I hope Phil has it wrong this year.

Feels like an early Spring here in Michigan, our temps have been 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit for the last few days, beautiful weather!  All this Spring like weather inspired the Forsythia branches I made with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Build a Blossom SVG and Printable.  I used the Lilac blossoms, cut them and then rolled the edges and pinched the centers then glued them to some branches I found in the yard.  My DH asked me where I got the flowers, he thought they were real, lol. 

So from USA today, here is Phil's Story.

Famed groundhog prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil has weighed in with his yearly forecast from central Pennsylvania: Six more weeks of winter.Here's Phil's forecast, as relayed at the annual ceremony: "Many shadows do I see: six more weeks of winter it must be."
The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says, spring will come early.
McGill adds that experts have found that Phil's forecast is accurate only about 39% of time.  I think he may be wrong this year too, at least I sure hope so.
Please stop by Lindsay's blog The Frugal Crafter and check in on the rest of the Design Team too.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Happy Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday everyone.  Thank you Beverly for hosting Pink Saturdays and giving me yet another good reason to create something Pink.  Please stop by and see Beverly and all of her amazing Pinks!  For today's card I used a Gecko Galz Pixie Dust image, covered in Sticklles.  The beautiful heart was a try at wax embossing.  I used Lindsay's Stamp Stuff gorgeous Decorative Doily SVG, I cut it out of Freezer Paper which has a wax backing.  I ironed it onto the card stock and when I peeled it up there was not enough wax to do the technique.  Never fail, I laid it back in place, ironed it down again and used Tim Holtz distress ink.  I then removed my stencil and Voila!  And the stencil can be used again.   The borders are a  Lettering Delights SVG, so is the pinwheel.  Now that I am spoiled with the envelope liners, my cards feel naked without!  I used Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Plain Envie liner and used a punch to make the beautiful border.  You do not need a cutter for this set, Lindsay has a printable version so you can print and cut the plain liner then use the punch of your choice to finish it off.  Well, thanks for looking.  ~Diane

I am entering this into the following challenge.

Gecko Galz - Valentine using Gecko Galz image

I'm the Featured Member at My Graphico this week!

I'm the Featured Member over at the My Graphico Community!  I am really honored that I was chosen to be interviewed.  Jenn asked me some really fun questions too, I loved this one.  "If someone gave you $10,000 for you to ONLY USE to redesign or create AND stock  your Crafting Room or Space – what would you put in it and what are some of the features, structures, storage, etc your new space would include?"  You will have to pop over to read my answer here.   While you are there check out the latest My Graphico giveaway, it is a Tim Holtz bonanza of products look below!   

  The cards I popped up for today are from one of my favorite Lindsay's Stamp Stuff SVG sets Sweet Baby.   One of the things I forget to mention is that many of Lindsay's sets, this one included are both SVG and JPG Printable sets.  Which means if you don't have a cutter you can still print this out on patterned paper and hand cut it with scissors, this one is a really easy cut too.  I used some of Lindsay's retired papers, and I printed both sides of the card stock so I didn't have to add extra layers.

Well, that's it for today, I appreciate your stopping by, I hope you get a chance to see my interview at My Graphico.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Passionate Pink Saturday

I made this card for Beverly's How Sweet the Sound Pink Saturday using some awesome Gecko Galz digital ephemera.  The rich pink paper is from the Nouveau Nights Collection.  

The passionate lovers image is from the new January Kiss Me Collection.  I used a bit of pleated lace cut in half and I added some pink Cotton Candy Stickles to the edge of it.  I added some pearls, a paper rose, Spellbinders frame and some Tim Holtz Distress ink to finish it off.  Speaking of Gecko Galz, they have an Invite a Friend challenge going on for the whole year.  All you have to do is follow their blog and then join the Yahoo group.  Tell them who sent you and the person who brings the most followers will get that months digital products. Thats right you win all the collage sets, digi stamps, and paper set!!!  So be sure to say I sent you:), and send some of your friends over too, you will be glad you did. There are all kinds of challenges and opportunities to win free products.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Gecko Galz - Valentine using Gecko Galz image

Sweet Babys Vintage Style

 

This is great, Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is having a Pre Valentines Day Sale so you can pick up some great sets and still have time to make your Valentines with them.  This was so easy to make, I used Lindsay's new Valentines papers Hugs and Kisses along with the Sweet Baby SVG  to make these sweet baby cards.  One of the nice things about digital paper is that you can print both sides for 2 sided paper like I did here to make it match inside and out.  I felt these papers had a bit of a vintage feel to them so I used the lace and ric rac to pick up on that theme.  I think I had a "sun suit" very similar to the pattern on the right, that makes me suddenly feel vintage too, lol.  I love these papers, and they are really versatile, I think you could use them in a vintage or a modern piece.  Be sure to stop by Lindsays blog The Frugal Crafter  today, rumor has it she is offering a freebie and you can also see what the rest of the Design Team has made also, links are in my sidebar.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Be Stickle My Heart

Like my pun, be still my heart?  I really went crazy with the Stickles on this one.  I used Cheri Wengers cute Love Notes set to make this Valentine.  I am going to enter it into Taylor Usry's layering challenge over at Paper Craft Planet.  The prize is a $35.00 gift certificate to Perfect Paper Crafting, where they have this fabulous tool called Perfect Layers, check out Taylor's tutorial , it is the answer to getting your layers lined up straight, I really need one of these.  I hate it when I get it layered crooked, it drives me crazy!  I also used some Tim Holtz distress ink, an embossing folder and the pretty red glitter tape which was part of the Christmas loot from my daughter.  I also popped up the letters and the heart with foam tape to give it some added dimension.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Kiss Me

Be still my heart!  I do have a thing for paper and this paper set from Gecko Galz called Chocolate Box has totally stolen my heart!  Photo's don't do it justice, it looks like a very fine velvet in real life.  Before I share the rest of the details I have a tip for you.  For papers that are rich like this use photo  paper to print on, it gives it so much more depth and the same for your colored images, what a difference it makes!  I used Staples Photo Supreme double sided matte paper.   The sweet image is from the collage set called Kiss Me also from Gecko Galz.  I think I am going to have to use this one again, it is so inspiring.  One of those pictures that really speaks to you.  I printed it twice, cut the umbrella out and put a double piece of foam under the center and glued down the 3 bottom spines of the umbrella only.  Spellbinders gold frame (dollar Treasure card stock), and some Tim Holtz distress ink on the image edges.  I made the stick pin with supplies from Pizzazz Aplenty.  That puffy heart had a red and white striped bow so I colored it in with my red Atyou Spica glitter pen.  Well I hope you like this one, I am really happy with how it came out.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane
I am entering the following challenges. 
Gecko Galz - Valentine using your image
Make it Monday - Anything goes
Dream Valley challenges - Anything goes 
Gingerloft Challenge - Anything goes
Ces Challenge - Vintage Dahling. 
The Hybrid Chic - Lots of sparkle 
Paper Craft Planet - Monday layering challenge

Another Pink Saturday

How sweet she is, Beverly is hosting her Pink Saturday again and I am in!  I made this card with Cheri Wengers Paris Chic digital set and I love it.  I made this card earlier this week but I saved it for Pink Saturday.  I really love how this came out, even though I have not quite figured out digital layering.  The pretty pink stripe paper is part of the set, I printed it out then ran the page through my printer again to add the rich dark pink border.  Some people can actually do that all together and print it out, till I master that step, this way works for me.  I fussy cut the Eiffel tower and added some Stickles to it.  The pink rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty) were set in silver Stickles also, I let the Stickles form a setting around them.  Added a die cut, doily and some distress ink and done!  Don't forget today is the last day of Cheri Wengers sale.  That's it for today, we finally have some snow here in Michigan, 5/10 of an inch, and heading back to the 40"s by Tuesday,  I love this mild winter!  Be sure to stop by and see Beverly and what everyone else has done for Pink Saturday.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Love birds

Not your traditional Valentine with hearts I know.  I made this with a freebie from Cheri Wenger  (Don't forget she still has a sale going on).   MyGraphico has been offering some wonderful free images weekly from some very talented artists in the Brag Party Group.  The beautiful bird was the free image this week, it is 1 piece from the Lovey Dovey set.  I combined it with Cheri Wenger's SVG Framing Shapz 1, which I love.  True sign of a great SVG is when you can cut it into this small of a size and it still works, this set really does cut like butter.  The beautiful bubble pearls are from Pizzazz Aplenty.  , the colors were perfect for this card.  The papers are Tim Holtz glassine and Crafty Secrets.  I don't know why I save these beautiful papers, it's like I'm afraid to use them, lol.  Still figuring out my Big Shot Pro, I embossed the glassine and the and the Shapz with it.  I also used some Tim Holtz distress inks on this.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane
Challenges I'm entering:
Penny's Paper Crafty - Birds in honor of bird week
Blogger Challenge - Wings and things

Butterfly Love

Just having some fun playing with one of my new Cheri Wengers sets.  Cheri gifted me the Paris Chic set, the one with with the heart, (Thanks again Cheri).  I loved tracing her beautiful scroll with Stickles, this did not photograph that well either. The heart is a pretty pale shade of lavendar/pink, it looks dull here.  The beautiful butterflies can be found in another one of her sets Stylish Butterflies.  I made another card with the Paris Chic set but I am holding it to post for Beverly's Pink Saturday later this week.  I like that one better, but my sons girlfriend will like this one better and I had her in mind when I made it.  These are Cheri's sets, I'll be back on Friday with the other card.    Thanks for looking~Diane

Check out her 4 day sale

New Year, New Set

Happy New Year to all of you.  I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday, I certainly did!  My daughter and her boyfriend came up from Kentucky to spend some much needed time with us.

So lets start the New Year with a New SVG Set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, Decorative Doilies.  This is such a versatile set, I can see I will be getting a lot of mileage out of this set and it cuts like butter too! I gave it a bit of a vintage look by using Tim Holtz distress ink on the doilie and the ribbon.  I picked up the metal charm from Making Memories on clearance a while back.  The embossing folder is Tim Holtz.  The pretty ruby rimstones are from Pizzazz APlenty.  The Envelope and Liner, are not just for Christmas, this design works perfect for any occasion.   

Thanks for looking ~Diane

I won A treasure Trove of Ideas from Cindy Adkins!

 I'm sure many of you know the talented Cindy Adkins from her blog Whimsical Musings, and her online magazine Whimsical Musings Magazine.  If you don't know her yet be sure to stop by her blogs.  To celebrate the release of her newest book 

Mixed Media Art: Living your Passion, she had a giveaway, which I was so fortunate to have won.  

This book includes:~Numerous original projects to create

Where to find myriad items for mixed media work

How to get your art displayed publicly

There are lots of projects you may also want to make as Christmas gifts too.  
I bought the book, it is awesome!  You will never go shopping the same way anywhere after you read this book!  So many helpful insights, great ideas on how to get your art out there and recognized!  There is a Kindle for PC version available so you don't even have to own a Kindle to read it.  The Kindle for PC is a free download and the book is only $2.99, a real steal if you ask me.  Great way to jump start your art for the new year too.

This is the “A Treasure Trove of Ideas” Prize Package I received.

~A gorgeous vintage locket (to create a “Remembrance Piece” like the one discussed in the book.)

~Hand-stamped seam binding with French writing to use in my own art.

~The original ATC created especially for the book which is signed and dated.

~A beautifully embossed “Creative Journey” journal embellished with Tim Holtz Ideology images.

~The original “Wish” Tag Book created especially for Mixed Media Art: Living Your Passion.

~12 tags to decorate and make tag books of my own.

I must say I am totally blown away!  Cindy's work is rich and gorgeous.  The awesome leather journal is going to take some real thought into what I will use it for, it is so elegant, I have never owned a journal this fine!  I want to keep it for something truly as special as it is.   These are all such beautiful keepsakes, the wish tag book and signed and dated ATC will find a special place of honor in my craft room.  And I can't wait to create my tags, locket and to use the gorgeous hand stamped seam binding!

About Cindy Adkins, she is a talented artist and writer, I love reading her books.    Her EBooks right now, "Blogging: It's a 'Woman' Thing" and "Blog from the Heart: A Woman's Guide to Blogging" hold the #1 and #2 spots respectively in women's blogging on Amazon!!!  That is amazing!  Cindy is  such a go give supporter of all of us in the blogging community.  She is the first one to promote and help other artists, featuring their work on her blogs and sharing links to them, I have met many of you through Cindy.  Thank you Cindy for the awesome win and thank you for all you do for all of your fellow artists.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

My Graphico Amazing Christmas Giveaway!

Click here to enter the Amazing Christmas Giveaway and tell them 1CardCreator sent you.

So many Amazing happenings over at MyGraphico this month!  Beginning with this awesome giveaway!  Quoted from the MyGraphico site.

"Every month, we give a fabulous prize package to one lucky winner.  We have been promoting these giveaways on our facebook page, and will now be holding them here.  For our first giveaway held on the MG Party Expressions blog, we have a truly amazing, jaw-dropping prize package!

Enter today for the chance to win the following:

A NEW Silhouette Cameo machine

Adhesive Vinyl Rolls package

Tim Holtz Core’Dinations & Melody Ross Soul Food Collection 12″ x 12″ Paper Pads

3 SVG Cutting Templates from Mygrafico.com

SCAL3 Sure Cuts A Lot Software from Craft Edge

A winner will be randomly drawn on December 31st, 2011 and announce on New Year’s Day!"

How awesome is that!  Bet your boots I am entered!  My Graphico has a fantastic ning community you need to check out too.  The card I made here is using a free graphic from Blackleaf Studios and flowers from Pizzazz Aplenty.  I have been admiring how some of my blogging buddies use red ink with the newsprint, I just love the look of it!  This was so easy,  I  a took a page from my 1943 copy of The New Garden Encyclopedia, made a copy of it and then printed this tree right on top of it, easy peasy.   There is a Brag Party going on at My Graphico right now, why don't you grab a free copy of this image and enter yours too!
I am entering this into the Make it Monday challenge #66 also.  Come join me there, lots of friendly faces, I have met a lot of wonderful bloggers there.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Pink Saturday

 I made this card for Beverly's Pink Saturday.  You will have to drop by and see all the beautiful Christmas decorations, really puts me in the mood for Christmas.  Also see all the other Pinks contributions, they are all lovely.  I made this card with Dezinaworlds Christmas Angels, they are so pretty.  The background paper is my favorite Bold Black and White from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff,  I just changed it in Word to print out pink.  The lovely frame is an SVG from  Mujka Chic Fancy Borders.  And I could not resist another Envelope Liner from Linday's Stamp Stuff in pretty pink to finish it off.  Don't forget, Lindsay's 50% off Sale ends December 4th.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Ho Ho Ho Holiday Sale at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

Lindsay is so generous, she is offering her 50% off sale before the Holidays so you still have time to shop and make something in time for Christmas.  Everything is 1/2 off through December 4th.  That means there is still time to pick up this awesome SVG Envelope and Envelope liner set  that I am totally in love with, it cuts like butter!

I made the card using Cheri Wenger's SVG Framing Shapz 1, the white panel is loaded with glitter, I don't think it shows up in the picture though.  The image is a freebie from Magic Moonlight, the SVG snowflake is a freebie from Birds Cards.  The bakers twine and rhinestones are from Pizzazz Aplenty.  

I have a tip to share with you today too.  Get a little extra life out of your cutting mats by washing them in soapy water, let air dry.  Once dry give a light spray with a spray adhesive like 3M Super 77, it gives it the light tack of the original mats.  I've tried using the Zig 2 way glue, but that makes them so sticky that I am cleaning paper for days.  

A little late in the week but I am joining in the party at Make it Monday #65.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Happy Thanksgiving and a Sale at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends celebrating here in the U.S.  I have so much to be thankful for, family, friends, health to name just a few.  I am thankful for all of my blogging friends, I am so fortunate to have met you and to be inspired by you.

Sorry I don't have a Thanksgiving card to share today, another Christmas card will have to do.  But I can share a sale at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, everything is is 50% off, including the Envelope and Envelope Liner SVG and JPG set.  I am so excited to keep finding new ways to use this!  This time I used the same paper on the envelope and liner as I did on the card so they are completely matched up!  Whoo hoo don't I feel classy, lol.    In fact all of MyGraphico is on sale for 50% off, one day only 11/24/2011!.  

I should mention although I make 5x7 cards, the envie and liner set makes envelopes for 5x7, 4.25x5.50, and 4x8 (for photo cards).  I actually use the 4x8 liner (I change it to 4x6) to fit into my store bought 5x7 envelopes with a square flap.

The gorgeous image is a freebie from June at Dezinaworld's sister site Olde Curiosity Shoppe, I love the rich colors!  My candy stripe bakers twine is from Pizazz Aplenty and my cool border punch is supposed to be an ivy vine,  but I thought it was Christmas lights, so a little Stickles and look what I have! 

I just want to say thank you to all of you that follow and comment, it really means a lot to me.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Christmas Bells

 I love this card, the bold bright colors really speak to me.  The musical score is a favorite set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, School Papers, the holly with bells is a free image from Dezinaworlds freebie site Olde Curiosity Shoppe.  The beautiful green envelope I picked up at Dollar Treasure and I added  one of Lindsay's Stamp Stuff SVG Envelope & Liners in a contrasting white.  I just love the elegant touch they add to all my cards.  I embossed some snowflakes on white card stock, I cut the holly and bells by hand, used a little Tim Holtz distressing to the edges of the green card stock and voila.  I picked up the ribbon on clearance at Pizzazz Aplenty.  I am joining the link party at  Make it Monday challenges.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Transform an old wine rack into marker storage.

 

Good Morning, I had the pleasure of doing a Podcast interview with Lindsay Weirich, the Frugal Crafter this week.  We discussed craft room organization and this was one of my ideas.  I made this organizer for my Letraset markers out of a wine rack I purchased at Salvation Army, it is an inexpensive one that expands or contracts to lay flat.  I measured the openings, they were a little bigger than 3"x3" so that is the size I made my boxes.  I made the boxes out of 12"x15"  Flexible Chopping Mats that I purchased in a package of 2 for a dollar at Dollar Treasure.  Very easy to make, I scored the mat with scissors and a ruler every 3".  I then cut the mat into 3 pieces: two 6"x12"pieces and one 3"x 12".  I used the 3"x12" to make the bottoms of the boxes and used packaging tape to assemble them.  You can also find glasses to fit into the openings, I originally used the POM ice tea glasses but they did not hold as many markers as these square boxes. I divided my markers into colors and I also have a box for Spica Atyou glitter markers and other unusual markers.  I made a 3 sided box for the bottom to hold my Souffle pens.  This sits on the top of my desk hutch so it is out of the way, yet still in sight.  I can pull a box of colors down to the desk to work with, or just grab them 1 at a time.  

I know you will enjoy listening to Lindsay's Frugal Crafter Podcast, she offers 1 every Friday and they are always packed with awesome ideas.  Well, thanks for looking and hopefully also listening this week.  ~Diane  

PS, you can hear me on Episode 3, Craft room organization below.

Bella Cartes Classiques Swap

I made this 5 x 7 card for the November Bellas Cartes Classiques swap and challenge.  I used a free image from Gecko Galz, paper is Crafty Secrets on the card. 

I love the envelope and liner made with Paper Pizzazz and  Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Envelopes and Liners SVG.  I asked Lindsay to make a pretty liner SVG and she made the liners and envelopes to match in 3 sizes, I am ecstatic, I just love these!  Thank you so much Lindsay!  The envelopes are not only beautiful ,they are really economical too!  I bought the paper 5 @.95 @Joanns, I make  5 x 7 cards so I get 1 envelope per sheet and 2 liners per sheet of 12 x 12 paper, and that is a lot less than I pay for plain white envelopes!  The SVG is only $3.00, a real bargain!  Thanks again Lindsay! 

I followed the sketch at Bellas Cartes Classiques, and I did a lot of fussy cutting on this card, which is why I added the close up!  The tree, hat and basket of apples have foam tape under the cuts.  The apple and mid air parcel are just cut and pasted.  I added some Marvy liquid snow marker to the snow in the pic.  The beautiful red ribbon with pearls and the pearl brad in the Poinsettia are from Pizzazz Aplenty.  Thank you for looking.  ~Diane  

I am entering this in the Make It Monday Challenge.  This is a great way to meet fellow bloggers, this group is wonderful!

My first Pink Saturday!

I made this card for Beverly's Pink Saturday, I love the color pink.  I have an early start on my girlfriends Christmas cards this year.  I may actually be able to deliver them here in Michigan before they go to Alabama for the winter.  This year I am making duplicates for me also, so no more last minute cards for me!   On to the details, I used the Pink Santa set from Dezinaworld for this card along with lots of Pink and Diamond Stickles and an embossing folder.  I cut the Santa image out and mounted him and the star on some foam tape, I love dimension.  I used some Tim Holtz distress ink in pink too.  So to all of you, Happy Pink Saturday!  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Sympathy card, Veterans Day Thank You

I thought I would post this card today in remembrance for all the Veterans lives that were lost, to honor them and their families.  We are grateful to all the families who have shared the ones they love, they have paid such a high price for our freedom.  Thank you, and I am sorry for your loss.  I am also grateful for those still serving our country, thank you and may God keep you all safe.

The paper is DCWV Lemon Flower, roses are from Dollar Treasure, I used a Stampin Up punch to frame the Deepest Sympathy from the Many Blessings set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Shop Handmade shop.  

Lindsay is now offering  a Frugal Crafter, Friday Podcast, this is such a great way to start my morning, I can listen to Lindsay talk while I put my stuff away in my craft room, I love it!  I am sure you will too, today she is sharing some handmade Holiday gift ideas.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane
I am adding this to Designs by Lisa Somerville's  Link Party: Veterans Day Challenge. 

To Paris by Airship!

 I made this for a lovely link party at Steam Tea Travels, the new sister site of Plush Possum Studio.  The theme is to Paris by airship.  Plush Possum Studio has some wonderful free graphics which I used to make this card.  I also use some of my favorite Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Bold black and white paper (printed it onto green cardstock)   I also used Lindsay's Steampunk SVG to cut all the interesting gears.  Today is the last day of Lindsay's 40% off sale, so hurry over and grab some bargains.  I hope to see you at the link party, steam tea travel is now underway.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

Christmas Shoe Ornaments!

Lindsay is having a 3 day sale November 8-10th, so what a great time to feature her 3D High Heeled Shoes SVG!    I made these fashionable 3D High heeled shoes with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff  Shoes SVG.  My daughter loves shoes so I thought these would make awesome Christmas tree ornaments.  I attached a piece of gold roping and strung them on the pine tree in our back yard to show how they will look.  I cut 6 in gold foil and 6 in red foil then switched out the parts to make them 2 tone.  The set has a right and a left foot, but to make it easy for me I cut them all the same foot.  This set has some wonderful possibilities, I cut mine at 3" each, but a larger shoe would make an awesome centerpiece at a shower, or fill the heel with treats at a kids party.  I bet you could add them to the ribbon and tag on your presents too.  I hope you stop by Lindsay's MyGraphico shop to see whats on sale, follow the links to let the shopping begin!  Thanks for looking  ~Diane

I am entering this into the Make it Monday - Anything goes challenge.  This challenge is a  great way to meet other bloggers and see some wonderful work!