Racin' to Scrap 1

~Happiness~

2012-02-28T22:39:00.000-06:00

First of all, I want to say that I won the weekly challenge over at Sweet Stamps ~ YAY ME!!!! I was so excited when I got the news!! See the post below this one for my entry.

I also wanted to share a few quick pictures of a few things I made for Valentine's day. I know that has long come and gone ~ but I just didn't get a chance to post them back then. First, I want to share a card I made for an AWESOME girlfriend of mine who has taught me SO much.

I fell in love w/this Whipper Snapper stamp (Yin & Yang) when I saw it at Archivers!!! I just had to get it. I did a 'happy' dance when I finished coloring this one. I amazed myself at how it turned out !! I am still fairly new at the colored pencils and Gamsol thing - but loving it more everyday!

My next lil project was for my BFF/Scrapping buddies!! We always give each other lil treats and stuff and I thought this was such a cute idea!

Well....toodles for now : )

Michelle

BINGO

2012-02-25T17:03:00.007-06:00

That's the challenge this week at Sweet Stamps!

BINGO

All you need to do is pick one line on the card (either horizontally, vertically or diagonally) and use those items/techniques on your entry. If you want, you can even choose an X or + pattern.

I choose to do Dry Embossing, Ribbon and Paper Piecing.

I used Embroidery Rose 7047 by Sweet Stamps, colored it w/colored pencils and gamsol. Then created another one of the same w/the same colors and only cut out certain pieces to pop up on the paper. I dry embossed only about 3/4 of the card itself w/my Cuttlebug Polka Dots folder. Picked out an accent colored to coordinate with my DP and punched it using EK Success Arch Scallop punch. Added some ribbon and created my own stick pin.

Hope you like it !!

Til next time~
Michelle

Challenges:
Sweet Stamps~BINGO
Paper Pretties~Use Die Cut or Punches
Aud Sentiments~Use the word HAPPY on your project
2 Sisters Challenge~Anything Goes
Celebrate the Occasion~Thinking of You
Stamping Scrapping Challenge~Flowers

Feb 20 ~ Monthly Reveal

2012-02-20T06:00:00.015-06:00

Hi all !!! Welcome to our Monthly Reveal & blog hop at D2D.

Faith has got some cuties this month that you just have to check out!!!

You should have came here from Pat's blog - Just4Fun2. If not, please start back at the D2D blog to enjoy all of the design team creations!! You don't want to miss them!

~~Here are my creations~~

'Spring Chicks'

and

'Patches the Bear'

Aren't these images just too cute? I told you so! I really like how the Spring Chicks one turned out. The colors, layout and the image all just work so great together. And Patches....well he reminded me of a lonely lil bear just sitting on the bed missing his friend.

Well......now on to Katie's blog~ Both Sides of the Paper to see her wonderful creations!!

Don't forget :

1) All new release images will be 20% for 3 days--sale ending at 7 AM Thursday, Feb. 23.

2)Faith will give (2) $5 Gift Vouchers. Contest will end on Wednesday night at 11:59 pm EST. You just need to leave a comment on the D2D blog hop post.

3)If you give ME some 'love' on my blog - I will pick a lucky winner to select one of the new images!!!!

Love and peace!

Michelle

Challenges:
Inky Impressions~Use Punches or Dies
PaperCrafting Journey~Make it Cute
Flutter By Wednesday's~Anything with Wings
Alphabet Challenge~A for Animal Antics
DYSU~Layers
Divas by Design~Wings and Things
The Corrosive Challenge~Another Dimension (Use foam dots or squares)
4 Crafty Chicks~'Double Down' (Pairs of images, buttons, ribbons)
Squigglefly~Bright and Sunny-Use yellow on your card
Paper Pretties~Spring

You make my heart melt

2012-02-09T22:42:00.009-06:00

Ice Cream Valentine is FREE right now at the D2D store until Feb 14th so hurry!

I just LOVE this cute set from Faith. My DP has hearts all over it so I decided to go with the "You make my heart melt" sentiment as it fits perfectly!! I then stamped some hearts in coordinating colors onto the white strip of cardstock. I first stamped my image, then stamped again without re-inking to give it that shadow or offset look just like the paper. I sprayed a lil Maya Mist (LOVE this stuff too) over the top of that to give it a lil shimmer.

While you are there grabbing your freebie~make sure to check out some more of her wonderful images. And don't forget~the Monthly Release on the 20th!!! There are some Spring and Easter cuties!!

Michelle

Challenges:

Party Time Tuesday~Valentines

One Stop Craft Challenge~For the One I Love

Lexi's Creations~LOVE

By The Cute and Girly~Love is in the Air

Incy Wincy Designs~Love: Pink, White and Black

Come and Get it Challenges~Love

4 Crafty Chicks~Love is in the Air

Dream Valley Challenges~Valentine

Gingerloft Challenge~Love is in the Air

Lollipop Holders

2012-02-04T23:30:00.008-06:00

Just thought I would stop by with a cute lil' Valentine's Day gift. I was looking around trying to find an easy, but yet cute way to present some candy gifts for the upcoming Valentine's holiday. I found these wonderful lollipop holders that will be great to present to my co-workers! They always enjoy some sweet treats and the way I 'dress' them up : )

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make these:

1) Cut your cardstock to 6-1/2" x 2-1/4", and score at 2-1/2" and 4"

2) Select the DP you would like to use and cut to 2" x 2-1/2". Here I used D2D digi DP from the Pure Love Pack - I used Bliss and Hearts.

3) I altered the paper just a bit. The Hearts paper I added some Star Dust Stickles to the white hearts to make them 'pop' a little. And on the Bliss paper, I spritzed the cut piece w/Maya Mist Iridescent Pearl Mist for an all over shimmer.

4) I then added the lollipop to the holder using some Glue-Dots, then added the glue dots to each corner and sealed.

5) Added some embellishments and some ribbon and there you have it!!

A very quick and simple idea for kids to share with their classmates, or for grown-ups w/co-workers! I plan on making a few other things that hold candy - so make sure to stop back and see what I have.

Till then - Love and Peace

Michelle

Challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays~Anything Goes

DYSU~Anything Goes

Divas by Design~Anything Goes

Lil Red Wagon~Valentine's Day or Love

Forever Friends~Valentine's

Aud Sentiments~Anything but a Card with a Sentiment

Stamps R Us~Valentine/Love theme

The Poodles Parlour~Anything Goes

It's all about the BLING !!!!!

2012-01-29T21:52:00.001-06:00

I can finally post this now that I have given my girlfriend her birthday card & gift : )
She just LOVES bling, and I couldn't resist when I saw this Stella image from Bugaboo. It's all about the bling - isn't she just a hoot!!!

I colored the image using my colored pencils and gamsol. I am so hooked on this lately! And then of course I had to BLING her out - 'pearl' earrings, 'amethyst' ring and 'diamond' brooch. I just love how it turned out!!

Michelle

Challenges:
DYSU~Ribbon

Be Mine.........

2012-01-24T23:30:00.008-06:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching !! I have been seeing some awesome cards around blogland lately and have been inspired to create my own "antique/shabby chic" Valentine's card.

I distressed some corrugated heart pieces w/chalk inks, and also distressed the edge of the DP on which the hearts are placed. I just love this new paper pack I got @ Hobby Lobby a few weeks back ~ My Minds Eye - Lost & Found Union Square. It is so great for Valentine's or those other 'romantic' cards.

I also found some wonderful Memo Stick pens by Tim Holtz which holds the Be Mine 'sign'. And I also used my Epiphany Crafts Round 14 Shape Studio to make the epoxy embellishments to match the dotted background paper.

Michelle

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion~Color Bingo
The Corrosive Challenge~I {Heart} You
Cupcake Craft Challenges~All You Need is Love
The Pink Elephant~Photo Inspiration
Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge~We're Going DOTTY!!! (polka dots on your card or project )
The Poodles Parlour~Valentine/Love

Big News............

2012-01-20T07:27:00.005-06:00

Remember when I said big news was coming your way from D2D. Well, today is the day you’ve been wondering about! It’s the January Reveal of the NEW Release of digital stamps, and digital designer papers. Every 20th of the month - Faith will release new images and the Design Team will have a blog hop showcasing their creative, handmade cards using the latest from Designed2Delight.

You should have come here from Peggy's blog. I just love her rainbow snowman....didn't you! If you missed anything, please go back to D2D's blog and start again. All the ladies have such GREAT inspirations!!!

Spend $10 on NEW releases, and you can receive 20% off your entire order.Enter code JAN20REVEAL to your cart to receive the discount.

**Discount is only good for 24 hours. (It expires 01/21/2012 at 7:00 AM.)

Here are my creations using Faith's new digi stamps and digital designer papers.

I used Snowman Valentine on the above card, along with the Razzleberry Doodle and Razzleberry Stripes paper.

I just LOVE this one!! I couldn't wait to play with it : ) Sweet Love Cake along with the Heart Paper. The frosting looks so sparkly and yummy!!

Well, gotta run for now! REMEMBER - check back on the 20th of each month to see what 'goodies' we have for you!!

Michelle

Challenges:
Lexi's Creations~Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious~Valentine cards or projects
Alphabet Challenge~Y for Your Choice/Anything Goes
DYSU(Do You Stack Up)~Patterned Paper
The Poodles Parlour~Valentines

Designer's Challenge

2012-01-07T08:00:00.003-06:00

This weeks Designer Challenge @ D2D is Winter Flowers. It is hosted by Kim McDonald. Let's see your creations with winter flowers (or any flowers) on them! I decided on the last part and made a great "Thinking of You" card.

Usually about this time of year here in the Midwest, we have fair amount of snow on the ground. This year is an unusual one as we are WAY below our total accumulation of snowfall. So seems how the ground is still 'green' here - I decided to use the flowers from Faith's set 'Lovely Day'.

I tried my hand again at the colored pencils & Gamsol. I am really starting to like this stuff!!! My poor ProMarkers are collecting dust.....LOL. I carried the green and blue from the bigger flower thru out the papers in my card.

I hope you like it and can join us this week for our challenge.

There are some big changes coming your way on the D2D site. SO stayed tuned!!

Michelle

Challenges:
Inky Impressions~Anything Goes

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-03T20:59:00.007-06:00

Happy 2012 everyone!!

I hope you all had a great holiday season. I did, and now I am ready to take on this new year! I am starting off this new year by using a new technique.....well new for me : ) Back in Sept of last year while at Scrapfest, my girlfriend & I both purchased some Gamsol and just couldn't wait to use it. Well needless to say, my first attempt was not a success. After watching a few tutorials and experimenting - I have FINALLY made my first card using an image colored w/Gamsol.

My girlfriends lil girl turns 2 in a couple days, and when I seen this image I knew it would made a great card. I used the Bugaboo image Birthday Penguin~Gift. It is so adorable!! I really liked how it turned out. Of course like anything else - I will get better with time, but it was so fun to make.

I can't wait to get using my Gamsol on some more images!! Again ~ I hope you have a great 2012 and see you soon.

Michelle

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesdays~Something New
Incy Wincy Designs~Anything Goes
DYSU~Rainbow of Colors (use at least 3 colors from the Inspiration Photo)
Stamping Scrapping Challenge~Punched Out
The Pink Elephant~Anything Goes
Stamps R Us~What You Got For Christmas or Anything Goes
Lawnscaping Challenge~Birthday

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-26T19:55:00.005-06:00

I hope you all had a wonderful time w/family and friends this Christmas. I know I did!! I LOVED watching my granddaughters open up their gifts. They are at such fun ages now ~ 6yrs and almost 2yrs old.

Just wanted to share a quick post of one of the gifts that I gave to my coworkers. My girlfriend had made some and I thought they were adorable, so I couldn't wait to make my own.

They hold the lil bottle of sanitizer that you can get from Bath & Body Works.

I know I ALWAYS have one of these little sanitizers with me all year around. And this is just a cute way to "dress" them up for the holidays. I really like the way the red, white & black one turned out!!

Here's a link to the directions on Kendra's site. She did an AWESOME job with hers!

Well, toodles for now.

Love & Peace

Michelle

Challenges:
Inky Impressions~Christmas Cheer
Party Time Tuesdays~Use Ribbon
By The Cute And Girly~Let it Snow
BasicGrey~Anything Goes
2 Sisters Challenge Blog~Snowflakes

Trimming the Tree

2011-12-17T06:00:00.008-06:00

Welcome to another Saturday's Designer Challenge at D2D. This week, one of my best friends Kendra is hosting the challenge which is "Trimming the Tree". She loves Christmas, especially decorating the tree. So she wants to see some beautifully decorated trees!

I used one of Faith's newer images Whimsical Christmas Tree.

I recently purchased a pack of paper that I thought went well with this image. Both DP's are from that pack~Holly Jolly (with glitter) from the Paper Studio. I then inked up a couple of chipboard snowflakes and spritzed them w/pearl mist, and added a gem. After I colored my image w/my ProMarkers, I went in and kinda of lightly penned in some glitter on the tree and star w/my Gelly Roll Star Dust pen.

So......let's she your wonderfully decorated tree!!

Michelle

Challenges:
One Stop Craft Challenge~Christmas Sparkle
PaperCrafting Journey~Christmas Creations
Divas by Design~Merry Christmas
Little Red Wagon~Christmas
4 Crafty Chicks~Christmas
Dream Valley Challenges~Christmas

TAG.....your it !!!

2011-12-10T06:00:00.003-06:00

That is the Design Team's Saturday Challenge @ D2D which I happen to be hosting this week!!

If you are like me~you like to make homemade gifts. Well.....how about some wonderful homemade tags to go along with those gifts! So, let's see some great tags !!

Every year I have some great friends that just love when I give them my homemade cocoa mix. And I have recently found a wonderful Cinnamon Pancake recipe as well that they love. I even had one of my friends kids ask if they could get more of "Michelle's pancake mix" when they ran out. Kids are so cute sometimes : )

On the Cocoa mix - I reused a Marzetti's salad dressing container and covered it with some fabric. I then used Faith's Peace Trees and Tag set, colored it with ProMarkers and stamped a few snowflakes on it as well. On the pancake mix I used Mitten, colored it again with my ProMarkers and add a lil shimmer with my Gelly Roll Star Dust pen.

Alright...your turn!! Show us your awesome tags!!

One lucky person will win a free image from the Designed2Delight Store. Winner is announced the Sunday after the challenge closes.

~Love and Peace~
Michelle

Santa Claus is coming to town....

2011-12-04T22:48:00.004-06:00

Well, not quite yet! But pretty soon : )

I can't believe how fast this holiday season is approaching. A friend at work asked me to make a card for her mother for Christmas. She said that she loves Santa, and how her mother mentioned she didn't get her a Santa Christmas card last year. So I spent sometime looking around for different Santa's to use on the card.

She didn't want a funky, vintage or comical Santa - just a good ol' "Holly Jolly" one. I am hoping that this one will work out for her.

I used my ProMarkers to color the image. Then took my Gelly Roll Star Glitter pen and added some shimmer to the ball of his hat. And put some on the very edge of the white part of his cap. And on top of that I added some Glossy Accents. Stamped a Maya Road chipboard snowflake with White Pearl ink and sprayed Maya Mist Iridescent Pearl over the top for a lil shimmer.

I hope she likes it!!

Michelle

Challenges:
Come and Get It Challenges~Anything Christmas
Party Time Tuesdays~Holiday Greetings
Craft Your Passion~Anything Goes + Glitter
The Pink Elephant~Snowflakes & Sparkle

Snowmen

2011-11-30T20:20:00.013-06:00

Show us your most favorite Snowmen image!!!

That is our challenge this week @ D2D hosted by Debbie S. One lucky person will win a free image from the Designed2Delight Store. Winner is announced the Sunday after the challenge closes.

I decided to use one of Faith's newer images~Joy Snowman! Isn't he just adorable!

I tried to incorporate the colors of the DP while coloring in the image. I then added a lil shimmer in a few spots on the image. Then created my own embellishment. I used a chipboard snowflake from Maya Road and inked it up w/Versa Magic Jumbo Java. Then spritzed it w/Maya Road Iridescent Pearl Mist. Then added a snowflake accent and gem on top of that.

Here is a pic of some of the beautiful shimmer!!

Michelle

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesday~Anything Goes
PaperCrafting Journey~Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion~Tis the Season-Holiday or Winter related
Pollycraft Monday Challenge~Christmas Fun
Divas by Design~Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges~Sparkle
Gingerloft Challenge~Christmas and Winter
2 Sisters Challenge~Holiday
Totally Paper Crafts~Christmas
Forever Friends~It's All Christmas
Aud Sentiments~Any Winter Holiday Sentiments

A time to be THANKFUL!!!

2011-11-22T00:13:00.008-06:00

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Me - well, my wonderful family and friends, to have a great job and to be healthy!

I created this card awhile back while scrapping with my wonderful friends. We usually end up talking more than crafting sometimes, but oh well....I enjoy our time together no matter what.

I had recently purchased this tree stamp I believe from Hobby Lobby. And I couldn't wait to try it out. I inked up my stamp with the lightest color first, then added 'blots' of the other colors through out the tree to make it appear as if it were changing colors. We didn't get much of a fall around here. The trees turned and then right away the winds blew them off, so we had a VERY short time to enjoy them.

The stamps and punches were some of the goodies we received in our Fiskars class back at Scrapfest in September. We used the Cameo punch along with the 4" x 8" Clear Stamps Cameo Ovations. I just love not having to really think about "Is the stamp going to fit the punch" and vice versa.

~ENJOY~
Michelle

Challenges:
Inky Impressions~Give Thanks
Party Time Tuesdays~Sketchy Tuesdays AND/OR Thank You Cards
PaperCrafting Journey~Embossing
Incy Wincy Designs~Color challenge-photo inspriation
The Corrosive Challenge~Give Thanks
The Pink Elephant~Giving Thanks
Fresh Brewed~I am Thankful

More Scrapfest fun!!

2011-11-16T22:49:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone!! Just a quick post tonight as I am helping my hubby get ready to go deer hunting in a couple days!! I'm washing clothes, buy groceries, making food and helping him pack for his week long Deer Hunt 11' week : )

Just wanted to share another one of the great cards I made while at Scrapfest in MN back in September. This was made in the "Cute Cards, Four Ways" class given by Maya Road. We had fun using some of their products and learning new things. I never really thought about using chipboard on cards until this class.

Well....toodles for now.

Michelle

More Christmas

2011-11-13T13:50:00.003-06:00

I'm finally starting to get a little more in the mood for Christmas. Not sure why it's 'taking' so long this year. Maybe because the weather had been pretty decent here yet so far for November.

Anyway.....I went to my most FAVORITE store the other day~Archiver's. I was just bummin the other day and thought 'what the heck, let's see what's new'. $100 later......YIKES : )

Here is card using one of my latest purchases from Archiver's. They are called Paper Blossoms by McGill. You can create numerous flowers using these various punches and tools. I purchased the Star Lilly from which you can make Lilly & Poinsettias.

Although most of us know of Poinsettias as red, I like the non-traditional colors the floral shops and now more retails are leaning towards. And I also went w/a more non-traditional color for the card as well. Here I tried to get a better close up picture of the Poinsettia with all of it's shimmer and sparkle.

After punching and shaping the leaves, I inked the edges w/pink chalk ink , assembled and then sprayed w/Maya Road mist. I included a pic below of the punches and the mist.

I hope you like my 1st attempt at creating a Poinsettia using my great new punch. As always - I LOVE to hear your comments.

~~Peace, Love & Joy~~

Michelle

Challenges:

Inky Impressions~Glitter It Up

Party Time Tuesdays~Bling It On

It's Begining to look alot like.....

2011-11-06T20:12:00.008-06:00

Christmas!!!

I can't believe how fast October came and went. And now it's only a little over a month til Christmas - YIKES!!! I have been meaning to get started on making my cards for this year. I have been procrastinating way to long!!

These past few years I have really liked the blues, whites and silvers. And as soon as I seen this DP, I had an awesome idea. Awhile back on Bugaboos site ~ I had seen a great image titled "Steps-Christmas". And I thought this would work perfectly with the DP I had.

I went with a " From our House to Yours" theme on the card. I thought this worked really well with a recent gate fold card that I had learned to make.

I popped up the bow, and added some sparkle!!

Well, better back to making more Christmas cards!! It will be Thanksgiving before you know it : )

Michelle

Paper: Holiday Collection-The Christmas Stack, Textured Light Blue cardstock, Dark blue cardstock
Image: Steps~Christmas - Bugaboo
Other: Distress Ink Old Paper, ProMarkers, Atyou Spica pens, blue ribbon, snowflake brad

CHALLENGES

Totally Stampalicious~Anything Goes

Stamping Scrapping Challenge~Christmas-Happy Holidays

4 Crafty Chicks~Die Cuts

Dream Valley Challenges~Anything Goes

Catch The Bug~November Anything Goes

Crafty Catz~Anything Goes

Saturday's D2D Design Team Challenge

2011-10-29T07:00:00.014-05:00

This weeks challenge is PUMPKINS -
Include a pumpkin(s) on your creation. Could be your image, the DP, a die cut or anything that is a pumpkin!

I choose to use an image from Faith called "Patches the Ghost". Isn't he just the cutest ghost ever! I tried not to use all bright colors like I normally do - yellow, green, purple and orange. I wanted to try something more 'subtle' I guess you could say : )

While at Scrapfest in Sept - I told myself NO MORE PAPER.....well that didn't happen! I fell in love w/this paper pack from Fancy Pants Designs called Oct 31. It is a very cool 6 x 6 pack that has wonderful patterns.

And it so happens that last Saturday, my girlfriends & I got together to do some scrapping. And being that 2 of them live about 30-40 minutes away - they decided to give me my birthday presents a week early. And in one of them were these AWESOME Spellbinders Nesties - Lacey Ovals. Don't you just LOVE THEM!! I think it all ties together so well - kind of like a 'vintage' Halloween feel to this card.

I really like the way it turned out. Well, as always - love to hear your comments and I hope you will join us over at our D2D Saturday's Design Team Challenge.

Peace and Love~
Michelle

Challenges:
Inky Impressions Challenges~Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesdays~Anything Goes
BasicGrey Challenges~Anything Goes
PaperCrafting Journey~Use a Digi
Pollycraft Monday Challenge~Spooky Goings On
DYSU (Do You Stack Up)~Halloween
Scrappy Frogs Challenge~Something that Flies
Divas by Design~Something Spooky
Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central~Halloween
The Corrosive Challenge~Flying Things

Lovely Tree

2011-10-23T21:26:00.002-05:00

That is the new image this week from Faith at D2D. As soon as I seen the image - I knew exactly what I wanted to do - paper piece!!

I had bought a pack of paper awhile back and had not really used it yet. As I was thumbing thru it, I found the perfect piece of paper!! It looks like wood grain and I wanted to use that to give the tree a more 'real' look.

I then paper pieced different colors of regular card stock for the hearts. I popped a couple of them up to give it a little depth and there you have it!!

I finished off the inside with just a simple saying and a beautiful corner punch. Just a great CAS card for whenever a great friend needs a 'pick-me-up' : )

Michelle

Challenges:
DYSU ~ Trees

Halloween

2011-10-15T00:00:00.014-05:00

This week's Saturday Designer Challenge is HALLOWEEN!!

I decided to use Hocus Pocus for my creation. I just love the frog peeking out of the bubbling cauldron...so cute! And she works so well with another of Faith's images Abracadabra. You must really check out some of the new Halloween images from Faith. I LOVE Halloween !!!!

I love using bright orange, green, purple and yellow colors on Halloween cards. I colored in the image using my ProMarkers and added a lil shimmer with my atYou Spica markers. Just a quick card for a cute Halloween hello!!

Hope you have a great day!!

Michelle

Challenges:
One Stop Craft Challenge~ Halloween
By The Cute and Girly~Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge~S for Soon be Halloween
Cupcake Craft Challenge~Halloween
Come and Get It Challenges~Orange, Black & Purple

Cockatoo Rules

2011-10-05T22:53:00.002-05:00

HI~

Just a quick post. I love this image from The Paper Shelter called "Cockatoo Rules". Isn't he just too fun!!

My youngest nephew recently had a birthday, and while designing his card I knew I had to use this image. It so reminded me of him - in that "I'm cool...look at me" kind of way. And he just loved it!!!

I used the colored version and added some Glossy Accents to the sunglasses. I distressed the edges and 'splattered' it w/some colors. Then ran some Color core paper thru the Cuttlebug and sanded it. It's so hard to make something teenagers will like w/o being too kiddish : ) But he truly enjoyed this. And it was funny because my older nephew (his brother) thought it was AWESOME!

YAY....score one for Auntie!! Enjoy and hope to see you back soon!

Take care

Michelle

CHALLENGES:
One Stop Craft Challenge ~ Just for Men
Totally Stampalicious ~ Emboss It

Sooooo much fun!!!

2011-09-23T20:48:00.000-05:00

That's what my girlfriends and I had while at Archiver's Scrapfest 11' @ the Mall of America! This was our 3rd year, and it was just as exciting as the first! So many vendors, demos, freebies and classes - OH MY!! But we had a blast learning new techniques and using new products.

I want to share with you by far - the most fun card I made all weekend. I LOVE taking the Hero Arts classes. Shari Carroll and Jennifer McGuire from Hero Arts are so much fun and my favorite ladies.

Below is a sample of one of the cards from the "Thinking Inking" class that I took.

I just love the colors, and this was surprisingly easy to make. Of course due to time limits, most of the stuff is cut and ready to go for us. But we got to do the most fun part of this card, which was the background. You basically stamp your background w/Versamark Ink onto watercolor paper and then white heat emboss the image. You then take Distress Inks and dab all over the watercolor paper, in alternating colors starting with your lighter color first. Believe me, it kind of looks like a mess at first, but turns out wonderful as you can see. You then spray heavily with a Perfect Pearl and water mix of 1 tsp Perfect Pearls to a full mist bottle, and set aside to dry.

You can then add your embellishments once dry on top and your set to go! Don't you just love how the colors 'blend' together and once dry, you have that pearl shimmery look to it!

I will be sharing some more cards I made @ Scrapfest along the way, so keep your eyes open.

Toodles for now

*HUGS*

Michelle

D2D Blog Hop

2011-09-19T01:00:00.003-05:00

Good morning everyone!

I'm so excited to be participating in my first ever blog hop! Faith, from Designed 2 Delight, has recently started designing for Whipper Snapper Designs. Which means you can now get her stamps that she has designed for them!! How exciting! Digital images are great, but there are times that I just like using traditional stamps.

On this blog hop, the D2D team was asked to design using her new stamps. You should have came here from Kathy Winter's blog - Winter Creations by Kathy.

I have selected the "Pumpkin Birdhouse" image. I just LOVE fall and this image was just perfect for me!!! She has also come out with some new digital papers on her D2D site. These are perfect for when you just HAVE to have a certain piece of paper, but are afraid to use because you think you will never find it again. You can print to your hearts content with these new digi papers.

I have used Butter Plaid, Pumpkin Grunge and Orange Gingham.

Your next stop on this blog hop should be Michelle Pearson - Inspiration Blooms.

If at any time you get lost along the hop, just go back to the list of designers on the D2D site.

Leave some love, a lucky commenter from my blog will receive a $3 Gift Voucher to the D2D store! Thanks for stopping by and have a awesome day !!

Michelle

Abracadabra

2011-09-16T06:26:00.006-05:00

Hi everyone ~

Just a quick post before I head off to Archiver's Scrapfest @ the Mall of America in Minnesota!! I am going with my girlfriends and we just can't wait to get there. This will be our 3rd year. If you have never been, it is really awesome.

My post today is of this new image from Faith titled "Abracadabra". Isn't he just the cutest lil' magician you have ever seen? And of course his ever so nervous sidekick just waiting to see what happens next!! Faith has recently added some new Halloween images and wonderful digi papers as well. You really should check it out! Halloween is my favorite holiday and she has some wonderful images/papers for me to 'play' with!

Well.....off to finish getting ready! Hope you like it and as always~love to hear your comments!

Michelle

Image: D2D - Abracadabra http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/
Color Medium - ProMarkers

Wedding or Anniversary

2011-09-03T20:41:00.008-05:00

Our Saturday Designer’s Challenge over at Designed 2 Delight is Wedding Or Anniversary!! I am happy to say that on Oct. 10th ~ my hubby & I will be celebrating 19 years together!! We have had our up & downs, but through it all I couldn't see myself with anyone else but him.

My creation was actually made for my parents. They celebrated their 44th anniversary this past June and still act like 'kids' sometimes! It's so cute!

I know when I first heard someone say that they used pink & orange together I thought - WHAT??? Those colors don't go together. But I tried it & just LOVE how this card turned out! My DP is what actually 'inspired' me to use these 2 colors. And the layout of the card is actually inspired from a card I received from a dear friend of mine.

You really must check out the new digi's over at Designed 2 Delight. Faith has been busy and has some awesome new creations you will just love!! She has few new Halloween ones that are just adorable and I can't wait to use them. But then again, Halloween is my most favorite holiday!!

Thanks again for stopping by ~ and comments are always welcome!! Love to hear from you : )

Michelle

Image: Fresh Cut ~ Designed 2 Delight http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/

Color medium: ProMarkers

Misc: Hero Arts Bling, Prima Flowers

CHALLENGES:

Party Time Tuesdays ~ Anything Goes http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/
BasicGrey Challenges ~ Celebrations http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
Little Red Wagon ~ Border Punches http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/
Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central - Anything Goes http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com/
Bearly-Mine Challenges ~ Flowers, Flowers, Flowershttp://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/

MIA................

2011-08-29T22:19:00.004-05:00

Sorry that I have been missing in action lately.......very busy 'end' of summer going on here!! People on week vacations at work, back into racing and our oldest granddaughter ended up in the hospital for 4-1/2 days....it's just been a roll coaster ride!

ANYWAY....I finally got back into making some cards! At work, we work very closely w/our Detroit office and our clerical gal there. We recently found out that she & her hubby are having there 1st baby in November!! So a couple of us gals here chipped in and bought her a baby gift and I supplied the card. Seems how we don't know what she is having ~ I tried to make a more generic card.

I seen my poor beautiful purple Cricut sitting in the corner and thought it could use some attention. So I made this CAS card you see below!!

I forgot how much fun it was to cut stuff on my Cricut!! Well, hope you like it and I hope to get back and post something again soon!!

Missed you all

Michelle

Pink + Black

2011-08-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

That is our current Saturday DT Challenge @ Designed 2 Delight!! You have to create a project using predominantly pink and black.

I used a very cute digi titled "Baby Buggy-Heaven Sent". You can find this now in Faith's store along with alot of other great images. I did this one because I know of a few people having babies soon, so I wanted to be prepared. And it's also so easy for me to make a girl card then a boy too!! Seems how I have 2 beautiful granddaughters : )

I hope you will play along with us this week!! I think you will find this alot of fun!!

Have a great day!
Love & Peace
Michelle

Challenges:
DYSU - Do You Stack Up: Emboss It http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Bling it On.........

2011-08-06T00:36:00.005-05:00

The Design Team Saturday Challenge this week is "Bling".
Who doesn't like bling?!? Let's see lots of it for this challenge!

One of my very best girlfriends Kendra is hosting the challenge this week. She is the one who first introduced me to digi stamps and Faith. Since then, I have been hooked!! I have learned so much from them both and the design team as well. Hope you will join us this week and have a "blinging" good time!!

Michelle

Image: Designed 2 Delight - Winter Bear
http://designed2delight.com/blog/

Kendra's Blog: http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/

CHALLENGES:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff ~ Sparkle and Shine http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/2011/08/challenge-20-sparkle-shine.html

Little Red Wagon ~ Put a Critter on It http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/

I am hosting my 1st ever challenge at D2D.....

2011-07-22T22:52:00.003-05:00

As part of the design team, we each must take a turn at hosting a challenge. I really like the Christmas in July theme. Especially with the way our weather has been here lately. VERY HOT and I can’t wait for cooler weather to get here. I also wanted to throw in a twist. When you think of Christmas – most of us think in terms of the colors red & green. I wanted to go outside that ‘proverbial’ box and use different colors, so I also included NO red or green. You may use them on your image – but I wanted to see different colors used on the card or in the embellishments.

I used Faith’s Snow Angel digi and paper pieced his ‘wings’ & arms with brown cardstock. I then cut out another snowman and placed him on top as to ‘sandwich’ in the wings. I cut another piece for his nose to give it some depth as well. I then colored in the nose, scarf & heart w/my ProMarkers. Then using my atyou Spica pens, I added some glitter to his halo and patchwork on his heart and lower body.

Using the Cricut Home Accents cartridge, I cut a couple of the flower inner shape parts. When cut sepertaley, they look kind of look like snowflakes to me. I cut a couple of different sizes out, painted them w/a little CI (Creative Inspirations) Winter Frost paint, layered them and created my own snowflake. I inked the edges using Distress Ink Old Paper to give it an old, faded look to it. Added a few i-Rock gems, a button brad, couple of snowflake brads and some ribbon and there you have it!

I really hope you will join me over @ Designed 2 Delight’s Saturday Challenge for my first ever challenge. I want to see all of your unique creations using the Winter/Christmas theme and NO red or green. DAZZLE & inspire me with your creations…….go on….try it!! One lucky person will win a free image from the Designed2Delight Store. Winner is announced the Sunday after the challenge closes.

http://designed2delight.com/blog/category/challenge/saturday-challenge/

Michelle

“Let’s Go To The Beach” Designer’s Challenge

2011-07-18T22:56:00.007-05:00

This Saturday’s challenge @ D2D is “Let’s go to the BEACH!”

Let’s see what beachy, tropical or even really summery creations you can come up with for this week’s challenge!

Make sure to check out the design team inspiration and challenge rules here:

http://designed2delight.com/blog/2011/07/lets-go-to-the-beach-designers-challenge/

Some of my fellow design team members have great ideas ~ so check it out.

Here is my creation!

I used a couple of Faith's newer digis ~ Flip Flops and Palm Tree - WHICH IS ONLY $1
I paper pieced the flip flops with some cool DP and then blinged them up w/a rhinestone. I then popped up the starfish for some depth. I wanted to keep the 'sandy" look as well, so that is why I went with Kraft cardstock. I then colored the palm tree image and careful cut it out. I found some really cool 'buttons' @ Hobby Lobby, I cut off the loop on the back and mounted the sunglass button on the bottom of the card.

Hope you like it and please make sure you check us out @ http://designed2delight.com/blog/

Michelle

Challenges:

Lexi's Creations ~ At the Beach http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion Challenge ~ "Text It"
(use text somewhere on your project) http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Pollycraft Monday Challenge ~ Summer Fun http://www.pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Something 'Berry' special from D2D........

2011-07-14T21:23:00.008-05:00

Faith has come out with an AWESOME image~Strawberries!!! I love summer and fresh strawberries! Strawberry shortcake, in my yogurt w/some granola -YUMMY!!!

My original idea for this image was to use some Fuzzy Flock on the leaves and stem part of the berry. But the more I thought about it, I really didn't want to cover up the beautiful image she had created. So, I just opted for my ProMarkers instead.

I paper pieced the stem & leaves on the right hand side, and popped them up on the other side to give it some depth. I also popped up the flower as well. Then used the atyou Spica markers to give the berries some shimmer, as well as the flower. I cut the swirls out on my Cricut using the Home Accents cartridge and sprayed them w/some gold shimmer mist. TA-DA

Hope you like it!! I am still not 110% satisfied with the card. I am thinking it needs something, but not quite sure what that is??? Oh well.......

Thanks for stopping by, COMMENTS are always welcome : )

Michelle

Challenges:

One Stop Craft Challenges~Summer Time

http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Birthday Fun

2011-07-10T21:10:00.006-05:00

I was recently asked by a friend to make a few birthday cards for her. That, along w/all the birthdays I have coming up, I have been quite busy making birthday cards! I thought I would share this one with you. It was the perfect image for my friend sister's birthday. They are both a couple hoots to hang around, so this fit her perfectly.

This is Ruby - by Jodie over at Bugaboo. She has some adorable characters over in her shop. You should really check it out. She has one for almost any occasion or mood - and they are awesome!! I forgot to take a pic of the inside, but I put "Hope you have a 'smashing' birthday darling"!

*HUGS*

Michelle

Challenges:

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes and DT Call http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/

Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central - Clean & Simple http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com/

Happy 4th !!!!!

2011-07-04T15:16:00.011-05:00

HaPpY 4th oF JuLy !!!!!

Hope you all have had/or are having a great long holiday weekend. My post today is 1 of 4 patriotic images Faith has available at her shop.

I may use this card for my bosses birthday which is actually today. Funny story - she always told her granddaughter when she was little, that everyone celebrates her birthday w/fireworks and parties!! Well, now the her granddaughter is older, she understands the 'true' meaning of the holiday, but still says these are celebrating her grandma too!!
ENJOY~

Michelle

Challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays~4th of July http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/2011/06/party-time-tuesdays-ptt22-4th-of-july.html

Totally Stampalicious~Stars & Stripes http://totallystampalicious.blogspot.com/

Come and Get it Challenges~Patriotic http:/www.comeandgetitchallenges.blogspot.com/

The Pink Elephant~Red, White & Blue http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/

I Did It Creations ~Patriotic http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-62-patriotic.html

Amber's Crafts & Stuff~Red, White & Blue http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/2011/06/challenge-16-red-white-blue.html

Tropical Summer

2011-06-30T22:40:00.007-05:00

Well....that's what it will sure feel like for tomorrow. They are forecasting roughly 92-93 degrees before the heat index. With it, 100-102+ degrees - can you say HOT!!!!!! Although I really shouldn't complain because it has taken so long for summer to finally get here : )

I haven't been posting alot lately, hoping to change that this long holiday weekend. Nothing special planned, and if it remains hotter then a you know what, I will camp out in the a/c house making cards!!

Still not sure if I am 100% happy with this card or not. I guess I envisioned it a little differently then what it actually came out to be.

I had a great time last Saturday w/my BFF's scrapping and gossiping! I think we each only made about 3 cards after catching up and exchanging 'stories', but that's ok! We have been taking turns at each others house for a day every other month and I really enjoy it. I am the next 'host' and can't wait for the girls to come here! Suppose I should clean up my scrap room huh???

Well, I hope you like the card and please feel free to comment if you like. I always enjoy hearing them : ) Hope to see you back here real soon!!

TOODLES!!

Michelle

Challenges:

PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/

Alphabet Challenge Blog - H for Half a Dozen http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Mary, Mary...........

2011-06-16T22:58:00.004-05:00

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

This weeks newest image from Designed 2 Delight is "Mary, Mary". Isn't she just adorable tip-toein thru the garden watering her flowers? I hope you had a chance to go get her and make a card, so that you get next weeks image free!! If not, don't worry...just hop on over to Faith's store and pick her up.

Here is my 'spin' on this weeks image:

Bet you can't figure out what my fav color is...lol !!!! As soon as I seen her I knew she had to be in purple : ) I hope you like it and I always enjoy your comments!!

Thanks for stoppin' by......

Michelle

Designed 2 Delight's store ~ http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/

Challenges:

Totally Stampalicious ~ Anything Goes http://totallystampalicious.blogspot.com/

Masculine Cards~NO flowers

2011-06-08T20:05:00.010-05:00

This weeks challenge @ Designed 2 Delight Card Ideas, is to create a Masculine Card with NO flowers . With Father’s Day approaching, we would like to see a creation for that special guy in your life. This is not limited to Father’s Day cards only. Feel free to make a Love, Birthday, Thinking of You, etc. card/creation.

This is one of the creations I have made so far. I still have 3 more to make yet - YIKES!! I have to make cards for my dad, my father-in law, my step father-in law and my son - WHEW!!! And Faith's masculine images pretty much have me covered!! The image I used on this one is "Catch of the Day"

You really must check out the wonderful masculine images - they are FAB!!! http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/
I must tell you a quick story! My husband will be going on his yearly fishing trip up north in a couple of weeks. So I have been accompanying him to various stores to get ready for his trip. On a recent trip to Mill's Fleet Farm, - they had a canoe in the middle of the aisle with marked down fishing supplies. At first I was like"Great...he will be here looking thru this pile of 'crap' forever". Then as I was wading thru the pile I came across the tiny spinner blades that I used on my card. And all of a sudden~LIGHT BULB~I could use these on my Father's day, masculine cards! BINGO....all of a sudden that pile was like gold. My husband just shook his head and laughed at me when I told him what I was going to do with them. I actually walked out of the store with more fishing items them him...LOL!

I hope you like it, and will to post the rest soon! Till then...........

Michelle

Challenges:

Cupcake Craft Challenges~ Things with Tails http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion ~Anything Goes http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Lexi's Creations~Father's Day/Masculine Card http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Come and Get It Challenges~Happy Father's Day http://www.comeandgetitchallenges.blogspot.com/

Here Come the Boys~Father's Day/Hubby/Partner http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Days Away~Father's Day/Special Man http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/

A couple of Happy Birthdays

2011-05-31T23:26:00.004-05:00

Both my son & nephew's birthdays are in May and only a couple of days apart. So I had fun making cards for each of them.

They both are into racing - my son cars, my nephew quads (4 wheelers). The 1st card was for my son and I thought AJ the Race Car driver from The Stamping Boutique http://www.thestampingboutique.com/ would be perfect for him.

For my nephew...I went a brick wall and graffiti look.

For both, I used the Sizzix folders from Tim Hotlz Alterations line. I really like these folders cuz they just pop on the card. I used the Checkerboard for the white card and distressed it with some black chalk ink. For the other, I used the Brick folder on some Color Core paper and then sanded it down to make the bricks come thru more. And then I used some Metal Gears from Little Yellow Bicycle on them.

I think they both enjoyed them!!

Michelle

Challenges:

Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central~Masculine

http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com/

Scrappy Frogs Challenge~Birthday

http://scrappyfrogschallenge.blogspot.com/

Hello again!!

2011-05-30T21:36:00.005-05:00

Boy, it feels like months since I last posted, but it really wasn't that long : ) Just so many little things to get done around here lately, busy at work training summer help, and of course the holiday weekend. Speaking of which~ I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I know we did!! We celebrated my son's "Golden" birthday which was actually the 25th, and the holiday as well. And we had wonderful weather too.

The card I am posting tonight is actually one that I made for the All White +One other color challenge over @ Card Ideas. I never got to post my card and they have since moved onto the next weekly challenge. I really like the way this card turned out, so I will just post it here on my blog anyway. I went classic black & white and, I didn't want to overpower the image, so I kept it very CAS.

I hope you like it!! Oh.....and I couldn't resist posting a pic of my beautiful granddaughters!! The oldest~Evyon~ came running out to me today when I got there yelling "Grandma, Grandma Grandma ....then gave me a HUGE hug!! She then told me she graduated Head Start and gets to go to Kindergarten in the fall. Seems like not that long ago I was taking my son to Kindergarten....where does the time go?

Well, goodnight for now. I will be back soon...I promise : )

Michelle

Skater Boy

2011-05-15T08:00:00.011-05:00

Faith has really been busy with new images. And this latest one is AWESOME! It's called "Skater Boy" and will be fabulous for boy cards. I couldn't wait to get started on it. I was out the other day and bought some Tim Holtz embossing folders and, I thought the Bricked one would work great for this.

I didn't want to make it appear 'to dark and gloomy' so I added some bright green and blue to make it pop a little. I then used Color Core cardstock from the Flower Power pack in gray and ran it thru the Cuttlebug. I then distressed it by sanding it down some so the Bricked affect would come thru. I also distressed the edges too. Then, awhile back I had seen a tutotiral on things to use for boy/man card besides the bling and ribbons. One of the suggestions was using a washer. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!! Very inexpensive, but yet still looks very cool on the card. So, I took and stamped w/my Polka Dot Background stamp to make look as if the washer was 'used and greasy' looking. StazOn black ink works great for this!

I have a few other ideas yet that I would like to try. I plan on doing these for Father's Day and I am hoping they turn out in 'real life' as well as I have them pictured in my head : ) All I can say is my husband thought I was 'crazy' the other day when I told him what I wanted to use these 'things' for. SO.... keep watching as it gets closer to Father's Day!!

~ENJOY~

Michelle

Challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs ~ Clean & Simple http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Divas by Design ~ Anything Goes http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/

A Spoon Full of Sugar ~ Anything Goes http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/

Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central ~ Birthdays http://stampingscrappingchallengecentral.blogspot.com/

Corrosive Challenge ~ Birthdays http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/

Paper and Such Design ~ Birthdays http://paperandsuchonline.blogspot.com/

One Stitch At A Time ~ Anything Goes http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/05/challenge-62-anything-goes.html

Flowers!!

2011-05-14T14:21:00.004-05:00

The Challenge: http://designed2delight.com/blog/2011/05/may-flowers-saturdays-dt-challenge/

This week’s Saturday Challenge is hosted by Design Team member, Kathy Curry.
We all have heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers”. We want to see some of those pretty May flowers used on your card or project this week. It’s easy to buy all sorts of flowers at the craft store, but using those wouldn't be too challenging, so we have got a twist for you. We would like to see handmade flowers this week. You can make them anyway you like, as long as they are made by you (not store bought). Some examples of easy ways to create flowers are punching, rolling, die cutting, crocheting and crumpling tissue (the possibilities are endless). Check out what the design team has created for some inspiration. Hope you will join the fun and make some lovely flowers this week.

Here's my card with my homemade flower. VERY simple ~ I just layered a scalloped 1-7/8" circle, then 1", then a 3/4" circle together after crumpling them and then 'distressing' them w/ink. I added a gem to the center and made my own leaves from regular Green cardstock. I free hand cut the leaves, then coated w/Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze Icicle. Hope you like it!!

Michelle

Pail of Flowers

2011-05-13T22:20:00.010-05:00

Hello there.....

Glad to see everyone back here after all the Blogger issues : ) This post is a little late due to those issues , so here we go! This weeks image from Faith is "Pail of Flowers". This image is wonderful because there are so many ways you can go with it. I choose to make mine a "Thinking of You" card, as I was just thinking of a special friend the other day that I hadn't talk to in quite some time. I really think she will like it!

I actually started out with pink flowers and a grey pail, but then quickly changed my mind. Spring....although it is very late this year here, is finally starting to bloom. All the yellows of the daffodils, tulips and other flowers made me go with the yellow and a brown pail.

It's a little hard to see, but in the center of my flowers I added a tiny bit of my atyou Spica Glitter Orange pen. For just a little shimmer as to not overwhelm the flower.

~ENJOY~

Michelle

Challenges:

Pear Tree Designs ~ Spring http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/

Divas by Design ~ Anything Goes http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/

2 Sisters ~ How Does your Garden Grow? http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Better late then never...

2011-05-10T21:44:00.006-05:00

I really wanted to get this card posted on Mother's Day, but as you can see that didn't happen : ( Just a crazy weekend and this week has been just about the same so far, and it's only Tuesday!

The image is from Wee Stamps called Wee Suzi, and she was offered as a freebie awhile back. She was just so adorable I had to get her. In a funny way, she kinda reminds me of myself as a young girl. So I thought it would be cute to make a mothers day card using the image.

I am getting alot better w/my ProMarkers, but still have a ways to go yet. Some of the shading and things still kinda 'throw me for a loop'. But I am gradually learning which colors I can be 'heavy handed' with and which ones require a lighter touch. So....here's Wee Suzi!!

I tried to get a couple views of the card so you can see the different dimension, shimmer, etc. I really hope you like it and I will give you the link below to check out the site. She has some cute images! Well off to finish up some more cards that I need to get posted soon : ) Til then...........

Michelle

Wee Stamps ~ http://weestamps.weebly.com/

Challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs ~ Mother's Day or Girlie
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Claudia & Company ~ Butterflies
http://claudiaandcompany.blogspot.com/

DYSU-Do You Stack Up ~ Purple
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Flutterby Fairy

2011-05-04T22:45:00.011-05:00

Hi everyone!

If you haven't been to Faith's site over at Delightful Inspiration lately you really need to check it out!! She has created a new blog and it's AWESOME! She has combined her Designed 2 Delight and Card Ideas blogs into one great place. http://designed2delight.com/blog/

This weeks image is Flutterby Fairy. I decided to go a little different route and create a 'friend' for her. So I just 'flopped' the image and now she has Fairy Best Friend to share the card with : )

I colored them w/my ProMarkers, and added a lil sparkle to the girls wings with my CI Paints (Creative Inspirations). Then some more sparkle with the help of my atyou Spica markers. Cut a few 'scroll' designs on the Criciut and spritzed them w/some shimmer. Hard to see in the pic, but they do shimmer.
I hope you like what I did with this weeks image. Join us for the fun and keep coming back for more.

Til next time -

Michelle

Challenges:

Lexi's Creations ~ Friendship http:/lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Pear Tree Designs ~ Challenge 47 "Free for All' http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion ~ Anything Goes http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Flutter by Wednesday's ~ Use a butterfly, angel or fairy http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/

Pollycraft ~ Anythign Goes http://www.pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

B & B......

2011-04-27T19:59:00.015-05:00

Bullfrogs & Butterflies that is!

If you did not play along with us @ Designed 2 Delight last week, and receive this image in your inbox, you can purchase it in the digi shop and play along to receive the next freebie.

I kinda 'threw' a lil of everything at this one ~ bling, buttons, layers, shimmer. I had alot of fun with this image. I just can't wait for summer...well spring also to get here already! I tried to go for some nice bright cheery colors that were not too overpowering.

I am stilling getting use to putting together different papers/patterns ~ dots, stripes and etc. But at the same time I'm like - what the heck - let's try this together : )

If you haven't been to Faith's shop lately she has some new AWESOME images.
New "Lakeside" Masculine Digital Stamps
She has added four new guy images to my shop this month. You can see card samples of each image by visiting Card Ideas, or by viewing the stamp in her shop.

"Windsong"

"Quiet Sunset"

"Lakeside Shack"

"Birthday Brew" Looks great as Root Beer, too!!
Well, hope you had a great day !!

Toodles : )
Michelle

Challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays ~ Anything Goes
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion Challenge ~ Show us Your Layers
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Incy Wincy Designs ~ Buttons and Bows
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Flutter By Wednesday's ~ 3-2-1 recipe~

•3 flowers
•2 patterned/designer papers
•1 button
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/

Simon Says Stamp ~ Anything Goes
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Claudia & Company ~ CAS (Clean and Simple)
http://claudiaandcompany.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter

2011-04-22T22:56:00.005-05:00

Hi there.....

Just a quick post of a few of the Easter cards that I made. I actually took these to work to show the girls and they 'took' them all!! They are always saying "You should bring in some of your cards....we would buy them" : ) I like seeing their faces when I bring them in and know that whomever they are sending them to will hopefully have the same reaction.

My first card is a Bugaboo freebie - Eggbert Bunny! Isn't he ADORABLE!

This next one is also a Bugaboo freebie - Scene It Easter
Jodi @ Bugaboo does a wonderful job - you really should check it out!

And the last one is another freebie I found from a new artist on the Free Digital Stamps Blog. Her name is Jana Robins and can be found here http://janarobins.com/

Well, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them. Time to turn in...it's been a long day! See you back here again soon!

Michelle

Ladybug Balancing Act

2011-04-19T08:00:00.005-05:00

I really like the new image Faith has created for us @ Designed 2 Delight. If you did not play along last week and receive this image in your inbox, you can purchase it in Faith's digi shop and play along to receive the next freebie.

This image is so spring like, too bad the weather here is not being the same. We could get anywhere from 1-2 inches of snow - up to possibly 6-8? Where is spring? The joys of living in Wisconsin : )

SO.... here is my card for this week. I colored it in w/my ProMarkers~love these markers~. I thought the spotted BG paper worked out awesome with the ladybug spots. And I finished it off with a few lil embellishments.

Keep watching Faith's site as she has some really wonderful new images coming soon!! Can't tell you when, but trust me - you will LOVE them.

Bye for now

Michelle

Challenges:

Basic Grey Challenges~Easter/Spring
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

Paper Crafting Jourmey~Use a FREEBIE
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion Challenges~You have been Spotted (Use dots)
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Totally Stampalicious~Clean and Simple
http://totallystampalicious.blogspot.com/

Inky Impressions~Flowers
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/

OH BABY.....

2011-04-18T22:35:00.004-05:00

While looking around the other day in the world of free digi's, I came across this cute baby buggy from Broken Box. I like to check out the Free Digital site every now & again, to see what the they have to offer. And this was just so cute I had to have it : )

You can check out these free digi's by clicking on http://www.freedigitalstamps.blogspot.com/. They have a ton of links to numerous site freebies. I started making this card the other night when I was scrappin ' w/some girlfriends. Although.....I think we did alot more laughing and talking, then scrapping. But that's ok too - need girl time every now and again!

I kept the card pretty CAS and I really like the pinks and browns together. Well, I hope you like it and I am always open to comments : )

Michelle

Broken Box - http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.com/2011/04/free-baby-carriage.html

How about a cold one?

2011-04-13T22:01:00.003-05:00

If you haven't been to Faith's site lately ~ Designed 2 Delight ~ then you really must stop by. She has a wonderful new set geared towards the man/men in your life. It's called Birthday Brew. What man doesn't love a cold beer on a warm day? I knew exactly what I wanted to do to this image once I seen it!! I had to get out the Liquid Applique and make a 'foam' on top of the beer! I just filled in the area I wanted 'foamy' and used the heat embossing tool to make the applique bubble as it dried. I very CAS card for one of the male birthdays I have coming up soon. I colored the image with my ProMarkers, ran the chocolate brown cardstock thru the Cuttlebug (Swiss Dots) and there you have it : ) Hope you like it and CHEERS!! Michelle

Ladybug Kaela

2011-04-07T21:43:00.007-05:00

I decided to make a card with one of Faith's newer images - Ladybug Kaela. This sweet set comes with many variations of Ladybug Kaela--with a background, without; with wings, without; with a hat, without; and just a plain sitting Kaela with no wings or hat--each image with a smile and without. An individual flower is also included.

I had such a great time making this one - kind of reminded me of my granddaughter for some reason. Such a sweet image!! You really should stop on over to the digi shop and pick her up. Designed 2 Delight ~ http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/

Michelle

Spotty Dotty

2011-04-02T23:21:00.006-05:00

Hi everyone! So glad you could all join me in my 1st 'official' post as a member of the D2D team!! Faith's image this week is "Spotty Dotty Watering Can". Not sure about you - but I can't wait for all the wonderful flowers spring & summer have in store for us. I am always wanting to try new things and I am learning ALOT from these amazing girls I am working with on this team. For instance - my card this week is called a Zig-Zag card. I found this tutorial on fellow DT member Kristine's blog http://inksomething2.blogspot.com/search/label/TUTORIALS. I just had to try it out! It was actually super easy to do and quite fun. In sticking with the flower theme, my BG paper is done in flowers, and I added some flower embellishments as well. I ran a piece of color core paper thru my Cuttlebug and then sanded it to make the texture pop. It may be hard to tell, but I painted the edge border w/some CI paints to make it shimmer. I colored in the image w/my ProMarkers and made my 'own' blue BG paper behind the image by sponging 2 shades of blue together. And finished it off with a nice sentiment. I hope you will check out Kris' blog and try this Zig Zag card sometime. See you for the next challenge!

Michelle

CHALLENGES:

D2D - Spotty Dotty image http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Paper Playtime - Anything Goes http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/

Delightful Challenges - Flowers http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/

Basic Grey Challenges - More Than One Fold http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

Bugaboo-Catch the Bug Challenge - Anything Goes http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-time-for-aprils-anything-goes.html

Great News...............

2011-04-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

I have been selected to be a part of the Designed 2 Delight design team!!!!

I am super excited and can't wait to work with Faith and her talented team she has assembled. If you are new to digi stamps ~ then you must really check her out blog @ http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/. I have been using digi's for a almost a year now and absolutely LOVE them!!! Plus, they also have a Card Ideas Blog where the design team members display their cards/paper-crafting ideas using Faith's images.

You can hop on her blog the first Friday of the month and 'try' a digi for free. She will provide a free digital stamp. Those artists that grab it will then make a project with it and post it on their blog or in their gallery (no blog required to play) linking back to Designed2Delight Digi Shop. You will have one week to do this. Then you post your link using InLinkz. You will then receive the next week image free as long as you keep 'playing'.

**By grabbing the freebie, you agree to follow her Angel Policy. This can be found on the left sidebar in her Digi Shop. IMPORTANT! Please respect her art and do not share these images even though they are free. Please refer your friends so that they can grab their own. SO.....check us out and see what wonderful creations we come up with. I am sure it's going to be a fun time! Michelle

Going Buggy....for ProMarkers that is

2011-03-27T20:47:00.002-05:00

ProMarkers up for grabs........ Here's your chance to win all three of the new ProMarker blending sets - that's a total of thirty six markers to add to your collection, or to start you off, and it's super-easy to enter. All you have to do is go to http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/2011/03/promarkers-up-for-grabs.html and leave your answer to this question: HOW MANY PROMARKER COLORS ARE THERE? The competition runs until April 5th Good luck

Ladybug Bloom

2011-03-26T21:34:00.016-05:00

It's that time again....the weekly challenge from Faith @ D2D. If you need any inspiration, head on over to the Cards Ideas blog @ http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/ and check out the design teams card. They are AWESOME!! I really wanted to PP this design and make things pop up on the card. I actually printed it numerous times on different colored cardstocks. I inked my white background for a sky look and 'twisted' my flower to gave it a more full look. I also wanted to make it appear as if the lady bug was getting ready to fly off the page.

I tried to go with more spring like colors in general on my card. Just last week we got dumped on again w/a foot of snow!! I so want spring to get here already!! The pic below shows how many thing I actually ended up popping up on the card. I was also trying to find a sentiment. I remembered I had these cute ticket stub ones from MudMaven @ http://www.mudmaven.blogspot.com/ I just thought would be so cute. Well, I hope you like it and can join us for next weeks challenge. And as always - all comments are appreciated & welcomed : )

Michelle

Challenges:

D2D - Ladybug Blooms

http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Lexi's Creations - Ribons-BUT no bows or knots

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Mel Jens - Punches

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges

Stamp Something - Spring

http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Paper: White, green and yellow cardstocks, Scrap DP, Sage, Baby Blue and Rose textured cardstock

Image/Sentiment: D2D~Ladybug Bloom, MudMaven~Ticket Sentiments

Inks: Distress Ink Tumbled Glass and Old Paper

Markers: ProMarkers Hot Pink, Cool Grey 1, 2 & 5, Amber, Yellow

Misc: Prima Flowers, The Ribbon Boutique Organza ribbon, Pink gem from dollar bin @ Michael's, Gelly Roll Clear Star pen

Did you.....Catch a Bug?

2011-03-19T22:35:00.005-05:00

This week's new image @ Designed 2 Delight is "Caught a Bug", and it is a digital stamp set that includes a corked jar with a ladybug, two accessory bugs and two sentiments to play with. Another wonderfully cute image from Faith!!

I just can't believe how early I am posting my card this week. I am usually getting it in under the wire, but for some reason I was 'clicking' on all cylinders today. We got so much done today, and my bedroom is FINALLY back together after our little 'freshening up'. New paint, carpet, closet build out and it looks 200% better!!

Well.....back to the real reason for being here. Again I kind of opted for a CAS card w/just a few colors. Seems how there was a ladybug~I tried to keep the theme as black and red as I could. I just splashed in a little green to make a few things pop a little bit.

Hopefully this card doesn't find you with a bug : ) And if you are feeling under the weather, I sure hope is cheers you up.

Til next time....
Michelle

Challenges:

Designed 2 Delight~Caught a Bug
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

CardMadFairy's Digi Days Challenge~Back to Nature
http://doitwithdigischallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-4-back-to-nature.html

DYSU-Do You Stack Up~Add a Bow
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Image/Sentiment: Designed 2 Delight
Paper: Black & white card stock, Brick Red textured cardstock
Embossing: Cuttlebug folder~Floral Fantasy
Markers: ProMarkers~Blender
Greens: Apple, Forest, Leaf, Meadow
Shale, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Hot Pink, Cool Grey 4 & 5, Pastel Blue
Misc: Prima Flower's, Hero Arts Bling Pearl, Sakura Gelly Roll Pen Clear Star, Black ribbon

Angel Caroline

2011-03-17T21:28:00.006-05:00

This week's new image is "Angel Caroline", and if you did not play along last week and receive this image from Faith in your inbox, you can purchase it in her digi shop.

I knew right away that I wanted Caroline to have sparkling wings. And I wanted to keep it CAS and make sure the main focus would be on Caroline. I opted for a black card with a dark background....I think is gives it more of a warm feeling. And of course when I think of angels, I think of my wonderful friends. Because that's what they are to me, angels.....love you ladies, you know who you are *wink*

I kept her dress monotone and just added some subtle hints of colors thru out. On a recent shopping trip I found a package of some cardstock strips already cut into fancy shapes & designs. I decided to alter 1 of them a bit and give it some sparkle. I lightly painted over the top w/my Creative Inspirations Paint. See below to see how the paint just makes them 'pop'!!

And here is my completed card!!

Glad you stopped by to take a look!! Don't forget to leave a comment, as I really like to hear them.

Love, Peace and Chicken grease
(heard that somewhere & now I can't get it out of my head...lol)

Michelle

Challenges:

Designed 2 Delight~Digi image "Angel Caroline"
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Paper Sundaes~Keep it Simple
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/

Basic Grey~Wings
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

Image: Angel Caroline~Designed 2 Delight
Paper: Black & white cardstock, Patterned paper from my stash, DieCuts w/a View Robin, Harvest and Green, Coredinations Foundations Smooth Texture Hot Pink
Stamp: Everything in Life.... Inkadinkado
Markers: ProMarkers Hot Pink, Pastel Blue, Denim Blue, Yellow, Leaf Green, Cinnamon, Pastel Beige, Pastel Pink, Satin, Cool Grey 5, Blender
Misc: Stickles Star Dust, EK Success Flower & Retro Flower punches, Hero Arts Bling Pearl, Creative Inspirations Paints Pink Highlights, Bazzill Basic paper Half the Edge Cardstock strips

ABC...........

2011-03-14T22:53:00.013-05:00

Anything But a Card that is.......

Over on the Card Ideas blog~The sky is the limit as long as it isn’t a card. This is also their Christmas/Winter challenge, so try to create a gift project that you can give at Christmas or in the winter. Just think you will be one gift ahead come December! Ü

The other day at work one of my co-workers was throwing away some old CD which we no longer needed. I was like "Hey....save me some, I'm sure I can find something to do with them". Well she saved me well over 50 CD's and I have been playing with them.

This is my creation - a cute fridge magnet!! This is just one of the ideas I have actually made for right now.

Here is a quick little tutorial on how I did it:

1. Take a 5-1/4" circular piece of card stock. I bought mine already cut in a scallop pattern, but if you have Cricut, you could cut it on there. And your old, unwanted CD.

2. Next get out your glue, I used Glossy Accents.

3. Now put just a little glue around the CD, and adhere to the paper.

4. Now cut out a patterned paper in a 5" circle.

5. And adhere that to the other side of the CD.

6. Adhere to the backside of the scallop, magnets or magnetic tape cut to fit as I did.

7. Now pick out your saying and embellishments you would like to use.

8. Adhere you embellishments and TA-DA....a wonderful fridge magnet for you to gift to a friend or family member.

This was my first tutorial...I hope I explained everything ok and made it easy to understand. Well....enjoy and hope to see you over on the Card Ideas Blog http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/

Michelle

Clyde

2011-03-11T22:17:00.007-06:00

I just love Bugaboos digi's, and this cute lil guy "Clyde" was a Friday Freebie a few weeks back. I just couldn't wait to use him : ) I made a simple birthday card, more suited for boy I guess by the colors I seem to have choosen.

I was so excited to use my girlfriends ProMarkers again, that I didn't write down which colors I used. I have since then ordered a few of them and can't wait to invest in some more. They are the BOMB!!

I colored in Clyde with a few different shades of the green ProMarkers, put some shimmer on his wings, and blinged up the card a bit. The background around him is just some plain gray cardstock I had laying around, stamped with I think a Hero Arts background stamp. I then found some polka dot paper and the rick-rack at the store. That is what I really like about these crop nights. If you forget something or don't have just the right color - go shopping in the store!!

Well, toodles for now. Been a long day....and week at work and I am exhausted!! Night all

Michelle

CHALLENGES:

Bugaboo Stamps/Catch the Bug ~ Anything Goes

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

MelJens Designs ~ Green

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges

Paper Crafting Journey ~ Things with Wings

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/pcj-challenge-5things-with-wings.html

Creative Card Crew ~ NO FLOWERS

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/

Where you can find the ProMarkers~

http://www.carpediemstore.com/listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=2882

Lucky Bird

2011-03-10T21:42:00.009-06:00

Hello everyone!! My hubby has been hoggin the computer most of the night, so I am posting a little late again. Oh well.......on to my creation.

This weeks image from Faith is just so cute! A little birdie with his lucky 4 leaf clover. I colored him in w/my ProMarkers and then used Glossy Accents on his rain boots. I took and made a extra wing and popped it up. I then incorporated the rest of the colors thru-out my card. I found an Irish Blessing, blinged it up a little and there you have it : )

I had so much fun making this card. I hope you can join us next week on the Designed 2 Delight Challenge blog. See you there!

Michelle

CHALLENGES

Designed 2 Delight~Lucky Bird

http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Aly's Sunday Challenge~Anything Goes

http:/alyssundaychallenge.blogspot.com

CES Challenges~St. Patrick / Good Luck

http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/

Craft Your Passion~Anything Goes

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Creative Belli Blog~Animals

http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/

Image: "Lucky Bird"~Designed 2 Delight, Irish Blessing~MelJens Designs
Paper: White, green, blue cardstock, Vintage Love Damask~Vintage Love Traci Smith Glitz Now
Markers: ProMarkers ~GREENS Forest, Leaf, Meadow
~BLUES Denim, Pastel
~PINKS Baby, Hot Pink
~ Pastel Yellow, Cool Grey 1 and Blender
Inks: Distress Ink Tumbled Glass, Crushed Olive
Punch: EK Success Diamond Lace Edger punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch
Misc: Prima flowers, i-Rock Gems, Hero Arts Bling, Glossy Accents

Green w/Envy

2011-03-05T00:19:00.010-06:00

**Hello again everyone **

I made this card for the "Green with Envy" Challenge over at Bugaboo Stamps ~ Catch the Bug challenge blog. These digi stamps are just so gosh darn cute!! I actually placed in the top 3 on their last challenge "Get Well" - I was very excited. This was the first time I had won anything on a challenge. I placed 3rd and got 2 of their wonderful images FREE!! You should play along - never know when you might get lucky like me : )

Onto my card......as soon as I seen the challenge was green I knew the image I wanted to use right away. ALLIG balloon was first choice. I also just got in my ProMarkers that I had been patiently waiting for all week. Glad I did, I had 4 different shades of green...LOL.

They also threw in an added challenge of a sketch as well. So make a Card with Green and follow the Provided sketch and post a link to it on Bugaboo Stamps' challenge blog, Catch the Bug, by3/5/11 at 6:00 AM EST to be entered a random drawing for three digi prize packs - seven (7) (using a Bugaboo image only), four (4), or two (2) using any image!

It is really hard to tell, but I embossed the green thru the middle of the card w/Happy Birthday, along w/stamping it on the balloon. My youngest granddaughter turns 1 tomorrow and I was thinking of her the whole time I made this card. I know most girls like pink and frilly stuff, but I thought this was a cute image that could be used for either a boy or girl. Depending upon how it was done up.

ENJOY~

Michelle

Challenge~

Bugaboo Stamps - Catch the Bug Challenge Blog~"Green with Envy"

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

Digi's with Attutude!~Anything Goes

http://digiswithattitudechallenges.blogspot.com/

Craft Sentiments~Birthdays

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/

DYSU~Just Green It

http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Stamp Something~Digi...image, sentiment, paper, etc

http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Meljen's~Animal

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/

Card Makin' Mamas! Something Green

http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.com/

Image: Bugaboo Stamps - ALLIG balloon
Paper: White and green cardstock, scrap pattern paper
Inks: Distress Ink Crushed Olive, StazOn Jet Black
Markers: ProMarkers Baby Pink, Pastel Beige, Meadow Green, Apple, Leaf Green, Hot Pink, Cool Gray 2, Forest Green, Dusky Pink, atyou Spica 21 Lipstick
Misc: Prima flowers, K&Company Bling, Karen Foster Midnight Scrapper Spool, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Folder

"Daffodils"

2011-03-03T21:26:00.011-06:00

February's final image from Faith @ Designed 2 Delight is this beautiful cup of Daffodils. If you did not play along last week and receive this image in your inbox, you can purchase it at her digi shop and play along to receive the next freebie.

I just can't wait for the spring flowers to start popping up around here!!

I went with a little bit smaller card than I 'normally' make. I really like the 5 x 7 cards, this one is a 4-1/2 x 5. My favorite color is purple.....if you haven't figured that out from past cards & challenges, and I love it paired w/greens also. I paper pieced the cup, ran the white and light purple thru my Cuttlebug and here is my final result:

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it!!

Til next week's challenge : )

Michelle

Challenges:

Designed to Delight~Daffodils

http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Lexi's Creations~Flowers

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/

Woodware USA~Anything Goes

http://woodwareusa-clearstamps.blogspot.com/

One Stop Craft Challenge~Spring Flowers

http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Pear Tree Design~Ribbon

http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/

By the Cute & Girly Challenges~Springtime

http://bythecuteandgirly.blogspot.com/

Image: Daffodils - Designed 2 Delight
Papers: White, purple and green cardstock
Embossing: Cuttlebug folders - Divine Swirls and Floral Fantasy
Inks: Pop-Tone Paper Ink Jelly Bean Green, Distress Ink Old Paper
Markers: ProMarkers Pastel Beige and Cinnamon
Copic YG11 Mignonette, YR07 Cadmium Orange
Marvy LePlume II 72 Pine Green, 68 Daffodil Yellow, 5 Yellow, 11 Lt Green
Misc: Ribbon Offray Green Ribbon, K&Company Pearl gems, Studio G wood stamp 'Hello'

"Appliqued Tree"

2011-02-21T22:08:00.011-06:00

If you did not play along last week @ Designed 2 Delight and receive this image in your inbox, you can purchase it in Faith's digi shop and play along to receive the next freebie.

This was an awesome image to do paper piecing on!! The tree, trunk, hills and bird are all paper pieced onto a white back ground that I lightly sponged w/some distressed ink to give it a soft sky look. I then incorporated the colors and patterns thru out the rest of my card. I popped up the tree image to give it more attention, and finished it off w/some bling and buttons.

I really enjoyed making this card. For some reason "I just got it" this week. Maybe because I was w/my girlfriends this past Friday night doin' some scrappin (and gossiping) and was inspired. They are the BEST!! Love you ladies xoxoxo

Well, I hope you like the card this week. Hope you will leave a comment ~ I always appreciate them : )

Michelle

Challenges:

Totally Stampalicious ~ Brown, Green, and Blue http://totallystampalicious.blogspot.com

Designed to Delight ~ Appliqued Tree http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Alphabet Challenge ~ P is for Paper Piecing http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Inky Impressions ~ Spots & Stripes http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/

AllSorts ~ Inspired by Nature

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/

Party Time Tuesdays ~ Anything Goes http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/

Little Claire's Designs ~ Anything Goes

http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-1-anything-goes.html

Image: Appliqued tree ~ Designed 2 Delight
Stamp: "Thinking of You" Stampendous
Paper: Green, blue, brown cardstock, and scrap patterned papers
Ink: Distressed Ink Tumbled Glass, Pop Tone Paper Ink Jelly Bean Green
Misc: Blue ribbon, EK Success Slim Profile - Edger Punch - Bubbles, atyou Spica 18 Baby Blue, buttons (Hobby Lobby)

Got a Bug?

2011-02-19T21:38:00.003-06:00

Over at Bugaboo's challenge site this week...it's Got a Bug?

Make an Get Well and post a link to it on Bugaboo Stamps' challenge blog, Catch the Bug http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/ by 2/26/11 at 6:00 AM EST to be entered a random drawing for three digi prize packs - seven (7) (using a Bugaboo image only), four (4), or two (2) using any image!

It just so happens a co-worker had asked me this past week to make a "Get Well" card. Her sister had hip surgery and wanted a cute card to make her smile. On the inside I put "Hope your back to 'hip' top shape very soon". So here it is....

I just love Bugaboo stamps....they are so cute!!!

Michelle

Kaela

2011-02-17T22:04:00.003-06:00

This week's new image is "Kaela's Spring Bouquet". The last couple of days have felt like spring around here, but that could possibly be changing real soon.

If you did not play along last week and receive this image for free, you can purchase it in Faith's digi shop and play along to receive the next freebie. It is part of a new set,"Spring Kaela".

When deciding what to do with this card, for some reason circles and dots came to mind. I 'played' off the colors of the patterned background and had alot of fun creating her. I took the Cuttlebug folder and ran a piece of Color Core cardstock thru and sanded the image to make it pop.

I hate to make this short again, but it has been a another crazy week. Monday was the only night I didn't have something going on. And Friday night, I get together w/my girlfriends to do some scrappin, gossiping and have some fun. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Adios for now : )
Michelle

This....and that....

2011-02-15T21:53:00.005-06:00

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!! My hubby actually surprised me on Saturday w/2 dozen beautiful different colored roses, a teddy bear and chocolates : )

I just thought I would make a quick post to 'showcase' a few of my latest creations. I had a request from a friend to make her a wedding card, so here it is. Nothing overly fancy but she absolutely raved over it. She took it home and showed her husband, and he even thought it was awesome. WOW...thanks Dan! The close up below shows the CI Paints Pink Highlights paint I used on her dress just to give her a lil shimmer.

Then...on a crop night awhile back @ Archivers, my girlfriends and I loved the Valentine's Day display that they had. Especially the little candy kiss holders. Here is my take on the display ~

Well....suppose I should get going for now. Busy day tomorrow and still have challenges to finish up, and more cards to make for friends. Til we meet again, have a great day....and keep on scrappin'!

Michelle

Big Heart

2011-02-10T21:51:00.004-06:00

That is definitely what the Packers had going for them on Superbowl Sunday!! The city of Green Bay is still 'alive' with excitement from the amazing win. Fireworks and celebrations everywhere you turn!! I love this city!

Faith has brought us another great image, especially w/Valentine's Day right around the corner. Big Heart, and a bonus "Kitten's Big Heart". Being that I have 3 cats, I really wanted to do the kitten image, but at the last minute decided against it. I opted to try my hand at making my own background paper w/digital images.

I combined Big Heart with the word LOVE to create my own paper. This was my first time doing it - and it was both frustrating and fun. I watched a few tutorials on how to do it, but when I tried it just didn't seem to work out for me. So I went about it the hard way and basically cut & pasted it to the design that I liked.

Here is a better pic to see the paper and to see the embossing and paper piecing I did as well.

Well, I guess I had better get going for tonight. Hope to see you all back here real soon. And remember to leave comments~I love reading them.

Michelle

Paper: Red, white, light & dark pink cardstock, and scrap patterned paper

Image: Big Heart http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Misc: Bling, Cuttlebug Divine Swirls, Gelly Roll Clear Star, KI Memories Unconditional Dots Self Adhesive ribbon

Thinking of You.............

2011-02-05T21:31:00.004-06:00

Well.....I am trying to calm my nerves here a little by doing some cardmaking today. Tomorrow is the BIG game, and I so want my hometown Packers to win the Superbowl.

~*~ GO PACK GO~*~

While playing around awhile back, I happened across a blog that had digi's both line drawn and already colored in. I am waiting for the arrival of my ProMarkers. I had borrowed a friends and fell in LOVE with them. I wish I could have ordered 1 of each color, but that would put a 'dent' in the old pocketbook right now :) So I love that I ran across this site where I could download a already colored image.

Beccy over at http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/ has some cute images for free that you can either download and put your own spin on them. Or download a colored version and go from there. I found "Buckets of Blooms" and thought this would make a great "Thinking of You" card.

Below I showed what I did to "enhance" if you will to the image. I added Glossy Accesnts on the center of the sunflowers and added some shimmer to the bow and blue flowers w/my Spica pens.

Hope you enjoy and I love all your comments.

Michelle

Paper: White, green, blue and yellow cardstock, Antique Checkerboard by The Paper Studio
Inks: ColorBox Chalk - Olive Pastel, Distress Ink - Old Paper, ColorBox Cat's Eye Baby Blue
Misc: Offray Green ribbon, Craft twine, i-Rock gems, Glossy Accents, Spica 20 Chocolate and 18 Baby Blue markers, "Thinking of You" by Stampendous

For the Birds

2011-02-03T21:12:00.005-06:00

This weeks image from Faith @ http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/ is "For the Birds Snowman".

The hat, scarf and pocket are all paper pieced, his jacket is Copic markers along with the hearts and nose. As I have a limited # of Copics - the birds were colored in w/good ol' colored pencils. I added some shimmer and snow, and then I got an idea. Faith also had a cute image "Balancing Hearts" that I thought would look awesome incorporated into the design. So, I opened up my Adobe Photoshop, merged my 2 images together and this is my final product.

On the horizontal brown piece of card stock ~ I used ColorCore cardstock, ran it thru my Cuttlebug, and then sanded it. Below is a close up to show some more of the details a little better.

I will also be entering this in the CardPatterns weekly sketch blog http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/01/sketch-100.html. Designed2Delight is offering TWO $10 gift certificates this week- that's 1 certificate for TWO different random participants.

Well....hope you like and please be sure to leave a comment. I enjoy reading them all! Til we meet again ~ Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

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2011-02-01T22:49:00.005-06:00

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Big Gift

2011-01-27T21:17:00.004-06:00

This weeks image @ Designed 2 Delight is "Bear's Big Gift". Of course birthday comes to mind right away, but I decided to go with a thank you version of this digi instead. Come and play along with us. It's alot of fun.

I decided to do paper piecing on this cute lil guy. I printed my image out on the patterned paper, and then colored my bear in with my Copic's. I then added some sparkle to the ribbon w/my Spica marker and went over top of that with the Glossy accents. I think it give it such a pretty shimmery dimension to the gift. I then hand set all of my i-Rock gems and 'glued' them in place.

Here's a better look at the ribbon and gems:

~ENJOY~

Michelle

Image: "Bear's Big Gift" http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/, Thank you clear stamp ( not quite sure where I picked this one up from )
Paper: White, brick red, brown and some scrap patterned paper
Markers/Inks: COPIC 28 Lionet Gold, R22 Light Prawn, YR07 Cadmuim Orange, E21 Baby Skin Pink, Distress Ink Old Paper, VersaColor 156 Raspberry, Spica 20 Chocolate
Misc: i-Rock clear gems

Fancy Fold Challenge

2011-01-24T21:12:00.005-06:00

Hello again everyone!

I was browsing thru Faith's site the other day and was on the Card Ideas from Designed 2 Delight blog. They also have weekly challenges and thought I might give one a try.

This weeks challenge is ~ fancy folds. Let's get out of the rut of general, simple folded cards. Such other cards can be a gate fold, trifold, etc. Here is a great site for ideas if you need some help:
http://www.scor-pal.com/projects_listing.htm

I made a "Joy Fold" card based off of seeing Kim's wonderful card "Puppy Love". It was just so cute, I had to try it for myself. I clicked on the tutorial link, which brought me to Split Coast Stampers site. On there was this wonderful video tutorial that helped out alot. From there I started to watch other tutorials.....and all I have to say is WOW!!! I learned so many new things and want to try them all : ) But for now - here is my version of the "Joy Fold" card.
The outside:

Here's the inside:

When you first start to open it up:

And folded flat:

Hope you like it!

Michelle

~Bugaboo turns 1~

2011-01-22T00:28:00.008-06:00

Happy Birthday Bugaboo!!

Bugaboo has turned 1,and they are celebrating in a BIG way. All week they have had different challenges at their Catch the Bug site here http:/www.catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

Each day was a different theme, image, sketch or color that had to be used. Below is the day and each one I will be submitting for the weekly events challenges.

Monday - Blue & White

Tuesday - NR Image Clown & Bling

Wednesday - Sketch

Thursday - Birthday Theme

Friday - Anything Goes

The '1st' challenege - was a birthday card to celebrate Bugaboo turning 1

Of course as usual, I am getting this all done last minute. But it has been a busy week - work, etc you get the point : )

So hope you like the cards! I had alot of fun making them. Please feel free to comment as I love to hear what others have to say!!

Toodles!

Michelle

Love Ya Cupcake.....

2011-01-16T21:11:00.003-06:00

This adorable lil cupcake from Faith is just fabulous! You must check it out at Designed 2 Delights site http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/. As soon as I seen it~I knew what to do. I had never done a circle shaped card before, so I thought I would give it a try. On a recent scrapping excursion, my girlfriend & I went to this paper warehouse sale. And I purchased a TON of stuff, along with these pre-cut scalloped circle cards. So, I found some cute background paper, ran a strip of green textured cardstock thru the Cuttlebug, added some bling w/my i-Rock and here it is!

I once again 'bugged' my girlfriend to borrow her ProMarkers. I must really invest in some of these myself, so that I quit bothering her so much....LOL!! And I forgot to write down the colors I used - darn it all. I then added some Stickels around the edge of the design to give it a little shimmer.

Thanks for checking it out!!

Michelle

Image: 'Love Ya Cupcake' Designed 2 Delight
Paper: Doodlebug Design 'Sweet Treats' paper, the PaperCut Scalloped Circle Scored Card white, light green textured cardstock and white cardstock
Markers: ProMarkers - SORRY forgot to write the colors down
Misc: i-Rock bling, scrap pink ribbon, Stickles Star Dust, Cuttlebug folder Divine Swirls, ColorBox Light Blue Chalk Ink

Dottie~Cupcake

2011-01-14T20:13:00.007-06:00

I really like this digi from Bugaboo stamps. Her name is Dottie and she has this cute little cupcake. She just has this 'spunk and attitude' about her that I like! It was so fun to work with - I actually did this up 4 different ways.

While w/my girlfriends last weekend - I borrowed some of the ProMakers that she had to color Dottie up. I am REALLY liking these markers. They are just so cool. My 1st attempt was a brunette version, then a blonde, then a redhead. And my other girlfriend jokingly said " You should make one with gray hair"...so I did!! And I think she turned out awesome!

And seems how I did her dress in red - I decided to make her into a Valentines card. I went w/traditional red & pink and did some embossing, bling etc and her she is!! I added some Glossy Accents to the cupcake, some shimmer to her lips and to the cherry with my other new favorite Spica markers. They are from the makers of COPIC's and they are fab!

I'm entering this in the weekly challenge over on Bugaboos blog ~ http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/. The current challenge is - Emboss It - check it out!

TTYL

Michelle

Paper: White, red and pink cardstock, scrap patterned paper (flowers)
Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Dottie~Cupcake", wooden stamp "Happy Valentine's"
Makers: ProMarkers - sorry, so excited to use forgot to write the colors down, atyou Spica Marker 21 Lipstick
Ink: Pop-Tone Razzleberry, ColorBox Petal Point Red
Misc: Hero Arts Bling, Colorbox Metal Hearts, Red scrap ribbon, Glossy Accents, Cuttlebug folders Divine Swirls and Spots & Dots, EK Success Diamond Lace Edger Punch

Love Ewe !!!

2011-01-10T21:21:00.006-06:00

This cute image "Love Ewe" is the latest from Faith @ Designed 2 Delight. This is the first challenge of the month, so you can grab it for free, post by the deadline and receive the next one for FREE!!! It's so much fun : )

This past Saturday, my girlfriends and I spent the afternoon & evening "scrappin" away @ Archivers. We just LOVE that store!!! And, it's so fun because if you run out of something or need inspiration, you can just wander around the store and get ideas, or buy what you need. Although....that can get you in 'trouble' too....LOL!

Back to the image! I decided I would finish up my card early this week and post it as soon as I could. No last minute post....YAY ME!! One of my girlfriends had purchased some ProMarkers awhile back and I really wanted to play with them. She had a HUGE array to choose from and I had a great time with them. I used them to color in my image. I REALLY like these markers. Don't get me wrong, COPIC's are great too, I started out on them - but the ProMarkers are awesome.

I then used my CI Paints (Creative Inspirations) Pink Highlights to add shimmer to the flowers. You really should check out CI's blog for some wonderful ideas ~ www.creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com

I then embossed my gray background and added some bling. I also added a new glitter marker from the COPIC line. They are called atyou Spica glitter pens. These pens comes in 13 transparent colors and contains pigment based, non-toxic, acid-free ink. It's a little hard to see, but I used it on the edges of the heart to make it shimmer.

WOW...I can't believe I have my post done now. Feels good : ) Hope you like my design and please feel free to leave comments.

Till next time!

P.S. I also entered this in the weekly Card Ideas "Something Old, Something New" challenge
My 'old' is the "LOVE" paper from Target's dollar bin last year
My 'new" is the True Love ribbon and ProMarkers I used to color in the "Love Ewe" digi

Michelle

STAMP: Designed 2 Delight "Love Ewe"
CARDSTOCK: White, gray and blush (textured), pattern paper...I think from the dollar bin @ Target
MARKERS/PENS: ProMarkers Cerise, Ruby, Leaf Green, Forest Green and Cool Grey 1, COPIC atyou Spics Glitter pen 21 Lipstick
INKS:Distress Ink Old paper, Pop-Tone Paper Ink Razzleberry
PAINT: CI Paint Pink Highlights
FLOWERS: Bazzil Basics Paper Flowers Tropical Bubble Gum and Primula Hot Pink
RIBBON: American Crafts Premium Ribbon True Love
MISC: Cuttlebug folder Swiss Dots, Hero Arts bling and i-Rock gems purple & green

Cupcake and Roses

2011-01-06T22:24:00.004-06:00

Happy 2011 Everyone!!!!

Hope you all had a safe & wonderful time bringing in the new year!!! This weeks digi from Faith is "Cupcake and Roses"....which happens to be wonderful for a few upcoming birthdays I have. I decided to start with an embossed background and build up from there.

I then added some fun patterned paper and colored using my Copic markers again. I hope by trying to use them more, that I will finally get the hang of them : ) It's hard to tell in the pic, but I then added some shimmer to the flame and the roses. I then use a scalloped punch and made a 'flower' with different colors of ribbon bursting out from behind it. Pretty CAS I think, but still has a WOW factor to it.

All comments are welcome and hope to hear from you soon!!

Michelle

Stamps: Cupcake and Roses~Designed 2 Delight, SU Happy Birthday
Paper: DCWV Retro Square Embossed Card, purple, pink and blue cardstock, scrap patterned paper
Markers: Copics E21 Baby Skin Pink, Y28 Lionet Gold, YG11 Migonette, R22 Ligh Prawn, BV02 Prune, V01 Heath, V000 Pale Heath, Marvy LePlume No 5 Yellow
Misc: Rain Dots Purple dot, Scrap ribbon dollar bin @ Michael's
Inks: Colorbox Cat's Eye Chalk Light Blue

Whimsical Cardinals

2010-12-30T20:37:00.005-06:00

Faith has done it again with Whimsical Cardinals. This is her latest digital image from Designed 2 Delight. It's actually three images, so you can choose which one to use.

If you missed out on recieving the image as a freebie this week, make sure to grab it in the shop. Or...by playing along, you'll recieve next week's image free!!

This is another quick card again, I'm sorry for that. I'm preparing for Christmas as we have not had it yet at our house. My parents are due to fly back in from their vacation tomorrow provided the weather 'holds off'. Suppose to be nasty foggy and slippery : ( So, once they get home - our son and his family are coming up and we will finally be celebrating Christmas - YAY!! Although, my hubby & I have already exchanged gifts. I was so excited Christmas morning as I got my Cricut Expression in my favorite color - PURPLE!

Well...back to my card. It has been awhile since I used my Copic markers so I decided to give them a try. I am still getting the hang of how to blend and shade with them. I then added some sparkle on the scarves, and chalked my background. I hope you like it and ALL comments are welcome.

**~Happy New Year~** Please stay safe and hope 2011 is even better!

Michelle

Paper: White and blue cardstock, Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday patterened paper
Markers: Copic E21 Baby Skin Pink, BV02 Prune, Y28 Lionet Gold, YG11 Migonette, R22 Light Prawn
Misc: Gelly Roll Red Star and Clear Star, American Crafts Carmel Ribbon, Blue Ribbon dollar bin @ Michael's, Hero Arts Snowflakes, i-Rock Gems

Valentine Snowman

2010-12-22T20:44:00.004-06:00

Once again....Faith has brought us an adorable image "Valentine Snowman". I can't believe I am actually posting this early for a change. But he was so cute, I decided to make a few last minute cards with him. For the most part, I colored him in on the Adobe PhotoShop program. I then "highlighted" the snowflake in his hand with some chalk. Added some shimmer, 'snow', and some bling and I love how it turned out.

Well.....hope you have a wonderful Christmas and hope you get all you wanted and then some. May God bless and peace find you wherever you are this holiday season.

Love~
Michelle

Paper: Cranberry & white card stock, patterned paper
Image: Designed 2 Delight "Valentine Snowman"
Chalk: Stampin' Up Flesh color
Ink: Pop-Tone Paper Ink Razzleberry, Inkadinkado Pigment Ink Copper
Misc: Gelly Roll Clear Star pen, Marvy Liquid Applique (snow), Hero Arts Bling. Scrap ribbon

Christmas Cards

2010-12-22T19:57:00.007-06:00

Hi everyone!!

Hope you have all of your shopping done, presents wrapped, and goodies made!

Here are a few of the Christmas cards that I sent out this year. I really like how they turned out. My girlfriend and I recently went to a warehouse sale at a scrapbooking paper place and bought way to much...lol. I saw these cute little 'bib' cards and thought they would be great for making my cards. I did 2 designs, a stamped background on some green cardstock, stamped trees on patterned paper and some Stickles to make the star sparkle.

My next card I used a cute new cling stamp that I recently purchsed as well. I kept it simple and just added some bling to it.

Then some more pre-cut cards I bought (made card making so easy this year)and I ran one layer thru my Cuttlebug and finished it off w/ribbon and a lil bling.

And last....these are the 2 free make-n-takes we got to do the day of the warehouse sale. Aren't these just adorable!!

Well....I had fun making these and....I hope you enjoyed them as well.

Michelle

Winter Bear

2010-12-16T22:45:00.002-06:00

Hello again......another last minute card!! It has been so hectic this week! Every night this week I have had something to do - YIKES!!

Just a quick post so I can get this up in time.

Hope you like it - I will update later.

Toodles!
Michelle

"Poinsettia"

2010-12-09T22:00:00.008-06:00

This week's image from Faith so reminds me of Christmas.

As usual~there are always the red, white and variations of those colors along those lines every year. A few years back one of the local florists had a sale and had some white poinsettias 'sprayed' purple and added glitter to them as well. Being the purple lover that I am - I immediately fell for the beautiful plant. But now with a household of 3 VERY curious cats, I unfortunetely can no longer bring these home. So....when trying to inspire myself, I immediately went for the non-traditional purple w/some glitter.

I chalked my design w/purples, then sprayed some "shimmer' over the top. Layered the design and popped it up on the card. I then added a lil tag and some ribbon and TADA finshed. Although I do have to admit, I did take apart this card a few times as it just wasn't to my liking. But I have to say...I liked how it finally turned out.

ENJOY!!

Michelle

Stamps: Digi Stamp "Poinsettia" Faith @ http://designed2delight.blogspot.com, Ho Ho Ho-Tag Words Clear Stamp by My Sentiments Exactly
Paper: White & green cardstock, patterned paper ~ clearance @ Hobby Lobby
Chalks: Stampin' Up Lavender, Violet Sage & Green
Inks: StazOn Jet Black, Distress Ink Crushed Olive, VersaColor 80 White
Misc: Scrapp ribbon, Yellow i-Rock gems, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Pearl

Christmas Cocoa

2010-12-02T21:56:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone!!

WOW....another busy week!! Plus, both camera batteries were dead, and my scrap room is in shambles. I had my son install some nice shelving in the closet over Thanksgiving, and needless to say, my room is a mess with everything pulled out and laying on the floor yet. I hope to get that taken care of this weekend!

On to the good stuff.....Faith brings us "Christmas Cocoa" this week. I usually make my homemade cocoa this time of year for my girlfriends and co-workers. They just LOVE it! I may use this image on a tag to go with those gifts this year. But for the meantime, I made up a simple card.

I printed the image 2 times on white card stock and once on patterened paper. I 'aged' my cardstock with ink, cut out the candy cane, and then cut out the cup on the patterned paper. I then colored in my cocoa, adhered the patterned image to my 'aged' cardstock image, and then put my candy cane on top of that. I think it turned out pretty well!

Hope you like it and comments are ALWAYS welcome : )

Til we "meet" again~

Michelle

Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection, white card stock, brick red & sage green scraps
Ink: Versa Color 80 White, Versa Magic Gingerbread
Markers: Marvy LePlume No 2 Red, No 11 Lt. Green
Bling: TPC Studio - Deck the Halls jewels
Misc: Scrap ribbon, Gelly Roll Clear Star pen

Skating Penguin

2010-11-25T19:43:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

WOW.....I can't believe Thanksgiving is done and Christmas is right around the corner. I had a great time with my son,his girlfriend and my 2 granddaughters today.

This weeks image is "Skating Penguin". He is SO ADORABLE!! I couldn't wait to get started on him. I colored most of the image w/chalks and did the red on the scarf in marker. I then put a lil' shimmer here and there, a statement, and topped it off with a beautiful snowflake. And it so happens that Double Delights challenge this week is "Snowflakes".

Well, I hope you like it, and that you had an awesome day just as I did. Happy Black Friday to those of you who are venturing out tomorrow. Not sure if I will be out or not. I will have to look thru the ads one more time....LOL!!!

Bye!!

Michelle

Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection ~ The Christmas Stack, Colorbox Pearlescent paper light blue, white cardstock
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Image: Designed 2 Delight "Skating Penguin"
Marker: Marvy LePlume No 2 Red
Chalks: Stampin Up Pastels ~ Black, Gray, Tan, Light Brown, Light Blue & Yellow
Misc: Gelly Roll Clear Star pen, Hero Arts felt snowflakes, and misc bling from the $1 bin @ JoAnn's
Stamp: Hero Arts Clear Stamp Merry Christmas

Kaela's Angels

2010-11-18T09:44:00.006-06:00

Hello ~

Not sure why I choose to do this to myself this week, but I did. I actually made 4.....YES 4 different cards! For some reason, when I started to color her in I was thinking to myself "What if she had this color.....". So, I will present all four of my cards. Hope you like them!! And I must thank Faith once again for such a wonderful image to work with this week. You MUST check out her shop! OR....play along at the beginning of the month and start with the first image free and recieve each week's image free there after as long as you play!

So here we go....in particular order:

The 2 that are more Christmas like I decided to color in the image using chalks. This is the first time I had used chalks and thought it was kind of fun!! The 2 other cards that are more "generic" I used my Copic markers to color them in. I am still getting the hang of how to use them, shading and what not. And this weeks challenge over at the 'sister blog' Double Delight, the challenge was SPARKLE!!! I used my Stickles for the cuffs, collar and halo on the image. And then my Gelly Roll pen for the wings and stars.

I hope you like them all. Please - any comments are most appreciated and welcomed!
See you next week for another great challenge!!

BYE
Michelle

Copic Markers: Y28 Lionet Gold, V000 Pale Heath, V01 Heath, E21 Baby Skin Pink, YG11 Mignonette
Chalks: Inkadinkado Blending Chalks - Pastels & Metallics
Inks: StazOn Jet Black, VersaColor 154 Bark, Marvy LePlume Double Ended Markers No 2 Red, No 4 Green, No 12 Grey, Distress Ink Antinque Linen, VersaColor 80 White
Papers: Scraps and design paper DCWV Holiday Collection
Misc: Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, Hero Arts Bling, Ribbon from Michael's, felt snowflakes Hero Arts, Gelly Roll Pen Clear Star

Harvest Basket

2010-11-11T20:52:00.004-06:00

Hi again everyone!

This weeks image from Faith over @ designed2delight.blogspot.com is titled "Harvest Basket". I still can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you played along last week, you got the free image plus some sentiments. I decided to use the Give Thanks sentiment. And over at Double Delights challenge ~ doubledelightchallenges.blogspot.com ~ it was CAS - clean and simple!!

The thing that took me the longest was to cut out the pumpkin in the foreground. I cut it out once w/the leaves & the 'eggplant'. And then cut it again with just the pumpkin - for an extra 2 layers on top of the original image.

Have a great night!!

Michelle

Paper: Scraps - Cocoa brown, goldenrod, white and patterned
Ink: Distress Ink - Tea Dye
Image: Designed to Delight "Harvest Basket"
Misc: Ribbon - believe it or not - the dollar bin @ Target

Laughing Giraffes

2010-11-04T20:52:00.005-05:00

Hello again~
This week's image from Designed 2 Delight is titled "Laughing Giraffes". At first I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this cute image. But, then I went to the sister site, Double Delight and their weekly challenge was embossing~then it 'hit me'. I LOVE using my Fuzzy Fun Flock. After coloring in my image w/Photoshop, I then proceeded to cover it's spots in the brown flocking. I think it turned out really well!

I embossed the brown background, inked my edges, popped up the image and blinged it out a little. The picture below shows the embossing up closer.

Til next time!!

Michelle

Paper: White, cream, brown and goldenrod cardstock
Image: Laughing Giraffes - Designed 2 Delight
Misc. Clear Stamp - "Thinking of You"
Ink: VersaMagic Jumbo Java, VersaColor 80 White
Distress Ink Antique Linen & Tea Dye
Embossing: Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles folder, Fuzzy Fun Flock Brown
Misc: Prima Flowers, Misc Bling

Scarecrow Teddy

2010-10-28T21:12:00.004-05:00

This week's image from Faith is this ADORABLE "Scarecrow Teddy". He is actually just a small part of a set just released over at Faith digital stamp shop. You really should check out the rest of the images!! She does a wonderful job!!!

I colored in the image w/colored pencils, inked the edges of the white & brown cardstock. Popped it up on the card, added some bling, flowers & twine to complete the look. I painted the yellow flower w/the Creative Inspiration Paints to give it some shimmer. And put some Diamond Glaze on his "heart" for some added depth. Double Delights challenge is twine or rafia, so I looped some twine behind the flower and threaded it thru on the button as well.

~ENJOY~
Michelle

Image: Scarecrow Teddy Designed 2 Delight
Paper: White, brown & olive cardstock, scrap patterned paper
Inks: VersaColor Pigment Ink 80 White
VersaMagic Chalk Ink Jumbo Java
Distress Ink Antique Linen
Paint: Creative Inspirations Paint - Winter Frost
Misc: Colored pencils, Diamond Glaze, Carmel Twine, Prima Flowers,

Beautiful Blessing

2010-10-21T22:15:00.004-05:00

October as we all know is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

My grandmother died at an early age due to Breast Cancer, so this is something very near to my heart. I have participated in many Relay for Life events, contributed towards Breast Cancer events and even planned & help start a bowling tournament "Strike Out Cancer" in my hometown to raise money for the cause as well. This image from Faith this week is absolutely amazing!!

The background is actually an Irish Blessing. I didn't want to 'take away' any of the beauty of the image, so I just simply colored in the flowers - pink of course! I then used Diamond Glaze on the centers of the flowers to give them some dimension. Then went over the top of the flowers with my CI Paints "TuTu Pink" paint. That is also another wonderful site you need to check out if you haven't already!

I then added a pink ribbon and a twine bow, topped with some flowers and bling. And over @ Double Delight - the weekly challenge was PINK!
I have kinda been on a brown & pink kick lately and just love how the colors all came together on this one.

Paper: White, Brown, Tan and Pink Cardstock, Misc patterned background paper
Colors: Sargent Watercolor pencils, Versa Color 154 Bark (inked edges), Studio G Pink VP0003 (inked edges), StazOn Jet Black "Hope"
Misc: Misc Pink ribbon, Natural twine, Prime flowers, Diamond Glaze, Misc bling

~*ENJOY~*

Michelle

~Happy Birthdays~

2010-10-21T21:36:00.008-05:00

October is a really busy month at my house. I have 3 friends w/birthdays, my mother & eldest granddaughter's birthday, my wedding anniversary and my own birthday ~ WHEW!!!

This is the card I made for my mother. Like me, she loves the fall colors. I recently purchased this digi stamp from Faith over @ Delightful Inspiration's. She has some wonderful images there.

I cut out the 2 'closest' leaves and painted them w/Creative Inspirations Fairy Dust for some wonderful shimmer. Then popped them up on the card. Don't they look great!!

Paper: White, Brown, Burnt Orange, Goldenrod cardstock
Stamps: Fall Leaves Digi Stamp - Designed to Delight
Sanded (Background)- Stampin' Up
Colors: Image was colored in using Adobe Photoshop
Edges inked w/Distressed Ink Antique Linen
Misc: CuttleBug Happy Birthday folder, Fairy Dust CI Panits, black & natural twine, pale yellow button

Now, my oldest granddaughter just turned 5. And we all know that it's not the card they go after, but the gift. But I loved this little birthday cupcake. I printed it out twice, once on chocolate cardtsock, then on pink. I then painted the pink 'frosting' with the Creative Inspirations "TuTu Pink' paint. And then colored then candle and put a little shimmer on there as well with my Gelly Roll pen. Then I cut out the candle and popped it up.

Paper: White, Purple, Pink cardstock
Stamps: Cup Cake - Designed to Delight
Misc : CuttleBug Happy Birthday folder, TuTu Pink CI Paint, Gelly Poll Clear Star Dust Pen

Whimsical lil' card

2010-10-14T22:12:00.004-05:00

Here is this week's card made with the freebie whimsical flowers by Faith. It is part of the newly released set "Willow Whimsy". Check out her site, she has some wonderful digi’s for anytime of the year.

Want some FREE digi stamps? Play along this week and you will get a new freebie next week via email. If you missed getting this stamp for free, you can purchase it @ Faith’s digi stamps shop [here] and play along to receive the next freebies. I colored it in w/Copic Markers and inked my edges. I then added dimensionals to the back and popped it up. I then added my ribbon & twine bow ties, along w/a Prima flower sprayed with a little Glimmer Mist.

Below you can see a close up of the bling that I added to each flowers. As well as the flowers spritzed with the mist. Then over at Double Delight Challenges – this week challenge was blues & greens. Head over & check out Double Delight Challenges on Saturday for their latest challenge!!

Hope you like it and I enjoy hearing comments!!

THANKS - Michelle

Digi Stamp: Flowers & Sentiment by Designed 2 Delight

Ink: Distress Ink “Tumbled Glass”

Markers: Copic YG11 Mignonette, BV02 Prune

Misc: Hero Arts Pearls & Gems, Prima Flower, Green satin ribbon, Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper “Deco", Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist

Apple a day..............

2010-10-07T22:25:00.005-05:00

Well, you know the old saying!! These "Two Apples" from Faith this week are just perfect for this time of year. I can smell the apple pie cooking now ~sniff, sniff~

I colored the image using the Adobe Photoshop and made one red (my hubby likes those) and one green for me! I carried the red & green theme thru on my background by layering the green on top of the brick red. Then - on Double Delight's challenge, it was to use borders punches. So, I used this beautiful scallop punch that I purchsed not that long ago, in the brick red color. I then layered on top of that, a cocoa brown, then brown color core paper. I used the QuicKutz Stripes Label folder thru the Cuttlebug, and then distressed it by sanding it away to make the light brown pop thru.

I then went over top of the apples with the Diamond Glaze. I was rushing a lil bit so I have a few tiny bubbles in it...oops! I then finished it off w/some bling and a red button tied with some brown twine.

Please check out these wonderful sites and join in the fun!!!
Hope to see you there soon!

http://doubledelightchallenges.blogspot.com/
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Michelle

Peace and Comfort

2010-09-30T22:36:00.004-05:00

Another beautiful image from Faith this week entitled "Peace and Comfort". I really don't like making these kind of cards, but if I need one in the future I will now have one. I hope I don't have to use this card for a long time.

I didn't go all out on the this card, as the simplicity speaks for itself.

I hope you like it and welcome your comments.

Peace & Love
Michelle

BOO~Scaredy Cat

2010-09-23T22:23:00.004-05:00

HI everyone!!
This weeks image from Faith is perfect for my favorite holiday - Halloween! Scaredy cat is so cute, I couldn't wait to play with it. You can get this image over at Designed 2 Delights digi stamp site or even easier - play along with us and get the next weeks image FREE!!!

This past weekend I was @ Scrapfest at Mall of America with my girlfriends. We had a blast - learning and playing around with some new techniques. I still don't have all my supplies unpacked yet, so this image didn't get my 'full attention' I guess.

It may be hard to see but, I flocked up the spider, colored in my image w/watercolor pencils and then blended them in. Put some Clear Star shimmer on the face of the pumpkin to make him look light he is 'glowing'. I then wrapped midnight twine around my stamped saying and popped up my flower w/dimensionals. You can't see it the best - but I colored my 2nd petal w/CI Paints Pumpkin for some shimmer, and dabbed my base flower in some white ink to give a cobwebby look. Then added some bling here and there and TA DA!! Then while taking pictures - it occured to me that the green under my image almost resembles a cresent moon~how weird!!

Well, hope you like it. Till next time : )

Michelle

Sew Beary Kind

2010-09-16T21:44:00.004-05:00

Well, another quick posting. Been really busy at work with people out sick, etc~plus I am finishing up my packing for my Scrapfest trip to Mall of America tomorrow with my girlfriends!! I CAN'T WAIT!!

Faith has another adorable digi this week titled "Sew Beary Kind". If you haven't checked her blog out - GET OVER THERE!! It's great and I get a ton of ideas by looking at stuff on her site.

I again stuck with the falls colors, as I love the colors of fall. Rust, yellows, reds......God's little treat to us before winter comes : )

Then over at Double Delight - the weekly challenge was sewing. OK....I am defintely not a sewing kind of gal, but I improvised as best as I could. I pierced my paper and threaded thru the paper to make look as if I had sewn my image onto the paper. I then added my own lil homemade needle on the end! I also followed the Sketches by Carly design on the Double Delight challenge as well.

I also added a lil shimmer to the thread using my Gel Roll Clear Star pen, and gave my teddy some bling for buttons!! Hope you like!!

Got to go finish packing!!
TTYL
Michelle

Finally Fall…..almost

2010-09-09T22:50:00.001-05:00

Sure feels like it around here!! Been cool here lately, but that’s ok….I LOVE FALL!!

This is the first challenge of the month from Faith entitled “Oak Wreath” at Designed 2 Delight.

Want some FREE digi stamps? Play along the first week of the month, and you will get a new freebie next week via email. Otherwise, check out Faith’s digi shop at http://designed2delight.com/prestashop/ and download your favorites. It’s so much fun to play along each week.

I once again used my Photoshop Elements program to color in my digi stamp. I then traced the ‘twigs’ w/my Clear Star gelly roll pen. And then topped it off by putting some Diamond Glaze on the acorns for a lil pop!! Then last year at ScrapFest @ Mall of America I picked up alot of bling in the Archiver’s store. I came across this brown one that went perfect along with the fall theme. And actually – that was the challenge at the sister site of Double Delight this week – Fall Colors. When I think of fall, I think of shimmery, wet looking leaves. So I used my CI Paints Fairy Dust to ‘dust’ my leaves that I punched out to give them a little shimmer, as if they were wet.

Hope you can play along with us ~ it’s so much fun!!!

Have a great night everyone!

Michelle

The “Cats Meow”

2010-09-02T22:53:00.001-05:00

Hello again!! Another last minute posting~another busy week. Thank goodness I have a 3 day weekend coming up. I am going to need it.

Faith image this week is the “Cat’s Meow” which is PURRFECT for me seems how I have 3 cats of my own. I colored this one in to look like my female cat Abby. She is our oldest and was adopted thru the local Human Society. We also have 2 males cats – Sniffles and Burdock. More to come on their stories – have to get this posted!!

The sister blog challenge this week is “Summer Colors”. We were to do up our card in bright summer colors. I just love the bright colors in my background and took off the rest of my card from there. I hope you like it.

SORRY….have to run!!

Michelle

Fishin’ Around

2010-08-26T22:40:00.001-05:00

Another great image again from Designed 2 Delight called “Fishin’ Around”.

As soon as I seen this cute monkey, I right away thought of a kids card and bright colors. I colored him in using my Photo Shop Elements program, then ‘highlighted’ the swirls on the water with my Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen.

Then the challenge over at Double Delight was ribbon, twine or string. And there was also an added bonus of a sketch to follow as well. I used my ribbon thru the center of the card, then used my ‘twine’ on his tail for the fishing line. All things considered, I think he turned out very well.

These last couple of days have been really hectic, so I was glad to have made it~even if VERY last minute.

Wed. night my husband tried out his new race car @ the fair and did very well. For never having raced on dirt and in this style car he placed 2nd in his heat, and 4th in the feature out of 16 cars. He did AWESOME!! He has been racing for over 7 years, but never on the dirt before so it defintely was a new experience. Then tonight, our company hosted a Packer tailgate party for our branch office from Indianapolis and some customers. What fun ~ GO PACK GO ~ awesome game.

Well, I am very bushed and ready to hit the hay. Enjoy and can’t wait to play along again next week!!

Good nite : )

Michelle

It’s Fall Y’all

2010-08-19T22:14:00.001-05:00

Well, not quite yet!!

But over @ Faith site it’s Happy Harvest time with her latest digi stamp. I love pumpkins, the fall colors and the crisp morning air. I just can’t wait for fall to get here! Along w/Faith’s wonderful image, over at Double Delight – the challenge this week was CAS~clean and simple. And it had to be something that would take you less than an hour and no fussing over. I kept telling my self KISS – keep it simple stupid!!! I guess I am always trying to go ‘all out’ as they say when I do my cards. I just love hearing peoples reactions when they open one of my cards. But, let me tell you - the ideas I had going thru my head with this one – wow!!

Maybe for a future card : )

The only really ‘hard’ & time consuming thing I did was to color in my pumpkins w/my Adobe Photo Shop Elements program and cut out my pumpkins. I colored in the wheat with a Copic Y28 Lionet Gold marker and popped up my pumpkin with some dimensionals. Hope you like it and can’t wait for next weeks image & challenge.

Please stop on over to Faith’s site, along w/Kathy & Kristine’s. You will be glad you did!!

~Till next week y’all~

Michelle

Teddy

2010-08-12T22:32:00.002-05:00

This weeks image from Faith is named “Teddy”. This adorable lil’ bear for some reason made me think right away of fall colors.

Fall is my most favorite time of the year!! The crisp fall mornings, and the trees ablaze in their remarkable colors – I can’t wait : )

If you haven’t been to Faith’s site – you got to check it out. Her images are wonderful! I also play along over at Double Delight and their challenge this week was the sketch shown above. I punched the ‘eyelets’ for my ribbon to run thru on the upper corner. I then used my I-Rock to set my bling. I found these cute little plaid button embellishments on a recent trip to JoAnn’s. I got a pack of 8 (4 different colors) for only 50 cents~SCORE! I then colored in Teddy w/my pencils and put a light coat of my CI Fairy Dust paint over the top of him to make him sparkle.

Please – check out the following site! They are awesome, have great products/ideas and best of all, you get to ‘meet’ alot of wonderful people who enjoy the same things you do.

Faith ~ http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/

Kathy/Krisitne ~ http://doubledelightchallenges.blogspot.com/

Creative Inspirations Paint ~ http://creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend everyone : )

Michelle

Racin' to Scrap 1

~*Happiness*~

BINGO

Feb 20 ~ Monthly Reveal

You make my heart melt

Lollipop Holders

It's all about the BLING !!!!!

Be Mine.........

Big News............

Designer's Challenge

Happy New Year!!!!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!!

Trimming the Tree

TAG.....your it !!!

Santa Claus is coming to town....

Snowmen

A time to be THANKFUL!!!

More Scrapfest fun!!

More Christmas

It's Begining to look alot like.....

Saturday's D2D Design Team Challenge

Lovely Tree

Halloween

Cockatoo Rules

Sooooo much fun!!!

D2D Blog Hop

Abracadabra

Wedding or Anniversary

MIA................

Pink + Black

Bling it On.........

I am hosting my 1st ever challenge at D2D.....

“Let’s Go To The Beach” Designer’s Challenge

Something 'Berry' special from D2D........

Birthday Fun

Happy 4th !!!!!

Tropical Summer

Mary, Mary...........

Masculine Cards~NO flowers

**A couple of Happy Birthdays**

Hello again!!

Skater Boy

Flowers!!

Pail of Flowers

Better late then never...

Flutterby Fairy

B & B......

Happy Easter

Ladybug Balancing Act

OH BABY.....

How about a cold one?

Ladybug Kaela

Spotty Dotty

Great News...............

Going Buggy....for ProMarkers that is

Ladybug Bloom

Did you.....Catch a Bug?

Angel Caroline

ABC...........

Clyde

Lucky Bird

Green w/Envy

"Daffodils"

"Appliqued Tree"

Got a Bug?

Kaela

This....and that....

Big Heart

Thinking of You.............

For the Birds

~*~CHECK IT OUT~*~

Big Gift

Fancy Fold Challenge

*~*Bugaboo turns 1*~*

Love Ya Cupcake.....

Dottie~Cupcake

Love Ewe !!!

Cupcake and Roses

Whimsical Cardinals

Valentine Snowman

~Happiness~

A couple of Happy Birthdays

~~CHECK IT OUT~~

~Bugaboo turns 1~

~Happy Birthdays~