Friendship = Happiness!!

  Today, I'm not feeling quite right, but I did want to share some of the cards that I have created for some fun challenges yesterday.  I'm hoping, I will feel better soon, so I can work on some new cards today too!   A day without cards, is like a day without Sunshine for me!  No fun!!!  On the upside,  I had a wonderful week in my A Cut Above class and look forward to being back in class tomorrow too.

    Yesterday, I had a fun day creating some new cards and also played along in another 90 Minute Scramble at the Hero Arts Flickr Group.   Lucille hosted this scramble, which was really fun.  Our theme and challenge was to create a project/card that features flowers and also had a least one element "over the edge" of our project.  If you are a member of the group - you can go HERE and see the wonderful cards she created, as well as those created by those who played along.

   This is the first card that I created and I used a of the new things I have learned in class to make my card.  I cut my flowers on my Cameo and also used a new Embossing folder for the background of my card.  The pattered papers are all from Memory Box and worked out to make really pretty flowers.  My little butterfly was punched from more contrasting Memory Box paper using a MS Punch.  The blue card base, my sentiment and the little pearls are also from Hero Arts.

     That card went together so quickly, that I even had time to make a second card.  This is why I really LOVE my Cameo.  It's so easy for me to use now and I love that I can use to to quickly cut an add new elements to my cards.  For this one I decided to make a circle shaped card and did that by using a Large Circle Nestie.  I cut a second layer the same and one two sizes smaller from my favorite "Viola" paper, also from Memory Box.  I grabbed to scraps from my scrap bin and cut the flourish and butterfly on my Cameo.  I then cut a scalloped circle in white and added that between the layer.  I stamped my Thank You sentiment in Lilac Shadow Ink and punched it out with a SU Punch.  My last touch was to add a bow and as you can tell, at this point I was rushing, as my bow and sentiment are both crooked in the photo.   Luckily, I did get the picture done and uploaded in time!

      All of the cards that were created are fabulous!   I'd like to thank Lucille for hosting the Scramble and also say Congratulations to both of the winners - Cat and Bethany.   A second thank to Arlene and Marcy who encouraged me to submit the first card and my next card to the current embossing challenge over at Die Cut Divas, which is another fun group that hosts challenge over at Flickr!   Thanks Girls!!!

        My next card was created earlier in the day and it was inspired by three new challenges that I had been wanting to play in.  It's another card where I took a lot of the fun new tips and hints from class and put them all together to make this fun Spring/Flower card.  As you can see I totally LOVE the 'Viola' papers and used it again on this card for my flower (cut with my Cameo) and also to frame my Sentiment.  My card background was created using a Faux letterpress technique that I really love.  For this one, I used a new floral embossing folder and Soft Lilac Shadow Ink by Hero Arts.   I've found that the Shadow Inks works the very best for this technique.  They are all soft subtle colors and when the inks dry they always even out perfectly.

  This card is being submitted to each of these challenges, which are open to all:

• Through the Craftroom Door - Challenge # 24 - Your Favorite Technique
• Die Cut Divas Group - April Challenge - Embossing
• The Outlawz Group - Paper a La Mode  - Use a Die/Any Die

    And now I'm off to work on some new cards for my favorite Sunday Challenges!   The Sketch Challenge over at Operation Write Home's - Stars and Stamps Blog and also this week's 'Clean and Simple' Challenge at The Outlawz!

      Afternoon Update:   I finished up three more cards and all three were actually very easy to create, but I also feel like all three are 'missing' something, so after my inital post, I revised the cards and I now have both versions here to share for each!!    The first two are both cards for OWH and were inspired and created using today's new Sketch # 119, as shown below - 

Sketch # 119

My Sketch Inspired Cards
Miss Card - Take One

Miss You Card - Revised

Hero - Take One

  Hero Card - Revised

    I am much happier with the revised version and will now go back and see what I can do with the card below, that I also was not overly happy with!   I'm glad I went back, as I think it make a nice different!!  Phew!

    And last by not least, is my final card of the day which was created for this week's CAS Challenge at The Outlawz.  Our challenge today is to use some item from you home/household and incorporate it into your card.  What I found was some gold foil paper that had been inside a gift box.  I cut it down to card size and then ran it through my Cuttlebug to add a design and texture.   I tied on a matching bow to create this card, which I also think needs more?   I guess it's time for a little rest, as my Mojo seems to be missing this afternoon.

And now -- the Revised Card!!

I also think taking the photos on a 

different background, helped too!

  For this card I ended up removing the ribbon (it was a bit too pink), and then added the gold pearl bling and a simple matching flower in the center!!  Overall, I'm happy I took the time to re-work all the cards!!   Now, I'm beat and one for the day.  I will be looking forward to being back in 'school' tomorrow and can't wait to see what we learn next!  :)

 Wishing you all a great afternoon and a wonderful end to your weekend!!    As always -- Happy Crafting!!

What a wonderful surprise....

   I was so happy and very excited to find out last evening that a card I had created was featured this week over a "A Blog Named Hero".   It was a new window card that had been inspired and created while taking the A Cut Above Class and was the one that I submitted to their Window Card Challenge earlier this week.   On top of that I had an email earlier in the day, telling me that I one was the winners of a random prize drawings they had held in honor of opening the new blog!!   Yippee!!

    My thanks to Mary Dawn and Linda for choosing this card as one that will win a "Heroine Badge".   As soon as I have my badge, I'll be adding it to my side bar.   I also wanted to say thanks to all the girls over at Hero's Flickr group for the sweet comments!   This is the card that I had submitted -- it was a fun card to create and all the inspiration came my class and the Window card Challenge!!

 
    Today, I'm back in class and we are now working on the Silhouette Cameo portions, which has been awesome.   Much of today's class focused on all the optional types of materials you can cut in this awesome machine.   Jennifer shared two super cute  fabric projects, Nichol also shared a super cute project that was created with vinyl and Kristina showed us to to do glass etching, all of which are brand new to me.  I did but a vinyl kit shortly after I bought my machine, but I have not even opened it.  You can be sure that I will now, especially since I know there are so many fun new things I can do with it!!

    On top of the great projects, each of the videos also teach us new ways to manipulate images and different ways to use many of the features and menus that are part of the Silhouette Studio program.   I really love it and I'm finding it easier to use each and every day.   By the way, if you are considering buying a Cameo, you can download and try the Silhouette Studio Software for FREE!   Simply go HERE and try it out!   That was something I have done before I bought the machine, it's also a wonderful way to see all the fabulous shapes you can buy and download form the Silhouette online store!!

     After today's class, I created two new cards, both of which were inspired by class and the new things I have learned how to do.  My first card was created for fun and includes another way of using the wonderful sentiment images that were given to each of us from Ali Edwards.   The Thank You sentiment, along with the butterflies and the shaped mat on my card were all cut on my Cameo!   Once I had the elements all cut,  I simply picked out more matching paper (from Memory Box), a green Hero Hues card base and some white Hero Arts Pearls - which I put all together to make this nice little Thank You card!!

   I also created a second Thank you card with some of my left over pieces.  For this card, I cut a new mat on my Cameo and ran it through my Cuttlebug in a brand new M-Bossibilitie folder which I had bought earlier this week, after seeing them used in class for the very first time.   These are new and are double sided embossing folders created by Spellbinder!!   I used the Garden Delight folder to emboss this card, which was created for today's new "Embossing" challenge over at Crafting By Designs.

  And that is my last card today.   I'm getting ready to have dinner and then I'm going to clean up my craft room for a whole new day tomorrow!    For anyone who loves Hero Arts, like I do -- they are hosting a new 90 Minute Scramble tomorrow over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group - starting at 2PM EDT!   I am excited to take part and always enjoy the scrambles.    I'll also be looking forward to tomorrow's Paper a la Mode Challenge at The Outlawz, as that too, is a favorite!!  Hope you all have a fabulous night and a wonderful weekend!!

I Love School....

....Yes, it's true, I have always been one of those people who enjoyed school.   I never complained to my parents, went every day and always was a pretty good student.    Of course, it's been years since I have been in any formal type of school, but I have quickly learned in the past year, just how much I love taking craft-related classes and this is another week I'm loving my latest class.

    As you probably know, I'm currently taking the A Cut Above class, with Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner and Nichol Magouirk and it's fabulous.   We have now completed the first section of the class which was all about die-cutting and embossing - it was awesome.   I learned so many cool new tips and hints and will continue to be inspired to create new designs with all that I have learned.   And if that was not enough, yesterday was Day One in the second portion of the class, which is all about using a Silhouette Electronic Die Cut Machine, namely the SD or Cameo.  I own the Cameo, which is the newest version and to me is by far, the best electronic die cut machine I have ever used!  I LOVE it!!

      I knew as soon as this class was announced that it would be awesome and another great way to me to learn even more about what I can do with my Cameo.  I've been really excited about this part of this class and can already tell you, it ROCKS!!   Today, I'm excited to share some of my newest cards, all created and inspired in one way or another from the class.

      Let's start with this adorable "Hugs" card, which is one I 'cased' by following along with a fabulous Video that Kristina shared in class yesterday.  Note:  A special Thank You to Ali Edwards to created and gave us a wonderful selection of sentiment boxes, including this Hugs one - which has always been my favorite Sentiment.  This card was so fun to make and it's very easy when you have the right teachers and tools and you can follow along step by step.   I know I will make more like this and I think they will be awesome card to create for Operation Write Home.

    My second card is another one I created yesterday and this one was inspired by a card that Lisa Dickinson (A class Guest Designer), had created and shared with us.    I started by taking a Butterfly image, (by Jenni Bowen) that I had previously purchased at the Silhouette Store.   To make it an easy cut, I edit the shape and deleted all the details and kept only the outline and cut out three.  Two with Hero Arts Patterned papers and one in blue, with I then embossed in my Cuttlebug!  I then cut my "smile" sentiment (also from the Silhouette Store) and a large black circle frame to use as a mat for my card.   After I accidentally cut off my butterflies antennas (oops), I decided to re-created them using black twine.  I then used a black Pearl Pen to create the body and glue the twine under the bottom.  I put it all together and had this fun little card!

   And while I still had my machine out,  I cut out a few more circles to use for my next card, which was created for this week's Sketch Challenge over at The Outlawz.

    

    

     Today's class is also starting out wonderful and I have one new card to share that was totally inspired by a card that Nichol created to teach us new ways to 'group and ungroup' shapes and elements of designs from the store.    The design is all hers, but I wanted to try all the steps, so I have pretty much re-created the card she designed, only I used different colors and cardstock.   I give Nichol ALL the credit and actually prefer the wonderful colors and papers she used for her card.     

  This next card was one I made up with a variety of shapes that I had in my Silhouette Library.   It was inspired by another video in class today, where our challenge was to take some random shape or image and turn it into a card.   I  chose this set of shapes that I had purchased when I first bought my Cameo.  It's a combination of a circle, a some smaller circles, a scalloped circle and a heart.  I broke apart the image and then created a second large circle that I then welded together to make my card base.  I then cut the other elements in a variety of Basic Grey papers.  I put them all together to make this very easy and fun little circle-shape card!

  This card is being submitted to the "Anything Goes" challenge being hosted this week at Simon Says Stamp, which also happens to be one of my favorite places to shop!!

  Now, I am heading back to class again to watch more of today's videos!   I just LOVE having them to look at time and time again.   Another bonus for me is being able to watch them on my iPad, which I keep on my craft desk while I'm working on a project.  That way, if I have a question or want to see something again, I can quickly view the video or the website that has what I need!   Oh and speaking of videos,  Jennifer made the most adorable little card today and I wish I could share it with you, but  I can't -- !   I guess you'll need to take the class to see it and it's very sweet!    I loved her idea and I'm sure I'll use it as inspiration for another card soon!    I sure WISH I had the wonderful talent that each of these gals to to come up with their fabulous designs.   They make everything look soooo easy and the cards are ALL awesome!     It's a JOY to be a part of each of these classes and like I said at the beginning - I Love School!

Oh Happy Day!!!

...and seeing the sun shining again is a joy, especially after having two very dreary days of wind and rain.   I am thankful for the much needed rain, but boy is it chilly again!   Our Spring started out with Summery weather and seems to have gone downhill ever since.  The temps all this week will only be in the 50's and 60's and after those wonderful 70's and 80's, it's a bummer to have heat back on and all the windows closed.

   On the happy side of things, it's been perfect for me since I've been spending so much time in my craft room. I'm totally enjoying working on new cards and loving the wonderful 'A Cut Above' class.   All of the cards I'm sharing today were inspired by some of the new hints and tips I have learned in class.

   Our focus this week has shifted from die-cutting to embossing and working putting both of those together to make so fun cards.  I really LOVE the look of embossing and have a wonderful selection of embossing folders, or so I thought until I saw some of the newest things in class.   Have you seen the new M-bossibilities by Spellbinder's?  Well I had not, but I can tell you know that I fell in LOVE with them and have already ordered some new ones for my collection.   They are double-sided embossing folders and each side has it's own unique design -- I shopped around a bit and found them at ScrapMart for great prices, ordered yesterday and my order shipping the same day!  Now that is some fabulous service and a reason I love to shop there for many of my die cut products!!   Another awesome new product I learned about are these new Diffuser Folders by Sizzix and those too are now on their way to me!  :)

    My first card today was one I finished up late on Sunday and it's one where I used the Sizzix/Hero Arts - combo die/stamp sets, aka Framelits.   The set I used is called, Playful Flowers and Butterflies,  and you can see them on Hero's site HERE!

    As you can see I also used a variety of circle shaped die-cuts for a mat for my flower, which I colored with my Copic and then coated in 3D Crystal Accents.    I used a white Gel Pen to add a dash line around my sentiment, something I often see in Kristina's Werner's cards, but my came out very un-even -- Kristina has this down, I do not!   This card was submitted to this Week's Button Challenge over at "Crafting By Designs".  

  My next card was created for this week's Greeting Card Challenge at The Outlawz, where the theme was to create a card inspired by Music or a Song.   At first, I felt a bit stumped, so I pulled up my iTunes Library and randomly let it pick a song, which ended up being a fun and happy song, that is from Toy Story, by Randy Newman.  I think everyone knows it and if you know, you can listen to it on this You Tube video - it's sure to make you SMILE!!

  The background on this card was created using a fun and easy 'faux letterpress' technique that I learned from Jennifer McGuire.  For my ink I used the Soft Pool Shadow Ink by Hero arts and one of my newest Sizzix embossing folders.  The oval die cut, behind my sweet little digi Image (by Lori Boyd), was also embossed in a different design.  I colored my (Penny) image with my Copics and used my computer to create the sentiment.   

   My next card was created using my Silhouette Cameo and it's my own design, which I made up using various shapes I have purchased from the Silhouette Store.  I cute several sizes onto one large sheet of Bo Bunny Cardstock and then layered them all together, along with a white doily and some flowers to create this fun new card, which I have submitted to the current "Flower" Challenge over at Lily Pad.

     I also created another flower and faux letterpress inspired card and this too was one that I had a lot of fun putting together!   I also used two different embossed folders on this card, one for the top banner and a second one to create the faux letterpress look for my background.   The flower was created with variety of dies and I topped it off with a few little pieces of bling!!

   And that brings me to my last card today, which is one I created this morning and also featured another sweet little digi image that was created by Hannah Boyd - Lori's talented daughter.  This is little Marcie, one of the newest little Bug & Roo images that you can find in the store HERE!!  

   This card was also inspired by a sketch challenge at BLD and also by this week's Paper a la Mode Challenge at The Outlawz.  The theme this week there is to create a project the inspires Happiness and also have the word HAPPY, somewhere on your project.  

   I am heading back to class to watch the video's again and make some more cards.   I'm also thinking about what fun and bright card I can make with this new Color Combo Challenge, at The Outlawz!   Check this out -- Very vibrant colors - looks like it's going to be FUN!!!

 
  Afternoon Update:  I had so much fun with the colors that I actually made two different cards?   Now I want to know, which one you like best?  

Card One

Card Two

   Come on over and join us!   This wonderful challenge group is open to ALL and they offer a new challenge every day, with lots of awesome inspiration, fun and prizes!!   

Soggy Sunday.....

....and a miserable weather day here, with lots of dampness and clouds and a forecast of heavy rains and wind!  YUK!!  Not my kind of weather, but I know we need the rain badly, so I'm trying to focus on the upside.  It's also one of those days that I can also spend lots of time in my craftroom and not feel like I'm missing something by not being outside...!!  I'm very happy and content staying in today and having a lot of fun being creative!

     I have a few new cards to share and both of these were inspired by a variety of new challenges and also by the die-cut class I've been loving.   I have been trying to use my die-cut in different ways to make some different style cards.

    My first card today was one that was inspired by two different challenge, the first challenge was a new Monochromatic Challenge being hosted at Crafting by Designs.   I also incorporated that inspiration along with today's new Sketch Challenge over at OWH's Star and Stamps Blog.    This is a copy of this sketch that I used in my card design --

Sketch #118

My Card

   

Cardstock -  Stampin' UP, Basic Grey-Oliver and

Tim Holtz - Kraft-core Nostalgic Collection

Sentiment - Digi Sentiment - Rainbow Echo Designs

Bling by Hero Arts

Spellbinder - Circle and Scalloped Circle Dies

Black Hero Arts Ink

   My second card was also inspired by my Die Cut class, as well as today's new CAS Challenge over at The Outlawz Challenge Group.   This week is Anything Goes, which is always fun and I had a lot of fun creating this card.

      

    I started by using the left over "negative" space (now a window), that was left in the olive green cardstock after cutting out the scalloped circle for the card above.   I then simply adhered some patterned paper behind the cut-out and created a border with two circle Nestie Dies in another contrasting cardstock.   Next, I added some mini burgundy flowers from my stash and added them to the center, and tied that in, by added the burgundy and white polka dot papers, all from the same Basic Grey Oliver Paper Set.

   As you can see I'm still playing around with some fun new photo editing software, which I am really having fun with.  Its' called PicMonkey and is totally FREE and super easy to use.  Not only is it free and easy, but it has loads of wonderful features and I used one of the frame features on the card photo above.

  This is my card before I made those edit and added my watermark -- all those changes were easily done in PicMonkey.   If you are one of those who had used Picnik and are now looking for a replacement, I really think you'll enjoy PicMonkey! 

Cardstock - Stampin' Up and Basic Grey - Oliver and

Tim Holtz - Kraft-core Nostalgic Collection

Spellbinder Circle Shaped Nesite Dies

Fiskars Scalloped Edge Punch

Fiskars Paper Trimmer

Flowers are from Prima

  And that's it for now, but I may try to come back later and see what else I can create today!   Today is my one day this week from the class and I already miss it.  This week we will continue to learn all kinds of new Die Cutting tips and hints and then next week we start working with the Silhouette Machines!   If you want to join in you still have lots of time!   Come and Create with me at 'A Cut Above'.  

Flowers...and Happy Things...!

....I don't know about you, but whenever I see flowers growing, I always feel happy.  It usually means the weather is warm, the sun is shining and the flowers are nature's own natural beauty.   I also love when my garden really starts to grow and with our warm winter, this year everything is a bit ahead of schedule.  It's still much too early to plant any annuals, except pansies, and I'm happy that mine are down and growing nicely.   This photo is from a few years ago, and I'm hopefully mine will look this nice in another couple of weeks.

     The past couple of days, I have not been feeling so hot....kind of sore but mostly just super fatigued, which I should be more used to, but for some reason it was worse and I did not even have the energy to make many cards..something that is not me!!   I guess maybe I've been feeling a bit burnt out and also not overly thrilled with some of the cards I did make earlier in the week.    Today, I'm finally feeling more like myself and it's been a joy to be back in my craft room and actually making some fun new cards.

     I have certainly had some wonderful inspiration, as we ended out first week the "A Cut Above" Class, which has been the one really fun thing that I have had too look forward to.  It's been another amazing class and I'm so excited that we still have another couple of weeks!  Woohoo!!   This week our focus was all about die-cutting and I learned so many new tips and hints and was totally inspired using them in these first two cards, which I created today.

    When I started this card, I was inspired the by the word HAPPY, and that was the inspiration for today's new Paper a la mode Challenge over at The Outlawz.   I wanted to made a FUN card and that's exactly what I did and it was it created from a variety of die cuts and shapes!!

   My next card today, was also inspired by the Die Cut Class and also was created with several die-cuts and shapes.  A fun, yet easy card to create and one that makes me think SPRING!!   The best part about both of these cards and most of these shapes and die cuts were in my Stash.   I have a large bin, where I keep all my extra die-cuts and shapes and whenever I use my Silhouette or my vast assortment of dies, I find I almost always cut extra pieces and colors.  It was actually fun going through the shapes and seeing what I could make -- all pretty much from leftovers!!

     My next card is my favorite today and was created with Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Ranger Glossy Cardstock, and one of my favorite Hero Arts sets - Wildflower Garden.   The image was first stamped and heat embossed in black on Glossy Cardstock.   I then used a blender tool and a variety of vibrant alcohol inks to created this pretty background.    It's a technique I originally learned from Jennifer McGuire's vidoes and one I've done in technique classes at my LSS.   One the inks dried, I added some Stickles to the center of my flower for extra sparkle. I then cut it down to fit on my died cut and layered that onto a darker base.  My card base background was created with a Hero Arts - Flower Dot Pattern Background Stamp that I stamped in Soft Lilac Shadow Ink, to give it a more mono-tone look.

     
   And last, but not least I have one more card to share, that was I made earlier in the week  for this week's Twisted Thursday Challenge, which was a Wedding Theme.  I colored up this cute little digi from Bugaboo with my Copics and a variety of Glitter and 3D Crystal Accents.   I used a round circle die to cut out my colored image and layered it onto a white doily, which was layered on a red scalloped circle.  I then added a black background and put it all on a simply white card base.   A fun little card!!

  And that's it for me!!  I am hoping that I can go back to class and try and make a few more cards, based on the fun inspiration we were given each day!  Today we had a fun bonus video and the cards that the designers put together are all adorable.   If you LOVE the die cut or want to learn more about how you can use it in your crafting --- there is still plenty of time left in the class!  You can find all the details HERE and I can tell you, it's well worth every penny!!

Sketch day....

   Today, I have two new cards to share and both were created for sketch inspired challenges.   My first card was inspired by today's new Sketch over at The Outlawz -- which I have copied here to also share on my blog.  It's a fun sketch and one that I think works really well for square cards, so that exactly what I created.

  I also thought it would work out fun to add a nice sentiment in the center and that was how I started my cards.  My sentiment is one I have had in my stash for along time and it was designed by - Melonheadz.   I used a Scalloped Circle Nestie to cut to mats for the Sentiment and then cut the matching squares from some more Viola paper, by Memory Box.  All the others papers, cardstock and flowers were in stash.

   My second card today was inspired and created for a brand new challenge over a By Lori Designs and my image is "Marcie" one of the cut Bug & Roo images, created by Lori's daughter, Hannah.   Lori also designed a fun little sketch for her challenge today and I created my card pieces using mu Cameo and more cardstock from my stash.   I colored sweet little Marie with my Copics, and then created a window shape with my Silhouette to feature her.  This is a copy of the sketch that Lori created for the challenge -- you can also find it over on the Challenge blog HERE!

 
   And now I am heading back to today's Class at A Cut Above.  I already watched the new videos, earlier today and as always, it was another great day.  Today's class featured cards and instructional vidoes, by Nichol Magouirk and Shari Carroll, and I'm excited to try my hand at a new card, using more of the inspiration they both shares.  I love that we have so many awesome guest designers and it's especially nice when they all teach us their own special hints and tips!!      Check out the wonderful die cut card that Shari has on her blog today, for even more inspiration!   I loved it and want to try and make something similar, especially since I have some of the same stamps and supplies in my stash!   I really LOVE the fabulous inspiration that all of these wonderful designers share!   I only wish I could come up with those ideas as quickly and readily as they always seems to do!  :)    Amazing!!

Summer in April!!

...and I am loving this wonderful warm weather!!  Not sure I'll be loving it so much tonight, if it stays this warm, but right now I just love the bright sunshine and this gorgeous summer like day!  Of course, we don't have our AC units in yet, and it's really a bit too early, as we can can get plenty of cold weather, but I have a feeling it could be one of this nights where I wish we had a unit in for sleeping.    I do our have skylights open and the ceiling fan on and hopefully that will be it very comfy.
 
    I took advantage of the weather and spent a good part of the morning outside...tinkering a bit in my gardens and watering the plants I put in yesterday.  This warm burst really has things popping up fast and the buds on the trees are expanding more each day!

   Now I'm back in my craft room enjoying Day 2 in the A Cut Above class!   Today's class, as always, had some great hints and tips and the main focus was on a variety of ways to create Window Cards, something I love.   Even though the first half of this class is focusing mainly on things you can create with a variety of dies, I knew I wanted to use my Cameo too.

   My first card was one I created using my Cameo and the software that comes with the program.  I basically started by drawing a rectangle, the duplicated it and welded it together to make a standard A2 Size card.  I then browsed through some of my flourish images and picked one that I wanted to use to make a cut out in my card.   I cut it all out and then ran it through my Cuttlebug in one of my new embossing folders, to add some texture.  Next, I added some strips of coordinating cardstock and matted the back of my flourish area with a black background.  I cut a scalloped border for the same cardstock and stamped my Sentiment on a matching color in Black Ink.    It was really easy to create and in the end a very CAS style card.

   For my second card, I decided I wanted to cut a background design and use that in my circle shaped window I had cut into my card with a Nestie Die.  I found a new 'branches/leaves' shape that had been added to the Silhouette Store today, which I bought in both the circle shape and also in the square shape.  I think it's a cool background and have lots of ideas on how I can use it on other cards.   I then cut out the shape, in a contrasting color, and sized it to be 1/8" of an inch larger than the window.   I then added that to my card.   I used the same fun Sentiment from the Hero Arts - Truly Appreciated Set and again stamped it in black and cut to to fit the width of my card.   My final touch was to punch out a Butterfly with one of my MS dies, which I added on top of the window area along with a few pearls to complete my card.

   
    I really love how this card came out and it's my favorite so far today!  I am also going to submit it to the Window Card Challenge over at A Blog Named Hero!   I hope I have now inspired you to create some of your very own window cards or to join the class with me and have even more fun!!

   I'm off now to see what fun new card I can try and create for today's new Color Combo Challenge at The Outlawz.  This is a copy of this week's colors, which I think are gorgeous!

  I am back to share my last card of the day which is the one I created for the color combo challenge.  I'm playing only for fun, as I did not have any type of 'crocheted' element to add to my card.  The closest thing I found in my stash was some trim!   I used to have some little crocheted flowers, but I guess I have used them all up.   Even so, I had fun working on the card and will submit it only for FUN!!

 
Wishing you all a wonderful evening!   It sounds like we are in for big changes in our weather as it's now in the 80's and will be in the upper 40's/low 50's by morning....Brrrr!!   Typical New England weather...it can change in a matter of hours and that's exactly what will happen tonight!    See you all tomorrow!

A very special day....

...today is one of those days that will always be very special to me, it's the day of my son Alex's Birthday and today my baby turns 20!   It's hard to believe at how these twenty years have flown by.  I feel so lucky and blessed to have two amazing sons and Alex is much like my miracle baby, after I lost my infant daughter (Kristyn Alyssa), on April 19, 1991 just one year before.   That pain and hurt of losing my only daughter is something that never truly goes away, but I also know that it would not be possible to have gone on and had Alex, had I not faced that awful time.   It was such a wonderful joy to give birth to a  very healthy and happy baby boy, almost one year later.  I love you Alex and always will and I'm so lucky to have you and Brian in my life.  My boys are my most cherished gifts and I love them both so much!!  I hope you have a wonderful day and know how special you are to me and Dad!

   Luckily, we celebrated Alex's birthday yesterday, as today has not been such a great day for me.  He's also working and then having a second birthday dinner tonight with Acacia, which I'm sure will be fun.  I was very happy they both were here last night and always love them being around.

  Today, I'm trying very hard to enjoy this gorgeous Summer weather and to also spend some time working on new cards.   I started my day by getting outside and planted my first flowers for the year -- bright purple pansies, which I put in my window boxes and in a few pots on my deck.   It's amazing how quickly the temps started heating up, record heat for us in April and also a terrible day for those running the Boston Marathon.  Temps in the 80's are far to warm for marathon and sadly, several of the runners have been hurt and hospitalized.  I do hope they will be okay and the everyone takes it easy.

   I started my newest class today (A Cut Above), and so far, it's been very informative.  Kristina shares some great tips and hints and two fun cards with us and Nichol also did a great video, all working with the Big Shot.  This is the Die Cut/Silhouette class you have heard me chatting about and we are starting out with die cuts.  The class started today and is open to all - for more details please visit the classroom  HERE!!

  My first card today was created to be entered into the classroom gallery and features flower shaped die cuts, that I cut from two different dies.  One from Sizzix/Tim Holtz and a second die from Stampin Up.   I cut the flowers from variety of Patterned Papers and then distressed with Barn Red Distress Ink.  I cut my little leaves by hand, but they also are several dies that have leaves that you can cut.    I then put them together to make this fun card which was inspired by a card that Nichol shared in her class video today.   My card is also going to be submitted to today's new Greeting Card Challenge at The Outlawz, where this week's theme is Distress!

  My next card was created and inspired by yesterday's Sketch Challenge, hosted every Sunday over at the Stars and Stamps Blog.    I didn't have any time to create yesterday, but I did print out the sketch so I could make my card today.   This is a copy of this week's sketch, which I am sharing here on my blog.

Sketch #117

My Card

    My sentiment is a digital sentiment that I printed on white cardstock and then cut with a Nestability circle die.  I then edged it with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink and layered on top of the patterned strips.  All of the papers I used for this card are from my current favorite collection - Viola by Memory Box.  It's a wonderful set of gorgeous purple, white, black and teal colors....Love love love!

    And I had one more card to share and this one was created with a few challenges in mind, the first being this week's CAS Challenge over at The Outlawz.  This week the girls came up with a fun Recipe Challenge which I am sharing here -- You can create any type of paper-crafting project using this fun recipe!  One Die cut, 2 Stamped Images (one can be a sentiment) and 3 Embellishments.  You may use your choice of embellishments - three of the same, three different etc.!    I put it all together to make this fun very CAS card.

   My die cut is a Labels 17 Spellbinder Die and I used it to create a large window in my dark purple card base.  My two stamps are both from Hero Arts/Basic Grey (Sweet Threads Thank You) set.   I used the flower and the Thank you sentiment, which I stamped in Versamark and heat embossed in white.  And lastly, my 3 embellishments are 3 white pearls, also from Hero Arts.

   This card would also work out well to share in the new Die cut class and also in this week's new challenge over at "A Blog Named Hero" which is hosting a 'Card with a View Challenge", for more details, please visit the new group HERE!!

   And that's it for today!  I'm off now to rest up and be ready for another fun day in class tomorrow!  I also want to once again send HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to Alex!   I Love you and hope you are having a wonderful Birthday!!   Love always --- Mom!