Another 1st - a tutorial!

I had a request from my darling friend, Donna Mikasa, and a few others, who asked me to do a tutorial for this card - ready or not, here we go!





 

I've loved using the darling Avery Elle Get Well set again.  Note: any stamp set will do - just choose one, or more, from your stash!   

  

Here are the supplies I used:

 

 

First: prepare an A2 card-base.  Also cut a white panel - using a die - or simply cut with your paper trimmer - mine is 4.5" x 3.25" - then cut a smaller panel - the size is determined by your stamped image, and how much of the colored image you'd like to have showing.  

 

 

Place the white panel in your stamp positioner - I've used my Misti - and position your stamps as you'd like. 

  

Then, pick them up with the cover and stamp the image using a coordinating color ink - I've used SSS Smoke dye ink - twice for a clean imprint.

 

AT this point, clean your stamp, and allow to dry completely - BUT don't move it -  this is critical!

 Apply a bit of repositionable tape to the back of the smaller panel - this will hold it while you're stamping.  
Place the small panel where you'd like it over the larger panel - I wanted to see both the sentiment, and the image I'll color.  [I forgot to use my embossing buddy... but you won't!]

 

Load the stamp again, this time with VersaMark, and stamp the image ... it won't matter if it goes on the lower image - it won't show because of the perfect re-alignment!

 

Carefully remove the panel, and after heat embossing in white, here is what you'll have.

Next, color the main image any way you'd like, taking note of the part that will be covered up!  I've colored the roses rose-y and the daisies yellow with an orange center.  I also added a bit of Stickles, and a little A.E. die cut from the matching Get Well dies.

 

 
 

Adhere the small panel over the large, lining up the sentiment and image carefully.

 

 

 

 

Adhere this to your card-base, and Voila!!!



 

 



The original, and today's card - which do you like best?

 

 You know what, I really like that Smoke card base!

I may just have to change it =\

 

Donna, I sure do hope this helps!  If not?  Book those tickets!  My guest/craft room is always at the ready - and I have a whole LOT to learn from you!!  xoxo
 
To the rest of you ... I'm sorry this is so long - but do hope you'll try this technique - please send me a picture of it!?

=] Michele

 

 

 



You win some, you lose some ...

... for me?  It truly is all about playing the game ... and remembering to play the game - that is a big win for me!!

I was so honored last week to be among the breathtakingly beautiful cast of players at Freshly Made Sketches.  Such sweet designers, at FMS.  So!  Here I am again for this wonderful sketch from Jen Mitchell:

I find craft supplies in the oddest places ... check this out ... oh.  XL - must have been a tie for Tom...

 




Yep.  Anywho .. could I throw it away?  NO way. 

 

Add a little Heidi Swapp die-cut star, a scrap of delightful limeade, and two or three little SSS stamps - heat embossed in silver, and Bob's your Uncle!  For FMS203.  That is one CAS card!

 

=]  Michele

 





The Challenge #42 - Our Color Challenge

Some of you now know that I'm a bit confused by colors, on occasion?  But I'm happy [beyond happy really] that this is NOT one of those occasions ... in fact, you'll find 'seconds' have been served again!

Here is the inspiration and colors for The Challenge 42:

I've dug into some older papers from American Crafts called Abode for this first card, and paired them with three lovely new white scribbled flowers from Barb Ghigliotty - what a sweet and generous friend she is! 

You'll also notice from the graphic the dark chocolate print - therefore I've used a bit of brown cardstock, and selectively cut a few E.H. flowers and leaves from one of the Abode papers, all arranged atop an embossed panel:



With that, I think I have all the necessary colors accounted for!! 

Now for that second helping I promised:

Echo Park provided this darling little print - I've been holding it for just the right card - which does the trick perfectly here:

 

This time I've left out all the flowers and gone a bit more graphic but with the same wonderful colors - and kraft as my neutral, and a sweet little red HOME from Sugar Pea Designs. 

 

I'm surrounded by stunning cards from my team mates - run over to The Challenge to see them ... and OH why not add your card to the gallery today?

 

=] Michele

Muse #133

Can you believe it is the second week of September already?  That means I'm up at the Muse Card Making Club!!  So happy to be playing cards with you today.

I asked our fabulous leader, Ardyth, if there was anything in particular that she'd like to see this week?  Since CAS has been the norm for a bit, I've chipped away at my color barriers [and oh I have a thick one] and pulled out a lovely piece of My Mind's Eye - Market - patterned paper today ... are you ready?  Here goes!  For Muse #133, and Ardyth!:

Tom [my husband] and I have been 'blooming' butterflies for the last month or so.  It is getting so cold at night here in Michigan, we've resorted to bringing the box in at night.  I was delighted to watch #34 bloom mid-afternoon.  So, in her honor, I decided to use this lovely Hero Arts stamp-n-cut specimen. 

So here is my 'recipe' for your cards this week - and I do so hope you'll have a go with this one:

• Patterned paper - any colors
• stamped, die cut, and embossed image
• with a sentiment on a tag!

See you in the gallery!  I cannot wait to see your version of a not-so-CAS card!

=] Michele

MFT Superstar - Take Two!

I know.  You were expecting second helpings, right?  Well, we are talking Superstardom here ... take two! seems more appropriate!

I'm getting right to it:  using the adorable London Mouse I've stamped two of the 'guards' onto Neenah Solar White, colored them in night-shades of the appropriate colors, die-cut them using the matching dies, and placed them on a piece of BasicGrey Barista paper - an excellent 'rainy' scene... it is London, after all!

Inside sentiment:

"I'll always have your back."

OH!  I couldn't forget to mention the generous free with $60  I received:  the darling Streetlights from which I've added the faint yellow glow. 

I was lucky enough to visit London with my daughter two years ago ... I've longed to return since!  'ello!  Maybe I just will!

=] Michele

I Want to be a Superstar!

In my dreams, I could be a My Favorite Things Superstar, I'd have all of the cutest new stamp sets, and color like a Superstar, too ...

 ... one out of three ain't bad:  I do have their cutest new sets!  [notice I used the plural here - yes. there will be second helpings =]  So!  Here I go, throwing caution to the wind!!

Using the new Birdie Brown - Harvest Mouse -  I stamped one of the little apple-picking mice in Memento Rich Cocoa on a stitched square of Neenah Solar White cardstock.  After coloring, I added the extra little bushel of apples as an added embellishment, which was die cut using the matching dies.   A pierced rectangle of green,  and a pierced rectangle for the perfect sentiment,  all placed atop a Hot Fudge card base:

Inside sentiment:

"A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!"

I cannot forget to thank those possible for the Copic coloring:
Jeanne, and Barb, I am so blessed by your generosity - I only had to reach for those old S.N. pens two times!  Of course let's not forget Torico, who draws the most loveable little Birdie Brown characters for us to color!!!

Thanks, MFT for this fabulous contest - you certainly have made me reach, and pushed me out of my comfort zone!

=] Michele



Muse #132 & Muse ChristmasVisions19, CMCC88, and I'm Mooning you, CASology 163!

My fellow Muse-mate, Joan Bardee has a darling, bright, cheerful card that would cheer anyone out of nearly anything that could ail a person ...

 

I changed the colors to fit  Colour Me CC#88 which uses one of my all-time favorite combos:

 

For Joan & Muse 132 and Colour Me... Striking:

 

Avery Elle's Neutral Collection of papers is the source for that wee heart,

 polka perfection, and the Bonjour!

Technique Tuesday gets the credit for all the other words.

 

Now this is where I would normally say thanks, and goodbye... but it is Friday - so I'm not quite ready to leave you just yet... how about a 'happy hour?'

 

My wonderful friend Chriss Blagrave has created a stunning, starry, Christmas night for  Muse ChristmasVisions #19 -

 

Chriss asked us if we are a bit country? or big City?  Hmmm... since I do live in a Two Acre Woods, I think I'd have to say country just outside the City!

this one's for YOU Chriss:

 

My favorite Winter Hills from PTI stamped in Smoky Slate and clear embossed;

For the panels:  Smoky Slate PTI, and Night of Navy cardstock SU, a teensy little heart

from Sugar Peas Home die, and a NBUS - my Jelly Roll pen!!!

What?  You can't see it?  Here you go:

 

Well that doesn't help much =|

But you get the drift, right?

 

So there you have it ... wait. What?  A THREE-fer you ask?

Get ready to be mooned!!!

 

For CASology Week 163: MOON:

 

Scraps of patterned paper, one embossing folder, and darling set of fun stamps from my friend!

For Hazel: thank you, to the moon, and around the Earth!

 

 

Okay, that's it ... my brain can't handle any more, and I've taken enough of your time for one day... thanks for hanging out with me this week!  Have a wonderful, fun-filled weekend!

 

=]  Michele