Bada Bling!

Hey there!  Thanks so much for the supportive comments from my last post, regarding balancing work and family time and "me" time (aka, crafty time).  I had to laugh at this one:

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

My time is at 3:30 in the morning! That's when I get everything done! LOL!! People say I am crazy (probably true! HA!) ... but it's the only time the whole house is asleep and there is QUIET for me! So it works! :) I love love love your card! LOVING the pearls!!!!!

Julie, you are too funny!  I WISH I could do that, but boy do I ever need my sleep.  If I don't get enough of that, I'm a little cranky.  ;-)

I'm sharing a bit of bling today, for a card that can be used for engagement, wedding or anniversary.

I had delivered this one to A Beautiful Touch a couple of months ago.  It was easy enough to make:  two circles, one die cut in white (to match the background) and one die cut in silver mirror cardstock.  Got mine from WorldWin, but I'm sure there are other sources available.  The sentiment is from Verve's Love Story.

Thank you, too, for the comments with regard to my frequency of posting.  I used to post nearly every day (which is probably too much for some folks), so this new routine/schedule feels strange to me, like I am lacking in some way.  I realize though, that it is 'quality' versus 'quantity', and I am okay with that.

Stamps: Love Story - Verve Paper: white, True Black - Papertrey Ink; silver mirror - WorldWin Accessories & Tools: circle dies - Spellbinders; rhinestones - Queen & Co.

Pale Blue Engagement



Hello there!  Got a little pale blue engagement card to share today.

I made an all-white focal point by using some die-cut splendor:  Romantic Rectangles and Fantastic Flourish One from Spellbinders, topped with pearls and a silver-embossed Papertrey Ink sentiment.

I delivered this one to A Beautiful Touch a couple of months ago (maybe more?), and I hope it sold.  :-)

Well, I'm crying "uncle":  it's hard working many hours, and trying to balance family and "me" time. You got me.  I don't know how many crafter/bloggers juggle full time work, and then sit on many design teams (and therefore post often), and still have kids at home.  Wish I had their secret! I suppose maybe if I didn't go to bed so early...but hey, a gal needs her sleep, right?  I ain't givin' that up!

Thanks so much for dropping by today.  It means a lot to me!

Stamps: Propose a Toast - Papertrey Ink Paper: white - PTI; Pool Party - SU Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: pearls; silver embossing powder; Fantastic Flourish One, Romantic Rectangle dies - Spellbinders; Regal Flourishes embossing folder - Sizzix/Tim Holtz

Thinking of you today

Hello!  As I type this, it's Monday, and the first business day of the new year.  Over the long weekend, I immersed myself in card-making.  It felt SO good.  My hours are now occupied with a job, which leaves less time for crafting.  So...that long weekend...yeah.  It was glorious.   

I cut into a Webster's Pages patterned paper, and I love the mix of images right there on one sheet:  honeycomb, ivory frilly frames, cheetah spots, flowers.  All I did was add a bow and pearls, a sentiment from a new Papertrey Ink set, "A Cheerful Heart", and some pretty K & Co. die cuts.

I'll be back soon to share more fruits of my crafting labors.  Thanks for stopping in to see this one today!

Stamps: A Cheerful Heart - Papertrey Ink Paper: kraft - PTI; pattern - Webster's Pages Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: pearls; rose die cuts - K & Co.

Thanking our Creator

Hello there.  :-)

You know that saying about taking time to stop and smell the roses?  I've decided that is how I want to live my days, focusing more on the beauty and blessings that surround me, and away from the never-ending to-do list that weighs me down.

The inspiration for today's card is based on the beauty of nature, and gratitude to our Creator for giving it so freely to us.  I started with a piece of masked, spritzed paper (see THIS post for the 'tool' used to achieve the look), and stamped random leaves on it (With Gratitude / Stampin' Up!).

A wood grain embossing folder (Sizzix/Tim Holtz) seemed perfect with the natural theme, and a simple but powerful sentiment ties it all together (Joy For The Journey / Verve).

Thank YOU for coming to visit me today!  I truly appreciate the time out of your busy schedule.

Stamps: With Gratitude - SU; Joy for the Journey - Verve Paper: kraft, white, True Black - Papertrey Ink Ink: Lettuce ink spray - Ranger; black - Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: black twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: brown corduroy button, oval punch - SU; plastic netting; Copic markers; Woodgrain embossing folder - Sizzix/Tim Holtz

Happy New Year!

Happy 2015, everybody!  Did you stay awake 'til midnight to ring in the new year?  Or maybe you fall asleep well before then, as I sometimes do.  hee hee  Older I get, harder it is to make it past 9:30 or 10!

For the first time ever, I did not get any Christmas cards mailed out -- either store-bought or handmade.  Life was too full!  Luckily, mailing out New Year's cards IS a thing now, so I'm trendy.  :-)  I took inspiration from my friend Virginia, and mass-produced these as our New Year's cards:

I like Virginia's version much, much better...but I needed to make over 30 of these, so some of the pretty design elements had to go.  Ah well.  I am still pleased with how they came out.

Wishing you a fabulous new year, my friends!    

Paper: Night of Navy - SU; white glitter paper - Colorbok Accessories & Tools: turquoise glitter, Alpine & Himalayan snowflake punches - Martha Stewart; silver sequins; Snowflake punch - Stampin' Up!

Mojo Monday Rooster

Hello!  It's New Year's Eve, and I was able to snag a little time to make something for the current Mojo Monday sketch challenge.  You don't know how happy it makes me to be able to play in a challenge again!

Here is the sketch, which is 'tall and skinny'.  I admit to forgetting about that part...mine is a regular A2 size.  Whoops!

The papers are retired of course, as most of mine are.  And the 'thank you' stamp, which was gold embossed, is from a {retired} stamp set by Lizzie Anne Designs.  Some lovely cocoa velvet ribbon joins up with white lace, and a few pearls.

Friends, I wish you a fantastic 2015, filled to the brim with many rich blessings.  Remember that blessings surround us each and every day...even the difficult days...if only you take the time to see them.

Thank you so much for your visit!  Happy new year!

Stamps: Rustic Rooster - SU; 'thank you' - Monthly Mix May 2010 'Dream Big' - Lizzie Anne Designs Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI; Soft Suede, Close to Cocoa, patterns - SU Fibers: cocoa velvet ribbon - May Arts; white lace Accessories & Tools: gold embossing powder; pearls; circle punch, circle die

Dove of Joy

Happy Friday!  Today's Christmas card share came about by piecing together various odds and ends I had on my desk.  The card base, already stamped with Bella Toile background (Stampin' Up!), sat for months, unused.  The red fancy die cut...same thing. 

Then I spied some red glittered cardstock on my shelves, and an idea was born.  The different reds were married to together with a beautiful dove die cut sticker from K & Co., and a sentiment from Flourishes' Paperwhites. 

It sure is festive, isn't it? 

Thanks for taking a peek at it during this oh-so-busy holiday season!


I am taking a break until after the 25th, so I will wish you a Merry Christmas now.  Hope you enjoy this blessed season, rejoicing in our Savior's birth, and spending quality time with the ones you love.  :)

Stamps: sentiment - Paperwhites - Flourishes; floral - Bella Toile - SU Paper: Real Red, Cherry Cobbler - SU; striped red glitter cardstock - American Crafts Ink: white - Ranger; black Fibers: silver twine Accessories & Tools: circle, Parisian Motifs dies - Spellbinders; tag punch - Martha Stewart; dove die cut - K &

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Welcome!  This may be my favorite of the {few} Christmas cards I made this year.  It made good use of items in a Stampin' Up! scrap bag from my demo:  a fancy embossed oval frame on golden cardstock, and a punched-out sentiment. 

All I did was trim the oval, add a golden bow, some gold sequins and pearls, and pretty poinsettia and holly die cut stickers from K & Co. 

Hope you enjoyed seeing this as much as I did making it!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Hello all!  I am finally getting around to sharing cards that I had made in October, before life became so crazy-busy.  This Christmas creation went to the shop a while back.  Fingers crossed that it sold!

I was in my Mellow Moss phase, having used up a bit of my cardstock stash during the time I made this.  The sentiment-on-a-scroll stamp from Stampabilities was a gift from my friend, Benzi, a few years ago.  Love the vintage vibe of it, and I think it pairs well with the ornament and holly die cuts from K & Co., and the old book page.

Thanks so much for giving me a bit of your time today.  I know extra time is especially precious right now! 

Stamps: sentiment - Stampabilities Paper: Mellow Moss, cream - SU; vintage book page; green marble - Old World stack - DCWV Ink: Close to Cocoa - SU; Frayed Burlap - Ranger Fibers: Mottle Brown seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Metallic Gold sequins - MJ Trimming; ornaments, holly die cuts - K & Co.

Delphiniums in December

Hi.  :)  What can I say?  I love flowers too much to wait until after Christmas to share a card like this.

It's simple, isn't it?  Not too many adornments.  But I love it, because it combines delphiniums, Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and purple.  :-)  Purple is my favorite color from childhood.  I know it's not for everyone.  I've got a good amount of retired purple cardstock that I need to use up.  Bet many of you do, too.

Be blessed, my friends!

Stamps: A Lovely Birthday - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Lovely Lavender - SU Accessories & Tools: flower die cut stickers - K & Co.; Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Homespun Christmas

Hello again!  Between the traditional Christmas colors of red and green, paired with some plaid, today's share has a cozy, homespun feel to it.

The Just Rite O Christmas Tree was stamped on a vintage book page and backed with a bit of scrap cardstock to keep it stiff.  Sequin ornaments are scattered about, and die cut border trims from K & Co. are behind the tree.  A sentiment from Holiday Sentiments / Inspired By Stamping was embossed in gold.

A tiny punched star received a coat of gold Smooch ink, and tops the tree.

Plaid is not my favorite, so I'm not sure how much I'm loving this card.  Just sayin'.  ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: O Christmas Tree - Just Rite; Holiday Sentiments - Inspired By Stamping 

Encourage and Support, using Sage Shadow

Hello friends!  The cards I am sharing today were a gift to a loved one, earlier this fall.  The birthday girl had requested an assortment of cards to mail out, and these two were part of that gift.

I had a few odds and ends from a marvelous scrap bag (my Stampin' Up! demo, Gail Murray, is THE best :) that inspired me to play:  leaves from Gently Falling, already stamped - and some already trimmed out, oval die cuts (love the brushed gold ones), and pretty patterned paper scraps.  I used Sage Shadow card bases for each card...the soft color lent itself well.

The sentiment on this card is from Verve's Notes of Prayer.  The sage satin ribbon is vintage, from my beloved mom-mom.  Can't believe how perfectly it matches the card base.

More of the same goodies used on the next card.  The sentiment is from SU's Teeny Tiny Wishes.

This brushed gold oval from a scrap bag had already been edged with gold embossing.

Thanks so much for letting me share these with you today!

Shells for the Mr. & Mrs.

Howdy!  Amidst the Christmas hustle and bustle, I would still like to share some non-holiday cards with you.

This is a soft, soothing beach-themed card for a wedding, delivered to A Beautiful Touch a while ago.  (hope it sold!)

My friend LeAnne often uses stamps from a company called 100 Proof Press, and she inspired me to shop there.  This beautiful Shell Plate 17  helps me make a great wedding card.  :-)  After stamping it in a dark brown, I overstamped Wonderfully Worn background by Stampin' Up! in various places, using a kraft-colored ink.  The sentiment from Wplus9's Fresh Cut Wreaths was stamped in a "something blue" ink, for that extra special meaning.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you so much for coming by!

Stamps: Shell Plate 17 - 100 Proof Press; sentiment - Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9; Wonderfully Worn background - SU Paper: kraft, vintage cream - PTI; Best of Damask - My Mind's Eye Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: Sand sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; distressing tool - Tim Holtz

Pomegranate and Chocolate Christmas

Hello, friends!  It's been a while since I sat at this computer and typed up a blog post.  Things you've been seeing here at Dietrich Designs were scheduled waaaay ahead of time, a while ago.  I haven't even made a new card in, well, too long.  Life's been incredibly hectic and unusually full for more than a month now.  By the grace of God, we're getting through something very, um, large.  He is seeing us through to the other side of a big storm that hit us completely out of the blue (I guess that's how many storms hit.)  Light is at the end of the tunnel, at long last.  Still a ways to go, but things are lightening up.

You're here for a card, I'll bet.  :) I've got two today.

I pulled out some hoarded Purely Pomegranate Stampin' Up! papers from a retired Christmas collection, and paired them with Chocolate Chip.  The ornament stamp is also retired (I think I'm Queen of Retired Products, LOL!), from Flourishes All That Glitters.

I had two of these already-colored ornament images in my box for a LONG time.  In fact, looking at the picture above, I can see there's some glimmer to it, but I don't remember how I did that!  LOL  I do not own a Wink of Stella pen, which I hear everyone talking about.  So how did I do it?  Ha ha, not sure if I'll ever remember!

This card is similar to the one up top, but features a bit of crochet lace and more pearls.

Keeping up my blog posts is especially important to me right now, because it reminds me of good, happy things.  I've got more scheduled ahead, so you'll still be seeing activity here.

Thanks so much for your visit today.  Have a BLESSED day!

Stamps: All That Glitters (ornament), Paperwhites (sentiment) - Flourishes Fibers: Argentina seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop; crochet lace

A Custom Creation: a baby girl is born

Hi there!  A sweet friend of mine asked for a custom card for folks she knows, who had a baby girl. Whenever I receive a custom request, I always ask about the recipients:  what are their favorite colors?  Are they formal, casual, modern, or prefer vintage things?  Do they like flowers?  If so, which ones are faves? These answers help me determine the look of the card.

For the new parents, my friend suggested to go "girly," use purple (my fave color, besides taupe), and personalize it with the baby's birth info.  Here is the result:

First off, isn't the baby's name gorgeous?  I love it!  In order to personalize, I needed to rely upon Microsoft Word.  I chose a neat font called Poison Apple, found at www.dafont.com.  I printed the info on printer paper that is heavier than the norm, but not too heavy because my printer is fussy.  (grrr....) Then, using a stamp from Verve called Vintage Oval Frame, I went right over top of the printed words.  I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink because I knew I'd want to distress the edges with Frayed Burlap ink by Ranger, which I did after hand-trimming the image.

On a scrap of cardstock, I stamped the vintage carriage from Unity's Delight In The Little Things. It also got distress ink along the edges after trimming first.  

I love how it turned out, and I hope it is something the baby's family will treasure for a lifetime.

Stamps: carriage - Delight In The Little Things - Unity; Vintage Oval Frame - Verve Paper: Chateau Lavender, Once Upon A Time, Luxury stacks- DCWV; River Rock, Whisper White - SU Fibers: crochet lace - Inspired By Stamping Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Elegant Scrollwork die - Memory Box; pink paper rose - www.iamroses.com, Poison Apple font - www.dafont.com