July Diva Dare - Day 3

Tattered Pages, July Diva Dare

Hello Verve fans!! It's Charmaine bringing you Day 3 of this month's Diva Dare entitled "Tattered Pages".

This month's dare pays tribute to Julee (Poetic Artistry), owner and creator of Verve Stamps and Diva Teresa (Paperie Blooms).  Julee has created countless, uplifting sentiments which have become one of Verve's trademarks, and Teresa knows how to rock distressing and "shabbiness" on her cards.  So what we're daring you to create this month is a card using an uplifting sentiment and some distressing and/or shabby element to it.  Kind of like an encouraging card you have received which you have read so many times the edges are a bit tattered.  Just remember to use at least one Verve product on your creation!

Here is my take on this month's dare:

I used the Hundred Hearts set for my card along with the frame from Twitterpated.  The frame was die cut using the Hearts & Swirls Frame Die.  The papers are from the Blossom Soup Collection from Jillibean Soup.  The heart doily was something I found in the Target Dollar Bin long ago.  :)  The ribbon is from the Spring Fling Ribbon Collection.   You can see a little peek of the heart border from the Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set. I sponged a little ink around the edges of the card, the frame and doily to give a little more of that distressed look.  The patterned papers were "roughed up" with the edge of my scissors.  This isn't a style that I normally "do", but I had a lot of fun creating today's card!

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, July 31st.  Entries must be new (posted 7/12 or later), include at least one Verve product, an uplifting sentiment, and some distressing or shabbiness and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 7/31/13.

During this month's Diva Dare, there are 2 prizes up for grabs!

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our Tattered Pages Dare and link up your card (created July 12th or later) to the linky widget on the Day One post to be eligible to win.  One participant will be randomly selected to win the gift voucher.  You can enter as many times as you like, but each card needs to be in a separate post.

Win a set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's "Tattered Pages" Diva Dare posts!  One lucky commenter will win a Verve stamp set of his or her choice, so be sure to tune in each day!  Comment deadline to be entered in our prize drawing is July 31, 2013.

Winners will be announced on August 1, 2013.

- Go forth and get inky! We DARE you! -

July Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 2

Hey there Verve fans, it's Andrea here welcoming you to Day Two of our July Diva Dare! Because it's been a while since we've done one of these, we thought we'd give you a little reminder on how it works. We post a theme we dare you with, and you'll have two weeks to complete the challenge. During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare. 

This month, we dare you to make a card or project using a BIRTHDAY theme. July happens to be a big birthday month here at Verve...five of our Divas have July birthdays, including the boss lady, Julee. Let's celebrate with some fun birthday projects, shall we?  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare! (Stay tuned to see how you could win some shiny new Verve!)

Here's what I came up with …

My goal was to use this week's Mojo Monday sketch so I started with My Mind's Eye Howdy Doody papers and shabbed them up a bit. The larger sentiment is from Verve's Hundred Hearts set. I wanted to make this a birthday card for a friend, and in addition to the birthday theme,  I also wanted to let this person know how much she means to me as well. I used Verve's A Cut Above Tiny Sweet Scallop die for the birthday portion of the sentiment. "Happy Birthday" is from the Big Wish set and the "My Friend" is actually from two different sets, the Munchkin Phrases and Friendly Phrases sets, respectively. Each sentiment panel is sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and matted with black to accentuate the shapes. Some of Verve's dies have mat dies included in the set and it was fabulous that the Tiny Sweet Scallop die I used had a die just for matting!

Ok, so.......

Would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget below before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would love to see 'em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing.

Winners will be announced on Monday, July 30 right here on the Verve blog.

Tags, Tins, and Treats: Day 3

Hey, Verve Fans! It's Shannan posting today, and I'm so excited to share my project with you! When the Project Parade theme was announced, I instantly thought of my Great Grandmother, who, when I was a little girl, kept a stash of candy just for when the grandkids came to visit. The candy was always on the buffet in her dining room, stored in Fostoria Blue & Amber Coin Glass canisters. In my mind's memory (I was four), those canisters were 3-4 feet tall!! Now I know better, but a girl can dream, right? *wink*

Anyway, I was inspired by the colors of the Amber & Blue glass, and decided to create a non-candy Valentine's gift set. I hope you like it!

I used a printable template to create the box, then stamped the heart strip from Hundred Hearts in Versamark on my Kraft template. I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink to age them a bit and then assembled my box.

For the top of the box, I stamped a the Celebrate sentiment and heart flourishy image from Love's Flower. After sponging the edges and adding a Chocolate Chip mat, I adhered a gorgeous Prima flower to the top with Glue Dots.

The card is an odd little guy...he measures 3" x 4 1/4". I originally started with a 4 1/4" card base, but cut it down to use some scraps I had from the box. The stamps on the card are all from Heart's Desire...LOVE that set! I cut a few circles with my Nestabilities, then sponged the edges and layered them onto the card. I also wrapped some teal trim around the card base before popping up the circle layers.

This last picture shows the yummy ribbon and lace wrapped around the box, as well as what's hiding inside! I used Basic Grey magnets to hold the box closed. Now the hard part...actually GIVING this away! Heehee!

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So, now it's your turn! We'd love for you to play along with us and show us your Tags, Tins & Treats! Verve stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em, why not show 'em a little love? ;)

And, as with all of our project parades, we've got prizes!
To enter, just link up your NEW creation (posted Jan. 25 or later) to the Mr. Linky widget below before midnight MST on Monday, February 15. One lucky stamper will win a $25 gift certificate to the Verve Store. And for another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout out in the comments as they parade their fabulous creations inspired by this month's theme. One lucky commenter during the course of the parade (Jan 25 - Feb 14) will win their choice of any Verve set.

Project Parade Day 7 - Divine Details

Hey, y'all, it's Shannan! How are ya? It's my day here on the Verve Blog to give you a little insight into what goes on in my stamp room. When Jen announced the theme for this Project Parade, like the other Divas, I was a little scared! I also kept thinking of the Wizard of Oz..."Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" So, today, you'll get a little peek behind my curtain! *wink*

For me, I find inspiration from many different places. I love sketches, as they are a starting point for my card and sometimes I just need a guide, ya know? But I also love looking at billboard layouts, signs, magazine ads, clothing tags, and other random items in the world around us for inspiration. I'm also a very last-minute stamper...often I'll stamp when the spirit moves me and get tons done. Other times? Notsomuch. When inspiration strikes, I have to make sure I write it down, or it's sure to get lost in my noggin! Ok, so today, I was at Sonic. Waiting FOREVER in line for my drink, and turned my head to the left. Saw this:

Hmmmmm....that would make an interesting card! So I pull out my phone and snap a pic (I'm sure the Sonic employees thought I was totally insane), just so I could show y'all. I liked the circle and how the panel across the center extended beyond the circle. So I decided to replicate it. First, I'll show you, then I'll tell ya why I did what I did, k?

Here's my card:
Once I had my layout set, I decide what stamps would best fit the elements I'm working with. I knew I wanted a sentiment across the center panel, so I found this one from Hundred Hearts that fit the bill. I didn't want something so narrow that it was just one line, but it needed to be rectangular so it took up most of the length of the panel. Perfect! I also knew that I'd like a smaller stamp in the background, so I chose the small leaf image from Forever in Our Hearts. I chose a smaller image because I knew a lot of the circle was going to be covered up by the center panel, and I wanted as many leaves as possible to be seen.

So my stamps were chosen...on to colors! I am a bit more random and free-spirited when it comes to choosing a color combo, it's almost scary. I have a giant pile of scraps on my desk, to the right of my work space, and I literally pile scraps there until they fall...and then I file them away. Nine times out of ten, my color combo gets picked because there are colors lying in that pile together, and I like how they look. Silly, I know! I warned you! Since I was making a "Just Because/Friend" card, I could either go fun and funky with my colors, or soft and sweet. I almost always choose fun and funky (unless soft and sweet are on top of the pile...*wink*). Tonight I happened to pick up Kraft, Old Olive, and Prism Intense Pink.

Here's a close-up of the main image panel:
Ok, on to the details! How do I decide which ones to use? I definitely have my favorites...here's a list:

• Buttons
• Sewing machine stitching
• Scallops
• Edge Punches
• Nestabilities & other die cuts
• Stickles or Glitter
• Distressing
• Dimensionals
• Paper piercing

Sometimes you'll see every last thing on that list on one card. But they didn't all fit on this one. One of my other detail secrets is that I take bits and pieces from my favorite artists. For example, Julee's sponging, Anna's distressing & faux stitching, and Amy's use of embellishments. This time around, I took my bits & pieces from the Dare to Get Dirty challenges on Splitcoast...to use something clear (acetate) and to create your own patterned paper. Perfect! One thing you'll also find me doing almost every time is matting images and layers in a dark color, either black or brown in most cases. I don't know why, but it's a pretty compulsive thing. I just have to do it.

After I stamped on the acetate, I adhered it to the Kraft base/black mat. It seemed to disappear a little, so I did a little piercing around the edges...there! That did the trick. Now it stands out more. Once the sentiment was stamped on my white panel, I realized there wasn't much room for my colors. YIKES! I cut a couple of little tiny rectangles to adhere on the right side. I intended to sew along the edges, but they were so tiny and I can't sew that straight! Heehee. So I settled for distressing the edges of the white layer instead. Then I matted it with black with a scalloped edge. Before I mounted the whole thing onto my 5" card base with dimensionals, I decided to center the card a little with a brad in each corner. I contemplated glitter, but the only place for it was the pink & olive panels, and they were standing out as it was. No glitter needed this time...shock!

Ok, so if you've read all this...hooray for you! I'm sorry...apparently I have lots to say about this subject. If you have any more questions, feel free to let me know, ok?

Now, on to the fun stuff...playing along with us! Would you like to? All you have to do is make a project or card that shows us YOUR Divine Details. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em why not use 'em? Then link to your creation to Mr. Linky in this post before 8PM Mountain on Saturday, August 1st. Two lucky participants will win a stamp set of their choice from the Verve Store. AND, we've 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, good luck and thanks for visiting us today!

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!

January Project Parade Goes Hybrid

Hey everyone! Jen Tapler here. When Jen (the other one - ha!) issued the Kid at Heart challenge, I knew right away that I wanted to make some type of age-appropriate Valentine keepsake for my 2-yr-old son, Dean. This is what I came up with...I used the new Hundred Hearts set to make a sort of learn-your-numbers-and-colors Valentine board book. I used Mod Podge to adhere my digitally designed and printed pages to a Maya Road Coffee Break chipboard book. I stamped the Hundred Hearts sentiment on the cover and added some ribbon, a covered chipboard heart and felt flower to dress it up a bit.

Each set of facing inside pages is color-coordinated - the color of the alpha used to spell out the name of the color matches the color of the stamped and paper-pieced hearts on the facing page as well as the mats on both pages. Clear as mud? Here, take a look at a few of the inside pages and you'll get the idea...I stamped off the small outline heart from Hundred Hearts the appropriate number of times on both the book page and on a piece of the coordinating colored paper. I then used my hobby knife and a 2-way glue pen to paper piece each individual heart on each set of pages. I alternated between stripes and the graphic pattern for the inside pages to add some interest.It's hard to see in the pic, but I also added some messy faux digi stitching around each of the panels.
Although I used lots of digital elements in this project, it would be quite simple to replicate using your scrap stash - obviously just use "regular" paper in place of the digi papers, chipboard or sticker numbers, and sticker or stamped letters to spell out the colors. You could even take it one step further and add in some REAL stitching!!

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: printed digital paper from All You Need is Love by Dani Mogstad (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Coffee Break Book (Maya Road); Chipboard Heart, felt flower & silver brad (SU); ric-rac (Martha Stewart); Bad Sewing Machine Basics digi stitches by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Extra Large Chippy Alpha (digi) by Libby Weifenbach (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Black, White & Red All Overlay digi alpha by Darcy Baldwin (Sweet Shoppe Designs)

January Project Parade Valentine "In-Box"

Hi there! It's Laura, and I'm here with my take on the "Kid at Heart" challenge! I have to tell you I was really stumped with this challenge and it took me a while before I finally decided that my youngest who is in grade three could probably use a Valentine "In-Box" to collect all her Valentines. I didn't want to purchase a mailbox, because like you I am a compulsive keeper and collector off all things that could be altered! This little box is what my dishwasher soap comes in, and it opens and closes tight and is just a handy little container. But it's not very pretty...yet!

I had soaked the container to remove the labels but the adhesive still remained, so a little Goo-Gone took care of it nicely! Since the lid was anything but a Valentine colour, I painted it with pink acrylic paint...two coats to cover up the green. I painted inside and out.

I chose double sided papers since the container was clear, I wanted the inside to look nice too. They were adhered with Modge Podge and covered with Modge Podge to give it a bit more sturdiness in the hands of an eight year old. I thought it would make a good little storage container for all those things an eight year old seems to collect once Valentines was over.

On the front I stamped the sentiment from "A Hundred Hearts", which seemed so appropriate for a Valentine "In Box". The row of double hearts was stamped below it and I added some pink heart gems to the centre of every 3rd heart. DD loves them! I stamped the large and small hearts in pink and brown and cut them out and adhered them above the sentiment. Since I had thought this little box might make it beyond Valentines, I didn't adhere the sentiment panel, instead, threaded ribbon through the sides and tied it with a bow.

Atop the box I added "Happy Valentines Day" from "Sweet Valentine", and would you believe the luck...I had purchased these little epoxy hearts last year, and they fit perfectly inside the hearts on the sentiment! I did have to make a little cut out on one, but it's so cute and so perfect for an eight year old who has yet to appreciate the wonderful colouring skills I have honed so well!

I added ribbon along the edge and the box still closes tight! DD has already seen it and this kid is after my heart! She thinks it's the best ever and hopes that they aren't making mailboxes in art, so she can use this! I love her so!

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!

Recipe: Stamps: One Hundred Hearts, Sweet Valentine (Verve) Paper: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink (SU), Tawny Dark (Prism), Amy Butler designer paper (K&C0) Ink: Vintage Photo (Ranger), Pretty in Pink (SU), Versamark Acccessories: brown embossing powder (?), Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, slot punch (SU), Modge Podge, Labels One dies (Spellbinders), Prima Flower, fabric brad (Dollarama), Acrylic Paint (Memory Makers), epoxy stickers (Walmart), Heart rhinestones (Marks Crystal Stickers)

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-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 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 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!