Exhibit C - Sunny Days

Well, I did it. I got all four cards made for the Verve January challenge. Ironically this was the first sketch in the series. I did everything backwards - what else is new.

Here is the sketch. You can go to Splitcoast Stampers Gallery here to see all the other entries. There are lots of beautiful cards and many interesting variations on the sketches.

The patterned papers from K & Co were my starting point. The base and mats are chocolate chip (SU). The crochet trim and the antique brads are also SU. The crochet lace circle under the label was some by-the-yard trim I bought at Joanns. I stitched a running thread through the bottom edge and gathered the trim to make the circle. The stamps are from the Verve sets 'Tag Time' and 'Let it Shine'.  I stamped the label outline, then the words (both in chocolate chip) on some of the background pattered paper, and trimmed around  it by hand. finally, I set the label stamp down on the green pattered paper and, with a pencil and small  washer, traced around the stamp to create the mat. This, I also hand cut. I added some thin cardboard behind the whole label section to give it a bit more body, then attached it to the card with foam squares.

Oh yes, I sponged some vintage photo distress ink around the edges of every piece of paper before putting anything together.

Well that is it, and I may not be doing many posts for the next little while. We have a quick trip to make for a family emergency, then home to pack and leave for AZ and many sunny days. I will have to see how it goes with the computer time. Meanwhile,you all keep on stamping.

Exhibit B - Great Love

I have the third of four cards finished for the Verve Challenge. My colours on this card are pink pirouette and rich razzleberry. Here is the layout from Verve.



I began with the two beautiful papers from K & Co and chose my palette to match. The background patterned paper is from SU, which I matted with the razzleberry and attached to the card base. I also matted the vertical band of dp with razzleberry (I should have used a paper with a shorter name!)

I wanted something a little different for the horizontal band mat so I went to my ribbons and found some organdy that matched. However, I felt I wanted something a little more solid so I decided to pleat it. Hmm. It took a little work, as I chose to do it by hand, not on a sewing machine, but I managed to get a look I liked.

The label and mat are the same size, die cut with SP #18 label die and offset. The sentiment was created on my Office Word and printed on the pink label. The flowers, from SU, are ivory in their original state, so I died them, then added the rhinestone centers with crystal effects. I also used the CE to attach the flowers to the label. The beautiful ribbon is also SU (I tied the bow together using a small bit of fine wire, then attached it with a glue dot) and the crystal swirls are Recollections from Michaels.


This one took a while to come together, but I am please with the results. Hope you like it too.