Just in the nick of time....

...if you had the kind of day I've had, you'd know why I am so late in getting this card done and shared!  I'm going to make this post brief so I can enter it before the challenge ends, but will also be back with some more news shortly.

    I almost missed out in playing in this week's Muse Challenge, but thanks to their recent changes, I still have a few hours to get my card added.  If you still want to join, you'll need to be very quick and you'll find all the challenge details on the Muse Blog - Here!~

    I'm also sharing our Muse Card, which was created by Anita, who I also know from the Hero Arts Flickr Group.  She's one of the many talented designers in that group, making it no surprise to me that she is our Muse for this challenge!

Anita's Card

My Card

   I loved the idea of using sequins, which have become a fun new trend in cardmaking.  I have bought a few really fun colors of at eBay and knew I wanted to use them for this card.  I also recognized the sentiment that Anita used, as one from Paper Smooches, so that also inspired to use Paper Smooches stamps for both my design and my sentiment.  I stamped the black design on a very light pastel yellow paper and then added the "Way to Go" sentiment to be a bit different.  I used only shades of teal and black and quickly had this fun little card!   

   I'll be back in a little bit to share some other new cards that I have created in the past couple of days.  Two were from this morning's "90 Minute Scramble" over at the Hero Group and the other two were cards I created for challenges!    See you shortly........

    It's now Sunday and I never did get back yesterday....it was one exhausting day...which all started when little "Skye" my six month old Puppy, escaped off our desk, when I foolishly opened the gate to go to the store and thought she would simply "stay", as I had asked?  Wrong ?  She was on the run and was having ab blast, watching me try to run and catch her?  It was so scary for me, because I was so afraid, she would run down toward "Main Street" and then possibly right into the line of traffic.   We happen to live on a little dead end dirt road and while she has been down there when we go on walks, it's not a area that would ever be safe for her for 'any' dog alone.   Thankfully, about halfway down toward that area, she ran into a neighbors yard and they basically kept her from going further...(her timid side came out) and she did not want to run past them and kept coming toward me, but if I tried to grab her...she was off again...and then headed in the opposite direction, which also leads to another (very quiet) street, but nonetheless a street and if that tiny thing darted out from a driveway, her life would have been over....I think I basically had a mini panic attack and simply kept calling her to "come", which is a command she knows...but to her, this was a FUN new chase game and she had no plans to come to me.   A few times, I tried to convince her I had a treat, but she's too smart for that....after more running...she did stay in our neighborhood in the area that is familiar from our walks....thankfully, and she turned to head back toward home...our next door neighbor..who she really likes, knew she was loose and when she started to go toward him, he called her, and clapped in an excited voice and she went toward him, and then quickly saw hubby and went to our backyard.....where she was basically now trapped, but also exhausted for her RUN.   She gave up and laid in the cool grass, and I grabbed her and hugged her and hung on to her for minutes...I could hardly breathe and my mind was sick with the fear of her getting lost of being hit by a car.   

   Thankfully, this all ended well, but it took another of my lives away from me.....I have no idea what would have happened, had she gone too far or not come back.  There is NO way I could ever catch her and because she can be timid, she would likely run from pretty much anyone.  THe thought of her getting to Main Street or into the woods, was just awful.    I will NEVER EVER EVER open that gate when she is anywhere in the yard or even outside.  It was a huge mistake and I've learned my lesson.  I know she'd bolt again, as it was so fun...and that's why I never leave her out alone, even in the fenced yard.  She's a puppy and loves to run and play and she will win over me anytime.   Last night as I went to sleep the thoughts of her still being out, were scary...we live so close to the woods and know there are coyotes nearby and have even seen them on our lane.    Phew!!  What a day !  I am so thankful and grateful that both she and Scout are find and well and I'll never ever let that happen again!   I'm also going to continue training more and and more with her, so that when I say COME, she does!   I know it will take time, but it's vital!  I would be heartbroken if anything ever happened to my sweet little girl....

    And now I'm sharing the rest of the cards that I have made in the past couple of days.  My first card was created for the current challenge at Simon Says Stamps as well as this week's "Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge!   I started with one of Simon's  exclusive stamp sets, along with this week's Sketch and put together this very fun and easy Birthday Card! 

CTS # 34

My Card

  And using the same wonderful Sketch, along with another sentiment from the same set, I created a second card which is more of a Thank You card for a friend, who has always been very dear to me!

   And that brings me to the last two cards I have to share and these are the two cards that I created for the fun 90 minute Scramble that Bethany hosted yesterday over at the Hero Arts Flick Group.   She came up with a great idea and created this amazing variety of  "Summer Color Combos" on a board over at Pinterest. Our goal was to pick a color combination and create a project in those colors.   How fun is that!

   For my first card, which I really do not "love", I had picked this color combo, which is known as Ice Cream Sundae Colors -

My Card

   With time to spare and because I simply was not happy with that card, I quickly went back to my desk and actually finished a second card, which is my favorite.   This time, I chose this fun color combo, which reminded me of a delicious chocolate frosted cake with sprinkles.  Hum?  Now that I'm see this, looks I has "sweets" on my mind?

My Card

   I had a lot more fun with this card and it all started with a piece of Hero's new Patterned Papers, from these cool new paper packs.   I then inked up my Lotus Background stamp in the new Fresh Peach Ink and stamped it directly to the Patterned Paper.   I used a circle punch to punch yellow patterned circles for the flower centers and created a border in green.  I then used a variety of circle punches and a cute little polka dotted button to finish off my card!    Oh and I almost forget to tell you, I was the lucky "random drawing" winner of a digital prize from Hero, which is very excited.  My thanks for Bethany for her fun Scramble and to Hero Arts for their prize too!  Yippee!!

    And that my friends is the end for now!!  I am heading to another fun card-making event, down at a local Inn this afternoon.  It's a follow-up to the mini stamp camp we started last week using some of the new Amuse stamps!  Looking forward to seeing Anne and Tobey and having some fun stamping!   Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  

Oh ....what a week!!!

  This has been one tough week.....a heat wave that's still hanging on, a dog having seizures and is now having side effects his meds, and a Puppy who has re-developed her timid side, which seems to be related to all the extra barking coming from her big brother....??  Yikes!!   I need a vacation for sure....unfortunately, there is not one coming in my near future, so I'm doing the best that I can.

    On the upside, I am very thankful that our house is fully air-conditioned and I also did have a great weekend of crafting.  I took a really fun "Dylusions" Workshop at my LSS on Saturday, which was really fun.  I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Dyan Reaveley, last week and she'll be making a return to teach again in the Fall.  The idea of this class was to reintroduce use to her products and techniques and we worked on a fun little book, that is still a work in progress.  I had been really wiped out last week, so as much I loved getting out, I was tired and left about an hour early to make the drive back home.  

     Then on Sunday, I went to a fun little get together, hosted by Tobey, a local Innkeeper, who loves to create and who also now is an Amuse Demo.  She's been trying to find new crafters in our area and has been hosted a few events in the hopes of finding some new friends who also have a love to create. Unfortunately, with the heat and it being a very hot Sunday after, she didn't' have a great response, but I was happy to go and get out for a couple hours.

     We worked on four really fun cards, all of which were ideas that were inspired by Amuse and and I even earned some "Badges" for my efforts.   I also placed a order, of course and hope to get back down again next weekend, when Anne, an online craft friend, will be coming up for her annual week of Summer vacation here in Rockport and will be staying at the Inn.  Ironically, it was though Anne, that I met Tobey, and had no idea previously that she and her Hubby owned the Inn or that she was a crafter and that we both love to visit the same LSS.  It is really a small world!!

      This is the first card we created and it has turned out to be one of my favorites, and was very easy too. You can bet that I'll use this idea to create more cards in the very easy CAS Style.

   And next was this cute card, which is done in a technique known as "Bandana" which is exactly what it reminds me of, especially when it's done in red, white and black, as we did on this cute little note card.

 
 I actually ordered the Zinnia Stamp/Die Set that we used for the card above, as well as the wonderful Sentiment sets that contains that very cool looking "Hello".

  And next is this amazing feather card, where I learned a totally new and fun way to create feathers using Washi Tape.....so cool -- easy and the look is right on!!!

  Followed by this cute little card that was done with a set of Feather stamps, from Amuse.   Like I said, they were all really fun and I was very happy I felt up to going and didn't miss out!!

   My next few cards are all cards I made for a variety of challenges and it's taken me a few days to get them all done, photographed and uploaded, so it could be that I'm a bit late, but I tried.  My first card was one I actually started as soon as the challenge came out, and that is the Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge - Week # 33 which you can find HERE!   And it all started with this sketch, which is our inspiration for this week.

 My Card

   This one stumped me a bit and after a few ideas, I went with a heart theme and punched out three hearts and then coated all three with Versamark and Silver Embossing powder, to give them a look of metal, which unfortunately, is not showing so well in my photo.  I then stamped my sentiment on matching red cardstock and added both a black base which I had embossed in my Cuttlebug.  The little ribbon stamp, as well as the sentiment are both from stamps sets that Kristina Werner designed for Simon Says Stamp.  

  My next card was inspired by this week's new CASology challenge, where our CUE word is FREE.  For some reason, the very first thought that came to mind was "Butterflies" and I knew that would in some way be my theme.   And that all came from a very old song "Butterflies are Free".  

   

My Card

Card Two

   As you can see, I am sharing two cards (I actually created three), and even so to be honest, I did NOT LOVE any of them and one is long gone in the trash.   The vision I had in my mind just did not work on paper, as I had hoped, but I did stick with my Butterfly theme and chose the first card (actually the third of my day), as the card to submit for the challenge.   

   My butterfly is a brand new "Leanna Butterfly" die I had just bought from Simon Says Stamp and it's another of their exclusives.  I cut it several times from Hero's Pool cardstock and then adhered two/three together for each card to give it extra dimension.  I wanted a 'flying trail type' look and first failed and totally ruined my first card by trying to draw one...(it was bad), so I tried again using this die and the cut off the parts that would not work...even so it was not the right look and that's why I kept going!   

   Finally, I tried something even more simply and went with a very CAS one layer card, where I embossed my card in a dotted background, added my dimensional butterfly and little bling and then simply tied on a matching bow!  

  And my last card today is for my Mom and it will be given to her tomorrow on her 79th Birthday!!  It's hard to believe that she'll be 80 next year and with all the health issues she's been through this year, I hope that next year will be a much happier and healthy one.    I loved how this turned out and I knew I wanted something feminine with flowers, as that is her favorite style.  I started by heading over to Pinterest where I quickly found this card, that I had pinned to my Card Inspiration Board.  I then decide that was exactly the look that I wanted, so I basically "Cased" it and want to give credit to the original designer -- "Kiagc" who had her card posted over at SplitCoast!  Thanks for a fabulous idea!!!

   This is Kiagc's card !

Courtesy of Pinterest

 

   My Version

   I didn't have all of the exact same dies as "Kia" used, but I do own the same Fresh Daisy die, which is another favorite from SSS.  I also had a Fiskars border punch, that I thought looked pretty close and I changed the frame and the ribbon to use products from my stash.   I also punched a few extra flowers, as my frame was a bit larger and colored them with my Copics.   I am very happy with how it came out and think my Mom will really like it.   Another great thing I love about Pinterest....a fabulous place to find new ideas and inspiration!   Thanks again to "Kia" for sharing her card -- it's fabulous!!

  And I'm now done and hope that the week will continue to improve.  Scout, had not had any additional seizures, but is not feeling well and is not a happy Dachshund taking his meds.   All he did most of yesterday was bark and wanted me to feed him.  Excessive hunger and thirst are side effects of this meds and boy was it showing, on the higher dose, which luckily was only for four days.  He's been seizure free since his Vet increased the dose, but has also been very grumpy and I do hope the worst is over.  On top of that, little Miss Skye has gone back into her more timid stage and seems like all his "extra" barking is annoying or frightening her?   Poor little girl.   I guess she prefers the quiet, and I have to admit, I'm with her.  Scout typically only barks when someone comes to the door or if a strange dog is around...but the past couple of days...it's bark, bark and more barking...even I ended up with a headache last night.  I could NOT wait for him to go to sleep, hoping he would feel better!   He's also whining a bit, so I know he's not comfy, but there really is nothing I can do.  I can't feed him excess food, as that is not good and he's already overweight...Poor Guy!!  A rough week and I'm sure the 90+ temps and humidity are not making them real happy.   They don't like going outside much and we've walked a night or very early.  THis too shall pass, hopefully soon, as he's now back on the normal dose!  Phew!!

      Bye Bye for now, and as always -- Happy Crafting!!

A fun and fantastic Friday....at first??

...I am so thankful that I'm finally on the mend and I am hoping with this dry sunny weather, that the nasty Fibro flare, will diminish!!   This morning I went out for a bit of pampering and I don't know about you, but I always feel better after I have my hair done!   And today, not only did I do that, but I also went to the Spa right next door and had a wonderfully relaxing Pedicure...ah!!  Heavenly!!

    Today, I'm finally up to posting some cards and these are the few that I've made in the past couple of days for some of my favorite challenges.  I know if I don't' get them uploaded and posted soon, I might be too late, so I'm hoping they are all still current.

    My first card was created for the current challenge over at "Addicted to CAS" and this time we had a fun "Code Word" - Teenager which really had me thinking of all kind of neat ideas.  My first thought, of course was my boys and things they did when they were teens.    And the very first that that came to mind, was Skateboarding...something they both loved, especially Brian, who still skateboards often...even back and forth to work at his job in San Diego.

    I also knew I had a cute digi image that I wanted to use and that's the adorable -- which was created by Lori Boyd, of By Lori Designs.  I adore all of Lori's wonderful images and happily own a large collection!! This handsome "Dude" is one from her Lollipop line and his name is Ethan.   I printed out Ethan directly to my favorite white Copic Coloring Cardstock, Cryogen White - and then colored him with my Copics.  I then cute him down to fit a A2 card and used a piced of Bitty Dot Basics (by PTI).   I finished up my card by adding the "Dude" Sentiment by Paper Smooches, which I stamped on in Deep Blue Archival ink!!

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   And next I have a fun new card which was inspired by the latest challenge over at CASology, where are "Cue" for this week is FISH!!

  I knew right away that I didn't have any stamps for fish, so that meant I would be using my Silhouette Cameo and I started out by searching my library to see what I had any "cute fishes" and sure enough, I quickly found a few and created my very own Print and Cut file, using a combination of different shapes and images I had in my library!!   I started with this Set, and then took the heart and other elements from this set and designed a full sheet of assorted "Fishies" in a variety of fun colors and patterns.  I filled a full 8 1/2 X 11" sheet and first printed them, and then had my Cameo cut out the full sheet.  Let's just say, that I know have a boatlaod of fish, should a need some again soon.    I also changed things up a bit, by using Googly Eyes on my card and I created a simply computer generated Sentiment!!  Hope it makes you smile!!

 I had also used my Cameo earlier in the week to make two new "Baby Girl" cards that I needed to go with gifts I had for my niece, Kelly and also for the sweet girl - AnnMarie, who has been going my nails for the last several years.  And did I ever had fun shopping for baby girls....especially after having two boys and never having the chance to buy them very frilly little outfits!!   

  For each of their cards, I also created two new Print and Cut Files and created each one in colors that were different.  I started with a Basic "Onsie" shape and then filled each with colors and patters of colors.  One in a Pink theme and the other in Purple, of course!!   These are the cards that I made each of them.  I had also created matching sentiments for the inside, but forget to take pictures...OOP!!  

  

    My next card is part of a Pre-Class challenge being hosted over that the Summer Card Camp II , which is hosted by Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner at their fabulous online classroom.  The class starts in early July (the 8th to be exact), but many of us have already signed up and are excited to start.  The girls decided to keep us all busy, while we await the start our Summer Camp and have come up with some fun little chalelnges for us.  The first challenge started a few week's ago and was a color themed challenge.  Because ALL of the class data is exclusive to only those who take the classes, I can not share the color details or the sketch, but I can tell you that I loved both and today's card is was Sketch inspired!  For those of you who are already enrolled, you'll know exactly what I mean.

   This was a fun card to make and it all started with a my "Tide" colored cardstock, from Hero Arts, and the idea of also using the navy blue and white dotted papers from PTI.   I then decided to go with the circles which I created in assorted sizes with my Stampin' Up punches.  I then knew I wanted to add some of the deep blue to the circle, so I stamped them with this fun stamp set, which is a Simon Says Stamp Exclusive, called "Circle Friends" that was designed by Kristina Werner.  For the largest circle I decided to leave that plain and punched a heart shape to stamp and layer on top!   The sentiment is from another SSS set, called - You Can Do Anything.    This will be my second Summer Card Camp, I also took the first session, which was also the first class that Jennifer and Kristina offered when the started the Online Card Classrom, back on the Summer of 2011.   If it's anything like that one, which I have a feeling it will be, it'll be awesome!!   I can hardly wait!!

  ......Update:   About halfway through this I stopped to take a little break and also took my dogs out and sadly for the second time this week, my oldest dog, Scout had a seizure, which is just awful for any owner to go through.   He had one last Saturday night and we saw his vet on Monday.  He does have a history of seizures and they can be fairly common in his breed, Dachshund, but this was the first time he's expereinced any, since I have him.  I adopted him last October and just love him so much.  He's back to taking Potassium Bromide, which had did well with in the past.  As a matter of fact, when his RX ran out in December, because he had been seizure free for a few months, the Vet suggested we try and taper him off and see how it went and all this time it's been fine...but not now!   Luckily, today's seizure was NOT quite as bad as the one on Saturday but I did call the Vet and they did up his dose for the next four days...and I'm actually giving him 3 doses today!  Praying it will help allieviate all his seizures again.  It's simply very difficult for me to see him in that state.  I hate it and simply pat his back and try to comfort him.  But, knowing that's all I can do is not easy, quite honestly, it's heartbreaking!!



 

A horrible week......pain is never fun!!

...not only has our weather been yukky, (until today), but my Fibro and muscle pain has been absolutely the worst pain I've been through in ages?  I am not sure why, as I don't' recall doing anything, but my low back and even my legs are aching....but, as always...I try really hard to fight this and NEVER let it totally WIN....!!  

   On top of that I'm still stressed about about the seizure my dog, Scout, had on Saturday night and I wonder if me lifting him, has been doing me in.  Ideally with my back, I should not be lifting much over 5-10 lbs..., which is nothing and he definitely weighs more than that, but I LOVE him so and don't want him hurt! I also found out he has a bad/loose rear tooth which ideally should be removed, but that would require putting him under Anesthesia and I'm not ready....and luckily I have time...if I do it, I'll likely has his lipoma (fatty tumor) removed too, which is something that was never needed, but if he does need to have any anesthesia, it would be the time to have this done too!  Of course, he's almost ten and we don't have any Pet insurance, nor can he even be insured now, so this is something we need to pay ourselves and also taking about $750+, and while I love him, this is a significant amount for a single income family!!  UGH!!  Why is life so hard sometimes??

   I've also bummed that I have missed out on so many of my Favorite Challenges, but HOPE I might be able to try some cards today!   My computer is acting up and wouldn't even start for awhile yesterday..just one thing after another...and it all's sucky, as I don't' exactly have money to order a new computer and these days, have NO clue what I would even buy?   When it Rains...It Pours!!   The only upside this week is that I hope to attend a fun "Dylusions" class I signed up for ages ago.  It's Saturday at my LSS and I hope my back allows me to be there...I haven't been out much, since I adopted the Puppy and need a break!!   Wish me luck...
   In the meantime, I'm resting as much as I can....with two dogs!   I do HOPE be back soon...missing my creative outlet and keeping in touch with all my craft friends - Big Time!!

Today's 90 Scramble at Hero Arts....

.....just started at 2PM Eastern time and everyone is welcome to play along.   Please head on over to the Hero Arts Flickr Group for all the details !  I'm also sharing them here, along with the Sketch and the cards that I created as inspiration.

    I decided to create a Sketch for today's 90 minute Scramble and I have to admit, I don't have any type of program that I could easily do this, so that part in itself was a bit of a challenge.  What I did was used my Silhouette Cameo to create the basic shapes and design and I then took a Screenshot of my design and made that into a JPEG file so that I could upload it over at the group.  If anyone knows of some fun and very easy to use programs I can use to create sketches....please share!!

   This is my sketch and I created it in color and also in black and white, but used the color version in the Group post.

   The best part about using my Cameo to create the sketch design, is that I could then cut some of the shapes I wanted and needed for my inspiration cards.   Oh how I love my Cameo and I'm so pleased that I bought it.  I think it's my favorite "Big Bucks" craft purchase!  A fantastic tool and I like it so much better than either of my Cricuts, which I plan to sell in my Etsy Store very soon.  If you know anyone looking for a Baby Bug, a Pink Cricut Expression or any cartridges, let me know!  I'm willing to sell them for great prices and really need the space!!

   And these are the cards that I created to share with the group!  If you go over to my Photostream at Flickr, you'll see ALL the details on each of the cards.  

  All three cards contain lots of Hero products, which as many of you know is one of my favorite products lines.  Love Love Love them!

  And speaking of Hero goodness....one of the prizes I am giving out to a Scramble winner is also one of my favorite new cling stamp sets, from Hero's newest release - Stamp Your Story.  It's this awesome set, called Brush Strokes, which I also must say is NOT all that easy to find.  I bought my first set at Simon Says Stamp, as they were the first store I found them at, and then I still needed a set for today and that's when I found out that this set is in high demand and sells out quickly.   I ended up finding the second set a Cut@ Home and was thrilled to find they were in stock and at a fabulous price too!  Yippee!!!

    I'm also giving a second little "Surprise " RAK and that will be based on the winner's favorite colors.  I'll put together a little fun pack of goodies all in that particular color.   And as always, Hero Arts will be donated a digital prize another winner.   All winners will be picked by Random Drawing.  I'll have Hubby pull names and maybe even have him pick his favorite.  If he's out when it's time, I'll use the Random Number site, which I think is great!  You can find it HERE!!

  Now I'm heading back to the group to see how everyone is doing!!  I hope you see this in time to play and Good Luck to ALL!!

   UPDATE:  I am back to post the Winners and also share a copy of their cards with you!  I also hope I can inspire you to join Heidi, the first place winner, who is sending her amazing card off to a wonderful girl named "Maddy"!  I thought that was such a great idea, that I'm also sending one of mine to her!  I have also sent other cards in the past and think Maddy's story is very touching!

Winner # 1 - Heidi

I love this!!

Winner # 2 - is Lin 

This is her lovely card!!

Winner # 3 - Bethany

I love the wonderful watercolor look!

Bethany was also the first one to post a card!!

   If you would like to be part of the Card Drive for Maddy, please HOP on over to the Simon Says Stamp Blog HERE for all the details.   

   This is the card that I have decided to send to Maddy and I also posted the information over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group hoping that some of the other Scramble players will send her a card too!   

 

  My last two pictures today are what happens when I'm not keeping a very close eye on "Skye", my very sweet and adorable little Chiweenie!   Last week if you follow my blog, you'll know that she chewed up her bed...well today, while I was "Scrambling", she decided to eat her "Big Brother Scout's" lounging pad, where he had been napping in the sun!  Not a good idea for her, as he has now taken over her "Puppy Pocket", even though he already has his own!!    Way to go Scout!!

Forgetful should be my middle name?

....and since I do not even have a middle name, it just might work.    But, in all fairness, I do believe that most of my horrible memory is due to Fibro Fog, even so it's terrible at times and I so wish I could go back and have the wonderful memory I once had.  But, such is life with Fibro.....and I'm not about to dwell on it.

    The only downside is that I keep missing out on the deadline one of my most favorite new challenges and that's the awesome FUSION Challenge.  I think it's one of the most fun and unique challenges and I can't think of another one like it.   I have been playing since it first started, but for some silly reason, I've missed the posting deadline a few times, which is a bummer.   The card I'm sharing first is actually a card that I finished up yesterday and it was based on Fusion Challenge # 10, which also ironically ended yesterday...OOPS!!

My Card

   I do have to admit that I found last week's challenge to be one of the most difficult do date, which is probably why I was put aside for a few days, leaving me out of it.   As you can see, I based my card on the Sketch, which I thought was awesome.  I also made a Masculine card and this could have working out to be a fun one for Father's Day too.   I also have to admit, that I'm kind of glad I missed out, because the other cards were all awesome and this is one that is just "okay" to me!!! 

    And having missed out last week, you can bet I was not about to let that happen again, so I'm thrilled to be sharing my newest FUSION card, created today for the current challenge, which you can find HERE!

Fusion 11 -- Hypothesis

 

  This week's ideas also screamed Masculine to me, so I decided to make another masculine card, but in the end I really think this card could work out for anyone.  I'm thinking I'll probably send it off to my Brian, my son who now lives in San Diego.  I miss him and Meg (his wife), so much, so I like to send them lots of cards, for fun and to let them know they are always on my mind.

    My card is primarily sketch inspired, but I also incorporated the stripes and lines from the ties in the photo image.  My fun little Sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  The main background patterned paper is from "Fiddlesticks" by My Minds Eye, as are the striped circles.  The cardstock and card base are all from my Stash of American Crafts Cardstock and the brad is an oldie but goodie from a old Basic Grey Set.  THe circles and hexagons were all punched with Stampin' UP punches.

   My next card is another challenge inspired card and this one was also created today and is for this week's challenge over at Muse Challenge blog and one that I'm getting posted just in time, as this challenge ends tonight.  Phew!!   This week our MUSE is the always talented Therese Calvird, who is also a member of the MUSE Design Team.

Therese's Muse Card

My Card

   At first, I was also going to create Rosette's for my card, but knowing they can take some time to dry, I figured out, I better pick something else, and I used a variety of dies to create these from some scraps of cardstock.  I'm also trying to use up some of my 12X12 papers, as I now only buy 6X6 pads, but I have tons and tons of 12" paper that I do not want to totally waste and I thought this worked out well for this design, plus it reminded me of Therese's background, but without the stamping!!   I took the easy out again, so I would not be late.   My sentiment was stamped in black ink on Kraft cardstock and is from a Hero Arts set of Birthday sentiment.   The bling is also from hero and the buttons and twine were from me stash.  It's my own Case of Therese's Card, but using totally different product.    I had fun on this one and will be saving it for my sister-in-law's birthday which is coming up on the 21st.  

  I'd also like to take a minute to thank Laurie, of Soap Creations, who I know as one MUSE Design Team Members.   I had been admiring her cards and while on her blog, I came across her card holder dies which she created and sells from her blog.  So COOL!!    As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted one, but at that time they were sold out.  I was so excited when I found out last week, they were all back in stock and quickly ordered two, the scalloped design, along with the decorative.   I've already played with them a few times, and will be sharing some pictures soon.  In the meantime, you can see some ideas on Laurie's Blog or her Facebook Page.  My special thanks to Laurie for her super fast shipping and for sharing such a great idea with us all!!  Thank YOU!!

   And that's it for now...time to take the dogs out and have some play time.  With all the rain we've had this week, we have not had a lot of chance to be out, but the weekend sounds perfect!   And, don't forget that I will be hosting a 90-Minute Scramble tomorrow afternoon over at the Hero Arts Flick Group!!   Come on over and play -- you can find more details HERE and the Scramble starts at 2PM EDT.