January Diva Dare & Deconstructed Sketch

I made a valentine for my daughter today, using the Deconstructed Sketch, and playing along with the January Diva Dare on the Verve blog, which is to use a heart on your creation, and their Inspiration hop challenge is to have "shimmer and shine" on your card.  So here's my effort using Verve's Wings of Love set:

and a closeup of my heart:

 

 

Patterned papers are the Head Over Heels collection by Bo Bunny; Cardstock is Black and White Daisy, CTMH; Ruby shimmer trim, CTMH; Ink is Tuxedo Black, Memento; Copic Markers; Stamp set is Wings of Love, Verve.

Sweet Sunday Sketch #201

I've pulled out some October Afternoon papers for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch, and have coloured up the cute little Beanie Whoot stamp from Art Impressions:

 

Patterned papers are Sasparilla, October Afternoon; Cardstock is Chocolate, Pacifica & Colonial White, CTMH; Durables studs, CTMH; Ink is Rich Cocoa, Memento; Copic Markers; Stamp is Beanie Whoot (Sku#UM4127), Art Impressions; Twine, American Crafts.

A Coffee Card

Coffee cards are my favourite thing to make... and this is my favourite coffee themed stamp set by Verve :o)  So it's only fitting that I use it for the first Viva La Verve sketch for January... and I'm incorporating their optional colour challenge as well.

Patterned papers are Madison by Penny Black and Bundle of Joy Dots & Stripes by Echo Park; Cardstock is Cocoa & White Daisy, CTMH; Ink is Rich Cocoa, Memento; Stamp set is Better With You, Verve; Verve Heart dies.

Five Whoots

It's my Tuesday post on the Art Impressions blog.

I have a wintry card for you today, featuring the Five Whoots (Sku# L4123) stamp!  I've paired it up with a sentiment from the Beanie Whoots Set (Sku #UM4127) and added some shimmery ribbon and stickles to the branches to give it some wintry sparkle:

It's a fairly large card, 5" x 6 1/2".  I also added some machine stitching around the edges, and across the stamped panel.  Here's a close up of the little fellas:

Be sure to check out our current challenge "Expect the Unexpected"... we want to see you use something out of your stash!

 

Happy stamping everyone!

 



Color Throwdown #273

Yes, I know it's January, but I'm still in Christmas card mode... it's gloriously sunny here, and -30 degrees Celsuis, so it's easy to still be thinking of the holidays.  I've used this week's pretty grey/turquiose colour combo from the Color Throwdown challenge, and used Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday sketch with a few tweeks.  So far I'm sticking to my "always make two" mantra for Christmas cards:

 

Cardstock is Grey Mist, Heavenly Blue & White Daisy; Stamp sets are In the Background, Scandinavian Wishes & Remarkable Wreath; Inks are Grey Mist, Grey Wool & Heavenly Blue; Bitty sparkles; Button - all Close To My Heart; Ribbon from Michaels.

Use your stash!

We are launching our first challenge of 2014 over on the Art Impressions blog today... and we want you to use something from your stash of supplies!  I have had this image coloured up and ready to go for almost 6mths... had even chosen what papers I'd use, and finally got it made up into a card.  I've used one of the Shake Your Booty sets: Hula Set (Sku#4306) and these fun papers from Graphic 45:

I love this spunky gal in her coconut bra... but the real fun is on the inside - I've popped up the grass skirt on an Action Wobble, and the sentiment says "Shake Your Grass":

Here's a closeup:

Be sure to visit the Art Impressions blog to check out the challenge... there are always fabulous prizes to be won!  We've also launched the new 2014 Valentine sets on the Art Impressions website (I'll have a bunch to share with you soon) you can see them here.

 

Top Thirteen of 2013

I am joining in with the Operation Write Home Top Thirteen of 2013 blog hop today!

It's always fun to put together this post, as it makes me look at every single post that I made in 2013.  I'm very proud of my efforts this year, I've noticed a few changes in my style... most notably a lot more colouring, and I feel as if my skills have improved there.  I was thrilled to make the Art Impressions design team in June, and have had a blast representing their fabulous stamps.  I've had some pretty amazing opportunities this year - most of which I can't talk about just yet!  But they've called on every bit of creativity I could muster, and certainly challenged me, for which I'm thankful.  I appreciate all of you who visit and leave comments (or just lurk!), as I really enjoy sharing my work.  Best wishes to all of you for a fabulous, crafty 2014 :o)

Here are my monthly picks in reverse order... and I'm happy to say that it wasn't always easy to choose!

December:

 

November:

October:

September:

August:

July:

June:

May (a rare CAS card by me):

April:

March:

February:

And finally... January:

Now, since this is a top 13 blog hop, I'm including a favourite that didn't make the cut in my monthly picks.  Back in June we did an Operation Write Home blog hop to introduce the new Art Impressions OWH sets, and I really love the two cards that I made with "Many Hats":

Thanks for looking!