Altenew Old & New Favorites!

Every few years, I have to bring out an old favorite stamp set from Altenew called Farmers Market- it's fun, playful and I just can't stop with those carrots!  

Using old favorites in a new way?  come to find out, right now, there is a Challenge for that from the Altenew Educators who are hopping with all their own old favorites!

You can see my older cards here and here but this is my newest version, using some Altenew patterned paper, from Celebrations, that looks like I did some natural die inking... this was so much easier, and far less messy!

Inside sentiment reserved, wink!

There is that new favorite Rounded Rectangle Die again - 

definitely one of my NEW favorites!

I love that Altenew had all the right colors in their enamel dot collection.

Do YOU have an old favorite from Altenew that gets used time and time again?  Why not join in the fun?  You have until April 5th!

=]  Michele

Altenew:

Farmer's Market stamp and die combo

Celebrations patterned paper

Enamel dots

Waffle Flower's Celebrating- Challenge Week 4 - Theme Birthday

A really quick post for this afternoon - I have a certain group that wants to be HERD!!

Happy birthday to EWE!!

=]  Michele

Pinkfresh Anemone Magic washi revisited!

There are tons of new things coming from Pinkfresh Studios today - yay!  But I'm a firm believer in using what you have first, in as many ways as one can!  So I am revisiting my Anemone Magic washi!

I love all the colors, and the bit of bling on this washi tape - it's beautiful!  But I was interested in knowing what would happen to those colors if I adhered it to something other than white card stock - you're about to find out!

First up: Navy -

Mounted on navy embossed panel - I toned down the glamorous side of this washi 

by using a more modern die-cut sentiment and enamel dots.

Next on vellum:

The vellum I used was 40# weight, so it took the washi beautifully.

Okay, you had to know this was coming... grey!

Do you remember that fun grey Poinsettia I made over the Winter?  My base panel here is

the remnant!  You'll see it's missing a few well-thought out negative spaces.  The Anemone

washi was adhered to the medium grey cardstock peeking out, not the darkest of the sentiment strip.

and yes, I do have several shades of grey besides these three!!

I also wanted to use some of the smaller arches that are part of that fabulous washi - so here is another look at those, adhered to white...

And now, my friends, I go back to my regularly scheduled loads of Monday fun!  Hope you have a fabulous start to your week ... see you again soon!

=]  Michele

Navy:  Anemone Magic washi, MFT After Midnight card stock, Altenew Modern Squares 3D embossing folder, Pigment Paper Company Dashing Sentiments stamps, and dies, Gina Marie matte white enamel dots.

Washi:  Anemone Magic washi, PF Braided Circles, Pigment Paper Co. Dashing Sentiments stamps, and dies, Lake card stock from Wplus9

Grey:  MFT card stock in steel, cement, and  grout greys.  [the pierced panel was a gift from my friend Lisa - thank you!] 

White:  Washi, PF Diagonal Stitched Plaid cover plate and Braided Circles, and Essential Jewels [still unavailable - maybe in April according to their team - you can sign up to receive notification]

Inspired By #167 - Spring into color!

 

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but mine is still feeling a bit chilly for tulips - that doesn't mean they weren't blooming in my craft studio, however!  Meet my paper garden... all for Inspired By #167!

Man alive, I must be ready for Spring - there's never been so much color on my blog!

Look at these tulips closeup, then check out all the inks I used!!  

More than I've used all year! lol

I'm happy to be sharing this card with The Library Challenge #79:

There is a wonderful Dutch Tulip Festival here

in Holland, Michigan!

With bling, to boot!!

I sure hope you're looking forward to Spring - or maybe it has already SPRUNG where you live?  All the better to be INSPIRED to play along!!!

See you in the gallery!  Now let's go see what my IB teamies have planted, shall we?

=]  Michele

SSS Slimline Scallop Shaker frames - thanks again Barb E.

Altenew Exotic Tulips and dies

Pinkfresh essential jewels

Crafting with Cat!

I spent an hour or more crafting with my friend Cat of Cat Luvs Paper, on Tuesday!  Well, not REAL in person crafting, but hey, I'll take any kind of time with friends these days!  Especially when I can see another face, and hear another voice!  

We always have fun, and more than a few laughs - though I'll tell you right now, Cat is way more organized than I am - it took me a bit of time off camera to complete my cards, while she completed two while we chatted!  yes, she's that good!

I had a blast, my friend - here is the first card using that panel I stamped during our chat - be sure to read the sentiment...

My daffodils were stamped and masked, and stamped again... until I got to the stems, it was 

going well... then I forgot to mask - ugh.  Nothing a few more flower heads couldn't cover up!

Okay I'm very happy to report I didn't have to start again!!! 

This is an Altenew set given to me by a friend [thanks, Bobby] 

but hadn't inked up yet.

MAN are there a LOT of layers to these little Build-a-Flower-Daffodils!

13 to be exact!!!  Well, I had to layer up one of the bigger ones, too... 

only 10 stamps to that one!  It sure does make a statement though, right?

A little help from a Stampin' Up embossing folder, a scrap of PTI Spring Moss paper, and that fun little Altenew Rounded Rectangles Die set, and done!

I love your company, Cat - we really should do it more often, right?  I can't wait to see your gorgeous Gerberas on the 'big screen!'  Thanks for sharing your time with me!

=]  Michele

The inks I used today were Altenew's Goldfish Tails set of inks!

Waffle Flower Week 3 Challenge - Crocus for Coni!

I'm often amazed by the generosity of our crafting community.  I have a little Cali friend who sends me goodies ... I won't mention how she happens to have two of things.  [we all do it, my friend!]  I had my way with purple Crocus on Saturday - so today I've chosen my pal's favorite color... 

Here are the Distress inks I've worked with today:

Love you, Coni!  Happy Spring!  I'm hopping over to Waffle Flower's week 3 challenge before I send it off!

=]  Michele

Waffle Flower Crocus combo

Wplus9 Stitched Ironworks background die

Stampin' Up subtle texture embossing folder

so happy to have a little Spring in my step!!

I don't usually post on Saturdays, but I'm so happy about feeling myself again ... wait.  Feeling 99.827% again - that is my normal 100% and let me tell you I'll take it these days!!!

I happened to do a little shopping last week - couldn't wait to get my brushes dipped to color this beauty: Waffle Flower's Crocus   - did you know the crocus symbolizes hope and joy?  What better way to express how I'm feeling today!

The Waffle Flower design team had their gorgeous way with this set during the release in February ... this phenomenal card, from Arjita blew me away: 

Hope you don't mind, Arjita ... I just had to give it a go!  In my personal favorite purples!  Here is my process:  stamped onto Canson XL 140# cold press water color card, in Antique Linen Distress ink...

I love to press my Distress inks onto a plastic palette .. quick to clean up, or allow to dry for use another day - or for splatters as was the case today.

After drying, a few more splats of watered down gesso from an acrylic block...

Then, after partially die cutting my pot of crocus, on it goes to a rather dramatic card base, tweaked a bit with one of Waffle Flowers' Nesting Postage dies, cut diagonally to lift two corners of my panel, and a sweet Hello from the same set.

I don't think I've ever been more pleased with an attempt at no-line water coloring!

Thank you Arjita @bcreative_arji !!  for the gorgeous inspiration!

This one is heading over to the Waffle Flower Week 3 Challenge:  

Okay.  Time to hit the shower, and go for a little walk in the sunshine with my best guy... have a wonderful weekend, my friends - and thank you SO much for all the well wishes this week!!  

=]  Michele

Just another Friday Fun-day!

I'm not going to lie, my friends - this has been a lost week, since my second vaccine on Wednesday!  But today, I'm feeling a bit better, and very, very glad that I had so much fun on Monday & Tuesday to share here on Friday! 

Here are the first makes since I received my first order from PinkFresh Studios' Washi release... first time out of the package, just the way it was intended, by adhering my Anemone Magic washi to cardstock [I cut mine 4 x 9"] and die-cutting with the amazing die that cuts ALL of the images at once!  I love the water-colored look of these washi tapes!

Next up, stamped and Copic colored using the coordinating Anemone Magic stamp set...

It's quite subtle but look closely and you'll see that I've used one of the 

PinkFresh Studio Argyle stencils to emboss my card panel.  Then added a little smooshed leftover Distress ink, a few splatters, and their wonderful jewels for interest.  My sentiment comes from 

PinkFresh Studio's Floral Notes - more on that beauty another day.

Here is a little trick that was shared recently on one of the PFS LIVEs...

using the LID of my MISTI to pick up those really big stamps works

great - but be sure to anchor it well, so you can re-stamp if necessary.

Color Hues is asking for black and white this week -  I've chosen

my favorite Black Licorice ink for stamping, and added interest

with another of their wonderful stand-alone dies - Braided Tags.

I popped my black & white Anemones onto two layered tags.  

By the way, there's nothing that says one cannot partially die cut

with that big ol' die!

Okay, my friends - that was a lengthy post for my foggy brain!  Thanks for hanging in there with me!!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

=]  Michele

I know someone is going to ask about the magnets in my photo: Amazon 

Inspired By #166 - Bunny Roll

 

Can I just say how cute I think this scene is?  I don't know where she finds our IB photos, folks, but thanks Danni!!  I had the perfect bunny already on my desk - and I knew you wouldn't mind seeing her twice this month!  She's so cute, tucked in tightly that she gets her closeup first!

Am I right, or what??  All the patterned papers are ancient - don't ask! 

I have already gifted her to the sweet little girl across the street who is having a birthday!  She actually OWNS a pet bunny!!  Done!

Now how will you be Inspired By #166?  I'm hopping over to see...

=]  Michele

MFT Natural white cardstock

Waffle Flower Craft: Rejoice Rabbit combo

Top o' the mornin' to ye!

 Nah... I'm not Irish, but I just had to share the last card I made with Marcia's sweet share of her Colorado Craft 4 Leaf Clover!!  Just love the sentiment, and I'm sure you all will, too!  Tis' the perfect bit of an Irish blessing for the day...

Speaking of luck... I received my second Covid vaccination this morning!  It won't be long before Tom is eligible and we can begin to plan our next wee road trip!!

Be well, dear friends!

=]  Michele

I know someone will ask about those 'shamrocks' - it is a wonderful die from The Stamp Market!  Ready to Bloom

BTW this adorable stamp set is on SALE through the end of the day at Ellen Hutson LLC!  How's that for lucky?

The Flower Challenge #54 Shades of Purple

 

It's time to remind you that you still have plenty of time to create florals in the beautiful Shades of Purple for The Flower Challenge!  My teammates have so many gorgeous cards - please check them out here - you're sure to be inspired!  

I surely was!

I've chosen bright shades of purple Distress inks for my reminder card - a lovely second try using this fabulous Altenew  Tranquility Rose layering stencils:

After all this masking, a bit of 'selective die-cutting' always makes me happy!

Beccy's Place is our sponsor for #54 - you're sure to find 

lots of wonderful digital floral images to make you happy there!

We can't wait to see more of your purple florals!

=] Michele

Playing Cards with Friends - crossing The Pond!

I do hope you are enjoying my play times with friends?  Today my virtual craft day is being played across the pond with a fabulous card maker:  Keren Baker at KerenBaker'sBlog!   Do please go have an hour of browsing - you will not be disappointed!  When I announced my Playing Cards with Friends feature on Instagram, I was thrilled when she said YES!

Keren has such a way with card designs that go 'off the edge' using clear acetate - it might be the thing that made me fall in love with her unique style years ago.  I have used that trick many times my friend - so thank you!

Here are the parameters I chose for Keren and I today:   

Altenew Bold Caps dies + National Let’s Laugh Day!  

I have just the set for that - hope it tickles her fancy!  

Colorado Craft Company's Wishing Happiness stamps, and dies tickled mine!

Don't think for a moment those alphas went to waste...

Don't you love the embossed dots??  Park Lane @ JoAnn's!

and I did add a little laugh of my own inside:

Hope you'll join me as I jump that pond again to take a looky loo at Keren's card!  I'm so sure we'll get a smile - it happens every time for me!

=]  Michele

Waffle Flower Crafts Week 2 Challenge: Spring!

I'm sneaking a Sunday post in today... this week is going to be full of fun - and then there's Monday when my time is limited, so I hope you don't mind.

Waffle Flower's Week 2 has challenged us to make a Spring Themed card - no problemo!  I have the most wonderful set to that comes out every Spring!  Rejoice Rabbit combo has the sweetest rabbit one could ever hope to water color!

Today, I chose to stamp him with SSS Fog ink, and water color

with Distress inks... these to be specific:

Here's a little closeup...

LOTS of fun dies were used to create today:

Micro Grid Panel #2 - still oos but be sure to sign up for a restock notification, Magical Flower 2 for a bit of extra foliage, 

and I even used the Nesting Postage die set to create 

my inside greeting...

I'm hopping over to Waffle Flower... thanks so much for inviting me in today!  I do hope you'll play along too!  Who doesn't love a new challenge??

=]  Michele