MUSE 149

Hello!

This morning I saw the loveliest crisp and bright card by Tracey over at MUSE Card Challenge, and I fell in love. So tonight I took a little bit of time to CASE Tracey's card and join in the fun!

My card:

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit and Wplus9 sentiments.

Tracey's Muse card:

Isn't it beautiful?! I took the colours of her flowers and the card layout as my inspiration. I would have copied completely if I could. ;-)

Thanks for dropping by!

Michelle
xxx

Playing Cards with Michele and Friends

Hello!

I'm playing cards with Michele Ferguson again, but this time it's even better! We're playing with more friends all together, and we're CASEing Michele! Jenni came up with the idea of CASEing Michele's two colour split image card, but adding a twist with a masculine theme. Talk about a CHALLENGE!

Those of us playing are:
Me :-)
Michele
Chriss
Jenni

It took me forever, and I've only just finished my card at the very last minute, but I did make a card that met the theme - two tone masculine split image.

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit. The sentiment is wPlus9. I embossed in white and silver on PTI soft stone and smokey shadow card. The method I used was to set out my stamps as I wanted them on my block, then stamp and emboss the base, then I lay the panel over the top of the base where I wanted it to end up, and stamped it in the correct position, then embossed that. Not a very elegant way to do it, but I was in a rush, and it worked! Yay!

Michele's inspiration card is this beauty:

I have a secret to tell you. There is a reason I made this card at the last minute. I knew I was playing with Jenni, Chriss, and Michele, and CASEing Michele's card, but I forgot about the two-tone masculine rules. So I made a completely different card to start with. This one here:

I used Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamps. Oh my goodness, these stamps are beautiful! Embossed in silver on white card and a frame of silver shimmer paper.

Okay, I'm late already, so I'd better post. Thanks for visiting! And be sure to visit the other girls, too!

Michelle
xxx

Happy 1st Birthday, Fusion!

Hello!

Happy New Year to you all!

Today we celebrate the 1st birthday of Fusion Card Challenge! One whole year! And I'm still having fun! :-)

To suit the theme, I made a birthday card. I used the photo as my inspiration. It's been a while since I made a card using the chalkboard technique and it was fun to play with it again.

I used PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday and Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps. I fussy cut all of those streamers! It's time to buy the die set, I think!

My guest this week: Laura Bassen

As an extra-special element to our birthday celebrations, each of us were allowed to invite someone who inspires us to join in the fun. I chose Laura Bassen of Doublestick Heaven as my guest. I discovered Laura several years ago and I just LOVE her style - in card making and in life! Laura makes beautiful CAS cards and often throws in a rainbow of colour, which makes my heart sing! To add to all the artistic talent, Laura is also a comedienne extraordinaire - she makes me laugh. Laura also introduced me to Turtles - pecan, caramel, and chocolate sweets. Have you had a Turtle? I don't eat many sweets, and I really don't eat much chocolate at all, but I discovered a complete inability to resist Turtles. I am so lucky they don't sell them here in Australia and I'm too lazy to make my own, lol! Please hop over to Laura's blog to check out her contribution to the Fusion celebrations and to leave her some love (even superstars still appreciate those kind comments!).

Enjoy the celebrations! I can't wait to see what you all create!

Michelle
xxx

CAS(E) This Sketch 96 - Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Hello!

For CAS(E) This Sketch this week, I played with creating some fun streamers and lanterns. I also practised my newly acquired Copic colouring skills. This was a fun card to make!

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit and Pandamonium as well as wPlus9 Strictly Sentiments 5 stamps.

I've had a busy week at work, again. The next two weeks are looking busier. I will admit that I'm looking forward to my Christmas holidays. ;-) There is a lot of action to get through before then, though, so I'd better brace myself and get on with it!

Thank-you so much for coming by to visit me!

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

Two simple CAS one-layer cards

Hello!

I'm bringing you two cards tonight. Both are made using the Retro Sketches #126 sketch. I've used colour schemes from One Layer Simplicity #8 and from The Card Concept #15. Both cards are Clean and Simple one-layer cards. The cards I've seen so far using this week's Retro Sketch have been layered and absolutely gorgeous, but I was attracted to the opportunities for CAS that I could see.

The first card is a simple birthday card.

I used the colour scheme from One Layer Simplicity. There are quite a few to choose from. I will try to go back and use another before the month is finished!

The second card is also a birthday card, made for a little boy. I shadow-stamped the sentiment, which my little girl thinks is totally cool. She swears it looks like the words are popping right off the page. :-)

I used the colour scheme from The Card Concept.

And this is the superb sketch used for both cards.

Thank-you for visiting me. I'm off to seek some beauty sleep.

Michelle
xxx

Case Study 196

Hello!

I'm back from a work trip to Sydney! The days were long, and I didn't get to go very far other than the distance I flew: I went from home - airport - train - central station - work - hotel - work - central station - train - airport - home. Flying into Sydney I am reminded anew each time just how beautiful the city is. The walk from work to my hotel wasn't so pretty, it was the backstreets of the city, but it was interesting. In my old job (10 years ago) my Sydney office (and my regular hotel) overlooked the harbour. The view was spectacular. It made it difficult to concentrate on work, lol! It was lucky I was usually in Brisbane, otherwise I would have daydreamed all day of sailing on that beautiful blue harbour.

Anyway... what a long introduction to what is my contribution to the CASE Study Challenge this week. This month's muse is the wonderful Pamelo Ho. This week's inspiration card is super cute and super fun! It made me wish I had some sort of cityscape stamp or die. I was able to find inspiration in the dog and the balloons, and followed this inspiration to my balloon dogs. :-)

I used Avery Elle Party Animal and Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps. Colours are SU! Night of Navy, Old Olive, Barely Banana, and PTI Fine Linen.

I hope you are inspired to join in the fun! Thanks for visiting me!

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

Mama Elephant April Challenge

Hello!

Today I'm playing along with the Mama Elephant April Challenge. I couldn't resist the inspiration photo. I love the colours! I immediately thought of soft sea-glass coloured watercolour background, so I went ahead and created it using watercolour paper and my Inktense pencils. Added to this background is a wistful panda holding a little balloon and saying hello. I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but the background sparkles with Perfect Pearls, as does the dotty card base. :-)

I used Mama Elephant Pandamonium, Party Kit, and Basic Borders stamps. Background coloured using Inktense pencils. Ink is Mama Elephant Mojito, SU! Pool Party, and Memento Luxe Black.

Thank-you for coming to visit me!

Michelle
xxx

Birthday Party Balloons!

Hello!

I'm bringing you a card that I've had in my head for quite a while. I fell in love with these pandas the second I saw them. I knew they belonged with a big bunch of balloons! :-)  Doesn't the panda look so happy?

I used Mama Elephant Pandemonium and Party Kit, and PTI Sentiment Signs stamps. Colours are SU! Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, and Memento Tuxedo Black.

I'm entering this card into The Paper Players challenge where we are invited to use three of something. I used three balloons. I also used three colours (if you ignore black and white).

I'm also entering Simon Says Stamp Birthday Party.

Not so many words today. I'm still unwell. I'm into my fourth week of having a cold. The doctor thinks it has been repeated infections rather than one infection hanging around. Whatever it is, I wish it would go away. My head is exploding.... whinge whinge whinge...

Thanks for visiting me! I really love to have you pop by.

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

Party!

Hello!

I was just wandering through my photos and found a card I absolutely love, but that I didn't share. How did that happen? I'm not sure, probably because I made it for fun, and no other reason. :-)

I used PTI Sentiment Signs and Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps. Die is Mama Elephant Femme Frames. Inks are Memento Luxe (Rose Bud and Lilac Posies) and Memento (Tuxedo Black and London Fog). Card is PTI Hibiscus Burst and SU! Whisper White. Twine is Twinery.

Those balloons have been so much fun. Party Kit is an awesome stamp set. And this sentiment set, although it looks like it might not be so versatile, I have found it so easy to use!

I signed up for the new Online Card Classes - Clean & Simple #3. It's all about one layer cards (which this one is not). I LOVE one layer cards. A few years ago now I made my first one layer card for One Layer Wednesday (now One Layer Simplicity). It took me forever, but I was hooked! One layer cards are the ultimate canvas for uber-CAS cards, and I love a fabulous CAS card. :-)  I hope I can find some time to join in real-time. I aspire to create the perfect one layer CAS card... one day...

Thanks for visiting!

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

Wedding Congratulations

Hello!

I made another card for the Mama Elephant Challenge. The inspiration photo really made me think of weddings, so I made a wedding card.

I used Mama Elephant Flashy Letters, Nursery Deco, and Filigree stamps. The sentiment and lace are silver embossed. The striped background is PTI Hibiscus Burst paper overlayed with vellum. I added a few sequins and a pink stripe to finish it off.

While I had my ME supplies out, I made another card. This one really appeals to me. It's different to my usual style, more inky, more messy. But it still looks like my work, I think. :-)

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps and Femme Frames die. Colours are Distress Ink Worn Lipstick and Walnut Stain, SU! Early Espresso, PTI Berry Sorbet. I sprayed the lot with gold Smooch spray.

Here we are getting back into the school year. The school swimming started today, and my 6 & 11 year olds discovered that they are in the pool at the same time (to their delight). They are in different parts of the school (Junior School and Middle School) so rarely see each other, so having a lesson in the same place at the same time is a nice change. This afternoon my big girl started back at her violin lessons, with her brand new (beautiful sounding) full-size violin. Tomorrow my little girl has her very first violin lesson. Exciting times!

Thanks for coming by to visit.

Michelle
xxx

Twinkle All The Way

Hello!

I made a card for Jonah. Jonah is a four year old, gorgeous, little boy who is undergoing chemotherapy after finishing radiation. Susan over at Simplicity is collecting Christmas cards for him. Because I am relying on international post, I'm not 100% certain that my card will arrive for Christmas, so I made it a Christmas card that will suit any time. ;-) Jonah's story has touched me for many reasons and I wanted to reach out and try to help him smile. I hope I help his family to smile as well.

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit and Merry Greetings. Ink is Memento Luxe in Nautical Blue, Morocco, and Dandelion/Daffodil (?).

While I had this set out, I whipped up a couple of additional super-CAS one-layer cards.

And this one.

My daughter loved this last one and has taken it as one of her "Teacher thanks" cards for end of year.

Speaking of "Twinkle All The Way"... we put our tree up on the week-end. 1 December always marks the date from which we are "allowed" to put the tree up. 1 December fell on Sunday this year, yippee! We had time to do it (before heading out to carols by candlelight at school). While we were decorating the tree (the kids did it this year by themselves after I put the lights on), our dog Coco discovered that tinsel is very comfy. My eldest daughter captured this photo just before she took the tinsel away to dress the tree. :-)

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the year. Then my kids have about 9 weeks of Summer holiday. I think we are all ready from the break from the school year. ;-)

Thanks for visiting!

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

Colour Q 216 - Birthday Balloons!

Hello!

It was my brother's birthday recently. He and his lovely partner also had a new baby. My baby nephew was arriving over the time of my brother's birthday, and so in the excitement I forgot to make and send a card! Oops! It's okay. I'm now going to send my brother's card and the baby card all together, so they can have a double celebration. ;-) I'm celebrating like crazy here! My brother lives in London, England, so my new nephew is a LONG way away from me. It may be a good thing, otherwise I may just be smothering him in too much love right now. He's pretty gorgeous! I cannot wait to meet him when he comes with his parents to visit me next year. :-)

Back to the card. This is my brother's birthday card.

I used Mama Elephant Party Kit stamps. The sentiment is PTI. The dies are Mama Elephant Femme Frames. Colours are SU! Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue.

I took my colour inspiration from this week's Colour Q colours.

We've had a busy week-end here. My daughter's swim club hosted an A-Grade meet yesterday. It was a fun day! My daughter swam two PBs and made me proud, as always. Tonight we are having our pizza night instead of last night. The pizzas are cooking right now, and my house smells heavenly. I love pizza night!

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle
xxx