Fusion - Musical Butterfly

After watching this video from Ms. LauraFadora, I really wanted to try her stamping technique with the halftone set that I had in my stash:  Altenew - Smile!  Fusion - Musical butterfly gave me the perfect challenge - and I've chosen a true Fusion!

I'm not totally in love with the succession of colors, but wanted that blue lagoon to stand out - it is the color of my butterfly, after all!

Altenew inks:  peach perfect, warm sunshine, lagoon, deep Iris, cotton candy.

Verve's little butterfly die- cut from PTI Woodblock print.

 

Here is another view:

 



 ... though there are no musical notes, that little butterfly, and your visits make my heart sing!  Thanks @laurafadora for her inspiration!

=]  Michele



The Heart Desires Challenge #12

Could this THD inspiration be more beautiful ...

I followed the lead of many of The Heart Desires designers for THD Challenge #12 and used a bit of Altenew product ... now, the Kit is not available at THD shop - but OH come on! they have many Altenew products to choose from!  This particular paper may have been the reason I bought it!

Could this card be more simple? 

You cannot imagine the nerves involved cutting it randomly with this little butterfly die!

Mission accomplished ... here are your butterflies, ladies!

xx Michele

Curtain Call - Flutter

There will be no question as to what inspired me today - there are butterflies blooming at Curtain Call!

I have had so much fun creating cards with my old Martha punch ... but today I have had even more fun - with a Verve die I've had for a few years, but haven't used as much as I should have done!  Pssst... it's on sale!

PTI dots; MFT Watercolor Wash DP; Mama Elephant's Peek-a-frame; Recollections pearls

This little beauty is too fun to stop at one card!  Here's another, in a more graphic setting:

Lil' Inker Dip Dyed Ombre Cardstock;  Nuvo Silver Lining crystal drops;

Wplus9 Strictly Sentiments 2;  Mama Elephant Peek-a-frame

Thanks for fluttering by today! 

=]  Michele

Altenew May Inspiration Challenge

One look at the May Altenew Inspiration Challenge, and a fabulous video from May Park, PLUS a gorgeous card and video tutorial from Therese Calvird using the Altenew Lotus set ... I was all in! 

Now before you even think I could come close to achieving the results of either of these card makers, let's just get real, okay.  BUT I never give up trying to do the best that I can... here's my card:

I didn't have quite the right pinks in my Copic supply ... something I will soon remedy!  I was quite happy with the little pond I created with a little slip of vellum and a swirly embossing folder ... can't see it?  Here's a closer look:

I'm reserving the right to add a sentiment at a later date, but couldn't resist a little bit of bling!

Thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #220

Wow!  220 Sketches in, and I'm still inspired by every single Sketch... every single week!  Leigh's this week is no exception!

It is my practice to print out all the month's Sketches ahead of time, and place them under my clear desk blotter, where I can be inspired by them.  I saw lots of blooms here in Leigh's Sketch, don't you?

I have a favorite bloom set from SSS called Artful Flowers, and recently watched the fabulous Nichol Spohr water color said blooms on YouTube - you can watch it, too, right here.  I'm struggling to learn the secret to Zig Clean Brush markers.  My friends, Chriss and Bobby, swear by Bristol paper - and it did help with the movement of ink - thanks ladies!

Here is my attempt at Nichol's technique, using a few different Zig colors, and an aqua painter:

I've added a few freckles of Microliner black to tie together the black sentiment strip.

My go-to W&W panel, and PPP sequins, too =] 

 

I'm thinking I have a LONG way to go, but thank you Nichol for removing the fear factor for me! 

 

How about following me over to see what my Sketchy-Sisters have to share at the CTS blog this week? 

 

Thanks for stopping by... I so appreciate your kindness! 

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Inspired by All the Little Things #54

I'm cutting right to the chase this morning, friends!  This photo challenge from Inspired by All the Little Things is just too fabulous to hold back:

Am I right, or am I right?  Here's where my imagination took me ... or lack thereof... with one little variance: my chair is otherwise occupied... he hee...

Mama E. 'bookshelf' - btw this is an open shelf -

there were no kitties trapped in the making of this card!

Winnie & Walter Audrey's Cutaways for panel

PTI Aqua Mist cardstock; MFT Our Story stamps and dies [xxoo for my secret pal!]

and various Copics

 

Now.  I have my first cup of coffee in hand, and have a little catching up to do 'round blogland!

 

Thanks for the quick visit ... you all start my day in a very special way!  xx

 

=]  Michele



 

Thank you, Leigh!







12 Kits of Occasions: Hello, friend!

Sharron Gregory, of On Papillon Wings, is our Hostess this month at The 12 Kits of Occasions blog!  Oh, didn't you get the memo?  It's the end of the month - YIKES!

"Hello, friend!" is Sharron's theme and, let me tell you, this girl? really does know how to 'do' friendship!

Here is a little bit of the love Sharron sent us:

SO much goodness! 

Sharron and I have a mutual love of flowers, flutter-bys, and apparently papers!  I had just purchased this set of lovely papers from PTI!

Here is where my heart took me:

I've prepped my panel with an MFT die, and the sentiment with a PPP tag die

The counterpart to this darling cat has already been sent to another sweet bloggy friend!  Wish I'd snapped a photo first!

 

Inside:

"Goodness knows, you are always there to pull me out of a puddle!"

Seems those darlings were a team 12 Kits favorite this month!

 

MFT Wonky frames dies

 

If one cactus is good, another makes it great!!

 

 

Last but not least, for our teamie Lisa, who is missing her beautiful boy this week!  I know he's not exactly colored perfectly, but I know she'll think he's pretty cute =]

 

 

That's it for me this month ... OH just thought you'd get a chuckle out of my photography set up:

 





My mother's chair, where I sit daily - well not quite like this ... xx

 

Thank you, Sharron, for such a fun kit... and thanks to you for stopping by!  Now run over to the 12 Kits blog, if you haven't been yet!!!  There's magic happening there... xx

 

=]  Michele