Goals for 2014

As I've spent the last five days of 2013 sicker than a dog, it's hard to look back on 2013 and think that anything positive came from it. But it did. I went from blogging once or twice a month in the spring, to blogging on a more regular basis towards the end of the year. Which included July-September when my computer crashed and I was blogging from my tablet. I made a lifestyle change in my eating and exercising habits in December that has made a positive impact in my life and attitude. 
In 2014, I intend to continue this healthier lifestyle change; complete my yoga teacher training certification requirements; and complete the Dirty Girl Mud Run. 
My Stampin' Up! goals include: 
1) Start holding monthly classes again. 
2) Holding bi-monthly downline meetings. 
3) Coordinating a quarterly stamp-a-stack with my downline. 
4) Attend my first ever Convention in 10 years.
5) Add 1 downline member to my team. 
My blogging goals include:
1) Blogging on a regular basis by posting at least 4 times per week.
2) Updating the layout of my blog. I really didn't know what I was doing when I started my blog; and just picked a template and tried to make it look presentable!
3) Creating a weekly or monthly series feature. This will include written and/or video tutorials. Please let me know if you have a preference one what you'd like to see featured in this series.
My crafting goals include:
1) Challenging myself once a month to use a stamp set, paper, or embellishment that I haven't used in the last three months. This is a huge one for me, as I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut of finding a favorite and then using it on everything I make for the next month! 
2) Sending out a weekly Random Card of Kindness
3) Spending 1 day per month producing cards so that I always have one on hand when I need it at the last minute, or my husband comes home and says, "so and so's last day is tomorrow, you should make them a card." 


Inky light and inky love for a wonderful 2014!

Blog Year In Review

A special Thank You to all of my blog readers! I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy making the projects and sharing them with you!

Tomorrow I will be doing a list of Crafty Goals, so today I wanted to review my blog from 2013 so I can more easily track those goals in 2014.

Including today and tomorrow, I posted 89 times to my blog in 2013.

My top three viewed posts were:

Christmastime

12 Cards of Christmas, Day 6

Graduation Announcements

Over the year I definitely learned about photo lighting, backgrounds, and editing!

My favorite My Digital Studio post was:

Scrapbooking-MDS Style

My favorite tag that I created this year was:

Swap Breakdown Day 9

The favorite card that I made was:

Swap Breakdown Day 7

I'm excited for what 2014 holds in my crafting business world. I hope that you'll continue to join me! I love to read blogs. If you have your own, no matter what the subject matter, please post it below so that I can follow you as well!

Inky love and light for a positive and powerful 2014!

Gift Certficate Holder

Any guesses what my favorite tool is these days? The Envelope Punch Board! I've got another project for you today that I used it on. This project was again simple and quick!

The Coastal Cabana cardstock is 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" just like a normal card base. I scored it at 2-1/8" and 5-1/4". Once you fold it, you may have to trim of a little bit from the top flap. I stamped the front with Festive Flurries in Versamark ink. (If my Coastal Cabana walked to your house, please send it back home!)

The belly band is from the Raspberry Ripple section of the 2012-2014 In Color DSP stack. The greeting is from Label Love and punched with the coordinating Artisan Label punch.

The inside is where I used the Envelope Punch Board to spruce things up a bit. I used MDS to create a gift certificate for my friend. Want to know what the certificate is for? Stampin' Up! products, of course! Now, I just hope she doesn't see this post before I give her the gift! 

Happy stamping!

Envelope Punch Board Treat Box

Greetings! Are things getting back to normal for you after the holiday craziness?

This is the treat box I created today as the featured designer at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration.

I created a photo tutorial on how to recreate this box. You can get to it by clicking the Stylin' Stampin' link above the pictures.

Inky love,

Darcy

12 Cards of Christmas- Day 12

Well now that a majority of the Christmas celebrating is over, it may be time to be done with Christmas cards. At least for the next six months or so! However, I got some fabulous gifts from my families that I need to send thank yous for. Here is the thank you I made to send out this year.

 

This card features the emboss resist technique. I embossed the Thank You on white cardstock with clear embossing powder; then sponged on the real red ink. The embossed portion will resist the ink, leaving your cardstock color showing. 

I hope you have enjoyed the series. Please let me know which card was your favorite and what inspired you the most! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas full of love and light. 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana

  Stamp Set: Another Thank You (photopolymer)

  Ink: Versamark, Real Red

  Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Sponge Dauber, Northern Flurries Embossing Folder, Deco     Labels framelits

  Tools: Big Shot, Heat Tool

 

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 11

We're almost there. The homestretch to Christmas is in sight. Hopefully that doesn't spark a bit of panic in you!

Today's card is a CASE of one I did in October. You can see the original card and instructions for making it here.

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Whisper White

  DSP: Winter Frost Designer Series Stack

  Stamps: Merry Little Christmas, More Merry Message (inside)

  Ink: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo (inside)

  Tools: Envelope Punch Board, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Paper-piercing Tool, Stamp-A-Majig

  Embellishments: Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (available on Clearance Rack here)

  Adhesives: SNAIL, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots

See you tomorrow for the 12th Card of Christmas!

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 10, plus..

Christmas is almost here! Here is another quick and easy card idea for you. As a bonus, you even get a sneak peek at a new product available in the Occasions catalog in January! New washi tape! It's called Watercolor Wonder. I used the solid gold one in the the corners, and the gold polka dot one over Whisper White cardstock for the ornaments.

 

 Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Gumball Green, Real Red, Whisper White

  Specialty Paper: Champagne Glimmer Paper

  Stamp: Sweet Essentials

  Ink: Real Red

  Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornament framelits

  Embellishments: Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 9

Today I have a quick and easy Christmas card. Great for when you realize you need to have one ready in five minutes or less!

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Gumball Green, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White

  DSP: Season of Style

  Stamp: Merry Little Christmas

  Ink: Gumball Green

  Accessories: Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Festive Paper Piercing Pack

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 8

How is your Christmas preparation going? Hopefully better than mine! It's going to be full on arts & crafts in my house for the next four days while I finish my Christmas cards and gifts!

Here is a fun file folder card I made with the Envelope Punch Board:

 

Supplies used:

   Cardstock: Coastal Cabana, Shimmery White

   DSP: Winter Frost

   Stamp set: More Merry Messages

   Ink: Real Red stamp pad, Real Red Ink refill

   Tools: Big Shot, Envelope Punch Board, Stampin' Spritzer

   Accessories: White Organdy Ribbon, Silver Taffeta Trim, Festive Flurries framelits

Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration December Layout Challenge

The third Monday of the month means it's time for the December Layout Challenge at Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration. Here is the sketch:

This is what I did with it:

If you've been following my scrapbook posts, you know that I'm working on our anniversary album of our annual zoo trip. I love designing in My Digital Studio, because I can create page elements that I couldn't do in a traditional album.

To create the background, I did a custom "paper" using one of the scenery pictures that I had taken. I used the picker tool to change the color of the washi tape to match the grass and some of the plant leaves. I also changed the color of the Hodgepodge Hardware clips so that they blended in to the picture a little better.

Make sure to stop in at SSINK to see how the other designers used the sketch. You can also play along and link up your own take on the sketch this week!

****BLOG CANDY WINNER****
Congrats to Meredith who was my blog candy winner from last Thursday's post!

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 7

It is Framelits Friday! I had to save this card to share with you today. It was quick and simple, and packs a lot more punch in person. I hope you enjoy it!

 

 Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Baked Brown Sugar, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

  DSP: Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack

  Stamp: Merry Little Christmas
  Ink: Cherry Cobbler

  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Big Shot

  Accessories: Deco Labels Framelits

  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

Make sure to stop over at Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration to see what the other designers have created.

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 6, plus a bonus

Thank you so much for joining us for the December Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop!  This month our projects focus on quick and easy gift ideas for the holidays. As we enter the month of December, we find that the Christmas holidays are fast approaching. From decorating our homes to holiday baking, we realize that shopping days are running low. That's why we want to share quick and easy gift ideas that anyone can create in time for that special someone!

As you hop along, you will see that many of our design team members are giving away some great blog candy this month. Leave a comment for each project and you will automatically be entered in to win!  Winners will be announced Monday, December 16th on our individual blogs, so don't forget to leave us those comments! We love to hear from our readers!

You should have just left stop number 1 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad  blog hop – Dawn B of Dawn's Creative Chalet. If so, you are in the  right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find  the full blog hop lineup below.

My card came together quickly. I started with the washi tape embellishment, and then turned to my Color Coach for inspiration for the other colors. The tealights make a fun gift that is very simple. If you're like me, you already have plenty of tealights and washi tape around the house; so this one is also inexpensive!

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, Smoky Slate
Stamp sets: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy
Embellishments: Season of Style Washi Tape, Neutrals Candy Dots
Punch: Scallop Oval
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornament Framelits, Paper Trimmer
Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

Supplies used:
Season of Style Washi Tape

***BLOG CANDY ALERT*** Leave a comment and be entered to win a Mystery Grab Bag of Stampin' Up! products valued at $20! 

Thanks for stopping in. See ya tomorrow for Framelits Friday! Now head on over to Annie's to see what she has created for us today. 

Blog Hop Participants:
Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
Annie L. of Love Me Cards
Cynthia R. of Ink-a-Doodle Creations
Jamie H. of Unique Ink
Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'
Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie
Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
Darla R. & Nancy K. of Stampin With Darla and Sisters

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 5

First of all; congratulations to Krystal K., who was the winner of my 100th post blog candy! You'll be receiving it in the mail shortly. To everyone: Please keep commenting. You never know when I may give out random blog candy without warning!

Today's card uses the same embossing folder that I used on yesterday's card. It also fits in with this month's Color Challenge and Card Sketch Challenge at Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration.

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate, Raspberry Ripple

  DSP: 2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack

  Stamp set: Merry Little Christmas

  Ink: Raspberry Ripple

  Tools: Big Shot

  Accessories: Northern Flurry Embossing Folder

  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

Since I didn't have this card completed yesterday to post with the actual Challenge; I linked up to the challenge today. You should play along and link yours up as well!

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 4

Today's card is fairly quick and simple.

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Basic Black

  Stamp set: More Merry Messages

  Ink: Versamark

  Specialty Paper: Brushed Gold, Champagne Glimmer

  Embellishments: Gold Embossing Powder, Champagne Glass Glitter

  Tools: Big Shot, Heat Tool

  Accessories: Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Festive Flurry framelits

  Punch: Scallop Oval

  Adhesive: Tombow Monoadhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

  

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 3; plus...

It's my 100th blog post! Thanks for joining me on this journey! It's been great fun for me. I hope that you've found inspiration on my blog and will continue to join me. How about today's card and then some blog candy?

I wasn't sure how I felt about this card as I was making it; however once it was finished, the more I stared at it, the more I loved it. It's definitely become one of my favorites.

 

I mixed the black embossing powder with the silver glitter. I didn't measure it, but I recommend you use at least 2 to 3 times the amount of embossing powder that you do glitter when you're mixing it. 

Here is a closer picture so you can see it a little better. 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Basic Gray

  Other paper: Red Glimmer Paper

  Stamp sets: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages

  Ink: Basic Black, Versamark

  Embellishments: Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Black Embossing Powder, Silver Stampin' Glitter

  Punch: Decorative Label

  Tools: Heat Tool, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat

****BLOG CANDY ALERT****

As a thank you for helping me make it to 100; one lucky reader will receive a Stampin' Up! goodie bag from me with products valued at $25! All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment below letting me know what you love about my blog, or what you would love to see. I will draw the winner from all comments posted before 8am Monday, December 9th.

  

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 2

Today I'm going to share with you my husband's favorite out of all the cards I made. He says he really likes this one, though part of me wonders if he picked a favorite to get me to leave him alone!

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder

  Stamps: Snow Swirled (retired), More Merry Messages

  Ink: Versamark

  Embossing Powder: Gold, Early Espresso

  Ribbon: Early Espresso 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Tomorrow will be my 100th post! There will be some serious blog candy to give away. Come back and check it out!  

12 Cards of Christmas-Day 1

Good gravy, I took quite a blogging hiatus. It was unintentional. It's just crazy how quickly the days can sneak past this time of year!

I hope you've gotten your Christmas cards made, started, or at least designed. If not, I'm going to share with you the 12 Cards of Christmas to inspire you. (and a little secret, I've made over 80 Christmas cards this year, but not actually designed or made the ones I'm sending out myself!)

The first one is simple, but one of my favorites of this year's bunch.

 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

  Stamp set: Sweet Essentials

  Ink: Gumball Green

  DSP: Be of Good Cheer (retired)

  Ribbon: Crumb Cake Seam Binding

  Framelits: Holiday Collection (retired)

Christmastime

 Thank you so much for joining us for the November Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad Blog Hop! This month our projects focus on Christmas. While we yet have to give thanks this month, some of us are already thinking about sending Christmas cards, what kind of packaging to present gifts in and how we want to deck our halls. On this month’s blog hop we are showcasing many of the Stampin’ Up! products that are available in the Holiday Catalog. You will see everything from cards to gift tags to 3-D décor and gift packaging. We hope you enjoy seeing how we use the products to create our projects and feel inspired to come up with some great projects of your own.
Remember you can order all of the products showcased from your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

You should have just left stop number 2 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad blog hop – Dawn of Dawn's Creative Chalet. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find the full blog hop lineup below.

I made a flip card to share with you today.

 

The base is Perfect Plum. I used a strip of DSP from the Winter Frost Specialty pack. I embossed the second smallest snowflake from Festive Flurry in silver on Perfect Plum. I stamped the smallest snowflake in Coastal Cabana on the Shimmery White cardstock. I then cut both snowflakes out with the Festive Flurry framelits. 

I used the scallop circle from the Circle Thinlets to cut out the Silver Glimmer paper. The greeting is stamped in Perfect Plum on Shimmery White and also cut out with a framelit from the Circle Thinlets. The greeting is from More Merry Messages. 

As you can see, I cut the base longer to create an extra flap. Now there is plenty of room to write a message to your special recipient. 

Thanks for joining us today. Next up is Annie from Love Me Cards. 

Blog Hop Participants:
Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun
Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place  <------ You are here
Annie L. of Love Me Cards
Cynthia R. of Ink-a-Doodle Creations
Jamie H. of Unique Ink
Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie
 Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
Jennifer B. of NW Stamper
 Kristina M. of Mama's Sanity
Shellie G. of Craft Smashup