Friday, October 29, 2010

Winter New Release Spotlights: Day 5


Hello and welcome to the final day of our Winter 2010 New Release Spotlights!


Tonight we'll be partying it up in the Release Party thread in our SCS forum!  Pop in any time between 9 and 11PM Eastern to see the reveals and more inspiring creations from the design team!

Have you enjoyed all the fabulous spotlights this week?  The Divas never cease to amaze me! If you haven't gotten to them all yet, you still have until 7PM Eastern tonight to leave some love and be entered to win some of our new releases!  So far this week, we've previewed all the new stamps, but there's one more little introduction we need to make!

Starting with this release, we're adding a new line of coordinating dies called A Cut Above Dies by Verve to our offerings!.  This release was scheduled for two new dies, but due to a manufacturing error, only one die is ready for tonight's release.  The Sweet Scallop Tag Die has two coordinating stamps  (the single Sweet Scallop Tag stamp as well as the snowflake tag stamp from Glad Tidings).   As you hop through today's spotlights,  you'll be seeing just how versatile this die can be.  Plus, as with our other hops this week, we've hidden a PRIZE on one of the participating blogs, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win today's featured die and coordinating single stamp!  Deadline for comment entries is 7PM Eastern tonight!

I'm going to add the hop list here, then go into a little more depth about our new dies!  Go grab a cup of coffee/tea, sit back, and enjoy!

1. Laurie 9. Teresa
2. Charmaine 10. Sankari
3. Lynda 11. Tosh
4. Mercy 12. Amber
5. Amy 13. Jen d.
6. Shannan 14. Andrea
7. Michelle 15. Julee
8. Jackie

Like many of the dies releasing recently from other companies, our dies are made from quality steel in the United States. Each die has a poke hole or two to make sure you can easily remove your die cut from the die.  They work in most leading die cut machines including the Cuttlebug, Big Shot and Wizard and they cut a variety of materials including felt, cork and thin chipboard.  Here are a couple things to note about our dies:

Packaging:
As with every new craft item, storage is always an issue.  I researched until I found a packaging solution that I thought would make storage a breeze!  Our dies come in sturdy, clear vinyl sleeves with a pocket up front to stow the die and the coordinating alignment tool together.  We've also added a clear label to the back of each die, so you always know which die you're using.

Alignment Tools:

While our stamps are clear and you could just eyeball it and stamp the image on the die cut, I prefer a little more accuracy, especially since our dies are designed with a very thin (1/16 inch) border around the stamped image.  To help with accuracy, each die comes with a plastic alignment tool to aid in lining the die up with the stamped image. See the mini tutorial below {courtesy of Amy Sheffer} for a rundown of how it works. You can click any of the photos for a larger view.

Julee's SampleStep 1
Gather supplies: stamp, paper, ink, die, alignment tool and a pen, pencil or piercing tool.1. Stamp your image.
The snowflake tag from Glad Tidings is shown here.
2. Place the clear alignment tool over the stamped image,
making sure the space around the thin etched cutting guide line is even on all sides.


Note: For your convenience, one side of the alignment tool is marked "this side up."
Step 3Step 4Step 5
3. Use a pencil, pen, or piercing tool to mark the two placement circles. These are outside of the die-cut, so no worries about needing to erase the marks later. Remove the alignment tool. 4. Place the die, cutting side down, on the stamped image, making sure the two holes on the outside of the die line up with the alignment marks you made in Step 3.5. Use a little removable tape to secure the die, then run through your die-cut machine. The stamped image will be perfectly centered within the die-cut. Easy-peasy!

So there you have it, a quick rundown of the newest addition to the Verve line-up. Be sure to hop around to the Diva blogs today to see what they've been crafting! Thanks for tuning in to our preview this week!  We'll see you at the party tonight!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Winter New Release Spotlights: Day 4


Hello and welcome to the fourth day of our Winter 2010 New Release Spotlights!

Tomorrow night {10/29} we'll be releasing all of the new sets we've been previewing this week!  We hope you'll join us over in our SCS forum for our Release Party from 9-11pm Eastern Friday night!  To countdown to the release, the Divas are continuing their series of daily blog hops previewing the new sets!  And because we love to do it, we've hidden a PRIZE on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps!  Deadline for comment entries is 7PM Mountain Friday, October 29.  Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night.

Today, the Divas are spotlighting a classy new holiday set called Glad Tidings.  With ornate snowflakes, a matching scallop tag and beautifully scripted greetings, this set is sure to become a favorite!  Hop around the Diva blogs today and you'lll see just how elegant, versatile, and unique these new stamps are!

Here's the official link list of today's spotlight hops.  Happy hopping!
1. Amy   8. Tosh
2. Jackie   9. Sankari
3. Mercy 10. Teresa
4. Michelle 11. Jen T.
5. Lynda 12. Andrea
6. Charmaine 13. Amber
7. Laurie 14. Julee

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Winter New Release Spotlights: Day 3


Hello and welcome to the third day of our Winter 2010 New Release Spotlights!

This Friday, October 29, we'll be releasing a whole lot of new Verve!  We hope you'll join us over in our SCS forum for our Release Party from 9-11pm Eastern on Friday night!  To countdown to the release, the Divas are putting on a series of mini blog hops each day this week to preview the new sets!  And to keep things interesting, we've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps!  Deadline for comment entries is 7PM Mountain Friday, October 29.  Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night.

Today, the Divas are spotlighting Merry Wishes, a lovely winter set with mix and match sentiments, as well as the fun Sweet Scallop Tag single!  While hopping along the design team blogs, you will see just how elegant, versatile, and unique these new stamps are!

Here's the official link list of today's spotlight hops.  Happy hopping!
1. Charmaine 8. Teresa
2. Michelle 9. Sankari
3. Lynda10. Tosh
4. Jackie11. Susan
5. Laurie12. Amber
6. Mercy13. Andrea
7. Amy14. Julee

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Winter New Release Spotlights: Day 2


Hello and welcome to the second day of our Winter 2010 New Release Spotlights!

This Friday, October 29, we'll be releasing a whole lot of new Verve!  We hope you'll join us over in our SCS forum for our Release Party from 9-11pm Eastern on Friday night!  To countdown to the release, the Divas are putting on a series of mini blog hops each day this week to preview the new sets!  And to keep things interesting, we've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps!  Deadline for comment entries is 7PM Mountain Friday, October 29.  Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night.

Today, the Divas are spotlighting our two newest faith based sets {Richly Blessed and Joy for the Journey} as well as a gorgeous oval stamp {Vintage Oval Frame}!  While hopping along the design team blogs, you will see just how elegant, versatile, and unique these new stamps are!

Here's the official link list of today's spotlight hops.  Happy hopping!
1. Jackie6. Sankari
2. Laurie7. Teresa
3. Lynda8. Andrea
4. Amy9. Julee
5. Mercy

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Winter New Release Spotlights: Day 1


Hello and welcome to the first day of our Winter 2010 New Release Spotlights!

This Friday, October 29, we'll be releasing a whole lot of new Verve! We hope you'll join us over in our SCS forum for our Release Party from 9-11pm Eastern on Friday night! To countdown to the release, the Divas are putting on a series of mini blog hops each day this week to preview the new sets! And to keep things interesting, we've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps! Deadline for comment entries is 7PM Mountain Friday, October 29. Winners will be announced at our release party on Friday night.
Today, the Divas are spotlighting four new mini sets and two Plain Janes. This release is all about holiday elegance and winter whimsy, with a few year-round classic sentiments thrown in for good measure. Along today's hop you'll see our design team first looks at a few mini sets {Holiday Phrases, Munchkin Phrases, Friendly Phrases and Winter Mittens} as well as our two newest Plain Janes, {Joy and Christmas Blessings}.

Here's the official {CORRECTED} link list of today's spotlight hops.
Happy hopping!

1. Lynda8. Sankari
2. Michelle9. Tosh
3. Mercy10. Susan
4. Amy11. Amber
5. Shannan12. Jen d.
6. Laurie13. Andrea
7. Teresa14. Julee

Be sure to leave some comments along the way
for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!


Saturday, October 9, 2010

Release WINNERS


Hi Verve fans!  Happy Saturday!  Did you have a blast this week with all of our release activities?  I sure did!  Our four new sets and plain janes are available in the store now!   And for a limited time you can buy the whole collection at a special price! Through October 28, purchase the Autumn 2010 Stamp Collection and save 15%. Hurry, because this offer is good only while supplies last!
Autumn 2010 Collection

Okay, on with the winners!  If you're a winner, be sure to read the bottom of this post for instructions on how to claim your prize!  First up are the random comment winners from our New Release Spotlight posts!  We had so much fun previewing the new sets for you and it's always such a treat to hear your first impressions.  Thanks for hopping along with us!



Spotlights Day 1 Winner of Many Blessings, Happy Fall and all four new Plain Janes

from Tosha's post...
Debbie Carriere said..."Oh my! This is so perfect! Love the clouds, all those yummy flowers, the border, the ribbon, the embellishing around the sentiment. Everything is fantastic!"

Spotlights Day 2 Winner of Autumn Splendor
from Susan's post...
Lisa M. (aka. Lisabee) said..."oh this is so cute! Love the shadow inking of the leaves!"

Spotlights Day 3 Winner of Bountiful Harvest
from Sankari's post...
Oma said...
"Both cards are great! Love the Halloweenish look of the 1st one."

And wow!  There were 322 cards submitted for our World Card Making Day Release Week Challenges!  Holy moly, you gals were stamping up a storm!  I looked at every single one - but unfortunately I couldn't comment on every card.  I've got tendinitis in my wrist and it's sooo painful to type.  Your creations were absolutely gorgeous and it was so much fun seeing everyone's take on the sketches.  So with out further adieu, here our are winners.  The randomly chosen individual sketch winners each win a $25 Verve gift certificate.  And the grand prize winner wins the whole Autumn 2010 Collection!

VSWCMD1 Winner VSWCMD2 Winner VSWCMD3 Winner VSWCMD4 Winner VSWCMD5 Winner
Vera Jessica Regina Jen Joanne
Grand Prize Winner
Grand Prize Winner: Marisa

Winner instructions: 
If you won a set or the grand prize, just send an email to contests@vervestamps.com and include your shipping address and the name of the set or sets you won and I'll get it in the mail.  If you'd like to place an order, then just list the prize you won in the order comments and I'll ship it with your order.

If you won a gift certificate, please email me at contests@vervestamps.com to claim your gift certificate code.

Okay, that wraps it up for this release. Thanks for celebrating with us this week. We'll be doing it again for our Winter release at the end of this month!  Until next time.... happy stamping!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Autumn New Release Spotlights: Day 3


Hello and welcome to the final day of our Autumn 2010 New Release Spotlights!

It's release day here at Verve!  This morning we're previewing the final set from our release, and shopping will go live at approximately 12pm  Mountain today!  So let's get to it!   

We've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win today's featured set!  Deadline for comment entries is 10PM Mountain TONIGHT {Friday, October 8.}  So if you're just tuning in, be sure to check out the Day 1 and Day 2 Hops as well! Winners will be announced here on Saturday, along with the winners from our Release Week Challenges.


Today, the Divas are spotlighting a set called Bountiful Harvest.  This 6 x 8" set includes 19 stamps and will retail for $24.  Whimsical fall imagery and scripted sentiments make this set a feast of fun for all your fall occasions. This set includes a sweet little pumpkin turkey and all the accoutrements needed to create your own little pumpkin patches.  The cards I've been seeing from the Divas are absolutely adorable, so be prepared for a whole lot of cute today!

Okay, here's today's official hop list. Check out our first looks at Bountiful Harvest:

1. Mercy 9. Amy
2. Jen d. 10. Laurie
3. Charmaine 11. Susan
4. Michelle 12. Jackie
5. Tosh 13. Sankari
6. Teresa 14. Amber
7. Lynda 15. Julee
8. Andrea 16. Shannan

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Autumn New Release Spotlights: Day 2


Hello and welcome to the second day of our Autumn 2010 New Release Spotlights!

Tomorrow {October 8} we'll be releasing 4 new sets and 4 plain janes!  Yesterday, today and tomorrow we're previewing the sets from our upcoming release.  We've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps!  Deadline for comment entries is 10PM Mountain Friday, October 8.  Winners will be announced here on Saturday, along with the winners from our Release Week Challenges.


Today, the Divas are spotlighting a set called Autumn Splendor.  This 6 x 8" set includes 27 stamps and will retail for $24.  With whimsical leaves of several varieties and sizes, the name of the game is options with this set!  Whether you like to color or two-step stamp, there's a bit of something for everyone here and this set is a dream for creating your own fall backgrounds!  I'm sure you're going to love today's previews!

Okay, here's the official hop list for today. Check out our first looks at Autumn Splendor:

1. Mercy 8. Amy
2. Charmaine 9. Susan
3. Michelle 10. Andrea
4. Jen T. 11. Jackie
5. Tosh 12. Sankari
6. Teresa 13. Amber
7. Lynda 14. Julee

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Autumn New Release Spotlights: Day 1


Hello and welcome to the first day of our Autumn 2010 New Release Spotlights!

This Friday, October 8, we'll be releasing 4 new sets and 4 plain janes!  And each day through Friday, we'll be previewing another set from our upcoming release.  We've hidden a prize on one of the participating blogs each day, so leave a little comment love as you hop around to be entered into a drawing to win that day's featured stamps!  Deadline for comment entries is 10PM Mountain Friday, October 8.  Winners will be announced here along with the winners from our Release Week Challenges on Saturday.


Today, the Divas are spotlighting two new mini sets and four plain janes.  We're celebrating Autumn with this release, so all the sets work within an autumn/harvest theme.  First up is a set called Many Blessings, a 4 x 3" set of 4 stamps that will retail for $9.  This versatile little set has three stemmed flowers in varying heights and the sentiment many blessings,  Next up is Happy Fall, a 3 x 4" set of 5 sentiment perfect for all sorts of fall occasions.  The fonts coordinate with other stamps in this release, so you'll have fun mixing and matching.

In addition to these two mini sets, you might see any of the four new plain janes along the hop today.  Harvest Birds is a single stamp of a couple whimsical birds and a harvest sentiment, Every Season is a Dickens quote and we've added two new scriptures to the line up  - Galatians 6:9 and Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Okay, here's the link list of today's spotlight hops. Check out our first looks at the new stamps:

1. Mercy 8. Laurie
2. Jen T. 9. Jackie
3. Tosh 10. Sankari
4. Teresa 11. Shannan
5. Andrea 12. Amber
6. Lynda 13. Julee
7. Amy

Be sure to leave some comments along the way for a chance to win!
Have fun and we'll see ya tomorrow!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

World Card Making Day - Release Week Challenges


Hey Verve fans!  Happy World Card Making Day!  Today we're celebrating with 5 new sketch challenges!  Play along in 1 or all 5 for a chance to win some Vervey goodness!  We'll pick one winner from each sketch challenge to win a $25 gift certificate to the Verve Store, plus if you participate in all 5 challenges, come back here and let us know in the comments of this post to be eligible to win our entire Autumn release!  The release is next Friday, October 8, so let's get this party started!

The sketches are linked below.  Click the thumbnail for a larger version of the sketch, and the text links below the sketches for the linky entry forms.  Verve stamps are not required to play, just have fun! Here's how to enter...
  1. Make a new card or creation inspired by the sketch.
  2. Upload a photo of your creation to your blog or other public online gallery and mention that it's for the Verve World Card Making Day Release challenges.
  3. Add the link to your photo to the linky form entry for the corresponding challenge.
  4. If you participate in all 5 challenges, be sure to come back here and leave a comment to let us know!
Deadline for entries:  11:59pm Mountain on Friday, October 8. 

VSWCMD1 Challenge VSWCMD2 Challenge VSWCMD3 Challenge VSWCMD4 Challenge VSWCMD5 Challenge
VSWCMD1 Entry Form VSWCMD2 Entry Form VSWCMD3 Entry Form VSWCMD4 Entry Form VSWCMD5 Entry Form

If you prefer, here's a link to a printable PDF with all 5 of the challenges...

Have fun! We can't wait to see what you create! And be sure to check back here starting on Wednesday October 6 for our New Release Spotlight Hops!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Guest Diva in the House!


Hi Verve fans! It's the beginning of a new month, and October is going to be hopping here at Verve! We've got two releases planned - a fall release on Friday, October 8 and a winter release on Friday, October 29!  There are sooooo many new sets, plus we've got a couple surprises up our sleeves, too!  To help us put on a grand old show, we enlisted the help of a stamper who's been wowing up the blogosphere lately!  Put your hands together for our October Guest Diva....

Andrea Ewen
Andrea first caught my attention through her out-of-this-world Mojo Monday entries.  Her style is so elegant and this girl definitely knows a thing or two about punches!  Lately I've been drooling just about every time I head over to her blog, so I knew she was the perfect choice for this month's Guest Diva spot!  I can't wait to see what gorgeousness she creates with all the new Verve goodies releasing this month!

Below are a few of my favorite creations from Andrea's blog, Ewen Style...
Andrea's Photo


You won't have to wait too long to start seeing her creations! Sneak previews of the new sets start on Wednesday, October 6! And be sure to check back here tomorrow for the kick-off to our World Card Making Day/Release Week challenges!