CASual Fridays with Nora

I was delighted when my friend Nora Noll, of A Creative Touch, invited me to play cards with her, and CAS-ual Fridays!  I've long admired Michele's products - and that she even spells her name properly!  ha!

Nora gave me the choice of sets for us to play with - there was no denying that my love of  Hot coffee has been brewing for some time... and this little Fri-die and I had fun creating hidden messages.

 

 

 You may have noticed that I've stretched the mug die at bit, and they are a tiny little note card, attached to a card?  This is how they began:

Would you like to see how they were created?  Come follow me at IG @mfergu01 and send me a direct message... I'm happy to send you the instructional photos!

Thanks, Nora!  I can't wait to see your cards!  It was a blast hanging out with you - even if it was a virtual hang out ... and thanks to CAS-ual Fridays for making it happen!

=]  Michele

12 Kits of Occasions

Lindsey of Occasional Crafter is our wonderful hostess this month ... her kit is all about Faith and Family, and she has made February look really good!  I'm loving the colors of Spring in her world!  Thanks, Lindsey - you've brightened my other-wise-dreary surroundings!

Armed with Lindsey's kit [every detail of it is shared with you at the 12 Kits blog] I was able to create so many cards ... many perfect for a friend in need of a little pick-me-up!  I've written a few inside sentiments that you'll find under each card ... hope you like them.

"Faith flutters by sometimes, and lands on your shoulder just when you need it most."

"... aren't I the lucky one who actually has one ... you!"

"Sometimes we just need to clear a few weeds to find it!"

"In a 'round-a-bout, shake-up-your-day kinda way!"

"Your kindness shone on me, when life had me in the shadows... thank you!"

"I do hope you know that... but I just wanted to remind you of it today!"

"... like Velcro!"

 

Thanks, my friends, for spending some of your precious time with me today ... hop over to our 12 Kits of Occasions blog for links to all the splendor my teammates have to offer!

 

=]  Michele



Catherine Pooler Inks at Ellen Hutson, LLC

I am delighted to be invited to test drive some of the newest products in the house at Ellen Hutson, LLC and to HOP along with the Ellen Hutson girls!  You should have arrived here from the lovely Lisa Adametz and her Paper Grace blog-extraordinaire.

Speaking of arrivals an INK-credible package arrived from Catherine Pooler!  Right out of the box, I knew I'd love the muted tones of Catherine's Zen Collection of colors:

I wanted to see how they would stamp on my go-to card stock, Neenah #110 Solar White, and using one of the stamps from the enclosed Chevron Cheer stamp set, I created my own little color chart...

That sweetest little border stamp is showcasing the fabulous Black Jack ink from Catherine's Neutrals Collection - quickly becoming my new favorite dark gray ink!

After stamping with Versamark, and white heat embossing the cute little Chevron oval, I chose four of the inks, tapped  onto an acrylic block!  They are fantastic!  and by controlling how much water you use, a wide variety of tones can be achieved.  By the way, you can mix them, too.

 

Catherine shares lots of inky tips in her YouTube video... one I wanted to test?  coloring my own card stock -

especially my favorite Linen cardstock from E.H.

 

All that was left to do was my stamping, die-cutting, adding dimension, and a few embellishments from my stash: 

 

... then putting them all together with the coordinating Ovals and Flowers dies. [These dies cut like a dream - on one run through the Cuttlebug!]  I even used one of the oval dies as a guide to add a little curve to my landscaping!

So many variations could be made from this

set of 4 dies:  2 plain oval...

 

and 2 Scalloped... and all these darling little blooms! 

 

I decided to use two to frame my garden.

 

I chose the small oval die cut for my inside sentiment ... stamping with the same Seafoam Green I used for the landscaping.



Thank you Catherine, for inviting us to try your fabulous inks, stamps, and dies! 

...and thank all of YOU who were sweet enough to hang out with me today!  If you've been looking for a really versatile ink, that works great for so many techniques, I'd give these a try!  You'll find all of the products I've used today, and MORE wonderful Catherine Pooler products, at Ellen Hutson, LLC.

Ready to HOP?  I am!  Let's go visit Sharon Harnist - quickly - you know she'll have plenty of pretty Paper Perfections!  BTW you can always start over at The Classroom where you'll find a full list of the stops on the Hop!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #260

Chrissy's Sketch #260 this week is so open for a million possibilities!  Check it out...

Am I right?  So much fun!  Here's where my imagination took me... [are you ready for your ear-worm Cat?  I'm a little tea pot ... or in this case, a tea cup!]

Okay... so I had to stretch my imagination a bit - and perhaps you'll also have to stretch yours!   I didn't have a large cup die, so I created my cup and saucer using the MFT Wonky Ovals - yes, even the cup handle!  somebody forgot the tea... =|

Hellooo!  have I done my math properly?  260 = 5 years of Sketches!!!  Always one for a party, I'm going to have a little prize to a random commenter here on my blog!  By post time, I will have also published my 1100th post - truly a mind-blowing moment to me!

Good luck, my friends!!  Thank you, always, for supporting me on my blogging journey! 

Now go get your thinking caps on, people!!!  We need a FULL gallery this week to celebrate, don't you think?

=]  Michele

We have a winner, my friends!!!

Linda Callahan!!

Congratulations, my friend!

Thanks to you all, for your support, and always making me feel like I'm doing something right!!

Inspired By... Challenge #8

Laurel finds the cutest photos... check out this one, for Challenge #8 at Inspired By ...

 

Okay... not a fox in the house - but I had an Inspired moment, with another favorite animal ... the blue dots, and orange fur? 

 

 OH is this guy persistent... looks like he's had a few tries, and tuckered himself out!

 

StazOn ink works great on acetate ... but a steady hand helps!

 

So, are there any fox in your hen-house?  Go ahead and transform them, if you'd like... you have a week to do it!  But be sure to add it to our Inspired By... #8 gallery!

 

=]  Michele

 

Supporting cast:



MFT I Knead You

Flora & Fauna Terrarium Cluster

E.H. Cat Lady [those paw-prints, and sentiment =]

Pretty Pink Posh: Stitched Speech Bubbles

 

[Affiliate links provided when possible, 

at no extra cost to you - thank you!]

 

 

The Cat's Pajamas February Release!

Hope you don't mind my popping into your mail box twice today! 

It's time for the latest release from The Cat's Pajamas ... yes, they are all available today!  and we hope you will HOP along with our team as we feature a few more ways to use those darling new stamp sets, and dies from our February release!

You should be arriving from the Creative Palette of Nancy Thomas - that, my friends, is always a tough act to follow! 

First up... a few of those darling ducklings from Family Forever - simply white heat embossed, and water colored ... not to worry, with all of that downy fluff, I doubt they'll feel a thing!

 

I couldn't resist using that bone die from the Goodies die set again, and again, and again!!!  Mr. Cat, and his fun thought bubble, from Home is Where the Cat Is allows you to use your own words, but will fit the sentiments included.

I  hope I've caused a little shopping wish-list ... The Cats Pajamas shop is open!

I'm going to send you hopping along now to Lynn at Sprinkled Creations, who always gives us something to smile about ... if you lose your place, you can always find the list of links at the TCP blog ... thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele

 

 

TCP Tuesday Challenge - Reminder!

Are you an animal lover?  have animal instincts?  Just a big teddy bear?  Well, The Cat's Pajamas' team loves all that about you!  Why not play cards with us this month...

I really needed a big-time belated birthday card today... jeeesh... what happened to my calendar?  you know the one, with all the reminders?  This should bring a smile, and forgiveness?  chase the blues away??

get it?  the blues?  the blue crab?  okay, I'll stop...

Sure hope this cute crustacean from Seas the Birthday counts for an 'animal?'

Has the animal in YOU come out to play yet?  hmmmm.... I'm watching!  Get it in our TCP gallery, please!  $50 worth of product is up for grabs. my friends! 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #259

Donna Mikasa is our Sketch artist this week - immediately, you know it's going to be a great one, right?

I received the prettiest little collection of patterned papers from a friend - just-because gifts are the best, aren't they?  Somehow she knows that one of my few favorite color combos happen to be pink and yellow - with gray accents?  Even better!

Here is my card - thanks, LeAnne... you do color my world with sunshine!

MFT dies

 

You might just see those die-cut letters soon... just sayin' =]

 

Here is another card using those pretty papers - a pretty little Gal-intine's day card:

 

Recipe:  take one heart die, cut from three layers of coordinating PP;  while still stacked, use a slope die to cut three lines - anywhere you'd like them! RE-assemble three hearts, using one from each patterned paper for each heart!  I've used the largest MFT stitched heart from the stack, and Paper Smooches Borders #1 for the cuts.

 

Now, how about we go see what Donna, and the rest of my sensational gang have created for CTS #259 ...

 

so happy to have you stop by today!

 

=]  Michele

Inspired By ... #7

 

Can anyone resist cheesecake?  oh... my husband and I plan entire get-away trips around the next Cheesecake Factory on our check-list!!!  I fondly remember one such trip to Cleveland - it included some of my favorite card-making peeps, and their Misters!

 

I digress ... you came for a card, right?  At your service:

 

PTI Spruce & Sprigs, Altenew Story of Us stamps

MFT Pierced circle die-namics

DOX Seedless Preserves, and DI Dusty Concord inks

 

My inspiration came from the colors, those fabulous black-berries, and the speckled table linen.

 

How will you be Inspired By ... Cheesecake?  I just know it will be delicious!

 

=]  Michele

 

 



Sneaky Peek Week at TCP's February Release!

Hello, my friends!  Happy Valentine's Day!!   TODAY I have some big love to share with you about our newest release from

The Cat's Pajamas!

This month, we have three darling new stamp sets 

& three new dies sets!

 

First up:  Home is Where the Cat is!

[more about those fish bones later!]

 

 

 

Next... Family Forever!

 

 

 

 

Next I've combined a few of those darling little bunnies

from the set with

Big Family Words:

 

 

There are also three [be still my heart] new die sets:

 

Home Sweet Home!

and Goodies - of the dog [and cat] variety!

 

 

 

 

and [because it IS Valentine's Day!]...

 

Hugs and Kisses: X & O

 

 

 

Please tell me there is something you LOve today ... these will all be available next Tuesday, and I'll be back then for more... and a reminder about TCP Tuesday -

hope you're playing cards with us! 

AND you'll be

In it to Win it!

by leaving me some love here, and on IG!

 

=]  Michele

 

TCP Square Stamps dies also used.