Today's 90 Scramble at Hero Arts....

.....just started at 2PM Eastern time and everyone is welcome to play along.   Please head on over to the Hero Arts Flickr Group for all the details !  I'm also sharing them here, along with the Sketch and the cards that I created as inspiration.

    I decided to create a Sketch for today's 90 minute Scramble and I have to admit, I don't have any type of program that I could easily do this, so that part in itself was a bit of a challenge.  What I did was used my Silhouette Cameo to create the basic shapes and design and I then took a Screenshot of my design and made that into a JPEG file so that I could upload it over at the group.  If anyone knows of some fun and very easy to use programs I can use to create sketches....please share!!

   This is my sketch and I created it in color and also in black and white, but used the color version in the Group post.

   The best part about using my Cameo to create the sketch design, is that I could then cut some of the shapes I wanted and needed for my inspiration cards.   Oh how I love my Cameo and I'm so pleased that I bought it.  I think it's my favorite "Big Bucks" craft purchase!  A fantastic tool and I like it so much better than either of my Cricuts, which I plan to sell in my Etsy Store very soon.  If you know anyone looking for a Baby Bug, a Pink Cricut Expression or any cartridges, let me know!  I'm willing to sell them for great prices and really need the space!!

   And these are the cards that I created to share with the group!  If you go over to my Photostream at Flickr, you'll see ALL the details on each of the cards.  

  All three cards contain lots of Hero products, which as many of you know is one of my favorite products lines.  Love Love Love them!

  And speaking of Hero goodness....one of the prizes I am giving out to a Scramble winner is also one of my favorite new cling stamp sets, from Hero's newest release - Stamp Your Story.  It's this awesome set, called Brush Strokes, which I also must say is NOT all that easy to find.  I bought my first set at Simon Says Stamp, as they were the first store I found them at, and then I still needed a set for today and that's when I found out that this set is in high demand and sells out quickly.   I ended up finding the second set a Cut@ Home and was thrilled to find they were in stock and at a fabulous price too!  Yippee!!!

    I'm also giving a second little "Surprise " RAK and that will be based on the winner's favorite colors.  I'll put together a little fun pack of goodies all in that particular color.   And as always, Hero Arts will be donated a digital prize another winner.   All winners will be picked by Random Drawing.  I'll have Hubby pull names and maybe even have him pick his favorite.  If he's out when it's time, I'll use the Random Number site, which I think is great!  You can find it HERE!!

  Now I'm heading back to the group to see how everyone is doing!!  I hope you see this in time to play and Good Luck to ALL!!

   UPDATE:  I am back to post the Winners and also share a copy of their cards with you!  I also hope I can inspire you to join Heidi, the first place winner, who is sending her amazing card off to a wonderful girl named "Maddy"!  I thought that was such a great idea, that I'm also sending one of mine to her!  I have also sent other cards in the past and think Maddy's story is very touching!

Winner # 1 - Heidi

I love this!!

Winner # 2 - is Lin 

This is her lovely card!!

Winner # 3 - Bethany

I love the wonderful watercolor look!

Bethany was also the first one to post a card!!

   If you would like to be part of the Card Drive for Maddy, please HOP on over to the Simon Says Stamp Blog HERE for all the details.   

   This is the card that I have decided to send to Maddy and I also posted the information over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group hoping that some of the other Scramble players will send her a card too!   

 

  My last two pictures today are what happens when I'm not keeping a very close eye on "Skye", my very sweet and adorable little Chiweenie!   Last week if you follow my blog, you'll know that she chewed up her bed...well today, while I was "Scrambling", she decided to eat her "Big Brother Scout's" lounging pap, where he had been napping in the sun!   So now he has taken over her "Puppy Pocket"!!   Way to go Scout!!

Forgetful should be my middle name?

....and since I do not even have a middle name, it just might work.    But, in all fairness, I do believe that most of my horrible memory is due to Fibro Fog, even so it's terrible at times and I so wish I could go back and have the wonderful memory I once had.  But, such is life with Fibro.....and I'm not about to dwell on it.

    The only downside is that I keep missing out on the deadline one of my most favorite new challenges and that's the awesome FUSION Challenge.  I think it's one of the most fun and unique challenges and I can't think of another one like it.   I have been playing since it first started, but for some silly reason, I've missed the posting deadline a few times, which is a bummer.   The card I'm sharing first is actually a card that I finished up yesterday and it was based on Fusion Challenge # 10, which also ironically ended yesterday...OOPS!!

My Card

   I do have to admit that I found last week's challenge to be one of the most difficult do date, which is probably why I was put aside for a few days, leaving me out of it.   As you can see, I based my card on the Sketch, which I thought was awesome.  I also made a Masculine card and this could have working out to be a fun one for Father's Day too.   I also have to admit, that I'm kind of glad I missed out, because the other cards were all awesome and this is one that is just "okay" to me!!! 

    And having missed out last week, you can bet I was not about to let that happen again, so I'm thrilled to be sharing my newest FUSION card, created today for the current challenge, which you can find HERE!

Fusion 11 -- Hypothesis

 

  This week's ideas also screamed Masculine to me, so I decided to make another masculine card, but in the end I really think this card could work out for anyone.  I'm thinking I'll probably send it off to my Brian, my son who now lives in San Diego.  I miss him and Meg (his wife), so much, so I like to send them lots of cards, for fun and to let them know they are always on my mind.

    My card is primarily sketch inspired, but I also incorporated the stripes and lines from the ties in the photo image.  My fun little Sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  The main background patterned paper is from "Fiddlesticks" by My Minds Eye, as are the striped circles.  The cardstock and card base are all from my Stash of American Crafts Cardstock and the brad is an oldie but goodie from a old Basic Grey Set.  THe circles and hexagons were all punched with Stampin' UP punches.

   My next card is another challenge inspired card and this one was also created today and is for this week's challenge over at Muse Challenge blog and one that I'm getting posted just in time, as this challenge ends tonight.  Phew!!   This week our MUSE is the always talented Therese Calvird, who is also a member of the MUSE Design Team.

Therese's Muse Card

My Card

   At first, I was also going to create Rosette's for my card, but knowing they can take some time to dry, I figured out, I better pick something else, and I used a variety of dies to create these from some scraps of cardstock.  I'm also trying to use up some of my 12X12 papers, as I now only buy 6X6 pads, but I have tons and tons of 12" paper that I do not want to totally waste and I thought this worked out well for this design, plus it reminded me of Therese's background, but without the stamping!!   I took the easy out again, so I would not be late.   My sentiment was stamped in black ink on Kraft cardstock and is from a Hero Arts set of Birthday sentiment.   The bling is also from hero and the buttons and twine were from me stash.  It's my own Case of Therese's Card, but using totally different product.    I had fun on this one and will be saving it for my sister-in-law's birthday which is coming up on the 21st.  

  I'd also like to take a minute to thank Laurie, of Soap Creations, who I know as one MUSE Design Team Members.   I had been admiring her cards and while on her blog, I came across her card holder dies which she created and sells from her blog.  So COOL!!    As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted one, but at that time they were sold out.  I was so excited when I found out last week, they were all back in stock and quickly ordered two, the scalloped design, along with the decorative.   I've already played with them a few times, and will be sharing some pictures soon.  In the meantime, you can see some ideas on Laurie's Blog or her Facebook Page.  My special thanks to Laurie for her super fast shipping and for sharing such a great idea with us all!!  Thank YOU!!

   And that's it for now...time to take the dogs out and have some play time.  With all the rain we've had this week, we have not had a lot of chance to be out, but the weekend sounds perfect!   And, don't forget that I will be hosting a 90-Minute Scramble tomorrow afternoon over at the Hero Arts Flick Group!!   Come on over and play -- you can find more details HERE and the Scramble starts at 2PM EDT.   

Hello Yellow...!!

....I just have a quick little post today and two new cards to share!!   I was working on a card for the current challenge at FUSION, but as usual -- I was too late and the voting email arrived, just as I was about to begin.  I am however, looking forward to seeing what the new challenge will be and HOPE I do not miss out.

    But, even though I missed out, I really found the idea of using Hexagons was something that would be perfect for Hubby's Father's Day card, so that's what inspired me to come up with this card.  It's also a very CAS card and I loved using my brand new "Stampin' Up" Hexagon punch, which made this a breeze to create.

   My next card is the one that inspired the title of this blog post and it's also the very first words that came mind when I saw this week's new challenge over at CASology.   Here is the cue, in case you have not already seen it.

My Card

   As soon as I saw the challenge I knew right away that I wanted to use this wonderful new "Wild Sunflower" die by Memory Box.  I feel in love with this die the first time I saw it and knew I had to add it to my collection.   I also am a huge fan of Sunflowers and have tred to grow them many times, without much success.  The bird and and little chipmunks tend to eat the seeds, as fast as I plant them!!  But, growing up my Dad had a big patch in our backyard and I've always thought they were amazing, becaue of how big they grown in one short Summer Season.  

   To create this card, I started with a bright yellow piece of texture cardstock and cut to an A2 card size  I then folded it and used some washi tape to stick the die to the front the card and ran it through my Cuttlebug.  I then adhered a piece of black cardstock to the inside of the card for a new background.  I lightly inked the center of the flower with some Butterbar Shadow ink from Hero Arts.  I then used Foam tape to add it back on to the front of the card.  To finish it off, I simply cut two thin strips of black cardstock and I was done.

  I also used the same die to create another very simple little Thank you card.  I started by cutting out a large window from a Hero Hues Pool Card.  I then took a piece of white cardstock and embossed it with my Chevron embossing folder, to add texture. I adhered that to the inside and then simply added on my matching "Pool" sunflower.  I then added on a simply white heart, that was punched with a Stampin' Up punch and this cute little die cut "Thanks" Sentiment which is a new die from Paper Smooches!!

       Oh, and I had some fun happy mail today and received my  Surprise Mystery Boxes, that I had ordered from Hero Arts, last week.  You can actually still order one from their website HERE!  You have your choice of Stamps for $50 or an Accessory box for $25, which includes Free Shipping to the USA and Canada.    I ordered an Accessory Box and it arrived today!  I'm sure they are likely ALL different, but here are some pics of my goodies and I was very pleased!   The first pictures shows how neat and nicely the goodies arrive in a large ziplock type bag.   The second photo shows it a bit more opened up so that you can see more of what was included!!

    Pretty cool!!    And speaking of Hero Arts, please remember that I am hosting the next 90-Minute Scramble, which will be held this coming Saturday, June 15th at 2PM Eastern Time over at Hero Flickr Group!   It's really a fun challenge and you can win a really cool prize from me!!   I have my theme all planned and made my inspiration cards today, but can't share them until the Scramble starts!

   

           

  The rest of my day has been spent playing with the dogs and continuing to work on training Skye, who has been doing a bit better this week.  I think now that she lost that last baby tooth, she's more herself and not being quite as much of a little devil.   We have one more "Puppy" class this coming Sunday, when she'll graduate from Puppy I!  Yippee!!

Nap time.....!  So quiet and peaceful!

I love seeing the two of them snuggled together...

A little time off....

....to work on training this precious little pup and also do some organizing in my craft space.    I should be back in a  few days...as long as Skye is good???

But, Mom...it's MY bed and it was a bit too fluffy for me??

   In the meantime, I'm also working on cards for the new SCRAMBLE over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group. I am hosting this one and want to INVITE you all to join the fun.   The Scrambles are really fun and a great way to challenge yourself.

   Once I announce the theme, you'll have 90 minutes to complete your card/tag and get up posted to the group.  I have a fun them already planned and a great prize too!   Hero Arts also donates a great "digital" prize for a second winner.   It's open to ALL members of the group and everyone is also welcome to join the group, if you are not already a member.

    Hope you can find time to join me -- My Scramble is this coming Saturday, June 15th and will start at 2PM Eastern Time!   Please head on over to the Flickr group for more details!!

Some days are NOT easy....

..and for me today is one of those day!   Goodness knows that I love and adore my sweet little Puppy, Skye- but today -- Yikes, she is giving me a run for my money.   She work me up this morning by trying to nibble on my ears...something she does with Scout...but it's NOT good for me and the last thing I want is her to bite hard?  I put the covers over my head and then she thought that was a game and she was trying to "dig" me out.   After that, I was up and we quickly headed outside, which is now a blessing with our newly fenced in dog play yard.   I just open the door and off both dogs go!  Love it!!

  They always come back very quickly in the morning so eat and both gobble up their dish in seconds...I swear she is now as fast as Scout...these dogs just LOVE food!!   After that, it's time for me to get some chores done, so I let them out and we played ball a bit...then they tend to both like a little nap, and they did take that, which went well..until the paper delivery man came...who scares them..and got them both barking....which is now becoming something they do MORE each day...and I'm worked it nip that right away.   After that, I quickly made the bed and got dressed, just in time to find Skye had managed to find a Computer Monitor cord (it was in a sealed box, under our bed) but she managed to get it out and had it ruined, before I could get it away.  Same thing happened to my USB cable for my Silhouette and to our electric blanket cord.  I bought cord protectors and even spray to use on them...but nothing deters her, the first day the cord protectors arrived, she chewed them.   Such is like with a teething puppy...and she has ltos of teething toys, but apparently cord taste better...Grrr!  I'm also in a Fibro Flare (not good) with a weather front coming through and not feeling all that great..so of course today's the day, she's been a little "devil"...running from me, jumping...barking, trying nip me, thinking I want to play..and so on.   I am working on her with all these and we are in Puppy School, but in my very humble opinion, this Puppy is NOT easy...she's still not potty trained.....hates her crate and can't bear being put in it and still loves to jump on me..which I can control by putting her on a short leash...but I can't do that ALL day long!!

  Thankfully, lunch came for her and they took a nice nap, which gave me some time to create...something I harder get to do and miss so much.   I'm here now, to post the pics of the cards I made and can't wait for Hubby to get here, so he can take over for a bit and give me a break.  Having a puppy is much like having a toddler again..and goodness knows I'm too old for that and knew deep inside a puppy was not the best choice, when I adopted her...!  But, my heart won out and I fell in love with her from first site....and HAD to have her!!    I love her so much, but boy will I be so happy when this puppy phase is over and she's finally housebroken too.  It's clear to me, she's a work in progress and it's a good think, she is so darn cute....!!   Otherwise there are times, when I almost feel like I should find her a home with someone who has a lot more energy than I do, or someone who has trained puppies and does it well;  but I know I would never forgive myself and that would also break my heart!    How could I even give up this sweet little beauty.....!    Oh and although we know that Skye is a Dachshund Mix, most of the people that see her think, or assume she is a Chiweenie (Dachshund/Chihuahua), but I have never been positive and think she's too tall.   Acacia and I both one day thought she looked a lot like an Italian Greyhound, and when I saw some of these images...it has me wondering.  I guess we'll never really know exactly, as we only know her Mom is a Dachshund and her dad is unknown?   I even found some pics of some Dachshund/Italian Greyhounds, and she really could be one, if you as me?   What do you think?   Any guesses?

My Skye!!

    My first card today was inspired by the new "WHEELS" challenge be hosted this week at CASology.  I wanted to create a fun and whimsical card and actually printed out a few different images to color, when I first started.  I ended up making my card with this cute Bugaboo Stamp image and think it's adorable.

    I even made a second card with another of the images that I had Pre-printed before I was sure which I was going to use.  And the best part about this cuties is that it's a Pre-colored digi images, so that made making this card super easy and very fast!   My cute little "Skateboarder" is from a Decoupage Sheet and I bought this cutie from Pink Gem Designs.   Isn't he a little doll, I think so and bought cute little Andy when he was first introduced, because he made me think of my older son Brian, who is an avid skateboarder and has loved skating ever since he was back in middle school.  Scared his Momma, half to death worrying about injury, but he learned well and I noticed when I was out in San Diego visiting, that he still skates there, even back and forth to work, at times!   

    I may even submit that card as a second submission to the CASology challenge, I'm not sure.  Actually, I could ask you to help me choose or tell me which one or both your would submit?  What do you think??

     I have one more today and this is for the new challenge over at Cas(E) This Sketch and this has fast become a challenge I love to play in,  It gives me all kinds of new ideas and forces me to create in ways that I know I would never do on my own.  In today's case, I did create with my favorite color, but I think it's the first time I have ever used a feather on and card and that was the very first thing I pulled out of my stash to work with.  I then looked for stamps and thought about using a Flourish type images instead of the feature, but once I started to put it all together, I was very happy with my vibrant purple feather!!

CTS # 31

My Card

   As you can see I started with the feather and a lavender card base and then added a top layer of white cardstock which I embossed in my Cuttlebug.  I then added a border of a matching lavender cardstock and use some Basic Grey (Indie Bloom) patterned paper for the bottom of my card.  I punched out a white and lavender circle for my sentiment, which I popped up using pop dots. I stamped on "Hello" Paper Smooches Sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and "ta da", I was done.  Hope you like it!!

  WooHoo!!  Hubby is now home and both the dogs, just went flying down the stairs to see him.  Now I can have a little break, clean up my craft room and then work on something easy for dinner!   Oh thinking of food reminds me that I had found recipe for easy Homemade Granola on Pinterest and I made some this morning and it came pit yummy!!   I'm a huge fan of granola and love oatmeal too and since it's heart healthy, it's not a bad thing to eat.  Plus, you control what you put in and this recipe had only 1/3 cup of Brown Sugar and a 1/3 cup of Honey, which is a fairly low amount of sugar and no white sugar!   It was can be wrapped up in cute little jars for Holiday Gifts and that's another thing I made try!

Image from Pinterest

Pinned from The Frugal Girls!!

A great Blog -- be sure to check it out!