Playing with my new toys...

Happy Monday morning!! This past weekend I had the chance to shop at Archiver's and with the goodies I purchased I wanted to make a card using a couple things. My new items are the QuickCuts Embossing Folder "Plants" and the "Apron Lace" border punch by Fiskars.

I picked out my colors, embossed my image and using my Poppin' Pastel chalks to color in the image. Then finishing off the card by adding a very vanilla panel using my Top Note die and new border punch for some added detail. Plus I LOVE this ribbon... which I have no idea where I picked it up!? :)

Just a note! With the July 4th weekend coming and we have company coming my posting maybe very sparse!! I hope to post one more time before the weekend, but if I don't have a super 4th of July!!!

Enjoy your day, stamp your heart out and be safe if you are traveling!! Thanks for poppin' in for a visit... I truly enjoy it!!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Wonderful Words Paper: SU! So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip Other: SU! Poppin Pastels, Top Note, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, ribbon (?), gold pearls (Michael's), sponges, Qtips, QickCuts "Plants" embossing folder, etc.

Fall Colors... to YOU from me!

Happy Friday! I'm not sure where the week went, but it was FAST. To start out your weekend I have a card to share using fall colors and the LOVELY Top Note die. The colors turned out brighter when taking my photo. I tried editing it and this was the best I could come up with. The CS is Wild Wasabi and Marigold Morning which should be more gold than yellow.

I like how it turned out! And the burgundy felt rick-rack is so rich looking. I embossed my sentiment which has a bit of gold undertone, but hard again to see in the photo. Plus I sponged the edges for more contrast... ENJOY!

(Blogger is being fussy tonight so this gap just has to stay!)








I must share this too... here is a photo of Alex, our Kinship Partner, from this past Tuesday. Mark took him fishing and they had so much fun... Alex LOVES to fish! Mark caught this northern and Alex wanted a photo taken with him holding it... it was a hot night. Alex is going on 9 this August.

Have a super weekend! I'm meeting up with a friend in the Twin Cities area tomorrow. We are having lunch, making an Archiver's run and other fun!! Thanks for poppin' in and keep cool!

SMILES.... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Best Yet Paper: SU! Wild Wasabi, Marigold Morning, Very Vanilla, DP (BoBunny) Ink: SU! Craft Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Carmel Other: SU! Top Note, gold pearls (Michael's), sponges, dimensionals, felt rick-rack (?), Enchanted Creations (EP), Large gold brad (?), MS Frond Punch, CB Swiss Dots folder, SU! Corner Punch, silk flowers (Flower Accents), etc.

2 More... Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #23

I couldn't resist making two more cards using Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #23!! This is a first for me, making 4 cards on one sketch!!! In my last post I mentioned I wanted to try this sketch using the Trendy Tree set. Here it is! Very simple, no extra frills, but has some punch! (Size 6 1/2"x 3 1/4")

On my second card... the size is 7 x 3 1/2" so I could fit the smallest Nestie Label One die, 5 times! I started picking through my scraps of DP to put this card together and that's how I came up with the colors. I took my SU! White Gel pen to doodle around my sentiment, added white pearls in the flower centers, and added a button to my bow. Not sure if I like this card, but sure is GIRLY!! :)

This is the first I have been on the computer since my last post... LOL! I have LOTS of e-mails to surf through tonight. The hubby's playing soft ball, so I can relax and have a cup of chai tea!! Have a super evening my stamping friends!! Thanks for poppin' in for a visit... :)

SMILES... Michelle :)

Autumn
Stamps: SU! Trendy Trees & Season by Season Paper: SU! Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Textured Rust CS (?), Kraft (PTI) Ink: SU! Ruby Red, More Mustard, Old Olive, Creamy Carmel, Chocolate Chip, VersaMark Other: gold pearls (Michael's), twill ribbon (?), paper piercing, stamp positioner, glue dots, EP (Enchanted Creations), etc.

You Make Me Smile
Stamps: Hero Arts Paper: SU! Kraft, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, DP's (A-Muse, Anchor, Gartner Studios) Ink: SU! Craft Whisper White Other: Nesties Label One, CB Swiss Dots, Ribbon (?), button, pearls (Michael's), dimensionals, Pink flowers (Doodlebug Designs - Paper Frills), SU! Trio Flower, SU! Lots of Tags, Signo White Gel Pen, silver brads (SU!), etc.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #23... Join in!!

Hello, stamping friends!! Last night I decided to play along with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #23. When I first looked at the sketch I was kind of taken... hummm! Then a few things came to mind. On my first card I wanted a FRESH & SUMMERY look... because the heat is on here! This card is pretty much all SU! but the rhinestones which I purchased at Michael's and the wave border punch is from EK. I LOVED making these flowers with sponging the edges and curling the petal tips with the bone folder. :)

For my second card I decided to use the Darling Dots set and going lady-bug style!! Behind the black ribbon I added a Real Red panel that was CB embossed to give a tone on tone effect and some texture. It's hard to see in the photo. Again all SU!, but the CB embossing and black stitched ribbon. I just might try another card using the Trendy Tree set... with fall colors! The weather is warming up and I'm thinking fall... LOL!! (can you tell I'm from Minnesota!)

Enjoy your day ladies (guys too!) I'm working on the invites for the township gathering. Keep your summer smiles on... :)

Enjoy... Michelle

Just Because
Stamps: SU! Simple Sayings 2 Paper: SU! Baja Breeze, Lavender Lace, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White Ink: Lavender Lace, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Craft Whisper White Other: SU! Baja Breeze Ribbon, EK wave border punch, SU! Boho Blossoms punch, rhinestones (Michael's), SU! Detail White EP, sponges, etc.

Happy Birthday
Stamps: SU! It's Your Birthday, Darling Dots Paper: SU! Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black Ink: SU! REAL Red, Craft Whisper White Other: SU! Detail White EP, SU! Trio Flower punch, CB Embossing folder (Divine Swirl), silver brad (SU!), ribbon (?), bone folder to score on my paper cutter, etc.

Mojo Monday 91... Bloom!

Hi everyone... SUMMER is here! :) I hope the weather is nice where you are at and enjoying the sun. We have clouds and rain coming in. Good day to stamp!

Last night I had a couple hours to play with the Mojo Monday 91 Challenge using my new Floral Symphony set from Verve!! I'm not happy how the word "Bloom" turned out, not enough contrast! But the rest of the card is nice. These colors are out of my box and tried to follow the sketch as close as I could.

I used my Nesties Label One die to create a panel behind the my image. CB embossed for some texture and sponged the edges using Craft Whisper White. For the flowers I used my SU! markers and Sakura gel pen to add some sparlke.

The rest of the card is pretty easy to follow. I did outline my white butterfly using my Sakura gel pen. Click on the second photo for a closer look at the flowers! Enjoy my stamping friends... :)

Have a super Sunday... thanks for popping in for a visit!!

Smiles... Michelle

Stamps: Verve (Floral Symphony) Paper: SU! Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, DP(A2Z Essentials) Ink: SU! True Thyme, Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Craft Whisper White Other: SU! White and Old Fashioned Olive (retired) EP, SU! Large oval and Scallop Oval Punches, CB embossing folder (Textile), Ribbon (SU!), dimensionals, silver pearl (Michael's), MS butterfly punch, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, etc.

CASEing... a card from Laura!!

Hi everyone!! How is your Friday going so far? I'm sure you notice a bit of change on my blog... time to freshen up my look and work on getting my cards/photos looking better. This is why you come to visit and see the details. Plus I hope some of why you visit is to say "HI"! :)

Today's card was inspired by the fabulous Laura Fredrickson at Scrapnextras!! I just fell in love with her card. I changed my colors to Real Red with the Basic Black, gave a different treatment to my sentiment... check out her card!! And her other posts... she is always amazing me!

Have a super weekend and truly enjoy your day!!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Great Friend Paper: SU! Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black Ink: Real Red, Basic Black Other: SU! Large and Small oval punches, brads (K&I), dimensionals, CB Stylized Flowers, rhinestones (Michael's), border (SU! retired scissors!), etc.

Let it Snow... in June!

Well, better late than never, right!! All intentions to get my card posted earlier, but life got in the way. I'm on a committee to help organize our Motley Township gathering. We are planning to have it at the end of July, a buffet style meal at the Pine Ridge Golf Club... getting plate prices, menu, time, date, etc. set up.

Anywho, you came to see a card, no my rambling!! :) I felt the urge to make a snowflake card to contrast the fact summer starts and the longest day of the year will be on Sunday... this is what's to come 6 months from now... LOL! The card is pretty cut and dry. Some CB embossing, punched circles and using my Swiss Dot to emboss the Baja Breeze. Then I white embossing the dots. Double layer of ribbon and lots of Creamy Carmel sponging to give an aged look. Think summer because it's coming.... :)

Thanks for popping in for a visit and I enjoy your comments so much!! I'm catching upon on blogging so don't think I forgot about you! A few things right now are taking over my card making and blogging time... I take any moments I get to enjoy some eye candy from all you AWESOME STAMPERS!!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Tiny Talk Paper: SU! Kraft, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, DP (Mind's Eye) Ink: SU! Creamy Carmel, Chocolate Chip, Baroque Burgundy, Craft Whisper White Other: SU! 1 1/2" & 1 3/8" circle punches, MS snowflake punch, ribbon (SU! Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Crisp), CuttleBug folders (Swiss Dots and Snowflakes), button (?), SU! Linen Thread, tag (Office shop), sponge, dimensionals, SU! White EP, etc.

Top Note... Double Feature!

Morning!! Monday sure came fast and weather is warming up here... :) Over the weekend our garden was over taken by RABBITS!! After church we ran into town to pick up fencing. I have to replant a few things and buy more pepper plants, but we'll keep trying!! Rabbits are cute, BUT!

Last night I finally played with a few goodies I picked up last week! This DP is so yummy and I think it's from AMuse... not marked and I have a short memory! LOL! So I decide to make two versions for a Double Feature. I found a packet of Hero Arts flowers to match, added brads, hardware such as spacers, white pearls, MS branch punches and CB embossing to the mix. So fun to make with a Kraft cardbase. Really POPS!

On the second card I stamped the sentiment in Craft Chocolate Chip, from Hero Arts, and clear embossed. Did some paper piercing and sponged the edges with Creamy Carmel. I tried to get my sentiment to look like a banner with adding a couple pop-dots in the center, but isn't showing up well in the photo... click on the photos for a closer look!

ENJOY everyone! Have a super day and so glad you popped in for a visit... always love it when you do!!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! It's your Birthday, Hero Arts Paper: SU! Kraft, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, DP (AMuse) Ink: SU! Basic Black, Craft Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel Other: SU! Top Note Die, Scallop oval punch, white pearls (Michael's), CB Swiss Dots Folder, Ribbon (Target Club Wed), dimensionals, paper piercing, SU! rhinestone brads & brads, Pinwheel spacers (American Tag), sponge, MS branch punch, glue dots, etc.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #21

Hi everyone!! Hope your Saturday is going well and enjoying some stamping time... :) I started this post early this morning, and now I'm finally getting it done. Has anyone else had this problem... LOL!

Earlier this week I made a card using Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #21. I have quite a bit of this SU! design paper and thought I would give it a try. What I did on my Lots of Tags die, I cut out the center with my knife. Then taking the Wide Oval punch to attach my sentiment on the back side.

Check out more CUTE cards using this sketch challenge, LeAnne at Wee Inklings and Nancy at iStamp. Have a great evening! We just had a few rain showers pass through the area. I plan to blog and stamp tonight. yeah!! :) Enjoy...

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Best Yet Paper: SU! Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron, DP (SU! Delicate Dots) Ink: SU! Basic Black Other: SU! Lots of Labels die, MS Lace border punch, SU! So Saffron ribbon, silver pearls (Michael's), SU! Wide oval and corner punch, CB Swiss Dots folder, paper piercing, dimensionals, etc.

CC222... Happiness!

Hello! I want to thank everyone for the SWEET comments with me being selected as one of MoJo Monday Winners this week! Truly warms my heart and so very appreciated... I still can't believe it! Tonight I'm picking out my new stamp set... Tee! (I feel like a kid in a candy store!) :)

I want to share my CC222 (Color Challenge at SCS). You had to use white as your card base and that being the ONLY LAYER... adding any colors you like. So I decided to dig into my bag of misc. punched images... I can't toss anything! LOL! So I found these two flowers, added the button, and used my scallop circle Nestie to create a fun embossed border. In the photo it's hard to see, but I sponged Tempting Turquoise behind the flower.

Enjoy my stamping friends and have a super Friday coming up very SOON! We have a busy weekend but I will be posting! (A girl needs some blog time to R&R!)

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Heard from the Heart Paper: SU! Whisper White Ink: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Real Red Other: EK flower punches, button (Wal-Mart), EK Border Wave Punch, Ribbon (Target Club Wed), Nestie, Sponge, CB embossing folder (Tiny Bubbles), glue dots, etc.

SU! In-Colors and Graduation card!!

Morning! :) I want to share 2 more cards from Julie's Monday night card class. The first card is using NEW SU! In-Colors and the second card we used punches to make an owl and put a CUTE grad card together!!

An added note! Right now I'm on cloud 9 and doing the Happy Dance.... I just found out I'm one of the June Mojo Monday Contest winners!! I can't believe I was selected out of 433 entries and so many super talented cards posted!! This was my card... :)

On the Happy Birthday card I CuttleBug embossed the card base using Numbers Collage and added a green button. Look at those new In-colors together... :) Don't they look great!

On the second card I added a ribbon treatment to fill in some empty space. I just LOVE this cutie patootie owl!! SO fun using the SU! punches to create this card... ENJOY!

Have a super day everyone! The sun is shining here and we are expected to warm up today. Get some stamping time in and SMILE!

Think Summer.. Michelle :)

Card #1
Stamps: SU! (?) Paper: SU! In-colors (Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, and Dusty Durango), So Saffron, Whisper White, DP (SU!) Ink: SU! More Mustard, Soft Suede Other: CB embossing folder Numbers Collage, SU! 3/4" circle punch and NEW label Punch, paper piercing, gold brads, Button (WalMart), glue dots, dimensionals, etc.

Card #2
Stamps: SU! Great Grad Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Summer Sun, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip Other: SU! Chocolate chip and yellow grosgrain ribbon, large gold brad (Office store), eyes (WalMart), SU! Punches (Tag, Word Window, Round Tab, Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" circle, Boho Blossoms, 5-Petal Flower, 1/2" circle punch), dimensionals, etc.

New SU! In-Color... Crushed Curry!!

A quick post before I hit the pillow! I had Julie's SU! card class tonight... she had all the new SU! in-colors, markers, ribbons! I wanted to show you one of the cards we made using a new set called Razzle Dazzle and In-Color Crushed Curry!

WOW, was I in love with the ribbon treatment on this card!! And the Chocolate Chip corduroy button is such a fun touch... :) A very simple card with a lot of WOW! And thanks Diane for letting me use your stamp positioner!! :)

Well, I'm off to bed now! I hope you enjoyed the sneak peak and it's so cool knowing a week ago was pre-view.... now I have NEW SU! products in my hand! :)

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle Paper: SU! Close to Cocoa, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip and Crushed Curry Markers Other: SU! Scallop oval and large oval punches, SU! Corduroy Button, SU! 1" Double Stitched Chocolate Chip and Crushed Curry ribbons, dimensionals, stamp positioner, etc.

Blog Awards!!

Hi again!! This is my second post today so scroll down to see more if you like... :) I want to share a few blog awards that I have received from 7 lovely bloggers I follow and have become good friends with!! Some of these awards have been from a couple months back, and I SO APPRECIATE them all... :)

First, I want to say I'm happy to feel worthy to even receive these awards!! Stop in for a visit to these lovely ladies blogs and look at all the SWEET EYE CANDY and indulge in a cup of coffee while you surf!! From each one I have learned many creative ideas, inspiring talent, sweet humor, and always happy to put a smile on!! :)

Deb at My Muse

Debbie at Debbie P's Place

Elena at Ocean of Imaginations

Lisa at The Craft's Meow
Carolann at Black Cat's Maiow
Jenna at A "Sap" for Stamps

Lynn at The Queen's Scene

Thanks so much Deb, Debbie, Lisa, Lynn, Elena, Carolann,& Jenn for these awards!! A warm fuzzy feeling for sure... :) Tonight I made chicken wild rice soup for supper. I thought soup would be perfect for such a COLD day!! Later some popcorn and Chai tea... enjoy your evening! Thanks for poppin' in... You are why I keep blogging!

SMILES... Michelle :)

SC231... Double Dose!

Morning!! Happy Sunday and I hope your weekend is going well, warm and sunny... :) We don't have the warm and sun here, but it's a great day! Yesterday we had a graduation party to attend so didn't have any time to stamp till last night.

I decided to tackle SC231 over at SplitCoast. I had a couple ideas so I have a "double dose" to share with you!!! My first card is using the ever so popular Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, and Kiwi Kiss colors. This is the first time I used this CUTIE PATOOTIE bird and I hope the wings are in the right position. I looked in the SU! catty to see a sample, but didn't find it right away and was to tired to keep looking... LOL! :) I added a brown button for a fun accent. Wrapped Baja Breeze ribbon around the card and decided not to tie a bow to keep the focus on the bird and embossed background.

My second card I used DP for the 3 panels, my Top Note Die, and found this twill ribbon that has "Happy Everything!" printed on it. I decided to create a star medallion. Added silver pearls to the top corners. Plus sponging around the edges!

Well, I'm off to help the hubby work on the utility shed in my long johns... He, he! Have a super day and thanks for the sweet comments... truly enjoy them ALL!

SMILES.... Michelle :)

Card #1
Stamps: Scrappy Cat Paper: SU! Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss Ink: SU! Baja Breeze (Sponge edges of bird), Craft Whisper White Other: Nesties Label 1, SU! Little Leaves and Birds & Blooms dies, SU! button, SU! Baja Breeze 5/8" striped, twine, SU! detail White EP, demensionals, etc.

Card #2
Stamps: NONE Paper: SU! Wild Wassabi, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, DP (We R Memory Keepers) Ink: SU! Creamy Carmel & Close to Cocoa (Sponge Edges) Other: SU! 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" circle punches, small and large star punches, CB Tiny Bubbles folder, silver star (WalMart), twill ribbon (?), dimensionals, silver pearls (Michael's), SU! Top Note die, sponges, etc.

MoJo Monday... Great Friend!

Ahhh, the weekend is just about here! These last 2 days have been a blurr... not much blog surfing for me, but will be catching up this weekend! :)

I did manage to make time to try the MoJo Monday 89 Challenge!! I just received my "GREAT FRIEND" set and picked my DP from Chatter Box. This was my color inspiration... I can't believe I used every stamp in this set. Has to be a first in a long time for me!!

I did the Rockn' Roll Technique on the butterfly, added gold pearls, felt flowers, and the rick-rack was a fun twist to my card! :)

I sure miss doing challenges and need to get back into them. Until we talk again my stamping friends... have a super day, happy stamping and ENJOY!!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Great Friend Paper: SU! Old Olive, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue, DP (Chatter Box) Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie, Baroque Burgundy, Old Olive, Brocade Blue, VersaMark, SU! Markers Other: SU! 1 3/4" circle punch, gold pearls (Michael's), CB Swiss Dots folder, SU! Flower Fusion, SU! gold brads, dimensionals, ribbon (WalMart), rick-rack (?), Martha Stewart border punch, etc.

Happy Father's Day... Top Note!

Burr! It's cold baby... :( This morning we woke up to frost in the area. I'm glad I covered my plants!!

I've been working on a couple Father's Day cards and came up with these using my Frames with a Flourish set... this set is on the SU! retired list! Plus you know how much I like my Top Note die!!

I found some DP that worked perfectly with Not Quite Navy, Garden Green and River Rock. Happy Father's day is gold embossed on both cards. I added some VERY LARGE gold brads in the corners... I must have gotten them at a office shop a while back. Then doing some paper pierced around the Top Note. I used my CuttleBug to emboss my Metallic Bronze cardstock with the Tiny Mosaic pattern to give a masculine feel. The photo doesn't show the metallic look very well, try clicking on the photo for a closer look!
Here I stamped my top and bottom designs with Craft Chocolate Chip and clear embossed. Both cards have a sophisticated look... Enjoy!

Now off to hang my curtain panels in our spare bedroom... can't wait to see the results!!

Have a super day my stampin' friends!! Remember to stamp and SMILE today... he! Thanks for poppin' in! :)

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Frames with a Flourish, All-Year Cheer 2 Paper: SU! Garden Green, Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Metallic Bronze (Michael's), DP (DCWV) Ink: SU! Craft Chocolate Chip, Gold Rush, Classic Chocolate Chip Other: SU! Top Note Die, gold brads (office shop), dimensionals, Gold and Clear Embossing Powders, CB Tiny Mosaic embossing folder, ribbon (Target Club Wed), paper piercing, gold pearls (Michael's), etc.

CAS... Double Feature!!

Hello everyone!! Tonight my hubby and I started framing up a small utility shed in the back yard. Mark was pretty happy as we finished the walls right before dark... and says "I love progress!" I just smiled as the mosquito's were sucking us alive!! :)

Any whoo... I decided to make a couple CAS cards last night using my Fozz Felt... this stuff is pretty fun to use as it's adhesive. I made two versions being I have over a yard of this stuff. My first card is pretty COLORFUL (shocker, right?) and added some fun embellies. Then taking my markers to color the sentiment.

The second card I used Kraft cardstock and white embossed the sentiment... I decided to add diamond shaped silver brads from SU! (retired), rhinestones and sequins (I think that's what you call them, I don't have the original packaging!) The photo doesn't do this card justice, but IRL it's even nicer! I like the idea of only using one layer... It's so hard stamping when the weather is nice, CAS cards work great!! Enjoy everyone... :)

Thanks for popping in and saying "HI"... I love your comments! Makes my day... :)

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Heard from the Heart and $1 stamp Paper: SU! Whisper White, Kraft Ink: SU! Craft Whisper White, SU! Markers Other: SU! white embossing powder, rhinestones (Michael's), SU! silver brads, Fozz Felt (Kaiser Scrapbook), flower brads (JoAnn's), etc.