Verve Stamps March Diva Inspiration Hop

It's the 5th of the month and that means it is time for Verve's March Diva Inspirations Hop.   This month's challenge is entitled "Spring Has Sprung".  It's time to ditch the winter blues and create a card that sings Spring using inspirational quotes, pretty colours and florals or themes that celebrate new life.  Let us know what spring means to you!   In addition to a comment prize hidden along the hop, you can play along with the challenge and link up your creation for a chance to win another prize!

If you have come here from Stacey's blog you are right on track.  If you just happened on to the hop, you can start from the top and work your way through (see hop list below). 

To me, Spring always means flowers.  After a long winter with little colour around, I always love seeing my crocuses and tulips pushing through the dirt and coming to full bloom.  Shortly thereafter, the cherry and magnolia tree come into bloom.  "Pink snow" covers our street when the cherry blossoms fall off and it is so pretty!  Oh how I love the signs of new life that burst forth in spring... happy sigh :)  

I just had to use MME's new Cut and Paste papers again.  This one in particulate is my favorite as it has flowers and polka dots.  The flower is from Dream Big, the wonderful leaf image is from Bloom and Grow and has the matching Elegant Leaves die.  Where there are flowers, there are usually butterflies (at least in my card making world LOL), so my Flutterby die came to good use once again.  I finished things off with some blue seam binding from the Spring Fling ribbon collection.

One lucky commenter along the hop will win a prize, so make sure to leave a comment on each of the participating Diva's posts to increase your chances of winning!  You can check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines. 

Below is the full hop list if you need it, otherwise just hop on over to Laurie's blog.

	1. Amy	11. Julee
	2. Anya	12. Teresa
	3. Betty	13. Stacey
	4. Jessica	14. Marisa
	5. Karen	15. Laurie
	6. Sankari	16. Maureen
	7. Sarah	17. Jen
	8. Sony	18. Christyne
	9. Susan	19. Charmaine
	10. Tiffany	20. Andrea

In addition, Julee has a spring cleaning sale going on over at the Verve Store right now!  Los of great deals and 50% off sixty retiring sets! 

Enjoy the hop and hope you can play along with us!

 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Dream Big, Bloom and Grow (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Cut and Paste (My Mind's Eye), Going Grey, Pretty in Pink, Sage Shadow, Rose Red (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Flutterby and Elegant Leaves Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Crimper (Fiskars), Spring Fling Ribbon Collection (Verve Stamps), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls (Michael's), Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #335

It's the first Monday of the month which means it is contest time over at the Mojo Monday blog and we have this wonderful sketch by Julee to work with.  One winner will be chosen for every fifty entries so come and play along for a chance to win some Verve!

The papers I chose are from Fancy Pants' Park Bench, and I used the Loopy Bloom die for the flower and the sentiment is from Big Wish.  Just realized I used the same die on last weeks card - sorry about that!  With spring on the way I have flowers on the mind 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.  
 

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

The rain has finally come and the remainder of our eleven inches of snow is quickly disappearing.  Was beautiful while it lasted, the kids had a ball playing in it, but not it's time to look forward to spring!

Have a fabulous day!

Challenges:  Seize the Birthday
                   The Pink Elephant




 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Big Wish (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Park Bench (Fancy Pants), Black (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black   
Accessories:  Loopy Bloom Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Perfectly Peach

This week's Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge is entitled "Perfectly Peach"  and our sponsor is Peachy Keen Stamps!  The LEAD of this challenge will receive a gift certificate to spend at the Peachy Keen Store!  

Though I have no card for this challenge, the rest of the Design Team has put together some wonderful eye candy for your inspiration.  You can check out their creations on the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge blog or on their individual blogs noted below.  
 

Perfectly Peach Designers

Gigi McKillips, Peachy Keen Stamps

Amber Kroening

Amy Kolling

Amy Tsuruta

Barb Murphy

Gayatri Murali

Kim Singdahlsen

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Sarah Gough

Stacey Schafer

Tenia Nelson

Tracey McNeely

You have until March 10th at 8:00 a.m. CST to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture and linking it up accordingly.  The Lead and Show Stoppers will be announced on March 14th.

Look forward to seeing your creations.

Just Us Girls # 230 - Sketch Challenge

Welcome to sketch week over at Just Us Girls.  This week's sketch is brought to us by Vicki. 

I realized I haven't made any St. Patrick's Day cards yet and with three friends who are St. Patrick's Day babies and a few who are Irish, I need to get going on them!

Love this sentiment from Verve's Lucky You.  Combined it with a "heart clover" and lots of dots for a bit of fun.

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. 

The eleven inches of snow we got last weekend is slowly melting but rumour has it we may bet a bit more this weekend.  Needless to say, the kids are having a ball sledding down the hill at the school and I'm getting a good work out shovelling LOL!  Soccer games have been cancelled which means we have a free weekend to relax, much needed after a very busy one last weekend helping our friends move while it snowed!  

Have a fabulous weekend!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Lucky You (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft, Dots and Stripes (Echo Park)  
Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Heart Quartet Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Crimper (Fiskars), Polka Dotted Ribbon (Dollar Store), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Cardabilities Thank You

Loved this Cardabilities sketch so decided to play along.

The papers are from MME's Dolled Up and I broke in my new QuicKutz doily die which I got a Michael's with my 50% off coupon.  With my luck the doily craze will soon be over, but then that is what you get for being a late coming to a craze LOL!

The card is for a dear friend who graciously gave us an amazing deal on a time share in Hawaii.  This will be our first family vacation ever (other than heading over to the Island every summer for a week to stay with hubby's parents or going to Alberta to visit family there).  To say we are excited and feeling very, very blessed is an understatement!!   Can't wait to enjoy the sun, surf and sand and spend time together as a family creating some amazing memories.  Hawaii is similar in climate and environment to Costa Rica where I grew up so it's a double bonus for me as it will also bring back many fond memories of my childhood.  Think I'm going to be the biggest kid there LOL!

Thanks for popping in today!

Challenge:  Butterfly Challenge





What's In It?
Stamps:   Bloom and Grow, Friendly Phrases (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Dolled Up (My Mind's Eye), So Saffron, Real Red, Kraft, Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Flutterby and Elegant Leaves Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Dainty Doily Die (QuicKutz), Doily and Medium Scalloped Dies (PTI), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, White Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #334

It's the fourth Monday of the month which means it is time for a Tall and Skinny sketch over on the Mojo Monday blog!

Oh how I am enjoying this card concept and size!  You can keep things contained to the card size or have things hang over the edge to get to the 4 1/4" width and still fit the standard A2 envelope.  Or, you can go long with a 6" x 3 1/2" size for added length.  Lots of flexibility and room for options :)


I haven't played along with the Colour Throwdown forever, and with this week's fabulous colour combination, I just couldn't resits.  The colours tend to lend themselves toward a masculine card, but I decided to go girly.

I gleefully pulled out my flowers and butterflies in giddy anticipation of spring and this was my result.  Just adore font in this birthday sentiment from Poppy Birthday, and used the Loopy Blooms die set (which just happens to be on sale right now over at the Verve Store) for my flower.

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

A busy weekend helping friends move and shuttling kids to and from activities.  I'm already looking forward to Spring Break when my son's soccer is over, other activities shut down for a few weeks and we get to enjoy a more relaxed schedule.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can play along with our Tall and Skinny sketch.

Challenges:  Butterflies and Flowers


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Poppy Birthday (Verve Stamps), Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Night of Navy, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Kraft (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black and VersaMark  
Accessories:  Loopy Bloom Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Corner Rounder (Marvy), Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Masculine Birthday a la Viva La Verve

This weeks Viva La Verve Sketch is brought to us by Sarah and it also has an inspiration photo. You can use just the sketch, just the photo or both, so lots of flexibility.

This time round I just focused on the sketch.  In reality I got going on my card and totally forgot about the inspiration picture - yah....was that kind of day...brain just didn't function at full speed LOL! 

Regardless, I am happy with the outcome.  Thought of a masculine card right away and the Say Cheese Simple Stories papers were perfect and I couldn't resist using the chicken wire embossing folder again - love that thing!  The sentiment is the Birthday To You Plain Jane and I used a teeny bit of the star Scalloped Trim Trio die at the top to balance things off.  This will no doubt end up being my son, hubby or brother's birthday card.

You don't have to complete all the sketches to entered to win the $100 Verve Stamps gift certificate, but the more sketches you enter the more chances you have of winning. 

In addition, Verve has a sale going on right now - you can check out all the details here.

Enjoy the sketch and have a fabulous weekend.


 
 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Birthday To You Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Say Cheese (Simple Stories), Kraft, Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Starry Die, Scalloped Trim Trio Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker Designs), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttblebug), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #229 - Inspiration Challenge

This week's inspiration challenge is brought to us by Lisa and I just love those painted spools and the fabulous colour combination!  So many wonderful ways you can go with this inspiration photo.

Since I have been working at hubby's office all week, stamping time is very short so today's card is a "cheater card"....   I immediately thought of Stampin' Ups Season of Friendship set and it was a perfect match to the trees with the birds in them.   Think this is the fastest card I have ever made!  Nothing like taking an inspiration photo literally!

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our February Guest Designer Melissa Hubert, 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.  

Down time this weekend will only consist of Sunday afternoon as some friends are moving and we will be helping them unpack so they can get settled quickly.  Always remember how much I appreciated it when friends helped me move, so it will be a joy to have someone else be able to enjoy that same feeling :)

Have a fabulous weekend!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Seasons of Friendship (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Kraft, White (Stampin' Up),  
Ink:  Black, Sage Shadow, Only Orange (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Dimensionals  

Curtain Call Cozy Quilt Reminder

We are half way through the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge entitled Cozy Quilt and Lil' Inkers Designs is our sponsor.

I absolutely adore their stitched rectangles, circles and wonderful Of The Heart die set...happy sigh...not to mention a lot of their other goodies that I have on my wish list :)

For my card I dipped into MME's The Sweetest Things pack again as the colours are ever so perfect for this inspiration photo.  A row of stitched hearts and two of the wonderful sentiments from the matching Of The Heart stamp set and I was good to go.


You can check out all the challenge details over on the Curtain Call Inspirations Challenge.  You have until February 25th at 8:00 a.m. CST to complete a new card/project using the inspiration picture and linking it up accordingly.

Thanks for popping by and hope you can find some time to play along with us!


 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Of The Heart (Lil' Inker Designs)
Paper:   The Sweetest Thing (My Mind's Eye)   
Ink:  Black  
Accessories:  Of The Heart Die Set and Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker Designs), Scalloped Edge Punch (Stampin' Up), Dimensionals 

Retro Sketch #122 A Little Bit Late

I have seen many wonderful cards using this sketch so thought I would give it a try.

I just got some MME papers from their new Cut and Paste collection, and this paper brought a baby card to mind so I went with it.  My first attempt didn't make me happy so I dressed it up a bit for round two and am much happier with the outcome.

Since I am craving spring, out came my Verve Flutterby die - any excuse to use this die LOL!  The sentiment is from MFT's Happy Hello's dynamics which Debbie was ever so kind to send me - still lovin' my goodies, Debbie, hugs!!  Since I fudged the top part of the sketch a bit, I felt it needed a little "grounding" so I added a sentiment from Verve's Small Phrases set.

To keep things real, here is a picture of my first card.

Hoping you agree with my decision LOL!   Entering this into a new challenge called Butterflies and Flowers - hello!!  Two of my favorite things to use on cards :)

Thanks for popping by today!

Challenges:  Butterflies and Flowers


 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Small Phrases (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Cut and Paste (My Mind's Eye), Regal Rose, Sage Shadow, Cool Caribbean (Stampin' Up),  
Ink:  Black   
Accessories:  Flutterby and Scalloped Trim Trio Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Happy Hello Dynamics (My Favorite Things), Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, White Half Pearls, Dimensionals