Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Playing cards with Chriss Blagrave!

Before you get really excited, no, I'm not in Austin, Texas - in my dreams - but I am playing cards with my sweet friend today... here is how this happened:

Chriss Blagrave, of Botanical Café, and I began having phone-chats last November. Over our coffee this morning, I asked her if she'd seen Donna Mikasa's fabulous card for MFT - an homage to a beautiful card by Karin Akesdotter's beauty here.  After heaps of gushing - both of us wondering "how do they do this?" - we decided to challenge ourselves!!! 

I thought about the lovely MFT Balloon String background stamp they used, and knew I had several stamp sets with strings but some had words and sentiments... hmmm, could they work? 
Attempt #1:


 Kinda okay - I liked the frame, as Karin had done, the white heat embossing I love ... but it's missing all those lovely spaces created by the cross-over strings.  Which brought me back to a search of my stamp-stash to a very old American Crafts stamp collection called Terrace - one lonely string stamp, and a whole lot of Versa-mark stamping later:

Attempt #2
 
I loved Donna's ocean creation with all the waves colored in many shades of gorgeous colors. Karin's rolling hills, and plains brought our recent holiday to mind:  Purple mountains Majesty, Waves of Grain, and many wonderful memories.
 
I hope that Donna and Karin see these and know that they have been CASE'd today.  Thanks for inspiring me, and Chriss, to try something out of our comfort zone! Love you girls, and your fabulous designs! 
 
So, there you go, Chriss! I can't wait to open the link for your cards!!!  Thanks so much for playing cards with me today!  One day we will do it for reals - I promise!!!
Mwah!
 
How about you guys?  Is there a card that you'd like to CASE?  I'd be overjoyed to play cards with you, too - any day of the week - just let me know!  
 
=]Michele
 
 

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24 comments:

  1. Chriss BlagraveJuly 29, 2015 at 8:05 AM

    Perfection dear! You really achieved those colours on the second card. Just in awe here...

    It was such a fun time making these "string" cards! I do hope we get to play cards for realz one day! For now...this will have to do :)
    XOX

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  2. HannelieJuly 29, 2015 at 8:07 AM

    Awesome Michele!

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  3. designbydonnaJuly 29, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    I have been admiring Donna's and Karin's cards too. You aced this challenge. I especially like the second one. You've inspired me to try this.. I'll hop on over to Chriss's blog and check hers out.

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  4. Jacquie SouthasJuly 29, 2015 at 9:58 AM

    I love both versions, Michele!!

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  5. donna mikasaJuly 29, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    Bravo, Michele! Plus added props for using a stamp that you already owned! I LOVE both renditions and now I want to CASE your colors! Thanks so much for the shout out and the CASE....I'm blushin'!!! Hugs! XOXOXO

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  6. Taunya ButlerJuly 29, 2015 at 1:38 PM

    This is awesome and both cards toe the line!!!! I think you have done a super awesome, stupendous job in this CASEing!! Love both cards and the colors featured in both - so creative!!

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  7. ~amy~July 29, 2015 at 1:38 PM

    How fun, love friendly challenges amongst friends and what gorgeous cards....

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  8. Kristie GouletJuly 29, 2015 at 4:14 PM

    Oh wow! I knew when we were chatting on the phone that you would totally ROCK this CASE and I was right! LOVE how these turned out my friend. xoxo

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  9. Lisa PetrellaJuly 29, 2015 at 6:12 PM

    You go, girls!!! Love how your cards turned out! Kudos for stretching your creative selves!!! And thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. Barb GhigJuly 29, 2015 at 6:39 PM

    What a great idea, Michele! Your first attempt is so pretty, and your 2nd card is GORGEOUS!!! I love the colors and how you blended your inks, and the black die cut sentiment and card base are the perfect finish...WOW!
    I would love to 'play cards' with you sometime...let me think about who I would like to CASE, and I'll be in touch :)
    By the way, I had so much going on this week, so I lost out on creating for the Muse Christmas challenge...you sure nailed it, though!!!

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  11. Nora NollJuly 29, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    I LOVE both your beautiful cards. The first attempt is so pretty with the colors and how you used those fun sentiments. The second card really stands out, though. Beautiful CASE!!

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  12. SharronJuly 29, 2015 at 10:48 PM

    Awesome job on both these beauties, Michele! Your first card is a really fun design with the sentiments and added enamel dots. And I love the colors on card two. Fabulous sentiment too!

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  13. DarnellJuly 30, 2015 at 12:51 AM

    What a fun game of cards you played with the fabulous Chriss! You both did really fantastic cards CASEing Donna! I'm sure she will be very honored!! Hugs, Darnell

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  14. Karin ÅkesdotterJuly 30, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    These are AWESOME Michele!!! I absolutely LOVE both - such wonderful use of colors - you are so talented!

    Hugs!

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  15. Cat CraigJuly 30, 2015 at 1:16 AM

    Love both cards Michele, they are spectacular. I think you did your designers proud.

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  16. Anita in FranceJuly 30, 2015 at 3:31 AM

    Yes, I swooned over Donna's and Karin's cards, Michele ... and now I'm swooning over both of yours! Wonderful movement with and without the sentiments ... and such delicious colours ... just gorgeous! Playing cards over the phone with Chriss ... how fabulous ... dreaming over the concept of a conference call!! Hugs, Anita :)

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  17. AnonymousJuly 30, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    So, once again you have had me travelling all over blogland oohing and aahing over stunning cards! Boy, have you CASEd to perfection. Donna and Karin would be thrilled to see your handiwork!! Loving those criss-cross undulating lines. Mesmerising. So lovely...

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  18. JoyceJuly 31, 2015 at 12:49 AM

    What a fun idea you and Criss had. I love both of your cards, and especially the last one. I think I am going to head over to those links to see just how you both were inspired.

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  19. MichelleJuly 31, 2015 at 4:56 AM

    My jaw just hit the ground when I came to your second card, Michele! WOW!!! The first card is beautiful, too, but that second one is superb!

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  20. MichelleJuly 31, 2015 at 4:57 AM

    Oh, and I'd play cards with you any day! After your effort this time I may be a little intimidated, though. ;-)

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  21. shirley-beeJuly 31, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    Wonderful! Especially the second one, looks like a landscape. Off to look at Chrisss's cards.

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  22. Lisa EltonAugust 2, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    Wowza, how GREAT are these!!!

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  23. cmAugust 17, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Gasp! Okay, two more #1 cards vying for 'favourite' status! Blown away by card one, while the second: breath taking. I can't even fathom how you created that one with what you described as one 'single' string stamp. How about a tutorial...photos? Video? I need answers to the mystery! Pretty please? Huh...pretty, pretty please! True artistry showcased here...
    Hugs~c

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  24. MarionAugust 18, 2015 at 12:15 AM

    Both cards are wonderful Michele :)

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Thanks for stopping by! Your visits really make me smile, and your comments are so appreciated! Please note that this blog is public, and in commenting, you do so publicly, and any link back to your blog, or email address, are also public. If you are a 'no reply blogger' and have questions, please leave me your email and I will do my best to answer them!
=] Michele