Doodlebugs Friday!

 hello my friends!  I hope you had a lovely time with your families celebrating the holidays!  Now it's time to wrap things up for 2022!  What better way to do so than with a fresh start?

Hope you'll join us at the Doodlebugs blog for all the details of my fresh start!

Happiest New Year to all!

=] Michele

Year-end Doodlebugs deals!

 

For those of you who are looking for bargains after Christmas, there are fabulous savings 

to be had at Doodlebugs - check them out HERE!

Doodlebugs Friday - Merry Christmas!

We only have two days 'til Christmas!  from my heart to yours -

 Merry Christmas my crafty friends!  

If you have just a little bit of extra time, there is a special card waiting for you at the Doodlebugs blog this morning!  Thank you all for taking time to stop by today - extra thanks to those of you who follow me over to Doodlebugs - it is so appreciated!

Merriest Christmas!  Can't wait to spend 2023 visiting with you!

God bless...

=] Michele

Thanks a Million!

So many thanks, so little time!  Do you still send thank you notes?  It's something I've been thinking about lately and decided it's always a good thing - here is my thank you card to all of you who leave me such sweet somethings 

in the comment box!  

Here is a PEEK at your thank you...

... the rest you'll see over at the Doodlebugs blog - thanks a million!

=] Michele

Double D Christmas Stocking Challenge

I have a card for Double D's Christmas Stocking challenge!  I know, I know - none of you will believe that I haven't made a grey stocking!  Believe me I would have if I owned a stocking die!   I spent a little more time with that PTI Winter Bench set the moment I remembered the stocking stamp included!  Enough said...

I was inspired to create a 'fireplace and mantle' using a stencil like my friend, and Double D design team member, Leslie Miller!  Out came a Waffle Flower brick wall stencil, the aforementioned stocking, a shelf to use as a mantle with hooks for my stockings, the Joy from the same set, and another TH tree.  All spritzed with TH mica spray to provide a 'glow from the fire!'  Then presented to you as the scene as seen through this wonderful window from The Stamp Market.  The die cuts out the panes of the window which makes it a wonderful cover for a shaker - 

I embossed it with a wide stripe and spritzed with Altenew iridescent 

shimmer spray.

There's still time to hang a stocking of your own!

=] Michele

Thank you so very much for this honor, Double D team!

Winter Bench and other new goodies!

 I had a little time in my studio over the weekend - time spent with these darling PTI Winter Benches again!

I love these arched card bases created with my Waffle Flower Nested Domes dies.

The Winter Bench was 'painted' green here, and rest upon a 'rug' of red - 

do you recognize The Greetery's Large Scallop Ribbon die?

I very nice place to snuggle up with my star gazer!

What I wouldn't give to have this bench on my front porch!

Check out this beautiful Elegant Snowflake Edger - also from PTI.

I have shared this wonderful Poinsettia from The Ton, but

check out my newest inks from The Stamp Market:

from lightest Party, to Fuschia, and the darkest Orchid!

Stickles for stamen, and a bit of Delicata gold stamped script.

BTW my SU! Subtle Texture embossing was used on all three of my cards today!

Okay - one last load to fold!  Thanks for the visit!

=] Michele

SEW much fun!

 

Here's your earworm of the day:

'ya gotta have frrrrrreinds!'

I surely have found the dearest one that lives 'round the bend.'  Just so I could play with the new Spellbinders Stitched Joy set, Marcia brought me an add-on birthday gift of embroidery floss, needles, and even a needle threading tool!  She's the best, I'm telling you!  

Are you dying to see how it turned out?  Of course, you are!  

Head over to the Doodlebugs blog!

Thanks for dropping by!

=] Michele

SSS Wednesday Challenge: add some sparkle!

 I had SOOOO much fun recreating some of my Dad's station wagons and what better time to add some sparkle than now??  SSS is looking for a bit of sparkle in their Wednesday Challenge!  Come on let's go cut down a Christmas tree...

SSS - Vintage Christmas Station Wagon with real wood panels!

SSS Stitched Slopes and Hills c. 2014!  and SSS Gifts of Love c. 2015!!

Gold embossing, and Diamond Stickles for the sparkle!

My dyno label maker for the TREES sign.

Here are a few more:

I had just cut a few of these cute ribbon panels from The Greetery - a

road this cute would be well traveled!

Just in case you're wondering where all the passengers are:

My mom's favorite movie was Cheaper by the Dozen - my dad was undoubtedly relieved when I was the last, coming in at number 9!

Here is my favorite line from the film:

"I have to go visit Mrs. Murphy!!"

In my mind that is exactly where all the passengers went!

=] Michele

The Flower Challenge #75 - Christmas

Hello, my friends!  Here we are in December, and we've come to the last post from The Flower Challenge - for THIS year!!  I know I echo my entire team when I say thank you for playing along with our Challenge at some time in 2022 - there are those of you who never miss a month, and for that we are especially grateful!

Those that know me also know that I have a deep love of Poinsettias - since we only have this one post in December [no reminder as the challenge closes on December 15th] I'm treating you to both of my cards ... generous, aren't I?  lol

This Modern Poinsettia is from Altenew and introduced in 2019

It was first die-cut then treated to a good smooshing of ink from acetate.   

Stamped in Versafine Black Onyx ink and clear embossed after it was dry to the touch.  

This next one will be my way of saying 'happy New Year!' too, as

I am so thankful for all of you that have visited me here in 2022!

Dawn's [Wplus9] ink-daubing-spritzing technique was applied to this 

Festive Poinsettia from Altenew c.2018  I then used the coordinating die to cut

it, and embossed the balance with Altenew's Angled Mosaic embossing folder.

After stamping my sentiment on a long strip of paper, I thought why not

place it vertically?  The space left for cutting became the perfect intersection for

that leaf! 

Okay, it's time for me to send you on your way back to The Flower Challenge to be treated to plenty of cheer from the entire team.

Merry Christmas!

=] Michele

Ta DAAA!

 How about a really fun - kinda cheeky - Christmas card?

Inside:  I Love you!  You're welcome!! 

That's a one-size-fits all Christmas gift!

Kristi Yamaguchi, eat your heart out!!  This girl has moves!

One more - for Four Seasons Anything Goes Winter! 

A little someone peeking through that window...

And that's all folks!  Back to your weekend fun!

=] Michele

Thank you so very much to the Four Seasons team!

MFT Sassy Skater and die

Taylored Expressions Swirls pierce and cut plate

Lil Inker - Quilted So Knotty - no longer available

Paper Smooches - Fab Frames - also no longer available

PTI Dear to Me, Mama Elephant window die, TH trees, SSS swirling snow, The Ton holiday greetings and Nuvo snow!

Color Hues #54 Navy and Cream

 

I know this is the second time today that I've insinuated myself into your space, but a funny thing happened on the way to addressing envelopes: I fell short of the number needed!!  Yikes!  Back to the drawing board!  

I couldn't help stamping a few more of these darling deer - why not take advantage of a fun challenge from our hostess, Karen, at Color Hues?  Navy and Cream sounds magical to me!

SSS Ivory cardstock, and a very light inking of this PTI Dear to Me stag.

He's hiding among two Sizzix/TH Woodlands trees and under

some jellyroll twinkling stars!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!  I'll be finishing those cards!

=] Michele

It's Christmas time in the City!

Hello my friends!  If you're sharing your time with me today, thanks so very much - it's the most wonderful yet hectic time of year for card makers!!

It's the season of giving too - so once again I'm treating you to more than a peek!

Here are two of four cards I created for the Doodlebugs blog today!  It so happens that this Waffle Flower sentiment set is not available at the moment - sorry about that!  But going back to the drawing board turned out to be fun - so don't miss out on how I used this wonderful Pinkfresh Holiday City View 

and changed things up, okay?  =]

Here's a really sneaky peek...

=] Michele 

Creating a scene!

Creating a Christmas scene is easy to do when armed with really darling supplies - like these I was so lucky to win recently!  Thank you, Papertrey Ink!

This type of card is often layered up which makes them harder to mail - I've done my best to keep the USPS happy today!

Staying calm during the holidays can be tough ... 

Finding a cozy place to cuddle up with a good book can help...

A happy memory - like our first kiss that happened on a little bench this very color - really can make our spirits brighter.  Remembering to be joyful and merry, and taking note of the many blessings in my life helps, too.

YES!  it is a card! With a special message for my husband that

I will keep to myself, thank you! wink

Thanks for stopping by!

=] Michele

Papertrey Ink - Winter Bench stamps and dies

Fusion farewell...

 

It's so hard to say goodbye to a challenge that has been a favorite - one I cut my teeth on, so to speak!  The Fusion Challenge was started in April 2013, and I started blogging May 2014!  I have so many fond memories - especially when they chose my card as a winner - such an honor to this day!

Thank you to all the many fabulous design team members who have inspired me to play along all these years!  Laurie was my muse today... along with their Sketch and a technique I learned from the incredible Dawn from Wplus9 - painting with a credit/gift card! 

I did a little free hand water coloring for my snowman - looking back I now wish I had painted the sky black!  Perhaps this will be when a second helping will be appropriate?

I used that gift card's edge to begin the idea of a carrot nose, then took it a bit further with a damp brush.   After drying, the entire panel was embossed before adhering it to my card base!  Stickles for a bit of snow and one little snowflake to finish it off! 

Thank you for all the years of inspiration Fusion team and thank YOU for stopping by!

=]

What an honor the Fusion team has given me today! Thank you so very much!

Doodlebugs Friday! More than a peek!

 

I hope you all enjoyed spending Thanksgiving Day with loved ones and treated yourselves to an extra piece of pie!  I'm looking forward to leftovers!

Since it's the Holidays, I'm treating you to more than just a peek today!  In fact, I got the whole shebang of pieces and parts from this wonderful Pinkfresh Studio Brushed Sentiments - Holidays suite.  

Here at my blog, I'm sharing a trio using the stencils and dies:

This wee little Poinsettia is from Waffle Flower - stamped, heat embossed in silver on a snippet from my next card!

Oh yes, I've sneaked in a bit more embossing, bling, and die cuts all decked out in shades of PURPLE!  It's the new pink this season!  You'll spy those Spellbinders foiled sentiment strips again, too.  

Now, ready for a peek at what you'll find over at Doodlebugs blog?

A girl has to be a little sneaky during the Holidays! wink.

=] Michele

Happy Thanksgiving!

I enjoy watching YouTube videos - not only crafty ones, but also all things culinary!  I won't make you watch any of those cooking videos today but do yourself a favor and check out Tina Smith of Cards and Coffee Time -  if you don't subscribe yet, do that, too!  She's a great teacher and her step-by-step methods helped make my card today way easier that I thought it would be.   

This set from Papertrey Ink was part of the massive collection I received when I was their guest designer in August.  I ran out of time to use their Pumpkin House, but I am remedying that today - thanks to Tina's card on the Papertrey Ink YouTube channel on Tuesday.  Thanks, Tina!

Just in case you wonder where the best pumpkin, or apple pies come from...

Wishing you warm harvest blessings... happy Thanksgiving!

=] Michele

Thankful for the Inspiration!

Today, I want to thank a friend for the inspiration she gives me.  What better time to do it than on Thanksgiving Eve?

TaeEun Yoo is a teammate at The Flower Challenge and is, in my eyes, an artist. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a good long visit to her blog - Rainbow in November with your second piece of pie tomorrow!  In particular the work she does for The Ton which caused a little shopping for my birthday this year!  

Another Poinsettia for my growing collection... 

In shades of deep orange-y red:

I've used barely a whisper of grey ink for that first layer of three - 

mostly along the edges.  I also added a bit of shadow in grey in the background

with a stencil from The Greetery - it was easy peasy to fussy cut!

Another in a few more shades of peach-y orange:

Using the first layer last allowed me to spritz the leftover ink to

smoosh along the edges, before adding some scripty gold ink, and

embossing it with that 'subtle texture' from SU!

Last one - in shades of salmon pink:

By now you may have noticed that I treated myself to that 

fabulous stamp once/cut once Easy Expressions - Holidays set from The Ton, too.

Thanks, TaeEun for sharing my dream of being neighbors!  It's fun to dream!

I'm thankful to all of you for stopping in today!  If you're traveling be careful, and safe!   I have another inspired card tomorrow!

=]