Monday, November 13, 2023

Playing Cards with Friends - November 2023

Hello friends!  Only two more sessions of Playing Cards with Friends this year! Gosh does anyone else feel like the years are just flying by??

My guest for November is someone we all know and love!  Her blog name - Three Umbrellas - caught my eye right away in my first year of blogging ... it was as if we were bound to be friends!  I have had this poster framed and hanging in my home for years - in fact it has moved and lived with me in three homes ... so far!

Have you guessed?  Yes, it is Donna Mikasa who has been inspiring me as a card maker for as long as I have been making them!  She and I had the best time as teamies on the CASE this Sketch team.  We have had a few live facetime chats, and my husband and two of my granddaughters have even gotten in on the conversations on occasion - they think she's awfully sweet, too!  

Between travel with her husband and spending time with her precious grandbabies it has taken a very long time to get her to say YES!  But she did this month and I'm thrilled about it!

Okay - ready for our assignment?  November 13th is World Kindness Day!  If you have a mind to, you can read all about how it started HERE.   Among the 5 Facts pay particular attention to #3!

I've made this an 'anything goes' assignment but one to show appreciation to someone who has been particularly kind to us, or someone we know.  As I thought on that, Donna's kindness surely fits the bill!  She quite often sends cards and gifts - spoils me rotten is what she does!  I admire her for the kindness she spreads across our community, too!

My card features one such gifts sent as an 'early birthday gift!'  TOO generous my friend, but I just loved using this Tropical Vibes kit for my card today!  Ready?  Here she is:


Isn't it lovely?  This could easily be a Christmas card for someone who is
lucky enough to live on an island - hmmm why didn't I think of that earlier? lol
Here's a closeup of all that gorgeous texture from the included embossing folder...


My sentiment comes from The Stamp Market's Kindness Matters set, and here
are all the lovely inks I layered for those gorgeous tropical florals... I deepened the 'throat' of the Hibiscus with a Copic marker one shade darker than the darkest ink.


Well, Donna, I hope you love my card half as much as I love you, my sweet friend!  Thanks again for this wonderful gift, and so much for your friendship, too!  I'm on my way to see what is bound to make me go OHHHH!  and bringing all my friends with me!  You'll find Donna's post right HERE!

Thank you, my friends for stopping by.  I have ONE more card session in December!
Until then, we'll have lots of cards to share among friends!
=] Michele 

15 comments:

  1. Oh, Michele, I'm on the verge of bawling! I'm unworthy of such a wonderful intro and the CARD! I can't even!! I'm truly honored to know you as a friend and for the invitation to (finally!) play cards with you! Sending you lots of hugs and thanks for a most memorable post and day! LOVE YOU!!

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  2. Ooh, you know the way to a girls heart my friend... sigh!

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  3. What a lovely post, Michele! Be kind to yourself and believe you are as magnificent as Donna says, and you've made a beautiful card with her gift. Thank you for directing us to her blog where I was delighted by all her creations. It's been a while since I spent much time there, but I believe I was following her on IG. Wonderful cards by both of you!

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  4. This is a STUNNER Michele!! And what a fabulous gift to receive!! I love the embossed background and those beautiful and vibrant hibiscus...lovely, lovely card and post my friend!! Hugs. 😊

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  5. What a beautiful tropical card! I'm swooning over the gorgeous embossed background!

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  6. Fabulous! What a gorgeous make with those pretty flowers, sweet colors and glorious texture -- wow, Michele!

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  7. What a happy post, Michele. Your delight in your friendship is very evident and I'd say you may be two peas in a pod. Thank you for sharing about your friendship. Your card is stunning! I'm continually in awe of your creativity. Thank you as well for sharing about World Kindness Day. I think it's a beautiful thing. Kindness from the heart is free and something we need more of for sure. Crafty hugs!

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  8. What a gorgeous card, such beautiful colors. Made me feel like I was on a tropical island, even if only for a few minutes. Donna is wildly talented. You to make a great pair!

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  9. These flowers are GORGEOUS, Michele! And the embossed leaves are perfect to show them off. Almost like a visit to a tropical island! I love that sentiment and it's so perfect for World Kindness Day!

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  10. What a wonderful "episode" of Cards With Friends! Both of your cards are so gorgeous, and so special.

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  11. Gorgeous card Michele. I too love Donna's work. Heading over now...

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  12. Oh Michele this is just GORGEOUS! Love the tropical colors and your embossed background is perfect! Beautiful inspiration ... thanks!

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  13. How wonderful that you played cards with Donna - both of you are so very talented and your card is gorgeous! Love that poster too!

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  14. Oh my goodness. How gorgeous are those hibiscus in all those tropical colors!!! And I love the way you arranged them on the card, Michele. I do have a hibiscus stamp so I may be trying to CASE this beauty.

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  15. Ok parapluie is my very favorite French word! And your splash of bright flowers is fabulous! Gorgeous card!

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Thanks for stopping by! Your visits really make me smile, and your comments are so appreciated! Please note that this blog is public, and in commenting, you do so publicly, and any link back to your blog, or email address, are also public. If you are a 'no reply blogger' and have questions, please leave me your email and I will do my best to answer them!
=] Michele