Ready to set sail?

Today I have a little bonus post for you. I wanted to make sure I was able to get a little card submitted for the current challenge over at Retro Sketches. I haven't had time to play with the uber talented gals over there lately, but I just LOVE me a good sketch :)

Have you ever paid attention to how long it takes to make a card sometimes. I started this little cutie at 5:30 this morning and the next thing I knew it was almost 7! What the heck...where did the 6 O'clock hour even go?? Well I better run now...late late late starting my day! :)

There's still time to enter our challenge right here on DeNami Addict...just click the link on the side bar for all the info. And remember, you don't even have to use a DeNami product to enter. Have a great day everyone!

a pretty pink and posh birthday card

Hello everyone, I want to thank Wendy for her WONDERFUL post on Saturday and thank all of you for your heartfelt birthday wishes...you gals never cease to amaze me with your kindness!

Not only did Wendy & I have birthdays this month, but the uber fantastic and talented Paulina from DeNami did too! Today I have a different kind of card for you. I wanted the card I made for her to be something special and to reflect her personality.

I saw one similar that was really elegant and girly and just down right posh. I thought I'd give it a try with my own little DeNami loving spin. Now I normally don't use patterned paper, but on special occasions I will break some out. This little card definitely called for some, there was no other way to achieve the look I was going for.

This card is a little odd because you can see straight through it to the inside/back panel and that there's no inside message...just the little tag. The top pink panel was cut out using a Spellbinders die then I attached a piece of acetate to the back side. The ribbon (Hobby Lobby brand) was threaded between the panel and acetate so that it looks like it hangs in mid air. The only thing I wasn't happy with is the color of the sentiment. The patterned paper is a little slick so I had to use Staz-On ink. The color I had on hand looked good when I stamped it on a scrap piece of cardstock but the color didn't hold true on the slick pearlized paper. It's kinda neat, and you can never go wrong with a pink and chocolate color palette, but it's not a very practical card since you can't write a message, but then again, sometimes you just don't need to.

Breaking News - We Interrupt this Blog....

To wish Denami Addicts own Tina Milbourn a very HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

That's right - our Tina is celebrating another year today.  And I have to say as far as BFF and "twinkies" go.....I have been blessed beyond measure having someone as funny, talented, caring, understanding and just down right Flamingo-licious" as she is as mine.  She has been there for me during those times when you need a friend most.  I am extremely thankful that she has jumped in and turned this blog into what it is today.  She has "taken over" so to speak and without her being able to do that this blog may not have gotten very far off the ground. 

So raise what you are drinking today in honor of Tina!  Happy Birthday Lady!  You are the BEST!


You may now return to your regularly scheduled events.....

Ahoy Matey!

Blogger note: I wanted to give Paulina a little shout out and thank her again for her help yesterday. I wanted to reply to a comment, however, it wasn't set up to do that and I couldn't figure it out. I asked her for help and two seconds later she had it all fixed...she's Da-Bomb!!

Not so long ago I was talking with Paulina about this little card and when I addressed her personaly I actually said "Ahoy Matey" ...her funny response, "Seriously?!?!"  Yup, seriously! I just couldn't resist!! ;)  My cheese factor was off the charts that day, I have no excuses!!

Do ya'll remember that WONDERFUL post with a video where Paulina made a little pirate card using the layout from our current challenge right here on the Addict blog? Well, her darling creation inspired me to make a pirate card myself...it's perfect for my nephew's 10th birthday at the end of the month. At his age it's easier to just give cash so I'll attach a little 2 X 3 1/8 glassine bag from DeNami to the inside cover with a few bucks tucked inside. It'll be just like finding a treasure!

If I did this card over again I'd definately make a change or two. I was going for a specific look with my map...like it was still partiality rolled up...I just couldn't get it to corporate and look good so I went with just the edges rolled up a little. It looks okay, however, along with the ink distressing I should have roughened up the edges too. But then again, I should have saved myself a headache and just did the torn edges like Paulina did in the first place...I just love that look, but at the time I was thinking I didn't want it to look like I just copied hers...what's a gal to do, right?

Bonus Butterflies

Hello everyone! I thought I'd bring you a little bonus post today. I try to schedule Monday, Wednesday & Friday but sometimes need to slip in an extra here and there for a challenge. But today...just a regular ole day and a bonus post :)

The other day I did enter the current challenge over at CAS-ual Friday with my "plan B" card. I created this card (2 versions) for that challenge, but when I went to look at all the entries I noticed someone had already entered a card that was VERY similar. I hate when that happens...but I rallied and made a different card to submit that even fit the ongoing challenge right here on this blog!

Butterfly #1

butterfly #2

I just love that butterfly punch from EK Success. It punches 3 layers and you just stack them together - the color combos are as endless as your imagination. Ya'll probably know how much I hate heat embossing but I wanted the sentiment to stand out so I masked off the "birthday" part of the stamp and stamped it in white then went over it with a puffy ink. To attach my twine (confetti pack) I simply used my quickie qlue pen.

I think it's okay that I couldn't submit these...the more I look at them the more I think they weren't challenge worthy anyway. I was way happy with them at the time, but now, well, as I look at them I think they aren't all that. Definitely going in the "needs rethinking" pile. The idea is great, it just needs a little better presentation.

Hope ya'll have a wonderful day!!

A great big THANK YOU

I'm only 41, but this point in my life I'm kind of an empty nester, my son is 22 and out and has been out on his on his own for 3 years now. I was feeling a bit lonely and my hubby thought it was the perfect time to purchase a new dog. We've always had a dog but our yellow lab had passed at the age of 16 back in 2009 and we just didn't have the heart to get a new puppy...it felt like I was trying to replace Che'. So, in the fall of 2010 hubby had enough of my being mopey and said it was time...needless to say, Moe is the light of my life these days. He's a great mix of Mommy's boy and Daddy's boy. He's a lover and likes to try to sleep snuggled up in my lap but rough & tumble enough to hang out with the guys (right down to rolling on a dead fish during a fishing trip with his Dad & Uncle not long ago...eeeewwww!).

 Wasn't he such a cutie???

Here's Moe today...

Now he's just a 110 pound cutie, lol. And yes, he does love sprucing up and showing off for the ladies with a little neckerchief. He has quite a collection. ;)

I'm sure ya'll are wondering where all this is going, right? Well, Moe recently had his 2nd birthday and we used the excuse to have a fun family get together. My sister-in-law, Robyn, is exceptionally thoughtful and always doing wonderful things...this was no exception, she brought Moe some wrapped birthday presents! How fun is she? He loves his new toys and treats and what better excuse do you need than to get a little crafty time in...we have to have a thank you card after all, right?

Here's what I created...

I just couldn't resist going with a puppy theme. DeNami's puppy and paw print are perfect! When I started making this card I originally started stamping the white panel in bright reds, yellows and blues. Funny how your card can do such a dramatic change right in the middle of making it. I'm really happy with the more subdued colors and softness of it over all.

Hope ya'll have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Bright & Bold Hibiscus

I originally had a different post scheduled for today. On Sunday I made a little card for the current CAS-ual Friday challenge but I was over there earlier taking a peek at what the other gals had submitted and saw a card so similar to mine that someone would think I copied...I simply can't enter it now! I spent quite a bit of time on it and even made 2 versions, what a bummer! Ahhh well, I'll still post it sometime right here so all is not lost I guess. But don't ya just hate when stuff like that happens...what are the odds?? Well, on with today's post!

I came up with plan B and decided to make a little something that not only fit the current CAS-ual Friday challenge, but like yesterday's post, fits my challenge right here on the Addict blog too.

Here's my take on these challenges...

I just love the brightness of this card. The lime green cardstock is so bright and bold against the black card base. I added some pink hibiscus flowers for a fun summery card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Polka dot kite

When I recieved my new little kite stamp I though I'd make a card using the sketch for my current challenge right here on the Addict blog (click the link on the side bar for all the info - remember, you don't have to use a DeNami product), but then when I received the e-mail from the Lawnscaping blog announcing their   current challenge  I though it fit my new stamp perfectly so I did both!

Now don't go freaking out on me when you see this creation of mine...I know it will be a shock, but yes, I did use just a little patterned paper *gasp*! I'm still a little shocked myself  ;)  I love making my own patterned paper but for some reason I just reached for the red/yellow spotted and striped paper I had tucked away.

I stamped the kite and paper pieced two of the sections then masked it off and stamped the clouds. For the sentiment I cut out two of the flags from the Lawn Fawn Banerific set. I'm really surprised at myself when it comes to this card as it was outside of my little scalloped box for sure...I don't think I would have tried this color combo without Lawnscaping's pretty inspirational photo! New color palette and patterned papers all in one card...Ohh My!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Oops...I just notice that I have DeNami's chocolate cardstock lister, I actually used their kraft cardstock, sorry!

What do you do with all of those left over scraps??

We all have scraps of coveted patterned and plain cardstocks along with random lengths of ribbons, misc baubles and stickers that we save up telling ourselves that someday we will use them. In reality we shove them in a basket or some other sort of container where they stay until...well, they just stay don't they? We don't admit it to ourselves, but we know we aren't ever going to use them. Today is the day to break out that stash of scraps and finally use them.

Did you know that DeNami has quite a nice line of little boxes and bags? I've shown you how I used little bags for treats in the past here & here & here. Well I thought I'd show some of the boutique boxes that can be made for pennies and still make adorable gifts.  These boutique boxes are great for using up your scrap paper, ribbon and other misc left over embellishments! I barely used any paper or embellishments and came up with four adorable gifts. I wanted what was in the box to stand out and decorated the boxes as to let the contents become part of the embellishment.

Have you ever gone to a crop or friends house that was hosting a crafty get together? Why not make her a little hostess thank you gift? I simply filled this little box with some yummy DeNami goodies; buttons, lengths of ribbons, a length of  twine, a couple of little bows that I tied and some (non DeNami) flowers. Added a little trim and tag that I attached with Crystal Lacquer and you have something any crafty hostess will be sure to love. The other box I made up for a friend. She loves Crystal Light and what's more fun giving little random gifts and cards to people...this was perfect! I picked up the hot pink from the packaging and added little punched borders that I attached with my ATG and added a little tag with a bow. You can't get any simpler than that!

 I've had these little boutique boxes for a while now. I originally ordered them because I use my petite four stamp sets waaaaaaay too much and some of the boxes were starting to look a little worse for wear and these are the same little boxes. I had so much fun making the other little boxes I thought I'd make a couple of more using my left over petite four boxes. Did you know that you can actually stamp on any of the boxes? Since they come folded flat it's really easy and all you need is a little Staz-On ink in the color of your choice. I simply stamped my fishies and air/water bubbles then cut a couple of strips of scrap cardstock to form the band. Add a couple of layered punched circles with a chickie and there you have it...easy peasy! It was really heard not to eat those little Swedish Fish...they're my favorite candy, ;)  however, I made this little fishy creation for my hubby...hopefully he shares!! The other treat box I made for my sister, Denise. Again I used just a few left over scraps of cardstock. I used my hole punch to make the dots and just randomly glued them to the box. Using my hole punch again I punched a small hole in the sides of the box to thread my ribbon to make a cute little handle. I made a tag from some scraps laying around and attached it to the handle. How cute is that??

I sure hope you try out some  bags or boxes and use up a few of your scraps. If you do, let me know, I'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Paper Players...CAS words

Hello everyone....

Today I have a card for you that I'm entering into the current challenge over at The Paper Players, LeAnne's Clean & Simple Challenge #104. They always have such great themes and this one is no different! A CAS card that has a sentiment or word as your focal point.

Too bad this wasn't last week, I had the perfect card!! Well, I put on my little thinking cap again and was able to come up with this......

I wanted my sentiment to kind of "dance" across the card so I randomly stamped it, then completed the chain using the dotted circle frame. I just love this color combo and tend to come back to it again and again...it's so bright and fun for summer isn't it, and that bright pink sheer bow really adds to it. I have to say, I usually struggle with CAS cards, but I am really loving this little creation! This card would work for the upcoming DeNami  blog hop too...hmm, maybe I'll have to make another version! Well, I hope ya'll like my little creation too!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Pink Poodle

Hello everyone!

Today I have another little creation to enter in the CAS-UAL Friday challenge...Let's Strip.

I came up with the idea of using fringe as a little border, but alas, I have no "cowboy" stamps. I'm thinking Nami needs to make a cowboy chickie, how cute would that be?!?!?! Anyhow, I didn't want to give up on my fringe idea, so I came up with doing something girlie and am calling my cowboy fringe a little fringe skirt instead, lol!

I made the strips the hard way...with my paper trimmer. I wanted them to be perfectly even so I had no choice. (You should have seen it when I tried it free handed...what a disaster!) I topped it off with a little punched edge and ribbon treatment. I just love that little poodle from the Playful Puppies set...isn't she adorable? How can you just not want to color her in in pink? 

Thanks for stopping by!

CAS-Friday...let's strip

Happy Monday everyone! :)  I hope you had a great weekend. I sure did, lunch with a friend then spent the rest of the weekend holed up in my crafty area making cards for next months challenge here on the Addict blog...I'm way ahead of the game for once!

Today I have a card that I made for the current challenge at CAS-ual Fridays. This weeks theme; Strips

Here's what I came up with...

I decided to go with something kinda bold and bright...I used 4 different colors of glitter on this little scene, now that's seriously glitter-ific!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas in July part deux

I can't get over how much I adore the stamps in the new release and once again, I chose to feature the Holly Lantern.  I really *heart* this new stamp. If you haven't picked any of these new stamps up yet I only have one thing to say...."Whadaya waiting for??!"

A closer view....

Stamps used in this card: CL-F219 Holly Lantern and F181 Classic Season's Greetings.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think....good or bad....or even better - what would you have done differently??...crafty minds wanna know!

DeNami Happenings

Good morning everyone :)  I'm in a great mood today...after 10 straight days of 105 & over heat, yesterday was a cool 96 and today is supposed to be about the same...woo-hoo! I was ready to dig my winter coat out of storage ;)

Well, today I have a new type of posting for you...I'm trying my hand at a little "news letter" of sorts. Now this is waaaay out of my comfort zone so please bear with me as I stumble through this first one.

First off, a little something was spotted out in blog land. It was noticed that our DeNami friend, Heidi, has placed an Addict badge on her blogs sidebar. THANKS so much Heidi!! I just love seeing our fellow Honorary Addicts showing their support! If you'd like to have a DeNami Addict badge too just click the tab at the top and grab the code :) Let us know if you place a blinkie on your blog and we will feature you right here and list a link to your blog under our DeNami Addicts tab.

Next on my list of randomness today is a funny little thing...Our fellow DeNami friend, Stacy, entered a fun and summery card in last months color challenge, however, she really must have been channeling some serious DeNami fun because not only did it fit the color challenge, it also fits this months sketch challenge!

Isn't this adorable? I just love her twine element!

 If you'd like to enter my sketch challenge this month there's a link on the sidebar...just give it a little click and you'll find out all the information on the challenge. We don't have many rules and don't even require you to use DeNami products/stamps. I sure hope you can join in all the fun and there's a DeNami gift certificate up for grabs, it runs through August 4th.

This past Tuesday Paulina, from DeNami design announced the details on the August blog hop. I'm way excited about this theme...how fun!
                                                                   

Have you signed up yet?? Well, if not, what the heck are you waiting for?? ;) Come join the fun!!

Did ya'll know that there's a virtual classroom on the DeNami website. What a great place to learn new tricks, see "how to" videos, learn a little about some of the DeNami products and get great ideas for using your DeNami stamps.

                                                     

While we hear from Paulina on the blog and speak with her in the DeNami office all the time, we rarely hear from Nami herself...that's because she's hard at work bringing us fun and exciting things at various stamp shows all around the country. Here's a listing of the July shows;

July 14 - 15	Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo	Loveland	CO
July 21 - 22	Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo	Colorado Springs	CO
July 28 - 29	Rubber Stamp Events	Bloomington	MN

 Lastly, I'd like to pay my respects to a much loved companion of mine...my teeny swiss dot. This is one of my very first DeNami stamps and MUCH MUCH MUCH used. I bet this little guy has inked his way across over 200 cards in his little lifetime. Ohh how I love this little guy, but sadly, I've used it to death. It's been glued (crystal lacquer works wonders) back together several times, but the poor little thing just gotten worn out...his little cushion just doesn't spring back like it used to, and trust me, I'm 41 years old, I know just how he feels...sigh.

Well, I hope you liked this little informative and somewhat quirky post. What do ya'll think...should I make a monthly "DeNami Happenings" post? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts! And as always, I appreciate your support and thanks so much for stopping by!