I've been Tagged!

Hello... I have something fun to share! I've been photo tagged by Debbie at Debbie P's Place and Shirley at A Crafty Spot. These ladies are such wonderful and talented paper crafters!! Debbie has been a sweet cyber friend that I've enjoyed over the past 4 months of my blogging career and Shirley is new to me and I'm totally digging her blog! I hope to get to know Shirley better as time goes on... :) Pop in to say "HI" to these wonderful ladies!!!

This is how it works... go into your picture files, open the 6th folder and post the 6th picture! I have a nature folder and this was my 6th photo. The metal flower garden art was given to me by my Niece, Anna, on my birthday in July. This flower bed is located in the front of the house. It was fun looking at my fall, spring and summer photo's... it gets me in the spring fever mode... LOL!

This next photo I just had to share as this is COOPER, our golden retriever age 4! :) This was taken 2 summers ago as he just had a bath and loves to show off after and play!! He's my buddy.... :)

Now I'm suppose to pass this on to 6 other people, but I'm going to pass this Photo Tag onto YOU!!! Enjoy as it's fun getting to know my blogging friends more and sharing!!

Thanks for popping in and I enjoy it when you do.... SMILES!

Michelle :)

Mojo Monday and CC204A Challenges... So FUN!

Hi paper crafters! Well, I surprised myself with posting 2 days in a row... WOW'za!! I just finished my Mojo Monday card and combined it with the Split Coast CC204A Color Challenge. (Using colors Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral and Old Olive.) I have to admit the Creamy Caramel was a challenge for me, but I think I have this color added pretty well... LOL!

I used SU! Heart to Heart punch to add hearts to my scallop circle using SU! Love you Much set. I inked my stamp from "A Happy Heart" with SU! markers. I added Stardust and Fruit Punch stickles for "BLING" baby! My creamy caramel CS was dry embossed using my CB "Floral Fantasy" folder. Then taking a sponge with creamy caramel ink to soften the edges and sponge over the raised images to give depth.

This is a close up photo of my stickles and layering. Enjoy... :)

Have a super evening and stamp your {{Hearts}} out! Play along if you can with this weeks challenges. So much fun in deed! Thanks for popping in.... SMILES!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! A Happy Heart and Love You Much Paper: SU! Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, DP's (Scenic Route & Chatter Box) Ink: SU! markers Old Olive, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel Other: SU! Scallop Circle, Heart to Heart , 1 3/8" circle punches, scallop scissors, 1/16" hole punch, dimensionals, Stardust and Fruit Punch Stickles, SU! Ribbon (Taupe), CB Floral Fantasy folder,stamp positioner, etc.

Blog Award... FABULOUS!!

This blog award was giving to me by one of my sweetest cyber friends Lisa from The Craft's Meow .... Hi Lisa!! :) She is so sweet to pass this on to me and I'm ever grateful of her awesome talents!! You must give her a visit as she has the cutest SFYTT challenge card posted this week!!

This award comes with a requirement to list five of your addictions. Here are mine, in no particular order:

1. Paper Crafting!!... This is the obvious!! I've been doing it for 10+ years and can't get enough of it. Anything with paper, embellies, SU!, colored card stock, DP's, Paper Crafts issues, bling, etc.
2. Just the simple things in life!! (My hubby can relate as I'm not a high maintenance woman... LOL!) Less is more for me and a happy heart!
3. Chai Tea.... This brand I buy at Sam's Club and enjoy a cup every night! Not a "SUPER SIZED" version. Just a nice small cup to relax. Also I {{LOVE}} Diet Pepsi... He!
4. Spending a day at home, with my DH, Cooper, or even if it's just me only. As I enjoy freeing my mind of cell phones, traffic, questions, work, etc. I'll have music going, enjoy a Diet Pepsi and hang out... being in my craft room, cleaning, even laundry... I'm HAPPY! It's my "MINI Vacation"!
5. Blog Surfing.... such FABULOUS people in blog land and I've made so many friends in the past 4 months. You paper crafters just inspire me SOOOOO much and have such "AWESOME" talent.

I am passing this blog award on to anyone visiting my blog!! You are such great crafters and deserve an award for the inspiration you share!!! :)

I'm off to get some shut eye!!! Thanks for your time and visit... SMILES!!

Michelle :)

SFYTT & OCC... Wishing you a HAPPY Heart!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone!! Are you ready for the big game?? We're going to have taco's and munchies. (Food is the best part... he!) I want to watch the fun commercials and the 1/2 time show should be great... Go ARIZONA!! :)

So I have a quick card to post before the game starts. This was inspired by SFYTT Challenge at i{heart}2stamp. Jen has such fun sketch challenges each week so pop in and play along! Also my card goes along with the OCC Challenge... Crazy for Hearts!

I used my SU! Curly Label, Heart to Heart and corner rounder punches. I created a banner using my stamp positioner being this saying is from the Happy Heart set, using Chocolate Chip and Rose Red markers. I sponged the edges on the Curly Labels with Chocolate Chip to add more brown and contrast. I CB my very vanilla strip on top with

my Swiss Dots folder.... and you know I like bling so I added Fruit Punch Stickles to my mini heart!! :)

So have a fun time tonight on what every you plan to do and we'll chat again soon! Thanks for popping in for a visit... I love it!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Love You Much, A Happy Heart Paper: SU! Rose Red, Rose Romance, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, DP (SU! Candy Lane) Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Rose Red Other: SU! Curly Label, Heart to Heart, and corner rounder punches, Fruit Punch Stickles, SU! Chocolate Chip ribbon, dimensionals, paper piercing, CB Swiss Dots folder, brads (k&i Memories), sponge, etc.

Happy Firday... 4th Double Feature!

Happy Friday everyone!! Today I have a Double Feature. I used Whisper White or Very Vanilla as my card base and keeping the cards on the clean and SIMPLE side. I have been seeing more of this and it looks so elegant and soft. (Not to mention when you need a quick card this may inspire you!)

The first card is using SU! Pocket Silhouette, Upsy Daisy and the butterfly is from Perennial Favorites.
I used my scallop scissors on the bottom edge. Then punched 1/16" holes. My butterflies were stamped on Baja Breeze and I added 1/2 back silver pearls to the lower wings. Waterfall Stickles was added to the stamped image. I have a close up photo, but it's hard to see the details. (Click to enlarge image.) I used my SU! Large texture wheel with Craft white on my Chocolate Chip CS along with my MS ZigZag Border Punch. I doubled my ribbon for a fun look! :)

The second card is using scraps of DP and adding double ribbon on top. I added the lace border using my MS punch then stamping my images with SU! Cameo Coral and Baja Breeze. The fun part I like the most is I adding my 1/2 back silver pearls I picked up at Michael's on 3 flower buds.

See close up photo for a better look! I hope you enjoy them and let me know what you think... I love it when you do!! Have a super day and we'll chat more again soon...

Smiles... Michelle :)

(Card #1) Stamps: SU! Pocket Silhouettes, Upsy Daisy, Perennial Faorites Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Ink: SU! Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Other: Scallop scissors, 1/16" hole punch, Waterfall Stickles, ribbon (American Crafts), 1/2 back silver pearls (Michael's), needle for paper piercing, MS ZigZag border punch, etc.

(Card #2) Stamps: SU! Pocket Silhouette, Cute & Curly Paper: SU! Very Vanilla and DP (?) Ink: SU! Baja Breeze and Cameo Coral Other: SU! Round corner punch, ribbons (Teal - Target $1 Spot and Coral (?), 1/2 back silver pearls (Michael's), MS Lace Border Punch, etc.

OCC Challenge... Love Birds!

Morning everyone! I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday as the day got away on me. I finished my OCC Challenge card last night... late and was to sleepy to post! OCC is giving you a chance to win a NEW custom banner & watermark!!! (I could use that!!) Any, who, how have you been? It's warming up in Minnesota so that's a big plus... :)

For my card today I used SU! Love you Much set. I just got my Valentine Bundle from SU! this past Friday and sure love the DP!!! I used my SU! Top Note die to add a "frame" in the background, I did some paper piecing on the 2 birds, added my K&Company Pillow Heart stickers, and used a flower button which is postioned past the Nesties Scallop die to give a 3-D effect. I love the little extras to a card!! He.. He!

Have a super fun day stampers and thanks for the visit!!! I hope you have a chance to play along on the challenge... enjoy... get some stamping time in!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Love You Much Paper: SU! Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, DP (Candy Lane) Ink: SU! Basic Brown, SU! Markers Other: Nesties dies, K&Company Pillow Heart stickers, ribbon (?), SU! Top Note die, dimensionals, flower button (?), mini scallop scissors (Target $1 spot), etc.

Organize Your CuttleBug Embossing Folders... :)

Happy Sunday everyone!! The sun is shinning and life it good... :) Last night I went into my craft room to make this CuttleBug Swatch Sampler of my embossing folders!! (I need all the organization I can get being I have 13 folders and can't remember the names of them all...LOL!)

I found this idea on Cuttlebug Challenge blog... YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT!!! Lots of great tips, ideas, challenges, organizing, videos, etc. Tracy Pounds came up with this FABULOUS idea and I chased it.

Here is Tracy's info: When organizing your CuttleBug embossing folders consider making yourself a swatch book. It is a great way to see all the fabulous folders you own at a glance!…especially helpful when you’re working on a creative project and don’t want to take the time to go through every folder that you own. Simply flip through your tags … it will save you so much time! Also, you can see the positive and negative image of each folder by looking at the reverse side of the tag. Here’s another great tip…take your Swatch Book with you on your next shopping trip to help you remember which embossing folders you already have in your collection!

Follow these simple steps to create your own Cuttlebug Swatch Book:

1. Die cut a tag shape out of scraps of cardstock. (I used Nesties Label One die. I also die cut a few extras so as I purchase more embossing folders I'm ready to go... LOL!)
2. Emboss each individual tag with the embossing folders that you own. (NOTE: Write on the backside the name of the folder if you wish, as it's easier to do this before embossing or add printed labels after.)
3. Place all of your embossed tags on a binder ring.
4. Tie a few colorful ribbons on the ring just for fun!

I hope you enjoy this AWESOME idea!! Plus I love adding ribbon to anything for some "GIRLY" fun!!! Let me know what you think!! Enjoy.... :)

Michelle :)

SC212... Let it Snow!!

Burrrrrr Baby it's cold outside!! Yes, we're having another cold blast in Central Minnesota. (-11 below and strong winds right now.) So this inspired me to make a card for the SC212 Challenge using snowflakes. Yes, I'm crazy and late on doing this challenge! My fuzzy slippers are keeping me warm... He! :)

On this card I used my CuttleBug for the snowflake and Swiss dots embossing. The "Ice Crystal" Snowflake die was cut out of blue foamie (2mm thick). I added Waterfall Stickles to give some BLING as I {{LOVE}} that part... :) I punched the small snowflake using my Martha Stewart punch adding it to the center along with SU! red gingham ribbon. The "let it snow" is from an old retired set from SU!... Tiny Talk. I even used my eyelets that have been lacking love. Time to start using them... I enjoy the look. :)

A close up photo of my snowflake to get a better idea on the bling and details. Stay warm everyone and enjoy the evening!!! I'm off to stamp more tonight. DH is in the shop working. Take care and thanks for the visit!!!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Tiny Talk (retired) Paper: SU! Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Ballet Blue, Whisper White, DP (Memories Complete) Ink: SU! Brocade Blue Other: SU! Large Oval Punch, CB embossing folders (Swiss Dots and Snowflakes), CB Ice Crystal die, SU! red gingham ribbon, MS snowflake punch, dimensionals, red eyelets, SU! Corner Rounder Punch, Waterfall Stickles, etc.

Happy Firday... with Warmest Wishes!

Hi stampers and bloggers! Here is a card I made Wednesday night and I want to share with you... :) This card layout was inspired by Laura at Scrapnextras. Check out her blog as it's just FABALICIOUS!! I wish I had a different plum paper color closer to the DP's plum tones, but it turned out pretty good. :)

I used my new Martha Stewart ZigZag border punch and SU! Baroque Motifs to create a medallion effect. I inked my stamp with SU! markers, clear embossed, and used dimensionals to give some 3-D dimension. I added a rhinestone brad to the center. I figured a soft organdy ribbon would be nice to make it a bit more elegant. I used my SU! Word Window Punch for the "Warmest Wishes" saying. You can click on the photos to get a closer look!!
Here is a close up photo of the center image. I hope you enjoy!!! Have a super great Friday coming up as I'm posting this late on Thursday night. Chat more again soon... thanks for the visit!!!!!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Baroque Motifs and So Many Sayings Paper: SU! Perfect Plum, River Rock, Very Vanilla, DP's by K&Company Ink: SU! Old Olive and Perfect Plum, VersaMark Other: SU! Clear EP, SU! Word Window Punch, MS Zigzag border punch, dimensionals, brad rhinestone (JoAnn's), stamp positioner, organdy ribbon, etc.

Mojo Monday... Friends are the BEST!!!

Morning everyone!! Last night I had a chance to do the Mojo Monday challenge... what fun it was!! This card was originally started at Julie's SU! card class I have once a month. I didn't have time to finish the card, so I'm glad I waited!! I just added the 1/2 circle and Curly Label saying to complete it.

This was a Technique card that we did using "Foil Embossing". What you do is stamp the foil on the back side, using a permanent ink. (She had us use the foil seals off a cappuccino mix... heavier than aluminum!) Allow to dry. Place the foil on a foam pad with stamped image facing up. Using a stylus, etch (draw) around the stamped lines. Turn foil over and you will see a raised image!! How easy is that... check out Julie's SU! web page!!

I have a close up photo of the Foil Embossing for a better look! The stem and leaf is from the NEW SU! catty... Petal Pizzazz. The saying "are the Best" on my Curly Label punch was from SU! It's your Birthday set as I took off the Birthday part! Sneaky right?!?!? :)

Have a great Wednesday and if you have a chance remember to get some stamping time in!!! Smiles....

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Petal Pizzazz and It's your Birthday Paper: SU! Temping Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black and Whisper White Ink: SU! Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise Other: SU! Curly Label, Scallop Circle, and 1 1/4" circle Punch, Nesitie's, paper piercing, crimper, brads (JoAnn's), ribbon SU! Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise, dimensionals, etc.