Viva La Verve November Week 3 Sketch

A quick recap on this week's Viva La Verve sketch by Charmaine.

Found this cute, wood stag as part of six piece clothes pin set in the dollar bin at Michael's and had to get it.  I removed him from the clothes pin he was attached to so I could mount him on the card and then couldn't resist adding a little red nose as it fit the Christmas Wishes sentiment.

Some twine and stitched borders for a bit of a rustic feel and a tag with the smallest snowflake from Holiday Treats with a red dot in the middle for a pop of colour.   I also added a teeny strip of red below the sentiment panel as I needed some colour - artistic liberty you might say {grin} - and a third dash of red for the "rule of three".

We would love you to play along.   You don't need Verve Stamps to participate, but we love to see them if you have them.

Have a great day!

Challenge: Simon Says





 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Holiday Treats (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Tis the Season (Echo Park), Real Red, Going Grey, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker), Tag Die (PTI), Wood Reindeer (Michael's Dollar Bin), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Red Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Verve October 2015 Release Spotlight Hop ~ Day 2

Welcome back to Day 2 of Verve's October 2015 Spotlight Hops!  The Verve Divas are back for another day of spotlighting the new release! It's release day and everything you've seen spotlighted yesterday and today is available to order in the Verve store!

Due to manufacturing delays the Good Work set is available as a pre-order only. The Just Breathe set has limited quantities with more on the way very soon. Stay tuned next week on the Verve Blog for four days of spotlights from some very special Guest Divas, then we'll wrap things up with a Release in Review Hop next Friday!

Today's spotlight is shining on the Good Work set, coordinating Good Work Flower Die Set and the Psalm 150:6 plain jane. Also releasing today is our beautiful Frosted Snowfall Sequin Mix.

If you have come here from Charmaine's blog you are right on track.  If  you just happened upon the Hop, today's hop list is a bit lower down or you can head over to Verve Blog for the full Hop List.

 

Absolutely LOVE the verses in Good Work!!  Squeee!!!  Will be using them a ton as they are such powerful and life breathing verses.  I chose to showcase this fabulous sentiment on my cared because it mirrors my life verse of Philippians 1:6 -- "for I am confident in this very thing, that He who has began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus".  Such  joy and freedom in knowing I am a work in progress :)   Pulled out some of my hoarded Simple Stories paper for this card as I just adore this pattern and colour combination, created a little tag for the sentiment, added a few leaves for a punch of colour and a bit of yummy olive seam binding ribbon from Spring Fling.  Can't wait to give this to my daughter as a little pick me surprise along with her favorite Starbucks drink. 

For my second card I used the new Psalm 150:6 Plain Jane.  Another fabulous verse indeed :)   A mix of Basic Grey and American Craft papers created the base of the card.  Used a tag for the verse and over stamped it with the wheat image from Good Work.  Added a few butterflies as the papers reminded me of spring.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for a little more about our new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

1. Julee 6. Maureen 2. Teresa 7. Amber 3. Charmaine 8. Andrea 4. Marisa 9. Laurie 5. Stacey 10. Christyne

Time to head on over to Stacey's blog to see her wonderful creation for today's hop. 













What's In It?

First Card:
Stamps:  Good Work (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  The Story of Us (Simple Stories), Old Olive, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, More Mustard (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Medium Scalloped Die and Edger Die (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8"  Spring Fling Olive Seambinding (Verve Stamps), Black and White Half Pearls (Michael's), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Second Card:
Stamps:  Psalm 150:6 Plain Jane, Good Work (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Procelain (Basic Grey), Letterbox (American Craft), Creamy Caramel, Rose Romance (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inkers), Label and Doily Dies (PTI), Butterfly Die (My Favorite Things), 1" Green Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls (Michael's), Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #420

It's Mojo Monday time and I love using tags on cards so this one was great fun to make!

With the fabulous weather we have been having here, it still feels like summer so I pulled out this delightful Garden Party paper by My little Shoebox.  Flowers and polka dots make me happy {grin}.

Added a couple of hearts and sequins to the sentiment tag and a stitched border for a little something.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Enjoy the sketch and have a fabulous week! 




 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Happy Birthday Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Garden Party (My Little Shoebox), Going Grey, So Saffron, Rose Romance (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Tag Die (PTI), Heart Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Sequins, 5/8" Teal Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

SFYTT - September 2015

 

Time for another Sketch For You To Try card.  With the busyness of September, I am just now getting to this month's sketch. 

My daughter's birthday was this Tuesday, and this sketch fit the bill.  Since she loves pink, ruffles and flowers, I pulled out Petals and Posies once again (love this set!) and went to work.  Ruffles - check.  Flowers - check, check. Pink - check, check, check lol.  Hoping this will be soft and feminine enough for her :) 

Not sure how my baby got so big!  This mama is having a hard time with it LOL.  I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments, how she has excelled academically and in her photography, how she has stood true to her values though out high school in the midst of pressure to do otherwise, and oh how I love her wit and her huge heart.  She is a precious girl and I am beyond blessed to be called her mother.  Happy Birthday, sweetheart!! I love you lots!






 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Petals and Posies (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  Lovey (Bella Boulevard), Costco DP, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:   Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Petals and Posies Die Set, Love Note Die Set, Diagonal Stripe Pretty Panels Die (Confetti Cuts by Reverse Confetti), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Crimper (Fiskars), Flag It Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #416

I was in the mood for making a Christmas card this week after seeing a few in blog land.

I pulled out my hoarded Lost and Found Christmas papers by MME and went to work.  The triple circles were causing a bit of havoc so I took a little artistic license with this week's sketch, but the guts if it are still there {grin}.

I adore this Winter Fun die set as the Christmas tree is one of my favorite Christmas dies.    I paired them with this beautifully fonted (not sure if that is a word but you know what I mean) sentiment from Glad Tidings and added in a few starts to fill up the focal panel.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

We are fully immersed in our Fall schedule after the kids' second full week of school.  Let the mad dash to Christmas begins lol!

Wishing you a fabulous day and thank for sharing a bit of yours with me :)

Challenges: Simon Says Stamps






What's In It?
Stamps:   Glad Tidings (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Lost and Found Christmas (My Mind's Eye), Going Grey, Kraft (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Winter Fun Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Snowflake Dies (PTI), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinder), Gold Twine, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #415

Love starting my Monday's with a Mojo Monday card :)   After another glorious weekend weather-wise, I wasn't quite ready to make a full out Fall card, so I snuck a butterfly and a flower on to a neutral pallet.

Love these papers by Teresa Collins as well as this fabulous Beautiful Plain Jane sentiment.  Used the  Sweet Scalloped die for my tag and snuck in a flower using the Loopy Blooms die.   Sorry about the smudge on the bottom right hand side of the photo.  Didn't catch it until processing the photo and bu then had no light left to take another photo.  Apparently somewhere along the way I left a big fingerprint across part of the lens :(

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Kids survived the first week of school, though my daughter had a bit of a hiccup.  Due to the size of the school, they now have an on-line locker sign up system -- tons better than having to line up for three or so hours the day before school starts!   When she went to put her books in her locker the first day of school, she found it didn't have a door!  Needless to say, it should not have been an option on the system, but life happens.  She and her locker partner now need to wait one to three weeks for the door to arrive and be installed (no room for an alternate locker due to an overcrowded school).  Thankfully they have a few friends who have offered them some locker space until that occurs - a very nice gesture as that means three plus to a locker for a while.   Never a dull moment!

Wishing you a fabulous day!







What's In It?
Stamps:   Beautiful Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Life Emporium (Theresa Collins), Going Grey, Mint Medley, Kraft, Real Red (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Sweet Scalloped Die, Loopy Blooms Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Button,Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Viva La Verve August Week 3 Sketch

This week Stacey is our Viva La Verve sketch hostess and she has this fabulous sketch to work with.

The big circle screamed doily so I just had to use one.  Layered up the sentiment panel, using a sentiment from Treasured Words on the Hearts and Swirls die cut and framing it with the matching stamp from Die Side Kicks.  Added a few hearts using the Heart Quartet die, a bit of bling and a crimped tag for some added dimension and texture.

Friday will bring our fourth and final Viva La Verve sketch for August.  You don't have to complete all four sketches to enter the draw, but the more you complete the greater your chances of winning a $100 gift certificate to the Verve Store :)

Have a fabulous day!

Challenge:  Simon Says



What's In It?
Stamps:   Treasured Words, Die Side Kicks (Verve Stamps), Modern Wood Mats (PTI)
Paper:   Flower Atrium (American Crafts), Rose Romance, Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), VersaMark
Accessories:  Heart Quartet, Hearts and Swirls Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Mat Stack Die (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Bling, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #410

Happy Mojo Monday everyone :)   Love starting my week with a great sketch!

Kind Words is one of my favorite Verve sets as I just adore this sentiment. The truth behind it is a reality that has impacted my life and one I try to impart to others on a regular basis.

I accented it with the flower and leaves from Dream Big - another favorite set of mine - and a stitched circle for a little something, something.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.
 

Carole Burrage

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Out temperatures have finally dropped down to seasonal and the crazy thing is it now feels cold LOL!   We also got a bit of rain which struck fear in the hearts of my workplace as the source of our leak had not been fixed yet!!  Thankfully, the excavation for the repair of the broken pipe got under way on Friday, and fingers crossed it gets done before the next bit of rain scheduled to hit so we can all sleep soundly at night!  

Wishing you a blessed day!

