More Verve and Deconstructed Sketch 100

If you have visited my blog over the last few days you will know that I was very lucky to be part of the May release team for Verve stamps.  I spent the last four days showcasing cards that were made with some brand new stamps sets and I've got a couple more to share today and tomorrow.

This card uses the stamps from On Occasion as well as the Occasion Frame die.  My layout is from the Deconstructed Sketch No. 100 celebration and as soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for this particular stamp set.  From there I decided on a Father's Day card which lead to these colors, which I think are particularly masculine.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  On Occasion (Verve)

Paper:  Avery Elle Kraft; Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy, Baja Breeze (SU)

Accessories:  Midway Button (October Afternoon); Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon, Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon (SU)

BE Inspired 28

Hello everyone!  It's time for the latest BE Inspired challenge from The Alley Way Stamps and your chance to win some freebies!  This week the challenge has got some lovely, soft colors as well as some stripey goodness that I know you're going to love!

I went with the beautiful colors of white and pink (Blushing Bride) with a bit of pop from dark brown (Early Espresso) to make this card featuring the fun tag and hot steaming cup of joe from tag-alongs.  A sentiment from Mad Gab finished this off perfectly!

Did you know that you could win some free stamps from The Alley Way Stamps just by participating in the BE Inspired Challenge?  Well you can just by using images from The Alley Way Stamps.  And if you don't own any stamps you can download fee digis right HERE!

You have until noon TAWS time on Thursday, May 23rd to enter your project.  One lucky winner will be the Top Pick and will win a stamp set of their choice!  And another lucky winner will be chosen randomly and will also receive a stamp set of their choice!  You can't pass that up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Verve May Spotlight - Day 4

Welcome to day 4 of our May 2013 Spotlight Hops!  Today we're shining our Verve spotlights on the new stamps Teachers Count, Apple Die Set, All Occasion, Occasion Frame Die and Promoted Plain Jane. Each of the release team Divas and Guest Divas below has posted her first look at these new stamps today. As you hop through the list below, you just might see some super sneaky peeks of new coordinating dies and ribbons, so keep your eyes peeled! Everything you see previewed along today's hop will be available in Verve's online store on Friday, May 10.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines. Woohoo! Let's get started...

This has been an amazing week for me because I actually got to participate in a Verve blog hop that showcases the new stamps that will be available in the Verve store TONIGHT!!!  A Verve stamp was the very first clear stamp that I ever purchased and I am as amazed now as I was then at Julee's beautiful images and creative and meaningful sentiments.  I've had a blast this week and now it's time to show you my final project for the blog hop.

Since the end of the school year is fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to make a card and a small gift featuring some of the stamps from Teachers Count.  I know that a lot of people like to give small gifts to their child's teacher and this stamp set is perfect for that.  I made a small square card with a sentiment that says it all, plus a little pillow box gift box that will hold a gift card.  I think you'll agree that the sentiments in this set are designed to show all the teachers in our lives how much we appreciate them and influence they have made on us!

If you've been following along on the blog hop you should have arrived here from Andrea's blog.  And next up is Laurie W.  But if you just stumbled here, then below you will find the Master Hop List!  

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Charmaine 9. Jen M. 3. Teresa 10. Laurie W. 4. Stacey 11. Laurie S. 5. Amber 12. Janelle 6. Christyne 13. Maureen 7. Marisa 14. Jen S.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Teachers Count, Take Note, Notebook Paper

Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink:  Bashful Blue, Early Espresso, Real Red, Old Olive (SU); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories:  Rounded Rectangle Die (Verve); Stitched Mat Square die (Lil Inker Designs); Polka Dots Basics ribbon (Verve)

Verve May Spotlight - Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the May 2013 Spotlight Hops!  Today we're shining our Verve spotlights on the new stamps Strong Anchor, Adjusted Sails Plain Jane and the Nautical Die. Each of the release team Divas and Guest Divas below has posted her first look at these new stamps today. As you hop through the list below, you just might see some super sneaky peeks of new coordinating dies and ribbons, so keep your eyes peeled! Everything you see previewed along today's hop will be available in Verve's online store on Friday, May 10.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines. Woohoo! Let's get started...

Today my card features one of the sentiments from Strong Anchor.  There are so many lovely sentiments to choose from on this set, I had a hard time deciding which one I wanted to use.  This one seemed perfect to go with this steering wheel from a ship.  (Now the cat's out of the bag that I'm no sailor because I'm pretty sure that's not called a steering wheel!  LOL)!  I wrapped some rustic twine around the layer with the sentiment because I've seen Master & Commander and I think that ropes and boats go hand in hand!  At least they do on my nautical themed card!

You should have arrived here from Andrea's blog and next up is Laurie W.  But don't worry if you are lost, because I'll be your port in the storm!  And anyway, here's the Master Hop List to guide you!

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Charmaine 9. Jen M. 3. Teresa 10. Laurie W. 4. Stacey 11. Laurie S. 5. Amber 12. Janelle 6. Christyne 13. Maureen 7. Marisa 14. Jen S.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Strong Anchor

Ink:  Midnight Muse, Soft Suede (SU)

Paper:  Ultra Smooth Pure White (Avery Elle); Midnight Muse, Marina Mist, Whisper White (SU)

Accessories:  Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE); brown eyelet (American Crafts); Linen Thread, Dimensionals (SU)

Freshly Made Sketches 85

Looking for my May Verve Spotlight post?  Click HERE!

Happy Wednesday all!  It's time for a new sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and this week, Narelle is our hostess.  She is one talented card-maker and I think it is safe to say that she never met a layer she didn't like!  She is the absolute master at creating cards with amazing depth and she uses colors in surprising and very clever ways.  If you've never visited, I urge you to go to her blog and check out her amazing creations.  Go ahead.  I'll wait...

Thanks for coming back!  And now it's time for me to reveal the sketch and show you my humble card.

I find myself reaching for Baja Breeze a lot these days.  I still can't believe that Stampin' Up! decided this most beautiful of blues was no longer worthy of their cardstock lineup.  I've still got quite a bit of cardstock left, but I'm sure I'll find myself hoarding it in the not-too-distant future to make sure my supply lasts forever. But for now I'll indulge my love of this color and use it however I want!

I think it looks pretty nice with Rich Razzleberry and Island Indigo so I used those colors to stamp this collage of Delicate Doilies from The Alley Way Stamps.  And the sentiment stamped in black stands out so well.  I changed my mind a few times about the background behind the circle until I settled on these big embossed circles.  When in doubt, an embossing folder solves the problem I say to myself!

So head on over to Freshly Made Sketches and check out the cards over there.  The gallery always fills up with the most amazing creations so don't forget to check that out as well.  See you there!

Verve May Spotlight - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of our May 2013 Spotlight Hops!  Today we're shining our Verve spotlights on the new stamps Let it Be and Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane. Each of the release team Divas and Guest Divas below has posted her first look at these new stamps today. As you hop through the list below, you just might see some super sneaky peeks of new coordinating dies and ribbons, so keep your eyes peeled! Everything you see previewed along today's hop will be available in Verve's online store on Friday, May 10.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines. Woohoo! Let's get started...

Today my card features this gorgeous sentiment and beautiful layered bloom.  I colored the flower with Copics and highlighted in the center with a black rhinestone.  The leaves are from Sunny Days and are some of my favorites.

You should have landed here from Andrea's blog and next up is Laurie W.  But if you get lost along the way, here's the handy-dandy Master Hop List!

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Charmaine 9. Jen M. 3. Teresa 10. Laurie W. 4. Stacey 11. Laurie S. 5. Amber 12. Janelle 6. Christyne 13. Maureen 7. Marisa

Supplies:

Stamps:  Let it Be; Sunny Days

Paper:  Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade DSP (SU); X-Press It Blending Card (Copic)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Lucky Limeade; Copics

Accessories:  Leafy Sprigs die (A Cut Above by VERVE); Adorning Accents Edgelit die (SU); Black Rhinestone (KaiserCraft)

colourQ 188

Looking for my Verve May Spotlight post?  Click HERE!

It's time for another great color challenge from colourQ!  This week, Arielle has got the lovely, soft, spring colors of this dress to inspire you!

I, however, did not use a dress on my card (unlike Sylvia), but opted for this fun, quirky bird from the newly released Bird Brain.  The funky Fusion sketch seemed to fit this little bird perfectly {wink}!

Ok, so now you should head on over to colourQ and check out the gorgeous cards from our talented design team.  Then link up with us in the gallery because we would love to see what you will create with these beautiful colors!

Verve May Spotlight

I have been seriously MIA on my blog for a few days because I have been feverishly making cards for a very special occasion!  A short while ago I was asked by Julee Tilman, owner of Verve Stamps to join her and the other Release Day divas on the blog hop highlighting the new stamps to be released in May!  To say I was excited was an understatement!  I'm seriously nervous to be in such company, but here I go!

First up, if you've arrived here from Andrea's blog you are in the right spot and hopping along just fine.

Today we're shining our Verve spotlights on the new stamps Take Note and Happy Graduation Plain Jane. Each of the release team Divas and Guest Divas below has posted her first look at these new stamps today. As you hop through the list below, you just might see some super sneaky peeks of new coordinating dies and ribbons, so keep your eyes peeled! Everything you see previewed along today's hop will be available in Verve's online store on Friday, May 10.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines. Woohoo! Let's get started...

I've used this great sentiment from Take Note, which has the coolest font.  I wanted the sentiment be the focus of my card so I used the uber clean sketch from retro sketches and added some washi and crinkly seam binding ribbon for some splashes of color (from the Dyanamic Duos challenge).

Next up on the hop is Laurie W.  And if you get lost, here's the Master Hop List:

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Charmaine 9. Jen M. 3. Teresa 10. Laurie W. 4. Stacey 11. Laurie S. 5. Amber 12. Janelle 6. Christyne 13. Maureen 7. Marisa