Dannie's Designs

Fall Espresso Cup

One of my most recent discoveries is that people are decorating these cute mini espresso cups.  Of course I had to buy some (http://www.webstaurantstore.com) as soon as I saw how darling they are.

See what I mean?  They are super cute.  They are only 4 oz. cups so they are tiny!  I emailed Sharon Cheng and she sent me a file with the pattern for decorating the cup.  I traced her pattern onto the Color Me Autumn DSP and then cut it out and attached it to the cup.  It fit perfectly.  I added a Cajun Craze belly band and finished it with some 1/8" Crushed Curry Taffeta Ribbon.

I used the 1 3/8" Scalloped Circle punch for the lid (that should give you some perspective on how tiny these are) and added a couple of smaller circles.  I finished the lid with a "hello fall" banner from the For All Things stamp set.

This project was so quick and easy to do that I made these for my most recent swap at my downline meeting.  Of course I filled them with some Hershey's mini chocolate bars.  I love finding clever ways to package chocolate.   Give them a try.  They'll be a huge hit with your friends and loved ones.  Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  For All Things
Paper:  Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Color Me Autumn DSP
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze
Accessories:  Crushed Curry Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals
Punches:  1 3/4" Scallop Circle, Circle (1 3/8", 1 1/4")

Mingle All the Way

One of the many projects that I've finished but haven't been able to show you yet, is a Christmas card that I made for the latest Control Freak swap.   Now that the swap cards have been received by everybody who participated, I can share it with all of you.

The swap theme was new Christmas products from the Holiday Catalog.  If you look closely at the Pear Pizzazz layer, you'll see that I used the On Point embossing folder.  I like how the design is very subtle and doesn't distract from the rest of the card.

I stamped the sentiment in Lost Lagoon ink and then cut it out using the Chalk Talk Framelits.  I colored in the word "holiday" and the olive in the martini glass using my Pear Pizzazz marker.  I stamped the sentiment again in Lost Lagoon ink on Soft Sky card stock and cut out the "cheer" banner and attached it to the sentiment using dimensionals.  I adhered the sentiment to a piece of Brushed Silver card stock that I cut out with my Oval Framelits.  Although the silver layer looks dull in the picture, it shimmers and glimmers.  It's really pretty.  I finished the sentiment by adding a bow using my Whisper White Organza ribbon.

The inside of the card is similar to the front.  I took the smallest snowflake from the Letterpress Winter stamp set and stamped it around the edges using Lost Lagoon ink.  Very clean and simple.

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but it's time to start thinking about making your Christmas cards.  If you're looking for more inspiration, here's a link to all of the Christmas projects I've previously posted on my blog.  If you don't have the time nor the desire to make your own cards, remember that I make and sell customized cards for any and all occasions!  Contact me to get your order started today.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Mingle All the Way, Letterpress Winter
Ink:  Lost Lagoon, Pear Pizzazz
Paper:  Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Brushed Silver
Accessories:  Dimensionals, 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon
Big Shot:  On Point Embossing Folder, Ovals Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits

Think Pink Breast Cancer Card

***I'm giving away today's card.  Read below for more details.***

I love that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Don't get me wrong--I hate the fact that cancer of any type even exists.  I'm just grateful that we take the time to raise awareness, to encourage each other to go the doctor for check-ups, to raise funds for cancer research, and to surround our family and loved ones as they battle this terrible disease.

In October of 2006 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She fought her battle and won.  I am thrilled to say that she has been cancer free for seven years now.  I am so grateful that I still have my mom. 

Ever since then, I can't help but think of my mom every time October rolls around.  I'm a sucker for anything that has a pink breast cancer ribbon on it.  If I see a product being sold where the proceeds are going to breast cancer research, most likely I'll buy it.  So it should probably come as no surprise to you that I've purchased my fair share of breast cancer stamp sets, paper, etc.  I sat down with my supplies yesterday and decided to make a card with my stash. 

I started with this sketch as inspiration for my card.

Although the glitter ribbon looks red in the photo, it is actually hot pink and very sparkly.  The "think pink" sentiment and the polka dot layer behind it came as part of a kit that I bought.  Each of the layers is popped up on dimensionals.

I used the Scalloped Tag Topper punch to make the tag on the card.  I thought the tag looked a little plain so I added pink pearls at the top and bottom.  I finished off the tag with a Pretty in Pink Bow.  There is pink everywhere on this card!

If you look closely at the DSP, you'll see that the pattern on the paper is made up of four breast cancer ribbons placed together so that the open ends of the ribbon form the "diamond" shape.  It creates a beautiful pattern.

The inside of the card is very clean and simple.

Now I need your help.  I would like to send this card to somebody who is currently battling breast cancer.  Please leave a comment below nominating somebody to receive this card.  I will choose somebody to send this card to on October 20th.  If you don't want to leave the person's name below or share details, you don't have to.  Just let me know you have somebody in mind and I will contact you privately for info if your name is drawn.  If you'd like to share their name and story, that's fine too.  Only share what you're comfortable with.

Please share this post with others so they can add a name to the list as well.  I'd love to brighten somebody's day who is currently battling this awful disease. 

Thank you for your help and thank you for stopping by!

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Stair Step Card Video Tutorial

I'm so excited about today's post!  Have you ever heard of a stair step card?  I recently learned how to make one so I thought I'd share it with you.

This was my second swap card that I made for the Control Freak swap at convention.  It was a little more involved than your typical card simply because I added so many small punched out pieces.  

I made 16 of these cards.  I know, I'm crazy!  I had people on my Facebook page guess how many small pieces were involved in making this card.   I think the final answer was 752.

As you can see, it's decorated on both sides and on top of each of the steps.  I wanted to post this project sooner, but I knew I'd be bombarded with people asking for the pattern.  So I made a video tutorial as well as a downloadable pattern! 

If you get an error saying "video no longer available," try refreshing your screen (F5).

I hope you enjoy making these boxes.  If you make one, please leave a comment below with a link to your project so that I can check it out.  As always, thanks for stopping by!

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Paper:  Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantalope, Hello Honey, Baked Brown Sugar, Lullaby DSP
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Rhinestones
Punches:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Banner, Postage Stamp, Bitty Butterfly, Petite Curly Label, Petite Petals, 7/8 " Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle
Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit