Inspiration Showcase-Day 7 -- A Question for YOU??

....but I have to admit that today, I am finding it hard to keep up and after 7 full days of crafting, I'm slowing down.   The good news is that I have lifetime access to the classroom, but I had hoped to get more done today and I'm exhausted!!

    I did manage to finish my next row of Hearts and they were all really fun!  I did not make ANY cards today and don't have enough energy left to craft any more todoy, but I'll be right back to it tomorrow and hope to also work on the fun Grunge elements that Tim shared with us on Saturday.

These are my hearts from Today's Class -

Here are some close-up views too

    This next heart was my favorite and was very fun, yet easy to create.  I started by Stamping the Flower, which is from the new Hero Arts Butterflies and Print set, which I recently added to my collection.  It's part of the new line where Basic Grey and Hero Arts worked together to create Stamp Sets that coordinate with Basic Grey papers and this one works awesome with 'Out of Print', once of my favorite new BG collections.

   The stamp was first inked with Versamark and stamped onto white cardstock.  I then added Hero Arts White Embossing Powder and heat set it.  The next step was to grab some markers (Water based), ie - No Copics or Alcohol Bases Markers.  I used a new set of Hero Arts Hues, and scribbled each color onto my craft sheet, and then misted the each color with Perfect Pearls Mist, in Pearl.  I then took a small paint brush and color in the stamps with my the the colors from the Markers and added a top layer of Perfect Pearls Mist.  I heat set it to dry and then die cut it to the heart shape for my canvas.    I really LOVE this technique and since I still have lots of older Water-based markers and this will be a great way to use them up.  It also works well if you use Watercolor paper, s that really gives it more of a natural watercolor look!   

  And to end my day, I just wanted to share a small picture of what my craft desk looks like, after I finished these hearts.   And the killer it, I had it totally clean last night and everything had been picked up and put away.  Not to mention that this is only a small area in my room.  I also have a mess over on my Cuttlebug table and even here at my computer desk.   It's kind of interesting how messy I can make this room in a matter of hours.

   One last thing....who uses or owns a Big Shot and do you LOVE it??   I found that Overstock has the Cute Pink Big Shot on Sale for $59.99 and $1 shipping, so if I want to upgrade, now might be the perfect time.   I just wonder if it's worth it.    More and more lately it seems that most people seem to use/prefer a Big Shot over a Cuttlebug and that it seems to make the cuts easier and without having to add to many shims etc.?    My Cuttlebug has always been a great tool and I used every singe day, but it can be difficult at times and some of the more intricate dies are a bit of a challenge.  Most time I can cut them, but it takes a few attempts and I have to add cardstock and chipboard shims?   Do you need to do that with your Big Shots?  Would you upgrade for this price?   Do they emboss as well as the Cuttlebug?   Just wondering???   What do you think - please leave me a comment with you take on this idea or why you like/love your Big Shot and can you cut the long die without having to change out plates?    I'm off for the day, but woudl LOVE your opinion!     Happy Sunday and have a great night!

These are a few of the goodies I used today!!