Thinking of You and my CASE Study DT Debut!!

Yes!! You read it right!!  I have been given the great honour of joining one TALENTED design team!  Chupa contacted me last month and voila!  Here I am on the other side of this super fun weekly CASE Study challenge!  One of the biggest reasons I loved playing this challenge, was the open endedness of the inspiration…colour, layout, sentiments…there’s so much to be inspired by.  It really lets you think outside the box and get creatively “messy,” KWIM?

And to make this announcement even sweeter, our Muse this month is none other than my lovely Diva Sistah, the uber fantastic, Amy Sheffer!!  ACK!!  Her blog was one of the first ones I ever started following!!  So this post seems a little serendipitous! I am ALWAYS inspired and FOREVER in awe of her cards…and this week’s card is no exception :)

I was inspired by the colours, polka dotted butterflies and the semi circle panel which I flipped around and added scallops to :)  I am challenging all my blog friends and visitors to join us this week in celebration of my debut!!  Head over to the CASE Study Blog for more inspiration…woohoo!! Thanks for celebrating with me! 

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve kind words, pti fillable frames #4

ink: versafine onyx, su ruby red

paper; pti rustic cream, cosmo cricket, october afternoon, pti dps

accessories: pti spiral notepage, love lives here butterfly, scallop edger dies, pti ribbon, buttons, thread

Happy Birthday

Good morning everyone!  I’m sneaking in here with a little card that CASES a card I made a few weeks back :)  I loved the way the stamping turned out so I made another one but left off the frame and added some buttons and twine. 


I just love the look of stamping on patterned paper.  Anyways, this is a super quick post as we are packing up more things at Dad’s as our official move gets closer.  I’m thinking I may be off the “grid” Friday and part of the weekend as I move the computer and the rest of the temporary studio.  Here are a few more photo updates…

stove is in and hooked up…backsplash is done :)

I wanted my desk to be counter height with a stool, so I can have the option to sit or stand.  The shelving unit from Ikea was only desk height.  On the weekend, the dh and I were looking in Home Depot for some wood legs and found these brushed nickel legs…SOLD!! 

I think it looks like a piece of custom furniture now :)  Love when a plan falls into place :)  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful hump day!

what’s in it?

stamps: papertrey ink botanical silhouettes

ink: versafine onyx, su sahara sand, rose romance

paper: papertrey ink soft stone, rustic cream, my mind’s eye blush

accessories: pti love lives here die, my favourite things butterfly, gems, twine, buttons

You are {Deeply} Loved, Jake

Hello everyone!  Today’s post is a combination of two important events.  First and foremost, it is my son, Jake’s birthday.  My little peanut is 23 and I still remember the wonder and joy I felt when I first held him in my arms.  I’m pretty sure I’ve posted this photo before, but I feel it’s very appropriate for the day.  Now, secondly, today is my Diva Dare day over on the Verve Blog!!  The dare this time is “A Handmade Christmas.”  Now you may be asking, where’s the Christmas in this card?  lol Read on…

Since I was posting on Jake’s birthday, I thought I’d make his birthday card AND then take the same layout and make a Christmas card as well.  I wanted to showcase how you can take one design and have it fit  different occasions…to save you/me from going mad thinking up a new idea at the busiest time of the year :) So up first is Jake’s birthday card, complete with a Starbucks card and a little cheque tucked in behind {wink, wink!}.

And here is the Christmas version…

This one won’t be going to Jake, but is all ready to go to a special coworker.

Thanks so much for visiting and letting me gush about my Jake (again).  I don’t get to make his cake on his birthday anymore, but I always make one when he comes home for Christmas so he can make a belated wish.  I kind of like our new tradition :)  Now head over to the Verve Blog to see all the details of the Diva Dare going on this month until December 9th…there’s a prize of a $30.00 gift certificate AND one lucky commenter will get a stamp set of their choice!  It will feel just like YOUR birthday! LOL  Have a wonderful Monday!

what’s in them?

{you are loved}

stamps: Small Phrases, Bloom and Grow, Birthday Bash (Verve)

paper: cream, ocean tides (PTI), sahara sand, choc chip (SU), Spice (My Mind’s Eye)

ink: onyx (Versafine), sahara sand (SU), Versaamark

accessories: elegant leaves, charming banner dies (A Cut Above Dies by Verve), gift card die, buttons, twine (PTI), pearls (Kaisercraft), woodgrain embossing folder (Craft Concepts), stitching

 

{just for you}

stamps: Bright Spirits, Glad Tidings, Frosty Flakes, Christmas in the Air, Sunny Days (Verve)

paper: cream, kraft (PTI), sahara sand, espresso, ruby red (SU), Season’s Greetings (Echo Park)

ink: onyx (Versafine), chocolate chip, ruby red (SU)

accessories: Frosty Snowflakes, Leafy Sprigs, Charming Oval dies (A Cut Above dies by Verve), gift card die, button, twine (PTI), gem (Kaisercraft), embossing folder (SU), stitching

Merry Christmas

Good morning!  After working at the new house yesterday, I came back to Dad’s and looked at my wish-to-do list.  On it was this week’s My Favourite Things sketch :)  I am always thankful when I can fit one of these in :)  It had a tag so I couldn’t resist even if I tried :)  I don’t have any MFT Christmas stamps so I used the note paper stamp from Own Your Own Story.  It’s not much MFT, but I tried!  I’ll leave you with a few new house photos, one of which shows the new Ikea furniture in the new studio, just waiting for stamps, paper, ink, ribbon, buttons and bling!  Can’t wait!!  Thanks for visiting and have a lovely day :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: mft own your own story, verve bright spirits

ink: versafine onyx, versamark

paper: pti rustic cream, hawaiian shore, mme 12 days of christmas

accessories: pti tag and poinsettia dies, felt, buttons, bakers twine, Michaels bell, stitching, twill ribbon

 

laundry room

desk top,  desk legs, shelves, trash bin, stool all from Ikea

Joy! A Card, a Sale, and some House Pics!

Good morning!!  I’m off to a bit of a late start this morning…got a “honey do” list that I’m actually going to enjoy…moving more things into the house :)  But before I leave, I wanted to share another card I made for the Verve Release this month.  I’ve used the Sweet Scallop tag dies, both Tiny and Regular as well as the new Snowflake Tidings die that coordinates with the snowflakes in Glad Tidings.  Have you heard about the Verve Black Friday sale on now until tomorrow?  Check it out HERE!

And lastly, things continue to move along at the house and finally yesterday I felt I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The plumbers fixed the kitchen taps so I can keep the ones I picked out and desperately love!  The backsplashes in all the rooms are complete AND the carpenter doing our staircase railing showed up and started putting the posts in…AND he should be back today to continue…the railing is another must have before occupancy!!  So Moe was very excited…PLUS I had a handsome and handy man help put some things together in the studio…here are the photos.  Thanks for popping by!!

Desk was put together late last night…will take a photo today…it makes me REALLY smile :)

what’s in it?

stamps: Bright Spirits, Glad Tidings (Verve)

paper: sahara sand, espresso (SU), white (PTI), Season’s Greetings (Echo Park)

ink: onyx (Versafine), choc chip, sahara sand (SU), tea dye duo (PTI)

accessories: Snowflake Tidings, Tiny Sweet Scallop, Sweet Scallop Tag dies (A Cut Above dies by Verve ), wine tag and tag dies, twine (PTI), bells and ribbon (Michaels), gems (Kaisercraft), Holly Ribbons embossing folder (Cuttlebug), stitching

Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop

Welcome to my PTI Blog Hop post!  I’ve had a bit of crazy fun with all my new Christmas dies and stamps last weekend so grab a coffee (or tea, Aimes!).  For this first card, I’m going to use a line on you that I teach my children…”Ms Plut…I want you to notice {something about their artwork}.”  Dear Visitor, I want you to notice that the poinsettia has been die cut out of Joy to the World sheet music (from my dear friend, Janelle!).  Oh, how I love the new ink!  This is the first time using Springmoss and I LOVE it!  No more stamping off Kiwi Kiss!! This next card is using that fabulous snowflake die, oh my!

And lastly, because your coffee (or tea!) is almost done… another snowflake, but this time out of felt!  The button and leaves were inspired by the Starbucks packaging this year…and so is this sentiment {Let’s} Merry.  Leave it to SB to make an adjective into a verb!  They are making my job more difficult!! LOL

I think the inspiration for all the cards is self explanatory seeing the photo below :)  …all the colours (red, green, cream and kraft) and patterns.  Thanks so much for looking and always leaving such lovely comments…enjoy the rest of the hop and the start to the weekend :)

what’s in them?

{peace*love*joy}

stamps: pti modern woodgrain,stylish sentiments

ink: versafine onyx, pti springmoss

paper: pti rustic cream, cream, kraft, lime twist, sheet music

accessories: pti dies, wood button, twine, jingle bells (Michaels), may arts twill

 

{christmas cheer}

stamps: pti stylish sentiments

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti kraft, rustic cream, su red, echo park season’s greetings dp

accessories: pti snowflake die, circle nestabilities, pti buttons, twine, Michaels ribbon, stitching

 

{merry}

stamps: pti modern woodgrain

ink: su ruby red

paper: pti kraft, rustic cream, su red, echo park season’s greetings dp

accessories: pti dies, felt, button, twine

Truly Make a Difference

Good “day before Friday” everyone!!  I don’t make many teacher appreciation cards…lots of teacher coworker thank you cards, but not many to say thanks to all those wonderful teachers out there. Being a teacher myself, it sounds a bit self serving.  However, who better to know what the other teachers are doing out there?  I see it first hand everyday.  I like to share this little analogy that I heard one teacher use as she described her job…it’s like hosting a daily birthday party of 24+ children for 6 hours.  Having said that, it’s also very rewarding if it was what you have always wanted to be since you were 9…that’s my story ;)  I took my cue from the ColourQ palette this week.  I have issues with orange and brown at times, hoping I won’t make them look like a Brownie uniform! LOL  I think the white and yellow help in that respect.  I embossed the tag and jotted heart with the typeset Cuttlebug folder.  The house is inching (sounds better than centimetering!) along.  My handsome and handy husband caulked all the windows today…one item that is on the “occupancy and home warranty checklists.”  We have 2 more items and then can call the city inspector.  He also told me I could start unpacking some boxes this weekend!  MY PLEASURE!!  Woohoo!!  Have a fantastic day!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: my favourite things clearly sentimental about teaching, four point frame stamps

ink: versafine onyx, su ruby red

paper: pti white, su espresso, basicgrey dp

accessories: verve jotted heart, pti edgers, tag, blossom, fillable frame dies, button,, cuttlebug ef, thread, crate paper brad, Michaels ribbon and cork

Finally, a new Wild Card Colour Challenge!

Happy Hump Day everyone!  I am all caught up on my DT duties and personal cards, so I thought it would be fun to pull some new colours and make another Wild Card Colour Challenge (for those of you new to my blog, see the Wild Card page button above).  I was skimming through the Papertrey Ink forum this week and someone had asked if there was a colour challenge in blogland using PTI colours and my blog was mentioned!!  Though not a “formal” challenge, pulling your own colour combination is super fun and really gets the old dendrites working :)  Oh, I have missed this personal challenge.  Here’s what was pulled last night…

 

As you can see from my card, I am not done with my Modern Woodgrain stamp set AT ALL!!  I was also itching to get out the Newsprint set again…just love stamping it to make a quick background.  I also got to cut into my new Damask paper :)  Thanks for enabling, Lynn!!  In a rut this week?  How ‘bout use my colours!!  Let me know if you do, I’d love to visit your blog and see your take on it!  Have a lovely day :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve big wish, pti modern woodgrains, newsprint

ink: versafine onyx, su going grey

paper: pti rustic cream, cream, damask dp, authentique dp

accessories: pti scallop, banner, mat stack 4, friendly flower dies, ribbon, button, twine

Merry Christmas

 

Hello and good morning!!  I always love the weeks after a stamp release :)  After having SO much fun playing with brand new images, I love that I can take the next few weeks to slowly share the other projects I made.  This card was SUPER fun with the Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas paper.  I’ve used one of the sentiments from Verve’s Bright Spirits as well as the snowflakes from Christmas in the Air with the new matching dies!!  LOVE the dies!!  I’m also getting a nice little stock pile of Christmas cards…how are yours?  Have a wonderful day!! Thanks for spending a few minutes with me :)

 

 

what’s in it?

stamps: Bright Spirits, Christmas in the Air (Verve)

paper: kraft, white (PTI), espresso, bermuda bay (SU), Holly Jolly Christmas (Echo Park)

ink: onyx (Versafine)

accessories: Frosty Snowflakes dies (A Cut Above dies by Verve), scallop border die, buttons, twine (PTI), ribbon (May Arts), stitching

Yuletide Blessings

Good morning!! It’s a new week and I’m not sad it’s Monday…it means that hopefully more work will be done at the house that will see us moving soon…so bring on Monday!! LOL  Today’s card is for this week’s Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge…I am still determined to win a stamp set one of these days :)  I took some (read “lots of”) liberty with the sketch as I was determined to use my lovely heirloom ornaments from last year.  They hardly got used last year before we were onto Valentine’s cards!  I also have a little fetish with bells and twine this year.  Still sad about my rusty bells in storage somewhere, but these crimson ones are helping put a smile back on my face :)  Thanks so much for visiting…have a fabulous day :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: waltzingmouse vintage ornaments, compliments of the season

ink: versafine onyx, su ruby red

paper: pti kraft, cream, authentique wonder dp

accessories; spellbinders heritage ornament die, wilton paper doily, su seam binding, Michaels jingle bells, pti twine, gems, stitching

Many Hands Make Light Work (and a few more new house pics!)

Good morning!!  Last weekend we were able to move many of our boxes out of the storage containers and into the new house with the help of 3 dear friends.  Acts of kindness like this (who wants to move boxes on your day off?) overwhelm us and so I wanted to show our appreciation in a small way with a handmade card.  I immediately thought of the PTI Love Lives Here set.  It’s perfect for creating a “home”y feel to cards. 

 

Things are coming together at the house…here are a few updates…the wood floor is in the basement and studio now :)  It’s engineered hardwood. Love it next to Sahara Sand.

The front door is now stained!!  I love how our painter made it look like a wood door with just the streaking of the stain!  It’s a fiberglass door! Cool :)

the kitchen backsplash…before grout.  I didn’t think it would be so busy…but I think the cream grout will soften it.

Another shot of it…there will be an inset in that empty spot…some diamond tiles with dark squares.

thanks for visiting…have a blessed Sunday :)

what’s in them?

stamps: pti love lives here

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti cream, rustic cream, sweet blush, spring moss, kraft, october afternoon and prima dps, glitter cardstock

accessories: pti doily, love lives here, banner and tag dies, twill ribbon, ms butterfly punch, gems, stitching, twine