Tuesday, February 24, 2015

CASology Week 135: MINI







I've had such a great time with the Pond Frogs... how could I resist using another from the collection for the latest CASology cue? 

For Week #135, and a tip of my hat to Ardyth for her 4.25" square masterpieces:

 
While on the subject of Ardyth... a perfect segue to Muse Card Club Challenge, eh? I am thrilled to see Shona as our guest designer this week - LOve her creative brilliance!!!
 
Here is my little take on her Muse card - I did go just a teensy bit rogue, but wanted to use my latest buy from Mama Elephant, the Freestyle Florals. I chose to cut away the strip I chose to water-color from the front of the card, and add it to the back-inside.
 
I stamped the flowers from the set, masked them, then stamped the leaves - all with Versamark - onto a piece of watercolor paper*, white heat-embossed them, then used Distress Inks to color them. The sentiment is from that lovely Hero Arts set Chriss sent to me.
 
*As a relative "newbie" to our wonderful Land of Blog, there probably isn't anything new I could add to your world.  But I just purchased a new pad of watercolor paper last week and found one that I LOve, that scores beautifully so it is also perfect for a card-base: Artist's Loft - Acid free, cold press 140lb. paper with a lovely creamy-white color. LOVE!



30 comments:

Lisa Elton said...

CUTE little froggie card and your watercolor florals are beautiful!! Thanks for the tip on the paper ;)

Tenia Nelson said...

Wonderful cards, dearie!!

Marybeth said...

Oh my gosh, I love both of these cards! Your CAS frog card is perfect! Now I want to make one just like you did ! Love the watercolor flowers so much .

Ardyth said...

Ahh, I love square cards! This one is really punny! And your take on Shona's Muse is amazing- your watercolouring is stunning with the white embossed outlines - I have to try that. As for tips - I think I speak for most of us when we say we love to hear what others are using/doing - thanks for sharing the info on the w/c paper!

Taunya Butler said...

Your creative - ness and punny - ness amazes me!! Your toad card is fun and happy!! And your second card is just flat out amazing, stunning and just so pleasing to the eyes!! You did a beautiful job and you did add something to my knowledge about watercoloring - thanks!!!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Toadily love your 4.25 square cutie and your Muse is beautiful Michele! Thank you so much for sharing with us at CASology!

Bobby said...

I love the idea of the cut away strip, Michele. And who wouldn't love that frog and sentiment.

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love your toad card, really adorable and I think perfect for the square card!
Your Mama Elephant flowers are gorgeous! Love the water colouring, colours and the snazzy strip that we see opened or closed! The leaves cascading on the front are playful and beautiful! Bravo!

Shona Chambers said...

You rebel you, going all 'rogue' with your card. So glad you did because your design is excellent, what a fantastic idea to add the panel to the inside. You totally rocked this one. And I'm so jealous about your floral purchase, so in love with that set. That teeny frog card is flippin' good too!!

Karen M said...

Your cards are wonderful Michele and I adore the fun designs:) Hugs xx

~amy~ said...

Love them...both.

That toad card...LOVE it. so fun

Your second card is gorgeous!!!!!

Joyce said...

Oh, your punny frog card is totally adorable. And perfect for 'mini'. Totally different direction on your next card--I really admire your versatility--and this one is just gorgeous. I have been admiring those ME flowers for the past week, and you may have just put me over the edge. Thanks so much for playing along at CASology this week.

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, I love these!

Cat Craig said...

Love that frog, and your flowers - swoonworthy!

OH Babs said...

Oh such a cute frog - great card.

Brenda said...

I am so loving your CAS frog card Michele and the sentiment is toad-ily perfect!!! (pun intended :-) and OMGosh, I a so loving the flower card and how you did that! That is just stunning!!! You watercolor with your inks so well, just beautiful!!! Now I think you have a lot to offer blogland. Where do you get this watercolor paper from??? Is it what you used on this beautiful flower card?? Hugs, Brenda

Sharron said...

Your frog card is 'toad-ily' awesome--love it! Now I'm more convinced than ever that I need that die set. Your watercolored flowers are gorgeous--great colors and I love your design! Thanks for the tip about the paper too.

Anonymous said...

Hey Michele!! Your little toad is incredible. I love how rich his color is. He looks as if he is going to jump off the page. Thanks for playing along with us this week at CASology.

Ksenija @Sweet Kobylkin said...

Michele, wonderful card with ME Flowers, bright and festive. I should try to make a card with decorative panel inside, brilliant idea!

Unknown said...

Michele, can never go past one of your cards in the gallery. Naturally, I was drawn to the CAS brilliance of toady, but then I got double bang for my buck with your MUSE entry! Absolutely love this card, love the colouring and love how that little leaf covers both panels. Thanks for joining CASology this week!!!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

OOOH! 2 super duper amazing card Michele. Love the Muse one in particular - those flowers look FABulous and just pop! Sarah x

Anita in France said...

Have to say it, Michele ... toadily cute! Oh my, your watercolour wonder ... mouthwateringly marvellous ... those colours are so vibrant and juicy ... I LOVE it! Anita :)

Unknown said...

Going rogue is awesome! Great job. Love your colorful flowers.

Viv said...

Gorgeous colourful flowers and I LOVE the little froggy!

Unknown said...

Two fabulous cards! I love how your leaf overlaps the back panel

Sand Lee said...

Both of your cards are amazing!

Jen W. said...

I must get those froggie dies! So so cute!! And I am always a sucker for a good pun. :) Your second card is gorgeous - gotta get those flower stamps too. And thanks for the tip on the watercolor paper! (Your post has turned into a shopping list for me. LOL!)
Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

May Park said...

Love them both, Michele! You are such an inspiration. Thanks so much for playing along with us at CASology. Hugs, May

wienerhoneymooners said...

Totally FUN and a gorgeous take on the MUSE!! Love your MINI card too, FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

cm said...

Michele, you are the Queen of Abundant Creativity! Every visit guarantees something fresh, fabulous, fun and...well, genius. Like your toad; seriously awesome! And you follow that stroke of brilliance with a floral array that has me gasping for air, so breath-taking beautiful it is! Love both of these, my friend! Wow!
Hugs~c