Just Give Me Stamps...

Meet The Verve Divas Part Four...

Happy Thursday!!  Over at the Verve Stamps Forum on Splitcoast, there is a weekly challenge being posted every Thursday called "Meet the Verve Divas".  Well, this week I am hostessing...and I issued a "Tall & Skinny" challenge!  :-)  I only wishI was talking about myself...but alas...I'm referring to the card size!  Heehehee!  There IS a prize involved...so make sure you check out all of the challenge details HERE!  :-) 

For my "Tall & Skinny" card, I chose to use some very vibrant patterned paper (by Martha Stewart) as a starting point for my card.  Actually, by themselves these papers aren't that vibrant really...but I just love the boldness it gives the card by pairing them together!  I started with a 3 1/8" x 6 1/2" Dark Chocolate card base.  I used my oval Nestabilities to frame the leaves (from the Serenity set) and one of the Tag dies (from the Spellbinder's Tag Trio set) for the sentiment (which from Verve's All About You set).  Oh...about the leaves...I outlined them with my BG10 Copic Marker to tie in the turquoise and then added some tiny brown dots around them just for fun.  :-)  I then added some rhinestones, satin ribbon, & a brad for embellishments.  That's it!  Very easy!  :-)

Well, I'm off to make my DH a birthday card (his birthday is in less than a week)!  I hope you enjoy your day!  :-)

Recipe   Stamps: Serenity, All About You (Verve Stamps)   Paper: Shimmery White c.s., Dark Chocolate (Papertrey), Patterned Paper (Martha Stewart)   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft ink   Other: Clear e.p., Oval Nestabilities, Spellbinder's Tag Trio, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon, Rhinestones, Thread, Brad, Copic marker BG10, Copic Multi-Liner in Sepia

Two Very Different Cards...

While I was photographing some of the cards that I've made, I ran across a couple that I haven't shared yet! 

This first card features one of my favorite kind of stamps...a cupcake!  :-)  I stamped the Cupcake with Cherry stamp (from Rubber Soul) onto a piece of white c.s. that I had pre cut/embossed with my Mega Rectangle Nestabilities.  I paper pieced the cupcake liner with the same Periwinkle c.s. and my card base.  I added some White Liquid Applique and Aquamarine glitter (Martha Stewart) to the frosting...because who doesn't love sparkly frosting?  :-)  For my sentiment, I stamped the Happy Birthday Circle two different times...one onto Periwinkle (punched out with a 3/4" circle punch) and another onto Aqua (punched out with a 1 1/4" circle punch).  I chose my colors to match the fun polka dot patterned paper from Rubber Soul's Hoop-La Collection.  Oh...a quick note about the Aqua line around the cupcakes:  I placed the die back onto the rectangle and used it as a guide to draw (with my BG10 Copic marker) a border around my cupcakes.

I went for a more vintage feel with this next card.  I embossed "merci" using the Claire Clear Alphabet set (from Wordsworth)...and wanted that to be the focal point of this card.  I used some of the Paisley stamps (from the Clear Paisley's Collection by Wordsworth) as accents and some for backgrounds.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye...and the beautiful handmade paper was a gift from my friend Tosh!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  :-)

All Things are Possible...

Happy Wednesday!  Sheesh...time really got away from me!  :-)  We've been so busy around here...haying, Dr. appointments, having friends over for dinner (it's been way too long since the last time we've done that :-), and other "regular life" stuff.  Oh...and stamping!  Yes, I said stamping!  I've stamped more things than I've had time to photograph and post!  I've finally had some time to take pictures of it all...so there will be lots and lots of new stuff for you to see very soon!  :-)

Have you checked out the Verve Forum at Splitcoast?  Every Thursday, there is a new "Meet the Verve Diva" challenge.  Last week, Susie (susiestampalot) issued a challenge to use at least three buttons on a card.  I just LOVE buttons...and thought this would be a piece of cake!!  Boy, was I wrong!  My button "mojo" was on vacation evidently, because I struggled and struggled to get something I even half-way liked.  Speaking of mojo...I used Julee's Mojo Monday #48 sketch...which really helped make up for my lack of it!  :-)

Both the butterfly (from the Floral Whimsy set) and the sentiment focal piece (from the Here For You set) have a Pink Pirouette base and a vellum overlay.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I will make sure to get some more stamped goodies up today...so make sure to check back in later!  :-)

Recipe   Stamps: Here For You, Floral Whimsy   Paper:Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Vellum c.s., Patterned paper (DCWV)   Ink:Versamark   Other:White e.p., Circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Sweet Blush Saddle Stitch ribbon (Papertrey), Buttons, Rhinestone, Ornare piercing template, White gel pen, Sewing machine

Christmas in July...

Happy Saturday!  I just love Saturdays...don't' you?  Well, I love them almost as much as I love Mondays.  I know...that sounds crazy...but I really do love Mondays!  LOL!  Anyway...to our family, Saturdays are a day to slow the pace down a little...and maybe even relax (and not feel guilty)!  :-)

Saturdays also mean another fun OCC (Our Creative Corner) Challenge!  Today's challenge is titled "Christmas in July".  I just received the brand new Winter Birds set by Inkadinkado and had to ink them up!!  When I saw that Michelle (owner of Stamper's Dream) had gotten these in stock, I figured I had better get my hands on them while she still had them!

This "fluffy" bird (I really need to learn about the different kinds of birds :-) caught my eye immediately!  I embossed the stamp onto this beautiful light sage Prism paper with white e.p. and then sprinkled on a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter while the e.p. was still hot.  I then embossed the stamp again (this time on white c.s.) using a "homemade" embossing powder (Burgundy e.p. mixed with a little bit of white).  These GORGEOUS ribbons/trims are a gift from my friend Tosh, and the snowflake is one of the Heidi Swapp ghost shapes that I found from last year's Christmas stash (I did add some Frosted Lace Stickles to it so that it would show up a little better on my card).  Oh...and yes, I snuck (I guess that is debatable if that is even a word??) some more vellum on this card...I couldn't help myself!  :-) 

Make sure to stop by the OCC blog to check out what the other ladies have created!  If you'd like to play along, just link your creation in the comments section on the OCC blog (if you upload to Splitcoast please use keyword OCCC)!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful Saturday!  :-)

Recipe   Stamps: Winter Birds (Inkadinkado), Fancy Flexible Phrases   Paper: Prism c.s., Linen Vellum, Dream Street patterned paper   Ink: Versmark, Cranberry Crisp   Other: White e.p., Burgundy e.p., Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Scallop border punch, Nestabilities (rectangle and circle), Rhinestones, Snowflake, Fibers, Ribbons, Tag punch, Paper piercer

Hope Today Knocks Your Socks Off!

Today, is JULEE'S BIRTHDAY!!  Even though I haven't met Julee (owner of Verve Stamps) in person...it's been a privilege to get to know here through emails!  She is such a kind and generous person...who happens to be UBER talented as well!!  Julee...I hope your day truly does "Knock your socks off"!

There's a party (with a cool challenge/prize) going on over at the Verve forum on Splitcoast!  If you want to join in on the fun, simply choose one of Julee's fabulous Mojo Monday sketches (there's a link in her sidebar to a pdf file that shows them all), & link your card in THISthread!   A random winner is going to receive a FREE Verve stamp set of their choice!  WOOHOOO!

I chose Mojo Monday sketch #14...but made mine into a tall and skinny card using the Mega Rectangle Nestabilities.  The finished size is 3" x 6".  I've had emails asking me to include the card dimension in my posts...I know, I should have been already...sorry. 

I embossed the swirls (from All About You) along the right edge of the top layer and then added some rhinestones.  The "peach" ribbon is actually Ivory taffeta ribbon that I dyed using my Blush Copic Marker.  I embossed the "Hope today knocks your socks off" sentiment (also from the All About You set) using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear detail e.p.

The flower (from Thankful Blossoms) has a peach base that I stamped onto Prism paper and then cut out.  I then added a vellum overlay (I embossed the flower onto vellum c.s. and then colored it on the back with Copics) and a smaller green flower (I embossed it onto light green Prism paper and then cut it out).  To the center copper brad, I added some Frosted Lace Stickles.  Oh...and I separated each layer of the flower with a Stampin' Dimensional to give it some fun dimension.  :-)

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Recipe  Stamps: All About You, Thankful Blossoms   Paper: Peach and Lt. Green Prism c.s., Dark Chocolate c.s., Prima patterned paper, Vellum c.s.   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft ink   Other: Clear detail e.p., Mega Rectangle Nestabilities, Rhinestones, Ivory taffeta ribbon, Blush & Pale Cherry Copic Markers, Paper piercer, Frosted Lace Stickles

SCS Flood Relief NON-Raffle...

The folks at Splitcoast have put together a "non" raffle to benefit the families effected by the Midwest floods.  Living in Montana...seemingly far from any kind of flooding...it's so hard for me to imagine the devastation that they are living through.  Seeing the pictures on the news and reading about it in the papers has revealed enough for me to know that it truly is horrific.  My heart goes out to those that know first hand just how devastating these floods have been.  I am so proud to belong to a community that cares for each other like the amazing people at Splitcoast do!  When I was asked if I wanted to donate something for the non-raffle, I couldn't say yes fast enough!  You can read all about how this works HERE! 

 

This is the ensemble that I put together for the raffle.  It includes 8 gift cards, a gift box, and a brand new Elegant Notes stamp set (from Stampin' Up!).  For the cards and box, I paired some of my all time favorite paper (Blue Awning by K & Co.) with one of my favorite Stampin' Up! sets.

 

There are SO many FANTASTIC prizes that have been donated...many of them handstamped!!  You can check them all out in THIS gallery set up especially for this benefit.

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

ATC - Verve Style!

The Project Parade (over at the Verve blog) this month is to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card).  Well, this had me shakin' in my boots...because I've only ever made one in my whole life!  I don't know what it is exactly about these small cards that is so intimidating to me....hmmmm....  Anyway, I discovered that it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be...and I'm actually really pleased with the end result!  :-) 

Because of the limited space to work with, I chose to use one of Verve's awesome sentiments (I chose this "Untie the Ribbons" quote from the Asian Flair set) to be the focal piece.  I paired it up with this paper from S.E.I....with all it's pre-glittered yummy-ness!  For embellishments, I added some rhinestones, a fun corner treatment (I embossed one of the circle images from the Asian Flair set and added it on top of a punched out photo corner), and of course...some ribbon!  :-)  I mounted it all on to a piece of metallic brown c.s. that I had cut/embossed with one of my rectangle Nestabilities.

If you want to play along...you can read all about the details HERE.  There will be two winners that will receive $15 each in Verve Bucks! 

Thanks for visiting!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Asian Flair   Paper: Metallic brown c.s., Pirouette Pink, Patterned paper, Shimmery White c.s.   Ink: Versamark   Other: Copper e.p., Rectangle and Mega rectangle Nestabilities, 3/4" circle punch, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Rhinestones, Photo corner punch

Untie the Ribbons...

Happy Wednesday!  Are you all enjoying the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges?  I'm hoping to get to participate in some more this afternoon!  :-)

I have a couple of cards to share with you.  The first one I actually made a while ago, and the second one I put together quickly (as soon as I received the new Papertrey Dark Chocolate goodies (paper, ribbon, and patterned paper)!

 

The scoring that I did on the background might not show up very well, but I created double "grid" lines around each gold cord strand.  Gold embossing (especially on black) is so dramatic...and perfect for the Asian Flair set (from Verve Stamps)!

For this card, I used my Nestabilities to create this circle card.  I embossed the Psalm 37:4verse (from Verve's new Plain Janes line) using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear e.p. onto (BIG shocker here)....vellum!  :-)  The patterned paper, satin ribbon, and c.s. is all from Papertrey's new Dark Chocolate line (mmmmmm, mmmm)!  I added one brown Dew Drop to the bow...and some stitching around the edge of the patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Recipe (1st card)   Stamps: Asian Flair   Paper: Plum Pudding (Papertrey), Basic Black, Brushed Gold   Ink: Versamark   Other: Gold detail e.p., Scor-Pal, Mega Rectangles Nestabilities, Gold brads, Gold cording, Rhinestones

Recipe (2nd card)   Stamps: Psalm 37:4 (Plain Janes Collection)   Paper: Vellum c.s., Dark Chocolate, Chocolate patterned paper   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft ink   Other: Clear detail e.p., Circle Nestabilities, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon, Dew Drop, Sewing Machine, Rectangle Nestabilities, Paper piercer

White on White Embossed Vellum...

Have you all had a chance to check out today's Dare to Get Dirty Challenges yet?  It was so wonderful checking out everyone's cards so far!  In fact, I was so inspired that I had to go and make another card!  :-) 

This time, I used vellum as the card base...and many of the layers as well!  (I just got my new Linen vellum from Papertrey...and ooooooh, I am in LOVE)!!!  I really wanted my card to be just mainly vellum...but wanted to give it a little accent of color. 

 

The stamps from Inque Boutique's Birdieset were calling my name...and they really wanted to be embossed in white, I just know it!  LOL!  Seriously though, these stamps couldn't be more perfect for pairing up with vellum!  Even though this card looks detailed and time consuming...it was so quick and easy to put together! 

I wanted the sentiment to stand out just a little bit more, so I traced the words (on the back side) with my Pale Yellow Copic marker.  When it came time to add the embellishments, I wanted to keep the clean look of the white on white but still add something that would enhance the elegance of the stamps.  I decided to add a small piece of Lemon Tart satin ribbon (to match the Lemon tart c.s.) and a couple of small pearls.

Well, I'm off to chat some more in the DTGD08Laurie - Got Vellum? thread!!  Hope to see you there!  :-)

Recipe   Stamps:Birdie (Inque Boutique)   Paper:Linen Vellum, Lemon Tart (Papertrey)   Ink: Vellum   Other:White e.p., Nestabilities, Corner rounder punch, Paper piercer, Pale Yellow Copic marker, Lemon Tart satin ribbon, Pearls

Got Vellum?

Happy Monday!  What's so happy about this Monday, you ask?  (Well, just in case you didn't...humor me!  LOL!)  Today is the first day of the week-long "A Day in the Life of a Dirty Girl - Dare to Get Dirty 2008" Challenges!  Everyday there will be challenges hostessed by current/alumni Dirty Girls...and if you're a Fan Club member, you can play along!!  Oh...and I hear there are prizes!!  :-)  You can read more about that HERE. 

I have the honor of hostessing one of today's challenges...and you'll never guess what it has to do with?  LOL!  You KNOW how much I love vellum...and there are so many ways to use it!  If you get a chance, come over to SCS and join in the fun!  :-)  I will be chatting on the DTGD08Laurie Got Vellum? thread!  I can't wait to get to know you all better...and to see your vellum creations!!  :-)

Here's the sample that I made for today's challenge.  I started by stitching some Vellum squares over the top of the My Mind's Eye patterned paper.  I then stamped some swirls (from the Inque Boutique Petals set) over the top of the vellum.  The flower petals (from the same Petals set) are embossed two different times (first time directly onto the patterned paper...the second onto Vellum c..s) using Chocolate Chip ink and Clear detail e.p.  The 'Thank You' sentiment is from Stephanie Barnard's Thank You Mini Set (I embossed it in Chocolate Chip ink and Clear detail e.p. also).  Both of these sets are from The Purple Turtle Stamp Shoppe...they carry all of Inque Boutique's stamps and accessories (including the UBER cool 13 x 13 Stamping Mat)!

I do hope you get a chance to play along!

Have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Petals, Thank You Mini Set   Paper: Vellum c.s., Shimmery White c.s., Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, My Mind's Eye patterned paper (Out & About No. 1 Collection)   Ink: Chocolate Chip (Craft and Classic), Close to Cocoa   Other: Clear detail e.p., Rhinestones, Brads, Decorative Brad, Aged Copper hardware, Taffeta ribbon, Leaf ribbon, Sewing Machine, Ticket Corner punch, Swiss Dots embossing Folder, Circle punches