CAS-ual Fridays 157 - My very first shaker card!

Hello!

I've never really been a trend follower, and definitely not a trend-setter, and although I've been admiring the shaker card trend FOREVER it has taken me this long to finally sit down and try it for myself!

I was stuck for a birthday card for my nephew when I saw the latest CAS-ual Fridays Challenge was for Shaker Cards, and inspiration struck! Yay!

My biggest challenge for this card was finding a piece of acetate for the front of the card, haha! The rest of it fell together reasonably easily once I worked out what I was doing. I used Happy Little Stampers Big Bold Numbers, Wplus9 star dies, and the stars and sentiment stamps are Hero Arts.

The card was a hit with my two girls. My nephew, being a 5 year old boy, was more interested in the present than the card. ;-) 

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Blingy New Year!

Hello!

I know, we have a little more time until we reach the new year, but I have a couple of challenges I wanted to play along with, and the deadlines are looming. ;-)  I'm playing with my new stamps from Mama Elephant - Flashy Letters - Aren't they marvellous? So are those snowflake fireworks (PTI Snowflake Flurries)!

I have been inspired by a few different challenges in creating this card. Firstly was the colour scheme from Dynamic Duos.

Then the theme at CAS-ual Fridays and 10 Minute Craft Dash, who are running a joint challenge this week. I didn't make the 10 minute time limit. It turns out that adding glitter to the dots in the lettering takes a long time, and then when I decided to add a strip of glitter, all was lost, LOL!

And lastly, Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge calls for us to Bling It On! In real life, my card is BLINGY. :-)

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study #170 and some cockatoos

Hello!

I didn't want to miss CASE Study this week. The inspiration is a delicious-looking cupcake! So I sat down quickly before bed tonight to make a card. My card does have sparkles, gold, and glitter, but it didn't photograph well.

A relatively literal interpretation of the inspiration photo.

I also thought I'd join in at  CAS-ual Fridays (Let It Snow)

and Addicted to CAS (Snowflakes)

 Before I go, I thought I'd share some cockatoos. I took my daughter for her first horse-riding lesson last week-end, and at the pony club I found a flock of cockatoos feasting on some sort of tree seeds. I adore cockatoos. They are very noisy, but they are very beautiful! This group were about 10 birds together. Gorgeous!

Thank-you for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

An Apple for the Teacher

Hello!

I'm back! With a simple card that I just love. I cannot begin to explain how happy a really crisp one-layer card makes me feel. :-)

I used PTI Teach and Inspire (apple) and Wonderful Words: Teacher (sentiment). Colours are SU! Poppy Parade and Gumball Green, along with Memento Tuxedo Black.

I know that in the Northern Hemisphere you are all just now back to school, but here in Australia, we are just ending third term and winding up for the last blast before Summer holidays. After Spring break, we only have about 7 weeks left (filled with concerts, exams, and other end-of-school activity). This means I need to start getting organised so that I'm not running around like a mad chook in the last few days of school having forgotten to organise cards and presents for the hoardes of teachers that my girls have, LOL!

I made this card in response to three challenges. This is my first entry over at Curtain Call. I plan to enter many more times in the future. ;-)

I'm also entering CASology, where the theme is Apple.

And last, but not least, CAS-ual Fridays where the theme is also Back To School.

Thank-you for visiting me!

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

Mama Elephant Sketch Challenge #2

Hello!

On this rainy week-end, I am loving a little extra time at the craft desk. Today I bring you my entry to Mama Elephant's Sketch Challenge.

I used Mama Elephant Nursery Deco stamps. Patterned paper is SU!. Card is PTI White and Soft Stone. Ink is Soft Stone. Sentiment is white embossed.

I really love how this card turned out. Using a baby set, I managed to create a card that isn't necessary "baby". :-)  It's so soft and pretty!  I'm loving Mama Elephant stamps. I have another set on its way to me. If I had the budget, I'd buy all of them!

This is the sketch.

I didnt' even notice until after I loaded this page that I mirrored the colour of the sketch, LOL! I really chose the patterned paper for the pattern, not the colour in particular, I promise!

I'm also popping this one into this week's CAS-ual Fridays - wallpaper. My wallpaper was made using a circle frame, and I love how it turned out.

And last, but not least, CASology - Circle

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

CASology - RED

Hello!

I'm about to head off to sleep, but I wanted to squeeze just one more card out of the week-end.

CASology #31 has the theme RED this week. I made this card with RED in mind. I couldn't get past red berries, so I made my card with what was in my head. But, I can't help thinking that the CASology team had a little more RED in mind than what I have used on this card, LOL!

I used PTI Harvest Berries stamps, Mat Stack #1 and Mat Stack #1 Layerz dies. 

Colours are Memento Tuxedo Black and SU! Real Red.

Edited to add: This card also qualifies for CAS-ual Fridays #90, so I'm entering this as a second entry over there. :-)

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Black and white and a pop of blue!

Hello!

Phew! What a week! I was back to work this week, and spent a couple of days in Canberra, which left me with zero time for crafting. The trip to Canberra involved a 3am wake-up, 4am taxi, and 5am flight - exhausting! I flew home late the following day, and the next morning was 5am start to get my daughter to swim training. I am ready to sleep for a week, but I'm about to launch into another week of work and I haven't recovered from the last, LOL!

Anyway, today I prioritised a little time at the craft desk and came up with this little card.

I used PTI Little Hot Rod, SU! Tempting Turquoise, and Memento Tuxedo Black. Simple!

This card was made in response to three challenges. Less Is More #107 has the theme UP IN THE AIR. My little plane is up in the air at the top of the card.

Dynamic Duos #40 brings us Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black, with a dessert option (which I only noticed after making the card) of Clouds.

CAS-ual Fridays #90 asks us to use Black and White and one other colour.

I hope to sneak back to the craft desk later today, but I have a tonne of housework and grocery shopping to do first... running out of time!

Thanks for coming to visit.

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #38

Hello!

It's time for another challenge at For Your Inspiration!

This is my card.

I used PTI Snowflake Flurries (as fireworks). Colours are SU! Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Early Espresso. Card base is PTI Vintage Cream.

This is the inspiration photo for FYI Challenge #38. What I saw was the bright oranges and browns with a little green peeking through. The lacy leaves meant that I wanted my images to be a little more delicate. The wonky branches are reflected in the wonky sentiment.

I am entering this card into CAS-ual Fridays #85 where the theme is "a round of applause", with at least one circle. I have several circles in my design here, and I think fireworks and a great big "celebrate" is perfect for someone who has just achieved something super!

I'm also entering this over at Moxie Fab World's Make Your Own Background Paper challenge.

I'd love you to take a wander over to look at the rest of the FYI DT contributions, they're awesome, as usual!

Debbie
Karen
Mynnette
Regina
Rochelle
Rudlis
Sara
Steph
Vicki

Thanks for coming by to visit!

Michelle
xxx

One for the boys

Hello!

This week I received a couple of new stamp sets in the mail. They're from Mama Elephant. Today I've used Basic Borders for the first time. And I CASEd Laura Bassen, who is the queen of plaid, as well as being superwoman of CAS.

This is my card.

Now, I realise that my sentiment is a bit low. I thought about adding that top strip, then I thought I wouldn't, and stamped the sentiment, and then decided I needed that brown strip. Argh! Anyway, you get the idea!

I masked off the top section of the card and stamped the stripes to create the plaid. I did create a nice, neat line, but the card was missing something, so I added that brown strip.  Colours used were SU! Early Espresso, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, and PTI Fresh Linen. I think Mama Elephant Basic Borders might be the solution to my "man card" creativity problems for a while. I love these stripes! Sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All.

The colours come from The Play Date Cafe Challenge #156. They're so rich and scrumptious, aren't they?

Perfect colours for the theme over at CAS-ual Fridays #77 where we've been asked to make a masculine card.

Before I go, I have a couple of photos for you. One is my constant companion and photography assistant, Coco.

The other, I thought about NOT showing, because it shows a bit too much leg for comfort, but it is fun, and it makes me smile, so I'll show you. :-)  Last week-end I attended a Halloween party, and dressed up in the costume I've wanted to wear since I was about 8 years old (that's a long time ago!).

Not bad for a 40-something Wonder Woman, hey? Oh, and sneaking at the back of the photo is my littlest witch.

Thanks for dropping by today, and please don't laugh too hard at my dress-ups photo. ;-)

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired CAS-ual Christmas!

Hello!

I have been playing with my stamping this afternoon. I really should have been in the swimming pool, it's rather HOT! But I wanted to kick-start my mojo, and a good stamping session was required for that.

First I have created a card for Runway Inspired Challenge #22 and CAS-ual Fridays #75.

It's a tricky card to see in a photograph. The white bauble is glittered up around the edges and it is hanging "over the edge".

Inspiration came from:

and

I used Stampin' Up! Ornament Keepsakes, PTI Snowflake Serenade and Happiest of Holidays. Colours are PTI Fresh Linen, SU! Real Red, and Whisper White.

Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle
xxx

Sending Love - CAS-ual Fridays #74

Hello!

I have had this card waiting to go onto my blog for almost a week, and I just realised the deadline is looming, and it isn't yet up! Eek!  This is my entry to CAS-ual Fridays #74 where we need to put our heart into it. :-)

I used PTI Postmarks, and Think Big Favourites. The little envelopes are WPlus9 Love Notes. Colours are PTI white card base, PTI Fine Linen, SU! Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle

xxx

Up, up and away with CAS-ual Fridays!

Hello!

I have a few little boy birthdays coming up, and so I recently bought Papertrey Ink Little Hot Rod. Such a cute set of stamps! I may use it on the big boys in my life also. :-)

This little card I will probably give to my little nephew.

I used (stamps and dies) PTI Little Hot Rod and Heart-2-Heart #6. Colours are SU! Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, and Daffodil Delight. Card base is PTI Basic White.

I made this for CAS-ual Fridays #64, which asks us to make a card using things you'd find in the sky.

Now, I have something to ask. I have just found that Stampin' Up! have sold out of their (retiring colour) Poppy Parade re-inker. Does anyone have a Poppy Parade re-inker they would like to sell me?  Or, is there anyone outside of Australia who still have this colour available and can get it for me? In this case, there are three of us looking for this colour re-inker! :-)

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

CAS happy in black

Hello!

Whew! I've had a busy week-end this week-end. I have managed to squeeze one more card out of my limited time. I really didn't want to miss the opportunity to enter these three challenges. Too often I miss out because I run out of time, despite feeling inspired!

This is my card.

I used SU! Basic Black and Crumb Cake card. Ink is Real Red and Certainly Celery. Stamps are PTI -  Happy Hexagons (sentiment) and Flower Fusion #11. Twine is Twinery Maraschino (the twine is where I get the white for the colour challenge!). Embossing Folder is Swiss Dots. And dies are PTI - Flower Fusion and Mat Stack #3.

It is really difficult (for me) to photograph black cards! The card in real life actually looks black, and that red is really Real Red, I promise!

I am entering CAS-ual Fridays #62 which asks for a black card base.

My colour combination comes from ColourQ #146 which is too yummy to resist!

And last, but not least, I am entering CASology #2. I missed the inaugural challenge because I ran out of time. I didn't want to miss the second one. My card is a HAPPY birthday card. :-)

Okay, perhaps I'll sneak one more card out of the week-end if I can get the kiddies into bed early enough tonight!

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx