July 2014 Diva Dare - Day 12

Hello, it's Janelle today with the wrap up of inspiration for this month's Diva Dare.

Inside Out - July Diva Dare

This month we're daring you to create a stamped card and continue the design on the inside for a special surprise for the recipient.  Simply carry over some portion of the card front design on to the inside of your card.   

Here's my take on the challenge...

I started out with Maureen's July Viva La Verve sketch and then had some fun with maybe a few too many embellishments. The sentiment and sprigs on the tags and a cut out flower are from the Happy Place Stamp Set wrapped in a dreamy seam binding ribbon from the Summer Sailing Ribbon Collection. 

The inside takes some of the thinner embellishments from the front of the card and same skewed placement with a simple statement from the Button Best set from the May 2014 release.

Have fun with the challenge this month because now,

it's YOUR turn!

Two ways to win prizes for double the fun!

Win a $40 gift voucher to Verve! Take our Inside Out dare and link up your card to be eligible to win.  Entries must have an element from the front of your card carried over to the inside, be posted 7/14 or later, include at least one Verve product and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 7/31/14.  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 Verve set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's Inside Out 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, 2014.

Winners will be announced on August 1, 2014.

June 2014 Diva Dare - Day 4

A Man's World - June Diva Dare

Welcome to June's Diva Dare!  As the weather heats up, dads and grads and outdoor fun are foremost in our minds, so our June Dare is entitled A Man's World.

This month we're daring you to create a stamped card or project with a masculine theme.  It doesn't have to be a Father's Day card, just something masculine. However, if you need to get one done, we're here to help wink, wink. If just reading the theme gives you a creative block, take a deep breath and think clean lines, few embellishments, rugged or distressed edges and muted or earthy colors. Replace bling with wood or metal embellishments, and replace ribbon with twine, rope or twill and you'll be surprised how quickly a masculine card will come together!

It's getting close to that special man holiday and I'm here to share the one made for my man on his special day.

I made this card with the new Wonderful Marvelous Set for it's "trees" (a.k.a flags that are the genius idea of Julee from this card) and custom made sentiment. I love that you can put together a sentiment from all the different stamps in this set. The stars theme around this card come from Starry Die and Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set. I've used the latest Viva La Verve sketch by Julee.

Now here's where you jump in for the challenge!

Two ways to win prizes for double the fun!

Win a $40 gift voucher to Verve! Take our A Man's World dare and link up your card to be eligible to win.  Entries must be masculine in theme, posted 6/6 or later, include at least one Verve product and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 6/25/14.  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 Verve set of your choice! For another chance to win some new Verve, leave a little comment love on our design team's A Man's World 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 June 25, 2014.

Winners will be announced on June 26, 2014.

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

March 2014 Diva Dare ~ Day 4

"Do The Polka", March Diva Dare

Hello Dare Challengers! It's Janelle today with my take on our March challenge for "Do The Polka".  
 
What we're daring you to do this month is to use polka dots somewhere on your card. Whether you choose to strut your polka dot stamps, paper, ribbon or all of the above, we want to see you do the polka! 

When someone says polka, I'm all in! lol

At least when I'm creating a card, because this girl hasn't ever danced the polka. Any way, I'm sneaking a peek at a new Verve set releasing sometime soon, eeep, called Better Together! I've got definite dots in the Polka Dot ribbon from the Polka Dot Basic Ribbon Collection, sneaky dots from the new release set, and crazy dots from the minute text print on the pattern paper. You could even say I have sparkly dots from rhinestones, too!

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, March 26th.  Entries must be posted 3/7 or later, include at least one Verve product, polka dots, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 3/26/14.   

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Do The Polka" Dare and link up your card (created March 7th or later) to the linky widget 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 "Do The Polka" 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 March 26, 2014.

Winners will be announced on March 27, 2014. 

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

February 2014 Diva Dare ~ Day 3

"Perk Up", February Diva Dare

This month's Dare is entitled "Perk Up" and here's what we are challenging your creative minds to join in on with the Divas. 

What we're daring you to do this month is make a card or project to perk someone up, whether it’s with a warm beverage or just a heartfelt sentiment to brighten someone’s day.  No shortage of options as Verve has some wonderful coffee and tea sets as well as a plethora of uplifting/heartfelt sentiments.

Janelle here today with something that I love to share. Coffee! Or Chai Latte, or Soothing Green Tea... well the list goes on until you've exhausted my supply of K-cups®. Tee-hee. My original idea ended when a cutting file search for K-cup® holders came up with coffee sleeves and my creative mind said "let's use it".

Do you remember those personalized scrapbook travel coffee mugs? Take off the bottom, slide out the paper insert to scrapbook and when finished put it all back together again. Well, my coffee sleeve is the same concept.

Open up a used coffee sleeve for your template (or find one online somewhere) and cut out the base paper of your sleeve. I stamped a pattern using the heart in More than Love on kraft paper. Use some clear acetate and sew the two together leaving the top open and cut the acetate away from the base. Round the corners so they won't be pokey. I cut some half circles on the base so it would be easier to insert odds and ends later. Wrap it around your sample latte cup, mark the over lap and slide off to punch holes for brads.

Now have some fun "perking up" someone's day with die cut hearts using the Heart Quartet Die. Use any of Verve's uplifting sentiments like Small Phrases die cut out with Flag It Die Set and accent with Poppy Birthday flowers and coordinating Build a Poppy Die Set.

I used the static cling from the clear acetate to hold the pieces in place and then the bend of the sleeve when put together should tighten up against them so they don't fall out.   

If you get carried away with too many goodies stuffed in there it won't bend to close... yes, I know that from experience. Take the sleeve apart when you're ready to use those extra goodies that wouldn't fit the first time.

Okay, it's your turn. Where will your creativity take you?

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, February 26th.  Entries must be posted 2/7 or later,include at least one Verve product, a warm beverage or heartfelt sentiment, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 2/26/14.   

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Perk Up" Dare and link up your card or project (created February 7th or later) to the linky widget 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 "Perk Up" 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 February 26, 2014.

Winners will be announced on February 27, 2014. 

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

January 2014 Diva Dare - Day 6

"Smitten", January Diva Dare

Hello Verve Daresters! Janelle here posting yesterday's Day 5 on the weekend. For some reason I thought there was one more day in the school week or apparently two Friday's this week. My apologies for leaving you all waiting for the post, but now you can relax on this weekend day and get ready to work your mojo for the dare.  Here we go.

What we're daring you to do this month is to make a card or project with a heart, whether it's for the one you love, a sweet Valentine or a lunch note for a child.  Let's get smitten! 

I've just returned from my hometown where I was influenced this time by my brother's rench style. (That's pronounced "ranch" for us city folks.) It's only fitting then that my mojo would will me to pull together this style of card. 

I'm using Verve that is on sale right now like the Chevron Love Stamp Set (on sale!), ribbon from the Red White and Beautiful Ribbon Collection, and Jotted Heart Die. Just a couple more Verve goodies for my card, Award Banner Trim Die and Banner Bundle Die Set, before roping in the design. Hee-hee.

Yes, I did make a lasso for the heart. It just had to be done.

Now it's your turn!

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, January 22nd.  Entries must be posted 1/3 or later, include at least one Verve product, include a heart, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 1/22/14.  

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Smitten" Dare and link up your card (created January 3rd 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 "Smitten" 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 January 22, 2014.

Winners will be announced on January 23, 2014. 

December Diva Dare-Day 8

Welcome to the last Diva Dare of 2013!  This month's Dare is entitled "Playing Favorites"and it is a fun one indeed! 

What we're daring you to do this month is to post your favorite Verve Stamps 2013 creation OR make a new card using your favorite Verve stamp set. 

Janelle is in the Dare seat today and by the end of my post I'll have taken over Marisa's spot in the Diva time-out chair. Let's see how I get there with my favorite creation.......s.

Julee gave us chevrons that made my heart twitterpated with new images and previously release Verve dies.

Chevron Love, Heart Quartet die set, Jotted Heart die, All Aflutter die set, Scalloped Trio Trim die set, Award Banner Trim die and Banner Bundle die set

How about flowers that put you in a dream world? Verve's Poppy stamps and coordinating dies this year are my dreamy state.

Poppy Birthday and Build A Poppy die set

Verve's ever-loving and jaw-dropping sentiments. 

Let It Be

Abundance of verses and new luscious ribbon! Remember all those Plain Janes are now in Scripture and Faith Medley sets! Woo-hoo!

Surely Goodness, Goodness Flowers die set, Flag It die set and Olive Green ribbon

As a fun extra this month, the Divas are answering "The Diva Fab Five Questionnaire".  You can read my answers below...

What are your three favorite Verve products? Plain Janes, Sentiments and flowers! Plain Jane stamps are what first drew me into the blissful world of Verve Stamps. I was infatuated with them enough to make a verse box for my mom one year. Verve sentiments, flowers? Need I say anything more?

What is your current go-to color combo? I'm pretty sure my color combo is kaleidoscope wrapped up with kraft. If it's a bright contrast and toned down with kraft somewhere, I'm good.

What is your current go-to embellishment?  Verve Seam Binding Ribbon. It's the easiest thing in the world to make into bows and comes in just the right color... always.

What is your favorite stamping or organizational tool? Oh the mention of organization is giving me hives right now so I'll stick with my Tombow Liquid Glue. It's the only thing that has been holding all my cards together.

What is your favorite treat to eat while stamping? Chocolate with a mug of coffee or tea. Allegedly it's been said that I can go through a container of chocolate covered almonds within a week when I'm deep in the crafting studio. I'll neither confirm nor deny that statement.

And now it's your turn to show us your favorite, if you can contain yourself to just one, Verve card from 2013 or a new creation using a favorite Verve set!  

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Thursday, December 26th.  Entries must be posted 12/6 or later, include at least one Verve product, be your favorite Verve Stamps creation of 2013 or a new creation using your favorite Verve Stamps set, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 12/26/13.   As a reminder, last month's $40 gift certificate winner did not use any Verve stamps on her card so she was not eligible to win and we had to draw another winner.

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Playing Favorites" Dare and link up your card (created December 6th 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 "Playing Favorites" 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 December 26, 2013.

Winners will be announced on December 27, 2013.

November Diva Dare ~ Day 9

"Shape Up", November Diva Dare

What day is it? It's Day NINE of our Dare and I'm so excited to share how I took the challenge this month.

What we're daring you to do is to create a card or project including a common shape.  For example:  hexagons, chevrons, arrows, triangles, hearts, stars etc.  Lots of fun ways you can go with this dare and I can't wait to see what you create!

For me the shape of a coffee take-out cup is pretty common and I'm in the mind set for money gift card holders, so I've combined those two for my take on the dare to "Shape Up".

It helps that my inspiration is the new Holiday Treats stamp set and it's Cup of Cheer coordinating die set and I loved the idea of the card holder in the same shape as a take-out coffee cup. I used my Pazzles Inspiration Cutter and one of the Library cutting files to make the card base and cut out the Bundled Up pattern paper by Crate Paper. Then it was time to embellish with Verve goodness.

I stamped the chevron tag and gorgeous "From Our House to Yours" sentiment from the stamp set in Crumb Cake then die cut the tag out with the Tagged Rectangle Die. A flag makes for a more festive look so I added a second "Have a Cup of Cheer" sentiment and cut it out with the Flag It Die Set.

This all sits on top of the sleeve over the cup shaped card base and that is even Verve embellished with the Award Banner Trim Die and a bow made with Grapefruit color seam binding ribbon from Truly Madly Deeply Ribbon Collection.

Love the chevron latte cup a whole "latte"! Stamped in Garden Green the latte cup is die cut out using the coordinating A Cut Above, Cup of Cheer Die Set

Add a sleeve for a gift card or money and there's still enough room for a personal note.

That's it from me! Now here's the details to get your Dare in shape.

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Wednesday, November 27th.  Entries must be new (posted 11/8 or later), include at least one Verve product, include a common shape, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 11/27/13. 

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Shape Up" Dare and link up your card (created November 8th 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 "Shape Up" 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 November 27, 2013.

Winners will be announced on November 28, 2013.

October Diva Dare - Day 9

Happy Monday morning! Janelle here today with another angle on our "Tag, You're It!" challenge. But first, did you all love the new Verve Release last week?!?!?!?! The new sets and dies are such a joy to use. You just might see some tags later in this post because I couldn't resist.

Here's how I took the challenge.

I'm in love with these Verve Robots! I stamped one of the robots from Birthday Bots and colored with Copic markers. The gears in the background are stamped in matching inks with gears from the Geared Up set. The sentiment is split up by inking up the stamp and putting scotch tape over half of it and stamping the image down on paper, repeating it for the second half of the stamp. The happy is die cut with the straight flag in the Flag It die set just to go with the popped up elements on our little bot.

I played with the new release on a few tags, too. The images are perfect for making tags with patterns. Here's two styles I came up with in a jiffy.

The chalkboard tag uses Geared Up numbers, sentiment and chevron frame from Holiday Treats which are all embossed on black cardstock. A quick coloring of white chalk smudged over the whole tag finishes it off.

The kraft tags are using Holiday Treats and Geared Up. These tags were such a breeze to put together that I'm certain there will be more made up for the holidays.

Now it's your turn...

Deadline to link your cards is 8PM Mountain on Saturday, November 2nd.  Entries must be new (posted 10/11 or later),include at least one Verve product, include a tag, and be linked up to the linky widget by 8pm Mountain on 11/02/13. 

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

Win a $40 Gift voucher to Verve Stamps! Take our "Tag, You're It" Dare and link up your card (created October 11th 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 "Tag, You're It" 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 November 2, 2013.