Flowahbella -memories of past challenge

***Hi everyone! If you're here for the Season's Givings blog post, scroll down***

I have been doing some MAJOR cleaning out in my craft area. Bringing out boxes of supplies from storage and going through everything. I am thoroughly enjoying using products from any and all companies! So this week's SCS CAS514 challenge was just what I was looking for -Memories of Past. To use your first stamp set, bring out paper or a technique you used in the past. Well, I brought out my long retired, and very beloved, Flowahbella stamp from Stamping Bella. One of my first loves and stamps. I have 8 cards using her in my SCS gallery. WOW.

I combined this challenge with Julee's Mojo Monday Sketch 506 which she revived a month or so ago. SO happy she did this. Sketches are always a challenge for me. She makes it easy -thank you Julee!!

So here she is! In her CORAL glory. I used the patterned paper from the Fleur KaiserCraft pack and used a piece of coral ribbon from the Pantone Color of the Year Ribbon Sampler from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. It's a CAS challenge, so I kept things to the bare minimum and only added one flower from the Petaloo Botanica Minis in coral.  I also used my Copics which was pretty much first time in over 3 years! I'm a bit rusty but it's coming back to me.

Here's the sketch if you want to play along.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Oh, before I go and speaking of cleaning out supplies, there are many Spellbinders dies and stamp sets I have that I will no longer use. I've considered putting a For Sale page here on my blog listing all the products I want to sell. If this is something that would interest you leave me a comment.

Water color striped background

Hi everyone! Today I played in the Splitcoast Stampers CAS challenge. This challenge was to make the focus of your card the background!  I thought this was a fun idea, so I played along.  I've seen this technique on Pinterest several times and thought it was really pretty. It only took me 2 tries, which for a watercolor background is not bad my friend. Not bad at all! lol!

We have SO MANY amazing flower stamps that it's hard to give each it's due. For this card I went with the Dahlia Burst stamp set as I think I've used it maybe once! That's just not right I tell ya. And I thought it looked pretty left black and white and it helped make the background really pop.

Here is how I started the process. I know most people probably free hand coloring the stripes, but I don't play that way. So I used some washi tape to make the stripes. It worked out great as there was just enough color that seeped under the edges to give it a natural look.

The pencils I used are 33, 34, and 36.

To color the stripes I laid down the color from the pencil directly to the Color Splash watercolor paper. I then swirled/spread the color with the large size of our Journey Blending Brush. I tried to use the small and medium sizes, but the large worked the best for this size of coloring.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

All products used are Fun Stampers Journey.

Burger time!

Hi everyone!  I have a quick and easy summertime card to share.  I played along with the SCS Clean and Simple challenge, to make a Summertime card.  I used the super fun set called, Build A Burger.  This set is part of the Spring into Summer catalog and is still available for a few more days (until June 30th).

Since it was a simple challenge, I chose to paper piece the burger elements instead of coloring.  It went by much faster.  I added a few embellishments and called it good.  If you want to play along, you can find the challenge details here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  Here is a close up picture of my burger:

All supplies used are Fun Stampers Journey.

The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas - Stamp Simply Style

Hi everyone!  Welcome to Day 1 of The 12 Days of a Clean and Simple Christmas - Stamp Simply Style.  This ongoing series will feature cards from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store DT that are CAS (clean and simple).  These will be quick and easy to recreate or even mass produce for the Christmas season.  Unfortunately, I won't be posting all of the 12 days, but Sharon will, so be sure to check out her blog over these next few weeks.

I have 2 cards to share today, both are nice and flat -easy to mail with no extra postage.  My first card uses the JustRite stamp set, Merry and Bright and strips of pattern paper from the Kaisercraft, Silly Season 6x6 pad.  The accessories are very simple, Spellbinders circles Nestabilities, some silver cord and a few rhinestones.

This card uses another ornament from Merry and Bright with a sentiment from Deck the Halls.  The pattern paper is MME, Lost and Found Christmas.  Again, not many accessories on this card, just some gold cord and a couple gold pearls.

Here are the girls who have CAS Christmas cards for you today:

 Sharon Johnson, The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Deb Saaranen

Michelle Woerner - me

Here are a some close up shots.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Quick and easy!

Hi everyone!  I have some quick and easy cards to share today using the PTI's Color Couture, Volume 10 and 12.

My first 2 cards were inspired by this week's CAS102 challenge -to use the sketch by cindybstampin's card. These are all pretty simple -I seriously made all 4 in about 3 hours, which TRUST me is fast for me!!

These next 2 cards use an old layout I used from the last time I made some Color Couture cards (yeah, if it ain't broke, don't fix it I say!!).  Both of these cards use Verve's new Classy Label Die from the new A Cut Above die line.  The second card uses a tiny cupcake from the set, Birthday Bash.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Birthday basics (PTI), birthday bash (for cupcake) (Verve Stamps)
Ink - Black
Cardstock - white
Accessories - Color Couture kit, pearls and rhinestones, buttons, baker's twine, stickles, copic markers, Classy Label Die, liquid applique

For those of you interested, I have listed this set of cards in my Etsy Store, CardsbyMichelle. 

Some challenge cards to share

Hi everyone! I have a couple challenge cards to share and one is a Sneak Peek of one of the FIVE Plain Janes that Verve is releasing this Friday!!

My first card is for this week's SCS color challenge which is Always Crushed Basics! Betty asked me to be a sample maker with her this week using Artichoke, Curry and Basic Grey with any neutral. I decided to use the Ippity set, Fishy Philosophy as this Crushed Curry color just SCREAMED gold fish to me!!

I also combined this card with the CAS challenge this week which was to make a square card -hey, I can do that!! This little guy is pretty straight forward, I stamped the seaweed image in Artichoke ink and colored in the leaves with copic markers. I colored the fishy and cut him out. The amazing yellow gingham ribbon is from Sharon's Stamp Simply store. I wasn't so sure of these colors, but I really like how this turned out -it just makes me smile!

This next card uses the CPS sketch this week, CPS156. This sketch looks cool at first glance, but I have serious issues with all the "space" at the top. LOL!

I used the Plain Jane stamp, Birthday Wishes. It has a built in box -I love this design! There is another PJ which has the same kind of look, you are gonna LOVE it too! The amazing pattern paper which is gradient and super cool is from the Just Chillin' Girl line by Making Memories. LOVE this paper!!! I used it to piece the flower as well. I colored the box outline with copic markers that matched the paper. The pink pom trim is from Joann's and I forget the brand, sorry. I lined it with hot pink rhinestones from Zva Creative.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you this Friday for all the Verve release fun! Julee released a stamp set this time that is SO VERSATILE and amazing. It will be my go to set for all my ******** cards (you didn't think I would tell you did you?).

This release we are doing a blog hop and not the normal week long Sneak Peeks. You can find all the fun details and challenges on the Verve Blog! Hope to see you there.

Card Deets (fish):
Stamps: Fishy Philosophy (Ippity), celebration of thanks
Paper: white, basic grey, crushed curry (SU!)
Ink: always artichoke, basic grey (SU!)
Accessories: yellow gingham ribbon (May Arts), button, tag punch (Martha Stewart), rhinestones (KaiserCraft), copic markers

Card Deets (CPS):
Stamps: Birthday Wishes PJ
Paper: white, Just Chillin' Girl PP (Making Memories)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: pink pom trim, paper piercer, hot pink rhinestones (Zva Creative), copic markers

Couple of SCS challenge cards and some Raspberry colors

Hi everyone -note, I edited this post to add my Raspberry Suite Color #19 challenge card. You know, I usually LOVE Dawn's colors -they are so fun and bright. Well, this challenge colors are fun and bright -just HARD to put together! Egads, it took me 3 days to come up with this. So be kind -LOL!

The colors were: Spring Moss, Pale Plum, Chocolate Chip, Raspberry Fizz and Aqua Mist. Hummm.... Seeing Maureen's darling ornament card today, it gave me the idea of doing an image with each color in it. So I pulled out my Ippity Stamps, Because of You set (more info on Ippity here). I stamped the flower image 3 times on white then again on the 3 colors. I cut out the flowers and the centers and glued them to this simple center panel. The sentiment is from Just Wanted to Say -love this versitile set! Both the Kaiser rhinestones and the fun hot pink dotted grosgrain ribbon is from Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts.

This card is for this week's Featured Stamper challenge, Biggan. First, let me say I love Birgit's work. I have loved her style forEVAH! Second to Sharon (notimetostamp), I have more cards in my favs from her than anyone else! I ended up chosing this lovely card.

I was inspired by the simple layout and fabulous bow!! That image is to die for. I don't have that stamp, so I used my new {Ippity} stamps and went with a fun whimiscal feel. The stamp set is called, Because of You. I colored the flower with copic markers and put a big ole rhinestone in the center! The sentiment is part of a bigger one, I just inked up the first word. The pp is Autumn Abundance by PTI and the ribbon is Orange Zest dotted satin.

This card is for this week's CAS challenge -to use sponging on your card! I sponged the pattern paper and the image panel. The super cute love birds image is from {Ippity} stamps, Because of You set. I stamped them in chocolate chip then added some silver pearls to the "cage" and a blue pearl on the boy bird and a pink pearl on the girl bird!! I also added stickles to their tails! The silk ribbon is from Sharon's Stamp Simply store!!

The hearts are chipboard stickers. I couldn't get the glue/glitter to be smooth on them, so I turned them over and stuck the STICKY side of the chipboard in the glitter directly -much better results. So the rounded side of the hearts are underneath, but with the glitter and all, you can't notice.

Card Deets (Raspberry):

Stamps: Because of You by and Just Wanted to Say {Ippity}

Paper: white, spring moss, pale plum, aqua mist, dark chocolate

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Accessories: hot pink dotted grosgrain, rhinestones, score-pal

Card Deets (FS):
Stamps: Because of You by {Ippity}
Paper: kraft, white and autumn abundance
Ink: memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: white dotted satin, rhinestones, copic markers, oval nesties

Card Deets (CAS):

Stamps: Because of You ({Ippity})
Paper: white, Que Sera Sera PP (Queen & Co.)
Ink: chocolate chip and baja breeze, tangerine tango for sponging
Accessories: glitter, blue silk ribbon (May Arts), circle nesties, various pearls

Three Christmas cards

Hi everyone, I have a couple Christmas cards to share today.

First up is a Christmas card using this week's Fall To Layout #67. I used last year's Snow Wonderful from Verve. This has to be my all time favorite little snowman!! The amazing little snowflakes are sequins!

Yep, thanks to my GF Anne, I discovered sequins from Cartwright's Sequins! So cute, cheap and fast shipping! I added tiny green rhinestones to the centers. The DP is Imaginisce, Polar Expressions -love this line cause it has sparkle in it!! I emossed the top part of the card with a snowflakes EF. The snowman's scarf is popped up at the end for some dimension -cute!!

The next card was for this week's CAS challenge which was to use white and ONE other color (even black counts). I chose GREEN!!! The sentiment is from Verve's O'Christmas Tree. The border punch is from Martha Stewart and the cute pattern paper is called December Details from Bella Blvd! Won't this card be easy to mass produce?

And last, but not least, I have a card using last week's Mojo Monday sketch. This card just makes me HAPPY! I used some of SU! Felt Flurries snowflakes (on clearance) and last year's Christmas paper from MME Flurries & Frost collection. I love this collection, sometimes I wish they could put out the same papers 2 years in a row!!! Oh why not?!!!

The tree and snow line are from Verve's Christmas in the Air and the sentiment is from Holly Jolly. This card has lots of different bling. I used Kaiser rhinestones and Zva Creative flower rhinestones.

Oh and a couple sales to mention: Verve has all their Fall and Winter sets on sale thru the 15th. Hope Stamps Eternal has all their Martha Stewart items 40% off and has Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg in stock now!!

Card Deets (FTL):
Stamps: Snow Wonderful and Christmas in the Air
Ink: Chocolate chip
Paper: Vintage Cream, Imaginisce pp
Accessories: snowflake sequins, rhinestones, copic markers, snowflake EF, MS taffeta ribbon, circle nesties

Card Deets (CAS):
Stamps: o christmas tree
Paper: white, Bella Blvd pattern paper
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: MS border punch, MS green ribbon, Zva Creative round wheel rhinestones, score pal

Card Deets (tree):
Stamps: Christmas in the Air and Holly Jolly (Verve Stamps)
Paper: white, Ridinghood Red (SU!), Flurries & Frost collection pp (Deja Views)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Felt flurries (SU!), silver wire cord, red flower rhinestones (Zva Creative flower wheel), red rhinestones (Kaiser), circle and rectangle nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Lots of cards to share

Hi everyone! I have lots of cards to share with you today, so here goes! This first card is for this week's CAS challenge which was a color challenge to use Turquoise, bright yellow and bright orange! What fun colors! I think this makes a bright Get well soon card! The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday, Simple Sentiments. The stems and leaves are from Verve's Thankful Blossom set. The flowers are various primas and there are stickles on the center flowers.

This next card is for today's SCS sketch challenge. I needed a bright fun card for a special someone's upcoming birthday!! This sunburst image from Verve's Wishful Elegance set. I colored them with copic markers and put little buttons in the center. The dew drops at the bottom are from Heidi's Sunburst Oregon raindrops. Each button is tied down with some burlap string -LOVE this stuff, I use it with ALL my buttons!! fun fun fun!


These next 2 cards are from last month during my guest designer month with Unity. Oh my! In looking at this card now, I see it has most of the same elements as my sketch card today! Isn't it funny when that happens?

For this card, I used the Tiny Giggle Grove set for the uber cute tree, which I pieced with PTI's Lemon Tart bitty dots. The sentiment is from the June KOTM, Perfect in Every Way. It also uses some of that fabulous Martha Stewart punched border cardstock. Each of the punched flowers have a little yellow Kaiser bling in the center. They are also tied in with the tree and the sentiment oval.


This next Unity card also uses the June KOTM, Perfect in Every Way. I used one of my favorite images - the owl! I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with some copic markers. The DP and matching chipboard border are from MME's Laundry Line, Flirty. Cute huh? The top part of the border is the negative space of the border pack. I posted pics on this post.

Couple things before I go. First, the Verve Project Parade is going on and this month's theme is "Divine Details". All the Divas gives you a peek at our card making process and details! My turn is tomorrow, so stay tuned for my "process"!!

AND, tomorrow also starts the annual Dare To Get Dirty challenges with the SplitcoastStampers Dirty Dozen Girls! The challenges run this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I am hosting a challenge again this year and my challenge is tomorrow, so stay tuned and I hope you play along!!!

Some Verve and NEW BASIC GREY!

Hi everyone! I have several cards to share today. First up is another Verve card from this newly released set Forever in our Hearts. I stamped the large leaf image in Old Olive, cut it out, popped it up and tied some silver cord around it.

The cool pattern paper is from Mark's Paper Co, from their Old Fashion Courtship collection. This paper has a texture/cloth look to it, but it is actually smooth! I used my mega curvy rectangle nestabilities for the layers and frames, and some of my silver pearls from Michael's.

Next is a double challenge card. I did the SCS CAS challenge to make a birthday card and this week's Fall To Layout sketch 49. The DP is from the new June Bug 6x6 paper pad and the chipboard is from the June Bug Chipboard stickers! Yep! I got the "BUG"-LOL!! Each flower has some Kaiser pearls on it. The sentiment is from a Paper Studio Co. clear stamp set and inked with VersaMagic Night Sky chalk ink -the only kind that sticks to the cheapo clear stamps!



The last card also uses new Basic Grey - the Lemonade 6x6 paper and cute little Gamma stamps, Owls!! Basic Grey has stolen my heart once again -me likey!! I followed today's SCS Sketch challenge. I had some trouble with this one, I ended up changing the proportions of the panels to get it to work for me. Sorry Rox!

I colored the owls with Copic markers and put a tiny rhinestone in one eye. You know, from a distance their bottoms look like mouths -ack, creepy! There is some scoring around the edges of the panel and at the bottom of the card. The rhinestone embellishments are from Zva Creative, Coffee & Chocolate -love these things cause you can cut and stick them in any arrangement!


Speaking of the Zva crystal flourishes, don't be afraid to do this ----->
Heehee! I cut and rearrange on my card like crazy!

Be sure to stop by Rachel's store, Hope Stamps Eternal to check out all the new Basic Grey goodies!! AND, she stocked up on lots of my FAV Zva Creative stuff too!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great evening.

P.S. I am cleaning out my stash of cards and having a Garage Sale over at my Etsy store. Lots of discounted and reduced prices on my cards. If you're interested, check it out -see my sidebar for the link!!

A quick post about my new LOVE!

I just had to make a quick post today to get that AWFUL card from yesterday bumped from the top -LOL! The more I look at the more I don't like it. I have already taken off the flower charm and put a vintage metal button in it's stead. Much better, may have to update the pic.

Anyway, back to this post. I have a new LOVE, no no -it's nothing Bill has to worry about (I think), I'm in love with FELT FLOWERS!! My LSS had a tub of these flowers from Creative Cafe and I spent 45 minutes going thru each and every one picking out what I wanted. In truth, I wanted them ALL, but at 20 to 25 cents each, I chose not to!! LOL! Then yesterday, I hit the EBay and found lots more to buy -hey, my b-day is coming up, so I can splurge!!

This card is for SCS CAS challenge -to use any shade of pink, kraft and then one other color -I chose Baja Breeze. The DP is Pink Paislee from their Office Lingo line -Lunch Hour. The sentiment is from Verve, Fluttering By set. Here is a peek at the inside.

Thanks for stopping by and tune in tomorrow for my second Unity Hip Hop!!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Sentiment from Fluttering By (Verve Stamps)
Ink - Versafine Black Onyx
Cardstock- kraft (PaperTrey Ink), Baja Breeze(SU!)
Pattern Paper - Pink Paislee Office Lingo line - Lunch Hour piece
Accessories - Buttons, Top Note die, corner rounder punch, and linen thread (all SU!), felt flowers (Creative Cafee), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Tuesday with crochet flowers

Hi everyone! Its Tuesday and time for another Jacksonbelle challenge. This week is a product focus. The DT are all using these adorable little crocheted flowers made by Melody (ladyquilter on SCS) which are on pre-sale right now at the JBelle Store! Be sure to check them out AND Lindsey has stickles for 15% off and all the Memory Box items are 30% off!!

On to the card, this card is also for this week's SCS CAS12 challenge -a sketch! I went with my new PTI cardstock -Hibiscus Burst, Rasberry Fizz (YUMMMMMY), and Vintage Cream to match my vanilla flower. I layered the flower with a Prima and Dew Drop. The other 5 are from SU punches and have alternating colored Dew Drops. The sentiment is from a cheapo clear stamp set. You know, the kind that you HAVE to use pigment ink in order to get a clear image? Fortunately (for reasons I can't fathom), I had this hot pink pigment ink! LOL!

This card is for a wonderful stamper friend, hopefully it gets to her on time!!

Here is a close up pic of the flower. It measures 1 1/2" across. Be sure to check out the other DT blogs for their crocheted goodness. We even have a special someone playing along this week: Michele Boyer (great name Michele!) her blog is Paper Cuts.

AJ Otto--The Willow Garden
Beth Thomas--A Stampin' Good Time
Heather Lee-Reppen--Ink on my Ear
Jill Dunn--InkGenious
Jennifer Buck--The Buck Stamps Here
Kimberly O'Rosky--Sunshiny Days
Kisa Peters--Kisa's Paper Cuts
Lindsey Botkin--Embellished
Lynda Benden--Stamp Act
Maren Benedict--Zany not Crazy
Melissa Bove--Creating From the Heart
Shannan Teubner--Pink Tulle with Feathers & Sequins
Taylor Usry--Musings of an Addict


Thanks for stopping by! I'll leave you with a picture of the crocheted flowers!

A Verve sneak peek Day One and a CAS card

Hi everyone! It's Day One of Verve sneak peeks! Today we are peeking the Plain Janes. This month, Julee is releasing four new Plain Janes -woohoo. In case you are not familiar with Plain Janes, they are single stamps and often coordinate with released sets!

This card uses Mother's Day Plain Jane. I LOVE that the sentiment is large enough to be the focal point of the card. AND, check out the flower on "O" in Mother -recognize it from the from Grateful Elegance set? Yep, that gorgeous 6-petal flower has made a come back this release! I loved that flower and am thrilled to see it in a BIG way (hint hint)!! I made this card with some cheerful bold bright paper and flowers! This one is earmarked for Bill's mom. He claimed it right away. It is SOOOO her style! Over on the Verve Blog, you can check out all the Plain Jane peeks -even another card from me!

This next card is a triple challenge card! It is for this week's Clean and Simple challenge -to use monotone colors, I chose pinks. It also is for this week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge -to have piercing on your card. Finally, it follows this weeks CPS card sketch, CPS111. I am new to these sketches, but hey, you can never have enough sketches to follow, especially if you are like me and can't design one to save my life!

The stamp is from Flourishes, Summer Blossoms set. I LOVE the elegant stems and blooms in this set!! The DP is the retired Pink DSP and the butterflies are punched from a small Marvy punch.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Two of Verve's sneak peeks and my sketch challenge card!!

P.S. for all of you Twilight/Edward fans, I have added a Robward picture of the week below my slide show. Hey, you can't have too much Rob/Edward right? LOL!

Card Deets (Verve):
Stamps - Mother's Day Plain Jane, Because of You (for smaller flowers)
Paper - DCWV Garden Party, Celery, white
Accessories - primas, red pearls, copic markers, misc ribbon

Card Deets (Flourishes):
Stamps: summer blossoms
Paper: pretty in pink, white, pink DSP
Ink: Adirondack slate
Accessories: copic markers, pink bling, ribbon scrap, marvy butterfly punch, paper piercer