Verve's July Release Retrospective Blog Hop!

Welcome to Verve's July Release Retrospective Blog Hop! The Verve Divas and guests are hopping today and serving up some more inspiration using the July release stamps & dies! Besides a peek at some really cool cards, there are also a couple of prizes up for grabs! 

If you got here from Anya's blog you are in the right place!  


For my card I am using Deconstructed Sketch 161 and Carta Bella So Noted designer papers.  I thought these papers worked beautifully with the inspiration photo. I chose the scripted background pattern and stamped two of the larger images from Peaceful Medallions.   I used a smokey shadow ink.  I used the smaller flower from Button Best  stamp set to stamp inside of the medallions using lavender moon ink.  I love how the medallions are subtle yet create a look of texture.  They blend in, but are noticeable.  I bet if I had not mentioned that I stamped them you would have thought they were part of the papers.  That is what is so amazing about these images.  From focal point to backgrounds they help create or build a look.      

Next, I die cut a background panel using Verve's Cut Above Classy Label die  for the background element in the sketch.  I decided to use a smokey gray card stock for this.  I stamped two  sentiments from Happy Place stamp set.  I embossed one in white and one in black.  Love the contrast.  Then, I die cut the flower  from the Happy Doodles die set and stamped it with coordinating flower from Happy Place.  I just love this flower.   I colored it with copics.  I added some vellum embossed banners using the Verve's Cut Above Banner Bundle dies.  I finished my card using Verve's Shine Bright and Pastels Sequin Mix.  I am using the inspiration photo from the Fusion Challenge for my card.  I have been doing so many bold colors lately, it was nice to use some soft muted tones.  I am also Guest Designer for the Catered Crop Recipe Swap:  Vellum!


 

1. Julee	10. Jen
2. Stacey	11. Sheri {Guest}
3. Maureen	12. Laurie
4. Chaitali	13. Andrea
5. Marisa	14. Amber
6. Teresa	15. Christyne
7. Kay {Guest}	16. Sarah
8. Janelle	17. Anya
9. Charmaine	18. Betty

 
Want to win some shiny new Verve? We're giving away a $40 gift voucher to one lucky commenter along the hop, so be sure to leave a shout out in the comments as you hop about.

Want another chance to win? Now it's your turn! We'd LOVE to see what you've done with the July release. Link up your cards using at least one product from our July release and you'll be entered in a drawing to win our entire next release! All the details and the linkup widget are on the Verve Blog today. The deadline is August 23, so there's still plenty of time to get the July release if you haven't already.



Don't miss this weekend only discount offer in honor of Julee's birthday:

I am last on the hop so you are all done!  However,  if you got here first or started midway,  make sure you start from the beginning and work your way through.  You are not going to want to miss out on your chance to win!

As always thanks so much for hopping by!

Betty