Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop

Welcome to the first ever official Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop. Verve turns two today and we’re celebrating with a hop, hop, hop! The party kicked off over on the Verve blog, so if you’ve just happened along, be sure to hop on over there to start from the beginning! And to make this party a real shindig, there’s a mystery jackpot hidden at one of the stops along the hop. One lucky commenter on that blog will win Verve’s entire August release! But of course, it wouldn’t be a mystery if you knew which blog, would it? So if you’re feeling the love, give a little shout out to the bloggers in the hop and you just might have a reason to jump for joy!


In honor of Verve's 2nd year, I wanted to do something special. So I decided to make a cute little mini scrapbook of my daughter celebrating her birthday over the last few years. Also, I wanted to show the versatility of Verve images on scrapbook pages.

{you can click on the pictures to make them larger}





I cut some chipboard, cardstock, acetate and dsp out with my SU Top Note Die. Then adhered it with Mod Podge. In between each page is clear acetate to not only protect the picture, but to also add another pretty element to the page.






In the next two pictures you can see how the acetate page looks on top of the picture, as well as on top of the journaling page. I thought it added a simple touch of charm.





Stamps: Verve Because of You, Cupcake Affair & Grateful Elegance, Autumn Leaves Journaling Stamps
Ink: White Staz On, Versafine Sepia, PTI Summer Sunrise
Paper: My Mind's Eye "Pretty Please", PTI Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush & Clear Cardstock
Misc: SU's Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon & Top Note Die, MS Butterfly Punch, Flat Back Pearls, Liquid Pearls, Mod Podge, Dimensionals, Small Binder Ring, Crop-a-Dile, Nestabilities Label 4, Stickles, Embossing Powder & misc chipboard

Thanks for stopping by! Now it’s time to hop on over to Megan’s blog, for a little more Verve-y goodness.

Friend Til the End

 
 

My final entry for the Viva La Verve Challenge for the month of July. I was able to sneak away into my stamping room this morning before the day began. Helps to wake up at 4:45am. Ugh!! I'm going to need a nap today.

Stamps: PTI Friends Til the End, Fancy Flourishes, Background Text Style
Ink: Ranger Distressed Ink in Vintage Photo, PTI Hibiscus, SU Old Olive
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, My Minds Eye DSP, Vellum
Misc: Copics, Twine, PTI Hibiscus Button, glue dots

PTI July Blog Hop

 

{You can click on the image to make it larger}

This month's challenge was to incorporate Text into your project. I love PTI's stamp set Background Basics: Text Style. Love it! It's great for card making, scrapbooking and making little gifts like I did today.

I have a very sweet and dear friend who has spoiled me by sending surprises in the mail. So now it's my turn. I stamped the Background Text in Summer Sunrise onto the labels that PTI sells to fit the Hershey's nuggets. I wrapped the nuggets and put them into a clear case that I recently got from a PTI stamp set that I purchased.

I then used the same stamp but with Versamark ink to make a nice subtle watercolor mark on the Green Leaf Cardstock. I adhered some gorgeous Lemon Tart Bitty Dots paper onto that. I had used some Summer Sunrise and a sponge to ink the sides up a bit for dimension. I cut out my Top Note die in Aqua Mist and again used Versamark with the same stamp for a nice background.

To the Top Note die I added some pretty satin ribbon to the corners. Then I stamped a flower image from Beautiful Blooms onto Summer Sunrise with Versafine Sepia and then heat embossed with clear EP. I mounted it with a gorgeous Rustic Wood and a Lemon Tart button that my friend had sent me {along with about a hundred other buttons!} I threaded some twine through them and the sentiment that I had stamped onto some Spring Moss Bitty Dot Patterned Paper.

I sure hope she likes it. Thanks for looking and have fun hopping!!!

Stamps: PTI Background Text, Beautiful Blooms, Everyday Classics
Ink: PTI Summer Sunrise, Versafine Sepia, Versamark
Paper: PTI Bitty Dots Patterned Paper in Lemon Tart & Spring Moss, Green Leaf, Summer Sunrise & Aqua Mist Cardstock
Misc: PTI Rustic Wood & Lemon Tart Buttons, PTI Summer Sunrise Swiss Dots Satin Ribbon, Twine, SU Top Note Die, dimensionals

Verve Divine Details/VLV July's Week 1

I have to tell you. I was afraid of this sketch. I am a straight line type of person. Everytime I see some crooked panels on the sketch challenges on SCS, I run fast and far. But since it is Verve, I thought I would give it a shot. And I'm glad that I did!

So this post will be a bit different. I will be describing step by step, what my design process entails for the Verve Divine Details entry.

1. First off, I almost always start with a sketch. Today I used the Viva La Verve Sketch for the first week of July posted on Splitcoast.

2. Next I pick out my color combo. This can sometimes put me at a standstill. So many choices!!! I confess, I do usually go for pink first. I use my homemade color swatch. I punched out all of my SU and PTI cardstock and have it on a ring.

I ended up finding my color inspiration from some left over patterned paper that I had from my previous card. Using Patterned paper helps so much when choosing a color combo.

3. The next major decision is which stamp set to use. Since this is for two Verve challenges, I pulled out all of my Verve stamps. I don't own too many yet, but I'm working on it! {I do not have a good storage system for them yet. Any tips would be appreciated!!}

I ended up starting off with my very, very favorite flower image from Because of You. Since I decided to use the Top Note die on my first panel, I thought this image would have a really nice flow in the corner. I stamped it with Versafine Sepia ink and then added some clear EP and heat set it.

4. Since the twist on this sketch was to use distressing, I wanted to ink the sides of the patterned paper. I took some left over pieces and experimented with ink colors. I ended up going with SU's mellow moss. At this point I didn't have a panel on top of my card base. I decided to use matching Mellow Moss cardstock and embossed it with a Cuttlebug folder that I haven't used yet.

5. At this point I have no idea what else I am going to be stamping. I have nothing planned. Just going by the seat of my pants! I loved the cute birds in the CB folder so I decided to match that by using a bird image from PaperTrey Ink's Anniversary set.


6. Then I started planning my layout. This is where I use my Basic Grey Magnetic Mat. I love this thing!!! It allows me to keep my paper in place and hold it down with the magnets. Because most likely, I will get called away at some point and who knows when I can return. When I'm ready to adhere, I sometimes like to use Scotch's temporary tape. It helps to keep things in place while I turn them over to add adhesive. There is nothing more annoying than placing each and every bit in the right place then it gets moved around while trying to adhere it. So this helps to prevent that frustration.

7. Sometimes in the process, I get to a point where I need a break from one project and off I go and start a brand new one. Actually, I've recently realized that if I have more than 2 ongoing projects, I can focus better. Go figure!! This is what I am working on for the Anni-Verve-Sary Blog Hop on August 1st. So you'll have to come back then to see what I created. ;)

8. Following the sketch, I chose some ribbon and started tying a bow around the pink panel. I must have tied and retied that bow about ten times until I decided that I should hide that angry looking knot underneath a nice little button. I bought some buttons at Hobby Lobby and surprisingly they match all of my cardstock nicely. I found one close to Mellow Moss and tied some twine through it.


After all of this work, I need a little chocolate break. Ahhh!! Go ahead, admit it. You have some chocolate stashed nearby too. ;)















9. So I put everthing together to see if it needs any more embellishments. Since this sketch was so not my type, I hemmed and hawed about what to do next. I thought the card at least needed a sentiment. But I wasn't sure where to put it. So I placed it on the acrylic block and moved it all around until I was satisfied with how it looked.




10. Since I had already adhered dimensionals, I had to stabilize the paper so I could stamp the sentiment. I put the sheet of dimensionals underneath the paper and stamped the image. Viola, card is complete. Completely nothing like I had envisioned though! But it's nice to get outside of my little box once in a while.






Thanks for visiting me and reading about my creative process. I had fun sharing!

Stamps: Verve Because of You & , PTI Everyday Classics
Ink: Versafine Sepia, SU Mellow Moss
Paper: SU Chocolate chip & Mellow Moss, PTI Sweet Blush, My Mind's Eye DSP
Misc: SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Studio button, twine, dimensionals, EP, Cuttlebug Folder

Viva La Verve July Week #2

 

This is my first attempt at doing the Poppin' Pastels technique. Thanks to Gina K and her Stamp TV! I am a visual learner, so I went to her site and found her tutorial.

I started out using SU's Echoes of Kindness stamp set. I had the image all done and adhered to the card, then I smudge it with my finger. Ugh! So I had to start over but I just wasn't happy with the imgage's outcome. So I changed my mind and decided to use Verve's Because of You set. I love the effect it has with the soft color behind the images. I was going for a simple, soft look. I haven't used any purples in ages and the only reason I used it today was because my chalk colors are very limited. Red, orange, blue, green and purple. These flowers remind me of lavender. The look like they are swaying in the wind, don't they?

Stamps: Verve Because of You & Grateful Elegance
Ink: Versamark, SU Lavender Lace
Paper: SU Lavender Lace, misc white cardstock
Misc: Liquid Pearls, dimensional, Chalks

Verve Sketch July #5

 

Those of us who procrastinate, don't do things normally. Take this challenge for instance. It's in its last week, all 5 cards are due next Thursday. When do I start? This morning. Where do I start? At the last one. Gives me a false sense of being on time because there aren't 50 other people who are done already. Heehee!

I started this card before my shower, then took the girls to the pool for a couple hours. I was able to think about what I wanted to do next with it while swimming. When we got home I finished it and viola. It's a miracle for me to get a card done so quickly. I'm hoping that the next four go as well.

Stamps: Verve Fluttering By & Because of You
Ink: Versafine Black, PTI Raspberry Fizz
Paper: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise, My Mind's Eye DSP, SU Pretty in Pink
Misc: PTI Raspberry Fizz Swiss Dots Satin Ribbon, Clear EP, Machine stitching, misc button, misc bling

Mojo Monday #96

 
 

A friend of mine from SCS offered to let me borrow her stamp set "Friends Til the End". I was shocked and also excited! How sweet of her to let me, a virtual stranger really, use her stamp set!! I have been wanting this set for ages, but something has kept me from getting it. I wasn't too sure if I'd like it and it wasn't in my budget. But after using it just once I am in LOVE! I can't wait to use it again.

I'm going to send this card to her when I return the set. It's the least I could do. (I'm also going to include a little something.) She is either a very generous person, or she was sick and tired of hearing me whine and complain about wanting this set. LOL!! I'm hoping it's the former. ;)

Stamps: PTI Friends Til the End & Faux Ribbon
Ink: Memento Black, PTI Summer Sunrise, Versafine Black
Paper: SU Basic Black, PTI Summer Sunrise, PTI Bitty Dots DSP
Misc: PTI Summer Sunrise Satin Ribbon, Machine sewing, Stickles, Copic Marker Y15, Liquid Pearls, CB mini tag die, scallop scissors

Box of Kisses

 
 

I have about a dozen Paper Trey Ink stamp set boxes. I always knew I could turn around and reuse them but I wasn't sure for what. Until today.

Last week was my daughter's birthday. We went to Walmart and she picked out a cake and we ordered it well in advance. When I went back to pick it up there was nobody at the Bakery counter. We waited five minutes. Finally I walked over to an employee and asked them to page someone to Bakery. Another five minutes goes by. Now you may be thinking, oh what's a few minutes. Well, it's an eternity with two energetic little kids anxious to get the cake and eat it! So a man that was sweeping the floor comes by to help me. He looks and looks for the cake. Nothing. After a few minutes he goes to get some more help. I was starting to get a bit impatient. The assistant manager shows up with the bakery girl. She was outside on her break. They had nobody else working at the Bakery. She too looks for the cake. Nothing. Seems that they never made our cake. So here we are, waited 20 minutes to find out it's not even made!!! She was so sweet and apologetic and said she could make it in 10 minutes. So I told the assistant manager, in so many words, that this was very disappointing. He profusely apologized and told me that he would give us the cake for free. He asked if I had any more shopping to do and I said, "No, just these candles." So he takes them and pays for them himself!!

The poor Bakery girl was sweating trying to whip out our cake. She was so nice and kept apologizing. I knew it wasn't her fault because the cake should have been ready 6 hours prior. She did a fantastic job. And she was sweet all the while. So I decided to show my gratitude by making a quick little gift box of chocolate. Because everybody likes chocolate, right?

Stamps: Verve Grateful Elegant, Hero Arts Butterfly
Ink: SU White Craft Ink, versafine sepia
Paper: PTI DSP, Bazill cardstock, SU Regal Rose
Misc: Empty PTI Stamp set box, SU Top Note Die, misc ribbon, EP, dimensionals, Stickles, Hershey Kisses

Anniversary card and a Toot

 

I made this Anniversary for my parents. They just celebrated 47 years!!! I can't believe they will be celebrating their silver Wedding Anniversary in 3 shorts years. They have an incredible marriage and believe me I do take notes! ;-)

Stamps: SU Summer by the Sea & Calm Seas, PTI Garden of Life (sentiment)
Ink: PTI Aqua Mist, Memento Black, Palette Brown
Paper: PTI Aqua Mist & Summer Sunrise
Misc: Copics, PTI Summer Sunrise Swiss Dots Satin Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Flat back pearls, SU Top Note Die, Nestabilities Circle

And on another note...I made the Top 20 on last week's Mojo Monday!!! {Scroll down to the slideshow} I can't believe it!!! Out of 500 entries Julee noticed my card. I am so honored! She is an incredible artist that I greatly admire. I signed up for Verve's Blog Hop that they are holding on August 1st. I sure hope I can come up with something decent. Stay tuned...

It's Thursday, but it's Mojo Monday for me!

 
 

While making this card, I have come to these conclusions:

I stink at taking pictures, no matter what I try.
I need more than 2 hours to complete a card like this.
Whenever I sew on paper, I will most likely make a huge mistake.
I need a new Heat Gun.
I just cannot stay away from pink. No matter how hard I try!
I have a million buttons that I need to use.
Besides DSP, I am starting to hoard ribbon.

Okay, phew, I feel better.

Stamps: Verve Because of you, Fluttering By
Ink: Versafine Sepia, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, SU White craft ink
Paper: SU Close to Cocoa & Regal Rose, PTI Aqua Mist, misc Pink dsp
Misc: Flat back pearls, clear EP, PTI button, PTI Aqua Mist Satin Ribbon, SU Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, dimensionals, Sewing machine