Mix it Up with SugarPeas #59

My card-making days are most often inspired by one of my design team assignments, or a challenge, and this day was no different.  The minute this one popped into my inbox,  I was intrigued by the out-of-focus background - I was determined to recreate it with inks!
Armed with the smooth side of a quarter sheet of TH water color paper, and a few Distress Inks, I'm really pretty happy with my results... for SugarPea's September 2019 Mix it Up Challenge #59:

Inside:  of course I had to call!  it was that, or a TWEET!

This sweet little bird is one of a dozen fun images in SugarPea's Everyday is Christmas - one of the 4 calling birds! I borrowed the colors from the gorgeous feathered friend in the photo, and a few of the details from the Sketch, while letting that background shine. 

Thanks for stopping by... let the weekend begin!

=]  Michele

[Tags, and sentiment, are retired SugarPea sets that I still adore.]
Inks used are: hickory smoke, worn lipstick, peeled paint, and chipped sapphire!
 

CAS[E] this Sketch #340

Naturally, one would think I might make another Halloween card, right?  the mask.  boo.  not today!  There was a certain little bloom that was demanding some attention!  Here she is. another MFT borrowed from Bobby:

For CTS#340:

Inside:

Said not one person over the age of 60 65 66.  Ever.

 

Now.  Before anyone else calls me The Enabler... yes.  this is another new cover-plate - Lil' Inkers again - called So Knotty! [I could have a fun day with the name alone!] You have to be a sale shopper, people!

 

You should also be playing along with this one - maybe YOU have more Halloween cards to make? 

 

=]  Michele

 

p.s.  okay - one more!!  just for you...

 

That Cooking Lady was begging me for a mask of her own from Dress Up Days!

Seems she has Pumpkin to Talk About!



Inspired By #90 ... L is for

 

It's time for Laurel's 'L is for' challenge at Inspired By - this time I'm sending off a butterfly - you know the one... if you Love something, set it free... blah, blah, blah.  This year, I was feeling a bit snarky - no reflection on Laurel, mind you!!

 

For IB90...

 

… already!

 

Am I the only person that just thought of Cher in that scene from Moonlighting:  "Snap out of it" after a vigorous slap?

 

It's that kinda card … snark, with a side of butterfly to temper it!  LOL

 

Come play with us, because we can't wait to see/hear what L says to you!

 

=]  Michele



Grazing in the CAS is a gas...

… can you dig it?*  I've got TWO cards for those CAS Challenge girls!  First up:  CAS Watercolour - Complimentary Colors!

I've chosen Red-violet[s] and yellow-green[s] giving way to shades of each color by loosely painting Altenew pan water colors onto a piece of water color paper before cutting these gorgeous layers from another set [Altenew Garden Picks 3D dies].  Here's how it came out...

Next up?  for CAS Mix it Up where Joanna is requesting Inchies!  I have little experience with inchies, Joanna - hope this works!

Okay.  I may be disqualified - and that's OKAY!  But I've ticked the Inchies, and stamping boxes, but is this mat an approved 'your choice?'  I guess Joanna will be my judge!  Here you go:

This gorgeous leaf will be the star of the show in a few weeks... but for now, it was stamped many times and mercifully sacrificed for this Challenge!!  lol

Have a wonderful Wednesday!  Thanks for sharing a bit of it with me!

=]  Michele

* I know... dating myself again!  but it's so fun to remember

2019 Card Design Superstar: Clean & Simple Genius

Whoa... that word 'genius?'  MFT's word not mine!!  lol  But, CAS is a style I love - and even after a few years, I struggle with at times.  So!  Why not put it to the ultimate test?  I'm throwing a card into the Clean & Simple Genius ring for...

You'll tell me if it's as CAS as I hope it is...

 Inside:  YOU are a total stand-out in our class. mate!

 

I've taken just one of the fun fish from Fish You Were Here and stamped it multiple times - free wheeling it - just like my casts are when I'm fishing!  Then I chose one of these guys to "do the talking"  using the coordinating die.  An itty bit of Copic coloring , and a layer of Nuvo crystal glaze, was all it took to make him the stand-out in his school.

Here's a fun idea, when CAS is your choice - add a bit of color that only the recipient will see on closer inspection!  I've chosen to mimic my class clown fish's colors and use orange fun foam as my panel-backer, and bright green for my sentiment strip!   
 

Okay.  I know it's not a GENIUS idea... but fun, just the same!

Fish me luck … I'm throwing it into the ocean of CAS Genius cards there in the MFT gallery!

=]  Michele

Mail it Monday - 2nd Anniversary!

I know a few of you have not started an Instagram journey, but that's okay.  I'll share a bit of the news here, too!

Kimberly Crawford - For the Love of Paper - has been on a mission!  A mission to mail those cards we all make!  She's spreading the word on Instagram, and celebrating her 2nd anniversary - YAY!  I've been so inspired by her example, and try to have at least one card in the mailbox on Mondays... often more!  I've shared Kimberly's link so you, too, can be inspired by Mail it Monday!

Today, these cards will be sent to a few broads, I MEAN to friends abroad!  Which is something I try to do often.  It's so much cheaper for a Global stamp, than an airline ticket anywhere! Even though I'd love to travel to meet them for reals!  I'm keeping the destination a secret - you'll just have to wonder - will they be heading Down Under?!

Both made with the cute MFT Fish you were Here set

of stamps, and dies!

 



You might have noticed another new

cover-plate ... I just cannot resist them!

This one, from Lil' Inkers called

Quilted Stitched Spirals is TOTALLY CURRENT!

great for blowing leaves, oceans currents, or for snow storms!

If you do enjoy an Instagram browse, do follow me over to @kimberlystamps or @mailitmonday
[follow me too please @mfergu01].

Have a splendid Monday - and don't forget to get a stamp on it!! 

=]  Michele

The Flower Challenge #36 Reminder

How about playing along at The Flower Challenge to get your week started on a beautiful note?  It's reminder time, and there are prizes to be won!! 

In August, I had the great pleasure of having a sleepover at the cottage of one of The Flower Challenge design team … Bobby Hagen of Bits and Pieces, is a fellow Michigander, and we gather together at least twice a year!  Aren't I the lucky one? 

With this Challenge in mind, we packed our MFT goodies to share … here is my reminder card created with Bobby's Fresh-Cut Flowers red rubber from MFT:

Giving credit to Francine Vuilleme of the MFT team for her gorgeous inspiration back in March when this one released... be sure to check her out at her blog: 1001 Cartes

Okay, get those MFT flowers stamps... or any flower stamp, and come join the fun at The Flower Challenge, why don't you??!! 

Thanks for sharing, Bobby - and for that fabulous blueberry buckle!!!  Thank you, TFC, for having me as your guest!

=]  Michele