Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Most Fabulous Birthday Wishes…

fabulousbirthdaymaureenplut

…for the most fabulous secretary!  Hi everyone!  I have the honour of making the birthday card for our darling secretary.  Her “big” birthday is next week and the staff will surprise her with this card and a little “something, something” to show her how much we love her :)  I’m participating in the Papertrey Make it Monday challenge that asks us to use vellum to soften a bold background.  I’ve used some more of the PTI printed vellum along with some more Friendly Flower images and dies.  I can’t get enough of that set!  Thanks for stopping by!  I see a weekend closing in!  Woohoo!

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makeitmondays

Monday, April 27, 2015

Thanks, 2015

cohortmaureenplut

Hi friends!  I finished my second to last semester for my Masters this past weekend!  Just one more course and my capstone paper presentation and I am done this two year journey!  I’ve been making cards for each of our professors, but this one is kind of special.  It was given to our Gonzaga advisor who was also our instructor for 3 courses.  He is an amazing man and helped us every bit of the way for the last 2 years.  I wanted to make a special memento so I used the photo he took of us the first weekend we were together a year and a half ago.  I love the watermark! HA!

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Here’s the inside…

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Yikes, it’s Monday!  I hope you have a great start to your week!  Thanks for stopping by!

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Saturday, April 25, 2015

A Very Happy Birthday to You

birthdaymaureenplut

Hi everyone!  Welcome to my Papertrey Ink Blog Hop post!  It’s Saturday morning and I’m off to my last class of the semester!  Woohoo!  I’m using inspiration from Nichole’s photo for today’s card…

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I pulled out my Ruby Rose stamps and dies and some new printed vellum.  I just love this berry sorbet with navy!  It doesn’t get any yummier than that!  Enjoy the rest of the hop and thanks for stopping by!

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bloghop

Friday, April 24, 2015

Viva La Verve!

mothersmaureenplut

Good morning!  Happy Friday!  Let’s start off the weekend with a new Viva La Verve sketch!  I’m beefing up my Mother’s Day card supply so I can take them into work next week :)  Head over to the Viva La Verve sketch blog to check out more samples and to find out how you could win some Verve!  I hope you have a fantastic start to the weekend! 

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stamps: Button Best, Treasured Words (Verve)

dies: Rounded Rectangle Die (Verve)

accessories: Shine Bright Sequin Mix (Verve)

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Happy Birthday ~ Make it Monday

happybirthdaymaureenplut

Hi friends!  Yikes!  Has it been almost a week of no posts!?  Not to worry, I think I’ve got four posts lined up between now and Monday!  Wow!  I know! LOL  I actually had an hour before dinner tonight to make this card using the PTI Make it Monday challenge.  We are asked to used white die cuts with a pop of colour.  I was trying to use butterflies, but it wasn’t working for me so I switched to my old favourite, the Friendly Flower :)  Oh, the weekend is here!  I’ll be celebrating another semester DONE!  Graduation is right around the corner!  Have a great start to your weekend :)

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makeitmondays

Friday, April 17, 2015

You are Sunshine for my Soul

sunshinemaureenplut

Happy Friday everyone!  I can’t wait for the weekend to begin!  The weatherman has promised sunny and warm weather so I’m taking off the winter tires and spending time in the garden!  I weeded the front garden and half of the back last weekend and now plan to finish the rest!  It feels good to dig in the dirt again!  This card uses the brand new Viva La Verve sketch and is going to surprise our school secretary next week for Administrative Professionals Day :)  She is just the sweetest, most efficient secretary around and I love to leave little surprises by her computer throughout the year. 

Head over to the Viva La Verve sketch blog to see more samples and find out how you could win some VERVE by participating in all the fun this month :)  Have a great start to the weekend!

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VLVApr15Week3Sketch

what’s in it?

stamps: Be Blessed, Bloom & Grow, Die Sidekicks, Doodled Occasions (Verve)

dies: Elegant Leaves Die, Hearts & Swirls Frame Die, Petal Points Die Set, Pennant Trim Die (Verve)

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Happy & Healthy Birthday

namastemaureenplut

It's time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!

photo source:  designlovefest.com

We have a new sponsor, Penny Black, for the Curtain Call Inspiration: Bouquet!  A randomly selected participant in the Bouquet challenge will have their choice of a Penny Black gift certificate, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

When I saw this Love and Yoga set, I had to have it!  It’s so unique and I definitely don’t have anything like it in my stamp collection :)  I took colours from this inspiration photo, especially the soft blue background (my cardbase) and green striped pillow (my bakers twine).

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Bouquet Designers

Guest Designer, Marcie Sharp
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Follow us!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Facebook Page

Curtain Call Pinterest Boards

Stop by the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge:  Bouquet for the challenge details and to play along with us!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Just a Note

justanotemaureenplut

Good morning!  Happy Saturday!  This week has been a good one :)  I sent my capstone off on Monday!!  What a relief to have it all done!  AND today is the last class of one of my courses this semester!  Lots to celebrate!  This card is going to our instructor.  She’s a teacher, musician, writer, and has her doctorate!  So I made sure to include some music paper flowers and the “just a note” sentiment.  I made the watercolour background by smooshing some Tim Holtz distress inks on my craft mat, spraying it with water, then dipping the paper in it.  Then I made the hearts with embossing paste and a heart stencil.  Here’s the inside…

inside

We love this instructor.  She’s so fun and down to earth.  She taught us last spring and we requested her back!  I’m sure the musician in her is loving the “encore.”  Hope you are all having a lovely day…is this time of year great or what!?

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stamps: Take Note (Verve), Inside Out Thank You (PTI)

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Wishing You ~ Viva La Verve!

wishingyoumaureenplut

Greetings!  Happy “hump” day!  When I made my first card for this week’s Viva La Verve sketch, I made two cards.  This is the second one :) The first is HERE.

VLVApr15Week1Sketch_thumb[2]

Head over the the Viva La Verve Blog for all the details on how you could win some amazing Vervey goodness! Have a lovely day!

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stamps: Better Together, Bloom & Grow, Die Sidekicks (Verve)

dies: Heart Quartet Die, Flourished Trim Die, Elegant Leaves Die, Sweet Scallop Die (Verve)

accessories: Shine Bright Sequin Mix (Verve)

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Reminder

smilemaureenplut

There is still time to join us for the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  

You have until April 10th at 8:00 AM CDT to be inspired and share your project!

beginnings

The LEAD of this challenge will be invited to be a guest designer in an upcoming challenge! Check out all the details over on the Curtain Call Inspiration Blog.

I was on a roll when I made my first card for the challenge last week.  I used the same elements, but added more kraft to mimic the nest down in the lower right corner of the photos above.

We look forward to seeing your creations! Be sure to stop back on April 14th for the Lead and Show Stoppers from this challenge. Then come back on April 15th for the next challenge!

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Sunday, April 5, 2015

Verve Diva Inspirations Hop


It's the 5th of the month and time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings!

Our April challenge is Bunnies & Babies


Spring is a time of birth and renewal - celebrate the season by creating a card for Easter or a bouncing new baby. Use the inspiration graphic as a starting point, or head off in your own direction - just show us your sprightly spring creations!

A colleague at work is expecting a baby this month...and she chose to NOT know the gender...I love that!  So this card is in case it's a girl, but I'll need to make a boy version soon just in case!  This Smallest Things Plain Jane is the perfect sentiment for baby cards :)  I was inspired by the colours in the photo above and that gorgeous ribbon on the teddy bear!  The embossed hearts echo the heartfelt sentiment and the dear little tag with "sweet baby girl" from Small Phrases finishes off the well wishes.

Click here to link up your challenge entries

Challenge deadline: Sunday, Apr. 19.
Prize: $40 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!


1. Julee

7. Sankari
2. Amy 8. Sarah
3. Anya 9. Susan
4. Betty10. Maureen
5. Jen11. Stacey
6. Karen 12. Chaitali

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Happy Birthday ~ Viva La Verve!

happybirthdaymaureenplut

Hi friends!  I’m taking a short break from writing to get inky and play with this week’s Viva La Verve sketch.

VLVApr15Week1Sketch

Head over the the Viva La Verve Blog for all the details on how you could win some amazing Vervey goodness!  Hope your weekend is going well!  Thanks for stopping by!

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stamps: Better Together, Bloom & Grow, Die Sidekicks, Be Blessed (Verve)

dies: Heart Quartet Die, Flourished Trim Die, Hearts & Swirls Frame Die, Elegant Leaves Die, (Verve)

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Smile ~ Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge

youmakemesmilemaureenplut

Welcome to the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!
This week we are inviting you to join us for...

beginnings

I zoomed in on the blue robin’s eggs in the lower right hand corner.  For some reason my new huge Smile die from PTI looked like a nest!  So I went with the inspiration and colours.  I’m now “beginning” to start some Mother’s Day cards…it’s the thing to do in Spring! 

Want to join us this week?  Head over to the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge blog for all the details and more delightful samples by our design team.  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!

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