Sunday, August 5, 2012

Verve Diva Inspirations August 2012 Blog Hop

It's August 5th and that means it's time for another Verve Divas Inspirations Blog Hop! On the 5th of each month, the Verve Divas Inspirations Team will be sharing creations using some of our favorite Verve sets from both past and present, and as always, there are PRIZES!! It's an extra special month here at Verve - Anni-Verve-Sary!! In celebration, the Inspiration Team has some special guests playing along with us this month. Several of the Release Team Divas as well as a few other guests are joining us on this hop. You won't want to miss it!!

You can start the hop at the beginning on the Verve Blog and continue on through each fabulous blog - be sure to leave a little comment love along the way and you just might win some Verve goodies of your own! If you arrived here from the talented Jen d's blog, then you're on the right track! Just in case, here's a look at the Master Hop List:
 
1. Betty9. Andrea
2. Jen d.10. Janelle
3. Jen T.11. Laurie
4. Julee12. Maureen
5. Sankari13. Teresa
6. Sony14. Charmaine
7. Susan15. Christyne
8. Amber16. Laurie

Most of my regular followers know that I periodically create special cards to give to my son, Dean. I started doing this when he was a baby, filling the inside of each card with a handwritten note / letter - just some of my thoughts about being his Mom at this particular time in his life. Sometimes they're full of encouragement and pride and lots of love, sometimes they're full of frustration at whatever latest parenting struggle we're dealing with. I don't always give him these cards, but I do tuck each of them into a special keepsake box - hopefully someday they'll be really special to him. He gets a card for all major special events and holidays and then a few random "just because" cards each year too. The card I made for today's hop is a special card for Dean as he started First Grade this past Monday. I really can't believe I'm the mother of a First Grader!! Anyway, this important milestone called for a Dean card...

 First I have to say that the design of this card was loosely based on a very old Sweet Sunday Sketch, one of my favorites actually. All of the patterned paper is printed digi paper from the Hit the Books kit by Robyn Meierotto (Design House Digital). I stamped one of my favorite and most-used stamps, the classy label stamp from Love Notes and then cut it out with the Classy Label Die. The "Dream Big" sentiment is from the Words of Wisdom set and those stars? They're from one of the very first Verve sets I ever purchased, way back before I became a Diva - Seeing Stars! Still love that classic set!! Once again, I tried adding some splattered Mister Huey's ink, which I do think I'm getting a little better at. I think the messiness of this is sometimes appropriate for boy cards, if I could just master the technique so it didn't look quite so much like a big mistake! I think I'm getting there.


And now for my proud Mommy Moment. My First Grader:


And that's it from me today. Julee is next up on the hop, so head on over to see what kind of fabulousness she's created and then keep on hopping along!

With a new month comes a new sale, and this month we're celebrating FIVE wonderful years of Verve! So in proper celebratory style, we've made some fantastic discounts on some wonderful product! Through August 31, save 10 - 50% off select stamps and dies. Everything is on sale while supplies last, so go ahead and treat yourself to one or two, or even FIVE stampy pleasures! {grin}

 

39 comments:

jen del muro said...

Great card! Love that we picked the same sentiment! Dean looks so big! :) Hope he has a great year!

Heidi said...

Oh Jen, this is awesome! I love how you layered the shapes there for the sentiment. Everything is awesome about this card, the color combination too!

Lee-Anne said...

Jen, I think your "splotches" look wonderful on this card! Love the colors!

Suzanne said...

Hi Jen! I love all the layered with the added pom-pom border, and your first grader is adorable! I hope he had a great day and enjoys the year.

SHERI said...

Love the use of all those papers! Great combo.

craftymom205 said...

Great card. Love the colors.

craftymom205 at yahoo dot com

Ravengirl said...

This is a great card! The dream big sentiment is perfectly paired with stars. First grade, it's hard to believe isn't it? My daughter will start first grade in just under a month. Where did our babies go?

Sian Ridley said...

Marvellous! I hope Dean loves his cards as much as we do :) I really like the use of all the different patterned papers and how well coordinated they are - just fab :)

Marisa said...

What a fabulous idea!! Love the card. Great papers and use of the sketch too.

Karen said...

What a great "intro to first grade" card. It is bright, colorful, happy-- perfect for a "little man."

Anonymous said...

1st Grade!!! Wow, it goes so fast honey, enjoy it! Mine is starting Grade 10 and she can't wait to start high school!!! Great card girl!

Christine said...

Love the bold patterns and colors and the "messy" distressing. Glad to hear that I am not the only one who has trouble making elements look "random". Congrats to your adorable first grader.

Mary-Anne V said...

All the best to Dean as he starts grade 1... I remember when my first went off ...its hard on the mom! Lovely card and I really like how you make him cards once in a while. I am sure he will appreciate it when he is older.

marilynwillauer said...

What an awesome card! Love everything about it. Also what a great way photo shoot for 1st grade! Love the chalk board!!!

Janelle Stollfus said...

Best wishes to Dean! Wow! The box of homemade memories are going to be a great way to reconnect when he's all grown up.

Jess said...

I just love the colors! Great color!

jan farnworth said...

love it what a fun card.

Lynne said...

The splatters look great. I've been wanting the Classy Label die for quite awhile and seeing it used on your card makes it all the more likely it will end up in my shopping cart! Thanks for the inspiration.

scrappingnana said...

Love your fun card. Cute photo of your son.

MsMad said...

Love the splattering of ink.
Barbara Bird
MdStrwbery@aol.com
Mdstrwbery.blogspot.com

Marsha said...

What a precious card for your little guy. Love the splatters.

Luanne said...

He is so cute! And so is your fun card!

Jennipher said...

When I saw your card, I immediately thought "back to school" without even reading any of your post. These colors and patterns just scream "school" to me. Incredible design with a lovely focus on the sentiment.

Maryleva said...

Great card. Be proud of that great son. They are gown before you know

Darlene Gabriel said...

Dean will love grade one I'm sure. And he will love his fun card too. Look at all those fun DPs you've used and a "Dream Big" to send him on his way:)

Heather said...

What a great idea to do for your son. I'm sure these cards will be really special to him when he gets older. And this card is gorgeous! Love the bold papers and I can see why this sketch is one of your favorites.

Miriam Prantner said...

Just love how bold this card is. The papers and the trim, and even the sentiment - big and bold. Love it!

Andrea Ewen said...

What a wonderful mix of papers, Jen...this looks fantastic! And how fun for Dean to be starting first grade! Time flies, huh? :)

Unknown said...

Totally awesome.

Dori Shelton said...

Fun card! Love the bright patterns and colors and the simple sentiment is perfect!

Wanda Cullen said...

What a special card for your son and such a wonderful tradition to create a card filled with so many loving thoughts and memories and keep them in a box! He's a doll!

Anonymous said...

Great card, I love the papers and I think you're splatter technique looks awesome!

Ally said...

Love your card. ;-) Congrats to your 1st Grader! They grow up so fast, don't they.

Betty Wright said...

Jen, this is so sweet and your son is so adorable! It goes by so so fast! Wonderful card! Love the digital paper. So, you printed that? Love the richness and depth of the colors. Great look!

Elaine coustley said...

love your idea of cards for your little one. This card is just great , I think the sentiment is perfect.x

Christine Kiehl said...

What a beautuiful card. I love all the differnt mix of patterns. Sweet little boy too! TFS with a new visitor and follower on this fun hop!

Debi said...

I love the combination of papers and pom pom ribbon. Great card.

Julia M said...

Love all the layering...fabulous card for Dean's first day of First Grade.

Plastic cards said...

Fabulous card I loved it! this is really nice! keep sharing such a fine work.