Fun with Stickeroos...!!

   Happy Tuesday!!!     When I first woke up this morning, it was NOT at all a very happy day.  My back was killing me and I was feeling more tired than ever?    It was kind of depressing and one of those days when having Fibro was really upsetting and dragging me down.   I really try so hard not to let it get me, but every now and then it really does and it's usually because of pain or missing out on things I really want to do.

   I knew I wanted to work on cards and at first, I didn't think it would be possible, because I have having a hard time sitting.   Luckily, the move I was up and about and after taking my meds, the pain slowly decreased back to a more normal level, which is when my day turned Happy!!    The last thing I wanted to do was have to lay around all day and not be able to work on any cards.   Sometimes I forget how bad it can be and then WHAM, the pain comes back with a vengeance, as if to remind me that I can never take any good day for granted.    Just about this time, I was reading my email, and had a note that a new gal was following my Fibromyalgia Board over at Pinterest.   When I went to look at the newest images, I found it very fitting to see this one, (see below), which I had pinned to my board a while back.  But, today, it really hit home and was pretty much exactly how I was feeling.    I saved a copy to my desktop and then shared it over at Facebook and decided to share it with my blog readers today.  I know that most of you know about my illness, but for those who don't or for anyone who really doesn't understand, my hope is that  maybe it will help you or others better understand how those of us with any type of chronic illness or pain, can often feel.

    Special thanks to all of you who take the time to read this.  It really hit home for me today and I hope I am not boring you, I still find that I need to vent at times and I do my very best not to complain too much about being sick.   I am far from being alone and I can't begin to tell you how many other Fibro gals I have met in the past several years.   Amazingly, many of us have turned to crafting as a form of therapy and I'm so grateful that it really helps me stay busy and keep my mind of pain and fatigue.   I would not wish this illness on my worst enemy, but I sure do WISH with all my heart and more people, would really try harder to really think about what it's like to live with any type of chronic illness.   I pray for a cure and would LOVE to go back to my old life, but for now, I'm happy to be me and feel lucky to have met so many kind and caring people through the wonderful world of the internet.   Thank you all for all for being such awesome new friends and for being part of my new life!

 ....Okay...enough if that!   I am climbing down off my soap box and moving on to happier things.   Once I did start to feel better, I was much happier and anxious to head to my craft room and start on a card for today's new Color Combo Challenge at The Outlawz.   This is a copy of the challenge colors and the 'twist' for this week and as always, this challenge and ALL the challenges I play in are open to ALL!!

     I have lots of ideas that came to mind quickly and I knew that I wanted to use my Cameo to create some type of fun or different style "window card".   I actually have quite a few cards in my Library and went there to figure out which I wanted to start with.   I found several and then actually cut out about four full  pages of assorted shades and card bases that I could use for my card.   And despite having all kinds of ideas, when I started....it did not go that easy and I spend several hours making this one card.    My colors are a bit off fro the inspiration image, but in person, they look closer.

  This is the card that I submitted to the challenge and is the one that I thought I liked best, after trying different card styles and other shapes and background.   Once I was done, I decided to try one more and this one was very simply and went together much faster and easier.  Now, that I see them both, I think I actually like this one every better -- Go Figure??

     After that, I wanted to keep making card, but wanted to make some super easy cards and for me, I find that I LOVE using the wonderful Stickeroos that are made by Penny Black.  They are the only stickers on the marker that I really like and this set (Petals and Wings), is my newest set and one that I found today, I truly love.   The colors are rich and so pretty and these make such easy card.   I simply pick out a sticker and mat it onto some matching cardstock.  I then add some ribbon or some bling or sometimes even a simply sentiment, super easy and all done in a matter of minutes!    You can bet I'll be picking up more of this set the next time I'm at my LSS!     You can also find them online and of course, from Penny Black's web-store too.   I highly suggest you try a sheet sometime and see what you think.    Most people are amazed to find out they are stickers and as I said, I'm not one who really even likes using stickers, but these Stickeroos are so nice, that I really enjoy creating with them every now and then.  I do admit, that I kind of feel like I'm cheating because they make it so easy??

  This is a copy of the full sheet that I copied over from Penny Black's site.  Each sheet contains several stickers and they have them in a variety of colors and styles.

Image by Penny Black

"Petals & Wings"

  These are the cards I created this afternoon all from this one set, and I have plenty left for more cards.    As you can see in my pictures the colors are much more vibrant and colorful in person.   These are really stunning and I can't say enough about how much  I love them.

   

    I'm off now to clean up my VERY messy desk and then have something for dinner!   I wish everyone a very Happy 4th of July and hope you all have a nice day.   We will be home and I'm planning to spend more time creating and staying cool, which is just fine by me!   Have a wonderful day and if you are traveling and partying, please do so safely!!   ENJOY!!