...TGF October Release Preview ~ Meet Vivi

This is another preview of one of the stamps being release tomorrow, October 1st, by The Greeting Farm. Meet Vivi, the latest addition to the TGF Sprout family! I wanted to showcase her with some of the new patterned paper that will also be available to purchase. The sentiment is from the set that I previewed yesterday, Keep Cozy.

Would you like to see more of this stamp, or even one of the other stamps being released tomorrow? If so, you'll want to run by the other DT's blogs and check them out:

• Jessica Diedrich (DT Coordinator)
• Cindy Haffner (TGF Farmer)
• Kadie Ensley (TGF Farmer)
• Lisa Futch (TGF Fall Gardener)
• Sandra MacLean (TGF Fall Gardener)
• Lynda Nielsen (TGF Fall Gardener)
• Cheryl Walker (TFG Farmer)

That's it for me today! Would you like to win one or more of these wonderful new stamps/sets? Then you will not want to miss the BLOG HOP tomorrow starting at 9 p.m. EST at The Greeting Farm Blog, so come and join us!

Supplies

Stamps: Vivi, Keep Cozy (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Watercolor, Patterned Paper

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Melon Mambo, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Bashful Blue, Basic Gray

Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, oval punches, ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals

...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #41 (MTSC41)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's time for another sketch challenge...are you ready for it? This post will be a bit longer than normal, because I am previewing one of the new stamp sets from The Greeting Farm (TGF) that will be coming out on October 1st. I will show Suzy's sample first this week, then add the details concerning TGF below my sample. Please be sure to read all the way down, because I will be linking the TGF design team with my card...but the Muses will be linked further down.

Here's this week's Tuesday Sketch #41:

Suzy's Sample:

My Sample:This is my preview for the new stamp set, Keep Cozy, from The Greeting Farm. This set has three of the cutest snowmen you have ever seen, and several sentiments to boot! I watercolored one of the snowmen, then used the snowflake image from the set to create my very own coordinating patterned paper. I combined Kraft Cardstock, Rose Red Cardstock, Baja Breeze Cardstock, and some patterned paper from the Signature Christmas paper pad from My Mind's Eye. I added stitching, piercing, stickles, a felt snowflake, a button, and a bit of "punchiness" with a Martha Stewart border punch. Would you like to see more previews of this set, or even one of the other sets being released? If so, you'll want to run by the other design members' blogs and check them out:

• Jessica Diedrich (DT Coordinator)...she is one of my Muses
• Cindy Haffner (TGF Farmer)...and she is also one of my Muses
• Kadie Ensley (TGF Farmer)
• Lisa Futch (Fall Gardener)
• Sandra MacLean (Fall Gardener)
• Lynda Nielsen (Fall Gardener)
• Cheryl Walker (TGF Farmer)

Now I know the Muses are excited about sharing their sketch samples with you, so let's see what they have in store for you (be sure to click on Jessica's and Cindy's links above):

• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Shannan Teubner
• Suzy Tyler (September Guest Muse)

And now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation below in Mister Linky. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC41 when uploading to a public gallery. I will be checking out and commenting on every submission, so don't be surprised if I contact you about being a guest designer for an entire month of Tuesdays!

Happy Stamping!!!

...Farm Fresh Friday Sketch

Once again...no time to stamp again today, but I luckily had another card ready to share just in case! This is actually my submission for this last week's Farm Fresh Friday Challenge at The Greeting Farm Blog. Cindy Haffner was the master-mind behind this sketch, so you know I loved it as soon as I saw it! I decided to use one of the images from the TGF set "My Guy Ian", because it reminded me of my youngest son. Gabriel, my thirteen year-old, dresses just like this Ian image, and the hair is an exact match as well! I colored him with Copic Sketch Markers, then cut him out in order to *pop* him up off of the focal panel. I used patterned papers from a couple of different packs: the striped and checked pieces were from the Maine Blueberry Designer Series Paper pack, and the polka-dotted one was from the Old Olive Designer Series Paper pack. I added some paper piercing and Silver Brads to complete the card.

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with another installment of Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge...so come by and play along! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: My Guy Ian (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Maine Blueberry DSP, Old Olive DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft Ink

Accessories: copics, clear embossing powder, heat gun, scissors, dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, brads

...Crazy 4 Birthdays

This is my submission for Saturday's Crazy 4 Challenges sketch challenge issued by Cindy Haffner...boy, can this lady create some gorgeous sketch layouts! I loved the fact that I was able to showcase some wonderfully beautiful My Mind's Eye patterned paper from the Penny Lane collection. The layout made it so easy to create a clean and simple card that could be mass-produced in no time flat, too! The sentiment and flower were from Verve's "Wishful Elegance" set, and I paired Almost Amethyst and Riding Hood Red Cardstocks to bring out the colors in the patterned papers. I added some paper piercing and Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon to finish off the card.

As you all know, we have a new fur baby...and she has totally affected my sleep cycle! She has done so well as to not use the potty in the house, but she has my stamping schedule all up in the air! Instead of stamping, I am having to watch this little fur ball to make sure she isn't getting into trouble...and I swear it's like having another child in the house! I forgot all about making a sample for the C4C Saturday challenge to share along with the rest of the design team, but I did finally make one Saturday while I was stamping at Pam Varnell's house. Sorry for slacking, ladies...but it sure did feel good to sleep on and off all day Friday. Getting up in the middle of the night to let the puppy out is killing me...it's a good thing she's cute! LOL!

That's it for now! I will be working on a card for Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge for today...if the pup allows me some time to create. Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here in a little while! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Wishful Elegance (Verve)

Papers: Almost Amethyst, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Watercolor, Penny Lane DP (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Almost Amethyst

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, ribbon, aquapainter, clear embossing powder, heat gun, scissors, dimensionals

...Viva La Verve Sketch Card

This is my submission for the Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge from Friday at the Verve Forum at SCS. The twist for this week was to use specialty papers, so I used the new Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper on my card. The flourish on the red patterned paper is actually fuzzy and textured, and the stripes are glittery on the other piece of patterned paper. I used the flowers and sentiment from the Verve set "Because Of You", and added some ribbon from the Mistletoe Ribbon Collection to complete the card.

That's it for me today! I am completely worn out, and in dire need of a nap...so I will be headed to the bedroom for a few quick z's. Thanks for coming by to see me today, and I will see you tomorrow with a card for the Mojo Sketch, and a card for the C4C challenge from yesterday. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Because Of You (Verve)

Papers: Soft Suede, Real Red, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP

Inks: Real Red, Soft Suede

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, circle nesties, big shot, red-line tape

...Fall and Winter

This first card was one that I made to upload into the Verve Gallery during the release of the new September stamps. I stamped the I Chronicles 16:34 Plain Jane in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder on the Tangerine Tango Cardstock base. I used the patterned papers from My Mind's Eye Out & About collection, then ran them through the Sizzix Big Shot with the Top Note Die. I cut the outer edge from the papers, then cut a piece of Chocolate Chip Cardstock with the same die to use as a mat. I attached the finished panel to the base, then tied a piece of Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon around it after three Antique Brass Brads were added to the upper left-hand side. If you can't tell...I LURVE me some VERVE! LOL!

This last card is my submission for last Friday's Weekend Sketch Challenge #98 at Beate John's blog. I used one of the new sets from Our Craft Lounge called Snow Place Like Home along with some patterned papers from My Mind's Eye Penny Lane collection. The two papers were stitched together using the Janome Mini Sewing Machine, and the edges were pierced with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. The penguin, tree, and sentiment were stamped in Basic Black Craft Ink, then they were embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I colored the tree with an Aquapainter and Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pads. The ground on the focal panel was sponged with a Sponge Dauber and Baja Breeze Classic Pad, then Icicle Stickles were added the tree and over the ground. A Baja Breeze Corduroy Button and Linen Thread were added as the circle element to finish off the card.

That's it for me today! We have a new eight-week-old Chocolate Lab fur baby as of last night, so it is up to me to get her house-broken. She has been a total doll...no whining or whimpering, but I swear it is like having a new baby in the house! LOL! Every little move she makes wakes me up. So needless to say, I didn't sleep very well last night...so while Maggie and her daddy take a nap I think I'll lie down and take one myself! Here's a picture of Maggie-May for you all the "ooooo" and "aaahhh" over! :)

Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and I will be back here tomorrow with another creation...and maybe some more Maggie pictures, too! Until then...

Supplies

"Give Thanks" Card

Stamps: I Chronicles 16:34 (Verve)

Papers: Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Out & About DP(My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Chocolate Chip Craft Ink

Accessories: big shot, top note die, ribbon, brads, scissors, clear embossing powder, heat gun, mat pack, paper piercer

"Snow Place Like Home" Card

Stamps: Snow Place Like Home (Our Craft Lounge)

Papers: Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Penny Lane DP (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Basic Black Craft Ink, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, sewing machine, thread, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, scissors, sponge dauber, stickles, button, linen thread

...New Digi Image From TGF

This is my submission for today's Sketch Challenge #247 at SCS. I used one of the new Holiday Digi Images from The Greeting Farm that will be available October 1st. TGF is welcoming aboard the freelance artist and super-talented illustrator, Marina Neira. She has created a barrel of goodies for everyone to enjoy this holiday season! This cute little mouse is Penny Witch! She was printed onto white cardstock, then colored with Copic Sketch Markers. I used Pumpkin Pie Cardstock along with some patterned paper from the Sweet & Sassy Paper Pack from The Paper Studio. The edges of the striped panel and focal panel were pierced using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, then I added a piece of Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon and Silver Brads to complete the card.

That's it for today! Don't forget to check out the new releases from The Greeting Farm on October 1st...you will NOT be disappointed! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you all again tomorrow. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Penny Witch Digital Image (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Sweet & Sassy (The Paper Studio)

Inks: None

Accessories: copics, mat pack, paper piercer, brads, ribbon, dimensionals, printer

...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #40 (MTSC40)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's time for another sketch challenge, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for taking part in last week's challenge! I also want to thank you so much for making my Tuesday sketches such a success...you guys ROCK!

Now for this week's Tuesday Sketch #40:


My Sample:


Suzy Tyler's Sample:

It's been a crazy weekend for some of the ladies (myself included), and some of the samples may not be ready until a little later. But do not fear...you will be blown away when they post them! So let's go see what the Muses have in store for us today. :

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Shannan Teubner
• Suzy Tyler (September Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation below in Mister Linky. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC40 when uploading to a public gallery. I will be checking out and commenting on every submission, so don't be surprised if I contact you about being a guest designer for an entire month of Tuesdays!

Happy Stamping!!!

...Chill Out

This is my submission for Amy Rysavy's Sketch #7 from Friday. I used one of the images and a sentiment from the new My Guy Ian set from The Greeting Farm along with some patterned paper from the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper pack. I sponged the ground with a Sponge Dauber, then colored the image with Copic Sketch Markers. The only embellishments used were Brads, Striped Ribbon, a Button, and Linen Thread. So what do you think?

That's it for me today! I have been busy cleaning house and washing clothes, so I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and work with the Mojo Sketch yet. I will be back here tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge, though...so be sure to come back by and join us!

Supplies

Stamps: My Guy Ian (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, More Mustard, Autumn Traditions DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Always Artichoke

Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, dimensionals, brads, ribbon, button, linen thread, mat pack, paper piercer, scissors, copics

...Halloween Sketch Card

This is my card for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge #246, and Friday's Limited Sketch Challenge #238 at SCS. I flipped the sketch (shocker, I know! LOL) 90 degrees to the left, and used one of the new Halloween stamp sets from Stampendous called Costume Kids. I knew I had to have that set as soon as I saw it on my last trip to Archiver's! I watercolored the precious image with an Aquapainter, then decided to use some patterned paper from the retired Ghostly Greetings Designer Series Paper pack. I added a little paper piercing along with a piece of Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon, an Orange Button from the Sherbet Designer Button collection, and some Linen Thread to complete the card.

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you again later today with a card for the Mojo Monday Sketch. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Costume Kids (Stampendous)

Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Ghostly Greetings DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Kiwi Kiss, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, circle punches (1", 1-1/4", 1-3/8"), kiwi kiss striped ribbon, orange button (sherbet designer button collection), linen thread

...Challenge Cards

I am still in the mountains with these crazy and hilarious women, but I wanted to go ahead and pre-post something for you guys to look at today. I attended my first Verve Release Party as an official Diva, and I got the opportunity to share these two brand-spankin' new cards that I've made since we got to the stamping retreat.
This first card is for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #99 from Thursday. I used some patterned paper from the Laundry Line series from My Mind's Eye, and some Melon Mambo and Sage Shadow Cardstock. The images were from the new Verve set Harvest Blessings, and the leaves and sentiment were embossed on Kraft Cardstock. I added the berries in Melon Mambo for a bit of contrast. The button was actually a Clear Button that was covered with Sage Shadow Craft Ink, then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. It actually looks marbled up close, and I love the way it turned out.

This last card was for Friday's Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge found at the Verve Forum at SCS. The twist for this week's sketch was to use black and white. I stamped the bird and sentiment from Verve's new set, Swan Song, in Basic Black Craft Ink, then embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder. The patterned papers were from The Paper Studio's Black & White collection, and the only embellishments used were brads and a piece of Black Ribbon.

On a sadder note, I received news Friday that a dear and faithful friend of our family had passed away suddenly. His family and friends are devastated, and would deeply appreciate your prayers and thoughts at this time. He will be sorely missed, but his eternal effect on my life and the lives of those who knew him will never be forgotten...I love you and will miss you, Lanny!

Supplies

"Autumn Wishes" Card

Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve)

Papers: Sage Shadow, Melon Mambo, Kraft, Laundry Line (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Sage Shadow Craft, So Saffron Craft, Melon Mambo

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, brads, ribbon, button, linen thread, clear embossing powder, heat gun, scissors

"Song In My Heart" Card

Stamps: Swan Song (Verve)

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Black & White (The Paper Studio)

Inks: Basic Black Craft

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, clear embossing powder, brads, ribbon, dimensionals

...Crazy 4 Harvest Thanks

Happy Saturday, everyone! Are you all ready for another wonderful sketch challenge from Ms. Cindy Haffner this week at the Crazy 4 Challenges blog? If so, you are definitely in the right place! We have had such an amazing turnout for the last two challenges, and I personally want to thank you for making this new challenge site a HUGE success! I have had so much fun working with amazing women of this design team, and I know you all are enjoying their fantabulous samples each week, too! I'm sure they will not disappoint this week as well...so go check them out, and give them some love:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by to see me...I am actually in the mountains at a stamping retreat with my friends Pam Varnell, Jessica Diedrich, and Jessie Rone. Pam and I have been dying to get together with these wonderful ladies to meet them in person...and why not do some stamping while we're at it, too?!? LOL! I will not be getting back home until later tomorrow, so there may or may not be a post up on Sunday. I should have plenty to share with you all next week though, so you will definitely want to check back in! Now hop on over to C4C, and join us in this amazing sketch challenge!

Supplies

Stamps: I Chronicles 16:34 Plain Jane, Harvest Blessings (Verve)

Papers: Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla, Autumn Harvest DSP

Inks: Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip Craft, VersaMark

Accessories: dimensionals, distressed stripes cuttlebug embossing folder, sizzix big shot, mat pack, paper piercer, scissors, clear embossing powder, heat gun, corduroy brads, felt ribbon

...Verve September Sneak Peeks ~ Day Three

It's day three of the new September Release of Verve stamps coming out tomorrow...what do you think so far? I hope you have been enjoying yourself, because I have two more sets to showcase today!

This card was made using the elements from the set Harvest Blessings. I used four images from the set to create this card: the wreath, the individual berry (on both the wreath and the background paper), the sentiment, and the small bough on the patterned paper (from the retired Spring Break Designer Series Paper pack). I used the color combo Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White. The only embellishments used were Silver Brads, and Rich Razzleberry Dotted Ribbon.

This card was created using the new set Happiness Found. The sentiment was stamped and embossed on the Whisper White Cardstock while the leaves were stamped in Classic Ink (Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, and Bermuda Bay). I cut the card base and focal panel with my Spellbinders' Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities, and I also embossed both. The only embellishment I used was an orange button from the Sherbet Designer Button collection with some Linen Thread.

That's it for today! If you're loving the stamps you've seen so far, then you definitely need to be ready for the official release Verve after the Release Party on Friday, September 18 @ 9:00 p.m EST! Verve will be releasing 6 new sets and a scripture Plain Jane immediately following the . The Divas will also be sharing sneak peeks (and a giveaway) at the Verve Blog, and also on their individual blogs. There are also some Release Week Challenges at the Verve Forum
that you can play along with for a chance to win some FREE STAMPS. Until tomorrow...

Supplies

"Harvest Blessings" Card

Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve)

Papers: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Watercolor, Spring Break DSP

Inks: Old Olive (Craft and Classic), Rich Razzleberry, VersaMark

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, brads, ribbon, dimensionals, nesties, big shot, clear ep, heat gun, aquapainter, scissors

"Happiness Found" Card

Stamps: Happiness Found (Verve)

Papers: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Inks: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark

Accessories: nesties, big shot, clear ep, heat gun, dimensionals, button, linen thread, mini glue dot

...Verve September Sneak Peeks ~ Day Two

I am still in awe at the talent that is Julee Tilman! I can't believe that she can take a simple geometric shape like a star, and make it look like a million bucks...but she's done it again! These next two sets feature some new and some revamped stars along with some new coordinating phrases. Ready to see what I'm talking about?
This first card showcases the new set, Starstruck. I have a habit of sitting down as soon as I get these amazing stamp sets, and drawing up card sketches that I want to use for each and every one. As soon as I saw these amazing star images I knew that I wanted to create a clean and simple card with colors that popped...so what do you think of the final result? You all know that I am a "watercoloring fool", and so this card is no different! I colored the star with an Aquapainter and Classic Ink Pads, then added some Crystal Stickles for a little sparkle. I also accentuated a piece of patterned paper from the Jackpot Designer Series Paper pack with a smaller star from the same set to create my very own coordinating paper. I am loving the result, people! LOL!

This last card was so fun to make! I knew I wanted to make something bright and girly when I sat down to draw up a card sketch for the new You Rock set. I also wanted to make a longer card than normal, so this is what I came up with. I stamped the large start on the Melon Mambo Cardstock base in the same color, then added two horizontal stripes with Brilliant Blue and Green Galore Cardstock. I wanted to add a scallop, but the simple scallop didn't look right. I dug out one of my Fiskars border punches instead, and it worked perfectly...I love the stark white against the mambo and blue! The sentiment and star were stamped in craft ink, then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. The star was cut out, and popped off the card base using Dimensionals. I added some Bright Pink Kaiser Rhinestones to the flourish on the focal panel, and finished off the card with some paper piercing and dotted ribbon.

That's it for me today! If you are loving these Verve stamps, then you don't need to miss the Release Party this Friday, September 18 @ 9:00 p.m. EST at the Verve Forum. This month Verve is releasing 6 new sets and a scripture Plain Jane immediately following the party. The Divas will be sharing sneak peeks for the rest of the week at the Verve Blog, and also on their individual blogs. Would you like a chance to win some FREE STAMPS?!? Then hop over, and join in the Release Week Challenges issued by several of the Divas!

Supplies

"Be The Star" Card

Stamps: Starstruck (Verve)

Papers: Kraft, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Watercolor, Jackpot DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Real Red, Sahara Sand

Accessories: clear ep, heat gun, aquapainter, mat pack, paper piercer, nesties, big shot, brads, photo corner punch, stickles, scissors, dimensionals

"You Rock" Card

Stamps: You Rock (Verve)

Papers: Melon Mambo, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Whisper White

Inks: Brilliant Blue Craft, Melon Mambo, VersaMark

Accessories: fiskars border punch, mat pack, paper piercer, ribbon, rhinestones, clear ep, heat gun, dimensionals, scissors