CAS[E] this Sketch #370

Are you ready for another 'simple makes it harder' Sketch this week?  Chrissy, you've done it again - beautifully!  Meet CTS#370:

I've had a beautiful new Pinkfresh Studio die on my craft table for a few weeks, it turned out to be the perfect time to put it to work!  I love it cut from this wonderful EBE Linen cardstock.

 

It was simple to snip two corners to interpret the Sketch.

Here's a little closeup of that little bit of love I found

in my snippets bin … it 'had me' at hounds tooth!

 

Thank you for your visit today...but now, I'll send you on your way over to CTS#370 … you'll be amazed by the design team cards this week... I am ALWAYS amazed by how you interpret our Sketch!  Won't you please play cards with us again this week?

=]  Michele

Inspired By #122... night, night!

Wait!  don't go to bed yet!  It's early morning, and time for Inspired By #122 … here's where the 'night, night' part comes from …

I don't know about you, but I am a bedding/linen/towel FREAK!!  You won't find me in the clothing section of any department store - nope, not me.  I'll be in the housewares section every time!  What I wouldn't give for pink gingham
sheets... gah!  Well naturally, I had to make a bit of pink gingham paper for my card!  Here's how it came out...

Did you spot that sweet little bouquet of bright daffodil-yellow blooms near the bed?  it was fun to combine it with the pink.  Pink just cozies up to so many colors so beautifully - something that surprises some folks.

Okay!  So what springs to your mind when you look at IB122?  Maybe you want to sleep on it?  Go ahead, as long as you come back and play along!  We look forward to seeing you in our gallery!

=]  Michele

Sugar Pea Designs: Buffalo check background stamp - stamped with Altenew Blush ink, and cut with MFT Wonky Rectangles die
Lawn Fawn Spring Fling pattern paper - cut with Spellbinders Chantilly Paper Lace die
Sentiment from Altenew's Leaf Canopy

This week's optional Sketch:

CAS[E] this Sketch #369 Retro Week!

I love Retro Sketch week!  This month we're going back to September of 2015 for CTS#140  I found a simple way to make this simple Sketch work for me back then.  This time around I saw it with new eyes...

I stretched my creative muscles - and that Clever Sausage, again!  It's pretty easy to stretch the stamping, it's the die-cutting that gets a little tricky!  Just cut one end, then the other and clip through the middle with scissors!  Add a sweater and no one is the wiser if it didn't work out perfectly!

 

Prisma color pencils for coloring today! 

Tell me what skate-boarding-wiener-dog wouldn't take pleasure in plunging right through a puddle?

OH!  in case you're wondering what he's dragging along behind him:

 

I MAY have tweaked the sentiment a bit!  lol

 

We hope YOU will take the plunge and join us this week for CTS#369!  let's head over to see what my fabulous teammates have made, shall we?  Thanks for stopping by today... hope you're staying in, and feeling great!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #121 ... a rainbow of color

We have such a fabulous photo inspiration for Inspired By #121 …

Wouldn't you love to walk through these glorious rainbow colored arches!  This is almost color overload for me! lol  But I put away my color fears for today!  Here' my IB121 card -

You won't have any trouble seeing how I was inspired by the colors, the shapes, even that decorative molding!  this sweet Waffle Flower Crafts Magical Flower 1 is perfect, in my humble opinion!  So perfect, I left off the sentiment - I'll tuck a few words on the inside!

We hope you'll 'tuck' a little card in our IB#121 gallery this week!!

=]  Michele

OH!  Here's a Sketch for you to use, if you'd like to!!



Counting my blessings with EBE

After the weekend I had complaining about my blogger problems, I woke this morning with a design in my head that made me laugh at myself... after all sh*t could be SO much worse, and I'm blessed to say we have our health! 

Hope it brings you a grin, or a laugh:

Julie Ebersole's Voices in my Head to the rescue again!

Man … she just gets me!

My PPE were cut from a scrap of aqua cardstock in my stash, using my favorite hand die for the glove, and MFT Blueprint 33 for the mask - you'll notice I had to do a little surgery to make it the right size.  A bit of scoring/folding/gluing of string, and I think it's just what the doctor ordered today!  A bit of simple background stamping with Pattern Play adds a touch of interest, and a Waffle Flower Nesting postage stamp dies came to my rescue for the panel, and sentiment, too.  Speaking of which... hope it doesn't offend - sometimes you just have to let it rip!

=]  Michele

Houston, we have a problem!

I've received many emails concerning my problems with Blogger - in particular, not being able to see my photos!  Hopefully, 'they' will be working on a fix.  Until then, I really hate seeing those strange symbols on my page!  So!  This is a test … let's see if I'm successful today.

This is just one of the cards/masks I made using my

MFT Blueprints 33 die.  Even though it looks like I've used

elastic, it's just some of an old IKEA paper ribbon.

I'll know soon enough if my test worked … and will keep checking for problems, and solutions!

Thanks to the friends who were caring enough to let me know there were issues! xx
=]  Michele

Note to TK:  This was a test.  Using Microsoft Edge, Blogger wouldn't allow the photos to be uploaded.  Explorer would... who knows why!

My Father owns a grocery store... revisited!

Okay, friends.  I'm going to make an attempt to fix this post.  Let's just say I'm not ready to quit... yet!

There is a very good reason I'm trying so hard. Because there is a group of heroes that aren't among the healthcare workers that I would very much like to thank today... the grocers!  In particular, my own in-family grocers:  Son-in-law Mike, and my daughter Stacey, who own a well-stocked, everything-one-would-need kind of 'corner' grocery store out in a rural area.  They are working day, and night to keep their many neighbors well fed!  They are right there on the front line of those essential workers … this one's for you, my heroes!  Thank you for working those many long hours!!  Stacey, I think Cas-ual Fridays had you in mind when they wrote this sentiment:

Up next are a few fun cards I made using products from those generous small businesses who have kindly given us FREEBIES to use until we can start shopping again. - they help keep me smiling, too: 

Ellen Hutson - specifically Brandi Kincaid who designed this freebie: 

 Waffle Flower Crafts for their Health Heroes freebie:

 

Waffle Flower Crafts' freebie was designed by Cassie Loizeaux.  I printed enough for eight cards for a neighbor to give to the health care workers at the hospital where her husband is recouping without her.  She's been taking care of him for three or more years at home - just when she's needed most, she isn't able to be with him because of the quarantine at the hospital.  I used many of the sentiments JJ Bolton wrote for this freebie on the inside of my cards!  It's wonderful they have made a black and white, and colored version - even for the sentiments!  Update:  she loved them!!


Are you wondering how I made my masks?  My Favorite Things, happened to make the perfect die for my projects today!  Here's how I used the Blueprints 33 die to make my masks, and card base:

Create a side-folded landscape card from medium weight, 80# or less, cardstock.

Align the MFT Blueprints 33 die so that the cutting edge of the die is

OFF the edge of the card!

Now while these 'masks' may not provide safety, I hope they bring a smile to the faces of these hard working people!  I'll also be using them to thank the restaurant workers who provide ONE meal a week to my household:



Reverse Confetti sentiment

Inside:  Even though it's been so long since anyone has seen it!!

THANK YOU! for putting up with all of my trials, and tribulations with Blogger!!! 

=]  Michele  

A Special Blog Hop - Celebrating life with the 12 Kits of Occasions team

Sharron Gregory was beloved by all of us on the 12 Kits of Occasions team … her passing at the end of March left each of us with a broken heart.  I am joining the 12 Kits team today as we celebrate our wonderful friend.

Sharron and I shared a love of all things winged!  Mostly our sweet Monarch butterflies.  Her guidance, and knowledge, made Tom and I better caregivers - I'm so sorry that I never had the chance to go tag those fragile wings with her in Kansas!  This year, and forever more, I will remember Sharron with each blooming of a Chrysalis in our Butterfly House.

This duo of cards was made from the very first Kit I ever received as a member of this wonderful team.  I knew in a minute Sharron [our hostess] and I were destined to be friends!  It also prompted our first, of many, phone conversations!

My next card, made from another of Sharron's Kits in April 2017, says it all … even if there isn't a bird or a butterfly - she knew I loved kitties, too!!

Love you, Sharron - I pray you'll find a way to visit - if only on Papillon Wings!  I'll be waiting.

Thank you for stopping by today … if you called Sharron your friend, feel free to add your own special memory of her in your comments.  I'd love to hear it.  Here's a link to the 12 Kits of Occasions post where you'll find all the special ways Sharron touched all of us as members of the 12 Kits team.

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #368

I'm going to make this quick, because I cannot wait to see the card that inspired Donna to draw our Sketch #368 this week... or did she draw the Sketch then make her card?

 

Here's what I see … tee hee…

 

 

I've come to count on Tom's being around for his hand, and brain, more these days... he helped me put these cuties in motion - they like to move it, move it!

 

 



Now I'm wondering how YOU will see Donna's Sketch - we love how you roll, too!

=]  Michele

Waffle Flower Craft - Gym Rat  was just one of the stamp sets I won during their Birthday Celebration!!  The perfect sentiment came from their Flora Cat Play set that I've had for years - I may have bought it just for this sentiment!! lol

Inspired By #120... cute critters!

With all the tough news these days, we thought a few cute critters might be just what's needed today...

I have a few cute critters... I was inspired by the cute dishes, the colors, and that darling gingham!  Hope you like it!

 

Aren't they sweet?  We hope you'll be Inspired By #120, and will play along with us!

=]  Michele

Pretty Pink Posh - Hedgehog Friends stamps, and dies
EBE Plaid Maker
MFT Elegant Rectangles
MFT Peekaboo Rectangle
The Stamp Market - Pierced Plaid [thanks, Coni!]

Happy Easter with Color Throwdown 588

Happy Easter, my friends!   Our world is turned upside down these days, and finding my mojo hasn't been easy!  We'll all be missing our families today, won't we?  I couldn't even bring myself to color eggs … but I did color some carrots!  Hope they bring you a smile today ...

Of course I found all the inspiration I needed for this design over at Color Throwdown.  Specifically for ctd588...

… and all my supplies right here in my stash:

• Altenew - Farmers Market stamps, and dies
• Altenew - Wildflower Garden [for those filler sprigs]
• Altenew - Exotic Tulips
• Pinkfresh Studio - Basic Label dies for my acetate vase
• Green Apple SSS dye ink
• Wplus9  Pumpkin Spice, Little Piggy, and Hayride dye inks
• Catherine Pooler It's a girl

Be blessed, my friends!  I'm sending my love along with those prayers!  Stay in.  stay safe.  stay well.

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch # 367

N@ Ali provides us with a fun CTS#367 this week … take a peek...

While I thought the leaf, or branch, looked like it might have been cut from N@'s banners, I went in a different direction.  Hope you like it!

 

I used Wplus9's Tropic Fever trellis [no longer found in shop]  to create a heat-embossed panel of water color paper the size I needed for my design.  Distress Oxide inks [scattered straw, peeled paint, and forest moss] were my means of adding a gradation of greens.  Then, I took it to my paper trimmer and cut it into four - cut the right edge at an angle to form two fish tails, instead of four.  It would be just the trellis one might find in the tropics, right?  The Stamp Market Tropical Blooms provided this large leaf that was stamped, and cut using the coordinating die.  Unfortunately, they have discontinued making this set - I won't discontinue using it though!  My 'awesome' sentiment is another one of those that comes with a matching die from Pinkfresh Studio's Lush Greenery set.

 

I'm using discontinued products today to show that, while we may be clamping down on spending, there are TONS of beautiful supplies in our stash that need love, too!  I just know you have plenty in your own stash... why not follow my lead?  If that doesn't work for you, there is PLENTY to love from my teamies at CTS … let's go see, shall we? 

 

Thanks for spending a few of your precious down-time minutes with me today!  xx

 

=]  Michele

Inspired By #119 ... spring is here

 

Our mood photo for Inspired By #119 is ticking all my boxes this week:  grey, floral, stripes... what's not to love?

 

Spring is not quite here in my neck 0' the woods, but I love being able to sit out on my deck for a few minutes each day when it's in the 50's!  Especially when that's about as far as I can go! 

 

Here's my card … hope it gives you a little boost!

 

 

It has been ages since I've used this

Altenew Painted Flowers set … it's such a sweet one.

This grey stripe patterned paper is from MFT.

Here are the inks I used today... and you might recognize

that sweet Pinkfresh tag?

 

Hope you'll be inspired to play cards with us this week … and that you and yours are safe, and well!  If you need a little extra nudge, here is a Sketch for you to incorporate into your design … you'll note that I did not use it.

=]  Michele



CAS Watercolour and The Flower Challenge

It appears Spring has sprung around blogland!  Such a welcomed sight, too!  I have always loved tulips - in any color, or no color at all - yes, white are my favorites!  But today I've 'grown' some pink ones for the CAS Watercolour Challenge: 

The first stamping of this little tulip [the smallest from Altenew Exotic Tulips] was dipped into tattered rose DOX and spritzed with a mist of water before stamping onto my Neenah #110 card stock - the details stamps were used with the same ink, but I left out the outline stamp from the set.  Here's little closeup for you...

Peeled paint DOX was used in the exact same method for the stems, and one leaf, and a few splatters.

The Flower Challenge is looking for a few Spring flowers - or Autumn ones if you live in the Southern Hemisphere - so I'll send these over to them … in yellow - scattered straw DOX, to be exact!

Hope these Spring tulips might brighten your day as they did mine!  I've not been in a very creative state of mind - creating this paper garden did help a bit!  Be safe, and well!

=]  Michele

so happy for this honor for the pinks!!

 

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #366

Brian has a lovely layered Sketch for this week …

thank you, Brian! 

Meet CTS#366:

Those fabulous Stampin' Up people really know how to layer beautifully … me?  Not so much... but I gave it a go, using a few Pinkfresh Studio products today.  I'll be shining a light on a few of my favorite companies in the next few weeks - they are all deserving, and need us during these hard times.

 

The largest layer is PFS Braided Tag, which I partial-cut, reverse, and cut again so both ends would have the rounded edge.  The holes were die cut the same way... it might be

easier for you to imagine this if you could see the set here.

 

The second, and third layers were cut with

the oval labels from PFS Essential Labels set.

The midsize one was also cut with PFS Noteworthy Frames - so I could tuck in a few of their Dainty Blossoms … all patterned paper is from PFS Indigo Hills. 

A very appropriate sentiment 'dots the i' for this card for a friend... it comes from PFS Oval Floral Wreath.

 

That's it!  Hope you'll join us this week …

maybe highlight one of your own favorite companies? 

We'll love having you, and your view of Brian's Sketch!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #118 Easter is coming!

 

I do hope Easter brings some really good weather with it!
I recently made a card for an expectant Mom, and loved
the design so much, that I've recreated it for
this week's Inspired By #118 … this time with
a 'chocolate' bunny!

My bunny is from Purple Onion, his little
Easter eggs make me crave
Cadbury mini-eggs so badly!!  They're a thing around here,
we can't wait for them to hit the shelves!
Here is how I created mine... a bit of DOX blending,
some splatters, then cutting with the egg die from
EBE Backyard Bird Friends -
the key is to cut without stamping. 
Come to think of it, any egg die would do!

We have a new leader here at Inspired By …
Danni Reid has stepped into some very large shoes - and we have a few new faces on the design team, too! 
Laurel, we're going to miss you around here!
Thanks so much for bringing us together, and inspiring us each week!

I hope you'll find something in our photo to inspire
you to play along!
This week … if you are more likely to play with a jumping-off point, Danni has shared this Sketch for the week,
but it isn't necessary to:

Hope you'll play along!
=]  Michele