May Diva Inspirations HOP

Hi all!  Happy May!  Since it's the first day of the month, we're kicking things off in style with a little Verve Inspiration Hop!  I'm the first stop today, so hop along with us for some inspiring eye candy using Verve Stamps, and leave a shout out in the comments as you hop along for a chance to win a Verve gift certificate!  All the prize details and deadlines can be found over on the Verve Blog today.  The hop list is at the bottom of this post.

With the start of a new month comes a new Set of the Month, and May's featured set is Dare to Be. This mini set has 5 uplifting sentiments, and at  only $4.50 for the month of May it's a great deal!  For my project I chose to make a shabby card set using almost all of the sentiments from Dare to Be and some papers from the Funhouse Collection by GCD Studios.

For these first two cards, I used Labels 1 Nestabilities from the designer paper, cream cardstock and an early espresso mat.  I then cut the DP label and placed it over the cream label, lining with ribbon on one and lace on the other.  The Dare to be you sentiment is embossed onto a Floral Circles Die then layered over the lace and accented with a bow.  The I'm so proud of you sentiment is embossed directly onto the cream label, then I added a few little paper flowers with Cotton Candy Stickles over them.

For the last two cards, I used the same papers and concept for the you inspire me card, adding a double bow of baja breeze seam binding and some fun little crystal stem embellishment and a resin rose.  For the Congratulations card, the sentiment is embossed onto a Charming Oval Die and the butterfly is cut with a Tim Holtz die, then I added some chocolate pearls, a little ruffled ribbon and a prima flower to finish it off.

Okay, here's the Hop list!  Happy hopping!  Hope you have a wonderful start to your month!

1. Julee 8. Sony 2. Betty 9. Susan 3. Dawn 10. Teresa 4. Jen d. 11. Andrea 5. Jen T. 12. Charmaine 6. Lynda 13. Maureen 7. Shannan

We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win!
Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, May 5
Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve

Enabler's List:
Stamps: Dare to Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Funhouse (GCD Studios), Early Espresso (SU!), Cream
Ink: Early Espresso (SU!), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Accessories:  Floral Circles Die Set, Charming Oval Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Labels 1 large and small Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterflies Movers & Shakers, Post Card Textured Fades (Tim Holtz), marina mist taffeta, baja breeze seam binding (SU!), shabby wrinkled ribbon (Prairie Bird Boutique on Etsy), vintage lace trim (Maya Road), open roses, resin rose, dark chocolate pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), glitter flower (Prima), crystal stems (Wild Orchid Crafts), Cotton Candy Stickles (Ranger)