SCS383 Dream a new dream

I had a little bit of free time last night so I whipped up this card for this week's sketch challenge at SCS. I've had the Echo Park Victorian Gardens DP for awhile and used it as my starting off point.  In the background of the main panel, I used two of the flowers from the TSG set called "World's Best" in Angel Pink.  I then stamped the sentiment from Verve called "Words of Wisdom" in Versafine Onyx Black.  A little bit of bling and some bubblegum tulle ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel and you have a card.  Yeah!!!

RCC45 Go Confidently

This week at the Ribbon Carousel Challenge blog, we are being sponsored by The Twinery so we want to see your creations using Baker's Twine. The Twinery will be giving away a $15 gift certificate to one lucky participant!!! Yeah!!!  

Participants must visit and leave comments on each blog on the hop.

Deadline for commenting is 11:59pm EST, Friday March 23rd.

Winners at The Twinery will be announced on Saturday, March 24th.

Your creation can be anything from cards, quilts, sewn items, paper crafts, paintings! *** Be sure to have ribbon, bakers twine, jute twine, lace, thread (basically anything that comes on a spool). ***

For my card today, I decided to use the Verve set called "Words of Wisdom" (my go to Verve set) and have stamped it with Close to Cocoa ink.  I was inspired by one of this month's Viva La Verve challenges this month for my layout.  Did you see that fantastic DP?? Love it!!! It's the Echo Park lines called "This and That: Graceful" and the green is from their "This and That: Charming". I've been hoarding this DP since I got it last month and have only just broken into it today.  Sad I know!!!  I'm absolutely love the Bubblegum Pink Tulle as well (I think it's been one of my go to's lately in terms of embellishments) available from the Ribbon Carousel. I've also used some of the Cappucino Twinery Baker's Twine that was also purchased at the Ribbon Carousel. 

We'd love for you to participate with us this week!!!

 

ISSC04 Live the life

So.... I've seen my fair share of water this week... too much I guess I could say.  I spent last weekend with some of the ISpy girls, TSG trendsetters, Ribbon Carousel team and had the best time EVER. I haven't laughed so much in so long and it was a trip of a lifetime. I truly love these girls and I know I have some forever friends as a result.

So where does the water come in?  The three crazy Canucks and myself headed back into Canada so I turned my cell phone back on... I kinda wish I hadn't...  It was my brother saying that our basement had flooded (I'm living in a basement suite at his house).   My stuff was quickly getting packed in bags, boxes and up off the floor. My crafty area in the basement took a direct hit from the water.  However, according to the Insurance company and the Restoration company, it's a best case scenario in some regards. The water came up through the flooring (shall I mention it took over 24 hours to locate the water source? or the fact that the water only stopped when we called the city and have them turn off the water at the street?").  So for the next month or so, my life is packed up in boxes, bags etc. and I managed to find some of my crafty stuff... Luckily I had my "essentials" with me when I was away (although I didn't take my paper cutter with me and it is now MIA). 

My craft area... after the water and before the floors and drywall have been removed.

Now, I know you aren't here to hear about my water woes, so let's get on with my ISpy card for this week. This week we are featuring this sweet card by Heather Klump (tankgrl at SCS) that was posted in her SCS Gallery on March 22, 2011.

Here is our sketch based on Heather's card.

And of course... I had to alter it aka flip it. 

I'm SO glad that I have Kim Teasdale in my life.  She was a lifesaver today!!! I pulled up to her house with my limited crafty items and headed straight into her craft room to make my card for today.  I was completely inspired by this fabulous Authentique DP that I picked up last weekend on our crafty weekend.  I've stamped the sentiment from the Verve set called "Words of Wisdom" in Basic Black.  I then added a few little clear rhinestones to add a little oomph to my card.  And then I got a little ribbon happy with some Antique Gold Vintage Seam Binding, Natural Jute Twine and Box Pleated Ribbon all available at Ribbon Carousel. 

Thanks for popping by today!!!!  

VLV Let's Get Together

I had so much fun playing along with January's Viva la Verve challenges at SCS, I knew I had to play along again this month.  This is the first sketch for this month's challenges.  I've used the Verve set called "Sip and Savor".  I have stamped the images in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I paper pieced some of the Heart Paper collection from Crate Paper and then added a little highlight around the edge of the cups with my Tombow Markers.  Pretty simple and quick card.  Yeah!!!! 

A little Verve-y goodness

I've been having so much fun playing with the Verve stuff I received in the mail recently.  I swear I can't put it down.... now I want to order more but my crafty budget has been slashed severely so I'll be using my stash rather than getting new for awhile. 

My first card is the third sketch for January's Viva la Verve challenges. The set called "Words of Wisdom" has always been a fave of mine, yet it's only just arrived in my collection.  I've stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  The floral flourish comes from the TSG set called "Act of Kindness" and has been stamped in Angel Pink.  The DP is Echo Park's Happy Days DP - yummy!! Now I'm sure you are thinking I have altered the sketch a little and you'd be right. I put the ribbon layer underneath the sentiment panel because I didn't want to hide any of it.  I'm such a rebel.... LOL!!!

My second card uses the fourth sketch for January's Viva la Verve challenges. And yes, you guessed it!!! I had to alter it a little bit.  I am trying to get some cards made for Valentine's Day so I wanted to pretty it up a little bit. The stamp is the Plain Jane called "Smallest Things" that I've always loved.  I love sentiments that have so much meaning... and to think this was Winnie the Pooh. LOL....

Wahoo!! I managed to get all four sketches done for the month. Can I just say it feels so good? 

RCC37 You Mocha Me Crazy!!!

Wowza!!! The blogging frenzy begins!!! This week at the Ribbon Carousel Challenge, Suzanne is challenging us to make a card using non-traditional colours.  For example, if you're making a Valentine's card you can't use pink or red.  This one had me stumped... I swear I sat and stared at the challenge for hours!!! Then I stared at all my stamps for hours!!! I was pathetic! For some reason, I was making it harder than it needed to be.  I received some happy mail from Verve last week so I decided to break it out for a test run. 

For my card, I've used the Verve sets "Sip and Savor" as well as "Better with You" to create a Valentine's card.  Did ya notice??? No Pink or red!! Wahoo!!! I've stamped the cups in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed them with clear embossing powder, then paper pieced them.  I've sponged the main panel with Versamagic Wheat Ink and Close to Cocoa for a more distressed like look. The DP is a mish-mash of what I had laying around (Fancy Pants, K & Company, Scenic Route, 3 Bugs in a Rug).  The layout for my card is last week's Viva La Verve challenge over at SCS ( had to move the oval panel up a bit so that I could get the sentiment in). To finish off the card, I've added some Brown Jute Twine from the Ribbon Carousel.  I love the look it always ends up giving!!  I've always been a fan of Jeanie Whitmer's 'That's Krafty Thursday" challenge so I'll be linking my card up there as well.

Our sponsor this week is Paper and Such and they are graciously offering a $15 Gift Certificate to their store. We're sponsoring their challenge this week so there's double the fun!!!

Now head on over to the Ribbon Carousel Challenge to see what the ladies have created!!!

A better place

Each week I check out the Paper Players blog and each week I think I need to play along and then live gets in the way and another week passes by.... but this week... I wasn't going to let their sketch pass me by.  And I'm so glad I didn't!!! Although I added a little bit of my own flair, after all, it wouldn't be me if I didn't take a few liberties right? LOL!!! Call me a goof! I've had this K & Company Sweet Nectar DP for a few months now and believe it or not... I totally forgot I had it.  (That must be a sign I have too much DP... but then again, can you ever have enough DP?).  I was instantly inspired by it and I got to work (just a few simple cuts, a little bit of lace trim added under the one panel, a felt flower that I already had, a bit of ribbon, a great sentiment from Verve's All about You) and Voila... card done! Easy peasy! Quick and Easy!

Anni-VERVE-sary Love

Welcome to the Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop! Verve turns three today and we’re celebrating with a hop, hop, hop! If you've already been hopping along, you arrived here from Angela's (yes there are two Angela's in a row on the blog hop) blog. If not, head on over to Julee's Blog (owner of Verve), for all the info on how to win prizes (after all, what's a party without presents?), and to start hopping from the beginning. If there's a hiccup along the hop, you can always head to the Master Hop List to get the full list of links.

I had so much fun making this card!! I used the set called "Love's Flower" which I have been in love with forever.  Right after I signed up for the blog hop, I started going through all my Verve sets and realized I wanted something new so I popped on over to the Verve store and into my cart this set went. I'm so glad it arrived this week otherwise I would have been using one of my older sets.  For the sentiment, I've used Versamark and Basic Black ink and then embossed with Clear embossing powder.  With my Spellbinder's die still in place I sponged with Bermuda Bay ink for a bit of color.  I love how you can get that white border around the die.  For the black matting, I used the same die but went around the outside edge with my craft knife because I didn't want a big border.  The flower has been watercolored with both Tombows and SU Markers.  To be honest,  in real life it looks a lot softer than the pic.  I added a small rhinestone in a matching tone to the center of the flower. 

Thanks for hopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Kathleen's blog, for a little more Verve-y goodness.
 
You'll want to make sure you leave comments along the way because there will be prizes for lucky commenters somewhere along the hop!!!

MTSC75 Mama Said they'll be days like this...

Greetings from the Wet (err... West) Coast of BC. Yup... It's been raining A LOT!!! It's hard to believe that it's almost June and we haven't had the best of weather yet this Spring. This last week and for the next few days it has been all about the umbrella and rain boots.

Can you believe it? Two weeks in a row for me and Mercy's sketch challenges!! I'm so happy that I'm back into the swing of things in terms of doing fun sketches and challenges out there in blog land. I'm on vacation from one of my DT's for the next two months so I'll have a lot more time to play with some of my unloved and uninked stamps. The image I used is from Stamping Bella and was from one of their anniversary sales (it was a limited edition in the small size). The sentiment is from the Verve set called Feeling Groovy. I don't pull this set out enough but I love the sentiments. I've watercolored part of the image with Tombow Markers and then paper pieced both the rain boots and umbrella.

With the day I had, my mama definitely has said they're be days like this.

Celebrating a New Life - Bella Style

Isn't she lovely??? I think this may be my favorite Bella ever released. I know I have probably said that before but honestly, this one is amazing!!!! I've made this card for my friend Heather who will be having her first baby in the next couple of weeks. As you can see, Heather knows that the baby is a girl which made making the card so much more fun. I love when you can make a baby card that isn't gender neutral. Because Heather knows the sex of the baby, her shower is this weekend and by the time you are reading this, she will already have this card ( I didn't want to post it before the shower just in case she saw it).

As you can tell, I've also stamped the inside of the card (sorry for the bad pic - I couldn't get a good one of it). I love this sentiment from a Verve set called "Asian Flair". I thought it was perfect for someone who will be experiencing something so beautiful in the next couple of weeks. The present in the corner is from a Hanna Stamp set but I can't remember which one.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Babycarriage-a-Bella by Stamping Bella, Asian Flair by Verve, Hanna Stamps (present stamp)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Rose Red
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Bo Bunny Love Bandit DP (I'm addicted to this line), watercolor paper
Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, MS Lattice Border Punch

WCMD09A - Stars in Heaven

A close family friend passed away this last week and I've been asked to make some sympathy cards for the family. I've been putting it off for a couple days because they aren't something I enjoy making. This death has hit close to home as Marion is very close in age to my mom who I am incredibly close to. I can't imagine being the age I am and having to deal with the death of a parent. I've made this card for Monica who was incredibly close to her mom - I knew when I saw this sentiment that it would be perfect for her and that it would bring her some comfort.

I've made the card for WCMD09A at Splitcoaststampers - this challenge was to make a card wit either a quote or a sentiment as the focal point of the card. I've used the Indian Summer Line from Basic Grey. I love the softness of this paper - it's gorgeous. I already know I'll be buying more of it!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Sympathy Sentiments by Impression Obsession, Serenity by Verve
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Rose Red, Indian Summer by Basic Grey
Ink: Versamark, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Circle and Blossom Nestabilities, Floral Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

FS136 Looking on the Bright Side

WOW!!! What can I say about Steubner (Shannan Teubner) on SCS??? Well..... We all have a stamping idol right? Tell me - you do! I started stampng a couple of years ago and was introduced to SCS by a co-worker (before then I didn't even know that it existed - GASP!!! The horrors). I quickly discovered Steubner and found I was always favoriting her cards. Steubner has a style like no other - a simple elegance in her CAS cards and an amazing way of creating beautiful fancy cards - she definitely has a diverse style. I find myself in awe of her coloring!!! Now if only I lived closer so I could get a "tutorial".

Now onto my card! This is the card I chose to case - Three Martini... Floor. Things I changed were: Image, sentiment, colors, ribbon. I've used Tangled Stella from Stamping Bella. Can I just say I partly blame Shannan for my love of Bellas! She's an enabler I tell ya!!! But I'm not complaining. A girl can never have too many stamps right???

Enjoy your day in the spotlight Shannan!!! You deserve it!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Tangled Stella (Stamping Bella), Fluttering By (Verve)
Paper: GinaK White, Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, My Mind's Eye DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Aqua Pen, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dew Drops, Stickles, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Best Friends

I've been a long time fan of Shannan Teubner's (ever since I started stamping) and check her blog out on a daily basis. If you only knew how many of her cards are in my favorites on SCS.... it's a lot!!!! She posted this card and I absolutely fell in love with it. My mom called me to ask me to make a wedding card and I was stumped! I have very few wedding related stamps (guess I need to invest in some) and had no clue as to what I was going to do. And then Shannan posted her card on her blog and SCS. A light bulb went on and I knew I had a very quick and elegant card in the making. Thanks Shannan!!! You rock!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Serenity (Verve Stamps), Full of Life (SU)
Paper: Gina K Luxury White, Pink Pirouette, Doodlebug DP
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, MS Punch

CC222 - As pure as white

I was so excited when I saw today's color challenge of creating a White Card.... Yes - White! I knew I didn't have a lot of time today so I could get this done in a short amount of time. Did I also mention it had to be a one layer card? Hopefully my ribbon treatment doesn't count as a layer.

I've had the Chandelier set from Inkadinkadoo for awhile but haven't had the chance to use it yet so I knew it would be perfect. The sentiment is from a Verve set - All about You. I'm trying to use my underused stamps lately as they're feeling unloved.

Notice anything about my card? Hehe.... It matches my blog!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: All about you (Verve), Chandelier (Inkadinkadoo)
Paper: PTI White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Ribbon