Mother's Day, Father's Day

Hey there, I have two very similar cards to share today, each building off of Jillibean Soup's Hardy Hodgepodge corrugated alphas -- one for mom and one for dad. These would be great not just for Mother's Day/Father's Day, but also for birthdays.

For both cards, I pulled bits and pieces from Jillibean Soup's Souper Celebration and Bowl of Dreams collections (in addition to the Hardy Hodgepodge letters). Supplies are listed in full below.

Here's one for Dad:

I love all the texture -- corrugated alphas, canvas tag, the thick twine on the tag, the puffy stickers, and the wood veneer elements.

I also pulled out some of Jillibean Soup's Happy Hues acrylic paints for the splatter in the background. Love the messy look!

Jillibean Soup Supplies: 

Patterned Paper: Souper Celebration/Cup of Ceremony, Bowl of Bash

Coordinating Stickers: Souper Celebration

Pea Pod Parts: Souper Celebration

Puffy Stickers: Souper Celebration

Wood Veneers: Souper Celebration, Bowl of Dreams

Tag: Canvas

Happy Hues: Yummy Yellow, Groovy Green, Amiable Aqua

Other Supplies:

Papertrey Ink rustic white cardstock

And next is a feminine version. This one came together in minutes thanks to the pretty Pea Pod Parts die-cuts (these are all from Souper Celebration).

Again, look at that texture the corrugated letters add!

Jillibean Soup Supplies:

Patterned Paper: Souper Celebration/Cup of Ceremony; Bowl of Dreams/Pie in the Sky

Coordinating Stickers: Souper Celebration

Pea Pod Parts: Souper Celebration

Wood Veneers: Souper Celebration

Corrugated Letters: Hardy Hodgepodge Soup

Other Supplies:

Papertrey Ink rustic white cardstock

Look for Jillibean Soup products at your favorite retailer or shop online in Jillibean Soup's online retail store.

Graffiti Birthday

So, last night I found myself with a rare evening alone. Like, all of my family, except me of course, was out for the evening. Which left me alone! Did I mention I was ALONE? (End-of-summer-break desperation, folks, what can I say?) I hit the grocery store for sushi and wine, and then in true introvert fashion, I retired to my studio to stamp (and watch Outlander).

I had no agenda, so I looked through my favorite challenge blogs, and the current Color Throwdown #305 jumped out at me. 

Don't you just love that graphic, with the stack of letters? It reminded me of a Crafter's Workshop number stencil that has a similar stacked look. I sponged on different Distress Inks from the same color palette (Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint, and Spiced Marmalade), then spritzed with some Earl Grey Maya Mist to add the gray color.

The sentiment banner is done with Reverse Confetti's BEAUTIFUL BANNERS stamp set and coordinating BEAUTIFUL BANNERS CONFETTI CUTS die set. The paper star accents were die-cut with Reverse Confetti's OH MY STARS CONFETTI CUTS die set, and the wood veneer stars are by Studio Calico. The "nest" of black thread adds to the graffiti look.

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Blues

My kids and I are super excited to celebrate my husband's birthday tomorrow - Happy Birthday, Terry! (The post title is a reference to color palette only!) His birthday always falls close to Father's Day, so it's nice when there's a little more space in between, like this year.

We're a family of beach lovers, so it was easy to take some inspiration for his birthday card from this week's Nautical challenge over at The Card Concept. Reverse Confetti's HAPPY HARBOR and CELEBRATE CAKE stamp sets (on sale this week, see below!) were happy to join forces for the cause.

This is my first time linking up to The Card Concept. I love seeing all the different styles that are represented in the design team samples, and had to join in the fun! I'm calling mine Freestyle Collage.

Some of the various things I included: linen vellum, a vellum envelope with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY stamped panel inside, a die-cut strip from Reverse Confetti's OH MY STARS Confetti Cuts die set, a CELEBRATE stamped tab from the WINNING Confetti Cuts die set, stitching, distressing, sequins, rhinestones, rope, washers/eyelets. The offset main panel added to the overall loose, collage feel. Lots of stuff for a guy card, but I think it still works -- at least for my husband, who is very, very used to these sorts of things - HA!

How about a little sale? The Reverse Confetti office is closed this week, 

so we're having a sale to help ease the wait ...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great week!

TCP Tuesday #215 -- Sketch Challenge

I am hosting this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge, #215, another fabulous sketch designed by Leigh O'Brien. Here's what we're playing with:

For my sketch sample, I started with a pre-made tag element (no idea who the manufacturer is, much less the collection ... it came in a goody bag along with a recent Emma's Paperie order), trimmed it down to fit a standard A2 card, then added the notebook punched top edge at the top (totally inspired by Amy Rohl again) and the rounded corners at the bottom. The cork mustache and star punches/die-cuts were both from my leftover pile, as was the black ricrac. The mustache was done with one of TCP's Mustaches CutUps dies, and the stamped portions of the sentiment are from The Mustache Set. Since this was turning into a hodgepodge of sorts, I decided to ADD SOME WASHI TAPE! Yes, I'm shouting! I've collected a dozen or more rolls, mostly for my project life album, but have yet to use a single bit on an actual project -- until now! Love the scrappy look! I know at least some of you will share my excitement, right?

Enough chatter, here are all the challenge details ...

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge. 2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge. 3. Add your entry to the guestbook on Alma's blog and/or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keywordTCPTUES215 for this week's challenge. 4. TCP stamps/dies are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. 5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, announced on Tuesdays. 6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

Have a happy Tuesday, friends!

Stamps: The Mustache Set (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Basic Grey Kraft Basics dp, Papertrey black and vintage cream card stock, Echo Parks Note To Self collection, main tag element unknown
Ink: Verafine Onyx Black, Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Accessories: Mustaches TCP CutUps, cork, star and notebook edge punches by EK Success, star dies by MFT, Offray black ricrac, Bella Boulevard washi tape, distressing tool, paper piercer/needle/thread, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4

Verve New Release Spotlight Hop - Day Two

It's Day Two of Verve's New Release Spotlight Hops, and we're featuring two stamp sets, one Plain Jane, and an awesome, must-have new die. Be sure to hop around and leave comments for your chance to win the products being featured today!

1. Tosh Leyendekker

2. Teresa Kline

3. Sankari Wegman

4. Maureen Plut

5. Laurie Schmidlin

6. Janelle Stollfus

7. Charmaine Ikach

8. Andrea Ewen

9. Amy Sheffer

10. Amber Hight

I've worked with a fantastic masculine set called Super Dad, along with the coordinating Ribbon Banner die. Such an awesome little set for all your masculine card needs!

The layout is this week's Deconstructed Sketch, #47:

Lots of amazing sketch inspiration from the Deconstructed Sketch Girls. Here they are:

Amber Hight

Arielle Gordon

Donna Wardle

Jen Shults

Jessica Diedrich

Kadie Ensley

Lori Boyd

Pam Varnell

Sheri Gilson

Thanks for stopping by -- have a super day!





Stamps: Super Dad (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream, and Fine Linen card stock; Echo Park This & That Charming 6x6 pad
Ink: Ranger Walnut Stain, Bundled Sage, Antique Linen, and Wild Honey Distress Inks
Accessories: Verve Ribbon Banner Die, Papertrey buttons, The Cat's Pajamas yellow twine, Stampin' Up clip, pinking scissor, distressing tool, May Arts burlap string
Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Seahorse Bay

Thought I'd share the projects I did recently as guest blogger for JustRite, beginning with this one. I just love the label image from JustRite's Sea Shell Bay Labels Twenty Two set. I stamped in black and colored with Copics. In the background, on that khaki panel, I've also stamped the Vintage Map Collage Background Stamp. Beachy elements include burlap, some interesting netting that I found at the CHA Supershow a few years ago, rope, and the weathered wood designer paper along the bottom.

On a different note, I used to think I was a slow crafter, but lately, I've given a whole new meaning to the word "slow," because now while I'm crafting, I have to stop every few minutes and Draw Something! I'm SO addicted! Anyone else? Find me via Facebook or under username PickleTree :) (Two separate accounts = twice the fun = 3/4 less creative output {wink}.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Project Recipe:

JustRite Stamps: Sea Shell Bay Labels Twenty Two , Vintage Map Collage Background Stamp

Dies: Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain Distress Inks, Copic Markers BG000, BG10, BG72, YR30, E00, E11, E95, E99, E41, E42, E43, W00, W1, T3, T5

Paper: Papertrey Vintage Cream and Soft Stone card stock, My Mind's Eye On the Bright Side Two, My Mind's Eye Dilly Dally

Embellishments: May Arts crochet ribbon, Stampin' Up rope and jumbo eyelets, burlap, net (source unknown), distressing tool, sewing machine, foam adhesive squares, ivory acrylic paint

I Miss U

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

Dude, You Rock!

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"

Give Thanks

Here's a little clean-and-simple card I put together last week using all-new Verve stamps. Bits of it materialized in my scrap pile, so I ran with it. It's smalller in size, only 4 1/4" x 3 1/2" -- good for notecards, gift card holders, treat bag toppers, place cards, etc. The sentiment is from a wonderful little sentiment set called Happy Fall, and the leaf stamp is from Autumn Splendor.

All of the new Verve sets are available individually or as part of the Autumn 2010 Collection. By purchasing the full collection, you'll save 15%! Offer good through October 28 (while supplies last).

Have a great day!

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!

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

You're An A+

Taylored Expressions' new Make the Grade set gets an A+ in my books! How cute is this owl and the stack of books? And the customizable teacher report card?! Squeal! I've only scratched the surface of this set of 15. See all the amazing images and sentiments HERE.

I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try to get an early start on teacher appreciation cards this year. One down, six to go. Today's color combo and embellishments (or lack thereof) were chosen with my oldest son's two male teachers in mind. The blue background paper is from October Afternoon's Report Card 8x8 pad, the red card stock has been embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder, and the green vertical strip has an "A+" randomly stamped all over in white ink. I colored the sweet little owl and his stack of books with Copic markers, trimmed them out and popped them up with foam adhesive. I inked the sentiment with markers so I could get the A+ in red and the rest in black. A button with twine, mini binder clip, and row of brads add a little extra somethin'.

Here's this week's sketch:



(Yes, I did stray from the sketch a bit with that tilted report card panel, which is not part of the sketch.)

To see some more inky inspiration, visit the SFYTT gang:

Jen del Muro with guest designer Makeesha Byl
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph
Susan Liles

Hope you'll play along! Just link your creation to today's slideshow over at Jen's.

Have a fantastic weekend!