Mojo Monday #424

Is it just me or are Monday's coming around faster and faster these days!  Thankfully, there is always a Mojo sketch to work with and that makes for a good day :)

Since I am quite behind on my Christmas cards, it is time to pick up the pace and create them like crazy, with this one being the first  of many.  The sentiment is from Weary World, and I used the tag stamp from Die Sidekicks for the outline and the matching Sweet Scalloped Tag die to cut the tag out.  Added a touch of interest with the Pennant Trim die and a just had to use a big old layererd snowflake.  Finished things off with a gold twine bow and some gold bells.  Note to self:  do not tie bells on a card when your cat is in the room....Paddington has some toys with bells on them and he was convinced I had a toy which meant I had to fend off a cat while trying to tie bells on my card.

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

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Enjoy the sketch and have a fabulous week! 



 
 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Weary World, Die Sidekicks (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  I Believe (My Mind's Eye) 
Ink:   Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Pennant Trim, and Sweet Scalloped Tag Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Snowflake Dies (PTI), Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Cording, Gold Bells, Button, Ribbon, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Foxy

Welcome to our second November inspiration challenge!  This time round our theme is Foxy.  Don't know about you, but I immediately thought of and started humming the "What Does The Fox Say?" song LOL!  Also flashing back to the Dancing With The Stars group dance which Derek Hough did to this song which was simply amazing!

The LEAD for this challenge will be invited to be a Guest Designer in an upcoming challenge.  Today our Guest Designers are Toni Maddox and  Kelly Schirmer - welcome ladies :)

I apologize for the dark photo, but with the crazy weekend I have had it was some late night creating and this was the best shot I could get at the time.  I will try to post an updated photo shortly.  Woes aside, I searched high and low through my papers, dies and stamps for a fox image and came up empty.  That lead to a very intentional and focused trip to my LSS, and thankfully they delivered by directing me to this adorable The Story of Fall paper by Echo Park.  Phew, crisis averted!  Added some fall leaves, just because I can {grin} and the die cut word.  Finished things off with a touch of twine.

  Foxy

Kelly Schirmer, Guest Designer
Toni Maddox, Gues Designer

Amy Kolling
 Amy Sheffer

Amy Tsuruta

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Stacey Schafer

Tracey McNeely

Have fun with the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the Curtain Call gallery. 





 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:  The Story of Fall (Echo Park), Kraft, Early Espresso, Real Red (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Leaf Print and Word Dies (PTI), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin Up), Twine, Dimensionals

Verve November Inspirations Hop

It's time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings! You have until December 5 to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

Our November challenge is Rustic Winter

The days are turning cold and the splendor of fall is changing to the majestically rustic beauty of a winter woodland. This month we're challenging you to bring a little bit of that rustic winter to your creations. Follow the graphic or head off on your own trail, just show us your rustic winter creations!

Click here to link up your challenge entries

Challenge deadline: Thursday, December 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

If you have come here from Maureen's blog you are right on track. If you just happened upon the hop, you can check out the hop list below to get caught up.

As fate would have it, I had a piece of paper that matched the blue paneled wood in the background of the inspiration picture - score!  I paired it with some dark brown, tan and kraft neutrals (remember when that was a total faux pas to mix blue and brown - yes, I am dating myself!), my favorite Christmas tree die from the Winter Fun die set (they are a dark brown trees, honest!!, not black like they look in the photo), the reindeer from Unto Us and the sentiment from Pinecone Christmas.  A light sponging of edges and the banner to "rustic it up" a bit, and some pops of red via a red bell and sequins from the Holiday Sequin Mix as per the red berries in the pine boughs.  Was still missing something so I added some foliage under the bell and it was the perfect finishing touch.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	6. Maureen
	2. Amy	7. Marisa
	3. Betty	8. Charmaine
	4. Sankari	9. Stacey
	5. Sarah

Time to head on over to Charmaine's blog to see what inspired her rustic winter creation.







What's In It?
Stamps:   Unto Us, Pinecone Christmas (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Dolled Up (My Mind's Eye), Sahara Sand, Kraft, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)  
Accessories:  Winter Fun Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Holiday Sequin Mix (Verve Stamps), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Bell, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #423

Lots of layers on today's sketch, and I opted to go with another fall themed card with my beloved maple leaves.  After the torrential rain we had this weekend, there are not many many maple leaves left on the tress which means it will be a soggy raking experience this coming week - ugh!  In the meantime, I will enjoy the paper version {grin}.

Mixed and matched some papers into a somewhat monochromatic colour scheme, added a stitched circle for a bit of texture, a die cut sentiment and two maple leaves and a button 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.

Carole Burrage

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Enjoy the sketch and have a fabulous week! 



 
 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Leaf Prints (PTI), Woodgrain (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Stella and Rose, On The Bright Side (MME), Snap (Simple Stories), Kraft (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Rudy Red, Always Artichoke, VersaMark (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Happy Hellos Die Set (MFT), Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Dressed Down or Dressed Up

Made two cards using this wonderful Psalm 103:1 verse from Good Work and wasn't happy with either.... /was one of those cards you fight and fight with and should have given up on, but after putting so much time into it, it is just too hard to do LOL!  Sure some of you can relate.  However, I do like to keep things real here on the old blog, so I'm posting both versions.

This is my original version, but it looked a bit to plain and the background paper is really a lot stronger than I thought it would be and a bit overpowering -- or maybe it is just a darker colour than I usually use so it stands out to me?   I tried to tone it down a bit with the tan and turquoise, and then I cased Teresa's gorgeous card found here by water colouring the two words to make the sentiment stand out. 

This is my "jacked up" version.  I added a white mat and some coral butterflies to pull in the rusty colour in the background paper, however, now I think it is too busy LOL!  Can't win for losing.  Which do you like better?  Or, are you like me and batting zero - which is fine too!  Be honest.  I love constructive criticism as one can always learn from it :)

Wishing you a fabulous day, and glad today is another day which means I can move on and create something else :)







What's In It?
Stamps:   Good Work (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Hipster (Basis Grey) , Early Espresso (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Tag Die (PTI), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Twine, Ribbon, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve October 2015 Week 5 Sketch Recap

Laurie's sketch this week was great fun to work with and perfect for a card I wanted to make to send a dear friend who has moved to Alberta.

I'm on a bit of a notebook edge binge after seeing Diva Moe using it on her card for this sketch.  Adds such a fun bit of interest and texture to your card.  The sentiment is the Hello Friend Plain Jane and I added a flourish from Each Day below it to fill in and balance the sentiment circle.   The hearts are from the Heart Quartet and Wavy Hearts die set and just had to use some gingham ribbon as it has been ages since I used some on a card.

You still have a few days to get your Viva La Verve cards made using this month's sketches.  You don't need Verve stamps to participate and the more times you enter the greater your chances of winning a Verve gift certificate - perfect after a new release!

Have a fabulous day!

Challenge:  Simon Says





 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Hello Friend Plain Jane, Each Day (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Collectable (My Mind's Eye), Rose Red, Old Olive, Night of Navy, Kraft (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts, Heart Quartet Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Notebook Edge Die (MFT), Crimper (Fiskars), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestablities (Spellbinders), 3/8" White Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's Dollar Bin), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #422

It's the first Monday of November and that means it's contest time over at the Mojo Monday blog!  The more entries, the greater chances you have of winning.

After raking four recycling bags full of maple leaves this weekend I was in a leafy, fall mood LOL!  Pulled out some fall coloured papers and Good Work, which has become a permanent resident on my crafting desk.  Added a notebook edge top to break up all the straight lines, popped up the leaves and highlighted the word "trust" as it is such a key word - albeit not always easy to do!

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

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

Enjoy the sketch and have a fabulous week! 

Challenge:  Simon Says




 
 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Good Work (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  This and That (Echo Park), Authentique, Kraft, DSP (Stampin' Up),
Ink:   Black, Rudy Red (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Notebook Edge Die (MFT), Corner Rounder (Marvy), Twine, Button, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Plush and Plaid

Welcome to our first November inspiration challenge!  This time round we are celebrating the coolness in the air with this gorgeous stack of blankets/throws.  Makes me wants to curl up in one of them in front of a fireplace with a good book!  The LEAD for this challenge will be invited to be a Guest Designer in an upcoming challenge.  Today our Guest Designer is Nancy Thomas - welcome Nancy :)

I have come to the realization that I do not have a lot of plaid in my paper collection!  I dug and dug through my stash and this was one of the few pieces I found!  Even though was in a Halloween themed paper pad, it pulls in a lot of the colours in the photo so it was a go - phew!!  Worked with what I had and added extra colour with the leaves to create a somewhat masculine birthday card - for a manly man who can handle a loopy, twine bow {grin}.
 

  Pretty Pumpkins

Nancy Thomas, Guest Designer

Amy Kolling
 Amy Sheffer

Amy Tsuruta

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Stacey Schafer

Tracey McNeely

Have fun with the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the Curtain Call gallery. 

Challenge:  Simon Says
                   Sweet Sunday Sketch






What's In It?
Stamps:   Leaf Prints (PTI), Amuse (sentiment)
Paper:  Authentique, Only Orange, So Saffron, Kraft, Black (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Leaf Print Dies (PTI), Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Verve October Release Retrospective Hop

Welcome to Verve's October Release Retrospective!  It's been a wonderful week of release celebration and the Divas and Guest Divas are back with one last look at the brand new release! Everything spotlighted is available to order in the Verve Store and is currently 20% off! Plus, we've got a sweet hop prize in store, so read on for more!

If you have come here from Charmaine's blog you are right on track.  If  you just happened upon the Hop, today's hop list is a bit lower down or you can head over to Verve Blog for the full Hop List.

I can't put Verve's newly released Good Work set down!  So many uplifting verses and the images Wonderful too.  I chose this fabulous Romans 12:12 verse for my card, stamped the flourish and used a white gel pen to highlight it to tie in the white on the kraft tag.  A doily girlied things up a bit, and a  few butterflies and buttons added extra pops of colour.  Best part is the tag can be removed and used as a bookmark if you so choose.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? Julee will be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift voucher to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for a little more about the new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

1. Julee 8.   Amber 2. Teresa 9.   Andrea 3. Charmaine 10. Laurie 4. Marisa 11. Christyne 5. Amy {Guest} 12. Rosemary {Guest} 5.  KellyJean {Guest) 13. Lori {Guest) 7. Maureen

Time to head on over to Guest Diva Amy's blog to see what kind of Verve eye candy she has created for your viewing pleasure today.  Happy hopping!

Challenge:  Simon Says




 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Good Work (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Hello Spring (Echo Park), Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Lovely Lilac (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Tag and Button Dies (PTI), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), White Half Pearls, White Gel Pen, Twine, Dimensionals 

VLV October Week 4 Sketch

It's recap time over on the Viva La Verve blog and this week Chrystine has provided the sketch.

I had a tough time with this one and though I got it done, I'm not sold on it.  Just one of those cards that not matter what I tried I wasn't sold on it.  But life happens and I like to keep things real so here is my take on the sketch.

Used the Romans 12:12 verse from Good Work for my card.  Such a powerful verse which so aptly outlines some key points to live by.  Framed the verse with the flowers from the set using the co-ordinating Good Work Flower die set and since things were quite unbalance on the card I used longer tails on the oragne bow to fill in the space.

Want some added inspiration for this sketch?  Head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and browse the gallery.  In addition, you can see who I spotlighted this week.

Enjoy your day!






What's In It?
Stamps:   Good Work (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Capella (Basic Grey), Always Artichoke, Kraft, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)  
Ink: Black
Accessories:   Good Work Dies, Sprightly Sprigs (A Cut Above by Verve Stamps), Orange Seam Binding (Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection Verve Stamps), Button, Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals