Template time

Today I have a template project I made for the "Just Us Girls - JUGS challenge #17" . The template used is a design from My Time Made Easy.



The template was easy to download, and came with very detailed instructions on how to use. The finished project resembles a crayon box. I used sticky tape to piece together then used 2 of the chocolate chip corduroy button/brads from Stampin' Up to close the flap.



Though the designer paper colors could be used more for a man, I actually made this project for my friend Penny. The butterflies with flat backed pearls give this a project a more feminine air.



I just received a new package of goodies yesterday, so I will be making baby shower invitations over the next few days.

Hope you all have a good Friday!
Diane

My baby girl

Well ok, she is not a baby anymore. This post is not stamping related, but I had to share. My daughter Natalie is my pride and joy. She is 15 soon to be 16 in May. I am teaching her how to drive. Anyway, she took photography last year and has a talent for taking pictures. The picture below she took of herself when she was on vacation over Christmas in Indiana.



She is beautiful if I do say so myself. She had been talking with some people she is friends with on MySpace and they asked her if they could use her face on a t-shirt for their clothing company. Nothing came of it for a while, but the other day she got this in the mail.



The clothing company is called Advent Clothing Company and this is their website. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Diane

I love getting mail!

Yesterday I received a package from my Stampin' Pal Pam. I went to the movies with my daughter last night so I didn't get a chance to post it yesterday. The packaging was so beautiful I almost didn't want to open it. (Almost!) Can you guess what it is?



I took these pictures outside this evening just as the sun was setting. We had a beautiful day here in Katy today. Temperatures were in the high seventies. Certainly a welcome change. Pam previewed this card on her blog, I just love it. It is made with a new punch from the Occasions Mini catalog.



The colors pink and brown go so well together. Pam really did a great job on this project. Once I opened the flap, it revealed a note pad made with sticky notes. Just the right size to stick in my purse for those times when I just need to write something down.



Thank you Pam! This made my day. Your package was mailed today so hopefully you should have it in the next couple of days.

Happy stamping,
Diane

Magnetic Bookmark

I wish I would have come across how to make this bookmark about 2 weeks ago. I just finished reading the 2 books I received for Christmas and used a receipt for a bookmark. This bookmark is so easy to make and it is magnetic! Yes, magnetic. You place it on your page and it won't move or fall out accidentally. How cool!



You can make the bookmark by cutting 2 pieces of designer paper, I used paper from the new Sweet Pea Designer Paper from the Occasions Mini catalog, 8 inches by 2 inches. You will then need to score the bookmark at 2 inches. I purchased magnets from "Basic Grey" and adhered 1 to each side of the top 2 inch square. ( Just a hint, I first purchased round magnets from Hobby Lobby, but they were not strong enough to keep the bookmark closed) You then attach the other paper to the first covering the magnets.



Next just decorate any way you like. If you google "magnetic bookmark" on U tube you can find directions with a video. This came together really easily and quickly.



I would enjoy receiving one, in fact I will have to make me one next!

Hope you all had a great day!
Diane

Partial Catalog CASE and Button Flowers a la Dawn McVey

I ran across this post on Dawn McVey's blog and have been wanting to make the button flowers ever since. The video she has is easy to follow and the flowers come together very quickly.



The flowers are made from the scalloped circle punch. You simply punch five scalloped circles, put together with a brad in the center, scrunch up and place button in the center with a dimensional.



My friend Sue has been telling me about the little leaves die cut Stampin' Up carries on page 197 of the catalog. Sue has used this on so many cards and it is so versatile. I finally purchased one for myself. Todays card is a partial CASE of the card on page 197 of the catalog.



I kept the cardstock and colors the same, but added the button flower and stamped the sentiment from Trendy Trees "thanks so much". I then used the word punch to cut out the sentiment and popped it up with dimensionals.



One of these thank you cards will be going to work for a co-worker who helped train us on a new system. It is always nice to get a little something to let you know you were appreciated. I think this card will hit the spot!

Sweet dreams,
Diane

All you need is Love

Today was my "All you need is Love" stamp camp. The girls arrived around 2 and by 5-5:30 we had 5 neat Valentine items made and ready to be given to their loved ones.



We started off the stamp camp by making this PINK (I mean very PINK) valentine card. Card stock used was Stampin' Up pink pirouette, whisper white and some designer paper that I earned for FREE by ordering at least $50 during Sale-a-bration which is continuing thru March 31st. The designer paper is a 6x6 pad named Welcome Neighbor. The stamp used is an old Stampin' Up stamp from 2000. We embossed the stamp with white embossing powder. I think it looks so elegant.



Next we moved on to a treat bag filled with Sweethearts. Did you know they now have ones that say "text me" and "tweet me"? It is good to know they are keeping up with technology! :) We used the new Glassine bags from the occasions mini catalog to hold the sweethearts. The topper used the new scalloped border punch along with the mini heart punch. I just love how the new punches are flatter for storage and once unlocked become like a regular punch.



Here are the girls hard at work. Or should I say hard at having fun as stamping is a LOT more fun than work!



We took a break in between projects and filled our bellies with Chicken Enchilada dip and turtle brownies for dessert. Here is a picture of my dog Maggie. She dressed especially for the day in her new Valentine neckerchief. She wears one all the time, feels naked without it.



This next item is a CASED item from my upline Penny. I used a different type of gum so I had to make some adjustments, but the design and idea is all hers. Her original version is here on her blog. The flower and leaf on the front is from the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt from the new mini catalog. I just love it. It adds dimension and I just love different embellishments. The center of the flower is a new Pretty in Pink Sending Love Epoxy Brad. We just used our paper piercer and made a hole in the felt flower to put the brad through.



My last card uses Real Red and So Saffron SU paper, but the stamped bee image is from another company. We used square punches for the black and white squares, dimensionals to give the images a "pop" on the card, paper piercer for faux stitching with white gel pen and SU marker to color the images.



We also made the candy box from a previous post. All in all a fun afternoon was had by all. I made a little something extra for my Stampin' Pal, but can't post here or Pam will see it. :) I hate keeping secrets so I better get it in the mail.

Watch my demonstrator website for details on my next stamp camp. I will also update the "ticker" on the right side of my blog once a date has been finalized. Hope you all have a great weekend ( I know I will as I have a 3 day weekend, yippee!)

Diane

Playing along

Starting off the New Year with a fun card this afternoon. My card is based on the sketch from the Just Us Girls blog.



My interpretation is made with some designer paper I have had forever, before my Stampin' Up days. I used several Stampin' Up punches including the scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, and 1 1/4 square punch. I also used the Big Shot and the Sizzix Buttons #5 die cut. The embellishment on the right with the ribbon is based on embellishments made by Michelle Wooderson and her site Mish Mash. I just love her work! I really like how this card turned out.



Hopefully I will get some more stamping time in tomorrow. I just love 3 day weekends!

Have a blessed night,
Diane