The Flower Challenge #104

Hello again, my friends!  It's the fourth of the month and that means it's time for another playtime with The Flower Challenge!  We have a very fun 'inspiration' photo with gorgeous colors and are asking you to draw from those colors when creating your card(s) for our gallery!  Take a look:

I took advantage of the time I spent with my teamie, Marcia, back in March - I knew she would have some fun products to play with, and she never disappoints!

You might recall a few other color variations of this Pinkfresh stamp that

I've shared already.  I couldn't help making another:

Take a close look at that inspiration photo and you will see that there

is even a little bit yellow there.  I added just a smidge to the flowers

and a bit more to that background created by swiping the ink pads 

across my panel of paper to mimic the photo's background.

Here are my inks:

Another of those big sentiments from HoneyBee - I love that

the panel can be the 'star of the card!'

So, tell me... how will YOU be inspired by those gorgeous colors?  We cannot wait to find out!  See you there!  I will be looking for these colors in the fireworks tonight, too!  Happy Fourth of July, my friends!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #693

Hello, my friends!  We have another really fun-filled sketch from Amy for you this week.  Take a look...

I had a never-been-used set that I thought would work great but after coloring I found that these brushes would work better if I gave the sketch a turn on its side - I know Amy won't mind a bit!  Here's my card...

Color My World - from Colorado Craft Co. that I picked up during one of their many sales.  Why I dilly-dallied is beyond me - perhaps because I don't have dies to cut them?  In hindsight, I should not have let that stop me as they were very simple to fussy cut.  I reenforced them with a backing of heavy cardstock before popping them up on foam squares.  Now I know Amy's sketch doesn't include a frame - but when it works, it works, right?  This PB Frame It die did the trick and I gave it a 'canvas' using SU Subtle Texture.  A few stamped splatters of each color ink and a sentiment from the same set on an Altenew Slim Label, and my card was complete!

I know you'll have 'just the thing' in your own stash to bring Amy's Sketch to life!  Let's go see the team's cards, shall we?  

=] Michele

Just us Girls #781

Bobby is our host at Just us Girls #781 and she's invited us to play with stencils - always one of the most relaxing ways to spend time in my craft room!  

 

I've brought out those Oxeye Daisies from Altenew again. This time I used the coordinating stencils to add color to them and then, using a mask, found a fun way to stencil their background, too!

By cutting my masking paper with the coordinating die, I was able to

stamp the daisies, color them with the stencils then cover that to add

a stenciled pattern - first, here are my chosen inks for the daisies:

This is an oldie - not even sure whose it is - but I love the results!

After adding a fun sentiment, a bit of Diamond Stickles, and trimming the panel down using a stitched rectangle die, my card for Bobby's challenge is complete!

Laundry is calling... thanks for stopping by!

=] Michele

Second helpings - it's been a while!

Susie's colors over at Color Throwdown #835 were just too good to stop at one card! 

Here is a 'second helping':

Concord & 9th: Freshly Picked dies

I'm sure this sweet sentiment will trigger a little singing...

Happy weekend, friends!

=] Michele

Color Throwdown #835

I always love the inspiration photos over at Color Throwdown - #835 is no exception... I'd like to move into one of these 'painted ladies' wouldn't you?  

[Okay - maybe only if it came with a cleaning crew! lol]

Here's my 'all die-cut' Spring Print C&9th card using shades of their colors:

A bit of Diamond Stickles on their 'anthers' couldn't hurt!

I'm only sure that the green is Parsley from Concord & 9th - the 

yellow: Curry from The Stamp Market.  The duo of turquoise hues was among those cut ages

ago... probably also from The Stamp Market or Concord & 9th!

=] Michele 

The Paper Players #743

Elizabeth, I love a challenge - one-layered card is a tough one but I had just the guy who was screaming 'pick me, pick me!' 

Funny thing... ALL the ice cream flavors at Norms' say the same thing to me!

After creating a card base from TH watercolor card, and stamping this darling dude with VersaFine waterproof ink, I found a new use for the cover of my Altenew Stampwheel - keeping the warping down to a minimum until the paint dries is very important when one is painting on the card base!

Words to live by! I'd better get this one in the PP743 gallery before it melts!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #692

Narelle is our host this week for Freshly Made Sketches #692 - it's a beauty!

I don't need many baby cards these days but I'm always happy to make one for a friend's new grandbaby!  If I were decorating a nursery these wonderful neutrals would be my go-to ...monkey and bunny would be optional!

These darling little critters have been around for years but always

seem 'just right' to me.  Narelle included three focal squares in her sketch

which I promptly substituted with clouds to give that brolly an updraft!

Another addition from Waffle Flower included this Blanket-Stitched

set of frames - a 'blankie' seemed perfect for a baby card - and one of the

many premade sentiments from WF finished it off beautifully!

Okay, I know storks deliver babies - but I just couldn't resist a little fun!

Hope you'll join us and add a bit of fun of your own to our gallery before 3pm EST on Monday June 30th!

=] Michele

Mama Elephant: Up and Away!

EH: Clouds

HoneyBee: Gingham Galore - Holiday

Waffle Flower Crafts: Blanket Stitch Layers die

Just us Girls #780

I was just blown away by the mood board/inspiration piece at Just us Girls #780 this week - take a look and you will be, too...

Vicki doesn't remember where she found this image, sadly.  But having recently remembered

those brave souls lost on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day this image

beautifully represented that to me.  Seems like the perfect time to search my stash for Poppies and I found a few that weren't that worked a treat.  I made two cards, but we'll see which one lands in their gallery.

First, I should explain that neither of the dies I've used today are actually poppies... but could so easily represent them IMHO... take these SB Anemones for instance...

When using Pimento card from Concord & 9th they sure look like Poppies to me!

Such fussy layers were cut twice - the aforementioned Pimento, and again from their Pistachio card stock.  

Do you see sky and sand?  Each was cut using one of SB's Four Petal Labels then

cut in half-ish - I used a cover die from Hero Arts to ripple the sand a bit.

 I wanted to represent those waves in the photo - this old Lil' Inker die that was sent to me by a friend in Bermuda years ago fit the bill! One of the many Betterpress-ed sentiments from my stash and my card was complete.

Sadly, this sympathy card will hit the mailbox today for someone who has lost her mum.  I know that pain and after 30 years it still hurts my heart.

Another non-poppy die is the star of card 2: 

Altenew's Sulfur Cosmos... and their Wave Panel die that HAD to live with me but has seldom been used.

Even the leaves seemed 'poppy-ish' to me - do you agree?  The layers were cut using Papaya card from The Stamp Market then 'kissed' with CP Tutti Frutti ink, the center from black and another Pistachio leaf.

This cornflower blue [also from TSM] seems more like the one in the inspiration.

It was easy to bring the beach sand using kraft cardstock cut with that old

MFT Wonky Rectangle. Sentiment from PTI's Ways to Say: With Sympathy.

Let me get this published then I'll decide which will be added to the JUGS gallery.  Until then I hope you're looking forward to something fun and crafty this weekend - thanks for spending some of your precious time with me this week!

=] Michele

Color Hues #112

Stef has a gorgeous color combo for us at Color Hues #112!  It offered me the chance to use a new-to-me set from Altenew: Oxeye Daisy.  Armed with its stencils and these inks, these colors came together beautifully - I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the blue leaves!

oopsie daisies - that's Sapphire I've placed upside down!

Backed with a partial panel of 'seersucker' and I think this a very

'summery' way to say hello to a friend!

I've embraced this blue just for you, Stef! and think it's just peachy!

=] Michele

The Paper Players - Fresh and Fruity

Claire has asked for a CAS, Fresh and Fruity card for The Paper Players #742 - I'm adding Funny to the list... who better to cause a spontaneous LOL than Julie Ebersole for Ellen Hutson... is miss her so!

Claire, I don't think it gets more CAS than this! IMHO

=] Michele

Thanks, Claire!

Freshly Made Sketches #691

Hey you guys!!  It's my turn to create a sketch for Freshly Made Sketches - I sure hope you like it - I'm pretty excited as it is my very first!  

I often wondered 'which comes first?  The card or the Sketch?' 

In my own case, it was the card!  I knew if I liked the card, the sketch

could be drawn pretty easily - it is my first time, okay! lol

Ready for the card?

I had been 'savoring' this little Woodland Tales Floral die from Spellbinders' for some time- I cut the layers from the same watercolor card as my card panel and blended a bit of lilac ink on the petals, yellow for the center, and greens for the leaves.  I just love this soft lavender - don't you?  An old friend from Lil' Inkers

came to the party to provide that wonderful, debossed texture on my card panel and

I think the die-cut sentiment from Concord & 9th makes it seem fresh and new.

I know my teammates will have fun with it - after all, they always make our Sketches shine!  I just can't wait to see what YOU will create!  Are those ideas percolating that I hear?

=] Michele

The Flower Challenge #103 Reminder

I'd bet if you looked at the cards you made this week, you'll find one that includes

flowers AND some form of heat or dry embossing.  No?  Well you still have plenty of time to make one or two for The Flower Challenge #103!

Here's another way to add dry embossing to make those florals POP!

See what I did there?  I used the coordinating die to this Altenew Wild Geranium to

add embossed detail around my stamped images adding dimension without the need for additional postage!  Yes, I am frugal that way! lol

I love that the die set included one for the hello!

I also love that you stopped by for a visit today - have you entered one of 

your beautifully embossed floral cards to our gallery yet?  You have plenty

of time to make one or three!  My teammates made seconds for your viewing pleasure right HERE!

=] Michele

Concord & 9th Color Club: Plumberry

Concord & 9th started their Color Club as a way to introduce their new colors to those of us who love their inks and colored cardstock.  I love getting those emails which included an invitation for all of us to play along in their first color challenge.  

Plumberry is the challenge color and just one of the new colors for 2025:

#PLUMBERRYC9COLORCHALLENGE

As much as I loved the color palettes they've suggested, I loved combining

Plumberry with a few of my favorites of all their papers using their 

Friendly Florals die set and these papers starting from the top left flower:

Plumberry

Fig

Lemongrass - flower center and panel

Artichoke - stems and leaves

Cobblestone - for banner

Pebble - shadow layer of 'smile' [from C&9th's Potpourri die set]

You'll be seeing lots of these stitch lines in the future - made 

using Concord & 9th's Kristina's Finishing Touches dies.

[it's almost as wonderful as that old MFT stitching set I've had for years!]

If you feel like I haven't been around much lately you're right - I've re-embraced my 'chef-y' side and dove headfirst into the art of pasta making.  It was briefly touched during my training at culinary school but nothing like the lessons I'm learning from watching Pasta Grannies on YouTube!  If you want to get lost for an hour or twelve watch these wonderful Italian women - the youngest I've watched so far is 87!  Pasta Grammar and Helen Rennie are two others that have taken some of the mystery out of pasta making and shaping and introduced me to many I wasn't familiar with, too.  

If you're in the neighborhood I'm happy to make you a plate of Potato Gnocchi - to die for!  

Until next time - take care, enjoy life, and thanks so much for stopping by today!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #690

It's a very fun Sketch #690 from my teamie Karren J. today!  While the possibilities are endless for that circle or any shape at all, I have a sweet PB Birthday Bundles bear that a dear friend stamped and sent to me to color - he was very happy to be the star of Karren's Sketch!

I do have a fondness for big bears... let's start with his closeup...

He must have been a very good boy to get all those presents!

I remember a bear and his little buddy BooBoo who spent a good deal

of their time swiping pic-a-nic baskets from campers - this fun

Summer Camp collection of papers from PTI just seemed perfect -

[shhh I'll be saving this one for my in-house star gazer's birthday!]

My FMS teammates may think I'm a bit early when I add my cards to the team blog post - but it allows all of the fabulous cards THEY make to be a big surprise to me on Wednesday when they go live!  Let's go - I can't wait another moment!

=] Michele

A duo of cards for a trio of challenges!

I don't normally combine challenges in one post but one of today's cards is for two challenges and both challenges are color challenges!  Are you curious?  Read on!

Sheri's pretty coral and green challenge at Color Hues kept calling me back for a floral and I found just the stamp for it - inspired by these incredible Sweet Peas on the interweb:

... and a stamp set that a very sweet friend gifted me quite some time ago...

Stamped onto Canson wc paper and colored with Distress reinkers in

Abandoned Coral, Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint. Cut with an old MFT Wonky Rectangle die.

That fun sentiment die is from Pinkfresh Studio: Take Care stand-alone die

but I simply used the outline portion - cut twice and layered for stability.

A sprinkle of PF gems and all layered on a card base.

Next up: a card for The Paper Players #741 and JUGS #778 -

Cover panel embossed with Simon Hurley's Bark EF

Another gift from a friend: The Stamp Market's Pencil Box cut from C&9th cardstock.

along with Spring Tulip - colored with Copics.

Each one of those teensy colored pencils has 5 pieces that come together

so realistically! 

Thanks, Ina, for the shoutout!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!  I appreciate your visit!

=] Michele