Dannie's Designs

Basic Pomegranate Sky

When I first started participating in the SplitCoast challenges, I couldn't understand how people could possibly combine two or three challenges into the same card.  The thought just overwhelmed me.  I guess I'm getting the knack for these challenges because lately I've been able to combine them.  Like today's card.  It combines this sketch challenge

 

and this weeks color challenge--Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, and Soft Sky.  Put them together and what do you get?



A HUGE card!  The challenge was to make a tall card that measures 9 1/4" tall by 4" wide.  Another part of the challenge was to score the front of the card at 3/4" and fold it back towards the front to expose the inside of the card.  Before I adhered the 3/4" strip down, I added a thin strip of Basic Black cardstock that I scalloped with my Corner Rounder.  Then to make sure that the strip stayed in place, I tied a piece of Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched ribbon around it. 

I used my coluzzle to cut out all the ovals.  I used my Corner Rounder and added scallops to the largest oval.  That was a little tricky.  Just don't look too closely at the photo or you'll see where they didn't quite line up! 

I layered the inside of my card with Basic Black and Purely Pomegranate cardstock.  I stamped a couple of the small flowers along the edge so you can see them when the card is closed.  I've learned that the trick to spacing stamped images evenly is by dividing your space in half.  First stamp the top and bottom flowers.  Then you want to divide that in half so you stamp the middle flower next.  Now you have a top half and a bottom half.  Now take the top half and stamp a flower in between those two flowers.  Do the same thing to the bottom half.  Now you have five evenly spaced flowers.  My spacing is a little off, but it's better than if I had started stamping at the top and worked my way straight down the side. 

I appreciate all of your comments about where you find color and layout inspiration.  I will definitely be checking those out.  Also I've had a few of you ask--yes, I do have a couple more sets of inspiration sheets left.  Check here for more details.  I'll see you tomorrow!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Shimmery White, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky
Accessories: Coluzzle, Dimensionals, Silver Brads, Rhinestone Brad, Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched Ribbon
Punches: Corner Rounder

May Stamp Class

I worked late last night finishing up my samples for my May stamp class.   I wanted to incorporate scrapbooking in honor of national scrapbook month.  I also wanted to use chipboard because it's on sale starting May 1st (spend $35 on Stampin' Up! products and get 25 percent off any On Board items from the Spring-Summer Collection).   So I made these chipboard, scrapbook wall hangings.



This idea was originally shared at Stampin' Up!'s leadership training in January.  It was so cute that I had to give it a try.  Each of these wall hangings measures 7 1/2" wide and 20 1/2" tall (measuring from the knot in the ribbon to the bottom of the last piece of chipboard).  Class details...

When:  Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm
Where: My House
Who: You and your friends.  If you live too far away to attend you can take this class through the mail.  **If you're a SU! demonstrator, see below for more details.
What: You pick if you'd like to make the boy wall hanging OR the girl wall hanging.
Cost: $25 each (plus postage if needed).  You can choose to make both wall hangings, but the cost of the class only covers ONE wall hanging.
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 9th

Email me ([email protected]) to register and for more detailed information about the class.

**Stampin' Up! demonstrators--If this is a class you'd like to offer to your customers, you can purchase a class planning kit for $15 from me (available May 1st).  It will include detailed information, directions, and pictures so you can recreate this class for your customers.  Email me for more details.

More Pretties

Whenever I'm struggling to get my stamping mojo going, I find that a good sketch challenge always help.  I think I work backwards from most stampers.  First I pick a layout to work with, then I pick the stamp set, then I pick the colors.  I think most people start with the stamp set first.  For some reason that doesn't work for me.  I need inspiration and direction.

This morning I was looking at the Great Swap Girls blog and I found this great sketch challenge.



It was just what I needed to get stamping this morning.  I pulled out my Pretties Kit again and started to play.



I used an Aqua Painter and my Bashful Blue reinker to color all the flowers blue.  When I first painted them, the color looked more purple than blue and I didn't think it would work.  I set them aside to try something else.  Several minutes later I looked at the flowers again and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they dried blue.  So don't give up on the flowers if they don't turn out at first.  Give them a chance to dry.  As you can see in the photo, they're almost an exact match to the Bashful Blue cardstock.

I used several of the half-back pearls from the Pretties Kit too.  I thought about hoarding them, but them I realized that if I run out I can always buy more.  Isn't shopping for more stamp stuff half the fun anyway?

I picked my color combination from the Le Jardin designer series paper (DSP).  I'm always hesitant to try new color combinations so I let Stampin' Up! do the work for me.  I just pick a pack of DSP and use the colors from there.  I can't go wrong that way.

Where do you get your stamping inspiration from?  Are there any great websites you use for layouts or color combinations (besides SplitCoast)?  If so, please leave me a comment and let me know where to look.  I'm always searching for new inspiration.

I'm finishing up the last sample for my May stamp class.  I'll be posting those tomorrow so be sure to check back.  I'll be starting registration for the class tomorrow as well.  Have a wonderful, happy Monday!  Thanks for stopping by.  ~Dannie

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Shimmery White, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue, Le Jardin DSP
Ink: River Rock, Bashful Blue
Accessories:  Pretties Kit, Aqua Painter, Very Vanilla Wide Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Inspiration Sheets Giveaway

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the next item that needs to move out of my stamp room is this huge stack of inspiration sheets.  I have no idea how many total different sheets there were (I've run out of several of them), but I still have over 60 different sheets left. 

If you're interested in a set, please email me ([email protected]) as soon as possible.  I'm asking $7** for a set (paypal only) which includes priority mail.  **If you're outside the US, the cost will be different.  Contact me and we'll work out the price of postage.

As I run out of a sheet, the next person in line will get one less sheet.  So if you want to make sure you get a copy of every sheet that I have, email me quickly.  I'll send these out on a first come, first serve basis.

For those of you who don't know what inspiration sheets are, they're stamping idea sheets.  Each sheet shows 6 projects made using the same stamp set.  60 different stamp sets times 6 projects each--that's over 360 ideas.  The idea sheets are great to use for layouts as well as color palette choices.  Although many of the stamp sets on the inspiration sheets are retired, the ideas are still fantastic.

I'll be out most of the day on Saturday, but I'll get back to you Saturday evening.  Thanks and happy Saturday!  ~Dannie

Chocolate Guava

I'm so happy it's Friday.  After this crazy week I definitely need some time to unwind and relax.  I sat down to stamp this morning and had no idea where to start.  So I thought I'd stick with my usual Friday routine and do the Mojo Monday sketch by Julee!



I saw this sketch on Monday and have been mulling it over in my mind.  What should I put in that large circle panel?  Then it hit me--a dahlia flower! 



Now that I have my card posted and I'm looking at it right below Julee's sketch, I just noticed that I put my little side panel pieces in the wrong position!!!  Oops!  There's no way to move them now.  It's Friday, it's been a long week...what more can I say?

For the directions on the dahlia flower, click here.  I think I'm addicted to making them.  I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch for the petals on the flower.  I love this Afternoon Tea designer series paper.  It's only available for purchase through the end of May and then I'm sure it will be gone for good because Groovy Guava will be retiring soon too.  I need to stockpile the retiring In Colors.

I tried to stick to Julee's sketch and add brads where she had them marked on the sketch.  I didn't think it would look right to poke a brad down through the middle of the ribbon, so I gathered the ribbon and used the brad to hold it in place.  Thanks Julee for another great sketch!

I've been working on my stamp room and gathering more stuff that I need to sell or give away.  I appreciate all of you who took card samples off my hands.  I sent out over 1000 cards.  The next thing I need to move out of here is inspiration sheets.   If you're interested in a set, check back tomorrow for the details.  I hope you have a great weekend!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Live Your Dream
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Afternoon Tea DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Coluzzle, Pretties Kit, Dimensionals, Theater Ribbon Originals

3 in 1

Don't you love it when you have very little time to stamp, but you still manage to pull off a card that fills three different stamp challenges?  That's what I did this morning.



This card uses a sketch challenge that was issued on SUDSOL last night.   (SUDSOL is an email group for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  They also have a website packed full of patterns, tips, handouts, and an amazing card gallery.  If you're a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you should check it out!)



I chose the colors for my card from the Color Combination Challenge on SplitCoast.  We were to use Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, and Pretty in Pink.  It's a great color combination.  Usually the color challenges are just that...challenges!  But this was an easy group of colors to work with.

Do you see the strip across the middle of my card?  All three layers are ribbon.  The Try a New Technique challenge two weeks ago was to stack ribbon.  I was happy to find that I had three different ribbons in three different sizes that were the same three colors as the color challenge.  Score!

Just a note...the Pretty in Pink Prints DSP is not in the back of the catalog.  It's one of the level one hostess benefits found on page 19 of the Spring-Summer Collection.  Contact me to find out how to earn this for free!

Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink Prints DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Silver Brads, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain, Certainly Celery Wide Grosgrain, Theater Ribbon Originals, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Scalloped Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Boho Blossoms

Where did this come from?

I started stamping with today's sketch challenge in mind.



I wanted to use the Baroque Motifs stamp set along with River Rock, Basic Black and Shimmery white cardstock.  So where did this come from?



This card definitely changed along the way.  I've never used this color combination before, but I think it works.  It's Apricot Appeal, Groovy Guava and Really Rust.  I think the Really Rust helps tone down the Groovy Guava.

The base of the card is stamped with the Polka Dot background stamp.  You can barely see it in the photo.  The other layers have the swirl stamp from Baroque Motifs stamped tone on tone.  I had a bit of fun with the paper piercing too.

This is the first time I've used the large flowers from my Pretties Kit.  I used two of them and offset them slightly to make the flower appear fuller.  I colored my flower with my Aqua Painter and my Groovy Guava and Really Rust reinkers.  I started with the Groovy Guava ink and colored in the center of the flower and the base of each petal.  Next I took my Really Rust and colored the tips of the petals and down the center crease in each petal. 
The colors blended very nicely together.

I finished my card with some off-white half back pearls from the Pretties Kit.  This may not have been what I intended to make at first, but I'm happy with the results!

Stamps:  Polka Dot, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Groovy Guava, Really Rust
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Groovy Guava, Really Rust
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit

Box with Scalloped Lid Tutorial

I have another video tutorial for you!  Yeah!!!  This video shows how to make this box with a scalloped lid.

Edited to add:  I used the 5-in-1 template to make this box.  This is a product that Stampin' Up! use to sell and it is now retired.  This was an item made exclusively for Stampin' Up! so no other company sells it.  You could try using a large can, plate, or some other round object to trace the scallops.



I originally learned how to make this box at Manager's Reception at leadership last year.  Kahanu Keawe was demonstrating how to use the 5-in-1 template and this was one of her projects.  I came home and immediately made one.  It's a very simple and elegant box design.  I love it.

Scroll down below the video for the measurements for the box.  I also have a couple of pictures of the boxes I made last year.  Enjoy!

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

Base of Box

• One piece of 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" cardstock.  Score it at 2 1/4" on all four sides.

Lid of Box

• One piece of 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" designer series paper.  Score at 1 5/8" on all four sides.
• Four pieces of 4 1/2" x 1 3/4" designer series paper for the corner scallops.
• One 30" piece of ribbon.
• I decorated the top of my box with a 3" x 3" card design.

Here are two boxes that I made last year.



I used the Happy Occasions stamp set and its coordinating Leaves and Swirls jumbo wheel to make this box--both of which are now retired. 



This box uses my favorite set--Roses in Winter.  I'm so sad this set is retired.  I still love it and use it.  Do you see something different on the bottom of the box?  I added feet!



These are flat glass marbles adhered with Glue Dots.  I'd love to see what you come up with after watching this tutorial.  Add a comment to this post so I can check out your creations.  ~Dannie

Recipe for the box in the video.
Stamps: Tart and Tangy
Paper: White, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories:  White Grosgrain, Real Red Grosgrain, Sticky Strip, 5-in-1 template, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scalloped Circle

Another Freak Swap

I just got my swap cards back from my second swap with the "Control Freak" group.  The ladies in that group are so talented!  I love each of the cards I got back.  Now that most of us have received our swap cards, I can show you what I made.

I used this sketch of Julee's again...



and my Pun Fun stamp set to come up with this...



My daughter thinks it's hilarious that it says, "I stink you're sweet."  She'll come up to me every now and then and say, "Mom, I stink you're sweet" and the fits of laughter will start all over again.  She cracks me up.

I colored my little skunk with a Going Gray marker.  After I was done you could see where each stroke of the marker was.  So I took my Aqua Painter (filled with water) and went over all the gray ink.  It helped soften it up and got rid of some of the lines from the marker tip.  Next I added a little bit of pink on the cheek and on the inside of the ears. 

I mounted the skunk layer on Basic Gray cardstock and then on Rose Red cardstock.  I added paper piercing around the outside of the Rose Red layer.  I also paper pierced on the Rose Red layer that goes across the entire front of the card. 

Today's card looks similar to another one I posted several days ago.



I needed to use the Pun Fun stamp set for my swap card.  I stamped both cards trying to decide which one to use for my Freak swap.  I couldn't pick which one to use, so I made my husband do it.  The blue card won. 

Stamps: Pun Fun
Paper: White, Basic Gray, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Cutie Pie DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Going Gray, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Silver Brad, Crafters' Tool Kit, Flower Fushion, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain
Punches: Ticket Corner

Another Mojo Friday

Do you ever wake up with a card idea in your head?  Normally I'd say "no," but that's what happened today.  I knew just the card I wanted to make.  It uses this great sketch by Julee.



Do you want to see it?!!



I'm so happy with the way it turned out!  I knew I wanted to use the flowers from the Embrace Life stamp set so I used the coordinating Ginger Blossoms designer series paper.  I love using both of them together.

The flowers are stamped in Black Stazon ink on Shimmery White cardstock.  They shimmer like they're covered in glitter.  I watercolored the centers of the flowers first with Summer Sun ink.  Next I added Groovy Guava ink and the edges of the flowers are colored with Ruby Red ink.  Watercoloring is obviously not one of my best talents, but I'm still learning. 

The base of my card is 5 1/4" square.  The photo doesn't show this, but the card is THICK.  I used dimensionals under each flower, under the black layer that the flowers are mounted on, and under the largest black layer that's attached to the card base.

This card also works for Sharon's challenge to use black accents on your card.  I love being able to combine multiple challenges on a card.

Do you want to know why I woke up thinking about flowers?  Because my friend Diane just sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  She brought me to tears.  I have never met Diane in person, but we met right here through my blog.  She is the sweetest person and I'm so glad I've gotten a chance to get to know her better.  Thank you Diane!!  Check out these beautiful flowers.

The colors are just gorgeous!

There are also some light pink flowers.

The flowers came with a note that said, "I hope this brightens your day."  They have brightened my entire week!  Every time I go into my kitchen and see them I smile.

I recently received the "You Make My Day" award from Jill Coleman. 

I'm supposed to nominate 10 people who I think deserve the award.  I'm giving all 10 of these awards to Diane.  Thank you again Diane!

Stamps: Embrace Life
Paper: Shimmery White, Groovy Guava, Basic Black, Ruby Red, Ginger Blossom DSP
Ink: Stazon Black, Summer Sun, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, Black Brads