I'm not missing in action!

Hi Everyone,

I know it's been a long time since my last post. WHEW! Have I been busy. I had the opportunity to attend the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Convention. It was at the Anaheim convention center for 4 days. I spent two days at the convention center helping promote the products the company I work for sells. I also had a chance to check out what other companies had to promote. I was able to make some great projects that were offered by some of the vendors. The event is like the SuperBowl of crafting. I then spent two days preparing for the classes I would be teachng at the Scrapbook Expo. I am currently working at the Scrapbook Expo. It has been a blast. My class has been a super big hit. My class was teaching cards that Flip, Twist and Pop. I have had some super late nights with cutting for more kits and making some supersized class projects. My supersized samples are so cute, and sure do help with a class of 50 students to have a large visual aide to make their projects. Can you believe it, I will have taught 150 ladies how to make some really fun cards in 3 days. That is a feat of accomplishment for me.
It was so much fun to see my stamping friends come to my booth and check out what were selling. My hubby made a surprise visit to the Scrapbook Expo today just prior to the starting of my class. He surprised me with a beautiful pair of gold hoop earrings. Is't that just the sweetest! Yeah! that scored some points. He even helped me get some last minute stuff ready for my class and stayed around to watch me teach my class. He hadn't ever seen me in action before. His presence didn't even make me nervous. I am looking forward to getting back to normal and preping for my regular weekly class. Have a blessed day.
Blessings, Diane

Chipboard Accents

Hello,
Have you tried using Chipboard on your cards? Stampin' Up! has chipboard already cut into some great shapes. They even have shapes that match some of their stamp sets. Chipboard is easy to decorate and gives a wonderful accent to your cards. You can cover with Stampin' Up! Designer Series paper, use Craft ink to color or use paint to color. If you use Craft ink or paint to color your chipboard you can decorate even more by stamping a image over top. Check out the close-up of the Heart. I used the new Stampin' Up! rub on's over top the paper. They are so totally cool! You can even get some of your own FREE during Sale-A-Bration. Check out the SAB details on the right. Finish the edges of the Chipboard with ink to accent the edges, sand the edges to give a rough, aged finish. Try using some Chipboard on your projects. Don't be shy to leave comments.
Enjoy!
Blessings, Diane

Time Well Spent Cards

Hello,

I finally have my Internet working again. While they upgraded us to FIOS, YEP I have FIOS and it is "FAST", I had time to play and make some cards using the Stampin' Up! hostess set "Time Well Spent". It really is a beautiful stamp set. I also used the beautiful Stampin'Up! Designer Series "Cutie Pie" paper and "Rose Red" paper. They work so well with this stamp set.

I don't think my hubby and kids will be seeing as much of me. I also had the Internet installed in my office. With music, Internet, heat I am finally comfortable in my little ole office. Now don't be fighting kids.

Enjoy!

Blessings, Diane

Valentine Explosion Box Class

Hello,

With my Internet being disconnected for almost two weeks I was not able to announce this class sooner.
Make this beautiful Valentine Explosion Box filled with coupons redeemable for a variety of things and blank coupons for your own offerings. There is room for you to fill with lots of pictures. What a great memory photo box to give to your loved one. This can also be made for mom, dad or grandparents. Just make coupons filled with something you would like to offer them. Fill with photos of the entire family.
Date: February 2, 2008
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00
Location: My Place
11232 Cresson St. Norwalk
Supplies to bring: Adhesive, paper cutter
Please call or e-mail me to reserve your space. Space is limited to the first 12.
I will also have a large variety of retired stamp sets available for sale.
Looking forward to seeing you.

You can also purchase a blank explosion box here.

Blessings, Diane

Hello,
Posting message to let you know that my internet and email are currently unavailable.
If you want to take a class this week, please register at class. Without access to email, I will not get your message to reserve a space for you. If you read this message and are attending class, supplies to bring are: circle coluzzle with mat. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you and blessings, Diane

Win a FREE Stamp Class

Hello,

I came up with a new game for the New Year! Every class you attend gives you the opportunity to win a Free Class coupon. When you attend class your name is entered into a drawing. When Fifty names are entered, a name will be drawn for a Free Class coupon. The more classes you attend the more chances you have of your name being drawn. The game starts Thursday, January 17th.
Will you be the lucky winner!!

Blessings, Diane

Spring Mini Note & Envie

Hello,

See what happens when you are not needed at work. I get to take pictures of my projects and get my blog updated. I even figured out how to compress my photos so they aren't so huge when you click on them and reduce the file size. I have several posts today to show you. A couple show projects done at a recent class. This project and my Flower Power project will be done at my January 17th class.

I just love my 3 x 3 Envie template and matching card. The scallop was made using the Stampin' Up! scallop punch. I so love punches, quick and easy to get a great shape. I could not hand cut this.

I must be off now to get my projects cut and ready for class. You can stay around and check out the other projects I posted below.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Mini Notes and Envie

Hello,

I was asked to design some projects for a Cookie Lee meeting. I found out they have some new 3 x 3 coupons. I made up a cute envie to hold their coupon and showed them they could also make a sweet 3 x 3 card to fit into the envie and send their hostess a nice Thank You card. They loved the project idea. The paper is Stampin' Up! designer paper. Isn't it just beautiful. To create my envie I used my Stampin' Up! 3 in 1 envelope template.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Flower Power

Hello,

I love this Big Blooms set. I was so sad SU didn't put it into the big catalog. I stamped my flowers and cut them out. I used a pencil to wrap the petals around to give them shape. I wanted these flowers to look real not flat. I used my Word Window punch to punch out the small greeting and to make the anchor holding the greeting. To make the angled paper for the background was so easy. The top and bottom was done with a 4" square cut on the diagonal and then I pieced the cut square back together by hand and put into my cutter and cut the other diagonal. You have great diagonals and enough to make 2 cards. The sides were done with a 5 1/4" square. This will be a project for my January 17 class.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Make A Wish

Hello,

I am getting tired of being cold all the time. I am looking forward to Spring coming soon. To help it seem a little like Spring I made a cheery flower card. I used my Sizzix die to cut my flower out of chipboard and decorative paper. I so love my Sizzix dies and Cuttlebug dies.

To help me choose my colors I started with my D/P and then choose the rest of my card stock and ribbon to coordinate.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Vellum Window

Hello,

I wanted to use my Giga Scallop punch in another way other than for layering on a card. So, I punched an opening in my card to create a Window. To diffuse the background paper I layered vellum under the Window. I embossed my image using White embossing powder, colored the image on the backside of the vellum and finished it by doing some paper piercing. Wraping the ribbon around the card and through the opeing makes a nice feature. Just be sure to add the ribbon before adding the vellum. The corner accents were created by stamping a square frame and cutting it into quarters. I think I will use that idea more. A great way to use those frames. To finish it all off I used my White gel pen around the scallops to give it more detail.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Valentine Dollar Stamps

Hello,

Another Valentine card using Dollar stamps I found at Michaels.

The swirl and heart stamp makes for a great background stamp. The embossing is done with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I absolutely LOVE them. The bling flowers I got from Pinecone Press. The Scallop circle was punched from my Stampin' Up! scallop punch.

Enjoy!

Blessings, Diane

Origami Boxes

Hello,

I took time to try my hand at origami folding. These little boxes are so easy to make. After you figure out how to fold them you can whip them up in just couple of minutes. I found it best to use heavy weight decorative paper. Thin paper is not durable enough for you to fill your box. If your cardstock is too thick it makes it difficult to fold nice creases.

I found searching the internet for origami projects turned up several patterns and videos.

Search for yourself and experience the fun of folding a flat piece of paper into something useful or decorative.

Blessings, Diane

Valentine Cards

Hello,

I have started to make Valentine's Day cards. I was in Michaels this week and found they had stocked their dollar stamps. I found several cute Valentine stamps. I love my Stampin' Up! stamps but sometimes those dollar stamps are irresistible. The heart bouquet was inked with red ink and stamped off once before being stamped on my project so that the greeting would show up better. The stamp with the swirls and heart makes a great background stamp. I'm sure most people would look at it and think "What would I do with that". I knew it would be great for stamping all over for a nice background. I also used my Cuttlebug, Swirl embossing folder. I love how it gives the project some nice detail. I used my circle punch to punch out just the greeting from the stamp. It fits perfectly with the Stampin' Up! scallop punch layered underneath.

Enjoy! Blessings, Diane

Happy New Year!

May 2008 be a Great year for you. I wish you all much happiness, good health and much LOVE.
I spent a little time yesterday and today making Valentines cards. I know it seems early but for us crafters and teachers we must start early on our projects.
I spent a little time today watching the Rose Parade. My son Allan went with a friend and watched the parade. It was his first time to see the parade and floats in person.
Later I spent the day watching the Rose Bowl game with some good friends. It's always nice to share time with family and friends.

Blessings, Diane