Moxie Fab Fabulous Friday - Getting Fancy

Hello!

I keep missing the Fabulous Friday Challenges at Moxie Fab World. There has been some amazing inspiration along the way, so I've been sad to miss out! Today I managed to sneak in one extra card while I was at my craft desk. :-)

I used PTI Building Blocks and Altenew Label Love stamps with a spritz of gold Smooch. I pretty much created the photo inspiration in my card - colours, placement of the rectangles.

The reason I was at my craft desk in the first place was to make a card for my daughter's teacher from this term. She was filling in for only one term. The regular teacher returns next term. The kids want to say thank-you. This card is A5 size.

I used Mama Elephant stamps - Pandamonium, Party Kit, and Flashy Letters.Inks are a mix of Mama Elephant and Memento Luxe. The twine is Twinery. The washi is from Typo.

I also needed to make some birthday invitations for my eldest daughter who turns 12 very soon. Her brief was for pastel floral invitations. These fit the bill.

Thank-you for coming by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Moxie Fab Thanks Blog Hop

Hello!

Today we say a Moxie Fab Thanks to Cath Edvalson, who is the Moxie Fab-est of all, with a GIANT blog hop, the biggest blog hop in the history of blogging! I think the size of the hop is only a small indication of the great love we all have for Cath, and also a very small indication of how much she will be missed.

Personally, my blogging journey has been accompanied by advice, ideas, inspiration, and fun provided by Cath at Moxie Fab World. While I didn't participate in every challenge (although I would have if I could have found more time), and I didn't comment every time, I did read every single post that Cath published from the moment I discovered her. I also participated in my fair share of Tuesday Triggers, which I discovered while browsing back through them all recently!

My card is influenced by one of my favourite Tuesday Trigger inspiration photos from a couple of years ago. This card has white embossed and watercoloured flowers with silver strip down the side and silver embossed sentiment on vellum.

The stamps are Hero Arts Everything Flower background and Simon Says Stamp Flower Friend. Colour is SU! Pacific Point. White and silver embossing. Twine from The Twinery. SU! Rhinestones.

This was the inspiration that originally convinced me that I should join in the Tuesday Trigger Challenges. So elegant!

If you have been hopping along, you will have come here from Melania's Blog.

The next step in the hop is Jamie at Avery Elle.

If you are lost, I am number 64, and the full list is available below and also at Moxie Fab World.

Cath, thank-you for all the years of inspiration (Oh My Moxie Fab, Tuesday Triggers, etc), enabling (Moxie Fab Stamp of Approval), great advice (on being published, on being picked as a Trigger Target, etc), and just sheer fun! You have made me giggle more times than I can remember. I feel like I've gotten to know you a little over the past few years, and I can say without any hesitation that you would be welcome to drop by for a coffee (or wine) and a chat with me anytime! Good luck with your new adventures. You will be missed.

Cheers! *raising glass*

Michelle
xxx

Thank You So Much

Hello!

It's my first week-end for a very long time where I am not on any design teams. This means that my crafting time was spent just wandering around seeking inspiration from current challenges, and working just for now, not for a week or two in advance. ;-)

This card is made for Cards for Cath at Moxie Fab World, where yesterday we received the devastating news that Cath Edvalson has posted her last post. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the news. Cath's advice to papercrafters, her constant inspiration, and her positive and fun attitude have been mainstays of my papercrafting world. So, for all of this, I say THANK YOU SO MUCH, Cath! If I had a chicken stamp, I would have made you a chicken card. ;-)

I used SSS Flower Friend. Paper is PTI. Card is SU! Basic Black, Real Red, and Whisper White. Ink is SU! Real Red and PTI Hawaiian Shores.

The sketch I took from Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

The colours I took from Dynamic Duos, because I'm having withdrawals from being on the DT. The new DT is AMAZING, so I can't be too sad about it! :-)

Edit to add: I'm also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.

And now, I can hear my family having fun in the pool, so I think I shall go and join them!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Summer Card Camp 2 - Day 5

Hello!

On Day 5 of Summer Card Camp 2 we have been given some new colours to work with. I deliberately chose combinations that were different to the bright colours we've used previously. I made two cards.

The first card I made, I used the colours from Summer Card Camp 2 and the sketch from Birthday Creations Week: The Birthday Sketch Challenge. The big sentiment and the main ticket are stamped in gold and shine brightly in real life!

Stamps are MFT Just The Ticket, Hero Arts Envelope Pattern Background, and PTI Think Big Favorites #16. Colours are SU! Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Hero Arts Pale Cantaloupe, Delicata Golden Glitz, Memento Tuxedo Black.

My second card I used another colour combination from Summer Card Camp, and used the inspiration provided by Kristina Werner. Kristina told us about using an acetate window. I don't have any acetate to make a window, so I used vellum with the same concept. The card layout is a combination of Kristina's and one that I saw Joyce use this week (Joyce's card is much nicer than mine).

I used PTI Pretty Peonies stamps and dies. The colours are SU! Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and PTI Hibiscus Burst. The vellum is embossed with PTI linen impression plate.

While I've been concentrating on lessons, my girls have been inspired also. My little girl decided to play along, but she didn't want to use the sketches or colours provided, LOL! This card was designed and produced 100% by my 5 year old. In fact, she told me off for even thinking of helping! I would like to point out that she pasted the sun on with the rough side out on purpose because "I like the texture". She also decided to paint white leaves with a green ink pad, even after I told her we could cut her green leaves to save her the trouble. Apparently that was a design feature!

My 10 year old came in, looked at the card, and said, "Maybe she's going to be your stamping kid."

Since I'm showing off my little kid, I'll show you one of my big kid's photos, which she took of the little one doing her homework. I think it's a nice study. :-)

Thanks for coming by today!

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

Tuesday Trigger - All Sweetness and Light

Hello!

A new stamp set arrived in my house this past week. It has been very difficult to not sit down and play immediately. But I had to wait until today. The stamp set in question is Mama Elephant's Filigree. Oh my goodness, I'm in love! As I usually do with a new stamp set, I sat down and made a simple card to start with. I made this one in response to the Tuesday Trigger: All Sweetness and Light.

I used Mama Elephant Filigree stamps. Colours are SU! Daffodil Delight and Cameo Coral, and Memento Tuxedo Black.

This is the trigger image. I could just jump in there right now. What a pretty bed! There is so much going on in that photo for inspiration, but as I said, I was keeping it simple.

If I were you, I would expect to see a flurry of Filigree cards appearing on my blog. I will definitely be doing some more playing with this set. It's irresistible!

Today was a bit exciting. I spent the morning at the Brisbane Papercraft Expo with my friend Cassandra and our daughters. I was relatively restrained, although it took quite a bit of willpower to walk past a wall FULL of washi tape. Cassandra's daughter makes magic with distress inks, and so my eldest daughter was inspired. We have started with six inks (and lots of sponges), and she had a lesson with her friend right after the show. She came home a master and promptly gave me a lesson. :-)  I forgot to photograph our work. I'll have to show you another day. It was amazing watching those colours blend as my daughter worked. I know, I'm VERY late to this trend.

While my daughter was having her inking lesson. I was sewing up a case for my Kindle. This one is a prototype, as I have other fabric in mind for the final version. I searched the internet for case tutorials, and found a few different patterns. The one I ended up using was THIS ONE. I still need to add buttons or velcro, but this is it almost done. I will say, I added extra seam allowance when measuring, because I added a batting layer and that added to the bulk of the seams. I also added an extra layer of fabric inside (as well as interfacing) to toughen it all up, because my pretty outer fabric is fine Japanese cotton lawn (super soft).

That's probably enough words and pictures for you today.

Thanks for visiting me! I hope I'll be back again soon with something else to show you.

Michelle
xxx

Tuesday Trigger: Pretty Little Petits Fours

Hello!

Today's card is for Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger: Pretty Little Petits Fours.

I used MFT flower dies, and PTI Square Prints dies and Woodgrain impression plate. Colours are PTI Vintage Cream, Melon Berry, and SU! Blush Blossom. The silver frame came from a shopping bag. ;-)

This was the inspiration photo.

I've hurt my back. I was vacuuming and I picked up the rug and vacuumed sideways, twisting at my hips. Never a good move. The upshot of my telling you this is that I'm having a hard time sitting for any length of time. Not good for my crafting or blogging time. :-(  I hope the anti-inflammatories work quickly (it's the third day now).

Thanks for coming to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Watercolours for Mothers Day

Hello!

I had just finished my card for Runway Inspired Challenge the other day when I saw the Tuesday Trigger for this week over at Moxie Fab World, and I thought I would give the Large Flower Background stamp another run while it was out. :-)  I love this stamp so much.

Stamps are Hero Arts Large Flower Background and PTI Pretty Peonies (sentiment). I white embossed and then watercoloured using Inktense pencils (Fuschia, Cadmium Yellow, Bark).

The Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger this week is Magnificent Magnolias. Oh. So. Pretty!!!

I was also inspired by the Hero Arts April Challenge, using both the theme "Just For Her" and the sketch. My card was definitely based on the sketch, but it wandered slightly away in the final product. ;-)

I'm also linking this up to Simon Says Stamp April Showers or Spring Flowers.

Thanks for coming by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Ooh, I love it when a new technique works!

Hello!

I was watching the Make It Monday #109 video and thinking to myself that I've tried this idea before and it didn't really work out... but then I thought, why not give it another go? I am so glad I did. Messy ink with nice, neat embossing over the top on a crisp white background appeals to me SO much. :-)

I used PTI Wonderful Words: Hello stamps, SU! Poppy Parade and Barely Banana inks sprayed with champagne mist. The sunshine is stamped in gold. Card base is SU! Poppy Parade and panel is PTI White.

Do you recognise the stamp set? LOL! If you've been visiting me on my blog for a while, you'll know that when I get a favourite stamp set, I tend to use it and use it and use it... until everyone is tired of seeing me using it. This is one of those stamps that I think I'll use forever. I just love the typeface, it's so happy!

As well as Make It Monday, I'm also entering this card into the Moxie Fab World Card Creations Ombre Challenge. I'm not great at ombre, but I managed to create an ombre effect with these inks. Amazing what happens when you start playing around with inks. ;-)

For those of you curious about how parent-teacher interviews went, they went well. My girls make me proud. The weather, after some wild rain this morning, fined up this afternoon, so I am still crossing my fingers that the heat continues at least for two more days and we get some beach time this week-end. After the Easter holidays, I'll be well and truly ready for the cooler Autumn weather to commence.

Thanks for coming to visit. I'll be back in a few days.

Michelle
xxx

Tuesday Trigger: Pretty Pastels

Hello!

Just a quick one this morning. I'm off to parent-teacher interviews, and I don't want to be late!

I zipped up a card the moment after I saw this week's Tuesday Trigger.

I used PTI Polka Dot Parade #1 stamps. PTI Soft Stone, SU! Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight. Twinery Twine.

The Trigger is this cute pastel image. I think they are sugared almonds, but they brought to mind candy Easter eggs, so I made a row of bunnies with pastel tails. :-)

I hope to be back later today, but if I'm not, I'll be back later over Easter. Tomorrow I'm off to the Sunshine Coast to visit family. Fingers crossed for some sunshine so that we can go to the beach.

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Birthdays!

Hello!

Today we had a family birthday celebration. My little niece turned 2 this week. My other little niece is turning 3 in 10 days. I made some cards for them.

The first came after a frustrating several hours working on an idea that JUST WOULDN'T WORK. So I changed tack, and pulled out my brand new Simon Says Stamp set Flower Friend and played. This is the result.

I also played with washi tape for the first time ever. I used Mama Elephant So Breezy for the sentiment.

I'm entering this card into the Moxie Fab World Washi Tape Challenge.

The second card is for my little niece who turns 3 soon.

The stamps are Mama Elephant So Breezy (love, love, love this set). The silhouette and sentiment are stamped in Early Espresso (looking black here), and that string is shiny golden goodness. :-)

Since I was giving cards and gifts to the girls, there was one little fellow who was going to feel left out. My 18month old nephew (the brother of the 3 year old), so he got a present "just because". (I love being an Aunty.)

So Breezy again. I was in a rush and didn't double-stamp the silhouette, but I'm sure he'll forgive me. :-)

I love getting together with all the family. One sister lives on the other side of town, with her husband and daughter. The other sister lives up the Sunshine Coast (about 1 1/2 hours away) with her husband, daughter and son. My Dad and step-mother live half the year here in Australia on the Sunshine Coast and the other half in Italy at their bed and breakfast. My brother lives in London (England), so usually misses the family gatherings here in Australia. My girls adore their cousins and love when they all get together to play. Today's get together was in Summer heat, even though it is supposed to be Autumn. What's up with the weather lately??

Thanks for coming to visit me!

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

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

Itty Bitty Cards

Hello!

I've just spent a wonderful day with family at Caloundra (on the Sunshine Coast), celebrating my step-mother's birthday! We had a fantastic lunch, which included prawns, mussels, oysters, atlantic salmon, calamari, and so much more - all super-fresh! Yum! After lunch my hubby and I took our kids down to the beach for a quick swim before heading home to Brisbane. Apart from the heavy traffic on our way home, it was pretty much a perfect day. It's a pity I have to go back to work tomorrow. :-(

Tonight I'm bringing you some cards that I made for the Moxie Fab World Itty Bitty card challenge - make a card no more than 3"x3". They don't have to be square, but I do love a 3"x3" card, so I made three, and then threw in a round card for the fun of it.

 

 

All stamps are Papertrey Ink, a section of Heart-2-Heart, Framed Out, and Tag-Its. I can't remember all the numbers right now...

I started super-CAS, because that is what I like, but I wouldn't mind working on something a bit more fancy in this small format. Just to see what it looks like. ;-)  So perhaps I'll be back with another, more elaborate mini-card.

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx