I feel awesome...and have lots to share!!

   After a week of dealing with a stomach bug on top of my daily life with Fibro, I am THRILLED to be feeling good today!!  Yippee!!   I can never say enough about how wonderful it is to feel good!   It's also been a super weekend for me and I have lots of new cards to share.
 
     I missed crafting so much and was so excited to make up some of my lost time.   I started by heading off to my LSS, (Absolutely Everything),  for two card-making classes yesterday.  When I left in the morning, I thought I would simply stay for the first class and then take the afternoon set home.    I really did not think I would make it through two classes, so imagine my surprise when I did.  I think having all that extra rest this week, paid off!  Yippee!!

      The first class was my favorite, because we used Copics for most of the coloring, and also made some really pretty Valentine Cards.   All of the stamps were from Northwoods and this is the first time, I've taken one of their classes.   Below is a copy of the board we had as our inspiration for the class and we created all six of the cards shown.   I changed up a few things on some of my cards, as you'll see below.

      The first card I will share is actually my absolute favorite and the one that I chose to submit to this week's Twisted Thursday Challenge at The Outlawz.   The challenge this week is 'Anything Goes' with a twist of RED - you can find all the details on the site.

  I loved this card so much that I bought both Stamps and will be making this again.  It was colored with a combination of Copics, Distress Inks and even some Red Glitter.  The heart image was first stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed in black.  I colored the red little hearts and roses with Copics and Stamped a second heart, which we cut out only the roses, colored and popped them up on the card.  The backgrounds of the heart, tag and little I love you tag were colored with Distress Ink in Tea Dye and Aged Mahogany.

   The next card is my second favorite and is was also very quick and easy to color.   I love the basket full of tiny hearts think this card could be used year round as a love type card too!   I think I may end up buying this stamp, the next time I'm back at the store.   This is the card that I created to submit to the Copic/Prismacolor Challenge this week (Anything Goes), also being hosted over at 'The Outlawz'.

   
    The next four cards were the remaining cards we made in class.  Most of the gals in class liked this next card best.  Usually pinks and purples are may favorite too, but in this class I really loved the deep reds...Go Figure??

This card is really pretty and has lots

of Sparkle and Shine!!

   The last card does not feature the stamps we used in class.  I actually did not like how that card turned out, so I took it apart today and keep the pink background and the dies cut borders and put that together will all new elements today, to make this card for the new CAS Challenge over at The Outlawz.  Our challenge this week is a 'Melting Pot Challenge' and the idea is to use (4) different elements on our card.    Mine are:  Die Cut Border, Patterned Paper, Die Cut Hearts, which I popped and Distressed in Spun Sugar.  My last element was adding a little Stick pin, which I made today with white and pink beads and finished off with a little Baker's Twine bow.  I like this card so much more than the one I had done yesterday and I'm very happy I started over!! :)

     My next set of cards were all created in the second class and these cards and stamps are all from Inky Antics and are very whimsical and cute.   In this set they are all cute little bears and we colored them all with the new Marvy Le Plume Alcohol Markers which have recently hit the market.   They are very much a lower cost version of a Copic, but in my humble opinion, they are nothing like a Copic and not a marker I would buy.  They only have one tip (brush), are not refillable and the colors are very washed out looking, as you'll see in the cards.  They almost have a chalk-like look, which could appeal to some.    I LOVE the vibrant colors of Copic's ink much more, and I admit I am spoiled, because I already own my Copics.  Had I never tried Copics, I might like these more, which is why I can understand that for some crafters this might be a much more affordable marker.   The retail price is $2.99 and there are currently 144 colors.    These are all six of the cards and I'm starting with my favorite first, which is also the featured card on the Ink Antic site.

       They are kind of cute, but I not really my favorite styles or colors.   I did not end up buying any of the stamps or the contrasting papers.    Even so, it was still nice to get out and spend time with others, who love to create as much as I do.   It was a fun afternoon, but I really LOVED the morning class and cards much more.

        Today, I have two more cards done and ready to share and the first was created for today's new Sketch Challenge over at OWH's Stars and Stamps Blog.  We are now working on Sketch # 106 and this is a copy I copied over to share!    I really enjoyed this sketch and know it's one I'll use again!!

Sketch # 106

My Card

Note:  Special thanks to Paula for creating me new OWH Watermarks for my cards!  I love them both and will put them to good use!!  THANK YOU!!!

   And last, but not least, I have one more card to share and this one was also based on a CAS Sketch and is also for a new challenge over at Crafting By Designs.    I have also copied over Gwen's Sketch to share and inspire you to join.

CBD Sketch

My Card

  This card, although very Clean and Simple is also one of my favorite cards today.  It was created with a brand new stamp set that I just LOVE from Hero Arts.   Both the Sentiment and sweet little floral image are part of the set (Merci Bouquet), along with even more adorable images.  This stamp I bought after seeing Jennifer McGuire used it in the CAS Class.   I love it and colored my little flowers with Copics and Spica Pens!!!

   Oh, and speaking of Jennifer, I was absolutely thrilled to hear that she is expecting a new Baby this Spring.  For those of you who had not heard the news, she shared it on her blog on Friday.  You can see it here, along with an adorable picture of her and her sweet little son, Colin.  I am so happy for the entire family!!   She's glowing!!   Congratulations again Jennifer, I'm beyond thrilled for you all!!   Enjoy your time at CHA and have a safe and happy trip back home!!   

    And now I am off to work on a special project!!  Sshhh....it's a secret, but it's going to be fun and I can't wait to share it all with you, later this week.   Be sure to stop by each day, so you don't miss out, there may even be some Blog Candy involved???    In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for all the Well Wishes and for the sweet comments you all left for me when I was sick last week.   I'm looking forward to doing a lot more crafting this week and I am off to a nice start!!