Dannie's Designs

Hugs & Kisses

It's Wednesday and that means another Diva Coffee Break Design challenge.  This week Heidi gave us this great sketch to work with.





I thought I'd give you a break from the Raspberry Tart DSP so I used the Valentine Bundle instead.  The square panel on the card is 3" square and could easily be used on a 3x3 card.  If I had thought about it before typing up this post, I would have made it into a 3x3 card too.  I used my Coluzzle to cut a circle out of the red DSP so the Pink Pirouette cardstock under it would show.  I stamped and layered my scalloped image and attached it in the center of the circle with dimensionals.

As you can see, I made a couple of slight variations from the sketch.  I added three hearts to the side of my card instead of two.  I also only used ribbon on the bottom of my card and didn't add a sentiment there.  The scalloped circle has words on it and I couldn't think of what other sentiment to add to "hugs and kisses."  That's part of the fun of these sketch challenges--you use them as inspiration for your card.  You don't have to stick to them exactly.

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the sketch above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to SplitCoast, please use the keyword DCBD111.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

As always, thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Love You Much
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Coluzzle, Chocolate Chip Double-stitched Ribbon, Dimensionals, Coluzzle, Janome Sew Mini
Punches:  Scalloped Circle, Heart to Heart

Keeping it Simple

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog know that I love to add lots of layers and embellisments to my cards.  Once I get started, it's difficult to stop.  A little ribbon here, a couple more layers there, some paper piercing or sewing around here, and a few brads over there.  Occasionally I need to remind myself to make quick and easy cards. 

I took today's Diva's Coffee Break Design color challenge...

 

and challenged myself to make a simple card.

 

So, how did I do?  I really struggled with this one because I kept wanting to add to the card.

I started with a Kraft cardstock base and wheeled it with the So Swirly wheel in Close to Cocoa ink.  I think my wheels are one of my most neglected stamp items.  It felt good to use it.

The hearts were inked up in Versamark ink, then inked on my Riding Hood Red stamp pad and then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.   I then embossed them with Clear embossing powder.  I cut out all of the hearts and attached them with dimensionals. 

I added a small strip of Bella Rose designer series paper, a Close to Cocoa cardstock layer, and some Very Vanilla Satin ribbon.  I finished the card by adding another embossed heart to the inside of my card. 

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the color combination above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to SplitCoast, please use the keyword DCBD110.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

As always, thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Best Wishes & More
Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Versamark, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Just Buzzin' By

It has been difficult, but I'm slowly getting back into my "normal" routine.  For Wednesday's routine that means it's time for another Diva Coffee Break Design challenge.  I missed a couple of the challenges over my holiday blogging break, but I'm ready to jump right back in.





This card shows two new items from the next catalog--the Just Buzzin' By stamp set and the Loop to Loop rub-ons I used for the sentiment.  Of course I had to use my new sewing machine too.  I think I'm addicted.  LOL!

I used my Windsor Knot designer series paper which is on the retiring accessory list.  I think the color combination is great for making masculine cards.

The little bee and the hive are both stamped in Chocolate Chip ink, cut out, and popped up on dimensionals.  It's so difficult to capture how much dimension a card has in a photo.  They look so flat in this picture.

I was digging through my accessory drawer looking for some accents to add and found these buttons in the Button Bouquet set.  Aren't they cute?  Some little flowers for the bee to buzz around. 

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the sketch above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to SplitCoast, please use the keyword DCBD109.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

I have a lot more stamping to do today so I better run.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps:  Just Buzzin' By
Paper: So Saffron, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Windsor Knot DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Loop to Loop Rub-ons, So Saffron Ribbon, Button Bouquet, Dimensionals, Janome Sew Mini
Punches: Curcle (1 1/4", 1 3/8"), Designer Label, Scalloped Edge

Love You Much Bundle

Even though there are still three more days until Christmas, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's day.  To help you have enough time to make your Valentine cards, Stampin' Up! has a wonderful bundle for sale at 20% off starting tomorrow. 


Image (c) Stampin' Up! 2008

Tomorrow is also the last day to get free shipping, so be sure to combine the offers and get free shipping as well as the 20% off!  Click here to order.  Included in the bundle is the "Love You Much" stamp set, Candy Lane designer series paper, and the Heart to Heart punch.  All of these items are brand new and will appear in the Spring/Summer catalog.

As a demonstrator, I was able to preorder these items so I have a card to show you. 



I made this card for the latest Control Freaks swap.  I needed inspiration for the layout, so I went with the last DCBD sketch challenge.



I stamped the heart image in Riding Hood Red ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock.  Then I stamped the bird image in Basic Black on top of the heart.  I also stamped the bird image a second time on Riding Hood Red cardstock and cut out the birds.  I attached the birds to the heart with dimensionals.  I wanted the sentiment to stand out, so I stamped it in Versamark ink and then embossed it with Black embossing powder.

Like you, my schedule will be a little crazy and hectic over the next two weeks.  I will be posting here on my blog, but it won't be every day.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps:  Love You Much
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Black Embossing Powder, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain, Dimensionals

Double Challenge Holiday Card

Today is Wednesday so that means it's time for another Diva's Coffee Break Design challenge.  The inspiration for the color challenge came from a piece of fleece fabric that I recently bought.
 

I decided to combine the color challenge with this sketch challenge from Julee.

 

 

I thought these colors and the sketch would work well for another Christmas card.

 

 

I used Bella Rose DSP for my card.  I stamped the house in Very Vanilla Craft ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I used some Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin ribbon and turned it so the Vanilla side was out.  I know Vanilla wasn't in the color challenge, but it was the main color of the fabric so I used it a lot.

 

 

The sentiment is another rub-on from the Seasonal Sayings rub-ons.  I framed it in a piece of Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware.  I needed to use Baja Breeze somewhere on my card, so I added a little Felt Flurry.  It works for me!

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the sketch above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to splitcoast, please use the keyword DCBD106.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: To You and Yours
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Very Vanilla Craft
Accessories: Seasonal Sayings Rub-ons, Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Little Felt Flurries, Clear Embossing Powder, Very Vanilla/Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals
Punches: Scalloped Edge (inside of the card)

Little Felt Flurries

I'm back!  My computer issues aren't resolved yet because we've been way too busy to find time to deal with it.  However I have found a way to work around it so I can edit my photos and post them.  So without further delay, it's time for our next sketch challenge.

 

Isn't that a great sketch?  Selene Kempton designed the sketch this week.

 

I decided to stray a little bit from the sketch and use Little Felt Flurries for the smallest rectangle layer.  I used my paper piercer to poke a hole in the center of the snowflakes.  Once I got the Rhinestone Brad through the hole in the snowflakes, I pierced a hole in the Chocolate Chip felt ribbon and stuck the brad through the ribbon too.  Then I opened the prongs of the brad on the back of the ribbon.  I couldn't think of another way to adhere felt to felt and this solution worked great for me.

I added paper piercing around the edges of both pieces of designer series paper.  I finished my card with the "season's greetings" rub-on from the Holiday Happenings Bundle (a level 3 hostess set).  

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the sketch above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to splitcoast, please use the keyword DCBD105.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Real Red (inside of the card), Ski Slope DSP
Accessories:  Little Felt Flurries, Rhinestone Brad, Silver Brads, Seasonal Sayings Rub-ons, Alpine Ribbon Originals, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals

Inspired by Nature

Today marks week four of the Diva Coffee Break Design challenge.  This time Heidi challenged us with this great color combination.

 

Although the colors she chose were inspired by a beautiful fall centerpiece, my card looks nothing like fall.

 

As I was taking the picture I couldn't get over how bright my card was.  I think it's because I've been working with darker fall colors for a while now.  My eyes aren't used to it.

I used the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set for my card.  If you're familiar with this stamp, you'll notice that the three flowers are not arranged like this on the rubber stamp.  I wanted all three of the flowers to show on my card, so I inked each flower individually and stamped them where I wanted them.  I was sure to clean my stamp between each flower so I didn't ruin my card.  The center flower was stamped on a separate piece of cardstock, cut out, and attached using a dimensional.

The large Summer Sun panel is stamped with the Bella Toile background stamp in Summer Sun ink.  The photo doesn't show it because it's very subtle.   I also paper pierced around all four edges of the Summer Sun cardstock.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my bright flowery card in the middle of winter!  Be sure to stop by the rest of the design team's blogs to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the color challenge above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to splitcoast, please use the keyword DCBD104.  Thanks!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Bella Toile, All Holidays
Paper: Whisper White, Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie Patterns DSP
Ink: Summer Sun, Garden Green, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Silver Styled Hodgepodge Hardware, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain, Dimensinals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Small Oval
Big Shot: Top Note Bigz Die

Best Ever Simply Scrappin' Kit

Today is Wednesday which means it's time for another challenge for the Diva Coffee Break Design Team.  This week Julie Semones provided us with this great sketch.

This card came together so quickly with the Best Ever Simply Scrappin' Kit.  Even though these kits were designed for scrapbookers (hence the name "simply scrappin"), I use them to make cards. 

Both parts of the cupcake are die-cut adhesives from the kit.  I added dimensionals to the back of the frosting to make it stand out a little more.  I also added three hearts to the frosting using dimensionals.

The three flowers are also from the kit.  I pierced a hole in the center of each one and added a silver brad.  These are all attached with...you guessed it...dimensionals! 

After adding paper piercing to both layers and adding the ribbon, my card still looked like it was missing something.  I used my Chit Chat Rub-ons, Riding Hood Red cardstock, the Small Oval Punch, and the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware to create the sentiment.  I attached the hardware with some Silver Brads and my card felt finished.

If you'd like to join the challenge, simply create your own card using the sketch above.  Come back here and leave a comment so I can check out your creation.  If you upload your card to splitcoast, please use the keyword DCBD103.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Paper: Best Ever Simply Scrappin' Kit
Accessories: Chic Chat Rub-ons, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Silver Brads, Baja Breeze 1" Double-stitched Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Small Oval

Fall Leaves

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another Diva's Coffee Break Design Challenge.  I chuckle every time I write that name because I'm not a coffee drinker.  I hope that doesn't mean I'm off the design team.  LOL!  This week Heidi gave us this fun color challenge to work with.

 
I thought the colors were perfect for a fall card so I pulled out my "Best Wishes and More" stamp set and made this card.

I stamped the leaves in craft ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and then embossed them with clear embossing powder.  I cut them out and adhered them to the card with dimensionals.  As you can see in the photo, I embossed a few extra leaves so I added those to the inside of my card.

Each of the leaves is layered on a piece of Cameo Coral cardstock that I stamped with the Sanded background stamp using Bravo Burgundy ink.  I also sponged the same color ink around the edges.  I then layered the Cameo Coral cardstock on a piece of Bravo Burgundy cardstock. 

The sentiment running across the bottom of the card is also from the "Best Wishes and More" stamp set.  I rotated through my Bravo Burgundy, Close to Cocoa, and Always Artichoke markers to color each word before stamping it.  I finished the card with a piece of Bravo Burgundy wide grosgrain ribbon.

We'd love to have you play along and try this color challenge.  If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword DCBD102 (no space between DCBD and 102) so we can find your creation.  Be sure to check out the blogs of the other design team members to see their creations.

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Jennifer Van Wart
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton
Vivian Swain

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Best Wishes and More, Sanded
Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, Cameo Coral
Ink: So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Bravo Burgundy Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Diva's Coffee Break Design Team

Are you ready for my big news?  Heidi Michel (Heartfelt Blessings) is putting together a weekly challenge on her blog and she asked me to be a part of her design team.  How exciting is that!?  Of course I said "yes" right away even though I was a little nervous.  She'll be rotating weeks issuing sketch challenges and color challenges.  For our first week Heidi gave us this great sketch to work with.

I used my 5-petal flower punch to made the pink chrysanthemum.  You can see a tutorial on how to make the flower and leaves here.  I punched 6 flowers out of Pink Pirouette and sponged the edges with Riding Hood Red ink.  For the center of the flower, I punched a flower out of the Bella Rose designer series paper (DSP) and adhered it to the top of a Build-a-brad.

As you can see, I added lots of paper piercing.  I think it adds the perfect finishing touch to a card.  Although I bought this Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon months ago, this was the first time I used it.  It's so pretty!  I'll definitely be using it more often.

Here's a closer look at the inside of the card.  I punched another flower out of the Bella Rose DSP with my 1/2" Circle punch.  I layered that on top of a 3/4" Kiwi Kiss circle and then I adhered them both to another 5-petal flower.  I added a simple strip of DSP along the bottom to finish it off. 

I've found that I like decorating the inside of my cards for two reasons.  One, it looks pretty. Two, there's less room to write stuff.  Is that bad to say that?  Although I love sending cards, I often find that I'm done writing what I'd like to say and less than half the space is filled in.  I feel like I need to write a few more lines to fill in the empty space.  I end up babbling or repeating myself and then I get embarrassed and don't want to send it.  Am I the only one that feels like that?

If you would like to participate in the sketch challenge, please use the keyword DCBD101 (no space in between) when you upload your card to SplitCoast.  Be sure to check out the rest of the design team to see what they created. 

Chris Austin
Connie Babbert
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman
Selene Kempton

I can't wait to see what Heidi sends me for next week's challenge.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Silver Brads, Build-a-brad, Crafters' Tool Kit, Dimensionals
Punches: Scallop Edge, Large and Small Oval, 5-petal Flower, Circle (3/4" and 1/2")