Green with Envy

I told you fell in love the this background stamp, Striped Pattern and you can see that I did, as well as the Butterfly and Flower clear set.  My other stamps are Green with Envy because I'm using Striped Pattern.

I used the stamp in a vertical panel and have to say I love it.  Just another way to use these stamps.

I used the leftover panel from the first card on this second card, essentially the same design, but totally different looks.  I love the obscured pattern which seems to delight me in every color I've tried.

Recipe:

Hero Arts Butterfly and Flowers (CL750)

Hero Arts Flower and Butterfly Frame Cuts to match the above clear set

Hero Arts Striped Pattern (K5884)

Hero Arts Green Hills and Field Greens (the little cube sets)  I have several sets.

Cuttlebug

Stickles
Green Gems on the 2nd card

Hope you have enjoyed our month of Hero Arts.  I have had so much fun.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Grab a Typewriter

Using the Typewriter note card, I made some very simple cards by stamping a couple sentiments that came with the cards onto the "sheet of paper in the typewriter".  I also added Glossy Accents which makes the keys feel and look raised.  Fun to do.

Using a reverse of a die-cut.  I had this black panel on my desk and thought it looked great highlighting the typewriter.  I've had this "COOL" embellishment for a couple years now and never found a use for it.  I think this turned out rather "COOL".  The keys and ribbon spools are glossy with Glossy Accents too.

  Close-up

Always fun with Hero Arts!

Arlene and the Divas

I had to buy a NEW CELL PHONE

Sponsoring Die Cut Divas blog for January 2014

I had to buy a NEW CELL PHONE from Hero Arts.  Got ya, eh?  And it's pink or actually Soft Blossom Shadow Ink.  As soon as I saw this phone, I knew I wanted it.  My order hadn't come into my LSS until Friday and I picked it up Saturday.   I saw Virginia's cards last week in the Hero Arts Blog hop and she made me want this stamp set all the more.  So that's how I got my new CELL PHONE.

Close-up of background kraft embossed with Cuttlebug folder.

I thought of butterflies when I saw this color, so the butterflies are having some fun too.
Recipe:
Hero Arts LOL CL737
Hero Arts Lattice S5801
Hero Arts Shadow Ink Soft Blossom
Memory Box die - Vivienne Butterfly
Obsession Impression - small butterflies

Arlene and the Divas!

A Sparkly Vintage

A sparkly vintage card by Dawn.  Don't you love the sentiment?  A wonderful collage that I wanted to share with you.

 

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Pattern Stripes Leads the Way!

Let the new Wood Block Stamp, Pattern Stripes, lead the way!  I found I really LOVE this stamp.  When you stamp it, you see hints of words and patterns, but they seem to fade into the mist.  It's this kind of a stamp that is perfect for a background.  The pattern develops depth, but doesn't take away from anything else, UNLESS you want to draw the eye to the pattern.  You can do so much with a background stamp like this.

Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe (I tried some double stamping on this background, but it may have to be in larger increments so it doesn't blend into the previous stamping.  I think it's fantastic stamped once as below.

You can die cut into any part of your paper to create something just a little different.

Recipe:
Hero Arts Pattern Stripes (K5884)
Hero Arts Garden Ink Cubes set - Soft Cantaloupe
Cuttlebug Die-cut (thanks)
Spellbinders Stars
Cuttlebug

Arlene and the Die Cut Divs

Hop away with a Hero!

Join the Hero Arts past Hostesses are participating in a blog hop this week.  Start at Hero Arts here and post along the way.  You may win a prize or two!

Just a sneak preview of what Arlene has made for you at Bits of This and That.  What did I make?  You'll have to find out by visiting my blog.

Arlene and the Die Cut DIvas

Black and BLue

Hero Arts is starting the Hero Hostess blog hop today.  Be sure to visit Hero Arts for the Monday hop here.  I will be presenting the new stamps on my personal blog on Wednesday as part of the hop.  You'll find the Hero Arts link on this site on Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. Pacific. here

Sometimes I feel black is so harsh, so thought I'd stamp this great new Hero Arts stamp white on Blue and I like it.  I used Distress Paint Picket Fence on the image.  The background Zig Zag is a favorite of mine, now double stamped in Broken China and Faded Jeans.  An entirely new look to an old stamp.  

Closeup of that steam rising from the cup - a dainty cup

Recipe:
Hero Arts A Little (CL750
Hero Arts Need Caffeine (CL731) - steam
Hero Arts Zig Zag (CG422)
Distress Inks Broken China and Faded Jeans
Distress Paint Picket Fence
Stickles
Memory Box Die - Dainty Tea Cup
Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

I had to try a blackboard look in black too.

Recipe:
Hero Arts A Little (CL750)
Hero Arts Big Ticket (CL544)
Hero Arts frame
Stickles
Blue gems
PanPastels on the "SMILE"
I used this for a Birthday card for my son, so the ticket back says "Good for one Free Lunch"
However I think "A Great Big Hello is perfect for a SMILE.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Dawn does it again

Fellow DT, Dawn Turley, does it again.  

Because this month's theme is "Make it Glitter", Dawn gave me permission to use her Christmas project to inspire you to glitter.  The project below was made with glitter paper to give as a small present.  You could make these for any time.  Fabulous flameless candles are great with children in the house.

Thank you Dawn, 

The Die Cut Divas!

Some of My Favorite Things!

Our Sponsor:


Some of my favorite things are made by my fellow artists.  It was hard to choose just a few, but I'd like to share a few of my favorite cards by Paula Laird, our guest artist for January.

.  

I just love the owl sitting up there, looking so sweet.

I love the black and red combo.  Those birds are darling.

This card has always been one of my favorites.  The beginning of dawn lighting the land with a glimpse yet of evening in the distance.

These owls are the cutest and love the background.  Just so charming.

I love the coloring of this butterfly.  It makes my whole attitude one of cheer and brightness.

Isn't this the most stunning butterfly?  How does she do it?

Sharing with you, Paula of the Die Cut Divas

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Guest Appearance!

Our Sponsor this month!



Who will be our January guest? 

 None other than fellow DT, Paula Laird.

Die Cut Divas, lets get to know.Paula

• Tell us a little about yourself - I am a SAHM (Stay at home Mum) for the moment.  Who never seems to be home!  I am married to the love of my life Doug & have two kids & a crazy cat!  I've been married to Doug for the last eight (nearly nine) years & have been together for over fifteen years.  Emsy  my eldest is starting grade two this year & Lils is about to start Pre-prep (similar to Kindy) two days a week.  So I will also have to start looking for work soon which will make life interesting.  I'm sure life is already interesting!
• How long have you been a card maker/scrapper & when did you start?  -  I started Scrapbooking towards the end of 2006.  I used it as a form of therapy after having Emsy.  I was diagnosed with Post Natal Depression & scrapping helped me.  I soon discovered that I had a lot of "leftovers" & couldn't waste them.  About this time I also discovered Hero Arts stamps & I fell in love with them.  So card making has become my passion.  Paula has excelled!
• Do you follow sketches or dive right in? - I use to just dive right in & still sometimes do.  Now a days I mostly follow sketches & recently have started doing my own.  I must admit as much as I love sketches I sometimes can't follow them properly lol.   Paula has a real talent for sketching.  And I don't think there is any "proper" way to follow them.  I think Paula lets her heart lead her.
• How many projects do you make a week? - It depends on the time of year.  Honestly in the last month I haven't made a single thing :(.  I really need to get back into crafting as I miss it.  I usually try to make two cards a week.  Although with Lils into everything I usually get only one done.  We miss your crafting l Come back in, the water's fine!
• What is your favourite tool (what can't you create without) & why?  - See this is such a tough question for me.  I have three loves & tend to use all three on my cards.  But I guess if push came to shove it would be my "Rusty trusty Cuttlebug".  As I tend to use it on every card/project.  Years ago I never had heard the name.  
• What at the moment is your most favourite thing to do on your project?  - Colour with Copics!  I love colours & have discovered a Blog called DoveArt Studios http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com.au/ which I have found to be really helpful.  I would suggest checking it out, as there are some amazing combinations on her blog & they are ok to pin.  Let's all go visit too.
• How would you describe your style? - Another hard question.  I'd say I'm slowly leaning to a pared down style.  Not quiet clean & simple, but I'm no longer throwing everything (including the Kitchen sink) at my cards.
• What about your style would you change (or not) & why? - The balance between colours & space.  I have a hard time with this.  I love colour schemes ie black white with a hint of............. this I find hard to make work.  I always seem to go overboard with it.
• Have you been published or on a Design team - when & where? - I have been on a Design team over at Try Stampin' on Tuesdays.  This is such a great blog.  I've had a great time over there but unfortunately haven't been able to create for them for a while due to my life being so busy.  Of course, I don't want to leave out our very own Die Cut Divas.  Paula led the way for our challenge blog - hooray for Paula!
• Describe (pictures are even better) your crafting area - Bomb zone after the bombs went off!  Seriously it's a huge mess!  Made worse by the fact I was using it to create stuff for Emsy's school play.  I still have stuff piled on my rocking chair, the floor, the ironing board, the floor, my sewing table & yes the floor!  So no pictures for you! I swear it took me over an hour to clean off my card desk so I could sit & write the answers for this interview. 
• Hi Lovelies, OK I've been able to tidy up after the school play, going away & having Visitors for the last three weeks.  So here are a few snaps of my craft area - it takes up a quarter of my downstairs area.

My desk where cards are made

My Sewing area - and extra table space

• Do you have a blog? If not where can we see more of your fabulous creations? - Yes I have a blog which has been neglected of late.  It's called Scraps of Me & can be found here http://pajalus.blogspot.com.au/  Let's hope the new year let's me be able to update it more often.

Thank you so much for being our guest this month.  I'm so glad you could supply us with photos of your craft area.  I've been so curious where your creatures spring forth.  

 Hugs to our fellow Diva!, Paula.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

A CASE of glimmer!

Dawn here with a card I recently made

I saw that Joy Taylor was the Featured Stamper over at Splitcoaststampers on the 5th of January.  We were encouraged to view Joy's photos and CASE one of her cards.   I chose THIS card of Joy's and came up with this one

I made my background by smooching some card through a mixture of silver glimmer mist and Victorian Velvet distress ink that I had left over from dying some ribbon.  It is hard to see on this photo but it really shimmers for real.  I die cut the Memory Box die with some textured cream card.  The filigree butterfly was from the same cream card and the base butterfly from some cardstock scraps from a wax paper resist technique I've done recently.  The sentiment is from our sponsor ~ Hero Arts.  Note it has had some surgery so I could stamp each work separately.

I hope this has help inspire you to give our "Make it Glitter" Challenge 

Thanks
Dawn and the Divas.

Trees can be for Winter!

How about the new Hero Arts stamps?   Aren't they great?  Well, there's a surprise coming next week. As time gets closer, I'll whisper in your ear,sweet little nothings..... about stamping.  Until then, I'll try to sway you to have a GOOD NEW STAMPING YEAR with examples of Hero Arts stamps.  I love trees, so when I saw this "Tree for Life", I knew it was mine.  Thank you to Hero Arts.

I used Adirondack's Earthtones Eggplant, Earthtones Denim, and Lights Cool Peri to give a shadowy effect.. The HA butterfly from the new HA Butterfly and Flower set (CL750) didn't want to be left out. 
A spray of Sheer Shimmer Sparkle and Sheer Shimmer Frost adds that dusk feeling to the light blue note card.

This grows on you.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

The CCC is Back!

Deborah's CCC is Back!

The Card Chain Challenge (“CCC”) is a monthly international card exchange - you sign up to send a handmade card to the person above you on the list, and you receive a handmade card from the person below you on the list. Cardmakers from 26 countries have made and mailed over 1,100 cards through the CCC! 

Each month, Deborah provides inspiration in the form of a new color palette, a sketch, three different themes, and a featured product/element/technique. (The idea here is to give people as many options as possible - you only need to choose ONE to participate, but you can include more if you like.) So if you want to use the sketch only, great! If you find the color palette to your liking but are unmoved by the sketch, that's good, too! Don't like either but are dying to try out a new technique? You go for it, girl!

You need to email a picture of your finished card to Deborah and drop the card in the mail to its recipient by Sunday, January 19, 2014, 11:55 p.m., EST. All of the cards (with links to their creators' blogs or online photo galleries) will be revealed on Saturday, February 1, 2014. 

If you’d like to see a past CCC Reveal, go here. If you want to learn more, please read the Rules and FAQ's. If you want to have a really good time, join in and sign up here! 

Hope to see you there!  I'm going over right now to sign up!

Case a Card and Make it Glitter

When I saw this card on the Cecilia's Cards, I fell in love with it and wanted to case it.  One tip from Cecilia, start die-cutting the number 2 to the right more as there will be a lot of thickness on the left bottom of the card.  I can't use my number dies the same as Cecilia because they are all on one plate (Cuttlebug Olivia font).  I still like Cecilia's best, but I went for it, twice.

I needed a Thank you Card, so I used a portion of the phrase "Thanks for being a friend" 

from Hero Arts Enjoy Today and the Washi tape I had on hand.  I die-cut my Glitter Paper and adhered the numbers to the card.  I love Cecili's method and numbers.  Just right for her card.

I made two cards while I had Washi tape and stamp in hand. I die-cut my White Glitter Paper and adhered the numbers to the card.

These turned out great for perky cards to start the NEW YEAR, but a totally different feel to the card.  I STILL LOVE Cecilia's card best.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Case This, Case That!

Hero Arts is our sponsor to start off the new year.  A big thank you to Hero Arts.

If you read my January 1st "A Bit of This and That" post, you know Jennifer McGuire has inspired me and I cased her technique of triple stamping a background.  Here I am double-stamping a background just to create another great background.  I am casing her card once again stamping the background twice, using distress inks China Blue and Faded Jeans.

I really hadn't expected much from this Hero Arts Zig Zag background stamp, but I'm loving the pattern.  I know, ye of little faith.... 

Close-up of this delightful butterfly, part of the clear set Butterfly and Flower (CL750).  It sparkles!

                    This makes a wonderful Thank you card.                          

The longer panel is a beautiful pattern and a little sentiment & embellishment is all you need.

Be sure to enter our January challenge 

"Make it Glitter".

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Drum roll please.... the Winner is...........

Judyt28   (Judy Tuck)  with this beauty

Congratulations Judy. We'll be in touch on how to redeem your Bugaboo prize.

Many thanks to all of you who entered our challenge over the past two months... a total of 177 entries.... all totally amazing so I'll leave you with a selection 

 

Melissa

 

 Mian

 

Lyn T

 

Scrappellen

 

Sally

And if you want to see the whole lot, pop over HERE

So I hope to see you all again in our challenges... January is underway.

Dawn and the Divas.

Happy New Year.