May Viva La Verve Sketch

It is May which means it is time for a new Viva La Verve sketch!  I have been so busy the past six weeks packing and moving my mom into a retirement home and then staging and trying to sell her townhouse that sitting and creating a card was wonderful therapy!

Julee has provided another fabulous sketch and I used it to create a Mother's Day card for my mom.  Love this verse from Proverbs from Scripture Medley 3, as it truly does describe my wonderful mother ♥  She is 84 and a real trooper.  We had a limited window of time to get things done before she moved and she rose to the challenge and then some.  Glad to say she is settled and loving her room and living at the retirement home which brings me great joy!!

Mixed a few papers for the sketch, and needed a pop of contrast so did some accents in black and added the butterfly from Butterfly Grace for good measure {grin}.  I apologize for the poor lighting.  Still very busy and being home for good lighting has been a bit of a challenge!

Come and join us over on the Viva La Verve blog!  Enter a card using the above sketch and you could win some new Verve!

Have a fabulous day!

 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Scripture Medley 3, Butterfly Grace (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Gardinia (American Crafts), Essential Elements (Echo Park), Recollections (Michael's), Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Graceful Butterflies Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped and Circle Nestabilties (Spellbinders), Daisy Punch (Martha Stewart), White Embossing Powder, Sequins, Black Half Pearls, Twine,  Glue Dots, Dimensionals

March 2108 Viva La Verve Sketch

Hard to believe February is over and it is time for a new Viva la Verve Sketch!

I had visions of spring last week when the crocuses and tulips were starting to push through the soil and a short five days later we got hit with 9 inches of snow in a day!  Was quite the shock but a very nice change from rain and boy did I get a good workout shoveling 9 inches of heavy snow LOL!

As a result, I wanted to go a bit on the springy side of things as I can't wait for my tulips and crocuses to bloom.  I just love flowers and the first pops of colour after a long winter always bring me great joy.  Julee just released the Lucky Day digital set for St. Patrick's Day, so I dug into my papers and found this lovely spring green polka dotted paper that gives me warm fuzzies LOL.   Paired it with a sentiment and one of the shamrocks from Lucky Day.  Was in need for a bit of contrast on the card so added some black accents.

Sketch will be up for the month of March, so pop on over and link your card up for a chance to win some new Verve ♥

Thanks for popping by today!

Challenges: Simon Says






What's In It?
Stamps:  Lucky You Digi Set (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   My Mind's Eye, Always Artichoke, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Tan (LSS)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Doily Die (Top Dog), Medium Scalloped Die (PTI),  Heart Die (Simon Says), Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals    

VLV February 2018

Late in the month but still able to play along with February's Viva La Verve sketch created by none other than my favorite sketch designer, Julee Tilman, owner and creator of Verve Stamps.

Pulled out some older papers - Kioshi by Basic Grey and Lime Twist by MME.  Still love them!  The sentiment is from Cake and Candles (so many wonderful birthday wishes in this set!!) and I filled in with hearts from the Heart Quartet and PTI's Gran's Garden.

Planning on more inky time this weekend as we had a dump of snow yesterday (about 6 inches - first real snowfall of the year for us!) and it is the perfect excuse to stay home and relax.

Wishing you a fabulous day and remember there is still time to join in on the sketch challenge for a chance to win some free Verve!






What's In It?
Stamps:  Cake and Candles (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Kioshi (Basic Grey), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye), Pale Plum, Kraft, Lovely Lilac (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Heart Quartet (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Medium Scalloped and Gran's Garden Die Sets (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), Brown Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Dimensionals     

Viva La Verve Sketch - January 2018

Was setting up this post and realized it has been over a month since I have posted - my apologies!  And Happy New Year to everyone!!    After such a busy and stressful year last year, our family literally shut the world out for two weeks over Christmas and it ended up carrying over for a few more weeks into the New Year.  Glad to say, the time off/away did wonders and I am ready to face all 2018 brings our way.

Sure felt good to get inky again and what better way to create than to use a Viva La Verve sketch and some Verve Stamps.  Still miss Mojo Monday so this is a good filler.

Haven't made any Valentine's Day/heart cards for a while so it was the perfect excuse.  Pulled out Stronger Love for the sentiments and the Heart Quartet , Wavy Hearts and  Scalloped Trim Trio dies for the plethora of hearts on the card - can you tell I love hearts {grin}!  Heck just realized even the paper has hearts on it - oh my!  Now that I look at the card, I realize I put the bow on the wrong side - serves me right for not making a card for so long lol.

Would love to have you join us over on the Viva La Verve blog.  Simply create a card using the sketch and add it to the link up for a chance to win some Verve!  

Wishing you all a fabulous 2018 and I look forward to creating and posting again :)






What's In It?
Stamps:  Stronger Love (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Devoted (Carta Bella), Going Grey, Basic Grey, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Heart Quartet, Wavy Heart, Scalloped Trim Trio Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles and Circles (Lil' Inker), Crimper (Fiskars), Silver Half pearls, Button, Twine, Dimensionals  

Viva La Verve Sketch December 2017

Today I have made a card for Viva La Verve's December sketch created by the sketch queen herself, Julee Tilman :)  

I used one of the new Christmas digis recently released called Winter Peace.  Love the deer image in this!  I paired it with a sentiment form the same set, underscored with gold half pearls to draw your attention to it, and finished things off with a gold snowflake with a piece of bling in the middle for a little added sparkle against the darker papers. 

Would love to have you come and play along for a chance to win some Verve!  Simply use the sketch and post it to the challenge and you could be the winner of a Verve set of your choice!   Perfect as a Christmas gift to yourself :)    Need some inspiration, just head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and check out the gallery and DT samples.

Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping by!






What's In It?
Stamps:  Winter Peace (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Jovial (Basic Grey), Home for Christmas (Fancy Pants), Vintage Santa (Echo Park), Brushed Gold (LSS)  
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Gold Twine (Michael's), Gold and White Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Cider

Now this picture made me smile as it brought memories of hot apple cider on a cool winter evening...and/or mulled wine {grin}.  Hmmm, hmmm good and a big happy sigh to go with it :) 

I used this month's Viva La Verve sketch, pulled the colours from the photo and went with a beverage theme for my card.  Lots of orange and yellow going on with a some grey as per the counter and a touch of brown.   Was still pretty blah so added some leaves using Autumn Leaves the matching Falling Leaves die set.  The sentiment is from Verve's One Cup and the heart is from the Little Ones die set.

CIDER

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler 
Lynn Magnan

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson
Silk Ledlow

Stacey Schafer

Tammy Hershberger

Tara Godfrey 

Our weather the past week has been simply amazing!  It has been beautifully warm and sunny and the gorgeous fall colours of the leaves against the blue sky are making me swoon on a regular basis!  A glorious lingering taste of summer weather before the rains begin and before all the leaves begin to fall.

Thanks for popping by, and have a fabulous day!







What's In It?
Stamps:  One Cup, Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Stella and Rose and On The Bright Side  (MME), Recollections (Michael's) 
Ink:  Black, Antique Linen (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  Little Ones and Falling Leaves Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Twinkling H2Os, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva la Verve October 2017 Sketch

Once again bringing up the rear with October's Viva La Verve sketch.  Still enjoying Fall to the fullest as we are having a glorious one here with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.  Add that to beautifully turning maple leaves and I am in heaven :) 

I carried on with the Fall theme on my card, using one of my favorite lines ever, Stella and Rose by My Mind's Eye.  Lovely rich colours that remind me of the changing leaves and the blue sky I see out my front window - happy sigh....

Paired the paper with Verve's newly released Autumn Leaves and matching Falling Leaves die set.   Added pumpkins and for what it is worth, some tealish/turquoise maple leaves - only in card making can you make them any colour you want to match your card {grin}.   Always great to tell people you are thankful for them so replenishing my stash so I have a few on hand to give out.

Would love for you to come and play along - after all you do get a chance to win some free Verve!  Need some additional inspiration, check out the challenge gallery for some inspiration.

Have a fabulous day!  Thankful for you ♥

Challenges:  Inspired by All The Little Things
                       Simon Says Stamps






What's In It?
Stamps:  Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Stella and Rose (MME)  
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Falling Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Twinkling H2Os, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 5/8" Brown Ribbon (Michael's), Bling, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve - Septmeber Sketch

Cutting it down to the wire here with this month's Viva La Verve sketch.  Been a crazy busy month, and the need for some down time and available down time aligned for this card - happy sigh :) 

Fall colours are my favorite to work with and always make my heart sing.  Toss in some maple leaves and coffee (decaf latte please) and I feel like I have won the lottery {grin}.  

Used Verve's new digi set Coffee Please for the sentiment and added maple leaves to frame it. 

Want a chance to win some free Verve, simply play along with our monthly Viva La Verve sketches!

Thanks for popping by and have a wonderful day!

Challenges:  Simon Says






What's In It?
Stamps:  Coffee Please (Verve Stamps Digi), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:   Stella and Rose (MME), For The Record (Paper Loft), Kraft   
Ink:  Black, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Rudy Red (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil Inkers), Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Coffee Lover's Fall Blog Hop

It is time for the Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop and I played along using last month's Viva la Verve sketch and images from the  new Verve Digi set called Coffee Please available for purchase on the Verve website.  

I absolutely love Fall colours and the Just Us Girls challenge this week had some lovely Autumn colours so I used them and and added a pop of turquoise/teal for some colour.   Added an  embossed wood grain background, coloured the pumpkin mug and added a corrugated maple leaf using a Starbuck's sleeve, because after all, they are the Pumpkin Spice coffee capital.

Thank for popping by and have a fabulous day!

Challenge:  Just Us Girls 






What's In It?
Stamps:  Coffee Please (Verve Stamps Digi)
Paper:   Kraft, Stella and Rose (MME), Floral Chic (Fancy Pants), Recollections Paper (Michael's)  
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Circle Nestability (Spellbinders), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Maple Leaf and Button Dies (PTI), Arches Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  

Viva La Verve November Sketch 1 Recap

First of all, I want to thank every person who has served our country to give us freedom - many at the cost of their lives.  Freedom is a priceless commodity many of us take for granted at one point or another, myself included, and it is always good to reflect on the cost of that freedom and the privileges we have because of it.  If any of my readers serve, have served, have family members who have or currently serve our country, thank you!  Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

Now on to the recap of the first Viva La Verve sketch for November.  Julee has provided a nice, clean sketch that you can dress up or keep on the CAS  side.

I opted for another Christmas card as you can never have enough.  I used  the stocking image and two sentiments from Jolly Jingles, added gold half pearls to the stockings and twine across the top so they had something to "hang" on.  Quick and easy card.

You can get more inspiration over on the Viva La Verve blog as well as finding out which cards I spotlighted from the gallery.

Come and play along!  Each month someone wins some free Verve!

What's In It?

Stamps:   Jolly Jingles (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  I Believe (My Mind's Eye), Real Red (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Winter Friends Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Square and Square Nestabilities, Gold Half Pearls and Twine,  3/8" Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve October Week 2 Sketch Recap

Happy Friday everyone!!  Friday is always my sleep in day after two 12+ hour days.  I sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast and scroll through Feedly and my Facebook feed.  

In addition, today is recap time for the current sketch over on the Viva La Verve blog. This week Lesley has created this sketch for us to work with.

I fudged the three circles a bit by using three pots from Potter's Clay and the matching Pottery die set.  I just love  working with Fall colours as they always make me happy!  Added a bit of texture with the crimped panel and grounded things with the twine.

You can see which cards I have spotlighted from our gallery as well as get lots more inspiration over on the Viva La Verve blog.

Thanks for popping in today and have a fabulous weekend!



 
  

What's In It?

Stamps:  Potter's Clay (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:  Stella and Rose (My Mind's Eye), Kraft and Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Black, Really Rust, Cameo Coral, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Pottery Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper (Fiskars), Gold Embossing Powder, Glue Dots, Twine, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve October 2016 Sketch 1

This sketch morphed into a masculine birthday card with a clean, graphic style.  The males in my house gave it a thumbs up so I went with it.  Don't remember the last time I made a care without DP on it and it was kind of fun :)   Just like the old days LOL!

Love this colour combo, and paired it with the Birthday to You Plain Jane and Starry Die set.  Some texture, stitching and a sole button with nary a butterfly or flower in sight - yes, it can be done folks {grin}.

Head on over to the Viva La Verve blog for my viewfinder and recap post as well as an opportunity to browse the gallery for added inspiration.  Still lots of time to play along for a chance to win some free Verve!

Have a fabulous weekend :)




 
   
What's In It?
Stamps: Birthday To You (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Black, Cool Caribbean, Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Starry Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Kraft), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve September 2016 Sketch 1

Happy Friday everyone :)   Recap time for the first Viva La Verve Sketch for September.

I can't get enough of Kindness Matters as I just love flowers, and to have a matching die set - perfect :)

Trending into fall with some yummy fall colours and this fabulous sentiment, which is so, so true!!  A kind word directed your way can have an a amazing impact on your day, you outlook, your self esteem, everything!  So important to not just think kind thoughts but actually share them so you can bless someone's day :)

Check out the Viva La Verve blog for my recap and viewfinder for some wonderful inspiration for this sketch.





 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Kindness Matters (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Real Red, Kraft, Basic Black, Cream (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Great Kindness Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Twinkling H2Os, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Heart Punch (Dollar Bin Michael's), Crimper (Fiskars), Half Pearls, Dimensinoals

Viva La Verve August Week 1 Sketch Recap

This week, I get to recap this wonderful Viva La Verve sketch by Julee.

I found this delicious Echo Park paper in my stash and just had to use it as it is one of my favorite colour combinations - pink and green.  Plus, I needed an encouraging card in my stash to be able to give to my daughter when she begins to stress out about starting university and has to deal with all the changes and emotions that will bring her way.  She is a worrier, hates change, and gets herself wound up way more than a given situation often calls for, so I wanted to remind her to keep her focus on God's promises to her and not her circumstances.

The sentiment is the Luke 1:45 Plain Jane, and I paired it with my beloved Flutterby die and Heart Quartet die.

You can check out the challenge details on the Viva La Verve blog, as well as get some added inspiration from the gallery.





 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Luke 1:45 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Country Lane (Echo Park), Wild Wasabi, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Heart Quartet and Flutterby Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Verve Diva Inspiration Hop - August 2016

It's time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop!

There are TWO $30 gift vouchers to the Verve store up for grabs this month and two ways to win! First, comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) for an entry in the first giveaway. Then to be entered into our challenge prize drawing, go get inky and link up your take on the challenge. You have until September 5 to link up. Feel free to play along with the challenge as many times as you like. Verve stamps aren't required to play, but we do smile a little brighter when we see them!

Summer brights fade into earthy tones for the dog days of summer. With the hustle and bustle of the end of summer coming, a breezy, free-spirited graphic is what we have in store for you this month. Follow the color pattern, or be inspired to journey where the creative winds may take you. We can't wait to see what you create!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Monday, September 5.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

If you have come here from Lesley's blog you are right on track.  If not, you can go to the Verve blog for the hop list to get caught up.

For my card I honed in on the gorgeous colours Julee has highlighted on the inspiration photo.  I LOVE working with Fall colours and this gave me the perfect excuse to be able to dabble in them {grin}.

I used one of our past Viva La Verve sketches for my card along with Kind Words for the sentiment, Bloom and Grow for the flower and the Elegant Leaves and Floral Circles die sets for the flower and leaf cluster.  Crimped the kraft panel for some texture and woodsy feel as per the tree branch and the dream catcher screamed doily so I had to include one {grin}.

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're giving away a $30 gift voucher to Verve to one random commenter along the hop.  Just leave a little love as you hop about for a chance to win!

1. Julee	7. Marisa
2. Betty	8. Maureen
3. Charmaine	9. Stacey
4. Christyne	10. Susan
5. Laurie	11. Teresa
6. Lesley

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

Oh, and don't forget, Verve has its Anni-VERVE-sary Sale running right now!  You get 30% off everything in the Verve store!!  A great way to get yourself some Verve goodies at a discount :) 

Have a great day and happy hopping!! 






What's In It?
Stamps:  Bloom and Grow, Kind Words (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Kraft, Always Artichoke, Real Red, So Saffron, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:  Black, Real Red, Early Espresso, VersaMark (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Elegant Leaves and Floral Circles Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve),  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Tag Die (PTI), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Twine, Button, Cream Half Pearls, Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

VLV July Week 1 Sketch Recap

It's recap time for July's' first Viva La Verve sketch of July and I get to recap Julee's wonderful sketch.

I mixed some Basic Grey and MME papers with the "beautiful" word die from Verve's Beautiful Flowers  layered on top of the large  Stitched Pennants die.  The heart die from the Scalloped Trim Trio die set framed the bottom nicely and I and finished things off with my favorite butterfly from Petals and Wings.   A touch of swiss dots in the background and a ribbon finished things off.

You can check out who I spotlighted for this sketch over at the Viva La Verve blog as well as additional inspriation from the gallery.

Thanks for popping in and have a great day!

What's In It?
Paper: Cappella (Basic Grey), On teh Bright Side (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Petals and Wings, Beautiful Flowers, Stitched Pennants and Scalloped Trim Trio Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft),  3/8" White Grosgrain Ribbon, Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals