Monday, September 14, 2020

About my grey roots...

I'm going back to my extreme love of grey today!  oh.  You thought I was going to talk about my hair, didn't you?  lol  Fooled you!  No.  I had a day of playing cards with my favorite color: GREY.  First, for CAS Mix Up's  September challenge: 


I have three cards.  First up, my premier play with Altenew's Hanging Garden Die set [which appears to be OOS and very popular!]

 Embossing with die + Stamping+ heat embossing
 
The set comes with two dies... this time, the larger die was embossed onto a mid-tone grey card stock, and the smaller cut from white card.   The contrast really has impact, I think.  In this instance, I cut the berries from gold card to add back into the die cut, and brought it all together by embossing my sentiment, from Inked Lotus, in gold.  All that terrific texture comes from a Tasteful Textile SU embossing folder.


Card two features the larger of the dies, but uses more white card, than grey...

Embossing with die + stamping + Stickles

If you look closely, you'll see that I filled in the berries this time, in layers of Ranger Onyx Pearl Liquid Pearls, with a topping of Diamond Stickles.
 
One more … this one features my favorite 'greyed down' colors, and a great big MEGA FRIEND die from Altenew that is a perfect fit for a slimline card … especially with their Virginia Rose die set.  My sentiment, stamped in Versafine Smoky grey ink, is another from Altenew, called Story of Us.
 
 Embossing with die + floral dies + stamping
 


Okay.  Keeping in mind that the challenge is all about CAS cards, which do you think made its way to their gallery?  I guess you'll have to go see for yourself!  Hey... why not play along while you're there?   and thanks, so very much, for sharing a bit of your Monday with me! 

=]  Michele

Thanks so very much for this honor!


39 comments:

Cat Craig said...

I think any of them could have ... though my fave is the middle one. I love the off set panel.

Karen said...

I have that Hanging Garden die and will be casing your fabulous cards. I love the way you dry embossed the leaves and then overlaid the die cut on both cards--so effective. The black and white card would make a lovely sympathy card, as well. I'm always looking for a CAS design for those.

lostinpaper said...

Isn't it a magnificent die Michnele! And you have made it shine my friend, the debossing idea was brilliant and adds so much to your designs. Keep the inspiration coming!

Vikki H said...

Wow! that is one gorgeous die used on three cards! I'm guessing card #2 is your entry but my favorite is the first one. It's almost a sin to look at blog posts and grow the envy wishlist gene.

Denise Bryant said...

You made me go look, but I did guess the right one! All three are beautiful!

Bonnie said...

Wow, Michele, you've outdone yourself! Love, love, love the gray card with all that wonderful texture, the embossed leaves and the white die cut! Wonderful contrast and so classy! I love the black die cut on the embossed white and that gorgeous slimline card too, but the gray carried me away! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Lisa Elton said...

It doesn't matter which one you sent to their gallery... they're all beautiful and winners in my book! Those grey roots look good on you!

Lin said...

Love the way you handled that leafy die, Michele - great cards!

nancy littrell said...

Wow..all three of your cards could have made it to our CAS Mix Up die embossed gallery, Michele. Thank you for sharing your 2nd card with us at CAS Mix Up...do love all the white die embossed open leaves and the filled in berries. Your other 2 cards are such beauties also. TFS..Love and Hugs..Nancy

TaeEun said...

I love these white & gray gorgeousnesses, Michele! And so beautifully CAS!

Ros Crawford said...

Stunningly beautiful both of them!! I do love grey and you totally rocked this challenge... either card is sure to be a winner... Fingers crossed Michele

Anita in France said...

Erm ... stunning, Michele ... all three! I do love the gorgeous grey and gold ... and that delightful pastel bloom ... though have to say that second deliciously delicate, CAS design with just a touch of shimmer has stolen my heart! Beautiful die, brilliantly showcased! Hugs, Anita :)

~amy~ said...

sigh, love it when you rock the grey, like you always do!

Jeanne said...

I know I said it before, but it bears repeating...these are stunningly gorgeous! Wow, Michele, you need to go back to your gray roots more often! Love!

LeAnne said...

They are ALL stunning! The gray with the little pops of gold and color...wowza!

JulieP said...

I love them all! No one does grey like you. I haven't done this technique in awhile and I've never participated in this challenge so I may be adding both to my list. Good job friend.

Brenda said...

Wow, wow, wow!!! What beautiful CAS cards Michele!!! I love the first one and second one, the grey embossed background is just gorgeous. I am so loving the die you have used, I'm gonna have to stop coming and looking because I always want everything you use!!! lol The third card is equally gorgeous, love the elegance of the colors on this one. Although all of these have an elegance about them. The last card, the slimline card is just so fun and beautiful. I love that huge friend die and that flower and papers you used on it. You did a great embossing with your dies! I love them all, but have not a clue which made it to the challenge. They are all fabulously CAS for sure! Hugs, Brenda

conil said...

I'm absolutely gaga over this post. It has everything I love within it's boundaries. All that dry embossing touches my soul. Gorgeous designs to lift my spirits...I even guessed right on which one would show up at CAS Mix Up. Was good to see you used your big "friend" die, too. Your card playing session was a HUGE success.

Jan said...

All are lovely, but my favorite is the white with the leaves imprinted and the darker leaves die cut....ELEGANT!!!!
Paper Hugs,
Jan

Jo said...

OMG this is outrageously refined. You are definitely a master at die embossing. Each card is extra special. The white is heavenly dear Michele. You will definitely be CASed over and over again. The one you submitted with the gray/white colour combo is exquisite...heck they all are. The stickles are dramatic and I could go on and on. Thank you so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up!

HilaryJane said...

Three really superb cards, embossing with dies has clearly been a hit for you. I love how you embossed the first card twice and the white on grey looks stunning but then so does the black on white. I think the one you entered in the challenge is my favourite so good choice xx

Becca Cruger said...

After seeing these cards, I might be in love with that whole embossing with a die trend. These are all just so lovely I couldn't pick a favorite if you asked me to.

Marcia Hill said...

These are all 3 absolutely BEAUTIFUL in true Michele style, and you used all 3 dies just beautifully too my friend! I was going to say the first card had a slight edge for me (LOVE that SU! ef...I have it too, but haven't used it yet.), but I'm waffling as I really like your friend slimline card too! Gosh dang it all Michele...they're all FABULOUS!! Hugs. :0)

Bobby said...

Simply magnificent, Michele. I love the texture of the first one, the boldness of the second one, and the uniqueness of the third one.

TK said...

Too, too gorgeous, Michele -- yep, ALL of 'em! Grey roots are welcome!

donna mikasa said...

Oooohing and aahing over all your cards, Michele! And my fave has got to be that slimline with the embossed "friend".

Loll said...

Beautiful cards Michele! LOVE the double embossing of the first two cards. That embossing folder background is gorgoeus and I'm intrigued as to how you got the leaves to emboss inside of it. Very cool. And your slimline card is fantastic with that large friend die. Very pretty blossom to go with it.

Have to say I LOVE your CAS version that has mostly white and a bit of gray. Those stickles on the berries really make them shimmer. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Barb Ghig said...

I am truly in awe of you, my friend...you get the deepest and most beautiful impressions when you emboss and the effects are so striking! I really love how you double embossed on the first two, although your white card is my fave :) Maybe sometime you can walk me through your techniques during a phone chat...I would love to create a few cards like these ~ Barb xx

My Paper Epiphany said...

I love them all equally! The attention to detail and perfect embossing is amazing! I love grey at the moment too:) Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Ivana Camdzic said...

Well, in my books, they all qualify! I am terrible at CAS and can't seem to leave white space for the life of me! These are super gorgeous - I am especially in love with the debossing..Sigh!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, all three cards are fantaaaaastic, Michele! Double dry-embossed gray card has so much beautiful texture and interesting dimension! The white one is so tastefully done in terms of the design and the colors. LOVE how you made the berries - it's like cake decorations!
And Wonderful use of the sentiment die for the slimline card. The flower in soft colors is so pretty, and the photo styling is amazing!
Hideko xx

Mac Mable said...

You had me at grey Michele...x The first two cards are contemporary, unique and absolutely stunning and I love them both x. What a beautiful friend card, with the prettiest of flower and the horizontal shape looks fabulous x. All three cards show off the technique to perfection x.

Susan Joyce said...

Your cards are so elegant Michele, love all of them and especially the white and grey that you entered into the CAS Mix Up challenge this month, thanks for joining us!

Karren said...

These are gorgeous and so graphically appealing! Wonderful cards!

TK said...

Congrats on CAS Mix Up winner -- woot woot!

conil said...

You're a star...congratulations on your Mix It Up win.

Jo said...

Congrats dear Michele 💝

Darnell said...

Congratulations on the well-deserved win, M! You rocked this technique!! Hugs, D

Mac Mable said...

Many congratulations with your so deserved win at CAS Mix Up Michele with this stunner of a card x.