12 Kits of Occasions!

Hi everyone!!  I am finished with my Halloween cards - yay!  They will have been delivered to my grandkids with a little sweet treat on Thursday night - Gramps and I are hitting the road early on Friday ...  hey, I think there is a pattern here:

• early Halloween
• early weekend getaway before the snow flies
• early 12 Kits of Occasions!  Yay!

Joyce Mehrberg, of Cards-by-the-Sea, is our hostess with the mostest this month!  I loved every piece and parcel of your kit, Joyce!!!

Here is a little peek of her fabulous kit:

 

You'll see which items caught my attention right away!  But Joyce used this fantastic tissue paper to wrap her little gifts to us ... could not help but use a bit of it here:

 

Inside:

"If you weren't falling apart like the Colosseum, I'd show you how much!

Feel better SOON!"

 

Next up, my all-time favorite City:

 

"If I can make it there ... I'll make it anywhere!"

 

Everyone has had a visitor like this - but I'm not complaining!

 

Inside:

"Even with all your baggage, you have a standing invitation!  Come back, soon!!!"

 

And then that visitor leaves, and you are missing them so ...

 

 

One more, for the road ...  for Tom:

 

Inside:

"We can go anywhere as long as we're together!"

 

Since we'll be hitting the road very early on Friday, you girls will have to party without me, until I get back home ...  wait!

I haven't told you where we're going have I?

 

I'm celebrating my birthday 'early' too!  With the newest member of our 12 Kits team in Cleveland!!!  Hope you're ready for me, Lisa!!  Oh, and we'll be lunching with Deepti Malik!  How's that for an extra special birthday?

 Wooo HOOO!!!

 

Please be sure to check out all the fun cards over at the 12 Kits of Occasions right here!  It's always a party!  This month, Jacquie Southas, is our guest, and we are welcoming back Kara Vrabel as a guest - how fun is that? 

 

=] Michele













 

 

 

 

CAS[E] this Sketch #147

N@ Ali has an interesting sketch for us this week - I can't wait to see where it takes you!

 

Personally, it brought that cute little Sweet Blossom stamp from Two Paper Divas to mind ...

 

 

When one is good, two is always better, don't you think?

A little help from SSS for the 'rain' and R.C. for the sentiment, and I think it may just be the perfect perk-up card for a friend of mine!

 

Your visits perk me up, every time!  See you in the CTS 147 gallery!!

 

=]  Michele



One Last Card ...

... for Two Paper Divas, that is!  I've had a blast playing with my T.P.D. goodies!  I hope you don't mind this one last card?

I've tried to capture the essence of Halloween with this dark and spooky, trick-or-treating neighborhood ... honestly?  I'd still go if I could get away with it!

Thank you, Gayla and Melissa, you Two Paper Divas!  It has been such fun to play cards with you!

=]  Michele

CASEing Kelly! a Blog Hop!

It was truly and honor [and surprise] to be featured on Kelly Latevola's CASEing Genius!  Today I'm honored again to be joining the other 'geniuses' to CASE Kelly!! 

Surprise Kelly!

 

Even though I am sorely lacking her skills with coloring, I shelved my fears, and added lots of color to my CASE of these three genius cards:

 

September 18, 2015

 

For Create a Smile

 

CASEing Rubeena

 

I've created a curved panel for my card-base, a postage stamp die cut, which I then colored, and popped up - even a bit of a shaker element, too!  How do like me now, Ms. L ??!!  Okay.  You would have so colored those leaves and stems ... but our leaders did say to 'make it my own.'  =]

 

 

Kelly, we love you!  My sentiment says it all ... you celebrate beautiful every day, and we are all grateful for it.  Thank you, so much, for shining a little of your love-light on each one of us!  Happy blogging anniversary!

What is a blog hop without some fun prizes?! Leave a comment by 11:59 pm EDT on Thursday, October 29th along each stop in the hop to increase your chances of winning a prize from one of our sponsors: a2z Scrapbooking, Altenew, Create a Smile Stamps, Dee's Artsy Impressions, DJ Kard Kreations, Hero Arts, Ink Road, Lia Stampz and Simon Says Stamp! Winners will be notified by email after October 29th.

 

 

Okay, everybody!  Here are Kelly's Geniuses! 

Hope you HOP over to see their creations, but

before you go ... my special thanks to Marika, and Nina-Marie for organizing us [that is a job!!]

and to Kara Vrabel - who held my hand, making it possible for me to create my first blog-hop post!!

 



a2z Scrapbooking

Amy Tsuruta

Ardyth Percy Robb

Brandi Hall

Char Kochensparger

Cindy Chiu

Darnell Knauss

Dawn Turley

Debra James

Deepti Malik

Donna Idlet

Elizabeth Campau

Ellen Haxelmans

Heather Ruwe

Jennifer Loftfield

Joan Bardee

Kara Vrabel

Kara-Lynne

Katie Gehring

Kristie Goulet

Kristina Beagle

Kymona Tracey

Laura Jane

Leigh Penner

Lin Brandyberry

Linda Trace

Lindsay Amrhein

Maria Sabina Raita

Marika Rahtu

Martha Lucia Gomez

Michele Cunningham

Michele Ferguson - you are here!

Michelle Lupton

Michelle Williams

Monica Maier

Niki G.

Nina-Marie Trapani

Rubeena Naz

Shelly Kurth

Taunya Butler

Thordis Dogg

Vera Yates

 

Thanks so much for stopping by - always makes my day!

 

=]  Michele

Runway Inspired Challenge #94 Houghton Bridal

I have no words to describe this gorgeous gown, or bride:

 

 

I did, however, find a way to interpret it:

 

MFT background stamp embossed on acetate; SSS sentiment; E.H. ribbon; PTI CS.

 

It has been far too long since I've made a card for the Runway - could NOT resist this one!

 

=]  Michele



Second Helpings for Freshly Made Sketches #209 - and one for Muse ChristmasVisions!

I had another little chance to create a second FMS209 card using this sketch from Jennifer:



A shaker, at that!

 

 

I used another of those gorgeous acetate journaling cards, a die-cut tree window - lined again with vellum, and a gold-embossed JOY [a little one left from the stash I received from Jacquie last year!!!].

 

Here is another shot which might show the window ... by my window!!

 

 

This shaker card inspired another much easier version for Muse Christmas Visions #25 - okay ... it is a stretch to compare mine with this beauty from Betty:

 

 

 

But this time, I found a much easier method for the shaker - I poured a few of the beads into a clear plastic sleeve, stapled it shut and adhered it to the back of my die cut word ... it may just be easier to show you:

 

Inspired by Betty's word, her holly, and the clapper from the bells!

 

 

Both cards brought me joy!  Your visits bring me joy daily!

 

=]  Michele

 



The Challenge #48 Theme: Wedding

This is the most unpredictable time of the year for a wedding - at least it is in Michigan!  Last weekend, we attended a wedding held outdoors, 50 degrees.  Yes, they did have plenty of love to keep them warm ... and very short vows!

This weeks Wedding theme at The Challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to make a wedding card for said occasion:

MME My Story Journal cards, Paper Smooches forever die;

DCWV pearls; SSS Fog cardstock

Inside sentiment:

"My wish?  That you never lose this goose-bump producing love!"

 

I just know The Challenge will inspire beauties this week ... how about checking out the team cards, a beauty from our guest, Kristie Goulet - yay! - and then joining us in the Wedding album? 

 

=]  Michele

 





Muse #138 - Anita Bowden

Anita Bowden made this card for us this week as our Muse:

 

In a word: fresh! 

 

Turns out I had just the perfect die for it, and some darling new flowers from Dee's Artsy Impressions to play with!

 

Inside sentiment:

"My cup runneth over!"

 

Then, after writing that sentiment, this little die just kept calling my name ... so how about Second Helpings?

 

Inside sentiment: 

"I couldn't have done it without your support!"

 

See you in the Muse #138 gallery!!!

 

=] Michele

 



Freshly Made Sketches #209

Sometimes a simple sketch is the most difficult ... this one, from Freshly Made Sketches designer,  Jennifer Brum, is a good example. 

It was a snap, just as soon as I saw the sentiment I wanted to use from a new set I ordered from PTI:

#PTI Warmest Wishes

I LOve simple!  Thanks, Jen!

=]  Michele

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #167!

I don't know why it has taken me so long to play along with Addicted to Stamps, but I recently had the perfect day playing with one of their Design Team Members:  Bobby Hagen!

I had heaps of fun using Bobby's Zig pens - another first - and yet another first? coloring one of these darling images from
Art Impressions: Girlfriends!! 

 

Since it was made with an ATS team member, I'm taking myself out of the running for the prize ... spending that day with Bobby was all the prize a girl could need!

=]  Michele

AEIHeartUChallenge - Think Pink!

 

 

I've lost one sister to cancer ... but happily have one other, and a few 'sistahs', who have won their own personal battles!  Today I'd like to celebrate all those wonderful wins with my card for the Think Pink challenge at Avery Elle:

 

 

I've used one of the gorgeous acetate panels from PinkFreshStudio, placed over a rectangle cut from my card base.  I then backed it with dotted vellum, added a die cut 'thankful' and added the finishing touch with the gorgeous flowers and leaves - all Avery Elle Laurels and dies!

 

Here's a better look at the see-through panel, and flowers:

 



 

... and the most perfect inside sentiment, also from Laurels:

 

 

Those are the wins I'm thoroughly thankful for, and tickled PINK about. 

 

=]  Michele

 



Time Out with Fusion!

Besides seeing my grandkids all dressed up in their costumes, the best thing for me at Halloween-time is that I have a good friend whose birthday is ON Halloween!  She has received some pretty fun cards over the years - but since I've been writing my own sentiments?  Oh!  They can be pretty pun-y!

Case in point:  this little number created with Time Out and Fusion challenges in mind:

Inside sentiment:

"You have SO much to CROW about!"

 

Gosh.  She is getting pretty old.  I hope she 'gets' it.  I hope YOU all get it - see you in the gallery!!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 





T.O. Challenge #42

CAS[E] this Sketch #146

Chrissy provided a simple, yet challenging, sketch #146 for us this week:

Oh the directions we could go, right?  It took me two ways!  First up, this little number:

Three different stamp sets ..  yes, three!!

SSS I see you: the tiny hearts

Concord & 9th Being Classy for the words,

and the perfect leafy branches from

Stamplorations: Dee's Frames & Flowers  [thank you, Deepti!!]

 

 

While those SSS stamps were on my desk, this little idea popped into my head ... so hard to stop that popping!

 

 

You'll have to dash over to CAS[E] this Sketch to see which one of my cards I chose for the team gallery!  I'll be putting on my readers to see who will grace us with their own cards this week - oh you creative people are making it tough to choose ... we love them all!

 

=]  Michele



Two Paper Divas Wk. 3 - My Neighborhood

Two Paper Divas must have known I love to create little neighborhoods, where we can all live and happily create darling cards, share all our goodies, and maybe a cuppa! 

I had so much fun playing with the darling line-drawn houses in the My Neighborhood set ... see if there isn't a little home you'd like to inhabit ...

Inside sentiment: 

"Home to home, heart to heart,

I'm so thankful to have you for my neighbor!"

Simple stamping and fussy cutting, a bit of color, and fun patterned paper can make for a pretty cute little card for a favorite neighbor ... how about those little love smoke signals?

You know I do LOve second helpings ... this time?  a little mobile home ... 

 

Stamped and embossed in white, a little snippet of patterned paper can create a bit of designer 'siding!'  Popping up just one of the vehicles provides the perfect ride for my mobile home!



One more week to go - I hate to see it end - these little houses are going to make a creepy little Halloween appearance!  It'll be a bring your own BOOS party!!!

=]  Michele

Muse ChristmasVisions #24

Chriss Blagrave has made the most darling of Christmas scenes from nature this week ...

... had to play along!  BUT alas, not a snowman in the house!  What's a girl to do?  Improvise!!  For MCV#24:

Yikes!  Not a small enamel dot in the house either!!  let's pretend he's looking through binoculars, for that little Cardinal on Chriss's card, 'kay? 

Thanks, Chriss for the inspiration, and a much needed push to stretch myself a bit!  See you on the slopes!!!

=]  Michele

Essentials by Ellen Pinsights Challenge

I couldn't even begin to say how many ways Essentials by Ellen October Pinsight Challenge inspiration photo could take me to card-making nirvana!  Check it out:

 

 

There could [probably] be more, but here is one for today:

 

Essentials by Ellen Julie Ebersole's Bohemian Garden bloom,
and Hello sentiment from Julie's Mondo Magnolia.

I think it might be pretty clear which photo from the collage stirred me today, right?  My little embossing folder stepped up to provide the perfect platform for my little bloom.  I'd love to jump into that photo, and grab that sweater!! wouldn't you?

 

Have a great Monday, everyone!  Thanks for sharing a bit of it with me...

 

=]  Michele