Diva Inspiration Challenge #76

2009 is at an end. Today is the day most of us review the past 12 months and reflect on all the events that had happened. With this in mind, we prepare for the new year ahead and resolve to try to do at least one thing better. So as that clock strikes twelve tonight, here's a toast for a better New Year! Cheers to you!

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

Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Robin

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or public gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to put DivaIC76 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

I {heart} Sneak Peeks!

Good Wednesday morning!  Today's project was created by me!  ;)  It's a mix of old and new.  The DSP is old...and only available until Monday, January 4th.  The image (I {heart} Hearts), sentiment (Vintage Vogue) and white scalloped piece (Sending Love Notes-Hugs) are new and not available until Tuesday, January 5th.

I rounded all the corners on the card base and added brads to the corners of the Hugs paper.  That piece is adhered with dimensionals. I am really pleased with the end result.  It's simple but elegant.

Enjoy your Wednesday!  It's the last one of 2009!  ;)

Supplies(all SU!):  Stamps- Vintage Vogue, I {heart} Hearts.  Ink- Real Red.  Paper- Whisper White, Real Red, Christmas Cocoa DSP, Hugs specialty paper.  Accessories-  Whisper White Satin ribbon, Real Red brads, Scalloped Edge punch, Corner Rounder punch, dimensionals.

Until next week...

Happy Stampin'!

Ready for a Sneak Peek?

Every sample I see from the new Occasions Mini Catalog is beautiful and today's card is no exception!  You'll love this sample from Gretchen Barron:

Here's a Sneak Peek at one of the new stamp sets from Stampin' Up!, available January 5 -- Vintage Vogue -- isn't it gorgeous? The colors are Real Red, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom, along with just a little Old Olive. The Designer Series Paper is the new Sending Love Specialty paper and guess what? One side of each sheet has the glitter already applied to it -- it is simply gorgeous (have I already used that word in this post?). The ribbon is one of the new 5/8" Satin ribbons in Pretty in Pink. 


More details and pictures can be seen on my blog at  http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/a-new-saturday-sketch-challenge-from-stamping-411.html. Thanks for looking, everyone! Blessings, Gretchen

Gretchen, we love having you on our design team - thank you so much for sharing your beautiful creations with us!

Christmas Albums

Happy Monday Everyone!

Hope you had a fabulous Christmas.  I am sure you took lots of pictures.  If you haven't already heard about My Digital Studio.....click here for more details.

No doubt you have lots of pictures to put into scrapbooks/albums.  Here is a wonderful idea by Linda Miller.

Here are the directions.

Supplies needed:

CD Case (remove inserts)

Mini Glue Dots

Sticky Strip

Snail Adhesive

1”Circle Punch

¾ “ Circle Punch

Round Tab Punch

Paper/Cardstock as follows:

Double Sided Designer Paper:

· Front Cover 5” x 4¾”

· Back Cover 6” x 4 5/8”

(score ¼” in

along the 4 5/8 sides)

· Scallop Envelope Die

Cardstock

· Scrapbook Accordion (2) 4 x 12

(score at 4” and 8”) © Stampin’ Up! 1990-2009

· Accordion Back Mat 4¼” x 4¼”

· Scrap piece for Round Tab Punch

Instructions:

CD Front and Back Covers

1. Adhere front cover using Glue Dots. Apply to the four corners.

2. Put the ¼” scored side into the CD case as the “spine”, the create the other edge spine, by pushing into the corner and forcing a crease. Use Glue Dots to adhere (not necessary to glue to spine/edges)

Accordion Scrapbook

1. Attach the two scored 4 x 12 pieces together, by overlapping one panel from each piece. Use sticky strip to adhere.

2. Adhere the accordion scrapbook to the back mat with sticky strip

3. Adhere the two folded hinges to the folded edges.

4. Adhere to inside the back of the CD Holder w/Sticky Strip

5. Punch, fold and staple Round Punch Tab to outside edge of accordion

Have a wonderful time creating fun abums to show your Christmas pictures to family and friends :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Max

diva sketch surprise challenge

Happy day after Christmas and the celebration of Christ's birth. Have you been out shopping for after Christmas sales? yuck. Not me. I do not enjoy shopping at all. I am actually on the road today on my way to Illinois to see my mom. Woo Hoo! Haven't been there since July.

Leonie and Jeannette are traveling and enjoying this time with their families. We will have them back after the new year. Also, Adriana is visiting her mom and will return next week.

Alisa's town suffered another bush fire this week and they were without power. Please keep her family and townspeople in your prayers.

I tossed in another surprise this week and asked the team to use their favorite color on the sketch. Let's see what the rest of our team has done with this week's sketch. Have a great weekend.

Elizabeth
Lorie
Max
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol.

Finally Friday - Christmas style!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope this day finds all of you surrounded by family, friends and enjoying the day!! If you must travel, be safe.

This gift set I put together for my BFF, Deb. Are 40 year somethings supposed to have BFF's? Too bad, I do! Actually we have been friends since we met in 1990 when we both started our pre -reqs at the community college for the nursing program. We have since gone through our bachelor's and master's programs together and have watched both of families grow through the years. And I wanted to really give her something from the heart this year as she, and her husband, have been so good to me over the past couple of years when I needed it.

She was just amazed at how everything looked liked you would find it in a store! She kept asking me, “Did you really make these?” She knows I stamp and she buys cards from me all the time!! When people only see the cards you make they don't realize all the other possibilities out there too!!

The picture frame I found on clearance at TJMaxx. I backed it with a piece of groom’s dsp and then laid my card front over it. This actually was a card to begin with, but someone suggested I should frame it and so I did! And I think it made a lovely gift.

The candle I just covered up the label on the front and wrapped some ribbon around the neck and the body. And yes, that is a contraband butterfly punch but the current SU! one is too big and my new butterfly embosslit arrived on Wednesday!!!! (Pre-order for the new Occasions mini & SAB starting on January 5th.)

Then I made a set of 10 monogrammed notecards for her. She loves red, so I used my leftover Riding Hood Red and Bella Rose dsp. I am so happy with how they came out.
And, one of the best parts is this only cost me around $10 to put together! I also put some lotion/bodywash in I bought after Christmas last year on clearance. But, most of all she loved it and that is what makes me happy!!

I also gave her the button wreath card I made for GCA68. She thought the buttons were purchased that way and then I put the bird and branch on it. I think I told her three times that put the wreath together myself!

Happy Stamping and Merry Christmas to all!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #75

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

I wish for everyone the calming peace and love that comes over us at Christmas. May you be able to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas!

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

Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Robin

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or public gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to put DivaIC75 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

Santa lost his pants...

...and Adriana found them!

Today's project is just the cutest!  Adriana Benitez is sharing this fabulous idea with us.  She even prepared a tutorial! I can't wait to make one up to take to our Christmas gathering for the hostess.

Santa Pants (2 compartment gift bag)
Supplies:
(2) card stock 8 ½” x 5 ½” (pant legs)
(2) card stock ½” x 8 ½” (suspenders)
(2) card stock ½” x 8 ½” (contrasting color, for bottom trim of pants)
(2) card stock ¾” x 2”, score at 1” (belt loops)
16” of ¼” Black grosgrain ribbon
Belt buckle (die cut or soda can pop top)

Complete steps 1 -5 two times; once for each pant leg.
1. Cut card stock to 8 ½” x 5 ½”.
2. With 5 ½” side along the top of your paper trimmer, score card stock at 2”.
3. Turn ¼ so that an 8 ½” side is now along the top of your trimmer. Score at 2”, 4”, 6” and 8”.
4. Cut out the smallest rectangle.
5. Cut along each of the 4 score lines up to the 2” score line created in step 2.
6. Attach ½” strip along the bottom of each box. (Becomes the trim along the bottom of Santa’s pants.)
7. Apply adhesive to outside top edge of one pant leg; adhere to the 2nd pant leg.
8. Adhere the suspenders to the back of the pants (don’t do the front yet!) Run ¼” black grosgrain ribbon around the pants. (I ran my ribbon over the ends of the suspenders, trapping them under the ribbon.)
9. Adhere the belt loops to the front of the pants; adhere over the ribbon to help keep it in place.
10. Adhere the front end of the suspenders to the inside of the bag. (I adhered mine in place at the belt loop).
Enjoy!

Thanks so much for sharing, Adriana!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Christmas Game Night!

There's still time to make this adorable gift for Christmas!  Check out what Kristine Memmott has for us today:

This is a cute Pictionary game that would be fun to put under the tree for Christmas morning.  It would also make a great neighbor or co-worker gift. 

 

Stamps:  Christmas Punch

Ink:  Real Red, Garden Green

Paper:  Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White, Merry Moments DSP

Accessories:  Alpine Ribbon, White Mini Envelopes, 1/4" Real Red  and Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Very creative - I LOVE it Kristine!

A Guide for Cutting Squares and Rectangles with the Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches

Look at this beautiful card created by our very own Gretchen Barron.  Notice something wonderful about the layered border.  Gretchen used Stampin' Up!'s new punches that will be available to customers, January 5th.

If you would like to see Gretchen's wonderful tutorial for using the new punches, click here and be sure to leave her a comment.  This is a lot of work.  Thanks for sharing, as always Gretchen.

Have a wonderful day!
Max

diva sketch challenge

Look how easy this week's sketch is to do. I bet any of you could give it a shot and link your creation back to here so we can see what you did. We would love to have you participate in our sketches.


Take a look at my wonderful team creations below. Thanx. Merry Christmas
Alisa
Adriana
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Lorie
Max
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
carol.

Leonie is traveling for the holidays and will be back posting on January 9th.

Finally Friday - Decorated Candles!

Hello all!!! How's this post for some last minute gift giving inspiration?? I love to make candles and it always impresses people when you tell them it was stamped!!
This week Adriana has a little tutorial for us on how to create these amazing gifts, in no time at all!!!

Step 1. Stamp onto tissue paper.

Step 2. Put a sheet of printer paper under the tissue paper and punch out your image. A 1 3/8" circle fits the tealight candles exactly, but a 1 1/4" punch works well, too.

Step 3. Punch a 1/8" circle in the center.

Step 4. Discard the printer paper circle and place the stamped tissue paper circle over the candle. The wick should come up through the center 1/8" hole created in step 3.

Step 5. Heat the surface of the candle with a heat tool. You will see the wax begin to melt and the tissue paper begin to turn nearly clear as it absorbs the wax. Continue only until the paper is clear. (It's very fast - it will only take a few seconds!) And you are done! This is a quick project that makes for great last-minute gifts!

Thank you Adriana for this quick, and easy, project for all of those last minute gifts! I haven't yet tried stamping on tealights.

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #74

Isn't this table setting so crisp and clean?! I love how it gives the feel of winter. My table will look like this one day - when the kids are all grown and gone. Hahahaaa. But, being that the youngest is still in diapers, it will be quite a ways away - that, and I am in no hurry for my awesome kids to leave home. :)
Christmas will be upon us in just one week - where has the time flew??

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

Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Robin

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or public gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to put DivaIC74 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

It's a Dazzling Wednesday!

Good afternoon!  I'm sorry this wasn't posted earlier, but I was without internet service until just now. 

Today's dazzling project comes to us from the fabulous Gretchen Barron. Let's see what she has to say about her card.

Here's a bright and cheery Christmas card for you using Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and the colors of Real Red, Glorious Green and Very Vanilla. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and the snowflakes, punched with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch, are covered with bright, sparkling Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Each snowflake is adorned with a Clear Rhinestone brad in the center. The ribbon and bow are 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain. So much fun and what a perfect way to send holiday greetings to someone important to you. I stamped a few snowflakes on the inside of the card as well! Details are on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/its-weekend-sketch-challenge-time-ia112.html

Blessings, Gretchen

I just love those "Dazzling" snowflakes!  

Thanks for sharing with us, Gretchen!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

 

Look at that Shimmer!!

I love all things glittery - and the Serene Snowflakes set - so it's no surprise to me that I love this card from Carol Marbach!  Isn't it gorgeous?  I think Rich Razzleberry is a great color for Christmas :)

Here's what she used:

Serene Snowflakes ~ again with the razzleberry and shimmer card stock.  Razzleberry is stamped on the silver and silver encore is stamped on the razzleberry card stock.

Thanks Carol - it's fantastic!

Scallop Circle Baby Carriage Card

Happy Monday Friends!

Did you know that Stampin' Up! has an awesome sale just now.  Many of the Sizzix Big Shot Dies are on special.  Contact your Demonstrator for more information or check out http://www.stampinup.com/

Check out this cute card made by Katy Zamer.

Here is what Katy wrote:

One of my daughter's Mom's Day Out teachers is expecting a baby in February and won't be returning to work after Christmas. This was the card I made her to go with her gift. I just folded a 5 x 10" piece of card stock in half and sent it through the Big Shot, being sure to hang the fold over the die slightly, using the Scallop Circle die. Then I cut out my triangle for the carriage and added some Designer Series Paper, some wheels, and some ribbon. I love how it turned out and it matched the baby bag wrapping perfectly.

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Pawsitively Perfect DSP (118060)
Other: Big Shot Machine (113439), Scallop Circle Die (113468), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Vintage Brads (109109)
 
Katy is a member of our Inspiration Team.  Click here to see what Katy's take was on this weeks Inspiration Challenge.
 
Have a wonderful day!
Max

diva sketch surprise challenge

Good morning! It is a winter wonderland here in SW Michigan. It is beautiful, but also quite treacherous. There is alot of ice under the new snow.

Today was another surprise challenge. I asked the team to watercolor their image.

Let's see what everyone did. Enjoy your weekend.

Alisa
Adriana
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Lorie
Max
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol

Finally Friday - Blizzard style!

Hello all!!!  Here in lower Michigan (I think maybe most of Michigan) we have been in the midst of a huge snowstorm!!!!  Not quite a blizzard in snow proportions, but we have winds that are!!  All this week I was over on the west side of the state, near Lake Michigan, and that lake effect snow is no fun to deal with!!  I came home today and it me 3 hours to get here!  (Normally it's a 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive.)  Unlike our creator this week, Carol M., I am not a fan of snow!

So, on to this weeks sample from our very own Carol!  She is too funny and if you ever get the chance to meet her in person, and spend some time with her, you will be laughing until your sides ache!  She used the adorable Patterned Pines set from the Holiday mini.

Here's what she had to say:  this is another card for our holiday sas on 10/10. The pines are embossed with Real Red pigment ink and clear ep.  The ticket corner punch, real red polka dot ribbon and tTeeny Tiny Wishes finish off this card.

Thanks Carol for more added Christmas inspiration!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #73

I am SO EXCITED for Christmas to be here. I absolutely love being with the family and watching the children's reactions as they open up their presents. There is a lot of work and preparation for this blessed holiday, but it is definitely worth it! I think everyone has their own family traditions weather great or small and that is what this week's inspiration picture reminds me of - tradition.

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

Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Robin

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or public gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to put DivaIC73 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

Another Delightful Wednesday...

Can you believe there are only 16 days until Christmas?!  I haven't put up the tree or bought the first present!  ACK!  I am so behind!  At least I have lots of cards ready to be mailed!  Now to get those envelopes addressed! LOL

Today's card comes to us from Kristine Memmott of UT.  I hear it's snowing in UT!  Yikes!  I'll take my sunny and close to 80 degrees, thank you very much!   There's nothing wrong with wearing shorts for Christmas!  ;)

Stamps:  Delightful Decorations, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Soft Suede, Real Red

Paper:  Soft Suede, Real Red, Whisper White and Christmas Cocoa DSP

Accessories:  Ornament Punch, Silver Cord, 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Eyelet border punch, Corner Rounder punch, Brads

Thanks for sharing with us, Kristine.  I hope you're feeling better!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Unexpected Christmas Fun!

Can I just tell you how much I love today's project from Gretchen Barron?  I'm sure I say this with every post, but we have such talented Divas that it's hard not to!  So even though I may repeat myself from time to time, I hope you know I'm sincere; this is one gorgeous card!

What do you think -- fun, bright and whimsical? I had such fun with this sketch and card. The non-traditional Christmas  colors of Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery and Orchid Opulence seemed to fit the bill! I used some Certainly Celery Polka Dot Prints in the background. I cut two of the Snowflake #2 Die and then heavily spritzed it with Shimmer Mist (2 oz of rubbing alcohol and about 12 drops of Champaign Mist Shimmer Paint in a small mister bottle. Shake often during use). Once that dried, I "wove" the two snowflakes together, passing the "arms" from the back snowflake up and through the "arms" on the front one. Isn't it pretty! A Square Rhinestone Brad was all the extra bling that was needed in the center. Other embellishments include 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Bermuda Bay and the Modern Label Punch and Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Die. Complete details and measurements can be found at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/11/what-a-snowflake.html.


May your Holiday season be Merry & Bright! Blessings, Gretchen

Don't you just love these fun new color combos that Gretchen has been showing us?  This is definitely one that I'd like to try out. I love the idea for shimmer mist too - thanks for giving us the measurements on that Gretchen; I've been wondering how to do that!

Tags, Tags and more Tags

Happy Monday Friends,

Lots of Gift Giving will be happening this month :)  Today I would like to feature some projects, tags in particular, created by our very own Blog Manager, Becky Roberts.  Becky happens to be one of the most creative stampers I know.

Becky used the following Stampin' Up! products to make these gorgeous tags.
Cardstock: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Shimmery White



Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks, To/From is from Christmas Punch


Ink Pads: Staz On Jet Black


Accessories: Big Shot (you need this baby!!), Top Note die-cut, Embossing plate (swirly one Ü). Stampin' Write Markers in Pumpkin Pie, Real Red & Certainly Celery, Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Natural Rope Twine available in the Clearance Rack

Snowman Tags

Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Shimmery White


Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks


Accessories: Big Shot (you sooo need this!), Two Tags die-cut, Stampin' Write Markers-Old Olive, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie & Bashful Blue, Watercolor Crayon Bordering Blue and a Blender Pen for shading snowman, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Scalloped Snowman Tags

Cardstock: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Shimmery White


Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks


Accessories: Big Shot (you sooo need this!), Circles #2 and Scalloped Circles #2 die-cuts, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Stampin' Write Markers-Old Olive, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie, Watercolor Crayon Bordering Blue and a Blender Pen for shading snowman, Round Tab Punch, Crop-a-dile, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.

Hope you enjoyed todays projects.  Wonderful cute ideas for your gifts this year.

Have a fabulous day!
Max

diva sketch challenge

I hope your weekend is starting out good. There were no hidden surprises for this week's sketch challenge for the team. I hope you like what the team is doing with these sketches. We would love to get some feedback from y'all. Please leave a comment on our blogs as well as below. Thanx.

Let's see what the team created this week.
Adriana
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Leonie
Max
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol.


Enjoy your weekend and we'll see you next week.

Diva Inspiration Challenge #72

Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen.....

With Thanksgiving just one week behind us, Christmas seems to be in full swing - even the weather has chilled quite a bit! To get into the holiday spirit, this week's inspiration pic will help us do just that!

Now STAMP away! STAMP away! STAMP away all!

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

Elizabeth
Carol
Katy
Robin
Edie

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or public gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to put DivaIC72 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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