Finally Friday with Christmas in July!!

Hello all!! Welcome to the last day of July, and officially the end of the first half of the year! Boy time flies when your stampin' away doesn't it?

Our project today comes to us from Kristine Memmott, who has Christmas on the brain! But we all know it's never to early to start working on those Christmas cards!!

Kristine made a wonderful pocket card using the awesome set, Winter Post. This is one of many sets in the So Shelli line. I just love how Kristine made the insert look like a postcard.

And while the dsp she used on here is now retired, (bummer!), she gives us an option for different dsp in her list of supplies. So try it out and see what you come up with!

This DSP has retired but I love the color combo. It can easily be switched out with the new Christmas Paper coming out or even the Old Olive and Chocolate Chip DSP.

Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Holiday Treasure DSP
Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Stamps: Winter Post
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Jumbo Eyelet, Old Olive 1/4" and 5/8"Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

Thank you Kristine for a wonderful project and idea for getting our Christmas cards started!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #54

I love these crooked cakes. It's amazing how they stay put and not slide off the plate.....hehehehe. Not only is this yummy to look at, but there are so many options to run with for the inspiration challenge - which was my dilemma. Some ideas that came to mind immediately were making a pop-up cake card, black and white theme, circles, and acetate card just to name a few options. After flip flopping so many different ideas, I was able to finally settle on one. Funny enough it came out to be a very simple one....... go figure.

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Karen
Katy


To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC54 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Lots of Bots

Happy Wednesday!
Today's card comes to us from Stephanie Gittins.

Robot Birthday Card
This card is for someone very special- my oldest son who just turned 6! When he saw this stamp set, he giggled and thought it was hilarious, so I HAD to use it on his birthday card! I did some very simple watercoloring with ink pads and blender pens. I am not an expert at watercoloring, but I'm enjoying the learning process! I also used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the binary code on the left.

Stamps: Lots of Bots
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Summer Sun & Going Grey Classic Pads
Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blender Pens, Black Gingham Ribbon.

Thanks for sharing with us today, Stephanie!

Until next week...
Happy stampin'!
Elizabeth

Custom Colored Paper!

Today's projects come to us from Selene Kempton - you're going to love them! She has some great tips for assembling the Baskets and Blooms die as well as coloring your Bridesmaid DSP. Check it out:

I made these two projects yesterday at a friends house. One is using 2 number two boxes assembled and stuck back to back. The other is is from Baskets and Blooms.

First, the basket and blooms cup ~ I've put a bazillion of these together and i prefer to overlap the crease on the side of the cup, so my basket doesn't flatten out and makes more of a Dixie cup. If you look at a Dixie cup, the bottom is inverted. I put these together with the bottom inverted and find that it makes them MORE sturdy and allows me to overlap where it folds on both sides. So my cup stands true and round...

Now the BIG tip I want to share here, is that both of these projects use bridesmaid paper. I cut a 1/2" strip, and colored with a sponge dauber. It dries instantly and looks faboulous. This was a tip I saw at either leadership or in Hawaii, but i haven't seen it on any blogs (I was surprised).

The second is a number 2 box. The flap stands straight up, and forms the handle. I used the large oval punch to punch the holes...

Arent these adorable?? I had fun!

Selene - these are adorable! I never would have thought to color my DSP with Classic Ink - thanks so much for sharing these great ideas!

Traveling Trio by Becky Roberts

One of the most creative demonstrators I know is Becky Roberts from Idaho. Becky happens to be our Blog Manager and does great work in making sure our coordinators have projects to post on our blog.

Here is a fabulous project Becky has made. Look how cute these cases and cards are. I love them. If you would like to create these fabulous items, you can purchase a tutorial for just $3.95 :)))) For more information, visit Becky's blog at
http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2009/07/traveling-trio-tutorial-available-for.html

Leave a comment to this post giving the reason why you like to visit the Utah Divas International Blog for a chance of WINNING this tutorial.

Enjoy your day
Max

Hi. I'm Carol and I'm the new sketch coordinator. There are still two sketches left from Alicia, and in two weeks we will start a new series of sketches along with a few other surprises.



Click on the individual team memeber's name to see their creation for today.

Ruthie

Leonie

Adriana

Jeannette

Tammy

carol

Finally Friday - Halloween Style!!

Happy Friday all!! This week we have an adorable Halloween card from Brenda Taylor.

She used the Level 3 hostesses set, The More the Merrier. I just love how she colored in different pumpkins on here and left the rest plain. Makes for a very dramatic effect on clean and simple card, in my honest opinion!! I don't know about all of you, but I am in LOVE with the new In-Colors polka dotted gg!!!! Love on this this card too!!

The More the Merrier and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
Basic Black, pumpkin Pie, crushed curry & whisper white card stock
basic black ink pad
pumpkin pie & crushed curry su markers
1/2" polka dot grosgrain crushed curry ribbon, scallop oval punch, small and large oval punches and pop dots

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #53

One year ago tomorrow the first Diva Inspiration Challenge was posted! Can you believe it's been a whole year already?!? I want to thank all my creative divas who committed their time to these challenges.
This week's picture is a scene from Kauai, Hawaii. I myself will be visiting waterfalls this weekend with my boys - but not in Hawaii. We are very excited to be going to Niagara Falls in Canada. We have never been there before and it will be nice to get away and see something new.

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Karen
Katy


To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC53 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Fabulous Friend Wednesday...

Pretty lame title, huh? LOL I didn't get anything from the design team for this week, so you're going to have to look at something I made. ;)




















I used the Weekend Sketch Challenge for the layout. My card base is Whisper White cardstock. I used a piece of Crushed Curry run through my Big Shot with the Finial Press embossing folder for the background. (I ran the envelope flap through with the same folder for a designer touch.) A strip of Melon Mambo polka-dot ribbon (it's really 2-sided! YAY! I used the solid side.) is adhered across the middle of the card. Melon Mambo cardstock (my fave of the new In Colors) is topped by a piece of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. The sentiment is from Oval All and the flower is from Razzle Dazzle. I used my In Color markers to color them. I punched it out with the Wide Oval punch (I used a sponge dauber and Crushed Curry to soften the Whisper White cardstock) and layered it on a piece of Rich Razzleberry that was run through my Big Shot with the Lots of Tags sizzlit. The tag piece is adhered with dimensionals.

Supplies(all SU!): Stamps- Oval All, Razzle Dazzle. Ink- Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry. Paper- Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. Accessories- Big Shot, Finial Press embossing folder, Lots of Tags sizzlit, Wide Oval punch, Melon Mambo polka-dot ribbon.

Enjoy the rest of the week. The weekend is almost here!

Until next week...
Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth

I'm Lovin' It!

I saw this on Stephanie G's blog a week or so ago and I loved it right off! Of course, I had to buy Circle Circus when it was offered for preorder - I think it's one that we'll see a lot of. Steph - I love how you turned these circles into flowers - very "outside the box" :) Honestly, I didn't see flowers when I first got the set but now it seems so obvious!

Here's what Stephanie had to say:

I fell in love with the Circle Circus stamp set the moment I saw it. And Rich Razzleberry is (so far) my favorite new In Color, so I was excited to combine them on this card! Old Olive is the perfect complement to the deep purple. This card took less than ten minutes to throw together, so it's great for those last-minute occasions! I thought the cute circles in this set were perfect as stylish, modern flowers. I just used a little scrap of Old Olive cardstock for the stems.

Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks: Rich Razzleberry Classic Pad
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, & Whisper White cardstock
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Ahhh...Rich Razzleberry - what's not to love? And let's hear it for the Polka-dot Grosgrain Ribbon! Is anyone out there as in love with it as I am? Seriously, I can't get enough of polka-dots!

Thanks Steph - you've inspired me! I'm not kidding. I'm heading to my stamp table right now to see what I can come up with. I have an idea for my UDI swap...

Ice Cream Cone

Happy Monday Everyone! This project comes to us from Gretchen Barron. Isn't it just totally cute? I wonder if I will ever be shocked with anything that Gretchen makes. She truly is one creative and talented lady! Gretchen, I hope to see you as one of our Artisan Award winners next year :)))

Here is the inside of the card. Totally awesome!

Thanks as always Gretchen for sharing your creations with us.

Sketchy Saturday - We have had a change in our Saturday Coordinator. We would like to welcome Carol Marbach, aka "THE PURPLE PRINCESS" from Hickory Corners, MI. Be sure to join in our weekly challenges. Coming in August, A PRIZE for the winner of one of Carol's sketches. More details to follow.

Enjoy your day
Max

Sketchy Saturday (#39)

Is it really Saturday?! That means my vacation is ending and we're heading back home today. :( It also means it's time for another sketch. So..here it is....

Here's what the fabulous team has created with it.

Adriana

Carol

Leonie

Ruthie

Tammy

What can you make with this sketch?? Post a comment with a link to your creation.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Diva Inspiration Challenge #52

What a refreshing way to enjoy a summer day by pouring a tall glass of lemon aid and letting your thoughts float into creativity. Martha Stewart sure knows how to inspire many with her many scenes and gorgeous layouts.
Even though the weather is too hot to enjoy the outside where I am, it's still nice to be able to escape for a brief thought or two and imagine a cool breeze and shaded lawn. Ahhh, now that's refreshing!

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Tina

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC52 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

It's Christmas in July again!

Today's project is another Christmas card from Kristine Memmott. I just love this stamp set. All the characters are just too funny! Thanks for sharing, Kristine!

Paper: Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Blue, Whisper White
Stamps: Holiday Lineup
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Markers

Until next Wednesday...
Happy stampin'!
Elizabeth

Top Note Die with a Twist!

Hello Everyone,

Are you just loving the new catalog? Just wait until you see the Holiday Mini ! WOWZERS.

This week I am happy to post yet another fabulous project made by Gretchen Barron.

Here's a cool trick to the with the Top Note Die to get some more variety in your shapes and frames. You can find more pictures and details on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/different-shapes-from-the-top-note-die.html. Here you can see that I cut the Top Note using the new Melon Mambo In Color, and passed it through the Big Shot twice for this frame. I used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, and colored directly on the rubber stamp with the new In Color markers. I also used Melon Mambo as the cardbase, a layer of Dusty Durango and another layer of Rassleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and some of the fabulous new Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon. Here's a peek at the inside of the card, using another image from the stamp set.

Thanks as always Gretchen for sharing your creativity with us!

Enjoy your day

Max

Sketchy Saturday (#38)

Here is today's sketch. I hope you take some time to participate. Check out what team members have created.

Adriana

Carol

Leonie

Michelle

Ruthie

Tammy

Take some time and use the sketch to create something. Post a comment with the link to your creation.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Diva Inspiration Challenge #51

Who is loving this new catalog?!? It's always exciting to get your hands on new toys to play with! This week's bit of inspiration from dryicons has many possibilities. With plenty of stamp sets with swirls or even the Big Shot dies, inspired creations are endless!

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Karen
Katy

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC51 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

A Family Portrait

Good Wednesday morning! I'd like to introduce you to my family. This is our most recent family photo straight from the pages of Stampin' Up!'s Definitely Decorative catalog.

Have you seen the new Definitely Decorative catalog? It is full of wonderful Decor Elements and stencils to beautify your home, office...even your car! My family is hanging out on the back of my Ford Flex. :) The Decor Elements stand up beautifully to the Florida weather and car washings. My family portrait was just added yesterday, but I have the hostess element from the last catalog, Flower Finesse, on my Flex and it still looks great!

Here is a link to the new Definitely Decorative catalog. Take a peek! I'm sure you'll find something to ooh and aah about in it!

Until next week...

Happy decorating!
Elizabeth

Christmas in July

Christmas!! Well believe it or not it will be here before we know it. Now would be a great time to start working on your Christmas cards. Here is one created by Kristine Memmott of Salt Lake City, UT.

Stamps: Two Cool Dudes

Ink: Night of Navy, White Craft

Card Stock: Read Red, Night of Navy and Whisper White

Accessories: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Enjoy your day

Max

Sketchy Saturday (#37)

Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend.

Here's the sketch for today. Check out what members of the team created.

Adriana

Carol

Leonie

Michelle

Ruthie

Interested in playing along?? Just leave a comment with a link to your creation.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Finally Friday - Red, White & Blue style!!

Hello all and welcome to the end of the week! The year is now into it's second half and July 4th is tomorrow!! (I know you know that!!)

For this week the card I have to share with you is from me! I know many of you out there are familiar with a group called LateNight Stampers. It is set up pretty much the same way UDI is, but not everyone is a SU! demo. Anywho, every week they issue a challenge and the challenge this week is make a card using any shades of Red, White and Blue! And your card has to be made with all current SU! products!

My card turned out a little differently than I had planned, but I do like the end result of how the daisies look like fireworks! They were stamped with the Sanded BG in Night of Navy and Ruby Red, lightly, so as not to overpower the card. I then lightly stamped the Sanded BG in Ruby Red, onto the white piece, and then shaded directly from the stamp pad. A large Filigree brad in the center and there's my flower!

My sketch is from 2 Sketches for 4, which is filled with awesome sketches. I also used the new Teeny Tiny Wishes set that is now available!! Love this versatile and awesome set!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful July 4th, be safe, and find time to stamp!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #50

What an exciting week! Not only did the new Stampin' Up! catalog come out yesterday, but we will be celebrating our country's birth this weekend! In honor of the 4th of July, this week's inspiration picture is something very patriotic.

I hope you all get to relax, enjoy the holiday and watch fireworks!

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Karen
Katy
Tina

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC50 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Christmas in July!

Happy July 1st! Not only is it the first day of July, it's the first day of the new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog! WooHoo! My order is ready to submit as soon as the new catalog goes live at noon MT! ;)

Today's project will help you to forget about the hot weather. It's Christmas in July, and today's card comes to us from Kristine Memmott. She used A Cardinal Christmas which was in the 2008 Holiday mini catalog and is now available in the 2009-2010 IB&C!

Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Very Vanilla.
Ink: Stazon Black, Craft Old Olive and Versamark.
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas.
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Real Red Ribbon, Dimensionals, Clear Embossing Powder, Top Note Die.


Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Until next week...
Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth