Dannie's Designs

Cindy's Tab Book

I created this blog years ago so that I could share my stamping ideas with all of you.  As time went on, some of you started asking me how I made things so I starting posting tutorials so you could create projects like mine.  Nothing makes me happier than when you take an idea I've shared on here and make it your own. 

Cindy recently made a Tab Book using my Tab Book Tutorial and she sent me pictures.  The book turned out gorgeous and I asked her if I could share the photos with you.

Isn't that beautiful?  I love the sentiment she used on the cover.

When you open the book you can see that she made it into a birthday card.  I usually tend to stamp the extra squares, but Cindy added punched flowers.  I honestly never thought of adding punched images--something I will definitely try when I make another book.

Cindy also decorated the back of the book with some handmade paper that she made herself. One day I will get brave and try my hand at homemade paper.  When I do, I will have to ask Cindy for some pointers.  Thank you Cindy for letting me share your project with everyone.  Thanks for stopping by!

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

Robot Punch Art Tutorial

I teased you the other day with this cute robot bookmark.

Here's a closer look.

I'm back with a tutorial to share with you so you can make your own robot.  All of the punches I used are from Stampin' Up! 

You need the following punches:

• 1 1/4" Square
• 1 3/8" Square
• 1/4" Circle
• 1/2" Circle
• 3/4" Circle
• Large Oval
• Medium Oval (retired--sorry, didn't realize that until now)
• Small Heart

Card stock colors used:

• Whisper White
• Basic Black
• Basic Gray
• Real Red

Adhesive:

• Mono Multipurpose Adhesive

Using the Basic Gray card stock, punch out

• (1)  1 1/4" Square
• (1) 1 3/4" Square
• (1) 1/8" x 3" scrap of Basic Gray
• (2) Medium Ovals

Using the Whisper White card stock, punch out

• (3) 1/2" Circles.  Cut one of them in half for the mouth. 

Using the Basic Black card stock, punch out

• (1) 3/4" Circle.  Cut it in half for the feet.
• (1) 1/2" Circle
• (2) 1/4" Circles

Using the Real Red card stock, punch out

• (1) Small Heart

To make the robot's hands, start by punching a 1/4" Circle out of Basic Black card stock.  Take the 1/2" Circle punch, turn it upside down, and center it over the 1/4" hole as seen in the photo below.  Punch it out. 

 

You should end up with a shape that looks like this.

 

Cut it in half to make two hands for the robot.

 

The robot's arms are made in a similar way.  Punch the Medium Oval out of Basic Gray card stock.  Take the Large Oval punch, turn it upside down, and center it over the hole left by the Medium Oval punch as seen in the photo below.  Punch it out.

 

You should end up with a shape that looks like this.

 

Cut it as shown in the photo below.  The two longer pieces are the robot's arms.

 

Now let's assemble the robot. 

Step 1:  Start with the two square pieces and the scrap of Basic Gray.  The larger square (1 3/8") is the robot's body and the 1 1/4" square is his head.  Add some glue to the scrap of card stock and glue it to the back of the squares as shown in the photo below. 

 

I left about 1/8" between the two squares for his neck.  I also left about 1/2" sticking out above the top of his head for the antenna.

Step 2:  Add some adhesive to the tops of the two Medium Ovals and glue them to the base of his body for the legs.

 

Step 3:  Add some adhesive to the backs of the 3/4" Circle pieces (the one that's cut in half) and glue them to the base of the legs for his feet.

 

Step 4:  Glue the heart to the body of the robot.

 

Step 5: Glue the two 1/2" Whisper White circles in place for the eyes.  Glue the 1/4" Basic Black circles on top of the white circles to finish the eyes.  Glue half of the 1/2" Whisper White circle in place for the mouth.

 

Step 6:  Glue the 1/2" Basic Black circle to the top of the antenna.

 

Step 7:  Add some adhesive to the tops of the arm pieces and glue them to the back of the body.  Have fun posing the arms in different positions.

 

Step 8:  Glue the two hand pieces in place.

 

Your robot is done!  Have fun adding him to bookmarks, cards, scrapbook pages etc.  If you make one, but sure to leave me a link in the comment section so I can check out your creation.  Thanks for stopping by!

Robot Bookmark

I've lost my stamp desk, can you help me find it?

This is what I'm staring at as I'm trying to reorganize my stamp room.  Some of the piles on my desk are over a foot and half tall.  UGH!   I'm giving myself through this weekend to get it all organized.  Come Monday morning, whatever is on my desk is going in a box and into the garage because I have some stamping to do!

I have several projects to share with you, but they all require tutorials.  Due to my inability to find my desk top, I haven't been able to make the tutorials.   I usually don't like to post projects and then make you wait for a tutorial.  Today, however, I've decided to tease you with one of the projects. 

Isn't he cute?  I absolutely love this little bookmark.  It makes me smile every time I see it.  He's made with several different punches from Stampin' Up!   I will be back with the tutorial so you can make your own robot bookmark or put him on a card. 

Now I have to get back to organizing and decluttering.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tuxedo Card

At my last downline meeting we decided to make masculine cards for our card swap.  I think this is an area that many stampers have a hard time with.  This was an easy one for me because I just copied this great swap card that I received from Connie Babbert in one of our recent Control Freak swaps.

Isn't that perfect for the swap theme?  The shirt part of the card is just a piece of Whisper White card stock that is scored seven times.  Simply place the card stock in the paper scorer and score it every 1/4" starting at 1 1/4" and ending at 2 3/4".   In other words, score it at 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 1 3/4", 2", 2 1/4", 2 1/2", and 2 3/4".  Very simple.  I pierced three holes down the middle score line and inserted brads for the buttons. 

The cummerbund part of the card is a piece of Basic Black card stock that measures 4" x 1".  It is also scored every 1/4" across the width of the card (1/4", 1/2", and 3/4").  The three score lines are difficult to see in the photo.

The triangles for the shirt collar are from the Perfect Pennants Bigz Die.  The bow tie is made from the Petite Pennants Builder Punch and the 1/2" Circle Punch.  All of the collar and bow tie pieces are attached to the card base using dimensionals.

It's a very quick and easy card to make.  Simply change the sentiment and it would work for a variety of occasions for the men in your life.  Be sure to check out the other masculine cards and projects that I've shared on my blog previously.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Paper Scorer, Dimensionals
Punches:  Petite Pennants Builder, 1/2" Circle, Modern Label
Big Shot: Perfect Pennants Bigz Die

Father's Day

Father's Day is just around the corner and I know that many of you are trying to come up with ideas of what to make for the men in your life.  I just wanted to point out a couple of ideas that I've posted in the past here on my blog.  Three years ago I posted this Father's Day wallet.

Here's the wallet open.

It's big enough to hold several gift cards and cash!  Click here to see my original post as well as a VIDEO tutorial on how to make it.

Recently I also posted this Father's Day Tab Book.  Here's the book closed.

Here's the book open.

Click here for more details on the tutorial for this book.

You can also click here to view all of the cards and posts I have listed as "masculine."  I hope this helps some of you come up with some ideas.  Thanks for stopping by!

Another Graduation

This week has been jam packed full of activities.  School is ending which means awards assemblies, graduations, and parties.  Yesterday my oldest "graduated" from middle school.  He is absolutely adamant that it's not a graduation but rather a "promotion."  He says you only graduate from high school or college, not middle school.  So in honor of his "promotion," I made him this card.

I had to make sure his card was masculine, yet had nothing to do with graduation.  No diplomas, graduation caps, etc.  He was very pleased with the card and that's what counts.

The inspiration for the card came from a card I saw a long time ago by Laurie Schmidlin.  I also used this sketch challenge.

I inked up the stamp on my Versamark pad and then on the colored ink pad.  I stamped it and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I love using this technique to emboss in any color ink pad I own.  Just be sure to clean your stamp between each stamping.  Otherwise your Versamark pad will be extremely colorful.

I stamped the sentiment on the bottom of the inside of my card.  I finished it off by using a ruler and a Chocolate Chip marker to add the lines around the edges.

I'm off and running.  Since it's the last day of school that means they also get out early.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Paradise, Something to Celebrate
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz
Ink:  Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories:  Buttons (Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz), Clear Embossing Powder, Glue Dots

Graduation Card

I can't believe it's Wednesday already.  Things have been crazy around here.  I've been rearranging bedrooms, putting new furniture in, and spring cleaning.  It feels so good getting things done that have been on my "to do" list for over a year!  I keep telling myself that one day I'll conquer everything on my list, but I doubt that will ever happen.  It seems that for each item I cross off my list, I'm adding five more.

This past weekend my nephew graduated from high school.  That makes me feel so old!  I can remember seeing him for the first time when he was two weeks old.  He was so tiny.  How did he manage to grow up so fast? 

Of course I had to make him a graduation card to celebrate this huge achievement.  I dug through my stash of cards looking for inspiration and I found a really fun folded card.  I decided to use that for his card.

It's a square card that sits like a diamond.  If you open it up, it looks like this.

There's plenty of room inside to write a message and have all of my children sign it.  The border was made using the Graduation Day wheel.  I put a scratch piece of paper over the center of the Very Vanilla cardstock and then wheeled around the edges.  I finished it off with some sponging around the edges. 

UPDATE:  Click here to see the tutorial on how to make this card.

Well, I'm off to tackle more things on my list.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Tassel Time, Graduation Day Wheel
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Real Red, Going Gray
Ink:  Real Red, Going Gray
Accessories:  Sponge

Tab Book Tutorial

 Several days ago I posted pictures of the Father's Day Tab Book and told you that I was finishing up the tutorial for the book.  I'm happy to announce that I have finished my Tab Book Tutorial and it's ready for sale!

For $3.95 you get a 20 page tutorial packed full of photos, directions, and tips on how to make these darling tab books.

Birthday book closed

Birthday book opened

(I left the bottom row on the book blank so I can personalize it later)

Side view of Birthday book

Simply click on the button below to purchase your copy of the tutorial for only $3.95.  You can also click here to see the other tutorials I have for sale.

Thanks for stopping by!

March Birthday Cards

I'm so proud of myself.  Today is the first of the month and I already have all of my March birthday cards done.  That's never happened before!  I'm trying to get better about making sure I get birthday cards in the mail on time so people receive them on or before their birthday.   I don't want them to feel like I've forgotten their birthday.

Just like my card from yesterday, the sentiment came from the Afterthoughts hostess stamp set.  It's difficult to read in the photo, but under "Happy birthday" it says "{call when it's time for cake}."

I kept the design on my card very simple with no extra dimensions so it won't cost extra to mail.  I also kept it gender neutral.  Even though I kept it simple, it still looks festive with the bright colors from the Celebrations DSP.

As usual, I kept a similar layout for the inside of my card.  I think maybe I'll stamp a cupcake or a balloon in the corner of the white cardstock to dress it up a little bit more.  Now I just need to sign them all and drop them in the mail.   Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Afterthoughts
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Pacific Point, Celebrations DSP
Ink:  Pacific Point
Accessories:  Nestabilities
Punches:  Large Scallop Circle