{Life happens...} March Diva Inspiration Hop

Hii everyone,

sorry I'm super late with my post. Totally forgot today is the 5th...I just started working at a commercial VFX house and we've been doing really long hours lately...I got home at 1am this morning. I don't even know if freelancers get paid OT...I have to find that out today mmmh.... Anyways...

here's another notebook I made for you.  Lots of embossing and some distressing and of course layering. I love love love making my own notebooks because for one it's a lot cheaper and you can get just the right cover. :)

So here's the master Blog Hop list:

	1. Julee	7. Karen
	2. Amy	8. Sankari
	3. Anya	9. Sarah
	4. Betty	10. Sony
	5. Jen d.	11. Susan
	6. Jessica	12. Tiffany

and here's a little closer look at my notebook:

oh btw have you noticed....we've got some new Divas in the house!!!! Yay!! A special warm welcome to them...can't wait to see what you've created...I need coffee first tho. lol

Have a great week everyone,

Sony

Academy Awards disappointment

Hi guys,

today is going to be a very different post and for that I apologize but I feel very strongly about this and I just want people to know about this. As you know I work in the VFX industry. I love my job, creating magic for the big screen...magic that is often unseen and really that is the biggest compliment of all for us...that you didn't see we were even there. With that however also comes the price of not getting acknowledged or respected for the work that we do. 

At the Oscar's last night, when Samuel Jackson cut of Robert Downey Jr. and made jabs about VFX getting the respect they deserve? In sight of the fact that  400+ people were protesting outside I'd say that was a bit in poor taste. When Bill Westenhofer was trying to mention the financial trouble Rhythm & Hues, the studio that made Life of Pi even possible he was cut off by the Jaws theme music?! Really? His speech was 1:10min long...compare that to Ang Lee's 2:20min speech and no cut off music. And then to top it all off Ang Lee thanked everyone down to the pool company but forgot to mention the studio who created the skies, the ocean and one of his main characters Richard Parker.
For those of you who don't know this...Rhythm and Hues, the studio behind Life of Pi and Snow white and the Huntsman and the Golden Compass filed for bankruptcy last week. Tax subsidies and a flawed fixed bid business model is crumbling the VFX industry and forcing companies to move our jobs overseas. Lay offs in the hundreds and now chapter 11's have become more and more frequent.

In context of what's going on at the industry the lack of acknowledgement last night just added more fuel to the fire. 

And in case you'd like to know just how much of the movies you're watching is real and how much is done in VFX...here are some images that will hopefully make you appreciate the artistry we do:

thank you so much for listening. I know this is not a pleasant subject but please know we just want to raise awareness. We make magical movies possible...movies that make billions of dollars yet our companies file for bankruptcy. We're out of jobs, we lose our homes and are forced to move our families half across the globe every couple of months so we can feed them. I know we're not the only industry facing this problem so I think you can all relate to this issue.

thank you again,

Sony

{Love U} February Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi guys and welcome to our monthly Blog Hop!!!

I was feeling scrappy with a little retro thrown in there and hehe you see the result of that right there in my card. :) I just got the I heart U Die Set with the matching You and I stamp set...so cute!!! And so much stuff you can do with it!! Oh btw did you know that Verve's Rounded Rectangle Die fits perfectly in the PTI Library Pocket? So handy especially since I can't seem to find my rounded corner punch anywhere. Anyway...I don't want to keep you all too long so let me tell you about our prize:

A random commenter on one of the hops will win a $30 gift certificate to VERVE, 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. 

Here's the master blog hop list:

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

Stamps: You and I (Verve)

Papers: Clippings (Basic Grey), Kraft, Aqua Mist (PTI), Summer Sunrise (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black 

Accessories: I heart U Cut Above Die (Verve), Rounded Rectangle Cut Above Die (Verve), Mini Paperclip, Nesties, Buttons, Jute Twine, Twill Tape, Library Pocket Die (PTI), Sewing Machine, Hot Glue Gun

{Dare to Dream} January Diva Inspiration Blog Hop

Hi guys!!!! And...

Welcome to our January Diva Inspirations Hop!  

Today the Divas are dusting off some Verve favorites and putting on our monthly hop to inspire you with a fresh new spin on the stamps in our stash! 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 a $30 gift certificate to VERVE, 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. 

I am so sorry I'm cutting this post really close today... it's about 1.45am my time right now and I just realized it's the 5th of January aka blog hop time! Yeeeeah and my laptop is about to die on me lol talk about cutting it close...soo I apologize to you early morning hoppers but I'll be back as soon as I get some shut eye with the ingredient list and a little further info on this notebook I made for work.

In the meantime here's a little closer look:

I'm back...so here's a little more info on my little notebook project here. Sketchbooks are pretty pricey, especially ones with tan pages and I still had a stack of tan paper I had to buy for school so I thought...why not make my own sketchbook. And what better way to go with a tattoo art style for the cover?

I don't know about you but when I saw Julee's designs for Brighter Days I immediately thought 'tattoo art'!! You know ... the Ed Hardy kind? So I took the flowers, cut them out using the Scalloped Flowers Die Set and paired them up with the swirls from Blue Skies, layered those, added the butterfly and the sentiment from Borderline.

I used black emboss powder to make the line art really pop and colored it all with copic markers. Glitter was the final touch. :)

here's the master blog hop list:

	1. Julee	6. Amber
	2. Betty	7. Andrea
	3. Sankari	8. Charmaine
	4. Sony	9. Maureen
	5. Susan	10. Teresa

thanks so much for stopping by and a happy new year to you!!

Sony

Stamps: Brighter Days (Verve), Blue Skies (Verve), Borderline (Verve)

Papers: Kraft, Black

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black 

Accessories: Scalloped Flowers Cut Above Die (Verve), Copics, Stickled Glitter, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Hot Glue Gun

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