Take Time For Fun

This past week I had some time to play with last week's Sweet Sunday Sketch, but I'm just getting around to posting it today.  I used the Life Is a Circus set from Taylored Expressions along with papers from the Happy Go Lucky Collection from American Crafts. 

I stamped, colored and cut out the seal.  I die cut a piece of pink cardstock using the Take Note 3 Die and embossed it using the Clouds Impression Plate.  I added some faux stitching around the border and buttons to finish the card. 

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Life Is a Circus (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Happy Go Lucky Collection (American Crafts), Bazzill; Accessories- Take Note 3 Die, Clouds Impression Plate (Taylored Expressions), buttons, Copic markers;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Make It Monday - Multi Color Stamping With Ink Refills

I was able to play along in this week's Make It Monday Challenge at Papertrey Ink, Multi Color Stamping With Ink Refills.  I have to say, this was a VERY neat technique and I will definitely use it more often!  It's SO much easier than using markers to color different parts of your image!  For my card, I used the Boys Basics:  Out of this World set and coordinating die. 

I stamped the "321 Blast-Off!" sentiment onto fun foam as my guide.  Then I used Papertrey Ink reinkers to add color to number/sentiment that I wanted a different color.  After blotting a bit of the ink with a paper towel, I was able to stamp the bottom portion of my card entirely without adding more ink. . .so much easier than having to color each number in between each stamping!  The papers I used were Terra Cotta Tile, Ripe Avocado and Harvest Gold.  I colored the die cut images with Copic markers (a deeper shade than the cardstock I was coloring on).  You can see other entries for this challenge here. 

You should really give this technique a try!  It works wonderfully!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Verve New Release Spotlight - Day 3

	1. Amber 7. Laurie 2. Amy 8. Robin {Guest} 3. Andrea 9. Sankari 4. Charmaine 10. Teresa 5. Jackie 11. Tosh 6. Julee
TODAY'S Featured Set: plus the Philippians 1:6, Light Tomorrow and Life is Good PJ's

Welcome back for the final day of New Release Spotlights!  Are you ready for the RELEASE PARTY tonight?  I know I am!  :)  Today's Spotlight is on one new set and three Plain Janes!  The set is called Small Phrases and the Plain Janes are Philippians 1:6, Light Tomorrow and Life Is Good.  The card I have for you today uses the Small Phrases set. 

I used papers from the Summer Days Collection from Echo Park.  The color combo and embossing technique are from the Summer Card Camp I've been enjoying!  For the Kissed Embossing Powder Technique, I used the leaves image from New Mercies, which you saw the other day!  I used patterned paper for the technique as well.  I just LOVE this sentiment from the set. . .and there are many more like it!  Perfect for tags or when you need a smaller sentiment. 

Thanks for stopping by this week!  I hope to see you tonight at the release party!  Have a great day!

Verve New Release Spotlight - Day 2

1. Julee 7. Amy 2. Robin {Guest} 8. Teresa 3. Sankari 9. Laurie 4. Amber 10. Jackie 5. Tosh 11. Andrea 6. Charmaine TODAY'S Featured Set:

Welcome back for another day of New Release Spotlights at Verve!  As you know, Verve is very well known for their sentiments.  Today's featured set is a wonderful sentiment set called Words Cannot Express. 

For my card, I used an old favorite color combo along with an older Verve set, Bountiful Backgrounds.  I also used the Fleur de Lis punch from EK Success to coordinate with the background stamp.  I pleated the ribbon, added some stitching and bling to complete this card perfect for that friend who was there during a rough spot.  Be sure to hop around to see what the rest of the Divas haved created using today's featured set! 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back here tomorrow!

Verve New Release Spotlight - Day 1

It's time to shine our sneaky Verve spotlight on some brand new stamps! We're counting down to Verve's release party this Friday night, July 8, with THREE days of Spotlight Hops! And since new Verve is something to celebrate, there's a big PRIZE hidden on one of today's hop spots! Just leave a little shout-out in the comments as you hop about for a chance to win the entire July release! You can check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Andrea 7. Tosh 2. Jackie 8. Amber 3. Laurie 9. Sankari 4. Teresa 10. Robin {Guest} 5. Amy 11. Julee 6. Charmaine TODAY'S Featured Set: Today's featured set is New Mercies.  For my card, I used papers from the Stella & Rose Gertie Collection from My Mind's Eye.  I stamped the leafy image in Terra Cotta Tile and Summer Sunrise ink.  The sentiment was stamped in Onyx Black Versafine.  I added some stitching and some bling to finish the card off.  Hope you'll stop back tomorrow for another featuring stamp set!  Thanks for stopping by!

Happy 4th of July!!

As many of you know, this is my favorite holiday.  I just LOVE summer and all of the festivities that go with it. . .especially the 4th of July.  I love celebrating our country and all of those who fought for the freedoms I enjoy.  I have so much for which to be grateful.  The card I created today uses the American Hero set from Verve.  I used the Mojo Monday Sketch from two weeks ago for my card.  I really loved that sketch, but wasn't able to participate during that week. 

The papers are from the Old Glory Collection from We R Memory Keepers.  For the focal piece, I used the Vintage Oval Die.  I stamped one of the stars from the set onto red cardstock, cut it out and attached it with foam tape over the star of the 4th of July sentiment. 

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!  God Bless America!

Happy July 4th!!

I have a fun card using a different color combo for the 4th of July.  The color combo comes from Week 2 of Summer Card Camp.  (which is a lot of fun, by the way!)  It's a fun, bright, summery combo that is just perfect for the season!  I used the Celebrate Freedom set from Taylored Expressions with Tangelo, Canteloupe, Pear Tart, New Sprout and Ladybug Memento inks. 

The bling is a combination of Doodlebug and Kaisercraft.  The cardstock used was white, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango and So Saffron.  Not your typical red, white and blue theme, but I like it all the same!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 

Make It Monday - Polaroid 2-Step Masking

I was able to play along in this week's Make It Monday Challenge at Papertreyink, Polaroid 2-Step Masking.  I started with some Ripe Avocado cardstock and created my frame.  I used the Botanical Silhouettes set along with Orange Zest, Ripe Avocado and Mango ink to create my flower bunch. 

The sentiment was stamped in Onyx Black Versafine along with some dots within the flowers.  I also added some faux stitching on the inside of the frame with a white gel pen.  The Harvest Gold background paper is embossed with the Damask Designs Impression Plate.  To finish the card, I added some Swiss Dots ribbon in Orange Zest along with a button and Rustic Cream button twine. 

You can see the rest of the entries for this week's challenge here.  Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!

Release Day!

• All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
• More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you.  Just follow the link list below.
• Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog
• Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE!  You have until Saturday July 2nd at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

Today I'm sharing another card using the Moka Taylor set.  Yesterday I used this set, but made Taylor a blonde.  Today, she's a brunette!  I used some papers I found in my scrap bin from an old Key Ingredients Kit/Project Pantry Kit.  I colored the image using Copic markers.  The image was die cut using the Frame It Up 1 Die.  I also used the Large Scallop Border Die on this card. 

For more fabulous eye candy showing off all of the new products, visit each of the Baker's Dozen!  Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY SHOPPING!

Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Nancy McKinney
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

July Diva Inspirations Blog Hop!

Welcome to the July Diva Inspirations Blog Hop! Our Diva Inspirations team and several special guests from the Release team are here to start your 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! 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! 1. Julee 9. Susan 2. Betty 10. Andrea 3. Dawn 11. Charmaine 4. Jen d. 12. Teresa 5. Jen T. 13. Maureen 6. Lynda 14. Amber 7. Shannan 15. Amy 8. Sony Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, July 5 Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve For my card, I used the Because of You and Bloom & Grow sets from Verve.  The papers are from my scrap stash.  They were part of the Razzleberry Lemonade Collection from Stampin' Up!  I also used the Floral Circles Die Set as well as the Elegant Leaves Die for my card.    This also uses the latest Mojo Monday Sketch as well as this week's Color Combination Challenge from Summer Card Camp.  July is birthday time here at Verve, with five Diva birthdays, including my own! To start the celebration in style, our July Stamp of the Month is one of my absolute favorites... Carpe Cupcake! And at 40% off during the month of July, Carpe Cupcake is one SWEET deal!

A brand new month also brings along a new sale here at Verve! During the month of July, save 20% on all of our birthday stamps! Check out all the birthday goodness on our SALE page.

Our Gift to YOU! And what's a birthday party without goody bags? We've gathered together some of our favorite things... doilies, My Mind's Eye paper, tags, ribbon, plus a few other goodies and put them in brown paper packages! And during the month of July, if your order is $75 or more, you'll receive one of these goody bags free! There's nothing to add to your cart, we'll just be sure to include it when your order ships! Celebrate good times, c'mon!