I had the pleasure of spending a few fabulous hours with my sweet friend Marcia a few weeks ago ... for those of you who think we actually finish anything, think again! We spend the most time gabbing, laughing, eating - all the things we love as much as crafting! In fact, it's taken all this time to complete our cards! But we're so happy to share them with each other today - and, of course, with all of you!
Marcia brought this gorgeous Magnolia Wreath from The Greetery to share. I cut quite a few from different colors - three of which landed on one slimline card:
SU Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent, and Old Olive card stock. Spattered with white gouache. My cover panel was embossed with a Sunny Studio Woodgrain folder, and the red flowers and sentiment were found amongst my snippets! Perfect!
The next wreath was doubled - one Old Olive, one Blackberry Bliss
to represent what I think of as the 'underside' of Magnolia leaves. A splattering of Gansai Tambi gold, and a sweet gold bow from The Stamp Market and all
was perched upon a debossed panel [Altenew] and topped with another Pinkfresh Holiday banner. A few of their jewels finished it beautifully, I think.
One more - same papers and embossing... but with an old favorite bow and branches
from a set from Altenew by that very name: Bows and Branches!
Marcia also brought her gorgeous Colorado Craft Co. Snowflake and left it for me to play with - and play I most certainly did! Thanks again, my friend for this sweet little topper die from The Greetery! I won't bore you with individual photos, but here are the white on kraft:
and four more heat embossed on navy, grey, and vellum!
All of these [except one] are for Christmas 2024!
Ready for some fun? I was delighted to spend some time with Twig and Stump:
I think Sizzix and Tim should have a 'name this set' contest -
Shorty and Stretch is what I always call them! But these snow dudes are the
'fun-est' no matter what their names! Who wants a hug?
By now, you must be wondering if I brought anything to the party, right? Well, I did make fresh egg rolls and egg drop soup! Ha! One of the things Marcia and I love to do is to stencil together ... here's one of my new sets we didn't have time to play with when I visited her in November. From Pinkfresh Studio: Lush Peonies.
I used some very Spring-y colors for this time of year... but it was fun just the same!
I used a few CP inks, die cut it and popped it up over a card base that had a debossed cover, and a snippet/frame found in my stash... a few pearls, and a fun sentiment from Honey Bee and my playtime is done! For those of us that live where it's cold, this is such a warm reminder of seasons to come!
Thank you, Marcia, for lending me all these goodies from your stash - and always for sharing your time and friendship with me! Now we wait for Spring - which seems so far away! Hey, who knows? We might have this 'no snow' reprieve for a while yet! What are you doing for New Year's Eve? lol
Thanks, my friends, for spending some of your time with me today - you know you're always welcome to join us, right? Be sure to see ALL the wonderful things Marcia has made right HERE! I'm heading there right NOW because I can't wait!
=] Michele
Oh my gosh Michele...what a FABULOUS collection of cards! Your 3 cards with the Magnolia leaves are all STUNNING...I can't even pick a favorite! The BIG snowflake cards are all gorgeous too and YAY for getting a head start on 2024! I just knew you'd have fun playing with that CCC snowflake! (LOVE how you used the little strip flags on those cards too!!) And Twig & Stump...no matter what you want to call them, both of your cards are just way too SWEET!! Both are cards that definitely make you smile from ear to ear! Your beautiful pink blooms just couldn't be any prettier and a perfect way to end this wonderful post my friend! I hope this really is a mild Winter, because those beautiful blooms have me wishing for brighter colors (and warmer temps!) already!! Thank you, thank you for always being such a wonderful hostess when I come to play, and of course for your wonderful friendship too! I'm truly looking forward to another crafty and creative year in 2024 with you my friend! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteMichele you made good use of your time craft wise for sure (no doubts about the friendship time either). A stunning collection of cards. As with Marcia's pile I cannot pick a fave among yours either. Love them all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous collection of cards. How nice to be able to share supplies with each other. Love the wreath cards especially the splatters. The snowflake collection is very special too and what amazing little tags. Thanks for the inspiration xx
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fun time you ladies had crafting together and made such lovely cards. Love all of them, especially the last one with the pretty peonies. TFS
ReplyDeleteSensory overload here! TOO MUCH GOODNESS all in one post! The leaves are amazing, in ALL the colors, but those little snowmen...too stinkin' cute! Those little tear strip tags are pretty darn cute too! Good for you, getting started on 2024!
ReplyDeleteThat Magnolia wreath might just have to come home to live at my house, wowee, is it ever pretty! I love the trio of colors on your first card with the dotting of the tiny flowers. The other two are just lovely. I like the way the giant snowflake fills the card front for quick CAS cards. Twig and Stump, Shorty and Stretch... cute by any name! Your finale card might just be my favorite! So refreshing after the snow and cold we had Monday night!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you didn't finish the cards that day, Michele, because I know I never got any done when I visited you. Too busy oohing and aahing and stamping and cutting your new products.
ReplyDeleteThose magnolia leaves are so dramatic and gorgeous in all the different greens. I love the simplicity of the snowflake cards with the wonderful sentiments and of course Stump and Twig always make a smile worthy card.
WowWowWow!!! The big-leaf wreath is amazing on your cards, Michele! It's so clever the way you used it on your first card. It hardly even looks like the same wreath. Love the addition of the little red flowers. The perfect bit of color to go with the really pretty natural shades of your leaves. And it goes on with two more wreath cards, equally clever and pretty. Really loving the addition of Blackberry Bliss on the second card and the wintry neutrals on the third. The snowflake cards are stunning. I mean, who would think kraft could be so pretty, but it truly is pretty, especially with white. The tag dies are the cutest finish on two of the kraft cards. It's the little things. Then along come Twig and Stump, two of my favorite snowmen. Can't go wrong. These guys exude good cheer and friendship. Love them, love your cards! Finally, a breath of the loveliest spring air! Your peonies are so, so pretty! This has been the most fun, Michele. I'm getting together with a friend the second week of January. Schedules are so tight lately, but that will be a day of nothing but joy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a suitcase full of beautiful cards! Surely you packed a suitcase to bring them all home... The wreaths are beautiful, the statement snowflake, and of course Stump and Twig! These guys are so fun I can hardly contain myself from buying more things!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a beautiful display of your friendship and generosity. LOVE them all. Giggled at the naming contest. You win! Perfect. So thankful you share what you create. It's always inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous array of creations! Love them all. I can only imagine how much fun it was to spend time with Marcia making all of these beauties! That's a lot of Fa La La La La!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, your cards are beyond amazing! I'm happy I don't have to pick a favorite, because I don't think I could. Thanks for sharing all of your creations with us and ESPECIALLY THANKS! for bringing me the relief of knowing you don't finish all those cards in one day! You wouldn't believe how much thought I've put in wondering how and what the heck??! My card friends and I never finish anything when we're together. So, it's a grand relief to know there isn't anything wrong with us, it's the fact that we have such dear friends and no matter how often we get together, there is always so many things to catch upon on. We are blessed to have such friends and to be that friend to others. Happy Christmas wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, Michele! I'm glad to see that you finished lots of cards from your session with Marcia! Love the wreaths, snowflakes, snow dudes, and pretty spring flowers! You have been busy making lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is "WOW!!!" You and Marcia have the best taste in stamps and dies and it must be nice to play together and share and inspire! Aren't we the lucky ones? ;)
ReplyDeleteYou and Marcia are the dynamic duo! Gorgeous cards! I love those wreaths.....and oh the snowmen - so cute!
ReplyDeleteGabbing, laughing, eating and partially crafting sounds like a wonderful way to spend time. You are so fortunate to have someone you can craft with in real life. And what gorgeous cards! They are all fabulous but I'm particularly drawn to the PF stenciled card and that gorgeous wreath card.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a fabulous array of gorgeousness all are simply stunning but my favourites are Shorty and Stretch so much fun. I wish I had bought that set it appeals so much to my sense of humour. Sounds like you had a blast and the menu sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteMarie