Peaceful Wednesday

Happy Wednesday to you!  There's a cold front due in town sometime today.  Our highs will only be in the mid-80s now!  LOL  It's hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner!  Kristine is helping us to get in the holiday mood with her card today.  I really love her color combination. 

Stamps:  Tree Trimmings, All Holidays

Ink:  Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accessories:  Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks for sharing another one of your wonderful creations, Kristine.

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth

diva sketch challenge

here is this week's sketch challenge for the diva team. let's check out their blogs and see what they came up with for this sketch.

Tammy

Leonie

Adriana

Carol.

enjoy your weekend and be sure to come back next saturday. :)

Finally Friday with Basket Weaving!!

Hello all!!!  Finally Friday is here and I am so grateful it is!!  I know this is a late post, but this has just been one of those weeks.  Today our project comes to you courtesy of me! 

Our design team divas work so hard, but sometimes there is more month than divas!!

My sample for you today is one I created for the IC on SCS. I used the picture of the bird on the bag, third one. So in recreating my card I did basket weaving with the Top Note.

I used To The Nines speciality dsp for my "bag" with 2 different patterns and used both sides of them. I ran this through my Big Shot to cut it and then backed it with a another Top Note die in WW. My strips on here are cut 1/2" wide. They can be any size, just depends on the look you are going for. My base card is Sahara Sand textured, layered with WW which I sponged Always Artichoke and Sahara Sand around. The corners were rounded with my corner rounder punch. I cut off the top part to resemble the bag and layered a strip of Chocolate Chip for my top band. Always Artichoke gg was used for the handle.

While making the bird was fun, it was also a challenge!! For the body I used a 2 1/2" circle, cut in half, out of Choc Chip textured. The bill was punched with the medium flower from my Boho Blossoms punch, and then I just played with until I placed it where it looked right! (So technical I know!) The eye is 1/4" circle from Summer Sun textured cs.

Now the fun part!! The tail feathers and wings. My first thought was to use the scallop circle punch and then cut pieces for them. Well, that is what I did for the wings, but that didn't work for the tail feathers. So, I looked at all of my punches and used the large heart in my Heart to Heart punch. For the middle feather I just cut one heart in half. Used my Tombo Mono glue to put them on with and the bird is done! I popped him up with dimensionals. Used the Modern Label & Word Window punch for the sentiment panel, which is also on dimensionals. Two little pearls were used as my accents. Again, used my new fave set Teeny Tiny Wishes for the sentiment.

Don't be afraid to try something new - just gor for it!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge #62

Happy Thursday!  It's time for another challenge here on the UDI blog.  Isn't this just the cutest little guy?  I wonder if he lives here in Tampa at Lowry Park Zoo or Busch Gardens.  I don't know where Maria found this picture, but I like to think he's one of my neighbors.  :)

Here are the links to the Inspiration team members' blogs.  Go check out what they've created for the challenge today.  If you play along, leave us a link to your creation.  If you upload it to a public gallery, please use DivaIC62 as a keyword.

Carol
Elizabeth
Karen
Katy

Until next week...
Happy stampin'!
Elizabeth

Wednesday Wow!

Today's creation comes from Gretchen Barron, and it is most definitely a WOW! project!  Of course, all of her creations are fabulous!  :)

Here is what she had to say about it...

This project I'm really excited about! Aren't those leaves just gorgeous? The stamp set is Autumn Splendor from the new Holiday Mini Catalog. I stamped the leaves with Versamark Ink on Very vanilla Cardstock, and then heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. I sponged on some ink -- Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and just a little Dusty Durango, and then cut them out. I gave them a little shape with my fingers and mounted them with Stampin' Dimensionals, trying to maintain their curvy, flowing shapes. The little scrapbook is made using Small On Board Book Basics, Thoroughly Modern and Rich Razzleberry Patterns Designer Series Papers, and 5/8" Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. The tag is created using the Holiday Best Stamp Set (a Level 1 Hostess set) and the Wide Oval Punch. The inside sheets are cut from Very Vanilla Cardstock, with a 1" strip of DSP on the end of each page and the corners rounded with the Corner Rounder Punch. I used my Bind-it-All to put it all together. I'm so thrilled about the way these leaves turned out! You can find more photos and details on my blog post at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/08/its-freaky-tour-time-again.html

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Gretchen!

Until next week...

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth

Trick or Treat

I've been dying to make one of these scallop treat boxes since I saw them on Megan Dunn's blog. They were super easy and so much fun that I used them in my last GNO. The girls had a blast putting these together. I had them make the box, a 3x3 card and coordinating envelope and gave them some treats to put in the box.

I shamelessly CASE'd this card from the Holiday Mini - isn't it adorable? I'm so happy about this stamp set. Carved and Candlelit was always one of my fav's and I was so sad when it was retired. This set helps to ease the pain, LOL.

Supplies:

Stamps: Pumpkin Patch
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Scallop Punch, Scallop Envelop Die, Linen Thread, Black Gingham Ribbon, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

A treat from Selene

Hello Everyone,

Here is a cute project made by Selene Kempton of Dracut, MA. Selene is a very talented stamper and I just LOVE what she shares with us this week.

Here is what Selene wrote:
I was getting ready for my friend Pam's big shot workshop, when I noticed the directions on the "no tabs" setting for chipboard. Lo and behold, you can use texture plates with the bigshot on chipboard.

So first, i used the book basics small size chipboard to cut out a top note die. Then, I made my sandwich for the texture plates (according to no tabs directions on the multipurpose platform)

When it came out, i had the beautiful swirl design, but it needed some "pop". So I took a chocolate chip ink pad and swiped it right across the textured chiboard, and the design popped out!

Next i took a sheet of bride paper, and colored it with ruby red ink using a sponge dauber. I punched 3 butterflys out of the center (behind the top note where you won't see it missing). I attached one to my envelope with a two way glue pen, and added some marker to show flight. I added the other two to the card. One is glued directly on the brown butterfly, and the other was adhered with a glue dot. I just pulled on the paper to squeze the wings together and he looks like he is flying.

I added the sentiment, i'm not sure how well it shows up in the photo.. but friends do make us much stronger. I thank God for my friends everyday, and wonder who Pam is going to give this awesome card to. :)

Thanks Selene!
Happy Stampin'
Max

diva sketch surprise challenge

happy fall y'all. the autumnal equinox is on tuesday. this is my favorite time of year. . . the cooler weather, the leaves changing color, apples, apple cidar and apple cidar doughnuts ~ yum.

this week i challenged the team to create a monochromic card as well as the sketch challenge. let's see what they came up with.

Tammy

Ruthie

Carol

hope you have a great weekend.

Inspiration Challenge #61

Maria is taking some time off from the Inspiration Challenges.  She is nursing her husband back to health after his motorcycle accident.  Wonderful news, though!  He was released from the hospital!  Thank you to all of those who added their family to your prayers.  Please continue to pray for them.  It's going to be a long road to recovery.

Here is today's picture.  Doesn't that look  yummy?  Check out the links to the design team members' creations.  If you play along, leave a comment with a link to your project.  If you upload to a public gallery, use DivaIC61 as a keyword.

Carol

Elizabeth

Karen

Katy

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth

Rusty Medallion

Happy Wednesday!   Are you having a great week so far?  I hope so!  Today's card comes to us from Stephanie Gittins.  I love that Medallion stamp!  (It's on page 133 of the SU! IB&C if you need one! )

Here's what Stephanie had to say about her card.

Caramel and Rust Medallion card
One of my must-haves from the new catalog was definitely this gorgeous Medallion background stamp!  It's such a gorgeous, elegant design, and I love the big size.  It makes quick and simple cards that turn out gorgeous.  For this card, I stamped the medallion image in Really Rust and then applied Creamy Caramel ink around the edges by rubbing the ink pad directly across the paper. 

Stamps:  Medallion, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Confetti Cream
Ink:  Really Rust & Creamy Caramel Classic Pads
Accessories:  Hemp Twine, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for sharing with us, Stephanie!

Until next week...

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth

Today I have a fantastic card from Gretchen Barron to show you! Here's what she had to say about it:

I just love the new Wandering Words Stamp set from the Holiday mini Catalog. And the stamp that I wanted to use first was definitely the one with fall leaves. I don't know what it is about swirling leaves, but I seem to be instantly drawn to these images. Of course, you know that anytime I can use purple, I'm a happy stamper! And I'm so thrilled that the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper has purple in it (well, Elegant Eggplant).


Cardstock Colors are Soft Suede (card base), Elegant Eggplant, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla. The swirly leaves are colored with markers directly on the rubber stamp. I used the Scallop Edge Punch, some 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon and a few brads at the bottom for balance. And there's some sponging using Soft Suede ink around the edges! You can find more information and pictures on my blog post at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/wandering-words-todays-featured-stamp-set.html.

Gretchen - this is beautiful! It definitely puts me in the mood for fall!

diva sketch challenge

happy saturday. today is my sister, jan's birthday and my neighbor, lexi's 13th birthday. . . so hopefully the team made birthday cards for them. haha.

please feel free to participate in our sketches. we would love to see what you make. post a link and let us know you're out there. thanx.

Ruthie

Leonie

Tammy

Adriana

Carol

Finally Friday - with Franky!!!

Hello all!!! Actually, we are spending the day with Frankenstein, courtesy of Kristine Memmott!! She created this adorable matchbook cover using the wonderful Halloween set: Batty for You! Read on to see what Kristine has to say!

This was such an easy project - I just love it. I took the layout idea from a card in the IB&C and changed it up a little to be a matchbook. It fits a fun size bag of candy like M&M's.

The paper is cut at 3x8 1/2". Score at 5" and at 1". Decorate the front. Staple in your candy and close. So easy!

Stamps: 24-7, Smarty Pants, and Batty For You
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black
Paper: Old Olive, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: 1/4" Black Grosgrain Ribbon, scallop edge punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch.

Thanks Kristine for another wonderful project idea!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge #60

Hello! Happy Thursday!

Before I post the challenge picture, I'd like to ask a favor of all of you. Maria, our Inspiration Challenge hostess, could use some prayers. Her husband was involved in a motorcycle accident. She is at the hospital with him, and her father is looking after the children. Please keep all of them in your prayers.



Here is today's inspiration picture. ( I'm not sure where Maria found it. ) If you'd like to join us, just leave a link to your creation in the comments section. If you post to a public gallery, please use DivaIC60 as a keyword.

Have a fabulous day!

Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth

Carol Elizabeth Karen Katy

Playing with blocks!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a great first half of the week! :)

I have been playing with some of the new goodies from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Today's project is a set of Decor Elements Blocks. I painted them with white acrylic paint, and then had a blast decorating them. One side is for Christmas and the opposite side is for Halloween. I used chipboard letters for the Halloween blocks and Holiday Mix Decor Elements for the Christmas ones.

There are so many different possibilities for these! You could use them for baby blocks. You could spell out your name. I bet you could even use them as ornaments! :) If you have other ideas, leave a comment and share your creative genius!

Supplies(all SU!): Christmas blocks... Stamps- none. Ink- none. Paper- Chocolate Chip, Old Olive. Accessories- Decor Elements Blocks, Holiday Mix Decor Elements, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain, Bold Brights brads, mat pack, paper piercer, mini glue dots.
Halloween blocks...Stamps- Batty for You, Sweet Centers. Ink- Lovely Lilac, Jet Black Stazon, Whisper White craft. Paper- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White. Accessories- Decor Elements blocks, Iridescent Ice EP, Big Shot, Texturz plates, crimper, 1" and 1 3/4" Circle punches, Silver cord, On Board Timeless Type letters, gingham ribbon, mini glue dots, dimensionals.

Until next week...
Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth

Thinking Outside the Box

I'm so excited to share this card from Brenda Taylor with you! I think most of us associate birthdays with cake, candles and ice cream, so naturally we create cards and gifts around those themes; but I love what Brenda did with this card. It's absolutely simple, but so cute! My birthday is during the winter, so maybe that's why I like this card so much. Or maybe it's the great color combination. Either way, it's fantastic! Thanks Brenda :)

Supplies:

Serene Snowflake & Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay & Whisper White card stock

Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo & Bermuda Bay ink pads

Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion

SPECIAL UDI OFFER:

Along with the offer below, a FREE stamp set will be given away to one lucky person who hosts a $250 workshop. E-mail utahdivasinternational@gmail.com when you host your workshop. Your demonstrator will need to verify. A drawing will be held and whoever's name is drawn will get to choose a FREE stamp set. (Value $19.95)

Earn even more free products with our limited-time hostess offer!

From September 1-November 30, host a $250 Stampin' Up! workshop, and choose any one item* from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog for just $10!

Choose from our award-winning stamps, beautiful new Simply Adorned jewelry, exclusive Build-A-Bear Workshop products, or latest dies for the Sizzix Big Shot. With so much to choose from, you'll feel like a kid in a candy shop!

Make plans today to host your own Stampin' Up! workshop and enjoy this sweet reward.

Contact your demonstrator today to schedule your workshop.

*Offer does not include My Digital Studio or hostess sets.

Have a great day

Max

Saturday Surprise Sketch Challenge

We are on our fifth week of new sketch challenges. Please let us know what you think of them so far.

I threw in another surprise this week and asked the team to use only designer series paper (dsp) on their card. The only stamping they could do was a greeting. Hope you like their creations.

Leonie

Tammy

Ruthie

Adriana

Jeannette

Carol

Finally Friday with stencils!

Hello all!! Bet you thought I forgot to post today, didn't you? It's been a crazy week in my house and a crazy week at work, which meant very little stamping time for me!! I now have the next four days off and I plan to correct that!!

The card I have for you today is one I made, just recently! I attended a stamping weekend in PA last month and one of the techniques we learned was using our Big Shot dies to create stencils! Maybe not an aha moment for you, but for me it was!!

So, with using my new found stencil abilities, I made this card using the Lattice die. The stencil was cut out using our window sheets so I have a re-usable stencil. You can use either a sponge dauber, sponge or brayer to get your ink onto your cardstock. I used a sponge on here.

My colors are Rich Razzleberry ink onto Orchid Opulence cardstock. I used the Asian Artistry hostess level 2 set on my main image panel. The image was colored with my SU! markers and then stamped onto WW. I did take my Rich Razzleberry marker and thump against the flowers, but it's very light.

The pearls are colored with a black sharpie. My butterfly is double layered with one layer using the printed window sheets.

Enjoy!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #59

This week's bit of inspiration I thought is very "whimsical". I love butterflies and I like the colors. I hope you enjoy this week's challenge as much as I have. :)

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

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! Have fun!!

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

Christmas Card Class samples

Happy Wednesday! It's almost Friday! :)

Today's cards come to us from...me! LOL These are just a few samples of the 30 different cards my customers will be making at my Christmas Card Class next week. I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit, Christmas Jingle. It's got so many goodies in it! If you have never purchased a SSK before, you definitely need to see it to believe it! I made 30 cards and 2 6X6 scrapbook pages out of half the kit. The only extras I added were ribbon and vanilla cardstock for the bases.

Supplies(all SU!): Stamps- none. Ink- none. Paper- Very Vanilla. Accessories- Christmas Jingle SSK, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain.

Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Until next week...
Happy stampin'!
Elizabeth

And to All a Good Night!

The sets used on this card are two of my favorites - but I have to confess...I don't own either one of them!! Ugh - what have I been waiting for? I guess I keep thinking that Lovely as Tree has been around for so long that it's going to retire at any moment...

Kristine - thanks for sharing this card; now I have to purchase these sets! I mean that seriously though; it's a beautiful card! I'm dying to know - what technique did you use for the sky?

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree; Wandering Words

Ink: Summer Sun, Night of Navy, Basic Black

Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White

Accessories: Night of Navy ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponges, 1 3/8” Circle Punch

Kristine, thanks again - I can't wait to buy these two sets and try out my own version of your card!