Happiness.....

....Happiness for me is a day like today when I actually feel good, the weather is warmer, we had a gorgeous sunny day yesterday, the dogs are happy and enjoying being outside again, my son, Brian called from Cali, just to say hi to Mom, and I'm back to creating.  All those little things all add up to a Happy Day!

     I'm also happy to be sharing two more cards that I created this morning for two challenges, I really enjoy, especially after missing out on so many in the past week or so when I was feel so lousy.   My first card was created and inspire by the current "Cas(E) This Sketch" Challenge, which has been a favorite since it started.  I'm hoping I'm not too late, but did love this sketch and knew from the minute it saw it, I could use it as an idea for my son, (Alex's) birthday card, which I actually now have done a whole week early -- Yippee!!

CTS #71

My Card

   And one of the best things about this card is how easy it was to create.  I started this awesome set of "splats" actually called "Abstract Art", by My Favorite Things.  I then picked out four ink colors:   VersaFine Black Onyx, (my favorite black), Hero's Shadow Ink in Tide Pool and Silver and one of the new Simon Says Inks, the lighter green, which is called - Mint.  I think that was a good color palette for a "Guy"  card and also like how the 'pop' against the white and black backgrounds.   I masked off the center of the my card to leave room for my Happy Birthday sentiment, which is from this set - by Penny Black. 

    My next card is also for a challenge, which is a much newer challenge, inspired and created by one of the gals I know from the "Hero Arts Flickr Group" - Virginia.   Her new challenge blog is called "Virginia's View" and she is now hosting her second challenge, where the theme is "Stencils", which are so on trend and very popular right now.   As you can imagine, I was thrilled, because that gave me yet another chance to use my wonderful new set of stamp/stencils from Penny Black.    

   For my latest card using this amazing set, I started by stamping the "Softly" stamp onto to heavyweight white cardstock.  I then used my heat gun to set the black ink, so it would not blur as it has done in some of my earlier card.  Next, I carefully placed the Stencil on top of my stamped image, and using my wonderful new Mini Ink Blending Tool, along with my Distress Inks, to carefully color in each flower and leave.   It actually goes very fast and was really fun and easy to do.  I used three shades on the flowers (Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord and Spun Sugar), which blended together very well.   For the leaves I used Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters.   I then stamped on my Sentiment with my new Hero Arts Passion Flower Ink.   The "Just a note" part is from Reverse Confetti Sentiment set and the little "hello" under is from this set by Winnie and Walter.    I added some matching sequins a pretty ribbon and my card was done!   I'm so enjoying all of my newest stamp sets and really found that I loved using the stencil.  

   That's it for now, I am heading back to my desk to work on a Christening Card for my "Grand-Niece" little Rowen who will be Christened next Sunday.   I have never made a Christening or Baptism card, so I hope I can come up with something nice.

    And before I leave, I want to once again remind you that I will be part of a Blog Hop/Card Drive for "Little Lauryn" who is a sweet two year old, now hospitalized and battling Leukemia.  Please be sure to stop by next Monday, too be part of the hop and also for your chance to win one of the two prizes I will be offering.    For more details about Lauryn, please see my side bar which will link you to her blog and the mailing address for cards and/or donations!  Thank you!

Lauryn and her Daddy Josh 

a little Physical Therapy!