Papertrey Ink has a Monthly Moments Trading Card Challenge!!!  Based on the old ATC trading card days, you are challenged to do something amazing with a 3x4 flat card!  Stamp it, layer it, embellish it any way you wish! 

 
I made my ATC into a card. I just couldn't leave it alone. I used PTI's Tag  Sale #5 as the base. My oldest son asked why I was making so many cards with black. I guess I'm loving the black pattern paper that I have in several paper pads. 



You can just barely see the Herringbone Impression plate at the top of the card. Have a great evening!


A Better Place card
stamps: Precious Remembrance - Positive Thoughts; MFT - Vertical Greeetings
paper: PTI - Smokey Shadow, Stamper's Select White; Authentique - Lovely; MME - Cut & Paste
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
dies: PTI - Tag Sale #5, Heart 2 Heart #3, Double ended Banner; MFT - Blueprints #6; Verve - Rounded Rectangle
other: PTI - Satin Ribbon, Herringbone Impression plate; Twinery - Black/White twine; Tim Holtz - tiny attacher

 How about a favor for the Thanksgiving dinner table?  Verve has the cutest turkey that I used to decorate my pillowbox. Hey Julee, sure wish there was a die for this little fellow.


I also made a card using the little turkey. I think the peek-a-boo chevron is a fun addition to the card. The sentiment is made with the double-ended banner die. After I die cut the shape I put it back in the die the opposite direction to get the pointed end.


Here is a look at both projects. I just need to make a few more and my Thanksgiving table would be complete.


I can't decide what to put inside my pillowbox.  Any suggestions? ~Rhonda

Give thanks pillowbox
stamps: Verve - Bountiful Harvest, Happy Fall
paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Text-style Fall Prints and Patterns; October Afternoon - Seaside
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Essential Pillowbox, Mat Stack #3, Double-ended banner, Enchanted Evening button, twine; Snug Hug seam binding; Copic Markers - sorry I didn't write them down  

Counting my Blessings card
stamps: Verve - Bountiful Harvest; PTI - Gratitude Journal
paper:
PTI - Vintage Cream, Text-style Fall Prints and Patterns; October Afternoon - Seaside
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Double ended banner die; MFT Peek-a-boo Chevron die

The Verve Diva Dare for October is Tag, Your It! So you are supposed to make a gift tag or a tag on a card, or be inspired by a tag. I went with a tag on a card. I got out my re-inkers to create the background paper for my tag. The yellow just happened to be in the right place for the word brightly. Happy coincidence! 


I inlaid the starry die stars into the constellation background paper. Gives such a clean look.


I don't think we will be seeing any stars at our house tonight. We are getting a much needed rain! ~Rhonda


Shine Brightly card
stamps: Verve - Shining Star
paper: Echo Park - Happy Camper; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; PTI re-inkers Enchanted Evening, Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides
other: Verve - Starry die, Sweet Scallop Tag die; Hug Snug Seam binding

This is the final Viva la Verve Sketch for July. It is a sketch and a color inspiration. What little boy doesn't like cars? I love this paper from My Mind's Eye. 

As the little hot rod cars have stars on the dash I decided to use the star spangled impression plate to carry through with the theme on the background paper. A subtle effect. You can see it in the picture below.


Can you believe it is the LAST day of July? ~Rhonda



Snips and Snails Card
sketch: Viva la Verve July Wk #5 and color inspiration
stamps: Verve - To the Moon; PTI - Little Hot Rod
paper: My Mind's Eye - Away We go; Carta Bella - Winter Fun; PTI - Stamper's Select White, Orange Zest
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; PTI -  Chamomile
other: Verve -Pennant die, Rounded Rectangle, Rounded Scallop; PTI - Little Hot Rod, Star Spangled Impression plate; Spellbinder's Classic circle large, Standard Circle small; The Twinery - lemondrop twine

Sugar and Spice card
sketch: Viva la Verve July Wk #4
stamps: Verve - To the Moon, Love Notes; PTI - Boutique Borders:Baby, Bundle of Love
paper: My Mind's Eye - Sweetest Thing Tangerine, Happy Day; MFT - Cotton Candy; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Hibiscus Burst,  Sweet Blush; Memento - Black Tuxedo
other: Verve - Classy Label die; PTI - Edgers #3; Snug Hug binding

Verve July Diva Dare. This month's dare pays tribute to Julee, owner and creator of Verve Stamps and Diva Teresa.  Julee has created countless, uplifting sentiments which have become one of Verve's trademarks, and Teresa knows how to rock distressing and "shabbiness" on her cards.  So we dare you to create a card using an uplifting sentiment and some distressing and/or shabby element to it.  


I took the dare and I'm so pleased with the result. All the soft colors looks so pretty. I also benefited from this feather tutorial that Melissa Phillips did. I had a blast trying this and it added just the perfect touch to this card. I also roughed up the edges of my paper to get some of the shabby look.
 

I so hope your week is starting out great! ~Rhonda

 

Speak the Truth card
stamps: Verve - Words of Wisdom
paper: Authentique - Be(YOU)tiful, PTI - Kraft, Vintage Cream; Hobby Lobby - Dot Vellum
ink: PTI Kraft, Chamomile
dies: PTI - Spiral Notebook, Ruby Rose, Happiness in Bloom, Beautiful Blooms #2 & #3; Spellbinders Classic Squares
other: cheesecloth; Cream Hug Snug ribbon; PTI - Lemon Tart button, twine, kraft felt

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I am getting a lot of crafty time as I apparently got into poison ivy and the steroids are not very happy with the heat outside. So I'm itching to do more cards!! :)
 

I'm completing all my Viva la Verve July cards. This is based on the July Week One sketch. You could play along too. ~Rhonda





Do Justly card
sketch: Viva la Verve July Week 1
stamps:Verve - Let it Be
paper: PTI - Classic Kraft, Stamper's Select White; My Mind's Eye - Quilting Bee
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Half & Half Collection, Sunshine Impression Plate, Aida Impression Plate; Spellbinder's Classic Circles

 

I chose to make the front white cardstock 1/2" narrower than normal. That allowed me the opportunity to have the pattern paper go over to the pattern paper I put in the inside. Does that make sense? Don't ya love this shot?


I was so excited to see how these dies coordinated so well. PTI's Damask Snowflake is perfect with Verve's Occasion Frame. The clockface die is so cool as a background layer.


I love this sentiment as well. Have a great weekend! ~Rhonda

Joy card
sketch: Viva la Verve July Week 3
stamps: Verve - Plain Jane Nehemiah 8:10
paper: My Mind's Eye - Oxford Lane; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI Chamomile, Enchanted Evening
other: Verve - Occasion Frame die, Ribbon  spring fling collection; PTI Clockface, Half & Half collection, Damask Snowflakes; MFT - Blueprints One;

 
This card is based on the Viva la Verve July Week 2 sketch. If you complete ALL 4 sketches for the month you can enter for a chance to win $100 Verve gift certificate. Can't win if you don't play!

I can never make too many birthday cards! I just need to remember to send them. 


I used Hawaiian Shore paper with Blueberry ink of all things to complement the blue in the chevron paper. It's a combo that I don't think I have tried before.


Anyone reading this post have a July birthday? ~Rhonda

 

Birthday Wishes for You card
sketch: Viva la Verve July Week 2
stamps:Verve - Marking a Statement; PTI - Ad Sense
paper: My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic Citron; PTI - Vintage Cream, Kraft, Hawaiian Shores, Limeade Ice
ink: PTI - Melon Berry, Blueberry Sky
other: Verve -Loopy Blooms; PTI - Ad Sense, Aida Impression plate; MFT - Leaf filled flourish

Bob and I are headed to Kingsville, Tx for a Change of Command Ceremony at the Naval Air Station. My cousin by marriage will be the new Commander. We are so excited to celebrate with family and friends on this big promotion.


I couldn't let this event go by without a red,white, & blue card!! I used the Viva la Verve June Week One sketch as a starting point. The pennant die combined with the fishtail flag dies are a match made in heaven. Love them together.


Have a fabulous weekend! ~Rhonda


Promotion card
sketch: Viva La Verve June Week One
stamps: PTI -  Congrats All Ways
paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy; My Mind's Eye - Oxford Lane; red pattern paper - stash (paper pad scrap)
ink: PTI - Smokey Shadow
other: Verve - Starry die, Pennant Trim die; MFT - Fishtail Flag stax; Spellbinders Circles; PTI - Woodgrain Impression Plate

It's contest time at the Mojo Monday blog this week! Can you believe it is already June? I saw a little banner on Fb the other day saying 202 days til Christmas! uggh



I used a new Verve set Let it Be for this card. I started playing around with the flower and paper scraps that were on my desk. I like it when ALL my scraps come together. ~Rhonda

Let Go card
sketch: Mojo Monday #296
stamps: Let it Be
paper: scraps from my stash 
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; PTI - Chamomile
other: MFT - Blueprints 1, Pinking Edge border die; Spellbinders Classic Circles Sm; PTI - rickrack border die

My last card for the May Viva la Verve sketch challenge. I'm just barely making the deadline. This is VLV May Wk #4 sketch designed by Amy Kolling.


I stopped by Hobby Lobby and Michael's yesterday. I needed the cutting blades and stamp pockets for storing my stamps and WANTED the new My Mind's Eye paper pads. Only TWO came home with me (i was showing some restraint) as well as some more embossing powder.


Don't you love the polka dots and the cross stitch alphabet paper?? 


I think this about puts May in the books! ~Rhonda



Trust card
sketch: Viva la Verve May Wk #4 
stamps: Verve - Plain Jane Proverbs 3:5, Wings of Love
paper: My Mind's Eye - Quilting Bee; PTI Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Smokey Shadow, Chamomile
other: MFT - Blueprint One dies, Fishtail Flag Stax die; PTI - Small Scallop Border die

Viva la Verve! I completed the second sketch of the May challenge. There is also an inspiration photo with this challenge. I picked up the scallops of the banner and the flowers. I kept putting this sketch off thinking that it was hard for some reason but once I got started all became easier. 


I have become so dependent on dies that I hadn't used this particular flower but the fussy cutting was actually fun and coloring with Copics was relaxing. I sure it was because I only used two colors!

I have one more May challenge card to post and get everything linked up at Splitcoaststampers for the contest. Wish me luck! Rhonda


Friends card
sketch: Viva la Verve May Wk #2
stamps: Verve - Making a Statement, Amazing Wishes
paper: My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic Ginger; PTI - Fine Linen, Ocean Tide, Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Dark  Chocolate, Melon Berry
other: Copic Markers R01, R02; Spellbinder's Classic Scallop Circles Lg; MFT - Blueprint One; PTI - Small Scallop Border die, Sunshine Impression Plate, Twine; Corner Chomper

 
I combined the Viva la Verve May #3 Sketch and the Verve Diva Dare (Stars & Stripes) for this card. 


This month's dare pays tribute to Diva Amber's (Stamping Scrapbooker) military service and Diva Laurie Willison's (Soapbox Creations) wonderful use of stripes on her cards.  So we're daring you to create a card using stars and/or stripes.  While the title may conjure up visions of red, white and blue any stars and stripes will do! If you're feeling pretty in pink, go for it! Just remember to use at least one Verve product on your creation!

Don't you love the Star Spangled Impression Plate? I so love it for summer cards. I'm getting lots of mileage from this  Shining Star stamp set. You should play along too. ~Rhonda


Shine Brightly card
sketch: Viva la Verve May Week #3
Challenge: Stars and Stripes Verve Diva Dare
stamps: Verve - Shining Star
paper: My Mind's Eye - Oliver; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Smokey Shadow
other: Verve - Starry die; MFT - Blueprints One; PTI - Star Spangled Impression plate