Thursday, August 31, 2017

CAS[E] this Sketch #237

OH my goodness, does Chrissy EVER have a fun Sketch for us this week!!!

Check it out:


Since it's my 12 Kits of Occasions day, too, I've decided to use this Sketch for one of my cards ... tricky, huh?  I[Thanks, Lisa!]  t's a pretty tricky interpretation of Chrissy's Sketch, too...


 
 
 

 
Inside:
"Hope this birthday turns out to be your best All-Around!!"

Enough of my silliness ... let's go see what my CTS teamies have made, shall we?  Hope to see you 'round the gallery!!

=]  Michele


 

United we Flourish - Better Together



For their newest installment of United We Flourish, Ellen Hutson and Honey Bee have collaborated to design a set called Sending Sunshine that is chock-full of words of encouragement, and kindness ... well, they are just like sunshine on a cloudy day ... AND there is a fun coordinating die set, too!
 
 
What fun I've had using this set, and another little 'honey' of a stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps, called "Busy Bees!"  
 
A tiny little sunshine die was debossed onto my panel 
after the smooshing dried!
Don't you love that layered sentiment die-cut?
[pssst E.H. has that little sun-die that I used - just sayin']
 
Inside: "... or maybe, like a solar eclipse,
you just don't wanna know what that looks like?" 
 
I've added just a bit of yellow and white Prismacolor-ing.
The Bee's wings were treated to simple hash-tagging!
MFT's Snow die provided the twinkle,
 
 
Inside:  One would just be lost without the other!
 
Ellen Hutson has pretty strong feelings about giving thanks... I'll share Ellen's own words with you:



Last November we began celebrating our 10th anniversary with the theme United We Flourish. And what does United We Flourish mean? It means that our company would not be here without the amazing companies we work with, the designers who create stunning projects showcasing the wonderful products being created AND you, our fabulous customers! YOU are such a vital part of our creative community - you inspire & encourage us! Your response to United We Flourish was overwhelming and heart-warming. We heard repeatedly from you that you appreciate how our little company works together with the other manufacturers we carry to bring you their products and education showing how to use those products. To thank you for your constant support and encouragement, we have partnered with some of our friends to offer exclusive limited edition stamp & die sets!!! These sets will be available for a limited time (most likely 3-6 months) after each release, depending on how quickly you snap them up. The theme of these stamps sets are uplifting and fun.
 
We are thrilled to present the third one to you...Sending Sunshine by Honey Bee Stamps exclusively for Ellen Hutson LLC.

I've had a blast, and feel very blessed to be creating these cards with the newest United We Flourish collaboration with Honey Bee! 

Now it's your turn to buzzzz over to the shop so you can get your very own set! 

Thank YOU so much for stopping by today...

=]  Michele


12 Kits of Occasions - August 2017

It's back-to-school time for our 12 Kits of Occasions group!  Lisa Elton is our host this month - such a fabulous kit, and wonderful, timely theme:  Teacher's Pet!

Lindsey is our photographer - thanks, Lindsey!!

I have six grand-kids going back to school this Fall!  you know what that means, right?  I'd better get these in the mail!!

Are you ready?  Let's go with the boys first:

You always do... In the very best way you can!
 

... corn on the cob!!!
 
Clean and simple designs are best for boys, right?  Now, for the girls:
 
Luck really isn't needed - you've got this!
 
Hope you have a day that is balloon-kind-of-happy!
 
[Lots of positives tucked inside this file!]
 
One thank you... you know, for the 'apple polisher!'  I won't mention names...
 

 
Lisa's Kit was so jamb-packed with goodness... I used one project for my CAS[E] this Sketch card - you'll see that at 10 a.m. today ... and ANOTHER was given to my husband on Tuesday for his birthday... might have been full of chocolate!
 
 
Of course, I had to add my own sentiments -
you'll forgive me holding a few back?
These were attached to the inside of
this 2 1/4 x 8 1/2 inch wrapper.
 
 
By now you must be tired of me ... I'll warn you that I have several posts today ... yikes!
 
I would be remiss if I didn't end by thanking Lisa for this darling kit ... and thanking you for the visit!
 
 
 Let's go see what my friends made, okay?  Meet you at the
 
=]  Michele


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Color Throwdown #458



Though it's been years since I've had the flurry of "back to school" activities, when it starts feeling like Fall, it takes me back to the worry, the tears, and the "MOM do you know where..." days! 

So happy that all I have to do now is send my little grands a "you can do this" card, and hope they call me to tell me about their "first days!"

Color Throwdown #458 gave me just a great inspiration for another such card.  For #CTD458:


The pencils, button, and ribbon are all the 'leftovers' I had from my August 12 Kits of Occasions kit ... you'll have to wait until tomorrow for those cards!

Tomorrow will be a post-filled day around my blog ... you'll forgive me, right?

Thanks, always, for your visits!

=]  Michele
 

Monday, August 28, 2017

Time Out #90

Time Out #90 has a twist I couldn't resist!  Speed stamping ... I wonder if speed die-cutting will do?

I have used my favorites...


I never tire of these stitched leaves from Lawn Fawn... in fact you'll see me use them again, later this week!

In 8 minutes 24 seconds I cut them from a selection of Autumn-colored papers, and arranged these little darlings to make this...


With an extra three seconds, I added a little bling... sorry for the photo... the glue hadn't dried!


I'll see you soon... leaving you wondering when ...

=]  Michele

Thursday, August 24, 2017

CAS[E] this Sketch #236

Donna Mikasa has created another beauty for us this week... check out CTS#236:


I had a 'few' new goodies to play with this week - am I the only one that can be a little bit overwhelmed by that?  Such a wonderful 'problem' to have!

If you know me well you might remember that I have a big 'thing' for hounds-tooth print ... just look at the beauty I found in my new goodies from The Cat's Pajamas - called Patterned Petals!  stamped in the most gorgeous Persimmon Fresh Ink!

Inside:  Thank you for the positive imprint you've made on my life!

I've done a little doodling to indicate Donna's panel.  OH those little garden-party-ers, and the sentiment are from Lil' Inkers... I think they are fabulous together with that lovely big bloom!

Do you know what else is fabulous together?  YOU and our CTS gallery!!!  Thanks for playing cards with us each week!

=]  Michele

Purrrrfectly wonderful NEWS!

I received the most fabulous invitation last week ... guess who is the newest member of The CAT PACK at The Cat's Pajamas?   Yep, it's ME ... can you believe it?

I have so much to learn, and SO many new goodies to play with ... thanks to Alma for such a wonderful opportunity, Nancy for her recommendation, and the entire Cat Pack for their warm welcome!

Cards?  do I have cards?  Oh, yes... here's one - and, there's more over at The Cat's Pajama's blog here ...

Aye, Aye, Captain is paddling for his life!  That darling tag die is one of
 two in the Luggage Tag die set

Of course you KNOW I just may have manipulated that little sentiment a bit, right?  Adding a third 'aye' made it so easy to use another of the fabulous sentiments that come in this set:


That wave was created using TCP's Leaf Scroll, a companion die to our Patterned Petals - oh, you'll be seeing that one soon... it has a HOUNDSTOOTH BLOOM!!! 

Thanks for stopping by today ... hope you'll visit The Cat's Pajama's blog for a visit - can you get enough of that bunny?  NEVER!  There are lots goodies at TCP to love!

=]  Michele 

Friday, August 18, 2017

Seconds & Thirds for CTS#235

Well... don't say I didn't warn you! 

This little 'chick' [who I've come to call Karen ... as in Will & Grace's Karen?] had to make a second [and third] appearance for our Sketch! 

Did you even notice the birthday candle?  is she cheeky or what?

Seriously?  try this, add 'honey' to the beginning of the statement, and speak in a squeaky voice... go ahead... RIGHT?!?!

Okay.  here's another... do it again.  this time add 'honey' after the 'but':


Was I kidding you?  I don't think so!!!

When Teri Anderson [yes, of Moxie Fab World fame!] wrote these Sassy Birthday sentiments for Technique Tuesday, I'd bet money she was thinking of me!  Thanks, Teri!!!

One of these cards is heading over to CASology Week 262... 'cuz sentiments don't get more PRICKLY than that!!!

=]  Michele 




Thursday, August 17, 2017

CAS[E] this Sketch #235

There are so many possible versions of Chrissy Larson's Sketch this week ... you may see Second Helpings - fair warning!


I have in my possession the BEST set of sentiments ... no, I didn't write them... but oh I might have - snarky, fun, and pun-y, too!  Wouldn't you agree that TT's cute little owl has the perfect expression on her face for this one ...

Technique Tuesday: Hi There Owl, and Sassy Lazy Thoughts

I've been trying to make the back of my cards as fun as the front ...  someone wrote these with me in mind... I'm sure of it!!  take a look at this one:

Technique Tuesday:  It's a Masterpiece!

Okay, this girl has to see what her team-mates have made... join me over at the CTS blog!?  It is sure to put a smile on our faces!

=]  Michele

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Mix-it-up Challenge August 2017

I have been so busy 'gardening' that I've almost missed out on the Ellen Hutson Mix-it-up with Avery Elle challenge!!!  YIKES!

Banner-MIX-it

I've chosen that darling Plant Lady again!  and found just the perfect sentiment from Avery Elle - it's from their No Way set of fabulous things that we all say!

Are you ready?  Here she comes, again! a match made in Heaven!


I've created my own inside sentiment ... hope A.E. doesn't mind =]


Off to the gallery...

=]  Michele

I often forget that everyone doesn't use Instagram... here are my other cards using this Plant Lady!

Inside:  Grow through what you go through - from
Plant Ladies Say  and the over-growth comes from Rustic Botanicals
 
and, yes, her crops DO rotate!

Monday, August 14, 2017

Freshly Made Sketches #300

I'm here this morning to party with Freshly Made Sketches' 300th Celebration!!!   Is it a surprise to hear that a sketch challenge is a favorite of mine?  I didn't think so ... here is FMS300:


I've stepped away from their Sketch just a tad - there was a little gardener who had a message for the FMS Design team...


I've stretched those little FMS panels to accommodate my fence panels! [thanks Cat!!]  I also moved them to the left side of my card base to accommodate her positioning. 

I've been waiting a long time for someone to make that saying into a stamp!  [anybody remember this one?]

Congratulations, Lesley and the FMS gang!!

=]  Michele

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Time Out #89


I love to travel ... and would love to do more of it!  A girl is allowed to dream!  Thanks to Time Out #89, I'll always have Paris!


... and thanks to my friend, Barb, I had this darling Eiffel Tower to play with!  thanks, mon amie!

Off to the gallery ... the Louvre of my world!

=]  Michele

Thursday, August 10, 2017

CAS[E] this Sketch #234

The lovely Donna Mikasa is up as our Sketch designer this week... check it out!  It's a beauty:


I had a shaker in mind, and an idea - see if you think it was a good one!

I have this cute little Waffle Flower die ... the leftovers looked like hugs ... as in XXs!  so why not use them?  sweetest snippets EVER!



I've backed the cut-out with acetate so it is a see-through...

MFT Peek a boo square, and shaker inserts.

... then added a PPP Sweet-Pea mix of sequins to add just the right colors of green and pink to match the bits of colored cardstock to my linen card-base.

I hope I've given you a bit of inspiration today to play along with us ... if not, there are oodles of ideas at our CTS blog - Donna, and all of my team-mates are so incredibly talented!

=]  Michele



Wednesday, August 9, 2017

CASology - Second Helpings

I know... a two-for-one day!  Sorry, but this little cutie was just begging to have a play!

A darling little mat and a teensy bit of color reads CAS to me.  every.  time.



Lil' Inker Designs: Lovie Friends and Dual Dotted Frames -
MFT red rubber Giraffe background - you know... in the background!

How could I say NO!!!???  Off to CASology #261 he goes!

=]  Michele