Monday, August 31, 2015

Mojo Monday #413

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When one is in a hurry to make a Mojo Monday card for the last Monday of the month, after an 8.5 hour power outage, there is a very good chance you forget to make it tall and skinny...cough, cough....  Yes, this is my second go at the sketch due to that exact issue LOL! 

We had a huge wind storm over the weekend which lead to 400,000 people in the Fraser Valley losing power!  Crews are working 24/7 to and some areas are still out.   The good news is we finally got some desperately needed rain too!!!   We still need a ton more, but it was a good start :)

Sorry about the rabbit trail.....on to the card!  Still enjoying this darling Reverse Confetti flowers and added in a big Verve butterfly to keep things even wink, wink {grin}.  Added a few leaf springs using Verve's Sprightly Sprigs dies and stitched circles for a bit of detail.

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.


Have a fabulous day, and look forward to seeing your Tall and Skinny creations!






What's In It?
Stamps:   Die Side Kicks (Verve Stamps),Petals and Posies (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  DSP, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up) 

Ink:   Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Sprightly Springs Die Set, All Aflutter (A Cut Above by Verve) Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker), Petals and Posies Die Set (Reverse Confetti), Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Friday, August 28, 2015

Sketch For You To Try Take 2

SFYTT Aug 2015 B photo SFYTTAug2015picB.jpg

Still playing with  my new Reverse Confetti goodies so decided to go with Take 2 of this month's Sketch For You To Try.

Since September is quickly approaching, and I just got Class Act, I just "had" to make a school themed card.  Created my own pattern on the kraft panel by stamping the A+ across the top and then had fun with some Confetti cuts :)   Adore this polka dotted apple and added a yellow sentiment tab to fill in some space and add a pop of colour.

Into my teacher, thank you stash it goes.  Even though my kids are now in high school, I still send notes to their teachers at the end of each semester thanking them for teaching my kids.  We have been extremely blessed with amazing teachers throughout each of my kids years in high school and fingers crossed, this year will be no different.

Thanks for popping in today and sharing a bit of your day with me :)





Challenge:  Simon Says




What's In It?
Stamps:   Class Act (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  
DIY Christmas (Simple Stories), Kraft, Black, So Saffron (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), VersaMark, Real Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: 
Class Act, Love Not (Confetti Cuts), Twine, Dimensionals

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Viva La Verve August Week 3 Sketch

VLV Aug 2015 Wk3 photo VLVAug15Wk3pic.jpg

This week Stacey is our Viva La Verve sketch hostess and she has this fabulous sketch to work with.

The big circle screamed doily so I just had to use one.  Layered up the sentiment panel, using a sentiment from Treasured Words on the Hearts and Swirls die cut and framing it with the matching stamp from Die Side Kicks.  Added a few hearts using the Heart Quartet die, a bit of bling and a crimped tag for some added dimension and texture.

Friday will bring our fourth and final Viva La Verve sketch for August.  You don't have to complete all four sketches to enter the draw, but the more you complete the greater your chances of winning a $100 gift certificate to the Verve Store :)

Have a fabulous day!

Challenge:  Simon Says



What's In It?
Stamps:   Treasured Words, Die Side Kicks (Verve Stamps), Modern Wood Mats (PTI)
Paper:  
Flower Atrium (American Crafts), Rose Romance, Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), VersaMark
Accessories: 
Heart Quartet, Hearts and Swirls Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Mat Stack Die (PTI), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Bling, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Monday, August 24, 2015

Mojo Monday #412

Mojo 412 photo Mojo412picA.jpg

With warm days and cooler mornings and evenings this past week, as well as decreasing daylight hours, I was reminded that Fall is getting closer. Thus the fall colours on my card today.

I looooove fall colours!!  They give me warm fuzzies :)   I totally enjoy working with them in any venue I can - from card making to decorating my home with them, to wearing them LOL!

Mixed and matched a bunch of them on this card and created the sentiment using two stamps from Wonderful Marvelous.  I fussy cut the maple leaf (oh my....getting giddy at being able to use leaves on cards again!) and pierced the sentiment panel to help it stand out a bit more.  Decided to keep it on the masculine side with some twine and a spiral clip, but then realized the doily doesn't quite fit that theme 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.

 

As much as I have enjoyed this amazing summer weather, we are in desperate need for rain after four plus months without it!  It breaks my heart seeing boulevard trees and bushes dropping leaves like crazy in an attempt to survive the drought.  The other day someone told me Gabriola Island (one of the Gulf Islands off the coast) has run out of water and they have to truck it in from the mainland.  Stage 4 water restrictions are a looming reality, and we don't want to go there as that means absolutely no outdoor watering (we haven't been able to water our lawns for over a month but can water garden plants/bushes as long as it is done by hand).  Beginning to wonder if I am living on the West Coast!  






What's In It?
Stamps:   Wonderful Marvelous (Verve Stamps), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:  Recollections (Michael's), Kraft, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, DSP (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen

Ink:   So Saffron, Black
Accessories:  Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Paper Piercer, Sprial Clip, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Sketch For You To Try

SFYTT Aug 2015 photo SFYTTAug2015picA.jpg

I am having great fun with my new Reverse Confetti goodies - gotta love combination of a Reverse Confetti sale and cash from my participation in my  LSS's garage sale burning a hole in my pocket!

This week's Colour Q had a fabulous combination which was perfect for flowers wink, wink :) and I combined it with this  month's Sketch For You To Try.  Loved the big panel and all the options it provides.

My card was heavily inspired by this card by Wanda Cullen -- she uses these flowers so well!  Layered Confetti Cuts created my focal panel and these delightful Petals and Posies adorned it.  A little "thanks" tab finished things off nicely.  Going to have a hard time putting these new goodies down!

Enjoy your day!



What's In It?
Stamps:   Petals and Posies (Reverse Confetti) 

Paper:   Recollections (Michael's), Real Red, Going Grey, Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), Summer Sun, (Stampin' Up), Mermaid (Lawn Fawn)
Accessories: 
Petals and Posies Die Set, Love Not Die Set (Confetti Cuts by Reverse Confetti), Flag It Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Dimensionals

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

VLV August Week 2 Sketch Recap

VLV Aug 2015 Week 2 photo VLVAugWk2picA.jpg

It's my turn to recap Maureen's wonderful Viva La Verve sketch for the second week in August.  Always enjoy working with Moe's sketches and this one was no different.

In my continuing saga use up old paper, I found this large print paper with a wonderful mix of colours and big flowers.  It was a bit too busy on its own, so I covered most of it up, but pulled all my other colours from it.

My beloved Jotted Heart die came out to play as did the Rounded Rectangle die and Flag It die set.  I outlined the heart with an image from Love Notes and the rectangle with an image from Treasured Words.  The sentiment is a combination of the Hello Friend Plain Jane and a sentiment from Poppy Birthday.  The subtle pattern on the blue panel is a Versamarked background image from Better Together.   Love combining my Verve sets :)

Want to see who I spotlighted for this sketch, then head on over to the Viva La Verve blog to find out.   You have until the end of the month to submit your card(s) using one or all the sketches from this month and as a result be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store!  Well worth playing along for.

Wishing you a wonderful day :)



What's In It?
Stamps:   Hello Friend Plain Jane, Love Notes, Treasured Words, Poppy Birthday, Better Together (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  
Recollections (Michael's), Cool Caribbean, Real Red, Mint Medley, So Saffron (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento), VersaMark
Accessories: 
Jotted Heart, Rounded Rectangle, Flag It die set (ACut Above by Verve), Doily Die (Top Dog Dies), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Monday, August 17, 2015

Mojo Monday #411

Mojo 411 photo Mojo411pic.jpg

We had a very slight smattering of rain last night and temperatures have dropped about twelve degrees Celcius (24F) and since it was feeling a bit closer to fall than summer when I sat down to make this card, fall won out LOL.

Still desperately short on my birthday card stash so make another one using this fabulous Birthday to You Plain Jane.  Out came my leaf dies for accents and a few sequins and buttons to finish 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.

 

Hard to believe it is the middle of August and September is quickly approaching - yikes!!  Still lots to squeeze out of summer, but we are all hoping for some much needed rain!  In all the years I have lived here, I have never experienced a summer like this one!

Have a fabulous day, and hope you can squeeze some time in to play along :)






What's In It?
Stamps:   Birthday To You Plain Jane (Verve Stamps), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:  Recollections (Michael's), I Heart Summer (Simple Stories), Old Olive, Read Red, Always Artichoke, So Saffron (Stampin' Up)

Ink:   Always Artichoke, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Leaf Print Dies (PTI), Buttons, Twine, Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Mason Jar


Welcome back to the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  This week, the Crew is back back with our second August challenge entitled Mason jar.  The LEAD for this challenge will be invited to be a guest designer in a future challenge.

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I was thrilled to find some lined grey paper by Teresa Collins in my stash to mimic the background behind the mason jars - score!  Don't have to ask me twice about using flowers on a card so immediately jumped on that and added yellow centers as per the yellow jar.  Love using black accents on cards, so a bit of black trim and a black sentiment called it a wrap.

Orchard Designers

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Betty Wright
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
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:  Wonderful (Teresa Collins), Real Red, Garden Green, So Saffron, Black (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:  Elegant Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Flower, Button Die, Word Die (PTI), Dimensionals


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Viva La Verve August Week 1 Sketch Recap

VLV Aug 15 Wk 1 photo VLVAug15Wk1pic.jpg

It's recap time for this week's Viva La Verve sketch by Julee and I had a great time creating this card.

I picked up these fabulous Sunkissed Doodlebug papers at my local LSS'  summer paper blow out sale last week, and I couldn't wait to use them!

Since my birthday card stash is seriously lacking at the moment, out came this fabulous Happy Birthday Plain Jane.  I paired it with the tag die from Flourished Tags and the fun Loopy Bloom die for the flower.   The turquoise flag is from the Banner Bundle set and I added a few butterflies for good measure wink, wink.

Want to know whose cards I spotlighted this week, then head on over to the Viva La Verve blog to find out as well as to getting a ton of inspiration from the gallery.

Thanks for popping in today!



What's In It?
Stamps:   Happy Birthday Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  
SunKissesd (Doodlebug), Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Early Espresso, Real Red (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black (Momento)     
Accessories: 
Loopy Blooms, Banner Bundle and Flourished Tag Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Button, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Monday, August 10, 2015

Mojo Monday #410

Mojo 410 photo Mojo410pic.jpg

Happy Mojo Monday everyone :)   Love starting my week with a great sketch!

Kind Words is one of my favorite Verve sets as I just adore this sentiment. The truth behind it is a reality that has impacted my life and one I try to impart to others on a regular basis.

I accented it with the flower and leaves from Dream Big - another favorite set of mine - and a stitched circle for a little something, something.

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.
 
Wanda Cullen

Out temperatures have finally dropped down to seasonal and the crazy thing is it now feels cold LOL!   We also got a bit of rain which struck fear in the hearts of my workplace as the source of our leak had not been fixed yet!!  Thankfully, the excavation for the repair of the broken pipe got under way on Friday, and fingers crossed it gets done before the next bit of rain scheduled to hit so we can all sleep soundly at night!  

Wishing you a blessed day!






What's In It?
Stamps:   Kind Words, Dream Big (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Recollections (Michael's), Blush Blossom, Kraft, Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up)

Ink:   Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Scalloped Flowers and Dreamy Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals  
 

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

August Verve Diva Inspiration Hop

It's 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! You have the rest of the month to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.



 Our August challenge is Celebrate

It's our Anni-VERVE-sary - so we're celebrating! Create a card to celebrate something or someone special, an anniversary, birthday, new baby, any occasion filled with joy! Use the inspiration or go off on your own tangent, just share a celebration with us!

Click here to link up your challenge entries

Challenge deadline: Monday, August 31.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

If you have come here from Maureen's blog, you are right on track.  If you just happened upon the Hop, you can check the hop list below to get caught up. 


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Loved the colour combination in the inspiration photo and used the chalkboard as my springboard for this card.  Created my own chalkboard with the Happy Birthday message on it, added a doily to girly it up a bit as well as a medallion as per the photo.  Used the stitched rectangle border as per the one around the graphic and added a few hearts for good measure.

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. Julee6. Susan
2. Amy7. Maureen
3. Betty8. Marisa
4. Jen9. Charmaine
5. Sarah

Time to head on over to Charmaine's blog to see her wonderful take on the inspiration photo! 

Right after that, make sure to head on over to the Verve Store to take advantage of the Anni-VERVE-sary sale!!  Everything in stock is 10% - 50% off -- a great time to stock up for Christmas and birthday gifts, blog candy or instant gratification LOL!





What's In It?
Stamps:  Birthday To You Plain Jane, Deco Borders (Verve Stamps)

Paper:  Black, Kraft, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  VersaMark 
Accessories:  Heart Quartet (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Doily Die (Top Dog), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Pal, White Embossing Powder, White and Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Monday, August 3, 2015

Mojo Monday #409

Mojo 409 photo Mojo409pic.jpg

It's the first Monday of the month and that means contest time over on the Mojo Monday blog!  The more entries we get, the greater your chances of winning so come play long for your change to win some Verve!

I needed a birthday card for my son as he turned 15 this weekend.  I still can't believe my 6'1" "baby" is fifteen - where did the years go!!  He is a fabulous boy with a huge heart, charismatic personality and holds a very special place in my heart.  I am truly blessed and thankful to have him for a son.

I pulled out Better Together as I love the masculine bent to this set.  Used the tread mark stamp on my kraft panel and stamped this fabulous sentiment on some notebook paper.  Added a few stars using the Starry die set and a triple banner to tie all the colours together.

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.
 


We plowed our way through another extremely hot week here with it hitting the 30's again (90+F).  This is a summer like no other!  Beginning to wonder if I live in BC or not LOL!  Thankfully a week Sunday we had a substantial rainfall.  It hasn't put much of a dint into the water reservoirs but at least the trees, plants and grass finally got some rain.

Though I was happy for the rain, it brought on a very busy Sunday!  Got a call from my boss saying we had a flood in the clinic so I went over to help out.  Thankfully he was in there Sunday morning getting all we needed for our screening at the Farmer's market otherwise, things would have turned out very differently!  My family and I basically ran a water brigade for over four hours as each heavy rain shower brought on a stronger deluge of water than the previous one.  Scary part is it was coming through the AC unit in the x-ray room.

Thankfully I didn't clean out my towel closet two weeks ago when I was thinking about it because we used every towel we own to try to keep the water in check.  We managed to keep the water level at under an inch of water on the floor so the drainage into the sub floor was minimal and since we covered the x-ray machine with some towels and a big garbage bag, it came out unscathed.  Needless to say, it could have been a LOT worse if my boss hadn't gone in on Sunday morning.  A total blessing as he usually collects everything Saturday night not Sunday morning.  Otherwise, come Monday, I know we would have had several inches of water everywhere, which would mean a new x-ray machine, new floor having to be put in, walls etc., a major disruption to business.  We were running pretty well on pace last week, albeit roasting to death in the clinic as the AC unit needed to be cleared before we could turn it on.  So....we got to work in 30+C all week (90F - 100F) with drying fans in the walls and sub floor to get the moisture out (more heat) making it cooler outside than it was in our clinic - which is something because it was quite hot outside!!  Cause of the issue:  a cracked, outdoor, drainage pipe that overflowed and backed up into our AC's drainage pipe because the contractor didn't put in a one way safety valve in!  Yah....

Sorry for the long post - just have to document this adventure somewhere LOL!

Have a fabulous day, and hope you can play along!

Challenge: Simon Says






What's In It?
Stamps:   Better Together (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Miscellaneous DP, Kraft, So Saffron, Real Red, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up), Tan

Ink:   Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Starry Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Notebook Die (My Favorite Things), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Orchard


Welcome back to the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  This week, the Crew is back back with our August challenge entitled Orchard.  The LEAD for this challenge will be invited to be a guest designer in a future challenge.

CC Aug 2015 photo CCAug1pic.jpg

This picture made me think of enjoying a nice, firm, crunchy, juicy apple.  Love when the new crop comes out as mushy apples are a huge pet peeve of mine!  I pulled my colours from the picture and used some wood grain paper to bring in the trees.  Verve's Teacher's Count was my set of choice since it has these adorable apples, matching Apples die set and this wonderful sentiment.  Best part is you don't have to be a teacher to live out this great motto!

Orchard Designers


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

Challenges: Simon Says

 




What's In It?
Stamps:   Teachers Count (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Hello Baby (Simple Stories),  Kraft, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up)
Ink:   Black, real red, Garden Green (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Apples die set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers), Button Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals