Hello Friend!

 It is time to kick off another month of weekly Viva La Verve Sketches.   Julee Tilman is kicking off the first week of May with a sketch and a color challenge! 

For my card I am using Verve's Dream Big, Bountiful Backgrounds, Blue Skies, Petals & Wings Plain Jane,  Hello Friend Plain Jane, and Die Sidekicks stamp sets. I also used  Verve's Cut Above All Aflutter die set to layer my butterflies.  I finished with Verve's Shine Bright Sequin Mix. 


 
As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

You Rock!

Happy Wednesday!  We have been experiencing some really bad weather in North Carolina the past couple of days.   Tornado warnings, hail, and strong winds.  We dismissed school early today due to flash flood warnings.   

Anyway, I really needed to get crafty today!   I am playing along with Papertrey's Make It Monday Challenge.  This week is about paper scraps pie chart.  I figured it look easy enough so I gave it a try.  I am also using this week's Retro Sketch.  I decided to layer and mix some patterns and frames for this card.  I am also using the colors for this week's Color Throwdown Challenge.

I inked up my PTI Four Square set for this.  Everything is popped for for added dimension.  I did some tone on tone frame stamping and finished with my YOU ROCK sentiment in black to mimic the newspaper look of the background patterns.  I finished my card with one black enamel dot in the center of my pie scraps!  

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

SMILE!

Happy Tuesday!  Popping in with a quick card today!   I am playing along with this week's Fusion Card Challenge.  I opted to do the inspiration challenge only.  I think I will try the sketch later.  


I loved the color display of chevrons, but I thought it would look fun with a damask print.  I used some of the primitive white card stock  that came in my MFT Card stock Sampler.  I lined up an assortment of fun colored inks and started stamping.  I used MFT MPD Damask Designs stamp set.  I loved the background I stamped so much I did not want to cover it up.  I decided to use MPD Distressed Hearts  with companion  MPD Die-namics Distressed Hearts Frame.  Perfect size and look I was trying to achieve.  I love the mix of these two sets together with these bold colors.     I really love how it turned out.  I opted to use a die cut sentiment from MFT Blueprints 11.    I finished my card with some colorful gems.  Another CAS card from me!  


 As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Have a Lovely Birthday and The Skies the Limit!

Happy Sunday!  I am popping in with two cards to share today!  

 
For my first card, I am playing along with this awesome sketch at Cardabilities.  This is sketch #97.    I started with MFT card stock sampler, Blueprints 14, and Teresa Collins Carolina Breeze dp. 

I used MFT LJD Birthday Greetings to create my script background.  I used all the sentiments in this set except the focal one to create the background.  I did not stamp this precise because I did not want it perfect.  I wanted it to look a bit distressed like the background in the sketch.  I used smokey shadow ink.  Next, I embossed the Stencil on the Diagonal to the vellum panel that was cut using one of the Blueprints 14, elements.  Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying my Blueprints dies?  LOL!  LOVE!  I then used  a Fishtail Flag Stax double ended cut to create my sentiment panel.  I stamped the sentiment in nautical blue ink.  

I die cut the flowers, leaves, and button from the Blueprints 14,  The large flower is die cut in Gray Grout.  I love just the hint of soft gray to this.  Next, I used the script one line sentiment in the Birthday Greetings to repeatedly stamp the leaves using the nautical blue ink.  I assembled my card and added a few enamel dots and it was done!  Came together easily.  I was going for a gender neutral card for a Birthday.  Kids are always asking for Birthday cards and most of mine are girly.  

For my second card, I am playing along with "Just Us Girls" Inspiration Challenge #238.  I think this card and sentiment could work for a guy or girl, too.  It does have pink, but not a whole lot of it.  

Again, I started with MFT card stock sampler.   I die cut the Polka Dot Cover Up.  I die cut the Jumbo Kite dienamics.  I used a kraft card stock base because it reminded me of my childhood when we used to create our own kites using brown paper grocery bags.  We would color them then adhere to kite frame.   I added some colorful panels to go along with the colors in the inspiration picture.  I thought the kraft base and kite base worked with the fence tones.  I assembled the kite and card.  I added the kite tails to mimic the balloon streamers/banner.  Each ribbon tail was topped with a color matching button.  

For the sentiment, I die cut the vellum panel using Blueprints 12.   The sentiment  was layered over the kite.  I stamped the sentiment from Blue Skies Ahead stamp set.  I really like how the kite card turned out, too!


As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

You Make Me Happy! Crazy 4 Challenge and a VLV Sketch!

Happy Saturday!  We have a new and fun challenge for you this week at Crazy 4 Challenges!   Check out the C4C blog for more challenge details at Crazy 4 Challenges(C4C233).  

This week's challenge is 
"April showers bring May flowers"
So, add flowers and rain to your cards!

 
For my card I using Verve's Rain or Shine, Bountiful Backgrounds, and Tag Time stamp sets.  I combined Verve's Leafy Sprigs,  Charming Oval, and Jotted Heart die sets.  I finished my card with a few of Verve's Pastel Sequin Mix.   I am also using MFT  Blueprints 13.  I am using April 2014 Week 3 Sketch + Inspiration. 


For the C4C challenge, it may see at first glance that I am missing flowers.  I used fleur de lis stamped background on the heart.  The English translation is  "flower of the lily."   I also used a little metal clip which has a cut out flower.


Check out what the rest of the team did with this week's challenge!   

• Anja de Regt 
• Barbara Anders 
• Betty Wright (<---ME...you're here) 
• Frances Byrne
• Heather Pulvirenti 
• Helen Cryer 
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak  
• Kelli Hull
• Kristine Reynolds
• Peggy McCurry
• Danielle Lounds 
• Brenda O'Rear (April Guest Designer)

As always thanks so much for stopping by!  

Betty

PTI April 2014 Blog Hop!

 
 

Happy Friday!  Today I am playing along with Papertrey's April Blog Hop Challenge!   This month is all about Embroidered Inspiration.  

I spent a few minutes the other day just  looking at the pictures Nicole chose for inspiration.  I like the black circle background of the first picture with the pop of flowers.  Next, I like the bold leafy and floral patterns of the third one across on top row.  Then, I loved the soft leafy feel for a background texture in the top middle.  Finally, I just love the white dots on the bottom left corner.   I decided to blend a little bit from each of the inspiration pieces that I liked.  I came up with this design.  I tried to stay fairly CAS with the card design.  

I am using PTI Embellished Elegance stamp set and dies  along with Bigger Blooms stamps and dies.  I also used the Vineyard Impressions Plate for my harvest gold background.  I combined some white, harvest gold, true black, and new leaf card stocks.  I used pure poppy, harvest gold, and new leaf inks for the flowers and leaves.   Snow pigment ink was used for sentiment along with some white ep.  

As for the dots, I am using some white acrylic paint and a stylus.  Makes for some quick dots!  Dries pretty fast, too!

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Blue Skies Ahead! MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge

 
Happy Thursday!  I have a card to share today using this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge 173.  I  decided to turn the sketch on its side to create a cool little scene incorporating some of the newly released MFT Stamps I just got in the mail!  Happy Dancing!

For my card I started with some Berrylicious card stock from the MFT Card Stock Sampler Pack.  I then used Blueprints 13 die to cut the stitched edge panel.  

Next, I used the Cloudy Day stencil to get this amazing cloud textured background using a stencil!   I used some white pigment ink and sponged around the clouds to create some soft white "fluffy"ness.  Does not show up too well in this photo, but trust me it is there in real life and adds so much depth to the sky.   I then chose Nightshift Blue from the card stock sampler pack and die cut 2 of the scalloped borders from Blueprints 14.  I inked the scalloped portion with some white pigment ink and let dry.  I offset these borders to create some waves since I do not have the making waves dies yet.     

I added my sailboat!  I am so glad I added this Sailboat die to my cart.  I do not have many themed shape dies.  I die cut the boat using some electric red, chocolate brown, and white card stocks.  I nestled the bottom of the boat behind the first scallop row which I used foam tape to adhere so it sticks out a bit for some added dimension.  The boat fits right in behind it.  I then constructed my sailboat.  It goes together easily.  However, once I got it together I realized it needed a little something.  I used my On the Diagonal stencil to create some red stripes to my sail.  I did have to slide the stencil a couple of times but it lines up perfectly since I can easily see through the stencil.  I love how it turned out.    I stamped the sentiment from the newly released Blue Skies Ahead stamp set.  Now, in hindsight it would have been better to stamp this before I embossed the clouds with my stencil, but I really had no clue where this card would take me when I started so I just stamped the sentiment directly over the clouds.  It worked!   Whew! 

To finish my card I decided that I needed something directional to reinforce my sentiment  as well as complete the little accent on the sketch.  I opted to use Blueprints 10.  Oh, my word!  I am ENJOYING all of my Blueprints.  I had no idea how much use I would get from these dies.  I am forever reaching for them to use all the parts and pieces.  I think I may need to have them all!  ;0)  Seriously!   I used some more white and electric red card stock.  I layered a few of these together for some added thickness so the die would not be too flimsy sitting on top of the navy twine.   Once that was done, my card was complete!   I love how it turned out!

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Thanks For Everything! Make It Monday and a Retro Sketch

I am playing along with this week's  Papertrey's  Make It Monday Challenge.  This week's challenge is Water Splats.  

I combined three colors: pure poppy, orange jest, and harvest gold then added the water splats.    I sort of got carried away with the splats.  LOL!  It was fun to sort of make a mess and be creative at the same time.   I used  the Wet Paint stamp set for the sentiment.   I used Background Basics:  Inspiration stamp set in pure poppy behind the focal panel.    I used MFT Blueprints 12.   I finished with the little tab and harvest gold button threaded with some red/white thread.   

I combined this challenge with this week's Retro Sketches.  Love this CAS design.   This is a 4.5 squared card.

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Crazy 4 Challenges with a Sketch!

Happy Saturday!  We have a new and fun challenge for you this week at Crazy 4 Challenges!   Check out the C4C blog for more challenge details at Crazy 4 Challenges(C4C232).  

This week's challenge is 
a sketch!

 

For my card I using Verve's Scripture Medley 2, Dream Big, and Making a Statement stamp sets.  I combined Verve's Loopy Blooms and Dreamy Leaves die sets.  I die cut the loopy bloom flower and colored with alcohol markers.  I added some color coordinating glitter to the center with a glue pen.  I found my color inspiration from a Pinterest photo.  I am using MFT card stock sampler and Blueprints 11.



Check out what the rest of the team did with this week's challenge!

• Anja de Regt 
• Barbara Anders 
• Betty Wright (<---ME...you're here) 
• Frances Byrne
• Heather Pulvirenti 
• Helen Cryer 
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak  
• Kelli Hull
• Kristine Reynolds
• Peggy McCurry
• Danielle Lounds 
• Brenda O'Rear (April Guest Designer)

As always thanks so much for stopping by!  

Betty

Happy Birthday! Color Palette with a Sketch!

Happy Thursday!  I am so enjoying my Spring Break doing absolutely nothing!  We were going to go to the beach, but it got cold so we decided to stay home and do stuff around the home.  Trust me that is enough to keep us busy for longer than a week.   Yard work like house work is never ending.   I am okay with that since it gave me crafty time, too!

So, the other day I posted a card using some MFT stamps and dienamics.  I was shocked at how little I had in my stash.  I really thought I had more.  I got on the MFT site and ordered me a few goodies and they came today! Already?  What?  Happy Dancing!  I jumped in my crafty space and unwrapped my package and started stamping.  I was thrilled to try MFT card stock.   I got me a pack of the Card Stock Sampler since I had none.  WOW!  What an amazing assortment of colors! 

I decided to play along with this week's MFT Get Sketchy Challenge and the monthly MFT Color Palette Challenge.    
I am using MPD  Blooming Roses with matching Rose Bouquet dies and LJD Pretty Poppies sentiment and scripted background.  I die cut the Razzle Berry and Blu Raspberry using Fishtail Flag Stax dies.  I just cut off the fishtail portion on the BR panel.  I already had those...luv!  I needed a chubby oval to fit my sentiment so I opted to use the  Rounded Banner Stax that I already had.  I just flipped it around to create a double ended "chubby oval."     I improvised with the inks, but they are definitely on my wishlist!  I decided to keep this sketch somewhat CAS!  I did have to turn it, though!  ;0)

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty