Make a Wish!

Finally had some time to play in my craft room this weekend.  I am popping in with a card for this week's MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge.  I am also playing along with week's Color Throwdown #312.  

For my card, I started with MFT cardstock sampler.  I love these colors for this week's Color Throwdown Challenge.  


I always find it challenging to try and create a card other than the obvious Halloween theme with these colors.  I really needed a cute Birthday card, so I thought I would give it a whirl with these shades.  

I die cut the kraft card stock with Blueprint 15.  I stamped a portion of the kraft with Fine Check Background stamp.  I just love the background stamps. I inked the edges with versamark for added dimension.   Next, I used the circle cut out stitched elements from Blueprint 18.  I cut out the focal circle in the kraft card stock.  This circle die leaves behind a stitched frame.  I finally got a chance to ink

up my new MSTN Cute Critters!  I just love these critters.  I die cut the coordination image from MTSN Cute Critter dienamics.  I colored with Copics.   Isn't that raccoon adorable? 

Next, I die cut the orange fizz panel with Fishtail Flag Stax.  I stamped the sentiment from CS Birthday Chalkboard Greetings.  I used black ink and versamark to ink around the edges for added definition.  For the additional circle element in the sketch I die cut the layered cut out star element and button from Blueprints 18.  I finished my card with some Hemp Cord  that I just swirled beneath the sentiment panel.  I love how these colors turned out for a Birthday card.

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Verve's October Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's October Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our October inspiration challenge for another chance to win!

 For this fall fancy challenge, I created two cards. I gave myself a challenge within a challenge so to speak.  I chose 1 Verve stamp set, 1 sketch, and created two looks!   For the first card, I used Fancy Pants Collecting Moments paper pad, I used Verve's Tall Oaks stamp set.  I stamped the trio of pumpkins image twice.  I colored one image with Copics, cut out, and popped up.  I added some soft sponging on the focal circle die and stamped the sentiment.  I added a few touches of sparkle to make a more dressier version of a fall card.  I finished with Verve's Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection in Golden Sun to complete the card.  I love the vibrant warm tones and patterns. 

For the second card, I again used the same Fancy Pants pattern pack, sketch, and Verve's Tall Oaks stamp set, but this time I opted to create a chalkboard styled card.  I must say I really love how the pumpkins look on the black with just the outline.  It looks like they are glowing in the dark to me.   To keep this card simple, I chose to add some Verve's Signature Sequin Mix in brown to finish it.  I love the simplicity of this one.  Completely different look than the first.  I am playing along with the Fusion Challenge.  I used the sketch!

This month's challenge is entitled Fall Fancy:


The air is crisp and the colors are warm – celebrate fall with a spook-tacular creation or a thoughtful thank you using Fall as your inspiration! 

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	8. Sony
	2. Amy	9. Susan
	3. Anya	10. Maureen
	4. Betty	11. Laurie
	5. Karen	12. Marisa
	6. Sankari	13. Jen
	7. Sarah

As always thanks so much for hopping by! 

Betty

Happy, Happy Birthday!

  
I have a card to share today that is for this week's MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge.  I am also playing along with this week's Color Throwdown.  For the color throwdown we are challenged to use gray, light blue, blue, and citrus-y green.

I started with MFT Card Stock Sampler pack.  I used steel gray ,limeade, blu raspberry, sno cone, and smooth white.   I used Blueprints 16 to cut the steel gray base.  I used another panel of steel gray, but I stamped first with the Happy Birthday Background stamp in watermark ink.  Then, I die cut with thePolka Dot Cover Up die namics.    I actually cut each color of card stock with the Polka Dot Cover Up die namics to have different colored dots to fill in the panel.  I used the larger of the circle dies in the Blueprints 16 for the focal image.  I stamped this panel with Blue Raspberry premium ink using the Cheesecloth Background stamp for some added texture. 

 I die cut the Happy Banner die namics in sweet tooth card stock and stamped the coordinating PI Happy Banner image with black memento ink.  I colored with copics.    Next, I assembled the card.  I used foam tape to pop up the blue raspberry circle and PI Image.  I used the double-ended banner in the Blueprints 16 to stamp the sentiment which I masked to get just the "Happy Birthday" portion.


To finish the card,  the limeade tab was cut using an element from Blueprints 11.  The button die is from Blueprints 18.  I used a lime colored twine to finish off the button.  I debated adding some tiny clear gems, but I decided I really love the card just the way it is. 

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty 

Verve's August Release Retrospective Blog Hop!

Welcome to Verve's August Release Retrospective Blog Hop! The Verve Divas are hopping today and serving up some more inspiration using the August release stamps & dies! Besides a peek at some really cool cards, there are also a couple of prizes up for grabs!

For my card I combined some Fancy Pants As You Wish designer papers with Verve's newly released Coffee stamp set, Verve's Cut Above Coffee Word and Cuppa Joe dies.  I stamped the sentiment in Momento Cocoa.  I die cut the word twice and glued together for some added stability. I die cut and stamped the grande mug.  I used some copics for shading.   I accented the card with some clear gems and some silver sequins from Verve's Signature Sequin Mix.   I thought this simple design was a great way to house a fantastic coffee shop gift card.

1. Julee	10. Janelle
2. Teresa	11. Christyne
3. Amber	12. Jen
4. Charmaine	13. Andrea
5. Marisa	14. Betty
6. Monika {Guest}	15. Karen
7. Stacey	16. Sarah
8. Maureen	17. Amy
9. Laurie

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We're giving away a $40 gift voucher to one lucky commenter along the hop, so be sure to leave a shout out in the comments as you hop about.

Want another chance to win? Now it's your turn! We'd LOVE to see what you've done with the August release. Link up your cards using at least one product from our August release and you'll be entered in a drawing to win our entire next release! All the details and the linkup widget are on the Verve Blog today. The deadline is October 3, so there's still plenty of time to get the August release if you haven't already.

Welcome little baby!

Happy Sunday!   I am playing along with week's Papertrey's Make It Monday Challenge.  This week we are to make an easel card.  I needed a baby card for a couple at school who met, fell in love, got married, and now are expecting their first baby.  I thought the chalkboard easel design was fitting for two teachers for this wonderful occasion.

With school starting back, I have not had as much time to get crafty lately.  I just had to play in this PTI challenge, though.  I guess it is no surprise that I started with the Shakers and Sprinkles dies.  I go to these dies a lot!   I used the stitched oval to create the easel base.  I used the square to make my chalkboard frame.  

I combined PTI script sentiment set and baby word die to create the focal point.  I used the negative baby word to sponge in pure white ink to create a drop shadow effect.  I stamped the chalkboard frame with background woodgrain.  I used the a alphabet image in the Ombre Builders to stamp the word baby.  I stamped the aqua mist background with aqua mist ink using PTI background gingham.  I used the pure white ink again to smudge the edges for a softer effect.   I assembled the card and used foam tape to lift the chalkboard frame.  

I used some red and white twine with the tiny tags die to tie a tag to the letter "y" in baby.  I die cut the tiny tag solid circle then layered the one with the cut out heart.  I die cut the tiny heart tag in red and inlaid the tiny red heart.  Love the little pop this gives.   The size of this card is a horizontal 5 X4.25.   I am playing along with the NBUS Challenge #2.  I have had this baby die for awhile and not used it.  I am also playing along with Seize the Birthday!  Baby cards are all about the Birth Day!

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Blessings this Season!

 
Happy Saturday!    I have a card to share.  I am playing along with this week's MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge.  I am also playing along with the Curtain Call and House of Cards.  Love the inspiration from the Curtain Call and the selection of colors from the House of Cards.

I started with MFT Card Stock Sampler pack.  I used steel gray ,nightshift blue, gray grout, tangy orange, orange fizz, and smooth white).   I used Blueprints 10 to cut the nightshift blue rounded edge layer.  I stamped this panel with BG Woodgrain Background stamp with a watermark ink.  I softly sponged on some pure white pigment ink to create to depth and variation around the edges of the wood image.   Next, I die cut the gray grout and blue strips with the stitched strip dies in Blueprints 1 and Blueprints 2.     In order to create the over edge sentiment focal frame, I used the rounded edge frame from Blueprints 10.  Since it was too long for the sketch, I just lined up the die and ran it through again to shorten it.  

I die cut the leaves from LJD Fall Foliage die namics.  I stamped the leaves using the coordination images  LJD Fall Foliage.   I used the same set to stamp the sentiment. I assembled the card using foam tape, and dimensionals for added depth.   I finished the card with one coordinating button threaded some some hemp cord. #mftstamps

 

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Verve's September Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's September Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our September inspiration challenge for another chance to win!



For my card I started with some Pebbles Special Delivery designer papers.  I love the patterns and the colors.   I am using Verve's Carpe Cupcake stamp set.  I stamped the cupcake onto 

white card stock, colored the bottom of the cupcake with copics, and paper pieced the top.  The paper comes from the  same paper pad.  The rick rack mimics frosting to me. 

I added some texture by using my Tombow Aqua glue to add some frosted icing effect to the rick rack pattern in the paper.   I let it dry and surprisingly it dried very similar to crystal effects(all of mine had dried up so I had to be resourceful). I finished my card with Verve's Shine Bright Sequin Mix.  I am playing along with this week's Mojo Monday Sketch. 

This month's challenge is entitled Sweet September:


Sugar-high! Get sugary sweet with pastels, cupcakes or candy. Create a calorie free confection to delight the senses! Feel free to use the graphic as inspiration or not.

	1. Julee	7. Sarah
	2. Amy	8. Sony
	3. Anya	9. Susan
	4. Betty	10. Maureen
	5. Karen	11. Stacey
	6. Sankari	12. Marisa

We've got some sweet savings in the store with all of our brand new releases marked 10% off and some of our sweetest stamps & dies from releases past marked 20% off!

As always thanks so much for hopping by!

Betty

S.W.A.K! Sending You LOVE!

Happy Sunday!  Back today with another card.  This time I am playing along with this week's MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge and Fusion Inspiration Challenge.  Finally got a chance to play with some new stuff!  Pure Joy I tell you!

For my card I started with MFT Card stock sampler.  I used kraft, primitive cream, and paver red.  I used Blueprints 18 to cut the paver red panels.  I did run both panels through twice to make them smaller so the space in the center would be wider.  I used Stencil on the Diagonal and Gray Grout ink to ink up the kraft panel. This look is subtle.  It does not show up well in the picture, but it does IRL.  Next, I inked up the BG Gingham Background in watermark ink.  I inked up this stamp sort of haphazard to create a more distressed or rustic stamping impression to work with the distressed inspiration photo.  Then, I die cut my letters using MFT By the Letters Uppercase die namics.  I used a lighter weight card stock to cut the letters again to glue together for some stability.  I inked distressed the edges and added foam tape.  I used the same lightweight white card stock to cut out MFT You Got Mail envelop die namics.  I inked the edges and glued closed.  I used MFT You've Go Mail stamp set to add a few sentiment/image accents to the envy.  

Next, I used the Tag Talk die namics to die cut a plain tag.  I stamped the sentiment from  MFT You've Go Mail stamp set.  I die cut a hole reinforcer for this tag using the paver red card stock.  I realized the little holes were the perfect size for punctuation for my S.W. A. K. sentiment so I die cut both to get 4 periods using the same Tag Talk die namics hole reinforcers dies.  I inked distressed my punctuation, too.   I added an electric red heart die to the center of the envy using Blueprints 11.  I then die cut a blue paper clip using MFT Office Supplies.  I assembled my card.  I finished with some hemp cord looped and knotted through sentiment tag.   I am also playing along with Simon Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes!

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Thinking of You!

Well, school has definitely started back!  Seems like ages since I have had a chance to create/play in my craft room.  I finally had a few moments today!  I am playing along with this week's Mojo Monday Sketch, Just Us Girls, and Sunday Stamps Color Challenge. 

For my card I am using BasicGrey dp.  I am using a 3.5 X 5.5 tall skinny card base.    I used a skinny oval die and stamped the flowers.  I inked the stems in Memento Pear Tart.  I inked the flowers in Memento Angel Pink.  I rocked and rolled the edges slightly using some

PTI hibiscus burst for some added depth.   The flowers with stems image comes from Verve's Kind Words stamp set.  I stamped the sentiment from the same set using some Palette Noir black ink.  I added a die cut pattern paper heart from Verve's Cut Above Heart Quartet dies.  I finished my card with some clear crystals and Verve's Pastel Sequin Mix.      

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Thinking of You!

 
I have a card to share today!  I  am playing along with this week's MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge and the Fusion Card Challenge.



I chose to use the inspiration from the Fusion Challenge.  I played off of the white gray background and the cluster of flowers. 




I started with MFT  Grout Gray as the base.  I used the Modern Moroccan Cover Up in Sweet Tooth.  I die cut the gray grout center panel using Pierced Rectangle Stax.  I die cut the vellum panel using the tag from Tag Builder Blueprints 1.   I die cut the Wildflowers using Smooth White card stock.   

I stamped the dies with the coordinating set, LJD Peaceful Wildflowers.  For the centers of the yellow flowers, I used a solid circle image from LJD Fall Foliage.   I clustered the flowers together and tied with a piece of pink hemp cording.  I used foam adhesive to adhere to the vellum tag.    I added the sentiment from LJD Peaceful Wildflower stamp set using black ink.  I finished the card with  some homemade white enamel dots.  

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty