Fabulous and FUN!!!!

    Today is turning out to be a really good day!  My mojo seems to be back, I slept pretty well, the sun is shining brightly and it's a beautiful blue sky day.   I love these days...lots of sun, but not overly hot and no humidity.  It's also a day where you can leave all the windows open and enjoy the nice dry air!!

    I also have been very productive and on top of spending some time outside this morning, I have a few new cards to share with you all, starting the two cards I re-vamped after being disappointed with them yesterday.  Both are cards that will be going out to OWH and both were inspired by yesterday's Sketch - which I have copied over to share.  This is Sketch # 72 and this week the group is looking for cards that say Hello, Thinking of You etc.  You can find all the details over at the Stars and Stamps Blog HERE!!

My Cards

   When I first made this card I had only one layer and did not have any Ribbon and my sentiments were not layered -- they were just too boring.   Now, they are still casual, but have a little more dimension and fit a CAS Style.

     My next two cards feature some of my latest digis that I bought this weekend from Lori Boyd.  I totally adore her wonderful digi images and thought the June set would be really fun for Summer cards.   If you would like to add some really cute Summer digis, head on over to her store HERE and check out the June Release.   I has such a hard time trying to decide which to buy, that I ended up buying the whole set!!   This is the picture of the entire set --

   Aren't they all adorable and for me it was perfect timing, because the very first challenge card I worked on today, was the new Summer Theme - Card Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'.  

  And here is the card that I created to submit to the challenge featuring Summer Time Hadley who you'll find HERE.

   My Summer Fun card is being submitted to these fun and summer inspired challenges:

• The Outlawz Group - SUMMER PARTY Week - Greeting Card Challenge
• The Corrosive Challenge Blog - # 119 - Fun Summer Colors
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Playing in the Summer Sun
• Fairy Fun Fridays - Challenge # 54 - Summertime Fun

   Sweet little Hadley was colored with my Copics and for this card she was printed onto Cryogen White cardstock, which is my favorite and is now being sold at iCopic, my favorite stores for Copic Supplies and so much more.  And speaking of iCopic, I was the lucky winner of one of their Color Challenges and my prize arrived today!  I am now very happy and excited to be one of the first to the own new 'Copic Coloring Guide' which is a fantastic new book by Colleen Schaan and Marianne Walker.   I first met Colleen about two years ago and took my very first Copic Coloring class from her.  I think she is an amazing artist and I have always admired her wonderful talent.   As soon as I learned she was working on this book, I knew right away that I would be adding it to my collection, when it was released.  I had it in my cart and iCopic at the time I won it, but would have happily bought it too!   Even though I have only had it a matter of hours, I'm very pleased with all the details and the wonderful color illustrations.   I think it will be well-liked by all and is would also be a great gift for any card-maker!   I also own Marianne's book and both are currently in stock and available from iCopic.  My thanks to Ashley for shipping my book so quickly!!  

  And speaking of the iCopic Weekly Challenge, my second card today was created and inspired by this week's new challenge which you'll find o the Challenge blog HERE!   It's Challenge # 33 and the challenge this week is to color Brunette/Brown Hair  and I've done that on this card.   I am also featuring another of my new images By Lori Designs and this one is Summer Time Gidget.

    This cutie was also colored with Copics on Cryogen Cardstock.  I then cut out the image with a Nestic Die and edged the background with Distress Ink in Spun Sugar.  I used a variety of cardstocks, glitter and shimmer paper to create a fun background and put it all together on a deep purple card base.  It was a fun happy card to make and definitely makes me think of Summer!   

    This card is being submitted to these new challenges and everyone is welcome to join in:

• iCopic Color Challenge - Challenge # 33 - Coloring Brunette Hair
• Card Cupids Challenge Blog - More than Three Layers*
• Creative Card Girls - Summertime Fun

     I was very excited when I headed to Card Cupids and saw that Kristy of Some Odd Gal

   is the sponsor of the new challenge.  Kristy is also the creator of my wonderful new Chibi and if you have not seen her yet, this is my Chibi (also know as a mini me). 

   I know a few people have asked me how to find out about getting one done and I can tell you that Kristy is the gal you want to contact.  She has a new page on her blog called Chibi Chicks that has more information and details on how you can have her create a Chibi for YOU!   I really think she did a fabulous job and all of the Chibi's I have seen really do like the people they represent.   Feel free to tell her that Lisa (ThePurplePlace) sent you and that you saw her work on my blog!  I'm very happy to recommend her!!

  And that's it for now!  I am off to work on a new project and this one will actually involve using my Cricut Expression.  A tool that I do NOT use NEARLY as much as I should.  Oh ya.... and did I tell you that I am now one of the Beta Testers for Provo Craft's new Software?   Yes, indeed I have been invited to test drive their new 'Cricut Craftroom' software, which is a really cool and updated online version of Design Studio.  I've only had it a few days, but so far, it's really awesome!   If you have not heard about it yet, hop on over to the Provo Cricut Website  and look under the Cricut Craftroom and you can see some screen shots etc.   I can't wait for it it come out and be available for ALL.    The best part is that I'm told is will be FREE.....Yes!  it will be FREE for everyone!!  If you are interested in being a tester that is also where you can sign up as they are adding new people each week!!