{GYDOApr2011} Verve Diva Recipe Challenge!

Today's card was created especially for the Get your DIVA on! April Recipe Challenge hosted by Amber Hight.  This may be my first ever recipe challenge for cardmaking . . .and when you hear the PRIZE, you'll know why I had to give it a try!

This was a very unique *challenge* and so well organized and thought out.  The recipe was determined by the first initial of our first name. So, since my name is Pam, I used the coordinating O-U recipe.   If there was a particular category we didn't like, or if it had elements we didn't have, we were allowed to change ONE category.  In my case, I used everything exactly as listed.  It made it more of a challenge as I rarely use rhinestones, glitter and lace as embellishments.  The colors were easy for me and I enjoy making different size cards too.    This one is 3-1/4 x 6-1/2" - so saffron cardstock.

The pretty pink, green and yellow floral paper is from the Sweet Nectar Designer Mat Pad by K & Company.   My "lace" is actually pink paper punched with a lace border punch.  I put a dot of glue on each of the light pink polka dots and added a fine irridescent glitter to them.  Once they dried, I added the VERVE sentiment from the Beautiful You set.  It was die cut using one of Verve's awesome A Cut Above dies. I'm not sure if it was legal to add ribbon, but I attached a light pink polka dot bow as a final touch.

the inside

Here is the exciting part of this . . . the winner of the challenge will get to be a Guest Diva in an upcoming release of VERVE Stamps and will receive all of the stamps/dies for that release for free!  How's THAT for exciting?!!  Please wish me luck.  :)

Today I had a FUN day stamping with my neighbor and special friend Vicki.  We made some CUTE cards, if I do say so myself!  I'll be sharing those with you tomorrow.  Right now, I need to get this posted to meet the deadline and then get my buns to bed.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for all the sweet comments you've been leaving for me lately!  It really makes my day to hear that others enjoy my cards as much as I enjoy creating them! ♥ 

Hugs & Blessings!

Quote for Today ~
 God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author unknown, variation of an excerpt from "The Serenity Prayer" by Reinhold Neibuhr

{Mojo Monday Contest & Diva Dare} Color Me Spring!

Hello, and Happy Sunday, my Friends!  

Yesterday I created a card for this past week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  I always enjoy playing along, but especially the first week of the month when there is a chance to win some *awesome* VERVE stamps!    Not only that, but there is also a Color Me Spring DIVA Dare on the Verve blog for more chances to win!!!    WoW!  That's a whole lot of opportunity I couldn't pass up!  : )

 The DIVA DARE challenge is to make a card or project with the theme Color Me Spring.  Well, when I think of SPRING, I think "April Showers Bring May Flowers!"   So I colored up my adorable little Stampendous Changito monkeys playing in the rain and put together this card.

You can see that I followed the sketch almost exactly, although my circle may be a little larger to fit in these cute little monkeys and their umbrella.  

The striped designer paper is fresh out of my scrap bin.  Image was colored with copics and it's all wrapped up with more of my chocolate brown and white bakers twine!    I've still got plenty of twine left to share with all of you, so please email me if you need any.  I've got brown/white and black/white and it's only 2.50 for 25 yards! 

Now, I better get my card linked up to the challenge blogs before the deadline.  I may see you later with a card for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  

Have a great day! 

Quote for Today ~

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~ Robin Williams

Colour Q & MoJo Monday with Verve!

Of all the weeks to finally decide to play along with Arielle's Colour Q Challenge again, I can't believe I chose this week!  I mean, just LOOK at this color combination! What was she thinking?!  :)

Really, any three of these colors together wouldn't be too bad, but I struggled to get the fourth color in there.  Like it or not, I used the exact colors specified and perservered . . .

I had some help jumpstarting my mojo by using the MoJo Monday Sketch 183.  And I used one of my favorite stamp sets by VERVE - Beautiful You.   To tone down the colors, I used an assortment of designer paper from my stash, the Very Vintage wheel from Stampin' Up, and my favorite sponge and distressing ink - Versafine Vintage Sepia.    Oh, and I can't forget to mention the crocheted flower from Debbie Fisher at The Paper Garden to embellish!    ♥

and the inside...

Let me know what you think, ok?  I *love* hearing from all of you! Good or bad.  Well, keep it mostly good.  ha ha  : )    Really, what do you think of this color combination?  Are you going to give it a try?  

Another week is flying by . .  Enjoy!

p.s.  don't forget to check out all the stamps I have for sale!   Links on the top right.  Thank U.

Quote for Today ~

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. -  Maya Angelou

Oh Baby! It's the Verve Fan Hop!

"Sometimes the smallest things

take up the most room in your heart."

~ Winnie the Pooh

I love this quote and just bought the stamp online a week ago from VERVE Stamps.  Their service is remarkable and so are *all* their products.  Oh, how I wish $$ was no object, as there are several sets I would love to have!  Which is just one of the reasons I created this card today. ;)   Verve is having a Blog Fan Hop and there is a $30 Gift Certificate as the PRIZE!   Oh Baby, I could really use that!  ;)

Don't you think the Winnie the Pooh quote is perfect for a baby card?  Although I'm not so sure that using designer paper with *elephants* really goes with the saying!  But I've been hoarding this Oh Baby Girl paper by Basic Grey long enough.  As you'll see, I couldn't bring myself to cover up the cuteness, so not much layering on this one...

Die cut shape is from "A Cut Above Dies" by Verve

the inside finished to coordinate with the outside...
stitching, button & linen thread too!

Blogger is being a challenge today and I just lost half of what I typed.  ugh!  Oh well, I really just want to give a shout out and a very warm welcome to all of you who may be visiting my blog for the first time as a result of the Verve Blog Hop.  Thank you for stopping by and do come back again real soon!   ;)

Enjoy every minute of your weekend!  Smiles 2 All of U !

Quote for Today ~

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg