More Gift Boxes

Hello,

Here are some gift boxes with some paper piecing pieces I made. These will be included in your kit along with many more pieces to decorate your boxes.

The Santa and Melted snowman took some time to make but I think they sure turned out cute.

They will be a wonderful accent to your boxes.

Blessings, Diane

Christmas Boxes

Hello,

I have been busy making some Christmas boxes. I will soon have available box blanks and kits for sale. I really enjoy making boxes. With a blank you can decorate however you choose to fit the gift you are giving. Enjoy what I have created so far. Which one is your favorite. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Blessings, Diane

Christmas Open House Project Night

Hello,

Do you need to make a last minute Christmas project? I will be having an Open House night on Tuesday, December 7th. 6:30 pm to 9:15 pm.

This is a great time to work on Christmas cards. I will have Christmas card kits available for $1.00 each. Make as many as you want.
I have several other projects that would make wonderful gifts. Photo albums and more.
Need some gift boxes? I have several box dies you can use. Just bring some cardstock so you can cut them out.
I also have some cute Tag dies you can use to cut out tags for your presents.
There will also be some paper scraps available for you to use.

Hope to see you.
Blessings, Diane

Christmas Card Class coming soon!

Hello,

Tis the Season! Can you believe it, Christmas will be here soon. Where has all the time gone. Seems each years passes faster than the one before. I don't dare blink, I'll have a part of my life just flash on by.

I have been busy for a few days planning Christmas cards and cutting tons of paper. Still more paper to cut. Here are the cards I have planned for this years class. I will post the date and time on the calendar as soon as I figure it all out. I am planning a two day event. One day will include a Tea Party before the class. Space is limited. Looking forward to seeing you.

Cute Witch Shoe Card

Hello,

I really enjoyed creating this card. It is super easy to make.


The card base is black cardstock cut 6" x 9" and folded in half.

The decorated paper is by Pinecone Press.

The green cardstock measures 5 3/4" x 4 1/4". Ink edges with black ink. Ink and stamp any spider image you have to front of card. Adhere layer to card base.

Download and cut out Pattern for Witch Shoe. Ink edges of shoe.

Cut out 4 buckles from orange cardstock. I used a Stampin' Up! punch. Glue to shoe as shown. Add purple rhienstones for buttons.

Cut a length of ribbon 7" - 8" long. Use thread to gather along bottom edge to width of shoe. Use red line tape along top edge of shoe and adhere ribbon. apply red line tape to the ribbon that will adhere to card. Add pop dots to back of shoe. Adhere shoe to front of card.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Blessings, Diane

Halloween Treat Containers Class coming soon!

Hi,

Have you all missed me? I know I have been missing for awhile. I didn't realize how much of a break I needed and life also got busy around here.

I have locked myself in my office the past couple of days and have been working on projects for the next class.

Halloween is always a time for sharing sweets. I am creating some fun boxes for you to fill with sweets to give someone.

Here are some of the projects you will be making.


Class: Halloween Treat Containers
Date: Tuesday, October 19th
Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: $12.00

Hope you can join the fun. See calendar for more details.

Blessings, Diane

Bixby Knolls Car Show

Hello,

Craig and I along with a long time good friend Rick went to the Bixby Knolls car show this Saturday. They had lot's of cars to see. I didn't take pictures of them all. I now wish I had taken more. They were also raising money for the Special Olympics. Very nice.

Anyway here is a video I put together of the photos I took. Enjoy!

Blessings, Diane

Colorful Star Card

Hello,

I love this Star Card. The project is not hard to make. The paper colors are nice and bright.
I may do this as a class project. The first image is the cover of the project. The second image shows what the project looks like open. The next images show each panel. You can add photos to the sides and center. You can add greetings and journaling. This makes a wonderful gift for someone. Would love to hear your comments.








Have a blessed week, Diane

A very good story to share

Hello,

I received this story in an e-mail. It is sure to bring tears to your eyes. When you're finished reading it, think about what you do yourself to make a difference in the life of someone else.

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around.

His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'

His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today. Tomorrow. Just 'do it'.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it! Believe in Angels, then return the favor.

The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

Go make a difference! Blessings, Diane

Shutter Card

Hello,

I have a wonderful project to share with you today. I used the Shutter Card blank from Pinecone Press to make this project. It is not hared to make. It does fold so you can mail it or keep shut on a table. I really prefer to keep it open on a table or fireplace mantel. I haven't added phots yet to my project but it has room for Lot's of photos. You can even decorate the back side if you like also. Click on photo to see full size. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for looking.
Blessings, Diane

Flap Book Purse Album

Hello,
I have a project that I would like to share with you today. This would make a wonderful gift for someone for Mother's Day. It has just the right amount space for a few pictures. Have you given Grandma updated photos of her grandchildren? This would make a perfect grandma brag book filled with updated photos of the kids. I will be teaching a class at Diane's Place on May 4th, so you can make an album for a Mother's Day gift. Check calendar for details.

Inside left of album.

Inside right of album.

Back and front of album.

Back of album.

This video shows how the Purse Album opens and how to assemble the pieces to complete your project.

Hope you enjoyed the video. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Blessings, Diane

Great Golf Day!

Hello,

I started playing golf about a year ago. I wanted a hobby or activity that my hubby and I could enjoy together. I figured it would also provide me with some much needed exercise. I have had a few lessons. I haven't taken my lessons for a few months though. My hubby and I went to play a round of golf today. I was hoping since I hadn't played in a few months I would still have a good game. I am pretty happy that I actually TIED the game with my hubby. If I hadn't had a couple of bad swings at a couple of holes I would have actually beat him. Maybe the next game. Maybe not, his game wasn't up to his usual. I am still happy I tied. That was totally unexpected.

Blessings, Diane

Awash with Flowers - NEW SET ! plus 20% OFF offer!

Hello,
Stampin' Up! is having a couple of promotions. The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new Idea Book & Catalog. This is an exclusive opportunity! I just received my Awash with Flowers stamp set and look forward to creating some beautiful cards with this set. Not only can you use the Two-Step stamping technique but you can also watercolor or use pastels to color the images.

Two-Step into Spring Promotion

Promotion Dates: April 1-30, 2010
Promotion Details
Hostesses
Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!
Customers
Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.

Stamp Sets 20% OFF !
Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!

See flyer for more details.

Click to See flyer for full size images of Awash with Flowers set.
Contact me to place your order. Don't delay, offer ends April 30th.
Blessings, Diane

NEW STAMPIN' UP! COLORS!!! You will love them!!!

Hello,

What a FABULOUS NEW ANNOUNCEMENT FROM STAMPIN' UP!!!!
Stampin' Up! is releasing 5 BRAND NEW COLORS and bringing BACK 10 of the retired In Colors!! OH MY GOSH! As of July, (with the new catalog), here is what our color collection will be: These wonderful new color collections will be available to everyone with the new Stampin' Up! catalog in July .... AND if you are a DEMONSTRATOR you get to order them early!!!!! You can contact me if you are interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. See side bar for FREE offer from Stampin' Up! for joining the team. Stampin" Up! has very carefully choosen the new color palette. I personally love how the colors mix and match so well. Don't be afraid to mix colors from different color collections to create your projects. Work outside your favorite colors and create a new mix.

These are the colors we will be saying GOOD-BYE to. If you want to get any of these colors do not delay. They will sell out fast. If you need any ink refills get them NOW, if need cardstock get it NOW also, while they last.

I will be sad to see a couple of my favorite colors retire. I am also very excited to see some of the past IN colors return. I think the new color palette is wonderful!
Blessings, Diane

Quick & Easy Easter Basket

Hello,
Easter is almost here. Do you still need to make up some Easter Baskets? This basket is so quick and easy you can whip up a few of them for gift giving.
The basket was made using Pinecone Press Spring Stripe paper. The basket was decorated with the Pinecone Press Bunny Die Cuts.
Use pattern to make basket. A file is included at the bottom of this post.
Use photos as sample to decorate basket with the Bunny Die Cuts. Use pop dots to give dimension to project.
Let me know what you think.
I hope you all have a Happy Easter. Christ is Risen!!

Happy Easter, Diane

Last chance to place Sale-A-Bration order

Hello,

Did you get your free stamps yet?? Don't miss out! You have today and tomorrow to place your Sale-A-Bration order. Spend $50 (before tax and shipping) and choose a free product from the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog! Spend $100 and get two free products...and so on! No limits! This year there are more choices than ever.....choose from free stamp sets, a paper pad, a new punch, even select sets from the main Idea Book & Catalog.
Want to choose ANY stamp set (value $47.95 or less)(excluding Hostess sets) for free in the Idea Book & Catalog? Just sign up to be a Demonstrator! The Starter Kits are on sale, also, during Sale-A-Bration. Look over the information and then contact me with any questions. You'll love being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

Just a side note. If I do not meet my minimum sales also I will be dropped as a demonstrator.
Call me or e-mail with your order and I can process it.

Blessings, Diane

Sad day around here

Hello,

We have been dreading this day. Our beloved dog Brandy has been not getting around well for some time. This past couple of weeks has been really hard to watch her struggle to get around. Her health has gotten worse all week. So many health problems and to be expected at her old age. Brandy has been a great dog. We adopted her about 11 years ago and she bonded with us instantly. She has always protected us. She barked, every time the doorbell rang and would greet everyone. At first you were to pass her inspection and if you passed she would lie on her back to get her belly rubbed. Silly girl. She loved to go for car rides, which looking back she may have liked a few more trips. Would play with our cats but was sure to keep the neighbors out of the yard. She would follow me around, come into my office and stay by me. Sit at and sometimes on my feet when I would work on the computer. Always looking for a handout at the dinner table. Loved to take a walk around the block, even tried so hard to walk a couple of weeks ago. She would get so excited you could hardly get her leash on her collar.

When I came home this past week from work I could tell her time had come to an end. I gathered the kids around and each took time to say their good-byes to Brandy. Kevin and Liz helped me take Brandy to the shelter where we adopted her to put her to rest. Saying good-bye to a family pet is so very hard. She will be missed by us all.

Love you Brandy girl. Blessings

Birthday Class Cards - finally

Hello,

I have finally scanned the cards that we made for the Birthday Card Class. The few that came had a really nice time. They all did an swesome job making the cards.
I do have about 3 kits left if someone wants to purchase a kit. You can make the cards on your own or make them at Open House night.

Blessings, Diane

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hello,

Are you wearing your GREEN today? I thought about it yesterday and knew what I was going to wear. But this morning I was in a rush and grabbed the first thing I found and it is not green. So much for honoring the Irish in me.
Save a little green on me. Place a Stampin' Up! order with me directly and save 10% off your product total. This offer will expire on March 24th.
Sale-A-Bration ends on March 30th so you can still take advantage of getting a FREE gift with every $50.00 you spend. Check out the Sale-A-Bration catalog on the left of the screen.
With this kind of a deal how can you not do a little Irish Jig.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Blessings, Diane

Happy Birthday Celebrate

Hello,

I am home today digging through my huge amount of paper and matching up patterns and creating cards. Here is one card I finished today. I love balloons, so when digging through my stamps this one was a sure pick to use. Always, CELEBRATE your birthday no matter how old you get.

Blessings, Diane

Hello,
My family had the privilege and honor of attending our son Allan's award recognition dinner. Allan was recognized for being one of the top 100 students in his entire school. We are so proud of his accomplishment. This his his third year to be honoured. The school has a nice dinner for the students and their familys and hands out medals to all the students. The Seniors that have been a top 100 student for all four years also receive an additional medal.
Way to go Allan!! Love Ya bunches, MOM