July Diva Dare - Day 12

Hi Verve fans!  It's Julee here, wrapping up the final day of our Tattered Pages July Diva Dare with my take on a shabby, uplifting creation.

My card features one of my most favorite Verve sentiments, the  Be Okay plain jane.  I am often taking little "mama time outs" to breathe deeply and tell myself everything IS going to be okay, everything is going to be okay, so this stamp is near and dear to my heart.  I paired it with the frame from On Occasion  which is embossed in white onto vellum and then layered over soft sky cardstock.  Both layers are cut with the coordinating Occasion Frame Die and I added a bit of antique linen sponging for an aged look.

The lines between shabby chic and mixed-media always seem to blur when I'm working in my style, so I started by using a piece of punchinella (sequin waste) as a stencil to add some white paint dots to the soft sky vertical panel.  I then layered the doily on top of this, adding a bit of distressing with antique linen and vintage photo ink.  These panels are adhered to some brown paper bag cardstock that I stamped with the straight loopy border from On Occasion, then I cut the whole thing with the Circles Grand Nestabilities.

I made a little accent with a flower, a stick pin, a bead and some soft sky grosgrain ribbon that I've been hoarding.  Next up I fingerpainted some surf paint and some white paint randomly around the card.  I forgot that I usually tone down the surf by mixing in some white before applying it.  But since I'd already applied it, I decided to use some dry wall tape as a stencil to apply some white dots to the surf, so it wasn't quite so bright.  Lots more distressing with ink, a paper distresser, then a coating of champagne glass glitter and some liquid pearls and scattered bling finish things off.

The base is made from die cut Scalloped Grand Nestabilities layered together for a clamshell type opening.  I sponged the scallops with Vintage Photo ink and then added some more liquid pearls.  The finished size of the card is 5.5" in diameter.

Supply List
Stamps: Be Okay Plain Jane, On Occasion (Verve Stamps)
Paper: soft sky, brown paper bag, vellum, paper doily
Ink: VersaMark, blank canvas paint, surf paint
Accessories:  Occasion Frame Die (A Cut Above by VERVE), Grand Circles and Scalloped Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), soft sky ribbon (SU!), flower, rhinestones, punchinella, dry wall tape, liquid pearls, champagne glass glitter, bead, stick pin, hot glue

 


Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, July 31st.  Entries must be new (posted 7/12 or later), include at least one Verve product, an uplifting sentiment, and some distressing or shabbiness and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 7/31/13.

During this month's Diva Dare, there are 2 prizes up for grabs!

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our Tattered Pages Dare and link up your card (created July 12th or later) to the linky widget below to be eligible to win.  One participant will be randomly selected to win the gift voucher.  You can enter as many times as you like, but each card needs to be in a separate post.

Win a set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's "Tattered Pages" Diva Dare posts!  One lucky commenter will win a Verve stamp set of his or her choice, so be sure to tune in each day!  Comment deadline to be entered in our prize drawing is July 31, 2013.

Winners will be announced on August 1, 2013.

- Go forth and get inky! We DARE you! -

July Diva Dare 2012 - Day 6

Hello Verve fans and welcome to day six; Teresa here sharing my Verve Diva Dare with you.  This month, we dare you to make a card or project using a BIRTHDAY theme.  If you haven't heard it is birthday month here at Verve; I happen to be one of the birthday gals, along with Julee and three others.  Let's celebrate with some fun birthday projects!  We can't wait to see how you answer the dare! (Stay tuned to see how you could win some shiny new Verve!)

Here is my little burlap birthday combo

I have made a burlap pouch, that will fit my 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 card, plus room enough for a gift card or a small gift.  You could add a bag of goodies; candy, buttons, ribbon, or jewelry.

My card is designed based on this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch with a tiny bit of tweaking and turning...lol.  You can play along with us here at The Mojo Monday Blog.  I have used the Verve stamp sets Love Notes, Wishing You, and Big Wish.  The main panel shape was cut with the A Cut Above Verve Classy Label Die.

Here is a closer look at the sweet burlap bag, I used an 8 x 8 piece of burlap and folded the corner to the middle and then the two sides.  I used Scor-Tape to adhere it together, the flap is held with a glue dot; it works great!

Here is my sqaure card tucked inside with plenty of room for that special birthday giftie!  I cannot wait to see what you create for the Verve Diva Dare....have fun!

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Would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget below before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 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 birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing.

Winners will be announced on Monday, July 30 right here on the Verve blog.

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Click the "Click here to enter" link at the bottom of this post 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.  If you're having problems 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.

July Diva Dare 2012 ~ Day 3

Hi ya!  Laurie here, and I'm here to share how I answered the latest Diva Dare! 

This month, we dare you to make a card or project using a BIRTHDAY theme. July happens to be a big birthday month here at Verve...five of our Divas have July birthdays, including the boss lady, Julee. Let's celebrate with some fun birthday projects, shall we? We can't wait to see how you answer the dare! (Stay tuned to see how you could win some shiny new Verve!)

When I sat down to create a birthday card...well, let's just say that I was having too much fun to stop at one!  So, I have three birthday cards to share with you!

I created this first card in the shape of something that I personally love....a cupcake!  I used my Silhouette machine to create the card base (the top is some pink cardstock and the bottom is from the Happy Travels Collection from Glitz Design).  I embossed the sentiment (from the Sunny Days set) on the bottom and added some stamped leafy sprigs (also from the Sunny Days set and cut out with the Leafy Sprigs die) under the pink bow.

For my second card, I cut out a birthday cake using my Silhouette and some papers from the Nostalgia paper pad by My Mind's Eye.  To complete the card, I added a stamped focal image created from the Making a Statement stamp set along with the Rounded Scallop Frame and Loopy Blooms dies.





For my third card, I again used my Silhouette to create another birthday themed shape...a gift box complete with a bow!  To decorate the outside, I added some polka dots as well as a stamped border along the bottom (using the star from the Birthday Bash set).

The inside (actually, the insert) is decorated using a sentiment and stamped stars also from the Birthday Bash set.

Would you like a chance to win some fabulous new VERVE GOODIES? There are two ways to win:

1. Play along with our Birthday Diva Dare. Link up your creation (posted July 16 or later) to the linky widget below before 6:00 pm MT on Sunday, July 29. One lucky stamper will win a $30 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 birthday creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing.



Holiday Diva Dare ~ Day 9

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Welcome to the Holiday Diva Dare!  It's Andrea here and I'm so glad you've stopped in for a visit! A quick rundown of the deets and then we'll get to the good stuff...

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 A Handmade Christmas! The theme is pretty broad and can be interpreted in so many different ways...from a lovingly made card, to heartfelt gifts and homemade decorations!  With the Holidays right around the corner, this will be the perfect time to get a jump start on your card and gift making!

So, we DARE you to make a Handmade Christmas card or gift!

 I answered the dare with this sweet, vintage envelope...suitable for gift cards, holiday cards or any kind of sweet treat:

A little peek of the inside:

 I used Verve's Charming Oval die for my Santa's Helper sentiment on the front and the inside stamp is from the new Bright Spirits set. The finished envelope measures 4" X 5 1/2". I took a piece of Vintage Cream card stock, cut it down to 5 1/2" X 11" and then scored at the 4" mark, twice, starting at one end. The envelope lid ended up being 3".  I wanted it to be a bit smaller because I wanted to fancy it up with a Martha Stewart French Scroll punch. To do that, I measured exactly the middle of the edge of the flap and marked it with a pencil. I then aligned my corner punch and cut. I then laid the card stock diagonally on my cutting board and cut from that first punch towards the closest score line. Next, I aligned my border punch and punched away! There are lots of perimeter pearls, sewn and distressed edges.

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

1. Play along with us and link up your new A Handmade Christmas creation (posted November 18 or later) to the linky widget on Laurie's Day 1 post before 9PM Mountain on Thursday, December 8. 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 A Handmade Christmas creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Friday, December 9 right here on the Verve blog.

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

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Holiday Diva Dare - Day 6

Welcome to the Holiday Diva Dare! I have been so inspired by both the Diva creations and the challenge entries uploaded so far. I hope you have too!

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 then have two weeks to complete the challenge. During those two weeks, the release team will be posting their creations and sharing how they answered the dare!

This month's theme is A Handmade Christmas! The theme is pretty broad and can be interpreted in so many different ways...from a lovingly made card, to heartfelt gifts and homemade decorations! With the Holidays right around the corner, this will be the perfect time to get a jump start on your card and gift making!

So, we DARE you to make a Handmade Christmas card or gift!

I answered the dare with an ornament that I created using the tree die from the new Winter Fun Die set and a sentiment from Glad Tidings.

I started with a decorative oval chipboard frame, then added a Classy Label diecut, a paper rosette, a layered felt tree, and a sentiment flag. I attached a rusty jingle bell at the bottom and some ivory vintage buttons at the top. I distressed the chipboard and paper elements with Frayed Burlap Distress ink for a somewhat rustic look.To create the layered felt tree, I die-cut three trees from green felt, stacked them, and then stitched vertically through the center. Press open the seams for a more 3D effect if desired. Fairly quick and easy to make! I think these will work especially well with kraft gift bags or packages wrapped in kraft paper. For the recipient, the ornament can go right from the package to the tree for a gift that keeps giving.

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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 A Handmade Christmas creation (posted November 18 or later) to the linky widget on the DAY ONE post before 9PM Mountain on Thursday, December 8. 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 A Handmade Christmas creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Friday, December 9 right here on the Verve blog.

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

Holiday Diva Dare - Day 1

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Welcome to the Holiday 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 A Handmade Christmas! The theme is pretty broad and can be interpreted in so many different ways...from a lovingly made card, to heartfelt gifts and homemade decorations!  With the Holidays right around the corner, this will be the perfect time to get a jump start on your card and gift making!

So, we DARE you to make a Handmade Christmas card or gift!

This is how I answered the dare...  I created felt ornaments to be given as gifts!  Using just some felt, dies, a sewing machine, and some minimal embellishments, I was able to create these handmade ornaments in no time at all!

These little guys are just over 2 1/2" inches in diameter...perfect size to tuck away in a mini gift bag!

For the packaging, I started with some mini notebook printed paper bags.  I then stamped three different sentiments as well as the star image from the Bright Spirits set.  The label was created by using the Curved Bookplate die to cut around the stamped sentiments.

To make the little stars, I stamped them, colored them in with Copics, then used the Winter Fun Die Set to cut them out!
Not only were the ornaments quick and easy to make, but I kept the packaging simple as well!  Perfect for mass production!

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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 A Handmade Christmas creation (posted November 18 or later) to the linky widget below before 9PM Mountain on Thursday, December 8. 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 A Handmade Christmas creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing! Winners will be announced on Friday, December 9 right here on the Verve blog.

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

{Click the link above for the 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 your specific blog post with your card in it, and not your general blog url.}

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 few minutes for your picture to appear in the list 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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Holiday Release After Party!

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Welcome to our Holiday Release After Party!  Each Monday following a release, we will be bringing you the latest sale info as well as share some eye popping projects made with the newly release stamps!  So, grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and enjoy!

First, how about we give away a prize?  It's always good to start a Monday by giving away some shiny new Verve, right?  :-) 

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It's time to announce the random winner from our Post Release Blog Hop!

Lynn wins the ENTIRE NEW RELEASE from Verve! Congrats Lynn! Email Katrina at contests@vervestamps.com with your shipping address to claim your prize. Winners from our first three days of hopping can be found on this thread in our forum. Now for the juicy SALE info!  During the month of November, enjoy a 20% savings select holiday stamps and dies, plus don't miss our Stamp of the Month special! And now for your viewing pleasure, we have compiled our favorite creations using the newly released stamps!  Created by Amy Sheffer using the Bright Spirits stamp set. Created by Andrea Ewen using the Bright Spirits and Glad Tidings stamp sets, along with the Lovely Marquee, Snowflake Tidings, & Love Birds dies. Created by Charmaine Ikach using the Bright Spirits and Glad Tidings stamp sets along with the Snowflake Tidings die set. Created by Jackie Pedro using the Santa's Helper stamp set along with the Rounded Scallop Frame Die. Created by Julee Tilman using the Bright Spirits and Hope Perches Plain Jane sets along with the Winter Fun and Love Birds die sets. Created by Laurie Schmidlin using the Bright Spirits set and Winter Tree Plain Jane. Created by Maureen Plut using the Bright Spirits set along with the Lovely Marquee die and Winter Fun die set. Created by Sankari Wegman using the Bright Spirits set. Created by Teresa Kline using the Bright Spirits set and Lovely Marquee die. Created by Tosha Leyendekker using the Time to Blossom Plain Jane. Thanks so much for joining us here today!  We hope you leave here inspired!  Make sure to stop back by this Friday, as we will be kicking off our Holiday Diva Dare!

August Diva Dare ~ Day 9

Good morning, it's Maureen with the ninth 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'm actually pretty good about sending birthday and thank you cards out, but as soon as I heard this month's dare, I knew I wanted to make a very special project and send it to my dear blog friend, Janelle, who has a very serious medical condition.  Back in March, Janelle made this VERY cool project for a coworker.  I fell in love with it and tucked the idea in the back in my mind.  Little did I know I would bring it out for Janelle.  So here's the set of inspiring tags along with the card I made for her (both of which are already on their way to her :)

I started with deciding on the papers I would use on the card, then chose the colours for the tags.  There are 12 altogether. Then I went through my Verve Plaine Janes and a few other sets (Hope Blooms and Serenity) for the inspiring tags that were eventually put together with a little key chain and decorated with some coordinating ribbon.  Here are all the tags before I put them together. I also used the Blessings, Believe, and  New Mercies sets to decorate the tags a bit.  Everything was kept simple and flat so that they wouldn't be too bulky when put together.

As you can see, I used several different die cut shapes including Verve's Rounded Rectangle and Curvy Bookplate Dies.  And here they are all tied up together.

After making the tags, I started on the card.  I picked this verse from Jeremiah .  I just love the comfort it talks about.  I also added "You inspire me," from Dare to Be because that is exactly what Janelle is doing to me and so many others touched by her story (not to mention the gorgeous projects she creates with love and thoughtfulness).

 

Whew! Are you still with me?  Thanks for letting me share my special gift :) 

Okay now that I'm done, here are the details...

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!  

And then DARE you to send it away!!

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!