February Viva la Diva Announced!

Hi there!  It's the official end to our February VLV challenges and I'm here to announce the big winner!  I had so much fun taking a peek at all your gorgeous viva la beauties this month!  Thanks to everyone for playing along! Time to announce the winner...

Our February 2014 Viva la Diva is:

Congrats Emilee Smith!  Send an email to contests@vervestamps.com to receive your $100 e-gift voucher to the Verve store.

We'll be back in the morning with the kick-off to our March challenges, but in the meantime you can take a gander at all of this month's fabulous entries on the link list below!

Viva la Verve February Week 4 Recap & Viewfinder

Hello Verve fans!!  Stacey here, bringing you another look at this week's sketch and having a gander through the gallery to see some fantastic cards created this week!

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My ode to St. Patrick's Day using Lucky You, Shamrock Die Set, Flag It Die Set, and Pastel Sequin Mix!

In case you missed it, here is Janelle's fabulous sketch for this week's challenge!

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form 

Oh, my...there have been loads of amazing cards in the Viva la Verve gallery this month!  Here are a few of them that caught my eye!  

Tricia from Simply Stamping created a precious display of poppies and sentiment from the Poppy Birthday set!  I love the spring feeling of those pink and yellow flowers! 

Check out this breath-taking card from Kathy, Stamps at Play, created with last week's sketch!  The Poppy Birthday and Build a Poppy Die Set were a fabulous choice to create spring scene!

Kim from Joyful Creations with Kim has a sweet and cheerful take on the sketch that is the perfect cure  for the winter blues!  I adore the combination of sunny blooms from Many Blessings and sentiment from With Love!

Thank you all for sharing your stunning creations with us! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Verve stamps required?  Nope.  We do love to see them, though!  ;)

Where can I buy Verve Stamps? Verve Stamps are available online only through our website.

Can I combine challenges?  Yes.  As long as your card meets the challenge criteria, feel free to do a two-for-one.

Where do I link my card?  There's an entry form tab at the top of the blog where the link list for the entire month resides.  Or you can click the Viva la Verve Link Up badge on the side bar.  Or you can click this Entry Form link right here.

Can I still link up my card after Tuesday?  Yep.  You can link up your challenge cards in any order until the deadline at the end of the month.  One link list to rule them all!  :)

What are the rules?  You can read the full list of rules here.   Basically follow the challenge, link back to us in your blog or gallery post and HAVE FUN!

Viva la Verve Sketch February Week 4

Hi, Viva La Verve fans! Today's sketch wraps up February's sketches and it happens to be a fun departure from our usual sketch style.

We'll have 4 February challenges... play along with us and link each of your challenge creations to our Entry Form link list. The link list will be up for the whole month and we'll choose a random winner at the end of the month to win a $100 gift voucher to Verve.  Challenge rules can be found on the Rules tab at the top of the blog or by clicking here.  You don't have to complete all of the sketches to win, but the more cards you enter, the greater your odds of winning are.  Verve stamps are not required to play, but we do love to see 'em!  We'll also be highlighting a couple of our favorite link-ups each Tuesday, so be sure to get your links in if you're crafting over the weekend.

Here's the February Week 4 sketch!

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form

Here's my sample using the sketch to get things started:

by Janelle using Joyful Blooms and coordinateing Dies,
  Love's Flower, Flag It Die Set and Dreamy Leaves Die Set

...and yes, this card is missing a fifth circle element. I just couldn't fit it in. lol 

Now here are some fabulous Diva samples:

by Anya Shrier using Making A Statement

by Maureen Plut using Birthday Bash

by Teresa Kline using Take Note, Wavy Hearts Die and Heart Quartet Die 

VLV February Week 3 Recap + Viewfinder

Hello Verve fans!!  It's Charmaine and I'm bringing you another look at this week's sketch and taking a look at some fabulous cards created this week!

Here is my take on this week's sketch.  I LOVED the inspiration piece as well!

by Charmaine Ikach using Words of Wisdom

In case you missed it, here is our sketch for this week's challenge:

And here is the inspiration photo:

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form 

There have been so many stunning cards already this month! Here's a few of the fantastic cards which were uploaded this week!

 

I just LOVE this sweet little number by Kim using the cupcake from With Love and a sentiment from Big Wish!

I am loving the bright, happy colors on this card by Tricia!!  Beautiful sentiment from Psalm 94:18 Plain Jane and those flowers made with the Loopy Blooms Die are just adorable!

The pattern and color on this card by Lori really draws my eye.  The Poppy Birthday set really makes me smile with that sweet flower!

Thank you all for sharing your beautiful creations with us! We LOVE to see them!!  Be sure to join us on Friday for some brand new inspiration!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Verve stamps required?  Nope.  We do love to see them, though!  ;)
Where can I buy Verve Stamps? Verve Stamps are available online only through our website.
Can I combine challenges?  Yes.  As long as your card meets the challenge criteria, feel free to do a two-for-one.
Where do I link my card?  There's an entry form tab at the top of the blog where the link list for the entire month resides.  Or you can click the Viva la Verve Link Up badge on the side bar.  Or you can click this Entry Form link right here.
Can I still link up my card after Tuesday?  Yep.  You can link up your challenge cards in any order until the deadline at the end of the month.  One link list to rule them all!  :)
What are the rules?  You can read the full list of rules here.   Basically follow the challenge, link back to us in your blog or gallery post and HAVE FUN!

Viva la Verve Sketch + Inspiration February Week 3

Hi Viva la Verve fans! Sarah here with this week's sketch and it's time for our monthly inspiration photo! Use just the sketch, or the inspiration and sketch, it's up to you! 

I thought all this dramatic black and emerald with a pop of hot pink would lead to some gorgeous cards and WOW was I right! Wait till you see what the Divas have created!

I can't wait to see your cards this week!

We'll have 4 February challenges... play along with us and link each of your challenge creations to our Entry Form link list. The link list will be up for the whole month and we'll choose a random winner at the end of the month to win a $100 gift voucher to Verve.  Challenge rules can be found on the Rules tab at the top of the blog or by clicking here.  You don't have to complete all of the sketches to win, but the more cards you enter, the greater your odds of winning are.  Verve stamps are not required to play, but we do love to see 'em!  We'll also be highlighting a couple of our favorite link-ups each Tuesday, so be sure to get your links in if you're crafting over the weekend.

Here's the February Week 3 sketch and inspiration photo!

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form

Here's my sample using the sketch and inspiration to get things started:

by Sarah Gough using Great Friend

Here are the FABULOUS Diva samples!

by Maureen Plut using More than Love

by Anya Schrier using Great Friend

by Teresa Kline using Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane

by Christyne Kane using Wonderfully Made

VLV February Week 2 Recap + Viewfinder

Hello Verve fans!!  Christyne here, bringing you another look at this week's sketch and taking a look at some fabulous cards created this week!

This week's sketch from Jen is definitely my cup of tea!  Here's my take on it...

by Christyne Kane using Where Flowers Bloom Plain Jane and Joyful Blooms

In case you missed it, here is our sketch for this week's challenge:

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form 

There have been so many stunning cards already this month! Here's a few of the fantastic cards which were uploaded this week!

I am really drawn to the clean lines of this card by Rosemary D. and the fabulous use of all those stars!!

Isn't this little chick just the cutest thing!  I just love how Tricia T. paired him with those beautiful flowers!

I just love the beautiful coloring of this tea cup and the texture that Lori T.'s felt hearts give this piece!

Thank you all for sharing your stunning creations with us! We still have two sketches left this month, so be sure to join us on Friday for some brand new inspiration!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Verve stamps required?  Nope.  We do love to see them, though!  ;)
Where can I buy Verve Stamps? Verve Stamps are available online only through our website.
Can I combine challenges?  Yes.  As long as your card meets the challenge criteria, feel free to do a two-for-one.
Where do I link my card?  There's an entry form tab at the top of the blog where the link list for the entire month resides.  Or you can click the Viva la Verve Link Up badge on the side bar.  Or you can click this Entry Form link right here.
Can I still link up my card after Tuesday?  Yep.  You can link up your challenge cards in any order until the deadline at the end of the month.  One link list to rule them all!  :)
What are the rules?  You can read the full list of rules here.   Basically follow the challenge, link back to us in your blog or gallery post and HAVE FUN!

Viva la Verve Sketch February Week 2

Hi it's Jen and I am so excited to be bringing you the Valentine's Day addition of Viva la Verve this year! I hope everyone has a fabulous day! I hope you enjoy today sketch and I can't wait to see your creations!

We'll have 4 February challenges... play along with us and link each of your challenge creations to our Entry Form link list. The link list will be up for the whole month and we'll choose a random winner at the end of the month to win a $100 gift voucher to Verve.  Challenge rules can be found on the Rules tab at the top of the blog or by clicking here.  You don't have to complete all of the sketches to win, but the more cards you enter, the greater your odds of winning are.  Verve stamps are not required to play, but we do love to see 'em!  We'll also be highlighting a couple of our favorite link-ups each Tuesday, so be sure to get your links in if you're crafting over the weekend.

Here's the February Week 2 sketch!

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form

Here's my sample using the sketch to get things started:

by Jen Shults using More Than Love and Borderline

And some fantastic samples from the Design Team!

By Maureen Plut using Happy Birthday Plain Jane

By Teresa Kline using Let It Be

By Stacey Schafer using More Than Love

By Marisa Ritzen using More Than Love

VLV February Week 1 Recap + Viewfinder

Hi there! Its time for this week's Viva la Verve recap and Viewfinder. A chance for us to spotlight a few fabulous creations gracing the challenge gallery.

Here is our sketch for this week's challenge:

We also have an optional color challenge thrown in to this week's mix, too!

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form 

Here are a few of the fabulous cards I saw uploaded for this week's challenge:

I am smitten with this cute Valentine from Colleen. The little dotty clouds play so perfectly to her sentiment, and the patterned papers really add the romance.

What's not to love about this elegant wedding card from Twinlynn? The vellum circle overlays add sheer softness to the wonderful texture of the embossed background. The pop of silver ribbon helps to ground that beautiful focal sentiment.

Tricia's sunny card brings a smile to my face. Her bright flowers are perfectly placed for this week's sketch, and that smart cookie played along with our Floral Fantasy inspiration challenge, too!

If you haven't yet joined in this week's challenge, we hope you'll squeeze us in - thanks to the ladies who have shared their lovely creations already! 

Frequently Asked Questions...

Are Verve stamps required?  Nope.  We do love to see them, though!  ;)

Where can I buy Verve Stamps? Verve Stamps are available online only through our website.

Can I combine challenges?  Yes.  As long as your card meets the challenge criteria, feel free to do a two-for-one.

Where do I link my card?  There's an entry form tab at the top of the blog where the link list for the entire month resides.  Or you can click the Viva la Verve Link Up badge on the side bar.  Or you can click this Entry Form link right here.

Can I still link up my card after Tuesday?  Yep.  You can link up your challenge cards in any order until the deadline at the end of the month.  One link list to rule them all!  :)

What are the rules?  You can read the full list of rules here.   Basically follow the challenge, link back to us in your blog or gallery post and HAVE FUN!

Viva la Verve Sketch + Color Challenge - February Week 1

Welcome to our first Viva la Verve sketch of February!

So how are you liking the new changes to Viva la Verve?  I really enjoyed January and just loved seeing all the fabulous creations you made!  Thanks so much for playing along!  I announced our January winner last night, so scroll down or click here to view our January winner post to see if you're our January Viva la Diva!

It's the first challenge of the month and that means it's a sketch + color challenge.  I love Valentine's Day, probably because my Dad is a Valentine's baby and my hubby was born the day after Valentine's.  So this month I picked a fun Valentine palette... red, gray and pink.You can use just the sketch, just the colors, or combine them for even more fun.

We'll have 4 February challenges... play along with us and link each of your challenge creations to our Entry Form link list. The link list will be up for the whole month and we'll choose a random winner at the end of the month to win a $100 gift voucher to Verve.  Challenge rules can be found on the Rules tab at the top of the blog or by clicking here.  You don't have to complete all of the sketches to win, but the more cards you enter, the greater your odds of winning are.  Verve stamps are not required to play, but we do love to see 'em!  We'll also be highlighting a couple of our favorite link-ups each Tuesday, so be sure to get your links in if you're crafting over the weekend.

Here is the February Week 1 sketch and color challenge.  Feel free to just use the sketch, use the colors (red, gray and pink) or both!

The sketch looks a bit more complex than it really is.  The layout is a card base, a 2" vertical strip, a ribbon (or paper) horizontally and then the circles and focal rectangle.  If you like less layers, try stamping off the edge of the card for those two circle images.  Lots of possibilities! Verve has lots of big flower stamps that would be perfect for the sketch and allow for a two-fer with our current Floral Fantasy challenge.

Click here for our February Challenge Entry Form

To get you started, here is my sample card using the sketch and colors.

by Julee Tilman using More than Love and On Occasion

And here are some beauties from the Divas...

by Maureen Plut using Twitterpated and Doodled Occasions

by Anya Schrier using Rain or Shine and Love Notes

by Christyne Kane using Stronger Love

by Sarah Gough using Love Story & Heart Quartet Die