Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Good morning!!! Well, today's post is full of "Thank you's."  I am so thankful that I didn't wreck the laminator at work (I had been worrying all week that I had...but it was an easy fix!).  I am also thankful that I got a lot accomplished at work yesterday after talking with the secretary, custodians, and principal :)  AND I'm thankful that this card is D-O-N-E.  What? You ask?  How could this scrumptious, cutie-patootie card cause me any grief? Well, look at this colour combo!!!  Really, you must all know that the colour draws are real as who would voluntarily choose to use these colours on one card...there is no rhyme or reason for these colours to be together...2 are fun, summery colours and 2 are deeper, cooler colours...hmmm...now that I think of it, maybe it was my subconscious processing the move from my carefree summer to the roller coaster ride of Fall and work beginning again...LOL!!!  I'm thinking that this card will go to one very special person in our district if my order for new shelves goes through quickly...hehehehe...

Notice how I took the easy way out with the blue and green...order form lines and leaves...yup, that's all I could come up with...lol.  BUT I was so desperate to use this more-than-yummy ribbon I picked up on my little side shopping spree during the conference last week.  I'd seen it several times on my buddy Michelle's blog and had to have some....seriously, it is to die for!!!  I should've picked up more than just 3 meters.  It ties like a dream even though it's about 6/8".  (You can see this ribbon and TONS more at the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store...but I take no responsibility for enabling you ribbon lovers!! LOL...yikes!!!)  Let me know if you try this colour combo...if you dare!! LOL  Have a fabulous day...I'm in a Professional Day with my new staff :)  Hugs and smiles....

what's in it?

stamps:pti it's official
ink: pti ocean tides; versafine onyx
paper: pti hibiscus burst, summer sunrise, cream, SU old olive; October Afternoon dp
accessories: cork, pti blossom & notepage dies; pti button & twine, SU two step bird punch (wings for leaves); gemstones, May Arts ribbon

Groovy Kind of Love

Good morning!! Well, I had hoped to have another Wild Card Colour Challenge up for you today, but the card is still sitting on my desk.  I've had no time or inspiration to finish it.  Been in my classroom both Saturday and Sunday and then every day this week to set up (still unpacking even!!).  So today's card is one made with Dawn McVey's new set It's Official.  I just love it...I went really girly, girly on this one...reminds me of the WaCCCky a few weeks ago with all those sugary sweet colours.  Anyways, hopefully a new card will surface this week :)  Have a lovely Monday and thanks for stopping by :)

What's in it?
stamps: pti it's official; Verve feeling groovy
ink: pti raspberry fizz; versafine onyx
paper: pti cream, raspberry fizz, lavender moon, plum pudding, sweet blush; making memories dp
accessories: ek success and fiskar border punches, corner chomper, heart (Michaels), bakers twine, pti ribbon, gemstones, cuttlebug ef, stitching,

Happiness is Found

Good morning!!! Well, here's my first card in a week and I definitely feel a little rusty (ugh!!)...I really loved the inspiration photo this week for the Viva La Verve sketch, but couldn't get the fabulous card in my head to come out onto paper.  I so wanted white polka dots on brown paper...but it just wasn't working last night.  So here is Plan B.  I rotated the sketch 90 degrees so I could use this sentiment.  Hmm, maybe it's the flowers that don't look right to me...oh well, I love the colours and papers and I've been running around with my head cut off since getting back from my conference.  I hope this isn't a trend now that work is gearing up for the new year.  Anyways, I look forward to seeing all the other fabulous cards this week :)  Have a lovely day and thanks for dropping by :)

 

What's in it?

stamps: verve happiness found, great friend

ink: su choc chip; bermuda bay

paper: pti white, kraft, hibiscus burst; su daffodil; OA & the Girls Paperie dps

Accessories: apron lace punch, gemstones, su linen thread, pti buttons and ribbon; stitching, corner chomper, prima flowers

Blog Candy Winner!!

Good morning!!! Quick little post to announce the winner....Heidi!!!!  Woot, woot!!! I loved her comment thinking this prize my help ease the pain of her son moving away to school...I hope it does a bit, Heidi...please email me your full name, mailing address and email :)  And thanks to everyone who entered and left beautiful comments.  I'm so glad you visit often and are fans of Verve :D  Well, I'm back from my 3 day teaching conference...it was excellent, but my brain is about to explode from all the new learning!! LOL  But that's good, right?  I hope to stamp a bit this weekend, but it's back to the classroom to continue unpacking and setting up.  But first I had to show you the few things I picked up on my trip...now, I didn't think there would be a Scrapbooking Store in the one-horse town I was in...but my travelling companion saw it and we stopped!!!  A good selection of ribbon and paper and some fun Tim Holtz items...I picked up some vintage paper clips :)  Oh, and look at that pile o' ribbon!!! Those colourful ones are satin and are like "buttah!!"  I can't wait to use them :)

This last picture is of the September CARDS magazine...it was here waiting for me when I arrived home last night...I have 2 cards in it, so check it out if you are able to :)  {that's 2 more seconds of fame!!}  Okay, I'm off, hope to play with the Viva La Verve Sketch today :)

Dream BIG!!

Last day to sign up for my Verve blog candy here...

Oh, TGIF everyone!!!  LOL  Yes, because I've been at a 3 day teaching conference, I am back on the TGIF bandwagon.  When you are off for the summer, the days have a different "feel" to them...once work begins...every day gets their old "feeling" back.  Are you like that too?  Today's card is the last of the extra Verve Release Night cards I'm sharing here.  To see all my cards plus all the card recipes, check out my Verve Guest Diva Gallery :)  This card uses one of the Verve sketch challenges from last week.  I really liked how it turned out :)  I FINALLY got to use one of my Basic Grey Green at Heart brads I picked up on my road trip a few weeks ago.  I got two different packs of these brads and have tried to use them several times, but it just didn't work out :)  LOVE the orange ribbon and the folded round tab punch with that luscious brad :D  Oh, Moe likey!!  LOL  I also love the lightly inked flower from the Verve Dream Big set with that button :)  Okay, I'll be home tonight and will pull a name for the blog candy at midnight :)  Will announce the winner sometime tomorrow...have a terrific Friday, everyone!!!

Live Well, Love Much

tomorrow is the last day for my Verve blog candy giveaway...see this post to enter to win!!

Good morning!!! Today I'm sharing 2 more cards from the Verve Release Party.  I think this first card is the "prettiest" card I've ever made!!! LOL  I was totally channelling Melissa Phillips, I'm sure!! LOL  While I was making the cards for the Verve Anni-VERVE-sary Release, I think some of my other stamps were getting jealous!!! This little notebook paper from Blue Skies was whining and pouting about not being inked for a while...yes, if you spend too much time in the studio, your stamps start talking to you!!! LOL  So to keep the peace, I used it :)  I like to layer it with another one stamped in a different colour for more dimension and interest :)  This next card uses the set Love Story.  I used my newest Cuttlebug embossing folder Scroll Work on PTI's shimmer white cardstock...I love this paper for elegant wedding or anniversary cards :)  Again, for all the card ingredients, check my Verve Guest Diva Gallery.  That's it for today...back tomorrow for the last card :)

Thinking of You

check out my Verve blog candy here...

Greetings, dear friends :)  As promised, here are some of the extra cards I made for the Verve Release as Guest Diva :)  One of my favourite sets of the release is Great Friend.  There are 3 solid floral images as well as there matching outline.  It was fun experimenting with outline colours...I really liked the way kiwi kiss ink looked around bermuda bay...oh, yummy!!!  You could also use the solid or outline images by themselves...really, it's so versatile!!  Up next is the card I made with the Verve Divas in mind...it uses one of the Anni-VERVE-sary sketches from last week :)

Love that paper?  It's October Afternoon Ducks in a Row...the other side is the pink polka dotted paper on the rectangle panel.  Pink and brown...classic :)  For all the deets about the card ingredients, check out my Verve Guest Diva Gallery :)  Okay, up tomorrow...2 very "pretty" cards from Verve Release night :)  Have a wonderful day :)

Happy Birthday to You

check out my Verve blog candy here...

Good morning!!! Well, I survived my first day of unpacking...it was fine once I got into putting things away and thinking about the new school year.  Today's card is for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch.  I really wanted to use some of this K and Company dp that I picked up at Walmart a few weeks ago.  It is so bright and cheery and is double sided...love that :)  I kept it fairly simple...not a lot of matting, a few buttons and, of course, bling for good measure.  How cute is that sentiment?  It's from the just released "Birthday Bash" by Verve.  This stamp has been staring at me all week...really, my stamps do that...how could I resist that fabulous font!?  A half day in my class then off to a 3 day conference...I've scheduled a few posts for while I'm away....the extra cards I made for the Verve Release Party :)  Have a fantastic day....

what's in it?
stamps: verve birthday bash, pti turning a new leaf
ink: versafine onyx, su kiwi kiss
paper: pti white, kraft, raspberry fizz, k&company dp
accessories: corner chomper, gemstones, circle nestabilities, stitching, pti buttons and twine

EEEEKKK!! Back 2 Skool!!!!!

check out my Verve blog candy here...

Good morning!!!  Well, today is the day that I go back to unpack my new classroom.  Though my summer is not officially "over,"  I will spend the next two weeks preparing my class and attending professional development (big words for "teacher school!" hehe).  The first day back is the hardest, but I know I will soon get excited about a new school, new grade, and new kids :)  As a new teacher to this school, I'm sure I will be "checked out" by the parents but I'll break the ice telling them my last name "rhymes with cute" and my Starbucks order ;)  Today's card was firstly for the Card Positioning Sketch, but once I finished it, I noticed that it also "almost" fits Stacy's Curtain Call Colour Challenge!!!  Well, there's a bit of black...that's a neutral :)  Oh, did you notice that cool ruler ribbon?  Dawn McVey showed this on her blog during the July PTI release of her set It's Official...I have been loving this set since I first started using it yesterday....I really love stationery and pens and clips and anything like that...so this is the set for me :)  Okay, I had to type out this sentiment on the computer as I don't have a stamp that says this...also, the circle was looking a little too plain, but more buttons or gemstones didn't look right...nothing!!  I even thought of zigzag stitching, but that would've looked like real "stitches!!"  LOL  So I thought of a thumb print...as a teacher (and cardmaker!), I am forever getting thumb prints over everything...so I thought this was a neat twist :)  Hmmm, maybe I should've just used a black mat underneath...oh well, next time :)  This card is going to a very special person I used to work with...(she reads my blog sometimes, so I'm hoping she's been too busy lately to drop by...she'll be getting this next week!).  This is the rack I use for my ribbon (see this POST for a picture...scroll down the post).  This past Spring, when I went to buy another one from Home Depot here in town, they didn't have them anymore and no one knew what I was talking about!!!! Fast forward to last weekend in the States.  The dh wanted to check out tool prices at Home Depot...so I went to the storage aisle and guess what!!!!  The mother load!!!  I bought 3 out of the 5 that were there (the other 2 were bent).  I felt like I had found buried treasure I was so excited!!! LOL  Here's a picture of the rack and the little tag I made for it :) Whew!!  As always, thanks for visiting and for all your sweet comments...you sure put a cherry on my icecream :D

What's in it?
Stamps: pti it's official, library ledger
Ink: versafine onyx, su real red, going gray (thumbprint)
Paper: su real red, marina mist, black, PTI white, scenic route dp
Accessories: circle nestabilities, cork, button, twine, cuttlebug ef, su birds and blooms die & large eyelets, corner chomper, pti ribbon, notepage die, clip,

Best Wishes

check out my Verve blog candy here....

 Good morning, friends.  Today is the last unofficial day of "do nothing" for the summer.  I head back a few days early to unpack my new classroom tomorrow and Tuesday then am off to a 3 day teaching conference.....then back to set up my class the week after that ....then.....I know, it's been hard having the summer off but I really have recharged...so that's a good thing :)  Today's card uses the just released Verve set Love Story and is for the last week of Viva La Verve sketches this month.  I took inspiration from this photo.  It reminds me of the Amy Butler paper pad I have.  A bow, some buttons and a bit of bling...:)  Hope you are having a lovely day...I intend to do some stamping and sifting through teaching boxes...wish me luck!!

What's in it?
stamps: verve love story
ink: versafine onyx
paper: su really rust; pti ocean tides, kraft, cream; Amy Butler dp
accessories: pti ribbon, buttons and twine, stitching, labels 11 nestabilities, seeing spot ef, gemstones

Classy and Fabulous!!

check out my Verve Blog Candy here!!

 

click on photo to see a larger image!!

Whew!!! What a week of Verve scrumptiousness!!!  I have been putting off all other challenges and stamping to enjoy my time as Verve Guest Diva...my biggest honour ever.  So this is the first challenge that I couldn't get out of my head.  It's for the latest Embellish Challenge.  I don't have many "cutsy" stamps, but I do have a small collection of Bellas :) Two of my favourites are latte Bella (of course!) and this cosmo Bella...the dh and I love our martini date nights :)  I also have this sentiment on a stamp, but it was too big for this card so I typed it out in Word, then stamped Bella beside it...love the way it turned out.  I don't colour, but I paper piece and Bella needed a bit of colour to draw your eye to her.  Hmm, I really like this...notice that martini?  It's a Hypnotic Heaven!! LOL...I love martini drink names!! LOL  Thanks for visiting and check out my blog candy!! I'm giving away all the cards I've posted this week for the Verve Spotlights PLUS a $25.00 Verve gift certificate!!! 

What'e in it?
Stamps: cosmo Bella
Ink: versafine onyx, su teal
Paper: su kraft, groovy guava, really rust, su and basic grey dps
Accessories: stitching, PTI medium scallop die and grosgrain ribbon; gemstones, seeing spots ef, blender pen, sentiment typed out in Word (cool dots font), corner chomper

Verve Release Party Tonight!!! (and some Blog Candy!!)

Good morning everyone!!!! Ah, there are no more official Verve Sneak Peeks...but here is a peek at the Plain Jane :)  I just love the plain jane stamps...fabulous verses and you only have to order one (or ten) at a time!!  I haven't been using any sketches or challenges this week...just free stylin' it...so I thought it would be fun to use Mercy's sketch :)  Now I know you may be thinking, "Hey, there's no ribbon at the top of this sketch!! LOL  Well, I used an embossing folder on the card base and there's a little line that needed to be covered up...LOL  Don't tell me you've never done that!!  Oh, and I broke open some delicious Memory Box paper I picked up at Impress in Bellevue last weekend :)  It is soooo yummy...I've made another card with it for the Release tonight...

This next card is a complete 180 from all the pink and frills.  I wanted to show how Verve stamps are perfect for masculine cards too :)  As many of my regular followers know, my son Jake is my "Greatest Joy," so this card was made with him in mind :) 

Here's a picture of us last weekend in Bellevue :)  He starts his last year of his undergrad degree in Engineering this September but will come home in a week and a bit for another quick visit :)  He likes to help me set up my classroom for the new year...how sweet is that?

Okay, ready for some BLOG CANDY?  As I was working out Wednesday, I came up with a super fun idea...how about put all the cards I posted this week for the Verve Release Week Spotlights into one Blog Candy prize?!!?  I really wanted to celebrate this amazing honour, hanging out with the Divas and Julee and being a part of this fabulous  Anni-VERVE-sary release.  As well, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who have been so supportive and sweet with your comments and well wishes :D  So what do you think?  ALL the cards I've posted this week including today's cards AND a $25.00 Verve Gift Certificate to help with that long shopping list!!! LOL  Now, I do have to make some adjustments to a couple of the projects...I will include one of the treat bags minus the chocolate bar (would melt in the heat of the mail) and will include a little notebook, but it will be a new, almost identical one (I've already started using mine, so can't include the original).  Yes, the first card with my wedding photo will be included...you can always take my photo off and add your own or just use as a sample :) Oh, and I will make another card for Jake, so I will include today's Great Joy card :)  Here are the deets in order to win all 13 cards and projects plus $25 worth of Verve Bucks:

1)  Leave a comment here on this post by Friday, August 27th @ midnight (PST) ,telling me what you enjoyed most about this Verve Release...

2) Become a follower if you haven't already....if you are not on Blogger, just say you are a Typepadder...tell me you'll visit often ;)

3) Winner will be posted on Saturday, August 28th and must contact me within 5 days with their mailing address  and email for the Vere GC (I will send it anywhere in the world!!)...

Lastly, are you ready to PARRRR-TTAAYYYYY?  I'll be there with bells on so stop by and say hi.  Click HERE for the Splitcoast Forum....

What's in them?
{God is our Refuge}
stamp: verve plain jane psalm 46:1
ink: versafine onyx
paper: pti cream, plum pudding, lavender moon, spring moss; Memory Box dp
accessories: circle nestabilities, stitching, gemstones, pti buttons, twine, May Arts twill ribbon, su embossing folder
{You are Such a Joy to Me}
stamps: verve dream big; kind words
ink: su choc chip; versafine onyx
paper: pti kraft, cream, su espresso; pti dotty biscotti and library ledger dp
accessories: circle nestabilities; pti matte 1 die, pti woodgrain impression plate; stitching, gemstones, pti buttons, twine,

Great Friend ~ Verve Release Spotlight, Day 6

Good morning, my great blog friends!!!  Today is that last official Verve Sneak Peek day.  And Julee has saved the best for last (well, they have all been the best...I just like saying that!!!)  Now, I don't like to play favourites (what am I talking about?  I have a new favourite every week! lol), but this Great Friend set has not left my side all week :)  It's very brown which means it has been well loved and inked :)  I'm sure it's those curvy petals and leaf images.  This first card is one of the first ones I made last week...I could not NOT stamp that flower and layer it on some yummy patterned paper:)  This set has 3 different sized floral images...3 outlines and 3 solid.  I've used the outlined ones, stamped and cut them, and then layered them.  I also used 2 of the 3 leaf images.  I stamped in brown as green just didn't go with this card.  But that's the beauty of stamping...and art...it doesn't have to be the "real" colours.  Next up is a little booklet I made for myself!!  I picked up this fabulous kraft paper on my solo road trip a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be fun to cover one of these little notebooks from the Dollar Store (a 4 pack for $1.00 !!). 

I made another sweet flower and used a sentiment from Fabulous You....okay, how do you like my little Diva charm!!  ACK!!! I saw this in a charm pack in the clearance bin at Michaels and couldn't resist!!! LOL  I wanted this booklet to be a little souvenir of my time as Guest Diva...a tangible reminder that I was once a (guest) Diva!  I like the play on this sentiment...read..."You are Diva Fabulous!" 

I want you also to notice that I made these leaves by cutting out my own leaves and stamping them with one of the leaf images from this set.  Then I distressed the edges and crumbled them up a bit.  This notebook will stay by my desk and hold all my usernames and passwords (not the super important ones...i.e. bank...that's in my head forever!) for all the sites I visit and shop at ;) (Etsy, eBay, SCS, different forums, etc)

Whew!!! Six fabulous days of Sneaks!  How long is your shopping list?  LOL  Visit these Divas for some more amazing peeks and remember to leave comments for the chance to win this set!!  I have a couple more cards tomorrow (plus a little fun...wink, wink) to share and then it's the Release Party tomorrow night...a fast paced fun 2 hours of chatting and giggling with the Divas and Verve lovers :)  See all the details HERE on the Verve SCS forum.  You can also check out the Verve Blog for all details and information about Release Week.  Thanks for visiting and a special, heartfelt thank you for all your sweet, thoughtful comments...you've made me smile all week :)
 1. Laurie     7. Teresa

2. Amy       8. Jen T.

3. Michelle  9. Tosh

4. Mercy    10. Julee

5. Susan     11. Jackie

6. Sankari  12. Lynda

                  13. Amber

What's in them?
{you're a friend}
stamps: verve great friend
ink: su choc chip
paper: pti cream, berry sorbet, basicgrey dp, dcwv dp, papertrey ink dp
accessories: prima pearl, pti button, twine, seam binding ribbon, stitching, ek success punch; gemstones
{you are DIVA fabulous}
stamps: verve great friend, fabulous you
ink: su choc chip
paper: su kiwi, espresso; jillibean dp, crate paper dp
accessories: pti button, twine, gemstones, baker's twine, corner chomper; Diva charm (Michaels); dollar store notebook, distressor

Verve New Release Spotlight ~ Day 5

Greetings Verve fans!!!  Are you ready for another feast?  Today we're looking at 2 more fabulous sets being released this Friday, Kind Words and Happy Hello.  My first card uses the beautiful Mother Teresa quote, "Kind Words."  Can this font be anymore delicious?  I think one of the main reasons I love Julee's stamps is I love a good quote.  We make cards to convey messages to the people we care about...words are powerful and Verve always has just the right sentiment or greeting for any occasion.  This set is FULL of gorgeous sentiments and a flower silhouette.  Up next is Happy Hello. 

Many of you know that I'm changing schools this September.  I always like to make a good first impression with my staff...especially the secretary and custodians (really, don't they run the school?).  I also want to give my grade colleagues a little treat to start the year.  I made these cute little treat bags with tags, using the little "Hello" sentiments in this set.

There are 3 cute little phrases you can use with the "hello..."  I used each one for each of the tags.  The tags are the Labels 11 die and I've punched holes in the scallops for some added interest.  

So what's in the bags?  Well, some of my favourite treats...hot chocolate, VIA coffee packs, flavoured water packs, a chocolate bar, Sharpies, post-it notes in bright colours, funky clips, stickers, and a little bag of licorice all sorts (I eat those while writing report cards!! LOL).  I think I need to make myself one of these bags!!! LOL   Okay, how about some more treats?  Hop over and see what these Divas have in store today...everyone is pulling out all the stops on this release....I LOVE IT!!!!  Be sure to leave a comment for the chance to win these sets and come back tomorrow for the last set spotlight...then it's Friday...PARTY NIGHT!!!  Check out the deets HERE on the Forum.

1. Sankari        7. Julee   

2. Lynda          8. Teresa

3. Charmaine    9. Michelle

4. Amber        10. Amy

5. Jen d.          11. Jackie

6. Sony           12. Mercy

What's in them?
{Kind Words}
stamps: verve kind words
ink: su choc chip, bordering blue
paper: su bliss blue, espresso, pti cream, darker blue (craft supply); fancy pants dp
accessories: circle nestabilities, satin ribbon, recollections flower, gemstones, stitching
{Hello tags}
stamps: verve happy hello
ink: versafine onyx
paper: pti cream, pure poppy, raspberry fizz; su curry, teal; cosmo cricket and MME dps, PTI library ledger dp
accessories: labels 11, circle, pinking circle nestabilities, cropodile, stitching, prima flowers, silver brads, gemstones, baker's twine