Stars and stripes, glitter and spice

 Hi All, I am sharing this card I made for the Gecko Galz design team using this months image from Little Miss Firecracker, this image really spoke to me.  I added some lace Stickles to the stars, I cut a few extra stars for embellishments then sprinkled with some clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  I mounted it to a Night of Navy blue card stock with my Perfect Rulers, then mounted that to my white card base.  For the envelope I used some tissue paper to make the matching liner.

So where is the glitter and spice you say?  My friend Debbie saved these awesome spice containers from her husbands clearing out spree.  I'm so happy he decided she did not need them any more, but even happier that she knew I would find a way to re-purpose them.  I packaged up the spices and passed them on to my son and his girlfriend, washed out the jars and filled them with GLITTER!  The tops are perfect for sprinkling or pouring and the nice wide mouths make them perfect for pouring the glitter back in.   I just love looking at them, I even mixed a few glitters together, I love the new blue I came up with!  Next week I will show you a card I made with the new blue glitter too.  Well that's it for  today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Time is on our side.

Hi All, I am sharing a card I made for the Gecko Galz DT using some of the amazing items from our partner this month Optic Illusions.   We want to show you how easy it is to blend other products with the beautiful Gecko Galz products.  This month the theme was Time, using Optic Illusions Measure of time set.  There were so many wonderful papers and pieces to this set I had a hard time choosing what one to use first, so you will be seeing a lot more of this set!

Here are my directions for this 5 x 7 card.   I used the clock charm and rusted bird cage from Optic Illusions along with the Gecko Galz image from June Dreams and the paper liner printed from the Carnival paper pack.  I printed the image on to Staples matte photo paper then added some Stampin Up crystal effects to the watch charm. I mounted this on to a piece of black card stock then on to my white card base.  The envelope liner was printed on copy paper, trimmed and placed inside the envelope. 

Well, that's it, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Christmas card a week #11

 

 Hi All, week 11 is here and I have a mini "Shaker" card to show you this time for the challenge at My Craft Spot using another one of the stamps from My Craft Spot  Merry Christmas set.   I made the shaker on this card with a layer of gold Stickles first then 2 more layers of Stampin Up Crystal Effects, I dried between layers and when the top layer was dry yet still tacky I added some 2mm crystal gems from PizzazAPlenty to shake around and then put a piece of clear plastic on top.    I love the way the new  Perfect Layers Mini Tools and Perfect Cutting Mat made making this card so easy too, especially when making the frame for the Believe, the smaller size really helps!   The Santa image is from Free Vintage Digital Stamps  and the paper is also free from  The Coffee Shop blog.  Feels so good to have 11 cards in my Christmas card stash already, feel free to join the fun and get a head start on yours too.  That's it, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

 I am joining Marina's link party at My Perfect Life

Entering these challenges:

*My Craft Spot - Shake it On

*Crafty Hazelnuts extra challenge  

*Completely Christmas Challenge -  9 Anything goes  

*Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes 

Jingle Belles - All Bundled up 3 or more layers

See my sidebar for a link to the Perfect Paper crafting tools, use my name for an additional 5% discount.

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Christmas Card a Week #7

 

Hi All, I am catching up on my Christmas card challenges, posting them a day earlier each week, pretty soon I may be able to get 2 done in the same week lol.  So I made this card for the *Merry Monday challenge using grey, red and white.  It took a bit of doing but I found the perfect image in Gecko Galz A Rockwell Christmas collection

I was so happy to have the perfect shade of red in Stampin Ups Poppy and the dark grey is a Bazill paper.  I used Stampin Ups Dazzling Diamonds glitter with Art Glitter Glue dries white.  I finished it off with Spellbinders dies to cut the circles and a snowflake embossing folder.

I am also entering these link partys and challenges, hope to see some of you there.

I am joining Marina's link party at My Perfect Life

  12 months of Christmas link up at Decosse's Dynamite Doodles

*Completely Christmas Challenge -  4 Anything goes 

*Crafty Hazelnuts extra challenge 

*Festive Friday photo challenge embossed snowflakes and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Thats it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Christmas Card a Week #6

Hi All, here is my card for this weeks Christmas card a week stash.   I cut this white card stock with my KNK Zing, using one of the fonts in my computer along with a cute little ribbon die cut from Alaa Studio.  I embossed the card using a Spellbinders folder,  I then added the red paper behind the cut and added some Stamping up Dazzling Diamonds glitter and gold stickers.  Thanks for stopping by, ~Diane

I am joining Marina's link party at My Perfect Life

  12 months of Christmas link up at Decosse's Dynamite Doodles

*Completely Christmas Challenge -  3 Anything goes 

 

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Christmas Card a Week #3

 Hi All, I made this card for the Christmas card challenges, it feels really good to have a bit of a jump on my Christmas cards I must say.  I had a busy week and I was afraid I would not get one made, but I did, so here it is!  I used Gecko Gals Grandmothers House digital papers for the envelope and the card. The sweet image is from the Christmas Children collage collection. I also used Tim Holtz distress ink, die cut snowflakes covered in Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by Stampin Up, some iridescent rhinestones from Pizzaz A Plenty along with the bakers twine.

If anyone knows of any good tutorials (that really help) with photographing I would love to know.  I have really been struggling with trying to get a good picture to post, seems like I end up taking 10 photos, trying to adjust them all in Pic Monkey with cropping, re-sizing and "auto adjust".  I have to be honest Pic Monkey improves them greatly, but I would love to learn where to put the lights and such so I could maybe just take 1 or 2.  I seem to get a lot of yellow backgrounds too and I am photographing on white, when I switched to a black background I got a lot of what looked like dust in the photo.  There was no dust on the black, I used the lint roller on it before I photographed it but I can't get that to go away either.  That's it, thanks for coming by.  ~Diane

I would love for you to join me at these Christmas card Challenge/ Link Ups.

I am joining Marina's link party at My Perfect Life

 12 months of Christmas link up at Decosse's Dynamite Doodles

*Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge 166 - twine 

*City Crafters challenge "Do You Speak English"

*Completely Christmas Challenge - Anything goes 

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Insects at Tag Tuesday this week

Hi All, the prompt at Tag Tuesday this week is Insects, so I chose butterflies as it is the only insect I don't run from.  I have not stamped in a long time, but I decided to bring out the ink, stamps and embossing powder and give this a whirl.  I used Stampin Up's Bliss stamp set along with some Stampendous embossing powder from the Encrusted Jewel Pink set and the Goose Bumps spray.  Some ranger ink, velum butterflies, and Stickles were added too.  I uses a piece of pretty pink lace to tie on the top of the tag.   I must say making tags is a real challenge for me but one I am glad my friend Valerie suggested I try.  It really is pushing me to grow and try new things, and  although I sometimes feel insecure about it, I love the challenge.

Thanks for all the nice comments you leave, it really is encouraging, and thanks for looking.  ~Diane

I am joining the City Crafters Challenge - flowers and lace.

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Gecko Galz wants to see your Valentine!

Hi All, there is still time to join the Gecko Galz Valentines Contest, you have until January 31st, and there are some great prizes.  This is one of my Gecko Galz  design team cards I made for the challenge.   I used the image from Gecko Galz Valentine Wishes along with the Bingo sheet from from Gecko Galz Bits and Pieces.  I printed them both on matte/matte photo paper from Staples.  Ribbon is from Stampin Up, red hearts are from my stash and I used Stickles Crystal on the rose.  For the envelope liner I used Basic Grey True Love papers. 

 Instructions:  I printed the Bingo sheet twice and fussy cut the rose out of the second sheet.  I printed the Valentines Wishes image and mounted it onto a piece of brown card stock,  I used my Perfect Layers Rulers to trim a 3/16th border, then mounted that on to the Bingo sheet. I added the red ribbon and red hearts and then mounted the whole sheet on to a white 5 x 7 folded card.  I trimmed the edges of the rose with Stickles, then placed a piece of dimensional foam underneath it.  For the envelope liner I printed a 4 x 6 image of the Basic Grey True Love papers and used a fancy edge scissor to trim it on the top edge.  I put it in position inside the envelope and then fold the crease, once it is folded I use a little little white glue to hold it in place.
Well that's it, thanks for stopping by and thanks for looking.  ~Diane

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My Artsy Trees

 

Hi All, don't be shocked I'm posting again so soon, lol.  I was really inspired by the challenge at City Crafters this week called Artsy Trees.  I used a Gecko Galz image from the Winter Garden set along with the Gecko Galz paper Zen Garden for the envelope liner, the colors matched and there was something snowflake like about the purple and white image.   I gave you a side shot to show the white flocking I added to the trees.  I used a Sakura Quickie glue pen (looks like a ballpoint pen) to add the flock.  The ribbon tape is from Michaels it has a bit of glitter in it and the pearls are from Pizzazz Aplenty.  I printed the image on Staples photo paper matte/matte twice, fussy cut the man with the umbrella and mounted a little foam behind the umbrella only.  The purple paper is from Stampin Up. 

By the way, this is what the weather in Michigan looks like right now.

 Don't forget the buy 1 get 1 sale at Gecko Galz.  

Well that's it, thanks for stopping by and thanks for looking.  ~Diane

This is for City Crafters Challenge Artsy Trees

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Yes you can can!

 

Hi All, hope you are keeping comfortable and enjoying the weather where you are.  

I made this card with one of the Gecko Galz images from the Individual collage sheet Showtime.

My friend asked me to make a special card for a friend of hers that is going through a tough time with cancer, this image really spoke to me in hopes of inspiring strength, yes you can can (for those of you not old enough to remember, this looks like one of the girls that did a dance called the Can Can, lol).  I also used some Stampin Up card stock, embossed the lavender sheet and placed the 1/16 trimmed edge with my Perfect Layers Rulers,  love how it trims it up perfectly!

I did a close up to show the Stickles Frosted Lace I used.  When I bought it I had hoped it would be a bit more opaque, so I was a bit disappointed at the time.  I decided to give it a shot on the lace ruffle of the dress and I just love the effect, it really gives it a lacy feel, my camera makes it look sparkly, but it is not, just a real nice ruffled lace look.

I can't forget the envelope liner, I used Gecko Galz Pocket Full of Posies Paper Pack for this, I really love the vintage feel to it.  Speaking of Gecko Galz, be sure to stop by the store, Leanne is offering her bi annual  buy 1 get one (of equal or lesser value) free sale, it's a great time to stock up!

Well that's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane 

I am entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Anything goes, and stop by to see the amazing work from their DT too! 
 

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Garden gatefold envelope and cards

 Hi All, I made this fancy floral envelope with a SVG die cut from Bird at Birds Cards, stop by and say hello her work is gorgeous and she designs and offers these SVG die cuts free of charge!  I cut the SVG on my Zing and then hand cut the green liner beneath.  The card is made with an image from Crafty Secrets digital stamp set Flower Garden Set.  I took a few pictures so you could see how the card fits into the envelope.  I also wanted to show you how I changed it up using a Word tool adding the shadow to the card that says Love.  I shaded the edges in gray but the shading on the leaves was all done by a setting in Word.  I think it's pretty cool, I added the words to the picture using Word too, the cool font came with the digital set.  I also embossed the cards with a Stampin Up plate, I wish I would have thought to emboss the inside of the green envelope liners, that would have really looked cool.  Well that's it for today, thanks for stopping by and as always thanks for looking.  ~Diane

I am entering this into the challenge at Paperminutes -Anything goes

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I saved the best for last

Hi All, this is the 3rd, and I think my favorite card I made so far with one of the Perfect Tears rulers, I used a water brush dipped in Tim Holtz Distress ink along the side of the ruler then I just tore it off.    I used the left edge on the first ruler in the set below.  I also used my Perfect Layers Square Ruler, to get the precise layering of solid color papers (Stampin Up) behind the torn images.  The gorgeous papers are from the Gecko Galz Shabby Chic Nature collection collage sheet, the image is from one of my favorite sets  Gecko Galz Beautiful Bookmarks.  Don't forget Gecko Galz Splish Splash Summer giveaway, check it out here. 
Here are the Perfect Tears rulers, look at all the different edges they have. These are really fun to work with and easy to use.  If you are interested in purchasing the rulers please use my coupon code Bove5% for a 5% discount on your order.

 Well that's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  I hope you are all keeping cool and dry enjoying the summer weather.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

I am entering this into the challenge at Out of the Hat Creations calling for  it to be inspired by a song with a flower in the title.  My song is Lilac Breeze by the Eels.

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Summer Blooms

Hi All, my daughter went back to Kentucky, (boo hoo) we had a nice visit, and we made 50 bridal shower invitations for her friend while she was here.  
Sorry I fell behind visiting you, but I will catch up on your blogs later today.  
I made this card using my Perfect Layers Rulers, to get the precise layering of papers along with one of the Perfect Tears rulers, this time using the Refillable Water Pen.   It was so was so easy to make, I just dragged the water pen along the edge of the ruler and tore off the strips of paper. To complete the look I also tore the envelope liner inside and the new outside envelope sealer too.  The sweet print is from the Gecko Galz Children's Hour collage sheets.  Gecko Galz is offering a free item with any order this month, this week's offering is a beautiful paper set.  I trimmed the edges of the image and the yellow card stock behind the image with some raspberry ink, then I ran a border of yellow Stickles around the floral layer.  The floral paper was free from Gecko Galz and the card stock is Stampin Up.  The rhinestones are from Pizzazz Aplenty.  If you are interested in the rulers follow my links and use coupon code Bove5% for a 5% discount on your order.
Well, that's it for today, thanks for looking.  ~Diane 
I am entering this into the Papercraft Star photo inspiration challenge. 

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Gecko Galz ATC Swap

Hi All, I am sharing some ATC's I made for a swap at the Gecko Galz Yahoo group.  The theme was to express yourself as an artist.  I didn't get good pictures, there is a lot of detail in these though.  I printed the front and back both and I used a PNG image on the back, it was really hard to size and line up especially since I do it in Word.   I used Lil Ellaboudy Design photo borders PNG (on sale today for $1.88 for a set of 6 ).  I used some black ink to clean up the edges so you can't see how far off my printing was, ha ha!  Then I printed the Gecko Galz Versailles ATC paper image once on matte photo paper and another time on glossy card stock, I fussy cut a flower and 2 butterflies out of the glossy so they stand out a bit, then I mounted them with some Stampin Up Crystal Effects which gives them more lift than glue, but not as much as foam pads.  I added black glitter to the center of the big flower, cut some white glitter tape with fancy scissors and mounted it on 1 side.  It still looked plain so I added a piece of white leaves ribbon and then traced the veins and leaves and stem with green Stickles.  I then made envelopes on the Zing and hand cut the liners, they had to have liners!  I wanted a closure on the envelopes but I did not want to make it heavy or bulky for the mailings so I finally came up with these gold filigree Starform corner stickers, I think they really add a classy touch.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

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UGlue is great for Ranger applicator tool

I previously kept my Tim Holtz sponges stacked sideways in the plastic clam-shell they came in, I wrote the name of the color on the side of each sponge.  Every time I wanted to use a new color I would rip the previous color off the Velcro and replace it with the colored pad I needed.  I do realize Tim Holtz says you can use the same 1 pad for every color, but how many of us do that?  When my applicator was brand new I had a problem with the Velcro ripping off every time I removed a pad, the TH site suggested stapling the Velcro to the wood, I could not get a staple to go that far in so I just learned to struggle with it and hold the Velcro while I pulled the pad with the other hand.   Then I found a web site that suggested using this U Glue to hold the Velcro on tight, I bought some and they were right, it worked like a charm.  Now I could take them off and put them back on without struggling with the Velcro, but I always dreamed of having a separate applicator tool for every color, but way too expensive!   A dear friend shared with me some stamps that she was not using, she had not even mounted them on to the wood blocks so that sparked some ideas.  The Stampin Up wood blocks all have that comfortable indentation on the sides that make them so easy to grip and stamp with.  That grip makes them an excellent choice for a blending tool also!  Not only that, but they come with their own handy storage case too!  I just added a piece of U Glue to the block and cut my used sponges in half to fit the wood blocks!  I used my label-er to print the names of the colors on the other side of the block and put them back into their clear case for storage.  How cool is that!  I wish I would have kept the wood blocks when I took my Stampin Up stamps off of the wood to save storage space, but my friends cast off gave me a second chance!  If you don't have any spare Stampin Up blocks I am sure you could make something similar with a Jenga wood block game, they sometimes sell knock offs at the Dollar Treasure stores.  The real secret is the U Glue , whether you are repairing the Velcro on your Tim Holtz tool or making a new set, the U Glue does an excellent job of holding it down.  I bought mine at a local hardware store for 9.99 for the box of 100 and I am almost out, I have found plenty of other uses for them too.  My Tim Holtz blender tool will not go to waste either, it will now be used for Alcohol Inks only.  I hope this helped some of you.
Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

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Gecko Galz Christmas Release # 7

And yet another special card made with the Gecko Galz Wintertime Collection  and the Grandma's House Paper Collection.  The sweet little toy horse made a great embellishment too and it came from the Old Fashioned Christmas Collection.   I added a wide red satin ribbon and some Stampin Up Dazzling Diamonds to the frame and the snowballs.  I wanted to be sure to share something from each of the sets but it was hard because once I started working with a set I loved them all so much I wanted to do all of them!  These are really beautiful images, and they sure made getting my Christmas cards done a whole lot easier! 
Thanks for looking.  ~Diane
  I am entering this into the Just Keep on Creating Christmas card challenge. 

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Gecko Galz Christmas Release # 6

These Gecko Galz sets were so much fun to create with!  This sweet image is from the Winter Time Collection, it really makes me smile.  The papers are Grandma's House Paper Collection. 
The stamped sentiment is Stampin Up and so are the Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I used my Perfect Layers square and rulers using the 1/8 th measurement.
Thanks for looking, and Happy World Card Making Day to all of you.  ~Diane

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I am entering these challenges
 Just Keep on Creating Christmas card challenge.   
Sparkles Christmas Challenge 
Inspire Me Fridays

 

Gecko Galz Christmas Release

The minute my daughter saw this image (on another project I made) she said Momma I love that, make me something with this on it!  So I made her this journal using the digital stamp from the Vintage Christmas Digital Stamp Collection (25 stamps) by Gecko Galz.   I printed the stamped image on glossy photo paper and colored in the berries on the girl with Ranger SGG01-836 Stickles Glitter Glue 0.5 Ounce (Google Affiliate Ad) along with the outline.   The background paper is from the  Grandma's House Paper collection.  I used a Stampin Up punch for the ring holes but ended up gluing some extra pieces in as the holes were not the same.  I used my Perfect Square tool to cut the image evenly. 

I really love working with these Gecko Galz sets, there is still so much more to show you.  Speaking of Gecko Galz, there is a Yahoo group, I would love for you to join the fun there.  Plenty of challenges with great prizes, free images every month and all the Galz there are so nice (tell them I sent you)! 

I love how this looks but I wonder now if I colored her berries in the wrong color.  I noticed after it was all said and done that the leaves on the boy are the sharp pointy leaves of the Holly and I don't know what kind or color plant the girl is made of, if anyone knows please give me a shout out.  I do know the faces on the two of them are gorgeous!   Thanks to all who have correctly identified the leaves for me as Mistletoe.  I already have a gift card holder colored in the same way but I will be sure to do another project with the right colors.  I think I was somewhat following my creative instinct but once it was done I realized there is a reason my thumbs are not green, ha ha!

Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

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Stickles, Stickles and more Stickles!

Hi all, sorry I have not been creating much lately.  We are still working on installing the wood floors.  My craft room seems to be the only available place to deposit everything for the time being and it is getting cramped in here, lol.   I made this card for my friends Mother in Law.  I grabbed the gold metal piece a while back at JoAnns for .50 cents on clearance, then I added the green rhinestones to dress it up.  I saw a card on Enfys blog using this technique to ink up the embossing folder before you run your paper through it, I really like the effect.  Not sure if you can see, I used a Spellbinders Nestability to cut the center circle then trimmed it in green Stickles.  I also used some green Stickles to change the trim on that lace ruffle from pink to green.  I used my  Perfect Layers Rulers to get the precise layers and traced the border with more Stickles.  Cardstock and leaf punch are Stampin Up, flowers and rhinestones are from Pizzaz Aplenty.  Thats it, thanks for looking.  ~Diane
I am entering the challenge at
Crafts and Me - anything goes

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For more information and the bove5% discount.

Praying for you card.

 I thought I would show you how much paper I save using my Perfect Layers Rulers, this is just one of the reasons I love it.  The card is 5x7 and the sheets of card stock are 8.5x11.  I cut 2 blue frames and 2 black frames using less than a half sheet of card stock, isn't that great!  I glued my image right on to the full sheet of blue, cut my frame, then did the same on to the black card stock cut the larger frame from the patterned cs, then did another black and blue frame.  I flipped the piece in the middle photo so you can see I don't even need to place it correctly, I can glue it on crooked and it will still cut a perfect border.   I used 2 different size prints of the patterned cs, (I had not made the decision to use the larger sheet as yet.)  The image is free from Magic Moonlight, the paper is Nouveau Nights from Gecko Galz, solid color cardstock is Stampin Up.  I used a Spellbinders NEST-SET-4 Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies for the sentiment a little Tim Holtz distress ink and the lace flower is from Pizzaz Aplenty.  For more information on the Perfect Layers Rulers and a 5% discount, use my coupon code Bove5% here.  Thanks for looking.  ~Diane

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