Viva la Verve!

Good morning! I'm back with the second Viva la Verve sketch for December. This sketch took me a really long time to figure out. I think I've stared at it on my desktop since it was posted! What in the world was I going to do with those perimeter panels? Should I use dp? Should I create some dp? I've even viewed the gallery to see what other people came up with, and still the inspiration alluded me.

Then the other day, I remembered I had this Basic Grey dp, and BINGO! I made several cards with the paper. I guess I was on a mission to use it all up in one sitting, lol. I knew it would come to me eventually, and thank goodness it finally did!

I decided with all the "square-ness" of the card, to use a nestie label for the middle to add something different. To create the smaller of the two, I simply trimmed on the embossed line. A little ribbon, and fini! So glad that I finally overcame that sketch, hehe.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Thankful Accents

Paper- Rich Razzleberry, Rustic White, Basic Grey dp

Ink- Ruby Red, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories- nestabilities, ribbon, dimensionals

Viva la Verve!

Ok. I think I have a slight addiction to this dp. I can't stop making cards with it! I only have a little square left, and just might have to hoard the last bit, lol.

I used the fourth Viva la Verve sketch for this card. I feel like I have made a ton of cards with this layout lately... Must be a popular one at the moment. At least this one was oriented to the right instead of the left. :)

Roberto's for dinner last night didn't happen due to the weather's lack of cooperation. But we're going to attempt it tonight. The sun is shining bright and beautiful today, so hopefully it won't be a problem getting there. They seriously have the best chips and salsa around. If you're ever in Mammoth, here's my little plug for them! Go!

Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies- Stamps- PTI: Giga Guide Lines
Paper- Rich Razzleberry, Rustic White, Basic Grey dp
Ink- Rich Razzleberry
Accessories- jewels, ribbon, dimensionals

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Well, at least it is white on the ground. It's not actually supposed to snow of Christmas Day.

I successfully made it home yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed the weather's deterioration as I drove farther north. About 30 minutes south of my house it started snowing! Between last night and this afternoon about 11-12 inches has fallen. I couldn't be happier! There is something magical about falling snow. Firstly, it is absolutely to simply sit and watch it fall. The way they dance down from the gray sky, floating and swirling in the light breeze. And the flakes... last night they were teenie tiny. Today, big fatty flakes. And the silence.... When it snows it is truly as if the whole world stops to simply take it in. Not a sound to be heard, anywhere. It is so... peaceful.

I spent my morning sleeping in, catching up on the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance (which I missed last week because it was so crazy busy), and decorated our minuscule Christmas tree, hehe. We usually get a big ol' honker since we have towering ceilings in the great room, but things are rather last minute this year and our tree is about 5 feet tall. :) I didn't even have to sit on my dad's shoulders to put the star on this year!

I'm off to a music rehearsal for Christmas Eve service this evening. We're going to have dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant before-hand. Soooo excited! I'm definitely requesting flour chips.

I don't have a card for you today, but I did manage to slip outside for a few minutes this morning while it was snowing really hard (2-3 inches/hour) and take a couple pictures. Enjoy some wintery wonderfulness!

Thanks for stopping by!

View off of the deck.

Looking up our street.

Looking down the street.

Through some trees in the yard.

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #52

Good morning! Today's the big day! I'm heading home for the holidays! I haven't been home since May, and therefore am waaaay overdue for a trip up to the beautiful mountains... And I'm still being promised lots of snow. I think I have volunteered to sing at my parents' church on Christmas Eve, but my mom has been muttering something about, "...If we can get there..." Yay!

The donut plans with Amy kind of fell through for this morning. Her car's power steering went out (again!), and she needs to take it in this morning before she drives home to the bay area tomorrow. So, we grabbed donuts yesterday morning instead. The best laid plans, eh?

I'm leaving in the early afternoon to try and time my trip to arrive an hour south of my house around 5pm. My dad's going to pick me up there since I don't have 4-wheel drive on my car. I love you, Dad! The laundry is done, I've cleaned the house a bit (isn't there something wonderful about coming home to a clean house?), and packed for a wintery week.

My card today is a double challenge. Firstly, it follows Mercy's Tuesday Sketch for this week. I have to admit that the big oval scared me a little bit. Every image I kept picturing in it just didn't work in reality. I finally stumbled across a new challenge from Verve's Julee Tilman. She's re-released the digital mittens image from back in October for a limited time, and in honor of it's reappearance, she's hosting a challenge. The challenge? Simply create a project/card using the digital set. Easy peasy! It definitely helps that I love this little set and am so glad I downloaded it back in October. No one does cute and whimsical like Julee.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- None!

Paper- Sweet Blush, Rustic White, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Grey dp

Ink- None!

Accessories- copics, stickles, jewels, ribbon, nestabilities, dimensionals

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parent's 35th wedding anniversary, and this card is for them. Of course, they won't actually get to see it in person until Monday, but this is better than nothing. :)

I am so incredibly blessed to have my parents and the beautiful Godly example of love they show each and every day to my sister and myself. They definitely set the bar high! They are off playing in Reno for the weekend (thus my driving home tomorrow and not sooner), and my sister and I had a bottle of champagne sent to the their room to help them celebrate. I love you both so much!

I used Amber's Viva la Verve sketch from last week to help me put this card together. The color combo was a total and complete fluke. I was putting a bunch of paper scraps away from previous projects (they sure do pile up quickly, don't they?), and these two just happened to be set next to each other in my "put away" pile. I saw them and thought they just might make a great card together.

I embossed the polka dots with clear ep on both the rust and blue for some sheen. It did need a little ribbon, so I snuck some onto the vertical panel. I also popped up the sentiment panel to help add some dimension.

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Polka Dot Basics, Wishing You

Paper- Rustic White, Enchanted Evening, Terracotta Tile

Ink- Versamark, Enchanted Evening, Real Rust

Accessories- clear ep, ribbon, nestabilities, dimensionals

Parent Gifts

Good morning! Vacation is finally here. Finally! Two glorious weeks off from work, sleeping in, playing in the snow, being with family... It will be so nice to feel rejuvenated when I return to work in January. I'm heading home to my parent's house on Monday for the the holidays. I have been promised LOTS of snow. :) Perhaps a white Christmas isn't too tall of an order?

Well, I can finally reveal the gifts I whipped up for my parent helpers this year. They've all gone home to their recipients, and hopefully been opened. These were actually inspired by an image in an old SU catalog, but I modified them just a little bit. I love the fresh touch some added paper and a little embossing can add to the candle. It changes it from something ordinary to something much more personal and extraordinary. Plus this Basic Gray paper was yummy!

I'm officially vacationing today. I have absolutely nothing that has to be done today. Nowhere I have to go. Though, I think I am going to venture out this evening with some friends to go see The Nutcracker. But to that I go willingly. :)

Tomorrow, again, nothing big on the agenda. Amy and I are going to sleep in, make a big breakfast together, and then maybe venture out to have some fun somewhere.... But those plans are far from finalized. Monday morning we have a donut date, hehe, and then are going to exchange Christmas presents before she heads off to work and I hit the road to my parent's house. It's about a 5 hour drive, which isn't too bad, all considering. I'll be home for dinner! I've promised my Mom I will whip up some potato latkes while I'm home since she didn't make any for Hanukkah this year. I've already been eating them all week, but I think I could eat them all year. They're so yummy!

Enjoy your weekend, and to my fellow teachers now on vacation- Have fun! Thanks for stopping by.
Supplies- Stamps- SU: Illuminations
Paper- Pure Poppy, Kraft, Basic Gray dp
Ink- Versamark
Accessories- ep, dimensionals, ribbon

Sweet Sunday Sketch #48

Good evening! I actually got home a little bit earlier than anticipated from my first Christmas party of many to come. It's kind of nice to have a few minutes to sit and breathe. This is a fun week at school, but also stressful trying to get everything finished up while keeping the kids' attention. My bouncy boys are even more bouncy knowing vacation is within their grasp. Oi vay. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! And it's pajama day. My favorite day of the year! I'm so comfy all day long. And I most definitely wear my slippers. :)

I am literally just squeaking in with my card for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch. It's due by 10pm mountain, which means 8pm here.... And it's 7:50, hehe. But I loved the sketch this week and always love the chance to feature a sentiment as the main image.

So, I'm going to slap this up as quickly as I can, hehe. I used a color combo that I spotted over on Nichole Heady's blog. See her original card here. I thought it was a great combo and vowed I would give it a try in the near future. I pulled out my Turning a New Leaf set to create my own background, a little bit of dp, and some fun punches, ribbon, and buttons. Voila!

I think I'm liking this color combo. I'm definitely going to play around with it some more. And I love this little sentiment. Wouldn't it just make the greatest get well card, or even a sympathy card... Or for that matter, just an everyday card?

Well, I'm off to lounge around a bit more and enjoy having an evening of calm. My roommate is off to Disneyland, so I've got the house to myself. Maybe a fire in the fireplace and some hot chocolate and my book might be in order. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Turning a New Leaf, Big & Bold Wishes

Paper- Basic Gray, Spring Moss, Whisper White, Bitty Box dp

Ink- Basic Gray, Old Olive

Accessories- buttons, ribbon, corner rounder punch, apron lace punch, dimensionals

Mojo Monday

Good evening! I'm popping in here with a late post, but I wanted to get this up tonight because it will probably be Saturday before I get a chance to stamp again. The Christmas parties are about to strike! I have two in a row, tomorrow and Friday. But they should be fun! Especially the second... It's an annual tamale fest... And the tamales are home-made. Yum!

Last night my roommate and I drove out to a local street that is completely decked out with Christmas lights. We love going there every year and walking through it. It's always a zoo, but it so puts me in the Christmas spirit! And when I say decked, I mean to the nines. It's incredible... And it's about a mile long! House, after house, after house.

I needed just a couple more Christmas cards for this year, and since I seem to be cramming things in at the last minute (where, oh where does time go?!), it seemed appropriate to ship these off in the morning mail. :)

I actually really loved the Mojo Monday sketch this week. It "spoke" to me right away. Aka, I knew immediately what I wanted to do, what paper I would use, etc. LOVE it when that happens. And believe it or not, the circle didn't give me any trouble. Weird.

I pulled out my Holiday Button Bits set from PTI, curved the sentiment to fit the circle, colored with my copics, added some liquid applique, some gel pen, and called it a night! It's definitely busier than my normal, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Not bad for a 30 minute card! (and I made several of them) I definitely wowed my roommate with the liquid applique, too. I had to explain to her that it wasn't a marker, that it was a special pen, hehe. We oohed and ahhed at the magical transformation under the heat gun. :)

Well, happy hump day! Only two days left until vacation! And a few hours until Lisa gets her parent gift, hehe.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Holiday Button Bits

Paper- Kraft, Whisper White, Ocean Tides, Rustic Snowflakes dp

Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories- nestabilities, gel pen, button, ribbon, scallop edge punch, liquid applique, copics

Sketch For You To Try

I can't even remember the last time I played along with Jen's Sketch For You To Try. It might have been back in the summer before life got busy, aka work started back up. But I just happened to cruise by her blog on Saturday and loved her sketch for this week. It also turned out to be the perfect sketch for some mass production Christmas cards. Boy did it feel good to crank those out yesterday!

I believe I was the definition of Miss Domestic yesterday, lol. I not only cleaned part of the house, I did all the dishes (twice), went grocery shopping, made latkes for Hanukkah, baked cookies for book club tonight, made the dough for my student's ornament parent gifts, made my parent helper gifts, and cranked out all of my Christmas cards... including stamps and addresses! Phew! Do you ever just have those days where you are in the mood to work and get things done? When I have those days at work, I'm there until 6 o'clock. When that mood pops up, it's best to let it lead.

I did turn Jen's sketch on its side and changed the main rectangle to an oval for a little more pop. I would have loved to have used some red ribbon on here, but I used it all up on my staff gifts Saturday. I put in a new order today so that I won't be without it for too long. I think PTI's Pure Poppy is becoming one of my new favorite colors.

Have a wonderful rest of your Monday! Four days left for us teachers until vacation! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- Verve: Holly Jolly

Paper- Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Whisper White, Rustic Snowflakes dp

Ink- Ocean Tides

Accessories- ribbon, jewels, nestabilities

Viva la Verve!

Good afternoon! I made this card over one week ago, but forgot to post it! But that actually worked out because I've been so busy creating gifts this weekend (which I can't post on here until after Christmas) that I don't have anything else to share with you all today, hehe.

I pulled out some more of my pretty Cottage Wall dp for this card and pulled all the colors from it. I kept it pretty simple.... Must not have been in an ornate mood that day. :)

I'm slaving away today trying to finish up all of my parent gifts so that I don't have to worry about them during the rest of the week. Sorry I'm not to chatty... Guess I'm tired, lol. I hope your weekend finds you well!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- Verve: Thankful Accents

Paper- Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White, Cottage Wall dp

Ink- Rich Razzleberry

Accessories- ribbon, scallop circle punch, circle punch, dimensionals

Crankin' Out The Staff Gifts

Good evening! It's a soaking wet weekend down here in Southern California, and I love it! It's been pouring rain all day. And I really mean pouring, not a measly sprinkle. It makes me so happy! I absolutely love weather, and we get so little of it down here.

It was the perfect day to stay inside, drink some hot chocolate and crank out all of my staff gifts for work. I kept things simple this year since I have a million other things going on at work and home. Thus, gift cards for all! So, I had to find a great way to wrap them. Enter the gift card challenge that I worked with a few weeks ago in the Verve Release Challenge. I followed the same tutorial and whipped out 10 of these babies. Needless to say, I was VERY done when I finished, lol. I'm usually spent after one card!

I decided to make them all the same to expedite the mass production. I had a snowflake nestability that match the snowflakes on the dp perfectly and decided to make it the main focal image. I also added two strips of two sided tape and covered them with glitter for some sparkle. It feels good to have them done. I think I may take them to work on Monday just so I can check them off the list, lol.

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to crank out the parent gifts... But I can't say what they are because I have a fellow stamping parent whom visits my blog (Hi, Lisa!). She's just going to have to wait until Thursday for the big reveal, lol.

I officially finished my Christmas shopping today as well. Boy does that feel good. I was beginning to stress over the fact that it is December 11th and I hadn't finished my shopping. I usually try to get as much done before Thanksgiving as possible. I hate shopping amongst the Christmas crowds. But it's done. And I really do love shopping for the Christmas gifts. I love picturing the recipients face when they open the gifts... It makes all the stress and shopping worth it. :)

Well, time to head back under a cozy blanket with some more hot chocolate and watch a movie with my roommate. The sound of the pouring rain in the background.... Does it get any better? Ok, ok. Snow falling, sitting under the cozy blanket with a book in front of the fire place tops it, but this is a good second place! ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Mega Mixed Messages

Paper- Kraft, Whisper White, Ocean Tides, Rustic Snowflakes dp

Ink- Basic Black

Accessories- ribbon, glitter, two-sided tape, brad, snowflake nestabilities

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #20

I think it has been a while since I've been around to do one of Dawn's color challenges. Between surviving the swine flu, travelling, holidays, I've missed the last few in a row. So when her newest challenge was posted today I jumped all over it! Plus I absolutely love the colors she has given us to work with today. So pretty!

I originally had something a bit more "layer-y" in mind, but ended up cutting way back. I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch for my layout. With five colors to use, I began to realize that I couldn't add to many layers or the colors would begin to overwhelm the card (at least in my opinion, hehe). So, I offer this clean and simple card. Not much more to it that a few dimensionals, my new favorite edge punch, some buttons and ribbon. I decided to leave a sentiment off so that it can be used for any purpose.

Only 7 more days of work before vacation! I'm so excited! Sleeping in, lots of card-making, and a trip home to the mountains for the holiday. I'm hoping we gets lots of snow while I'm there. :) These three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas always fly by each year at school, and we spend most of the time cramming in craft after craft... But I love it! It definitely puts me in the holiday mood to have the classroom all decked out in red and green. And it's cooooold outside! Well, for Los Angeles it's cold outside. It was 28 when I got up the on Tuesday. 32 this morning. Brrrrr! That's about as cold as I've ever seen it down here! It should warm up a tad tomorrow since there is another rain storm moving in. Yay!

I hope the week is treating you well! And thanks for stopping by!
Supplies-
Stamps- PTI: Everyday Button Bits
Paper- Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla (SU), Aqua Mist, Terracotta Tile (PTI)
Ink- Chocolate Chip
Accessories- buttons, ribbon, dimensionals, apron lace edge punch

Happy Birthday, Woman!

Today is my best friend Heather's birthday. The big 'ole 27! We always giggle that she finally caught up to the rest of us ('cause I'm a whole two weeks older than her, lol). Heather lives up in Oregon, so I don't get to see her today, but I still got to talk to her for a little bit on the phone and I mailed off her gift back on Tuesday so it would get there on time.... All though I don't think the weather has been cooperating with me on getting it there on time. I hope it gets there tomorrow!

I pulled out some of my newest favorite stamps to create a birthday card for Heather. I also pulled out some colors that she loves... And has decorated her whole house in. :) I love the rich fall colors, and salute her decorating style. She has full decorating rights over my life, lol. I try to save all of my major clothing shopping for all up my trips up to see her, hehe. Plus the no sales tax in Oregon helps. ;)

So, here's to you Heather! God has so richly blessed me by bringing you into my life! Happy Birthday! And here's to another AMAZING year! (As if this last year wasn't crazy enough, lol.)

For Heather's card, I pulled out my Giga Guide Lines set and my new Big & Bold Wishes set. I used some yummy chocolate ribbon, and a fun scallop punch. Sweet and simple.

There's a big rain storm pulling in here sometime late tonight. So excited! I love rainy days down here. I love watching everyone panic about a "rain storm." The newscasters pull out the "storm desk." HA! They have no idea what a real storm is. I grew up in the mountains... Where we average well over 600 inches of snow every winter. A big winter can be around 800-900 inches. It's crazy, but I love it! The only down side to a rainy day down here is the kiddos at school will be trapped inside all day. Movies during recess to control the chaos. Oh well. Can't win them all. :)

Have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies-

Stamps- PTI: Giga Guide Lines, Big & Bold Wishes

Paper- Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU), Terracotta Tile, Summer Sunrise

Ink- Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Moonlight White (archival)

Accessories- scallop edge punch, jewels, ribbon, corner rounder punch

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #50

Good afternoon! I don't think I can even put into words how wonderful it was to sleep in this morning. I think I almost got eleven hours of sleep last night, lol. It was a long week. Good, but long.

I've officially survived parent conferences for another year. They all went well, and I really do enjoy them once they are started. It's always interesting and exciting to "re-meet" all of the parents. I learn so much about my kiddos from talking to their parents.

I attended a Pampered Chef party last night hosted by one of my book club buddies, and that margarita she served was absolutely perfect- in flavor and timing! ;) I got a few fun little gadgets that should be fun to play with in the kitchen. I love cooking and baking just about as much as stamping, so PC parties are always fun.

Today it's off to a Stampin' Up party, lol. No rest for the weary! But I always look forward to these, especially since being laid-off from my old school. It was my friends and co-workers there whom are responsible for me stamping in the first place. I always enjoy their company and know many laughs await me there. :)

My card today uses Mercy's Tuesday Sketch. I pulled out some really old dp from Stampin' Up, Ginger Blossom. It was hiding in my giant dp file, and just seemed to be perfect for this card. It's fun to dust off some "vintage" paper every now and then, hehe.

I also employed my apron lace punch... I think this is definitely going to be added to the favorite punches list. It's use might even be the sign of a new addiction. It just might appear on every card I make for the next month or so, lol. A little bit of ribbon, and some new Verve stamps, and the card was finished. It's a little busier than my normal card, but I still like it. I'm going to have to use this dp more often!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies-

Stamps- Verve: Thankful Accents

Paper- Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, River Rock, Whisper White, Ginger Blossoms dp

Ink- Ruby Red, Groovy Guava

Accessories- apron lace punch, nestabilities, ribbon, dimensionals