Friday, January 31, 2020

Something cute is coming on SUNDAY!!



If you are into:
  • Sewing
  • fabulous felt
  • cute 'cozy' critters
  • and crafting with friends?
You might will want to head to
on Sunday, February 2nd, at 9 a.m. PST
 
 
 =]  Michele
[psst… that link will work on Sunday! xx]

Thursday, January 30, 2020

CAS[E] this Sketch #357

My teammate Brian has inspired more than one card here at I Card Everyone recently … I'm betting you will recognize it!


I continue to play with it … but here is where it all began... my CTS#357 card:

Inside sentiment is a bit secret - for my special guy after all -
but I'm guessing some of you may guess!  lol
 
This little monkey is from my RC stash … called Crafty Critters, and dies, but that sentiment is one from a loverly bunch of sentiments in So Lovely.  The yummy paper is from Michael's.
 
MFT Peek a boo circle die provided the circle from the Sketch
 
 So.  You have two more weeks to get those Valentine's Day cards made … but just one week to play along with us at CTS357!  My team has plenty of inspiration for you … let's go!
 
=]  Michele



Inspired By #109 ... xoxoxo


While getting those Valentines ready to send off to Bringing Smiles to Seniors …  it wouldn't be right not to include a few x's and o's!  using this fun IB109 Challenge as my guide!

My Waffle Flower Cutaway Alpha's were the perfect choice … tell me if you agree?  A few glittery hearts gives an extra tactile element I'm told they love.

 You might be curious...which came first? 
The cutting, or the coloring??  Here's your answer:
 

I wanted those kisses, and hugs to be the star of the show.  So I added a panel of black cardstock to the back of my die-cut panel, stamped my EBE Mondo Peony in Catherine Pooler Black Jack [Copic friendly] ink, and colored it in the palest of colors at the top of my panel to mimic that gorgeous table-scape!  Adding the wood-grain design paper to each side of my panel, voila, it's finished!

Hope you have a kiss or hug to share with us... remember, like those hearts, xoxos aren't just for Valentine's Day, either!

=]  Michele

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

MFT #134 if at first you don't succeed...

… try again!  It could be another example when the exact colors aren't available … but effort [and cute] should count, right?  LOL  Meet 'the guard Cat' for MFTCC134!

IRL this would be Tom... and I'd be wearing
the Dark Teal bow!
[see what I did there?]
 
Seems those Mousies had quite a night from the look of their tell-tale trails!

Okay.  I am off to see if I can work some wizardry to get my card into the gallery... I've had quite a week of computer issues, and glitches with InLinx!  Anyone else?

=]  Michele

MFT I Knead You stamps, and dies
MFT Elegant Rectangle Stax
MFT Whimsical Waves BG
MFT Dots & Stripes Neutrals 6x6

Monday, January 27, 2020

MFT Color Challenge #134



Any challenge that includes grey?  I'm IN!  I'm sorry to say I don't have those beautiful blueish/aqua/teal papers... but!  I do have a few Distress Oxides that I thought worked well, until I added the photo of my card!  Oh well, we'll let the folks at MFT be the judge.  Their darling little Hey, Sunshine [and dies] pool Princess really knows how to relax!   Here is my first entry to MFT Color Challenge #134 - I'll try again later:

The pool was created with one of the MFT Elegant Rectangle Stax
 


If you are an Instagram-er, you'll see how she floats in circles!  See the action at @mfergu01 - OH! thanks for stopping in on laundry day - it definitely changes my attitude toward Monday!

=]  Michele

Thursday, January 23, 2020

CAS[E] this Sketch #356

Chrissy has really stretched my creative imagination this week... in a fun way!  Imagination is a curious thing … take this Sketch #356 for instance -


some might see rays of sun landing on the sentiment, right?  I flipped it to send some good vibes!


Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations happening, baby!  Okay, let's go see what Chrissie was imagining, shall we?  xx

=]  Michele

EBE Stitching Lines
EBE Totally Random Sayings Vol. 1
EBE Voices in my Head
Copic colored

Inspired By #108... clusters

 
Inspired By #108 … clusters has so much to inspire a card!
 
Today all it took was a look at the colors, and the little plant in the pot, to get my creative juices flowing... cluster, or cuddle, either way this is how I've interpreted it!
 
 
Please tell me you haven't seen enough of these
 MFT Cacti! and dies!  The backdrop was created with a few blended stripes of Distress Oxide inks, and a Deco Wallpaper Stencil from Altenew and a good spritz of
water!
 
I can't wait to see which of the items in our IB108 photo
inspire YOU to play along!!  I'm sending this over to MFT for their Wednesday Sketch Challenge 473, too! 
 
=]  Michele
 
 
 

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Reverse Confetti - anything goes with hearts!

Hi, there!  It's the time of year the Valentine supplies come out in everyone's craft space, right?  Well, I'm here today to say hearts aren't just for Valentines!  Here's my way of saying 'job well done' to one of my friends who has earned all the accolades, and a little extra love today … using those fabulous Reverse Confetti January release products, of course!


The Oh My Goodness stamp set provides so many fun ways to say 'way to go!'  on the outside, and inside, too! 


Stamping ombre-style is easy, too, with these large letters - and that fab OMG die?  So easy to line up!

Using the Oh my Heart cover cut, and framing it with RC's Stitched Note and Frames Confetti Cut not only adds to this cute card design, it completes the celebration with a few Confetti hearts on the inside! OH that Sweet as Sugar paper  - did you get your pad?  I'm MAD for this plaid!

 
Hope you are having a great week - it's 'hump' day, YAY!  Thanks for stopping by today!
 
=]  Michele
 
OMG OMG Confetti CutsOh my Heart Cover Panel Confetti CutsStitched Note & Frames Confetti CutsSweet as Sugar 6x6 Paper Pad

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Coloring Colorado Craft Company

The Colorado Craft Co. reached out and I couldn't resist saying YES to my first look at their products!  If you are also new to this company, let me introduce you to two examples of their design styles:  Big & Bold  is a collection of images that are destined to be the focal point of any card … here's a look at Birthday Cake which, btw my husband gave two thumbs up... this is exactly the perfect sized piece of cake for him!!   He also thinks ANY reason for cake is acceptable!

 
Yes, I got the message!
 

The next Big & Bold design I fell in love with is Perfume Bouquet perfect for water-coloring.  BTW the sentiments alone had me at the ability to customize the label:

I reached for my Distress inks for water coloring this 5x7" card today!  Rounding the top corners added a little interest to the shape, and a bit of natural twine can't hurt this feminine design!
 

My final card today features one of Colorado Craft Company's Lovely Legs sets … this one, intended for a Get Well was also perfect for this Winter, curl up with a favorite book and box of tissues, and cuppa time of year! 

 CCC allowed me to add a little sentiment
of my own to the inside!
 


I do hope you'll check out all of the fabulous Colorado Craft Co. products in the Ellen Hutson, LLC shop today!!

Hey!  Did you know today is National Hug Day … there IS a SALE for that!!  Just don't forget that CODE!
=]  Michele
 
  
 
 

Monday, January 20, 2020

Just another fun CAS Monday!

I only have three loads of fun to get through today but had to get my other two CAS challenge cards posted first - a girl must have her priorities, you know!

First up … CAS Watercolour: Cool Colors

 
 
I used their chart as my guide!  Thank you, Bonnie! 
 
 
This little MFT set, called Let's Stick Together and its dies, was just a joy to use for the first time!  Sneaking in a few of those cool colors while Distress Ink coloring was fun... finding the perfect enamel embellishment, and this sentiment die from my friend was fun, too!
 
 
Next up, for CAS Stencil challenge where Nancy has asked us to use a NEW Stencil …
 
 
I'm mad for plaid - Tim Holtz must have known that when he designed his Plaid layering set! lol  [you may have noticed the other new stencil on my first card, too!]
 

 
Could there be a sweeter home-base for this little Cacti family? 
I haven't shared the sentiment today, as it would spoil
the surprise I have planned for someone on Valentine's day!
Can you stand that the blooms on the Cacti are heart-shaped?!
 
Okay.  That washing machine does NOT load itself!  So I'm off now to get these posted before the chore begins … thanks for spending a bit of your Monday with me! xx
 
=]  Michele

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Christmas Kickstart #27 - Penguin Parade

Short and sweet … but I just couldn't resist this cutie from MFT, and he SO wants to play at Christmas Kickstart #27 for the Penguin Parade!


 
Can you smell that toasty marshmallow?
No... here's a closeup...
 

The snow has stopped!  and the SUN has come out -Yay!!! I'd bet you have a penguin who'd like to play!!

=]  Michele

MFT Toasty Greetings stamps and dies 
Altenew Dotted Swirls
EBE Instant Photo Frames

Saturday, January 18, 2020

One cut, two hearts for Twofer Challenge #23


I have two cards for you today … one a Valentine, one with feel-better-hugs!  BOTH full of love for those Twofer Card Challenge gals who we are all happily celebrating as it is their SECOND blog-a-versary

Here's the zinger - I only cut this die ONCE!  oh I can't take the credit - that all goes to *Lil' Inkers!  Have you heard the sad news?  Lil' Inkers is closing after 10 years of fabulous products!  This Fringed Scalloped Heart is available for 70% off!!One pass through my machine gives me a positive, and a positively perfect aperture to fill with fun.  Enough chit chat...


  I just love the 'ruffles' this Heart die cuts!
 
The card base was fancied up with my new RC Stitched Scallops cover plate.
The die cut SWEET  [another die from Lil' Inkers*] - and the tiny heart were both heat
embossed with layers and layers of gold embossing powder.  A smattering
of gold Gansai Tambi gold paint - I think this Hamster did it!

His shirt originally had a Christmas tree on it - it was easy to
change it to a heart because the set included it!
 
 Inside:
Sending feel-better hugs, and love -  which are almost as soothing as Chicken Soup!
BTW this hugger is on a wobbler - can you stand it?
 

My side-kicks today are from Waffle Flower Crafts, called Winter Hamsters - I must have been thinking of you, D! 
That's it for me today … we didn't get as much snow as was forecast, but the day isn't done yet!   Hope you are all snug as a bug and enjoying your weekend!
 
=]  Michele  

Friday, January 17, 2020

CAS Christmas, and CAS Mix Up January 2020


When I saw the prompt for CAS Christmas, I wondered... does the tag have to the 'star' of the card?  I'm entering my card with hope that the CAS team likes it!! =]

These trees were actually fussy-cut from a really old 12x12 piece of patterned paper!  I'd love to make a stamp set with sketchy trees like these!
I think my little EBE Retro Holiday greetings add
the perfect sentiment, for my sweet little TAG!
***
 

While I'm at it, I have a sweet little bookmark-card, with several partially die cut RC flutterbys … think CAS Mix Up would mind if there were more than one cut?


  • It was easy to Stamp with the intention of partial die cutting this little guy
  • Heat Embossing made the watery color stay where I wanted it
  • Using the coordinating die to Partially die cut  each butterfly was easy to do!

Here are the inks I used:
 

The weathermen are calling for loads of snow in our neck of the woods - gives me plenty of reason to stay in my studio for two more CAS cards - wink, wink! 

Thanks for spending so much time with me this week - your comments make my heart so happy!
=]  Michele