Loved

This week's Verve sketch is brought to us by Janelle and it is a CAS sketch that I kind of gussied up a bit.

I am still smitten by the fabulous script and sentiments in Verve's new So Fluttery set so I paired it with a new embossing folder I picked up last weekend at one of my local scrapbooking stores.  Just love the X's and O's and just wish I had had it before Valentine's Day.  Oh well, at least I'll have it for next year's Valentine's Day :)  I used it on the brown banners, but it is a bit hard to see in the picture.  Lots of other Verve goodness making an appearance here too.

Still time to get all four of the February Verve sketches done and uploaded on to the Verve Forum over at SCS!   The prize is a doozie - a $100 gift certificate to Verve!  Good luck to all of you who are entering :)

Thanks for popping by today.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: So Fluttery and Love Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Pink Small Dots (Making Memories), Kraft, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:Black, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts, Classy Label and Banner Bundle Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Medium Scallop Border (PTI), Hugs and Kisses Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Crimper,  Button, White Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #281

This week's sketch was designed by Mary.  It is very much out of my "norm", but I found it was a lot of fun to work with.  Once I got going, it fell together quite quickly.  Just mix and match a few designer papers and you are good to go :)

Since I had a left over die cut heart in my ever growing "to be used later" pile, I decided to make a "love" card using non-traditional colours.  A little something to keep in my stash for a friend who needs to know they are being thought of and loved.  My beloved Swiss Dots made an appearance as did this border punch which I never even used on a Valentine's Day card this year - oops!!

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and also get 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.
  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Keeping it short and sweet today as I have to prep for my Diva premier tomorrow wink, wink.  Hope you'll join the Sneak Peak Blog Hops throughout the week

Have a fabulous day, and thanks for dropping by!



What's In It?
Stamps: Love Notes (Verve) 
Paper:  Mellow Moss, Cameo Coral, Designer Series DSP (Stampin' Up), SEI 
Ink: Black
Accessories: Circle Nesties, Hearts Trio Cute Ups (The Cat's Pajamas) , Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Heart Border Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Brown Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Retro Sketch - Literally!

Okay...I confess...I needed a post for today and a Valentine's Day card for hubby, so I literally used this week's Retro Sketch for my card - literally.  Very lazy of me, I know...but I'm happy with the way it turned out.  No fru-fru on the card, nice and simple, and no pink to be seen - perfect for hubby :)

All confessions aside, I had a scrap of this fun Bo Bunny paper left so it became the launching pad for the card.  Also got to pull out my new TCP heart die from my SFTYY winnings - love the funky shape!  The sentiment is a $1.50 stamp from Mike's, and I used PTI's linen impression plate for just a touch of something on the white panel even though you can't see it in the picture.

Short and sweet today as lots on the agenda. Wishing you a fabulous day :)



What's In It?
Stamps: Studio G (Michael's) 
Paper: Bo Bunny, Real Red, Cameo Coral, Kraft 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Heart Trio CutUp (The Cat's Pajamas), Linen Impression Plate (PTI), Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Wavy Heart Be Mine

Enjoyed working with the first Verve sketch for February.  Loving all the  nice clean lines - I'm a bit anal that way LOL!

Had to give this fun Bo Bunny paper another go.  Such a fun mix of non-traditional Valentine's Day colours. I created the XOXO paper by using one of the stamps from Verve's Love Notes and pulled out my By Definition Stampin' Up Background stamp for the coral panel.  Haven't used that stamp in just ages!  Had this left over die cut from Verve's Wavy heart die set and it was a perfect fit.  A button and sentiment tag, along with two punched hearts as accents called it a card.

I still have a hard time making cards with more colour than white space, so I'm on a mission to work on that.  This one is growing on me a lot so forward we go :)

Thanks for popping by and wishing you a great Tuesday!



What's In It?
Stamps: Love Notes (Verve), By Definition (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Cameo Coral, Kraft, Rose Romance, Black, Real Red, Bo Bunny
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle Nesties, Wavy Hearts Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper, Mini Heart Punch (Michaels $1.50 bin), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #279

It's the first Monday of the month which means it is contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog!

Julee has provided this wonderful sketch for us to work with this week and I had great fun using it to make one more Valentine's Day card.  I just had to use this wonderful Carta Bella Kiss Me heart paper I found at my LSS last week.

Perhaps one of the last times in a while I'll be using my beloved Jotted Heart and U die too - can never get enough of them!

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and also get 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.
  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Have a fabulous day, and thanks for dropping by today!


What's In It?
Stamps: Text Notes (Verve)
Paper:  Night of Navy, Rose Romance, Going Grey, Cool Caribbean, Kiss Me (Carta Bella)
Ink: Black, 
Accessories:  Jotted Heart and I Heart You Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up), Crimper,  1/4""Blue Gingham Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

The Crafts Meow Sketch

The Craft's Meow had a fun sketch so I decided to play along.  I was in the mood for another Valentine's Day card and this was the end result.

Love mixing cream and white together and since I never tire of hearts, my lacy nesties and polka dots, they were added to the mix.  The finished card was rather "plain" in my eyes so I decided to add some "oomph" by distressing edges.  It's amazing how therapeutic distressing edges can be {grin}!

A bit of a mixed bag on this card as there is some shabbiness and some clean lines - kind of like my work area LOL!  Regardless, it was a fun card to work on.

Now that I posted the picture, that crooked note is driving me nuts! Not sure if it goes with the flow of the card or if it's just my anal side kicking in - what do you think?

Thanks for popping in today and wishing you a wonderful day :)

   

What's In It? 
Stamps: Love Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Small Dots (Making Memories), Rose Romance, Cream Linen, Going Grey 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Heart Nesties, Note Dies (MFT), Crimper, Buttons, Twine, Dimensionals

CAS Valentine's Day Card

Was playing around with some things from my "to be used later" pile and made a quick and easy CAS card.  Since my PTI edger die was still out, I decided to use it again.

Verve's Jotted Heart die is one of my favorite dies and I never tire of using it.  I flipped the second one over so it had a different orientation, and the first one is crimped (though once again, the camera did not do it justice).

I fiddled with the sentiment panel and finally got smart and made it a double tailed banner.  A turned up  corner at the bottom carried the diagonal sight line, and all my accosted family members gave it a thumbs up.  Yes...I accost my family members when I can't make a decision about something on a card and get them to vote on option A or option B.  

Doesn't get much more CAS than this - unless you go with a one layer card and I'm not too swift at those!

Have a fabulous day :)

What's In It?

Stamps:  Rubber Soul

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance

Ink:  Black

Accessories:   Jotted Heart Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Edger Die (PTI), Crimper, 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Silver Eyelet, Dimensionals

Dynamic Duos #36

I decided to play along with this week's Dynamic Duos black and red challenge with a dessert option of a Valentine's theme.  Was in the mood for a dramatic card and this fit the bill.

Pulled out my neglected PTI edger dies and went to work.  The bas of the card went quickly, but I fiddled forever with the embellishment options and their placement on the hearts.  I finally settled on one black and one white one embellishment, leaving the middle one blank.  Crazy how those embellishments cause me such grief at times - ever have that problem or is it just me LOL?

All three hearts on the card are crimped, but it is hard to see in the picture.  Going to have to figure out a way for crimping to show up a bit better in my photos, as many a time it gets washed out.

Enough of my woes.  Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping by :)



What's In It?
Stamps:  Rubber Soul
Paper:  Real Red, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Edger Die (PTI), Tab Dies (MFT), Heart Punch (Marvy), Crimper, Black and White Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #277

Ever have a sketch that just kicks your butt.  Well, this one did it to me and I'm still sore LOL!   It was just one of those sketches (sorry, Carole!).

In an effort to get some mojo going, I rotated the sketch, went with black and white with a pop of pink, and took a little creative license (aka:  omitting the three dots on the one panel and subbing a sentiment panel for them instead).

Figured my Eiffel tower die could cover a multitude of sins as Paris is the "city of love" and love forgives "creative license" LOL!  Some Swiss dots in the background added ab it of texture, blinged up the heart a bit, and rounded the top corner to "fill in" that space a bit.  Phew!  That was a brain burner, and as with any challenge, it feels great to have completed it :) 

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and also get 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.
  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Off to do some birthday celebrating today :)  Chef hubby will be cooking up some BBQ ribs tonite and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than a home cooked dinner with my family :)  If all goes well, I won't even have to do any clean up wink, wink! 

Have a fabulous day, and I look forward to seeing how you tackle this sketch!




Challenges:  Dorcerela (Heart and Button)

What's In It?
Stamps:  Rubber Soul
Paper:  Black, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance
Ink:  Black 
Accessories: Eiffel Tower Die (My Favorite Things), Heart Punch (Marvy), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Crimper, Corner Rounder, 5/8" Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Button, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Cherish...

Found this fun Sweet Shop sketch in my sketch file and decided to give it a go.  Opted for a little more dramatic Valentine's Day card made with red and black.  Even used two more goodies from my "to be used later" pile - yeah! 

Had a big issue with the sentiment.  Swapped it out about three times as the font just didn't match the rest of the card - ever happen to you?  I'm not totally satisfied with this one (due to the sentiment panel issue), but ran out of options, so this is what I had to to with... :(

Good news is, this card is in the past and I can move on to another one!  That's what I love about his hobby :)

Have a fabulous day everyone and thanks for visiting today.  Your company is always appreciated!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Studio G (Michael's)
Paper: Read Red, Black, Red Hearts (Recollections)
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nesties, Heart Punch (Marvy), Heart Blocks Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Crimper, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Paper Smooch Hugs and Kisses

The Paper Smooches Sparks blog has a sketch this week so I thought I would play along.  The vertical sketch on the right was my sketch of choice and though it ended up being covered up for the most part, it is there - honest LOL!  Also playing along with Delightfut Images' challenge of adding a tag to your card.

In my never-ending quest to decrease my "to be used later" pile, I pulled out a tag and heart die cut to add to the sketch.  Kisses became my focal sentiment and then I added the hugs as the two just go together :)   They are both from the We Connect set by Paper Smooches which is such a fun set!  There are many wonderful words which you can use individually or mix and match and piece together to form longer sentiments. 

Hoping the soccer fields are open for practice today as the boys need to focus after a month off as they are entering Cup play season.  The grouping they are in is very evenly matched - any team could win, which makes for some great games.  Just comes down to who wants it more.  Five weekend games and if they win this division they move on. If not, they can hang up their cleats until next year.  So...we need to get a practice in to fire them all up :)   Fingers crossed...!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: We Connect (Paper Smooches), Background Basics Sheet Music (Papertrey Ink) 
Paper: Love Letters (Bo Bunny), Kraft, Cameo Coral, Real Red, Rose Romance 
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Jotted Heart Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Tag Die (PTI), Crimper, 5/8", Lattice Embossing Folder, Coral Grosgrain Ribbon, Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Love Is Just A Word Until...

This week's sketch was a fun one to work with - thanks, Moe!  Since it was her sketch, I decided to use Verve's Stronger Love, a set that was inspired by her.

I kept things pretty simple and was thrilled to be able to take two of my favorite die cuts out of my "to be used on another card" pile - whoo hoo!!  Still add way more things to the container than I take out, but every little bit helps.  That being said, I took some rather "extreme" artistic licence with the circle elements on the sketch...but am very happy with how it turned out so it works for me wink, wink :)

Still chipping away at the purging and cleaning.  It's going to be a house wide ordeal so it will take some time to get it all done.  taking a bit at a time now after my initial dive into the basement over the holidays.  Feels good :)

Thanks for popping by today!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Stronger Love (Verve)
Paper:  Floral Symphony (Recollections), Early Espresso, Cool Caribbean, Going Grey
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Jotted Heart and I Heart You Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up),  5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Twinkling H2Os, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Hugs

Since this fun Carta Bella's Devoted paper was still on my desk, I decided to use it for another card.

Pulled out this old CCMC sketch, my beloved Jotted Heart die from Verve, PTI tag die, and a few punches, and went to work.  Just love this "hugs" sentiment and it was a perfect fit for the tag sentiment on the heart :)

The clean out binge continues and I have a large load for the Salvation Army as well as a big run to the recycle depot with old electronics.  Love it when I am in a search and destroy mood as there is no time for the sentimental side to get in the way (aka: keeping things I don't use or really need).  Onward and forward I go LOL!

Have a fabulous day!



What's In It? 
Stamps:  Love Notes (Verve)
Paper:  Devoted (Carta Bella), Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Grey
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Jotted Heart Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Tag Die (PTI), Heart Punches (Marvy), Border Punch (Fiskars), 5/8" Blue Satin Ribbon, 1/4" Brown Satin Ribbon, Crimper, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Je T'Aime

Having fun using some of my Christmas gifts :)  I couldn't wait to us my Eiffel Tower die and this sketch was perfect for it! 

In keeping with the French theme, I die cut a sparkly Eiffel Tower.  In real life if is far from sparkly - I've seen it, walked up it (when you still could) and it is really not all that wonderful up close. But when the sun shines on it or the moonlight hits it, you do begin to believe it can sparkle.

The sentiment is computer generated and I added lots of hearts, after all, it is the city of love :)  A perfect card for t his week's Paper Players challenge.

Thanks for dropping by and sharing a part of your day with me today!



What's In It?
Paper: Lovey (Bella Boulevard), Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Going Grey, Sparkly Silver (Dollar Store) 
Accessories:  Lacy Hearts Nesties, Heart Blocks Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Heart Punch (Marvy), Eiffel Tower Die (My Favorite Things), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Bling, 5/8" Grey Satin Ribbon, Silver Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #275

It's the first week of the month, which means it's contest week over on the Mojo Monday blog.  This week's sketch was designed by Julee and provided some fun panels to work with.  I used some of Carta Bella Valentine's Day papers and just started layering LOL!

The sentiment brings back many fond memories of reading the bedtime story with this sentiment in it to my kids when they were young.  We still say it to each other now and then even though they are basically teenagers - love it :)

The embossing folder added some texture on my white panels, the ribbon a wonderful pop of colour, the hearts are the flower in the sketch and the curled edges a little something.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and also get 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.  
  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Kids are back to school today and my body isn't sure what hit it as getting up early again was a shock to the system LOL!  But I must say, I sure enjoyed the later nights and sleeping in over the break :) 

Have a fabulous day!




What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Notes, Test Notes (Verve)
Paper:  Carta Bella, Early Espresso, Going Grey, Real Red
Ink:  Black
Accessories:   Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, 5/8" Satin Turquoise Ribbon, Twinkling H2O's, Eyelet, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #170

First of all, I want to welcome Tangii Crain to the Just Us Girls design team!  With Lynn's departure, we needed a new team member and she said yes :)  Tangii  is a talented stamper who currently serves on several design teams, and we are glad she decided to join ours as well :)

This week's sketch is brought to us by Andrea.  I must confess, I just about had cardiac arrest when I first saw it LOL!  Had to stew on it for some time but finally came up with this card.  Very CAS and in keeping with my heart theme.   I punched out 8 hearts and made the 3D one hanging from the silver cording to try to add a little something. Not my best card, but time was of the essence so I went with it.

For some inspiration to get you going, just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chick of the Week.

Last weekend before school starts so a big game of Risk is on the agenda :)  Will mom and dad rule or will the kids win - that is the question LOL!  Hope you have a great one.



What's In It?
Stamnps:  Studio G (Micheal's $1.50 Bin)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Rose Red
Accessories:  Heart  Punch (Marvy), Silver Cording, Black Half Pearls

Mojo Monday #274

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!  I am very glad to see the back end of 2012!  It has been a very hard, trying year in many ways and I am definitely looking forward to a fresh start in 2013.

Today we have a wonderful round sketch by Carole.  It was great to work with and that circle was perfect for using two of my favorite Verve dies - my beloved  jotted heart and U dies.  Lots of polka dots as well as one of my favorite colour combos - pink and grey.  Needless to say, it was fun making this card.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the heart is crimped for some dimension.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and also get 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.  
 

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Enjoy your New Year's Eve festivities if you are participating in any, or if you are like me, enjoy ringing in 2013 as you sleep (aren't I a lot of fun LOL!).  We don't have anything planned and that is fine by me.  Quite often I like to take the evening to simply reflect on the past year, and set a few goals for the upcoming year.   That way I have something to aim for rather than just drifting through the year.  Don't have a word for 2013 just yet, still pondering a few options.  I'll let you know once I decide.  Cheers to a wonderful 2013!!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Tiny Tags (PTI)
Paper: Hugs and Kisses (Carta Bella), Pink Small Dots (Making Memories), Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance
Ink: Black,
Accessories:  I Heart U and Jotted Heart Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Tiny Tags Die (PTI),  Twine, Silver Cording, Dimensionals