Secrets

Pick up your tin can telephone, because I have a secret to share! For the next three months, I have the pleasure of being a guest of Jen Shults and the rest of the talented girls at The Deconstructed Sketch. I am so excited! Jen's sketches are always amazing and if her team's samples don't inspire you to stamp, nothing will! Serious, serious coloring skills in that bunch. Hope some of that rubs off on me!

The Deconstructed Sketch is posted weekly on Thursdays at 6 am CST. The first sketch of the month is sponsored and therefore has a time limit, but the rest are open-ended, so for those, feel free to join in whenever you can. This first sketch of February is sponsored by Saturated Canary. I had not seen these images before being given the opportunity to choose an image for today. Of course, now I'm seeing them all over the place, and I can spot Krista's artistry a mile away. I would have happily chosen her whole catalog if I could have!  Be sure to check out the Saturated Canary etsy shop, and if you're as smitten as I am, then play along for a chance to win two digis of your choice, courtesy of Saturated Canary. Jen has the link-up tool, along with the challenge deadline, here on her blog.

Sketch inspiration from the Deconstructed Sketch crew:

• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer, Guest Designer (me)
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich (sitting out this week)
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Pam Varnell
• Sheri Gilson

The image I used is Secrets, Ragamuffin Friends. I printed on Neenah Solar White card stock and colored with Copics. The papers are from Simple Stories' Happy Day 6x6 collection. The oval label die-cuts are from The Cat's Pajamas, and the letter stickers are by Jenni Bowlin. Scallop border die is by My Favorite Things, the brown pearls are Kaisercraft, and the flowers are a combination of Zva Creative and Recollections.

See you soon! And keep those tin cans handy. Just sayin' {wink}.

twitterpated.

Recently, I had the pleasure of receiving a package of beautiful patterned paper collections from a company in Poland, UHK Gallery. If you're not familiar with this company, allow me to introduce you today to one of those paper lines -- Green Expectations. It was tough to choose which collection to play with first, as so many of them are filled with beautiful, romantic, elegant designs -- so right up my alley! I'm looking forward to posting some additional designs with other collections later in the week. For now, I hope you'll enjoy this peek at Green Expectations.

The layout is based on Chupa's Saturday Sketchbook Challenge #47:

Maybe it's just me, but this sketch reminds me of the bodice of some fancy Victorian-era dress, with that trio of center panels, the buttons, and the scallops and lace trim "waistband," which I can imagine tops off a long and flowing ruffled skirt. (Just me? {grin}) 

I covered the middle green center panel with some stretchy glittery mesh wire ribbon that I found at a nearby Offray ribbon outlet a while back. For the label, I started with Verve's Lovely Marquee die-cut, then layered on a Heart & Swirls Frame die-cut, and then topped the label pair with a glittered heart, a twitterpated sentiment flag (sentiment is from Verve's Twitterpated) and two teeny 2mm turquoise rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

It's hard to see in the picture, but I stamped the Hearts & Swirls Frame die cut with a coordinating hearts and swirls image from Twitterpated in a light blue ink. Here's a close-up:

Wishing you a fabulous week!

Love Ya

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!

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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

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

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

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

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.