Merry & Bright

I have for you today yet another holiday card, combining two of this week's challenges.  The layout is from the Viva La Verve December 2012 week 3 sketch and the colors are from the fabulous combo that The Play Date Cafe had this week (PDCC161).   

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Riding Hood Red followed by layers of white and DP from Teresa COllins - Christmas Cottage paper pad.  The red and pink DP is from My Mind's Eye - Be Merry paper pad.  The sentiment from Verve's Ornamental Christmas set was stamped on with with Olympia Green Versamark ink, cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, and sponged with Rose Romance ink.  Rhinestones and some snowflakes cut out with Spellbinders Create-A-Flake 4 dies were used to accent the sentiment.  Finally, brads, red Divine twine, and some jingle bells were added for bling and ring!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Ornamental Christmas
Paper: White, Riding Hood Red, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Olympia Green Versafine, Rose Romance
Accessories: red rhinestones, Red Divine Twine, jingle bells, brads, red glitter brad
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, Spellbinders Create-A-Flake 4 dies

Christmas in the Heart

Another holiday card finished, combining another two weekly challenges.  Today's challenges used were the colors from The Paper Players (PP125) and this week's sketch from Mojo Monday (MOJO271).  These colors were just so fabulous, I just love the light pastel with the rich, bold red!!  I seem to be addicted to Verve's Christmas in the Air set as it keeps finding it's way back onto my desk.  

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Pool Party followed by layers of kraft and DP from Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage and My Mind's Eye - Be Merry.  The circular panels were cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies and mounted over a doilie.  The sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air was stamped on kraft in Onyx Versafine and cut out using Spellbinders Labels 1 dies.  The snowflakes were stamped with Versamark ink and accented with rhinestones.  The panel border was cut from Cherry Cobler using Spellbinders Labels 1 dies.  The scalloped border was cut from Pool Party using Spellbinders lacy squares dies.  Finally, ribbon, 10lb. twine, and aqua bells were added for bling!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Kraft, Pool Party, Cherry Cobler, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Versamark
Accessories: aqua rhinestones, ribbon, jingle bells, 10lb. twine, doilie
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, Spellbinders Labels 1 dies, Spellbinders lacy squares dies

Happy Holidays

Another holiday card finishing up two more challenges this week.  This card satisfy the Color Throwdown challenge (CTD221) colors and uses the sketch from Viva La Verve December 2012 week 1.  The sketch was designed for a square card, but I went with an A2 since I don't have any square envelopes.  However, in the end I'm not quite sure those jingle bells will fit in the envelope!  

About the Card
The base is an A2 in kraft (didn't have Crumb Cake)  followed by layers of black and DP from Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage paper pad.  The circle panel was cut out with spellbinders nestabilities circle dies and the corners on the long panel were punched with the SU large corner rounder.  The black filigre at the bottom was punched out of black using Spellbinders Fancy Tags 1 dies.  The sentiment from Verve's Santa's Helper was printed on Kraft with Onyx Versafine ink and cut out with Verve Mini Vintage oval dies.  The image was printed on white with Onyx Versafine, colored with Prismacolor pencils and Goo Gone and cut out.  The image was embellished with a red rhinestone and Xmas Red Stickles before mounting on dimensionals.  Finally, ribbon, 10lb. twine, and green jingle bells were added for bling!!

Materials 
Stamps: Verve Santa's Helper
Paper: 110lb. white, Kraft, black, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage  DP 
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: red rhinestone, Xmas Red Stickles, ribbon, 10lb. twine, jingle bells
Tools: Verve Mini Vintage Oval Dies, Spellbinder Nestabilities circles & Fancy Tags 1 dies, Prismacolor Pencils, SU large corner rounder punch

Joy

Here is another holiday card combining two different challenges, The Play Date Cafe's color challenge (#160) and the Viva La Verve December 2012 week 2 sketch.  The colors from PDC(below) were really tricky for me and I had to combine prints from two different paper pads to get the cool holiday look.  I also had some fun playing with felt and die cuts to accent that sentiment.

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Cream followed by layers of Not Quite Navy and DP from Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage paper pad and My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic "Citron" paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and distressed. The main sentiment from Verve's Glad tidings was stamped on cream with Vintage Sepia Versafine and cut out, embossed and sponged with Bordering Blue inks using Spellbinders  Labels 25 dies.  The mount was cut out of Not Quite Navy using Spellbinder Ironwork accents dies before embellishing with rhinestones.  The Snowflake was cut out of white felt using Verve's Snowflake Tidings dies before sponging with Antique linen distress ink.  The Snowflake was stamped with Bordering blue on cream and also distressed.  Buttons, 10lb. twine, seam binding and brads were added for bling!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings
Paper: Cream, Not Quite Navy, My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic "Citron" DP, Teresa COllins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Bordering Blue, Antique Linen distress ink
Accessories: rhinestones, seam binding, buttons, 10lb. twine, brads, felt
Tools: Verve Snowflake Tidings dies, Spellbinders Labels 25 dies, Spellbinders Ironwork accent dies

Goodbye iSpy

From Special Agent to Free Agent...  I'm so sad to announce that today we say goodbye to iSpy Sketches Challenges.  While this may not be much to some, this particular sketch challenge was my first real DT position.  I enjoyed all 44 of our sketches, even some, that had me pulling out hair!  In honor of our closing, I've reposted my favorite card and surprisingly, it is the very first sketch challenge card.  I was so excited to be on a DT that I worked forever to make sure this card was just right.  Thank you to challenge participants and fellow Special Agents for making iSpy just fabulous!!

About the Card

The base is a 5" square in Kraft cardstock followed by layers of black and DP from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found - Union Square paper stack.  The scalloped border was created using TCP's Big Scallop Border CutUps die.  The main image/sentiment panel was cut out of the DP with Spellbinders Nestabilities oval dies and "love" from Verve's You and I stamp set was stamped with Onyx Versafine ink.  The felt letters were cut out using Verve's I Heart U die set and sponged with black ink to darken the red color.  This panel mount was cut out of DP and embossed with Spellbinders Labels 9 dies before mounting with 3D dots.  Finally, black satin bows with heart buttons and twine were added along with some heart brads for bling!

Materials 
Stamps: Verve You and I
Paper: Kraft, Basic Black, My Mind's Eye Lost & Found - Union Square DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine  

Accessories: felt (red & black), heart brads, 3D dots, black satin ribbon, red heart buttons, twine

Tools: Spellbinders oval and Labels 9 dies, Verve I Heart U die set, TCP Big Scallop Border CutUps

Christmas

Here's another Christmas card featuring two last-minute challenges.  The sketch for the card was taken from this week's Deconstructed Sketch (#79) and the colors were taken from the current CR84FN challenge (#68).  I really enjoyed this layout as it was a big throwback for me not to use any die cuts, but choose punches to accent my sentiment.  I forgot how tough it was to stamp straight!  The colors were just fabulous to coordinate with a new MME paper pad that I picked up the other day.  

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Cream followed by layers of Gray and DP from My Mind's Eye Santa Claus paper pad.  The edges were gently sponged with Tea Dye distress ink to even out the paper designs.  The sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air was stamped on white with Onyx Versafine ink and sponged with Tea dye and Antique linen distress inks.  The corner was rounded with the SU small corner rounder punch.  Rhinestones were used to accent the quote.  The snowflake was punched out of gray with the Spellbinders Creat-A-Flake Four dies and bells and twine were used to accent.  Finally, ribbon and brads were added for more bling!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Cream, Gray, My Mind's Eye - Santa Claus DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Antique Linen  & Tea Dye distress inks
Accessories: rhinestones, burgundy ribbon, jingle bells, 10lb. twine, brads
Tools: Spellbinders Creat-A-Flake Four dies, SU Small corner rounder punch

It's the most...

Oh December...you're here!!  After a busy weekend of baking, I think I have a good chunk of the cookies made, so now it's back to making more cards!!  This card uses this week's Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO270) and Verve's Christmas in the Air stamp set.  Add some snowflakes, jingle bells and glitter and presto...one more holiday card done!!

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Lucky Limeade followed by layers of white and DP from My Mind's Eye - Be Merry paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink to help the colors blend with the DP.  The scalloped border was cut with MFT medium scallop border die and ribbon with some divine twine and jingle bells were added for bling.  The entiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air set was stamped on white with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink.  The panel was then cut out with Spellbinders Labels 14 dies and sponged with Pink Pirouette ink.  The snowflakes were cut out of Riding Hood Red and Lucklimeade paper with Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Four dies before sponging with Crystal Stickles and embellishment with crystal rhinestones.  

Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Lucky Limeade, white, Riding Hood Red, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Pink Pirouette, Antique Linen distress ink
Accessories: Crystal Stickles, crystal rhinestones, red ribbon, jingle bells, aqua Divine twine
Tools: Spellbinders Labels 14 and Creat-A-Flake Four dies, MFT medium scalloped border die

ISSC43 - Winter Wonderland

Here is my card using this week's iSpy Sketch challenge (ISSC43).  This week's sketch is inspired by this fabulous card by artist Jean Martin. I thought his sketch was just perfect for the snowflakes in Verve's Christmas in the Air set.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday this week!!

Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents! 

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Baja Breeze followed by layers of Kraft and DP from Carta Bella - Winter Fun papd pad.  The layer of Soft Sky was stamped with a sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air set using Vintage Sepia ink.  Snowflakes from the set were stamped in Baja Breeze or Creamy Caramel ink on Kraft or Baja Breeze papers.  The snowflakes were cut out using Verve's Frosty Snowflakes dies, then embellished with Crystal Stickles and rhinestones.  Seam binding and aqua bells were added as per the sketch.  The trees were stamped on DP with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink and cut out using Verve's Winter Fun dies.  They were embellished with Crystal Stickles and mounted with 3D dots.  

Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Carta Bella - Winter Fun DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Crystal Stickles, rhinestones, seam binding, aqua bells
Tools: Verve Winter Fun & Frosty Snowflakes Dies

ISSC42 - Birthday Wishes

This card was made to coordinate with a special handmade birthday gift.  The gift is a cozy winter cowl in periwinkle yarn that I knit using the GAP-tastic cowl pattern from Jen Geigley.  This was a super quick knit for any knitters out there looking for quick holiday presents.  Onto the card, the sketch from this week's iSpy Sketch challenge (ISSC41) was inspired by this beautiful card from artist Anya Schrier. I didn't have any periwinkle DP so I tried to incorporate the color in other elements of the card.  

Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents! 

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Wisteria Wonder followed by layers of black and DP from My Mind's Eye - Blush paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink, distressed, and stitched with black thread.  Striped ribbon was used for the tall panel and this was overlaid with Lilac seam binding.  The scallped border was cut out of DP using the MFT Medium Scalloped border die and was embellished with teardrop rhinestones.  The sentiment from Verve's Big Wish was stamped on white cardstock with Onyx Versafine ink and cut out and embossed with Spellbinders Labels 25 dies.  The panel was sponged with Wisteria Wonder ink and mounted over a layer of black cut out using Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3 dies.  The black layer was embellished with Bisque Liquid pearls and rhinestones.  Finally, more seam binding, twine, and a button were added for bling!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Big Wish
Paper: white, black, Wisteria Wonder, My Mind's Eye - Blush DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Wisteria Wonder, Antique Linen
Accessories: Bisque Liquid Pearls, rhinestones, seam binding, stripe ribbon, button, 10lb. twine
Tools: Spellbinders Labels 25 dies, Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3 dies, MFT Medium Scallop border die

ISSC41 - Dashing

My card featuring this week's iSpy Sketch challenge (ISSC41) also combines the inspiration of the current Runway Inspired Challenge (#23).  This week's iSpy sketch was inspired by this card by artist Chris Franco.  These were both tough challenges between the sunburst sketch pattern and the modern elements of the fashion piece.  From the fashion piece, I utilized the colors, stripes, and tried to use elements of the bag such as the pattern and the black round handles.  

Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents! 

About the Card
The base is an A2 in white followed by layers of black and DP from My Mind's Eye - Christmas paper pad. The edges were distressed and some papers were embellished with Silver and Xmas Red Stickles.  The main image from Verve's Christmas in he Air was stamped on white using Onyx Versafine and colored in with Stickles.  The panel and mount were cut out using Spellbinder's Nestabilities circle dies and rhinestones were added for bling.  White satin ribbon was used and adorned with silver bells.  The sentiment, also from Verve's Christmas in he Air, was printed on Vellum with Onyx Versafine and the edge cut with Verve's ribbon banner die.  

Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: white, black, vellum, My Mind's Eye - Christmas DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: Xmas Red and Silver Stickles, rhinestones, satin ribbon, silver bells
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle Verve Ribbon Banner Die

ISSC40 - Give Thanks

This is my card featuring this week's iSpy sketch (ISSC40).  This sketch was inspired by this fabulous card from artist Julie H. I really loved the woven paneling with the ribbon, but when it came down to it, I just couldn't make it work as well as the original so I settled with a plaid paper.  I also combined this week's sketch with this week's Play Date Cafe colors (#156).  These colors were just perfect for a simple harvest card.  

Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents! 

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Mellow Moss followed by layers of Early Espresso and DP from and DP from FarmHouse - Sugar Hill paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Walnut Stain distress ink, distressed, and stitched with natural thread.  Fiber and satins ribbons were added as per the sketch, as well as a rich bow with button and tweine treatment.  The main image was stamped on DP with Walnut Stain ink and paper pierced with a different DP for the pumpkins.  The panels were sponged with Walnut Stain ink and cut out with Spellbinders Labels 4 dies.  Thesentiment from Verve's Tall Oaks was also printed on DP with Walnut STain ink and cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies.  Edges were sponged and rhinestones were added for bling!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Tall Oaks
Paper: Early Espresso, Mellow Moss, FarmHouse - Sugar Hill DP
Ink: Walnut Stain distress ink
Accessories: 10lb. twine, wooden button, rhinestones, satin ribbon, fiber ribbon
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle and Labels 4 dies, sewing machine 

Christmas Delivery

Finally all done with the October Viva la Verve sketches!!  This card uses sketch #5 and the adorable Santa's Helper stamp set.  This guy is just so cute, I had to color his up for this simple sketch.  

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Riding Hood Red followed by layers of kraft and DP from Simple Stories - Handmade Holiday paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink, distressed, and stitched with natural thread.  The main image was printed on 110lb. white and colored with Prismacolor pencils.  Xmas Red Stickles were used for the nose and a 3mm rhinestone was used to accent the hat.  The sentiment was stamped in Onyx Versafine on white and cut out using Verve's Ribbon Banner die.  The image was mounted over a Rosette made from DP using TCP's Easy Rosette CutUps.  This was mounted over Riding Hood Red  cut out with Spellbinders lacy circles dies and accented with Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls.  Finally, brads were added for some more bling!!

Materials 
Stamps: Verve Santa's Helper
Paper: 110lb. white, Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Simple Stories - Handmade Holiday  DP 
Ink: Antique Linen distress ink, Onyx Versafine
Accessories: brads, red rhinestone, Xmas Red Stickles, Platinum Pearl Liquid Pearls
Tools: TCP Easy Rosette CutUps, Spellbinder lacy circles dies, Verve Ribbon Banner die, Prismacolor Pencils, sewing machine

ISSC39 - Happy Birthday

October 31st is not just Halloween in my family, it's also my dad's birthday.  For him, I fashioned a special birthday card using this week's iSpy Sketch (ISSC39).  The sketch was inspired by this awesome card by artist . I really love the Birthday to You PJ stamp from Verve as it is such a great "guy" stamp.  combined with some plaid, twine, and distressing and we have a birthday card fit for any man!!  

Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents! 

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Really Rust followed by layers of River Rock and DP from My Mind's Eye - Darling Dear paper pad.  The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and distressed.  Brads were added to accent.  The sentiment, Verve's Birthday to You PJ, was stamped on white with Really Rust and Sage Shadow inks.  The border from Verve's Treasured Words was stamped in River Rock and the panel was cut out using Verve's Rounded Rectangle die.  The panel was distressed with Antique Linen distress ink and grommets and 20lb. twine were added to accent.  

Materials
Stamps: Verve Birthday to You PJ, Verve Treasured Words
Paper: Really Rust, River Rock, My Mind's Eye - Darling Dear DP

Ink: Antique Linen, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, River Rock

Accessories: Verve Rounded Rectangle Die, 20lb. twine, brads, grommets

Joy

I'm finally all caught up with this month's Viva la Verve sketches.  This card uses the sketch from week #2 (below).  To pair some more inspiration with this fabulous sketch, I decided to try the current Runway Inspired Challenge fashion piece (RIC22) (below).  I really loved the neutral tones combined with the bold stripes of the outfit, so I tried to incorporate those into the card.

About the Card
The base is an A2 in kraft followed by layers of Riding Hood Red and DP from Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage paper pad.  The images from Verve's Glad Tidings were printed onto kraft using Fired Brick distress ink and cut out by hand or using Verve's Snowflake Tidings dies.  They were further embellished with red rhinestones.  The sentiment, also from Verve's Glad Tididngs, was stamped on DP and cut out with Verve's Mini Vintage Oval dies.  Brads and some rich satin ribbon were added for bling!!

Materials 
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings
Paper: Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage  DP 
Ink: Fired Brick distress ink
Accessories: dimensionals, brads, red rhinestones, satin ribbon
Tools: Verve Snowflake Tidings & Mini Vintage Oval dies

Happy Haunting

Another card down using this month's Viva la Verve sketches!!  This card features the sketch from week #4 (below).  A couple years ago I saw some white pumpkin Halloween decorations on the Martha Stewart website.  Lately, I have noticed a surge in white pumpkins at the local farm stands.  These super cute squashes along with The Ribbon Carousel's Halloween Spirit Challenge (RCC73) were the inspiration for this card, hoping to switch up the conventional!!


Mmm...pumpkin:

About the Card
The base is an A2 in Cream followed by layers of black and DP from Authentique - Enchanted paper pad.  The edges were sponged wit black soot distress ink, distressed, and stitched with black thread.  The main image from Verve's Boo to You was paper pierced using DP and Onyx Versafine ink.  The panel was cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, embossed, and sponged with Pumpkin Pie ink.  The mount was cut from black cardstock using Spellbinders big scalloped circle dies.  3mm black rhinestones were added to accent.  The sentiment was printed on 5/8" black satin ribbon using Whisper White craft ink.  Black 10lb. twine and an ornamental brad were added for bling!!

Materials
Stamps: Verve Boo to You
Paper: Cream, Black, Authentique - Enchanted DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White craft ink, Black Soot distress ink 
Accessories: 3mm black rhinestones, ribbon, ornamental brad, black 10lb. twine, black brads
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circleand big scalloped circle dies, Verve Pennant Trim die, sewing machine