Happy Birthday Mom

Needed a birthday card for my mom, and this Freshly Made Sketch screamed flower in lieu of the circle element, so it was a perfect fit for what I had in mind.

I have been hoarding this Cut and Paste paper for a while, and decided my mom was a wonderful reason to use some :)  Added a flower and some leaves for my focal point and a birthday sentiment tab.  A few half pearls finished things off.

Having our family birthday celebrations this weekend (my brother's birthday is also in May), as well as some extended Mother's Day festivities.   Many wonderful reasons to celebrate :)

Thanks for popping by today and sharing a bit of your day with me.

What's In It?
Stamps:   On Occasion (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Cut and Paste (MME), Cool Caribbean, Sage Shadow, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black    
Accessories:   Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Flower Die (PTI), Twine, Buttons, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve - April Week 3 Sketch

Charmaine has provided our sketch this week.  I just love it when you can keep a sketch CAS or dress it up if you like.  Lots of wonderful ways you can go with this one!

I needed a baby card so I had some fun playing with pink and blue and lots of white space :)  The sentiment is from Let It Be and is a bit non-traditional, but still works with the baby theme - at least I think it does and I hope the mother-to-be does too lol!

Love the versatility of this set, proven by the fact I have used it four times in the past few weeks.  Going to have to put it under lock and key for a bit wink, wink.  The stamped frame is from Die Side Kicks and the co-ordinating die is called Hearts and Swirls.

For more inspiration using this week's sketch, head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and check out the Diva's samples as well as my spotlight picks for this week.

Have a great day and thanks for sharing a bit of your time with me!   As for me, off to the soccer field I go!



What's In It?
Stamps:   Die Sidekicks, Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Rub a Dub Dub (Pebbles), Style Essentials (Echo Park)
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Black   
Accessories:  Hearts and Swirls Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Labels Die (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inkers), Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #398

Am continually amazed at the wonderful sketches Julee provides!  This one is no exception.  Never in a million years would I come up with a sketch like this one - a tribute to her amazing design abilities!

I got some fun black and white papers at my LSS a few weeks back and was itching to use them.  Love the boldness of black and white and it always fun to add a pop of colour with it.

I went a bit butterfly crazy, but I think it works.  Double layered the butterfly die from the Wings and Petals die set to give them a bit more dimension and the sentiment is once again from Let It Be.  I think I need to hide this set before I used it on another card LOL!  Black half pearls and a touch of bling for a bit of "shine" as per the sentiment.

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

Busy long weekend here with my son reffing a ton in a weekend long tournament our soccer club is  hosting.  Seven games down and three more today.  He is going to be a very tired boy tonite, but making a whack of cash makes all things good LOL!

Wishing you a fabulous day and can't wait to see your take on the sketch.

What's In It?
Stamps:   Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Classic (Doodle Bug), Imaginisce, Basic Black, Going Grey and Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Wings and Petals Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Black Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Totallyl Tassel

We have a wonderful returning sponsor, Newton's Nook, for the Curtain Call Inspiration: Totally Tassel!  A randomly selected participant in this challenge will receive a $30 gift certificate to use at Newton's Nook while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

My card for this challenge was based on the colours in the inspiration picture.   I used up some scraps and did absolutely no stamping!   Gotta love dies and your scrap box {grin}.

Listed below is a list of all designers' blogs to provide you with more inspiration!

Totally Tassel
Jennifer Jackson, Newton's Nook Blog (Guest)
  Macki, MackieMade Paper Creations (Guest)

Amy Kolling
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Have a fabulous day and I look forward to seeing your creations.

 




What's In It?
Paper:   Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Kraft (Stampin' Up), In Bloom (My Mind's Eye), Brushed Gold
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inkers), Wet Paint Dies (PTI), Heart Trio Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), White Half Pearls, Dimensionals

 

Mojo Monday #397

I love Monday's as it is a opportunity to work with another wonderful sketch by Julee :)

Today's card uses some Fine and Dandy Echo Park papers I found at my LSS.  The red and white checkered pattern gave me a picnic feel so I added a yellow doily to fancy up my picnic {grin} and added pops of turquoise for colour.  The sentiment is from Verve's Let It Be  which is one of my favorites as there are so many amazing sentiments in this set!

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.  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

With hubby out of town and spending Mother's Day with his mom, I spent Mother's Day weekend playing chauffeur to my son for his reffing gigs.   Was great to see him in action on the field - proud mama moment :)   Thankfully, he got me a latte as a thank you for my driving him.  Sushi dinner as a family once hubby got home and today, I finally get to relax and enjoy some crafting time!

Wishing you a fabulous week, and hope you can find time to play along with this week's sketch.

What's In It?
Stamps:   Let It Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Fine and Dandy (Echo Park), Kraft, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black    
Accessories:  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 5/8" Turquoise Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Signature Sequin Mix (Verve Stamps), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Viva La Verve - May Week 2 Sketch

Today's Viva La Verve sketch is brought to us by Anya.  Due to my mess up earlier this week, I needed to make another Mother's Day card and this sketch was perfect.

I still had MME's In Bloom on my desk (one of my all time favorite paper pads) so I dug into it once again to make this card for my mom for Mother's Day.

The sentiment is from Verve's Button Best and I couldn't resist using this gorgeous flower from Dream Big once again and pairing it with this fabulous leaf from In Bloom. Best part is they have matching dies: Elegant Leaf and Scalloped Flower die.  A few embellishments and my Mother's Day card is done and ready to be given to mom :)

For more inspiration using this week's sketch, head on over to the Viva La Verve blog.

Have a great day and thank for popping by today!

Challenges:  Simon Says 
                    Friday Mashup
 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Bloom and Grow, Dream Big, Button Best (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   In Bloom (MME), Kraft, So Saffron, Real Red (Stampin' Up)

Ink:  Black, VersaMark    
Accessories:  Elegant Leaf , Scalloped Flower and Wings and Petals Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), 5/8" Moss Satin Ribbon, Brown, Half Pearls, Bling, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Travel On Reminder

We are half way through the current Travel On Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge.  

I am quite limited in travel paper and stamps so I pulled out the one mode of travel I do have in stamps - hot air balloons from Up Up And Away by Verve Stamps.  

I paper pieced the balloon, added a cloud to ground it and some fun embellishments down the side as per the Paper Smooches sketch I used for the card.  Still looked a bit plain so I added a star shaped tag for a little "something, something".


If you haven't played along yet, we would love to have you join us!  The winner gets a Penny Black gift certificate and the LEAD for this challenge gets to join us as a Guest Designer in a future challenge.

Wishing you a glorious day!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Up Up And Away (Verve Stamps), Tiny Tags (PTI)   
Paper:  Down By The Shore (Fancy Pants), Night of Navy (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Tiny Tags and Medium Scalloped Border Die (PTI), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

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!

Challenge deadline: Sunday, May 20.
Prize: $25 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

I used this week's Viva La Verve sketch and pulled out some Lime Twist MME papers that had some of the colours in the photo.  Don't have to ask me twice to use a flower on a card wink, wink, so I gladly used some of my favorite Verve stamps:  Dream Big, Bloom and Grow, Make A Statement along with the following dies: Elegant Leaves and Scalloped Flowers.  Since my supply of fuchsia coloured paper is basically non-existent, I supplemented with some fuchsia buttons and added a seam binding bow using Verve's Summer Sailing seam binding set. 

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

Now it's your turn!  Let the photo inspire you and enjoy getting crafty.  All the contest details over on the Verve blog. 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Bloom and Grow, Dream Big, Treasured Words (Verve Stamps)   
Paper:  Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Elegant Leaf and Scalloped Flower Die, Flag It Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper (Fiskars), Summer Sailing Seam Binding Set (Verve Stamps), twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #396

It's the first Monday of the month so that means it is contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog.   The more entries, the more winners, so we'd love you to put your creative genes to work and come play along :)

I had a wonderful Mother's Day card all made up for this sketch and when I was adding the links to the Verve Store I realized the set I used was retired! Ugh!!  Thankfully, it was a quick fix as I didn't have time to make another card!  Just stamped this fabulous Psalm 46:1 verse from Scripture Medley 2 onto a new sentiment panel and lay it over the first one - phew! 

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.  

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Wishing you a fabulous week, and hope you can find time to play along with this week's sketch.

Challenges:  Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps:   Scripture Medley 2, Dream Big (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   In Bloom (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Basic Grey, Real Red, So Saffron, Kraft (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:  Black, Versamark    
Accessories:  Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Rolled Roses (My Favorite Things), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Travel On

This time round, Travel is our theme for The Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge.  Perfect timing with travel season just about to go into full swing.  No sponsor this time round, but the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge! 

 

MME's Come Away With Me paper pad was the launching pad for my card this week.  It carried a wonderful travel theme and I mimicked the word theme from the inspiration photo.  Figured an "enjoy" tag was the perfect add on.

Listed below is a list of all designers' blogs to provide you with more inspiration!

Travel On Designers

Guest Designer, Marcie Sharp
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Have a fabulous day and I look forward to seeing your creations.

 




What's In It?
Stamps:   Alphabet Stamps (Michael's Dollar Bin), Tiny Tags (PTI) 
Paper:   Come Away With Me (My Mind's Eye), Certainly Celery, Going Grey (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:   Rudy Red, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Spiral Clips, Twine, Dimensionals