Happy New Year's Eve!

Wow it's almost 2008! Time to start writing down New Years resolutions and making a new journal for the New Year! I love New Years! It's a time of fresh starts, new beginnings and goal setting! You know me, I LOVE setting new goals! 2008 is already looking like being a GREAT year and it's not even begun yet!

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Patterned Paper: DCWV; Ribbon: ki memories; chipboard star: Heidi Swapp; rub-ons: Making Memories; Stamps: Stampendous; Rhinestones: Westrim Crafts;

The last few months so much has changed, we're rolling with it and going with the flow. As I mentioned yesterday, lots of changes, and due to a phone call this morning even more exciting stuff happening!!! I seem to be out of my drama filled funk and moving on! Now it's time to start pushing and planning again! I had a great 2006 but 2007 was just amazing!!! So many opportunities, my first year on manufacturer Design Teams, my first CHA and some exciting opportunities. If 2008 is half as good as 2007 I'll be very happy!

I'm off to alter a journal and start making my list of goals for 2008! Layout sketch coming tomorrow with details about the new digi store!

Wishing you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Just for fun!

December has been a month of lots of changes for me. Still can't tell you about some of these (yes I have a HUGE secret!), but LOTS of changes. The biggest changes for me this month was resigning from the Treasures to Scrap design team. Something I've been struggling with for a while is keeping up with my commitments there, not the creating (you know I love that) but the forum posts and gallery praise, and general site participation. I've been on that team 18 months so it's been a big part of my 'designer' life.

One of the major factors in this decision has been me posting more regularly to the blog this year. I just prefer it to online forums. It keeps all my stuff in one place and it's totally under my control (I have control issues!). So with plans to keep posting here on the blog daily and creating for manufacturer teams, and other projects (again more on those at a later date), I just didn't have time for everything. I just wanted to take a moment and thank Tracy, Wendi and the team for supporting me for the last 18 months. I've made some great friends (and you'll see some of their work on the blog on the sketch days) and will definitely still be hanging out at Treasures, just not as much as I used to.

So there you have it! It's been a tough few weeks, second guessing decisions, but realizing I cannot do everything and having to make tough choices. My goals for 2008 reflect these decisions too. I need to move forward and to do that I needed to reassess.

And just because I can, here is a card, JUST FOR FUN! No it's not anyones birthday (ok obviously it is SOMEONE'S birthday today just no-one I know!), it is purely made for the heck of it!

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Patterned Paper: DCWV; Alpha Sticker: DCWV; Flower: Prima; Button: Boxer scrapbooks; Other: Ribbon

And you know what? Making something just for the heck of it, and not for a design team requirement or anything FEELS GOOD! Definitely looking forward to more of that feeling!

Oh and while I'm here check out Big Picture Scrapbooking "get a LOAD of this" class! It runs through January and it's FREE! So if you've been thinking about taking a Big Picture class now is the time to sign up and test the waters! I signed up, not sure about a LAYOUT a day. But I'll create SOMETHING each day! Speaking of which I created 6 cards yesterday while Bob fixed my computer! My power supply in my computer fizzled. Literally! with smoke and horrible smell and everything. Seemed to be computer issue day because as soon as Bob sorted one problem there was something else. On the upside the digital store is almost ready!!!

More soon!

hugs

Di

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Good Luck!

Made this earlier this month as a choice of a couple for Bob to take to work as one of his work buddies was moving jobs. Just realized I never posted it. It's loosely based on this sketch of mine from November. Plus it kinda goes out to all the girls who sent in sketch team entries. I really wish I could take everyone BUT that's just way too much work for me on upload days! Though I originally said I'd take on 3 it might be a few more *smile*

Supplies: Everything is DCWV except:- brads: Doodlebug;

Had to mimic the rounded rectangle in the pattern by rounding the corners of the cardstock. The rub-ons just on the corners accentuates that too.

I am hoping to work on the new digi store a little more today. I got all the products uploaded yesterday and Bob and I tested the downloading (and it worked! yay!). I had really planned on "prettying" it up, but at this stage I'm settling for a working site! Tim kinda got away from me with one thing or another this holiday season.

More creations coming soon!

Di

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Cards cards cards in my spam box!

So, here I sat thinking "oh this sketch team call is going to be easy! I only have about 10 entries to look at" then Beverley told me she'd sent an entry in but I never got it. Anyway long story short I went to my spam box and found Beverley's entry and another 10 entries, and then more came in later! So I sit here with a full inbox, a clear spam box and decisions to make! That's what I get for thinking huh! Hopefully I'll get chance to look at them today. I will say that I already accepted one person because quite frankly I love her work, I was in AWE that she applied and I love her dearly for it! You'll have to wait till the new year to see who it is *wink*

Ok so here is another card I made with Wednesdays Sketch. I have to say that I love this one, it's easy AND it does my favorite thing: it's great for using scraps! Whether its strips of paper or ribbon you really don't need a lot to make a great card with this sketch.

Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: DCWV; Die Cut: Sizzix; Rub-on: JoAnns; Pen: Sharpie; Brad: MM;

Notice how I copied the dotted design for the flower center on the patterned paper onto my flower. This kind of continuity really ties a card together. Although the paper for the envelope liner isn't the same as the paper on the card the colors match so it ties in perfectly.

The papers are from the 6x6 DCWV stack (from *cough*2yearsago*cough*). I have this stack out on my table now at all times (along with the slab from Christina Cole, remember that one?). Hopefully this will force me to USE them! So far it's working, as I've made a couple of cards already with this brown retro floral paper. By my estimations I only have about 60 more cards to make with this little stack to use it all up! That including envelope liners!

What am I up to today? Tutorials! Need to finish up some tutorials for creative Techniques and work on items for "secret project", and go for lunch with friends. Oh and look through the card team entries!

More creative stuff tomorrow!

Di

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More Boxer stamp projects

After sharing the hot rod in training layout earlier this week, I figured I'd show ya the rest of my projects with the 'start your engines' stamp set. First up is an 8x8 2 page spread. I don't do this size often but I do like the smaller format. Photo's of Bobs old Corvette were a natural choice for this stamp set. The main photo is attached with flip flop fasteners and lifts up to reveal the journaling.

Supplies: Boxer stripe poker paper; Boxer Start your engine stamp set; Boxer flip flop fasteners; Boxer Red Brads; Cardstock by DCWV; Ink by JoAnns; Zig Pen

I chose to do 3 cards as part of my projects, and the first is simple yet effective. As my family lives overseas I prefer sending flat cards (with no brads etc for lumpiness) as it's more cost effective. This card meets those criteria nicely! I used the happy birthday sentiment from the calendar stamp set too! The dots on the blue strip are actually the wheels stamps!

Supplies: Boxer green multi dots paper; Boxer Start your engine stamp set; Boxer Calendar Stamps; cardstock by DCWV; sizzix die cut circle frames; JoAnns inks;

This next card utilizes the numbers in the 'start your engines' stamp set! What better way to highlight numbers than on a birthday card! Simply stamp along and emphasize one number with a tag. These felt flowers add a fun touch! Notice the scallops? That's the tire stamps

Supplies: Boxer Plaid paper; Boxer Start your engine stamp set; Boxer Yellow Brads; Making memories metal tag; cardstock by DCWV; Tsukinek inks; Misc Felt flowers;

After playing around with the tire stamps, I decided to take things a step further! Using the polka dot paper I stamped in green on top of each dot, to give this effect. I love it! Yes it took a while but worth it to get the look I wanted. I used the medium wheel on the paper and the larger wheel for the flower center. Again I used the sentiment stamps from the calendar set to finish off the card.

Supplies: Boxer Yellow Dot Basics Paper; Boxer Start your engine stamp set; Boxer Calendar Stamps; Boxer White Brads; Cardstock by DCWV; Tsukinek inks; Misc flower;

I will admit to taking scissors to th sentiment stamp in the calendar set. Originally the "happy birthday" is stacked and justified to the left. Unfortunately that was going to leave me a gap so I carefully cut the words apart and used them side by side. I love that about the acrylic stamps! So much versatility!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Di

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Card Sketch December #4

Happy post-Christmas day! In the UK (and I think Australia/Canada) it's called Boxing day, and we get another day off! Maybe I'm still feeling that because today I totally just do not want to do anything. Of course it could be something to do with the fact that I didn't get to bed till 1.30 this morning too! Well if YOU want to do something a little creative how about this weeks sketch? As usual the digital template can be downloaded here.

I admit to rushing around this morning finishing off my card and taking photo's. I've gone from being completely organized to disorganized in a matter of days! Holidays do that I guess. In my quest to USE stash this is all products from my supplies!!! Yeah notice the co-ordinating envelope again. Don't seem to be able to stop with this trend.

Supplies: Paper: DCWV; Ribbon: MM; Cardstock: DCWV; Rub-on: JoAnns; Deco scissors & hole punch: Fiskars

I hope to be issuing lots of challenges in the coming new year for using your stash, so keep your eyes peeled for new challenges, new sketches and the latest news in the New Year!!! Also don't forget today is the last day for submissions to the card sketch team, details here.

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Cindy opted for digi this week! Love this kit she used. Great use of elements and stitching. Happy New Year everyone!

Digital card by Cindy Gilchrist
Supplies: Digital Papers and Embellishments from "Countdown" by Dani Mogstad, Digital Staples and Stitching by Dani Mogstad.

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Another New Year card! Jolene went for glamor and glitz with her card, and it screams FUN! Loving the shimmer and the fun trim!

Card by Jolene Johnston
Supplies: Die Cuts With a View premade glitter card and All Dressed Up papers, StazOn and Ranger Juicy inks, K & Co. bling, Patons fiber, Autumn Leaves stamp, Stickles, Sakura gelly roll pen

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Kelli opted for a minimilistic card using a solid background and I love it! Totally how I envisioned the sketch. The brown really pops off the white and the arrows are such a perfect touch! Love it!

Card by Kelli Smith
supply list: Luxe paper, magistical memories arrows, stampin up thank you stamp, stampin up flower punch

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Mums card this week. Love how she pulled the colors from the patterned paper, and the Tigger embellishment is adorable! Great card Mum. She also chose to rotate the sketch which with the busy patterned paper works well.

Card by Linda Flinders

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I just adore this card from Pearl! The colorful strips against the solid paper just really POP! Isn't that Santa adorable? Again just a great card!!!

Card by Peal Liu
Supply List : Scenic Route Christmas pps, Autumn Leaves Christmas Garden Ribbon & Brad, Anna Griffin Epoxy sticker

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As always hook me up in the comments if you do the sketch and I'll come check it out! Look forward to seeing your designs!

More sketches coming soon, and new sketch girls too!!!!

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Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! I haven't said much about Christmas 'cos well this is a creative blog, which I only interrupt with my mad ramblings occasionally. Wouldn't you know it, Santa came early here. This year we treated ourselves to a PS3 and ROCK BAND!


Regular blog readers will know I've mentioned playing Rock Band in November. Well our Rock Band friend moved to Irvine and we miss him terribly (hey Gautam! *waves* just incase he's lurking). Anyway, we decided to treat ourselves! Not a cheap treat either but we're worth it! We've had the system a few days now and can be found ROCKIN' it most days/nights. Bob is quite the drummer now and I'm rockin the guitar!!!

I just wanted to say if you're thinking about trying it, or buying it... DO IT! It's the most fun EVER with a video console! We're so glad we got ours! It's like the joy of playing an instrument without all the practice! Well on easy level anyway. *smile* medium level is a whole different ballgame!

Whatever gifts you got this Christmas ENJOY! We're off round friends for the rest of the day for Karaoke party! Everyone knows we love Karaoke so should be a FUN night followed by post karaoke sore throat Weds! lol!

HAVE FUN,

Di

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Merry Christmas Eve!

Happy Holidays everyone! I really wanted to share my Boxer holiday cards with you but they all got picked up for publication in the seasonal ezines and I can't share yet, so maybe next month! Meanwhile it's the holiday season! Christmas eve today and the big day tomorrow. We haven't decorated, second year with no tree up. Just isn't the same without family. Really though this time of year is for children, seeing their faces light up at new gifts. That joy in new toys I think is captured perfectly in this layout of my friend Nancy's daughter Bella. She loves her trike and how perfectly does the Boxer paper work with these photo's? I love it! I love the expression on Bella's face as she's pedaling furiously along, just totally cute! (No-one breath a word but rumor has it that Santa is bringing Bella a big-girl bike tonight! Yay Santa!)

Supplies:Boxer small lavendar dot paper, Boxer Pastels Trike paper, Boxer photo turns (black), Boxer start you engines stamp set, Boxer grosgrain twill (black), Worldwin cardstock and Darice ink.

I think this layout shows that you don't have to think RACE CAR with the "start your engines" stamp set! Yes it has race cars in it, but you can think beyond that! How can those stamps be interpreted? Well I'll be showing more layouts and cards later this week with this stamp set, giving you a variety of options, and thinking outside the box! I guess I had to really as I didn't have that many car photo's. Plus it got my brain working overtime! I shared this layout on the Boxer Design Team blog, great blog for idea's using those Boxer Products!

In other news, my Oly and I are bonding nicely! I haven't read through all the manual yet but I've been snapping a few shots getting used to new buttons etc, and looking through the viewfinder instead of the screen. I took this photo last night with the Oly and the 150mm lens.

Taken with Olympus E-510, 150mm lens, & tripod. Edited in Photoshop for levels, curves cropping.

Whilst it's not perfect for a shot that's taken 'on the fly' with no idea on the settings and what the buttons do I think it's pretty cool! Lots to learn with this camera, and it's going to be a long journey!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Di

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Thanks!

Firstly thanks for all the well wishes from yesterdays post. We're ok, still kinda thinking 'what the hell was she doing?" but we're ok. No new info on the motorcycle driver but thats the news for ya! Still hoping he's going to be ok! I think what REALLY shocked us was that he's the same as Bob and, on the way to the Valley earlier that morning we saw a biker zipping through the traffic and I said "oh we should have taken the bike!". It's all those coulda shoulda woulda things. Like if we had hit the woman then the biker would be ok, and I'd rather take the chance in a car than a bike. But, at the end of the day it's the womans fault for driving the wrong way on a freeway. The woman as it turns out was 78 and unhurt from the accident, but then she probably had airbags etc, unlike the poor motorbike guy!



Anyway, onto scrappy news, the latest is that I have gone international! Ok, I already had pubs in USA and Canada, and I'm from the UK originally, so I'm international anyway but hey this is a New Zealand mag! Up2scrap is out now so if you have it check out one of my beauties on page 69!

Have to say that this mag ROCKS! First time I've ever seen a copy and man it's awesome! Wish they sold it in the States! I haven't read ALL of it yet but I just got through with the article on foil, and am really eager to try that again! I've had the Around the Block foil set for a while, time to bust it out!!!

More soon!

hugs

Di

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Yesterday Bob saved my life!

We're both counting our blessing for being ALIVE today! Why? Well yesterday lunchtime as we're traveling along the freeway in the carpool lane minding our own business, we notice a car in front TRAVELING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION heading right for us! Thanks to Bobs driving skills and quick thinking (and the guy in the van next to us swerving out the way for us) we very narrowly missed a head on collision!!!

We called 911 immediately to find it had already been reported and CHP etc dispatched. We got home and checked the news and found she crashed into a motorcyclist, head on, literally minutes later. He is 37 yrs old (same as Bob) and it critical condition with head injuries and fractures to the arms and legs. The woman was in her 70's and unhurt. Right now we're still kinda in shock over it all. Really hoping the motorcyclist is going to be ok.

Knbc news report here and cbs2 news report here - though its not factual (yeah go figure with news not having all the facts!). The woman was on the freeway WAY before Reseda! We had our 'incident' at Topanga which is 2-3 exits before Reseda, so yeah sorry news woman you are WRONG!

back soon with creative stuff

Di

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More Scrapworks Cards

Ok with these few cards I made Monday I think I am done! Batch of cards went postal Tuesday morning. I know I should continue with the holiday cards (using my rule of not putting things away) but I am DONE with holiday stuff right now.

Again loving the multi strip paper! All I did was trim out the paper (added the dotted paper to top also) and add ribbon. Super easy, and the sentiment is right there on the paper!

Supplies:Paper: Scrapworks; Ribbon: Offray

This one is loosely based on one of the November sketches. Been going through the old sketches and having fun all over again! Super easy card, longest thing to do was tying the ribbon! I also seem to be using a lot of eyelets lately!

Supplies:Paper: Scrapworks; Sticker: Scrapworks; Ribbon: Offray; Eyelets: MM;

Quick, easy and fun! They don't get simpler than this, loosely based on another of my sketches, just flipped. This is an old design I fall back on again and again for cards in a hurry. With papers like these you really don't NEED much else!

Supplies:Paper: Scrapworks; Rub-on: JoAnns; Ribbon: Offray

Again loosely based on the same sketch as above. This one utilises stickers, ribbons and metal rim tags. I admit to being a metal rim tag junkie. I have to have about 50 in my stash at all times. I have ones that are self adhesive, ones for hanging loose and some with vellum in.

Supplies:Paper: Scrapworks; Ribbon: Offray; Sticker: Target; Stash: Tag; Eyelets;

Notice the eyelets again? Maybe I'm on a one woman quest to bring back eyelets? I don't know, I don't really follow trends (or care about trends) if I like it, I use it. Apparently though I am quite into eyelets. Notice the sticker on the tag? It's from Target, and it's and envelope seal. You get 4 sheets of stickers for $1.99 which IMO is a BARGAIN! You can use them as envelope seals or utilize them on cards for accents. I used my 1" circle punch and adhered it to the tag. I also buy interesting gift tags for use on cards, in fact I wrote an article about it last year. Of course if you're like me you'll go buy them AFTER the holidays when they are on sale! I just couldn't resist these circle ones and had to have them NOW!

More creations coming soon!

hugs

Di

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Dress up your envelopes!

The holiday season is one of the major card making/sending times of year. Now whilst we as scrapbookers spend a lot of time making and embellishing the cards... what about the envelopes? No point spending a ton of time on cards and sending them in boring plain envelopes is there? So I thought I'd share some tips and tricks for spicing up those envelopes to really show some seasons greetings!

Make your own!
First up is making the whole envelope yourself from co-ordinating patterned paper. Especially good for using up those paper slabs or stacks we all bought (or if you're like me still do!). Yep I admit it, I love DCWV papers! Initially they look like a real bargain till you realize that you have 3 sheets of the same paper, and well I'm not much of a paper user (more paper hoarder). So I found I can easily make a card and an envelope from one sheet of paper, plus the co-ordinating papers make mixing and matching easy!

Worth noting that if you use the paper pattern side out (or if it's double sided) you'll need address labels. Especially if the color is dark or busy. If you're looking for a good envelope template I highly recommend these nested envelope templates from one heart... one mind.

Envelope Liners!

If you buy your envelopes, and sometimes I do - I like the invitation envelopes from Walmart, then how about adding an envelope liner? I use my template (again from one heart... one mind) and nudge the liner up to the gum line and adhere.

As you can see it really does finish off the inside of an envelope well! Using matching papers works well as I mentioned above. Have to say I've been using this method a lot with the 6x6 DCWV stack. This size works great for cards.

Just add Stickers!
I'm somewhat of a scrap supply hoarder as regular readers will know, and I still can't pass up a bargain. JoAnns had these stickers on clearance last year after the holidays for 50c a pack (I think I got them cheaper than that at the checkstand though!). Naturally I got one pack of each! BUT I don't like them on cards! So I use them inside cards or like here, on the envelope.

I should add too that I use these on the bottom of the envelope, and usually cover both sides back and front, I like continuity! Good for those old stickers you have in your stash but don't want to use for cards. Just stick them on envelopes!

Tape it!
Another option instead of stickers is decorative tape. Target goers will recognize this tape from last winters dollar spot! You can get lots of variety in themes and colors. Works just like regular tape, just with a pattern. Again I tape it both sides. This tape is good for cards and mini books too!

Rub 'em on!
Who could forget RUB-ONS? My favorites! Good way of using up the odd ones you don't like for cards, or again you got in the post holiday sales! (notice a theme here yet?). This is a look that I love, it's so classic!

On this one both the sentiment and blue strip are rub-ons! The blue strip is technically a 'roll-on'. Around the block came out with these a couple of years ago and I love them! You get 3 or 4 in a pack, and they come in different themes. They are tricky to keep in a straight line (or that could be user error) so I use my metal ruler to keep them in check!

Stamp something!
Naturally we can't forget stamps! Now I'm not that fond of this technique cos well, I'm a messy stamper and I tend to get ink everywhere, which is why I prefer stamping with brush pens instead. The look is a little less intense than ink pads, which I like, and it means it's dry to the touch instantly. Big bonus for clumsy me!

If I'm stamping an image it goes on the bottom left for me, as the 'air mail' sticker goes on the bottom right. Just something to keep in mind! If it's domestic postage then I'd have continued stamping all along with the sentiment. Remember too that if you're printing your envelope addresses you could add a little clipart directly to the envelope or the labels.

And there we have it! Some tips and tricks for brightening up your envelopes! You're cards are pretty and so should your envelopes!

back tomorrow with more cards!

hugs

Di

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Card Sketch December #3

Wednesday and another card sketch! This weeks is a bare bones sketch with just the outline and room for you to go CRAZY! Three rectangles layered on a card front. The sketch is rectangle but remember you can flip, rotate, mirror, change the size, and well... anything goes! As always the digital template can be downloaded here.

I've made a couple of cards with this sketch so far, and I'll be sharing them over the coming weeks. I have to say I am LOVING this "Season of Joy" line by Scrapworks, more holiday cards coming soon!

Supplies: Papers: Scrapworks; Stickers: Scrapworks; Ink: Darice; Eyelets: MM; Ribbon: Offray;

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Kelli, like me, is busy working on holiday cards (well really who isn't this time of year?). Love her interpretation of the sketch and her choice of sentiment placement works really well.

Card by Kelli Smith
Supplies: Reminisce holiday leftover collection paper, ranger stickles in green,red, and black, JOY letters Scenic route

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Isn't this card by Pearl just ADORABLE? I love the sketch with the scallop edges, and the fun colors really add an extra special touch to holiday cards. Not sure why I'm drawn to pink for holiday card colors, but I am!

Card by Pearl Liu
Supply List : Anna Griffin pps , Jolly Holly Brad & Ribbon , Sue Dreamer chipboard accent , Bazzill Scalloped CS

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As usual Mum joined in the card sketches. When she was here on vacation we went to Michaels where she bought some acrylic stamps, those dollar packs (you all know the ones right?). Anyway she's jumping into stamping with both feet! Go Mum! So proud of you!

Card by Linda Flinders

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Jackie rotated the sketch to a horizontal card. Love how this sketch works in this format too! Love the use of the stamped images and greeting on the green paper!

Card by Jackie Price
Supplies: Misc. Christmas Paper scraps; Prima flowers; Glitter glue; Close to My Heart Merry Christmas stamp; Stazon Ink; Cat’s Eye ink

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Jo took this sketch and made it her own! I love the penwork on this, just enough added to the white cardstock, to tie it into the patterned papers. Beautiful card!

Card by Jo Willis
Supplies: Papermill card, Papermania papers, Onefourzero stamp, copper embossing powder, eyelets, fibres, Cuttlebug tag , Studio G stamp, Brilliance ink, Marvy pens.

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As always Wendys card is beautiful, classic and vintage style with superb stamping! Love the papers and embossing! Great card!

Card by Wendy McGlinchey
Supplies:- Backing Paper from Artylicious Season's Greetings CD, Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder, Copic pens, Inkadinkado Rubber Stamp Image, Versafine black ink pad, white card stock, contrasting card stock, Glue, 3D foam pads, satin ribbon.

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Jolene made this beautiful card in classic black and white. The lace is such a great touch, and the brown ink gives the card a little bit of color, whilst not overwhelming the classic style.

Card by Jolene Johnston

Supplies: Die Cuts With a View card, Bazzill cardstock, Colorbok and The Paper Studio papers, Colorbox chalk ink, Karen Foster rub on, Wrights trim

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Card by Cindy Gilchrist
Supplies: All items are from the "MVP" Digital Kit by Dani Modstad

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As always hook me up in the comments if you do the sketch as I love to come check them out!

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Scrapworks cards

More cards with the Scrapworks papers, sponsors for Treasures to Scrap this month. Having a BLAST with this line, and it's been awesome in getting me DONE for cards this year, and prepared for the holidays in 2008!

First one is a simple card as the layering is already done on the paper! Love that as it makes card making super easy. The wire is wrapped around the top of the chipboard ornament, and coiled for interest.

Supplies: Paper: Scrapworks; Cardstock: DCWV; Chipboard: Scrapworks; Rub-on: JoAnns

Supplies: Paper: Scrapworks; Cardstock: DCWV; Buttons: Misc

For this one, the snowflake buttons had the shank on the back, I just took my craft knife to them and cut it off, and adhered them with glue dots. Nice and simple, yet effective. Anything more fussy would draw away from the paper.

Supplies:Paper: Scrapworks; Cardstock: DCWV; Rub-on: Basic Grey; Buttons: Misc

Ok catch you all tomorrow, going out to watch the new Will Smith movie: I am Legend. Looks good from the trailers but guess I'll see later this afternoon. Card sketch coming tomorrow!

hugs

Di

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Hybrid layout - Biker Dude

I did this digital layout a while back but I wanted to include it in Bobs album which is 12x12 so I had a dilemma. I either printed it 8x8 and mounted onto cardstock or made it hybrid. I explained the crossover from digital to hybrid in an article last week.

Credits: Wonderful Kit by Shabby Princess; Font: SP Wonderful Wendy (journalling); Title font: unknown; Photo frame by Misty Cato

I printed off the photo section with frame and ribbon, printing it twice, just printing out different sections. I trimmed out the sections, and adhered them together where the focal photo is. Printed out the journal panel with text, then assembled the layout traditionally!

Digital Supplies: Wonderful Kit by Shabby Princess; Font: SP Wonderful Wendy (journalling); Photo frame by Misty Cato; Paper Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: My Minds Eye; Rub-ons: DCWV; Chipboard Alpha: Heidi Swapp; Ink: Around the Block;

I guess I got lucky with the paper as the My Minds Eye is quite close in colors and style to the Shabby Princess. I inked everything as I seem to be doing that a lot lately. And added the rub-ons because I didn't like the big white space to the left of the title, then had to balance those out with some little touches elsewhere to get my visual triangle.

As you can see hybrid has lots of opportunities to unite digital and paper! I am hoping to share a lot more hybrid with you in the future! Any questions, suggestions for tutorials or just general stuff just email me or leave a comment, I love helping out anyway I can!

Remember to check out the bonus card sketch from Saturday! You don't have to enter the call, just treat it as a regular sketch! Must share my version of this card soon too!

More creations coming soon!

Hugs

Di

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Huh? Did someone say BIRTHDAY?

Happy Birthday to me! Yep it's my birthday, as usual once you get older birthdays are another thing that just isn't like it is when you're a kid. Chatted to my parents today which is always cool. And Gautam called even though I'll probably see him later. We're off to the valley for some supplies for Bob and maybe nipping into some scrap stores (I have Birthday $$$ to spend!). So apologies for the lack of visual content, more of that coming soon!


Nancy tagged me! Most things relate to the weekend which is tough cos Sunday is usually out outing day of choice due to us chatting to family Saturday mornings.


Ten things I did this weekend:

• cleaned my scrap room
• made a ton of stuff I cant show yet
• helped Bob with his new project
  
• got through a TON of email
• made more holiday cards
• blogged
• went shopping
• walked the dogs
• did some research
• 
  

9 things on my agenda this week:

• Give kitchen a good clean
• WRITE!
• CREATE!
• Work on creating 2008 goals
• post all remaining holiday cards
• shopping
• wash car + truck
• gardening
• work on my websites
  

8 shows I've watched last week:

• Argh one I can't really do. We don't watch a lot of TV, and honestly are watching it less and less lately. Especially now that it's all gone to repeats for the holiday season! Our TV has hardly been on. In fact we're considering canceling it altogether.
  
• Top Gear
• Miami Ink
• News
  
• America's Next Top Model
• When it's on I'd watch Greys Anatomy but this week was a rerun, phooey!
• Same with House! Love that show!
• Wow who knew I'd struggle like heck with this one! Erm... yeah just imagine I added something else here. Makes me realize we really DON'T watch that much TV!
  

7 things I cooked last week

• Pizza! Loaded with veggie bacon, tofurkey sausage and Fontiago cheese! If you haven't tried Fontiago from Trader Joe's you really should! It's delish!!!
• As always cooked the dogs some egg with their dinner. Yep they are spoiled, what's your problem? lol!
  
• Burgers
• Bhaji's/pakora's. This was last nights 'experiment', turned out GOOD!
• Not technically cooking, but we made the green mint chutney to go with the bhaji's! Man we love that stuff!!!
• Erm, kinda started cooking Aloo Matar last night. BUT, we stuffed ourselves on the Bhaji's and didn't want anything else! So I cooked the rice and potatoes. Will finish it off today.
  
• Fries! Strangely we used to eat fries a lot, now we hardly eat them at all. Family will be SHOCKED to know that Bob actually refused fries for rice and roti one night last week!
• Not cooked much this week as we've eaten out with friends a bit and also had leftovers. I guess I can count leftovers as I have to reheat those right?
  

6 things I read this week

• tons of email, then more email, and more email!
  
• Blogs
• Message boards that I am on
• manual for new camera
• Creating Keepsakes January (bought it yesterday will let you know my thoughts later in the week)
• Ali Edwards Life Artist - loving this book!
  

5 Reasons to be happy today

• It's my birthday!
• Going out for food at some point today
  
• It's beautiful outside!
• I have a new camera! Loving it so far!
  
• Did I mention the birthday part?
  

4 things I need to buy

• New underwear.
  
• Ink pads, I need more colors. I blame Nancy! She's an enabler!
  
• Stamp set I saw at JoAnns that I might have to buy today.
• Ring Binder, technically it's for Bob but it's the only other thing I can think of right now.
  

3 people I saw this weekend: Not many yet. Family time in the morning, shopping in the afternoon and then we worked on Bobs project. Today we have tentative plans for dinner out with friends

• Bob
• Neighbors
• People whilst out shopping

2 things I am thankful right now

• Bob, always Bob! Not sure what I did to deserve him but I am thankful everyday that we found each other. Love ya sweetie!
• The internet! You can take the tv, microwave etc but DO NOT mess with my internet connection!!! Isn't the internet awesome?
  

and one more thought:

• Birthdays are a day that celebrates YOU. Another year marked off in your life! Make them count! Each Birthday should be a celebration

Ok we're off out shopping etc. Catch you all tomorrow!

Hugs

Di

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Card sketch team call!!!

Ok, I hinted to this for a while so here it is. I am looking to add a couple more people to the card sketch team. This call is for PAPER cardmakers only (digital call to come later!). Here is your challenge:


If you want to be considered for the card sketch team email me the following by 26th December with "card sketch team" in the subject heading.

• jpg of your card (either a scan or photo whichever you prefer) resized to around 100k
• full name
• supply list (doesn't have to be terribly detailed I forget things all the time!)
• blog link

What do you get in return?

• My undying gratitude isn't enough?
• Ok, well you get your card on the blog with a link to your blog/gallery
• You get the sketches a week (at least) early
• Remember we do this for FUN! I'm looking for people that LOVE cardmaking, can take a decent photo and simply love to inspire other cardmakers.
  

I share the sketches cos I love seeing what everyone does with them, plain and simple. Whilst I'd love to have everyone who applies on the team, it's just not feasible for one person (me) to upload all the dang cards! lol! How many new members will there be? Around 3, 'ish. Looking for all styles, so don't be shy! Any questions just email me!

Also if you just wanna do the sketch for fun, then go right ahead and link me up in the comments as I love to come check them out!

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Probably a first for me

But I'm posting something I actually made today! Well technically the letters I did yesterday after much fussing. The wooden word I bought Wednesday from the dollarstore. Almost everything is by one heart... one mind, except: Buttons: Boxer; Flowers: Prima; Ink: Tim Holtz

I also made this little journal to kinda go with it, along the same theme anyway. Again almost everything is one heart... one mind except the flowers which are (Prima) and the ink (Tim Holtz). Speaking of one heart... one mind, I am really happy to announce that I will remain on their Design Team for 2008! Totally happy about this as I LOVE their stuff!

My camera arrived yesterday but I haven't had a lot of time to use it yet. I've taken some photo's but hoping to get a proper look at it (and read the manual further than the intro) this weekend. So far I am SO impressed with it. Took a couple of shots last night in the dim light living room and the detail was amazing! Like I said though, learning curve ahead!

The sketch girls are sending in their cards for next week, which is prompting me to think that maybe *I* should actually make something for it too huh? Tomorrow there will be a card sketch, as I'll be issuing a call for a couple of extra sketch girls. So look out for that!

back tomorrow!

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I have nothing to post today, because...

I'm too excited! My new baby arrives today! Bob bought me this little beauty and it should arrive today!

It's an Olympus E-510 SLR camera and it's coming with the 2 lens kit (which is supposed to be the best lens kit out there!). I've had a "prosumer" camera, a Panasonic Fz20, since June 2005 but honestly I've come to the end of my learning curve with it and am starting to feel restricted by it. I still love my Fz20 and will probably keep it a while till I get over the learning curve of the Oly.

Those that know me, know that I love nature photography. Just something I love to do and the Panasonic has really helped a lot with that passion. I love going to the local park and taking photo's of the ducks, or going into the jungle we call a back garden and finding things to photograph. The Panasonic was my first camera with adjustable settings for the F-stops so I could take blurry background photo's like this one...

Taken June 2005 with Panasonic Fz20

I'm really looking forward to getting back on track with my photography in 2008. Once I figure out all the settings, read the manual about 50 times and probably curse a few times. So hurry up parcel man!!!


In other new I got this little beauty this week, an Epson RX680 all in one printer, scanner, copier and prints directly to CDs/DVDs!

Apparently Bob is rather impressed with it as during set up he was like: "oh it has....", "oh look it does..." and "oh COOOOL it's....."!!! Time will tell though! I hope to be able to use this later this week, and give it a thorough testing/review. I plan on figuring out the copier part today as I need to do some copies. Then I'll go from there!

Back soon with some creations

hugs

Di

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