design by diana

happy birthday {scrapbook circle}

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hi there! Here is some more love for the Remember This kit from Scrapbook Circle. Sigh … I absolutely love this kit. I didn't do anything with it for days after I got it mailed to me. I sat and stared at it, loving every single piece and plotting my ideas.

Once I started to work with it, I couldn't stop. I made 2 layouts and this card in one night. And if my husband hadn't come home from work, I would have kept right on going.

Thanks for stopping to see my card. I really appreciate it!

Monster Jam {scrapbook circle}

2012-02-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, this wood background paper from October Afternoon is amazing! I need 10 more sheets just like it. Maybe just to make a mini album so that all of my pages don't start to look like I live in the Wild West. :)

This paper, and so much else, is available in the Remember This kit from Scrapbook Circle. And how cute are those mini chevron bags?! Such a perfect way to tuck away some journaling in a super stylish way.

I made my page using the sketch inspiration at Artful Delight. Check out the sketch and play along over at the blog. Lots to see over there!

Taking Nate to Monster Trucks this past January was so fun. He is old enough now to really get into it and root for his favorite drivers and cheer along — it was such a great night out for our little family. I managed to get some great pictures even in the dimly lit arena, so that made me happy.

Nate is so excited to have this layout finished. It's currently hanging in my craft room (one that he shares with me for his craft area, too) and he keeps looking at the page talking about that night. A great bonus to making these pages — you get to re-live the moments!

Thanks for stopping to see my layout!

Wreath wrap-up

2012-02-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

You may remember my post from a week ago where I asked for help on whether or not to add more color to my muslin wreath. Overwhelmingly you all agreed that it needed just a bit more color to it. I was all for that!

I want to give a huge thanks to Sara Zenger for the idea to use pins to add to it so that I can always change out the colors on the wreath to match the seasons. Brilliant idea, my dear!! :)

I love the color combo teal with red, so I went with that for my Valentine's Day theme. The hearts are cut from a Papertrey Ink die and the buttons are also Papertrey Ink. The little tag and brads are from the new My Mind's Eye that was in the add-on kit from Scrapbook Circle for February.

I have the wreath hanging in the front entrance area of my house on the wall by the rest of my Valentine's Day goodies, and it works perfectly!

Thanks for all the advice before, I really appreciated it. And thanks for stopping by to see my finished wreath for Valentine's Day!

I'm linked up at Tip Junkie!

Love week {imaginisce}

2012-02-07T06:30:00.000-05:00

Imaginisce is celebrating a week of LOVE! Today we are sharing layous for love. I made my page using the Sole Sisters line, rolled paper flowers and re-purposing the red packaging that most of the Sole Sisters sticker collections come in.

I used a circle punch to make the indent in the background paper and then made sure that I didn't have any adhesive around the opening. After I made my tag out of the red packaging, I put a sentiment on it, punched a heart in it, and slid it into place on the layout.

I used more red packaging for the hearts. And I have to say that I am in love with the imaginisce petal roller tool. Making these flowers is so much easier using that tool. I'll never roll another flower without it!

I hope I've put ya in the mood for love! :) Check out what the rest of the imaginisce team is working on for this week. Head on over to the blog for inspiration. And thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

Lost teeth {scrapbook circle}

2012-02-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Hello! I am so excited to share this layout with you today. I took these pictures of Nate a few weeks back and was waiting for the perfect papers to make my page. And wow, did the perfect papers ever land themselves on my door step!

The February kit for Scrapbook Circle, Remember This, is amazing. The DT can't stop talking about how many pages we are making and how much we love everything that is in the kit. New papers and embellishments from My Mind's Eye are what I used on this page. I also used a lot of what is in the Add-On Kit, Be Amazing (which is already sold out).

I was inspired by the current sketch challenge at The Paper Variety. You can see the sketch and play along over there before 2/13.

Have you ever tried to take a picture of a 5 year old, asking him to smile just right so that you can focus on his missing teeth? Geesh — that was a tough one! He lost both of his front lower middle teeth while chewing on something. First was on cantaloupe while he was at his after school program. He swallowed the tooth and his teacher there had to calm him down and help him write a note to the tooth fairy.

The second one, he was eating an apple at home while his grandparents were over. He spit out what he was chewing on into his Papa's hand. Thank goodness for Papa, he found that tooth among all the little apple pieces.

Thanks for stopping to see my layout for today! I hope you have a chance to grab one of the Remember This kits. It is AMAZING!! I love all of the teal, yellow and grey in this kit. It's perfection!

Join Imaginisce for Love Week

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Next week Imaginisce is having a week of LOVE projects. The DT has cooked up some fun ideas to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day.

And here is my sneak peek for next week's reveal. I am so in awe of the Imaginisce Petal Roller. It makes it so easy to create these flowers. Nearly effortless!

While you are waiting for the Imaginisce team to wow you with their love-themed projects next week, you can play along with the sketch I made for the February challenge.

Win an i-magicut Ribbon Cutter! See the challenge details HERE.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and have a fabulous Friday!

ScrapFIT {blank canvas}

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

ScrapFIT wants to see what you can do when you start with a white background — a blank canvas. I start with a white background very often. I would guess 75% of the time I start with white, cream or kraft for my background. But this time the difference was that I wasn't also starting with a kit or a collection — I was just starting with the white paper and the photo.

It turns out that without also working with a specific kit or company in mind, that I actually used my stash. I'm so happy with how this turned out, too. I used a lot of pieces that I was hanging onto or didn't know what to do with it, but loved (like the mustache paper from Hambly).

This layout is a continuation of the mustache story from yesterday. Nate loved putting the mustache on everything, including his Angry Bird, which was hysterical to him. When have you ever seen an Angry Bird with a mustache?! LOL.

I hope you'll have a chance to play along with us at ScrapFIT. I think you'll find that starting with a white background can give you a fresh perspective.

Thanks for stopping by to see my layout!

imaginisce monthly challenge

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

I am so excited! Not only am I revealing a monthly challenge page for imaginisce, but it is also my first sketch for them. That's right, as promised, I am still supplying sketches for you to play along with even though Sketchy Thursdays is no longer an active challenge blog.

I do hope that you'll be able to find a moment this month and play along with us at imaginisce. Use the sketch I made as well as including 3 pattern papers and 3 embellishments, and then link up your entry. Easy peasy!

For my page, I used a combination of Sole Sisters and Happy Harvest collections. The picture of Nate is one of my favorites. It's so unlike him not to smile for the camera, but having a mustache is serious business. I had bought this mustache at Party City for his advent calendar, and when he got it, he just thought it was the funniest thing.

Here is the sketch that is over at imaginisce. Stop on by to see what the other girls on the DT made using the sketch. There's plenty of inspiration to get you started!

Thanks for stopping by to see my page and my sketch. And I hope you week is going well so far!

New Ruffled Blooms {and a giveaway}

2012-01-31T15:33:00.003-05:00

I'm currently taking custom orders in addition to what is in the shop. Email me at dianadesigns [at] rochester.rr.com with your idea and I'll make it happen!

Also, you now have the option of telling me how you want your ruffled bloom. Place the order through Etsy and in the notes section you can specify bobby pin, alligator clip or pin. If you are interested in a headband or something more detailed, convo me! (Did you know any Ruffled Bloom can be made into a Shaggy Bloom? LMK if you want the other style!)

GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment here telling me you shared my Etsy shop or this blog post on Facebook, Twitter or your own blog, and you'll be entered to win 2 Ruffled Blooms of your choosing. Keep them both for yourself or share with a friend!

Example Tweet or Facebook post:

Win 2 Ruffled Blooms of your choosing from Design by Diana @dianajfisher Share to win! Details: http://bit.ly/wNnW2M

You have until Feb 10th to share and comment to win! Thanks for helping me spread the word about my new Ruffled Blooms patterns and colors!

Hey there, cupcake!

2012-01-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

Hi there! I spent some time this weekend playing around with some cards. I love the kraft-on-kraft look for this one. And (tragedy!) I'm down to my last 2 kraft doilies from Maya Road. I'm already planning on hoarding them. Or I could just get more (LOL)!

For this card, I am playing along with The Kraft Journal and Challenge #55: Tie It Up.

Thanks for stopping by to see my card.

Winter CHA 2012 {must-haves}

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

So here it is again — that time for the CHA reveals. I've been furiously keeping tabs on the new lines to see where the trends are this time around. I love the bright colors, and love the mix of patterns and colors. Chevron is running rampant, and I'm pleased that woodgrain and clouds still have their place in our hearts. Hexagons and houndstooth are eye candy, too, for sure.

Here are just some of the individual items that have caught me eye, not in any particular order.

Twenty three by Cosmo Cricket

Studio Calico

Chevron Mask - Studio Calico

Studio Calico kraft papers

Jillibean Soup - Game Day (love this line!)

