God Bless Us, Everyone!

I went shopping at Verve Stamps a few weeks ago, specifically to pick up the stamps for this project. While I was shopping, this dapper little guy just jumped into my cart.  He is SO perfect with the sentiment!


I didn't want to do anything fancy with him - he is cute enough to stand alone.  I did use some paper that I liked a lot - but in general would be too busy for my style.  I thought it gave the card a little bit of the older Dickens-look - appropriate for the sentiment.
This is out of my NBUS Christmas stash.  I was paging through that pile and looking at challenges for inspiration.  I am playing along with Merry Monday to use an animal. (I am assuming my bird is OK since the challenge graphic has owls!!).  Also playing with CAS on Sunday: Christmas.

I hope all is going well with each of you as we near Christmas.  I don't have my cards out yet, which is stressing me. They are made - but my little secret is that I have illegible handwriting - while my husband's is quite clear.  So he gets to address envelopes and hasn't done it yet.  I am going to my nieces' Christmas pageant this afternoon and my son's band concert tonight.  I have a few more rehearsals for Sunday and for Christmas Eve bell choir performances.  But other than that - I'm going into the final week feeling pretty good!

• Stamps: Verve Christmas Joy (it's on sale right now!)
• Paper: Carta Bella So This is Christmas 6x6 dsp, Papertrey Ink Scarlet Jewel
• Ink: Memento Black and Copics
• Accessories: Papertrey Ink Scarlet Jewel button, Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles, Hemptique Natural 10-lb twine, one little gold dot on his hat

Catered Crop: Small Size Matters

The current challenge at Catered Crop is that (small) size matters!!  Make some mini cards - they can be tags or gift card holders or anything teeny tiny.

The challenge came at the time when my kids were making hot chocolate mix for their teachers.  We've done this for a number of years and I have a template in Word that prints off tags in just the right size for one of my tag dies.  I just change up the teachers name's and it's ready to go.  However, the mini card challenge got me thinking of how easy this makes it for my kids - too easy (other than the fact that they measure out the hot chocolate mix).  A card would require them to write something on the inside - and think a little bit about each teacher as they put the gifts together.

I just got the Holiday Treats set and dies from Verve Stamps and with its mini cups, I knew it would be perfect for my mini cards!


Here's a close-up.

It's a very nice hot-chocolate mix - rich chocolate with a dash of peppermint.

The layers are:
1 cup powdered milk1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 cup granulated sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips1/2 cup crushed peppermint candyIt all fits in a 1-quart jar and makes 12 servings









On the inside flap of each card, I did pre-print instructions and added my favorite stamps from the set "Have a cup of cheer". 

The jars aren't actually done yet - I made one so that I could write this post.  So, after my kids and the entire high school marching band perform in today's Christmas parade - we'll come back and the powder will start flying and the sound of crushing peppermints will echo!!

• Stamps: Verve Holiday Treats
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake
• Ink: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Memento Cottage Ivy, WPlus9 White
• Accessories: Verve Cup of Cheer die set, Hemptique Twine, Pretty Pink Posh sequins

A Fusion with Royalty: O Holy Night

Usually I find a challenge that I like to play, then I scrounge around in my craft corner until I find stamps and dies that will work.  Today, I decided to do it all backwards because I absolutely have to deal with an overflowing box of stamps-that-will-not-be-put-away-until-they-see-ink.  I came up with a Christmas set by Verve that has a wonderful look to the sentiments.  It's a beautiful set called Peace on Earth (sadly, when I went to find the link I saw that it was sold out until the end of August!)   Then I went scrounging for challenges.

First, I saw Stampin' Royalty's Christmas In July challenge.  I was definitely heading in the right direction for that one.  Then I saw Fusion.  The sketch had a perfect space to showcase the sentiment and the inspiration photo gave me colors and the stars.  A perfect fusion!!

I'm not in terrible shape for Christmas cards so far this year, but I could definitely be in better shape. Last year was the one and only year that I was ever ahead - and it felt so good.  I'm trying to remember that feeling every time that I sit down at my craft table so I can get motivated - it's probably going to start looking more like Christmas on this blog!!

• Stamps: Verve Peace on Earth
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, Avery Elle Maple Wood Grain, Stampin' Up Glitter Gold
• Ink: Stampin' Up Baked Brown Sugar
• Accessories: Lil' Inkers stitched rectangle, My Favorite Things star die, Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist button

Wow!  I have an amazing variety of companies' products on this card, don't I??

The Curtain Rises!! Feeling Nautical

It's finally here.  The curtain is rising at Curtain Call!!  Here is the very first inspiration challenge!

And...the amazing sponsor for this week...Verve Stamps!  Verve provided the entire design team with the set Strong Anchor and the matching dies.  The Lead for this challenge (the winner chosen by the design team) will also receive this set free!  Thank you Verve!!

The inspiration is definitely nautical - but if you aren't feeling nautical or don't have any nautical supplies - check out what else is hiding that picture.  Look at those shoes and sunglasses and what about the royal blue handbag and floppy hat.  Or just the fabulous fresh colors of navy and yellow and green.  Or the layered postage shapes and all of the woods! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!  Here is how I was inspired...using the Verve Strong Anchor set...

All of the challenge details are over at Curtain Call.  In general, use the inspiration to create a new project, then post it and link it, and you have until July 25th, 8 a.m. CDT to do it!

• Stamps: Verve Strong Anchor
• Paper: Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, MME Kate & Co. Oxford Lane 6x6
• Ink: Stampin' Up Going Gray, Night of Navy
• Accessories: Verve Strong Anchor dies, Papertrey Woodgrain Impression Plate (on ship's wheel), Spellbinders square and postal square, My Favorite Things fishtail dies, May Arts twine, Studio Calico sequins (FYI: the Studio Calico sequins come in a fun multi-pack with the woodgrain sequins(!), dark blue, yellow, lt gray and pinkish.  I wanted to use the blue and yellow but they are fairly big and I did a small 4x4 card - so the blue and yellow on my card are actually from Ellen Hutson)

Mojo Monday: Miss You Like Crazy

There's big stuff going on at Mojo Monday - it's the 300th sketch and they have discount codes for various shops and thirty prizes!!  This is not a challenge to miss!!

I pulled out my favorite sentiment - I used it just last week but I love it so much it is going to keep showing up, particularly when thinking ahead to cards for Operation Write Homes!!

• Stamps: Verve Hope Blooms
• Paper: Stampin' Up Early Espresso, MME On the Bright Side 6x6
• Ink: Memento Espresso Truffle
• Accessories: Verve Floral Circles die, L'il Inkers stitched squares, My Favorite Things Fishtail dies

CAS(E) this Sketch: Miss You Like Crazy

It's time for another great sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch!  This one has lots of wonderful space for you to use your imagination and creativity!

I did switch up the sentiment on my card.  I had a sentiment that I wanted to use in the bigger panel, so I added a little bit of bling where the sentiment was supposed to go!  Remember, these sketches are a starting point - you are welcome to change them up!

I look forward to seeing everything that you do with this sketch!

• Stamps: Verve Hope Blooms
• Ink: Stampin' Up Night of Navy
• Paper: Stampin' Up Marina Mist
• Accessories: MME Washi, Maya Road Kraft Layerable Flowers (I used a circle die to make various sizes), L'il Inkers stitched rectangles, May Arts twine, Martha Stewart Bright Large Gemstone Stickers, misc smaller gems

A New Day at Joyful Creations

As I promised yesterday, my blog has had face-lift.  If you are viewing this in a blog reader - be sure to bring up my actual blog and see the changes.  I am absolutely thrilled.  The wonderfully talented Jackie Rockwell, who is taking a break from her personal blog, is still offering graphic design services and I decided to treat myself.  Don't you love her design??

Jackie is great to work with too.  You can be as involved in selecting themes, colors, fonts, etc. as you want.  Personally, the only thing that I really had a big part in is the colors.  She directed me to a great website - {design seeds} and I paged through until I found something exciting.

I also requested the butterfly.  If you have been with me a long time, you know that this blog started because of a church card ministry that my mother started and named "Joyful Creations".  I've always loved the symbolism of a butterfly - death and resurrection - and wanted to include a butterfly as long as it wasn't cutesy.  I love what Jackie came up with.

I did want to re-open my blog with a few cards - using my new blog colors and butterflies!!  The first is a send out to Jackie - you are amazing!


Then I have a bright and cheerful birthday card for Seize the Birthday!  I got the Small Circle Burst from Memory Box and haven't had a chance to use it - it seemed perfect for this sketch challenge!

Then I did one more card to represent my Christian cardmaking roots.  This card uses the current sketch at retrosketches.

Thank you so much for checking out my blog!!   I am so over the moon excited by my new look, if you are even thinking about getting a new look for your blog - be sure to check out Jackie's services!
You Are Amazing

• Stamps: Verve Amazing Wishes
• Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Bermuda Bay, Sahara Sand
• Ink: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand
• Accessories: Memory Box Tessatina Border, MFT Fishtail dies, Stampin' Up Butterfly Punch and white Taffeta Ribbon

Enjoy Your Special Day

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Beautiful Butterflies
• Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, More Mustard dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade
• Accessories: Papertrey Butterfly Signature Series die, Love Lives Here die, and Hawaiian Shores button, The Twinery Caribbean twine, Memory Box Small Circle Burst die

God is Our Refuge

• Stamps: Verve single - Psalm 46:1
• Paper: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade
• Ink: black
• Accessories: Stampin' Up embossing folder (retiring this month!), Paperrey Love Lives Here die, The Twinery Caribbean, Divine Twine Cheery, My Mind's Eye Twine Ginger

CAS(E) this Sketch: Treasure Friendship

It's time for a new sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch!  It's a nice, clean and very wide-open sketch for your interpretation - I look forward to seeing the variety of entries!!

I had this ribbon sitting on my desk.  I've been in a serious purge mood but I just  could not decide about this ribbon.  I love the colors - but I never use wide ribbon - so why keep it??!!  Then I glanced at this sketch and realized that I could use wide ribbon!!



It's the perfect funky floral for that sentiment!
Check out all of the fun design team inspiration at CAS(E) this Sketch! then give it a try.  I love looking each day to see what others have done!

• Stamps: Verve Treasured Words
• Paper: black and white
• Ink: black
• Accessories: ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Stampin' Up Dahlia Assortment, Doodlebug twine

Headlining at RETROsketches!!!

I have the amazing honor and privilege of headlining at RETROsketches!!  They have an amazing team of designers.  Each sketch is so unique and creative and come from cards that the team had made in the past.  Later in the month, there will be a sketch based on one of my past cards - I am thrilled!!!!

This week's sketch comes from a card by Kasia Curry.  (It will be interesting to see what her new take on her card will be as she has a brand new baby boy and is likely a little sleep deprived!  Congrats Kasia!!)

I need a card for my teenage son.  He studied more than I have ever seen him study for two tests this past week and I want to be prepared when the results come out.  (Fingers crossed!).  The "deserve it" part of the sentiment doesn't come from the idea that he's a nice guy and deserves good results - I want to emphasize to him that he worked hard and that's what it takes!!


I obviously did not focus on the four individual heart elements, but I was inspired by the vertical "stripes" formed by the row of hearts.  I wanted to keep my card as minimal as possible since it is destined for a teenage boy.

• Stamps: Verve Treasured Words
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
• Accessories: Memory Box Piestra Tile Die, My Favorite Things Fishtail dies, A Flair for Buttons (etsy), misc star punch, Timeless Twine, Crazy for Kraft, Martha Stewart Fine Crystal Glitter (on the star)

LIM: Black and White plus One

Less Is More is having one of my favorite challenge types:

BLACK and WHITE 

with a touch or a splash, a hint or suggestion, a dab or a  patch of 

a colour of your choice!

Over my first cup of coffee this morning, I was reading your blogs and someone said (sorry, don't remember who), that they were two weeks behind in using supplies out of their box of new supplies.  Two weeks??!!  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  My box of new supplies-that-won't-be-put-away-until-they-are-used keeps getting bigger and bigger and BIGGER.  I've never, ever been within two weeks of using them all.

So, before I even saw the LIM challenge, I knew I was reaching into that box for this morning's card.  On the very top were heart bling, a set of Sizzix embossing folders and a new set of stamps from Verve.  Here they are...

This came together in FIVE minutes!!!
Now...continuing on my thread from yesterday...I am losing huge blocks of my time because on Monday I am a full-time college student again!!  I WILL continue making cards - but one of the things that I realized was that I simply wasn't going to have time to make and re-make until I felt they were deserving of being posted.  My new focus will be to post the card that I create - but also tell you what I would like to have re-done.  I think this could be a good learning time for all of us - a here is what works and what doesn't work feature.  For example, I don't dislike this card, but in my old life, I would have re-done it.

IF I COULD DO IT OVER...
The sentiment does not stand out enough.  I thought the fun font would give it enough interest, but it still gets lost.

This could be solved in two ways:
1. If I wanted to keep that sentiment, I could add it on a label die.
2. I could try a bigger and/or bolder sentiment.




Knowing myself well - I would imagine this feature will be a regular part of my blog posts as I can always finding something that I would do differently!

• Stamps: Verve Treasured Words
• Paper: black and white
• Ink: black
• Accessories: May Arts Gingham ribbon, Marthat Stewart butterfly punch, misc heart gem, Sizzix Vine and Garden Textured Impressions

Abundant Blessings to You and Yours

At this time ofThanksgiving celebrationmy thoughts turn gratefullyto you withwarm appreciation.
Thank you for being part of my card-making journey.

• Stamps: Verve Harvest Blessings, Bountiful Harvest
• Paper: Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate and New Leaf, K&Co Alleghany Plum dsp
• Ink: Memento brown and Copics
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Bird and Leaf punch and Itty Bitty Banners die, Papertrey Ink Summer Sunrise button
• Challenges: Mojo Monday

Peace on Earth (with Dimension!)

I was looking at all of the current challenges that I wanted to play this week while life was a little easier without running the kids to schools and practices, etc.  (Plus, my husband cooks Thanksgiving dinner so I am free and easy!!)  There are so many, I decided to combine three in this card!


I started with the technique challenge at Technique Tuesday: 3D Punched Elements.  They have a nice picture tutorial of how to put these together!  For my tree, I used two different blues and then covered every other panel with glitter - just trying to give the tree some shadow an dimension!  (If you ever have group cardmaking events with kids and teens - this is a great technique to use - check it out here!)
I was going to do a traditional green tree, but the Winter Blues challenge at CAS-ual Fridays called my name.  I'm glad it did, because the blues led me to the beautiful sentiment and the soft background paper.

In keeping it very clean and simple, I went with the current sketch at iSpy Sketches. 

• Stamps: Verve Star of Wonder
• Paper: Stampin' Up Silver Shimmer, Bashful Blue, Bliss Blue (retired), Going Gray (retired), Bo Bunny Powder Mountain
• Ink: Stampin' Up Brocade Blue (retired)
• Accessories: WPlus9 Pretty Patches Tree die, Bo Bunny Powder Mountain gems, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter (applied with spray adhesive)

Feel Better Soon with Verve

Over on the Verve stamp blog, there has been a sketch contest running all month with the random prize being the entire holiday release!  (It's been running all month, but it closes tomorrow!)  I love Verve - they have a great graphic style and aren't afraid of Christian sentiments.  I have stamp sets from them dating back to when they were called Verve Visual and they used red rubber!


I'm not huge on dimensional flowers but I am IN LOVE with these velvet flowers by Maya Road (just called Velvet Pleats).  I purchased them recently and they perfectly match Stampin' Up's So Saffron and Basic Gray - isn't it a gorgeous color combo??
I also updated my paper collection with a big My Mind's Eye pad at Hobby Lobby's recent 50% off sale.  It's a huge 12x12 pad called Bramble Rose...half of it is the weathered wood that is showing everywhere and half of it is chevron prints which is showing everywhere else!!

• Stamps: Verve Fluttering By, Hope Blooms
• Paper: Stampin' Up So Saffron, Basic Gray, My Mind's Eye Bramble Rose pad
• Ink: Stampin' Up So Saffron, Basic Gray
• Accessories: Maya Road Velvet Pleats, Stampin' Up Basic Gray Taffeta, misc saffron and white ribbon

CASology: A Bargello Leaf

This week's cue word at CASology is "leaf".  I absolutely love leaves and no matter how many leaf stamps I own, I always manage to buy more!

But...did I use a leaf stamp on my card...NO!

Because I also was enthralled by a technique challenge on the Technique Tuesday blog - bargello.  Mynette gives easy instructions for creating a wonderful pattern.  I created the pattern as she described and then die cut my leaf.  Love it!!


One word of advice if you try this.  Do not ignore her instructions about using a strong adhesive and getting every little part of the paper - especially if you are going to die cut.  I thought I did well, but I did spent way too much time with a tweezer re-adhering those tiny pieces at the tips of the leaves.  If you adhere well at the beginning this truly is a simple card!

• Stamps: Verve Amazing Wishes
• Paper: Simple Stories Harvest Lane 6x6 pad, Papertrey Ink Terracotta Tile
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Dark Chocoalte
• Accessories: Papertrey Ink Terracotta Tile button, Cane Print Impression Plate, Spellbinders Leaf die, misc twine

A CASE Mashup with Leaves!

This morning's card started with the Splitcoast CAS challenge to use leaves.  I also knew there was a fun Friday Mashup out there to mashup "Autumn" and the colors orange and  yellow.  Last but definitely not least, the Less Is More challenge is simply to fill their gallery up with 1000 CAS cards - so you'll see a lot of CAS cards from me this week.

I also have a personal goal to only use stamps from the overflowing, in-the-way box of stamps-that-will-not-be-put-away-until-they-are-used.  Thank goodness - way at the bottom - was a set that I had gotten over a year ago that included leaves!

Each leaf was inked in the lighter color and then one edge was "rolled" on the darker ink pad.

The stamps on this card are from Verve Stamps.  They make very high quality clear stamps.  I recently did this post on getting good images with clear stamps.  One of the comments asked what to do when the clear stamps quit sticking.  That can happen but it is very easy to fix!

A clear stamps loses its ability to stick because of oils from your fingers, dust, and in my case, cat fur, that accumulates on the stamp.  The best way to get it to stick is to use dishsoap - just dip it in some soapy water and rub lightly.  In some ways this seems counter intertuitive, like you would wash away some special "stickiness" - but it does work!!

• Stamps: Verve Harvest Blessings
• Paper: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Pumpkin
• Ink: Stampin' Up Daffodil, Pumpkin, Cajun, Suede
• Accessories: gems colors with copics, Cuttlebug embossing folder

A Verve Kind of Day #5

After a number of days of bold and bright cards, I had to go running back to my preferred calm and mellow colors!!  Here's my fifth and last card for the Viva La Verve sketch challenges for May.

• Stamps: Verve Believe
• Ink: Versamark
• Paper: Stampin' Up Blue Bayou and Porcelain Prints dsp, Papertrey Fine Linen
• Accessories: Stamp-n-Stuff Classic Pewter Embossing Powder, brads (that I heated and then dipped in the embossing powder, then reheated to change their color), Stampin' Up Border Punch, Papertrey Fine Linen ribbon

A few weeks ago, I did this post with a picture tutorial on Magic Cards.  I mentioned that we were planning on mass producing these cards at a church service day for use by a family services agency.  This morning, as I was reading the Splitcoast Weekly Inklings, I saw that they had pointed out an older tutorial on Magic Cards and seeing this reminded me that I had never shown you the final results.  Here's a small sampling of what my wonderful group of cardmakers (and even non-cardmakers) accomplished that day.

A Verve Kind of Day #4

I saw this morning's Splitcoast Color Challenge and walked away - definitely out of my comfort zone.  But...there is a reason they are called challenges.  So I decided to give it a try.  I forced myself to fully embrace these colors (vs. finding subtle patterned papers that matched) and I also went for a bold use of the dessert option: summer!!   Although I am happy with the final card, every decision and step of the way was painful!

The layout is from a May Viva La Verve Sketch.  Just one more to go for May and, for the first time, I will have finished that challenge!!

• Stamps: Verve Miracles Blossom
• Ink: copics
• Paper: Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil CS and dsp, Pacific Point dsp
• Accessories: Mark Richards Yellow Glitter Domes and Black Nailheads, Stampin' Up Daffodil Grosgrain and Scalloped Border Punch, Nestabilities Pinking Circles, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames and Clouds dies

A Verve Kind of Day #3

I had promised this post yesterday and I was all ready to go, but my family insisted we watch a History Channel special together.  No problem - I figured that I would just write up the words after the show.  But I fell asleep, I'm embarrased to tell you how early it was!  It was just so cozy curled up next to my husband and the kids weren't arguing - just quietly watching the show.

Of course, this is the kids earlier on their Memorial Day holiday!  The "lump" under the blanket is the teenager!

Here is my third card for the May Verve Sketch challenges:

• Stamps: Verve Dare to Be
• Ink: Stampin' Up Early Espresso
• Paper: Kaisercraft Secrete Bird Society, Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Shimmer White, Papertrey Aqua Mist, misc vellum
• Accessories: Spellbinders Tag (cut in half so it peeks out from each side of the square), Spellbinders Beaded Oval, Clear Spica pen (on each bead), Martha Stewart butterfly punch

A Verve Kind of Day #2

Here is the second of my five cards for the Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge in May.  I have a number of Verve sets that I ordered during their last sale and I have sworn to not put new stamps away until they have seen ink.  This seemed like the perfect time to play Viva La Verve!

I just love how CR84FN uses inspiration photos for their color challenge.  These photos made the colors look gorgeous together so I had to give it a try!

• Stamps: Verve Floral Symphony and Amazing Wishes
• Ink: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, copics on flowers
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum CS and dsp
• Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Quickutz corners, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Martha Stewart seam binding, gems by Michaels (they have the tiniest little gems!!), Nestabilities oval to cut window.