It has been a crazy week here at Making Memories with Michelle...I mean, who decide, on Thursday night at 7 pm to rearrange her studio?  I was so tired of the mess in the armoire in the corner, that I just had to move it.  I remembered the Lad has a white bookcase that matches the one I have, so, with a little creative shuffling, we moved the armoire into his room, and now, I have to white bookcases in my studio.  (Sorry Dude...you left it behind!)

Cleaning and rearranging furniture is NEVER pretty.  And I'm pretty embarrassed to show you my disaster.  This is after I emptied the armoire - as you can see, there wasn't an empty surface space to hold anything else.    See 

I worked for 2 hours last night and ended up 4 boxes of trash to take out.  I'm not a craft hoarder, I'd just acquired a lot of 'stuff'.  Stuff I don't need or use, or pieces of things I no longer need.  I still need to vacuum and move a few things, but the Hubs was asleep and I didn't want to wake him or the dogs.  You'll just have to wait for Monday for the final unveiling!

When I was done cleaning for the night, there was a special package waiting from my from my mentor, Selene Kempton.    If you think getting a card in the mail is fun, try getting 6!!!  It's always fun to open mail and find out you'd been the #1 in sales for the month for her whole team of 70+ team members. This totally made my day!  Thanks, Selene! 

And now...for last week's haunted sunset card winner....

​<<insert drumroll here>>

Rosie Smith!  You are our winner this week.  Congratulations, my friend.  

 You've all been so good to me, supporting my business this year, helping me grow and earn the Alaska incentive trip, I'm giving away ALL 6  cards I received from Selene yesterday!  That's right, you can win all 6 of these gorgeous fall cards just be leaving me a comment below about who you'd like to share these cards with on the blog, or on my Facebook page by next Thursday, October 5th.   A random winner will be chosen from all who leave comments.  

Tomorrow is the very last day to register for the Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp.  More fun than a single class, or even a night of Stampin' Bingo!  You won't want to miss this all day crafting retreat.  Email me today to register!

I'm just thrillled to participate in the Inspire. Create. Challenge today.   Today's challenge was to use 3 colors - Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, and Whisper White - to create a card to share.  I hadn't used this color combo since late last spring and was happy to bring theses three together again. 

After spending more time than I probably should have trying to go through my stamps, I decided to keep things simple for this first challenge, and chose my favorite, the Colorful Seasons bundle.   The design is simple enough for a masculine card, and the Thinking of you sentiment is perfect for just about any occasion. 

Base:    Basic Gray:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Layer 1:  Calypso Coral, 5 1/4" x 4
Layer 2:  Whisper White, 5" x 3  3/4"
Layer 3:  Calypso Coral 3 1/8" x 2 1/4" 
Layer 4:   Whisper White, 2 7/8" x 2"
​Layer 5:  Calypso Coral, cut with leaf die

1.  Stamp leaf image in Basic Gray onto Layer 4,  and sentiment (also in Basic Gray) onto right hand corner of Layer 2. 
2.   Adhere Layers 1 & 2.  Wrap a 6" piece of Basic Gray 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon around it.  Secure with glue dots and add a blow.  Adhere to base. 
3.  Adhered Layers 3 & 5 and add to card with dimensionals. 
4.  Add leaf die overlay using a Fine Tip Glue Pen. 

Painted Harvest Class "To Go"  - Email me to ​Register by 10/8

Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp - Email me to register no later than 9/30.

Email me no later than 10/6 to register for this Sweet & Simple Card Class
Free with Qualified purchase, or $15 for supplies. 
This class is also available "To Go".  Email me for more details. 

As some of you may know, I've been working towards a very LARGE goal this year -The 2018 Stampin' Up! incentive trip an amazing Alaskan cruise for two.  When the trip was announced in the summer of 2016, I thought, "Wow!  That would be awesome!" and set that as my goal for the year.  It's been an amazing journey, with lots of fun, a bit of self-doubt at times, and plenty of hard work. 

Well, that hard work paid off!  I'm very happy to announce that yesterday, I achieved my goal!!!

I'm still a bit in awe.  This is my very first incentive trip with Stampin' Up! and I can't wait.    I couldn't have done it without my very supportive team of Stamping Bees and my friend and mentor, Selene Kempton.   Nor could I have done it without all the lovely and amazing ladies who stamp with me throughout the year.  We've laughed, cried, and supported each other through our crafting and built some amazing friendships along the way.    So, thank you - or rather - thanks a latte!  I wouldn't have been able to have earned this trip without each and every one of you!

​Base:  Early Espresso, 11" x 4 1/4", folded at 5 1/2"
Layer 1:  Pumpkin Pie, 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
Layer 2:  Painted Harvest Designer Series Paper,
​4 1/2" x 3 1/4
Layer 3: Pumpkin Pie Layering Circle
Layer 4: Painted Harvest Designer Series Paper Layering Circle
Layer 6: Early Espresso coffee cup
Layer 7:  Very Vanilla Coffee cup lid
Layer 8: Painted Harvest Designer Series Paper coffee cup wrap
Layer 9:  Very Vanilla scrap for oval

1.  Stamp sentiment in Early Espresso onto Layer 9.  Cut out with Coffee Cup framelits. 
2. Adhere layers 1& 2 to base.  Layers 3 & 4 are adhered together and added to base with dimensionals. 
3. Assemble coffee cup.   Add to card, with sentiment on dimensionals. 
4. Add Old Olive Baker's twine bow with glue dot. 

Painted Harvest Class "To Go"  - Email me to ​Register by 10/8

Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp - Email me to register no later than 9/30.

Email me no later than 10/6 to register for this Sweet & Simple Card Class

Just 2 spots remain for this Saturday's Christmas Card Club.   We'll make 12 cards, plus a fun 3D project featuring the Quilted Christmas Suite.  Each person receives a 1/2 pack of Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper and a full pack of Stitched Felt Embellishments, plus everything you need to finish all your cards, including pre-tied bows!

This class will also be available "To Go" by mail.  

• Option 1:  Include the Christmas Quilt Bundle (Stamp Set and Quilt Builder Thinlits) for $45.75 (retail value $45.00) plus tax and shipping and receive the pre-cut kit for FREE (+$10 shipping)! 
• Option 2:  Get just the pre-cut kit for $30 (plus $10 shipping)
• Option 3:  Get just the PDF directions for $10 (No materials included)

Recommended supplies for this kit include:

• Christmas Quilt Bundle and Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper
• Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White, Whisper White Notecards
• Ink: Garden Green, Real Red, 
• Embellishments: Quilted Christmas 1/4" Ribbon, Stitched Felt Embellishments, Metallic Enamel Shapes, White Baker's Twine
• Tools: Big Shot
• Adhesives: Stampin Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Fast Fuse, Snail, or Liquid Glue

 
*No refunds will be issued. If you are unable to attend, your packet will be prepped and ready for you to pick up within one week of class. After that, it will be mailed to you at an additional $10 shipping charge.

Painted Harvest Class "To Go"  - E mail me to ​Register by 10/8

Yawn...is it really Monday already?  Between 2 card classes, and designing 2 more, I'm pretty sure I missed the weekend somewhere.  But wait...that IS my weekend!  Isn't it amazing that I get to spend my weekends and evenings doing what I love?  I mean, look at these smiles!  Who wouldn't want to spend their weekend crafting with friends?

Both classes this weekend featured the Painted Autumn bundle.  I've taught 4 classes with this bundle and Painted Harvest Paper this month and I've never, ever had so many people agree on the beauty of the paper and stamp set.  There's just something about the combination of the watercolor images and the rich, warm colors of the paper that people just really love.  

 All my classes "To Go" include all materials needed to create the 4 cards, including envelopes.  Everything will be pre-cut, all bows tied.  All you have to do is assemble it.   Email me to sign up for your class to go today.  (Registration ends 10/8).

Painted Autumn Class To Go Includes:  

• Painted Harvest Bundle (Stamp Set + Leaf Punch) 146021 ($33.25)  
• 4-Card Class and Materials 
• Free Tutorial for 4 additional Cards
• Cost:  $46.25

Recommended supplies for this kit include: 

• Painted Harvest Bundle 
• Painted Harvest Designer Series Paper
• Ink:  Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie Adhesives:  
• Stampin Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Fast Fuse, Snail, or Liquid Glue

Orders for the bundle will be placed on 10/9.  It takes a week for me to receive it and a few days to turn it around to you, and should ship out no later than 10/20 via priority mail.   (Locals may pick up their package, and subtract $7.00 from their total).