Dannie's Designs

Fabulous Flower Mojo

I've been struggling with my mojo lately and I knew just where to turn for inspiration.  Julee's Mojo Monday sketch! 

I had so much fun with this card seeing how many layers and little details I could add. 

I added paper piercing around both rectangle layers and around the circle.  I cut both of the circles out with the coluzzle.  While I had the coluzzle out, I took a scrap piece of paper and cut out a circle that was one size smaller than my designer series paper (DSP) circle.  I placed the scrap circle on top of the DSP and used that as my guide as I pierced holes around the circle.  It worked like a charm. 

I embossed the flower four different times on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I cut the flowers out and layered them on top of each other with dimensionals.  It added a lot of depth to the flower.  To emboss the flowers, I inked up my stamp in versamark ink and then I inked it on my classic stamp pad.  Then I stamped it on my cardstock and added clear embossing powder.  This is an easy way to emboss in any color ink pad that you own.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Urban Garden DSP
Ink: Versamark, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Silver Brads, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Coluzzle

Cookie Making Kit

I apologize for going MIA the past couple of days.  I needed to slow down for a few days and concentrate on what's most important to me--my family.  We've had fun working on jigsaw puzzles, baking cookies, and playing together.  It really rejuvenated me.

Over this past month (since my surgery) I have been the recipient of so much service.  People from church gave my children rides to and from school and their various activities, brought dinners to us, did my dishes, and even picked up groceries at the store for me.  Many of the people who helped are stay-at-home mothers just like me.  I was trying to think of something I could do to thank them for their service and then it hit me--cookies!  I had so much fun baking cookies with my children that I thought I could share that fun with them and let them bake with their children too.  So I made this...



a cookie making kit.  I purchased the cookie mix, frosting, cookie cutters, and napkins from Target (I used the napkins to line the bottom of the bag).  The cookie mix was in the baking aisle and everything else was in the Halloween section.



I punched a 1/4" hole in the sealed portion across the top of the cookie mix bag.  You don't want to punch the hole too low or the mix will spill out the hole.  I threaded some grosgrain ribbon through the hole and tied on two of the cookie cutters.



I bought this fun orange frosting with Halloween sprinkles in the lid.  I cut a 3 1/2" x 11" piece of designer series paper and wrapped it around the outside of the frosting container.  I added a 1" x 11" piece of Basic Black cardstock for a belly band and then tied some Tangerine Tango ribbon around it.



I also added a scalloped medallion to the top of the frosting can.



The last item I made was a 3x3 card to use as a thank you note.  I used three large oval punches and two small oval punches to make this pumpkin.  I sponged around the edges of all of the ovals to make the layers stand out more.  For the stem I used a thin piece of Close to Cocoa cardstock.

The pumpkin seemed to be lost sitting on top of the designer series paper (it was too busy), so I added the black circle.  I used the Baskets & Blooms big shot die to cut the circle out--it's the bottom of the basket.

I have several more of these to make and then I can deliver them, so I better run.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Batty For You
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Ghostly Greetings DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Tangerine Tango Ribbon, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Large and Small Oval, Scallop Circle, Circle (1 1/4", 1 3/8", and 1/4")
Big Shot: Baskets and Blooms Bigz Die

Big Shot Scallop Envelope Box

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  With the days flying by as quickly as they are, Halloween will be here before I know it.  I love to give my children's teachers a Halloween gift, so I made these Scallop Envelope boxes.



As I blog hop, I like to open new tabs every time I see a fun idea I want to try.  It's my way of temporarily bookmarking the page without using bookmarks.  I had about 10-15 tabs open last week--one of which was to the original creator of this idea--when somebody used my computer and closed all of my tabs!!!  Yeah, I was a little upset.  So I don't know who to credit for this wonderful idea.

Here's how I made the box.

Step 1: Using the Big Shot, cut out 4 Scallop Envelopes.  Make sure to cut these out one at a time.  If you try to cut out more than one at the same time, the die may cut the cardstock where it should score it.  The sandwich I used on my Big Shot was Cutting Pad, Crease pad shims (white plastic sheets that come with the Crease Pad), Scallop Envelope Bigz Die, Cardstock, and the Premium Crease Pad.  Remember, if you're using the Premium Crease Pad, you do NOT use the top cutting pad.

Step 2: Look at the scallops on the envelopes to see which is the front side of the cardstock and which is the back side.  As you can see in the photo below, the front side is smooth where the dotted lines are cut near each scallop.   The back side of the cardstock is all bumpy where the dotted lines are cut near each scallop.  You can click on the photo to see an enlarged version.



Step 3: With the front of the cardstock facing up, follow the score line and cut off the right flap on all four of the envelopes as shown in the photo below. 



Step 4: Turn the cardstock over so the back bumpy side is showing.  Add two pieces of Sticky Strip to each envelope as shown in the photo.



Step 5:  Remove the sticky strip off the right flap and adhere one of the other scalloped envelopes *on top* of the flap.  Even though this is the bumpy back side, this is the outside of the box so the flaps need to be under the envelope to the right.



Step 6:  After all four envelopes are adhered together, bring the last remaining flap around and adhere it to the inside of the first envelope.



Step 7:  Turn the box upside down so it's standing on the scalloped edges.  Fold in the top and bottom flaps.  Add Sticky Strip to the left and right flaps.  Remove the red liner on the Sticky Strip and fold the left and right flaps in to form the bottom of the box.



Step 8:  Now that the bottom is formed, it's time to decorate the sides.  The distance around the box is greater than 12" so it will need to be pieced together with two pieces of designer series paper (DSP).  I started with a piece of DSP that measured 2" x 11" and adhered it to the box as shown in the photo below.  I cut a second piece of DSP that was 2" x 2 1/2" and adhered it on top to cover up the remaining side of the box.



Step 9:  Remove the red liner on the Sticky Strip on each scalloped flap and adhere all four flaps down.  Decorate the box with ribbon and embellishments as desired. 

The finished size of the box is 2 1/4" tall and each side is 3 1/4" long.

If you decide to make one of these, I'd love to see your creations.  Please leave a comment on this post so I can see what you've made.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Batty for You
Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Ghostly Greetings DSP
Ink: Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Basic Black Grosgrain, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit, Large Cello Bag
Punches: Scalloped Circle, Circle (1 1/4" and 1 3/8")
Big Shot: Scallop Envelope Bigz Die, Premium Crease Pad

And the winners are....

The two winners of the blog candy are Cula Parker who shared a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and Kadie Labadie who shared a recipe for Chocolate Bliss Cheesecake. 

Congratulations Cula and Kadie!  Please email your address ([email protected]) and I'll get your goodies in the mail to you. 

I also wanted to thank all of you who submitted recipes.  You should take a look through all of the recipes (you can see them here) and give them a try.  I can already feel myself gaining some holiday pounds.  I can't wait to try these recipes!  ~Dannie

Time's Almost Up!

The deadline is quickly approaching for two things.

First, you have until midnight tonight (PST) to enter my drawing for blog candy.  Since there are so many entries, I'll be picking TWO winners and announcing those tomorrow.

Second, tomorrow's the last day to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $99!  You can choose from three different Starter Kits* with three different focuses, depending on your interests--and each one is only $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit

Fun & Fast Notes stamp set	p. 67
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	p. 163
Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11")	p. 164
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 163
SNAIL Adhesive	p. 191

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit

Contempo Alphabet stamp set	p. 157
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party	p. 175
Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 164

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit

Inspired by Nature stamp set	p. 100
Chocolate Classic Ff Décor Elements	See Décor Elements brochure
Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes Décor Elements	See Décor Elements brochure
Décor Elements Applicator	See Décor Elements brochure
Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 162

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, you may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

If you want even more product, select our standard $199 Starter Kit during this promotion and get a stamp set of your choice from the catalog for free--up to a $41.95 value!

Contact me today ([email protected]) to sign up!  ~Dannie

Chipboard Snowflake

Today I decided to try Beate's weekend sketch challenge.





This sketch was a little out of my comfort zone as I normally don't do circular shapes for layers.  I decided to pull out my Big Shot and use both of the Scalloped Circle dies for the Night of Navy circles.  I used my Coluzzle to cut circles from Shimmery White cardstock to layer on top of the scalloped circles. 

The photo doesn't show it very well (unless you click on it to enlarge it), but I added a row of paper piercing around all four sides of the designer series paper and in each scallop on the scalloped circles.  This paper piercing is an addiction.  It's so difficult for me to use scallops and not put a hole in each one of them.



Although the glitter looks silver in the photo (it's really difficult to photograph glitter), it's really the light blue Fine Cosmo Glitter.  Here's how I made it.

• I placed the chipboard snowflake on a piece of scratch paper and smooshed my Versamark pad all over the top of it. 
• I covered the snowflake in Heat and Stick powder, shook off the excess, and heated it with my Heat Tool until the powder melted and became shiny.
• I covered the snowflake in light blue Fine Cosmo glitter, shook off the excess, and heated it with my Heat Tool again to finish setting the Heat and Stick powder.
• I attached the snowflake to the card using Mini Glue Dots.

As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving such wonderful comments!  ~Dannie

Stamps: To You and Yours, Best Wishes and More
Paper: Shimmery White, Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Versamark
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Heat and Stick Powder, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Coluzzle
Big Shot: Both Scalloped Circle Dies

Bellas Bloom

Guess what?  I actually stamped today!  It felt so good.  I'm feeling a little rusty, but I'm pleased with how my card came out.  I volunteered to host the online swap on SUDSOL this past week and I picked the new Bella stamp sets--Bella Blossoms, Bella's Bloom, and Bella Toile.  I don't think I would be a good swap hostess if I didn't participate myself, so here's my card.



My inspiration for this card came from two places.  Julee's Mojo sketch



and Kristina's color challenge.

Here are a couple of photos to show you how I made the card.

I stamped the "from our home" image on Very Vanilla cardstock and then punched it out with the Large Oval punch.  Then I punched out two Ruby Red ovals using the Large Oval punch.  I adhered them to the back of the Vanilla oval--one slightly sticking out the top and the second one slightly sticking out the bottom.  It gives the appearance of the cardstock being layered on a larger oval.

If you look at the scalloped edge on my card, you'll notice that both of the end scallops are about the same size.  If you're anal like me (I can admit that!) then you like for your end scallops to match.  It drives me crazy when I have a full scallop on the left side and a sliver of a scallop on the right size.  I like balance.  Here's a trick on how to line up your scallops.

Did you know that the scalloped punch comes with guidelines?  I highlighted a few of them with white lines in the photo above (click on the photo to see a larger view).  Center your cardstock using those guidelines and then punch your cardstock.  Then slide it to the right and punch and then to the left to finish punching your way across the cardstock.  I always start my scalloped edges by punching the middle first.

Although difficult to see in the photo, I stamped the Bella Toile image on the Certainly Celery and Ballet Blue cardstock that's cut at an angle.  The stamped image continues from one piece of cardstock to the other.  If half of a flower is on the Ballet Blue cardstock, the other half of the flower is on the Certainly Celery cardstock and they line up exactly. Here's how I did that.

I stamped the image twice--once on Ballet Blue with Ballet Blue ink and a second time on Certainly Celery with Certainly Celery ink.  When I stamped the image onto my cardstock, I made sure to line up both pieces of my cardstock in the exact same position on the stamp.

Once I stamped both pieces of cardstock, I stacked them on top of each other and cut them at the same time.  They both lined up perfectly and had the same cut angle.

Well, I'm off to go clean my house.  Normally I try to have a clean house before I stamp, but I'm so far behind on my house work that I wouldn't be able to stamp for a week if I held myself to that standard.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Bella Toile, Bella's Bloom
Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue
Ink: So Saffron, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue
Accessories: Silver Brads, Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals
Punches: Large Oval, Scalloped Edge

October stamp class--registration now open

Thank you for all of your well wishes through emails, comments, and cards.  All of you who read my blog are the sweetest people.  Thank you!  I'm feeling better with each passing day.  Now that I'm on the mend, it's time to plan my October Class. 

When: Wednesday, October 29th at 7pm
Where: My house (Morgan Hill, California)
Who: US Residents only
Cost: $30 (plus $5 shipping if you can't attend in person)
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 17th
What we'll be making: You have your choice between the Flower Power kit or the Rock Star kit.  Regardless of which kit you choose, you'll be making 4 cards and one card box.  The envelopes are included too.  Plus you'll receive all of the leftover pieces from the kit to make more cards on your own.

Flower Power Kit

Click here to register for the Flower Power class

Rock Star Class

Click here to register for the Rock Star Class.

Demonstrators: if you would like to offer this class to your customers, click here to purchase this as a class planner for demonstrators.

Thanks!  ~Dannie

When it rains it pours

Do you remember that lovely little cold I caught after my surgery?  Well, it has turned into a sinus infection.  I've had a massive headache for 3 days now and I'm just waiting for the antibiotics to kick in and relieve some of this pressure.  My head throbs with every step I take and it feels like it's going to pop when I bend over.  Needless to say, I won't be stamping until I'm feeling a little better.  I have so many fun ideas of cards and projects to make for the holidays, but I just don't feel well enough to make them.

Thanks for sharing all of your incredible recipes on the Blog Candy post below (be sure to scroll down and enter).  Thanks for bearing with me.  I'll be back as soon as I can.  ~Dannie

1 Year Blog-iversary Candy!!!

Today marks the one year anniversary of my blog!  I've had so much fun blogging.  You leave the sweetest comments that really help brighten my day.  I've also made so many friends through my blog.  It has been an amazing journey.  Thank you for being a part of it.

What would an anniversary be without a gift for one of my readers?  If I get enough entries, I might even pick a second winner.  I'm sure I can find some more goodies in my stamp room to give away. 

• new, unmounted "For a Friend" stamp set
• 6" x 6" designer series paper pack (60 sheets total)
• Love and Happiness Rub-ons
• Two packs of fancy fibers (Tiffany and Scarlet) ~ 10 yards each
• 8 Pretty in Pink pocket notes and envelopes

To enter to win this blog candy, simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite holiday recipe.  I love to bake this time of year so I'd love to see any of your favorite cookie, candy, or dessert recipes.  You can share a healthy recipe or a "put on ten holiday pounds" type recipe.  I'll leave this open until midnight on Friday, October 10th.  I'll announce the winner(s) on Saturday the 11th.

I'm off to go clean the kitchen so I can bake some pumpkin pies tonight.  I bought some baking pumpkins (I think they're called sugar pie pumpkins--they're different from the pumpkins you buy to make jack-o-lanterns) from a pumpkin patch here in town.  I've already cut, cooked, and pureed the pumpkins so they're ready to be made into pie.  They taste so much better than pumpkin pack from a can.  They're divine!

Thanks for making this one year of blogging such a fun adventure!  ~Dannie