Papertrey June Blog Hop Challenge

Hello!

I was sitting here, preparing for an early night to bed, when I remembered (with a little memory jog from my friend Cassie)... it's Papertrey Ink's June Blog Hop day! The timing of the hop meant that I either made a card tonight, or I miss the challenge.  So, off I toddled to my little stamping corner and whipped up a card. :-)

This is the inspiration this month.

Isn't it lovely? I didn't have enough time to make the ruffles this picture evoked for me, so I focused on that floral and leaf patterned cushion and the greenish/blue and yellow colour scheme. What colour is that green, anyway? Please, someone tell me it's name, I can't think of it. It's not really aqua (which is what I used), it's not really green, it's not teal, not really verdigris (is it?). I'm going to be dreaming bluey-green all night, LOL!

Here is my card.

I used Rosie Posie, Pretty Peonies, and Turning a New Leaf and stamped like crazy in SU! Pool Party and Daffodil Delight. My token ruffle comes from the pool party ribbon over a daffodil delight satin ribbon. Oh, I would like to take a moment at this time to thank PTI PROFUSELY for creating a die for that little frame from Pretty Peonies... no more fussy cutting this one for me!

I also had another challenge in mind when I created this card. I just saw over at Moxie Fab World that Cath is back. She's challenged us to make a Thank-You card where stamping is the star of the show for the Stamp It! Cards Thank-You Challenge.  Stamping is definitely star of show on this card. :-)

I'll be back to link this card in the morning when the Blog Hop will be well and truly up and running.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

A Retro Kiss?

Hello!

I have finally made a card for Retro Sketches. They are up to challenge #17, and every time I see a sketch (since #1), I want to join in, but for some reason I ALWAYS miss the deadline! Not this week-end, I made it! Yippee!

This is my card.

And this is the sketch.

I think I used my artistic license a bit with my big flower, but that flower really wanted to be on this card, and I couldn't say no. :-)

Now, I also made this card with two other challenges in mind. The colour scheme came from Color Throwdown #197, where the colour combo this week is totally irresistible.

And I did a bit of kissing for A Blog Named Hero #6.

The stamp sets I used were PTI Rosie Posie (and dies), Postmarks, and Think Big Favorites #16. I stamped the backgrounds in Versamark. Colours are Crumb Cake, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, and Old Olive with Tuxedo Black for the sentiment.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired strawberries!

Hello!

It feels like it's been a while since I've played at Runway Inspired Challenge. For some reason it keeps dropping off my blog list, probably user error, but causing me grief all the same. ;-)

This week's inspiration is a gorgeous shoe.

I didn't make a shoe card, although it's tempting!  I don't think I could walk in a shoe this high, but wouldn't it be nice to own it just to have it to look at? LOL!

This is the card I came up with.

For this card I used PTI Strawberry Patch, Strawberry Patch Sentiments, and Strawberry Patch dies. Colours are SU! Crumb Cake, Ruby Red, Pretty in Pink, and Old Olive. Card base is PTI White.

I made my strawberry and flowers shiny to reflect the patent shoe. I tried to keep the design relatively simple, to reflect the clean lines. And of course, I used the colours, because they are so delicious!

I have to say, after looking at the DT cards, I had a had time breaking away from the concept of a graphic card. Those examples were AMAZING! Inspiration galore!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

A card by my daughter

Hello!

My 9 year old daughter, Olivia, did some stamping with me yesterday. She wanted to make a card for a challenge. She chose a sketch challenge and a colour challenge, but when we came to finish up the card, we realised that my printer had betrayed us and printed yellow as green! So the colour challenge was dropped and this is her entry into Mojo Monday #246.

She used Cameo Coral, Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, and Old Olive. The images are Kikki K and the sentiment is Hero Arts.

The sketch she used was this one, turned on its side.

Thanks for coming by. I would love it if you would leave some comments for Olivia, to let her know that you took a look at her card.

Thanks!
Michelle.

Hello!

Hello!

I have made a super-CAS card for The Play Date Cafe Challenge #137 which is calling for a colour splash this week.

This is my card.

This is the first time I've used my new little PTI Heart-2-Heart #4 set. I think it will get a bit more use! Simple PTI White base, Tuxedo Black telephone, and SU! Brilliant Blue heart and sentiment.

It is a grey, dreary day here and getting colder by the minute. A fantastic day for some stamping!

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study 96 and Colour Q 142

Hello,

I have made another bicycle card. I'm enjoying my Hero Arts Bicycle stamp and die set. Just as I love my Hero Arts Zig Zag. Oh, and those cute little Memory Box clouds. :-)

I have used Joy's Card which is featured on CASE Study #96 as my starting point. From this I decided to create a little scene. I'm wishing I had that plane (so cute!) and that impression plate (yum!). Joy always gives me cravings for new products, she's so creative with EVERYTHING she uses.

After deciding on my inspiration, I went looking for a colour combo, and found it at ColourQ.

Thanks for dropping by. I'm hoping to do a little more stamping over the week-end. I have been playing with those Strawberry stamps again... oh, they're just delightful!

See you soon!

Michelle
xxx

Man-tastic! Yep, I'm late to this party!

Hello!

The Tuesday Trigger challenge Man-tastic was extended. Sadly because Cath is not recovered quickly from her surgery (I'm still sending you get-well-wishes, Cath!). This did give me some time to enter Man-tastic, even though I was slower than a snail getting to making this card. My mojo is struggling at the moment. It is being crowded out by things for the kids -  swimming, music, ballet, school... you know, all those PARENT things we have to do, let alone my other job (you know, the one that I get paid for)! :-) Not whingeing, just a bit frustrated that my mojo goes walk-about so often!

This is my card

I'm having a mental blank on the stamp set. It is Stampin' Up! and I'm pretty sure it is no longer available. The colours used are SU! Tempting Turquoise, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Ruby Red, and PTI Fine Linen. Twine is from The Twinery. Card is PTI Vintage Cream.

This is the Man-tastic inspiration (in case you haven't seen it before)

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #32

Hello!

It's time for Challenge number 32 over at For Your Inspiration Challenge blog. The inspiration photo is this one

This photo gave me a reflective mood. I liked all the white with the patch of sandstone in the middle.

I have made a sympathy card this week.

I'm not sure you can see all of the elements of this card in the card. I have embossed the Hero Arts Large Flower Background in White and lightly sponged PTI Fine Linen ink. I believe the little frame and stamps are Framed Out #4 (it could be #3, I am away from my supplies currently!) The ribbon is PTI Fine Linen. I'm loving that colour, delicious!

I have another photo that shows the texture better.

The other ladies on the Design Team have done a super job with this inspiration. Please pop over and visit them.

Debbie

Debby
Rudlis
Karen

Rochelle

Sara

Steph
Sylvia

Vicki

I hope I see your own creation in the entries sometime soon!

Michelle
xxx

ColourQ #141

Hello!

I am off to dinner tonight for my friend's and her partner's birthdays. This meant some card-making action was called for. :-)

Here is the card for him.

I used my new PTI chevron die, some stars from Star Prints, and the sentiment from Think Big Sentiments #13. The colours are Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Old Olive (for Lucky Limeade), and Pool Party (because I have NOTHING resembling brocade blue and this is as close as I could get).

The colours are from this week's ColourQ challenge 141.

This is the card for her.

Yep, I received my PTI Strawberry Patch set, yippee! And Strawberry Patch Sentiments! Colours are Poppy Parade, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Tuxedo Black, and Daffodil Delight. I also used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the flowers. This card in real life is so very pretty. I love it!  This card was made just for the fun of it, no challenge. :-)

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

Buon Compleanno, sorella!

Hello!

Here I am with a second card for today, yay! After this I will have to make some dinner and perhaps start my big move into the rumpus room corner I have been eyeing off. The move off the dining room table is well overdue and I think I've tested my family's patience enough on that score. ;-)

The card I've created here is for my step-sister's birthday, which is tomorrow. She is currently in Italy and her son (my nephew) was baptised yesterday in Florence. I wish I had been there. This card will never make it through the Italian post before she heads back to Australia, so I will give it to her virtually tomorrow and then physically when she comes home. :-)

This is the card. Forgive the wonky photo!

I used my new background stamp - Hero Arts Large Flower Background. I love this stamp. I've been coveting it for months. I finally picked it up at the expo yesterday. Colours are Night of Navy, Real Red, and Whisper White. The frame is PTI Fillable Frames #10. The sentiment is PTI Global Greetings. I used white embossing on the navy card base.

This is for Pals Paper Arts #136, which is a colour challenge.

I couldn't resist when I saw these colours.

and also for CASE Study #94, where Joy Taylor is muse this month! I tell you, there has been a run on some of my favourite card makers lately! Joy is awesome and I'm excited at the chance to CASE her. This is her card.

I used Joy's basic layout, but obviously changed the colours drastically. :-)

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

I'm back!

Hello!

I finally got to sit down today with some of this week's challenges. I'm still intending to go back and play some more. This week I received some new PTI goodies and I also went to the Brisbane Papercraft Expo yesterday and picked up a few nice things there too. :-)

The card I have created today is for three challenges: CAS-ual Fridays, Jay Gee's Nook, and finally I have managed to enter over at A Blog Named Hero.

This is the card I created:

What I used: Hero Arts/Sizzix Bicycle stamps & die set, Hero Arts envelope pattern background stamp, a mix of patterned papers, Memory Box cloud dies. Ink colours are daffodil delight, tempting turquoise, and tuxedo black.

The inspiration from the challenges was:

Use polka dots

Use two or more colours from the A Blog Named Hero logo

 and

Jay Gee's Nook inspiration board 

Back to the Papercraft Expo. Guess who I saw while I was there? (If you have visited my photo blog since yesterday you'll already know the answer.)  This guy:

Yes, that is Tim Holtz in the process of embedding a deep desire for alcohol inks into my brain. He's a lovely guy, and very inspiring. I was so glad to get the chance to stand right there next to him and listen as he talked through the creative process, awesome!

Thanks for dropping by. I'll try to get back later today with more cards.

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #31

Hello!

Long time, no see! Life over the past few weeks has really interrupted my stamping activities... I'm desperate to get back into it. This week-end is a long week-end here in Queensland to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I think I'll celebrate by attending the Scrapbooking and Papercrafting Show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and spending a good amount of time making cards. :-)

Today it is time for a new For Your Inspiration challenge. Challenge #31 to be precise. We are sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps, and I have chosen to use their gorgeous Flower Jar image. If you play along this week, you have the chance to win 7 of their digi stamps! Woo hoo!

The inspiration is this lovely photo of the Colosseum.

Makes me want to head back to Rome. I studied Ancient History in my Bachelor of Arts (a long, long time ago) and visiting Rome brought it all to life. I was in historical heaven! :-)

I used the photo as a colour inspiration, and this is what I came up with.

This is for a good friend who has been in hospital this week and who is facing a tough time.

Edit to add: I forgot to mention that this card is paper-pieced. It's probably obvious that this is what I have done, but just in case, I thought I'd let you know!  In real life it has a lovely dimension with the flowers sitting on top of each other.

The sentiment is PTI Through the Trees. The colours are SU! Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery. Twine is Twinery (Lemon Drop?). I also used my Inktense pencils and a white pen.

I would love to see you enter challenge #31. If you could create an Italian inspired card for me, that would be wonderful!!

Michelle
xxx