Viva La Verve - January

We owe my sister-in-law a thank you card for the terrific Christmas gifts she gave us.  I began with the new Viva La Verve sketch for January:

Then I picked some patterned papers from Stampin' Up! (retired) and K & Company and began fitting the pieces together.

The colors are quite muted, more so than I like.  Or maybe it's the sketch that I'm not comfortable with.  Either way, a lot of time went into this and it was all worth it for my sister-in-law.  She's a great girl!

Colleen

Stamps:  Fairy Tales - Verve
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, patterned paper - SU; K & Co Julianne Tag Pad
Ink:  Walnut Stain Distress - Ranger; Chocolate Chip - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  Vine Trim double edge - Martha Stewart
Other:  Big Shot; circle die cuts - Spellbinders; pearls; ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store; lace

Play Date Cafe 114 - Ornate Blossom

Burgundy, gold and plum...the deliciously rich colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge!

I used a stamp from Stampin' Up!, Ornate Blossom, to create my card.  It was one of my freebies from last year's Sale-A-Bration, and it never saw ink until now.  Yay!

My intent was to do a flat card, easy to mail, but I HAD to add pearls!  These have a champagne hue to them, from Recollections.

Can you see the gold shimmery cardstock?  It's from SU, too.  There was a very large piece in one of those $1.00 Scrap Bags from my SU demo.  That's a good thing...'cause I'm too cheap to buy this stuff!  LOL

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp, a huge store that sells all things paper crafting.  Whoever wins this week's Cup of the Week has LOTS of things to choose from!

Hope you come and play with us this week at The Cafe.  Can't wait to see the goodness you all dream up!

Colleen

Stamps:  Ornate Blossom - SU; Celebration of Thanks - Verve; Madeline - K & Co
Paper:  white - PTI; Purely Pomegranate, Perfect Plum, gold - SU
Ink:  Perfect Plum, Purely Pomegranate -  SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  champagne pearls - Recollections; foam dimensionals; gold Smooch Paint

Rose Topiary

The Timeless Tuesday challenge from Flourishes is an inspiration challenge this week, using this photo to be inspired by:

I have a topiary stamp set by Close To My Heart (my only one, found on eBay a few years ago) called Topiaries, and pulled it out.  This way, I can play in the Heart 2 Heart challenge - use a stamp that hasn't seen ink yet (must be a CTMH stamp).

This card came together pretty quickly:

• I already had the image stamped and colored, just waiting to be used someday
• The background paper is a frame from the Susan Winget Spring Blossom (K & Co.) Frame & Journaling pad; simply trimmed it and mounted on a white card base

I used Crystal Effects on the flower pot - I'm pretending it's glazed terracotta!

Sure was nice to have a bit of time to play.  Thanks so much for joining me!  See you tomorrow with a new Play Date Cafe challenge.

Colleen

Stamps:  Topiaries - CTMH; Small Phrases - Verve

Paper:  white - PTI; Susan Winget Spring Blossom Photo Frame & Journaling pad - K & Co

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger

Other:  twine - Creative Impressions; pearls; Copic markers; Venise lace; Pumpkin Pie rick rack, Crystal Effects - SU; Big Shot; Labels Four die cut - Spellbinders; foam dimensionals

Best Wishes

We had such a fun time at my cousin's wedding this past weekend.  I have a few pictures to share with you from that, but first I want you to see my wedding card that was published in Paper Crafts' Card Ideas for Paper Crafters in August 2011. (I had two cards in that issue, and you can see the other HERE)

The papers are from Anna Griffin (bought on eBay a couple of years ago) and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Labels.

As for the wedding we attended, I have a cute story to share.  My cousin's new husband is a HUGE Phillies baseball team fan.  And, HE is a bigger scrapbooker than SHE is, and the scrapbooks are all about sports.

As a wedding surprise, the bride arranged for the Phillies team mascot, the Philly Phanatic, to come to the reception.  It was a BLAST!

The groom was completely surprised and overwhelmed with emotion when the Phanatic walked in.  His new wife started off their marriage in a very wonderful way!

I'm sorry I don't have time to post a supply list for this card; dinner is almost ready and I'm in the midst of un-decorating the Christmas tree (a job I detest).

Thanks for joining me today!

Colleen

Out-of-the-Box Poppy

Hi!  I'm really proud of this card, because I've FINALLY tried the Out-of-the-Box Technique.  Yess!!!  And it wasn't difficult, which I had always thought it would be.

Blockheads Challenge: Out of the Box Die Cutting Technique Blog Hop

Out of the Box die cutting can create some really interesting looks when the stamp image you want to cut around is larger than the die cut. Join us by submitting your examples.  

The top of the poppy is 'out of the box', as you can see in the top photo above.  And I created the lacy die cut goodness using two Fancy Tags Two die cuts, plus one Fleur de Lis Motif, from Spellbinders.  And OF COURSE I had to add pearls!  My 13 YO thinks I 'over-do' pearls; I think not.  ;)  I love 'em!

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you get to play in this technique challenge.  :o)


Colleen

Stamps:  Flower Garden - Blockheads
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other:  R01, R30, R32, R35, R37, E25, E29, YG11, YG13, YG17, YG67, YG63, C1, C3 markers - Copic; pearls; Big Shot; Fancy Tags Two, Oval die cuts - Spellbinders; Diamonds and Dots embossing folder - Lifestyle Crafts

Play Date Cafe 113 - A Windy Hello

Hi everyone!  Are you rested from the holidays yet?  I'm gettin' there.  It usually takes me until mid-January to feel normal again after the After-Christmas Crash.  :o)

This week at the Play Date Cafe, the colors are pale and frosty:

Juniper, mint and vanilla look very beautiful together, don't they?  I combed through my paper stash for just the right colors, and wound up using packaging from K & Co. for my "mint" paper.  The sketch is a fave I saved from Gretchen Barron's "Inspiration in Action", loosely interpreted:

Our sponsor this week is the fun and spunky Sweet Stamp Shop, (who, by the way, is holding a Design Team call) and each of us on the Design Team got to play with stamps received from SSS.  I have "Hello Beautiful":

See the "spray" near the hairspray stamp?  I thought it would make perfect wintry air, too!

The two punched borders are subtle;
had to get a close up to show you.

Come join us this week, and get that creative mojo going again after the holidays!  Head over to the Play Date Cafe for full details.

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps:  Hello Beautiful - Sweet Stamp Shop
Paper:  white - PTI; patterned paper - Elegance - K & Co; packaging from stickers; Very Vanilla - SU
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punches:  Arctic Snowflake - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success; Scallops - SU
Other:  glitter; light green bling - Queen & Co.; vanilla ribbon scraps; silver cord; distressing tool

Brown Paper Package

I've got only a matter of hours until the CAS-ual Fridays challenge closes, and made a card in under an hour so I could play (quick by my standards!).

I took the challenge name literally, and created what looks like a package tied with string:

I used Our Craft Lounge's Vintage Traveler to stamp everything you see.  Love that set!  The twine is 'Cappuccino' from The Twinery.  I cut a tiny slit at the top of the card, on the backside, and fed the twine through there.

Another angle...

...and that's it!  I'll see you tomorrow with another Play Date Cafe post.  :o)  Have a great night!

Colleen

Stamps:  Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge
Paper:  kraft - SU
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Cappuccino twine - The Twinery

Wedding Wishes

My cousin is getting married this weekend, so I created a card for the happy couple.  She's been so busy with the preparation of the wedding, she's had no time to read my blog.  Hopefully, she won't decide to start reading it today.  ;)

The bride loves black and white damask as much as I do, hence the paper choices:

The papers are from DCWV La Creme Matstack, which I've had for quite a while.  The center panel is flocked.

The stamps (both frame and sentiment, as well as the die for the frame) are new, from Verve.  Got these goodies with my Christmas money.

The punched frame is made with Martha Stewart's Deco Fan corner and border punches.  I tied a slim bit of ribbon through the holes at the top.

Challenges entered:
Paper Sundaes - 'Out with the Old, In with the New'
Ribbon Carousel - 'Anything Goes' (so helpful right after the holidays!)
Tuesday Throwdown - 'Shiny New Year' (my shine comes from pearls and satin ribbon)

Thanks for joining me here today!  Don't forget to check out the new Play Date Cafe challenge, bright and early Thursday morning (1/5/12).  We've got a rich color combo you don't want to miss!

Colleen

Stamps:  Love Story, Vintage Oval Frame - Verve
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black - SU; patterned paper La Creme Matstack - DCWV
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  Deco Fan corner and border - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success; corner rounder - SU
Other:  black satin ribbon; pearls; Big Shot; Vintage Oval Frame die - Verve

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone!  Happy New Year!  Did you stay up until midnight to see 2012 come in?  I did, which amazed me, because I did not feel well yesterday.  We were supposed to have company in the afternoon, and had been invited to a friend's house for the evening, but we dropped both plans because of me.  :o(

Today is a new day, though, and a new year.  I want to say thank you to all of you who subscribe to my blog, are a Follower, or who just pop by now and then.  Your kind comments add sparkle to my days, and make me so happy.   :o)  When my daughter was sick with anorexia last year, and I was having my surgery, your prayers and positive thoughts truly, truly helped get me by.

I continue to be amazed by the boundless kindness and warmth this online crafting community offers. Each and every one of you is so special!

I've been visiting several blogs today, and see that folks are showing their favorite creations for the past year.  It's a fun feature that I enjoy. I'd like to show mine, too!

Here they are, in no particular order except for the first one:  my absolute fave! (click on the captions beneath the photos to go to the original posts)

Artful Frame

Thistles

Embossed Nature

Celebrating My Daughter

CAS Butterfly

'God Is Our Refuge'

Inspired by Rosy Gloves

Kindness In Pink

Single Snowflake

Christmas Tulips

Viva La Verve - Sketch #3

I went back as far as August to choose some favorites to show.  I'm sure there are others, but these will do!

I found out this morning that the two cards below were chosen by crafters at Splitcoast as FAVORITES:  The Best of 2011.  What a complete honor!

Baby Blossoms

Inspired by a Poppy

Cheers to all of you, and here's to a fabulous 2012!!

Colleen

Mojo Monday 221 - 'Amour'

Are you enjoying this holiday week, everyone?  I sure am.  I've been relaxing a lot, with a little entertaining mixed in.  While Christmas is my favorite time of year, it absolutely kicks my butt.  I am the total 'Santa' package in my house:  shopping, wrapping, cards, baking, decorating (I leave the outside to my husband, though)...it leaves me drained of energy when it's all over.  I still love it, though!

This week I made 5 projects to submit to the Paper Crafts Submission Call, all in one day.  You should give it a try!

And yesterday I found time to play in the Mojo Monday challenge.  Here's the sketch:

I used two stamp sets:  SU's Artistic Etchings (the Eiffel Tower and 'Amour') and Girls' Paperie Paper Girl (clock, crown, bird) and the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Union Square paper pad (BIG bargain at the craft store before Christmas) to create this 4.25" square card.

I experimented with these paper Prima Wildflowers:

I wanted to create black flowers for my card.  First, I used a Basic Black ink refill (16 drops) in a small amount of water, and let them steep.  They looked too gray to me (top flower in photo).

Then on another white flower, I sponged on Basic Black ink, and got a richer tone (bottom flower).  I combined the two with a button for my flower cluster:

I'd like to say a special hello to my new email subscribers and followers - thank you SO much for finding me. :o)  I hope you enjoy what you see, and I'm glad you are here!

Colleen

Stamps:  Artistic Etchings - SU; Paper Girl - Girls' Paperie
Paper:  white base - PTI; Lost & Found Union Square - My Mind's Eye
Ink:  Versafine Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand - SU
Other:  Prima Wildflowers - white; twine - SU; button