July Diva Dare - Day 8

Hi Verve fans!!  Jen here bringing you Day 8 of this month's Diva Dare entitled "Tattered Pages".

This month's dare pays tribute to Julee (Poetic Artistry), owner and creator of Verve Stamps and Diva Teresa (Paperie Blooms).  Julee has created countless, uplifting sentiments which have become one of Verve's trademarks, and Teresa knows how to rock distressing and "shabbiness" on her cards.  So what we're daring you to create this month is a card using an uplifting sentiment and some distressing and/or shabby element to it.  Kind of like an encouraging card you have received which you have read so many times the edges are a bit tattered.  Just remember to use at least one Verve product on your creation!

 

 

As I was planning out my card I went back through Teresa's blog and decided I wanted to highlight her gorgeous use of pattern and vintage/shabby elements like twine, seam binding and flowers. I used seam binding from the Signature Ribbon Collection and highlighted the flower with leaves from Dream Big die cut with the Dreamy Leaves Dies. I didn't distress my card but I think it still has a bit of shabby feel to it with the flower cluster and patterned paper.

To highlight Julee's uplifting sentiments I chose New Mercies. I love this stamp set and was in need of a sympathy card for a close friend and I new this set would be perfect to lift her spirits.

To created the scalloped edge I used the Flourish Trim Die. The sentiment is die cut with the Classy Label Die.

 

My card layout is based on Viva La Verve July Week 4 sketch!

 

 

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 on the day one post 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! -

Back in Stock

Hi Verve friends! I just wanted to quickly note that our re-stocking shipment arrived much earlier than expected. So if you've been waiting on an out-of-stock set it's more than likely back in stock and on sale 20% off through October 16, during our Think Pink Sale!

Here's a little refresher on some of the beautiful sets that are back in stock today...

Bountiful Harvest sample by Diva Tosha Leyendekker

Bloom & Grow sample by Diva Amy Sheffer

Words of Wisdom sample by Diva Andrea Ewen

New Mercies sample by Diva Julee Tilman

Hebrews 11:1 sample by Diva Amber Hight

Psalm 121:1-2 sample by Diva Maureen Plut

---

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!!

July Diva Dare ~ Day 10

Good morning Verve fans!!  Maureen here and I have the honour of tying things up after 10 days of seriously stunning projects by the Divas.

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - Sentimental About Paper!  It's time to dig into all that gorgeous patterned paper you've been hoarding saving (we know you have some!!)!  Showcase all those amazing sentiment stamps (no images) to create a new and never before seen project!  Paired with pretty patterned paper, Verve's famous sentiments will take center stage!  While it is not necessary to useVerve stamps to enter, we would love to see them if you've got 'em!  To sweeten up the challenge even more, stay tuned to learn how you could win some brand new Verve!

I was thrilled with this month's Dare...I have quite the delicious collection of patterned paper...in fact, I had put some out ready to make this card before my trip to the States...then I went to ARCHIVERS!  It was literally worse than being a baby in a candy store.  I told my friend Lynn that her job was to say to me every so often, "Do you really need that?"  I picked up 3 more pads of paper, one of which was this Basicgrey Out of Print (it was actually on my shopping list so yes, I needed it!).

I inked up this sweet sentiment from New Mercies as well as the butterfly image from Chicks Rule for my balsa wood butterfly. I stitched around all the panels to help frame everything. Have you made YOUR project yet?  You have a few more days to link it up!!  I double dog DARE you!! ;)  Here are the deets one last time...

---

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

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sentimental About Paper creation (posted July 15 or later) to the linky widget on the Diva Dare Day 1 post before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, July 31. 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 Sentimental About Paper creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Monday, August 1 right here on the Verve blog.

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

Click here to go to the Diva Dare Day 1 post and link your blog post up on our Linky Tool!

 

July Diva Dare ~ Day 9

Hi there!  It's Jackie here with day 9 of the July Diva Dare.  Haven't all the girls projects been fantastic?  I tell you, I'm a lucky girl to be surrounded by such talent!

This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - Sentimental About Paper!  It's time to dig into all that gorgeous patterned paper you've been hoarding saving (we know you have some!!)!  Showcase all those amazing sentiment stamps (no images) to create a new and never before seen project!  Paired with pretty patterned paper, Verve's famous sentiments will take center stage!  While it is not necessary to use Verve stamps to enter, we would love to see them if you've got 'em!  To sweeten up the challenge even more, stay tuned to learn how you could win some brand new Verve!


Here is how I answered the dare:

I used the gorgeous new set, New Mercies, combined with this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #201. I stamped Psalm 130:5 in Dark Chocolate ink, cut it out with a Labels 16 Nestability and sponged it with some Bermuda Bay ink before removing it from the die. The papers I used are from the new Authentique Splendid Collection. It's hard to tell from the picture, but I ran the yellow gingham layer through my paper crimper. It adds a lot of texture. I made a seam binding "double" bow and finished it with a small tag cut from the same patterned paper pad finished with some Kraft twine and a small butterfly diecut. A couple more beautiful butterflies, some buttons tied with twine and machine stitching finish the card.

Here is a close up of the details and the dimension that I love......

---

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

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sentimental About Paper creation (posted July 15 or later) to the linky widget on the Diva Dare Day 1 post before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, July 31. 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 Sentimental About Paper creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Monday, August 1 right here on the Verve blog.

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

Click here to go to the Diva Dare Day 1 post and link your blog post up on our Linky Tool!

July Diva Dare - Day 4

---

Hello Verve fans...Andrea here with today's Diva Dare project! Before I show you my card, I'll let Laurie's words advise you on some of the in's and out's of this month's challenge:

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 - Sentimental About Paper!  It's time to dig into all that gorgeous patterned paper you've been hoarding saving (we know you have some!!)!  Showcase all those amazing sentiment stamps (no images) to create a new and never before seen project!  Paired with the pretty patterned paper, Verve's famous sentiments will take center stage!  While it is not necessary to use Verve stamps to enter, we would love to see them if you've got 'em!  To sweeten up the challenge even more, stay tuned to learn how you could win some brand new Verve!

I am ALL about sentiments...I just love how words can reinforce the theme of a card in such a beautiful way. And what I LOVE about Verve stamps is the beauty of the words as well as the fonts. I tend to make very flowery, girly cards and these sets are just perfect for my style. Here is my very flowery, very girly Diva Dare card:

I used the New Mercies set, stamped onto a piece of patterned paper cut with a Labels One Nestability. The inner panel and outer frames are all hand stitched and distressed.  Before sewing, I paper pierce the perimeter so that the paper doesn't bend while I'm stitching. I also double the thread so that it looks a little thicker and more pronounced. I usually don't have much luck with mixing different lines of paper, but I happened to strike it rich with this combination of Daisy D's, DCWV and K & Co.

---

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

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sentimental About Paper creation (posted July 15 or later) to the linky widget on the Diva Dare Day 1 post before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, July 31. 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 Sentimental About Paper creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Monday, August 1 right here on the Verve blog.

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

Click here to go to the Diva Dare Day 1 post and link your blog post up on our Linky Tool!

---

July Diva Dare - Day 3

Good morning!  It's Charmaine bringing you Day 3 of the July Diva Dare!  This month we dare you to make a card, project, layout, or whatever fits your stamping style using this month's theme - Sentimental About Paper!

I LOVE using just a Verve sentiment on a card. . .especially with an embossing folder!  It really lets those wonderful Verve sentiments take center stage!  My answer to this month's dare did not use an embossing folder, though.  I decided to go with patterned paper.  I used the Uncommon Collection from Authentique paired with a sentiment from the New Mercies set.  I also used the Flutterby Die with black cardstock along with some ribbon and pearls.  The sentiment panel is die cut with the Wonky Rectangles Nestabilities.   

---

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

1. Play along with us and link up your new Sentimental About Paper creation (posted July 15 or later) to the linky widget ON THE DAY 1 POST before 9PM Mountain on Sunday, July 31. 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 Sentimental About Paper creations. One lucky commenter will win the Verve stamp set of his or her choosing!  Winners will be announced on Monday, August 1 right here on the Verve blog.

Now it's YOUR turn!  We DARE you to show us your creations!  Can't wait to see them!

Click here to go to the Diva Dare Day 1 post and link your blog post up on our Linky Tool!

---

July After Party!!

Welcome to the July Verve After Party!!  The Monday following each release, we will bring you the lowdown on all of the current sale info as well as share some of our favorite creations the Divas have created!

The first bit of juicy release gossip is that Julee is including a fabby goody bag with each purchase over $75!!  Awesome new Verve stamps AND free papercrafting goodies...it doesn't get much better than that!!

You won't want to miss the July 2011 Stamp Collection!  All three brand new sets (Small Phrases, New Mercies, & Words Cannot Express) and 3 new Plain Janes (Light Tomorrow, Philippians 1:6, & Life is Good) are all bundled together at a 15% discount!  Prices are good through July 31st, while supplies last.

And now for your viewing pleasure and inspiration, we have compiled our favorite creations for you using the newly released stamps!



Created by Amy Sheffer using the Light Tomorrow Plain Jane and Classy Label Die.

Created by Andrea Ewen using the New Mercies and Words Cannot Express sets.

Created by Charmaine Ikach using the Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane and Classy Label Die.

Created by Jackie Pedro using the Small Phrases and To the Moon sets.

Created by Julee Tilman using the New Mercies set.

Created by Laurie Schmidlin using the New Mercies set.

Created by Sankari Wegman using the New Mercies set and Light Tomorrow Plain Jane.

Created by Teresa Kline using the Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane.

Created by Tosha Leyendekker using the Small Phrases set.

Thanks so much for joining us here today!  We will be back this Friday to kick off the July Diva Dare!  We hope you see then!