DarleneDesign.Com

New Question & Answer Page

Darlene DeVries — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:41:07 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Hope you’ve had a great weekend! I just added a new feature to my blog called “Ask Me!”.

I get a lot of questions via email, many of them the same. I’m sorry I haven’t been very responsive to some of you – I’m having a hard time keeping up. Using this new feature, you can ask me a question on the Ask Me! page. You can get to the page by clicking “Ask Me!” in the top menu bar. I can then answer the question and it gets posted right back to the Ask Me! page! If you provide your email address when asking a question, you will receive the response via email as well.

The best part is that everyone’s questions and answers will be posted for all to see. A lot of you have the same questions, so hopefully it will be more efficient this way. I posted a couple just to start us off – the two questions I get more than any other.

Thank you to all of you for your support over the years. I feel so blessed to be able to connect with all of you.

Fun Friday Collabo, Week 3!

Darlene DeVries — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:32 +0000

Happy Friday!!

Back yet again for another collaboration with Jill Foster! This week we are both using the Penny Black Verdant stamp. Here’s my card for this week:

I used the Penny Black Paisley Outline Stamp with the same colors I used on this card. I also used it on this card, one of my favorites. I like it because the pattern is so small that it’s not distracting at all. But anyway, I’m supposed to be focusing on Verdant! This stamp has lots of potential for backgrounds and subtle additions to a card without creating another focal point. I make a serious effort to buy stamps that are reusable. On this card, I made it my focal point, so it can be used either way! Here are the steps for this card:

Ink the background panel with Spiced Marmalade. Stamp Paisley Outline in Barn Door, then ink the edges of the panel with Barn Door.
Ink Verdant in Barn Door, stamp off, then stamp in the lower left corner. Repeat in the upper corner. Same process for Spiced Marmalade.
Stamp Versant using VersaFine Black Ink in lower left corner.
Adhere panel to black, then to paisley panel.
Stamp Sweet Wishes sentiment in Versafine Black Ink and cut with scissors. Use a handheld hole punch to punch small hole and thread black embroidery. Adhere with dimensionals.

Don’t forget that Jill and I will be featuring YOUR cards on our blogs June 7th. To be considered, create your own card with the same set we are using and upload it to the Penny Circle Flickr gallery. Be sure to tag it with “JillDarlene”.

Now, head on over to Jill’s blog to see what amazing things she has done with Verdant. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday’s Card: Birthday Fishes

Darlene DeVries — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:22 +0000

Hi All!

Isn’t this stamp so darn cute? It’s Birthday Buddies by Paper Smooches. When I create a card for the blog, I always show it to my kids first, then I do a video to create a second one. Well, I was showing this card to Courtney, my 8 year old, and she said, “Oh Mommy, it’s so cute! I love their party hats!”. I quickly flipped it around so I could see it. Party hats? I colored that part blue like the fish. I said, “Oh, those are fins, but oh my gosh Courtney, you are brilliant! I can put party hats on them! Let’s see if the stamp set came with one.” So, we go over to see the stamp set and we’re both looking at it. She says, “Mommy, they are all wearing party hats.” Me: “As I said before Courtney, you’re brilliant! Let’s color them like party hats.” I don’t know how I missed that, lol!

As many of you know, Stampin’ Up! is releasing their new annual catalog in just a couple of weeks! In fact, they are supposed to start mailing them out any day to those who have pre-ordered (me!). If you are interested in having a catalog mailed to you, CLICK HERE. I read it like a book – so fun!! And don’t forget about the retiring products. I talked about them in THIS POST. Get them before June 3rd!

And speaking of Stampin’ Up!, I want to thank all of you who have clicked over to my sister’s store to purchase products. 20% of every purchase is donated to Foster Kids Charity. I am so grateful to have such wonderful readers – you all have helped to donate $6,593 since November, 2011! Wow, that’s a lot! I decided to keep a running total in the right margin of my blog, so check it out periodically – I will update it at the end of every month. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Anyway, have a wonderful week. I’ll be back Friday for another Fun Friday Collabo with Jill Foster. See you then!

Note: If you are reading this post in an email, you’ll need to click on the post title above (“Wednesday’s Card”) to go to my blog and play the video.

Supplies:

Stamps:

Birthday Buddies by Paper Smooches

Paper:

Neenah Solar White

Inks/Color:

Ranger Distress Inks: Broken China, Evergreen Bough, and Stormy Sky
VersaFine Black Ink
Copic Sketch Markers: Fish (Y11, Y15, Y17, YR04, YR09, YR00, B000, BG02, BG05); outline (BG13)
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Stampin Up! Basic Black Marker

Embellishments:

Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue

Tools/Punches/Dies:

Other:

Stampin’ Up! Dimensionals

Fun Friday Collabo, Week 2!

Darlene DeVries — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:59 +0000

Happy Friday!!

Back again for another collaboration with Jill Foster! This week we are both using the Penny Black Sweet Home Stamp Set. Enabling alert: It’s 20% off at Ellen Hutson now! See details below.

There are so many different scenes you can create with this set. Here’s my card for this week:

I have a friend who is moving out of state, so this is a perfect card for her! Here are the basic steps for creating this card:

Cut a mask for the grass and use three different inks to create it: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, and Evergreen Bough. I just randomly mixed them up.
Stamp the sun using Versamagic Pumpkin Spice ink, then color it with Copics (Y11, Y15, and Y17).
Use a mask to create the ray of sun and ink it with Squeezed Lemonade. Then, use Broken China to color around the sky.
Stamp the trees in Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, then color them with Copics (YG17, YG21, YG25).
Stamp the clouds in Broken China, cut them out, and adhere them to the card with Dimensionals.
Stamp the house in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and color with Copics (RV13, R29, V12, V15, V17, Y11, Y15, Y17, G28, G09, G14). Cut it out and adhere it to the card with Dimensionals.
Use a Stampin’ Up! Real Red marker to hand draw and color the hearts.
Stamp the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and color the heart with Copics (RV13, R29).

So how did I get the heart in the window? Stamp the sentiment, color the heart, and stamp the house on top of it so the heart is in the window. Cut the heart and glue to the house.

One more thing before you go… Ellen Hutson is having a special 20%-off-everything-Mother’s-Day sale! Use code momsday13 at checkout, now through Monday. This set, Tiger Lily, Copics ($4.80/marker!), EVERYTHING! So awesome. And I guess I should also mention that Two Peas in a Bucket is having 25% off all stamps until 5/16. 612 of them. Wow, a great weekend for mothers!!!

Now, head on over to Jill’s blog to see what she has created with Sweet Home. I know it will be fabulous, as always!!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday’s Card: A Drink A Day

Darlene DeVries — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:02:10 +0000

Hi All!

I can’t believe it took me so long to get around to using this set called A Drink A Day by There She Goes Stamps. I love it! There are so many different stamps that come in the package. I used Copic Markers to color the images. The background is a stamp called Distressed Dots by Stampin’ Up!. Unfortunately, it’s on the retired list. Ugh, I dislike the retired list. On the bright side, I’ve seen the new Stampin’ Up! catalog and there are some really cute things in it! I will likely be placing an order as soon as it’s available – I’ll let you know what’s on my list!

In the meantime, I just got a bunch of new goodies from Ellen Hutson yesterday. I waited to open it until Courtney, my 8-year-old, came home from school. I tell her to make a big deal out of every item I pull out of the box, so we ooh and aah over each little thing. Isn’t she a good sport? What a cutie. I got a few Paper Smooches stamps and one by Mama Elephant. Can’t wait to show you! Coming soon.

Don’t forget this Friday is week 2 of my collaboration with Jill. I’d love for you to play along! See details in my post last Friday. See you in a couple of days!

Note: If you are reading this post in an email, you’ll need to click on the post title above (“Wednesday’s Card”) to go to my blog and play the video.

Supplies:

Stamps:

Paper:

Inks/Color:

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Copic Sketch Markers: tablecloth (W1, W3, W5, 0); table base and chair (E43, E44); wine glass (R29, R89, C1, 0); hair (E27, E30, E31, E34); dress (R29, R81, R83, R85); skin (E00, E30); shadow (W3)
Versamark Ink
Stampin’ Up! Early Espresso Marker

Embellishments:

Stampin’ Up! White Bakers Twine

Other:

Fun Friday Collabo, Week 1!

Darlene DeVries — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:01:53 +0000

Happy Friday All!!

I’m so happy and honored to be teaming up with Jill Foster during the month of May! Each Friday we will be collaborating on a specific Penny Black stamp set. This week is Tiger Lily! Lilies are my absolute favorite flower, so I was really excited to be working with this stamp. Now, I know it’s supposed to be a Tiger Lily, but why not a Stargazer? Here’s my card for this week:

Rather than using the stamp as a single flower, I created a background out of it. Only one flower showed the bottom of the stem, so I covered it with the sentiment! I used Copic Markers to color the flowers… notice that I added a green center to the petals, since that’s what Stargazers have. It’s kind of hard to notice in the picture, but I used the Stampin’ Up! Chevron embossing folder on the black cardstock and cut some strips for the sides. This stamp is so versatile, you can really make any kind of lily out of it. In fact, I also made an Easter lily out of it, but I’ll save that card for another time.

Here’s the best part of this collaboration month… Jill and I want to see what YOU create with these stamp sets. Make a card using Tiger Lily, upload it to the Penny Circle Flickr gallery, and tag it with “JillDarlene”. At the end of the month, Jill and I will each pick our favorite cards using each stamp set and feature those cards on our blog June 7th. You have the whole month to create! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Now, head on over to Jill’s blog to see what she has created with Tiger Lily. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m absolutely sure it will be a stunner, as all of her cards are.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Supplies:

Stamps: Penny Black Tiger Lily Stamp and Penny Black Sweet Wishes

Paper: Neenah Solar White and Stampin’ Up! Basic Black

Inks/Color: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and Copic Sketch Markers (RV10, RV13, RV19, R29, YG17, YG21, YG25)

Embellishments: Ranger Orange Peel Stickles and black embroidery thread

Tools/Punches/Dies: Stampin’ Up! Chevron Embossing Folder and Stampin’ Up! Extra-Large Oval Punch

Wednesday’s Card: Butterfly Thank You

Darlene DeVries — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:11:07 +0000

Hi All,

Today I used my favorite white ink: ColorBox. This ink lays on very white and very thick. I recently used it on a very detailed stamp and the image was crisp and perfect. On this card, I applied the ink directly from the pad to the paper. I colored the butterfly with Inktense Pencils… I used a wet brush and pulled color directly from the pencil itself. You get a really vibrant color using this technique. And, it blends really easily with just some water!

THIS FRIDAY is my first collaboration post with Jill Foster! I am so seriously excited about it. We picked a Penny Black stamp to focus on each Friday. I’ll post my creation with it and she’ll post hers. So, come back Friday for the details and our first set of creations!!

Enjoy the video – be back in a couple of days!

Darlene

Note: If you are reading this post in an email, you’ll need to click on the post title above (“Wednesday’s Card”) to go to my blog and play the video.

Supplies:

Stamps:

Stampin’ Up! Papillon Potpourri (also comes in clear mount)
Stampin’ Up! Woodgrain Background Stamp
Stampin’ Up! Thank You Kindly (retired)

Paper:

Inks/Color:

ColorBox Pigment Inkpad-Frost White
Derwent Inktense Pencils: Golden Yellow, Tangerine, Mallard Green, and Saddle Brown
Versamark Ink
Stampin Up! Basic Black Marker
VersaFine Black Ink

Embellishments:

Stampin’ Up! Rhinestone Jewels
Black Embroidery Thread

Tools/Punches/Dies:

Other:

Wednesday’s Card: Split Owls!

Darlene DeVries — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:23:13 +0000

Hi All!

I thought it was about time for an owl card. I can’t believe I ever doubted buying this punch! Did you notice I added a subject in the top menu called “Owls & Animals”? All of my owl cards show up in this list.

This card was actually really simple to make. The card base is 5 1/2″ x 12″. I scored it at 2″, 4″, 8″, and 10″, so the final folded card is 5 1/2″ x 4″. The winged owls fly up and the owl in the middle stays on the branch when you open it. I didn’t do a lot of fancy embossing and coloring on the card – just some basic stamping and coloring. I used some masking for the sky to make the clouds.

One thing I should mention is that I went back and added more color and lines to the cupcakes after the video – they just seemed a little too bland to me. I also added Stickles to the birthday hat to make it more festive. Hope you like.

In other news, the Stampin’ Up! retirement lists were released this morning. I always have mixed feelings about these lists – so sad to see some of the items go, but then excited about what new products will be coming out. You can view a PDF of the retired stamps and a PDF of the retired accessories. There is supposed to be a sortable Excel version of each, but there is a problem with it. When it’s fixed, I will post here. What’s notable in my mind? These:

Um, both stamps I used on the card today, Itty Bitty Bits and Up, Up & Away. Plus, Elements of Style, the set I used last week with the flowers and hummingbird!! How distressing is that?
I’m crushed over this one: Snow Swirled. I used this on three years worth of Christmas cards!
The Ornament punch and coordinating stamp set, Delightful Decorations. The punch is on sale for 25% off.
Two of my favorite background stamps: Distressed Dots and Netting.
The Build a Blossom punch and coordinating stamp set, Build a Blossom. The punch is on sale for 40% off.
Circle Circus – I use this set to create scrapbook paper patterns all the time.
The cute little Confetti set. It’s just so perfect for something subtle in the background.
And, of course, don’t forget the color refresh. All associated cardstock, ink pads, and reinkers are retiring.

Thank goodness, the Owl Punch is here to stay for at least another year!

The retired items are only available until June 3rd, or until supplies last in some cases. Many of the retiring accessories are on sale. If you don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, please consider ordering from my sister’s store. 20% of all orders go to Foster Kids Charity.

Okay, enough of all that. Enjoy the video and have a great week!

Darlene

Note: If you are reading this post in an email, you’ll need to click on the post title above (“Wednesday’s Card”) to go to my blog and play the video.

Supplies:

Stamps:

Paper:

Stampin’ Up! Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, and Pumpkin Pie

Inks:

Stampin’ Up! Inks: Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo

Embellishments:

Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue

Tools/Punches/Dies:

Other:

A New Look!

Darlene DeVries — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:02:12 +0000

Hi All!

Notice anything different? I hope you like my new site design! I wanted something very, very clean and simple. When you think about it, the art is in the card, right? I was trying to apply my same card-making thoughts to the site. Draw the eye to what you want the single focus area to be. On my site? The card photos are my focus. So… both the photos and the video boxes are BIGGER!

Notice that I added a menu to the top of the page. If you roll your mouse over “Techniques”, you’ll see a submenu of different techniques I have used. When you select the specific technique, the cards that use that technique will show in a list for you. Same with “Subjects”. “Tutorials”, on the other hand, has no submenu. Just click it for a list of blog posts that I consider to be tutorials.

You can use the little pink mini-icons to the right of my logo to access different social media types: email, Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest, and YouTube. Yes, I have a Pinterest board that I post all my cards to! If you “like” my page on Facebook, you will see my card posts in your Facebook news feed every Wednesday, along with some other things I post occasionally (i.e. interesting sales and enabling).

The Gallery, FAQ’s, and Favorite Things pages are still the same.

I also added some social media options for sharing my posts, which show at the bottom of each post.

And finally, there are some interesting additions to my footer if you want to check that out.

I really hope you like it!! If you find anything that looks weird, please email me. I’ve been working out the kinks for awhile, but there might be something I missed.

Also, on a totally unrelated note, I watched a YouTube video posted by Dove (soap, not chocolate) a few days ago and can’t stop thinking about it. All women should watch this video – it is very thought-provoking. Here it is:

I’ve seen this video four times and I still tear up every time. I know I do the same exact thing.

After watching the video, I remembered a girl in my dance fitness class (I teach every week). She is always in the front row and is a great dancer. She came up to me one day before class to apologize for her face breaking out. She went into a lot of detail to explain it. Seriously, I only noticed it after she pointed it out. The only thing I noticed before that was her pretty red hair, as usual. A perfect real-life example supporting this video. We are all just so hard on ourselves!!

Anyway, thanks for listening and have a great weekend!

Darlene

Giveaway Winner!

Darlene DeVries — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:29:37 +0000

Good Morning All!

I want to thank everyone who left a comment on Monday’s post. I get an email every time someone comments, and I read every single one of them. My husband saw my Inbox and said I was crazy. But how can I not read something someone wrote to me? It would be rude not to. And actually, it seems right to respond to all of them, but unfortunately I just can’t. So, please know that I’m reading your responses, and I appreciate them all so much!

The winner of the Ellen Hutson giveaway is Erika C. Erika, I emailed you.

Thank you again to everyone!

Darlene