Just us Girls Challenge #152

 

This week's Just Us Girls sketch challenge is brought to us by Maria.  I took some creative liberty with the sketch (sorry Maria) and added a tag - a skewed tag at that lol - as my main panel and the sentiment migrated on to the tag.  

This week's Colour Q challenge was a fabulous one so I used it with the sketch as I just loved the mix of colours :)  A  definite use again combo.

Pulled out some of my favorites for this card:  flowers, scalloped borders, Verve's Elegant Leaf die, tags, butterflies, half pearls, and my French Script background stamp.  Happy sigh... :)

The rest of the Design Team have some great samples to get your inspiration going.  Just pop over to the JUGS blog for a peek at their wonderful creations.

We'd love to have you play along with us this week.  Simply create a card using this week's sketch and link it to the JUGS blog and you may be selected as Chick of the Week :)

Thanks for popping by and have a fabulous week!  We are getting ready for school to start next week and enjoying the long weekend as a family before our schedules ramp up once again.  Hope you have a great one too :)  

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Fluttering By (Verve), French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Kraft, Basic Grey, Old Olive, Turquoise 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Flower Dies (PTI), Elegant Leaf Die (A Cut Above Dies by Verve), Scalloped Border Punches (Stampin' Up), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Grey Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine (PTI), Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

Thinking Of You Friend

 
This is the third Verve sketch for August and my last card to complete all the August sketches which qualifies me for the draw to win $100 of Verve Stamps :)  Hello!   

The background paper is a bit wild for me, but I managed to cover most of it up :)  I cut one of the PTI doily dies in half so I could mat the sentiment panel on both sides.  I then cased Diva Maureen's addition of a second, sentiment tab which compliments the focal sentiment on her card.  Such a great way to add a little something to a card.

Now I just have to wait and see who the lucky winner will be this month.  One of these times I hope it will be me!  Until then, I can't complain too loudly (okay....I can but I won't LOL) it's a great way to get four or five cards made a month!

Thanks for popping by today ((hugs))

 

What's In It?
Stamps: All Year Cheer (Stampin' Up), Text Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Garden Florals (Recollections at Michael's), Kraft, Night of Navy 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Doily and Mat Stack Dies (PTI), 5/8" Yellow Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

CAS Birthday Card

 
Having to play catchup with the regular Verve sketches and this is week four's sketch.    It is closer to as Julee would say, a CASS card (clean and simple sort of).

The fun paper is from the Garden Florals paper pack from Michael's (sure getting my use of that pack), the banner is hand cut and the stitching is hand done around the sentiment panel.  Thankfully, the banner die and stitched border are on their way over the border via my new Verve order so I won't have to do them by hand much longer :)

Think I'll use this as my son's birthday card when we have our family fall birthday celebration dinner (we lump a few birthday months together so we can plan ahead and get everyone together).

Off to work on my last sketch.  See you soon :)   

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Happy Birthday Plain Jane (Verve) 
Paper:  Garden Florals (Recollections at Michael's), Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Black 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Rounded Rectangle Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper, Star Punch (Marvy), Fine Tip Black Sharpie, Dimensionals

Thank You Friend

With the recent Verve release challenges taking front seat, I finally have time to get to this month's SFYTT.  Best part is it is being sponsored by Verve Stamps and you all know I don't need any excuses to use Verve :)

I found this "U" in my scrap pile and decided to build my card around it.  A scrap of paper from the Garden Florals paper pack from Michael's and I was on my way.

I fussed and fiddled with this card for what seemed for ever!  Finally settled on this version as I had to quite while I was ahead because the family was beginning to scatter every time I came downstairs to see which option they liked best LOL!  Yes, it was one of those types of cards.

Hard to believe school is just a short week away!!  Summer seemed to fly by this year - think it was the fact we had about eight weeks of sunshine and were able to do so much :)  I'm dreading the early wake up time in my near future...it's always such a jolt to the system and by the end of the first week, everyone is a bit on the grouchy side as our body clocks are adjusting.

Off to enjoy our last week of summer :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: You and I, Text Notes (Verve)
Paper: Floral Garden (Recollections), So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Tan, Real Red
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  I Heart You (A Cut Above Dies by Verve), Crimper, Heart Punch (Marvy) Twine (PTI), Dimensinoals  

Mojo Monday #256

I love the last Monday of the month as it is round or square week on the Mojo Monday blog and I love making round cards :)

That being said, this one was a bit of a challenge for me.  Think my mojo took vacationing on Vancouver Island very seriously and is not quite running at full tilt yet. 

With school just a few short weeks away, my mind has definitely turned to Fall colours - it's my favorite colour pallet to work with!!  This great paper came from a Michael's paper pack and was my starting point.  It is MME's design (love the Stella and Rose line) but under the Recollections name...??  Didn't ask any questions, just snapped it up with a 40% off coupon and did a happy dance out of the store LOL!  The rest of the colours came from the paper and the rolled roses and bling were the finishing touches.  

Would love to have you play along with us this week!  Chose a sketch, or do one of each if you like!  Just pop over to the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

 

Carol Burrage (taking a break)

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Thanks for for popping by today and I look forward to seeing your creations!  It never ceases to amaze me how one sketch can bring out so many styles and showcase each person's personality.  That's why I love this hobby (ahem...addiction) LOL!! 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Dream Big (Verve) 
Paper:  Mosaic Memories (Recollections Paper from Michael's), Early Espresso, Real Red, Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Taken by Teal, Cream Linen 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Scalloped Oval and Oval Nesties, Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Rolled Rose Die (MFT) Black and White Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals  

Wild Play Vacation 2012 Pictures

Nothing crafty for you here today, just posting some vacation pictures so if you don't want to read through it all, just pass on by :) 

To follow are some pictures of our summer vacation experience on the Wild Play course.  It is located in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and once again it was the highlight of our summer.  We did the same course as a family two  years ago, but the kids were younger and not tall enough or old enough to do the Black Course.  Two years and quite a few inches later, it was a go!  Let 's just say the Black Course is  waaaay up in the trees and reeeeally challenging!!

This is my son starting to climb up to the first platform.  Before you can go on the course you have a mini training session and practice round on a small course so they can ensure you are always "double clipped" on the the safety lines and can do the zip lines.

Being soooo excited he could now do the Black Course he was hard to keep up to!!  This is him walking along one of the suspended bridges.  Little rotter is so light that they don't sway too much.  Just wait until you are a bit older and heavier son LOL!

As you can see below, hubby is concentrating hard and not as carefree about the course  as my son ;)   He is actually quite afraid of heights but you are so focused on what you need to do to get across a given obstacle and where you need to step that you really don't even have time to think about how high up in the trees you are.

My DD was starting her climb to a sta- tion.  If you look at right side of the picture you will see the above ground steps she will eventually be going across.  This set of steps was actually an easy climb as the steps were nice and wide and it is easy to clip and unclip on your way up.

The obstacle my son is on below is the one I absolutely HATE doing!  As you can see, the logs are suspended on each end by a rope and they swing back and forth like crazy as you try to shimmy along them to the next one.  The orange wire is the safety line you are attached to.


To the right, I was able to capture my son getting his zip line mechanism caught on one of the ropes as he was travelling across the logs.  If you follow the arrow you can see that he got snagged on the rope.  He wasn't sure he was going to be able to release himself, but with a bit of wiggling back and forth he managed to get himself free. Not an easy thing to do as the logs are swinging back and forth. 




To the left, he is finally free and clear - yes, it is a long way up in the air!!

To the right is a picture of my lovely daughter and I after we finished the course.  Please ignore the part in my bangs...I was just glad to have made it  though the course and didn't even consider what I looked like LOL!).  She was such a trooper!  There were a few times when she broke down in tears while on the course, but each time she was able to work through the fear and the obstacle she was on and carry on. I am SO proud of her!!!  The top right hand corner of the picture is the steps going up to the bungee jumping and mega swing platform - no thanks!!

These are my two wonderful children by the Wild Play sign.  Love them to bits :)  

The course took 1.5 hours to go through and the next day we all had various muscles that were telling us they did not appreciate the work out LOL!  Poor hubby suffered the most, but he can no longer deny how out of shape he is and it has motivated him to do something about it - yeah!!

Our time here was definitely the highlight of our vacation. However, fabulous weather, visiting with friends who have moved to the Island, mini-golfing (daddy gave us too many strokes per 18 and had to buy us all ice cream as we all beat him) swimming and the wave pool, playing hearts (kids are now old enough to play - yeah!) seeing my daughter making pies with my MIL, taking walks in the woods, playing bocci, and invading my in-laws home for the week (they are such amazing people - love them to bits and am truly blessed to have them in my life and the lives of my children!!) were also a big part of what made our vacation so much fun.  Nothing beats good, quality and quantity family time :)  We are blessed!

JUGS #151

This week's JUGS inspiration challenge is brought to us by Vicki.  She has found this fabulous picture that provides all sorts of directions for your mojo to go in :)  You can click on it to enlarge it if you want to be able to see more details.

I love the soft colours and picked up the kraft bedspread with white images (though my white damask design on the kraft is almost all covered up on my card), the ruffles from the pillow cases, the pink polka dots from the tea pot (sure makes me with I had a PTI or MFT tea pot die!) the green I used from the other tea pot and the yellow rose from the cluster of whatever is on the right hand side of the bed (my eyes are no longer young enough to be able to figure out what the heck it is lol!).   I was tempted to make a baby card but was a bit short on time so you got a CAS one instead - sorry!

The rest of the Design Team and our August Guest Designer Jen, have some great samples to get your inspiration going.  Just pop over to the JUGS blog for a peek :)

We'd love to see what this lovely picture inspires you to create!  Simply link up your card to the JUGS blog and you may be selected as Chick of the Week :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Circular Sayings (Verve), Bliss (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Kraft, Mellow Moss, Making Memories DP 
Ink:  Black, White 
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (Verve), Doily Punch (Martha Stewart), 1/4" Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Flower (Michael's), Black Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Verve Anniversary Release Challenge #4

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Loved the CAS challenge as it was perfect for my having to rush to complete all the challenges by the deadline due to being away on vacation for the past week :)

I pulled out FTL #183 (an older sketch) which I absolutely love and literally copied the sketch to make my card.  No need to ask me twice regarding a  butterfly on a card ;)  I combined the sketch with this week's Play Date Cafe challenge.

I just love making black and white cards with a splash of colour and with green being the splash this time round, I was one happy camper (for those who don't know, green is my favorite colour).  Love the font of the "friend" sentiment from Verve's Because of You set and it was the perfect fit for the card.  Not sure if the ribbon negates the CAS feel, so I'll take the lead from Julee and call it a CASS  (clean and simple sort of ) card ;)  Figure if the boss woman can do it, so can I wink, wink :)  

All five Verve anniversary challenges are d-o-n-e, done.  Yeah!!   Now I just have to patiently wait (yah right!!) for the release party over at the SCS Verve forum at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time to see if I won the entire release (you'll hear me screaming from wherever you are in the world if that is the case LOL!) or if I won any of the new sets from all the sneak peek blog hops.  Julee is always so generous with her prizes - thank you, Julee ((hugs)).

That being said, regardless of whether or not I win anything, some new Verve will definitely be crossing the border!!  The question becomes, how much, wink, wink!  Wish I had the budget to get it all, but since it's not an option, my trusty calculator is ready to crunch some numbers so I can get the most bang for my buck :)  Upstairs computer is mine tonite, hubby is in charge of the kids (or as he says, my summer has been booked around this release) and I'm ready to party with the Verve Divas :)   Is it release time yet LOL!




What's In It?
Stamps: Because of You (Verve)
Paper: Black, White, Old Olive
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties. Butterfly Die (Stampin' Up), Black Polka Dotted Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dots

Verve Anniversary Release Challenge #5

I'm still in vacation mode and getting back into the swing of things after not stamping/creating for about ten days, so I took the easy road for this challenge and created a tag.  Not too much of a hardship though, as I love creating tags! 

Sorry about the dirt in the background.  Had to switch my photo spot to the front porch for good lighting late in the day and the dirt photo bombed my picture ;)

I used pink, silver and hearts because I had my daughter in mind when I made the tag.  She is a totally girly girl who loves pink -- unlike her mother LOL!  

It will most likely be attached to one of her birthday gifts or tucked into her lunch the first day of school as an encouragement and reminder that I love her and will be thinking of her (she is always stressed out the first day of school).

Four challenges down and one to go.   Back tomorrow with my CAS card (sneaking in under the deadline wire) and then it is party time over at the Verve Forum in the evening as Julee reveals all of Verve's fifth anniversary sets - yeah new Verve!!  Can't wait!  Have already claimed the upstairs computer as mine for the evening LOL!

 

What's In It? 
Paper:   Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Sparkly Silver 
Accessories:  Tag Die (MFT), Heart Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Heart Punch (Marvy), Crimper, 1/4" White Satin Ribbon, 5/8" Sheer Silver Ribbon, Crimper, Silver Half Pearl, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Verve Anniversary Release Challenge #3

 

Back from vacation with three challenges left to get done, well two now that this one is done.

I had to giggle when I saw the sketch as I just knew there would be a skewed panel on it LOL!

Thankfully the Verve Divas have put me through "skewed panel boot camp" over the past year with many of their sketches having them so I no longer totally freak out - just a little :)  I can honestly say, I quite enjoyed working with this sketch....miracles do happen LOL!

I used more of my Recollections Garden Floral paper from Michael's and even managed to pull out four scraps from my "rejected, to be used later pile".  Whoo hoo!!  The stars are aligning for me today :)  The white sentiment panel is actually the reverse of a Dream Big flower - thought the wavy edge would add a little something.  Love the sentiments from Fabulous You and this is such a powerful one.  I love putting it on cards to encourage people.

Off to work on the fourth challenge as I definitely want to be in the draw to win the entire release!  See you soon....

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve), French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Garden Florals (Recollections from Michael's), Going Grey, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Blush Blossom 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nesties, Butterfly Die (MFT), Brick Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), 5/8" Grey Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #255

    
This week's Mojo Monday sketch is brought to us by Teresa and provides many wonderful options for patterned paper.   

I chose some from Michael's Garden Florals pack and added a touch of lace in lieu of the scallops.  Just love this sentiment from Feel The Sun - such a great reminder to enjoy every day.  My wild flowers came from Verve's Loopy Blooms dies and added a nice pop of colour :)

I hope you can squeeze a little time in to play along with us this week!  Simply visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.
 

Carol Burrage (taking a break)

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Thanks for for popping by today and I look forward to seeing your creations!   

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Feel the Sun (Verve), Weathered Background Stamp (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Garden Florals (Michael's), Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Real Red, Mellow Moss, Cream Linen
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Labels 1 Nesties, Loopy Blooms Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Lace, 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

JUGS #150

This week's colour challenge is being hosted by Elise, and she has a wonderful mix of colours to play with :)   I combined it with an old Mojo Monday sketch and used some of My Minds Eye, Blink of an Eye paper for the challenge.

I absolutely love this sentiment from Verve's Kind Words set.  Actually, I love the entire set and find myself using it often as it has many wonderful sentiments and this flower silhouette as well.  Since my card seemed a bit "blah" I distressed the edges and added a crimped butterfly.  My ribbon isn't exactly Pumpkin Pie, but it works.

The rest of the Design Team along with our August Guest Designer Jen, have created some wonderful inspiration for you to peruse. Just head on over to the JUGS blog and check them out.  Then simply make a new card with this week's colour combo and link it up on the JUGS challenge post to be considered for the Chick of the Week!  Easy as that :)

Thanks for all of YOUR kind words to me on my blog, and as the sentiment says, they do echo and encourage me often ((hugs))!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Kind Words (Verve) 
Paper: Blink of an Eye (My Minds Eye), Kraft, Cream 
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up),  5/8" Orange Grosgrain Ribbon, Crimper, Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Verve Anniversary Release Challenge #2

 
I'm continuing on in my challenge combinations so I can kill two birds with one stone.  This time I'm using Verve's week two sketch with the second Verve Release Challenge which is to make an anniversary card with wood or silver on it.  I opted for the silver as I love white and sliver cards.  I apologize for the picture quality...finished up the card too late for good sunlight.

The sketch was a lot to take in when I first saw it so I had to break it down section by section. Some embossing folders helped me out with a bit of texture and contrast with silver and bling balancing things off.  The sparkly heart is made of some paper I found at one of our local dollar stores.  I wish you could see it in real life as it is gorgeous!  The picture makes it look like hammered metal so you're going to have to take my word for it! 

Two challenges down and three to go!  Cant' wait to see what the Divas come up with for the next one - maybe it will be a skewed panel sketch just for me LOL!

Our weather continues to be simply amazing here on the West Coast!  After nine months of rain, our summer has come through big time!  Off to enjoy some of it with the kids before the next heat wave comes along later this week.

Have a great day and thanks so much for sharing a bit of your day with me :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Amuse 
Paper: White, Silver, Sparkly Silver 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Heart Blocks and Swiss Dots Embossing Folders, Circle Nesties, Medium Scalloped Border Die (PTI), Heart Punch (Marvy), 5/8" Sheer Silver Ribbon, Heart Button, Silver Twine, Bling, Glue Dot, Dimensionals