Tuesday, March 8, 2016

"Inspired by all the Little Things" Challenge

Truly, I am inspired by all the little things in life ... one particularly little thing inspires me to appreciate miracles.  Thank you, each and every one of you, who has kept our little Gretchen Michele in your prayers, and thoughts!  I am so happy to report she is doing so well - topped 4 lbs. finally!

Lesley Croghan - can we say amazingly organized?  How she keeps up with all of these fabulous challenges, one has to wonder if she's wearing a stretchy undergarment with a big S on it! 

Inspired by all the Little Things is her latest wonder.  I couldn't wait to join in the fun, and was totally inspired by the photo, and her fabulous guest, my friend, amy Tsuruta:


 
I was taken by the darling tea cups, and tried my best to recreate one, or two =]
 
First:  I used Concord & 9th for the embossed circles to indicate my 'green tea' and patterned paper under vellum to paint the tea cup's interior.  Hero Arts provided me the perfectly gorgeous butterfly and sentiment, and [saving the best for last] my new NBUS [yes, Darnell, it is on its way for #6!] from Winnie & Walter, that darling little scalloped panel for my linen panel!!  Thank you, Shay, for this win! 
 
 
I also wanted to share a card made with these darling tea cups from Nancy Penir, from our February
12 Kits of Occasions goodies, adding a spot of
Verve for the Tea.
I LOve those little Martha S. butterflies!  So tiny!!
 
 
I hope you'll stop over to, and play along with,  Lesley's newest challenge, too!  So many beautiful cards  from her wonderful team to inspire you.  You'll have to read this post to know why this first, is actually #5!!

Thanks for stopping by ... tea anyone?

=]  Michele

So honored by amy T.!


24 comments:

Brenda said...

I'm so excited to hear that your little grand is doing so much better and so glad to hear her weight is up! Continued prayers for more good news my friend. Both of your cards are just beautiful Michele!!! I love the vellum and pattern paper under it. So soft, love the cup as well. I've seen the cup made this way a lot and it always blows me away at how much it looks like you are looking down into the tea/coffee. lol Yes, I'm easily amused, but at least I'm getting it from you card makers. Love that scallop rectangle too. The second card is just stunning as well. Love the coloring on those tea cups and those tiny butterflies are perfect! Hugs, Brenda

Hussena said...

Both your cards are so beautiful.. Especially in love with your first card..You have captured the Inspiration so perfectly.
So happy to know your grand daughter is doing fine. Sending prayers her way.💜

Anonymous said...

Fabulous cards Michelle! The 1st one stole my heart!

Joyce said...

Love both of these. So soft and pretty. And, yay for reaching 4 pounds!

Leigh Penner said...

These are beautiful!

JD/ Jill said...

These are both so beautiful!

Tracey McNeely said...

Someone has been busy today. Both beautiful cards Michele. Love the soft vellum and your tea cups are so lovely! Thank you for sharing with us at Inspired by All the Little Things!

Cat Craig said...

Ah Michele, these are such sweet and lovely cards. Your creativity is simply wonderful to gaze at. Thanks for making such pretty things for us to look at.

Karren said...

Beautiful cards, Michele! The butterfly one looks so fabulous, I want to reach out and touch it through the screen :) Such great news about baby Gretchen too.

Lisa Elton said...

Thanks be to God that sweet little Gretchen is doing well!! You my friend, have a way with vellum. My goodness is your first card ever soft, delicate and just dreamy!! Love what you've done with the trio of cups from the kit, so pretty!

Sharron said...

So happy to hear baby Gretchen is making such great progress! Will she be able to go home when she reaches 5 lbs.? Such fun to see how you used Nancy's cups. Those butterflies are so sweet. Your first card is my favorite though. The scallops, the soft background, the vellum are all so gorgeous!!

lostinpaper said...

More wonderful inspiration Michele, I agree, those tea cups are divine! ps Good news about Gretchen!

Bobby said...

I've seen you do that open cup layout before, Michele, and it is so effective. The vellum over the DSP really gives the impression of 'inside the cup'. Those other cups are gorgeous with their matching butterflies.

TK said...

Adorable cards, just what we'd expect from you! I really love the big butterfly, but those little ones about knocked my socks off!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, these are both so lovely, Michele!!! You did a great job with the creative way you have done the cup on the first card and the vellum butterfly is just so delicate and beautiful!!!! Love the scallops and the tiny little dots!!! And boy, are those cups on the second card, not stunning as can be!!!! Your cups remind me of some cups a late aunt of me had - it was so delicate one could almost see right through the porcelain and it had the most beautiful yellow flowers on it - it was used on high days and holidays, only!!! I really like the colours you have used for the cups and the little butterflies are just so darling!!! I really like this fabulous CAS card a LOT, Michele!!!
Hugz

~amy~ said...

How did I miss this? So glad that baby Gretchen Michele is doing so well!

Both of your cards are beautiful but I'm absolutely smitten with the first one!
Thanks for joining us at Inspired by All the Little Things!

Maria Rodriguez said...

Oh Michele, I love that top view of this lovely cup of tea, how amazing this looks and your second card is just as lovely, those beautiful porcelain cups are gorgeous.
So very happy your sweet little one is doing so well, I'm keeping her and you, in my thoughts and prayers.
Big Hugs,
Maria.

Anita in France said...

Such wonderful news for little Gretchen Michele, Michele ... continuing with my prayers! Stunning cards ... the first is soft, delicate and so dreamy with the vellum over the DP ... perfect for tea on the lawn of the great house!! Stylish second ... such elegant porcelaine cups against glorious white space ... lovely! Tea? Yes please, I'll put my posh frock on! Hugs, Anita :)

Vicki Finger said...

This card is so clever! I love it.

Karren said...

Congrats on your win! So well-deserved - this is a winning card if ever I saw one!

LeAnne said...

Oh my gosh, these are just beautiful! You are so clever & creative!

Unknown said...

Both of these cards are standouts in my book-- wow! Love the first one, but both are just so delightfully delicate and perfectly executed. The colorful squares and white space are fabulous on card two, and that vellum on the first! Love!!!

Kelly S. said...

Beautiful cards, Michele! I just love the idea of the first, looking down into that cup, so brilliant! The second is lovely with the mini butterflies!

Darnell said...

As always, your thoughtful design is enchanting, Michele! What a marvelous take on the photo inspiration! Thank you so much for playing in my NBUS Challenge #6! I apologize for taking so long to come by and thank you. Enjoy your day!! I'm very relieved to hear that our prayers are working and Gretchen Michele is thriving!! Also, I saw on FB the other day that your cousin had passed away and I send my sympathies. It does seem as if you are all blessed with sturdy genes in your family tree! Hugs, Darnell