Choose Joy

It's fall in my area, and I'm struggling between the fun bright colors of summer and the brilliant shades of fall, but somehow I managed to grab a set of muted pastels for today's project, and it came out better than I had wished!

I'm sharing this project with a celebration of a crafting company that has decided to close its doors after 10 amazing years of products and community! Reverse Confetti's Choose Joy and coordinating Confetti Cuts are front and center on my card and it was so much fun to put together!

This card is a challenge card for Splitcoaststampers Mix-Ability Forum, and it starts on Friday with MIX508 Common Thread or Knot!

Supplies: I provide some product links that are through my Amazon Affiliate, and that means when clicked and purchased in the same session, a few pennies are sent my way at no cost to you.

Featured Product(s):

• Choose Joy by Reverse Confetti (FS)
• Choose Joy Confetti Cuts (FS)

Plus:

• White Cardstock (AZ)
• Kraft Cardstock (AZ)
• Evergreen Bough Distress Ink (AZ)
• Victorian Velvet Oxide Ink (AZ)
• Shabby Shutters Distress Ink (AZ)
• Angel Pink Memento Ink (AZ)
• Summer Sky Memento Ink (AZ)
• Winter Blue Paint (AZ)
• Cotton Candy (AZ)
• Light Sage (AZ)
• white thread (AZ)
• Colored Pencils

I'm a maker who receives goodies chosen by myself for design teamwork. To see a list of these companies, just scroll to the bottom of my blog under FTC Declaration.

Falling Leaves are starting to happen

Today it rained a steady drizzle. It was quiet and peaceful and I was thinking about my family in Colorado. All the devastation of the recent floods and my family was spared. I'm so very thankful today for that, but it also leaves my heart heavy for the long road to rebuilding many communities back together along the floods path.

I hope friendships are created and strengthened through the process when so much loss has occurred. My prayers are with that area of Colorado so dear to my heart.

I created this card a while back for the Stampendous July Catalog and somehow it was hidden in my filing until just last week. It's using the gorgeous Jumbo Leaves Stamp Set and Kind Friendship Stamp. A fun easy technique is used with the double-sided adhesive sheets, some glass glitter and embossing powder on the sentiment layer. Here's a little step by step photo of my process.

(Click image to enlarge)

Details: 
Stamps: Jumbo Leaves and Kind Friendship (Stampendous)
Paper: Rustic Core Texture Paper (Core'dinations), Kraft and Cream (Wausau)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento, Tsukineko)
Copic Markers: G02, G05, G07, G28, R56, R59, R89, YR04, YR14, YR18, R08
Accessories: Green Encrusted Jewel Technique Kit (Stampendous), Sticky Panels Double-Sided Permanent Adhesive Sheets (Stampendous), Scissors, Liquid Glue, Foam Adhesive Dots, corner rounder (WRMK)

Beloved cards are the muse for Verve's July Diva Dare

Tattered pages and uplifting sentiments are the elements of this month's Diva Dare and today I'm sharing my card designed by the inspiration of two of our Diva sisters. Find out who they are over on Verve Stamps' blog. 

Details:
Stamps: Words Cannot Express (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Ginko (Wausau), Time for Spring (Fancy Pants Design), lined paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), Old Paper and Worn Lipstick (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories: Joyful Blooms Die Set (A Cut Above, Verve), Banner Bundle Die Set (A Cut Above, Verve), Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set (A Cut Above, Verve), Grapefruit ribbon ( Truly Madly Deeply Ribbon Collection, Verve), chevron embossing folder (Stampin' Up), liquid pearls (Viva Decor), white pearl (Stampin' Up), 1-ply of yarn, mini stapler (Tiny Attacher, Tim Holtz Idea-ology), paper distresser (Tonic, Tim Holtz), sewing machine

Glistening Grapes with a challenge

Good morning! It's good to be back here for a quick post. I'm still helping my family come back to health from last week, so it's nice to say I had some time to play with a few glistening products.

I decided to pull out some new Stampendous micro glitter and have some fun with this month's challenge.

I've got some step photos to see how I applied the glitter to the grape image.

Supplies listed below.

Use Sakura Quickie Glue Pen to create glistening highlights.

Add glitter one at a time and dry in between layers.

Another glitter...

Another glitter...

Some clear glitter around the edges of the grapes.

Three glue dots.

And some more glitter... just a little bit more.

That's all from me today. You can play along in the challenge, too! Here are the challenge details or you can add your own by clicking on the kitty button!





Details:
Stamps: Grape Label (Stampendous), Wine Label (Stampendous)
Paper: Kraft (Bazzill), Lilac (unknown)
Ink: Jet Black (Archival, Ranger), Versamark Watermark (Tsukineko), watercolors (Cotman Traveler Kit), Gelatos (Faber•Castell)
Accessories: Lavender, Lime, Teal, Crystal Micro Glitter (Stampendous), Aged Wine Embossing Enamel (Stampendous), metallic lace (May Arts), distressing tool (Tonic and pair of scissors), dk brown and sienna brown acrylics (Daley-Rowney), 1/8" corner rounder (WRMK), Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura)

April First is here!

A new day and a new month! I'm amazed and a smidgen depressed that it is already the fourth month of the year and it just seems like I came off of Christmas break. I know though that I have to keep going because life doesn't stop or slow down for me.

Did you all have a great spring break? That's the reason I didn't have anything new to post last week. I needed to have a vacation. I'm a little worn down with quite a few things on my plate these days and there's more to come. So it was a great time to just hang out with my family and take my kids to play dates and special treats.

For all those who have some busy days ahead, I'm wishing and praying that it goes smoothly for you. This week my husband goes in for out-patient surgery and I'll be taking care of him and all the other normal things that go on. If I make a few mistakes in my posts or seem to be very short winded you'll know that I'm just trying to keep up and I'll be back to normal soon. :)

Today's card is a simple one I made for my card class last month. It's simple and when you love a certain pattern paper this layout is the right one for the job.

Verve stamp and coordinating die, some sponging and then the triple wrapping of thread and subtle lace is all it took to complete this card. It was fun to see how the ladies at class added and embellished in their own styles for this card. I love it when that happens. Thank you for a fun night! I can't wait to do it again.

Details:
Stamps: Tag Time (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Kraft (Wausau), Hannah Blue and Ivory pattern paper (K and Company), White (Neenah)
Ink: Brushed Corduroy (Ranger), Worn Lipstick (Ranger)
Accessories: Curvy Bookplate die (A Cut Above Die, Verve)

Paper Craft Planet Sketch Time

It's going to be a busy weekend! I've got some plans to steal away with some of my crafty friends to create some serious craftiness! Hee-heh! Well, I'm not packed yet and there's the enormous task of packing only what will fit in my Cropper Hopper, but I'm pretty excited about this first time adventure. I'll hopefully be back next week with some photos.

So why I'm posting this morning is because I've got a sketch challenge up for Paper Craft Planet. Here's my card and here's the link to go get the sketch and details for linking up in the Planet's gallery.

Details:
Stamps:  Corset Ladies (Stampendous), Mother’s Love (Stampendous)
Paper: Miss Caroline (MME), Grey and white card stock, old graph paper
Ink: Old Paper, Antique Linen, (Distress Ink Pads, Ranger), Scattered Straw, Wild Honey (Distress Markers, Ranger), soft graphite pencil
Accessories:  Ice Crystal Paint (DecoArt Glamour Dust), stitching tool (Sew Easy Tool, WRMK), embroidery floss (DMC), rhinestones (Kaisercraft), edge punch (Recollections, Michaels), cream seam binding, corner rounder (Corner Chomper 1)

Pink in Bloom

 

Have you been inclined to use a little more pink on your creations lately? I have. Today I created a card for the new sketch on Viva La Verve Challenge. Maureen came up with a sweet little sketch that is oh so fabby! If you have some time to play we'd love to see them show up in the Verve gallery!

My card is using the Verve stamp set, Doodled Occasions. It's the cutest set ever! The Banner Trim die from Verve found it's way into the sketch, but I could resist a little swag of fun. I made a scrunchy flower with the Scalloped Flower Die and centered it with a jumbo brad spiced up with some Golden Rod Stickles (those bottles have been somewhat neglected in my supplies). Then my fingers were itchy for some paint and I just let them smudge some White, Light Blue, Dragon Fruit and Teal Blue craft paint in spots. Some hidden texture in this card can be found in the 1/8-inch scoring on the pink panel. It helped give the acrylic paint a chance to make a second pattern on the paper.

Hope you have a wonderful Friday, I'll be getting painty fingers again but this time with my son's Kindergarten class. We are going to be Eric Carle artists for the day!

Details:
Stamps: Doodled Occasions (Verve Stamps)
Paper: This and That Graceful (Echo Park), Kraft and Chocolate card stock (Wausau), kraft (Hobby Lobby)
Ink: Cocoa (CTMH), acrylic paint
Accessories:  Pennant Trim die (A Cut Above, Verve), Scalloped Flower die (A Cut Above, Verve), scallop die, glitter brads (WRMK), jumbo brad, handmade loopy flowers

Fanspiration Diva Dare - You are inspiring

 

I'm showing you my inspiration for the Verve Fan gallery today. There's more to it than just being inspired though. The Diva's want YOU to show us what inspires you from the Verve Fan gallery. We dare you!

If you decide to take our dare, head on over to today's post, because there are two chances to win prizes! Go on, have some fun!

Details:
Stamps: Lean on Me (Verve Stamps), Borderline (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Random Paper Pad (Crate Paper), Kraft (Wausau)
Ink: Chocolate (CTMH), 
Accessories: Flourished Trim Die (A Cut Above, Verve), Mini Classy Label Die (A Cut Above, Verve), Pointed Flowers Die Set (A Cut Above, Verve), Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above, Verve), twine (Martha Stewart), acrylic paint (various brands), oil pastels (Pentel), colored pencils (Prismacolor), Scallop Square die (Spellbinders), Wite-Out pen (Bic)

Verve 2012 Anni-Verve-Sary Spotlight Day 8

Are you counting down in hours, yet? Hee-hee, we have one more day of spotlights! Woo-hoo! The party is just around the corner!

Let's get on with the sneaky peeks...

Today card is a sweet collage of all that this release has to offer! Fantastic sentiments with Julee's fonts which is sweetness all by itself, but then there's some coordinating with new release dies and old stamps, not to mention we all love new trendy stamps! (You can find all the Verve goodies in this card listed below in my Details section if you want to add anything to your WANTlist.)

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It's a release that all of the Diva's cannot wait for you to see, so we want you all to join us Friday in the ParTay zone!

1. Julee 9. Charmaine 2. Laurie S. 10. Janelle 3. Maureen 11. Betty 4. Teresa 12. Christyne {Guest} 5. Tosh 13. Laurie W. {Guest} 6. Amber 14. Jen S. {Guest} 7. Amy 15. Susan 8. Andrea

Prizes! Yep, just wanted you to know that there are many ways to win some new Verve from this release. All the winners will be announced during the Release party.

• Comment on each Divas blog for each Spotlight Hop Day will enter you in that days drawing for the Featured Spotlight products.
• The Divas have offered 5 different challenges in the  Anni-Verve-sary Challenges Week. Create and link up before the deadline, August 24th by 5:00pm ET
• Add your creations to the Customer Card Carnival!!!! Take the link and get all the details! Deadline is August 24th by 5:00pm ET.
• Come to the RELEASE and WINNERS REVEAL PARTY starts 7:00pm ET and goes until the shopping begins at 9:00pm ET.

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Details:
Stamps: Borderline (Verve Stamps), Dream Big (Verve Stamps)
Paper: All Spice (My Minds Eye), Perfect Plum, Cajun Craze Soft Suede and Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Lovely Lilac (Stampin' Up), Really Rust (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Dreamy Leaves Die (A Cut Above, Verve), Mini Bookplate Die (A Cut Above, Verve), Curvy Bookplate die (A Cut Above, Verve), Flourished Trim Die (A Cut Above, Verve), vintage twine, crochet edging (Joann's), pearls (Queen and Co.), Sew Easy Tool (We R Memory Makers), embossing folder (Stampin' Up), Aged Ochre and Aged Spice Embossing Enamel (Stampendous)

Verve 2012 Anni-Verve-Sary Spotlight Day 1

Today is the beginning of Verve's official Anni-Verve-Sary Spotlight Hop Days! 

Woo-hoo! We are so excited to bring you sneaky peeks for the next 9 days of Verve's 23 new stamps and dies! Just hop along and enjoy the inspiration and peeks of new Verve goodies. You'll want to make sure you comment along the way because there are prizes!

We've picked a mystery blog from today's hop and hidden a prize! So be sure to give a little shout out in the comment section as you hop around to each blog on the list. We’ll draw a random winner from all of the comments on the mystery blog to win today's featured sets and dies. Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines.

We'll be counting down the minutes and revealing all the new sets in our forum from 9-11pm Eastern on Friday, August 24, so make plans now to join us for our release party!

On the hop trail you would have just hopped from Charmaine's Oodabug Alley blog, so you're in the right spot. Now if it's your first stop on the hop you can start your hop at Julee's Poetic Artistry blog

Today you'll see glimpses of the new set With Love and Plain Jane Birthday to You. That wonderful flagged die is a new A Cut Above die, Pennant Trim Die. It's just the RIGHT SIZE for your card (no trimming for a landscape card). I love that about Julee's designs, she puts the practical in every wow she designs.

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Laurie S. 9. Charmaine 3. Maureen 10. Janelle 4. Teresa 11. Betty 5. Tosh 12. Christyne {Guest} 6. Amber 13. Laurie W. {Guest} 7. Amy 14. Jen S. {Guest}

Challenge: SFYTT

Details: Stamps: With Love (Verve Stamps) Paper: Delightful Paper Pad (Authentique), White (Mohawk) Ink: Going Grey (Stampin' Up) Accessories: Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above die, Verve), fiber

Paper Craft Planet Sketch Challenge is back!

Super Nova Designer Lisa has a sketch for us all to try over at Paper Craft Planet. The sketch can be uploaded on Paper Craft Planet with the tag, sk071312, so that it will be viewable in the gallery!

I'm using two stamp sets and A Cut Above die on my card today from Verve Stamps, Autumn Splendor, Super Dad and it's coordinating Ribbon Banner Die. The pattern paper is from Coral Coutour MatStack and some cream and chocolate cardstock from Wausau. I stitched around the card and across the middle with my sewing machine and I didn't notice the tension was off on the stitches until I photographed the card, so I'll be getting that fixed real soon. : )

Feature Products for my card today:

Autumn Splendor	Super Dad	Ribbon Banner Die
Coral Coutour Mat Stack	Pinking Paper Edger	Nesting Circles Die

Details:
Stamps: Autumn Splendor and Super Dad (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Coral Coutour Mat Stack (DCWV), Cream and Chocolate Cardstock (Wausau)
Ink: Cocoa (CTMH)
Accessories: Ribbon Banner Die (A Cut Above die, Verve Stamps), Thread, Sewing Machine, Pinking Edge Scissors (Fiskars), Nesting Circles Die (Lifestyle Crafts), RickRack die (PTI)