Papertrey December Blog Hop - Shine bright!

Hello!

It's been a while since I've entered the Papertrey Ink monthly blog hop, but I happen to be at home today, and I had planned to make some cards, and there was the inspiration just begging to be used! Yay! The challenge this month is to use both silver and gold on a single project. The second challenge was to photograph a shiny silver and gold card, lol!

I used Sparkle & Shine stamps and dies and the dots come from Harvest Berries.

As an aside... I have always been good at keeping all of my stamps, not losing a single one, even the little tiny ones. In the past two weeks I have discovered that I have lost a tiny dot, a tiny heart, and a tiny star! I'm devastated! There is no way I'll find those little ones anywhere in the mess that is our rumpus room. I fear they are lost forever. :-(

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I certainly did. While I complain no end about the heat and humidity of Summer, I just love our Christmases swimming and having fun in the pool! The kids are happy, we're happy, it's awesome!

Edit to add: I'm joining in at CASology where the cue card is LIGHT.

Thank-you for visiting me. I hope to be back a few times over the next couple of weeks as I have a little time off work, which theoretically will translate into a little extra crafting time, yippee!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 104

Hello!

I just noticed that I made farm animal cards two weeks in a row for CAS(E) This Sketch! I hope you like farm animals as much as I do! I blame it on the fact that I hadn't yet tidied up my desk and that little pig was just begging me for a place on a card, lol! This may just be my style of Valentine's card - CAS, not too mushy, with just a touch of humour thrown in. ;-)

I used PTI On The Farm. Colours are SU! Pumpkin Pie, Gumball Green, and Early Espresso.

I managed to get a tiny bit of Christmas shopping done today at lunchtime. If I can do a tiny bit more tomorrow, then my Christmas Eve shopping won't look quite so daunting... only one week to Christmas!

Thanks for visiting me! I hope you can join us at CAS(E) This Sketch this week!

Michelle
xxx

I'm being featured at Paper Crafter's Library!

Hello!

You could have knocked me down with a feather when I was invited to be the featured artist/designer at Paper Crafter's Library this week! What an honour!

The easy part was saying "yes!". The hard part was thinking what type of project would showcase my style. It had to be CAS, of course! Oh, how I agonised, lol! I ended up selecting the card and gift sets that I made for some of my daughter's school teachers and administrators when school finished a couple of weeks ago. I'm sharing two of them over at Paper Crafter's Library, plus an extra version.

Here is a sneaky peak at one of the sets. Inside those boxes, hidden by the bookmarks, are lovely handcreams.

You'll need to pop over to Paper Crafter's Library to see the rest!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Retro Sketches 145

Hello!

Retro Sketches this week is based on a card that I happen to already love (by Tracey McNeely), so an excuse to use the sketch to make my own version was very welcome! I also just recently brought home off my wishlist two Waltzingmouse Stamps sets that really needed an outing. They've been calling me from my desk all throughout these busy few weeks. ;-)

I used Waltzingmouse Two Step Floral Sprig and Simple Sprig stamps. The sentiment is from PTI Meadow Greens.

Two days of work left before Christmas holidays. Somehow I need to do my Christmas shopping in the next couple of days also. I'm not sure how I'll finish all the work I have to complete PLUS do my Christmas shopping. I also need to get my daughter to the doctor before the week-end to check if her ear drum has healed. Feeling the pressure and really looking forward to my holiday! (I'm really hoping to find a good long period of time to play at my crafty things instead of stolen five minute bits and pieces!)

Thank-you for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Christmas cards!

Hello!

Recently I played around with Mama Elephant's Cozy Christmas, just for fun. I decided to make a series of one-layer cards coloured with Copics and SU! Blendabilities. I'm sharing a few here.

On this first one, my naughty yellow Copic splattered my card, so I added some unplanned stars, lol! Sentiment is PTI.

On this next one, I added a lovely pile of presents. Sentiment is from Mama Elephant Merry Greetings.

I added a shiny gold star to the tree for this next card. PTI sentiment again.

For this next one, I felt that the tree by itself looked a bit funny without a trunk, so I used the glass from the set to create one.

For all of these cards I used Simon Says Stamp #120lb card. Oh my goodness! This cardstock is my new love. I coloured directly onto the card, and there was zero bleed through, despite enthusiastic blending! I wish I could find an inexpensive way of importing it to Australia. In fact, I wish there was a supplier of ANY quality card stock in Australia, full stop! I'm wondering if I need to start a card stock importing business, lol!

I hope you liked my Christmas cards. Thank-you for stopping by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 103

Hello!

I'm here with my card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge! I still haven't finished writing and sending my Christmas cards. I'd say I'm about one third of the way through my list... at least I'm one third of the way through my list. Last year I think I sent about two cards! That's disgraceful for a card maker, lol!

Despite needing a few more Christmas cards, I couldn't resist making a birthday card with this sketch this week. I needed a masculine birthday card and I NEVER have those in my stash. So I made this one. It made my husband laugh. I call that success. :-)

I used PTI On The Farm. This set has been around for a long time. It's been on my wishlist just as long. I finally gave in and bought it because my love did not waver or wane. ;-)

This sketch is a classic design that works well in so many ways. I can't wait to see what everyone makes with it!

Thank-you for visiting me! I've been away this week for work, which means my blog visiting has been a bit lax. I hope to make up for that over the next few days.

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 102

Hello!

The sketch this week at CAS(E) This Sketch is brilliant! The very first second I saw it I had ideas flying through my mind. I just love a great sketch. :-)

I used Papertrey Ink Ruby Rose stamps. The process I used was simple - stamp the flowers without the pink layer (I stuck the white panel down with washi while I worked) and then add the pink layer between the two white layers to create that neat separation without losing the continuity of the images.

The entries to last week's challenge were amazing, and so many of them! I just know this week will be even bigger!

Thank-you for coming by to visit me! I love hearing from you.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Gingham Christmas

Hello!

What a big 24 hours in blogland! I'm still hopping along with the PC&S swan song hop (see my earlier post), it's going to take me a few days to get through all 213 posts, but I'm determined, there are some amazing crafters in the hop.

In this post I'm bringing you my card for the new Fusion Card Challenge, where we also have amazing crafters. ;-)  I made a Fusion card using sketch and inspiration.

I used SU! Ornament Keepsakes stamps and dies to create this card. The sentiment is PTI Keep It Simple: Merry Christmas.

My work had a market stall day today. I took along my cards. This card was one of the first to sell. :-) When preparing for the market, I discovered that I have WAY too many cards in my stocks. I think I might need to find a real market to take them to, as I'm a little overstocked for personal use, lol!

Thank-you for dropping by to visit! I hope you can join us at Fusion.

Michelle
xxx

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Thanks! Blog Hop

Hello,

Today I'm joining in with many others in this papercrafting world of ours to celebrate Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine, and especially to give thanks to those hard-working people who not only have made the magazine such a fabulous resource, but have supported many of us in so many ways.

If you are hopping along, you will have arrived from my friend and fellow Australian, Michelle Lupton.

I made a card for the occasion. The sentiment is heart-felt. The Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking team are special, and it IS all about the little things. I hope that in their new adventures they each find a place where they can continue to share those special little things that make such a big difference to others.

Being published in Paper Crafts Magazine was one of my first BIG goals when I was brave enough to join the papercrafting community online. It took me several months before I felt brave enough to submit, and then it took several more months to have one of my cards chosen for publication. I submitted to the November/December 2013 issue, with a non-Christmas card. I thought I had no chance of being selected, but it turned out that my my very literal interpretation of the sketch in non-Christmas colours was just what was needed. You can still see it here online. I never took a photo of the final card for my own records, but here it is before the corrections I made for publication.

You would not believe how excited I was to be selected for publication. I may have screamed out loud when the email arrived. I made this card while crafting with friends, and it took me HOURS to arrange the squares. I used a ruler and carefully measured distances. It took forever to achieve a very simple-looking card, so to have it selected felt wonderful! And then life got busy, and I only submitted a few times, and wasn't selected again until the February 2015 call. I can't share that card, because it is yet to be published.

When I received the email saying that Paper Crafts Magazine was closing down and that February 2015 would be the final issue, I was so sad. :-( I haven't submitted to other magazines. Paper Crafts has been my favourite, although I will admit to struggling with the new digital format (I can't carry my computer around in my handbag, lol!). There will be a big hole left behind when they close their doors. I'm obviously old-fashioned, because I love good topical magazines, the paper version. Yes, blogs give me inspiration, but magazines fill a different space for me. I don't want to be on my computer all day long, I like reading on the train in the morning, and reading about beautiful paper crafty stuff is just perfect! Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Mag, and all of you wonderful people who have made it what it is, I will miss you.

The next stop on the hop is another Australian friend of mine, Lyndal Higgins. Three Aussies in a row! :-)

Thank-you for visiting me. I hope you enjoy the hop. It's a big one. It may take a few days to get through. I'll be hopping along beside you.

Michelle
xxx

This year's Christmas cards

Hello!

I've been making Christmas cards. After much experimentation, and some very cute cards made (I'll share more later), I have decided that these two are the winners for mass production this year. They are quick and CAS, or QACAS as Darnell would say, and they are bright and cheery. I just knew Stampin' Up! Cheerful Christmas was perfect for me!

How easy is this? White emboss the sentiment on a coloured panel, et voila! It's done! I did stamp the edges of the card base with PTI Postmarks stamp, for a little added interest, just like a candy cane. :-)

And this one is even easier. Stamp, stamp, and it's done! The image is Cheerful Christmas. The sentiment is PTI Keep It Simple: Season's Greetings.

Oh, I just love a good super-CAS card. :-)

Thanks for visiting! I hope to be back again soon!

Michelle
xxx

I'm being featured on CASEing Genius!

Hello!

I've made a new friend in blogland. I've admired her for quite a while, but over the past few months we started "talking". I have to say, I just love blogland for this - meeting amazing people and making friends. One day I am going to do a world tour and visit all my friends that I have not met in person yet. :-) My new friend is Kelly Latevola of You and Your Big Dreams. When I visit, I'm going to ask Kelly to give me some colouring lessons, her colouring is seriously AMAZING.

So, other than gushing over Kelly, the reason I am here is that Kelly is featuring me in her new series - CASEing Genius. I'm thinking that the title is a double-entendre (like Amusing Michelle, which was actually about things that amuse me, not me telling everyone that I'm amusing, although I can be a little funny sometimes, lol!). Kelly is the genius at CASEing, and sometimes it is a genius that she CASEs (maybe not this time). ;-)

To celebrate this occasion, I made a card. I made a CAS, heat-embossed, watercoloured card - showing off my eclectic tastes.

I used Wplus9 Pretty Peonies and Strictly Sentiments stamps. Colour is Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours.

Thank-you, Kelly, for featuring me. I feel very honoured to be CASEd by someone who is so creative and artistic herself.

If you don't know Kelly yet, please take some time to visit her blog, you won't regret it!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 101

Hello!

We had the craziest storm yesterday. About 3.30pm the sky went black. I checked the weather bureau website and decided that it was time to head towards my kids. By the time my train reached my destination station at 4pm, the rain was so heavy there was flash-flooding. Walking to my car, I was drenched, even with my umbrella! I was glad to not be struck by lightning (a real risk walking with an umbrella in an electrical storm). I collected my girls and drove them home. I decided that I didn't want to go back out in the storm to do the ballet run, so my youngest daughter got an unusual night off. I think we had about 10cm rain in about 30 minutes. Our pool won't need filling for a while. My chickens were lucky to not float away in the flooded back yard. ;-) My dog was wet, and happy. She's a crazy, happy, dog, lol! It was our first big storm of the season. We've had no rain for about two months. Everything is dead, my lawn is completely brown, so the rain was very much needed, but perhaps not 10cm in 30 mins? Living in Brisbane, Summer storms are the norm. Some are bigger than others and this was a big one!

So, beyond storm news, I'm here with my card for CAS(E) this sketch Challenge #101. Did you join in last week? There were some amazing entries in our 100th challenge. This week I wandered off on a tangent with the sketch. Seriously, some sketches are so easy to just replicate, and for some reason my brain comes up with alternate ideas! Maybe I should make a second card, lol! I always hope that my crazy tangents provide someone with some extra inspiration.

I made this card for my brother. It was his birthday this week. My brother already has an amazing life, so I don't really need to encourage him much, but I thought the sentiment worked for him. He's visiting from London at the moment. London is so far away from Brisbane. I miss him, but he has so many opportunities over there on the other side of the world, so I'm also happy for him.

 I used PTI Mighty Oak and Building Blocks stamps.

Now it is late, and I must get some sleep. Thank-you all for continuing to visit while my life is crazy busy and I don't have much time to visit back. My Christmas holidays rapidly approach, and I plan on doing some serious visiting then, I promise!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Shine this Christmas!

Hello!

Today is my nephew's 1st birthday! He lives in London (UK), but he is here in Australia on a visit right now, so I was lucky enough to have dinner with him (and his parents) tonight! I can't tell you how much I'm loving getting to know this gorgeous little fellow. I could just keep him here with me forever! I did make him a card, but I forgot to take a proper photo of it. You can see a portion of it over on my Instagram account, if you're keen.

Tonight I bring you my card for the next Fusion Card Challenge. I find the silver/grey and red colour combination a little strange. I didn't realise I felt this way, until I was working with this inspiration photo, lol! It looks awesome, but somehow I have become stuck in my red and green, or silver and blue thinking for Christmas. How did that happen? I've been brainwashed! That's why I just LOVE these challenges. I am pushed in directions I hadn't thought to go, and I like what eventuates! The "shine" on this card is silver embossed, and it shines. :-)

I used PTI Sparkle & Shine: Holiday Additions mini set to make this card. What a cute little stamp set this is!

The design team have made some BEAUTIFUL cards for this challenge. They are all listed over on the side bar, and I recommend visiting them!

Thank-you for coming to visit me!

Michelle

xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch hits challenge 100!!!

Hello!

This week we're celebrating over at CAS(E) This Sketch as we hit the magic 100 number! Yes, this week is our 100th challenge! Woo hoo!!! And do we have a line-up for you this week! We have the All-Star CTS team brought together for this one special week!

The sketch is a beautiful CAS design this week. And I know that there are a few different interpretations from the team. Here is mine.

Some patterned paper with PTI Doodlie-Do stamps, and I was done! Super-CAS! When I look at this card, I think someone's climbed some mountains and come out victorious. ;-)

How about some G20 news. The roads this morning were very quiet. It meant the usual 30 minute trip to school took 10 minutes. I got a seat on the train. I didn't have to wait for my coffee. There was a police officer about every 10 metres along the streets in the City. I felt like today was NOT the day where I would have my purse stolen, lol! At the train station this afternoon, it was so crowded with police that I almost couldn't fight my way through the crowd into the station. We've brought in police from all over the country and I believe we even have some NZ police here, too! I'm glad they are here. Tomorrow is our G20 public holiday. I have major spring cleaning plans, and perhaps I'll make some time to swim in the pool with my kidlet as well. I might even make a card!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you can join us in our 100th challenge celebration. I would love to see you there!

Michelle
xxx

An extra card for CAS(E) This Sketch 99

Hello!

I needed to make a card for someone who is celebrating a special birthday soon. It took me a while to think what I was going to make. I had to make a big card for a group of us to sign. This card is A5. It turns out that this week's sketch for CTS and wPlus9 Pretty Peonies work perfectly in this format. :-)

The photo doesn't do this card justice, but you get the idea. ;-)

The first dignitaries arrived in Brisbane today for the G20 summit. They'll be arriving non-stop over the next two days. Brisbane City is a little crazy right now. President Obama arrives on Saturday, and they've just created a new security zone just a few kilometres from my home at the University of Queensland because he's speaking there. All I know is that I am really looking forward to that extra public holiday they have given us on Friday! I plan to stay home and not go anywhere if I can help it! I really need a day of rest!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

PTI November Inspiration

Hello!

Last week-end I was browsing blogland and came across the Papertrey Ink November Inspiration Archive post. Funnily enough, I was inspired! Today I bring you a card I made using one of the sketches.

I used PTI Note Niblets, plus the little dots come from Harvest Berries.

There is a lot more inspiration to be had in that PTI post, and I hope to find some time to play a little more. :-)

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 99 - it's my sketch!

Hello!

This week is a very exciting week for me in my crafting life, a new milestone in fact. For the very first time ever, I created a sketch. And it was accepted as a sketch for CAS(E) This Sketch! Looking at it now, I wish I had made the sketch itself a little prettier. At the time, I was just jotting down an idea, lol! When I drew the sketch, I was thinking those explosions were flowers, but my computer didn't give me flowers as an option. I've since learned how to find more shapes. ;-)

When I came to make a card from the sketch, those flowers fled from my brain and were replaced by Christmas ornaments. Well, it is THAT time of year after all! The time that I make a pile of Christmas cards and then forget to send them until after Christmas...

Bauble stamps are SU! Cheerful Christmas, sentiment is PTI.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with my sketch. I'll be checking the gallery eagerly!

Thanks for coming by!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - ombre peony

Hello!

This week has been crazy! Monday night my eldest had the Grade 6 Expo - the kids all presented on an aspect of a different country (100 kids!). My daughter presented on education in Iran. How's that for a topic for a 12 year old to explore? Last night (Wednesday night) my daughter had her Music Extension performance assessment (violin). Tonight she performed solo violin in the Middle School eisteddfod. Tomorrow night (Friday) she sings in the choir. Saturday morning is water polo, as always. Sunday morning, 6am, she leaves for a week-long school camp. I'll be sending her away exhausted. I can't imagine what she'll be like when she arrives home next Friday night! My little girl has only had her usual activities. She's still only 7, so school isn't quite as demanding on her. ;-)

The actual reason for this post is that it is time for another Fusion Challenge! And what a beauty it is! I have only used the inspiration photo, although the sketch is great, too!

