Verve's project parade and 2 sketch cards

Hi everyone! I have a couple cards to share with you today. AND Saturday is my day to post my Project Parade card over on the Verve blog. This month's theme is Encouraging Words which is quite fitting to many of Verve's stamp sets.

Here is a peek at my project, you'll have to check out the blog (it will be posted in a couple hours) to see the whole card and be sure to comment for a chance to win a Verve stamp set!

Lately, I haven't had time to play along with SCS sketch challenges, but this week's sketch SC249 stopped me in my tracks! I LOVE it! In fact, I made 2 cards!!

This first one is very soft and pretty. I used I used one of my oldie but goodie Verve sets, Floral Whimsy and the sentiment is from Enjoy. The DSP is the retired SU! Pink Pirouette and pieced the vase from the retired Bella Rose.

I added some buttons with silver cord and silver pearls for the finishing touches. I found the silver pearls at Michaels, they are made by Michaels, Inc.

This next card also uses the SC249 sketch and is very different for me and lots of fun to make! I busted out my Crafty Secrets folder I have that I keep my Cotton Scraps, Stickers and Cuts. I REALLY need to use these more often (I need to channel Sharon-LOL) as they are lovely images and no coloring involved. This card uses the Autumn Blessings Vintage Cuts. It comes in the shape of a tag with a blank spot for the sentiment.

I stamped my sentiment on and set it aside. Then, on the disaster area that is my desk, it SMEARED! Warning - Vintage cuts are slightly glossy. UGH! So, I held my tag up to the window and traced the shape onto a piece of cream cardstock and made one of my own. Not as perfect as I would like, but I think it turned out fine. The colors in the tag image screamed for my Basic Grey Ambrosia pad. The rich reds/oranges and deep yellows were PERFECT! I used some Martha Stewart seam binding ribbon in Yellow Dahlia (one of my awesome $1 finds at Big Lots) and gold pearls from Michael's.

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow for another wonderful Cupcake Inspiration challenge!

Card deets:

Stamps: Floral Whimsy, Enjoy (Verve)

Paper: white, sweet blush, kiwi kiss, SU DSP

Ink: kiwi kiss, pink pirouette

Accessories: buttons, silver cord, silver pearls, SU! scallop border punch, paper piercer, mini butterfly punch, White grosgrain ribbon

Card Deets:

Stamps: Many Sentiments (Flourishes)

Paper: White (PTI), Ambrosia (Basic Grey)

Ink: black

Accessories: Autumn Blessings Vintage Cuts, yellow stickles, gold cord, gold pearls, edge distresser, upper crest border punch, Swiss dots cuttlebug folder, paper piercer, SU corner punch, Martha Stewart seam binding

P.S. I get questions all the time about the gold and silver pearls I use. So I took a picture of the front and back of the package so you all can see what they look like. As you can see, they are not a name brand, but rather made by Michael's Inc.