Thursday, February 27, 2020

CAS[E] this Sketch #361

I had that sweet Potted set from Waffle Flower out on my craft table, so I took it for another spin - this time onto Bristol paper!  All for the love of Brian's Sketch #361:

 
It wasn't hard to shine the spotlight on that gorgeous blooming cacti …
 

 
 
We are still [not so patiently] awaiting our first bloom on the cacti we've planted … until then, I am happy to paint them!
 
Hope you'll find just the perfect thing for Brian's circle in Sketch #361!  Let's go see what he put the spotlight on...
 
=]  Michele 
 

Inspired By #113 home sweet home

 
Okay. while I may not choose this couch
for my own home, I do love it, and
how cozy and fun this room is … there are a few
things that I was Inspired By in #113: color, the window frame, and the pattern on the pillow! 
See if you can find them:
 
 
then go find the things that you are
Inspired By!  We love it when you play along!
=]  Michele
 
Waffle Flower Crafts:  Potted
stamped with Versafine ink, and water colored with
Distress Oxide Inks
Spellbinders Hem Stitched dies
SSS Fog cardstock
Ranger Water color cardstock

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

The Library Challenge #53 - Elmer

Elmer By David McKee


I am not familiar with Elmer, but I took advantage of his colorful personality to create a background for my less-colorful elephant... but isn't he a cutie?  Good thing he's sitting on those strings!


There are a few more days to play along at The Library Challenge #53 … won't you join me?
=]  Michele

Wplus9 Unforgettable
Mama Elephant Peek a Frame
Distress Inks for coloring
Grid pattern background stamp borrowed from a friend

Monday, February 24, 2020

'Fetti Friend


It has been such fun being a 'Fetti Friend with the Reverse Confetti Crew … today is my final post!  Though I can guarantee you'll be seeing much more of the wonderful products they gifted to me!  SO much to love!


Mr. Zebra of the Crafty Critters had such fun 'painting' today with All the Love … he's so proud, he signed his work...


.. titled it, [So very Lovely] and FRAMED it [Lacy Scalloped Frames]! 


BTW this card was sent to a very deserving Veteran* who was hoping he wouldn't be forgotten on Valentine's Day … hope he liked it as much as I liked making it for him, and for Reverse Confetti

=]  Michele

Just in case you missed it, like I did, here is a link to the story about this very special Veteran!  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.goodmorningamerica.com/amp/living/story/104-year-veteran-receiving-valentines-day-cards-country-68445823 

Saturday, February 22, 2020

MFT Color #136 and Sketch #477 Challenges

I received my most recent order from MFT just in time to play!  I've combined their two challenges:  MFT Sketch 477, and MFT 136 Color Challenges … this little Adventurer gets around!


Here's a little close-up:
[I'm pretty sure my parents had this Samsonite set!]
 
I found some pretty close matches for these
MFT Colors in my set of Arteza Marker, and Zigs sets!
and my 'skyline' from MFT BB You're Super set!
 
Thanks for spending part of your Saturday with me!
=]  Michele
 
 
 

Happy day to the birthday girl!

There's a little birthday party going on today for the 'boss lady' over on Instagram … but I know there are a few of you who do not partake, so I thought I'd share the card I made for Ellen here, too … it was a labor of love - and she deserves 'a hand!'




Think she'll guess which EBE set I used to decorate her clutch purse?  Can you?

Happy birthday, Ellen! xx

=]  Michele

For her coat: Pale Rose cardstock debossed with Altenew Dotted Swirls
For her clutch:  Slate Gray cardstock, Concord & 9th Everyday Purses modified to fit and stamped with EBE Mondo Chrysanthemum by Julie
Sentiment:  from EBE Good Times by Julie
and those lovely hands.  Nails Copic colored with N3, and glossed with Nuvo Crystal Glaze 

Friday, February 21, 2020

Coffee Loving Cardmakers Coffee Date with amy T.


The only thing better than having an actual coffee date?  Making a Coffee Loving card, and having a virtual coffee date with amy Tsuruta!  I quickly said yes to amy's invitation!

Here is where our 'date' started, with a gorgeous color board:


What set could possibly be more perfect to serve a cuppa to a friend?  EBE A Breve Note, and dies,  and those darling Hands by Julie sure made my card-making fun today!


 

Altenew's Weekend Doodles were my stand-in for the pine boughs for this card.  BTW my favorite table linens have that sweet hemstitched detail, too!


It is with pleasure that I now invite you along as I visit Tsuruta Designs to see what my date has made! 
 
 BUT one last item of news:  I'm giving one set of those EBE Hands dies to a random chosen comment left here on my blog!  That's one random comment left before 9:00 am EST February 22! 
Comments are now closed!  Good luck!!
 
okay, let's go... I can't wait another moment! You'll also find us at the Coffee Loving Cardmaker's blog!

=]  Michele 

Spellbinder's Hemstitch rectangle die
EBE Oyster Grey card stock
CP Spruce, and Hot Tub inks

Color Throwdown #581

When Amy Rohl's Color Throwdown #581 card landed in my inbox, I remembered that little SSS set she used - I once had a mind to stamp my wall with that old SSS One with Nature set - seriously, I saw some wallpaper just like it on a tv show! 


Then I had a vision - see what you think...


I first cut my purse from water color card stock because of the weight.  A bit of glossy black cardstock came in handy for my 'patent-leather!'  There are SO many pieces and parts to that Concord & 9th Everyday Purses set, even this sweet tiny tag - where one of the EBE Small Sayings fit perfectly.  hmmm what shall I tuck inside this time?  It's a perfect time, and fit, for a gift card.

Hope they like it over at Color Throwdown #581!  and hope you have a wonderful weekend - thanks so much for hanging out with me this week!

=]  Michele

Thursday, February 20, 2020

CAS[E] this Sketch #360




You may be seeing stars when you look at CTS#360 … but what I'm seeing is flowers!  Yes.  I am SO OVER Winter weather!  lol









Another stamp set from Janes Doodles!  Tell me how I could resist Suzi's EasterSuzi planted my favorite bulbs last Fall - which provide the perfect places to hide her Easter eggs in Spring!



She's been stamped with Versafine ink onto Bristol paper, and colored with Zigs.  I've used the sweetest snippet of patterned paper and paper-pieced her dress! 
So, will you see stars?  or start coloring a batch of Easter cards?  Either way, you know we'll love having you in the CTS#360 gallery!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #112 - cacti


Before I even post my card, I'd bet you know exactly which set I'll use for today's Inspired By #112 prompt … go ahead and tell me if you're right!


MFT's Let's Stick Together has done it again!  Their little pots were cut from a really old Kaisercraft paper using the coordinating dies.  I picked up the MFT Mistletoe Cover Up die after Christmas... today I thought it made the perfect cacti-shaped shadows, with a bit of Shaded Lilac DOX on vellum.

 
Copics used:
 

No matter which cacti you use, we can't wait to see them 'stuck' in our gallery at IB#112!

=]  Michele

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

EBE pre-teaser two

I'm back with my second teaser.  Clever Sausage is NOT just for dog lovers!  Even this cat-lover had such fun with him! 


Though I do want to explain that his sweater shrunk in the wash … why?  Because I didn't want to cover his cute bum, that's why!  After water coloring, I just over-stamped the ribbing, and gave it a snip!


BTW I never waste a bit of that ink from my palette!


Who's the clever sausage now?  Watch for another on release day!  This clever fella will be joining a multitude of other wonderful new goodies in the shop on March 8th!! 

=]  Michele

Monday, February 17, 2020

Christmas Kickstart #28 RED


Who's wearing RED and is Merry?  This guy... that's who!
[Of course he wears red on his days off, too!]
Aren't I lucky that Jo is asking for RED
The wonderful prize I won from Christmas Kickstart!

Thanks, Jo, and Jane!
 
=]  Michele

Edited to add:
the updated version... did anyone notice
I forgot to color his nose??  ROFL

 
Hey!!  Look at that... seems he won a Top Pick - by a NOSE!!
Thanks, Jo, and Samantha!
 


Preview Week from EBE


As is usual with me, I'm about to tease the heck out of you with 'things to come' from the March Essentials by Ellen release … this Mondo Succulent Pot, and the fun Succulent Sentiments will be available MARCH 8, 2020!!

ready … SET... see!

 
LOve that sentiment!  I 'wet my plants' with water-colors starting out by stamping with Gina K Skeleton Leaves Amalgam ink, on my favorite Ranger Water color paper...
 

and painted with Distress Inks: 





You may have guessed this isn't the only way I've colored it … can I hope you'll be back to see them all in March?  sure hope so!

=]  Michele  

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Stock your Stash!

[I know a few of you have seen this post a bit early - pardon the premature scheduling!]

I  so depend on all of you for encouragement, and those much needed 'atta girls' you leave me in your comments.  There are so many people in the world that would appreciate a bit of encouragement, and congratulations for anything at all! 

I thought Reverse Confetti's Crafty Critters would go a long way to making someone smile! 


 
Isn't she the best fussy cutter?  lol
She had some help:

Crafty CrittersCrafty Critters Confetti CutsHearts Confetti CutsStitched Scallops Cover Panel Confetti Cuts

Thanks for stopping by … hope you have another few moments to play along, and Stock your Stash, too!

=]  Michele

Just like [fabulous] you!

I'm always so grateful for the generosity in our crafting community.  I have received some amazing little packages in the mail recently!  Without mentioning names, BIG thanks to ALL of you, from the bottom of my heart!!

All the tons of inspiration out there is also appreciated … Lin, and Karin, shared some gorgeous cards for a challenge blog recently.  I fell in love with their papers, and since they've been out-of-stock since they used them, I set about creating my own - do you do this, too?  [Please tell me it's me being creative, not cheap!!! LOL]  I used a sheet of wood-patterned paper, lots of Altenew stamps, and Distress Oxide inks.


I should have shown a photo of the original paper... pretty basic beige wood grain - I added Copic coloring to add the color like that of Karin's card.  White acrylic paint was flicked on for the highlights.


Here are the papers that they used - you know, just in case you DON't want to create your own!  The LIKE YOU die is a prize from SSS I couldn't pass up this fun coordinating set of sentiments from the fabulous Cathy Zielske.  

Hope your weekend is off to a great start! 
=]  Michele

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Dies - what's not to love?

You may recognize a few of my favorite dies by now... like this one...


I've used Altenew's Dotted Swirls to show movement on many different cards - today, it's blowing the snow - which swirls the hearts - that hold a little love for a friend that lives far away. 

EBE Hearth & Home provides these darling cabins, and trees - it may be old[er], but it will ALWAYS be in the top five of my dies sets.  My message?  from EBE Small Sayings - mini, but mighty - ya know what I mean?  I've even made a little linking trail with a pokey tool!

One of my favorite cards to send come in mini size! 3.5 x 5" to be exact.  EBE Snowfall is the perfect size and setting for another of those sweet cabins.  btw, yes, the hearts ARE included in the Hearth & Home set!  the HUGS are part of that same Small Sayings set.


Are there dies that have been on your wish list for a while?You may be interested to know there is a SALE for that... have fun - hope you find everything you're looking for!!  Here's a link:  Ellen Hutson LLC dies  Don't forget the CODE!