Verve Thankful Hearts Blog Hop Challenges

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Hello all! I squeezed in some time this weekend to ink up some Verve stamps that I bought last month. Yeah, I know, it took me that long to ink up new stamps? I've been a bit busy and so I literally used scraps for some of the elements on these challenge pieces. I had embossed some red paper two weeks ago and was waiting for the right card. Then I colored one of the new Verve wreaths but hadn't found a home for it. So here are my scrap creations.

Challenge 3: Embellish with V-E-R-V-E

Man, coming up with a V was difficult! Actually impossible for me. LOL So the challenge was to use embellishments that begin with each letter of the word Verve using as many or little. My letters are E-embossing folder and powder and R-ribbon. I loved where this card was going so I stopped before I tried to work in a Violet this or a Vellum that. The ribbon on the bottom is the prettiest I've come across in a long time. It's a slight green and gold ribbon that I found at Big Lots for $1.50 and the next project uses a holiday paper pack by Petal Press that I got for $2.00. You can't beat that!

Details:

Stamps: O Christmas Tree

Paper: Real Red

Ink: Basic Black, Graphite Black

Accessories: Offray Red Satin ribbon, Big Lots Green/Gold Iridescent ribbon, SU Gold Glory EP, Cuttlebug Textile EF, SU HodgePodge Hardware

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Challenge 4: Mini Pizza Box

My box is sporting the wreath from O Christmas Tree set with some yummy "Holiday Mint Balls" from Target tucked inside.

Details:

Stamps: O Christmas Tree

Paper: Petal Press Holiday Pack, Close to Cocoa, LSS Green

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Ranger Vintage Photo Ink, Prismacolor Markers, (Process Red, Crimson Red, Mahogany Red, Celadon Green, Light Olive Green, Dark Olive Green)

Accessories: Yellow Stickles

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In Style Stamps Blog Hop

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This blog hop is just getting started and if you've been hopping along your last hop was with Kim. Our theme for the blog hop is all about Ornaments. If you're just joining the hop you can go to the beginning of the hop at Cyndi's post here.

For my hop today I used Christmas Tree Chick. I thought my daughter and son would love to decorate their own tree for Christmas and I'm sure she would love some help.

So let's turn up the holiday music and join this chick in decorating the christmas tree!

Without sounding too much like an announcement for a float on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, this chick stands about 11-inches tall standing next to her 12-inch christmas tree. She's even in fashion with Ugg boots! The two were printed out on executive size paper, glued to black foam core for stability and then glued together where they overlap at her arm in front of the tree. It all stands upright by a mini clay pot and some brown lentil.

I created 3/4-inch ornaments to fill the tree. A black wire hook adorned with a gold bead is glued to the back of each ornament. We'll attach them by using a small homemade wire in similar shape to those As Seen On TV hook style hangers. The wire just pops through the black foam core backing and will hold the small amount of weight of the ornament.

When you have finished hopping through all of the design team blogs, be sure to go back to the In Style Stamp blog here to enter to win a great prize and to help us decide which design team member also gets a prize.
You're next stop on the hop is to Raquel's. Thanks for stopping in!

If you happen to get lost on the hop here is the order of the blog hop today.

Cyndi

Lana

Piali

Kim

Janelle - that's me!

Raquel

Melissa

Lysa

Joy

Maylee

Angelique

Linda

Margie

Julie

JodiS

Mary

Jodi L

Kimmi

Genevieve

Virginia

Ahhhhhh, the tree is decorated. Really, we couldn't wait!

Details:
Stamps: Christmas Tree Chick,
Paper: Legal size copy paper, Black foam core, Mohawk Smooth White
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers and Pencils, PITT India Ink Brush Pen (on edges of image)
Accessories: Stickles Yellow, MS Iridescent Glitter, White Emboss Powder

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Scrapbooked Thanksgiving!

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I adore the William and Virginia images over at In Style Stamps. I just had to do a quick card with these images and since I won't have time to make and send one out to each member in my family, I'll probably just email the card to them. LOL

My card inspiration comes from a scrapbook that I looked through of my father's family. It had photos mounted with photo corners onto the black pages of the scrapbook and then captions were written under each photo in white ink. I loved the look. It was dated in the early 1900's so a question came to mind, "Has white gelly roll pens been around that long?". What do you think they used? LOL

Anyway, have a great week. For those celebrating the American Thanksgiving holiday, Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for stopping by my blog every once in a while and encouraging me so kindly with your comments.

Heads Up! The In Style Stamps Design Team will have the monthly blog hop this Friday. I've seen some of the projects these ladies have made and you'll want to take time to do some hopping with us!

Details:
Stamps: In Style Virginia, William
Paper: Basic Black, Mohawk Smooth White
Ink: Prismacolor Markers and pencils, metallic gold marker
Accessories: Black photo corners, SU Spiral punch

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What an Angel

I was completely amazed when I realized that next week will be Thanksgiving weekend for us in the United States. I'm completely amazed at how fast time goes by.

It means that I will be grocery shopping for some special items to be cooked, baked and marinated (in sugar), but I'm wondering now what all of you are planning to do? So write in a comment and let me know. I'd love to hear about your plans. Whatever you do don't leave me tips on how to cook the best turkey (hint, hint), because I've given up on that bird being done perfectly.

Okay, now for the regular part of my post.

This fall I decided to try out new challenges that I haven't done before. I started with Midnight Madness then Sweet Stop Saturday and then the past week or so I've done three new challenges! I did Mercy Kerin's Tuesday Sketch last week for my "Wonder of it All" easel card which was another challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges. And this card is from the Card Patterns sketch challenge blog. I didn't stick to the sketch bacground very well, but I believe I'm a rebel when it comes to doing a sketch exactly like it is presented.  It's not so much a rebellion as I'm losing brain cells staying up so late making cards! {wink}

I tried to use colored pencils and OMS (oderless mineral spirits), but I didn't get as vibrant of colors as my markers, but even after laying down some marker ink I went back and highlighted Kimi's hair with pencil. The background paper is handmade. I started with a Lilac color cardstock, stamps Linograph background stamp with Lovely Lilac and then ran over it with my brayer once with Lavendar Lace and then Creamy Caramel. After it was all done I dropped tiny dots of Yellow Stickles to the centers of each "star" (which is not noticeable in the photo) and also added some to Kimi's halo.

Yikes! There's no sentiment on the card. I'll add one on the inside before I send it out. LOL

Some information to share: This month In Style Stamp's Over the Hump Blog Candy give-away has a stack of paper, ribbons and two traditional stamps. All you need to do to play along is create something with the Snow theme and post it on your blog then tell ISS about it in the comment section of this post. Please check the post for details. There's a Method Monday post for an adorable easel card and then there is a Wednesday Challenge with Scallop Edges. I hope you'll stop over at ISS and play a long if you have a chance.

The other share item is that Verve is having a Project Parade going on until next week. The projects I've glanced at are amazing, but you can play along. I hope to have something to show next week, which is also Thanksgiving week which is also another Verve release by blog hopping! Okay that's enough for today.

Have a great rest of the week!

Details:
Stamps: In Style Kimi, SU Linograph
Paper: Mohawk Smooth White, LSS purple , lilac and gold
Ink: Lavendar Lace, Lovely Lilac, Creamy Caramel, LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers (PM 72, 78, 79, 121, 48,142, 194,212, 201, 70, 172, 21, 69, 131) and pencils (PC 903, 94)
Accessories: SU Crushed Curry ribbon, MS Powerpoint (to resize Kimi and add a triangle behind her), Yellow Stickles glue, Dimensionals

The Wonder of It

Today's card is a favorite. I love it when things just come together. I was even able to get three challenges into one card.

Well here's little Jana from In Style Stamps standing in the wonder of it all! I don't think she's amazed at my ability to get three challenges into her card though. I wonder what she's wondering about? LOL

Challenge #1: Club Anime Color Challenge.
I love the Club Anime Color Challenge this month! I was a bit worried about it when I started, but with some work I was able to find colors that actually did come close to the challenge.

Challenge #2: Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C10) Easel Card.

Challenge #3: Mercy's Sketch Challenge #47.

Note: My card has a special embellishment. Can you guess what it is? Felt ribbon. It's handmade and I'm stinkin' excited about it. Can you tell?. I did a tutorial if your interested. I also used Cotton Ball Fun Flock on the hills. Okay, can someone agree with me that you feel like you've been covered with it afterwards? I'm still wiping my face thinking it's still there.

Have a great weekend!

Card Details:
Stamps: In Style Jana Verve Snow Wonderland, SU Winter Play
Paper: Mohawk Smooth White, LSS Olive Green, Stampin Up Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral and matching DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Prismacolor Markers (PM 6, 26, 27, 62, 69, 78, 124, 131, 137, 152, 167, 169, 200, 201, 209), Prismacolor Pencils (PC914, 947, 1004, 1014, 1034)
Accessories: MS Snowflake punch, Stampendous Fun Flock, SU Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Glossy Accents, AC brown buttons, DMC Embroidery Floss, brown felt ribbon, Cuttlebug Sliders diecuts

Snowman mojolicious!

I've had some Verve stamps patiently waiting to get inked up and today was the day! Out of all that I ordered I went for last year's adorable Snow Wonderful set.

I made it simple so that I could get it in with other projects I'm working on, but it was fun getting this snowman on paper.



Card Details:
Stamps: Verve Snow Wonderful
Paper: DCWV "Winter" pack, Brocade Blue, Mohawk Smooth White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Prismacolor Markers (PM 199, 200, 142, 154, 121)Accessories: Circle punch, Nestabilities Classic Circle and Scallop, Crop-a-dile, Glossy Accents, AC brown button, chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon

Dashing through the Snow

It's me with a quick card for the In Style Wednesday Challenge, Over the Hump Blog Candy Give Away. Create a card that has something to do with snow and then post it on your blog. Enter into Mr. Linky over on In Style's blog and have a chance at that day's blog candy. Sounds good to me!

When you're done, head on over to the store and shop with a discount! All you have to do is click on the In Style Stamps logo located on my sidebar. Now that's something to get you over the hump of the week!

I should say that I used the November Viva La Verve Week #1 sketch for this card, but you would think I was a lyin'. I started down a path and just couldn't get back to the great sketch that Amber provided. I even forgot the panel on the bottom of the card! So the {twist} was a recipe; 1 embellishment, 2 colors cardstock + a neutral, 3 stamps. I think I did okay with the recipe, oh nope, I have another stamp on the inside of the card. LOL

Happy Wednesday!

Card Details:
Stamps: In Style Sam, Verve Christmas in the Air and Frosty Flakes
Paper: Mohawk Smooth White, LSS Teal Blue, Basic Black
Ink: Versamark, LaserJet, Graphite Black (inside), Prismacolor Markers (PM 61, 62, 70, 73, 79, 95, 96, 121, 137, 140, 142, 199, 201, 209, 212
Accessories: Cotton Ball White Fun Flock, Offray Black Satin ribbon, MS Crystal Fine glitter, Essential Glue Pad, MS snowflake punch

Make your own Double-Stitch Felt Ribbon

I don't know where my life was last year when Stampin' Up had their brown felt ribbon, but I missed it.

So I decided to be crafty with my sewing machine and make my own. Below is my tutorial for stitched felt ribbon.



Supplies:

- Kunin Felt in desired color
- DMC 6-strand Embroidery Floss in desired color or similar brand
- Transparent Filament thread or matching thread of felt
- Sewing machine

I think this tutorial is a technique called Bobbin Sewing, but I'm not sure if that is the right term. I remember seeing something like this on a video from the Bernina USA website.

Preparation:

1. Cut strip or strips of felt in desired width and length for your project. I used brown felt and I only had the 9 x 12-inch sheet, so I stitched two pieces end to end using regular thread in my bobbin and the filament thread on my needle.

2. Practice on some felt before you start on your ribbon. You may need to adjust the tension on your machine so that the floss doesn't get pushed through the felt. You are only trying to tack down the floss not sew a seam.

3. Thread the machine with the transparent filament thread or a matching color thread to the felt.

Are you ready?

Tutorial

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Note: These instructions should not replace the manufacturer's instructions that came with your machine.

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Step 1 Wind, by hand, the floss onto a bobbin shuttle. Place the shuttle into the bobbin case so that the thread coming off of the bobbin looks like the top of a 6.

