Happy 2014...Starting with a Little Merry Monday!

I have been so anxious to get back to card making!  I've had several obstacles preventing me from my goal.  First, we were gone for ten days around Christmas, visiting hubby's family out East.  Secondly, I bought a new computer about a week before Christmas (like I needed a project before Christmas.)  I have been waaay spending too many hours downloading programs, transferring files and generally tweeking it to run the way I want!  Grrrr....Windows 8!  But finally, I found some time in my craft room and was able to relax!

First order of business, make some Christmas thank you cards.

I still love this little bird from the Stampin' Up! set Always.  I don't think I'll ever get rid of this set, just because of this bird.  The Christmas thank you sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  The designer paper is a brand new paper stack from Stampin' Up! called Fresh Prints....lots of great papers in there!

So, the latest Merry Monday challenge is:

I am linking my card to their challenge and I look forward to getting more Christmas cards done for the coming year!

I also have lots of new Stampin' Up products to play with, so I hope to have many things to share!

Thanks for stopping today!

Scandinavian Christmas

Yep, I'm a woman on a mission.  Can you believe I am almost halfway to my Christmas card goal?  When I create a card I almost always make four.  I have a hard enough time deciding what card goes to which person.  If I had ALL different designs...well I don't need that kind of stress!  Hee!  Hee!

The sketch I used today comes from the ladies at Freshly Made Sketches.  Rita designed this one.

The other challenge I was very excited to participate in is jingle belles, "Scandinavian Christmas."  Stephanie and Lauren are two great gals helping us all get those Christmas cards done!

I can't tell you how many times I changed this card.  I think I changed every single element at least once before it came to this.  Those CAS designs are tough!  I always want to add MORE!

So, thanks for stopping by today.  I'm not really sure what challenges I'll be doing tomorrow.  I still need to make more Valentine's Day cards.  If I can't find a challenge that fits I may have to go solo!

Always - Curtain Call Challenge #43

I'm back!  I took a little longer with my card....but I'm pretty happy with the results.

How do you like the brights colors this week?  I was surprised how much I liked working with them.

I really enjoy making all the yummy scalloped layers!  Great impact!

 
Please check out the other Crew members....

Amy White @ Devlinwhite Designs
Andrea Roose @ Andrea Scrap - und Stampel-Blog
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa) @ Random Acts of Creativity
Julie Smith @ Paper and Such
Lea Lawson @ Lea's Cupcakes & Sunshine
Marisa Ritzen @ Rosemary Reflections
Melissa Hubert@ My Paper Obsession
Sue Kohler@ My Inner Reflection

And our August guest designer.  Teresa Kline @ Enjoy the VA Sunshine

And our leader....Stacey @ Stacey's Stamping Stage

Remember, if want to join us, link to your creation on Stacey's post.  At the end of the challenge period she will choose 5 great projects that will earn the Curtain Call Show Stopper badge.  One talented person will get the Lead in this week's Curtain Call!

Always - Curtain Call #33

I try to spread the love when doing the Curtain Call challenges and use many different sets.  Today when I started my card I had about five possibilities.  I love Always...and was a little surprised it escaped the retired list, and decided to use it for this week's color combo.

I knew I wanted to use a circle and triangles (in a pennant or sunray fashion.)  I find it so much easier to create when I have at least a couple elements in mind.  It doesn't always work out or go the direction I intended, but it usually works out.

This card went in a different direction.  Initially the top half of the card was Whisper White.  I tried using Sticky Strip in a sun ray pattern.  Then sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds.  It sounded good, but didn't look so good.  So, I went with a simple DSP in Night of Navy.  It's better.  Am I totally satisfied?  No, but unless I gutted the whole card, I considered it done.

For the month of June we have a guest Crew member joining us.
It's Christina MacLaren @ Seaglass & Sentiments!  Please stop by and welcome Christina!

And as always....the fabulous Curtain Call Crew!

Amy White @ Devlinwhite Designs
Andrea Roose @ Andrea Scrap - und Stampel-Blog
Iwona Palamountain (Chupa) @ Random Acts of Creativity
Julie Smith @ Paper and Such
Lea Lawson @ Lea's Cupcakes & Sunshine
Marisa Ritzen @ Rosemary Reflections
Melissa Hubert@ My Paper Obsession
Sue Kohler@ My Inner Reflection

And our leader, of course....Stacey @ Stacey's Stamping Stage

Please join us and post your creation over at Stacey's using Mr. Linky.

Clean & Simple with Fine Flourish

Time to get to it! I've had 3 days to work on Stacey's Sunday challenge over at Stacey's Stamping Stage and it was about time to make it happen!I've had this Fine Flourish stamp for about a month now. So, when I saw Stacey's card it gave me a bit of inspiration. To mimic those beautiful fine color striations in the butterflies wings somehow. After stamping my Pink Pirouette cardstock I ran it through the Big Shot using my Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die. I like the effect.I really wanted to keep it Clean & Simple, so I used the sketch for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge. I did change the sentiment placement, though. This phrase is from Always, in case you're wondering.
I did some sewing on my ribbon again. I just love sewing on my cards. This is a favorite technique, for sure. I also really like sewing down the butterfly. It gives it dimension without have to use and dimensionals. I have LOTS of thread, so I had a good match for the Rich Razzleberry! I think I miss sewing more than I realize, so I am going to schedule myself some sewing time this weekend. But today, I think I'll work on more cards!

Love, Always & Mojo

Can you believe I almost for got to post today? I've been around the house, doing odd and ends, completely oblivious! I was talking on the phone to my friend, Pam and we started got on the topic of my blog and cards when it dawned on me!

So, the card I'm sharing today is for Mojo Monday. I played around with the sketch, just a bit. Really it was a mistake on my part! I'm going with it. I used the sets Always along with Lots of Thoughts. I like all the texture going on this card. The red really pops on the Pretty In Pink and Whisper White. I like that, too.I really enjoy making these Valentine's Day cards. I have no idea how many I've made to this point. I do plan to send more than my usual amount, so I'm going to keep making them! Hope you like seeing them!

Red, Red, Red Valentine

I love red! So, Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to use LOTS of it! Today's card is red on steroids! OK, I did sneak in a little pink, but very little!

The challenges I tackled with this card are:

Our Creative Corner sketch.

Plus, Splitcoast Stampers Limited Supplies Challenge. Keyword: LSC254

I used the large heart from Always and embossed it in red. I don't have Real Red Kraft Ink or red embossing powder. So, I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, stamped in Real Red Classic Ink and without moving my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig stamped with Versamark Ink. Then, added Stampin' Emboss Clear Embossing Powder. It really pops! (Click on the image to get a better look.) The sentiment is a dollar stamp I just picked up this week.You may be wondering how I have a scalloped heart to mat the Always heart perfectly. If you'd like to know, e-mail me and I'll share my secret! It involves an image editing program and a certain cutting program.

So, I have an invitation to go scrapbooking down at the neighbors. I need to get my stuff together and go. Have a great day!

Kristina's Color Inspiration #18 & Some Goodies!

I have a few things to share with you today. First of all, today's selection for Kristina's Color Inspiration. Some time back I has said I would do some catty CASING and this is one of those cards. It sure didn't turn out the way I had hoped! It's OK, but the catty version is much better. I just don't think the black suits this card, even though I tried to limit how much I used. Can anyone tell me what page this card comes from? Ha! Just seeing if you're paying attention!
Big news! I received my prizes for this card here. One I made during SplitCoastStampers Virtual Stamp Night. Some great chipboard, clips, rick rack and a great monogram set for my given name, Michelle. It's like moderators know me because they picked my favorite colors! Green and red! ALERT!

Kristina's Color Inspiration #22

I am so tired this evening. I had almost a full day of my nephew's basketball games. Then, I came home and started working on my Stampin' Up order. I had two additional orders just today, so it's been a good month. Sale-A-Bration sure helps.

This is one of Kristina's Color Inspirations from last September. My card is another I made last weekend during Splitcoast Stampers, Virtual Stamp Night challenge. To make a card with a large circle and a large heart. There are elements of the card I like. The hearts around the circle, mostly notably. The rest of it will do, not a masterpiece by any means but not a total bust! I wouldn't publish what I thought was a truly ugly card. I have made them, though! So thanks for stopping by again today! See you again tomorrow!

Pick A Petal - Pointsettia

I am obsessed with my Top Note die and my Big Shot machine. I have used it for so many cards, I think it's time I put it away for a while! But not before I post a few cards using it. Honestly, I don't have that many Christmas stamps, so I have to be imaginative. I've seen cards using the big flower in Doodle This (retired) as a poinsettias and I thought I can do that with Pick A Petal stamped on the paper is Bella Rose paper! The addition of the Summer Sun flower centers and Old Olive brads and ribbon do a pretty good job of representing a poinsettia. What do you think?

Thank You Notes Day 3

For todays thank you note I used the cute little birdie from Always. I do love that set, there are lots of goodies to play with. I stamped directly onto the designer paper. A really easy card. I can't wait to give these cards away. I do have two more cards I made for this set, so stayed tuned for those over the next couple days! Thanks for stopping by!

Kristina's Color Inspiration #29

Another week, another challenge from Kristina. This one was hard for me. When there are 5 colors to use it is more difficult. I had the basic concept down pretty fast, but I couldn't get the color layout the way I wanted. This is actually my third attempt at the same card. This wasn't my husband's favorite and truthfully the picture seems to be darker than it really is, but I still think I'm happy with the result. I just love birds, of all kinds: peacocks, owls and crows! So, I love it when I can use my bird stamps. Have a great day and thanks for stopping!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Now that I've talked with my mom and know that they got it, I can go ahead and post their card. Today is their 42nd anniversary! Love you Mom & Dad! I had a lot of fun with this one. I had cut the tag shape out probably two months ago, not knowing what it would be. When it was time to start their card I thought this would work well. I think I used a personal record of 6 different stamp sets on this card! But I like the idea of creating my own sentiments with combinations from other sets. The paper is a retired one, Spring Flowers. I'll have to use this layout again. I really like it!