Home, Sweet Home

Hi friends! Didn't mean to be absent for so long. Just returned yesterday from a fun week in Southern California vacationing with my older two kids and my sister (Aunt Pepper to them). I had the grandest of plans to get some things scheduled to post while I was gone, but time got away from me. I'm anxious to catch up on blog surfing as well as get back into my craft room!

I have a little good/bad stampy news, too...

The good news is that MFT's next release is tonight! Don't miss out on all the awesome teasers the team has been sharing the past few days (check Kim's blog for daily lists of all the teasers). The release party is tonight from 8-10 pm in the MFT forum on Splitcoast.

Now for the bad news -- It's been a very tough decision, but I've elected to step down from the MFT design team. I'd like to thank Kim for the opportunity to design for MFT the past eighteen months, and I'd like to thank all of the MFT designers for their friendship and camaraderie. I've enjoyed every minute of my time on the team, and hope to return soon! In the meantime, I'll be spending my new "free time" seeking that elusive thing called balance.

Kim's Birthday Bash!

Today, some very sweet and talented stampers are getting together for a surprise birthday bash to celebrate an amazing friend -- Kim van der Sanden, aka The MFT Lady! Kim, I wish you the very best birthday ever!

Visit Kim's blog to leave her some birthday love of your own. And to see more of the celebration, visit these amazing designers:

• Alex Maldonado
  
• Alma de la Rosa
  
• Amy Sheffer (you're here)
  
• Barbara Anders
  
• Beate Johns
  
• Bonnie Ratzloff
  
• Carole Burrage
  
• Carolyn King
  
• Cassie Trask
  
• Chris Veneruso
  
• Christina Fischer
  
• Cindy Haffner
  
• Dawn Barghorn
  
• Dawn Easton
  
• Erin Smetak
  
• Frances Byrne
  
• Gabrielle Howey
  
• Gretchen Belknap
  
• Jen Davis
  
• Jen del Muro
  
• Jenn Balcer
  
• Jessie Rone
  
• Joanne Basile
  
• Jodi Collins
  
• Jody Morrow
  
• Joy Stagg
  
• Julie Dinn
  
• Karen Motz
  
• Kelli Hull
  
• Kerry Johnson
  
• Leigh O'Brien
  
• Leslie Rodriguez
  
• Lisa Henke
  
• Lori Craig
  
• Megan Lock
  
• Melody Rupple
  
• Michele Boyer
  
• Michelle Lanning
  
• Sherrie Siemens
  
• Susan Liles
  
• Tammy Hershberger
  
• Wendy Bond

Stamps: Birthday Flopsey (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Rustic White card stock, The Girls' Paperie dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap Distress Inks
Accessories: needle and thread, May Arts burlap string, Papertrey button, circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Copic markers, MFT's Jumbo Ric Rac Die-namics
Size: 5 1/2" square

One Still, Secret Place

What do you think of Verve's latest release? I love it! Here's a card I made with the new Blue Skies set. Love the adorable little notebook paper stamp, and the sentiments are beyond fantastic! Then there are the super gorgeous butterflies. Heavenly! The papers I used here are a mixture of Girls' Paperie (Paper Girl and On Holiday). Along the top I layered two strips of white jumbo ricrac and some Webster's Pages green trim. Love the happy, curvy shapes on this card - all of them already part of the fabulous papers (i.e. no punching of die-cutting required)!

Blue Skies is available individally or as part of the June Collection. Save money with the full collection -- three sets, two Plain Janes, 43 stamps total. Yours for $58 through July 16 (while supplies last).



Have a great week, friends!



Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey White card stock, Girls Paperie "Paper Girl" and "On Holiday" designer paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: jumbo white ricrac, Webster's Pages green trim, HugSnug white seam binding, Papertrey button, May Arts twine, 1/8" hole punch

Verve June/July Release Blog Hop

Second post today, second hop today! For the Stamper's Dream Team & Friends surprise birthday blog hop for Michelle, scroll down or click HERE.

Welcome to Verve's June/July Release Blog Hop! Last night, Verve released three new sets along with two new Plain Janes. If you arrived here by way of Susan, you're in good shape. If not, you'll want to get caught up, starting with Julee, who kicks off our hop today. If the chain gets broken anywhere along the way, visit the Verve blog for the full list. Oh, and we’ve hidden a little prize for one lucky commenter along the hop, so be sure to spread a little comment love around as you hop! Okay, well, maybe it’s not so little. {grin} You could win the ENTIRE RELEASE, so let’s get hoppin’!

For my card, I've used the new set Always on My Mind to create a "wishing you were here" card. I love the sentiments in this set (of course I do, it's Verve!), but even more, I love this little hanging heart image that I used along the bottom of my card. It's so cute and whimsical and perfect for the sentiments.

The layout is Jen's Sketch For You To Try:



For more sketch inspiration, visit the SFYTT sisters:

Jen del Muro with guest designer Andrea Ewen
Amber Hight
Amy Rohl
Jenn Diercks
Jodi Collins
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Megan Lock
Sonja Christoph
Susan Liles

Play along by linking your creation to Jen's post. Remember to use keyword SFYTT in online galleries.

And finally, your next stop on the blog hop is Shannan. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Welcome to a surprise birthday blog hop for Michelle Rodgers of Stamper's Dream. Happy Birthday, dear friend!

Did you arrive here from Leslie? If not, visit Kellie to start the hop at the beginning. I can't wait to see how the Dream Team & Friends celebrate Michelle today!

I just got a package from Stamper's Dream not too long ago, and one of the thing I *had* to have was the 6x6 Vellum & Die-Cut Kit by Webster's Pages. I love adding shapely die-cuts to my cards as it is, but this collection? Swoon! Is it possible to love something more? I think not! Such elegant papers called for an elegant sentiment. JustRite's new All Occasions Nested Centers & Verse set had just what I needed!

For my card, I cut one of the die-cuts in half, layered it on a sheet from the Webster's Pages Petite Papers pack, added some pearls, stitching, and seam binding, and voila, I had a quick card! See the gorgeous flower accent? They're available at Stamper's Dream now, too!

Thanks for stopping by! Grab your bib now because your next stop on the hop is Tosha -- Enjoy!

Humbled

Today, I'm sharing a peek at one of the new sets Verve will release tonight - American Hero. This set's fabulous mix of powerful sentiments and patriotic imagery had me choked up when I first saw it! Look no further for heartfelt ways to express both your gratitude and your American pride. And check out the super cool font - love it! I chose to feature the sentiment, "Humbled By Your Willingness To Serve," along with one of the three stars in this set. An assortment of Girls' Paperie papers carries out a traditional red, white, and blue color combo in a fresh, fun way.

For more peeks at American Hero as well as a chance to win this set for yourself, let us know what you think over at the Verve blog! Join the Divas at tonight's Release Party, beginning at 9 pm EST!

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps: American Hero (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Rustic White card stock, Girls Paperie On Holiday and Paper Girl designer paper
Ink: Ranger Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, and Vintage Photo Distress inks, Papertrey Enchanted Evening, Tsukineko VersaMark
Accessories: Spellbinders circle Nestabilities, silver brads, foam adhesive, Papertrey Enchanted Evening ribbon, pinking shears
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (A2)

Snappy Birthday, Terry!

Crazy busy around here this week - kids out of school, bible camp, basketball camp, getting ready for a trip to the West Coast next week, hosting a BBQ tomorrow, and in the midst of it, a birthday to celebrate today - my husband's! Happy Birthday, Terry!

Shhh, don't tell him, but I haven't had time to make something new, so I'm giving him this one from the ol' stash. (Would you believe I even resorted to purchasing a Father's Day card last weekend? Gasp!) The crab stamp is from Crab & Company by Stampin' Up. I stamped him on watercolor paper and turned him into a blue crab with reinkers and a water brush.

I'll be back tomorrow with a peek at one of Verve's awesome new sets. In the meantime, be sure to visit the Verve blog for yesterday's peeks and today's. As always, leave comments on the Verve blog for chances to win Verve goodies! And for more chances to win, check out all the release challenges. Join the Verve designers and fans at tomorrow's release party from 9-11 pm EST in the Verve Forum on SCS.

Happy stamping!




Stamps: Crab & Company (SU!)
Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Kraft, River Rock (SU!); watercolor paper (Canson)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko); various reinkers (SU!)
Accessories: Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug folder (Provo Craft); aqua painter, twill, Antique Brass jumbo eyelets, distressing tool, dimensionals (SU!); mesh ribbon (unknown); sewing machine/thread
Size: 5 1/2" square