Wonderful Wednesday...

   Special thanks to everyone who left such caring comment about the tornado in our area on Monday.   As it turned out, it was worse than I thought, and ended up being a EF2 Tornado, which did most damage in Revere, which is just outside of Boston.  My heart goes out to all those who were hit but the storm, thankfully from what I have heard there were NOT any serious injuries or fatalities, which is a good thing.     I sure hope we never had a storm that bad come any closer...and that was a bit too close for me!

  I had a really awful day yesterday--in so many ways...!  Ugh!  One of those days when everything really seems to go wrong and yesterday, things went downhill, pretty much all day!   No matter what I seemed to do yesterday nothing turned out well and that's why I didn't have a post to share...good thing, because I probably would have been "venting" a lot and that's not what you want to hear!    My Mojo was totally gone and I couldn't seem to make even ONE card.....it was a really sucky day!

   On a very happy note, I ended the day by finding out that one of my "Puppy" cards was among the "Honorable Mention" cards from last week's challenge at CASology.   And on top of that my friend, Barb, also had one of her cards featured in the same challenge!!  Yippee! card there day!   Congratulations to Barb and thanks to Tracey at CASology for picking out my card.  Here is the card that I submitted for the "RUN" themed challenge.   You can read more about it on the original post HERE!

      Today, I'm happily back to creating and have three new cards to share.  All three were inspired by Hero Art's Digital and Printable files a brand new addition at the a2z Scrapbooking Store.   I have always enjoyed creating with digital images and also love to combine digital with traditional card-making to create cards typically referred to as Hybrid cards!   You'll find new files being added to the store each day and they have their own section HERE!

      I also do not own or use Paint Shop, so I have learned how to use these files in Microsoft Word and find it the easiest way for me.   I can simply open a blank Word Document and "Insert" the files, as pictures and then edit them to make the work as I want for my cards.   I also own a Silhouette Cameo and that's another great tool to use with all the "Cut" files.  You can easily import SVG Files into your own Library using the Silhouette software and you can also "trace" the images they come in  PNG file format and turn those into "Cut" files too!    or add them by tracking the PNG file!   Unfortunately, my Silhouette is needs to be replaced, and I hope to buy a new one sometime this Fall.  I'm waiting for a Super Sale, so time will tell!

     My first card today is also the very first "Christmas Card" I have created this year, which means I am also very behind.  Typically I create them all year, so that when it's time to send them out, I'm not under presses to make 40 cards!  But, if I were to create more Hybrid cards, there is not doubt I could make them a whole lot faster.   This first card was created using the "Swirly Trees" Digital Kit.  This particular kits contains six swirly images and also have 5 pngs, in both color and black.  It also has 11 "Brushes" for those of you who do use Photo Shop and other software that can open "Brush" files.

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  This is card that I created and I started with a digital background, which is also from Hero Arts and part of their digital paper collection, as shown in this digital paper set.  I then added my tree on top and edited it to be the size and color I wanted for my card.   The next step was to add on my star and then I also added little pearls (also digi files) called 'extras' to be the ornaments for my card.  I also used the Merry Christmas digi sentiment that is part of this kit!   Once I had my card designed I printed it out directly onto some nice white cardstock and then cut it down to fit the front of my A2 card, which I created from a piece of Hero's Layering Paper, my favorite cardstock for card bases, because it's white on the inside.   And this is how my card turned out!  

  I went for a mono-tone look and changed all the colors to match very well with my Charcoal card base.  In the end, I also wanted to add more dimension, so I also used a Viva Decor Pearl Pen to highlight each fo the little tree lights.  I could have used Hero's Pearls or Gems too and think the next time, I'll create a green tree and add a variety of colored 'lights/bulbs". 

  My next card features just one of the flowers from this "Printable" kit called "Pretty Blossoms", which is different that the Tree Kit, as it's one PDF file, which you can quickly print out on your favorite cardstock and color!   I also came up with a way to import the images into a Word Document, so that I could size them and print them on top of some more "digital backgrounds".  I'm sure this is something that can also be done in Photo Shop, but again, since I don't use that program, I find it much easier to use Word and it's a program that pretty much everyone has.