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Step 2 Slide the floss into case making sure the floss end goes into the slot and all the way through the catch on the side of the case.

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Step 3 Rotate the threaded needle with the machine handcrank one whole rotation (the needle thread will be wrapped around the bobbin thread). Use a flat object or your fingernail to bring the bobbin thread end up out of the faceplate. I give the needle thread a slightl tug after I have rotated with the handcrank and use my finger to swipe the bobbin thread out. Lengthen both needle and bobbin threads 3-4-inches.

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Reference This is showing one edge already stitched for reference to the side of the felt you will be sewing on.

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Step 4 Check the setting on your machine so that they are correct according to the practice piece in your preparation steps. (My settings are: needle position = left, stitch length = 4, tension = 2-3, sewing foot = zipper foot) Align your strip of felt to the position you decided on in your practice piece. (I right-aligned the edge of the felt to the zipper foot base.) Hold on to the ends of the thread and floss and begin to sew down the side of your felt strip. Tip: I set a finger down next to the left side of the strip so the strip has a guide to go against. My right hand keeps the strip aligned to the right side of the zipper foot.

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Step 5: When done with one side swivel strip around and go down the other side. Before you start sewing give the threads some slack so they don't buckle the strip-end.

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Finished.

If you want some excellent directions on the basic use of a sewing machine for your crafts, go to Gina K. Designs. She has some awesome tutorials in the left sidebar of her blog.

You'll have to come back on Saturday to see the project using my new felt ribbon!

Winter Relief Kit by Sam

It's getting colder here in the Treasure Valley and so I checked our stash of hot cocoa to make sure we are ready to warm our chilled bodies. We make our own yummy batch from a recipe my father-in-law came up with years ago. Now we have a large container in the cupboard at all times.

I must of had our mix on my mind when I decided what to do with digi Sam, from In Style Stamps, who is the host for my Club Anime sketch challenge today. He's available over at In Style's Club Anime blog.

If you're new to digital stamps and you have questions on how to get started, please leave a comment. I'd be glad to help you get started.

Details: 5 x 7 inches
Stamps: Club Anime Sam (about 3-inches tall)
Paper: Mohawk Smooth White, Basic Black, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, LSS blue, LaserJet Transparency Paper (acetate)
Ink: Prismacolor Markers (PM 4, 37, 46, 48, 61, 62, 65, 70, 73, 78, 88, 95, 96, 150, 152, 172, 201, 207, 208, 213), LaserJet Printer
Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflake EF, Ribbon from candy packaging, wrappers from candy, various hole punches

Thanks for stopping by!

Just a little note

Remember this card from a few posts ago? Well, it was my submission for a design team call and well, I wanted to let you know that I'll be doing some designing for In Style Stamps on the anime design team. Woohoo!

In Style Stamps has such a cute and large selection of digital and rubber stamps in anime and retro styles. Go check out their stamps and accessories.

I'm working along side some very talented ladies joining the club anime team. Hop on over to their blogs for some great eye candy!

Lana Clarke
Cyndi Bundy
Jodi Stanisch
Genevieve Samson
Kimberley Blakey
Margie Cortina
Julie Gastelum
Janelle Stollfus (That's me!)

The Guest Design Team for In Style Stamps are:

Angélique Nederpel
Linda Algodin


Blog challenges can be found at:
In Style Stamps Blog

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend.

Sweet moments with Sophie

I have a quick post for a card I made...just for fun! Really it was an excuse to use my markers. LOL

Now isn't this digi just sweet as can be? You can get her from The DigiStamp Boutique.

I used the Clean and Simple Challenge (#39) over on Splitcoast Stampers.



Card Details:
Stamps: Sophie, Verve Believe
Paper: Mohawk White, PP unknown, olive green, SU Chocolate Chip
Ink: Prismacolor markers (PM194, 142, 124, 26, 199, 172, 96, 207, 170), Graphite Black, laser printer, Ranger Tea Dye
Accessories: SU Satin Ribbon, buttons

Okay, does Sophie's skin look a bit funny to you? It does to me too. I started out trying to make her look like a porcelain doll and the marker I chose (PM96) made her look too grey, so I tried to get some pink back into her skin. I'll just have to color her again sometime soon.