Merry Monday #63

** This is my second post of the day. See my first post for this week's Mojo Monday card ** 

Welcome back to another week of Merry Monday sketches!   Lesley has provided another fabulous design for us to work with this week.

I am having so much fun digging through my Christmas stamps to see which one I want to use each week :)   This week I opted to go with "cutsie" which isn't typically  my norm, but I just couldn't resist buying this adorable Stampendous reindeer a few years back when I saw them.

The image is coloured with a blender pen, and I couldn't resist adding a shiny red nose to both of them.  I did fudge the sketch a teensy bit by adding ribbon and shifting the sentiment banner to a dangling one below the bow...when the mojo is a flowin' you don't mess with it LOL!  Yes, I'm a deviant guest designer....sorry Lesley!! I promise to behave next week ;) 

The rest of the Merry Monday Crew have fabulous samples of this week's sketch.  Below is a link to each of their blogs.

Allisa Chilton
Bonnie Klass

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

Sue Joyce
Sherry Eckblad
Margaret Moody 
Vicki Burdick

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!! 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Snowflakes (Stampin' Up), Memory Box (sentiment), Reindeer (Stampendous) 
Paper:    Always Artichoke, Kraft and Real Red (Stampin' Up) Wassail (Basic Grey), Cream Linen 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon,  Snowflake Die (My Favorite Things), Red Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #294

Had great fun using this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  Since I need a few more teacher appreciation cards, I jumped at the chance to use this sketch to make one.  

I used the alphabet background stamp from Verve's new Take Note set to create the white background on the kraft panel.  Love the new   Teachers Count set, and  used it for the rest of the elements on my card:  a row of red apples stamped across the panel in lieu of the scalloped element on the sketch, for the sentiment on my "black board" (which I created using Rounded Scallop Frame die) and the extra apple which I couldn't resist adding using the matching Apples Die set.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their 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

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Busy weekend with my son's soccer tournament. Two wins to date and two more games to go today.  Thankfully the weather is cooperating and the rain is bypassing us :)  Fingers crossed for more wins!  Off to do some chelling (cheering and yelling LOL)!

Wishing you a great day, and thanks for popping by today!    



What's In It?
Stamps: Teachers Count and Take Note ( Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Mosaic Memories Paper Pack (Recollections at Michael's), Kraft, Black (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  White, Real Red, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Scalloped Rectangle Frame and Apples Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve),  5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #189 - Colour Challenge

This week's colour challenge is brought to us by Vicki and it's a lovely neutral pallet with a pop of colour.

I used Verve's second May sketch with this week's colours (plus my added touch of  black and cream neutrals).  The sketch was making me think I really do need to get some doilies...I have managed to put it off to date as I'm not a huge fan of them, but I think the need to succumb is in order as one would have been fabulous on this card.  Can you tell I do not like to follow trends that aren't "me".   Yes...I'm stubborn that way LOL!

Since my sympathy card stash is non-existent at the moment, I pulled out Verve's new Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane and stamped it on Verve's Curvy Bookplate Die and layered it over my lacy circle nestability.  Added a touch of cream and black neutrals to the mix and rolled a few roses to finish things off. 

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!  My son has a soccer tournament so we will be spending a lot of time at the soccer pitch.  Thankfully, due to late morning or early afternoon games, I will also manage to get a few sleep in days as I really do need them!!  Life is slowly getting back to normal as mom is doing better every day, and the push to get the big job for hubby done is just a few days away from completion - yeah!  Added bonus:  we get a long weekend!

Thanks for popping by today and if all goes well, I will be much more consistent with my posting.





What's In It?  Stamps:  Deep Sympathy Plain Jane  (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Kraft, Cream Linen, Tan, He Said She Said (Teresa Collins)  
Ink:  Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders),  Rolled Rose Dies (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Coral Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's Ribbon Bin), Button, Black Half Pearls, Twine, Glue Dots

Merry Monday #62

* This is my third post of the day!  If you are looking for my Mojo Monday post or this month's Diva Dare post, please see my two previous posts *

This week's Merry Monday sketch is another wonderful sketch to work with as the possibilities with the circle element are endless!

I decided to pull out Stampin' Up's Dasher - love this reindeer image!   I embossed him in gold and added some gold, half pearls to a few of the dots in the antler design for a bit of dimension. 

The paper is a piece I have been hoarding for some time from a Costco pack I got a few years back.  Today was the perfect day to bring it out again.  The card needed a little something so I added some gold twine with a snowflake in the middle, and Dasher is totally ready to travel to someone's home this Christmas :)

The rest of the Merry Monday Crew have fabulous samples of this week's sketch.  Below is a link to each of their blogs.

Allisa Chilton
Bonnie Klass

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

Sue Joyce
Sherry Eckblad
Margaret Moody 
Vicki Burdick

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!! 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Dasher (Stampin' Up), Merry Christmas (Hero Arts)  

Paper:  Costco DP Pack, Cream Linen  

Ink: Black, VersaMark  

Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Gold Half Pearls, Gold Twine, Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Dimensionals

Diva Dare ~ May 2013

** If you are looking for my Mojo Monday post, it is in the post below **

Welcome to another segment of Verve's Diva Dares!  This month's Dare is called "Stars and Stripes".  It combines a tribute to Diva Amber's military service and Diva Laurie Wilson's fabulous use of stripes on her cards.   Here is my take on the Dare.

Since I had a starry  night in mind when I thought of this challenge, I immediately reached for Verve's new Let It Be set as it has some great "shine" sentiments.  I used the Rounded Scalloped Frame die twice,  once on black card stock and once on white, and then swapped out the middles to have opposing frames and centers.  The sentiment was embossed in white and the Starry Die was perfect for creating my scatter of stars.  I also used the star die from the Scalloped Trim Trio set to emphasise the star aspect just a little more ;)   Oh, and I just "had" to use some more of that yummy Polka Dot Basic ribbon collection to finish things off!  The striped portion of the Dare got a bit overshadowed by the stars, but it is there and does provide grounding for the card.

Where there is a Verve Dare, there are prizes, and this month's Dare provides you with FOUR ways to win!!  Three lucky commenters, randomly selected over the course of the Dare, will win a Verve set of their choice.  One lucky person participating in this month's Dare, will be randomly selected to win the entire May release!!  Well worth playing for in my books!!  

For all the Diva Dare challenge details, head on over to the Verve Blog - I dare you!



What's In It?
Stamps: Let It Be (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Stampin' Up DSP, So Saffron, Black 
Ink: VersaMark 
Accessories: Starry Die, Rounded Rectangle Die, Scalloped Trim Border Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Polka Dot Basics Ribbon Collection (Verve), Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #293

Another fabulous Mojo Monday sketch by Julee this week.  Loved the mix of elements on this sketch.

I found a wonderful Teresa Collins 6 x 6 pack at my LSS a few weeks ago and had great fun using it on this card.  Love the mix of patterns and opted to use red as my highlight colour.  Still swooning over Verve's Let It Be set from last week's release!  So many fabulous sentiments and mixes of fonts!  I doubled up on the sentiments by using "life is beautiful" from the Sunny Days set and turned it into one of my life's motto :)  So much of life comes from the little things, and the culmination of them is what makes life beautiful.

I crimped the yellow circle for a bit of texture, but you can't really see it in the picture.  I always enjoy using the Pennant Trim Die and still swoon whenever I use the Flutterby die.  Boy, I'm doing a lot of swooning today!  See what Verve Stamps and dies do to me LOL!

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their 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

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Thanks for popping by today!  I'm taking a deep breath and exhaling as things are finally slowing down a bit.  Mom is home and feeling much better and the crunch job for hubby's office is almost done.  Phew! That was a crazy couple of weeks!   



What's In It?
Stamps: Let It Be and Sunny Days ( Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  He Said She Said (Teresa Collins), Real Red, So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up), Starbucks Coffee Sleeve 
Ink: Black 
Accessories: Pennant Trim Die and Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve),  Circle Nestabilities, Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Black Half Pearls, Bling, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls # 188 - Technique Challenge

Welcome to this week's Just Us Girls challenge hosted by Tangii.  She has chosen a fabulous technique for this week's challenge:  Use white ink (or white pastel, chalk or pencil) on your project.

Since last week was an insanely busy week for me, I was unable to get a card done for the Verve Spotlight Hop showcasing this fabulous teacher set called Teachers Count, which was inspired by Diva Maureen (who is a teacher).  Thankfully today I had a bit of time and was able to make a card using it and what fun I had!!  Can't wait to ink it up again!   


I stamped the number image form the set in white ink to create the background on the kraft panel.  The Apple Die Set has two matching apple dies and apple stamps for those of you, who like me, are not into colouring.  I was once again giddy with glee using this fabulous polka dotted ribbon from the new Polka  Dot Basics ribbon pack - excuse me while I swoon LOL.  A bit of bling and a turned corner finished things off.
  
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!  We have another busy one to work our way through but at least I'll get a teensy bit of a sleep in on Saturday -- gotta take what I can get right now :) 
 


 What's In It?  Stamps:  Teachers Count (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Early Espresso, Kraft, Real Red, Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, White Craft Ink (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Apple Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Polka Dotted Ribbon (Polka Dot Basics Ribbon from Verve), Bling, Dimesionals 

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

Verve May 2013 Spotlight Hop ~ Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 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 spotlights are Strong Anchor and matching Nautical Die set, as well as a Plain Jane called Adjusted Sails.  I chose to showcase Strong Anchor since June is a crazy busy month with year end activities at schools etc., and it was a perfect opportunity to get my Father's Day card for hubby done early!

I used the square version of last week's Mojo Monday sketch as I just loved the banners.  I created my own pattern on the banners using the anchor image on one panel and the wheel on the other.  The Curvy Bookplate die was a perfect frame for this fabulous sentiment.    Some embossing and a few buttons added some extra "oomph" and as hard as I tired not to , a bow somehow managed to make it's way on to the card.  Good thing hubby is man enough to deal with it LOL!

For my second card, I just had to use this fabulous verse Julee brought to life :)   The Banner Bundle Die Set cut out the flags/banners down the side, and I stamped the wheel image on each one of them for a little something.  The frame around the sentiment panel was created with the rope image in the set.   I omitted the anchor image on the sentiment so I could add a larger one off to the side, which I die cut with the matching Nautical die set.  Couldn't resist adding a twine sailor's knot up the side and a bit of burlap for the anchor to rest in.

Next in line is Andrea, and she always has some drool worthy creation to ogle, so head on over to see what she has created for you today.    
 
Thursday, 5/9/13
Today's Prize: Strong Anchor, Adjusted Sails Plain Jane, Nautical Die Set

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.

Tomorrow is our fourth and final day of our Spotlight Hops for this release.  The Verve Store goes live tomorrow, just in time for some Mother's Day shopping -- be it by your family or you on behalf of your family {grin}...  













Strong and Courageous
Stamps: Strong Anchor, Tag Time (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Early Espresso, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Curvy Bookplate Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Button Die (PTI), Distressed Striped Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Twine, Dimensionals


This Hope
Stamps:  Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Night of Navy and Real Red (Stampin' Up), Costco DP, Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black, Real Red 
Accessories:  Nautical Die Set and Banner Bundle Die Set (A Cut Above From Verve), Twine (PTI), Dimenstionals
 

Verve May 2013 Spotlight Hop ~ Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of Verve's Sneak Peek Spotlight Hop.  If you have arrived from Christyne's blog you are right on track. If you happened up on the Hop, you can catch up using the list below.

Today's featured stamp sets are Let it Be and Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane.  I chose to spotlight one of the fabulous sentiments from the Let It Be set.  Julee continues to create the most amazing sentiment sets!!  I had a hard time choosing which one to use!

I finally settled on this great statement - one I have to remind myself of often because I tend to be an independent, take life by the tail type of person.  Not easy to let go of control at times, and oh how I have had to learn to let go and let God over and over again LOL!

I used Diva Sarah's amazing Verve sketch for this card and some yummy Park Bench paper from Fancy Pants.  In addition, I am swooning over the fact that Verve now carries this drool-worthy, polka dotted ribbon!!  I have coveted it for at least two years every time I saw Julee use it on one of her fabulous creations and now I have some in my very own craft room as well as a ready supplier - yeah!!

Wednesday, 5/8/13
Today's Prize: Let it Be, Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane

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

Next in line is Andrea, and she will be sure to have an amazing creation for you to ogle!  Make sure to come back tomorrow for Day 3 of our Spotlight Hop!
















What's In It?
Stamps:  Let It Be (Verve Stamps) 
Paper : Park Bench (Fancy Pants Designs),  So Saffron, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:   Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Polka Dotted Ribbon (Verve Stamps), Crimper, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals