You are AMAZING, and you are LOVED...

...don't you think every child deserves to hear those words at least once a day?   I do, so I made this bookmark for my eldest child who LOVES to read so that she is reminded every time she looks at it :)

 
Hey, guys!    Jess here and I'm excited to be showing you a quick and EASY project using Helmar products and some gorgeous "DEW DROPS" from The Robin's Nest!
My daughter was telling me she loved the bookmark I got her but wanted one to keep at school, also.  I wanted this one to be extra special so I started by cutting up some of my favorite patterned papers and cut the bookmark base 6.25"x2.25".  I cut some paper strips on a diagonal to add dimension and some contrasting color.
 
I then took Helmar GEMSTONE GLUE and added a thin line of glue across the diagonal lines that the paper formed.
 
Adding rows of Robin's Nest Dew Drops, I really started to have fun with it.  My daughter loves 'bling' and texture so I added a few rows and the great thing about GEMSTONE GLUE is that it HOLDS!!!  It also dries clear as you can see here:

 
I then took some Maya Road rose ribbon (another Helmar preferred partner!) and added it to the bookmark, finally stamping out the sentiment and adding some ribbon at the top (also Maya Road).

 
The best part about this project?  Seeing my daughter's face when it was done.  She absolutely squealed in excitement and that always makes me happy.  She is in 6th grade and tested at a 12th grade reading level this past year.  I am SO super proud of her and am thrilled that she loves to read so much.

 
Thanks for letting me share with you this project for my amazing girl....and be sure to check out my post on the HELMAR DT blog today, too!  Thanks and have a great Wednesday, everyone!
xoxo,Jess :)

So Proud...

Hey everyone! It's Tuesday and you know what that means...a new challenge on the RIBBON CAROUSEL challenge blog!

Grab your school colors, blue and red, or any school image, because Angela wants us to celebrate the kids and teacher’s going “Back to School” for this week’s Ribbon Carousel Challenge (RCC17).

My card is a little non-traditional that I have to share with you today.  I actually made it early knowing this challenge was coming, because I made it for my little one who began Kindergarten this year.  It all but broke me to send her through the school doors that first day, but after almost 3 weeks of school she is I am adjusting just fine :)

Both the sentiments are from Verve stamps- the "so proud of you" is from the "Small Phrases" set which is the perfect go-to stamp set, I swear. I just got it and I'll be getting a TON of use out of it, I am sure!

  The large sentiment is from another one of my must-have sets, "Always on my Mind".

This week, we're giving a $10 gift certificate to RibbonCarousel.com to one lucky participant, so be sure to check out the RCC Blog for all the rules and details!  I used a cute saddle-stitch ribbon on my card today.

Last but not least, don't forget to visit:

Angela Thomas - Guest Crew CoordinatorAshley Nguyen Newell - Sponsorship Coordinator
Corinna McGregor - Crew CaptainDebbie Carriere
Linda McClain

Laurel Seabrook

Thanks for stopping by and see ya soon!
xoxo,

Speaking. MY. Truth...

***IF you are looking for my ECHO PARK/TWINERY Blog Hop post, click HERE ***

Friday.

Fun Day.

an "I don't have to run day..."  LOL!  No, seriously, it's prob the first day in a WHILE that I don't :)

It's also time to share another week's topic from The Greeting Farm's "Heart Journaling" journey.  This is a journey that I am REALLY loving!

This past week's (week 4) assignment was to create a HAND DRAWN girl.

Say that with me.  HAND. DRAWN. G....

no, just stop at HAND. DRAWN.

yikes!

I had NO idea how I was gonna pull this off.  NONE.  Thankfully there was Google, and the fact that I pretty much knew I wanted my creation to look SOMETHING like the "SheArt" stuff by Christy Tomlinson that I've been seeing around the blogosphere.

Still that one PESKY little problem though- the fact that I cannot draw.  True story.  It was google and my daughter, Madelynn to the rescue- madelynn was my cheerleader and she actually created a page too that I'll be posting later!  I am so proud of her!

(please click on the image to enlarge- you can see a lot more of the detail on the face and legs if you do ;)

So....here's the deal.  I did it.  I did it ANNNNND I liked it!  after decorating the background with Spring Butterflies,  the Mini Bubblewrap, Mesh and French Script, I went to work on drawing her.  It helps if you start out with the DRESS portion, I can tell you that.  I think it makes it more 'proportioned' when you're trying to draw the rest of her.  Worked for me, anyway! 

What do you guys think?  As for the paper, it's the new My Mind's Eye 6x6 Stack "lost and found" and I'm in LOVE!  The papers are perfect for her and when I saw the measuring tape DP I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do.

Every stamp on here is Stamping Bella except for the sentiment "Speak the Truth, even if your  voice shakes" is from the new Verve set, "Words of Wisdom".

...and wisdom this is, INDEED.  

"Speak the TRUTH...even if your voice shakes... "

...and my first 'truth'?  As shown above... NO ONE. should EVER. ever. hold you up to their own 'measuring stick' of expectations.  That is on them, not on you.  

True friendship and love comes from and by ACCEPTANCE of the beautiful person you are...the unique makeup of one's SOUL <3

remember that, k?

I am a 'people pleaser.'.  So this little bit of wisdom took me a while...and it's a precious lesson learned.

FREE to be me.

and you are FREE to be YOU.

and I will appreciate you for all the "YOUness" that comes with that, because we are all so beautifully different.

TRUTH.  Acceptance.

They are BEAUTIFUL things... and that is the TRUTH :)

Go Confidently...

...in the direction of the DECONSTRUCTED sketch!  (then, after your dreams, of course ;)

I cannot believe how fast this Thursday rolled around again....but it's here, and not only am I here with another AWESOMESAUCE sketch by my friend Jen, I have a special SNEAK peek for you of the Claudia & Co. 6x6 Sampler Pack "It's the Little Things" that I'll be showcasing NEXT THURSDAY on her blog!  (normally, I do it the 3rd Thursday of the month but C&C is on vaca and I have another huge post later today....so please be sure to catch up with us next Thursday, too- thanks!)

Here is Jen's marvelous sketch this week, DS15:

...and here's my take using a brand new stamp set from Verve Stamps, "Words of Wisdom" (I freakin' LOVE this set-and it's all the more special to me as it was a gift from a special friend :)

I hope you'll stop by and take a look today at all of the other talented ladies' cards and see what they whipped up for DS15:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Emma Eads
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson

Thank you as ALWAYS for stopping by!
xoxo

I'm just gonna say this...

I love this sketch:

and I love this girl who makes the sketches:

and I LOVE this stamp set  by VERVE stamps featuring this awesome verse and therefore I love this card:

...and I love this little team of ours, so go visit them because they are lovely:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Emma Eads
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson
• 
  

That is all...

<3

Triple-play Thursday...

That's right!

Today is the 3rd Thursday of the month, and I have THREE cards for you today featuring the 6x6 Sampler Pack of Studio Calico's "State Fair" collection from Claudia and Company!

Have I MENTIONED how much fun I am having with these 6x6 Sampler Packs?  If you've been on the fence about trying them, the FIRST thing I should tell you is that they are ON SALE!  Through tomorrow, the 15th, ALL 6x6 Sampler packs are 40% OFF!  Ok, we are talking CHEAP, guys...they're only around $3 to begin with.  This is a FANTASTIC way to build up your patterned paper collection while getting to try the latest and greatest paper lines- 40% OFF!  That's HUGE!

Today I have three cards to show you from the Studio Calico "State Fair' 6x6 pack.  Here's the first one, using my beloved Pinwheel Die from Lil' Inker Designs:

My 2nd card features the darling "Blush Babette", a new Greeting Farm release ALSO available (and ON SALE!) at Claudia & CO.!

Today is also the Deconstructed Sketch with my girl Jen Shults, so before I show my last card, here is DS10:

...and now here's my card using one of my favorite Verve stamps sets.  That cute Twine?  It's The Twinery- best baker's twine around- SUPER affordable, and ALSO available at Claudia & Co.  This is one-stop SUPER shopping, and again, make sure to check out that awesome sale that my sweet friend Claudia has going on through tomorrow.

Well, I hope you're still w/ me after all those cards :)  I had a BLAST making them and can't wait to show you next month's featured sampler pack, again on the 3rd Thursday of the Month!

xoxo,

Deconstructing your Dreams...

When you really break down a dream piece by piece, and think about the what's/when's/why's...do you ever realize how CLOSE you are to achieving that dream?  I hope so...cuz w/out dreams, life just isn't as fun, right?  :)

I chose this great quote by VERVE stamps today although I have to tell you I'm the kid that's playing outside the sandbox today, LOL.  Today at the Deconstructed Sketch we are being very generously sponsored by By Lori Designs, but my printer is broken and at the advice of my friend Heather last week, I think I have another picked out but have to wait til' payday, LOL.....  SO..... please be sure to stop by and see all of the ADORABLE BLD images and thanks Lori Boyd for sponsoring us!  I can't wait to use my cute Watermelon Smile image when I finally have a printer again :)

Today I chose to work with one of my fave Verve sets, "Blue Skies" and made the quote my focal point for my card today, using THIS sketch, DS9:

I used the leftovers from my June Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions and really like how I ended up interpreting Jen's fun sketch.   Here's my card:

...and I just LOVE that sentiment:

"Within your heart, keep one, still, secret place where DREAMS may go..."  ~louise driscoll

Hope you guys get to play this fun sketch this week for a chance to win a Gift Certificate to the By Lori Designs store!  All the deets are on the Deconstructed Sketch page, and be sure to visit my team mates:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Emma Eads
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich  <---that's me!
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson
• 
  

Thanks and HAPPY THURSDAY, everyone!!!!!

xoxo,

Build a little Birdhouse in your Soul...

Haha...do you remember that silly They Might be Giants song?  Catchy...

...little TOO catchy, LOL...

{{{{oh, and thanks for scrolling DOWN for my RIBBON CAROUSEL Challenge post!}}}

I am singing a FUN tune today, though-singing from the rooftops as today is my FIRST post over on the Helmar DT blog..and here's a sneak peek of what you can see over there:

My Mom is not only the best, but she's my best friend and also my biggest cheerleader.  She gushes over my crafty accomplishments, almost to an embarrassing degree sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way and neither would she.  I love her SO much and she just so happens to love birds.

She collects birdhouses, even bird teapots...so when I saw this little wooden birdhouse at Joann I could NOT resist...and it was outside in a bin for only $1~that's my kinda price tag :)   Didn't it come out cute?

I have to admit I'm especially fond of the 'shingles' I created using a border punch by EK Success.  The Helmar Premium Craft glue was the perfect glue to use on this project as were the Liquid Scrap dots to 'pop' up my butterflies:

I have a step-by-step picture guide on the Helmar DT blog today and would LOVE for you to join me over there!   Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you guys again tomorrow!

xoxo,

Jess :)

Every thought of Butterflies...

Well, hello, hello!   How's everyone on this awesome Tuesday?

I am SO excited to show you guys Mercy's Tuesday sketch today:

I am equally, if not MORE excited to have been able to bust out some VERVE that really needed some attention this month!  LOVE the new fonts and sets, OMG...and I was lucky enough to WIN the Mojo Monday contest and had to cash in my chips and do some shoppin'  :D   Hooray for new stamps!

The paper is Baja Breeze, which still remains one of my FAVE blues EVER and I was So excited when my sweet friend Darla who I miss terribly, gave me TWO unopened packs for Christmas last year (the color is retired :)  Thanks Darla!  The DP is the cute new "Oliver and Olivia" line from Basic Grey :0)  This card even w the sewing took me about 10 minutes and I really love this week's sketch!

Be sure to check out the rest of the MUSES this week as I'm sure they loved it too...

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell

...and don't forget to check out our SPECIAL GUEST MUSE and my sweet friend, Peggy!  Not sure if you guys saw this on my blog back in March but the blue butterfly from Verve TOTALLY reminds me of the gorgeous gift that Peggy GAVE to me when I met her for coffee in Downtown Disney.  This one's for you, my friend!

Have a WONDERFUL day, everyone!   HUGS to all of you and pass one on today :)

Saying Goodbye to The Diedrich Dare with one HUGE prize...!

Today's post is bittersweet as we have a HUGE prize to give away, a new challenge, and an announcement that today's challenge will actually be the last for the Diedrich Dare.

We have had such a WONDERFUL time over the past year and a half enjoying the sketches of my wonderful children and some special guests too :0)   Truth be told, the last few times I asked for sketches I could see the enthusiasm waning a bit and as they get older (sniff sniff!) we have so much going on here...basketball (for both boys and my older girl this year), swimming, bigger homework loads, and just recently Madelynn not only joined the school newspaper...she FOUNDED it!   Can you believe that?  My girl LOVES to write and when there was no paper, she approached the school and asked severalteachers until one finally said yes :)  I am SO proud of her!   

That all being said, with my growing commitments and lots of work ahead of me as well, work that I LOVE, we are closing our doors.   I want to THANK ALL OF YOU for your enthusiasm, playing along each week and for the wonderful participation we've encountered.   

Most of all, I want to thank my Daredevils.  These girls remain my friends always and have seen us through some pretty wild changes and through it all, I know each and every one of them has my back and has had so much to contribute as team members.  Please leave some love for:

• Andrea Murdock
• Cassie Larson
• Heather Schlatter
• Jacquie Peifer
• Kim Ross
• Kris Palakiko
• Krista Vantol
• Randi Wall
• Rebecca Ednie
• Sara Henton

This week we have ONE FINAL CHALLENGE.  An inspiration photo chosen by my fearless Team Leader , Jacquie.   Ugh...what can I say, this is a tough one.  If not for Jacquie, I would never have been able to re-start the dare after LAST year's summer hiatus.  Jacquie has been more than just our wonderful leader and enthusiastic Daredevil, she is my friend and I adore her.   THANK YOU Jacks for all your hard work!  We love ya!

Here's the challenge:

And here's my card, not focusing so much on the colors so much as the cupcake although there are some similarities, using VERVEstamps:

Want to play along this week?   Add your card to the DARE by Tuesday, July 13th at 8pm CST to enter to WIN this fabulous "Going Away" Prize!  ONE LUCKY WINNER will receive the following:

2 Digital designs by Baby Bud Stamps

2 Rubber Stamps from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

3 High Hopes Stamps from Scrappin Great Deals!

"Sweet Message" stamp set by The Greeting Farm!

1 Digital Stamp and 1 Stamp from Queen Kat Designs donated by our own DT member Sara!

We hope that you'll play along with us ONE last time and give the DARE the proper send-off these Daredevils deserve!   Thanks for your loyalty and support and we will miss you but definitely see you all over blog land!   Remember, entries close July 13th at 8pm CST!

Thanks again to EVERYONE!

Thanks for bein' the Beeez Kneeez...

Hey everyone,

It's time for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge and she has a super fun again this week:

I was SO excited to bust out my brand new "Beez Kneeez" kit from The Caffeinated Cropper!  The minute I saw this kit on my friend and fellow Unity DT member, Amber's blog I knew I *needed* it ;)  The kit is put together by hand by Amy, a.k.a. "The Caffeinated Cropper".   Amy has put so much time and energy into these kits to make sure that everything goes perfectly together and the value is excellent!   Make sure you check out THIS post to see ALL you get in this card kit-you'll be surprised!

I was also really happy to be able to use my "Believe" set from Verve for this card.   I haven't been able to play with my sadly neglected Verve stamps in a while and now that I've got some more "me" time this week w/ hubby home til Thursday, they made a much-needed appearance ;)

I LOVE this new cardmaking kit and how perfectly everything goes together!   I had a blast making this card as a thank you to DH.   We've been through kind of a lot this past month and I don't know what I would do if it weren't for him.  See the nice brown stitching on this card too?  hee hee that's cuz last night my sewing machine BROKE and I was about to break into hives but it was hubs to the rescue and here's what I got ;)

LOVE that guy...and not just cuz he gets me stuff, but because he's thoughtful, and helpful, totally supports my stamping, and because he knows the true meaning of being a team.  So this one's definitely for you, babes.

On that warm and fuzzy note, be sure to check out the rest of Mercy's Muses today and see what they have in store, including our fabulous March Guest Muse, Dawn Easton.  The rest of the crew:

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Julie Lacey
• Mercy Kerin
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• Shannan Teubner

I will be back tomorrow with a DARIN' new sketch for you!

Live, love, laugh, and smile,

Jess ;) xoxo

If you're CRAZY, you're in pretty good SHAPE...

...well, GEOMETRICALLY speaking, at least, heh heh.

That's because today at Crazy 4 Challenges, we are all getting into SHAPE (ha, I wish I were!) by using at least THREE DIFFERENT SHAPES on our cards, layouts, and projects!

This is a card I made yesterday for the VERVE STAMPS Release Challenges.  It was a FANTASTIC sketch and just happened to take the guesswork out of it too-I used a half-circle, square, and a rectangle on this card using the WISHFUL ELEGANCE set.  I love this set because you can create your own fabby DP and also it's such a versatile set for so many occasions.

Make sure you stop by and see what kind of SHAPE the rest of my C4C girls are in today with their FABULOUS creations and check out what these CRAZIES are up to:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Jocelyn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Mercy Kerin
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by today and have a GREAT weekend!  Don't forget to link your OWN submission this week to the C4C Blog...we're waiting for you!  xoxo.....~Jess :)

Happy Birthday, Mom... (yeah, I wrote it ;)...

For all the times you helped me up,
when I would trip or fall,
For all the days I've felt so loved; your smile says it all...

For all the times you hugged me tight and tucked me into bed, and all the times you gave up 'your' time to be with me instead.

For all the childhood memories that many never get, the laughs, the hugs and all the memories; even the ones that aren't yet...

There may never be a time when I can truly understand, the path that God has left for me and the things that He has planned.

But all I know is that I am blessed to have you by my side, and I pray that I'm the kind of Mom who can be that kind of guide

For my own amazing children, whose hearts every day are touched, by the love of the BEST Mom and Grandma who we love so VERY MUCH!

~written by Jessica Diedrich for my AMAZING MOTHER...my Best Friend...my everything.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

~Jess, Joe, Dann, Suzy, Chris, Madelynn, Jacky, Nicky and Ava~

(Card shown was for the Annivervesary Sketch Challenge week at VERVE stamps. Set is Because of You, by Verve Stamps)

Summery Sunflower...

Hi friends,

I simply adore the images that I am lucky enough to work with by Stampavie.

I have such a wonderful time coloring up the images and they keep getting BETTER and BETTER!

We have SO much excitement in store these next few months!

You can read all about it on the Stampavie website. It's EXPLODING with new, fun, and ADORABLE new images by illustrators like Sarah Kay, Helz Cuppleditch, and you can get an early peek at the NEW holiday line by Gillian Roberts...OH MY is it CUTE!

This adorable image is by Tina Wenke, also fairly new to Stampavie. I used the "Mouse on Sunflower" image to create this card that was one of my submissions for the "Anni-VERVE-sary" sketch challenges this past month over on the VERVE stamps forum. Hope you enjoy it!

xoxo
Jessica :)