Altenew February 2026 Inspiration Challenge

My abundant collection of Altenew florals have not been shown much love since the end of The Flower Challenge last year.  Today, I was determined to remedy that and found the loveliest inspiration at Altenew's Inspiration Challenge - February 2026 with Leah Lawson...

This photo taken from Leah's time as an event photographer

was calling for Altenew's Rosa Gallica!

Along with some Eucalyptus paper from C&9th and MFT, 

here are the inks used for today's card:

Ready for the reveal?

That 'old favorite' Dotted Swirls debossing plate was used

to add texture and interest to the largest of Altenew's Ornate Nesting die

then I layered the stencil-colored Rosa Gallica and tucked

a few grey 'fillers' from HoneyBee's Lovely Layers: Greenery

and mounted them onto my grey card base.

Altenew's Featured Sentiment dies were used to cut the

simple sentiment from Hero Arts' Rose Stem Florals.

If this doesn't give you warm weather vibes, nothing will!  Stay safe and warm, my friends!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #722

 

It seems we are going back to basics with our wintertime sketches, doesn't it?  Kim's fun Freshly Made Sketches #722 is as basic as it comes - unless you would like to make it otherwise, that is!  

I reached for a Pinkfresh Studio Essentials Lacey Edgers and some bright blues and tipped Kim's Sketch for a fun Winter scene...

Penny Black's Christmas Cubs and Cuddle Up [sentiment] are the

stars of my card and another oldie but goody embossing folder from

The Paper Studios give my card panel a bit of a Valentine vibe!

Our Winter has been a good one for a 'cuddle up' and plenty of hot chocolate!  There have been 16 inches of the white stuff recorded in our area this season.  Seems like a lot, doesn't it?  But no records have been broken.

Enough of that - I cannot wait to see what Kim has made using her own sketch - let's go!!  You have until February 9th at 3pm EST to join us - I can't wait to see your stripes!

=] Michele

Sending love on Valentine's Day!

Helloooo everyone!  I haven't found my crafty energy quite yet but am feeling really well.  Winter has been fierce - a time I love to bury myself in series on Netflix and also curled up with a good book!

I recently shared this card using one of the goodies I won on IG from Waffle Flower Crafts... of course I had to have both of their Peony Collage stencil sets!  This time I drew inspiration from Galina and her gorgeous colors - you'll find hers among the photo examples shared on the WF website.  I switched the colors around but I'm sure you'll see how I was influenced.

The white scalloped panel was cut using an old Winnie & Walter favorite I will

forever keep in my stash!

I found the cutest little Altenew enamel heart that is the perfect fit!

Can you find it?

I found just the right stamps and sentiments in their Postage Collage - Love set.

I'm so happy to share a card with you today!

Thanks so much!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #721 from Jen M.

Jen Mitchell's Freshly Made Sketch #721 looks like it's made for a square card - but since I try to send or gift all my cards, I'm better suited to an A2 shape... it worked out and I'm sure Jen won't mind a bit!

This furry friend from Spellbinders Festive Friends suited 

my rendition of Jen's Sketch, too!  

I reimagined her sweater into a scarf and found a way to put Jen's circle to use by using EH's Essential Circles which allows as much of this strip of pretty print from HoneyBee's Snow Days collection to show through.

A very old MFT heart die was used to cut their Chili Pepper red cardstock

which was then embossed using a very old woodgrain EF from The Paper Studios.

This sentiment is from The Stamp Market's Kindness Matters set.

Now, let's go see what the rest of the FMS design team has made, shall we?

What will you put inside that circle - I can't wait to see!

=] Michele

Time Out #305

 

hmmm a favorite card making technique?  I have so many!  But if you counted my supply of embossing folders, it is clear to see what I reach for when I want to make my crafty heart happy: 175 with the last addition from a sweet friend!

Thanks, Time Out #305 for the perfect opportunity for its first pressing!  Here is a closeup so you can see the wonderful details of this Spellbinders Molded Frame ...

Talk about perfect simplicity - it embosses a frame, a mat, and a central, raised

panel to embellish... today I used a second favorite: Layering, die cut florals.

This one is from The Greetery: Rosemal Reflections Details dies.

I can't wait to use it again, and again, and ... you get the picture!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your precious time with me - and for all the get well wishes - thanks a million!

=] Michele

Just us Girls #807 Stencil Week

I'm back 'in the saddle' and even though our weather is dreadful, I am 99.8% better and boy that feels great!

The moment Bobby announced it was Stencil Week at Just us Girls #807, I scurried into my studio - I have a brand spankin' new stencil set to use!!  I mentioned a prize won on IG from Waffle Flower Crafts - not only did I choose those wonderful frames, but also their new Peony Stencils... here's the first of many to come...

Galina used black in her background in her YouTube video - of course I wanted

to CASE every detail but thought a dark brown would be almost as dramatic!

Tell me what you think!

Several dies were used before I got right to the edge of the completed piece:

from the outside: PTI Skinny Ric Rac dies, then EH Essential Rectangle which

leaves the teensiest little border, and lastly one of Wplus9's Postage dies for my sentiment.  

Before putting them all together, I used my favorite SU Subtle Texture to add a fabric look.  

I just never tire of that.

These are the inks used for the Peony layers.

 So!  There it is! My first card for a challenge in 2026!  Thanks, JUGS for lighting the fire!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #720 by Jen T.

hello friends! Another Wednesday, and another great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches by Jen Timko!

OH, the possibilities are endless!  But here is how my [still not 100%] brain

took inspiration from Jen's sketch:

I got a new set of frame dies using a gift card I won on Instagram from

my generous friends at Waffle Flower Crafts!  Nesting Piercing Classic Labels paired with a wonderful print from Spellbinders' Holiday Expansion Pack, two circles and a lonely little snowflake [HoneyBee I think?] from my snippets!

I could happily live in this wonderful little village!  Unless, of course, it's

Winter all year long!! OY!

Okay, now it's your turn and we look forward to seeing your cards before

Monday January 26th at 3pm EST.

Be sure you stop by the Freshly Made Sketches blog for mountains of 

beautiful inspiration from the team!

=] Michele