Summer is here....

...and after last week with all the cold and rain, I am very happy and excited about this wonderful Summer weather that has moved in.  If you live in New England you know that our weather can be very unpredictable and change in a matter of hours which is exactly how it's been.  If the "heat wave" continues it may be one of the earliest we've had, considering it's still May, at least for the next few hours.

    I'm very grateful that Hubby put in our AC units last weekend, although it really seemed so silly at the time, because it was so darn cold.   Believe it or not, I was still still using a portable heater in my craft room and even this week our heat has still come on and it's set at 60 degrees.   But, not now, now it's AC time and believe me, without it I would NOT be very comfy and would likely be a very unhappy Momma!  Even the dogs are not adjusted quickly the extreme temps, but they have been able to get out a whole lot more this week and today I even bought them a little "kiddie" pool so I can put it on the deck and put water in it for them.  I think I may actually try6 and give them each a nice little bath, which the weather is this warm!

    The only downside to the good weather and a crazy schedule full of appointments this week, is that it has taken me out of m craft room and I'm having some craft withdrawal.  I do have a couple new cards today and the first two I started earlier, but just could not find time to finish them.   My first card was inspired by the newest MUSE Challenge and after being in the TOP 3 last week, I was so excited to play again.   I have to say, that this was a tough one for me and in the end, I hpe you'll like it.

   I'll start by sharing a copy of the actually MUSE card, from the challenge, which is posted below, as well as on the challenge blog - HERE!  This is a wonderful card, but I knew right away I didn't have an image like that nor any sentiments that were even close, so I made it my own.

Muse Card by Michelle Williams

My Card

   I chose this adorabe "Ivy" heart shaped image from Meljen Designs for my card.  I signed it to make a fun little square card and then printed it directly to cardstock, which I later colored with my Copics.  The "Love" sentiment is from Lawn Fawn and was stamped on with Red Raspberry Ink, from ero Arts.   It's quite a bit different than the Muse card, but definiutely based on the idea of using a floral wreath-like image and adding a sentiment to the center.

  And with Summer constantly on my mind.....I just LOVE Summer.  I am especially exited to already be enrolled in the brand new Summer Card Camp II, which is the newest class being offered by Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner, over at their Online Card Classroom.   I took the firt Summer Card Camp workshop in 2011, which was the very first class they offered, and I Loved it.  So much so, that I have gone back and taken EVER class offered and have enjoyed every one!  They are actually quite a few of us, who have taken every class, and it's great to see the familiar faces back each time.   If you would like to join this one, it's starts on July 8th -- but you can sign up and find out all the details HERE!! 

   We also have a fun new "pre-class" challenge this time and it's all about COLOR, which is very much how the first Summer Camp Classes were and I love workign with fun colors, so I am excited about that.  We were provided with a variety of really pretty colors, (sorry but yu have to take the class, to get ALL the details), and our challenge is to the use the colors, or a majority of them in fun little project and then add it to the class gallery.   I had all kids of ideas for this one, so I actually created two cards and have them both to share now.

  As you can see, I'm still very much into created Clean and Simple cards and I plan to continue to work on creating in this style until I master it.   I am alway impressed with some of the amazing cards that the true CAS designers can make.  I had a lot of fun with this one and my theme was polka dots and geometric patterns, which are very populr right now.   The orange strips and the border, along with the gray dotted piece were all pulled from my Scrap bin.  The blue Zig Zig type pattern is from a new Echo Park set and my white card base was created with Hero Arts Snow Layering paper that I ran through my Cuttlebug in a doted embossed folder.   My sentiment is computer generated and is from a large pre-printed stash I had printed out some time ago.  I simply punched it out with a square punch and used my Chomper to round the corners, as I did with all the card elements.

   My second card was also inspired by the same challenge and pretty much everyting on this card, was from little card piles that I keep (leftovers) when I'm making cards.  Little envelopes where I keep left over dies cuts, flourishes and so forth and some I keep by color or my theme.  This is a Love Circle Sneitment, and to be honest I forget which set I had stmaped it from.  Oops!!   But, I do like it and think it may be from Ali Edwards....."be right back" going to check now - YES!  I guess right, it's from the "Adored" set which was put out by Technique Tuesday, which you'll find here!!

    The sentiment as been stamped onto a scrap of little blue patterned pper and was then punched out with a Circle Punch.  I used scraps (once again) to create the larger circe and the banner behind it  The little hearts were cut with dies, one from some Hero Arts layering paper and the second from the same set of Echo Park (Bundle of Joy) papers, which I totally LOVE.  My cardbase is a deep gray charcoal color  and that was created with more of my Hero Arts Layering Papers, which I absolutely LOVE!!   I buy most all my here and love the super fast service and the fast that A2Z always seem to offer a discount!  Gotta love saving money!!    PS:  They also ship super fast, have very reasonable shipping fees and also have tons of fabulos Hero products, including the newest "Stamp Your Story" release!!   

   My final card today was created for the brand new challenge over at Cas(E) This Sketch, which is one I always love and try to play in every week.  I thought this' week's sketch was awesome and I am sharing a copy with you here!   Come on over and play -- it's really fun!!

Sketch # 30

My Card

   As I am sure you can probably guess, pretty much everything I used on this card, were scraps and elements that were lying on my desk from the challenges above.   I even used the same Lawn Fawn Stamp set for my Sentiment and the same black Memento Ink.   I really loved the wonderful simplicity of this sketch and how it can be used in so many different way.  On my card, adding the thin border strips along with the Hapy Birthday Banner, is my change, but it's otherwise prety much the sketch, as is!  I can also tell you that I'll be using this sketch again, becuase it's so versatile!!   

   And now it's time to take the dogs out for a bit.  They are NOT loving the hot weather, but it's now close t six and their play area is now more in the shade.   They have also already had their dinner and I need to make mine next.  I already know I'm having some oatmeal, with granola and blueberries...Yummy!!

  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and hope those of you who love the beach, spend a lot of time there this weekend.  When I rode by on my way home from my doctor's office it was already packed and that was before 10AM.  We do value each and every moment of warmth and sunshine we have here in Massaschuetts, especially after a long cold winter and Spring and never really came....we tend to go from Winter to Summer, with a few mild days...but considering people we skiing on fresh snow last weekend in Vermont, you just never know what tomorrow will bring!

   Quick Saturday update --- With the gorgeous weather and two dogs who are loving being outside, I have not had much time to create today, but I do have one card I need to post before it's too late.  This card was created for the newest challenge over at CASology where are cue for this week is "Furry" and right from the start I had an idea about using this cute little kitty images, which is a digi image from DigiStamp Boutique, know as Olivia.  I also wanted to include a fun little sentiment, which was easy to do using my selection of whimsical sentiments from Paper Smooches, who happen to be the sponsor this week! --- Yippee!!

My Card

   My little Olivia was first partially colored with my Copics and then to make her extra pretty and give her the look of sparkling white fur, I coated her with ultra fine white glitter.  I also added a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer to her hair bow and Heart, as well as the little heart with the Smitten sentiment.   I have used her on many cards in the past, and she's always a hit, especially for those who love kittens.    I am also submitted this card to "June Customer Challenge" being one it has been posted over at the DSB Blog!   I can hardly believe that today is June 1st -- another month has flown by!!

Missing my Mojo....

...that was pretty much how I was feeling yesterday, when it came to creating some new cards.   I simply could not figure out what I wanted to make or what style it should be.  That's when I decided to do a bit of re-organizing and came across some of my Penny Black Stickeroos.   Once I found them, it was very easy to quickly put together two cards, which I am sharing today.

  My first card was created with a stick from the April in Paris set, and all I did was layer it onto a piece of matching cardstock and then fussy cut it with a pair of nice sharp scissors.  My next step was to create a nice background which I did by pulling out some matching cardstock from my Scrap Bin.  I used one of my new embossing folders (Sketchbook),  from Lifestyle Crafts, which is used on the olive green.  I then simply cut some strips to use a mini borders and also used the border sticker that was part of the same set.  I laid out the design and then simply added it all to a pale yellow card, which is from Hero Arts.   As a finishing touch I added tiny white pearls to each of the trees to add a little sparkle and extra dimension.

   My second card was created even more quickly and is an example of how fast you can make a lovely card with these amazing stickers.  In all fairness, typically I don't use or even like stickers on my cards, but these are the one exception and I love them.  The images are all stunning and they are great to have on hand for those 'Missing Mojo' days or times when you need a card really quickly and don't have the time to color or stamp.    This set is called "Petals and Wings" and it caught my eye because of the pretty colors and the look of stitching on the sticker I used today.  For this one, I picked the sticker, adhered it to a piece of Amuse Polka Dotted Cardstock and then added that to my card base, all in a matter of minutes!!   Easy as can be!

 

    Today, I am feeling more creative and also back to my favorite "Purple" mode, which inspired me to color up this sweet little Violets image, which is one of the many I own from "Bugaboo Stamps".   And if you are like me and happen to love Bugaboo's digi stamps, be sure to hop on over to the store this weekend, as Jodie is offered all the images at 25% off for the Memorial Day Weekend!!   Yippee!!

   This little card was very fun to create.  I started by printing out my digi image and then colored it with my Copics.  Once the main coloring was done, I added a layer of Crystal Lacquer and Purple Stickles to the violets and then added a single purple pearl to each center.   Once everything was dry, I used my Nestabilities circle dies to cut out my image and then two additional mats, one in lavender and one from vellum which I embossed in my Cuttlebug.  I also used embossed the deeper purple background with the "Twirl" embossing folder, also from Lifestyle Crafts.  

   And my last card is one that I created for a challenge, and it's the brand new "Fusion" challenge, which you'll find HERE!   I am also including a copy of this week's "Sketch/Photo" to inspired you to play along.  I used the Sketch again this week, but also was thinking I may create a second card, using the photo image, especially since I have so many pretty flower images that I could use.   I have a few ideas, so time will tell.  I'm tired now, so I know it won't be today, but maybe after Skye and I get home from her "Puppy Class" tomorrow.

Fusion # 8

My Card - Sketch Inspired

  As you can see, I used more purple in this card, along with teal, which is one of my newest favorite colors  The papers I used for this are from Echo Park and another of their fabulous Dots and Stripes Sets.   I really love trying my best at using sketches and had fun with this one.  I decided instead of using a "patterned paper" for the center circle that I would pull out an embossing folder that had that would look like the design in the sketch!!   My sentiment is from one of my Lawn Fawn sets and my little butterfly was punched with a Martha Stewart Punch.  The circles were again cut with my Nestie Circles and although I used a white background, I then mounted it all to another of my Hero Arts "Pool" cards (love these cards and their layering papers too).

     It's so disappointing to be having such a yucky weather again.  I think it has been rainy or drizzly all week and my poor flowers are looking drenched out there.   Not to mention all the people hosting special events, cookouts and parades to celebrate Memorial Day!   I sure hope we get some sunshine back soon, it's so cool today that I had to turn on my little portable heater in my craft room.  I also heard the on the news taht some folks in the Northern and Western part of the State may actually see some snow flurries....what a horrible thing on a weekend and is often considered the first weekend of Summer!

A new love of Sketches!!!

    When I first starting card-making, I had no clue of what I really wanted to go.  I didn't have a blog and really even know much about blogging.  I had never created my own kids, but always did have a lots of Art and use to love to doodle and play with watercolors as a child.   Now, it's become a passion in my life and every moment that I can spend time in my craft room...it's a true joy.  It's relaxing, it most often doesn't make my Fibro worse and it really is so therapeutic.  I LOVE it.

   I also do not have any degree in art, nor do I even know much about design, but I'm slowly learning and the more I learn the more I admire art in all forms.   If I could start my life over and knew how much I love being creative, I know I would have totally taken a different path and would absolutely have pursued a career in that in some way involved being creative and artistic.

   For me, my cardmaking is veyr much my own style.  I have my favorite colors, my favorite papers and I also love to color, so I love to work with all kinds of images.  Some cards have no coloring and yet I will often spend hours simply sitting back, relaxing and coloring with my Copics.   Recently, I've found a whole new LOVE for Clean and Simple cardmaking and that is more and more becoming my style.   I've also found that I really am enjoying working with sketches more and more, but I find the sketches that I LOVE most are also very much in that same CAS type style and even the challenge I now love most seem to be geared toward ratting and that way.

    Today I have three new cards to share and ALL three were totally inspired by one challenge and this one sketch that was created by Jackie Rockwell for the Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge, which is one I LOVE to play in each week.  I'm so thankful that Jackie came up with this great idea and hope in time, she'll be back to creating and sharing her wonderful talent with us all.

CTS # 29

My Challenge Submission

   The funny thing is that this was actually the third card I made today and all three were based and inspired by the one sketch.  I've know realized just how MUCH I enjoy working with sketches, but also admit that some I see are far to detailed and these wonderful CAS style images are by far my favorites!!

    Next, is the first card that I created and I really LOVE this wonderful Black Lustre Cardstock, but boy is it hard to get a nice picture.  The light reflects to much on the gorgeous shine and the cards look so nice in person.  I only wish I could capture it in my photos a bit better!!

    I always love the combination of Red, Black and White and that's the look that I wanted to create when I started that card.  Although it's a bit hard to see, I also dry-embossed of of the three circles using one of my newer embossing folders from LifeStyle Crafts, called Twirl!  I also realized after I had finished my card that I made mine on the opposite angle as the sketch -- another way you can take one sketch and use it to make a vareity of different cards!!

  

    My final card today, was the second card I created, but in the end, I felt it did not look enough like the sketch, yet I totally came up with the inspiration from the sketch and that is something I am learning to do, which exactly "Cas(e)ing all my cards.  A great tool and tip I have learned from being a student in all of Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire's faublous classes!    I also simply LOVE to make extra cards and whether I save them to send to family or freinds I send them off to Operation Write Home, I always have plenty of use for my cards.  I love sending and receiving handmade cards and also enjoy doing card swaps with some of my favorite online friends. 

   I am now getting ready to take the dogs out for bit before the weather gets lousy again.  We have a little hazy sun now, but it's been pretty wet and gloomy the past couple of days and it sounds like the long Memorial Day Weekend is also going to be a wash, which is a bummer for all those who host outdoor events.   The one cookout and we often go to is one we have to miss this year because it's a conflict with Skye's Puppy class on Sunday...and I have already told everyone!  At this point, it's far better for me to continue with her training, as she needs it!  She's better every day, but still is young and has a lot to learn, so I think missing out on any time with her trainer is not a good idea.  Plus, now with the rainy weather, we would have stayed home anyway!   It does sound like Monday will be the best, so we'll see!!

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

Purplicious....

....if you know me then you already know that Purple is by far my favorite color and I love it in every shade, but my very very favorite is a deep rich Purple and to me that has always been a reminder of Royalty.   So, when I saw this week's challenge at CASology, I knew right away that I would create a card in a deep rich purple, which is exactly what I did.

   \

   The cardstock I used for this is really lovely and looks so much nicer in person.  It's a deep rich color and also full of lots of Sparkle and shine.   I started with that as my card base and then cut two Butterfly layers with my Memory Box Dies.  To make them sparkle I coated them with a layer of Stickles and then added them onto a piece of Vellum that I embossed in my Cuttlebug.   I hope you like this, it's one of my favorite cards and I only wish the photo show it better!!

    I do hope to work on a few more cards today and if I am able to get any finished, I'll be back to share.  I have a few challenges in mind, but just had to share this card first!!

    Very excited to be back and to have found another challenge that worked our perfect for this girl who LOVES Purple.  I hopped on by The Outlawz to see what was new and was so happy to see their new Greeting Card challenge was all about PURPLE and also being sponsored by one of my favorite digi stores, which is "Bugaboo Stamps".   I quickly picked out an image I wanted to color and used all my favorite "V" shades of Copics on this cute little flower, which has always been a favorite.  I also used the left-over purple shimmer cardstock from the card above along with more of the Vellum and put it all together to make this fun little card.    My sentiment (by Ali Edwards), was first stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed in White Embossing Tinsel -- love that extra sparkle!!

  And it looks like that will be it for today!   We had two thunderstorms last night, which I admit are a lot more scary, especially after the awful tornadoes that hit Oklahoma on Monday.  Ironically, we even had a Tornado watch out in the western part of our State last night.   I was up at 1AM and again at 4AM, with "Scout" our oldest Dachshund, who like me, also don't care for the thunder and lightning.  He could not settle down and was shaking the whole time.  Even when I got up and help me, I could not provide much comfort.  I felt awful, as I am not a storm girl and know for dogs it must be even louder.    I'm also very thankful that our storms were somewhat mild and pray that I will never have to go through anything like those in our Heartland did.  I have hated storms since I was a child and the very thought of a tornado is very frightening to me.  There has only been one very scary warning, in my lifetime and I'm grateful that nothing happened, as we don't have much of a cellar, only one room and the only way in, is from outside, which is not a very comforting thought.   My heart goes out to everyone who was touched by yet another devastating tragedy.  Lately, it seems there is a new tragedy every day and it's really rather scary and sad when you realize it.   Let's hope that tonight it's not stormy and we all get some extra rest!     Take care and as always --- Happy Crafting!   

Playing with my new "Goodies"....

  If you read my post yesterday, then you already know that I went off on a fun little trip to my LSS bright and early yesterday morning for their Annual Yard Sale.   I had not planned to go, as I should really be there 'selling" myself, but when I read this week's Newsletter and saw that they had all kind of new goodies in from Hero Arts, I knew I had to go and pick up some new goodies from their "Stamp Your Story" release, which is very in with the current theme of crafting and also for those who love journaling and Project Life etc.

   I was up and back home all in just about 2 hours, which is very brief for me and I did even browse through the yard sale items, and found a couple of deals, but my main goal was Hero and this is what I bought --  My little Hero Haul !!

    I'm was so excited...especially to try find their new Paint Daubers along with the two new Shadow Inks, which are my favorite.  I could not wait to play, but that did not happen until today, since I had to take little Miss Skye to Puppy School and after such a crazy morning with her, there was no way I was missing out on some much needed training and I adore her Trainer, which is such a plus.   We had a great session and she is the only dog in the class, so it's like having a private class, which is awesome.  I came home feeling so much better and it was also perfect timing, since hubby had finished putting up the 'fencing' under the side of the deck, so that the dogs can now go outside in their newly fenced in area and no longer need a leash.   The first thing she did was run out and 'pee' and that was awesome, as training has been such a challenge.  I wonder if her always being on a leash has something to do with her lack of 'going' outside, because now that she's free, she's doing soooo much better!    Good Girl Skye!!

    Today, I started my day by working on a new card for the latest MUSE Challenge and this one is really a cute little "whimsical" flower card that was created by Marion, as you'll see on the challenge blog and the copy I shared below.  I loved her cute floral image and knew I had something similar in my digi stash, so I printed out mine onto my Cryogen Cardstock, which I love to use for all my Copic colored project.  I love the hint of shimmer it has and it's also a nice weight and the Copics blend really well on this cardstock!!   My image is from Bugaboo and was colored in bright happy colors, much like Marion's card.

Marion's Muse Card

My Card

UPDATE:  I am very honored and happy to say that this card made TOP 3 

in the challenge at the MUSE Challenge!   

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for me and special Congratulations to all the winners this week!   It wa a fun challenge and I feel very lucky!

     I also used a yellow card-base and added some borders and elements to case the design, but did change mine card to layout to a vertical card, which worked better with my image.  I really LOVE the doodle flowers on Marion's card and have now bookmarked Jane's Doodles as a new store to browse, when I'm looking for cute stamp stamps and digi images.

    My next two cards were both created with my new Hero goodies and are my first two using any of the new products.   My first card was also created using the new patterned paper packs which are the perfect size for an A2 card.   I also used the new "Peach" Shadow Ink, along with stamps from the new "Not Perfect" clear set of stamps.  The peach cardstock, bling and ButterBar Ink were products I had in my stash already.

  This next card is my OOPS or Fail card of the day and the reason that it's a fail is because I did not use a dark enough ink on the "Today is a New Day" Stamp, and it made the sentiment so hard to read.  I did over it with a silver Wink of Stella Glitter Pen, which looks much better in person, but wish I had thought to do that one stamp in a dark color, like black, especially on this light cardbase, which is a favorite from Hero.

   I can say that I love the graphic design and this card was somewhat inspired by a wonderful card and video that Shari Carroll shared today.  My colors are not at all the same, but the stamp set is and I LOVE her card and design and hope to "case" it at some point with the bright neon colors.   I still have some more to try and hope to have more time tomorrow, once I get home from my Chiro appointment.  Today, I spent a lot of time with the dogs and working with Scout and we had a great day, so it was all worth while.  Once I do have her FINALLY trained, I know it will be so much nicer for all!   

Here is are pictures of the dogs today, who "were" both napping, when I started!

Scout...

And Miss "Skye"

    As you can tell, both of them would have preferred I left them alone to sleep!   They didn't care for me taking pictures during their nap.   They sure look so happy and content when they are sound asleep in their little beds, I love it most when they snuggle up together in one bed...so sweet!!  They both always move or react so quickly that it's a challenge to get really nice pictures?

Are your ready for a "Scramble"....???

   If you are then you'll be sure to want to head on over to the Hero Art's Flickr Group at 4PM Eastern Time this afternoon to join the fun.   If you are new or have new played I can tell you how to play and how fun it is.  I have been playing for about a year and also am a huge Hero Arts fan which is how I found the group to being with and I really enjoy being a part of it.    You can find the Hero Arts Flickr Group HERE and it's open to all.   You can find Hero's website here, which includes links to shop and to the blog, plus inspiration and so much more!!    This week's Scramble is # 60 and is being hosted by Deborah.

   Every other week one of the group member will Host a 90 Minute Scramble.  I'll actually be hosting one in June and will share more details as we get closer.   We all take turns and there is a sign up every couple of months to fill all the spots, which can be found on the MASTER List!.  You have your choice of day and time and most of the gals host them on the weekend and try to find a time that works well for all - especially since we have players all over the world.  As a hostess you'll also want to put together some time of little prize goodie for the winner and Hero Arts will also donate a second "digital" prize for a second winner.   Last time I gave out a set of Hero Arts Stamp and a nice little Memory Box die.   You can also pick any theme you desire, but be sure to keep it a secret until it's time for the challenge to begin.  You can give hints if you want, but try to make it something fun and unique so that everyone has the chance of winning, which most choose by a random drawing.   It's also important to include at least one project which show your theme and you'll post that on the day and time that challenge begins.   Then it's fun to watch all the great card/tags and such be uploaded to the Gallery.  Everyone has 90 minutes to complete the Scramble and there are several players who often submit two, sometimes even three cards.  It all depends on the theme and how much time it take to create your project, take a photo and upload it to the Gallery with the Scramble Tag.   You MUST include at least one Hero Arts element and a stamp is the preferred choice, but you can add other products too!!

    These are really a lot of fun and are a great way to force yourself to try new ideas and techniques.  You just never know that theme will be and it's so fun to also see all the different projects that everyone creates.  There are some amazing designers in this group, however there are also always new members or those playing for the first time....it's all about FUN and that's what I enjoy!  Everyone in this group is a pleasure to know and I've also learned so much from these gals and truly love being part of the group!!  Please stop by later and I'll be back to share a copy of my card and tell you the theme.  It will likely be about 6pm, before I'm back, but I'm happy to have two new cards to share now.

   My first card was created for another new challenge at "Cas(E) this Sketch" and it was a sketch I really enjoyed working with.  I also had just bought a fun new set of stamps from Neat and Tangled, and it came with a little sample of the very fun new "Sequins" they sell in the store, which worked out perfect for my card.   I also used another new Wink of Stella Pens to add a touch of Silver sparkle to each of my little stamped circles, which I did in a variety of fun and happy colors.

Sketch # 28

My Card

  I am also submitting this card to the new "Clean up your Act" challenge (Clean and Simple) over this "A Blog Named Hero".   Come on over and play!

   My next card is an everyday kind of "Miss You" card and one that I will either send to my son, Brian, or off to Operation Write Home in my next package.  It's a very simple little card and I started it thinking I would make a little window card.  I wanted to use this cool  Embossing Folder, by Lifestyle Crafts, which is now one of my favorite makers of embossing goodies.   Their folders make such a great impression and when you do use them, be sure to use a nice quality cardstock, something I forgot when I first started this, and that's when my white card front ripped and when I changed it to have a background, behind the little window.  Even so, I love the folders this company makes and have been buying them on Amazon, and love the Prime Membership, which my son Alex bought for the family.    The sentiment is from a brand new set that I fell in love with after seeing Jennifer McGuire using it in the "His and Hers" class.   It's from Avery Elle, which is a fairly new stamp company, but it's also one I really like and this set is called Handwritten Sentiments....super cute!!   The card base and background checked papers are from Amuse and the little chipboard heart came in last month's card kit, from Simon Say Stamps.  I colored the heart with a Copic Marker and then added a later of "Crackle Accents"....kind of like a little 'broken' heart.   The way I still feel at times, since Brian and Meghan moved to San Diego.  

     I am submitting this little card to this week's new "Paper a la Mode" Challenge at The Outlawz as well as the current challenge over at "Through the Craftroom Door" which is the online Craft Magazine and Sister Group to The Outlawz.

    And before I sign off I want to take a minute to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my amazing Daughter (in-law), Meghan who will be celebrating her 25th Birthday tomorrow!   I miss her and Brian so much and wish I could see them both very soon.   I also hope that Meg has a great day and I'll be talking to her tomorrow.  I sent her a variety of Birthday gifts, which I can't share here, since they have not all arrived.  I know she has one already which was a Gift Certificate to Etsy, a place we all love to shop for all the creative and unique handmade gifts...not to mention all the fabulous craft goodies!!   I do hope to get back out to California at least one more time this year...maybe in the late Fall, it will all depend on my Doggie Care and also saving up to fly out again.  If I can't make it by Fall, I'll wait for the brutal weather here and go again in February or March which is a perfect time to enjoy that wonderful San Diego sunshine!

      UPDATE:   I never did make it back online to share my Scramble Card, but I'm happy to do that now.  It was a really FUN and creative challenge and it really had us all thinking, which made it that much more of a Scramble.
       These were our instructions:

• Your theme of the day is Two-Fold:  Music and Heavenly Bodies
• Your project must include "Music" in some way.
• You may NOT use the COLOR GREEN
• Please include at least one Hero Arts Product/Stamp
•  You must also use one ink color (other than Black/Brown)
• you may use Black/Brown in addition, but you must also use one other color
•   You much complete your project and upload it to the Gallery in 90 Minutes !!   GO GO GO!!

     The first thing that threw me off was Deb's wording and when I read "Two-Fold", I took that quite literally and thought I needed to make some to of  multi-fold card and I immediately went to work on a Gate-Fold card, which was the first thing that came to mind.   I created that with a Deep Purple cardstock from Bazzill.  Next, I decided to use "Stars" as my Heavenly Body and knew that I had a Star themed Embossing Folder and also knew that I had a set of Hero Stamps (one of the Sets Hero designed for Operation Write Home), that also included stars and a fun sentiment, so I dug that out too.  I also pulled out my Soft Purple Shadow Ink, some purple pearls, as well as a set of Star Shaped Nestie dies.

     I starting by cutting some Stars and went with a bright yellow/gold contrast color and then remembered I still needed Music?? I then began rushing through all my binder and binders of background stamps thinking I must have something with Music, but I couldn't find anything   I then remembered I had picked up some old vintage book pages along with some old music sheets at a yard sale, but then had to locate them??   Luckily, I did find them pretty quickly, but now needed to add this somehow to my Card??  I decided to use it for more stars and to make it match better, I colored it using the Soft Purple ink, directly from the pad to the paper, which worked out well.  Thank Goodness!   I finished up my card, took the picture...quickly edited them and uploaded them to the site.   That was when I realize how silly I was when I noticed that not one other person had made a "multi-fold" card....!!   LOL!!!   In the end, I only managed one card this time, but have had time for two in a few other scrambles  - but this one really was so much fun, because it was so unique.  You can go HERE to see all the cards that were submitted and how different they all are!!

  And this is my card, which is end, I was pretty happy with, after all I even made a Gate-Fold...a bonus!!  The first photo is a front view and the second shows the inside, which is where I used my "purple" (non-black) ink.  

 

     Right now, I just arrived back home from heading to my LSS this morning for their Annual Yard Sale, which is pretty good.  I really was NOT as much interested in the yard sale as I was in the fact that they have all the brand new Hero Arts products in stock, and I've been dying to get my hands on a few of the new things.   I bought the two brand new "Shadow Ink" colors (Mint Julep and Soft Peach), three of their brand new Paint Daubers, a set of the new card-making papers, and a couple of the new stamps.  I hope to work with them later today and will be sure to post some pictures.   Because I don't really need any more "Yard Sale" goodies, I had not planned to go this year, but when I read the Newsletter and saw the pictures of the new Hero Release, I was up and out the door to be there super early.  I also did get two new Memory Box dies and a few little stamps from the Yard sale, including a full set of PTI's 2008 Mixed Messages set, which I have always loved and I bought that for only $3, the others were on 25 cents each and there was so much more.  I was VERY VERY good and did not by ANY more 12" X 12" paper which was all 10 cents each...but again, something I do not need.    

   Stop by later for a new update!  I'm off shortly to take Skye to "Puppy Class" and boy does she need it today.  She was Out of Control for a while this morning and playing way to rough and hard for Scout....which really upsets me, if he starts to struggle.  I took her away from him three times and each time she "charged" back and was almost vicious....this MUST stop, as it's awful and she even bit me today.  I'm NOT at all happy with this behavior and while it doesn't happy often, it's TOO much for this Fibro gal.  If this continues, I'll need to seek more help....I'm also about to cry with how awful her "Potty" training is going....she was doing so much better and going outside...but now when she is inside...she's not even using her Pad...and is going....everything....needless to say "all over my bedroom" carpet last night...and I think she had eaten too much, as it was a big mess!  I wanted to cry!!!   I did get it all cleaned up and will be steam cleaning that carpet tomorrow...but I need help with her, as this has become such an issues and I am not sure it was wise for me, to have taken on a puppy....I love her to pieces, but my health may not be able to deal with her..and that has me very sad!!   Praying this behavior ends soon and hopefully her trainer will help me today!

Wow...! A wonderful Wednesday!!

.....it's only 10:30, but it's already starting out to be a wonderful day.   After waiting for almost a month today is the the day that the Fence company is here to repair our exciting fence and also also new fencing and a gate, to create a safe and fun little area that will be prefect for Scout and Skye.  Once it's all done, they will be about to go out the deck door, down the back stairs and right into the their portion of the yard which will be totally fenced in and a great place for them to run and play.   And the best part, for me, is that I will not longer have to take the out every day to do their business....I can now simply open the door and they'll be free and make it so much easier for me.   Of course, they will need to be watched, but that's the easy part.

    We also have a new pet in the house, after Alex and his girlfriend Acacia rescued a sweet little male ferret who had not been cared for of fed, (we think), so he is so skinny and basically all fur and bones.  It just so happens that Acacia, who now works with the Pets at our local Petco was working when the MSPCA brought him to the store, after he and two poor innocent dogs were found un-cared for in a home....how sad.  The dogs and the ferret were seen by a local vet and other than being in desperate need of care and food, they are otherwise okay.  This guy is all white and is already doing much better since he was at the store and now with us and housing with Delilah, Alex's first ferret, who seems to watch over and care for him.  He is larger than her, in length but all skin and bones and the vet thinks he is also partially blind...!  As much as it's hard having ANY ferret in the house with the dogs, I couldn't bare the thought to someone not taking him in.   Scout actually LOVES Delilah and often wants to lick her and has always been very good, although we would NEVER leave them alone.  Skye on the other hand, we are not sure and normally most dogs...especially a hound breed would want to eat them...so that room is off limits to both dogs, even when they are both in their cage.  I do still let Scout have a little time with Delilah, but Skye is just too much of a puppy and we won't chance that.

   So..my home, which a year ago was a pet-free home, has certainly changed and it's made me realize just how much I care for all kinds of fur babies and I'm so happy to see "Thor" the new guy already doing better. It's thought he is about nine, so he is definitely and older guy, kind of like Scout and I do hope Alex and Acacia can nurse him back to better health and definitely a better life...I almost cried when I first touched him and it kills to me think of anyone every starving or hurting ANY animal....Please never never do that...if you can't care for them....please call your local Animal Shelter or a Rescue...there is help out there and all living creatures deserve a wonderful life!!

   And with pets in mind I made a second little card that is all about my love for my little Dachshunds and also was inspired by last week's "Hug Your Dog" challenge over at The Outlawz.  I loved the first card so much and since I had two printed, I colored this one in totally new colors and will send it off to my son Brian, just as a little hello and I Love your card.  He and Meghan (his wife) are also huge pet lovers and have two wonderful dogs with them in San Diego.  Ries, Meg's Springer Spaniel and "Trace" Brian's rescue a Boston Terrier Mix, who I adore and loved meeting when I was there.

   And speaking of Meg, my wonderful new Daughter, she has a milestone Birthday coming up this weekend and will be turning 25.  As a matter of fact, Brian surprised her with a little two day trip up to Palm Springs, where they are now, enjoying so much nice down time and time off, which is a rare thing for them.  They sent some pictures of them laying out at the pool and it was so nice to see them relaxing.   I'm putting a card in the mail to Meghan today, that is my next card to share and one that I'm also submitting to this week's "Greeting Card" Challenge at The Outlawz, where the theme is "Anything Goes".   My theme is Birthday or Make a Wish which is the sentiment I used on this card...one of my favorites from Paper Smooches.

      I have some fun gifts also heading off to Meg and hope she'll enjoy them.  I am also very excited know that she will be home, (even if only for a few days), to attend her sister, Ellen's graduation.   I plan to see her that weekend and only wish Brian could have come too, but as usual  for him to get any time off on a Weekend in almost impossible!   I guess I should start making my plans to head out there again in the Fall.  I'll be long overdue to see them both and just want to HUG and kiss them sooooo much!!!

    Okay and moving on, so I won't get teary....I have one more card to share and this one was totally inspired by this week's new MUSE challenge, which you can find HERE!!  It's another of my favorite NEW challenges and I also have fun trying to come up with a card to submit!!   I did think about using my Silhouette to create three little elephants, but then decided to make more 'my own' and used a fun new die cut instead.  In the end, I made mine a LOVE card and it's one that I'll use for Operation Write Home or maybe even a friend who has been sad since she lost her Mom last month....!!  Nothing better than to reach out and tell her I love her...and Kim -- Yes, this if for YOU!!

Muse # 17 Inspiration Card

by Therese Calvird

My Card

   That's it for now.  I am now heading out to take the dogs for a little walk.  One of the contractors working here, bought his adorable little "Australian Shepherd Mix" with him today.  He's also a little rescue dog and is jyar about two years old and such a sweet and good dog.  My dogs were a bit upset at first, but once they greeted "Tucker" they were all fine.  I then took them for a walk and have been very pleased with Skye's recent progress in house training...yesterday was an excellent day and I hope that is a sign of more to come!! She's making huge progress, just about when I thought I'd never make it....she really is improving...Yippee!!
   

Happy Mother's Day!!

   Taking time to send out very Happy Wishes to all the Moms I know.    For me, becoming a Mom was one of the greatest joys in my life and has made me very happy and proud.   I knew from a young age that I wanted to have children when I "grew up" and for me, I don't think my life would feel complete had I not made that dream come true.

    I'm so thankful and very fortunate to have two amazing sons who have brought so much love and happiness into my life.   I love Brian and Alex with all of my heart and will cherish each of them forever.  Even though they are both grown now, they are still my "boys" and I am will forever be their Mom and care for them in any way I can.   I'm also thrilled to now have a fabulous new "Daughter", Brian's gorgeous wife, Meghan, who I also now love as a part of my family.   .

    I had a really wonderful day...it started with me sleeping in, which is always awesome.  We had gone out to a dinner last night for my friend Julie's Birthday and it was delicious.   But, I have to admit that it was so good that I ate too much and woke up at 1am with a sore belly from indulging in a great meal, topped off with one of my favorite desserts -- Chocolate Lava cake, which we all split....Yummy!!   I had planned ot do my morning chores, and then visit my Mom, which I did, but I was very happy when Hubby told me, to forget the chores and that he was doing them all for me today!  All the laundry and cleaning...it was part of my Mother's Day gift, and one I have always loved.   I had a nice visit with my Mom and then headed back to get ready to take Skye to her very first  "Puppy Class", which went awesome.  She did really well and just as we were getting ready to leave, I ran into Meghan's parents (Colleen and Rob), which was so nice, since I have not seen them in ages.   They have a home nearby, but Colleen also works in Maine for L.L. Bean, so they actually spend much of their time there.    They are Scout's original parents and they still miss him, but are happy that he's with us and now has Skye too.  Colleen and I hope to get together at the new Dog Park, which will be opening next weekend, the next time they are in town.  That will be fun and I'll look forward to seeing Stella, James and Anna, Scout's former Dachshund siblings.

     Alex and Acacia will be here shortly for dinner and Hubby is grilling that for us now.  We are having burger night and I love a good burger on the grill, so that'll be the perfect ending to my Mom's Day, which flew by.  I also visited my Mom this morning, and had the whole day to do whatever I wanted, but kept pretty busy with the dogs.

    I have one quick card to share and it's one I created for a CAS Challenge over at The Outlawz, where the Challenge was "Hugs and Dogs" and I used colored up my cute little Digi Doxie with my Copics to make this fun little card for last week's challenge!  I was late again, but still loved making it !

   This cute little guy is a retired image from DigiStamp Boutique.   I find that I like to use "Word" for my digital images and that way I can even add the Sentiment, as I did for this card.  I didn't have any sentiments that seemed right, so I came up with this and typed it so it was centered directly under my cute little Doggie.  I actually created two of everything and now have a second set all printed and ready to color!!

  And that's it for now....dinner is almost done and it smell delicious!  Hoping everyone had a day as nice as mine!

T.G.I.F.....

...and today turned out to be a nice Friday, but a busy day too.  I was up bright and early to get all my morning stuff done so that I have time to do a little shopping for my Mom, before I headed of to a hair appointment.   I was very happy to find some gorgeous hanging flower baskets and the local garden shp an even bought one for me, which a gift certificate I had been saving.

    After getting my hair colored and some new highlights added, I was back home and thrilled to see the sun breaking through, jut in time to take the dogs for a nice walk after their lunch.  After that, I decided to try and work on one card, while they were napping and I picked this week's new Fusion Challenge as my inspiration.   It's another of my favorite new challenges and is really fun and unique.  I love that you have the choice of using a Sketch or a Photo as your card idea, or if you feel very creative you can "fuse" both together to make a card that features a combination of both ideas.  This week I could not for the life of me come up with a "Fusion" card, so I decided to go with the sketch portion, which I loved and am happy to share with you now along with a copy of this week's "challenge":

Fusion # 6

My Card

Based of Jackie's Fabulous Sketch!

      As you can see I went with my favorite color and have lots of purple and plum on this card.  The deep purple is Aubergine Layering Papers from Hero Arts and the pretty lavender floral pattern, is actually a scrap (left over from a project we created in Card Club) and is from Graphics 45.   I punched the matching heart with my Stampin' Up punch and my Sentiment is from a this SET of Simon Say Stamps, which I inked in Seedless Preserves Distress Ink.

      It looks like this will be my only card for today, since the dogs are not happy about me wanting to create.  They want to go out and we have been in and out about five times, and it's now turned cloudy and damp?   I guess they are trying ot make up for being in most of the day yesterday, due to the rain.  Plus, it sounds like they may not get out a lot over the weekend which is a bummer.  I just HOPE we do not have too many storms, especially since none of us like them!
 
    Signing off for now and wishing you all a Fabulous Friday!  Hope your day was fun and that you have a nice night.  I'm feeling wiped out, so I have no exciting plans and that's okay, as we'll be busy most of the weekend, so I'm resting up!