Inspired By #199C - Tweet Winter

Hello everyone!  Welcome to Inspired By #199 - I have chosen #IB199C this week, but I know there are a few coffee lovers out there in blogland so I'm sharing this one, too!

 

I can never resist a tweet little bird - though I've left this sweet little White-Breasted Nuthatch out of my design today.  I treated myself to a wonderful bundle of new products from Wplus9 a few months ago, and finally was able to get another one inky.  This lovely guy is from Vintage Ephemera - I've tweaked him a bit to give him a Tufted Titmouse look.  I'm quite sure Dawn won't mind.  

His perch is another branch from Altenew's Leafy Canopy - 

which I miss-stamped, but think it added to the charm.  Before die-cutting, I fussy-cut his topnotch, then did selective die-cutting from his neck down.

Would you believe that postage panel also Wplus9 started out as a simple piece of white Bristol paper?  I first blended it with a combination of Distress Oxide inks:  Speckled Egg, and Hickory Smoke to be specific.  The taupe-y brown is CP Over Coffee - well I guess I brought the coffee into the mix after all!  then I took a little piece of acetate, picked up, and dropped in puddles of watered-down leftover inks!

So, will it be coffee, or the bird that inspires you to play?  Oh, maybe the Sketch, you say?  We will love them ALL!  Now let's go see the lovelies from my teamies...

=]  Michele

Christmas with Marcia!

Michigan was kind enough to give us a break from snow for a day of play!  Marcia, and I had to take advantage of it!  We shared our supplies, enjoyed lunch [and the most wonderful dessert - Tom is ready for more!] and then crafted a little bit more!  Unless we get another break in our usual Winter, it will be Spring before we are able to gather again.  boo, hoo!

Marcia gifted me with a lovely sprig die from SSS, and I had just ticked off another embossing folder on my very long wish-list!  Those are the things we'll both be using today.  Ready.  Set. Go!

First up - a card made with the gorgeous Tim Holtz 3D Poinsettia... it was destined to stay this gorgeous Winter white!  A pretty satin ribbon, and simple gold-embossed sentiment from PinkFresh.

This extra dimension was attained by embossing two of the panels, 

then fussy-cutting one of the images and popping it up over the embossed panel 

with foam squares.

Next up, that wonderful gift from Marcia!  SSS Etched Berry Branch... and a mini-slimline card...

Two of the branches were die cut from SU Old Olive card stock, then I 'gilded'' them, 

and those sweet little berries.  Another new embossing folder - this time from Spellbinder: Slimline Flora.  Another Winter White card.  OH I nearly forgot to mention that 

pretty oval which is one layer from Spellbinder's Candlewick Ovals.  It was tenderly smooshed into my Versamark embossing ink, then into Altenew Rose Gold and heat embossed.

Only Marcia will know that this sprig was layered, trimmed, and

put back together seamlessly! 

Our guest list would be a mile long if only we could whisk you all here for a crafty Christmas day!  Thank you for stopping by - now let's go see what Marcia made!!

=]  Michele

Playing Cards with Friends - December 2021

Well, my friends, here we are, weeks away from Christmas, and before we know it, the end of another year!  Where did the year go?  I haven't a clue, but I do know that I've been blessed by your presence in my blogging life.  Especially those of you who answered 'yes' to my invitation this year to Play Cards!  It has been such fun, and I hope all of you have enjoyed getting to know some of the talented card makers in my life.

LeAnne Pugliese is a long-time blogging friend, fabulous card maker, and Stampin' Up representative.  She is so talented, and fun - and you may recall I dropped by unannounced this Fall - she doesn't mind one bit if you stop by to say hello!!  [OH, and if you drive more than 1400 miles, John even buys your dinner!!  thanks again, you two!]

Here was my assignment for our play-day:

• Christmas decor
• non-traditional colors
• background die, or embossing folder

Okay. Time for my last Playing Cards with Friends of 2021 - here is a little behind the scenes start to my 'non-traditional color' idea...

You all doubt me when I say I'm color challenged, but it's true!  When I saw this packaging from Altenew, I thought their examples were beyond strange!  So, I made myself sit down with a bunch of their inks and stamped away.  Don't tell them, but I think I've created the ugly-sweater versions of Christmas ornaments!!  LOL

Popping them up on my favorite embossing helped - and you know

I felt 100% better after adding that little slip of vellum, and another 

sparkly sentiment - 'tis the Season, alright!

LeAnne, thanks so very much for ending my year with a smile.  I'm on my way over to see your card right now!!

Thanks, friends, for stopping by, and for visiting LeAnne, too!

=]  Michele

Angela made me make it!

PinkFresh Studio sponsors a fun hour on YouTube hosted by Mr. Jeff Lindberg - it doesn't happen every Saturday, but oh you don't want to miss even one!  Jeff is joined by some of the most wonderful crafters in our blog-o-sphere!   You can find the replay here!   

Last weekend Angela Simpson was Jeff's guest - a fabulous card-maker who guest designs for many of our favorite companies and shares her work on Instagram @mycraftyperspective, and her blog: My Fresh Perspective 

Okay, you came here for a card, right??  Here is my playful take on Angela's card:

PinkFresh Studio: Garden Roses stamped on vellum and white heat embossed;

Braided Oval cut from Neenah #110 Solar White - I used another oval, 

from Spellbinder, to cut out the center.  A few green enamel dots from Altenew.

All stripes are cut from The Stamp Market card stock using my paper trimmer.

The greeting is also from The Stamp Market, silver embossed.

I know you're dying to see Angela's card, so I'll just say thanks for stopping by, and send you on your way to YouTube where you'll see Angela's card, and one from Mr. Jeff, too!

=]  Michele

The Flower Challenge #63 - Christmas!

 

There's still time to get a few more Christmas cards made, my friends!  We are hoping you might make a few with flowers, as it is time for our 

Christmas Challenge #63!

I've already represented the Poinsettia as my favorite Christmas bloom, but today I have another that equates to the holiday, in my mind - besides her gorgeous Christmas cacti blooming, my mom grew one bulb every year!  Have you guessed?  

Why it's the Amaryllis of course!

MFT sentiment, and EH wood grain card stock

Today I've colored this Mondo Amaryllis as a Royal Velvet variety, in deep rich reds.

I love finding photos on the internet to use as my inspiration.

Here are the Copic markers I used today.

We have a wonderful guest joining us for Christmas, my friend Stef Perry!  So be sure to check out her gorgeous card, and all the beauty in our DT gallery today!

Thanks for stopping by!

=]  Michele

Inspired By #198C - Winter Love

 

ahhhhh Winter Love - even if only for the love of cocoa, I sure hope you'll be inspired to play along!

Here's my card:

Pigment Craft Co. These Hands*, and companion dies; a very old, much-loved embossing folder that I'm sure is no longer available!

Yes, I do like my liquids steamy, and pinks pale, like this pale rose one from Bazzill! 

and here are my inks:

There is another Holiday photo inspiration, and a Sketch that might tickle your fancy, too!  Stop by Inspired By today to see them, and the wonderful cards from our team!

=]  Michele

*Also available at SSS!

Color Hues #31 Guest Designer!

I loved receiving the invitation to play cards with the fabulous

Color Hues team for Challenge #31!

Thanks, Nancy - and thanks to our Hostess, Cindy!

Here are Cindy's very appropriate final color picks for December 2021!

That's right - this challenge will run from now until December 29th!  Lots of time to play, and tons of inspiration from their designers!  Ready for my card?  You can see all the inspiration I needed to make my Red and Green choices right outside my studio window!  I'm having lots of feathered friends visiting daily!

A wonderful Berry Sprig set from Pigment Craft Co.*, stamped three times, and their sentiment, too!

Since the coordinating dies cuts the 'you' separately, why not use the CH31 colors there, too?

These are the inks I've used today.

Now, may I dedicate this one to each and every kind person who takes the time in their busy days to stop by my lowly little blog for a visit?  You can't know the joy it brings me throughout the year!

Okay.  Now it's YOUR turn!  Lots of ways to use Red and Green at this time of year!  We'll be ready for you in the Color Hues gallery!

Ho, Ho, HO!!  

<=]>  Michele

* Pigment Craft Co. products can be purchased at Simon Says Stamp!