Where Creativity Meets C9 Challenge

Where Creativity Meets C9 Challenge 6, and a few Concord & 9th sets have been living on my desk for weeks now ... it's time - and I'm coming in close to the deadline!!!  

  So I'm going to cut right to the chase... for WCMC9:  Challenge 6: LOVE!

It truly made itself ... Love you, mean it! & Wildflower* sets came together to make just the perfect card I needed!

Thanks for stopping in ... and if it's your second visit today?  Double-thank you!!!  xx

=]  Michele

*thank you a million times over to that wonderful friend who sent me this set!!!
 

12 Kits of Occasions - Garden Party!

February is my favorite Winter month ... guess why?  Because it's the shortest!!!  We also had fewer days to wait to play with our 12 Kits of Occasions team!!

Michelle Leone is our Host this month!  and who better to have a theme called "Garden Party?"  Two Ls, as I have always called her, sent us the prettiest little packet of garden variety gorgeousness... enough with the chit chat ... let's get this party started!!

Here is a tiny peek into Michelle's kit:

Thanks, Lindsey, for the photo!

 

You'll soon see that I've barely made a dent in it, but here goes - beverage ready?

 

"It doesn't get more beautiful than that...at any age!

 Happy birthday, gorgeous!!!"

 

"For a very HOPPY, and blessed, Easter!"

 

 

"Hope yours is blooming awesome!"

 

"You're always there as my shelter from any storm!"

"For a moment, this nest didn't feel empty at all!"

 

Last of all, and perhaps the quickest card I've EVER made!

 

 "Life is too short to have it any other way!"

 

With that I leave you ... perhaps you've stopped by from the 12 Kits of Occasions blog ... if not, please do head over there!

You won't bee-lieve your eyes...

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #276 and Fusion P.I.P.

It's Sunday, it's sunny, and I'm feeling good!  Add a little craft time, and that bumps it up to great.

Here is where I'm playing cards today:

 I'm betting there isn't one among us who would mind a little heart in, or on, their birthday card... this one goes out in March to a sweet team mate, and it is perfect for FMS276!

Fusion is all about Pretty in Pink this week ... these papers are in my favorite shades, and I didn't mind playing with them a little more.  I'm going for a fusion of elements from their Sketch, and photo:

Both my cards were inspired by fabulous designers in our card-making world....

The first:  Rebecca Luminarias, of Thurston Post, who blew my mind with her tassels, and magical fringed creations over at Winnie & Walter on Saturday ... promise you'll stop over to check them out! 

The second little woven goodness, inspired by Jennifer McGuire ... I just loved the way she used up her snippets in this post. 

Thank you to all of you, too for stopping by today ... hope your Sunday has been blessed.

=]  Michele

Stamps:  Wplus9 for Easter sentiment: Spring Post, and Strictly Sentiments 2
Dies:  W&W:  Flawless Heart Cutaways; and Lulu Fringe Cutaway.  Heidi Swapp:  happy.  MFT Basic stitched lines
Paper:  Soft Stone: PTI and various snippets of paper from my stash;  DCWV woven paper.

E.H. Pin Sights Challenge - Aqua - Take Two

I said I couldn't stop at one ... to remind you why that is, see the mood board of gorgeousness below! 

Ellen's Pin-Sights Challenge for February has everything that moves me to craft ... even when at 93%!  [yes, I may have pushed the envelope a wee bit yesterday, unless I truly did canoe the Nile during the night!]

Here is 'take two':

I've used Julie's Christmas Scribbles for my attempt to recreate the feathered fabulous on THE dress!!! and  'Spread the Sparkle'  for the sparkle-y goodness in the touch of stickles, and the sentiments.  Oh, who can resist adding gold to aqua?

Thanks for sharing some of your time visiting with me this week ... it truly has been appreciated. 

=]  Michele

Here's the gorgeousness I promised:

E.H. Pin-Sights Challenge - Aqua!

Okay, I'm 80% better, and yesterday even felt up to crafting a little ... this beauty at the Ellen Hutson Pin-Sights Challenge for this month, was my inspiration:

need I say more?

 



My first ...

because who could not be inspired to make more? ...

 

For Aqua, for my love of perfect words:

 

Winnie & Walter's Lola's Bouquet provided the vases ...

Julie Ebersole, the words, from Amazing Women.

 

 

Thank you for all of your kindness, healing thoughts, and prayers, too ... I do believe!  and you are all so kind!

 

=]  Michele

 

 



 



CAS[E] the Sketch #210

Leigh Penner has another fun Sketch for us this week - I can't wait to see the card that inspired this:

My mind scattered like these leaves, then armed with a few new goodies, I put an idea to paper:

These are just the words I'm chanting today ... I caught some terrible bug ... and I NEVER get sick ... a spa day may be just what the doctor ordered!

I do hope you find yourself inspired to play along ... let's go check out what the fabulous CTS team has made ... that will do it, every time!

=]  Michele

Supplies:  Essentials by Ellen:  Spa Day and Spa Day Dies by Brandi Kincaid
                    Essentials by Ellen:  Mirror, Mirror by Brandi Kincaid
                   Wplus9 Hayride, and Melon Fresh Ink by Impress
                    Winnie & Walter Essentials:  Audrey Cutaways
           

Essentials by Ellen - Otterly ADORBS!

I'm making this a quick post ... caught a bug - UGH! 

I couldn't let the day go by without sharing two cards I made using a few of the awesome sets that were released yesterday from Essentials by Ellen - Otterly Awesome! and coordinating dies, and Wonky Backdrops - all by the incomparable Julie Ebersole!

I LOve Otters - LOVE them!  This stamp set took me back to one of my many trips to Seattle, and my first of many visits to their fabulous aquarium! 

I wanted to try a little 'underwater' look ... tell me if you think I managed it?  I simply used blue ink to stamp the under water half - then tucked the stamped/die cut image through a slit in the paper.

Julie has given us the most adorable sentiments to choose from - this one is perfect for my guy!

 

Here's a second card ... just because they are too fun to stop at just one!

So happy that I felt great on Monday ... Tuesday was another story - but I just want to thank each and every one of you for your kindness, and sweet comments!  Also, to those of you who went to Instagram to watch that Mirror, Mirror in action!!  Truly makes my heart smile ...

=]  Michele

Essentials by Ellen - New release Blog Hop!

 

 

 Welcome to the February 2017 Essentials by Ellen Release Hop!  I'm so excited to be Hopping along!  If you've arrived from Julie's Hop post, you're right on track ... imagine being tucked between  Julie Ebersole  and Kelly Griglione in a HOP?  No pressure there, right?? 

 

I’ll be showcasing several of the newest fab Essentials by Ellen products on my post today!  First up:  one of Julie Ebersole's darling new creations:  Oh, Deer! 

  

I've created a sweet little family scene, using Delicata Gold, and Versafine Smokey gray ink, and a little left-over die-cut Valentine:

 

Julie even included their darling little footprints!

 

I also had a bit of fun with the card-base... here's a little close-up to see the peek-a-boo split:

 

 

If you know me at all, you'll guess there is a sweet little message inside for the recipient - it has been SO hard not to pop this in the mail!

 

I had a great time with my next assignment:  Mirror, Mirror - by Brandi Kincaid:

 

 

and its coordinating dies:

 

 

AND my very first attempt at using Chibitronics!

Here is my card ... but you'll have to dash over to my IG page [mfergu01] to see it in action!

 

the perfect embossing folder for a bit of Hollywood glam!

 

Aren't they SO fun?!?!  Every single new product  in the Essentials by Ellen Winter 2017 line is fantastic!  You know I haven't stopped at two cards, right?  More soon, but for now ...

 

It’s a good thing you are here because I’m giving away an Essentials by Ellen stamp set!  The winner may choose any in stock Essentials by Ellen brand stamp set  (Maximum value $25 USD) at Ellen Hutson.com  To enter, please leave a comment on today’s post by Tuesday, February 28!

There is also an AMAZING Grand Giveaway on the CLASSroom!  To enter, be sure to leave a comment there, too, by Tuesday, February 28!

ALL winners will be announced at the CLASSroom on Friday, March 3! Please check there on that date to see if you are a winner and for further details on claiming your prize!

If you get lost along the hop, please visit the CLASSroom blog for a complete list of all the designers.

Happy hoppin’!  Who's next?  Only the fabulous Ms. Kelly Griglione  that's who!!!

 

=]  Michele

Winnie & Walter 3rd Birthday Bash - Stenciling with Kelly

Kelly Griglione has a Stencil Challenge for us in the 3rd Birthday Bash at Winnie & Walter!  Kelly, I did what you asked this time!

Creating a card using one of the many Creative Screenings that Winnie & Walter has to offer is something I should do more of ... honestly?  I have a love/hate relation with blending!  BUT today I used a wonder trio of pigment inks - what a difference the ink can make!

Armed with a bevy of W&W products, [instructions and a list below] I blended, die cut, stamped, and bedazzled on this card ... hope you like it!  Here is a little close-up:

Thanks for the visit today!  I'll be back with a super fun Hop tomorrow! 

=]  Michele

1.  Stamped using a few various blooms and leaves from In Bloom: Anna's Flora
on water color card stock, using three Impress Fresh Inks:  basil, ginger, and melon!
2.  Die cut the 'hi' cutaway.
3.  Stenciled an A2 piece of Neenah Solar White #110 card stock using Scenery: The Leaf Effects Creative Screenings.
4.  Cut the smaller panel with Essentials: Audrey Cutaways
5.  Stamped my sunshine sentiment from Sentimental Endearments and cut with the luggage strap from Noelle's Cutaways.
6.  Adhered the outer frame, lifted with fun foam; added the inner panel directly onto the card base, lifted the perfect word, and bedazzled with the latest little gift from W&W - those lovely little glassine packets of sequins!  and Stickles!

Celebrating 2013 with Papertrey Ink

Papertrey Ink is celebrating 2013 in such a beautiful style ... I had to jump on board with a card today, using Hands of Time - it might have been among my first purchases, and I only bought the clock face and hands dies! 

You'll be surprised to know that the inspiration for my card came from a completely different 2013 release:  Pedal Pusher - but more specifically this card, by Jessica Witty... ride like the wind over to her blog to see it!!!

Now for my card ... I must tell you it's a sympathy card - but sadness can be softened by beauty, if just for a moment - all the sentiments are kept inside, as they are from my heart, and for a special nephew, whose heart is in need of a hug.

The clock hands are die cut, but the clock-face is embossed onto the Smoky Shadow card-base ... I think Jessica may have used the same little Martha Stewart [age old] punch for her butterflies!  I hope she'll see it, and like it, too!

Thanks for the visits this week ... hope you have fun plans or just get extra time in your craft rooms!

Tom and I are entertaining one of our little granddaughters this weekend... he thought 'glow in the dark ping-pong' would be good for a nine-year-old!!!  He's the best Gramps!

=]  Michele xxxxx

The Paper Players #331

Take a look at this Color Challenge at The Paper Players, and then tell me how I could ever resist it?

I have a few more new goodies from Winnie & Walter's newest release just dying to play along, too!

Mini Scenery: Bed of Roses

 

Here is a little close-up shot of that gorgeous

Hero Arts copper embossing:

 

 

Seems I've double-dipped into your space again today - hope you don't mind?  Thanks for dropping by ... it means the world to me...

 

=]  Michele

 

Inks:  Altenew Blush, and Evening Grey to water-color.  PTI Smokey Shadow for my Technique Tuesday sentiment.  SSS Slate cardstock



CAS[E] this Sketch #209

Valentine's day is over, but it's never too late to say I love you, right?

Here is the fun Sketch Chrissy created for us to play cards with this week:

I couldn't resist using these darling Lil' Inker heart and word dies again ...  does this remind any of you of a certain oldie but goodie show?

A few new perfect words from Winnie & Walter fit the bill perfectly!

 

I have a friend here in blogland [oh she's your friend, too, I'm sure of it!] who just completely makes my card-making life so much fun ... Ethel, our friendship has totally inspired my card ... you'll understand if I give it to my Valentine?!

 

Hope you join me as I run over to CTS  ... my team-mate's cards will be such a treat to see, I'm sure!

 

 ... hope to see you in our gallery, too!

 

=]  Lucy xx

The Heart Desires Challenge #9 Extra Helpings!

The Heart Desires has drawn me back, as I keep seeing this darling Mood Board in my blog feeds!  Haven't seen it?  Oh I'm happy to share it again:

This card is dedicated to all of YOU - Happy Valentine's Day!  you are the sweetest friends a girl could dream of!

I couldn't resist trying to recreate the pocket on that chicken - so clucking cute!

=]  Michele

My Favorite Things dies like this would work perfectly, too!  I've used their Gerbera Daises, and stitched details.  The sentiment is from MFT BB Harvest Mouse.  Martha Stewart butterfly punch.

I'm so sorry that I don't know the source of these pretty papers, but perhaps one of you may know?  I rarely use an entire 6x6 paper pad, but this one I've so much I've lost the cover?

Inspired by All the Little Things - #43

I have had a love affair with making cards inspired by photos for quite some time ... Inspired by All the Little Things has such wonderful ones - guess who has been invited to play along?!

Here is the lovely photo that I was given to play with - and, yes, I have the pleasure of inviting YOU to play cards with us, too!

I have taken my inspiration from the colors, shapes, the vase of flowers, and that fabulous mirror in the photo ...

here is the result:

Thank you to Karren Johnson, from the Inspired by All the Little Things team, for the honor of joining the Challenge this month as their guest designer!  What a treat to have a card among the glorious creations by their top-notch team!

Thank YOU to every one of you for stopping by today ... it always makes my heart smile!

=]  Michele 

Supplies:
SSS Roses for you
Wplus9 4Bar Stitched Rectangle dies
Recollections foil cardstock
Recollections shimmer paper
PTI Linen vellum
Picked Raspberry distress ink

W&W 3rd Birthday! A tale of two Ks

This is my last post for today ... promise!!  I know I've been invading your space, but I LOve Winnie & Walter, and every one of the Birthday Bash Challenges!

You may wonder about my blogpost title:  A tale of two Ks... Kerren Baker, and Kelly Griglione have Two different Challenges:  Off the Page ... and Stencil!  You must run over to see their beautiful creations!!!  for some reason Blogger isn't playing nice with copy/paste today!

I've combined those two Challenges, and created one card that fits both ... ready?  First a close-up so you can see the acetate addition, and my favorite way of using W&W's Creative Screenings - a.k.a. stencils.

Inside:  "SO colorful!"

Scenery: Into the Woods Creative Screenings

was dry-embossed onto my cardstock,

and those darling butterflies, and my tag, are from

Audrey's Cutaways

see how they magically change color as they leave the page!?

Another perfect word:  Friend[s] from

The Big, the Bold, and Friends Cutaways 

 

 

I hope it's okay with you girls that I've combined your Challenges ... both wonderful - but I think you play cards beautifully together!  xx

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Supplies:

Paper:  a bit of packing cardboard for the card base!  [thanks Michelle Leone!] and a very old, much loved Cosmo Cricket, vellum from PTI

Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

 



 



CAS[E] this Sketch #208

We have another Sketch from N@ Ali that really stirs the creative juices ... we can't wait to see where your creative minds take it...

I gave it a little flip, and added a fun little 'heart' ...
for Sketch #208:

Inside: 

" ... you'll never leave."

Let's run over to the blog to see what my friends have created, shall we?  Hope to see you again soon, and in the CTS gallery!

=]  Michele

Supplies:
Water color paper, blended with Distress inks
Concord & 9th: Give thanks, and Layering Leaves dies
Altenew inks for my 'heart'

W&W 3rd birthday - Bright Colors!

I might have done a wee bit of shopping from the latest Winnie & Walter release ... haven't you?  One of the items in my shopping cart was used on this fun card from Lydia ... she's Challenged us to use Bright Colors! for her challenge.
 
Lydia used Scenery Stripes 2 to create her darling edge ... I used liner to write a simple bit of interest on my card - see if you can find my subtle sentiment: 

Who can not think of this old rhyme when seeing a daisy?  That little silver heart was cut from mirrored paper with one of the many darling embellishments from Audrey's Cutaways.

Distress Inks were used to water-coloring these darling Gerbera Daisies from In Bloom: Addie's Garden.

I'll be back soon ... there are so many gorgeous Challenges [and prizes!] for Winnie & Walter's 3rd Birthday Bash!  A girl's gotta play!

=]  Michele