January Project Parade Goes Scrappy

Hi guys, it's Shannan here, and it's my turn in the "Kid at Heart" Project Parade. I thought long and hard about what to do with this theme, and finally I decided to play a little outside my sandbox and make a scrapbook page. After digging through some photos, this one of my oldest son Caleb just jumped out at me!

Keeping my layout clean and simple, I cut a white square to 5 1/2" square and stamped the row of hearts from the Hundred Hearts set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. The center hearts are colored with a my R29 Copic Marker. I then stamped the sentiment from the same set in Tuxedo Black ink in the top right corner. I wanted a little vertical interest on the left side, so I cut three strips of ribbon to 5 1/2" and adhered them to the page. I couldn't totally embrace the white space, so I took a circle stitching template and pierced a half circle (or maybe it's a 1/4 circle?) from the ribbon to the row of hearts. After cutting the photo and a mat with Nestabilities Label 1 dies, I mounted them both on foam dimensionals and placed them in the left corner. The final step was a 6" square black panel as my mat. This was actually very quick and quite painless...I may have to try it again! *wink*

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" To play, just link your project to THIS POST and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

Stamps: Hundred Hearts (Verve)
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Basic Black (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Ribbon (Offray), Copic Markers, Nestabilities Label 1 Die (Spellbinders), Paper Piercer, Circle Piercing Template, Dimensionals (SU)

January Project Parade - Caught Being Kind

Hi everyone, it's Amy here today, taking over for this leg of the "Kid At Heart" Project Parade. Today I have a little project inspired by my son's elementary school. I love his school's Caught Being Kind program, where teachers can award children who go above and beyond normal good manners and kindness, and the children who are caught have their names read on the next morning's announcements.

I know you'll be shocked {wink}, but my 8- and 5-year-olds (one boy, one girl) sometimes have "issues" getting along. Sound familiar? I'm thinking "Caught Being Kind" would be a great program to try at home as well. The idea is pretty much the same as the school's. Mom or Dad issue the awards, but instead of having their name read during announcements, the child will get a Caught Being Kind ticket at dinnertime and the family will make a big fuss over both the child and the act of kindness. To make the whole ticket thing a little more exciting, I created a special book to store the tickets. I love that they'll be able to keep track of how many they've earned, but even more, that they'll be able to read back through them as a reminder of what they did to get each ticket. Right now, I'm thinking we'll let them cash in their tickets for special rewards, like a movie date or a special breakfast out with Mom or Dad.

The cover and inside pages are cut using Stampin' Up's Top Note die. The title is done with JustRite Stamper products. I embellished with two brown-embossed hearts from Hundred Hearts. The inside pages are Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, and Baja Breeze, accented with scraps of Sassafrass Lass dp and stamped with the background pattern from Hundred Hearts.

I didn't want to set myself up for having to make a whole new page for every ticket, so I designed the inside pages to hold removable tickets. As they redeem their tickets, we can take them out and keep re-using the pages of the book.

The book I'm showing today is for the 8-year-old boy. I'll make something more girly for the 5-year-old next. (Had to get the harder one done first!)

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" To play, just link your project to THIS POST and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hundred Hearts (Verve Stamps); JustRite Stampers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up); dp (Sassafrass Lass)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU); Old Paper and Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger)
Accessories: 7Gypsies book ring; SU ribbon, ticket punch, slit punch, jumbo eyelet, Top Note die, paper piercer, 1/4" circle punch, crystal effects, dimensionals; BossKut die; Spellbinders die; brown embossing powder; Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts burlap string

January Project Parade - Day Seven

Hi everyone, it's Michelle! WHOA! Have the Divas have been dazzling us all with their projects so far or what?!? Every day I have been BLOWN AWAY!

Well, I am taking it down a notch. The theme is Kid at Heart and I took it a different direction. You see, my friend's mom is in her 70s and her birthday is ON Valentines Day! Over the years, things get all mangled up as they tend to do when a birthday falls on a holiday. She is a bit tired of the traditional pink Valentine cards doubling as birthday cards. She doesn't mind combining the day celebrations, she justs likes things a bit separate. Hey, she wants her cake and to eat it to! So, keeping this in mind I made her a dual card.

The outside of the card is a Valentine's card (using NO pinks or reds at all) and on the inside is a surprise birthday card (with room to write something)!

The outside of the card uses Sweet Valentine stamped in Chocolate Chip. I colored the hearts with Copic markers and covered them with Crystal Effects. The DP is SU! Baja Breeze DSP. The inside uses Birthday Surprise birdie and sentiment, the balloon strings and bow are from Black Tie Birdie, and the hearts are from Sweet Valentine.

The inside and outside are designed to flow together using lots of the same elements -2 brown brads on the nestie panels, the same blue/green bling, hearts colored the same, and Baja Breeze DSP.

I hope she likes it!

So, you want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade-Love Notes

So are you getting all sorts of Valentines day ideas for your kids? I am and I don't even HAVE kids! Well, I do, but they're furry and they wouldn't appreciate these valentine's, lol! If they can't be eaten, mine aren't interested so I took a different spin on this challenge! I decided to make some Love Notes to stash around for my DH. I love to surprise him with little love notes, so this was perfect! I recently ordered these heart shaped boxes and was just LOOKING for a good project to use them for!

I also recently got my heart nestabilities and I gotta tell you, I literally *shrieked* when I found that the large scallop heart fit PERFECTLY in this box! It was just meant to be:) The newly released set, Hundred Hearts, was the perfect set to use for this project. I used each of the sentiments and made two notes with each sentiment for a total of eight lil love notes! I tied some Raspberry Fizz ribbon through the top of the box for a little handle and then glued a piece of scalloped Raspberry Fizz cardstock around the outside of the box to pretty it up a little. I used a CTMH alpha set (Chocolate) for the "love notes" title on the box lid. I can't wait to start hiding these around the house for my honey:) So what if they're pink, he better like em anyways;)

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" If you don't have kids or know anything about making kids valentines (that would be someone like ME, lol!) you can feel free to interpret the Kid at Heart theme any way you choose! Just have fun with it. Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade ~ Day Six

When Jen issued the Kid At Heart Project Parade Challenge I went into panic mode! I am a card girl, not a buy it, alter it, make it pretty kind of girl! LOL! I really wanted to step it up for my first project parade as a newbie Verve Diva and I am really pleased with my results! I really wanted this to be a project that involved both of my girls so we searched the web for something that we could make for their best girlfriends for Valentine's Day. We came across this adorable Clearly Creative Card Purse on Nichole Heady's blog and once I got the thumbs up from the girls we got busy!

I took a clear card box (A2 size), cut it in half and then assembled both sides. I then took some of this amazing Making Memories DP from their Love Notes line (I'm going tomorrow to buy some more!!) to make the insert. I cut it to 4 3/8" by 6 5/8", scoring it at 2 7/8" from each end. I adhered it to the bottom on the inside using red line tape. The ribbon handles were attached using red line tape. Last I stamped this fabulous sentiment from Sweet Valentine in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Vintage Cream cardstock (Papertrey Ink), colored it in with Copic markers and cut it out with Oval Nestabilities. The scalloped layer behind the sentiment is Real Red cardstock by Stampin' Up! I felt it needed a little something more so I added some Crystal Effects to the hearts and a little Linen Thread bow to the strap.

When we were done we stuffed these purses with a bunch of goodies! Some of them are shown in these pictures. My oldest daughter said these are her favorite Valentine's that she's ever done! She can't wait to give them to her friends!

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade ~ Day Five

Ever since I received the "Hundred Hearts" set from Verve, I knew this particular quote needed to be associated somehow to a warm, cute and furry little puppy! So when I found out that Jen's Project Parade Challenge would be "A Kid at Heart", I couldn't help myself but to follow through with my concept. Earlier in the day, my girls were playing with their Webkinz and that spurred the idea of the Adoption Certificate to go along with the puppy. Hence, I've invented a "Verve-kinz" puppy! (as opposed to Webkinz. If you have young girls, you know what these are!) During the Christmas holidays, I stayed on the lookout for a furry little friend for this project and decided to take this sweetie home from Party City for $1! She had a Christmas bow on her, but I "redressed" her with her new tag and fresh bows to match.
Here's how the tag came together: I started with a Chocolate Chip base and found some scrap designer paper to place on top of it. I rounded the corners and punched the three small hearts along the bottom. I then placed a piece of white cardstock behind that and pierced in between the hearts. Next I stamped the quote on some more white in Versamark and heat embossed it in brown. I also stamped and embossed a few of the "open" hearts as I knew I would want them as little accents. I cut the quote piece down, rounded two of the corners and sponged it (a lot) with two colors of brown ink. I had a punched scallop heart in just the right color (Gable Green--who knew?) and I cut the swirly with my Cricut (Stretch Your Imagination Cartridge). I then just had a little fun and layered all those elements randomly. A large heart eyelet finishes off the top and the puppy finally had a new ribbon "collar" and tag!
Then came the adoption certificate: I simply printed out the wording onto white cardstock from my computer, sponged it heavily again with two browns, rounded all the corners, and added a few of the same elements I used on the tag to make it "matchy-matchy"! I am beside myself pleased with how it all turned out! I know my girls will be fighting over who gets it, so I guess I'll need to go out and "adopt" another pet to make one more!

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade ~ Day Four

Jen really threw down the gauntlet this month with the Kid At Heart theme for our project parade, and it took some heavy thought on my part to give her an answer...but answer I did! With this Love Match memory game. I used to love sprawling out on the living room floor in the evening to play memory. I still remember some of the little animal characters that were hiding under those neatly lined up rows of red cards. But mostly I remember how happy I was spending time with my mom, and how accomplished I felt with each pair of matching cards that turned over.

So I've recreated my own version with lots of colorful hearts in this Love Match memory set. All stamps are from the Hundred Hearts set. The cards are each two inches by three inches and have the same basic gray/basic black heart pattern stamped on the backs. Each card front has either three small hearts, one large heart, or a sentiment in a mix of colors. Be sure you have two identical cards of each pattern so they'll match up during the game!

And when you're all done, your little one will be able to gather up his/her cards in this darling keepsake card carrying tote. Just think of all the loving memories your baby will have twenty-five years down the road. (Did I say twenty-five? Surely, I meant fifteen! It couldn't possibly have been that long ago.)

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th.

Who Doesn't Love New Pencils...

...and what better way to package brand new pencils, than using brand new stamps!!??! :-) When Jen issued us the "Kid at Heart" challenge, I immediately thought of making Valentine's Day gifts. I try to think of some other (a.k.a NO candy) types of gifts for holidays like these, as it seems like there is always an over-abundance of goodies (and I may be forced to help eat them :-)!



I embossed the little heart (from Hundred Hearts) in a random pattern over the main box layer (see below for template).


The "be mine" sentiment (from Hearts on Fire) is embossed in Ivory e.p. I kept the design and the embellishments simple, so I could easily (and inexpensively :-) duplicate these.



Start with a 3 3/8" x 6 5/8" piece of cardstock (or a heavier patterned paper). The solid black lines are where you would score and the red lines are where you need to cut. The little gray corner actually should be cut off, as I've found it folds together better without it.

That's it! Super easy and waaaay fewer calories! LOL!


Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade - Day Two

When I thought about the theme for this month's Project Parade, "A Kid at Heart", I thought it was a great opportunity to involve my daughter in the making of the project. :) What better project to involve her in than making her own Valentine treats for her preschool class? Savannah and I put together these little upside down matchbook lollipop covers. I made them to fit the Jolly Rancher heart-shaped lollipops. Here's a little tutorial for you to follow and create your own "kid-at-heart" lollipop covers! :)

Step 1

Stamp sentiment on cardstock. For these covers, I used the Sweet Valentine set and stamped the sentiment on a 2" square piece of white cardstock.

Step 2

Have your child color in the hearts (or other part of the stamped image) while you cut the 2 1/8" mattes out of black cardstock.

Step 3

Have your child attach the stamped pieces to the black matte pieces while you cut the paper for the matchbooks. Your paper for the matchbooks should measure 6.5"x 2.75".

Step 4

Score the matchbook pieces at 5/8" and 3 5/8" and fold on score lines.

Step 5

Punch a hole on the 3 5/8" score line (while folded).

Step 6

Add a scalloped trim to the inside of the top flap using a 2.75" wide piece of black cardstock and decorative scissors.

Step 7

Fold the top flap down and staple in the middle. Put lollipop stick through the hole you punched on the 3 5/8" score line.

Step 8

Attach stamped and colored pieces to the front of your matchbook for a finished Valentine treat!

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS POST will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked there no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade ~ Day One

Welcome to the January 2009 Project Parade! This month's theme is "A Kid At Heart."

When brainstorming ideas for what do with this month's theme, I knew that I wanted it to be kid friendly and fun, so I came up with this magnetic tic-tac-toe game. I started with a cd tin and decorated the outside so that it looks like a Valentine's Day card. The sentiment, from the Hundred Hearts set, slides out of the pocket that I created with patterned paper.

The inside of the tin contains a tic-tac-toe board and 10 game pieces that were created from embossed hearts from the Hearts On Fire set.

Want to play along and be "A Kid At Heart?" Each participant that links their project to THIS post will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. Please be sure that your entries are linked here no later than 8PM (Mountain) on February 5th. The winner will be announced here on February 6th. Have fun and good luck!

Mr. Linky Note: Links for this challenge have now been closed. Thanks for playing!

Verve Stamps Project Parade Participants

1. Megan Lock 2. debhorst 3. Susan Rothbauer 4. Janette Olen 5. teresa kline aka va.sunshine 6. Stephanie Hargis

7. ...:::Paulina:::... 8. Michelle Shuman (aka mybelle101) 9. Justine Frederick 10. Lisa Foust 11. Gretchen 12. Melissa Sauls

13. nikki schmaltz 14. Ann Havanka 15. Janette 16. Kerri Michaud 17. Michelle Shuman (aka mybelle101) 18. Maria Gurnsey

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Guest Diva Spotlight - Stephanie Kraft

Thanks for visiting on day two of our Guest Diva Spotlight. Today we're highlighting the work of our fabulous guest, Stephanie Kraft. Stephanie has been a faithful follower of Verve challenges and Mojo Mondays, and her clean, fresh style totally stood out to us! I love her color choices and the way the stamps totally show off her style. You can see more of Stephanie's work on her blog - HandKrafted by Stephanie.

When Stephanie sent me this card using the Comfort Plain Jane, it literally took my breath away. I absolutely adore the colors she chose (which would totally brighten someone's day!), and the pops of brown, stitching, and crochet flower...all perfect touches!

We asked Stephanie our Verve-i-view questions, and here are a few of her answers:


1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping?
One of my neighbors invited me to a Close To My Heart gathering in late 2003, but I was unable to attend. I was interested in getting back into scrapbooking (I had done a little pre-marriage and pre-child), so I contacted the demonstrator and asked if I could see a catalog. She invited me to her house and showed me some sample cards and stamps. She kept telling me how great stamping was, and I kept telling her that I didn't stamp or make cards and was only interested in scrapbooking! I took the catalog home and later that night ordered some scrapbooking supplies (as well as a bunch of stamps and ink). I've been hooked ever since!


2. How often do you stamp?
I try to stamp everyday, but that doesn’t always happen. To me, my stamping time is just as important as everyday chores (working out, cleaning, cooking, etc.) – stamping helps me to stay sane!


3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarrassing stamping related injury.
Sorry, I don't have a funny answer for this one... I can tell you that I have stabbed my fingers countless times with the paper piercer and cut off a few fingernails with my paper trimmer, gotten glitter in my eyes and rubbed them, but nothing too major... yet (knock on wood)!
 

The next creation of Stephanie's I wanted to showcase is this card using Hearts on Fire. All the little details are just perfect...not overwhelming, but totally make this card! I love how she repeated the sentiment and heart to create the background, highlighted the kraft panels with a white gel pen, and stamped on the twill. And if that wasn't enough, the button was a perfect finishing touch. Love it!

More Q&A from Stephanie:

4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with?
From start to finish, a project takes me anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. I usually try to finish a card or scrapbook layout in about an hour (unless it is a mini scrapbook album or other large project). After that time, if I’m still not happy with it, I will put it aside and look at it from time to time throughout my day or week. I may come back to it and change something or just call it quits.


5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space.
I am very fortunate to have my very own stamping/scrapbooking room (though my 5-year-old DD seems to think it’s her play room!). Despite this, I am constantly losing my supplies and often have problems finding what I am looking for (even something I just bought)! I am currently in the middle of big reorg project – my DH just put together a wall of cubes for me. I like having things organized and put away, but I also need to be able to see them. My hope is to adopt the motto of “everything has a place and everything in its place”.
I always try to start out with a clean workspace, but it inevitably gets taken over with supplies (and I end up creating in a tiny corner of my table). This drives me crazy, and I will often stop in the middle of a project to clean up a bit. I tend to be very meticulous (not an eye-baller at all!).

6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which craft tool could you not live without? Why?
Assuming that I have basic supplies with me (cardstock, patterned paper, stamps, ink, markers, etc.), the tool that I use on almost all of my projects is my Cuttlebug. Of course, I’d also need my Cuttlebug embossing folders and Nestabilities along with it as well! My 2nd favorite tool is my Scor-pal and Scor-mat. I never thought I needed a dedicated scoring tool and now I wouldn’t want to live without it!

The last project of Stephanie's I wanted to show off was this stunning card using Hundred Hearts. Can you see that brown ribbon with pink polka dots? YUM! Everything she did totally draws your eye to the sentiment...and check out her perfect stitching AGAIN! I love the corners she created, and the ghost shape is just adorable. Did I say I love this yet?

And here are the final questions from Stephanie's Verve-i-view:
7. What is your biggest source of inspiration?
Other stampers! I used to spend all of my creating time browsing blogs or online galleries such as SCS, then I’d find myself with all of these ideas, but nothing created. I started keeping small notebooks everywhere (my car, purse, nightstand, notepad docs on my computer, etc.) where I jot down design ideas, sketches, etc. Now I try to make my browsing time count.

8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why?
There are so many talented stampers that it is extremely difficult to choose just one! I just joined the blogging world a few months ago, and I am constantly amazed by the talent, the willingness to share ideas and the closeness of the stamping community. That said I greatly admire Debbie Olson. Hers was the first blog that I ever came across and I was (and still am) just in awe of her work. Everything from her vintage-looking creations to her incredible coloring never ceases to amazes me.

9. What is your favorite part of the creative process?
I like to begin a project with a specific design in mind (whether it’s an inspiration photo, sketch or the like). Before I begin, I gather a bunch of coordinating supplies (ink, embellishments, patterned paper, etc.) along with the stamp set(s) that I’m most likely to use. Having everything laid out in front of me helps my creative juices to flow. I am most happy when all the pieces fit together and the end result is something that I think is worthy of giving away. I love giving "handkrafted" gifts!

 Thanks so much for coming to check out Stephanie's eye candy today! We have certainly enjoyed having her as a Verve Guest this month. Don't forget, if you want to see more of her creations, check out her Verve Gallery. There's lots of inspiration waiting for you there. And if you haven't seen the latest Verve Release, CLICK HERE for the newest stamps and collections. 

Make sure you come on back on Monday, January 19th...Jen is kicking off the Project Parade in style! Stay tuned...

Guest Diva Spotlight - Lynda Benden

Welcome to our first January Guest Diva Spotlight! Today I'm showcasing my favorite projects from Lynda Benden. Lynda has such an elegant style that just takes my breath away! I have long been a fan of Lynda's work, so I was so excited to be able to ask her to be our guest for January. When she plays with her Verve stamps, magic happens! If you'd like to see more of her work, you can check out her blog: Stamp Act.

 The first card I wanted to showcase of Lynda's was this gorgeous black, white, and red card made with Hundred Hearts. This card is a perfect example of how her details put a project over the top. I love the ribbon treatment, the paper pieced heart, and the rows of hearts along the bottom. Gorgeous!!

We asked Lynda our Verve-i-view questions, so here are a few of her answers:
1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping? About 6 years ago I got TALKED into having a SU! party! 2 of my friends booked off me so by the time the second friend had her party, I was HOOKED! I wanted to buy EVERYTHING and wanted to know EVERYTHING so I signed up to be a demonstrator.
2. How often do you stamp? I try to stamp every day but that doesn't always happen. I do find that if I don't stamp for 2-3 days I get grumpier than usual!!! LOL!!!
3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarrassing stamping related injury. Believe me, I would be the first to tell a funny or embarrasing story about myself but I can't think of anything in regards to stamping!!! Oh my gosh, if this question was asking to tell you a funny or embarassing story about something I have done in my, ummm...., 25 years (yeah right), I would have PLENTY to share!!!

Are you sitting down? Because this card totally knocked my socks off! Lynda used the Comfort Plain Jane for this project. I love everything about it! Check out the sponging around the sentiment, the butterfly with pearls, and the lace...totally Vervalicious!! This one is just a beauty.

More Q&A:

4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with? It can vary but USUALLY, a card takes me at least two hours. I can make a card much quicker if I have a sketch in hand and know exactly which stamps I am going to use. Most of my time is spent figuring out what I am going to use!
5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space. What space??? I don't have any space because I am such a messy stamper! I do clean my area and swear that I won't let it get so messy again but...well...you know what happens, I get busy and say I'll put that away when I'm done (doesn't happen) and then there is a huge stack of stuff to put away! You know, now that I think about it, it is NOT me that is messy, my room is too small!!! LOL!!!!
6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which craft tool could you not live without? Why? Paper Piercer definitely!!! I use mine for everything ~ unclog my glue, pick up rhinestones to put on my card, lift off something that I glued down before I should have and last but not least, I do occasionally pierce my paper with it (unless it has glue all stuck to the end, then I have to get a new one!). BUT, on a deserted island, you could use it to hunt for your food!!! Not only that, if there were natives that wanted YOU for food, you could use it as a weapon!!! LOL!!!

The last card I have to share of Lynda's is this stunning creation using Hearts on Fire. When I try to tell you my favorite part, I am totally speechless!!! The velvet ribbon, the scallops, the crystals...it's all fabulous! Don't you agree?

Since I'm lost for words, here is the end of Lynda's Verve-i-view session:
7. What is your biggest source of inspiration? I would have to say SCS first and then MANY blogs! In the evenings I like to check out the new additions for the day on SCS and then visit some blogs.
8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why? Wow, this is hard to name just one! I would have to say that Debbie Olson is someone who I really admire. She makes things look so easy to re-create, full of awesome ideas, is so shareful with her ideas and is just SO very talented!
9. What is your favorite part of the creative process? I love choosing and coordinating the papers, stamps and embellishments!

As you can see from just these 3 samples, Lynda's work with Verve is amazing. If you'd like to see more of her Verve creations, you can check out her Guest Diva Gallery HERE. Tomorrow I'll be spotlighting the work of our 2nd Guest, Stephanie Kraft, so stay tuned!

Sneak Preview Winners!

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate this release week! We had such a fun week reading all your comments, checking out your gorgeous creations, and chatting with you at the Release Party last night!

We have six new sets available for sale, and I've listed below the lucky commenters who won some Verve of their very own! Congrats to....

Day 1: Who was your teen idol?
sarah said...
johnny depp when he was on 21 jump street. i actually wrote johnny depp-aholic on the wall in my room!! what a spaz!!

Sarah wins: Meditations - $15 value

Day 2: When was your first crush?
Angelartistok said...
Great cards again today! We moved around a lot until I was in 6th grade, up until then I thought boys were a pain in the neck. My first crush was Tony in 6th grade. He was a hot Puerto Rican cutie!

Angela wins: Jeremiah 29:11 and Sweet Valentine - $18 value

Day 3: What was your best or worst date?
Kerri said...
My best date was the day my husband asked me to marry him. We went hiking in Colorado, and just as we were overlooking some beautiful scenery, he dropped down on one knee and proposed. He's the best father and husband around!

Kerri wins: Hearts on Fire - $18 value

Day 4: What amusement park ride would you compare your first kiss to?
Stephanie Hargis said..
My first kiss with my husband was probably something like The Batman at 6 Flags! It definitely made my heart race! I knew it had to be love! :D

Stephanie wins: Hundred Hearts - $18 value

For the rest of our Looking for Love Release Party winners, please visit this thread on our SCS forum... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409869.

Sneak Preview - Hundred Hearts

How have you enjoyed the previews of the newest releases these past few days? Hopefully you're as excited about the release on Friday as I am! Today you get to see Hundred Hearts! Enjoy!

I just LOVE the different hearts in this set and the awesome sentiments! I love how they're not only perfect for your significant other, but for a friend or even a child. I cannot help but sing the song when I read this sentiment. Does it make you sing?

from Verve Diva Laurie Schmidlin:

There is something so irresistible about these hearts...I absolutely ADORE them!!! And just wait until you see all of the awesome sentiments!! I have long been a fan of Verve's unique sentiments and fonts...and this set is just another reason why! :-)

from Verve Diva Michelle Woerner:

When I first sat down with this set, I realized they were all cute and fun little things I would love to say to my hubby! I pack his lunch for him every night, and thought I would make a set of Lunchbox Love Notes! They measure 3x3 and I wanted to keep them light, cute and fun. I dug into my old Brenda Waltin Shapes and Tags tin and found some odds and ends that help me make these. Two of the cards use sentiments as the main focus and the other two use the heart images. They all use brown and pink colors with a combination of primas, dew drops, bling and ribbon. I can't wait for February 10th to start packing these in with his sandwich!

from fabulous Guest Diva Stephanie Kraft:

Whenever Julee releases new Verve sets, I always get so excited to see the sneak peeks! So, you can imagine just how thrilled I was when she and Shannan asked me to be a Guest Diva for January! It is truly an honor to be able to show you a card using the final Verve set being previewed this week. Hundred Hearts is such a beautiful set! Besides the adorable hearts, the set is full of beautiful sentiments written in both classy and whimsical fonts. I was first drawn to the heart border and chose to stamp it on Kraft cardstock in white ink and use it as my "designer paper". I chose a bold pink, white and Kraft color combination with some bling as a final touch.

So, what do you think of Hundred Hearts? This awesome set could be coming home to you! Just leave us a comment with the answer to the following question (see below) by Friday, January 9th at Noon (Mountain Time) and you could be the lucky winner! For even more Verve excitement, check out the Lookin' For Love Release Party Challenge on our SCS Forum. Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night (it starts at 8 PM EST in the Verve Forum on SCS--mark your calendar NOW)!

Here's your question that goes along with the "Looking For Love" theme: Which amusement park ride would best describe how you felt during your first kiss?

Sneak Preview - Hearts on Fire

We have yet another Verve preview today! Are you as excited as I am? This stunning set of THIRTEEN stamps...that's right, THIRTEEN...is called Hearts on Fire and will be available following Friday night's release party.

Here's my sample using both the big, gorgeous, scrolly heart (technical terms, LOL), as well as one of the patterned designs. You're going to love all of the choices given to you for patterns and sizes in this set.

From design Diva Jackie Pedro:

When I first saw the new Hearts on Fire set I was instantly drawn to the heart with the scrolls image. I knew that would be the first stamp to see ink! LOL! I just love the elegance of this set. And don't think you are limited to just Valentine's Day! Hearts are timeless and can be used on many projects such as wedding, love or just because! It also pairs beautifully with some of the other Verve sets such as Grateful Elegance and Artful Elegance. I know I will get so much use out of this set. It's possibilities are endless! For my card I stamped the main image heart/scroll in Chocolate Chip ink and then stamped another of the heart images from the set in Riding Hood Red ink, cut it out and popped it up on a dimensional. To dress it up a bit I added some Chocolate adhesive pearls to a few of the scrolls and then to the corners of the main image. The embossed swirls on the Blush cardstock was done with the Swirl embossing folder from ProvoCraft, and I think it finished off the card perfectly.

From design Diva Jen del Muro:

Valentine's Day is one of the most fun holidays to make treat holders for...well, in my opinion at least. To make this box a little more fun, I created a swinging heart window so that the recipient can peek into the box to see the contents. The ribbon at the top keeps the whole thing secure enough so that no chocolates can escape.

Box base dimensions and score marks:

11" x 6" piece of cardstock
Along the 11" side, score at 4", 5", 9" and 10"
Along the 6" side, score at 1"

Like what you see? Well, this Verve-alicious set could be coming home to you! Just leave us a comment with the answer to the following question (see below) by Friday January 9 at Noon (Mountain Time) and you could be the lucky winner. And for even more Verve-alicious party favors, be sure to check out tomorrow's sneaky peek here on the blog as well as the Lookin' For Love Release Party Challenge on our SCS Forum. Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night (it starts at 8 PM EST in the Verve Forum on SCS--mark your calendar NOW)!

Here's your question that goes along with the "Looking For Love" theme: What was your best or worst date ever? Share which ever you'd like.