September Diva Dare ~ Day 10

Hi!  It's Charmaine with Day 10 of the September Diva Dare!  This month, we DARE you to Case-a-Diva!  With nineteen Divas (see the photos and links on the right sidebar), the inspiration is vast! For those of you who don't know...CASE means to copy and share everything. And that is just fancy talk for copying! What you copy is up to you! It can be a layout, color scheme, or even something more subtle like a certain embellishment cluster!

You will find the links to all the Diva's blogs on the right sidebar, or you can visit their individual Verve galleries!

Stay tuned for info on how you could win some brand new Verve goodies!

I had the absolute pleasure (not without intimidation) to CASE the extremely talented Amy!  Ummm. . .have you spent any time in her gallery?   If you have, you know that there is TONS of inspiration!  I had a very difficult time choosing a card to CASE, but I finally settled on this one.  I absolutely LOVED the colors and the layout was really cool, and the embellishing. . .well, it was just SO Amy! :)  She always embellishes in ways I never think of.  When I think of Amy, I think of pearls, lace, layers, unique embellishments and fabulous layouts.  Lace didn't make it onto my card, but hopefully I've "done Amy proud" with my creation.  ;) 

I loved how she used the swirl from the Happy Days set, so I kept that!  :)  For the sentiment and the "butterfly", I used the Fancy Florals Remixed set.  I dug WAY back into my Verve stash for that set.  I love it, but it hasn't seen ink in a long time!  The papers are from the Life of the Party Collection from My Mind's Eye.  I started by diecutting the card base with my Scallop Square Grand Nestabilities.  The sentiment circle was die cut using the Plain Circle Nestabilities.  In creating the "butterfly", I wanted to embellish in a "unique" way following in Amy's footsteps, so I created a flight trail and antennae for the butterfly using button twine.  For the flight trail, I curled the button twine using some stickles and wrapping the twine around a paint brush handle until it dried.  Of course, I couldn't create an "Amy card" without using pearls!

I hope to see you playing along!  There's still time!

1. Play along with us and link up your new Case-a-Diva creation (posted September 16 or later) to the linky widget below before 9pm Mountain on Sunday,October 2nd. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 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 Case-a-Diva creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Monday,October 3rd right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn! We DARE you to show us your creations!

You can post your card here.

August Release Project Parade ~ Day 7

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Hi there!  It's Jackie here! I hope you're enjoying this month's Project Parade!  I am (again) totally blown away by the Diva's projects so far!  When I saw the theme for this month's parade, Something Old Something New, the "Old" (hate to call any of my Verve stamps Old) set I immediately knew I wanted to use was the first set I purchased from Verve, Fancy Florals.  I paired it with one of Verve's newest releases, Dream Big!  A match made in heaven!!  LOL!

I recently celebrated my birthday and was treated to a pedicure and lunch by one of my closest friends and was in need of a thank you card!  I started with Sweet Sunday Sketch #83 and reached for the new Cosmo Cricket Togetherness DP and got to work.  I stamped the two different outline flowers from Fancy Florals in Memento Tuxedo Black onto three different patterns.  I cut them out and attached them to the card with foam tape.  Some adhesive pearls finish them off nicely.  The sentiment and leaves are from Dream Big.  The leaves were stamped in Wild Wasabi ink and cut out.  Some machine stitching finishes it off!

Detail shot of the flowers.......

I hope I've inspired you to play along!!!  Here are the details:

1. Play along with us and link up your new SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW creation (posted August 25th or later) to the linky widget on the DAY 1 PARADE POST before midnight on Wednesday, September 15th. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store.

2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we parade our SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW creations. One lucky commenter during the course of the parade will win the Verve stamp set of their choosing!

We hope you'll play along! We LOVE to see your creations!

Project Parade Day 13 - Cupcakes!

Hey everyone, it's Julee here. I've been enjoying this parade so much! I just can't believe the amazing projects the Divas have come up with. Aren't they great? Don't forget that your Egg-stra Special Spring projects or cards are due Saturday, April 4 by 8PM Mountain. {Click here} to link up your creation!

Today's scrumptious project comes from Guest Diva Kelly Lunceford. I didn't think I could love cupcakes any more than I already do until I saw Kelly's awesome project! Here's a little bit about her adorable cupcake toppers in her own words...




As I thought about what I would be making for the Project Parade, my mind was racing. I couldn't decide on the *perfect* project until I was at the grocery store last week on the Easter aisle. I saw the selection of cupcake liners, sprinkles and frosting and the light bulb went on! Cupcakes! Who doesn't love cupcakes?

I have fallen in love with all of the new images from the March release, so I thought it would be fun to combine a few of them for a fun Easter presentation. I used images from the Chocolate Bunnies set, Floral Symphony and Miracles Blossom. I have been making my own cupcake toppers for years now, partly because they are so easy and I love how I can make everything coordinate! Who wouldn't love a plate full of delicious cupcakes with delightful Easter toppers? They only take a little bit of time, but the recipient will know how much they are loved!



You can use toothpicks or sucker sticks, depending on how tall you would like them. I chose to use toothpicks, because the designs I was using are delicate and small. I stamped the various images onto white cardstock using Palette Noir ink. Each image was then colored with an assortment of Copic and Prismacolor markers. Once I had them all colored, I punched them out with various punches. I kept the color palette simple and springy for a cohesive presentation.



The toothpicks are adhered to the back of each topper using a small piece of clear tape. Once you have your cupcakes frosted and sprinkled, simply add your toppers. I chose to use lemon cake and lemon frosting with a simple nest of coconut topped with a trio of chocolate eggs. Yummy! I hope you have fun personalizing your Easter festivities this year!

So have you made your Egg-Stra Special creation yet??? Play along with us for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Verve Stamps store. All you have to do is create an egg-stra special spring project or card and link it up with the Mr. Linky form HERE. Entries will close at 8pm Mountain on Saturday, April 4, so don't be late! Verve Stamps are not required, but we do LOVE to see 'em if you've got 'em!

And we'll be picking one more random commenter during the parade who will win her choice of any Verve Stamps set. So if you see a project you like, be sure to leave some love! :) Good luck and have FUN!

Fancy Inspiration

I don't know about you, but I LOVE to see how different everyone's take is on the inspiration challenge. I've really enjoyed seeing what bits and pieces each person has taken from the inspiration picture. I used a flower from the Fancy Florals Remixed stamp set to mimic the bedspread pattern and was inspired to use my Martha Stewart zig zag border punch to mimic the area rug in the photo. What are you inspired by in the picture?

Here's my Vervi-view...

1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping? About 7 years ago, my friend who is a SU Demo kept asking me to have a party. I kept saying "nah, that's not my thing. . .I'm not crafty." The next summer, we were both at a picnic at a mutual friend's house and she set up a table with stamping supplies and had two projects that anyone could make if they wanted to. Well, I was at Michael's THAT night buying some rubber stamps and ink! LOL
2. How often do you stamp? EVERY DAY! (even if for only 10 minutes) If not, mommy is very unhappy. :(
3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarrassing stamping related injury. Well, I was using a craft knife and was trying to "fix" a cut that I made in my card. Since it was just a "quick little fix", I had the card on my lap. Well, I pushed too hard, the craft knife slid right off the card and cut a nice hole in my BRAND NEW velour sweatsuit. I was so bummed because it was right after I had my first daughter and that sweatsuit made me feel like I didn't JUST have a baby. . .moms you KNOW what I'm talking about! LOL I was okay, though! No blood was drawn! :)
4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with? It's funny, but I find myself happier with projects I've created in 10-15 minutes more than with projects that take me longer. It makes me feel more efficient. If it took me 2 or 3 hours to create a card, that is only ONE card per nap time. . .and that would only be one card per day! Yikes! :) That has been known to happen though!
5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space. I have to be neat and organized or else little fingers would make off with my stamp supplies! While I'm creating a project, you can't even see the table, but right after I'm finished, everything gets put back in its place.
6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which craft tool could you not live without? Why? My paper piercer. I LOVE that thing! Why? Because it adds that extra touch without cluttering up the card. I have "saved" more than one card just by adding some piercings.
7. What is your biggest source of inspiration? I would have to say challenges. When I'm challenged to create something, it gives me a starting point.
8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why? Gosh, there are so many! Nichole Heady and Beate Johns to name two. I LOVE their styles and have NEVER seen them create anything I didn't love.
9. What is your favorite part of the creative process? trying things that are out of my comfort zone and actually liking the finished product. It makes me feel like I've grown.

****Ok, now how do you win $15 in Verve Bucks?? All you have to do is play in this Vervalicious challenge with us! Leave a comment with a link to your project on this post by 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Time on June 21st, and you will be entered for a chance to win! Using Verve stamps is not a requirement, although it doubles your chance of winning. We will have two winners, one randomly drawn from a pool of all entries, the other will be selected as our favorite from all the projects using Verve stamps. Both winners will receive $15 in Verve Bucks. We will announce the winners later that day.When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword VVPP03. We can't wait to see what you've created! Have fun!

Happy Summer Birthdays!

Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime!! Just makes you want a big ol' glass of lemonade just singing the little song! I just thought for this challenge, I would make a summertime birthday card. HERE is a little reminder of the colors Shannan picked for us to use--just screams summer doesn't it? Is it getting hot where you are? For this card, I knew I wanted to use Soft Sky as my base and black as my neutral color. I just began adding layers for an extra base layer to have as the backdrop for my main image. I used Floral Whimsy and colored in the vase with an aquapainter and ink from the lid of my inkpad. I stamped the flowers to match the color palette and since I don't own the Cameo Coral inkpad, I decided to stamp the flower in black onto the Cameo Coral paper and just cut it out and pop it with a black brad. I then "fluffed up" the petals for a three-dimensional look. I did the same for the little decorative flower on the vase itself, but just glued it down (a brad would have been too big). I colored the other flowers and the "grounding" below the vase with Copic markers (the few I own happened to match-yay!). Lastly, I added the black and white gingham ribbon and stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Fancy Florals set. It just seemed to match the "feel" and the mismatched fonts of the cuttlebugged piece of this card so well! So if you have a summer birthday, Happy Birthday from me, Susan!!!

As a reminder: To win $15 in Verve Bucks is easy! Just make a card, layout, or other project using the color challenge and link us up on this post before Midnight (Mountain time) on May 31st. If you have any Verve Visual stamps, please use them, but it's not a requirement. The winner will receive a $15 shopping spree at the Verve store. What could be better than that?! And if you upload to Splitcoast, make sure you use the keyword VVPP02 so we can all see your Vervalicious creations!

Stamps: Floral Whimsy, Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Soft Sky, So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black (SU!), Papertrey White
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, So Saffron
Accessories: Aqua Pen, Copic Markers, Black Brad, Dimensionals, Scallop Scissors, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday, B/W Gingham Ribbon

You Brighten My Day

I always enjoy a fun challenge, and Verve's current inspiration challenge, based on a quartet of gorgeous pillows, is no exception. Like many of the other girls, I was drawn to the colors and the floral theme. I also wanted to bring in some of the texture from all the beautiful embroidery, beadwork, and lace.

The first thing I did was to search through my patterned papers, which is quite unusual for a patterned paper-phobic girl like me. But I got lucky and found this mustard-colored, tone-on-tone diamond pattern on what I would call the back side of a Scrapworks pattern. I knew it would be perfect because the pattern has almost a fabric look to it. I cut it down to a square, in keeping with the square shape of the pillows, sponged the edges with More Mustard, and machine stitched it onto a More Mustard mat.

Next, I added some flowers using Fancy Florals Remixed. First, I stamped the largest flower from the set three times on Very Vanilla, twice in So Saffron and once in More Mustard, then added a Tempting Turquoise center to the More Mustard flower, trimmed them all out and stacked them (the top layer is raised up on dimensional adhesive). To pick up on the embroidery from the pillows, would you believe I tried using embroidery floss to add French knots to each of the turquoise stamen? Well let's just say great idea, but I haven't done any embroidering since Girl Scouts, so I had to scrap that idea in favor of some I could actually do - piercing. I made a second, smaller flower using the medium-size versions of the same images, then topped off both flowers with half-pearls in the centers. Some More Mustard stems, a sentiment from Thoughtful Florals, and a Tempting Turquoise scalloped mat finished off my main panel.

[Note: the Tempting Turquoise scalloped mat behind the patterned paper square was done with a corner rounder. If you were to turn over this panel, you'd see four strips carefully positioned so that the scallops meet at each corner. A good alternative to Nestabilities if you don't have those (of if they're backordered!).]

To finish the card, I adhered the whole panel with dimensional adhesive onto a square of So Saffron card stock that was dry embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, and then attached everything to a Tempting Turquoise card base. Finished card size: 5" square.

I hope you're feeling inspired by these pillows, too! Remember, you have until midnight Tuesday (Mountain Time) to link up your pillow-inspired project for a chance to win $15 in Verve bucks!! Go to THIS POST to enter. Then on Wednesday, sneak peeks begin for the two new sets -- can't wait!

Stamps: Fancy Florals Remixed, Thoughtful Florals
Paper: So Saffron, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise (SU!); Canvas Collection "Citrus Burst" (Scrapworks)
Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories: Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; sewing machine; word window punch, corner rounder, paper piercer, dimensionals, and Pretties kit (SU!)

Pillow Talk...

When I first saw the inspiration for this challenge, I immediately knew what I wanted to do. I know that some of the girls are using each of the individual pillows as inspiration, but I am using them collectively as inspiration for my card.

I chose the SU! colors Soft Sky and So Saffron because I felt they complimented each other nicely and I knew that I could work with them. In addition to knowing what colors I wanted to use, I knew that I wanted to use Fancy Florals Remixed because it paired well with the Cuttlebug die (from the Harlequin die set). I alternated orientation and colors of the dies on the base of my card. For my main panel, I used a Nestabilities rectangle die. I topped off the stamped panel with more layered Cuttlebug dies. The beading on the pillows had me reaching for my Bella Baubles in Pearl. I love the Pearl color because it gives you a little more "umph" than clear, it's elegant and softly accents your card. How's that for a little pillow talk? ;)

We hope that you will find some divine inspiration within these pillows, too. Please be sure to link your wonderful creations HERE.

Edgy Basics

This assignment caused me to think back to the very first technique I learned when stamping. At the start of my hobby, I was a stay-at-home-wife caring for my stay-at-home-husband. I didn't know many people in this new town to which we'd moved. I saw a billboard for a stamp store and found my way there shortly thereafter. Am I ever glad I did... for this is where I met my friend and very first stamping teacher, Gwennie. Her cards seemed to have such depth and richness. I wanted to learn from her right away.

The trick to the dimension and depth, she said, was the brushing of the ink pad against the edges of the cardstock -- a technique known as edging. The technique is very flexible. Using different amounts of pressure when edging, you can control the amount of color that is imparted to the paper. You can also vary inkpad types to achieve different looks. My favorite ink pads for this technique are the very spongy ColorBox Chalk Cat's Eyes, and Gwennie used these too.

There are photos from three phases during the production of my project. The first photo shows another neat benefit from edging. The white flower-stamped panel is mounted onto a green panel, which is then mounted to the same color card. The edging technique helps define that green layer that would otherwise be almost invisible.

In the second photo, the card has a few more elements. Faux stitching was added using a white gel pen around the first green panel, as though it were sewn to the card. A layered flower and brad were also added.

Photo three shows the flower in a different position, added atop a band of coordinating ribbon with other matching colors of ribbon shown below. Which would you have chosen?

It's easy to imagine the next few photos of what this card could become. Perhaps photo four includes a pretty piercing pattern. And photo five? That might add brads at the corners of the stamped panel and some glitzy Stickles added to the flowers on the stamped panel. The possibilities are endless!

Supply List
Stamps: Fancy Florals Remixed, Thoughtful Florals and Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Wild Wasabi & Whisper White (SU!)
Ink: Blue Iris ColorBox Chalk (ClearSnap); Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Bayou Blue (SU!)
Accessories: White Glaze Pen (Sakura); Stitched Ribbon (SU!); Brad (Karen Foster Designs); Flowers (Prima Marketing)

As a reminder, the stamp sale continues only through this Friday. Save fifteen percent on all the yummy Verve Visual stamps! While you're browsing the store, be sure not to miss the two delightful new paper lines from Studio 8: Daydream and Blooming. Remember, the paper is guilt-free since you're saving so much on the stamps themselves. :)

Happy Stamping!

Hey, Sunshine!

So, do you have your Verve stamps yet? What's your favorite? I think mine is Fancy Florals Remixed...it's so easy to layer now that they're clear. I can't seem to put it down!

Today is my turn to show you what "Back to Basics" means to me. When I first started stamping, I loved the Two-Step stamps. I didn't have to color, I didn't have to use markers to ink up the stamps, no fancy schmancy techniques, just my stamps, paper and ink!

So I incorporated that into my card today, which was inspired by some paper I saw yesterday while shopping. It was Kraft paper with Green leaves on it, and those leaves just popped right off the paper! My version uses Mango Madness Versamagic Chalk ink, and Versafine Onyx Black, cause I was needing a little sunshine today. How about you?

Very simple and easy, this card took me about 10 minutes, start to finish. I stamped the flower outline in Black randomly across the Kraft card base, then stamped the solid flower in Mango on top of the outlines. Then came the centers in black again. I think I probably should have used Stazon, because the Versafine over the chalk ink had a really tough time drying, so CASE away, but use Stazon! *grin* The sentiment was the main focus, so I stamped it in black on White cardstock, then layered it with a tiny hint of black, then added a ribbon, cause I can't make a card without it!

Hopefully we have inspired you to do some stamping this weekend, so please don't forget to show us what you create! Have a great day!

Stamps: Fancy Florals Remixed (Verve Visual)
Paper: Kraft, Basic Black, White (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Mango Madness
Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Black Glaze Pen (Sakura)

Back To Basics

When Julee first told us about the Back to Basics series on the Verve blog, I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive. What project would I do? Basic...what is the definition of basic? So, I looked through some of my older projects when I did not have a lot to work with and went from there.
I took my creative self to "Remember When..." and this is the creative process journey that I experienced.
First things first, what was I going to do? I decided to do an alterable item. These days I pick up alterables just about wherever I go, but when I first started stamping/paper crafting, I worked solely with what I had. A glass jar, such as this Frappucino bottle is alway fairly simple to come by, so I grabbed one out of my collection as a starting point.
Next, what color scheme did I want to do. Think about it...when you first started stamping, what was the ONE color pad that you got initially? Black, of course. To go with that black ink pad, you probably had some basic colors of paper as well. At one point, I only had black, white and red, so that is what I chose as the overall color scheme here.
I had my project piece and my color scheme, so it was time to pick my stamp set out. Flowers, of course! Black and red flowers, you ask? Yep! Now was the time to get to work and make it work. This is what I came up with...


I did use some of my more current tools (punches), but made sure that this project could be done with no tools, except scissors. I created the scallop edge with my corner rounder punch. This could be done with scissors if you do not have the punch. I wrapped black twill ribbon around the center, which could be replaced with black paper. This also holds true for the ribbon around the edge of the cap. The small red matting square adds a punch of colors with minimal use of product, something that I still find very important. To complete the project, I filled it with Hershey nuggets. I wanted a plain silver look for the candies, so I left them in their "basic" form without fancy labels.
While I was apprehensive about this when I started, I must admit that it was fun to take a look back at where I started and where I am and meld those into a project.

Mini Cards in Cute 'Lil Box...

Ya gotta love mini cards!! They are quick to make and they are a great addition to a hostess, shower or wedding gift. I like them so much that I made a set of them with a holder for them to go in for this post. Although the weather is cool outside, I have spring on the mind. Hence the reason I chose So Saffron as the color to work with. I really like doing color on color projects. I think it gives big impact when paired with other elements. The other elements that I chose for this project are scalloped edges, cut out images and baubles. These elements are used on the box and on the cards. The box template can be found here. The cards, which measure about 2.25 x 3" I think, are from a goody bag that I got ages ago. I think that they are from Michael's.

ATC note cards

Is there such thing as ATC note cards? Well, if not, there is NOW! *chuckle*

I was looking for the perfect little note card to keep in my office at work, so when something cropped up I'd have a card all ready to go. It seems like there is always someone in my building who is sick, having a rough time, has had a death in the family, or even that something wonderful has happened to, so I wanted something that could cover ALL those potential senerios! Impossible? I think not.

I started with tiny note cards the same size as ATCs, and went from there. The remixed Fancy Florals were the perfect compliment. I could easily interchange colors and the "thinking of you" sentiment seemed to fit every occasion possible! After making these three, I wanted to add one more, so I used a few shades of golden yellow and made a fourth one.

After I had all four, I wanted to add a touch of "bling" so two of them got pearl centers, one got bright red stickles, and one received a blue gem! Simple, easy, quick, and they can cover any senerio that might crop up among my co-workers! (except maybe the one where Bill was late because his dog chased a squirrel into the house and up the fireplace chimmney, and Bill had to climb in there to get the squirrel out, and it bit him and he freaked out and then got STUCK in the chimmney, and his wife had to call the fire department to come help get him out, and take him to the hospital to get a rabies shot, and THAT's why he was late to work!) True story.

But, even then, one of these little note cards might just be the perfect thing! *wink*

Stamps: Fancy Florals Remixed (Verve Visual)

Paper: Vanilla, black, olive (SU)

Ink: Palette Hybrid, Ranger

Accessories: Nestabilities, ribbon and bling from my stash

A Quick and Easy Gift Set

I have been hoarding these super cute eyelet notecards from the Martha Stewart collection at Michaels for quite some time. Probably a month? While cleaning my stamp room last week, I came upon them and immediately thought of the new Verve set Happy Thoughts. What a great little gift set this could make! So I went to work!

Each card was first stamped with the "scripty" version of Happy, then a different sentiment for each one. There are six cards in this set, and I didn't even ink up all the combinations!

I then stamped a medium sized flower from Fancy Florals, which will be remixed and released in clear photopolymer this month as well. Each one was inked up, stamped first on scratch paper, then stamped over the sentiment. The edges needed to be a little softer, so I ran my waterbrush over the image to make it bleed just a smidge. The finishing touch is a Swarovski crystal in the center of the flower for a little bling.

The notecards were then mounted on the appropriate card base colors, and the finished product measures 3 1/2" x 5", just a little smaller than a normal A2 sized card.

I'm so excited...this will be a perfect birthday gift for my mom, who is always wanting me to make cards for her to send to her friends.

Stay tuned this week for more eye candy from the rest of the Verve team...and have a fabulous Monday!!

Stamps: Happy Thoughts, Fancy Florals Remixed (Verve Visual)
Paper: Eyelet Notecards (Martha Stewart), Purely Pomegranite, Sage Shadow, Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Purely Pomegranite, Sage Shadow, Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Swarovski Crystals, Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura), Niji Waterbrush

Nuggets, Nuggets, Everywhere!

My hinged, clear top tins were FINALLY delivered two days ago. Woo-hoo! It's been months since I ordered them. I was actually going to cancel my order because it had been so long and then they called and said they were ready for shipping. Yippee!

So what better way to christen my new little tins than by whipping up something special for the Verve Visual blog? These tins make such great little gifts!!! I had so much fun making these little buggers that I can't wait to make up the other 18 I have left! That's right, I ordered 20 tins {{{{gasp}}}}!

The first nugget tin I made using the Winter Wonder set from Verve. It was so easy. I just stamped one of the large snowflakes from the set onto 12 mailing labels using Certainly Celery ink. Then I wrapped a label around each piece of candy. To wrap the outside of the tin, I cut a strip of white cardstock, and then stamped it with three different sized snowflakes from the Winter Wonder set, in three different colors; Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue and Perfectly Pomegranate. I mounted the white snowflake strip on a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock and then cut a decorative edge along it. Then I stamped a sentiment from Winter Wonder right in the middle of a white circle and mounted it on a Certainly Celery scallop circle. The white dots around the scallops were made with my White Signo pen. Simple! I'm so excited how it turned out!

I was only going to make one nugget tin for this post, but I just couldn't resist making one more to share with you, in fun, summer-like colors. It's so cold here in MN that I'm craving hot, bright colors! It's what you have to do to survive winters like we're having so far here! So for this tin, I dug out one of the very first Verve sets called Fancy Florals. I stamped one of the large floral images onto some patterned paper using Purely Pomegranate ink. I then stamped another, smaller flower onto a coordinating pattern paper. I drew around the flower images using my White Signo pen and my Stardust gel pen as well. In real life, this baby sparkles! For the center of the flower, I placed a pink rain dot (by Cloud 9). To finish the tin off, I tied two bows, one pink and one orange, around the tin and then attached the flower to the ribbon using glue dots. The sentiment comes from the very FIRST Verve set called Thoughtful Phrases. I stamped it on a piece of chipboard that I covered with some pink distressed paper I had in my scrap drawer. The sentiment was stamped in black so it really pops off the paper! I'm bummed to say that the photo of this tin does not do it justice-it's so cute IRL!!!

Each nugget label was stamped with two different Fancy Floral images using Pumpkin Pie and Purely Pomegranate. I just LOVE the bright, happy, uber fun colors of this little nugget tin!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the fun new creations the Verve team shared with you this week. Have a wonderful holiday season!!!

Hugs!

A Day Filled With Possibility

Only one more day until Verve releases four brand new word sets (see THIS post for details)! Along with the four new sets, there is also going to be a "remix" version of Starlight Starbright and Wonderful Wishes! You will still get the same high quality that you've come to expect from Verve...but now with the convenience of clear stamps!! Woohoo!



For this card, I used several of the flower images from Fancy Florals to create my black and white flower. The background was created by embossing another of the stamps included in the Fancy Florals set in black (on both the white and black cardstock). The "Wishing You A Day Filled With Possibility" sentiment is from Starlight Starbright. I just love the uniqueness of the sentiments in that set...it makes the card I use it on even more personal and special to the recipient!

Make sure to check back here to see what Julee has created for you! ~Laurie

Recipe:
Stamps: Fancy Florals, Starlight Starbright (Verve Visual)
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Black Brilliance (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Polka Dot organdy ribbon, Red Twinkle Stickers (A Muse), Red rhinestone brad (K & Co)

New Design Team Member

We're super excited to announce Verve Visual's newest Design Team member, Laurie Schmidlin! If you've been hanging around Splitcoaststampers (she's Lauraly there) or at her fabulous blog, Just Give Me Stamps, you know that Laurie is just dripping in stamping talent. With a style all her own, each and every one of her creations are beautifully embellished and perfectly executed. We just know you're going to love her as much as we do!

It was "love at first sight" when Laurie was first introduced to rubber stamping eleven years ago. Although card making is her primary focus, she also enjoys scrapbooking and altering 3-D items. Even though her style varies, you can always count on seeing some sort of embellishment (or two) on each creation! Laurie, along with her husband (of twelve years) and four children, currently live on a ranch outside of Dillon, Montana. When she's not stamping or helping her husband on the ranch, she also enjoys traveling, baking, & playing music.

Here's a sampling of Laurie's work with Fancy Florals.


Stamps: Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Blush DP, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Coffee Bean Brilliance, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" square punches, Cuttlebug, Jewels, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Pink taffeta ribbon


Stamps: Fancy Florals (Verve Visual), All Holidays, En Francais (Stampin' Up!
Paper: Shimmery White c.s., Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Gold Encore, Versamark
Accessories: Gold e.p., Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain, Pearl Brad, Crafter's Tool Kit, Corner Rounder punch



Stamps: Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Courtyard DP by Chatterbox, Vellum c.s.
Ink: Sky Blue and Coffee Bean Brilliance pads Accessories: Antique Copper brads, Decorative brad by Making Memories, ribbon

Fancy Florals Aged Thanks, New Products and Sales

Here's a little something I cooked up with Fancy Florals...
I started by stamping the large flower in Chocolate Chip and then used my Stamp-a-Majig to line up and stamp the center flower. I then randomly stamped the flower center and a smaller flower on the Pearlized Cream paper and sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink and then Chocolate Chip ink. This layer is sewed to a Chocolate Chip mat which I distressed with my Tonic Paper Distresser. The sentiment panel is made the same way and punched out with a Marvy Super Jumbo Scallop Oval and I freehand cut a mat of Chocolate Chip for it. The ribbon is attached through two rectangle punches I made in the sides of the sentiment panel. The background paper is from the Flirt Collection by Memory Box. Every layer on the card is Cuttlebugged with the Textile embossing folder and then lightly sanded. To make the center flower and the Many in the sentiment stand out, I applied Judikins Diamond Glaze with a paintbrush. Be sure and scroll down to see this week's new products and sales!

Supplies
Stamps: Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Pearlized Cream (Paper Accents), Flirt (Memory Box), Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Tonic Paper Distresser, Judikins Diamond Glaze, Marvy Super Jumbo Scallop Oval Punch, Chocolate Grosgrain, Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder, Sanding Block

New Products:

Click here for to visit the new Products Page.

• Making Memories Halloween 6 x 6 Paper
• DCWV Rockstar & Luxury Paper Stacks
• 23 new May Arts ribbons
• Bind-it-All Coils
• Maya Road Chipboard and Sheer Embellishments
• Heidi Swapp Jewels
• Stardust Stickles
• Tonic Paper Distresser

What's on Sale this week?

Click here for to visit the Sale Page.

• All Embellishments
• DCWV Paper
• Stardust Stickles
• Stardust Pen Set (6 packs)
• Basic Grey - Mellow, Obscure, Periphery and Recess 6 x 6 Pads
• Pearlized White Lightweight paper

Basic Grey is in the House

Just wanted to let you all know that the four new lines of Basic Grey are in stock at the Verve Store. I've been trying to carve out some time to work on the next stamp designs. In the meantime, I've got a few sales up my sleeve while I'm off designing...

What's on Sale this week?
All Basic Grey Paper
All Crate Paper Collections
And be sure to check out the SALE page for more great deals on Terrifically Tacky Tape, Stardust Pen Sets and Pearlized White Lightweight paper.

So I'll leave you with a little eye candy. Here are a few of the fabulous projects the design team has been cooking up this week with the Cosmo Cricket Gretel paper and Fancy Florals.

By Jen del Muro:


By Shannan Teubner:



By Bethany Paull:

Presenting Fancy Florals!

Verve Visual's second release, Fancy Florals is available for pre-order today!

This set is regularly priced at $22.50 but will be available during the pre-order period for just $19.95. This special pre-order price is only good through August 19th at 11:59 PM Mountain Time. Pre-orders will ship out beginning August 20.

Fancy Florals includes 28 stamps on a 6 x 9" sheet of unmounted red rubber (cushion is not included, although with the purchase of a stamp set you can get a 15% discount on EZ Mount regular or thin cling cushion). The largest stamp in the set is about 2 x 2", the flowers on the left are about 1.5 x 1.5", the ones in the 2nd column are around 1 x 1" and the ones in the third column are about 1/2" in diameter. The sentiments are about 1.5" x 1".

When I sat down to design Fancy Florals I really thought about what I think makes a good stamp set. I decided that there needed to be three basic elements.

• Include both images and sentiments so you could make an entire card or project with one set.
• Have enough variety and flexibility that not every card made with the set looks exactly the same.
• Have the types of images that appeal to all levels of stampers.

So, I thought about my favorite types of stamping and how my styles have grown through the years. I started out my stamping career with a lot of solid type images. I didn't have a lot of supplies, time or patience to sit and color every little image in. Next I discovered 2-step stamping, made INFINITELY cooler and do-able the first time someone showed me how to use a Stamp-a-majig. I loved how you could do this technique with very few supplies just by stamping off once or twice with the same color of ink to get variations of color. Next I went on a Holly Berry House medallions kick, and fell in love with intricately cut and layered designs with tons of GLITTER! Finally, I learned some watercoloring techniques and how to use Prismacolor pencils to do some great shading and coloring of line art images. So I tried to incorporate all these things into one set and Fancy Florals is what evolved. I hope you enjoy stamping with it as much as I have!

Be sure and check out the Fancy Florals Gallery to see the fabulous projects the design team has cooked up for you.