that is elegantly black and white.  We were also free to add just a splash of color.



When I saw the word "elegant" in the challenge, I instantly thought of Baroque Motifs.  Next to the Roses in Winter stamp set, this is my favorite set that Stampin' Up! has made. 

All of the white cardstock on this card is Shimmery White cardstock and all of the stamping is embossed.  This card really sparkles and shines.  There's just no way to capture it in a photo.

It was a little difficult dividing the panels in 1/3's across the front of the card, so I'll share my measurements with you.  The card front is the standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  The three Basic Black panels measure 1 3/4" x 4 1/8".  The three Shimmery White panels measure 1 5/8" x 4". 

All of the black images were stamped in Basic Black Craft ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  The Riding Hood Red images were inked in Versamark ink, then inked on the Riding Hood Red ink pad, and then stamped on the cardstock.  Then I embossed the images in clear embossing powder.

I think that pretty much sums up the card.  I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Baroque Motif
Paper: Shimmery White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Basic Black Craft, Versamark, Riding Hood Red
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Pretties Kit, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals
Punches: Ticket Corner

Sizzix Birthday Card

August was always a fun month when I was growing up.  Three out of the six children as well as my mother were all born the last week of August.  That's half the family!  Now that we're all grown, we've added some in-laws and grandchildren with August birthdays too (technically the family has more birthdays in October now, but those of us born in August don't like to admit it. lol!).  So in honor of birthday week coming up, I have lots of birthday cards to make.

I took today's sketch challenge on SplitCoast



and made this card.



Can you tell that I love the new Urban Garden designer series paper?  This is the first thing I ordered from the new catalog.  Forget new stamp sets--I needed new designer series paper first.   After I finished ordering the accessories, then I added a couple of stamp sets.  It's all about priorities!

My card base is 5 1/4" square so it will fit in the medium square envelopes.  I used the Upsy Daisy stamp set and colored it with Old Olive and Not Quite Navy markers.

 

The large scalloped circle is the Scalloped Circle #2 Big Shot die that I used for yesterday's card.  I used my coluzzle to cut out the two circle pieces that I layered on top of the scallop.  I added paper piercing in each of the scallops as well as around all four sides of the designer series paper layer. 

Don't forget that the Upsy Daisy stamp set is on sale through September 30th.  If you'd like to order this set, send me an email and I'd be happy to help you (DannieGrvs@hotmail.com).  I'm off to get ready for my new catalog open house tomorrow night.  I hope you have a wonderful day!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Urban Garden DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, Coluzzle, Scalloped Circle #2 Die
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Large Oval, Designer Label

Fabulous Flowers

Today I decided to make a card using my Fabulous Flowers stamp set.  I have seen so many beautiful cards made with that set, so I succumbed to the peer pressure and bought it.  It has been waiting patiently for me to ink it up for the first time.  Of course I always like some good inspiration to help me along, so I combined two challenges.  The Verve color challenge plus



today's sketch challenge 



equals this card...



I stamped the flower four times.  Twice in Pumpkin Pie Craft ink, once in Old Olive Craft Ink, and once in So Saffron Craft ink.  Then I embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder.  I cut them out and adhered them on top of each other with dimensionals.  The most difficult part was deciding which petals to leave on which layers.  I took the Old Olive flower and cut it into several pieces and let it poke out around the edges of the Pumpkin Pie flower.

As you can see, I added lots of paper piercing.  Especially on the main panel. 



I also added some texture by stamping the Rough Texture wheel in So Saffron ink.  I used my Horizontal Slot Punch to punch the holes for the ribbon.  The hole wasn't wide enough, so I punched it two times right next to each other (slightly overlapping the hole) so the ribbon would fit through.   

I need to run.  Only 13 days until I leave for convention and I have so much to do.  Have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll see you tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Rough Texture Wheel
Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
Ink: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Horizontal Slot

Simple Thanks

Yesterday I needed to make a quick thank you card.  Usually I find that whenever I'm in a hurry, my stamping mojo disappears.  Probably because I'm rushing around and I can't relax enough to let the ideas come to me.  So I went to the Featured Stamper challenge on SplitCoast so I could find some inspiration.  This darling card of Stephanie's was just the inspiration I needed.



I really seem to be into bold, bright colors lately.  I kept the layout the same but changed just about everything else.  I added a layer of Pumpkin Pie cardstock for interest.  I also decided not to round the corners. 

Quick, clean, simple, and darling.  Thanks Stephanie!  ~Dannie

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Bali Breeze DSP
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafters' Tool Kit

Featured Stamper Challenge

It has been a while since I've participated in the Featured Stamper Challenge on SplitCoast.  Teneale had so many great cards to choose from and it was difficult to pick just one.  I finally decided to copy this card of hers.

I changed the colors and the stamp set, but I kept the layout the same.  This is such a great layout that would work with so many different stamp sets.  I took my small oval punch and punched a hole in the striped piece of designer series paper so the Pumpkin Pie card base would show through.  I lined up the word "hello" (from the Cherished Memories Rub-ons) in the hole and rubbed it in place.  I finished it with a piece of Hodge Podge Hardware.

I stamped the flower twice--once in Bashful Blue and once in Brilliant Blue.  I cut the Brilliant Blue flower out, added a rhinestone brad and adhered it with a dimensional. 

You can also see in this photo that I stamped the Garden Annuals Wheel in Bashful Blue ink on the Bashful Blue strip of cardstock.  It's very subtle, but that's the look I was going for.

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: All Through the Year, Garden Annuals Wheel
Paper: White, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Jersey Shore DSP
Ink: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Cherished Memories Rub-ons, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Rhinestone Brad, Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals
Punches: Small Oval, Scalloped Circle, Circle (1 3/8", 1 1/4")

Dyed Flowers

Yesterday I mentioned that I had an idea for this sketch challenge on SplitCoast.



I got everything done but I was struggling with the Fusion Flowers.  The flowers seemed to get lost in the busyness of the background...



you can barely see them!  I tried adding the Old Olive flowers to make them stand out...



but that added a new color to the card and I wasn't sure I liked it.  Then it hit me...why not try dying the flowers with craft ink?   I took a couple of the Old Olive flowers, a sponge dauber, and my Tempting Turquoise Craft pad and I came up with these.



I kept dabbing the ink on the flowers until I had the color I wanted.  You can still see hints of green on some of the flowers, but I knew I was layering them and most of it would be covered up.

I will warn you...these take a LONG TIME to dry!  It's best to dye them and let them sit overnight.  I did *not* try the heat tool on them because I didn't know what happens to felt if it gets too hot and I didn't want to find out. 

Do you want to see the finished card?



The turquoise flowers were just what this card needed.  The flowers were Old Olive to begin with, so the Tempting Turquoise flowers are not a perfect match with the Tempting Turquoise cardstock.  Had the flowers been white to begin with they would have matched better.  Still, I like the look.

Maybe we all need to write Stampin' Up! and request white Fusion Flowers so we can dye them in all of our colors.  What do you think?  ~Dannie

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Bali Breeze DSP
Ink: Basic Black Craft, Tempting Turquoise Craft
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Black Brads, Dimensionals, Fusion Flowers, Crafters Tool Kit

Thank You Cards

Two weeks ago I went to visit my friend DellaRae (she recently lost her husband of 50+ years).  Her home was filled with gorgeous bouquets of flowers, her refrigerator was filled with food that people had brought over, and she had lots of people stopping by her house to check on her.  When I asked if there was anything I could do for her, she said she needed some thank you cards to send to everybody who has helped her and brought things over for her.

I decided to use this card (I posted this last week) as my inspiration for the thank you cards.



I made 30 cards--ten each of three different colors.



Instead of watercoloring and cutting out 90 flowers, I decided to use my 5-petal Flower punch to save time.  I ended up punching out 180 flowers, but it was still quicker than cutting out 90 flowers by hand.

I punched out Bayou Blue flowers and Soft Sky flowers and offset them on top of each other.  The Soft Sky flowers were difficult to see against the background, so I sponged around all of the edges with Blue Bayou ink to help them stand out.

I used More Mustard and So Saffron for this set of cards.  Unlike my sample card, I didn't stamp a sentiment on the front of the cards.  If she has any cards leftover she'll be able to use them for whatever occasion she likes.

This last set of cards uses Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.  As you know, I love dimensionals.  I restrained myself and didn't use them on these cards even though I wanted to.  I also didn't tie a bow with the ribbon.  I was trying to keep these cards flat so that she didn't have to pay extra postage to mail them. 

I had a lot of fun making these cards and seeing what the same layout looks like in different colors.  As always, thanks for stopping by.  I'll see you tomorrow!  ~Dannie

Blue Card
Stamps: Little Pieces
Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky Prints DSP
Ink: Blue Bayou
Accessories: Blue Bayou Double-stitched Ribbon, Sponge, 5-petal Flower Punch

Yellow Card
Stamps: Little Pieces
Paper: So Saffron, More Mustard, So Saffron Prints DSP
Ink: More Mustard
Accessories: More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge, 5-petal Flower Punch

Pink Card
Stamps: Little Pieces
Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pretty in Pink Prints DSP (level 1 hostess set),  Spring Fling DSP
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Rose Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Sponge, 5-petal Flower Punch

Pizza Box

As you know, I love making 3-D projects.  I just discovered this morning that they issue a 3-D challenge every Friday on the demonstrator only side of SplitCoast (the link to the challenge will only work if you have access to the demonstrator only portion of SplitCoast).  The challenge was to make one of Jen's mini pizza boxes.  I had this project on my "to do" list so this was the perfect opportunity to make it.



I kept my design very simple.



I colored one of the flowers from the Pretties Kit with my Regal Rose reinker and an Aqua Painter.  I layered it on top of a larger flower and used a Rhinestone brad to hold them together.  I adhered them to the top of my pizza box with a Pop-up Glue Dot.



When I started making this box, I was wondering what I could put in it.  As I was looking around my stamp room, I saw these Stampin' Up! post-it notes that I recently purchased.  They fit perfectly.  I couldn't have asked for a better fit if I had taken the measurements and designed the box myself!  Thanks Jen for the fun project.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Remember, today's the last day to take 10% off all stamp sets on the retiring list.  Look through the list (links are on the left side of my blog) and email me your order today!  ~Dannie

Paper: White, Regal Rose, Spring Fling DSP
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Regal Rose Wide Grosgrain, Pop-up Glue Dot

Simple Sketch

I love this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast.



I should have known by its simple yet beautiful design that it was from Kristina Werner.  I really like her stamping style.



I was complicating the card by trying to stamp different designs on each of the layers.  Then I remembered the Prints Pack of designer series paper (DSP) that I got for free as a hostess gift.  I used three pieces of the Apricot Appeal Prints DSP and some Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  It's such a pretty color combination.

TIP: When you put together a new stamp set, keep the empty sheet that the stickers came on.  You don't need to keep all of them from every stamp set you buy, just one or two is enough.

Do you see the striped piece of DSP (layer 3 in the sketch) that has the words "embrace life" stamped on it?  I was in such a hurry to put this card together, that I put adhesive on the back of the paper before I stamped the words.  I didn't want to adhere it to the card yet in case I messed up and stamped the words crooked.  How did I fix it?  I stuck the paper down to my empty sticker sheet, stamped the words, and peeled it off the sheet without damaging my paper.  Those sticker sheets come in handy!

I stamped the flowers in Black Stazon ink on Shimmery White cardstock.  I colored them with my Aqua Painter and Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal reinkers.  The shimmer from the cardstock shows through the color.  These flowers sparkle!   I cut them out and mounted them on my card with dimensionals.   

I think I'll be using this sketch for my convention swap cards.  So don't be surprised if you see it again on my blog.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful day.  ~Dannie

Stamps: Embrace Life
Paper: Shimmery White, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal Prints DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

Carte Postale

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my last post and let me know what you think of video versus picture tutorials.  All of you have given me some things to think about.  I will definitely keep doing video tutorials (I love making them), but I will also try to incorporate more written directions and possibly a pattern to print off.  My husband is going to teach me how to use Publisher so I can make my own patterns.  Hopefully I can pick it up quickly.  If any of you Publisher users have tips, I'd love to hear them.

I didn't get a chance to stamp yesterday so I set aside some stamp time this morning.  The first place I looked for inspiration was the sketch challenge on SplitCoast.



Another great sketch.  Roxie does such a great job with these.



I decided to turn the layout on its side so I could use my Carte Postale stamp set. 



The idea for the center piece came from page 148 of the Spring-Summer catalog.  I look through the greetings section of the catalog often, but I'm always looking for a saying and I don't notice the card samples. 

I stamped the flower image twice.  Once in Blue Bayou ink on Bashful Blue cardstock and a second time in So Saffron ink on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I cut them both out, layered them with a dimensional in between, and added a half-back pearl to the center.  On both of the other panels I added paper piercing around all four edges, but on this panel I only pierced two sides. 

As always, thanks for stopping by.  I'll see you tomorrow!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Carte Postale
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Le Jardin DSP
Ink: Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, So Saffron
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Brocade Blue Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals