Monday, August 28, 2017

Verve Anniversary Release August 2017~ Day 5


Welcome back to Day 5 of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops!  It's an exciting day as there's new Verve in the store this morning! 4 beautiful new sets and 2 coordinating die sets just released and they're all available to order right now. To celebrate this special 10th Anni-VERVE-sary release, we're putting on another blog hop, with a pretty cool prize!

Today's featured focus is designer's choice, so you might just sneak a peek at a whole bunch of must-haves, especially since we've got a full line-up of Divas, guests and Alumni today!

If you have come here from Charmaine's blog you are right on track.  If not, you can check the hop list below to get caught up because today's prize is a big one!

VR August 2017 Pic H photo VRAug17picH.jpg

My daughter made muffins today while I was working on some of the anniversary release cards so the cupcake image was calling my name LOL!  A few fun papers, cupcakes coloured to match with some Stickles on the icing for a bit of glam (sorry, doesn't show up in the picture!), a double sentiment to balance the card, and a few silver half pearls and twine to finish things off. 


Want to win some shiny new Verve? Today's prize is a BIG one. We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win our ENTIRE 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 the full hop list and all the prize info and deadlines!

Little OnesLittle Ones Die Set
Bloom BrighterBlooming Die Set
Cake and CandlesScripture Medley 5

Day 5 Hop List
1. Julee9. Lesley
2. Maureen10. Christyne
3. Betty11. Laurie
4. Charmaine12. Kelly (Guest)
5. Marisa13. Laurie W. (Alumni)
6. Amy S.(Alumni)14. Tosha L. (Alumni)
7. Amy K.(Alumni)15. Tiffany S.(Alumni)
8. Michelle W. (Alumni)

Time to head on over to Alumni Amy's blog to see her fabulous creation and then over to the Verve Store  for a bit of shopping - you can thank me later for the enabling {wink, wink}.
  

      




What's In It?
Stamps:   Cake and Candles (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Lime Twist (MME), Simple Stories, Burgundy (LSS)  
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Twinkling H2Os, Stickles, Silver Half Pearls, Twine, Dimensionals

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Verve Anniversary Release August 2017~ Day 4


Welcome to Day 4 of the Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops!  It's time for another day of spotlighting the Verve release with the Verve Divas and special guests! We're super excited to have another very special Diva Alumni joining us for the hop today. Everything previewed this week will be available to order in the Verve online store on Monday, August 28. If you know you want it all, today is the final day to pre-order the August 2017 Buy it All Bundle at a 30% discount! Only one more sleep until release!

Today we're sharing our first projects featuring the Scripture Medley 5 stamp set. This set includes the re-introduction of the final 2 scripture plain janes, as well as 9 all new scripture verse stamps.

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I needed a sympathy card, so I used the Matthew 5:4 stamp and paired it with one of my favorite colour combinations of soft pink and grey.  Added the adorable distressed hearts to form a cluster and frame the sentiment along with a few bits of bling to bring a bit of sparkle to the muted tones.  Finished things off with a touch of twine.    

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Love John 3:18, such a fabulous verse and oh so true!  Actions speak so much louder than words and when words are spoken after them, you have proof in the pudding so to speak.  Time is a commodity you never get back and it is a very valuable one these days with our busy schedules, so when you take time to do something for someone, it speaks volumes without a word having to be uttered.  Of course, I just had to add the new Verve flower as I absolutely love it.  


Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for the full hop list, a little more about our new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

Scripture Medley 5

Day 4 Hop List
1. Julee6. Tiffany S. (Alumni)
2. Maureen8. Lesley
3. Betty10. Christyne
4. Charmaine11. Laurie
5. Marisa12. Kelly (Guest)


Time to head on over to our Alumni Tiffany's blog to see her fabulous creation and then carry on with the hop for a chance to win today's set. 
  

      




What's In It?
CARD 1
Stamps:   Little Ones (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Bundle of Joy (Echo Park), Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black, Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion, So Saffron, Old Olive (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Little Ones Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve),  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals


What's In It?
CARD 2
Stamps:  Scripture Medley 5, Bloom Brighter (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Simple Life (Echo Park), Early Esspresso (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Black (Momento)
Accessories:  Blooming Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Twinkling H2Os, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Verve Anniversary Release August 2017~ Day 3


Welcome to Day 3 of the Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops!  It's time for another day of spotlighting the Verve release with the Verve Divas and special guests! We're super excited to have a couple very special Diva Alumni joining us for the hop today. Everything previewed this week will be available to order in the Verve online store on Monday, August 28. If you just can't wait, you can pre-order the entire release now as the August 2017 Buy it All Bundle at a 30% discount through August 27.

Today we're sharing our first projects featuring the Cake and Candles stamp set, another fusion of old and new. This birthday themed compilation includes some brand new birthday sentiments with a classy modern font pairing, as well as a few re-introductions of previous sentiments and plain janes.

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For my first card, I just had to use this fabulous sentiment!  Don't you love those special people who  bring a smile to your face, laughter to your heart, encouragement to your weary soul and always leave you feeling better for having spent time with them.  I strive to do this in the lives of those who cross my path and love to thank those who leave fingerprints on my heart.

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For my second card, I created a quick and easy birthday card, as they are always in short supply in my stash.   Love this paper from MME's On the Bright Side.  The orange/teal/brown colour combo is fabulous!


Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for the full hop list, a little more about our new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

Cake and Candles

Day 3 Hop List
1. Julee7. Lesley
2. Maureen8. Christyne
3. Betty9. Laurie
4. Charmaine10. Kelly (Guest)
5. Marisa11. Michelle W. (Alumni)
6. Tosha L.(Alumni)


Time to head on over to our Alumni Guest Tosh's blog to see her fabulous creation - she is sure to have a fabulous creation to show you!


 





What's In It?
Stamps:  Cake and Candles (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Hello Beautiful (Bella Blvd), Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Real Red, Certainly Celery, Black (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Blooming Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Crimper (Fiskars), Sequins, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

What's In It?
Stamps:  Cake and Candles (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  On The Bright Side (My Mind's Eye), Teal (LSS) 
Ink:  Black 

Accessories:  Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Sequins, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Friday, August 25, 2017

Verve Anniversary Release August 2017~ Day 2


Welcome to Day 2 of the Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops!  It's time for another day of spotlighting the Verve release with the Verve Divas and special guests! We're super excited to have a few very special Diva Alumni joining us for the hop today. Everything previewed this week will be available to order in the Verve online store on Monday, August 28. If you just can't wait, you can pre-order the entire release now as the August 2017 Buy it All Bundle at a 30% discount through August 27.

Today we're sharing our first projects featuring the Bloom Brighter stamp set and coordinating, Blooming Die Set. A fresh take on the flower from the retired commemorative set Beautiful You, this beautiful encouragement set is perfect for a variety of cardmaking occasions.

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

It you have followed my blog for any amount of time you know I love flowers and using them on my cards, so when I saw this new flower set, I was giddy :)   Love how Julee always provides an option for full colouring or "pre-coloured" flowers as I like to say {grin}. My colouring skills are not the best so it is always a great option for me.

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With Fall just around the corner, it didn't take much for me to use the fabulous colours of that season as they are my absolute favorite to work with.  With orange being such an under appreciated and used colour, it was my go to for the flowers. A few extra leaves for the mini flower and some seam binding and sequins called it a card.

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For my second card I loved the font of the happy birthday sentiment so had to use it.  The patterned paper did the rest, and oh how I love that polka dotted heart!!  Happy sigh...and sad sigh at the same time as the Jotted Heart die will be retiring so I had to use it one more time before it sells out!  Still some left in the store so grab yourself one if you like it as soon it will be no longer - sniff!


Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for the full hop list, a little more about our new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

Bloom BrighterBlooming Die Set

Day 2 Hop List
1. Julee7. Amy K. (Alumni)
2. Maureen8. Lesley
3. Betty9. Christyne
4. Charmaine10. Laurie
5. Marisa11. Kelly (Guest)
6. Amy S. (Alumni)12. Laurie W. (Alumni)


Time to head on over to Alumni guest Amy's blog to see her fabulous creation using today's set - sure to be amazing!! 
  

      




What's In It?
CARD 1
Stamps:   Bloom Brighter (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Kraft, Cream Linen (LSS)   
Ink:  Black, Old Olive (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Blooming Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve),  Lattice Die (PTI), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders),  Seam Binding, Twinkling H2Os, Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals


What's In It?
CARD 2
Stamps:  Bloom Brighter (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Sunny Days Ahead (Echo Park)  
Ink:    Black 
Accessories:   Jotted Heart (A Cut Above by Verve), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Verve Anniversary Release August 2017~ Day 1


Welcome to our 10th Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops! Verve is celebrating 10 years of bringing stamps to the world with a release of new and classic Verve! For the next few days we'll be shining our creative spotlights on the new Verve sets and dies that will be releasing Monday, August 28. We hope you'll join us as the design team, special Guest Diva Kelly Lunceford, and some fabulous rockstar alumni Divas share their inspirations with the new goodies this week.

Today's feature is on the Little Ones stamp set and coordinating Little Ones Die Set. A fusion of old and new, this baby themed set brings back some of Verve's most popular plain janes, mixed with a few new designs to tie it all together.

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

Love the sentiments in this Little Ones set, and I love the "s" stamp so you can add it on to boy and girl if you have an occasion for twin boys or girls.   You can also combine sentiments to form your own as I did on my baby girl card. 

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I used this month's Viva La Verve sketch for my card (sooo happy these sketch challenges are back as I have been in Julee sketch withdrawal since Mojo Monday stopped) and I combined two sentiments from the set to create the one on my card.  The rattle and hearts were cut using the Little Ones Die Set and a touch of twine, buttons and bling finished things off.

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For my second card, I just had to create a baby boy card so my baby card stash is even LOL!  Kept things on the simple side letting the colours pop off the white.


Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! Leave a little shout out in the comments section on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for the full hop list, a little more about our new products and all the prize info and deadlines!

Little OnesLittle Ones Die Set

Day 1 Hop List
1. Julee5. Marisa
2. Maureen6. Lesley
3. Betty7. Christyne
4. Charmaine8. Kelly (Guest)


Time to head on over to Lesley's blog to see her fabulous creation and then continue on with the Hop for a chance to win today's release :) 
  

      




What's In It?
CARD 1
Stamps:   Little Ones (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Bundle of Joy (Echo Park), Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black, Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion, So Saffron, Old Olive (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Little Ones Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve),  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Star Die (Sizzix), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals


What's In It?
CARD 2
Stamps:  Little Ones (Verve Stamps), Itty Bitty Pieces (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Night of Navy, So Saffron, Brocade Blue (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Brocade Blue, Black(Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Little Ones Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Heart Border Die (PTI), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Hibiscus


Welcome to our mid-August challenge!  Loved this gorgeous photo to work from for this challenge and jumped at the chance to use some new PTI goodies.  I have been wanting this gorgeous flower set for some time and finally got it as it has been sold out for some time. 

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I basically mimicked the photo layout on my card.  Started with the wood grain on the bottom, then the flowers, grey leaves for the sand, blue for the sea/sky and a touch of twine to help ground it.  I am officially in love with this set!

HIBISCUS


Had a fun soccer weekend.  My son volunteered to ref at a beach soccer tournament this past weekend as it is a fund raiser for a great cause.  Was great fun to watch the games and I was on photo patrol to get pics of each ref in action.  They played 5 a side with 15 minute halves so the games were just over 30 minutes long.  Seven sand fields were used at once so lots of games going on, from little kids to competitive adult games.   Playing in sand is definitely a work out!!  Gorgeous weekend to boot so great fun was had by all, and a wonderful lesson for my son to learn to give back to a sport that has given him so much :)  

Wishing you a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!

 




What's In It?
Stamps:  Gran's Garden (PTI)
Paper:  White, Caramel, Turquoise  
Ink:  Going Grey, Taken with Teal, Only Orange, Pink Passion (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Thanks Word Die and Gran's Garden Dies (PTI), Labels 17, Twine, Dimensionals

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Herb Garden


I must admit the word "herb" and I do not get along!! I have very high sensitivities to oregano, basil, thyme, sage, rosemary and a few others so very thankful hubby loves to cook and improvise on things that can bring flavor :)  However, I do love leaves and green and earthy colours, so that is what I focused on for my card.

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I have seen various cards on Pinterest with the sentiment framed by flowers, leaves and the like and loved them so I pulled out PTI's Turning A New Leaf set (love this set and haven't used it for some time so was good to ink it up!), three shades of green and a bit of grey to frame the sentiment panel which is brown as per the dirt (sorry it looks black in the photo).  Nice and simple as I didn't have energy to do much more (lazy summer mode I think - grin).   

HERB GARDEN

Guest Designer:  Lenae of SugarGem

Hard to believe it is August already!  Summer is flying by a bit too quickly!!  We have had amazing weather, however, that in turn brings issues....the lack of rain is causing many fires in the interior and sadly some are losing their homes as a result.   Hits close to home as my SIL's mom is on evacuation alert due to fires in her area!  So thankful for those hard working fire fighters, smoke jumpers, helicopter pilots etc.  for their endless days of fighting the advancement of the fires.  Wish we could give them some of the 7 months of rain we got over the winter months right now!  

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

 




What's In It?
Stamps:  Turning a New Leaf (PTI)
Paper:  Early Espresso, White (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Garden Green, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Word Die (PTI)