Saturday, March 30, 2013

Ya win some, ya lose some

So, sometimes the card just isn't as fabulous as the parts. I love this new technique of punching an element and almost connecting it back up to the main piece of cardstock, so I tried it with butterflies and it looks pretty cool. I used a color combo right off the color coach tool, and the colors do look pretty good together. I used a sketch from one of the sketch challenges that are commonly available. And yet, I just don't really love the way it all comes together. bummer.

It isn't a terrible card, one that hurts the eyes. But it isn't one that makes me want to brag and send to all my friends. So, on to the next project.

Happy stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, March 29, 2013

2 ways to Hippity Hoppity

 Same bunny, digital vs traditional

All credit goes to Kimberley Morris who posted a darling card on her blog, featuring the punch art bunny.  I adapted him for a card I used this week for some thank you notes. He was so cute and such a hit that I was thinking of making some place cards for the Easter table. But I had already made a dozen cards and was kind of "done" punching for the time being.

 So I popped open my MDS (My Digital Studio) software and browsed through my punches, finding the oval, circle and heart punch and then. . . can you believe I own a digital "grass" punch!  I left a big open space for a name. Now I will print a bunch of these at home on my printer, add in a name and make place cards.

Or I could use this at the buffet to identify each dish, right? I wouldn't want any of the kids accidentally eating anything with a vegetable in it, LOL.

If you hadn't heard, MDS is selling for just $19.95, a steal! It includes over $500 worth of digital images, punches, stamps, ribbon, buttons, DSP and card stock. Such a deal!  And I'll even teach you how to make it work for you--scrapping or card making or even Easter placecards!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Strong enough for a man, yet made by a woman!

I love the social side of stamping, getting together with my stampy friends. Every month I meet with other Stampin' Up! demonstrators and we exchange cards. Most times we hold a shoebox, meaning that we bring the supplies and make each others designs.

This month we had a sketch challenge, so all the cards followed a sketch plan, so they have similarity in that there are three vertical stripes and a focal point and a bit of ribbon.

I have been on a masculine trend lately, and I think this falls into the made-for-a-man category. Hope you find a little inspiration here. There are brads and a clip for bling, a teeny bit of yellow ribbon and some curliques on the sentiment, and yet this certainly looks like a manly card.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, March 25, 2013

Weather related

I have to admit, I am sick and tired of winter. Truly. I even feel like I might welcome spring showers. Maybe we can work out some kind of deal?

This pretty card has been floating all over the internet, in many color schemes, on Pinterest, Splitcoast and on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator forum. It is cute, easy and features a stamp set found in the Spring catalog, Rain or Shine, with 3 different umbrellas to choose from.

We made this in Stamp Club this month, sharing a few tricks like reverse punch and coloring pearls.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, March 24, 2013

GET READY! OUR SPRING FABRIC FRENZY STARTS MONDAY


Seamstress or not--you'll love using our high quality Designer Fabric--especially at 50 percent off!
Our Designer Fabric is designed to coordinate with Stampin' Up! inks, paper, and other accessories, and is perfect for adding a stylish touch to traditional paper projects. Available in an extra-wide fat quarters (18" x 26"). Use it for quilting, clothing, home décor, and more!
The sale starts Monday, so get ready to jump into the spring Fabric Frenzy!
  • Promotion dates: Monday, March 25-Sunday, March 31, 2013
  • No minimum purchase required to receive the discount
  • All items are limited quantity at the discounted price; the discount will be removed once the limit is reached
  • Order online or email order to me.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A little glitter for Sue

We made a collage style card in Stamp Club this month. It's got everything but the kitchen sink! Just when i thought I was done, I remembered my friend Sue who says no card is complete without Dazzling Diamond glitter!

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, March 18, 2013

3 EZ steps


 Do you haunt the back end caps at Target? Are you always keeping an eye out for pretty stuff at a great price?

I picked up these frames from the good ol' big box store and totally altered them.  I don't know who would buy a sign that says London Antiques, but the marked down price was exactly what I was looking for!

I hit the inside "art" with white gesso paint and made it totally neutral. Then I stamped some of my largest stamps on it in Stazon black ink. Then I got crafty.

I cut dress forms from the All Dressed Up framelit set and used both the cut-out and the negative of the cut-out. I arranged a variety of dresses on the dress forms, in coordinating colors. A lot of dimensional adhesive was used here!

Super easy and fast. I love it! I have 4 more frames, so if you are looking for a fun class for a few friends, this is exactly right for you! Leave me a message here and we can make this together!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen



Friday, March 15, 2013

Peek A Boo isn't just for babies

So, I was surfing the net, looking at all the blogs, snuggled up in bed at 9:30 at night... when this unbelievably cute card came up on the Ipad. I love a clean and simple card that has a lot of interest, and this one just made me sit up and take notice. Also, I have the peek-a-boo die for the BigShot and it doesn't get enough action.

I actually got up out of bed and zipped into the craft room, cut the bright boxes and flowers and pulled out the stamp set Every Little Bit to select cute little images and off to the races I go!

There aren't any tricks or secrets here, just total cuteness! Thanks a million to Monika Davis for the inspiration.

Wouldn't you love to make this beauty? Just leave a message or give me a buzz and I would be thrilled to meet with you (and all your besties) to make this card.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Top 5 reasons to paaaarrrty!

Seats are going fast, if you are still on the fence, get off!

Why should I attend?

1 *** Everyone gets a door prize. A nice $10 item from the catalog. We bring a whole bunch of items, then raffle style, call names to select your prize.

2 *** FUN -- we spend the day laughing and talking and stamping. What more do you want?

3 *** Chocolate -- there will be loads of yummy caffeinated chocolates and no one is watching how much you eat!

4 *** Cards! You will make a whole pile of new cards, ideas and samples that you will take home, all finished and ready to copy or send to your loved ones!

5 *** Hoarding -- you know your family thinks you are hoarding all those stamping supplies. If you attend this event, haul out your card stock, ink, stamps and ribbon, you will be able to justify your next catalog shopping spree and no one will be able to accuse you of hoarding!

Bonus, you get to spend the day with me! LOL But come on out anyway! Leave a comment here or give me a buzz. We hope to fill all 20 seats ASAP!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

What's so hard about that?

It remains a stumbling block for many people: masculine cards. But it doesn't have to be difficult. This card is made with a lovely DSP called Comfort Cafe. No one would accuse it of being masculine. But use a copper button, just the browns and mustards of the DSP, keep your palette very neutral, the ribbon is natural twine and: VOILA! a masculine card!

Reigning in the impulse to add glitter, layers, pink and satin, that is the trick.

Hope you can take this advice and whip up a nice card for one of the many wonderful guys in our lives!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, March 8, 2013

TGIF

Need I say more?

TGIF!!! Go out and kick up your heels! Make some plans and get out and do something fun. Maybe that means that you meet with your stampy friends and create something pretty, but don't let another day go by without having a little fun!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Hit me one more time

 Caffeine please. Thank you.

Some days one good cup is all I need. But other days, it takes an extra jolt to get through the morning! Today is one of those days when I will be driving thru the Starbucks for an extra buzz.

Hope this pretty in blue card helps you keep your motor running! I organized a few cards for a Masculine card class and thought this worked. There are no ribbons or flowers and the chevron DSP is trendy and masculine.  I added some score lines to give the card some texture, as well as popping the image and sentiment on a dimensional adhesive.

Clean and Simple, as well as masculine.  So now imagine this in a flowery DSP and a deep rose color and you can easily CASE this card for a girlfriend, right?

Gotta go, Starbucks awaits.
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Are ya' feelin' lucky?

As much as I love my stamps, sometimes I just don't feel the  need to invest in every single stamp ever offered.

I know that is hard to believe, but true!  And St. Patrick's Day is one of those events that just doesn't move me to invest. But then it rolls around and I don't want to ignore it. So, out comes the dependable owl punch.

Connie Babbert is all over Pinterest with this cute owl in a green top hat, so thanks to her for this clever owl.

And if the owl isn't enough, I've used a fancy fold on the card to liven it up. And the Occasions Alphabet stamp set always comes through when in a pinch, there are 26 stamps and I can always find one for an unusual occasion!

If you want a class on fun folds or owls for every holiday, just leave me a comment or give me a call. I got a million of 'em!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen