The blog with the split personality! A mix of General Humor & How-To posts with a heavy dose of Crafts to inform and entertain! (For CRAFTS/CARDS click on Dropdown Archive, Index By Topic page or Search for Gale's Galleries!) See also my new "Secrets To Success" Pages! Be sure to check out my new YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/c/GaleThompson *Look for exclusive posts on @darbycreekdiaries on Instagram!*
Today's card is inspired by Michelle Lupton, a fellow "A Blog Named Hero" Facebook Team member! She loves to do clean and simple cards featuring alcohol inks.
All I did was make a top folding A2 card base and use a stitched hillside die to make the cuts. I added a glitter paper Hero Arts Monarch Fancy die and some Studio Katia iridescent gems to complete it. Supplies are linked below (afil). For the tutorial on how I did the inking, please visit this link:
I'll be back soon with some Christmas cheer! (and some Youtube tutorials--be sure to subscribe and hit that bell to be notified:) Until next time, Gale
I'm so excited to bring you the first crafter in my new Guest Creator Series! There are so many talented people who don't have YouTube channels, so I've decided to share mine with folks who do an awesome job and often on design teams!
Today's project-- Pop Out Card With Layers (Die by Divinity Designs, Stamps/Paper by Dare 2B Artzy.)
My first guest is my friend Melody Blake. She is on Divinity Designs and Dare 2B Artzy's design teams. She make so many cute and clever things! She can also color way better than me:) Her blog is called "Handmade Card Happiness." Supply links (afil) where available are linked below.
Here is her tutorial: (Please let me know in the comments if you like channels who have guest designers.)
Here are the supplies:
The rest of the supplies are available in stores or directly from Divinitydesignsllc.com or Dare2BArtzy.com I'll be back soon! Take care! Gale
This month's "A Blog Named Hero" Challenge is "Inspired by fellow creator." I chose Jennifer McGuire showing how to get dye inks to pop on dark card stock. The supplies and her video are linked below as well as the challenge link.
I've had several requests for more shapes and different folds, so this card will fit in #10 letter envelope. It measures just under 4.13" x 9.5." I used Neenah Desert Storm card, Hero Arts Unicorn White pigment ink and a variety of dye inks as well as Hero Art's Joy Stamp 'n Cut set with the Paper Layering Poinsettia. First stamp images with the white ink and let dry thoroughly. I didn't even use a Misty for this, though it might have been quicker. Then stamp again with the dye ink, offsetting it slightly to give a shadow effect so it will "pop." I splattered it a little bit with a mix of water and gold ink. I added some gold Stickles to the centers of the flowers and Delicatus gold ink to the edges and let dry. I diecut and built the Joy and Poinsettia, then added Midas Touch for some shimmer. Finally I wrapped some gold vellum strips to make it look like a gift and layered on background, then card base. Here are links (afil) to the supplies I used. Thank you so much for using these links!
Hi again! I'm back today as part of the Craft Collab's "Favorite Fall Colors" Hop! There are around 25 of us, so get out your drinks and snacks! You can find the complete hop list below.
When I was at Stampaway a few weeks ago, I did a make 'n take at the Creative Visions booth where we crinkled foil and layered on toner diecuts. It's easy and fun, so I kind of built on that to show you several techniques in this YouTube tutorial. I hope you will consider subscribing! Here is a larger view of the project:
Aren't those leaves gorgeous??? The supplies I used are linked below (afil) and I really do appreciate you using those links! Here's the tutorial link:
Hello and Welcome Back! At first this photo may appear "puzzling." Let me explain how I made it (and my trials/errors too!) The August "A Blog Named Hero" Challenge is "Stretch Your Stamps." I took it quite literally this time:) The supplies I used are linked below (afil) and I am so grateful when you shop with those links! I don't get rich, but it helps with supplies so I can show you more free projects!
I stamped/heat embossed the sentiment on 110# Neenah card stock for sturdiness. Then, diecut a circle mask and placed over it. Next, I used Versamark ink and stamped the background, heat embossing in gold detail powder.
Then I colored with Tombow markers some of the background and die cut it with the puzzle die.
HELLO! (Hola!) Today I'm posting a card to celebrate Scrapbook.com's 20th Birthday! They wanted to expand their offerings with an exclusive "Sentimentos Espanoles" stamp set for our Spanish speaking friends! All of the supplies are linked below (afil) and I really appreciate it when you those links or or the ones on the right margin to support the blog/channel so I can bring you new, free content! (FYI, be sure to come back often as there are many cards that I don't post a Youtube tutorial on, that I place here:)
Here is a close up of the card: There is shimmer, but it's hard to see, however, it's there in real life!
Here is what I did (I actually have a few step outs since I didn't video!):
I coated an A2 size sheet of heavy card stock with a double sided-adhesive sheet and trimmed down.
I die cut sentiment strips in different widths.
Next, I stamped the sentiment on the strips so that it appeared to wrap around.
Then I direct-to-paper colored the strips to make sort of a rainbow.
I started in the middle with the widest strip and laid on the exposed adhesive (very carefully as it's sticky!) with a ruler to help keep things straight. To keep from being too busy, I used blanks in between.
I was sad to lose most of the top and bottom sentiment lines, but I still needed to trim so I could have a small border around the card front.
I place the trimmed piece on a slightly larger black rectangle, then mounted to my top fold card base. Fun and done! If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. I love hearing from you!! Once again, Happy 20th Birthday to Scrapbook.com!
Until next time, Gale (Disclosure: Part of the supplies I used were provided by Scrapbook.com for me to try out. However, my opinions are my own and if I didn't like them, I would say so!)
(8/30/2019 Update: Here's a new YouTube tutorial!!) The video link and supplies are linked below:) This also features Hero Arts stamps and dies.
Original Post:)
Hope you are enjoying what is left of Summer! My pneumonia is slowly going away. I promise to get some fun YouTube tutorials up soon!
Fall will be here before you know it, so I decided to pull out some Fall colors of Distress Oxides and my Hero Arts "Grateful Leaves" stamp set. (The supplies are linked (afil) below. I really appreciate it when you use them and the links on the right side:) Thank you!!!)
This month's "A Blog Named Hero" Challenge" is to Stretch Your Stamps! This leaves set is a color layering one, but I only used the "bottom" one (without any detail.) I used several Distress Oxides and inks, by applying and blending them with daubers on my stamp to get a "blendy" look. This was on watercolor paper as I originally intended to watercolor.
Then I sprayed with Shimmer Mist and that kinda made the background "fade back." I flicked gold ink to liven it up a bit. I used coordinating card stock. The base is cut from an 8.5 x 11" sheet on the diagonal. Next, I scored one corner at 4.25 and the opposite at 5.5"
This is how the fold looks.
I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the orange mat, cut on diagonal and adhered to base. Then used a smaller stitched rectangle to cut background. I cut that on the diagonal and adhered.
Next I used a Pretty Pink Posh stitched leaf die in the card base color, then daubed on some gold and red ink. I stamped the sentiment in red.
I hope you will join the challenge and maybe win a prize in the drawing!
So glad you stopped by! Just wanting to share my "A Blog Named Hero" post celebrating their "Christmas In July" Challenge. It's hard to tell until you look at the bottom of the photo that there is a lot of dimension!
Before I get into the details, this card is a "combo CASE." Mary M. Reiner designed the card below for our Ohio Stamp Junkies Meetup last month. She CASEd Jennifer McGuire.
Stamps by Newton's Nook.
The Flamingo card combines several stamp sets, but it is really only three layers...
There is a front, back and a section spanning the middle.
The supplies I used are linked at the bottom of the post. I'm planning on posting a YouTube tutorial on this soon with a different twist, so be sure to subscribe to my channel and hit the bell for notifications. I can't say for sure when as I am recovering from pneumonia and am way behind on everything in my life...here's a brief explanation.
The basic card starts out as two 6 1/4" x 5 1/2" sheets of card stock.
You need to score both tall sides at 1/2" and 1". The center strip can be any size as long as long as it allows the card flatten down to mail. I decorated my Hero Arts Color Layering Flamingo with a random Santa die cut and added snow marker. I added shimmer to the whole flamingo.
The background is simply blended Distress Inks with a little shimmer spray. The water is Hero Arts Color Layering Waves that I heat embossed with clear powder. I added Snow Tinsel embossing powder at water's edge. The frame is completely covered with Hero Arts Sand embossing powder.
I cut out a couple of plants from the Flamingo set and glued to front for more dimension.
To assemble use strong double sided adhesive and place on the top edge of each side that was scored and folded back accordian style. Add the center section and tape as well. It takes a minute of working with it to flatten and spring back, but it will!
I'll be back soon with another post, so stay tuned and take care! Gale
It's Christmas in July here at the 'Creek! A group of crafty friends and I are celebrating with a hop of course!
The ornament above features the Hero Arts Season of Wonder Fancy Ornament die. All the info is in the description box of my tutorial below as well as picture supply links (afil) at the bottom of this page. Thank you for using these links! It is greatly appreciated!
There is actually a second ornament that took on a life of its own. Here's what they look like in the sun!
Joy die by Pretty Pink Posh
This project was inspired by Lindsay Adreon of "Crafting While Caffeinated" Here is her link: https://youtu.be/mRw82TTVyqk
Hope you enjoy the video and come back to see me soon!
Hi everyone! (Once again I apologize for being gone so long. Wedding reception, work, yardwork and following my new champion dog have kinda taken up my weeks... ) Here's today's project-
And the card I finished on the video tutorial linked below:
I belong to the FB group "Craft Collabs." We get together every now and then and to something fun. This time we are C.A.S.E.- ing (Copy and Share Everything) another member to get out of our comfort zones and to learn from fellow creators. I am C.A.S.E.- ing Jen Colacicco of JC Cards. She is a member of the Wow and Catherine Pooler design teams. She does lovely work and you should definitely check her out. Here is my tutorial- the supplies are linked below (afil) if you would like find them!
Thank you Jen for your inspiration! Here is the link to Jen's original post- https://youtu.be/M0848ldoYsA
Here are the supplies: I hope you enjoyed today's project, will subscribe here and over at YouTube for more and come back again soon!
Sympathy cards can be difficult to make on the spot, so I suggest having some on-hand for emergencies or when you just can't bring yourself to make one. This is the theme for "A Blog Named Hero's" June Challenge. To enter, visit
This card is super quick and easy. It's great for beginners or making several in one sitting. All the supplies are linked below (afil.)
I diecut the Hero Arts Leaves and Vines Fancy Die twice and glued together, the glued to a Neenah 110# card base. I heat embossed the sentiment on black card stock, then glued vellum strip to the card front. I popped up the sentiment with foam tape and added Pretty Pink Posh Droplets.
Hi again! Hope you are having a great day! Coming very soon I will have a YouTube video (Update--link is below and will go live 7/1/19 at 9 a.m. EST as part of Jess and Laura's "Hooray For 3K" Video Hop) with lots of versions of these...some quick to mass produce and some more elaborate. I'm making some for my daughter's wedding reception.
Here's the YT link:
Today though, I have one using the Hero Arts Marble Background, Butterfly Fancy Die and DecoFoil Shattered Rainbow Foil by Therm-o-Web. All the supplies are linked below (afil.) These instructions are for a 1.5 oz Hershey bar (plain.)
Here's what I did (after eating one of the candy bars to get the wrapper measurements just right :)
Cut a square using thinner weight paper (80 lbs or less) measuring 5 3/4" x 6".
Turn on a laminator to let it warm up.
Cut out a shape for the center the size you want on masking paper or post-it note tape. Place your project so you are looking at it the 6" wide direction.
Stamp a 6 x 6" background stamp in Versamark clear ink.
Pull off mask and stamp sentiment in clear as well. You might want to use a stamp positioner.
Heat emboss using clear powder.
Cut a square of the foil and lay on project making sure to cover edges. Place in folded parchment, carrier sheet or large copy paper, then send through laminator folded end first. (I sent through twice because I had only 100 lb paper easily accessible--long story...)
Let cool for a few seconds, then peel off the foil. Viola!
Wrap around candy bar and hide adhesive using double sided tape on the bottom that gets covered with the wrapper.
Add the butterfly or other adornments if desired.
Here are the supply links:
The next stop on the hop is: Courtney Kreeber https://youtu.be/dtfLR8a4bo8 Hope you enjoy great Summer parties! I would love you to comment on other projects you want to see! Until next time, Gale
Today's card is a fun slider... I cheated and used patterned paper:) I hope you like it too! The supplies are linked below (afil). I didn't do a YouTube tutorial (daughter's wedding, work, etc.) but here's what I did: 1. I diecut the pinata on white heavy cardstock for a base. Then I cut two more out of patterned paper, being careful to use the same spot so colors matched underneath flaps. 2. I glued the first colored layer flat to white one, then lifted where possible the flaps on the 3rd layer, then glued it to second. 3. I diecut a slightly less than 4.25" x 5.5" white card and white fun foam with a slider die. I gave the foam time to puff back up before gluing to back of the front card. Then added foam tape around for extra lift to allow slider to move. I attached a slider plastic disk (you could use foam tape) to the center of a penny and let dry. 4. I attached a bit of white card on the slider area of the 4.25" x 5.25" black base so it would show through to front. I put the penny in the track, then adhered the front panel. I checked to make sure penny would slide freely before attaching the pinata to the slider disc. 5. I wrapped some baker's twine around his neck and made a bow. ( I did this loosely and added bow so he didn't look like he was on a hangman's noose! LOL!) I gave him a googlie eye for more fun. 6. I taped some twine behind him and the sentiment banner strip which is clear heat embossed and edged with black marker. Then added some of the fun candy to finish it off! Then I glued him to the slider disk. Here is the little guy in action:
Here are the supplies I used. I really appreciate it when you use these links as I buy my own supplies and the small commission I get helps me buy new things to show you!
Welcome to the Diaries! If you haven't been here before, I hope you will enjoy browsing around--there are tons of crafty ideas and many, many humor posts, etc!
Today I am thrilled to be a part of the "Save The Crafty YouTuber Hop!" hosted by Justine Hovey!
Who doesn't love a great hop and giveaway! I'm giving away a $25 gift card to Scrapbookdotcom! Scroll down for more info. Here is the link to the tutorial. I hope you will consider subscribing both here and there!
Here are some close ups:
Mondo Gerbera Daisy hand embossed & debossed
A closer look...
Below is actually a monoprint with same stamp:
A closer look...
More about the giveaways!--
You must comment at the YouTube stop to enter. You don't need to comment on every one, but the more the better chance you will have for winning one of the tons of prizes. You need to comment on mine if you want to enter for my Scrapbookdotcom $25 gift card. The entries will close June 5th and winners will be announced on June 10th 2019 at- https://www.justinehovey.com/2019/05/3rd-save-crafty-youtuber-information.html
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!
Here is the supply list. (afil) links. Most are from our sponsors!
