I Think I Might Be Crazy...April Viva La Verve!

This month has been a bit nuts with the number of cards I've made, and I was hesitant to try another multi-card challenge so soon, but I couldn't resist the Viva La Verve sketches. I've made so many cards that my head is swimming, but it's been so much fun. Since I am making so many in such a short period of time, I will update this post with them as I finish (by April 30 - gulp!)

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

Only A Handmade Card...(VLVAPR01)
The twist on this sketch is to only use a sentiment stamp. I love, love, love this stamp, which is put out by a great little company called Verses. I think every card maker should have one!


BEAN NOTES: Verses Handmade Card Stamp; Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; K&Company Amy Butler Lotus Tea Box Designer Paper; SU Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Dark Grey Textured Cardstock (generic); SU Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon; Nestabilities Classic Circles Die; Cuttlebug Leafy Branch Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Paper Flowers (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Lace Doily Border Punch; Kaiser Pewter Pearls

Letter Perfect...(VLVAPR02)
Background stamps! I utilized two of mine, and I also gave myself the challenge of using materials and embellishments that I haven't used in the past. I also tried to incorporate colors that I have never created with before. I printed the sentiment using my computer, as I didn't have a stamp for it, and I was pleased at how well it paired with the letter backgrounds.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Letter Patterns and By Definition Stamps; Tim Holtz Dusty Concord Distress Ink; Stampin' Up Pale Plum Classic Dye Ink; VersaMark Clear Ink; SU Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, and Lavendar Lace Cardstock; SU Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon; Martha Stewart Arched Lattice Border Punch; Deckle Edge Scissors (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Brads (generic); Computer; Printer
HAPPY BEANS: Making Memories Metal Embellishments

Hola Bebe...(VLVAPR03)
It's a Color Challenge! I wasn't sure about the More Mustard in this sketch, but in the end I liked how it turned out. I saw this sentiment on a store-bought card many, many years ago, and I always thought it was funny and cute. (For those of you whose Spanish is as bad as mine, the translation: "Hello Baby, Goodbye Sleep!") I just printed it out on my computer and, voila!, my own version. Bean Tip: For a perfect match on button "threads," create your own out of cardstock and thread them through the holes.

BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Baby Firsts Stamps; StazOn Timber Brown Ink; Copic Sketch Markers (BG72, E11, R11, B41, and Colorless Blender); SU Whisper White, Baja Breeze, More Mustard, and Summer Sun Cardstock; Debbie Mumm Baby Boy Premium Cardstock and DCWV Nana's Kids Cardstock; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Embossed Button Punch; Computer; Printer

Fab Birthday with the Ladies...(VLVAPR04)
Of all the sketches, this one proved the most difficult for me (though it could have been pure fatigue! The twist here is to create your own designer paper, and I made mine with a stamp from the Stampin' Up set, Bursting with Joy, and a little Black Sparkle Embossing Powder. The lady bugs were made with 1/2 and 1 inch circle punches and curled cardstock around a needle for antennae. Fun!
BEAN NOTES: Stampin Up' Bursting with Joy and Verve Birthday Surprise Stamps; VersaMark Clear Ink; SU Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red Cardstock; Black Cardstock (generic); SU Ticket Corner Punch; Paper Shapers 1/2" and 1" Circle Punches; Black Fine Point Sharpie; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Black Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Black Sparkle Superfine Detail Embossing Powder

A Mother's Day Squeeze...(VLVAPR05)
I was happy to see this was a Spring twist sketch, as I wanted to make my mom a cute Mother's Day card. This one immediately had me thinking about my Penny Black stamps (I love the adorable critters in so many of their images.) A shout out to my fabulous mom-in-law, Susan, who called me to tell me about layering scallop circles to create these pretty "pinwheels" of color.
BEAN NOTES: Penny Black Squeeze Me 'Til I Squeak Stamp; Stampin' Up Chit Chat Rub-On; StazOn Timber Brown Ink; SU Stampin' Write Markers (Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom, Summer Sun, Barely Banana); SU Stampin' Pastels; SU Whisper White Cardstock; DCWV Nana's Kids Baby Girl Cardstock; White and Rose Textured Cardstock (generic); Dark Pink Satin Ribbon (generic); Nestabilities Classic Circles Die; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Orange Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Nursery Tales Collection Paper Flower; Crushed Velvet Brad