Challenges Galore!!

 This is my second post for today --- If you stopped by to read my "Stars & Stripes" post for a2z Scrapbooking, please scroll down or simply go HERE!!

.... I am back to post a bunch of new cards and I'm also very excited about some of the brand new challenges that have hit blogland.  I don't about you, but I'm one who LOVES to take part in challenges and the main reason I like them is because they help me to try new things, create cards in unique and different themes and they also often will push me a little out of my comfort zone, which can really be a good thing.

   First, I'll start by sharing the news about two brand new challenges that were both created by Jackie Rockwell, who is also a fabulous card-maker and someone who has the wonderful ability of coming up with really fun and creative challenges.

   The first one is called "The Cutting Edge" and it's a new challenge, which I know I'll love, because it's all about all those wonderful die cuts that we all own and I also am excited because I know this challenge will inspire me to use my Silhouette Cameo even more in my card-making.   I'm also going to be entering for a chance to be a Guest Designer spot which you can also do, by entering that contest - HERE, where you'll see today's official launch, as well as having the opportunity to meet the Design Team.

  In addition to that fun concept, Jackie has a second challenge in the works and this one is called - "Tag You're It", which is the perfect name for this CAS style challenge, where tags will be part of the focus.  How fun in that?   I think it's another one I will really like and I know this will help me to finally push myself to create better tags or cards that include cute little tags as a part of the design!! 

    I think these both are going to be a lot of fun and I'm excited for them to start!  Be sure to visit each blog for all the details and I'll look forward to seeing you all taking part in these fun new challenges.

    Now, it's time for me to share a few of the cards I have been working on today and yesterday.  My first card was created and inspired by the Challenge at Case(E) This Sketch and it's a fun little card I actually created yesterday, which all started with another one of the background pieces (the blue patterned strip), that I created with my Gelli Plate!!   I'm also excited to be enrolling in two upcoming classes at my LSS, where we'll be learning some new Gelli Printing techniques.  

CTS # 80

My Card

   I took the Gelli Print and cut it down to use as a center strip for my card, which I created with some deep "Enchanted Evening" deep blue cardstock, from PTI!.  I then stamped on this pretty flower design, in Versamark and heat embossed it in white.  This flower, is from one of my favorite new Hero Arts Sets - Night & Day Flowers - CL779 , which will be back in stock at a2z Scrapbooking, very soon!!  Once I had my flower done, I used an oval die to cut it out and then cut a mat one size larger in white  I layered those over my custom strip and added my sentiment, also embossed in White and also from Hero Arts - Everyday Sayings CL342!!

  My next card was created for a friend who needs a bit of cheering up and I created this card using some of my all time favorite papers "Viola" which is now retired from Memory Box.  Do you remember this line, it was lovely and has always been a favorite.  I would LOVE to see Memory Box bring it back!   

   I did luck out and recently found some 12 x 12 sheets online and quickly bought up the supply, so I do now have a nice supply, but only use it for my all time favorite people or cards, I really LOVE It!    I also used one of my newest Memory Box dies "Bella Bouquet", and cut it from Purple cardstock to match my bard background. I then added a strip of the fabulous woodgrain cardstock from SSS, and two small matching blue strips to tie in all the colors.  I finished it off with a Sentiment, which is from the same Hero Sentiment Set (CL342) I used on the card above.  

   And then the rest of my die I turned to my wonderful Silhouette Cameo to create a card for the current challenge over at "The Card Concept", another challenge that is always fun and very creative.

   As soon as I saw the Nautical theme, I knew pretty much right away that I did not have any stamps that would work well, but I knew I had several "Shapes" in my Silhouette Library that would be perfect.  I also wanted to use an "Anchor", as that has very special meaning to me, because of my son, Brian.  It's a personal story, but also ties into his engagement to Meghan, and is very sweet!   Plus, living here on the coast, all things that have to do with the Beach or Ocean also make me smile and think of home!

   Well I had so much fun working on a design and a new card, that I actually ended up created four new cards all of which would fit perfectly into the challenge.  I used both the Negatives and Positives from the Anchor shape to create these first two cards.  

   I also went with a red, white and blue theme, as those colors always seem to go well with a Nautical theme!   While I was looking for the image/shape I wanted to use, I had also considered a "sailboat" and also ended up making two more cards with the cute image that I purchased from the Silhouette store.  These are those two, also created in a CAS style.  Hope you like them too!!

I am submitting the card above as an entry into the Guest Designer Contest over at the brand new

"The Cutting Edge"!   Come on over an check it out!!

  I am submitting this final card (above) to the new challenge at "A Gem of a Challenge" where the theme is to use "Gingham" -- Paper for Ribbons!!   

  And that's it for today!  I'm still trying to come up with a good idea for the new contest at "The Cutting Edge" and will work tomorrow.  In the meantime, please don't forget about our "Stars & Stripes" Linky Party over at the a2z Challenge blog.   You can find all the details in THIS post to add your card to our "Linky Party".  If you are headed to the a2z Scrapbooking store to do any shopping, please feel free to use my DT Promo Code - LISAH15, to save 15% off any order of $25 and above!   Happy Shopping!!