Yes, Denise. I Call Myself a Blogger!

I know, it has been a while since I last posted any cards! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I have been super busy but did have a little time to make some cards and I have a package to mail to Sandy @ OWH tomorrow!

To get back into the swing of things, I am joining in the blog hop over at http://prettypinkposh.com/blog

There are a lot of inspiring cards all using sequins in a shaker so make sure to go visit Paulina at Pretty Pink Posh!
I love cards with movement and shaker cards are so fun and what a brilliant idea to use sequins in the shaker! I wanted to make a card for a boy so I used this strong and friendly pirate stamp.  The parrot is attached to the top of the acetate; I was concerned that the sequins would get stuck on the bird if I put it inside the shaker. I could not get a good picture (the lighting kept showing on the acetate!) but on the bottom right section of the card is a pile of coins and gems!

And to get back into my routine, I headed over to http://operationwritehome.org/blog/ as today is sketch day at Operation Write Home. And the sketch is inspired by the kind, sweet and talented Donna at designingkeepsakes.blogspot.com. You have to visit Donna and see all of her creations! I love the crispness of this sketch!
   
                                             

And here are some cards for the previous 2 OWH sketches and the midweek throw down. (And yes- I had them all ready to be shipped when I realized that I did not take any pictures so yes, the cards are tucked OWH-style into the envelopes! LOL)

Thanks for stopping by!
Diane

A Bunch-O-Cards! And a Guest Designer!

Welcome! If you are wondering where I have been- or even if you have not wondered- I am going to tell you! I went to the fabulous retreat I go to twice a year at Whispering Pines in Rhode Island. This is an uber fantastic scrapbooking event put in by Lisa and Cynthia of Celebrate Memories. The retreat is limited to 50 scrappers so there is tons of room to spread out every tool I own; I get to chat with ladies I only see twice a year and there are always a few new faces to get to know. Massages, manicures, pedicures, an on site store...what more could you ask for?  And did I mention the food? OK- just imagine- lobster mac and cheese.....for lunch! The food is outstanding, plentiful and so tempting! Anyway- in between chatting and eating- I managed to get 11 scrapbook pages done and a bunch of cards! 

The ODBD challenge for April is to create a card with insects. I had to use my A Lotta Rubber Stamps bee-- cannot resist this cutie! I also tried a modified Sandy Allnock background technique around the image- almost like a glow around the bee!

And last Sunday's sketch:
                                         

I used paper by My Little Yellow Bicycle- LOVE the little gnome in the corner- I had to leave him there and let the paper do the work for me!

And then we have a few cards for this week's throwdown to continue to make manly cards! The lighthouse is by MFT and the Best Dad and mustache are from Mama Elephant.

And a few more cards- just because! I tried to use the scraps from some of my scrapbook layouts-- something I am horrible at..I save papers and never use them- so I tried to made cards when I finished a page or two! 

Love sequins- but am I the only one they stick to?  I had a hard time getting them back into the jars and off of my fingers!  Am I a static magnet? Any ideas? I am thinking of wiping my hands with a dryer sheet before I use them! The birthday gal and guy are by Penny Black- love these stamps!

And my special guest designer- you know her from previous posts- the ultra talented and lots of fun...my friend...Kelly!!! 

Kelly was not happy when I said I did not love the bird stamp because I said I would not know how to use it.Then someone asked why the bird was pooping flowers- so she set out to show us how awesome the stamp is...in the right hands!

Awesome- right? I love how she uses pattern papers together! Her Copic colored birds and flowers were then coated with Glossy Accents- the shine is wonderful in real life!

OK- so my vacation ended and I am back into the real world of work and laundry and cooking my own meals and other endless chores! lol - but I am determined to make cards this weekend!
Have a great weekend and I think spring is really here! Yahoooo!
Thanks for visiting, 
Diane

OWH Cards for Dad!

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by! Here is a very quick post about this week's  OWH mid-week throwdown- we need to start creating our cards for Father's Day! The fish and the sentiment are from Paper Smooches. I embossed the top panel and the label is from a flip card set I just received. I plan to experiment with it this weekend...I hope to have plenty of cards to share next week!

Have a 'reel' great weekend!
Diane