Guest tutorial author and DD alumna Diane Zechman will show you how to create a mini blind card.

Cardstock

Scor-Pal

Adhesive

Patterned paper

Q: Cheryl asked: " I have been stamping for more than a year now and still feel as though I am stuck in the beginner mode. I love to watch your tutorials, I am just so amazed by the quality and wonderful teaching talent you display. So here is my question...What steps do you follow when you sit at your crafting table to design a project? How do you go about the process from start to finish. Please treat me as though I am "dumber than dirt"! I would not be offended. I get many lovely comments from those I send my cards to, however, I want to present my own thoughts and cares. I am sure that I am not the only person who could use this type of help.

Also I have spent quite a bit of money on Spellbinder dies, the problem I am having is my paper sticks so very firmly into the die. Is this only beause they are new? Am I doing something wrong? I am using a cuttlebug., "

A: When I start creating, I usually pick a challenge as my starting base. I think my favorite challenges are our Splitcoast Inspiration or Ways to Use it challenges - our weekly challenges are listed in the newsletter. They give me a starting point without hemming me in too much. From inspiration challenges I usually pick a form/layout or colors to use on my card. Then I go from there, picking paper that works with the color choice. Next I check my stamps what will work with the paper and the layout.

When I work with a new image that I am planning on coloring, I still pick the patterned paper first. I learned the hard way that if you color and then pick the paper, it's a lot harder to match it to the paper you have. Next I pick a die to cut my image with. After that I try to find a layout that works for it. I have a few go to sketches that I keep using over and over.

When I have intricate dies, I place a piece of wax paper between the die and the cardstock before cutting and embossing the cardstock. The wax paper makes it easy to remove the cardstock from the die.

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Jo has a suggestion for the Twinkling H2O's tutorial:"If you are like me and find that Twinkling H2Os are too expensive, check the art department in your local craft store for shimmering watercolors. I bought a palette of 18 terrific shades for less than $8.00. Now I have another way to use them!"

Twinkling H2O’s tutorial

No special supplies are needed for next week's tutorial.