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Be Strong

Hi friends!  It's the final Monday of the month and that means it's time for a round or square sketch over on the Mojo Monday blog.  This week's another CAS inspired layout that can be dressed up or down to your heart's content.


For my card I pulled out the newly released Each Day set and went with the square version of the sketch. The butterfly from the set is embossed with white onto black cardstock and then hand trimmed and glued down onto some ruffled ribbon strips using the brand new Autumn Elements Ribbon Collection  seam binding.  I embossed just a portion of the crumb cake panel with a hearts embossing folder for a little interest, then stamped the Psalm 31:24 and the little heart (both from Each Day) in the non-embossed section and colored the heart with a Copic marker.

I added a little flair with a single rounded corner and a wavy edge punch for the bottom of the card.  Easy peasy and done during a VERY short nap time!  {grin}


All of the new releases from Verve, including Each Day, are 10% off right now, or the September Stamp Collection and the Accessories Pack are marked 20% off!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'm scheduled for shipping duties, so I'll be glitterfied from packing orders in sparkly tissue paper today!  {grin}  Hope you have a fantastic start to your week!

Enabler's List
Stamps: Each Day (Verve Stamps)
Paper: crumb cake, basic black (SU!)
Ink: crumb cake (SU!), embossing ink (Ranger), Black (TPC Studios), Copic marker
Accessories:  Autumn Elements Ribbon Collection (Verve), heart embossing folder (Sizzix), dotted wave border punch (EK Success), flatback pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty)

Verve Release Wrap-Up

Hi friends!  Happy Saturday!  I hope you're having a fabulous start to your weekend.

Yesterday was the big VERVE release, and I'm just happy as a lark to have some new Verve to play with! And since I've been stamping up a storm I thought I'd pop in and share the cards I posted over on the Verve blog this week.  Some of you might have seen them already, but if not, here's a little more inspiration with the brand new sets that just released!


Designer Notes:  The butterfly is embossed in white on vellum cardstock and hand cut, then sponged with distress inks and accented with pearls.  God is able is stamped repeatedly tone on tone for a fun background.
Stamps: Each Day (Verve Stamps)
Paper: sahara sand, basic black (SU!), cream, vellum cardstock
Ink: sahara sand (SU!), black, wild honey, tumbled glass, broken china, walnut stain, antique linen (Ranger), VersaMark
Accessories: washi tape (Recollections), paper crimper, half back pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), paper distresser


Designer Notes:  Used several of the gear stamps for a fun stamped background, paper pieced the hat and the tummy gear.  Stamped on grey and accented with grey markers for minimal coloring.
Stamps: Geared Up (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Cogsmo (Cosmo Cricket), smoky slate, basic black (SU!)
Ink: Smoky Slate (SU!), black (TPC Studios)
Accessories: Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Sprightly Sprockets (Spellbinders)

Designer Notes: Created a stamped background with the number stamps. Hand cut the 2 and used a some of the gear stamps for the medallion.  Stamped the bot image twice for a card for my twins, colored in green and blue with fun little sequin belt buckles.
Stamps: Birthday Bots, Geared Up (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU!) Cream (Neenah)
Ink: black, versamark, lucky limeade, pool party, soft sky, smoky slate (SU! markers) Copic markers
Accessories: Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Pastel Sequin Mix (Verve), Circle punches, Pinking Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), grosgrain ribbon (SU!), white embossing powder


Designer Notes:  stamped solid poppies with a darker ink on the blushing bride poppy die cuts for a fun layering effect.  Sequins cover a multitude of ink smudges! {grin}
Stamps: Poppy Birthday (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black (SU!), white (Neenah)
Ink: strawberry slush, pear pizzazz (SU!), black (TPC Studios)
Accessories: Build a Poppy Die SetAward Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Pastel Sequin Mix (Verve), Liquid Pearls (Ranger)


Designer Notes: umbrellas stamped on colored cardstock, then stripes and polka dots doodled with a white gel pen.  Butterflies are created by stamping the raindrop four times in a butterfly formation, then adding white gel pen accents and some black mini rhinestones.
Stamps: Rain or Shine (Verve Stamps)
Paper: soft sky, smoky slate, real red (SU!)
Ink: real red, soft sky (SU!), white gel pen, black (TPC Studios)
Accessories: Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), liquid pearls, black rhinestones, Bubble Wrapping embossing folder (Sizzix)

Happy Hopping for Verve Release Day

Hi friends!  I'm so excited that release day is finally here!  Until I had the twins, I didn't appreciate the time I got to spend working enough.  I procrastinated, I created more work for myself than necessary.  I'm learning {very slowly} not to do these things.  So, for example, when you find out that your childcare has fallen through the day before a release it's not a crazy huge deal.  Well, it kind of still is, but I was a bit more prepared than previous releases already and then my amazing hubby offered to take the day off work yesterday to watch the twins so I could finish up the release, and I am SOOOOOOOO thankful!

So the release is finally here!  Everything's available in the Verve store today and it's all on SALE!  10% off all of our new products and 20% off the collection packs if you want it all! Hooray!


Well, it's hopping time again, with the final previews of a new set called Rain or Shine.  I paired the umbrella and sentiment from Rain or Shine with one of my favorite little bots from Birthday Bots.  My little Trevor just loves the song You Are My Sunshine, so I was thinking of him when I made this card.  The little bot is colored with prismacolor pencils and I masked off his face to stamp the umbrella so it's coming from his control panel.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a little control panel where handy dandy things just appeared when you needed them?  {grin}  I paper pieced the umbrella and the pockets, then added a portion of that new Award Banner Trim Die, decked out with some Pastel Sequin Mix and liquid pearls. Finished card size is 4.75 x 5" with a little border punch along the bottom to dress it up.
Well, there's lots still to see along the hop, since I'm the first one up!  Next stop is Teresa!  Be sure to leave a little love on each stop along the way for a chance to win today's featured stamps and ribbon! Deadline for commenting on the spotlight hops is Sunday 9/29 @ 5pm Mountain.  Check out the Verve Blog for all the deets (and another card from me!).  And don't forget to head on over to the Verve Store to check out all the new stuff!

1. Julee7. Amber
2. Teresa8. Laurie W.
3. Charmaine9. Christyne
4. Stacey {Guest}10. Marisa
5. Andrea11. Janelle
6. Jen12. Laurie S.
Enabler's List
Stamps: Birthday BotsRain or Shine (Verve Stamps)
Paper: School Daze (MME), barely banana, basic gray (SU!), white (Neenah)
Ink: black, barely banana (SU!), prismacolor pencils
Accessories: Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Pastel Sequin Mix (Verve), clouds embossing folder (SU!), Dotted Wave Punch (EK Success), black rhinestones, glossy glaze, gamsol

Poppy Celebration - Day 4 Spotlight Hop

Hi friends!  It's Day 4 of release week for Verve and the Divas are back sharing their first looks at another new set in today's blog hop. This is the start of the hop, so grab a treat and settle in for a fresh batch of Verve inspiration!  And be sure to head on over to the Verve Blog for the full set reveal and another card from me!


As usual, there's a prize too!  Just leave a little comment as you hop through each blog in today's list and you'll be entered in a drawing to win today's featured products...  Poppy Birthday and the Build a Poppy Die Set.

Today I have another CAS card.  I must admit, I've been just a bit giddy each time I've used Poppy Birthday so far!  Yesterday afternoon I made a quick little video (my second EVER) showing Poppy Birthday and the Build a Poppy Die Set in action.  You can see the video over on the Verve Blog today or you can click this link to view the video on YouTube.  I apologize in advance for camera wobbles, rambling and very little editing.  I was pressed for time before the nanny had to leave.

