And The Winner Is!.......

With the help of random.org we have our winner. 
Out of 24 lovely entries in all for  February's Untraditional Valentine Challenge, the results is.......



Entry #24!...........
                                                                   

                                                                    JUTTA!!!!!!

Her Winning Project

I hope you will leave her some love and congratulations on this beautiful set of magnets.

The Prize

Congratulations Jutta!!!!! the above picture is the prize you will recieve.

Please contact me via flickr @ hannah nicole f with your email and home address,

and I will get it out to you as soon as possible.

Thank you all for joining my challenge, it was great fun! I'm amazed with all the entries, each and everyone is very special in their own way I enjoyed viewing all of them.

See you all for Dawns March Challenge!

Hannah and the DCD Design Team

Valentines day jokes

Dear readers

 For some of you I know it is very busy and you just can't wait for the weekends to come, and we are halfway there! so here is some fun jokes, sayings and stories to cheer you up and get you through the rest of your week, all are valentines/love related and some may even be good enough to put in our cards!

Q: Why did the boy have his girlfriend put in jail?
A: She stole his heart.

Q: How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend?
A: He gave her a ring.
Q: Why did the boy put candy under his pillow?
A: Because he wanted sweet dreams.

Q. What did one volcano say to the other?
A. I lava you.

Q: What did the octopus say to his girlfriend when he proposed?
A: Can I have your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand in marriage?

Q: What do squirrels give for Valentine's Day?
A: Forget-me-nuts.

Q: What did the valentine card say to the stamp?
A: Stick with me and we'll go places!

Q: What did the light bulb say to the switch?
A: You turn me on.

Q: What did the paper clip say to the magnet?
A: I find you very attractive.

Q. What did the boy bird say to the girl bird on Valentine's Day?
A. Let me call you Tweet heart!

Q: Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day?
A: Sure, they're very scent-imental!

Q: What did the pencil say to the paper?
A: I dot my i's on you!

Roger, who was 19 years old, was buying an expensive bracelet, to surprise his girlfriend on Valentine's Day, and ws discussing his needs with the jeweler at Tiffany's.
The jeweler inquired, 'Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?'
Roger thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, 'No, instead engrave "To my one and only love".'
The jeweler smiled and said, 'Yes, sir; how very romantic of you.'
Roger retorted with a glint in his eye, 'Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again.

Love is not blind; it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.

Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he loves.
After marriage, the "y" becomes silent.

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots

"Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties

This is probably inopropriate for a card but I thought it was funny and had to share
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's empty and so is your head.

Roses are red violets are blue, don't kiss me once just make it a few.

I'm a great artist, I've painted you on the wall of my heart, I love you with all of my art.

A kiss is something you cannot give without taking & cannot take without giving.



I could go on and on LOL there is so many funny ones out there but these were my favorites.
Enjoy the weekend is near!
Hannah and the DCD Design team.




 

Thanks Maria! + more of her cards

Thanks Maria for such a fun week! it was great getting to know you better, and we loved your tutorial!

Since this is your final day, I just wanted to showcase some  more of your cards, to show our readers.

 

 

And that is just a few of my favorites!  Please check out her Photostream and leave her some lovely comments.  If I did it right you should be able to click on the photos above to leave comments on them too.

Here is a word from Maria;

I’d like to thank the Die Cut Divas for inviting me to share my cards with all of you. These ladies are so kind and encouraging – especially with their fun challenges, tips and sweet comments. I hope you’ve enjoyed visiting their blog and plan to come back for more. It’s not too late to participate in this month’s challenge, so c’mon… give it a try!

In keeping with the Valentine’s motif, I would also like to invite you to check out a fun new Flickr group…LOVE! – Handmade cards, ATC’s & other Crafts (http://www.flickr.com/groups/lovehandmadecards/ ). Join us here for inspiration, encouragement and a friendly place to post your beautiful work. We’d LOVE to see any items with a “LOVE YOU”, “MISS YOU”, "THINKING OF YOU' or "FRIENDSHIP" theme. There’s no limit to the kinds of items you can post here as long as they fit the group theme. There are no product requirements – unless specifically indicated for a challenge sponsored by a specific company.

Crafters of all ages and nationalities are welcome to participate. In fact, we encourage you to invite all your friends to join in.

Make sure you stop by our group POOL and leave some LOVE for your fellow members. Don’t forget to subscribe to our group feed so you can keep up with the Discussion Threads and feel free to start new discussions to share your thoughts and news with the group!

 

Have a "Fantastic" weekend!

Hannah, Maria, and the DCD Design team

Introducing Our guest Designer... Maria!

Die Cut Divas let’s get to know....Maria Fernanda McClure!

 

 

 

   Tell us a little about yourself

 I was born in Argentina, raised in the Washington, DC area of the United States and went to University in Montreal, Canada. I’ve been married for 10 years to a wonderful man who has a vague understanding of my hobby yet indulges that need for me to disappear into the crafts room every now and then. My two beautiful daughters, Maddie (8) and Catherine (4) keep me busy with their antics and scheduled activities. Fortunately, they both love stamps, ink, paper and scissors as much as I do, so there are some good times in our basement hideout! I go by MadCat2002 on Flickr, an alias based on my girls’ names. Having worked in the Real Estate and Research industries for many years before having children, it was a big change becoming a stay at home mom. I wouldn’t change a thing, but I am always looking for something to keep myself and my brain busy, whether it’s volunteering at school and in the community or connecting with people around the world who share my interests.

         

How long have you been a card maker/scrapper & when did you start?

I’ve always liked to do crafty things, but my love for stamping and card making started in 1999 when my mother gave me a small mermaid stamp, embossing ink and powder and a heat tool. Once I saw the magic that happens when you heat the powder, I was hooked! About an hour later I was in the closest stamps store learning all I could. I took some classes and started quite a collection, but I was not so focused. For me the most fun came from the social aspect and learning from others. When the store closed, all of that was gone. I dabbled a little here and there, got married had children and then found there was not a lot of time for crafting. About 2 years ago, while looking for a Cricut tutorial, I found blogs that eventually led me to Die Cut Divas! In the process I also realized that the internet now offers a wealth of information and an opportunity to connect with crafters all over the world!! I may not have the local craft shop anymore, but I have certainly made some wonderful friends.

  

 Do you follow sketches or dive right in?

That depends… Sometimes, I’ll run down to my crafts room with an idea in my head, other times I really need the push from a sketch or color inspiration challenge. In fact, some of my favorite cards are the result of a lot of playing around and rearranging. As much as I love paper crafting, it takes me a bit to let go of all the everyday thoughts and responsibilities before I can get going. There are some wonderful challenge blogs which provide all kinds of inspiration – even when I miss the deadlines. J

How many projects do you make a week?

In a good week, I might make 3 or 4 cards, but there are times when I just can’t make the time for even one! Fortunately, The Hero Arts Flickr group holds 90 minute scrambles every two weeks. Even I can set aside an hour and a half to just immerse myself in one challenge. It’s fun knowing that there are women doing the same thing at the same time across several continents!

What is your favourite tool (what can't you create without) & why?

My favorite tool just might be my Cuttlebug. I used to use it only for dry embossing, but have now started collecting the thin metal dies as well. The fact that so many companies are now coming out with matching stamps and dies is fantastic!! I love the look of paper piecing and fussy cutting, this just gives me a faster way of achieving a similar effect. My Cricut is a great tool for larger projects, but I am very tempted by the capabilities of the Silhouette. Hmmm… maybe sometime soon?

What at the moment is your most favourite thing to do on your project?

I love adding pattern and texture to cards through a variety of techniques – whether it is dry embossing, raised die cuts and the shadows they create, or emboss resist inking.

How would you describe your style?

Ummm… Hit or Miss? Sometimes, it’s clean and simple; other times more graphic and others still with lots of detail. I suppose it depends on my mood or the ultimate recipient of the card. My favorite cards do tend to be more streamlined and with lots of white space, but very rarely are they only one layer. Here are some of my favorites:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/madcatink/sets/72157632703855010/

What about your style would you change (or not) & why?

I’d like to improve my eye for balance and detail. I know it when I see it, but have a hard time achieving it myself. Thank goodness there are some fantastic online classes and blogs where we can learn more about design principles. Ultimately only practice will help me get there!

Have you been published or on a Design team - when & where?

Nope… I’ve never submitted anything for publication (see my comments above) and have not dared apply for a Design Team. I worry the demands of being on a DT might take the fun out of the process for me and don’t think I could take another deadline!! J

 That being said, I am in awe of the many, many talented paper crafters who bring us amazing work and inspiration week after week. Not only do they come up with jaw-dropping designs, but they graciously share their tips and techniques so all of us can improve our work. Remember… don’t just peek at the inspiration pieces when you visit a challenge blog. Make sure you take a moment to stop by each DT member’s blog too. You are bound to learn something and you might make a new friend along the way.

  

  Describe (pictures are even better) your crafting area

It’s a small windowless room in our basement with plenty of storage for paper, stamps and tools. Every little thing is within reach. The lighting could be improved, but I make do with my little clamp lights. There’s another table near the desk where my girls do their work too. It can get a little cramped, but we love it. I just happened to take some pictures the other day after straightening it up, so I’m glad you asked now instead of a few weeks ago!! Here are some photos:

 

        Do you have a blog? If not where can we see more of your fabulous creations?

I don’t have a blog, but do keep a Flickr photostream where I share the cards I make. You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madcatink/. As a relatively new member of the outstanding Hero Arts Flickr group  I found a wonderfully encouraging and supportive family of crafters. I love their enthusiasm and the incredibly informative discussion threads that keep all of us engaged. Last December, one of my Flickr friends (Debbie of Vancouver Island) proposed that I start a new group to run a Valentine’s Card Chain. The idea was to just use it for seasonal challenges, but then I saw an opportunity to create a group where we could all share cards made with stamps and products from other companies year round. We gave the group a Love/Friendship theme and have invited crafters with varied interests to participate. With 94 members in just under 6 weeks, we’ve held our first Valentine’s Card Chain exchange and are looking forward to more fun throughout the year. HERE, you’ll find not only love-themed handcrafted cards, but also ATC’s, Zentangles and home décor projects. We hope to grow the LOVE! group into a place that offers a similarly encouraging and informative atmosphere as the Hero Arts group for those who create with products from other companies. I do hope you’ll visit, enjoy that you see, leave some LOVEly comments and join in the fun. We’d LOVE! to have you.

 

Thanks Maria, it was great getting to know you! and may I say what a nice craft space you have.

 

Ladies, if you would like to see more work of Maria's Check out the above links and come back here Wednesday to see what Maria has made for us!

How about a Video?

Good Day Everyone,
How did you like Arlenes Heart Box she posted about Monday, wasn't it lovely?

Today I will be sharing a short video I put together for you.....Okay it's not very short it's nearly 8 minutes long, so you may want to grab your morning muffin, afternoon coffee, or evening desert, depending on what time of day it is for you, before you sit down and click the play button.

I thought it would be fitting to do a video about sandwhiches for the bigshot as our first video, for those of you who are new to it or maybe considering a purchase.

Boy! was it fun getting this video together, I could put a whole blooper reel at the end of the clip, but I think it would've been longer then the video itself.  I had so many mess-ups, mainly the ones where I'd go completely blank, after pressing the recording button and I'd just stand there dumbfounded, or I'd stutter terrribly.
......Anyways I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful.

Before I go away I did want to mention real quick that, this was my personal video and youtube channel, and not part of the DCD, so when and if you subscribe, you will not see any other videos besides my own and some may have nothing for or about the DCD. So if you do subscribe hoping to see other videos for the DCD you will not find anything.  Eventually we might have a group channel but for now it is just the DT's personal channels.

Thanks for stopping by!
         Hannah and the DCD Design team.

Final Card Showcasing my Favorite Die

Hello,
I'm back with my final card this week showcasing my favorite die.  I hope you aren't all tired of my brown cards!  It seems to be my go to color lately and works in every category.

I wanted this card to be completely void of the "valentine" color scheme, to fit this months challenge theme and it was fun to do something different.
 For this example using the die, I embossed it to show you how neat it looks, without dressing down the elegance, for a more fun card use a folder with more of a bold design.

Steps of Assembly
I cut an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet lengthwise at 5 1/2, and my card "front" (or panel) at 3 3/4 x 5 and set aside
I chose my embossing folder and dies in this case the flowers, nesty rectangles, and Swiss dots folder, and ran each piece through the machine.  For the rectangles I placed them on the matt together holding it down with a small piece of tape putting the smaller rectangle inside the larger for the frame effect. next I distressed my card front, the flower/leaves, and the rectangle frame, and ran the flower in the embossing folder.  I stamped the background on my card front using the same color I distressed it with, finally I assembled all my layers and adhered them together and stamped the sentiment on the white panel.

Material List
Solar Neenah White Cardstock
HA S5213 Dots and Flowers
HA CL483 Type
Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Mustard Seed,  and Mowed Lawn Distress inks
Tattered Florals Bigz Die
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Spell Binder Nesties Large Rectangles

Please Join us back here Monday for some more fun.
Have a great weekend!

     Hannah
 And the Die Cut Diva's Design Team

February Challenge - Untraditional Valentines

Good morning Ladies

Our Second Month of the year has begun, and that you should all know by now; means it's time for a new challenge.

Because this is the "official" month of love, I am going to challenge you with making Valentines.

But don't think it will be so easy for you! there is a twist as well... I want to see untraditional valentines, and by this I mean not your normal pink red and white color combinations, all of which you can use, but not together on the same card/project.

and as a second option you can use embossing powder on your valentines, to which the above rules do not apply, as long as you use embossing powder.

All cards/projects must be made using at least one die cut or embossing folder, using any die cut machine you may own.

Limits are 4 projects per person per challenge.
The winner will be selected randomly, at the end of the month and Announced on the 1st of March




Example Cards...

Hannah

Arlene

Inside of Arlene's card

Paula L.

To Post your entries you will need to upload your photo to either your blog or flickr photo stream and follow the Inlinkz instructions by clicking the link below and follow it step by step.



We will be putting a link to this post on flickr so you find it easily to enter your projects.

If you have any questions please address them on our flickr group, and one of our Mods will get to you when we can.

Be sure to stop by through out the month, we have lots of fun stuff planned for you!

The Die Cut Diva's Design Team