Wedding Wishes

Hi Bloggers.

I'm happy and sad about today's project share.  Happy because I love how this card came out.  And sad because it is my last week working as a DT member for Karber Digital.  I am very honored to have been accepted for this design team.  I have worked alongside some very creative and talented crafters.  I just want to thank everyone at Karber Digital and all the DT members for an awesome 3 months!!

I began my membership with a white, black and red card (and bling), and I wanted to end the same way.  Bella Bride is a digital stamp that you can use on any type of wedding-related project.  Card, Mini Album, Picture frame, Layout, etc.

I created this wedding card with no one in mind.  I just love this digital stamp and knew it would be the perfect touch to a wedding-themed card.  The paper I used is from MME Lost & Found "Union Square",  along with Recollections cardstock and bling.  I embossed the white piece on the bottom with a cuttlebug folder, added used Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and punched the Fiskars stamped sentiment with Stampin' Up punches.

I hope I have inspired all of you at least once with my DT projects and will work hard to continue doing so in future ventures.

x0, Damaris

Ooh La La Paris!!

Bonjour Bloggers... hehe.

To keep with the "Parisian" theme I've been feeling lately, I decided to alter a KaiserCraft Large Desk Organizer that I purchased in order to have more places to put things on my Smash Table.  

When I bought this thing, which was $20 incidentally, I had NO IDEA it did not come assembled.  So that and painting it (alone) took a day.  I decided to let it be (which is unlike me since I like to finish projects the same day), and start on it today again.

I had no clue how I was going to decorate it, but I knew I would be using the "My Favorite Things" 12x12 pad by Recollections that I bought at Michaels earlier in the year.  

I immediately fell in love with this pad when I first saw it and had forgotten about it.  So as I dug through my 12x12 pads in search of something that stood out, I found this one.  I immediately got to cutting, glueing and embellishing.  The hardest part (if I had to choose one, because honestly everything was difficult - lol), was deciding how I wanted to decorate the little boxes.

I fussy-cut some pieces from the paper and used them as touches all around.  I punched out the banners in the back section with a Fiskars punch and added Rina Bling from KarlaS001's etsy shop.  

Anyway, let's get to the project.  The following photos kinda take you through the process, I got so wrapped up in doing it that I forgot to take photos of more of the steps... hehe.  At first I spray painted it in white, but I changed it later to black.

I glued everything with E600 glue.  

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.  I'd love to know what you think, so kindly leave me a comment.

Je t'aime, Damaris

Here's a video showing you the project and where I have it on my Smash Desk.

Bonjour!!

Bonjour Bloggers, along with a super cute card share, I have an announcement to make.  

If you're one of my Facebook friends then you would already have known about the great new.  I was asked to join the Sweet Nothings Stamp Company DT by Lina.  These digital stamps are absolutely adorable and I was very flattered to have been approached to join such a wonderfully talented team of crafters!!  

For my first SNSC DT project I created a card using "Sweet Sophie" and the new Fairy Belle collection by Prima.  As I colored her in I knew I wanted to place her in a Parisian backdrop, so adding the MFT Eiffel Tower die-namics die to the card made it feel more authentic.  I used soft romantic colors and 2 Martha Stewart punches of butterflies and hydrangeas.  I don't normally  make my own flowers (that's what Recollections is for, right? lol), but I actually enjoyed making these tiny ones.  I think I'll use them more often on my projects.

I hope I have inspired you to check out the Sweet Nothings Stamp Company website, and get your very own Sophie to color.  She's just so sweet!

Je t'adore, Damaris

Steampunk Card

So my dad's birthday was April 6 and as I thought (for many weeks) about what type of card I wanted to make for him, I knew for sure that I didn't want to color anything.  Not because he wouldn't appreciate it, but maybe he'd feel it's kinda kiddish.  I dunno.  Anyway, so it wasn't until the DAY BEFORE (which is normal for a procrastinator - lol), that I started to work on it and once I picked out the paper pad I wanted to work with (Authentique "Journey"), everything came together fairly quickly.  It was a "light-bulb" moment that happened, folks!!  haha.

I created a steampunk-ish card and I LOVE IT!!  It's manly, it's cool and the best part is it looks like it took forever to make, like I sweated over it, like my arms got tired from all the hammering and nailing, like I... well you get the picture.  LOL.

Using mostly Tim Holtz products, I layered everything over each other and created the perfect gatefold card for my dad.  He kept looking at it all quietly, and examining all the pieces for a while... which in Puerto Rican, Old School terms is a compliment!!  When I went back a few days after his birthday to visit my parents, I noticed the card was in their crystal keepsake cabinet.  And for a second I thought how I had seen prior cards I'd given them in that same cabinet and in that same spot.  Then I remembered the cork board mom bought a whilez ago where she showcases all the cards I give them, and shows it to friends who go to visit them.  They are my BIGGEST supporters and I love my viejitos (old folks), so much!!  I can't wait to get started on Mom's Mother's Day gift.  She's going to FLIP!

Anyway, that's all for now, I got a bit chatty there; sorry!  hehe.

x0, Damaris

Blue Skies...

Happy Monday everyone.  It almost feels so long ago since I share a project with you, huh?  I have a few that were already done, but have not had (or made) time to blog about it.  

I want to share a Karber Digital Design Team card with you using "Music Sophie", and you can find her for $1.80 HERE.  

I used Pink Paislee's "Spring Market" paper pack (which I seem to be reaching for a lot in all my latest projects), and Authentique's "Journey" paper pad.  I punched out clouds with 2 different sized Fiskars punches and added Liquid Pearls to them.  I also punched out some butterflies with a Martha Stewart punch and jazzed them up with Liquid Pearls as well.  The tree I fussy-cut from a Bella Blvd Cute Cuts collection and the sentiment is also from the same collection.  This card took 10 minutes to put together.  It's simple, bright & fun, and I just love the feel of it.

I hope you are inspired to use clouds in your projects this week.  I'm in love with clouds!!!

Thanks for taking out the time to visit my blog.  Stay tuned for more project shares this week.

x0, Damaris

Beach Bum Layout

Hi Bloggers.

Last week I shared a layout with you "Family" that I chose to use for the Blog Hop, but today's layout was the original layout I made for the hop.  For some reason I thought it was too "childish" or too "whimsical" to share in a hop, so I opted to make the one you saw prior.

(click photos to enlarge)

To be honest this fun, childish and whimsical type of crafting is how I started many years ago.  I like just adding random pieces from different collections together and using bright fun colors.  I like that I don't have to distress anything or do many techniques to finish a quick layout.  It's something that I tend to gravitate towards when I want to put together something quick and something just for me.  I do also like to take my time on shabby and vintage layouts, but my kinda (easy) style has always been this one.  I think that's why I love the idea of smashbooks!?  Most of this layout involved lots of fussy-cutting and placing the pieces in just the right spots.

Anyway, since I made this about 2 weeks ago (or more), I don't remember everything I used, so I won't be listing any supplies today.  But I will say that the 12x12 paper comes from My Mind's Eye "Follow Your Heart" collection and most of the products used came from Bella Blvd... which is a company that creates collections similar to Echo Park, Little Yellow Bicycle and My Little Shoebox; fun, bright and youthful.  

Maybe this layout will inspire you to dig out your beach photos from last year (or this year if you live in a warmer climate) and get to scrapping them!!  A layout doesn't have to take 3 days or even 3 hours to complete, just a few pictures mixed with a few fun pieces and your layout is done!

Thanks for joining me again today.  Tomorrow you'll get to see this week's Karber DT card.  Until then, have a wonderful Sunday.

x0, Damaris

I'm a SMASH-A-HOLIC!!

I purchased my official first K&Co Smashbook (the pink one), some time last year and was under the impression that I had to use one book and separate it into sections to smash different categories.  For example: my book is separated into "*Le Sigh*", "So Cool!", "Just Random.", and "What's New?".  It wasn't until I started to get involved in a Smashaholic group on facebook at the start of the new year, that I realized I can have several smashbooks for several different reasons!

If you are not sure what a Smashbook or Smashing is, just watch this video: SMASHBOOK

So last week I purchased a new smashbook "baby" and will be using that to smash photos of Giovanni.  My plan is to eventually collect all of them and smash my life away!  hehe.  I am also interested in doing "Project Life" next year, but I don't know if I will get busier.  I'd love to do it though.

Anyway, so since I've been purchasing things (like flash cards, bingo cards, washi tape & more), to expand my Smashbook experience and collection, I decided I'd also like to create an area in my craftroom that's dedicated to Smashing!  

The drafting table (which, incidentally, was my 1st craft table ever!), that was sitting in the middle of the room because I had purchased a newer, prettier table at IKEA and moved things around, and that I was undecided if I wanted to sell or keep, is now being used as my smash table.  I had to move my IKEA expedit unit sideways and stand it up (from how I had it before - and I has JUST hurt my last month from moving furniture in here - so I was sure to be careful this time), in order to fit the drafting table.  It was a huge task that took nearly 4 hours.  Why?  Because I started to reorganize and sort through my entire room.  Clean and put things away.  Throw stuff away.  Re-purpose things and move things around to make sure everything is functional and organized.  I'm still not 100% satisfied with the organization.  I still have to organize my spellbinders and my unmounted stamps into a binder... maybe re-organize my closet again and set things up nicely.  I was thinking of doing a 12 x 12 paper giveaway some time this year, so stay tuned for that.  But for now the space is pretty, functional and makes me happy to come in to.

I put my smash-desk, next to my office-desk and will be sharing the chair.

I am able to use that standing IKEA expedit unit from both sides.

The white cubbie below I found at Home Goods yesterday (4/13/12) for $16.99.
I thought it would be great to hold my left over pieces from making layouts and mini albums,
and the top will be holding all my washi tape (once I get some - lol).

This storage container I also found at Home Goods for $4.99 and it comes with divided sections.

The back section holds my photo mounts and random pieces of papers,
like paint strips and product packaging that I think would be great to use in my smashbooks.
The middle sections holds my tags, tabs and flags.
The front section holds my flash cards, regular cards &bingo cards.

This storage unit below I purchased about a year or 2 ago at Michaels and I think I paid $15 with a coupon and a sale going on.  In any case, I got it to store my distress inks, but it wasn't functional.  It was in the corner of my room on top of a jet-max cube and not being used in any important way.  So I dusted it off and brought it over to this area, where I can put it to good use!

In the left back are the stamps that I'll be commonly using for smashing.  In the back right is a door that lifts and there's a plastic baggy inside full of fun random pieces, punch-outs, words, stickers, etc.  There's tons more space for more punch-outs and random things.  On top is a bucket full of my sharpie markers.  I got those markers from Wal-mart in the hopes to learn how to blend and color before I decided to buy any copics and color with them.  Huge mistake because coloring with copics is SO MUCH BETTER!!!  In any case, they were sitting in the packaging on my window sil (next to my copics) and not being used... so I trashed the packaging and brought them out.  I'll surely use them to SMASH!!

The left front side holds a plastic container full of random brads and another container of small flowers that I had forgotten I bought from Kaisercraft.  They came in a plastic bag and was not being used, so I took them out and put them there.  I have tons more brads in those spice jars from IKEA, but I just took out a few to start with.  On the right front of this unit I have my Xyron "create-a-sticker" machine and a Staples container full of different & colorful paper clips in all sizes and shapes.

Inside of the unit I keep pictures, stubs, receipts, etc of what I plan to Smash in the future.   It's fairly empty now, but TRUST ME, it'll get full now that I know I have an area for it!!  =)

[SIDEBAR: I just thought of something!!  Create a smashbook of my craft-related shopping... maybe this way I can see how much I spend on this hobby and cut back a little!!  Hehe.]

This cute "Spring" 2-slot bucket I got last year at a Michaels in Orlando.  I was so bummed that I wasn't able to get any in January 2011 when they came out, but lucked out when I found them while on vacation in May 2011, AND ON CLEARANCE!!  So I paid like $1.54 each, and I think I bought 4!!  Haha.  I altered one of them to use at any future Studio D Boutique jewelry parties, but that kinda never happened and it has kinda died down.... lol.  I've been too lazy (or working on other things), to take photos of my jewelry and post them online.  So they're sitting in a storage unit in my closet.  One day.  ANYWAY, (got way off topic there), in this 2-slot bucket I keep my K&Co smash tape (which are 2 for now), some cute birdie post-it notes I found at Publix, Smash Pads and my Smash date stamp.  I'm still waiting for a similar one by Dear Lizzy to arrive; I can't wait to get it!!

So that's the low-down on my new area.  I love it!!  I can't wait to get some stuff I ordered online last night (washi tape, bingo cards, etc.), and add it to my collection.  Maybe soon I'll show you the other sections of my room... once I have them how I exactly want them.  =)

If you have any suggestions about organizing and functionality, please share your comments with us  all below.  Thanks and talk to you soon!

x0, Damaris

And The Winner Is...

First I'd like to say thank you to everyone who joined us in our first layout blog hop.  I had fun hopping along and also reading all of your lovely comments.

I'm sorry I was not able to announce a winner yesterday (so busy), but I'm taking a little bit of time now to get it done.

Using Random.org I entered numbers 1 - 18 (# of comments I received for that post), and the winner is #5.  Tammy, you have until 4/20 to contact me with your address information.  AtStudioD@gmail.com.

Thanks again to everyone who entered.

x0, Damaris

Happy Easter...

Hi guys, I know Easter was yesterday, but I could NOT give up the chance to use this adorable digital stamp by Karber Digital called Bunny Layla.  Isn't she so darling??

I chose to use Teresa Collins' "Spring Fling" paper pad to coordinate with her bunny costume.  The colors are so bright and fun; perfect for an April card.

I used my Fiskars and Recollections punches to create the circles on the corners, Spellbinders Postage and Square Nestabilities dies, Recollections Bling-On-A-Roll (which I'm addicted to), The Twinery "Caribbean" twine, a Doodlebug button and a Studio G clear stamp.  The banner I freehand cut and the stitches were done with an American Crafts black marker.

On the inside I stamped a border clear stamp from Sassafras Lass "Stitchery" stamp set,
using Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay and Green Galore inks
to create the same color on the pattern paper.

And then, of course, my COPIC markers.

I hope you liked this card and come back next Monday for another Karber Digital DT card.

Thanks.

x0, Damaris

LAYOUT BLOG HOP & CANDY!!

Hello my gorgeous darlings.  

I am excited & honored to be a part of my very first layout blog hop alongside my wonderful YouTube Layout Hop group members. The theme of this hop was to share a layout of any kind and also explain how it was made.  I decided I would take a few photos of some of the steps I took to create this layout, so I hope it translates well in written words.  Hehe.

Starting with the paper, I used a 12x12 sheet of BoBunny's - Welcome Home - "Picket Fence" paper and sprayed it with some Tattered Angels "Coffee Shop" Glimmer Mist... you can't see it, but it's there!  lol.  Since I knew I wanted to have at least 2 spots available for 3x4 and 4x6 photos, I was able to first assemble my photo mats and then work my layout around that after I knew where I wanted to place them.

[click photos to enlarge]

The chipboard word "FAMILY" was a piece I found in my chipboard storage box, and I believe this was from "The Sweet Life" collection that was sold a while at ago at Jo-Ann.  I forgot the company who made it, it might've been Colorbok.  In any case, I was not happy with using a pinky/orange piece, so I decided to first paint it a darker blue and then go a few shades lighter.  Just sponging & dabbing the paint down on the piece was enough for it be saturated.  Since the chipboard was shiny, painting in strokes would have left streaks.  I heat-set the chipboard and distressed it with Walnut Distress Ink.

Behind the Tim Holtz "Weathered Clock" diecut is a brick pattern that I created using a stencil by Crafters Workshop and Walnut Distress Ink.

"Family" is not completely adhered to the photo mats,
so that there would be room to insert some photos.

The flowers I used were mostly from Wild Orchid Crafts, but I also added some buds from Michael's sprays and also some flowers that I received in a RAK from my friend Ana.

I wanted to also make an area, for the person who this is going to, to journal something, but I didn't want it to be out in the open.  If I added an area for journaling, it would have to have been small, and I wanted something with enough front and back room.  So creating a secret pocket with the grunge hinge that I alcohol inked, was the perfect idea.  It pulls out and tucks back in.

I accented all around with Recollections bling and Metal Butterfly Pieces that I sell in my Etsy Shop;  (along with other goodies); and the layout was complete.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you return soon.

x0, Damaris

BLOG CANDY!! 

As a thank you for hopping along,
I'd like to send one lucky winner
a package of goodies as seen in the photo above.
Just make sure you follow the rules below.
International hoppers are welcome.

1. SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG.

2. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW BY 4/12/12.

3.  CLAIM YOUR PRIZE BY 4/20/12.

Your Next Stop on the Hop is: Sharon- http://www.smscrapperdesigns.blogspot.com 

If you get lost, see below for the list of Hoppers.

1 - Zoe - http://www.CraftyX.blogspot.com 

2 - Damaris - http://www.AtStudioD.blogspot.com 

3 - Sharon- http://www.smscrapperdesigns.blogspot.com 

4 - Nancy - http://www.scrappingoutofcontrol.blogspot.com/ 

5 - Jessica - http://www.thatzuneek.blogspot.com/ 

6 - Alina - http://www.neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/ 

7 - Adrienne - http://www.paperdivascraps.blogspot.com 

8 - Kimberly - http://www.berlykim37.blogspot.com