New Inks!

Hi, my friends!  June is about to be ripped off the calendar!  It's HOT it's Summertime, and I was feeling the need for more color in my crafty life!  

I had wonderful guidance about The Stamp Market inks from my friend Marcia who recently purchased two of the purple shades that she was missing from her own collection ... it didn't take much convincing, believe me.  We have similar taste, and share certain wants/requirements when it come to coverage, depth of color, and the type of pad we like the most.  I trusted her judgement!

I have been, and will continue to be, a big fan of Catherine Pooler inks.  The Stamp Market colors I chose fill the gaps in my CP collection, and add some really fun ones, too.  

Ready to see my first play?   Here you go!

I brought out that sweet stencil from The Greetery again - you all seemed to love it

as much as I do!  But after stenciling, I won't waste a bit of that ink [Citrine is quickly becoming my favorite!] left on the stencil!  Oh no, I just spritz the inky side and quickly flip it over onto a piece of Canson water color cold press paper - waste not, want not!

Here are the inks I used for these first two cards:

Because I also bought a few greens, and darker shades of ink, my next card is a bit more on the moody side... it reminds me of the colors used in vintage upholstery fabrics, or an Audubon painting!  [see how beautifully that Citrine plays with the greens?]  Jade, and Navy leaves?  Yes, please!

FINALLY I've found a true, dark, saturated Navy!  Here are the rest of the inks:

To all of my PNW, and friends in Northern California - stay cool, my friends, and SAFE!!  Your temperatures bring new meaning to hot, Hot, HOT!!!

Thanks for your visit - and even more for leaving me your thoughts...

=]  Michele

The Stamp Market:  Tropical Blooms and dies, Petal Perfection and dies, So Very Much and dies, and Leafy card stock.

Altenew:  Angled Mosaic 3D embossing folder, Rounded Rectangle die set

Papertrey Ink:  Dark Indigo card stock

The Greetery:  Berry Branch - thanks again my friend!

Pinkfresh Studio's Jewels 

Playing cards with Shirley again!

I've had another day of play with Shirley Bampton, and her fun Bee's Knees products from Stamplorations ... you'll never guess which set I used for this split-four panel:

Here are the citrus-y colored inks - there's a hint...

Have you guessed yet?  Here it is:

Here are my four cards that I've stamped with just the solid stamps, then cut into four panels, and either embossed, or debossed, for some extra fun!

A few die cut sentiments, and these are ready to wrap as a notecard set!

Shirley has made a batch of her own citrus-y cards!  Let's head over to see them, shall we?  You'll also find her at Stamplorations today!

Thanks so much for dropping in!

=]  Michele

Supplies:

Stamplorations Layered Citrus 

Cutplorations cover dies: Circles all Over, and Wonky Stitched Grid

Altenew Mod Squares, and Geo Steps embossing folders

Altenew Inspiration Challenge June 2021 take two!

 

I was so honored to be one of the winners of the May Inspiration Challenge!

Today, I'm using the set I chose for my prize for the June Inspiration Challenge!  I couldn't wait to say these words again:

With CISTUS like these, who needs brothers??!!

and just in case you don't 'get it' this gorgeous bloom is from 

Altenew's Craft-a-Flower Cistus Layering die set!

There's that gorgeous 3D embossing folder Geo Steps  again.  I was easily able to 'stretch' it by slipping my card stock strip through the slot in the folder, and lining the diamonds up - easy peasy!  This over-sized Mega Friend die found the perfect sized home.  I like my slimline cards at 8.5 x 4 inches and have found a great 'policy' envelope that works just great for sending them.  

Time to start preparing for the weekend!  No plans yet, but I like to be ready for anything, don't you?  We're expecting up to 5 inches of rain - maybe I better get the canoe down?!  Or start filling sand bags?  Yikes!

Thanks for stopping by - it means so much to me!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #180 - slip into something more comfy!

 

I don't know about you, but Mae West's voice just read the title of our Inspired By #180 theme ... don't remember Mae?  you're missing out ... but I think she'd approve of my card today!  lol  Just a little bit naughty, but filled with fun...

and a little yellow polka dot bikini!

Here's a touch of Mae for you:

"I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."

I sure hope you'll come play along with IB180 - I have a half-dozen pairs of flip-flops, but not one flip-flop die, but maybe you do?  Maybe my teamies do?  Let's go see... IB180 here we come... OH before you go - a little program note: 

The design team is taking the month of July off. We'll be back in August with a batch of new inspiration photos for you!  We will post the winner of this challenge on July 8th, so you have until July 7th 11:55 pm PST to get a card (or two) created for this challenge!

=]  Michele

supplies:

W&W Audrey scalloped die, MFT Geek is Chic, and Support Hope - not one is still available, sorry.

Altenew Inspiration Challenge - June 2021

 
This shot might have been taken from our canoe!  

Hello friends, I'm so happy to be playing along in Altenew's Inspiration Challenge again!  Tenia's photo from her vacation sure did inspire me today!

Here's a little closeup so you can see how I added the movement in my water! wink.

With Altenew's Geo Steps 3D embossing folder!

All the branches are from Pen Sketched Silhouette, stamped in a combo of Butternut, and yellow ochre inks.  

I blender-brushed on strokes of Caribbean Sky, and Persian Blue for the water.

A few splatters of ink, and a dash of sequins for glimmer, and

my card is done!  All I'm missing are the ducks!

=]  Michele

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #51 - Stockings!

 

While searching for a snowman, I found an image from MFT that fit the bill for Christmas Kickstart, too!  Yay!  LOve when that happens... 

... a stocking stuffed with cash!

My Pinkfresh mini-slimline builder came in handy for the fireplace surround/mantle/hearth - that little MFT snow-guy better get his butt away from the fire in a hurry!

Hope you have had a great start to your week.  I haven't yet made a decision about how I'll be handling/sharing my post feed in July when Feedburner stops doing it for me - but I do hope you'll hit that 'Follow' button so you can find me in your reading list.  Thank you!

=]  Michele

Thank you Jo, and Cindy!  It's always an honor!

MFT Present Time stamps & dies; and Toasty Greetings for the fire - the inside sentiment is my own.

Pinkfresh Studio - mini slimline builder

Nuvo drops for decorating the tree... enamel dot for hanging the stocking!

Sending hugs, and positive vibes!

I'm joining a wonderful group of humans on Instagram today, starting at 11 am EST. We have a friend who needs plenty of positive vibes, and well-wishes as he is faced with some pretty serious health issues.  Andy Granick, I don't know you well, but it is my prayer that we have many, many years to change that!

If you are an Instagram-er, watch for  #hugsforandy2021 - and thank you, for Hopping by, if you can!  Friends, and blogging friends, are the best!  You'll find me there @mfergu01

Hey! guys like flowers, too!  I've paired this gorgeous Petal Perfection 

from The Stamp Market with a greeting from Pinkfresh Studio's Perfect Sentiments, and a gorgeous stencil from The Greetery called Berry Branch [thank you, Marcia!]

 

If you look closely, you'll find a trio of Pinkfresh Studio Espresso jewels tucked in for good measure - I'm so happy these are sold in individual colors now!

Here are all the wonderful Catherine Pooler inks I've used today:

I'll leave you now, with a hope that all of us stays healthy, and kind!

=]  Michele 

CAS Christmas June 2021 Challenge Snowman

 

A really quick post, with a really fun, and quick card!

For  CAS Christmas June 2021 Challenge Snowman!

Looks like Julia and I had the same idea, wink!  But I don't mind if she doesn't!

I really love to play with this challenge to fill my Christmas stash for 2021!  This darling duo from Colorado Crafts called Snowman and Bunny,  just had to be water colored, and clear heat-embossing those lines make that process so easy for a loose bit of that!

Have a great Saturday evening!

=]  Michele

CAS Mix Up June 2021 Challenge - Flight!

I haven't totally lost it ... well.  maybe I have.  But I'm back to fix the mistake on my CAS Mix Up card!  I got the flight right, but the medium wrong!!

Here you go, Viv... sorry about the mix up - pun intended!

Using another of those MFT High-Flying Adventures from Cat,

and a wonky oval die to impress the idea of just how adventurous this guy is!

Let the weekend begin!!!

=]  Michele

Viv!!  I am so pleasantly surprised by this win!!

Thank you, and the team for this honor!  It was such a fun theme!

MFT Things with Wings and CAS Mix Up - Flight!

I don't know how I got so lucky to have such sweet friends, but there's a little gal in Maryland who recently sent me a few stamped images to color - oh they were inside the cutest card, too!   Little did she know, she may have saved my bacon for a few challenges that popped up recently. 

May I introduce you to my entry for MFT's Slimline Challenge: Things with Wings and CAS Mix Up's June 2021 Challenge: Flight!!  I'm a rebel, but I do play by the rules - and I sadly forgot this was a water color challenge!!  Sorry CAS Mix Up - I'll be back!

Keeping things nicely CAS, I chose to emboss some clouds, instead of coloring them!

Get it?  right HARE?  MFT High-Flying Adventures

This probably isn't the situation Richard Marx had in mind! lol

I'm not quite ready to fly again, but look forward to it one day.  In the meantime, a girl can craft about it!

Thanks, Cat! xx

=]  Michele

Inspired By #179 - You're one in a MELON!

 

A year or so ago, I managed to 'melon-ize' just about everything!  

Today, I just borrowed the colors, and saw IB179 in a different way:

Okay, so those shiny enamel dots won't win me any seed-spitting contest, 

but I hope this causes a smile, or two!

Before we head over to see my teamies cards, I want to share 

another little One in a Melon card I made yesterday while playing with my new Rainbow set from Waffle Flower!  

Before anyone asks about those stitched hearts:  it's an Amy Tangerine ef - check ebay!  

That's where I found mine!  Called cross-stitched hearts or something like that! 

Okay now let's go over to IB179 to see what/or how my teamies have melon-ized their DT cards - hope you join me, and are inspired to play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele

Pigment Craft Co. Jumbo Botanical: Budding branch

Altenew Celebrations paper

The Stamp Market Lovely Labels for sentiment

Waffle Flower Craft Rustic Rainbow die set

Create a Rainbow! or four!

I've done a wee bit more shopping [I might have a problem - but don't think I'm alone with it =]   Waffle Flower Crafts had a wonderful Rainbow Everything release recently - TOO cute to resist!

I immediately reached for JJ Bolton's darling Oversized Rainbow Combo, her Rustic Rainbow die set, and a few more goodies I'll save for another day!

Ready for the results of a full play day?  Ready, or not, here they come...

Just when you think you can't make a non-traditional rainbow, I found a way!

Using this wee little bloom die, that was a gift with purchase!  

Yes, they are SO generous!

Here's another way of making a rainbow your own - this time, I am allowing

the recipient to make it HER own, by making the rainbow removable, 

by using repositionable tape!

Of course I had to make a traditional rainbow, too!

I love that JJ's set includes the arches, and these adorable little clouds - 

I cut them from dotty dry embossed card stock, and grey for the silver lining *wink*

Last card - thanks for hanging in there with me - I'm a girl who doesn't waste a bit when she can help it!  Using the solid rainbow die, I was able to rescue all the leftovers from cutting the strips from the rainbow of cardstock colors...

The wonderful, fantastic, clever Channin Pelletier inspired this card on her LIVE last Friday!

Aren't those Altenew alphas perfect for this?  I've used the WF

Up and Running enamel dots that coordinate perfectly!

 and a wee little butterfly die that I'd received in a past order!

Hope you enjoy the results of my play day!

See you again tomorrow - yes, there is ONE MORE!

=]  Michele

I'm sending one of these over to their current challenge - did you hear?  They've gone monthly - more time to play!!!

Here are a few other players today:

Card 1:  WF Sentiment Additions Combo, Darice Cloud ef, Altenew enamel dots

Card 2:  Pinkfresh Mini Slimline Essential bundle, Lifestyle Crafts swirly ef, and snippet of patterned paper 

Card 3:  MFT Wonky Square dies, and Mini Raindrops stencil. 

Card 4:  Altenew Linear Alpha dies

All colored card stock is from The Stamp Market's sampler pack

The Flower Challenge #57 CAS - reminder

I'm back to remind you that you still have time to enter your own

Clean and Simple card to The Flower Challenge!

Here is what CAS means to me:

• Colors, and dimension, kept to a minimum
• NO bling
• sentiment stamped directly to the card so I don't disturb that white space too much!

Our fabulous guest, Rachel Alvarado and my teamies, 

have oodles of inspiration for you!  Be sure to check them out

at The Flower Challenge blog!

=]  Michele

Supplies: Altenew Sunflower Daisy and dies

The Card Concept - #157 vacation!

 

Take one guess where my inspiration comes from...

Have you found them yet?

Team member Kim Singdahlsen's card showed me the way to those fun bobbers hanging next to her towel... I saw the perfect time to use my fish again! But it was LeAnne Pugliese's picnic basket reminded me of the plaid in 

The Stamp Market's Fintastic set! [sorry but it's sold out!]  Now I'll 

reel in my enthusiasm!  

I know you're probably tired of them, but I had to play in The Card Concept's Vacation challenge today, with my Clean and Simple card!

=]  Michele

Thank you to The Card Concept for this honor!