CAS(E) This Sketch 159

Hello!

This week's sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch is one of mine. The funny thing is... it took me forever to think of how to use it, haha! I knew I wanted a background that covered the card, but what that background would be took a while to evolve in my brain.

I finally decided on diagonal rainbow stripes! :-)

Stripes are Mama Elephant Basic Borders. Sentiments are Wplus9 Whole Lotta Happy.

There are so many options with this sketch, and I know my fellow design team members have made amazing cards with it! I can't wait to see what you all do.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Mama Elephant April Challenge

Hello!

Today I'm playing along with the Mama Elephant April Challenge. I couldn't resist the inspiration photo. I love the colours! I immediately thought of soft sea-glass coloured watercolour background, so I went ahead and created it using watercolour paper and my Inktense pencils. Added to this background is a wistful panda holding a little balloon and saying hello. I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but the background sparkles with Perfect Pearls, as does the dotty card base. :-)

I used Mama Elephant Pandamonium, Party Kit, and Basic Borders stamps. Background coloured using Inktense pencils. Ink is Mama Elephant Mojito, SU! Pool Party, and Memento Luxe Black.

Thank-you for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired #45

Hello!

I'm sneaking in with a last minute entry to Runway Inspired Challenge #45. I have some new Memento Luxe inks, and I wanted to try them out for their colour, and I remembered the colourful stripes on the Tanya Taylor dress at RIC. So here I am!

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders and Simon Says Stamp Sketchy Banners (sentiment). Colours are Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Luxe - Nautical Blue, Lilac Posies, Rose Bud, Morocco, Dandelion.

The stripes are a bit hard on the eyes if you look at them too long, LOL!

The inspiration was this dress.

I've been busy at work this week, and I am about exhausted, so my chatter is a bit limited... maybe on the week-end I'll chirp up again. ;-)

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

RIC#43 and MUSE#33

Hello!

It has been so long since I sat down to play along with Runway Inspired Challenge and Muse! These are two of my favourite challenges, and my busy life has interfered with my playtime! But, when I saw the RIC Inspiration photo I was determined I would not miss this week. Since crafting has been a bit slow around here, I needed a little extra inspiration to get me started... and then I saw Laurie's card at Muse. Laurie provides me guaranteed inspiration in every single card she makes. :-)

So my card is Laurie's design wrapped up in Lela Rose Resort fashion!

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders to stamp the plaid. Sentiment is from PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday. Card is SU! yellow (Sunshine? It's retired), Basic Black, PTI Soft Stone. Sequins are from Avery Elle. Ink is Memento Tuxedo Black.

Laurie's card for Muse #33

Runway Inspired Challenge #43 inspiration.

I made this card after bedtime last night, and I'm blogging instead of preparing the kids for school and me for work, so I'd better get back to it. Sneaking crafting and blogging time is tricky, LOL!

Thanks for visiting! I apologise for my slow commenting. I do visit as often as I can, but comments are often beyond my time constraints.

Michelle
xxx

Pastel Stripes

Hello!

When I saw the current Tuesday Trigger inspiration, I just knew I had to join in. Even though the colours are not ones I would generally put together, I really love how they turned out! I was particularly inspired by the striped fabric in the photo, hence my striped background (stamped and embossed with stripes).

I used Uniko Studio Label Love: Thank You, Mama Elephant Basic Borders, and Hero Arts Zig Zag background stamp. Colours are Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe, SU! Gumball Green and Daffodil Delight. Sequins are Avery Elle Lemonade.

I really love how the background stamping of my stripes has ended up a bit distressed/rustic looking. I feel that it added just the texture I was looking for. I used the zig zag background on my banner to reflect the rick rack and the pinked edges of the fabric in the photo.

This is the inspiration - Tuesday Trigger: Scene in Tangerine.

Today I took my girls into Brisbane City to visit City Hall. City Hall has recently been refurbished and I was hoping to take a tour and to go up the clock tower, but when we got there at midday, all available places on both the tour and the clock tower entry were full for the rest of the day. :-(  We'll have to try again another day. The best part of our visit was the main auditorium with its central light called the Oculus. Here are a few photos to show the massive ceiling and its ever-changing colours.

 

 

 This next photo puts it into perspective. The pipe organ is massive. The Oculus is 31 metres across.

The floors inside City Hall are beautiful. The main foyer is mosaic stone, with beautiful patterns in black and white. Those of you following me on Instagram (@amusingmichelle)would have seen one of the mosaic's already today. Upstairs (up a grand marble staircase) at the first floor entry to the auditorium they have the same pattern as the mosaic downstairs, but created in inlaid stone. The artistry and precision is amazing. The photo is not great. I was dodging a massive tour group who were walking over the floor, LOL!

And a last photo of the frieze at the front of City Hall. It was sculpted by Daphne Mayo, and it is spectacular. This photo is a stitch of three photos.

Thanks for coming by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion #12

Hello!

Another quick one. While I was watching the outcomes of the leadership ballots of the Australian Labor Party, and finding out who our Prime Minister is as a result, I decided to make a card. For those who are interested, and haven't seen the news yet - the ALP caucus voted Kevin Rudd their leader and dumped Julia Gillard. No political comment from me other than the fact that I'm pretty disillusioned by the state of Australian politics generally at the moment. Also on tv tonight is the State of Origin football match (Rugby League) between Qld and NSW. I hear (via the political reporters who thought I may be interested) that Qld was ahead at last count, by a mile, so I'm guessing Qld won that game, LOL! My train home this afternoon was packed full of Qld supporters in their maroon jerseys, as the game was played here in Brisbane. They'll be celebrating tonight. :-)

I'm squeezing in at the last minute for Fusion Challenge #12. I chose to make a fusion of the sketch and the inspiration photo.

I used PTI Background Basics: Circles, and Heart-2-Heart #3. I also used Mama Elephant Basic Borders for the top dotted line. Colours are SU! Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, and Hero Arts Pale Tomato.

Okay, off to bed for me! Thanks for coming by!

Michelle
xxx

Dynamic Duos #57

Hello!

Dynamic Duos #57 this week brings us Pear Pizzazz mixed with Black and an optional plant theme. Oh so lovely!

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders, PTI Harvest Berries, and PTI Heart-2-Heart #10. Colours are SU! Pear Pizzazz and Memento Tuxedo Black.

You should see some of the cards made by the other Dynamos this week! Amazing work!

Alison Barclay

Anne Marie Hile

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Susie Wittwer

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Today I am off to a swim meet. The first of the new swimming season for my daughter. In the middle of winter. It's a bit chilly this morning! It will be a challenge to keep her warm between swims, but it's sure to be fun anyway. :-)

Thank-you for visiting! I hope you'll join us at Dynamic Duos this week. :-)

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #46

Hello!

Today I'm bringing you a card made for For Your Inspiration challenge #46.

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders, and Simon Says Stamp Flower Friend. Colours are Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, and PTI Soft Stone.

The photo is of a beautiful aspen forest. I couldn't resist using the lines and the colours in this photograph. They're irresistible!

The rest of the design team have done their usual wonderful work. I'm sure they'd love to have you over for a visit.
Debbie
Karen
Mynnette
Rochelle
Rudlis
Sara
Vicki

Okay, I have to admit, I actually closed the windows in the house today. It was slightly chilly. When we got home tonight, I made the decision that Winter may just be approaching and I should start keeping what little warmth we have inside the house. For those of you who don't know Brisbane, we have very mild Winters. Summer is really hot and really humid, but Winter tends to be quite nice. BUT, it does get cold overnight. Brisbane houses have generally not been built for the cold, and most of us have no heating, sigh! So when the temp goes down near or below 0c overnight, it really does feel cold. It's not that cold now. I think it's probably somewhere around 16c, but a few days ago it was a LOT warmer... and now it's grey, overcast and rainy. That's probably why I'm a bit grumpy about the temperature, Brisbane has blue skies and zero rain in the cold months, I don't know where this rain has come from, LOL!

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Love and Joy and Butterflies

Hello!

A second post for the day to allow me to sneak in under the wire for Dynamic Duos #47. I'm also entering this card into the Mama Elephant Sketch Challenge #3.

I have had a very lazy day today. I probably shouldn't admit that I was in my pyjamas until well after lunch... :-)  I'm enjoying a day at home with my girls as their school holidays draw to the end. After a REALLY busy time at work lately, I needed to do NOTHING today (other than make a couple of cards *wink*).

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders and So Breezy stamps. Colours are SU! Pool Party and Real Red (I don't have Cherry Cobbler), and PTI Soft Stone.

The colours are from Dynamic Duos.

The sketch is from Mama Elephant. I took a few liberties with the sketch, but I think you can still see it in my card.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion #1 - A New Challenge!

Hello!

There's a new challenge on the block! I've been waiting eagerly for this one. It's called FUSION, and it's exciting! I will admit that I had several ideas flying around as soon as I saw the inspiration. This card is the first that I made into reality.

Stamps are Simon Says Stamp Flower Friend, PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Mama Elephant Background Basics. Colours are Hero Arts Pale Tomato, SU! Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Poppy Parade, Memento Tuxedo Black.

This is the inspiration. I used Lesley's Inspiration Photo and tried to recreate that beautiful cake with stamps. I added the frilly plate edge, and I added the black and white tablecloth as well. ;-)

Don't be surprised to see me back with another Fusion card this week. I am seriously inspired! I love it when that happens. ;-)

Thanks for dropping by to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Hello!

Hello!

I've made a card for another three challenges today. I also made a batch of berry muffins, but that is another story, LOL!

This is my card.

I used Mama Elephant Basic Borders stamps. PTI Wonderful Words: Hello die. Cardstock is SU! Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White. Ink is Primrose Petals, and Memento Tuxedo Black.

I know that as soon as you've seen this card, you've realised it is responding to Runway Inspired Challenge #31. When I saw this outfit, first I smiled (I love that bright yellow skirt and those taxi shoes), and I knew I needed to make a card.

My layout came from (CAS)E this Sketch #18.

And I added that lovely negative die-cut sentiment in response to the Moxie Fab World Card Creations #11 Emphasise the Negative challenge.

Thanks for coming by to visit! See you again soon!

Michelle
xxx

Retro Sketches #52

Hello!

It's hot and sticky here today. So uncomfortable. I'm praying for a big storm to bring some relief.

Retro Sketches #52 is inviting us to choose one of the past 51 sketches to use for our entry this week.

This is my card.

I used Mama Elephant Nursery Deco and Basic Borders (those spots on the giraffe), and a PTI Think Big Favorites (not sure which number). Ink was Memento Grey Flannel, SU! Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue.

The sketch I used was this one.

Off to try to squeeze in another card or two before I finish the week-end. We've had such a busy week-end, I've found crafting time non-existent! This working five days a week gig is very bad news for the crafting life, LOL!

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

Hearts and Smiles

Hello!

I am bringing you a couple of cards in this post. The first is this.

I used Hero Arts Envelope Pattern Background, and PTI Botanical Silhouettes sentiment. It's hard to see but I used the PTI Linen impression plate. Colours are Berry Sorbet & Real Red (mixed on the heart), Bashful Blue, Night of Navy. I forget the name and brand of the twine.

I made this card in response to Tuesday Trigger: Cross My Heart

 and also Addicted to CAS Challenge #5

and I'm putting it into the A Passion For Papertrey challenge where the theme is Love Is In The Air.

My second card is my homework for Day 8 of Clean & Simple Card Making 2 where we received a video tutorial on plaid stamping from the super-amazing Laura Bassen.  This card was also going to be homework for Day 7 (since I'm running behind), but my one-layer card had a massive stamping error (the masking worked at the edges, but my mask leaked through and left some splotches on my lily-white card). I really need to get some masking paper!

Yesterday Jen Rzasa told us to not look too closely at her plaid stamping (go and take a look if you haven't already seen her awesome card). I think she really has nothing to worry about, mine is the one that you shouldn't look too closely at!  I used some older inks from my stash and it wouldn't lay down evenly, so I had to over-stamp several times (hence the leaking mask). The sentiment is made from SU! "sticky strip" that I die cut. I left the orange backing on it while I stamped, then took it off at the end and rubbed in the only glitter I own (which was not really opaque enough). It is a very glittery sentiment over a very bright plaid. I die cut a new card front and stuck it on top to cover the splotchy card front. Pretend it's one layer - that's what I intended, LOL!  Colours are all Stampin' Up! from the old Bold Brights collection.  By the way, I'm never die-cutting sticky strip sheets ever again, they don't cut through properly, argh! I had to hand cut half of those letters.

That's a lot of words! If you read them all, thank-you. I'm just having a whinge! Getting it all off my chest. I was up late last night trying to finish this card, and had such high hopes for it. I'll have to make another... when I get some masking paper. :-)

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #39

Hello!

It's For Your Inspiration Challenge time!

Here is my card.

I used PTI Guide Lines II and Botanical Silhouettes (sentiment), Mama Elephant Basic Borders. Colours are SU! Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, and Night of Navy.

This is the inspiration photo for For Your Inspiration #39.

There is lots to work with there. I took the blue and yellow, and I picked up the geometric shapes and light. If I had a triangle stamp, I think I would have used it!

The rest of the team have come up with some great cards, too! Why don't you pay them a visit?
Debbie
Karen
Mynnette
Regina
Rochelle
Rudlis
Sara
Steph
Vicki

We had lots of entries for our last challenge, I look forward to seeing yours sometime soon!

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired #24

Hello!

I'm back! And so soon! I had to pop back quickly because the clock is ticking the countdown for entries to Runway Inspired Challenge #24.

This was a tricky one. It has taken me from when the inspiration photo was posted until tonight to figure out just what to make! This is what I came up with.

I used PTI Guidelines II and one of the Think Big Favorites (for the sentiment). The lines are Mama Elephant Basic Borders. Colours are PTI Berry Sorbet, SU! Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise. I muted the colours and softened the edges by overlaying the background with vellum, on which I stamped the black (Stayz On).

This is the inspiration.

Whenever I am faced with inspiration that shows soft/blurry/watercolour style images, I panic, and I get crafters' block! Combine that with start black stripes, and I was completely unable to think of anything, LOL! But, I AM known for liking a challenge, so I couldn't let this one pass me by.

I hope you like it! :-)

Michelle
xxx

Runway Inspired Challenge #23

Hello!

As soon as I saw the photo for Runway Inspired Challenge #23, I just knew I had to make a card. Apart from the crazy handbag, the black and white with a touch of red theme appealed, as did the circles and stripes. Just an aside here - after seeing the DT examples, I was feeling slightly intimidated, they are SUPER this week. I got over the intimidation, mostly...  :-)

I made two cards, just to see which one I liked better. The first is my entry.

This is the inspiration photo.

 

Back to that handbag... I don't think this handbag would fit in my car. If I could fit it through the door, it would need a seat for itself! Do you think anyone would actually carry this ANYWHERE? I like Chanel, but I'm hoping this handbag was just for theatrical effect on the runway, LOL! I do want those shoes for myself though, I LOVE them. :-)

Back on topic, here is the second card. Same as the first, only more red.

Both cards use PTI Heart-2-Heart #4 and Mama Elephant Basic Borders. Colours are Black, White, and Poppy Parade.

Thanks for coming by to visit.

Michelle
xxx