May Viva La Verve Sketch

It is May which means it is time for a new Viva La Verve sketch!  I have been so busy the past six weeks packing and moving my mom into a retirement home and then staging and trying to sell her townhouse that sitting and creating a card was wonderful therapy!

Julee has provided another fabulous sketch and I used it to create a Mother's Day card for my mom.  Love this verse from Proverbs from Scripture Medley 3, as it truly does describe my wonderful mother ♥  She is 84 and a real trooper.  We had a limited window of time to get things done before she moved and she rose to the challenge and then some.  Glad to say she is settled and loving her room and living at the retirement home which brings me great joy!!

Mixed a few papers for the sketch, and needed a pop of contrast so did some accents in black and added the butterfly from Butterfly Grace for good measure {grin}.  I apologize for the poor lighting.  Still very busy and being home for good lighting has been a bit of a challenge!

Come and join us over on the Viva La Verve blog!  Enter a card using the above sketch and you could win some new Verve!

Have a fabulous day!

 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Scripture Medley 3, Butterfly Grace (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Gardinia (American Crafts), Essential Elements (Echo Park), Recollections (Michael's), Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Graceful Butterflies Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped and Circle Nestabilties (Spellbinders), Daisy Punch (Martha Stewart), White Embossing Powder, Sequins, Black Half Pearls, Twine,  Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve - May Week 2 Sketch

Today's Viva La Verve sketch is brought to us by Anya.  Due to my mess up earlier this week, I needed to make another Mother's Day card and this sketch was perfect.

I still had MME's In Bloom on my desk (one of my all time favorite paper pads) so I dug into it once again to make this card for my mom for Mother's Day.

The sentiment is from Verve's Button Best and I couldn't resist using this gorgeous flower from Dream Big once again and pairing it with this fabulous leaf from In Bloom. Best part is they have matching dies: Elegant Leaf and Scalloped Flower die.  A few embellishments and my Mother's Day card is done and ready to be given to mom :)

For more inspiration using this week's sketch, head on over to the Viva La Verve blog.

Have a great day and thank for popping by today!

Challenges:  Simon Says 
                    Friday Mashup
 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Bloom and Grow, Dream Big, Button Best (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   In Bloom (MME), Kraft, So Saffron, Real Red (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Black, VersaMark    
Accessories:  Elegant Leaf , Scalloped Flower and Wings and Petals Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), 5/8" Moss Satin Ribbon, Brown, Half Pearls, Bling, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  

Verve May 2014 Spotlight Hop ~ Day 1

Welcome to Day 1, of Verve's May 2014 Spotlight Hops!   This week, we're excited to be spotlighting 3 new sets, 3 Plain Janes and a couple dies each day through Friday.  

If you have come here from Charmaine's blog you are right on track.  If you just happened up on the Hop, you can follow the list below to get caught up.  Everything previewed this week will be available in the Verve online store Friday night, May 23rd.   

Today's features are:  Button Best, Proverbs 31:25 Plain Jane, and Pointed Petals Die Set. 

My first card uses one of the sentiments from Button Best.  Such a true statement about mothers no matter how old you are!

Keep coming back to this Cut and Paste paper from My Mind's Eye as I love the papers.  I die cut two Rounded Scalloped Frames and layered them askew to pick up both the pink and green.  A few sequins from the Pastel Sequin Mix and seam binding from Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection finished things off.

My second card uses the Proverbs 31:25 Plain Jane.  Love this verse as it is a part of one of my favorite passages -- Proverbs 31:10-31.

Park Bench papers by Fancy Pants were a perfect match for the colour challenge part of the first May Viva La Verve challenge.  I also used that week's sketch, along with the small butterfly from Blue Skies, matching All Aflutter die, a flower from Petals and Wings and matching Wings and Petals die, Dreamy Leaves die and a few sequins from the new Shine Bright Sequin Mix.



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 for today's full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Tuesday, 5/20/14
Today's Prize: Button Best, Proverbs 31:25, Pointed Petals Die Set

1. Julee 8. Amber 2. Charmaine 9. Maureen 3. Marisa 10. Jen 4. Janelle 11. Laurie S. 5. Teresa 12. Andrea 6. Chaitali 13. Christyne 7. Stacey 14. Sarah

Time to hop over to Janelle's blog to see her fabulous creation using today's showcased sets.  Then make sure you come back tomorrow for our Day 2 Hop.

Challenges:  Simon Says

What's In It?

Button Best
Stamps:   Button Best (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Cut and Paste (My Mind's Eye), Mint Medley, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black   
Accessories:   Rounded Scalloped Frame Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Heart Quartet, Wavy Hearts, Elegant Leaves, Scalloped Trim Trio and Flag It Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Spring Fling Ribbon Collection (Verve), Twine, Buttons, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  

Proverbs 31:25
 Stamps:   Proverbs 31:15 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Park Bench (Fancy Pants)
Ink: Black, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:   All Aflutter, Petals and Wings, Dreamy Leaves Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Labels 18 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Washi Tape, Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Shine Bright Sequin Mix (Verve Stamps), Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #240 - Technique Challenge

Welcome to this week's "kissing" technique challenge at Just Us Girls.  The kissing would be with stamps not your honey, but you could do both, just not at the same time LOL!

It is a very simple technique.  You simply "kiss" one stamp to another, using just one inked stamp, or inking both stamps.  Here is a link to a basic Kissing Technique tutorial.

I had not made my Mom's Mother's Day card yet so this was the perfect excuse to do so!  I used this week's MFT sketch and kissed Rose Red on to the Regal Rose flower with Stampin' Up's French Script.  The rest of the card is all Verve.  Just love the font and fabulous sentiment.  Very appropriate as my  mom just got out of a week in the hospital.   She was diagnosed with a branch of Addison's and now that she has her sodium, potassium and cortisol levels are all balanced out, she feels like a million bucks :)  A wonderful Mother's Day gift to both of us!

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our May Guest Designer Barbara Campbell have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.

Looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day with the family.  So grateful that I have an wonderful mom, two amazing children and a very supportive husband.   I am blessed indeed! 

Thanks for popping by today and have a fabulous weekend! 

Challenges:  Crazy for Challenges - Use a flower
                    Simon Says - Spring flowers
                The Pink Elephant - Mother's Day

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Because of You, Great Friend (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Cut and Paste (My Mind's Eye), Rose Red, Mint Medley (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Rose Red, Regal Rose, Black (Stampin' Up), Versamark
Accessories:  Dreamy Leaves Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Spring Mix Sequins (Verve Stamps), Lacy Oval and Oval Nestabilties (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Scalloped Punch (Stampin' Up), White and Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Dimensionals  

Verve May 2013 Spotlight Hop ~ Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of Verve's Sneak Peek Spotlight Hop.   If you have come here from Christyne's blog you are right on track. If you just happened up on the Hop, you can follow the list below to get caught up.

Today's featured sets (and available prize to one randomly selected commenter along the Hop), includes:  Teachers Count, Apple Die Set, All Occasion, Occasion Frame Die, and Promoted Plain Jane.   I  was hoping to make two cards today, but life got in the way so was only able to spotlight On Occasion.

After last week's experience/scare, this Mother's Day will be all the more special.  Therefore, I decided to make another card for my mom to compliment my Mojo Monday card, which was about her being a grandmother to my kids.   You can see the card here if you like.  I used Diva Christyne's Verve Sketch as the doily was perfect for a Mother's Day card.  Paired it with some K & Company papers from their Brenda Walton Madeline series and the All Occasion Frame and die worked wonderfully to form my focal panel.  Love the sentiment too!  Yes, my mom is truly a blessing and I want her to be blessed!  

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 for all the prize details and deadlines.

Friday, 5/10/13
Today's Prize: Teachers Count, Apple Die Set, All Occasion, Occasion Frame Die, Promoted Plain Jane

1. Julee	8. Andrea
2. Charmaine	9. Jen M.
3. Teresa	10. Laurie W.
4. Stacey	11. Laurie S.
5. Amber	12. Janelle
6. Christyne	13. Maureen
7. Marisa	14. Jen S.

That wraps up our May Spotlight Hop.  But, the best part is right at your fingertips:  every set previewed this week is now available at Verve's On-Line Store!  Happy shopping and I look forward to seeing your creations in blog land!















What's In It?
Stamps: On Occasion (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Brenda Walter Madeline Series (K & Company), So Saffron, Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  All Occasion Frame Die and Banner Bundle Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Lace, 5/8" Cream Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Brown and Pink Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mother's Day Card - Two Versions

I made two cards with the same layout and just switched up the colours and images on them.  The first card uses The Art of Life set by Stampin' Up.  It is a set I have always loved and haven't used in ages so it was good to give it some ink.  Just love this flower image! 

The second card uses Easy Elegance, another wonderful flower set by Stampin' Up.  This time I used my favorite pink and yellow colour combo - much like the colours of the tulips and cherry blossoms  in our neighbourhood right now.   Two quick and easy cards, and I just love that little PTI tag - so perfect for a Mother's Day card!

Back to work - still crazy busy here.  Thanks for popping by and have a great day.



First card:
What's In It?
Stamps:  Easy Elegance (Stampin' Up)
Paper:   Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Ink:   Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scalloped Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Crimper, White Half Pearls, Raffia, Dimensionals 

Second Card:
What's In It?
Stamps:  The Art of Life (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Regal Rose, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scalloped Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Crimper, White Half Pearls, Raffia, Dimensionals 

Quick and Easy Punch Art Mother's Day Card

I've been working for hubby again so time has been very short for crafting -- thus another CAS, quick and easy card.  I will get back to my "regularly scheduled programing" as soon as I can, promise.

This punch art Mother's Day card using go to colour combo of pink and green was a breeze to make.  I used one of my Martha Stewart leaf punches to create the stem and leaves and a Marvy punch for the flowers.  A quick and easy card in the midst of a very busy week.

Thanks for popping by today :)



What's In It?
Stamps:  Memory Box 
Paper: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories: Leaf and Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart), Flower Punch (Marvy), White Half Pearls, Dimensionals

You Are An Amazing Mom

Still on a Mother's Day kick, so here is one more card.  Today's, card features a fabulous set of Verve's entitled Love Deepens.  So many great options of words you can use with this sentiment too!  I chose "mom" but there is also mum, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother and many more.    

I thought of my own mother when making this card as she is such an amazing woman.  One I have learned so much from and continue to learn from regularly.  Her selflessness and willingness to help, as well as her sage advice and faithful prayers for our family are but a few of the things that make her the amazing woman that she is.  Love you mom!!

Wishing you all a fabulous day :) 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Deepens (Verve) 
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing Paper Pack  (Recollections from Michael's), Night of Navy, So Saffron, Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black, Brilliant Blue (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Flower and 1" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up), Flower Punch (Marvy), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Dimensionals

Just Us Girls 185 - Colour Challenge

First and foremost, I want to wish our fearless JUGS leader, Lisa, a very, very, Happy Birthday!!!   Thanks for all you do for JUGS, Lisa!  We love you lots :)

This week's Just Us Girls challenge is hosted by yours truly.  I have chosen to give one last tribute to some retiring colours - after all it is spring and these colours are perfect for spring flowers!

Kept things on the quick and easy side as life is crazy hectic right now!   Pulled out my favorite PTI flower die and paired it with Verve leaves and sentiment.  I have visions of similar colours in my garden over the next few months and that makes me happy :)  Yes, I love real flowers and stamped ones.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chic of the Week.  
 
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
 


What's In It?
Stamps:  Joyful Blooms (Verve)
 Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Beautiful Blooms II Flower Die (PTI), Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve),  Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart), Circle Punch (Stampin' Up), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), White Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

CAS Mother's Day Card

Had to switch things up a bit as I was getting tired of pink and yellow Mother's Day cards.  This card  uses Fall To Layout #235 and it is a CASE of a card I saw using it, but for the life of me I can't find out who it was!!  If you recognize your layout, please let me know so I can give you credit!

Love this Verve flower from Petals and Stems!  Such a great little flower and the polka dotted leaves have always stolen my heart.  It was my very first Verve flower set and I still love it :)

Short and sweet today as it's a busy week!   Thanks for dropping by!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Petals and Stems (Verve), Memory Box (Sentiment) 
Paper: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Kraft
Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, Black, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories: Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Dimensionals

Quick and Easy Mother's Day Card

Another quick and easy Mother's Day card for you today using this wonderful MFT sketch.

This Penny Black flower is one of my favorites and I haven't used it forever, so out it came.   Plus I am continuing my tribute to retiring Stampin' Up colours by using Mellow Moss and Regal Rose.   What is a flower girl to do when they keep retiring fabulous greens (Mellow Moss and Certainly Celery) and now two of my most used pinks (Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink)!!  I'm in deep, mourning and also very miffed!

Okay temper tantrum is over - at least for now LOL.  I'm giddy about tomorrow as I get to hook up with Sue Kohler from Australia tomorrow!!  Can't believe we live half way around the world from each other and get to actually meet face to face!  Eeeek!!   We served on a DT together a fwe years back and have kept in touch once our terms were done.  I'm taking her to Michael's as it is on her bucket list and will enable her with an extra coupon wink, wink.  Can't wait!

Tomorrow is also the start of April's Diva Dare so come back to see what the Diva's are daring you to do this month. 

Thanks for popping by today!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Penny Black (flower), Because of You (Verve)
Paper:  Garden Florals Recollections DP Pack (Michael's), Kraft, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Mellow Moss, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Dimensionals

Mom

Made my first Mother's Day card of the year and it's a very CAS one as I have to duplicate it quite a few times. 

In an ode to one of my favorite colour combos of pink and green, and a tribute to three of my favorite colors that are being retired by Stampin' Up, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Sage Shadow (a few years back but I have a stockpile LOL).  The other heart breaker they are retiring is Certainly Celery, one of my favorite greens ever!!

Enough howling by the moon on my part and on to the card!  Love Verve's Mother's Day sets - fabulous fonts and great sentiments.  I paired Because of You with Joyful Blooms (the flowers have matching dies) and added a touch of ribbon.  Easy peasy :)

Short and quick today as there is a ton on the agenda today.



What's In It?
Stamps: Joyful Blooms and Because of You (Verve) 
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Sage Shadow (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories: Joyful Blooms Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), 3/8" Sage Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

Love You Mom!

After promising no more Mother's Day cards, I am sneaking one more in using the first Verve sketch for May.  This fun Echo Park Country Drive paper was my starting point and I pulled all the colours from it. 

I haven't used my MFT rolled rose die for some time so out they came.  I'm out of practice, but thankfully they are forgiving and look better in the picture than they do in person.  Guess you could call them wild roses :)  Sorry about the dark picture.  With the sun up higher now I need to remember to alter the time I take my pictures.

My busy weekend is about to begin so no stamping for me this weekend as our guest room (aka my craft area) will be off limits :(  Guess my Kindle Fire will have to keep me company instead of my stamps.  Back as soon as I can make a card.  Have a fabulous weekend!



What's In It?
Stamps: Because of You Verve)
Paper: Country Lane DP (Echo Park), Wild Wasabi, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Mint Medley
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lacy Square Nesties, Rolled Rose Dies (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Fuchsia Satin Ribbon, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Last Mother's Day Card - Promise!

This is my last Mother's Day card this year - promise!  That being said, I just had to go out with a bang and use my new Verve flower die....happy sigh.... :)  

I paired it with this fabulous sentiment from Verve's Love Deepens.  Just love this set as it has so many different words you can pair with the "you're an amazing" sentiment!  

Think I may have to swear off flowers and dots on cards for a while as it's gone viral in my craft area LOL! 

What's In It?
Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Paper: Recollections DP (Michael's), Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Ink: Black, Rose Romance
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Sizzix Leaf Die, Joyful Blooms Die Set (Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (SU), PTI Button Die, Twine, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals.

Mother's Day Basket

Since many moms get baskets/planters full of flowers on Mother's Day, I pulled out this old Stampin' Up set and made a paper version for myself :)  Punched out some flowers with a wonderful little punch I got in the Michael's $1.50 bin a few years back and succumbed to my Swiss dots embossing folder yet again.   Nice and easy CAS Mother's Day card.

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Sentiment (Memory Box), Flower Filled (SU) 
Paper: Pretty in Pink 
Ink: Black, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow 
Accessories:  Flower Punch (Michael's), 1/4" Hole Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Raffia, Bling, Dimensionals

Mother's Day JUGS

I loved this JUGS sketch and am coming back to it as I didn't get a chance to play along last week.  Think the round circle was calling my name as it is perfect for adding flowers to (and you know my love/addiction to flowers!).

Sorry about using the PTI flower die again....I'm totally re-addicted to it now that Spring is here and all I can think about is having flowers in my garden again.  I got this cute button die with my PTI order a few months back and just love it!  The ruffled edge adds a nice little something :)

I struggled with which embossing folder to use for the background and finally settled on this brick one.  Not sure it was the right choice as many people tend to associate brick walls with something that is aging, and that is definitely not a message you want to be sending your mother on Mother's Day LOL!

 


What's In It?
Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Certainly Celery, Rose Romance
Ink: Black
Accessories: Flower and Button Dies (PTI), Leaf Die (Sizzix), Scalloped Circle and Circle  Nesties, Brick Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), 5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Bling, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals