Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Release Day!

Welcome to our last Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hop! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

Today is Release Day!  Hooray!  This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years! Everything previewed this week is now available for purchase in the Verve online store!!

Featured Products: Small Packages (illustrated by Julee Tilman), Cupcake Frame Die Set
Today's Prize: $50 gift code to Verve

As you’ve seen all week, I’ve had fun creating different backgrounds using my new Dylusions ink sprays.  I’ve added some stencilling on today’s card with white gesso.  My only problem was figuring out how to finish this card without covering up all that fabulous texture and colour!  Hello vellum to the rescue!  I stitched on a vellum panel so I could attach the frame and sentiment from the Small Packages set.  Next I paper pieced the cupcake liner with some bold polka dot paper and painted the icing in two pink tones with my pink distress ink and an aqua pen.  I just spread a little ink directly onto my craft mat and used my aqua pen to paint the pink.  I used a little more water on the lighter layers.  Once the icing had dried, I used my Wink of Stella pen to add some “sparkles.”

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Now head onto Laurie’s blog for another gorgeous sample with today’s products!

what’s in it?

stamps: Small Packages (Verve)

paper: rustic cream, vellum (PTI), watercolour paper, Summer Stories (Teresa Collins)

ink: onyx (Versafine), Dylusions ink sprays (Ranger)

accessories: Cupcake Frame Die Set, Signature Sequins Mix (Verve), half and half die (PTI), jumbo sequins (Teresa Collins), twine (hemptique), gesso (Liquidtex), stencil (Dylusions by Ranger), Wink of Stella pen, stitching

Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Day 5

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hops! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years and our release is filled with all sorts of treats! All week long the Divas will be spotlighting new stamps and dies and each day there's a chance to win a $50 gift code to Verve just for commenting on our posts! So tune in each day for a new spotlight and a fresh chance to win. Everything previewed this week will be available for purchase in the Verve online store on Saturday 8/30.

Featured Products: One Cup (illustrated by Julee Tilman), Cuppa Tea Die Set, Psalm 34:8 PJ
Today's Prize: $50 gift code to Verve

Oh, this set is so fun!  I have a tea loving sister so this set will be perfect for making her all kinds of cards :)  I paper pieced the stack of tea cups with the same paper pad I used for the whole card.  Have I changed beverage camps!?  Not at all!  Although, I do enjoy a cup of green or mint tea on cold winter evenings :)  The Sweet Scallop Die was the perfect size for the sentiment and I added another one in the back for some extra visual interest.  A paper doily, stitching, twine, ribbon and some more Shine Bright Sequin Mix give this card a vintage flair.  Love it!

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Now head over to Laurie’s blog for another gorgeous sample with today’s products!

what’s in it?

stamps: One Cup (Verve)

paper: rustic white (PTI), Homespun (Simple Stories)

ink: onyx (Versafine)

accessories: Sweet Scallop Die, Spring Fling Ribbon Collection, Shine Bright Sequin Mix (Verve), twine (hemptique), paper doily, stitching

Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Day 4

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hops! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years and our release is filled with all sorts of treats! All week long the Divas will be spotlighting new stamps and dies and each day there's a chance to win a $50 gift code to Verve just for commenting on our posts! So tune in each day for a new spotlight and a fresh chance to win. Everything previewed this week will be available for purchase in the Verve online store on Saturday 8/30.

Featured Products: Framed Florals (illustrated by Chaitali Narla), Bluebells Die
Today's Prize: $50 gift code to Verve

I’ve been playing around with my new Dylusions Ink Sprays!  I put a few drops onto watercolour paper then sprayed water on them and let the colours mix together.  I thought it was the perfect background for the frame and Bluebells in today’s featured stamp set.  I added only some gorgeous white Signature Ribbon Collection and Shine Bright Sequin Mix as I did not want to take away from those lovely vibrant colours.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Now head over to Laurie’s blog for another gorgeous sample with today’s products!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: Framed Florals (Verve)

paper: white (PTI), watercolour paper

ink: onyx (versafine), Dylusions ink sprays (Ranger)

accessories: Signature Ribbon Collection and Shine Bright Sequin Mix (Verve)

Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Day 3

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hops! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years and our release is filled with all sorts of treats! All week long the Divas will be spotlighting new stamps and dies and each day there's a chance to win a $50 gift code to Verve just for commenting on our posts! So tune in each day for a new spotlight and a fresh chance to win. Everything previewed this week will be available for purchase in the Verve online store on Saturday 8/30.

Featured Products: Coffee (illustrated by Chaitali Narla), Coffee Word Die, Cuppa Joe Die Set

This set was made for me!  I’m a true coffee gal and unless I’m sick I enjoy 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day, no sugar but a splash of 1% milk.  I squealed when I saw the new Coffee word die!  I’ve cut several out and glued them together to make a thick embellishment complete with glitter cardstock on the top so the word sparkles :)  How about a brown chalkboard!  Sure! I made another vellum doily as I didn’t want to cover up my pretty Verve turquoise background created with my new Dylusions ink spray (inspired by Diva Amber!).  I stamped the coffee beans from the set to add to the coffee theme as well as some more Signature Sequins and some brown Polka Dot Basics Ribbon.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Now head over to Laurie’s blog for another gorgeous sample with today’s products!

what’s in it?

stamps: Coffee, On Occasion (Verve)

paper: rustic cream and vellum (PTI), espresso (SU), watercolour paper,

ink: close to cocoa (SU), versamark, Dylusions spray ink (Ranger)

accessories: Signature Sequins Mix, Coffee Word Die, Occasion Frame Die,  Polka Dot Basics Ribbon (Verve), doily die, white embossing powder (PTI),

Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Day 2

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hops! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years and our release is filled with all sorts of treats! All week long the Divas will be spotlighting new stamps and dies and each day there's a chance to win a $50 gift code to Verve just for commenting on our posts! So tune in each day for a new spotlight and a fresh chance to win. Everything previewed this week will be available for purchase in the Verve online store on Saturday 8/30.

Featured Products: Framed Lilies (illustrated by Chaitali Narla)

Today I’m playing with the Framed Lilies stamp set.  There are outlines of the lilies as well as solid images so you can quickly ink up any colour of lilies you wish!  I’ve stamped several lilies and then went in with Sweet Blush pink and Autumn Rose inks.  I even stamped a few extras to layer on top with foam dots.  The bottom corner looked a little bare so I added the “Peace to You” from the Peaceful Medallions set.



Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!

Now head onto Laurie’s blog for some another gorgeous sample with today’s products!  Come back tomorrow for another Spotlight!

what’s in it?

stamps: Framed Lilies, Peaceful Medallions (Verve)

paper: rustic white, soft stone (PTI), Summer Stories (Teresa Collins)

ink: onyx (versafine), going gray (SU), sweet blush, autumn rose (PTI)

accessories: Shine Bright Sequin Mix, Signature Ribbon Collection (Verve), paper doily, stitching

The Finale ~ PTI Stamp-a-faire

Hi friends!  Well, here it is, my last PTI Stamp-a-faire 2014 post.  I didn’t get all the challenges in, but I did 6 of them…not bad!  Here they are in the top 6 cubbies.  I filled in the bottom 3 cubbies with previous PTI cards, today’s Blog Hop card and 2 Make it Monday cards :)

Thanks for popping in and for all your sweet comments :)  A BIG thank you to Nichole and the team for their constant inspiration and for all the time they put into making this event happen.  I guess it’s saved me travel $$$, but I sure did LOVE being there the first year!  Here’s another walk down that memory lane…

My bestie Lynn from The Mango Boys and Me

My first PTI love, Dawn McVey

The Queen Bee (Nichole) herself with me and Lynn

Honourary DT members!

Touching the shoulder of the most fabulous Betsy Veldman (I didn’t wash for a week! LOL wink!)

The sweetest Suzanne from Freshly Noted who made me feel like a Rock Star!

 

Christine from Seaglass Papercrafts who is such a doll!

And darling Luanne from He Golfs, I Stamp, a fellow PTI and Verve fan!

Such wonderful memories!  Until next time! 

Time After Time ~ PTI Stamp-a-faire

Hi friends!  I’m back with the last challenge before I post my finale :)  This Time After Time challenge was the ultimate challenge.  Find one of your first cards and remake it in your present style!  I think the hardest part of the challenge was digging out those old cards and being able to make a new card through all the cringing and embarrassment!  I don’t have any of my old cards so I went back to my very first Blog post back in July 2009.  YIKES!

If nothing else, I can honestly say that I’ve improved over the years IMHO!  I was a slave to sketches back then and now either use my own layouts or use sketches and change them slightly to fit my style.  I still LOVE bold colours and buttons and made sure to include those with my love of doilies and sequins.  I also would rather stamp my flowers than use premade ones.  I’m happy to see that my photography skills have improved even though I use the same kind of camera (which will be updated soon as it doesn’t connect to my computer any more as of Saturday :(  ).  Okay, one more post for today and then I’m done!  Thanks for hanging in with me!

All supplies are PTI except patterned paper, doily, sequins and flourish image

A Little Something for You ~ PTI Stamp-a-faire

Greetings!  How about a trip back to the 80s?  I wasn’t going to play with this one, but after viewing Lexi’s Explore the Eighties video I thought, “hmmmm, that would actually be lots of fun to create!”  Kind of like how I felt 2 years ago making this mini booklet for Melissa’s challenge!  I used Lexi’s sample as my guide and then found my own items to create this fun rainbow folder.  Funny, I was in high school in the 80s and don’t remember these!  Either I wasn’t hip enough or can’t remember in my old age! HA!

Here’s the inside of the mini folder…I punched out the library pocket from some rainbow patterned paper…I was not in the mood to stamp and clean off 7 colours for a stamped image! LOL  I was happy to find these little velcro adhesive circles.  I cut one in half to use as a closure/fastener. Here’s another photo to show the folder style.  This was really fun!

Two more posts to go!  One more challenge and then the finale!

All supplies are from PTI except the patterned paper, some of the coloured cardstock and the velcro

Oh, How I Love You ~ PTI Stamp-a-faire

Hello!  I’m back with the  Melissa’s Regency Era challenge.  Since I didn’t purchase the SAF kit this year, I was on my own to figure out what to use for each challenge…which was a challenge in itself! HA!  I thought this frame might do for the Antique Embossing challenge.  It didn’t turn out as lovely as Melissa’s frame, but it wouldn’t be SAF without one of my techniques working out! LOL  I still like it and added some gorgeous paper and lovely twill ribbon to make up for the technique not working out perfectly :)  Thanks for stopping by!

All supplies are from PTI except the patterned paper

Embossed Seal ~ PTI Stamp-a-faire

Hi friends!  I’ll first apologize for all the posts today but it seems to be the perfect “storm” for challenges and the start of the Verve Spotlights!  Oh well! LOL  Perhaps it will make up for when my Masters classes start up in 2 weeks and work begins again (fingers crossed!).  This card is for Nichole’s Renaissance challenge.  I remember this technique 10 years ago!  I was trying to find the little album I made with an embossed seal but couldn’t remember where I put it!  I’m sure I’ll find it tomorrow! LOL  I used a medallion stamp from Verve’s  Peaceful Medallions.  I kept it simple like Nichole’s example and because I was making late last night before bed! HA!  See you in a few minutes! LOL

All PTI supplies except patterned paper, banner die, bling, and medallion stamp

Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight ~ Day 1

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary 2014 Spotlight Hops! If you’ve arrived from Stacey’s blog you are right on track!

This month Verve is celebrating 7 wonderful years and our release is filled with all sorts of treats! All week long the Divas will be spotlighting new stamps and dies and each day there's a chance to win a $50 gift code to Verve just for commenting on our posts! So tune in each day for a new spotlight and a fresh chance to win. Everything previewed this week will be available for purchase in the Verve online store on Saturday 8/30.

Today I’m using Cupcakes (illustrated by Chaitali Narla) to make this fun cupcake card.  I’ve created that yummy icing by stamping the cupcake top with pink ink and then glazing it with Glossy Accents.  I’ve added some white sequins from the Signature Sequin Mix for a bit of fun and a bit more sparkle!



Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift code to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on each blog on the list to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for full set reveals and all the prize info and deadlines!


A special welcome to our fabulous Guest Diva, Monika Davis, who will be serving up some Verve eye candy right along with us this release!  Now head onto Laurie’s blog for another gorgeous sample with today’s products!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: Cupcakes (Verve)

paper: white, soft stone (PTI), Something Wonderful (Teresa Collins)

ink: onyxy (Versafine), rose romance, choc chip (SU),

accessories: Signature Sequins, Sprightly Sprigs Die Set, Polka Dot Basics Ribbon Collection (Verve), limitless layers dies (PTI), Fishtail Stax dies (MFT),