Mojo Monday #391

It's the last week of the month and that means Tall and Skinny sketch week over on the Mojo Monday blog.  I almost messed up in my card size again {grin} but since I have had to make a second card a few times now, I'm much better at catching my boo-boo before it is to late!

I needed a masculine card for a dear friend who is getting beat up by life recently.  He is the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back and always has time for you, so it is particularly hard seeing him have to deal with so much.  Wanting him to know I care, and more importantly, God cares.

It's a bit bright with the orange and yellow, but I wanted a cheery card and I think this works 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

Enjoy the sketch and look forward to seeing your creations.

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant 
                     Simon Says Stamps

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Faith Medley (Verve Stamps), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Kraft, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), A Charmed Life (Simple Stories), Yellow Chevron (Recollections), Cream Linen
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine (MFT), Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve March Week 4 Sketch

This week's Viva La Verve sketch is brought to us by Anya.

I had great fun working with this sketch.  Pulled out this fabulous flower from Happy Place and the coordinating Happy Doodles Die Set.   The papers are from MME's The Sweetest Thing and I added a pop of colour by using Old Olive for my flowers.

Wanted a more feminine feel to the card so I punched the scalloped borders and added the Daisy Chain border down the side.  Still no ribbon so a tiny bow (aka: to fit the sentiment as in bow on the finger to remember something) added to the stem of the flower and I was finally satisfied with the card.

You don't need to use Verve Stamps to join in the challenge, but we love to see them if you have them.  All the challenge details are on the  Viva La Verve blog.  Would love to have you join in on the fun and the chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Verve  Stamps! 

Wanting to say a big thank you to everyone for remembering me and my blog.  So sorry I have been lax in my commenting for the past few months....life has been very busy and there are only so many hours in a day so something had to give.  Unfortunately the quickest and easiest place to gain time is from cyber world....sniff, sniff...  Hoping it's not a permanent thing, but only time will tell.  Until then, thank you for your continued support ((hugs))! 

Challenges:  Simon Says

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Happy Place, Poppy Birthday (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Old Olive (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Happy Doodles Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Daily Chain Punch (Martha Stewart), Brown Half Pearls, Twine, Dimensionals

Baby Card

Was using this fun Freshly Made Sketches for a baby card I needed for a shower I attended this past weekend.  The couple doesn't know the sex of the child so I had to go with non gender specific colours, and kraft and yellow won out.

Love this raffie from Stampin' Up's Wild About You set.  Always makes me smile :)   Embossed it with clear embossing powder so the image would show up and outlined the eye and mouth with black marker so they stood out.  A bit of ribbon around the raffie's neck for a pop of colour and some embossed dots in the background for a bit of texture and I was good to go.

Thanks for popping in and enjoy your day!



What's In It?
Stamps:   Wild About You, Fancy Flexible Phrases (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, VersaMark    
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Clear Embossing Powder (Michael's), Black Half Pearls, Gingham Ribbon, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #390

Today we get to enjoy a wonderful sketch by Wanda.  A great layout for a CAS card.

After I completed my card, I realized I used the same elements as last week's card...just can't help myself with spring in the air {grin}.

Found this fun heart paper at Micheal's and paired it with a lavender butterfly and another wet paint "hello".   Stitched the edges to give it a little "oomph", crimped the panel for a bit of texture and used a big button to balance 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

Driving lessons with my daughter are coming along very nicely.  She is getting more confident in her skills until we tackled a bit of parallel parking....always a nemesis for any new driver!  Used hubby and son as the parking pylons and by the end she was improving a bit, but we have a way to go.

Hoping you had a fabulous weekend and wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

 

What's In It?
Paper:  Tan Hearts (Recollections), Going Grey, Lavender Lace, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Butterfly and Wet Paint Dies (PTI), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspration Challenge - Jellybean Reminder

We are half way through the current Jelly Bean Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and this time round I decided to make a round card showcasing some tulips in the colours of the inspiration photo.

I have seen tulips made with the wing of the Stampin' Up bird punch but have never tried them myself, so this is my tribute to my favorite flower - tulips!

I had the privilege of living in The Netherlands for a year when I worked with Billy Graham there, and needless to say, there were lots and lots of tulips in all sizes, shapes and colours.  I had tulips in my apartment every day for weeks (as well as on my desk in the office) and you could buy them at flower kiosks on just about every corner for a very cheap price.  Needless to say, I was in flower heaven :)

If you haven't played along yet, we would love to have you join us!  Plus, the LEAD for this challenge gets to join us as a Guest Designer in a future challenge.

Look forward to seeing your creations in our gallery.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Amuse
Paper:  Lavender Lace, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Cool Caribbean, Mint Medley 
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Bird Punch (Stampin' Up), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Black and White Half Pearls, Dimensinoals

Viva La Verve March Week 3 Sketch

Today's Viva La Verve Sketch is brought to us by Stacey.  Lots of layers to play with and an opportunity to have fun with different papers.

I used MME's The Sweetest Thing papers and this adorable image from One Cup to create a card for the tea lovers in my life.  I paper pieced the cups, added a big doily in the background for the circle element and added a pop of colour with the red ribbon. 

You don't need to use Verve Stamps to join in the challenge, but we love to see them if you have them.  All the challenge details are on the  Viva La Verve blog.  Would love to have you join in on the fun and the chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Verve  Stamps! 

Have a fabulous day, and as the sentiment says, enjoy the happiness a cup of tea (or coffee) can bring!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   One Cups (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye)), Kraft, Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), 3/8" Red Stitched Ribbon, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #389

A fun Mojo Monday sketch by Julee for us to use this week.   We continue to be in the throws of spring here on the West Coast with cherry trees and magnolia trees in full bloom and bringing lots of colours to the landscapes and pink snow will soon be on it's way LOL.

As a tribute, used some of this gorgeous Fresh Cut Basic Grey paper and added two rose coloured butterflies using my beloved Flutterby die along with some Sprightly Sprigs leaves for foliage.  Finished things off by adding a double sentiment.

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 had a blissfully relaxing weekend as a family, which was long overdue.  Great family time and an opportunity to catch our breath before the beginning of another busy week.  Kids are on Spring Break so hanging out as a family makes my mommy heart sing :)

Have a great week and bless someone special by telling them you love them!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Great Friend (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Fresh Cut (Basic Grey), Basic Grey, Rose Romance, Mint Medley Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Sprightly Springs, Flutterby Flag It Die sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Button Die and Wet Paint Dies (PTI), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Twine, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Jelly Bean

Time for another Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and I love the mix of pastel colours in this picture!  The LEAD of the Jelly Bean challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future Curtain Call challenge!

Love using pastels together as they just scream Spring.  I opted to go with pink, yellow and purple for my card and kept things CAS due to time constraints.  Adore this PTI butterfly die and it was a great fit with the birthday sentiment (also by PTI).  A yellow button for a little pop of colour and some stitching around the edge for a little something, something.  Absolutely no stamping on this card which felt a bit strange LOL.

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Jellybean Designers

Amy Kolling
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

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

 




What's In It?
Paper:  Small Dots (Precious Memories), Lavender Lace (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:   Butterfly and Birthday Dies (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers), Button, Glue Dot

Viva La Verve March Week 2 Sketch

Diva Maureen has created this wonderful Viva La Verve sketch for us to work with this week.

I took the sketch quite literally and had great fun making a St. Patrick's Day card for a friend who is Irish.  These fabulous Verve Shamrocks from Lucky You always make me smile and love the matching Shamrock Die set, not to mention working with all the glorious greens :)

You don't need to make a St. Patrick's Day card or use Verve Stamps to join in the challenge, but we love to see them if you have them.  You can review all the challenge details on the Viva La Verve blog.

Have a fabulous day and look forward to seeing your creations.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Lucky You, Love Notes (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Lucky You (Echo Park), Kraft, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black, Creamy Caramel, VersaMark (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:  Shamrock Die Set and Classy Label Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog),  Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, 1/4" Brown Satin Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve March Week 1 Sketch

Time for this week's Viva La Verve sketch recap, and here is my take on Julee's wonderful sketch.

I just had to use the newly released Chocolate set again as it is just too much fun.  I have many chocolate lovers in my life and I can't wait to give this card to my daughter :)

I created a background on the artichoke panel by stamping the word chocolate in VersaMark - though it is hard to see in the picture - and used early espresso for the Chocolate Word Die - dark chocolate lovers unite LOL!   A heart to reinforce the sentiment and I was good to go.

You can check out all the Viva La Verve rules on their blog and also find out who I selected as my viewfinders.

Thanks for popping in today, and enjoy a piece of chocolate on me wink, wink {grin}.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Chocolate (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Mint Julip (Basic Grey), Kraft, Rose Red, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:  Black, VersaMark    
Accessories:  Chocolate and Heart Quarted Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Corner Rounder (Marvy) Buttons, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #388

This week, I flipped the sketch and created a CAS card from scraps in my discard box.  Every element is a scarp except the green button - score!  All time record {grin}.  Just need to make about thirty more cards with five scraps a card and I would be good to go LOL!

Used a fall colour combination, but I adore these colours together, and the butterfly keeps things in the right season wink, wink.  Absolutely no stamping on this card (gasp!), but definitely lots of die cuts!

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 had a glorious weekend weather-wise and enjoyed a long over due, restful weekend - that is other than losing an hour's sleep with the time change.  It is definitely my least favorite weekend of the year as this mama loves and needs her sleep!  However, that being said, I definitely enjoy longer daylight :)

Wishing you a blessed day and thanks for stopping by.  

 
 
What's In It?
Paper:  Early Espresso, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Flutteryby and I Heart You Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Love Die (WPlus9), Button Die (PTI), Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), Twine, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Lucky You Reminder

We are half way though the Lucky You Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and for my reminder post, I gleefully reveled in the opportunity to use green again as green is my favorite colour and  just makes me happy :)


Used this fun sketch by Try Stampin' on Tuesday Pulled out Verve's Lucky You and matching Shamrock die set once again. Decided to combine two of the sentiments for double the luck wink, wink and added two shamrocks to frame the sentiment.

You can check out the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge for additional samples from some DT members to get some additional inspiration.

Thanks for popping by today and have a wonderful weekend!


 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Lucky You (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Thumbelina Collection (Piggy Tales), Kraft, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Garden Green (Stampin' Up)    
Accessories:  Shamrock Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Edge Punch (Stampin' Up), Black Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Verve Release Hop

Welcome to Verve's New Release Spotlight Hop! Verve is releasing a brand new set, coordinating word die and a couple of shaker mixes today, and the new goodies are available right now in the Verve store!

If you have come here from Laurie's blog you are right on track. If you just happened upon the Hop, The Hop List is noted below.

I must admit, I am not a huge chocolate lover (hubby isn't convinced I am a true female LOL), but I do have many friends who are, so this set Chocolate set will be well used.  When I think of decadent chocolate, for some reason I always picture it wrapped in gold foil.  That lead me to use the fabulous Chocolate Word die on brushed gold paper (the picture doesn't do it justice - sorry)!  I stamped the dripping chocolate image in Versamark on Early Espresso an then fussy cut it out (doesn't it make you wish it was real chocolate and you could run your finger along it and then lick it LOL!).  Had to use this sentiment as I know my daughter can totally relate to it (guess who will be getting this card at some point in time - grin).

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win the new release! 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 our new products and all the prize info!

1. Julee 7. Laurie 2. Amber 8. Marisa 3. Andrea 9. Maureen 4. Chaitali 10. Stacey 5. Charmaine 11. Teresa 6. Christyne

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


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Chocolate (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Early Espresso, Kraft, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up),  Cream Linen, Brushed Gold  
Ink:  Black, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up)    
Accessories:  Chocolate Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Crimper (Fiskars), Brown Half Pearls, Gold Twine, Heart Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

March Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

It's the 5th of the month and 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!

Our March challenge is B is for Birthday...

Don't be caught short - make a fabulous birthday card to keep in your stash or give away! Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction - just show us your birthday creations!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Thursday, Mar. 19.
Prize: $40 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

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

I love making birthday cards.  They are such a fun way to express birthday wishes - and the sky is the limit on which direction you want to go with them.  I needed a 50th birthday card, so I pulled the  coral and green colours from the inspiration photo and since it is a 50th birthday, I had to poke some fun and go with black accents.  The big, wooden "B" on the wall reminded me of the wonderful wood veneers I got as a gift and as fate would have it, the word and numbers were perfect!  Since many cringe at turning 50, I stamped a welcome sentiment from To The Moon on one of the banners from the Flag It die set, because your fifties can be a fabulous decade - speaking from a few years experience, cough, cough LOL!   

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	7. Sankari
	2. Amy	8. Sarah
	3. Anya	9. Susan
	4. Betty	10. Marisa
	5. Jen	11. Maureen
	6. Karen	12. Stacey

Time to head on over to Maureen's blog to see her wonderful take on the inspiration photo!  Happy Hopping :)

What's In It?
Stamps:  To The Moon (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  The Sweetest Thing (My Minds Eye) 

Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Flag It Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots and Hearts Embossing Folders (Cuttlebug), Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Wood Veneers (Teresa Collins), Black Seam Binding, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals