Pickled Paper Designs

Love Ya

2012-01-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

Surprise! I'm back already and I'm back with a CAS card. Not my forte at all, but I do so love the look (from other designers!). So, I'm really excited about a new, CAS twist that the Verve girls are adding to the Viva La Verve sketch rotation this year. For all those kindred spirits who, like me, love to pile it on with layers and embellishments, don't worry, we're only doing this once a month -- the last sketch of the month. But, for those who have been asking (or silently wishing) for more CAS inspiration using Verve's awesome stamps, this new feature is for YOU!

Shannan is hosting this week's CAS sketch challenge:

The deadline for all four of this month's VLV sketches, including today's, is midnight CST, Thursday, February 2. One lucky sketch participant who completes all four sketches will win a $100 Verve gift certificate. Good luck!

For my card, I used a "love ya" sentiment and a heart trio image, both from Twitterpated, to create the horizontal sentiment strip. I embellished with a button and twine, stitching, and a scallop border, stuck it on a textured red card base and called it done. Hope you enjoy!

Don't miss out on Verve's current "Love is in the Air" Sale, going on now through February 4!

Stamps: Twitterpated (Verve Stamps)

Paper: textured red card stock (Bazzill?), Papertrey White and Aqua Mist card stock, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery

Ink: Ranger Tumbled Glass and Fired Brick Distress Inks

Accessories: Papertrey button, The Twinery twine, sewing machine, EK Success border punch, corner rounder

Hats Off To You - SFYTT

2012-01-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

We're nearing the end of January, which means it's time for the SFYTT sisters to have another go at this month's fabulous Sketch For You To Try. Have you played along yet?

Our sponsor this month is The Cat's Pajamas. Oh, how I love TCP images - the perfect blend of fun, whimsy, and cuteness. Today's sweet set is called Presto. I also used one of the TCP Cut-Ups (their line of cutting dies), Circus Border, up along the top. The papers are from my sadly under-used Blissful 6x6 pad from Authentique.

Here's a close-up, where you can see the glitter "sparks" I added around the wand:

Look for final January samples from the SFYTT Sisters throughout the week! And do play along if you haven't already. Remember, there will be a huge prize pack at the end of the year, but you're only eligible if you play along each month throughout the year.

On a more personal note ... since I've been so quiet on the blog lately, I wanted to assure you that everything is just fine. More than fine, in fact! Yes, I have slowed down a little bit with paper crafting lately (so hard for this all-or-nothing girl), but I'm still very much alive and kicking. And paper-crafting when I can! I have some fun things in the works that just aren't quite ready for prime-time yet. So, for real ... see you again soon!

Hugs and much love,

Stamps: Presto (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Authentique Blissful 6x6, Papertrey Vintage Cream and Smoky Shadow
Ink: Versafine Onlyx Black, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: The Cats Pajamas Circus Border die, Copic markers, Sakura Quickie glue pen, clear ultra fine glitter, foam adhesive, Spellbinders classic circle Nestabilities, distressing tool, sewing machine, paper piercer/needle/thread, Maya Road crochet trim, 5/8" natural twill, Papertrey button
Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2

Verve After-Party Blog Hop

2012-01-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our January 2012 After Party Hop! Last night we released 3 new stamp sets, 4 plain janes and 4 dies! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take a stroll through the Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out theVerve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

*January 14, 2012*

1. Amy	8. Tosha
2. Maureen	9. Laurie
3. Sankari	10. Julee
4. Andrea	11. Janelle
5. Teresa	12. Betty
6. Amber	13. Shannan
7. Charmaine	14. Jackie

Verve's Scripture Plain Janes are among my very favorites. My card today features one of the newest ones, Psalm 63:3-4. I especially love Julee's font treatment on this one. So gorgeous! The pretty background paper is from Basic Grey's Piccadilly collection.

The layout is this month's Sketch For You To Try. (I *may* have switched up the layering order on two of those panels. Again. *wink*) By the way, head HERE for more SFYTT sketch inspiration. We're posting sketch ideas weekly this year!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a super weekend!

Stamps: Psalm 63:3-4 Plain Jane, Curvy Cross Plain Jane
Paper: Papertrey White, Smoky Shadow and Spring Moss card stock, Basic Grey Piccadilly dp
Ink: Papertrey Smoky Shadow, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress Ink, Versamagic Key Lime
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle and Lacey Circle Nestabilities, sewing machine, distressing tool, foam adhesive, Zva Creative flowers, Stampin' Up ribbon, Papertrey button and twine, Kaisercraft black adhesive pearls, lace trim
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve January Spotlight: Day Three

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day Three of Verve's New Release Spotlights. Today, we're taking a look at one large set, one single-image Plain Jane, and two more dies. I've done a little mixing and matching on my card. The sentiment is from Twitterpated and the beautiful butterfly is the new Plain Jane, All Aflutter, which I've die-cut using the coordinating All Aflutter Die Set. (By the way, the die also fits the butterfly from the popular Blue Skies set, minus that butterfly's antennae.) As an added little detail, I stamped a row of hearts on that light blue vertical strip using a sweet heart trio image from Twitterpated, watermark ink and some clear embossing powder. Here's a closer look at that:

The layout is from the lovely Andrea's Viva La Verve sketch challenge. Catch all the details on that challenge HERE.

Hop around to all the Divas for loads of inspiration and leave comments for a chance to win today's featured sets and dies.

*January 13, 2012*

1. Amber	7. Amy
2. Teresa	8. Laurie
3. Charmaine	9. Maureen
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Tosha	11. Sankari
6. Janelle

Hope to see you TONIGHT in the Verve Forum for our Release Party, beginning at 9pm EST. We'll chat, see the new set reveals and all the Diva samples, give away some prizes, and count down to the official release at 11 pm EST.

Stamps: Twitterpated, All Aflutter Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Neenah Solar White card stock, Papertrey Spring Moss card stock, Stampin' Up Soft Sky card stock, Basic Grey Piccadilly 6x6 designer paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Stampin' Up Soft Sky, Ranger Antique Linen and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, VersaMark
Accessories: Verve All Aflutter Die Set, Martha Stewart paper doily, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and Classic Circle Nestabilities, My Favorite Things Scallop Border die, May Arts crochet trim, Papertrey baker's twine, MemrieMare crinkled and dyed seam binding, Zva Creative flowers, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam adhesive, clear embossing powder
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve January Spotlight: Day Two

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Woohooo ... here we go, with our second day of Verve peeks! Today we're featuring a large set, Wings of Love, good for Valentine's Day and soooooooo much more. (Would be great for art journaling, too, if you do any of that!) There's also a pair of heart dies that coordinate and even a Valentine sentiment PJ. Are you feelin' the love?

I chose to play with a pair of paper pieced hearts (stamped with Wings of Love) that I die-cut with the Wavy Hearts Die Set, some scrumptious My Mind's Eye papers, and this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #223. The sentiment flag is stamped with one of many sweet one-word sentiments in Wings of Love.

I can't wait for you to see this set in full! I'm the tail end of today's spotlight hop, so hopefully you've already feasted your eyes on today's peeks. However, if you've just happened to stop by, here's the full line-up for your viewing pleasure:

*January 12, 2012*

1. Janelle	7. Teresa
2. Julee	8. Andrea
3. Laurie	9. Sankari
4. Tosha	10. Maureen
5. Charmaine	11. Amy
6. Amber

Remember to leave comment love on all the blogs for your chance to win today's featured sets and dies!

Also, mark your calendars for tomorrow night. Verve's release party begins at 9pm EST right HERE.

Verve January Spotlight: Day One

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our January 2012 Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere this week! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

You'll see a new face in the Diva line-up today ... a huge welcome to our newest Diva, Janelle Stollfus!

*January 11, 2012*

1. Amy	7. Charmaine
2. Maureen	8. Tosha
3. Sankari	9. Laurie
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Teresa	11. Janelle
6. Amber

Nothing like some new Verve to kick off the new year in style! Today the Divas are showing peeks of a new St. Patrick's Day set called Lucky You, a coordinating Shamrock Die Set, and two new Scripture Plain Janes, Psalm 63:3-4 and Zephaniah 3:17. I couldn't wait to play around with this sweet "You're My Lucky Charm" sentiment in Lucky You. I stamped one of the shamrocks in light green first, then stamped the sentiment over it in black.

I cut apart a Rounded Scallop Frame die-cut to get the little mini scallop border pieces. The patterned papers and all from Echo Park's Times and Seasons. And the layout is from Amber's current Viva La Verve sketch challenge. You can find all the sketch challenge details HERE. We'd love for you to play along!!

I also stamped up a little something to decorate the inside of the card, too:

The shamrock is die-cut with the Shamrock Die Set and the sentiment, once again, is from Lucky You.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Stamps: Lucky You (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Echo Park Times & Seasons 6x6 pad, Papertrey Smoky Shadow, Fine Linen, Kraft and Vintage Cream card stock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic light green ink, Ranger Old Paper and Brushed Corduroy ink
Accessories: Verve Shamrock Die Set and Rounded Scallop Frame die, Spellbinders classic circle Nestabilities, May Arts burlap string, Papertrey buttons, sanding block, corner rounder, distresing tool, foam adhesive, ivory acrylic paint
Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2

January SFYTT - Let's Take Off

2012-01-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

Hello, dear blog friends. It's awfully late to be sending out Happy New Year wishes, but I will anyway since I haven't blogged since last year.

Happy New Year!

As much as I've enjoyed a nice long blog break, I'm anxious to get back into a more regular stamping/papercrafting habit, and what better way than to kick off a brand-new year of Sketch For You To Try challenges!

In addition to the awesomeness we've all come to expect with Jen's sketches, Jen has also lined up some fabulous sponsors and giveaways for the upcoming year. Also, in response to player feedback, she has tweaked things as far as the whole weekly/monthly sketch format. It truly will be the best of both worlds. Visit with Jen at i{heart}2stamp for all the details. I personally am looking forward to another great year of SFYTT challenges, and I hope many of you are too!

We're starting off the new year in swanky style ... you guessed it, our sponsor is The Cat's Pajamas! I adore this company, their incredible designers, and the adorable, fresh, hip images. Just plain fun all the way around!

Ready for our sketch this month?

Update ... I forgot to link the SFYTT Sisters! Gasp!

Jen del Muro and Designer of the Month, Christyne Kane
Amber Hight
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Iwona Palamountain
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

... more SFYTT inspiration from some of the TCP Design Team:
Julie Masse
Lori Tecler
Amy Rohl {posting Sunday}

And here's my sample featuring TCP's Up, Up and Away, as well as their Cloud Border Cut-Ups die.

I hate to deviate from the sketch right out of the gate, but I did move forward that horizontal panel, so that my felt cloud border wouldn't be hidden by the circle. You'd have done it, too :) And you know what? It's okay. You can tweak, flip, rotate, or otherwise make the sketch your own, as long as we can still see the basic sketch. In fact, here are the "official" rules (click to enlarge, and see #2):

I'll be back with more during the upcoming week. Verve fans, mark your calendars. We're having a new release on Friday, January 13. Peeks begin on Wednesday, the 11th. Also, not sure when I'll actually have something to share because I'm waiting for some supplies to be re-stocked, but, I will be doing Project Life 2012! More on that system HERE. I can't tell you how excited I am about this project -- it's giving me just the creative spark I've been needing!

Love to all,

Stamps: Up, Up and Away (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Echo Park Times & Seasons, Stampin' Up Whisper White, Natural White, and Night of Navy
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink
Accessories: My Favorite Things felt, The Cat's Pajamas Clouds Border Cut-Ups die, Spellbinders Lacey Circles Nestabilities, May Arts burlap string, Papertrey button, sewing machine, foam adhesive, distressing tool
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

CASE Study #71 - Thank U

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Belated Merry Christmas wishes! I think this has been the longest blog break I've taken in my 4+ years of blogging. Hoping you haven't all given up on me!

The last CASE Study challenge for December has been posted over on the CASE Study Challenge blog. Hope you'll check it out and play along. It's also my last week to be guest muse, an honor I've thoroughly enjoyed each Thursday this whole month. A big thanks to Chupa and her awesome team for having me join them!

Here's the card Chupa has chosen for this week's inspiration:

And here's my CASE:

Another pretty obvious CASE ... same color combo, same letter "u" die-cut, clean lines, similar elements and details. The stamps and the "u" die-cut are from Verve (You and I stamp set and the I Heart U die set). For added texture and interest, I die-cut the "u" out of red felt and dry embossed the brown background. The green die-cut is Stampin' Up's Top Note die and the white frame was done with Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and Classic Circle Nestabilities.

I can't wait to see what the amazing CASE Study design team has done! This is a seriously brilliant group of stampers:

Case Study Challenge Blog
Chupa
Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Clare Buswell
Cristina Kowalczyk
Debby Hughes
Jean Martin
Julie Lacey
Maureen Plut
Teresa Kline
Teneale Williams

Cheers to all!

Stamps: You and I (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Dark Chocolate, White, Aqua Mist and
Ink: Versamagic
Accessories: Verve I Heart U Die Set, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and Classic Circle Nestabilities, Papertrey buttons and ribbon, May Arts twine, Stampin' Up Top Note die, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, red wool felt
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

CASE Study #70 - Let It Snow

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ready for a new CASE Study challenge? Have a look at this week's inspiration piece:

And here's my CASE:

I stuck with the same color combo: light aqua, black, and ivory. I was also inspired by the lace background pattern of the original, specifically taking a smaller image and building it up into a larger pattern. For the new card, I took small and medium snowflake images from Verve's Glad Tidings, die-cut them with the corresponding Snowflake Tidings Die Set, and arranged them into a larger snowflake. Each individual snowflake is glittered and very lightly distressed with Antique Linen Distress Ink, then layered and popped up for dimension. The five points are cut with the smaller die in the Charming Banner Die Set, and the sentiment, from Holiday Phrases, is die-cut with one of the dies from the Charming Ovals Die Set.

Check out all the inspiring Design Team samples over on the CASE Study blog. That's where you'll link up your creation, too.

Case Study Challenge
Chupa
Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Clare Buswell
Cristina Kowalczyk
Debby Hughes
Jean Martin
Julie Lacey
Maureen Plut
Teresa Kline
Teneale Williams

Hope you play along! Oh -- this challenge stays up for TWO weeks instead of one. We'll resume on December 29 :)

Cheers,

Case Study #69 - Jingle Bells

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for this sweet gig as guest muse for the Case Study weekly challenges, or I'm afraid I wouldn't be blogging at all this month! Love this season, but man, it is busy. I'm way further ahead with my Christmas preparations this year than I normally am, though, so that's a good thing. Except the tree, which is still making its way from the to-do list to the living room.

Here's the inspiration piece for this week's CASE Study Challenge #69:

And here's my case ...

... also known as "how to not do justice to the original." Win some, lose some!

I asked Chupa, Case study owner, if I would get kicked out for being too obvious with my case. She's graciously keeping me around the rest of the month ;)

The jingle bell image and sentiment are from Verve's new Bright Spirits set. I colored with Copics and added some glitter. The greenery is die-cut felt (die is from the Leafy Sprigs die set) stamped in Versamagic ink (coordinating stamp from Sunny Days).

Someone please tell me how I got the dry embossing to show up so well in the first photo? Just for fun, here's the new card in the old set-up:

You guys have a great week! I have lots of catching up to do from last week's challenge uploads, but I will be making my rounds. I don't want to miss a thing! Until then, thanks to all who played last week!

Please visit the Case Study Challenge blog for all the details on how to participate, plus gorgeous samples from the DT!

Case Study Challenge
Chupa
Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Clare Buswell
Cristina Kowalczyk
Debby Hughes
Jean Martin
Julie Lacey
Maureen Plut
Teresa Kline
Teneale Williams

Stamps: Bright Spirits, Sunny Days (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Spanish Olive
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities and Ribbon Banners, Verve Embossed Oval and Leafy Sprigs die set, Stampin' Up ribbon, Papertrey button, May Arts burlap string, Kaisercraft black rhinestones, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, foam tape adhesive, MFT felt
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

December SFYTT - Year-End Finale!

2011-12-03T08:13:00.001-05:00

I know it's horribly cliche, but it is, after all, the time of year for these words ...

Where has the time gone?!

I can remember kicking off the 2011 Sketch For You To Try challenges and here we are already wrapping up another year! That best part about that, other than a super cool new sketch, of course, is the super prize pack drawing for those who completed all twelve sketches (during the months they were posted). To see all details on how to enter, visit Jen at iheart2stamp.com.

Here's what we're playing with this month ...

And here's what I created, using stamps from our most recent sponsor, one very near and dear to my heart ... Verve Stamps.

Those cute butterflies are some of my all-time favorite Verve stamps, from the set Fluttering By, which is the December Stamp of the Month. Pick up this little gem of a set anytime in December for 40% off! At only $7.50 regularly, the December price is an amazing $4.50! How about that?!

For more sketch inspiration, visit the SFYTT Sisters:

Jen del Muro

Amber Hight (out of commission while her stamping supplies make their way across the ocean!)
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Terri Moore

I'm keeping this short today, since I'm running a wee bit late with my post. Have a great weekend! Hope you get your holiday to-dos done and have time left for stamping.

Cheers!

Dream Big + Fun Announcement!

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

A little while back, I got the sweetest email from the uber-talented Chupa inviting me to be the guest muse this month over at the CASE Study challenge blog. I'm so honored! Each Thursday in December (except the 22nd), one of my cards will be featured on the CASE Study blog, along with challenge samples from the amazing CASE Study DT. You're invited to play along by uploading your own CASE of the featured card. Fun!

Here's the inspiration card for this week, a card I created in early 2010 for a fundraiser for the Haiti earthquake victims:

And here's my new take:

For my new card, I kept the basic color combo and the pair of butterflies. The original card was one of my favorites of 2010, and when I look back on it now, one thing that jumps out at me are the clean, crisp lines. These days, I tend to distress everything, so I also really wanted to CASE the clean lines of the original.

Head over to the CASE Study blog to see all the beautiful samples from the CASE Study DT! Or visit them at their personal blogs:

Chupa
Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Clare Buswell
Cristina Kowalczyk
Debby Hughes
Jean Martin
Julie Lacey
Maureen Plut
Teneale Williams
Teresa Kline

And before I go, a huge thanks to Chupa for the honor of being guest muse. I can't wait to see all the creations!! You'll find all the details on how to participate and the linking tool HERE.

Have a great day!

Verve Holiday Diva Dare

2011-11-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

Hello, sweet blog friends! I hope my fellow Americans enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving last week!

Have you been following Verve's current Holiday Diva Dare challenge? If not, hop on over to the Verve blog to catch up. We're on Day Six already and today happens to be my lucky day to share how I answered the dare!

Our theme this month is A Handmade Christmas. The theme is pretty broad and can be interpreted in so many different ways...from a lovingly made card, to heartfelt gifts and homemade decorations! With the Holidays right around the corner, this will be the perfect time to get a jump start on your card and gift making! So ... will you take the DARE? Visit the Verve blog for details on TWO ways you could win a fabby Verve prize.

After quite a bit of productive playtime in my studio, I decided to answer the dare with this rustic tree ornament created with the tree die in Verve's new Winter Fun Die set. It's a fairly quick project to create. I started with a decorative oval chipboard frame, then layered on a Classy Label diecut, then an accordian-fold paper rosette, and then a stacked felt tree with a sentiment flag tucked behind (the sentiment from Verve's Glad Tidings set). At the bottom is a rusty jingle bell, and at the top are some vintage ivory buttons. For the tree, I die-cut three felt trees, stacked them and then stitched vertically through the middle. You could press open the seams for more of a 3D effect, if desired.

I'm planning to incorporate these into my gift packaging this year. Kraft bags and wrapping paper will be the perfect backdrop for the rustic look and feel of these ornaments.

Have a happy day!

Black Friday with VERVE

2011-11-25T15:01:00.001-05:00

You'll find all the details about Verve's Black Friday Weekend Sale on the Verve blog and at the Verve Store.

I promise to be back soon with something crafty to share! Just enjoying a little blog break right now. Miss you guys!

Stamper's Dream Store Closing -- FINAL WEEK - 60% Off

2011-11-22T14:15:00.001-05:00

Well, this is it {sniff, sniff} ...

Take an additional 60% Off the lowest marked price on EVERYTHING in stock at Stamper's Dream! Final Week...everything must go! Use coupon code SDClosing60 on the checkout page to receive your discount.

Minimum purchase of $25 BEFORE the discount is required to activate the coupon. Please be aware that there may be a slight delay in shipping due to the volume.

Please note the 60% off code is not yet published on the Stamper's Dream store page, but it DOES work, so be sure to use it at checkout!!

I'll try to be back soon with something crafty to share!

In the meantime, some re-runs using stamps that are currently 60% off in the Stamper's Dream store (as of this post time).

Love Song by Penny Black
Originally posted HERE

Call Me by Webster's Pages/Unity
Originally posted HERE

Star Noel by Penny Black

Originally posted HERE

Star Noel by Penny Black

Originally posted HERE

Tree Limb by Stampendous

Originally posted HERE

Speckled Ornaments by Hero Arts

Originally posted HERE

Speckled Ornaments by Hero Arts

Originally posted HERE

Dare to Dream by JustRite Stamps

Originally posted HERE

Peaceful Wishes

2011-11-19T14:10:00.000-05:00

Have you played along in November's Sketch For You To Try challenge? Here's what we're playing with this month:

I'm in love with the wintry tree pattern that I used in the background (from Prima's North Country 6x6 pad, a gift from Michelle at Stamper's Dream) and was a little reluctant to cover up a single square inch of it. But layers triumphed, which wasn't too surprising given all the fabulous new Verve I've been playing with lately. The snowflakes, from last year's Glad Tidings set, are stamped, then die-cut with the new Snowflake Tidings Die Set. I topped them with gorgeous mother-of-pearl buttons (from Pizzazz Aplenty), then layered them over a Lovely Marquee diecut and a Rounded Scallop Frame die-cut. Distressing, satin ribbon, and crochet trim add a little oomph.

All Verve's newly released stamps and dies are available in the Verve Stamps store. Be sure to note the savings when you purchase the bundles! See all the new releases HERE!

Also ... don't miss the Holiday Sale! Save 20% on select holiday stamps and dies!

Football season finished last Saturday with a championship win for my son's team -- woohoo!! They finished the season with an impressive 12-0 record, including five shutouts. Even more impressive, they never even trailed during a game and allowed their opponents only 50 total points all season (compared to their 256)! Definitely a season to remember -- Go Mustangs! I have to confess, I'm a little lost without a football game to anchor our Saturday. A little Breaking Dawn should fill the gap nicely, don't you think? ;) Stamping, too!

Here's my champion with his proud mama:

Enjoy your weekend!

