MFT Color Challenge #142

I love the colors of this week's MFT Color Challenge …

 

They say 'turtle pond' to me …

 

 

Stamping this turtley cute guy [MFT Too Cute Turtles] on MFT's natural cardstock

and coloring him with Copics, I tucked him into the weeds - made him feel right at home!  Those MFT Stitched Strip lines make me think he's not the only turtle in the pond!

[btw, that weed is MFT's Mistletoe coverup die - I just performed a little surgery!]

 

Thanks for stopping by - I'm going to get this guy over to the MFTCC142 gallery!

=]  Michele

 

 

CAS[E] this Sketch #374 Retro #286

I'm very happy to see this Sketch again … I really loved it the first time around … and had just as much fun this time for our CTS#374 Retro Week !

I'm testing out a thing I'm calling Just One More Thing.  You'll understand in a moment … here is my card:

It's pretty good, right?  Nothing too fancy, it stretches the Sketch a bit with a larger embellishment, definitely still CAS.  But then I thought 'could it be better?'  I'll let you be the judge...

All I did was pick up a bit of watery Distress Oxide weathered wood with a piece of acetate to add what might be the suggestion of more blooms in the background.  What do you think?  Better, or worse?  It's growing on me... and I certainly wouldn't throw it in the bin!  lol 

Let's go see all the CTS DT cards, shall we?  We can't wait to see what YOU will make this time around!

=]  Michele 

Supplies:
The Stamp Market Ready to Bloom cover die; Stemmed Leaves die
Friend die from Winnie & Walter - sadly no longer in business.

OH!  Tom wanted me to share what's blooming in our yard today... AND the Bluebirds have fledged, too!!
 

 

Inspired By #126 ... all the details

There are SO many things about this photo that I love...

and get Inspired By for IB126!  My interest was

piqued by details from two of the four sections...

see if you can find them:

 

 

The Stamp Market came to my rescue again! and

a very old embossing folder from SU … I LOVE big dots!

 

Hope you find a few things that pique your interest

enough to play along!! 

 

=]  Michele

 

The Stamp Market: Fabulous Floral Layering dies; Ready to Bloom for the sentiment; and their Color Burst card stock collection

EH Oyster card stock

Sugar Pea Mix it Up Challenge May 2020

It has seemed so bizarre that the most treasured grocery item, besides yeast, these days has been toilet paper … seems my design brain is obsessed by the phenomenon, too!

 

This guy just seemed the perfect guest to bring to the party at Sugar Pea's May 2020 Mix it Up Challenge #67:

 

My own inside sentiment:

"Oh, go ahead - squeeze the Charmin, too!"*

 

=]  Michele

 

*[I know I'm dating myself, but who remembers Mr. Whipple?]

 

Sugar Pea: Hey Honey stamps & dies, sentiment; Enjoy Tag for quote bubble

EBE Squeeze the Day: lemons, flowers, sentiment

I've slipped...

yes, slipped.  and broken my self-imposed moratorium on purchases... but The Stamp Market is really hard to resist.

For the first stamping I brought out a few Distress Oxides inks*,  and mounted a just a few of the Petal Perfection stamps onto acrylic blocks.  My method today... very free, very loose, watery smooshed color.  That panel was then left to dry, and these cards are the results of my efforts:

The rectangle window was cut using the EBE Essential Rectangles, then I used the negative on card two:

With all those leftover inks smooshed onto the acetate, what's a girl to do?  Make another card, that's what! 

 This Ready to Bloom cover die deserves a close up …

I've lost another very wonderful friend recently … she really did take this last sentiment to heart, and I surely will cherish the memories we made together... love you, sweet friend!

=]  Michele

*Distress Oxides:  abandoned coral, tattered rose, scattered straw, and peeled paint.

CAS[E] this Sketch #373

There are a few of our CTS Sketches that I will use over, and over, in my card designs … this one, by Donna Mikasa, is bound to be one of them!  Thanks, Donna! xx

So if you were here earlier today, you will no doubt recognize my cute little MFT reader … I just happened to have an extra!

 

We hope you'll find an extra bit of creative time to spend with us at CTS 373 this week!

 

=]  Michele

Inspired By #125 ... sitting pretty!

Many years ago, while living in Upstate New York, my family visited Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts … I was just amazed that the Shaker people hung their chairs on the wall just like this!  Think how easy it would be to mop or sweep, or vacuum if we all did this!!  lol

SO, I didn't hang my chairs, but here is my card for IB#125 … I used the ONLY set I had with a chair in it!  MFT's Our Story to the rescue!

 

I hope you have a little luck finding a chair or two … or any other place to sit pretty with us this week at Inspired By #125!

 

=]  Michele

Just for fun ...

Don't we ALL need a little fun?  I'm always amazed by Laura Bassen, and her plethora of graphic rainbow-colored cards in the last few months prompted my card today.  Let's just say she's put a hex on me! wink, wink...

 

 

I'm trying to give my mojo a kick in the pants … anyone else in need of one?  Your visits, and encouraging words do help, so thank you, my sweet friends!

 

=]  Michele

 

The Stamp Market Hex dies

Card stock from Michael's

White wood grain from EH

Altenew Dotted Swirls for debossed pattern

Altenew sentiment

CAS Stencil Challenge - Layered Stenciling

Hilary, I've got a confession … Stenciling is always a challenge for me!  But your darling reminder card sparked an idea for your CAS Stencil Layered Stenciling Challenge  - hope you like it!

 

I seldom buy coordinating stencils, but for some reason, I did choose the bundle from Altenew that included them [both positive and negative] this time!  My panel was stenciled twice using a diagonal stripe from SSS with Distress Oxide scattered straw ink, and a blending brush. 

I then used the Basic Blooms stencil to

add a few blooms in ripe persimmon,  and leaves in peeled paint, on my 'gingham' - even the positive stencils worked a charm for 'masking.' 

 

 

Using just one of the layering stamps from the Basic Blooms set allowed that gingham to show through... I can't tell you how pleased I was that this idea worked! 

 

So there you are, Hilary! 

Thanks for coaxing me outside my comfort zone!

=]  Michele

We're BACK!

Thank you THANK YOU Thank YOU!

for your patience and caring … I hope you find everything

your heart desires in stock, because the

Ellen Hutson staff is [as always] so ready to serve!

Did I say thank you?  Please continue to be safe, and well!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #372

I found CTS#372 to be the PERFECT inspiration for a group Mother's Day card I made for Tom's mom. 

 

I had another win... I know, I know - I'm a very lucky girl!  This time it was a windfall from Waffle Flower Crafts during their Birthday celebration on YouTube.  All of their fabulous designers' products were in the spotlight - I may have mentioned their mice designed by Liz Mytinger were the ONLY mice I'd invite into my home!  Man did they ever make that wish come true!!  Thanks @waffleflowercrafts and also for these other animals I've welcomed into the craft ranch!

Ready for my card... bet you never thought I'd get to it!!  Here's one from the whole HERD...

"… and their better halves - happy Mother's Day!"

You won't mind if I left out the dribbles from the CTS372 right?  I figured Mom didn't need to be reminded of all the dribbling, and spills from her herd of six!

How will the Sketch inspire you this week?  We can't wait to find out!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #124 ... sweet on you

It will be a bit longer before we'll see Michigan cherries available, but this IB124 really made my juices flow!  In more ways than one!

 

I'm not a big fan of Cherry ice cream, however... pie? 

That's another story!

These Copics made my favorite flavor come to life:  Peach!

a cherry on top would be lovely! 

 

Did you happen to notice my 'spoon-shaped' die?  and a bit of blue wood-grain paper peeking through?  hmmm?  Sometimes my IB design details are a bit more subtle! lol

We can always count on you to make us say 'now why didn't I think of that!'  I'm sure you'll find some way to WOW us again this week for IB124!

=]  Michele

The Flower Challenge #44 Monochrome

I found a sliver of alone time yesterday to color a gorgeous digi image from Alex Syberia for The Flower Challenge #44 Monochrome




Sticking with peachy pinks, I found a group of Copics that played well together... adding a bit of gray to the leaves for shadows... isn't it funny that TaeEun did the same?  Please don't compare our cards though … her Copic skills blows us all out of the water!

 

I'd better get this over there … my groom is home, and it's our 25th anniversary today!!  Seems like yesterday... or maybe last week?  lol

 

=]  Michele

May 2020 Altenew Inspiration Challenge

I just love the blue sky in this photo … it makes me think of photos I've seen of the Greek Isles - who wants to go with? lol

Here's my card for Altenew's May 2020 Inspiration Challenge... I didn't have the exact blue, but this one works, right?  How about that Dotted Swirl cover plate?  I just love that die!  This time I cut a frame from the plate - the texture from the water color cardstock is too pretty to cover up completely.

I stamped a few of the images from Beautiful Day onto water color cardstock, and cut with the coordinating dies.  That gorgeous white rose in the photo was a bit hard to recreate, but stamping it in gray seemed to help keep the little bit of shadow I added soft but hopefully effective.  It was easy to see where the orange and bright yellow would fit into the scheme.

Thanks for the visit!
=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #371

I love a Sketch that gives us a shape to build on … I stuck with Brian's suggestion of that star - but you can use a different shape if you'd like to!

I used MFT's Birdy Brown freebie - it was easy, and so fun, to make her the star of the show!

PTI star die - might have been my first purchase from them!

 

 

I shared this next card on IG the other day … it nearly fits the Sketch, too, don't you think?  LOL

EBE Freebie by Brandi, and Altenew Speech Bubbles and dies

The 'privacy curtain' was created with a SU embossing folder.

Trimming the bottom edges gave them a bit more movement, don't you agree?

 

However YOU interpret Sketch #371 is just fine with us, as long as we can see it in your card!  Now.  Let's go see my teamies' renditions, shall we?  OH wait ... thanks for your visit today!

 

=]  Michele

Inspired By #123 ... flower me with color

Spring is finally showing up here in Western Michigan... I'm seeing some blooming happening!  Wait 'til you see what's blooming at Inspired By #123:

 

Isn't it unique?  I've never seen freshly cut flowers hung like this... but I found a way to do it with paper!

It was simple to stamp this sweet little Altenew Lavender Bud with their palest shades from their cube sets, die cut them, and frame them up with this fabulous wood-grain paper from Craft Consortium, cut with that MFT die I use so often.   The sentiment comes from Altenew, Basic Blooms.

Hope you find loads of inspiration from IB123!  There's a fun Sketch there to use if you'd like to!  Thanks for stopping by today!

=]  Michele

Altenew Ink cube sets:
Shades of Purple
Red Cosmos
Tranquility
Cool Summer Night
Catherine Pooler Sage for greenery, Twilight for sentiment
MFT Elegant Rectangles die set

Fusion - Thank you!

Fusion's Thank you challenge photo called out to me...

I had just the perfect little Waffle Flower for it!

I couldn't find one page of notebook paper, but

found a patterned paper to add lines to …

 

 

Hope you like it!

=]  Michele

These days, I especially love prizes!

I was so honored to be among the winners of the March 2020 Altenew Inspiration Challenge for this card … along with the honor came a gift card!  It was wonderful to shop again!!

I have been in love with this Basic Blooms set since its intro last year … I'm often the last to buy any new sets, but have been so inspired by those who have used it, I decided it was time to put my own spin on it! [and found the bundle to be the best value!]

With a bit of stamp layering, and die-cutting I was able to pull a few of these Basics blooms into a 'branch, or sprig-full' … tell me what you think … btw the 'branch' is actually the stem from my Altenew Exotic Tulips set!

Stampin' Up texture

 You'll recognize that wonderful Debossing Dotted Swirls cover plate, I'm sure!

 

Are you wondering about my process? 

• stamp all bloom layers onto card stock arranged to please your own eyes
• die cut the blooms
• stamp leaves onto the remaining card stock - it's easy to put the blooms on temporarily to determine where the branch, and leaves might be in nature.
• add embossing, or debossing - if you'd like to
• place your blooms back into the negative spaces, lifting them with foam squares, or foam tape.

Hope you  like them, and that you'll give this technique a try!  I'm sure it would work with many of the other Altenew sets, or any blooming flowers you have in your stash!  It just takes a little imagination!

=]  Michele

An EBE play day ... with a little bathroom humor...

Okay, look.  I simply must find something to make me laugh these days.  My Essentials by Ellen stash came in really handy to scratch that itch!!  Hope these make you chuckle, too!

 

Our Leading Gentleman is such a romantic.

Heather's Essential Circle dies made quick work

of creating TP!  [hope she doesn't mind! eek!]

My own personal sense of humor carries over to the inside:

 

 

This die, from the EBE Stitching Lines totally reads

 'sections' in the TP to me - perfect for the inside sentiment!

 

Now, I never imagined our darling EBE Handful holding toilet paper - until now... it is 'what's for gifting' these days!

 

Adding the inside sentiment with washi makes it easy to

pass on the humor to another!

 

For my final bit of Bathroom Humor - EBE Handful stamps and dies really came in handy!  It was fun doing a little tile work again!  These little squares were found in my snippets!

 





 

As much as I wanted to make that hand pull, I thought

it would be fun for the card recipient to get interactive.

 

All I had to do was keep the hand stationary, and allow for the TP to be slipped from her grip!  Then, let it roll!

 

I used a strip of natural cardstock, made the score marks between squares with

another Stitched die,  and found the perfect sized sentiments from

the Handful set!  Rolling it up on a paintbrush, and found a bit of

bamboo skewer from my kitchen for the 'roller'  which is held on with

a bit of wired jute, but allowing room for it to spin.



So, that's it!  My Bathroom Humor!  Hope you [and Ellen, Brandi, Julie, and Heather] find it fun, too!

=]  Michele