Precious and Pink...

  Today, is a nice day for me, despite some bittersweet memories of a day that will always hold a special place in my heart.   I will be very happy when April is over, as this month is full of sad memories and today marks another of those days in my family.  It was twelve years ago today that I tragically lost my brother in an terrible accident.  His memory will always be in my heart and he will in some ways forever live in my boys.  My son, Brian, was given his middle name and Greg was also Brian's God-Father, something I am very proud of and a decision I'm very happy I made.

   I'm trying very hard to remember the good times and focus on happy things and the gorgeous weather we are having today.  I woke up bright and early and watched 'The Royal Wedding' this morning, which was so sweet and touching.  I can only imagine how proud Diana would have been of her son and I'm sure this too, in some ways is a bittersweet day for William and Kate.  

   I've spent most of my day crafting and focusing on fun and happy things and both of the cards I am here to share are both very sweet and make me smile!   My first card was created for today's brand new challenge over at Baby Bud Designs and I was very happy to play along!   I totally loved being part of the Design Team and had always loved these wonderful sweet images.   Today's also a fun day at Baby Bud, as it's Friday Freebie day and if you hurry on over to the blog, you can pick up a cute new freebie HERE!   You can also even use that image to play along in this month's challenge which is "Punches & Dies".  The Lady Buds want to see lots of die-cuts or punched shapes on your card !   This is my card I was inspired to create, featuring one of my favorite little buds - Kira, who was paper-pieced into this cute little Pink outfit!
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 My sweet little Kira card is being submitted to each of these challenges!  Please feel free to play along and visit each of the challenge sites for all the details:

• Baby Bud Designs - April Challenge - Punches or Dies
• Little Miss Muffet - Challenge # 8 - Die-cuts or Punches
• Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #96 - Anything Goes

  My second card today also feature another adorable image and this one if one of the Lori Boyd's Lollipop digis -- little Maisie, who has also been decked out in Pink, for the new color combo challenge over at 'By Lori Designs' which you'll find HERE!

   I have also posted a copy of the colors for Challenge # 15, for those of you who may want to play along.

 Challenge Color Inspiration

  

My Card

    My precious little Baby Maisie card was also created and is being submitted to these fun challenges.

• Flutter By Wednesday - Challenge # 152 -  Recipe Challenge
• By Lori Designs - Challenge # 15 - Color Combo Challenge
• CCEE Stampers - Challenge # 1117 - Add A Butterfly
• Anything Goes Challenge Blog - # 39 Color Combo - Pink and Brown
• Bearly-Mine Challenges - Beautiful Babies

    I hope I have inspired you to color up something pretty and take part in some of these fun challenges!  In the meantime I want to wish everyone a wonderful weekend and hope you all have some fantastic Spring weather!

    Lastly, special thanks my my dear friend Pat, who sent me this fabulous picture today!  It's one of my favorite flowers, a gorgeous Iris and is in purple....my favorite color!   I LOVE it!!

    Hugs,

   Lisa

Smile....

   Yesterday ending up being a gorgeous afternoon, the shine was shining and I spent a few hours outside planting flowers....a true joy.  Today....well, more of the cloudy weather again, but considering how dangerous and scary some of the storms have been in the South and Midwest, I am very grateful that it's only cloudy.  I will take a cloudy rainy day anytime over a stormy day!  My heart is with all those who are battling the storm and I hope everyone is safe and well!

     I have been working on a variety of fun new challenge cards today and my main theme is all about happy and fun cards, the kind that make you SMILE!   I am starting with a fun card I created to two new challenges using a cute new Lenny digi from StampFairy.   I started by coloring my image with Ranger Distress Inks a new method of coloring that I am slowly learning from the classes I take from Angie Hunt.  I have not had a lot of time until now to get back to class, so I'm very much a beginner.  I can however tell you that the classes are fantastic and many of the students are now coloring gorgeous images all with Ranger Distress Inks.  I am excited to be back in class and today was a nice way to practice.   I still have a LOT more to learn, but I am looking forward to pushing myself to make sure I spend some time every week on this wonderful coloring medium.    If you hare interested, you can find all the details on Angie's Classes, over at the  Color Me Creative Classroom - here!

    For this card, I totally started wrong and should have printed out my image on Watercolor Paper, but since I had it done, I colored it on Cryogen, which is my favorite for Copics.  Typically, when using any water based products you'll get a much better result with Watercolor paper!  It's the same for those who color with Prismacolor Pencils!

   My 'Smile' card is being submitted to each of the fun challenges -

• StampFairy Challenges - Challenge #20  - Recipe Challenge
• The Outlawz Challenge Group - POM Challenge - Anything Goes
• Scrapbook Sisters - Challenge #33 - Distress (I used Inks)

   My next two cards were both created with the same image and I did it purposely to show just how differently us an use one image with a variety of colors and designs to make two very different cards.  In both cases I used a new digi I picked up with DigiStamp Boutique, and this cutie is Lucy, who you can find in the store Here!  

    My first card was colored and inspired by this week's challenge over at The Pink Elephant and our challenge this week is a Color Challenge using these colors -

    This card was also designed and created to submit to all of these challenges -

• The Pink Elephant - Challenge # 98 - Color Combo (see above)
• Color Me Creative Classroom - Copic Challenge - Pastel Inspiration
• Stampavie & More - Challenge # 139  - Use Pearls
• DigiStamp Boutique - Customer Competition - April 2011
• The Paper Variety - Challenge #31  - Let's See Your Polka Dots
• iCopic Lover Challenge - Challenge #27 - Use Pastels and Copics
• Moxie Fab World - Trigger Tuesday - A Polka Dotted Hullablue

   And here is another sweet card, also featuring the adorable Lucy from DSB.  This card was colored for today's new Copic Coloring Challenge over at SSC, along with the other challenges outlined below.    Our challenge this week at SSC, is to color a project, leaving some 'White".  On my card I chose to make her little dress white and then also colored it in with Stickles in Star Dust, for the extra sparkle!

   This cards is being submitted to each of these fun challenges, and like the others, everyone is welcome to play along:

• DigiStamp Boutique - April Customer Competition
• SSC - Copic Coloring Challenge - Coloring White with Copics
• By the Cute & Girly - April Challenge - Cute & Girly

   And I think that will be it for today!  I am going to great ready to put dinner in the oven and will try and get to bed early.  I want to get up early and watch as much of the 'Royal Wedding' as I can LIVE.  Just in case I oversleep, I have already set up my DVR to record the Wedding.  I think it will be a joy to see and I wish William and Kate a lifetime of happiness!

   Have a wonderful night and as always -- Happy Crafting!!

Amy's Blog Candy!!!

  Would like you like to some fabulous Blog Candy?   Of course your would -- so please hop on over my friend Amy's Blog - Amy's Bobbles and take your chance at winning her very first Blog Candy.  She is celebrating reaching 100 fabulous followers and I'm very happy and proud to be one! 

  Be sure to check out her fabulous blog and also become a follower.  You'll LOVE her wonderful projects and she is one fabulous designer.  You can also take part in her weekly CAS Card Challenges over at 'The Outlawz' and have a great time with her and her teammates every Sunday!!

   Here is a little sneak peek of one of the goodies Amy has for one very lucky Winner!!  

  WOOHOO! 

    And while you are visiting, please be sure to become a follower and also check out all her fabulous work.  Here is just one of her latest cards, it's it gorgeous!   And be sure to check out the stunning butterfly card Here!!   I also highly recommend you stop Here to see a fabulous card set she created!   This is one super talented, very sweet gal---a wonderful Mom and Wife and someone I am very happy to call my Friend!!

   

   Love and Hugs Amy!

  Congratulations on reaching your first 100 Followers!  
Happy Crafting!!

.... Violets are blue....

....or at least they are on this card, which is my first card today and a card that I created for this week's challenge over at the SCACD Friends with Heart Challenge, which you can find here.   Our them for this use to use Flowers and the color Blue in our project, along with any stamp that is currently sold at Susana's Store.   I chose this wonderful new 'Violets' stamp, which I bought last week from SCACD.  It's part of the  I Brake for Stamps line and came be found in the stamp section Here.  I love violets and thought this would work out perfect for the challenge. 

    My 'Blue Violets' card is also being submitted to these new challenges and I invite you all to join in:

• Going Grey with Scrap Creations - April 26th Challenge # - Flowers
• SCACD - Friends with Heart - Challenge # 4 - Color Blue and Flowers

    My next card is a fun one that I made for a new color challenge over at SSC and this is a color combo challenge, which is always one of my favorites.    I also love this color combination and it's one that I really enjoy using.  Light Pink, Dark Pink, Gray and Black and all of these colors go so well together.

    I also have a wonderful set of digital papers from Shery K Designs, which you can find HERE!   These digital backgrounds worked out perfectly for this challenge and are also wonderful for paper-piecing.  I have bought several sets in the past couple of months and love them all!    Happy Shopping!! 

   This card was also created and inspired by these challenges and will be submitted to all --

• Simon Says Stamp -  'Anything Goes' - Happy 2nd Anniversary
• Claudia & Company - Challenge # 80 - Clean & Simple
• Party Time Tuesday - Challenge #13  - Anything Goes

    My next card was created for this week's Sketch Challenge over at 'The Outlawz' and I have included a copy of the sketch that Sandi designed for this week, follow by my card!   I actually broke out my 'Inchies' for this card and had fun using them again.   

  Sketch Inspiration

My Card

    My card was created with a Digi Image from 'A Day for Daisies'.  I colored the Flower Line image with my Copics and then used a MS Punch to punch out the 3 squares.  each was then mounted onto a Black Inchie and then layered onto a red border.   I then simply cut two additional strips of red cardstock to complete the card.  At first, I was thrown off by the sketch, but once I thought of the Inchie idea, it all worked out well.

   Next are two new cards I created this afternoon for a new challenge over at the Stars & Stamps Blog, which you can find HERE!   The Mid-Week Throwdown Challenge this week is to create some 'Any Hero' Cards and I used the wonderful HERO digital image from the OWH Site for both of my cards.  

   For these cards I also went to my collection of wonderful digital papers and picked out designs that were all in Black and White.  I printed out the sizes I wanted for each card, along two of the Hero Sentiments, all on white cardstock.  Once the sentiments were printed I used two Nestie dies to cut each one out and then edged each in Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  I then trimmed my papers to fit a standard A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and put together these cards.  I used three pieces on the first card and then for on the second card, I used two along with a piece of white ribbon.   This challenge is OPEN to all and everyone is always invited to create card for our Troops!  If you would like to join in, you can find all the details HERE at the home page on the Operation Write Home site!   

   I am also submitting my second HERO card to this week's challenge over at Cards for Men, where the challenge this week is to use 'Circles' !!   And also so this week's challenge at Blog-a-Doodle, where the theme is Masculine cards!  

  I hope I have inspired you to create some new cards and to enter them to any and all of these challenges!   I've had a fabulous day of crafting and look forward to see what new challenges I can start on tomorrow!!  Have a wonderful Wednesday and as always -- Happy Crafting!!

   

Three for Tuesday....

  It's another cloudy and drizzly day here and hopefully it's the last day!  We are hoping the SUN will return tomorrow and hopefully stick around for a few days.  If all goes well and it is nice and sunny, I am planning to do some planting tomorrow after I get home from my hair appointment! 

   Today was another fun day to create and I finished up three cards today -- all created for a variety of challenges.  My first card was created for today's new Color Combo (with a Twist) over at 'The Outlawz'.  Our colors for this week are as shown in the image below and the twist was to use some Argyle in our project.  I have to admit that I do NOT at ALL like the argyle pattern and never have?  Why?  Who knows, it's just not me, I guess!   I think it may have something to do with socks, because the first thought that aways come to mind when I think of Argyle is socks, and I hate socks!  They make my feet to hot and I just have never liked them.    I'm a Flip Flop girl and they are my all time favorite shoes.  I wear them year round in the house and pretty much as long as I can in the Fall/Winter.  I started wearing them this year (about a month ago), and ther is no going to back until late Fall.   The only shoes I can seem to even tolerate are clogs and I even wear those ugly Crocs -- simply because they are so soft and comfy, like walking on marshmallows.   For me it's ALL about comfort, I haven't worn heels in years and even when I did, I would suffer with back pain, so ultimately it was not every often.   I've already bought four new pairs of Flip Flops for the Summer and I always try to by some with arch support to keep my back happy!   I like Reef's and bought this cute pair, last month and this is what I am wearing right now!! 

  These are soooo comfy and even though it's hard to see in the image, they have a nice support, which makes my doctor and chiropractor very happy!   Not to mention, but lovely purple in this pair!!   I used to wear any kind or style of flip flops, not a good idea, especially if you have any kind of back or hip pain...it will ONLY make it worse, and I foolishly did that too many times!!   Now, I am much more careful and don't want to take any chance of throwing out a hip or my back.   No thank you!

  Okay..so enough about my Flip Flops and aversion to Argyle...I was still very happy to join the challenge and I'm back on track here to share today's inspiratoin image, along with my card.  This is the image that Rox chose for us this week -- and the colors are those shown in the image - Magenta, Celery Green and Pale Yellow!  Plus - Don't forget to use Argyle as your TWIST  --!
  

  NOTE:  The image was removed from the site, so my link was broken!  BUMMER!!

  And this is the card that I created.  I was pretty sure that I did not have any argyle paper in my stash and was happy to find that I still had a Cuttlebug folder with the argyle pattern, which is what I used on my card background.  It was still in the original plastic and had not been used -- until today!  I'm glad now that I kept it as it was just what I needed for my card!   

    My next two card were both created for challenges being hosted over a StampNation, which is a wonderful Stamp group created by Catherine Pooler.  If you like Stampin' Up and love to work with their projects, this group is one I think you'll love.   You can find ALL the details on joining the group HERE!

     My first card was inspired by a new video Catherine had shared with us to 'Build A Cupcake' Card.   It was a really fun card to create, although I admit, it took me two tries to get it right!   The first card I created in darker colors and the flowers I had originally used, just did not look right.  Today, I started over and this card was created in bright Sunny colors using the Sunny Garden DSP from Stampin' Up.  I also used my Mother's Day Bouquet Cricut Cartridge to cut the mini flowers that were used to make the top of the Cupcake.  The bottom was created with the same paper and then run through my paper crimper to give it the look of a cupcake wrapper.   The card was finished off by used a Gold Viva Decor Pearl Pen to add gold dots to the center of each flower and a simple computer generated Happy Birthday Sentiment!  How cute is that!! 

  My last card today was also created for another challenge also hosted over at StampNation and this too, was another Color Combo Challenge.    The colors for this challenge were these -- 

  And this is the card that I created, which uses colors that are very close.  I do not own all the SU colors, so I pick out what I have on hand to come close.  I am slowing working to build my Stampin' Up Collection and do love their products.    I have three friends who are ALL now Stampin' Up Demonstrators, so if you need one, please let me know and I'll be happy to give you some great people to shop with!! 

   My card also features a Cone-flower digi from Wax Fruit Company that I paper-pieced in a pale lemon polka dotted paper to match with the color them.  I also color the rest of the image with my Copics and used some Scattered Straw Distress Ink for my yellow shade.  The Top Note die is from Stampin' Up and has always been a favorite.

   And that is it for today!  I'm now wiped out, but did have a nice day and was very happy to finish these three cards!  Any day that I can create, is a wonderful day for me!!

I won another Challenge!!!

   Woohoo!!   Special thanks to my friend, Brenda, who was kind enough to leave me a post to let me know I won a challenge over at the Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge Blog!   This is a copy of the card I submitted to the challenge and I was even MORE thrilled, because it's one of my new CAS cards!   I have slowly been learning to create them, with special thanks to the CAS Girlz over at The Outlawz!!   WOOHOO!!

    This card was actually inspired by a CAS Challenge at 'The Outlawz', and I again want to thank everyone who has been helping me to learn to create these fun new CAS Cards!!   A special shout out to three dear friends - Amy, Mo and Pryn!  You girls have been inspiring me for well over a year now and it's been a joy to know each of you and to learn from you all!   Each of you are very special to me and are truly wonderful and sweet friends!   Hugs to you ALL!!!

     And speaking of 'The Outlawz' I am here now to show you my latest card, which was created today for the new Greeting Card Challenge, which you'll find here!!   I started by coloring up this sweet little 'Spoonful' digi with my Copics and then began to look for a card idea?   With my MOJO currently MIA, I decided to look for a sketch to use for my card design and  I headed over to the OWH Stars and Stamps blog to check out some of their wonderful Sketches, which you can find HERE!!

 This is a copy of the Sketch #30, that I used as the inspiraiton for my card!

My Card

  I am submitted my little 'Friend to Friend' Friendship card to each of these challenges!  I invited you all to join as they each one is open to ALL!!

• The Outlawz - Greeting Card Challenge - Anything Goes
• The Crafty Challenge - #64 - Use at least Three Papers
• Paper Playtime - Challenge # 44 - Something for a Friend
• Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central - Anything Goes

  And now I am off to work on another project !  I hope I have inspired you all to create some new cards and to also take part in all of these fun challenges!

  Have a great day and Happy Crafting!!

Sunshine....

    Wow!   What a fabulous morning we had today!   The sun was shining brightly and the temps are warm and comfy, the prefect weather for anyone who was planning to celebrate Easter outside and I'm sure there were some fun egg hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny.

      Other than making some goodie bags for my guys and some cards that I mailed out, we are not really doing anything special for Easter.   I've actually spent most of the day in my craft room and it's been wonderful to have the windows opens and the fresh air pouring in.   It's now after 4pm and is pretty cloudy, but it's still very mild.

       I seem to be losing a bit of my MOJO again, but that has not stopped me for 'trying' to create some fun new cards.  I started by coloring up some new images, all the new stamps that I bought at SCACD.  I was really exited to color my first new 'Peeker', but I have to admit, it did not come out as well as I would have liked.   This is my very first Peeker card and it features Hey Birdie Peeker, who can can also see HERE!

    
    I think the next time, instead of using Distress inks for my background, I will plan to use my Copic ABS.  The distress inks are easy, but the colors ended up being a bit to dark and was really not the look I had hoped for.  If you would like to see some of these adorable Peekers, colored to perfection, please hop on over to the Follow your Heart Blog and check out how fabulous Susana's Design Team has colored them!   WOW!!   I have not mastered my coloring skills to level, but I am a work in progress and I'm still enjoying every minute I color.   These gals are all very talented and have amazing artistic skills!

     My next card was a very simple card and this one was created based on today's Sketch over at the Stars & Stamps Blog for Operation Write Home.   Here is a copy of our sketch for this week:

Sketch # 66

My Card

  And my next few cards were new cards I created for the CAS Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'.    I decided to re-work the card I made yesterday and made these new cards instead, based on the feedback the Girlz on the DT provide!  Thanks Girls!

 CAS Challenge Sketch 

My Original Card

Revised Cards

My Favorite!!

   I'm off now to clean up my room and Hubby just lit the grill and will be grilling our dinner very soon!   We opted to skip the big Easter Dinner and to take advantage of the nice warm weather to break out the grill!   It's been a long time since we have been able to cook outside and I'm excited that we finally the the daylight and warm weather to do it.  This will be our first grilled dinner of the season!   Yummy!!

Treats, Tags and Peekers....

   Believe it or not, it's rainy and cool here again and what's worse is that some areas, out west, actually had some snow this morning!!  Yuk!  I guess when you think about it, I'll take the rain any day over snow, especially in late April.   On the upside, the long term weather sounds like we may finally get some nice Spring weather coming in next week.....!   Woohoo  -- Wish me luck as we need some SUN!!

    Today, I'm moving kind of slow, I tend to hurt more when it's damp and cold.   Even so, I'm not feeling too bad and very happy I can create.   I started this morning by packing up some Easter Treat bags for my family and I made some cute little tags for my bags with one of the adorable Clementine Bunnies, from StampFairy.  For these tags, I used to color techniques - Paper Piecing and Copic Coloring.  Here is a picture of my favorite one, which done in Pink and is for Alex's girlfriend, Acacia.   It's nice to have a girl around the house and fun to actually be able to use pink and purple! 

 
  My second image shows three of the bags I have completed.  The pink is in the middle and the two blue bunnies were created for Brian and Alex's bags.  Hubby has a green bunny, and his is hiding behind.

   I am submitted these little tags to the follow challenges and encourage you to join in on the fun!

• StampFairy Challenge - Challenge # 19 - For the Girls
• SSC - Copic Coloring Challenge - Spring Themed  (2) or more cards/place cards
• Elephantastic Challenges - # 25 Anything but a Square or Rectangle
• Two Sisters Challenge Blog - # 36 - Inspirational Image (Bunny) 

      I also have one new card to share today and this one was created for the new CAS Challenge that was posted today over at 'The Outlawz'.   With tomorrow being Easter Sunday, the Girlz posted the challenge early for anyone to get a head start.  This week it's a Sketch based challenge and this is a copy of the sketch I copied over from TOL.

Sketch from TOL

 My Card

   My card was very fun and easy to create, but did not turn out nearly like I had hoped.   I am posting it and also posting it at The Outlawz, but I'm asking for your HELP?  What can I do or change to make this better?  I have lots of the same paper (Cottage Wall) from SU, which is one of my favorites, so I can easily do something again.  I do have to stick to the sketch, but I'm curious to see what you would do!!   I appreciate any help/hints!!   

   In the meantime, I received a wonderful package in the mail today!  It was an order I had placed at SCACD - Susana's Custom Art and Card Design and now I am the proud new owner of some of the hottest new Exclusive Stamps from her store.  I have three of the adorable "Peekers" and can't wait to color them up.  I was so excited when my package arrived and that will be my next project.   If you have not had a chance to see these adorable stamps, I am enclosed a little sneak peek image.  You can also find the entire collection created by Elisabeth Bell, long with some wonderful inspiration form the DT at the store HERE or over on the DT Blog HERE!

 
   Aren't they cute.....?   As I said, they are super popular and every time I see a card created with one, I just smile.  I am a big fan of SCACD and also have enjoyed taking part in the brand new challenges at the SCACD Friends with Heart Challenge Blog.   I have slowly been adding to my collection of Susana's exclusive stamps so that I play in every challenge!    I also love to shop with Susana, she's awesome and she carries the best goodies and also is the faster shipper, I know.  Not to mention, who doesn't love the sweet little thank you she includes with every order.   I know I sure do and it's always a joy to find that extra wonderful surprise!    I highly recommend you visit her store and also the blogs!  I think you'll be very happy and I know you'll love these little Peekers for sure!

Susana's Custom Art & Card Design

       

SCACD Friends With Heart
Challenge Blog

   That's it for now!  I am off to color my very first 'Peeker' and hope to have a card to post sometime tomorrow!    In the meantime, I also want to wish everyone a nice weekend and very Happy Easter.

I Love Purple Peeps? Do you?

    Today is another pretty good day, not that we are having great weather, but I was able to sleep in and woke up feeling pretty good.   Hubby is home today and doing some work on my car to get it ready for the annual State Inspection Sticker, which is one task I love handing over to him.

    And me?   I'm working on some cards and basically relaxing and spending a peaceful day in my craftroom.  Tomorrow, I will venture out to pick up a few little goodies to finish up the treat bags I am making up for my guys as a little Easter gift.  Now that my boys are grown the Easter Bunny not longer makes a stop here, but I still like them each to have a little treat, so I make up my own little goodies bags.  I already bought some yummy treats and will pick up a few more while I'm out tomorrow.   We all tend to like different types of candy, so I make them all a bit different.   In our family, I am the only one who LOVE Peeps, so hubby or one of the boys will generally buy me a package.  Not that I need a whole package, but I do love them and this is the only time of year you can find my favorites, which are the Purple Bunnies!!!  Yummy!

    How about you?  Do you have a favorite Easter Treat?   Growing up I always was very excited to find Peeps in my Easter Basket, but I do remember they were only in yellow back then.   How about you, do you like Peeps?   If so, what color or style do you like?  Post a comment and tell me!

    Okay....moving one, before I really start craving Peep, I have three new cards to share today.   The first card was created for some new challenges and is fun little card that reminds me of Spring and Summer.  It features one of my favorite Bears (Lenny) from StampFairy and in this card, he's all decked out as an adorable Lady Bug.  

    My Lenny Lady Bug card was created and inspired to these challenges!   I hope you all join in and play along:

• The Outlawz Group - Copic/Promarker Challenge - Anything Goes
• Craft Us Crazy - Challenge # 6 - Animals or Thinking of You
• Cute Card Thursday - Challenge # 161 - No Text
• Ladybug Crafts - Challenge # 24 - Anything Goes

   My second card today features another wonderful digi image and this one is from 'Wax Fruit Company' and features a gorgeous Cherry Blossom.  I have created other cards with this and used the same again today, only this time, I paper-pieced the flowers for this week's CAS Challenge over at SSC.

     Paper-piecing is fast becoming one of my favorite techniques.  I especially love to use it for outfits on character images and backgrounds for other projects.   For this image is the flowers and stems have been paper-pieced and the rest of the image was colored with Copics.  I used a Stampin' Up top note die to create a background frame for my image and used my Grand Calibur to cute this shaped card.   This card is also being submitted to these new challenges:

• The Paper Shelter - Challenge # 10 - Inspired by Nature
• SSC - CAS Challenge - Paper-Piecing
• Claudia & Company - Challenge #80 - Clean and Simple
• Digi Design House - Challenge # 4 - Paper Piecing

     And next I have a new card to share that was created for more fun challenges and was inspired by this week's Challenge over at  By Lori Designs!    This is a copy of this week's color inspiration image and I thought it was very pretty and fit in very well with Spring and Easter.

Challenge #14

My Card

  I chose to use little 'Ella' for my card.  She is one of Lori's Lollipops and you can find her along with several other sweet friends HERE in Lori's store.  She is one of my original Lollipop images and one I really love to color.    My little Ella card is also being submitted to these challenges:

• By Lori Designs - Color Challenge - Inspiration Image
• Craft Your Passion - Challenge # 54- Use Dots
• The Crazy Challenge - Challenge # 63 - Friendship

   And now I am off to rest a bit and scope out some new challenges!  If you have any you would like to suggest, please leave me a comment and I'll be sure to check them out!   In the meantime, I also want to wish all those who celebrate a very nice Good Friday and a Wonderful Easter.