A trio of cards for a trio of challenges!

Happy weekend eve, my friends! I have a few cards for you today - they couldn't be any more different!

First up a little tweetie for Freshly Made Sketches #669 by Narelle!  Hopefully she will see that the head and body represent the two circles at the top right? ha!

Isn't he a cutie?  I found this card base just waiting for him in my snippets box!

SSS: Layered Berry Bird cut from watercolor cardstock and colored with these Ohuhu markers:

 

My second card is for Color Hues #102 Navy and Lime - I have had my eye on this Altenew Balloon Flower for a while!

The hardest part of layered inking is keeping the top ink from blending.

I dried my layers this time, but it didn't seem to help much.

My friend and DT member Marcia influenced the argyle embossing [Spellbinders: Argyle Socks] on the left - thanks, sweet friend!

Last one!  Just another gorgeous Betterpress plate I added to my Christmas stash - yes, I am continuing to add to my Senior cards for 2025 so there is never a question of making just one!  This particular card will be sent over to Christmas Kickstart #94: Bring on the Baubles!  His baubles are tiny but really do make him festive!  The baubles were treated to a bit of sparkly Stickles!

Spellbinders: Dashing Reindeer on white BP cardstock; Hemstitched Rectangle Frame

This one is pressed on cream BP cardstock and framed by using one of my old EH Essential Rectangle dies.  BTW these are the BP inks I've used in case you're wondering.

I'm slowly getting back to a rhythm around here - it feels great!  hmmm I'm already wondering if you're tired of me again? lol

=] Michele

As you See it! #339

I could be wrong, but I think this might be my very first card for the As You See It Challenge?  Leave it to my friend LeAnne to show me the way to adding more fun to my day!  But seriously... did you think there was a chance that I could resist these colors and inspiration photo?

I don't have these particular SU! inks but I did find a few inks that will stand in for them... I did try so hard to capture the silvery bits I added to the leaves!

Here are the inks I used for the layered stencil coloring of this

Altenew: Graceful Gardenias.

You know my rule... when I have a new set, why not make three?  

Here's a fun tri-fold card where I've pencil colored it in a more appropriate white...

and one other that was water-colored using Distress inks:

SEE!  I have been a little bit crafty!  Now let's see if I can remember how to link a card...

=] Michele

Hey, friends! I'm alive!

I've had a few friends wondering where in the world I am!  Nothing to worry about - just tucked in as is my usual Winter routine!   But the slump is real!

Leave it to Jill Foster to get me out of my slump... she released her first in a new Sketch series yesterday at the Penny Black YouTube channel.  Nothing like watching Jill watercolor those adorable PB kids to kick-start my creative juices!

Enter PB Growing Love:

If I were writing a sentiment for this one, it would read:

'thanks for being the teeter to my totter!' =]

Here are the products used for my layered Sketch #1:

Growing Love - stamped in Versafine Smokey Gray on Canson watercolor paper

PFS Stitched Scallop Rectangles

Penny Black Triangle Pattern EF

PTI Just Sentiments: You're on my Mind.

And because there was a little piece of that embossing left over, 

seconds were in order:

I just switched out the frame this time to use PB Classy Frames

Thank you, friends, for holding me in your thoughts while I take my little January break!  btw I miss YOU, too!

=] Michele

FINALLY, a card - or two!

Hello, my friends!  I have a wonderful little stack of products purchased over the 'big sale' period after Christmas ... don't we all?  These guys wouldn't let me rest until they got to play cards!

Simon Hurley's Playful Penguins from Spellbinders!

Perfect pick for the first Sketch of 2025 at Freshly Made Sketches:

The gals at Color Throwdown #824 couldn't have known 

how much I'd love these colors:

Of course, there HAD TO BE TWO!

A snowy backdrop [Waffle Flower] and a tag from my snippets bin combined

beautifully with these dudes and the duo of colors from Color Hues #101:

Thank you, Sheri!

My friends at Just us Girls have added a new theme to their roster for week #756:

And just like that I've complete my 31st Christmas card for 2025 and gotten back on that crafty horse!  It feels so good to be back!  I've missed you all so much - and thank you for all the wonderful Christmas cards this year!

Now let's see if I can remember how to add a card to a challenge!?

=] Michele

Happy New Year!!

Yes, I know it's been a while since I've appeared in your inbox!  I don't think I've ever experienced a slump like this one before!  So, while my creative brain took a break, I went to work reorganizing my supplies.  You've been here, right?  First you make a HUGE mess... then you find lots of things that haven't been used in ages but still love, and others that really need to find a new home and someone who will love them as much as you have!

SO!  I have added a tab at the top called 'Crafty De-stash' and like many others this will be where you can find the things that I really have to say goodbye to!

Have a look - you might just find a few things that are on your own wish list!

Thanks, and I'll be seeing you again very soon! xx

=] Michele

The Flower Challenge #98 Reminder

I know you are all busy preparing for the holidays, but I hope you will find a bit of time in your busy schedule to make a card or two!  How about one or more for us at The Flower Challenge?  There's still time!  Here's my sparkly reminder...

Another Concord&9th Festive Blooms creation with lots of sparkle by way of my friend Stickles - I love that the only bit

of white is that sentiment foiled in gold for a little more sparkle!

Here's hoping your days are crafty, and bright this season!

=] Michele

Baby, it's cold outside!

I promised to show you more of the newest addition to my ever-growing collection of embossing folders - this SSS Bundled Up was one offered with a set of dies that cut out a few of the hats and mittens that can be tucked into the folder for embossed dimension.  You'll see what I mean... and I couldn't resist keeping it simple in red and white!

Anyone heading out here today would be out of their minds

to go without a warm hat and mittens - an added scarf would 

be wise... wish SSS had added a die for the scarf, too!

Those tiny little hearts on those red mittens were leftovers from

the gift bag's tags from this card.  One should never waste these little treasures!

My 'belly bands' for sentiments were created using one of 

PFS's essentials: Noteworthy frames - not sure if they are still available nor

do I think MFT still makes the sets where I found these sentiments but

I'm shopping my stash more these days especially for Christmas cards!

Okay it is definitely time to hit the shower, dress and warm up - 20F here this morning!  Hope you have something fun planned for your weekend!

=] Michele