CAS[E] this Sketch #121

Hello my friends - it's CAS[E] this Sketch day today.  We've got a great sketch from Ms. Sam Simpson that you'll love... but before that...

Yesterday, I spent the day with Bobby Hagen of Bits & Pieces, who drove nearly two hours to play cards with me!  We played cards and so much more: we ate, we laughed, and stamped, and borrowed each other's favorite supplies!  Just loved every single moment - and can't wait for our next-time.

Since Bobby is a regular player at CTS, I decided that we should make our cards for CTS together - knowing Chrissy would not mind one bit - right Chrissy?

We had a bit of fun using my Wplus9 Flora and Fauna stamps/dies.

First up, Bobby's card - please hop over to her blog here for her description and supplies list... I think it's just so sweet!



I used the same basic supplies, and a sweet little sentiment from the Garden Fairy set that another sweet friend sent me ... thank you, once more, Lisa!  More cards to come! 

What do you think?



Gift Tag die from Sugar Pea Designs - a prize from the Coffee Lover's Bloghop, and an added layer from Reverse Confetti.



I won't make you wait another second for Sam Simpson's great sketch - for CAS[E] this Sketch #121:

 

 

Are there special things you look forward to each Spring?  Tom and I are so anxious for the Hummingbirds at our feeders, and for flowers that will attract the butterflies.  Your card could tell a story, too... hope to see you in the gallery this week!  One more photo - can you stand it?

 



 

=]  

12 Kits of Occasions - Tickled Pink!!!

It's time for the 12 Kits of Occasions and when that little package of goodness arrives?  You can't imagine my delight!  Tracey has 'tickled us pink' in all ways ... so here we go - are you ready? 

One can be tickled by feathers:

 

By the pleasure of the company of a friend:

 

By nary a word:

 

or a pun-y sentiment:

 



"...or a tall drink, and two long straws!"

 

 ... tickled when we need it most:

 

 

Even when a dreaded birthday arrives:

 

"I've got you... even when you reach the end of your rope!"

 

I'm tickled that I'm making my first doily card!!

 

 

...to share Mother's Day with my daughter:

 

and to sit in the son-shine on a cloudy day:

 

PHEW!!  Not only am I tickled that you've stuck with me... but I can always count on your visits to give me a smile... =]Thank you my friends... and thank you, Tracey, for such a fab kit to play with this month!!

 

Check out what all of my fabulous play-mates have created at

the 12 Kits of Occasions blog!





 

 

 



Time Out - Inspired by Words Challenge

"You can't make a rainbow without a little rain" are the words to inspire us this challenge at Time Out ... true, that.

In my case, it took a little die, and water-coloring to make a rainbow here today...

 

My newest Wplus9 Cloud Border die, sentiment from Reverse Confetti's You make me Smile, and the raindrops - can you see the raindrops?  No?  How about here:

 

 

There are a few clouds in my neighborhood today ...  I am letting my smile be my umbrella... the daffodils are smiling, too...

 

=]

 

The Challenge - Theme: Polka Dots!

I LOVE big dots!!! 

 

And I cannot lie... between polka dots, and embossing?  Hey, why even choose!  Here is where my mind travelled... can't wait to see your dots, and what my fellow DTs at The Challenge  made!!

 

 

Supplies:  Sizzix for Stampin' Up Dot embossing folder

love from Reverse Confetti

Big Bloom from Essentials by Ellen



Fusion Happy Days!

I had to take my direction from that awesome photo this week at Fusion... yowsers, that is lovely, isn't it?

Here is where I was taken, with a very lovely, circa 2010 American Crafts paper:

 

I was always taken by the brown details in this collection, so my happy, and sentiment, are SU Chocolate Chip brown.

 

Hope this helps to make your day happy ... =]

Muse Marion Challenge #114 And some super fun news!

I admire Marion's style so much... if you haven't played cards with her yet this week at Muse, please do... you're going to love her inspiration:



Clean, crisp, bright and lovely.. and a butterfly that I happen to know a few of you adore =]

This week I will have the honor and pleasure of 'playing cards' with one of my card-making blog-friends here in Michigan... we've never met, and have really been looking forward to this day!  Are you ready for this?  Happy to say that the sweet, talented, and lovely Bobby of Bits n Pieces is coming to my house on Wednesday!!  *Insert squealing here*

I happen to know that Bobby and I share the love of Hummingbirds - so Marion, I hope you don't mind if I substitute your butterfly, with our favorite winged friend?

I've taken a little nudge from Ardyth's style again this week... using:

The Paper Studio's Wood embossing folder
Memory Box Lovely Peony Outline die
Wplus9 Flora & Fauna stamps and die
Plus a tiny little selective embossing with Ranger Gold

Must go... lots to do to prepare for Ms. Bobby!!  What's that?  You'd like to join us?  Come on over!!!  I'll have the coffee/tea ready!  Oh, and sugar water for the Hummingbirds!

Until then... I'll be watching for your own Marion-inspired cards!

=]

CAS[E] this Sketch #120

From the New Scholastic Dictionary of American English:

literal: adj. -1. word-for-word; verbatim: a literal translation.

Today's sketch:

 

Is it a pure coincidence that my newest purchase from Wplu9 A new Day, was delivered?  Me thinks not! 

 

For CTS #120:

 

 

I will admit my background isn't as 'washed' as I like it to be - but let's face it... nobody does that as beautifully as Gayatri who created this beautiful sketch. 

 

I created the stencil with a slip of vellum and the MFT Polka Dot Cover-up, and went over it a second time with the MFT Cheesecloth background stamp.  Ranger Archival Ink for Mr. Chickadee. 

 

My team-mates always teach me lots about looking at a sketch in the most unique way - as do you!  I cannot wait to see how you interpret today's sketch!

 

As always: thanks for stopping by!

=]





CASology Ombre & Throwback Thursday!

Ombre is the cue word at CASology: Week 143. 

Funny thing is I was creating a birthday card for a friend using the ombre technique of stamping...  Or should I say 'my' technique of ombre stamping where I simply go from one ink pad to the next using at least three colors.  By starting with the lightest and graduating to the darkest, it doesn't do much in the way of ruining your ink pads.

Spoiler alert!!!!  Since it is a birthday card, and I don't want the surprise spoiled, anyone with a birthday in May should read, or look, no further!!!  No peeking!!! =]

 

A close-up shows my inks: SU Old Olive, then Distress Peeled Paint, and last a little old Studio G.

 

Starting with a Neenah base, I added a panel of PTI linen vellum... love the stamping on that vellum ... added  another little Basil parrot green belly-band. 

The star of the show, besides the sentiment from the same set, is a darling little stamp from Wplus9 called Spring Post Since it is an older set, I'll be adding it to their Throwback Thursday challenge as well! 

[Look at me - a two-fer!!  =]  Thanks for dropping by!

Essentials by Ellen - April Pin-Sights Challenge

Okay.  Check out Ellen's Pin-Sight Challenge Mood Board:

Does it not just scream: Play Cards with Me!!!  Well.  I did just that, using Ellen's Bold Blossom stand-alone dies, PTI Raspberry Fizz cardstock, and an Altenew Label Love sentiment that I was able to get from Ellen's shop - yay!:

The 'bronze' dots were created using a homemade stencil from a MFT Polka Dot Cover-plate.

There are so many more Ellen's Essentials on my wish-list!  Fingers crossed - maybe toes, as well!

=]

The Card Concept #33

There are so many 'winners' in The Card Concept gallery already, I hesitate to even submit my creation... but what fun would that be?  Besides, I cannot resist this color combo!

Here is the fabulous Pink and Grey inspirational photo:

 

And here is my little Clean and Layered contribution, using  SSS Scribble Flowers stamps and dies, PTI Raspberry Fizz, and Smoky Shadow CS, and raindrops, plus a little leftover [fabulous] striped patterned paper from a past SSS kit:

 

I love this sentiment, from Reverse Confetti's

You Make Me Smile set.

 

Hope life gives you plenty to smile about today!  Your visit always makes me smile!

 

=]





The Challenge #31 - Inspiration Challenge

 

I'm swooning over this week's inspiration photo.

In fact I was able to create a few kisses of my own =]

 

Inside sentiment: "That isn't really news though, is it?  Let's catch up, soon!

 

If you haven't been to The Challenge home... click that link!  You won't believe what my fabulous team-mates have created.... and I hope I've inspired you to play along with Challenge #31 - what catches your eye? The Colors, The Theme, The Objects in the Photo?  Or just the kiss?

 

Supplies:  Die-namics MFT Proof Positive Cover-Up

                   Wplus9 Cloud Border Die - WP9D-114

                   SSS Abby's Spring Showers

                   Precious Remembrance Shop- Thanks stamp set

                  MME - Sunshine & All Dolled Up paper pads







The Gossip Column & Curtain Call

I normally don't combine challenges... usually it is because I don't think ahead and wonder if the card I've made works for multiple challenges... or I might be chewing gum.

Yesterday, however, I had so much fun embossing and coloring flowers from my newest Winnie & Walter The Big, the bold, and Extras set!  I was inspired by a gorgeous card sent to me by my friend Chriss Blagrave who uses gorgeous vellums which she turns into the most beautiful flowers!!  SO starting with a slip of PTI Linen vellum, Hero Arts white embossing powder, Tombow waterbased markers, I created a few of these beautiful bouquets:

1st take - for The Gossip Column choosing Custard Yellow, Strawberry Ice, Tangerine Orange, and Glacier Grey from the Pantone palette:

 

 

The base is embossed with an Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug folder called Regal Braid.  I adore it...as if that isn't totally Custard swirly deliciousness!

 

Ready for take 2?  Not really much different but wanted another for any occasion, with a little Cheers from Paper Smooches, for The Curtain Call - Bouquet challenge:

 

 



                                            

Add a dash of sequins [thank you Neat n Tangled!] there you have it - two nearly identical cards, two totally different challenges... now where did I park that gum?

 

Thanks for stopping by ... wish you could for reals.

 

=]

 

 





My Favorite Things - Color Challenge

I couldn't love the colors chosen for the MFT Color Challenge #19 more.. in fact I only had scraps left of each from the Sampler package I purchased!  Time to accent the negative again, eh? 


I cut a few Camellias but found that I liked the negative cut even more... only had a bit of the Whip Cream - but enough to cut three of the smallest Gerbera Daisies from it... just enough Sour Apple for three Layered Leaves and a Wavy Edge stem... lastly [but the stars of the show]: three buttons, one from each color, from the Blueprints 18 set!  

 

Ta Da!!





CAS[E] this Sketch #119 - N@ Ali

N@ Ali is fabulous at creating sketches.  Here's is the loveliness we had to work with for CTS #119:

There was not one doubt in my mind what I would reach for!
See if you agree that this little die from MFT called Out on a Limb works well:

Tracey McNeely gifted me with the wonderful polka dotty patterned paper!!  I cannot believe the generous heart you have, Tracey. .. thanks again. 

Secondly, an apology to you all... I haven't a clue who makes that gorgeous background paper... wish it wasn't so... 'cuz I want MORE!  If anyone recognizes it, please share?

The sentiment is from the Precious Remembrances Shop's Thanks stamp set.  It stamps just beautifully... even that detail was perfect when embossed with detail silver from Ranger.  Here's a little close-up:

Hope you grab a cuppa and browse the DT gallery ... these folks I get to play cards with?  Awesome!  Oh that does include YOU, too!  Come on along!

Paper Smooches - Picture Perfect

... and when Paper Smooches says Picture Perfect? ... it's seriously perfect!

 

I've actually been tempted by these fabulous fluffs at our local hobby store!  So pretty!  Makes me wish I had a ten year old - or was 10 years old!!

 

Here's my take... a little left-over ribbon,  embossed stripes compliments of Heidi Swapp, the perfect simple sentiment  from the P.S. Birthday Sampler stamped in SSS Smoke, and a tiny bit of bling..

 

 Who would not love this ribbon?

 

 

 



Fusion - Elegance!

 

I have totally gone outside the lines of what I would normally make for Fusion this week.. look at this gorgeousness, then tell me how I didn't start stamping/cutting flowers...

I have this wonderful 8x8" Creative Girl Cosmo Cricket deck of patterned papers.  One of which has been calling my name since it arrived.  Here is where is took me:



 The butterfly and sentiment is from my newest Stamp & Cuts set from Hero Arts that Donna Mikasa has done just gorgeous things with - I was totally bewitched by it ... seriously, thank you, Donna - I love it!

Well.  I think that little Stickled butterfly is elegant enough for me!

Hey! ... thanks for fluttering by!
=]

Muse #113 The Blues

I am happy to be your Muse this week... and I'm singing the Blues!!  That would be the color blue, and in a very bright, and happy way!

Some of you who visit me on Facebook may have seen this card that I created for the Light it Up Blue for Autism day - so fantastic, by the way.  I just love this set of stamps from Neat n Tangled called Scandinavian Flowers and made more than one, most definitely.  I thought this one was sort of worthy of a curtain call...



So simple, and simply water-colored... I stamped the flowers onto a bit of water-color cardstock and used a combo of distress inks, and a Tombow water-base marker. I then fussy cut them before adhering them to the stems... by the way those were stamped twice.   The today sentiment is from Heidi Swapp - pretty new, be unique from INKADINKADOO - very old.

I'd bet each and every one of you has an equally fabulous floral set just calling your name, right now.  I sure hope you all have time to play cards with me this week at Muse... I can't even tell you how much I love it when you do!  =]