Flowers and fun...

....after being offline and not crafting for the past few days, it's so NICE to finally be feeling better and to also be back to creating.   It seems like it's been ages since I have spent a lot of time in my craft room and I really missed it.
     Today, is all about flowers on top of created two new cards, both that feature floral images, I am also very happy and excited that my boys both bought me gorgeous hanging flower baskets for my garden hook that is in front of our deck.  I love hanging two big pots of flowers there every year and it's become a bit of tradition that they start me off every Mother's Day!    I am very happy to know have two new gorgeous hanging baskets, both different, but both with lots of pretty purple flowers.  I'm such a lucky Mom!
     And speaking of lucky and fun things, I've super excited as this is the week that I'll be heading down to Baltimore for "The Outlawz Rodeo-Getaway Weekend".  After months and months of planning it's finally almost time to go!  WooHoo!    I'm so happy to have this wonderful opportunity and can't wait to be meeting up with some very dear friends!
      Both my cards today were actually created for challenges, both of which are hosted at The Outlawz.  The first one was created for this week's Paper a la Mode Challenge, where the theme is Get Well cards.   I created this sweet little card with a cute digi image from Bugaboo Stamps.  I colored with my Copics and then layered it onto matching papers.   I used a lot of coral and teal and find I am really loving this fun color combination.  I completed my card with a sweet little sentiment from a Hero Arts set.

             My second card also features some of the same pretty colors and was another digi image that I colored with my Copics.  This wonderful floral images if from Wax Fruit Company, and has always been a favorite.   This card was created for today's CAS Challenge also at The Outlawz and it's a Birthday Card that will be for Meghan, my future daughter-in-law.   I'll miss Meg's Birthday, while I'm away, but will be sure to call her and we are already planning to get together, as soon as I come home.   The fun thing is that Brian and Meghan's Wedding is planned to be ONE year from now and will be the very same weekend, in May of 2013.  We'll not only celebrate their wedding, but also Meghan's 25th Birthday - which will make it even more special.

      I'd also like a take a minute to say THANK YOU to all the member of The Outlawz Design Team, and to Colleen, the creator for having such a fun site.  I love taking part in challenges and find it a wonderful way to practice card-making.   I was even the lucky winner of two different challenges this month and was thrilled to hear that wonderful news!   I was a winner in last month's Greeting Card Challenge and also in the Twisted Thursday Challenge -- WOOHOO!    My thanks to Spesch Designer Stamps and also to MarkerPop (formerly known as, iCopic), who sponsored the challenges that I won!   Thank you ALL very much, it was truly a wonderful surprise!

 
   
  And before I sign off for today, I would also like to say Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms in the world, including my own.    I know for me becoming a Mom has always been one of the greatest joys in my life!   I love my boys so much and feel so lucky to have them in my life!!