Just Us Girls #204

Welcome to this week's Just Us Girls challenge. Since it is the fifth Saturday of the month, it is a Wild Card challenge and I'm your host.  My challenge to you this week is to use distressing on your card and add some shabbiness too if you like.

I used one of the VLV sketches for my card and distressed the edges.   Added some rolled roses, a seam binding bow and with a button and a crimped oval. The sentiment is Verve's Plain Jane Where Flowers Bloom and I used the Rounded Rectangle die for the shape and framed it with the stitched image from Treasured Words. 

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head 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 chosen as the Chic of the Week. 

It's the last weekend before school starts and the busy schedules start up again, so we are going to enjoy it hanging out as a family :) 

Wishing you a wonderful Labour Day weekend and thanks for popping in today!

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Where Flowers Bloom Plain Jane and Treasured Words (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Garden Florals (Recollections) Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink,  Real Red (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Rounded Rectangle Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Oval Nestability (Spellbinders), Rolled Rose Die (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Truly, Madly Deeply Seam Binding (Verve Stamps), Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Button, Twine, White Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Pier Jumping at Lake Okanagan

A totally non-card related post, as these are some pictures of the pier jumping we did while on vacation in the Okanagan, so you can delete this post if you like!

My two kids - love them to death!!  My son is gleefully enjoying the fact that he is basically as tall as his sister and he can't wait to catch me!

These four have known each other since they were  in-utero!   They are dear friends and it was wonderful being able to spend a week camping with them.

Love this shot.  The pier was just over 2 meters high (about seven feet) so just the right height to have loads of fun jumping off it and the lake water was perfect.  Wonderfully warm and refreshing at the same time, a perfect way to cool off from the 35C (90+ F) temps! 

Love this boy and his wonderful smile :)

My son and I jumping together.  I obviously jumped first so he is getting pulled in LOL!

 My beautiful girl.  Love the expression on her face and the fun pose. 

I love swimming and water, so pier jumping with my kids was a totally fun way to spend many an afternoon!  After all, can't let my kids best me now can I, LOL :)

One of my favorite pictures of me and my daughter.


We have many wonderful memories of our week camping with friends, but the swimming/pier jumping was definitely the high light for all of us.  The water was gloriously warm, clean and totally refreshing to swim in and gave us a ton of exercise, the weather was amazing (if not a bit too hot!), and we had great times with great friends!   A recipe for success in my books for sure :)

Thanks for visiting.

Mojo Monday #308

It's round or square week over on the Mojo Monday blog so I gleefully pulled out my scalloped circle Nestabilities to make a round card.

Love this paper from MME's The Sweetest Thing.  A great cross over from summer to fall colours.

Love this loopy bloom flower die and the great fonts in this sentiment from Treasured Words. 

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 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

Just a reminder that this is the last week of Verve's Anniversary Sale!    

Last week before school starts so we are running around getting things ready.   Course schedules should arrive this week and on-line locker selection must be done (new this year and soooo excited as it saves you standing in line for hours at the school!). That plus a bit of shopping for clothes and a few basic school supplies.  However, summer is also not quite over so we'll have to do something fun to celebrate and squeeze out every last minute of summer that we can :)

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

What's In It?
Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye), Cameo Coral, Sage Shadow, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Loopy Blooms Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle, Circle and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls #203

This week's Just Us Girls Inspiration Challenge is brought to us by Tangii and she has found this delightful school supply cake for us to work from (you can click on the image to enlarge it if you like).

Of course I immediately thought of Verve's Teacher's Count set!  So many wonderful sentiments and perfect for this challenge.  I went with the wood paneled background and the black was screaming blackboard so that is the route I went, turning the blackboard into a hanging sign on a wood wall.  I added a ruler by cutting some paper from Echo Park's Paper and Glue pad and an apple in the corner for good measure.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head 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 chosen as the Chic of the Week.  

Good to be back creating again, though my two weeks off has definitely slowed the creative genes down a bit.  No time to fully enjoy creating for a bit yet as it is a busy time of year preparing for school and squeezing out the most we can from the simply amazing summer weather we have enjoyed for the past two months.  Come September things should settle down to a more regular posting schedule.  Until then, thanks for your patience!

Have a great weekend and I'll be back on Monday with my Mojo Monday card.

Challenges: Simon Says

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Teachers Count (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  On The Bright Side (My Minds Eye), Paper and Glue (Echo Park), Black,
Ink:  Black, Real Red, Garden Green, White Craft Ink (Stampin' Up), VersaMark 
Accessories:   Apple Die Set ( A Cut Above by Verve), White Embossing Powder, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Twine, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #307

Julee has created a very fun sketch to work with this week.  So many unique elements that all balance wonderfully.  She is definitely a master sketch artist! 

Fun was the name of the game for this card, so I pulled out some bright, polka dotted paper and Verve's new to me Up Up And Away set.  I paper pieced the balloon, added a cloud some Swiss Dots in the background and the "smile" sentiment from Circular Sayings as it just fit :)

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 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

Just a reminder that Verve has their anniversary sale going on this month and there are lots of great deals to be had!   

The kids and I had a great time camping in Summerland in the Okanagan this past week.  Great weather, great company, lots of swimming and pier jumping in Okanagan Lake and a wonderful time to spend with dear, dear friends.  We have been blessed to have been invited for the fourth summer in a row to join them for a week of camping.  I think it is the highlight of the summer for the kids each year and it allows us to get all caught up with each other and create great memories.  Nothing better than time spent with good friends!! 

Have a fabulous day everyone!

What's In It?
Stamps: Up Up and Away, Circular Sayings (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Bold Brights (Recollections), Perfect Plum, Real Red, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Black Half Pearls, Twinkling H2Os, Heart Punch (Marvy), Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #202

This week's challenge is brought to us by Vicki and monochromatic blues it is to be!  I'm don't gravitate towards blue very often as it isn't a colour that does much for me, but love I must say, I had great fun making this card :)   That's why these challenges are so much fun, because they stretch you out of your comfort zone or your rut and it never ceases to amaze me what it causes one to create!

When I think of blue I think of a baby boy card, so that is the venue I pursued.  Love Verve's To The Moon set and this delightful Emery Plain Jane.  I used lots of embossing folders to add texture, paper pieced Emery twice, once for the body and one more time for his head to add extra dimension, and finished things off with a couple of blue buttons.   I must say, I am quite happy with the outcome :)

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head 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 chosen as the Chic of the Week.  

Going to be a quiet week on the blog next week as the kids and I are off to Summerland in the Okanagan Valley to do some camping with good friends of ours (will be waving to you Moe!).  Hubby is gladly staying home as he is not a camper and it's just moms with kids up there LOL!  Have a fabulous week everyone!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Emery Plain Jane, To The Moon (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Stampin' Up DSP (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black  
Accessories:   Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Hugs and Kisses Embossing Folder (Cricut), Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Carnival Craze

Welcome back to another Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  This time our theme is "Carnival Craze" and it is sponsored by Lawn Fawn.  That means the Show Stopper for this challenge will win some goodies from them :)  Stacey has put together this fabulous collage for us to work with and it has me wanting to go to a fair LOL! 

I used Lawn Fawn's Blue Skies set. What a fun set indeed - just love the hot air balloons!  Since I'm not much of a colourer, I paper pieced them and added the pennant banner across the large one for a bit of colour.   A crimped cloud (could be a first LOL) a few scattered hearts, an arrow and bows on the balloons finished things off.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Curtain Call Crew samples!  Should you wish more details on the Curtain Call Crew's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Amber Kroening
Barb Murphy
Christina MacLaren
Debby Hughes
Gayatri Murali
Jessica Kephart
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

You have until August 25th at 8:00 a.m. CDT to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture and linking it up accordingly.  The Lead and Show Stoppers will be announced on August 31st.  Can't wait to see what you create!!

 
What's In It? 
Stamps:   Blue Skies (Lawn Fawn) 
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye), Cool Caribbean (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:   Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Twinkling H2Os, Twine, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #306

With all the elements on this card, it's a great card to use some designer paper on, so I pulled out My Mind's Eye Lime Twist papers which I have been hoarding and put them to good use!  Just love that top paper and of course, no need to ask me about polka dots wink, wink :)

The sentiment is from Treasured Words and I used buttons in lieu of the flower element on the sketch.

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 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

Have fun with the sketch and thanks for popping in!

What's In It?
Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye), Early Espresso, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttons (Michael's Dollar Bin), Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just us Girls #201

This week's Just Us Girls challenge is hosted by Lisa and she has a great technique for us to try out this week:  shaker cards!   Here is the link to a tutorial on SCS.

I have never made a shaker card, though I have admired them from a distance, so it was a delight to finally make one!   Love the final product - no pun intended :)  Getting there was a bit of an issue as my beads did not want to cooperate and were sticking to the dimensional tape at the top of the heart until I took it apart and knocked them all down.  Thankfully, we are all happy now LOL!

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head 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 chosen as the Chic of the Week.  

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:   Tag Time (PTI) 
Ink:  Black
Paper:  Real Red, White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:   Tag Time Dies (PTI), Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Hugs and Kisses Embossing Folder (Cricut), Acetate, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Pink Beads, Dimensionals

August Diva Dare

Welcome to August's Diva Dare!!   This month's theme is "Pile on the Sweetness" and showcases Diva Andrea and Diva Christyne, who are both known for their amazing work with multiple layers  on their cards.

In addition, if you want to kick this month's dare up a notch, you can add a flower cluster as per Andrea, or go with a "sweet" theme as per Christyne's blog name "Stamping with Sugar".  These are not required elements, but fun options should you chose to take the double dog dare wink, wink.

Here is my take on this month's dare.

I used Diva Maureen's VLV sketch and the papers are from My Mind's Eye In Bloom 6x6 pad.  Still love this paper pad and I'm glad I bought two of them when it was at Michael's!  I added some lace, seam binding, lots of layers and used a sentiment from Love Story which is a bit generic so the card can be used for multiple occasions.  A crimped Wavy Heart die and some pearls finished things off nicely.   I counted nine layers so I think I'm good LOL!

Of course, where there is a Verve Diva Dare, there are prizes, and this month's dare provides two prizes: one for a randomly selected participant and one for a randomly selected commenter!

Want to get all the details on how you can win some Verve Stamps?  Simply head on over to the Verve Blog to get all the challenge details - I dare you!











What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Story (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Going Grey, Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen Paper, In Bloom (My Mind's Eye) 
Ink:  Black, 
Accessories:  Wavy Heart Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Oval and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Lace, Spring Fling Seam Binding (Verve Stamps), Crimper (Fiskars), Half Pearls, Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Feeling Like The Flintstones

Just had to share these pictures of my son enjoying the birthday hat at Montana's a bit too much!  He is definitely a ham and a lover of life :) 

Reminds me of the hat Fred Flintstone used to wear for his meetings, and had to laugh when I remembered how they put that rack of ribs on the side of his car at the drive in and it tipped over.   Yes, we could all relate that evening LOL!

Longhorn in the headlights.

 A better smile for mom and the camera.

A GQ pose.

Laughing at himself.

The picture I was hoping for. 

Love how they get along :) 

Now there is a picture of me in this hat but it is so bad I can't post it LOL!  Hubby's turned out pretty well and great fun was had by all -- never mind the great ribs we ate!!

Just had to share :)

Verve Inspiration Blog Hop

** This is my second post today, so if you are here for my Mojo Monday card, just scroll down ** 

Welcome to Verve's August Diva Inspirations Hop! It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Verve Divas to breathe new life into some much-loved stamps and dies.  I'm thankful to be able to join the Inspiration Team for this month's hop as you know how much I love my Verve stamps!  Even better, there's a PRIZE up for grabs, so be sure to leave a little shout out in the comment section of each blog as you hop about to be entered in a drawing for a $30 gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Check out all the details and prize info over at the Verve Blog.  Below is the list of those participating in this month's hop.

Since pink and green is a favorite colour combo of mine which I haven't used it for a while, it was time to rectify that issue.  Once on a favorites roll, I decided to add a few more:  polka dots, a heart (Wavy Hearst Die) and a butterfly.  The sentiment is from Words of Wisdom and I just love it because it is so true!  Life is about your attitude and is so much better when you appreciate and are thankful for what you have rather than pining away for what you wish you had or how things could be different.  So, this card brings me a whole lot of happy :)

The rest of the Divas involved in this month's hop are noted below and they have some fabulous, inspirational creations for your viewing pleasure!

	1. Julee	9. Tiffany
	2. Amy	10. Teresa
	3. Anya	11. Charmaine
	4. Betty	12. Christyne
	5. Karen	13. Maureen
	6. Sankari	14. Marisa
	7. Sarah	15. Amber
	8. Susan	16. Andrea

In addition, we're celebrating 6 years of VERVE this month with a huge sale!  Your favorites are bound to be marked down, since all stamps and dies are 10-50% off during the month of August!  Now that's something to celebrate!

Thanks for popping by today and happy hopping!!

Challenges: 
Friday Mash Up: Polka Dots
Simon Says: Anything Goes
Dare to Get Dirty Challenges


 
What's In It? 
Stamps: Words of Wisdom (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Pink Dots (Making Memories), Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Hugs and Kisses Embossing Folder (Cricut), 5/8" Rose Romance Grosgrain Ribbon (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Bling, Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals