Verve April 2018 Release Hop ~ Day 1

Welcome to Verve's April Release Spotlight Hops! A new release is just around the corner and for the next few days we'll be shining our creative spotlights on the new Verve sets and dies releasing Tuesday, April 10.

Today the Divas and special guests are sharing inspiration featuring the new Risen Savior stamp set. Check out the Verve Blog post today for the full hop list, prize details, reveals and a little more on this fun new set.

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

I just couldn't put this wooden cross image down as I absolutely love it!  With Good Friday and Easter Monday still fresh on my mind,  I stamped and fussy cut three crosses and arranged them to resemble that heart wrenching Good Friday event.  The sentiment in the set gave me an idea to overlay it on a vellum heart (inspired by Diva Laurie who is the queen of using vellum!).  Grounded the scene with the black panel and balanced things off with some black twine.   The vellum heart was a bear to adhere and reminded me why I shy away from using it, but was well worth the struggle.

Best part:  the whole time I was creating this card I was humming "Because He Lives" as the sentiment is a line from that wonderful hymn.  My heart is indeed full in many ways, especially the fact this card represents deep gratitude and what I hold most near and dear to my heart ♥

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!

1. Julee	5. Laurie
2. Michele (Guest)	6. Marisa
3. Betty	7. Maureen
4. Charmaine	8. Teresa

Time to head on over to Maureen's blog to see her wonderful creation which will be a feast for your eyes :)   

Have a wonderful day, and make sure to come back tomorrow for Day 2 of our hop and a chance to win some new Verve!  

 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Risen Savior (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Blushing Bride, Wedding (Making Memories), Vellum 
Ink:  Black, Creamy Caramel
Accessories:  Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Glue Dots, Twine, Dimensionals    

VLV April 2018 Sketch

April means it is time for a new Viva La Verve sketch created by none other than Julee Tilman herself - happy sigh!  I just love her sketches!

I'm giving you a little sneak peek of one of the new sets being released tomorrow - Risen Savior.  I am swooning over this set, and absolutely adore the wooden cross image, which has in turn had me singing the Old Wooden Cross all day long :)  I grounded the cross by adding a bit of grass to the base and then paired it with two of the sentiments.

The sketch challenge will be up for the month of April, so pop on over and link your card up for a chance to win some brand spanking new Verve ♥

Make sure you come back tomorrow for our New Release Hop and a chance to win a set or the entire release!  Some fabulous new goodies coming your way and I can't wait to show you :)

Have a wonderful day and thanks for popping by!




  

What's In It?
Stamps:  Risen Savior (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Bundle of Joy (Echo Park), Cut and Paste (MME)
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Lacy Frames (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles and Circles (Lil' Inkers),  Corner Rounder (Marvy), Twine, Button, Glue Dots, 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

Happy Easter Punch Bunny

 
I'm sneaking in under the wire for March's SFYTT  as the month blitzed by and I almost forgot to do the sketch!

I saw this punched bunny on Pinterest a while back and just loved the concept so I incorporated it on this card.  I'm not thrilled with the colour combo, but when I used  darker colours, it was bit too morbid for a spring card - thus the switch to pastels.  Not my best card, but I got the sketch done....sorry Jen!

That's it for me today.  Busy weekend coming up for our family as all of us going in different directions on  Saturday (and I'm also out on Friday night)!  Thankfully I have my mom around to bail me out by taking my daughter to her piano lesson while I'm off at my activity.  Needless to say, I'm thinking Sunday is going to be a low key day for the family LOL!

   

What's In It?
Stamps: Amuse 
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Mint Medley, Brocade Blue, Wild Wasabi 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, 1 3/4" Circle Punch (SU), Large, Small and Scalloped Oval Punches (SU), Flower Punch (Mike's $1.50 Bin), Crimper, SU Border Punch, 5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Easter Punch Bunny

I tripped across this totally adorable Easter Bunny made from punches and I just had to make one of my own!   Here is the link to Mercedes' blog where she has the instructions.

I decided to put the bunny on some grass and my hubby actually came up with the idea to put some eggs next to the bunny - think he just blew his cover regarding his interest level in my card making LOL!

In hindsight I realized I forgot to put a cotton tail on him.  Will be fixing that one asap :D

Thanks for your continued support and comments.  They make my day (((hugs))).





What's In It?
Paper:  Tan, Pretty in Pink, Black, Bashful Blue, Mint Medley
Accessories:  Nesties, Scalloped Oval Punch, Large and Small Oval Punches, 1 1/4", 3/4", 1/2" and 1/4" Circle Punches, Black Fine Line Marker, White Gelly Roll Pen, 1/4" Lavender Gross Grain Ribbon, Cotton Ball, Dimensionals

Some Bunny Loves You

I think I have finally recovered from the tears that were streaming down my face when Joannie Rochette skated in the Ladies Short Program last night.  If you are not aware of the story, her mom had a heart attack and died shortly after her flight landed in Vancouver.  She was coming to watch her daughter skate... Joannie decided to skate in the competition and her face told the story as she performed her routine.  She fully broke down at the end of her routine after the audience gave her a standing ovation.  Another Olympic moment and one that shows the wonderful support the audiences have been giving the athletes.  

Now for the card.  Square cards seem to be the flavour of the week, how fun!  Have always loved square cards and actually find them easier to "balance" than the standard A2 size.

I found this darling little bunny stamp in Michael's $1.50 stamp bin and just had to buy him!! He just makes me smile when I look at him.  I tend to stay away from images that require colouring because quite frankly, my colouring sucks LOL!  I need to enlist Dawn for some lessons as she is a master colourer (think I just made that word up LOL!).  I used Twinkling H2Os for the bit of colour and sparkle on the bunny and added a bit of grass to "ground" the image.  A "naked" button finished things off nicely.  

Glad you were able to stop by today.  Appreciate every one of you (((hugs))).

What's In It?

Stamps:  Michael's $1.50 Stamp, A Muse Stamps

Paper:  SU DSP, Almost Amethyst

Ink:  Mint Medley, Lavender Lace, Summer Sun, Pretty in Pink

Accessories:  Circle and Scalloped Circle Nesties, 5/8" Saffron Satin Ribbon, Twinkling H2Os, Blue Button, Dimensionals