Friday, July 4, 2025

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

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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

Monday, June 30, 2025

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

Friday, June 27, 2025

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 

Thursday, June 26, 2025

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

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

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