Apple of my eye....

    When I first saw the new challenge this week over at CASology, I admit I was a bit stumped and was not sure what I could come up with for a card, with "Fruit" theme?   I started browsing through my stamps and my digi images and really could not find anything I wanted to use.  That's when I decided I would use my Cameo and quickly turned it on and headed to the Silhouette store, where I found lots of wonderful fruit images.

      After finding so many, the next decision was what I wanted to use and I knew I wanted to keep my card as Clean and Simple, as possible.  I ended up cutting and printing out a variety of fruit designs.  Some were simple die cuts and some were what Silhouette calls "Print and Cuts" which are pre-colored shapes, that you'll first print out on your own printer and then follow-up and run them through the Cameo, which will then cut out the images for you!   Awesome!!!  In the end I had two favorites, so I actually ended up making two different cards, both of which I plan to submit to the challenge.

   This is my first card and also the title of today's post - Apple of my Eye, and this wonderful apple image is one I bought yesterday.  I printed it first, than ran it through the Cameo to cut it.  Next, I added a separate little heart on top and then picked out a funky green card base.  After that all I need to do was find a sentiment and add a little embellishment which I did with a two pieces of Washi Tape.  I could not find a sentiment that I really liked, so I created this one on my computer and simply printed it out on cardstock, added it to my card and it was done!   I really think it's such a cute design and make a sweet little card.

    I also created a second card, which I call -  "The Perfect Pair".   And the pear die cuts I used on this card were also shapes I brought from the Silhouette Store.   These  were not "Print and Cut" images, but I have now learned how to use this amazing program and color in my own images to create my own "Print and Cuts".  It's such a fabulous machine and program and I absolutely have been thrilled with it.  If you are looking for the perfect electronic die Cutting machine, I HIGHLY recommend you look into purchasing a Silhouette Cameo.   As a former Cricut/Expression user, this has been a much better machine for me in every way.   And once you do make this purchase, I also highly recommend you take a class and the one I LOVED best is the one taught over at the Online Card Classroom by Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner.  It's called A Cut Above and is fabulous, full of fabulous tips, hints and details on how to use the the machine and so much more.

  Once I had my pears colored and cut, I simply picked out a matching card base, (Hero Hues),  and then added my pears also with a little bit of Washi Tape and a very simple computer generated Sentiment.   This was another very easy, but fun card to create -- thanks to my Cameo!!

  My next two cards were both inspired to the new Color Combo Challenge hosted this week over at The Outlawz.  As soon as I saw the color inspiration image, I knew I wanted to play, I loved the gorgeous blue and orange combination.  

   I started by printing out two different 'floral' digi images and then colored them both with my Copics.   My first card, which turned out to be my favorite is the card that I am submitting to the challenge and this card was created with a fun little flower image from Bugaboo Stamps.

   This card is also being submitted to these two "Copic Coloring" challenges!  Both are OPEN to all and I hope you'll come and play along.

• Color Me Creative Classroom - Copic/Alcohol Inks - Anything Goes/Girly Twist
• Crafting by Designs - July Copic Coloring Challenge

   My second card, also features one of my favorite flower images and one that I LOVE and have created with many times.   It's called "Flower Line" and is from "A Day for Daisies", who happen to be one of the sponsors of this challenge.  I also had once been a DT member at ADFD, and will always love Tammy's fabulous art.

   I  have one more card to share today, which has turned out to be a very creative day for me.  I LOVE these kind of days and it makes me feels SO WONDERFUL to have days when I feel well and when making cards is truly a joy.   Yippee!!    Today, is a perfect day....lots of blue skies and sunshine, I feel good, my pain is under control and I have my MOJO back!!    WOOHOO!!

   This card will be one that will be included in my next shipment to Operation Write Home and was actually inspired by today's Midweek Throwdown over at the Stars and Stamps Blog.   They theme this week is cards that are encouraging and to me any card that sends LOVE or a HUG is truly one that I think everyone will LOVE.   This card was created with another adorable digi from Bugaboo Stamps and was also colored with my Copics.  I love the whimsy in this digi and have also used it to make Anniversary cards too! It makes me smile and I hope that whoever receives it, will also smile and feel LOVED!  

  I'm off now and heading back to my desk, to clean up a bit!  My next plan is to head back to my Stretch Your Stamps class and work on cards for all the days I had missed, while I was feeling so lousy.   Even though the "interactive" class is now over, I can go back at anytime and review the videos or PDF files!   One of things I really love about ALL of Jennifer and Kristina's Classes, having the lifetime access to each and every class and the opportunity to come and go as often as I like.   They really are fantastic classes and I can't wait to find out what will be next -- you can be sure that I'll be there!!