A fun way to say Thanks!

Remember my Birch-tree thanks for IBATLT?  It used the wonderfully fun Hinged Thanks from E.H. by Julie E. to make a tree for my owl.  Well! I had several requests for a how-to - and one for a video - yeah, right, Darnell! 

Here is the simple step-by-step instruction:

Align the Hinged Thanks die onto an A2 panel

and send it through your die-cutting machine.

 

Mask using repositionable tape or Post It tape.

I also added a strip to the underside of the Hinged Thanks.

 

Next comes the coloring:

First, I softly swiped a mini ink block from each

side of the letters, then

I made a puddle of ink on an acrylic block, and splattered away!

I also added just a few flicks with my brush for added interest.

 

Ta da!

 

 

Now it's just a matter of adding a few branches -

one from Thistle was perfect for a perch.

Notice I did fold back the letter prior to stamping.

 

Next, I simply added a scrap of paper as a mask, and used

a different portion of the same stamp for other branches.

 

Now, onto the card ... using a tool that came with

my long-gone Cricut,I lifted my hinged letters

just enough to make an impact -

or as Anita pointed out: to peel the bark!

 

I used another of those darling Lil' Inkers Hootie Patootie Owls, trimmed the panel down by 1/8 inch on two sides...

 

 

... and mounted it onto a kraft card base.

Here's a little close-up of my finished card:

 

Of course, I couldn't stop there!!

Here is another card using this technique,

with the newest release from E.H. by Julie: S'Whale

My card hinges on a card Julie made here.

 

@jaebersole you are totally krillin' it!!  LOve your new sets!

 

I do hope I haven't worn out my welcome ... and that my steps are clear, and concise enough - I'm always open to answer questions if you have any ... and thanks to those of you who asked - xx

 

=]  Michele

Time Out #100 and IBATLT 77

I really felt I wanted/needed to party with those fabulous Time Out peeps again ... 100 challenges is a very big deal!

Besides, my awesome friend Bobby is a Guest Designer, and I always think of her when using an Owl stamp... did you know she's crazy about them?  PLUS I'm so thankful for her friendship...

Do you know what I'm crazy about?  Those fabulous E.H. Hinged dies ... today I've taken the Hinged Thanks, and with a few inky adjustments, turned it into a tree... a pretty tricky way to say thanks, if I do say so myself  =]

I was so inspired by that Lil' Inker cute Hootie Patootie set, that I also created another for Inspired by All the Little Things - check out their Inspired photo:

See if you can find the little whooo-ter that inspired this coloring:

Thanks for sharing a smidge of your Sunday with me ...

=]  Michele

Supplies:  Lil Inkers Hootie Patootie stamps, and dies;  E.H. Thistle [for branches], and Hinged Thanks; W&W Noelle cutaways panel dies, MFT Natural White, and Kraft cardstock

Inspired By #1

I was introduced to a new Challenge yesterday through my friend LeAnne - I'm so inspired by photos, I thought I'd play along... thanks, LeAnne!

Here is the first challenge of  2018 from Laurel Seabrook at Inspired By: Winter Cookies!

Isn't it pretty?  Don't you want a cookie?  These are so pretty I couldn't eat one ... but my husband would eat every one!

I'm also sending this over to Time Out for their 100th Challenge - Thank You!!

Thank YOU for stopping by!

=]  Michele

Supplies:  A wonderful Thank You Streamer, Poppystamps die from Hazel [thank you Hazel]; gorgeous Reverse Confetti snowflakes, an E.H. balloon die from Yay!  and Stickles for snowy 'frosting!'

January '18 E.H. Mix it Up Challenge

Concord & 9th is Mixing it Up with Ellen Hutson for this month's Challenge ... what else could I use, but the darling United We Flourish - Sweet Sprinkles set?  Do you recognize the stamp I used?  Yep - my icing turned right into a LOVE-Nado!!!

 

Two times is a treat, right?

 

 

I'm sure many of you watched as the Glitter Girl herself, Ms. Carissa Wiley, turned that icing into poo?!  OH my gosh, I laughed out loud!!!

 

Hope my cards give her a giggle, too!

 

=]  Michele 

Color Throwdown #474

In my mind, Color Throwdown #474 was made for me!  See if you agree... that is if you know my favorite color!

AND birds!!!

 

I've brought out an oldie but goodie from Wplus9 to play cards with me today...

 

a teensy little sneaky peek of a new set from E.H., too!

 

I adore these guys!!! 

 

Hope you have a fun weekend planned - we will be snowed in again, but maybe we'll make a few more gnomes!  Did you miss my little gnome?  He can be found at Instagram @mfergu01 ...  thanks for the visit!

 

=]  Michele

 

supplies:  Wplus9 Happy Birds;  PTI cover plate; Zig Clean Color brush markers: 071.091, 096; MFT Say What?







Retro CAS[E] this Sketch #107/253

It's Retro day at CAS[E] this Sketch!  I hope you're as excited as we all are to start our CTS New Year! 

This was my second card as a member of this CTS team ... yes, I do still pinch myself after nearly two whole years!

Here is CTS #107 and a link to see how it moved us in 2015:

Sharing my first go-around:

Isn't it great to look back at past cards?  I see things I'd change - but it looks like my CAS style had already been nurtured. 

Here is today's card:

Same colors, different season!  and who doesn't need a stash of get well cards this time of year?

Hope you played along with this sweet Sketch in 2015, and will continue playing cards with us throughout 2018 - we love it when you do!  ... now let's go see how my teamies reinvented their cards... OH btw... we have a new member!!  I'm not sharing the surprise here... go!!

=]  Michele

Supplies:  MFT paper , and snowflake dies [thank you, Barb!], Lil' Inkers Hootie Patootie! stamps, and dies.

TCP Tuesday Challenge #342

Happy New Year to you all, from me and The Cat's Pajamas' team!

We have a fun challenge for you today ... hope you received lots of TCP goodies for Christmas, and you'll want to play along!

Here are the details for the Challenge:
• Each month a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
• If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button provided.
• You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
• On the day of the next challenge the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $50.

It has been a mighty snowy Winter here in Michigan so far - record low temperatures, too!  Wishing for a day of sledding on the snow covered dunes brought this card to life:

Sentiment from We Three Snowmen;  Sledding Bun from Santa is Coming

The little clothes-pin has held Mr. Bun aloft ... here is the 'after' version, and I'm hoping to have a video on IG later - when my 'helper' gets home from work!

I've created my own penny-slider groove using a simple sloping die - cut twice!

And a few others to add a little interest, by just embossing them with an embossing mat. 

Let's all run over to The Cat's Pajamas blog to see what my fellow Cat-Pack girls have in store for us ... then Make a Scene of your own!

Thanks for the visit!

=]  Michele