Surely Goodness and Mercy...

          I am a big fan of stamps that have a meaning deeper than just creating an attractive image.  Verve Stamps is a company that has some really beautiful stamps and sentiments in particular that meet my need for stamping products that go deeper than “just a pretty image” to paraphrase a saying!  This card layout is from the Viva la Verve Sketch Challenge, September 2013 Week 1.  I played around with some new paper that I ordered from PeachyCheap.com – a really great place to check out.  Their daily deals are awesome.  You can get them to your FB feed by liking their page!  The Viva la Verve Week 1 Sketch is below so that you can compare the sketch to my take on it!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve Stamps – Surely Goodness SS

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, & Elegant Eggplant; Color Box Chalk Ink – Olive Pastel; Versamark Watermark Pad

·       Paper:  My Mind’s Eye (MME) – Fiddlesticks “You & Me” Bloom & Lucky Tapestry Papers; Stampin’ Up! – Wild Wasabi, Smoky Slate, & Very Vanilla CS; and Vellum papers

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Verve A Cut Above Dies – Surely Goodness;  Stampin’ Up! – Sizzlits Large Paper Doily & Edgelits Large Scallop; Heartfelt Creations – Classic Leaf Die;  Spellbinders – Lattice Rectangles

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  MME – Cut & Paste Charm Smile Enamel Dots; Zing Embossing Powder White

          It took me a while for make this card come together.  I played with different colors of cs for the doily.  I knew I wanted to use a doily for the circle in the sketch, but I didn’t get it to work with the other elements I was using until I rotated the sketch clockwise ¼ turn.  Then for some reason the color selection came easier.  Go figure – maybe a brain glitch until the layout was “right” for what I wanted to do?  I did learn something important.  I need to invest in more of SU markers.  I used blender pens to color the vellum for the stained glass effect on the flower.  Bad idea!  Too much moisture makes the paper curl after it is colored and dries!   (I had to back it with some Very Vanilla CS, and it still wants to curl up!)  Just adding to my wish list!  LOL!  I also played with the placement of the element on the lower right of the focus/sentiment area in the sketch.  The large scallop border below the yellow gingham check on my card was my solution.  I liked how it turned out.

I was really pleased with the overall softness of the card.  It has a bit of an aged look and is pleasing to my eye.  I hope that you like it as well.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!  I love hearing from my visitors!

Many Blessings,

Donna