A Scrapper Mom's World

We Can All Twinkle, for MFT Guest Designer Challenge

2012-01-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

I made this card for the MFT Guest Designer Challenge this month using the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch #52.

Featured is the Pure Innocence "Being Cute Is What I Do" girl, with a sentiment from "The Great Outdoors" set. The technique for the GD challenge was paper piecing, so I pieced her outfit, but these images are so perfect for doing that, anyway. Papers used are Cosmo Cricket's Odds and Ends. I pieced the legs separately to keep the stripes running parallel with her legs, and lined up the flowered paper so that a stem and flower lined up with the stamped flower on her shirt. I just added a tiny bit of Copics to fill in the rest of the stamped flower.
Also featured are several MFT Die-namics. I used the larger fishtail banner from the 1st Place Award set, the Stacking Stars, and the border under the main image is the bottom half of the negative part of the Star Border!
To go along with the "twinkling" theme, the center of the star is glitter paper, and I added some rhinestone flourishes.

A Lego Countdown to Christmas (2011)

2012-01-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

We got a Lego Star Wars' Advent calendar for my son for Christmas. He loved opening the little doors each day to find a small figurine or ship to build. I documented this favorite gift in a gridded photo layout and used lots of old and new products.
Papers are Scenic Route and Dream Street. I used sticker strips and circles from Scenic Route and Basic Grey. I accented the centers of the circles and the little flowers on the one strip with a Viva Pearl Pen in black. The title was cut using SCAL. And the small scalloped shapes on the right and bottom were cut using the Verve Tiny Sweet Scallop dies. The bottom one with the year is stationary, but the one on the right that says pull accesses my hidden journaling.

A Few Last-Minute Holiday Wrappings

2011-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

Made with the new SVG cutting file "One-Piece Boxes" by SVGCuts. Super quick, cute, and easy gift box, about 3"x3"x2.5". I used OLD BoBunny Classic Christmas papers and stickers (one of my favorite Christmas collections), and the Easy Rosette Cut-Ups die from TCP.

I made this quick and easy gift card holder using the tutorial from Gina K Designs' StampTV site. The ribbon slides off, and the gift cards "pop up," tucked in a fold inside. Cool, huh? The Holly Jolly stamp and shaped die on the front are from Verve Stamps.

A Few More Christmas Creations

2011-12-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

I made a small calendar for my son's teacher for the holidays. Sizing the pages and using a CD case, up to (6) pages can rest in the ridge (when you open the CD case and turn it back on itself), and the rest can be stored under the back section resting on the desk.

These are all (12) pages of the calendar. I used a wide variety of stamps (from Gina K Designs, My Favorite Things, Stampinbella, Taylored Expressions, and even an old Stampendous Changito stamp), a digital image by Mo Manning, some quotes referencing teaching I found on the internet and printed, and October Afternoon papers. I added just a few touches here and there, but no bulky embellishments so the pages remain flat for sitting in the CD case.

And of course, to wrap the gift, I needed some homespun wrapping. I made a box using My Time Made Easy's SVG cutting file, "That's a Wrap." The box is sized to fit A2 cards, so I had to enlarge it a little, but I think it came out nicely. Best part is that I had the older paper (BG Fruitcake) and ribbon in my stash.

For my son's classmates, I made these after watching Robyn with My Pink Stamper's video. They hold hot chocolate for (6) 6oz. cups, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips, and are supposed to resemble an ice cream cone. I handmade the tags using a cute snowman stamp in the Totally Tags-Holiday set by Taylored Expressions.

Lastly, I made these small holders using My Time Made Easy's Fancy a Cuppa SVG cutting file. I scaled it down, as it is made to hold two thermal cups for coffee. I had seen some variety packs of bath gels and lotions at Joann's deeply discounted, and thought pairing them would be so cute in this holder. But when I went back, they were all out of the lotions. I picked up the bath gels anyway, and went on a hunt to find something for the other side of the holder. I stumbled on these oh-too-cute loofa scrubbers, topped with snowmen and penguins (there were also santas and reindeer) at Wal-mart. Perfect!! I like them even better. The stamps I used on all three are from Verve.

Thanks for looking! Hope you got some time to craft and enjoyed coming up with fun ideas this holiday, too.

Christmas Themed Projects

2011-12-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a few projects as gifts and decoration for Christmas.

I've been wanting to create some tags as a gift set for some years now. I finally altered this little tin from Taylored Expressions (about the size of an Altoids tin), using stamps from Verve's Bright Spirits and Glad Tidings sets. Although you can't see the fabulous sparkly detail in the photo, the snowflakes and lettering are covered with a Sakura clear glitter pen. The ribbon also has lots of sparkly shine to it. I highlighted tips of the snowflakes and ends of the letter flourishes with tiny rhinestones.

Then I created these (25) tags to go inside, a combination of Taylored Expression's Totally Tags-Holiday set and Tag...You're It set, and some fabulous supplies by Verve Stamps: Bright Spirits and Glad Tidings stamp sets, and Sweet Scallop Tag and Die.

I created these four simple cards and a box to house them as a gift set. I used the Trim the Tree die set by Taylored Expressions and papers by Echo Park and Basic Grey to piece together these cute trees on black cardstock. Then added them beside the lovely sentiments in Verve's Bright Spirits set on cream cardstock. Some simple double score lines on the edges finish the cards.

I added 5-sided cardstock edges to either end of one of the small clear card boxes from Gina K Designs and a big SU Red Riding Hood ribbon in the middle to house the set of cards.

This is my version of Jessica Sprague's free Holiday Memories 2011 online class project. The box provides storage for the holiday photo garland. Arrangement and embellishments were left to the participants. I added small punched circles of red glitter paper to the center of the star flowers, added a sequined bow to one side of the numbered green circles and cream glittered snowflakes with metal brads in the centers on the other side. I also altered the front of the box. Rather than the small flap that tucked into the box (like a cake box), I added part of a Spellbinders shaped die and closed it with two metal buttons and more of the twine used in the garland. There are (30) of my favorite past holiday photos, and I popped them up for depth, but also so I can remove and replace them with newer photos easily if I should decide to. Great project!

Inspirational "Easel"

2011-11-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

For the Sketch For You to Try (SFYTT) challenge for November, I made a little fold out easel with changeable inspirational sentiments instead of a card.

It still measures a little smaller than a normal card.
I stamped (8) of my favorite sentiments/quotes from Verve's Blue Skies set (my favorite of theirs) and Words of Wisdom set (quickly becoming one of my faves) on the Notebook Paper and Graph Paper Plain Jane stamps (also from Verve). Cut them out using the Rounded Rectangle Die by Verve.
I created the base of the project like you would a normal card, but the black cardstock is folded to create a triangle shape, and scored in the middle of the bottom part so that it can be folded flat (say, to put in an envelope??).
I attached a nifty Hinge Clip by Tim Holtz with a matching brad through the back part of the clip to the top of the base, and positioned my banner piece in blue, cut with a Die-namics by MFT, such that the ends only are attached with brads and there is a little extra room under it. The stack of sentiments clip under the hinge clip and gently slide under the banner. Very simple, and easy to change out to show the inspiration that the recipient needs for any particular day.

Here are close-ups of the sentiments, the easel laying on it's side so you can see how it's folded a little better, and two shots of different sentiments under the clip.

A 65% to 35% Card with My Son

2011-11-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

This is a rather specific, interesting little card that my 6-year-old son wanted to make. He sees a counselor at school weekly, who he loves. One of the main things she does with him, in teaching him social skills and self-control, is to play games. So when he said he wanted to make her a card, we focused on the theme of game playing. I had stamped a few images from Stampin' Up's Take a Spin set that my friend owns for future use. We pulled one out and used a little arrow brad I had (I don't have any of the SU spinners yet...they're on my next order). My son also selected the main paper. He thought the letters and squares resembled a game board. I can kind of see that. LOL. I helped him pick the coordinating paper, and suggested the banner. We cut and adhered together. And he stamped the sentiment inside, from Verve Stamps, "You are Amazing," which again, he decided on. So I'd say this is about 65% him-35% me. We had fun on one of our Thanksgiving week days off together, and hopefully his counselor will love it.

The Other VLV Sketches for November

2011-11-28T07:37:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve! November week 4 sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers:

This one was a challenge. So many different layers and shapes. Hope I ended up with a pleasing birthday card for my sweet friend.
I used Verve's Capre Cupcake set, and mostly Cosmo Cricket Odds & Ends papers (with a touch of October Afternoon).
Of note are the use of PTI's fabric swatch die and a tip from Raisin Boat to sprinkle glitter into my Liquid Applique before heat setting...fun puffy, sparkly icing for my cupcake!
Created a half medallion for the top, with an old Marcella metal accent as the center.
Rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty. So many details.

For the Viva la Verve! November week 3 sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers:

I used a sentiment from Verve's new holiday stamp release, Bright Sprits, and the coordinating Love Birds dies.
Papers are BoBunny's Midnight Frost collection (from last year).
I hope I captured the look of the bird bringing the star ornament to add to the sentiment.
The star is colored with Copics, detailed with a gold Sakura glitter pen, and covered all over with clear Sakura glitter pen. Some tiny clear rhinestones adorn the swirls in the sentiment's text.

Using the Viva la Verve! November week 2 sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers:

I unfortunately needed a sympathy card to send to my family. My 21-year-old stepbrother passed away unexpectedly. I didn't know him very well, but his death has left a huge hole in my stepfather, whom I care for very much.
To ease the sadness of cardmaking a bit, I was lucky enough to have this beautiful set of sentiments from MFT (Clearly Sentimental About Sympathy). I paired the sentiment on the front, and one inside "May your heart and soul find peace and comfort" with these elegant but warm homey papers, Generations, by Simple Stories.
I used Verve's Vintage Oval Die twice (and traced around the plastic alignment tool that comes with it twice for the mats), once for the sentiment in the front, and once cut lengthwise, turned and tucked under each side to create the bracketed shape.
I used a Martha Stewart border punch and accordion folded to make the medallion, and added some brown seam binding and Bisque Liquid Pearls.
I hope the card brings a little bit of comfort to my family, or at least lets them know that we are thinking of them and share in their loss.
And I'm grateful that better card designers than I, like the Divas with Verve Stamps, offer beautiful sketches so that I don't have to spend so much energy trying to come up with an idea when I need a card.

Catch up post: Lots of cards, a couple layouts and some Halloween creations

2011-11-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Lots of catching up to do. I have been hard pressed to find time to post to my blog, seeing as how no one really frequents it anyway. But I do aspire to one day be on a design team and maintain a well-visited blog, so here I am.
Although the dates will be a little out of order, I'll put the couple other Halloween things towards the bottom with my last posts, and then work backwards so the newest is at the top. And if you are here for a visit, thanks so much for stopping by and taking a few minutes to peek through my latest creations.

For the Viva la Verve! November week 1 sketch challenge:

It's a little early for me to normally start on Christmas cards, but the circular shapes in this sketcher were just calling from some 3D round shapes, so ornaments it was!I used Verve's Holly Jolly set, paired with a sentiment from the Holiday Phrases set (and these are both on sale this month!!).
Stamped each ornament 5 times, cut out, folded in half and adhered half to half, back to back, to make the 3-Dimensional shapes. I stamped and embossed the ornament tops/hooks in silver. And even that little holly on the larger ornament hook is in the Holly Jolly set.
Papers are Echo Park's Season's Greeting. The sentiment is cut out with dies from PTI. Some seam binding and glaze pen finish it off.

For the Viva la Verve! October week 5 sketch challenge:

I used MFT's Sew Nifty stamps and Die-namics set. Papers are Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends printed from the digital file by JessicaSprague.com and SU's Riding Hood red cardstock.

On the inside, I strung the tiny thimble, ruler, and scissors dies cut out of aluminum foil on the same blue twine as is wrapped around the larger spool on the front.

And the inside. A sentiment will go here, too...but the girl I made this for (who intends to give it to her grandmother) gets to choose what she wants it to say. I'm partial to "Love is the thread that binds us"

Surprise...a layout!

My local scrapbooking group offered up a "recipe" challenge. You randomly pick amongst several options (ours was Halloween themed) and then those items are revealed to correspond to various scrapbooking elements you had to use on your page. My recipe consisted of 1 photo, black cardstock, rubons, bling, stamping and inking.I just love this picture of my son on his first day of playing soccer. However, being an action shot, it was a bit blurry. I tried converting it to black and white first, but not quite what I wanted. So then I used the "Posterize" feature within Photoshop Elements. It resulted in this cool, slightly sketchified (??word??) look like an old time newspaper.
I used old rubons:Heidi Swapp Rummage for the title, and some Basic Grey Wholly Cow All Boy rubons for the definition and the soccer ball and circle in the bottom corner.
Stamped a place for the date in the bottom corner using an old SU stamp, and embossed in white. Inked a mat to give a double mat look using Weathered Wood distress ink. And added some tiny bling to the spots between the four words in the Basic Grey swirl rub on at the bottom.
I was inspired by the motivational posters you see everywhere, and thought this simple graphic design would really show off my very cool son. ;)

For the Viva la Verve! October week 4 sketch challenge:

I bought this Verve Bountiful Harvest set after Thanksgiving last year, so this was my first time inking it up. This little turkey just kills me...so cute! I colored him with Copics and added a tiny bit of Sakura clear glaze pen to the buckle on the hat.I used MME's Mischievous paper line, some frosted flatback pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty and seam binding.

For the Viva la Verve! October week 3 sketch challenge:

I actually combined an MFT image with a Verve sentiment for this one. The circular shape of the Sunflower Who's That Girl worked perfectly for the larger circle in the sketch. And while I like the sentiments that come with that set, I was in need of a thank you card. Verve's Bloom & Grow set offered up the great Thanks a Bunch sentiment.I used papers from the new MME Lost and Found Two Sunshine 6x6 pad.
I cut two papers with the MFT Rolled Sunflower Die-namics, and carefully wrapped and layered them around the edge of my sentiment circle. Added some pen detail to mimic the circle around my image panel.
The border is cut with the Fiskars Upper Crest punch. Some stitching, Copics, and flat backed pearls for the center of the sunflower finish it off.

Sneaking a layout in on you. I only finished this one layout and the following card at an ALL DAY crop (sad, I know). But I really like it. Hubby captured some great photos of our 6 year old (almost 7) after losing his first tooth. He was rather disappointed that he hadn't lost any, and I think we were starting to worry a tiny bit, when he lost this one, and the second followed two days later!
I used a shaped pp from the MME Stella and Rose collection, and cute tree and bird chipboard shapes by Maya Road. The trunk of the tree is covered in cork.

For the Viva la Verve! October week 2 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Small Phrases set, on a banner cut from MFT's First Place Award Die-namics. The heart is cut by Verve's Jotted Heart die. Papers are MME's Lost and Found Two Rosy collection. A little hand stitching and pen detail, some seam binding, and a rolled rose from MFT's smallest rolled rose dies.

For the Viva la Verve! September week 4 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Words of Wisdom set (isn't this the coolest font combination?) on a Sweet Scallop Tag stamped, die cut, and popped. Papers are October Afternoon, and I cut the banners with the Taylored Expressions Pennant Border. Some shabby wrinkled seam binding, black twine, and rhinestones.

I used the new Verve Boo To You set and Echo Park's The Apothecary Emporium papers. I cut the ghosts out with a Spellbinders Labels Two Nestability, masked the ghosts, and inked with Weathered Wood distress ink. The "Boo" portion of one of the sentiments and the little pole were cut out with MFT's Mini Pennant Die-namics. SU scalloped border along the bottom with some tiny black rhinestones.

This haunted house was just too much fun to make. Made from SVGCuts' Elmhurst Manor cutting file, my Cricut and SCAL software. Nothing special to include, other than I Stickled the bats. Three battery operated tea lights fit inside. We placed it outside while handing out candy to trick or treaters this year.

My son's class had a pumpkin decorating contest. We couldn't cut or carve our pumpkin, so we painted one of the tiny ones with black acrylic paint and decorated him/her? with a witch's hat and shoes on pipe cleaners for legs. So fun. Used the Easy Rosette die from TCP and some K&Co papers. I just cut circles and crafted the cone shape for the hat by hand. I found a free SVG file online and cut the little shoes with my Cricut and SCAL software.

And here's a little close-up of the hat.

Halloween Coffin Treat Boxes

2011-10-03T07:47:00.000-07:00

I made these cute Halloween treat boxes for my son's class using the coffin SVG cutting file from SVGCuts' Elmhurst Hallow kit. Papers are from K&Company's Ghostly Greetings pad, which I picked up at Michael's.
The stamps are from Raisin Boat's Halloween All Around set, and I created medallions with them using the Easy Rosette Cutups die from The Cat's Pajamas. Some fun colored buttons from the $1 section at Michael's and a bit of twine to top them off.
Here are some close ups of two of my favorites.

Halloween All Around for VLV challenge

2011-10-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! October week 1 sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers:

I just got my order of Echo Park's The Apothecary Emporium 6x6 paper pad, and have been working on some cute Halloween treat boxes for my son's class, so Halloween was definitely on my mind for this card.
I used two of the new stamp sets by Raisin Boat: Halloween All Around and Haunting Potions.
The medallions, both large and small, are make from the Easy Rosette CutUps die by TCP (my favorite to use for these!). A little twine, also purchased from Raisin Boat, button and sheer polka dot ribbon.

Best Birthday Wishes for VLV challenge

2011-09-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! September Week 3 sketch challenge:

I used the "birthday wishes" sentiment from Verve's Wordy Birds and "wishing you all the best" from their Kind Words set.
Papers are MME Lime Twist, and cardstock by PTI. Instead of the tag shape in the sketch, I was chomping at the bit to play with My Favorite Things' new Prima Donna Flower Die-namics. I also used a Spellbinders Lacey Circle Die (and Small Circle Die), Fiskars border die, and Lil' Inker Designs banner die.
Stitching along the edges and a rimmed rhinestone brad for the flower center finish it off.
Thanks for looking.

Thank You Enough for VLV challenge

2011-09-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! September week 2 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from MFT's Polka Dot Greeting stamp and Die-namics set on a Spellbinders' circle and Lacey circle Die, and surrounded by 2mm flat backed pearls.
I colored some seam binding using a YG17 Copic Marker and wrapped around the front, as well as some black baker's twine. I punched two tiny tags with a Marvy trio punch, inked the edges with Antique Linen distress ink, and stamped "thanks" from a Stampin' Up set on one. The flower is a Recollections rose.

Wedding Sentiments card for VLV challenge

2011-09-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! September week 1 sketch challenge:

I used three sentiments from Verve's Love Story set, cut with the Embossed Oval Die and on top of the Vintage Oval Frame stamp, cut with the Vintage Oval Die. Papers are old Crate Paper. Some seam binding, flatbacked pearls, and rolled roses made with MFT Die-namics. I brushed Shimmerz over the roses to give them a slight shine that matches the seam binding and pearls better.

Thanks So Much for VLV challenge

2011-09-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! August week 5 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment in Verve's Wordy Bird set. Circle shapes are Spellbinders, and I cut the tag shape with my Cricut. Papers are MME Stella and Rose. Some stitching, seam binding, and flat backed pearls. Pretty simple design for me this time...running short on time.
Thanks for looking!

Lifetime Happiness for VLV challenge

2011-08-31T04:05:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! August week 4 sketch challenge:

What a sweet little sketch. A friend asked for a wedding card or two, and I thought the sweet hearts in this one fit the bill.
I used a sentiment from Verve's Love Story and the From the Heart dies (as well as the George Cartridge on my Cricut to cut the largest heart).
Papers are Basic Grey Capella. I liked the subtle idea of the joining of the feminine paper with the more masculine stripe.
Impossible to see in the photo, I used a Sakura glitter glaze pen all along the edges of the papers and to cover the largest heart, so it has this lovely shimmer and shine. A bit of seam binding, a scalloped edge punched with a SU border punch and a few rhinestones (I split the one on the outside edges of the scallop using jewelry pliers) finish it off.

Life Imagined for VLV Challenge

2011-08-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! August week 3 sketch challenge:

Couldn't wait to play with the newest Verve stamps. But waiting is exactly what I had to do. We were on vacation when they arrived (oh, the agony of being in another state knowing my stamps were here), and then both myself and my son started back to classes this week. So finally trying to catch up on the challenges. And FINALLY getting to pull out this sentiment from Verve's Words of Wisdom, and pair it with a flower and leaf combo from Sunny Days and the coordinating Leafy Sprigs Die. Oh, and lets not forget that oh-so-cute graph paper stamp the sentiment is on...Graph Paper Plain Jane, cut with the Rounded Rectangle Die. What a fabulous release it was!!!
I used MME Stella and Rose paper, and tons of flat-backed pearls in 3 sizes.

Sew Easy to Love for VLV challenge

2011-08-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! August Week 2 sketch challenge:

I try to use Verve stamps as much as possible for my VLV cards; and I certainly have enough to satisfy most. But I was so anxious to use my new stamp and Die-namics "Sew Nifty" set from MFT. And stamping time is scarce these days, so...

I used papers from October Afternoon that I've been holding on to for a while. LOVE that aqua dotted print, and I've already used the other sheet in the pad, so I'm hoarding it a bit. :)
I pleated that layer, and backed it on top and bottom edges with just the top edge of the Picket Fence die from Taylored Expressions.
I adhered aluminum foil to cardstock to make it a little stiffer, and die cut the tiny pair of scissors from the Sew Nifty set (aren't they darling??) and dangled them with yellow baker's twine.
Paper pieced the dress from from the Sew Nifty set, and added some stitching since it is a "sewing" themed card. ;)
Thanks for looking.

Sunshine for My Soul for Mojo Monday sketch challenge

2011-08-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

For the Mojo Monday sketch 202 challenge:

What a fun sketch! I used a bunch of my trendy dies and some bright and happy paper. The sentiment is from Verve's Happy Hello set. Most of the papers are Fancy Pants Design's Beach Babe, but I wanted a nice print to tie the pink and yellow together. Echo Park to the rescue with a digi paper I picked up during one of Jessica Sprague's "One Buck Wednesday" offers. How perfect is that? It also gave me the tiny touches of blue that I carried through with rhinestones and stitching.
The scallop circle die (and circle in the middle) are from PTI, as are the triangle pennants and scallop trim on them. The fish-tailed banners and the small rolled rose are from MFT.
Thanks for looking!

Today and Always for VLV challenge

2011-07-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! August week 1 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's One Person set, stamped on the lined heart from Love Notes and cut with the Jotted Heart Die. I colored between the outer lines of the heart with an R24 Copic marker, and then covered it with a Sakura Clear Glaze pen.
Papers are Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934, except for the red dot, which is October Afternoon.
The postage stamp shape for the middle panel was cut using the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge.
Stitching around the edges and flat backed pearls finish it.

Thinking it's simple enough to give to my hubby...

Heartfelt Sympathy for VLV challenge

2011-07-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! July week 4 sketch challenge:

This card was bittersweet to make. I love it. It makes me happy to look at. And it was made with love. But the purpose for the card makes my heart heavy. A dear lady in my local scrapbook group lost her one-year-old grandson in a tragedy. The rest of us are working on cards, both for her and for her to give to others, as well as scrapbook pages to which she can add pictures of his much too short life. I hope to find time to work on a scrapbook page. But I will definitely make a few cards.

I once again pulled out Verve's New Mercies set for this card. Such beautiful sentiments. This one I stamped with Pigment Ink and embossed with Ranger's clear embossing powder. I also, as has become predictable for me, used MME's Stella and Rose again. I'm not sure I'll be able to move on from these papers for a long, long time (unless it's to use their Lime Twist. LOL).
The main panel shape is a Spellbinders' Label Sixteen die, that sweet lopsided heart is Verve's Jotted Heart Die, and the bottom scallop is Fiskars.
I added a tiny label from a Marvy punch, with a couple of the small hearts from Verve's Love Notes set.
Some seam binding and Liquid Pearls finish it off.

Wishing You Comfort for VLV challenge

2011-07-19T09:08:00.001-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! July Week 3 sketch challenge:

I really enjoyed the sketch this week. It let me show off a sentiment from one of the newest Verve sets, New Mercies, use lots of scraps from my favorite paper line, MME Stella and Rose, and use my new Cricut cartridge, Flower Shoppe, as well as the Elegant Edges cartridge to cut that scallop shape. The circle and sentiment shapes are Spellbinders Nestabilities.
Loving this color combo, and added in some stitching and rhinestones to finish it off.

I'm going to use this card to "check in" on my wonderful neighbor who lost her husband (the original card I gave her is below). After the initial influx of sympathy and well-wishers, I know things die down but aren't necessarily any easier. Once everyone leaves, you face some of your hardest times just being alone. So, I wanted to reminder her I'm still here.
Verve always makes the nicest, most poignant, sentiments and greetings, saying what you want to say but may not know how to put into words. Thanks, Julee!

Time to Bloom for MFT WSC challenge

2011-07-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

For My Favorite Things' WSC Getting Sketchy #28 challenge:

I used MFT's Blooming Good Day Pure Innocence girl, and a sentiment from the Green Thumb mini set.
Papers are MME Lime Twist and Stella and Rose lines.
I used MFT's two small mini rolled rose Die-namics in the top corner, and used the smallest one tucked inside the rolled daisy Die-namic (I cut off part of the rolled daisy after I had two layers of petals).
The banner die is from Taylored Expressions, and the sentiment is on a portion of a Spellbinders Labels One die.
Liquid Pearls finishes it off.
Thanks for looking!

A few cards from a weekend crop

2011-07-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

I got together with my local scrapbooking group for a home crop on Sunday. I have no time or energy to plan layouts right now, but had a small pile of card challenges laying on my desk that I was hoping to find time to work on, so I brought them along instead.

This is for the Sketch For You To Try July 2011 challenge by Jen del Muro.

The hostess had these cute brown polka dot napkins...the texture was perfect...so "fabricy" but light and scrunchable). So...I made a flower out of one! LOL. The other ladies in my group always think I'm a bit crazy, but when inspiration strikes...

Anyway, I cut two layers each of three of the Blossom Spellbinders Nestabilities, scrunched and layered, then topped with some paper shapes and brad from MME. I love it.

Papers are BG Porcelain, and I think go like they were made for my napkin flower. ;)

The sponsor for the sketch this month is My Favorite Things (one of my favorite companies), and so I used a sentiment from their Great Outdoors set and cut it with a die from their First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics and stamp set.

Tucked some Sizzix leaves behind the flower and added some flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Love the flower. Easily my favorite card of the day.

And a close-up of the flower:

Next up is the Mojo Monday Sketch 198 challenge. Although I finished it on time, I failed to get it loaded and linked on the set for the contest cut-off. But it was still super fun to make, and makes me smile when I look at it (so well worth the effort).

The sentiment is from Verve's Always on My Mind set (love the font...and the set was part of my favorite release from Verve). The star is from Gina K Design's Stars set, Stickled and traced in Liquid Pearls.

Papers are MME Lime Twist. I hand-stitched with red twine and added some rhinestone flourishes.

And last is the Viva la Verve! July week 2 sketch challenge:

I started this card by using some beautiful multi-colored seam binding with the Hana-Ami Flower Loom, wrapping every other peg, to create the flower/medallion shape. I topped it with the smaller rosette Cut-ups die from TCP and a pearl brad.

The sentiment is from Verve's Heartfelt Phrases, cut with a die from MFT's First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics and stamp set and trimmed down.

I also used a sentiment from Gina K Designs inside the card, which reads "I know I can't change anything, but I'm always here if you need me."

Papers are LilyBee Designs and MME Stella and Rose. Finished the bottom with SU's scallop border punch topped with flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Thanks for sticking around to check them all out.

Hello Friend for VLV challenge

2011-07-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! July week 1 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Hope Blooms set. Papers are all BG Curio except for the bottom right square, which is Cosmo Cricket. The yellow panel is embossed and a little ink added (the paper in the Curio line already has distressing, but I wanted to bring out a bit more of the embossing). The red layer is cut with a Spellbinders Lacey Circles Nestability. Some shabby wrinkled ribbon and flat backed pearls finish it.
Thanks for looking.

Grandma of the Year for MFT challenge

2011-07-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

I looked ahead for upcoming events that I might like to have a card for, and Grandparents' Day is in September. We will be seeing my mom in August (family trip), and I know my son would love to have something special to give her. So, I used the MFT WSC Getting Sketchy #26 challenge on Splitcoaststampers to create this fun, bright card.

The circular border and sentiment was pieced together from the MFT First Place Award Ribbon set, as well as the matching Die-namics (and the orange circle from a Spellbinders Circles Large mats the middle perfectly). The flower was created from one of the mini rolled rose Die-namics from MFT, on top of the smaller Easy Rosette CutUps die from TCP. I did fold it, but then unfolded it, cut along one of the folds, and overlapped one scallop so that the die "cups." The rosette fits nicely in the center. The leaves are from the MFT Sheltering Tree die.
Papers are MME (Lime Twist and Stella and Rose). It's a rather simple card, but my favorite part aside from forming the flower was the "ribbon." I colored some white seam binding with my Copics and scrunched it, creating my own perfectly colored shabby ribbon. So fun!
Some rhinestones finish it off.
Thanks for looking!

Thanks for Protecting Our Freedom (for VLV challenge)

2011-06-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

With July 4th looming, I thought there isn't a better time to thank our troops with a card sent through OWH. I'm always thankful and proud of them, but felt inspired with the newest paper line from BoBunny, Liberty, to work on one for the Viva la Verve! June week 4 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's American Hero set with the Verve Vintage Oval Frame stamp and backed with the coordinating die. The star is from the same set, and backed with a die from My Favorite Things, the Stacking Stars Die-namics. The star border is also MFT's, the Star Border Die-namic.

Happy Birthday for VLV challenge

2011-06-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! June week 3 sketch challenge:

Just decided to make a birthday card to add to my stash. I realized I was running low on them when I went to pick one out for a friend recently.
I used a sentiment from Verve's Birthday Bash set. Papers are MME Stella and Rose. I used a lot of dies/punches for this one. For the bottom section, I used the Mini Filmstrip Dienamics from MFT, cutting out every alternating vertical line and backing the little windows formed with the different papers. For the fishtail piece in dark grey, I used a die from Papertrey Ink, cutting in half and adhering part above and part below the flowered panel. The scallop is the SU punch.
I also added a MFT Rolled Daisy Dienamics and Sizzix leaves with a touch of Sakura glitter pen for the veins. A few flatbacked pearls on the sentiment panel finish it off.
Thanks for looking!

MME Father's Day card for VLV Challenge

2011-06-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! June week 2 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Dad's Day set on a Spellbinders' Fancy Tags Three die popped over the front.
MME Stella Rose papers. I accordian folded the striped paper to make the bottom panel, and stitched around the edges, which is holding the pleats in place.
Scallop punched the bottom edge and added a few flat-backed pearls.
I embossed the kraft card front with a houndstooth folder, but almost all of it is covered by the main panel. It still added a nice texture and looks cool on the inside.

Father's Day card for my stepdad (for VLV challenge)

2011-06-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! June week 1 sketch challenge:

I made this father's day card for my stepdad using the largest tree in Unity's Bella Trees set and the sentiment from Verve's Happy Phrases set. The sentiment is cut with Verve's Charming Banner dies. The tree is silhouette cut and mounted on a Spellbinder's oval and scallop oval. Some paper piercing and flat-backed pearls.
The tree paper is Basic Grey Pyrus, and the orange and blue-green papers are MME Lime Twist.
I'm not sure why, but I've come to use either stars or trees/plants (not flowers) for male cards. I'm stumped for what other images are masculine enough otherwise. I don't know that I've ever really made a conscious choice that stars are masculine. And I'm sure there are plenty of feminine plants and trees. But it works for me.
Thanks for looking!

Dad's Day card for VLV challenge

2011-05-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! May week 5 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Dad's Day set to make this card for my son to give his father.
The rear panel with the "Know This" text is a stamp by Teresa Collins, which I silhouette cut around. The front panel was stamped from the Lovely Labels set by Gina K Designs and cut with a Nestability. The oval shape with the sentiment is also from Verve's Dad's Day set, and is popped on top of the GKD label.
Papers are MME Lime Twist.
I used the Easy Rosette Cutups dies by The Cat's Pajamas to make the medallion, and topped with a button and baker's twine.

All Things Grow Bella Trees

2011-05-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

I made this for the Mojo Monday Sketch 191 challenge:

The tree stamps are from the Unity Bella Trees set, masked/layered and paper-pieced; and the sentiment is from Verve's Bloom & Grow set. The papers, which I thought went so perfectly with the tree stamps, are from the new MME Lime Twist line. I used the sentiment flag die from Lil' Inker Designs twice, and accordion-folded them. The sentiment is cut with a circle Nestability, and then a Lacey Circle Nestability. 3mm and 4mm flat-backed pearls finish it off.
Thanks for looking!

Neverending Song for VLV challenge

2011-05-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! May week 4 sketch challenge:

I used Verve's One Person set for the image and sentiment. I stamped part of the sentiment on the front, cut with a banner die from Taylored Expressions. The rest of the sentiment is inside. In entirety, it reads "You're a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness and love. I sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune."
Papers are MME Stella and Rose. I cut the scalloped oval around the image with the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge. Butterflies punched with a Martha Stewart punch. 2, 3, and 4mm flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Thanks medallion card for VLV challenge

2011-05-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! May week 3 sketch challenge:

I had a lot of fun trying something different with this one. I cut the little eyelet-looking yellow strips with a border cut in the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge and adhered them side by side on black cardstock to make a patterned panel. Then I cut three strips slightly larger using the same pattern to make the medallion. The yellow paper is Fancy Pants Beach Bum, the others are MME Stella and Rose. I wrapped some black cording around the top and bottom of the smaller panel.
The "thanks" stamp is from Verve's Circular Sayings set, stamped and die cut with the Charmed Oval dies, and flat-backed pearls in 3 and 4 mm added. The smaller panel is popped, and the height of the medallion is probably close to 3/8", so this is definitely a thick one at highest point.
Thanks for looking!

'Yaking the Hillsborough River

2011-05-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

'Yaking is my hubby's term for kayaking, a favorite pastime for my family. This is my son enjoying a ride and checking out a shell he found last year. Our hope is that he loves it enough to continue, and we'll get him his own kayak one day -- or give him one of ours and get a new one ;). For such a wild and wooly kid, he does quite well. As long as we don't go TOO long, he seems to get calm. He loves to look for wildlife. And isn't he adorable in the hat?

Papers are Echo Park (yellow) and October Afternoon. I cut the sea plant shapes with the Cricut Storybook cartridge, and formed little fish out of buttons, brads and hand-cut paper tails.

Where Flowers Bloom... for Mojo Monday

2011-05-10T04:28:00.000-07:00

For the Mojo Monday 190 sketch challenge:

I used a sentiment from Verve's Hope Blooms set and the flowers from the Chicks Rule set. The frame with the bird was cut with Cricut's Elegant Edges cartridge. Papers are MME Stella and Rose and the turquoise and light pink shimmer cardstock from Prima, ribbon by American Crafts, and flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.
Thanks for looking!

Trying Out the Saxophone (Layout)

2011-05-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

While visiting our friends last year, one of the spectacularly amazing sons, who is graduating high school this year, showed my then-five-year-old son his saxophone. Of course Gabe had to try it out. He actually was able to make a bit of noise, which I understand is pretty difficult. Maybe a future musician?? If he follows in the footsteps of these boys, I'm ok with that.

This is a sketch I created for a challenge during a crop at my house to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day.
Papers are MME Alphabet Soup (the musical note background), and scraps of different cardstock. I cut the musical staff and the little tag with the note with my Cricut. Machine-stitched and added some ricrac. That's it. Thanks for looking.

Miss You Like Crazy for VLV Challenge

2011-05-07T19:29:00.001-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! May week 2 challenge:

Maureen's sketch was fabulous this week. I think for the first time, I barely strayed from it. I used a sentiment from Verve's Hope Blooms set (you have to check out the cool flowers and other sentiments in this set!) on the Sweet Scallop Tag die and the butterfly from Chicks Rule (and coorindating die). They are backed with a blossom die by Spellbinders. Papers are MME Stella and Rose. Ribbon from Stampin' UP, and a rhinestone flourish and bakers twine.

Because of You Mother's Day Card

2011-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

I scraplifted a card by Nancy McKinney in the recent Papercrafts magazine for a card for my mom.

The sentiment is from Verve Stamps' Just for You set. The flowers were stamped using their new Hope Blooms set. I stamped all three sizes, cut them out with the coordinating dies, snipped along the lines between the petals and "rumpled" them...turning the petals under and rolling the end of a pen into the centers to make them cup. Then I nested them into each other and added the pearl brads. The plaid paper is by Pink Paisley. The other papers are MME Stella and Rose. The top scallop is cut with a die by My Favorite Things; the small bottom scallop by Fiskars. I paper pierced around the edges of the green paper, and added some kraft-colored cording and punched butterflies from a Martha Stewart punch.
The inside uses Verve's Happy Phrases set and just says "Happy Mother's Day."
Thanks for looking!

One Last Teacher Appreciation Day Card for MOJO 189

2011-05-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

For the Mojo Monday Sketch 189 challenge:

One last teacher appreciation card. This is the digital image, Yale, from Mo Manning. He looks so much like my son (I imagine many women can say that depending on how you color him...LOL).
Anyway, the sentiment is from GinaK Designs' Back to School set, on the Charming Oval die by Verve Stamps.
October Afternoon papers, baker's twine, and some flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Teacher Appreciation Day Thanks

2011-05-02T04:27:00.000-07:00

It's Teacher Appreciation Week....thank a teacher!
This is for my son's ESE teacher. Although he's been mainstreamed and is no longer in her class, she worked with him for 1.5 years, and I believe he is doing as well as he is in large part because of her. I know how hard it is to deal with one child like my son; I don't know how she does it with anywhere from 4-10 kids everyday. Truly God's calling.

Using GinaK Designs "Back to School" set, and Crate Paper School Spirit papers (and a tiny bit of October Afternoon--the blue check).
The inside has the additional sentiment from the set "Thanks for being such a great teacher!"

Hope Blooms Mother's Day Card for Verve's Diva Dare

2011-04-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

For Verve's April Diva Dare "April Flowers Bring May Flowers"

I used the flowers from Verve's new set, Hope Blooms, and cut them with the coordinating dies for this card; along with a sentiment from Verve's Happy Phrases, on the Charming Banner Dies. The paper is the new Fancy Pants Beach Babe. SU's scallop border punch, some 2mm black flat-backed pearls, and machine stitching.

Pinwheel Kisses for VLV challenge

2011-04-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! April week 4 sketch challenge:

I was so wanting to play with my new pinwheel die (and sentiment stamps) from Lil' Inker Designs. The sunburst sketch this week seemed perfect.
Papers are all from my scrap box of MME Stella and Rose, Lily Bee, October Afternoon, and I think even a bit of Basic Grey! Fun way to use up those scraps.
I brought in just a touch of Verve with the little heart stamps (and hand drew in some squiggles).
A bit of machine stitching...that's it.
Just loving that pinwheel!

Mini Organizer

2011-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

I used a fabulous cutting file by My Time Made Easy to make this little organizer for my son's teacher. (I realize I made her that altered notebook a few posts back, but she's retiring after 41 years. We are her last class. That just warrants a bit more in my book.)
I just love all the features. This set of files is truly worth the money. So many elements!! And it came together perfectly. There's a large section in the back with dividers and a smaller section in front with dividers (and I included many white cards with rounded edges in both sizes to fit). And the cutest part...a tiny drawer at the bottom! I didn't put anything on the labels, so she can choose how she wants to use it, but I envision using the small divider section as A-Z with addresses of friends and family, and the large section with Jan-Dec, where you could put birthdays and anniversaries, maybe even some cards you pick up early so you don't forget to send them later. And the drawer could hold stamps or gift cards.
The paper is OLD Chatterbox...still lovely. The sentiment, butterfly stamp, and decorative stamps on the top rounded part are all from Verve. A little shabby wrinkled ribbon and some pearl accents in various sizes.

And a close up of the sentiment and butterfly panel:

A couple layouts from my Sunday crop with friends

2011-04-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Had a great time with my local scrap group cropping all day Sunday. I am so slow and meticulous, that I rarely get much done. But I finished a single page and a double page layout! Woohoo.
These are pics of my son hiking the Hillsborough River this past fall (and drinking out of his camelback). Pretty simple, but I couldn't think of anything else it needed.

And these are pics my hubby took playing with lighting and some backdrops one day. I so wish I had been wearing a spot of makeup. LOL. But my cheeseball son is hamming it up...so captures his personality. Love these.

Both layouts are done with my favorite papers these days, MME Stella and Rose. The rub-on on the hiking one is also MME and stamps are Studio G. The sentiment on the other is from Verve Stamps-- "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Well said.

Altered Notebook and Box for Teacher Appreciation Week (and VLV challenge)

2011-04-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! April week 3 sketch challenge:

When I first saw Teresa's sample for this challenge, I thought she had made an altered notebook. The kraft color of the background and the long vertical cluster on the left kind of looks that way, right? So, I was inspired. I need a Teacher's Appreciation gift for my son's teacher. AND I have a few of these fabulous kraft notebooks with pens-perfect for altering- left (from Target a few years ago...so sad they stopped carrying them).
So here is my creation. The sentiment is Gina K Designs. Many of the dies, the felt, and the corkboard are My Favorite Things (the notebook paper edge to the cork, the cork shape behind the sentiment, and the rolled roses). Papers are all October Afternoon.
Thanks for the inspiration Teresa...one gift down!

I made this little box to hold the notebook, sizing a cut file for my Cricut. Papers are Cosmo Cricket and October Afternoon.

And here's a close up of the medallion to decorate the middle. The little apple was in a pack of 3D stickers in Target's $1.00 spot!!

Light Up My Life for Mojo Monday 186

2011-04-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

For Mojo Monday Sketch 186:

I used three of the lamp images and a sentiment from the adorable set by Unity, "Shine On!"
The dp is October Afternoon, and the green cardstock is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.
Some dark brown shabby wrinkled ribbon, brown baker's twine, and a green button (SEI, from my stash). I added some Sakura glaze pen for shine to some of the details in the lamps and to the lamp bases.

Chicks Rule Basket for You for VLV challenge

2011-04-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is for the Viva la Verve! April week 2 sketch challenge

I had so much fun playing with the little basket and chick from the new Verve's Chicks Rule set. I stamped, masked, and cut out the basket and handle together. Layered the basket, some die-cut grass via a My Favorite Things' die, the chick, more grass, and the basket, so that the Chick looks like he's nestled in the Easter grass in the basket. I covered the ribbon on the basket with a sentiment from My Favorite Things' Basket O Flopsey set, cut out with Verve's Charming Oval die.
The background is embossed with the houndstooth Cuttlebug embossing folder (it made me think of basket-weave); and the papers are (what else?) MME Stella and Rose.
I tied some ribbon around the handle of the basket, and added some 2mm and 3mm soft blue pearls.
Thanks for looking! Thanks even more for commenting!

Milk carton packaging using VLV challenge

2011-04-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

I used the Viva La Verve! April week 1 sketch challenge to create this little panel for the front of a paper milk carton box I designed and cut with my Cricut to wrap a birthday gift (a Cricut cartridge!).

The packaging (and panel) was intended to match my card here, for the same person.
I used the sentiment from Verve's Birthday Bash, MME Stella and Rose papers, ribbon, twine, a button, and bling, as well as a couple Spellbinders dies and the yummy rolled roses dies from My Favorite Things.

Because of You for VLV challenge

2011-03-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! March week 5 challenge

I used a sentiment from Verve's Just for You set, cut with a Spellbinders label 2 die, sponged with some Antique Linen distress ink. The flower stamp was a free "thanks for shopping" stamp that Julee included in one of my oh-so-beautifully-wrapped orders. I stamped twice and popped one over the other, then stamped and cut just the center out of my yellow dot paper. Papers are the new LilyBee Designs This and That. Border punch, twine, and a button. And then, in honor of Sankari, our sketch host this week and the Queen of Liquid Pearls, I included dots of Liquid Pearls around the main sentiment panel.
Hoping to get this in the mail to Operation Write Home in time for the troops to use to send home for mother's day. I'm packaging up a few others that I have in my stash. If you have time to make or send some, they are still in need and are accepting until March 31st. Thanks!

Sweetest Things birthday card

2011-03-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

I used a digital image by Mo Manning called "What's Cooking?" for this card...isn't she the cutest little baker you ever saw? I colored her with copics and paired her with a sentiment from My Favorite Things' Polka Dot Greetings Frame die and stamp set. MME Stella and Rose papers. Some orange shabby wrinkled ribbon and a blue polka dot ribbon by SEI. An orange button and natural colored twine finish it off. This is a spin on a sketch from Papercrafts Go-To-Sketches publication from a year or two ago.
She will be a birthday card for a dear family friend (my "other" mother), whose birthday cake I'll be making. I'm sure I must have looked like this sometime in my {very} early years! LOL

A Few Scrapbook Pages

2011-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking has taken a backseat to card making for a while now. I just don't usually have the time to plan out my pages, and until recently, had NO pictures printed to scrap. But thanks to hubby, I now have a nice pile waiting to make it into my son's book. I completed two pages at a recent evening crop with my local scrapping friends, and then put together another that same week at home. I also have one I completed a little while ago but never posted. It formed in my mind for weeks, and then came together super quick, thanks to using the online collage service through our local pharmacy.
Woohoo! Maybe I'm back on a roll. I mean, my blog is titled "A SCRAPPER Mom's World." LOL.

Without further ado...

First time blueberry picking at the Keel and Curley Winery. My son was fixated on getting every single blueberry on the bush he selected. My husband caught this terrific, vibrant photo of him, sweaty head and all.

Papers are BoBunny and SEI. Sticker is BoBunny, altered with an MME brad and twine. And a bit of shabby wrinkled ribbon that I picked up on Etsy.

My son wanted to make gingerbread men cookies. Unfortunately, he is allergic to wheat and dairy...and I have no gingerbread men-shaped cookie cutters. So we improvised and made some GF/DF sugar cookies with a little bear cookie cutter I had. Still decorated them with icing and raisins and cherry mouths. He loved them.
Papers are October Afternoon.
Stickers are Karen Foster, mounted on popped up scalloped circles cut with my Spellbinders dies.
That cute banner die is from Taylored Expressions.
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type stickers for "baking", letter stamps from My Favorite Things for "cookies."
Sketch adapted from PageMaps.

We visited Tennessee towards the tale-end of the winter season 2010 to show my son snow. There wasn't too much left on the ground, but he still had a ball. We scraped together enough to make two tiny snow people, and have a few snowball fights (you can see him throwing one in the top two photos).
Papers are BG Fruitcake (still one of my favorite Christmas lines, and favorite BG line). I stitched a bit, and then die cut some snowflakes with my Cricut, the largest two of which house the title and date, out of Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type stickers.

This is the one from November. I'd been cooking this one up in my mind for several months. I asked my son to pose for a first day of school picture, and this is what I got. He's such a ham! He was busting moves and striking poses: "pow, cha'." All that I could think of was the song by The Heavy, "How You Like Me Now." And a layout idea was hatched. The lighting in our house is poor, so none of the pictures was very clear or well-lit. So I had the photos printed as a collage.

Papers and small square "tokens" are Extreme Boy by Junkitz. Title is Heidi Swap chipboard. I inked some chipboard stars and brackets. And there is a little pull-out card for journaling that peeks out along the right side of the layout (hard to see in the photo).

This may not be my best layout nor photography, but these pictures are priceless. They capture the essence of my son so perfectly at this age. He's even doing his famous "butt dance" in one. ROF! Love that boy.

Thanks for looking...

Card "Catch-up" (all my cards up-to-date)

2011-03-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

I have gotten dreadfully behind on my posts again. I'm crafting away, but between loading to two online galleries and posting to the various challenges I love to participate in, my blog, which no one frequents, gets neglected. But I do like having a site for just me, and hopefully some day it will grow and my skills will improve enough to attract more attention.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd do a catch-up post to add the cards and layouts I've created since the last. Bare with me...

Where Dreams May Go for VLV AND the Verve Get Your Diva On challenges
For the Viva la Verve! March week 4 sketch challenge
and my attempt at the Verve Get Your Diva On March color challenge:

What a great sketch by Jackie Pedro!
The color challenge by Tosh was to use neutrals (I chose black and cream) with a pop of color (I chose an olivey-green that makes me think of the new growth of spring).
The frame is Verve's Framed Wishes, and the sentiment is from one of my two favorite Verve sets (so far), Blue Skies.
Papers are DCWV and MME Stella and Rose.
SU's scalloped edge punch and a rhinestone flourish by Recollections finishes it off.

Butterfly Birthday

I made this for a dear family friend's birthday. Uses the Unity set for Webster's Pages, Dream Big, and a sentiment from GinaK Designs' Fanciful Tags by Nina Brackett. The papers are (again) MME Stella and Rose.

I cut the large bracketed shape with my Cricut (because I don't have any of the Spellbinders large enough). The scalloped straight edge is by Fiskars. Stitched and added a few 3mm and 4mm rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.
I used a sketch from Papercrafts' Go-To Sketches special issue from last year.
The panel with the butterflies is a pocket to fit a gift card.

Plant the Seeds of Love for MFT Sketch challenge

For the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #11

The rest of the sentiment inside reads, "& watch them grow"

The image is one of the Pure Innocence stamps from My Favorite Things, Blooming Good Day. I paired it with one of the sentiments from MFT's Green Thumb Mini (all the sentiments in this set go perfectly with this sweet little flower-watering girl).
Papers are my new absolute favorite, My Minds Eye Stella and Rose-Mabel collection.
I used MFT's Flower Border Die-namics, and topped the centers of the exposed flowers with some frosted flatbacked pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Happy Hello for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! March week 3 sketch challenge

I was fixated on that tilted panel, and kept envisioning the wonderful notebook paper stamp in Verve's Blue Skies set. But it's kind of small to fill the card front like in the sketch. So...I made a mini card! I love it. Have you noticed how perfectly sized the Happy Hello sentiments are for fitting on the notebook paper stamp? Like they were made for each other. I used the remaining MME Stella and Rose paper from my week 2 card. Zig-zag stitched around the outer edge and made a few "X" stitches on the side of the tilted panel by hand. I wrapped a bit of multi-colored yarn around the panel and added a few 2mm rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty. Last, I created a rolled rose from My Favorite Things' medium-sized Die-namic, and punched a couple "leaves" with a Martha Stewart punch.
I told Maureen (who created the sketch) that I could see using this sketch again and again, and I actually think I'm going to make a set of these mini cards using the different sentiments in the Happy Hello set!

The Rainbows of Life...for Mojo Monday #181

For the Mojo Monday Sketch 181 challenge

I used a sentiment from My Favorite Things' The Great Outdoors set, along with the cloud Dienamics. The rainbow is from Unity's Could I Be Any Cuter? set, colored in with Copics and colored pencils/mineral spirits.
The papers are all MME, from the new Stella and Rose papers or the Fine and Dandy line.
The open pinking die is from TCP (Inside Pinking), and I used the negative side on the straight panel.
Aside from stitching, there is no embellishment. There are so many layers and such fun lovely papers, I thought it had enough without adding too much more.

Surprisingly to me, this card didn't get many views or comments on my galleries. I really love how it came out. It makes me happy. I hope you like it, too.

Dance Everyday for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve March week 2 sketch challenge

This looked so much better in my head. But I'm not sure what isn't working for me. I LOVE the new MME papers. (I had to get all the 12x12 AND the 6x6. They have to be my favorite papers ever.)
And I love the sentiments in Verve's Beautiful You set; this one is no exception.
And I wanted to bring in the embossed musical notes to go with the dancing theme in the sentiment. Love my various Spellbinders dies. And what's not to love about bling from Pizzazz Aplenty?
It just had so much more Uumph! in my imagination. Ah, well, great sketch, and always enjoyable to participate in the Verve challenges. Check them out!

40th Birthday card for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! March week 1 sketch challenge

Love this sketch! It was perfect for a 40th birthday card for my hubby.
I used part of a sentiment from Verve's Birthday Bash set.
And I loved mixing some new favorite papers, Bo Bunny's Blast Off and MME's Stella Rose, with some old favorite October Afternoon.
The stars are die cut with MFT's Die-namics.
Some Glossy Accents on the small circles under the sentiment and on the blue star, and some star-shaped eyelets finish it off.

Wedding Wishes for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! February week 4 challenge

I used the little frame from Verve's Sweet Treats set, with a sentiment from Love Story to create a wedding card for my brother-in-law.
Papers are from the DCWV La Creme stack.
Some shabby wrinkled ribbon and rhinestones.
The rectangular cream panel is embossed with Cuttlebug's swiss dots folder. And the frame is colored with copics.

Happy Birthday for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! February week 3 challenge

I used Verve's Birthday Bash set and Basic Grey papers, with scraps of October Afternoon and DCWV to paper piece the balloons. The balloons are silhouette-cut and popped up. I stamped the tiny stars twice each, then traced around the edge of the opposite side on one each and sandwiched the baker's twine between the two matching ones to dangle. A Spellbinders lacey circle die, some shabby wrinkled ribbon from Bluebird Lane on Etsy, and rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

To the Moon for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! February week 2 challenge

I used the Little Star Plain Jane by Verve, but only stamped the outer ring of dots and stars. Then I used a sentiment from the Verve Love Notes set.
The papers are some old Inque Boutique Out of this World. The star border was cut with a die by My Favorite Things. Stitching, Liquid Peals on the small yellow stars and Glossy Accents on the tiny hearts. The large star brads were actually gold, but I colored them with a Copic marker (I still think that's so cool!)
This was a Valentine for my son.

Butterfly Border You are Fabulous card for Mojo Monday, and a gift for Melanie Muenchinger

For the Mojo Monday Sketch #176 challenge

I just loved the embellished curve in this sketch. And the round option was calling to me. I won Melanie Muenchinger's A Year of Borders set (by Gina K Designs) as blog candy from Melanie herself, and have been itching to ink it up. I thought a thank you card to her was in order (this isn't the first time I've been the grateful recipient of her generosity). So I used the butterfly border as my curve. I stamped twice, and cut around the rows, separating segments here and there to make my curve. The butterflies are colored with Copics and then "Stickled" (can I make that a verb? LOL) for a glittery shine. I popped them over some black shabby wrinkled ribbon.
The sentiment is from Verve's Fabulous You set.
Papers are Basic Grey Curio.
And the fun shape and die cut little butterflies in the paper were cut by my Cricut using a wonderful free svg file from Images by Heather M http://imagesbyheatherm.wordpress.com/.
A few 2mm black rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty finishes it off.

Some Bunny Valentine for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! February Week 1 sketch challenge

I paired Verve's Some Bunny with the heart and sentiment from Verve's Love Notes. The heart is silhouette cut, and then the red outline for the heart is cut with the coordinating Jotted Heart Die.
I loved this sketch, especially getting to use my scraps. There's some newer BoBunny with some old Making Memories and DCWV. The beautiful ribbon was part of the packaging on a recent purchase I made from Bluebird Lane on Etsy (isn't it great? And that was just the packaging!). A few 3 and 4mm cranberry rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty and some glossy accents on the heart in the sentiment finish it off.

A Box of Treats for SFYTT January Challenge

For the January SFYTT challenge

I used MFT's A Box of Love PTI girl with a sentiment and that sweet swirly oval from Verve's Sweet Treat set. I stamped the oval directly onto the card front, then stamped again on white cardstock and cut out the middle with Verve's Embossed Oval die and popped it over the first stamp.

Papers are BG and BoBunny, as well as dotted swiss cardstock by Bazzill.
The large scallop die is from MFT.
The main image panel and mat are Spellbinders.
Liquid pearls on the hearts and rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty finish it off.

My Heart Belongs to You for VLV challenge

For the Viva la Verve! January week 4 sketch challenge

I used a sentiment from Verve's Love Notes and the little heart flourishes in the corners of the main panel from Verve's Sweet Treats.
Dies are by Papertrey Ink.
Wrinkled shabby ribbon from Bluebird Lane on Etsy.
Flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.
Liquid Pearls on the heart within the sentiment.
Papers are Basic Grey and Making Memories.

And if you have made it all the way here, thank you so much for spending a bit of your time looking at my work!
I'll add the few scrapbook pages I finally got time to work on next. And try my best to keep up with posting after this.
Thanks again!

MFT Valentine Flopsey for VLV challenge

2011-01-20T05:07:00.000-08:00

This is for my 6 year old son to give his valentine from school (which he's already lined up, mind you! LOL)
Using the Viva la Verve! January week 3 sketch challenge:

I used Valentine Flopsey by My Favorite Things, paper piecing and popping up the heart he's holding. I used some of the tiny heart stamps from Verve's Love Notes set around him with red flat-backed pearls in the centers, as well as Verve's Jotted Heart Die (the black heart peeking out from behind the main panel) with liquid pearls. Some wrinkled shabby ribbon from Bluebird Lane on Etsy. Papers are BoBunny Crazy Love.

Valentine, Be Mine for VLV challenge

2011-01-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

I've had to slack off a bit. School this semester is KICKING MY BUTT! But I worked hard this week, and so treated myself to a few hours to work on this card the other evening.

For the Viva la Verve! January week 2 sketch challenge:

Used the fabulous label stamp from Verve's Sweet Treats and cut out with the Classy Label Die, with a sentiment from Verve's Love Notes.
Papers are BoBunny's Crazy Love.
Shabby wrinkled ribbon from PrairieBird Boutique on Etsy, rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.
The tiny rose was cut using MFT's new mini rolled roses die.

Love Story for VLV challenge

2011-01-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve January week 1 sketch challenge:

In addition to Valentine's Day, my anniversary is in February. So I'm not sure which one this will be for, but with my husband's birthday in February, too, I thought I'd get started!
I love this sentiment from Verve's Love Story, and the frame (which I silhouette cut, along with the tiny bird). {BTW, I would LOVE Julee to make a die to cut this frame!! hint, hint!}
I used BoBunny's Crush papers.
Some ribbon by MFT and black brads.
Simple and quick. To fit in a regular envelope, I made my card 3"x5.5"

Happy Holiday for VLV Challenge

2010-12-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

A few final holiday cards for the Viva la Verve Week 4 challenge:

Used some old Chatterbox Gingerbread paper, the Vintage Oval Frame Stamp and die from Verve, and a sentiment from My Favorite Things Sassy Sayings.
Some stitching, ribbon and rhinestones.

Christmas Blessings for VLV Challenge

2010-12-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve! December week 3 sketch challenge:

This came perfectly timed, as I needed one more card for a last minute addition to my Christmas dinner guest list. The sketch is lovely, while still being simple to whip together.
I used the wreath and sentiment from Verve's Glad Tidings, (on sale through Dec 31st...scoop it up!!) and added the small holly from Holly Jolly in the bottom right.
Papers are Basic Grey Jovial.
Colored with Copics and added some thin black grosgrain ribbon, a few flat backed pearls on just the holly in the sprig...and that's it folks!
The papers, especially adding my first medallion, really did the work.

Wyatt and Friend for MFT WSC challenge

2010-12-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

The My Favorite Things WSC challenge this week was to create a "last minute" Christmas card using one of the Pure Innocence images.
Well, I am not one to make anything last minute. Not because I'm so organized and get everything done beforehand, but because I take forever to make anything! LOL. I am a perfectionist and slow as molasses. My friends tease me that I may complete two layouts at an all day crop (if I'm lucky).
However, my recipe for completing a card as quickly as I can is to use a great sketch (letting someone else do the design planning) and picking some great paper and an image that fills the card nicely (such as many of MFT's stamps).
Mojo Monday's sketches are among my favorites, and sketch 169 seemed perfect for using my MFT Pure Innocence Wyatt Just Chillin' stamp that I won during one of the release parties.
I've fallen in love with the BoBunny Midnight Frost collection and used it on three of my last few cards! The blues and purples are perfect for wintery images without having to resort to traditional Christmas colors.
The sentiment is from Unity's super cute Jolly Good Fun set.
I have a little boy turning 6 shortly. This will be his card to Mimi and Pop-pop. Thanks for looking!

My Favorite Things Snowmen for Card Patterns challenge

2010-12-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

For the Card Patterns Sketch 94 challenge:

Uses My Favorite Things "A Scarf for Three" set by Stephanie Fizer, colored with Copics. The beautiful frame around them is from the GinaK Desings "Labels 2" collection by Nina Brackett.
BoBunny Midnight Frost paper.
Faux Crochet border die by My Favorite Things.
Snowflake die by Sizzix.
Some snowflake buttons I found at Walmart.
Ribbon by Making Memories.
Liquid Applique applied to the puffs on the hat and earmuffs.

2010-12-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve! December Week 2 sketch challenge:

Our extra requirement this month is to use inspiration from holiday decor.
I used a couple of the ornaments and the holly from my Verve Holly Jolly set that I won from Julee's generosity just before the last release party, the Sweet Scallop Tag stamp and die and Vintage Oval Frame stamp and die, as well as a sentiment from the Glad Tidings set (this set truly has the best Christmas sentiments...a must have).
Basic Grey Fruitcake papers (to this day, I think one of the prettiest and most extensive paper packs by BG), SU stitched ribbon, some wired tri-colored twine from Michael's, rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty. And I made the wire hangers for the ornaments with some jewelry wire.

Ice Skating Flopsey for the MFT WSC Challenge

2010-12-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

For the MFT WSC Winter Wonderland challenge, and using Card Patterns Sketch 93 for their challenge:

Uses MFT's Ice Skating Flopsey and alpha. BoBunny Midnight Frost papers. Papertrey Ink Banner Building Collection dies and Fiskars Threading Water punch. Stitched ribbon by GKD. Silver cording from Pizzazz Aplenty.

And here's the inside of the card. I love how Flopsey skates the words.

Bella Tree and Harvest Bird for VLV challenge

2010-12-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve! December week 1 sketch challenge :

I used one of my new Bella Blvd (through Unity) Bella Trees with the smaller of Verve's Harvest Birds in aqua and red to create a winter scene. Paper is October Afternoon. Some shabby wrinkled ribbon from Prairie Bird Boutique on Etsy, and flat-backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty. The larger ones were red to begin with, but I didn't have any of the smaller ones, so I used a Copic marker to dye some tiny white ones. A little machine stitching to finish it off.
Thanks for looking!

Birthday Wishes for Mojo Monday challenge

2010-12-07T05:31:00.000-08:00

For Mojo Monday Sketch 168:

Used 4 Verve sets (one sentiment on the inside): "Birthday wishes" from Circular Sayings, the "Dance..." quote from Beautiful You, the flowers (lightly stamped in the middle of the quote) from Kind Words, and on the inside is the sentiment "Wishing you the best day ever" from Framed Wishes. I love that the Verve sets always work together so well.
Papers are Basic Grey Marjolaine. Some scrumptious shabby wrinkled ribbon from Prairie Bird Boutique on Etsy, and rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty. Nestabilities circles and Lacey Circle die; the circular sentiment is popped. And the larger rhinestones are nestled into the openings in the new Dainty Dots Border Die-namics from MFT.

And here's the inside. I just silhouette cut around one of the flowers in the paper.

Flopsey's Trimming the Tree for MFT's WSC Challenge

2010-12-07T05:23:00.000-08:00

For the My Favorite Things WSC challenge this week (a sketch challenge):

Used MFT's Tree Trimming Flopsey, colored with Copics. Basic Grey Jovial papers, SU stitched ribbon, flat backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty. Used a Spellbinders Lacey Circles Nestabilities die and Fiskars Apron Lace border punch. The scalloped circle and front image panel are popped.

Catch up Post

2010-11-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

Catching up with some posting. With the Thanksgiving holiday (especially cleaning to get ready for guests and painting my son's room over the week), I had to squeeze in time to craft, much less find time to post.

Viva la Verve! November week 4 challenge

Made this one for Viva la Verve! November Week 4 challenge. I thought I might be able to work the second inspiration photo into a Christmas card using Basic Grey's Fruitcake line.
That's the wreath from The Cat's Pajama's Elegant Christmas set, and a sentiment from Verve's Glad Tidings.
I embossed the red scalloped piece with a holly berry folder from Sizzix. Some twill and red rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

MFT's WSC challenge AND Viva la Verve! November week 5 challenge

For the My Favorite Things WSC challenge, "What are you thankful for?"
I am most thankful for my Lord and His sacrifice for us.
I used Verve's VLV sketch this week, along with the Hebrews 11:1 scripture Plain Jane stamp by Verve. And if you look ever so closely to the center, you'll see the cross from the Jeremiah 29:11 set stamped lightly. Papers are Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934.
I used MFT's Decorative Doily Die-namics and a Spellbinders Labels 10 die. Scrunched some black grosgrain on either side of the center panel. Some black rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty finish it off.

StampTV sketch challenge

Made this for the STVSKSP3 sketch challenge over on the StampTV site.
I mixed Nina's Lovely Labels 2 stamp (along with LL1, I use these so much) with a sentiment from the GKD Friends set and popped a lily from Melanie's Year of Flowers set. Paper is Basic Grey. Some shear wired ribbon and rhinestones from K&Co. to finish it off.

Thanks for bearing with me. I am very thankful to have found a hobby I love so much and that finally lets me get the creative side of me out. I'm also thankful for the ladies that I've met along the way that share my passion, and the companies that help support it with wonderful inspiration and challenges.

Winter Wishes for the Viva la Verve! November Week 3 challenge

2010-11-20T22:38:00.000-08:00

For the Viva la Verve! November Week 3 challenge.
Julee selected some lovely inspiration photos of scarves, but I chose my own to use:

I thought the warm gold and purpley-red in this one looked like white and red wines. The soft pattern in the portion to the left, and the touches of black really appeal to me. Of course, I don't have over $200 to spend on a scarf, so inspiring is all that scarf is going to be doing for me. LOL.

I used the wreath and a sentiment from Verve's Glad Tidings, and the dashed square around my sentiment from Verve's Happy Hello. Embossed the background cardstock with a Sizzix folder and inked over the raised part with black ink. Basic Grey patterned paper, SU ribbon (red stitched), jumbo black rick rack, and 2mm rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Silver White Winters that Melt into Spring...

2010-11-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

For the My Favorite Things WSC challenge, "My Favorite Things"

Using the lyrics from the Sound of Music song "My Favorite Things," I embraced what I consider the meaning behind the song. That even in the midst of winter in our lives ("when the dog bites, when the bee stings..."), we know that spring will come again. I guess if there's one lyric in particular that I tried to capture it's "silver white winters that melt into spring..."

I used MFT's Tea with Flopsey and created a fold up panel to reveal the tree in bloom and fluffy clouds cut with MFT's Die-namics floating by. Sentiment is from Verve's Beautiful You set, stamped and die cut using Verve's new Vintage Oval Frame stamp and matching die.

Festive Frame for StampTV challenge

2010-11-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

For the StampTV sketch challenge:

I used Melanie Muenchinger's Festive Frame image and sentiments from GKD and whipped this up in no time! The cream dp is DCWV; red print is BG Jovial. The ribbon is SU riding hood red striped grosgrain (btw, it's on clearance on SU's website right now! great deal!!) I also used my first two copic markers (shades of red I got just to use on Mel's wonderful poinsettias for Christmas). A few orange and red rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty finishes it off.
Thanks for looking!

Pride and Prejudice themed card for the Cinema Saturday 100th Challenge

2010-11-13T20:15:00.000-08:00

I made this for the Cinema Saturday's 100th Challenge.
They revisited the movie that inspired their first challenge, Pride and Prejudice. I've seen both versions, but love the 1995 BBC mini-series version. You can join in through November 18th, and some great prizes are being offered up.
For my card, I chose to capture the theme of marriage. All the women and younger girls were so interested in catching a husband, except Elizabeth. And yet, in the end, she came to find her mate in Mr. Darcy. I love that their relationship was not a flirty, love at first sight type of love, but one that was born out of mutual respect and knowledge of each other. They are "true companions."

I tried to capture the style of the time period in the subtle wallpaper and added a simple line at the waist of MFT's Girls Day In lady to mimic a simple dress. Added a "diamond" to her hand as her engagement ring.
Papers are Basic Grey. Ribbon and lace from my stash. A couple hat pins and a Martha Stewart doily stamped with a sentiment from Raisin Boat.
Thanks for looking!

Simply Wonderful Birthday card using Verve's Great Friend flower stamps

2010-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

No special challenge behind this card. I just REALLY wanted to use the flowers from Verve's Great Friend set.

I popped the middle of the red flower. I turned under the edges of the petals slightly to give some depth, and added flat-backed pearls in 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm. The papers are BG's Curio line. Aren't those colors gorgeous together? The sentiment and dotted scallop line, as well as the ribbon, are from My Favorite Things.

And here's the inside, with the end of the sentiment and a few more of the leaves stamped.

MFT Cupcake for the WSC challenge

2010-11-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

For the WSC-Cooking Up Some Love challenge 11/10/10:

I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of cooking/baking stamps. I used Sweet as Pie Flopsey for the last challenge, and as much as I love him, thought something else was in order for this week. But I thought I could stretch it a bit with one of my very first MFT sets, "It's a Cupcake Kind of Day." Let's imagine I baked this yummy little frosting and cherry-topped cupcake, ok? LOL

I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 164.
Paper pieced the cupcake, colored the cherry with a Copic marker, added some Spica glitter pen to the top layer of frosting, and a white Sharpie poster paint pen as the shine on the cherry.
That's the new MFT Decorative Doily Die-namics, and a Spellbinders Labels 1 die, as well as the Fancy Tags die for the sentiment (although I cut the tag down the middle and overlapped the two ends to make it shorter). The sentiment is from Gina K Designs' "Sweetest Blessings" set.
Papers are the fabulous new MME Fine and Dandy line. Cardstock and ribbon is Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for looking!

Poinsettias and Berries for StampTV Thursday Sketch Challenge 11/4/10

2010-11-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

For the Thursday Sketch Challenge on StampTV:

Used Melanie's Year of Flowers poinsettia (again...I know, I'm addicted). Stamped it several times on cream cardstock and colored in with chalk. Popped a second image over the red poinsettia for depth and added some topaz rhinestones to the center. It's cut with a Spellbinders Label 1 die.
The sentiment is from Fanciful Tags, on a Spellbinders die and a bobbin ribbon from Joann's threaded through.
I debossed the round panel with a Sizzix holiday embossing folder and colored in the vines with chalk. Added red flat-backed pearls where the berries should be (rhinestones and pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty).
DP on the back panel is Basic Grey Jovial.
All the shine and different depths of color made this one tough to photograph.
Thanks for looking!

Glad Tidings (VLV November week 2 challenge)

2010-11-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! November Week 2 sketch challenge:

This one took me a lot longer than I thought it should have. It just wasn't coming together, and I went through several different shapes for the front panels. I knew I wanted to pull in that awesome color combo and even the red dots from the first inspiration photo. And I really liked the poinsettias and snowflakes in the second (notice the snowflakes didn't make it onto my card...maybe I'll try another).
The poinsettia is from TCP's Elegant Christmas.
The sentiment is from Verve's Glad Tidings set (my favorite set from the Winter release).
The blue with red dots paper is October Afternoon, and the red with blue dots paper is MME. Prima shimmer cardstock (teal) and SU Riding Hood red.
Several Spellbinders dies.
Ribbon is my all-time favorite SU ribbon, the past in-color Riding Hood Red taffeta.
Center rhinestone with gold trim is from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Baked with Love Flopsey, for MFT WSC November Sketch challenge

2010-11-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

For My Favorite Things' Wednesday Stamp Club --November Sketch

I know those Pure Innocence girls (and a couple boys...I would really love more of the boys!) are so sweet, and everyone is scooping them up right now. But my first MFT love will always be Flopsey. I have all of them except the new Snowflake one so far (and he'll make it into my cart soon). Whether he's pulling up carrots, reading a good book, trimming the tree, or here...baking a pie, he just melts my heart. Hopefully the recipient of this card will melt, too.

I stamped, colored and silhouette cut Sweet as Pie Flopsey.
Papers are DCWV The Crafty Stack, and BG Pyrus.
Ribbon is from Heidi Grace.
The small heart embellishment is from the BG Mellow chipboard pack. I inked it with Weathered Wood Distress ink, punched two tiny holes in it, and tied a piece of jute through it.
The steam from the pie was inked with Weathered Wood, also, then tapped in Platinum ink before stamping to give a two-tone look and shimmer to the steam.
Nesties, Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress inks, and some faux stitching finish it off.

Thanks So Much--Verve Style

2010-11-03T05:23:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! November Week 1 challenge:

I used the flower/medallion from Beautiful You and the frame from Framed Wishes.
Papers are Basic Grey Boxer. Martha Stewart punch around the page punches, 2mm and 3mm flat backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty, and some jute twine.

I worked mostly from the first inspiration photo, but maybe a bit of the flourish from the third...

Here's a close up of the medallion and all those tiny pearls:

Hang in There (in red dot)

2010-11-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

For Mojo Monday Sketch 163:

Uses Verve's Always On My Mind set, and October Afternoon dp. Some shiny black ribbon from MFT and red flat backed pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty. A little Sakura glitter pen on the hearts for shine. The front panel is popped.

"Merry Little Christmas" Carolers

2010-10-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a jump on my Christmas cards for this year!! Thanks to some great challenges.
For the Thursday Sketch Challenge 10/28/10 on StampTV:

I used the carolers and one of the small snowflakes (I thought it could pass for a star reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem) from GinaK's Funky Christmas set. In addition to adding some platinum, lilac, and blue ink to the sky, I added some Sakura glitter pen to the star and Liquid Applique to the ground as snow. The paper is several years old, but one of my favorite Christmas lines by BoBunny.

Here's a close-up of the liquid applique and the sparkle on the star:

A couple cards for challenges

2010-10-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! October Week 4 challenge:

Amber provided a beautiful sketch, but left inspiration up to us. I happened to have lunch with some friends at a quaint Mexican restaurant this week. The color scheme was warm fall colors, deep brown and orange and yellow. But the surprising color twist was a bright, deep blue. It totally called to me. I just recently bought these Recollection paper roses on clearance at Michael's, and remembered there was a beautiful blue one just that color! So that was my starting point. I found this perfect sentiment in my new un-inked Verve set, Beautiful You (the set is actually from 2008, but new to me, and I'm thrilled to have found it. It has my favorite verse from a poem by Robert Frost in it).
The papers are Basic Grey Pyrus and MME (the tan background). I used a Cuttlebug embossing plate, a Spellbinders Nestability, and a Sizzix leafy vine die. A little Antique Linen Distress ink around the sentiment and on the embossed leafy background to make the embossing stand out a little more.

And for the Thursday Sketch Challenge over on StampTV's forum:

I used Melanie's beautiful poinsettia from Year of Flowers, and layered portions from three separate stampings with dimensionals. The lower layer is also a little darker red/burgundy, to mimic the colors in the papers. Topped it with some topaz rhinestones. The sentiment is from another of her sets, Festive Frame. Papers are Basic Grey Jovial and Boxer (the green).

"Little Something" Harvest Birds

2010-10-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! October week 3 challenge...

This week we were to CASE something from Jackie Pedro's gallery (Congrats to Jackie, one of the newest members of the Dirty Dozen).
There were so many great cards to choose from, but when I saw this super cute one from LAST October, I knew I had to use my brand new Verve Harvest Birds stamp!
I used the Inside Pinking Border Cut Ups die from TCP, and layered the negative side of the cut over the main die cut to represent grass.
The sentiment and frame around it are GinaK's Fanciful Tags set by Nina Bracket. They are sitting on a tag from the Spellbinders Ribbons Tags Trio dies, and strung onto the brown grosgrain.
October Afternoon papers, the green and brown leaf the same as Jackie's; and GinaK Pure Luxury Chocolate cardstock.
On the inside I silhouette cut two of the leaves from the paper and put them in the corner of a green panel.

Autumn Beauty Wheelbarrow

2010-10-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

For the Thursday Sketch Challenge for GinaK Designs on StampTV:

I used the GKD set by Theresa Momber, Autumn Beauty (so love these images for Fall). I stamped the wheelbarrow and pumpkins twice each, cut out the two front pumpkins from one of the images, and the front, side, front leg and front handle (as one piece) from one of the wheelbarrow images. I trimmed the pumpkins to "fit" inside the wheelbarrow, popped up the two front ones, and the front of the wheelbarrow.
The whole scalloped circle panel is also popped. Some 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm flat backed pearls from Pizazzaplenty. Dp is Cosmo Cricket's Wanted line. And, of course, Gina K brown cardstock (I so need more...my favorite go-to color).

Here's a close up of the main image popped up:

Thanks for looking!

Love Machine for MFT's October WSC

2010-10-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

For My Favorite Things' WSC Challenge for the second half of October:

This challenge was to create a masculine or boy-themed card. Uggh. I suck at masculine cards. I just NEED to use ribbon and flowers and bling! LOL. But I gave it my best shot.

I chose the sweet robot from the Love Machine set, and applied SU's Crystal Effects over him to make him shiny. I used some old space-themed paper from Inque Boutique (sure miss them!). I also wrapped aluminum foil over the two small panels and embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Some screw brads, and I think he'll work out nicely for a birthday for one of my young son's friends.

A Witchy Halloween with MFT

2010-10-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

For the My Favorite Things WSC October challenge:

Just in time for Halloween, I had to pull out MFT's Totally Witchin' set. Basic Grey Eerie papers.
The potion ingredient bottles and the little spider (he's from a Studio G mini set...the one in Totally Witchin' was just a little too big for my scale) are popped. Otherwise, pretty simple. I managed not to use any of the dies and punches and other tools I have accumulated. Just let the papers and bold Halloween colors stand out.

In My Thoughts for Viva la Verve! October challenges

2010-10-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

For Viva la Verve! October Week 2 challenge:

This week, in addition to the sketch, was a color challenge to use brown, white, orange, and turquoise. I think my blue is probably a bit too light to be called turquoise, but hey, I liked it. I also used the main panel for my sentiment and included a ribbon and bow detail instead for the horizontal element.

Used a GinaK Lovely Labels 2 with sentiment from Verve's Always on My Mind set. Paper is (what else?) October Afternoon. Cardstock is Papertrey Ink's Orange Zest. Ribbon from My Favorite Things.

Very simple card. I let the patterned paper and shape of the label stamp do the work.

Thanks for looking!

Autumn Blessings for Viva la Verve! challenge

2010-10-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

For the Viva la Verve! October Week 1 challenge:

Stamps- Gina K Designs: Image and sentiment from Autumn Beauty, and frame around sentiment from Fanciful Tags.
Papers- October Afternoon
Cream cardstock embossed with Sizzix embossing folder.
Rhinestones- K&Co

I used the third photo as my inspiration.
I liked the softer colors (kind of peachy and yellow) along with the swirly details on the cake, and thought my yellow sunflower could take the place of the big yellow flower on the top of the cake.

Mojo Mondy 159th Sketch Challenge

2010-10-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

For Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 159:
http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2010/10/mojo-monday-159-contest.html

Uses a sentiment (and circle) from Verve's Happy Hello set, and the vine/leaf image from Gina K Designs Autumn Beauty set.
The yellow dp is DCWV. The other patterned papers are both sides of October Afternoon's WeatherVane New Pencils. And fall always does make me think of going back to school, new pencils and notebooks....
So I used some notebook style paper from Scenic Route for the sentiment, and trimmed the scalloped edge off for the bottom.

Verve's Autumn Release Week Challenges

2010-10-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Verve is getting ready for their Autumn release, this Friday, October 8th!

In true Verve form, they hosted a release week sketch challenge (5 total sketches):

http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2010/10/world-card-making-day-release-week.html.

Completing a sketch gets an entry for a stamp set...and get this...completing all 5 gets a chance at the whole Autumn release!! Woohoo!! Who wouldn't love all the Verve goodness?

Here are my entries:

Sketch #1

Uses a sentiment from Verve's American Hero set.
Crate Paper's Restoration line papers.
Some yummy wired ribbon from Michael's.
Large pearl brad from MME's Lost and Found collections, and small pearls from Pizzazzaplenty.
A bit of stitching.

Sketch #2

Uses My Favorite Things sentiment and die combo.
DCWV Linen Closet papers, and Prima shimmer cardstock.
Don't recall whose ribbon that is.
2mm pearls from Pizzazzaplenty.

Sketch #3

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I made this all-pink card using My Favorite Things' Think Pink stamp set. I used papers from Making Memories, Basic Grey, and DCWV, and paper pieced the clothes. 2mm and 3mm pink rhinestones from Pizzazzaplenty. Simple card, not much to it, but the meaning is priceless.

Sketch #4

Used a sentiment from Verve's Kind Words set inside a stamped frame from Gina K Designs, cut with the Nestabilities.
Then went old school on the rest: Nothing special as far as paper goes. Black cardstock and a gold paper from an old pack of 4x6 paper (I think they may have been the early paper sets from Sizzix to use with the original die cutter!--The gold doesn't pick up well in the photo, but it has a nice shimmer to it IRL). I used some Queen & Co felt fusion and Heidi Swapp bling frame that I have had FOREVER--never wanted to part with them before. But I busted out of my box. The gold-edged black ribbon I picked up from Michael's on a recent shopping trip. And the small red rhinestones to match the bling frame are from Pizzazzaplenty (thanks for turning me on to Judy's site, Julee!)

Sketch #5

And a close up of the chipboard, so you can hopefully see the embossing better:

Uses Verve stamp set Kind Words. New Cosmo Cricket Wanted papers. Chipboard embellie old MME Bohemia, pearl brad from new MME Lost and Found, smaller flat back pearls from Pizzazzaplenty. Suede ribbon (thick brown) from My Favorite Things.

Thanks so much for looking. I'm trying to get back into posting here, but I find this site difficult to use. I can never tell how my font will turn out (doesn't look like it does in the preview/compose screens), and my pictures always end up at the top of the post, even when I insert them after text, and I have to cut and paste. Sure helps to think anyone is actually looking! So please post if you visit!

New Release "Buds and Vases"

2010-09-27T03:32:00.000-07:00

It's release week at Gina K Designs!

Melanie Muenchinger is releasing a companion to her "A Year of Flowers" called "Buds and Vases", a die cut stamp set filled with brand new flowers and containers, this Thursday night, September 30 at 10 PM CST from Gina K Designs! Be sure to check out her sneak preview of the set on her blog and enter for a chance to win the set!

http://melaniemuenchinger.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-1-lovely-labels-and-buds-and-vases.html

I already have my favorite (I can't wait to play with the poinsettias for Christmas), how about you?

(This is one of Mel's gorgeous samples. Check out her blog to see several more!)

My card for the Heart to Heart Card Drive

2010-09-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to resurrect my blog to post this card for a great cause.

The wonderful Carolyn King (AKA Cammie) is hosting a "Heart to Heart Card Drive" to thank the caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Please see her blog here: http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/2...ard-drive.html. Many terrific companies and individuals have stepped up to offer prizes as incentive. If you have some time this week, please consider making a card and sending it to a caregiver that has made a difference in the lives of a patient or their loved ones. If you don't know any personally, Carolyn has included the address of her grandmother's nursing home, where her grandmother spent her last days, with Alzheimer's.

My card combines the Mojo Monday sketch 157:http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2010/...onday-157.html with some lovely Verve stamps and Basic Grey Ambrosia papers. The orangish-red panel on the front is embossed with a music note embossing folder from Cuttlebug. This ties in with the sentiment from Raisin Boat inside that says,"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. - Donna Roberts"

A Few More Birthday Cards

2009-04-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Played with one older and two of my new stamp sets from MFT. Still working on building my birthday collection.

I love this new Flopsey (Flopsey Flowers). He's not really set up to be a birthday stamp, but I think he's precious offering up a birthday bouquet. Papers are Making Memories Sabrina.

I paired the Girls Night Out stamp with a Celebrate stamp from Stampin' Up. I want to be able to use the card for a birthday card if needed, but thought by using the Celebrate sentiment, I have options. Paper is DCWV.

Used the ice cream sundae from Here's the Scoop for this last one. I stamped the scoop of ice cream as a background. And the pp is Scenic Route Garland. Yes, it's a Christmas line, but this one in particular reminded me of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

2009-04-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

A lady at work asked if she could commission me to make some cards for her. Uh, yeah! LOL. The only criteria she seemed to have was the theme. She wanted cards she could send her friends back home. So I took some liberties and put together an eclectic collection of cards for her, complete with a clear box with a band around it that matches one of the cards (my favorite one). I hope she likes them.

This is Gina K's Tree Silhouettes

Sweet little MFT's Tea With Flopsey:

Stampingbella's Billboardabella:

Flopsey again, this time Reading Flopsey:

GKD's Hand-in-Hand by Melanie Muenchinger (my favorite):

MFT Tote-ally Fantastic card in pink and silver

2009-03-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

This MFT Toteally Fantastic card was for a co-worker to thank her for a lot of help she's provided lately. I love the sparkly silver and pink papers (DCWV All Dressed Up and Sweet stacks). I used colored pencil and OMS to color the image, and brushed Angel Wings Shimmerz over the portion that is supposed to be the window. Isn't she so glam?

A couple birthday Bella cards

2009-03-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

I make the birthday cards for my fellow co-worker's birthdays. I started back in August last year, and am about 3/4 of the way through the birthdays. So far I have used a Stampingbella on each of them. If possible, I choose one that best depicts the girl whose birthday it is (we only have one male, and he's "one of the girls" anyway...LOL).

These two cards were for the most recent birthdays.

For this one, I added Superbella's head (because she reminds me so much of the birthday girl) to Balloonabella's body. I used a Mojo Madness sketch, and some cool teal and red-orange papers from Martha Stewart.

This one is Savvyshopabella in teal and brown (one of my fave combos). The birthday girl for this one is a total shopping diva and loves Tiffany's (she's anxiously awaiting an engagement ring). Thought this was perfect. Those are Lucky in Love papers from GKD.

My recent creations

2009-02-05T20:47:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, and haven't gotten to craft as much as I'd like. We've been working on our house remodel, and in addition to being so busy, our house was a wreck and I didn't have much room, especially clean room, to work in. But I have my stuff in it's new space now, and while I didn't get to work on much, I did create a few works over the last six weeks or so.
So I'm posting here to catch up.

This is a card using Melanie Muenchinger's Hand-in-Hand set that I made for my neighbor, whose grandson was recently diagnosed with Children's Leukemia. He has a wonderful family and lots of people praying for his recovery, and is doing well.

This is a Stampingbella birthday card for a lady I work with who also likes to craft.

I made these two altered notebooks for Christmas presents for two ladies I work with. One is definitely the "princess" of the bunch, and the other, the "diva." Used Melanie Muenchinger's Little Tees set on both.

And this is the card I completed tonight...another using Melanie's Hand-in-Hand set. Long story, but my son has once again been kicked out of his daycare. His teacher is amazing, loves my son, (and he adores her), so I made her this card to thank her for all she did for him.

and the inside of the card:

I have one more card, a baby shower one, but need to find the pictures of it. I believe my husband photographed it for me, so it's probably still on his camera. It was, what else, but Melanie's Hand-in-Hand set again!!! I love this set. It is versatile and touching and unique.

MFT's Flopsey Warm Thoughts card

2008-12-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

Used MFT's Snow Bunny Flopsey along with Our Creative Corner's weekly sketch to create this card for the 12th day of the 12 Days of Christmas challenge on Paper Craft Planet. The challenge was to use 12 embellies. I chose 11 faux dew drops and an Imaginisce snowflake.

MFT Keep in Touch card

2008-12-02T03:25:00.000-08:00

For day 4 of Paper Craft Planet's 12 Days of Christmas challenges. When I read the challenge could be for "calling," I immediately thought of the cute Who's that Girl stamp by MFT with her on the phone. But I don't have that one {yet}. So I used two other images and substituted in some phone images I found on the net. That's BG Scarlett's Letter paper, and some yummy ribbon I found on Scrap Attack Scrapbooking;s online store (I just inked over the white thread in the ribbon with Antique Linen Distress ink).
I also used Julee's Mojo Madness sketch #63 on Poetic Artistry.

Happy Hoo-liday card

2008-11-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

Used Jen del Muro's sketch to create this card for day 3 of Paper Craft Planet's 12 Days of Christmas challenges. The owl is built from PTI's set and I partially inked Unity's tree for his branch. Autumn Leaves flourishes around the outside edges. Bo Bunny paper, Stickles, glittery ribbon from Michael's and my nesties.

MFT Holiday Owls

2008-11-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

Tried this technique with the moon and sky one more time. i like this one a lot better. These are MFT's Christmas Owls (I just isolated the owls out off the rest of the stamp). An old Christmas paper pack from Michael's, SU ribbon, silver ep and brads; Shimmerz Angel Wings brushed on the sky and Stickles on the owls' hats.

GKD Santa on the Rooftop

2008-11-29T09:09:00.000-08:00

I totally CASE'd Melanie Muenchinger's treatment of the moon and rooftop for Santa. Love this silly image from Gina K's Funky Christmas set, and paired it with the All I Need to Know stamp from Unity stamps.
I think the concept was cute, but my execution of it and design are lacking. I think I made the rooftop image too large, and together there just wasn't much left to do to fit them on the card. I think I'll try again...

MFT Geranium card

2008-11-26T05:23:00.000-08:00

This is for Julee's Mojo Monday #62 sketch challenge on Poetic Artistry. Used MFT's Geranium stamp and some DCWV All Dressed Up stack papers.
Some Target $1 spot ribbon, Brilliance Platinum ink on the edges of the image panel and watercolored on the flower pot, as well as Silver detail ep. Colored pencil with OMS, and use of the SU scallop edge punch and a scallop square Nestie.