...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #54 (MTSC54)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Christmas is over, and the New Year is approaching swiftly...this last year has been a total blur! LOL! This past week was so hectic that I didn't even get a chance to comment on your creations for last week's sketch. I am such a slacker, and I sincerely apologize! I can't believe that we are already on sketch #54, but I have had such a great time seeing and commenting on your wonderful creations each week...excluding last week, of course! :) Are you ready for another one?

Now for this week's Tuesday Sketch #54:
My Sample:

Jessie Knight's Sample:

Now let's see what the amazing Muses have in store for your viewing pleasure this week:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jessica Diedrich
• Shannan Teubner
• Jessie Knight (December 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 MTSC54 when uploading to a public gallery!

Happy Stamping and Happy New Year!

...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

...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

...Verve September Sneak Peeks ~ Day One

It's Release Week at Verve...and we are having a blast with the new images that debut this Friday, September 18! Verve will be releasing 6 new sets and a scripture Plain Jane immediately following the Release Party @ 9:00 p.m Eastern. The Divas will also be sharing sneak peeks starting today 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. So to get things started, I have a couple of sets to show you today!


This first set is my favorite of this release...it's called Swan Song. The swans were stamped with Basic Black Craft Ink, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, then watercolored with an Aquapainter. I added some Lemon Stickles to the dark areas for some sparkle. The Crushed Curry Cardstock was paired with some Basic Black Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, and Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper. The panels were pierced using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, and Kaiser Black Rhinestones were added to cover the diagonal seam between the two pieces of patterned paper. The sentiment panel was created by punching out black and curry cardstock with the Curly Label Punch and Small Oval Punch. Isn't this set stunning? I absolutely love these swans...love, love, love them!

This next peek is of the new sentiment set, Wishing You. I really like this set because the "wishing you" is one stamp, and there are several other stamps you can use to complete your desired sentiment...I used "the best day ever" stamp for this particular card. It was stamped in Glorious Green Classic Ink, and the oval focal panel was created using Spellbinders' Classic Oval Nesties and my Big Shot. I sponged the panel with a Sponge Dauber and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink. I punched the Glorious Green Cardstock with a Fiskar's border punch, and embossed the vertical Pumpkin Pie Cardstock panel with my Scor-pal. I used a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to add some holes along side the pumpkin panel, then embellished with a piece of Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon, and Kaiser Green Rhinestones.

***Let me also take a moment to tell you how wonderful these clear stamps are! I was able to stamp these words in the perfect place without using a stamp-a-ma-jig or other placement tool. There is nothing like clear acrylic stamps...and you can't beat Julee's fonts that she uses for her words either!***

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you back here tomorrow with another September release sneak peek. Until then...

...Viva La Butterflies

This is my submission for the Viva la Verve Sketch Challenge from Friday at the Verve Forum at SCS. There's always a "twist" issued along with the sketch, and this week's happens to be "little round things"...so I added several to my card; a scalloped edge, piercing, and rhinestones. I used the new Verve set "Enjoy" along with some patterned paper from the Tea Party Designer Series Paper pack. My colors included Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, and Whisper White...I don't think I've EVER used that many colors on one card, but it sure did turn out wonderful! I even sewed on my card...it is crooked, but I think I did pretty good for my second time using a sewing machine! LOL!

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by to see me today! I have some cards to submit, a house to get cleaned, and laundry to wash...so I will see you all again tomorrow! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Enjoy (Verve)

Papers: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White, Watercolor, Tea Party DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, scissors, big shot, nesties, sponge dauber, stickles, rhinestones, ribbon, sewing machine, Martha Stewart border punch

...Mojo101 ~ Simply Amazing

This is my submission for MojoMonday's Sketch Challenge #101. I used one of the sentiments from the new Verve set Bountiful Backgrounds along with the retired patterned papers from the Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper pack. The background layers were pierced with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, and I added Silver Brads to the focal panel and flower panel. The focal panel was also sponged with Soft Sky Classic Ink and a Sponge Dauber. The other embellishments used were Grosgrain Ribbon, an olive button from the Playground Designer Button collection, and some Linen Thread.