Stamps: Glad Tidings (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Fine Linen, Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides, and Vintage Cream card stock, Prima North Country 6x6 pad
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Papertrey Ocean Tides
Accessories: Verve Snowflake Tidings die set, Lovely Marquee die, Rounded Scallop Frame die; Pizzazz Aplenty mother of pearl buttons, foam adhesive, corner rounder, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, distressing tool, Papertrey Fine Linen satin ribbon, May Arts crochet trim, Lil' Inker Designs sentiment flag die
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Nuts About You

2011-11-18T09:55:00.001-05:00

Thought I'd pop in and share a little treat that the staff at my children's elementary school are getting today from the PTO. I thought this adorable acorn idea that I found via Pinterest (thanks for pinning it, Laurie Schmidlin!) would work perfectly with Lil' Inker's equally adorable Acorn Die & Stamp Set.

I used mini nutter butters (found packaged in plastic cups at grocery and convenience stores) and Hershey Kisses to make the acorns. For the stems, I used a frosting bag and small round tip to squeeze out just a smidge of melted Wilton dark cocoa candy melts (available at craft stores). Mini chocolate chips (shown in the original idea) would work, too -- the candy melts were a bit more efficient for me. Hopefully you can kind of see the acorns in the above photo. I didn't think to photograph them before bagging them all up.

The tag dies are by Verve (Tabbed Rectangle for some and Sweet Scallop for the others). The acorn and sentiment flag dies are by Lil Inker Designs. The acorn bottom, cap, and (one) leaf are all part of the same die, so the fun part was cutting out a bunch and then mixing and matching colors and patterns. You know I would have stuck a button on there if I didn't have so many to make! Some combos turned out better than others, of course. Here are a few more:

And here's all 64, boxed up and ready to take over to the school!

Sorry I haven't had anything else to blog this week :) Have a super weekend, my sweet, stampin' friends!

Verve After Party

2011-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a tradition at Verve this year to have an after-party on the Monday following each release. Each Diva shares a favorite card made with the new stamps and/or dies. Be sure to head over to the Verve blog, where you can see all the Diva creations in one place! I chose to feature the card above, which uses the new Bright Spirits stamp set and Jackie's Viva La Verve sketch from this past Friday.

Also, Teresa is hosting a brand-new Get Your Diva On Challenge, with the theme "Celebrate the Season." In her words ...

My challenge is broad, it is for Christmas and it is called Celebrate The Season. I want you to be inspired by the Christmas tree; what goes on it, under it, or the inspiration photo provided. Make an ornament, make a gift, gift wrapping, gift card holder or a card to send at Christmas.

You have until this coming Sunday, November 20 at 9 pm MT to enter for your chance to win a $100 Verve gift certificate.

And here is Teresa's inspiration photo:

Thanks for stopping by and thanks again for all the recent comment love. Congratulations to all the giveaway winners!!

Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey black, kraft, and rustic white card stock, My Mind's Eye "Rosy" Lost & Found Two 6x6 dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle, Twisted Metal Accents, Ribbon Banner, and Labels Twenty-Two dies, Stampin' Up large oval punch, My Favorite Things Medium Scallop Border Dienamics, sewing machine, Kaisercraft black rhinestones, foam adhesive, Papertrey button, May Arts twine
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve Holiday Spotlight Hops - Day Four

2011-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our final Holiday Spotlight Hop! Last night Verve released 2 new stamp sets, 5 plain janes and 6 dies to coordinate with new and old Verve holiday sets! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take one last stroll through the Diva and Guest Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

My card features a sentiment from Bright Spirits and the new Frosty Snowflakes Die Set (which coordinates with the snowflakes in one of my all-time favorite Verve sets, Christmas in the Air, from two years ago). I had the beginnings of a Mojo 214 sketch laid out with leftovers from my day one spotlight card, but I set it aside, thinking it wasn't very "Christmas" and didn't really work with what I had in mind for the rest of the stamps and dies previews. Then yesterday I tossed on a few leftover snowflakes and thought it looked plenty wintry after all! The beautiful scripty "Peace" sentiment, from Bright Spirits, is punched with a Stampin' Up oval punch, then layered onto a flag/banner strip, then a pink Classy Label die-cut, and then a kraft Rounded Rectangle die-cut. I accented with black buttons, pink pearls, and a random application of silver vintage glass glitter around the edges.

Here's the Mojo 214 sketch:

It's a contest week at Mojo Monday, too! Upload your sketch creation to the Mojo 214 post and you could win a Verve set of your choice. Good luck!

Thanks so much for hopping with the Verve Divas this week. Your sweet and enthusiastic comments mean the world to me! Glad you're liking the new Verve!! And before I go, a huge shout-out to the three super talented guest Divas this month: Gretchen, Vickie, and Wanda. Their projects have been amazing!

Have a fantastic weekend,

Stamps: Bright Spirits, Christmas in the Air (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Rustic White card stock, My Mind's Eye "Blush" Lost & Found Two 6x6 pad
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress, white pigment ink
Accessories: Verve Frosty Snowflakes Die Set, Classy Label Die, Rounded Scallop Frame Die, Stampin' Up striped ribbon, Pizzazz Aplenty mother of pearl button and 4mm pink halfback pearls, Papertrey black buttons, May Arts burlap string, My Favorite Things Medium Scallop Border Dienamics, paper doily, sewing machine, Stampendous silver vintage glass glitter, Kaisercraft black rhinestones, foam adhesive, distressing tool
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve Holiday Spotlight Hops - Day Three

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day Three of Verve's Holiday Spotlight Hops! Today we're peeking the remaining sets and dies that will be released tonight at 11 pm EST. Join us in the Verve Forum beginning at 9 pm EST for our Release Party ... stamp set and die reveals, chit chat, prizes, and FUN!

One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

After yesterday's wild card, I thought I'd tone it way down today! The sweet reindeer is from Santa's Helper -- so adorable! I stamped him three times and popped up his face and arms once and then just his nose again. Layering the image allowed me to reposition his left arm to better "hold" the sentiment panel. The sentiment is from Bright Spirits and is stamped onto a Vintage Oval diecut. The snowflakes are from Christmas in the Air, and have been colored with Copics and die-cut with the Frosty Snowflakes Die Set. I also dotted on some glitter and added red buttons to the centers for some extra zip. Those same snowflakes images are stamped onto the Kraft card base in a mix of white craft ink and VersaMark ink. Other details include some black glaze on the eyes and a teeny rhinestone in the center of the poinsettia on his hat.

Enjoy the hop, and hope to see you tonight!

Stamps: Santa's Helper, Bright Spirits, Christmas in the Air(Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Smokey Shadow card stock, Copic XPress-It Blending card stock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, white pigment ink, VersaMark
Accessories: Verve Frosty Snowflakes Die Set and Vintage Oval Die, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, The Twinery twine, My Favorite Things Medium Scallop Border Dienamics, Copic markers, Papertrey buttons, May Arts twine, two-way glue pen, clear glitter, foam adhesive, corner rounder, Sakura black glaze pen, Pizzazz Aplenty 2mm clear rhinestones
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve Holiday Spotlight Hops - Day Two

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day Two of Verve's Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas this week as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Julee	8. Andrea
2. Jackie	9. Vickie {Guest}
3. Teresa	10. Amy
4. Charmaine	11. Laurie
5. Maureen	12. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Tosha	13. Sankari
7. Wanda {Guest}

Are you ever in for a treat with today's sets and dies! Those who have already picked up previously released Christmas in the Air will be thrilled to see the Winter Fun Die Set, which includes a die for the tree in that set. And in case you haven't picked up Christmas in the Air (on sale now in the Verve store, by the way), now there's a slight variation of that tree in Plain Jane format: Winter Tree PJ! Not only that, but remember the sweet love birds in Love Story? Dies for those as well (Love Birds Die Set), plus the love birds make a reappearance in today's big set, Bright Spirits, which also includes, among many other wonderful images and sentiments, a six-point star image that handily works as a star, poinsettia, or snowflake. Versatility at its best! The Winter Fun Die Set includes dies for both sizes of that star, too! Whew!! Did you get all that? *grin*

For today's card, I went a little crazy combining papers and elements and came up with a busy, but fun holiday card. The papers are from Bo-Bunny's 6x6 Blitzen pack. I stamped the Winter Tree PJ onto ivory card stock, die-cut it with the Winter Fun Die Set, then paper pieced it using a green pattern from Blitzen. The tree is placed on a Sweet Scallop Tag and accented with one of the smaller birds from Bright Spirits (colored with Copics and die-cut with the Love Birds Die Set) and two snowflakes from Bright Spirits, colored with Copics and die-cut with the Winter Fun Die Set. If you look closely, you'll see an early peek (and literally just a peek) at one of tomorrow's featured dies, too. Julee peeked this die earlier this week, too. Check it out HERE.

Enjoy today's hop, and I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Stamps: Winter Tree Plain Jane and Bright Spirits (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Rustic Ivory card stock, Bo-Bunny "Blitzen" 6x6 paper pad
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Papertrey Fresh Snow ink
Accessories: Verve Winter Fun Die Set, Love Birds Die Set, Sweet Scallop Die, and Lovely Marquee Die; 5/8" lightweight natural twill, Papertrey red baker's twine, Pizzazz Aplenty clear 4mm rhinestones and 3mm Cranberry pearls, May Arts crochet trim, foam adhesive, Stampin' Up circle punch, distressing tool and sanding block
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Verve Holiday Spotlight Hops - Day One

2011-11-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the first of Verve's Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines. And be sure to join us Friday night, 9-11 pm EST, in the Verve Forum for our Release Party!

1. Julee	7. Andrea
2. Teresa	8. Vickie {Guest}
3. Charmaine	9. Amy
4. Maureen	10. Laurie
5. Tosha	11. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Wanda {Guest}	12. Sankari

I hope you love this release as much as I do! Today I'm featuring the Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane, the Flared Cross Plain Jane, and the fabulous Cross Die Set. I stamped the Flared Cross PJ in Stampin' Up's Purely Pomegranate ink onto Papertrey Rustic White card stock, die-cut it using the coordinating cross from the Cross Die Set, and gave it a frame using Verve's Curvy Bookplate Die and a Spellbinders Fancy Tags die. I am going to love having dies to match the Flared Cross and Curvy Cross images! The Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane is stamped in Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink onto a pink gingham pattern from My Mind's Eye's Blush Lost & Found Two 6x6 paper pad. I used My Favorite Things dies for the rolled flower and the scallop border. Stitching, twine, and a small button and ribbon accent finish things off.

Enjoy the hop!

Stamps: Flared Cross Plain Jane, Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane
Paper: Papertrey Rustic White and Dark Chocolate cards stock, My Mind's Eye Blush Lost & Found Two 6x6 pad
Ink: Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, Stampin' Up Purely Pomegranate ink
Accessories: Verve Cross Die Set and Curvy Bookplate Die, My Favorite Things Rolled Flower and Medium Scallop Border Dienamics, Spellbinders Fancy Tags die, foam adhesive, sewing machine, burlap string, Papertrey button and white ribbon, Kaisercraft adhesive pearl
Size: 5 12" x 4 1/4"

You're Wheely Great

2011-11-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

I grabbed a few minutes just now to attempt some handmade tags for my daughter's roller skating birthday party favor bags. I'm really, really, really looking forward to the awesome paper-pieced wardrobe I can give this sweet little roller skater (My Favorite Things Pure Innocence - Roll With It). A different outfit for each party guest, naturally. But methinks Plan B is in order: re-purposing the tag idea into thank-you cards instead. The party starts in only a couple of hours and this is only the first of more than a dozen that I'll need. Whatever Plan B turns out to be, I'll be sure to share it here!

Have a great Sunday!

Stamps: Pure Innocence - Roll With It (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft, White and Aqua Mist card stock, Jillibean Soup Apple Cheddar Soup dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers, paper piercer, white gel pen, My Favorite Things bracket tab die, The Cat's Pajamas grass die, Lil' Inker Designs cloud die, Papertrey button, May Arts burlap string, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder

November SFYTT - Verve

2011-11-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

As hard as it is to believe, here we are, folks, already at the first Saturday of November, which means a brand-new Sketch For You To Try, a brand-new sponsor, and a brand-new guest designer. Without further ado ...

... our sponsor is the one and only Verve Stamps! Having proudly designed for Verve for the past few years, I simply cannot say enough wonderful things! Fantastic designs, superb quality, excellent customer service, and an owner who is one of the classiest women I know -- Julee Tilman. As our sponsor, Verve is offering a set of choice to a SFYTT participant who uses Verve in her creation. The random winner will be announced with the December SFYTT.

Here's what we're playing with this month:

I took a more minimalist (for me) approach using the pumpkin trio in Verve's Bountiful Harvest. I paper pieced the pumpkins, colored the sky and grass with Prismacolor pencils, and added a stamped moon and stamped stars (all from Bountiful Harvest as well). For the horizontal band in the background I chose to add a subtle dry-embossed strip in the same chocolate brown as the card base.

For more sketch inspiration, visit our uber-talented Designer of the Month, Broni Holcombe

as well as the SFYTT Sisters:

Jen del Muro

Amber Hight
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Terri Moore

Many of the Verve Divas also have samples. Visit Jen's blog for a complete list. You might get to see some advance peeks at next week's release, too!

1. The SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY {SFYTT} will be posted on the first Saturday of each month on www.iheart2stamp.com at 8am EST and will stay open to participants until the last day of the month, unless otherwise noted.
2. This is for fun! Interpret the sketch as you wish and embellish as desired. There are no vendor restrictions, but we would love to see you use the sponsor’s stamps!
3. Each month we will have a Designer of the Month that will be chosen from past month’s participants.
4. Come and play with us on each and every sketch! On Christmas Day 2011 a prize package worth over $200 will be given away to one very lucky and loyal SFYTT stamper that participates in EVERY sketch for the year.
5. To be eligible for the prize package, you must complete ALL of the sketches by each of the deadlines AND link your creation to the link system on that month’s sketch post (the first Saturday of the month). Everyone except for SFYTT Sisters are eligible for the prize package, including Designer of the Month and international players.
6. When posting your sketch creation on your blog, please post the sketch and link back to the sketch post on www.iheart2stamp.com. When posting to online galleries, please use the keyword “SFYTT.”

Stamps: Bountiful Harvest (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Dark Chocolate, Kraft, and Rustic White card stock, Jillibean Soup Cheddar Soup dp, Crate Paper Farmhouse dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Tuxedo Memento Black, Ranger Distress inks
Accessories: Distress Stickles, Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, sewing machine, Papertrey buttons, May Arts burlap string, Stampin' Up oval punch, My Favorite Things Medium Scallop border Die-namics, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, Scor-Pal, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

From Our House To Yours

2011-11-04T09:25:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to be hosting the Viva La Verve sketch challenge for this week. All of the participation details can be found HERE.

Here's the sketch:

The poinsettia image and sentiment are from Poinsettia Christmas, our current Stamp of the Month, which means you can pick this set up for yourself (or as a gift) at a sweet 40% savings!

Have a great day!

Stamper's Dream Store Closing Update!

2011-11-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to pass this along.... Michelle at Stamper's Dream has upped the store closing discount to 40%! The minimum purchase before your discount is $25, and the coupon code to use on the checkout page is 40OffSale! All sales are final. Slight shipping delays are possible due to volume. Shop early for the best selection!

I've been enjoying a short, unplanned break from stamping and blogging, but I *will* be back tomorrow with a Viva La Verve sketch challenge, Saturday with a Sketch For You To Try sample, and most of next week, as Verve will be releasing new stamps and dies on Friday, November 11. Woohooo!!! Spotlights begin Wednesday, the 9th. You'll be tired of me by next weekend ;)

For now, Happy Birthday wishes to my darling daughter, who turns 8 today!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T10:20:00.000-04:00

It's been very, very quiet on the stamping front lately, so I thought I'd share this teacher treat that a few friends and I put together for the PTO to give the teachers and staff at our kids' elementary school (we made nearly seventy of them!). This little guy is a lot worse for the wear, having been transported several times and handled quite a bit by my 4yo (safekeeping efforts, of course), but you'll still get the idea. I used to think, "What did we do before the internet?"; now it's "what did we do before Pinterest?" I seriously love that site for inspiration of all sorts! I found both this skeleton cuppie project (courtesy of Woman's Day magazine) and the tombstone free printable (thank you Elle's Studio) via Pinterest. Because of my compulsive need to stamp anything and everything {grin}, I embellished the tombstone with an oval stamped with "Spooky Treats" (from JustRite's Halloween Mini Sentiments set). The grass along the bottom was die-cut with a grass die from The Cat's Pajamas.

I will say the white fudge-coated pretzel skeletons were a bit more involved than it appeared from the recipe. I thought I'd simply thread the lollipop stick through the pretzels and stick on some broken-pretzel arms. Turns out the holes in the pretzels were too large and the pretzels spun freely and wildly around the sticks. To keep everything nicely in place, I used Wilton candy melts to secure the pretzels to the stick, quite time-consuming for such a large quantity. In the end, it was worth it, though. It always is!

Happy Halloween!

Color Throwdown #165 - Never Too Old

2011-10-26T19:46:00.001-04:00

So happy that the family is on the mend. Harder to shake is that disoriented feeling of losing an entire day. We're all feeling loads better, though, and I'm certainly up for a good challenge. Here are the colors for this week's Color Throwdown #165:

Cool combo, huh? I worked with two of the patterns in Crate Paper's Farmhouse collection, two of the sentiments from Verve's Words of Wisdom, and this week's Mojo Monday sketch (#212):

Before I go, just want to thank the ladies at The Color Throwdown for having me as their guest this month. It's been an honor, not to mention lots of fun!

Check out all this scrumptious inspiration, too ....

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper
Keva Brown - How Now Brown Kow
Lori Tecler - Inking a Loud
Lynn Put - The Queens Scene
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Joan Ervin - Stamping With a Passion

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Crate Paper Farmhouse collection, Papertrey Rustic White and Kraft card stock, Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight card stock
Ink: Stampin' Up Old Olive craft, Ranger Old Paper Distress
Accessories: EK Success punch, May Arts wide ricrac and natural burlap string, Verve Tiny Sweet Scallop Tag die set, Recollections brads, paper piercer/needle/thread, Pizzazz Aplenty turquoise 2mm rhinestones, foam adhesive
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Color Throwdown #165

2011-10-26T02:00:00.000-04:00

Laura is hosting this week's Color Throwdown challenge, and has come up with this beautiful combo for us:

Visit the CTD blog for inspiration from the CTD designers.~~So sorry, but I'll be posting my guest designer sample a little late this week due to an inconsiderate little stomach virus running through my house. Be back soon!~~ [Update: My sample is posted HERE.]

Christmas Birdcage Tag

2011-10-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

{Updated to Add: The Stamper's Dream store closing discount has increased to 30% effective immediately! Everything must go! Get while the gettin's good, girls! Use discount code SDClosing30 at checkout. $20 minimum order.}

I was inspired by a plethora of YouTube videos to pull out my Tim Holtz Caged Bird die, a definite favorite, but sadly underused. No longer, though -- I plan to make a bunch of these to have on hand for the holidays. My end result could work as a gift or treat tag, an ornament, or even as a card element. The rosette was something I rescued from my leftovers pile and the flowers were from my stash (Bo Bunny for the rolled-style flower and Prima for the poinsettia). The bird (part of the Tim Holtz die) was cut from My Mind's Eye's Lost & Found Christmas collection. I added a sentiment flag with "From Our Family" using JustRite's Christmas Mini Sentiments set. At the top is a hemp bow topped with two rusted jingle bells. The snowflakes were diecut with MFT's Snowflake trio Dienamics die and topped with glass glitter. ~~Sorry for the not-so-great photo -- I'm working on it!~~ [Nevermind! :grin:]

Thanks for visiting,

Color Throwdown #164 - Boo To You

2011-10-19T02:00:00.000-04:00

Verve just released the most adorable Halloween set yesterday -- Boo to You. I know, surprise!! Here's the thing: due to manufacturing delays, the current supply is limited. More sets will arrive in the coming weeks, but they're not guaranteed to be here in time for Halloween. So if you’ve got to have it, grab it fast!

My card is also my guest designer sample for this week's Color Throwdown Challenge, #164, hosted by Broni! Hope you'll join us!

Check out all the fabulous inspiration from the Color Throwdown design team:

For my card, I opted to incorporate the colors in small amounts against lots of white. The damask pattern is from Echo Park's Apothecary collection. The kraft circle behind the ghosts was done with a Spellbinders Picot Circle Nestabilities die. The ribbon tails are all Stampin' Up ribbon and the black ricrac is by May Arts. I cannot for the life of me remember the source of the green pom-pom trim, but it sure is fun! I dotted some two-way glue onto the ghosts and sprinkled with Stampin' Up's Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Paula- and Linda-style. The dry embossing was done with the Seeing Spots embossing folder by Cuttlebug.

Wishing you a beautiful day ...

Stamps: Boo to You (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey black, kraft, vintage cream, and rustic white card stock, Echo Park Apothecary collection
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress Ink
Accessories: Stampin' Up circle punch, Spellbinders Picot Circle Nestabilities, two-way glue pen, Stampin' Up Dazzling Diamonds glitter, SU ribbon, May Arts black ricrac ribbon, hemp twine, foam adhesive, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots dry embossing folder, pom-pom trim (unknown), corner rounder, Papertrey button
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Stamper's Dream Blog Hop: You're the Best

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Stamper's Dream and friends are joining together for a final Stamper's Dream blog hop. Sadly, Michelle has decided to close her store. As unfortunate as it is to lose one of my very favorite places to shop, I absolutely 100% support Michelle and her decision. She has posted a little bit about it today on her blog.

You know the drill ... everything must go! Save 20% on EVERYTHING with the coupon code Farewell2U. Just enter the code at checkout and you'll receive 20% off the lowest marked price of the items in your shopping cart! $20 minimum purchase to activate the coupon. Sorry, no free shipping during the liquidation.

A proper farewell hop wouldn't be complete without the Dream Team and some very special Dream Team alumnae:

Michelle Rodgers
Becca Feeken
Tosha Leyendekker
Denise Marzec
Laurie Schmidlin
Carolyn King
Amy Sheffer
Arlene Cuevas
Teresa Kline
Jessica Diedrich
Mariana Grigsby
Lea Lawson
Jo Thompson

I dedicate my card to Michelle. She is the best, and I am so blessed to call her a true friend. I have the utmost love and admiration for her, and know our friendship will remain long after the store's doors have closed! The sentiment I used is from JustRite's Friendship Nested Sentiments, and the yellow oval frame is from JustRite's Song in My Heart. Some of the details include Kaisercraft Aqua Rhinestones and a postage border done with Spellbinders' Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities. The beautiful papers are from Prima's Alla Prima Collection. I used various flowers from my stash, but this collection does have coordinating Avon Rose Alla Prima Flowers.

The layout is this month's Sketch For You To Try, sponsored by Waltzingmouse Stamps. You have until the end of the month to play along -- link up your creation HERE!

A few more detail shots ...

I'll continue to post Stamper's Dream projects during the liquidation, so this isn't really a farewell ... yet! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Follow Your Dreams

2011-10-16T10:53:00.006-04:00

I don't think it's actually been forever since I last blogged, but it sure feels that way. I had great expectations and a fun stamping to-do list that, unfortunately, remains untouched. But it's been a blessedly full week. One highlight: my first out-of-the-home paid employment in twelve years (woohoo!!), subbing at my youngest son's preschool. Five hours, times two days, with ten two-and-a-half years olds = ten times more worn out than usual, but 100 times blessed. Happy sigh ...

I did have a little stamping time last night. Bits and pieces of Prima's Londonerry collection (available at Stamper's Dream) have been spread out on my craft island from a couple of other cards I've made and posted, so it was an easy place to start. I have two friends who are embarking upon big life changes, both career-related, and so I designed this card with each of them in mind. It can be scary to follow your dreams, especially when it involves leaving a place of comfort and familiarity for the unknown. I want them to know I believe in them!

The "Follow Your Dreams" sentiment is from JustRite's Dare to Dream set. "Londonerry" has several sheets in it of wonderful reduced-size elements such as the ticket that I stamped the sentiment on and the tilted square framed panel behind it (Finick Finack).

There are also a couple of word borders that I cut apart to tuck here and there.

Details include May Arts green velvet crochet-edged ribbon, a crochet trim bow topped with a purple Prima flower, and a crystal flourish. I don't know why, but I had never thought to tie the crochet trim into a bow until I saw it someone's blog a week or two ago. Of course now I can't remember whose blog it was, but a big thanks for the inspiration just the same!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Stamps: Dare to Dream (JustRite Stamps)
Paper: Prima Marketing Londonerry, Stampin' Up naturals card stock for card base
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Accessories: May Arts crochet trim and velvet crochet-edged ribbon, Prima flower, bling (unknown?), My Favorite Things bracket die, sewing machine, distressing tool, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Stampin' Up vintage trinkets (safety pin), foam adhesive
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Color Throwdown #163 - Snow Buddies

2011-10-12T08:26:00.000-04:00

The new Color Throwdown challenge, #163, is up! A fantastic combo inspired by Bo Bunny's Blitzen paper pack (but feel free to use whatever you have!). I thought this combo, and the Blitzen papers, would work perfectly with Fred Bear Snow Bear by My Favorite Things. Here's what I came up with:

I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with Copics and die-cut with a Spellbinders Wonky Rectangle Nestabilities die. The sentiment is stamped on a Bracket Tab Dienamics diecut by MFT. I also added pearl accents to the falling snow using a Viva Decor pearl pen. You can kind of get an idea of the dimension in this close-up:

I hope you'll give this week's challenge a shot! Head over to the Color Throwdown blog for all of the participation details. And be sure to check out the design team's fantabulous samples:

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper
Keva Brown - How Now Brown Kow
Lori Tecler - Inking a Loud
Lynn Put - The Queens Scene
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Joan Ervin - Stamping With a Passion

Happy stamping!

Stamps: Fred Bear Snow Bear (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Vintage Cream card stock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, Bo Bunny Blitzen
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Old Paper and Walnut Stain Distress
Accessories: Copic markers, Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles Nestabilities, My Favorite Things Bracket Tab, Snowflake Trio and Open Scallop border Dienamics, Fiskars corner rounder, Papertrey button and baker's twine, Stampin' Up circle punch, sanding block, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/4" square

Refuge and Strength

2011-10-10T10:14:00.004-04:00

Good holiday (for some of us) morning! I have a quick post today to share a card I made using Amber's Viva La Verve sketch challenge from two weeks ago (granted, a loose-ish interpretation). The weekly sketches aren't due until the end of the month, so there's plenty of time to get in on the action. The prize has changed a little bit, too! A $100 gift certificate to the Verve store for one lucky participant who completes all of the month's Viva La Verve challenges. Is that a prize or what?! And Verve stamps are not required, so our challenges are open to all!

Here's the sketch I started with:

I strayed a bit by changing the overall proportions of the elements, but everything is there.

The Psalm 46:1 sentiment is by Verve. I used papers from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two Sunshine 6x6 collection. The sentiment is framed with an aqua Picot Edge Circles Nestabilities die-cut and a black Labels Twenty-Two die-cut. Such pretty new shapes from Spellbinders! I think I'm going to enjoy these two quite a bit!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we're doing our part to raise awareness.We've got a special Think Pink SALE, with all in-stock stamps and dies 20% off October 1 - 16. And to sweeten the deal, Verve will donate 10% of proceeds from this sale to the
Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation.
A little something for you... a little something for the cure!

A few details shots before I sign off. I haven't included any in a while ...

Spellbinders Picot Edge Circle (blue) and Labels Twenty-Two (black). Light sanding on the black Label Twenty-Two and light sponging (Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress ink) on the sentiment circle.

Papertrey Fine Linen satin ribbon, jute twine, a Papertrey black button, and two Maya Road trinket pins.

Another shot to show dimension. To mail, I would put this in a clear box within a padded mailer. USPS classifies as a small parcel with a rate a little over $1 (I think).

Big ol' bling in the four corners, distressing, stitching, and scallops (I'm addicted!).

Thanks so much for visiting. Have a great day!

Stamps: Psalm 46:1 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two Sunshine 6x6 pad, Papertrey Aqua Mist and Kraft card stock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles, Classic Circles and Labels Twenty-Two Nestabilities, Stampin' Up wide striped ribbon, Papertrey Fine Linen Satin ribbon and black button, jute twine, Maya Road trinket pins, gold rhinestones, My Favorite Things Medium Scallop border Die-namics, distressing tool, foam adhesive, sewing machine
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

The Road to A Friend's House

2011-10-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

I'm doing the whole Saturday run-around thing and almost forgot to post my card for today! I was doing some {more} organization this past week and had the chance to re-visit some of my older JustRite stamp sets. The beautiful sentiments in the Song in My Heart jumped out at me. Here, I've created a fairly easy card that features one of those sentiments. The open scallop frame was done with Spellbinders Lacey Ovals Nestabilities. The lavender background paper is from Prima's Londonerry collection. I accented with various Prima flowers, seam binding, a pearl flourish, and a Martha Stewart punched butterfly. I distressed the edges with a distressing tool and also crumpled the whole background panel, smoothed it out, and lightly sanded to bring out the creases. Along the perimeter, I added a few touches of Silver Crushed Glass Glitter by Stampendous. (Love this stuff! comes in Champagne, too! Click for a closer look at the sparkle.)

Have a great weekend!

Can You Handle This?!

2011-10-05T04:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sooooo excited to let you in on a little secret .... I'm guesting with the girls at the Color Throwdown challenge blog all month long! Every Wednesday in October, you'll find me here (and there, too!) throwing down some color with some of my very favorite stampers in the whole wide world! Pinch me, please!

I'm a wee bit terrified, if I may confess, since color challenges are not at all my forte, but fortunately, I've been given some smooth waters for my maiden voyage. How about this lovely combo, brought to us by the aweome Tammy Hershberger:

Here's what I came up with:

For more color samples, a big announcement, and the participation details, visit the Color Throwdown blog!

I used papers from the My Mind's Eye Paris & Co 6x6 pad and a sentiment from Verve's You and I stamp set. Embellishments include some ivory burlap string, buttery yellow grosgrain, a sweet petite yellow rose and a Webster's Pages cameo stick pin. Both the doily and scallop border were done with My Favorite Things Die-namics dies. The sentiment label was done with Verve's Classy Label die.

The layout is this week's Deconstructed Sketch # 21:

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: You and I (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Vintage Cream card stock, My Mind's Eye "Paris & Co." 6x6 pad
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain, Versamagic Aqua Mist and Wheat, Stampin' Up Barely Banana
Accessories: Verve Classy Label die, My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo and Medium Scallop border Die-namics, Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, Stampin' Up Cream grosgrain, Recollections mini rose, May Arts burlap string, Maya Road trinket pin, Webster's Pages cameo long needle push pin, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Verve Diva Inspirations Blog Hop

2011-10-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the October Diva Inspirations Blog Hop! Our Diva Inspirations and Release teams are here to start your month off right with a little Verve inspiration! Take a little peek at each of the fabulous blogs below and leave a little comment love for their Verve-alicious eye candy and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own!

My card features the current Stamp of the Month, Harvest Blessings, which you can pick up during October for a whopping 40% off. The leaves are stamped and hand-trimmed, then layered onto a sentiment circle and a Kraft tag that I die-cut with Verve's Sweet Scallop Tag. Some olive green burlap fabric and burlap string add to the rustic look, and dry embossing gives some additional texture.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Divas are showing today:

1. Julee	10. Sankari
2. Betty	11. Teresa
3. Dawn	12. Andrea
4. Jen d.	13. Tosh
5. Lynda	14. Maureen
6. Shannan	15. Amy
7. Sony	16. Laurie
8. Susan	17. Jen T.
9. Charmaine

We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win!
Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, October 10
Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve

And last but not least, a new month brings a new
Stamp of the Month...

At 40% off during the month of October,
Harvest Blessings is one splendid deal!

Thanks for visiting!

October SFYTT - Waltzingmouse Stamps

2011-10-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

It's the first Saturday of the month, which brings us a brand-new Sketch For You To Try! This month we're being sponsored by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Yay!! If I had a few more stamping hours, I would not hesitate to build my collection of Walzingmouse Stamps! With each new release, I'm drooling over the designs. Classy, clever, trendy, fun, vintage -- there's something for everyone. I have loved watching the WMS catalog grow these past couple of years, and I'm thrilled to work with their stamps for this month's SFYTT!

My stamp choice didn't arrive in time for today's post, but lucky for me, I remembered this super awesome, secret stamp set that I won from Waltzingmouse a while back. That Claire Brennan (WMS owner) wears many hats, you know? Would you believe she actually consorts with the big man in red from up North, Mr. Claus himself? She's worked it out so that elves from all over can enjoy a little stampy holiday fun!

Here's what I've put together:

using this month's sketch, turned sideways:

The papers are from Authentique, and the decorative frame is from Spellbinders Twisted Metal Accents & Tags.

For more sketch interpretation, visit the SFYTT sisters:

Jen del Muro

Amber Hight
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Terri Moore

Hope you can play! Have a great weekend!

Autumn Fun

2011-09-30T13:49:00.002-04:00

{Second post today ... don't miss a fun announcement

and the Skipping Stones Design giveaway winner.

Scroll down one post, or click HERE}

What's your favorite season? I'm a Fall girl, all the way! I love the cooler temperatures, curling up with my children under a blanket, coats, boots, scarves -- all of it! This adorable fall image, Autumn Fun, is from Stampavie. I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Copic X-Press It Blending card stock and colored with Copic markers. I had so much fun trying to mix colors to create the look of leaves turning their magnificent fall colors. The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye's Lost & Found Two "Breeze" collection, and the scallop border is Spellbinders' new Classic Scallop Edgeabilities die set. Accents include distressing, ancient Kaisercraft flowers from my stash, a leafy sprig from Spellbinders Foliage Shapeabilities, and a simple circle tag (sentiment from JustRite's Elegant Charms set) strung from some household string.

Thanks for peeking! See you early in the morning as the SFYTT sisters unveil the new October sketch and sponsor!

SSD Winner and A Fun Announcement!

2011-09-30T08:13:00.000-04:00

Hello, my friends, two quick announcements this morning ...

First, I'm so honored to be the Fascinating Fridays featured artist over at Paperie Designs' Studio today! Head over there for more details! A huge thank you to Noor and Tammy for the feature!

Second, random.org has determined a winner for my Skipping Stones Design giveaway ...

Heidi at Heidi's Happenings, congrats!! Please email me with your mailing address and I'll get Funny Bras, Volume #2 sent out right away!

Hope to be back in a little while with a card to share!

CASE-ing Tosh!

2011-09-28T09:44:00.001-04:00

The Verve Divas are up to great fun with this month's Diva Dare: Case-A-Diva! What we're doing, and inviting you to do as well, is to choose a Diva and CASE something -- a layout, an overall style, a color combo, or even just a small embellishment cluster.

I'm honored (and nervous!) to be CASEing the amazing Tosh! For more about my project, please visit me over on the Verve blog today.

Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

Play along with us and link up your new Case-a-Diva creation (posted September 16 or later) to the linky widget on the DAY ONE post before 9pm Mountain on Sunday,October 2nd. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would LOVE to see ‘em!
For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our Case-a-Diva creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Monday,October 3rd right here on the Verve blog.

Good luck!!

Tweet Birthday

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

September has flown by, and here we are already at the last Tuesday of the month, which means my time as sketch designer for Skipping Stones Design is sadly coming to an end. Sniff, sniff ... always sad to say goodbye :( But it's been another fun month, and so along with the last sketch, I also have a giveaway! More on that in a bit.

Here's our sketch this week:

For lots of sketch inspiration and to link up your entry, head over to this post at SSD! Hope you'll play along!

My sample features a beautiful bird and sentiment from Everyday Blessings, an absolutely gorgeous set. When my new Spellbinders dies arrived a few days ago, I was thrilled to find that Michelle at Stamper's Dream had tucked in some of Prima's beautiful, new Londonerry papers. I wasted no time cutting into those! (Thanks, Michelle!) Details include distressing, chunky bling, stitching, and wide striped ribbon for some drama.

I bet you're wanting me to get to the giveaway, so I'll waste no time there either. Up for one lucky commenter is ...... {drum roll} .....

... Bras, Volume #1 !!! All you have to do is leave a comment! Deadline is this Thursday, 11:59 pm EST. Winner announced Friday. Good luck!

{Update: A winner has been chosen ... Heidi of Heidi's Happenings. Congrats!!}

Stamps: Everyday Blessings (Skipping Stones Design)
Paper: SU Basic Black, PTI Rustic Cream, Prima Londonerry
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Copic markers, SU small oval punch and wide striped ribbon, Spellbinders circle Nestabilities, MFT doily die, bling, distressing tool, sewing machine, foam tape
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Glory to God in the Highest

2011-09-26T13:10:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend. Our soccer and football games were both rained out, so we had an unusually un-busy Saturday. Nice and relaxing, but if we don't soon get some football played, I'm afraid we'll be getting snowed out instead of rained out! We've had so much rain this fall. The landscape and gardens are so lush and green that it looks more like Spring.

I just received a batch of new Spellbinders dies that I pre-ordered back in the summer. Couldn't wait to play! I thought the large shape in the new Twisted Metal Tags & Accents Shapeabilities would make such a beautiful frame for JustRite's elegant Rejoice stamp set. Here, I've combined them with lovely vintage-inspired papers from the My Mind's Eye's Lost and Lost & Found Christmas 6x6 paper collection.

A closer look at the sentiment and decorative frame ...

I stamped the outer frame in Stampin' Up's Always Artichoke and die-cut with a Spellbinders oval die. The little pearls are dotted on with a Viva Decor cream pearl pen. All but the sentiment from the center stamp was inked with Versamagic Sage ink. I then used a black dye-based marker to ink the sentiment. I trimmed the center by hand to achieve the mat size I was looking for, then distressed the edges to hide my irregular hand-cutting.

The layout is a slightly tweaked version of September's Sketch For You To Try, sponsored by Skipping Stones Design. There's still plenty of time to get your submissions in if you haven't already! Remember, a huge prize package is coming up at the end of the year for one lucky sketch participant who has played along each month!

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit! Hope your week gets off to a fabulous start!!

Stamps: Rejoice (JustRite Stamps)
Paper: Stampin' Up True Thyme, Papertrey Vintage Cream, Lost and Lost & Found Christmas
Ink: black dye marker, Versamagic Sage, Stampin' Up Always Artichoke, Ranger Old Paper, Frayed Burlap, and Vintage Photo Distress Inks
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities and Twisted Metal Tags & Accents Shapeabilities, charm from stash, May Arts burlap string, distressing tool, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam tape, Copic markers
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Be Afraid

2011-09-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

My eyes were too big when the time came to stock up on Halloween papers this year, so I have a definite surplus, but I have to say of all of them, the Mischievous line by My Mind's Eye is my fave! I'm also really loving all the adorable sentiments in JustRite's Halloween Mini Sentiments. They're sized perfectly to tuck in here, there, and everywhere. I stamped "Be Afraid" onto one edge of a punched label shape, then tucked it behind the horizontal panel and embellished with two mini banner strips. The doily is from My Favorite Things, the buttons from Papertrey, and the little spider image is something I punched from one of last year's Halloween papers (from Toil & Trouble by Making Memories, I believe).

I used Jen Shults's Deconstructed Sketch #20, without the scallops and a slightly repositioned and downsized bow.

Next up is a card using last week's Deconstructed Sketch, #19:

I kid you not, I started this card over a week ago! It's been a busy and at times difficult week and I just have had no desire to craft at all. Don't you hate when that happens? When I finally ventured into my stamp room last night, I was pleasantly surprised to find this card mostly finished, minus a few finishing touches. Once again, I combined Mischievous (the owl is cut from one of the patterns) and the JustRite Halloween Mini Sentiments. This time I divided the "Trick or Treat" sentiment onto to Maya Road miniature tickets. Pretty straightforward -- lots of pattern on this one!

Here's the sketch I used:

Last, have a peek at JustRite's Halloween Mini Sentiments:

I will soon need to plan out (and make) spooky teacher/staff Halloween treats for my kids' elementary school and have been pinning ideas over on Pinterest. I'm thinking these JustRite sentiments are going to come in handy. Whatever I come up with, I'll be sure to share here!

Have a great weekend, friends. I've missed you this week!

Creeping By to Say Hi

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

A new sketch challenge is up over at Skipping Stones Design -- hope you'll join in the fun!

My sample features a set called Halloweenie, on sale all month long for $12.49! Both the creepy spider image (um, arachnophobe here! :shivers:) and the sentiment are from Halloweenie. I isolated just the word "hi" for the star accent and also stamped the full sentiment repeatedly on the scalloped strip. The spider is stamped onto a text print. The papers are all from My Mind's Eye's Mischievous collection.

Here's what we're playing with this week:

And here's a look at Halloweenie (love the "BOO" poem!):

For lots of fabulous sketch interpretations, visit the Skipping Stones Design site, where you'll find samples galore, from this month's rock-star guests and from the uber-amazing SSD design team! I've seen some of the samples already, and they are amazingly creative!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Halloweenie (Skipping Stones Design)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft, My Mind's Eye Mischievous
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress
Accessories: Stampin' Up circle and star punches, My Favorite Things Simply Scallops Medium Die-namics, papertrey twine and button, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam adhesive, distressing tool
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Blizzard Bunch

2011-09-18T13:20:00.000-04:00

Chillier temperatures in my neck of the woods were enough to inspire today's card, featuring the adorable new-ish Blizzard Bunch stamp set by JustRite Stamps. This set includes four of these sweet fellas, plus four fun and festive borders. I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Copic markers, and die-cut the image and assorted frames with Spellbinders Classic Oval and Lacey Oval dies. For some sparkle, I added some Frosted Lace Stickles to the snow.The larger rose red label shape was done with a Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities die. The various papers, mostly scraps, are all from the 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad by My Mind's Eye.

Enjoy today!

Stamps: Blizzard Bunch (JustRite Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft, Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Lacey Oval and Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, sewing machine, Copic markers, foam tape, Kaisercraft adhesive pearls, hemp twine, My Favorite Things scallop border Die-namics die, Frosted Lace Stickles
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Love At First Sip

2011-09-16T13:40:00.002-04:00

Tosh is hosting the newest Viva La Verve sketch challenge, which was just posted this morning. It sure is a purty one ...

I used it to feature the awesome coffee/tea set, Better With You. The coffee cups in this set just beg to be embellished, and I was happy to oblige with corrugated cardboard sleeves, a stamped heart, and a bit of twine topped with some bling:

The sentiment is also from Better With You (and has lots of other cute, clever, sweet sentiments to keep it company). The papers I used are all from a new-to-me Baby Steps 6x6 pad from Simple Stories. I "un-babied" and "coffee-fied" it with lots of chocolate card stock and distressing. The chocolate doily was die-cut with My Favorite Things' Decorative Doily Die-namics die; the twine came from The Cat's Pajamas; and the tension on my sewing machine really needs to be adjusted! :D

If you've never participated in the Viva La Verve sketch challenges, you can find all the details on any of the September Viva La Verve sketch challenge threads over in the Verve Forum on Splitcoast:

**Viva La Verve September, Week 1 {9/2/11}**
**Viva La Verve September, Week 2 {9/9/11}**
**Viva La Verve September, Week 3 {9/16/11}**

We'll have two more September sketches (posted each Friday), and if you complete all five by Thursday, September 29, you'll have a shot at winning Verve's entire next release! Good luck and have an awesome weekend!

Stamps: Better With You (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft, Rustic White, and Dark Chocolate card stock, Simple Stories Baby Steps 6x6 collection
Ink: Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, Versamagic Jumbo Java ink, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery craft ink
Accessories: ivory burlap string, Hero Arts bling, corrugated cardboard, foam tape, The Cat's Pajamas twine, My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Die-namics die, Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, Papertrey buttons, blue twill (unknown), distressing tool, sewing machine
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope

2011-09-15T08:15:00.000-04:00

Do you love My Mind's Eye's Lost and Found Two line as much as I do? Swoon! Many of the individual paper designs are so beautiful they practically make a card themselves. Here's a quickie taking full advantage of a scalloped label on one of the papers in the Sunshine collection. The sentiment, Where Flowers Bloom Plain Jane, is from Verve Stamps. I just added a few additional elements -- banner strips in two widths, button and twine, a pair of rhinestones, and some zigzag stitching -- and I was all set. I'm kind of liking the shabby, thrown-together look :)

Like Verve? Love Verve? Then "Get Your Diva On" for a chance at a future guest design spot! The contest ends Sunday! Details HERE.

Stamps: Where Flowers Bloom Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Rustic White and Aqua Mist card stock, My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two "Sunshine" Collection
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, Papertrey button and twine, foam tape, circle punch, sanding block, bling, paper piercer/needle/thread, distressing tool
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Skipping Stones Blog Hop - Holiday Cats

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today I have the pleasure of kicking off a Skipping Stones Design blog hop featuring a brand-new stamp set release, Holiday Cats! This one is a hoot!

It's also Tuesday, which means another fun sketch challenge. I'm thrilled to be guest sketch artist all month long! Below is what we're playing with this week -- hope you'll join us! Just link up your creation over on the SSD blog.

And here's my take, featuring the new set, Holiday Cats:

How adorable is this image?! I just love him with his silly expression! I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with Copics, and shaded with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The papers are from a We R Memory Keepers 6x6 Halloween pad called Spookville.

I'm excited for you to see loads more Holiday Cats inspiration, starting with the the next stop on today's hop .... Kandi!!

And here's the full hop order just in case there are any glitches along the way:

Amy (you're here)

Thanks so much for visiting, and enjoy today's hop!

I Miss U

2011-09-12T08:22:00.000-04:00

Today's card is one that I made back in August for Verve's big Anni-Verve-sary celebration and neglected to share here. It's not my favorite card ever, but it does have two things going for it ... the "i" and the "u," which I die-cut out of cork with Verve's awesome new I Heart U Die Set. The "miss" comes from the coordinating You and I stamp set. So many ways to combine the chunky "i" and "u" with all sorts of sentiment combos for a trendy, graphic look. The papers are all from one of the Lime Twist My Mind's Eye pad, and the yellow and navy pieces are die-cut with Spellbinders dies (Fleur de Lis Doily Motifs and Labels Eighteen, respectively). The light yellow twine is a color I picked up from The Cat's Pajamas, and the cork is from My Favorite Things.

Be sure to check out the current Get Your Diva On challenge -- your shot at a future guest designer spot with Verve! Sankari is our host this month, and you can find out all the details HERE. Good luck!

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead!

Stamps: You and I (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft card stock, Stampin' Up Whisper White card stock, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: I Heart U Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities and Fleur de Lis Doily Motifs, Divine Twine, MFT cork, pinking shears, Papertrey button and twine, corner rounder, foam adhesive

Dream Big

2011-09-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

Greetings from soggy Virginia! It's been raining all week, but rumor has it the sun may show its bright self later this afternoon. Hope so!

I'm excited to be hosting this week's Viva La Verve sketch challenge. All the details are posted HERE in the Verve forum. Hope you'll join us and play along! If you don't have any Verve, that's okay, we'd still love to see your sketch interpretation. And if you play in all four of the September challenges (posted weekly, but not due 'til the end of the month), you could win some Verve!

Here's my Week 2 sketch:

For my sample, I used a tag image and sentiment combo from Verve's new Tag Time set. The tags are also die-cut with Verve's Tiny Sweet Scallop Die Set. The papers are from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two Sunshine collection.

Have a great weekend!

StampsTag Time (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Rustic Cream card stock, My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two "Sunshine" dp
Ink: Ranger Pumice Stone, Versamagic Aqua Splash, Stampin' Up So Saffron
Accessories: Tiny Sweet Scallop Die Set, Spellbinders classic circle die, MFT Decorative Doily and scallop border Die-namics dies, Prima flower, string, distressing tool, sewing machine, foam tap
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Fleur de Lis Birthday

2011-09-08T10:15:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the new vintage, French-inspired sets from Just Rite, available at Stamper's Dream? Oh my stamp-y heavens, they are so beautiful! Today, I've paired a lovely fleur-de-lis image from the Bon Voyage cling set with Prima's new Alla Prima paper collection. The fleur de lis image is colored with Copics and die-cut with a Spellbinders Labels Twenty Nestabilities die. The grayish piece behind it is die-cut with a Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities die. Speaking of Spellbinders, check out the *new Spellbinders* in the Stamper's Dream store!

The layout is Jen Shults's The Deconstructed Sketch #17 from last week. Love Jen's sketches and was excited to play along for the first time, even though I missed the entry deadline, which was yesterday.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Stamps: Bon Voyage, Shabby Chic Labels Four (JustRite)
Paper: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand card stock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, Prima Alla Prima designer paper 6x6 collection
Ink: Ranger Peeled Paint and Pumice Stone Distress, Stampin' Up More Mustard
Accessories: Copic markers, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and Labels Twenty Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, distressing tool, Pizzazz Aplenty turquoise pearls, Zva Creative tiny crystals, The Twinery twine, MemrieMare crinkled seam binding, Recollections mini rose, sewing machine, foam tape
Size: 4 1/4 x 5 12"

Thank You, Skipping Stones Design

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to be joining Skipping Stones Design this month as their guest sketch designer. I had a blast hosting the sketch challenges back in January, so when Heather asked me to come back, I was thrilled! SSD is welcoming a new group of guest designers as well, and let me just say, I'm so honored to be in their company! A full meet-and-greet is available HERE on the Skipping Stones Design site.

New sketches are posted each Tuesday on the SSD blog, where you'll also find all the participation details. Hope you'll play along!

I drew up this sketch with the gorgeous background image from Timeless Textures in mind. I thought it would be perfect for the embossed resist technique. I stamped in Versamark onto watercolor paper, then clear embossed. Next I brushed on a generous helping of water, then added color with a combination of Distress Stains (Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint, and Antique Linen), Maya Mists, and Glimmer Mist. You might be able to see some of the shimmer in this detail shot, which also shows the beautiful music-themed butterfly image from Heartsong.

Thanks for visiting! My little guy returns to preschool today and I've decided my summer survival reward will be four hours of uninterrupted daylight stamp time! Can't wait!

Dude, You Rock!

2011-09-05T10:30:00.000-04:00

Last month, my son hit me with a last-minute request for a birthday card for his friend's 11th birthday. Gasp! I can't think of anything harder to make, except maybe teenage boy card! I was just about to suggest running up to the store, when I remembered this clean-and-simple card I had made for Verve's latest release. I knew I could adapt it and crank something out super quick. And crank it out I did, in under 30, with time to spare. You all know that *never* happens for me, right?

The graph paper tag design is from Verve's new Tag Time set and is die-cut with the coordinating Tagged Rectangle Die. The "Dude, You rock!" sentiment is from Dude, also by Verve. The stars are die-cut with My Favorite Things' Stacking Stars Die-namics dies. For the background, I used watermark ink and a grunge-style image from Taylored Expressions' You're My Hero.

Hope you're having a great holiday weekend!

Stamps: Tag Time and Dude (Verve Stamps), You're My Hero (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Stampin' Up Confetti Tan, Papertrey White, Echo Park A Walk in the Park dp
Ink: Ranger Tumbled Glass Distress, Versamark, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery craft ink
Accessories: Verve Tagged Rectangle Die, MFT Stacking Stars Die-namics dies, foam adhesive, Papertrey button, The Twinery twine
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

August SFYTT - Skipping Stones Design

2011-09-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

It's the first Saturday of September, which brings us a fabulous new Sketch For You To Try, a new sponsor, and a new guest designer, Alyssa from ACS Paper Creations. In addition, we're excited to add two new faces to the SFYTT team: Becky Carafa and Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)! Welcome, ladies!

This month we're being sponsored by Skipping Stones Design, makers of some of the funniest stamps available! Take a minute to browse through their products -- prepare for a chuckle, a snort, even a full belly laugh. While you're there, you'll also notice some more "serious" sets, including one of my very favorites, Healing Wings, which I've used today. This set just speaks to me -- the butterflies, the encouraging sentiments, the beauty. The various papers I've used today are from the "Rosy" Lost & Found Two collection by My Mind's Eye. The doily die and matching border die are by My Favorite Things.

Here's the September sketch:

I love the rounded corners, but had to leave those out as my corner rounder bit the dust a while back. I must get around to replacing that!

For more sketch inspiration, visit the amazing, talented SFYTT Sisters:

Jen del Muro with August guest designer Alyssa

Amber Hight
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Terri Moore

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Healing Wings (Skipping Stones Design)
Paper: Papertrey Rustic Cream and Fine Linen card stock, My Mind's Eye Rosy Lost & Found Two dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Old Paper Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, My Favorite Things Decorative Doily Duo and Faux Crochet Border Die-namics dies, Papertrey Fine Linen satin ribbon, distressing tool, Papertrey button, May Arts natural burlap string
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Little Bethlehem

2011-09-02T05:10:00.000-04:00

My powers are weak when it comes to resisting the whimsical Hannah Davies holiday images from Impression Obsession. This one is Little Bethlehem. Just like with the Stocking image from a few days ago, I opted for some fun, cheery, somewhat non-traditional colors. Coloring is with Copics, papers are from the My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas collection. Accents include Stardust Stickles, May Arts burlap string, different ribbons, baker's twine, a scalloped border and some turquoise rhinestones.

Michelle at Stamper's Dream is having a Summer Clearance Sale!

Use coupon code SummerClearance (no spaces) on the checkout page to save 20% off the lowest marked price in the Sales & Specials section.

While you're there, check out all the New Arrivals, too!

Happy Friday!

Stamps: Little Bethlehem (Impression Obsession)
Paper: My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas, Papertrey Kraft and Stamper's Select White card stock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers, Stardust Stickles, Spellbinders classic circle Nestabilities, May Arts burlap string, Offray white sheer scalloped border ribbon, Papertrey double-stitched green and white satin ribbons, American Crafts zigzag-print ribbon, The Twinery twine, Papertrey button, My Favorite Things scallop border Die-namics die, sewing machine, Pizzazz Aplenty turquoise rhinestones, foam tape
Size: 5 1/2" square

Back To School Teacher Treat

2011-09-01T07:50:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to pop in with a heads-up that the Verve Divas are having their monthly Diva Inspirations Blog Hop today. Can't wait to see what the Divas have come up with! Also, a new month brings a new Stamp of the Month and new sets in the **SALE** category. Check it out:

1. Julee	8. Susan
2. Betty	9. Andrea
3. Dawn	10. Sankari
4. Jen d.	11. Teresa
5. Lynda	12. Tosh
6. Shannan	13. Charmaine
7. Sony	14. Maureen

We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win!
Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, September 12
Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve


*Autumn SALE!* *Fall is in the air and we're in the mood for a SALE!* *During September, enjoy 25% savings* *on all of our autumn themed stamps!* *Plus, don't miss our September Stamp of the Month* *Autumn Splendor.* .


*At 30% off during the month of September,* *Autumn Splendor is one splendid deal!*

I'm bummed I wasn't able to participate in this month's hop, but I do have a crafty little Verve something to share. I'm back on the PTO Teacher/Staff Appreciation Committee (for my older two kids' elementary school) this year, and one of the things the committee does is make little treats for the teachers and staff several times a year. The committee chair came up with this Whoopie Pie idea and asked me to make some tags.

I knew Verve's new Notebook Page Plain Jane would be perfect for what I had in mind. I downloaded a couple of free fonts to use for "Back to School" and "Whoopie," printed them, die-cut them with Verve's Rounded Rectangle die, then stamped the notebook page in blue ink. Cute and easy!

At the last Verve release party, there was a question about using the coordinating dies and stamps, specifically do you cut first, then stamp or stamp first, then cut. *Normally,* I would stamp first and then die-cut. Verve's complimentary clear alignment tools make precise cutting/matting a breeze (see this tutorial for specifics). In this case, I had almost 80 tags to make, so to streamline the process, I opted to just eyeball it.

You can certainly tell. In fact, I almost missed my mark altogether on this particular tag. I seriously doubt anyone over at the school noticed, but you guys, on the other hand, might! Perhaps you'll think I'm a lazy stamper. As you wish. I prefer "efficient" when it comes to 80 tags {*grin*}.

Have a lovely day!

Wishing You Sunny Days

2011-08-31T06:05:00.000-04:00

It's Diva Dare time over at the Verve blog!

Our theme is Sending Some Sunshine! We DARE you to make an uplifting and encouraging card AND send it to someone in need of a little pick-me-up! There's nothing like opening your mailbox and seeing a handmade card...especially with some of Verve's encouraging sentiments on it! :-)

This month's theme is fantastic if you're anything like me and have loads and loads of handmade cards collecting dust in boxes somewhere in your house. The only box today's card is destined for is a good friend's mailbox. Life is handing her an unfair burden right now and doesn't appear to be taking a break anytime soon. Since I see her regularly, I think she'll be extra surprised to find this in her mailbox tomorrow!

The bold color combo comes from the Blissful papers by Authentique. The layout is last week's Mojo205 sketch. For the focal point, I started with a layered flower done with Sunny Days. The flower and sentiment (diecut with one of the Charming Oval dies) are layered onto a Curvy Bookplate piece and then a doily die-cut with an MFT Die-namics die. I love the pop of the coral/pink ribbon and flowers!

Be sure to head over to the Verve blog for all the Diva Dare details. There are two chances to win Verve goodies -- leaving comments and playing along! Can't wait to see how you'll answer the dare!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Sunny Days (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Authentique "Blissful" dp, Stampin' Up Basic Black card stock, Papertrey Ink Smoky Shadow and Vintage Cream card stock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Pumice Stone Distress
Accessories: Copic markers, white gel pen, Stampin' Up Build-A-Brad, Verve Charming Oval Die Set and Curvy Bookplate Die, My Favorite Things doily and scallop border dies, Papertrey ribbon and button, The Twinery twine, pinking shears, paper piercer/needle/thread
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Enjoy the Moments

2011-08-27T12:45:00.000-04:00

Eeeek, this may be my first Christmas card for the year! Eeek because it's already time to get going and eeek because I haven't started sooner! And then eeeek, how about this whimsical Impression Obsession Stocking image? Love it! I couldn't help but "see" this image in totally fun, bright colors, and My Mind's Eye's new 12 Days of Christmas was the perfect inspiration!

I colored with Copics, then die-cut the image with Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities and sponged the perimeter with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink. Accents include The Twinery's Marachino twine, machine stitching, Bubble Dots White Vintage crochet trim, a scalloped border (My Favorite Things), and a layered sentiment tag done with JustRite's Merry & Bright set, a scallop tag die (Verve), and a black library clip (Stampin' Up).

If you're in Irene's path, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay safe!

Stamps: Stocking (Impression Obsession), Merry & Bright (JustRite)
Paper: My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, Papertrey Kraft card stock
s: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, My Favorite Things scallop border Die-namics, Verve Tiny Sweet Scallop Tag set, Stampin' Up 1 1/4" circle punch and library clip, dew drops, foam tape, sewing machine, The Twinery twine, Papertrey button, Maya Road Bubble Dots White Vintage crochet trim
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Have A Jolly Good Day

2011-08-25T07:15:00.000-04:00

This is sweet Elaine from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps -- isn't she adorable? Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is sponsoring this month's Sketch For You To Try. If you haven't already played along this month, check out the sketch on my right-hand sidebar and HERE on Jen's blog.

I had a blast coloring Elaine with my Copics and giving her a cozy paper home out of the gorgeous Authentique "Splendid" papers. The lovely crinkled and dyed seam binding is from the MemrieMare etsy shop.

At the risk of repeating myself ... have a jolly good day!

Loopy Birthday Wishes

2011-08-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

Another shabby one today ... more of that yummy Authentique "Splendid" paper ... and brand-new Verve! Doesn't get any better! This one uses the new Making A Statement set. Love the modern, graphic feel of this set and was surprised when this more vintage/shabby card came together (and this one, too, for that matter). I had been picturing bold, bright colors and clean lines. Maybe next time!

The sentiment is stamped within a curvy frame image (from Tag Time) and die-cut with the coordinating Curvy Bookplate die. The flowers were stamped, colored, then die-cut using the Loopy Blooms die set. The leaves were simply die-cut straight from card stock (that is, no stamping), also with the Loopy Blooms die set. And last, the graph paper element in the background with the brown scalloped frame is also stamped, then die-cut with the Rounded Scallop Frame. Loving all the new dies! I accented with some crochet trim, burlap string, crinkled seam binding, a scalloped border (MFT die), lots of distressing, and stitching.

Wishing you a fantastic day!

Stamps: Making a Statement (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Stampin' Up Soft Suede card stock, Papertrey Kraft and Rustic Cream card stock, Authentique Splendid dp
Ink: Stampin' Up Certainly Celery, Versamagic Jumbo Java, Ranger Old Paper and Brushed Corduroy Distress
Accessories: Verve Curvy Bookplate Die, Rounded Scallop Frame Die, Loopy Blooms Die Set, Kaisercraft pearls, Papertrey button, May Arts burlap string, Melissa Frances crochet trim, My Favorite Things scallop border die, crinkled seam binding, distressing tool, paper piercer/needle/thread, Stampin' Up dimensionals
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Be Strong

2011-08-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Goodness, would you believe it took me the better part of the weekend to finish this card? Not because there's anything elaborate about it (there's not), but because instead of stamping, I've been nesting like crazy. I mean, seriously, you'd think I'm about to have a baby (I'm not)! The mud room re-do is finally complete, the breakfast room has been entirely re-done, and my daughter's room has a new coat of paint. She picked out the color (a turquoise blue) and I was a little hesitant, but after remembering my own paint color battles with my mom when I was a kid, I let her go for it. And I absolutely love the result! (It's Benjamin Moore Tropicana Cabana, if interested.) It was a productive weekend, even if the stamping yield was low!

Anyway, on to the card ... after seeing some of the previews of JustRite's new clear stamp set, Be Strong, I couldn't wait for it to arrive at Stamper's Dream. What an amazingly powerful set! I used it to make a breast cancer encouragement card. The ribbon is stamped and colored with Copics, then layered over an oval that has been stamped with an oval filigree frame image. Behind that is a Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two die-cut for some frilly elegance. The tag was cut with JustRite's Charms custom die set and stamped with an image and sentiment from Be Strong.

Be sure to check out the New Arrivals section at Stamper's Dream. Michelle is regularly adding new summer CHA arrivals. Spotted in there just a few minutes ago ... new JustRite, Flourishes, and Stampavie stamps, plus My Mind's Eye's Lost & Found Two paper collections. (Swoon! Save some for me, please!)

Have a great week!

Stamps: Be Strong (JustRite)
Paper: Authentique Splendid collection, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, Papertrey Kraft card stock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Tumbled Glass and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks
Accessories: Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two Shapeabilities, Classic Oval Nestabilities; JustRite Charms custom die set, lace trim, Papertrey baker's twine, My Favorite Things scallop border die, foam tape, paper piercer/needle/thread, distressing tool
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Vintage Telephone

2011-08-19T07:10:00.000-04:00

When I was a wee little tot, staying with my Aunt Lucille was a treat beyond all others. Whether it was the seemingly endless costume jewelry drawer or the Matchbox car collection her older son had outgrown or the not-so-secret stash of soft peppermint candy, my sister and I were in heaven. Our very favorite thing to do there was play with her telephones. Maybe it was because she had been an operator for the telephone company in her younger years, but she had phones in every room of her house, and even two in her hallway! I'm certain at least a few of them looked exactly like this vintage phone image from Webster's Pages' Call Me.

I went with a soft, shabby look today, with lots of distressing, paint, stitching, and some crinkled seam binding. The woodgrain paper is from Crate Paper (it's in both Restoration and Emma's Shoppe), and the other papers are all from the Melissa Frances 5th Avenue collection.

The layout is this month's Sketch For You To Try. Visit this post for all the participation details and to link up your entry. You have until the end of the month to play along!

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Call Me (Webster's Pages)
Paper: Papertrey Aqua Mist card stock, Melissa Frances 5th Avenue dp, Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe
Ink: Ranger Pumice Stone, Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain Distress ink
Accessories: My Favorite Things Rolled Flower Die-namics die, Recollections mini roses, MemrieMare seam binding, Spellbinders Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Seeing Spots embossing folder, pinking scissor, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam tape, white acrylic paint

Sip and Savor

2011-08-17T11:10:00.002-04:00

I have a few more cards to share from last week's big Verve anniversary release, starting with this sweet one today using the new Sip and Savor. I was inspired by a local tea room and antique shop -- the historic home it's in, the beautiful, worn, creaky floors, all the lace and china everywhere, and its wonderful, warm, cozy atmosphere. I tried to capture all of that with the wood paper background (Crate Paper), lace trim and a doily, and lots of distressing. The focal point stack starts with a Verve Curvy Bookplate die-cut, then a Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two swirly piece. Behind that is a Spellbinders Labels Sixteen die-cut accented with blue pearls, and at the very back is a paper doily. Zigzag stitching, lace trim, and crinkled and dyed seam binding (from MemrieMare) complete the look.

We've just released 7 new sets, 4 plain janes and 8 new dies!

Now through August 31, while supplies last:

Buy the Anni-VERVE-sary 2011 Stamp Collection and save15%
Buy the August 2011 Die Collection and save 15%

Anni-VERVE-sary Special: Since orders have far exceeded our expecations, we have run out of our supply of free dies. We appreciate you all, so through August 31, we will substitute a free item of our choice as the free gift with a $35 order!And to make it easy, there's no need to do anything extra... if your order totals $35 or more, we'll automatically include a free gift when your order ships.

And did you see this?

We're celebrating four wonderful years of Verve with a SALE! Now through August 31, save 10 - 40% on all stamps & dies, including new releases.

Thanks for checking in today!

Stamps: Sip and Savor (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Crate Paper Restoration dp, Melissa Frances 5th Avenue dp, Papertrey Rustic White card stock
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Tea Dye and Walnut Stain Distress inks
Accessories: Verve Curvy Bookplate Die, crinkled seam binding, Papertrey button, May Arts twine, Spellbinders Labels Sixteen and Fancy Tags Two dies, Wilton paper doily, lace trim (source unknown), sewing machine
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Thinking of You

2011-08-16T10:30:00.003-04:00

I planted my vegetable garden about six weeks late this year, so my harvest is also quite late. While I anxiously await the bounty, I'll keep myself entertained with garden-themed stamps! This one is Hello Dear from Penny Black. If mice really did look this sweet and wear overalls, they'd be welcome at my home anytime. The real field mice that we see from time to time .... well, a different story altogether!

Coloring is with Copic markers, papers are from the My Mind's Eye Out of the Blue 6x6 pad. The layout, especially the torn strips, is inspired by the amazing Inge Groot. I've long admired her coloring skills and her savvy with combining color and pattern. I embellished with some Divine Twine, a rolled rose that was made using a My Favorite Things Die-namics die, leaves done with Spellbinders Foliage Shapeabilities dies, and some zigzag stitching.

Wishing you a happy day! Back-to-school clothes shopping is at the top of my to-do list. Better not keep my 7-year-old shopaholic waiting any longer!!

Verve After Party: Be You

2011-08-15T10:20:00.001-04:00

What a spectacular release Verve had last week to celebrate its fourth anniversary! I had so much fun with all the spotlight hops and then the chitchat and excitement of the release party. The release party may be over, but we're still celebrating! Every Monday after a release, over on the Verve blog, each Diva chooses a favorite card to post. Loads of gorgeous eye candy awaits, so take a moment and check it out!

Here's the card I chose as my favorite from this release:

I just adore the new Words of Wisdom set. Here, I've put together a relatively clean-and-simple design that shows off both the simplicity of the sentiment and a really cute piece of bicycle paper (from Jillibean Soup's Blossom Soup collection). The pink polka-dot butterfly was diecut with Verve's Flutterby die.

Warning ... change of scenery ahead ... promise not to judge? ...

Just for kicks, I thought I'd show you my personal "after party," which began on Saturday morning, as I faced the daunting task of cleaning up this ...

and this...

and this ...

What can I say? I'm a messy crafter! Besides, when the mojo shows up, who am I to ask it to wait while I clean up?

Have an awesome day and an awesome week, friends!

Indescribable Gift

2011-08-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

JustRite has some beautiful new holiday stamp sets, including Rejoice, which I had the opportunity to design with for today's card. I absolutely love the beautiful cross image in this set! I wanted something kind of serene and elegant, and thought the different blue patterns from Cosmo Cricket's Odds & Ends line would be perfect. I usually have trouble with monochromatic cards, but these papers were super easy to work with!

Here's a look at the layered focal point:

The vertical striped piece in the background was cut with Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, and the open scallop oval border was cut with Spellbinders Lacey Ovals Nestabilities. I colored the cross with Copic markers. Embellishments include Kaisercraft Bliss pearls and May Arts crochet trim.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Stamps: Rejoice (JustRite)
Paper: Papertrey Smokey Shadow, Ocean Tides and Rustic White card stock; Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends 6x6 Mini-Deck
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Stampin' Up Soft Sky, Ranger Antique Linen Distress
Accessories: Kaisercraft Bliss pearls, foam adhesive, Spellbinders Classic Oval, Lacey Ovals and Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, May Arts crochet trim, paper piercer/needle/thread
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"