Project Parade - Day 12

Here's our final project, brought to you by guest Sarah Gough:

Hi everyone, Sarah here! I love "anything but a card" projects, one of my favourite things is to make a wee giftset, something simple, inexpensive but pretty and hopefully functional! I've used Ornamental Christmas for this set - there are just so many images and sentiments galore - perfect for little gifty things! I don't think I'll ever need another sentiment set for Christmas, this one is perfect!

The box design is from Heather Summers. I find it the perfect size to hold a 3x3 card and covered post-it notepad, which is what I've created here, along with a jumbo paperclip bookmark.

I've stamped the bough image using Always Artichoke stamped off once. It makes a super cute background pattern, I've used it on all four elements of this set. I kept everything pretty and simple, lots of Satin ribbon, Primas and Crystal brads for that holiday feel! I loved using the ornament image cut-out and popped up on the front of the box, it's really easy and fast to cut-out and looks stunning with Julee's gorgeous swirl design!

I used a scalloped circle punch and some lightweight chipboard for the bookmark topper, quick and easy! The post-it pad measures 3" square, and my cover was really simple - cut a piece of card 7" x 3 1/2", score at 3 1/4" from either end, and decorate as you wish!

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone, all the best to you and your loved ones - I hope you have fun creating dazzling hand stamped gifts to wow everyone!!

Wanna play along? All you have to do is create Anything but a Card and link up your creation to this post by noon (Mountain Time) TODAY, December 5th. Still a little more time! You don’t have to use Verve Stamps, but if you have ‘em, why not give ‘em some love? If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword VVPP08 so we don’t miss your eye candy! A random participant will be drawn on December 6th to receive $15 in Verve Bucks to spend at the Verve Stamps store! Good luck and have fun!

Project Parade - Day 7

Hopefully all of our US Friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here's some eye candy for you from our Guest Diva Jen Tapler:

So when you have a toddler, sometimes decorating your Christmas tree can be a bit of a challenge!! Glass ornaments just don't work. This had been on my mind for a few weeks when I found out the Verve Project Parade this month is to make Anything But a Card - suddenly a light bulb went off! Enter the new Ornamental Christmas stamp set...

I decided to make these cute little ornament gift sets to give to my coworkers and neighbors and to have on hand for anyone else who stops by with a gift that I need to reciprocate in a hurry. Each set contains 4 individual ornaments packaged in a cellophane gift bag decorated all cutesy. The ornaments were made by stamping each image twice in Versamark ink and embossing with detail white powder. I used my hobby blade to cut them out, and used dimensionals to attach them front to back with a circle piece of chipboard in between. I added some hemp twine to hang them and that's it!

Wanna play along? All you have to do is create Anything but a Card and link up your creation to this post by noon on Friday, December 5th. You don’t have to use Verve Stamps, but if you have ‘em, why not give ‘em some love? If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword VVPP08 so we don’t miss your eye candy! A random participant will be drawn on December 6th to receive $15 in Verve Bucks to spend at the Verve Stamps store! Good luck and have fun!

Project Parade: Day Two Anything but a Card

For this month's Project Parade, I wanted to make something fun and festive, and it also had to use my favorite set this release: Ornamental Christmas! I had several different ideas on what I could do with this set, and finally decided to root through my stamping room to find my abandoned shrink plastic to make some wine charms.

This set is just so perfect for shrink plastic wine charms, since the ornaments are large enough to still have substance when they're "shrunk"! I used Stazon inks in various colours to stamp the ornaments. I punched a hole just above the top with a 1/4" hand held punch, and then cut each ornament out. I used my heat tool to shrink them and you know, it doesn't matter how many times I've seen the effect, it thrills me everytime!

Wine charms are so fun and practical; they are a great way to help your guests find their glasses. Since each ornament has a space in the centre, this would be the perfect place to add a name or initial too!

The rings are earring hoops I picked up in the jewellry department at Michaels and the beads are from my vast collection of "stuff". Here's a closer look.

Wanna play along? All you have to do is create Anything but a Card and link up your creation to this post by noon on Friday, December 5th. You don’t have to use Verve Stamps, but if you have ‘em, why not give ‘em some love? If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword VVPP08 so we don’t miss your eye candy! A random participant will be drawn on December 6th to receive $15 in Verve Bucks to spend at the Verve Stamps store! Good luck and have fun

Laura

Recipe: Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Verve) Paper: Shrink Plastic (SU) Ink: Blazing Red, Azure, Forest Green, Mustard Stazon Inks Accessories: earring hoops, Jump rings (Michaels), beads, heat tool

Guest Spotlight - Jen Tapler

Welcome to another Guest Diva spotlight from Verve! Aren't these guests ROCKING these stamps? They just blew us all away!

Today I have the pleasure of showing you some fabulous projects from Jen Tapler. Jen's clean and innovative approach to stamping has been known to knock my socks off! I think you'll agree when you see the projects I have to show you today.







The first card I have to show you is one that Jen created using the Snow Wonderful set. I love how Jen used the white paint instead of ink on the stamps...it pops so much more on the Kraft paper! And the touch of red...just phenomenal! Love it!

We asked Jen to answer some questions about herself, and here are a few of her answers:

1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping?
I've been scrapbooking for several years and about a year ago I wanted a sewing machine to add stitching to my pages (which was just becoming popular at that time). Instead, my MIL bought me a set of stitches stamps. I honestly didn't touch them for like 6 months, then one day in January (of this year) I saw them in the back of my crafty closet and just went for it - that was the beginning of the end for me! I bought my first set of rubber stamps about a week later and haven't looked back!


2. How often do you stamp?
I do something creative every day - in addition to stamping I'm heavy into digital scrapbooking and hybrid papercrafts, so on the days I don't stamp I'll design a digital layout in photoshop or print out some yummy digital paper to use on a card later. But on average I probably stamp at least 5 days a week (yeah, I'm kind of addicted).


3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarrassing stamping related injury.
Well, fortunately I wasn't actually INJURED - but before I got my new crafty space remodel, I had a corner of the guest room with my supplies stacked on bookshelves in the closet. I'm really short (like under 5'1") and I couldn't reach my Big Shot, which was on the top shelf. I tried standing on the bottom shelf and reaching - no go. So I ventured to the 2nd shelf. Just as I reached the Big Shot with my fingertips, I felt the bookshelf start to tip. Luckily I pushed myself off fast enough to avoid the shelf falling on top of me, but I did land on my butt on the floor and every SINGLE thing on that stupid shelf fell down, practically drowning me in crafting supplies. My DH ran in to find me covered in boxes and boxes of stamp sets, ink pads, loose paper, ribbon spools, you name it. He was amused (I was not). It took me weeks to reorganize everything!!

The next project I have to show you is an adorable onesie created with Hello Pumpkin. This was a huge hit at the release party...and in fact, we are looking for adult sized ones at the request of Susan and Mark (Julee's DH). Can you just imagine? LOL
Sorry, back to the project. Jen used fabric piecing to create this cutie, and decorated a little clear box to put it in. What an adorable idea for a baby gift!

More of Jen's Verve-i-View:

4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with?
I'd say on average about an hour, sometimes less. I'm pretty impatient to see the end result and if it's going to take much longer than an hour I get frustrated and am ready to move on to the next project already. This is probably why I avoid lots of technique-heavy projects and just stick to good ole paper, stamps and ribbon most of the time.


5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space.
Oh my goodness, I LOVE my space!! I have a new crafty space and so far I've done a pretty good job of keeping it organized. My DH and his step-father built me a beautiful large work area with custom built-in cabinets, 10-foot long counter-height work surface (so I can sit or stand to create), space for my computer/printer/peripherals, everything has it's place. The MoJo flows much more freely now that I don't spend half of my time searching for a certain tool or piece of ribbon. I usually make a huge mess during a project, but I have to put everything back where it belongs before moving on to the next project.


6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what craft tool would you take with you? Why?
This is such a hard question...hmmm...deserted island....all I can think of when I think of a deserted island is the TV show Lost....which leads to thoughts of Sawyer...shirtless....{sigh}...and I can tell you there wouldn't be much stamping happening with shirtless Sawyer around!!! I mean, really! It should just be illegal for a man to look that good. {another sigh}. Oh wait, did you ask me a question?

The last project I have to showcase today is actually the first one Jen sent me. Man, when I looked at it, you had to pick me up off the floor! Using the stamps from Ornamental Christmas, Jen created this little mini-book. How adorable is this???

Here are the first two pages. What a sweet baby boy!!

Two more pages...I love how Jen used the ornaments as simple circle panels and popped the sentiment on top!

And here is the back page. Love the little tag Jen used! What a sweet gift this would make!!

Here is the last of Jen's Q&A Session:

7. What is your biggest source of inspiration?
I would have to say browsing through the many, MANY stamping blogs out there. If I'm feeling stuck or in need of ideas, I just start blurfing and before I know it I usually have more project ideas than I have time to do them!


8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why?
I think I might have to say Kristina Werner - working as a Graphic Designer for a huge stamping company by day and then filling her free time with all kinds of papercrafts...and she has quite the following and is almost so cute you want to hate her but can't because she seems so darn nice. (I really have no idea what a Graphic Designer actually DOES with her day...but it sounds cool!!). Ya know, right now I'm pretty excited about where I am - I never thought I'd be a Verve Guest Diva only 10 short months after inking up my first stamp!!! Life is good.

Thank you, Jen, for joining us this month and for all of the inspiring projects you created! You can see them all HERE in her Verve Gallery. Just wipe up the drool when you're done! To see more of Jen's awesome creations, visit her blog Jen Tapler Designs.

Don't forget to check back in tomorrow for the wrap-up of the Guest Diva Spotlights for November. Awesome stuff coming!

Guest Designer Spotlight - Maria Gurnsey

Happy Wednesday, Verve Fans! I hope you enjoyed the release party and are anxious to ink up some new stamps!



Today I have some wonderful eye candy for you, brought to you by one of our November Guest Divas, Maria Gurnsey! I love what Maria has created, and I hope you do, too!



















The first project I'd like to show you is this awesome card Maria created using Ornamental Christmas. I love the colors she chose...they say warm, homey Christmas to me! The way she tied the ornament with silver cord is genius, and look at that perfect bow!!



We asked Maria our Verve-i-view questions, and here are some of her answers:



1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping?

I only started stamping in January of this year. We had recently moved and I stumbled across the blog of a local who was a Stampin Up demonstrator. From there I found SCS and all the other wonderful stamping blogs. I was hooked!!! I signed on as a demo in February and started my blog. So glad I did, the world of stamping is just so amazing!!!!



2. How often do you stamp?

I try to stamp everyday!! I find things flow better when I don’t let myself get rusty. Plus, I’m a challenge addict and so I try to squeeze in as many of my faves as possible.



3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarassing stamping related injury.

This is the question I always love to read about the guest diva’s!! It always makes me laugh especially since my craft room is not near as “dangerous” as other’s can be. I was always accident free, until I started working on my Verve samples. (I swear I didn’t even do it for the sake of this question). Twice working on my projects I cut my thumb with my scissors. Just stuck it right in there and cut it. The same thumb, side by side cuts. I complained for days (just ask my hubby!!)

The next project I have to show you is a card made with the Poinsettia Christmas set. I love every little detail on this card...the buttons in the flower centers, the offset polka dot paper, the ribbons, the eyelets, and the piercing. I told you I loved it!

Isn't that fabulous? And did yall see that Maria has only been stamping since JANUARY?? WOWEE!! What a rock star!



Here's more Q&A:



4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with?

It takes me anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour plus. If I have an idea in mind it usually happens pretty quickly. Other times I second, and triple guess myself and wind up moving embellishments over and over. I think this is why I love sketch challenges so much. They take away a lot of the guess work.



5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space.

ORGANIZED, ORGANIZED, ORGANIZED!!!! I have to have everything in it’s place. It drives me crazy when things get messy. I try to clean up in between projects so I can start fresh. Sometimes when I’m on a roll I can let the mess go but then I have to clean up when I’m done. Clutter makes me crazy!!!!



6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what craft tool would you take with you? Why?

Probably my SU punches!! I hate cutting things out (so does my thumb)!!! I like how quick the punches make my projects go. In a perfect world, every stamp would have it’s own punch!!!!



Are you ready to see Maria's final Spotlight project? You better sit down...

This is totally drool-worthy! Maria created this awesome Christmas ornament using the Snowflake Splendor set. I love all the twinkle and the embellishments she chose. But the best part is...

It glows! Isn't that fantastic? See, I told ya you would drool. I totally fell out of my chair when Maria sent this to me...totally awesome!



Here are the last questions of Maria's Verve-i-View:



7. What is your biggest source of inspiration?

Blogs!! I have a huge list of blogs I try to check everyday. I sip my coffee and check out everyone elses wonderful creations. It starts me thinking creatively first thing in the morning and I have learned so much from my fellow bloggers!!



8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why?

Laurie Schmidlin and Julia Stainton!!! Laurie’s blog was one of my first blog finds that just made me say WOW!!! I couldn’t believe what she could do with paper.

I totally admire Julia’s simple, shabby style. I’m an all things vintage kind of girl and there styles never fail to blow me away!!!!



Julee and I are so grateful to have such awesome Guest Divas every month, and this month is no different! Maria created some awesome projects...just check them all out in her Verve Gallery HERE. You can also follow Maria's work and latest projects on her blog, Scraps by M. Join me in giving her a round of applause for rocking this release!



Make sure you check back tomorrow for another guest spotlight...2 more to go! Have a fabulous day!

Sneak Previews: Poinsettia Christmas & Ornamental Christmas

From Designer Shannan Teubner
When I saw this paper mache' house the other day at the store and couldn't resist it for under a buck...it was a perfect match for this sentiment from the new set, Poinsettia Christmas. I added some designer paper and ribbon to decorate the house, and used an image and sentiment from Ornamental Christmas for the matching card. Inside is a gift certificate to Pottery Barn. Can I put it in my own stocking????

I love the way these sets (as well as old ones!) coordinate, mix, and match to create the perfect card or project. These are both sets that will stay on my desk all season!

From Designer Laura Fredrickson
I love to put a twist on traditional Christmas colours, so this time I chose pink over red. And since Christmas is definitely the time for a little extra sparkle, I decided to pull out the heat gun and do a faux diamond dust technique on this card. I started by stamping the poinsettias and colouring them in with markers. Then I took my versamark pad and schmooshed it all over the whole panel then embossed it in iridescent ice embossing powder. It seemed to darken the pink colour and lighten the yellow, so I added some yellow glass baubles to bring back the yellow. Some corner piercing and a double ribbon tab finishes it off!









From Designer Michelle Woerner
Once again Julee blew me away with the delicate and classic Poinsettia images from the Poinsettia Christmas set! I stamped it lightly multiple times in sahara sand on the white panel and then stamped it again in black. I colored each of the leaves separately with a blender pen for different shades of color. The 4 top leaves are cut out, pieced on top and then painted with shimmerz. The rich DP is Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, I still have plenty left over from last year and plan to use every last scrap this year! The Sahara sand panels are all sponged with Bravo Burgundy and the swirl panel was embossed after inking up the embossing folder. I forget the name of this technique, but it really makes those swirls pop! The ribbon is double wrapped with the silver cord adding that last bit of shine.




From Guest Diva Sarah Gough
I was so excited to asked to be a guest designer for November....I knew what that meant - Christmas Stamps!!! I love Christmas, I love making cards and gifts and I especially love gift wrapping. I picked up a couple of these tins recently (4" round) and knew Ornamental Christmas would be perfect for decorating one quickly and beautifully. I know I'll be labeling everything in sight with these stamps! On a recent trip to a big Christmas store with some friends I saw the most amazing tree - decorated in turquoise and lavender. I love non traditional Christmas colour schemes, so incorporated those colours onto my tin. This set was so much fun to play with...and I've only just started - it's huge! I haven't filled my tin yet, but I think a couple of gorgeous ornaments for someone special would make a perfect Christmas keepsake.