Freshly Made Sketch #170

I am late for the sketch once again, but had an idea in my mind and just had to use it!

Went with one of my favorite colour combos of pink and grey, and since I simply adore this PTI butterfly die and we have had a gloriously warm week weather wise here, it feel like spring, I had to use it!

As anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time can attest to, you don't have to twist my arm much at all to get me to add a butterfly to a card.   I paired it with this Top Dog doily die and was smitten.  Added the die cut sentiment, used a PTI impression plate on the grey for a bit of texture (though it doesn't show up in the photo) and finished it off with some silver pearls.  Nothing like a quick and easy card - though in reality it wasn't overly quick as I was trying a bunch of different things before settling for this combo!

For any followers who are on the East Coast, I hope you weathered the blizzard and have shovelled your way out from under all that snow!

Getting my 12th man game face on for Sunday's Superbowl game - Go Seahawks!!! 

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant

 




What's In It?
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Going Grey  (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:   Doily Die (Top Dog), Butterfly Die and Linen Impression Plate (PTI), Happy Hello Die (My Favorite Things), Silver Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #382

It's tall and skinny week over on the Mojo Monday blog and I actually remembered to cut my paper the right size this week - yeah!

Pulled out some fabulous MME papers and went to work - a bit too much perhaps as I hardly have any white space on my card which is not my norm.  Heck, I even covered up half the circle LOL!  No overly fond of it as I find it too busy, but time was short so you get to see my faux pas wink, wink.       

The sentiment is from Verve's Love Notes set and I highlighted it by using brown half pearls on the horizontal banner.  Found this fabulous heart button in my stash and decided to add along with a strip of red for some visual interest on the bottom section of the card as I felt the sentiment was getting lost amid all the paper patterns.  

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also 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.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Started teaching my daughter how to drive this weekend and boy was it strange seeing her in the driver's seat!!  She did very well for her first time, and the gated complex my mom lives in is the perfect place to practice as there is a nice big loop and very little traffic.  Once she is comfortable there, we will venture out onto the quiet streets in our neighbourhood.

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant 
                     Simon Says

 




What's In It?
Stamps:   Love Notes (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Lost and Found Heirloom (My Mind's Eye), Blush Blossom, Real Red (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:   Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Brown Half Pearls, Heart Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Freshly Made Sketches

Today's card is a blatant CASE of this fabulous card by Kim.  I loved her take on the Freshly Made Sketch using a neutral striped paper and pops of colour in the flowers.  Oh, and the touch of embossing in the negative circle - fabulous!

I kept the same neutral background, though mine had a bit more of a graphic feel to it based on the paper I used, and then added the pops of red for colour with my double hearts and added button to complete my "rule of three".  I also embossed my negative circle for some added dimension.   Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!

Hard to believe I celebrated another year of wisdom gained on Wednesday.  How did I get this old LOL!  Not sure, but loving each day I've been given - carpe diem!  Feeling very blessed with two amazing teenagers, a loving husband, a fabulous part time job, and of course, this tiny part of cyber space that brings me great joy.  Lots of wonderful things to celebrate besides age wink, wink!

Thanks for brightening my days, and I look forward to sharing another year of card making with you :)

Challenge:  Simon Says 
                   The Pink Elephant

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Rubber Soul 
Paper:  Something Wonderful (Teresa Collins), Going Grey (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Black 
Accessories:   Heart Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Heart Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Soft Scarf Reminder

We are half way though the Soft Scarf Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and Hero Arts is our sponsor.

I needed another baby card for a friend so I went with a blue and brown colour combination as well as some stripes.  A bit of a stretch with the shades of brown I used and my concept of stripes versus colour blocks on the scarf, but if you close your eyes and pretend it will all work out wink, wink :) 

I used an I Heart Sketches sketch and added the sentiment panel along the bottom to ground the elephant.  Outlined the eye and ear on the elephant in black so they would stand out a bit more and added a touch of twine for a little something, something.

Hope you are having a great day, and we would love to have you play along if you haven't already done so!

What's In It?
Stamps:   Stamp and Cut Elephant (Hero Arts) 
Paper:  Baby Boy Stripe (Recollections), Going Grey, Cool Caribbean, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Close to Cocoa, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Elephant Die (Hero Arts), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Die, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #381

So many wonderful options and ideas with that big old circle that I may just have to use this sketch again to complete a few of them LOL!

Used some Something Wonderful papers by Teresa Collins and paired it with this fabulous Beautiful Plain Jane.  Love the bold font and on point message this sentiment brings.  Like the saying goes: "There is only one of you, and you are the best at being you, so be yourself with a vengeance".  That doesn't mean there isn't room for self improvement and growth as you stagnate without those.  However, being true to who you are and were created to be is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and others. 

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also 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.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Still doing a happy dance after the Seahawks had an amazing comeback victory over the Packers (sorry Packer fans....).  I thought it was game over after the first half, got my hopes up a bit in the second and then with time running out and five minutes to go, I figured it was a done deal. But no!! They had a ton of heart and pulled off the impossible by getting the lead.  Packers tied the game and sent it into overtime, but Seattle managed get down the field on their first possession in OT and scored a touchdown to win!  On to the Superbowl they go - whoo hoo!! 

 




What's In It?
Stamps:   Beautiful Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Something Wonderful (Teresa Collins), Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:   Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Friends Die (PTI), Twine, Sequins, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Sharing in Your Sorrow

I was in need of a sympathy card for my wonderful blogging friend, Carol, who recently lost her father.  It broke my heart to hear that he passed on their 56th wedding anniversary...

Pretty sure Canada Post has not delivered this yet, so you may be getting a sneak peek at your card, Carol.  So wish I could deliver this to you in person, along with a huge hug - darn Rockies!  High hopes that one day I will be able to give you that hug in person!

I adore Stampin' Up's Thoughts and Prayers set.  The vine and tree image are right up my alley and the sentiments are fabulous!  The only down side to the images is the challenge of inking them by hand using my ink spots -- but it is definitely worth the battle!

I kept things simple for mailing purposes, but went a bit unconventional with the double hearts.  At first glace it looks more like a wedding card, but my thought process behind using the hearts was their representing my sharing in Carol's sorrow of her losing her dad, or the hearts representing Carol and her mom sharing in their sorrow of having lost a father and a husband.   A punched border down the side added some softness and some half pearls a bit of texture.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Thoughts and Prayers (Stampin' Up) 
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:   Heart Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), White Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Soft Scarf

Time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and this time round we have Hero Arts as our sponsor!  A randomly selected participant will receive SIX new clear stamp sets from the Hero Arts, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

Adore this cute little ellie from Hero Arts' Stamp and Cut Elephant set - such a a cute shape.  The elephant comes in two patterns and there is a matching die to boot - score!  I also used Hero Arts' fabulous Designer Woodgrain background stamp.  Love the pattern this stamp creates!  Added a notebook edge for some visual interest, three hearts for a pop of colour and a blue doily (not exactly a masculine element, but baby cards are for the moms, right wink, wink).  A double sentiment completed my diagonal flow and called it a card.

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Soft Scarf Designers

Guest Designer, Angie Tieman

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Hope you can join us for some creative Warm Scarf fun!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Stamp and Cut Elephant, Designer Woodgrain (Hero Arts), Tiny Tags (PTI)
Paper:  Going Grey, Cool Caribbean, Night of Navy, Rose Romance (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   VersaMark, Black 
Accessories:   Elephant Die (Hero Arts), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers), Notebook Punch (EK Success), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Heart Punches (Michael's), 5/8" Blue Satin Ribbon, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Birthday Bash

StampNation is turning four and Verve is a proud sponsor of their Birthday Bash! For those of you new to StampNation they are a subscription based online papercrafting community with a wealth of instructional videos, challenges, message boards, galleries, and so much more. For a chance to win a FREE one month subscription to StampNation, head on over to the Verve Blog.

The Birthday Bash runs January 11-17, and StampNation will be posting new challenges, DT samples and a video each day. Oh, and there are prizes too… including a $50 gift code to the Verve store!

 

Mojo Monday #380

Time for another Mojo Monday sketch :)  This week's sketch is brought to us by Teresa Kline.  Loved the sketch and had great fun playing with some new goodies that I have been itching to try!

My original plan was to use some bluebells on my card (thus the colour combination) but they were too small for the look I was going for so I scrapped that idea and succumbed to using this gorgeous butterfly die by PTI.  I have had it on my wish list forever but no more!  It is mine.  All mine LOL!

Added my favorite word as I am looking forward to 2015 with "joy" in my heart, and since something was missing I used the Sprightly Springs die to add a two vellum leaves under the butterfly for a bit of grounding.  Sorry, but I have no clue about the embossing folder as I had seen it at my neighbours house and liked it so she embossed a few copies for me.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also 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.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

On to week two of 2015 and I must say I am much  more rested and ready for this week.  A twelve hour sleep on Friday night and a ten hour one on Saturday along with a very quiet weekend has recharged this introvert's batteries and I'm raring and ready to go. 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

 

What's In It?
Paper:  Designer Series Paper, Going Grey, Basic Grey 
Accessories:   Sprightly Springs die (A Cut Above by Verve), Butterfly Die (PTI), Silver Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Season's Giving Blog Hop WINNER!!!

First of all, thank you to everyone of you who stopped by my blog this past week and a HUGE thank you to Latisha for organizing the hop!

I loved reading your favorite memories of 2014, some of which brought happy tears to my eyes as I celebrated with you.  Thank you so much for sharing then with me!  To the readers out there who told me their favorite book, thank you to you too as I look forward to checking them out.

Last but not least, to all my new followers, welcome and thank you for adding me to your blog list :)  It's wonderful to have you on board!

Now on to the winner!  Random Org chose number 3 - Carol Doggett.  Congratulations Carol!   Please contact me via email withing 5 days (you can find my email under the Contact Me tab at the top of my blog) with your mailing address so I can send you some happy mail and your Verve Gift Certificate information.  If I do not hear from Carol in five days time, I will select and announce a different winner.

Thanks again ringing in the New Year with me and I look forward to sharing it with you!

Seasons Giving Blog Hop!!

I have the wonderful opportunity of being a part of this year's Seasons Giving Blog Hop!  I`m participating so I can say a big "thank you" to all my loyal blog readers -- some who have been there since the beginning and others who have just recently become followers.  By far the best part of this wonderful, card making community are the wonderful cyber freinds I have made, some of whom I have had the joy of meeting in person - double joy!  Big hugs to you all, and I look forward to sharing 2015 wtih you :)  

Here is the prize I am giving away:

$30 Gift Certificate to Verve Stamps

MFT Sun Ray Die-namics

Simon Says Stamp Full Card Bubble Die

Simon Says Happiness Is Stamp Set

Zva Creative Self Adhesive Pearl Flourishes

Recollections Mulberry Paper Mini Rose Pack

Making Memories Autumn Splendor Paper Pack

Taylored Expressions Tiny Twinkies

Making Memories Box of Heart Shaped Clips

Box of Blue Gingham Brads

Two Packages of Dimensionals

Package of Four Charms

The winner of the contest will be announced on January 8th.

There are 18 companies and 114 designers participating in this year's giveaway! You can visit a few or visit them all for your chance to win their giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment! 

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Lawn Fawn

Spellbinders Paper Arts

Reverse Confetti

Clearsnap

Ice Resin

My Favorite Things

Technique Tuesday

Paper Smooches

Sweet & Sassy Stamps

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Avocado Arts

A Jillian Vance Design

Latina Crafter

Die-Versions

Unity Stamp Company

SplitcoastStampers

Verve Stamps

Latisha Yoast

AJ Otto

Vera Yates

Julia Stainton

Judy Hayes

Kim Watson

Yana Smakula

Chari Moss

Taheerah Atchia

Shemaine Smith

Emily Spahn

Kimberly Crawford

Lee Murphy

Lovely Linda

Laura Williams

Lori Tecler

Chaitali Narla

Darsie Bruno

Lydia Fiedler

Giovana Smith

Teri Anderson

Beth Pingry

Dina Kowal

Daniela Dobson

Lisa Adametz

Piali Biswas

Kelli Green

Keri Lee Sereika

Jocelyn Olson

Julee Tilman

Michelle Woerner

Lori McAree

Theresa Momber

Anita Autore

Melody Rupple

Sean Fetterman

Bunny Vance

Tricia Traxler

Lisa Arana

Lorena Cantó

Amy Tsuruta

Jodi Collins

Tenia Nelson

Kelly Klapstein

Jill Cornell

Emily Leiphart

Becky Williams

Margie Higuchi

Lee Ann Barrett

Lisa Hoel

Heather Campbell

Lisa Henke

Sheri Holt

Michele Kovack

Ashley Harris

Sharon Harnist

Lori Craig

Nicole Nowosad

Laurel Beard

Michele Boyer

Christiana Reuling

Laurie Schmidlin

Jennifer Priest

Stacey Schafer

Heidi Blankenship

Heather Pulvirenti

Anita Madden

Gloria Stengel

Sarah Gough

Rachel Kleinman

Natalie Dever

Lorine Mason

Loretta Lock

Meihsia Liu

Sarah Martina Parker

Angeline Choo

Christine Emberson

Karen Hightower

Sabrina Alery

Debbie Seyer

Dana Joy

Cat Tidwell

Deborah Saaranen

Ceal Pritchett

Lisa Lara

Colleen Schaan

Anabelle O'Malley

Megan Hoeppner

Monika Davis

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Wanda Guess

Jenny Peterson

Annette Allen

Gracie Chavez

Christina Griffiths

Niki G.

Kristi Schurr

Jennifer Ingle

Karolyn Loncon

Camille Robinson

Lindsey M-P

Kathy Clement

Maria Levine

Savitri Wilder

Savannah O'Gwynn

Teresa Horner

Laurel Seabrook

Libby Hickson

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Alice Wertz

Leigh Penner

Lisa Lee

Tina McDonald

Nina Yang

Angel Johns

In order to qualify for my draw, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite memory of 2014 or your favorite book. 

If you are new to my blog, feel free to scroll down to see my "Best of 2014" posts and if you like what you see and are interested in becoming a follow, you may do so via Feedburner, Feedly, Bloglovin, Google+, Networked Blogs or Pinterest.  Links are on my sidebar should you be interested. You do not have to become a follower to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks so much for popping, and best wishes for a fabulous 2015!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Winter Wonder Reminder

We are half way through our first challenge of the year with Altenew is our sponsor and this fabulous inspiration photo to work from.  Just love this neutral pallet!

For my card I had to use this wonderful circular thank you sentiment from Altenew's Many Thanks set.  I layered it to make it bigger and used last week's MFT sketch for my layout.  Added some woodgrain to pick up the wood element using  Hero Arts background stamp, and added cream and grey from the colour pallet on the photo.  A touch of twine for a little something along with some clear sequins for a bit of sparkle. 

Still lots of time to play along and we would love to have you join us!  A randomly selected participant will win a set of their choice from Altenew and the LEAD (aka winner) will be a featured Guest Designer in a future challenge so lots of reasons to play along :)

Early morning rise number two was still tough and tomorrow will be even tougher as I have to get up even earlier for work.  The only downside of being able to sleep in during Christmas vacation is having to adjust to early wake up times again LOL!  Thanks for popping by today and wishing you a fabulous day.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Many Thanks (Altenew) 
Paper:  Cream Linen, Going Grey, Vellum, White (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stiched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine (My Favorite Things), Clear Sequins (Verve Stamps), Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #379

It's the first Monday of the New Year and we are kicking off another fabulous year of Mojo Monday sketches!!  Even better, it is the first Monday of the month so that means it is contest week - a perfect way enter for a chance to win some Verve Stamps!

With Christmas over I am giddy at being able to make Valentine's Day cards as I just loooove hearts.  Pulled out the Wavy Hearts die and paired it with my beloved "U" die from the I Heart You die set and added the XOXO sentiment from Love Notes.  The papers are from Teresa Collins' You Are My Happy paper pad which I just adore, and couldn't resist adding a big red bow for a pop of colour.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also 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.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

We had a wonderful Christmas with family at our house and spent New Year's in Seattle with more family, so this introvert is enjoying a few, guilt free and very necessary down days before getting back into the grind as I was beginning to twitch from lack of alone time LOL!

Wishing you a great day and looking forward to sharing 2015 with you :) 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Love Notes (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  You Are My Happy  (Teresa Collins), Stella and Rose (My Mind's Eye), Going Grey, Pretty in Pink Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Black 
Accessories:   I Heart You and Wavy Heart Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Winter Wonder

It's a New Year and we are kicking it off with our first Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge of 2015.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Altenew!  A randomly selected participant will receive a stamp set of choice from the Altenew shop, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

I pulled the colours from the photo and the bold sentiment from Altenew's Many Thanks set.  There are a plethora of wonderful fonts and sentiments for words of thanks in this set - perfect for any style of thank you card.  Hard to tell, but the cream panel has a linen texture for a little "oomph" as I was leaning towards a more masculine card.  That is a masculine card for men who are manly enough to handle a button with a twine bow on their card wink, wink.  If this isn't the case, I would replace the button/twine combo with a star.

Below is a list of the design team's cards for a bit of added inspiration.  
 

Winter Wonder Designers

Guest Designer, Michelle Bala

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

 Thanks for the visit and I look forward to seeing your creations.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Many Thanks (Altenew) 
Paper:  Cream Linen, Tan, Kraft 
Ink:   Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper, Silver Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals