SSS Tim Holtz Stitches and Color Hues #105

I needed a special thank you note and had these darling TH Bunny Stitches out on my desktop... they proved to be the perfect fit for SSS It's a Stitch Up Wednesday challenge!  Looking for my stitches?  they are of the cross-stitch die-cut kind and part of this fun set...

My cover panel is a fun dsp from HoneyBee's Spring Fling,

and that fun sentiment is from Altenew's Ways to Thank You embossing folder!

Isn't it fun?  It embosses an entire 6-inch square of embossed 'label' typed sentiments with as many ways to say thanks as a crafter might ever need.

It's St. Paddy's Day and the perfect time to use this sweet

clover die from Stamps of Life that my cousin gifted to me:

I made a clover-shaped card and layered two greens for maximum impact.

I created my own 4-leaf clover from a tiny little violet die and green card stock.

This little bear is from Colorado Craft Co.'s Happy Day set.

For Color Hues #105 and you, and You, and YOU, too!

=] Michele xx

The Paper Players #728

Take a peek at the Color Challenge at The Paper Players and I'd bet money you'd see the perfect palette for your first Easter card for 2025 - at least that's what I saw!

 

A wonderful friend sent me a fabulous gift and it only took a few days to put it to paper:

I just love Jaydee's pastels on this creamy, dreamy paper - first debossed with a cover die from ASD then I even found a piece of it embossed with that gorgeous woodgrain from Simon Hurley for Spellbinders - a wooden egg?  why not!  

These darling Layered Tulips from Waffle Flower Crafts were cut from scraps and snippets - I think I have all the pastels covered... except lavender! shucks.  [When you see all the purple I've used for my DT cards this year you'll wonder how I missed it!]  I'll bet I will be excused for that misstep.  

Our weather is so wonderful right now - I'm not a girl who loves hot weather so the 50's are feeling just about perfect for late Winter.  Hope you're enjoying some warmth and sunshine, too - thanks for stopping by!

=] Michele

Thanks so very much, Jaydee!

Just us Girls #765

Who doesn't love flowers on their birthday?  Even paper blossoms do the trick for me - hope they do the trick for Just us Girls #765 Die Cut + birthday challenge this week!

There are always plenty of colorful papers scraps in my studio - perfect for this Primrose Garden die set from Concord & 9th!

Having all those Spellbinders Betterpress-ed A Little Message sentiments on

hand makes adding sentiments to my cards so quick and easy!

Back to my regular scheduled Monday... hope your week has had a sunny start!

=] Michele

P.s.  As I linked my card to the JUGS post I saw Darnell's card for her IDEAS Challenge is DIES!!  Thanks for the gorgeous reminder, D!

Freshly Made Sketches and SSS Wednesday

There is no denying that my choices for this card were based on Kim's fun Freshly Made Sketch #676 - let me share that right now:

However, I've been thinking/worrying about my friend Therese whose threat of Cyclone Alfred hitting Australia where she lives is worrisome indeed.   So, I did what we card makers do: I made her a card!  SSS Wednesday Challenge is looking for Stitches and asking us to use our Tim Holtz products - it was kismet!

Pigment Craft Co.: Fall Wreath stamps and die for the two-season wreaths

Wplus9: Circle die for the sun and a fun sentiment

Waffleflower Craft: Rectangle Frames

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Papercut Cafe

MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangles for the faux stitching!

Okay, the boss just called, and it sounds like he'll be taking the afternoon off - I better get this card posted and hit the shower!  

Have a wonderful crafty weekend!  Stay SAFE, Therese!

=] Michele

Altenew Inspiration Challenge March 2025

Avis found a gorgeous bouquet of flowers as inspiration for the Altenew Inspiration Challenge March 2025 at her grocery store - I sure hope she put it right into her cart!  Wouldn't this be just what the doctor ordered to get us over the finish line of Winter... 

Armed with two of Altenew's Paint a Flower sets and a handful of

Copic alcohol markers, I set about recreating that bouquet.

Altenew: Paint-a-Flower: Sunflower and their Tulips fit together

very nicely with a little snip of my scissors!

It's been a while since I used Altenew's Apothecary Label dies for my sentiment.

It was a perfect fit for this one from that Sunflower set.

Now, if you look veeeerrrry closely - you might catch sight

of that Geo Steps embossing folder used to add texture to my black panel.

Oh well.  The recipient won't have that trouble.

Hope you've gotten to 'hump day' unscathed - momma NEVER said there'd be days like these.

=\ Michele

Four Seasons March 2025

Even if our skies are gray, I'm definitely feeling a little Spring in the air!  Rain in our forecast is always welcomed this time of year - who of us in the snowbelt doesn't hate those dirty piles of snow and brown grass?  Ugh!

I have a wonderful Spring-y card and a beautiful place to put it... thanks, Four Seasons Spring!  

Even though there aren't any crocus in their photo mood board,

they continue to be the first sign of Spring here in Michigan!

The Greetery BotaniCuts: Crocus

and Opposites Attract sentiment

PTI Scalloped Layers

Spellbinders Flower Frenzy

Martha Stewart Butterflies punch

Looks like Spring to me!  Bring on the rain - and a few friendly thunderstorms

would make us really happy!

=] Michele

The Flower Challenge's 100th Challenge Celebration!

100 challenges with only one per month is something to be proud of IMHO!  Yes, it is something to celebrate!  Here is the fun we're inviting YOU to participate in:

I found a cute way to add two EH circles cut from black for creating what looks like

a black metal floral ring... or at least that was what I was going for.

I recently saw one of the major suppliers release a die to cut something

just like this - that's where my shop my stash rule comes in!

Spellbinders: Woodland Tales Floral and Simply Perfect Layered Blooms

provided all the florals my ring could hold and a very old hello from Mama Elephant

completes the ring. You might just catch sight of the embossing on my card base - also 

very old and it never did have a name or maker!  So where did it come from?

Your guess is as good as mine!

We'll be watching for you in our gallery!  As part of our celebration, there are prizes!  You can find out how to win over at The Flower Challenge post today - come celebrate with us! We'll love it if you do!

=] Michele