Viva La Verve with my Diva On

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Today I'm showing a card that you could spy on my workspace from Friday's post. I finished it this weekend in time for the Get Your Diva On Challenge and the Viva La Verve Challenge from week 2. I saw the inspiration photo from the Diva challenge and instantly wanted to portray all the softness of the table linens and flowers, but get in the smooth and shiny elements from the tableware and vase. For fun I just had to make some room for the dots on the cupcake!

My base paper is from My Mind's Eye Tres Belle line where I added some gray cardstock trim that I colored with my clear Star glitter pen and then straight stitched cream cardstock rick rack cut out from the Stampin' Up Tasteful Trim Bigz die. The cream mat was stamped with a linen background stamp in CTMH parchment then scored in 1/8" increments around the edges twice, then trimmed and miter-cornered and straight stitched down on itself.

I hand stamped the dots mat with the dot stamp from Bountiful Backgrounds in a color halftone manner, in three colors using CTMH Parchment, Ranger Worn Lipstick and Ranger Spun Sugar. I rolled my brayer in a rocking motion with CTMH brown bag ink and then lightly rolled that around the edges of the paper, and yep stitched it too. The same gray cardstock with star glitter pen ink was done for the framing mat under the dot pattern paper.

The sentiment cluster is some Martha Stewart silver metallic ribbon wrapped around the angled mat stack and the sentiment framed with Verve Vintage Oval Frame embossed in Zing Silver embossing powder. The same embossing was done on the sentiment from the Great Friend set. I don't have the die cut (yet) for the vintage oval frame, I think it was out of stock at the time I ordered the stamp, sooooo I just cut around the edge the best I could and then used my distressing kit to file any sharp or uneven spots.

I have a love for buttons but a lack of what to do with them so I was pleased when I came up with the idea to hole punch some more gray paper inked with the same star glitter pen and curve them up on my foam pad and a stylus. I dotted the concave side with tacky glue and then carefully "plopped" it on top of each button. The flower is one I made out of crepe paper streamer (I think this streamer could be considered vintage I've had it so long). I made the flower with a combination of techniques I've seen in the flower making tutorial world. It involves folding up the streamer, scalloping one edge and then rolling it up in a pinch and fold technique (I just made that up). I spritzed the flower with some diluted Rose Red re-inker and then with Tattered Angels Marshmallow glitter mist. I took my heat gun to it and the paper seemed to shrink and curl in an unexpected way, which reminded me of a certain flower that the name escapes me right now. I added some satin ribbon and a clipping of silver ribbon for a grounding element behind the flower.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

I was certain my photos would come out well for this card, but now that I'm seeing them inside blogger editor they are not looking as well...sorry folks.

Details:
Stamps: Verve Bountiful Backgrounds, Great Friend and Vintage Oval Frame, SU Linen
Paper: MME Tres Belle, SU Basic Nuetrals Gray, Neenah White, Wausau Cream, Pink crepe paper streamer
Ink: CTMH Parchment, Brown Bag, Ranger Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick, VersaMark, Star Glitter pen
Accessories: Zing Silver EP, buttons, Martha Stewart Silver metallic ribbon, Offray cream satin ribbon, sewing machine and white button thread, Stampin Up Tasteful Trim Bigz Die

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CELEBRATE!

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Hi there!

Pretty Phrases stamp set from Paper Smooches

I'm popping in super quick to just say hi and show some quick cards I made for an ongoing fundraiser I've been doing.

It's the end of the school year and graduation time is upon us here at the Stollfus household. We have a niece graduating in June and I've been coming up with ideas for her present, but the last resort is always a gift card, right?

I found two crafty cute templates from crafty bloggers like ourselves. One is from Carolina who always seems to have the best ideas. I love stopping in to her blog from time to time. Here is her creative take on a gift card holder and here is what I made with it.

The next one took me a bit to wrap my head around, it was a bit late in the night when I started the process, but I did get it. An AHA moment. ;)  It comes from Paper Craft Connections originally, but I found it on Cathy's blog who links you to PCC. Here is her post for the Pop-up gift card holder. Here's my duo take.

Stampin' Up All Year Cheer 1 stamp set

The rest are an attempt to finish off the rest of the 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. Lots of easy fun cards can be made Clean and Simple!

Dare to Be stamp set by Verve

That's it from me today!





Did you know? Verve Stamps has a Stamp Set of the month and May's set is Dare to Be! It's discounted for the whole month, while supplies last!


Details:
Stamps: (In order of photos) Pretty Phrases (Paper Smooches), Terrific Tags (Stampin' Up), All Year Cheer 1 (Stampin' Up), Dare to Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Neenah white and white scraps, Funfetti (We R Memory Keepers), In Color
Ink: Colorbok Charcoal Chalk ink pad, Lovely Lilac, Ruby Red, Marvelous Magenta, Garden Green
Accessories: Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page set, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Star punch, More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon

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The weekend IS here and WOYWW

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Hello blogging friends!

It's finally the time of week where I can breathe and freely be creative. My kids are home and no homework to be done. Only a few loads of laundry and bathrooms to be cleaned before Sunday, as I always take time out to rest on that day from my house tasks.

I'm the next in my family to get a common cold and I'm not sure if this morning's napping session in front of cartoons with my 3 year old was from being sick or exhaustion from the week, but I was awakened by my son's favorite phrase these days... "mom, I'm STILL hungry. mom, I'm STILL hungry. MOM, I'M STILL HUNGRY!" These words started in my dream until I realized it was for real.

So what has this got to do with my crafting blog post today? Well, I've only had energy to make cups of coffee and finish up school carpool, but I've also been out on Google Reader gleaning inspiration. In doing so I came across a article linked at Michelle Wooderson's blog that I wanted to share with you.

I've been struggling with the W's of selling my creations. Where. When. What (kind and price of creations). Of course the Why, but also How much to make. This article is great for the WHO. If you've got only the energy to browse the Internet and read on a few articles, try and get this one on your list.

“buy handmade” doesn’t work and the follow-up: “buy handmade” doesn’t work articles.

What's in the photo?  I've come across a few crafty bloggers who take on the "What's on Your Workspace Wednesday" challenge. I truly admire the openness of sharing what's on their workspace, one which I find frightening to expose my messiness, but I think can still share even though it is Friday. So from time to time I'll show off my complete disastrous state of creativity. Enjoy this one...it will be a while before I'll photograph my messy space. This is all on my workspace today. Leftovers from the last three projects and a current one. Last weeks leftover valentine paper dangling from its storage shelf (far left) and a hot chocolate mug from who knows when (far right). The current project is in the askew color "Polaroid" in the bottom left. The rest is an always there sort of thing. I'm comfortable with that kind of mess. LOL

Have a wonderful weekend and for those who have a three day weekend all the better, right?

Janelle

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Virtual Valentine's Blog Hop - WINNERS!!!!

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We have some winners!

Taylor did a quick and thorough job of wrapping up the prize winning portion of our blog hop this week. Wasn't it the best! I've never seen so many new companies and wonderful inspiration pieces. It took me a few days to get through them all. AND a huge thank you for coming by and leaving all the wonderful comments. I really do appreciate the love.

So Taylor used Random.org to randomly pick 20 hop bloggers to then randomly pick the 20 winners of prizes!!!!! Whew! If this doesn't make sense read Taylor's clear version on her winner's post.

If you see your name on this list please head on over to Taylor's blog and use the "EMAIL ME" to contact her for your prize. In the Subject line, please put: Valentine's Day Hop Winner. In the email, include your contact info, and what prize you've won. Some prizes will be mailed directly to you from the sponsors, some will be emailed to you (in the case of digis). And please be aware, expect up to a 24 hour delay in response as Taylor will be away from her computer Friday. She'll give everyone until Sunday night at 6:00 PM EST to claim their prizes, and then draw new winners for those that have not responded. That's just over 48 hours :)

Here are the winners! Congratulations to you all!

