Merry Christmas`

Hi everyone!!!

I'm just dropping in to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

 And here are some photos from my weekend trip to Yosemite:

{Happy New Baby} November Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi guys and welcome to our October Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!!!

On Friday night, Verve released their holiday collection of stamps and today we're putting on our monthly hop to inspire you with a fresh mix of old and new! So grab a drink and hop along as we share a little Verve with you! There's a great little prize involved, too! A random commenter on one of the hops will win our entire new release, so be sure to leave a little love in the comment section as you hop about! You can find out all the prize details over on the Verve Blog today. 

Let me chat a little about my card...well among all the numerous funerals I had to go to this year (and sadly I just found out one of my teachers passed away yesterday so I'll have another one coming up) there were also a few baby showers and this here is one of the cards I made for my friend who is now on baby #3.:) 

I used stamps from To the Moon and created a little scene with die cut clouds and jute twine for the kites.

On the inside I gave her a little pocket for a gift card...in my case a voucher for a weekend of full auntie support. :)

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

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Happy Hopping and a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sony

Stamps: To The Moon (Verve)

Papers: Fine and Dandy (MME), Aqua Mist (PTI), Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie (SU),  Taken with Teal (SU), Old Olive (SU)

Accessories: Ribbon, Stickles Glitter, Jute Twine, Library Pocket Card Die (PTI), Die-Namics Cloud Trio (MFT), Inside  Pinking CutUps (TCP), Nesties

{Sweet Java} Diva Inspiration Hop

Hi everyone!!!!

Welcome to the World Card Making Day edition of the Verve Diva Inspirations Hop!

Along the hop this month we're debuting FIVE brand new plain janes that just hit the store today, so grab a drink and hop along to see a fresh mix of old and new Verve and maybe even win a prize! You can find out all the prize details and see the full reveal of the new plain janes over on the Verve Blog today.

sooooo you'll notice that I didn't make a card today....shame on me I know but you know when the inspiration hits ya you don't just ignore it do you? No so I was cooking yesterday and ran out of chili powder. I was about to throw out my chili powder jar when I thought, how cute would this be as a small little favor or gift...and then I realized I still had a card  to make for the hop today aaand it all sorta came together in my head right then and there. :)

The new plain jane sets are darling darling cute and I thought that one of them could be used as a little snowflake so I just went along with the christmas theme. :) The sentiment you're so sweet I thought worked perfectly with the little mocha mix I put in the jar aaand you want to know something else?
I found out that one of the other plain janes fits perfectly to the scalloped flowers die set!! Gotta love that because I personally hate cutting out things so if there's a die to help me out and make things easier...I'm all for it.

here are a few more shots:

uh hum...a little tip for ya: when applying glitter glue to your snowflake I recommend you do it before you tie it to your jar...otherwise it can stick to your tag...yeeeahhhh....lol

I hope you're having a wonderful time hopping along.
Next up is Susan!!!

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

Stamps: Loopy Medallion (Verve), So Sweet PJ (Verve), Loopy Petals (Verve), Borderline (Verve), Better With You (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Ivory, Chocolate Brown, scrap Christmas DP 
Ink: Frost White (Colorbox), Soft Suede (SU), Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Mini Classy Label Die (Verve), Scalloped Flower Die (Verve), Classy Label Die (Verve), Ribbon, Jute Twine, Sponge, Hot Glue Gun, Glass Jar

{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

{Praying} Diva Inspiration

Hi guys,

Here's another comfort card I made this month for the family of our dear retired Bishop who passed away. I'm telling you I've never had this much need for comfort cards...is it just me or has it been a particular rough month? Aaand you know what I also found out and a bit more on the amusing side actually? A friend of mine  was looking to get some professional counseling and called a handful of therapists aaaand apparently they are all on vacation because Freud always took the month of August off so most Freudian therapists like to take August off. So basically don't feel bad during the month of August! lol

Anyway...this wonderful sentiment is from the brandnew released Verve set Wonderfully Made!! It's a gorgeous set, full of wonderfully inspiring sentiments and you should definitely check it out!

Have a great labor day weekend!!!

Sony 

Stamps: Wonderfully Made (Verve)

Paper: Clippings (Basic Grey), Ivory, Olive (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Corrugated Shapes (Jillibean Soup), Pop-up Dots, Ribbon, Paper Leaves, Antique Buttons (SU), Sponges, White Thread and Sewing Machine

{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

Upcoming Anni-verve-sary Release

Hi Everyone,

I'm just dropping in to make sure all of you know about our upcoming Anni-Verve-sary Release!!!

Verve is celebrating its 5th anniversary this month and the party is just getting started! Come join us over the next 9 days as we showcase the 23 new stamps and dies releasing from Verve! We'll be counting down the minutes and revealing all the new sets in our forum from 9-11pm Eastern on Friday, August 24, so make plans now to join us for our release party!

And you can also win something!!!

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)!

Best of Luck and See you Soon,

Sony

{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

{Sunshine} July Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to the July Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!!!

We have a little Verve for you to get your summer started off right! You can start the Hop at the Verve blog.  Continue through and comment on each card/project and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own!  :)

Soo if you got here from Sankari's blog then you are right on track!!! If not...you might wanna go back...she's AMAZING.

Oh and here's the full blog hop list...for your convenience:

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

and then guess what...July is Julee's birthday month!!! (as well as mine ;)

It's Julee's (owner & illustrator of Verve) birth month, so we're having a SALE!

Through July 31, ALL stamps are 20% off!

Now is the perfect time to get those Verve stamps you've been wanting to get!!!!

Okay now that you know about all the stuff that's going on....let me fill you in on my card and give you a brief little update on what's new with me at home and then I send you on your merry way to Susan!!! Orrr if you'd just like to skip all that chitchat then go right ahead...Susan is your next stop!!!

Life has been a little rough and stressful all around lately...my dad's cancer is back and unfortunately it's spread to his lungs and brain, then there's the pressure of this being my last term in school, will I get a job, where will I get a job, and then to top things off my personal life has also gotten a bit complicated... sooo basically everything in my life has a big question mark written all over it and there are times when it gets a bit much and I know you all know how that feels and I finally got to the point where I said 'enough is enough'. I refuse to let all this stuff get me down. It's not like I can do anything about it anyway...I do what I can and the rest is out of my hands and in God's hands...and really that's the best place for them to be so what am I so worried about?! 

lol yes those are the kind of conversations I have with myself sometimes... :)

So long story short...I decided I could use a little sunshine in my life and that made me pull out the set Let It Shine and when I looked at it I came up with the idea of turning the sun into a sunflower, my favorite flower!!! The rest just sort of came together...I was going for a fun, carefree, scrappy look that wasn't all that organized and perfectly layed out so I just kept adding stuff. :) Great fun way to craft because you have no idea what you'll end up with and you don't necessarily care all that much about the result either because you had so much fun making it you know it'll shine through. :)

thank you so much for stopping by today!!! 

Have a wonderful day and say hi for Sus  for me please!!!! :)

Sony :)

Stamps: Let It Shine (Verve)

Paper: Fly a Kite (OA), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Kraft, Aqua Mist (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Stickles Glitter, Copics, White Gel Ink Pen, Crystal Effects, Sponges, Cardboard Letter, Ribbon, Buttons, Notebook Style Border Punch, Scalloped Border Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), White Thread and Sewing Machine

{Carpe Diem} Diva Inspiration

Hi Guys,

Finals are almost over...just one more project and a test to go, I have to put a new demo reel together and then I'm officially on vacation!!! Yay!!! lol Before all hell breaks loose again because next term will be my last term meaning I need to put together an amazing demo reel so I can get a job. In case you're new to my blog and don't know what I'm up to...I'm a Visual FX artist so think 3D, computer animation that sorta stuff. :) Super fun but like any art very time consuming.

Some of you have asked me about my stamping process so I thought I'd share that with you today. I have a few different ways I approach stamping but here's my foolproof, works-every-time and especially when you're in a time crunch approach:

I like to have at least two images in front of me before I start a card...a sketch and something that inspires me...that could be another card, a photo, a pattern I saw somewhere....anything along those lines. And it could be different things that inspire me about that image...it could be the color scheme, the layout, the stamps that were used...a particular style I like...anything really. 

For this card for example I was inspired by this amazing card my dear friend Susan Liles 

made for our last Diva Inspiration Blog hop:

As you can see I just fell in love with the colors and the shiny flowers and that's 

what I carried over into my card.

All I needed now was an interesting sketch to get me started...and that's usually all I need them for because I tend to wander off and change them in some way or another anyway. I really loved last week's Viva La Verve sketch that Tosha had come up with. It has lots of layers and lots of opportunities to play around with.

All I had to do now was pick the stamps I wanted to use, the papers and put it all together. I chose the hibiscus flowers from the Verve set Happy Days and the sentiment from the Verve set Words of Wisdom. The papers I used are from October Afternoon's Fly a Kite collection.

Once I had the basic layout and placement figured out I just kept on adding details and embellies until I was happy. And that's about it....

thanks so much for stopping by!!

til next time,

Sony :)

Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve), Happy Days (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Fly a Kite (OA), Summer Sunrise (PTI), Berry Sorbet (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Metal Gear Sprocket Die (Tim Holtz), Nesties, Crystal Effects, Copics, Mini Clip, Ribbon, Jute Twine, Stickles Glitter, Brads, Sewing Machine, Layered Arches Border Punch (Martha Stewart), 

{One Day...} June Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi Guys and Welcome to our June Diva Inspiration Blog Hop!! 

If you're hopping right along from the start than you probably just got here from Sankari's Blog, right?! Perfect...oh and if you haven't then let me point you to where all the fun starts: Betty's Blog.

We have some news for you (aaand a full list of Diva eye candy I might add)...some changes to our teams and two fabulous new Plain Jane's Julee has come up with for you...one of them you can see here on my card!! I feel like I've lived my life by this saying...especially this year. Sometimes it's just wiser to take it one day at a time because if you don't you can get easily overwhelmed but anybody can do one day at a time. :)

I've been drinking a lot of coffee lately so this card was actually inspired by the coffee shop I go to and its' decor. The cute little coffee cup stamp is from the Verve set Delightful and Delicious. A lot of distressing, stitching and cute little accents  finish it up. :)

So a quick little update on how I'm doing before I'll direct you on your merry hop way. :)

I was so very fortunate to have gotten an internship this term and it was great. I learned a lot and some of you may have already seen my work on TV. :) I have one more week left to finish up this term and an insane amount of work left to do but nothing a few hours less sleep can't fix. And then one more term after that and then it's time to graduate and find a job! Ah!! lol Good times...but before I do that I am going out of town for a week to see my family and I plan on doing a whole lot of relaxing by the pool and the beach. :)

okay that's about it for me... Your next stop on the Hop is Susan!!!!

Have a great start of the Summer!!!!

thank you so much for stopping by and til next time,

Sony :)

Stamps: One Day (Verve), Delightful & Delicious (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Black, Ivory, Newsprint (SU), Amber Autumn Stack (DCWV) 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink), Antique Linen (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Button, Jute Twine, Ribbon, Stickles Glitter, Crystal Effects, Copics, Pop-up Dots, Sponges

{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

{Look Out} April Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi Guys and welcome to our April Diva Inspiration Blog Hop,

did you get hear from Lynda's blog?? Nicely done...keep hopping along and if you didn't...backtrack to Betty's Blog...she's the first one in our hop.

This past month was soo incredibly busy for me that everything in my personal life uh hum including my taxes had to take a back seat for a minute...and a half. ;) But I did eventually make it through it all...finals at school are done, I will start an internship doing exactly what I want to do next week which I'm really really excited about and I even got my first freelance job offer. :) 

Oh and best of all...I had a week off, which is when I have to get all my crafting in nowadays.

So now that I've had a chance to do my taxes, catch up with friends, watch a few movies, I knew I was...again...beyond late with  making a baby card for the amazing Julee!!!!

She had twins you know...of course you do...she's had them last month after all....which tells you how late I really am but me personally I actually like getting a little late surprise :). It makes me remember the day and gives me warm fuzzies again. :)

My card here uses the wonderful hot air balloons from the Verve set Up, up and away, which was if I remember correctly one of my very very first Verve sets. The sentiment is from To The Moon and I just thought it went purr-fectly with the balloons. :) You know me I like to switch things up. :)

Then some DP banners, some ribbons and I'm so sorry to say...I know Julee has twin boys....but I couldn't not have glitter on my card. hehe

thanks for stopping by!!!

Your next stop on the hop is as always the spunky, sassy Susan Liles!!

Stamps: Up,Up and Away (Verve), To the Moon (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, White, Lost & Found Sunshine (MME), Report Card (OA), Basic Squares (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Ribbon, Banner CutUps Die (TCP), Game Spinner Embellishment (Tim Holtz), Jute Twine, Stickles Glitter, Pop-up Dots, White Thread and Sewing Machine

{A Cheerful Friend} March Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi Everyone and Welcome to Our March Verve Inspiration Blog Hop!!!

It's that time again...are you ready for a little inspiration?! I know my fellow Divas have lots in store for you so be sure to check it all out and leave a little comment so you can enter for  a chance to win a little Verve!!!

If you hopped along from Shannan's Blog you're right on track!!

My little card here features stamps from the sets Let It Shine and Text Objects! Two new sets for me and I'm sooo excited that I was able to break them out and play with them...especially fitting since we had absolutely wonderful weather in LA yesterday. (We'll see how long this lasts though...lately the weather has been slightly bipolar).

I'm in the middle of finals (only two more weeks left), plus I'm going out of town for a few days (without my computer YIKES!! lol I have separation anxiety already :), plus I'll be working on Harry's Law for a day next week and I have to have an updated demo reel ready at the end of finals, oh and I also have two written tests on top of final projects this term which means I actually have to study (and I I went to art school so I thought I'd never have to take a test again!! Pooh lol)....baasically I need to get my behind back to work but I hope you enjoy our little hop and here's your next stop:

the fabulously fun Susan!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Stamps: Let It Shine (Verve), Text Objects (Verve)

Paper: Kraft, Black, Ooh La La (MME), Crushed Curry (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Crushed Curry (SU), Frayed Burlap (Distress Ink)
Accessories: Classy Label Cut Above Die (Verve), Layered Arches Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Brads, Copics, Stickles Glitter, Photo Corner Punch (SU), Ribbon, Pop-up Dots, Sewing Machine, Sponges