Happy May Day!!

    I am behind a day and can hardly believe another month has flown by, but I am very happy that April is over and love that each day is closer to closer to Summer and fabulous warm weather.

    Yesterday, I never did  not mange to get a post done, but I do have lots of new things to share today!   I'm starting with a fun new technique I learned yesterday from Sandy at Operation Write Home.  She had a LIVE Class yesterday on OWH TV and taught us all how to create Ruffle cards, which are really fun.  If you have never tried them and would like to learn, please hop on over to the OWH Stars and Stamps blog and you'll find a link to the video HERE!   You can also take a peek at the cards the other gals have already created, this is a copy of Sandy's card - which I fantastic --

Ruffle Card by Sandy Allnock

Operation Write Home

   I have to admit, that I already tossed one of my cards and I'm still NOT loving this one, especially after looking at Sandy's.   But, this is how you learn - trial and error.  I do also own the wonderful Heart Border punch by MS, that Sandy used on her card and the next time I make one, I'm using that one.  I really think it does make a BIG difference, in your punch and your papers.    I have a new one started today with a scallop punch and a variety of papers and it's looking much better!  As you can see on my card, using all of the same color patterned paper, does not show as well and it's hard to even notice to the 'ruffle' effect.  I can't wait to see how many other ideas the girls come up with.   This is my first attempt...! 

   And quickly moving on....!   My next card features another new technique to me, and it's called 'Faux Silk' and I found my tutorial or at StampNation, where is was posted my a member, Maureen, who also has it posted on her Blog Here.  'Mo' is an amazing crafter and is also a Designer for 'The Outlawz', as well as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  If you are looking for a wonderful person to shop with for Stampin' up products, I can highly recommend here.   Her car is gorgeous and although I love the technique and found it easy to follow, this is another card that I'm just not loving.  When I try this again, I will choose another stamp, simply more the like the image Mo used for her card!

My friendship card is being submitted to these challenges:

• StampNation - Techniques Forum - Faux Silk
• Sweet Stamping Challenge Blog - Try Something New

  And speaking of 'The Outlawz', my next card was actually created for today's new CAS challenge, which you can find HERE!   The week we have a color themed challenge and this is a copy of the color swatch Amy designed for this week. 

    My card features a brand new digi image I won from 'By Lori Designs' and it's absolutely adorable, making this one of my favorite cards this week.  I think it's hard to go wrong, when you have such a cute image to start with.  Introducing Sweet Pea Levi, one of Lori's 'Puddle Jumpers'.   Levi also has a little Baby Sister Addy, who I know I will be adding to my BLD collection very soon!  

 

This card is being submitted to these fun challenges:

• The Outlawz Challenge Group - Sunday CAS Challenge - Color Combo
• Secret Crafter - Challenge #132 - Something for a Baby

   Isn't he adorable....a little shining star!!   Being a the Mom to two boys, I tend to love little boy images, even though my boys are now adults, I still tend to make them cards with cute little boy images to remind me of the days when they were little!

    I have one more card to share and this one was inspired and created for two new challenges.  It's a cute little digi image from 'DigiStamp Boutique' and I bought this image this week to make a fun card for my FIL for his Birthday, which is coming up later this week.  He's a big golfer and I thought it would make a fun card for him.   I am also very excited to learn that I was one of the Winners of the April Customer Competition at DSB -- WooHOO!  I found out, while in the middle of this post and you can find my card and post HERE!  

    Today's card was colored with Copics and I also used my Copic ABS to create my sky and part of the ground.  I really LOVE having the ABS and find it very easy to use.  If you have been considering it, but have not bought one, I think you'll be very pleased!   I also suggest you shop around for your compressor, if you decide to add one.  I bought mine at Harbor Freight and the price was fantastic.   Here is a link to the one many crafters has recommended to me and I just LOVE it!!  Oh and as it turns out, it's ON SALE for only $59.99 - making it an even better deal!! 

 This card is being submitted to each of these challenges and everyone is invited to join:

• Copic Creations - Challenge # 49 - Sky/Clouds
• Through the Craftroom Door - Challenge # 1 - Anything Goes
• DigiStamp Boutique - May Customer Competition

   I also created it to submit to a brand new challenge that started today over at 'Through the Craftroom Door'.   TTRCD will now be hosting a brand new challenge every other week and introduced their brand new Design Team yesterday.   This is a little bit of the post that introduced the new team.  NOTE:  This is is NOW open to ALL, you do not have to subscribe to the Magazine to enter the site, take part in the challenges or to submit for Publication.  If you would like to subscribe, you'll also have more access on the site.  For details, on subscription and pricing - go Here!

Congratulations to the new Design Team!!

DT LEAD:  Ashley N. Newell   

Cindy Coutts

Carisa Zglobicki

Melanie LaBelle

Anary Baumgarth

Anita Autore

   These are all very talented crafters and I hope to see you all hop on over to join the group!  You can find the very first Challenge HERE along with all the details!   There is also a fantastic prize, but I'm not telling, if you want to find out, hurry on over and join the FUN!!

    I'm off now to work on some more challenges cards and the next one will be for this week's Sketch Challenge over at the OWH Stars & Stamps Blog.  You can find it here and I am also including a copy of the new sketch!

   I hope everyone has a great day and my best wishes to you all for a wonderful month of May!!