August Diva Dare - Day 4

Good morning, it's Amy here today with the fourth installment of our August Diva Dare! For those of you who are new to this challenge, here is how it works...following each release, we will post a theme that we dare you with, and you'll have two weeks to complete the challenge. During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare!

This month's theme is Sending Some Sunshine: we DARE you to make an uplifting and encouraging card AND send it to someone in need of a little pick-me-up! There's nothing like opening your mailbox and seeing a handmade card...especially with some of Verve's encouraging sentiments on it!  :-)

I answered the dare with a bold creation for a dear friend of mine who is going through a really rough stretch right now. For month's she's been saying she can't handle one more thing and then not one, but two or three more things end up in her lap. I see her in person regularly, so I think she'll be extra surprised and pleased to find this in her mailbox. I used flower images and a sentiment from Sunny Days, a fabulous set for pick-me-up cards! I also used Verve's Curvy Bookplate and Charming Oval dies. The layout is last week's Mojo205 sketch.

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sending Some Sunshine creation (posted August 26 or later) to the linky widget at the bottom of THE DAY 1 POST before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, September 11. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our Sending Some Sunshine creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Monday, September 12 right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn! We DARE you to show us your creations!

August Diva Dare - Day 3

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Hello crafting lovelies! Andrea checking in and I'm here to tell you that it's that time again, time for the Diva Dare! For those of you that are new to this challenge, here is how it works...following each release, we will post a theme that we dare you with, and you'll have two weeks to complete the challenge.  During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare!

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - Sending Some Sunshine! I know that I have boxes filled with cards sitting at home all piled up!  I'm ashamed to say that some of them are falling apart. The Divas thought it would be fun to make an uplifting & cheerful card and actually send it to someone!  There's nothing like opening your mailbox and seeing a handmade card...especially with some of Verve's encouraging sentiments on it! 

Here's a card that I made using Verve's newest releases, Words of Wisdom, You & I stamp sets and I Heart U dies paired with the previously released Classy Label die. I fashioned a medallion out of kraft and cream card stock using Martha's Layered Arches corner punch.  I then adhered the Classy Label die with a 2" X 1 1/4" rectangle panel for my sentiment. To dress it up a bit, I added some Platinum liquid pearls and black gems:

I plan on mailing this to a fellow blogger who is going through a life threatening illness so I'm sure that a little handmade card would be a tiny bright spot in her day. You can read about her story here. Keep fighting, You!

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sending Some Sunshine creation (posted August 26 or later) to the linky widget at the bottom of THE DAY 1 POST before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, September 11. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our Sending Some Sunshine creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Monday, September 12 right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn! We DARE you to show us your creations!

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August Diva Dare - Day 2

Good morning everyone!  It's Charmaine and today I'm sharing my answer to the August Diva Dare with you!  For those of you who are new to this challenge, here is how it works...following each release, we will post a theme that we dare you with, and you'll have two weeks to complete the challenge. During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare!

This month's theme is Sending Some Sunshine!  So, we're actually going to SEND our card to someone for this challenge.  :)  When I was thinking of who I would send my card to, I thought of this sweet, sweet girl who is ALWAYS making cards and sending them to sick children.  Her name is Emersyn, she is 9 years old, and she is such a sweetheart.  She also has a Cards For Kids Facebook page. She loves crafting and loves putting a smile on a child's face.  I am going to send my card to her (along with others in my stash) so that she can pass them along to more sick children. 

For my card, I used the Sunny Days set along with papers from the Early Bird Collection from Cosmo Cricket.  I stamped the flowers onto patterned papers and cardstock and cut them out.  Then I added buttons with twine to the centers.  I stamped the sprigs onto Kraft cardstock in black ink and die cut them with the Leafy Sprigs Die Set. 

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sending Some Sunshine creation (posted August 26 or later) to the linky widget at the bottom of THE DAY 1 POST before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, September 11. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our Sending Some Sunshine creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Monday, September 12 right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn! We DARE you to show us your creations!

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August Diva Dare - Day 1

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Welcome to the August Diva Dare!  For those of you that are new to this challenge, here is how it works...following each release, we will post a theme that we dare you with, and you'll have two weeks to complete the challenge. During those two weeks, the release team will post their creations and tell you how they answered the dare!

This month's theme is Sending Some Sunshine!  If you all are anything like me, you have tons of cards sitting at home all piled up!  I thought it would be fun to make an uplifting & cheerful card and actually send it to someone!  There's nothing like opening your mailbox and seeing a handmade card...especially with some of Verve's encouraging sentiments on it!  :-)

So, we DARE you to make an uplifting and encouraging card AND send it to someone in need of a little pick-me-up!
 
 

 Here is how I answered the dare...  I knew I wanted my card to be encouraging, and I do love me some vintage colors...so I combined them together!  I used the Curvy Bookplate and hope stamps from the Tag Time set, the Keep Fighting sentiment from the Words of Wisdom set, and the matching Curvy Bookplate die.  To carry out the vintage theme, I distressed all of the edges!

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Want to know how you can win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES?

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sending Some Sunshine creation (posted August 26 or later) to the linky widget below before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, September 11. One lucky stamper will win a $30.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we would  LOVE to see ‘em!
2. For another chance to win, be sure to give the Divas a little shout-out in the comments section as we share our Sending Some Sunshine creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Monday, September 12 right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!

Click the "Click here to enter" link above for the Diva Dare entry form.
Please type your name or screen name in the Caption or Title field, then choose the link and photo you'd like to enter. Please link directly to the specific blog post or gallery page where we can view your creation. 

Note: If you have trouble linking, try entering the link to your card, then choosing From File instead of From Web. Then just browse to where your picture is saved on your computer to get your thumbnail. Sometimes it takes a moment for your picture to show up after you've used the widget. If it doesn't appear right away, click the control button + F5 to refresh the images on the page.

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Anni-VERVE-sary After Party!

Welcome to our special Anni-VERVE-sary After Party!  The release party may be over, but we are still celebrating!  Each Monday following a release, we will share some of our favorite Diva creations using the newly released stamps along with all the latest sale info!

We're celebrating four wonderful years of Verve with a SALE! Now through August 31, save 10 - 40% on all stamps & dies, including new releases.
Sale limited to stock on hand. No price adjustments for prior purchases.

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And now, some yummy Anni-VERVE-sary eye candy!

Created by Tosha Leyendekker using the Making a Statement set along with the Loopy Blooms, Curvy Bookplate, and Jotted Heart dies.

Created by Teresa Kline using the Making a Statement set along with the Loopy Blooms and Rounded Scalloped Frame Dies.

Created by Sankari Wegman using Tag Time, Sunny Days, Making a Statement, Words of Wisdom sets and Curvy Bookplate Die, Tagged Rectangle Die, Rounded Scallop Frame Die, Loopy Blooms Die Set.

Created by Maureen Plut using You and I, Making a Statement, Tag Time sets and  Rounded Scallop Frame, & Curvy Bookplate dies.

Created by Laurie Schmidlin using the Sunny Days set and From the Heart Die Set.

Created by Julee Tilman using the Sunny Days set.


Created by Jackie Pedro using the Making a Statement set along with Loopy Blooms, Rounded Scallop Frame, & Rounded Rectangle Dies.


Created by Charmaine Ikach using Sip and Savor, Tag Time,  Curvy Bookplate Die, Charming Oval Die Set, & From the Heart Die Set.

Created by Andrea Ewen using  Making A Statement, Words Of Wisdom, Notebook Paper Plain Jane, Loopy Blooms Die Set, Rounded Scallop Frame Die.

Create by Amy Sheffer using the Words of Wisdom set and  Flutterby Die.

Created by Amber Hight using the Sunny Days set along with Tiny Sweet Scallop Tags and Curvy Bookplate dies.



Thanks for joining us here today!  Make sure to check back later this week as we will be kicking off our August Diva Dare!  See you then!

New VERVE is here!

The new sets are on the website... www.shopverve.com

And to celebrate our Anni-VERVE-sary all stamps and dies are on sale 10 - 40% off!

Thanks for four WONDERFUL years of Verve!!!

PS.  If you missed last night's release party, you can view the winners from our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops by clicking HERE.  Thanks again for tuning in to celebrate with us this week!  We had so much fun sharing these new stamps and dies with you!

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Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 6

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And here we have it!  You've arrived at the final day of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop series! We'll be revealing the sets at our Release Party tonight from 9-11pm Eastern, and then they'll be available to purchase immediately following the party!  Hooray!  If you're just joining us, there's still time to check out the Day 1, Day 2 , Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5 hops and leave some comments on our talented designers' blogs  for a chance to win some new Verve of your very own! Comment deadline for prize eligibility is TONIGHT at 8 pm Eastern.  All of our daily winners will be announced during our Release Party!

We've saved a really fun set and coordinating dies for the last, so today's sure to be filled with whimsy!  Remember, one lucky commenter along today's hop will win today's featured stamps and dies...  Making a Statement, Rounded Scallop Frame Die, and the Loopy Blooms Die Set.  So be sure and leave a little comment love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is TONIGHT (8/12) at 8pm Eastern.

Idea girl extraordinaire, Jen del Muro, sent  me the concept for this set and it inspired me so much I had most of the set penciled out within a day of receiving her email.  I added a few little whimsical birds and backgrounds that I thought went with the flavor of the set, but the idea for a rounded rectangle, loopy flowers, coordinating dies and all the fabulous text-i-graphical (yep, I just made that word up!) sentiments... even the title of the set ...was all Jen.  She's hopping along with us today, so be sure to give her a shout out!

Peace out... have fun hopping and we hope you can drop in and say hi at the Release Party tonight!

1. Julee 10. Laurie 2. Charmaine 11. Maureen 3. Tosha 12. Amber 4. Andrea 13. Amy 5. Sankari 14. Jen d. 6. Teresa 15. Betty 7. Jackie 16. Lynda 8. Sarah {Guest} 17. Susan 9. Marisa {Guest}

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 5

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Welcome to the fifth day of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop series! We're nearing the end, but we still have some fabulous new Verve to share with you today and tomorrow!  If you're just joining us, there's still time to check out the Day 1, Day 2 , Day 3, and Day 4 hops and leave some comments on our talented designers' blogs  for a chance to win some new Verve of your very own! 

Just like our previous spotlights this week, one lucky commenter along today's hop will win today's featured stamps and dies...  Tag Time, Tagged Rectangle Die, Curvy Bookplate Die, and the Tiny Sweet Scallop Die Set.  So be sure and leave a little comment love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is Friday, August 12 at 8pm Eastern.  Winners will be announced during our Release Party on Friday night.

Okay, let's go to the hop!!! (be-bop, b'bop)

1. Julee 9. Marisa {Guest} 2. Charmaine 10. Laurie 3. Tosha 11. Amber 4. Andrea 12. Amy 5. Sankari 13. Lynda 6. Teresa 14. Susan 7. Jackie 15. Maureen 8. Sarah {Guest}

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 4

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Welcome to the fourth day of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop series! Have you been enjoying the fabulous eye candy along the Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 hops?  I know I sure have.  My heart is full with how much I {heart} these Divas!  And there's so much more inspiration in store for you today!

Hop along with us this week as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve on Friday night! One lucky commenter along the hop will win today's featured sets and dies...  Better With You, Sip and Savor and the From the Heart Die Set.  So be sure and leave a little love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is Friday, August 12 at 8pm Eastern.  Winners will be announced during our Release Party on Friday night.

The From the Heart Die Set is being previewed today because it coordinates with the hearts in both of today's featured sets.  As part of our Anni-VERVE-sary celebration the From the Heart Die Set will be available exclusively as a free gift with orders $35 and over through August 31, while supplies last. {ETA:  We have run out of free dies and the free die offer is no longer available.}  From the Heart will be available for purchase starting in September. {This promotion starts AFTER the sets go live on Friday night, August 12.}

And now.... let's get hopping to see what today's new sets and dies are all about...

1. Julee 7. Sarah {Guest} 2. Charmaine 8. Marisa {Guest} 3. Tosha 9. Laurie 4. Andrea 10. Maureen 5. Sankari 11. Amy 6. Teresa

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 3

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Welcome to the third day of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop series! Did you all enjoy the scenery along the Day 1 and Day 2 hops?  It's crazy how talented these girls are!  And there's a lot more inspiration in store for you today.!

Hop along with the Divas all week long as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve on Friday night! One lucky commenter along the hop will win today's featured sets and dies...  Words of Wisdom, Rounded Rectangle Die and the Notebook and Graph Paper Plain Janes.  So be sure and leave a little love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is Friday, August 12 at 8pm Eastern.  Winners will be announced during our Release Party on Friday night.

And now.... let's get hopping to see what today's new sets and dies are all about...

1. Julee 8. Sarah {Guest} 2. Charmaine 9. Marisa {Guest} 3. Tosha 10. Laurie 4. Andrea 11. Amy 5. Sankari 12. Shannan 6. Teresa 13. Betty 7. Jackie 14. Maureen

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 2

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Welcome to the second day of our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop series! Did you all enjoy the scenery along the Day 1 Hop?  I know I sure did!  The Divas blow me away each and every release.  And guess what?  It's time for more divalicious previews... right now!

Hop along with the Divas all week long as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve on Friday night! One lucky commenter along the hop will win today's featured sets and dies...  You and I, I Heart U Die Set and the Nicest Thoughts Plain Jane.  So be sure and leave a little love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is Friday, August 12 at 8pm Eastern.  Winners will be announced during our Release Party on Friday night.

And now.... let's get hopping to see what today's new sets and dies are all about...

1. Julee 9. Laurie 2. Charmaine 10. Maureen 3. Tosha 11. Amy 4. Andrea 12. Jen d. 5. Teresa 13. Shannan 6. Jackie 14. Lynda 7. Sarah {Guest} 15. Jen T. 8. Marisa {Guest} 16. Betty

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops - Day 1

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops! We're so excited to be celebrating 4 wonderful years of Verve and boy, do we have an exciting, stamp-filled release for you!  Hop along with the Divas all week long as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve on Friday night! One lucky commenter along the hop will win today's featured sets and dies...  Sunny Days, Leafy Sprigs Die Set and the Where Flowers Bloom Plain Jane.  So be sure and leave a little love as you hop around the Divasphere! Deadline for prize drawing eligibility is Friday, August 12 at 8pm Eastern.  Winners will be announced during our Release Party on Friday night.

And now.... let's get hopping to see what these new sets and dies are all about...

1. Julee 8. Marisa {Guest} 2. Charmaine 9. Laurie 3. Tosha 10. Maureen 4. Andrea 11. Amy 5. Teresa 12. Shannan 6. Jackie 13. Lynda 7. Sarah {Guest}

July Diva Dare WINNERS and some news

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Hi Verve fans!  It's Julee here, popping in to announce the winners from our Sentimental About Paper Diva Dare!  But first I wanted to let everyone know that it's a contest week over on the Mojo Monday blog this week!  {If you haven't heard of Mojo Monday, it's a sketch challenge I host each Monday.  All skill levels and brands of stamps are encouraged to play!}  Most weeks we just play for fun, but on the first Monday of every month, Verve sponsors prizes for up to 7 winners!  Play along this week for a chance to win the Verve set of your choosing!  Deadline for entry is 8PM Mountain on Sunday, August 7.  Visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details!  We hope you'll play along!

And now on to our winner's announcement...We had so much fun seeing how creatively you made those sentiments shine against your pretty paper backdrops.  Y'all are so talented and we loved checking out your creations.  Thanks to everyone who played along!  Here are our random winners...

Lisa wins a $30 gift certificate to Verve!

Jan wins a Verve set of her choosing!

Congrats Lisa and Jan! Email us at contests@vervestamps.com to claim your prize.

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As you might have noticed, today is the first of the month and our usual Diva Inspirations Hop is missing in action.  The Diva Inspiraton team is taking a short little summer hiatus, but they'll be back at it, joining our release team for six days of fabulous hopping starting next Sunday, August 7! We've got 20 brand new products releasing Friday night, August 12, so tune in each day next week as we spotlight the new goodies! In the meantime I thought I'd share a bit of Verve inspiration the girls have dreamed up since our last Diva Inspirations hop.  Enjoy!
Click the photos above to view these cards in their natural habitat. {grin}