Baby Girl Blog Hop for Lesley

Welcome to our "Baby Girl Blog Hop" for Lesley Croghan!!   The wonderful Lori Turner organized this fun hop so we could throw Lesley a "cyber card shower" in celebration of her baby girl to be :)  Thank you Lori for all your hard work behind the scenes and to Nance for designing our Hop Banner.  I just LOVE being part of the card making community as it is full of many amazing ladies with huge hearts!!  You can check out the post HERE. 

I had the joy of meeting both Lesley and her hubby Corey in person a few years back.  She has a heart of gold, a passion for card making and teaching, and it was wonderful to be able to have a "cyber friend" become a "face to face" friend!

Wishing you a quick delivery, Lesley, and you and Corey many years of parenting joy!!  Hugest of ((hugs)) to you, my friend, and I look forward to popping in the next time we are in your neck of the woods to congratulate you in person and snuggle you bundle of joy!

Mojo Monday #471

It's Mojo Monday time once again.  Love starting my week off with a great sketch :)

When I saw the stars on the sketch, I immediately went in to masculine card mode and from there I decided to make a baby boy card. Pulled out Birthday Bots which I haven't used for a long time and went to work.  Stamped my favorite "bot", fussy cut him out, coloured him and then used the Starry die set and a star die for the star cluster.  Needed to fill in some white space so added the number "3" to the focal panel and finished things off with a banner from the Flag It die set and a button.

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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger

  Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Have fun with the sketch and I look forward to seeing your take on the sketch in the gallery.



 
  

What's In It?

Stamps:   Birthday Bots (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Bundle Of Joy (Echo Park), Cool Caribbean (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Flag It and Starry Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle, Circle and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Star Die (Sizzix), Twinkling H2Os, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Unicorn

 

It's time for the second Curtain Call Challenge of the month and we have this fabulous photo to inspire us.   In addition, I want to give a warm welcome to Tammy Hershberger, our newest Crew Member!  Tammy's work is fabulous and I am sure you will love seeing her creations :)

I do not own any unicorn stamps of paper so I opted to go with the lovely, soft colour combination for my card.  I kept to a baby theme as per the stuffed unicorn and used my favorite baby set by Verve called To The Moon.  I chose this adorable raffi and paired it with the Smallest Things Plain Jane and the Pennant Trim and Heart Quartet die sets. 

Below is a list of our designers and guest designer Anni Lerche.  Lots of wonderful inspiration to be had!
   

UNICORN

Guest Designer - Anni Lerche, Annikarten

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler 
Lynn Magnan

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson
Silk Ledlow

Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Have fun with the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the Curtain Call gallery.

 
  

What's In It?

Stamps:  To The Moon, Smallest Things (Verve Stamps)

Paper:  Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Pennant Trim and Heart Quartet Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Heart Punch (Michael's Dollar Bin), White Half Pearls, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #446

It's contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog and Julee has provided this fun sketch for us to work with.  There is one winner per 50 entries so the more entries we have the greater your chance of winning.

I needed a baby card as good friends of ours are first time grandparents to a little boy.  I took the sketch very literally as stars were a perfect fit.  I stamped the "oh boy" background and added the cute raffie and sentiments from To The Moon.  The stars are a combination of the Starry die and a Sizzix star die.  Sorry about the picture quality, I had one window of time to work with today and unfortunately it was a bit too early in the morning so the sun was not high enough for a good photo - my apologies!

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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger 

Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

I can not believe we are in May already!!  This year is passing by way too quickly!!  I could use a slower paced year, but life happens so just holding on to my hat and making sure I get little respites along the way!

Challenge: Simon Says







What's In It?
Stamps:  To The Moon (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Bundle of Joy (Echo Park), So Saffron and Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Starry Die (A Cut Above by Verve),  Medium Scallop Die Cut (PTI), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #439

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was the springboard for a baby card.  With spring in the air and several clients expecting, it is a good thing to have in my stash!

Used this adorable bunny from Verve's newly released Hip Hop Bunnies stamp set and the coordinating die from the Bunny Hop die set.   Girlied things up a bit with the doily and scalloped edges, and just had to add a little "xoxo" heart :)

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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger 

Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Another busy weekend with my son reffing six games in two days as part of one of the largest soccer tournaments in BC.  There are over 330 teams and 650 games!!  Thankfully he was assigned to games at our club's field and another one close by so travel time was kept at a minimum.  Sunday night equaled one tired, but happy boy :)

Also had some great news in that my daughter got accepted to all the colleges and universities she applied to :)  I know in my mam heart which one she should/needs to go to as it is the perfect fit for her in sooooo many ways.   Going to visit each campus so she can get a feel for them and then sit down with her and walk through a decision making process.   Fun times!

Enjoy the sketch!!




 

What's In It?
Stamps: Hip Hop Bunnies (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Blooming Collection (Studio 8), Recollections (Michael's), So Saffron (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Bunny Hop Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Tiny Tags Die Set (PTI), Twine, Dimensionals   

Mojo Monday #437

Yeah!  We get to play with a square card sketch!  Looooove making square cards :)  I keep mine to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 and love working with that smaller space.

For today's sketch I decided to make a baby card as it has been a long time since I have made one and just had to use Emery, or I should say Emerietta {grin}.  Went with a monochromatic pink theme, dots and stripes, a sentiment from Too The Moon, and a few accents to dress things up a bit.  Quick and easy 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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger 

Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Not sure where January and February went...oh my!!!  This year is going by waaaaay too quickly!!   My son had his last soccer game of the season on Saturday and they ended the season with a win and a great game being played by everyone :)   He will not be playing Spring soccer this year, but no rest for the weary as he will no doubt get more games to ref (soccer that is).   He loves it.  Is making good money and Spring weather is always much more enjoyable to stand in -- read warmer and less wind and rain, says one happy mama LOL!




 

What Is In It?
Stamps:  To The Moon (Verve Stamps)  
Paper: Small Dots and Stripes (Michale's), Rose Romance and Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Twine, Button, Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Viva La Verve - April Week 3 Sketch

Charmaine has provided our sketch this week.  I just love it when you can keep a sketch CAS or dress it up if you like.  Lots of wonderful ways you can go with this one!

I needed a baby card so I had some fun playing with pink and blue and lots of white space :)  The sentiment is from Let It Be and is a bit non-traditional, but still works with the baby theme - at least I think it does and I hope the mother-to-be does too lol!

Love the versatility of this set, proven by the fact I have used it four times in the past few weeks.  Going to have to put it under lock and key for a bit wink, wink.  The stamped frame is from Die Side Kicks and the co-ordinating die is called Hearts and Swirls.

For more inspiration using this week's sketch, head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and check out the Diva's samples as well as my spotlight picks for this week.

Have a great day and thanks for sharing a bit of your time with me!   As for me, off to the soccer field I go!



What's In It?
Stamps:   Die Sidekicks, Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Rub a Dub Dub (Pebbles), Style Essentials (Echo Park)
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Black   
Accessories:  Hearts and Swirls Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Labels Die (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inkers), Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #392

It's the first Monday of the month and that means it is contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog!  The more people who participate, the greater your chances of winning some Verve, so come on over and join the fun!

With spring in the air, I am still in baby mode so decided to use this fabulous sketch to make a baby card for my stash.  Emery came out to play, and no, he doesn't have the chicken pox {grin} just some co-ordinating polka dots lol.  The sentiment is from To The Moon.

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

Had a fabulous Easter weekend with good family time as well as some much needed down time (I'm still not quite sure where January through March went!).  Easter is always a deeply moving time of reflection for me.  It's the flip side of Christmas - you can't have one without the other as they are intricately tied together.  Without Easter, Christmas would be meaningless.  Each year I am humbled and deeply moved by the sacrificial death of Christ - his gift to me - and tears of thankfulness always flow.  A special time to reflect and drink deep of the life-breathing gift for my soul...undeserved...yet freely given....and so very, very precious....He has risen indeed!

Enjoy the sketch and fingers crossed you are selected as one of the winners this month!

Challenges:  The Paper Players



What's In It?
Stamps:   Emery Plain Jane, To The Moon (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  You Are My Happy (Teresa Collins), Early Espresso, Real Red, Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 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 #387

It's the first Monday of the month which means it is contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog!  Create a card using this sketch and you could be a lucky winner of some Verve Stamps!

I was in  need of a baby card and as fate would have it, last week I just picked up and adorable paper pad for baby boys by Echo Park at my LSS.  Used a few of the papers and then added Emery as my focal image.  A crimped panel and some twine added a touch of dimension, and then stamped and fussy cut a second head so I could pop it up and give Emery some dimension as well.

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

So proud of my daughter as she has had yet another poem published in a book!  She entered a contest last year and just got word that her poem was selected as a winner. She has such a gift for writing.  In addition, my son has been approved to be an assistant ref for the HPL soccer league (high performance league), which is a huge honor and gets him a ton of exposure, experience and feedback for improvement and growth.  He has been noticed and labelled as a very good up and coming ref with a ton of potential, and if he keeps it up, he can go a long way.  The other day he actually mentioned he would love to be a World Cup ref.  Love when my  kids dream big!  Thanks for listening to my proud mama stories :)

Wishing you a blessed day!

Challenges:  Simon Says



What's In It?
Stamps:  Emery Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Bundle of Joy (Echo Park), Early Espresso, Bordering Blue, Old Olive (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:   Black   
Accessories:   Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Soft Scarf Reminder

We are half way though the Soft Scarf Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and Hero Arts is our sponsor.

I needed another baby card for a friend so I went with a blue and brown colour combination as well as some stripes.  A bit of a stretch with the shades of brown I used and my concept of stripes versus colour blocks on the scarf, but if you close your eyes and pretend it will all work out wink, wink :) 

I used an I Heart Sketches sketch and added the sentiment panel along the bottom to ground the elephant.  Outlined the eye and ear on the elephant in black so they would stand out a bit more and added a touch of twine for a little something, something.

