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!

---

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.

Verve January Spotlight: Day One

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

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"