Dannie's Designs

Birthday Diorama Card

Every time one of my nieces or nephews has a birthday I always try to send them a birthday card.  It may not always be on time, but I try my best. 

About two years ago I sent my nephew a birthday card that had a really neat fold to it.  When he got the card in the mail he took it to his mom and said, "look how cool this is mom!"  Whenever I can get a teenage boy to think that something I stamped is "cool", I feel like I hit the jackpot.  Ever since then, I have felt this pressure (I know it's all self-imposed) to be the "cool" aunt who sends "cool" birthday cards.  I'm such a dork! 

Well, today is my niece's birthday so here's her "cool" card.

I made her a Diorama card using the Unfrogettable stamp set.  Here's another picture of the card from a different angle so you can see the different layers.

Each of the three layers is spaced one inch apart, yet it can still fold flat for mailing.  I got the pattern here, except my measurements are a little different.    I used two pieces of card stock that were 8 1/2" x 4" and one piece that was 6 1/2" x 4".  I just made it 4" wide instead of 3" wide.   The score marks are all the same.  I punched my three circles just like it shows in the directions, then I rotated my paper 180 degrees and punched three more circles on the other side. 

On the front layer I sponged some clouds with my white craft pad.  I couldn't find my cloud stencil, so I free-hand cut some cloud shapes out of some scratch paper and used that. 

The picture is a little deceiving in that it looks like the frog is perched on the mushroom.  The mushroom is actually on the middle layer and the frog is on the back layer of the card.  It was unintentional, but I like the way it turned out.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Daisy Field Wheel
Paper: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, White
Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery, White Craft, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Bashful Blue
Punches: Three For You Flower Punch, Circle Punches (1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1/4")

Nugget Tin

As soon as I saw that this week's "try a new technique" challenge on SplitCoast was a clear sleeve nugget tin, I had to do it.  I've never tried a new technique challenge, but this was too cute to pass up.  I knew the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit (SSK) would be perfect for this project.

I got the pattern for my nugget box here.  If you scroll down to post #5, I used the pattern called "nugget_box_6_short.pdf".  I cut my strips of DSP to 1" x 3" to fit around the nuggets.  I used the self-adhesive die cuts from the SSK to decorate the tops of my nuggets as well as for the belly band and top of the box. 

NOTE:  It's very important to use Hershey's NUGGETS...not Hershey's treasures or other similarly shaped chocolates.  I once tried to make a box like this using Hershey's treasures.  After remaking the box three times because the chocolate wouldn't fit right, I finally realized that it was the chocolate that was the wrong size...not my score marks.

What box of chocolates would be complete without a matching card?

I made this 3x3 card using a technique that was shown at a recent Stampin' Up! regional.  I'm not sure if it has an official name, but it uses the Round Tab Punch.

First, open your card and insert the front of the card into the round tab punch as far as it will go.  Center it right to left and then punch it out. 

Rotate your card front 90 degrees and insert it into the punch again.  You'll see how the rounded edges of the punch line up with the punch you just made.  Line them up nicely and punch it out again.  You're now left with a circle in the front of your card.

For the inside of my card, I used my Round Tab Punch and punched out two pieces of Wild Wasabi textured card stock.  I set one down and then rotated the second one 90 degrees and placed it on top.  I glued it all together, added my die cuts and my card was done.  Here's how it looks on the inside.

Here's both of them together.

Paper: Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Real Red Eyelets, Silver Elastic Cord, Crop-a-dial, Acetate, Nuggets

Star Box

At one of my recent downline meetings, Jessica taught us how to make these star boxes. 

You can find the directions for the box here.  The base for the star box is an 8.5" x 10.5" piece of Chocolate Chip card stock--most of which is covered by two strips of Brocade Background DSP.  I covered the seams between the different layers of paper with some Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon.

 

For the lid of the box, I started with a 3" x 10.5" piece of DSP.  I scored, folded, cut, and adhered it together just like I did for the bottom of the box.  The lid is basically just a shorter version of the bottom.  Even though the score marks are all the same, the lid fits on the base just fine.  I finished the lid off with my favorite accent--the scalloped circle punch layered with two punched circles.

Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Brocade Background DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, Both Circle Punches, Three For You Flower Punch, Brads, Crafters' Tool Kit, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

Oval Box Tutorial

Several weeks ago I posted these oval boxes and it generated a lot of emails asking me how to make them.  There wasn't a simple way to make a photo tutorial, so I made a video tutorial instead.  My sweet husband filmed me and then did all of the editing needed to upload the video to YouTube.  I love being married to an I.T. guy who can do all this computer stuff for me.

I had to break the video into two parts. 

If you get an error saying "video no longer available," try refreshing your screen (F5).

Part I....



Part II...

If you found this video helpful, I would love to hear about it.  Comments are always welcomed and appreciated!

Stamps: Baroque Background Stamp
Paper: Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain, Coluzzle

3 x 3's

This weekend sure was crazy.  With Thanksgiving, shopping on Black Friday, decorating my house for Christmas, and the kids home from school for five days...I didn't get much time to stamp.  I'm happy it's Monday and I can get back into a normal routine again.

Whenever my stamping time is limited, I'll make some little 3 x 3 cards.

I used my favorite stamp set again...Baroque Motifs.  I also used the coordinating Brocade Background DSP.  Once I added the DSP, the cards were practically done.  I added a couple of accents and they're finished.  If only house cleaning was this quick and easy!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Brocade Background DSP
Ink: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Crafters' Tool Kit, Pretties Kit, Brads, Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain, Scallop Circle Punch, Three For You Punch, Sponge

Christmas Tree

I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I had a wonderful time cooking and spending time with my family.  I wish the day could have lasted just a little longer. 

Now that Thanksgiving is over, that means Christmas is right around the corner.  When I think of Christmas one of the things that comes to mind is the Christmas tree.  I have seen so many different paper Christmas trees, that I decided to make one myself.

I started with a 3 7/8" x 8 7/8" styrofoam cone that I bought at Michaels.  All of the paper strips are 6" x 1/2" except for the very top row which measures 3 1/2" x 1/2".   

I covered the top of the cone with a punched scallop circle.  I put adhesive in the middle and stuck it down and bent the edges around the cone.  As you can see in the photo, I used flat head pins to hold down all of the layers except for the very top layer.

Here's a look at the finished tree without the ornament on top.  The top row holds down all of the edges of my scalloped punch that I glued on top of the cone.

For the top I made a scalloped punch ornament.  I punched out eight scalloped circles and punched the star in the center.  Here's a look at the tree topper flattened out.

I added some glue dots to the top of my cone and stuck my punch ornament on top.  Now I need to make some of these scalloped ornaments to hang on my real Christmas tree.

UPDATE:  Nessie asked me how many strips of DSP were in each row.  Starting at the bottom of the tree...

Row 1: 20
Row 2: 17
Row 3: 15
Row 4: 12
Row 5: 10
Row 6: 8
Row 7: 8 (both rows 6 and 7 are pinned right on top of each other with the ends of their loops lining up at the top of the tree)

Paper: Dashing Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, Star Punch, Styrofoam Cone, Pins, Glue Dots

Ornaments Revisited

Before I show you my latest creation, I have some questions to answer from emails and comments I have received.  All of these questions are about this glass ornament I posted two days ago.

The size of the glass ornament I used is 67mm or roughly 2 3/4" across.  I cut my transparency/acetate in a 2 5/8" circle.  The acetate was a little snug fitting into my ornament.  I think next time I'll cut the circle 2 1/2". 

Lynne asked if I anchored the snowmen to the inside bottom of the ornament.  No, I did not.  The acetate circle is just sitting inside there.  Using my tweezers I was able to position the acetate just where I wanted (right in the center of the ornament) and then I dumped in my fake snow.

Kris said, "I'm having issues with the fake snow and static.  It all sticks to the transparency.  Any recommendations?"  I'm not having any issues with static at all.  I bought a bag of "Snow Flakes" (that's the brand on the bag) from Target in the Christmas section and that's what I'm using.  You may want to try rubbing your embossing buddy over both sides of your acetate before you roll it up and place it in your ornament.  If you don't have an embossing buddy, try using a dryer sheet instead to help get rid of the static. 

As far as what kind of transparencies to buy, I bought the 3M brand that says "Write-on Transparency Film" on the box.  I have heat embossed on this kind and the plastic hasn't melted.  Of course I was sure to move quickly as I was embossing because I'm sure if I left it under the heat long enough it would eventually melt.  I know there's another type of transparencies that are made for going through photocopiers, but I'm not sure how that kind holds up to heat embossing.  I can only vouch for what I have used.

I think that's all of the questions.  If you have more, please let me know.   Now on to the new stuff!

I mentioned in my last ornament post that I was going to play around with glitter instead of white embossing powder.  Well I played, and I love the results!  Before I show you the photo let me just preface it with this...no, you're not seeing double.  I decided that in order to show you a true comparison, I needed to use the same stamp and the same colors and just change what I did to the back of the acetate.

Can you see the difference (you can click on the photos to enlarge them)?   

Here's the first ornament I made using versamark and white embossing powder. 

Here's the second one using glitter.

First I stamped the snowmen with Stazon and colored them in with Sharpies.  Next I took my acetate outside and sprayed spray adhesive all over the back (I bought the spray adhesive at Target too and they actually carded me when I bought it!).  Then I dumped Dazzling Diamond glitter all over the adhesive and shook off the excess.  Last I cut the snowmen out with my coluzzle.  It's important to cut it out last because you need to be able to hold onto the acetate without touching the adhesive.  It so much easier that way.

Here's my snowmen before I put them in the ornament.  I was able to roll up the snowmen right away--the adhesive was completely covered so it didn't need to dry--and put them in the ornament. 

If I had to pick between the two, I'd pick the glitter one as my favorite.   I think it's going to be beautiful hanging on the tree with a Christmas light shining behind it.  It will make the glitter sparkle.  Oh, and the glitter ornament is easier to make too!

Stamps: Flaky Friends
Paper: Transparency
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Sharpies, Spray Adhesive, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Ornament, Snow Flakes, Mellow Moss Grosgrain

Origami Box

Today I wanted to try another project from the "Holiday Project Showcase" on SplitCoast.  I needed a box to put a gift in, so I made one of the Origami boxes (click here for the tutorial).   

I started with a 12" x 12" piece of Brocade Background Designer Series Paper for the top of my box.  For the bottom of my box I used an 11 1/2" square piece of Old Olive card stock.  I wanted to do something unique on the top of the box, so I used the "Dahlia Fold" to make a flower. 

Using another piece of Brocade Background DSP, I punched out 8 circles (using my 1 3/8" circle punch) and folded them like this.  Since my paper is double-sided, I folded four of them with the first pattern on top and the other four with the second pattern on top.  I cut out a 2 7/8" circle of Old Olive card stock with my Coluzzle and glued all my Dahlia petals to it.  I finished off the center with a Rhinestone Brad.  I love the way it turned out.

To see another card I've made using the Dahlia Fold, click here.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Brocade Background Designer Series Paper
Ink: River Rock
Accessories: Rhinestone Brad, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Coluzzle, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, Bone Folder

Glass Ornament

This weekend I got a chance to make a glass ornament for our Christmas tree.  I showed it to my son and the first thing he said was, "Wow!  Is this going to hang on our tree this year?"  To which my husband replied, "Yes, but first it will hang on your mother's blog."  I got a big chuckle out that.  So here's my ornament...hanging on my blog.

I stamped my snowmen on a transparency (you can buy them at any office supply store) in Stazon ink.  Once the ink was dry, I turned it over and colored all over the back of the snowmen with my versamarker.  Next I dumped white embossing powder on the versamarked images, shook off the excess powder and then embossed it. 

Once that was done, I cut out the snowmen with my coluzzle.  By not cutting it out first, I had more of the transparency to hold on to when I embossed so my fingers didn't get burnt.  I was also able to see where the snowmen were as I cut them out so I could make sure they were centered.

After I cut the snowmen out, I colored the front of my image with Sharpie markers.  Once it was dry, I rolled up the transparency and dropped it down inside my ornament.  I made a funnel and added my fake snow, put the top of the ornament back on, and added the ribbon.

I think later this week I'm going to try another glass ornament.  This time instead of using white embossing powder I'm going to use glitter instead.  Of course I'll be sure to post a picture.

Stamps: Flaky Friends
Paper: Transparency
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Sharpies, White Embossing Powder, Versamarker, Ornament, Snow Flakes, Red Grosgrain

Plan B

What do you do when....you're in a hurry to throw together a last minute project and you don't know what to do.  So you call your friend who not only gives you an awesome idea (a decorated Santa candy bar), but she also gives you all the directions, dimensions, colors, etc.  So in a hurry you run to the store, buy the candy bars, race home, cut all your card stock, start sticking it all together only to find you bought the wrong size candy bars!!!!  After you're done panicking and stressing out, I'll tell you what you do...you go with plan B. 

These candy bars were supposed to be little 5 oz. bars, but instead I bought the 1/2 pound bars.  I used my Holiday Harmony Designer Series Paper and covered them in a piece that was 7 1/4" x 9 3/4".  I used Chocolate Satin ribbon on the Dark Chocolate candy bars and Purely Pomegranate Satin ribbon on the Milk Chocolate bars.  They're not as cute as a Santa would be, but I still think they turned out alright.  Next time I'll plan ahead better (yeah right!).

Stamps: All About U
Paper: Holiday Harmony DSP, Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Silver Elastic Cording, Silver Eyelets, Crop-a-dial, Ticket Corner Punch, Pomegranate and Chocolate Satin Ribbon