85th Birthday Wishes

My FIL's 85th birthday was a few days ago and seeing they are taking the ferry over to meet us for lunch today, it was only appropriate to make him a quick card to celebrate this milestone!  He didn't want any big hoopla for his 85th (we did that for his 80th) so it's a quiet ushering in of another year.

Kept things pretty basic with nice straight lines as he was a bank auditor for years and is a stickler for perfection and is just a tad anal retentive wink, wink :)

PTI number dies are fabulous as you can't miss the age, and the sentiment is from Verve's Birthday Phrases.

Hoping he likes it!

Challenge:  Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps: Birthday Phrases (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Costco DP Pack, Night of Navy, real Red (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:   Number Dies (PTI), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #304

It's round or square week and though I usually make a round card, this time round (no pun intended LOL) I decided to go with the square sketch.

Love orange and green together and MME's The Sweetest Thing had a fabulous choice of papers to work from.  Kraft became my neutral along with the white and the yummy, yellow seam binding is from Verve's Spring Fling ribbon package.  The bling in the center of the bow was from a find at a local dollar store (oh how I love dollar store finds!).

I needed to balance off the bow a bit so I jumped at the chance to use my beloved Flutterby die from Verve.  The card also qualifies for one of today's Dare To Get Dirty Challenges which you can find here over on Splitcoast Stampers.  You have to be a Fan Club member to play along, so if you aren't, now is a good chance to become one and help support the fabulous world of SCS :)

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

Think we will take a few trips to the beach this week as the weather continues to be outstanding and by now the kids should be able to brave the water (was too cold on the July long weekend) while I enjoy catching some rays and reading on the beach :)  Have a fabulous week and hope you can squeeze in some time to play along!

What's In It?
Stamps: Praying For You Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye), So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Spring Fling Ribbon Collection (Verve Stamps), Crimper (Fiskars), Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Dare To Get Dirty Challenges Begin

A wonderful sketch by Diva Janelle this week over at the Verve forum on SCS.   A fun optional twist you can include in your cad is having an uneven front fold over.

I used some Recollections paper from their Sweetest Thing paper pad and paired it with this fabulous One Day Plain Jane.  Always a great reminder to enjoy today for all it has to bring and if life is too much to handle at the moment, it is a great way to get through those rocky times -- speaking directly from experience!

This card qualifies for today's Dare to Get Dirty 2013 challenge hosted by Twinshappy.  You can check out all the challenge details here, but only if you are a Fan Club member over on Splitcoast Stampers.

Hard to believe July is almost over - yikes!!  Swimming lessons are now over and we are moving into a more relaxed August schedule with hopefully a little get away in the mix.  The weather has been amazing as has our summer together -- my mommy heart is just bursting :)

Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping in today!




What's In It?
Stamps:  One Day Plain Jane, Text Notes (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: The Sweetest Thing (Recollections), Real Red, Rose Red (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink: Black, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Scalloped Trim Trio, Classy Label Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper (Fiskars), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8 Grey Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #199

Lisa is our challenge hostess this week and she has found this wonderful inspiration picture for us to use this week -- not to mention the craving I now have for chocolate dipped strawberries!

Red and green immediately bring Christmas to mind for me so I decdided to make a Christmas card.  I combined it with this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and am also playing along with Merry Monday's anything goes.

It was great fun inking up a Craft's Meow Christmas set I purchased as part of my SFYTT win last December.  There are five different tree designs you can chose from and the chevron one was calling my name time :)   Had to sneak my favorite Christmas word in, so I stamped "Joy!" (love the fact it has an exclamation point after it!!) on the kraft panel creating my own pattern.   

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.  

Swimming lessons are over and I am happy to report both kids passed.  It is an end of an era for us as they have completed all the levels.  Hard to believe we have been doing lessons for ten years!  Their instructor was very impressed with their swimming ability and suggested they both take the Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross class and work towards being lifeguards.  Yes, I'm a proud mama :)  

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:   Christmas (The Craft's Meow) 
Ink:  Black, Certainly Celery, Summer Sun (Stampin' Up), VersaMark
Paper:  Real Red, Kraft, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up), Season's Greetings (Echo Park)
Accessories:   Circle Nestabiliites (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Black and Red Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

The World Is Brighter Because Of You

Today's Verve sketch is brought to us by none other than the Head Diva herself, Julee :)  She has a great mood board we can play along with too!

I just love the colour combination Julee put together via the collage, and focused on the left hand corner of the board for my inspiration: the striped green container on the floor, bright pops of orange, grey from the chair and a touch of turquoise.  I used the Rounded Scallop Frame die to make my turquoise frame, the graph paper image from Making A Statement to create the pattern on the grey panel and the sentiment is from the wonderful Let it Be set.

This is the fifth sketch in July and if you complete all five sketches and post them over on the Verve forum on SCS you are eligible for the random draw to win a $100 gift certificate to the Verve Store!

Off for our last day of swimming lessons and then off to enjoy some of our glorious sunny weather that just won't stop.  It has been a month since we last had rain, and no place is prettier than BC in the sunshine -- yes, I'm just a bit bias LOL!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone.



What's In It?  
Stamps:  Making A Statement, Let it Be (Verve Stamps)  
Paper: On The Bright Side (My Mind's Eye), Basic Grey, Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Rounded Scalloped Frame and Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Twine, Button, White Half Pearls, Dimensionals

PTI Blog Hop ~ July 2013

This month's PTI BLog Hop had some great colour combos to chose from and I immediately gravitated towards this fabulous citrus combination because these colour just make me happy :)

I paired it with last week's Pal Paper Arts sketch (after rotating it to a horizontal orientation) and pulled out various papers that matched the required colours.

Dawn's Fabulous Signature Greetings, a leaf image from Turning a New Leaf, and my all time favorite Beautiful Blooms II flower die pulled together the sentiment panel.  One more pop of colour with this fabulous orange grosgrain ribbon and I called it a card.

Thanks for popping in today and I look forward to seeing everyone else's choice of colour combination to work with.



What's In It?  
Stamps:  Turning a New Leaf, Signature Greetings (PTI)
Paper:  Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye), Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), So Saffron and SU DSP (Stampin' Up), Yellow Dots (Bazzill Basics), Cream Linen  
Ink:  Black, Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Flower Beautiful Blooms II  Flower Die (PTI), 5/8 " Orange Grosgrain Ribbon, Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #303

This week's Mojo sketch is another one which you can dress up of keep on the CAS side - love having that option :)

I chose to go a bit on the shabby side based on this yummy paper from MME's Happy Day 6 x 6 pad.   A touch of lace, crimping, distressed edges, a touch of lace, some twine plus my beloved jotted heart and U dies and the card emerged.  Bonus:  it qualifies for this month's Tattered Pages Diva Dare.

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

On to week two of swimming lessons and the kids are doing great!  Looks very promising that they will both pass so I think a Booster Juice or some other treat will definitely be in order Friday after they finish their lesson.  Have a fabulous week!

What's In It?  
Stamps:  You and I, Surely Goodness (Verve Stamps)  
Paper: Happy Day (My Mind's Eye), Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, So Saffron, Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Going Grey
Accessories:  Jotted  Heart, U and I and Goodness Flowers Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Lace,  Buttons, Twine, Crimper (Fiskars), Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Glue Dots 

Curtain Call Nautical Encore

Loving the nautical theme over on the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and I also love Verve's Strong Anchor set, so just had to make another card for the challenge :)

I used this older Freshly Made Sketch as I loved the banner tabs along the bottom and it was the perfect size for the large sentiment from Strong Anchor.

I once again focused on the navy, yellow and the anchor.  The sailor's knot got covered by the anchor, but it is there, honest!  The banner tabs were made by using the Pennant Trim die and then cutting them apart so I could squish them closer together.  The rope image is stamped above and below the sentiment on the navy, but I couldn't capture it in the photograph.  All in all, a fun, quick and easy card to make.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge and have until Thursday, July 25th at 8:00 a.m. CST to link up your creation for a chance to win Verve's Strong Anchor and matching Nautical die set! 



What's In It?
Stamps: Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Night of Navy, So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Nautical Die Set and Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Twine, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #198

This week's challenge is a colour challenge hosted by Tangii and she has found this fabulous image to use as our inspiration.

I combined it with a Retro Sketch from a few weeks back and some yummy Happy Day MME paper which had the perfect colours.

Pulled out this fabulous sentiment from Words of Wisdom as it seemed fitting to use with the butterfly - a similar metamorphosis type of scenario if you like.  I used the debossed side of the Swiss Dots embossing folder as it was a bit more subtle and didn't clash with the stripes as much and a bright fuchsia ribbon seemed fitting based on that gorgeous up front an centre bright pink flower.

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.  

Sorry about my sporadic posting.  I've been having such a great time with my kids that stamping has taken a back seat.  Will have a good chuck of stamping time this weekend so the coming week should provide a few more posts starting with my Mojo Monday card :)  Have a great weekend everyone!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:   Words of Wisdom (Verve Stamps)
Ink:  Black 
Paper:  Happy Day (My Mind's Eye), Pretty in Pink and So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabililities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, 1" Fuchsia Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Bling, Button, Twine, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Grand Opening

** This is my second post of the day.  Please scroll down for my Mojo Monday Card **

 

Today is the big day!!  The Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge is up and running with its first challenge entitled Feeling Nautical.  Loved the inspiration collage Stacey has put together for this challenge!

In addition, Verve Stamps is sponsoring our very first challenge!!  That means the participant who is awarded "The Lead" for our Feeling Nautical challenge will win Verve's Strong Anchor and matching Nautical Die set!  You all know how much I love my Verve so this is a double scoop of happiness day for me :)  

For my card, I honed in on the blue and yellow colour combo (love navy and yellow together!) and the anchor and wheel images.  Nautical often makes me think of the Navy so I went with a crisp, clean, feel as well.

 

Since Verve is sponsoring this challenge, I just had to use one of the VLV sketches from their Forum on SCS.  I created the backgrounds on the kraft and saffron panels by VersaMarking the images, and crimped the navy panel for some texture.   Matching die cuts from the anchor and wheel images were added around the focal sentiment and I tied a red, twine bow around my anchor for a pop of colour and bit of interest.   This card was so fun to make, I may just have to make another!

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

Sorry for the long post!!  Just lots of exciting things to share today!!  You have until  July 25th to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture.  Can't wait to see what you create!!



What's In It?
Stamps: Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Night of Navy, So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black, Sahara Sand, VersaMark 
Accessories: Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #302

This week's sketch is a wonderful, basic layout, which means you can keep it simple or dress it up - which ever your heart desires.  Think mine ended up being between those two options LOL!

I don't think I have ever used plaid on a card before so this was a first for me.  I am not a plaid lover at  heart, but this card is definitely growing on me so I may be converted yet wink, wink.

Used up a few scraps from my discard container and added a few touches of pearls and bling to dress it up a bit.

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

Think I have recovered from VBS enough to be ready and willing for swimming lessons.  It's always great to swim laps while the kids are in their lessons and then hang out in the pool having fun with them afterwards.  I truly treasure these times as I know they will soon be a thing of the past.

Have a fabulous week and I look forward to seeing your creations!



What's In It?  
Stamps: On Occassion, Bloom and Grow, Surely Goodness (Verve Stamps)  
Paper: Bold Basics (Recollections), Certainly Celery, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Elegant Leaf and Goodness Flowers Dies (A Cut Above by Verve) 5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Pink Bling, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls #197

This week's technique is brought to you by Maria and she has provided a wonderful opportunity to get down and have some mixability fun!!  Here is the link to the SCS tutorial on how to create bright pastels.

I only own one distress ink, and it's a neutral, so I had to improvise a bit by using a direct from ink pad technique with my classic ink pads.  I am quite happy with how it turned out and got a bit of added texture, which I just love, due to my saran wrap crinkling during the process.

The colour combination reminded me of a sunset so I decided to use this wonderful sailboat image to have the boat sailing at sunset.  A sailor's knot and an anchor added provided a bit of detail.

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. 

I am happy to say I have survived year eleven working at VBS!  I had the best group of boys: they had lots of energy, were loads of fun to tease and talk to, but very respectful and obedient so it was the perfect mix :)  I even managed to stun them with my knowledge of sports and Mindcraft -- no boring leader here LOL!  

Next week we start our two week set of swimming lessons so I'll be swimming laps for forty five minutes while the kids have their lesson.  Eau de chlorine here I come!  Have a great weekend everyone and come back on Monday for the first challenge of the re-opening of the Curtain Call!  

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:   Sail Away (Stampin' Up), Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps)
Ink:  Black, Real Red, Only Orange (Stampin' Up, VersaMark
Paper:  Black, White 
Accessories:  Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above By Verve), Black Embossing Powder, Twine, White Acrylic Paint, Dimensionals

July Diva Dare

Welcome to July's Diva Dare!  This month's theme is "Tattered Pages"  and showcases Julee, Verve's owner and creator and her wonderful use of uplifting phrases along with Diva Teresa's wonderful use of distressing and shabbiness on her cards.

The challenge is to create a card or project that has an encouraging/uplifting sentiment and includes some distressing/shabbiness.  Kind of like an encouraging card you have received which you have read over and over so many times that it shows signs of being well loved by its' tattered edges.

For my card, I used this week's Verve Sketch and paired it with some Classic K McKenna paper from K & Company.  This fabulous sentiment from Let It Be jumped out at me and thus became the focal point of my card.  It's such a wonderful encouragement and reminder that faith can get you through seemingly insurmountable situations (something I needed to hear as I'm dealing with one right now).  The largest die from the Banner Bundle die set created the fishtail, and the yummy raspberry coloured seam binding is from the Spring Fling ribbon collection.  A touch of lace, twine, some pearls and some distressing brought in Teresa's side of this month's dare.

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: Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Classic K McKenna (K & Company), Mellow  Moss, Rose Romance, Kraft (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Banner Bundle Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Spring Fling Seam Binding (Verve Stamps), Lace, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Cream Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #301

We are moving ahead after a wonderful celebration of Mojo Monday's 300th sketch.  Thank you to everyone who played along!

This week's sketch is another wonderful one by Julee (I know I say that every week, but I truly do love her sketches!).  I flipped the sketch to a vertical orientation and when I tripped across these wonderful fall coloured papers from K & Company's Classic K Mackenna pad I just had to use them.  The I Chronicles 16:34 Plain Jane fit the oval perfectly and the seam binding is from the Spring Fling ribbon collection.  A few pops of yellow for some colour and I was good to go. 

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 - as well as some guest designer's 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

This week is our VBS week and the  kids and I are helping out.  Will be a busy week indeed and I'll be one tired out mama by Friday, I'm sure LOL!  

Oh, and before I forget, Julee has a great Christmas in July sale going on over at the Verve store.  

Have a fabulous day and hope you can find some time to play along with this week's sketch.

 

What's In It?  
Stamps: 1 Chronicles 16:34 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)  
Paper: Classic K McKenna (K & Company), Kraft, Old Olive, So Saffron, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Oval and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Rolled Rose Die (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Spring Fling Seam Binding (Verve Stamps), Button, Twine, Brown Half Pearl, Glue Dots, Dimensionals