Inspired by All the Little Things #34

I've had this gorgeous inspiration photo from Inspired by All the Little Things sitting on my desk for days... since my 12 Kits compadre is the guest designer, it seems fitting I enter a card ... congrats, Joyce!

Here is the loveliness I'm referring to:

There is just something so elegant about the colors in the photo.  Since I've posted photos of my own Christmas display in our new home, I couldn't resist 'building' that buffet!  The words escaped me - bet you never thought I'd say that!

 

Mama Elephant Peek-a-frame window - twice!  from wood-grain paper that Bobby gave me,

but I blended a bit of Crumb Cake ink onto-

really old Fancy Pants paper-even older Queen & Co. pearls-

Die-namics wreath

 

I hope you all are staying inside, crafting 'til your hearts are content!   Your visits warm my heart ... who cares if it's cold outside!

 

=]  Michele

 

 So happy to be honored by Tracey at

Inspired by All the Little Things!!!

 



The 12 Kits of Occasions!

It's the last day of the month? ... shouldn't there be 31 days in November?  or every month for that matter?  Of course, I'm late again! 

It's 12 Kits time!!!  Kim is our Hostess this month, and I know she will understand ... right Kim?  xx

Enough chit chat ... we've all got Christmas cards to finish - thank goodness I was able to get four more cards made from Kim's darling Happy Howlidays kit to add to the stack heading to the post office!

Here they are ... ready, set, go!

An afterthought:  this car should appear to go backwards, without a driver!!!

 

I couldn't resist adding this little starry night sky from Lindsey to the mix!

Santa's version of 'here's Johnny!!'

 

My BFF had a little dachshund when we were kids ... this

will be her Christmas card this year!

Do you get my sense of humor yet?

 

 

One more:

You'll forgive me if I dash ... come along, won't you?  I can't wait to see what my teamies have created!!!

 

Thanks for stopping by ... means the world to me ...

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Make it Monday #268

Can you imagine how happy my heart was when I received this week's Make it Monday edition?  OH happy, happy ... I get to make another two layered Mitten tag!

Papertrey, do you mind that I gave your darling Mitten a little hand-knit* look?  =]

I sure hope not!  because it really looks gorgeous, especially decorated with your Spruce & Sprigs and lovely button twine!

OH!  I nearly forgot to show the second layer!!!

The perfect sentiment, right?

From Warmest Wishes!

 

My tag design uses a brad [we all have them buried deep somewhere!] to allow the recipient to swing the tag open ...

I even stamped 'hand-made just for you' on the back!

I'm in a Mitten State state of mind!

 

Thanks for the visit!

=]  Michele

 

*the texture comes from a Richard Garay embossing folder, from Hobby Lobby.

A crafty weekend!

Tom and I got our craft on over the weekend!  Yes, he is my best bud, and enjoys getting crafty with me - I can tell you he got a few smiles in line at Michael's, too!  He was the only guy in the entire store, and not one complaint about the 50 people in line.  Yes.  I do know how lucky I am =]

I'm delighted to be showcasing one of our little string trees - with my card using a wonderful Technique Tuesday set, using one of their gorgeous Greenhouse Society sets from 2015:  Holly! [I'm hoping the 2016 Thistle will be finding its way into my Christmas stocking!  any other Braveheart fans out there?]

 Distress ink water coloring

 

You may remember my little paper houses?  Though I haven't made the 2016 version yet, we're happy with the addition of the trees, and love their place of honor in our new home.

 

those little tea lights are placed inside in the evening, but this soft morning light looks pretty, too!

 

I'm nearly there with my Christmas cards - it's time to get them in the mail!

Thank you for stopping by!  It makes my spirits bright!

=]  Michele

 

The Flower Challenge #2

Often times, sympathy cards are the most difficult to make, but those most appreciated.  While a death in the family, or that of a friend is not an occasion we enjoy, their life most certainly is meant to be celebrated, right?   

I created this sympathy card using the gorgeous Altenew Lotus blossom, and coordinating dies.  It was first stamped, then cut in two steps: first the flower then the leaf, so I could create a little dimension.  The little 4.25" square card was made quite some time ago... just waiting for the perfect finish!

For The Flower Challenge #2:

the perfect words from Technique Tuesday

Though this is one of those gorgeous layering stamp sets, the outline, gold heat-embossed makes for a wonderful water-coloring opportunity ... this time, a simple bit of Distress Inks.

Thanks for the visit today ... I do hope you will come back, soon!

=]  Michele

Farewell Tic Tac Toe

Even if I wasn't able to play with every challenge, Tic Tac Toe has really been a fun place to play cards!  To Ka, and her wonderful design team, farewell and wishes for all the best!

While I was SO tempted to created an all white card, that middle vertical row caught my attention this time - and gave me a way to say goodbye like only a Michigander would do ... a mitten!

Die-cut alpha word, dimension from the embossing,

and in the shape of a Mitten!

Inside:

 

Hope you all have a chance to play along with this, their final, challenge!

While I'm at it, since it is an embossed slip of PTI Linen VELLUM, I'm sending this one over to The 25 Days of Christmas Tags that my friend Tracey McNeely has happening this month ... always fun!!  Day 16 is sponsored by The Muse Christmas Visions group of lovelies!  Lindsey's double-layered snowflake covered beauty is certainly all the inspiration I needed!

=]  Michele

Second Helpings of JOY

As promised, I'm back with another card for Fusion: Joy!  this time with a little whimsy:

The fantastic Nichole Heady of PTI strung little pom-poms for her card, and I thought it was the cutest idea - thanks,  Nichole!  I created a little JOY [Concord & 9th again - this time in plaid - swoon!] for a tiny mantle - and thought it was just about time that one of my favorite wood panels saw some light!

 

I'm off to play with even more grey for another challenge - these folks are really making me a happy challenge participant!

 

=]  Michele

Fusion: JOY!

Do you believe in love at first sight?  I do:

 

 

I knew in a moment that I'd play along with this little Fusion Joy grey and white lovely!  [oh. and there could be Second Helpings, too!  ;]  I combined the photo and sketch for my card:

 

 

We are having the first bit of snow for the season!  I couldn't resist adding a bit of Nuvo snow to my die cuts.  Concord & 9th provided the Joy-filled word,  MFT the wreaths, sprigs, and that gorgeous grey cardstock:  Gravel Grey in this case.

 

Thanks for stopping by on a Saturday!  It certainly does bring joy to my heart!  I'll be back with those Second Helpings, soon!

 

=]  Michele

 

              

                SO very honored to add:



 

 





CAS[E] this Sketch #199

Chrissy's Sketch did truly make me happy, happy, HAPPY!  I had the perfect inspiration from #199:

 

It came in the form of Christmas words, on another little plaid platform ... can you sense a theme for my Christmas cards this year?

 

More of that lovely Lawn Fawn Winter plaid! 
I admit to buying it just for this lovely grey!

We can't wait to see which word, or words you'll choose for your own version of Sketch #199!  See you in the gallery, but let's meet at the blog for a peek at the lovelies my teamies have created, okay?

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

 

 



The Heart Desires - second helpings!

Thank you to The Heart Desires for inviting me to play cards as a Guest Designer for Challenge #6 - that team is so sweet, they even ask 'runner ups' to be their guests!  OH and thanks to that handsome dude in the inspiration photo for helping me get my mojo on!  Don't you love him? 

 

For my second helping, I've worked with that awesome sketch, and captured a few other elements of the photo... see if you can find them:

 

Die-namics wreath; Neat & Tangled Perfect Blend to-go cup
and a few more found papers from my leftover-Christmas stash -
it truly is like Christmas all over again!

 Thank you for all your sweet messages!  I'm off to check out all of your creations ... you're playing cards, too, right?

 

=]  Michele

 



Inspired by All the Little Things #32

Inspired by All the Little Things is featuring Rosemary Dennis of hey there... rosigrl!   and if that isn't enough reason to play along,  take a peek at the inspiration photo:

As many did, I thought first of the Two Feet Deep set from Papertrey Ink... am I right?  Perfect little skis, fabulous dies.  Here is my take using them with a bit of wood veneer:

 

 

Now.  Did you happen to notice that I've created a little 'stripe-y' goodness in the background ... yep!  This one is also off to see Virginia for her latest Challenge: #25 Stripes and Plaids! 



                                       

 

I just know you are all busy creating your own Christmas/Holiday cards right now ... even more reason to thank you for stopping by for a visit!  Thank you SO much...

 

=]  Michele



MFT Color Challenge #57

When the MFT Color Challenge hit my email box this morning, I knew immediately what I wanted to do ... execution took me the rest of the day!  I LOVE GRAY!!!  But I must be honest, those MFT cardstocks haven't reached my mailbox YET!  I had to get a little inventive using my stash =]

With a nice little pile of MFT products [listed below], this is my card for Color Challenge #57:

 

Oh my goodness I've been waiting a year to make this card!  That little Jingle all the Way set was out of stock forever!

 

Happy that you had a moment [or two] to stop by today!

 

=]  Michele

 

Supplies:  Jingle all the way! - for the sweet little picker & Santa sentiment

                   Harvest Mouse - for the perfect little sentiment

                   Jumbo Dot Cover-up

                   Peek-a-boo Wonky Window

                   Wonky Stitched Stack

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #198

There are times, when viewing the next great Sketch, I wonder what the designer's inspiration was ... you know?  This one nearly stumped me, N@ =]

I had a few snippets still on my desk, and they saved me, once again!  NEVER throw those pretty little useable goodies away, is what I've learned lately ... like these darlings: 

... can make this happen:

I'm totally loving my newest little embossing folder - Richard Garay, you've made my holiday cards this year!

Okay!  Let's all run over to CAS[E] this Sketch #198 to see what my talented teamies have created!  You'll join us this week, won't you?

=]  Michele

Lawnscaping Challenge #141

Combine a CAS challenge from Lawn Fawn with Ellen Hutson - I am IN!!!  I mean WHO wouldn't want a little shopping spree for a prize?

I had just received my wonderful little Perfectly Plaid-Winter 6x6 pad ... couldn't wait to create... this one came to me first - can you tell I was listening to Christmas music?:

Winnie and Walter always come to my rescue for the perfect words!

Celebrate is from Neat & Tangled.  Wplus9 provided the banner die.

any Kenny Loggins fans?  a favorite for sure!

But today I went for an even more CAS design because #141 IS a CAS challenge, add this darling little die from Ellen's Essentials latest release, and my favorite little Lawn Fawn dies ...  Stitched Leaves, of course.

Oh.  I DO Believe!  and am thankful to all who visit!

=]  Michele

Inspired by All the Little Things

My bloggy friend LeAnne Pugliese is featured at this week's Inspired by All the Little Things Challenge #31.  Now how could I not be inspired to play cards with them this week?  This face! 

 

 

You only have to take a look at the design team's cards,

and you will instantly be inspired, too!

You girls got me right out of my comfort zone ... look at me getting all layered up, and distressing, too!!!

 

PTI Chickadee, Altenew sentiment, various embossed images from

Winnie & Walter's In Bloom: Elsa's Flora - quickly becoming a favorite!

They were PERFECT to create a few elements from the photo!

Oh... and Dad's hammer came out to play today, too, for a bit of random embossed dots

 always fun =]

I have surely enjoyed digging through my box of Christmas papers ... everything is looking brand new to me!

 

Thanks for the visit today ... it always makes me smile!

 

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 



 

Inspired by Day 5 at 25 Days...

I was so happy to see Winnie & Walter as the sponsor for Day 5 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags ... well, I did have all of those darling sets out from Day 4 already!  Besides their wonderful products, Shay has the most generous heart!

Today, Heather Pulvirenti used the darling little wreath from Happy Christmas ... sadly I don't have the die YET!  But, guess what?  Using the base die from True Multifaceted Circle Cutaways, and any old 1.75" circle die you might have, one can truly make it all work out ... see for yourself:

My pretty Poinsettia- just over an inch! - is also from Happy Christmas, and this darling teensy tag is in my all-time favorite Essentials:  Noelle Cutaways.

Is it awful to say I kinda love it!?  OH and Ellen Hutson gives these darling little thank-you packages of ribbon with each order ... thank you #ellenhutsonllc for this gorgeous red one!

I keep saying I'm not a tag maker, but these little sweeties could turn me around!

Thanks for stopping by on a Saturday!  xx

=]  Michele

25 days of Christmas Tags - The Card Concept

Tracey McNeely is celebrating Christmas again this year with this wonderful event ... now, I don't give actual presents for Christmas, but I'm about to send off a batch of 25 cards, so it's a perfect time to make a tag for the package!

It is Day 4, and I was inspired by Virginia Lu's gorgeous water-colored poinsettia ... perfect timing, Virginia - though mine is totally different, you inspired me to water color!

 

 

I was also inspired by this week's photo from

The Card Concept #61:

 

 

Gorgeous isn't it?  With a few distress inks, a gorgeous little Poinsettia from W&W's In Bloom: Elsa's Flora, Miriam Prantner's doily tag die from Neat & Tangled, the perfect die cut from MFT for the 'keys' and MAJOR surgery to an old stamp set that I never use, I was able to put together a sweet little Christmas message!

 



I'm about to make a Christmas wish come true!   shhhh... she may be reading this!  =]

=]  Michele

Tic-Tac-Toe: Challenge 21

Each time I enter a CAS challenge, I always wonder:  is it CAS enough?  Some say 'lots of white space' others say 'few added elements'  and 'very little layering' suggests a CAS design. 

At this point, I'm betting you've guessed the row I've chosen will have a CAS square!

My card, using: Home Sweet Home - Use Tiny Die-cuts- CAS

Inside:  ... it looks like Christmas will be a little less Merry without you.
Winnie & Walter cutaways, and  those tiny little Wplus9 Holiday Houses combine beautifully!

I guess the Team will decide, and hopefully let me know if it's CAS enough - which row have you chosen from the Tic Tac Toe challenge 21? 

 

Thanks for spending two little times with me today!

 

=]  Michele