Summer's here....

   ....and I am very happy with the nice sunny weather.   It's been perfect so far, the real heat and humidity is starting to roll in and I'm sure the AC will be needed for the next couple of days.   I'll miss having the windows open and the comfy dry air, but I'd still taken HOT over winter any day!!   The good news is that we only are expected two really hot 90 degree days and after by the weekend, the temps are going back into the 70's which will feel wonderful.

    Today I have two cards to share and the first card is another Summer-Themed card for this week's big SUMMER PARTY over at 'The Outlawz Challenge Group'.   Today is the Color Challenge and the Girlz have put together some fun inspiration which you can find HERE!   Our challenge is to use Red & White Checks in our projects and also as a twist to use 'Punches'.   This is my card which will be submitted to their challenge.

   I started by finding some red and white checkered paper, which is from one of my older DCWV Summer Stacks.  I then used a variety of Punches and Die Cuts to create my border, and a background for my sentiment, which is actually some clip art from another old CK Scrapbook program that I have had installed on my computer for a long time.  I had almost forgotten about it, until today, but it worked perfect for this card.  My ribbon is from this month's club at 'Really Reasonable Ribbon' and I loved that it had the perfect red/white check that I needed for my card.

    This card is being submitted to each of the challenges and everyone is welcome to join the FUN!!

• The Outlawz Group- Summer Party - Color Combo with a Twist
•  A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge  #155 - Here Comes Summer
• Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

       My second card today was inspired by a new challenge that is now being hosted weekly over at SSC.   This is great for me, because it's a new Cricut Challenge and it's helping me to use my Cricut more and create shapes and elements for my cards.  I'm very lucky to own a wonderful Pink Journey Cricut Expression, along with a Gypsy and several Cartridges, but I also do NOT use it nearly as much as I should.   I am thrilled that there is a group that is now hosting challenges and tutorials and it's been awesome to break out my Cricut and use it.    This is my Pink Expression that I bought during 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. 

   

      After a few weeks of Tutorials this is the first week where we have a challenge and it's EASY even for a beginner.  All you need to do is put your Cricut to work and share a project you made using it.  I created a fun easy card and the flower on my card was created with variety of shapes I cut with my Expression.  Most of the shapes were from the Mother's Day Bouquet Cartridge.

      This is the card I came up with today and it's very basic and simple!   Even, so I'm very happy that I tried and I plan to play along every week!   Everyone is welcome, so feel free to come on over and join the fun.

    In addition to the flowers shapes I cut with my Cricut, I also used a my Grand Calibur to create my large circular card, which I could also have done with my Expression.  I find it quicker to use my Grand Calibur, but there are time when I'll cut several papers of shaped cards on the Cricut!! 

   And that is it for now, but since I have my Expression up and running I think I'm going to see what else I might want to cut today!