Viva La Verve!

That's the name of the new Verve challenges that started last week in the Verve forum on Splitcoast, and I just love it. It sounds so fun to me. I can't even think it without a cheesy Elvis snarl and accent. Anyway, every Friday Amber posts a new sketch with a twist. This week requires a twist of bling. Here's the challenge thread. And there's a prize involved!

I used a couple of new EP

goodies (Birds and

Swirls folder, My Mind's Eye paper) with the Verve set, Hearts on Fire (available today). And my bit of bling is the three rhinestones under the sentiment. They were clear, but I colored them with Copic marker R59. I just love doing that. One embellishment with limitless possibilities.

What's In It?
Stamps- hearts on fire (Verve Stamps)

Paper- white (PTI and Georgia Pacific); choc chip(SU); irresistible love dots (MME)
Ink- choc chip, ruby red (SU); Copic R59
Accessories- ribbon (American Crafts); rectangle nesties; icons (MAMBI); birds and swirls folder (CB); dimensionals

The Friday Funny 1/9/09

Just yesterday, I was thinking about reinstating the Friday Funny. Then today somebody actually asked about it. So, I'll try to come up with something every week, starting today. Because we all need a good laugh. Hope you enjoy this weekly installment. Disclaimer: Please don't take any of these literally. I don't assume them to be true stories, and I don't research them. They're just for fun. So here ya go:

December 11, 2008

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days. The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognizedday.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed."

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do, counsel, your client is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fools Day.' Psalm14:1 states 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

Simply Sweet

I'm trying to get this ready before heading to bed again, so I'll be brief. I had a great time with everyone at the Lizzie Anne forums last night for the release party. Have you checked out all of the new stamps? Which do you just LOVE?

And tonight is another release party for me. Verve Stamps will be partying at the Splitcoast Forum here tonight at 8 pm Eastern time, 5 pm Pacific. Hope you can stop by and say "Hi".

Today I have a quick card for you with one of tonight's releases, Sweet Valentine. I used this sketch from the Clean & Simple blog. Colored with Copics R43, RV42 and RV29. I also used the darkest of those Copics to color matching rhinestones beside my sentiment.

Hope you're all having a fab Friday!

What's In It?
Stamps- Sweet Valentine (Verve)
Paper- very vanilla, chocolate chip, pink pirouette (Stampin' Up!)
Ink- purely pomegranate (SU!); vintage photo distress ink (Ranger)
Accessories- Copic markers; ribbon (American Crafts); white opal liquid pearls; icons (MAMBI); nestabilities dies (Spellbinders); swiss dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

PEEK, PEEK, PEEK

Yes, that title is for yesterday's anonymous commenter who was so disturbed by my spelling faux pas. LOL. Really, sometimes I type these posts up quickly before heading to bed with my mind half on something else. So, sorry for any mistakes.

But, seriously, I do have another PEEK with Lizzie Anne's upcoming Simply Single, With Sympathy. When you're done here, stop by the LAD blog for previews of the full sets, links to more samples, and blog candy. Yum!

The purple Primas were colored with a Copic marker, and the die cuts were sponged with perfect plum and sage shadow inks. Sketch courtesy of Julee's new Mojo Monday Blog. And I want to point out the gorgeous velvet scalloped ribbon, just cause I love it. Thanks for stopping by.

What's In It?
Stamps- With Sympathy (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper- white, perfect plum, pale plum (SU!), Lizzie Anne's French Floral Pretty Papers and matching Bazzill pack (for the green)
Ink- perfect plum, sage shadow (SU)
Accessories- Brides pearl (Michaels), Primas, V15 Copic marker; pearl Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels); hello kitty flower bouquet die (Sizzix); Trim-Trimmeree ribbon (Cosmo Cricket); dimensionals

More Lizzie Anne Peaks

That's right, I've got TWO Lizzie Anne peaks for you today. Don't forget to stop by the blog for all of the set previews and a list of design team samples. This uses Tutti Fruity (what a cute name!) and some chalk inks on kraft paper. Is that not fun?!? I applied three colors of Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink directly to the rubber stamp before stamping, as well as a chocolate chip marker for the stems. One was cut out and popped up for dimension. And a couple of those fab papers are from the French Floral Pretty Paper pack. The ruby red has the pear stamped randomly with white VersaMagic.

Stamps- Tutti Fruity (Lizzie Anne Designs)

Paper- french floral pretty papers (LAD); kraft, ruby red (SU!)

Ink- choclate chip (SU!); white (VersaMagic); yellow citrus, lime pastel, lipstick red (Colorbox)

Accesories- slot punch (SU!); ribbon (American Crafts); brads (Lasting Impressions); Label 1 die (Spellbinders)

And here's a card for the upcoming release, In the Nursery.

Stamps- In the Nursery (LAD)

Paper- kraft (SU!); spring moss, aqua mist, white, Everyday Blessings (PTI)

Ink- noir (Palette)

Accessories- Copic markers, paper piercer, dimensionals, Star Dust Stickles, Martha Stewart border punch, circle dies (Spellbinders)

I hope to see you at the release party Thursday night, 6 pm PST, 9 pm EST at the Lizzie Anne Designs Forum. You have to be a registered member to participate, which is FREE to do. So go check it out.

Tea Time with Lizzie Anne

Today starts the sneak peaks and previews of Lizzie Anne Designs' newest stamp releases! You can see a peek right here each day, as well as all of the official previews on the Lizzie Anne blog. That will also let you know what other designers have samples to whet your appetite. They'll be available for purchase starting Friday, January 9th.

I hate to say it again, but this is my FAVORITE release so far. And in fact, this is my favorite set. The handles and spouts are separate from the main tea pot, so you can mix and match patterns to be as funky as you like! I went with the polka dotted pot and the plain handles here. I also added the heart of "steam". The image is stamped on water color paper and colored with Stampin' Up! markers and a water brush. The "ground" I sketch in with a Millennium pen. And check out that darling little sentiment, one of many fun additions in this set.

As always, shoot me an email if you have any questions. Thanks for dropping by.

What's In It?
Stamps- Tea Time (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper- barely banana, bashful blue, black, Cutie Pie (SU!); water color (Strathmore)
Ink- black Versafine, SU markers
Accessories- ribbon (michael's); acetate; fibers (SU!); hello kitty flower bouquet die (Sizzix); sequin and brad (Queen & Co. Kissy Fit); Glaze pen (Sakura); water brush; ribbon slot punch (Making Memories)

I'm Baack!

I'm so sorry. I can't believe it has been a full week since I talked to you all last. I have been stamping though, really. I have TWO releases this week. One for Verve Friday night, and one for Lizzie Anne Thursday night. The Verve sneak peeks have already started today on the Verve blog and the Lizzie Anne previews start tomorrow on the LAD blog (and right here). So there's lots going on. AND my friends and I have been working on making 75 of these baby shower invites for a friend!

I tried to keep the design fairly simple since we had so many to make. The theme is a Mad Hatter Tea Party, and one of my friend's requested this prego lady. (That's why I was looking for her a little while ago. Thanks!) I also used some of the tea cups from a retired SU! set, Espress Yourself. Some dots, some piercing, some Copics and TahDah!

You should be hearing from me lots this week. I have plenty to show you!