CAS[E] this Sketch #337

I have a very special post for the very special guy in my life … it's Tom's birthday - and since he just started following my blog, I hope he misses this one!

I recently watched the fabulous Shari Carroll make a box card - something I've never done.  Donna's Sketch this week surely does provide the perfect time to try one! 

Check out CTS #337:

Shari gives us clear directions on the size, and even the score-line measurements, in her video, so do plan on checking out her adorable card!

Okay... time for the ta DAH!  For my darling butterfly-blooming-bluebird-watching husband...

 

I found a way to place a pocket on the back... but you'll understand if I keep the sentiment to myself, right?  wink.

Hope you have a certain someone special that will spark a bit of creativity to share with us at CTS this week! 

=]  Michele

Inspired By #87 ... a note to you

 

This week's IB87 inspiration is a sure sign that

everything old is new again, right?

 

I dug out a very old 99-cent-stamp to help make an 'enamel pin' for my card... a set of MFT bifocals should help the reader read that tiny message...

 

 

 

Hope to see what inspires you this week in the

Inspired By … a note to you

gallery!

 

=]  Michele

Here's the Scoop

Combining sets in an unexpected way has always been fun for me.  speaking of fun... this guy!

Inside:

At least you won't have brain-freeze on your birthday...

sorry I missed your day!

Starting any week with ice cream is fun, right?!
=]  Michele

EH subbing in stamps & dies
EH United with Concord & 9th Sweet Sprinkles stamp & die set for cone
A very old embossing folder and an inky paper towel for the background
Speech Bubbles and a retired RC set for sentiment

Saturday Sketches

Two Sketches, besides CTS, caught my eye this week … see if they spark your interest, too.  First up... MFTWSC451 short for My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge - phew!

I did get a little 'tipsy' with this one, too … and OH do I love a parade... this little marching band has not received it's due of ink!

MFT London Mouse, Hello [snipped], Stax pierced rectangles, and Stitched Strip

 

 

One more, from Freshly Made Sketches week 3 of their 40oth Sketch celebration!!  Of course they chose Sketch 300 for it!  And I chose to add another Christmas card to my stash.  This time I grabbed a few of the gorgeous Alexandra Renke papers* from that wonderful prize I won last year!  The 'wish you were here' die is still available, as are the house dies I used to cut that panel … guess what?  They're on sale, too!



 

Okay, off I go to the galleries!  Thanks for sharing a bit of your Saturday with me!

=]  Michele

*papers not available at Ellen Hutson... but SO much more to love on sale!

Friday is for Flutterbys, and flowers!

Three of my days this week were spent with two of the sweetest crafty friends a girl could have - I'll be sharing more from those days very soon, I promise!  But today, I have three cards.  First up, for CAS Watercolour - and Marcia's Colourful Butterflies! Marcia came to my house yesterday!  OH, the stamping we did do! 

However, after Marcia left, I suddenly spotted a die-cut snippet [Altenew's Leafy Garland] that had been in the background all day... I had a bit of a smooshing play with it.  Can you find my colorful butterfly?  It was hand drawn and cut from vellum, and the body from kraft.  Her wings were 'colored' with that little snippet I mentioned:

After taking my photographs [an insurance policy on what might have turned out to be a disaster!!] I decided to color it a bit more... tell me, which do you like better?  The simple CAS one above, or this color-added one?  That sweet little Gerbera wanted a little attention!

I was so happy that my 'kids' performed nicely for their visitor to their own little house - 5 boys, 3 girls bloomed!

Off it goes to the gallery … I've another deadline to meet!  This time for CAS Mix Up!  There was another snippet that I really almost threw away - Marcia convinced me to try, try again - so I did!  For Loll... stamping, die cut, and paper towel ...

By the way... after I glued that paper towel down to a piece of white card stock, and then die cut it, I had lost the wonderful texture of the paper toweling.  Guess what?  If you give it a fine mist of water?  It reappears!

One more … this time for The Flower Challenge's Favorite Flower!

Though I carried white tulips at our wedding, the Gerbera Daisies decorating our tent and tables were my favorite of the day…

Uniko Gerbera - Altenew butterfly

Okay... that's it for me [thank goodness, right?] I'm off to drop these into their appropriate gallery!

Happy weekend, my friends!
=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #336

Team mate Brian has such versatile Sketches, right?  It's where I found another perfect perch for more butterflies!  lol

I had just the right little snippets in my box for patterned paper, eyelet trimming, and butterflies.  Brian tipped the Sketch one way - I managed to tip it again! 

 

Will you tip it?  In any direction, I'm sure you'll find the perfect shape to top it!  Looking forward to seeing you in the CTS336 gallery!

 

=]  Michele

 

MFT Blissful Butterflies

Pinkfresh Studio Essential Lacey Edgers 1

Catherine Pooler: Garden Party, and Limoncello inks

Kraft paper - samples sent from amy T - thanks amy! 

Honey Bee Over the Rainbow patterned paper

Inspired By #86 ... nautical party

 

I was often impressed by the tablescapes at the parties that I catered … this one is darling for a beach party, right?  But it's one of those sweet little pillows in Laurel's fun photo for Inspired By #86 … nautical party!



This guy [and a few of his buddies] always shows up at any beachside party - whether invited, or not!!

MFT Seaside Gulls, Waffle Flower Plaid Play, Hero Arts Anchor stamp n cut, MFT Wonky stitched squares  

Simple, and quick … hope you find a bit of something that inspires you to play along!!

 

=]  Michele 

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #450

As I was packing for my little trip, I was so happy to find a little P.I. darling all colored up from my Road Trip to MFT in Florida!  Isn't that a nice surprise?  She was perfect for an early Autumn card for a friend, and MFTWSC450 was the perfect platform for her...

I'll cut right to it... there's weekending to do!!

 

I can't EVEN with this hound's-tooth DSP

I've been hoarding from MFT!

 

Enjoy your weekend!
=]  Michele

Twofer Card Challenge #19 Nautical

I'll be spending time with my friend Bobby next week... she has invited me to a sleepover at her cottage, and I can't wait!!  It was all the inspiration I needed to get busy with this nautical challenge before I start packing!

The Twofer girls have each tantalized us with terrific twofers, too … say that five times [Coni!].  I have two boat-loads of fun pups to play!!

You know the drill, right?  same set, two different cards, for two different occasions.  Based on that sentiment, one would have to guess the occasion on this first one.  You'll have to trust me on this one... it's a thanks for the encouragement card - but I'm not showing the inside 'cuz it might spoil someone's surprise!!

 

I'm normally not a glitter girl, but Sandie sent me this

wonderful glittery fun foam, and I think it's brilliant
used as my ocean!

 



Twofer #2 is a BELATED birthday card … for a guy that we love, but seem to forget until my Tom's birthday comes around.  I think I'll just make it an annual thing - then send one on time as a little zinger!!  lol

Inside:

"well.  it WAS your birthday!

I get the sinking feeling I'm extra late this year!"

 

So very grateful you stopped by today... thanks boat loads!!

 

=]  Michele

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #335

Another N@ Ali Sketch this week … always fun, and oh so open to interpretation.

I received a darling card from my friend Cat Craig last week.  In it, she included a few stamped images for me to color - how could I resist?  But first, here's Cat's card... I just loved her vellum ocean...

 

My own little ocean was created using my acetate smooshing technique … a very sweet gal named Beverly asked me for instruction for this technique, sadly I could not reply to her comment - dratted 'no reply blogger' thing - don't we wish we could eliminate that issue?  So, before I show you my little Purrrmaid… this is for you, Beverly!

first, stamp a bit of your chosen Distress Oxide inks

onto a slick surface - I have a sheet of

heavy acetate on my clipboard - then spritz with water:

 

 

Shaded Lilac, and Broken China were my ink colors today.

 

 

I then use a thin piece of acetate from packaging to

lift the color, and dab randomly over my

water color cardstock … I love Tim Holtz for texture and

beautiful whiteness.  Neenah 110# works beautifully, too!

 

 

 

When complete, use as you wish … this one was turned into an ocean of color for Cat's little Purrrmaid

from Newton's Nook!!

EBE Waves dies, and EBE Mermaid's Tail

shell phone sentiment.

I performed minor surgery on that kitty's paw to allow her to hold the phone!

 

 

Thanks, Cat for helping me with Sketch #335!  Thanks to all of you for stopping by today!  I can't wait to see my team mates cards... let's go!!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

Inspired By #85 ... ice cream

 Ice Cream anyone? oh yes, please!!  Laurel just happened to feature a favorite flavor of mine, for Inspired By #85.
 I've gotten a bit drippy, and water color-y today … I found that DOX seedless preserves, and shaded lilac provided the perfect colors for a smooshed blueberry ice cream … tell me if you agree.

First, I dry embossed the Bristol paper, then swiped a bit of Versamark over the raised bits, and clear heat embossed it to provide for the resist.  I cut the panel with my EH Speech Bubbles dies to give it two scoops!  lol

Do you prefer a cone, or a cup?  Cup for me, please... [unless they have those delectable sugar cones, then I'm in!] my cup today has been dry embossed with a fun SU corrugated folder.  [I'd bet my teamie LeAnne could provide a link for you if you're interested.]

Okay, that's it except to top it all off with a few berries from Altenew's Peony Bouquet.

Hope you'll give us a scoop of your favorite flavor this week! 
=]  Michele

Celebrating with Freshly Made Sketches 400th - week 2

It was such a treat to play with FMS200 in 2015 … wanna see my card? 

Here's another peek at the Sketch for Week 2 of the fun celebration...

… and my 'updated' FMS200 card... this little MFT piggy wants to go to the market/gallery again!!!  

 

Naturally, I had to write an inside sentiment

for my little flying swinger...

 

 

LOve using my Dad's hammer to add a bit of

the original dry embossing!

 

Honey Bee Stamps 'Spring Fling' DP

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to party with those fabulous FMS girls!!!

=]  Michele