Sunday Mums!

 Okay.  Here's the deal ... my 'birth' flower is the Chrysanthemum.  NOT my favorite flower by any means.   But when Pinkfresh Studios introduced their Chrysanthemum collection recently, I just could not resist them - the colors are so pretty that I couldn't wait until November to share them with you!

A funny thing happened while waiting for my Glimmer machine to heat up... I tried 'debossing' this Heart Grid hot foil plate.  Well, I forgot the rubber mat - who would have thought it would cut right through the cardstock?  Not me - but I love the results above.  I do NOT recommend you try this at home!  I pretty much destroyed one of my acrylic plates! OY!

Other PF dies Braided Circles created the circle and these wonderful sentiments.

This time I left the debossing to the proper product - this one from Reverse Confetti.  That Altenew Label sure gets a workout in my studio! 

Last but not least I put my latest Spellbinder [Stylized Trellis] Embossing Folder Club to work with some discontinued paper from MFT - sure wish they'd bring this natural paper back.  It's a perfect match to this wonderful linen thread from my friend LeAnne!  

Doily Tag die from Neat & Tangled.

I found some pretty panels and a beautiful tag to showcase these Chrysanthemums today.  Washi tape cut with the coordinating dies are a fun way to make quick work of creating cards.  I just love the water-y colors of these mums!  Hope you do, too!

=] Michele

Doodlebugs Friday!

 

What happens when you limit your cardmaking supply to one [or two] small dies?  That's what I challenged myself to do today!  Here is where it all started...

One singular sensational Dainty Leaves from Altenew!

I can't wait to show you where it ended over at the Doodlebugs blog today!

=] Michele

You are my anchor! FMS570

Seems like it's feast or famine here at my blog, doesn't it?  I'm so happy to say I'm enjoying my time in my craft studio again!  Just in time to play along with Freshly Made Sketches #570...

Jen T's sketch had me reaching for this sweet little MFT set again ...

My night sky was cut from Night of Navy cardstock with a Star ribbon die from The Greetery, then backed with a bit of silver glitter paper for these shiny stars.  Hope this little guy catches an incoming wave soon!  These were created with that old SSS die set again... it's a keeper.

Hope you've had a great start to your week, you're over the hump, and gliding nicely into the weekend!  Thank you for stopping by!

=] Michele 

A little card to remember the kindness of friends.

As I imagine many of us have been doing, I have cleared the decks of all the Christmas supplies [don't worry they are close at hand] and in doing so found a few lovely gifts from friends - a beautiful Eucalyptus set from Marcia, and a lovely, embossed vellum doily from Stephanie!  They came together beautifully... 

Aren't these the perfect ink colors for that Eucalyptus?

The sentiment is one from Pinkfresh Studio's Fancy Script Words hot foil plates and dies.

You spoil me - I have such lovely friends - I've linked how each of them used these items in the past.   Thank you, dear ladies, for your generous hearts and beautiful inspiration!  

=] Michele

Second Helpings - Peace on Earth #32

I made Second Helpings for a challenge - there was another little birdy who told me he'd love to play along with Peace on Earth's Christmas challenge #32...

This guy comes from Altenew circa 2016 ... but I have to thank my friend Bonnie for inspiring my design today!  The branches were stamped and white heat-embossed onto vellum, then [after I added a soft blend of blue] the panel was flipped over before adding my layer-stamped, die cut Cardinal and branch.  A bit different than stamping onto the front, but it seems to work - what do you think, Bonnie?

This wonderful sentiment is one from Pinkfresh Studio - you'll be hearing more about it very soon.  Its message is something to remember, isn't it?  Especially on these dark and gloomy days of Winter!  Like this photo for instance... caught by my husband when there was the smallest break in the clouds at 10 pm last night!

My little red friend might have perched right there!

=] Michele

Altenew Winter Cardinal stamps and dies bundle - 2016 and it's still available!

CP Serenade ink

Pinkfresh Studio Detailed Leaf stamps and dies

Nikon Coolpix P900 - and a steady hand!

Double D Challenge SNOW!

If you know me at all, you'll know exactly which set I brought out to play for

Double D's Challenge Snow!

I found the best stand-in for the snow dude in the bottom right photo -

I've missed this furry fellow...

Please be kind - my 'knitted' plaid sweater seems to have a lot of dropped stitches! LOL

Another wintertime birthday card completed!

Thanks, Double D!

=] Michele

SugarPea Designs: Hey Winter stamps and dies

MFT Elegant Rectangle stax

The Stamp Market: Dotted Scallop cover die

Reverse Confetti scalloped edger

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #32

 

I'm happy to have a little crafty time today - the Peace on Earth Christmas challenge #32 had me pulling out a very old set from Papertrey Ink called Winter Woods.  That's where I found this cute little Bluejay!  I did a little second generation stamping with Catherine Pooler's Drive In ink but still felt it wasn't quite right - oh well, there's no mistaking him for any other bird in my Winter woods!

I masked him before adding the branches, then used a blade to cut out his tail so I could 

add a little dimensional foam under it.

While searching for this Bluejay, I came across another little bird - this one is a die set also from PTI. [a lovely gift from a friend] Feathered Friends 2 - can be many different birds - today I was thinking Warbler - Blackburnian female maybe?  

My friend LeAnne's Paper Players PP624 post this morning helped me find her a wonderful home.

I hope I'm not one layer over the CAS limit - yikes!

I have lots of winter birthdays on my list - hence the snowflakes -  

'Just a note' can be the start of any birthday wish in my book!

Hope you've had a bit of crafty time today, too!

=] Michele