Verve's Diva Inspiration Challenge and Blog Hop!

It's the 5th of the month and time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspiration Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes.. comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings!

Our February challenge is Vivacious Valentine...

Nothing says "I love you" like a handmade Valentine in your signature style.
Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction  - just make us swoon with a fabulously flirty creation!

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Thursday, Feb. 19.
Prize: $40 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

 
I think this inspiration picture is so beautiful and has lots of creative possibilities!  I focused on the dark gray, light gray, white, and a few sprinkles of pinks. I used Verve's Stronger Love, No Matter What, and Better Together stamp sets.  I mixed these sets with Verve's Cut Above Wavy Hearts and Flag It dies.  I finished my card with a few Verve Shine Bright Sequin Mix.     I am playing along with the Deconstruction Sketch 186.

 

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	8. Sarah
	2. Amy	9. Susan
	3. Anya	10. Marisa
	4. Betty	11. Maureen
	5. Jen	12. Stacey
	6. Karen	13. Verve Blog
	7.Sankari

As always thanks so much for stopping by! 

Betty

Verve's November Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's November Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our November inspiration challenge for another chance to win!

This month's challenge is entitled Naturally Navy:

Classic, bold, timeless...navy is naturally elegant! Go nautical or pair with 
neutrals for a creation sure to impress.

For my card, I chose to go navy and white to make a Christmas card.  I combined several Verve stamp sets to create a snowflake background.  I used Verve's Merry & Bright, Unto Us, Glad Tidings, Holiday Greetings, Holiday Treats, and Ornamental Christmas stamp sets.  I pulled all the snowflakes from these sets and placed on my fiskars stamping block.  I inked with versamark and white embossed.  I did not try to use my embossing buddy because I actually wanted some speckled fallout from the white embossing powder for this look.  The tiny white flecks look more like tiny bits of snow surrounding the larger snowflakes.  To add some depth and dimension to the background, I sponged versamark all over.  I love the look of the sponged watermark effect on the navy card stock. 

Next, I cut a fishtail flag and stamped the sentiment from Ornamental Christmas stamp set in midnight navy ink.  I added some glittered card stock snowflake dies from Verve's Snowflake Tidings Cut Above dies.  I topped with a starburst button.  I added some tiny clear gems to the centers of all the snowflakes.  If you choose not to add all the clear gems, this card can be quickly stamped and assembled for mass producing several for Christmas mailings. 

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Amy	7. Sarah
	2. Anya	8. Sony
	3. Betty	9. Susan
	4. Jen	10.Maureen
	5. Karen	11. Stacey
	6.Sankari	12. Marisa

As always thanks so much for hopping by!

Betty

Verve's October Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's October Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our October inspiration challenge for another chance to win!

 For this fall fancy challenge, I created two cards. I gave myself a challenge within a challenge so to speak.  I chose 1 Verve stamp set, 1 sketch, and created two looks!   For the first card, I used Fancy Pants Collecting Moments paper pad, I used Verve's Tall Oaks stamp set.  I stamped the trio of pumpkins image twice.  I colored one image with Copics, cut out, and popped up.  I added some soft sponging on the focal circle die and stamped the sentiment.  I added a few touches of sparkle to make a more dressier version of a fall card.  I finished with Verve's Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection in Golden Sun to complete the card.  I love the vibrant warm tones and patterns. 

For the second card, I again used the same Fancy Pants pattern pack, sketch, and Verve's Tall Oaks stamp set, but this time I opted to create a chalkboard styled card.  I must say I really love how the pumpkins look on the black with just the outline.  It looks like they are glowing in the dark to me.   To keep this card simple, I chose to add some Verve's Signature Sequin Mix in brown to finish it.  I love the simplicity of this one.  Completely different look than the first.  I am playing along with the Fusion Challenge.  I used the sketch!

This month's challenge is entitled Fall Fancy:


The air is crisp and the colors are warm – celebrate fall with a spook-tacular creation or a thoughtful thank you using Fall as your inspiration! 

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	8. Sony
	2. Amy	9. Susan
	3. Anya	10. Maureen
	4. Betty	11. Laurie
	5. Karen	12. Marisa
	6. Sankari	13. Jen
	7. Sarah

As always thanks so much for hopping by! 

Betty

Verve's August Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's August Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our August inspiration challenge for another chance to win!

Our August challenge is Sequined Stunner:


Sequins are the perfect embellishment - sparkly, affordable and with lots of texture. Add some sequins to your project this month to make it a sequined stunner! Feel free to use the graphic as inspiration or not.

For my card I am using Echo Park's Splendid Sunshine designer papers.  I combined Verve's Be Blessed and Better Together stamp sets along with Verve's Petal Point and  Sprightly Sprigs Cut Above Dies. 

 I stamped a double sentiment in night of navy ink.  I added a multicolored layered background from Better Together behind the sentiments using a soft aqua, yellow, and pink ink.  Love how that little bit of color just adds so much.   I die cut, stamped, and white embossed the layered flowers.  I used some foam dimensionals to create more depth with the layered flower.  I tucked in some of the same designer papers using the sprightly sprigs dies.  I decided I liked the pink leaves!   I finished with a border of sequins using Verve's Shine Brightly Sequin Mix.  I also added a few to the center of the flower as well as a few to the top corner of the card.  I am using Deconstructed Sketch 162. 

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	7. Sarah
	2. Amy	8. Sony
	3. Anya	9. Maureen
	4. Betty	10. Stacey
	5. Karen	11. Chaitali
	6. Sankari

This month we're celebrating 7 wonderful years of Verve with a storewide sale!

During our Anni-VERVE-sary sale,
all of our in stock stamps, dies, ribbons and sequins are 20% off
(excluding our new releases, which are 10% off).

Next on the hop is the fabulously talented Karen! 
 

As  always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Verve's July Diva Inspirations Hop!

Welcome to Verve's July Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's time for the Divas to serve up some fresh inspiration with their Verve stamps! Leave some comment love along the hop spots for a chance to win a prize, then grab some stamps and play along with our July inspiration challenge for another chance to win!

Our July challenge is Red, White and You:

 

Red and white are always classic, pair this gorgeous color combo with a color of YOUR choice! Make a statement or keep it muted, it's all up to you! Feel free to use the graphic as inspiration or not, we just want to see you flash a little red, white and "up to you" color on your creation!

I chose Red, White, and Expresso!

I decided to revisit my K-Cup gift holders that I made a couple of years ago. Details in this post.    I have had many interested in these little holders.  

These little K-Cup holders are quick and easy to assemble and require very minimal product, but pack a punch in more ways than one.  They are also a perfect quick gift that works not only for women, but for men, too!   

  

 

This project is fun because I got to get really inky!  I stamped everything inside and out!   

The K-cups were not harmed in the making of these containers.  The design is done in such a way that the tension of the cups in the holder is what gives it stability as well as keeps the cup from slipping out easily so no adhesive is needed to secure the cup inside. 

I made a card as well!  I used the following Verve products to create the K-Cup Holders and card.  Better With You, Remember This, Love Notes, Cup of Life,  Holiday Treats, Tag Time, Wonderful Marvelous, Better Together, and Sip and Savor stamp sets.  I also used Verve's Cup of Cheer Cut Above Dies, Scalloped Flowers die, Tiny Sweet Scallop dies, and Classy Label die.  I used Verve's Truly Madly Deeply Ribbon Collection to top off one of the K-Cup holders.  I am playing along with this week's Mojo Monday Tall and Skinny Sketch Challenge.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	8. Sony
	2. Amy	9. Susan
	3. Anya	11. Maureen
	4. Betty	11. Stacey
	5. Karen	12. Chaitali
	6. Sankari	13. Amber
	7. Sarah	14. Marisa

It's a Red, White and Blue SALE!
Everything in the Verve store is marked down 15% (or more) through Thursday, July 10!

Next on the hop is the fabulously talented Karen!  Check to see which color she chose to go with Red and White!

As always thanks so much for hopping by!

Betty