My Monthly Hero Paraguayan Dancer Card

¡Hola! Hello! Mba’éichapa! (–that’s “hello” in Guarani – one of the two national languages of Paraguay.) Welcome to a post with an international flavor today! I chose to turn the darling dancing mouse in the My Monthly Hero April 2018 set into a traditional Paraguayan folk dancer doing the famous bottle dance:

When I lived in Paraguay, doing a missionary type work, I would often see women balancing amazing loads on their heads as they walk through the streets… laundry, a basket full of delicious chipas (a cheese bread made with cassava/manioc flour, shaped like a bagel) and more. These well-balanced women really know how to use their heads! In the bottle dance a girl or woman will start by balancing a bottle on her head while dancing. More and more will be added by her partners, one at a time, reaching up to 10 or more! After each, she continues to dance. Impressive!! Here is part of a page from my scrapbook, using a postcard picture:

I just drew a couple of these bottles on cardstock, fussy cut them and covered them with Texture Gems for my little mouse dancer. The texture gems added a little sparkle as centers to the flowers in the frame and sentiment, too.

  

I love that the leaves on flowers in the frame with this kit can be lifted up… just a little, or into a daffodil shape. I gave my mouse and bottles a little depth by cutting them out in black cardstock and having it peek out just a bit.

Materials Used:

• Hero Arts My Monthly Hero April 2018 (MH 0418C) stamps and dies (note: bottles were hand drawn)
• Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Fiesta Red ink
• Copic Markers: C1,3; Gr05;R20, 22, 24, 29; Y08
• Faber Castell Texture Gems: Silver
• Core’dinations cardstock: White, Red, Black
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black
• Simply Defined “Stay Put” glue

I’m entering this card in the following fun challenges… click on any of them for more information on how you can play along:

• A Blog Named Hero : Crafter’s Choice

• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Add Some Red

Thanks for traveling with me today!

~D.Ann

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The Greatest of these is Love Layers of Floral Bookmarks & Swirly Heart Card

Hello, crafty peeps! Today I’d like to show you some sweet bookmarks and a card I recently made. This week my folks are attending a school for volunteer Bible Teachers. They’ve been volunteering full-time for the past 45 and 31 years, respectively. I was able to do it for 23 years before I became disabled. It’s a work that brings much joy!  I made them a little gift set of a heart shaped card and a bookmark for each of them to use during their week-long school:

and the back sides:I was pleased that the A Jillian Vance Design stamp and Swirling Heart die match the Spellbinders Layers of Flowers die perfectly — and they all fit on the Spellbinders Filigree Bookmark Tag, too! My folks liked them so much, they asked for a set to give to their classmates, choosing these colors:

One tip – because I used double sided tape on the cardstock for the Layers of Flowers and cut them on a Precision Base Plate, they tended to slip and slide. The solution, which you may know -and I may have, too, but forgot, was to turn the die so that just a corner hit the rollers first:

Since I used double sided tape, I had the leftover pieces of the die cuts and decided to see what they’d look like on another bookmark. I had a piece of watercolor resist that I wasn’t happy with, so I decided to use it as the background since most of it would be covered by the leftover die cuts.

I had used Tombow dueal brush pens and some Inkadinkado Stamps on it, but the note of which ones was no longer with the piece. I guess I should paperclip Post-It notes for added insurance!

I clipped a die cut to the cardstock and put the pieces back in their respective spots, then pulled away the die cut template and cut the cardstock and put it on the bookmark:

To give it a little umph, I hit the solid die cut remnants with a Crystal Clear Sparkle Pen by Spectrum Noir. Here you can see the shimmer better:

Not bad, but it was tedious work! At least I know it’s an option if I want to have 0 waste. Here’s one last look at the front and back of the bookmarks:

Supplies:

• A Jullian Vance Love Scripture Bookmark stamp set & Swirly Heart die
• Spellbinders Vintage Elegance Filigree Bookmark Tag die by Becca Feeken
• Spellbinders Thoughtful Expressions Layers of Flowers dies by Marissa Job
• Core’dinations cardstock: red, green, blue, black
• Recollections Chipboard (the base of the guys’s bookmarks)
• The Fine Touch gold poster board (the base of the gals’ bookmarks & the card)
• Hero Arts India Ink Black dye ink
• Spectrum Noir Colorista pencils
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens, Inkadinkado stamps & watercolor paper
• Simply Defined Stacey Tape 2.5″
• Brother p-Touch with clear tape (for the year)

I’m playing along with the following challenges – click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun:

• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Wild Things (wild flowers and that green is pretty wild, too!)
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Make Your Own Background (that watercolor resist bookmark)
• Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday July 2018: Watercolor (the watercolor resist bookmark)
• CropStop Linky July Party #41: Anything Goes (Spellbinders, Core’dinations, Spectrum Noir & Tombow)
• MarkerPOP Challenge #138 Back to School (extended until 8/8!)
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Thanks again for the kind comments you guys always leave… it’s always a tread to read them!

~D.Ann

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Papertrey Ink Transformation Tuesday Challenge – Heartfelt Gratitude Card

Hello and welcome!

First, another disclaimer. I’ve done it again and I blame the migraines for both mix-ups. I started out making this for the Transformation Tuesday Challenge, but it ended yesterday. Fortunately, this time I found out BEFORE posting (the last one I had to change after posting) and the Retirement List Set Challenge is still going on and this card fits that one, too. I can’t wait until I can think straight again!!

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 11th Anniversary with a fun series of challenges. Their Transformation Tuesday Challenge challenged us to turn a previous card into something new, perhaps going from simple to spectacular. I had a card on hand that I never sent out because I wasn’t happy with it. I made it back in March of 2015, just before I started blog. It was one of my first attempts at ink smooshing and I didn’t like how it turned out: the unevenness of the color, some blurry embossing and the sentiment was a little crooked.

So I decided to cut out the image and sentiment, add some more color, some contrasting edges a bunch of faux pearls for interest and pop up the sentiment.

Whaddya think?

Here’s the inside:

Materials used:

• Papertrey Ink Spiral Bouquet & Enclsed Heart stamp sets
• Papertrey Ink Enclosed Heart die
• Papertrey Ink Dye Inks: Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Terracotta Tile
• Tsukineko Versamark ink & Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black
• Recollections Ebony Signature Detail Embossing Powder
• Uniball Vision Micro pen
• Unknown watercolor paper
• Core’dinations cardstock – black
• My minds eye vintage card pack
• Recollections faux pearls
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares
• Tombow Xtreme adhesive

If you want to join the fun, check out this post for more information on the Retirement List Set Challenge and see what prize you might win!

I’m glad you could stop by today and hope you’ll leave a comment as I always enjoy the encouragement!

~D.Ann

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Heartfelt Creations Coffee and You Card – 2017 Fall Coffee Lovers Hop

Hello dear peeps!

It seems like life has come at me so fast this year that I can’t hardly get a break to craft as much as I’d like. First, an update for those of you following me on Instagram: I got back safely Friday after evacuating for hurricane Irma. Fortunately, other than some traffic lights out in the area, low stock at the grocery store and some limbs down on the property, all was well at my place. Several of my friends nearby still don’t have electric… and we’re on the East coast of FL! So, so sorry for the folks in Naples and the Keys!! Unfortunately, whenever there is a hurricane, condo rules require everything to come in off the patio so nothing becomes a flying missile. My patio is about half the size of my studio apartment, so it’s a tight fit. I’ve been working at getting it all put back so I can get to my crafting supplies… Priorities!! : ) And I just reconnected my hard drive, so I’m up and running to post now, too! (One lady at a hotel in TN saw us packing our hard drives into the car and said: ‘You can tell who’s travelling from Florida – Most folks don’t go on vacation with their electronics!’) That’s the update, now on to the good stuff:

So, here I am starting late for the Fall Coffee Lovers Hop. There are already over 400 entries already! That’s a lot of caffeine fueled crafting!!

Living in Florida, fall leaves are one of the things I miss, so I keep a few on hand to remind me of their gorgeousness.

I love the 3d look of this Heartfelt Creations Coffee Mug stamp and die! I wish you could run your finger along those beads… they really are 3d! How?…

First I added some shading on the under side of each bead to make them pop out even more. Then I used the flower shaping stylus to emboss them from the reverse side. How did I see where to press since the cardstock was too thick to see the stamped image?…

I stamped and cut another on scrap copy paper. The ink showed through enough to see the outline of the beads. The die cuts so precisely, laying it down (face down) over the back of the card is a perfect match. Since Copic markers DO bleed through, I lined the reverse of the inside and the back of the card with matching cardstock, making for a nice, sturdy card.

I added a few drops of ‘coffee’ for fun. (I’d’ve added a lipstick smooch, but didn’t have a color that would look good with this… something you don’t think about when drinking out of a mug in real life! lol!) To finish, I stamped the inside and attached them at the handle, making sure only the inside bends backward. It’s a lefty card. Next time, I think I’ll try attaching them at the top. The sweet cups at the top say: The perfect blend.

Materials used:

• Heartfelt Creations Coffee Talk Collection
  • Coffee Mug stamp & die sets
  • All Stacked Up stamp set
• Papertrey Ink cardstock: Canyon Clay, Canyon Clay Gingham, Terracotta Tile, Terracotta Tile Bitty Dot
• Papertrey Ink dye inks: Canyon Clay & Orange Zest
• Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Rich Cocoa
• Copic markers: E27, YR24
• Spectrum Noir Aqua Blend pencils: Apricot, Beeswax, Brunette, Carrot, Ginger, Hickory, Sorrel, Wheat
• Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Scholastic Glue Stick
• Aleene’s Super Tacky glue
• Tombow mono sand eraser
• Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit

I’m playing along with the following hops and challenges… click on any one for details on how you can join the fun:

• 2017 Fall Coffee Lovers Hop
• Simon Says Stamp Work-It-Wednesday Aug/Sept 2017: Stamps
• The Daily Marker 30 day challenge on IG
• Cropstop September Challenge Linky Party #32: (Aleene’s, Heartfelt Creations, Ranger, Spectrum Noir, Tsukineko, Tombow)

Since I’m still sick (that nasty upper respiratory infection that gave mom bronchitis) and am still unpacking (and hope not to be re-packing for Maria!! Please!!!), this may be the only card I get to post for the CLH this time. Ya’ll TRY to have fun without me, ok?! lol!

I always appreciate your kind and encouraging comments. Thanks in advance!

~D.Ann

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FabScraps Tea Card and Teapot Shaped Gift Set

I’m glad you could stop by to see this sweet little gift set for the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!  We’re already zooming up toward 200 entries – and it’s still day one!

I was so pleased that my order of the FabScraps For the Love of Tea paper pack arrived in time for this hop! The lovely flowers remind me of my Aunt’s garden in summertime!!

The sentiments on the paper are so FUN! Add some pearls and lace and you’ve got a sweet shabby chic gift set in minutes.

The pack comes with two teapot gift ‘boxes’ ready to fold… I think I’m going to save the other one to use as a template to make my own from other papers.

The inside box easily holds 6 individually wrapped tea bags or a few chocolates…

Materials used:

• FabScraps For the Love of Tea paper pack
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Pumice Stone
• Core’dinations Parisian Nights A2 pink card
• Hobby Lobby Decorative Trim – pink
• Celebrate It Basic Basic string of pearls
• Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive
• This & That foam dots
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L adhesive strips runner

I am playing along with the following challenges… click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun…

• Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Use Patterned Paper

Thank you so much for stopping by, and for the lovely comments you’ve been leaving! Happy hopping!

~D.Ann

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MFT Camp Create – Glitzy Glitter – Amazing Card

Hello dear visitors and followers! Today I’ve started catching up with My Favorite Things Camp Create online summer camp.

Day one in the craft cabin was all about Glitzy Glitter. Virginia’s View also has a color challenge going on…

Putting the two together,  here’s what I came up with:

 

I love the glitzy, glittery, magical look of the ombre balloons and sentiment. Doesn’t she look like she’s about to travel the world?!  When you get to the inside, you find out she’s just landed —  or is just entering a Dr. Who time vortex in a little blue box (cue music!)!!!

Hello, Sweetie! : )

Materials used:

• My Favorite Things stamp sets: I Knead You & Simply Fab Sayings
• My Favorite Things dies: Doubly Amazing, Heart Balloons, and Jumbo Peek-a-Boo Circle Window
• My Favorite Things stencil: Concentric Circles
• Coredinations Cardstock
• Simply Defined 2.5″ wide double sided adhesive (“Stacey Tape”)
• Martha Stewart Crafts Essential Colors Glitter: Peridot, Golden Beryl, Tourmaline, Kunzite, Chardite, Purple Sapphire, Carnelion, Cinnabar, Fire Opal, Copper, Smoky Quartz, Florentine Gold, Yellow Barite
• Ranger Distress inks: Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans
• Copic Markers: B02, 05; C1,3,5; RV02
• Aleene’s Super Tacky glue
• Darice Baker’s Twine

So, I’ve earned the first of the five camp badges:

   

Let’s see if I can catch up and get all 5! If you want to play along, with this or the other challenges I’m entering below, just click on the description for more information.

• My Favortie Things Camp Create – Glitzy Glitter
• Virginia’s View Challenge #22 – All About Colors: http://virginiasviewchallenge.blogspot.ca/2016/06/virginias-view-challenge-22-summer.html?m=1 (sorry, you may have to cut-and-paste this link… my computer just died and I’m having trouble geting the hyperlink done with my phone… this does  not bode well for the rest of the week! Argh!)
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – World Traveler
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Animal Magic
• DL.Art June Linky Challenge – Anything Goes
• CropStop Linky Party #17 – Anything Goes

Hopefully I’ll be able to resolve the computer issues and see you again soon.

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me. 

 

Thinking of You Always Card

‘Tis a glorious morning! For those of you whose weather isn’t cooperating, I send you this breath of fresh air from South Florida…

What a great way to start the day getting ready for the anniversary of the most important event in history tonight!

I have a quick post of a sweet and simple card for you today. Its main feature is a colorful strip done using the watercolor lifting technique that Jennifer McGuire Ink showed on her blog a while back. You can see her great instructions HERE.

(Sorry, once again, for the pixilated photo… still haven’t learned to fix that when WordPress resizes it… sometimes it turns out ok and others like this. sigh.)

I put this card together based on Taylored Expressions Share Joy Tic-Tac-Toe challenge and chose to include flowers, pink, and ribbon.

Materials used:

• Taylord Expressions Teacup Bouquet stamp set & Little Bits Teapot die
• Inkadinkado stamp sets: Asian by Design, Damsk Motifs, Gem Stone Flowers, Gemstones Insects, Happy Spring Day, Nature,Pretty Flowers, Utopiary
• Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade
• Memento dye ink – Rose Bud
• Versamark Ink
• Inkadinkado embossing powder – Linen White
• Craftin’ Desert Divas pink heart sequins
• Core’dinations cardstock – white
• Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper
• Tombow Xtreme permanent adhesive
• Aleene’s Tacky Glue
• Angel Crafts 1/2″ double sided adhesive
• Misc. ribbon

Do you want to join the fun? Just click on the highlighted names below for more information on the hops and challenges I’m playing along with today:

• Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

• Taylored Expressions Share Joy Challenge 27 Sketch & Tic-Tac-Toe : (flowers/pink/ribbon)
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Food or Drink
• A Colorful Journey – Let’s Play
• DL.Art March Linky Challenge Anything goes
• CropStop Linky Party #14 Anything goes

May your evening be one of reflection and joy!

-D.Ann

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News: Honors & Features

Gooood afternoon, peeps! (Can you tell I’m feeling a little better today?!!)

I have spent a little bit of time today adding a new section to my blog. If you look at the top, you will see a new menu tab titled ‘Honors & Features.’ For those of you browsing on a PC, you can also see the widgets for these same honors on the right sidebar of my blog. ( I understand that for those of you browsing on phones or tablets, the view is different. I’ve had some complaints that they can’t find the subscribe button and don’t know where it would be for them. Sorry.)

I was blown away today to read a congratulatory comment today for being a featured designer in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog! I had been watching their posts this week, but obviously missed this one! It’s always an honor to have my work noticed, so I thought I’d share my joys with you, dear readers. In both the Honors & Features tab and the sidebar widgets, you can click on the pictures of the feature badges to go read the write-ups and you can click on the pictures of my cards to go back and read the original post in case you missed it.

For those of you who don’t want to have to go find the new page today, here are the links to the articles I was featured in:

February 22, 2016 Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Designer Spotlight: HERE.

December 21, 2015 Lil’ Inker Designs You Made it Monday Vol 5: HERE.

Obviously, this doesn’t happen to me very often, but when it does, I will keep the Honors & Features page updated (and, in all likelihood, will probably brag to you in another post until it becomes routine!). Thanks for all your support!

Woot-woot! Thus endeth the re-tooting of my horn. : )

-D.Ann

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Blog candy re-draw… new winner

Since I have not heard from the winner of the blog candy within the allotted time, I have redrawn a new winner:

This time, Mr. Random.org picked my 8th entry

which had 22 comments

And of those, Mr. Random.org picked #19

which is….

Diana Slaughter…. Congrats!

Please send me an e-mail with your snail mail address so I can send this out to you! You can e-mail me at d.annscraftingwhims at gmail dot com.

Thanks again to everyone who has stopped by and left comments!

-D.Ann

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p.s. Any ads you may see are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me

Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop – Blog candy winner (and surprise)

Good morning and thank you all for your positive and encouraging comments left during the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! It’s time to congratulate to the winner of my blog candy package….

Mr. Random.org first picked entry #4 of my 8 entries that had “Blog candy” in their titles

As of 10am there were 24 comments on that post

So Mr Random.org then picked…. drumroll…. No. 17…

Which is…..

Kelli Haglund, Congrats!!! Please e-mail me your snail-mail address at d.annscraftingwhims at gmail dot com.

If I don’t hear from you by 10:30am on June 17, 2015, I will pick another winner.

**************But, WAIT!, there’s more!!!****************

I have a surprise… I found two more sets of the “café presse” ‘Brewchitecture’ napkins (the ones on the right in the picture above). I’d like to send these to the two gals who liked my blog well enough to start following it….

thepaperbaker and yvalovee… THANK YOU BOTH! and the rest of my followers, too!

Please e-mail me your snail-mail address at d.annscraftingwhims at gmail dot com.

NOW… th-th-that’s all, folks!

-D.Ann

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