Anyhow, I originally was going to do the video with real red flowers, like a traditional poppy, but the subtle stamping didn't show very well on camera, so I changed up the colors for the video and had these left over die cuts to play with for this card!  I cut the flowers with the Build a Poppy Die Set  then stamped with the sketchy poppies in black, then added some cherry cobbler shading with the solid poppy stamps.  The leaves are stamped in pear pizzazz and also cut using the Build a Poppy Die Set.  I tucked the Award Banner Trim Die behind my row of poppies, then stamped one of the sentiments from Poppy Birthday onto a frame from On Occasion   A few liquid pearl accents and some rhinestones and I was finished!

Alrighty, everything you see today will be available for purchase in the Verve store on Friday, September 27.  Next up on the hop is...Teresa!


1. Julee8. Laurie W.
2. Teresa9. Christyne
3. Charmaine10. Maureen
4. Stacey {Guest}11. Marisa
5. Andrea12. Janelle
6. Jen13. Laurie S.
7. Amber

Enabler's List

Stamps:  Poppy Birthday, On Occasion (Verve Stamps)
Paper: real red, pear pizzazz, basic black (SU!), white (Neenah)
Ink: cherry cobbler, pear pizzazz, real red (SU!), black (TPC Studios)
Accessories: Build a Poppy Die Set, Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Occasion Frame Die (Verve), Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), rhinestones, glossy glaze

Shabby Chic Bot - Day 3 Hop

Hi friends!  It's Day 3 of release week for Verve and the Divas are back sharing their first looks at another new set in today's blog hop. This is the start of the hop, so grab a treat and settle in for a fresh batch of Verve inspiration!  And be sure to head on over to the Verve Blog for the full set reveal and another card from me!


As usual, there's a prize too!  Just leave a little comment as you hop through each blog in today's list and you'll be entered in a drawing to win today's featured products...  Birthday Bots and the Metal Mix and Pastel Sequin Collection.

I was totally excited to make a sweet little baby boy card when I sat down to stamp this card, but my eye settled on the Bramble Rose collection of papers, and I totally wanted my baby bot to have shabby chic pajamas!  LOL  So I paper pieced her outfit and stocking cap, then added just a bit of coloring to her cheeks and nose and added some glossy glaze to her eyes and buttons to give a bit of dimension to them.  The welcome baby sentiment is embossed onto cream and then I colored with Copic markers.  There's that Award Banner Trim Die again, cut from blushing bride, sponged a bit, then accented with some of the Metal Mix sequins and a teeny pink rhinestone in each center.  Also used one for the pouf on her cap.  Finished with a little seam binding from the Spring Fling collection.

Alrighty, everything you see today will be available for purchase in the Verve store on Friday, September 27.  Next up on the hop is...Teresa!


1. Julee7. Amber
2. Teresa8. Laurie W.
3. Charmaine9. Christyne
4. Stacey {Guest}10. Marisa
5. Andrea11. Janelle
6. Jen12. Laurie S.

Enabler's List

Stamps:  Birthday Bots (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Bramble Rose (MME), early espresso, blushing bride (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Ink: early espresso, blushing bride (SU!), Copic markers
Accessories: Award Banner Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Metal Mix, Spring Fling Ribbon Collection (Verve), Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), rhinestones, glossy glaze

Geared Up Spotlight Hop Day 2

Hi friends!  It's Day 2 of release week for Verve and the Divas are back sharing their first looks at another new set in today's blog hop. This is the start of the hop, so grab a treat and settle in for a fresh batch of Verve!


As usual, there's a prize too!  Just leave a little comment as you hop through each blog in today's list and you'll be entered in a drawing to win today's featured products...  Geared Up and the Award Banner Trim Die.

My card today has a few little peeks at other things in this release as well.  The birthday wishes sentiment is the "freebie" stamp that will be tucked in with orders this release.  The ribbon is part of the Autumn Elements Ribbon Collection, and I've also embellished with a few of the gear shaped sequins in the Metal Mix Collection.  The main image from Geared Up is this fun little retro robot.  Here I've paper pieced his parts with designer paper for a rusty look to match the seam binding.  There are seven different gear images in the set, and I used them all to stamp a tone on tone background, then used just three of the outlined gear images and punched them out as circles to accent the sentiment.  The top little bracket is made using the Flag It Die Set and I finished off with some silver liquid pearls.  Alrighty, everything you see today will be available for purchase in the Verve store on Friday, September 27.  Next up on the hop is...Teresa!



1. Julee8. Laurie W.
2. Teresa9. Christyne
3. Charmaine10. Maureen
4. Stacey {Guest}11. Marisa
5. Andrea12. Janelle
6. Jen13. Laurie S.
7. Amber

Enabler's List

Stamps: Geared Up, freebie sentiment (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Wanted (Cosmo Cricket), Cajun Craze, Basic Black (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Ink: Black, Cajun Craze (SU!)
Accessories:  Flag It Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), Autumn Elements Ribbon CollectionMetal Mix Collection (Verve), Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), liquid pearls (Ranger)

September Spotlight Hops - Day 1

Hi friends!  It's the start of release week for Verve and I'm so excited to share my new sets and dies with you!  The Divas will be sharing their first looks at our new sets all week long in a 5 day series of blog hops. This is the start of the hop, so grab a treat and settle in for a fresh batch of Verve!


As usual, there's a prize too!  Just leave a little comment as you hop through each blog in today's list and you'll be entered in a drawing to win today's featured stamps...  Each Day and the Psalm 94:18 Plain Jane.

I've really been admiring clean and simple cards lately, so that was my inspiration for this card featuring the Psalm 94:18 plain jane.  The verse is stamped onto sahara sand card stock, then matted with black and I added a bit of ribbon from the Polka Dot Basics Collection with a mini library clip.  My little accent is a peek at our new Build a Poppy Die Set.  Here I used it on its own and just doodled on each die cut piece, but it coordinates with a set you'll be seeing later this week.  The background is soft sky embossed with the hexagon folder from SU!

For a peek at Each Day you can check out my Mojo Monday card or I'm also blogging over on the Verve Blog today with yet another card to wrap up the Tic-Tac-Toe Diva Dare series.  (Yep, that's right... I'm a busy gal, with 3 new cards today!)  Alrighty, everything you see today will be available for purchase in the Verve store on Friday, September 27.  Next up on the hop is...Teresa!



1. Julee8. Laurie W.
2. Teresa9. Christyne
3. Charmaine10. Maureen
4. Stacey {Guest}11. Marisa
5. Andrea12. Janelle
6. Jen13. Laurie S.
7. Amber

Enabler's List

Stamps: Psalm 94:18 Plain Jane  (Verve Stamps)
Paper: soft sky, pistachio pudding, sahara sand, basic black (SU!)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Build a Poppy Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), Polka Dot Basics Ribbon Collection (Verve), hexagons embossing folder, mini library clip (SU!), liquid pearls (Ranger)

Sneaky Mojo

Hi friends!  It's Monday again and time for another Mojo Monday sketch.  It's a busy day for me with the start of Verve release week, so I'll be back a little later with my Verve Spotlight Blog Hop post. In the meantime, here's my Mojo Monday card with a little sneaky peek at a set that's releasing on Friday 9/27.


I just love this Hey You paper from BasicGrey, so I decided to go pretty simple {for me} with my sketch card. The butterfly and sentiment are from the soon to be released Each Day.  I wanted a chalkboard effect, so I embossed the butterfly in white on black cardstock, cut with the Classy Label Die and then sponged with some Jasmine Mix'd Media Inx.  The sentiment is stamped onto one of the tabs from the Flag it Die Set and I attached it with some tiny staples.  The strips behind the label die are strips I cut from drywall tape, then added some pearl accents to each hole and to the butterfly body.

Well, that's all for now.  Stay tuned for more peeks today and each day this week as we countdown to release!

Enabler's List
Stamps:  Each Day (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Hey You (BasicGrey), basic black (SU!), cream
Ink: Versamark, Black, Jasmine (Mix'd Media Inx)
Accessories:  Classy Label Die, Flag it Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), white embossing powder, half back pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), dry wall tape, tiny attacher


Bramble Rose

Hi friends! Happy Friday!  It's time for another Viva la Verve! sketch over in the VLV forum, and this week Charmaine has a super sweet sketch for you.

Yesterday for a little much-needed distraction, I took the twins to Michael's and courtesy of a 50% coupon just happened to come home with the gorgeous Bramble Rose papers from My Mind's Eye.  I couldn't wait to use them, so when I saw the sketch, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  And since I wore the boys out craft shopping, I even had a little nap time to do it in!


The stamps are all from the Sweet Treats set.  I stamped the swirly label in soft sky, then hand cut and matted with crumb cake cut with the Classy Label Die   The Embossed Oval Die is popped up in the center and I stamped the thank you in baked brown sugar and then did a 2nd generation stamping of the swirly hearts above and below the sentiment.  The strips of paper are cut down, sponged with some Brushed Corduroy distress ink, then added to a panel of crumb cake.  After I glued the strips down, I crimped just the bottom section of the panel for a little textured interest.  I finished off with a seam binding bow using the Signature Ribbon Collection and accented with a vintage brad from my stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  It will be a BUSY week on the blog next week as Verve Release Week kicks off on Monday!  I'm so excited to share our new sets with you!

Enabler's List
Stamps: Sweet Treats (Verve Stamps)
Ink: soft sky, baked brown sugar (SU!), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)
Paper:  Bramble Rose (MME), crumb cake (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Accessories:  Classy Label Die, Embossed Oval Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Signature Ribbon Collection (Verve), paper crimper (Fiskars), vintage brad (SU!)

Autumn Birthday

Hi friends!  Welcome to another Monday!  I had a great, busy, fun, packed, exhausting weekend!  Aren't they all?  LOL  Anyhow, since it's the start of the new week, that means there's a brand new Mojo Monday sketch.  I had a lot of fun with this one, I hope you do too!


I seriously can't stop making fall cards, so I reached again for that Thankful pad of papers from Authentique. The leaves are from the Harvest Blessings set and were actually leftovers that didn't make it onto my Viva la Verve! card on Friday.  I added them to a piece of cream cardstock embossed with the Barks & Bricks M-Bossabilities folder, then sponged on a bit of distress ink.  The double bow on the side used ribbon from the Polka Dot Ribbon Collection and the sentiment is from Wordy Birds   For my border strip, I used the Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set and finished off with some super sparkly smoked topaz Czech rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you have a fantastic start to the week!

Enabler's List
Stamps: Harvest Blessings, Wordy Birds (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Thankful (Authentique), early espresso (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), early espresso (SU!)
Accessories:  Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), Polka Dot Ribbon Collection (Verve), Barks & Bricks M-Bossabilities, Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), smoked topaz Czech rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty)

Autumn Wishes

Hi friends!  Happy Friday!  It's time for another Viva la Verve! sketch and this week's hostess is Jen Shults.  It's also inspiration week, and she has a super yummy photo you can use by itself or with the sketch.



When I looked at the photo, I saw cream, brown, yellow and wood grain, so those were the things I tried to incorporate into my card.  I've been in a fall mood, so I pulled out another favorite Autumn set, Harvest Blessings   I stamped the skewed panel with two of the patterned leaves in crumb cake ink, then stamped one of the leaves on sahara sand cardstock to cut out and add to the side of my circle.  A bit of ribbon from the Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection accents the circle.

The background layer is sahara sand that is embossed with the SU! woodgrain folder.  The dividing piece is a bit of dry wall tape that I sponged with walnut stain ink, then stuck to the background.  I fiished off with a little leaf charm in the corner and a button to top off my bow.

That's all from me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Enabler's List
Stamps:  Harvest Blessings (Verve Stamps)
Paper: sahara sand, early espresso (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Ink: crumb cake (SU!), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories:  Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection (Verve)Classic & Scallop Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), wood grain embossing folder (SU!), leaf charm, button, dry wall tape

Greetings

Hi friends!  Happy Tuesday!  Yesterday was definitely a Monday with a capital M.  You know those days when everything seems to be too exhausting to tackle and you end up shirking your to-do list and heading to the craft room to try to find a little happy before you have to face your family again?  Well, that's the sole reason there's a card here to share today.  {grin}


I just loved the Deconstructed Sketch this week, so that was my only plan when I sat down to stamp.  I had the Mischievous paper pad on my desk as I recently picked through my papers to put the autumn ones front and center.  I thought the prints would go great with the sketch, so I pulled out the Boo to You set and got right to work.  The pumpkin from Boo to You is stamped onto the cream panel, then again onto designer paper two times.  I paper pieced the pumpkin, then cut the second dp pumpkin on the second to the outside line and popped up for some dimension.  You can see the dimension a bit better in the close-up.  I really like the look of it.

The sentiment is stamped onto a Flag it Die, and the polka dotted topper to the pumpkin panel is cut with the same die set.  I layered them all together, then added a button, twine, a rhinestone and some liquid pearls to finish off.  It came together so easily and I was able to shirk off my gray cloud and go enjoy the boys' one-and-one-half-birthday celebration.  {grin}


Enabler's List
Stamps: Boo to You (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Mischievous (MME), basic black (SU!), cream (Neenah)
Ink: Black, Cajun Craze (SU!), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Accessories:Flag it Die Set (A Cut above by VERVE), button, twine, rhinestone, liquid pearls (Ranger), corner rounder, sewing machine


Birthday Vase

Hi friends!  It was a super fast weekend and already time for another round of Mojo Monday.  This week, we've got a CAS sketch that can be dressed up or down to fit your mood.


I've been loving this Thankful paper pad I've had out on my desk, so I reached for it again, in combination with Abundant Blessings  an old fall favorite.  The vase is paper pieced onto crumb cake cardstock, then I just added soft sky and black in for accents.  The soft sky piece is lightly stamped with some of the foliage from the set and I distressed the edges of everything with Frayed Burlap ink.  The sentiment is from Birthday Phrases and I just masked off each word to rearrange them to fit my banner strip.  A button and three little aqua rhinestones finish things off.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you have a fantastic start to your week!

If you haven't had a chance to hop along with the Diva Inspirations Hop, there's still time to get your comments in!  And the September Diva Dare kicked off on Friday, so be sure to check that out, too!

Enabler's List
Stamps: Abundant BlessingsBirthday Phrases (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Thankful (Authentique), soft sky, crumb cake, basic black (SU!)
Ink: soft sky (SU!), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress), black
Accessories:  button, rhinestones

Sketch Splendor



Hi friends!  Happy Friday!  It's time for another Viva la Verve! sketch and this week I'm the hostess with the mostest.  Head on over to the Viva la Verve! forum to play along with us!


My card uses an autumn favorite of mine, Autumn Splendor   I stuck with the same papers I had on my desk.  Just love soft sky for any season, but it seems so perfect with autumn colors.  I made the wheat stamps my focal piece, then used a primitive star die cut, combined with a Flag It die cut to hold my sentiment.  The two cross pieces are stamped tone on tone with the leaves from the Autumn Splendor set.  With the rust paper, I ran it through my paper crimper then sanded over it to get the fun stripes.  The background piece is embossed with that Hexagons SU! folder I love and I added in a Flourished Trim Die die cut and some liquid pearls and wooden stars to finish off.

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

Enabler's List
Stamps: Autumn Splendor (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Thankful (Authentique), Soft Sky, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (SU!)
Ink: Soft Suede, So Saffron, Really Rust (SU!)
Accessories:  Flag It Die Set, Flourished Trim Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), wooden stars (Studio Calico), Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Primitive Stars Die (Sizzix), chocolate liquid pearls (Ranger), Hexagons embossing folder (SU!), paper distresser, paper crimper

Friendly Diva Hop

Welcome to Verve's September Diva Inspirations Hop! It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Verve Divas to breathe new life into some much-loved stamps and dies.   I'm at the front of the line today, so if you're just popping in, pull up a chair and your favorite treat and hop around for some Verve-alicious eye candy!
As usual, there's a PRIZE up for grabs, so be sure to leave a little shout out in the comment section of each blog as you hop about to be entered in a drawing for a $30 gift voucher to Verve Stamps! {A little gifty might be super handy for that new release we've got coming at the end of this month... just sayin'!}  You can check out all the prize details and this month's sale info over at the Verve Blog.


For my card, I pulled out Lean on Me and a few dies and got straight to work.  I didn't have much time, so I knew I wanted to make the dies do most of the work.  The flowers are embossed in early espresso onto designer paper, then cut with the coordinating Pointed Flowers Die Set.  I accented a bit with Copic markers, then embossed the sentiment onto a Rounded Rectangle die cut and then matted with the Rounded Scalloped Frame Die.    I distressed a strip of dp, then adhered to a soft sky base that is embossed with the SU! hexagons embossing folder.  A little espresso satin ribbon and some chocolate liquid pearls around the frame and I was done.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Next up on the hop is the talented Amy Kolling.  And don't forget to check out the Verve store for the start of our Autumn Sale!

1. Julee8. Tiffany
2. Amy9. Teresa
3. Anya10. Charmaine
4. Betty11. Maureen
5. Karen12. Marisa
6. Sarah13. Andrea
7. Susan
Enabler's List
Stamps: Lean on Me (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Thankful (Authentique), Soft Sky, Early Espresso (SU!), cream
Ink: Early Espresso (SU!), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress), Copic markers
Accessories:  Pointed Flowers Die SetRounded Rectangle Die  Rounded Scalloped Frame Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), chocolate liquid pearls (Ranger), Hexagons embossing folder, espresso satin ribbon (SU!)

Scrappy Mojo

Hi there friends!  It's the first Monday of a new month and that means it's time for a Mojo Monday contest! Play along with this week's sketch for a chance to win a set of choice from Verve Stamps.  We'll have up to 7 winners, so I hope you can squeeze a little time in to play!


When I don't have any ideas for a new sketch, I usually just pull out my bin of scrap paper and start layering things together until I see something I like.  That's how this sketch came together... everything but the mats and stamped pieces from my scrap pile.  The colors made me think nautical, so I pulled out Strong Anchor and stamped the rope frame in Crumb Cake and the sentiment in Midnight Muse.  Next I stamped the anchor and cut with the coordinating Nautical Die Set.  I wrapped the twine around the horizontal banner, then attached my anchor die cut.  The wave in the background is a TCP die and I accented it with some frosty lace stickles.   Then it was simply a matter of distressing some edges and I was done.

There are still some used stamps and dies listed on my personal For Sale page.  I added some stamps from The Cat's Pajamas as well as more Spellbinders dies and some of my cards (including the one featured today) to the listings over the weekend.

And if you haven't heard, Verve's Anni-VERVE-sary sale has been extended through September 4 to give me some time to hang with my family over this Labor Day weekend.  We received a few of our out of stock items on Friday evening, so if you're waiting on something go have a look-see at our back in stock page.  That's all for now!  Hope you have a fabulous start to your week!  Thanks for stopping by!



Enabler's List
Stamps: Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps)
Paper: scraps, midnight muse (SU!), cream
Ink: midnight muse, crumb cake (SU!)
Accessories:  Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE). Wave CutUps (TCP), Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders)