Thursday, October 31, 2013

Amazing Shimmer Sheetz

I just wanted t share with you the post I have up
at the Classy Cards 'n Such blog today!

Hi, Diane here with you today.
While spending some time last weekend with some wonderful friends
I learned about a "new to me" product called "Shimmer Sheetz"
 
 
What you can do with one sheet of it is amazing.
I am here today to share a bit of what I have learned.
To make things easier, I will list the products I have used at the end of the post.
 
By cutting one piece of Shimmer Sheetz approx. 4 x 5 1/4 to fit your A2 card front,
and a piece of  Scor-tape sheet (double sided adhesive) the same size , you will
get 4 different uses from your one piece of Shimmer Sheetz.  You will need to cut 2 sets of these.
Apply one side of your Scor-Tape sheet to your card front.
 
The first step is to run your Shimmer Sheetz piece through your embossing machine,
using an embossing folder that has an all over pattern. Then you stick it to your adhesive sheet
that is already applied to your cardstock, and run a brayer across it several times, pressing down as you go.
Carefully, lift your Shimmer Sheetz off and set it aside with the unused side up (for now).
 
Now you might not think it looks like much at this point, but the next step changes all that.
Take a micro fine  glitter and cover the entire piece, shake the excess off onto paper (to return to your container), and burnish the glitter with your finger (yes you will be wearing glitter, but not to worry, it looks good on you).  You will see the result below....stunning, isn't it??
 
 
  But wait, we have more to do.  Apply your second set of Scor-tape to your cardstock, FLIP your Shimmer Sheetz over to the side you didn't use and once again brayer it to the Scor-tape sheet.  Repeat the step for the glitter, and you will have the negative of the embossing folder.  I have shown both below to show the contrast and left the second card bare so you can see the difference.
 
 
But wait, there is more.....next take the Shimmer Sheetz and lightly sand it...look at the result!
Now you can stop right at this step and use it as is, or take it to the next step like I did, by rubbing your Staz-On ink pad across the entire piece for the look I have shown below!
 
 
 
Now, I think you need to give this technique a try, you will love the results.  I will be back on another
post with yet another use for the Shimmer Sheetz....check back, or better yet, subscribe to the blog, so you won't miss a thing!!
 
Products used:
PoppyStamps (flower) Blooming Poinsettia die
PoppyStamps Gentle Leaf Die
White Embossing Powder (used on the flower)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Witches and Goblins

This week the challenge theme at The Kraft Journal is Witches and Goblins.
and
the theme "Halloween" at Little Red Wagon
I have to admit, I was done making Halloween cards....
but when I saw the theme, I had to join in as I had purchased a cute little $1
stamp from the dollar bin at a local craft store.
 
 
I used a "Kraft" card base to start with and covered it with a fun
Halloween paper from Webster's....I stitched it on with a zigzag stitch...
I made a cute little tag and stamped my image on that....
I know it doesn't show, but I "hit" the image here and there with a black glitter pen.
The kitty is a leftover from a card I did a few days ago, cut with an IO die...
the bats were made with a punch and I stamped a spider web on each,
they too were made with "Kraft" paper.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Don't Be Afraid

Sorry I have been unavailable for awhile....
I took a quick and unexpected trip... 
and just got home last night!!
 
I had a few challenges I was hoping to do before they ended....
One was using the Sketch from

CAS on Sunday
 
 
One was the cute inspiration one at Papercraft Star using the image below....
 
 
 
I had so many ideas for this one, but not nearly enough time....
So I came up with this card....
 
 
I used the negative of a circle and sponged  my moon with TH Distress inks...
The broom is from Graphic 45, it has been slightly "popped" up and I added
 a bit of Halloween twine (can you see it...lol) to make it look like a real broom...
The kitties were cut with Impression Obession dies from a thin glitter paper....
The sentiment is from one of the $1 bin stamps you see around...
that's it...simple but I like it!!!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Autumn Window

Just wanted to share with you today my post up
at the Classy Cards 'n Such blog today.
 
Hello, Diane here with you today.
I have been seeing all over online where Fall seems to be the favorite time of the year....
That sure rings true with me, too...
Which brings us to today's card at Classy Cards 'n Such...
 

To create my card I first stamped an Impression Obsession Distressed Brick
background stamp (which Beverly can get for you) with TH Distress Ink "Old Linen"

The window (see the bit of lace curtain...love it)
 was cut with Poppy Stamps die Small Madison Window
the shutters are Poppy Stamps die Small Madison Shutters
and the window box with Poppy Stamps die Small Madison Flower Box
Isn't this the cutest window??  And the possibilities are endless!!

Inside my flower box I have added my greens using Cheery Lynn Designs "Wreath Strip"
and from the newest release by Cheery Lynn Dies "Tiny Flower Kit".
This new flower kit is a must have...it has 3 different strips of tiny flowers
that are just perfect for when you need to fill in with a small flower  or
just on their own.  I made my "Mums" in the flower box with these newest dies.

To finish off my card I added the cat from the Cheery Lynn Designs die
"Screen Door With Cat" and pumpkins
 from the Cheery Lynn Designs die "Pumpkins", set of 2.

 I hope you have enjoyed my post today, and don't forget to sign up for the
Classy Cards 'n Such newsletter.  It always has the latest (newest) items in the store listed
plus a special discount for it's subscribers...you don't want to miss out!!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

~~~***~~~***~~~Trick or Treaters~~~***~~~***~~~

I have a second post today to share.....
 
 
I "whipped" these little spool "Trick or Treaters" up this morning ....
at Papercrafters Corner.....
I went with the Halloween theme for my entry...
and also wanted to link it to the
challenge at Color-Q
who could resist this sweet inspiration piece??
 
 
and also to the challenge at The Ribbon Carousel  #86 Fall or Halloween
 

They were made on some old wooden spools I had.....
 
 
I wrapped paper around each and punched circles for the top and bottom....
I colored the edges with SU markers (somewhat faster then painting them).....
I used Halloween chenille stems and glued the Brenda Walton chipboard images
to them with my glue gun...added some ruffled tissue paper trim
I purchased from Ebay a long while back
and love how glittery and sparkley they are!!
 
 
and I had 3 little spoolie trick or treaters in no time....
 
 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BOO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another cold morning here in Michigan....
makes me want to Christmas shop...almost...
 
It seems the month of October is quickly passing by....
only 8 more days until Halloween, and I have so many new stamps
and products that will probably have to wait until next year now....
 
 
But I did use up some Halloween paper scraps for this card.....
and a chipboard piece (purchased for Halloween 2012)
from the Brenda Walton collection "haunted chipboard"...
My moon is die cut with a Sizzix die, and covered in the new TH distressed glitter spiced marmalade
I used a "spool" item....my black gingham ribbon.....
 
For some fun I am entering this card into the challenges at:
 
The Ribbon Carousel.....Halloween and a "spool" item
 
and
 
Try It On Tuesday....Halloween
 
and
 
Shopping Our Stash....Halloween or black and orange


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Shabby Chic Pumpkins

I have to tell you I had one of those nights where I just could not shut my mind down....
So, I gave up and got up and lo and behold my mojo is slowly returning....
I am happy about that, and spent the last 3 1/2 hours working on this card....
 
 
I saw the inspiration photo at "Curtain Call" and it "spoke" to me...lol....
I needed that...I needed that a lot!!!
Plus the fact that "Paper Sweeties" is the sponsor and giving away a $20
gift certificate, that helped motivate me, for sure!! 
 
I started out with a very vanilla 4 1/2" square card....
I stamped and paper pieced my pumpkins, that is where all the time went...
into hand cutting those pumpkins with the leaves and tendrils ....
I  added a bit of sparkle, if you can see it in the photo...
with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen "clear star"...
I LOVE this pen, so much , that I have 2 of them!!
 
I added a vintage piece to the medium pumpkin that came from an old, vintage hat!
My pretty "harvest" colored flower is one I made while at Joan's Gardens a week ago....
It is layers and layers of crepe paper, colored with TH Distress re-inker "fired brick" and water...
I love how the color varies!!
 
The 3 banners at the top have been stamped with silver ink and say
"pumpkins~pumpkins~pumpkins!!!
 
I also saw an inspiration photo for the challenge at "City Crafters" and "The Shabby Tea Room"
that helped me create this card....
So, I am entering this in these three challenges
which is unusual for me, as normally I do only one at a time!~!
 
Curtain Call "Gorgeous Gourds"
 
 
and
 
 
 
and
 
The Shabby Tea Room "Fall Florals"

 
I hope my mojo stays...but I already have a super cute card to post tomorrow...see ya!!



Monday, October 21, 2013

Enjoy Your Day ~ With Unity

Brrr....it's getting cold outside...
We are to have snow flurries (non-sticking) all week....
I sure hope it is warmer in your neck of the woods!!
 
 
I did this fun little, cheerful card for the monthly challenge at Unity.
"be inspired"
They have a color scheme, sketch, and/or a layout to choose from.
I chose the pretty color scheme below...
 
the only requirements are to use "Unity" stamps.....
 
I have several of the Unity stamps, including a year or more of the Kit of the Month stamps,
known as KOM...I used a stamp from my May 09 set (the sentiment) and also from
my KOM Feb 09 (those sweet little birds)
My little banner was cut with CLD die, and I attached it with the TH tiny attacher!
 
I am still struggling with my mojo...but I think part of it is the change in weather...
it always makes me moody, gives a headache, and just not feeling well.
 
but any who, besides all that, I hope you can play along in this challenge as they
are giving away a fantastic prize to one lucky person!!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Whimsical Penquins

Hello Friends!!
 
I finally found some time to work on a few things..... 
but I have to tell you, I have been struggling with getting creative...
it seems that when it is good, it's really good, but there are times
like now, where I just can't seem to like anything I do...
do you ever get like that, and if you do, how do you get yourself out of the "slump"??
 
I did however have this cute Penguin image sitting on my desk...
I had colored them with my TH Distress markers...
and saw the theme this week at Festive Fridays which is "whimsical"
 
 
I think these 3 little guys are the cutest little "whimsical characters" I have...
 
 
I had the snowflakes, already cut from my CLD snowflowers dies and had heavily
glittered them...these are the last, so need to spend some time doing more
as it sure is handy to have some of these things premade for when you need them!!
 
The background paper is a scrap left from last year, and the ribbon came on a package
I received last year...so fun to use up some things....
I sure hope this inspires me to get creative again!!!!

Also linking this up to Jingle Belles "pink Christmas".......

Monday, October 14, 2013

Holiday Candles

Hi....I wanted to share with you all today my post that is up at the
Classy Cards 'n Such blog today....
I would love for you to "hop" on over and leave me some love....
and don't forget you can get a 10% discount by using the code
DIANE-10
at the Classy Cards 'n Such online store....
thanks bunches!!

Hello Friends,
It's Diane here on the Classy Cards 'n Such blog with you today.
 
I wanted to get an early start on my Christmas cards as you all know how
busy the season can be and how it seems to sneak up on you before you know it!!
 
 
I made a glittery round card using the Memory Box Glowing Candles die
I cut the die twice, once on white cardstock and then again on green cardstock.
I just trimmed away the green part of the candles and adhered the two together...
I added little Baby Rinestones-Red for my berries and the veins of the leaves I outlined with a
Gelly Roll Stardust Pen, giving a bit of sparkle to the leaves!
 
Underneath the candles I added the Cheery Lynn Designs French Pastry doily,
yes, I know you see me use this ALOT, but I can't help myself...I LOVE it!!
 
Thanks for visiting with me today!!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Flourishes People Choice~VOTE For your Favorite

Good Morning Friends....
I entered a card at the Flourishes blog to be a guest designer in December....
They are having a contest to vote on your favorite....
 I would love to have my friends and followers to vote for me....
my card is #20.......
If you are not familiar with Flourishes stamps, check them out...
I LOVE them, as they stamp a gorgeous detailed image....
thanks.....

Whimsical Butterfly House

A quick post, as I have been gone a few days and lots of
"catching up" to do
 
I made this whimsical butterfly house for a granddaughter's birthday
 
that loves butterflies
 
A rolled paper  house, and all the rest was from scraps...
 
using these as my inspiration pieces...


Friday, October 11, 2013

Floral Envelope Card

I just wanted to share my post with you today
I have up at the
Classy Cards 'n Such blog today.....
I would love for you to visit there and leave me some "love"....
don't forget you can use my code DIANE-10 to receive the 10%
discount off any purchases made at the Classy Cards 'n Such online store.

Hi, it's Diane again with you today on the Classy Cards 'n Such Blog..


 
I made this pretty card using one of my favorite tools ever, the
I made this little gift card size envelope the focus on my card...
filling it with some floral goodies...and it can still hold a gift card!!
 
Inside the envelope I added a Memory Box die "Quinn Flourish"....
this is a very delicate and gorgeous die....
next came the Flourish Leaf Strip...these little leaves are the most useful die I have!!
I next colored leaves from the Cheery Lynn Designs Build A Flower #3
with Tim Holtz Markers Peeled Paint and Bundled Sage.
I added little flowers from Cheery Lynn Designs Cuties 3
The little rick rack trim at the bottom of the envelope is from Cheery Lynn Designs
Expandable Tiny Borders...you get 14 different borders in this die
The Designer Paper I used is Simple Stories Vintage Bliss.
 
I finished off the card with a bow and a sterling silver heart charm!
 
Thank you for visiting and see you soon!!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Flourishes Christmas With A Twist

This is my second post today, but I had to try to get it in as I will be
gone Friday and Saturday visiting with some other card~paper making addict friends
at Joan's Gardens in Indiana.
We come from Michigan, Ohio and Illinois to get together to work on new techniques
and projects and of course to "shop" and eat...
and being my birthday is Sunday, I am buying my own presents..LOL!!
 
 
I did this card for the challenge at Flourishes Christmas With A Twist
to make a Christmas card with NO green or red....
and
to celebrate their new release for October....
 
 
I used one of Flourishes newest sets called "Snow Scenes"...a gorgeous new winter set!!
I stamped the sentiment in a gray ink...loving the gray and pink together!!
 
The snowflake is a Cheery Lynn I cut and covered with a snowy glitter!!


Fly Me To The Moon

"Fly Me To The Moon"....doesn't that song just fit this image....
Last month I entered a card at the challenge at "Crafty Secrets" and won
a $50 gift to their online store...heaven I tell you!!
 
 
I used my certificate to purchase the vintage CD's below (one is still on it's way)
 
 
the CDs are full of vintage images to print and use....
I LOVE this one from their Halloween line.....
I added some green gems to the cats eyes!!


 
I used SU textured black card stock for my card base.....
The next layer is from My Minds Eye Lost and Found Halloween,
I stitched my image to paper from Authenique "Thrilling"
(I love stitching on a card, don't you?)
The "sweet banner" across the top is a newly purchased this year
(yeah, I am actually using something I recently purchased)
also from My Minds Eye called "Wicked"..
I finished it off with a satin orange ribbon and bow...
and a 100 year old (not really, but it seems like I have had it that long)
spider button!!
 
I am entering this into the October linky party at Crafty Secrets
and
in a newly discovered (to me) blog I adore...you should see all the beautiful
things on this blog the DT comes up with...love!!
oh, here I go rambling off into nowhere again
and the challenge is Fall or Halloween and ribbon!!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Fall Scenery

Flourishes has a challenge up that was for World Card Making Day...
it is to show what is going on in 

"Your Corner of the World"
 
 
Here in Michigan it is all about farming right now....
the field corn, soy beans, apples and pumpkins are being harvested....
 
I did a "simple card"...but I love this piece of scenery from the Country Road Flourishes set
and my good friend has a horse farm just down the road from me,
so it seemed fitting for the challenge.
 
Since it is fall here in my neck of the woods and the leaves are turning,
I added 3 colors of Stickles to my tree.....

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

~October~

This week at "Our Beautiful World" the prompt word is "October"
The pictures I am sharing with you I just took today Oct 8th in Michigan....
 
I had a plan for this week, but then the funniest thing happened....
Out of the spur of the moment, on a whim (still with me?)..lol..
I pulled into this driveway I have passed many times as I noticed he had stacks of pumpkins...
 
 
What could be more "October" in Michigan then pumpkins??
 
 
But wait, what is that I see??  Chickens, lots of chickens...
and oh boy here they come...
 
 
and look at that beauty autumn chicken...
 
.
 
They were so funny and I laughed so hard
I know the man must of thought I was a lunatic
But this one big white chicken was running and it was fat, I just cracked up
He said "I know, they are fat, I feed them too much"....
I asked him about the coyotes, he says he puts the chickens in every night...
what a guy!!
 
Then he says, you have to see my dog, so I am taking pictures
(while one chicken is trying to peck at my lens)
and he comes out of his barn with this...
 
 
Funniest looking dog I ever saw...lol
He says it follows him everywhere he goes....
I asked him if he has any more animals, he says no...
but wait...here come the ducks.....
 
 
So this is my October...it can't get any better then this
And all I have to do is cross the creek, go thru a pasture, some woods,
cross a two lane highway and I am at his house
and I never even knew he lived there
What a fun day I had!!!!! (Oh yeah, I bought some pumpkins). 

Monday, October 7, 2013

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday ~ Paper Piecing

 
This week at "Flourishes" the Timeless Tuesday challenge is "paper piecing"
the Flourishes stamps are one of my favorites, as the detail each stamp
provides is amazing.
 
That being said, I had to jump in for this challenge...
The challenge this week is a bit different, as "you" have the chance to
become a guest designer in the month of December...
I am keeping everything "crossed" for that...lol
 

 
I have over 20 sets of Flourishes stamps and chose "Winter Blossoms"
to use for my paper piecing....
I first stamped my image on watercolor paper and colored it in with TH distress markers
I stamped my image a second time on paper from Basic Grey Porcelain paper pad
and carefully cut them out.....
 
 
For a bit of "sparkle" I added Stickles to the flower centers
and I did a "shadow" around the edges with my distress marker...
I used a Spellbinders die for underneath and two shades of sheer ribbon for the bow...
I think it turned out rather soft, simple, and elegant!!!
 
Wish me luck...and on Tuesday, Oct 8th you can vote for "the peoples choice"
for one lucky person to become the 4th December guest designer!!!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Frightful & Delightful

Happy World Card Making Day To You!!!!
Every year I want to join in on all the fun....
Every year it seems I am either gone or have plans....
And this seems to be a typical "every year...sigh!!
 
My daughter is meeting me here to go to a HUGE craft fair...
over 240 venders, food, pumpkins, mums...and FUN!
Then at 4 we have  a hayride/fall party to attend in Indiana....
leaving me once again out of the festivities .....
 
 
But I did manage (at 3am this morning) to squeeze in a few things.....
The first being this delightful (I am liking that word...lol) sketch challenge
 
My card was built on Kraft card stock....
 
 
I used a Spellbinders round die to cut my moon....
the moon was "colored" with TH Distress inks
Mustard Seed~Spiced Marmalade~Squeezed Lemonade....
the black cat was cut with a NBUS (never before used stuff) Sizzix die
I have had for about 4 years, maybe more!!
He was cut on a scrap of grunge paper and I used my new TH Distress Glitter
wow...look at that sparkle...loving it!
The sentiment is also a newly purchased stamp from "Prickly Pear".....
 
I have another post today as well...thanks for visiting!!
 

Autumn Blessings At Magazine Monday

A few months ago I started doing a challenge at Papercrafters Corner
it's a real challenge for me and I love a good challenge.....
 
This week we were to use the cover below for our inspiration....
 
 
I struggled, I have to admit....
All over my creative table are things I was trying to put together...
but in all that mess on my desk, I just wasn't "feeling it", know what I mean??
I finally decided to focus on one thing, and that thing is "color"....
I actually like how it turned out and it was super easy, which is always a plus!!
 
 
I have seen a lot of the "spattered" look lately, which pushed me into buying
this set from SU called "Gorgeous Grunge"....
I used this set for my background, inking it, then stamping it off on scrap paper,
then stamping it on my card stock, giving it a much more subdued look!
Simple?  Yes, but sometimes I like simple!!
 
Products used for this are:
Tim Holtz Distress inks Wild Honey and Vintage Photo
SU stamps Gorgeous Grunge and Lexicon of Love
Flourishes (sentiment) Autumn Blessings
SU card stock Very Vanilla and Creamy Carmel

I also have a second post today, take a peak!!
 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Together

I have been adding to the blog  "Our Beautiful World" with photos of mine
that are special to me.
Each week they have a word to put a photo to and this week it is "Together"...
I love seeing all the photos from the other entries...
it allows me to "visit" places I have never been and doubtful I will visit..sigh!!
 
Looking out the bedroom window at me
 
I decided to use my photos of my 3 house kitties......
Two are sisters and my husband and I call them the two headed cat
as they are always "together"....
 
 
The other one is a stray we took in about 2 years ago....
The sisters are Tessie and Chloe...the gray is Soot.....
 
 
I hope you enjoyed seeing my "little  family" "together"!!