Advent Calendar Extravaganza with Taheerah Atchia

Hello!

Today I'm so excited to be joining in with Taheerah's Advent Calendar Extravaganza! This annual celebration is just amazing with so many cards to inspire us all. Taheerah brings together a huge number of people in the cardmaking world, including lots of awesome sponsors to make a fun journey through to Christmas.

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!

Today's sponsor is Lawn Fawn and I decided that I needed some new Lawn Fawn Christmas goodness (not that I need an excuse for new stamping goodies). I went searching for those cute Christmas penguins but they were very, very elusive (sold out everywhere) and so I went back to my wishlist and discovered that these gorgeous little Winter Sparrows were back in stock (you would not believe the number of times I've tried to buy these cuties). Yay! I think you'll be able to tell that I've had fun making these cards. This year is going to be all about singing sparrows as I send out my (very late) Christmas cards.

I used Winter Sparrows stamps and dies combined with Outside In Stitched Rectangles dies and added a little Copic colouring.

Patterned paper is Stampin' Up!

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 Lawn Fawn 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 2017 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!


Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 246

Hello!

Sometimes I look at a sketch and I know exactly what I'm going to make, and this sketch for CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge was like that. And then I made what I imagined and I thought, "Oh no, I can't share that!", haha! It didn't turn out. So I went back to the drawing board and came up with this card, which is almost exactly the opposite of my original idea. It worked much better. ;-)

I used SU! Tin of Tags stamps, an old SU! little snowflake, and PTI sentiment.

This sketch is gorgeous and is crying out for some emboss resist with watercoloured background. I cannot wait to see the gallery!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Happy Little Stampers November Watercolour Challenge - tag

Hello!

I'm here with the Happy Little Stampers November Watercolour Challenge where we have the optional twist of "Tag". I've made a Chrismas tag with a watercolour background and a sparkly silver embossed sentiment and snowflakes. Can you see those tiny bells tied to the ribbon? They actually tinkle. :-)

 I used Stampin' Up! Tin of Tags stamps embossed in silver. Watercolour is Winsor & Newton Cotman.

Our winner for this challenge will receive a $20 coupon to spend at the shop! Check out all the details HERE. I hope you join us in the fun!

Thanks for dropping by to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Challenge me a Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton - washi

Hello!

I'm so excited! A while ago my friend Michelle Lupton (one of many fabulous friends named Michelle/Michele here in blogland) threw out an invitation for people to suggest Christmas card ideas/challenges and to join her in making a Christmas card using the same idea. I put my hand up and expressed that I just LOVE a challenge and that I would take whichever idea Michelle wanted to throw my way. :-)

Well, a short time later Michelle let me know that we would be using the same washi tape to create our cards. Washi. You won't find many of my cards with washi, but I have been known to use it on occasion (I love it, I'm just not confident with it). This washi is super gorgeous and sparkly silver against a dark indigo blue (the photo really doesn't do it justice). I added some pale grey snowflakes, a cheery Christmas sentiment, and a few shiny silver sequins to finish my card.

I can't wait to see what Michelle has created with this washi. It's sure to be creative and super cool.

Thank-you for joining me. Be sure to pop over to Michelle's blog to check out her version, too.

Michelle
xxx

PS. If I can get a daytime photo of this card, I might do a quick switcheroo so that you can truly appreciate it's sparkly-ness.

CAS(E) This Sketch 245 - Retro 88

Hello!

I've created a simple Christmas card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch. I left off the two dots because I just couldn't figure out how to work them into my design (oops!). The rest of the design team did a much better job than me on that one. ;-)

I used PTI Spruce and Sprigs and sentiment stamps.

I still love this sketch! The last time I used it, I stuck much more closely to the design.

I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun with this cool sketch.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Autumn Leaves

Hello!

It's time for a new Fusion Card Challenge and our inspiration is autumn leaves. I've chosen to make a Christmas card using the colours from the inspiration photo and basically used the sketch (squint your eyes to see it).

I used a Hero Arts music background stamp and Wplus9 Be Merry stamps.

Such a beautiful inspiration. I just know we'll have a gorgeous gallery. :-)

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 244 - Noel

Hello!

For CAS(E) This Sketch 244 I've created a Christmas card. Halloween cards aren't really a "thing" here in Australia, and we don't have Thanksgiving, so I'm merrily on my way to making a pile of Christmas cards in an attempt to get them in the mail on time.

I love Christmas cards! I have so much fun making them. (I really like receiving them, too.) This card was no exception with its bright and colourful baubles. :-)

 I used Uniko Christmas Sparkle stamps for the baubles and the sentiment is PTI. I coloured using Copics.

I hope you are inspired by this cool and graphic sketch and join us in the fun this week!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 242 - Happy Birthday!

Hello!

Happy 15th Birthday to my big girl! 15! I cannot believe it! My cute little baby has turned into a beautiful young woman seemingly overnight.

For her card I used this week's CAS(E) This Sketch as inspiration.

I used Altenew Beautiful Day stamps. Sentiment is Wplus9.

 Such a great sketch and the design team have made some beauties with it. :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Happy Little Stampers October Watercolour Challenge - Gold

Hello!

With the start of October begins the October Watercolour Challenge at Happy Little Stampers! This month's optional twist is GOLD. My card has a rainbow watercolour background, gold embossed peony, and then spritzed liberally with golden Smooch.

I used Altenew Beautiful Day stamps and Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours.

I am betting our golden gallery this month is going to be absolutely fabulous!

Thank you for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 241 (Retro 23)

Hello!

We have a retro sketch this week at CAS(E) This Sketch! The sketch was originally used in challenge number 23. I have been playing along with CAS(E) This Sketch since the beginning and I did enter challenge 23 with this card. The sketch is still awesome and I enjoyed using it again. :-)

I used SU! Banner Blast stamps and the stampamajig got a good workout for this one. ;-)

I hope you're inspired to join in the fun!

Thanks for dropping by to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Hello!

It's time for a new challenge at Fusion! Our inspiration is one of my favourite themes - SUNSHINE! :-)

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy stamp set. It's been a while since I used this set and I still love it so much.

I have used both sketch and inspiration photo to make a Fusion card. I am really looking forward to seeing our gallery for this challenge, it's sure to be full of fun and happiness.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 240

Hello!

I just realised that I have been missing in action for three whole weeks! I'm so sorry! My kids were finishing off the school term and super busy with their sports and music and my work went absolutely crazy, leaving me very little time for my favourite way to spend time... making cards and visiting my friends in blogland. I hope I'm back to regular programming, but life is still super-busy, so please forgive me if I drop off the radar every now and then. ;-)

I'm here today with my card for CAS(E) This Sketch, which kicks off my Christmas card frenzy for the end of the year.

I used Wplus9 Be Merry and Be Merry Florals stamps.

I love this sketch! I initially had visions of sparkly washi tape, but when I sat down at my desk I was drawn to the florals instead. Sparkly washi tape is still calling to me.

Thank you for visiting me. I've missed you!

Michelle
xxx

Happy Little Stampers September Watercolour Challenge - Spritz

Hello!

It's September! My birthday month! Spring here in Australia! Yippee! I love September!

At Happy Little Stampers Watercolour Challenge this month we have the optional twist of "Spritz" and I have spritzed a gold and brown background for my little robin redbreast.

I used Stampin' Up! Best Birds stamps, Winsor & Newton Cottman watercolours, and gold Smooch. Dies are Mama Elephant.

I know that, as always, our gallery is going to be filled with beautifully watercoloured cards! I can't wait to see what you all make. :-)

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 237 - Happy Father's Day

Hello!

It's time for a new CAS(E) This Sketch challenge and this week I've created a super-CAS card for Fathers' Day, which is this coming Sunday. I may have gone a little too CAS and in the wrong colour for my hubby, so I might still be heading back to make more Father's Day cards before Sunday morning. ;-) I do have a birthday party for my daughter this week-end also, so time is getting a bit tight!

I used PTI Round Repeats and PTI sentiment. I don't think I've actually used this particular Round Repeats stamp before. I love how it stamps and I might need to take it out again for some more cards, perhaps a full set!

This sketch is so cool. I have a few ideas still waiting to be tried with this one, a couple of them in rainbows.

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Glamping

Hello!

I just love the inspiration photo at Fusion Challenge this time around. I'm really wishing I had a little caravan stamp so that I could recreate the lovely scene. :-) Instead, I used the colour scheme from the photo and fused it with the sketch.

I used Wplus9 Be Merry Florals, PTI sentiment, MFT stitched circle die.

Isn't that little caravan just the cutest? I'm ready to go find it and move in. ;-)

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun!

Michelle
xxx

Happy 10th Birthday, Panda Girl!

Hello!

Today I'm celebrating my youngest daughter's 10th birthday! Where did those years go? They pass by so quickly! She loves pandas and so I made her a panda holding a rainbow of balloons. :-)

I used Mama Elephant Pandamonium and Stampin' Up Balloon Celebrations stamps.

Happy 10th Birthday, my darling girl!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 236

Hello!

I'm bringing you a simple one-layer card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. In this card I stamped the branch and bird, masked them off, and then stamped the background rectangle in pale blue for a sky. I was planning to colour the bird, but decided I loved it as the line drawing too much to add colour this time.

I used Stampin' Up! Best Birds stamp set.

This sketch is super! I really had fun in thinking up ideas for this one. :-)

Thanks for visiting! I can't wait to see what everyone makes this week.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Black and Orange

Hello!

I was taking a break this round, but I really couldn't resist the black and orange, so I made a card anyway. I needed to make some cards for sports coaches and this inspiration was still spinning in my head. So my contribution to Fusion Card Challenge is this card:

This is a large card - 8.5" x 6". I used a mixture of stamps and dies to create this one - four different companies!

Using a similar layout but a different colour scheme, I also made this card:

This card is also 8.5" x 6". I love that Hero Arts background stamp on a large card!

Thank-you for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 234 - Best Fishes

Hello!

I love a punny card and that's just what I've created for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge! :-)

I used SU! Jar of Love and Lawn Fawn Milo's Alphabet.

A very cool sketch this week and I know the team have created some AMAZING cards with it! I hope you visit them all to take a look and leave some love.

Thank-you for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Pastel Pencils

Hello!

Can you believe that I forgot where I was up to this week? I really did not realise I'd gotten to the end of the week, and as a result, this post is very late for the newest Fusion Card Challenge! But I'm here now, and this is my card.

I used PTI Teach and Inspire and SU! Jar of Love stamps.

I loved this inspiration so much and had so much fun making my card! I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle

xxx

Happy Little Stampers August Watercolour Challenge - Bloom

Hello!

I just love flowers and I especially love watercoloured flowers! This month's Watercolour Challenge at Happy Little Stampers has the optional twist of BLOOM, which I just had to use. Can you believe it's already August? This year is flying by too fast.

I used Wplus9 Pretty Peonies stamped using Ranger Archival black and then watercoloured with Derwent Inktense pencils.

The Happy Little Stampers Watercolour Challenge always has an "anything goes" theme, so even if you don't want to use our optional twist you can always join in the fun, so long as you use watercolouring on your card. We have some wonderful cards submitted every month and so many different types of watercolouring. It's wonderful!

Thanks for visiting me! I hope you are inspired to join us this month.

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 232

Hello!

For CAS(E) This Sketch this week I've lined up a row of sweet birdies to send a thoughtful greeting.

My supplies are a grab bag this week - Altenew birds, Hero Arts sentiment, Stampin'Up! splotches.

This cool sketch is sure to get some fabulous entries in our gallery! I can't wait to see them all.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 231

Hello!

You would not believe how many cards I made for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge! I was starting to despair. They were all CAS (of course) and somehow they were not satisfying me AT ALL. Finally, I created a card that, while not a perfect take on the sketch, made me smile. :-) Oh, the angst of creating clean and simple cards! Some days it's impossible, haha!

I used Stampin' Up! Crazy About You stamps.

This sketch has so much more inspiration than my card shows! It's fabulous! I hope you're inspired to join us in the fun. :-)

Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Hello Cards

Hello!

I'm here with my latest card for Fusion Card Challenge where the inspiration is just awesome! I've again made a fusion card using both sketch and inspiration photo. I'm amazed, I'm usually a sketch OR inspiration girl, but when you can't choose between them you just need to use both. :-)

I think the cute little envelope dies are Wplus9. The sentiment is definitely Wplus9.

That inspiration photo has so much to work with. I didn't even get to using the flowers and greenery in my card!

I can't wait to see what everyone makes for this challenge. I'm betting on a colourful and beautiful gallery.

Thank-you for visiting!

Michelle
xxx