Super Stars!

Hey!

Oh! How you have been treated this week! A whole three posts from me within the working week! How I wish I had enough hours in the day to keep this up *sigh*

Now y'know why I'm here today, right?


Yup - a shiny new CASE study is up and ready for you to play along with! It's Mercy's final week with us and I'll think you'll agree that she's definitely been an inspiration with her creations and this week proves no different:


Y'know I'm beginning to think I maybe getting a reputation as the rebel of the CASE study DT: my cards seem to go on long, wandering, creative journeys and often end up hardly anything like the original source of inspiration...but then I remember that this is the whole idea behind CASE study! It's fun to all start from one source of inspiration, go on a creative journey and see where we all end up (well, that's my reasoning and I'm stickin' to it!)

Anyways, rebel or not, here's my take on the CASE study this week:

Hmmm...not too rebellious of me, is it? I hope you can see that I took inspiration from the tall card and the idea to have three items to provide a focal point (in my case - those ever-faithful stars!) I think the thing I like the most about this card is that the majority of it was created from scraps: that panel of circle apertures was from my scrap pile, as was the black strip of cardstock!

And check it out: another card that uses some DP! Oooh at this rate I'll be through my stash in about...erm....well let's not think about that but enjoy the fact that by using some sheets up it frees more room for more scrummy DP *grin*

Fancy joining in the fun? I hope so! One randomly selected, lucky peep will win this "Because I Care" SU! Level 1 Hostess Set courtesy of the lovely Cindy Coutts.


And if you need a bit more of a mojo boost - then be sure to check out what the rest of the super duper CASE study DT created:

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Teneale Williams
Mercy Kerin (January's Muse)

Here's hoping you can get inky with us! Thank you so much for stopping by and have a super weekend!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{FRIEND}
Stamps: Star Prints (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, True Black, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Sugar Plum (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: True Black Buttons, Jute Ribbon Twine (Papertrey Ink)/Chompy! (Corner Rounder)/Border Punch (EK Success)/Fineline Black Pens (Promarkers)

Birthday Buttons...

Hey!

Back again already, you ask? Well don't get used to it, but I couldn't resist joining in the fun this month for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop:


Especially as this month's hop was dedicated to giving some inky love to any neglected unloved sets collecting a little *ahem* dust....well I'll raise my hand and confess that I have a couple of sets that I just had to have at the time and have hardly used. C'mon I know I'm not the only one....!

Cue Studio Style - what a fabulous stamp set: so perfect for inking up for my fellow crafty friends and yet I've hardly used it! It was sat ever-so patiently at the bottom of my stamp sets just crying out for ink and who am I to deny it a li'l inky love....

***FYI: the sentiment continues inside, "Wishing you major mojo!"***

Now I'm really hoping that this card has reached its destination, or that the recipient isn't checking out this blog post. It was my dear friend, Kate's birthday on Sunday and I wasn't the best buddy ever in getting this to her on time - sorry, hun! I really hope she can forgive me and that all the Hawaiian Shores on this creation will divert her attention from the fact it was late :D

Not only did I use a masking technique for my stamping, I treated those jars to some Glossy Accents treatment as well as some shading using Promarkers and my trusty white gel pen. It totally brings those jars to life as they were looking very flat before. Here's another shot to show the shiny goodness :)


I'm now thinking that I could make a set of these cards in different colours...what would be your colour? No prizes for guessing which colour I'd pick for myself *wink*

Thank you soooooooo much for stopping by! I'll be back on Thursday to share a new CASE study card with y'all!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Birthday Buttons}
Stamps: Studio Style (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: London Fog (Memento Inks)/Versamark
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: White Detail EP (Stampendous)/Glossy Accents/Hawaiian Shores Saddle Stitched Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)/Promarkers/White Gel Pen (Ranger)/3D Foam Pads

Total Sweetness...

Hey!

Happy Monday! I'm not a Monday-lovin' kinda gal but let's look on the bright side, we're one day closer to the next weekend :D

This Monday is slightly sweeter than your usual Monday as we've got a sweeeeeeeet new challenge on our PTI Blog. Why so sweet? Well check out the inspiration piccy for it:

Photo courtesy of http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/

♥Total sweetness♥

Apart from feeling the urge to eat sweet treats, I also got inky and created a card using an old set:

Around & About Sentiments was my first ever PTI set I purchased. It has sentimental value to me; signifying the start of a new love affair with a new (to me!) stamp company! This ever-faithful sweet set will never fail me: it can cater for pretty much any occasion, has both sentiments and images, and is so much fun to play with every now and again!

Now I'm gonna 'fess up and let you know that this card was not the end result I was aiming for. The dropping of a Raspberry Fizz inkpad on the front of this clean, crisp, pure, white card during the making of it forced me into a change of plan! Yup, underneath that strip of ribbon is a lovely pink splodge! Ha!

Feeling the sugar rush too after that sweet pic? Well why not join us and be inspired to create something? Maybe even dig out your own older sets and see what you can come up with? You could even be super sneaky then and enter it into our challenge and the PTI Blog Hop if you act quick *wink*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a wonderfully sweet week!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Thinking of you}
Stamps: Around & About Sentiments
Ink: Sweet Blush, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon/Glossy Accents/Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Chompy! (Corner Chomper)

Happy Trees!

Hey!

Yay, this week is zooooooooooming by compared to last week! I'm loving that we can almost taste the weekend...it's closer than you think y'know *wink*

Let's celebrate Friday Eve in the usual way: with a new CASE study of course!



And up for true, CASE study inspiration this week is this fabby creation courtesy of our Muse, Mercy Kerin:


And once again, here's a CAS take on it (surprise, surprise!)

OK so it's not an exact CASE but I did CASE certain elements of the original with those trees standing on a hill as well as the use of button and twine....I just put my own kinda 'spin' on it and you can do the same too!

I'm going to confess that this card makes me smile: I just love those sweet trees and all the curves I've managed to squeeze in on this card to reflect them. From the the rounded corners, circular patterned paper, the curved hill, to the circular buttons....you get the idea! :D

Now c'mon - you just know you wanna join in the fun too, and I'd love to see what you come up with for your own CASE study this week! If you do play along, one random peep could be the lucky winner of 3 digi images of their choice from The Stamping Boutique!

But just before you dash to go get inked up for the challenge, check out what the rest of the super CASE study DT rustled up for ya (including Teneale who is back in action this week - yay!)

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Teneale Williams
Mercy Kerin (January's Muse)

So here's hoping that you can squeeze in a bit of inky time to join us! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Catch ya later!





Card Deets
{Thinkin' about ya}
Stamps: Teeny Trees, Frame-it (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)/Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Fine Linen (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Distressed Dots (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Buttons, Jute Ribbon Twine (Papertrey Ink)/Chompy! (Corner Chomper)

A layout to love...

Hey!

Happy Monday! Much happier than last Monday for me as I have my voice back and some much needed rest over the weekend has shifted my icky cold - hurrah!

I'm easing into Monday today with a super simple card that uses a layout that I think I'll always love no matter what size the card. Size just doesn't matter when it comes to this sweet layout!

This is one card from a set I made for a sweet friend of mine for Christmas. I wanted to make the cards flat so it wouldn't be any inconvenience to my friend if she wished to send any of the cards through the post. You don't know how hard it was to resist the temptation to tie pretty bows on these cards or embellish with buttons! Nevertheless it was a great way to not only give a present from the heart, but also make me use up my hoard stash collection of patterned paper!

Patterned paper is something I love to stroke, 'ooooh' and 'ahhhh' over but struggle to use. I think using it as a base of a card is the best way for me to tackle my way through the piles of it: giving room to replenish with new stocks and start the process all over again! *happy sigh*

Right then, I'm off to the gym now because I ate WAY too many dough-balls over the weekend (to aid my cold recovery of course *wink*!)

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
Thinkin' about ya
Stamps: Teeny Trees, Frame-it (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento Inks)/Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Distressed Dots (Papertrey Ink)

Enchanted Evening + Kraft = ♥

Hey!

Well this week is seriously dragging by for me...it's doesn't help that a sore throat on Monday has now turned into a stinky, icky cold. Still, I guess it goes with my job really so I'm not complaining - I'm just looking to the weekend to rest!

And speaking of the weekend - let's celebrate it a li'l early with Friday Eve here today and a brand new:


CASE study! Yup our Muse, Mercy Kerin has this li'l number up for CASEing this week:


And here is my very CAS and very mini (measuring at just 2.5" square!) take on it:

OK so you're wondering to yourself, 'what did she actually CASE?!' Well you might need a magnifying glass, but I was inspired by the mounted panel of cardstock the same colour as the base, the border punching, the bling and those shades of blue. I think I've rediscovered a new love for PTI's Enchanted Evening with Kraft ♥ ♥ ♥

I tested my patience again with my fave gloopy, goody - Glossy Accents. That butterfly is covered in it, though my pic doesn't capture just how pretty and shiny it is!

So c'mon and join in the fun! One lucky peep will be randomly selected to win a sweet stamp set from The Angel Company courtesy of Christina Franco!

And if you need more inspiration then be sure to check out the rest of the CASE study DT:

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Mercy Kerin (January's Muse)

Just before I leave ya to take some more medicine, my sweet friend, Chupa tagged me for a little Q &A. So if you're wondering anything about me, then maybe you'll find the answer here :)

1. Four shows that you watch:
Flight of the Conchords
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
The News (self confessed news junkie here!)
Glee! (guilty pleasure!)
2. Four things you are passionate about:
Fairness
Giving people the opportunity to achieve their potential
Creating!
Chocolate ;D
3. Four words/phrases you say a lot:
OMG!
Waste my time, I'll waste yours (said in teacher voice!)
Super!
Girlie/Missy/Mister (I often refer to people as this; it doesn't mean that I don't know their name!)
4. Four things you've learned from the past:
Being patient can really pay dividends (especially when it comes to Glossy Accents LOL!)
It's not always cool to follow the crowd...
Mess is most definitely stress (This comes from living with an extremely tidy and organised guy!)
Sometimes you've just gotta learn to laugh at things/yourself
5. Four places you would like to go:
Vancouver - Canada
New York - USA
Chicago - USA (I wanna slice of that famous pizza - ooh and maybe if CHA is in town I could visit that too!)
London - England (I've been sooooooo many times but I love visiting that city!)

Edited to add: Seattle too though not for the coffee, but to visit my buddy, Amy of course!*wink* Do they do tea in Seattle, Girlie?

6. Four things you did yesterday:
Ironed (ugh! But it's gotta be done, right?)
Had a good giggle with my colleagues during a teacher training day
Made a card!
Snuggled under my blanket!
7. Four things you are looking forward to:
Investigating turning my artwork into digital designs...
Sleep!
The weekend!
Receiving an order full of stampy goodies ;D
8. Four things you love about winter:
The snow when I don't have to drive in it!
Snuggling in a blanket
Hot Chocolate :)
Erm....did I mention winter isn't my fave season?!.... Edited to add - How could I forget my all time favourite thing about winter: my red mittens of course! Sorry, Diva! *wink*
9. Four people I tag to play along (no pressure though and sorry if you've been tagged already!):
Caryn - Glitter Me Silly
Taheerah - Fill Your Paper With The Breathings Of Your Heart
Angy - The Crafty Cappuccino
Nerina - A Creative Inkling

So there ya have it! A new CASE study to get your mojo ticking, and a few random facts about me thrown in too!

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting me!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Just for You}
Stamps: Around and About Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)/Ledger (Hero Arts)
Ink: Antique Linen (Distress Inks)/Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: 2009 Bitty Dot Basics (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Notebook Border Punch (EK Success)/Bling (Hero Arts)/Glossy Accents/White Ribbon Twine (Papertrey Ink)/Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart)

Next!

Hey!

Oh Monday - you come around so fast from Friday! I hope your Monday was better than mine: I'm kickin' off the working week with a sore throat and no voice. Not the ideal state to be in, but it made for lots of miming and pointing at the board today at work!

Work feels like I've never been away, and Christmas feels like it was soooooooo very long ago that I'm ready preparing for the next holiday (hence the title of the post!) which in my calendar is St Valentine's Day. (You never can be too early making cards for a future holiday as my buddy Lynn proved with her fabulous July 4th Cards!)

So here's a lovey-dovey card that I can 100% assure won't be going to my guy:

Ha! Really? I couldn't see this being Chris' kinda card....his needs to be green and very CAS methinks!

So who is this card for? Well I'm not sure but it's the result of a weekend inky session for our new challenge on our PTI blog which is to step outta your comfort zone when creating. Pinks and bold colours are not my kinda style, but I have to admit I had fun playing with them! And the girly, fussy nature of the card isn't my kinda style either, but I could always give this card to a guy to give to a gal who might appreciate it!

We'd love it so much if you could join us - just experiment and have a go at something different; I think you could be surprised by your results!

Thanks sooooooo much for visiting me! I'm off to find some Buttercup Syrup for my throat in the hope that I can speak tomorrow :)

Catch ya later





Card Deets
{I Love You}
All Papertrey Ink unless stated
Stamps: Damask Designs
Ink: Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush/Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush
Accessories: Pure Poppy Grosgrain Ribbon, Pure Poppy Buttons, Mat Stack 2 Die, Cuttlebug

Birthday Banner...

Hey!

Happy Saturday, peeps! Love Saturdays; the way I can wake up in the morning, initially think about having to get out of bed for work but then the realisation dawning on me that it's Saturday and I can curl back up for some more winks - bliss! :D

But I am awake now and here with a card I made for my nephew's birthday. Sweet Tom was 6 yesterday and I spent most of yesterday asking myself how the years fly by so fast?! Can't believe this little man is 6 already! I'm sure he appreciated his present waaaaaaaay more than his card; but still, what's a birthday without a card, eh?!

I had fun with this card and you might not see, but the focal point is raised on 3D foam pads for extra dimension (I love dimension when I'm hand delivering a card!).

There's something fun about making your own banners with some paper piecing to make it coordinate with your project. I went a little further and added a good dollop of Glossy Accents on each flag of the banner and practised my patience skills waiting for it to dry - love my Glossy Accents! :)

Have a super weekend whatever you may have planned (I hope it includes some inky time for ya *wink*)

Thank you so much for stopping by - I really appreciate your visits from both the lovely people who just visit and hop to the next blog, and those who leave the love too!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Happy Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Ledger (Hero Arts)/Look Up (Practicing Creativity Designs)/Birthday Bash Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey Ink)/Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Card: Blueberry Sky, Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot Basics 2008 & 2009 (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Glossy Accents/Pure Poppy Buttons and Twine (Papertrey Ink)

Hugs!

Hey!

Can you believe that it's Friday Eve already?! I just ♥ the short working week (we went back to work on Tue) This gal could get used to a four day working week *wink*!

So it's crept up on us so quickly and sneakily, but it's still Friday Eve and so it's time for....

Ta dah! A new CASE study! But not just any old CASE study: no, we have a new muse on board with us for the month of January. This month we'll be CASEing from the sketch queen herself, Mercy Kerin!

So let's take a peek at her fabulous card up for this week's CASE study:

No surprises, but my creative mojo instantly spotted the scrummy combo of blue and green. So that was my starting point for this sweet li'l 3x3 card for my take on the CASE study this week:

Look super close and you may see a birdie in that tree...it's more visible IRL!

Now it actually pains me slightly to see that focal point adhered at an angle. It's still niggling at me slightly now; maybe I should just try and peel it off and stick it on straight? Ah well whatever I decide, it's a sweet card to have on hand to give some hugs to someone who needs 'em!

It would be lovely to see you play along with us! Think of it as a mojo warm up and see where your inky adventures take ya! If you need more temptation, then one randomly selected lucky peep will win a $10 gift certificate for There She Goes Stamps courtesy of one of their awesomely talented DT members, (and our fabulous queen of CASE Study!) Chupa!

And just to start you thinking about what you may create - take a look at the oh so amazing CASE study DT's take on the challenge - there's some seriously fabby talent in that group of ladies y'know!

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Mercy Kerin (January's Muse)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now I'm hoping to start to wind down for the weekend, get inky and have a fabulous weekend - you should do the same too! :)

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{Hugs}
Stamps: Teeny Trees (Waltzingmouse Stamps)/Ledger (Hero Arts)
Ink: Versamark/Spring Moss, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)/Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Cardstock: Blueberry Sky, Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Rustic Button, Twine, Simply Chartreuse Grosgrain Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)/Chompy! (Corner Chomper)/Notebook Paper Punch (EK Success)

Quick fun with Overlays!

Hey!

Happy New Year y'all!!! Can't quite believe it's already 2011 where did last year zoom by to?!

We're ready here to put the tree down now, recycle the cards (apart from the beautiful handmade ones I got from some of you; they go in my special draw :D) and start eating some fruit and veg, but I did manage to find a tiny amount of time and space on my desk to quickly whip out a couple of cards. I'm thinking of it as a warm up to an serious inky session later today...

I have been totally inspired by my bloggin' buddy and all-round fab girlie with a fab name (I'm biased of course!), Amy!

Now I always tease her for not using her On My Couch PTI set enough, but then Amy reminded me that I've been guilty of hoarding some yummy Hambly Screen Prints Overlays with her sweet card here! So to make up for all that teasing in 2010, girlie - I've made a couple of cards using my hoarded stash.

I only had a matter of minutes to whip my cards up, so decided to use my overlay as a layer rather than a card base because that just seemed way to adventurous for an inky warm up for me!

I've decided that this year I'm gonna build up a stash of cards to have on supply so I don't have the last minute panic of being a card-maker without a card to give this year! I think sympathy ones for guys are always the toughest to make, so why not tackle this first, so I can have fun with the next one:

Well again - a guy card! What can I say? My overlays seem to suit the guys LOL!

So fun with overlays over for a while now; I've now gotta create some space in my inky corner, put the kettle on, get the chocolate and prepare for an afternoon of inky fun - Bliss!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Catch ya later!






Card Deets
{With Sympathy}
Stamps: Round & Round (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Brocade Overlay (Hambly Screen Prints)/Fine Line Pen (Letraset)

{Happy Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Birthday Bash Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate, Harvest Gold (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: Mini Bicycles Overlay (Hambly Screen Prints)/Chompy (Corner Chomper)/Simply Chartreuse Grosgrain Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)