Verve May 2016 Release Spotlight Hop ~ Day 3

Welcome back to Day 3 of Verve's May Spotlight Hops!  It's an exciting day as there's new Verve in the store this morning! 2 beautiful new sets, 3 die sets and a sequin mix just released and they're all available to order right now.   To celebrate our new release, we're putting on another blog hop!

Today's featured focus is designer's choice, so you might just sneak a peek at a whole bunch of must-haves!

If you have come here from Guest Designer LauraJane's blog you are right on track.  If you stumbled upon the hop, you can check out the Hop List below to get caught up.

I adore these new flowers from Beautiful Things so just hard to use them again.  I used this week's Viva La Verve sketch by Maureen and paired it with the entire Beautiful Flowers Die Set - score!!  Added a stitched banner from the Stitched Pennants Die Set for the second part of the sentiment, a touch of twine and some sequins from the Copper Blush Sequin Mix 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!

1. Julee	7. Lesley
2. Lori {guest}	8. LauraJane {guest}
3. Betty	9. Marisa
4. Charmaine	10. Maureen
5. Christyne	11. Stacey
6. Laurie	12. Teresa

Time to head on over to Maureen's blog to see what kind of Verve eye candy she has created for your viewing pleasure today.  Happy hopping!




  
  
What Is In It?
Stamps:  Beautiful Things (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Watching the Sun Rise (The Bugs in a Rug), Collectible (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Beautiful Flowers Die Set and Stitched Pennants (A Cut Above by Verve), Copper Blush Sequin Mix (Verve Stamps), Doily Die (Top Tog Dies), Tag Die (PTI), Twinkling H2Os, Twine, Dimensionals

Verve May 2016 Release Spotlight Hop ~ Day 2

Welcome back to Day 2 of Verve's May Spotlight Hops!  The Verve Divas and special guests are back for another day of spotlighting our new release! Everything previewed this week will be available to order in the Verve online store on Friday, May 20.

Today we're sharing our first projects featuring the Everlasting Love stamp set, Everlasting Heart Die Set and the Copper Blush Sequin Mix.

If you have come here from Guest Designer LauraJane's blog you are right on track. If you happened upon the blog, you can check out the Hop List below to get caught up.

I adore this gorgeous floral heart image and made it the focus of this wedding card.  I love black and white cards and with black and white wedding cards being the rage these days, decided to make one.  I used the heart image from Love Everlasting and matching Everlasting Heart Die to cut it out.  The Scalloped Trim Trio to form two heart borders and the sentiment from Love Story.  So great to be able to mix and match these two wonderful sets!  A touch of twine, pearls and a heart clip along with two sparkly, silver hearts glammed things up a bit.

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!

1. Julee 7. Lesley 2. Lori {guest} 8. LauraJane {guest} 3. Betty 9. Marisa 4. Charmaine 10. Maureen 5. Christyne 11. Stacey 6. Laurie 12. Teresa

Time to head on over to Maureen's blog to see what kind of Verve eye candy she has created for your viewing pleasure today.  Happy hopping!




  

What Is In It?
Stamps:  Love Everlasting, Love Story (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Wedding (Making Memories), Going Grey, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Silver (Dollar Store) 
Ink:  Black, Silver
Accessories: Everlasting Heart and Scalloped Trim Trio (A Cut Above by Verve), White Half Pearls, Silver Twine, Heart Clip (Michael's), Dimensionals
 

Verve May 2016 Release Spotlight Hop ~ Day 1

Welcome to Verve's May Spotlight Hops! A new release is just around the corner and for the next couple of days we'll be shining our creative spotlights on the new Verve sets and dies.

If you have followed my blog for any length of time you know I love flowers (and butterflies).   So it should not be a surprise that I chose to use this wonderful new flower from Beautiful Things and the coordinating Beautiful Flowers die set on my card.  I coloured them red and orange with Twinkling H2Os and paired them with the leaves from the die set along with a few black accents.  I adore this sentiment - such a great one to be able to add to a card to encourage someone - my favorite thing to do!

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!

1. Julee 7. Lesley 2. Lori {guest} 8. LauraJane {guest} 3. Betty 9. Marisa 4. Charmaine 10. Maureen 5. Christyne 11. Stacey 6. Laurie 12. Teresa

Time to head on over to Maureen's blog to see what kind of Verve eye candy she has created for your viewing pleasure today.  Happy hopping!





   

What's In It?
Stamps:   Beautiful Things (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Kraft, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Black  
Accessories:  Beautiful Flowers Die Set and Sprightly Sprigs (A Cut Above by Verve), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Twinkling H2Os, Twine, Button, White and Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #448

I smiled when I saw this sketch because I remember when skewed panels on a sketch sent me into a tailspin and how much hated them.  Fast forward a few years and I can't believe I never liked them.  Practice definitely makes perfect LOL!

Still had this wonderful chicken wire embossing folder out so decided to use it again.  Combined it with some fun papers and a sentiment from Brighter Days.  I stamped the banner part of the sentiment on blue and fussy cut it out so I could overlay it on the stamped sentiment.  A touch of twine and a red half pearl finished things off.

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

Had a great time watching my son ref his first U14 boys soccer game this past weekend.  He is growing weekly in his reffing ability and it is so much fun to watch him doing something he has such a passion and skill set for.  Bonus:  it was a wonderful, sunny day :)

Enjoy the sketch and make sure to come back on Wednesday for some Verve sneak peeks - yes, there is new Verve in the house!!




 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Brighter Days (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Recollections (Michael's) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Red Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Birdhouse

Welcome to the second Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge for May.  Our challenge is called Birdhouse - perfect for this time of year (we have a pair of doves nesting in our back yard this year!).  Use the inspiration photo however you wish and by whatever inspires you.

For my card, I pulled out a Cat's Pajamas Birdhouse Cut Up.  I pulled various papers out that matched some of the colours of the birdhouses in the photo and matted it with an embossed, woodgrain grey to pull in the stripes and fact most birdhouses are wooden.   Needed a little something so I added a little bird, a sentiment and bows on the tops of the birdhouses.

BIRDHOUSE

Guest Designers
Keeway Tsao, Kiwi Koncepts   
Marcie Sharp, Sharp Designs

Amy Kolling

Amy Tsuruta

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler 
Lynn Magnan

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Tracey McNeely

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





 

What's In It?
Stamps:  In The Garden (Whimsy Stamps) 
Paper:   Recollections (Michael's), Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Rose Romance (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Home Tweet Home Cut Up (The Cat's Pajamas), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Tim Hotz), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Twine (MFT), Dimensioanls 

Viva La Verve May Week 1 Sketch Recap

It's recap time for the first Viva La Verve sketch of May and it is my third post this week - something I haven't been able to do for some time :)   Feels good!!    Plus, I got to use a few things from my ever  growing scrap bin.

The sentiment is from Lean On Me.  Love the font art in this set as it has the bold lettering that pops so wonderfully on a card.  Had to toss in my beloved Flutterby butterfly too ;)

Want a chance to win some Verve?!!  Simply create a card using one or both May sketches and you will be entered in a random drawing for some free Verve.

You can get some great inspiration and also find out who I spotlighted on my recap post by heading over to the Viva La Verve blog.

Have a fabulous weekend and make sure to come back next week for an exciting week hint, hint ;)





 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Lean On Me (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Indigo Blue (Pink Paisley), Going Grey Perfect Plum, Sage Shadow (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:   Black
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily and Button Dies (PTI), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Crimper (Fiskars), Twine, Dimensionals

Verve Diva Inspiration Hop - May 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 June 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!

 

The end of spring always brings a touch of wanderlust.  This collection of bracelets has me wishing for a sun drenched road trip filled with gypsy wonder and delight. There's no script for this inspiration... channel your inner gypsy, go floral, follow our color pattern or forge your own path. We can't wait to see what you create!

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

If you have come here from our newest Diva 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.  

I dug through my designer papers and found this old Stella and Rose paper by MME which had the perfect mix of colours - score!  The sentiment is from Kind Words, one of my all time favorite Verve sets.  Added a few sequins (a little sneaky peaky of things to come) and another all time favorite, the Flutterby die butterfly.

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. Sankari
	4. Christyne	10. Stacey
	5. Laurie	11. Susan
	6. Lesley	12. Teresa

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

What's In It?
Stamps:  Kind Words (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Stella and Rose (My Mind's Eye), Cool Caribbean, Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Doily Die (Top Dog), Sequins, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #447

I needed a wedding card for this past weekend and had great visions in my head but they didn't translate to paper.  Didn't help that I was rushed for time as I totally forgot about the wedding until the day of, and not being a person who crafts well under pressure, this was the result :(   So, keeping it real here today....

Was going for a soft look with the doilies in the corners, colour combo and vellum.   It needed a little something extra so added the half pearls.  Good thing she loved her shower gift card 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.

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Justin Krieger 

Lori Tecler  

Marisa Ritzen (that's me)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.    And for those who struggle on this day, huge cyber ((hugs))!!





 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Love Story (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Going Grey, Blushing Bride (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Heart Punch (Marvy), Black and White Embossing Powder, Half Pearls, 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 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Charming

Welcome to the first Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge for May (how did we get to May already!!).  Our challenge is called Charming and the sky is the limit regarding how you wish to use the inspiration photo.

For my card, I pulled out some of the main colours from the pillows. I was heavily inspired by this amazing card by Tracey McNeely!  Absolutely adored her vellum flower.  I embossed some script font on to the vellum flowers and then used Tim Holtz distress inks to sponge the backs of the vellum die cuts.  Assembled the flower, added a center finished it off with a touch of twine at the top.  No where near as wonderful as Tracey's but had great fun making it.  

CHARMING

Amy Kolling

Amy Tsuruta

Betty Wright

 Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Leigh Penner

Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler 
Lynn Magnan

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Melody Rupple

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Tracey McNeely

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

Challenge:  Simon Says



 


What's In It?
Stamps:  Signature Greetings (PTI), French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper:   White and Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Accessories:  Flower Die (PTI), Flower Punch (Stampin' Up), White Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up), Twine, Dimensioanls