Dannie's Designs

Black and White

Are you ready to see the second card I made using the same sketch as yesterday?

As you can see, I stuck more to the sketch today than I did yesterday.  Even though I used the same sketch for my starting point, both cards look completely different.  This card is much more elegant than the Christmas card.

I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black ink, cut it out with a circle nestability, embossed it with the nestability, and then sponged it with Basic Black ink.  I layered it on top of a scalloped circle, and finished it off with some die-cut flowers.  You can't see it in the photo, but the white flowers have a gorgeous shimmer to them.

Like yesterday's card, I used the same basic layout for the inside of my card only rotated 90 degrees.  I also stamped another sentiment on the inside. 

I think everything else on the card is pretty self-explanatory.  If you have questions on how I made a certain part, just let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  One Person (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Night & Day DSP
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Black & White Brads, Dimensionals, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Die-Cut Flowers (Brides), Sponge
Punches:  Flower Border (Martha Stewart), Flower (SU!)

Insiration

When it comes to sketch challenges, I'm usually way behind and don't get them done on time.  Today I surprised myself and got this weeks Mojo Monday sketch done on the same day it posted.  That's a first!

As soon as I saw the layout, I knew exactly what I wanted to make.

I love this sentiment from Verve.  "You have been my inspiration, my confidante, my friend.  Because of you I've learned to love, to forgive, and to live a life filled with purpose."  Isn't that beautiful?  It expresses exactly how I feel.

If this card looks a little battered, that's because it is.  I got all of my designer series paper glued on, sewed a border around the edge, stamped my sentiment, layered it, etc....and then glued it all on upside down!  I put the sentiment on top of the striped part and then couldn't figure out why the red section looked so empty.  Duh!  Thank goodness the glue hadn't completely fixed itself in place because I managed to peel the layers apart without ripping my designer series paper or cardstock.  It's a little warped and bent, but nothing tore.  It was a close one.

At least it didn't matter on the inside of my card because all I'd have to do is flip it upside down and it would still look the same.  Next time I'll pay better attention to what I'm doing.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Because of You (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Ink:  Real Red, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Sponge, Dimensionals, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Janome Sew Mini

Breast Cancer Victory

I'm still here!  Sorry for the long break in posting.  I was knee deep in taxes, kids with pink eye and life in general.  I'm caught up on life and it feels wonderful getting back to stamping again.  I decided to start with this wonderful Mojo Monday sketch from last week.

The sentiment says, "Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.  -Hill"  It comes from Verve's "Believe" stamp set that was designed specifically for Breast Cancer.  I made this card for my mother who is a breast cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed five years ago this month.  I'm so grateful that she has survived and that she's been cancer free for almost five years now.

I was going to add more to the card so that it looked just like the sketch challenge, but I didn't want to take away from the beautiful sentiment.  I used this tutorial on SplitCoast for the ribbon around the sentiment. 

The inside of the card has pretty much the same layout as the front.   It has plenty of room for me to let my mom know how much I love her and how much she inspired me as she battled her cancer.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Believe (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Riding Hood Red Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Brads, Dimensionals, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Nestabilities, Sponge
Punches:  Flower Border (Martha Stewart)

Flowers of Tomorrow

At some point each of us has reflected on our lives and wondered if what we're doing today will really make a difference in the future.  We work so hard and sometimes have to wait so long to see any results.  I struggle with being patient and waiting for my hard work to pay off.   I made today's card with that feeling in mind. 

This sentiment is such a good reminder for me.  I need to have more faith that I'm not just spinning my wheels.  One day I'll be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor, but for now I need to be patient.

All three pieces of the "vanilla" colored layers are from the Botanical Gazette DSP.  The flower images on the layer that's  tilted to the side came printed on the DSP.  The only thing I stamped was the sentiment.  I also sponged all of the DSP with Soft Suede ink.

My layout for this card came from this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge.

I didn't add too many extras to the card, so I kept the inside of my card simple as well.

Just another piece of DSP sponged around the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I have a lot to get done today so I'm off and running.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Flowers of Tomorrow (Verve)
Paper:  Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Botanical Gazette DSP
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Marina Mist Ribbon, Primas, Silver Brad, Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Sponge

Mojo Monday Valentine Card

Did you guys enjoy your three day weekend?  I sure did.  I got to sleep in three days in a row.  It felt so good.  Now, of course, my whole sleep schedule is off.  It was worth it though!  I also spent a bit of the weekend in my stamp room.  I have some fun Valentine's Day projects to share with you for the next Control Freak blog hop.  Be sure to join us on the 20th because the talent on this blog tour is amazing!

My stamp desk is covered in Valentine's Day stuff--ribbon, stamps, etc.  It's all red, white, and pink.  Rather than try to clean it all up, I just went with what I had out for this Mojo Monday sketch.

 

I decided to make the challenge a little harder by not using any designer series paper--a staple in almost all of my stamping projects.  The largest Pretty in Pink layer was stamped with the Very Vintage wheel and then sponged around the edges with Pretty in Pink ink.  The square Pretty in Pink layer was stamped with the hearts from the Hundred Hearts stamp set (Verve) in Real Red ink.  I also sponged the edges with Pretty in Pink ink.

I stamped the sentiment and cut it out with my Nestabilities.  I stamped the sentiment a second time on some Pretty in Pink cardstock, cut out the two hearts and popped them up on dimensionals.  The two red hearts are punched out and they are also popped up on dimensionals.

The Pretty in Pink layer on the inside of the card was wheeled and sponged just like the front of the card.  I finished it off with a couple of hearts stamped in the corner of the Top Note die.

I'm off to finish up my projects for the blog hop.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Very Vintage Wheel, Hundred Hearts (Verve), Sweet Valentine (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Real Red
Accessories:  Sponge, Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Mistletoe Ribbon
Punches: Heart to Heart, Heart Small
Big Shot:  Top Note

Risk to Blossom

Wow, it's been a few days since I've been on here.  We currently have a cold going through our house.  Just when I thought we were at the tail end of it and only the girls would have it, the boys get sick.  Gotta love this time of year.

I started working on a card a few days ago and it took quite a bit longer to finish than usual.  Wanna see why?

I couldn't find my paper piercer on my stamp desk.  It was like playing Where's Waldo.  That pile of junk looks deceivingly smaller than it really is.  Under all of the stacks of papers, cards, etc. there were 40 spools of ribbon on my desk.  Yup, 4-0!  No wonder I couldn't finish my card.  Not only couldn't I find my tools, there wasn't any place to work either.

Even my paper cutter was buried in the mess.  I'm happy to say that I finally found my paper piercer.  It was tucked away with all of my pencils and pens.  I never would have thought to look there because I always keep it in my Crafter's Tool Kit.  I guess I left it out and my three-year-old thought she'd help me clean up and had put it away for me. 

Are you ready to see my card that took days to make?

When I saw this sentiment, I had to buy it.  It says, "And the day came where the risk it took to stay tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.  -Anais Nin."  Such a beautiful saying.

I stamped the flower image in Baja Breeze ink on Whisper White cardstock.  Then I stamped the sentiment on top of it and embossed it with black embossing powder.  I took some flowers from the Pretties Kit and tried to place them so it looked like a small flower arrangement being held together by the bow in the ribbon.  I finished it by adding a few pearls, some paper piercing and lots of dimensionals.

As usual, I tried to keep the layout of the inside of my card similar to the outside.  Now to finish cleaning my desk and organizing it so it doesn't take me days to make things.  I just have so much fun stamping that I don't want to stop long enough to clean up.  Not a good habit to have.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps:  Great Friend (Verve), To Risk (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Soft Sky, DCWV All Dressed Up Stack
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Versamark
Accessories:  Paper Piercer, Pretties Kit, Dimensionals, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Pearls,  Nestabilities, Basic Black Embossing Powder

May Viva la Verve Week 4

I hope you enjoyed the Control Freak blog hop that we put together yesterday.  Every month these ladies blow me away with their creations.  If you haven't checked it out or you're not sure what I'm talking about, scroll down to the post just below this one and take the tour.  Thank you to all of you who did take the tour and left such sweet comments.  My thumb is feeling much better and I was able to stamp tonight.  Yeah!

This month I had the privilege of being Amber's sidekick on the Viva la Verve sketch challenges.  This week she gave us this sketch to work with.

We were supposed to look around our craft room and find something that inspired us and use that to make our card.  I saw this gorgeous paper and had to use it.

This past year has been such a challenge for me and I had a couple of very dear friends who were there for me through all of the ups and downs.  I made this card with them in mind.  I am very blessed to have such good friends in my life.

I sponged all of the edges of the paper with Chocolate Chip ink.  I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip Craft ink and embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  I think the rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory. 

For the inside of my card I went with my standard layout.  Now I just need to fill out the card and put it in the mail.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps:  Just for You (Verve)
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Parisian Breeze DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Designer Buttons, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Sponge, Clear Embossing Powder, Pearls
Punches:  Scallop Edge

April Viva la Verve Week 4

Today it's time for the 4th and final sketch challenge for the April Viva la Verve sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch they gave us to work with.

I love the simplicity of this sketch. 

For this challenge I thought I'd use the stamps that I won in Teresa's blog candy give away.  Several months ago I was given this beautiful My Mind's Eye paper and I decided to use it to make this card.  The solid green, blue, and yellow (the flower) layers on this card are My Mind's Eye paper.  I sponged all of the edges of the paper with Chocolate Chip ink to give it more of an antiqued look. 

I stamped the flower several times and cut out the different layers and popped them up on dimensionals.  Hopefully you can see the layers in this photo.

I kept the same layout for the inside of the card and stamped a flower in the corner to break up some of the space.  Again, I sponged all of the edges of the paper with Chocolate Chip ink.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow.  I have a really fun project to show you.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps:  Feel the Sun (Verve), Artful Elegance (Verve)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, My Mind's Eye (assorted papers)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Hodgepodge Hardware, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Sponge
Punches:  Scalloped Edge

April Viva la Verve Week 2

As I said yesterday, this week I'll be showing you the cards I made for the Viva la Verve April sketch challenges.  Here's the sketch for Week 2.

This sketch was a little difficult to work with because it's so different from cards I would normally design.  That's why they call it a challenge, right?  I gave it a try and made this card.

This sentiment came from Verve Stamps.  I figured if I was doing a Verve challenge then I should show my Verve stamps some love.  I stamped the sentiment on some Pretty in Pink DSP using Chocolate Chip Craft ink and embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  Next I cut it out and embossed it using my Oval Nestabilites.  Before I took the DSP out of the Nestability, I sponged it.  Click here to see a tutorial on how to sponge using your Nestabilities.

I decided it was time to pull out my paper piercer and I pierced around the edges of the Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red DSP.  I finished off the front of the card with some Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and some flowers from the Pretties Kit.

Here's a look at the inside of my card.  This seems to be the standard layout I use for the inside of my cards when I'm not sure what else to do.  Come back tomorrow to see the card for week 3.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps:  Philippians 4:13 (Verve)
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (Craft and Classic)
Accessories:  Crafters' Tool Kit, Sponge, Dimensionals, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Nestabilities, Pretties Kit, Rhinestone Brad, Clear Embossing Powder
Punches:  Scallop Edge

April Viva la Verve Week 1

If you're new to my blog, one of the things you'll quickly learn about me is that I *love* sketch challenges.  They've stretched my skills as a stamper and taught me a lot about layout and design.  One sketch challenge that I love to participate in is the Viva la Verve sketch challenges on Split Coast Stampers.  If you complete all four sketch challenges for the month, your name gets entered into a drawing.  I decided to participate for the month of April and I won!  I will be getting all of the stamps in Verve's next release for free!  There's nothing better than free stamps.

Do you want to see the cards I made for the challenge?  Here's the sketch they gave us for week 1.

Here's the card I came up with.

I love how the polka dot ribbon coordinates with the center of the flowers.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but all of the flowers and the centers of the flowers are popped up on dimensionals.  I use dimensionals on almost every card I make because they help turn a great card into an amazing card.  If you don't use them already, give it a try!

I kept the inside of this card very plain and simple.  The pattern on this piece of DSP was simple enough that I can write right on it.  Have you ever worked really hard on a card only to start writing the message on the inside and you either write it crooked or spell something wrong?  I've done it before and it drives me crazy.  I figured the design on this piece of DSP will at least help me write in a straight line....now to work on the spelling.

Throughout this week I'll be showing the other cards I made for the challenge so be sure to stop by and see them.  As always, thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie 

Stamps:  Petals & Stems (Verve)
Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Accessories:  Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Nestabilities