Jillibean Soup - more Game Day (have to have this!)

itty bitty by Unity (this is adorable!)

Paper clips from Maya Road

My Mind's Eye Be Amazing (it IS amazing!)

MME 6x6 papers for Be Amazing

My Mind's Eye Be Happy buttons (need these for sure!)

MME Be Happy 6x6 papers (I can already see the cards I'd make!)

Jillibean Soup Labels (these sayings are the best!)

Studio Calico

Studio Calico stamps

Jillibean Soup alpha (available in tons of colors)

So there you have it! Basically this could be my Mother's Day shopping list once it's all released. Which of these are on your must-have list? Are you going to CHA? Stop by these booths and take a peek at some of these new items.

Thanks for stopping by today to see my "shopping" list.

Introducing {Remember This}

2012-01-26T05:00:00.001-05:00

The February kit for Scrapbook Circle, Remember This, is ready and it is chock full of the latest and greatest you'll be seeing at the Winter CHA.

It has:

Echo Park A boy’s Life Energetic

October Afternoon Farmhouse Kitchen Cupboard

October Afternoon Sasparilla Stagecoach

Crate Paper Heart Love Letter

Crate Paper Heart Delivery

My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Heart Geo Star

My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Heart Honey Blue

My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Heart Be the Best

My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Heart Societe

My Mind’s Eye Be Happy Adorable

The included embellishments are:

October Afternoon Farmhouse Flour Sack

Crate Paper Farmhouse Alpha Sticker Sheet

Whisker Graphics Chevron Aqua Bag

Whisker Graphics Chevron Yellow Bag

Set of 8 Elle’s Studio Collected Tiny Tags

Elle’s Studio Lil Snippets Treasured

Whisper Graphics Large White Tag

Bird Silhouette Stickers

My Mind’s Eye Be Amazing Button Card

Scrapbook Circle Printable

Yellow Twine

Is this not the best kit you've ever seen?! The DT is just starting to dig into it, and it is going to be amazing! I'll be back here soon with layouts from the kit to share with you. I'm sure I'll be making so much with this one!

Scoop one up soon! These are sure to sell out fast. And check out the additional Be Amazing add-on for February, too. YUM!!

Wordless Wednesday {ruffled blooms}

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

I've been working with some new patterns and colors for my Ruffled Blooms. If you're interested in any of these, I'm opening up orders. Send an e-mail to dianadesigns [at] rochester.rr.com, and I'll get one shipped off to you right away!

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to.

Wreath in progress

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello! Today I am sharing with you a wreath I made. I tied muslin strips to a wire wreath frame, resulting in this style of wreath.

And now I don't know what to do with it! LOL. One part of me loves the simplicity of the muslin. The other part of me is dying to add a few pops of color.

Here is a picture of the back of it where you can see all of the knots that secured the strips to the wire frame. I loves this, too. It reminded me of a rug.

I'm pretty sure that the "pop of color" option is going to win me over eventually. I'm thinking red for Valentine's Day. If I do add to it, I'll have to post an update here.

For now, let's vote! Write in your comment which you would do: Leave it as it is or add in a pop of color. I would love to know which way gets the most votes.

Thanks for stopping by (and for leaving a vote, too). Have a lovely day!

Simply poppin'

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello! Hope everyone's Monday is going fabulously.

I was a little late to the new ScrapFIT schedule, so I'm playing catch up here. This layout is for the current challenges over there:

• Workout #60 - Its The Simple Things

• Weekend Warm-Up #23 - Kraft card stock

I am also playing along with Frosted Designs sketch challenge #32. It is sponsored by Paper Issues, a store I personally love and run by a crafty chick I totally adore!

These pictures are from New Year's Eve when we broke out the new popcorn maker my mom and stepdad sent to my husband for Christmas. Nate could not believe that those little kernels become popcorn. Guess we've spent too long eating the microwave kind, eh?!

Sometimes it's the simplest things that mean so much. It really was the highlight of the evening for him.

If you have some time, stop by the above mentioned blogs and get crafty. And thanks for stopping to see my layout!

Using photo challenges

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

Some of you know that I got a new Canon EOS T2i for Christmas this year (thank you, best husband ever, for surprising me with that). After a few days of using it in the auto and other pre-set settings, I started to explore the Manual option. I am so hooked on manual!

And now I am determined to get really good at this. I started a Pinterest board for tutorials, tips and tricks. I also started hunting down other photo bloggers and challenges for inspiration.

I'm excited for the challenges. It gives me a definite time period and a skill to concentrate on. I like having that extra pressure of not putting it off, and I love the sharing aspect.

TwoPeas had a Shallow Depth of Field challenge this week and here is my final photo for that challenge.

I am really happy with how it turned out. Especially since I had a five year old modeling for me.

Do you have any recommendations for photo challenges to send me? Leave the URLs in the comments section! Thanks for stopping to see my photo today!

Thank you card set

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hi there. I made this set of thank you cards for a friend this week. I used the Card Patterns sketch #148 (condensing the lines in the back to more of a strip rather than bars all the way across).

Love this little flower stamp?! It is new from the Sole Sisters line at imaginisce. I can tell you that I already know I'll be using this one a lot. Such a versatile stamp for card makers.

Here are pictures of the whole set all together.

Thanks for stopping by to see the cards I made. I am having so much fun with the new Sole Sisters line.

Sole Sisters reveal {imaginisce}

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited for my first reveal as a DT member for imaginisce. When I got the Sole Sisters collection, I immediately loved the stamps and stickers. And, being a scrapbooker of a boy, I am happy to share with you how you can make this collection work for a boy, too.

Here are some of my creations using Sole Sisters.

Here is my boy page using a very girly line. Some of the pattern papers are just fun! They reminded me of "party fun." Lots of polka dots and stripes. Just love 'em!

Here is my girly page, but I have to laugh because there are guys in it. The guys are Dave and Bob, the CEO and the Sales Manager for NextStepU. They won't mind. This page has all of the corporate office staff in it. We are quite the fun crew, so I had plenty of pictures to work with.

What I couldn't believe, was that this was the first page I'd made about the NextStepU peeps. Just love this gang. There is nowhere else I'd want to spend my work days!

(The Paper Variety wants to see a paper creation using fan-fold embellishments, and I included one on this layout. If you'd like to play along, head on over to their blog for more info.)

I also made a fancy change jar for saving money to buy shoes. This is a great idea, right?! You can't feel badly about buying more shoes if you saved your change for them, right? *wink* (A little enabling going on there…)

And last but not least, a card to give that perfect girlfriend. I used the canvas stickers for the "I pick you" sentiment. Such a great collection for those girlfriend cards. I could make dozens of them with this line.

And there you go! As I said before, I'm quite excited about my first reveal as a DT member for imaginisce. It has been an amazing experience so far. The ladies over there are fabulous to work with, and the products are excellent. I can't even begin to start with my new love for the i-bond! :)

Thanks for stopping by for my reveal—I really appreciate it! If you get your hands on an Sole Sisters, let me know, I'd love to stop by and see what you made.

My new gig!

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

When I announced the closing of Sketchy Thursdays last week, it was an emotional and overwhelming few days. I received so many heart-felt comments and emails full of understanding and sympathy for how difficult it must have been to close the door on that chapter in my life.

One email stood out from the rest. It was from Sara, who I have known for quite awhile as she runs ScrapFIT and our paths always seem to be crossing. (Isn't that always the way?!)

Let's just say she made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I'm so excited to be the new Creative Trainer for ScrapFIT — the in-house trainer that offers up a well-diagrammed plan for every workout. I'll be contributing sketches and also color/picture inspirations for some of the workouts.

I'm so excited that Sara has made room for me on her amazing team. I just know you'll love what we have cooking, so please, if you loved what I was up to before, join me over at ScrapFIT. I'd love to see some friendly faces popping up over there for the first time to play along with us.

And thanks again to the ScrapFIT girls for having me! This is going to be fun!!

New Year's {layout}

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello and happy Monday. Here's a quick little page I whipped up this weekend. I sat down with my bag of scraps that has just the smaller, narrow pieces in it and made this page using only those papers.

When I cleaned my supplies up a few weeks ago, when I switched craft rooms, I promised myself I would start more pages with my scraps instead of whole papers. I think in this case, that theory worked out really well. I love the finished look of this.

This picture is from New Year's Eve. Hubs and I were supposed to go out to a party. He didn't feel well, and after calling his parents (our sitters for the night) and realizing that Brad's dad didn't feel well either, we ended up everyone just staying put right where they were and having a New Year's at home.

Once I realized we were in for the night, I had to make Nate an impromptu party hat. It isn't New Year's without a crazy party hat! He was nice enough to pose for a picture for me, even though he thought his hat was silly. I love this picture—especially since I know he was being overly cheesy for the sake of the hat.

Thanks for stopping by to see my page today. Hope your week is starting off well.

You've got mail!

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the adorable little mailboxes at Target in the dollar section? I was lucky to snag one before they were gone, and I altered it using the You + Me kit from Scrapbook Circle.

Nate had such a great time with the advent calendar this year, that I think I'm going to do a week of Valentine's Day by using this little mailbox. I'll put little notes, stickers or candy in there from the Wed. before Valentine's until 2/14. I know he'll get a kick out of that.

Thanks for stopping by to see my little mailbox today. It was fun to make and will be a cute decoration on the table for Valentine's Day.

*********

On a side note, I wanted to thank all of you that left such heart-warming and sincere comments on my blog, the Sketchy Thursdays blog, and Facebook about the last sketch challenge. It was a gut-wrenching day to read the comments and realize we were closing up something that is so loved and looked forward to each week.

I just love you all for taking a moment to let us know we affected you in some way or another. Thank you for being there for us each week. Love ya all!

Sketchy Thursdays {huge announcement}

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Here is my layout for this week's Sketchy Thursdays challenge. You can find the sketch on the blog, as well as this week's prize details from ARTchix Studio.

I made my page using the January kit, You + Me, from Scrapbook Circle. The colors in this kit are right up my alley. I love the gray, blue and red all together. The picture in the layout is Nate's school picture this year. The colors in his shirt just went so well with this kit.

I pleated the die cut banner in the kit to give it a bit more dimension and pop. If you haven't tried this yet, give it a whirl. I was pretty happy with how it worked out. It allowed me to curve the banner, too, by doing that.

And here is the huge news…

I am nervous, sad and anxious to announce to you all that Heidi, Julie and I have decided that the 1/12/12 challenge will be the last challenge for the Sketchy Thursdays blog challenge.

Finding sponsors, keeping up this pace for 2 and a half years, and overwhelming lives for all three of us has found us with a decision we needed to make.

I plan to keep the Facebook page live, active and post sketches as I am driven to. I may even come across some random prizes or opportunities that I will post there as well.

I have already been asked to continue making sketches for other sites and companies. Heidi will also be continuing her sketch work with Scrapbook News and Review.

I promise there is no secret agenda—just 3 very tired, overwhelmed ladies that feel we have hit a threshold for this part of our adventures.

Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with us, and I hope to see you playing along with this, our last, challenge. Much love to all of you that have supported the site for the past few years. I have a special place in my heart for everyone who played, sponsored and stopped on by.

Sock monkey

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hi! I got a chance to play along with this month's sketch challenge at Artful Delight this weekend. You have until Jan. 23rd to play along over there.

I used the You + Me kit from Scrapbook Circle. I feel like a broken record siting that kit—it goes on and on and on. I still have more projects from that kit after this one to share with you!

This page is about Nate's love for Sock Monkey. He has so many of those little monkeys that when we were at Gander Mountain shortly after Christmas, and he saw this hat, there was no question about whether or not we'd let him buy it. He just looks so dang cute in it! I love this style hat, too. It's such a great trend for the kiddos.

Thanks for stopping to see my layout today. I had a lot of fun making it.

You + Me {card}

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello! There is a card sketch challenge going on at Scrapbook Circle this month. You have until Jan. 18th to play along with us. One lucky winner will get a $15 credit to the Scrapbook Circle store.

I used the Scrapbook Circle Jan. kit, You + Me, to make my card. Everything in the kit is just so pretty! And perfect for Valentine's Day cards.

I also played along with the Card Makin' Mamas challenge. For the New Year, they want to see New Year's cards or cards using something NEW to you. I used my new Fiskars punch, called Starlets. I have always wanted one of those punches that has the different options for corners. I snagged one of the new ones this weekend, and you can see how I punched out the corners of the layers.

Thanks for stopping to see my card today. I hope you have time to play along with either of these card challenges.

3 wise men

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello there! I wanted to share with you a page I made using Got Sketch #136 and a challenge from Paper Issues: Got Your Number.

If you have a layout, card or paper project (old or new) that has a number on it, link it up over at Paper Issues.

This layout is from Christmas Eve when Santa Claus came to husband's family's house while out making his Christmas deliveries to the world. How nice of him to stop by and snap some pictures and give presents to our family while he has to have been so busy that night! *grin*

Thanks for stopping by to see my layout. Hope your week is starting off well.