CAS[E] this Sketch #307

Donna created a wonderful Sketch for #307!

I'm using a little gift that was tucked into a Christmas card sent all the way from Denmark!  Wasn't I the lucky one to have just the perfect grey cardstock, and background stamp* to create the perfect backdrop for this darling die-cut pocket**?

Is that not the coolest?  Anne-Mette sent several - and she truly knows how much I love grey!  LOVE that little tag for adding a few kisses and hugs... but that gold foil zipper?  It is so cool, right?  [I added a bit of stitching on my new machine!]

Do you know I like making cards that sing?  See if you can guess this very old tune... Anne-Mette knew it!  and it's sung in the movie: Love Actually!

Do you also know how happy I am when you drop in for a visit?  Yep... always makes me smile ... so do my teamies at CTS.  Let's go!

=]  Michele

*My MFT Cheesecloth background stamp is no longer available - sadly!

**This die set is currently only available in Denmark... but here's a link!
https://www.happymade.dk/shop/by-lene-design-3853p.html

Inspired By #57... Kissing booth

 

Hearts, love, and these creamy whites make my heart go pitter-patter … they were all the inspiration I needed, and a good time for this little guy to come out to play again!  With Inspired By 57 Kissing Booth!

 

 

Isn't he the cutest?  Thanks again to Elizabeth Crafts for this prize from the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

 

Thank YOU for dropping in today!!  Let's play cards, shall we!!??  Our IB gallery is waiting just for you!

=]  Michele

 

Lil' Inkers makes the Wood Grain coverplate

MFT Stitched Hearts and Natural cardstock

CAS-UAL Fri-Dies this fabulous cup

 



Pinkfresh Studio's January Challenge

I was so happy to be reminded about the Pinkfresh Studios January Challenge... I had made a plan to play!  you know the one about the 'best laid plans', right?

For January, they've given us our choice of Challenges from 2018 … I went right for December - they didn't say anything about the 'holiday' being Christmas!  Right?

I have so much love for the December Days set of papers - even though they came out in 2017, I bought two pads so I'd have plenty to play with!  Amongst the snippets [I can never let go of] I found two little hearts … it's a perfect time to use them, as I've chosen Valentine's Day as my holiday... using my newest love Pretty Paisley! stamps, and coordinating dies. 

This little die makes the perfect little gift tag... or tiny sweet Valentine for someone who always makes me feel good about my cards … even when they aren't so great!!  lol  xx

=]  Michele

A SALE!

I respectfully interrupt your pre-weekend to tell you about a little sale at my favorite shop ... 25% folks!!

Have fun!  see you again soon!  xx
=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #306

I've made it through my bad week, and come out the other side unscathed!  lol!  This fun Sketch from Brian King was just what the mood-doctor ordered!

 

Sketch #306 also gave me the perfect opportunity to use a bit more of my BasicGrey Barista patterned paper...  whatever will I do when these are gone?  I guess I'll just have to fall for another - believe me I have plenty to choose from!

 

 

LOve those Altenew Inline Alphas... made my wish come true... here's how I indicate sending it on its way:

 

"I'll do my very best to make your wish come true!"

 





My wish today is to have you join my CTS friends and I and play along! 

 

Thanks so much for the visit!!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #56 ... Football Party

 

Well.  You all know how I feel about football...

but I do have a grandson that loves it!!

 

For Sam... and Inspired By #56... I was inspired to use the 'chalkboard style' stamping... and add a few xx's and oo's!

 

 

btw... I never said I wouldn't eat the snacks at a

Football Party!!! 

We'd love it if you attend ours at IB!!

 

=]  Michele

 

MFT Fox and Friend [thank you, Bobby!]

EBE [retired] Banner Cake, and Pattern Play by Brandi

BasicGrey Barista patterned paper

Hero Arts Unicorn white pigment ink

affiliate links provided, when available at no cost to you... thank you for your support!



Christmas Kickstart Challenge #2

My friend Jo has a new Challenge designed to help us build our Christmas card stash all year long … isn't that a great idea?  I've already failed by missing challenge #1!  lol 

But, I've got a card this time, Jo!  For Christmas Kickstart Challenge #2 the theme is bundle up!  I have a cutie from my new Elizabeth Crafts Penguins set that fits the bill quite nicely...

Don't you wonder what's in the package?  Maybe some flipper slippers!!!  he hee…

Now, just to catch up, I created a second card for my stash... who could stop at one of these cute guys, I ask you?

=]  Michele

EBE Plant Lady

You gals are always so supportive of my quirky sentiments … just wanted you to know that I'm not the only amateur writer in the fam... when Tom says "I've got a card for you!" it's music to my ears - and I get right to work on it.  

take it away, Tom...

My Plant Lady and her fun dies, had no trouble providing the perfect platform for his sentiment!  Now.  I will admit that some of his sentiments are a bit too naughty for me to share, but he's a winner today... don't you think?  

So glad you stopped by today!

=]  Michele

Leading Gentleman

There are so many ways to use the EBE Leading Ladies, even with the new Leading Gentleman!  Here's one way you may not have thought of...

Notice anything different about him?  what if I told you he was wearing the Woodsy Lady's legs?  yep.  I did that.

I also took a little creative license with my sentiment … it's kinda my thing.  Hope @brandi_kincaid doesn't mind!  I also hope my gent doesn't mind if I shaved his legs!  lol

=]  Michele

While the cats away...

There are a few of my Ellen Hutson friends at Creativation at the moment... while the boss is away?  not really!!!  it is National Hug Day, however... why not give yourself a little hug today...

Don't forget to add the code: PAPERHUGS to your EH cart at checkout! 

and here's a hug from me, to each of YOU!!

=]  Michele

My paper was stamped with a stamp from Wonky Backdrops with DOX Abandoned Coral ink … my personal match for Living Coral!  The HUGS were cut with a MFT die, and those tiny hearts are from EBE High Five gold heat embossed.  My last addition was a bit of stitching with gold Coats & Clarks thread.

Something sweet to say!

Those of you that have traveled along with me through my journey in card making, know that it all began because I had something to say, that hadn't been said on a card in a store. 

Today, is one of those days, so I thought I'd share... and it all started with this darling little red-rubber-wood-mount stamp I  bought at Impress in Seattle... amy T. can you believe it's been 4 years?

So there you have it … my own little Valentine for my sweetheart!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #305

Do you ever find inspiration for our Sketches right under your nose … I did this week for Sketch #305!

A teensy adjustment in colors, but my Altenew collection of stamps worked the charm... what do you think?

 

Where will you find your card making inspiration this week?  I do hope it will include our Sketch! 

 

=]  Michele

 

Altenew Beautiful Day from Ellen Hutson, LLC.  - affiliate link provided, thank you for your support! 

Inspired By #55 ... Let's Huddle

Have I told the story of my second date with Tom... and how I knew he was 'the one' when I discovered that he isn't into football?  not even on Superbowl Sunday?  Now that is a total touchdown for me!! 

Inspired By #55 is indicative of our idea of a perfect Huddle!

The one thing missing for me has been added to my card...

… NOT watch the game =]

 

Thanks for stopping by … your kindness is appreciated more than football, too!  lol  Let's go see my teammates' cards... hike!

 

=]  Michele 

Thank you for your support... affiliate links are provided, when available, at no cost to you.
EBE Plaid Maker
Waffle Flower Plaid Play and Cutaway Alpha dies
Altenew Coffee Love
Catherine Pooler inks:  Sand Castle, Juniper Mist, Twilight

Altenew Inspiration Challenge January 2019

I am in awe of this gorgeous quilt … yes.  I did say quilt... created by Ann Graf of Huston, TX.  I was inspired by the swirling colors of the fabrics Ann used.  My attempt to recreate it resulted in this card for Altenew's January 2019 Inspiration Challenge...

 

 

I was finally able to find this wonderful Leaf Canopy set in stock at my favorite store … I've stamped it with Ruby Red, Mango Smoothie, and Evergreen Altenew inks BUT before stamping, I KISSED it with a group of leaves from Altenew's Adore You set.  

I also used that group of line-drawn leaves to add a bit of color to my inlaid die cut Mega Friend. It's obvious I need to invest in Altenew's orange inks … my mango smoothie isn't quite as bright as I'd like, but I wasn't ready to give up on it! 

Hope you've made it to the middle of your week with flying colors … thanks for spending a bit of your day with me!

=]  Michele

Twofer Card Challenge #12 and CAS Watercolour Challenge Winter

The chicks at the Twofer Card Challenge have chosen Birds as their next theme... I think I have a few!  These Warm and Feathered friends from MFT are happy to keep playing through the Winter months!

First up … let's call this a thank you …

for the sleepover, perhaps?

Hello love... did you spot that little heart? 

Everybody needs a not-so-sappy Valentine, right?

Since this one is water colored, I'll share it with

Loll's gang at CAS Watercolour Challenge - Winter, too

 

 

So there you have it … D, since you were so kind to give us two, I've given you the birds, too!  lol

=]  Michele

MFT Warm and Feathered Hugs and dies
MFT Snow Globe die, and Dome shaker pouches
Mama Elephant Hello script die
Lil' Inker Stitched Wood Grain cover up die
EBE Heart Mix 2, Butterfly Mix, and Snow Flurries mix of shaker elements

Affiliate links used when available with no cost to you - thanks!

The Flower Challenge #28

Grey + any color makes me happy … pink will do nicely, thank you very much to The Flower Challenge #28!

Here is a little number using a stacked die cut technique - or that's what I call it, anyway.  The only trick is to cut the piece you want to remain the focus first, and remove it before stamping the next piece of your design, or die-cutting the next piece...

 

Also save any, and all, little snippets that

will be pieced back in...

 

The Stamp Market is the creator of this gorgeous set called Tropical Blooms, and coordinating dies … the cute sentiment is from their fun Hexagon Hello.  All the pinks and greys are from Altenew, and I think they are perfectly wonderful stamped on this Pale Rose Bazzill paper from Ellen Hutson, LLC.

We're nearly midway through January … it's my least favorite month.  Thanks to all the talented DT at The Flower Challenge for providing a bright spot in Winter!

=]  Michele

EBE Starry Skies and my Leading Gentleman

I know that you've enjoyed all of the fabulous cards made with the latest new goodies in the Essentials by Ellen collection!  If you don't mind... I wanted to share another... this time, I've paired my Leading Gentleman combo set with the Cozy Leading Lady and dies, for a little romance under the stars … easy to do with the new Starry Skies die! 

I loved stamping and Copic coloring on this natural paper -perfect for a night scene!  I also did a little creative cutting to be able to link their arms!  Have you guessed this is me and my guy? 

=]  Michele

 

Time Out #126 Loving

I have NOT been able to get a song lyric out of my head since this Time Out Loving challenge first hit my inbox...

Oh you know I'm sharing … why should I BE the only one with the ear worm? LOL  I've found a way to get it onto paper...

is wrong?  I don't want to be right!

 

 

Have a great weekend my friends!!

=]  Michele

 

EBE Arctic Pals stamps and dies, Hinged Alphas, Block Words dies, and Crystal Clear Hearts

Altenew Watercolor Paint

MFT Wonky Rectangles

 



EBE Leading Gentleman by Brandi

  Yes!  Our wish has been granted!  Brandi Kincaid has given us a Leading Gentleman!  and Ellen Hutson has given us a combo set for him... stamps and dies together!  and some of the greatest sentiments!  
    

My own Leading Gentleman would put all of these fun accessories to use … but there is one activity I love sharing with him... it was tough to REEL IN my enthusiasm when this arrived in my mailbox!  [I'm no Sandy Allnock, but it was fun to set the scene for my handsome angler!]

 

There are SO many wonderful new treats to love in the January EBE release … do stop by the Ellen Hutson, LLC shop today … you won't want to miss out on one of them!!

 

=]  Michele