Christmas Kickstart #20 it's a gift!

Hi, my friends... long time no see, right?  Believe me when I say there has been tons going on behind the scenes... and you will be well sick of me by the end of the month … but before you are, I wanted to sneak in my entry to Christmas Kickstart #20 - It's a gift - because it was... well actually a prize that I was thrilled to win from Sugar Pea Designs recently!  Called Hey, Winter! and it has presents!!!

Enough chatting … check these guys out!!!  Side A will head over to the CKS challenge - Side B is just for funsies.  lol  Of course you'll have to go to the CKS blog to find out which, is what! 

 Is he not the cutest????

 

As cute as he is as a Polar Bear … check him

out as Mr. Brown Bear!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #341

Brian's CTS#341 has been tipped, and I seconded that motion by tipping it right back up again!

I needed the extra 'head space' to let off a little steam...  you'll see what I mean... and you'll notice I'm still mad for that argyle plaid, and using every blooming inch of it that I can!

 

That sweet little 'heart' that gets cut out of the handle during die cutting is just too cute to not include somehow!

 

 

A partial cut with the die was done, so I could make

a little peek-a-boo greeting!

 

I just love the font on this Casual Fridays' Peaceful Garden set. 

Will you tip Brian's Sketch?  or leave it as is?  We'll love it any way you want it!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #91... tailgate party!

 

Can anybody tell me why people only tailgate at sporting events?  Don't hate me, but I don't DO football!  But I do food and gathering with friends - let's

tailgate at a craft retreat, okay?  lol

 

For IB#91:

 

 

Of course if you are a true coffee drinker -

you know that coffee can be found in single serving/brew bags!  Me?  I drink a whole pot by myself!!

 

 

I've captured the red plaid of the thermoses, and the dark grey and white check of the tablecloth, even my little bloom on the tag reminds me of the yummy wraps in the photo - I think I'm good!

 

I know you'll come up with truly Inspired By designs, too!

 

=]  Michele

FMS403 and a Fun Sunday with PinkFresh Studios

When Pinkfresh Studios had a Hurricane Relief support day, I brought my stamp budget to help the cause!  It was a win-win situation, believe me!

First item in my cart?  Their gorgeous Eucalyptus Fantasy stamps, and coordinating dies.  When I get a new Pinkfresh set, I stamp, cut, stamp it some more then color them up and bring out all the other Pinkfresh sets I have and marry them together.  All of the images were stamped onto Bristol Smooth paper. 

[Ivana - you may have had a small bit of influence on me here! I'm trying to get my girly on! wink!]

 

Classic Edgers, and Braided Tags, were two of the sets I won over at Instagram... along with these spectacular gems shown here...

 

 

and the Copics I used - yeah, who knew Bristol smooth and Copics!?

 

 

Next was the gorgeous Eucalyptus door-topper included in the set.  Distress ink water coloring was used on my stamped/heat embossed panel, and again on a gold embossed image - more on that to come.

 

 

Fancy Label frames for the sentiment - and a bit of water color highlighting!

Here is that gold embossed image I mentioned ...

This sentiment is from December Days, as was

the center sentiment used on the wreath above -

I love the tiny little dies they provide for the sentiments!

 

Last but not least... a few leftover water colored die cuts... this time for Freshly Made Sketches #403!  I tipped it, and added a little sentiment strip, but Narelle won't mind... they're so sweet over there!  [there's that Lil Inkers wood grain again!]

 

 

 



Those three strips are cut with Waffle Flower Crafts Dome die set

 

It was a great weekend for playing cards with my newest set!  Thanks, Pinkfresh Studios for being such a generous part of this card making community!

 

Thanks to all of you, for stopping by - hope your weekend included a little crafty time - or anything that made you smile! 

 

=]  Michele

 



Mix it Up with SugarPeas #59

My card-making days are most often inspired by one of my design team assignments, or a challenge, and this day was no different.  The minute this one popped into my inbox,  I was intrigued by the out-of-focus background - I was determined to recreate it with inks!
Armed with the smooth side of a quarter sheet of TH water color paper, and a few Distress Inks, I'm really pretty happy with my results... for SugarPea's September 2019 Mix it Up Challenge #59:

Inside:  of course I had to call!  it was that, or a TWEET!

This sweet little bird is one of a dozen fun images in SugarPea's Everyday is Christmas - one of the 4 calling birds! I borrowed the colors from the gorgeous feathered friend in the photo, and a few of the details from the Sketch, while letting that background shine. 

Thanks for stopping by... let the weekend begin!

=]  Michele

[Tags, and sentiment, are retired SugarPea sets that I still adore.]
Inks used are: hickory smoke, worn lipstick, peeled paint, and chipped sapphire!
 

CAS[E] this Sketch #340

Naturally, one would think I might make another Halloween card, right?  the mask.  boo.  not today!  There was a certain little bloom that was demanding some attention!  Here she is. another MFT borrowed from Bobby:

For CTS#340:

Inside:

Said not one person over the age of 60 65 66.  Ever.

 

Now.  Before anyone else calls me The Enabler... yes.  this is another new cover-plate - Lil' Inkers again - called So Knotty! [I could have a fun day with the name alone!] You have to be a sale shopper, people!

 

You should also be playing along with this one - maybe YOU have more Halloween cards to make? 

 

=]  Michele

 

p.s.  okay - one more!!  just for you...

 

That Cooking Lady was begging me for a mask of her own from Dress Up Days!

Seems she has Pumpkin to Talk About!



Inspired By #90 ... L is for

 

It's time for Laurel's 'L is for' challenge at Inspired By - this time I'm sending off a butterfly - you know the one... if you Love something, set it free... blah, blah, blah.  This year, I was feeling a bit snarky - no reflection on Laurel, mind you!!

 

For IB90...

 

… already!

 

Am I the only person that just thought of Cher in that scene from Moonlighting:  "Snap out of it" after a vigorous slap?

 

It's that kinda card … snark, with a side of butterfly to temper it!  LOL

 

Come play with us, because we can't wait to see/hear what L says to you!

 

=]  Michele



Grazing in the CAS is a gas...

… can you dig it?  I've got TWO cards for those CAS Challenge girls!  First up:  CAS Watercolour - Complimentary Colors!

I've chosen Red-violet[s] and yellow-green[s] giving way to shades of each color by loosely painting Altenew pan water colors onto a piece of water color paper before cutting these gorgeous layers from another set [Altenew Garden Picks 3D dies].  Here's how it came out...

Next up?  for CAS Mix it Up where Joanna is requesting Inchies!  I have little experience with inchies, Joanna - hope this works!

Okay.  I may be disqualified - and that's OKAY!  But I've ticked the Inchies, and stamping boxes, but is this mat an approved 'your choice?'  I guess Joanna will be my judge!  Here you go:

This gorgeous leaf will be the star of the show in a few weeks... but for now, it was stamped many times and mercifully sacrificed for this Challenge!!  lol

Have a wonderful Wednesday!  Thanks for sharing a bit of it with me!

=]  Michele

Thanks to the CAS team for this honor!!!



2019 Card Design Superstar: Clean & Simple Genius

Whoa... that word 'genius?'  MFT's word not mine!!  lol  But, CAS is a style I love - and even after a few years, I struggle with at times.  So!  Why not put it to the ultimate test?  I'm throwing a card into the Clean & Simple Genius ring for...

You'll tell me if it's as CAS as I hope it is...

 Inside:  YOU are a total stand-out in our class. mate!

 

I've taken just one of the fun fish from Fish You Were Here and stamped it multiple times - free wheeling it - just like my casts are when I'm fishing!  Then I chose one of these guys to "do the talking"  using the coordinating die.  An itty bit of Copic coloring , and a layer of Nuvo crystal glaze, was all it took to make him the stand-out in his school.

Here's a fun idea, when CAS is your choice - add a bit of color that only the recipient will see on closer inspection!  I've chosen to mimic my class clown fish's colors and use orange fun foam as my panel-backer, and bright green for my sentiment strip!   
 

Okay.  I know it's not a GENIUS idea... but fun, just the same!

Fish me luck … I'm throwing it into the ocean of CAS Genius cards there in the MFT gallery!

=]  Michele

Mail it Monday - 2nd Anniversary!

I know a few of you have not started an Instagram journey, but that's okay.  I'll share a bit of the news here, too!

Kimberly Crawford - For the Love of Paper - has been on a mission!  A mission to mail those cards we all make!  She's spreading the word on Instagram, and celebrating her 2nd anniversary - YAY!  I've been so inspired by her example, and try to have at least one card in the mailbox on Mondays... often more!  I've shared Kimberly's link so you, too, can be inspired by Mail it Monday!

Today, these cards will be sent to a few broads, I MEAN to friends abroad!  Which is something I try to do often.  It's so much cheaper for a Global stamp, than an airline ticket anywhere! Even though I'd love to travel to meet them for reals!  I'm keeping the destination a secret - you'll just have to wonder - will they be heading Down Under?!

Both made with the cute MFT Fish you were Here set

of stamps, and dies!

 



You might have noticed another new

cover-plate ... I just cannot resist them!

This one, from Lil' Inkers called

Quilted Stitched Spirals is TOTALLY CURRENT!

great for blowing leaves, oceans currents, or for snow storms!

If you do enjoy an Instagram browse, do follow me over to @kimberlystamps or @mailitmonday
[follow me too please @mfergu01].

