Monday, December 18, 2017

Viva La Verve Sketch December 2017

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Today I have made a card for Viva La Verve's December sketch created by the sketch queen herself, Julee Tilman :)  

I used one of the new Christmas digis recently released called Winter Peace.  Love the deer image in this!  I paired it with a sentiment form the same set, underscored with gold half pearls to draw your attention to it, and finished things off with a gold snowflake with a piece of bling in the middle for a little added sparkle against the darker papers. 

Would love to have you come and play along for a chance to win some Verve!  Simply use the sketch and post it to the challenge and you could be the winner of a Verve set of your choice!   Perfect as a Christmas gift to yourself :)    Need some inspiration, just head on over to the Viva La Verve blog and check out the gallery and DT samples.

Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping by!






What's In It?
Stamps:  Winter Peace (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Jovial (Basic Grey), Home for Christmas (Fancy Pants), Vintage Santa (Echo Park), Brushed Gold (LSS)  
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Gold Twine (Michael's), Gold and White Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals 

Friday, December 15, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challege - Pines


Although today is the beginning of a new challenge, it is also the ending of the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge....sniff, sniff....   The curtain is closing and we wish to thank each and every person who has participated in our challenges over the past 4.5 years!  I was shocked to see how many years we had been going as I didn't realize it was for so long - goes to show you how time flies when you are having fun!  

I want to say a special thank you to Stacey Schafer who pulled this fabulous design team together in a week or less (she was a woman on a mission!) after she and Kim Singdahlsen were chatting one day and decided to start the challenge.  Thank you to Kim for all the behind the scenes work setting things up the blog and keeping us all organized for each challenge for several years.  In addition, a big thank you to Lisa Henke and Sheri Gilson who each took over the behind the scenes role of posting on the blog and keeping the team organized at various stages along the way.  It was an honor to have been asked to be a part of this amazing team of talented ladies, and I will miss both the design team and the challenges. 

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I pulled out Verve's Pinecone Christmas for my card (kind of fit the theme perfectly LOL), and created a fun little square Christmas card.  I double stamped the pine boughs in two shades of green as the first colour was too light and am happy with the mix.  Added a few touches of gold for a bit of zip.  Thankful to have an additional Christmas card in my stash as I have been very delinquent in making them this year due to the insanity of 2017 (I am definitely looking forward to some fabulous family time, jammie days, sleeping in, puzzle making and reading over the Christmas break)!

For our final challenge, we have two guest designers as well as some alumni providing loads of fabulous inspiration!

PINES 

Guest Designers
Elizabeth Stewart, Paper Sweetness

 Design Team and Alumni
Amy Shaffer, Pickled Paper Designs
Amy Tsuruta, Tsuruta Designs
Betty WrightCrafting With Betty
Kim SingdahlsenJoyful Creations with Kim
Leigh PennerTo the Full
Lori TeclerInking Aloud
Lynn ManganMy Mango Boys and Me
Marisa RitzenRosemary Reflections
 Maureen Plutbuttons & bling
Melody RuppleA Paper Melody 
Monika Davis, M.A.D. Stamper 
Sheri GilsonPaper Crafty's Creations
Silke LedlowMy Life
Tara GodfreyInking on the Edge
Tracey McNeely, In My Creative Opinion


Have a wonderful week,  and let's show give this challenge finale some love by getting lots of entries for our final act!!  


 




What's In It?
Stamps:  Pinecone Christmas (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Lost and Found Christmas (MME), Cozy Christmas (Simple Stories)  
Ink:  Black, Old Olive, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Gold Sequins, Gold String, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Friday, December 1, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challange - A Good Read


Eeeeekkkk!!!  It's December 1st and the dash to Christmas is on!  Head down, butt up and a sprint to the finish line it is!

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When I saw this photo, the first thing that crossed my mind is I can't wait to have a lot of down time to read over Christmas break - happy sigh...{grin}.  Then I realized I didn't own any "book" type stamps so I put on my thinking cap and decided to go with a teacher type card as I associate reading and studying with school. 

I pulled the colours from the book covers and used Reverse Confetti's Class Act.  The letter background to mirror letters on a page in a book, created a mini "notebook" so to speak with the two lined pages, added a sentiment, two apples and an arrow to draw your eye to "thanks".  Two buttons and some twine finished things off.

A GOOD READ
   
Betty Wright

Enjoy the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery.  Have a wonderful day and thanks for popping by :)

Challenge:  Simon Says







What's In It?
Stamps:  Class Act (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  Kraft, White  
Ink:  Black, VersaMark, Real Red, Garden Green (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Class Act Die Set (Reverse Confetti), Arrow DIe (Verve Stamps), Crimper, Fiskars, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Acorns


Acorns are the cutest things!  We have quite a few trees in our area that drop them this time of year and it is always fun to collect them.  When you remove their "hats" they are a perfect cat toy too!

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I used PTI's Autumn Acorns and matching die set for my card.  Love how it has various acorn sizes and textured tops you can use.  I mounted them on a woodgrain background to pull in the photo background and added a few leaves and some black accents for a pop of colour.  A touch of twine and half pearls finished the cluster nicely.

ACORNS
Guest Designers 
 Laurel Seabrook, Seabrook Designs
Elizabeth Stewart - Paper Sweetness 
 
Betty Wright


Still having a bit of an issue wrapping my mind around the fact we are in November already!!  Time to get my Christmas letter and cards done - eeek!! We even had a surprise snowfall last week to keep us on our toes (very rare for us to get snow out on the West Coast never mind one in early November!!).  Was quite the week as we went from 20C on Sunday to snow on Thursday!  Time to get the winter tires on asap! 

Enjoy the challenge and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery.  Have a wonderful day and thanks for popping by :)







What's In It?
Stamps:  Autumn Acorns ( PTI)
Paper:   Going Grey, White (Stampin' Up) 
Ink:  Black, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Going Grey, Old Olive (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Distressed Lines Embossing Folder, Autumn Acorns Die Set (PTI), Ribbon,  Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Cider


Now this picture made me smile as it brought memories of hot apple cider on a cool winter evening...and/or mulled wine {grin}.  Hmmm, hmmm good and a big happy sigh to go with it :) 

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I used this month's Viva La Verve sketch, pulled the colours from the photo and went with a beverage theme for my card.  Lots of orange and yellow going on with a some grey as per the counter and a touch of brown.   Was still pretty blah so added some leaves using Autumn Leaves the matching Falling Leaves die set.  The sentiment is from Verve's One Cup and the heart is from the Little Ones die set.

CIDER

Our weather the past week has been simply amazing!  It has been beautifully warm and sunny and the gorgeous fall colours of the leaves against the blue sky are making me swoon on a regular basis!  A glorious lingering taste of summer weather before the rains begin and before all the leaves begin to fall.

Thanks for popping by, and have a fabulous day!







What's In It?
Stamps:  One Cup, Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Stella and Rose and On The Bright Side  (MME), Recollections (Michael's) 
Ink:  Black, Antique Linen (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  Little Ones and Falling Leaves Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Twinkling H2Os, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Viva la Verve October 2017 Sketch

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Once again bringing up the rear with October's Viva La Verve sketch.  Still enjoying Fall to the fullest as we are having a glorious one here with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.  Add that to beautifully turning maple leaves and I am in heaven :) 

I carried on with the Fall theme on my card, using one of my favorite lines ever, Stella and Rose by My Mind's Eye.  Lovely rich colours that remind me of the changing leaves and the blue sky I see out my front window - happy sigh....

Paired the paper with Verve's newly released Autumn Leaves and matching Falling Leaves die set.   Added pumpkins and for what it is worth, some tealish/turquoise maple leaves - only in card making can you make them any colour you want to match your card {grin}.   Always great to tell people you are thankful for them so replenishing my stash so I have a few on hand to give out.

Would love for you to come and play along - after all you do get a chance to win some free Verve!  Need some additional inspiration, check out the challenge gallery for some inspiration.

Have a fabulous day!  Thankful for you ♥

Challenges:  Inspired by All The Little Things
                       Simon Says Stamps






What's In It?
Stamps:  Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Stella and Rose (MME)  
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Falling Leaves (A Cut Above by Verve), Twinkling H2Os, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 5/8" Brown Ribbon (Michael's), Bling, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Cuddle


 


This picture made we want to crawl into bed with a stuffy and read.  It's that time of year where the air gets chillier and cuddle time in bed, or with hubby or with the kids is always a bonus for added warmth.  My son and hubby call me a heat leach {grin} as I lose heat faster than a reptile lol.

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I loved the grey and mustard colour combo and as much as I wanted to make a baby card, this new to me PTI set was calling my name!  It has been on my wish list forever and the only frustrating part was realizing I didn't get the large flower die as it isn't part of the die set I ordered - duh!!  Total idiot doesn't describe it...sigh....  So had to fussy cut the large flower but had the dies for the rest.


CUDDLE



With the cooler temps the craving for soup was on so I made some butternut squash soup as well as turkey soup after our Thanksgiving meal last Sunday.  Hmmm hmmmm good :)   Look forward to eating lots of soup over the coming months as I love it. 

Thanks for popping by!  Have a fabulous day!







What's In It?
Stamps:  Friendly Flowers (PTI)
Paper:   Peachy Keen (American Crafts) 
Ink:  More Mustard, Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Friendly Flowers Die Set, Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Buttons, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Verve October 2017 Release Hop



Welcome to Verve's October Mini Release Spotlight Hop! There's something new in the Verve shop today, and we're celebrating with a blog hop. Along the hop you'll see the Divas' first looks at the new Autumn Leaves stamp set and Falling Leaves die set. We're also hosting a little giveaway,so why not join in the fun and hop along with us? Just leave a little shout out in the comments at each stop and you'll be in the prize drawing for the new products. Check out the Verve Blog today for a little more about the new goodies and all the prize info and deadlines.

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 and get caught up.

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For my first card, I used these wonderful Verve pumpkins and of course the maple leaves - happy sigh :)  Plus, our Thanksgiving was this past weekend, so the the sentiment fit as well.  I have always loooved maple leaves, and being Canadian, it is a good thing, after all, we do have one on our flag LOL!   We have lots of maple trees of various varieties on our street and a few in our back yard as well, so this time of year their beauty against a blue sky or evergreens often takes my breath away.   We also have various pumpkin fields in the area so I combined both elements on my card.  An embossed woodgrain background and some delicious autumn colours (my favorite to work with), and some twine and a few brown half pearls brought things together nicely.

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For my second card, I continued with the maple leaf theme, only added latte's to the mix {grin}.  Another mix of fall colours and more opportunities for thankfulness.


New Release Hop List
1. Julee6. Betty
2. Charmaine7. Teresa
3. Maureen8. Lesley
4. Marisa9. Laurie
5. Christyne

Autumn LeavesFalling Leaves Die Set

Time to head on over to our Alumni Christyne's blog to see her fabulous creation and then carry on with the hop for a chance to win today's set. 
  

      





What's In It?
CARD 1
Stamps:   Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Stella and Rose (My Minds Eye), Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), Cream (LSS)
Ink:  Black, Rudy Red (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Falling Leaves Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve),  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Twinkling H2Os, Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals


What's In It?
CARD 2

Stamps:  Autumn Leaves (Verve Stamps), Woodgrain (Echo Park)
Paper:  Stella and Rose (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Cream (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Black (Momento), VersaMark
Accessories:  Falling Leaves Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders),   Twinkling H2Os, Sequins, Twine, Ribbon, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Iced Coffee


Now this inspiration picture makes me a happy girl!  I can literally smell and taste the coffee {grin}. 

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For my card I used two of Verve's coffee sets:  Always Time and Get Together along with the matching Cup of Cheer die set.  I stamped various sentiments from Always Time to create the kraft background panel and used Get Together for the focal sentiment and latte cups.  A few sequins and twine finished things off.

    
Big celebrations in our house this week as my son passed his "N" drivers test with flying colours so he can now drive himself to many of his soccer reffing gigs - happy sigh :)   He still needs to drive to some of the further away locations with us a few more times before we give him full reign, but having him drive to the local fields will be a huge help and free up a ton of our time.   A bit of a catch 22 as I am thrilled for him and yet now scared to have him driving on his own as he is a teenage boy - once a mom always a mom {grin}. 

Wishing you a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!


Challenges:  Simon Says





 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Always Time, Get Together (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Kraft 
Ink:  VersaMark, Black  
Accessories:  Cup of Cheer Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker), Twine, Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Viva La Verve - Septmeber Sketch

VLV Sept 2017 photo VLV17Septpic.jpg

Cutting it down to the wire here with this month's Viva La Verve sketch.  Been a crazy busy month, and the need for some down time and available down time aligned for this card - happy sigh :) 

Fall colours are my favorite to work with and always make my heart sing.  Toss in some maple leaves and coffee (decaf latte please) and I feel like I have won the lottery {grin}.  

Used Verve's new digi set Coffee Please for the sentiment and added maple leaves to frame it. 

Want a chance to win some free Verve, simply play along with our monthly Viva La Verve sketches!

Thanks for popping by and have a wonderful day!

Challenges:  Simon Says







What's In It?
Stamps:  Coffee Please (Verve Stamps Digi), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:   Stella and Rose (MME), For The Record (Paper Loft), Kraft   
Ink:  Black, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Rudy Red (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil Inkers), Crimper (Fiskars), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Coffee Lover's Fall Blog Hop





It is time for the Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop and I played along using last month's Viva la Verve sketch and images from the  new Verve Digi set called Coffee Please available for purchase on the Verve website.  

Coffee Lovers Hop Sept 2017 photo Coffe Lovers Hop Sept 2017.jpg

I absolutely love Fall colours and the Just Us Girls challenge this week had some lovely Autumn colours so I used them and and added a pop of turquoise/teal for some colour.   Added an  embossed wood grain background, coloured the pumpkin mug and added a corrugated maple leaf using a Starbuck's sleeve, because after all, they are the Pumpkin Spice coffee capital.

Thank for popping by and have a fabulous day!

ChallengeJust Us Girls 






What's In It?
Stamps:  Coffee Please (Verve Stamps Digi)
Paper:   Kraft, Stella and Rose (MME), Floral Chic (Fancy Pants), Recollections Paper (Michael's)  
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Circle Nestability (Spellbinders), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Maple Leaf and Button Dies (PTI), Arches Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  

Friday, September 1, 2017

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Dreamcatcher


Hello September!!   The blitz to Christmas is on!!   Sorry, that is how my mind works as Fall is always such a busy time of year with school back on and all the kids' activities back up and running at full speed.   

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I pulled a lot of elements from the inspiration photo - the wood grain, feather, blue beads and the twine from the dream catcher, along with the colours.  A full meal deal LOL!  


We are at the beginning of a very busy weekend as my son is reffing in a Labour Day tournament - four games a day three days in a row and mama is chief taxi driver.   Gonna be a warm weekend so our summer continues :)  

Wishing you a wonderful week, all the best with getting the first week of school and fall calendar under your belt (for those of you with kids that age) and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!

Challenges: Simon Says






What's In It?
Stamps:  Light as a Feather (Taylored Expressions), Woodgrain Background (Hero Arts)
Paper:   White and Kraft 
Ink:  VersaMark, Cameo Coral, Creamy Caramel, Passionate Pink, Black (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Oval Nestability (Spellbinders), Feather Dies (Taylored Expressions), Burlap, Twine,  Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals