Saturday, April 30, 2011

My favorite thing about spring


It's spring! Well, at least in theory it is. Upstate NY has had one crazy spring. I'm sure quite a few of you are experiencing the same thing in your neck of the woods.

The These are a Few of My Favorite Things blog challenge wants to see your favorite thing about spring. I chose to make a card that highlighted my favorite spring colors and flowers. I also made this a birthday card because one of my other favorite things about spring is that it's Nate's birthday (May 22).


I hope you'll join us and play along. Link up your favorite thing about spring cards/projects/layouts sometime in the next two weeks. We'd love to see what you make!!

I also wanted to mention that I used a combination of the Anniversary kit and Grandma's Attic kit from Scrapbook Circle. I could create so many more projects off just the leftovers from these two kits. My desk is happily scattered with the best scraps ever right now. I suggest you scoop one (or both) up for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I appreciate all of you that stop by!! :)

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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR 20% OFF MY ETSY SHOP. USE THE COUPON CODE FAVES0411 TO ACTIVATE THE DISCOUNT!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Win some Prima...


The folks at The Sampler have some spare baubles from Prima that are a part of May's kit. And Holly is going to give them to a couple lucky winners!! Leave a comment HERE ON HER POST and winners will be picked randomly from the comments. Contest is open through May 1st!

Don't forget to check out The Sampler's current sketch challenge which is up HERE!

Thanks for checking in here today! :)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Caught in the act...


Sketchy Thursdays is ready for you to play along with us! Heidi has another fabulous sketch for you, and this layout is what I made using her sketch.

I also used the Anniversary Kit from Scrapbook Circle. I am so, so, so in love with both of the May kits. That's right... BOTH! Scrapbook Circle is celebrating their anniversary in May and the gifts are going to you, the subscribers! More details on that May 1st as we hop along and share the fun with you. Mark your calendars... :) The entire month of May is going to be super fabulous. I promise!


This page documents another one of Nate's silly, random moments. We had "fake Easter" a week early so he had an Easter basket full of candy. I wasn't paying attention, and he called to me to take his picture. I walked over and he is posing for me to take a picture of his gooey, caramel-and-chocolate-filled egg smashed into his hand. He then lifts it to his face to eat it, looking at me out of the top of his eyes like, "Ready? 1...2...3 CHEESE!"

What a stinker! He knows me so well! He knew that if I had a "moment" to capture that I wouldn't be mad that he'd gotten into his candy. LOL! Love that squishy boy!!


Hopefully you all have fabulous pictures to document the Easter holiday. If you do, what better way to start your pages than with a Sketchy Thursdays sketch! Hope to see you over there!! And see you back here starting May 1 as we celebrate Scrapbook Circle's anniversary month.

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Spring card


Here's a pretty card for you this Wednesday. I'm playing along with Get Sketchy today, and also using more of my Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden die cuts.

Hope everyone's week is going well!

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If you missed it yesterday, Nate was featured with his card on the Nikki Sivils blog. I am so, so proud of him! He takes such care in everything he makes and is such a little artist in the making. He takes such great care in deciding what to make and who it's going to be for. I see so much potential in his ability to think, create, and follow through on a vision.

OK, now you may be expecting a masterpiece (lol), but it really is just a four-year-old's creative imagination, some paper with a turtle on it, and a mustache. :)

Thanks for stopping over there to see Nate's 15 min. of scrappy fame!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Skipping Stones sketch reveal


It's my last Sketch Tuesday with Skipping Stones Design as a GDT for April. I really, really enjoyed my month with this fabulous team. The ladies are so sweet and nice, and the stamps are fabulous. I really do highly recommend them. The quality of the stamps is fantastic.


You can see the sketch that Laurie Schmidlin made for this week at the Skipping Stones blog. Play along so we can see the fab cards you are making.

And again, big thanks to the SSD girls for the warm welcome for my April GDT spot. I will continue to play along and share with you my work with these stamps!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Mother's Day card


Now that Easter is over, it's time to focus on Mother's Day. Which is right around the corner, believe it or not. No rest for the crafty! :)

I made this card using more of the Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden Epherma die cut pack. Just to warn you, you may be seeing a lot of this—great die cuts in that pack.


The peeps at Paper Issues want to see your fabulous Mother's Day creations. Anything goes, as long as you used paper. Link up over there anything you have—it doesn't have to be new—we just want to share the inspiration.

Paper Issues Blog Design


Can't wait to see what you make!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter! Hope little ones are having a fabulous, sweets-filled morning.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Pretty spring card


I sat down to make some fun spring cards this week, and I absolutely love the end result. I had recently gotten my hands on the Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden die cuts pack and they inspired me to just keep creating. Don't you love when that happens?!


I made this card using the inspiration at Moxie Fab World this week, for the Tuesday Trigger. As a graphic designer, I was just dying to put butterflies all over that little bouquet. Can't you see them fluttering around her hand?


I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by to visit. :)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Sassafras sketch for April


Have I mentioned how excited I am that Sassafras Lass is posting monthly challenges on their blog? Here is the page I made to go with the April sketch challenge.


I mixed and matched quite a few of their lines, but my favorite has to be this paper from Ellie's Tale. I just love those feathers! And I love that the richness in the Sassafras Lass colors goes from line to line, so that no matter what collection you are working with, they all match in tone.


I also played along at The Paper Variety. They want to see you put a number on your page. I often find myself "tagging" my pages with Nate's age. Just so years from now I can recall easily how old he was in these pictures. Though I hope that I'll never forget these moments. A mother's wish...

Thanks for visiting my page today. I hope everyone has a great Friday planned and some family time set aside for the weekend. For those of you celebrating, have a great Easter!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Sketchy Thursdays


This week I am playing along with Heidi's sketch at Sketchy Thursdays using more of the digi kits I've purchased from Jessica Sprague's site. This page combines Echo Park Little Boy and Cosmo Cricket Early Bird.

I just love that these two lines mixed so well for this page. And if you like to digi scrap, how cool is it that you can adjust the hues on the elements?! I adjusted the bright red car from the Little Boy line to better match the colors from the Early Bird papers by adjusting the hue/saturation.


This week, Sketchy Thursdays is sponsored by Everyday Scrapbook. Michelle is doing amazing things with her Everyday Frames. Take a peek at her new magnet frames. Such a fabulous idea!

Thanks for stopping to read my blog today! Check out the latest happenings at Sketchy Thursdays for more info on how you can have a chance to win the Everyday Scrapbook prize!!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sampler sketch challenge


On the 20th of every month, The Sampler DT shares with you work using the current kit and a sketch. Here is my sketch page for this month. There is a fabulous little prize for one winner from those that play along with the sketch.


Remember my manly card set from last Saturday? This page is where I referenced using the rest of that fabulous green wood grain paper from the kit.


It's a pretty good sketch, so you'll wanna swing by to play along this month. HERE'S THE LINK TO PLAY ALONG WITH US!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Rain or shine... (and a winner!)


It's another Sketch Tuesday challenge at Skipping Stones Design. I'm still loving my spot as one of the guest designers for SSD for April. I will be so sad when my term ends next week. Of course, I'll still be playing along for sure!

For this card, I used the new Uplifting stamp set. I just love how easy it is to use paper piercing with the larger hot air balloon stamp. And I used the kissing technique on the smaller balloon so that the red ink would have texture and not just be flat on the background paper.


The background paper is American Crafts and the turtle, sentiment and balloon are Nikki Sivils, in case you were wondering. :)

I also have a winner to announce today! If you left a comment on last Tuesday's post or played along with last week's SSD challenge and let me know that you played along, you were eligible for the Margarita Birthday set. The winner is ... Crafty Math Chick!


Congrats!! Send an e-mail with your shipping address to me at dianadesigns [at] rochester.rr.com and I'll get that set on its way to you this week. Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! :) Hope your week is going fabulously so far.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Cupcake sweetness


Hello! Happy Monday. I'm sharing with you another card I made using the fabulous stamps from Skipping Stones Design. I used the Cupcake Cutie set here.


Just wanted to remind you that you have until tonight to comment on THIS POST HERE for your chance to win the Margarita Birthday set that I am giving away. And if you played along with the weekly sketch, remember to let me know on that post, too for another chance.


See you back here tomorrow for the winner and the next sketch challenge at the Skipping Stones blog.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Card sets for *gulp* guys


My dear friend, Theresa, often needs thank you cards. I happily make them for her to send to her clients. Some of these cards she requests are also for clients who are (gulp...) men.

More often than not, cards for men seem to be the card maker's toughest card to make. At least for a lot of us. Some of you seem to make the best cards for guys, but I am not one of those that sits down and makes them with ease.


I was inspired to make this set by the Card Sets Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. And have already sent these cards off with Theresa as she has left to travel on another business trip to see these fabulous male clients. Sure hope they like these!


I also used my April kit from The Sampler. This month's kit had this fabulous green woodgrain from American Crafts. And I have stretched it as far as I could, having used it on these 3 cards as well as a layout you'll see next week. Such a great color green, isn't it?!

The Crate border stickers in the kit were perfect for this card set as well.

I hope I've inspired you to take on making a set of cards for the guys in your life. Father's Day is right around the corner...

Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading my blog today!

Friday, April 15, 2011

My favorite fave (and a chance to win)


As I alluded to on Wednesday, I have a giveaway and a coupon code for you today. These Are a Few of My Favorite Things has a unique twist on your favorite challenge blog today. We want you to choose from the past "Favorites" list and make any page you want.

I thought that was a pretty nifty idea, so I chose Favorite Fall LO/Favorite Season. This page is digital and 99% of the digital goodness here came from JessicaSprague.com's vast digital library.

The other cool thing about this particular challenge at TAAFOMFT—I'm the sponsor! I have been creating new items for my Etsy shop and want to celebrate that with you. If you play along with the challenge, you have a chance to win a $10 shop credit and a goodie bag handpicked by me to match your shop selections.



And, to celebrate further, I'm offering up a coupon code to my shop through the end of April. Use the code FAVES0411 for 20% off your purchase.

Hope to see your favorite pages over the next two weeks. And can't wait to see who wins the lovelies from the shop!!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sneak attack!


Sketchy Thursdays is up to its old tricks again with a double-page layout. As I always say, you don't have to make a double, so don't let that scare you off. Stop by and play for a fabulous prize from Sweet Peach Crop Shop.

I made this page with mostly Bella Blvd goodies. I so love how fun and playful their papers and stickers are. Perfect for the topic of this page—"Sneak Attack!"


I instantly knew what I would do once I made this week's sketch for ST. I have a progression of photos with Nate getting kissed on the cheek by his little friend, Madison. We were eating lunch at the museum when she slyly stalked over to him, got up on a chair and planted a big ol' kiss on my clueless son.


He has a mouth full of Oreos in the big picture, which just shows how surprised he was. Madison was so proud of herself and was grinning from ear to ear. And in that last picture, Nate was using a wipee to get the "girl germs" off his face. Too funny!

Madison's mom, Renee, and I are quite pleased with this little scenario. We can't wait for the wedding! :)

Thanks for stopping to see my son's embarrassing moment and my page documenting it. We hope to see you at Sketchy Thursdays this week. And don't forget you have another week to play along with Heidi's sketch and the GDT challenge for a chance at the $25 gift card to Addicted to Scrapbooking. You know you want a chance at that!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Arriving soon...

I'm at it again! A little more creative love for my Etsy shop. Starting this week, I'll be adding in new items, revisions of past items, and new little kits to scoop up as well. These are just sneak peeks at the dozens of lovelies I've been busy creating.





Hopefully something here speaks to your style. I've been working with vintage pearl buttons, vintage maps and sheet music, as well as felt, doilies and brads. This is always so fun for me to create these by hand for you all to use on your pages and projects.

Join me on Friday as I give you an opportunity to win some shop credit as well as a coupon code to the store. Thanks for joining me for this new release!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Skipping Stones blog hop (and a prize)


Welcome to the Skipping Stones Design Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Uplifting!

If you've just happened upon my blog today, make sure to start from the beginning at Skipping Stones Design. You should have arrived here from Ann's blog.



Combined with the blog hop today, it's also Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday which means we're showcasing another great creation from our Guest Sketch Artist this month, Laurie Schmidlin. We'd love for you to play along with the sketch and link your card at the Skipping Stones Blog.

A free stamp set is up for grabs to a lucky winner that joins our sketch challenge at the SSD blog!


Here is the hop list for your hopping pleasure!

And, because there is no better time than during a hop to have a prize, I am giving away a SSD set, too!


I have an extra set of the Margarita Birthday. You can win this here at my blog! Just leave a comment for your first chance to win. Play along with the Tuesday sketch challenge this week and get a second chance (just leave a second comment here that you linked up at SSD with your entry). And why not... if you blog about this or Tweet or FB this at all, let me know that for another chance.

You have until Monday night next week to leave these comments and I'll announce a winner next Tuesday.

Thanks for hopping with us, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

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PS: If you're really into the hot air balloon trend, too, check out the My Beautiful Balloon Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I am so all about hot air balloons. I love how whimsical it can make a card or project. Play along with, Cath, too!

Monday, April 11, 2011

For a special little boy



My husband's cousin and his wife, who live in Fla., had their third boy about a week and a half ago. When I heard that they were decorating his room in a Curious George theme, I knew immediately that it was time to use this image of George that I had cut out of one of Nate's story book that he'd destroyed when he was an infant.

Giving an infant a paper book is rarely a good idea—hence, board books. I had saved this and stashed it away from a page that had be ripped out. I'm so excited to mail this doorknob hanger off to them!


The background paper is Lily Bee, letters are AC Thickers and the felt clouds are die cut from the Papertrey Ink cloud dies. The buttons are also Papertrey Ink.


And what's a baby gift without a card!? I made this with inspiration from Card Patterns sketch #110. Gotta love that site! Great jumping off point for me every week.


I used the same Lily Bee paper as the background and kept the jungle animal theme so that the gift will match a bit. Hope Mike, Mandy and new baby Hudson love this! :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. And thanks to everyone who did the No Housework hop this past weekend. I loved seeing all of the inspiration, and I appreciate all of you who stopped to leave a comment or signed up to follow my little blog. THANKS!!!