A little bit about heat embossing

Heat Embossing is a technique that everyone loves it! and many think that is too complicated. I have been ask many times about this technique, so I think I should write a lil bit about it. Heat embossing is not that complicated and the results are very nice. Always look elegant and classy. The shinny and rise look of it is always stunning. Heat embossing is all about what you need and the steps to do it. So I will try to share with you this two things. First, what you need: 1) an ink that allows you to heat emboss (I recommend Versamark watermark ink) this ink allows you to use the embossing powder and the heat tool to create a great effect, 2) embossing powder you have to be careful with the quality of the embossing powder, cheaper is not always better, 3)the heat tool and again cheaper is not always good, try to find one that is a good quality, I recommend Marvy heat tool. If you want to get best results buy a X-static pouch and a tidy tray (I use the clamshells our stamps comes in, thanks Maribel for this tip!).

Second, how to do it. Start stamping your image with the versamark ink, inmediately sprinkle the embossing powder (while the ink is wet) and with your heat tool melt the powder and that you are done! Sometimes the cardstock create a static that's why using the xtatic pouch can give you better results.

Let me know if you have more questions, I will try to answer them here on my blog! and also will try to upload a mini video or a tutorial showing the steps!

A note about choosing embossing powders: if you use the versamark watermark ink you need to buy the color you will use. First start with black to use on coloring images. If you want to work the technique with bold stamps you need to choose the color you need for the project you want to do (ex. christmas tree - green, hearts - red and so on). If you have inks that allows you to use the technique, like Staz-On, Brillance and others you can get the clear embossing powder and that way you get the same results in the ink color!

Card Recipe:

A kind of gratitude, Spanish Sentiment set, White Embossing Powder, Versamark Watermark Ink, DCWV cardstocks: Robbin Egg #2, Harvest Orange , Red #1


Love,
Diana

Wednesday of Challenge!

Is anything but a card time!! I was thinking to do a scrapbook page today, but I didn't find a non family photo to use so I did this wall project! I need to add the eyelets and ribbon and is done. I have lots to do and you know I am a big fan of Criminal Minds and Damages so is TV time today, lol!! I may change the Challenge day! lol!

Anyway I used the new Scallop cardstocks on the Magalogue, Catelynne paper, the Embelishment Jars and No place like home set. Is pretty easy and quick, I just need to feel that I did something, right? Don't forget to do anything but a card and post a comment here with your creation. I am going to start featuring an Amazing Follower's Project of the month! and you may want to be feature right? so send me your project with any of the Challenge entries and you may be on the spot soon!

Have a bless night!

Love,
Diana

PS Sorry the post is a lil late, but I was trying to get the Mister Linky's widget! and it takes more time that I thought, but is going to be here soon!

Crafts and the actual economy - An opportunity for you?

I have been thinking for a while about how TAC's opportunity can help you out in this economy. I know that it helps me, so I know it can help you! but how I share it with you without just talking about me! So I was researching (another of my passions) and found a lot of things that I will love to share with you!

First, as a Licensed Professional Counselor I know that the actual economy can be very stressful but I also know that through stamping and Scrapbooking you can get relieve, yes, is true, is a very relaxing thing to do, I can assure you that! It can be a really good therapy!

Second, do you know that you can relax doing this and also earn money with it? Yes! You can do it in different ways, you can sell your stuff and you can also sell the products to the ones that want to get crafty (and there are a lot of people wanting to do this). This brings you another way of nice feelings, because you are helping others and that brings a lot of satisfactions and that is priceless!! Nothing can beat that!

Third, when you help someone you are going to receive the satisfaction and referrals from that person! Yes, she/he is going to be the best marketing out there! Do you know how many people are tired of this economy? Do you know how many people want to do something with their life? For sure they will love to something to help with their stress, there you go to the rescue!!

Here are some details I found on an online article*:

"Last year, 42 million households gave handmade gifts, according to the Craft & Hobby Association, a trade group, and that number is expected to increase greatly this year, its spokesman, Victor Domine, said."

“Across the country, people are crafting more,” he said. “With the recession, people are looking for ways to save money, and doctors are recommending it as a major form of stress relief.” *

Isn't this wonderful? Well it is, if you act now and get this to your heart and do something to help other and help yourself! Join my team during this tremendous momentum and you are going to get the benefits of this great opportunity!

Ask me more! I am here to help you!

Love,
Diana

*You can find the complete article here

February WOW blogger guest!!

She is a WOW!! right? My special WOW blogger guest this month is Beatriz Jenning from Iralamija blog!! She is from Mexico but now she live in USA with her husband and son. I love Betty's work and I love her! She is always a good friend and when I ask something she is always available and answer quick! she just ROCk!! you can check here to know her a lil bit more, is her Scrapbook Resume there you can see her publications and more. Be sure to check her blog she is very inspiring and have lots of great projects there!! Thanks Betty for taking my invitation! I really enjoy and love your work, keep the good work girl!!

She used: Mimi and Catelynne paper, Laughter Hostess set, Spanish Sentiment set and Happy GWP!

Love,
Diana

A beautiful surprise!

I am soooooooo happy!! Today I got this card in the mail!! It is a beautiful detail and it almost make me cry!! Is from some good friends that I bother constantly with my calls and questions! and they are always there for me. They answered everything with patience and understand me even when I have to stop talking and take a break to say it correctly in English (you know my first language is Spanish and sometimes when I am happy or frustrated is hard for me to think and talk in English, lol) They are very special in my life! This really makes my Saturday brighter!! Love ya girls! (I don't know if they visit my blog, I don't think so, but I know they know I love them!) can't wait to see you again!

Thanks for read me!! and for let me share with you part of my life!! On Monday I will share some AWESOME creations that my February WOW blogger did! and you are going to love them! she is super talented!! Be sure you don't miss that! and of course if you haven't check my January WOW blogger be sure to do so here! And here her post about TAC stamps!!

Love,
Diana

Where is February going?

Have you noticed that today is February 19? WOW!! but where February is going? why he is in such a hurry?? Will March bring us such a great time that he is just crazy about it? Well anyway!! My day today went pretty fast!! and I couldn't take a picture to my card! I will try in the early morning to update the post and upload it!! Just to let you know what was happening!! but I did work okay! so I will share tomorrow!

Have a blessed night!

Love,
Diana

Edited to add the card! Here I used the Everything is Blooming set and the sentiment is from Dear Friend I love those sets!! It was so much fun doing this card! This are not my regular colors!

Wednesday of Challenge

My challenge for you today! is an easy one! Just take a look at your stamps and if you find one that haven't seen ink! Ink it and use it! It can be a new set or it can be an old set! But try to look onto your old sets to see how many stamps you have without ink.

For my card I used on of the NEW sets from the Magalogue called Little cupcake! I couldn't resist to play with this one, is one of Mabelle's new sets, is irresistible, do you agree? I used stickles on the top!

I have to run cause today is Criminal Minds and Damages! and I am totally hooked with those! Don't forget to post a comment here with your entry!

Love,
Diana

Want to play with me?

Ohhhhh!! I got 4 orders from the 50% off sale that TAC had on January! (those are for customers) well I have to say the true right? a couple are for me!! just 3!! lol! So if you order from me the 26th, do the happy dance because I have your order here!! I just need one more from the 27th and I am as happy as a kid with a candy! or better with a chocolate!!!

Wich makes me happier is that I also got my first order from the Magalogue!! and there I got some new stamps! aren't you excited for me? lol!! I know I am. I got a couple of the Mabelle's stamps: Dear Friend, Little Cupcake and Garden Joy. I also got: A kind of gratitude, Edge Designs, Fairy Tales, Creative Inspiration and Victorian Elements!! I already had Feline Fabulous, Little Stinkers, Playful Parenthesis, Showers of love and Memo Fun. Can you tell how excited I am!!! I also got the Cute as a bug, Purr-fect friends and Be of good!! I am dancing here!! can you see me? Well I am going to be mounting and cutting all this rubber and playing along! so I have to say Good night now!

Hmmmmmmmmm but I said if you want to play! can you come? ohhhh if not let me know if you want to play and I can stamp a couple of images and send it your way! (okay when I mount and cut them, okay!)

Love,
Diana

PS I cut some and did this card! the pink cardstock is stamped with the Victorian Elements, those are easy to cut, lol! I also use Butterfly bits and Friendship Strips! hope you like it!

February Angel Art Challenge: Friendship!

Do you know that February is National Friendship month? The challenge this month was to create a "friendship" project since it is National Friendship Month. I decided to do a lil treat for a Special Friend. Yes, I want to use some NEW stamps from the Magalogue! That Memo Fun Set catch my eyes since the first moment! and the sentiment is from the Feline Fabulous Setwich you already know I love it! The paper is from Catelynne one of my favorites collections those colors are sooooooooooo yummy! Inside of this lil treat are some Lemon "yummy" cookies I baked yesterday with the girls! We have a great time doing Lemon cookies and "Polvorones", I have to tell you that the best time was eating them!! lol!

Be sure to check what the others Angels did!

Stacy
Jen
Seleise
Bridget
Christina
Gloria
Melisa
Laurie
Debra
Laurie U

Love,
Diana

Happy Day!! and a HOW to...

Hope you have a great day! I don't celebrate St. Valentine's day but I do celebrate Friendship and LOVE! so here is a lil something I did for my girls! I know it said Happy Valentine's day! sorry!! I didn't remember that I do have a stamp that said "Feliz Día de la Amistad" wich means Happy Friendship's Day!! (I just remember in this moment, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that happened when you have more stamps than what you really NEED!!, shhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell my DH!!, lol)

Well I hope you like my lil box! I did it just for this pretty cakes I found at the grocery store!! I couldn't resist them! I want to share my template with you! But I couldn't make it! so here I want to share the instructions and a picture so you can get the idea! I know you are not going to use this heart cakes and maybe you can't find them by now! but she (Little Debbie TM) have lots of fun cakes that I know will fit here! so start thinking on the next holiday! or a birthday goodie, or just a nice gift to someone special, or for a baby shower, or for whatever reason you want to use it and put a smile on someone face! I know my girls ENJOY it!

Here is how to: Little Heart Cake Box Template

You need an 8” X 7” piece of cardstock!

Then on your Scor Pal score (on the 8” side) at ½”, 3”, 4 ¼ ” here move your cardstock ¼ inch and score at 7” (the score should be at 6 ¾ but there is no line to score there).

On the other side (7”) the score have to be at 1 ¾ and 5 ¾ ” (here you need to move your cardstock and star at ¼ inch this way you score at 1 ½” and 6” because you don’t have a line to score at 1 ¾ and 5 ¾.

Then cut as you see on the second picture! And you are done with it. Pretty simple, but great box for those Little Debbie’s cakes!! Hope you enjoy it!

Love,
Diana

Just one day to celebrate!

Do you see the Craft Critique Website today? ohhhhhhhhh they have LOTS and LOTS of ideas! you should check it out! My lil blog was feauture on the second post, how cool is that!

I want to share the cards I did for my two lovely daughters!! We love this set as soon as we got our hands on the Magalogue! so I knew that was the set I want to use for their cards!! The name is Feline Fabulous! don't you love it too?

Have a great weekend!

Love,
Diana

Still need more ideas?

Here is another easy peasy! I love Rustic Chic collection! and that heart from the Forever Family set! (mine is RED already, I use it a lot!) I also love those cardboards flowers!! they look soooo cool, right?

Well stay tune tomorrow to Craft Critique they are having a Blog Carnival with the Valentine's theme! You don't want to miss it, right?

Do you know about Craft Critique? Well they are one super cool blog...they review craft tools, supplies, magazines, paper collections...any kind of craft product, really. Do you know what a Blog Carnival is? This is where they have blog links listed of those that participated in their "theme" for this blog carnival. This means that you'll get to see lots of Valentine's Day projects for your inspiration! They are going to have a few of my Memory Crafter's blog posts included in this... How cool is that? can you tell? I'm super happy about it! Please take a look and enjoy Craft Critique...

Love,
Diana

Wednesday of Challenge

A lil late!! I have to explain, I was trying to do this early today and I just start feeling worst and worst! I need to go to bed to try to feel better, my head was exploiting! The pain was sooooo bad! I have a reall bad synus, I went to the dr and he said that my synus looks bad, my throat is really red and I have fever! and I went just because my noose hurt, lol! well I feel a lil better now so here is the challenge!

Do something for a special person! and you can't use HEARTS! or LOVE words! (take a break from my Love & Hearts creations, lol) I did this card using Rustic Chic paper! (I love this one!! only $6.95 for 36 (8 X 8) papers!), Just Because set and Linear Sentiments set.

Love,
Diana

Are you ready for more Love?

Short post today! We had power problems and then internet problem! so just to share another easy peasy LOVE card! using 2 of the current GWP's! and Swirlies.

Love,
Diana

Do you have a special Friend?

Is so good that you can count with someone in good times and bad times, right? Someone that you can just call to celebrate your victories and to cry when something goes wrong! someone that no matter what is going to be there for you! This card is for a very special friend! that have been part of my life since I was a lil girl! someone that even when think you're wrong can say okay! I will help you!, okay I will be there for you! and if she was right say: I told you! and if she wasn't right say: Okay! you was right! Since February is friendship/love month! (yes, I can't celebrate just one day! because love and friendship is one of the most important things in life after God of course!) I take Nichole's challenge and did this card for my special friend!

I thank God for all the very special friends He have put on my way! and I can tell there is a lot of special people that make my life better and better! and for sure you are one of them! everytime I read a comment on my blog! my life is brighter! and for that I want to say THANKS!!

For this card I used the Floral Dingbats and Spanish Sentiments set from TAC!

Hope you like it and that you can celebrate that Special Friend on your life!

Love,
Diana

Do you want some more love?

This is another card from Sunday! I can't beleive I haven't share this card with you! This was the card I used for my newsletter this month! I love how this color combo looks together!! I love Uptown Girl and that heart from Floral Favorites! is just LOVELY!! and what about that Swirl?

I feel sick today! so I need to go to sleep so I can feel better soon! at least my girls are fine!!

Love,
Diana

Two cards same sketch!

I just want to share two others cards from Sunday! yes, I still have more to share, lol! This two I just used the same sketch for both and do them in less than 5 minutes! that was the challenge! Can you do it? just try it! I know you can make it!

Love,
Diana

Wednesday of Challenge!

Since I'm on the love, friendship mood! My challenge to you is create cards or anything with the Love and/or Friendship theme!! as you have seen! I did a lot of cards on Sunday (about 15)! I sent 7 on Monday! and I have 10 more to do! that I will do today! The ones here are part of the group I did on Sunday with my oldest girl that turns 9 tomorrow! For those who leave a comment about her work! she is waiting to turns 18 to sign up as an ANGEL! lol! so yes I will be without customers in 9 years! lol! Our challenge here was to take same papers and use whatever we found on our table!! The Valentine's one is her card and the Love one is my card! Pretty good, humm!! I like better her card, lol!

Well I have to run cause she is sick and wants to be okay to celebrate her birthday tomorrow!! she wants to eat cake, lol! So I will go and hug her and give her lots of love so she can feel better tomorrow!

Love,
Diana

A LOVE card! and more AWARDS!

Here is another card I did with my oldest girl on Sunday! this one was designed by her!! I just glue it together!! and add the scallop trip border! She have talent right? I will share more later!! she have more cards on my table!! and the lil one start doing the same! the bad thing about it is that they are taking my scrap papers that I have to create cards!!! but you know what I have tons of scraps so I will glue them tomorrow and share them with you! lol!

I'm honor to got three more awards! The first was Marie Antonette! I received it from my dear friend and fellow angel Cynthia!! go and check her blog she is just an awesome and creative girl! she have great projects and always is with a great attitude!!

My nominees are:

Seleise
Deb
Marcia
Sony
Luzmi


I'm honor to got three more awards! The second was the Spreader of Love Award! and I got if from Barb!! thank you sooo much for thinking of me!! Go and check her blog she is a very creative girl! She have AMAZING ideas that you need to go and spread some love!! Here are my nominees!

Cynthia
Ginger
Jany
Lauren
Patty

I also got the Lemonade Award from my dear friend Ginger!! Thank you sooo much for thinking on me for this award! you made my day!

I am presenting This Lemonade Award to 5 bloggers who have shown great attitudes and/or gratitude this week. All of you have my gratitude and appreciation.


1. Melissa
2. Alison
3. Sparkle
4. Amy
5. Yesy


Please continue to pass this gratitude along:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs with the links to their blogs.
3. Let me know that you have received this award by commenting on my blog.
4. Share the Love - link to this post and the person from whom you received your award.




Love,
Diana

First 5 LOVE Card...

First I want to say that the NEW producs from the Magalogue! are up on my site! so you can check them here!! OHHHHHHHH can't wait to get Mabelle's stamps and the Feline one!! ohhhhhh I just love them!!

About my weekend!! I have a lot of fun! on Saturday we went to see the Fantastic Dogs Show! and it was very cool, my favorite part was seeing my daughter's faces!! that's just priceless!! Then I received the visit from two dearest friends!! one came here to become an ANGEL!! and she is oficially a TRUE ANGEL!! lol! then I was on the phone with another friend that want to become an ANGEL!! and she is oficially a TRUE ANGEL!! too!! I have two new babies!! lol. Welcome to the family Ana and Aymar! I know that you are going to be awesome angels!!

Then on Sunday we went to Church, is always so marvelous when we connect with OUR Savior! so we keep that spirit and have a great time here! We watched a movie and then my lil one went with daddy to play upstairs! and my BIG girl came with me to the workshop to play with ME!! We did 15 cards! yes!! she is so talented!! we have lots of fun doing LOVE cards!! I bet you want to see some, right? Well here are a couple of them! I couldn't take a picture of all of them together because I was in a rush to go to the postal office and this 5 went postal today! (and 2 others too!!)

Well I need to run because today is 24 (the TV serie, not February 24, lol!!)

Love,
Diana