Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Freshly Made Sketches #749

Jen B. is our designer for Freshly Made Sketches #749!  Just remember, those circles you often see in our sketches can be anything your imagination can make them!

 

I've been doing a little 'homework' using Therese's Color Made Easy email course.  I admit to being a bit color-phobic... today's card really tested me!  I used my color wheel and just pulled out some cardstock - and pulled up my big girl panties!! 


Pink + Orange is my favorite color combo - that might seem strange
to many of you!  Bringing blue, purple, and orange together was really
a stretch for me!  But I trusted the lesson on analogous colors and 
in the end, I like it!



I've used The Stamp Market's simple Bloomin' Cute die and strips of paper found in my snippets for my stripes.  Honestly, I think the orange enamel dots brought the whole thing together!

Okay.  That's where my brain went - where will you take those stripes and circles?  We can't wait to see them pop into our gallery! See you before the window closes at 3EST Monday, August 17th?

=] Michele

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

The Paper Players - Colors too delicious to resist!


Ready for another 'sale' item?  Stef's PP798 colors were perfect!


I resisted this SB Cocoa Wonderland set long enough for it to go on sale!

A ring of 'tan' [kraft] was used to break up the white - but 
isn't that embossing gorgeous?? It was a bd gift in '23 and I
continue to love it! SB Adorning the Tree. 

The sun is setting so much earlier this week - I hate to see it as it has been
such a fantastic summer!

I'd better get this cuppa in the gallery before the door closes!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
=] Michele

The Paper Players #798 - seconds for JUGS!


Many years ago, Tom bought me several alpha die sets - sadly they've
been dormant for a very long time!  Why I thought of them when I saw
Stef's fabulous color challenge at The Paper Players we'll never know.
BUT I sure did have fun... take a peek...


Why, yes. that is indeed a new embossing folder!  Spellbinders sucked me
into a very good sale recently - besides this Urban Grid, there are two others -
more soon!  The sub-sentiment is C&9th: Picked Posie Greetings.


Here's another alpha card using those Altenew Caps Bold Alphabet dies...


This time I put all my alphas through another Spellbinder EF this one was a
monthly folder from February 2023 so it's been around for a while, but I still love it! And that sweet little Bloomin' Cute blossom from The Stamp Market, too!
I'm betting the ladies at JUGS#835 will appreciate the time it took to
align those alphas!


Can you stand one more?  Just for funsies...


Those cute Thought Bubbles from TSM worked a charm!

Hope you're having a great week!
=] Michele

Monday, August 10, 2026

Just us Girls #835

 

Vicki is asking us to sharpen our die-cutting skills this week

I have had one of Altenew's designer's cards in my inbox for weeks now -
it seemed like the perfect time to take my cue from Aga!

I won't get into detail - it is Aga's use of die-cut leaves and making
them shine on a card that I'm featuring here.  I used several leaf
dies from Altenew's Virginia Rose 3D die set to cut my leaves from white.
I 'scribbled' color on using Copics and Ohuhu markers to create
variegated leaves which were arranged across my panel
of grey-brown card.  Enough telling - more showing!!


The berries come from the same die set and I've used another Betterpress-ed sentiment
from my pre-pressed, ready-to-go stash!


Please do take a gander at the gorgeous card from Aga - I've linked it
above!  I didn't come close to the beauty of hers - but it sure was fun trying!

=] Michele

Friday, August 7, 2026

One [or two] more for Color Hues #138


It has been a really good and crafty week and I have one more
'new' supply in the house!  Thanks to my friend Bonnie's expert enabling!
What better time to play with Karen's Color Hues #138 combo again?


I fell in love with all the cards she made with that PTI Geranium set - I honestly
couldn't get it in a basket fast enough!  Along with their Tropical Teal cardstock
that was used to cut their wonderful leaves!


I blended a bit of TSM Jade ink on their edges to add a bit of depth.
The blooms are cut from TSM Sea Glass paper then darkened to a mor
teal-like color using Jade ink.  Navy is the second CH color so it was a
must for the bottom half of a 'crimped' front panel along with a
few ferns from another ASD Whimsy Blooms Bouquet die set.

And then, as I just couldn't put those colors away just yet, they were used
to color this wonderful ASD Poinsettia, too!




I'm so happy to finally have the coordinating dies to cut all the great
sentiments in the Festive Poinsettia set!

Alright, my friends! That's all from me this week!  Have a great weekend,
and thanks for spending a little time with me this week - all your kindness
does not go unnoticed I promise you!
=] Michele 

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

A new stencil in the house!

I have had my eye on this set from Alex Syberia for quite a while.  I've been quite good about buying things lately, so I treated myself this week!  My timing [and theirs] was spot on!  Meet Lush Peony Bouquet - press plate and stencils - using the colors from Color Hues #138!  

Sentiment: Pinkfresh Studios: With Sympathy



Next up - a no-line letter-pressed image and lots, and lots of inks for Darnell's inky I.D.E.A.S calendar and NBUS challenge #89!


The press plate was run through my Platinum Six without ink-
making stenciling these peonies without inked lines a little easier.




I'll be back again soon!  Thanks for stopping by!
=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #748

 

I can think of lots of options for Verena's circles, but it IS butterfly season
here on The Ferguson Porch after all!  I had a few new butterflies for 

I opted for the SSS Whirled Butterflies and left them creamy white
but felt the need to add a few flowers so these beauties would stick around! lol


Anyone remember these SSS Hydrangea Petals?  These were dipped in
puddles of Distress inks - as were the butterfly bodies.
The Greetery provided the die for the gold banner - SB Betterpress for the sentiment!


Just perfect for sending special wishes to my dear friend - I hope 
they landed on time! 

Freshly Made Sketches #748 is here and ready for YOUR interpretation!
Hope you're inspired to join us!

=] Michele