Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Flamingo

Can't have a warm summer without thinking of flamingos :)   Lots of bright, colour and fun!

I don't own any flamingo stamps or paper so I went with my favorite colour combination of pink and green as per the shirt in the middle of the inspiration photo.  Sorry about the horrible photo....had to work for part of yesterday so the lighting was far from optimal when I took this picture :(

UNICORN

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler 
Lynn Magnan

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson
Silk Ledlow

Stacey Schafer
Tammy Hershberger
Tara Godfrey

Have fun with the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the Curtain Call gallery.

 
  

What's In It?

Stamps:   Dream Big and Good Friend (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Country Drive (Echo Park), Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Kraft (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Pink Passion, Black

Accessories:  Scalloped Flowers and Flag It Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Leaf Filled Flourish Die-namic (My Favorite Things), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #431

Found this fun Bo Bunny Love Letters note paper at my LSS and since my daughter plays the piano, I thought it would make a fun card for her.  It ended up being a bit on the masculine side so this may end up for hubby.  Thankfully he is manly enough to handle the twine bow.

Adore the font of the "love" sentiment.  So elegant and classy.  You can find it in the Love Notes set.  Added hearts from the Heart Quartet die set and a set of notes by MFT.

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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger 

Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Wishing you all a fabulous day and hope you have time to play along!





 

What Is In It?
Stamps:  Love Notes (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Love Letters (Bo Bunny), Black, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories: Heart Quartet Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Notes Die (My Favorite Things), Button Die (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Dimensinoals

Mojo Monday #426

It's tall and skinny week over on the Mojo Monday blog and Julee's sketch is another keeper.

I delved into my MME Mistletoe magic pad and found a few papers to work with.  The herringbone one reminds me of candy canes and the musical script of Christmas carols so I was a happy camper.  Had great fun using this fun Reverse Confetti die cut tree for the first time (got it on sale in the summer), and paired it with an MFT snowflake and PTI's Wet Paint "joy". A few sequins to decorate my tree, a twine bow and a button on my snowflake dressed things up perfectly.

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

Speaking of tree decorating, we are in a bit of a quandry this year as we have not experienced a Christmas with Paddington yet (our new cat), and consequently have no clue how he will react or more importantly, "play" with the ornaments and tree LOL!    Will be an interesting adventure for us all!

Enjoy the sketch, Cyber Monday if you are so inclined, and your day!

Challenge: Simon Says





 
What's In It?
Paper:  Mistletoe Christmas (My Mind's Eye), Always Artichoke, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Wet Paint Christmas Dies (PTI), Snowflake Die (MFT), Christmas Tree Die (Reverse Confetti), Sequins, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #423

Lots of layers on today's sketch, and I opted to go with another fall themed card with my beloved maple leaves.  After the torrential rain we had this weekend, there are not many many maple leaves left on the tress which means it will be a soggy raking experience this coming week - ugh!  In the meantime, I will enjoy the paper version {grin}.

Mixed and matched some papers into a somewhat monochromatic colour scheme, added a stitched circle for a bit of texture, a die cut sentiment and two maple leaves and a button for a pop of colour.

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:   Leaf Prints (PTI), Woodgrain (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Stella and Rose, On The Bright Side (MME), Snap (Simple Stories), Kraft (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Rudy Red, Always Artichoke, VersaMark (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Happy Hellos Die Set (MFT), Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Viva La Verve October 2015 Week 5 Sketch Recap

Laurie's sketch this week was great fun to work with and perfect for a card I wanted to make to send a dear friend who has moved to Alberta.

I'm on a bit of a notebook edge binge after seeing Diva Moe using it on her card for this sketch.  Adds such a fun bit of interest and texture to your card.  The sentiment is the Hello Friend Plain Jane and I added a flourish from Each Day below it to fill in and balance the sentiment circle.   The hearts are from the Heart Quartet and Wavy Hearts die set and just had to use some gingham ribbon as it has been ages since I used some on a card.

You still have a few days to get your Viva La Verve cards made using this month's sketches.  You don't need Verve stamps to participate and the more times you enter the greater your chances of winning a Verve gift certificate - perfect after a new release!

Have a fabulous day!

Challenge:  Simon Says





 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Hello Friend Plain Jane, Each Day (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Collectable (My Mind's Eye), Rose Red, Old Olive, Night of Navy, Kraft (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts, Heart Quartet Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Notebook Edge Die (MFT), Crimper (Fiskars), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestablities (Spellbinders), 3/8" White Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's Dollar Bin), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, 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 #408

Yeah for Tall and Skinny sketch week over on the Mojo Monday blog.  I just love making this size card as elements on your card can "hang" over the edges and still fit in an A2 sized envelope :)

I needed a thank you card for one of the teachers who was on my daughter's trip to Europe as she was her absentee mom, especially when she was sick while on the trip.  I had an extra "U" from the I Heart You die set cut out and on my desk so it was the springboard for the card.  I added another favorite but not used recently Jotted Heart for my focal cluster and added a flower and a few buttons for some extra colour.

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

My daughter is now home from her two week trip to Europe and we are all very glad to have her back safe and sound.  Nothing makes this mama's heart happier than having her whole family all under one roof again.  Been great fun going through all her pictures and hearing about all her adventures.  After she modelled the stunning dress she bought in Paris for her grad dress,  I told hubby to start digging the moat and loading the shotgun! 

Best part is being able to hug her again, and I must say I am sleeping much more soundly too as she had some rough bits along the way which meant early morning and late night phone calls to Europe and a few restless nights for me!  Once the dust settles, I am sure she will be very glad she went, despite the trials along the way. 


Thanks for popping in and have a fabulous day!

What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Notes (Verve Stamps), Thank You (Rubber Soul)
Paper:  Indigo Bleu (Pink Paislee), So Saffron, Going Grey, Not Quite Navy, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, So Saffron
Accessories:  Jotted Heart and I Heart You Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Rolled Rose Die (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper (Fiskars), Seam Binding (Verve Stamps), White Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Beach Ball Reminder

We are half way through the current Beach Ball Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge  and today's card is my second take on the inspiration photo.

Since the beach balls are round, I decided to make a round card - something I haven't done for some time.   

I used a FTL sketch and had great fun using these wonderful primary colours again.  I added pops of black for accents and a bit of depth and a twine bow to finish things off.

If you haven't played along yet, we would love to have you join us!  We have no sponsor for this challenge, but The LEAD gets to join us as a Guest Designer in a future challenge.

Off to try to stay cool as we have a bit of a heat wave here this weekend! 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Best Yet (Stampin' Up)   
Paper:  Brocade Blue, Real Red, Black, DSP (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nestabilties (Spellbinders), Upsy Daisy Dies (My Favorite Things), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Beach Ball

** My second post of the day. Scroll down for my Mojo Monday post ** 

Time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge, and this time we are heading to the beach!  We have no sponsor this time round, but the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge! 

Love the primary colours in this picture and thus my flowers were born.  I pulled a round theme from the balls (flower petals and scalloped border) as well as the swoop from the string the balls were on.  A added a touch of twine to balance the card off.  A CAS card that just fell into place - a true rarity for me!

Listed below is a list of all designers' blogs to provide you with more inspiration!

  Beach Ball Designers

Michele Ferguson, I Card Everyone
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Have a fabulous day and I look forward to seeing your creations. 

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant 

 




What's In It?
Stamps:   Warmest Regards (Stampin' Up) 
Paper:  Real Red, Cool Caribbean, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:   Black
Accessories:  Pretty Posies (My Favorite Things), Scalloped Edger Die and Twine (PTI), Glue Dots 

Viva La Verve May Week 4 Sketch Recap

This week's Viva La Verve sketch is brought to us by Stacey with her classic skewed panels and layers.  Love the detailing she has on the right side of the sketch.

I needed a birthday card for my brother and I think he is manly enough to handle the polka dots.  Used the Flag It die set along with the Classy Label die and Flourish Trim die (to get the shape for the tan layer under the red flags).  The sentiment is from Poppy Birthday and I stamped the image from Love Notes on to the Classy Label die for a bit of depth.  No missing how old he will be this birthday LOL!

Head on over to the Viva La Verve blog to get a ton of inspiration and to find out whose cards I have spotlighted this week.

Thanks for popping in today!

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant



What's In It?
Stamps:   Love Notes, Poppy Birthday (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Kraft, So Saffron, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Tan, Costco DP
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Black    
Accessories:  Classy Label, Flourish Trim and Flag It Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Notebook Edge Die (MFT), Number Dies (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), Dimensioanls

Mojo Monday #396

It's the first Monday of the month so that means it is contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog.   The more entries, the more winners, so we'd love you to put your creative genes to work and come play along :)

I had a wonderful Mother's Day card all made up for this sketch and when I was adding the links to the Verve Store I realized the set I used was retired! Ugh!!  Thankfully, it was a quick fix as I didn't have time to make another card!  Just stamped this fabulous Psalm 46:1 verse from Scripture Medley 2 onto a new sentiment panel and lay it over the first one - phew! 

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

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Wishing you a fabulous week, and hope you can find time to play along with this week's sketch.

Challenges:  Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps:   Scripture Medley 2, Dream Big (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   In Bloom (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Basic Grey, Real Red, So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black, Versamark    
Accessories:  Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Rolled Roses (My Favorite Things), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots