Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop

Hello!

I saw the inspiration for the Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop and couldn't resist creating a similar pattern on a card myself. :-)

I used one of my old favourite stamp sets, Ruby Rose. The colour combination is surprising. I never would have chosen these colours together myself, but it's so pretty!

Thank-you for dropping by to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Pinterest Inspired 1

Hello!

There is a new challenge on the block! And it's right up my alley! Pinterest Inspired Challenge. :-) I was inspired on the first day, but it has taken me a little while to sit down to make a card in response. Thank goodness the challenge runs all month long!

I used PTI Ruby Rose stamps to create this 80th birthday card for my very dear Aunty, who is celebrating her birthday today. We had a wonderful family lunch together with all of her kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids with a few cousins, nieces, nephews thrown into the mix. :-)

So this inspiration was irresistible, so pretty!

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Fusion - blue and red

Hello!

I hope you all had a happy Easter. I had a couple of extra days off work which allowed me some time with my kids and their friends. The weather started off as wet as wet could be, but by the end of the week-end, it was beautiful! Now, today, we had what I would call our first real taste of Autumn - a beautiful, blue, crisp, cool day. Yay! :-)

I'm here with my card for Fusion Card Challenge. This week's inspiration is beautiful. I used both photo and sketch to come up with my card.

I'm having a mental blank on the stamp set. The flowers are Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is from PTI Ruby Rose.

Isn't this inspiration beautiful? Please join us in the fun this week. I'd love to see what you create!

I've had a busy week at work. My kids are on school holiday. I'd really love to be spending time with them, but they have about 15 weeks holiday each year and I have four. So I'm suffering "mother guilt" momentarily. My kids are having a ball, between visiting grandparents, vacation care, visiting friends, they don't notice that I'm not around. It's just me worrying, not them, sigh!

Thank-you for visiting me! Please visit my design team buddies as well. :-)

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 102

Hello!

The sketch this week at CAS(E) This Sketch is brilliant! The very first second I saw it I had ideas flying through my mind. I just love a great sketch. :-)

I used Papertrey Ink Ruby Rose stamps. The process I used was simple - stamp the flowers without the pink layer (I stuck the white panel down with washi while I worked) and then add the pink layer between the two white layers to create that neat separation without losing the continuity of the images.

The entries to last week's challenge were amazing, and so many of them! I just know this week will be even bigger!

Thank-you for coming by to visit me! I love hearing from you.

Michelle
xxx

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

Fusion #8

Hello!

I am predicting that this round of Fusion Challenge we will see some super-pretty cards in the gallery. The inspiration is pretty and pastel and the sketch lends itself to garlands of flowers. :-)  My card is definitely inspired by the inspiration photo, but if you squint your eyes, you may also see a whisper of the sketch in there, too. I flattened it into one layer, so it takes a bit of lateral thinking to see it. ;-)

I used PTI Wonderful Words: Friends and Ruby Rose stamps. Inks are a mixture of Stampin' Up!, Memento, and Hero Arts.

The rest of the design team have amazing cards, so please take some time to check them out!

Betty J
Cathy Weber 
Dannielle Robeson
Deepti
Geri Freeman
Julia Aston
Katie Brooks
Kelly Griglione
Kimberly Wiener 

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan 

Michelle Lupton

Sindhu
Stephanie Severin

Thank-you for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Clean and Simple 3 - Day 3 - Stamp Layering

Hello!

Today I sat down to play with Laura Bassen's Stamp Layering technique from Day 3 of Clean & Simple Card Making. I didn't have a big, bold sentiment like Laura, so I had to improvise a bit. I made my background from PTI Sentiment Signs repeat stamped in Mama Elephant Blush. Then stamped my sentiment, and then everything else around it.  Using pigment ink gives a different effect to using dye inks with this technique, and while it is different, I still like it.

Stamps are PTI Ruby Rose and SentimentSigns. Inks are a mix of pigment inks from Mama Elephant and Memento Luxe.

Tonight I'm going out to dinner with one of my lifelong best friends who I have not seen anywhere near enough over the past couple of years. We live around the corner from each other, and yet our busy lives often mean we don't see each other, crazy! I'm really looking forward to a couple of hours together with our families.

Thanks for coming to visit me. No chicken or dog photos today... perhaps next time. ;-)

Michelle
xxx

Papertrey Ink Anniversary Recipe Card Challenge

Hello,

I'm bringing you a couple of cards today which I made using the sketch and colour recipe cards in the Papertrey Ink Anniversary Challenge.

First up is this masculine Valentine, for the guy who doesn't like gushy and mushy and pink. ;-)

I used PTI Teach and Inspire (chevrons) and Sending My Love stamps. I also used Fillable Frames #10 die. You would not believe the effort in adding that little bit of stitching. The recipe called for stitching, so I persevered, lol!

I turned the sketch upside down.

And I used this colour recipe. Isn't it so pretty?! :-)

My second card is much more girly!

I used PTI Ruby Rose and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamps.

I didn't move very far from the sketch recipe, it was just lovely! I didn't want to cover up the pretty flowers, so I used vellum for the sentiment strip, with black embossed sentiment.

The colour recipe was irresistible prettiness.

All seven of the sketch recipes and seven colour recipes are beautiful. I hope I can find some time to get back to making more cards with them.

Today we had our niece come to visit. It was so nice to spend some time with her. My girls love their big cousin. I love that now she is all grown up that she can just jump in the car and drive down to see us sometimes. :-)

Thank-you for dropping by to look at my cards!

Michelle
xxx

Dynamic Duos #71

Hello!

Oops! I'm a little late with this card today! Naughty Blogger forgot to post it.

Today I'm bringing you my card for this week's fabulous Dynamic Duos Challenge. The colours are Crumb Cake and Black with the option of using wet embossing.  My card is made using ALL wet embossing. The only ink used was Versamark to hold the embossing powder in place. ;-) The embossing powder is Ranger Super Fine Detail - my goodness this is awesome embossing powder! Definitely good for detail!

I used PTI Ruby Rose, Background Basics: Text Style II, Avery Elle Modern Leaves (sentiment). Card is SU! Basic Black and Crumb Cake. Embossing powder is Ranger Super Fine Detail Black.

The other ladies on the team have come up with some fabulous cards this week, too.

Alison Barclay

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Susie Wittwer

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Ooh, I almost forgot to show you... I have signed up for the Insider class over at Online Card Classes (starting in a few days), and so I thought I'd try decorating the inside of my card. I'm terribly inexperienced at this, and really have no idea - which is why I signed up to the class, LOL! I didn't emboss the inside, I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Thanks for coming by to visit me! I hope that you join in the fun with us this week!

Michelle
xxx

Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop - Take 1

Hello!

I've made a couple of cards for the August Blog Hop at Papertrey Ink. I'm hoping I'll figure out how to link them up while I am away from home. Right now, if all has gone to plan, I will be sleeping in a cosy cabin in Jindabyne, NSW, probably with a very sore body from a day of skiing!

This first card, I made for my daughter's 6th birthday, which is today! Happy Birthday to my littlest angel! She loves these colours, and she chose this colour combination when the sneak peak was released. :-)  She loves blueberries, which may have had something to do with the choice as well.

I used Ruby Rose, Harvest Berries (dots), and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday (sentiment) stamps. I debossed using a circle die. Colours are PTI Hawaiian Shores, SU! Perfect Plum, Pale Plum Night of Navy, Ballet Blue, Old Olive.

Thanks for visiting!  The next card will follow shortly! :-)

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study #151 and ColourQ #199

Hello!

I had a non-stop day today. Mostly housework, which is not finished due to the huge need for a big spring clean! I also took my daughter to an eisteddfod where she played her violin beautifully. She always amazes me. I was always able to play my piano beautifully in the privacy of my home but would crumble during performance. My daughter can have us wondering if we should actually take her along to her performances, and blossoms as soon as her feet hit the stage. AMAZING.

Tonight I bring you a card for CASE Study #151 where Jocelyn Olson is the muse. Jocelyn makes the most amazing cards, and I couldn't resist playing along. While I used Jocelyn's awesome layout, I changed the colours and used the colour scheme from ColourQ #199.

I used Hero Arts Zig Zag background stamp, PTI Sentiment Signs, and PTI Ruby Rose. Colours are SU! Really Rust, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, and Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe.

Now, I must go and get some sleep. More housework tomorrow, and I'm taking my little girl to her friend's birthday party.

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Papertrey Ink July Blog Hop

Hello!

It is a little bit of a miracle that I am here sharing a card. This week has been busier than last. Next week is definitely busier than this week, so I may not be popping in much (unless I manage to get some stamping done this week-end and do some scheduling... which would be lovely!).  I stole some of my sleeping time tonight to make a card to share in the PTI Blog Hop this month. The theme is "Fruits of Summer" and I wish I had some fruit stamps. Actually, I have strawberry stamps! Oh well, too late now, LOL!

I used PTI Ruby Rose. Inks are PTI Berry Sorbet, Hibiscus Burst, SU! Poppy Parade, Ranger Distress Crushed Olive, Memento Tuxedo Black. Card base is Hibiscus Burst.

I turned the sentiment on it's side to line the top line up with the top of the card, instead of angling it like I usually do. I think it worked out fine! There are a number of colour schemes to choose from this month. I chose this one.

Now, off to bed for me! I'll be back in the morning (Brisbane time) to link up.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Summer Card Camp - Day 4

Hello!

I'm still playing catch-up with my Summer Card Camp 2 homework, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel!  Today, for Day 4 homework, I made a card within 10 minutes using this week's colour scheme. This card should have taken me about 5 minutes, but somewhere along the line while I was stamping dots as confetti, I became mesmerised and lost track of time! I came so close to the 10 minute deadline that I had zero time to consider rhinestones or sequins! I may sneak back and add them later. ;-)

I used PTI Ruby Rose and Boutique Borders: Thanks stamps. Colours are PTI Hibiscus Burst, Hawaiian Shores, SU! Daffodil Delight, and Memento Tuxedo Black.

My time came in at 9 minutes, 51 seconds, and I almost didn't make it due to an adhering fault with the top panel of my card (which I fixed in the nick of time).

I'm enjoying Summer Card Camp. Sometimes the techniques are ones I already know, sometimes they are techniques I haven't used before, but ALWAYS I collect great new inspiration, and the chatter in the videos often gives me a smile. :-)

Thanks for visiting! I'm off to attempt my homework for Day 5.

Michelle
xxx

Summer Card Camp 2, Day 1

Hello!

Yes, right at the beginning of Summer Card Camp I am playing catch up! Hopefully I will be caught up by the week-end, and ready to play along in real-time by next week. I have to admit, that my day job does get in the way of keeping up with class, LOL!

For Day 1, we were treated to some great videos and then sent on our way to make a card using the week's colours and one of a selection of sketches.

This is my card. It's bright! :-)

I have also taken another view, to show the embossing on the vellum mat, which I did using my Hexagon cover plate.

Stamps are PTI Ruby Rose. Colours are SU! Daffodil Delight, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, PTI Hibiscus Burst, and Memento Tuxedo Black.

Just a quick one tonight. I need some beauty sleep! I hope you are all well, and I thank you for visiting me! :-)

Michelle
xxx

It's a (belated) celebration!

Hello!

It's Mojo Monday's 300th challenge. I've intended to join in all week long, and I've left it to the very last minute! So a belated entry (but not too late) and a belated birthday wish to my good friend, who I neglected to send a card to on time.

I used Snippets paper, PTI Ruby Rose and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday stamps. Card base and ink is SU! Early Espresso.

This is the sketch for Mojo Monday #300.

I've just returned home from a week-end at the Gold Coast. We stayed at Surfers Paradise, which is really not my favourite place in the world (crowded, tourists, crime, massive roadworks and blocked roads), but we were treated to beautiful weather, and the kids got to play on the beach. On the beach, everything is perfect - the beach is long and white - and I can ignore the highrise buildings and the crowded streets. :-) Here is an unedited photo to give you a taste of Surfers Paradise Beach in Winter. Unfortunately a bit cloudy, today was pure blue skies, but we were on our way home and no time for photos.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

Flowers galore!

Hello!

I have some new flower stamps. I think I may never have enough flowers... LOL!  Today is the first day of a few days off work for me, and the sun is valiantly attempting to shine through the clouds, the temperature is very warm for mid-Winter, so I think it is a day for flowers!

My first card I made for Retro Sketches #70.

The stamps are PTI Ruby Rose. The background is stamped using Delicata Gold. The other inks are SU! Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and PTI Melon Berry. Card base is PTI Fine Linen and patterned paper is Fine Linen.

My second card I made just for fun, while I had the new stamps out, and I'm entering it into Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes. In the same order that Ruby Rose arrived, I received a mega-pack of Hibiscus Burst cardstock. I can see pink cards galore in my future! I love this colour. I'm lucky to have two girls who love pink, too!

Card base is PTI Hibiscus Burst. Ink is Memento Tuxedo Black. 

A very simple, but striking, card. I love the way the sentiments in this set are designed for a corner. And I love how the flowers, leaves and dots sprinkle so easily!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx