April 2018 New Release Spotlights - Day 1

Well, hello! We're so excited to have some new stamps to share with you and we're kicking off the new release celebration today with our first day of Spotlight Hops!  The new sets and dies will be available in the shop on Tuesday April 10 and we've got four days of blog hopping planned for you  to showcase the new products and also give you a chance to WIN some new Verve! Hooray!

Hopping along with our talented crew of Divas this month is a very special Guest Diva. We're so happy to have Michele Greenwood of Whimsical Creations joining in the fun with us this month! She's got a gorgeous eye for color and a fun style that fuses mixed media with cardmaking in a wonderful way. I know you're going to love her creations. Welcome Michele! Read on for a bit more about her.

Hi, my name is Michele Greenwood. I am a mom to 3 wonderful children, we reside in Toto-land in a very small community. I work full-time outside the home for the 'father of extended stay'; he created Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites, Candlewood Suites, Value Place and now WaterWalk. My job is extremely fulfilling and I'm that one somewhat oddball person that says 'I love going to work'! In my spare time, I enjoy attending boot camp, exercising, reading and of course, creating.

Thank you for having me Julee, it's an honor!

How/when did you get hooked on stamping?
Numerous years ago, I had the joy of being at stay-at-home mom for 2 years. During this time, our neighbor introduced me to scrapbooking. It was fun, but when I discovered the immediate gratification of stamping a card; well, I was hooked and haven't looked back since...um, haven't touched those scrapbooks either! BUT, in my defense, I do document our lives now with Project Life so there will be some memories documented. ;)

How often do you stamp? 
I try to stamp 2-3 times per week; time is always limited, but it feels so good when I can squeeze in the time. GREAT for my mental health too!

What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? 
I am really digging mixed media; I recently created a birthday card - you know one of those mega mixed media cards with ALL the dimension that would never fit in an envelope - yes, I'm loving that! My typical go-to is a multi-layered clean and simple card.

What do you love most about paper crafting? 
Personally, it's so soothing; a nice little escape to do something I enjoy. With 3 kids and a full-time job, it helps keep me grounded (read that to mean sane); but I also love all the people that share inspiration! The crafting community is full of kind, warm-hearted people, the kind of people this world needs.

What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? 
Distress Oxide Inks and venturing into the mixed media realm with lots of layers. Oh, and I must not forget, splattering ink/paint for days! LOL

Thanks Michele! We're so glad to have you with us!

Okay, now shifting our sneaky little spotlight on to new stamps! On today's hop, the Divas are sharing inspiration featuring the new Risen Savior stamp set. Look for an in depth look at this set a little later in this post.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random comment on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured set! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances!

1. Julee 5. Marisa 2. Michele (Guest) 6. Maureen 3. Betty 7. Teresa 4. Charmaine

Comment deadline for prize drawing is Sunday, April 15.

In the spotlight today is a brand new set called Risen Savior. I've been wanting to create a new inspirational Easter set for several years, but with the early Easters and long winters we've been having, I keep missing the proverbial boat. So I decided whether or not this set was ready in time for Easter, it was going to production! It came in just before Easter, so I added it to the store right away without a big fanfare for those who were trying to stamp for the holiday. And now it's time for the fanfare! {grin}

While the set has an Easter theme, many of the beautiful sentiments  in Risen Savior can be used year round for encouraging cards, faith journaling and card ministries. I personally have so many visions of shabby chic creations with speckled eggs, meaningful sentiments and a rugged cross running through my head! Now if I could only find the time for it all! Haha!

Risen Savior is a 6 x 8" set of 16 clear photopolymer stamps. This beautiful Easter set is perfect for your spring time creations, complete with 11 inspirational sentiments, an old rugged cross and speckled egg images.

Okay, I know that was a super long post!  If you're still with me, the hop starts over on my blog, Poetic Artistry! Come say hello.

Guest Post with Sheri Gilson

Hi Verve friends! Today we have a special guest blog post from the super talented Sheri Gilson. Her cards and projects for this release were so classy and elegant and she's back today to finish out the month with more coffee loving goodness. Let's hear from her about the card she's sharing with us today...

I love being able to create cards to bring a little cheer to someone that may need it. Who wouldn't love receiving a coffee themed card with a gift card tucked inside to their favorite coffee shop?

Today's card is filled with lots of layers and pretty pattern papers.  I just love the dimension that layers add to a card. To create the sentiment I used a combination of  the Always Time stamp set and the Coffee Word die. As a finishing touch I paper pieced the sweet little coffee cup from the Fill My Cup stamp set, cut out with the coordinating Happiness in a Cup Die Set and added a bow.

Before I go I would like to thank Julee for the honor of being able to guest design along side the divas for the July Release! I love Verve Stamps! 

Fill My Cup	Always Time	Happiness in a Cup	Coffee Word Die

Wouldn't you just love to receive a card like this? So pretty! Be sure to check out Sheri's  blog for more projects with Verve stamps, and while you're there give her a shout out for bringing such wonderful inspiration to us this month! Here's a collage of a few of her amazing release projects. Thanks Sheri!

Guest Post with Wanda Cullen

Hi Verve friends! Today we have a special guest blog post from the super talented Wanda Cullen. Didn't you love seeing her fabulous cards for the release last week? In cased you missed them, I've added a photo collage of a few of her projects at the bottom of this post. Now let's hear from her about the card she's sharing with us today...

One of the things I love about Verve products is their versatility in the way they mix and match so well. My card for today uses the new Happiness Is stamp set and the Happiness In A Cup Die Set along with Bloom & Grow and four previously released dies: Jotted Heart, Elegant Leaves, Rounded Scallop Frame and Floral Circles.

I had so much fun creating this little collage as the focal point for my card! For my background, I used the bokeh technique after sponging some inks on paper with blending tools. I made my own ghetto stencil (a lovingly termed name by a fellow stamper!) by cutting six different sized circles out of a 5 1/2" x 6 1/2" piece of acetate. To tone down the vivid colors a bit, I lightly sponged white pigment ink using the stencil and overlapped many of the circles. I ran the heart die through a crimper tool then sponged some white ink around the edges. My tip for getting bold, crisp sentiments with black ink is to use my MISTI and stamp it at least 2 or 3 times.

I want to thank Julee again for the opportunity to guest design along with the divas for the July release!  Happiness is stamping with Verve stamps!  💕  ☕️

Happiness Is	Happiness in a Cup Die Set	Bloom & Grow	Elegant Leaves
Floral Circles Die Set	Rounded Scallop Frame Die	Jotted Heart Die

A beautiful card, don't you think? I definitely need to try out some bokeh backgrounds in the near future. Be sure to check out Wanda's blog for more projects with Verve stamps, and while you're there give her a shout out for being a wonderful inspiration to us this month! Here's a collage of a few of her amazing release projects.  Thanks Wanda!

July Guest Divas and a Sale

Hi Verve fans! We've got a release just around the corner, with three new sets releasing on July 10. In the meantime, it's a holiday weekend here in the States, and we've got a storewide sale going on! Through July 4, 2017, all Verve stamps, dies and embellishments are marked 25% off, no coupon needed.  We hope you have a fabulous 4th!

Today I also get to introduce the three lovely ladies who will be guest designing for us this month. You'll see them in our spotlight hops July 7 through 10th, and then they'll each do a guest post right here on Mondays to finish out the month. A little something to look forward to on a Monday right? So without further adieu, here's our talented lineup of special guests!

You can read a bit more about them below, and then be sure to go give them a shout-out on their blogs for the lovely cards they made for today's post.

Kathy Schweinfurth of Stamps at Play has been a favorite stamper of mine for a while. I feel a kindred spirit with her coffee loving soul and am delighted to have her as a guest for this release I love her bold color choices and fun embellishing accents in this gorgeous card she made with the Surely Goodness stamp set.

Below is a little bit more about her and a little Q&A session about her stamping style.

I’ve been married to my honey, Mark, for 22 years and we have a beautiful daughter, Danielle, who is a college junior.  Since I was little, I enjoyed all kinds of crafting, but then stamping found me and it was love at first inking. Stamping and paper crafting make me just plain happy and I’m inspired everyday by the amazing talent of others who share my passion. I’m SO excited and honored to be a Verve Guest Diva – thank you, Julee, for this fabulous opportunity

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping?  About 20 years ago, I went to a Stampin Up party my neighbor hosted and I was hooked!

2. How often do you stamp? Daily!  If I don’t get time in my craft room everyday, I get cranky.

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? I tend to create clean, layered cards using pattern papers and touches of bling/ribbon.

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? The creativity and endless possibilities to be artistic.  It really is therapy for me and I can get ‘lost’ for hours creating one card!

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? Using inks to watercolor like the Distressed Oxide inks and discovering the many ways to use stencils.

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Sheri Gilson of Paper Crafty's Creations is a master at layered elegance. Her crisp, well balanced designs with the perfect finishing touches are constantly leaving me inspired to hit the stamp room. She was a guest for us a few years back and I'm so happy she agreed to do a return tour with us!  The card she made for today featuring the American Hero set is a perfect little tribute to the red, white and blue!

My name is Sheri Gilson and I live in Northern California.  I have been married to my best friend and high school sweetheart for almost 24 years. e have an 18 year old son that just graduated high school and will be starting school to become a firefighter.  I've been blessed to have been able to be a SAHM that loves to create.  I'm super honored to be here as a guest designer.

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping?  It's been just a little over 18 years now. I was first introduced to stamping & scrapbooking before the birth of my son. I immediately fell in love with   stamping and have never stopped.

2. How often do you stamp? As much as I possibly can. 

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? I was once told that my style is considered Classy & Elegant.  I love to use lots of layers and everything has to be popped up.  That being said my cards don't usually fit in a standard envelope.

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? I love being creative and being able to put a smile on someones face.  

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? I would have to say that my favorite all time product is pattern paper.  I'm a complete paper junkie and use pattern paper on 99% of my cards. 

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Wanda Cullen of Cullen-ary Creations is a long time paper crafting friend. I fondly remember chatting at Verve release parties way back when and have had the great honor of designing alongside her on the Mojo Monday team for the last several years. Her versatility as a stamper is so inspiring. She can wow you with a simple pastel beauty, then rock a bright and bold design.  She is also a returning guest diva, and I'm so excited for you to see her wonderful creations with this release.  For her card today she made this stunning floral creation combining Button Best, Be Blessed, Simply Amazing and the retired Sunny Days sets.

My name is Wanda Cullen and I'm from Shenandoah, VA.  When I'm not in my stamp room, I'm probably working at my full-time job as a rehabilitation RN. 

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping? My love for stamping started in 1997 at a friend's SU party.  I joined her monthly stamp club and pretty much CASEed her cards until I discovered Splitcoaststampers in 2005 and started playing in their challenges.  My creativity was then sparked to venture out and create new designs on my own.  I was honored to be chosen for the Dirty Dozen team on SCS in 2011 and have enjoyed designing for a variety of challenge teams over the years.

2. How often do you stamp?After all these years, I'm still in my happy place when I can spend time in my craft room getting inky!  I probably average stamping 5 days out of the week.  I'm thinking I might be addicted!

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? My card style varies, but I'd say I typically use a clean, layered style and you're bound to see florals on the majority of my cards!

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? I love the instant gratification of cardmaking!  In the past, I've dabbled in counted cross stitch, tole painting, calligraphy and other crafty ventures, but the projects took so much time to complete.  Beyond the actual cardmaking, I LOVE the people that I've met in the stamping community!  It's been so much fun to meet some of my cyber stampy friends in real life...there's so much to talk about and always so little time!

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? 
Watercoloring techniques with paints, distress inks and Zig Clean Color brush markers are currently my favorite go-to things to explore.

Well, that wraps up our July guest announcement. I'm so excited to share the new release with you all starting next Friday, July 7!  See ya then!

October Release Day Spotlight Blog Hop

Welcome to our October Release Spotlight Hops and Happy World Card Making Day!  We're switching things up a bit this release and that means that ALL of the new products are available to purchase in the Verve shop RIGHT NOW!  No waiting! Hooray!

This release spans the Fallidays... Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with three beautiful sets and coordinating dies to make your fall crafting sessions a bunch of fun! And it's all 25% off, including previously released fall and winter favorites!

We'll be spotlighting each of the three new sets with its own hop next week, but today is designer's choice, so you're sure to see a little bit of everything!  Plus there's a comment prize of the ENTIRE release up for grabs, so be sure to give a little shout out to the Divas and Guests as you hop about.

Speaking of Guests, hopping along with our talented crew of Divas this release are two very talented special guests. You can read a bit more about each of them below, then scroll down for all the blog hop deets and full product reveals.

Joining us as a Guest Diva this release is Lisa Blastick.  She's a regular challenge participant and I just love her layering and intricate die cut usage.  There is so much depth and detail in her beautiful cards.  Lisa blogs at Beyond Beauty. Below is a little bit more about her and a little Q&A about her stamping style.

Hello, I am a huge card maker and scrapbooker. I started my first scrapbook page in the beginning of May 2006, then a few years later started card making and love making them.  I have been very fortunate to be published in a few magazines as well as online scrapbooking websites. I was so excited to have been asked by Julee to be part of the Verve October release! LOVE all the stamps, die cuts and sketches at Mojo Monday and Viva La Verve.  I currently design for Cheery Lynn Designs and have past designed for Heartfelt Creations and Donna Salazar Designs. I have been married for over 28 years and I'm mother of four adult children! I have two girls (27,24), twin sons (26), and one Italian Greyhound. I have been an RN for the past 20 years in the operating room. I really like my job but I much rather be crafting full time.

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping?  I started stamping a bit when I was scrapbooking, but it wasn't until I started making card that stamping became pretty regular

2. How often do you stamp? I stamp often, because I make lots of cards.

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? I love several styles, however layering seems to be my favorite.

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? To create something for someone that is very personal, unique and one of a kind. It is also my relaxing place.

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? Love new stamps and die cuts!!

Also joining us for this release is Vickie Zimmer. Vickie is a long time Verve customer and a returning Guest Diva.  She creates beautiful, unique cards that are rich in technique and interesting color combinations. Vickie blogs at Smitten With All Things Stamping. Here's a little more about her in her own words.

Hi, I'm married to my highschool "sweetheart" for many, many years and have two daughters. Moved to the Sunny South 25 years ago!! Scrapbooked for years and then my sis got me hooked on cards!! Absolutely Addicted and Seriously Easily Enabled!!

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping? One New Year’s Day found me and my sister at 6:30am in pj’s, drinking coffee of course, while she was introducing me to Stampin’ Up. Needless to say I was hooked and many dollars later my husband worries the bonus room will fall in to the garage?! Then I bought something on eBay and the seller introduced me to Splitcoast Stampers- a whole new card-making world opened up. I found Verve while searching for a specific sentiment for a baby card- "a baby is a bit of stardust blown from the mouth of God"  from the retired Practically Perfect set).

2. How often do you stamp? Well that depends- lately it has only been on the weekends as spring and summer are busy times for me. In the winter I try to add a few week nights even if it is just for a little bit.

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating?  I would have to say that I am more a clean/layered stamper although, I have found myself doing a bit of clean and simple (CAS) off and on lately. Once in a while I distress and a bow (twine or seam binding) always makes me smile!

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? There are so many things to love- playing with ink and stamps makes me happy not to mention all the friends I have made along the way. Don’t forget the embellishments, water-coloring, stencils, modeling paste, glitter…. Need I say more? 

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? Lately I have been in love with water coloring and stencils/modeling paste. Although, I don’t use these a lot, I love the look.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? Today's prize is a BIG one. We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win our ENTIRE new release! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for the full hop list and all the prize info and deadlines!

1. Julee 6. Vickie (Guest) 2. Marisa 7. Maureen 3. Charmaine 8. Laurie 4. Betty 9. Teresa 5. Lisa (Guest) 10. Lesley

Comment deadline for prize drawing is Thursday, October 6.

Okay, if you're still with me, the hop starts over on my blog, Poetic Artistry! Come say hello.. here's a sneaky peek of what I'm sharing!

AnniVERVEsary Spotlight Hops Day 1

Welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops!  We're happy to be celebrating our 9th Anni-VERVE-sary with some new Verve. A new release is just around the corner and for the next couple of days we'll be shining our creative spotlights on the new Verve sets and dies releasing this Friday, August 26.

Hopping along with our talented crew of Divas this week are two very talented special guests. You can read a bit more about each of them below, then scroll down for all the blog hop deets and full product reveals.

Joining us as a Guest Diva this release is Autumn Clark.  I am so inspired by her stamping and mixed media work. She's been participating in Verve challenges for quite some time and has such a heart for sharing her techniques in her beautifully written and photographed posts. I know you're going to love her luscious layers and eye for color. Autumn blogs at Sew Paper Paint. Below is a little bit more about her and a little Q&A about her stamping style.

Hi I'm Autumn and I’m thrilled to be a Guest Designer for Verve this week. Verve stamps are some of my favorite on the market!  As a budget crafter, I often invest into images more than sentiments.  What I love about Verve is that the sentiments ARE images, so beautifully designed and the perfect focal point for any card.  The font styles are fresh and modern and pair with everything! 1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping?  I started stamping in 1999, when I visited a LSS and saw a demo on embossing powder.  The store owner gave me my embossed certificate which read, “Autumn has witnessed the magic of embossing.”  I still have that certificate.

2. How often do you stamp? I am very fortunate to have a small, but dedicated craft space.  Rather than watch TV, I usually settle in and peck away at projects a few evenings throughout the week.  I’m notorious for having long crafty weekends!

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? I am in love with mixed media and grunge!  I love to distress everything I do and am most drawn to messy projects!

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? I love pattern and color and love mixing elements to create something beautiful from such a mundane product, like paper.  There is creative freedom in knowing that “it’s just paper” and can easily be replaced or remade.


5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? WATERCOLOR!  I started experimenting with watercolor because I couldn’t afford to invest in spray inks.  Through trying to recreate the spray effects with a cheap watercolor palette, I have fallen in love with the fluid medium and love that I can control the outcome and blend colors much easier with a good old fashioned palette than with sprays.

Also joining us for this release is Hillary Harris. She's been a long time challenge participant and makes such beautiful cards. Her knack for mixing patterns and prints always catches my eye and I'm sure you're going to love what this new mom has cooked up for you with this release. Hillary blogs at Heart for Handmade. Here's a little more about her in her own words.

Hi y'all! I'm Hillary from Oklahoma! I'm a child of God, wife to my wonderful husband of almost four years, mother to a handsome three month old baby boy and two fur babies. I'm a mostly SAHM. I work two days a week as a radiology technologist for a pain management clinic. I am so excited to be a guest designer for this new round of releases! I have been a huge fan of Julee and Verve Stamps after I discovered the Mojo Monday challenge blog about four years ago. I have been stamping and card making for about five years now and I love every second of it! It's been a big stress reliever for me and a great way to express my creative side.

1. How/when did you get hooked on stamping?  I have been scrapbooking since 2000, but was introduced to stamping and card making by a co-worker in 2011. She helped me make Christmas cards that year and I've been hooked since!

2. How often do you stamp? Before my little guy came along it was about every other day. Now I try and get in at least a few good hours a week.

3. What style(s) are you most drawn to creating? I'm not sure about a particular style, but I love color, large sentiments as focal points, and layers!

4. What do you love most about paper crafting? Getting to create something unique to bless someone else with.

5. What technique or product is currently making your paper crafting heart go pitter patter? My mother in law bought me the big pack of Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers for my birthday and they are so fun! I'm still trying to learn all the different ways to use them.

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random comment on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs linked below to increase your chances!

1. Julee 7. Charmaine 2. Stacey 8. Laurie 3. Maureen 9. Teresa 4. Marisa 10. Christyne 5. Hillary (Guest) 11. Autumn (Guest) 6. Betty

Comment deadline for prize drawing is Sunday, August 28.

First up in the spotlight today is a new compilation set called Scripture Medley 4. Through the years, our scripture plain janes have been some of our most popular offerings. With recent manufacturing changes, it has become more expensive and time consuming to produce our plain janes, so I've made the difficult decision (and yes, it was the kind of decision I agonized over for several months!)  to discontinue our plain jane line. Many of the current designs will be coming back in compilation sets like this one, but once our current plain jane inventory is sold out, they won't be offered individually again. Okay, on with the set details...

Scripture Medley 4 is a set of 9 clear photo polymer stamps that retails for $24. Since many of the scripture plain janes were sold out, I opted to release the set as soon as it arrived, so it's available in the store right now.  This compilation set combines 7 of our previously released scripture plain janes, plus a couple verses from the retired Everlasing Life set in one place.

Also in the spotlight today is a new sequin mix I added to the store last week. Our Gold Package Sequin Mix is a heaping spoonful of slightly cupped and starry sequins in three beautiful gilded shades. These golden pieces will make the perfect accent for your autumn and holiday cards.

Okay, if you're still with me, the hop starts over on my blog, Poetic Artistry! Come say hello.. here's a sneaky peek of what I'm sharing!