Fun, Fun and More Creative Fun!!

  I have had a couple of super busy days, but it's all been fun and almost all my time has been spent crafting.  I'm still loving being a part of the CAS Card Class and looking forward to another fun day tomorrow.  We also were surprised with some fun Bonus Inspiration and fun tips and information over the weekend, which was a nice plus.

  Yesterday, I headed out to my LSS (Absolutely Everything) to take a really fun and unique class.  It's was the Beginner Zentangle class and it was really fun.  I knew that Kate, (the owner), had taught these classes several times and thought it would be something different.  I've heard many people talk about how relaxing it is to draw Zentangles, and that inspired me to try.   Kate is not only the store owner, but an amazing artist, who also love to share her talents by teaching a variety of classes at the store.  It's great to have a store owner who loves to create as much as we all do.  She also loves to have all the latest and greatest products in the store and will be off to CHA shortly to order all the new things coming out.  WooHoo!   It's such a wonderful store and I'm so lucky to have a store this awesome.   The best part is that it's close enough to home that I can make the drive, a bonus for sure.

   We started by learning the basics about Zentagles and how they were first created by a couple that is actually from Massachusetts.  You can find out more about this very cool art, by going to their website HERE!   Below are some images of the basic starter pieces, along with the two Zentangle tiles I completed yesterday.  We learned 8 different 'tangles' and each tangle has it's own name.   It's really amazing and is quite relaxing!

    Next, is a picture of the Zentangle 4 booklet that I bought for future inspiration.  It's also in this issue that Kate has a wonderful project featured (it's also on the cover), and I have also included a picture of the piece below.  In person, it's gorgeous and includes several tangles.  The cool thing is that you can tangle on almost anything, which you'll see done in Kate's project.

  As you can see, this project is amazing and this shows how you can use Zentangles on flowers, titles and other ways to create really fabulous projects.    I thought it would be fun to try on cards from time to time and I do plan to take a follow-up class.

    My next project has been to finish up all the Beaded Stick Pins that I have been working on for a SWAP. I'm very happy to say I am now done and all my pins will be mailed out on Tuesday.   I also wanted to share a few pics of my adorable pink giant pin-cushion that I found at Jo'Ann's.   You'll also see that I created little bags for each set of three Pins, which was another part of the project.   This is my very first swap of this type and I really had fun.  I love using this pins on cards and will enjoy having a fun collection after the swap is over.  It's also another fun creative outlet and I will continue to make more.  I'm glad I tried it!!

   Once they were all done, I had these six little packages which are what every of the participants will receive.  I also created another set all in a Valentine's Theme, which I shared last week.  Those pins were packaged in little Matchbook type packages which I created using my Silhouette Cameo.   The Cameo was also used to create these little bags and the inside die cut, was is a brand new one I bought yesterday, while at the store.  It's another from Memory Box is is really pretty!.

    I had also planned to make cards today for some of my favorite challenges, but I'm now running out of time and only have one finished.  This card was created based on today's new Sketch Challenge over that the Stars and Stamps Blog and will be sent off in my new batch to OWH.   I have also copied over today's sketch for anyone who wants to play along!!

Sketch # 104

My Card

    I'm pretty tired right now, but feel good about getting so much done.   It's a good feeling when you can check a few things of your to do list and that's exactly what I did today.  

     I hope you all had a nice creative weekend and had time to spend in your craft room.  Tomorrow, will the first day of our second week in CAS Card Class and I'm sure it'll be fun.  The Gallery is jam packed full of amazing cards that many of the participants have shared.   I really love to browse it and get ideas and inspiration for future card ideas.   See you all tomorrow!!