Cards, scrapbooks, crafts & other good junk...

It is THAT time of year...

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

It is THURSDAY again! WAHOO!! I'm actually posting. I'm afraid that if it wasn't for Lindsay's amazing creations I wouldn't be posting at all. I feel like such a slacker.

However, I've had a little birdie whispering that I'm going to get a laptop for Christmas (thanks Mom and Angie) and I think that will help me to post more often. I won't be stuck at the desk to do posts. I can sit on the couch having "quality" tv time with my hubby and still be working on crafty bloggy goodness. WAHOOO!!!

Now, on to more important things! The above cards... I really tried to get a photograph to show how lovely and sparkly the first one is. I used glimmer mist on the three trimmed circles and they are totallllllly glimmery. Plus, after I copic(ed) the ornaments, I put some lovely stickles on top and the sparkle is not showing there either. I have GOT GOT GOT to figure out how to photograph sparkly things better. I need to rearrange (or get brighter bulbs for) the lights on my homemade light box. If you have any photography tips, please please email me at diana.stout@gmail.com immediately for my undying gratitude! The second card also has sparkles, but I think they showed up a little better.

Details on each card individually!

Number 1 - I saw a card with these cute windows with ornaments showing through. I cheated and made little faux windows. I shrunk and printed the awesome circular christmas sentiment that Lindsay created at my request (that I mentioned last week). I am not sure if it is in her shop yet, but go check the store HERE. After I cut them out, I coated them with three different shades of glimmer mist to match the ornaments. Then I resized and printed a bunch of the SNAZZY NEW ornaments you can find right HERE and punched them out with 1 1/4 inch punch. I colored them with copics, then coated them with stickles. I cut a little tree and trunk and poof! Lovely Christmas card!

Number 2 - I saw this card a long time ago on someone's blog and I LOVED LOVED it. I was dying to copy and tweak it for my own Christmas cards this year. First, the tree. I took strips of green paper, tore them, then glued them together. I left the rough edges unglued, then I roughed it all up a little more with an emery board. I ran a white (fluid chalk) ink pad over the top to get the "snowy" effect going. Then I tore a little piece of brown for the trunk. For the snow, I tore two pieces of white cardstock, crumpled them up, then inked them with cream brown (fluid chalk) ink, then put some random smears of stickles over the top of that. I wanted the awesome circly sentiment to go around the tree - sort of like a little halo - and I wanted it to shine. I coated it with a red shade of glimmer mist. In person, it sparkles. (Sigh, poor photography skills.) Then I used my stickles to make a shining Christmas star up in the corner. I'm not 100% pleased with this star. Maybe next time I will try using actual glue and a fine glitter. Or if I can find/borrow a good star stamp, I might try a little embossing.

Anyhow, that's the info on the cards. I hope you like them. But if you don't, please tell me what to do to improve on them, as I send about 50 cards a year so I'm going to make a lot of these. Any advice would TOTALLY be appreciated.

Now, onto the important Lindsay info!

SHOP IS HERE

LINDSAY'S SUPER DUPER KILLER AWESOME BLOG IS HERE

Design team links:

Janet Rossi
Shannon Neparko
Margie Visnick
Lisa Jurecek
Erin Bailey
Tracey Allen

Melissa Craig
Leanne Garner
Tamara Bennett
Cindi Hooks
Here is the new Junior Design Team, look for their projects on Mondays!
Kristen Hamlin
Joy Stagg
Karin Martin
Jennifer Bliss
Cheryl Gorka
Anette “Nettie” Robins
Cassandra Cushman

finally, have a GREAT holiday if I don't post again before we all stuff ourselves with Turkey!

A Simple Roasty Card

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:06:00 +0000

First - go buy this (Coffee Talk set) HERE for the low price of $5. Then click on THIS to find *the* cutest set of recipe/foodie goodies. You also need to check out her AWESOME NEW SET - it's embossed backgrounds -- DIGI-NESTIES for only $3!!!!!! She also has her first CHRISTMAS SET in the store for $1.50!! You could also just go buy out her whole STORE and be about as happy as can be... (oh, I forgot to mention Lindsay is now featured on a new website - MY GRAFICO - check it out!) And last shopping note - stay tuned on my Thursday Lindsay posts... I'm getting started on my Christmas cards (finally) with a special request design by none other than the talented and amazing Lindsay. You might be able to find this

as a *FREEBIE* if you find the right link in this post to click...

Details on this card... as I have been sorting out my cards into all my totes to get ready for the craft show - I realized I have so few get well and sympathy cards that I wanted to use this set that I've been holding onto forever (sometimes it is hard to remember that they just need printed - and in any size I want!) I blended copics for the coffee cup to try to get as close as I could for the orange and blue on the mug image. Then I used this gorgeous ribbon that I've been itching to get on paper. I wrapped around and tucked it in, then tied the knots and attached them on top on the edges of the sentiment (also handily included in the set). I think sometimes it makes the card less bulky and the ribbon flatter and uh.. stuck better .. if you don't actually tie the knot around the ribbon (that totally makes sense to me, if you need me to clarify - email me). Pretty simple card... oh, I almost forgot. I trimmed the rectangle around the mug and saucer and wanted to silhouette the steam. I colored in the steam with a grey and a little brown blended in. I also lightly went over the steam with a spica pen... I wish I could figure out the right lighting or camera setting or angle or something so that the glitter would show up in my photos. (If you have some insight on that, please share!!)

Thanks for looking, now head on over to the other designers' blogs for lots more eye candy, and Lindsay's blog, because she is totally creative in the NEATEST ways!!
Tamara
Leanne
Shannon
Cindi
Lisa
Melissa
Janet
Margie
Tracey
Erin

Finally, enjoy every minute.

Dream Journal

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I hope you're not sick of seeing all the journals. I am having so much fun with them! I love making up a bunch of them and then leaving them blank to decorate for challenges. Then I don't have to think or hunt for sketches to use to decorate them. I am hoping to have 15 or so ready for the craft show on December 5. I'm only halfway there so far!

This one is decorated with a Bella stamp - one from the newish Ketto line. I colored her with copics and spicas. I added the primas and the dewdrops. I only played with the MOJO sketch a little... I made the piece of cardstock along the bottom bigger and stamped the letters for DREAM across there. The papers I used were from the paper studio's pink armadillo pack.

The sketch is for the current MOJO challenge, and I'm also entering this for the PALSPAPERARTS challenge - use pink!

Enjoy the weekend ~ make sure you find time to craft!!!

Bookmarks!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

First - go buy this stamp (stack of books) HERE. You also need to check out her AWESOME NEW SET - it's embossed backgrounds -- DIGI-NESTIES for only $3!!!!!! She also has her first new CHRISTMAS SET in the store for $1.50!! You could also just go buy out her whole STORE and be about as happy as can be... (oh, I forgot to mention Lindsay is now featured on a new website - MY GRAFICO - check it out!)

Details on how I made these! First, I hope you can tell, each of the stamps (and therefore the bookmarks) are different sizes. I printed the stack of books in different sizes and then had fun coloring with different colors within a color family (it helps me to figure out which markers will blend to see them all in a row like this). It is fun to do the monochrome thing. I then used my janome sew mini to sew the stamp onto a sheet of bazzzzzillll. Then I used some supertacky red tape stuff to attach another piece of bazzil (in a coordinating shade of brown) to make the bookmark sturdy and protect my stitching. I set the giant eyelets with my cropadilebigbite. Then tied in a bit of fiber... oh, I also used my spica pens for the apples, and used a teeny bit of glossy accents (diamond glaze stuff) on the glasses. These bookmarks make great stocking stuffers, presents to hand out at work or church, and sell for $1 at craft shows like HOT CAKES!

Thanks for looking, now head on over to the other designers' blogs for lots more eye candy, and Lindsay's blog, because she is totally creative in the NEATEST ways!!

You guessed it...

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Another journal!

I think this one turned out pretty neat! I wasn't sure when or how I would end up using this "ribbon" .... but with the way I store ribbon (in a pullEZ) with all the ribbon wound in a little circle, it made the cutest little swirl down the side and the curl on the end of the bookmark part of the ribbon! I used papers from the Paper Studio's pink armadillo set. The stamp is from Whiff of Joy. The sketch is from THIS challenge. (I noticed that Stamps and Smiles now has some DIGI stamps - yay for the checkbook!! Hopefully I will be able to pick up some of their stamps now!) I just love their sketches!!! I did the scallops down the side a little differently from the sketch, but I think they turned out ok. Also colored with copics... hmm... not too many fun details.

Life just is ... enjoy the roll

Another Journal

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I know, you're shocked and amazed by another journal showing up on here...

This project was inspired by 3 different challenges. They are Flutter By, Truly Scrumptious, and CopicsColourChallenge.

Flutterby -- the butterfly on the "background" paper is from Me & My Big Ideas. Also the little butterfly in the stamp (fingers crossed - sugar nellie)

Truly Scrumptious -- I might get dinged on this one ... They had the sketch. Instead of a circle sentiment on the top right corner, I chose to do the trio of flowers in the bottom right corner. Also, I could not stand covering up the awesome foiled butterfly on the front so it is taking the place of the giant circle from the sketch. For the recipe part - I included the three flowers, three brads (two that are brown with "icing" and a gray velvet one) and for my three pearls, I used the liquid pearlz on the girl's head scarf. (The rest of the dots I filled in with my clear sparkly spica pen from copic.)

Copics Colour -- I used the YG06-Yellowish Green on her shirt, I used the R20-Blush on her scarf and apron, and the E33-Sand on her shoes -- and the dirt around her feet. (I also used E00 and R21 on the skin, B39 and blender on the jeans, and E53 with a little E31 on the hair. And the pink and purple spica pens on the little bitty butterfly.)

Also, I'm not sure if any of the challenges allow two entries - but I hope so. I just couldn't help myself this week. I really liked all three challenges, and I enjoyed combining them and making them into two beautiful, yet completely different journals!! (Plus, let's face it. In close to a year of blogging, I have only won one challenge... I want some free goodies!!!!!)

enjoy your day!

Thursday is LSS!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

First - go buy this stamp (doodle daisy) HERE. You can also get the awesome new set Lindsay put together - with tons of (digi) flower and sentiment stamps for her low set price of $5 HERE. You could also just go buy out her whole STORE and be about as happy as can be... (oh, I forgot to mention Lindsay is now featured on a new website - MY GRAFICO - check it out!)

This project was inspired by 3 different challenges. They are Flutter By, Truly Scrumptious, and CopicsColourChallenge.

I used the sketch from Truly Scrumptious. I added in the Flutter By challenge (include a butterfly) by putting the butterfly up in the corner of my image - in place of the suggested sentiment. I tried to get one of the sentiments from Lindsay's new doodle flower set on there, but I wanted one of the sentiments that are in waves to go around the circle and I'm so far from tech savvy today that I couldn't figure it out. I probably (duh) should have just asked Lindsay, but I was happy with how the journal turned out anyway. Oh, the sketch also had a recipe with it -- three flowers, three brads, and three pearls. (In this case, the brads ARE the flowers and I used my liquid pearlz to dot in three of the little center thingies on the flower stamp.) The final challenge was copic, to use R20-Blush (ring around the flower center) E33-Sand (inner ring of the flower) and YG06-Yellowish Green (the stem/leaf). I also used stickles (cotton candy) to color in and dimensionalize (if that's not a word, it should be) the flower.

The "background" paper for the journal covers is from the paper studio's Pink Armadillo set - oh, same for the blue/pink circles. The giant brads came from oriental trading co. (I hope that's all the details... and all the parentheses too!)

Thanks for looking, now head on over to the other designers' blogs for lots more eye candy, and Lindsay's blog, because she is totally amazing, wonderful, talented, and just plain cool!
Ceil (Oct Guest DT)
Tamara
Leanne
Shannon
Cindi
Lisa
Katt
Kim
Melissa
Janet
Margie
Tracey

enjoy your thursday (and it's good TV night!)

New Card Tote

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Between these and journals - please do not get bored with me!

I am so happy with these! I really really hope they sell at the craft show. I did this one pretty simple. The band, the bits are inked, the big fabric flower, the button... but I think it is gorgeous just the same! I thought I did ok with matching the button, ribbon, and flower too :D

Oh, please run and go check out my friend Mary's blog post for today - HERE - it is her anniversary!

Enjoy your hump day... (but you don't have to hump anything if you don't want to.)

My Fam!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Last weekend, Reynold was watching a movie with the kids while I was working on other things...

It was awful cute when they all passed out! I have actually gotten a lot of things done in the last week or two, I just haven't gotten everything photographed - and then cropped and resized and posted. I swear I will get around to that. Maybe tonight...

Lindsay's Stamp stuff TOTE!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I am having a blast making stuff lately! Everything just seems to flow for me...

I wanted to do something different, and I wasn't feeling the Halloween set this week. I'm just feeling off, as usual. Seriously though, go check out the FALL set and the HALLOWEEN -- oh, and don't forget the CROW set at Lindsay's store! She also has some new stuff -- Christmas stuff and some cool sentiments that are new and you should definitely go to her store and shop! (She's always running sales and deals and her stuff is just GGGGREEEEEEEEATTTTTT!)

Details - I used a nice brown bazzzzzilllll (I never know the correct number of z's or l's so I put in extras) for the base for my card tote. Then I cut a block of darker brown to make a border along the top. I found this neato fall leaves patterned paper in my stash from days gone by and cut a strip of it. (If you want directions/measurements for the tote, email me at diana.stout@gmail.com and I'll give you that info.) This tote will comfortably hold 5 or so A2 cards (though I've managed to stuff it full of 10 cards that weren't too fancy). I glued the ribbon in between the tote box and the border thingie. I used one of the leaves from the FALL set (linked above) and did a quick cut around it, then I actually colored it using blots with my ink pads -- creamy brown in the middle and chesnut toward the outside. I matted it with a third brown bazzzzzzillllllllllll cardstock nestie cut and voila! An awesome card tote decorated all autumnally. (If that's not a word I don't want to hear about it - I like it.)

Thanks for looking, now head on over to the other designers' blogs for lots more eye candy, and Lindsay's blog, because she is a total ROCK STAR!

ENJOY!!!!!

Holiday Love

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:04:00 +0000

Yay for journals and challenges!!

I made this journal for the Sugar Bowl's Challenge #21. I must say again how cute the stamps are from this company. If I could afford all the stamps I wanted - that would be HEAVEN! Anyhow! This challenge was a sketch and to do a winter/Christmas theme. I used the holiday papers and the snuggly teddy bears for some holiday love... in the form of a holiday journal!!

The paper is flocked/velvety - from Me & My Big Ideas, the holiday papers are from DCWV - a Christmas stack I have. Of course, the image is from Sugar Nellie (one by leanne ellis). I will admit I squirrelled around with the sketch, but I think it is still recognizable! I put my image horizontal instead of vertical, used one little piece of ribbon on the "tag" instead of two - though I did add in the two velvet brads for a fun touch. I also flocked the little bit of stuffing on the girly bear's head. (At least I think that's supposed to be stuffing. My husband disagrees and says it is the knot from her head scarf. What do you think?) Oh, the christmassy papers also have glitter in them even though my photography leaves a lot to be desired. I added the love heart that I trimmed as a sentiment. I used a fun green ribbon/fiber (it kind of seems like both to me) with a cute heart charm on it for the built in book mark.

I hope that includes all the details, AND I also hope that I win this challenge. I've never won a Sugar Nellie challenge before, and they are giving away an awesome and amazing amount of stamps this time and I realllllly reallly could use a pick me up.

Enjoy!

Welcome BABY!!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

This lovely card is wearing lotsa hats :D I do so love when that happens!!!

First, Miss (Supertalented, gorgeous, all-around-wonderful) Lindsay is today! I'm completely off ... (if you know me, you already knew that) but I think we're supposed to be working with her awesome fall set this week. I was feeling that one last week, and this week I've been thinking about making a baby card all week (partially because of something I'll mention in a minute). So, I finally got to play with Lindsay's spectacularly cute baby set. Go HERE to find this "babies and bows" stamp set. Or you can go HERE to shop through *all* her lovely stamps.

Do NOT forget about her current deal -- spend $5 and get another digi-stamp FOR FREE (free free free... did ya hear the echo?).

Also, you can go HERE to check out Lindsay's awesome blog. She is amazingly creative - and as the title of her blog says, she's a frugal crafter - so keep an eye out for her great tips.

Finally on the Lindsay info - go HERE to check out my fellow Design Team folks, and please pretty please hop through their blogs and leave some love.

OOOOOOOOOOOkay. That out of the way... details on my card! The sketch came from a brand spanking new challenge blog that you *MUST* try - go HERE to check out the Pixie Cottage challenges. This week was a sketch... which I only played with a weeee tad. In the original, the three squares were along the left side of a vertical card. I turned my card on the horizontal and left the three squares along the top. Then my focal image isn't quite as big as the sketch's... and the sketch also had a big circle behind the focal image, which I used the banner to replace. The sketch had some flowers, but since this is for a boy baby... I just left the shoe strings dangling instead...

Remember a long time ago ~ three or four paragraphs AT LEAST ~ I mentioned that I'd been thinking about doing a baby card? Well, Katharina asked folks to make (and send) a baby card to the illustrator for the Whiff of Joy stamp collection in celebration of the new baby boy. So I was determined to make one this week. Since Lindsay had such a PERFECT set, and the sketch fit so wonderful... I combined all three to make this gorgeous card (if I do say so myself). Check the details about this HERE.

I really hope I didn't forget anything. I probably did because I got sidetracked 5 times in writing this late at night by my daughter (who is doing everything she can to NOT sleep) and I can't quite think straight.

Enjoy.

A new Journal!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I sure hope everyone loves journals as much as I do! They are fun to make, they give me an even bigger thrill than a finished card (because they seem like so much more of an accomplishment somehow) and finally, because they sell so nicely at my craft shows!

This card was inspired by two super duper awesome challenges!!

First - Farm Fresh Friday - an awesome blog, challenge, company. I really love the stamps at The Greeting Farm, and I love being inspired by the super gallery there!
Second - Cute Card Thursday - a super challenge blog. (With a spectacular prize this week that I really really really really really would love to win!)

My journal is chipboard, DCWV paper. Then I used blue and green cardstock from the stash. I used two different fun fibers on this one. One for the ribbon and my charms (the one charm is a really pretty heart, the other charm says trust your dreams) and the other fiber was part of the sketch (two lines with little bows). I used a cool fiskars border punch, some distressing... copics... the GORGEOUS TGF stamp from the orignal Hope and Grace set.

Hmmm.... I believe that is all. Hopefully, (please cross your fingers and send me a good thought) I will be a LOT more productive in the coming weeks.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Lindsay's STELLAR Stamp Stuff

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Do people actually say STELLAR anymore? If they don't, they *TOTALLY* should!

And at least partially because of all these amazing stamps Lindsay creates for us to buy and use.

I should also tell you - the background paper is also of Lindsay's creation. For the life of me, I can't remember where you should go to find it, but these are the two places you should go right now to try to find it -- the SHOP and the genius's BLOG. The paper can actually be printed in each color -- or I think Lindsay is going to teach you how to change the color... I was having one of those *ahem* seniory/blondey/dingbat - type moments *ahem* and I just printed it out without fixing it up at all. After I printed it out like this, I thought it looked kind of neat. Sooooooo - I trimmed it evenly to leave the white rim on the edges when I attached it to the card base. Then I outlined the edges with some black ink, then I attached the thin white ribbon to separate the 4 colors. I picked out THIS adorable image (Funky Tree #3) and colored it funky with my copics! I used one of my cool new primas (with a center and leaves all attached already) to pretty up the corner.

Please go HERE to check out Lindsay's super awesome blog. Next, you can go HERE to shop at her store. Take special note that she is running a SPECIAL on stamps -- for every $5 you spend, you get a digi-stamp for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Finally go hopping to all the DT members blogs and at one you will find a FREE digi-stamp. (I hope I got them all!) Melissa Janet Kim Lisa Margie Katt Tracey Tamara Rowena Olena Melissa Leanne

Mojo Baby!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

After the craft show, I am feeling some mojo... Check out the sketch HERE !

Of course, my mojo is mostly focusing on how to make more money at craft shows!!! The craft show went pretty well. I made the most I've ever made at a show, but I am really hoping to double or triple that amount. I sold out of my handmade journals ... so I am making a BUNCH of those. This will be the front of one... of course, my printer is out of ink - so I can't get the inside pages printed. In a few days I'll get to the store and get more ink - then I can get this (and some other journals) finished!

I think I'm also going to make an effort to bundle cards too. I think people like to look through cards, but especially at these big craft shows, people just don't want to take/waste a bunch of time flipping through and looking at every card we put put. I'm going to make some little totes and fill them with cards... I'm also going to make an effort to put some Christmas cards together - in bundles. Then I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for a great day on December 5 at our next show.

Hmmm... I can't remember what else is going on.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Many thanks!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

First let me apologize for being a bad blogger this week! Work has been crazy and trying to get ready for the craft show has not left me much time for blogging... which I'm making up for today with a super long post. Please stay with me - lots of great and important stuff here!

Go HERE to find this very stamptacular digital stamp! It is an awesome set (check it out below) available for the low low price of $5!!
Other card details - basic grey papers (inked with charcoal fluid chalk ink pad), image and sentiment both from below set, primas (inked with chesnut roan fluid chalk ink pad), dew drops, black ribbon, colored with copics. Oh duh, I almost forgot! The awesome sketch is from THIS awesome blog! I altered it a tiny bit... I used the bow instead of a second smaller rectangle, and I offset the two flowers instead of centering them.

This is the awesome new autumn-y stamp set Lindsay's rockin out...

Check out this awesome HALLOWEEN-Y sheet to get you in the mood for some spooky holiday crafting! Go HERE to buy it (for only $5).

Now, let me tell you some VERY important details about Lindsay's Stamp Stuff!

1. you can go HERE to shop at her store.

2. please go HERE to check out her super awesome blog. (She has FREEBIES today!!)

3. take special note that she is running a SPECIAL on stamps -- for every $5 you spend, you get a digi-stamp for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

4. go hopping to all the DT members blogs. (I hope I got them all!) Melissa Janet Kim Lisa Margie Katt Tracey Tamara Rowena Olena Melissa Leanne
5. I heard a lovely rumor that some of Lindsay's awesome designs are being put out in real live rubber... stay tuned to her BLOG for details!!

6. The BABY collection is on sale 50% off because of a new baby in the family too!
I believe that is all... I sure hope I got everything.

Enjoy everything. Be happy, you're the only one who can make you happy!!!!!!

Busy busy busy

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I am so excited about the craft show next weekend!

I love making these card organizers! I think they're so useful and fun! I buy the tins online usually (whenever I can find a sale). I forgot to write down the brand of paper I used for this... I think it might be from a huge My Mind's Eye stack, but don't quote me on that one. The ribbons were from my stash, most likely from the dollar bin at Michael's...

These are fun and easy to make, but they do take me a while. I made two of them this weekend for the craft show. I also put in dividers on the inside, but I forgot to photograph those.

Have a great monday!

Coolest Bookmark Ever

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I was so excited to try making these cool new bookmarks. I found the directions online (check below for the link). You take a 6x6 piece of patterned paper and fold it up and poof, coolest bookmark ever! Now, make sure you use a decent piece of paper. It must be patterned on both sides (well, I guess it doesn't "have" to - but you'll see white if you don't). Oh, and please leave a comment or drop me an email if you are interested in knowing the measurements to score at ... I have a scor-pal and I wrote down all the correct spots to score to make life a little easier.

My first photo will hopefully show you all the fold lines ...

My second folder is the first one I made.

This is the bookmark stuck in one of my handmade journals.

This is the second one I made...

And in a book...

And with the book mostly closed ...

(Details on the projects -- both of these are actually made with Creative Memories papers, the stamp is from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff ~linked below~ I colored with copics, spicas, and I put a little tiny bit of diamond glaze on the glasses where the glass would be.)

Go HERE to find this very stamptacular digital stamp! It is called Stacked Books.

Now, let me tell you some VERY important details about Lindsay's Stamp Stuff!

1. you can go HERE to shop at her store.

2. please go HERE to check out her super awesome blog.

3. take special note that she is running a SPECIAL on stamps -- for every $5 you spend, you get a digi-stamp for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

4. go hopping to all the DT members blogs and check out all their lovely goodies. Melissa Janet Kim Lisa Margie Katt Tracey Tamara Rowena Olena Melissa Leanne

5. I heard a lovely rumor that some of Lindsay's awesome designs are being put out in real live rubber... stay tuned to her BLOG for details!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am sure that I am forgetting something. I am so excited to be a part of Lindsay's team - her stuff is super duper!!!!!!!!!! She even takes requests! This stamp is one she specifically designed for me. I saw this project HERE and wanted to make something with a book stamp on it ... I asked Lindsay and poof - she made a custom stamp. I've also printed out the stamp much bigger -- perfect to make a "normal" bookmark from - stay tuned, it'll show up soon enough!

Fun card for today!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:19:00 +0000

I made this card in honor of the kids' new kittens!

I used some papers from my new 6x6 stack from Inque Boutique (called always in bloom). I used liquid pearlz as the center for the pink flower, but I can't decide if I like it that way or not. I'm not sure the pink matches, it is kind of an orange-y pink. Sigh. Shutting up about it.

Anyhow, I used this stamp in honor of our new kittens -- check out my facebook page for pictures of the kittens !!!

enjoy your tuesday :D

Creative Cuts & MORE!!!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone!!

Okay - first things -- go right HERE to buy this album
***special note*** you can put in a special order here and get whichever pages and however many of which that you would like...

Next bit -- I didn't get my rings here (I had some in the stash at home) but - there are some supercool rings for the album in the store HERE

These are the chipboard album pages (one of each shape - though you get two)

I know I took a picture of the pages that she cut and sent along. They match exactly, but with my inking tendencies -- I inked the edges of all the cardboard, and the edges of the papers.

Here is the front/ first page of the album. I cut out the letters with my cricut (the Pooh Font cartridge). The photo is my mom with Cameron and Chloe.

This is the first inner page. I inked up the papers and added flowers and buttons and stuff.

Next page set... I adorned with some neat ribbony fiber stuff.

Next page -- I added a little bit of background/accent paper, plus a charm and a ribbon.

The last page... I didn't want to embellish too much since it is the back -- stuff could possibly get smashed or torn or something...

Creative Cuts & More Store HERE

Die Cut Diva Blog HERE

DESIGN TEAM LINKS!! Angie Pearl Carla Mayfield Ellen Sosnoski Jennifer Johnson Kayla Dupont Kim Ross Lindsay Weirich Pam Smerker Steph Zerbe

I believe that is all...

Enjoy your week!!!!!

Out of Town

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:25:00 +0000

The kiddos and I are headed to Grandma Vickie's this weekend. I am sorry I don't have anything new and pretty to show you. HOWEVER(!) Please come back on Monday - I will be showing you a SUPER awesome mini-album I made for my mom.

Enjoy your weekend!

Lyndsay's Stamp Stuff

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

This card is dedicated to my dear hubby! Hunting (bow-deer) season opened on September 15th, so good good super good luck to him o seeing a de bigger than this one! (LOL)

Important Info from the (lovely and talented) boss Lady !!

1. ANOTHER brand spanking new set of stamps~! It is the Creepy Crow set for only $5.00 - perfect timing for all your Halloween decorations, cards, scrapbook pages, yada yadda... Go HERE to buy it.

2. Design team links --- go HERE.

3. Lindsay's whole shop --- go HERE.

4. Oh, check out THESE cool new inventions! (the link isto Lindsay's blog post about them, she's got links to the buying spot there!)

Card details--

Papers - Basic Grey (Granola)

Stamp - Lyndsay's stamp stuff - HERE (Dear Deer)

Colored - copics and a white gel pen for accents

Ribbon/Fiber (clearance bin somewhere?)

Enjoy your lovely THURSDAY, hey, it's nearly weekend!

Love you FAIRY much!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I do love WOJ stamps. I also love BG paper. I am also finding my love for challenges all over again, finally!

Details! I colored with copics (and some blingz for the wings and jewery and the headband). I put 3 primas together with a button for the center. I added the sentiment with two rhinestone brads. I wanted to get a bow in there, and like making bows into GIANT "photo corner" type elements. The BG paper is from the sultry set. I just used 2 of the papers, the distressed pink and the awesome flower/paisley one.

I was inspired by THIS and by THIS -- go check them both out ASAP!

Oh, and as always, enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

WOJ Tryout #3

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:39:00 +0000

Okay, you know how much I lovelovelove the WOJ stamps. I won't go over it all again, but who could resist this sweet girl? Really?

I used Basic Grey papers, forgive me but I cannot think what pack they came out of. I followed the MOJO monday sketch (to a point). The ribbon was on sale at Hobby Lobby, I used some of the mottled white paper in the BG stack and cut out the vine to match the swirly stuff in the ribbon. Colored with copics, cut with nesties, dewdrops... Pretty simple, but I thought the blue/green/orange thing turned out pretty well.

I want you to go check out theWhiff of Joy BLOG (where the call for this guest DT is posted)

Now, go shopping at WOJ!! HERE

Finally, check out the challenge blog HERE!

Enjoy the first day of bow season (deer hunting, archery,missouri, usa)

Creative Cuts & More Blog HOP!

Diana.Stout@gmail.com (Diana) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:00:00 +0000

First, please stay with me. I've got lots to say related to the blog hop and the superduper ladies involved, the awesome Creative Cuts & More store, plus, I made these two awesome mini-albums for the blog hop and just had to include a LOT of pictures. I couldn't help myself.

Okay! BLOG HOPPY STUFF!!

You should have arrived here after visiting KAYLA's blog, but if came here first (thanks you loyal and lovely people) go start at the beginning of the blog hop on the DIE CUT DIVA blog!! Please hop along and check out all the amazing and inspirational projects the whole design team has in store for you!!!!! The next stop after my blog is CHRIS - so after you finish my gargantuan post, go to hers next!

There will be a HUGE 15% coupon code for anyone who visits - so check it all out!

AND, there's even a chance to win a super spectacular prize from the store - so have fun and win!

Pictures! Details! Information on my projects!

1. I got two of these AWESOME things in the mail. (I love getting mail.) This is exactly what the album looks like in the package. It is an accordian album in the shape of the castle. When I heard about this, I immediately thought of Cameron and Chloe's halloween costumes last year. A vampire and a fairy princess. (Here is the link to the castles!)

2. These are all the WONDERFUL die cuts that I got to go with the album. They are the same as the pages of the albums - no extra work for me (hallelujah!) I got pink and purple for the fairy princess and gray tones for the vampire. (all papers were bazzill, I'm not sure of the specific names of each color)

3. For the vampire album, I was going to edge/ink with black. I didn't want any of the white to show through, or the brown cardboardy color on the edges. I used ink pads to get all the white covered, then used a marker to get the edges and spaces I couldn't get to with a full ink pad.

4. This is what Cameron's Castle looks like from the front - all closed up. I used rub-ons for the title.

5. This is Cameron's album opened up, from the front.

6. This is the album opened up. The "first" page behind the title page with the big window, I used a dimensional owl sticker with the branch an the moon. I took some wood patterned paper and trimmed it to resemble a coffin. The next page I "hung" a spiderweb and a dimensional spider sticker from the little tower. The last page I stamped a spider (which I drew in some fangs) and drew the web in behind. I also added the moon/bat sicker to the top of the big tower.

7. This is the "back" side of the album. You're kind of seeing it backwards... when it is closed the journaling is on the very back of the album. I added a trick or treat stamp on the one tower, another spiderweb and dimensional spider, and a little extr journalling too.

8. This is the back view of the album. You can see the corner of a yellow moon on the mediumish tower. That is actually the back of the owl/moon sticker. I used some yellow fun flock to make a nice yellow moon - and to keep the sticker from sticking to the wrong stuff!

9. This is Chloe's Castle album. I wanted to show you that you don't have to leave the album in accordian. (You can buy them either way from the store, but you can also "un" accordian your album if you want to.) I trimmed the folds, then inked this whole album with brown ink pads and a brown marker on the hard to reach places. Also, the little flag flying from the tall tower -- I attached it before I attached each of the papers to the album. I cut two pieces of ribbon the same size. Then I ran them both through the little Xyron X thingie. I kept about half an inch from sticking together by keeping the non stick paper in between the two snips of ribbon. Then I cut the little wave in the ribbon. Then I attached each piece of ribbon to one side of the tall tower, then I glued the papers down to hide the edges!

10. I was going to use my Bind-It-All to attach these, but I had already completed each page - and between the lovely thick chipboard album pages, plus the papers and stuff - it was just too fat. So, out came the crop-a-dile. I punched three holes in each page and then used coordinating pink and purple ribbons to tie the pages together. (Oh, a little tip -- if you use ribbon and you don't want the album to close funny or smash embellishments, etc. -- tie a knot between each of the pages so they won't get smushed together too tightly!)

11. The first pag of the album... I used a little crown sticker I found - it already had jewels and everything! I also stamped butterfly wings on some pink paper and then colored it with a spica pen and some stickles. (I spaced the wings so Chloe would fit between them.) Then I did a silhouette cut on miss chloe, hid her hand behind one of the wings (the best pictureof her, her wand got cut out of the photo) and tucked a little wand behind the wing so it looked like it was actually in her hand. Then I used some neat little stamps I found in my stash that looked sort of like fancy sconces to adorn the little bitty towers.

12. Pages 2 and 3... adorned with lots of stamps, crowns, sconces, hearts. I added pictures of Chloe in the process of getting hair and makeup and added some journaling.

13. Pages 4 and 5 ... I did crowns for each kid (I guess he was kind of the prince of darkness?) I also punched out two flowers and glued them together with the pretty paper on the outside and curled the edges out. (I didn't want the white backing showing.) I added a pretty flower rhinestone for the flower center.

14. For my big journalling block - I used a white cardstock that I inked with the same brown I used to edge the album pages. I added another flower like I used on the other side and I was done!

Now, thank you so much for hanging with me through this whole post. I hope you love these albums as much as I do... go buy some goodies at the shop HERE!

And again - all the blog hop info:

You should have arrived here after visiting KAYLA's blog

The beginning of the blog hop - DIE CUT DIVA blog!!

The next stop after my blog is CHRIS!

enjoy the hop, enjoy the day, enjoy the upcoming season!