Fusion - Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Hello!

It's time for a new challenge at Fusion! Our inspiration is one of my favourite themes - SUNSHINE! :-)

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy stamp set. It's been a while since I used this set and I still love it so much.

I have used both sketch and inspiration photo to make a Fusion card. I am really looking forward to seeing our gallery for this challenge, it's sure to be full of fun and happiness.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 194 in Red, Orange, and Yellow

Hello!

I've had some issues this week with photography/computer uploads, so please forgive the not-so-perfect iPhone photo of my card! This is my card for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch.

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy and Wplus9 Pretty Peonies stamps to create my card.

I selected the red, orange, and yellow colour scheme in response to the One Layer Simplicity challenge this month.

I'm a bit tired today. I have a FitBit and I've been joining step challenges with my workmates for the Workweek Hustle. Some of my workmates are unstoppable! I decided to try to keep up. Even with over 10,000 steps a day, I'm lagging behind in last position. I'm determined though. One day I'm going to make it to the top of the ladder, haha! Today I'll pass 14,000 steps before I hit bed. The good news is that I'm getting fit very quickly. ;-)

Thanks for visiting! I hope you join us at CAS(E) This Sketch this week.

Michelle
xxx

Case Study 201

Hello!

I've been away for work. I flew home late last night. I was in Canberra. It was a little cold. My ears and nose just about dropped off from icing up in the mornings, lol! Along with the cold we had lovely fine days, lovely! I've rushed home just in time for this week's CASE Study Challenge #201 where we have our muse Shari Carroll's inspiration once again.

Shari's card this week had me scratching my head about how I would approach the CASE process. It is so clever and really gorgeous! I've taken elements of the outline sentiment, black and white and pale blue, and worked from there. I left behind the awesome layering (but will revisit that idea another time!). I created a one-layer card that I think radiates just a little of the original card. ;-)

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy stamps. The photography took me about three days to find the right light that would capture the contrast between bold sentiment and pale images without loosing either. :-)

The whole team have made some amazing cards this week. They are all listed in the sidebar --->  Why don't you pay them a visit, too?

Just a quick hello today. I'm squeezing this post into my morning routine of getting kids ready for school and getting off to work. I hope you are all well and happy! Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

A bunch of pandas

Hello!

I Googled to find out what a bunch of pandas is called... and I found about four or five answers. It turns out that pandas are solitary, which means they don't usually hang around in groups. The names I found were - embarrassment, cupboard, or sleuth/sloth. Have you ever heard any of these terms describing a bunch of pandas? I certainly haven't, lol!

Anyway, I have made a bunch of pandas into a set of cards. I didn't get a photo of them all together, but here they all are one at a time.

I used Mama Elephant Pandamonium, Party Kit, and So Breezy stamps to create these cards.

Do you have a favourite? I think I may be leaning towards that last little panda holding his bright yellow star balloon. I decided to not add a sentiment to that one because I think he could send a few different messages. :-)

Thanks for visiting! See you again soon!

Michelle

xxx

Clean and Simple 3 - Day 6 - Graffiti Stamping

Hello!

I made this card for a lovely friend of mine who has just turned 40. I was inspired by the Graffiti Stamping technique as demonstrated by Kryssi Ng of Mama Elephant fame. I did use Mama Elephant stamps. I also threw in some Stampin' Up! and Papertrey Ink as well.

It's a night-time photo, so not great, but I think you can get the idea. ;-)  This was a really fun card to make. It took some time to select and place the stamps, so not really something I could whip up quickly. It's definitely a technique I'll throw into my bag of tricks.

Thanks for visiting me!

Michelle
xxx

Sunshine and Happiness

Hello!

I have a card for One Layer Simplicity, Virginia's View, and for Curtain Call.

This card was quite tricky! I usually do my watercolouring on watercolour paper. This time I just painted directly onto my regular cardstock (PTI Basic White). My card ended up a little warped, and the solution was to run it through my Big Shot (no dies, no impression plates, just the card with a rubber mat and the regular plates). It worked! My card was ironed flat. :-)  Stamps used were Mama Elephant Party Kit and So Breezy. Inks were PTI Melon Berry and Berry Sorbet. Sentiment was white embossed.

I have wanted to use these sentiments in this way since I first got So Breezy. I can't believe it's taken me this long to find a way to do it!

One Layer Simplicity calls for us to Just Add Water.
Curtain Call is Perfectly Peach.

And Virginia's inaugural challenge gives us lots of watercolour inspiration. Virginia tells us she misses Tuesday Triggers. I do too, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what inspiration she brings us as the challenge grows. :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle

xxx

Wishing You Love

Hello!

Today I'm bringing you another love-themed card. I was pondering this month's Mama Elephant Challenge when I saw the new CASE Study challenge and my idea went POP! Because they are featuring Mama Elephant over at Simon Says Stamp this week, I'm joining in there too.  I don't think that it is any secret that I am in love with everything Mama Elephant, so I couldn't resist. ;-)

The Mama Elephant inspiration was making me think lace and bling and I had my Filigree set out when I saw Donna's beautiful card on CASE Study. If you squint your eyes, my card could look like a direct copy. I just loved the whole card so much I couldn't move very far away, oops! I really love Donna's work, she's amazing!

I used Mama Elephant Filigree and So Breezy stamps. Sentiment is silver embossed. Ink is Memento Luxe Rose Bud.

Thank you for dropping by to see me!

Michelle
xxx

Dynamic Duos #80

Hello!

I'm joining in with Dynamic Duos this week. I couldn't stay away! :-)  And what's this? They have three colours? Uh oh! They're calling it the "Triple Threat" week. I'm not sure how I feel about this... LOL!

My card uses my new Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps again. I can see this set being a new favourite. I made this card for my brother's partner. Her birthday is just around the corner, and I have actually sent the card, so I think it may just arrive on time (depending on Australia Post and Royal Mail both working properly). I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog, but if she does... Happy Birthday! :-)

Stamps are Mama Elephant Party Kit and So Breezy. Dies are Mama Elephant Femme Frames. Colours are SU! Pretty in Pink, Primrose Petals, and Old Olive.

Just a quick one tonight. I'm hoping to get to bed early. Although, I'm so behind with my "end of school year" tasks that I probably should work through the night!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study #164

Hello!

It's the last day of the month (and Halloween, but this is not a Halloween post) and my last day as Guest Designer over at CASE Study Challenge. I have had a blast being on the team this month, and I thank Iwona and the team for the warm welcome and the opportunity to join them for a few weeks. :-)

I made two cards today. From Elena's inspiration, I took the pastel stripes and banners and the whimsical feel. My interpretation of the banners was a little different though - a kite, and some heart tags. The first card is this one.

The stamps are Mama Elephant So Breezy. The clouds are Memory Box Puffy Clouds. Paper is SU! Colours are SU! Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Memento Tuxedo Black.

The second card (where the clouds on the first card came from) is this one.

The stamps are Mama Elephant So Breezy. Dies are Memory Box Puffy Clouds and PTI Tiny Tags. Paper is SU! (retired). Colours are SU! Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Pool Party.

The inspiration is this. I seriously wish I had one tenth of Elena's ability when it comes to putting a party together! She's a magician!

Thank-you for visiting me! I hope you join in at CASE Study this week! I'd love to see how you are inspired. :-)

Michelle
xxx

More Filigree

Hello!

I've been playing a little more with my new stamp set. This time I added a bit of sparkle in the way of Perfect Pearls and rhinestones.

I used Mama Elephant Filigree and So Breezy. Stamped in Versamark, PTI Hawaiian Shores, SU! Raspberry Ripple. White embossed sentiment. Card base is PTI Soft Stone. Ranger Perfect Pearls brushed across the doily.

The colour combination I took from The Play Date Cafe Challenge #185

It is so dreary today. We have a public holiday for the Queen's Birthday. We are inside, staying dry. Unfortunately I have quite a few loads of washing that are not drying.

Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx

Dynamic Duos #52 - It's a celebration!

Hello!

This week marks one year of Dynamic Duos. I clearly remember when this challenge came on the scene. I was excited! I LOVE a two colour combination. Sometimes when I have four or more colours to use, I get a little confused as to what to do with them, or I get to the end of the card and realise I've left a colour off, eek! Dynamic Duos was, and is, perfect for me. :-)

For Dynamic Duos Challenge #52, we can use any past Dynamic Duo. How cool is that? To make the selection easy, there is a PAST COLOURS page.

My card uses my favourite colour - Yellow!

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy stamps. The yellow stripes are washi tape. The colours are SU! Daffodil Delight and Memento Tuxedo Black. The Sunshine sentiment is glittered, although that is difficult to see here.

The colour combination came from Challenge #3.

Are you going to come and celebrate with us? I hope so! Why don't you pay the rest of the design team a visit for some additional inspiration. ;-)

Alison Barclay

Anne Marie Hile

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Susie Wittwer

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

CASE Study DT Challenge

Hello!

CASE Study are having a Design Team Search Challenge. The idea is that we choose a muse for ourselves who has a different style to what we usually use. This first challenge (choosing a muse) almost undid me! Everytime I found a card I thought I'd CASE, I realised that it was already in a style I use, LOL! That's not very challenging! In the end, I chose a designer who I really admire, but who creates cards differently to me. I chose Betsy Veldman.

My card is this one.

I used Mama Elephant So Breezy, PTI Limitless Labels, and Star Prints. Colours are SU! Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, and PTI Hawaiian Shore. Patterned paper is Lawn Fawn (?).

Betsy's card that I cased was one of her experiments in creating a bokeh effect. I've been admiring them for weeks and thinking of trying the technique out. In my CASE, I attempted to capture the sense of whimsy as well as using bokeh stamping. This is Betsy's card (if you want to PIN it, please go to Betsy's blog and pin from there).

Whether I am chosen for the design team (fingers crossed), or not, this card is already a winner. It was made for my daughter's little friend who is having his fifth birthday party today. My daughter's face lit up with delight when she saw the card and read the sentiment. She gave me an emphatic "Yes, yes, YES!" :-)

Thanks for coming to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Paper planes = happy

Hello!

I squeezed in a little crafting time right at the end of the day today. This "simple" card took a bit more effort than it looks...

I used PTI Sentiment Signs, and Stylish Sentiments: Birthday. I also used Mama Elephant So Breezy. Colours are SU! Daffodil Delight, Memento Grey Flannel, and Hero Arts Pale Tomato.

The inspiration came from the colours at The Play Date Cafe Challenge #178.

and I used the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch #24  (really, I did! I turned it on it's side, and then got a little creative with my interpretation, LOL!)

Now I must run off and get to bed (after making some lunches and packing some school bags...)

Thanks for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

For Your Inspiration #44

Hello!

It's time for For Your Inspiration Challenge #44!

When I first saw the inspiration photo, I was a little stuck. That happens sometimes. So I walked away and let it bubble away at the back of my brain for a while. The inspiration struck - white embossing on grey for the grey skies! I love the subtle effect it creates.

I used Jane's Doodles Pretty Peonies and Mama Elephant So Breezy stamps. The patterned paper is Studio Calico Snippets. Card base is PTI Soft Stone.

How does the inspiration photo inspire you? It's an amazing view! Stormy weather? Sunset? Grey, black, orange, and yellow? I'd love to see your interpretation!

The rest of the design team has been hard at work, too. Why don't you pay them a visit?
Debbie
Karen
Mynnette
Rochelle
Rudlis
Sara


Thanks for coming by!

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

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

One card, three challenges

Hello!

Just a quick hello today. I have snuck to my craft desk in between housework and going out for a friend's birthday. I might start running late any moment now... depending how fast I can type!! ;-)

I made this card.

I used Jane's Doodles Pretty Peonies and Mama Elephant So Breezy stamps. Colours are Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Cameo Coral, Early Espresso, Primrose Petals (I don't have Cherry Cobbler or anything like it), and PTI Fresh Snow.

I entered into three challenges.
The colour scheme comes from ColourQ #179.

The card design comes from two different inspirations. Julie Ebersole's card at CASE Study #131

and Laurie Willison's card at MUSE #7.

I love both Julie and Laurie, so I couldn't resist joining in!

Thanks for coming by to visit! I hope to be back tomorrow with more cards to share. :-)

Michelle
xxx

Happiness!

Hello!

Well, you know how I was telling you how much I love Mama Elephant stamps, and how I had another set on its way to me?  It arrived! Yay! This set (So Breezy) and I are going to have some fun together. :-)

I used the colour scheme from The Play Date Cafe Challenge #171.

Short and sweet tonight. I have much to do before the work/school day tomorrow.  Thanks for coming to visit!

Michelle
xxx