Thursday, April 11, 2013

Zinnia Sympathy

Sympathy cards seem to be snapped up rather fast at the shop where I sell my cards :-/ so I've been busy making some more to fill the void.  Thought I'd play along in a couple of challenges, too.


I used blossoms from Stampin' Up!'s Reason To Smile, which has been in my possession for, oh, at least a year now, and never used.  One of my old SU faves, Old French Script, is subtle in the background.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches.


Challenges entered:

  • Simon Says Stamp - April Showers and/or Spring Flowers 
  • Flourishes - Summer Lovin' - be inspired by the photo colors/elements or summer


My craft studio in the attic is complete now, and I need to take pictures to show you all.  I love the solitude I get up there!

Speaking of photos, I have new photos to share on my other blog, bleu hydrangea, if you have time to visit.  They're full of Easter goodness!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Salutations - Paper Smooches; Old French Script, Reason to Smile - SU
Paper: white - PTI; Regal Rose - SU
Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug
Other: Copic markers; oval die - Spellbinders
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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Inspired By Stamping Release - Washi Tape & Big Wishes

It's been so fun to share my projects with you these last several days as part of Inspired By Stamping's release party.  This is my last sneak peek before the stamps all go on sale tomorrow.  My card today features Washi Tape and Big Wishes.

The new washi tape set is SO cool.  Did you see the other card I made with it HERE?  That one used rainbow shades, but this one has more of a tapestry feel.  Each design was stamped in a rosy red on pink cardstock.




I used Fancy Label Dies I to deboss a subtle frame for my sentiment.  Instead of two cutting plates on the Big Shot machine, you use one cutting plate on the bottom of the 'sandwich' and rubber mats on the top of the sandwich, with the die and cardstock in between.  Easy!


Stuff to know before you go:
  • All sets will be available for purchase on April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
  • Free shipping on all orders over $35 for 24 hours only -- April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to April 11th 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is APRIL
  • Save 10% on a bundle of all 9 stamp sets 
  • Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from April 6th - April 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win.  
Check out the inspiration from the rest of our design team:
Have a marvelous day!



Stamps: Washi Tape, Big Wishes - Inspired By Stamping
Other: Fancy Label Dies I - IBS
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Monday, April 8, 2013

Inspired By Stamping Release - Whimsical Banners

This is one of my favorite cards from the release party with Inspired By Stamping this week!  I'm showcasing Whimsical Banners and Big Notes III.  The little houndstooth triangle stamp just begged to be used as a pretty pennant border.

The set includes 10 different banners and two lines to hang 'em on.  After I stamped my line, I added the trimmed pennants on foam stickers to give a lift.  Two little twine bows were placed on the ends, and dots of pearls adorn each triangle.


LOVE this sentiment from Big Notes III.  Can you spy the tiny pearl I used on the letter "g"?  The set includes congratulations and sympathy sayings as well.


Stuff to know before you go:
  • All sets will be available for purchase on April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
  • Free shipping on all orders over $35 for 24 hours only -- April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to April 11th 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is APRIL
  • Save 10% on a bundle of all 9 stamp sets 
  • Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from April 6th - April 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win.  
Check out the inspiration from the rest of our design team:


Have a great day!



Stamps: Whimsical Banners, Big Notes III - Inspired By Stamping
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Sunday, April 7, 2013

Inspired By Stamping Release - Words of Inspiration

Hello everyone!  Time for another glimpse of a new set coming to the Inspired By Stamping store soon:  Words of Inspiration.


The set includes 6 inspirational, encouraging, supporting quotes.  When I spied beachy paper in my stash, I knew it'd be perfect for this phrase!  I decorated the swimsuits and umbrellas just a little bit, and sprinkled glitter on the beach, too.


Another item I created is a mini clipboard:


I used a sample piece of counter top material, the kind you can pick up at your local hardware store (like Wilsonart Laminate, for example).  Covered it with pretty paper, front and back, using a strong double-sided adhesive, then decorated the front with the gorgeous sentiment from IBS:


Add a binder clip from the stationery supply store using a strong glue BUT ONLY ON THE BACK OF THE CLIP - you want to be able to use the front to slip in little treasures, papers, photos, etc.

I've decorated my clip with some beautiful little paper flowers from IBS and snippets of ribbons:


Stuff to know before you go:

  • All sets will be available for purchase on April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
  • Free shipping on all orders over $35 for 24 hours only -- April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to April 11th 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is APRIL
  • Save 10% on a bundle of all 9 stamp sets 
  • Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from April 6th - April 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win.  
Check out the inspiration from the rest of our design team:


Thanks for joining me today!



Stamps: Words of Inspiration - Inspired By Stamping
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Saturday, April 6, 2013

Inspired By Stamping Release - Spring Blossoms

Time for new releases at Inspired By Stamping!  Today, I'm showing a project using Spring Blossoms.  The set is chock full of spring flowers, sentiments and vases to create your own looks.

I just had to use the Lily of the Valley stamp.  This was my beloved grandmother's favorite flower. They lined her driveway as a ground cover, and seeing all those tiny white bell-shaped flowers mesmerized me as a kid.


The vase is paper pieced (and decorated with pearls, natch).  I stamped the lilies twice, then colored in with a white gel pen.


Paper crafting supplies can come from just about anywhere, as we all know.  I used a panel from my husband's cologne as my patterned paper for today's card.  The linen texture is so appealing.  Oh, and the white satin bow is from my daughter's Valentine candy box.  :-)


Stuff to know before you go:

  • All sets will be available for purchase on April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
  • Free shipping on all orders over $35 for 24 hours only -- April 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to April 11th 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is APRIL
  • Save 10% on a bundle of all 9 stamp sets 
  • Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from April 6th - April 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win.  

Check out the inspiration from the rest of our design team:




So glad you could join me today!



Stamps: Spring Blossoms - Inspired By Stamping
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Friday, April 5, 2013

April Sneak Peeks at Inspired By Stamping

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down one post 
to see my Fusion Guest Designing card.  Thanks!

It's Release Party time starting tomorrow at Inspired By Stamping!  I'm allowed to give you a few peeks right now at pieces of the NINE (yes, 9!) new stamp sets that come out April 10th:




Each set is so lovely, but I'm especially loving the Washi Tape set.  I only own one actual washi tape roll in my stash, but this stamp set enables me to customize 'washi tape' in almost-endless color combos!

See you tomorrow with a project to share using the new sets.  :-)

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Guesting at Fusion

A fabulous new challenge has come to town, Fusion, and I'm lucky to be guesting the very first week!

Creators Jackie Rockwell and Lesley Croghan (LOVE both of these ladies!!) state this on their new blog:

The concept behind FUSION is as simple as 1, 2, 3! There will be THREE Challenges offered each week!
  1. Lesley will offer an Inspiration photo...
  2. Jackie will offer a Sketch...
  3. Or you can combine both Lesley and Jackie's challenges and create FUSION!!

Here is Challenge #1:
My assignment is to create based on Lesley's challenge photo of that gorgeous cake, and here's the result:


My beloved - but rarely inked - Baby Blossoms set from Stampin' Up! is the star here, followed by a Hero Arts sentiment.  Had to use the Stampamajig LOTS here for all that two-step stamping.  ;-)

Doesn't this challenge just give you all kinds of ideas??  Come play with us!  For all the details and place to link up your card, click HERE.

Thank you so, so much for visiting today!



Stamps: Baby Blossoms - SU; Sending Smiles - Hero Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Barely Banana, Summer Sun - SU
Other: Floral Oval die - Spellbinders; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Cherish The Hydrangea

It's no secret how much I love hydrangeas.  Seems many of my online crafty friends know it, too.  Recently, I received a birthday package from my friend, Carol.  This dainty hydrangea paper was in it, and I just had to use it right away!  (thank you so much, Carol!)


I've wanted to play along with Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday challenge for soooooo long, but never got 'round to it.  Finally, I had time.  Here's the sketch - it's such a pretty one:


The hydrangea sticker is one I've been hoarding, from K & Co., set on a doily.  You know how flimsy doilies are.  I learned from my friend Ann that a good way to fortify it - and make it more opaque - is to place a white cardstock circle behind it.  Now why didn't I think of that?  LOL

The gorgeous sentiment is from Flowers Bloom by Inspired By Stamping.


Have you heard that Google is removing its Reader as of 7/1/2013?  There's a quick article about it HERE.  Boo hoo!  It has been such a convenient way of seeing all the new posts of blogs I follow.  I will miss seeing my Followers' friendly faces on my sidebar, too.

I just signed up at Bloglovin, but there are other options out there.  (click on the link above for a few others mentioned in that article)  It was easy, free, and they automatically transferred over all of the blogs I currently follow.  If you would like to follow my blog via Bloglovin, there's a button on my sidebar to click on.  Or, if you want updates from Dietrich Designs delivered right to your email inbox, just enter your email address in the Feedburner Subscribe box on my sidebar and follow the instructions.  Let me know if you have any questions - you can email me at bcdietrich@verizon.net.

This new huge change from Google should be interesting!



Stamps:  Flowers Bloom - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: cream; white - PTI; patterns by Paula Deen
Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: cream lace - Hero Arts
Other: doily - Wilton; pearls; Circle, Ribbon Banners dies - Spellbinders; hydrangea sticker - K & Co.
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Birthday Card For My Guy

My favorite guy in the world just had a birthday.  I was tempted to go out and buy him a card, because I really doubt my ability to make a good, interesting masculine card.  And then crafter's guilt set in.  Me, a card maker, buying my hubby a birthday card??  It just didn't seem right, so I gave it a try.


Have to admit, I kind of like this.  I used a page from a vintage European travel book that was my late father's, and stamped an Itty Bitty Background (Stampin' Up!) over it in light gray and black.  Then I used a leaf from SU's With Gratitude as the focal point.

Keeping with the vintage theme, that thread is pretty old too.  I found intact spools of it at a North Carolina thrift shop this past summer.  For some reason, I chose not to buy it at that time.  I came back home and had remorse for not snatching it up.  I mentioned it to my mother-in-law, who lives there, and guess what I got for Christmas?  Yay!


This sentiment is brand new and not yet released from Inspired By Stamping's Creative Tags (it'll be available 4/10/13).  I did stick the tag to the card with a little adhesive, but it looks like this clip is holding it in place.


I sure appreciate your visit today!



Stamps: With Gratitude, Itty Bitty Backgrounds - SU; Creative Tags - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Basic Black, Sahara Sand - SU; white - PTI; vintage European travel book page
Ink: Pumice Stone - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: vintage thread - Coats & Clark
Other: Framed Tulips embossing folder, metal clip - SU; Classic Tag die - Memory Box
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Monday, April 1, 2013

Guesting At Creative Claws

Hello!  I have the honor of guesting at a brand new challenge, Creative Claws.  Owner Anushka is a sweet young girl, same age as my own daughter.  I'm so happy she asked me to help kick off her challenge.  :-)


Creative Claws is a monthly challenge, and I love the concept.  Though I almost never visit a nail salon, I know that nail art is, well, definitely a form of art.  Talk about a tiny canvas!  Each month, Anushka will give players a new inspiration photo.  Here is April's pic:


As you can see, I took the cupcake inspiration literally!  So happy for a chance to pull out a rarely-inked set, Crazy for Cupcakes by Stampin' Up!  I just had to glitter the frosting, and each cherry has a dab of Glossy Accents on it.


I know Anushka would love to see your creations for her new challenge!  You have until the end of each month to link up.  For more details, visit Creative Claws.  

 Thanks for dropping by!



Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes - SU; Let Them Eat Cake - Flourishes
Paper: Crumb Cake - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: pink sheer ribbon
Other: Divine Swirls embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Copic markers; clear glitter - Martha Stewart; Glossy Accents - Ranger; corner rounder punch - EK Success; 1/8" hole punch - Fiskars; Labels Eighteen die - Spellbinders
Dimensions: 5" x 4.25"
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Friday, March 29, 2013

On This Day...

Hello friends!  I've got a birthday card to share today, using a sentiment from a Christmas set on the front.  It's a flexible phrase, don't you think?  The words "On this day..." could be used for really any occasion.


The damask background stamp is Hero Arts Classic Fabric Design, stamped in Purely Pomegranate on tan cardstock.  I love this stamp, and it is especially dear because it is one of my first publication incentives.  Did you know that certain companies will give you free products if you have a project published with their goods on it?  When I had THIS card published in a Paper Crafts Magazine issue, I used a Hero Arts stamp.  If you decide to submit something for publication, before you choose your stamps/ribbons/etc., first check and see if you might get an incentive from the company(ies) you're thinking of using.  It's kind of exciting to get paid twice!

Since I stamped the sentiment with Versafine opaque ink on a slightly shiny die cut, I needed to hit it with the heat tool to set the ink.


The large flower is from Prima, and was a gift from my friend Carol quite some time ago.  Carol, I am sorry it took me so long to use this!  I recall when I first got it, I thought "Oh, my, it's beautiful but so HUGE.  It would never fit on an A2 card."  Well, it took me some time to learn and develop, and now I realize it is perfectly fine on one!

The autumn-hued leaves are from an old flower pick (love to RECYCLE!), and the ivory flower is a from a bargain pack found at JoAnn's.


I'm playing in some new-to-me challenges today, courtesy of Feline Playful challenge site:



That's it from me today.  Thanks so much for your visit!




Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Large Fabric Design, Holiday Sayings - Hero Arts
Paper: Crumb Cake - SU; light tan - DCWV
Ink: Purely Pomegranate - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: flower - Prima; ticket die cut - Flea Market - Colorbok; small ivory flower - JoAnn's; butterfly die cut sticker - K & Co.
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