June Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

Hi there! We are back at it once again for the Verve Diva Inspirations Hop!

It's the 5th of the month and time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings!

Our June challenge is Eat Me, Drink Me

Are you fueled by coffee, tea or cocoa? Find cupcakes irresistible? Create a card featuring an edible treat or favored beverage!  Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction - just leave us needing a fix of your favorite indulgence!

You should have arrived here from Amy's blog.  Betty will be your next step along the way.

I think cupcakes are pretty much the most perfect baked good.  A scrumptious morsel of cakey goodness covered in icing? Filled with fruit? Topped with ice cream? Yes, please! It doesn't get much better than that!  For this month's hop, I shared my love of the oh-so-craveable cupcake!

I used the Small Packages stamp set to create this card, paper piecing my cupcakes with pretty, sugary papers.  I stamped my sentiment onto one of the banners from the Banner Bundle Die Set (I just love these dies!) and adhered it to my card with a little stitching.  I am so happy with how delicious this turned out!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Saturday, June 20.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

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've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	7. Susan
	2. Amy	8. Maureen
	3. Anya	9. Marisa
	4. Betty	10. Chaitali
	5. Sankari	11. Stacey
	6. Sarah	12. Amber

Thanks for stopping by to see me today.  This is going to be my last hop with Verve, as I am stepping down from the Diva Inspirations Team.  You know how life can be sometimes, and I feel very stretched at this point.  Trust me, this was not an easy decision to make and I may be regretting it already!  Things will probably be a little quiet around here (like you'd notice anything different, right?) but I am hoping to pop in now and again for this or that.  I appreciate all of your continued support and encouragement -  I hope you have a great day!

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STAMPS: Small Packages - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal, Ballet Slippers - Wplus9; Soft Sky - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: The Sweetest Thing - My Minds Eye
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Banner Bundle Die Set - Verve Stamps; Polka Dots Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Diamond Stickles - Ranger; Sewing machine

Viva la Verve May Week 5

Hi there and happy Friday!

I just wanted to let you know that I am posting over on the Viva la Verve sketch challenge blog with this week's sketch. You should join us!

Hop over and see this week's sketch and some cards inspired by it!

Have a great day!

Waltzingmouse Stamps May PJ Party

Hi there! Welcome to the May Waltzingmouse Stamps Pajama Party!

You can find all the details of the four different challenges for tonight's party on the WMS Blog. That is also where you can link up your creations - the links are open through tomorrow evening.

The DT has joined in for some of the challenges, and I have put a few things together that hopefully inspire you to join us!

Our first challenge is Man of the Moment, to make a masculine-themed card for the significant man in your life. Of course, I've got my sweet hubby, so this card is for him.

First I stamped the heart outline from the Halftone Backgrounds set. Then I die cut the Kaboom Die and added some silver (I know, it looks white!) embossing powder to the bottom of the word. The 'You're the One' sentiment is from the Kaboom stamp set, along with the design stamped on the gray portion of the card.

Simple, straightforward, with just a little zing. Its what masculine cards are all about!

My second card is for the Old Pajamas Challenge. This month we're using the Man of the Hour stamp set.

Again, keeping it simple. I started with a background stamped with a plaid pattern created with the Off Beat Backgrounds set. I love this color combination of Kraft, Brown, and Gray. The sentiment was stamped onto the bottom of the largest tag from the Stitched Tags die set. I just chopped off the taggy bit at the top and had a great little spot for a sentiment. And yes, those are brads. Maybe I can single-handedly bring them back. Anyone else still have a ton in their stash?

Well, that's what I am sharing this evening. I hope you will be able to join us for the party. There are four challenges and a shot at a great prize! Have a great night!

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Kaboom Card
STAMPS: Halftone Backgrounds, Kaboom - WMS
CARDSTOCK: Steel Mill - Wplus9; Midnight Muse, Buckaroo Blue - SU!
INK: Buckaroo Blue, Going Gray - SU!
OTHER: Kaboom Die - WMS; Detail Silver Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior

Rich Man Card
STAMPS: Man of the Hour, Off Beat Backgrounds - WMS
CARDSTOCK: Soft Suede, Kraft - SU!; Dove Grey - Wplus9
INK: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Going Gray - SU!; Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Stitched Tags - WMS; Brads

Viva la Verve May Week 2

Hi there and happy Friday!

I just wanted to let you know that I am posting over on the Viva la Verve sketch challenge blog with this week's sketch. You should join us!

Hop over and see this week's sketch!

Have a great day!

May Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

I can't believe it is time once again for the Verve Diva Inspirations Hop!

It's the 5th of the month and time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings!

Our May challenge is Let it Bloom

Florals are always fashionable. Let your creativity bloom and use some fabulous florals on your card. Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction – just show us some blooms!

You should have arrived here from Amy's blog.  Betty will be your next step along the way.

This month I deviated from the inspiration picture, instead just focusing on the challenge theme.  I used one of the many fabulous floral sets Verve offers to create my card.

 This card makes me think about this time of year at our old house, we had loads of Daylilies growing everywhere.  Their pops of orange were always so welcome after a drab winter.  We don't have any growing at our new place, I'll have to have my Mom dig some up for me to plant here.  It will only take a handful, and in a few short years they will be all over!

I used the Framed Lilies stamp set on this card, the pretty frame was an easy focal point.  I also used the solid and outline images to create some coordinated patterned paper. I also used this week's Viva la Verve challenge sketch to help get me started. 

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Sunday, May 20.
Prize: $25 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

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've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	6. Sarah
	2. Amy	7. Susan
	3. Anya	8. Maureen
	4. Betty	9. Marisa
	5. Sankari

Thanks for stopping by to see me today, I hope you have a great day!


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STAMPS: Framed Lilies
CARDSTOCK: Kraft - SU!; Vintage Cream - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: Carte Postale - Basic Grey
INK: Peach Parfait, Island Indigo - SU!; Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Woodgrain Embossing Folder - Darice; Copic Markers; Twine - SU!; Button - PTI

Holding it Together

Hi there, long time no see.

Suffice it to say I have my hands full with winter clean up and yardwork now that the weather has started to improve. I have had some marathon days, running my Fitbit off the charts! I will be sure to pop in here when I can. Today I have a card to share for this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge. This is the last sketch for April.

And my card.. stocking up for all the upcoming Mother's Day holiday.

I used the Button Best stamp set along with the Pennant Trim, Rounded Rectangle, and Rounded Scallop Frame Dies.

I hope you will join us for the challenge (if you haven't already!). See you soon!

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STAMPS: Button Best - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream, Fine Linen - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: This & That - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Bermuda Bay - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Pennant Trim, Rounded Rectangle, and Rounded Scallop Frame Dies - Verve Stamps; Buttons - SU!; Caribbean Twine - The Twinery

Rain or Shine

Hi there.  Have you joined in the fun for this week's Viva la Verve challenge?

Here is a little card I created with this week's sketch:

I used the Rain or Shine stamp set along with the Flourished Trim, Rounded Rectangle, and Rounded Scallop Frame Dies from Verve.

This card makes me happy, I just love the yellow and teal together!

If you would like to join us for this week's challenge you have a few more days to play before the new sketch comes out on Friday. I'm hostessing this week, so I hope you will stop by!

Have a great night!

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STAMPS: Rain or Shine - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Lemon Tart - PTI; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: October Afternoon
INK: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze - SU!; Coconut Husk - Wplus9
OTHER: Flourished Trim Die, Rounded Rectangle Die, and Rounded Scallop Frame Die - Verve Stamps; Twine; Button

April Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

Good morning and Happy Easter!  It's the 5th of the month and time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings!

Our April challenge is Bunnies & Babies

Spring is a time of birth and renewal - celebrate the season by creating a card for Easter or a bouncing new baby. Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction - just show us your sprightly spring creations!

You should have arrived here from Amy's blog.  Betty will be your next step along the way. 

I really loved this month's inspiration picture and used some of the lovely spring colors to make a baby card.

I used the Making a Statement stamp set to create this card. I love the whimsical flowers and cute font combinations on the sentiments. For my flowers, I stamped the outline first in my desired ink color (Groovy Guava, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery) and then flipped the stamp over and inked up the back. I stamped it off on scrap paper once before stamping the solid image right over the outline. I love this little trick!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Sunday, Apr. 19.
Prize: $40 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

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've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	7. Sankari
	2. Amy	8. Sarah
	3. Anya	9. Susan
	4. Betty	10. Maureen
	5. Jen	11. Stacey
	6. Karen	12. Chaitali

Thanks for stopping by to see me today, I hope you have a great day!


