Mixed Bunch and Blossom Punch

I am trying to use the In-Colors from last year since they will be leaving soon. I used Concord Crush ink for the background on this card. I also like the Blossoms punch. It adds a nice little touch of class to the flowers.

Just for You

I had a wonderful day with some friends in my Craft Palace. I was able to make several cards and get my swaps ready for our March demo meeting. This is one of the cards I made today and I hope you enjoy it.

Designer Cuts Card

My friend and upline, Kim Becker, designed and shared these cards at a recent workshop. It is such a good idea that I want to share it with you as well. You get two cards from one of the laser cut heart cards in the Designer Cuts set.

One of the Heart Collection Framelits dies is used to cut out the lacy laser cut heart on the card. It is put aside to use for the next card. The face of the card is run through an embossing folder and a piece of DSP is put on the inside of the card.

The second card uses the laser cut heart as an embellishment on the front of the second card. This heart can also be enhanced with embossing powder to make it stand out even more.

Here is a closer look at the laser cut. We put a piece of card stock, that was cut with the same size heart framelit, behind the laser cut for extra panache.

What I did on my Vacation

I thought I would share some of what I did while we were on our Hawaiian cruise.

During our days at sea there were heirloom lei making classes and I went to each one. A very talented woman, Leialoha, taught us how to make a variety of leis with yarn, kukui nuts, ribbon, and a straw. Yes, I did say a straw.

This lei is made with fun fur yarn and a loop ribbon. It is wrapped around a ribbon and you use a straw. This looked like one of the hardest leis to make but it was very easy and elegant. I will be making more of these.

This piece uses fun fur and loop yarn crocheted around a kukui nut bracelt. Who knew I could learn to crochet on a cruise. Basic stitches, but I did it.

This little number is a bracelet or hair scrunchy. It is fun fur crocheted around one of those elastic hair thingies. You add an embellishment every few rows. This was fast and easy to make and it is fun to wear.

 Who knew I could learn to do a popcorn stitch? For this lei I made lots and lots of popcorns and then crocheted around them with fun fur. It took a while to do this one and I felt a sense of accomplishment when it was done.

Thanks for looking at "what I did on my vacation."

Just back from Vacation

Hello all. I know it has been a long time since I posted something, but I have been on a wonderful cruise for the last two weeks. It was a wonderful roundtrip from LA to the Hawaiian Islands. We were pampered and warm, we met some wonderful and interesting people, and we saw some amazing sights. Now that I am home I will be back in my CP creating some cards to share with all of you. Come back and see me in the next day or so.

Demo Meeting Make & Take

Tomorrow is our monthly Demo meeting. Each month we bring swaps; and we have a choice to bring food or a make & take. This month I have decided to to bring a make & take  and I want to share it with you today.

The right edge is a bit off because I first planned to tear the edge. I didn't like that so I cut around the frame for the final project.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

What I have been up to

I thought I would show you what I have been up to lately. I started making ribbon flowers over the Christmas holiday and I have been having a good time. (I must tell you that Stampin' Up! satin ribbon is wonderful to work with.)

 The brown ball with yellow flowers is similar to the ones I posted in December made with the twitterpated fabric. The ball is covered with brown velvet pieces. I made these by gathering the velvet in the middle of each 2 inch square using a gathering stitch. The velvet was too thick to use just pins. Then I added some yellow flowers to create a bit of contrast.

The red and the razzleberry flowers are made with retired ribbon. It is so much fun to look through my ribbon supply and try my hand at different petal designs.

This corsage is made with three layers of velvet flowers and a pink bud made from SU! ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

New Occasions Mini

I know I probably say this with every new catalog, but Stampin' Up! has gone above and beyond with this new mini. The edgelits and framelits dies are so much fun to create with. The Paper Doily sizzlet is beautiful and has many options. (It takes a bit of effort to get all the pieces out, but it is worth it.)  Did I mention pleated ribbon and new twine colors, cute buttons, new fabric, a fun punch, and scented embossing powder, but wait, there is more.

This new mini has so many things to enhance our papercraft projects that you will want to take a look right away. You can click on the Occasions Mini button in the right column of this blog and start looking now. I am available to answer any of your questions and to help you plan a workshop for you and your friends. You can reach me at 360-731-7229 or at missmichelle823@aol.com .

One of the benefits of being a demonstrator is that I get to order and play/create with the new items a month early. I can tell you this is one of my favorite benefits. If you would like to enjoy this benefit, talk to me about joining my team.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

My days have been full of preparations for Christmas and time spent with friends and family. My prayer for each of you is that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and that you enjoy the warmth of love and friendship.

Sneak Peek

My DH gave me a wireless router for Christmas and one of the tests was to see if I could connect to the internet in my CP (Craft Palace). These pictures are a testimony that I can. I am a very happy camper now because I won't have to take things back and forth when I want to share with all of you.

I must say here and now, that I have the most wonderful husband in the world. We have been married for 42 years and he is always surprising me in small and big ways. He lets me know each day that he loves me. And he spoils me very, very often.

Now for some sneak peeks from the new Occasions Mini and SAB. My friend Terry came over the other night and we created into the wee hours. Here are some of the results of my efforts.

Christmas SAS part 2

These are the rest of the cards I made for the SAS. They are resting on the cute little Christmas mouse I found at our local hospital gift shop.

Although it doesn't show clearly in the picture, I sponged some ink around the edges of the silver glimmer circle to add a bit more zing to the card.

Christmas SAS

Todays offerings are from a Christmas SAS I prepared for. My back went out on the day of the event so we made these on Monday night at our monthly Club. We had a nice evening and Kathy had lots of Christmas treats for us to enjoy. 

Our group has been together for over 2 years and it is led by my up-line, Kim Becker. We always enjoy our time together. 

Demo Christmas Gift

This picture shows the three finished balls surrounded by light green tulle on a silver charger.  

These next two pictures show how I wrapped the gift for presentation. I used some of the pink tulle I had used in the pink ball to wrap around the charger. The idea being the person who received the gift could use the pink or the green tulle under the balls to change the appearance. I think these colors will work for Christmas, Valentines Day, and Easter.

TFL...Michelle

Christmas Gift Sneak Peek

Tomorrow is our demo meeting Christmas Party and each year we have an exchange. Today I thought I would share a couple of sneak peeks of the gift I will be taking.

I am still working on one more which is smaller. After tomorrow I will show you the entire gift, but I want to tease you just a bit today. TFL.

Another day in my life

I was at WalMart buying a bag of Purina dog chow for my dogs , in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. Why else would I be buying dog chow, RIGHT ??? So on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again, and that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in intensive care, with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and all you do is load your pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff a poodle's butt and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Now that you've read it I have to confess, I copied it from someone else.. share and make someone else smile today :)

Here's your sign.

I don't normally share stories like this on my blog....however, I am laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my cheeks and my sides hurt. I know this time of year is filled with fun and laughter for most, but it can also have it's struggles too. So I thought I would share it in hopes it makes you laugh and brightens your day.

Cheers!!! Michelle