CAS(E) This Sketch 215

Hello!

Another week has flown by and we're back with another CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge! I've created a super-CAS one-layer card.

I used Wplus9 Pretty Peonies flower and PTI sentiment. Inks are Altenew.

This sketch is awesome, it really encourages you to use that one clear focal point on your CAS card, but it also has a sneaky subtle background as well. I used sequins for this element, but you could use a very pale ink or dry embossing or clear embossing... so many ideas!

I hope you're inspired to join the fun!

Thanks for dropping by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Happy Retirement

Hello!

For Fusion Card Challenge this week I only used the sketch. I needed a masculine card and I just loved this sketch so that's the way I went.

My husband and I have been using the same taxi driver for about ten years. This driver is a gentleman and a very good driver as well. Each of us have had many long conversations with him over the years and we've gotten to know him well. His service has been exemplary and I always felt safe in his car. I always knew he would be there to pick me up, or he'd arrange for someone else to collect me, but he NEVER ran late and he ALWAYS showed up. Our wonderful taxi driver has finally decided to retire. This is his last week in the cab. He drove my hubby to the airport on Monday, but won't be on the job to bring him home this week-end. I'm so sad. I'll miss our conversations. Hubby and I gave him a bottle of Highland Park whiskey (from the Orkney's where my hubby's family are from) and I made him this card. From what I hear, he appreciated it.

I used PTI Meadow Greens stamps. The "Retirement" is Stampin' Up!

Isn't that Easter centrepiece in the inspiration photo gorgeous?

Thanks for coming by to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Welcome Little Miss Croghan Blog Hop

Hello!

Today I get to take part in an extra special blog hop for the very wonderful Lesley Croghan who is expecting the arrival of her beautiful baby girl very soon! I'm so excited for Lesley! First babies are just amazing and baby girls are just awesome (I may be slightly biased as the mother of two girls, haha!).

I've been lucky enough to be on the design team for two of Lesley's challenges - Dynamic Duos (I still miss this one, it was so challenging and so much fun!) and Fusion Card Challenge (which is still going strong). Lesley has a talent for imagining fun ideas that everyone just wants to play along with. I've played along with most of her many challenges over the years. :-)

For my card, I took inspiration from the nursery colour scheme that Lesley posted on her blog - Cameo Coral, Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate, and White.

I used Wplus9 Be Merry Florals stamps, PTI sentiment stamp and die.

This post is going live at midnight my time, so I will be linking up a little later on after I wake up in the morning. I can't wait to see Lesley's reaction and I hope that she feels the love being sent her way from all over the world.

Lesley, I hope you last few weeks of pregnancy progress well with zero issues. I hope your delivery is exactly as you wish for. And I really hope you experience an amazing sense of awe when your little girl arrives into the world. There's nothing like it. I hope you enjoy your box filled with wonder. I missed the box, but my card is on its way!

Thank-you very much to Lori Turner for coordinating us all! Lori pulled it all together with such apparent ease and I know that there was a lot of work involved but Lori has stayed cool, calm, and collected the whole time. Thanks, Lori!

Thanks for visiting! Please take some time to check out the blog hop, there's sure to be some fabulous baby card inspiration along the way.


Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 214

Hello!

Welcome back! Today we start the new CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. I've made a card for one of my little nieces who is turning 7!

I used SU! Number of Years stamps.

This sketch leads my imagination in all sorts of directions. It's quite wonderful!  I hope you are inspired to join us in the fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

The Card Concept 69 - Hello Friend

Hello!

The inspiration over at The Card Concept challenge is so beautiful that I just had to join in the fun! I was inspired by the distressed chair and the gorgeous roses.

I used SU! Woodgrain background, PTI The Sweet Life, and Wplus9 sentiment stamps.

Isn't this a beautiful inspiration? So pretty!

Before you go, I thought I'd show you a quick photo I took yesterday afternoon. We had a storm come through and afterwards the cockatoos were all out with their wings held out from their bodies as they attempted to dry off (they don't usually sit like this). It was hilarious to watch them. It's not the best photo, given that I was taking the photo directly up into the sky so the lighting wasn't great, but I think you can see them.

For those of you who visit me on my Facebook Page - Amusing Michelle. Have you been seeing my posts? Recently it seems that the people who actually see my post has quartered (according to FB stats) and I wonder if the evil algorithms are at play? If you would like to continue to see my posts, please consider a visit to my page to interact in some way (like/comment) so that FB knows you want me in your feed. :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 213 - Dance in the rain!

Hello!

For this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge I have taken the sketch very literally with the clouds and rain!

I used Memory Box Puffy Clouds dies and silver-embossed MFT Blue Skies sentiment along with some water drop embellishments.

The design team have all come up with beautiful cards using this wonderful sketch and I hope you can take some time to go and check them out!

Thanks for dropping in to visit me. :-)

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Paris Rain

Hello!

This week's inspiration at Fusion Challenge is beautiful. The inspiration photo is perfect for watercolours. I chose to use just the sketch this week, mainly because I ran out of time to create the watercolour beauty that I had imagined!

I did go with the "rainy" theme in making my card a sympathy card.

I used Altenew Wild Hibiscus and Painted Sentiments stamps.

This sketch is a classic and in my card I've gone ultra-CAS in my take on it. Isn't that inspiration beautiful?

Thank-you for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 212 - Green Birthday

Hello!

Another week has whizzed by and it is time for the new CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge!

I created a little greenery on a green trellis for this card. Stamping the trellis using Square Prints was the usual exploration of allowing myself to be satisfied with imperfection... If I ever align these perfectly, it will be a miracle! ;-) I still love this set, despite the alignment challenges, it's really versatile.

I used PTI Square Prints, Turning a New Leaf, and Happy Birthday sentiment stamps.

This sketch is super cool. I love it! I hope you're inspired to join us this week.

I'm also going to enter over at Curtain Call, where the green inspiration was provided.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

The Card Concept 68 - Have a Super Day

Hello!

I have the birthday of one of the little people in my life approaching. I decided to make her a Super Girl card using the lime and aqua colour inspiration from The Card Concept Challenge 68.

I used MFT You're Super stamps in a clean and graphic style. Colouring was done with Copics.

Such a pretty inspiration! I did almost go with the flowers in a jar, and I may still make that other idea one day.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

One idea, two cards - Altenew March Challenge

Hello!

Have you seen the challenge over at Altenew for March? Red, Orange, and Yellow! I think that gallery is going to be AMAZING by month's end. :-)

I have had this idea for a card floating around in my head forever and finally today I sat down to make it. In fact, I made it twice.

The first card is for Altenew's Challenge.

I used Altenew Beautiful Day stamps. I think the banner die is Mama Elephant.

The second card is actually the original idea that I was percolating in my brain for my Mum's birthday next week.

I really love these stamps. I don't think they'll ever get old for me. Every time they make me smile.

Thank-you for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 211 - Friendly Poppies

Hello!

It's time for the latest CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. Such a beautiful sketch and as soon as I saw it I decided that I would pull out my poppies!

I used MFT Delicate Pretty Poppies stamps and coloured with Copics.

Isn't this sketch fabulous? This is one to be used again and again, I think!

Thanks for visiting me. I hope you can take some time to visit the rest of the team because they've created some gorgeous cards, too!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - Scrambled Letters

Hello!

The inspiration photo from our newest Fusion Card Challenge is the source of the "Scrambled Letters" title, but this week I only used the colour blue from the inspiration photo and mostly used the sketch, and my letters are completely not scrambled. ;-)

For this card I did very little stamping, just the embossed sentiment. The rest of the card is this beautiful patterned paper from Stampin' Up!

I used Altenew sentiment.

Those of you who are creative with letters are going to love this inspiration this week! I just know the gallery will be filled with super cool and creative cards.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Happy Little Stampers March Watercolour Challenge - Smoosh!

Hello!

I can't believe another month has passed by already! It's March! Next thing we'll know it will be Easter!

I'm here with my card for this month's Happy Little Stampers Watercolour Challenge where the optional twist is "smoosh". I might have gone overboard with my smooshing. I heat embossed my flowers and then smooshed away to create my background. I used three different Distress Inks and some iridescent solution for extra sparkle, spraying with some water before the smoosh action began. This was a very wet panel!

I used HLS Doodled Flowers stamps.

Thank-you for coming by to visit. I hope you join us in the watercolour fun this month!

Michelle
xxx