Post #150!!!

(...Sorry, I just noticed that, and had to let y'all know! I've actually stayed with this crazy little blog, and even have people that read it! Thank you for letting me share my cards and projects and crazy life! {{hugs!}})

And now, on to the card...


This one is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC205). The challenge today was to make a Clean And Simple card, aka CAS or EPLS (easy peasy lemon squeezy) as Jennifer Buck and I like to call 'em (Charlie and Lola, anyone?).

I went with a one-layer card (or no-layer, depending on who you ask), using a standard A2 card base in Pale Plum. I have to confess, I pulled this out *specifically* because I never use purple, and need to get over that particular peculiarity. Then, I took the frame from the November KOTM and stamped it straight in the center using Perfect Plum ink. After masking off the frame (just the frame...I didn't bother with the circles), and I stamped the frame 6 more times using Going Gray, Old Olive, and Pretty in Pink inks. I stamped 'Whateva' from the December KOTM in the center of my main frame with Close to Cocoa ink, and then broke out the Prismacolor pencils, coloring in with coordinating pencils and highlighting the 'Whateva' with white.
To finish it off, I tied on that fabulous pink twill, and I was D-O-N-E. Even with the masking and all the coloring, this took me less than 20 minutes. *grins*

Go find a challenge and play along! Enjoy your weekend! Thanks (again) for stopping by!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Pale Plum CS (SU!)
Ink: Perfect Plum, Going Gray, Old Olive, and Pretty in Pink(SU!)
Stamps: frame from November KOTM, 'Whateva' from December KOTM (Unity Stamp Co.)
Other: Pink twill (unknown); Prismacolor pencils (Limepeel, Metallic Purple, Metallic Silver, White, and Pink Rose)

HHT - "Bright & Bold" Unity

Did you Hip Hop yesterday? I didn't get to spend much time chatting, but I did make a card for the 'Bright and Bold Unity' challenge (and used Amber's VLVJan03 sketch!). Today is typically our Hip Hop Hangover blog hop, but since the Unity crew has been gone all week and is busy catching back up, there may not be a post on the Unity blog...you can still see everyone who is participating, though, by going to {this thread} in the Unity Friends forum. Now, on to the card! *grins*
(Some of you might not think this is all that bright, but trust me, it IS! Well, except for the So Saffron base...I chose that from the stripey paper to tone down the rest a *tiny* bit! *wink*)

I started with a standard A2 card base in So Saffron, and found the strip of punched Tempting Turquoise in my scrap bin that matched the DP I used. I cut the pink-and-red polka dot DP to match the scrap, then cut a 3 3/4" x 5" panel of the striped DP to put behind it. (The dotted paper/scalloped strip combo is popped up with foam tape.)

I stamped these adorable two images from the November KOTM 'Enjoy YOUR STORY...laugh' onto scraps of So Saffron, punched them with my 1 1/4" circle punch, and colored them in with Prismacolors, adding white around the edges so they'd really 'pop'. I stamped "delightful" onto a strip of the So Saffron (used stamped-off-once Tempting Turquoise), added a silver snap to the end, and adhered it to the case (following the sketch). Then I attached the three circles with foam tape for dimension.

I think it came out super cute...I really should play with these kinds of colors more often! I tend to lean toward the more muted/earthy colors, but I love how happy the bright colors make me lately! (To see the other "Bright and Bold" challenge cards, check out {this thread} in the Unity forum)

Have a wonderful Friday everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: 'Make Merry' and 'Play' DP from the Celebrate by Michelle Coleman line (Fancy Pants); So Saffron CS (SU!)
Ink: Stazon Jet Black (Tsukineko), Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Stamps: 'Enjoy your story...laugh' November KOTM (Unity Stamp Co)
Other: pewter snap (Making Memories); foam mounting tape (3M); circle punch (SU!); scalloped edge punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Prismacolor pencils

CHA - more awesome booths!

me&my big ideas:

I just loved the paper chain canopy and garland, and the twisted columns of paper pads:
Graphic 45:

I'd never heard of this company, but their booth was awesome!
Sassafrass Lass:

Doodlebug Design:

Their whole booth and the decorations were modeled after a confectioner's shop, complete with a soda fountain counter! Loved all the glittered, sparkly treats:
Here's Angela checking out the cupcake flowers, with Eryn and AJ in the booth:
Jenni Bowlin Studios:

Great vintage-looking, classic products...

BasicGrey:

Fun display items:
Did you know that Moda makes BasicGrey fabric??!?:
My two favorite new lines...Marrakech:
...and Lime Rickey:
And look at all the new BLING they have!!:
That's all! (Well, not ALL, but I don't think you wanted 57 posts about CHA, and I certainly don't have that much time to blog! LOL) I hope you enjoyed my little peeks into CHA!

Thanks for stopping by! *wink*
~Michelle

More CHA - Maya Road and Heidi Swapp

Maya Road:

(and I didn't even take pictures of the side of the booth with all the sheers and the embellishments! *duh!* Their booth was like eye-candy overload!)

Check out all the chipboard in their darling little suitcase-packaging!:
And some beautiful inspiration pieces and projects:
Love this album with all the different scalloped edges:


Heidi Swapp:

I didn't get an overall look of her booth, but I *loved* this chalkboard display wall with notes written by Heidi:
(I also didn't get a picture of Heidi...she was busy with *real* customers, and I don't take pictures of people unless I have their permission, KWIM?)

These are some new papers she was demonstrating, though...it has raised glossy designs, and you can get *amazing* effects using different products...paints, inks, you name it:
Super cool, and gorgeous designs. Definitely another thing for my wishlist! (Because I need more paper like a hole in my head!) *wink*

More CHA - featuring TIM HOLTZ!

I'm a HUGE fan of all things Tim Holtz. The guy has talent in buckets, and is a product GENIUS! He has the best products, and with so many companies...his own Idea*ology line, Ranger, Stampers Anonymous, Tonic Studios...

Anyhoo, enough gushing! Here's the man himself, workin' his magic with the Grungeboard and inks at Ranger:
And showing off his own personal recipe for home-made glimmery mist (a dropper full of Distress reinker, a small scoop of Perfect Pearls, and water to fill a Mini Mister, then SHAKE like crazy to mix):
And a book one of his fellow artists made showing off Grungeboard and its awesome qualities (this one is colored with Adirondack alcohol inks, and it looks like leather!):
Photos of the Idea*ology booth, and the PHENOMENAL projects

Grungeboard shapes in frames:
New mini-masks:
A cool collection of old type-face-looking letters in a shadow box (they're apparently NOT real typeface, since the letters would be backwards, but they're very convincing!):
One of Tim's cases, decorated with papers and Fragmentz:
This card was AMAZING...you wouldn't believe the depth it has IRL:
Did you know that you can sew on Grungeboard, and that it's washable, so you can do stuff like this?:
Some amazing jewelry made with his Idea*ology sprocket gears and trinkets and stuff:
And this display literally made my jaw drop! The flowers are all made from Grungeboard!! I stood and stared for such a long time! (Grungeboard, I learned, has a 'memory', so you just shape it how you want it to look, and it stays...so cool):
And close-ups:
Here's another that was in a Grungeboard mini scrapbook:
And a cool page showing a TON of products:
Tim, thanks for the inspiration, and all the wonderful new tips and tricks! *grins*

CHA (1 of ???) - The Unity Crew

{LOVE} this company!! (But you have probably already guessed that, if you've ever read this blog! *wink*)

A couple months ago during Hip Hop, the chat thread was talking about CHA, I mentioned wanting to go and that it was only about 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive from my house, and Chris (magtheman) invited me to come join them!! I about fell off my seat, then I jumped out of my chair and did a happy, happy dance...seriously, going was a DREAM COME TRUE!

My only regret...I MISSED GETTING PHOTOS WITH EVERYONE! I got a couple good ones with the Unity chicks, but NONE with the Unity guys, and I missed my chance to get pics (on my camera, at least) with Jeanne, Heather, Emily, Jane, Gina, Robyn...hopefully I can find them on other people's blogs!

I can't believe I didn't get a photo at least with Chris...he really is the big teddy bear he seems like! The second I walked into the booth, he scooped me up in a bear hug and lifted me off the floor! And you *have* to hear the "HIP HOP!!" in person sometime...there's no comparison to just hearing a recording! *grins*

Here is the big group shot I *did* manage to get:

AJ, Maren, *ME* (they gave me a Unity shirt to wear ALL DAY!!), Angela, Brooke, Eryn, and Shemaine!

They really, really are just as sweet and funny and beautiful in person as they are online. I'm SO glad I had the chance to meet so many of my online friends!

You can see some more overall views of the booth on the Unity blog, but I thought I'd show you some closer shots of the new packaging...it's so classic and so professional!! {love} it!

*Wood-mounted cassettes*

*UM Sets - they're in chipboard envelopes with a clear window at the back*

THANK YOU AGAIN - CHRIS, ANGELA, and the ENTIRE UNITY TEAM! {{HUGS}} AND HIP HOP!!