Be Still and Know.....

On Wednesday this week I posted a card that I had made for a dear friend going through a very difficult time - this was the alternative.  It actually took me quite a while to decide which one to send to her!  I like both of them so much and of course, they both feature Verve verses!  It also took quite some time before I was happy with my choice of cardstock to match the patterned paper.  I love the paper (TCP Studios) and I knew I had the perfect flowers to use as an accent, but the main cardstock color was a challenge.  In the end my new cardstock organization system proved just how hardworking it is!  I have added all my cardstock to magazine files and put them in color families in separate files with each shade divided by file tabs.  I can see it all at a glance and it makes the choice so much easier.

The main sentiment is stamped on a Cricut diecut from the Lacy Labels cartridge.  That one cartridge has been the single best investment I have made in cardmaking.  I love being able to choose any shape I want and cutting it at any size.  I also have Spellbinders diecuts, but I find that I use the Cricut far more often.

Does anyone else have this cartridge?  Have you found any other uses for it?

Stamps : Verve Plain Jane Scripture Verse
Paper : SU! Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip, PTI Vintage Cream, TCP Studios Patterned Paper
Ink : Tuxedo Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Fine Linen)
Accessories : Prima Paper Flowers, Bo Bunny Decorative Brad, Kaisercraft pearls colored with Copic markers, Hole piercer

Elegant Help

My husband and I have a friend, Vicky, whose husband was just in hospital following a stroke.  It was touch and go for a while and we were not sure he would survive, but the whole family was lifted up in prayer on an hourly (or sometimes minute by minute!) basis.  God was so gracious and has granted a remarkable recovery to date.  He is still in rehab but is improving every day.  We give all the glory to God and can see Him at work even in the very small details of such a devastating event.

I made this card as an encouragement for Vicky and I wanted to create something elegant that had just the right verse on the front.  Pink Paislee's Queen Bee paper turned out to be just the pattern I was looking for.  To begin with a struggled to find the right color ribbon (the background paper looks grey by itself, but when I put the olive ribbon next to it, I realized that it was not really grey but a deep olive color.)  The verse is from Verve - naturally most of my encouragement cards feature a Plain Jane Verve stamp - they are so elegant and the font it just perfect.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps : Verve (Scripture verse Plain Jane)
Paper : Pink Paislee Queen Bee, PTI Smokey Shadow and Vintage Cream
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Marigold)
Accessories : TCP Gems, Ribbon from Michaels, Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, EKSuccess Small scallop border punch

Giving Thanks

After nearly 5 months I have started making cards again.  We moved house over the summer and it took a long while before I felt settled enough to be creative.  My mojo must have been packed in a box somewhere. But it's back!

My card today is a direct CASE from a beautiful design I saw on Jen Shults blog : deconstructingjen.  She has been a real inspiration to me over these last few weeks.  Her cards are true eye candy and I recommend you go to her blog to check out her beautiful creativity.

Here is a close up shot of the inside :

This card is made from multiple layers and is more like a mini album than a card.  The original idea for this type of card comes from www.splitcoaststampers.com (although it's in the 'tutorial' section somewhere, I don't remember the exact name).  I have been enjoying all the Fall colors here in Alabama (yes, we do have Fall here!) and I wanted to make a card that reflected all the beauty I have seen this week.

Thanks for stopping by - please don't give up on me - I've got lots of other posts planned for this week.





Stamps : Verve (front panel text), Hero Arts (togetherness and greeting text) and Stampin'Up! ('thanks' definition)
Paper : Papertrey Ink Chocolate and Vintage Cream CS, SU! More Mustard and Really Rust CS (retired now I think), Patterned paper from BoBunny
Ink : Memento Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Wild Honey Distress Ink
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, QuicKutz squeeze leaf die, Copic Markers (on pumpkin), SU! cream organdy ribbon

Kaisercraft Lilac Delight

This card was made for the Verve Friday challenge for May week 3 (I think) over on Splitcoaststampers.  I have not entered for a long time, but I was inspired when I saw all the entries while I was enjoying browsing the gallery last week.  Here is the sketch this is based on :

The patterned papers have been in my collection for quite a while now and they don't get used too often, even though they are some of my favorites.  The entire card uses Kaisercraft supplies apart from the ribbon and the base cardstock.

Enjoy!

Stamps : Stampin'Up! (sentiment)
Paper : SU! Certainly Celery, PTI White
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : All Kaisercraft (papers, pearls, die cut)

Mojo Monday - Let's try again!

Let's try again shall we! Blogger has been out of action for a few days now - on the one day I finally get back to making cards and using my blog again after 4 or 5 months absence. We are in the process of moving house and it has been so crazy with all the arrangements I have not had any creative mojo at all. When I saw this week's Mojo Monday sketch though, I just had to participate and it was fantastic to get back into my craft closet again.

Here is this weeks sketch :



Archivers was calling my name again this week and so I went in and got some new patterned papers which also inspired me to begin making cards again. Our move will finally be complete by the end of June and it will all be worth it because my new house has a craft room - I get my own space with tons of storage and countertop space. Can't wait!

Have a great weekend!

Stamps : Verve Plain Jane

Paper : MME Hattie DP

Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories : Marvy Embossing Butterfly Punch, KaiserCraft pearls, Prima Flowers, Bo Bunny brad, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge

Hope and Strength

I made a few cards like this one for my mother-in-law last week. She wanted some encouragement cards that were a little more neutral in color so she could send them to men or women. SU!'s Old Olive and Chocolate Chip are two of my favorite colors so this was a joy to create. Verve Plain Jane Scripture verses are always a great choice for encouragement cards and I love the fonts that are used.

Thanks for dropping in!



Stamps : Verve (Plain Jane verse), SU! (Background)
Paper : SU! Chocolate Chip and Old Olive, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink : Tim Holtz Olive distress ink, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories : SU! Scallop border punch, Cricut Lacy labels cartridge, Michaels Chocolate ribbon

Vive La Verve Paper Roses

I love these beautiful paper roses that I found at Michaels last week - they are the perfect finishing touch to an elegant card. My design is based on the Vive La Verve week 3 sketch from Splitcoaststampers.

Short and sweet today!



Stamps : Verve (sentiment), SU! (flourish)
Paper : SU! Close to cocoa and Certainly Celery, PTI White, SU! DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink in Gingerbread and Tea leaves
Accessories : SU! Organdy cream ribbon, Recollections paper roses, EKSuccess medium circle punch

Triple Lacy Elegance

This weekend I was busy making cards using the same colors with a similar look and feel. I used the Martha Stewart Lace border punch on each of them and also the same pearls to give an elegant feel. I did not have the right color pearls so I used a Copic marker to color them and make them match! This first card was for a bridal shower that I was due to go to on Sunday afternoon. The dry embossing in background was made using a Stampin'Up!/Sizzix embossing folder that I am just in love with right now - isn't it gorgeous??!

This next card was a variation on the same theme, using the same colors, border punch and embossing folder but with a different layout and sentiment.




And finally :



This time I added some white satin ribbon for a different finishing touch.

I have already sent out the first two cards. My stash of finished cards was getting rather large and I decided it was time I needed to send them out as encouragement to others rather than keeping them all to myself!!!!

Hope you are having a great start to your week,



Card 1
Stamps : SU! Sentiment
Papers : PTI Ocean Tides and White, DCWV Linen Closet DP
Ink : SU! Not Quite Navy, Technique Tuesday Blue/Green Chalk ink
Accessories : Kaisercraft Pearls, EKSuccess Large Butterfly Punch, Spellbinders Label Die, Martha Stewart Lace Border punch, EKSuccess Small Scallop border punch, Sizzix Embossing folder from SU!, Copic Marker

Card 2
Stamps : SU! Sentiment (from Thoughts and Prayers) SU! Flowers from Hostess Silouettes
Papers : PTI Ocean Tides and White, DCWV Linen Closet DP
Ink : Memento London Fog, Technique Tuesday Blue/Green chalk ink
Accessories : EKSuccess Small butterfly punch, Martha Stewart Lacy Border punch, Kaisercraft Pearls, Copic Marker

Card 3
Stamps : Verve (Plain Jane Scripture Verse), SU! Flowers from Hostess Silouettes
Paper : PTI Ocean Tides and White, DCWV Linen Closet DP
Ink : Technique Tuesday Blue/Green chalk ink, VersaFine Onyx Black
Accessories : Oval cut from Cricut Machine, Kaisercraft pearls (colored with Copic marker), White satin ribbon from Michaels, Martha Stewart Border Lacy border punch, Sizzix/SU! Embossing Folder

Rusty Chocolate Leaves - AnniVERVEsary Hop #3

This card was my final creation for the AnniVERVEsary blog hop last Sunday. The colors in this one are some of my favorites but I really think they are too autumnal for this time of year!

I included my favorite border punch on this along with some new chocolate ribbon that I got recently from Michaels. The leaves on the outer edges of the sentiment panel were stamped using a portion of a tree from an Stampin'Up! set called Thoughts and Prayers. The watermarked branch on the rust panel is from the same set.

Thanks for dropping in again and I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!



Stamps : SU! Thoughts and Prayers, Verve Plain Jane Scripture Verse
Paper : SU! Chocolate Chip and Really Rust, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink in Jumbo Java, VersaMark
Accessories : Fiskars Sunburst Border Punch, Michaels Chocolate Ribbon

Razzleberry Verve Blog Hop # 2

**If you are looking for my original AnniVERVEsary blog hop post click here!**

Well, I promised you more Verve-y goodness this week and - here it is! This was another one of the cards that I created for the AnniVERVEsary blog hop but decided not to post on Sunday. I was inspired by a card that I saw on Julee's own blog, Poetic Artistry (the owner of Verve Stamps) and I wanted to use it as a starting point for my own creation. Julee has a wonderful way with texture and her use of color.

I was challenged to begin with, because I wanted to create a card without the use of any patterned paper - and that is tricky for me because that is usually where I start my design process. I love the Rich Razzleberry against the green with the pop of crisp white and so I created patterns using a flourish stamp and an embossing folder.

Stop by tomorrow for another look at my final Verve blog hop creation.
Enjoy!

Stamps : SU! Flourish (set name??), Verve Plain Jane Scripture Verse
Paper : SU! Rich Razzleberry and Kiwi Kiss, PTI White
Ink : SU! White craft ink, VersaFine Onyx Black
Accessories : Spellbinders Label Die, Michaels White Ribbon, Small scallop border punch

Anniv-VERVE-sary Blog Hop!!!

One of my favorite stamp companies, VERVE, turns three today and we are celebrating with a blog hop and prizes. If you've already been following along, you arrived here from Kathy's blog. If not, head on over to Julee's Blog (owner of Verve), for all the info on how to win prizes (after all, what's a party without presents?), and to start hopping from the beginning. If there's a hiccup along the hop, you can always head to the Master Hop List to get the full list of links.



I actually made 3 different cards for this blog hop and I had a hard time deciding which one to include today. If you want to see my other Verve creations come back later this week to check them out!

Thanks for hopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Leslie’s blog, to see her beautiful Verve creation.


Stamps : Verve Plain Jane Scripture Verse
Paper : PTI Ocean Tides and Vintage Cream, TCP Studios Ancestry DP
Ink : VersaMagic Jumbo Java Chalk ink
Accessories : Spellbinders Label Die, SU! Cream Organdy Ribbon, EKSuccess Tiny butterfly punch, SU! Scallop Border punch

Through Him

This is another simple card using one of my Verve stamps. If you are wondering where to get these beautiful images check out the Verve Online Store and you'll find all kinds of delightful images and verses to add to your collection.

I have a good stamping buddy who was so inspired by the Verve stamps she saw here on my blog that she immediately went online and ordered a LOT of stamps. I really should ask Verve for commission on all this business I am sending their way!!!!! :)

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : Verve Plain Jane
Paper : SU! (Night of Navy, Cream and Really Rust), My Minds Eye 'Home' DP
Ink : SU! Night of Navy, VersaColor Paprika Pigment Ink
Accessories : SU! Scallop border punch, SU! Cream Organdy Ribbon

Blue Raspberry Verve

Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend?

This simple creation is based on a Verve sketch from the June release challenge. I used Deja Views Blue Raspberry patterned paper and added some Kaisercraft pearls along with a decorative border using the Stampin'Up! scallop border punch.

That's all for today - short and sweet!



Stamps : Verve Plain Jane
Paper : SU! Chocolate Chip, PTI White, Deja Views Blue Raspberry DP
Ink : VersaMagic Jumbo Java Chalk ink
Accessories : Kaisercraft pearls, SU! Scallop border punch, white ribbon from Michaels

Ancestry Rejoice

My card today is based on one of the Verve June Release sketch challenges. We were to choose one sketch from each month from January through May for a total of 5 cards. I did not find out about this challenge until close to the deadline and so I amazed myself and created 5 cards in 2 or 3 days. Unfortunately I did not win the prize after all that hard work!!! But no matter, I now have some more cards for my own personal use and to post here on my blog!

The dreamy patterned papers are from TCP studios Ancestry collection and the medallion accent is from a Spellbinders Renaissance die with some added pearls from Kaisercraft.

Have a great weekend,



Stamps : Verve Plain Jane
Paper : SU! Chocolate chip and Cream, TCP Studios Ancestry DP
Ink : VersaMagic Jumbo Java chalk ink
Accessories : Spellbinders Renaissance Die and Label Die, Cricut Machine (for the oval), Kaisercraft pearls

Verve Thanks

You can tell that I am really into Verve sketches and stamps right now. If you look back over my recent posts you'll see that they are all based on Viva La Verve sketches and this one is no different!

This card is made with some of favorite patterned paper at the moment - Global Trek by Deja Views. The colors are so sumptous (not sure if I spelt that right!!!) and rich. Of course, my photography does not do the colors justice. I'm trying to convince my husband of the joys of Adobe Photoshop right now to correct the colors and lighting in my pictures but I haven't managed to persuade him just yet!

Thanks for dropping in!



Stamps : Verve Plain Jane Scripture verse
Paper : PTI White, Deja Views Global Trek DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink (Eggplant)
Accessories : SU! Small circle punch, Spellbinders Renaissance Die

Ribbon Flower

This patterned paper called 'Sophie' from My Mind's Eye has become my new favorite. I love the rich purples and mustards with the elegant scroll designs. You'll probably be seeing a lot of this paper in my cards in the near future!

Today in NC there was a thunderstorm brewing and it was very dark and threatening. I had to wait until the clouds had passed to take my photo! I did try to take some photos in the bathroom (!) but the lighting still was not right.

My card design is based on last Saturday's Sketch for You to Try. Here's a look at the sketch :



Hope you are enjoying Wednesday!


Stamps : Verve (Plain Jane Verse from Psalms), Flourish from Technique Tuesday
Paper : SU! Rich Razzleberry, Cream, My Mind's Eye Sophie DP
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Chalk Perfect Plumeria
Accessories : KaiserKraft pearls, Cream ribbon, EKSuccess small butterfly and circle punches, small scallop border punch

Masculine Tree

Masculine cards are always a challenge for me. I love to create cards that include butterflies, ribbons, pearls, swirls etc - all the girly stuff, but I need more masculine cards in my stash to send out. After a couple of false starts, this is the result of my creative endeavours over the last day or so. It's also my submission for Mojo Monday (#142). Here is the sketch that I was working from :



I apologize for the dark photo but I took the picture at the end of the day when the sunlight was not in the right position through my kitchen window.

Thanks for dropping in!


Stamps : Verve (Scripture Verse), SU! Tree from Thoughts and Prayers
Paper : TPC Studios Ancestral Collection, SU! Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Cream
Ink : SU! Close to Cocoa, VersaMagic Chalk ink Jumbo Java
Accessories : Basic Grey ribbon, Marvy circle punch, Fiskars Sunburst Border Punch

Origins Butterfly

I had to laugh when I was choosing the paper for this card. Andrea Ewen is the Guest Designer this month over at Jen's Sketch for You to Try (SFYTT) and she said that when she was choosing papers for this card she closed her eyes and took out the first paper pack that her hands touched. I decided to do the same thing. I closed my eyes, picked up the first paper that I touched..... and it was Origins by Basic Grey - the exact same one that Andrea picked!!!!! We obviously have great taste in paper!

Here's the sketch I was working from :



Hope you're having a good start to the week!



Stamps : Verve Plain Jane
Papers: SU! Basic Black and Cream, Basic Grey Origins DP
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Chalk ink (Tea Leaves and Pesto)
Accessories : Fiskars Sunburst Border Punch, Kaiserkraft bling, Marvy Embossing Butterfly punch, SU! Basic Black marker

Be Strong Butterflies

For the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge this week (TESC116) I decided to turn the sketch 90 degrees. I also used a new Verve stamp that came in the mail this week. Julee at Verve is awesome - she only processed the order on Tuesday and I had my stamps by Thursday afternoon!!!

Here is the sketch :



Have a great weekend!


Stamps : Verve
Paper : SU! Chocolate Chip and Cream, Basic Grey Nook and Pantry DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk Ink Jumbo Java
Accessories : Marvy Medium and Small circle punches, EKSuccess Small butterfly punch, KaiserKraft Pearls, Ribbon from Archivers Hot Spot

Copic Floral Elegance

On Saturday I had some money saved up specifically for Copic markers. I couldn't wait to go choose my colors, so after lunch my husband watched the boys for me and I went to Jerry's Artarama (where Copics are about $1 cheaper each than in Archivers!). I thought I knew what colors I wanted, but when faced with such a vast selection I had a really hard time deciding. In the end I got two each of five different colors so that I could at least do a little bit of blending. This card uses the 2 shades in each of violet, blue and green that I chose. Unfortunately blending with just two shades is not really the effect I was looking for (ie. realistic!!) so that just means I need more markers.... wink, wink....!!!!! :)

Thanks for dropping in!



Stamps : Stampin'Up! (Flower), Verve (sentiment)
Paper : SU! Rich Razzleberry, PTI white, Making Memories DP
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Basic Black
Accessories : KaiserKraft pearls, Spellbinders label die, Copics