What's In It?
Stamps:   Kind Words, Dream Big (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Recollections (Michael's), Blush Blossom, Kraft, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)
Ink:   Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Scalloped Flowers and Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals    

August Verve Diva Inspiration Hop

It's time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings! You have the rest of the month to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

 Our August challenge is Celebrate

It's our Anni-VERVE-sary - so we're celebrating! Create a card to celebrate something or someone special, an anniversary, birthday, new baby, any occasion filled with joy! Use the inspiration or go off on your own tangent, just share a celebration with us!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Monday, August 31.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

If you have come here from Maureen's blog, you are right on track.  If you just happened upon the Hop, you can check the hop list below to get caught up. 

Loved the colour combination in the inspiration photo and used the chalkboard as my springboard for this card.  Created my own chalkboard with the Happy Birthday message on it, added a doily to girly it up a bit as well as a medallion as per the photo.  Used the stitched rectangle border as per the one around the graphic and added a few hearts for good measure.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	6. Susan
	2. Amy	7. Maureen
	3. Betty	8. Marisa
	4. Jen	9. Charmaine
	5. Sarah

Time to head on over to Charmaine's blog to see her wonderful take on the inspiration photo! 

Right after that, make sure to head on over to the Verve Store to take advantage of the Anni-VERVE-sary sale!!  Everything in stock is 10% - 50% off -- a great time to stock up for Christmas and birthday gifts, blog candy or instant gratification LOL!

What's In It?
Stamps:  Birthday To You Plain Jane, Deco Borders (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Black, Kraft, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  VersaMark 
Accessories:  Heart Quartet (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Doily Die (Top Dog), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Pal, White Embossing Powder, White and Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Celebrate

source: refinery29.com

To celebrate the Curtain Call's third anniversary, the Celebrate challenge will run the entire month of July!  The LEAD of this challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

Today's theme is "celebrate" and it is a perfect theme as today hubby and I celebrate 19 years of marriage!  We got married on Canada Day and I tease him by telling him it was so he would never forget our anniversary wink, wink {grin}.

Used this week's Paper Players sketch by my cyber friend Nance, and tried to keep things on the masculine side for hubby.  The word "blessed" is die cut from brushed gold card stock and thought the photo doesn't show it too well, the circle is stitched for a bit of interest.  Used this fabulous Cat's Pajamas heart die and added a few gold loops as per the sketch.  Hope he likes it!

For added inspiration, make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs noted below.

Celebrate Designers

Tammy Hershberger, Guest Designer
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Betty Wright
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

We are off to enjoy some family time together and then heading to a big BBQ with some friends tonite.  A wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and Canada Day.

Remember, you have all month to play along with our Celebrate Challenge, and I look forward to seeing your creations.  

What's In It?
Paper:   Real Red, Black, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up), Brushed Gold

Accessories:  Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Blessed Die (PTI), Heart Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Gold Twine, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Verve June 2015 Release Spotlight Hop ~ Day 6

 
It's the final day of our June 2015 Verve Spotlight Hops! All of the stamps and dies you've seen this week are available in the Verve online store now! Sit back and relax for one last inspirational stroll as our sneaky Verve spotlight lands on Diva's choice today. And to cap off this release, we're giving away the entire release to one lucky commenter along today's hop, so come along with us as we share one last look-see at our newest release!

If you have come here from Laurie's blog you are right on track.  If  you just happened upon the Hop, today's hop list is a bit lower down or you can head over to Verve Blog for the full Hop List. 

Today's spotlight is on the entire June 2015 Release, so grab a treat and hop along!

A few months back I found this honeycomb paper on sale at my LSS and picked it up for no other reason than it was on sale and I figures somewhere along the line I could use it.  Fast forward to The Buzz entering my life and a match in heaven was made - too bad I only got one sheet LOL!   Added the honeycomb die under the bee as well as some Stickles to its wings and I am indeed being joyful :)

For my second card today, I used this fabulous Psalm 19:14 Plain Jane.  Going to be humming the song all day now :)   Adore the new Butterfly Dreams die as there are two butterfly dies in it which allows you to use the butterfly with the antennae, one without or to layer them as I did with mine.  Added a few half pearls to the wings for some detailing and focus as they needed to stand out a bit more.  



Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win our ENTIRE June 2015 Release! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the shopping and prize info and deadlines!

1. Julee	8. Andrea
2. Stacey	9. Christyne
3. Teresa	10. Maureen
4. Amber	11. Amy
5. Laurie	12. Janelle
6. Marisa	13. Shantaie
7. Charmaine

Time to head on over to Charmaine's blog to see her wonderful creation for today's hop.

Challenge:  Simon Says

What's In It?

The Buzz
Stamps:  The Buzz (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Bee Happy (Pebbles Garden Party), Black, Tan, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:   The Buzz and Flourished Tag Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkes), Black Seam Binding, Twine, Stickles, Dimensionals

Psalm 19:14 Plain Jane
Stamps:  Psalm 19:14 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Capella (Basic Grey), DSP, Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Early Espresso Tan (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:   Butterfly Dreams Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve ), Tag Die (PTI), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), 5/8" Brown Grosgrain Ribbon, Button, Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals