Viva la Verve May week 5

I have the honor of hosting the Viva la Verve Sketch over in the Verve Forum this week. Woo-Hoo!! Be sure to check it out and how you can win yourselves some Verve!!

Here's the sketch:



I decided to go with a masculine look since Father's Day is coming soon, and used one of Verve's newest Plain Jane's Proverbs 16:9. It's stamped with Versafine's Onyx Black directly onto BoBunny's Timepiece Collection dp. I usually ink distress, but decided to sand all the edges, instead, after dry embossing the bg panel with the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Diamonds in the Rough. To finish the card, I just added a couple of buttons. Don't want to over-embellish a masculine card ya know. *grin*



After you check out the Verve Forum, be sure to head on over to the Verve store. Julee is having a super sale this weekend in honor of Memorial Day.

That's it for today. Thanks so much for dropping by!
Happy Stamping!




Stamps: Proverbs 16:9
Paper: Vintage Cream and Smokey Gray (PTI), Timepiece Collection (BoBunny)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Diamonds in the Rough (Cuttlebug Embossing Folder), Buttons (PTI), Ivory Embroidery Thread, Sanding Block

Have a Rootin' Tootin' Time

Woo-Hoo!! It's Thursday, and time for another CCEE Stamper's Challenge. This week Shirley challenged us to make a Western themed card. I was all over that since I recently received the Waltzingmouse sets Back in the Saddle and Way Out West. These sets are packed full of fantastic images for any age or gender. And the sentiments....perfect fonts with a fabulous variety!!

For this card, I started by making my background by sponging Ranger Distress Inks in this order: Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Scattered Straw. I then stamped the images. First, the subtle mountain bg with Aspen Mist VersaMagic, then the Cactus Scene and sentiment with Onyx Black Versafine.

For the frame, I used the Wood Grain image from the Way Out West set. I inked it up with three VersaMagic colors in this order: Gingerbread, Jumbo Java then Midnight black (Cover whole image with Gingerbread, then add other two colors in random spots.) I then sponged Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, and Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Inks) over the entire frame.

Lastly, I added some twine and Ancient Elegance brads (Imaginisce).

That about sums it all up.
Be sure to check out the Western cards the other gals have come up with over at the CCEE Stamper's Blog.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I appreciate the visits and the sweet encouragement.
Happy Stampin' my friends!!




Stamps: Back in the Saddle and Way Out West (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw, Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), Aspen Mist, Gingerbread, Jumbo Java, Midnight Black (VersaMagic)
Accessories: Twine, Brads (Ancient Elegance -Imaginisce)

Hoppin' with Stamper's Dream and JustRite

Hello everyone!! I have the honor of hopping with Stamper's Dream and JustRite today!! And I love 'em both!! For today, I used the JustRite set Kindness. The frames and sentiments are gorgeous, and fit with Spellbinders' Labels 20 die!! I inked up the frame with Oasis Green (Versa Magic) and thumped Wheat (Versa Magic) over it lightly. For the background, I sloppily added some White Acrylic paint to some Butterfly Garden PinkPaislee paper and added some painted strips. I stamped the sentiment with Onyx Black Versafine, and some of the flourishes around it with Smokey Gray Versafine.



I made the lace flower with some Kaisercraft lace, and added a Maya Road Rhinestone Button to the center. Lastly, I added some Pleasure White Pearl flourishes by Zva Creative, and sewed across the dp strips.

Now, Michelle (Stamper's Dream), is offering some fabulous Blog Candy that's hidden on one of the blogs. All you have to do is leave a comment and you have a chance to win.

There's some JustRite Candy hidden along the way too. This is what they're offering:

Here's the Hop list:

JustRite Inspiration Blog

Becca Feeken
Michelle Rodgers
Eva Dobilas
Kazan Clark
Arlene Cuevas
Mona Pendleton
Amy Sheffer
Kellie Fortin
Michele Kovack
Tosha Leyendekker
Kathy Jones
Mariana Grigsby
Barb Schram
Stephanie Kraft
Teresa Kline
Heidi Blankenship
Christina Fischer
Angela Barkhouse
Lea Lawson
Sankari Wegman

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you're having a fantastic week!!
Happy Stamping!




Stamps: Kindness (JustRite)
Paper: Butterfly Garden (Pink Paislee), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Oasis Green and Wheat (Versa Magic), Onyx Black and Smokey Gray (Versafine)
Accessories: Spellbinders' Labels 20 and Petite Scallop Circles, Pleasure White Pearl flourishes (Zva Creative), Lace (Kaisercraft), Rhinestone Button (Maya Road), Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

Waltzingmouse turns 2!!

Waltzingmouse is 2 years old!! Can you believe it!?!? And I'm so thrilled and honored to be a part of Claire's design team. Not only are her stamp and template designs gorgeous, fun, and creative, but Claire is the absolute SWEETEST!!

In celebration, I decided to make the teacup and saucer with a matching card. It was so fun to make. For the card, I started off using the WMSC #48 found HERE. I just stamped one of the smaller doily images, from the Dainty Doilies Large set, with Versamark, and embossed them with white ep. I used one of the banner images from the Bitty Banners set to frame my sentiment, from the set Teeny Trees, which I stamped with Smokey Shadow Versafine. The edges were ink distressed with Antique Linen Ranger Distress ink, and I made added a border with Pale gold Krylon ink. I topped it off with an EK Success Border Punch, a PTI button, some Seam Binding Ribbon, Embroidery Thread, and some Kaisercraft Pearls.

I printed out the Nice Cup of Tea template onto Vintage Cream (PTI) cardstock, and inked up all the edges with Antique Linen Ranger Distress Ink. Then I stamped the gorgeous flourish, from the set Join Us, with Versamark and White ep, all around the cup and saucer edges. I added a rim with Pale Gold Krylon ink also.

I made a doily for under the cup by stamping doilies from the Dainty Doilies Large set with Versamark onto Vellum, embossing with White ep, and diecutting with the largest Big Scallop Circle Die by Spellbinders. I love how it turned out. (If you click on the photos, you will be able to see the details more clearly.)

The little teabag tag was created by stamping this sweet little image, from the set Afternoon Tea, with Smokey Shadow Versafine. I also added a sweet little Zva Creative Rhinestone Flower to the tag.


See the little bag inside? I just sewed some organza fabric together, put a little Starbucks vanilla scone inside (what's tea without a scone, right?), and tied it with some silver cording.


That's it for my project today. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed making it. Be sure to stop my Claire's Blog Waltzingmouse Makes, and wish Waltzingmouse a Happy Birthday!!

Happy Stamping!!




Stamps: Afternoon Tea, Dainty Doilies Large, Bitty Banners, Teeny Trees (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Vellum
Ink: Antique Linen (Ranger Distress), Versamark, Smokey Shadow (Versafine)
Accessories: Nice Cup of Tea (Waltzingmouse Template), White Embossing Powder, Organza Fabric, Border Punch (EK Success), Seam Binding Ribbon, Button (PTI), Embroidery Thread, Pearls (Kaisercraft), Pale Gold Krylon Pen

A CCEE Challenge and Viva la Verve Sketch

Hello everyone!! I hope you all are having a fantastic week. We're still enjoying Spring weather, so I'm in heaven!! Our CCEE Stampers Challenge this week is to surround our sentiment with flowers. Well, I put a flower next to my medallion. I hope the challenge police are okay with that. :)

To start, I used Amy's fabulous Viva la Verve Sketch found Here. There is very little stamping on this card. In fact, only the sentiment from the Verve set Hope Blooms. And I have to say, the sentiment is my favorite part of this card. I just LOVE the font combo. I think it fits with a variety of card styles. I also used 3 different A Cut Above dies by Verve: Floral Circles, Elegant Leaves, and Flutterby.

The gorgeous dp I used is called Reflections by Prima, and you can get it, along with a large variety of other stamping goodies, at Stamper's Dream (One of my favorite on-line stores to shop at).

I also used a die from Spellbinder's Patrisian Motifs set, and an EK Success Border Punch. That's about it for today's card. Now, head on over to the CCEE Stampers Blog to see all the wonderfully creative cards the other gals have to share!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy Stamping!




Stamps: Hope Blooms (Verve)
Paper: Reflections (Prima), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Floral Circles, Elegant Leaves, and Flutterby dies (Verve), Patrisian Motif (Spellbinders), Button (PTI), Pearl (Kaisercraft), Twine, Felt (Prairie Point Junction), Border Punch (EK Success), Sewing

Blog Waltz with Waltzingmouse

It's the 17th ya'll, and that means it's time to waltz with Waltzingmouse!! Yee-Haw!!! This month we were to make our cards masculine. I used a couple of sets to help me accomplish this: Gingham & Co., and Back in the Saddle. I love the guitar, and thought it would be fun to combine it with an EK Success music punch that I have. The dp is all from BoBunny's Timepiece Collection.

I'll keep this short so you can see all the other wonderfully creative masculine cards on the hop.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're having a fabulous week!

Happy Stamping!



Stamps: Gingham & Co., and Back in the Saddle (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: White (PTI), Timepiece Collection (BoBunny)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Star and Labels 1 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Music Border Punch (EK Success), Graphite Gloss Gel (Viva Decor), Silver Metal Dots (Wal-Mart), Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

Wish Big

Hello everyone!! It's the weekend, and I'm so excited. A lot's happening around here right now, so we're ultra busy. My son arrives home from college tonight just in time for my daughter's graduation tomorrow! Woo-Hoo!!

Have you checked out the Viva la Verve sketches over in the Verve Forum on Splitcoaststampers? I tell you, those gals have come up with some fabulous designs. I used last week's sketch, designed by Maureen, for this card. (yes, I know I'm a week late....I've had this card done for awhile, just haven't gotten around to uploading it.) Amy has a fantastic one for this week too, so be sure to check them out HERE.

Before I get into all the detail of my card, I have to mention how much I've loved seeing embossing folders used on dp with a bit of sanding. I was inspired by Julee's card HERE to give it a try. Isn't it just gorgeous!?!?!?!

Anyway, I used only two stamped images for my card: The sentiment from the set Birthday Phrases (Verve), and I used the Sweet Scallop Tag (Verve) image. I also used the Sweet Scallop Tag, Charming Oval and Flutterby dies (Verve), as well as the Big Scallop Circle (Spellbinders).

The dp is from the Gabrielle Collection (BoBunny), and I used a Sizzix Embossing folder as well as a EK Success Border punch. Here's a close up of the collage of elements.

That's it for today ya'll.
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!!

Stamps: Birthday Phrases, Sweet Scallop Tag (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Gabrielle Collection (Bo Bunny), Corrugated
Ink: Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Accessories: Sweet Scallop Tag, Charming Ovaland Flutterby Die (Verve), Big Scallop die (Spellbinders), Border Punch (EK Success), Button (PTI), Butterfly Picks (Webster's Pages), Seam Binding Ribbon, Twine (PinkPaislee), Pearls (Kaisercraft), Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Sewing Machine

It's Your Big Day!

With all of the complications Blogger had yesterday, it seems my latest post disappeared. So, this will be real short and to the point because I have another post to share with you real soon.

I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch 190, and all the images used are Waltzingmouse: Gingham & Co., Way Out West, Back in the Saddle, Very Vintage Labels No. 1.

Dies: Charming Banner (Verve), Labels 8, Sunflower Set 2, Foliage (Spellbinders)

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Happy Stamping!




Stamps: Gingham & Co., Way Out West, Back in the Saddle, Very Vintage Labels No. 1.
Paper: Chocolate, Black, Kraft, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Tumbled Glass, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot, Scattered Straw, Rusty Hinge (Ranger Distress), Onxy Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Charming Banner (Verve), Labels 8, Sunflower Set 2, Foliage (Spellbinders), Buttons (PTI), Flower Bauble (Making Memories), Lace (Kaisercraft), Border Punch (EK Success), Rhinestones (Zva Creative), Seam Binding, Sewing Machine

Where Flowers Bloom...

Have you had a chance to check out the Viva la Verve sketches for this month yet? If not, you really should. They're fabulous. I made this card using the first VLV sketch of the month, designed by Amber, and decided to use a Verve sentiment, from the set Hope Blooms, as my focal point. I framed it with a couple of Spellbinders diecuts: Labels 18, and Floral Doily Accents.

I made the Loopy flower (you can find the tutorial HERE) with felt and organza fabric, and the leaves (from the Verve Set Bloom and Grow), were diecut with one of the new Verve A Cut Above Dies: Elegant Leaves


That's it for today. Stop by tomorrow, for my interpretation of the VLV Sketch #2.

Happy Stamping my friends!




Stamps: Hope Blooms, Bloom and Grow
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Butterfly Garden (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress), Aloe Vera (VersaMagic)
Accessories: Elegant Leaves (Verve), Labels 18, Floral Doily Accents and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crystal Picks (Maya Road), Pearls (Kaisercraft), Seam Binding Ribbon, Loopy Border (Martha Stewart), Felt (Prairie Point Junction), Organza Fabric

Take Care

I'm so in love with the new Waltzingmouse images!! Truly!! I just couldn't resist making a card for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge!!


I started off by stamping one of the images from Text-It, with Frayed Burlap Ranger Distress ink, onto Kraft cs. I then stamped the Reverse Polka-Dots, from the Gingham & Co. set, over it with Tattered Rose Ranger Distress Ink. ( It's a bit hard to see. If you click on the photo below it's a bit easier.) Then I stamped different sizes of the Doilies, from the set Dainty Doilies Large set, with Vintage Cream PTI Pigment Ink. Now, I have to tell you, Claire's images stamp beautifully!! I purposely stamped them sloppily for a more distressed, shabby chic look. Lastly, I added
two sentiments from the Say it Loud set. LOVE the large elegant font with the smaller font.

That about sums up today's card. Now head on over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog to see what the Mischief Makers have been up to. They are one creative bunch, I tell ya!!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a fantastic weekend!!
Happy Stamping!

Stamps: Gingham & Co., Dainty Doilies Large, Say it Loud , Text-It (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Kraft, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Vintage Cream (PTI), Frayed Burlap, Tattered Rose, Black Soot (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Buttons (PTI), Cream Embroidery Thread, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

CCEE ~ Cinco de Mayo

Hello my fellow stampers!! I have a CCEE Stampers Challenge Card to share with you today. Shirley is our challenge hostess for the month of May, and since today is Cinco de Mayo, she's challenged us to make a bright colored card, or something with a "Taco Bell" dog on it....anything inspired by Cinco de Mayo.

Well, this is as bright as it gets for me. I thought the hot pink and lime green in the bg was a good representation. I started off with this week's Mojo Monday sketch 189, and the Verve Stamp set Hope Blooms. I know I just used this set yesterday, but I can't help myself. :) I also used a variety dies. (Love my dies): Charming Ovals and Charming Banners (Verve) and Floral Doily Accents (Spellbinders).

That's it for my card today. Be sure to stop by the CCEE Stampers Blog to see how the other girls interpreted this challenge!!

Happy stamping!!

Stamps: Hope Blooms (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream and Smokey Shadow (PTI), Melody (Prima)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Perfect Plumeria (VersaMagic), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Charming Ovals and Charming Banners (Verve) and Floral Doily Accents and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Rhinestones (I-Roc), Black Fibers

May Flowers

It's my turn to share, over on the Verve Blog, how I interpreted this month's them for the Diva Dare: April Showers Bring May Flowers

I mixed one of Verve's newest releases Hope Blooms, with May's Stamp of the Month set Dare to Be. One of the many beauties of working with Verve images is that they all mix and match so well!!

My daughter graduates from High School next week, so I thought "Dare to be You" was the perfect sentiment to use to make a card for her with a frame of bright and cheerful flowers. All I did was stamp the largest Hope Blooms flower with Rocket Red Gold Brilliance ink, and shade the edges a bit with Persimmon VersaMagic. After the sentiment panel and flowers were dry, I added a layer of Shimmer with some Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz by Tsukineko. If you click on the photo below you can see it a bit better. It's very subtle.


Lastly, I added some Stardust stickles dots around the flower centers, some basic vertical embossing stripes with my Scor-Buddy, a button with embroidery thread and a punched border. Very easy!

Now, be sure to head on over to the Verve Blog to find out how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you are having a wonderful week filled with sunshine and new Spring growth!!

Happy Stamping!!

Stamps: Hope Blooms, Dare to Be (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Rocket Red Gold (Brilliance), Persimmon (VersaMagic), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Wonky Rectangles (Spellbinders), Button (PTI), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon, and Embroidery Thread, Scor-Buddy

WMS Blog Waltz

The day has finally arrived!! All the Waltzingmouse newly released sets are now available!! And to kick off the release, we're having a Blog Waltz. If you came here from Claire's blog, you're on the right track.

We're also peeking a new set called Say it Loud!! It has large beautifully fonted sentiments that work fabulously with the smaller ones in the set. For eg. I combined "HUGS" with "and prayers" Love this set. For my background, I stamped one of the doily images from the Dainty-Doilies Large set with 3 different ColorBox colors: Papaya Cream, Pistachio and Glacier Ice, while still in the Wonky Rectangles (Spellbinders) frame, so I could keep a clean edge. The sentiment was stamped with Onyx Black Versafine, and I added a punched and scored border with an EK Success Border Punch and my Scor-Buddy. Really easy and fun!

And there's a prize to be had too. All you have to do is leave a comment at each stop along the hop to be entered to win the stamp set of your choice. You have until 8:59 Pacific, May 2nd to do so. The winner will be posted May 3 on Claire's blog.

Next up on the hop is the fabulously creative Anya.

Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you've enjoyed the peeks this week.
Happy Stamping!