Papertrey Ink December Blog Hop

Hello!

I love it when the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop falls on a day where I've had some time for stamping! The inspiration to end off the year is bright and fun. I made a cheerful card in response. :-)

I used PTI Painted Petals. I got a bit freeform with my flower creation and leaf placement, luckily the style of the set allows for this, haha! Inks are a mixture of PTI, Altenew, and Stampin'Up!

After a very cool and rainy Christmas day, today has dawned with bright blue skies and the heat is starting already. We might actually get to spend the day in the pool with the kids today (which was the abandoned plan for Christmas). I just love Christmas holidays!

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Altenew December Challenge

Hello!

Merry Christmas! I'm on holidays and I've been taking advantage of the luxury of time to do some cardmaking. My kids are happily busy with their Christmas gifts and I'm happily playing with all of my neglected stamps and inks.

Altenew's December challenge is A Year in Review, meaning we can choose any one of 2016's inspirations as our starting point. :-)

I chose the March 2016 inspiration to create my card.

I recently took advantage of the bundle package of Vintage Roses and Painted Greetings. I am so happy that I did! These sets are going to keep me busy for quite a while! :-) 

Thank-you for dropping by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Exploring Adore You

Hello!

Sometimes I see a stamp set and fall instantly and totally in love. This was the way with Altenew Adore You. As soon as I saw it I just knew I had to have it. I've had the chance to have a play around, and I plan to do some more as soon as I can! I thought I'd show you what I've created so far.

This card I entered into Altenew's Facebook Photo challenge. Coloured with Copics.

This one didn't quite turn out the way I imagined. I think I need to go back and rework it. ;-)

I love these images in their plain line drawing state. I added a little silver sparkle for interest.

This one I coloured with Inktense pencils and added bit of splatter along the way.

I really love this set. I haven't quite hit my stride with it yet, but I can see me using it again and again and again.

Thanks for visiting!

Have a very Merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas is filled with joy and love.

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 202

Hello!

This week it's our last CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge of the year. Join in the fun and make some last-minute Christmas cards!

This is my card.

I used SU! Tin of Tags stamps and the sentiment is PTI. Inks are Altenew.

Thank-you for visiting! I look forward to exploring the gallery!

Michelle
xxx

Advent Calendar Extravaganza with Taheerah Atchia

Hello,

I am so excited to be joining Taheerah once again this year for her AMAZING Advent Calendar Extravaganza! It is so much fun! Twenty-five days of Christmas fun and inspiration. :-)

Advent Calendar Extravaganza is -the- festive event of the season! This ‘hop with a twist’ was dreamed up by Taheerah Atchia and features surprise destinations each day! Joining in the fun with Taheerah are ONE HUNDRED special guests - each serving up some fantastic Christmas inspiration! Just like an Advent Calendar, you’ll never know where you’re going to be visiting next until you ‘open the door’!

And that’s not all! With 25 *amazing* sponsors taking part as guests as well, your crafty wish list is bound to get a boost with a chance to win a prize EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

Join in the fun every day at taheerah-atchia.com to see what special surprises await behind the door!

Without any further ado, here is my card.

It’s not a party without a prize - and with prizes every day there are several chances to win! Today’s prize is generously supplied by Concord & 9th so you’ll definitely want to win! Simply leave a comment on this post - then head back to taheerah-atchia.com and leave a comment there too! You must leave a comment on Taheerah’s blog as well as mine in order to be eligible to win! Don’t forget to grab the other surprise destinations from Taheerah’s blog and head over to them to leave comments there as well to improve your odds even more! You have until 23:59 EST on 31st December 2016 to enter.

Don’t forget Advent Calendar Extravaganza runs from 1st-25th December inclusive so make sure you visit taheerah-atchia.com every day for fabulous inspiration and amazing prizes every single time! Merry Christmas!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 201 - Christmas Wishes!

Hello!

My card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch may be my favourite Christmas card this year so far... maybe... I've made a few that I like, haha!

I like the simplicity and the soft colours of this one. I really love the gold frame and the tiny gold sprigs on what is a fairly plain design. The slightly raised frame gives the card a subtle little extra something while it remains almost flat for easy mailing.

I used PTI Botanical Blocks IV stamps. I coloured using Copics. I really love all of the Botanical Blocks stamps. Unusually for me, I have the entire collection AND the dies.

Isn't this a cool sketch? I'm definitely going back to make more cards with this one, probably some one-layer super-CAS cards!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you're inspired to join the fun!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 200 - Joy to You and Me!

Hello!

This week is CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge's 200th challenge! What a milestone! To celebrate, Chrissy is giving participants the opportunity to win a fun prize. Head over to the challenge blog to check it out!

My card for this week is a very literal translation of the sketch. And, of course, it's another Christmas card. I'm slowly building up that stash!

I used Uniko Winter Foliage and Mama Elephant Merry Greetings stamps.

I hope you're inspired to join in the fun with us this week. This sketch is so versatile, I'm sure the gallery is going to be outstanding. :-)

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Season's Greetings

Hello!

It's our last challenge before Christmas at Fusion Card Challenge and we have the most beautiful inspiration for you! I've created a fusion card using both sketch and inspiration photo. I have some gold and glittering berries hiding in this card. It has a lovely sparkle in real life. :-)

I used Uniko Winter Foliage stamps. Sentiment is PTI.

If you look closely at this inspiration photo, you'll find so many wonderful points of inspiration. I cannot wait to see what you all come up with!

Thanks for dropping by to visit!

Michelle
xxx

MCV71 - 25 Days of Christmas Tags

Hello!

I'm still working on those Christmas tags!

This time I've been inspired over at Muse Christmas Visions Challenge 71 where there are so many gorgeous tags to inspire! The Muse CV team are playing along with Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags as well.

This is my tag. I didn't quite get the lighting right for this one, but I was inspired to create the stained-glass window effect with vellum. I coloured the vellum from behind and added Wink of Stella to the front to make it glisten. If you look closely you can see two tiny bells (they even jingle!)

I used PTI Botanical Blocks IV stamps and dies and Wplus9 Christmas Tag dies.

The tag that inspired me was this beautiful one by Natasha Kara.

I love Christmas card and tag making. I love Christmas! Life is super busy right now, but I'm really looking forward to the Christmas holiday! :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

25 Days of Christmas Tags - Merry Christmas

Hello!

I made two more tags for Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags. I usually don't make enough tags for Christmas, so end up buying them. Tracey reminds me every year to make some extras! :-)

For these two tags I used Wplus9 Christmas Tag dies and Wplus9 Be Merry and Uniko Winter Foliage stamps.

My chickens woke me at 4.30am this morning with a giant squawking and then lots of crowing. I went outside to check on them and found one about 3 metres up a lattice, two more squawking in the yard, and one peacefully sitting inside the coop. I don't know what got them riled up, but I wasn't that pleased to be up at sunrise on Saturday morning. ;-)

Thanks for dropping by to visit. I'm off to keep working on my housework. My house is at a stage that I cannot ignore it any longer! No crafting until I get it under a little more control.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Joy

Hello!

Our current Fusion Card Challenge inspiration photo and sketch are awesome and beautiful! I was immediately inspired and I think I will continue to be inspired by this one. It's fabulous!

Despite being inspired by the Christmas theme, I went ahead and created a birthday card. ;-)

I used Uniko Marvellous Mehndi, which is so beautiful. The sentiment is PTI.

Isn't that beautiful? I can't wait to see the gallery for this challenge!

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 199

Hello!

I'm late! Sorry about that! I'm bringing you my card for CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. Another Christmas card, because I love Christmas cards and my stash is still not full enough. :-)

This week's challenge actually runs for two weeks. You have plenty of time to join in with us. I can't wait to see what you all create!

I used Wplus9 Be Merry stamps and dies. I stamped a background and then adhered the sentiment (piece by little piece) onto a vellum overlay. I really think this one is going to be a "one of a kind" card, haha! I don't have the patience for all of that fiddly gluing.

This sketch is really great. It's fun and it's easy. Another one for my collection to use again.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you're inspired to join in the fun with us this week!

Michelle
xxx

25 Days of Christmas Tags - Sparkle

Hello!

Tracey McNeely is running her 25 Days of Christmas Tags again this year. I love this series. Every year I am delighted by all of the beautiful tags that Tracey creates and inspires others to create.

I have made a few tags, and these are the first two. Both baubles are covered in Wink of Stella sparkles and glisten beautifully.

I used Uniko Christmas Sparkle stamps and Wplus9 Christmas Tag dies.

Just a quick one today. I'm running late for the school run, so I'd better rush! :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 198 - Merry and Bright!

Hello!

For CAS(E) This Sketch this week, I am still working on Christmas cards. I think I'll be working on them until December 31! One more to add to the stash. :-)

This stamp set has what feels like a tropical flower, which works so well for me living in a hot climate at Christmas.

For this card I used Wplus9 Be Merry and Be Merry Florals stamps. Living in Australia, I need to order my Christmas stamps early and I am so thankful for those companies who release beautiful stamps early enough that I can actually use them THIS Christmas. :-) I wish I could show you the tracking advice on this order, oh my! The number of times it went in and out of Miami was amazing, but it did eventually make it to me, for which I am very grateful - I love these stamps!

What a beautiful sketch. I hope you're inspired to join us this week!

Thanks for visiting me.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Thank-You Teacher

Hello!

I'm so late with this post! My computer decided to go kaput last night just as I was writing this up. I think it may be on its last legs. Anyway, it's back up and running this morning and I'm making the most of it while it's here. ;-)

I'm bringing you my card for Fusion Card Challenge where this week's inspiration is perfect for those of us just reaching the end of the school year. I think my kids finish up in about four weeks for the Summer. Where did this year go?

I used PTI Teach & Inspire stamps (one of my favourite teacher appreciation sets).

While I didn't use the sketch this week, it's a good one! I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 197

Hello!

What an awesome CAS sketch we have this week for CAS(E) This Sketch! Such a simple but beautiful design that can be used over and over.

Once I'd stamped my white panel, I got the feeling of Nordic embroidery. I love this stamp and I really, really love red and white Christmas cards. :-)

I used SU! Cheerful Christmas and PTI Stylish Sentiments:Christmas stamps.

I hope you can join us in the fun this week.

Thank-you for taking a little time to come and visit me.

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 196 - CAS(E) for a Cause!

Hello!

It's time for the new CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge! This week we are running our first ever CAS(E) for a Cause. Details can be found over at the CAS(E) This Sketch post, but the basic idea is that you are invited to create a pet-themed card that can be used by an animal shelter. You don't need to create an animal-themed card to join us this week, but if you would like to do so and then send it in, that would be wonderful! Address details on our main challenge blog post.

This is my card - the closest stamp I have to a "pet", a balloon dog! :-)

I used Avery Elle Party Animal stamps.

Thanks for dropping by to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Papertrey Ink October Blog Hop

Hello!

It's been a while since I took part in a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop, and I thought I had better rectify that right away! :-)  I've used the beautiful inspiration to create a birthday card for my lovely husband who happens to love orange.

I used PTI Turning a New Leaf and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamps, PTI Plain Jane paper, and PTI woodgrain texture plate.

I'll link up first thing in the morning (the hop goes live at midnight here, and I'm a bit tired to wait up that late!).

Thank-you for visiting! I can't wait to hop along with everyone.

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 195

Hello!

For this week's CAS(E) This Sketch I am working on my Christmas stash! :-) The sketch looks like paint splotches and I'm thinking snowflakes, and we don't even get snowflakes here. ;-) One of my favourite Christmas colour themes is blue. I don't know why, I just like it. Here Christmas is all HEAT and BLUE SKIES and sometimes, if we're lucky, BLUE OCEANS (if we're at the beach). I dream of a cold and snowy Christmas. I've done that once (just north of Vancouver)  and I hope to do it again (maybe in Scotland, happily in Canada).

I used PTI Snowflake Serenade stamps (an oldie but a goodie).

This sketch is so cool! I really want to go back and give these paint splotches a good go. I think acrylics would be best. I might need some new paints...

Thanks for visiting! I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Flowers

Hello!

It's time for a new Fusion Card Challenge! I used only the inspiration photo this week. I love that sketch, but the inspiration photo is just so delicious that my creativity jumped there. :-)

I used Altenew Beautiful Day stamps and did some masking.

I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun! I hope I can find some time to come back and revisit both sketch and inspiration photo myself. They're both awesome!

I'm also entering into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where they are asking us to Think Pink!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 194 in Red, Orange, and Yellow

Hello!

I've had some issues this week with photography/computer uploads, so please forgive the not-so-perfect iPhone photo of my card! This is my card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch.

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy and Wplus9 Pretty Peonies stamps to create my card.

I selected the red, orange, and yellow colour scheme in response to the One Layer Simplicity challenge this month.

I'm a bit tired today. I have a FitBit and I've been joining step challenges with my workmates for the Workweek Hustle. Some of my workmates are unstoppable! I decided to try to keep up. Even with over 10,000 steps a day, I'm lagging behind in last position. I'm determined though. One day I'm going to make it to the top of the ladder, haha! Today I'll pass 14,000 steps before I hit bed. The good news is that I'm getting fit very quickly. ;-)

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

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 193

Hello!

Another week has flown by and we're back with the new CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. :-) This week I've pretty much copied the sketch. I liked it so much, I didn't want to change a thing!

I used WaltzingMouse Fine Feathers and PTI Get Well stamps. I created that coloured strip with blended distress inks and a little bit of sparkle.

This is a great sketch! I hope you're inspired to join us this week!

Thanks for dropping by to visit me!

Michelle

xxx

Fusion - Bright Fun

Hello!

It's time for another Fusion Challenge! This one has FABULOUS inspiration! I used both sketch and inspiration photo to create my fusion Christmas card in very non-traditional colours.

I used SU! Ornament Keepsakes stamps and dies. The sentiment is PTI.

I'm just going to sit back here and bask in the satisfaction of creating a card with multiple layers (if you know me, you'll know that's rare). I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx