June Project Parade-Day 2!

Hello, hello! Hope everyone's weekend is going wonderfully! Mine has gone by TOO FAST, as always:)

My project for this months Project Parade, It's a Guy Thing, is this layout I made of my sweet husband, Billy. He makes me happy every day of my life and I am still so amazed that I have this incredible man to share my life with. It's good to capture those thoughts and hold on to them for those days that don't go quite right. I

I used alot of fun Verve stamps for this layout. That's what's great about Verve, alot of the sets are really versatile and work well together!

The kraft paper with black dots and the saffron colored dp are from a digital paper pack from The Digi Chick, the paper is called "Our Story".

The "Best Husband Ever" stamp is from "Dad's Day". I stamped the sentiment in the oval frame and cut the frame out. It's mounted on dimensionals. I also stamped a sentiment from "Feeling Groovy" on the saffron colored panel. One of my favorite little sentiments ever! The "I'm so blessed" sentiment on the title is from "Because of You" and then I also used the hearts border from "Hearts on Fire" randomly around the edge of the layout. I'm not sure if you can see all the details good enough of this photo so I also took some close ups.

So, how would you like to play along with us? Do you have a special guy in your life (Dad, Husband, Grandpa, etc...) that you'd like to create a project for? This is the time to do it!

To play along, just make a project or card that fits your style and celebrates a man in your life. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we love to see 'em! Then just add a link to your creation to the Mr. Linky form in --->{THIS}<--- post before 8PM Mountain on Saturday, June 20. Two lucky participants will win a stamp set of their choice from the Verve Store. We've also hidden another $25 gift certificate somewhere along the parade for a random commenter. So if you like what you see, be sure and give a little shout out in the comments of each post! Have fun and good luck!

Project Parade Day 7: It's a Girl Thing!

Hello Verve Addicts, Lynda here!!! Today is day 7 of this month's SPECTACULAR Project Parade and it is my turn to post!!! I hope you have enjoyed the awesome projects so far, I sure have!!!

I LOVE all of the stamps included in this release so it was difficult to decide which to use for my project!!! I took Jen's "It's a Girl Thing" challenge in a little different direction. Because I no longer have my Wonderfule Mom or MUCH LOVED Grandmother to make gifts for, I decided to make something for MYSELF for Mother's Day!!! LOL!!! I know there has been some disappointment that Because of You is sold out and won't be available for purchase until after Mother's Day, do not despair, Because of You is appropriate for ALL occasions and is a VERY versatile set! Here, I'll prove it to you!!! LOL!!!

I really need to stick to stamping because flower arranging is definitely not my thing! For the vase, I made a box out of a 12x12 piece of pink Bazzill CS by scoring at 3 7/8" on all 4 sides. I used Sticky Strip to hold the box together. I then added Making Memories Vintage Hip ivory frames on all 4 sides. Here is a closer look at the "Because of You" sentiment ~

I stamped the the corner flower bouquet on Vanilla Bazzill CS using my Versamark and then heat embossing with Silver EP. I stamped it again as well as the single large and small flowers included in the set again using the Versamark and embossing with Silver EP on MME Bella Bella DP. I cut all the pink flowers out, added some pink Taylors Tiny Twinkles and adhered them using a combination of Tacky Tape and dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped on a piece of vellum paper and then again on the frame itself using Timber Brown Stazon. I stamped the smaller floral silhouette included in the set, using Pink Pirouette ink, directly on the box so it would show through under the vellum. I LOVE this sentiment and thought it was PERFECT for my Mother's Day present!!! LOL!!!

Here is a picture of another side ~

I did the same with the flower bouquet on this side as the previous side.

Here is another side which I used the hearts from Hearts on Fire ~

I stamped the large and small hearts using Versamark and heat embossed with the same Silver EP. The sentiment is from the Because of You set which I used my Close to Cocoa marker to ink it up since the sentiment is in a straight line and I needed it to fit inside the small heart. I then cut the hearts out and adhered them using Tacky Tape and dimensionals. I added some ribbon because there was an empty space!!! LOL!!!

Here is a picture of the final side ~

It actually looks better IRL!! LOL!!! The heart is from Hearts on Fire, the chipboard was sponged with Chocolate Chip ink and Vanilla ink and then heat embossed with pink and silver EP. The charms are from Making Memories.

Here is my last picture ~ I promise!!!! I just have to show you the darling glitter Prima butterfly!


We'd love for you to play along with this theme! Just make a project or card that fits your style and celebrates a woman in your life. It can be any woman ... mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher - you get the idea! Then add your project link to the Mr. Linky form IN THIS POST before 8PM Mountain on Thursday, May 14. Two random participants will be chosen and win $25 gift certificates to the Verve Store. Have fun and good luck!

January Project Parade - Playing Cards

Hi all! It's Julee here! I hope you've been enjoying the project parade as much as I have. Haven't the Divas made some amazing projects so far? I've got all these little Valentine project ideas swirling around in my head now! There are only a couple days left to enter, so be sure to get your entries in for a chance to win some free stamps! For today's post I asked January Guest Diva, Stephanie Kraft, to play along and I was just blown away with these fabulous hand-stamped playing cards she submitted! Here's what Stephanie had to say about her project...

When Jen first issued the "A Kid at Heart" project challenge, my first thought was of playing cards. My DH has such fond memories playing cards with his Dad at a very young age (he says he started between ages 2-3). They started out with "War" and "Slap Jack" and by the age of 8, Dan was a card shark, playing real adult card games like Pinochle and Bridge. While I enjoy playing cards for fun, he's a little too intense of a card player for my taste. Enter Sabrina, our DD, who is 5 1/2 now. She has just started to play cards with him, and she seems to enjoy it. That is their thing to do together.

So, even though we have numerous decks of cards around our house, I decided to make a special set of cards just for them. Instead of the traditional decks with clubs, hearts, diamond and spades, I used Hearts on Fire and Hundred Hearts to create an all heart deck. To begin with, I downloaded the Hoyle playing cards font (a free download available from many online font sites) and created Word text boxes to print the basic parts of the cards. After consulting with DH again, I learned that there actually is an official four-color deck created by a professional poker player. The colors are red = hearts, black = spades, green = clubs and blue = diamonds. I adopted the same colors for my deck, but I used only hearts.

My playing cards are what I found to be the standard size - 2.5" x 3.5". I started with a thin white cardstock base. After printing the official Hoyle numbers and letters in the upper and lower corners, I stamped the small heart from Hearts on Fire under each. I then used the slightly larger heart from Hundred Hearts to stamp the corresponding number of hearts onto each card. For the face cards, I downloaded images and sized them accordingly. I then carefully drew lines around each image with a black pen. I finished off the back of each card with a shimmery pattered paper, ran each card through my Xyron laminator, then I rounded the corners.

Once I finished my cards, I moved on to altering a small lunchbox tin which previously held Cherry Sours (yum!). I removed the hardware so that I could more easily decorate the box. I decorated the cover using the large open heart from Hearts on Fire, then I stamped the words with my tiny Karen Foster snap alphabet stamps and colored it with Copic markers. The insides of the tin are finished off with 2 of my favorite quotes from Hundred Hearts atop a stamped background of the tiny heart border from the same set. Rhinestones and ribbon finish it off. Now Sabrina has a special deck of cards to play card games with her Daddy!

Playing Cards
Stamps: Hearts on Fire, Hundred Hearts (Verve)
Paper: White (Georgia Pacific), Hearts & Flowers (Heidi Grace Designs)
Ink: Noir, Prussian Blue, L'amour Red, Viridian Leaf (Palette)
Accessories: Sticker machine, laminating cartridge (Xyron), Round-it-all (Zutter), black archival pen (Sakura).

Tin
Stamps: Hearts on Fire, Hundred Hearts (Verve); Snap alphabet (Karen Foster)
Paper: White, Pure Poppy (PTI); Bubblegum (CTMH), Hearts & Flowers (Heidi Grace Designs)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Fresh Snow (PTI)
Accessories: Long Rectangles and Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), tiny hearts border punch (Martha Stewart), Sticker machine, laminating cartridge (Xyron), lunchbox tin (Target), felt hearts (American Crafts), 3/8" ribbon and rhinestones (Martha Stewart), 1/4" ribbon, button, waxy flax, paper piercer.

So how cool is that??? Don't you wish you had a deck of your very own? I know I sure do! I think I just might have to make a set with some Hello Kitty paper! Thanks so much for playing with us, Stephanie!

Want to play along and be A Kid At Heart? To play, just link your project to the Day 1 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!

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 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 - 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.