Dannie's Designs

Valentine's Treat

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  The holidays were really relaxing for me and I enjoyed the time my kids had off from school.  It was nice not waking up to an alarm clock for a couple of weeks.  They are now all back in school and I'm hoping I'll be able to return to my normal schedule.  While I'm grateful for the time to myself during the day, that alarm clock sure does ring early! 

I missed the opportunity to stamp many Christmas projects, so I thought I'd get an early start on Valentine's Day.  I want to come up with something fun to stamp for all of the Valentine's that my kids have to take to school. 

I used the Petal Cone Big Shot Die and folded it in half to make this treat pouch.  I stamped the Blushing Bride cardstock with Blushing Bride ink using one of the flower images from the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  The sentiment came from the Outlined Occasions stamp set that you can earn for FREE during Sale-a-bration (starting January 24th).  I stamped it in Riding Hood Red ink and colored in the letters with Blushing Bride ink.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but I finished off the scallops by poking holes in them with my paper piercing tool.

I designed this project with a sucker in mind.  For some reason my kids don't feel like their Valentine's are complete without including a treat of some kind or at least a pencil.  They're too funny.

I'm not sure if I will be making these for my kids, but this is prototype number one.  I'll be making a few more and then letting them vote on which ones they want to make for their classes.  I have a lot to make so it feels good to get a head start on this project.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Mixed Bunch, Outlined Occasions
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride
Accessories:  Paper Piercer
Big Shot:  Petal Cone

Milk Carton Box

Today I wanted to show you another great project that we made at my downline shoebox swap.  This project was provided by Elaine.

Isn't that the cutest box?  It's the perfect size for filling with chocolate or some other small gift.  I know you're going to ask how it's made, so I have a quick tutorial for you.

Step 1:  Cut out two of the Mini Milk Cartons using the Big Shot die.

As you can see in the photo (click to enlarge), the panel on the right of each milk carton was cut off.  Each milk carton has three panels on it plus the tab.  Do NOT cut off the side that has the tab on it because you need the tabs to put it together. 

Step 2:  Stamp your cardstock as desired.

Step 3:  You'll notice that at the top of the center panel on each milk carton, the score lines are different than the other two panels.  The first and third panels have score lines that look like an upside down "Y."  The center panel just has a slanted line.  Using a ruler and a bone folder, score the center panel so it looks like an upside down "Y" just like the other panels.  Do this to both pieces.

Step 4:  Add sticky strip to both tab pieces as seen in the photo above. 

Step 5:  Fold both of the milk cartons on all of the score lines.  Adhere both of the milk cartons together to form a hexagon.

Step 6:  As seen in the photo below, start with two tabs on the bottom that are opposite each other.  Adhere them together using sticky strip.  They should overlap 1/4"--just barely enough to cover the sticky strip.

Step 7:  Repeat step 6 with two more tabs that are opposite each other.  Sorry for the blurry photo.  I didn't realize it was blurry until I went to edit the photo.  You can still see what I'm talking about though.

Step 8:  Repeat step 6 again with the last two tabs.

Step 9:  Fold in the top of the box so it looks like a star with six points.

Step 10:  Pinch together one point of the star and punch a hole through it using a 1/8" circle punch.

Step 11:  Repeat step 10 until you've punched holes through all six points of the star.

Step 12:  Thread 16" of ribbon through the holes and tie it shut.  Decorate your box as desired.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Bright Hopes
Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, So Saffron
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Ribbon
Punches:  1/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, Bitty Shapes, Petite Pennants Builder, Extra Large Tag, Large Tag
Big Shot:  Mini Milk Carton Die

Halloween Box

This morning when I took the kids to school it was chilly outside and very foggy.  I guess that put me in a Fall mood because when I sat down to stamp I immediately pulled out my Halloween stamps.  I saw the cutest Halloween box in the September Stampin' Success magazine (a newsletter for Stampin' Up! demonstrators) so I had to make my own.  Of course I made a few changes along the way.

 

The Batty for You stamp set is my favorite Halloween stamp set.  I love stamping the images, layering them like the one picture above, and attaching them to Peppermint Patties.  They also make great gift tags or accents on cards and boxes. 

I just realized that I forgot to do one thing on this project--add googly eyes to the spider.  I'll have to fix that.

With the help of my Big Shot, this project was so quick and easy to make.  The box was cut out using the Fancy Favor die and the Basic Black layer was embossed using the Spider Web embossing folder. 

The handle is an 8 1/2" x 1" piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I had a spool of this Halloween ribbon sitting in my stash, so I decided to add it to the handle to dress it up a little bit.  I used a couple of black brads to help reinforce the handle.

This box is the perfect size to fill with a cello bag full of chocolates or some other treat.  You'll notice that I don't have anything in mine.  That's because I would eat all of that chocolate before Halloween even got here and I could give it away.  I will wait until the night before I give it away to fill it with candy.  I just know myself too well so I don't even tempt myself. 

Be sure to stop back by my blog on Wednesday.  I have a huge SURPRISE for all of you that you don't want to miss out on!  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Batty for You
Paper:  Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  Black Brads, Dimensionals,
Punches:  Circle (1 1/4", 1 3/8"), Scalloped Circle
Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Die, Spider Web Embossing Folder

Cookie Stamping

Today I have another fun goody from convention to show you.  This fall Stampin' Up! will be releasing a set of stamps for your COOKIES!  It will come with three different designs and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will be coming out with more exclusive designs in the future.  They did NOT say that they would have other designs in the future, I'm just hoping.

If you click on the image, you can see a larger version to get a better look at the images.  These cookies are about 3" across.  During lunch one day at convention, they gave us all a cookie to eat that was stamped just like these.  They were delicious.  The best part is that the cookie stamps will come with cookies recipes that work well with the stamps.

Here's a sleeve of the cookies packaged in a cello bag with a darling tag attached.

Here's a box (which we will be selling in the Holiday Mini Catalog) that is the perfect size for holding four cookies.  I can't wait to get my hands on these cookie stamps and these boxes.  This will make giving gifts this holiday season so easy and my kids will love helping me make them.  The cookie stamps will be available for purchase on October 1st.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

May Valentine's Day

I was recently cleaning and found a heart shaped notepad that I bought forever ago.  My youngest daughter confiscated the notepad and decided that she needed to color every heart in the entire notepad.  She has torn the individual pages apart and has taped hearts to all of my cupboards, doors, and cabinets.  She said (and I quote), "Jesus told me to color these and decorate for Valentine's Day." 

She has officially declared today Valentine's Day and is ready to celebrate.  She even wants me to go and pick up her older siblings from school *right now* so that they can come home and celebrate with her.  She said, "On Valentine's Day Santa Claus told me that you need to go to school and pick up the kids."  How do you respond to that?

Needless to say, I don't have the heart to burst her bubble and tell her that she needs to wait nine more months for the real Valentine's Day.  So I went through my stash and decided to make her a Valentine's Day surprise.

I bought these tins a couple of years ago at one of the local craft stores.  I added a small piece of Designer Series Paper to the sides and a ribbon around the edge of the lid.

I tied the ribbon in a simple bow at the top.

I finished off the tin with some rub-ons on the window.  Because it's May and stores no longer have any Valentine's Day candy, I had to go with the next best thing...red and pink jelly beans leftover from Easter.  She didn't seem to mind at all. 

I need to run and go entertain my daughter.  She just put her shoes on and is literally standing at the front door as I type this demanding to go pick up the kids from school.  She doesn't believe me that they still have two more hours of school.  It's going to be a long two hours!  Thanks for stopping by!

Paper:  Love Impressions DSP
Accessories:  Pretty in Pink Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Love & Happiness Rub-ons

Fancy Favor Easter Box

Do you ever go blog surfing and see something so cute that you just have to make it?  That's how I came up with today's project.

That bunny is absolutely adorable.  You can click here to find the tutorial on how to make him.

The box was made from the Fancy Favor Big Shot die.  Instead of folding it on all of the score lines on the sides, I only folded the box on the four corners and covered the score lines with some DSP.  The handle is 3/4" wide with a 1/2" piece of DSP down the middle.  I added a brad at the ends of the handle to help hold it in place, and then covered the brads with ribbon bows.  I filled the box with some Easter candy and now it's ready to give as a gift.

Here's a closer look at the bunny.  I punched most of the pieces out of Crumb Cake cardstock and sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink.  The Pink Pirouette cardstock is sponged with Pretty in Pink ink.  I used Soft Suede and Basic Black markers to add in the little details.  I don't have the bird punch that she used to make the eyes, so I use the Owl punch for both of the eye pieces and for the nose.

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Ice Cream Parlor DSP
Ink:  Soft Suede, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Ribbon, Brads, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals
Punches:  Owl, Oval (3 different sizes), Ornament
Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Die

Big Shot Easter Bunny Box

Last year at one of my downline meetings, Donna brought this adorable Easter Bunny box for us to make.  I got most of the parts sponged and the little pieces glued on, but I didn't finish it until now.

Isn't she cute?  I don't know where Donna got the original instructions, all I know is that it was created by Terri Ransom.

You can click on the photos to see a larger view.  All of the Whisper White cardstock (except for the whiskers and the box) were sponged with Going Grey ink.  All of the Pretty in Pink cardstock was sponged with Pretty in Pink ink.  I used a Basic Black Marker to add the little dots on her cheeks and to draw in her mouth.  I also added a few highlights with a White Gel Pen.

Here's a list of all of the punches and dies that were used.

• Bunny:  Top Note Die
• Ears (both parts): Build a Flower Set #2 Sizzlets
• Eyes: 1/2" Circle Punch
• Cheeks:  1" Circle Punch
• Nose:  Small Heart Punch
• Feet: Large Oval Punch
• Large Pad on Feet:  3/4" Circle Punch
• Small Pads on Feet:  Tulipe Big Shot Die
• Tail:  Boho Blossoms Punch

The whiskers are thin scraps of cardstock held in place with a glue dot.

My daughter thinks I should have used a cotton ball or something with more dimension for the tail, but I was trying to stick with the Stampin' Up! punches and dies.

The box is a piece of 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" cardstock.  With the 8 1/2" side going across the top, score at 3 1/2" and 5".  With the 4 1/2" side going across the top, score it at 1" and 3 1/2".  Cut on the four small score lines and use Sticky Strip to form it into a box.  Add sticky strip to the front and back of the box and adhere it to the Top Note Die bunny pieces.

Fill the bunny with chocolate and you have a cute gift to give away this Easter/spring.  I think I covered all of the directions, but if I left anything out or you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  Thanks for stopping by!

Petal Cone Chocolate Box Tutorial

Today I thought I'd share another fun project that we made at my downline meeting.

Elaine taught us how to make this cute box using the Petal Cone Big Shot die.  Here's a closer look at the top of the box.

I know you're going to ask how to make this box, so I've prepared a tutorial for you. 

Step 1:  Cut out two of the petal cones using the Big Shot die.  I used white cardstock for the tutorial.  Because it's so difficult to see the score lines in the photos, I took a pencil and drew in dotted lines along the score lines just for reference.

Step 2:  Fold the petal cone in half along the score line.  Place it in the paper cutter so that the score line just below the "petal" is lined up with the 2" mark on the paper cutter as shown in the photo below (click on the photo for a larger view).  Score the petal cone at 2". 

Step 3:  Slide the petal cone to the left so that the same score line is lined up with the 3" mark on your paper cutter as shown in the photo below.  Cut the petal cone at 3".

The petal cone should now look like this.

Step 4:  Cut the petal cone along the three red lines as shown in the photo below.

Step 5:  Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the second petal cone.

Step 6:  Add two pieces of sticky strip to the petal cones as shown in the photo below.

Step 7:  Stamp the petal cone pieces before assembling the box.

Step 8:  Remove the backing on the sticky strip and adhere the two petal cones together to form the box.  Fold in the four flaps on the bottom of the box and add a piece of sticky strip to the last flap to hold the bottom shut.  Fill the box with chocolate and fold in the top flaps.  Hold them shut using some ribbon.

If you have any questions on the tutorial, please let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sizzix Petal Cone

I want to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day/Happy Singles Awareness Day.  In honor of today I have one last Valentine's Day project to show you.

I finally ordered some stuff from the new Occasions Mini Catalog and this Petal Cone Big Shot die was the first item on my order.  I love being able to quickly make 3D projects that I can give as gifts.

I wheeled the Pretty in Pink cardstock with the Very Vintage wheel using Pretty in Pink ink.  I don't use wheels very often, but when I do pull one out it's usually this one.  The design is beautiful and it can be used for a variety of occasions. 

I also ordered the red Glimmer Paper from the mini catalog.  It's so pretty and none of the glitter comes off.  I love it!  I punched out two large hearts and attached them using dimensionals to the front and back petals.

I added the scalloped design (the Real Red cardstock) to all four of the petals and then realized that I couldn't glue them down because the scallops got in the way.  I wanted the petals with the hearts on them to be the main focus, so I solved my problem by cutting off the top two scallops on the petals that didn't have the hearts. 

I punched holes on the inside of the box, threaded some ribbon through it, and knotted the ends.  I used dimensionals to adhere the petals down to cover the knots.

Of course I had to finish off my project with some chocolate.  Valentine's Day and chocolate go hand-in-hand.  You can't separate the two. 

I hope you have a wonderful day today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Very Vintage Wheel  
Paper:   Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Red Glimmer Paper
Ink:  Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Mistletoe Ribbon, Sticky Strip
Punches:  Large Heart, 1/4" Circle
Big Shot:  Petal Cone Die

Valentine's Day Dresser

A few weeks ago when I participated in the last Control Freak blog hop, I took the tour myself and saw this darling Valentine's Day Dresser by LeeAnn Greff.

Isn't that adorable?  I just had to make one.  You can click here to see LeeAnn's tutorial.  I had a scrap of shiny silver cardstock that I cut out using the Top Note Big Shot die and made it into the mirror.  I had to be careful taking the photo of this project because the flash would shine off the "mirror" and cause glare in the photo.

I stamped the sentiment in Real Red ink on Pretty in Pink cardstock and then punched it out using the large heart punch.  I adhered it to the back side (the non-bumpy side) of the scalloped heart that I cut out using the Heart of Hearts Embosslit die.  I attached the heart to the mirror using a dimensional.

All of the drawers are made from the Matchbox Big Shot die.  I used Sticky Strip to adhere all six of  them together.  I punched out a small Pretty in Pink heart and attached that to the front of the drawers.   The drawer handles are silver button brads that I had in my stash.

I used Glue Dots to adhere some flat marbles on the bottom of the dresser for feet.  It helped add some weight to the dresser to make it sturdier.

I finished off the dresser with some designer series paper, ribbon, and of course some chocolate.  All of the drawers hold three mini Reeses Peanut Butter cups.  This project was so fun to put together.

I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend as you finish getting ready for Valentine's Day.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Three Little Words, Cheep Talk
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Silver, Bella Rose DSP
Ink:  Real Red
Accessories:  Rhinestones, Silver Button Brads, Flat Marbles, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon
Punches:  Heart Small, Full Heart, Circle (1", 3/4")
Big Shot:  Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die, Matchbox Die, Top Note Die