Dynamic Fusion

Hello!

I'm popping in quickly to share a card.

I used PTI Background Basics: Circles and Snowflake Flurries. Colours are SU! Cameo Coral and Blushing Bride.

I missed Fusion last week, and I was sad, so this week I made sure I found a little time to play along. Fusion Challenge #4 has this hypothesis. I am playing along with Jackie's sketch challenge.

I used the colours from Dynamic Duos #50, because they are totally irresistible.

Back to work today after a lovely week-end. Yesterday I listened to my daughter's string ensemble play. Those kids just amaze me every time I hear them, they make beautiful music.

Have a great day! Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study DT Challenge

Hello!

CASE Study are having a Design Team Search Challenge. The idea is that we choose a muse for ourselves who has a different style to what we usually use. This first challenge (choosing a muse) almost undid me! Everytime I found a card I thought I'd CASE, I realised that it was already in a style I use, LOL! That's not very challenging! In the end, I chose a designer who I really admire, but who creates cards differently to me. I chose Betsy Veldman.

My card is this one.

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy, PTI Limitless Labels, and Star Prints. Colours are SU! Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, and PTI Hawaiian Shore. Patterned paper is Lawn Fawn (?).

Betsy's card that I cased was one of her experiments in creating a bokeh effect. I've been admiring them for weeks and thinking of trying the technique out. In my CASE, I attempted to capture the sense of whimsy as well as using bokeh stamping. This is Betsy's card (if you want to PIN it, please go to Betsy's blog and pin from there).

Whether I am chosen for the design team (fingers crossed), or not, this card is already a winner. It was made for my daughter's little friend who is having his fifth birthday party today. My daughter's face lit up with delight when she saw the card and read the sentiment. She gave me an emphatic "Yes, yes, YES!" :-)

Thanks for coming to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Tuesday Trigger: Pretty Little Petits Fours

Hello!

Today's card is for Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger: Pretty Little Petits Fours.

I used MFT flower dies, and PTI Square Prints dies and Woodgrain impression plate. Colours are PTI Vintage Cream, Melon Berry, and SU! Blush Blossom. The silver frame came from a shopping bag. ;-)

This was the inspiration photo.

I've hurt my back. I was vacuuming and I picked up the rug and vacuumed sideways, twisting at my hips. Never a good move. The upshot of my telling you this is that I'm having a hard time sitting for any length of time. Not good for my crafting or blogging time. :-(  I hope the anti-inflammatories work quickly (it's the third day now).

Thanks for coming to visit.

Michelle
xxx

I'm back from the wilderness!

Hello!

Well, maybe I wasn't in the wilderness, but it felt like it with no internet connection. Whoever heard of a three day outage of cable internet in this modern age? Forget for a moment that this is a modern-age problem... It was also a 3 day Foxtel cable tv outage, but I don't have cable tv, and I don't watch tv much at all, so that didn't bother me... I imagine those people who watch tv were doubly devastated, no tv and no internet as a backup option for entertainment, LOL!  I coped relatively well, interspersed with a few well-chosen barbs thrown at the telephone company via their various avenues for complaint. My kids were ecstatic to find it working tonight.

Back to why I'm actually here. I've made a card for Muse Challenge. This is it:

I used PTI Postmarks, and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, and Hero Arts Envelope Pattern background. Colours are SU! Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, and Real Red.

When I saw Virginia's beautiful card this week at Muse Challenge #14, my card is not what I originally had in mind. But this is what came out of my fingertips when I sat down to create. Virginia's inspiration is slightly different to my creation, but I think the inspiration is evident in the masked, offset sentiment frame.

Yesterday we spent the morning at the local ANZAC Day march and service. Watching the old returned servicemen from our local area marching so proudly made me all teary. The service was excellent, as always.  I will put some photos up over on my photo blog sometime in the next couple of days. Here is one.

Thanks for dropping by to visit. Now I'll try to make up for my lack of visiting and commenting from the past couple of days.

Michelle
xxx

Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop

Hello!

I've been without Internet for two days now. I apologise in advance for the quality of this post, I'm mobile blogging on my iPhone and I'm certainly no expert at that! My photo was even taken and edited on the phone. I can't see so well to know what it really looks like, LOL! This screen is a little too small for my ageing eyes.

I'll also apologise up front here for not leaving comments while the Internet is down, commenting on the iPhone is not great for me. I think I might need an iPad, what do you think? ;-)

Today's card is for the Papertrey Ink blog hop. I'll come back and add the links to my post, I promise!

I have used the colours from ColourQ #186.

Thanks for visiting. I hope to be back up to full speed soon.

Michelle
xxx

Retro Duos

Hello!

I'm popping in to share a card which is a little different for me. It's grey and black, and it has a few layers! Surprise!

I used PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, patterned paper is PTI black patterns (it is supposed to be black, but this pack of paper is definitely grey, so perhaps I got grey patterned paper?), card base is Soft Stone.

I made this card in response to two challenges. This week's Dynamic Duos #49 is monochromatic Basic Grey and Basic Black.

The sketch is Retro Sketches #60

I really enjoyed making this card, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. :-)

This week we have ANZAC Day here in Australia. On Thursday 25 April we remember those who have served (past and current) in our defence forces to protect Australia. I will be taking my girls to the march in our local community. We're all looking forward to it. I'll share some photos, if I can capture some good ones.

Thanks for coming by to visit me.

Michelle
xxx

Paper planes = happy

Hello!

I squeezed in a little crafting time right at the end of the day today. This "simple" card took a bit more effort than it looks...

I used PTI Sentiment Signs, and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday. I also used Mama Elephant So Breezy. Colours are SU! Daffodil Delight, Memento Grey Flannel, and Hero Arts Pale Tomato.

The inspiration came from the colours at The Play Date Cafe Challenge #178.

and I used the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch #24  (really, I did! I turned it on it's side, and then got a little creative with my interpretation, LOL!)

Now I must run off and get to bed (after making some lunches and packing some school bags...)

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Muse #13

Hello!

Just a quick one tonight. I'm a bit tired, and ready for some sleep. I just didn't want to miss out on this week's Muse Challenge #13, and it will be closing soon.

I used PTI The Sweet Life. Inks are SU! Barely Banana, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, and PTI Fine Linen, Memento Tuxedo Black.

The inspiration comes from the always amazing Marion Vagg.

For my card, I stamped the central flower and then used masking to stamp the rest. This was a little tricky with the layered stamps in this set, maybe it's just me, but I found finding the correct position while masking almost impossible.

I'm also entering this into Addicted to CAS #11 where the code word is flower.

I hope you like the card. Thank-you for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #44

Hello!

It's time for For Your Inspiration Challenge #44!

When I first saw the inspiration photo, I was a little stuck. That happens sometimes. So I walked away and let it bubble away at the back of my brain for a while. The inspiration struck - white embossing on grey for the grey skies! I love the subtle effect it creates.

I used Jane's Doodles Pretty Peonies and Mama Elephant So Breezy stamps. The patterned paper is Studio Calico Snippets. Card base is PTI Soft Stone.

How does the inspiration photo inspire you? It's an amazing view! Stormy weather? Sunset? Grey, black, orange, and yellow? I'd love to see your interpretation!

The rest of the design team has been hard at work, too. Why don't you pay them a visit?
Debbie
Karen
Mynnette
Rochelle
Rudlis
Sara


Thanks for coming by!

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired #34

Hello,

I'm here to share a card for Runway Inspired Challenge #34.

I used Simon Says Stamp Flower Friend, PTI Sentiment Signs. Ink is Memento Tuxedo Black. 

I wanted to mimic the flow of the flowers up the side of the dress and also the stark black and white. At the same time, I couldn't miss the model's bright red lips, so I added a little bit of red bling.

Here is the inspiration.

I wanted to add some words regarding the bombing in Boston, but everything I write doesn't sound right. Suffice to say that I am horrified at the people who would choose to target innocent bystanders when making their "stand" against whatever they are against (an nothing is worth this). Intolerance breeds intolerance, hate breeds hate, and this is not how I want the world to be for my children. My heartfelt sympathies to the friends and families affected by the bombing, and to the people of Boston.

Michelle
xxx

Feeling Blue?

Hello!

I promised myself I was going to bed early tonight. And then I decided to make a card... you know how that goes, LOL!

I used PTI Rosie Posie and Hero Arts Say It All stamps (and I snuck in a few dots from Harvest Berries, too). Ink is SU! Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie.

I'm thinking the only way someone would feel better getting this card, and only if they had a sense of humour, is someone with chicken pox! It turned out quite spotty, didn't it? ;-)

I made this card in response to Dynamic Duos #48

and CAS(E) this Sketch! #23

I also made an earlier version, but then realised I'd missed the mark on the sketch slightly, and I decided I preferred the pure blue and orange rather than adding neutrals. I'll show you anyway.

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle

xxx

Retro Sketches #59

Hello!

I had a wonderful time stamping with my friends on Friday. I only got one card made, but I loved the company. I'm probably more of a distraction than necessary to my friends, because I tend to chat non-stop (so excited to get some time with them...). I must learn to be a little quieter. ;-)

This morning I played with a set I borrowed from Cassandra, and I'm in love. Oh my goodness, this set is awesome (if you can line up the images correctly, which I found a little challenging).

I used PTI The Sweet Life and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamps. Colours are SU! Primrose Petals, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, and PTI Berry Sorbet.

I was trying a little bit of stitching a la Leigh Penner, whose cards I just adore. My tension and stitch length were wrong, but other than that, I love the detail the stitching adds to the card. I stitched a layer of vellum over my background to soften it up.

The card is made using the sketch from Retro Sketches #59. I turned it upside down.

I'm also entering this card over at Simon Says Stamp Spring Flowers challenge.

I'm enjoying a sunny, warm day which is a huge contrast to the last two cold and rainy days. I'm happy to get the washing done before we go back to school and work tomorrow!

Thanks for coming by to visit me.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion #2

Hello!

I'm so excited to be joining  Fusion as a Guest Designer! Woo hoo!

The concept of Fusion is fabulous! You can choose to use the Sketch (Jackie's challenge) or the Inspiration Photo (Lesley's challenge) or you can do them both and create a FUSION!

My challenge today was to use the inspiration photo, and what an awesome photo it is!

I had fun making my card. Just looking at it makes me smile. Green chevrons and grey dots. Without the inspiration photo, I don't think I ever would have come up with this by myself. ;-)

I used PTI Soft Stone card base and a strip of White. PTI Chevron Stripes die with SU! Old Olive. 1/2" circle punch with SU! Basic Grey. Sentiment is PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamped in Memento Grey Flannel.

Are you inspired to join in? I hope so! I can't wait to see everyone's interpretation of this challenge.

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Yay! It's your birthday!

Hello!

Well, maybe it isn't YOUR birthday, but I was having trouble thinking up a header... and it IS someone's birthday, that's why I made this card. ;-)

I used PTI Turning a New Leaf and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamps. The flowers are MFT Die-Namics. Colours are PTI Hibiscus Burst PP, and SU! Garden Green and Night of Navy ink.

I made this card for Muse Challenge #12 where Therese Calvird is our Muse this week with this gorgeous card.

I looked, and looked again, and decided that I was not going to do Therese justice if I just copied this card. Therese has already made this one to perfection. I made a stylised version. ;-)

I used the colours from the April CARDS Blog Challenge.

  Today I am spending the day with my real-life stamping friends. Finding a day in school holidays where none of us are working, or busy, is just heavenly. Our kids run rampant, totally ignored by their mothers, and we spend a lot of time chatting, and a little time putting ink to paper. ;-)

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Love and Joy and Butterflies

Hello!

A second post for the day to allow me to sneak in under the wire for Dynamic Duos #47. I'm also entering this card into the Mama Elephant Sketch Challenge #3.

I have had a very lazy day today. I probably shouldn't admit that I was in my pyjamas until well after lunch... :-)  I'm enjoying a day at home with my girls as their school holidays draw to the end. After a REALLY busy time at work lately, I needed to do NOTHING today (other than make a couple of cards *wink*).

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders and So Breezy stamps. Colours are SU! Pool Party and Real Red (I don't have Cherry Cobbler), and PTI Soft Stone.

The colours are from Dynamic Duos.

The sketch is from Mama Elephant. I took a few liberties with the sketch, but I think you can still see it in my card.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Watercolours for Mothers Day

Hello!

I had just finished my card for Runway Inspired Challenge the other day when I saw the Tuesday Trigger for this week over at Moxie Fab World, and I thought I would give the Large Flower Background stamp another run while it was out. :-)  I love this stamp so much.

Stamps are Hero Arts Large Flower Background and PTI Pretty Peonies (sentiment). I white embossed and then watercoloured using Inktense pencils (Fuschia, Cadmium Yellow, Bark).

The Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger this week is Magnificent Magnolias. Oh. So. Pretty!!!

I was also inspired by the Hero Arts April Challenge, using both the theme "Just For Her" and the sketch. My card was definitely based on the sketch, but it wandered slightly away in the final product. ;-)

I'm also linking this up to Simon Says Stamp April Showers or Spring Flowers.

Thanks for coming by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired #33

Hello!

When I saw the inspiration photo at Runway Inspired Challenge #33, I decided that I not only wanted to capture the outfit, but also the gorgeous watercoloured background. It took me a while to come up with something... part of my difficulty in responding to RIC, and why I'm always entering my card at the last minute, is that the DT tends to make such amazing creations that it takes me a while to come up with something suitably different, LOL! This is what I came up with.

I used Hero Arts Large Flower Background and PTI Birds and Blooms (sentiment) stamps. The background is stamped in PTI Soft Stone and watercoloured using a water pen and SU! Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and Bashful blue. The yellow is SU! Daffodil Delight.

To be honest, I almost didn't want to put anything over that card base once I was through colouring it. It is so soft and pretty! I love that background stamp. That little black heart is a wink to the model's hair ribbon.

This was the inspiration.

I would love that outfit for myself if the skirt was a little longer (I've never figured out how women sit down modestly when their skirt is this short). I'd probably not wear the knee high stockings. ;-)

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Flowery Chevrons (CFC#97 & CSC#135)

Hello!

Who can resist flowers and chevrons? Not me! When I saw the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #97, my brain went to action thinking up ideas. I ended up with flowery chevrons. ;-)  I placed a couple of strips of washi tape on card, and die cut my chevrons, and voila! The most beautiful chevrons in the world, LOL!

The stamps are PTI Rosie Posie and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday. The dies are PTI Chevron Stripes and Sizzlits small leaves. The inks are SU! Primrose Petals, Pretty in Pink, and Early Espresso.

I was also inspired by JJ Bolton's card over at CASE Study challenge #135 this week.

The gorgeous bright flower, the die cuts. I do love the actual technique that JJ has demonstrated in this card, but for my CASE I went a different direction - using the same font for the sentiment, bright flowers, and die-cut chevrons.

When I bought my very first washi tape recently, I couldn't decide which rolls to start with. I chose this floral pattern, a chevron pattern, a triangle pattern, and a love heart pattern. And then I also picked up a striped one. But now I have discovered that I need all of these patterns in every colour, who knew? I don't think I should have started a washi collection, I think it may be addictive!

Edit: After thinking it over, I have decided to submit this as my third contribution to the Fusion Challenge #1. I made the card as a fusion of the two inspirations, sketch and photo, but when I decided to move one of my flowers away from it's position as per the sketch, I second guessed myself out of entering the card. Now I'm triple guessing myself and entering it anyway. ;-)  I think it isn't only washi tape that is addictive...

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx