Verve April Release Challenge!

Each month, Verve sponsors challenges surrounding their new product release. For April, the challenge consists of three very different sketches plus one color challenge. Only 4 days to complete them, so it was definitely a challenge!

In Great Love (VSAPR1)

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This card was difficult to photograph because of the acetate, but I felt it was worth it. I thought this sketch was the most complicated (in a good way!) Not having any pre-printed background paper, I went ahead and created my own with the stamps that matched the rub-ons used to create the sentiment and the square image. Bean Tip: To fasten a brad through ribbon, first use a 1/8 or 1/4 inch circle punch.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Friendship Blooms Stamps; SU Purely Pomegranate Classic Dye Ink; SU Whisper White Craft Ink; SU Pink Pirouette and Sage Shadow Cardstock; Bazzill Sweetheart Textured Cardstock; SU Purely Pomegranate Grosgrain Ribbon; Foam Dimensional Circles (generic); Brads (generic); Ranger Seafoam White Super-Fine Embossing Powder
HAPPY BEANS: Clear Acetate (generic); SU Love & Happiness Rub-Ons

Les Papillons (VSAPR2)

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Sketch number two was fairly straightforward (which I love) and I utilized silver embossing powder to liven up the backgrounds. The butterflies were created by first embossing black paper with a Big Shot and then using a Slice die cutting machine to cut out butterflies in 2 sizes.
BEAN NOTES: Cavallini & Co. Butterflies Stamps; Stampin' Up Botanicals Stamp; SU Purely Pomegranate Cardstock; Dark Gray Textured Cardstock (generic); Black Cardstock (generic); Foam Dimensional Circles (generic); Kaiser Rose and Black Pearls
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Silver Super-Fine Embossing Powder; Fiskars Filigree Embossing Plate; Big Shot; Slice Die Cutting Machine (Basics 2 Design Card)

A Sea Change (VSAPR3)

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For the third sketch challenge, I used two stamps from the very elegant Cavallini & Co. set, Natural Wonders. I love anything that has to do with the ocean, and this challenge was a perfect fit for what I wanted to accomplish. The shell was created using the Emboss Resist technique, and, in keeping with the "by the sea theme," I substituted sand (from my backyard!) pressed into Wonder Tape for the ribbon. Also, a Sand Dollar punchout replaced the button. For the "scaled" background paper, I used a Big Shot and Fiskars Embossing Plate. Bean Tip: Try replacing background shapes with vellum paper for a simple, but unique look.
BEAN NOTES: Cavallini & Co. Natural Wonders Stamps; Stampin' Up Speckle Jumbo Wheel; SU Bleu Bayou, Pacific Point, and River Rock Classic Ink; White Textured Cardstock (generic); SU Whisper White, Bleu Bayou, and River Rock Cardstock; SU River Rock Designer Series Paper; Foam Dimensional Circles (generic); Wonder Tape; Martha Stewart Sand Dollar Punch
HAPPY BEANS: Vellum (generic); Sand; Fiskars Scales Embossing Plate; Big Shot

Be Happy (VSAPR4)

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It's a Color Challenge! I've never actually done a color challenge before, so I was really excited to make this card. The colors are Soft Blue, Soft Yellow, and Soft Brown. For this card, I wanted to make something special and three-dimensional, so I got out my punches and my patience and got to it.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up So Many Sayings Stamp; VersaMagic Gingerbread Chalk Ink; Soft Blue, Soft Yellow, Kraft Textured Cardstock (generic); White Textured Card (generic); SU Five-Petal, Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Spring Flowers Punches; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); 1/8 inch Hole Punch; Ranger Clear Super-Fine Embossing Powder; Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Patience, lots and lots of patience!