Thursday, May 31, 2018

CAS[E] this Sketch #274

I'll just get right to Donna's Sketch today... oh you are going to LOve it!


Let your creative brains go crazy with this one … I immediately saw a window to my world - it's Hummingbird time, peeps!

"mean the most … thank you!"
 

I was hoping to show you that my rectangle 'window' is cut from vellum … alas, I fear I've failed - but here is this gorgeous Ruby Throat up close:
 

 
I am always pleased to bring out this darling Wplus9 set - pairing it with my very new Altenew Build-a-Flower Morning Glory was so much fun!  and notice I've stamped it on linen cardstock - isn't that interesting?  added a tickle of Stickles?  A bit of embossing on my circle die-cut adds a pretty garden where this little darling grows.
 
How much fun will you have with Donna's Sketch?  I'm thinking the sky's the limit!
 
=]  Michele
 
Supplies:
MFT:  Pierced Rectangles, and Circle Die-Namics dies
Anna Griffin/Cuttlebug by Cricut embossing folder

Ellen Hutson: Linen cardstock

Inspired By ... #22 - industrial charm


Note:  the word trial in industrial?  lol  it totally was a trial, but a really fun one!















I've never been very good with mixed media design - but felt this was the perfect time to give it a spin... I've been Inspired By the terra cotta color, raindrops, and umbrella … even the metal of the rack has been used... see if you can find these elements in my industrial card!


Confused?  yeah, me too!  lol  okay... it's raining INSIDE the terrarium … industrial strength drops?  and the sun is shining under the umbrella - but cannot get to my plants?  

 
well.  I give up - turns out it doesn't have one bit of mixed media style!!!  lol
 
I do hope you find something to like about it!!!   Take my advice... be yourself - you'll create something more charming for our Inspired By #22 gallery, I'm sure of it!

=]  Michele

My 'terrarium' is a Winnie & Walter Flawless Diamond die.
MFT raindrops - a stencil from my friend Barb xx - silver embossing paste, for the industrial rain
Flora & Fauna dies for the foliage, and terrarium stand
Snippets for my table
Basic Grey Barista patterned paper for the umbrella
Be Yourself is a little flair from Pink Fresh Studios

12 Kits of Occasions - May - You're a Good Egg!

Grab our Badge
 
We've come to the end of the month, and I'm so happy about it... why?  Because Nancy Penir, of Artful Notions, is our fabulous and fun, chicken raising, 12 Kits of Occasions host this month … let's just say this kit has gone to the Chickens!  I wouldn't have been surprised to have feathers in the package! 

Here is a wonderful peek of Nancy's fun kit contents - you'll find all of the ingredients shared at the 12 Kits of Occasions blog...
 You're a Good Egg!
 
  [thanks always, Lindsey!]

Okay... ready, or not, here are my cards! 

"Lucky Duck" seems like something my mom would have said... and I'm imagining my own sweet mom in her uniform - with eleven mouths to feed, she seldom left the kitchen or laundry room!

"You still bring me flowers... thank you!"
 
 "I think we forgot your clucking birthday!"

 "Sorry to say I think our eggs are long past 'fresh'-
shaken, or scrambled, is more like it these days!
Happy birthday, just the same."

[Does anyone appreciate my sick 'taste' in humor?]
"Run for your life!!!  there's another birthday coming!!!"
 

I went in for a little edit to my card...
 

"Another birthday?  Sing out for Glory!  Glory!"

Nancy, can you tell I loved your Kit?  Yes!  every scrap of darling paper, embellishment, and word of it!!

Thanks, my friends, for sharing a bit of your day with me... now, off you go!  My 12 Kits friends have plenty of farm fresh fun for you!

=]  Michele

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

The Cat's Pajamas May Release day!

Welcome to the Hop!  You should have arrived here from my friend Brenda's blog and I know she has you wanting to shop, but I'm happy to share a few more cards I've created with The Cat's Pajamas' May release before you go!

This little trio of friends from Live More have a firm grip on those darling kites, and how to live in a worry-free zone ... what do you think of the scenery?  I used our Spring Tag Duo as a supporting cast member, to cut this cute chevron paper from my stash.
 


You'll see that I've used our Spring Tag Duo on the next card, too!  This time, combining it with a pretty talented little wiener dog from Lick the Bowl ... I love the sentiment - though beg for it might be more appropriate for my card!  lol



Okay... last card, promise!  I had to make this for a friend who excels at napping!  This darling from Wheee is perfect, and so is that new Eyelet die!!

 
 

I hope you've enjoyed my cards, and they provoke a bit of shopping at The Cat's Pajamas store - all of these products, and a free cutting file, are available NOW!  First, however, it's time for me to send you off to Nancy's blog - you will love every inky bit of it!

=]  Michele

Friday, May 25, 2018

Featured Friday guest - Concord & 9th

Hi my friends!  Hope you've had a great week, and are ready for week three of my time as Featured Friday Guest Designer for Concord & 9th!

This week, we've been asked to create using the Bold & Brushy, Upper and Lower alphas ... did you know I love words?  Such an easy assignment!

Songs are often a theme I use on my cards ... often causing 'ear worms' for those of you who follow along!  Hope you love this tune as much as I do...

 

 A few Brushed Blossom splatters were added, and Stickled using the incredible beautiful Brushed Blossom stamp set.
Adding the white die cut Blossom die kept my card really CAS,
but adds dimensional interest!

Thanks to The Beach Boys for one of my favorite tunes - this version is pretty awesome!
 
Can you handle another?
 
 
The Joy set of stamps provided the perfect lines for my bit of penmanship practice ...
Wildflower Stamp set helped me create a doodling look!


Why not stamp an inside sentiment, too?
Being Classy provides the beginning to mine.
See how that asterisk from the Lower Case set
draws the reader inside?
 
I have just one more week to play cards with Concord & 9th and my compadres in crime:  Lydia, and Zsoka - you'll be amazed at their creativity!
 
=]  Michele

Coffee Lovers' Spring- Summer Blog Hop

The Cat's Pajamas is joining in for all the fun at
Follow the link above for all the fun details of the Hop!
and the link below for the SALE!
What goes better with Coffee, Tea, or Cocoa than a SALE!?
 

 
OH maybe a card, too? 
Who says you can't drink Cocoa in hot weather?
 
 
 
The Cat's Pajamas is just one of tons of Sponsors who are offering up prizes for the Hop... I wish you all the best of luck, and may your cups always be hot, and full!
 
=]  Michele
 
Supplies: 
TCP:
What the Froth? [for the handsome pup]
Life is Like Ice Cream [for the you are hot sentiment]
Cloud Border [for the marshmallows]
Holiday Window die for the cup - creatively cut!
 
Also used: the alphas, 4, and Cocoa are from Altenew, EH, and Verve - a few of the other fab Sponsors!


Thursday, May 24, 2018

CAS[E] this Sketch #273

No chit-chat today, my friends - I'm so in love with this week's Sketch, I can't wait to share:


It just so happens this cutie gave me ONE more way
to say YAY!  which is a fun way to say congratulations!

For CTS #273:

 
I'm never going to complain about a sunny day, but it surely did make photographing the acetate pretty tricky! 
Here's a different view:
 
 
Okay... off you go to create!  and to visit my fabulous team mates, at CAS[E] this Sketch!
 
=]  Michele
 
*Supplies:
Essentials by Ellen - YAY! diesTotally Random Says Vol. II, and Plaid Builder stamps - Mondo Sakura for the extraordinary word.
Catherine Pooler - Lime Rickey ink
Prima Glass Glitter - Pitch Black
 
*affiliate links provided when possible, with no cost to you - thank you for your support!

Inspired By ... #21 Mr. and Mrs.

 
We're looking for ways to celebrate Mr. & Mrs. this week … Who's ready to hit the road after seeing this fabulous photo?  Maybe a second honeymoon?  third, or fourth? or 25th?  here's how I was inspired...
 
 
My Mister and I enjoy several really long road-trips every year … we have another in the planning stages for July - I always manage to meet a crafty friend, or two, during our travels... who's ready for a short visit??
 

 
Don't worry... you can see we're only packed for a day or three! lol
How will you be Inspired By #21?  We're waiting in the gallery to see!
 
=]  Michele
 
TCP Travelin' Man stamp set  - slightly adjusted
 



Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Cat's Pajamas - May release Sneak Peeks


I know I say this every month... but seriously, there is SO much to love in The Cat's Pajamas May 2018 release!!!

May I show you a few Sneak Peeks?  I'll take that as a yes!  First up... Paw Prints!  [my dog tag is from the TCP Luggage Tag set  but who among us doesn't have one of these key chains in their junk drawer?]




Those dogs just crack me up!  So does this one from:  WHEE!


You'll see the new Grass die, works pretty well with the Spring Tag Duo from our March release.
 

 
I've used the new Smile, and Camera dies, and Live More stamp set for my next card - after all, there is still time to convince you to play with us and our TCP Tuesday's Die-cutting challenge!
 
 
 


It seems I've given you lots of sneak peeks for this release ... would you believe there are even more new goodies this month, and they'll all be released on May 29th!  My fellow Cat-Pack teammates will have Sneaks galore for you this week, so be sure to watch our TCP blog!  OH!  one more item of business... whadayasay?  are you...
 

Leave a comment here for your chance to win a $10 gift card! you'll get another chance if you comment at Instagram @mfergu01 … don't forget my TCP teammates, too!
 
=]  Michele
 
 

Friday, May 18, 2018

Concord & 9th Feature Friday!

As promised, I'm back, and having way too much fun with today's Featured Friday set from Concord & 9th's May release ... one might say it rocks!

 
 
 
 
I cannot wait another moment to show you a few ways to rock this set!
 
My first card is the most CAS of all ... first stamped, and heat embossed with Platinum, I added just one 'ring' of Stickles - we can't have a Geode without a ring of wonder!  I really wanted that sentiment die to shine - in more ways than one!
 
 
For card two, I first stamped the largest of the stamps with Versafine onto my gray cardstock... it was the 'heart' of the Geode that was bedazzled - this time with Sterling Glass Glitter ...
 
 
Now for the third card ... let's just say it might be my favorite!  As a child, I'd have given anything to own a Geode, and still ohhh, and ahhh, when I see one IRL! 
 
 
I simply used the die to create a card front, and a card!
Here it is standing up ... it's a great size for a gift card!
 

 
It's now time for me to send you over to the Concord & 9th blog ... my two Featured Friday friends have so much to share!  Then off you go to the Concord & 9th shop, where you'll find all of the fantastic new May release products!
 
Thanks for the visit ... it always makes me smile!
=]  Michele