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and I will see you back here in a bit with an RAK, and a card for The Greeting Farm. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Bountiful Backgrounds (Verve)

Papers: Soft Sky (textured), Old Olive, Whisper White, Fall Flowers DSP

Inks: Soft Sky, Old Olive Craft

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, big shot, nesties, sponge dauber, clear embossing powder, heat gun, brads, ribbon, button, linen thread, scissors

...MojoJanette

This is my submission for the Day Six Mojo Sketch Challenge (designed by Janette Olen) in celebration of MojoMonday's 100th sketch. I designed my own patterned paper using the flourish stamp from Verve's new set Bountiful Backgrounds. I stamped the Whisper White Cardstock in Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, then sponged the sides using a Sponge Dauber. The focal panel was stamped with one of the flower stamps from the new set Budding Blossoms, then the edges were pierced using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. The sentiment panel was created using Spellbinders' Classic Circle Nesties and my Big Shot, and the sentiment from A Cup of Life was stamped and embossed with White Embossing Powder. The only embellishments used were Light Green Rhinestones, White Grosgrain Ribbon, and a button from the Sherbet Button Collection.

That's it for now! I will see you back here in just a little while with another Mojo card for today's sketch. Thanks for stopping by, and until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Bountiful Backgrounds, Budding Blossoms, A Cup of Life (Verve)

Papers: Not Quite Navy, Gable Green, Whisper White

Inks: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: sponge dauber, mat pack, paper piercer, scallop edge border punch, ribbon, button, linen thread, rhinestones, white embossing powder, heat gun, nesties, big shot, dimensionals

...MojoSarah Sketch

DON'T FORGET TO PLAY ALONG WITH MERCY'S TUESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE #35 HERE!

This is my submission for the Day Four Mojo Sketch Challenge (designed by Sarah Bigelow), and the continued celebration of MojoMonday's 100th sketch! I used the purse and sentiment from the wonderfully girly set Express Yourself, so I also used an equally girly color combination of Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambo, and Basic Black. The green patterned paper was from the retired Kiwi Kiss Designer Series Paper pack, and it was pierced along the edges (as was the large kiwi cardstock background) with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. The focal panel was created using my Big Shot and Spellbinders' Classic Circle Nesties, and I added a piece of Melon Mambo Dotted Ribbon as an embellishment.

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by to celebrate MojoMonday's success with me, and I will see you all again tomorrow with a card for the Little Paper Shop's Sketch Challenge...and maybe even a 3-D project! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Express Yourself (Verve)

Papers: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Melon Mambo, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, heat gun, blender pen, ribbon, big shot, nesties, sponge dauber

...MojoTeresa Sketch

DON'T FORGET TO PLAY ALONG WITH MERCY'S TUESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE #35 HERE!

This is my submission for the Day Three Mojo Sketch Challenge (designed by Teresa Kline), and the continued celebration of MojoMonday's 100th challenge. I used the butterfly and sentiment from Verve's new set Enjoy along with some patterned paper from the retired Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper pack. I pierced the edges of the background panel using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, then added three Silver Brads above the focal panel. I also used the Scallop Edge Border Punch on the Pacific Point vertical panel after I used a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to dry emboss it. The focal panel was sponged with Bashful Blue Classic Ink and a Sponge Dauber, then Yellow and Fine Lace Stickles were added to the wings of the butterflies. I added some interest to the sentiment panel by creating some corner accents using my Photo Corner Punch. I love how this card turned out...but I have to admit I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get it to work out right! LOL!

That's it for today! I am getting the 3D projects knocked out today and tomorrow, so I will have a few things to share with you all week! Thanks for stopping by to see me again, and I will see you back here tomorrow. Until then...

Supplies
Stamps: Enjoy (Verve)
Papers: Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Inks: Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue
Accessories: dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, cuttlebug embossing folder, big shot, sponge daubers, scallop edge border punch, silver brads, photo corner punch, stickles