Big Bow!!

Good, no great, Friday morning friends!! Here's a quick card that I made last weekend.  I have been bitten by the 1.5" ribbon bug!! LOL  I couldn't resist this ribbon after seeing it in Courtney's Practicing Creativy store.  My friend, Laural, is a big  PC fan and let me buy some of this gorgeous ribbon from her as it was sold out at the time of our order.  She asked me what I was going to do with it.  I had no idea!  I've used wide ribbon before but discovered it's hard to tie!! This ribbon, however, is very thin and wasn't too bad.  It does take a lot of ribbon to tie it fully around the card.  I'm tempted to take it off this card and use it on other ones while I take their pictures!!  LOL  Definitely a card that has to be either hand delivered or put in a bubble envelope :)  The "thanks" was cut with a Cuttlebug die...some stitching, some buttons and you have a very quick, non stamped card :)  "Thanks" for stopping by...have you used wide ribbon?  What do you think?  I hope you have a lovely start to your weekend :)



What's in it?
paper: SU crushed curry, melon mambo, black, dcwv dp
accessories: may arts ribbon, stitching, cuttlebug "thanks" die, buttons

You are Right Where You Should Be

Good morning!  Today's card is for Mercy's Tuesday sketch.  I really wanted to use the scraps that were close to my desk.  I had made this sentiment panel up a week ago, but never got to use it...I think it's perfect for this sketch :)  It's from the Unity Stamp Company via Michelle's blog.  I just love the sentiments in this set :)  Some kraft, some satin ribbon, a button...mmmm, some of my favourite elements on this one :)  I also tried out my new Martha Stewart checkerboard punch...so fun!  Have a lovely day :)  Sending smiles your way...

What's in it?
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. where you should be
Ink: SU choc chip, rose red with blender pen
Paper: PTI kraft, cream, black; SU ruby red; DCWV dp
Accessories: stitching, square nestabilities, PTI button, SU linen thread, MS punch, satin ribbon

Happy Mother's Day ~ Mojo Monday

Good morning!! Today's card uses this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  I found this paper during a big rummage this weekend and thought it would be perfect for another Mother's Day card.  Even though it's 2 year old paper...I just love it!!  The aqua petals are a very close match to Hawaiian Shore or Burmuda Bay :)  The rust strip at the top is embossed with the textile texture cuttlebug folder.  Hardly any stamping on this one...I find this makes a card come together faster, well, sometimes!!  Hope your week is going well...thanks for sharing a few minutes with me :)

What's in it?
Stamps: PTI blooming button bits
Ink: versafine onyx
Paper: PTI cream, SU burmuda bay, really rust, My Mind's Eye dp
Accessories: prima flowers, brad, American Crafts ribbon, cuttlebug ef, fiskars border punch

Mom

Good morning!!  I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the Embellish challenge...I had another card in mind that I still want to make eventually, but these flowers have been on my mind ever since I got them last Friday :)  In the original design there was a green panel of grass, but it covered up too much of the stems, so I took it off and just used green ribbon.  I tried to add a butterfly and even some bling somewhere, but it just didn't look right so I left it pretty simple.  The requirement this time was to emboss.  The blue card base is embossed with swiss dots...if you look closely you can see them :)  Have a lovely day :)

What's in it?

Stamps: SU awash with flowers, Verve because of you
Ink: versafine onyx, SU summer sun, ballet blue, old olive, PTI raspberry fizz
Paper: SU ballet blue, PTI white, kraft
Accessories: PTI ribbon, oval nestabilities, cuttlebug ef

Happy Mother's Day x 2

Good morning!! Today's card is doing double duty.  It's a Card Pattern sketch and a Curtain Call colour scheme.  I couldn't decide whether to use cream or kraft for the main image panel so I made two cards!!  I'm using Awash with Flowers again as I loved using it for my Viva La Verve card this weekend.  I love filling in the spaces between the flowers with the little leaf stamp...adorable!!  After stamping the first card, I realized that the colour call was for white, not cream!!! ACK!!! So I used white satin ribbon to make up for it!!! I actually like mixing white and cream, it's like mixing brown and black or gold and silver...I say go for it!!! LOL

Could anything be yummier than stamping on kraft?  I must love it because it's the colour of lattes!! LOL  Well, that's it...it's a no staff meeting Monday so I'll be home at a reasonable hour tonight :D  Have a lovely day and thanks for stopping by :)

What's in them?
Stamps: SU awash with flowers, messages for mom
Ink: SU kiwi kiss, basic black, PTI raspberry fizz, sweet blush
Paper: SU melon mambo; PTI sweet blush, cream, kraft, spring moss
Accessories: fiskars border punch, nesties labels 4; Michaels ribbon, PTI ribbon, pearls, stitching; SU embossing folder

Pass the Tissue, Please

Good afternoon, Papertrey fans!!  Having the Blog Hop on a Sunday means I can post my blog link early and not have to wait until after I get home from work :)  This month's challenge is to use tissue.  Flowers seem the natural thing to make out of tissue, but I wanted to try something different.  I was inspired by Dawn's ruffle card and decided to try and mimic the same look with tissue!! I even had some kraft coloured tissue paper..yummy!!! I stamped a french script onto the paper with SU's sahara sand (a good ink match to kraft IMHO) then cut out 5 scallop strips with my new PTI medium scallop die. 

Here is another angle shot to show the ruffle layers.  I tried playing with my editing program to get a better image of the Hawaiian Shore paper and ribbon.  Is it just me or is this a hard colour to take pictures of?  It just looks like turquoise in pictures...really, it's a beautiful dark aqua colour in real life. 

Because I had some left over tissue from my first card, I decided to make a tissue flower for my Mercy card this week.  Yes, that's another one of Heather's library cards!!! I'm addicted, what can I say?

My last card also uses tissue flowers, but I've scrunched them up a bit more.  I really like this colour combo.  The yellow and pink really pop off the brown and kraft.  Oh, and my favourite part is that yummy sheer ribbon.  I've let other blog buddies know that it tastes like lemon meringue...no seriously, I've tried it and it does!!! LOL ;)  Thanks for dropping by and I can't wait to see what you all have made for today as well. Enjoy the rest of the hop :)

What's in them?

{Wishing You Everything}
Stamps: PTI birthday basics, SU french script
Ink: SU choc chip, sahara sand, PTI tea dye
Paper: PTI hawaiian shore, cream, pretty pastel dp; cosmo cricket dp
Accessories: corner chomper, fiskars border punch, gemstones, PTI ribbon and medium scallop die; tissue paper

{Hi-Ya!}
Stamps: PTI say it with style, fancy flourishes, SU french script
Ink: SU choc chip, close to cocoa, PTI tea dye
Paper: PTI cream, ocean tide, cosmo cricket dp, SU choc chip
Accessoires: Heather Nichols library card image, gemstones, PTI button, blossom die and ribbon, SU linen thread, stitching, long rectange nestabilities

{Precious and Few}
Stamps: PTI blooming button bits
Ink: SU choc chip
Paper: PTI kraft, cream, polka dot basics dp; cosmo cricket dp
Accessories: PTI blossom dies, cuttlebug ef, fiskars border punch, brads, SU horizontal slot punch, Michaels sheer ribbon

Happy Mother's Day

Oh, what a lovely Saturday it's been (minus the house cleaning...but  I do have a clean house now!! LOL)  I've witnessed all types of weather from my studio's window today...snow, hail, sunshine, clouds...I've been quite content to watch it all as I use some of my new Stampin' Up! product.  It was my month to be hostess in my Stampers 10 group!!  I always treat myself with a bigger than usual purchase and this year it was the SU cutter.  It's a guillotine style cutter and is so smooth!!! No more rough edges from my fiskars cutter...which as been demoted to "score only."  Because my Stampers 10 group order was over $460.00, I also got the new set Awash with Flowers.  Oh, I love this set already!!! I've always loved SU's 2 step stamping and this one does not disappoint.  I knew I wanted to use it for today's Viva La Verve card.  This is the inspiration photo I chose...I just love the reddy pink and purple together :)

I saw the flowers stamped on kraft in my head and was pleasantly surprised when it turned out in real life :)  I must make more of this stamped paper :)  Have a lovely day :) 

What's in it?

Stamps: Verve Plain Jane, Because of You, SU Awash with Flowers
Ink: SU choc chip, rose red, perfect plum
Paper: PTI cream, kraft, SU perfect plum, basic grey sugar rush dp
Accessories: SU horizontal slot and scallop border punches, Michaels ribbon, gemstones, corner chomper

50?

Good morning!! Kristina Werner has a new challenge this week. You may be familiar with her colour challenges, but this week is a One Layer Card challenge!! EEK!!! Define one layer!! LOL I get the one layer of paper, but what about adding ribbon? or a flower? or bling? I figured that if the bling was no thicker than the embossing, I could add it!! When you are dealing with only one layer, the challenge is to somehow use texture to get some interest going.  This could be done with colour, shine, punches, etc.  I chose to emboss the polkadots.  They are stamped in Versamark and embossed with clear powder!!! Yes, that's how dark they go!! I find this on most dark cardstock...isn't that neat?  I had to turn off two lights on my light box as the polkadots had a lot of glare on them.  I put one back on for the next photo so you could see the embossing.  With such a dark card, the only occasion I could think of for this card was a 50th birthday card.  The 50? is embossed in white.

I like to buy sympathy cards for 50th birthdays...as in "so sorry for the loss of your youth."  I also like to wear black to the parties.  I rounded the bottom corners for the last little bit of interest and there you have it!  I kind of like it :)  I think it will be for my brother in August...he turns the big 5-0 this year :)  The challenge is on until Sunday, so if you want to join in, head over to Kristina's blog :)  Have a wonderful Friday, I know I will!! LOL

What's in it?
Stamps: PTI polka dot basics 2, fresh alphabet, blooming button bits
Ink: versamark, SU white craft and basic black
Paper: SU basic grey
Accessories: gemstones, PTI clear embossing powder, corner chomper

Your Own Sunshine

Good morning!!!  Today's card is for the first Verve Beach Party challenge this week.  Like some of you, I never seem to do a series of challenges in order.  I pick the one that I like the most at that moment.  These colours scream "Beach Party," don't they?  I kind of knew what papers I wanted to use, although making the final decision took some time (sort of like finding the right buttons! LOL).  I really wanted to  use this sentiment and ink up one of the fun little suns in the Verve set "Let it Shine."  I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch...I hope you can tell!!  The circle kind of floated up to the left hand corner and the horizontal panel kind of stretched out a bit, but it's all about inspiration, right?  And Karen is so sweet, I know she won't mind :D  I hope you are all having a bit of sunshine where you are...or if not, feeling the sunshine of my little card :)

What's in it?
Stamps: Verve feel the sun, let it shine
Ink: versafine onyx, SU pumpkin, mustard
Paper: PTI cream, springmoss, SU pumpkin, kiwi kiss, burmuda bay, DCWV dp, Michaels dp
Accessories: gemstones, ribbon, corner chomper

Wishing You the Best Day Ever

Good morning!!! I'm still on track with my challenges for the Verve Release Week :)  After printing out the challenge sheet, I added some comments to each one at Monday's staff meeting!!! LOL {wink!}  The only note I had for this one was "cream or white cardbase."  AKA "keep it simple girlie!!"  I had wanted to use more vibrant colours...it is a beach party afterall....but my search for 3 papers that went together stopped at the Ever After collection by Cosmo Cricket.  I really love this paper and don't use it as much as I should.  It is so elegant.  Have a wonderful day...I hope to do the colour challenge tonight :)  Wishing you the best day ever...

What's in it?
Stamps: Verve Wishing You
Ink: SU basic grey
Paper: PTI cream, ocean tide, SU basic grey, really rust, cosmo cricket dp
Accessories: circle nestabilities, PTI ribbon, dew drops

Verve's Beach Party

Hey everyone!!  It's Verve release week and it's a Beach Party!!! Woohooo!!! With the sunshine we've been having in south central B.C., this is perfect timing :)  Julee has created 5 challenges for us leading up to the release this Friday...and there are always lots of chances to win.  Many of you who follow my blog know that I've been touched with Verve gold many times...I've counted about 7...eek!!! So each time now, I think I've used up all my Verve luck...but I still love to play and will purchase these stamps no matter what :)  I've been hooked on these Heather Nichols library cards so here it another one.  I need to print out more :)  I took some liberty with the sketch...using the prima for the partial circle and not having my sentiment panel go all the way to the top...but that's just what was flowing last night so I went with it :)  The staff meeting didn't go too long last night so I was able to get home at a reasonable hour and stamp while it was still light out...love that...it's my best time to stamp.  Have a lovely Tuesday and if you can, stop by the Verve forum and join in the fun :)

What's in it?
Stamps: Verve feel the sun
Ink: SU choc chip
Paper: SU blush blossom, choc chip, PTI cream, cosmo cricket dp
Accessories: stitching, heather nichols library card image, corner chomper, prima flower, PTI button, floss, gemstones, cuttlebug ef, ek success border punch

Happy, Happy, Happy

Good morning, dear friends :)  Sometimes when it's a {staff meeting} Monday, I try to convince myself that it will be a good day and the meeting won't go very long.  I thought this was the perfect card to help me with this challenge :)  Just playing around with some ribbon, buttons and different sentiment placement.  How could I not be happy all day looking at this card?  I hope you are feeling Happy, Happy, Happy today too and if not, maybe my little card will help change that, even for a moment :)  It's Verve release week so there will be fun challenges all week with lots of prizes (check either their forum or the blog ):)  Have a glorious Monday!! {see, I'm so positive!! LOL}


What's in it?
Stamps: PTI Top Ten
Ink: SU choc chip
Paper: PTI summer sunrise, scarlett jewel, cream, autumn abundance dp
Accessories: PTI buttons, ribbon, SU linen thread, corner rounder and scallop punch, stitching

Viva La Verve Week 3

Good afternoon!!  Today's card is for the third sketch in the Viva La Verve Friday challenge.  I'm using the first inspirational photo with colours of aqua, white, kraft, black and a splash of purple :)  I've rotated the sketch 90 degrees and am using a flower for the small rectangle :)  Yes, breaking the rules and on a Sunday!! LOL  Although we are allowed to do that but doesn't "breaking the rules" sound more interesting!! LOL  Notice the aqua dp?  It's actually the cardboard base that comes with the Verve stamp sets.  I transfer my stamp sets onto white card stock and store them in binder sleeves in a (Verve) blue binder.  After doing this the last time, I just thought it was a shame to throw these pieces of cardboard out so I kept them for just the right project...today's card :)  I love the splash of purple in the photo and had to make sure I added this as well :)  The flower is made of kraft tissue stamped with the SU French script.  I hope you have a lovely Sunday...tomorrow starts the Verve release week...I hope you have the chance to play along. 

What's in it?
Stamps: Verve because of you, SU french script
Ink: SU close to cocoa, Stazon black
Paper: PTI white, black, shimmer white, aqua shimmer, Verve cardboard
Accessories: satin ribbon, PTI blossom dies, tissue paper, Grandpa's button, linen thread, cuttlebug ef, gemstones, nesties labels 12

Delightful & Delicious

Good afternoon, coffee lovers!!! And for my tea-loving blog buddies, please substitute any or all "coffee" references with "tea."  :)  Julee at Verve is having a fun little challenge this week.  Her popular Delightful & Delicious set has been sold out for awhile but is now back in stock and on sale.  For some fun, she posted a challenge on Splitcoast...make a card or project with the set :)  Lucky me bought this set during its release last year...love my coffee sets!!  As you can see from my pictures, I've added some other fun coffee stamps, Lattebella and the border stamp from the retired SU What's Brewing.  I will never (yes, I said, "never!") get rid of these stamps :)  As soon as someone says, "Make a coffee card," I think of Lattebella, perched upon her barstool, holding her favourite latte with a big grin on her face.  I do not have Copics  and I don't even attempt to colour with markers (streaks), but I can paper piece!!  LOL  So Lattebella's clothes have been paper pieced and I've used SU ink with a blender pen for the smaller parts of the image.  How YUMMY is that sheer yellow ribbon?  It tastes like lemon meringue...no, seriously, I tried it and it does!! LOL, LOL, :D 

Here is the whole set.  I had to drop off my car to get my summer tires on (hey! I live in Canada, LOL).  So on my walk home, I stopped at Starbucks and picked up some VIA packs.  A dollar store was close by so I stopped in hoping they would have small kraft bags...no luck.  Instead, they had little carton party favours so I picked up a 4-pack.  These are adorable, but you need to use Staz-on ink on the glossy finish (my fingers are brown if you know what I mean).  I had to re-cover the front of the box with white cardstock and punch a hole where the window was...whew...pretty good lining up of the circle, eh?!! That's "faux" coffee in the box.  I also made a little stack of VIA packs with a tag.  They would be fun to add to a little package for a friend.  Here's the inside of the card.  I like to add a pack to the inside for a little "thank-you."

Well, that's it!!! Gee, I was a bit long winded today!!! LOL  Must be all the coffee I've had so far:)  I hope you are having a lovely day...make sure you enjoy your favourite coffee or tea or drink :)  Cheers!!


What's in it?
{Delightful & Delicious card}
Stamps: Verve delightful & delicous; Lattebella
Ink: versafine onyx, SU choc chip, close to cocoa, rose romance, summer sun
Paper: PTI cream,raspberry fizz, kraft, SU curry, MME quite contrary, various dp scraps for paper piecing
Accessories: sheer ribbon, prima flowers, gemstone


{coffee box}
Stamps: Verve delightful & delicious, SU What's brewing
Ink: SU close to cocoa, choc chip
Paper: PTI white, kraft; SU curry, choc chip; MME quite contrary dp
Accessories: circle nestabilities, fiskars border punch, PTI buttons, sheer ribbon


{coffee tag}
Stamps: Verve delightful & delicious
Ink: SU choc chip
Paper: PTI craft
Accessories: SU horizontal slot and ticket corner punches, sheer ribbon, gemstones