Saturday, October 17, 2026

A grey day!

A grey day doesn't mean there's no sunshine here - just the opposite in my case!  I've embraced my love of grey and found a few challenges that would welcome it!  Let's start with Color Hues #143 where grey can be used as a neutral along with Tracey's chosen color duo:



Take note of the background as it will qualify my card for the
'Patterned Background' square on my Crafty Bingo card!
It was made using a rubber mat and Altenew's Curtain Leaves cover die - a gift from Bobby many years ago. [I found a way to make it work, my friend - thanks again!]
These fabulous branches and berries are part of the Altenew Fall Pickings layering
die set.

Up next, a card made for Therese @lostinpaper after her LIVE this week
where she created a Christmas card using a few different leafy die sets.


It all began with the embossing folder included in my CYL Expressive Flora set
from Altenew.  I swiped those gorgeous, embossed leaves with Moonrock ink.
Then adorned my arch with die cut leaves and a bright red bow from Altenew and pine boughs and eucalyptus from HoneyBee.  


The remnant I was left with - another Crafty Bingo square: Arched Border...


Altenew: Perfect Poinsettia EF and a sentiment from their Modern Poinsettia set.
You may not catch it, but I used a silver paint pen to add shine to their centers
and TH silver embossing for my sentiment.

That, my friends, was my Friday!  Have a wonderful, crafty weekend!
=] Michele

Thursday, October 15, 2026

A deep dive!

I recently subscribed to Altenew's Craft Your Life series... how I would need another floral set is beyond my comprehension, but when I saw this stencil [and learned this was the only way I could make it my own, I caved.  Buckle up, my friends!  This is a long one!

Meet Expressive Flora:





After getting really comfortable and finding 'my way' I spread my wings
and decided to have a bit of fun with the background layer - #6 in the order
of stenciling quickly became #1 for me as it allowed the 'shift' in their instructions
to make perfect sense to my brain.

With a very simple [unnamed] basket weave sandwiched with that background, I achieved this:


Here's that aforementioned sandwich:


Then this:



and one more to fill another square in my Altenew Fan Club Crafting Bingo!




Thanks so much for stopping by - do you agree that I made the right decision on that purchase? lol  And there is a stamp & die set, and embossing folder yet to play with!
I'll be back...
=] Michele

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Freshly Made Sketches #758

Jen T. has nearly a 'blank canvas' for our crafting pleasure at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  Sometimes I find these the most difficult but not today!  


Honestly - it was a card I was making for another challenge but couldn't help but 
keep it on hold for Jen's challenge... take a peek...


This is a SU! Sunflower 3D EF - a wonderful gift from my friend, Marcia! I water colored this one and added a simple sentiment for a 'nearly' one-layer card!

How will YOU represent Jen's simple sketch?  I can't wait to see!
=] Michele

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Just us Girls #844

Carol McFarland is hosting Just us Girls #844 and I nearly didn't make a card... then I had a 'lightbulb' moment!


Even though her theme is 'move' she doesn't limit HOW to move!
My card could be 'a stretch!'


wait for it...


here you go...


It could be one of those cards that never gets used... most 
definitely a 'hand-delivery.'

I dare you to do as I did and search 'paper slinky' on YouTube - talk about a
rabbit hole!! LOL

=] Michele

Paper: HoneyBee and EBE
EBE: Clever Sausage and It's all Good sentiment set.  You must know that EBE products are no longer available... sorry.
HoneyBee: Big Time: Kindness stamps and dies

Monday, October 12, 2026

The Paper Players #807

It's a color challenge this week from Jan, and I couldn't help but paint these gorgeous apples as Granny Smith's!  Can you blame me??


I'll admit it - it is a total CASE of Jaydee's wonderful card for The Paper Players #807!  I had stamped an extra image from Carrie's Sweet Harvest set and was saving it for a day like today to turn them into green apples.  Thanks, Jaydee, for the inspiration!


I've been participating in the Altenew Fan Group's Crafting Bingo and was 
looking for a way to complete the Mixed Media square.  I'm a complete failure
when it comes to mixed media... back to the drawing board!  
But I still love my apples!  


This is the card I've entered instead ... woodgrain card, a bit of gilding, some packing material and layered blossoms on the Altenew Ornate Frame.  Which do you think is more 'mixed media?'  My CAS loving crafty heart just doesn't allow for grunge.


I'm really making progress on the October Crafting Bingo card!  I'm sure they'd love to have you join their Altenew Fan Group and the fun!

=] Michele

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Unity Mice & Cozy

I love it when I'm inspired by a crafty friend to shop!  TK used this adorable little Mice & Cozy set from Unity, and I couldn't get it into a cart quickly enough... however I did get a really nice sale notice from Unity which I appreciated so much.

These are red rubber stamps and came with a few sentiments, too.  I stamped them onto little squares of Canson cold-press watercolor card and water colored them using my trusty Distress re-inkers.  Ready?

SSS Fall Foliage EF and PTI twine

Honeybee Falling Leaves 3D EF and more twine!

SSS Vine Canopy and yes, twine.

I can't imagine getting tired of coloring these cuties anytime soon!  Until next time... thanks for stopping by!

=] Michele

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Freshly Made Sketches #757

Jen Mitchell is our sketch designer this week at Freshly Made Sketches #757!  Oh, were the crafty wheels turning...

... but you won't believe where the wheel stopped...


Will it pass the 'smell test?'  Are you team sardine?  Mine are in mustard today! lol


The Stamp Market: Sardines and Sardine Greetings.

There are endless ideas for that cute little rectangle - hope you join us!
=] Michele