Dannie's Designs

The Best Things in Life

So apparently this week I'm addicted to Verve sketches.  I saw this great sketch and had to give it a try too.

For this card I pulled out some of my favorite items that I haven't used in a while--my sewing machine and some Dew Drops.  It's been way too long.  The Dew Drops are in the bottom right corner of the card.  They got a little washed out in the photo.

I made the flowers using the 1 1/4" scalloped circle punch and a brad.  They're very simple to make and add such a cute look to the card.

I used my signature layout to finish the inside of the card.  Again, I added some machine sewing.  I also added some sponging around the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock and the DSP (I sponged the edges of the DSP on the front of the card too).  That's it.  It was so fun to make.  Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Feel Goods
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Janome Sew Mini, Dew Drops, Silver Brad, Dimensionals
Punches:  1 1/4" Scalloped Circle, Scallop Edge
Big Shot:  Labels Collection Framelits

Hershey's Kisses Hearts

Lately I've been seeing so many fun Valentine's Day projects that I'd love to try to make.  Check out these cute Hershey's Kisses hearts that I saw on Brenda's blog.

Her directions are great and very easy to follow.  One of the things I wondered about was if the Hershey's Kisses would fall out of the heart.  They won't.  It's a tight squeeze to get them in there.  As a matter of fact, it's such a tight squeeze that the Hershey's Kisses that have had the tops broken off work best.  You don't need to break the tops off of the kisses.  There are plenty of them in the bag that are broken simply by being bounced around and hitting the other kisses in the bag.

I hope you give it a try.  I'm going to give these to the kid's teachers for Valentine's Day.  Thanks for stopping by!

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Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Going Gray, Real Red
Accessories:  Simply Scored Tool, Sticky Strip, Mono Multi Purpose Adhesive
Punches:  Small Heart

Simple Heart Card

Today I wanted to share a simple, quick Valentine's Day card.  I started with this Verve sketch.

The sketch challenge said to make it clean and simple, but that's not something that I do!  I love adding lots of layers, ribbons, and embellishments.  The more the merrier.  After thinking about it for a while, here's what I came up with.

Can you believe it?  I made a one layer card!  I took this picture with the flash off so that you could see that I embossed a 1/4" frame around the outside of the card using my Simply Scored Scoring Tool.

The heart is made from tissue paper.  I folded it so that it was eight layers thick and then cut it out (all eight layers at once) using the largest heart from the Heart Framelits set.  Once it was cut out, I stapled all eight layers together in three places as seen in the photo below.

Next I started with the top layer and gathered and fluffed it up around the staples.  I fluffed and gathered one layer at a time until the heart was full and fluffy.  I added dimensionals to the back of the heart where the three staples were and attached it to the card.  I finished it off with a sentiment.

In keeping with the "clean and simple" theme, I left the inside of the card blank.  That's it.  Once I figured out what I wanted to do, this card came together very quickly.  Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Three Little Words
Paper:  Whisper White, Pink Tissue Paper
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Accessories:  Staples, Dimensionals, Simply Scored Scoring Tool
Big Shot:  Hearts Framelits

Rain or Shine

I'm finally getting back into my stamping groove and I'm having so much fun.  Today I sat down to stamp for no other reason than I wanted to.  It felt so good to not have a stamping deadline I had to meet.  This type of stamping is my therapy--it calms me.

I needed a place to start so I started with this great sketch.

I thought this sketch would work perfectly with my new Rain or Shine stamp set and the coordinating Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP.

It's difficult to see in the photo, but I added paper piercing around all three of the "cloud" pieces of DSP.  If you click on the photo you can see a larger view with more detail.  I stamped the umbrella in Melon Mambo ink, cut it out, and then popped it up on a dimensional.

Unlike the sketch, I decided to add scallops to only the top and bottom of the card.  I cut out the scallops using the Adorning Accents Edgelits and then finished them by adding a pearl to each scallop.  I also added pearls to all four corners around the umbrella.

Unlike the majority of my cards, I decided to add a sentiment to the inside of the card.  I used the same DSP, ribbon, and scallops as I used on the front of the card.  However, instead of using pearls on the scallops, I pierced a hole in each scallop instead.  If you have any other questions about how I made the card, please let me know.

On a separate note, I've started a facebook page for my stamping business.  Please click on the image below and "like" my page.

If that link doesn't work, you can find me at http://www.facebook.com/DanniesDesigns.

Thank you for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Rain or Shine
Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Pearls, Paper Piercer, Melon Mambo Striped Organdy Ribbon
Punches:  Corner Rounder
Big Shot:  Adorning Accents Edgelits

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!

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Heart Treat Container Tutorial/Class

You know what I haven't done in a while?  Offered a stamping class or a tutorial for sale.  Well that all changes today!  I have a great project to share with you just in time for Valentine's Day.  

It's a Heart Treat Container.

It's the perfect size to hold a treat or a small gift for a friend or loved one.

Class Details:

• Registration begins today and ends on February 8th
• Orders will begin shipping on January 21st
• Supplies you need to provide: Scissors, Sticky Strip, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Cost $24.95 plus $2.50 shipping
• Offered to US residents only
• IMPORTANT NOTE!  Due to the limited number of sheets in a pack of designer series paper, you may not get the shade of red as shown above.  Rest assured that all of the designer series paper I provide will have the same patterns and will be in the various shades of reds and pinks that Stampin' Up! offers.
• Click the button below to register.

Have all the supplies and only want to purchase the tutorial?

• Cost $4.95.  No supplies provided
• NOTE:  The Hearts Collection Framelits (set of dies) from Stampin' Up! are required to make this project.  I'd be happy to help you purchase the Framelits if you need them.
• Can be sold to everybody around the world (not restricted to US residents)
• Click the button below to purchase the tutorial

Don't forget to visit this page to see all of the other tutorials I have for sale.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching so sign up for this class or purchase the tutorial today!  Thanks for stopping by!

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Valentine Treat Bundle

I know it's only the middle of January, but it's already time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.  Today I sat down and decided to come up with some fun treat ideas for my children to give out to their classmates. 

Using the Valentine Treat Bundle (currently 20% off until January 21st!), each of these took less than five minutes to make.  The Valentine Treat Bundle includes the Happy Valentine's Day stamp and 50 cello bags for only $5.95! 

As you can see, they hold a variety of small treats.  I'll let each of my children decide what kind of treat they want to give their classmates and then we'll fill the baggies together.  I finished off the treat with a blank heart on the back where they can write "to:" and "from:".

If you look at the flyer for the Valentine Treat Bundle, you will also see that Stampin' Up! has another Valentine's Day special.  When you purchase the "My Little Valentine" stamp set, you get the Sealed with Love Simply Sent Kit FREE!  Be sure to order both of these specials before January 21st so you don't miss out! 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Happy Heart Single
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Ink:  Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Punches:  Full Heart
Big Shot:  Scalloped Heart of Hearts

Snowflake Box

I've been quiet on my blog lately because I've been working on a huge project.  This past weekend I helped my friends John and his fiancee Jo (and her three girls) put together 220 wedding invitations.  They were labor intensive, but they turned out gorgeous.  I promise I will post pictures on here of the wedding invitations, just not yet.  I want them to get mailed out first.

Today, however, I wanted to share a project that we made at one of my recent downline meetings.

Isn't that pretty?  Elaine provided this project for us.  It's a vellum box stamped with the Snowflake Soiree stamp set using Whisper White Craft ink.  The edges of the lid were cut using the Large Scallop Edgelit.

Inside the box are four cards (all the same) and four envelopes.  A small strip of Vellum was stamped just like the box and then I layered some DSP and a snowflake on top.  I love how elegant the set came out.  Thanks for the project Elaine and thank you for stopping by!

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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!

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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