From my lips to Verve's ears...

It would be so hard to pick a favorite stamp line in today's market... simply because there are just so many "must have's".  I have my favorites at MFT, Flourishes, SU!, Kraftin Kimmies, Stamping Bella, Quietfire Design, Just Rite and of course Verve.  But when I look at which ones I use the most, it ends up being Verve.  I just love their beautiful fonts, clean lines and useable themed sets. 

So from my lips to Verve's ears.........

This sentiment is from a set called One Person by Verve.  Love it!  The paper is from American Craft,  Spellbinders used are Nesties 10 & 18 along with Fancy Tags 2 & 3.  How did I ever do a card without Spellbinders before??   I also used one of my all time favorite dies from MFT at the bottom.

So back to work for me tomorrow.  I've had a lovely break from work and did lots of walking, reading, napping and even a few cards.  Just total bliss.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Whoops - missed the month of June...

But I've got July right at the beginning!  Looking forward to making lots of cards and doing lots of posts... (right... famous last words).

I'm on a wee little bit of a holiday at the moment and took some time out yesterday to make a card when my friend Gabriela and I challenged each other.  I'm late in posting mine, but here we go.........

Sentiment is Verve and this gorgeous Fancy Pants paper is full of inspiration.  I only wish I had distressed the edges... but forgot.  :(

Wanted to quickly mention that I am missing out on posting on some of my favorite blogs... but I'm having a computer issue that needs looking into.  I try in vain to leave a comment and then when I do, I get bounced back to google log-in and asked repeatedly for my user name and password.  This is so frustrating that I just stopped until I can find a solution.  Only a very few blogs allow me to post comments.  Wanted to explain since I haven't been posting any comments anywhere recently.

Awkward........

So I making a card with my 8-yr old niece yesterday and singing along to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". Quite understandably, I jump up & break into this amazing dance and think I'm impressing her beyond belief. She stares at me and says, "Awkward...." (lol!!)


So here is my Lady Gaga inspired card.  I think the little spray of glittery flourish really does it - lol. 
 

All the paper were scraps from my stash.  As much as I love cutting into a brand new sheet, I love the inspiration my scrap drawer gives me when I open it up and see certain papers overlapping others and think... "there's my card".  I hadn't put my vellum away yet, so I added a little with my new Fancy Tags 2 die.  The beautiful flower I received from my friend Gabriela and the sparkle flourish from Michael's were a nice finishing touch.
 
I'm honestly not very good at listing all the products I use.  I try but it just doesn't come to mind when I'm flying through whatever project.  I'm amazed & envious when other bloggers are so detailed in all products they use, but I just never think about it until I'm sitting at the computer.  Maybe it would be easier if my craft room was close to my computer room... so there would be no running up and down the hall looking for the name of this and that (as I type).  If there is ever anything you are wondering about, please ask.  I always read my comments (thank you!!) and I will definitely respond with 'where I bought this' or 'how I did that'. 
 
Back to my incredible dancing..................  (awkward!)  lol

A Little Chocolate...

Okay, mojo is not completely back but I dit manage a little card over the long weekend....

A recent post by Becca Feeken (Amazing Paper Grace) inspired me to get out some vellum and use with my Spellbinders (Parisian Accents, Parisian Motifs and Labels 21).  Sentiment by Verve, DP are scraps from my stash and I added a bit of zig-zag sewing, buttons & pink baker's twine.  Probably a bit over-the-top in the busy department, but can you blame me...???... haven't made a card in ages and wanted to use everything - lol!

APB

Posting an APB for my MOJO. 

It has been missing for a few weeks now.

I've looked everywhere.

If you have seen it, please return it. 

Thank you,

Carla.

Mom

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Moms.  This is the card I made for my Mother.  She's pretty spectacular.  8)

In Sympathy... Hope, Friends and Love

Hello everyone.  Spellbinders Labels 20 & Just Rite Kindess strikes again!  Can't get enough of this combo.  Guilty as charge.  Whatever.  Lock me up already.  (lol)

and the inside...........

Sentiments from Verve.  Patterned paper from American Crafts, SU Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Marigold Morning.  Swiss dot embossing folder.  Paper roses from Michael's.

I'm looking forward to some crafty time this weekend.  I have to make myself do some exercise first though (ewwww............).

Thanks for stopping by - glad you did.

My Sister's Birthday

If we can't tease our sisters, who can we tease?  My sister is a nurse and for her birthday I was dying to use my Art Impressions stamp - isn't she gorgeous??  And now some of their stamps are unmounted... and I'm all over that!!

Anyway, because I'm 4 years older, the "sister-law" allows me to tease her about her age but does not allow her to tease me about mine.  (The older sister always makes up the laws.)

I coloured the image with copics and used my Spellbinder ovals & lacey ovals to center it.  Patterned paper is from The Girls Paperie "Vintage Whimsy".  Ribbon is SU, pearls from stash.

I did the inside up on my computer.  Let me know if you're aware of any good "age-teasing" stamps... I'll need something for next year.  LOL.

But truth be told, she's not a Botox girl.  She's all natural and a beauty.  Happy Birthday Denise!!

Because of YOU

How I love Verve Stamps and their simple & heart felt sentiments... but I should probably change my blog name to Labels 20 & Just Rite Kindess - because that's all I use anymore!!  LOL

I also snuck in the Labels 19 nestie as well as the new foliage die.  I used the MFT rolled rose die to make the paper rose (dunked in glitter) and the felt roses as well.  I also used the MFT dizzy border die overlapping a brown piece of satin ribbon. 

So that's it.  A bit of sewing, distressed the edges and finished the inside to match:

Beautiful weather here today in Kingston, Ontario.  Nice way to start a long weekend.  Looking forward to getting a few more cards made.  Hope you are enjoying a nice Easter weekend with your family & friends. 

Until next time.

Maya Angelou

Who doesn't love a good Maya Angelou quote?  I think I even have a little book of her quotes somewhere that I bought when she was on Oprah a lot.  8)

This set comes from MFT and the patterned paper is from The Girls' Paperie (Vintage Whimsy) and I absolutely love it.  I mean love it like I had to buy 6 sheets of it.  It has the softest gingham (on inside picture below) on the reverse too.  Anyway, this lovely paper inspired me to use Maya Angelou's quote.  (It's a shame I covered most of the DP up - LOL!)

I used (my new favorite!) Spellbinders Labels 20 and cut the birdhouse out.  I just cut the quote to fit because I didn't have a die that would accomodate.  (I regret not "jazzing it up" a bit, because the center quote seems a bit plain).

Made the roses with MFT dies and added the yellow one from a package I bought at Michael's.  Can you tell I'm on a distressed edge kick?  haha.

Well Friday is here and the weather is great and I couldn't be happier.  Boy I love seeing the back of winter!  Wishing you all a enjoyable, relaxing & fun weekend!!

STAMPER'S DREAM BLOG HOP!!

Hi everyone!!! Big Day!! I'm so excited to be part of the Stamper's Dream and Friends Blog Hop!!Details are below for the TWO PRIZE PACKAGES AVAILABLE TO BE WON (leave a comment and you could be a winner!!).

I love this new paper from Jilibean Soup (Dutch Mustard). I just love the small print & how easily it distressed for me. I used my new Labels 20 & Fancy Tags 3 along with my oval die to create the center. Did some sewing and added the rose flower die from MFT. I love how the Labels 20 and the Just Rite Kindness set go together... it's... well, it's a Stamper's Dream!! LOL!!

Here`s a list of supplies from Stamper`s Dream that I used on my card:

DUTCH MUSTARD SOUP 6 x 6 PAPER PAD by Jillibean Soup
LABELS TWENTY NESTABILITIES by Spellbinders
KINDNESS CLING MOUNTED STAMP SET by JustRite Stampers
SNOW WHITE PEARLS - SELF ADHESIVE PKG OF 50 by Kaiser Craft
SINCERE SENTIMENTS CLEAR STAMP SET by Stampendous
MINI ROLLED ROSES DIE-NAMICS by My Favorite Things
JUMBO SCALLOP DIE-NAMICS by My Favorite Things
CLASSIC CREST SOLAR WHITE 80 LB SMOOTH CARDSTOCK by Neenah

Here is the blog hop list. What a terrific bunch of talented designers, eh!? Be sure to leave a comment for each and every one of them when you visit their blog post today. TWO have hidden blog candy, and you are required to comment on their blog post for a chance to win!

Becca Feeken
Michelle Rodgers
Jerri Kay Jimenez
Amy Sheffer
Denise Marzec
Arlene Cuevas
Leslie Miller
Cindy Lawrence
Kellie Fortin
Tosh Leyendekker
Jeanne Streiff
Mariana Grigsby
Joan Ervin
Lea Lawson
Frances Byrne
Christina Fischer
Carla Murphy (you are here)
Teresa Kline
Carol Longacre
Gabriele Divine

And here are the two prize packages from Stamper's Dream - one for each lucky winner!

The winners will be announced here Thursday evening, April 14 as well as on the blogs that had the hidden candy! So be sure to check back to see who the two winners are....it could be you!

Kind Words...

Hey all!!  Well I finally got a new card done.  I've been very busy at work lately and have had no energy left at the end of the day, but today I had a card request so I got right to it!

Made this for my friend to send to the hospital staff in Newfoundland to say thank you for their special care of her father while they look ed after him for a year (he's now gone to a home).  I chose this sentiment from Verve (and the one on the inside too...).

I distress all the edges and used the MFT dizzy border & rolled rose dies to pretty it up.  Hard to see, but I also added a small piece of dark brown felt behind the sentiment.

That's it for me.  Just a flying visit!!  Must get ready for work in the morning.  Night all!

A Big Hug

Very quick post!  Did a little stamping and experimented with my new MFT rolled roses & dizzy border dies.  Love them!  I'll definitely be using these in many more cards to come.

I love this new paper by American Crafts.  This one is called Peachy Keen "My Darling".  The bit of green DP is from my stash and I don't have it clue what it is.  I used PTI Sweet Blush Luxe Satin ribbon under the dizzy border & even tried my bow-easy for the first time.  It took a few tries, but I got there in the end (why is it called "Easy"?)

Sentiment is from a cute little clear set from Stampendous called "Sincere Sentiments".  What a great set this is - really sweet down-to-earth and straight-from-the-heart sentiments.

The inside:

Well that's me done for this evening!  Onto finishing up some housework & laundry.  You'll notice where my priorities lie and what I managed to accomplish first - LOL!

A New Artist on the Stamping Scene???

Must show you some new art work made by the daughter of my dear friend Gabriela (Gabi with an Eye).  She's multi-talented in many areas... piano, swimming... the list goes on!... but she also loves to draw (especially cats!!).  My siamese cat Bailey (who incidently will be 20 years old in November)... was an unknown subject for Madisen and I was thrilled to see what she had drawn.  I immediately made a card for her using her image:

I didn't even have to colour it - she did that as well!!  So as you can see my little Bailey-miester is at the far right with a very "I'm not so sure about you two" look on his face.  So she even captured his personality!! 

Here's the inside:

Because I made this card for Madisen to surprise her with her own artwork in a card... I wanted to put a personal message for her on the inside, "You're destined for greatness" just about sums it up for this amazing young teenager.

Now I learn this morning that her Mum Gabriela has created several cards using this image as well.  You must check them out here!!  And of course you should visit Madisen herself here!!  (Be sure to also see her animations as well - unbelieveable!)

It was fun sharing this today - hope you all enjoying your weekend.  We have beautiful sun shining days here in Kingston and no more snow!!  Wishing you the same. 

Heart & Soul

Well happy Saturday to you all.  Just popping in quickly with another Just Rite card.  I used an embossing folder by Crafts Too on the Whisper White cardstock.  I really like the affect.  With cards that have minimal colour, I like to add another dimension or texture just to make it a little more interesting. 

The ribbon is PTI & SU, DP is Little Yellow Bicycle. Spellbinder oval & square & MFT border edge.  Oh - and of course Martha Stewart edge punch too. 

I used Verve on the inside:

I have such a busy day planned but my goal is to get back home and try another Just Rite card.  Pouring rain & cold here today - hope you have sunshine!!  =)

Feelin' Just Rite!

I received my Stamper's Dream blog candy & order in the mail and had to try a card right away!  This is my first try with these stamps and they are more then just rite - they are just fantastic! 

I used the Thinking of You set as well as Kindness for this one:

Those cling stamps are a dream as well!!  Oh - and speaking of dreams.. Stamper's Dream... I want to thank Michelle Rodgers very much for the wonderful blog candy that I won and received in the mail.  What a dream she is to deal with!!  And I love every last bit of it.  (Love candy that has no calories...)

Sentiment on the inside is from Verve, pattern paper from Basic Grey Marjolaine. 

I have a sneaky feeling my next few cards will Just Rite.  =)

Saved by Flowers & Lace...

Ever make a card that you're just not happy with, so you set it aside?  You don't hate it quite enough to can it, but it just doesn't seem worth finishing at the time?  Well that's what happened with this one.   Made this one a while ago and it got pushed aside & forgotten.

Well I didn't really feel like doing anything when I walked into my craft room.  I was just sort of walking around in a stuffy-head-cold-daze.  Went in, plopped down & picked it up and thought.... if I distress the edges a bit, add a bit of lace and flowers & low-and-behold I liked it again! 

This is one of my most favorite Mo Manning images.

If I remember correctly I think the patterned paper is MME.  Aren't those little sheer ribbon flowers pretty?  My friend Gabriela sent them to me a while ago and I've been hording them until now.  I added a bit of sparkle to her slippers and to the leaves under the rolled flower.

The inside sentiment is from SU, I thought it paired nicely with the image. 

Well that's it from me.  This weekend was a bit of a bust - missed all my "weekend favs" like Saturday morning coffee with the family at Tim Horton's and 2 visits with my nieces.  Can't risk letting them get sick.  I've slept most of today away, no laundry or housework done... but my parents delivered groceries which was really nice!  I can live without certain things... but my 19 year old Siamese cat Bailey is not about to go without.  Thank goodness for them or I would have had to go out.

Well I've rambled on enough - going stir crazy and desperate for a chat I guess - lol. 

Have a great week all!
Carla.

Irish Blessing

I found this wonderful free digital image at Waltzing Mouse Stamps HERE.  I love it - what a fantastic image for St. Patrick's Day!  Or even to just wish someone good luck. 

I coloured with Copics & SU's Certainly Celery with Little Yellow Bicycle background paper.  Both EK Success & Martha edge punches were used.  The felt rolled flower was an afterthought as was the bit of glitter to the shamrocks.  (Real shamrocks have glitter, don't they?  lol)

I kept the inside simple.  I'm certainly going to try a few more cards with this beautiful shamrock bouquet.  But before that... I'm going to try something else that's green.  A NeoCitran.  =)

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Dance

This is one of my all-time favorite images from Mo Manning.  Isn't she sweet?  After colouring her with copics, I layered the image with a scrap of Basic Grey cut out with my Nestibilities Labels 8 die.  I added the largest Fancy Tags die directly beneath her... just to add a little extra pizzaz (not that she needed it).

I love this paper from American Crafts (Dear Lizzie).  I bought it ages ago and forgot I had it.

Here's the inside with a quote from Verve....

Well I'm so glad the weekend it here, but unfortuately I'm sick with a dreaded head cold.  Time to get caught up on some DVR shows!!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone - thanks for stopping by!  =)

Within Your Heart

Was on a cleaning binge and left the craft room for last.  As I approached the desk with dusters & broom tucked under one arm, I thought, "hey... all those scraps would look cute together in a card".  1.5 hrs later, all scraps from last weeks cards sewn together for a new card.  And the room is still a bomb.

I added my new Martha Stewart ribbon I bought on clearance yesterday at Michaels - I hope there's more left - wow it's gorgeous stuff & ties beautifully. 

Probably difficult to see but I added glitter to the dress, eyeshadow & hair bow using a glue pen and tiny dots.  Sentiment from Verve.

Kept the inside fairly simple and used up the rest of the scraps.

Well......... that was fun, but back to cleaning!!  Wish me luck this time.  =)

Head Start on Easter

Made an Easter card for a very good friend to give her Mom.  I had just bought the Everlasting Life set from Verve recently and it was the excuse I needed to try it out!

This pretty pretty paper from Tres Jolie I've all but completely covered.  I always do that when I'm fussying so much. 

I used two MFT dies (border & rolled flower) & two spellbinders nestibilities (large oval & labels 5).  The flower under the rolled flower is a Martha punch.  Other then that, a little bit of sewing, lace, velvet ric rac & pale yellow sheer ribbon... and of course lots of pearls!  =)

Here's the inside:

I love the spellbinder cross collection - so pretty & easy peasy to work with.  It will be great to make more Easter cards using these dies and that gorgeous Verve set.  And the entire weekend ahead of me........ oh yeah!

Have a lovely weekend ALL!

Another Music Card

Can you handle another music card?  I love this set from MFT!

I tried to stay with the antique-y-feel of the old record player and thought a little lace could add to that.  I stamped the image in SU Choc Chip & Always Artichoke.  I used Sizzix die Corner Flourish #2 (cut into pieces & assembled) for the base of the rolled flowers and added glitter to both the flourishes & the little fern leaves.  Lastly, I glittered up the small Martha Stewart butterfly & added the MFT border punch.  By the way, I absolutely love these dies from MFT - they cut beautifully. 

The Sizzix die as "uncut"... is as it appears on the inside.  It's my first Sizzix die I've ever tried - and I love it!

Well that's it from me!  I have to say it really is so nice being back in blog land... thanks for all of your encouraging comments - means a lot!  =)

A Musical Thankyou

Hey bloggettes!!  Happy Valentines Day to you all... I suppose it would only make sense I would pop in today with a Valentine card.... but no such luck.  =)

I had a request to make a thank you card with a musical theme. 

I thought I would try this Bo Bunny paper, which is a little out of my comfort zone for colour but I was happy with it in the end.  I placed a single dew drop on the center of this old style record player (image from MFT) and used a combination of spellbinders (Fancy Tags, Classic Ovals, Nestibilities Labels 10) to frame the image.  I love this beautiful ribbon I found at my local stamp store!!

The inside:

I used to have a stamp with this sentiment on it (I believe it was SU!) but after looking high & low I resorted to the printer and a nice font.  =)

Well I've taken the day off work so I have a big card-making day planned.  Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with whomever you're with... and wherever you are! 

Times Does Not Change Us

Yesterday, with my Michael's 50% off coupon... I bought the Martha Stewart jumbo monarch butterfly trim punch and raced home to try it out.  I usually try the punches out in the parking lot and all my receipts from Michael's usually have a design in them or are half missing... lol... but this time I just went straight home and starting playin'.

Naturally I had to dig out all my butterfly "stuff" and coloured up my favorite Stampin Up! butterfly with Copics.   I also used my new Cuttlebug embossing folder - I think it's called Victorian - it leaves a great impression - I just love it.  Can't remember the name of this patterned paper, it's the last of it's kind in my stash.  Hey - I just realized I didn't use ANY brown in this card... that might be a first for me.  =)

I love the deep richness of this Cherry Cobbler SU cardstock... Christmas and Valentine's has really depleted my supply.  =)

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Thank You

My brother asked me to make a card for my parents expressing his gratitude for all they have done for him.  This was for the eve of his wedding, so this is what I came up with. 

For some reason, the lighting on this picture is terrible... AND there's no colour - so you'll need to squint!  I started out wanting to do something with white & cream monotone, but stumbled across Sahara Sand (the cardstock... not the desert...) when reaching for Very Vanilla (the cardstock... not the icecream). 

I decided to try and "channel" (LOL!) Becca Fekken and her lovely flowy flourishy (are those real words?) style... so how I did this without ribbon I'll never know.

Sentiments inside and out are both from Verve (because they rock!).  I propted the inside message up with dimensionals and added a bit of Always Artichoke to the leaves when inking. 

And last but certainly not least, I don't think my brother would mind me posting a picture of him and his new bride.  I think they're such a cute couple and pretty picgtures can only improve my blog - right??  lol

Happy Saturday y'all!!

My Heart is Yours

So happy to get another Valentine done this evening.  Made this one for a friend to give his girlfriend (their first Valentine's Day together) so I hope he likes it.

I was happy to finally play with my new spellbinder heart die set and my new MFT border die & rolled flower die.  Yeah - love new toys! 

The inside is fairly simple, wording is from the same Verve set as the front and the paper is from American Crafts... it may be hard to see in the picture but it's actually a "salmon" colour.

Well that's it for me.  Had a lovely day off and looking forward to the rest of the weekend.  Hope you all have a lovely one too!