• Tracey (from Louise Healy's blog) - prize: 5 digi images of the winner's choice from Pink Cat Studio
• Ronnie (from Libby Hickson's blog) - prize: 2 Cosmo Cricket 6x6 paper pads from The ScrappyChick Boutique
• Terrece (from Sandie Dunne's blog) - prize: 4 images of winner's choice from MelJen's Designs
• Dayle (from Berenice Rendon's blog) - prize: 2 digis of winner's choice from Karber Digital Images
• Silvia (from Jennifer Dove's blog) - prize: 5 digi's of wonner's choice from Di's Digi Downloads
• Jan (from Mary Collins's blog) - prize: digi stamp set of choice from Stamp Insanity
• Janelle (from Sunghee Chon's blog) - prize: $20 gift certificate to Little Potato House
• Erin L (from Wendy Price's blog) - prize: $10 gift certificate to Amber Ink
• Allye (from Cathy Wallington's blog) - prize: 4 digi images from Kenny K's Shop
• Jessi (from Patricia Hays's blog) - prize: 4 cling rubber stamp from Stampendous (new release)
• Victoria (from Maria Levine's blog) - prize: 2 digi's of winner's choice from Pixie Dust Studio
• BlackBird (from Tina Kiehn's blog) - prize: Meaning of Love digi set from Chi Chi Memories
• Saskia (from Audrey E's blog) - prize: 5 digi images of winner's choice from Paper Pretties
• Suzi (from Jessica Fitzgerald's blog) - prize: 2 rubber stamps from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps
• Sharon (from Cat Darling's blog) - prize: Timeless Love acrylic stamp set from Paper Pretties
• Stephanie Z (from Lynell Harlow's blog) - prize: Dreamweaver's prize pack
• Mobolilu (from Julie Elak's blog) - prize: 5 digi images of winner's choice from Paper Pretties
• Velma (from Joyce Martens's blog) - prize: One year general membership to Christian Paper Crafts
• Beth (from Taylor Usry's blog ) - prize: $10 gift certificate to Lizzie Anne Designs
• Pen to Paper (from Angelique Nederpel's blog) - prize: 3 digi images from Simply Betty Stamps

Now if your name appears on this list head on over to Taylor Usry's blog here and use the EMAIL ME link. 

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Virtual Valentine's Blog Hop - CLOSED

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Happy Valentine's Day!

A bunch of friends and designers got together for a Virtual Valentine's Day hop. There are 40+ participants and 19 sponsors giving away a total of 21 prizes. Random commenter's will be drawn from random blogs, so the more love you leave the more chances you have to win.

So I'm in it! Start at Taylor's blog, here, if you just popped in and want a chance at the oodles of prizes that are up for grabs JUST for commenting on the blog list of hoppers (see full list below).

You can comment on all the blogs leisurely up until Thursday at 6 p.m. EST.  The winners will be drawn using Random.org Find out if you are winner on Taylor's blog and she will have a temporary Email Me to get a hold of her for up to one week after the winners are announced.

Here's the prize list to whet your whistle!

Stamp Insanity - with a Digi stamp set of choice for one winner
Meljens designs - 4 digis to one winner
Pixie Dust Studio - 2 digis to one winner
Lizzie Anne Designs - $10 gift certificate (donated by Taylor U)
Christian Paper Crafts - 1 year general membership
Paper Pretties - 3 total winners: 1 person will receive Timeless Love stamp set; 2 people will receive 5 digis of their choice from the store
Karber Digital Images - 2 digis to one winner
Di's Digi Downloads - 5 digi images to one winner
The Scrappychick Boutique - 2 6x6 Cosmo Cricket paper pads to one winner
Stampendous - 4 cling rubber stamps from new release to 1 winner
Pink Cat Studio - 5 digis of winner's choice to one winner
Amber Ink - $10 gift certificate
Simply Betty Stamps - 3 digis of the winner's choice
Mark's Finest Papers - set of their choosing to the winner
Dreamweaver's Stencils - a couple stencils, pearlescent embossing paste and a palette knife
Chi Chi Memories - Meaning of Love Digi Stamp Set to one winner
Little Potato House - $20 gift certificate
Kenny K digis: 4 digis to one winner
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: winners choice of 2 images


Here is the full blog hop list if you should get lost along the way. Have fun and be inspired.

Taylor Usry
Libby Hickson
Cindy Coutts
Cyndi Bundy
Amber Hillman
Angelique Nederpel
Tanya Johnson
Suzi McKenzie
Cathy Wallington
Pam Hornschu
Wendy Price
Patricia Hays
Maria Levine
Sandie Dunne
Juanita Gillen
Janelle Stollfus- YOU'RE HERE!
Mary Collins
Berenice Rendon
Cheryl Gorka
Jessica Fitzgerald
Dee Morris
Darsie Bruno
Sandy Allnock
Margie Cortina
Kathy Fronczak
Cat Darling
Joyce Martens (Jolara)
Erin Leveille
Gudrun Loennecken
Mackenzie Bruckler
Melissa (Pink Cat)
Patty Tanuz
Emily Leiphart
Jane Matsumoto
Kimme Leach
Kerry Kung
Heather Lee-Reppen
Rachel Sztonyk
Jennifer Dove
Lysa Q
Erica Johnson-Wanzer
Tina Kiehn
Sugar Whiting
Karin Martin
Sunghee Chon
Tanis Palmer
Lindsey Martin-Penny
Kristi Parker Van Doren
Julie Elak
Alison Heikkila
Audrey E
Laura Drahozal
Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan
Lynell Harlow
Terrece Siddoway
Liz Martin
Kim Reid
Beth Ranney-Thomas

Details:
I used a Tim Holtz Fades Damask embossing folder on the background paper inking up one side of the folder first with Rose Red ink. Then I went back over the embossed paper with a brayer loaded with some more Rose Red AND flattening it down for a stamped layer of the script verse stamp in CTMH Cocoa. I sprayed some watered down Chocolate Chip re-inker on the paper and then some Marshmallow Tattered Angels mist. Distressed that patterned paper and sponged the edges. Straight stitched it to a mat of brown paper with brown button thread.

The cluster is a Labels 1 die on soft suede and edge distressed and sponged. A dusty rose satin ribbon ruched on each end. A love collage stamped in CTMH brown bag ink and misted with re-inker and heat gun dried for spot stains and I left the natural curl from it drying. Edge distressed and sponged and mounted on Glue Arts sponge adhesive. The heart pendant is made from DIY porcelain clay with pink re-inker mixed in and an eye hook into the top. It's threaded through a distressed and wrinkled Martha Stewart silk ribbon and layered underneath another same ribbon tied in a bow. The shabby flower is a DIY leftover from my MOPS group name badge project that I glued onto the ribbon and card with Alene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue. Whew!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today,

♥ janelle ♥
Stamps: Layers of Colors The Love Chapter
Paper: Soft Suede, Cream
Ink: Ugh! A lot... SU Rose Red, Ranger Worn Lipstick, CTMH Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, CTMH Brown Bag, Ranger Walnut Stain Ink
Accessories: Tim Holtz Fades Damask EF, Martha Stewart Silk Ribbon, DIY Porcelain clay (heart pendant), Tattered Angels Marshmallow Shimmer Mist, Pale Yellow Chiffon fabric and sewing machine

Now Closed for prize winnings. Thanks for stopping by.

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Wonderful Sweet Butterfly

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 I was sitting with my children yesterday afternoon watching a new cartoon on PBS called Wild Kratts. They mentioned a few facts about how much a monarch caterpillar eats and compared it to either a human eating the same volume as 2 1/2 elephants or a human would grow to the size of 2 1/2 elephants. I'm fuzzy on the details since I was taking little naps throughout the show. {snort} In either situation I think I'd feel a bit miserable, but that's because I'm human and not destined to be a beautiful fluttering Monarch butterfly.  Nature is a wonderful thing when that consumption turns out to be a beautiful dainty butterfly. I know y' all are dreamin' now.

Anyway, I had made this card starting with the butterfly image that somehow found it's way into my recent order from Layers of Colors. Laura was so sweet to send me the Embroidery Butterfly that I really wanted to create something special to say thanks. Thank you Laura!

I started out trying to make my vellum look like aida cloth with a linen background stamp. It was another happy mistake as I prepped the linen-stamped-vellum with an embossing buddy and disastrously swiped away the ink from the vellum. I shrugged my shoulders and decided to just stamp the butterfly and emboss it anyway, but to my surprise a small amount of embossing powder stuck to the little bit of linen image left on the vellum. It was a shabby style direction for sure. My whole card, save the cardbase, was crumbled, sponged, water damaged and crinkled some more. Too much to describe but it was almost like making a clay pot on a pottery wheel. Way TOO much FUN!

Here are some details from the card showing other art stamps from Layers of Colors.

verse from The Love Chapter on DIY spiral note paper

Backyard Birds

sentiment from Flutterescent and the  Embroidered Butterfly

These stamps are bringing out a new style for me and I must admit that my camera likes taking photos of them. {wink}

Thank you for stopping and seeing my card today!

Details:
Stamps: Embroidered Butterfly, The Love Chapter, Backyard Birds, Flutterescent
Paper: K & Co. Jubilee, cream, graph paper from my mother-in-law's office supplies, vellum
Ink: Lovely Lilac, Ranger distress inks (antiqued linen, tea dye, walnut ink stain), CTMH brown bag
Accessories: Ranger Queen's Gold EP, SU! Gold EP, sewing machine and brown heavy duty thread, DIY spiral note paper edge (Mat Stack template, 1/16-inch hole punch, scissors), DIY glitter buttons (3 button dies in thin chipboard glued together for each button, tacky glue, MS gold glitter, Glossy Accents and metallic gold ink around the edges)

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January Viva La Verve's

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(unframed art...easier to photo)

I know it's February but I have a project to show that I completed well into the middle of January using the first week sketch from Viva La Verve this year.

The quick story is the following. I overloaded myself with paper flower tutorials and either combined two together or came across a brown sack lunch rolled flower tutorial. In any case, I made a few and wanted to put them on a project. I picked the first Viva La Verve sketch of the year to make a card, but I couldn't possibly put the flowers on a card to mail or even shove into an envelope when the largest one was over 1-inch thick, so I decided I'll frame it in a shadow box. The dry embossed panels were already finished when I decided to frame it so I debated on tossing them and making new ones or to try and position them for a standard 8 x 10 frame. I kept them and found a shadow box frame at Joann's for 10 bucks. yada, yada, yada. Two weeks later it's done. Two weeks further, it's blog posted. :)

Into the details...

I tried all sorts of embellishments for the trio element of the sketch, but nothing seemed to work... so I made some buttons. I used a Quickutz button die (thank you CJ!) on some thin chipboard paper and glued three dies together and sanded around the edges to hide the layers. Then I had just read about a new-to-try technique from the Paper Craft Connections blog (here), so I put it to use on these buttons. I  used some delicious stamp from Layers of Colors to press into the gold embossing powder that was first inked up with Brilliance Graphite Black. My daughter even helped out by stamping as soon as the third layer of embossing was heated.

Added 2/5/11: The instructions from Paper Craft Connections say that you can put some Versamark on your stamp before ink and that creates a release when pressed into the heated embossing powder. Thanks Linda for bringing this up in the comments!

The flowers a three different kinds of paper bag "paper". The medium size flower is from a lunch size paper bag which is thin and took distressing well. The large flower is from brown kraft shipping paper. This paper is thick and porous so when I colored with a misting spay bottle it was very bendable. The third and tiniest flower was made from a thinner kraft paper designated as dust cover paper (think about the paper that covers the back of a framed piece of art...yes this is a leftover from my picture framing business.) It was a happy medium paper that took well to distressing but stayed firm when spritzed with colored water and shimmer mist. Each of the flowers were glittered after they were rolled up by rubbing some clear gel glue with a cotton swab across the distressed edges. The centers are filled with some Quick dry Tacky glue and then sprinkled with Martha Stewart gold and brass microbeads.

Embellishments were added on top of embellishments in stages (because it just didn't look finished). Hand-stitching added to the panels. Seam binding ribbon from Martha Stewart was added on top of brown satin ribbon, then red adhesive back pearls. The sentiment panel was edge distressed and sponged with Ranger vintage photo and Walnut Distress inks. Back to more embellishment with gold cording and a rosette made out of metallic espresso paper. When it was finally framed I could breathe. LOL

Now that it's finished it will be making a home on the wall of our guest bedroom. Thanks for hanging in there with me. Have a great weekend!

Details:
Stamps: Verve Plain Jane Ecc 3:11 and Framed Wishes, Layers of Color Acanthus Leaves (for buttons)
Paper: Kraft cardstock, various kraft paper for flowers including brown sack lunch bag, Espresso metallic cardstock, thin chipboard (for buttons)
Ink: Versa Magic Magic Red, Ranger Distress Denim, Graphite Black, Spica Gold pen
Accessories: Fiskar decorative scissors (rolled flowers), embossing folders, paper piercer and SU! mat kit, Kaisercrafts red pearls, SU gold cording, Martha Stewart glitter, microbeads and brown seam binding ribbon, Ranger Queen's gold embossing powder

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Thinking of Mojo 176

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Hi everyone!

I've got a sweet little mojo round card to share. I needed some craft therapy and this little card was just the prescription. I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 176 which you can choose it in either round or square. I'm not good at round cards, but I needed something different today.

Between loads of laundry and getting lunch fixed for my children, I was able to whip this card together today. I can't believe I did a card in one afternoon AND posted about it.

I'm going to spare any details, but if you have questions on a part of the card just add a comment and I'll give you details.

See ya later!

Details:
Stamps: Verve Blue Skies, Accent Notes
Paper: Hobby Lobby Kraft CS, Wausau Royal Fiber Chocolate CS, Neenah White CS, Ruby Lemonade DP
Ink: CTMH Cocoa, Versamark
Accessories: Organdy pink ribbon, Kaisercrafts clear rhinestones, white embossing powder, Zing Chocolate embossing powder

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