Dannie's Designs

Birthday Control Freak Blog Hop

I'm so happy to be participating in this month's Control Freak Blog Hop.

If you're following along the tour, you should have just come from Cindy Elam's blog.  If this is your first stop, be sure to click on the "next stop" button at the bottom of this post (only after you're checked out my projects of course!).  It will take you from blog to blog until you circle back around here again.

The theme for this month's hop is birthdays.  The main inspiration for my projects was this cute little sticky note pad that I bought the other day.

I thought it would make a cute gift to put in a birthday party goody bag.  For the base I took a piece of Twitterpated DSP and glued it to a blank coaster.  I sanded the edges to give it a nice finish and then adhered the sticky note pad in place.  The binder clip at the top serves two functions--it allows me to add more embellishments to the project and it's also a pen holder.  I covered the binder clip in another piece of Twitterpated DSP, a piece of ribbon, and a stamped image of a cupcake.  

For my second project I wanted to make a small bag that could be used to either wrap a small gift or it could be filled and given away as a goody bag.

Both the top and bottom of the bag are made from the Fancy Favor Bigz Die.  I cut the base out of Island Indigo card stock and assembled it together normally.  I cut the top out of a piece of Twitterpated DSP.  Before I assembled it, I cut off all four of the bottom flaps (that would fold in to make the base of the box).  I adhered the two sides together to form the box shape.  Next I slid the DSP down over the top of the Island Indigo base (notice the scalloped, wavy edge is on the bottom of the DSP).   I took a 1/4" circle punch and punched two holes in the top of the DSP, threaded some ribbon through it, and tied it in a bow.

The inspiration for the decorative piece that I put on the front of the bag came from page 51 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.  All of the layers are popped up on dimensionals for added depth.  I cut out the "Happy Birthday" banner by hand and then added a few pieces of bling to finish it. 

I was so happy with how it turned out, that I decided to use it as the central image for my birthday card too.  You can't celebrate a birthday without a birthday card, can you?

I've never had a card come together as quickly as this one did.  I already had the central image designed, so I just had to design the card base.  Maybe I should try that more often!  Again, I used the Twitterpated DSP for this project so that all of the projects would coordinate.

Of course I had to add a little bit of DSP and a few layers to the inside of my card as well.

Are you ready to see what the rest of the Control Freaks did with this theme?  Then hop on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog and continue along the tour.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cupcake Note Pad Holder
Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Paper:  Whisper White, Twitterpated DSP, Coaster
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Whisper White Stitched Ribbon, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Binder Clip
Punches:  1 3/4" Circle, Cupcake Builder

Birthday Bag
Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Paper:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated DSP
Ink:  Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Island Indigo Ribbon, Rhinestones, Dimensionals
Punches:  Circle (1/4", 2 1/2", 1 3/4"), 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle, Cupcake Builder
Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Bigz Die, Floral Framelits

Birthday Card
Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Paper:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Twitterpated DSP
Ink:  Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Rhinestones, Dimensionals
Punches:  Circle (2 1/2", 1 3/4"), 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle, Cupcake Builder, Scalloped Edge
Big Shot:  Floral Framelits

Feel Goods Stamp Set

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I thoroughly enjoyed a break from the daily routine of shuffling kids to and from school, appointments, work, etc.  It was just what I needed.  I will admit that I'm dragging a little bit today, but that's to be expected after sleeping in for two weeks.

I got some stamping done before Christmas for a Control Freak swap, but I wasn't able to share it until all of the participants received their cards back in the mail.  The theme for our swap was the new Spring Mini and Sale-a-bration catalogs.

My card features the Feels Good Stamp Set and the Oval Framelits from the Spring Mini Catalog along with buttons, ribbon and DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but I also used the Occasions Paper-piercing Pack and pierced holes around the outside of the Island Indigo oval layer.

The trickiest part of putting this card together was the ribbon/button combination.  I cut a length of ribbon long enough to wrap around the card.  I cut a second layer of ribbon for the diagonal piece.  I stacked the two pieces of ribbon on top of each other and put the button on top.  Next I took some Linen Thread and inserted it through the top button hole, around both pieces of ribbon, and up through the bottom button hole.  I tied it in a knot on the top and cut the ends short.  I attached the ribbon to the card and secured the button in place with a Glue Dot.  It doesn't sound like much work, but when you have to do it 32 times it adds up quickly!

The inside of my card is very basic.  I used the Large Scallop Edgelit to add some shape and a leftover piece of DSP.

I hope you a wonderful day today as you ease back into your routines.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Feel Goods
Paper:  Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry, Sycamore Street DSP
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Occasions Paper-piercing Pack, Dimensionals, Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack, Linen Thread, Glue Dots,
Big Shot:  Large Scallop Edgelits, Ovals Collection Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Masculine Themed Control Freak Blog Hop

Welcome to October's Control Freak Blog Tour.  It's been a while since I've participated and it feels great to be back.  If you're following the tour, you just came from Judy DiScipio's blog.  If you're starting here, don't worry.  Just follow the link at the bottom of this post and it will hop you over to the next blog.  It will eventually circle you back around to Judy's blog.

The theme for this month's tour is Masculine or projects for the men in our lives.  I usually tend to struggle a little bit with masculine cards so I started visiting my favorite blogs and found the perfect project!

This idea came from the talented Brenda Keenan.  It was really quick and easy to make.  The best part about it is that the tie is simple origami.  No crazy angles to cut and no weird measurements to remember.  I didn't add a sentiment to the card so it can be used for any occasion.

I kept the inside of my card very simple.  Usually I would add a scalloped layer, some ribbon, etc.  In talking to several men, I found that they tend to like cards that are less frilly, glittery, blingy, etc.  That is, unless you make him something like this...

and then you can add all the frill, lace, and bling that you want.  These cards should ooze femininity.  I love making these cards.  Besides, what guy wouldn't love to receive something like this? 

The basic card shape is the same for the top and the bottom.  Also, if you look closely (click on the photo to enlarge it) you can see that the pieces cut off of the thong/bikini bottom are used to make the bra/bikini top.  I will let you decided if these are a set of bra and panty cards or an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini.  It works either way.

UPDATE:  I have uploaded the pattern for the bra and panty/bikini cards.  This is a project that I got off splitcoast a long time ago and I have no idea who originally created it.  The card bases are made from a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card.  Also, you can click here to see another set of cards like these that I made a while ago.

For my final project I decided to make a Top Note treat holder.  We've all heard the saying, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."  This treat holder is the perfect size for some homemade cookies or other goodies.

It's made from two Top Note Dies that I decorated with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder and some fall leaves.  The center is made from a mini paper sack that I cut down to size.  It's difficult to see in the photo (you can click on it to enlarge it), but I added some paper piercing between the two ovals behind the sentiment.  I made both the front and back of the treat holder look exactly the same.

UPDATE:  Click here to see a tutorial on how to make this treat bag.

Those are all of the masculine projects I made.  But wait, there's more!  Hop on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog to see her amazing creations and to continue along the tour.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tie/Shirt Card
Paper:  Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Dimensionals

Bikini/Bra and Panty Cards
Paper:   Pink Pirouette, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Accessories:  Rhinestones
Big Shot:  Adorning Accents Edgelits

Treat Holder
Stamps:  Creatively Yours, Gently Falling
Paper:  Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake
Ink:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack
Punches:  Oval (small, medium, extra-large), Modern Label
Big Shot:  Top Note Die, Woodgrain Embossing Folder

Ornament Keepsakes Card

Wow, it has been a while since I posted.   Like everybody else, my life has been non-stop.  We've been dealing with colds, school, homework, wisdom teeth extraction, complications from wisdom teeth surgery, birthdays, traveling out of town, etc.  I'm hoping to catch my breath and settle down into a routine now that the kids are all on the mend and back in school.

A few weeks ago I participated in a Control Freak Christmas card swap.  Here's the card that I made.

You can't see it well in the photo, but there are three of the ornaments stamped, die-cut, scored down the middle, and glued together. The great part about having three ornaments is that it can be folded flat so it still fits in an envelope for mailing.

When I got the swap cards back in the mail, I noticed that several other group members paired the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set with the Holiday Frame Embossing Folder.  They work really well together to create elegant cards.

I finished off the inside of my card with a splash of color from my stitched satin ribbon (current on special!).  Quick and easy.  Thank so much for stopping by!

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Pennant Parade
Paper:  Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple
Accessories:  Raspberry Ripple Satin Ribbon, Gumball Green Satin Ribbon
Punches:   Jewelry Tag
Big Shot:  Holiday Frame Embossing Folder, Holiday Ornament Framelit Dies

Serene Silhouettes

As I promised yesterday, I'm back with another Control Freak swap card.  I participated in a New Catalog Swap that was due right before convention started.  Now that all of the participants have received their cards back in the mail, it's safe to post a picture of the card I made.

This card uses three different Framelit sets and an Embossing Folder.  Can you tell I love my Big Shot?  I stamped the floral image, cut it out with the Big Shot, and while the Framelit was still over the floral image I sponged the ink around the edges.  That's how I got the very edge of the shape to be white--it was blocked by the Framelit.  It's a little difficult to see in the photo, but I also pierced some holes under the floral image.  You can click on the photo for a slightly larger view.

The inside of the card mimics the front of the card (minus the Fancy Fan embossing folder).  The most time consuming part of this card was the scalloped edge created by the Finishing Touches Edgelits.  All of the holes stayed in the cardstock after I ran it through the Big Shot.  I had to pop them all out by hand using my Paper Piercing tool.  Like I said, it was a little time consuming but I'd definitely do it again.  I love how pretty it is.  Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Stamps:  Serene Silhouettes, Pennant Parade
Paper:  Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse
Ink:  Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse
Accessories:  Sponge, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer
Big Shot:  Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits

Convention Control Freak Swap Designer Rosette

Before I show you the second card I did for the Control Freak swap (we usually do two cards each year), I wanted to share with you the Control Freak group photo we took at convention.

It truly is an honor to be swapping with a group of such talented stampers. 

For this swap card I was determined to figure out how to use the Designer Rosette Big Shot die.  The previous times I've made it, it just popped apart and wouldn't stick.  This time I used lots of Tombow Multipurpose adhesive and it worked!  I also pressed the flowers under some books while the glue was drying.  There's no way this flower could pop apart.

As you can see, this is a pretty thick card.

I love the depth and dimension the Designer Rosette adds.

For the inside of my card I stamped the same image as the one on the front of the card on Whisper White cardstock.  I then took a 3/4" Circle Punch and punched out the section with the three flowers.  I attached it to the smallest flower from the Floral Frames Framelits and glued it on top of the ribbon.

I hope you stop back by tomorrow to see another Control Freak swap card.  This one is from a New Catalog Swap that I participated in right before convention.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes
Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry
Ink:  Night of Navy
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Pink Pirouette Ribbon, Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive
Punches:  Circle (3/4", 1 3/4")
Big Shot:  Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Floral Frames Framelits, Designer Rosette Bigz Die

Convention Control Freak Swap

As much as I loved being at convention, I'm happy to be home sleeping in my own bed.  I learned so much information at convention and my head has been swimming with stamping ideas.  I can't wait to share them all with you.

Now that convention is over, I can show you the swaps I've been working on.

WendyRN was my inspiration for this card.  I ran the Whisper White Cardstock through the Big Shot and cut it out using the Labels Collection Framelits.  Then I ran it back through the Big Shot using the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder.  It's important to do it in that order (I learned the hard way) because if you emboss it first and then cut it out, the embossing gets flattened out.

I kept the center piece that I cut out of the Whisper White cardstock and used it for the sentiment.  I stamped the sentiment and then cut it out using one of the smaller Labels Collection Framelits.  It was a great way to save on cardstock.  Once it was cut out, I sponged the edges with Wisteria Wonder ink, pierced some holes under the sentiment, and then attached it using dimensionals.

The flower is made from eight layers of tissue paper punched out with the Scalloped Circle punch.  I pierced a hole through the center, put a brad through the hole to keep the layers together, and then attached them to the card with a Glue Dot.  Then I simply scrunched all of the layers to give it a fuller, fluffier look.

I kept the inside of the card very similar to the front.  Clean, simple, with minimal layers so the card will close flat.  I need to go finish unpacking my suitcase from convention so I better run.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Blooming with Kindness
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Silver Brads, Paper Piercer, Sponge
Big Shot:  Labels Collection Framelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder
Punches:  Scallop Circle

Fall Thank You

Several weeks ago I participated in another Control Freak swap.  The theme for the swap was the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I chose to use the Warmest of Wishes stamp set that I got for free at convention.

I stamped the leaf image in Chocolate Chip Craft ink and then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  I punched the image out using the Scalloped Circle punch and then I colored the leaves in with markers.  For the center I used a 1" circle punch.  I wanted the circle to be centered perfectly, so I punched out a 1" circle from a scrap piece of paper and traced it with a pencil in the center of the leaves.  I used my pencil marks to line up the circle punch right where I wanted it.

I used the 1 1/4" square punch for the four squares.  I used a corner rounder on two of the corners to add interest. 

For the inside of my card I embossed the very bottom with the Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  I've never tried embossing on the inside of my card before.  I really like how it turned out.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Warmest of Wishes, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Dimensionals
Punches:  1" Circle, 1 1/4" Square, Corner Rounder, Scallop Circle
Big Shot:  Polka Dot Embossing Folder

Stampin' Friends

As much as I love going to convention for the stamping and the incredible projects ideas, I also love going to reconnect with friends.  I have made some wonderful friendships over the years through stamping.

Janet (my sideline and Blythe's sister), Blythe (my upline), and I before we all went our separate ways after convention.  Blythe got to walk across the stage for her 15 year anniversary with Stampin' Up!   Congratulations Blythe!

I've known Brenda Keenan for nine years and she is such a sweetheart.  We used to attend stamping meetings together before I moved.  We hadn't seen each other in a while and were able to reconnect at lunch.  I was so excited to learn that she earned the Founders Circle trip this year.  Congratulations Brenda!

Of course convention wouldn't be complete without a swap with my fellow Control Freaks.

The caliber of the swap cards was amazing!  I'm so honored to be a part of this group.

Here are all of the Control Freaks that attended convention.  I will definitely be going again next year. 

If you'd like to join in the fun at convention next year, you can sign up to be a demonstrator for only $99.  Click here for the details.  Thanks for stopping by!

Hello

Convention begins this morning and I'm super excited!  I just wish all of you could be here to share in the fun.

I'm stopping by quickly to show you the second swap card I made for the Control Freak swap.

As you can tell, I was in a Polka Dot mood when I made both of my cards.  I decided to pull out the Fun Flowers Big Shot die and see what I could come up with.  I love this color combination and the bold flower it created.  You can't tell in the photo, but the very center of the flower and the sentiment are both popped up on a dimensionals.

I finished off the inside of my card with some leftover flower pieces.  Very quick and easy to make!  I'm off and running.  I'll be back soon with some convention highlights.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Pennant Parade
Paper:  Whisper White, Regal Rose, Cherry Cobbler, Elegant Eggplant
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Dimensionals
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label
Big Shot:  Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers