Just another Friday fun day!

How in the world does someone resist this

extraordinarily adorable photo??? 

Let's just say not me!!!  It's all about my feathered friends for

Fusion Rainbow Birds!

 

 

I spent a wonderful day crafting with my friend Anne-Mette, who is from Denmark, in London, Canada!!!  lol I know, that may be a bit confusing, but I promise that's a true story!!  

 

Anne-Mette had a lot of fun with my Altenew Leafy Canopy set, and taught me how to color the stamps with Zigs Clean color brushes - direct to stamp, spritzed with water, and stamped onto water color paper.  I thought the technique would be wonderful for Fusion Rainbow Birds!  Today, I've used another borrowed set from my friend Marcia and PTI!

 

Hope it's a hit with the Fusion designers! 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #324

Oh boy!  another really tricky Sketch from Chrissy this week!  Are you ready?  check it...

Isn't it fun?  I have a literal take, and a second helping for this one!  Here you go...

Well.  it is nesting season... and I did have all those fun primary papers out!  AND a sweet little PTI bird set

borrowed from a friend - thanks, Marcia!

 



Okay.  Now it's YOUR turn … I dare you to guess what Chrissy's inspiration was!  Let's go see if you're right ... CTS#324.

=]  Michele

Inspired By #74 ... laundry day

I'm once again seeing the clothes on the line, blowing in the breeze - smelling delicious!  how about you?  Oh all right... my laundry never looked this pretty...

BUT a beautiful new die from the sweetest friend helped to make my Inspired By laundry day CARD pretty near perfect!   I cut this gorgeous Altenew Mandela from a linen card base, and lined it with vellum so it really looks lovely when the light shines through!  I had to add the daisy... this one from Altenew's Weekend Doodles is so doodling perfect!

Well I do hope I've sparked a little creative idea or two in you … and that you'll stop by Inspired By #74 to play along!

=]  Michele

Thanks a bunch

I'm here to say thank you to all those who sacrificed their lives for us … and to share my new found love of the Gina K Designs Wreath Builder!  This time I used EBE Everyday Doodles, and Everyday Punnies  to make a little thank you card.

Isn't it a coincidence that these two things [sadness, and shopping] often go together?  If that happens to you, this might help:

 

Catherine Pooler Inks:  Polish, Limoncello, and Garden Party

Friday play time with MFT!

I've been pretty busy with upcoming design team cards … today?  I just needed a little time to play cards!

 

On my radar was the newest MFT Color Challenge #118 it's a wonderful way to push me through my fear of color! 

That sweet little swing called my name again... yes, Bobby, I do have 73 more of those washers to use!!  In case you don't follow me @mfergu01 on Instagram, I shared a great way to add weight to smallish die cuts that might not have room for the normal penny-weight.  [even if they cost a bit more than a penny apiece!]

 

One of the Sweet Besties had a bit of fun... my latest swinger:

 

 

Stamped with Cement gray hybrid ink, Copic colored.

 

Did you ever swing on your belly?  I sure did... today,

I'd have much more cushion for comfort! wink, wink. lol

 

Everyone knows when we swing, we leave behind the

footprints of our joy … that's where the Stitched Strip comes in - sadly this die is no longer available, but you could do the same thing with single stitch dies like these!

 

My trees were created using one of the MFT Scalloped Edge dies, cut from the top and bottom of some of their chevron paper to create the panel - which, coincidentally looks very much like the panel for the MFT Sketch Challenge 438! 

Would you look at that!  he hee.

All mounted onto my Grout Gray card base. 

 

 

We are lucky to have a three day weekend coming up … to honor those who died for us in battle. 

I'm grateful for their service. 

 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend … thanks always for spending a bit of your precious time visiting me here.

Stop by any time at all!

 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #323 Retro - #142

Do you enjoy seeing these Retro Sketches as much as I do?  It's so fun to have a look back - and this one goes WAY back to #142 from September 24, 2015!  See if you remember this one... better yet follow the link to see if you played along! 

 

I cannot imagine why, but the original card I made is my favorite of all time … yes, I do mean that. 

 

Today I've recreated the style of it using another favorite thing - an embossing folder!

 

 

It's hard to see it, but this folder from Spellbinder's actually does a bit of die-cutting at the same time!  Each bloom has the sweetest little die-cut-detail.  I've added a smattering of Martha's butterflies, and a sweet hello, found in my snippets bowl. 

 

Okay.  Let's go see if YOU played at CTS#142, then we hope you'll play again this week - we love it when you do!

 

=]  Michele





Inspired By #73... welcome!

 

As strongly as I was drawn to the parquet wood in our

Inspired By #73 welcome photo, my Copic-loving heart won out today … specifically those sweet little succulents in the wreath!

What a pretty welcome!

 

 I love this set from Trinity and the matching dies

… and the banner?

it couldn't have been a more perfect stand in

for the inspiration!

 

That set of Spellbinders' hemstitch dies has really had a workout lately... hope you don't mind!

 

We would love to welcome you to our IB#73 gallery this week! 

 

=]  Michele

EBE Binge Watching Lady

By now, you know I like to have my way with words... this time I asked Brandi Kincaid "do you mind..."  she said "... I don't think you could ever do anything I'd 'mind' - now doesn't that give a girl heart-eyes? 

Thanks, @brandi_kincaid  Turns out EBE's Binge-Watching Leading Lady likes puns, too! 

Here's my card...

Here's my pun-line...

 

I'll leave you to ponder this one... lol!

=]  Michele

Supporting characters:
Waffle Flower Crafts - Cutaway Alphas but these would work awesome, too:  Letterboard Larger Alphas
MFT Peek-a-boo rectangle
Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Speech Bubbles

May CAS Stencil Challenge Reminder

I am back with the CAS Stencil Challenge team as their guest to remind you to get your Stencil ON!  You have lots of time!

For my reminder card, I've made my own oval stencil from a bit of advertising in the recycle bin, done simple sponging through the oval with Catherine Pooler Twilight ink, and over-stenciled with a Gina Marie stencil with DOX Weathered Wood. 

Another new Spellbinder die highlights my little garden bed of a few more of those MFT Fall Florals, and a place for a tiny Everyday Puny sentiment.

I'll be by to see what you [and the design team] have planted in the CAS Stencil gallery!  Thanks for spending a bit of time with me today!

=]  Michele

CAS Watercolour Card Challenge - for a [second] child!

Just when I'm about to hit the 'post' button, I wonder... is this CAS enough?  I do struggle with it... but this little sweetie is going to swing by CAS Watercolour Card Challenge just for kicks, and giggles, and with fingers crossed!

Swinging continues to be one of my favorite things to do!  WHEEEEE! [wait.  the words are my own, and NOT sentiments from this MFT Start each day with a Wheeee set! their words are really awesome, too! =]

I HAD to make her MaryJanes red... I had a pair just like them!!!

 

Head over to Instagram to see her WHEEEEEEEE!  @mfergu01

 



Have a WHEEEEE-ly great weekend, my friends! 

=]  Michele

such a sweet surprise today!  thanks so much!

 



The Flower Challenge #32

I spent a bit of time looking through my [many] embossing folders yesterday.  This one, from Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug called Aviary,  jumped right into my hands … I thought Second Helpings at The Flower Challenge were in order!

How much more CAS could it get? lol  Just look at the detail in those flowers!  I used a natural white cardstock from MFT - love the vintage look of it - and that simple hello!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #322

I always like our Sketches, but I don't often say I LOVE this week's Sketch … Donna knows how to grab me by the imagination!

I came across a wonderful stenciled background panel, and a few pretty leaves, and a smooshed piece of water color paper in my snippets bin … determined to make them work this week!  See if you agree they were a perfect jumping off point for my card this week … I did give Donna's Sketch a flip!

One simple sentiment, a few pretty sparkly enamel dots, and a turn of my die-cutting machine and, voila!  my completed my card! 

Now, let's go see what my teamies have to dazzle us this week for CTS#322!

=]  Michele

Altenew's Fantasy Floral dies are the star of this show!

Inspired By #72 ... pillows

 

My husband thought that if he bought me a new sewing machine, I wouldn't have to buy pillows anymore - pffft! 

It's not happening, darling!  Besides, the fabric and pillow form would probably cost just short of those lovelies I pick up at TJMaxx, or HomeGoods! 

 

I had a wonderful time with our inspiration photo this week... I adore the dreamy ethereal quality of that floral print.  Here's my way of achieving it with a bit of DOX smooshing onto water color paper...

 

... then, stamping over, and die cutting...

 

 

So simple, and makes a soft statement, right?

Hope our Inspired By #72 pillows speak your language!

 

=]  Michele

Time Out #135 Guest Reminder

It's my pleasure to remind you to play cards with

Time Out Challenge #135 … how have you been

Inspired by these Words?

 

For my reminder card, my mind went to a star of a different kind … Hollywood Diva style …

EBE Leading Ladies [City Lady, and Celebration Lady] came through for me today!  I also took advantage of a paper pack from Altenew to add subtle va va voom to my background using an older MFT star, and elegant rectangles dies!  A kiss of sequins, and she's on her way!

Hope you're on your way to adding your very own inspired by words card to the Time Out gallery!  It's been a delight to be their guest!

=]  Michele

MFT Color Challenge #117

My fabulous prize from this week flew into my hands - I couldn't wait to put stamp to paper, and motion to these besties!  [you know this went right to the MFT Color Challenge #117 pronto - maybe I'll have another bit of luck!]

Inside:

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

 

This is a whopping 8.5 x 3.5 inch card - because it will be hand delivered to someone very special.

 

Now, if you're an Instagram follower at @mfergu01

you can jump on and see this in action!!

 

Happiest wishes tomorrow to all of you Mom's!

=]  Michele

 

Supplies:
MFT Sweet Besties, stamps and dies
Interactive Swing dies
Cloud stencil
Copics above - wish I'd had a more compatible teal - another color to add to my list! 

CAS Watercolour - for a child

Though I doubt my soon-to-be 14 year old granddaughter would prefer NOT to be thought of as a child, my card today is for her anyway … we all have a child at heart that would love this guy...

 

… besides. the gift inside will always do the trick!

 

My gift-bearing mouse is a Penny Black Christmas set, called Christmas Fun, that I've easily modified by masking off the Christmas tree that is on the top of the stack, and adding that cute bird who is desperate to join the party!   I do love a holiday set that can be adapted to use all year.  That 'happy everything' is from Julie's Totally Random Sayings Vol. 1, which also fits the 'all occasion' category.  All water-colored with Distress inks, then snipped and glued to my side-fold card.

It's always a challenge for me to keep it CAS … the girls at CAS Watercolour constantly show us how-to so beautifully! 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch # 321

Sketch #321 is from Brian King … boy, does he know CAS or what?  Check it...

Of course I flipped it, which made finding a sentiment that was vertical ... as luck would have it, I found one [very old from SSS] in my snippet bowl!

For Brian, and Sketch #321:

Any other time, I'd be happy to color those leaves … but I'm in my black and white mode these days!  Let's dash over to see what Brian made...

=]  Michele

Altenew:  Leaf Canopy

Inspired By #71 ... full bloom

My take on this week's Inspired By - full bloom photo board is quite literal... I find it therapeutic to find just the right supplies in my stash to carry it off.  Hope you like my choices!

This card measures 5.5 inches square - definitely will be hand delivered - and includes a few of my favorite sets to color:  Mondo Peony with its companion dies, and a gift from my friend Bobby: Altenew's Starry Flowers.  These were both heat embossed using Hero Arts embossing powder onto water color card, and colored with Distress inks. 

I hope you are Inspired By #71, and have already started searching your supplies!  Thanks for playing along!

=]  Michele

Guest Designing for Time Out #135

Besides being so honored by the win, it's delightful to be invited by Sandie to be a Guest Designer, and joining their wonderful team for two weeks!  Thanks, Sandie!

Here is the fun we have in store for you for T.O. Challenge #135 Inspired by Words:

Poppy Stamps is the generous sponsor for this challenge … it was a pleasure to use my favorite P.S. Forest Village die again... I'm sorry I couldn't find a link for this beauty!  My new hemstitch ovals framed my starry sky scene perfectly!

No doubt this would make a wonderful Father's Day card, right?   All Tom and I need to do is look to the stars to find our wonderful Dads.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if Heaven had a mailbox? 

Hope you find inspiration from the Time Out Inspired by Words challenge and come play along!

=]  Michele