Brrrrr!! Freezing, Snowy and Windy....

...not at ALL a weather combination I like and today I wish so much that I was back in San Diego enjoyed that gorgeous warm sun.  Heck, I'd be quite happy to be back to Friday's weather, which was gorgeous with sun and temps in the 50's!!  But, it is winter in New England today it's proving that Winter is still here and it's miserable.   The new snow from overnight and this morning is very light and fluffy, but it's also blowing all over and drifting in today's fierce winds, which bite you as soon as you walk out the door.  Scout and I both and not at all happy when he has to go out, but he's been quick to get his deed done, so we both can fun back inside and get warm.

    I even have my little portable heater going in my Craft room today and it's not something I use unless it's super cold or windy, but it's getting tons of use now and likely will until it's time for me to good to sleep.

   Being inside all day never breaks my heart, because it gives me lots of time to create and that is pretty much what I've done all day!   I have five new cards to share and also my first review of my new Fiskars ProCision Trimmer, which I have to admit, is a lot larger than I expected and taking up quite a bit of prime real estate on my desk.   That being said, it's also a very study and strong Trimmer and has the ability of cutting several sheets of paper and even chipboard, which is one of the reason I really was impressed by it.  Now, that I have it, I'm thinking I need to do more organizing and free up some more much-needed desk space, but for now that can wait.

    The trimmer itself does an excellent job of cutting and is very accurate, but again, it's really big and takes up a good chunk of space, which for some will be a downfall.  Another feature I really am missing is the fabulous guide wire that my other Fiskars Trimmers have and I admit, it's been a bit of a trial and error to figure out 'exactly' where it cuts, but I am getting better.   I do WISH they had added that feature to this trimmer and that is a downside for me.   I'll have to continue to use it more and write a more detailed review after I have it and will also have pictures to share too!  I don't think it's fair to a big review after using it for only one day, so please stay tuned for updates.  You can also go over to Jennifer's McGuires You-Tube Video HERE and see her using her in action.    

     Now back to my cards, which were all inspired and created for some of the challenges I had mentioned last night.  My first card today was created for the newest Challenge (#20) over at A Blog Named Hero and also worked out to fit into this month's challenge at the HeroArts Blog, with a theme of  "Love and Lace".   I also still plan to make a card for the Sketch challenge and have that started, as well.

 
 For this card I started by picking out a Stamp Set which had a vintage feel and I choose - Friend You're the Best, which is a clear set designed by Hero Arts and Basic Grey  - CL564.   Next, I knew I wanted to create some heart die cuts, so I grabbed my new Layered Hearts Frame Cuts - DI057, also from Hero Arts and started cutting with some new patterned papers, that I had recently added to my collection.  The first piece is by Echo Park and is called Handwritten, which has a fabulous chevron like design on the flip side and a vintage style of light handwriting on the other.  I love double-sided papers and in this case, I LOVE both sides, which is awesome.    Next, I inked up the "To My Friend" stamp in Black Memento Ink and stamped it directly to some "First Kiss"  paper, from Pink Paislee, which is also what I used as the background layer, which was cut down to fit on top of my Hero Hues Black Notecard.  I then dug out some wide black lace from my Ribbon and Trim stash and wrapped that around the background piece to create a center type border.  and added a white doily on top to use as the frame for my heart.  I added the four hearts along with a little Heart-themed stick pin I had made last summer, while playing in some Stick Pin Swaps.  I topped it off with a little black satin bow and was done.  

  After having fun with that card and inspired to try another in the same idea, I came up with a second card, also done in a vintage or shabby chic type theme.  I'm trying to push myself to try new things and works on card that are a bit out of my comfort zone.    I basically used a lot of the leftover scraps and changed my colors to be more of a cream and chocolate theme and added a vintage button and a simple gold "Thank You" sticker sentiment.

   My next card was created for today's new Sunday Sketch Challenge over that the Stars and Stamps Blog and I'm sharing a copy of Sketch #160 which Maureen created for us today after being inspired by a card that had been created by one of the OWH Cardmakers -- .Samantha!  

    I'm sure you'll quickly notice that I continued to use more scraps and leftover papers from both of my earlier card.  I hate to waste any Paper....yes, I am a paper addict, so I try to put every piece to good use and also have a huge scrap bin that I keep under my desk!!

   In addition to the papers I also cut these sweet flowers (Hollyhock Stems) using one of my new Memory Box Dies.  I cut them from the new Black Hero Hues Layering papers which is a perfect weight for die cut.  It cuts perfectly and is extra sturdy, making it work very well, even with the most intricate dies.  I cut two little pieces of black ribbon to add to each end of my Sentiment, which is from Hero Arts -- Everyday Sayings.

   And my last two card today are considered "Hybrid Cards", which are cards that are created using digital elements along with traditional paper/cardmaking elements.   If you would like to learn more about Hybrid Cards, please go here to this blog, which is one I found when I first heard about it.   Hybrid Chick, has many great hints and tips and is a fun blog to follow and even offers a Free Hybrid Cardmaking Class, that I just found this evening and am very excited to try.  I have always wanted to learn how to use PhotoShop Elements and this maybe the perfect way for me to finally learn!  Yippee!!

    

     I really find that I LOVE digi images and recently have started using more and more digital elements, backgrounds and even sentiments on my cards.  I'll never stop stamping or coloring, but it's kind of fun to work with both together and they card were both created with Hero Arts Digital products, which I bought over at Two Peas in a Bucket.  I also have recently started purchasing several "Cut Files" fro the Silhouette Store, which were created by HeroArts.  It's really fun to tie both styles of cardmaking together!  I used the vibrant happy flowers from this SET to created these two fun and easy cards.  

       These cards took only a matter of minutes to make, but they are both fun and happy and I'm sure they will brighten someone's day!   Both images were first printed from my computer onto some nice white cardstock and then trimmed down to the size I wanted.  The first card was trimmed down to use along with more paper (scraps) on another A2Size Black Notecard.  For the second one I made it into a smaller size little 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" square, which I added onto some black layering paper, cut down to look like a frame for my image.  The pink background on this card is part of the image, and is they were both from the same set (Words and Flowers) which contains a total 24 digital elements, all for only $6.00!

      

    The bright flowers made me think of SPRING and warm sun and that helped me to forget (for a little while) that it's bitter cold outside and that I still have to take Scout out again!!   BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!