The MichJay Challenge is popping out!

Today is a personal challenge! The MichJay Challenge. Just to fill in what that challenge is....

Let me explain for you - My buddie Jay Jay and I were talking last year that we both had this "fear" of making 3-d items. We needed a push to help us get into the swing of doing things other than plain flat cards. So we started up the MichJay Challenge! 

Sorry if that was a re-run for some :0)   But it is an odd challenge with an odd name, so I just feel I have to explain each time so people understand. 

For this month's challenge we decided to go for a Shadow Box Card - I used the tutorial from Stempeleinmaleins was super easy and came together much quicker than I thought. 

For my card my main image I wanted to focus on the Stampavie's Gillian Roberts "Being Together". I love the sweet innocence of this image. It is just so... well ... sweet.  She and her Teddy bear are colored with my Copics and then cut out.

Then I followed the tutorial to create the front and back of the card. Cutting the hole in the middle with my Nesties, now I wasn't so good at cutting the pattern matted paper out to create a shadow... darn it I need just one size larger on this Nestie Label set! For the inside of my shadow card I found a stamp of some pretty flowering trees - by Northwoods Rubber Stamps. I believe I purchased this at a craft show and colored with my Copics again. 

Both pieces are put together, and the really cool thing about this card is not only the "shadow" effect, but that it squashes down and easily goes into an envelope for mailing, the pops back up and can stand on it own. For added embellishments, I punched out some EK Success mini Retro flowers, Martha leaves, and then pearls for the centers.

The sentiment is one of my favorites! I love the dictionary style of this stamp! It is from Rubber Stampede.

Now I can't wait to see what Jay Jay made! :0)  

Have a great day!

The MichJay Challenge is back!

Ok... I know many of you are scratching your head and saying "HUH? MichJay Challenge?" 

Let me explain for you - My buddie Jay Jay and I were talking last year that we both had this "fear" of making 3-d items. We needed a push to help us get into the swing of doing things other than plain flat cards. So we started up the MichJay Challenge! Due to the holidays and the CHA we put it off for a few months. But we are back! And for our first challenge for 2010 we decided to Spring into things and make a POP UP card! Now I have never made one of these before, and I really don't know what Jay Jay has made, but me... I think I went a bit different. The easy way I think, but it is cute and different!

Here is the front...  Looks like a "regular" card I know. I used the Stampavie Gillian Roberts "Looking at You" image. One because it is one of my favorite Spring images, and two because that little butterfly fits the inside of my card :0)

I used a light blue card stock for the base, matted with a very light pink card stock mat. The Pattern paper is from K&Company's new Specialty Paper pad, lots of enhanced papers in this stack, foil, bling and flock!   I wanted the paper to be just a bit simpler so the image would stand out on the front and the "pop" in the inside. I sewed down the papers with a zig zag stitch and then ran piece of antique lace, with pink dotted ribbon as a vertical band, then matted my image with a Nesties Label cut blue mat. Then I added three pink mulberry roses, and Martha Frond leaves punches.

Now for the INSIDE:

Simple... I know... but I was trying to make the actual Spring be the focus! The inside pattern papers are the same as the front, layered with pink mats card stock, and sewed down. Here is a better view of the Spring...

This was soooo easy! I saw this on a blog a while back. Sorry I don't remember where, I so wish I could give credit, cuz it is a great simple idea!   I used my extra large Fiskars Circle Squeeze punch, then I cut in creating a spring. I attached the inside part of the circle to the top inside of the card, and the outside part of the circle to the bottom. I just used scotch tape here cuz I wanted it to hold, and I knew I was covering it with my sentiment.

On my Spring I attached lots of Martha Stewart Butterfly punches, that I added Stickles to for some pretty bling. My sentiment is one of my new favorites... from My Sentiments Exactly. I got it at Hobby Lobby on clearance. I layered matching card stock for the mat. And done!


It was fun and something different! Thanks so much Jay Jay for the challenge this month! Now I can't wait to "POP" over to your blog and see how you "popped up"!   Please visit Jay Jay HERE and see too! And if you would like to join us in our challenge please do, and the comment and let us know so we can come and see your pop up!

HUGS and-

A spooky MichJay Challenge this month!

Time for the Monthly MichJay Challenge! Every month on the 20th my Buddy JayJay and I take turns challenging each other to make a 3-D item - out of the box by making some sort of box you may say! This month was JayJay's turn - and she went all Spooky and Halloween on me :0) She asked me to make a coffin!

She sent me a template she found a while back on the Internet for free.. I don't know where from sorry - Maybe JayJay will let us know.. LOL I cut it out and put it all together.. wow.. it really looks like a coffin! I used a dark brown ink and roughed it up a bit. The top needed just a bit more.. so I found a piece of Basic Grey paper that had spider web pattern, and tore the edges to fit on top of the "coffin". For the image I knew I just had to use one of Alota Rubber Stamps new Halloween Trick or Treats they are a really cute set of kids.. and the Dracula that was just perfect!

I found three very old Prima flowers that looked pretty Halloween-ish to me - I centered them with sugared brads and then added some Martha Stewart black card stock branch punches, and then a Happy Halloween ribbon.

Are you brave enough to look inside of the coffin???

mmm Candy Corn... well Hubby says mmm - I can take them or leave them not one of my favorite candies.

Don't forget to visit my Buddy JayJay - I can't wait to see what her "Coffin" looks like! And if you would like to join in on our personal challenge please shout out and let me know I would love to see your stuff too!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!

HUGS!

The MichJay Challenge! #5 Now only in these photos!

I just love the MichJay Challenge each month!!! For those that don't know that is a personal challenge between my Buddy JayJay and I to take at least one day a month and create a 3-D project. We take turns finding templates and then create our own version then on the 20th of the month we show off our item!

This month was my turn to pick a template and I have been wanting to try this adorable little backpack template at SplitCoast Stampers - you can find the template HERE. Now this wasn't one of the easiest items I have ever made, but really it did go together pretty well, and I have to say I was so in love with how it came out.

I started with two sheets of paper, one the solid green card stock from Bazzil and then the second is a cute green and white gingham paper from American Crafts.

I followed the instructions from Splitcoast Stampers and put together all the pieces - with the template also provided. I used a white gel pen to stitch around the flaps on the backpack. And found the little Making Memory Mini Button brads that were just perfect to hold everything closed.
Micheal's ribbon is used for the handle of the "bag" at the top and the "shoulder straps"... LOL...

Now common really wasn't it too cute for words? And then was decorated even mor! I used the new Stampavie Helz Cuppleditch image "Ruffles Birdwatching" colored with my Copics and then cut apart and added to the front of the bag. Oh it was all so perfect!!!
So are you wondering why all the past tense? Well we all love little Libbie don't we.... Yes.. my adorable little puppy Libbie with help from her "sister" the cat Gato... it got knocked off of my desk onto the floor - from there it was fair game for Libbie, and she is teething and into shredding things ... this little backpack is now sitting on the corner of my desk in oh.. 10-12 pieces. I hated to even throw it away, I was so proud of how it came out.. OH well I scolded Libbie and shamed her all night... but in the end she wiggled her fuzzy little rear end, held her ears back... batted those ice blue eyes at me and well.. I forgave her :0)

Now it is time for me to run over and check out my Buddy JayJay's backpack!!! Can't wait to see hers! I hope you might try this template as well.. it really is fun to make, and just adorable! I found another piece of this paper in my stash... I may just recreate this one!

Hugs and have a great Sunday!

MichJay Challenge #4!!!

YEA!! I cannot tell you how much I have started looking forward to the MichJay Challenge each month!!! Now some may ask, "What is the MichJay Challenge?" Well a few months back my good friend and fellow DT member JayJay and I were chatting and both were saying how much we needed to get out of the box.. the card only box and start doing more 3-D projects. So we challenged each other to make at least one 3-D item a month and post on our blogs on the 20th of the month and show what we made. We take turns finding templates to use, and it is so wonderful to see how different we each make the same template.

This month JayJay found a wonderful template from Lauren Meader (another fellow DT member) her templates are wonderful to play with and you can find them at Papertrey Ink - the one we chose to use is called "Pack a Picnic" ... really cute and only $5.00. (Some months we find free templates as well) But hey $5.00 is really pretty cheap - cuz you get all the template pieces plus a bunch of idea instructions as well.


Ok now I know this is called Pack a Picnic... but I saw a cute little porcelain jar when I made mine... funny huh? So I switched out the long strap handles and made a little loop handle for the top. I think it was the paper I chose, but I really love how it came out, even if I changed it up and went a different direction.I glue dotted the handle down and then poked tiny holes through to put the wires from the flower through. Do you love those flowers or what!!! OH my I just go my an order from Wildorchid Crafts... pretty huh? I just love them! (thanks Bev for enabling me....LOL)

I then added butterfly lace around the outside of the lid. Did I tell you what the paper is? I don't think I did... duh It is from American Crafts, wonderful heavy two sided paper. The heavy paper really does work best with folding and holding up to making a box.

Now for the front of the box. I used one of the new Stampavie Sarah Kay images "Can I tell you a Secret" I just love how sweet this image is - so precious. I cut it out with my Fiskar's large round squeeze punch, then added another Rose, three mini rose buds (also from Wildorchid Crafts) and two Martha Stewart Frond punched leaves.

I just love how this one came out.. I think I just may have too keep this to sit on my desk in my new craft room! LOL... Hubby just shakes his head when I am already decorating it...

NOW I just have to pop over to JayJay's Blog : http://www.stempelelfejayjay.blogspot.com/ I just can't wait to see what she has made... :0)

Have a wonderful Thursday!
HUGS and-

MichJay Challenge #3 - Papertrey's Ready, Set Wrap!

Hello and Happy Monday... today is the 20th, and on the 20th of every month is the MICHJAY Challenge!! A reminder what the MichJay Challenge is "a personal challenge between me and my Buddie JayJay (http://www.stempelelfejayjay.blogspot.com/), we were chatting at how wonderful it is so many can do the wonderful 3-D items so easily - and after a while decided that we just needed to step out of the box of cards and challenge each other. So once a month we will hold the MichJay Challenge!"

This is challenge number 3... and I am very excited about this one. I so loved this template - fellow Stampavie DT Lauren Meader designs templates for Papertrey Ink.. "My Timeless Templates" and the one we chose to purchase and use for our MichJay Challenge is "Ready, Set and Wrap" ... really cute, and I was amazed at how easy it was to use the template and put together.

Cute or what???? I found this gorgeous paper in my stash from Graphic 45 Playtimes past collection, this is two sided paper that is just luxurious. Being two sided is a must when you are planning to see the inside of the item, and I just love the contrast between these two patterns.


Now I planned to use one of the new Stampavie Sarah Kay images for my art on the front of the little box. This is "A lollipop for Suzan" - cut with my oval Nesties. Then matted with a red larger oval. I found these cute little flower in my box of flowers, and they just seemed perfect to match. I then punched one Martha Stewart frond leaf punch and cut it apart and used each individual leaf for the tiny little flowers.

Here you can see the box opened up the two pieces are attached in the center... and yes it is perfect for sending that perfect little gift to a friend.. like a new Sarah Kay stamp!!

I inked the edges of my template to give it shadows. So what do you think? I am so excited to see what JayJay made!!! he he we don't go and look at each others item until we have posted our own... So lets go.... and see hers.... HERE


Oh and if you want to join our little challenge please do!!! With today's challenge you will need to purchase the template from Papertrey.. but they are only $5.00 and I am sure you will use it over and over!! And then please leave a comment so we can come and look at what you made. I am so happy we are doing this - I am not nearly as nervous to jump out of my Card box and give 3-d items a try and that was the whole point!

Hope you have a wonderful day... Now I am running over to Jay Jay and see if she has posted hers...

HUGS and-

MichJay Challenge #2 AND a BRAND NEW SARAH KAY PREVIEW!!!!

JayJay and I had a special request for our MichJay Challenge!! We were so thrilled with the response we got from our first challenge HERE - and then the people from http://www.create4fun.nl/ asked us to work with something special this time, and once I saw what they asked up to work with I was really excited to add an extra challenge this month!! I just adore Hearts!! And this is the cutest little 3-d heart box, super simple to put together and I think just perfect for anyone!
Now it was hard to photograph, I need to add something to hang things from in my photo tent! Anyway I cut out the template (again from http://www.create4fun.nl/ ) from I believe My Minds Eye papers, the only name I can find now on my scraps is TresJolie - I think that was a line of theirs.

I used the backside solid and cut a smaller heart, then again the pattern side for a stacked even smaller heart, that is all sewed together with a zig zag stitch. The lace is sewed on around the edge of the box before I put it together. I added a small piece to the sides as a handle, and then a band across the middle of the heart to have my image sit on. One of my MIL crocheted flowers matched PERFECTLY, with a jewelry spacer mini brad and two Martha Stewart frond leaf punches. The sentiment is from Heidi Grace, an epoxy sticker on white card stock then cut out.

Ok... I can hear you squealing... yes THAT IS A BRAND NEW SARAH KAY IMAGE from Stampavie!!!!! How adorable is she??? You will be seeing previews from all of the Stampavie DT the next few weeks and they will be appearing in stores really soon!!!!! She is so new I don't even have her name yet - but I was just dying to color her up and use her as soon as she arrived!

I hope you liked my MICHJAY Challenge, I adore the 3-d heart box - You now must visit JayJay and see her box, it is just so precious! Then why not join the http://www.create4fun.nl/ newsletter/blog and set the template yourself!! Super easy and Super cute!

Have a great Sunday!

HUGS and -

The first MICHJAY Challenge and of course Donkey Day!

I am so excited this is the first of the brand new MichJay Challenge!! Ok.. so it is a personal challenge between me and my Buddie JayJay (http://www.stempelelfejayjay.blogspot.com/), we were chatting at how wonderful it is so many can do the wonderful 3-D items so easily - and after a while decided that we just needed to step out of the box of cards and challenge each other. So once a month we will hold the MichJay Challenge! JayJay got to pick the first template for us to use and found this one at http://www.create4fun.nl/ and I just think it is soooo cute! It is a little gift watering can.

I made the can with the template, using a dotted BoBunny paper, after gluing it all together, I
colored up one of my favorite Alota Rubber Stamps :0) - from Michelle's Sweet Little Donkeys set, with my Copics, then cut out with a small border around it. I gel pen stitched around the entire watering can with a white gel pen. (this would have been so much easier to do before I put it together, sigh) I then added an EK Success border punched piece of white paper with tiny little heart buttons. I think it is really cute!!! Now that I have posted mine... I can't wait to see Jay Jay's!!!

Ok.. Now Donkey Day!

First we need to announce that Coffee and Toffee are officially sold - I am not crying yet as they are not quite ready to go to their new home yet... fences are being put up. And I can see and visit them any time I want :0) The new next door neighbor purchased them....

How about an update on Macie and Cheyenne? Well we have said all along that Macie would be next to have her baby... man she is wide! But you know I think Cheyenne may give her a race to the "finish line" she is actually showing a lot more signs.... they both are probably with in the month - Yes I know this is not a nice photo of them... but hey I wanted you to "feel" for them.
Wow.. guess it is just update day... How about an update on my sick little girl Rosie? Well we really stuck with her meds for over a month this last time and feed her all the best as much as we could. She is doing so much better - still needs to put on a bit more weight and time will tell if whatever virus or worm she has comes back.. but so far she has had lots of energy and is holding her own! I love this girl so much I want to cure her!
Now for the baby update!!!

Cali is doing so great, she is getting bigger each day and loves being out in the big pen with all the adults. My only problem with her is... well... she keeps putting her head where it doesn't belong behind her Mom and getting... well messed on - so her head is always a yucky mess - I clean her up and come out later and there she is again - she'll learn at some point I guess. I hope.

Mirta... now this girl is soooo tiny! She isn't growing hardly any! Tiny Tiny Tiny! But man is she adorable! And Super friendly!!
Here is a great photo of Cali and Mirta together - these two will be great friends! They are 1/2 sisters - so I am sure they will have a few tiffs now and then, but I know they will Buddie up and be great partners and have fun together. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry... camera kept fogging up this morning.
Hope you enjoyed! And yes I realize there isn't a Libbie photo... she was not wanting her photo taken this morning - I think we are getting into the terrible teens here... you should see my chair cushion she got a hold of.... bad doggie! :0) Can't stay mad at her -

Have a great Saturday!

HUGS and