Chalkin' it up

Thank goodness for those constant challenges are put out there!

Otherwise, I would never have thought to grab some of the

DCWV "All Chalked Up" cardstock

 and enter this terrific challenge at

Waltzingmouse Makes

with Claire!

 

The technique challenge this week is to use the stamps on a

black background to give the look of chalk!

Well, I love my Waltzingmouse Stamps

and

I have the perfect cardstock paper for such a project!

 

 

DCWV has a line of erasable chalk cardstock that comes in dozens of colors!

This stuff is amazing!

You can write on it with your chalk, and then rub off if you choose or change your message.

Makes for perfect home decor that you can re-write messages daily!

Also perfect with this paper are the Bistro Chalk Markers. They wipe off with water, too!

 

The only chalk I could locate in my house today was my grandson's sidewalk chalk,

so no small detailing on this card. (Gotta wonder where I put my art chalks...hmmm....)

 

The stamps I used are all Waltzingmouse.

Sentiment is from "Rescue Remedies",

The frame and swirl are "Vintage Labels 4".

 

Thanks for hanging in here with me over the past few months.

I've been feeling very ill and things have been a bit slow and patchy,

but with a New Year comes getting well again!

 

~Jan~

 

 

February is drawing near....

and many of you will be needing new ideas for Valentine's cards.

Whether it is for your child's classroom, or your own love-of-your-life,

You can see so many great projects at

the DCWV Diary blog!

 

We are using old and new stacks here on the Design Team to

demonstrate how you can use stacks not specifically created for

Valentine's Day

to make some terrific cards and party favors!

 

Here's one I threw together quickly using the

"Forever and Always" stack.

It's one of my favorite papers ANY time of year!

 

 

The little basket stamp is an old release from

WaltzingMouse Stamps

and has held so many different items over the years!

 

I do hope the weather is treating you all well.

It will be a beautiful 80 degrees here in Phoenix today,

and I hope to get out for a walk later.

 

Heart-filled Hugs,

~Jan~



Arctic Wishes from DCWV!

We all love LOOKING at the snow from a distance,

but my grandson LOVES being IN the snow!

(He does not get that from my side of the family.)

 

Winter Pop of Color!

Sometimes the colors in your photos DEMAND that you go a different color scheme than you typically would. I would NEVER have wanted to use the bright reddish/orange that this layout has, but the sled really decided it for me. Next time, perhaps, I will think to print in B & W!

 

 

The papers in the Arctic Wishes stack makes throwing together a layout so simple.

Trust me, if I can do this with a throbbing spinal headache,

think of the amazing projects YOU can make!

 

~Jan~



Doodle Dragon - Simple and Easy!

Here's a birthday card I made for a special little boy who will be turning 4 soon!  WOW!

Seems like he was just crawling around in diapers!

 

 

I used two of Dustin's images from the Christmas in July set!

They were so much fun to paper-piece!

To add a bit more pop to the card, I made it a step card!

 

The glittered letters are from an old chipboard set from DCWV, "Animal Crackers",

as are the pattern papers.

 

Enjoy the day!

 

 



Happy Birthday, Dustin!

Those of us on the Doodle Dragon Design Team love to give Dustin shXX,  cra...ummm...errr,  a hard time, and lot of crap about things in general.

But he allows us to have our fun at his expense and creates the cutest little images.

This month, Dustin has come out with a line of

Birthday Monkeys

(Guess he may have had some incentive from this bunch of monkeys!) 

 

 

So, have a good one, Big Guy!

 

~Jan~



Stardust and Dreams....

The "Stardust" paper stack

from

DCWV

can make dreams come true!

 

This card will be perfect for that special someone (big or small) who has accomplished a hard-earned goal!

 

 

I simply cut the mats, added a border from the paper stack, applied four star studs, and wrapped with gold tulle. The top sentiment is fussy cut directly from the paper pack, too! 

 

 

 Most of my friends' little girls love purple and pink!

 

 

Thanks, DCWV, for yet another terrific stack!

This line is available at your local JoAnn's!

 



Thinking outside the box....

Actually, I've been thinking outside the SEASON!

 

We've all been barraged with fall and Christmas holiday projects and decorations for months now,

so I decided to approach things a bit differently.

 

As I flipped through my terrific collection of papers stacks from

DCWV,

I immediately saw what was obviously the perfect "non-traditional" Valentine's Day blue papers with these adorable little cross-stitched hearts on them!

Whee!  What a great way to head into February.

Makes Spring feel closer already!

 

 

This stack is "Arctic Wishes"  and, sure, it has all of the winter features one would expect.

But it also has all of this wonderful stitching!

 

 

 

I thought it would be so great to go unexpected and make ths card for some friends of mine who are celebrating their 5th anniversary this next month!

 

These papers aren't ONLY for Winter.  The patterns and colors work for so many other situations.

 

I hope they like their card and have many more to enjoy!

Never judge a paper stack by it's given name...look past the obvious and you will often find a hidden gem.

(PS I love that little sewing machine...cute!)

 

Let's see how many non-holiday cards you can make out of these papers!

 

 Stamp used:   EK Success

TPC Studio

 

I'm looking at the variety of these stacks, and I'm seeing all sorts of party candy boxes and gift tags for various celebrations.

Party on!

 

~Jan~

Christmas Memories...with DCWV

When my father passed this last October, there were many memories I wanted to preserve.
One was the fact that my dad had a miniature train set that he had created an entire village scene around and was set up year around in their den.  It was something that, as a child he never had, and had always dreamed of.
That was one of the items that I truly want to hold onto,
along with all those memories.

 

 I used the terrific paper stack from DCWV,
"The Winter Holiday"
for this quick and simple 12 x12 layout.
 

 

 

 

The colorful little diamond and delicate blue lacey prints were perfect to make this layout boyish enough without being too bold.

For the gorgeous blue mats, I used the Jeweled Colored Cardstock Stack.

(Textured and White Core!)

 

Hopefully, my grandson will grow older and appreciate what a wonderful Great-Grandpa he had and will recall playing with the train village during his visits there.

 

We create layouts and memories for ourselves, with the dream that they will hold some special place in the hearts of others in the future.

 

Check out all of the holiday papers that are still available at your local craft stores,

and

see the brand new release available at JoAnn's!

 

Click here to see the video showing all 7 new stacks!  Yes, there's 7!

Blue Citrus Stack

Denim Stack

Butterfly Garden Stack

Foiled Elegance Stack

Birthday Wishes Stack

Kidlet Stack

and

Solstice Stack

 

Get your list ready becuase it's going to be a great

New Year!

 

More new stacks coming to Michael's soon, too!

Happy New Year from DCWV!

Giveaway!!

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST

 

At DCWV, They’ve been hard at work putting together new, fun, and fabulous products for you to use during this next year and beyond.  The colors are fresh, the designs unique and timeless, and the materials—oh; just wait until you get your hands on them!  You’re sure to love them!  Because they aren’t in stores just yet, we can’t show you what the finished product looks like.   However, because we can’t contain our excitement, we want to share some of the prints from a few of these new stacks with 3 lucky winners.  To enter the giveaway, please do one (or more) of the following*:

 

Like DCWV on Facebook

Like Northridge Publishing on Facebook (Scrapbook Trends, Cards, Simply Handmade)

Leave a comment on the Northridge blog

Share this post with a friend

 

*Did you do more than one of the above?  Leave a comment for each item you complete!

 

Once you’ve accomplished the above, leave a comment at the DCWV post to let them know which item you chose.  Winners will be announced next Monday afternoon, January 7^th, on the  DCWV blog.  

 

Best of luck!!

Jan

To new beginnings....

With the holidays coming to a close,

I look toward the New Year as a time of new beginnings.

 

 

My term is ending at

Crafter's Companion

and it has been a wonderful, however short, fullfilling experience.

The design team has been so very helpful to this newcomer,

and I have learned so much about their products and techniques from everyone!

 

With the recent passing of my father in October,

the caring and closeness of my blogger friends has become even more apparent!

 

So, I say "Good-bye" to 2012

and "WELCOME 2013" and to a fresh start with new ideas and renewed creativity!

 

A "Charmed" New Year!

 

I used the absolutely gorgeous butterfly stamp from the

Sheena Douglas collection,

A Little Bit Scenic, "Flying Colors" set.

 

I spritzed some alcohol ink directly onto my white cardstock, trying to match it to a section of this paper from 7 Gypsies.

(one of my New Year's resolutions is to use up some of my old papers)

Then, I stamped the butterfly image twice onto the dry paper and

black heat embossed them.

I cut them out and added some ink to the wings to better match the color tone and add some dimension.  I always pop up my images for movement.

The key charm was used as the "body" on one of the butterflies, and an extra little clockface tied onto the ribbon.

 

As I say so long to one life experience,

I am excited to see what this coming year holds.

 

As always, I'll continue to bring you goodness and yumminess from

DCWV

and

Doodle Dragon Sudios

and plan to expand in yet more directions with my craft.

 

Have a Happy, Happy New Year!

~Jan~

If not for....

this adorable little image, I would never have made it onto the wonderful

Design Team at

Crafter's Companion!

 

We were asked to pick one of our favorite projects,

and this one immediately came to mind.

 

This 6 x 6 card was made using

In Trouble Again,

one of the many sweet images in the "Paintbox Poppets" collection!

 

 

It is also one of my very favorite projects from the past year!

 

 

If you would like to read the details of how I created this card,

just look here!

 

I hope to eventually get back to creating as I was at that time.

I have been in a bit of a funk since my father's funeral in November and have been addressing some of my own medical issues.

But with the New Year comes new beginnings!

 

I love all of the Paintbox Poppets and look forward to taking marker to paper and designing more of these darlings!

If you would like to win your own "In Trouble Again" stamp, simply leave a comment on this blog post and one lucky winner will receive it!

 

Visit the Crafter's Companion blog to see more projects and go to all of the team's blogs to enter and win more stamps!

 

Thanks, again, for visiting my blog,

and a Very Merry Christmas to all of you!

~Jan~

 

 

 

 

On the Seventh day of Christmas with DCWV....

... I made this little shadow book that can hold so many memories!

So glad you could join

DCWV

for our

12 Days of Christmas!
 

 I am day Seven!

I wanted to make something a bit different than a card, or a layout (and since I have no swans a swimmin' to speak of, or seven of any bird for that matter)

I decided to make a nice keepsake book/box as a decorator piece for the holidays!

 

 

I decorated the front of an old book with the gorgeous vintage paper from the

Chrismas Combo Stack, 2012. 

With 180 pages of beautiful holiday papers to choose from, you can't go wrong!

I cut the adorable little stockings out of the "Winter Holiday" stack, and finished it off with a pretty white bow and gold trim paint.

(You can't tell, but my fireplace is the brown pattern paper run

through a "brick" embossing die!)

 

 

When you open the book, it has become a 3 dimensional frame

with a small scene inside.

 Here's where the swans come into play!

 

The secret to this project is PATIENCE.

I drew my area to be cut out on the top page, and then cut through as many layers with an Exacto knife as possible. Little by little, you make your way through the pages of the book. I stopped about 1/2 inch from the bottom so that my background had some padding behind it.

Decorate the back of what will be your shadow-box, making sure you have absolutely EVERYTHING you want included before this next step.

 

 

For my "shadow box book", I included a stamped, heat embossed and decorated Christmas tree, some white paint and snow, and popped up a lady swan.

 

Only then do you glue an acetate sheet over the top and start decorating the front cover of your frame.

I also glued all of the bottom-section pages together (yes, more patience) and painted the sides lightly with gold paint to give a more antique appearance.

The large swan on the outside is also cut twice and popped up.

 

These old books can be recycled to hold keepsakes and memories of many types.

See where your imagination can take you!

 

The pictures of this were the most difficult I have ever tried to take. Between the acetate reflecting my lights, and the day being so very gloomy and dark, this is the best I could do.

 

But the feeling of the holiday and the old-timey wholesomeness of the poem still comes through....

"seven swans a'swimming...., "

 

Please check back tomorrow at DCWV to see what the Eighth Day of Christmas brings!

 

To join in on the fun over at Top Tip Tuesdays, I entered this project on their weekly challenge!

Happy Holidays!

~Jan~



Big Giveaway at DCWV!

Go to DCWV Diary blog

to see how you can win some amazing papers!

 

 

Also, Blue Moon Beads,

a subsidiary of DCWV is giving away some fantastic goodies!

 

Comments are all that are required!

Join us in looking towards a wonderful

New Year with some terrific new product!

 

Good luck!

~Jan~



Easy Gift Wrap Idea with Crafter's Companion!

So many times I just need a simple way to present a small gift without

all the hoopla of papers and ribbons!

 

I whipped up this easy, folded packaging for my holiday gifts such as gloves, scarves, and (in this case) a knitted hat that all the kids are wearing!

 

 

This little image of Humphrey trudging through the snow is so cute!

 Crafter's Companion, "Snow Fun"

Start with an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of your preferred white coloring cardstock and cut

to 6 x 11. Score your paper at 4", 4 1/2" 8 1/2 and 9".  Stamp your image in the center of your center 4" space. (Sorry, it was only AFTER I finished my project did I think to photograph it!)

 

Color your image and don't forget to add shadowing to it and the sentiment to look as though the words are shadowed in the snow!

 

Simply adorn with some pretty patterned paper at top and bottom and you have packaging that even the retail stores would envy!

 

 

Hope this makes some of your gift wrapping faster!

You could easily color one image and then make copies to put together dozens of matching gifts! (Think school/teacher projects!)

 

Have a great week!

~Jan~



DCWV/Hampton Art Hop!

Hello and welcome to day one of the two-day DCWV/Hampton Art Holiday Hop!
 

 



DCWV and Hampton Art are two companies that go above and beyond to provide a wide selection of products from classic, to vintage, to trendy and modern. So, when we decided to team up, it was only natural that we would want to show you some variety.

Day #1 of our hop is all about vintage! Whether you are talking lace and pearls and soft weathered colors or distressed, grungy, and aged, if you love all things vintage we have some beautiful projects to show you today!
 
DCWV (Hop Beginning)
Vivian Keh
Jan Garber  (you are here!)
Dana Warren
Hilde Stolk
Gini Williams Cagle
Rita Barakat
Linda Abadie
Tessa Buys
Beverly Sizemore
Karla Der
Gloria Stengel
Amanda Philips
Hampton Art


If you have come here from Vivian's blog then you're on track! If not, you should go back to the DCWV blog and start the hop from there!

 

Swan Lake Christmas Gift Box

 

The stamps are from Hampton Art, Graphic 45 collection,
papers from DCWV, "The Heirloom Christmas" stack,
with the added duck feathers to symbolize the swan.

 

 

The container is an altered wooden cigar box.

 



 

Not only does she sparkle, but she wobbles, too!

Yep, when the box opens, she gently wiggles.

 

 

 

This will make any gift extra special!

 

 



Next, hop on over to Dana's blog and see what surprises she has in store for you!

 But, first, don't forget to leave a comment on all the blogs for your chance to win a terrific prize!

 

 

Make a note to visit the DCWV/Hampton Art Hop Day Two tomorrow!

The girls will be highlighting "modern" projects!
AND 3, yes 3, winners will be chosen from those who comment on all of the blogs to win fantastic prize packages!
Whoo-hoo!

 

Hoppy Holidays!

Mr. Toad here wishing you a very "Hoppy Christmas" holiday!

 

 

I can't resist grabbing my Copic markers

and playing with some new techniques now and then.

This image from Stampendous is one that I found particularly fun!

 

And with my new Christmas stack from

DCWV,

I had no problem picking out some great papers!

 

 

I was intimadated when I first saw this little guy, but with a few pointers from my local marker instructor, I was puttin' warts on a frog in no time!

 

And hint:  ALWAYS stamp twice, and cut twice, popping your image up off the card!

You may not be able to tell here, but that gentleman toad appears to be ready to leap right off the card!

 

Paper:  DCWV, Winter Holiday Stack

Image Stamp: Stampendous

Sentiment:  TPC Studio, Christmas Tags

Ink: Copic Markers

Entered in the December Challenge (CAS Christmas card) at
Stampendous Impressions!



Traditional Christmas cards from DCWV!

Holiday Greetings!

More Christmas goodness from

DCWV!

"Traditional Holiday" stack goodness,
that is!

 

Beads and pendant are "Blue Moon".

Here's another quick card made from the same stack!

The flower was die cut from the "Heirloom Christmas" stack.


All other pattern papers are "Traditional Holiday"
Simple and easy...