Viva La Verve July 2012 Week 1

Hi folks!

I'm back! Has anyone else been finding it hard to get into the mood to create lately? I certainly have been avoiding my craft room - the garden, the kitchen, pretty much ANYTHING else - has been beckoning.

But my hiatus REALLY has to come to an end as I definitely have some (overdue) cards to make.

So, I got back into things with a little Verve - no surprise there - and a little MME (aren't you GLAD I didn't say Basic Grey Marjolaine - given that ALL my cards since May have been BG Marjolaine?).

I used the Week 1 Sketch for the July 2012 Viva La Verve Challenge over on SCS

and made these two birthday cards (one feminine, one masculine)

The feminine version (for a dear friend)

The masculine version (for another dear friend)

I quite like the layout and may have to keep this one in my pile 'o sketches for Christmas cards.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft cardstock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Paris & Co" SixBySix
• stamps: Verve "Small Celebrations" (BTW - Verve has a BIG sale on right now 20% off their stamps + a goody bag for order over $75 -- ooh, tempting!)
• Spellbinders Petite Ovals
• embellishments: ribbon from my stash, half-back pearl (1st card),  Stampin' Up button (2nd card), CTMH Bamboo Waxy Flax (2nd card)

additional challenges for these cards:

• Cards For Men: Happy Birthday (for the masculine version of the card)
• Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
• Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes with yellow (for the masculine version of the card)

thanks for stopping by! I do appreciate your visits and, if things go as I hope tomorrow, I be getting crafty!