Hugs

{If you're looking for my Sketch For You To Try sample,
scroll down one post or click HERE}

It took me a bit longer than expected, but I've finally put together a card to go along with the Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge that I'm hosting this week. Have you checked out the sketch thread yet? If not, head over and jump right in to this week's challenge. If you're new to the Viva La Verve challenges, basically a new sketch challenge is posted each week. Those who enter all of the challenges in any given month are eligible for the grand prize, which is the next Verve Stamps release in full! And even though the sketches are posted weekly, you have all month to complete them!

Here's the current sketch:

I know, I know ... I'm already catching heat for the angled panel! Verve groupie Marisa has even banished me to the Bad Diva Dark Side. Ouch!! ;)

My sample is pretty straight-forward. The "Hugs" sentiment (love it!!) is from Love Notes and is stamped onto an oval that I die-cut and embossed using Verve's new Embossed Oval die (cutting and embossing are both done in one pass, by the way). The papers are from Basic Grey's Marjolaine collection. I distressed the edges and added in both some black zigzag stitching and some white straight stitching around the perimeter.

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Lots going on at Verve ...

During the month of February, treat yourself right with
Sweet Savings on select sweet stamps and dies!
Plus, don't miss our February Stamp of the Month!
Sweet on You is 40% off during the month of February!
It's the perfect little set for treat giving!

Sale prices valid on in-stock merchandie

while supplies last.

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And in case you missed it, earlier this week, the brand-new Verve Inspiration Team put on the most amazing blog hop. If you missed the hop on Tuesday, you can catch up now! We also officially welcomed three new Divas -- Betty Wright, Dawn Easton, and Sony Christoph!

1. Betty 6. Michelle 2. Dawn 7. Lynda 3. Jen d. 8. Shannan 4. Jen T. 9. Sony 5. Julee 10.Susan

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That's it for me! Thanks for stopping by!

Monster Hugs - February SFYTT

It's the first Saturday of the month, which means an all-new Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT)! Are you liking the new monthly format? Remember, every month's sketch is sponsored, so there are prize opportunities each month. Plus, if you play along in all twelve sketches, you'll be eligible for a mega prize package at the end of the year, made up of goodies from all of the year's sponsors. This month, our sponsor is Anita Be Stampin!

Here's what we're playing with in February ...

And here's my take, using the ADORABLE Monster Hugs set ...

I colored my monsters with Copic markers, trimmed them out, and layered them onto a dark gray circle. I dotted their bodies with the colorless blender for some fun, monstery texture, and the antenna and hearts are coated with glassy glaze for some shine.

The papers are from a Cut 'N' Paste Designer Mat Pad by K&Co that I picked up at Michael's not too long ago. For the horizontal strip, I layered a white MFT Jumbo Scallops borders diecut border, a gray Papertrey Eyelet Lace diecut border, and some red twine from The Twinery.

Visit the SFYTT sisters for loads more sketchy inspiration:

Jen del Muro
Amber Hight
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kelly Lunceford
Kerry Johnson
Leigh O’Brien
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph
Susan Liles
and guest designer extraordinaire ... Becky Carafa! Welcome, Becky!!

Hope you'll play along this month. You'll find all the "rules" and the entry widget on Jen's February sketch post over at i{heart}2stamp! I'll keep a sketch thumbnail and link to that post in my sidebar all month long so it will be easier to find!

Thanks for visiting!



Stamps: Monster Hugs (Anita Be Stampin)
Paper: Papertrey Smoky Shadow and white card stock, Stampin' Up Real Red card stock, K&Co Cut 'N' Paste Designer Mat Pad designer paper
Accessories: Copic markers, glassy glaze, Spellbinders classic circle Nestabilities, Stampin' Up large oval punch, My Favorite Things Jumbo Scallop Border Die-namics die, Papertrey Eyelet Lace border die and blue button, The Twinery red twine
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Viva La Verve!

Hey there ... I'm hosting this week's Viva La Verve challenge over in the Verve forum on Splitcoast. Head on over and play along if you can!

Deepest Sympathy

Helloooooo, blog friends! I feel like I've been gone forever! I am so grateful to have made it home from CHA Tuesday evening right on schedule. I know many others are still trying to get home, and my prayers are with them for patience and safe travel.

Michelle (who should finally arrive home this evening, a full 48 hours later than planned) and I had fun shopping, taking pictures, and visiting with friends new and old. So much for blogging from the show, huh? Just not enough time! I promise to post at least a few photos sometime in the next few days, though.

I finally got my crafting mojo going today and put together a sympathy card. Sadly, I'm in need of a few of these. The papers are all from Basic Grey's Cappella collection and the sentiment is from JustRite's Sympathy Nested Sentiments set. I've layered die-cuts in this order: the darker gray-brown in the very back is a Spellbinders Labels Sixteen die-cut that I cut in half horizontally and overlapped slightly to make it a little more rectangular. Next is a striped pattern cut with the Sizzix Frame Back Ornate #6 Bigz Die, followed by a light blue Spellbinders Labels Fourteen die-cut and then a smaller white floral Labels Fourteen die-cut. Accents include some pleated brown satin ribbon, Kaisercraft Pewter pearls, ivory trim, and a Martha Stewart punched butterfly.

I'm betting many of you are like me and really struggle with what to write in a sympathy card. This inside sentiment, also from JustRite's Sympathy Nested Sentiments is a perfect beginning ...

Thanks so much for stopping by! If you're in an area that's being hit hard with bad, or just cold, weather, stay safe and warm!



Stamps: Sympathy Nested Sentiments (JustRite Stamps)
Paper: Stampin' Up Soft Suede card stock, Papertrey Rustic White card stock, Basic Grey Cappella designer paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink
Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Spellbinders Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Sizzix Frame Back Ornate #6 Bigz die, Spellbinders Labels Sixteen Nestabilities, Offay brown satin ribbon, May Arts ivory crochet trim, Kaisercraft Pewter self-adhesive pearls, distressing tool, foam tape
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Skipping Stones Dandelion Dreams Winner

Congratulations to Crystal, winner of Dandelion Dreams by Skipping Stones Design!

Crystal said...Amy, I LOVE this card... love the detail work, banner, color scheme, how the stamped flowers pop on the light blue script... just beautiful ! What a great set too!

January 25, 2011 8:07 AM

Crystal, please email me your address so I can get your stamp set sent out!

Stamper's Dream Blog Candy

Wanna win this???

Go visit Michelle at the Stamper's Dream blog! And when you're done there, check out all the new goodies she's been adding to the Stamper' Dream store!

Michelle, Kellie, and I are meeting up in LA later today for a few days of CHA shopping and fun! I'll try to check in with pictures!!

{You're welcome to leave a comment here, but it will NOT enter you into Michelle's blog candy. You have to visit her to do that. Good luck!}

Little by Little, Day by Day

Little by Little,

Day by Day,

Friends and Flowers

Grow that Way

A quick little card to share today. This sentiment from JustRite's Garden Fairy Seeds set really touches my heart -- so true! I stamped it onto one of Pink Paislee's Sweetness patterns, framed it with a Tattered Angels chipboard frame, then surrounded it with more lovely Sweetness patterns, a Victorian Lace diecut border, and Martha Stewart Quilted punch borders. I gave the card a shabby look with distress ink, acrylic paint, and a distressing tool.

Have a beautiful day!




Stamps: Garden Fairy Seeds (JustRite Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Rustic White card stock, Pink Paislee Sweetness 6x6 dp
Ink: Ranger Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, and Tea Dye Distress Inks
Accessories: May Arts burlap string, Papertrey button and Victorian Lace border die, Kaiser Craft "Bliss" adhesive pearls, Martha Stewart Quilted border punch, paper piercer, needle, thread, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"