{Manly Wishes} and TCP Tuesday 341

Hi,

I needed to make some gift card holder cards for my cousin's two teenage boys. I really enjoy making more masculine cards because it pushes me to try some color combinations I normally wouldn't. In this case I combined an olive green with a desaturated blue. I probably should resist using glitter stickles but um that...they'll just have to live with. :)

Here are my cards - the stamps are from The Cat's Pajamas. Unfortunately both of these sets are now retired as far as I know but Alma does have some really cute new stamps on her website so be sure to check them out if you're not familiar with TCP.

This one here I actually made for the TCP Tuesday Tag challenge (TCP Tuesday 341) but unfortunately I was too late to submit it. Oohhh well ...I still had fun making it and that's the most important part. :)

I used a couple of different dies for the cards. I used the Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Stax for the first card. For the second card I used The Big Stripes Cover Panel Confetti Cut by Reverse Confetti. I cut it out of dark grey and white cardstock and offset them a bit from each other to give a bit of a shadowing effect.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Merry Christmas!!

Sony

{Know what you're getting?}

Hi everyone,

I'm back with another card today. This time I revisited some of my old TCP or The Cat's Pajama's stamps. I paired Sassy Birthday with Hola Tequila for a more masculine happy 30th birthday card.

I figured...nothing says happy 30th to a guy more than a shot of Tequila, don't you think?

Here's a closer look:

thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a great day!

Sonja

{Wonderful Life} May Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi Guys!!!

Welcome to our May Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Today is a little bittersweet for us Divas because we're saying goodbye to our Diva Shannan!! Shannan has been there since the very beginning so please if you haven't already...swing by her blog and wish her all the best!!!

Before I talk a little bit about my card I just wanted to give you an update on my dad:

Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes!!! God is good and thanks to him my dad's made it through seven rounds of chemo! He's in good spirits and it looks as though the cancer is in remission! My dad has to go back for blood tests every week and he also has to get regular CAT scans done to make sure the cancer doesn't come back but all in all we're hopeful and very thankful. :)

hehe which sort of brings me to my card!! 

Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful! A quote from the Verve set Words of Wisdom. Wow...wisdom is right! This quote really made me think and appreciate all of life's little imperfections. :)

So I always find myself in need of some masculine birthday cards and I thought what says masculine more than some gears and metal aaaand....a clock?! Okay I added the clock because it sort of went well with the whole steampunk idea not necessarily because I think it screams masculine.

1. Betty	5. Julee
2. Jackie	6. Shannan
3. Jen d.	7. Sony
4. Jen T.	8. Susan

Thank you so much for stopping by and hopping along with us today!!

You've got one more stop and that is my good friend Susan!!!

see you next month for another Blog Hop!!! :)

Sony

Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve), Graph Paper (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Black, White, Lost & Found Sunshine (MME), Soft Suede (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink), Versamark, Gold Ink
Accessories: Rounded Rectangle Cut Above Die (Verve), Metal Gear Sprockets (Tim Holtz), Timepieces (Tim Holtz), Nesties, Crackle Glue, Scallop Border CutUps Die (TCP), Ribbon, Pop-up Dots, Hot Glue Gun, Shimmer Mist, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Notebook Border Punch (EK), Kraft Thread and Sewing Machine, Sponges

{Happy Birthday Dad} Diva Inspirations Blog Hop

Hi guys and Welcome to our July Diva Inspirations Blog Hop!!!

We have a very special treat for you this month as there are several guests from the Release Team joining us in showing off some heavenly Verve today. Take a peek at each of the fabulous blogs below for some  eye candy action and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own!

1. Julee 9. Susan 2. Betty 10. Andrea 3. Dawn 11. Charmaine 4. Jen d. 12. Teresa 5. Jen T. 13. Maureen 6. Lynda 14. Amber 7. Shannan 15. Amy 8. Sony 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, July 5 Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve  Now July is a HUGE birthday month at Verve...since five of us Divas (including the one  and only Julee...aaand me too :) are celebrating our birthdays this month. Yay!!!!  So it's no surprise that the stamp of the month is....drum roll please.... Carpe Cupcake! And at 40% off during the month of July, Carpe Cupcake  is one SWEET deal! BUT that's not all.... A brand new month also brings along a new sale here at Verve! During the month of July, save 20% on all of our birthday stamps! Check out all the birthday goodness on our SALE page. Nooooww to our Gift To You!!! Julee has gathered some of all our favorite things...doilies, My Mind's Eye Paper, Tags, Ribbon, plus a few other goodies and put them in little brown paper packages! And during the month of July, if you order $75 worth of Verve you'll receive one of these goody bags for free!!! There's nothing to add to your cart, you goodies will just magically appear in your order. hehe see what brown can do for you ;) Whew with so many goodies....you'll just have to celebrate with us! :) Happy Hoppin' and a fabulous 4th of July!!!! Sony :) Stamps: Protector (Verve), Happy Days (Verve) Paper: Avignon (7 Gypsies), Newsprint (SU), Kraft, Ivory Ink: Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen (Distress Ink), Soft Suede (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black Accessories: Twill Tape, Nesties, Sponges, Jute Twine, Hot Glue, Glue Gun, Metal Gears (Tim Holtz), Big eyelets (SU), Crop-a-dile II, Pop-Up Dots

{Party} SFYTT

Happy Friday everyone,

I'm back with another birthday card featuring the sweet cow Cooper from Anita Be Stamps who is our sponsor this month over at SFYTT - Sketch For You To Try. You have until the end of the month to play along with our sketch challenge for a chance of winning some cute Anita Be Stamps yourself so get your sketch on and good luck!! :)

For all the exact details just click on the sketch in my sidebar and you'll be taken to Jen's Blog which is where you need to link your creations to.   

Here's the sketch one more time aaaand then let's talk a few details: This here is Celebration Cooper. You'll notice I replaced the circle of the sketch with a window I cut out using different Nesties. I stamped the kraft background with another sentiment from the Celebration Cooper set to break it up just a bit more. I added some Stickles Glitter to Cooper's hat and flower and some crystal effects to his balloon for extra shine.

thanks so much for stopping by,

have a great weekend!!!

Sony

Stamps: Celebration Cooper (Anita Be Stamps)

Paper: Fine and Dandy (MME), Crushed Curry (SU), Chocolate Chip (SU), Aqua Mist (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)

Accessories: Nesties, Copics, Crystal Stickles Glitter, Crystal Effects, Button, Divine Twine (TCP), Twill Tape, Hot Glue Gun, Kraft Thread and Sewing Machine

{Do It Grunge-style}

So here's another card I had made for the Verve Sneak Peeks with my

target audience being the oh-so-difficult-to-make-cards-for teenage boys!

To make this layout work I had to elongate my card

a little, so this one is actually 4 x 6.25

I used the brandnew release Verve set Fabulous You

and then I just went to town with my rounded corner punch

and distressing textures. lol

To get that worn, grungy look of the frame I stamped it in Night of Navy, then clear embossed it and then sponged Lake Mist and Pebble ink over it. To finish it all off I worked it over with my scissors.

thanks so much for stopping by!!

Have a GREAT week!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve)

Paper: Tahiti Beach Stack (DVWC), Basics White Pad (BG), Smokey Shadow (PTI)

Ink: Night of Navy (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black, Pebble (Adirondack), Lake Mist (Adirondack),

Versamark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Twill Tape, Stapler, Screw Brads, Floral Wrapper,

Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine, Rounded Corner Punch, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets (SU), Crop-a-dile

{For Boys}

***PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MY SFYTT POST ***

I had some extra time this morning sooo I decided to make that birthday card

I've been meaning to make for one of our young people at church. He's in his

early twenties and that age group can be a bit tricky to make cards for but oh

well here I go... :)

I really loved all of Julee's sketches she came up with for her latest and I think one of her greatest release yet - I still can't seem to put them down so what you see here is a hybrid mix from the Framed Wishes set (frame and sentiment) and the

Birthday Bash set (the balloons).

I wanted to add glitter or bling SO bad to this card soo instead I made a compromise with myself and added Crystal Effects to the balloons. :)

thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Have you shopped for your new Verve yet?!

What did you get?? I'm nosy - I wanna know lol

~ Sony

Stamps: Framed Wishes (Verve), Birthday Bash (Verve)

Paper: Quite Contrary (MME), Kraft, Basics Manila Pad (Basic Grey), Rustic White (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink), Soft Suede (SU)

Accessories: Mini Library Clip (SU), Ribbon, Olive Thread, Sewing Machine, Crystal Effects, Pop-Up Dots, Nesties

{Handy Dad's Day} SFYTT

Is it Saturday already again?! My where does the time go?

I hope you remembered that tomorrow is Father's Day?! If not you still have all of today to make a quick manly card, run out to the store and get some beer, the newest tool or the latest golf club . lol No? That's not your dad? Oh well I'm sure you know exactly what to get your dad/special man in your life.

My dad is your typical handyman, always fixing something so when I first spotted this cute stamp set by Taylored Expressions I HAD to get it just for my dad.

The set is called Boys will be Boys and has all the stereotypical and yet so true stamps you may need for your guy: some BBQ stuff, golf goodies, ties, boots, newspaper with morning coffeee and this fabulous tool belt, which I gave a little shiny glaze with my Crystal Effects btw.

My wooden patterned paper is from the Cosmo Cricket line Happy Camper and the fun red plaid

DP is from a little paper pack I had gotten as a gift from a dear friend of mine.

Fun little embellies like screw brads and metal gears add just the right manly touch to any card. Oh and this awesome big striped ribbon, one of my all-time favorite ribbon btw is from the Cat's Pajamas.

Tips'n' Tricks: would like to add a textured metal sheet to your card but don't have the time to go to the store to buy some metal sheets? Grab some aluminum foil, glue it to some cardstock and run it with an embossing folder through your bigshot for some textured metal sheet.

Are you curious to see what my SFYTT Sisters have come up with? I know I am!!! Hold on to your donut and enjoy!!! :)

* Jen del Muro and June Guest Designer ANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

Would YOU like to be our July Guest Designer and get featured on Jen's Blog?

All you need to do is create a stunning masterpiece using Jen's sketch and be sure to upload it to Jen's blog. Can't WAIT to see what you create!!! Best of luck to you!!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Boys Will Be Boys (TE)

Paper: Happy Camper (CC), Basic Black, Kraft (PTI), Red Plaid DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Metal Gear (Tim Holtz), Crystal Effects, Aluminum Foil, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP), Screw Brads, Nesties, Pop-Up Dots, Hot Glue Gun, Copic Markers

{Men} SFYTT & A PRIZE 4 U

Happy Saturday to you all!!! And welcome to my "green" take on men. :) Oh while we're talking about men...can you tell me why is it that all the men you're interested in are not interested in you and all the men you are not interested in, are interested in you?! How does that work? I just don't get that [sigh] ah men...lol

Anyway this week is a very special week at SFYTT because Skipping Stones Design is sponsoring our sketch challenge and you'll never guess what's in it for you: one lucky winner will take home 2...yup you heard me TWO UNRELEASED stamp sets!!! (and just a hint for all you vampire/werewolf fans out there - one of them is twilight inspired and I just a sneak peak - LADIES you're gonna want this one let me tell ya)

Isn't that just fun?!

All you have to do to enter for your chance to win is create a beautiful card using Jen's sketch here and post it on her blog.

Now I gotta admit Skipping Stones Designs has a special place in my heart just because of this stamp set right here: Funny about Men!!! It's hysterical - it still makes me laugh out loud when I read these hilarious sentiments. I mean how could it not?!

I went back to the basics with my card here because I really liked the overall clean feel of this sketch and the sort of green look of it so I didn't want to clutter it up with stitches or borders or embellies.

I know it's shocking right?! hehe

My patterned papers here are all from the Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend collection. The stamps are all from the Funny About Men set by Skipping Stones Designs and the clear buttons are from Taylored Expressions.

Are you ready to see more?!

Well come on over and stop by my Sista's sites. I know they always have something great waiting for you!!

* Jen del Muro and June Guest DesignerANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

and a big thank you for stopping by here!! I hope you have a GREAT weekend and GOOD LUCK to you!!! I hope you win!!! :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Funny About Men (Skipping Stones Designs)

Paper: Boyfriend (CC), Soft Suede (SU), Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black (SU), Old Olive (SU)

Accessories: Nesties, Clear Buttons (TE), Jute Twine, Glue Dots, Pop-Up Dots

{Getting Lucky} SSDS

Happy Thursday you guys!! It's been quite the busy stamping day for me today so guess what...I'm back with my second post today.

I'm in need of a funny male birthday card because our Soundmixer on ER (the TV show) is turning 40 and the gang meaning my old ER crew is planning a big surprise bash for him. He is a great guy with a great sense of humor so I was extra excited when I got my first order of Skipping Stones Stamps in the mail yesterday.

They have some outrageously funny stamps!!! And I used one of 'em here!!! :)

Also my fabulous and

famous SFYTT sister Jen del Muro is guest designing for them and she came up with this fun sketch a few weeks ago and I thought why not?!

The only thing I changed was I traded the oval for the square - I'm so excited I finally have some oval Nesties I try to get good use out of 'em. :)

Since this is supposed to a cool manly card I tried to keep it a bit more on the simpler side. I did minimal stitching, some distressing to add some cool-ness to it and added some screw brads.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I still have a few more cards to make!! :)

~ Sony

Stamps: You know you're getting older...(SSD)

Paper: Boyfriend (CC), Bitty Box Basics (PTI), Kraft, Basic Black, Ocean Tides (PTI)

Ink: Basic Black (SU), Taken With Teal (SU)

Accessories: Nesties, Screw Brads, Clear Button (TE), Jute Twine, Twill Tape, Sewing Machine

{Cool} Viva La Verve Wk1

Hi everyone!! I got so much done today, it's awesome!! I went to yoga with my friend Stacy, the Farmer's Market, a movie, prepped the Mother's Day Craft for SundaySchool and I even had time to get some cards done while I was snacking on some fresh strawberries. Yay!!

So it's May (I hope you didn't forget to pay your rent) and that means it's a new month full of Viva La Verve Challenges.

Every Friday my fabulous SFYTT Sister Amber challenges us with a sketch and inspirational photos.

I'm especially excited about this card because I got to use my brand new Verve stamps!!! Double Yay!!!

The Surfboards and the faint background pattern on the Kraft CS are all from the Verve set Relax. The sentiment is from the Happy Days set.

The DP comes from the Tahiti Beach Stack by DCWV which is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It has a ton of fun, hip and cool patterns. Perfect for manly cards!!

I distressed the edges with my scissors and I also aged everything by sponging some Antique Linen and Soft Suede onto the paper. The surfboard and the waves are propped up on pop-up dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Relax (Verve), Happy Days (Verve)

Paper: Tahiti Beach Stack (DCWV), Kraft, Cream

Ink: Antique Linen (Distress Ink), Soft Suede (SU), Bashful Blue (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie (SU)

Accessories: Sponges, Buttons, Jute Twine, Checkerboard Border Punch, Pop-Up Dots, Black Pen, Sewing Machine