diva sketch surprise challenge

Welcome to another sketchy Saturday. Please excuse any typos you find. I have to wear a brace to stabilize my wrist for the next fours weeks at least. That would also explain the crooked picture you're looking at as well. Sorry.

Anyway, I threw in a "big shot" challenge for the team today. . . except for Leonie down in Australia. We're hoping that she'll get it in April at her SU! convention. Check out the team's submissions for this week.


Tammy

Ruthie

Leonie

Adriana

Carol.

Finally Friday with Halloween Frights!

Hello all!!  Happy day before Halloween!!  Are you ready?

Thiswas made for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS, who was VA.Sunshine AKA Teresa.  I had so much fun making this card!

My changes are:

* Colors, stamps and theme

* Kept the basic layout, which is one of the elements of the card I loved

* Used ric rak, but in a different way

* Used Big Shot Texture plates to emboss the black panel

This card uses the Halloween Frights sets that was in last years holiday mini!! As this is the only Halloween set I have, I'm glad to have it in the catty!!

The fence was made using my Word Window punch and thin strips of cardstock. I wheeled over the front of it with the new jumbo Texture wheel in Old Olive, which I also used on the Whisper White main panel.

The owl on here came out a little differently than I expected, since he was originally stamped in Basic Black. I off stamped him twice and then did the Rock n Roll technique in Soft Suede.

In the close up shot you can see the detail a bit better on the main image panel.  The tree branch was cut free hand, no pattern! 

And you can see the inside.  We should always remember to stamp the inside of our cards, but sometimes I forget!!

Happy Halloween and Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge #67

It's time for another Inspiration Challenge.  Here is today's picture from HGTV.com.

Check out what the team members created, and then play along with us.  Leave a comment with a link to your creation.  If you upload to a public gallery, please use DivaIC67 as a keyword.

Carol

Elizabeth

Karen

Katy

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth

Petals-a-Plenty Christmas Tree

Good Wednesday afternoon!  How is everyone this fine day?  I'm great!  Thanks!  Today's blog project comes from (not so) little ol' me!  :)  It's an embossed Christmas tree made from the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  I used the fabulous Patty Bennett's idea from her blog post here.  She is a creative genius!

I cut out a triangle shape using some cardboard packaging I saved from Make-n-Takes at Convention 2008.  I knew I would need it for something.  LOL  One sheet didn't work, so I cut out another triangle and glued the 2 of them together.   That worked perfectly.   I used Shimmery White cardstock and rubbed some Champagne Mist shimmer paint all over the tree.  Then I colored the berries with Real Red.  The star at the top of the tree is punched from YoYo Yellow and also sponged with Champagne Mist shimmer paint then adhered with a dimensional.  This card is so sparkly IRL.  The sentiment is from Four the Holidays and is stamped on Shimmery White in Real Red.  A piece of Soft Suede polka-dot ribbon (I love this ribbon!) finishes off the card. 

Supplies(all SU!):  Stamps-  Four the Holidays.  Ink- Real Red.  Paper- Shimmery White, Real Red, Soft Suede, YoYo Yellow.  Accessories-  Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Star punch, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, Soft Suede polka-dot ribbon, dimensionals, sponge dauber.

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

WOW technique

This idea has never occurred to me - I'm so glad Selene Kempton is sharing it with us today!  Check out this gorgeous card - the directions are included as well, so you can try it out for yourself :)

I demonstrated this card for the portland Maine regionals to show chalk pastels.

I stamped my image on shimmer white.
I applied chalk with makeup applicators.
Then, I used a blender pen to add darker colors to areas where the artist had made lines on the stamped image.  

No need to be an artist, SU has done the work for us.
Next, I added crystal effects... 

then I sponged my edges and assembled the card.  

***note: crystal effects wont move your chalk, so have some fun with this!

Really, Selene - I love your card!  Can't wait to start playing with this technique.  It's been way too long since I played with my pastels!

Row! Row! Row! Row! A Pirate's Life for Me!!!

Ahoy Mateys!

Look at this adorable project Stephanie Gittins, one of our very talented and creative Design Team Members made.  Perfect timing for a fabulous deal of the week from Stampin' Up!  Contact your local Demonstrator or e-mail utahdivasinternational@gmail.com for more information.

Here is what Stephanie wrote:

Pirate Box

For this cute treat box, I used the Pizza Box tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. The box measures 4x4, so you can fit quite a bit of candy (or other treats) inside. I wanted a Halloween box that wasn't too cutesy and that could be used for boys, teenagers, etc. I have three boys and they absolutely adore this pirate stamp set. They are my "design team" and all of them said "AWESOME!" when I showed them the box, so I guess that means I succeeded! The box is decorated very simply. The only trick I used was cutting out the skull and mounting it with Stampin' Dimensionals for a 3-D look. You could use this same basic pattern for any occasion!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Pirate Time
Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink, VersaMark
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, and Whisper White cardstocks
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a wonderful day me lovelies :)
Max

diva sketch challenge

Welcome to another sketch challenge. I love this sketch and hope that everyone had fun with it too. Check out the design team and let us know what you think.


Tammy

Ruthie

Leonie

Adriana

Carol.

Jeannette

Enjoy your weekend. :)

Inspiration Challenge #66

Today's inspiration picture is "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.   Check out what the design team came up with for this one, then leave us a comment with a link to your inspiration challenge project.  If you use a public gallery, please use DivaIC66 as one of your keywords.

Carol
Elizabeth
Karen
Katy

Happy stampin'!
Elizabeth

Matchbox Advent Tree

Today's project comes to us from Kristine Memmott.  It's an Advent Calendar in the shape of a Christmas tree made from the Matchbox die for the Big Shot.  How clever is that?!  

Paper:  Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Chocolate Chip DSP

Accessories:  Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon, Build A Brads, Sticky Strip 1/2" Circle Punch, Matchbox Die.

Thanks for sharing with us, Kristine!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth

Great Color Combo

I really like this card from Brenda Taylor!  What strikes me first is the color combo; it isn't anything out of the ordinary, but it just all works so well together.  Besides, what's not to love about Rich Razzleberry?

Supplies:

Circle Circus & On Your Birthday stamp sets

Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive & Whisper White card stock

Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive ink pads & markers

Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon and pop dots

Great job Brenda!

Beary Best Friends!

Hello Friends,

Happy Monday!  Hope you had a fabulous weekend. The weather here in UT was awesome.  Beautiful, fall day!

I often take a look at our Divas blogs and ever since I saw this posting I KNEW I would be posting this.  Tiffany Bauer has become one of my great stampin' friends.  I met her on the Incentive Trip in Hawaii and just loved her from the moment I saw her.  Very classy lady.  Tiffany was the #1 Rising Star in 2007/8. 

Some fabulous ideas using product from our Build-A-Bear Workshop.  So very cute.  Great ideas for a Mommy and Me class or a gift class.

Click here to visit Tiffany's blog.

Enjoy your day!
Max

diva sketch challenge

'morning. it's time once again for a sketch challenge. i think our team is doing a fantastic job with these challenges and am so glad they are willing to participate.

here is this week's sketch:

click on each name to see what they came up with for the sketch, and thanx for stopping by today.

Tammy

Ruthie

Leonie

Adriana

Carol.

Finally Friday - In Disguise

Hello all!!  Here we are on another Finally Friday!  Halloween is just around the corner and many of you are thinking about what your children, or you, will be for Halloween!!!  I am not a big Halloween person myself, but I do LOVE the colors of Halloween and find myself making many Halloween cards and treats this time of year.

This week our wonderful Selene sent us a scrapbook page, made with the new My Digital Studio, of an absolutely wonderful costume idea her daughter thought up.  Here's what she has to say:

We've been talking about Halloween all week. Deciding what to be for Halloween is always a daunting task. Earlier in the week Alexis shared that she wants to be Tinkerbell.

While playing outside, I suggested she be a bag of leaves. She loves to play with them and suggested we make a craft project out of the leaves in the back yard. However, that idea didn't fly.

Well today we thought of a third option. How about being a Stampin' Up! shipment!??? We got to work with some retired ribbon and a cropadile. Five minutes later we have our first draft! What do you think??

We spent the afternoon crafting. Alexis is holding the card she made using the floating re inkier technique. I don't think she'll ever part with that card. I tried to get her to give it to her teacher at school . No dice! Can you blame her? It's gorgeous!!

Thanks Selene and Alexis for some wonderful Halloween inspiration!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge 65

It's time for another Inspiration Challenge.  Feel free to join us.  Leave a comment with a link to your creation.  If you upload to a public gallery, please use DivaIC65 as a keyword.

Check out what the Inspiration team created today.

Carol

Elizabeth

Karen

Katy

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth

Happy Hump Day!

Hello!  It's Wednesday!  We're halfway to the weekend!  :)

Today's project comes to us from Adriana Benitez, a fellow Florida demo.  She has made a beautiful box for us to enjoy.  Let's see what she has to say about it.

This tote was very easy to put together! It's made by adhering two of the Box #2 die-cuts. The lids remain open and up and are attached to each other. Our Large Oval punch was used to create a handle. The weight of the Specialty paper makes it a wonderful choice for boxes. This paper is very sturdy without needing to add any extra layers. (Of course, I did anyway - just for fun!) I would definitely recommend cutting one piece at a time however. I ran them both through at the same time. and the die almost cut through a couple of score lines! Yikes!

Once your boxes are adhered, it's just a matter of decorating. I added only minimal decoration by using coordinating grosgrain ribbon and created a small tag for the handle. This box will hold individually wrapped tea bags, so I stamped images from our Dream Gardens stamp set. Our Sage Shadow Classic Ink reminds me of jade, so I thought it would be a good choice for these Asian inspired images.

Enjoy!

Supplies:
Stamps: Dream Gardens
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Sage Shadow
Paper: The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
Tools: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Large Oval punch, Big Shot, Box #2 die
Embellishments: 1/4" Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon, 3/8" Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for sharing another beautiful project with us, Adriana!

Until next week...

Happy stamping!

Elizabeth

Spooky Treats

We've been playing with all the fun new Halloween stamps and accessories that Stampin' Up! has out and I have to tell you, I don't get tired of seeing all the adorable projects that are created! Here are some great treat ideas from Kristine Memmott; they'd be perfect for little neighbor or classroom gifts!

Halloween Treat Bag

Stamps: Tasty Sweet

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Basic Black, From the Crypt, Very Vanilla

Accessories: ¼” Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Stripped Ribbon, Pop Dots, Medium Cello Bag and non-Stampin Up brad, Candy Corn



Halloween Treat Box

Stamps: Batty For You

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, From the Crypt, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: ¼” Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Matchbox Die, 1 3/8” Circle Punch, 1 1/4” Circle Punch, 1” Circle Punch

My stampin' supplies are still packed away, but I can't wait to get organized and start creating - I've got to try some of these great ideas! Thanks for sharing these with us Kristine!

Trick or Treat

Brenda Taylor from MN created this wonderful card.  Perfect for your card class or to make for the special 'ghouls'in your life' :)

Here is what Brenda wrote:

Here is a quick and easy card that we made at my card class last month, my customers loved it!! They said that it was simple, yet it had class.

Supplies: Batty for You & All Holidays stamp set

Basic Black, Old Olive, Pale Plum & Whisper White card stock

Cast-a-Spell Designer series paper

Basic Black & Pale Plum ink pads

1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches & Scallop Circle Punch

5/8" Basic Black grosgrain ribbon & Pop dots


Thank you Brenda for sharing your creativity with us. 
Happy Stampin'
Max

diva sketch challenge

Good morning. Coming to you from another rainy Saturday in SW Michigan. I think you'll like today's sketch challenge. It has so many possiblities and it should get your creative juices flowing. Please share with us what you come up with.

Here are the sketch teams' results:

Tammy

Ruthie

Adriana

Jeannette

Carol

Have a great weekend!

Finally Friday - The Charming Way!!

Hello all!!  Here we are agin at another Friday!  I, for one, am quite ready for the weekend!

I have to show you the card I made using a fun and quick technique - Poppin Pastels!! Have you tried it yet? You might want to think about it!!!!!


On this card I did double stamping with the versamark and double usage of the chalks. By that, I mean I first stamped the script BG in versamark and went over it with the Pale Plum chalk. Second, I stamped the flower in versamark over the already chalked BG. (See how versatile this technique is?) I then went over the flower with the Elegant Eggplant chalk, carefully so as not to muddy up my colors. The image on the punched circle was colored with the Old Olive chalk and then a second one was stamped and the middle portion was punched out and Pale Plum was used.

I also did another circle medallion with my Top Note die!!! These are addicting!!

This was my card for FS138 who is NancyRuth this week!!! What an awesome gallery she has to see. You really should take a peek.

My card I chose is here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=42694

My changes:

* Colors & stamp set
* Kept the medallion circle, but used a different style
* used pearls instead of brads
* used my SU! texture plates instead of CB folder
* used chalks to color my images

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge 64

Hello!  I'm still posting for Maria while the family is recovering from David's motorcycle accident.  Please keep them in your prayers.

It's time  for another Inspiration Challenge.  Here's the picture Maria found for the team.  This picture reminded me of a movie.  You'll never guess which one.  You're going to think I'm crazy, but it's...

Barney's Halloween Party!  Tell me that my kids aren't the only ones that watched that movie 10 times in a row!  (Way back when they were little ones!) LOL  Anyway,  back to the challenge!

Here are links to see what the team came up with for this one.

Carol

Elizabeth

Karen

Katy

Have a great day!

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth

Delightful Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! :)

Today's project is a card I made for a swap I participated in last month.  The swap showcased the Holiday Mini catalog.  I chose the set Delightful Decorations.  The card base is Very Vanilla.  The next layer is a piece Old Olive that has been embossed with the Petals a Plenty embossing folder.  You have got to get this folder!  It is just beautiful!  There are strips of Very Vanilla and Real Red along with some 1/4" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon on top of the embossed layer.  The image layers are Real Red, Very Vanilla and Old Olive.  The image is stamped on Very Vanilla with Real Red classic ink.  I used the Ornament punch to punch it out, and I used my 2-way glue pen to add Dazzling Diamonds to the outer edge of the ornament.  (You can click the picture to get a better view.)  I adhered the ornament with dimensionals.

Enjoy the rest of your day.  Don't forget to stop back by tomorrow to see what everyone came up with for the Inspiration Challenge!

Supplies(all SU!):  Stamps-  Delightful Decorations.  Ink- Real Red.  Paper- Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive.  Accessories- Big Shot, Petals a Plenty embossing folder, 1/4" Old Olive grosgrain, Ornament punch, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way glue pen, dimensionals.

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth

Hello Friends,

Just look at this cute cute pumpkin candy holder.  Gretchen Barron who happens to be one of the most creative stampers I know made this darling project. 

Here is what Gretchen wrote:

How Stinkin' Cute is this little guy!
When I saw this adorable little Pumpkin' Basket, originally created by Lynn Put, I knew I needed to make one (or more!). And he's so simple and quick to put together, you will be amazed.
You do need the Big Shot and the Pillow Box Die (you use 3 of the Die Cuts) and the bottom circle is a whopping 4" in diameter -- enough to hold an entire bag of Tootsie Pop's! I did add the leaf's to Lynn's original design, and used the Autumn Splendor stamp set to stamp them, attaching them with Stampin' dimensionals. I think I'll name him Jack. And Jack is all ready to help greet our little Trick and Treater's, come October!
Of course, I'll probably have to refill him with candy before then. I can't image these lasting long with my daughter in the house!
You can find more infomrmation on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/cutest-little-pumpkin-basket-in-the-patch.html

Thanks as always Gretchen for sharing your amazing talent with us.

Have a great day everyone!
Max

diva sketch surprise challenge

I hope that everyone is enjoying our wonderful autumn weather. I heard that a cold front came through Florida and the temperature dropped to 70 degrees. I bet they're putting their heat on at night. South Dakota was supposed to have snow and in Michigan it has been cool and rainy. What's it like in your part of the country?

Welcome to another saturday sketch challenge. I asked the team to use some of our hardware this week. Let's see what they came up with.

We would love to know what you think about our sketches and surprise sketches, so please leave us a comment. If you participate with our sketch be sure to post a link so that we can see what you made. Thanx for stopping by today.

Ruthie

Jeannette

Tammy

Adriana

carol.

Finally Friday Halloween Style!!

Hello all!!! No, I didn't forget to post today!! I am just posting later than usual!


This week we have an awesome Halloween project by Kristine Memmott!  She used the new Cast a Spell dsp and the Big Shot to create a wonderful Treat Holder


Stamps: Batty For You
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, From the Crypt, Whisper White
Accessories: ¼” Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Matchbox Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8” Circle Punch, 1” Circle Punch


Pillowbox Treat Holder

Stamps: Batty For You
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, From the Crypt, Whisper White
Accessories: 5/8” Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Pillowbox Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8” Circle Punch, 1 1/4” Circle Punch

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Inspiration Challenge 63

Good Thursday morning to you!  I hope you are having a fabulous day!  Are you ready for today's picture?  It is absolutely gorgeous. 

Here are links to the team members' creations.  If you join us, leave a comment with a link to yours.  If you upload to a public gallery, use DivaIC63 as a keyword.

Carol

Elizabeth

Karen

Katy

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Elizabeth