So happy to call you ...

... my friend, amy Tsuruta! 

After many, many emails, several phone chats, and blog loving back and forth for over a year, I was lucky enough to meet I.R.L. this teensy [I've never felt so tall] little bundle of awesomeness who drove at least 30 minutes into Seattle to pick me up at our hotel for a fun-filled few hours of breakfast, coffee [surprised?] and shopping at Impress, too! 

I can't thank you enough, amy and will treasure that day spent with you, and Kimberly, FOR EVER, and EVER!!  I cannot wait until next time!

I thought I'd share a card I made with just one of the sweetest treats amy brought for me ... did any of you play in the Summer Coffee Loving Cardmaker's blog per chance?  or is it simpler to say did any of you NOT play?  amy kept teasing us with fun coffee goodies on her blog, and Facebook page.  I kept drooling over the Starbucks menus - yep, that's me the re-cycler!  GUESS WHAT I GOT?  Plus a too cute little Petite Sweet from Sweet Stamp Shop that is perfect...

For you, my sweet friend, and second helpings at CTS #132:

 

Hope you like what I've done with it ... there is lots left,

so you'll undoubtedly see more! 

Had to include that sweet little tag set we all 'had to have' - can't wait until we three have that play date with that one - shhh!

 

Until next time: hugs, and a million-and-one thanks! 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #132

I am back! and so happy to be crafting again =]  I have so many new goodies, I had a hard time choosing which to use for this fab sketch from N@t Ali ... check it out:

OH the possibilities, right?

First up, and little something made from a gift from the 

fan-tabulous Kimberly of Weinerhoneymooners!  [and there is a second helping coming from amy T.]  We had such a fun feel-like-I've-known-you-forever kind of visit while visiting Seattle! 

 

For Kimberly and CTS#132:

 

This Hero Arts stamp set came with a fun metallic gold ink cube, but I chose to heat emboss it with Ranger fine gold.  The sentiment is one from my first visit to Impress,

stamped on MFT Fuse Green!!!

 

Thank you, Kimberly, for the goodies, breakfast, coffee and even the water for the road!!  You are a fun, sweet, generous person and I am so honored to call you my friend!

 

That's Kimberly on my left ... what a spunky, fun, fabulous girl!

More about that cutie on my right soon!



 

I have missed seeing all the wonderful cards you've made for the last two sketches ... but I know you'll have no trouble creating just wonderful cards with this week's sketch!  My team-mates have surely done wonders with it, so be sure to visit them, too, please  - and thank you, as always!

 

=] Michele



Muse: ChristmasVisions #10 - a Joy-filled day!

Chriss Blagrave has combined a few of my favorite things into one darling card for Christmas Visions #10:  embossing, for one and - ahem - I DO live in the Mitten State!!  =] 

 

Here's Chriss' darling card:

 

 

Seems like my brain is still on vacation, but I managed to put together a card that might pass - here you go, Chriss!

 

If you look closely, you'll find an embossed background using a MFT Sweater knit;

embossed Swiss Dots on the mittens, and the word Joy, a bit of twine and appropriate colors.

 

I hope everyone had a fabulous Monday... bring it, Tuesday!  We've got this!!

 

OH! and thanks for 'stopping in' ... I love it when you do!

 

=] Michele

 





WAit... What? Who? ME?

The first time I read Kelly Latevola's "CASEing Genius" she featured the fabulous Marika Rahtu, from Me and Minime Crafting - someone I follow faithfully, and whose work is truly worthy of the word genius.  Since then, I've been reading Kelly's feature regularly, and enjoying Kelly's own brand of genius at coloring - mad coloring skills! I just love learning more about others in our paper-crafting world.

You cannot imagine the surprise when I received an email from Kelly announcing that she'd like to CASE me - oh my goodness!  Shocked, and excited, that's what I am, Kelly, and I can't wait to see you work your magic on one of my cards, and which one you'll choose - thank you so much for this honor...

=] Michele

 



Make it Monday #217 - Laurie's Custom Borders

After being gone for 11 days, I have finished all the un-packing, and laundry, so I had a little fun in my craft-room today... I so missed it - as I've missed all of YOU!  I'm catching up with my Bloglovin' posts so I'll see you at your blogs soon!

After watching Laurie Willison create her darling card with custom border here in her PTI video for Make It Monday, I couldn't resist getting out those PTI veggies again =]

For Laurie, and PTI Make it Monday:

 

 



 

Though I haven't grown radishes in the garden, how about a little peek at the beans? [for Shona] 

Wow! have they climbed while we were gone!

 

 

=] Michele



CAS[E] this Sketch #131

I've gotten so I'm excited for the challenge that Chrissy Larson provides for me with her wonderful sketches - see what I mean:

 

 

Here's where my mind took me with a few Winnie & Walter Lola's leaves, and one big brilliant hug:

 



 

I know Chrissy's sketch will inspire you to join in the fun at CTS this week - be sure to check out all the goodness over at the team blog, okay? 

 

=]  Michele



CAS[E] this Sketch #130

Leigh Penner is a fantastic card designer - doesn't surprise me that she's equally talented at sketch design!  Here is her sketch this week:

 

 

Going a little rogue with this, Leigh ... I just know you won't mind a bit.

 

A few new goodies from SSS last week, one from their latest release called Explore Nature  - I bought the set that included the stamps, and matching dies.  Here is what I came up with, using another SSS die set to create Leigh's fun curvy edge.

 

 

I adore the less-than-perfect font of this fantastic Emerson quote.  As in nature, imperfections can and will abound - just like my intentional coloring outside the lines with a seasonal trio of Distress inks, and lack of coloring in chosen areas. 

 

By the time this post hits blog-land, Tom and I will be enjoying nature in the Great Northwest - 2,686 miles from home.  Though coffee, dinner, or lunch with a few blogging friends will take priority for a few hours along the trail - more on that soon, I promise!  To say I'm excited would be an enormous understatement!

 

So where will Leigh's fabulous sketch take you this week?  We always look forward to taking that journey with all of you in the CTS gallery.

=] Michele