Viva La Verve November Week 3 Sketch

A quick recap on this week's Viva La Verve sketch by Charmaine.

Found this cute, wood stag as part of six piece clothes pin set in the dollar bin at Michael's and had to get it.  I removed him from the clothes pin he was attached to so I could mount him on the card and then couldn't resist adding a little red nose as it fit the Christmas Wishes sentiment.

Some twine and stitched borders for a bit of a rustic feel and a tag with the smallest snowflake from Holiday Treats with a red dot in the middle for a pop of colour.   I also added a teeny strip of red below the sentiment panel as I needed some colour - artistic liberty you might say {grin} - and a third dash of red for the "rule of three".

We would love you to play along.   You don't need Verve Stamps to participate, but we love to see them if you have them.

Have a great day!

Challenge: Simon Says





 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Holiday Treats (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Tis the Season (Echo Park), Real Red, Going Grey, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker), Tag Die (PTI), Wood Reindeer (Michael's Dollar Bin), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Red Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #425

Today's Mojo Monday sketch was a delight and brought me one step closer to my required Christmas card count.

I took a piece from my hoarded Echo Park, Happy Holiday's paper as it is such a fun, non-traditional mix of colours for Christmas cards.  Paired it with some medium and small sized polka dotted papers, this glorious Every Heart Plain Jane, which showcases Julee's font art fabulously, and a shimmery, silver tree.  Added some silver cording and a few pink snowflakes with 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

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Justin Krieger

Lori Tecler

Wanda Cullen

We have a cold but sunny weekend so the Christmas lights are now up and ready for action starting December 1st - yeah!  Made some butternut squash soup and did some baking for the kids lunches so I am set and ready for this week to begin. 

Enjoy the sketch and thanks for popping by today! 

Challenge: Simon Says





 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Every Heart Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Happy Holidays (Echo Park), Tinsel Tree (Carta Bella), Stampin' Up DSP, Silver Shimmer Paper (Dollar Store)
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Silver Cording (Michael's), Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Bling, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve November Week 2 Sketch Recap

This week's sketch is brought to us by Maureen and this sketch definitely has two of her favorite things on it:  a big circle you can use a doily for and a tag.

In a rush to get some Christmas cards done I created another one with this week's sketch.  Love the font on this Christmas Blessings Plain Jane.  Added a red doily (a la Moe) and underlay it with a white as it didn't really show up well against the kraft.  Back to my go to tree from the Winter Fun die set and some buttons and twine to finish things off.

You can check out my Viva La Verve recap and viewfinder post for some added inspiration or browse the gallery to get your mojo going.  Verve Stamps are not required, but we love to see them if you have them :)

Still recovering from a very busy weekend.  The son of some good friend of ours got married this past Friday and the wedding was put together in about two weeks!!  Yes, it can be done folks!  With an army of people contributing to the cause, we managed to help them pull it off :)   I made the table give aways as well as the guest registry and helped with set up and take down.  My daughter was asked to be the photographer (and I her trust assistant), her photography teacher was kind enough to lend her a high end flash for her camera as well as a diffuser, the rain held off, she got some great shots, and is giddy that she was able to do a wedding!  It was a lovely, albeit busy, day and everything fell into place.  Most importantly, the bride and groom were thrilled with the outcome and very grateful to everyone who helped pull it off.  Miracles still happen {grin}.

Thanks for popping in and have a fabulous day!




 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Christmas Blessings Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Blizzard (Bazzil Basics), Real Red, Garden Green, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Winter Fun Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Tag Die (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

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