12 Kits of Occasions - Crazy for Coffee!

Yes.  April is over ... another month bites the dust!  On the very bright side - it's 12 Kits time!!!  Our leader, and hostess for this month's kit, is Tracey McNeely - who really knows how to treat us girls right!  Take a little peek at our kit:

photo courtesy of Lindsey Larsen

 

I am IN LOVE with these patterned papers, Tracey - well, there wasn't a thing I didn't love, really and truly.  BONUS this month?  None other than amy T. is joining us for the Crazy for Coffee theme - who else?? Right?!

 

Enough chatter - here are my cards:

 

my amy-T-esque card!

 

One to add to my 'I forgot your birthday' file!

 

my favorite of those Authentique papers!

Had to use one of my R.C. sentiments - those beans were calling it!

 

LOve this Bazzil grey!!!

 

I have a friend who always hears me Venti - appropriate for her!

 

My first attempt at 'foiling' [I used Tombow glue!] and a little Keren Baker trick with acetate!

 

Well that's it for another month ... see you in what will seem like a week!  But, please head over to the 12 Kits of Occasions blog ... I hang out with SUCH talented girls!

 

Thanks, so much, for stopping by!  Cheers!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





My friend Bobby ... Playing cards 'for real!'

Anyone looking at these big smiles would clearly know what fun Bobby Hagen and I have when we get together.  It only happens two times a year, but at the end of the day, we are so blessed to share this time, fun, food, and friendship.

We keep a running tally between visits [and I say we, but really it's Bobby who is our fabulous Secretary] of the items we'd like to share.  There are two little #Wplus9 sets that we chose to share this time!

Here is my little card using Bobby's Punny Produce: Pears:

I totally agree with this statement! 

I heat embossed on vellum, did Copic coloring on the back, and Distress coloring on the front.

 

I also borrowed Wplus9's Pear dies ... which are not actually meant to cut the pun-y pears - but to stand alone in a great way!

 

 

I am already thinking of a new set that my friend recently got ... can you guess what it is, Bobby?  Here is a hint - it could be from Altenew!  Cannot wait to see what Bobby created with my little #Wplus9 Peach set ... or until next time we get together ... I must run to Bits & Pieces to see!  Won't you come, too?

 

Thank you all for the visit, today - have a wonderful weekend!

 

=]  Michele



CAS[E] this Sketch #170

Hannelie Bester is our sketch artist this week - it is bold, fantastic, and oh so fun - just like I imagine its creator to be!

I couldn't help using another of the Altenew Beautiful Day flowers I created while I had my hot little hands on Bobby's stamps!  This time I also used her inks!

For CTS #170:

My panels were cut from a 4.25 x 5.5 inch panel of Fog cardstock, then cut to mimic Hannelie's sketch.  I opted to use an MFT die to

add faux stitched lines on the upper panels, and to the card base to form the other panels.

 

OH I do LOve grey, plus any other color!

 

I  hope I have inspired you in some little way to play along with us at CAS[E] this Sketch this week! 

 

I'm off to check on my team-mates cards!  You should come along!  I cannot wait to see the card that inspired Hannelie's sketch -  oh no, I try really hard not to peek at any of their cards until after I post mine - are you surprised?

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Playing Cards with Barb Ghig!

I am so happy to be playing cards with my friend, and such a talented card designer, Barb Ghigliotty of Barb's Studio Creations again!  This time it happened because we were both blown away by a most talented 'friend' of ours around the world:  Therese Calvird of Lost in Paper! 

Barb and I unknowingly play 'follow the leader' with our comments on Therese's fabulous YouTube videos.  Therese has done brilliant things with Altenew floral layering stamps.  Here is the card that Barb and I have chosen to CASE today:

 

Bobby was happy to bring along her Altenew stash last week so I could have a play with their layering stamps.  I had a blast with the Beautiful Day flowers - are fantastic!  [they might just have to come live with me! or maybe I'll go live with Bobby!!!]

 

So, Barb, here you go!  I totally forgot the sentiment, duh, but I'll remember it before it goes into the mail, my friend! 

 

 

Lucky ME to have that lovely embossing folder - wait.  You're not surprised?

 

So.  a question for you... 

CASE = copy and steal, or share, everything? 

I even felt guilty putting my watermark on it!!!

 

LOVED this 'virtual' play day with you, Barb and Therese!!  Let's do it again real soon!  xx

 

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #233

Seems I just needed that day with a crafty friend to give my mojo a little kick in the craft!

For Freshly Made Sketches #233 and Amy's cool sketch:

 

The first person who guesses the source of my

button material, gets the card!!!

 

MFT's Stitched with Love stamps, and dies.

Avery Elle Neutral Collection 6x6 pad and a snippet of wood veneer paper.

 

Yes.  I think I've captured the essence ... a stitch - just in time!

 

=]  Michele

A Friend for all Seasons - CASEplorations: Donna Mikasa

Friends are just what a girl needs for a gentle word, or a kick in the pants!  I don't know why I didn't get here sooner - life, and this funk, just need to be put on the sidelines for the day! 

I have Bobby Hagen coming over to 'play cards' and a very special, beautiful friend [that I WILL meet one day] to CASE!

Donna Mikasa - what can I say?  It was love at first sight!  LOve your re-mastered card, too...



Your gorgeous leaves were just the inspiration I needed to create a card for you!








Are you ready?  For YOU - my friend-for-all Seasons, and CASEplorations:

SSS Explore Nature;  MFT Distressed Patterns;  N&T Scandinavian Prints

Distressed Inks for coloring

 

Since this was made for my darling friend, I'll be sending it over to Virginia's View Link-up Party, too!

 

Thanks for all your sweet messages yesterday!  I really, truly do feel better today!

 

=]  Michele

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #169

I'm back with another fabulous sketch from Chrissy Larson!

I was delighted to sit, even for a moment, to play with one little bloom, and a great little sentiment from Neat and Tangled - for CTS #169:

The CTS team has loads of inspiration at the blog for you - we hope we'll inspire you to play along!  See you in the gallery!

=]  Michele

Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #8

"When in doubt, get dies out" is my motto!  Since my mojo has been truly missing this week, I thought those were words to craft by today!

 

For Challenge #8, I've taken inspiration from the diagonal line that includes: 

• 3 of a kind, Color, and Food/drink

So my card includes:

• three die cut words
• color - only a chef would paint with frosting, right?
• and those darling frosting/pastry bag dies [a kindness from Jeanne J. xx]

Thanks for stopping by today ... you all help pick me up when I'm a bit down!  xx

 

=]  Michele

 

             

Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #7

The newest Tic-Tac-Toe challenge is up, and I was inspired to play today, after seeing Tracie's darling little pocket card!  She and her husband also joined us for dinner last evening!  Tracie I am holding you to that 'play-date' soon!

 

 

For Challenge #7, I've chosen the first vertical row:  Bunny, Decorative Frames, and Washi - here is my simple little card:

Mama E. Honey Bunny and sentiment; Washi sheet from JoAnn's

SSS and Avery Elle decorative frames

 

Now doesn't he just look like he's giving you his complete attention?  I decided that was the message, and no amount of embellishment would make him cuter!  Hope the team agrees!

 

Thanks, Tracie, for inspiring me to play along this week - and to all my friends who make me smile with their virtual visits, and kindness!

 

=]  Michele

E.T.A. this pleasant surprise, on April 21st:



CAS[E] this Sketch #168

Hi my friends!  I am home from a ten day journey with my hubby ... always fun, no matter where we roam!  But, I missed you!

Here I am with CAS[E] #168 compliments of our awesome Sam Simpson ... a perfect sketch for a few much-needed thank you cards:

Thanks, Sam!

 

As is often the way I do things, I've written the inside sentiment first!  Here is my card ...

 

 

Inside:

"No matter the distance between us, my friend ...

you are right next door in my heart!"

 

I'm happy to be home, but these moments in my life?  Just live on forever... here are the other two wonderful friends I visited:

 

Lisa Elton and I in her fabulous craft-closet!

A big surprise for Deepti and son!

 

Thank you, ladies, for the visits, hugs, memories, and sharing your hearts with me.  Hmmmm... where could we go next? 

 

YOU all should run quickly to the CTS blog and see all the wonders from my teamies ... always a treat, and please do play along - we love it when you do!!!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 







CASology Week 193: PINK

Many of you know that my darling little Gretchen Michele is now home ... yes, it seems Grammy had to leave town first!  If I had known, I would have left weeks ago!!  She is thriving, and may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your precious thoughts, and prayers?  So appreciated - many, many thanks!  For those prayers, I'll share my first-ever snuggle:

For CASology's Week 193: PINK I was so tempted to make another baby card ... but I need to make one for Gretchen's big sister, who was such a trooper for the 55 days that Mom was away taking care of baby sister!  The funny thing is: Madelyn doesn't like pink - go figure!!! 

A little piece of tulle left from a 12 kits kit;  MME Market Street paper;

SSS Hello Beautiful, and Concord & 9th Sophisticated Script for the sentiment.

 

Hmmm ... I think I know just the little girl this one should go to:

 

Is she not the cutest ever??!!  Yep... momma, too!

Lindsey and Meg met us for a visit last week en route

to Myrtle Beach!

I'm still smiling, and cannot wait for the next time!!

 

I am struggling just a bit getting back into the swing of things - but CASology, and my CTS card, can always manage to get the juices flowing!! 

 

Purple is Mady's favorite color - back to the drawing board!!

 

=]  Michele

 



 



CAS[E] this Sketch #167

I'm going a bit modern-graphic with the new sketch from N@ Ali this week - for CAS[E] this Sketch #167:

At first, I imagined those banners as elements lifted up, or placed upon the panel ... I've been itching to use a little die that hasn't seen the light of day in some time.  Here is how I've interpreted N@'s  sketch:

Die-cut stripes, and lifted sentiment, using some of my favorite colors, for an all-occasion card.  Bam!

How will you use the banners on the sketch?  Well we cannot ever get over how clever you all are!  See you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele

Muse Card Club #160

Hello friends!  It's me ... your Muse this week!  I'm happy to be bringing you a pretty simple card, and thinking it's time to say how grateful I am.  For those of you who visit, who take time out of your busy lives to leave a kind word, and support my journey in Blogland, and Muse!  This one's for YOU!

MFT background stamp; that cute little butterfly from Lisa E.

 

So there you have it ... tell me, do you have a few people in your lives that you are grateful for?  I'm betting you do, and hope you'll share!  Most of all, have fun with this!

=]  Michele xx

No peeking, Lindsey!!! CASology: Week 191 Washi

Spoiler alert!!!  Lindsey Larson - don't read one more word!!!

=]  By the time this challenge has ended, I will be hand-delivering this little card [and a few goodies] to my friend, and 12 Kits Teamie, Lindsey Larson. 

Yep, we're hitting the road again, folks!  Lindsey lives in Virginia, which just happens to be the route I've planned to our final destination: N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!  How can I resist putting another tick-mark on my blogging friends list??

For CASology's Washi challenge - by the way, I had to buy this one - too cute, to resist!

A new set from Neat & Tangled arrived just in time, too!

One last little polka dot bag from Impress in Seattle - I'll be back!

 

So, friends, if I seem a little quiet this week, you'll know why ... never fear - we'll catch up, soon!  OH if you live near Myrtle Beach?  give me a shout!  xx

 

=]  Michele

Happy Little Stampers CASE and ColourQ #335

I would not miss the opportunity to CASE my friend, Joyce - and OH what a gorgeous number she's given us to work with:

So here is where the Happy Little Stampers took me:



Okay, you know how I feel about mixing challenges together?  I could not resist the chance to play cards with Tracey Pond when she Facebook-challenged Kristie Goulet and I to play at ColourQ with this combination:



 

I've come as close as I could with the cQc #335 colors, Tracey!!  Now where is YOUR card?

 

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

 

=]  Michele