I Made A Wish...

For all of us that have found our one true love (and I'm not talking about stamping here!), I think that we can in someway relate to this sentiment. This is one of my favorite sentiments of all time and I wanted to find the perfect project to use it one. What's better than telling someone how important they are to you, especially at Christmas?


I made this ornament as a keepsake that we can hang on our tree each year. I started with a clear top tin from Oriental Trading Co. Now, these are not the top quality tins that you purchase from Specialty Bottle, but are perfect for this type of projects. I lined the bottom of the inside of the tin with yummy American Crafts paper. The edges of the inside are lined with SU! Basic Black cardstock. I stamped the sentiment on a piece of SU! Whisper White cardstock and then punched it out with the scallop heart punch {the Marvy yellow one}. The heart panel is on dimensional glue dots and the lid is glued on with Crystal Effects. To finish off the project, I wrapped black twill around the tin (attached with red liner tape) and then attached the black twill bow with hot glue.

Six Super Sets & A Surprise!

The newest Verve Visual release is only a few days away, and are you in for big treats. As our fearless leader Julee mentioned on her blog last week, the upcoming stamps are going to be released in the highest quality CLEAR photopolymer! Even more exciting, there are going to be six stamp sets released this time around.

Four are going to be sets of fun versatile phrases which, much like Thoughtful Phrases, will fit in the SU word window punch and will sell for the bargain price of only $6 per set. There are a few sneak peeks of these on Julee's blog already and we'll feature more sneaks here, too! Purchase several -- they'll make perfect stocking stuffers for your favorite stampers.

The remaining two sets to be released on Monday are updates to existing sets with some new graphics/sentiments and, of course, made from the clear material. Today's card features a new sentiment in the Wonderful Wishes Remixed set, "I see greatness in you". This is great for so many situations in one's life... encouragement as a teen heads off to college, a sister reeling from a broken relationship, or a husband heading to a job interview.

Supply List:
Stamps: Wonderful Wishes Remixed (Verve Visual)
Ink: Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Paper: Cowboy Collection (Crate Paper)
Accessories: Stars #2 Die (Sizzix), generic chipboard

In addition to six new stamp sets, there's another surprise that'll be hitting the Verve Visual Store on Monday the 10th: a new paper company! This particular paper is one of my VERY very favorites to work with. Its texture is so yummy! There is at least one sample in the gallery already using it... can you guess who it is? Check back on the 10th to find out!

You don't have to wait, however, to check out the new Webster's Pages Parlor Collection. That's available right now.

Happy Stamping!

-- edited for stamp set name correction.

A "Gift" Card?

To be more precise, a card with a gift. This is a slight variation of a card design I came up with a while back. That circle element, with the sentiment, actually comes off the card and is a bookmark. Too cute, huh? I'm a fairly avid reader, and this style of bookmark is awesome. It has magnets inside so that it doesn't fall out of the book. That's especially nice if you're reading while traveling.

So, here's how you do it:

1. Stamp the circle frame and sentiment from Wonderful Wishes and the stars from Starlight Starbright. Punch with 1-3/8 inch circle punch.

2. Cut two layers of scalloped circles. I used the Nestabilites scalloped circle dies measuring approximately 1-5/8 and 2-1/8 inches.
3. Cut the folded circular piece you see above. The widest part of this circle must fit through the word window punch. This will be important later! I again used a Nestablity die measuring about 1-5/8 inches. To make this cut: Use a folded piece of card stock and position the die so a small portion lays over the fold.
4. Now glue all the pieces together to make the bookmark.
5. Add magnets to the back of the bookmark, making sure they are going to stick to each other properly. I just used some from one of those magnet rolls available at office supply stores. I would suggest Basic Grey magnetic snaps for a neater look, if you'd like.
6. Design your card front as desired, punching a hole with the Word Window punch where you will insert your bookmark. Insert the bookmark. No adhesive is needed, as the magnets will hold it in place, also allowing your recipient to remove the bookmark later. NOW, with the bookmark in place, glue your card front to the card base. This will make sure it's not too tight to fit the bookmark into place.

A Note: The black embellishments on my card are dots of Crystal Effects covered while wet with black glitter.

Recipe:

Stamps: Starlight Starbright, Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual)

Paper: Pearlized white (Paper Accents); Magnolia (My Mind's Eye) used front and back; white (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Tempting turquoise, old olive (Stampin' Up!); Onyx black (Versafine)

Accessories: Black grosgrain ribbon, Word window punch, Crystal Effects, circle punch (Stampin' Up!); Nestabilities dies (Spellbinder); Cuttlebug, scalloped scissors (ProvoCraft); black thread and sewing machine, magnets, black glitter

Lots of Wishes...

I cannot tell you in words how much fun I have had with the 2 latest releases. I truly believe that the star set fills a void in the world of stamping. Stars are hot right now and it's really hard to find a set, or even a single star stamp for that matter, that just rocks. So here I am raising my glass to Julee for creating the star set! Thanks Julee!
In addition to Starlight Starbright, Wonderful Wishes also came out on the 10th of November. This set, too, has been fun to play with. I like how it covers all of the wishes...wedding wishes, birthday wishes, holiday wishes...etc. It's like you dropped your penny into a wishing well and this set came true. Wow, that was cheesy, huh??...but true!!
Anywhooo...I'll wrap up my yip yap about how wonderful I think these stamps are and just show you why...

This is a card and tag set that I created by combining Starlight Starbright and Wonderful Wishes. I left some room on the tag under the sentiment for someone's name to be written on it.


Next up I have a card using last week's Mojo Monday sketch (and you thought I didn't do it!). This card also combines the two sets. As proven time and time again, red on red does not photograph well, but if you look closely, there are red stars stamped on the red paper.


Love these sets and are still haven't ordered? Check out the VERVE STORE. Or...you can try for a chance to win some Verve stamps over at my blog... www.iheart2stamp.com GOOD LUCK!

Life's Greatest Comforts

Are you all having fun playing with your new Verve sets? I am just loving mine...the versatility of the sentiments is awesome!! I can make any "old" set "new" again...just by adding a fun new sentiment!


Anyone that knows me very well, knows that I adore cupcakes! They are just the funnest things! So, when I saw this stamp in the new Wonderful Wishes set...I thought it would be so cute paired with sweets of some kind (chocolate, cupcakes etc.)! Isn't that truly one of life's greatest comforts?? :-)

I stamped the cupcake holder onto Shimmery white c.s. then used my rectangle Nestabilites to emboss and cut out the layers. I colored the cupcakes with markers and added Stickles to the "frosting". I stamped the oval frame (included in the Wonderful Wishes set) onto Shimmery white c.s. and trimmed it just on the inside of the frame. I then layered it onto a piece of sage paper that I had also stamped the oval frame onto and trimmed that out.

Keep checking back for more fun ideas using Verve's newest releases (Wonderful Wishes & Starlight Starbright)! Have a great day! ~Laurie
Stamps: Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual), Party Time (A Muse), Short & Sweet (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Shimmery white c.s., River Rock (Stampin' Up!), Patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: River Rock, Sage Shadow marker, Real Red marker (Stampin' Up!), Stazon Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Frosted Lace Stickles (Ranger), brads (Queen & Co.), Nestabilites (Spellbinders), Pearl, Ribbon (Micheal's Dollar spot)

3x3 Gift Box by Shannan Teubner

EDITED TO ADD: I finally found it!!! Here is the link to Amy's template.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hopefully you're starting to get your new Verve sets and are ready to get rockin with them! When you do, please post links to your stuff...we'd all love to see them!


Today I'd like to share a quick little project that is a perfect little stocking stuffer, teacher gift, or just a little something for someone special, and it was so easy to make! I used my Wonderful Wishes set to make a set of 6 Love Notes (3"x3" cards) and a little box to hold them. When I finished this project, my 7 year old son said, "Mom, can you make one of those for my teacher so I can give it to her?" What a sweet boy. I've trained him well. ;)


This is a closer picture of the box. I used a pattern from Splitcoast by Amy Allan, I'll post a link here when I find the original post.

I stamped all over a piece of Papertrey White cardstock with the large & small bursts from Fancy Florals in Groovy Guava and Certainly Celery. The top of the box is covered with Arctic Frog patterned paper, and I used my corner rounder to make the edges scalloped in the front. To keep it closed, I used small Basic Grey magnets, and added some primas to the front.









These are the cards that fit inside, along with envelopes for each one. I used the Marvy Extra Jumbo Scalloped Oval and Circle punches, and they worked perfectly with the frames in Wonderful Wishes. So easy! I also layered the oval onto the larger size (Super Jumbo?) the blue one.






I found it VERY important to use my Stampamajig when lining up the sentiments inside the frames. I tried so many times, but I just couldn't do it without that thing.

Again, I promise to come back later when I have time to find that template...you'll love it! I hope you enjoy your sets...happy stamping!!




Stamps: Wonderful Wishes, Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir (Stewart Superior), Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery (Stampin Up)
Paper: Papertrey White Cardstock, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Groovy Guava, Arctic Frog Sunday Brunch Collection
Accessories: Marvy Scalloped Punches, Ribbon (Stampin Up & Offray), Corner Rounder, Sakura Black & White Glaze Pens, Stampamajig, Brads (Joann's), Primas, Basic Grey Magnets

Sneak Peek: Versatility Abounds

No matter the size of my stamp collection, I've always been drawn to stamp sets that are full of versatility. If you're like me, you'll love and appreciate both Verve Visual stamp sets that are set to debut 48 hours from now.

There are now eight short weeks until Christmas, and I'm still in holiday mode. This card was made using only one rubber stamp -- a sentiment from the brand new Wonderful Wishes set. What makes it so usable?
* It has FOURTEEN sentiments that can be used for any occasion (or no occasion at all)
* There are three great border stamps to frame your greeting or other small image

I'll definitely be keeping this stamp set in a very handy place in my stamping area because I plan on reaching for it often.

Title: Holiday Tree by Kim Ross
Stamp: Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual)
Paper: Be Good (Cosmo Cricket), Bling Cardstock (Bazzill), Chartreuse Card & Cream Scallop Panel from the Yours Truly collection (Archiver's)
Ink: Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Small Star Squeeze Punch (Fiskars), Sponge, Stippling Brush

This next card combines the oval frame from Wonderful Wishes with the fun stars and one of the sentiments from Starlight Starbright. The oval frame fits very nicely with the yellow Extra Jumbo Oval Scallop Punch from Marvy, which I purchased yesterday thanks to Shannan's hot tip. She said that the yellow circle scallop punch works with the set's circle frame, too! (See? More built-in versatility!)

Starlight Starbright includes a bunch of fun star and shooting star-type shapes, and these can be seen on the upper panel of this card. And with eleven coordinating sentiments, this set can be used all year 'round.

Title: Beaming Stars by Kim Ross
Stamps: Starlight Starbright & Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual)
Paper: Cowboy Collection (Crate Paper)
Ink: Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk (ClearSnap), VersaFine Vintage Sepia (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Ghost Shape Star (Heidi Swapp), Calabaza Orange Pinata Ink (Jaquard Products), Chipboard Shape (Making Memories), Extra Jumbo Scalloped Oval Punch (Marvy Uchida)

Be sure to return tomorrow to catch Bethany's sneak peek. Her post is bound to get your creative juices flowing! And then Friday is the big day... we'll have the new sets available for sale plus Julee will be introducing you to our newest guest designers. Their work is going to knock your socks off!

When you're shopping on Friday, don't forget to consider Christmas gifts for your stamping friends. Who among us wouldn't squeal with delight to find one or more of these great sets wrapped up for us under our Christmas tree?

Happy Stamping!
Kim R.