Dannie's Designs

Retiring Accessories List

The list of retiring accessories is here.  You can view the list by clicking here.  All items on this list are available only while supplies last.  I will update this list daily to make sure it's accurate. 

Also, Stampin' Up! has done something they've never done before.  They're offering a select list of retiring accessories at 25% off!  You can see that list here. 

If you see anything on these lists that you would like to purchase, place your order with me as soon as possible (DannieGrvs@hotmail.com).  For your convenience, I have also added links to these lists in the left column of my blog.

For You Tin

Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was wonderful.  Kirsten received my package on Saturday so now I can show you the last couple of projects I put in her box of goodies.  Kirsten mentioned that she liked dark chocolate, so I bought some dark chocolate raspberry Ghirardelli squares.  Now I'm not a fan of dark chocolate, but those raspberry squares are exquisite!

I wanted to put the chocolates in a tin so I started by wrapping four of the chocolates in a strip of Berry Bliss DSP. 



Next I altered the tin (I bought these tins here). 



I used Sticky Strip to adhere the ribbon around the edge of the lid.  When I tied the knot in the ribbon, it gathered the ribbon and you could see the silver edge of the tin around the knot.  I untied the knot and adhered a 1" piece of the same ribbon to the front of the tin behind where the knot is.  If you look closely at the photo above, you'll see both pieces of ribbon.  Normally the tin showing around the knotted ribbon wouldn't bother me, but this little trick comes in handy when you're altering a tin with a pattern or color on it that you completely want to cover.

With the lid on my tin, I added two more rows of sticky strip to the bottom for my designer series paper (DSP).  It's important to keep the lid on the tin while you're doing this so you know how far the lid comes down the side of the tin.  The top row of sticky strip is right below the bottom of the lid.  I took the lid off and measured from the bottom of the tin to the top of my second piece of sticky strip and that's how wide I cut my DSP.  The DSP does not go to the top of the side of the tin.  There will be about 1/4" gap not covered in DSP.  That's because it won't fit under the lid. 



I finished the tin by adding some Rub-ons to the window in the lid.  This is a very quick project to make (it took me less than 15 minutes) and it's a fun way to give chocolate.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: One of a Kind
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Berry Bliss DSP
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Eastern Elegance Rub-ons
Punches: Small and Large Oval

More Thank You Cards

Is it ever possible to get caught up on your "to do" list?  I have been getting so much done this week, but it feels like the more I get done the more I have to do.  Do you ever have a week like that?  I hope I'm able to get past this soon because I don't like feeling behind all the time. 

One of the things I was behind on was sending out thank you cards.  I didn't have much time to stamp this morning, so the cards needed to be quick and simple.  I usually like to put a lot of detail into my cards, but Sharon's "stamp simply" challenge this week was to make simple thank you cards.  It was just the challenge I needed.

I used the same layout inspiration from Stephanie for these cards (you can see my other card using this layout here). 



Here's a closer look at each card individually.

I changed the sentiment and used my scalloped circle punch instead.  I love using my punches whenever I get the chance.   

I used Berry Bliss designer series paper for all the cards.

I pierced a hole in each of the scallops and used dimensionals behind the scalloped circle.

I made four different designs, but I made more than one card of some of the  designs.  Yes, I was that behind in my cards.  I'm happy to say that I just finished mailing all of these cards.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I have lots of fun things to show you next week.  I need to wait until my package is received next week (hi Kirsten!) before I show you some of the things I made.  I don't want to ruin the surprise for her.  I'll see you on Monday!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Berry Bliss DSP
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Scalloped Circle, Circle (1 1/4" and 1 3/8"), Three For You Flower

Courtney's Closet

The other day I was looking through my favorite blogs.  You know how it goes...you look at one of your favorite blogs and they have a link to another blog, who in turn has a link to a pattern on yet another blog, who was inspired by yet another blogger.  Before you know it you've discovered several great new blogs that you just *have* to add to your blog reader. 

One of my recent finds is Libby's blog.  She has a weekly inspiration challenge using clothes from her daughter's closet.  Her little girl is so cute that you just want to pinch those chubby cheeks.  What a little doll.  I've never done an inspiration challenge before, but I had to give this one a try.

The layout just popped into my mind when I saw the dress.  Trust me, that doesn't happen often.  I usually need to look at many different layouts before I can put a card together. 

I immediately noticed the little blue and white stripes at the bottom of her dress.  To mimic that I used a piece of Bashful Blue Prints designer series paper that has thin white stripes in it for the largest panel on my card.  I added a row of ducks and flowers across the bottom to match the outfit too.  All of the ducks and flowers are popped up on dimensionals.

I made the white brads for the four yellow flowers by embossing the top with White embossing powder.  You can do this by holding the prongs of your brad with some tweezers.  Tap the head of the brad on your Versamark pad, dip it into White embossing powder, and then emboss it with your heat tool.  If the head of the brad isn't covered enough, you can dip it straight back into the embossing powder (it's hot so the embossing powder will stick to it) and heat it again.  Repeat the process until you're satisfied with the coverage.  Please remember that the brads are metal and they get very hot when you emboss them.  Set them aside to cool before you touch them with your fingers.

So, how did I do with my first inspiration challenge?  I'd love to hear your feedback.  I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.  I'll see you tomorrow!  ~Dannie

Stamps: ABC Images
Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Bashful Blue Prints DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Brads, White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals
Punches: Three For You Flower

Fabulous Flowers

Today I decided to make a card using my Fabulous Flowers stamp set.  I have seen so many beautiful cards made with that set, so I succumbed to the peer pressure and bought it.  It has been waiting patiently for me to ink it up for the first time.  Of course I always like some good inspiration to help me along, so I combined two challenges.  The Verve color challenge plus



today's sketch challenge 



equals this card...



I stamped the flower four times.  Twice in Pumpkin Pie Craft ink, once in Old Olive Craft Ink, and once in So Saffron Craft ink.  Then I embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder.  I cut them out and adhered them on top of each other with dimensionals.  The most difficult part was deciding which petals to leave on which layers.  I took the Old Olive flower and cut it into several pieces and let it poke out around the edges of the Pumpkin Pie flower.

As you can see, I added lots of paper piercing.  Especially on the main panel. 



I also added some texture by stamping the Rough Texture wheel in So Saffron ink.  I used my Horizontal Slot Punch to punch the holes for the ribbon.  The hole wasn't wide enough, so I punched it two times right next to each other (slightly overlapping the hole) so the ribbon would fit through.   

I need to run.  Only 13 days until I leave for convention and I have so much to do.  Have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll see you tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Rough Texture Wheel
Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
Ink: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Crafters' Tool Kit
Punches: Horizontal Slot

Simple Thanks

Yesterday I needed to make a quick thank you card.  Usually I find that whenever I'm in a hurry, my stamping mojo disappears.  Probably because I'm rushing around and I can't relax enough to let the ideas come to me.  So I went to the Featured Stamper challenge on SplitCoast so I could find some inspiration.  This darling card of Stephanie's was just the inspiration I needed.



I really seem to be into bold, bright colors lately.  I kept the layout the same but changed just about everything else.  I added a layer of Pumpkin Pie cardstock for interest.  I also decided not to round the corners. 

Quick, clean, simple, and darling.  Thanks Stephanie!  ~Dannie

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Bali Breeze DSP
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafters' Tool Kit

Accordion File Folder Box

Happy Monday.  I hope your weekend was great.  Mine was very busy, but I managed to get a lot done around the house.  I even found a little bit of time to stamp.  Do you want to see what I made? 



Isn't this new Bella Rose designer series paper darling?  I love it.  This is an accordion file folder box.  Here's a look at the side view.



And here's a look at the box open.



You can pull on the front panel and it expands even more.  I just couldn't figure out how to hold the lid of the box, pull on the front panel and snap a picture at the same time.  I suppose I could have had one of my children take the picture.  That would have been fun.

Update:  The Scrapbook Lounge has taken down the pattern.  Click here to download the pattern.  If you're having trouble downloading it, RIGHT click on the link and click "save file as."  Save it to your computer and then you can open it.

You can find the pattern for this box at The Scrapbook Lounge.  You'll need to sign up for an account (it's free) once you're on the site.  It's the July 4, 2008 episode called "Expanding Memories."  They have a video tutorial as well as an eight page pdf that you can download with the pattern and directions.  Just look in the box below the video screen that says "episode options."  Click on "download design guide" and that's where the written directions are.

Edited to Add: I've had several people ask me what I used as the "insides" of the box.  I used chipboard and cut it to the dimensions listed in the directions.  If you don't have any chipboard, a cut up cereal box will do the trick too.

Each of the accordion pieces is 5" x 7", so this is a pretty good sized box.  You can use it to organize your cards, receipts, recipes and so much more. 

Also, I've been nominated a few more times for this award. 



Thank you Debbie, Laura, and Kristin.  I truly appreciate it.  ~Dannie

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP, Chipboard
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon and LOTS of Sticky Strip

Another Box in a Bag

Convention is quickly approaching and I have so much to get done before I go.  I joined a 3-D swap and I'm trying to figure out what to make for the swap.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!  One of the projects I made was a Box in a Bag using the new Bella Rose designer series paper.



This paper reminds me of a picnic tablecloth.  I think it's darling.  I used Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip cardstock on the bag.  Do you see those red buttons?  Those will be new in the next catalog too.  The buttons are also Riding Hood Red and coordinate beautifully with the cardstock.

If you'd like to see the tutorial on how to make these, click here.    I'm off to go stamp some more.  The baby is asleep and this is precious time for me to get things done.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  ~Dannie

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Buttons, Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
Punches: Circle (3/4", 1/4"), Boho Blossoms, Round Tab, Slit

Pink Pirouette and Purely Pomegranate

As I promised yesterday, I made a card using the new scallop punch (I love it!). Before I show you the card I thought I'd show you a side-by-side comparison of the new scalloped edge punch, scallops made using the corner rounder, and scallops made using the slit punch.



Hopefully that gives you a better idea of the size of the scallops.   After playing with all of the different color combinations last night, I wanted to see how Pink Pirouette and Purely Pomegranate look together.  What do you think?



I think it's a great color combination.  I made the paper flower after watching Julie Buhler's video tutorial.  Here's a closer look.



I know many of you like to have a picture tutorial to go along with the video tutorials and others of you can't view the video tutorials.  With that in mind, I made a picture tutorial for you.   The original idea is Julie's, but I added a little bit to it.

Step 1:  Draw three circles with a pencil on a piece of cardstock.  They don't have to be perfect circles.  Make sure you draw three different sizes.



Step 2:  Tear the circles out of the cardstock just inside the pencil lines.



Step 3: Sponge around the edges of the circles.  Julie didn't do this in her video tutorial, this is a step I added.



Step 4:  Crumple all of your circles into the smallest ball you can get them into.



Step 5:  Open the circles back up.  Drag your fingernail across the edges of the cardstock to roughen up the edges and curl them in.



Step 6:  Here's what it looks like when it's all done.  You can curl it more if you like, I just curled mine a little.



Step 7:  Turn your ink pad upside down and drag it across the circle.  The ink will get on some of the higher peaks of the cardstock.  This is another step that I added.



Step 8:  Repeat this same process to the other two circles.



Step 9: Stack all three circles on top of each other.  Adhere them together, add an embellishment to the center if you like, and you're done!



Have fun making paper flowers!  ~Dannie

Stamps: Polka Dot, En Francais
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Purely Pomegranate
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched ribbon, Pretties Kit, Crafters' Tool Kit, Sponge, Dimensionals
Punches: Ticket Corner, Scallop Edge

Stampin' Up!'s new In Colors 08-09

I just received my order of new Stampin' Up! products that will be in the next catalog.   The two things I was most excited about getting are the scalloped border punch and the new In Colors.  Here's a look at the new In Colors.



I know all computer screens show color a little differently, so I thought I would show some side-by-side comparisons with other Stampin' Up! colors.

Kiwi Kiss


Pacific Point


Baja Breeze


Riding Hood Red


Tangerine Tango


Pink Pirouette

I hope that helps you get a better look at the new In Colors.  I'm excited to use them on my projects.  I'll be back tomorrow showing you something with the new scalloped punch.  Be sure to check back!  ~Dannie

Edited to Add:  I realize that some of the colors (especially Baja Breeze) look different in a couple of the photos.  I took these pictures several times and double checked to make sure that each color was labeled properly.  With a camera set on auto (the only way I know how to use it), the camera will automatically adjust to the colors and shades in the photo.  This can cause discrepancies between the photos.

The purpose of these photos is only to show the colors in relation to other Stampin' Up! colors.  They are not meant to be exact matches.