Stamps are Jane's Doodles Pretty Peonies and Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments. I did a little ombre colouring with Copics.

One day I want to learn how to make a sugar flower like the one on this cake! It's amazing!

I cannot wait to see the gallery this time around. I love aqua, and I love flowers, and I love white embossing, and this inspiration has it all!

Edit: I'm also joining in at CASology where the theme this week is 'sea'. My card is made using sea colours. Thanks for the suggestion, Kimberly!

Thanks for coming by to visit!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 98 - sweet yellow roses

Hello!

I've just returned from the BIG end of year All Strings Concert at school. They had string ensembles from Junior School through to Senior High School - nine ensembles in total. The theme was "A Night at the Movies" and the music played was all from movie scores and they had clips from the movies playing on the big screen at the back of the stage. It was AWESOME! Both my girls played violin - my little one (who's in Grade 1 at school) in the beginner Junior School ensemble and my big girl (Grade 6 at school) in the top Middle School ensemble. This concert is one of the highlights of our musical year. :-) It's always bittersweet because we say good-bye to our Grade 12 kids who are graduating, and we always think we'll never be able to live without them, and then the next year there are MORE awesome Grade 12 kids. ;-)

Anyway, the reason I am here is this week's CAS(E) This Sketch challenge! Another amazing sketch to work with, this one by Gayatri.

I used PTI The Sweet Life and Altenew Label Love stamps.

Thanks for coming by to visit me. I hope you can find some time to join in the fun this week! I'll be looking for you in the gallery!

Michelle
xxx

MUSE 90 - red and yellow celebration

Hello!

I love the inspiration at Muse Card Club this week. I would have loved to have completely copied Marion's gorgeous, fun card from top to bottom... but I didn't. ;-) I used the colour scheme and scattered my images "bursting" around the sentiment, as in the inspiration.

I used PTI Sentiment Signs and Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments. Colours are SU! Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight.

We have the most amazing day here in Brisbane today. Hot and a little windy. The wind takes the heat away just enough to enjoy it. In our front yard we have a jacaranda flowering purple and in the back yard is a giant oleander covered in pale pink. The sky is clear blue. It's my hubby's birthday and it's turned into the perfect day for it. :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 97

Hello!

My card for CAS(E) This Sketch this week almost made itself. I had half an idea in my head, I went digging through my old stamps, and then I did a little masking and sponging and stamping et voila! There it was, ready to go.

I created the background using sponged Distress Inks - Mustard Seed, Crushed Olive, Walnut Stain - and SU! Gorgeous Grunge stamped in Crumb Cake. The images are stamped in SU! Early Espresso. I think the stamps are SU! Organic Grace... and I'm not sure! I'm pretty sure all the images are retired (except Gorgeous Grunge). The sentiment is wPlus9.

Isn't this a fantastic sketch?! I love it!

Anyway, it is bedtime, and I'm about to fall asleep in my chair. I'd better race off to bed!

See you in the gallery! Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Orange, black, and grey

Hello!

At Fusion Challenge we have some great Halloween colours! I don't make Halloween cards, it's not really something we celebrate with cards here in Australia... although I do note more and more costumes appearing in the stores each year. And I will admit to enjoying a good Halloween dress-up party! ;-)

My card uses the colours from the inspiration photo. I was inspired by the pumpkin and the beautiful roses. I love how this turned out with the grey and orange flowers!

I used wPlus9 Pretty Peonies and Strictly Sentiments (sentiment). Card base is PTI Soft Stone.

Before you run away to make an awesome entry for this challenge, I'll share a new chicken photo. This is Daisy, one of our Light Sussex hens. I have two chickens who like having their photo taken (Daisy and Penny) and two that are very shy (Ozzie and Peggy). I need to get those shy girls to show off some more. :-)

I am predicting another amazing gallery this fortnight at Fusion! I can't wait to see what is created with this inspiration.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

MUSE 88 - hello in gold

Hello!

The past couple of weeks have been challenging creatively. My mojo has gone on holiday. Today I sat down and made a few cards. Some will never see the light of day, lol! But this one, I quite like. I was inspired by Vicki's card over at Muse this week. Truth be told, I'm inspired by Vicki regularly. She makes great cards, full of colour and life!

I used Waltzingmouse Stamps Fine Feathers, wPlus9 Hand-Lettered Hello stamps. Gold embossed on black card. I'd forgotten how fabulous gold on black is!

I am hoping my creativity reappears sometime soon and I can make a few more shareable cards. ;-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx