Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Christmas with Michele!

Hello friends.  Last week it was my turn to travel to my sweet friend Michele's house and play cards.  As usual, we did a lot more hugging, talking, and laughing than we did making cards, but never fear...we do have a few to share with you today!  And let me not be remiss in mentioning that Michele served a FABULOUS lunch of Thanksgiving leftovers that still has my mouth watering!!  I don't know how many of you know that Michele used to be a caterer, and boy can that girl cook!  I rounded off our lunch with my peanut butter brownies, and even Michele's hubby gave them a 2 thumbs up!  But then, what's not to love about chocolate and peanut butter...the two just go together!!

OK, enough chatter and let's get to the cards.  I have two to share with you today, using a SSS die called Etched Berry Branch and a 3D embossing folder from Tim Holtz called simply Poinsettia.  


My Etched Berry Branch die cut was colored with sponge daubers and Distress Oxide inks, and then splattered with white acrylic paint.  My dry embossed background uses a MB embossing folder called Gracious Leaves that is probably one of my favorite buys of this year!  I matted this layer with a piece of black cs and mounted both to top folding white card base.  My sentiment is a die also from MB called Special Merry Christmas and was die cut from gold mirror cs.


Pretty simple, but I really like the way it turned out!  My 2nd card uses the Tim Holtz 3D embossing folder called Poinsettia and is also a very simple card.


This card would be a very easy one to mass produce, and still looks so elegant and like you spent a lot of time on it!  I used Altenew's blending brushes for this card, and their brushes are flat and not curved and rounded like most other companies.  I inked two of the brushes up with Bundled Sage and Victorian Velvet Distress Oxide inks and then brushed the inside of the embossing folder on the depressed side of the folder (NOT the raised side).  I then simply added my cs and ran it through my Big Shot, and voila!  A colored AND embossed Poinsettia!!  


I matted my embossed layer with a piece of Sweet Blush cs (PTI) and then adhered both to a top folding white card base.  I finished simply with a die cut sentiment from Gina K using a scrap of sparkling silver cs.

Make sure you head on over to Michele's blog to see what she created using the same die and embossing folder...she never disappoints, so make sure you check out her awesome creativity!  I hope you enjoyed our play time together as much as Michele and I love getting together and playing cards!

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!


20 comments:

I Card Everyone said...

I need to remember to emboss a few sheets with your MB embossing folder, Marcia - it is perfection with this berry sprig! Love the smattering of gold on your leaves, and this beautiful Merry Christmas sentiment - wow!
I knew you'd find a way to add ink to those Poinsettias! So pretty, my friend - and this palest of pinks was a fabulous choice for them!
Another wonderful few hours that go WAY too fast - but the memories carry on forever! Tom pretty much ate the balance of those brownies! SO delicious!
Thanks for the wonderful day, and that sweet little die - and sharing your gorgeous cards! We're pretty lucky to live close enough to have those days to play!
=]

Cindy H. said...

Two beautiful cards! Love that berry background, it goes so well with the beautiful Etched Berry Branch that you both used. Your softly colored poinsettia card is dreamy and so lovely!

conil said...

Love to see the results of what you and Michele create and these two cards are no exception. The way that embossing folder mirrors the sprig die is remarkably effective and no one could not fall in love with the poinsettia...it's just spectacular, colored or not.

Lisa Elton said...

I love your new favorite embossing folder too, Marcia and it goes perfectly with the sweet sprig.! You and Michele are going to force me to go shopping again! Your soft pink poinsettias are dreamy! Sounds like a wonderful day. I know Tom, I'll bet those brownies didn't stand a chance!

Cat Craig said...

Marcia,that ef is perfect with the sprig. And your poinsettia's are lovely in that soft pink. So glad you and Michele had a good time together.

JoAnn said...

Lovely cards. I love the softness of the poinsettia card, so pretty. Your berry branch looks great on that embossed background.

Christine Alexander said...

two great card Marcia, I just love that poinsettia EF ♥

blaze said...

Very sweet cards, Marcia! Always love to see what you gals conjure up on those get-togethers!

Bobby said...

Darn, missed another crafty session. :( I love that simple berry branch over the embossing Marcia and your GinaK inspired black border. I have the poinsettia embossing folder and actually colored the flowers (not yet posted) but your way is much simpler and has a beautiful artsy look to it.

Loll said...

Getting together to make cards with friends is just the BEST! I can imagine all the fun and laughter the two of you shared, along with all the tasty food! :) Two beautiful cards Marcia! xx

Susan said...

Beautiful cards using those fabulous embossing folders! Love the layering of a die cut branch on the branch embossing folder on the first cards. The colouring on the second card is so lovely and soft - must try doing that!

Helen F. said...

Two elegant Christmas cards, Marcia! I really love both of these embossing folders

Bonnie said...

How fun for you and Michele to get together and play cards, Marcia! I'm envious! Love your berry branch and this is one of my favorite embossing folders too! Your technique with the poinsettias looks like a "must try" to me! How beautiful! I may have to check out those brushes too!

Julia Aston said...

Sounds like a wonderful crafting time AND a meal too! What a beautiful holly card with the embossing, die cut overlay and elegant gold sentiment Marcia! Love the coloring on your embossed 2nd card - I've only done it plain and will have to give your technique a try! xx

Mac Mable said...

Always great to craft with friends and you sure looked like you had fun and ate lots....lol x. The embossing folders on both of your fabulous cards look amazing. Great technique on the second too, which looks so very pretty Marcia x.

TK said...

Beautiful! Love both of these cards, and while you call them simple, I call them perfect! Such great fun for you to have someone to craft with -- consider yourself blessed

Robyn Oliver said...

OHH wow, two gorgeous cards Marcia.. I love them and those Poinsettia embossing folders are definitely on my wish list, Robyn

Papercraft Boutique said...

I enjoyed reading about your delicious lunch and dessert, Marcia! How fun to craft, chat, and eat with Michele!
These cards are fabulous! The colored berry branch looks so pretty on the dry embossed background. The embossed poinsettias with the soft colors are beautiful. Love how you added the sparkly sentiment too.
Hideko xx

Ros Crawford said...

Well I didn't know that Michele was a caterer! Sounds like you had a terrific day and you made terrific cards! You guys are really good together! Have a very Happy Christmas and thanks for another year of blog friendship and for all your lovely comments

Birgit said...

These are gorgeous Marcia! I love the layers on the first card and the splatters always add such a beautiful touch. The embossed poinsettia card is stunning! I must try inking mine up like that. Sounds like you two had another fabulous visit with each other. So fun!