Something old, something new!

Joanne and The Paper Players have a really fun theme this week:  something old, something new!  We've all got that covered right?

It just so happens that I had a collaborative set from Wplus9 and Simon Says Stamp on my desk for a little water coloring - no time like the present to use this one!

Something old: SSS Humble and Kind c. 2017 and a new Penny Black EF: Linked

My 'vase' is the window portion of Fresh Air Window Frame from The Greetery -

cut from wc paper.  I lopped off a bit from its bottom - wouldn't want those lovely tulips to spill - and embossed the upper 2/3 of it with SU! Subtle Texture and finally shaded with a little distress ink.

Hope they like it as I sure had fun making it!

=] Michele

Hey, they liked it!  Thanks, ladies, for this honor!

Freshly Made Sketches #685

I love each and every one of my new teammates at Freshly Made Sketches, but Linda has been making me LOL for years - me thinks she and I have a shared sense of humor.  How could I help but return the favor this week?  Here's her wonderful Sketch #685...

I promised you'd see these sea-worthy friends again...

I can't help but think about the time Tom took off in the canoe

leaving our anchor behind... thankfully this scene didn't ensue -

we never did find the anchor...  this will be his anniversary card!

After 30 years, he's still my anchor - but not in the 'ball and chain' way!

 I hope Linda's Sketch sparks a happy memory and a fun crafty time for each of you!

=] Michele

The Flower Challenge #102

 

Hello friends and welcome!  The Flower Challenge has a tricky one this time - adding spots or stripes to flowers?  I think I'll put them in the background or foreground, myself!   Here's how I did it... my friend Therese made a great video on using heat embossing in several fun ways.  I've used one of her tricks to add stripes as a landing zone for a pot of Waffle Flower Craft's water-colored crocuses!  

Take a look at a little closeup of them ...  

Three strips of double-sided tape were added to my card front.  

Then I poured over WOW's A Girl's Best Friend glitter embossing powder over the strips of sticky tape, heat set it from the backside first, then completely set it from the front. I'll admit it worked far better than using Versamark ink for this glittery powder! That girl is so clever!

While 'working ahead' I forgot that by the time this posted crocuses would

be long gone... that's okay.  Paper ones are 'forever' and it is still Spring!

Okay.  Are you feeling inspired?  I hope so.  But if not, my teamies over on The Flower Challenge blog have all kinds of ways to add spots or stripes to a floral card!

Let's GO!

=] Michele

I was very happy to see the purple crocus at The Four Seasons Challenge: Spring!

May Day!

No! That's not a distress signal!!  [In fact, we've yet to lower the canoe from the rafters] It's raining kitties and puppies: a very gentle but steady rain which we needed so I'm not complaining one bit!

Marcia is the host with the most over at Color Hues #108 and while we did a little texting this morning, I pulled down my newest blues and got to work!  Hope she likes my blue and yellow creation!

I adore the 'seersucker' look of my Altenew Rustic Linen embossing folder, so it was easy to use it as a backdrop for these blue and yellow 'poppies' from Concord & 9th's Paper Posies set - the stamen from their Primrose Garden.  My 'cheers' comes from Altenew, too.  

I am normally not a fan of blue, but this blue makes me very happy.  So do Blue Poppies: they're real just google them!

How accommodating for Just us Girls to have their 'die week' premier today, too!  Since I have indeed used a flower or two, I will share this card with them happily!

Thanks for dropping by!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #684

As I was writing this post there wasn't a thing blooming in my yard... sigh.  But I'm so happy to see my neighbors Forsythias are!  But we card makers can always find flowers blooming in our happy places, right?  Jen Mitchell's Sketch #684 gives us the perfect spot to plant a few posies - or anything else your crafty heart desires!

 

I had a few new dies to take for a spin...

Concord & 9th: Paper Posy Dies with a side of PFS Lacey Edger

SU! Subtle Texture [retired]

I can hardly wait to see what you all plant in Jen's circle!  See you soon!

=] Michele

The Paper Players #735

Claire has a sketch for us at The Paper Players #735 and I couldn't resist it!  Digging into my stash I found this sweet little Altenew Coneflower that wanted to play cards, too!

Here's Claire's Sketch: 

I had that set out for another challenge but I'm trying to watercolor more using all of the wonderful line art images I have in my stash.  Jill Foster's influence, no doubt!  After stamping and water coloring, I used the coordinating die to cut the smaller bloom, and an MFT Elegant Rectangle die for the larger which will stand in for the circle on Claire's sketch... it's easier to show than to tell!

Though I really love the uncut/cut version stacked, that rectangle forced me

to make it a landscape version of Claire's sketch - I hope she doesn't mind!  

My vertical strip was a smooshed snippet, and of course I had another Betterpress sentiment to add.  Its cotton paper matches so well with the Canson watercolor paper I used for painting and the card base, too.  You'll be seeing the layering stamped version of these Coneflowers soon!

Hope you've had a wonderful start to your week - thanks for stopping by today!

=] Michele

An homage to Bob

If any of you have an Instagram account, you may have crossed paths with a few wonderful birders at some point.  I follow many who are absolutely phenomenal photographers and videographers.  @putman_and_robin is one of those!  His adorable videos of the most wonderful European Robin friends Bob, Bobette, and Pip are worth a watch or twenty!  

Here is my homage to 'Bob!'  Maybe his older, slightly 'more fancy' sister?

I'm a bit sad today as one of our darling Tree Swallows had a

window strike - she rallied but we couldn't get her to fly.

We handed her off to a licensed rehabilitator with prayers.

Her mate is still looking for her.  SO sad.

I needed the joy that Bob brings me!  Hope you stop by for a look-see!

=] Michele