You Are Beautiful

 
Another great Verve sketch this week. I can't beleive my luck!!  No skewed panel sketches for five weeks in a row!  Makes for a very happy Marisa LOL!

Can't wait for spring to arrive so while digging through my DP pile I found this lovely floral paper from my Costco pack and decided to use it to "wish" spring here early.

My Verve "U" die came out to play again, and I paired it with a portion of a sentiment from Fabulous You.  Also got to play with my new MFT flower die - love birthday money!!

Sorry about the dark picture.  We have had a few gloriously sunny days, and as a result, I have forgotten what time of day is best for picture taking!  Cloudy skies do have their advantages LOL!  Will try to retake it later today.  New picture is up!

Remember:  You are beautiful :)  Enjoy your day!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve) 
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Rose Romance, Certainly Celery, Costco DP Pack 
Accessories:  Flower Die (MFT), I Heart You Die Set (Verve), Label 4 (PTI), 1" Green Grosgrain Ribon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

On Last Inkspirations Card

This is my last Inskpirations challenge card that I had pre-made in advance prior to it being wrapped up in December.  Loved the yellow and plum or the yellow and green together but for some reason when all three were in the mix I had issues.  Thankfully I was able to surmount my "bad mojo day" by going with my fall back theory: "when there is green in the mix, make a flower card" and it worked once again :) 

I tried a ton of different layouts and finally settled on using this sketch and took some creative license by re-orienting the ribbon placement.  So many wonderful possibilities I know I'll be using it again :)  Only problem is I can't remember who it is by, so if someone knows, please let me know so I can add the link.

The PTI doily die dressed things up a bit and I rolled some roses with my MFT rose dies.  Snuck the green in with the leaves and added a pop of black to finish things off.  Great sketch with all sorts of possibilities.

We finally had some blue skies and sunshine around here and it was a sheer delight! Everyone has a spring in their step and the cat took full advantage of laying in the sun and sleeping as it streamed through the window.   Oh how I would love his life for a week LOL!      

Hoping  you have a fabulous day!





What's In It?
Stamps: Circular Sayings (Verve)
Paper: SU So Saffron DSP, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories: PTI Doily Die, Circle Nesties, MFT Rolled Rose Dies, Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, SU Scalloped Border Punch, 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Moxie Mojo

Love round or square week over at the Mojo Monday blog because I love making round cards and it is always a great excuse to make one as the sketch is provided :)

I used this week's Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger with the sketch as it had such a wonderful mix of colours to work with which ever so easily enabled me to make yet another Valentine's Day/Love card.  I layered my card as per the layers in the chocolate and embossed the kraft panel for a nugget feel.  Pulled in the doily from the picture with the PIT die and the striped ribbon I found a Mike's a few years ago was a perfect match as it had all the colours from the inspiration picture. 

Think I'll give this to my daughter for Valentine's Day.  I am so proud of her.  She got straight A's in her first semester of high school and that was no easy feat as she had four academic courses (Socials, English, Math and Science) and worked really, really hard in all of her classes.  In addition, she did very well on her Grade 3 piano exam last Friday!  We had great fun celebrating her successes by going on a shopping spree at Old Navy :)   To top things off, we didn't have to pay a dime for all the clothes we got as our purchases were fully funded by gift cards, coupons and a discount card - that's my kind of shopping!  Our cashier called us extreme couponers.  Must say it is almost as fun as getting new stamping supplies LOL!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Love Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Rose Romance 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Dainty Doilies (PTI), Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Heart Punch (Marvy), Striped Ribbon (Michael's Ribbon Bin), Bling, Dimensionals

Nuts About You

Yet another sketch from last year that I had to tuck away for future used due to the insane business of December which lead to very little stamping time. 

The round circle was taunting me to use the "U" die once again, but alas, my "U" Die support group meetings have been doing their job LOL! 

I've  had my eye on these adorable acorn dies and matching stamp set from PTI for a while now, and can gratefully say some birthday money provided them a one way ticket to my house - happy, happy, joy, joy!  Lots of great sentiments and different styled "tops" for the acorns so you can mix and match to your heart's content.

I knew the "nuts about you" sentiment would be great fun to use for a Valentine's Day card - thus the red acorns were born LOL!  Still playing with polka dots and paired them with stripes this time.  A fun, simple card that was great fun to make :)




What's In It?
Stamps: Autumn Acorns (PTI) 
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Pink Stripe (Making Memories), Real Red 
Ink: Black, Real Red 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Acorn Dies (PTI), 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Love, Love, Love, Love, Love You

 
Loving the new twist over at the Viva la Verve Sketch Forum on SCS.  The fourth sketch of the month will be a CAS (clean and simple) one.  So many fun ways to interpret a CAS sketch and a great challenge to go simple.

Being that I'm still on a Valentine's Day binge (any excuse to be able to use a  heart as I just loooove hearts) I made yet another one.  This time time I succumbed to using the Verve "U" die.  I figured a four card break was long enough LOL!

This fun Bo Bunny Crush line of paper was a perfect fit for what I had in mind for the sketch and fit the concept I had for the sketch perfectly.

After a little break, I'm back to working on another job for hubby so I'm squeezing in as much crafty time as I can before it arrives :)

 

What's In It? 
Paper:  Crush (Bo Bunny), Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Accessories:  Heart Nesties, I Heart You Die Set (Verve), SU Scalloped Border Punch, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Chupa Love

Continuing on with sketches from last year, this one from Chupa's Sketchbook Saturdays.  I love simple sketches as you can dress them up or dress them down as much as you want.

The starting point of my card was this wonderful K & Company paper I got at Michael's, and the rest just flowed from there.  Another crimped heart in lieu of the "U" die LOL!

My daughter feels pretty good about her piano exam on Friday, which is a huge tribute to her nerves as they were 50 minutes behind schedule!!  We sat and sat and sat some more and her exam was scheduled for 10:15.  Hate to think what later exam times would have to wait!  We treated ourselves to some shopping at Old Navy and had a great afternoon together :)  Now we just have to await her score and she jumps right into Grade 4 as she will be taking that exam in June (she is doing two grades in one year this year).

Wishing you a fabulous day and thanks for sharing a bit of yours with me :)


 

What's In It?  
Paper:  K & Company, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink 
Accessories:Lacy Circle Nesties, MS Doily Punch, Marvy Heart Punch, Crimper, 5/8" Pink Sheer Ribbon, Pink Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Casing Vicki D

I just loved this fabulous, CAS Valentine's Day card Vicki posted on her blog last week (second card on her post).  I switched out the colours, added a ribbon across the top and a button on the heart. The sentiment is from Verve's Love Notes.  Love this set as it has so many wonderful Valentine's sentiments.

If I had PTI's linen embossing plate in my possession rather than on my wish list, I would have used it on the card front for a bit of soft texture.  Thanks to some birthday money, it will soon be off my wish list and in my hot little hands :)

Off to drive my daughter to her Grade 3 piano exam.  She's doing her Grade 3 exam today and then her Grade 4 exam in June as it is a challenge year - one in which she does two grades in one year.  Sure she will do wonderfully well as she has a natural gift for playing and the songs she chose this time round she has mastered fabulously :)  So proud of her!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Love Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red 
Ink: Black 
Accessories: Heart Nesties, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Polka Dotted Love

I loved this Mojo Sketch but didn't have time to play along before Christmas with the business of the season.  So, I'm picking it up now, a month or so late, but a good sketch is a good sketch and just has to be used :)   

The circle was tempting me horribly to use Verve's U die again, but since I've made three cards using it recently, I figured you needed a break and I needed to change things up a bit (though the call is still strong so I may very well go back and make another card using the U die with this sketch...I know, I'm hopelessly addicted LOL!).

This card was full of things I love:  polka dots, hearts, lacy circle nesties, crimping, and a wonderful, bold colour combo that is always fun to use.   Needless to say, I had great fun making this card :)   May have to give it a while using pink instead of the red for a softer version.

Snow is all gone and it is rather strange seeing green grass again!  Good news is soccer practices and games are back on and we are doing a happy dance as a family as it is an essential (at least in our eyes LOL) energy burner for my son who was bouncing off the walls for the past two weeks without it.  He was a two speed baby - go and sleep - and is still that way to this day.  Yeah for soccer LOL! 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Rubber Soul 
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Back to Basics (Bo Bunny), Real Red, Black 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circlel Nesties, SU Scalloped Border Punch, Marvy Heart Punch, Crimper, 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Monochromatic Love

Loved this sketch by Verve Diva, Teresa.  Perfect for another Valentine's Day card....surprise, surprise LOL!

I'm still addicted to the Verve "U" die so I just had to use it again on this card.  I created the background on the blushing bride paper by stamping the love sentiment from Verve's You And I set and heat embossed it so it would show up a bit more.

This PTI doily die was a great one to layer on and a touch of ruffled ribbon finished things off.

I had a wonderful birthday weekend :)  Got to sleep in on Saturday till 9:00 a.m. (3 hours later than mid-week), had lots of phone calls (probably spent 2 hours on the phone when it was all said and done), lots of birthday wishes on Facebook, my daughter played amazingly well at her piano recital and won the gold medal for the scale competition, we had sushi for dinner (ymmmm!!), the family got me 50 long stemmed roses and hubby got me a Kindle Fire.   Think I'm ready to tackle the 50's full force now LOL! 

Have a great day and thank you for sharing my birthday with me via this blog too :)  Loved reading your comments.


 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Notes and You and I (Verve) 
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pretty in Pink, Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Gracie - Bubble Gum (Dream Street), Silver, Kraft 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Doily Die (PTI), Heart Nesties, I Heart You Die (Verve), 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Double Sided Sticky Tape, Silver Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Phillipians 1:6. A New Decade Ahead And Some Thoughts

Since today is my birthday and a new decade has dawned in my life (where do the years go?!!), I thought it fitting to use this Verve sketch with one of my life verses:  Philippians 1:6.

Oh how I love this verse!!!   Julee (owner of Verve) turned it into a Plain Jane and I can't thank her enough for doing so (hugs to you Julee!!).  I get encouraged and energized by it every time I read it.  Why?

Because I am a work in progress.  I have not arrived at perfection.  Each day, by the grace of God, He continues the work He began in me the day I gave my life to Him.  Some of my rough edges are being polished off, my character continues to be built through circumstances and experiences both in and out of my control, and slowly, ever so slowly, I am being transformed into the person I was created to be.  Unique.  Like no other.  My prayer is that I would submit to that work in my life, embrace it as it shapes me, and stand strong in the assurance that it will one day be complete :)

Fifty in of itself is not a number that has me wanting to crawl into a hole.  In fact, it is just a biological number and not what defines me.  As my hubby says, I still haven't grown up LOL.  I love living life, reminding myself to stop and smell the roses, love learning something new, challenging myself, and looking for the little gifts each day brings.  In addition, each decade brings new opportunities for one's experience and wisdom to be expanded, and hopefully a chance to pass that on to others, especially my kids.

Fifty has brought my life line into clearer focus, not in a morbid way by any means, but rather by fanning the desire within me to make my life count all the more, both inside and outside our home.  We'll soon have two teenagers in the house, and the reality of how quickly those years will pass has me wanting to pour all I can into them so they have a firm foundation to stand on and experience to draw upon when they head out to conquer life on their own.  That in itself should keep me pretty busy LOL!  It has also reminded me to reflect and act upon the legacy I want to leave.  All good things and lots to keep me busy over the next ten years :)

If you have stuck with me and read thus far, thanks for slugging through my thoughts :)  Hoping for a little crafty time today before my daughter's piano recital, a good work out (still working on my "fit and firm at fifty" motto) and ending my day with a family sushi feast - yum!  Tomorrow we have an extended family lunch at mom's and she's cooking one of my favorite meals:  chicken and dumplings with a sour cream/caraway sauce and a delicious cake for dessert.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it LOL!

Hubby gets big points for getting me a Kindle Fire for my birthday.  The only drawback right now is you can't download apps in Canada as it is not available up here just yet...patience....ugh!   Can't wait to see all it can do once we have full access to all the goodies.  Until then, I'll be very happy to read away :)

Have a fabulous day, and thanks for sharing my birthday with me (((hugs))).

Challenge:  Papertake Weekly



What's In It?
Stamps: Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane, Blue Skies (Verve) 
Paper: Brenda Walton Madeline (K & Company), Cream Linen, Mellow Moss, Vellum 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Lacy Oval and Oval Nesties, 5/8" Sheer White Ribbon, Lace, Button, Twine, White Embossing Powder, Half Pearls, MS Leaf Punch, Recollections Rose, Glue Dots, Dimensionals