A moment of silence....

....was a touching thing to watch the people of Boston remember all those who's lives have forever changed as a result of last week's awful tragedy.   Like 911 and so many other tragic events, this is another day I will never forget and I day and event I hope is never EVER repeated.   May we all remember all the heroes and try and forget the horror that those two evil monsters caused that day.  I hope the justice will play the next role and that it will help to heal the hurt and pain.

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   Moving forward to happier things, I was very excited and humbled to find out that the card I submitted to last's week's Muse Card Challenge, was one chosen to earn this badge for Honorable Mention.   What a pleasant surprise when I popped over to the challenge blog this morning to check out the new challenge!

    

     It's so nice to have a card win an award and I'm truly very honored.  My thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and I also want to say Congratulations to ALL the winners from this fun challenge.

    Today, is even more special because one of my online 'craft' friends, (Virginia Lu), was chosen to be this weeks' MUSE for today's new challenge.   I met Virginia through the Hero Arts Flickr Group  and have greatly admired her wonderful design skills.  It's always fun to see people you know honored and I was equally excited to see her as the guest designer this week.    This is Virgina's wonderful "Mother's Day" card and this is the card we all will be working to recreate in our own way.

Muse Card/Challenge #14

Designed by Virginia Lu

 And this is one of the cards that I created today, which was totally inspired by Virginia's card.   I actually created a variety of cards, but this is one that I have decided that I want to submit to the challenge.

   I created tihis card using a fun "watercolor" technique that I actually learned from Jennifer McGuire.   I didn't have any stamps similar to Virigina's, so I decided to choose one of my favorite Hero Arts Background Stamps - Lotus Background - CG349.  I then took a set of my Colorbox "Cat Eye" Inks (Fiesta) and randomly inked up the stamp.  Just before I stamped the image on my watercolor paper, I lightly misted it with water, which gives a fun watercolor look.   I used my Heat Gun to dry it and then mounted it onto a pretty piece of gold shimmer cardstock.   My sentiment is a digi image and I printed it on white cardstock and then cut it out with a circle shaped Nestie die.  I then cut a pink mat using a die one size larger and added that along with a few matching flowers and bling, so finish off my card.

   I also created a second generation stamp by adding more water and this time I used a circle for a mask (which I had forget on the first card).   I typed my own sentiment on this one and chose a darker cardbase.

   And then I took another of my favorite Hero Wood Stamps -- Floating Leaf Pattern - S5055 and inked in totally different colors and agian misted it with lots of water to make another card, all based on the same idea.  I love this stamp and have used it many times in a variety of colors and techniqes.  NOTE:  This awesome stamp I believe is now retired, but I did find a link to share and there are a few still available to purchase over on eBay.  The price is fabulous too, much less than I paid, so hurry on over, if you have 

always wanted this stamp!!

  The sentiment on this card is also a digi sentiment and this one I bought from Rainbow Echo Designs.  I added a little color to the iris using my Copics and then finished it off with some green pearls.  This card is also being submitted to this week's "The Wonder of Watercolor" challenge at Moxie Fab!

  My last card today, again inspired by Virginia's color scheme and this time I simply added a little banner that hangs a bit "over the edge", so that I can submit this card to the new CAS "Break the Plane" challenge being hosted at The Outlawz.  I had created a card yesterday, but after thinking about it, I realized I did not have any elements that were truly "off the card" so I created this banner to be extra long to meet the challenge requirements.

    Oh, and I treated myself to a very special new craft goodie today, something I have wanted for a long time, but just felt like I did NOT need and since it's a big ticket purchase, it took me a long time to give in.   However, with so much saddness this month and lots of down days, I felt like it was time for something extra special.   The final decision came, when I talked to our Fence company and found out today that the changes were are making, will be saving us money!   Woohoo!   Once I know that, I decided to spend it right away, and that's pretty much exactly what I did.  ...I went online shopping to see if I could find myself a Vagabond on sale or at a really good price and I was successful!    I was thrilled to find one at Overstock.com and it was $169.99, which includes FREE Shipping.  I think is a fabulous price and it's also tax free, making the savings even greater!!    I have had my Cuttlebug and Big Shot for a very loing time...but with my Fibro and aching hands, I have wanted to upgrade to the electric verison for equally as long and today was that day!    Now to make room for it in my craft room, which be a another challenge, but I am very excited and can't wait to try it out!  I have always wanted to upgrade and have waited a very long time and the best part is that I know I will use this daily, and I love adding die cuts or embossed elements to my cards.   The best part is that it should be here next Monday and that's the very first day in the new His and Hers Cardmaking Class, so I'll have it in time for that!!  YIPPEE!!!

   If you own a Vagabond, please tell me about yours and how much you like it...!  I think it will be really easy for me to use and save me time too!   I am pretty excited and only wish they had color choices...like Pink or Purple!  

 Have a wonderful day and as always --- Happy Crafting!