Mojo Monday #343

Time for another Tall and Skinny sketch.  Lots of opportunity to use some patterned paper on this one.

I dipped into MME's Notable pack as it had nice, bright colours.  The sentiment is from Let it Be and I just had to use the Loopy Blooms die as this flower is just too fun :)   I added a scalloped border with black pearls along the bottom for a little something, something.

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

As many of you read this, we will be flying over the Pacific Ocean on our way home from a family vacation in Hawaii.  I have a ton of photos to download, and once I sort through them all, I will fill you in on our adventures.   But first of all, I need a nap LOL!  We took the red eye home (left Honolulu at 11:55 p.m. last night) and sleeping on planes at the best of times is not overly comfortable.  Groceries and laundry are top priority for today so we are all ready to get back into our routines tomorrow. 
   

 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Notable (My  Mind's Eye), Sahara Sand, Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Loopy Bloom Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #238 - Photo Inspiration

It's Inspiration week over at Just Us Girls and Sue T. has provided this fun photo for to inspire us!  If you've been around my blog for any amount of time, you will know how much I love working with polka dots, and those polka dots in the photo were calling my name LOL!  I also pulled out the yellow, pink, green and touch of blue from the photo to use as the colours on my card.

Pulled out some MFT dies and my sorely neglected Labels 10 Nestability die.  Forgot how much I love this shape!  Verve's Lean On Me sentiment was a perfect fit for the remaining space and love how the large font makes it stand out against the flower.

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with the last appearance of our April Guest Designer Lee Anne (who has done an amazing job as GD this month!), 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.

Thanks for popping by today and have a fabulous weekend!

Challenges:  Friday Mashup


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Lean On Me (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Love You More (Pebbles), Designer Series Paper, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Cool Caribbean (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Leaf Filled Flourish and Pretty Posies Dies (My Favorite Things), Butterfly and Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Verve Release Hop

Verve Stamps is celebrating the release of two amalgamated sets called Petals and Wings and Die Sidekicks, along with two fabulous, new Plain Janes and clear sequins.  We are celebrating by having a Release Hop.  If you have come here from Laurie's blog you are right on track.  If you just happened across the hop, you can check out the Master Hop List below or the one on the Verve Stamps blog.

I simply adore Petals and Wings.  Butterflies, flowers and polka dots are all favorites of mine, and having them all in the same set, has me swooning LOL!  I took the polka dot theme and ran with it {grin}.  Fussy cut and popped up the flowers and chose this wonderful sentiment from the set because being a cup half full person I fully agree with it!

For my second card I used last week's Viva la Verve sketch and the Scroll and Butterfly images from the new Die Sidekicks set.  Cut them out with their corresponding Scroll and All Aflutter dies and snuck in my beloved Jotted Heart and Elegant Leaves dies too.  The sentiment is from So Fluttery and I scattered a few of the fabulous, new Shine Bright sequins available at Verve Stamps.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $40 gift voucher to the Verve store! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

Hop List:
1. Julee	7. Jen
2. Amber	8. Laurie
3. Andrea	9. Marisa
4. Charmaine	10. Maureen
5. Christyne	11. Stacey
6. Janelle	12. Teresa

Next on the list is Maureen, and I know she will have a wonderful card showcasing the release!

Along with the new releases, Verve is also having a Spring Sale!  A perfect opportunity to stock up on your Mother's Day gift wink, wink :)

 
Enjoy the hop and have a fabulous weekend!

Challenges:  Friday Mashup


 
What's In It?

Petals and Wings
Stamps:   Petals and Wings (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Basic Grey, Kraft (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black, Old Olive, Real Red (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

So Precious
Stamps:   Die Sidekicks, So Fluttery, Love Notes (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Devoted (Carta Bella), Lovey (Bella Blvd), Rose Romance (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black, Going Grey (Stampin' Up), VersaMark
Accessories:  Scroll, All Aflutter, Jotted Heart and Elegant Leaves Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Doily Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper (Fiskars), White Embossing Powder, Twine, Button, Glue Dots, Dimensionals
 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Confetti Crush Reminder

** For my Mojo Monday post, scroll down ** 

We are half way through the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge entitled Confetti Crush and Reverse Confetti is our sponsor.

For my card, I used the Tag Me die (oh how I love this tag die!) and the hearts from Love Notes.  The sentiment is from Lots to Say and I went with a polka dot theme for my confetti.  If you haven't played along yet, you still have time!  The LEAD gets a gift certificate to Reverse Confetti!    

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge.  You have until April 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 April 30th.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can find some time to play along with us if you haven't done so already.

 
What's In It? 
Stamps:   Lots to Say (Reverse Confetti), Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Paper:   She Said (Teresa Collins), Mellow Moss, Real Red, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Tag Me and Love Notes Dies (Reverse Confetti), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Button, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #342

Branched out on my colour scheme this week LOL!  I don't work with purples and burgundy very much, but tripped across this wonderful Juliette SEI paper pack while looking through my 6 x 6 pads and decided it was time to shake things up a bit.  Not exactly spring colours, but I like the outcome :)

Verve's Kind Words is one of my favorite sets. The sentiments are fabulous (I know, I say that about all of Verve's sets LOL), and I love this flower silhouette.  The All Aflutter butterfly dies were layered and a touch of sheer, black ribbon balanced everything 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.  
 

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

We had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Good Friday is always somber as one reflects on Christ's crucifixion, but oh the JOY of celebrating Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday!!  He has Risen indeed!

Thanks for popping by today and wishing you a great week ahead! 

   

 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Kind Words (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Juliette (SEI), Rose Romance (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up)    
Accessories:  All Aflutter Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Circle Dies (Lil' Inkers), Scalloped Border Punches (Stampin' Up), 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

He Has Risen Indeed

I know I have posted this before, but I just love it!  Have a blessed Easter everyone!  He has Risen indeed!

Just Us Girls #237 - Colour Challenge

It's colour challenge week and Sue V. has provided this fabulous colour combination for us to work with - love these colours together! 

MME's Six by Six papers provided my colours, even though they are more a peach and teal versus a true orange and blue...shhhhh ;)

 Love Lil' Inker's stitched circles as they add just that little something something, and the sentiment is from a set Debbie sent me which I just love (thanks again, Debbie!).  Keeping with the MFT theme, I used Pretty Posies and butterfly die too.  

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with the our April Guest Designer Lee Anne, 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.

Have a fabulous Easter weekend!


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Cheerful Blessings (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Six by Six (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Pretty Posies, and Butterfly Dies (My Favorite Things), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Confetti Crush

This week's Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge is entitled "Confetti Crush" and our sponsor is Reverse Confetti!  The LEAD of this challenge will receive a gift certificate to the Reverse Confetti store!

I had great fun using Reverse Confetti's Love Notes and Arrow die on my card, and the sentiment is from Lots to Say (a great set with a wonderful variety of sentiments for many occasions).  I created my own confetti by using a mini heart punch I got in the Michael's dollar bin and added the double arrows for a bit of visual fun. 

The Curtain Call Crew is over the moon that the owner of Reverse Confetti, Jen del Muro, is joining the team today for the Confetti Crush challenge.  You can check out her card as well as the rest of the Crew's for some amazing inspiration! 

Confetti Crush Designers

Jen del Muro, Reverse Confetti

Amber Kroening

Amy Tsuruta

Gayatri Murali

Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Sarah Gough

Stacey Schafer

Tenia Nelson

Tracey McNeely

You have until April 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 April 30th.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can play along.

 
 
What's In It? 
Stamps:   Lots to Say (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  In Bloom (My  Mind's Eye), Cool Caribbean, Cameo Coral, Basic Grey (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Love Note Die (Reverse Confetti), Heart Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Heart Punch (Michael's Dollar Bin), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #341

I just love Julee's sketches....happy sigh :)   This one was a delight to work with - with the banners adding such a fun touch to the card!

I pulled out some older MME papers from their Stella and Rose line (love this line and still have quite a stash lol!) and Verve's Lean On Me for the sentiment.  This has always been one of my favorite sentiment sets as I just adore the big, bold font mixed with the softer smaller one.  Julee truly is the Font Queen!  In honor of the amazing week of Spring weather we just had, a Flutterby butterfly was in order in lieu of the circle element on the sketch wink, wink.  

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

Another busy week ahead -- I'm definitely ready for a slower one!  Wishing you a great one and thanks for popping in today.
   

 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Lean on Me (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Stella and Rose (MME), Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Black Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #236 - Technique Challenge

This week, Lisa has challenged us to create a water coloured background on our card.

I embossed Stampin' Up's French Script background (don't think I'll ever get rid of this stamp!) on my card stock and then pulled out some Gelatos and water and had fun finger painting :)   I quickly discovered you only need a "touch of grey" when blending as it is a very strong colour.  Needless to say, my first attempt ended up in the garbage can as it was too dark and depressing, the total opposite of my intent LOL!   On my second attempt, I added just a few dabs of grey, and almost came to the same result, but managed to salvage things by adding and blending in some extra aqua to tone it down a bit.  A few black accents and I was good to go.

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with the first appearance of our April Guest Designer Lee Anne, 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.

Have a fabulous weekend!


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper:  Black and White   
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:  Gelatos, Happy Hello Die (My Favorite Things), Flower Die (PTI), 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals
   

Oil of Joy

Julee has put together this fabulous sketch for us to work with this week, and/or this wonderful colour combination.  You can use just one or the other or combine them on your project.

I was determined to combine them this time round as last month I totally forgot about the colour combination.

Our ex-neighbours, dear friends and adherent third set of grandparents to our kids are grieving the loss of his mother this past week, so I wanted to get a sympathy card out to them to let them know we are holding them in our prayers and there for them.  I used the Award Banner die and one of my all time favorite go to dies -- Flutterby.  The sentiment is Isaiah 61:3 from Scripture Medley 1 and I love using it to encourage people during this hard season of life.

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

Wishing you a fabulous day! 

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Scripture Medley 1 (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  In Bloom (Reminisce), Going Grey, Old Olive, Rose Romance,  Kraft, Cream (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black   
Accessories:  Award Banner and Flutterby Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die, Circle Nesatabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Buttons, White Half Pearls, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Baby Booties Reminder

** This is my second post of the day.  Scroll down for my Mojo Monday post **

 

We are half way through the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge entitled Baby Booties and Newton's Nook is our sponsor.

Just adore this onesie image so I used it again.  I paper pieced the onesies and created the sentiment from various stamps in the set.  Found some safety pins in my stash and added them for a little something, something. 

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge.  You have until April 10th 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 April 14th.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can find some time to play along with us if you haven't done so already.

 
What's In It? 
Stamps:   Winged Wishes (Newton's Nook)
Paper:   Cool Caribbean, Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, Old Olive (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Twine, Button, Safety Pins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #340

It's the first Monday of the month and that means challenge time over at the Mojo Monday blog.  Julee has created this fabulous sketch for us to work with and I can't wait to see how you use it!

I love MME papers....happy sigh....and pulled these from their Life of the Party Lime Twist series.  Haven't used these fabulous flowers from Sunny Days for some time so it was time to change that.  The flowers were cut up a bit and bent to give them some dimension.  The sentiment is from Poppy Birthday and a few buttons and a blue bow finished 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.  
 

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Mowed my lawn for the first time this year as the warmer temperatures are making it grown, even if it is still pretty wet out there.  Tulips and daffodils are just about ready to open in my garden and the cherry and magnolia trees are in full bloom down our street - happy sigh :)  Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping in.

Challenge: Simon Says Birthday

 

 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Poppy Birthday,  Sunny Days (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   (MME), Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Oval and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Flower Punch (Michael's Dollar Bin), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Bling, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Verve Stamps Diva Inspiration Hop - April 5th

It's the 5th of the month and that means it is time for Verve's April Diva Inspirations Hop. This month we've got a fabulous challenge that's sure to put a spring in your step!  In addition to a comment prize hidden along the hop, you can play along with the challenge and link up your creation over at the Verve blog for a chance to win another prize!

Chevrons are the new polka-dots! Get groovy and use this popular pattern somewhere on your creation. Whether you draw inspiration from the graphic or zig-zag off on your own, just show us some chic chevrons! 

If you have come here from Maureen's blog you are right on track.  If you just happened on to the hop, you can start from the top and work your way through (see hop list below).

Started things off with MME's Six by Six paper pad and Verve's Chevron Love.   The sentiment is from this set, as is the wonderful chevron butterfly.   Lots of dies on this card too: All Aflutter, Wavy Hearts, Heart Quartet, and Arrow die.  Yes, I have am addiction to dies LOL, but it's all good wink, wink :)  

One lucky commenter along the hop will win a prize, so make sure to leave a comment on each of the participating Diva's posts to increase your chances of winning!  You can check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines. 

Below is the full hop list if you need it, otherwise just hop on over to Charmaine's blog.

	1. Julee	9. Susan
	2. Amy	10. Stacey
	3. Anya	11. Teresa
	4. Betty	12. Maureen
	5. Karen	13. Marisa
	6. Sankari	14. Charmaine
	7. Sarah	15. Janelle
	8. Sony	16. Christyne

Happy hopping and I look forward to seeing your chevron creations!

 





What's In It? 

Stamps:  Chevron Love (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Six by Six (My Mind's Eye), Always Artichoke, Cool Caribbean, Real Red, So Saffron) (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, More Mustard (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Wavy Hearts, Heart Quartet, Arrow and All Aflutter Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Chevron Dies (My Favorite Things), Crimper (Fiskars), Black Half Pearls, Twine, Button, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls #235 - Sketch Challenge

It's sketch week over at Just Us Girls and Maria has created this sketch for us to work with.

My MME In Bloom paper pad was at the front of my 6 x 6 storage box so I decided to use it again as I just love it.  Down to just a few papers left, but thankfully I have a second pack waiting to be opened when this one runs out LOL!

The sentiment on the card consists of two from Verve's Take Note.  I masked off part of the top sentiment to get the "you're special" and then used another sentiment at the bottom.  Love this butterfly die from MFT and after some debate, decided to have my butterflies "in motion" (aka: at different angles instead of all vertically positioned).

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with the first appearance of our April Guest Designer Lee Anne, 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.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Challenges:  The Card Concept
                     Time Out Challenge 

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Take Note (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  In Bloom (My  Mind's Eye), Going Grey. So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up)    
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Die (My Favorite Things), Buttons, What Half Pearls, Dimensionals