CASE-ing Amy

This month's Diva Dare is happening over at the Verve Blog.  This month's challenge is to Case-a-Diva!  I was so glad that it was decided for me, which Diva I was to CASE, because I just wouldn't have been able to decide on my own!  I think all of the girls create such fabulous things!  My assignment, though, was Amy!  Have you ever visited her gallery?  Oh my!  It took me a while to settle on which card I was going to CASE, but I finally decided on this one.  I LOVED the colors on this card, the layout and how Amy used that swirl from the Happy Days set. 

When I think of Amy, I think of pearls, lace, layers, unique embellishments and fabulous layouts.  I wanted to copy this card exactly, because I just love it. . .but I decided to go with a different color scheme.  I still used the swirl from Happy Days, but the sentiment and "butterfly" are from the Fancy Florals Remixed set.  The papers are from the Life of the Party Collection from My Mind's Eye. 

I started by created the card base using my Scalloped Square Grand Nestabilities.  For the butterfly, I wanted to add an "Amy unique embellishment", so I create the antennae and flight trail from button twine.  I used Stickles to coat the button twine, then I wrapped it around a paint brush handle and let it dry.  Once it was dry, I slid it off the handle and had this curly flight trail. 

We hope you'll play along in this month's Diva Dare!  All of the details can be found on this post!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Happy Days, Fancy Florals Remixed (Verve Stamps); Ink-VersaMagic; Paper- Life of the Party Collection (My Mind's Eye); Accessories- Scalloped Square Grand Nestabilities, Plain Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), buttont wine, button (PTI), ribbon (May Arts), pearls (Doodlebug Designs);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Mojo Friendship

Happy Monday everyone!  Monday isn't always my favorite day of the week, but one thing that makes it much better is Mojo Monday!  :)  I haven't been able to play along for a few weeks, so I was happy to get to play along today!  I decided to go with the round sketch since I rarely do round cards. 

I used the Text Objects set from Verve since I haven't inked that up in a while.  I paired it with some patterned papers from the Campfire Collection from October Afternoon.  I used my Plain Circle and Scallop Circle Grand Nestabilities to create the card base.  I stamped the sailboat and colored it in with Copic markers.  Over top of the punched heart, I adhered the sentiment which was stamped in StazOn Jet Black onto a transparency.  I added some stitching and some Liquid Pearls, a button and some ribbon to finish the card. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a great Monday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Text Objects (Verve Stamps); Ink- Jet Black StazOn; Paper- Campfire Collection (October Afternoon); Accessories- Circle punch, Heart punch (SU), Copic markers, ribbon (May Arts), button, twine, transparency, Plain Circle and Scallop Circle Grand Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttercup Liquid Pearls (Ranger); 

May Diva Inspirations Blog Hop

Welcome to the May Diva Inspirations Blog Hop!   Every month, the Diva Inspirations team starts the month off right with a little Verve inspiration!  Take a little peek at each of the fabulous blogs below for some Verve-alicious eye candy and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own!

1. Julee 8. Sony 2. Betty 9. Susan 3. Dawn 10. Teresa 4. Jen d. 11. Andrea 5. Jen T. 12. Charmaine 6. Lynda 13. Maureen 7. Shannan

We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win!

Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, May 5

Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve

And since it's a new month, that means we've got a new Stamp of the Month to reveal!

In May we're featuring the sentiment set, Dare to Be. With 5 uplifting and encouraging sentiments, this set is perfect for graduation, congratulations or just a little pick me up. Or pair it with the To the Moon, Chicks Rule or Lucky Ducky sets for perfect little love notes to tuck into a lunchbox.

And at 40% off during the month of May, Dare to Be is a pretty big deal!

For my card today, I paired the Dare to Be set with Lucky Ducky!  I also used the Elegant Leaves die and coordinating stamp from Bloom & Grow to create the branches that the ducky's hiding behind.  I thought this would make a great card for my daughter, Arwen, as she is a little shy.  She is really funny, but when anyone laughs at the funny things she does and says, she gets upset because she thinks people are laughing "at her".  I've tried to explain that the things she does and says are FUNNY and that's why people laugh, but I don't think she understands the difference!  LOL 

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy today's hop!

Happy Day

Today I have a simple and bright card for you.  It uses the Circus Circus set from Our Craft Lounge.  I stamped the circus tent and colored it with Copic markers.  I stamped the letters in different colors and punched them out with a small circle punch and created a balloon bunch with them. 

I sponged the top and bottom of the die cut focal piece while it was still in the die.  I used the Labels 8 Nestabilities.  The paper is from the Hippity Hoppity Collection from We R MemoryKeepers. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful weekend!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Circus Circus (Our Craft Lounge), Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper-Hippity Hoppity Collection (We R Memory Keepers), Bazzill;  Accessories- Copic markers, Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Zig Zag border punch (EK Success);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Take a Bath

Today I have a card using the Pretty and Pampered set from Our Craft Lounge.  This is a great set for all things girly. . .as a "just because", a "pick-me-up" or even to accompany a gift of bath and body items.  I used this sentiment on my card because it just reminded me of those Calgon commercials.  LOL  Doesn't a bath make everything better?  Okay, well maybe not everything. . .but it does for at least a little while! 

For this card, I used papers from the Paisley Parade Collection from KI Memories.  I colored the image using Copic markers and then die cut it with the Big Scallop Nestabilities by Spellbinders.  I added a touch of glitter on the bubbles to give a little glimmer.  Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your week is off to a great start!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Pretty and Pampered (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Turquoise Gem (VersaMagic); Paper- Paisley Parade Collection (KI Memories); Accessories- ribbon (Darice), buttons (PTI), Big Scallop Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Sweet Dreams Baby

I was going through my Google Reader this morning and saw that my sweet, sweet friend Beate posted a beautiful photo for inspiration and an invitation to cyber-stamp with her and Jenn.  I used to stamp with these gals all the time and REALLY miss Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge that we used to do together, so I just HAD to play along!  :) 

When I tackle an inspiration challenge, I am usually very literal.  If the photo has flowers. . .I use flower stamps.  If the photo has square and rectangle shapes, I use square and rectangle shapes.  I decided to break out of that for this challenge.  So, I took the colors and the layout from the inspiration photo.  I used the Circus Circus set from Our Craft Lounge for my card.  It is one of the newest releases from Our Craft Lounge.  I colored the giraffe and hippo using Copics in colors from the inspiration photo.  I die cut the image using the Beaded Oval Nestabilities and then die cut the same frame in Wild Wasabi cardstock.  I cut out the "beaded" part of the die cut and attached it over the original.  The pink cardstock is embossed using the Elegant Lines embossing folder from Stampin' Up.  If you look at the inspiration photo closely, you can see that the pink tablecloth has an embossed pattern on it.  Finally, I sewed around the card and tied some ribbon.  So, are YOU going to play along with the inspiration photo?  I hope so!

Thanks for stopping by and have a BEAUTIFUL day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Circus Circus (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Summer Sun (SU); Accessories- Copic markers, Beaded Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ribbon, Elegant Lines embossing folder (SU), white gel pen;  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Happy Birthday To You

Here is a masculine birthday card I created recently.  It seems that every time I go to my "stash" to find a birthday card, I never seem to have the kind I'm looking for!  I seem to need more masculine and child birthday cards in my stash! 

This week was Mark Tilman's birthday.  Most of you know him as "Mr. Verve".  :)  I wanted to send him a card using Verve stamps, of course, but everything I found was too "girly" or "sparkly" or just NOT for a guy!  LOL  I used the Birthday Bash set for my card as well as the Classy Label Die.  All of the papers were from my long neglected paper scrap stash. . .boy do I need to sort through that! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  The weather in Pittsburgh is absolutely beautiful today!  Spring is coming and I am so excited!  Hope you're enjoying your day! 

Viva la Verve!!

Good morning everyone!  For those of you who have been following the Verve New Release Spotlight this week, I just wanted to remind you that the release party is TONIGHT at 9pm!  All of the stamps and new dies will be available for purchase at the end of the party!  Hope to see you there!

I also wanted to let you know that I am hosting this week's Viva la Verve Challenge!!  I'd LOVE it if you'd play along with my sketch!  Here is the sample I created using this sketch.  I used the Emery Plain Jane and the Smallest Things Plain Jane along with some paper from the Modern Homemaker Collection by October Afternoon.  I colored in the elephant using Copic markers and even added some texture with the Colorless Blender.  As a finishing touch, I added some faux stitching around the card with a white gel pen. 

Head on over to the forum for details on how to play along and what you can win!!  Just follow the Viva la Verve Challenge link above.

Thanks for stopping by!   SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Emery Plain Jane, Smallest Things Plain Jane (Verve Stamps); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Modern Homemaker Collection (October Afternoon); Accessories- Copic markers, Plain Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), white gel pen;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's a New Year already!  I hope 2011 brings you lots of good fortune!  I used a set from Our Craft Lounge called Crystal Clear along with some Plain and Scallop Oval Nestabilities.  I thought it would be a neat card and sentiment for the New Year! 

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful New Year's Day!

Celebrate the Season

It's that time to put finishing touches on teacher gifts and create cards that will accompany those gifts.  I like using the "heavy" embellishments for cards that won't be mailed, but rather hand delivered.  When I say "heavy", I just mean things that have a lot of dimension or that won't travel well through the mail.  These pearls are one of those things.  I LOVE using them, but when I saw a card I sent someone with some pearls that were split in half when they arrived, it made me rethink using them.  :)  I don't always use a lot of embellishments to begin with, so to have the ones I do use end up demolished kind of defeats the purpose!  So when I can hand deliver a card, I load it up with embellishments like this!  :)

For this card, I used the Sparkle & Cheer set from Taylored Expressions.  I added some Kaisercraft Pearls in red and pearl for the bulbs on the tree.  I die cut the image using the Plain Oval Nestabilities and sponged around the edges of the die.  I used the Take Note Die 3 for behind the focal piece. 

I tied some ribbon and added a Christmas Tree Trinket stick pin and finally, the sentiment tag tied with some Baker's Twine. 

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!

Never Want To Live Without You

I have another card for you today using some of the latest Verve.  This card uses the Text Objects set.  I started out by stamping the heart in Burnt Umber ink and cutting it out.  Then I took the background stamp that coordinates with the sentiment I used and stamped it in Pink Grapefruit ink on the heart.  I added a little button with some twine. 

The sentiment was stamped in Burnt Umber ink onto cream cardstock and cut out using Labels 10 Nestabilities.  I adhered the heart to the die cut piece with a foam dimensional.  The last little touch before attaching the sentiment panel to the card, was using the Iron Works Cuttlebug folder on the left side of the card.  That spot just needed something and this worked perfectly.  You know how I LOVE my embossing!

Remember that all new releases at Verve are 15% off (while supplies last) through December 31st!   Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Text Objects (Verve Stamps); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Pink Grapefruit (VersaMagic); Paper- Morning Meadow Collection (SEI); Accessories- Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), button (Foofala), twine (PTI), Iron Works Cuttlebug Folder (Provocraft);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!

All of the products you've seen this week from Taylored Expressions are now available in the store!  I have a couple more projects to show you using the Knit Wit set.  This set is part of the new Crafty Petites line in the Whimsical Wishes Collection!  Each of the Crafty Petites sets are perfect for some creative person in your life.  They make GREAT stocking stuffers and if you've never tried Taylored Expressions stamps before, these are the perfect, small and inexpensive way to start!  ;)

For my first card, I used the adorable sheep image from the set along with the November Key Ingredients Kit.  I used the Take Note Die 1 for the focal image and the new Large Scallop Border Die for the green piece.

The sheep was stamped twice.  The second one was cut out and mounted with foam tape on top of the first stamped sheep for some dimension.  I colored the sheep with Copic markers.  I added some faux stitching around the border with a white gel pen.

The second card I have to show you uses the basket of yarn image.  This card uses papers from the Whirlybird Collection from My Mind's Eye. I used the new Scallops & Circles Impression Plate on the Kraft cardstock and the From the Heart Frame Die to behind the focal piece.  The focal piece was cut out using the Plain Circle Nestabilities and colored with Copic markers.  By the way, there is also an Embossing Pad Kit available!  For a limited time (today 12/3 through Sunday 12/5) you can purchase all four Crafty Petite stamp sets in a bundle and save 10%!  Crafty Petites Bundle

Don't forget to stop by and see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has created for today!  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shopping!

Danielle Lounds

Donna Baker

Jackie Pedro

Jodi Collins

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Taylor VanBruggen

Tori Wild

illustrator, Nancy McKinney

and special guest baker, Mona Pendleton