Mojo Monday #330

 

The ever creative Julee has come up with a new concept for the fourth week of Mojo Monday and I just love it!!  Sketches will be for "tall and skinny" cards  That means your card can be 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" so you can still use an A2 envelope, or your you could go with a 3 1/2" x 6" size (12 x12 cut in half) which fits a regular, business envelope.  Too much fun!

For my card, I pulled out my life verse Plain Jane: Phil 1:6. I was doing cartwheels when I saw Julee had put it in stamp form and still get teary eyed knowing that I can forever produce this fabulous verse on cards.  Thank you again, Julee!

The papers are from MME's In Bloom and I used red accents for pops of colour and a touch of bling to finish things off.

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.  
 

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Thanks for popping by today.  Hope you enjoy the new tall and skinny sketch as much as I did :)

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  In Bloom (My Mind's Eye), Real Red (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Corner Rounder (Marvy), 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Bling (Micheal's), Dimensionals 

 

Just Us Girls #225 - Photo Inspiration

I was so excited when I found this inspiration collage to use for this week's Just Us Girls challenge.  Love the colour combination and of course, all the hearts :)  Just click on the image if you want to get a better view or head on over to the JUGS blog where a larger picture is posted.

I loved Jen's Deconstructed Sketch so used it for my card after finding some papers that worked perfectly.  Out came Verve's Stronger Love set for the sentiment and I used a mix of the Heart Quartet and Wavy Hearts die sets.   Picked up the polka dots via the paper and the embossed background and the pink stripes on the pillow on one of my hearts.  Had so much fun making this card and can't wait to give it to my daughter for Valentine's Day.

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our January  Guest Designer Geraldine Bailly, have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've 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.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.
 
Busy week coming up.  My daughter has three provincial exams to write next week and my son will be home as he doesn't have any yet.  That means I have to find things to keep him busy and not sitting in front of the TV or computer so I think we will go round two on the basement and make a few Sally Ann runs with what we no longer need.   Sure he will love hearing what I have in store for him NOT!  Definitely going to have to come up with a nice treat for him once we are all done.

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

Challenge:  The Pink Elephant



 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Stronger Love (Verve Stamps), By Definition (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Pink Strips, Pink Small Dots (Making Memories),  Red Hearts (Recollections), Real Red, Kraft (Stampin' Up), 
Ink:  Black   
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts and Heart Quartet Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Kraft), Pink 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's Ribbon Bin), Buttons, Twine, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals   

Thanks for Guiding Me

It's week four of our January Viva La Verve sketches and this week's sketch is brought to us by Diva Anya.

My mind went on a nautical bent when I was trying to decided what to do with the two horizontal strips on the sketch.  I created waves using the MFT wave die, and then used Strong Anchor and the matching Nautical Die set to follow through on the theme (love this set!).

The papers are from Down by the Shore by Fancy Pants and I used the star die from the Scalloped Trim Trio set for a little something between the two papers.  My finishing touch as adding a hemp sailor's knot. 

Can't wait to see your take on the sketch.  Remember, you don't need to use Verve stamps (though use them if you have them), and you don't have to complete all the sketches in a given month to be entered into the draw to win the $100 Verve gift certificate. However, the more times you enter, the greater your chances of winning become :)

Have a fabulous weekend!


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Down By The Shore (Fancy Pants), Night of Navy, Bordering Blue (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Nautical Die Set and Scalloped Trim Trio Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Wave Die (My Favorite Things), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Love Letter Reminder

 

We are half way through the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge entitled Love Letter and Denami Designs is our sponsor.

I'm venturing on the CAS side again as the stamps I recevied lend themselves to that style.  Not an easy thing for me to do, but I gave it a go.  I stamped the clean lined heart to red paper, cut them out and then crimped then (though it doesn't show in the photo too well).  Then I matted the chevron washi on to white card stock so the clear chevrons would look white and help make the orange ones stand out a bit more as well.  Since there was red twine on the package, I pulled it in by adding a little bow on the top heart.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge.  You have until January 25th at 8:00 a.m. CST to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture and linking it up accordingly.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can find some time to play along with us!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   With All my Heart, Small Heart Outline (Denami Designs) 
Paper:   Kraft, Real Red (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Washi Tape, Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Dimensionals 

You Make Everything Groovy

Welcome to Viva La Verve's January Week 3 sketch and inspiration picture hosted by Diva Christyne.

I must say, I'm definitely hitting the theme of the decade I was born in with this inspiration picture and card LOL!  Those are some funky colours, shag pillows, bold patterns and textures, not to mention the eclectic chandelier!  All that's missing are the beaded curtains.

That being said, I had to hunt far and wide for some purple paper as I don't have a lot of in my stash, not to mention the mix of patterns and colours I had to put together.  My eyes are still going buggy!  But then, it's all about challenging ourselves and getting out of our comfort zones, right?

I focused on the black borders/outlining and the colours.  My grey paper pattern was close to the couch pillow pattern, and the chevrons pick up the pointy edges of the star shaped table.  Bright yellow bubble sofa became embossed dots and the sentiment fit the era perfectly - score!  Two flowers as per the container of petals on the and I was good to go.

Think I'll have to save this card for some sixties themed party a member of our family gets invited to as it is quite the eye full LOL!

Thanks for popping by and if you want to see which cards I chose to highlight for this week's VLV sketch and Inspiration picture, head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and check it out.

Thanks for popping by today!  I'm off to get myself a venti, decaf non-fat latte as my birthday treat to myself :)

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Surely Goodness (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Memorabilia (Teresa Collins), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye), Recollections Brights Paper Pack (Michael's), Summer Sun, Black (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Corner Punch (Stampin' up), Black and White Half Pearls (Michael's), Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #329

Teresa has provided this week's Mojo Monday sketch and once again it gives you all sorts of wonderful options.

I decided to make a masculine Valentine's Day card as I will need one for my son and one for my hubby.   The sentiment is from Stronger Love and the hearts are from the Heart Quartet die.  Just about killed me not putting ribbon on this card so I passified myself by using silver half pearls LOL!

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.  
 

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Had much nicer weather for my son's soccer game this weekend (aka:  no torrential rain), and the family birthday dinner was great.  Always good to gather with family, especially when mom is cooking :) 

Have a great day!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Stronger Love (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Pet Hearts (Queen & Co.), Love Story (Echo Park), Basic Grey, Going Grey, Real Red (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Heart Quartet Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Arch Lattice Punch (Martha Stewart), Silver Half Pearls, Dimensionals  

Just Us Girls #224 - Colour Challenge

 

This week's colour challenge is brought to us by Vicki.  I love this colour combination of kraft, marina mist and baja breeze.  Since I don't own the two blues I improvised with what I had on hand.

This Sketch Saturday sketch was a fun one as was using some PTI goodies that haven't seen ink in some time.   Dug into my stash (trying to use up what I have rather than buy new) and found these paper flowers which Michael's used to sell and they were a nice finishing touch.

Sorry, got sidelined there wink, wink.  The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our January  Guest Designer Geraldine Bailly, have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've 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.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.

Busy day today with a soccer game and then a family dinner to celebrate some birthdays - mine included :)   Wishing you a great one!


 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Polka Dot Basics II, Signature Greetings (PTI)
Paper:  Kraft, Cool Caribbean, Teal  (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, Versamark
Accessories:  Doily Details Die (PTI), Large Monarch Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Recollections Paper Flowers (Michael's - Discontinued), Brown Half Pearls (Michael's), Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

The Card Concept

What a fun challenge Lesley has thought up over at The Card Concept.  Not only that, I can finally put a name to my style thanks to her descriptions!  Clean and layered it is :)

Loved the colour combination for this challenge and I pulled out some of my favorite tools to create this card.  This sentiment from Shining Star was perfect for my need of a sympathy card, because as God's promises give great comfort in times of deep sorrow.  

The sympathy card is for the wife of a wonderful man whose memorial service I will be attending this Saturday.  It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of this amazing man who loved life, loved people, and loved God with all his heart and soul.  Esophageal cancer that was misdiagnosed as acid reflux by his doctor early last year, claimed his life a few short months after proper diagnosis this Fall...    

He was one of the pastors at a church I attended for many years and yet he didn't stay in the comforts of the Western world, but followed a call on his life to work with an orphanage in the Ukraine.  For the past ten years or so, he ran the orphanage, which provided a home for orphans of all ages. He also didn't want to "lose them" once they were adults so he added a trade school to the orphanage so the older orphans could stay on longer, learn a viable trade, and by doing so have a new lease on life in a society that doesn't do much in the way of support for orphans. 

In addition, the trade school helped fund some of the costs of running the orphanage, so those who grew up in the orphanage were able to give back to the place that gave them a new lease on life.  Not only that, he was also the man who married us almost eighteen years ago.  He will be dearly missed indeed...   On the bright side, I know it will be a wonderful memorial giving testimony to his life and the many ways God used him to touch the lives of others.  Legacy.   That's what it's all about, and it just so happens to be my word for 2014. 

Thanks for popping in :)

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Bloom and Grow (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen   
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Elegant Leaves Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Flower Die (PTI), Martha Stewart Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8" Pink Sheer Ribbon (Michael's),  Pink Liquid Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals    

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Love Letter

Time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  This challenge is entitled "Love Letter" and our sponsor is Denami Design.   The design team members each received some love themed stamps from them, and the LEAD for this challenge will receive a $20 gift certificate to their store!

I have a few Denami stamps in my stash, and now I have a few more.  Love the way good, old rubber stamps stamp.

I got these adorable heart outlines and sentiment from Denami and had great fun using them.  I stamped the scalloped heart outline first and then paper pieced the red centers with the second, straight-lined heart image.  I used more of my MME Love Me papers, added two blue buttons and finished things off with a bannered sentiment bookended by two, blue half pearls. 

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 and guest designer samples!  Should you wish more details on the Curtain Call Crew's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Amber Kroening

Amy Kolling

Amy Tsuruta

Barb Murphy

Gayatri Murali

Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Monika Davis

Sarah Gough

Sheri Gilson

Stacey Schafer

Tenia Nelson

Tracey McNeely

You have until January 25th at 8:00 a.m. CST to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture and linking it up accordingly.  The Lead and Show Stoppers will be announced on January 31st.

 
 
What's In It? 
Stamps:   Small Heart Outline, Small Scallop Heart and With All My Love (Denami Designs)
Paper:  Love Me (My Mind's Eye), Real Red (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttons, Twine, Blue Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #328

 

Oh how I love a simple sketch that allows you the option of going CAS or going wild.  Your mood, card purpose or crafty time allotment can determine the outcome.  Happy dance time :)

I chose to go a bit wild on this one, as this is my very first, official, doily card -- just for you Moe ;)  I recently received some as a gift and couldn't wait to use one on a card (what can I say, I'm slow on the trends lol).  All that to say, the doily made me stray from the sketch a bit, but the guts of it are still there.

Pulled out three of my favorite Verve dies:  Jotted Heart, the heart die from the Scalloped Trim Trio set, and my beloved "U" die from the I Heart You die set.  The papers are from MME's Love Me set.  

I always get giddy when making Valentine's Day cards as I adore hearts and using them on cards.  If you love hearts too, you can make your Mojo card a two-fer!  Use the sketch, and if you include a heart and at least one Verve Stamp on your creation, you can also enter your card in this month's Verve Diva Dare and be eligible for the random draw to win a $40 gift certificate to Verve Stamps.  Easy peasy! 

Back to our regularly schedules programing...  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.  
 

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

We almost had to build an Ark this weekend as we had a TON of rain here!  Oh my!!  My poor son had to play a soccer game in a total down pour along with some pretty strong winds, and hubby stood out there too as he coaches the team.  Must confess that I passed on going to watch the game...just too nasty to be a spectator in that weather...horizontal rain and winds, no thanks.  Lost some points in my Soccer Mom status, but so be it!  Some weather is simply just meant for ducks!  Ensured there was lots of hot water for the boys to have warm baths along with some nice hot chocolate to drink.     
 

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Twitterpated (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Love Me (My Mind's Eye), Real Red, Kraft (Stampin' Up),  
Ink: Black  
Accessories:  Jotted Heart, I Heart You and Scalloped Trim Trio Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), 5/8" White Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Doily, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals