CAS[E] this Sketch #197

It was so much fun creating Cards for a Cause last week, wasn't it?  I hope you all made a few cards to share. 

This week, I'm continuing with another favorite - this time a feathered friend - from a friend!

I was thrilled to be able to play with this gorgeous Altenew Cardinal ... wishing now that I'd stamped it a dozen times!  OH!  Here is our Sketch this week:

 



Leigh gave us a pretty clean slate ... she won't mind if I add a little something... ;]

 

I adore this sentiment!  I come from a long line of singers!

Here is a first use of a gorgeous new embossing folder from #TeamRichardGaray

 

So, what do you think you'll create with this sketch?  We can always count on you to make wonderful music with them!

 

=]  Michele



Guest Designer at The Heart Desires

Of course you know I was beyond thrilled to receive a request to Guest Design for The Heart Desires!  LOve these girls, and their fun blog, store, and challenge!

There will be two cards from me this month ... just take a looky loo at the fabulous photo inspiration I get to play with ... oh YOU get to play, too, don't forget!!!

What isn't inspiring about this photo, I ask you?

I have a certain LOve for lumberjacks ... my grandfather was one, in the cold Upper Peninsula of Michigan - gosh I wish I'd known him!  But I so adored listening to the stories my mom would tell!   

Here is where my creative heart went:  the cap on that adorable critter, khaki, red, green colors, and those darling little slices of pine!

MFT background stamp started things off, and every other element is a 'snippet'

saved from last year's Christmas cards that I'd saved!  How's that for planning ahead!

 

This is where I invite you to play along ... the challenge runs from today to the last Wednesday of November ... none of us can wait to see how you'll be inspired! 

 

OH quickly go to The Heart Desires blog to see the awesomeness THD Team has made!!!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

A sentiment of my own - tis the Season!

Sentiments.  That's how I got into card-making, and truly where my heart is still.  I LOve to take a little artistic license with Julie Ebersole's fun stamps.  I imagine she doesn't mind a bit ... do you #jaebersole ?  Here is a first go with 'Tis the Season!

Inside:

No matter the route you take, we're so happy you'll be HOME for Christmas!

 

And WHO doesn't sing like no one is listening on the road?

 

Inside:

We're SO happy you'll be HOME for Christmas!!

Safe travels!

 

Now ... there are SO many other images in this set!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

CTS #196 CAS[E] for a Cause

I'm dropping in for a very quick reminder of our CTS #196 CAS[E] for a Cause ... these guys made me do it:

That little card was made years ago, after we'd lost these two ... it may have been my very first water coloring, and among my first posted in Flickr, before I was blogging!  I still think it 'says it all!'

We are happily reminded, every day, how lucky we were to have these little fur babies.

Won't you join us in sending a little card, or five?

TYPE OF CARDS REQUESTED:
 

They are looking for mostly general and thank you pet themed cards (no wild animals please).   Some birthday, sympathy and anniversary cards are welcome too.  Please leave the inside of the cards blank for the humane society to write personal messages.  Please include envelopes.  No plastic sleeves.

 MAIL CARDS TO:

Karen Howard

9088 Country Avenue

Monticello, MN 55362

Thank you!  I'm off to see your wizardry!

=]  Michele

Inspired by All the Little Things #30

No words ... just feast your eyes on this magnificence:

Need I say more?  There may be caramel on my brain/chin ...

I was truly inspired by the caramel, pumpkin, and cinnamon-y gorgeousness of the colors in this superb photo ... I even caught a bit of the silvery glimmer on the pumpkin's stems.  You see it, right?

For challenge #30: 

For the glimmer, a little close-up:

Glimmer compliments of Gansai Tambi Starry Colors -

Distress colors: Gathered Twigs, Brushed Corduroy, and Rusty Hinge -

Cups from none other than May Park, for Neat & Tangled!

 

Hoping you all have treats, and NO tricks tomorrow!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

Let's be Thankful! 12 Kits Style!

Being the Hostess this month, making those 12 Kits, and thinking of how to please everyone's style - a labor of love!

Speaking of love, I have invited LeAnne Pugliese of Wee Inklings to join us as my guest this month.  You will love her style as much as I do - she has such a talent for creating layers - one that I sorely lack! 

LeAnne lives in one of my favorite States for a road trip - especially in the Autumn - because of the gorgeous hills, winding highways, and rivers.  She has been a Stampin' Up demonstrator for 12 years!  I know you'll stop by to give her a little 12 Kits-style love!

Now.  On with my own cards ... I cannot believe I included any patterned paper - I use it sparingly, but love to push myself beyond my comfort zone.  Here are a few cards - I want you to spend your precious time with the rest of my talented team - and I cannot wait to see how they've played cards with me!

DCWV patterned papers.  MFT die cut Thanks; perfect words from Lisa Elton's fab set!

With a closeup view, you might see that I've used Nuvo Drops to give it dimension!

 

Concord & 9th die cut leaves, MFT Thanks.

 

Neat and Tangles journaling card - modified.

W&W friend die

PTI Smoky Slate cardstock - embossed with Darice folder

Outside sentiment & Inside: " ... just what I need!" from Technique Tuesday

 

MFT kitty - another I'll send for the CTS Cards for a Cause this week.

If any of the team wants to join me, please do!

 

The best thanks are those given for the best reason!

 

Thanks to someone during sad times

can be sent beautifully on butterfly's wings!

 

Thanks for spending some of your precious time

with me today ... and any day!

Thank you to LeAnne for joining us!  Now off you go

to the 12 Kits of Occasions blog - there is so much to be thankful for there for you!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

Simple Stamping with Fresh Inks!

I can't believe my luck when I won 5 Fresh Ink pads from Impress during the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!  Yes ... 5!

It is seldom that I just stamp ... most of the time a die cut of some type.  Not this time ... it's all about the ink, and a few darling Impress stamps, too!

#impressprojects

 

It's a lovely day today ... a walk on the Lake Michigan shore is in store for us!  Thanks for spending a few moments of your weekend with me!

 

=]  Michele