Corrugated Cardboard, Kraft or Chipboard Diva Dare

Loved this Stamping 411 sketch (Saturday Sketch Challenge) and used it for this month's Verve Diva Dare which is to use Kraft, corrugated cardboard or chipboard on your card.  I managed to use two out of the three on my card so I'm a happy camper,  but just realized I totally forgot the ribbon on the sketch...may have to go back and rectify that.

My stash of Starbuck's coffee sleeves came in handy as I gleefully used it for the leaves and the buttons and then matted the gingham panel with kraft.

Found this PTI flower in my scrap pile so decided to use it, and I must say, I am truly beginning to love the PTI button dies!  You  can create a button in any colour you need and they have three great sizes to choose from.  In retrospect, I should have punched out three buttons and layered them to give it a bit more dimension...lesson learned and to be applied next time I use them :)  A tag, a butterfly and some ribbon called it a card. 

Thanks for popping by today - always appreciate your visits :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Celebration of Thanks (Verve)
Paper: Stella Rose (MME), Kraft, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink Starbuck's Sleeve 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Tag, Flower and Button Dies (PTI), Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Button, Twine, Ribbon, Dimensionals

Friday Mash Up Without the Mash

Loved this Friday Mashup sketch with the tag but didn't delve into the ghosting technique (VersaMark emboss resist), thus the lack of "mash" LOL :)

The sketch provided a perfect opportunity to use some PTI goodies: one of their wonderful tag dies and of course, my all time favorite flower die...happy sigh... :)   I paired the flower with my favorite Verve leaf die, and used various shades of grey on the card.

I'm hoping the dark grey and black haven't dominated the card....what do you think?  I vacillated between yes and no (ever do that on a card?!) and finally just left it as is since I don't have the luxury of letting the card "rest" for a day so I can see it with fresh eyes in the morning.  You see, Wednesday is our crazy day as I have to drive my son to soccer practice, then come home and feed my daughter dinner and whisk her off to piano, and upon our return from piano promptly head out the door to bible study with my hubby!  All that to say the challenge deadline is tonite and this has to go live sooner than later.

Thanks for sharing a bit of you time with me :)   I so appreciate your comments  - they make my day and provide fuel when my creative tank is empty ((hugs)).

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Amuse, Bloom and Grow (Verve) 
Paper: Costco DP, Black, Basic Grey, Going Grey, Misc. Grey 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Leafy Branch Embossing Folder, Flower and Tag Die (PTI), Leaf Die (Verve), Border Punch (SU), Buttons, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Brother

This sketch was a doozy to wrap my mind around!  After batting around a few ideas, I decided to go with a masculine card and make my brother a birthday card as the fun design was a great fit.

After completing the card, the white space in the top right hand corner just seemed a bit much so I added the star banner for a little balance and visual interest!   Phew, all the April Verve sketches done - with a day to spare none-the-less!

Can't believe we are nearing the end of April!  Yikes!!  Time to start planning summer activities, booking swimming lessons etc.  This time of year just flies by with all the school and extracurricular activities and if I don't do it now, summer will be here before I know it and I don't want to get stuck with two kids saying those fateful words...."I'm bored".

 
What's In It? 
Paper: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Tan
Accessories:  Number Dies (PTI), Circle Nesties, Sizzix Star Die, Crimper, Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), Button, Twine, Dimensionals

Flowers and Butterflies and Dots, Oh My!

 
Third Verve sketch for the month is now done and only one left to go :)  The sketch proved to be easier than I originally thought it would be so that was a bonus!

With spring in the air, and some minor sketch stress (like 30 seconds but it qualified LOL), I succumbed to using dots, flowers and butterflies again.  I tried to mix it up a bit...honest...but this combination just gives me too much joy so I'm claiming being genetically wired towards it ;)

Off to finish up the last sketch for this month and it is a doozy - totally out of the box for me!  Wish me luck! I'm claiming mental and creative stress well in advance of posting the card so beware, there could be more flowers on the horizon LOL!   Back once I have it completed.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Memory Box 
Paper: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Tan 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Scalloped Heart Nesties, Doily and Flower Dies (PTI), Flutterby Die (Verve), Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, SU Border Punch, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots,Dimensionals

New Mercies

I'm behind on this months Verve's sketches so it's catch up time!

I needed a sympathy card for a friend whose mother recently died, and immediately went to Verve's fabulous New Mercies set.  So many fabulous sentiments for these difficult times - thank you, Julee :)   Loving these new Verve flower dies so they mysteriously appeared on this card ;)

Pulled out some DP from my dwindling Costco DP pack I got five years ago and matched it up with some purples.

One down and two more sketches to go.  Back soon with the next one :)  Until then, have a great day!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: New Mercies, Sunny Days (Verve)
Paper: Lavender Lace, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Mellow Moss, Costco DP
Ink:  Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Lacy Oval Nesties, Flower and Leafy Sprig Dies (Verve),  5/8" Purple Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Dimensioanls

Last Mother's Day Card - Promise!

This is my last Mother's Day card this year - promise!  That being said, I just had to go out with a bang and use my new Verve flower die....happy sigh.... :)  

I paired it with this fabulous sentiment from Verve's Love Deepens.  Just love this set as it has so many different words you can pair with the "you're an amazing" sentiment!  

Think I may have to swear off flowers and dots on cards for a while as it's gone viral in my craft area LOL! 

What's In It?
Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Paper: Recollections DP (Michael's), Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Ink: Black, Rose Romance
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Sizzix Leaf Die, Joyful Blooms Die Set (Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (SU), PTI Button Die, Twine, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals.

Look Ma, It's Not A Mother's Day Card!!

This card "accidentally" fell together.  I had some scraps on my desk and they were laying on top of each other when my eye caught the arrangement and I thought "hmmm...that could make a nice card".

A CAS card which makes me wish I had the PTI linen impression plate so I could add a subtle bit of texture on the large white panel.  But alas, no such template (yet LOL!) so it stayed plain old, smooth white - gasp!

Busy weekend coming up with hubby out of town and my having to juggle the kids' weekend activities solo.  Going to be a very tight squeeze getting from the soccer game to the music festival today, but barring any accidents along the way, everything should work out.  If not, my son gets left at the soccer field LOL - just kidding!

Enjoy your weekend :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Amuse 
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace 
Ink: Black 
Accessories: Lacy Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Crimper, Marvy Heart Punch, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mother's Day Basket

Since many moms get baskets/planters full of flowers on Mother's Day, I pulled out this old Stampin' Up set and made a paper version for myself :)  Punched out some flowers with a wonderful little punch I got in the Michael's $1.50 bin a few years back and succumbed to my Swiss dots embossing folder yet again.   Nice and easy CAS Mother's Day card.

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Sentiment (Memory Box), Flower Filled (SU) 
Paper: Pretty in Pink 
Ink: Black, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow 
Accessories:  Flower Punch (Michael's), 1/4" Hole Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Raffia, Bling, Dimensionals

Mother's Day JUGS

I loved this JUGS sketch and am coming back to it as I didn't get a chance to play along last week.  Think the round circle was calling my name as it is perfect for adding flowers to (and you know my love/addiction to flowers!).

Sorry about using the PTI flower die again....I'm totally re-addicted to it now that Spring is here and all I can think about is having flowers in my garden again.  I got this cute button die with my PTI order a few months back and just love it!  The ruffled edge adds a nice little something :)

I struggled with which embossing folder to use for the background and finally settled on this brick one.  Not sure it was the right choice as many people tend to associate brick walls with something that is aging, and that is definitely not a message you want to be sending your mother on Mother's Day LOL!

 


What's In It?
Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Certainly Celery, Rose Romance
Ink: Black
Accessories: Flower and Button Dies (PTI), Leaf Die (Sizzix), Scalloped Circle and Circle  Nesties, Brick Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), 5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Bling, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Thank You Mom...

This Cardabilities sketch caught my eye so I decided to give it a go and continue on my flower binge...

More Verve goodies on this card.  Just love Julee's flower stamps and her sentiments are second to none.  For the sentiment panel, I combined two sentiments from Because of You, layering "Mom" above the other one. 

Next came some flowers, butterflies and some dots  for good measure (are seeing a pattern here...or should I say are you getting tired of seeing a pattern here??!!).  Just a few more Mother's Day cards to go so hang in there...they will come to an end sooner than later :)

Enjoy your day, and thanks for sharing a bit of yours with me :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Bloom and Grow, Because of You (Verve)
Paper: Provo Craft DP (Mike's), Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst
Ink: Black, VersaMark, So Saffron, More Mustard
Accessories:  Threading Water Border Punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Oval Nesties, Elegant Leaves and Floral Circles Dies (Verve), Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

SFYTT Mother's Day Version

This month's SFYTT is a nice easy layout, and the sky is the limit regarding what you want to put in the circle - love it!

Since I'm on a Mother's Day binge, here is one more for you.  Used the loopy bloom dies by Verve for the flowers  and went a bit crazy with the polka dots LOL!  April SFYTT sketch is done - yeah!

Big night tonite, it is the invitational night for soccer tryouts for my son.  He made the cut from the open tryouts and is basically guaranteed a spot on the silver team.  However, there is a chance he could make a gold team...just depends how badly he wants it and how he "shows" at the tryouts tonite....we will just have to wait and see....I'll be happy no matter where he ends up playing, but I do hate waiting to find out LOL!!

Have a fabulous day!



What's In It?
Stamps: Make a Statement, Beautiful You (Verve), Polka Dot Background (SU)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Kraft
Ink: Black, Versamark
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Sizzix Leaf Die (SU), Loopy Bloom Dies (Verve), Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Circle Punches, Bling, Dimensionals

Love You Mom

I have another Mother's Day card for you today.  A crimped "U" in my cast off box caught my eye so I decided to build a card around it.  Nothing better than an excuse to use my favorite PTI  flower die as well :)

We had a glorious four day stretch of weather, which was beyond wonderful - spring has definitely sprung! For how long, who knows, but we'll take what we can get LOL!

My son and I went to see the Hunger Games on Saturday and it was fabulously done.  The 2.5 hours just flew by and it held very true to the book - something that doesn't happen very often when books go Hollywood.  Needless to say, I'm now reading book two of the trilogy LOL!

Thanks for popping by today - always appreciate your company :)       

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Recollections DP, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Tan
Ink: Black
Accessories:Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties,  "U" Die (Verve), Medium Scalloped Die (PTI),  Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, Crimper, Magenta Grosgrain Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Casing Myself

Short and sweet today as it's a busy weekend coming up.  I decided to case myself and make a Mother's Day card.  My original card using an MFT sketch is here.  Swapped out the butterflies for a flower, changed the DP and added some ribbon.  Nice and easy :)

Think the hardest part of the weekend will be having to patiently wait for my new Verve to arrive LOL!  Can't wait to create with it next week :)  Have a fabulous weekend!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Amuse, Bloom and Grow (Verve) 
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Country Drive (Echo Park) 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Border Punch, PTI Flower Die, Verve Leaf Die, Crimper, Magenta Grosgrain Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

CAS Mother's Day Card Round One

 Trusting you all had a fabulous Easter weekend. Ours was busy, but very, very enjoyable. Always fun to spend time with family and I am so blessed to have such amazing in-laws :) 

This FTL sketch intrigued me so I decided to give it a try.  Think my tank was low after our busy weekend as I had a tough time with it...or maybe I just don't have enough DP options to make it work LOL!  Now that's an excuse to go paper shopping if I ever had one!

Not totally satisfied with the end result, so the competitive side of me says I may just have to give it a second go round to see if I can improve on it.

Thanks for the visit :)



 What's In It?
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Going Grey
Ink: Black
Accessories:PTI Flower Die, Crimper,Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, MFT Daisy Die, SU Border Punch, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

Rise Up

Saw this You Tube video on another blog and absolutely loved it!!   Needless to say, I want to learn the routine LOL!



The joy and power of Christ's resurrection.....priceless...   Enjoy :)

Mojo Throwdown

This week is contest week over on the  Mojo Monday blog so the housework took a back seat to getting a card done before the weekend craziness hits.

I combined it with this week's Color Throwdown as I have the MME line on the photo and it was a no brainer as to what papers to use.

I love Verve's Words of Wisdom set and this sentiment was a perfect fit for the space I had.  I cheated a bit by adding a yellow butterfly, but made up for it with the turquoise ribbon - or so I tell myself  LOL!

You already know about my busy weekend so I won't be around until it is over as my craft area is also our spare room and with company over for three nights, that means I don't get to stamp...the upside, I can spend some time reading the Hunger Games trilogy :)

Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me and I'll be back with a new card as soon as I can.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve)
Paper: Stella Rose (MME), Dusty Durango, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Circle Nesties, Flutterby Die (Verve), Leaf Die (Suffix), Scalloped Border Punch (SU), Crimper, 5/8" Turquoise Satin Ribbon, Button, Black and Green Half Pearls, Twine, Glue Dots

A Friend Is

 
Sorry to have been quiet here this week.  Last weekend was a very busy weekend and I'm still emotionally recovering from it (in a good way).

The CCF reunion was simply amazing :)  Caught up with friends I haven't seen or spoken to in years, and to have hundreds of people spanning four decades of alumni in attendance is a tribute to the vision and discipleship training we all received under Brady's tutelage.  My heart was full to overflowing and still is :)

I managed  to squeeze in this week's Verve sketch before the Easter weekend rush begins (we are hosting and  have company for three days).  I combined it with this week's ColorQ challenge and though I'm not totally satisfied with the outcome, I simply adore the sentiment - particularly poignant based on last weekend's reunion.  Lots of fingerprints left on my heart :) 

Chef Jeff (aka my hubby) will be cooking a big ham from our local butcher, scalloped potatoes and some veggies with a side of sweet potatoes brought by my mom and dessert made by my daughter and Jeff's mom.  I will proudly be sous chef and clean up girl LOL.  Looking forward to a great family weekend and the celebration of Easter's victorious message of the death and resurrection of Christ!  It will be particularly special as the God Rod Team (synchronized rod movements to a song) my son is a part of will once again be performing to Arise My Love at both Sunday services.  It is a powerful song that makes me cry every time I see them perform it and I have already stocked my purse with extra Kleenex LOL!  Toss my son's weekend soccer tournament into the mix and this weekend is going to be crazy busy.  Think I'm going to need a weekend to recover from the weekend!

Thanks for dropping by today and have a blessed Easter!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Verses Rubber Stamps
Paper: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, SU Border Punch, Flutterby Die (Verve), Striped Ribbon (SU), Buttons, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals