500th Blog Post! and Simply Sketched Sneak Peek

Wow!  This is my 500th blog post!!!  Kind of snuck up on me, but I think that calls for a celebration . . . perhaps a challenge with a prize?   What do you think?

While I get that figured out, I wanted to share a sneak peek of a new hostess stamp set called Simply Sketched.  Here it is:

After I stamped the image for this card, I thought it would be fun to try spritzing the paper with Vanilla Smooch Spritz before I stamped, to get more of a watercolor look to the image.  Here's how that turned out:

And, here are close-ups of the stamped images so you can see the difference better:

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Simply Sketched (hostess sneak peek)
Ink:  Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade (retiring), and Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Lucky Limeade (retiring), Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory Card Stock; Tea for Two Designer Series Paper (Spring Catalog)
Accessories:  Ovals Collection Framelits, Certainly Celery Taffeta Ribbon (retiring), Very Vintage Designer Buttons (sneak peek), Whisper White Baker's Twine

Thanks for stopping by!

- Michelle

Amazing Mother, Friend Cards and a Little Sneak Peek . . .

A little over a week ago, on National Scrapbooking Day, I co-hosted a Pre-Mother's Day Craft and Jewelry party with a friend, and it was great fun!  I designed a special card for a make and take that could be used either as a card for a special friend or as a Mother's Day card.  Here is the sample I created:

The card is a mix of retiring and continuing products (and one of the inks is actually a sneak peek).  Here are the supplies used:

Stamps:  Amazing Family, French Foliage, Best of Flowers

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Smoky Slate (the sneak peek color!)

Paper:  Shimmery White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose Card Stock; Fan Fair Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Pearl Jewels, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Elegant and Bitty Butterfly Punches, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Pretty in Pink Scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon, Basic Pearl Jewels.

I also made a stepped up version of the card, featuring a couple other sneak peek items for my own amazing mom:

The sneak peek items on this are the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder and the roses, made using the new Simply Pressed Clay and Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds!  I spritzed these roses with Gold Smooch Spritz (retiring) for a fun effect.  Here's a closer view of one of the roses:

They were easy to attach to the card with a dot of Tombo Multipurpose Glue.  I'm having so much fun playing with the clay and molds -- will have more to show you with those, hopefully  soon!  Just need to take some photos!

And, I also wanted to share a beautiful little post-Mother's Day treat -- I have a couple African violet plants that I keep in memory of my grandma, who used to have the most amazing and beautiful collection of violets I've ever seen.  Anyway, my violets have burst into bloom right now, and looking at these makes me so happy, just had to share:

 Thank so much for visiting my blog!

- Michelle

SUper Friends April Swap Cards

At our last gathering, my SUper Friends group of demonstrators and I had a fun time discussing the new catalog and swapping!  I gave everyone who swapped one of my Mojo Butterfly cards from this post.  Here are the amazing creations I received in return:

First up, is a beautiful My Digital Studio hybrid card by Wendy for Mother's Day: 

 and here's the inside, which coordinates beautifully with the printed piece on the outside (My Digital Studio makes it so fun and easy!):

Next is Nancy's layered wedding cake card (don't you love the rolled roses on top of the cake?!):

Nancy also finished the inside of her card, using Whisper White and pieces of the Cherry Cobbler, to coordinate perfectly with the icing on the cake:

And, here's another amazing creation by Renate (you can see more of her creations on her blog, Just Give Me One More Card):

Here's a closer view of the blossoms on the tree, which Renate colored and then used Crystal Effects on for a more dimensional effect:

Hope you are inspired by these beautiful works of art!

- Michelle

Diana's Dressed Up Mother's Day Card

One of my stamping friends shared a photo of her gorgeous Mother's Day card with me, and I loved it so much, I asked her if I could share it with you.  Luckily for you, she said yes!   Here is Diana Brown's beautiful creation, using the Dress Up Framelits dies:

I love all the details Diana added -- the adorable printed sweater with pearl buttons, pearl necklace, ribbon belt and buckle, and pearl trim around the hem of the dress!  Perfect!!!

 Thanks, Diana, for letting me share your wonderful creation!  

And, thank you for visiting my blog!

- Michelle

Afternoon Daydreamin'

I've been quiet the past week because I've been hard at work finishing up a big project (well, and preparing for a fun event I had this weekend . . . but, more on that in an upcoming post!)  I recently created 40 cards using half of an Afternoon Daydream Simply Scrappin' Kit (it's on the retiring list, so only available while supplies last now).  Here are the cards I made, in sets of 10:

And, here are some close ups of some of my favorite cards:

Stamp sets used:  Everything Eleanor, Perfectly Penned, Oh Hello, Made for You, Papaya Collage, and Apothecary Accents

Paper:  Afternoon Daydream Simply Scrappin' Kit, Whisper White Card Stock

Ink:  Basic Gray, More Mustard, Pool Party, and Primrose Petals Classic Ink

Accessories:  Labels Framelits, Floral Frames Framelits, Ovals Collection Framelits, Curly Label Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

If you'd like to create some of these, I have a limited number of kits available (for U.S. only, and stamped images not included).  Please contact me for more information.

- Michelle