12 Kits of Occasions - Hello Fall - 2017

It's always a pleasure to welcome Marybeth's Kit into my craft-room!  Her Hello Fall 2017 Kit is just what we'd like Autumn to be: full of cool stuff, plenty of orange in the palette, and pretty galore! 

Here is a little peek at what we had to play with:

Another fabulous collage from Lindsey, our resident photographer extraordinaire!  Hmmm... I'm seeing a few little treats in her kit that I didn't have in mine - that is always the trick while putting these kits together, my friends - but also what makes our play date more fun!

So, without further ado... here are my cards!

I actually left the sequin mix in the acetate envelope Marybeth sent them in -

undoubtedly this card will go to another card maker- a treat for them to use!

 Simple water coloring of the lovely leaves she sent - but OH do I love them in glorious white...

 

I actually found this paper panel in my snippets bin... thought it worked beautifully with Marybeth's cute pumpkin, and frame-like journaling card.

 

 So scary for me - to mix patterned papers!

 

... I got a bit braver as I went along!

Could these little buddies be any cuter?

Marybeth makes such gorgeous cards with her PTI goodies!

I was so happy to find this little Market Wagon in my kit! and the dots!

That's it for me for this month ... thank you, Marybeth, for this gorgeous Kit! 

 

Thanks for stopping in today... let's go see what my 12 Kits friends have made - it's always a feast for the eyes!

 

=] Michele

MFT Sketch Challenge #352

 

My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge uses one of my favorite ways to design cards ... take a peek at #352:





 

 

 

A few liberties were taken:  I flipped the Sketch, Sunshine Sweetie's little sunbonnet represents the circle, and I used an MFT Stitched Strip to indicate the background strip ... well I hope they recognize it!

 

I have about a dozen Bluebirds to feed every day!  I won't gross you out with a photo of their 'living food!'

 

Hope your day is filled with happy... thanks for the visit it always makes me...

 

=]  Michele

RETRO! CAS[E] this SKETCH #241

There seems to be a 'everything old, is new again' vibe around here lately... today's CAS[E] this Sketch #241 is no exception... it's RETRO day, baby!

Here is our Sketch... guess what?  It's Chrissy Larson's VERY FIRST Sketch, #23 from April 11, 2013!!  Take a look - it's as fresh, and as fun as ever:

I've given it a Halloween vibe - trying to scare a few pounds away...

"yes. I did say ZOOM-BOO!

It's the newest exercise CRAZE...

those pounds just run away!"

 

That's it for me today.  Thanks for stopping by!  Now let's go see how RETRO looks when my teamies get their hearts into it...

=]  Michele

Supplies: a little help for my pun from TCP Wheel Love and Creep it Real; all the papers and that darling little ghost are from a Jeanne Jachna 12 Kits of Occasions 2016 Kit.
Inside sentiments, and sense of humor are all mine ©  

Yes! Second Helpings for E.H. =]

Another of Julie's set called my name for Ellen Hutson's September Pin-Sights Challenge ... how about another look at the mood board?



Season to Sparkle fit my mood, perfectly:

A bit of simple distress water-coloring, after heat embossing the images in gold on a Wonky panel.

Off to make dinner!  Hope your day was awesome... thanks for sharing a bit of it with me...

=]  Michele

Ellen Hutson September Pin-Sights Challenge

Have you seen the mood board for Ellen Hutson's September Pin-Sights Challenge?  A picture speaks a thousand words:



Here is my humble contribution:

 

 

Lighting changes everything - so a close-up for the bling!

 

 

=] Michele

Supplies:
Essentials by Ellen Cozy Christmas by Julie - dies
Hero Arts Garden Tile Pattern background rubber stamp - embossed with gold, on water color cardstock
Zig Clean Colors: light pink, bright yellow, orange, Persian blue, blue, blue-gray, and light gray.

#essentialsbyellenllc

Altenew September 2017 Inspiration Challenge

Monday is LOADS of fun... especially when I have a chance to get in a little crafting in between... Altenew's September 2017 Inspiration Challenge to the rescue!

Altenew's Fantasy Floral die set was calling for another little play time - happy to oblige.  This time I pulled out a favorite cardstock for Fall/Winter that has a natural thread woven through it.  By DCWV, I 've had it for years, and now am getting to the end - what will I do?  Here's one thing:

That woven paper soaked up the ink just beautifully! and that gorgeous frame, from their Reflection Scrapbook set, represented the blue vessel in the photo rather beautifully!  Happy to have the Floral Fantasy stamp set to do a little ghost stamping on my card base.

Here it is on that woven paper... untouched.

 

There was just enough time to make another... this time I used an older [but still fresh] set called Floral Sprig, and regular water color cardstock.

Guess which one is heading for the Inspiration gallery?

Tuesday's are even more fun 'round here!  Whatever is on your schedule, have a wonderful day - and thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me...

=]  Michele

Altenew Ink sets used: 
Shades of Purple, Rose Petal, and Green Fields.

Color Throwdown #461

Here is ctd461 in all its glory:

Here is my card... in all its gory:

 I have to get these guys into the gallery quickly, but these guys are from GinaMarie Designs - with a little 'screaming action' complements of a few MFT dies!  My sentiment is a from a little TCP set called Aye, Aye Captain - I've done a little alteration from its original: Life is but a dream.

 

Off they go....

 

=]  Michele

You could be a 2017 Superstar!

I've been seeing lots of fabulous entries for My Favorite Things' 2017 Card Design Superstar - all fabulous! 

I thought about not entering this year ... yes, I have entered every other year!  A very sweet friend reminded me that it only takes a bit of luck, and today?  I'm feeling lucky!!!

I'm going WAY back with a groovy 60's vibe, for the Clean & Simple style, with my very favorite MFT die... do you remember it? 

A little Birdy Brown sentiment never hurt a thing... this one is from Sunflower Sweetheart - another oldie-but-beauty!

You may not think it's very smart to use MFT products that no longer exist ... but I'm here today to show you that their products NEVER go out of style!

Peace out...

=]  Michele

Fall Coffee Lovers Bloghop

Pumpkins are perched on porches! and there's that aroma of coffee in the air ... oh that's an everyday thing, 'round here!

I'm quite late to the party, but a little twilight-time [a little song for you Anita in France] stamping helped!  Here's my little contribution to the already bountiful-beautiful gallery at the Fall Coffee Lovers Bloghop!

The Cat's Pajama's This could be Vodka stamps and Duo cup dies.

A funny thing happened to the finished product... I found a bit of stray embossing and tried to 'scratch' it off with a craft knife - which lead to a disaster, which lead to some more, and a striped tail!

Hope you have a truly caffeinated day!  Thanks for sharing a cuppayourtime with me!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #240

Do you think I'm never stumped by a Sketch?  Think again!  Oh, don't get me wrong, I've never met a CTS I didn't love - but some leave me with SO many options!  Like the one from Chrissy for this week:

I woke up Monday morning [around 3:30 a.m.] thinking about it - no dream, just thoughts that kept me from sleeping!  It's those layers!  [you see them, right?]

Another of those sweet little Pure Innocence girls called my name - you all seemed to enjoy my choice last week - and I needed a card for one of the many friends in Florida that I worried over. 

For CTS #240:

Pure Innocence Sunny Thoughts - colored with Zigs;

 MFT Wonky Ovals; PP is Indigo Hills from PinkFresh Studios

 

I just know that the card Chrissy's made for this Sketch is going to 'school me' on layering!  Let's go see, shall we?  Then I'll see you this week in the gallery - we hope!

 

=]  Michele

 

Time Out Challenge #92

Words are often times my greatest catalyst when it comes to card design.  I'm always inspired by those phrases chosen by Time Out ... these, for Challenge #92, are no exception:

Paint The Flying Spirit Of The Birds

Rather than its Feathers

I borrowed one of the stamped sentiments from this month's 12 Kits of Occasions package - it was meant to be...

Winnie & Walter provides the 'wings.'

I've made my card base from E.H. Linen Vellum

Here's another shot - but I wish you were here

to see the gorgeous light that shines through.

 



I think little Laura got it perfectly... thanks for visiting on this perfect Autumn day!

=]  Michele

MIx it Up Challenge with Honey Bee!

Okay... I never promised there wouldn't be another post... only that they'd be quick!!!

HAD TO play with E.H.'s September Mix it Up with Honey Bee!!!  Hope they have a great sense of humor ... made Tom's Halloween card today!  If you know me, you know I never pass up a chance for a little Halloween humor!

Honey Bee's Busy Bees and Julie's Got Candy? just made this so easy -

well, except for the BOO BEES part =]

Now... that's it!!!  I promise!!!
=]  Michele

THD #16 and Where Creativity Meets C9

I know I'm interrupting your craft time... I'll make it quick! Usually I give each challenge I enter their own space, and time... but it seemed like kismet today, as I tried my hand at grapes! 



 Where Creativity meets C9 #13, and The Heart Desires Challenge #16.  Don't they play nicely together?

 

Distress Inks [old and new] and Concord & 9th Flourish Stamp set.



=]  Michele

 

A quick reminder... there's still time...

... to enter the TCP Tuesday Challenge!

For you folks who don't own any TCP products YET!  let me remind you of these rules - particularly #3:

Here are the details for the Challenge:

1. Each the first Tuesday of the month a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
4. On the day of the next challenge the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $50.

Just think... you could win $50 worth of Cat Cash to buy your very own TCP goodies!  That's what I'm calling a fabulous prize!!!

So get into your craft room, corner, dining room or wherever you make your magic happen, and get crafting!  You can enter through September 25th!

Here's a little encouragement for you:

Ornaments die, and a little creative cutting from Bunny Christmas.

I dare you to tell me you wouldn't LOve a few Buns of your very own - and that Christmas hasn't felt JUST like this at least once!

=]  Michele

Can you stand it? one more?

Anyone that knows me knows how color-phobic I am .. give me gray - any way you spell it, it's perfect.

Then this happens from ctd460:

and then this from The Flower Challenge #12:

Which turns into this [white, die-cuts, blue - in case you wondered] :

Okay... now that's it for me ... see you next week! 
=]  Michele

Supplies include:
a few snippets!  this little hugs, and kisses was a leftover!  MFT - cut from Pink Fresh Indigo Hills paper.
and a few gorgeous leaves from Waffle Flower Crafts Greenery OH there are some darling stripes hidden underneath:  Waffle Flower Plaid Play

Winnie & Walter September Color Combo

Me, and Winnie & Walter... Oh, it's happening, sweetheart!  YES ... and can you believe this gorgeousness for their September Color Combo: 

How could I NOT play along?  Red, and brown?  It truly is one of my favorite color combos!  Not an apple in the house - not counting the crisper - but I couldn't let that stop me!  It's soon to be mitten weather, after all...

A gorgeous little Prisma-colored sprig from Elsa's Flora, and one of my favorite panels, cut with Audrey's Cutaways. 

Are you ready for the multitudes of Mittens I will produce this holiday season?  but first Thanksgiving!  Here's #1!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #239

Our marvelous Ms. Mikasa has created our Sketch this week, and I know you will love it [and her darling card] as much as I did ... take a look:

I've given it a little turn, and colored up one of MFT's darling little Pure Innocence girls - all dressed up in the colors of Fall...

Those gorgeous papers are a perfect match for her 'colorful' Copic-colored outfit, right?!  Oh I know they don't match... what do I know from colors! or the black and gray of my wardrobe!

Now I know you'll be as excited about that Sketch as we all were ... check out the team post for CTS#239 with me, won't you?  Then we'll see you in the gallery!

=]  Michele

Speaking of galleries ... I used all of the colors in The Heart Desires Challenge #16... so off she goes!

The Cat's Pajamas September Release!

Yes!  The TCP release day has come... and it is a Blog Hop, too!  If you've arrived here from the deliciousness at Deborah's blog, then you are right on track... starting over is easy, too - just head over to Julie's post!

With all the Sneaky Peeking we've had for the three stamp sets, four dies, and two darling Cutables, September's release is bound to be very popular!

As a new member of the team, I have had such fun with the "new" products, and have paired with many of the older new-to-me products, too ... here's where my creative-mind took me:

"Creep it Real"

Doesn't that bubbly embossing folder look a bit like

the Moon's craters? 

Cloud Border CutUps help get him skyward.

 

"Yes, Deer! CutUp" is just so masculine

when left very CAS with just a bit of

selective gold heat embossing.

I created the frame using two dies: the large from Fancy Flip, and smaller from Fancy Flip Frames. -

a favorite embossing folder provides the wood-grain.

 

The "Beard CutUp" and appropriate choice from

 "Big Holiday Words"

another VERY old embossing folder creates Santa's 'whiskers.'

 

 

A window of glassine was created using one of the Ornament  dies, which coordinates with the Holy Night bauble in the new  "Christmas Cookies" set.

 

A quick reminder that it is TCP Tuesday Challenge time, too!  Here is another little bunny from "This could be Vodka" who is celebrating a Winter Holiday in a fun way!  using the "BIG Holiday Words."  You'll find all the details at The Cat's Pajamas blog!

 

 



 

I'm not much of a drinker, but it's a bit like this 'round here during the Holiday-prep!

I've so much more up my sleeve for these new products ... but I'm going to send you on to the next fabulous Cat Pack designer:  the one and only Nancy Thomas who leads us all!

Thank you for stopping by today!  I just know you'll find something that makes you purr in The Cat's Pajamas' shop! 

=]  Michele