diva sketch surprise challenge

Today I asked the team to use a line image and cut it out as part of the challenge. I love throwing in the little extras and see what everyone comes up with. They do an incredible job with the sketches so be sure to check out the very talented design team.

Alisa
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Lorie
Leonie
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol.

Finally Friday & Slowly Winding Down!!

Hello all!! Sorry for the late post today. Time just got away from me. But how appropriate that our sample today is showing off the cute turtle from Fox & Friends??? Slow and steady wins the race right?

Anyway, you can find this adorable turtle in the Occasions mini, with 6 of his other good friends too!!! This set is just perfect for all those kids cards we never seem to have the right stamp for!

Our sample this week comes from Brenda Taylor and like all of her work, it is just wonderful!! She used many new products on this one card. The strip of designer series paper is from the delicious Sweet Pack stack and the sentiment is from Well Scripted, and all are available now!!

Supplies:

Fox and Friends and Well Scripted stamp set
Old Olive, So Saffron, Taken With Teal and Whisper White card stock
Sweet Pea stack ds paper
Old Olive ink pad
pop dots

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #80

How yummy is this week's inspiration pic?!? I am totally dying here because I've been craving cupcakes for such a while, but I am staying dedicated to my diet. This picture is actually ice cream looking like cupcakes or cupcakes trying to impersonate ice cream?? Either which way, it's calling that sweet tooth of mine... ha! I can't wait to see what yummy creations were created this week!

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 DivaIC80 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

Wedding Wednesday

Hello!  I have a simple but elegant wedding card to share with you today.  It comes to us from Stephanie Gittins.  She's a demo in Utah.  Let's see what she has to say about her card.

I love the Medallion stamp- it's so elegant, and the large size of the design makes projects quick and easy.  This is a set of wedding cards I made for my mother-in-law.  She sends them through the mail so I have to keep the bulk to a minimum.  The card measures 5x7.  I used sponge daubers to apply the ink to the stamp because I wanted a little more texture in my image.  I stamped the image in Pale Plum directly on the card.  Then I stamped it again in Perfect Plum on a seperate piece of paper, cut out the center and layered it on the card.  I added a half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit; these attach so easily with a drop of Crystal Effects or with a Mini Glue Dot.  Our fabulous White Satin Ribbon really adds elegance to any project.  My mother-in-law requested the retired greeting; she loves the fancy design.  The cards came together very easily, but I love how they turned out.
 
Stamps:  Medallion background stamp, All-Year Cheer III (Retired)
Inks:  Perfect Plum & Pale Plum Classic Ink
Paper:  Whisper White cardstock
Accessories:  White Satin Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Crystal Effects, Sponge Daubers, Paper Snips

Thanks for sharing your card with us, Stephanie!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Fun Punch Technique

I've seen lots of samples with the new I {heart} Hearts stamp set and this is definitely one of my favorites!  Gretchen, how do you do it?  I {heart} your creativity!

Hello everyone!  I've got a new (at least to me) technique and tutorial to share with you today. Recently, I ran across this simple, quick and very cool way to create a fancy two-toned scallop border. It's so much fun to do and amazingly quick! You'll find more photos and examples of this technique, along with a step-by-step tutorial with lots of photos on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/fancy-twotoned-scallop-border-technique-.html

Have fun and Happy Stamping! Blessings, Gretchen

For once I'm on the ball and I tried this technique as soon as I saw it on Gretchen's blog - it's lots of fun.  Try it - you'll love the look it creates!

diva sketch challenge

We have a relatively easy sketch to do this week. I hope you're enjoying our sketch challenges and surprises. We would love to get some feedback from you as well as, have you participate in our sketches. Please, leave us comment and look at everyone that has a blog on the udi site. We have alot of very talented people here.

Alisa
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Lorie
Leonie
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol.

Finally Friday and Time to Fly!!!

Hello all!!! Here we are at another Friday, which means the weekend is upon us!

The card we have today is from Gretchen Barron and showcases the new butterfly embosslit - Beautiful Wings. This is in the Occasions mini and is a must have!!

Here is what Gretchen has to say about her card:

There's nothing better in the cold of winter than a nice shot of bold, bright colors and beautiful, whimsical butterflies! I used Real Read, Only Orange and Whisper White as my primary colors.

Other colors used for the butterflies include YoYo Yellow, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore and Brilliant Blue. The butterflies are cut and embossed with the new Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslet and the Big Shot (available January 5th in the Occasions Mini Catalog).

The ribbon is 5/8" Real Red Satin and the sentiment is from Heard from the Heart. The bottom of the Whisper White layer is punched with the new Scallop Trim Border Punch.

You can find all the details and more photos on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/a-new-year-and-a-new-sketch-from-stamping-411.html

Thanks for looking -- blessings, Gretchen

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #79

Happy Thursday you creative stampers! I think by now everyone is wishing the cold and snow away wanting warmer weather, but before we wish ALL the snow gone, take a moment to enjoy the thought that each little snowflake is different than the next. Even more amazing is looking at knee deep snow and trying to imagine how many snowflake there really are - it just amazes me.
I love today's inspiration picture because I love to see snowflakes close up just to see their unique design! I hope you stay warm and get a chance to play along this week!

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 DivaIC79 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

A new calendar for a new year!

Happy Wednesday!  We've made it to the middle of another week.  Down here in Florida, the weather is finally returning to normal after too many weeks of way too cold.  The kiddos wore shorts to school today.  :)  For today's posting, I'm sharing a desktop easel calender I made.  My daughter loved it and snatched it right away for her desk.  I just love it when that happens!  :)

 

 

This was such a fun project!

Supplies(all SU!):  Stamps-  Razzle Dazzle.  Ink- Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry.  Paper-  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP.  Accessories-  Scalloped Oval punch, Large Oval punch, 1/2" Circle punch, White brad, Sticky Strip.

Until next week...
Happy stampin'!

"Going Green" Card Contest

Happy Monday Friends!

The "Going Green" Contest is being hosted by our one and only Diva Dude, Michael!

The Contest Rules:

Your full card must be monochromatic (nothing but shades and tones of green)

Cardstock, DSP and embellishments included. Please be sure to use only current products.

You may use any sentiment you wish.

These cards will be used for UDI purposes throughout the next year! For those US entries we ask with your submission; you also send a book of postage stamps! (also to be used for UDI purposes)

Your submissions must be postmarked no later than January 31st! Please write "UDI Going Green contest" on the envelope.

Once all the cards have arrived (hopefully, no later than February 6th)

the voting polls will open!

That's right, all UDI members will have the opportunity to vote

for the card they like the most. Voting will be open for one week! At that time the

winner will be announced and the prize mailed!

The winner of the "Going Green" Card Contest

will receive a package of Certainly Celery (8 1/2 x 11) cardstock,

the Green Bead Duo and a roll of 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon!

To enter the contest....Please sign up in the Database on the UDI Yahoo Group Site!

All we need is your name for now and update the database when you mail your card!
This contest is open to EVERYONE. If you would like more information on joining our group, please e-mail Max at utahdivasinternational@gmail.com You do not have to be a member to join this contest but you will need to sign up by e-mailing Kellie at kellieanyn@msn.com

Please mail cards to:

Michael Paxton

1067 North Oak Drive

Bayfield, CO 81122


Questions: Please e-mail Michael at kellieanyn@msn.com and write UDI Going Green Contest in the subject line :)

Good Luck!

Here is an example of a card Michael made using Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Green Galore
 and Certainly Celery.

Have a great day!
Max

diva sketch challenge

Welcome to our Saturday sketch challenge. It seems like ages ago that I posted the last sketch. Where did the week go?

A few of our team members are on 'vacation' to take care of family matters. We look forward to their return and wish them well in the mean time.

Here is what the rest of the team has done with the sketch:

Elizabeth
Jeannette
Leonie
Lorie
Ruthie
Tammy
Tiffany
Carol.

Have a great week.

Finally Friday and Love is in the Air!!!!

Hello all!! I know I have been really bad the past couple of weeks and completely forgot to post!! How could that happen? You know, that thing we call life!

Anyway, can you feel the love that is all around us right now? Valentine's Day is 29days away!!! Are you ready?

I've wanted to try the Herringbone technique in the most recent Technique Junkies newsletter and I just hadn't made time. Well, the other day I was sitting at my table and got the bright idea of trying this technique using ribbon!! I plenty of ribbon scraps in bin, and so I went looking. I pulled out red, black and white ribbons and then just followed the directions.

I started out with a 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of scrap card stock and covered thoroughly with double sided tape. At that point I just started laying out my ribbon scraps in the Herringbone pattern. Once I was done, I trimmed the edges and then cut the card stock piece down to the size I wanted. This is the largest piece. I was able to make three cards with the pieces I had.

My card base is Shimmery White and I then used Real Red and Basic Black. The stamp set I used is Love You Much and the bird is punched using the new 2 step bird punch in the Occasions mini.

I used my distressor tool around the edges of the Basic Black panel, just to add some texture! Both the heart and bird are popped up with dimensionals. I also popped up the bird's wing. Lot's of dimension on this one!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Diva Inspiration Challenge #78

This week's bit of inspiration is how I feel it should look outside my window! Being in Texas, it has been quite chilly lately. I guess if there was snow, then that would justify the cold, right?!? Anyways, I hope you're staying warm and cozy and enjoy this week's challenge! :)

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

Maria
Elizabeth
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 DivaIC78 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

Voila Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!  Today I have a fabulous card to share with all of you.  It is from the amazingly talented Gretchen Barron!

Isn't it just gorgeous?!!  I love it!  Let's see what Gretchen has to say about him.

Isn't this fun! Our little Voila Chef is all decked out to serve up some LOVE! I used Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper along with Real Red, Whisper White and Basic Gray cardstocks. A little Rhinestone Brad adorns his stylish kerchief. I used the Scallop Circle Die and the Big Shot, along with the Circle Scissor Plus, the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die, the Full Heart and Heart to Heart punches and Scallop Trim Border punch. The ribbon is 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin. The stamp sets are Voila and Well Scripted! There's more information on my blog at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/inspiration-in-action----weekend-sketch-challenge-ia115.html.

Thanks for looking -- blessings, Gretchen.

Thanks for sharing with us, Gretchen!

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

Loving Hearts

Today's card comes to us from Brenda Taylor - isn't it adorable?

Supplies:

I {heart} Hearts stamp set

Real Red, Pretty in Pink & Very Vanilla card stock

Sending Love Specialty ds paper

Real Red & Pretty in Pink ink pads

Heart to Heart punch, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon & pop dots

I stamped the hearts in Real Red ink and then using a scratch piece of vanilla cs, I stamped the hearts again, once in Real Red and in Pretty in Pink inks, punched them out and attached them using pop dots

Don't you love the Sending Love Specialty DSP?  I love the sparkles!  Thanks Brenda :)

Heart Card

Hello Friends,

This past week has been our annual Leadership Conference.  It was held in Phoenix, AZ and it was FABULOUS.

One of the BEST things about any of our events is seeing all our wonderful friends.  Ann Clemmer is one of my special friends and here is a card I found on Ann's blog.

Valentine's Day is coming up quickly and we all have lots of people in our lives we love. 

Happy New Year to all of you!

Max

diva sketch challenge

I hope things are settling back to a 'normal' routine now that the holidays are over. I for one, am more than ready.

This week's sketch is again pretty basic so let's see what the team came up with.
Adriana
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Lorie
Leonie
Ruthie
Tammy

Diva Inspiration Challenge #77

With the new year only one week old, I know everyone is getting back into their normal routines - kids back at school, normal work weeks, and weekly activities resume. I for one thrive on routine. As nice as it was to have the kids home from school and barely work the past few weeks, I happily welcome my "normal schedule" back.
I had a great time ringing in the New Year with my family and friends last week. So here is to a continued joyous new year. I hope you still feel the same joy and happiness as you did just one week prior. Now go stamp something fun!!! :)
P.S. Sorry for the late post!

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

Maria
Elizabeth
Katy


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 DivaIC77 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

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

Top Note Treasure Box

Happy 1st Wednesday of 2010! 

Today's post is a box created by me.  You can fill it with all kinds of treasures for your Valentine or your kiddos or yourself.  :)  The instructions are posted on my blog.

Amber, no worries.  I'm glad you posted earlier since I didn't get mine up this morning. Wow!  Such a gorgeous card, too!   I can't wait to get my bird punch this Friday so I can CASE it.  ;)

Until next week...

Happy stampin'!

I was supposed to have posted yesterday, but things didn't exactly go as planned.  Just one of those crazy days with the kids, ugh!  Elizabeth - I hope you'll forgive me for posting today before you have your own post up - I promise I'm not trying to take over!  I just loved this card so much I couldn't stand to wait another week before sharing it.  

I found it on Tiffany Bauer's blog yesterday.  Aren't these colors fun?  After Christmas is over, the dreary cold of winter sets in and I definitely need a pick me up.  Can you imagine getting this card in the mail?  It would totally make my day!

I love the way she added some Hodgepodge Hardware onto her ribbon bow - adorable!  All the details are on her blog, so make sure to check it out!

Tiffany - thanks for letting me showcase your project this week.  Can't wait to CASE it ;)

Happy Monday Friends,

Every Friday, one of our Divas, Ann Fitton posts to our blog.  I checked out her blog today and came across this beautiful card.

Today is the last day you can order from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  The stunning flower is made from the Night and Day paper.  Be sure to contact your Demonstrator today for the last minute things on your wish list.

Beginning January 5th, you can start to order from the Sale-A-Bration and Occasions Mini Catalogs.  Lots of wonderful samples will be coming your way soon :)

Enjoy your day!!
Max

diva sketch challenge

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you didn't do too much celebrating.

Our sketch this week is relatively basic, but let's see what kind of twist our team has done with it this week.

Elizabeth
Lorie
Ruthie
Tammy
Carol.
Tiffany

I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend and have a happy, prosperous new year. :)