February 2014 Diva Dare - Day 7

"Perk Up" - February Diva Dare

Welcome to February's Diva Dare!  This month's Dare is entitled "Perk Up."    

What we're daring you to do this month is make a card or project to perk someone up, whether it’s with a warm beverage or just a heartfelt sentiment to brighten someone’s day.  No shortage of options as Verve has some wonderful coffee and tea sets as well as a plethora of uplifting/heartfelt sentiments.

I busted out my Better with You stamp set for this challenge, not a MORE PERFECT set for it:)

I stamped the background with the "java" word block, I love that stamp for backgrounds! I also stamped the coffee stain stamp on top of the sentiment, a fun little detail that adds so much! 

I also used this week's Viva la Verve sketch for the layout!

Stop by the VLV Sketch Blog to play along!

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, February 26th.  Entries must be posted 2/7 or later, include at least one Verve product, a warm beverage or heartfelt sentiment, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 2/26/14.   

During this month's Diva Dare, there are 2 prizes up for grabs!

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Perk Up" Dare and link up your card (created February 7th or later) to the linky widget below to be eligible to win.  One participant will be randomly selected to win the gift voucher.  You can enter as many times as you like, but each card needs to be in a separate post.

Win a set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's "Perk Up" Diva Dare posts!  One lucky commenter will win a Verve stamp set of his or her choice, so be sure to tune in each day!  Comment deadline to be entered in our prize drawing is February 26, 2014.

Winners will be announced on February 27, 2014. 

January 2014 Diva Dare - Day 8

January Diva Dare - "Smitten"

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to the first Diva Dare of 2014!  Amber here with today's Diva Dare post! This month's Dare is entitled "Smitten!"

What we're daring you to do this month is to make a card or project with a heart, whether it's for the one you love, a sweet Valentine or a lunch note for a child.  Let's get smitten!

There is no shortage of Verve love from Verve Stamps! The valentine stamps are some of my FAVORITE releases from Verve! For my card, I used the fun heart border stamp from Hundred Hearts and the Much Love Plain Jane!

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, January 22nd.  Entries must be posted 1/3 or later, include at least one Verve product, include a heart, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 1/22/14.  

During this month's Diva Dare, there are 2 prizes up for grabs!

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Smitten" Dare and link up your card (created January 3rd or later) to the linky widget below to be eligible to win.  One participant will be randomly selected to win the gift voucher.  You can enter as many times as you like, but each card needs to be in a separate post. 

Win a set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's "Smitten" Diva Dare posts!  One lucky commenter will win a Verve stamp set of his or her choice, so be sure to tune in each day!  Comment deadline to be entered in our prize drawing is January 22, 2014.

Winners will be announced on January 23, 2014. 

- Go forth and get inky! We DARE you! -

May Diva Dare ~ Day 7

Hello Verve fans! Andrea comin' to you with my take on this month's Diva Dare! 

Stars & Stripes May Diva Dare

This month's dare pays tribute to Diva Amber's (Stamping Scrapbooker) military service and Diva Laurie Willison's (Soapbox Creations) wonderful use of stripes on her cards.  So we're daring you to create a card using stars and/or stripes.  While the title may conjure up visions of red, white and blue any stars and stripes will do! If you're feeling pretty in pink, go for it! Just remember to use at least one Verve product on your creation!  If you want to get really daring, you can add the extra challenge of making it a CAS card with stars and/or stripes, as that is Diva Laurie's signature style.  However, that is not a requirement, just an optional twist to the Dare if you're feeling daring!

Here is my take on this month's Diva Dare:

I couldn't help myself...as soon as I heard 'stars and stripes' my brain automatically went to the good ol' red, white and blue...so I went with it! The main sentiment is from a previously released Verve set called American Hero. I stamped that on a white panel and raised it up on a Occasion Frame die. I stamped the frame from the On Ocassion set and then heat embossed with white embossing powder. The blue and white star strip were cut with a Verve Ribbon Banner die and the left and right sides were stamped with a border from the Strong Anchor set. At the bottom, I stamped 'thank you for all you do' from the Teacher's Count set, because really that would work for anyone you're thankful for. Lastly I added some stars which were cut out using Verve's Starry die set.

During this month's Diva Dare, there are 4 prizes up for grabs!
 Win Verve's ENTIRE May Release! Take our Stars & Stripes Dare and link up your card (created 5/13 or later) to the linky widget below. One random participant will be drawn to win all of the stamps, dies and ribbons in our May 2013 release. You can enter as many times as you like, but each card needs to be in a separate post.  Here's a little look-see at what the winner will receive..

May Stamp Collection	May Die Collection	Black Beauty Ribbon Collection	Polka Dot Basics Ribbon Collection
Deadline to link your cards is 5PM Mountain on Thursday, May 30. Entries must be new (posted 5/13 or later), include at least one Verve product, use stars and stripes and be linked up to the linky widget by 5pm Mountain on 5/30/13.

Win a set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's Stars & Stripes Diva Dare posts! THREE lucky commenters will win a Verve stamp set of his or her choice, so be sure to tune in each day! Comment deadline to be entered in our prize drawing is May 30.

Winners will be announced on May 31, 2013.

- Go forth and get inky! We DARE you! -

July Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 9

Hello and happy weekend!! I'm bringing this Diva Dare to a close this week and just love what all the diva's have created this past week! Amazing, aren't they? 

This month, we dare you to make a card or project using a BIRTHDAY theme. July happens to be a big birthday month here at Verve...five of our Divas have July birthdays, including the boss lady, Julee. Let's celebrate with some fun birthday projects, shall we? We can't wait to see how you answer the dare! (Stay tuned to see how you could win some shiny new Verve!

Okay, so here's my card and how I answered the dare!

I wanted to create a different card than I normally do, so I just hacked off the top piece of the front panel and love how that little change really got my mojo going! The card base is Pink Pirouette by SU! and the patterned papers are from MME! 

After adding all my mat layers, I die cut some circles and adhered them to the card front. I cut a banner out with the Ribbon Banner die and stamped the "birthday wishes" sentiment from Birthday Phrases. I cut a heart out with the heart from the I Heart You die set and then stamped the "for" from You and I stamp set. The "you" is also from You and I. I glued a bow down on top of the banner and then added some buttons to the side. To kind of dress the card up a little further, I added Crystal Ice Stickles to the banner on the paper.

Here's the inside! I added more circles to add another sentiment (from Big Wish) and a panel for a personalized message!

Well that's all I have! I hope you found or will find some time to play along! You have until tomorrow night!!

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So, would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget HERE on Day 1 before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would love to see 'em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing.

Winners will be announced on Monday, July 30 right here on the Verve blog.

July Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 8

Hello Verve Fans!! This is the last day for our Diva Dare inspirations. Have you been blown away by all the creativity as I have? I just had the opportunity to look yesterday since I've been on vacation with my family, and I tell you, these girls pulled out all the stops!!!

Just a quick recap...we're daring you to make a card or project with a Birthday Theme in honor of 4 divas and the boss lady's birthdays this month. In fact, it just happens to be Jen Tapler's birthday today, so if you have a moment, stop by her blog and spread some birthday wishes. And did you get a chance to wish our fearless leader and sweet friend, Julee, a birthday yesterday? If not, I'm sure she wouldn't mind prolonging her birthday to receive a few more. *grin*

Okay, maybe I should share how I answered the dare.


I usually go all embellishment crazy on a card, but as I was creating this one, I ended up with a pretty clean and simple look using the Ribbon Banner die, Plain Jane Fringe Flower, and a birthday sentiment from Joyful Blooms.



I love texture, so I stamped the Fringe Flower image, using Black Stazon, onto some felt and added a button, as well as a sweet little canvas tag with the birthday sentiment on it. As a backdrop to the sentiment, I added a little banner using Verve's Ribbon Banner die.

That's about it for this simple little card.

So, would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget HERE on Day 1 before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would love to see 'em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing.

Winners will be announced on Monday, July 30 right here on the Verve blog.

July Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 7

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Hello!  It's Maureen and I can't tell you how excited I am to finally show you my Diva Dare project!  Excited because I love the mix of digital and stamped images I've used AND I got to eat cupcakes!! LOL  More on that later ;)  But first, some details...

This month, we dare you to make a card or project using a BIRTHDAY theme. July happens to be a big birthday month here at Verve...five of our Divas have July birthdays, including the boss lady, Julee. Let's celebrate with some fun birthday projects, shall we? We can't wait to see how you answer the dare! (Stay tuned to see how you could win some shiny new Verve!)

I've been having fun recently with my Keep Calm app, not to mention seeing all different versions of the poster on Pinterest.  So when the Diva Dare birthday theme came up, I knew I wanted to make my own little poster...

I wanted an authentic font for the words, so I googled "Keep Calm font" and I was able to download my own version and install it into my Word Program.  I measured the cupcake from Carpe Cupcake as well as the sentiment I wanted to use so I knew how big to make the "Keep Calm and Seize."  Oh, I love how the Verve images worked perfectly (and no colouring needed! LOVE!)  I added a little file folder die cut so I could also add the sweet "happy birthday" from Small Phrases.

 

Now, I couldn't just make a cupcake card and not have some props for the photo shoot!  LOL  So I headed over to our local Sweet Cupcake Shoppe and bought some lemon filled cupcakes {drool}.  I wanted to make some fun little flags with the Ribbon Banner die.  I've used it 3 times here, cutting 2 of them smaller for the mini cupcakes.  The Birthday Girl should always get the biggest cupcake, so I made her banner a little more special with the matching banner outline stamp from Super Dad.  All the sentiments are from Birthday Bash...I just love the fonts in this set!

So, are you wondering the fate of these cupcakes?  Let's just say they were delicious! LOL  Gotta love a yummy photo shoot (eh, Melissa! teehee)!

Would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget HERE on Day 1 before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would love to see 'em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing. 

 Winners will be announced on Monday, July 30 right here on the Verve blog.

April Diva Dare 2012 - Day 7

Hello Verve lovelies...It's Andrea checkin' in and I'm here to share with you my take on this month's Diva Dare...

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - All Aboard!   It has been Grand Central Station around the Verve nest lately, Julee and Mark have welcomed two beautiful baby boys into their family and have had their hands full!  So on that note, we are challenging you to use chipboard, corrugated cardboard, or kraft on your creation or project!  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare!  Stay tuned to learn how you could win some shiny new Verve!!

I used sweet Diva Amber's trick to mat my Ribbon Banner die. If you didn't catch that one, check it out here...what a super helpful hint! I stamped the sentiment from Purely Sentimental on a piece of glittered chipboard and attached that to the Ribbon Banner die. (I extended the banner die just a tad to make it look like it's coming down from the top...the seam is being hidden by the chipboard panel.) I then stamped the Fringe Flower stamp twice, once in green and once in blue. I fussy cut out each design and layered them with a pop dot. I added a bit of Star Dust Stickles to each petal, glued on a pearl brad and attached it to the sentiment panel. Lastly, I made the flower cluster, attaching to some beautiful blue seam binding.

Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new All Aboard creation (posted April 20 or later) to the linky widget on THIS POST before 6:00PM MST on Thursday May 3.  One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would  LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our All Aboard creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!

April Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 4

Greetings everyone!!  It's my turn to double dog dare you with my take on this month's Diva Dare...

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - All Aboard!   It has been Grand Central Station around here lately, Julee gave birth to two beautiful baby boys and has had her hands full!  So I am challenging you to use chipboard, corrugated cardboard, or kraft on your creation or project!  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare!  Stay tuned to learn how you could win some shiny new Verve!!

I was thinking of my favourite new parents, Julee and Mark, while creating my cards :) 

Seems like I'm not the only one "addicted" to the new Ribbon Banner Die :)  I want to use it on all my projects...and today I have!  I die cut the banner out of a chipboard coaster and stamped the coordinating frame from Super Dad with Old Olive ink.  Then I stamped the sentiment with Versafine onyx ink.  The sweet little Father's Day sentiment is from the new Purely Sentimental set. But before we celebrate Father's Day, we will have  Mother's Day so here's another banner card (see, told you I was addicted!)...

I cut out some more Ribbon Banners with chipboard coasters but covered them with patterned paper this time.  I also die cut some smaller banners to hang on top of the larger ones.  I created the kraft flower with the medium bloom image from Joyful Blooms by stamping it twice, cutting out both images and popping up the middle with a foam dot.  The sentiment from the same Joyful Blooms set fits perfectly onto the Charming Oval Die set :) Love that!

Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new All Aboard creation (posted April 20 or later) to the linky widget on THIS POST before 6:00PM MST on Thursday May 3.  One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would  LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our All Aboard creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th right here on the Verve blog

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!

April Diva Dare 2012-Day 2

Hi there! Aren't you glad the Diva Dare is back?? I know we are:) We love to visit your blogs and see you play along with us!

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - All Aboard!   It has been Grand Central Station around here lately, Julee gave birth to two beautiful baby boys and has had her hands full!  So I am challenging you to use chipboard, corrugated cardboard, or kraft on your creation or project!  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare!      

Stay tuned to learn how you could win some shiny new Verve!!

I pulled out my Super Dad, Purely Sentimental, Ribbon Banner die to create this graduation card!

I have a little "thing" for this banner die, I want to use it on EVERYTHING! The card base was embossed with a star folder from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby). I cut three chipboard banners out with the Ribbon Banner die and then stamped the banner image from Super Dad on all three. Next I stamped the sentiment, from Purely Sentimental, and the stars (also from Super Dad)! You know I couldn't stop there, so I added some buttons, a bow, and some silver flat backs. 

Maybe I'm slow on the up take, but I figured out how to make many different sized banners using this ONE die! I took some pictures as I was making this card so I could show you how to do it! And if you already figured this out, bear with me...lol!

Step 1: Gather your supplies! For me, it was my Big Shot, Ribbon Banner die, and scraps of cardstock in the colors I would use.

Step 2: Cut the banner with the die. I didn't take a picture of this step because you're looking for the original cut.

Step 3: Cut scrap of blue cardstock to 1.25" and line the banner die up in the middle. Wow, is that a well-loved cutting plate or what?;)

Step 4: Cut scrap of silver cardstock to 1" and line banner die up in the middle.

Step 5: Cut scrap of black cardstock to .5" and line banner die up in the middle!

Pretty simple, right? I'm so happy with this little discovery:) Here's a chart of the three sizes all lined up--

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new All Aboard creation (posted April 20 or later) to the linky widget on THIS POST before 6:00PM MST on Thursday May 3.  One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would  LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our All Aboard creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th right here on the Verve blog

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!

April Diva Dare 2012-Day 1

Welcome to Day one of the April Diva Dare!  Here's how our Diva Dare works... following each release, we post a theme we dare you with, and you'll have until May 3 6:00 PM MST to complete the challenge.  During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare!

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - All Aboard!   It has been Grand Central Station around here lately, Julee gave birth to two beautiful baby boys and has had her hands full!  So I am challenging you to use chipboard, corrugated cardboard, or kraft on your creation or project!  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare!     
Stay tuned to learn how you could win some shiny new Verve!!

This is how I answered the dare....

I have used a piece of scrap cardboard and cut my shape of my tag...I adore tags!   I then used designer papers from Teresa Collins called Spring Fling, this color combo is gorgeous!  I used the Cut Above by Verve Ribbon Banner Die to cut my banner shape, so sweet!  The sentiment is from the Joyful Blooms set, I then cut it out using a small round circle punch.  I added a darling piece of white trim, stitching, and a tiny kraft clothespin.  I finished with a squirt of Mr Huey's Calico White and Piglet Mists.

Here is a close up of the sweet clothespin and the Mr Huey's Mists.

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new All Aboard creation (posted April 20 or later) to the linky widget below before 6:00PM MST on Thursday May 3.  One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would  LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our All Aboard creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners   will be announced on Friday, May 4th right here on the Verve blog

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!

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Click the "Click here to enter" link at the bottom of this post for the Diva Dare entry form
Please type your name or screen name in the Caption or Title field, then choose the link and photo you'd like to enter.  Please link directly to the specific blog post or gallery page where we can view your creation.  If you're having problems linking, try entering the link to your card, then choosing From File instead of From Web. Then just browse to where your picture is saved on your computer to get your thumbnail.