Blog Re-Vamp and Re-Launch!

Hey everyone-


Yes, it's been a while since I updated my blog.  You just don't realize how fast time passes until you look at your last post date.........and you cringe a little. :)


I'm not the most tech-savvy person and when I initially put my blog together, I really didn't know too much about this process.  I just knew I wanted to have a place to post my projects and interact with all the creative crafters out there.  I also wanted to offer inspiration, ideas, encouragement, new techniques, etc, etc. 


Well, last Christmas, I asked Santa (yeah, my husband!) for a book I found on Amazon called "Blog Design for Dummies" by Melissa Culbertson (Click here to check out Melissa's book).  I was motivated and inspired to make some changes to my blog after reading this book.  She puts the information in easy-to-understand language and she's got a sense of humor, too! 


So, armed with my new found knowledge and a notebook full of ideas, I will be re-vamping my blog over the next couple of weeks.  As my new blog evolves, I will include how-to videos, spotlight product manufacturers and their new releases, share new projects and ideas and the list goes on.  And I absolutely LOVE giveaways, so there will be plenty of those. :)


So, check back with me soon.  Hope you like the changes and I really look forward to hearing from you.


Craft on,
Diana

Moxie Fab Thanks!

This post is dedicated to Cath Edvalson; our MOXIE FAB editor, giver of inspiration, trendsetter and all-around cheerleader to us papercrafters.
Although, I never had the privilege of meeting Cath face to face, through her Moxie Fab blog and personal posts, I felt like a I was hearing from a good friend.  I would love reading her blog because this lady has a bit of a sense of humor and I could look forward to a little chuckle to start my day. 
Hopefully, you're reading this Cath (along with my fellow papercrafters :)  ) and can feel the love from all of us.  We will surely miss you and look forward to hearing all about your new adventures.  Keep us laughing with your humor and always remember..............You will always be MOXIE FAB!

 

Join the blog hop!  http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/11/a-moxie-fab-blog-hop.html  You are at blog hop #239. You should have just visited Julia Stainton.  Your next stop is #240-Beth Matson.

Thanks for visiting!!



A Family Picture Canvas

Happy Sunday, Everyone!  I wanted to share a project I made for my sister-in-law, Liza.  She is such a support of my creativity and gives me that little push that I need sometimes to have confidence in the projects I produce.  It is so appreciated.

I used an 11x14 canvas as my base.  Using a sheet of patterned paper, I laid out my design first and then used a craft knife to cut the picture openings. I border-punched the bottom of the patterned paper and also attached a punched border strip to the top in a contrasting pattern. I attached the pictures behind the openings, embellished with punched butterflies, pearls and fussy-cut flowers and adhered the panel to the canvas base.  The title at the bottom is printed on a transparency cut into a strip and placed over patterned paper.  To complete, I spelled out 'Family' with letter stickers.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Leave a comment if you have a moment.  Have a great day.

A Fun Birthday Gift

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Wanted to share a project that I made for a friend's birthday.  She is a gal-on-the-go, so I thought it would be fun to give her something she can use while she is running around town. 



Patterned paper and letter stickers from Doodlebug Design, flower punch from Punch Bunch, ribbon and rhinestones from Michaels.

Let's face it, gift cards can be kinda boring.  Yes, you can buy a gift card tin and slap some ribbon and a bow on it and there you go.  It's predictable.  I love making gifts that are a little unexpected.  With this card holder, you can add as many gift cards as you like.  I also found that cutting the strips down the center to hold the cards is much easier than the corner slits you see most often. 

Here are a few tips:

• Cut the slits for the gift cards with a sharp craft knife
• Most gift cards are the size of a credit card.  If you haven't purchased your gift cards yet, use a credit card to measure the size of your accordion fold as well as the length of the slit to hold the gift card.
• Secure your ribbon to the back of the pack using double-sided tape.  The recipient will be able to re-tie their pack and keep everything together.
• Include gift cards for their favorite coffee place, fast food, ice cream store, etc.  You can also tailor your 'pack' to the recipient's favorite hobby.  Include gift cards to their favorite fabric stores, craft stores, sports stores...you get the idea.

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you have a moment, leave me a comment.  I LOVE hearing from you. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  You deserve an amazing day.  Enjoy!

Pretty in Pink - A Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge

Well, once again, it's been a while since I've updated my blog.  Boy, you just don't realize how quickly time passes until you look at the last date you posted.  Whew!

Anyway, onward and upward!  Take a look at this fun Tuesday Trigger from the Moxie Fab World.

I decided to try my hand at creating a card that captured what inspired me.  As soon as I looked at the picture, it reminded me of a wedding; the colors and just the feel of the image.  So, I went with that!  I loved the woodgrain on the trigger and since I don't have an embossing woodgrain folder, I decided to use the 'Branches' folder from Provo Craft.  Here's my interpretation....


White, pink & metallic grey cardstock from Bazzill, flowers by Prima, 'Congratulations' clear stamp from TPC Studio, 'Branches' embossing folder from Provo Craft, pink chalk from Close to My Heart and silver pearls from K&Company.

I chalked the flowers and the edges of the squares to give them a little depth.  I do love the pink! :)

Wanna give it a try??  Sure, you do!  Just check it out here Moxie Fab World.  Good luck and I can't wait to see your creation.

Moxie Fab Hexagon Challenge

Wow!  It's been a while since I've posted to my blog.  Between health issues and a grueling work schedule, time seems to just speed by.
Well, I'm back to post an entry for Moxie Fab's Hexagon Challenge.  This pattern is so trendy right now and I really do love it.
I took my inspiration for this card from a stop sign.  Now, I know stop signs are actually octagons, but hey, inspiration doesn't have to be literal.  I brushed the foam letters with dimensional glaze and sprinkled with white glitter to give the same effect as a stop sign. 
Thanks for stopping by and if you want to join in the Moxie Fab fun, stop by http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/07/hooked-on-hexagons-challenge.html.  Entries are due by 7/30/12.  Thanks for looking!

Patterned paper by Simple Stories, white, red & pink
cardstock from Bazzill, die cut from Retail Therapy, foam
letters from EK Success, white glitter from Stampendous and
white pearls from Michaels.

Another Entry-Hooked on Hexagons Moxie Fab Challenge

Ok...just couldn't resist creating another card for the Moxie Fab Hooked on Hexagons challenge.  Remember....you too, can join in the fun.  Just go to http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/07/hooked-on-hexagons-challenge.html.  Monday, July 30th is the last day for entries.
So, I purchased these little Jenni Bowlin hexagon stickers a couple of months ago and waited for the right project to use them on.  The rub-on letters are from Jenni Bowlin, as well.  I colored the buttons using Ranger's alcohol inks.  Once again, thanks for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day!

Stickers and rub-on letters by Jenni Bowlin, kraft
cardstock from Bazzill, black dot patterned paper from
Creative Imaginations, script rubber stamp from Recollections,
Watermark ink from Tsukineko and border punch from Fiskars.

DRUMROLL, PLEASE...

Good Morning All, Let's get to it and announce the winner of a free Unity Stamp Set!!!  Using Mr. Random.org...the winner is....Victoria!!

Victoria said...

Super cute! I just got this stamp too!! Same reaction!! Love it and what you did to it!! Pain in the backside cuttingbout at top of suit!! Lol!! Great job! Sweet mistake rescue!! Love those!!

Please email me at diana0810@yahoo.com with your address and your choice of Unity Stamps from the following sets:

Sending My Love
Bitty Backgrounds
Little Me
Bella Fiori
Homegrown
Hugs & Kittens
Handmade Holiday
Bella Trees
Imagine It

Thanks to everyone that visited my blog this week.  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Growing in Unity - Day 5

Happy Friday Everyone!  I can't believe this is my last day as the GIU Gal.  It really has been fun sharing Unity projects with all of you.  And let me not forget to say a BIG THANK YOU for all your wonderful comments.  It is soooo appreciated!


In celebration of Friday, I created a very festive card.and it wouldn't be complete without the blender and margarita stamp from Unity's Margarita Moments set. 

click picture to enlarge

The patterned paper, die cuts and twine are all from Pink Paislee's Soiree collection.  I stamped the blender and glasses on white cardstock, colored them with Copic markers and cut out.  I really liked making what I will refer to as an 'awning'.  It reminds me of the outside of a candy store.  All cardstock is from Bazzill.


Well, tata for now.  Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win one of the following Unity sets:


Sending My Love
Bitty Backgrounds
Little Me
Bella Fiori
Homegrown
Hugs & Kittens
Handmade Holiday
Bella Trees
Imagine It


I will announce the winner on my blog on Saturday morning.  Thanks again for stopping by.  It's been such a great week!

Growing in Unity - Day 4

Hello Everyone, thanks for joining me again.  Today's card uses a stamp from the first Unity set I bought.   I'm using the bicycle from the Be Mine set co-branded with Echo Park.  I know some of my fellow GIU gals have used this stamp in their posts.  That just goes to show you how versatile the stamp is.  I haven't used the other stamps in the set just yet, but I have some ideas rolling around in my head.

(click to enlarge)

This patterned paper is just so cute.  It's from Colorbok.  Those little bicycles are darling and I thought it was perfect with this stamp.   I stamped the bicycle on a label from October Afternoon and the sentiment on kraft paper.  I matted both the label and sentiment with a 3" cardstock circle, added a little red twine, attached the panel with foam tape and it's ready to go.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me.  Remember to leave your comment to win a Unity set of your own.  See you tomorrow.

Growing in Unity - Day 3

Hello my crafty friends.  Happy Wednesday!  Here we are at Day 3 of our Unity week together.  My project today uses another one my favorite stamps.  It's from the Itty Bitty collection and is co-branded with Cosmo Cricket.  This little fish just made me smile and I thought I could use it for a lot of different occasions. 

(click to enlarge)

 I randomly stamped the image on watercolor paper using watermark ink and embossed with clear powder.  Then I took Ranger's Dye Inks in Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Tumbled Glass and applied the inks with the felt applicator.  To kind of soften the look of the ink and to remove the ink from the stamped fish, I took an old t-shirt and rubbed the paper in a circular motion.  It just blended the colors together so well.  To mimic seaweed, I applied the ink with the side edge of the felt applicator.  When the panel was dry, I matted it with blue Bazzill cardstock and attached it to the card base.  For the fishes, I stamped them on white cardstock, embossed them and used Prismacolor pencils to color them.  I cut out the fishes and attached them with foam tape over 2 of the embossed images.  I attached a few rhinestones for bubbles and off they swam!


The sentment that also comes with the set says "If Love Was Water, I'd Give You the Sea".  Ok...now isn't that a great sentiment??  I actually stamped the sentiment on the inside of the card, and just remembered I totally forgot to take a picture for you.  Sorry about that.  This would make such a great anniversary card, right?  Or how about a 'Stay in School' card, huh?  Get it...'school of fish'....I know...I know.  :)


That's it for now.  Thanks so much for visiting.  Remember to leave that comment for your chance to win some Unity goodies!  Have a wonderful day.

Growing in Unity - Day 2

Hey Everyone, here we are again. 


When I first saw this stamp on the Unity website, I HAD to have it.  It's a little retro which really catches my eye lately.  And it's perfect for paper-piecing.  So here's my little creation...

(click to enlarge)

The Unity stamp is from the co-brand, Jillibean Soup.  The patterned paper is from Authentique-Blissful Collection which I just love,  Echo Park's Summer Days collection and Cosmo Cricket's Upcycle collection.  Cardstock is from Bazzill Basics.


I stamped the bathing suit on the card base as well as the patterned papers; embossed and cut out.  I layered the pieces and added a little bling to the flower.  Ok, I'm going to confess...I really struggled where to put the sentiment.  So I thought, I'll just stamp it next to the bathing suit.  Wait...it's textured paper...it won't stamp well...I'm going to give it a try.   Um, no, didn't work.  So, I stamped on the smooth backside of my cardstock and layered it over my little mistake.  Ok...all better.


Thanks for stopping by.  Remember to leave a comment to win a Unity Stamp set.  Have a great day!!!

Growing in Unity-Day 1

Hello, Hello!  Well, the beginning of another work week and another fun week of sharing some Unity love with all of you.  Remember to stop by each day and leave a comment to win a Unity stamp set all your own!


August 1st-hard to believe.  August makes me think of birthdays (we have a few in the family this month...including mine!), the beach, bike riding, and summery cold drinks.  I'll be using that inspiration this week with some of the projects I'll be posting.  So on with the show....this is a layout of my god-daughter's first birthday which we celebrated in March.  Isn't she a doll??!!   And that's my proud niece and Jayla's mom holding her.

(click to enlarge)

I used the pendants and the journaling stamp from the Welcome Baby set for this layout.  This set is so cute! I stamped both on patterned paper and trimmed.  The pendants were attached with foam dots.  And this was my first time making those accordion flowers.  I must say, I was really frustrated when I first tried making them--my craft room is full of the remmants of my attempts.  But I kept trying and finally success!  So onto the rest of the products I used...cardstock is from Bazzill Basics, the patterned paper is from Imaginisce and Echo Park, pink chipboard letters are from The Girls' Paperie, the crown, hearts and wand stickers are from Echo Park.

Thanks for visiting today.  Remember to leave a comment before you leave.  A winner will be announced on Saturday, August 6th from all the comments left this week.  You'll have a choice of the following Unity Sets:

Sending My Love

Bitty Backgrounds

Little me

Bella Fiori

Homegrown

Hugs & Kittens

Handmade Holiday

Bella Trees

Imagine It

Have a great day, everyone!

Winner! Winner!

Congrats to Isla who has won the Scrapbooks, Etc July/August 2011 issue and other fun stuff!!! 

Isla--please email your mailing address to me at diana0810@yahoo.com.

Thanks!!!

Giveaway! Giveaway!

Let's celebrate the beginning of the weekend with a giveaway!  I happened across an extra copy of Scrapbooks, Etc August 2011 magazine and I would love for one of my fellow scrapbookers or cardmakers to win it.  And because I just can't stop at a 'one-item' giveaway, I'm throwing in some other goodies like felt borders and inspiration cards from Melody Ross; chipboard die-cut shapes from K&Company; chipboard frames, cardstock stickers and clear stickers from Little Yellow Bicycle; decorative clips from 7 Gypsies; clear stamps from Studio G; lace dimensional stickers from Jolee's; large flower brads from Michael's; and finally, Perfect Pen Journaling Cards from Fancy Pants.  

Whew!!...so leave a comment by 9:00pm (PST) Saturday, July 30th and I will choose a lucky winner at random and announce the winner on my blog Sunday, July 31st.  Good luck and thanks so much for visiting.  :)

Another PC Gallery Idol Entry

Good Morning all, Hope you had a great 4th of July!  It was a quiet day here at the homestead.  Watched fireworks off the pier-so beautiful!
I was able to get one more entry into the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol Competition.  I thought it appropriate to create a card with a sentiment we would all love to hear.  I used a set of Sandylion clear stamps I bought at the Scrapbook Expo.  I took the stamps and created a collage on a large grid stamping block.  Then I stamped onto white cardstock with watermark ink and embossed with clear powder.  I then took Ranger's Distress Inks and dabbed the colors over the stamped images to give it a tie-dye look. 

Supplies Used:  Cardstock & bottom trim-Avalanche from Bazzill, Patterned Paper from Life of the Party by Basic Grey, clear stamps by Sandylion, various distress inks and embossing powder from Ranger, twine from May Arts.

Although the competition is closed, you can still see all the beautiful creations by clicking here.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day!!

PC-Gallery Idol 2011

Hey all--It's been a while since my last post.  My computer has been 'sick' with viruses......12 viruses in the last 6 weeks!  I've been able to put a band-aid on the problems for the time being and I am expecting a new laptop in the next week or two...so there is light at the end of the tunnel as they say.

Are you familiar with Paper Crafts Gallery Idol 2011 competition?  If not, it's an annual competition where there are 5 rounds.  The open audition consists of creating and posting a 'Congratulations' card.  The PC editors will choose 20 designers (out of over 1300 submissions at last count!) to move onto the next round.  For the remaining rounds, the PC gals will announce the theme of the next round and so on until one lucky designer is chosen as the Gallery Idol.  Paper Crafts is giving away some really fantastic prizes throughout the competition.  Sooooooo, I'm throwing my hat in the ring.  Below is my first creation. 



Supplies used:  Cardstock-kraft from Bazzill,
Patterned paper from K & Co. & October Afternoon,
Specialty Paper from The Paper Co. (mirror paper),
Embellishments from October Afternoon & Joanns.

 This is suppose to be a clipboard sitting on a desk.  I drew the 'clip' part of the clipboard freehand and added eyelets-I think it turned out pretty good! :)  I printed the sentiment on scratch paper and held it in place with a paper clip, twine and a badge.  This really was a fun card to put together.

I encourage everyone to participate -- you can't win if you don't try. (click here for the details) So, I'm off to make another Congrats card to submit.  I'm going to try and stop at 2 cards, but who knows!

Thanks for stopping by.  Leave a comment if you are so inclined-I love to hear from you!

A Quick Mom's Day Gift

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!!  Time was not on my side this week and I was really short on time to put something together for my mom.  I knew I wanted to make her a notecard set, so I pondered what I could put together rather quickly.  Here's what I came up with...

Supplies used:  Butterfly stamp-Hero Arts, Copic Markers, Black Pen-Sakura, various glitter glues-Ranger, Black Pigment Ink-Colorbox

My mom loves butterflies and loves to send little cards, so....perfect fit!  I tied these together with a ribbon and included them in a little bag of goodies I put together for her. 

So, ladies, enjoy your special day.  You certainly deserve it.  Thanks for stopping by...

How Many Flowers - The Results!

First off, thank you all for participating in this little guessing game.  Now on to the results....

The number of flowers in the jar was 323.  And I don't know how she did it but Cathy guessed 322!!!  So, Cathy, you are the winner!!!  Congrats!

Please email your name and address to me at diana0810@yahoo.com.  I'll send out your magazine right away. 

Thanks again to all who participated.  Have a great day.