Have a splendid Monday - and don't forget to get a stamp on it!! 

=]  Michele

The Flower Challenge #36 Reminder

How about playing along at The Flower Challenge to get your week started on a beautiful note?  It's reminder time, and there are prizes to be won!! 

In August, I had the great pleasure of having a sleepover at the cottage of one of The Flower Challenge design team … Bobby Hagen of Bits and Pieces, is a fellow Michigander, and we gather together at least twice a year!  Aren't I the lucky one? 

With this Challenge in mind, we packed our MFT goodies to share … here is my reminder card created with Bobby's Fresh-Cut Flowers red rubber from MFT:

Giving credit to Francine Vuilleme of the MFT team for her gorgeous inspiration back in March when this one released... be sure to check her out at her blog: 1001 Cartes

Okay, get those MFT flowers stamps... or any flower stamp, and come join the fun at The Flower Challenge, why don't you??!! 

Thanks for sharing, Bobby - and for that fabulous blueberry buckle!!!  Thank you, TFC, for having me as your guest!

=]  Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #402

The designers at Freshly Made Sketches keep coming with more and more fun … this one from Karren for FMS402 is a great example:

I have a few birthdays to celebrate in October - and there was an old goat sitting in my snippets that has happy baaathday written all over him...

"Happy baaathday, kid... from me,  and the old goat!'

This may not be 'clean' enough to be considered, but I just couldn't bear to not use the entire sheet!  It's an old batik from PTI that I added a bit of black detail to in order to tie it in with the black alphas. 

I'd better get him in the gallery... before he eats the entire card!  Thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele 

Time Out #144 Home Sweet Home

I've had a paper in my stash just waiting for the perfect Challenge... I think I found it ...

 

Tell me I could be right about this one.

 

 

That room is so cool, right?  but it's the little pot/spot of bright green that caught my eye - well, I'll be honest - first was that hand but that awesome Stephanie beat me to it!!

 

Happy Saturday!!

=]  Michele

 

Penny Black: Rose Garden embossed onto TH water color card

Wplus9 Doodle Buds sentiment

Distress Inks: black soot, and twisted citron for water coloring

EBE Stitching Lines for detail

Raven Patterned paper by Glitz that is circa 2013!!!

 

EBE Mondo Oak Leaf

Happy Friday, my friends!

I can't tell you how much I love the newest of the Mondo collection from Ellen Hutson, LLC … it's a MIGHTY beautiful addition:  Mondo Oak Leaf...

I've dedicated a good part of my day with this handsome devil - and its coordinating dies - and couldn't wait to share one of my cards... after all - it's almost FALL!

 

Do you know how much I love a cover-plate?  they add just the perfect touch to a card, without messing around with the CAS style!  This beauty, from Altenew - called Dotted Swirls, will be competing with my wood grain favorite

that you see me use so often!

Inside … a little bit of my own humor...

"Aren't we glad this change doesn't come with hot flashes?"

 



Simply stamped with Versamark onto smooth Bristol, and heat embossed with Brutus Monroe Gilded gold embossing powder, I then set about splattering, splashing, brushing, smooshing with Distress Oxide fossilized amber, and regular Distress Oxide gathered twig, and chipped sapphire. 

You'll spy a second die-cut leaf peeking out  … there's more to come soon!  Don't even try telling me you didn't know I'd HAVE TO do a grey version!  

Hope you have some fun almost-Fall things to do this weekend … apple picking perhaps?  Or time spent in your craft room?  always pleases me!  Whatever it is HAVE FUN!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #339

We have had some tremendous thunder storms in our area the last few weeks!  They may have had an impact on my card this week - he hee!  Meet CTS339:

And now, my card...

Lil' Inkers provided my little be-slickered friend - never fear she didn't get one feather wet from the storm [an old fave from Basic Grey] she was perfectly protected by that Paper Smooches frame - it was 'visit' your stash day today!

Hope you find something that triggers a storm of crafting in your studio … and that you'll share it with us at CTS339!  Now let's go see what my pals have made, shall we?  Meet you there - and thanks so much for stopping by!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #89 ... signs of fall

 

Are there signs of fall by you?  Since my neighborhood was built on [what was formerly] a blueberry farm, there are very few trees within, but many on the outskirts!  Penny Black may have imagined this little sweetie [another borrowed from Marcia] in my neighborhood - lol!  Nary an acorn to be found - which doesn't break my heart - ya know what I'm sayin'?

Laurel's IB#89 prompt triggered this little playtime... emphasis on that lone little leaf...

Of course her Converse are grey - are you surprised?

I have a low-top pair of my own!

Winnie & Walter Noelle Cutaways always set the stage perfectly, right?

There is so much to love about Autumn - you autumn play along, my friends!  Can't wait to see how you are Inspired By #89!

=]  Michele