...Save The Date

You guessed it! Verve has a new release just around the corner, and we'll be celebrating with an all-day blog party next Friday, November 27. Julee, the other Divas, and I will be posting set reveals, samples, challenges and giveaways on an hourly basis from 12-9 PM Eastern!

Three new sets and two plain janes will be available for purchase at 9PM Eastern on 11/27, along with a holiday weekend sale and the start of a pretty fabulous blog hop featuring inspirations from the Divas.

So if you're looking for a little crafting inspiration after that early morning Black Friday shopping rush, head on over to the Verve Blog! Challenges will be open until Monday night, so you'll have plenty of time to participate.

THANKFUL DEALS: Sale starts at 9PM ET on 11/27

We'll have over 40 sets discounted 25 - 33% for the holiday weekend. Sale starts at 9PM on Friday 11/27/09 and runs through 11:59PM Monday, 11/30. All sales prices are limited to stock on hand, so shop early for the best deals. Here's a sampling of some of the sets that will be on sale:

• Starstruck
• Bountiful Backgrounds
• Harvest Blessings
• Kindred Spirits
• Express Yourself
• Swan Song
• You Rock
• Enjoy
• Some Bunny
• Uplifting Phrases
• Romans 12:13
• Elegant Flower Plain Jane...and many more.

Be sure to join us for all the fun and savings! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you all back here tomorrow for another installment of my Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Until then...

...Crazy 4 Sketches

Happy Saturday! It's Saturday, so that mean that it is time another challenge at the Crazy 4 Challenges' blog! Today's challenge is a wonderful sketch designed by our very own, Cindy Haffner. Our fearless leader for this month, Francis Byrne, has been rockin' out some amazing dares this month...and this one is no exception!

Our brilliant and generous sponsor for this month is Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, and she had sent us some digis for free to use during this month. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to use digis since I don't have any Copics to color them. Luckily, my sweet friend Jessica Diedrich let me stamp off some her rubberized images to use for this month instead...THANKS, JESS!

As you can see, I had to make the focal panel a bit longer in order to fit the image. This is "Charlotte", and I simply love her! My hair looks just like that when I get up in the mornings! LOL! I chose to use a floral print from the Tea Party Designer Series Paper pack to come up with my color combination. I created the sentiment flag, then added a Button with Linen Thread to complete my sketch sample.

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelynn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

That's it for today...thanks for stopping by to see me! It's your turn to create a sketch masterpiece, and share it with us. Be sure to add your creation to Mister Linky back at the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog post...we can't wait to see what you come up with! Until later..

...Home For The Holidays

Please scroll down to see my Farm Fresh Friday post!

I'm back again with another post, but this time I am showcasing my October 2009 Verve Project Parade entitled "Home For The Holidays". The Divas have been rocking the Verve Blog by creating inexpensive and beautiful handmade gifts, decor, and more. Today is my day to share a holiday gift idea...


I was able to make a stamped candle with a coordinating 3X3 card and envelope for under $5! I purchased a vanilla-scented candle and a pack of white tissue paper from an "everything is a dollar" store for $2. Then I used leftover bits and pieces of patterned paper, cardstock, and satin ribbon. The cost of papers couldn't be more that $1, and I actually got the ribbon from the end of a huge roll of satin ribbon for FREE. The candle and card were both stamped with the ornament shapes and sentiment from the "Holly Jolly Christmas" set, then the candle was placed into a large cello bag that cost only 10 cents...yes, I said it...10 CENTS!!! The envelope was actually from a gift card that I had received with one of my Christmas presents last year, so I thought I would reuse it instead of paying for a whole pack of new 3 X3 vanilla envelopes...especially since I only needed one!

That's it for me! So, now it's your turn! We'd love for you to play along with us and show us your homemade goodies for the upcoming giving season! Verve stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em, why not show 'em a little love?

And, as with all of our project parades, we've got prizes! To enter, just link up your Home for the Holidays creation to the Mr. Linky widget at Day One's post before midnight MST on Thursday, November 26. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. And for another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout out in the comments as they parade their fabulous creations inspired by this month's theme. One lucky commenter during the course of the parade (Nov 11 - 25) will win their choice of any Verve set.

Supplies

Stamps: Holly Jolly Christmas (Verve)

Papers: Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Holiday Harmony DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, aquapainter, scissors, sewing machine, tissue paper, wax paper, heat gun, candle, cello bag, ribbon, envelope

Technique: Stamping On Candles

...Farm Fresh Friday ~ No Patterned Paper

This is my sample for this week's Farm Fresh Friday over at The Greeting Farm Blog. This week, Kadie challenged us to make a card WITHOUT using any patterned papers! I wanted to put a hurtin' on her when I first saw that...you know how much I love my patterned papers! LOL! I quickly warmed up to the idea once I figured out which image I wanted to use. I chose to use another digital image today, My Guy Autumn. Since I was surrounded by hundreds of Copics this last weekend, I chose to use the majority of my time coloring all the digital images that I knew I would be needing cards for later on. Instead of using designer or patterned paper, I utilized my Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on the chocolate panel, and a Sponge Dauber to create the spots on the mustard panel.

Now let's see what the other design team members have for your viewing pleasure today:

• Cindy
• Cheryl
• Jessica
• Kadie
• Kim
• Lisa
• Lynda
• Sandra

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you back here later with my October Verve Project Parade...you will NOT want to miss it! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: My Guy Autumn, My Guy Ian - sentiment (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

Accessories: dimensionals, brads, mat pack, paper piercer, sponge daubers, distressed stripes cuttlebug embossing folder, classic oval nesties, classic circle nesties, big shot, copics, scissors

...Having A Fairy Nice Time

Happy Thursday, my blogging friends! It's time for another digital stamp release at The Greeting Farm, and this month they are offering these gorgeous seasonal fairies...and you can get them TODAY! I have a sample card using each mystical beauty, and I will include the sketch used to create the card along with the supply list for each. Are you ready?

Autumn Fairy : SFYTT

Supplies for the Autumn Fairy Card
Stamps: Autumn Fairy Digital Stamp (The Greeting Farm)
Papers: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope DSP
Inks: NONE
Accessories: copics, computer, printer, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, ribbon, button, linen thread, scissors, big shot, curved rectangle nesties, rub-on sentiment


Winter Fairy : MTSC06

Supplies for the Winter Fairy Card

Stamps: Winter Fairy Digital Stamp (The Greeting Farm), Great Expectations - sentiment (Verve)

Papers: Sage Shadow, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Wild Raspberry DSP (K & Company)

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On

Accessories: copics, scissors, big shot, nesties, dimensionals, rhinestones, ribbon, button, linen thread, mat pack, paper piercer, stickles

Spring Fairy : CPS142

Supplies for the Spring Fairy Card

Stamps: Spring Fairy Digital Stamp (The Greeting Farm), Fairy Tales - sentiment (Verve)

Papers: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip DSP, Flock Together DSP

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, copics, glaze pen, circle nesties, big shot, apron lace border punch

Summer Fairy : Future MTSC Sketch

Supplies for the Summer Fairy Card

Stamps: Summer Fairy Digital Stamp (The Greeting Farm), Fairy Tales - sentiment (Verve)

Papers: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, The Paper Studio DP

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On

Accessories: copics, ribbon, large oval punch, scallop oval pinch, nesties, big shot, scissors, dimensionals, glaze pen, mat pack, paper piercer

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see all back here tomorrow with another installment of Farm Fresh Friday! Until then...

...Sketch Challenge #255

This is my submission for today's Sketch Challenge #255 at SCS. I started with a Sahara Sand Cardstock base, then added a couple of pieces of patterned paper from the Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper pack. I stamped "Nora" (one of the Swiss Pixies from C.C. Designs) in Tuxedo Black Momento Ink, then colored her with Copics. I stamped one of the sentiments from The Greeting Farm's set "Keep Cozy" in black ink, then created a sentiment flag with it. I added Aged Pewter Brads and a Button to complete the card.

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with some TGF Fairy sneak peeks! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Nora Swiss Pixie (C.C. Designs), Keep Cozy (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Sahara Sand, Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Holiday Lounge DSP

Inks: Black

Accessories: copics, mat pack, paper piercer, brads, dimensionals, button, linen thread, scissors

...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #48 (MTSC48)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's time for another sketch challenge, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for faithfully participating in my weekly challenges...it's because of you that my Tuesday sketches have been such a success...you guys are THE BEST!

Now for this week's Tuesday Sketch #48 :

Viv Holden's Sample :

My Sample:

Now let's see what the Muses have in store for us today:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Shannan Teubner : will not be with us again until after the New Year
• Viv Holden (November Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation below in Mister Linky. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC48 when uploading to a public gallery!

Happy Stamping!

...Crazy 4 Acetate

Happy Saturday, everyone! It's time for another challenge from our Crazy Girls! Our team member, Francis Byrne, has created all of the challenges for this month...and she has done a wonderful job! This week's submissions will be utilizing acetate..are you ready for this one? I know I wasn't at first, but once I started it was quite fun!

I decided to make an SU only card, so I used the images from "Season of Friendship", and the sentiment from "Four the Holidays". I stamped the snowflake all over the front of the Clear Cardstock, then attached the focal panel using Dimensionals. The inside panel (seen below) was attached using Vellum Tape after the edges were pierced with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer.

Now let's see what the other ladies have in store for you all today:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelynn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

That's it for today...thanks for stopping by to see me! It's your turn to create an acetate masterpiece, and share it with us. Be sure to add your creation to Mister Linky back at the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog...we can't wait to see what you come up with! Until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Season of Friendship, Four the Holidays (Stampin' Up!)

Papers: Clear Cardstock, Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Whisper White

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Cotton White Staz-On

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, scissors, dimensionals, ribbon, scor-pal, SAMJ, image sheet

...Farm Fresh Sketch 11 By Cindy

Happy Friday! It's Farm Fresh Friday time at The Greeting Farm Blog, and today we have Sketch 11 By Cindy. We are also using the wonderful images created by the talented Marina Neira again this week. These little woodland creatures are just the sweetest little things I've ever seen! I decided to use "Maggie Bunny"...after all, that is our little labs' name! She isn't so little anymore, though! LOL! I picked some of my favorite sheets of Bo Bunny patterned paper, then watercolored this little lady to match. I am in love with this color combo, so you might just see it again very soon! I have heard people talk about not being able to color simply because they didn't have any Copic markers, but I don't have any either! I always watercolor my images unless I'm with someone who will let me use their Copics! LOL! I will be posting a "Watercoloring With An Aquapainter" tutorial in the next week, so be sure to tune it for that!

Now let's see what the other design team members have created for your viewing pleasure today:

• Cindy
• Cheryl
• Jessica
• Kadie
• Kim
• Lisa
• Lynda
• Sandra

Don't forget about the "WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE" contest! This is a TWO WEEK CONTEST/GUEST DESIGNER SEARCH brought to you by THE GREETING FARM! For the first time ever, The Greeting Farm is having a Guest Designer Search to work specifically with the wonderful animal images by Marina Neira! We are looking for someone to work with these critters for our next release through 12/31/09. Are you interested? If so, here's how to throw your name into this WILDLY awesome contest:

RULES:

*You MUST use a TGF image by Marina Neira. If you do not own any, there are several digital downloads available through the TGF store. Normally it's not like us to use specific images, but because this is a Guest Designer contest, we want to see what you can do using her stamps.

*For this week's CHALLENGE, you must create a card using Cindy's Sketch #11 with one of Marina's animals.

*Please Upload your creations by WEDNESDAY, November 18, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST into the TGF Galleria>Contests/Challenges>Farm Fresh Fridays>WILD WEEK 2

*This is a TWO WEEK cumulative contest, and you MUST COMPLETE BOTH CHALLENGES in order to qualify for the guest spot.

*The chosen Guest Designer will receive ALL THREE images by Marina in rubber, plus all of her digital images...they will also receive her December release. They will be working with Marina's creations exclusively, and will be asked to sign a one-month Guest DT contract with TGF.

That's it for me today...thanks for stopping by! I am packing all of my stuff to get loaded up for a weekend at Pam Varnell's house. We are getting together with our stamping buddies Jessie Rone and Jessica Diedrich...do those names sound familiar? LOL! We will be stamping our little hearts out ALL weekend, and you know we will be eating some good food, too. But first, my hubby and I are headed three hours away to watch our oldest son's football team play against the #1 team in the state. They won their Region Crossover game by one point, so they advanced to the State Playoffs. The six hour drive doesn't sound too appealing, but I will NOT miss my baby on that football field! GO LFO WARRIORS!!! Until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Maggie

Papers: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Watercolor, Bo Bunny DP

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Baja Breeze

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, brads, ribbon, button, linen thread, dimensionals, nesties, big shot, aquapainter, white gel pen, scissors, rub-ons (sentiment)

...Cracked Glass Mojo

This is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #112. I usually shy away from layouts with small focal panels, but this one actually motivated to stamp! I loved the bright color combinations in some My Mind's Eye patterned paper that I found not too long ago, and I knew I had to use it for this sketch! You can't really see it well, but the papers have glitter running throughout them...and they are so beautiful up close. I used one of the snowflakes and the sentiment from the Verve set, "Christmas In The Air", since the focal panel was so small. I used the Cracked Glass Technique on the embossed portion of the circular panel after watercoloring it. I left the white edges on the focal panel for contrast against the Regal Rose scalloped panel. So...what do you think?

I also wanted to let you all know that the Divas have started sharing some "Home For The Holidays: Gifts, Decor, and More!" over at the Verve Blog. It started yesterday, and will run until November 25th. And, as with all of our project parades, we've got prizes! To enter, just link up your Home for the Holidays creation to the Mr. Linky widget posted on Day One before midnight MST on Thursday, November 26. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout out in the comments as they parade their fabulous creations inspired by this month's theme. One lucky commenter during the course of the parade (Nov 11 - 25) will win their choice of any Verve set.

That's it for me today! I have some packing and cleaning to do, but I will see you back here tomorrow with a Farm Fresh Friday post! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Christmas In The Air (Verve)

Papers: Regal Rose, Creamy Caramel, Watercolor, My Mind's Eye DP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Jet Black Staz-on, Regal Rose, Creamy Caramel

Accessories: dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, jumbo eyelet, crop-a-dile, ribbon, linen thread, aquapainter, versamarker, glassy glaze, heat gun, clear embossing powder, scissors, nesties, big shot