..and happily the creativity continues...

...which is awesome!!  I can't begin to tell you just how much I have really missed spending all this time being creative.   WIth all this nasty cold weather, I am very thankful that it's also given me lots of extra time in my craft room, doing what I LOVE most.  I have had a great week and totally enjoy every minute that I spend working on a new card idea, it's so FUN!   Love it!!

   Today, I am excited to be sharing two new cards both of which were inspired by challenges.  This card was designed with a few challenges in mind and the first is always a favorite and that is the "Cas(E) this Sketch" challenge, which you'll find HERE!   I had missed out on quite a few of these and it now seems like "Forever" since I've played!  Needless to say, I was extra happy to see that they has posted a brand new sketch, which I happily am sharing with you blow.  I hope this will encourage YOU to play too!

CTS #59

   

  For some reason, the very first thought that came to my mind when I saw this was to use a bird on my card and that's exactly what I ended up doing, which one of my favorite little dies from Memory Box.   I'm sure there will be lots of "feathers" in the challenge, so I also thought I wanted to do something which I hope with be a little different.

   I actually die cut three cute little birds from some of my Hero Arts Pink Patterned Cardstock.   Once I had them cut I edge each layer with some Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.   I wanted something to frame my little bird and chose another fabulous die, Chesapeake Circle also by Memory Box.  I decided to cut, which I cut in black.  I then simply added my little bird to the center and gave his feathers some extra shine with my WInk of Stella Markers.  I also added a few black sequins and stamped my Peace Sentiment from  The Alley Way in Black Versafine Ink, my new favorite for very crisp sentiment stamping!!   

  This card was also inspired and created to submit to the new "Die Cuts" Challenge over at Addicted to CAS, another of my favorite challenge and one that I try to play in every week!!!

  Next is another new card I created today and this one was created as a re-do for the currently challenge at CASology, where I am finding I just can't seem to create a card that I totally love, that really fits the "Bubbly" theme.  This time, I went every simple and actually used my Cameo to create this cute "Word Bubble" with a sweet little enclosed heart and then simply punched a black heart with my Stampin' Up punch to add some contrast.  To finish off my card I added two little dew drops (again thinking bubbles) and finished up with a "Smooches" sentiment from Paper Smooches.  This card will be heading off to OWH in my next batch and while it certainly could be a Valentine, I think it works perfectly year round!!  

  Additionally, I am submitted this card to the "SPARKS" Challenge the challenge blog for Paper Smooches, where the the theme is "Anything Goes"!!  Woohoo!!

   My next goal is to create a card for a brand new challenge and it's one I think you'll all LOVE because there are a wide variety of styles to choose from, including my favorite - Clean and Simple!   It's called "The Card Concept" and you can find their very first challenge HERE along with all the challenge rules and details on how to play.

   The first challenge is gong to be a color challenge and I am happy to share a copy of the color inspiration in the hopes it ill get you to join the fun!!   You'll also want to hop on over and check out all the fabulous cards the design team created and remember you have your choice of six different styles to create with!   I think it's going to be fun and I am planning to start on that card tonight!!  

  And that's it for today!  I am very happy to say that our winter blast is finally starting to let up a bit!!  Our temps were up in the high 20's today, will be in the 30's tomorrow and then even into the 50's --- like SPRING, over the weekend.  That will feel awesome and I can hardly wait!!   In the meantime, I'm off to take the pups out and let them run off some energy!!  Bye bye for today!

Uh Oh?? I lost my Mojo?

.....I was on a roll for the past few days and had a blast making some new cards....BUT -- then came today and it's been a bust!!

    It started with my plan to make a card for the newest challenge over at CASology, where the theme is "Bubbly".   Sounds pretty easy, right?  I thought so too, that was until my ideas did not work out, quite how I imagined.

   I knew right away that this would be a good time to put my Cameo back into use, since I have not used it in weeks.  Well that did not go well at first, and I am not sure what is wrong with it, but I'm a bit worried as to why my machine seems to be acting up.  At first, it would not cut and my computer could not seem to realize the Cameo was connected.  After fiddling with that quite a bit, I realized it was not well connected to the USB port, so I moved it to a new port and Yippee, it worked.   Well, I should say it realized it was connected again, but now decided it was not going to place nice and cut for me?   I went through 3 blades and 3 or 4 sheets of cardstock before I could get a decent cut and that's something that has not happened in ages?   The first time, I just figured my blade was old, so I put in a brand new one...that one, was apparently defective, as it was not cutting and ripped the paper??  Ugh!! I hate when that happens and so after my third attempt, it did finally cut.  Now I need order a few more, as this blade issue is NOT new to me and I know there are definitely still bad blades out on the market...BUMMER!!  But, I have to also stay that Silhouette's Customer Service has been fabulous and has happily replaced blades for me before and hopefully still will!!

   Once that was resolved and I finally got a decent cut, I decided that I did not really like the design and it really was not a good example of CAS, because it did take me SO long to make it.    I wanted to do "bubble blowing" card and found a cute cut file, but that gave me a lot of trouble, so I gave up on that idea and went with the funky bubbly background.

  However, now that it's done and think it just doesn't represent "bubbly" in the way that I hoped.  I think I maybe I continue to use my 3D Crystal Lacquer to fill in each of the circles, it may be better?   Not sure, but it's simply not what I had hoped.

   So....I decided to make a second card and for this one I wanted to cut a cute little fish and then make some kind of "bubbles" like there would be if he was underwater.   I found a cute design, and quickly and my fish cut (in white) and then colored him with my Copics and also added texture embossing him in my Cuttlebug.  I added WInk of Stella for more sparkle to his fins and tail and more crystal

   UPDATE:  Right in the middle of my post, my dogs decided it was time to eat and then I ended up having my dinner and by that time I was too tired to come back online and finish up this post.  Now after spending most of my morning doing paperwork and some much needed "shredding" -- I am HAPPY to be online again!

    And even though I'm NOT loving either of my cards, I did decide to submit the second card to the CASology challenge and I feel it's truly the CAS card and more of what I had in mind, even though I am NOT fully loving it.  I feel it needs more, but without my MOJO, I'm lacking in creative ideas!!   Maybe I'll be very luck and come up with an even better idea today and then decide to submit that card instead!!

   In the meantime, this is my sweet little "Hello Friend" card featuring a cute little fish and his "bubbles".      

A touch of Spring....

   is in the air today, but don't be fooled by Mother Nature, because it's simply a day of relief before the temps will go right back down and we'll be in for that nasty cold again!!  But, I have to say and feeling the 50's today, after the bitter cold and snow can really do a girl good !  Not to mention seeing some sunshine and being able to go outside in Flips Flops is always a great day for me!

   I'm also making lots more headway in my craft room makeover and also still took time this afternoon to work on two new cards for two new challenges, the first being the new MUSE challenge, which has fast become a favorite. I actually missed it while they were on the holiday break, so it was excited to see Laurie's new MUSE challenge card today!!   And it's also reminded me of Spring and Summer with her fun yellow sun an a sunshine type theme, which is exactly what I also created!

Muse Challenge #49

Inspiration Card By Laurie Willison

My Take!!

  This was really fun to make and the best part is that all the die cuts were already done for me and sitting in my file.  That is one thing I did start organizing last year and whenever I am using Die cuts or even my Cameo, I will often cut extra pieces and have them all now sorted.  I pull out this very funky sun and the yellow circle that I embossed in my Cuttlebug.  I knew I had a couple of stamps with a sunshine them, and since I ADORE Blue Sky Sunny Days I thought this would be perfect for me and for the card.  It's an older wooden stamp by Inkadinkado that I bought on clearance at my LSS!   WooHOO!   

  I also love how Laurie used Washi tape to kind of frame in her card and although I didn't have the same colors I did have pink and yellow and then used a scrap for my green layer in keeping with Laurie's idea!!   In the end I think it's a cute card, but I admit I LOVE Laurie's even more and think her work is amazing!!

   My next card was created for the current challenge over at "Little Tangles" which is the Challenge blog for Neat and Tangled Stamps, which I think are wonderful.  I started buying them last year and also fell in LOVE with their sequins!!   The theme for the challenge is Saying Hello, and that was inspired by also introducing the new Design Team!   Congrats to all the newest members and special shout out to Heather Ruwe who I know from the Hero Arts Flickr Group.  I also want to thank Heather for reminding us about the challenge and am happy to be playing along!!

   I decided to use my "Everyday Circles" Stamp set and combined it with my Trio Circle Die, one of the exclusive from Simon Says Stamp!  I stamped my Hello in the fabulous Memento Luxe Ink from Tsukineko in "Morocco" a nice orange shade!!  Love Love Love these rich Mixed Media Inks and now have a full set of all the colors, thanks to some awesome sales at Blitsy!!  NOTE:   Blitsy may be sold out of most colors currently, but they offer them often, so keep on checking, because their prices are fabulous!!

   I used up more scraps of patterned polka dotted papers that I picked to match my orange and white them.  Once I had the banner piece created, I added the "Hello" sentiment to the center circle, a sweet little Polka Dotted "Flair" button to the top and a little black heart to the bottom that I embellished with a sequin and some orange bling!!   I think it came out pretty cute and hope you will too!!

   I totally love the adorable Flair by "Bossy Joscie" and until today has misplaced my little stash.   This is why it pays off to take the time to do all this work in my craft room.  I have a whole bunch of "New" things that I've found!   Yaay!!

More Challenge Creations...

    I am very excited to seem to be on a roll today, especially since it's been ages since I have created not only five cards in a day, but also two blog posts!!  WOOHOO!!

  It's also exciting to be back to creating with purpose and for me that means getting back to donating the majority of my cards again to Operation Write Home.  It's something I fell very behind on after I adopted my first Puppy (Skye), back in April and then when I adopted (Zeva) her sister, in September, my craft time was pretty much wiped out.  But, now that they are settled in, it's really fun to know that I can spend so much time creating!   It also hopes that Hubby and Alex are both home, so they are playing with all three today!!   Happiness!!

   The next card I created today will be going right into my OWH Stash and I know I have several cards here, that also can be added to that pile.  I simply need to take some time and add an OWH Sticker to the back and also "tuck" each one into an A2 envelope and include a packing slip!!  I send off a batch everything I can fill a Flat Rate Envelope or small box and also try to include a postage donation with each shipment.  If you would like to donate or create cards for OWH, please go HERE for all the details!!  I have been making cards for them for almost four years now and love being a part of this amazing group!

    The inspiration for this card also comes from one of the many challenges that the group sponsors on the Stars and Stamps blog.  Sunday has always been on of my favorites at it's always a Sketch Challenge and every week features a new sketch.  This week the sketch we are on Sketch #206 , which I have copied to share with you here --

My card

   I loved the sketch and as always, I simply changed it up a tiny bit to add the heart a banner for my sentiment which is from Paper Smooches.  I think it's a wonderful sentiment for a OWH card!!   I also used many scraps that were leftover from the other cards I made this morning (see this post).  

   If you have any cards that you would like to donate, you can also feel free to send them to me and I'll include them with my next shipment.   You can also send yours directly following all the shipping details HERE!!   And lastly, you can sign up to follow the blog and receive updates on their ongoing events HERE! Sandy Allnock, the OWH Executive Director, and amazing designer, also offers a wonderful array of knowledge and ideas and you can even watch her on OWH TV !  Besides all that OWH even has their very own Facebook page!  They are a very dedicated group and provide a wonderful service to our Troops serving overseas! 

    My final card of the day was inspired by another of my favorite challenges and it's the Cas(E) this Sketch Challenge, which you can find HERE!!   I am so happy that I had the extra time to get a card done and posted (on time) for this challenge as it's one I LOVE to take part in!  I am sharing a copy of the current Sketch below and you still have a few days to enter and play along!!

My Card

  As I am sure you may have noticed, this sentiment set "Group Hugs" from "Paper Smooches" has been a big hit for me lately and I have used it on many of my cards!  I LOVE their sets and even their dies and have built up a nice collection!  Another store and line I totally LOVE!!

  This card was super easy to create and it's because it's a Clean and Simple card a style I absolutely LOVE.  I basically used things that were already on my desk and came up with this cute card in a matter of minutes, thanks to the great sketch that I had to work with!!  Hope you like it and will join me in the challenge!!

  Now I'm off to get the dogs fed and relaxing, before it's time for our supper.  It's been a nice day, sunny and cold (in the 30's), but not that horrible frigid weather we had once the snow arrived.  I hope you are all enjoying a nice day and that your weather is better too!  In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful week and a very happy 2014!

Have you been to Reverse Confetti?

  Reverse Confetti is a fun new stamp/die store and blog and I found through my love of all things crafty and immediately feel in love with the Tag Me die set, which I happily now own.  I also loved this "Tinsel n' Trim" - Stamp set, but when I went to order it, it was sold out!!  Hopefully, it will come back and stock, because I still want it and think it's a sweet as can be, Adorable don't you agree?

  I think my new obsession started after I saw this card, by Susan Liles, which is now happily on one of my Pinterest Boards --  along with these other cards, all ready to view at Reverse Confetti.   I just loved this from the get go and that very day I made my way to the store to order my first die set.   I've now added the store and blog to my bookmarks, as I know I'll be back!!

    I was so inspired by the design and the style that I read up about the idea and how it was created by Jen del Muro, a very talented designer.  She also creates some amazing cards  -- be sure to hop over and check them out on the blog.

   Today, I am very excited to be playing in one of my first Reverse Confetti challenges, and this one is the January Sketch For You TO TRY (SFYTT), and I am sharing a copy of the sketch for this month, which you can also find on the blog HERE!!!

SFYTT # 8 / Reverse Confetti

  I had so much fun with this and my first new die set that I actually created two different cards, pretty much the same, only much different the color choices.
This is the first card that I created and it's using the larger tag from the set:

   As you can probably tell, I used some of my favorite colors of teal and aqua and started with a card base created from some Hero Layering Paper.  The darker teal floral is a and small teal pieces are from my scrap stash and the large tag was cut from some Echo Park paper.  The brad/button is also from my old stash and the little "Live Well" sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  (I still do not own any new Reverse Confetti Stamps, but I think that'll change soon, as they have a brand new release coming out on January 8th.  You can even see a sneak peek of some of the new stamps HERE!!   WoohOO!

  My second card, which I think is my favorite, was done in a very deep turquoise blue and features some bling (sparkly brad) that has been sitting around since I started Christmas Cards!  Even though it looks a bit like a snowflake, I think it adds some fun sparkle to this card and it seemed like a good time to use it!!     Hope you agree!

   This card using these fabulous "Die Cuts" is also being submitted to the new challenge being hosted over at "Addicted to CAS", where the new them is Die Cuts....a favorite element for me and almost ALL my cards!!

   Here is a little close up view of the card, where you can see that I used both tags from the die set for my focal point, along with a simply "Hi" sentiment, again from a Paper Smooches set, another company I totally love!!

  Heading back to my organizing for today and hoping I can find some time for work on more cards this afternoon!   

   NOTE:  I promote only those products that I actually USE and LOVE!   I am not a member of the Reverse Confetti Design Team, nor do I have any other interest or affiliation with the company.  I always share products and I LOVE and this is a company I'll bet you'll now see me sharing often!!