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STAMPS: Making a Statement - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Groovy Guava, Pistachio Pudding - SU!
INK: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Groovy Guava - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Argyle Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Doily Details Die - PTI; Diamond Stickles - Ranger

Viva la Verve March Week 4

Hi there and happy Friday!

I just wanted to let you know that I am posting over on the Viva la Verve sketch challenge blog with this week's sketch. Have you played along with each challenge in March? There is still time!

Hop over and see this week's sketch!

Have a great day!

Creative Blog Hop

Well hello there!

Today I am hopping along with the Creative Blog Hop. My sweet friend Jeanne Jachna nominated me to share a few things about myself and how I create.

Jeanne is the type of person that you know right off the bat that the girl has talent. She has a way with color and I will never forget the first time I came across her work: I was choosing favorites for the WMS Sketch Challenge and Jeanne had created a Christmas card in pink and purple. Her card was the perfect mix of shades and complimentary elements and I remember thinking that I was sure to see more fabulous creations from this lady - and I was right. We hit it off and she is a superstar, I am so lucky to be able to work with her on the WMS Design Team, bounce ideas off of her and share in her amazing accomplishments!

So on to the hop - here are the questions she's asked me:

1. What are you working on now?

At the moment, I am finishing up a recap for the Viva la Verve sketch challenge for this week.

I like to have challenges to join because otherwise the days start to add up when I don't make time to make cards. Something is always going on around the farmhouse... we have two woodworking projects, a few home improvements, and some painting started, so something is always vying for my time.

I love the Fusion and Tag You're It Challenges as well. I feel pretty lucky to be able to sit down and make a card just for the heck of it, but sometimes I get something in my head and have to get it out.

I created this card after seeing a wedding set in a Paper Source catalog. It really got the wheels rolling, and I just needed to see it through.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre? 

I have to laugh at this question because I worry that it doesn't! I sometimes find that for me to make a card, I fall back to that old familiar and happy style that makes me feel comfortable. I love Wplus9's Oatmeal cardstock, I love to fussy cut things, and I love to give them a dose of Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I sometimes feel like my cards have those three things in common.. but I guess that I am consistent in my style!

3. Why do your create what you do?

I feel lucky when I can create for no reason. Usually my work is done for a Design Team or because I refuse to buy someone a birthday card! I always try to make sure to put that extra effort towards a celebration or a hello - hand making things is my love language!

4. How does your creative process work?  

I almost always start with some sort of inspiration. Sketches and color challenges are my most favorite, and from there, I pick something I would like to work with. I try to not let new supplies sit unused for too long, so I turn to them first. Sometimes, though, an old favorite helps to get my creative juices flowing. The Old Country Roses set from Waltzingmouse Stamps is a real jolt for me.

Sometimes creating is really a struggle for me - but when I feel stuck I like to flip through other cards that I have created. It helps to reinforce what I like about cardmaking and helps to remind me that having a comfortable style is ok!

Jeanne, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share a bit more about me and my process, and thank you for stopping in today!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop

Hello, hello!

Today I am excited to be a part of the Serendipity Stamps blog hop.

You should have arrived here from Mary's blog - I hope you'll take a minute a take a peek at what I have made, and then be sure to head over to Miriam's blog.

These stamp sets are a little extra special to me because I helped design them! Mary had been looking to add some retro themed sets to the Serendipity lineup and shared some ideas. I worked on two sets - the Retro Rectangles set and the Retro Starburst set.

These images are perfect for creating your own patterns, with lots of options for layering and building.

First up, a little something with Retro Rectangles.

I just love rainbows, don't you? The Retro Rectangles set has a larger image comprised of three overlapping rectangle outlines. The other solid rectangles in the set then coordinate with the outlines, allow you to 'fill' or layer inside the frames. For this card, I started by stamping the large rectangle outline down the side of my card. I rotated the image each time I stamped it to change up the pattern. Then I went back in with the solid rectangles and stamped my rainbow, allowing the colors to overlap where the rectangles did. This card was simple to create and pretty cheery if you ask me!

My next two cards were made using the Retro Starburst set.

For this card I have used every image in the set, layering the different circles and accents. Isn't it fun? I also used the super fabulous woodgrain sequins that Serendipity is carrying. These are the Beech sequins.

My final card is unabashedly my favorite. I just love the colors and really adore this cathedral window pattern.

I used the diamond image from the set and stamped it repeatedly. I used an acrylic block with a grid on it to help keep things lined up. I didn't want to cover the pattern up, so I topped this off with a little bit of vellum and the Thanks Die. I trimmed the little swirly off the bottom for a more casual feel. Love this!

Thanks for sticking with me this far - be sure to leave a comment, you could be the lucky winner of a $20 gift certificate to shop Serendipity! You have through Sunday 3/15 to comment; the winner will be announced on Mary's blog on Monday.

Miriam's blog is your next stop, here is the full list if you're just popping in!

Mary's Blog
Anya Schrier - you are here!

Miriam Napier
Vickie Zimmer
Jeanne Jachna
Jenny Gropp
Julie Warner
Karen Amidon
Marybeth Lopez

Take care!


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Hello Rainbow Card
STAMPS: Retro Rectangles, Hello - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Smokey Shadow - PTI
INK: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Wild Wasabi, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Blackberry Bliss - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko

Great Team
STAMPS: Retro Starburst, Tandem Bicycle Set - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Midnight Muse - SU!; Lake House, Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Lake House, Sweet Nectar, Fairy Dust, Ocean Drive, Nautical Navy, Little Piggy, Falling Star, Wild Mango - Wplus9
OTHER: Beech sequins - Serendipity Stamps; Woodgrain embossing folder - Darice

Retro Thanks
STAMPS: Retro Starburst - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: White - Wplus9; Kraft, Paper Vellum - SU!
INK: Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Pacific Point - SU!
OTHER: Thanks Die - Serendipity Stamps; Rhinestones - Recollections

Friendship

Hi there!
I was so excited today to finally be able to walk our dogs again! The weather has finally warmed up to the point that the trails have cleared enough for us to safely take them out. I missed it.

I have a card to share that I made for the Wplus9 Throwback Thursday challenge. This month's challenge was highlighting the Guiding Light set.

I started by using some Distress Inks to watercolor some cardstock. I like how Maureen created a blended background and I went for the same thing only used the Guiding Light Dies and die cut elements from the cardstock I had watercolored. On such a small scale they weren't great representations of how pretty the watercoloring was, but it was fun nonetheless. It was great to pull this set out again.

Thanks for stopping by!

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STAMPS: Guiding Light, Guiding Light Sentiments - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal, Honeydew - Wplus9; Sahara Sand - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Woodgrain - Amuse|Studio
INK: Silver Lining - Wplus9; Various Distress Inks - Ranger
OTHER: Guiding Light Dies - Wplus9; Canvas Impression Plate - PTI; Corner rounder

Happy Place

Hello there, just popping in to share my take on this week's Viva la Verve sketch.

Julee is the hostess this week, and here is her sketch:

And my take...

I am on a mint green kick! For this card I used the Happy Place stamp set with the coordinating Happy Doodles Die Set. This was a fun sketch, a great way to bring lots of different elements together. Won't you join us? Head over to the Viva la Verve blog to link up your creation!

Have a great rest of your Sunday!

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STAMPS: Happy Place - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Burlap & Bouquets - Fancy Pants
INK: Rich Cocoa Memento - Tsukineko
OTHER: Happy Doodles Die Set - Verve Stamps; Circle Die - Spellbinders; Corner rounder - We R Memory Keepers; Copic markers; button

Halftone Thank You

Happy Friday!

Do you have any plans for the weekend? We have a handful of projects around here that have hit that 90% hurdle. It always seems like they sit there for ages. I am hoping we can hammer some of them out and move on to other projects (my hubby will love that!).

I am popping in today to share a card made for this week's Fusion Card Challenge.

I used the sketch as my main source of inspiration and incorporated some of the colors from the photo.

I used one of the larger circle images from the newly released Halftone Backgrounds set from WMS. A simple sentiment was added vertically to the panel along with a few gold sequins. Someone take these away from me!

I love how quick this one came together - I need that sometimes! Hope you enjoy your day, thanks for visiting!

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STAMPS: Halftone Backgrounds - WMS; Just My Type - My Favorite Things
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Woodgrain - Amuse|Studio
INK: Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Strawberry Slush - SU!
OTHER: Holiday Sequin Mix - Verve Stamps