12 Kits of Occasions - Christmas in July!

I normally have a really hard time creating Christmas-themed cards when it is 90 degrees.  Having said that, I received the most darling little Kit from Marybeth - our hostess with the kit-building-mostest host for this month. 

Here is a little peek at the joys of Christmas in July we had to work with:

There is a saying:  self-made cards ... this kit was loaded with them - I'm wrong to claim them, but here goes:

You must all remember "Frosty" right?

This one will hopefully have a cooling affect for a very sweet friend, in a very hot locale!

 

I put a few snippets from Marybeth's lovely papers to use in my 'forest' for these cute friends.

 

I couldn't resist decorating this lovely frame - much easier than a shaker, with the same fun effect!

Isn't that gold and gray a lovely combo?

 

Marybeth has sent me many of these lovely scalloped panels ... I was thrilled to find another in the kit!  Thank you, Marybeth!  Could I resist a white on white card?  NO!!

 

In most every kit, I find a 'what to do' element.  Here are the fun 'buttons' that Marybeth included:

 

Those 'holly leaves' are really the Mondo Magnolia ones from E.H.  =]

 

 Could you resist turning this negative, into a positive?

Glad you can't see me in that reflection - I'm most likely still in my pjs!

 

My final project was to used these already inked, already die-cut, and fabulous florals in a different way: 

 

It is a bit difficult to photograph a candle in daytime.

I resisted adding a sentiment so it could be left out after Christmas.

No.  it isn't real, but battery-operated =]

 

Hopefully I didn't lose you along this long post!  Marybeth thank you for filling my day with this joy-filled kit!  xx

 

Now off we go to see what my sister 12 Kits of Occasions girls have been up to!  I adore them, and every single card they make!  xx

 

=]  Michele

 

Ready for the weekend - Freshly Made Sketches #247

It's always a great way to end my week: a challenge!  Shannon has given us a really cool, totally clean Sketch #247 for this week:

... so I'm taking her cue - maybe two!

Technique Tuesday Agapanthus



Hmmmm.  Here is #2:

 

Ahhhh, there's my old friend Mr. Grey =]

 

You'll have to run by Freshly Made Sketches to see which one made the cut!

 

I had the best time helping a new blogger today ... Misty, I do wish you the most fun blogging - it has opened up my world like I could never imagined! 

 

I know I won't have to ask all my friends twice to say hello to Misty at Happy Ink Designs.  She is just finding her footing and would love to have a few visitors - oh it seems like yesterday that Chaitali, and Darnell, and Debby were holding my hand!  This is a great place to find the best, and most helpful friends, Misty!

 

Hope you all have a great weekend ... see you next week!

 

=]  Michele

CAS[E] this Sketch #183

I knew exactly which set I'd use for Chrissy's gorgeous sketch for this week ...

This PTI set [Winter Woods] has been ignored far too long, considering I HAD to have it ... we've all been there, right?  It is quite gorgeous ...

For CTS #183:

MFT Distressed Patterns for the artful streaks!

 

I do hope you'll join us this week!  Maybe you have a seldom-used set YOU had to have?  Happy stamping!

 

=]  Michele

The Heart Desires Challenge #2

I had another of these sweet little Botanical Blocks already embossed ... why not in tropical colors?  Like these for The Heart Desires challenge #2:

I've matched the colors the best I could with Distress Inks, and PTI Enchanted Evening.  I see my card as a mash-up between the inspiration photo and the sketch - maybe?  =]

 

 

Hope you like it!  Thanks for stopping by ... it still is the highlight of my day!

 

=]  Michele

 

Thanks!





PTI Stampafaire 2016

I admit that I don't have many PTI products, but was inspired by Kay Miller's fantastic video, and my friend, Chriss Blagrave to give it a whirl ... here goes!

For the 'Water color like a Master':

A sweet little Sweet Pea from the Year of Flowers

Not quite as watery as it should be?  But I liked the colors, and splatters that didn't smear!

 

Just for fun, because it's my favorite from PTI!:

 

Not a perfect fit for any of the challenges ... but OH did I have fun with my newest

Gansai Tambi metallic water colors - thanks to Julie E. for enabling! - and the gorgeous

Botanical Blocks - I'm sending this one to the Masterpiece Inspiration gallery,

in honor of Georgia O'Keefe.

Can't see that shine?

 

LOve the white metallic!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 



Freshly Made Sketches #246

Think I could end my week without entering a challenge?  Think again!

Rita created FMS246 using a tag this week ... not something I use often, but I happen to have that cutie from Sugar Pea Designs, and one of her team-mates to inspire some fun!

 

Linda Callahan made a BEE-utiful card, and we had such fun yesterday with all kinds of bee-inspired comments ... as I'm in the 'show gratitude' mode, I want to give her a little shout-out today, too!  I've linked her card here so you can give her your own bit of love. 

 

Thanks, Linda, for inspiring this little card:

 

FAb set from Verve called The Buzz! and matching dies  and Sugar Pea's Gift tag are lifted

with a cute little Cuttlebug honeycomb embossing folder.  =]

 

Hope this finds you all looking forward to a 'honey' of a weekend!  ;]

 

=]  Michele



An Altenew Day! with a side of Wplus9 =]

There are a few designers out there that just plain blow my mind with their talents.  Therese Calvird is one of those.  Anything she touches turns into a masterpiece, and those fabulous videos?  You must check them ALL out!  I am so in love with the cards she creates with her Altenew sets ... OUT of this world. 

Sadly, I was knee-deep in life when the opportunity to CASE Therese happened.  Today I shall remedy that, with my own humble attempts - I know she's traveling at the moment, but that's good because if she sees these, it will be on a wee little screen =]

First up:  This card/video in which she colors one single bloom and BOOM!!!  My first mistake was to stamp on regular cardstock, but made the best of it with a bright pink Tombow marker.

Hello die courtesy of Reverse Confetti, Altenew Peony Bouquet stamps, and a favorite little panel from a darling friend in Cali! 

My supply is getting low, Marybeth, and you know I'm savoring them =]

 

I had the luckiest day when my Altenew popsicle card won a wonderful gift card - thank you, again, ladies!

 

Here is what I chose for my prize, and you can see Therese put it to fun use here :

 

This card is to ME!  To sit upon my desk, and be reminded of my blessings!

Halftone Smile, and die.

You'll be seeing a few cards from me in the next few weeks using this fun little pierced circles from MFT's Blueprints 18 - they provide the cutest little peek-a-boo element.

 

The next card is a shout-out to Dawn Woleslagle, owner of Wplus9!  Not only is Dawn a fabulous designer, her water-coloring is just outstanding ... treat yourself with Dawn's video where she uses Zigs to water-color her very own Beautiful Bouquets!

 

This card uses my newest set from Altenew - Dahlia Blossoms, and the perfect words from Wplus9:  Happy wishes and four little [never used this way] Zig markers from a darling, generous friend - thanks so much Kristie!  It's about time I was brave enough to give them a proper workout!

 

Pretty much a total CASE of Dawn's card ... but why mess with perfection?

Replaced the watercolored panel with a favorite slip of vellum... 'cuz I could.

See those teensy little dots?  Yep.  snippets from that MFT die!

 



I loved my day in the craft room ... and giving thanks to those who inspire me... there are so many more of you to honor!

 

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #182

N@ Ali has done it again!!  Oh, the things my brain sees when creating for N@'s sketches!!!  See for yourself:

For CTS #182:

Are you guys getting the sense that I MAY be trying to use up a bit of patterned paper before moving it?  You would be exactly right!  I love these from Authentique: Seaside. 

[I promise I hadn't watched Jaws just before making this card - on the other hand ... dah dum, dah dum ... is it too late to add a fin?]

Hope you have tons of time to play cards with us this week - now let's go see what my team mates have for us!!!

=]  Michele

e.t.a.  I'm sending this over to CASology: Rough - seas can be rough - and an overall small pattern can be CAS ... me thinks?



Tic Tac Toe Challenge #14

I've seen the cutest cards coming from the design team at Stamping Smiles Designs.  Their Tic Tac Toe Challenge is so fun, just look at our choices:



I've chosen the very first horizontal line: Embossing, Doodling, and added dimension for Challenge #14:

My favorite color: white! Simple embossed, a few enamel dots and fussy cut leaves, for dimension, and a new to me Doodled Flowers set from Happy Little Stampers, suited my fancy!  I even doodled a few little fireflies!

I hope you've started your week with a smile!

=]  Michele

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #289

I have a love affair with hounds-tooth ... I've never denied it  ... in orange?  Well.  Be still my heart ...

For MFTWSC289:

MFT Thanks die, DC Large Scale Backgrounds; BB You're Super,

and a few of my favorite jumbo enamel dots!!

 

 



In hindsight, I do wish I'd given my die-cut Thanks a bit more of a lift ... but I'm sure this will provide a wee bit of a lift to one of my friends all the same.

=]  Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #245

Jen, I'm popping over with a card made from some little snippets left over from my week ... they've come together in a slightly different arrangement of your fab sketch, but I know you won't mind one bit!  [she says with hope in her heart.]

 

 

My love of the Neat n Tangled Scandinavian Prints hasn't waned since my Mix it Up challenge day ... here's what I was able to do with a few blooms, and a little leftover Lola's vase from Winnie & Walter for FMS245:

 

Altenew inks from the Red Sunset collection,

and a sweet little Cuttlebug chevron embossing folder for my 'panels'

 

The most wonderful thing about making a 4.25" square card is the ability to let a few things hang over, as do my flowers.

 

This is leaving me smiling, and ready for the weekend, folks!!

 

Thanks for all your visits this week!  xx

 

=]  Michele

 



Playing Cards with Cat!!

I just couldn't believe it when Cat Craig, of Cat Luvs Paper, asked to Play Cards today!  I love Cat and every little card she die cuts, pieces, or water-colors!  In light of the tragedy in Nice, there is no doubt that our friend in France is in our thoughts, too.

Cat has chosen, and I LOved, Anita's card for Time Out ... well what's not to love about this beauty:



No time like the present is what I say!  So after a fun little chat on the telephone, we set a time and got to work!

Since I am rubbish at sponging, and have none of these wonderful spritzes Anita used, I have taken a different path ... Anita, nor Cat will be surprised by that, I'm sure.

A bit of that Kaisercraft Shine Bright patterned paper for the 'spritz',  a MFT sunshine die, and another perfect way to say hello, compliments of Winnie & Walter, cut from a bit of linen-textured paper a la Anita:

 Look! I even found a few glittery dots to add to the mix!

It is always such fun to see where the original will take us Playing Cards.  Cat, I'm dashing over to see how you were inspired ... thank you for the challenge today ... it was perfect timing and SO much fun chatting!!!  xoxo

=]  Michele

I'm sending this over to Time Out challenge #61 - inspired by words [and friends]:

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine"

Anthony J. D'Angelo

CAS[E] this Sketch #181

I have a theme going for the month of July - yes, they are all about Home - but particularly about new homes!

Leigh Penner has created a fun little sketch - we can't wait to see what you'll do with this one!!!

 



Isn't that fun??!!  Well.  I had more fun than I can say creating a card for the folks who are going to start a new chapter in OUR house! 

 

I've pulled out another favorite pattern paper, and the perfect W&W In a Word cutaway:  HOME!  and added a triple dash of Big, Bold, Happy, and Seasons, and Extras!! 

For CTS #181:

 

That little Painted Enjoy is from SSS - love that font!

 

Back to packing/cleaning and preparing for the move ... see you in the gallery everyone!  I can't wait to see what you, and my teamies do with this fun sketch!!

 

=]  Michele





July Mix it Up Challenge

Find a favorite set from the Essentials by Ellen Hutson, and add one of my favorites from Neat n Tangled, what do you get?  Flowers that turn into sparklers for a big birthday cake evidently! 

Here is my card for the July Mix it Up Challenge:

Inside:

  . . . like this present . . . it's this card . . . my attempt at making you forget your BIG birthday!!

I adore the cake from Wish Big ... and have had such with it - Julie never minds.  I hope Miriam doesn't mind that I 'rewrote' her sentiment from Scandinavian Prints a bit ... you know a girl has to have a giggle on her birthday, right?

Delicata Gold ink puts the sparkle in the 'sparklers.'

 



Hope you have a really fun day!!  I am feeling 99.9% better, thanks for all the thoughts and 'atta girls' - your visits always make me smile ...

=]  Michele

Sending out an S.O.S - CASology Week 205

I ran across a little panel while going through my 'might use one day' supplies ... just thought it was too perfect for this week's CASology Week 205 Cue Word to ignore:



[Quite honestly, the card couldn't be more perfect for my mental state =]

Hope you all are having a fun summer!  xx

=]  Michele

CAS[E] the Sketch #180

Sam Simpson has created a Sketch for this week that is perfect for a little paper that I've been savoring for some time now - yikes!   Here is Sam's Sketch:

I think you'll agree when you see my card - for CTS #180:

 

Can you believe I still have Dear Lizzy's 5th & Frolic?  I might have purchased it right after I started card-making!  I fussy-cut those little polaroid-style prints, gave them a little lift, positioned them over that darling little cross-stitched print, and added a little LOVE!  I know it is nearly impossible to read these so here is a little help:

• Love - you make me ridiculously happy
• happy little life
• right here

I'm saving this one for Tom, maybe the first night we share in the new abode ... we've been incredible busy with this selling/buying/moving business.  OH!  I haven't told you this news yet?  More soon!  But if I seem significantly absent, that's why!  I'll catch up with you soon.

 

Whether it's stamped, embossed, layered, patterned, or just deliciously devoid of embellishment, we will LOve your additions to the gallery - promise! xx

 

=]  Michele

 

 

 

 

More fun with Winnie & Walter - New CUTAWAYS!

Have you heard the news?  Winnie & Walter have heaps of new Cutaways that coordinate with a few of our favorite sets!! When asked by Shay to be part of her new release, it took no more than a millisecond to respond YES!!

Up first:  In Bloom: Eva's Favorite Flowers Cutaways!

Couldn't resist a bit of Dark Chocolate!! 

Perfect words from The Big, the Bold, and Fun!

 

While I had The Big, the Bold, and Fun out, I put the new Cutaways to use:

 



You all know how much I love vellum ...

this time I used it for my card-base

adding the patterned paper inside, for an extra bit of Fun!

 

 



A day without Kindness is no fun at all!  The new Cutaways for the Kindness with Evelin T Designs make the stamp set double the fun!

I adore that the set has two sizes of these darling trees!

These depict the change of seasons, in a rainbow of colors!

 

I couldn't resist a second from this set - my first cactus card!!!

 

I cut, stamped, and clear embossed the Kindness!



 

The last one [for today] coordinates with one of my all-time favorites - Lola's Bouquet by Joni Andaya Cutaways!! [Lola is my mum's, and my granddaughter's name.] Surely makes me Smile!

 

You cannot imagine how simple this little arrangement

 was to make with the new cutaways! Smiles compliments of

The Big, the Bold, and Friends cutaways

 

ALL of these fabulous new goodies [and MORE]are available NOW, peeps!!!  Head over to

Winnie & Walter for yours!

 

Thank you, Shay, for giving me, and your dedicated customers,  

so many smiles!!

I so hope I've inspired a few, too!

 

=] Michele