Hope you are having a great day, and we would love to have you play along if you haven't already done so!

What's In It?
Stamps:   Stamp and Cut Elephant (Hero Arts) 
Paper:  Baby Boy Stripe (Recollections), Going Grey, Cool Caribbean, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Close to Cocoa, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:   Elephant Die (Hero Arts), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Die, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Soft Scarf

Time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and this time round we have Hero Arts as our sponsor!  A randomly selected participant will receive SIX new clear stamp sets from the Hero Arts, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

Adore this cute little ellie from Hero Arts' Stamp and Cut Elephant set - such a a cute shape.  The elephant comes in two patterns and there is a matching die to boot - score!  I also used Hero Arts' fabulous Designer Woodgrain background stamp.  Love the pattern this stamp creates!  Added a notebook edge for some visual interest, three hearts for a pop of colour and a blue doily (not exactly a masculine element, but baby cards are for the moms, right wink, wink).  A double sentiment completed my diagonal flow and called it a card.

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

Soft Scarf Designers

Guest Designer, Angie Tieman

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
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

Hope you can join us for some creative Warm Scarf fun!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Stamp and Cut Elephant, Designer Woodgrain (Hero Arts), Tiny Tags (PTI)
Paper:  Going Grey, Cool Caribbean, Night of Navy, Rose Romance (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   VersaMark, Black 
Accessories:   Elephant Die (Hero Arts), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers), Notebook Punch (EK Success), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Heart Punches (Michael's), 5/8" Blue Satin Ribbon, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #358

Had a desire to make a baby card when I tripped across this fun paper I found at one of my local dollar stores.  Unfortunately, it is pretty well covered up, which is a shame as it has the cutest zebras and butterflies with glitter on them.  

To the Moon is my go to baby set, as it has so many wonderful images and sentiments.  Decided on the cute bear image was a good mix with the zebras and butterflies, so I stamped the image and then fussy cut it out.  Punched a trio of hearts to pull in some of the colours in the background paper and added a button for balance.

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

Got some fabulous, organic blueberries this weekend and it took two days to freeze them all on cookies sheets and then bag them because I got 50 pounds - my standard quota each year.  Our small freezer is now full and it is like playing Tetras if you need to get anything in or out of it LOL!  

Another hot, humid day expected today - ugh!  At least we had a week's reprieve before the humidex hit us again.  Let the frizzy hair begin LOL!  Have a fabulous day :) 

What's In It?
Stamps: To The Moon (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Small Dots (Making Memories), So Saffron, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, More Mustard (Stampin' Up), Dollar Store Paper
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Heart Quartet Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Heart Punch (Marvy), Crimper (Fiskars), Martha Stewart Punch, Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Shine Brightly

 It's time for another Viva La Verve sketch and this week, Julee has a great sketch for us to work with.  It is also a colour challenge week, so you can combine the two, or just use one one of them - your call.

This colour combo had me thinking baby card, so that is what I went with.  Some old Stampin' Up DSP, this fabulous sentiment from Shining Star, the star die from the Scalloped Trim Trio die set, a scatter of stars using the Starry die and a  touch of twine for a little something extra.

It's the first Viva La Verve sketch of the month, and the more times you enter over the course of the month's sketches, the more chances you have of winning the $100 gift certificate to Verve Stamps. 

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

Wishing you a fabulous day!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Shining Star (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Designer Series Paper, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Brocade Blue (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black   
Accessories:  Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set and, Starry Die (Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Verve Diva Dare April 2014

This month's Diva Dare is entitled "Little Things".  In honor Spring's arrival, this month's Dare is to create a baby or kid's themed card.

I love making baby cards, and since the last one I made was for a boy, this one had to be for a girl so my stash is even LOL!  used one of my favorite colour combos for this card and of course, Verve's To The Moon baby set - a must have!  Paper pieced Emerietta (my female name for Emery), double punched the heart border, stuck it together and added some ruffled ribbon down the middle to create my "lace" and then had fun with pearl accents.

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:   To The Moon (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Style Essentials (Echo Park), Certainly Celery, Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Heart Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Label and Button Dies (PTI), Lacy Scalloped Nestabilitiets (Spellbinders), 1/4" Yellow Satin Ribbon, Double Sided Tape, White and Black Half Pearls, Pink Bling, Twine, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #232 - Colour Challenge

This week's challenge is a colour challenge and Cheryl put together this wonderful pallet to work with.

The colours had me thinking baby for some reason so I pulled out some old SU papers with these colours and had fun pairing them with last week's Freshly Made Sketch.  The sentiment and cute elephant are from Verve's To The Moon (a must have baby set).

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our March Guest Designer Calypso Basitan, 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.

Spring Break is upon us, which means I get my kids all to myself for two weeks :)  This weekend my son's team is in a soccer tournament and the weather does not look promising - ugh!  Then it will be a mix of hanging out, swimming, visiting friends, and a quick trip to the Island to visit hubby's parents.   The perfect mix.  Hopefully we get some sunshine along the way!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   To The Moon (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Stampin' Up Designer Paper, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Star Die (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals