Hello Out There!

Hello! I thought I'd pop in quickly today, I finally got inky! And when I say finally, I mean this is only the second time in months and months. Today I'm 32 weeks pregnant and boy oh boy...it's been a rough ride this time around! Speaking of boys...

I can't wait to meet our little bundle of joy! Maybe THEN the morning sickness will stop! 

I've been so tired this pregnancy that crafting seemed like too much work. I also had to relocate all my stuff (and is there ever a lot of it) to make room for baby, so my craft area was in disarray for months. A few months ago I got a gorgeous big package from Verve though, and I finally got to dip in and play with my new goodies!

I started small with a tag. It's hard to get inky when you're out of practice! The stamps here are from the gorgeous Beautiful Things stamp set, I've also used the matching dies as well as the Dreamy Leaves and Pennant Trim dies. 

I used a stencil from MFT and some embossing paste as well as lots of distress products on the base of the tag. The ink colours were Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries and Fired Brick with Walnut Stain edges. The seam binding is from Verve. 

It feels good to give my poor neglected blog a little love, not to mention my craft supplies. Thanks for letting me share!

December Diva Inspirations 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 until January 5 to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

Our November challenge is Cup of Kindness
Everywhere you look this time of year there's a flurry of color. Shiny ornaments, twinkling Christmas lights, window displays decked out in the merriest of brights. And not to mention all the sweet little wassail, hot cocoa, tea and coffee cups all around. So this month we're challenging you to share a cup of kindness with us. Get inspired by the graphic or blaze your own color trail, just show us some colorful creations!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Tuesday, January 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

I've used the beautiful Holiday Treats stamp set with the coordinating Cup of Cheer and Tagged Rectangle dies on my tall and skinny card today. 

The tag is stamped with a tone on tone border, here's a closeup so you can see it more easily 

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. Stacey
	3. Betty	8. Maureen
	4. Sankari	9. Marisa
	5. Sarah

November Diva Inspirations 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 until December 5 to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

Our November challenge is Rustic Winter 
The days are turning cold and the splendor of fall is changing to the magesticly rustic beauty of a winter woodland. This month we're challenging you to bring a little bit of that rustic winter to your creations. Follow the graphic or head off on your own trail, just show us your rustic winter creations!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Thursday, December 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

Well, of course I just had to use the phenomenal Unto Us and Pinecone Christmas stamp sets for my card today! When I saw the graphic I thought I'd make something layered and inked and distressed - but when I sat down to create, out came this simpler take. No paper, just stamping. Back to basics!

I've also used the Sweet Scallop Die and the coordinating Reindeer Fun Die set

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. Maureen
	2. Amy	7. Marisa
	3. Betty	8. Charmaine
	4. Sankari	9. Stacey
	5. Sarah

October Diva Inspirations 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 until November 5 to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

Our October challenge is Black, White and Glam
October always has a bit of glamour and intrigue to it. A stroll through the craft store this time of year brings visions of glitzy pumpkins, gilded candelabras and rhinestones galore. So this month we’re challenging you to to get glamorous with black, white and metallics. Use the inspiration graphic or go off on your own tangent, just share a little bit of glam with us!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Thursday, November 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

The Masquerade stamp set was just perfect for this challenge - and I was so happy to use some little used patterned glitter paper and feathers from my stash!

I've also used the coordinating Mask Die set. I love the quick and easy glam look you can get with this set! 

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	7. Maureen
	2. Amy	8. Stacey
	3. Betty	9. Charmaine
	4. Sankari	10. Amber
	5. Sarah	11. Marisa
	6. Susan

September Diva Inspirations 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 until October 5 to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

Our September challenge is Autumn Lovelies
September brings to mind crisp apples, bouquets of sharpened pencils, baked pumpkin delights, rainbows of fallen leaves and don't forget Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Salted Caramel Mochas! This month we're challenging you to to show us your autumn inspired creations. Use the inspiration graphic or go off on your own tangent, just share a little autumn loveliness with us!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Monday, October 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

Mmmmm, what a cosy scene! Those lovely fall colours made me think of a comforting cup of tea so I reached for the wonderful One Cup stamp set for my clean and simple card today. The sentiment is stamped on a Rounded Rectangle and I've used the Banner Bundle to cut the flag. The Cuppa Tea dies are out of stock right now, but add them to your wishlist to grab later, they are so sweet! I finished the card with some white gel pen faux stitching - it's probably been years since I've added that detail, still love it! 

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	7. Susan
	2. Amy	8. Maureen
	3. Betty	9. Amber
	4. Jen	10. Stacey
	5. Sankari	11. Marisa
	6. Sarah

August Diva Inspirations 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 month, 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!

I thought I'd do a different kind of celebration card today - the pink in the photo inpsired me to pull out the Pink Power stamp set. I also used the celebrate sentiment from Moments Remembered. I've used the Rounded Scallop Frame, cutting it twice and joining the parts together to create a larger frame. 

I've also used the fantastic Banner Bundle, Pennant Trim and Ribbon dies. 

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

July Diva Inspirations 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 July challenge is Sensational Stripes
Stripes go with everything! Make them nautical, or pair with florals for a graphic look. Use stripes however you're inspired! Use the inspiration graphic or head off in your own direction, just show us your stripes! 

I was inspired by all the beachy goodness in the photo - the beach is definitely where I go to dream, so this sentiment from Words of Wisdom seemed appropriate. 

The little tab peeking out was cut with the Classy Label Die. The Banner Bundle provided the flags behind the focal layer, an I embellished with stars from the Starry Die.

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

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	8. Susan
	2. Amy	9. Maureen
	3. Betty	10. Marisa
	4. Jen	11. Stacey
	5. Karen	12. Laurie
	6. Sankari	13. Amber
	7. Sarah

Eat Me, Drink Me - June Diva Inspirations Hop

It's the 5th of the month and 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!

Our June challenge is Eat Me, Drink Me

Are you fueled by coffee, tea or cocoa? Find cupcakes irresistible? Create a card featuring an edible treat or favored beverage!  Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction - just leave us needing a fix of your favorite indulgence!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Saturday, June 20.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

I am definitely a coffee girl! I reached for the wonderful Coffee stamp set for my card today. This actually started off as a full size, really layered card - but as I came to stick everything down I just loved the simplicity of the focal layer. I switched to a 3.75x4 card base and accented with the coffee bean stamp.

I also used the fabulous Coffee Word Die, Sprightly Sprigs Die Set and the Rounded Scallop Frame Die.

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	7. Maureen
	2. Amy	8. Marisa
	3. Anya	9. Chaitali
	4. Betty	10. Stacey
	5. Sankari	11. Amber
	6. Sarah

May Diva Inspirations Hop {win!}

It's the 5th of the month and 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!

Our May challenge is Let it Bloom

Florals are always fashionable. Let your creativity bloom and use some fabulous florals on your card. Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction – just show us some blooms!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Sunday, May 20.
Prize: $25 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

It's very rare that I duplicate a card - but Mother's Day has snuck up on me this year! In the interest of getting things in the post on time (I am terrible at this!) I used the wonderful Button Best stamp set and Petal Points Cut Above Dies to make two matching cards today. 

I've also used a die from the Cupcake Frame set for my focal layer, and cut the Sprightly Sprigs in vellum to adorn my blooms.

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. Sarah
	2. Amy	7. Susan
	3. Anya	8. Maureen
	4. Betty	9. Marisa
	5. Sankari