{Make Lemonade}

Hi everyone,

I pulled out an old, now retired (I believe) Taylored Expressions stamp set I have today and decided to make a card around it. 

For the cover panel I used a Perforator Cutting Blade for my Cutterpede Paper Trimmer to create the diagonal lines pattern. I then took a circle die and cut out a circle out of my white cardstock. I used a slightly smaller circle die than the previous one and cut some yellow cardstock with it. I then layered the yellow behind the white and trimmed off the excess on the straight edge.

I colored my lemons and lemonade glass with Copic Markers, added some glitter for texture and added some clear Jewel Dew Drops as final touches.

Closer look: 

thanks so much for stopping by!

Sonja

{Make Lemonade...}TCP Tuesday #309

we've had a lot of rain here in the San Fran area this past week which is great of course since we really needed it but also made me crave a fun, bright spring card.This card here is a hodge podge mix of some The Cat's Pajamas stamps as well as Taylored Expressions stamps.

I just loved the sentiment so much and thought it would go great with the idea of Sprinkle behind her little juice stand. I hope you enjoy and keep on making lemonade :)

Sonja

{You're in luck} TCP Tuesday

hi there,

I needed a break from working and learning so I decided to play along with this week's TCP Tuesday challenge, which is all about green and gold. Now if you're like me...I don't have a whole lot of gold laying around so I had to dig deep in my embellishment pile and ...like my card says "you're in luck" and I found some brads, gears and distress Stickles glitter. yay!! I also paired something old with something new and that's cute Sprinkle here, she's a retired rubber (!) stamp from the Cat's Pajamas...as well as the sentiment. The bingo card however is one of the newer TCP stamp sets so that one is still up for grabs.

Here's a little detail up close and personal shot:

oh and the sentiment on the inside (not pictured here) says "nothing is impossible". The papers I used are scraps from one of October Afternoon's older paper pads as well as Papertrey Inks Itty bitty square pad.

thanks so much for stopping by!!

Sony

{my umbrella} Stamp Medley

Hi everyone,

it's been raining almost this entire week here in San Francisco so no wonder I was inspired to make a rainy day umbrella card but here's the thing...I didn't necessarily have the perfect stamp for what I wanted to do so I decided to mix and match stamps from different sets. The cutie you see here is PJ from the Cat's Pajama's set "A Beary Good Year" ( I think this set is retired now sadly) and the umbrella and the sentiment are from the Verve set "Rain or Shine". I colored the bear using copic markers and added some frosted lace stickles to his belly and nose for added sparkle. I paper pieced the umbrella, colored over it and then added some crystal effect to get the shiny plastic look. The stitching behind the umbrella is the rain. 

thanks so much for stopping by and hope you stay dry!!

Sony

{When skies are gray...} February Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi everyone,

Welcome to Verve's February Diva Inspirations Hop. Are you ready for another fabulous blog hop?? This month we've got a bloomin' good challenge for you along with our usual inspiration! So in addition to a comment prize hidden along the hop, you can play along with the challenge and link up your creation for a chance to win another prize!

Our February challenge is Floral Fantasy:

February is the month of love and flowers are a popular gift
so add some petal power to your cards this month!

Now I have to admit I sort of strew away a little from the challenge but it was raining outside and I had just gotten some new stamp sets I couldn't put away without using them soooo yeah...the result of that you can see above. :)

I did manage to squeeze in stamps from 4 different set...namely Rain or Shine, Surely Goodness, Notebook Paper Plain Jane and Take Note. I also used the matching dies Rounded Rectangle and Goodness Flowers . But enough about my card...

 Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines.

	1. Julee	11. Tiffany
	2. Amy	12. Maureen
	3. Anya	13. Stacey
	4. Betty	14. Christyne
	5. Jessica	15. Teresa
	6. Karen	16. Marisa
	7. Sankari	17. Charmaine
	8. Sarah	18. Janelle
	9. Sony	19. Jen
	10. Susan

Happy Hopping!!!!

til next time,

Sony

{Do Not Sorrow...} September Diva Inspiration Hop

Hi Everyone and Welcome to our September Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!!

First of did you get here from Sankari's Blog? Yeah? Perfect!! Oh you didn't? Why don't you hop on over to Betty's Blog because that's where all the fun starts this month.

Did you all have a great Labor Day Weekend? I spent the weekend with friends and I finally got to see The Dark Knight Rises...epic! Just epic! The story, the characters, the visuals...it was a really great movie. By far my favorite of the trilogy but anyway...you're not here to listen to me talk movies but rather stamps so let's get to it shall we?

I have yet another comfort card for you...I know it just doesn't seem to wanna stop but there is a silver lining...I've got two baby shower cards to make. Yay!!! lol

Anyway...for this one I used this wonderful verse in Nehemiah 8:10 that Julee put so beautifully in a stamp. You can find the stamp here...it's on sale btw. :)

I stamped it in white ink on soft suede CS...just felt like switching it up a little for a change. :)

Here is the master hop list:

	1. Betty	8. Amber
	2. Jen d.	9. Amy
	3. Jen T.	10. Andrea
	4. Julee	11. Janelle
	5. Sankari	12. Maureen
	6. Sony	13. Teresa
	7. Susan	14. Tosha

all right...I'm going to send you right along to Susan's Blog!! 

I know she has something specialicious lined up for ya!!

til next time,

Sony

Stamps: Nehemiah 8:10 (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Spring Moss (PTI), Soft Suede (SU), Ooh-La-La (MME), Fly a Kite (OA)
Ink: Frost White (Colorbox)
Accessories: Nesties, Liquid Pearls, Divine Twine (TCP), Moroccan Border Punch (EK), Die Cut Accents (K&C), White Thread and Sewing Machine, Sponge

{Victory} Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop

Hi Everyone and Welcome to Our Anni-Verve-sary Spotlight Hop!!

If you hopped here from Betty's Blog than you're hopping right along and if not then why don't you go to Julee's Blog because that's where all the fun begins!!

We've got some really gorgeous new stamps to show off today so I hope you're ready....this set here is called 'Wonderfully Made' and it includes that gorgeous Vintage-y looking flower along with some amazing sayings like the one I'm featuring on my card here today. Some of other sentiments are 'There are no small miracles' and 'You are in my thoughts and prayers' aaand 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made'....just to name some of them. Gorgeous right?

I have a special relationship to this sentiment I used here because when my dad passed I was essentially stuck with taking care/resolving of all his affairs...many of them very complicated and involve several attorneys so I had no choice but to learn to cast all my cares and concerns unto the Lord...and you know what...I found just what that sentiment said: Victory is mine when the battle is the Lord's. These past few weeks I've felt his presence more than I've ever had before. He has opened the right doors at the right time and it's given my mom and I great comfort during such a difficult time.

Well...I don't want to keep you any longer...I just have such a connection to this sentiment that I wanted to share with you. :)

Sooo here's the Master Hop List:

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Laurie S. 9. Charmaine 3. Maureen 10. Janelle 4. Teresa 11. Betty 5. Tosh 12. Sony 6. Amber 13. Christyne {Guest} 7. Amy 14. Laurie W. {Guest}

Now you can also win something...here's how:

We've picked a mystery blog from today's hop and hidden a prize! So be sure to give a little shout out in the comment section as you hop around to each blog on the list. We’ll draw a random winner from all of the comments on the mystery blog to win today's featured sets and dies. Check out the Verve Blog for all the prize details and deadlines.

Want even more chances to win? Head on over to the Verve SCS forum and play along in our Anni-VERVE-sary release challenges. Or hop on over to the Verve Blog to find out about our Verve Card Carnival, for a chance to win the entire new release (a $300+ value)!

Next stop on your hop is Christyne!!!
We're very lucky to have her joining us for this release!!!

Best of luck to you!
Til next time,

Sony

Stamps: Wonderfully Made (Verve)

Paper: Clippings (Basic Grey), Ivory, Aqua Mist (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Corrugated Shapes (Jillibean Soup), Pop-up Dots, Copics, Stickles Glitter, Buttons, Jute Twine, Twill Tape, Banner CutUps (TCP), Sponge, White Thread and Sewing Machine

{Cast All Your Cares...} August Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi Guys and Welcome to our Verve August Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!!

I made this card about a month ago when I had a little break from school and I'm utterly astonished that I chose this particular stamp because it couldn't fit more perfectly right now. My dad passed away a few weeks ago. As most of you know he was battling with cancer and even though he was in remission for a short while the cancer came back and it all went very quickly. My dad is now in a much better place and that is a great comfort to my mom and I. 

I don't want to keep you all that long because we have a long list of participating Divas for you today.

Here's the master list:

	1. Betty	9. Andrea
	2. Jen d.	10. Janelle
	3. Jen T.	11. Laurie
	4. Julee	12. Maureen
	5. Sankari	13. Teresa
	6. Sony	14. Charmaine
	7. Susan	15. Christyne
	8. Amber	16. Laurie

With a new month comes a new sale, and this month we're celebrating FIVE wonderful years of Verve! So in proper celebratory style, we've made some fantastic discounts on some wonderful product! Through August 31, save 10 - 50% off select stamps and dies. Everything is on sale while supplies last, so go ahead and treat yourself to one or two, or even FIVE stampy pleasures! {grin}

thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Happy Hopping!!!!

Sony

Stamps: 1Peter 5:7 (Verve), Great Friend (Verve)

Paper: Lost & Found Sunshine (MME), Crushed Curry (SU), Sahara Sand (SU), Kraft
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Notebook Style Border Punch, Nesties, Layered Arches Border Punch (MS), Stickles Glitter, Ribbon, Buttons, Jute Twine, White Thread and Sewing Machine, Pop-up Dots

{Peace} Diva Inspirations Blog Hop

Hi guys and 

Welcome to the September Diva Inspirations Blog Hop! I hope you are all doing well, that you who live on the eastcoast survived that hurricane and that you are now full on ready to see some fabulous eye candy. I can say for myself personally that I have never ever been this busy in my life before. This past term (we're in finals at the moment) I took an additional class on top of my regular full-time 6 class-load. I also started interning at my school's studio, doing matte paintings for a short, animated film....aaand just last friday I accepted a two week job on CSI:NY. So yes...I had to basically work overtime last weekend to get as many of my final projects done as I could. I still have to two left to work on....and one of them requires me to actually be at school and present otherwise I get a D in the class. :( Good times!!! But you're not here to read my life's story so let's get movin', you've got a whole lot more to see.... Our Diva Inspirations team and a few special guests from our Release team are here to start your month off right with a littleVerve inspiration! Take a little peek at each of the fabulous blogs below and leave a little comment love for their Verve-alicious eye candy and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own! 1. Julee 7. Sony _that's me :) 2. Betty 8. Susan 3. Dawn 9. Andrea 4. Jen d. 10. Sankari 11. Teresa 5. Lynda 12. Tosh 6. Shannan 13. Charmaine We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win! Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, September 12 Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve

Autumn SALE! Fall is in the air and we're in the mood for a SALE! During September, enjoy 25% savings on all of our autumn themed stamps! Plus, don't miss our September Stamp of the Month special on Autumn Splendor... At 30% off during the month of September, Autumn Splendor is one splendid deal! wait...it's autumn already?! Yikes...I better get to it and start making some thanksgiving cards!! HAPPY HOPPING!!! Say hi to Susan from me :) Sony

Stamps: Forever in Our Hearts (Verve), Blue Skies (Verve) Paper: Kraft, Lavender Lace (SU), Vintage Shabby (Tim Holtz), Close to Cocoa (SU), Ivory  Ink: Frayed Burlap, Soft Suede (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black Accessories: Prima Flowers, Stickles Glitter, Twill Tape, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Nesties, Kraft Thread and Sewing Machine, Sponges, Copic Marker, Score-Pal, Deco Fan Border Punch (Martha Stewart)

{He Cares For You} Diva Inspirations

Hi guys,

how are you? I hope all is well with you. I'm enjoying my last and really only weekend of free time before my next term at school starts back up. I could really use one more week off buuut oh well...what are you gonna do?! At least I did get to go to the beach one day this week aand did I mention that I look a little like a spotted zebra at the moment?! lol yup I guess I forgot to put sunscreen on some parts and/or did not re-apply as often as I should have. It's not too terrible though...nothing some aloe can't fix. :)

Anyway....I'm back with a little Diva Inspiration for you. I got some new Verve a little while ago that I had not had the chance to get inked up yet so I thought today was the perfect day for just that. 

I loved the Mojo Monday 194 sketch and thought it would be just perfect for the Verve set 1 Peter 5:7. 

thanks so much for stopping by,

Sony :)

Stamps: 1 Peter 5:7 (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Shabby (Tim Holtz), Kraft, Rustic Cream (PTI), Aqua Mist (PTI)
Ink: Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen (Distress Ink), Soft Suede (SU)
Accessories: Twill Tape, Rosette CutUps Die (TCP), Nesties, Layered Arches Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Jute Twine, Ribbon (SU), Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine

{Another Way} Diva Inspiration

Hi everyone,

I'm back with another Verve Diva Inspiration for you today. This time around I used stamps from the Verve set Blue Skies - I love everything about this set: the gorgeous butterflies, the fun and oh so versatile notebook page and of course the inspiring sentiments. How can you go wrong with a combo like that right?!
So let's see...what else?! Oh yes, the papers are from the Chick-A-Doo collection by SEI and the flowers are cut out using the Flower CutUps Die from the Cat's Pajamas.

To get that border around my sentiment I took my circle Nestie, cut out my shape with white Cardstock, then using the Nestie as ruler or mask I took a green marker and drew a line inside the nestie, set that aside. Next I used that same size Nestie to cut out a circle of the striped Designer Paper, then I cut the circle into three sections, discarded the middle section and folded the top and bottom section until they lined up well with my sentiment, glued them down and ran them through my sewing machine. That's it...easy peasy.

So this is all I have for you today,

hope to see you back here next week!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve)

Paper: Chick-A-Doo (SEI), Baja Breeze (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Flower CutUps (TCP), Polka Dot Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Ribbon, Divine Twine (TCP), Nesties, Copics, Stickles Glitter, Buttons, White Thread and Sewing Machine

{Espresso Sympathy} Mojo Inspired

Hi everyone,

I'm just dropping in real quick to share this card I made last night with you all. I'm sad to say I'm in need of another sympathy card. A former colleague of mine lost his wife to lung cancer. It's so sad because it all happened so fast. She was diagnosed just a month ago.

Now I have to admit I always have a hard time picking a color scheme for Sympathy cards. I try to stay away from too much black because I want my cards to give a peaceful and hopeful feeling when someone looks at them...and not all gloomy, dark and depressing.                                         

So this time around I went a little monochromatic which I love to do and haven't done in a while. I kept all colors in the brown/beige realm, which I thought still looked classy and elegant but also feels a whole lot warmer than black or gray.

The sketch was inspired by this week's Mojo Monday sketch...I say inspired because I tilted a panel here and I elongated the ribbon there. You know me I just couldn't stop myself. ;)

I have got to run...I've got class all day today and it's raining outside which means traffic is going to be twice as bad...Californians and rain don't mix all that well.

Take care and see you all back here soon :)

Sony

Stamps: Kind Words (Verve), Baroque Nested Frames (Just Rite)

Paper: Avignon (7Gypsies), Kraft, Chocolate Chip (SU), Rustic Cream (PTI)
Ink: Soft Suede (SU), Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)

Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread (TCP), Nesties, Twill Tape, Ribbon, Sponges

{The Sun Will Come Out} SFYTT

If you were at the Cat's Pajamas Release Party this month than this card here is going to look very familiar to you as I showed you a Sneak Peek of it then but now you get to see it in ful and if you missed it well then there you go. :) 

What I didn't mention then tho is that I used Jen's SFYTT sketch for this card and even more importantly you've got two more days to play to win a set of your choosing from the Cat's Pajamas!! And with all this brandnew cuteness in stock you don't want to miss the chance for some free goodies do ya?!

All you have to do is create something using Jen's sketch from this month and link it to her blog. For a detailed look at all the deets and Jen's link list just click on the sketch in my sidebar. 

Good luck to you all!!! :)

so I have got to run but I wish you all a great great weekend and 

I hope to see you back here next week, 

~ Sony

Stamps: Spring Rain (TCP)
Paper: Garden Variety (CC), Real Red (SU), Basic Black, Glittery Black CS, Isabelle Collection (Anna Griffin)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy (SU)
Accessories: Copics, Checkerboard Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Label Fourteen Nesties, Cloud Die-Namics (MFT), Buttons, Divine Twine (TCP), Mini Library Clip (SU), White Thread and Sewing Machine

{Thinking of You...} SFYTT

Hi Everyone,

it's time for our last SFYTT challenge for this year...my where did the time go?! This week you get to pick one of your favorite SFYTT sketches from the past and make a new card with it!

And as promised we are doing things a wee bit different next year: instead of a weekly sketch we will do a monthly sketch challenge instead. That gives all of us a little bit more time to play along. We will continue to have sponsors for some if not even all months so stay tuned and check in with us to see what goodies you can win.
We're also saying good-bye to our dear friend and sister Jenn D. and hello to our new sister Kerry Johnson. I think those are all the changes we have for you.

I'm sad to say I had to make a sympathy card this week: one of our Seniors from church passed away and the funeral is today. He wasn't feeling all that well and had to go to the hospital but I don't think anybody in his family expected him to go just yet ...especially now with christmas just being around the corner...but then we never know God's timetable, the only thing we do know is that he knows best and everything happens for a reason.

I don't have all that many sympathy stamps but thankfully Julee's set Kind Words comes with a thinking of you, a with sympathy and some beautiful silhouetted flowers that I could use. I really need to get me her Forever In Our Hearts set.
I felt that my flowers needed a little spark to them so I added some Crystal Effects, Liquid Pearls and a Rhinestone for that last sparkly touch :).

thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to stop by my sisters to see which sketch they chose to recycle :)
* Jen del Muro
* Amber Hight
* Amy Rohl
* Amy Sheffer 
* Carole Burrage
* Jenn Diercks
*Jodi Collins
* Kelly Lunceford
* Leigh O'Brien
* Megan Lock
* Susan Liles

~ Sony

Stamps: Kind Words (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Shabby (Tim Holtz), Baja Breeze (SU), Basic Black, White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
 Accessories: Nesties, Moroccan Edge Border Punch, Polka Dot Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Ribbon, Thread, Rhinestones, Platinum Liquid Pearls, Paper Piercer (SU), White Thread and Sewing Machine, Crystal Effects
 

{Courage} SFYTT

Hi guys,

I'm just dropping in real quick to share my card with you today. Midterms are fast

approaching and I've got my hands full but I was able to sneak in a card for Jen's SFYTT

sketch challenge. Yay!!!

For this card here I used stamps from Verve's Blue Skies set. I just can't get enough

of that set...really...it's a problem. lol

The papers I used are from the Amber Autumn Stack Collection by DCWV. I'm normally not a huge fan of DCWV but I really really like this one. It's got a lot of great patterns and

different color schemes in it. As accents I used pearls today which is not my usual choice in embellies but I think it works here.

Are you as curious as I am to see what my fabulous SFYTT Sisters have come up with? Be sure to stop by their blogs and check it out:

Jen del Muro and a big hearty welcome
to our October Guest Designer Lesa Smaligo
* Amber Hight
* Amy Rohl
* Amy Sheffer
* Carole Burrage
* Jenn Diercks
*Jodi Collins
* Kelly Lunceford
* Megan Lock
* Susan Liles

thanks so much for stopping by!!!

I've gotta run, my storyboards are waiting for me. :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve)
Paper: Amber Autumn Stack (DCWV), Chocolate Brown (PTI), Bashful Blue (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen (Distress Ink), Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Nesties, Pearl Accents, Stickles Glitter, Twill Tape, Sponges, Copics, Kraft Thread and Sewing Machine