12 Kits of Occasions - Watercolour Wonder!

Yes.  It is the end of the month!  BUT, my blogger is giving me fits with this leap year business!!!  Oh you know it's all me ... but a girl has to try, right?  Seems my scheduling was a bit off!

Nancy Penir, of Artful Notions, is our hostess for 12 Kits of Occasions ... welcome to the group, Nancy!  You've done a fabulous job on your very first kit.  These are just a few of the goodies contained in our February kit:

Though my newest grandchild, and her parent's move has taken priority these last two weeks, I was able to make several cards, and had heaps of fun - and still have lots to play with in the future!

Here is my [very late] design team card:

I Copic colored, and even used the pretty netting that Nancy tied our kit up with!

Can't see it?  Here's a little close up:

 

 

Next up, a first-time try with water-color pencils:

 

Just a little shading, and some enamel dots to create a bit of dimension!

 

This little shaker card will come in handy over

the next few weeks!

 

How could I ever resist these butterflies?

 

 

My very first seed beads!

 

I hope you've had a chance to look at every lovely card made by the 12 Kits card club ... I have not, so I'm off to have a nice long visit!

 

Thanks for dropping by!  Thank you again, Nancy!! xx

 

=]  Michele

 

 



Time Out Challenge #50

I had just the stamps I needed out on my crafting table for a cute little black and white number ... why not take advantage of it for a challenge, too?

For Time Out's 50th challenge, based on this fabulous inspiration:

I've gone crazy with lots of images from 'across the pond' to make a belated birthday card for a cousin.  I know: unforgiveable!  But I do hope it will bring a smile, and maybe a chuckle, too!

Such fun to put together this MFT set with the perfect PTI sentiment!

 



Tom had a little 'photoshop' fun with my travel photos!

Yes, London -  2012!  and I cannot wait to return!

Back to having 'loads of fun!'  I hope your week is starting out bright!

=]  Michele

Muse 154 - Jenni Murray

Jenni has brought me happily back to my childhood ... OH my, I did love yellow: dresses, ribbons, buttons, & bows!

I was inspired, not only by the color of Jenni's card, but by the squares of her design.  I replaced the bloom with one of #Wplus9's darling Happy Birds, and changed the white space a bit!

Just in case you noticed his beady little eyes ... I splatted it - thus the addition of the enamel dots!!

Hope you like it, Jenni! 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch # 161

Another fun sketch from N@ Ali this week:

I'm going to go literal this week as I have a new set by Julie Ebersole from Ellen Hutson that fits the sketch perfectly ... and I want to play today =]  For CTS #161:

Palest lilac cardstock, a little slip of dotted vellum, and clouds that carry just a perfect Springtime breeze to lift that pink balloon!  Don't you just love the sentiment?  Words we all need to remember when life gets crazy, right?!

It isn't often that I add my CTS card to a challenge, but The Paper Players have an inspiration photo that is drawing my little balloon in their direction for PP283:

Hope you've had a chance to check out what my fabulous team-mates have made to inspire us ... I'm going back for second-looks - I'll see YOU in our gallery!

=]  Michele

CASology Week 186: Distress

There are so many things in life that can be distressing.  One thing that does it for we Moms is an inability to change a situation:  a sick child can really be tough, can't it?  I'm saying prayers for a friend who has a great distance between her and a sick grown-up-child -  and I'm happy to do so.  I wish I could do more, and I'm awfully grateful for all those prayers said, and thoughts sent for our little peanut.

I've also had a really fun time with a technique video I watched over at Jennifer McGuire Ink called Distress Ink Lifting.  I don't have the gorgeous blue she used, but I have the  Mondo Hydrangea, and Dusty Concord distress ink did the trick, just fine!  It is magical, truly.

For CASology Week 186:  Distress:

Oh boy was it scary to add the sentiment ... I normally don't have great luck stamping sentiments with distress ink, but I'm so happy with this inking today - and for your visit! 

Thanks, always ...

=]  Michele

Second Helpings for Fusion's Pretty in Pink

Since I've already poked my nose into your Monday, I'm making this quick ... 2nd card for Fusion?  Oh why not?  There are several pillows on that gorgeous sofa!




Another look at the inspiration:





And here is card 2:

SSS die cut word as supporting role for W&W's Maggie's blooms,

on this lovely WeRMemoryKeepers embossed card-base.

 

I've put that beeping dryer off long enough ... back to work for me!

 

=]  Michele

Fusion "Pretty in Pink" and Navy

I adore a pink and navy blue color combination, so when I saw the current Fusion?  I had to play along!  Here is their inspiration:

 I went right for those cushions - but you knew I would, right?  I may as well tell you now ... there will be Second Helpings =]

Winnie & Walter all the way!

 

I hope your Monday is a great start to a perfect week!

 

=]  Michele

Ellen Hutson's Pin-sights Challenge

Yesterday, I teased on IG with a card that was inspired by Ellen's Pin-sights for February challenge, but can't share because I made for next week's CTS.  Never fear!

I was so blown away by this photo-collage, the cards made themselves!  Take a look at this gorgeousness:

I don't think there will be any question which photo inspired my card ... OH, and it was made with an awesome free-with-purchase a while back!  Thanks again, Ellen!

Three dies  - four Copics!

 

OH how I wish you were here to see this!

 



That's it for me this week!  It has been so Totally fabulous having you stop by!  Have a great weekend ... I will be helping my son get their new home ready for our little peanut ... happy to report she is doing so well, and even gained an ounce!  Now at 3lbs. 6ozs.  Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers! xx

=]  Michele

Make it Monday #239 on Thursday!

I love my PTI products ... sadly this little set doesn't get much ink, but works perfectly for Lizzie's challenge to Customize Patterned Paper,  the latest Make it Monday Challenge #239.

Using one of the very first sets I purchased from PTI, Button Up, and their gorgeous Holiday Plaids paper:

The button holes could not be more perfectly aligned for the paper!

Sentiment compliments of  Warmest Wishes

 

I'm pretty sure everyone's grandmother had a 'house-dress' that looked just like this - and always had a hankie at the ready! 

 

Thanks, Lizzie and PTI, for inspiring a little 'sewing' and stamping today!

 

Now, before I leave you, I wanted to share a little patterned paper of my own devices.  I cannot get enough of the 12 Days set ... and I am always inspired by my newest Crate & Barrel catalog!!

 

 

Thank YOU for the visit ... it keeps me smiling every day!

 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #160

Chrissy Larson has given us another sketch that leaves my imagination to its own devices ... scary isn't it?

 

For CTS#160 I've gone with a wonderful pattern paper from Kaisercraft called "shine bright" ...  see if you can find the stripes ...

 

W&W Big, Bold Friends cutaway

Teresa Collins enamel dots

Lots of fun with glossy accents to make the cutaway appear as if it too is made from enamel!

 

Be sure to visit all the members of the CTS design team .. you'll be as amazed as I am every single week! 

 

Have a great day-before-Friday! 

=]  Michele

 

 



Playing Cards with Chriss, and Anita in France

OH, do I wish that we were actually in France!!! 

Today I am playing cards with Chriss Blagrave of Botanical Gardens.  We are honoring a dear friend of ours who is celebrating her birthday today: Anita in France, a.k.a. My Papercraft World - delightful, darling, generous, funny, pun-y, creative, and loved by me,  Chriss, and many hundreds of card-makers around the globe!

Chriss and I have decided to play along  together at CASEplorations  with the Stamplorations girls, as they are CASEing one of Anita's cards ... just look at this gorgeous specimen:

My world has been a little upside down lately, but I am so happy that I was able to make my card ahead. I've given it to my husband for Valentine's Day - I know Anita will love that, especially since her own birthday card should be in her hands! [she says with a hopeful heart!]

SSS Hello Beautiful stamp set; MFT Romantic Script BG stamp, and Wonky stitched rectangles;

Ellen Hutson's gorgeous linen cardstock - it IS for Anita =]

 

I've been inspired by Anita's

• die-cut panel
• gold embossed script
• adding Anita's colors of pink and yellow, allowing them to bleed together to make orange, and
• of course hearts! 

I will share a bit of my inside sentiment - truly a very old verse that I cannot claim as my own - it sounds so beautiful in French ... perhaps Anita will share it with us:

 

I love you more today, than yesterday...

but half as much as tomorrow!

 

Joyeaux anniversaire, Anita, ma belle amie!   Good luck, good health, [and a very big lottery win so the three of us can play cards together for real] are my wishes for you this year and always!!!  xoxo

 

=]  Michele

 



 

 

 

He wore a Raspberry Beret ... and egg.2

A little Raspberry Beret for ColourQ #329, that is!  OH my goodness, I love this challenge!



[Hmmm ... I wonder if there is a limit to the number of cards they accept?  The possibilities are endless!!  =]



Ellen Hutson and Julie Ebersole's 12 Days of Christmas & Companion sets provided me with the perfect little stamps for the idea I slept on last night ... see what you think:

Kaisercraft Shine Bright Collection of papers

 

One more - wow it's been a long time since I've had Second Helpings for CASology ... Egg ... an age old discussion, in card form...

 

A one-layer 'over easy' card!!! 

#jaebersole this may be my favorite set of stamps ... ever!

 

Thank YOU, for 'chicken' in today, too!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

CASology Week 185: Egg

Even though our own little 'egg' hatched a wee bit early, I'm so thankful that she's doing so well ... still a long road to coming home, but we are a patient, and faith-filled folk.

For CASology Week 185, I thought I'd make another little egg card for Gretchen Michele:

Inside:  " . . . to have You"

E.H. 12 Days of Christmas; and Up the Happy by Julie Ebersole;

PPP Sweet Pea sequins; MFT Wonky oval - embossed

 

 

I know it may have been a bit more CAS without the words, but the card wouldn't mean as much without them.  Feeling blessed, and grateful, for your thoughts, and prayers ...

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

Second helpings: W&W Image Challenge with Taheerah

I couldn't stop myself from trying to recreate that gorgeous cushion on the FABulous sofa in Taheerah's photo for the Image Challenge at Winnie & Walter's Belated 2nd Birthday Bash:

Would you not murder the first person to disturb this perfection?

Audrey Hepburn, in her perfect little black dress, might be allowed.

 

With the help of my fun W&W Lola's Botanicals, and the same little sentiment from The Party, another 'paneled' card:

 



Okay.  It isn't as fab as the cushion ... but you get the 'feeling' of flocking, right?  What's that?  You don't know flocking?  You don't know what you're missing, though I haven't seen it used for 100 years, either.

=]  Michele

W&W Belated 2nd Birthday Bash | Image Inspiration with Taheerah

 

Taheerah always lured me in to her Cure for the Monday Blues challenges with those [I don't know where she found them] amazing photos ... no less amazing is the one she's chosen for the Winnie & Walter 2nd B.B. Image Inspiration:

Why, yes, I'd have a sip!

 

For my card I've used:

• The Party for the sentiment
• In Bloom: Lola's Botanicals by Joni Andaya
• and smudged some additional inks onto an already perfect sheet of patterned paper from Shine Bright by Kaisercraft.
• One perfect little mirrored-silver bauble to mimic the ice bucket, and some silver thread - it is a party after all:



My 'paneling' was created simply with the use of a few rectangle dies ... the same ones that cut the panels of patterned paper.  The square represents the fabulous shade on the lamp... and I wanted a bit more of that grey cardstock to show through.

Hope you like it, Taheerah!  There is one more for this challenge coming right up! 

=]  Michele

Ellen Hutson's Mix it Up Challenge

Ellen Hutson is mixing it up with Penny Black this time ... OH what a great reason to check on the availability of a set I've been eyeing since I began this card-making journey: Dahlias - guess what?  I got lucky, because it is out of stock again!

Kelly Purkey's Second City paper for theM.E. die cut panel;

One of my new E.by E. Up the Happy by Julie; 

Copic coloring; and a few little happy tears from PPP.

 

You all know that I am very new with Copics, right?  I was delighted to see that Penny Black is kind enough to show a colored example right on the packaging!  It helped me immensely - brilliant idea!

 

Thanks for the visit!  and for all the prayers, I surely believe they are being answered as our little peanut is making progress!  xx

 

=]  Michele

Muse #152

 

Anita is our Muse this week, and I'm so happy to pull out that gorgeous embossing folder again, I just couldn't resist playing along!  Here is Anita's beauty for  Muse #152:

I was inspired by:

• her colors
• the blooms
• die cut word
• and that e.f.

Here is my interpretation, where I've reversed the colors making the panel aqua, the bloom white with pink center [thank you, Kristie!] - it dots the i quite nicely, I think:

Lifestyle Crafts e.f.; W&W cutaway word; SSS bloom; Zig pink

 

My world has seen a whirlwind of surprises this week ... we've welcomed our 7th grandchild into the world - with a bang!  Born at 30 weeks, weighing in at 3 lbs. 6 oz., at last measure, Gretchen Michele is an adorable little peanut, and so far is doing so well.  Your happy thoughts, and prayers would be so appreciated, thank you! xx

 

=]  Michele



CAS[E] this Sketch #159

My sweet friend and team-mate, Michelle Williams has opened the flood-gates of my imagination with her sketch this week ... fair warning:  there are a few cards from me this week =]

Here is Michelle's sketch:

 

I'm seeing plaid - a favorite for sure.  But I wanted to play with another favorite:
hounds-tooth!

 

MFT Hounds tooth coverplate; W&W Big, Bold, friends cutaways, and stamps.
SSS Fog, and Kona cardstock; Delicata silver ink.

Now Plaid:

Don't adjust your glasses!  I've done a little ghost stamping on the stamped portion of the sentiment!
PTI Holiday plaid; SSS die cut; Hero Arts caring thoughts.

Finally, for CTS #159 and Michelle, because she can always make me...

MFT Background Roses; W&W Big, Bold, & Friends cutaways - adjusted.

I think I was in a grey mode today ... that's a good thing for me... a favorite color, indeed.

 

What 'pattern' will your CTS card be this week?  I look forward to seeing it!

 

=]  Michele