  I combined one of the flowers "the top left" along with some Hero Arts Papers that I layered "all in Word" and then printed that out and added it to a "Sunshine" card base.  I then chose a large bold sentiment, this one from a brand new "Winnie & Walter" set and stamped it onto the digital background.   I added added a black enamel dot to the center of the flower and then colored it with a "Clear Wink of Stella" Marker.   This is the end result, which looks even better in person because you can see the sparkle from teh Wink of Stella.

  I have one more to share and this card also featured the same Petty Blossom Set and for this card, I simply sized the flower to a size I wanted and printed it out on Copic coloring cardstock.  Note:  My favorite for Copic Coloring is this Cryogen White Iridescent and I also use Neenah Solar White, both currently on sale now at "The Paper Temptress", my go to store for all my Copic and Speciality cardstock.

  Once I had my flower printed, I color it up with variety of Copic Yellow and Yellow Oranges, which makes it look very much like a "Black-Eyed Susan", which are growing very nicely in my garden right now.  I love these flowers, because they are easy to grow, they multiply quickly and they also last pretty much until our first frost, which I HOPE is still a LONG time away!   After I had the coloring done, I cut out the flower and then placed it along with some leaves, that I cut using this Hero Arts Die onto my fun little "frame" card, which I created with some of my older Hero Arts Artist Papers.  My sentiment is also from Hero and is from the Night and Days Flowers clear stamp set, which is a favorite of mine.  And as I did on the previous card, I added some extra sparkle with my Wink of Stella Marker, which you can see a bit better in the close up image.

   If you have never tried digital card-making I highly recommend it.  Another great benefit is that you can create a card design once, save it and then have it forever.  It's the same with your digital images, once you own them, their yours to save and print and color over and over again.   They are also "Instant Downloads", which means that once you buy them and checkout, you'll have access to the downloads within minutes and can be creating with that new file the very same day!   And if you are shopping at a2z and your order totals $25 or more, (excluding shipping), you'll be eligible to use my DT Promo Code LISAH15, which will take 15% off your entire order!!  So, what are you waiting for, you know you want to give this a try and you know that it'll be awesome to have your new digital files in minutes?  Come on over and do some shopping, I'm heading there now myself.

   I have some more exciting news to share, but you have to wait just TWO more days! 

Be sure to stop by on Friday  - August 1st!   

What a scary start to a Monday...

....after having rain over night and some thunderstorms, it was not a good start this morning, when I later found out the a Tornado warning has been issued for our County.  Yikes!!   Tornadoes, thankfully are NOT very common here, especially on the coast, but they do happen from time to time, more so in central and western Massachusetts.
 
     The worst part for me is that we only have a very tiny "one room" cellar area and it's not accessible from inside the house.  And that the idea of a tornado ever being our area, would be absolutely horrible, since we basically do not have that "safe" escape.  And we also do not have any interior rooms, or bathroom without a window or skylight.  Needless to say, I'm very thankful that we these warning are VERY limited and that we've never had a tornado, in our town in my lifetime, but have had some severe storms.  The worst for us are typically our winter snowstorms and blizzards and those I feel safer in for sure

    Of course, it also meant that to be on the safe side that I did not turn on the computer and so I focused on doing chores and eventually the warning passed, the skies cleared and it turned out to be a very nice afternoon.   The area of Revere just outside of Boston appears to be the hardest hit and I saw new footage of a lot of downed trees, one flipped card and lots of debris, but overall, we all are lucky.

   I have only one card to share today after the limited time online and the fact that I was also working on a design team project.   Monday is always one of my favorite challenge days, since it's the day that the new MUSE Challenge is posted and that's the one challenge I was able to complete a card for today.   I'm also happily sharing a copy of our Muse Card for this week and then will share mine and tell you what inspiration I used from the card to inspire me.

Muse Challenge # 78

Card by Bev Buenker

My Card

    I loved the "vibrant" colors of Bev's card and decide to go with a pretty deep coral shade for my card.  I also like the scallops on the side and decided to move mine to the bottom on my card to try out a very cool new border die that I just bought from Pretty Pink Posh.  I also like the idea of the fun little frame and created one for my card that and added a coral and white polka dotted background.  I also added two simple floral die cuts and some bling to the center of my flower.  And like Bev, I also chose to go with a "Hello" sentiment and used a cut Hello die I had in my stash from Technique Tuesday!!  I finished off my card with a few sequins, as I have found a new love for them lately and like the they were also used on the Muse card!!  NOTE:  Speaking of dies, JoAnn's is having a great sale on dies and accessories, and they are all 30% off, plus you can use these "promo codes" to save even more!!!  Happy Shopping!

   I'll be back tomorrow and hopefully it will be a full day of creativity with more new cards to share.  Hope you all had a nice Monday and have a wonderful week.

Not so sunny Sunday...

....I guess I missed a weather forecast, because I had no idea we would be having downpours and thundershowers most of the afternoon, especially after a pretty nice start this morning.  It also would have saved me time, because I didn't need to water my garden, after all.

    I'm also glad it was a day even, especially since my oldest dog "Scout" is not a happy guy during any kind of thunder or lightning activity and I can't say I blame him.  Luckily, the storms were not severe, but enough that I had to turn off my computer for a bit, while I rushed around closing windows and skylights at the last minute....!

     The upside is that it's been a nice day to spend time creating and after doing a bit of organizing, I'm happy to have a few new cards to share with you now.  I'll start with my first card which was inspired by today's Sketch over at Operation Write Home.  I haven't been playing in this challenge much lately, but I am building up a pretty nice stash of cards to get off in the mail to OWH soon!!  If you are interested in playing along, I'm also happily sharing today's sketch.

OWH Sketch #235

My Card

  For my card I started by using another of the fun "Gelli Print Backgrounds" I had in my stash, making this a very easy card to create.  I basically cut the strips and then matted them on matching cardstock and adhered them to the card.  I used Nestie dies for my circle shapes and chose a sweet sentiment from this Hero Arts Set -- Hello Sunshine.  .  I really am enjoying all the fun things you can do with the Gelli Plates and had hoped to share new ideas after my second class.  Unfortunately, that class has been post-poned twice now and will now be held in late August.  In the meantime, if you go to the Gelli Arts site or to You Tube and search for Gelli Printing, you'll be amazed at what you can do!   

   And after that I was back to creating with more of my Hero Art digital files and I'm realizing how much I love using them and how fast and easily you can quickly create a nice card!   Here are two that I put together in a matter of minutes, once I had the images printed.

    My last card for today, is also another digital file, but for this card I really wanted the white flowers to show up much more on the black background, they were a lot lighter in the original printed image.  So, I took a white souffle marker and traced the design and then added Hero's White Embossing Powder on top, while it was still wet,  and heat embossed the design to make it brighter.  It was kind of a test, as I need a fine point pen of some sort and needed something that would hold the embossing powder and it worked!! Don't you just love it when you try something and it comes out as you hope it will!!   After that, I simply cut the image to the size I wanted to my card base, created a digital sentiment to add one and put it all together and had this nice little Thank You card!!    

  

   I have been trying to get a card done for the current challenge at "The Cutting Edge", but this one is stumping me so far.  I love the inspiration card and all those shared by the Design Team, but I just can't seem to come up with a design I like.  I tried first to design a "Print and Cut" on my Cameo, but today is one of the days it's NOT being cooperative, so I was never able to get a decent cut!  Bummer!!

  Thankfully, there is always tomorrow and I hope I can come up with something creative then!  Have a great night and thanks for stopping by!

Scrambles are fun....

....and today was no exception over at the Hero Art's Flickr Group, where Judy was hostess to another really fun and creative 90-Minute Scramble.    It also turned out to be especially awesome for me, because I ended up being the random drawing winner and won a $25.00 gift card to Simon Say Stamps!  WooHoo and thank you to Judy.   On top of that I loved her theme and it really helped me find my mojo which had been missing for a bit.  

     Judy's theme was based on something she had heard one of the HGTV designers (I also love to watch HGTV), say that all good designs should include a touch of black.   And that was her inspiration along with using Pastel colors and of course, at least one Hero Arts image!

      I quickly went to work and decided that I would use "Lilac" as my pastel color, along with white and that special touch of black.   I also wanted to create a watercolor background and did that quite easily with a fun technique I had learned in the Watercolor for Cardmakers class.  You simply ink up an acrylic block with ink colors of your choice and then mist it with water and stamp directly onto watercolor Paper.  I used two of Hero's Shadow Ink colors for mine - Passion Flower and Soft Lilac.  I then quickly dried it with my heat gun and pulled out one of my favorite Hero Arts sets "Night & Day Flowers" and used Hero's Grape Juice Shadow Ink to stamp the solid floral image directly on to of my background.  I then used my new Lil Inker Designs - "Stictched Rectangle dies" dies (love these).   My touch of black came into play by adding 3 black gems to the center of my flowers and also adding the "Your Kindness" sentiment which I stamped in black ink.   I really was so happy with how this turned out and may recreate it in different colors.  The best part is that this went together so quickly that I decided to create a second card.

     For my second card I found myself back to playing with some of the favorite Hero Arts Digital images and chose this image from the "Sketch Flowers" Digital Kit as the main image for this card.  I also created a card base using the same Lilac Card Base  and first added a fun twist by using my "Line Dots" background stamp inked up in Grape Juice to add some extra "purple", of course.  I then quickly printed out my image onto some quality white cardstock and cut it down to the size I wanted for my card.  I then matted that in Black, and picked out a nice sentiment from this set, and stamped that again in black on white cardstock, which I then cut to fit the front of my card.    

   This is another I can use again and simply change up my background and background colors.  I could pretty much use any cold that you see in the flowers and also could add any sentiment!!    

     After being on a roll with cards, I kept going and made one more today, which was originally inspired by a new video that Kristina Werner shared on her blog today.   I knew I had the same stamp she used, from SSS, but since I am NOT very organized at the moment, I could not find it, so I picked out another background stamp from Impression Obsession and used making tape to mask off some areas to give the look of stripes.  It did not come out the same as Kristina's, but you get the idea.  Because I did not love my background, I decided to cut it down and use it as a backdrop for my flowers, which I created using this fun Scribble Flowers  from Simon Says Stamp, along with the same Distress Ink colors - Tumbled Glass, Evergreen Bough and Shaded Lilac, that I had used in the background.   

  I have one more started, but it won't be finished until later, so I will share that in next day or so.  In the meantime, I also have a couple of cards that I worked on yesterday and am happy to share those with you know.   As you'll quickly see I had a lot of fun creating with the Hero Arts Digital images and I'm super excited the a2z Scrapbooking will be carrying them ALL exclusively in the store.  Please bear with us as each set/kit is loaded into the store as they are over 400 different sets!!  Amazing!!  Luckily, I have loved them for some time, so I own quite a few including a full CD called "Hero Arts Digital Flower Collection" which has a amazing variety of kits containing over 150 images, many of which I hope will be part of the collection that we'll have for you at a2z!  In the meantime, new digi files are being added every day, so stop by anytime to see them, or the wonderful assortment of other Hero products already in the store!!    If you do want to head to the store now and buy any, you may feel free to use my Design Team Promo Code which will save you 15% off of any order of $25 and up (Excluding Shipping).  All you need to do is enter - LISAH15 - during the checkout process and the 15% off will automatically be deducted on all qualifying orders!!  

   This is one of the card I created yesterday and this also was created using Hero's Digital images that I had purchased some time back.  For this card, I combined a flower and background paper and and again printed it out, used some Nestie Dies and cut the image into a circle and then cut a second scalloped circle as my frame and added it to this cute Gingham card-base, along with a sentiment which I stamped in a matching ink color!   In the end, I had this bright and happy card.

  And this is another one, that is one simple flower image, which I love, is also a digital image.  I edited it in Word and added the matching "Coral" border, then printed it directly to some Epson Matte cardstock.  I then cut it down to the size I wanted and added to my coral card design, which I had already started.  My sentiment (love this font),  is from this SSS set, and was stamped in black on more white card stock, then punched out with an oval SU punch and matted onto the same coral cardstock I used for my card base!   This was my favorite card from yesterday.  It's a very summer like card and in colors that I don't use often enough!

  That brings me to my last card and it's the one card that was designed specifically with a challenge in mind and that would be the newest challenge over at "Cas(E) This Sketch".  It's one of my favorites and one I play in every week, but one I've never won or even made it into the "Favorites" -- making me even more determine to keep on playing and creating and hopefully one of these days, I'll get there!   

CTS # 86 Sketch

My Card

    I used more of the same Coral, White and Black colors as I did on my card above and started with a simple white card base, which I framed in Coral using my Lil Inker Designs Dies.  I then pulled out a die-cut butterfly that I had cut on my Silhouette earlier this week, before it started acting up on me.  It's a cut file from Silhouette and if you like it, you can buy it HERE, in the Silhouette Store.  I added that to a coral "Octagon" that I cut with a set of Nestie dies....thinking it was a Hexagon!   I'm not up on my Geometric shapes these days!  I then added a small black strip down the left side of my card, much like the sketch and finished it off with a Hello sentiment, from this Hello Flowers Hero Arts Clear set.

   And that's it for today...it's now 5 o'clock and my dogs are wanting to eat.  I can always tells when it's getting close to dinnertime, as eating is one of the favorite parts of the day and they start getting a bit grumpy, if they don't eat, when it's their time!   Spoiled....pups -- you bet they are!!

It's my Party.....

...at least that's the thought of this cute little puppy, who is celebrating being adopted!   Yay!!  Very much like all three of my dogs will be in the upcoming weeks and months.  Zeva will have been with us a year on September 20th, Scout marks 3 years in October and both the girls will turn two on December 20th!!  Lots of little Party Animals in my house!   I have been into creating a lot more dog-related cards this week, and I guess it's because of how much I've grown to adore my dogs and how much it upsets me when I hear or read about some of the nightmare stories about those who abuse animals, it simply tears at my heart and makes me cherish mine more and more each day.

   I can also almost see my pups jumping and playing around like this, although I am not so sure they would love the little party hat, but I think it's very sweet and cute.  If you love this little guy, then you too are a dog lover and will probably like the whole stamp set, which is from "My Cute Stamps", which I learned just now is sadly closing, that's a shame! I always feel bad when I hear a crafting a stamp company closes shops! I wish them the very best and am sorry they are closing!

    This card was created for the current challenge at Addicted to CAS, where the them this week is "CELEBRATE" and my celebrate sentiment is from Paper Trey Ink.  The tiny stars and party dust is from a fun set by Winnie and Walter, and as I mentioned above, the cute little Doxie from the "Puppy Pals" set, currently on sale for only $3.00!   

 

   Today has not turned out to be one of my better card-making days and although I had lots of ideas for both of these challenge cards I feel like my Mojo is taking a bit of a vacation?   Maybe I need a little break too and hopefully will have some time to relax when I go to the hair salon tomorrow!  One of favorite places to relax.  It's either there, at that Nail Salon having a Spa Pedicure, which I do want to have done very soon!

   My next card was created for the current "Embossing" challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog!    I decided to go with one of the SSS Exclusives for this card!   Oh and speaking of Exclusives, they have some super cute new pet stamps that I just ordered and will be working with soon.  I think this set, and this one are both really special and I love that there are matching dies and even little paw print stencils.   

  For this card, I used this lovely floral set called Flower Garden and did all of my embossing in Hero Art's Gold embossing powder, which is really pretty, more so in person, than on the cards.  I also then did a watercolor technique to color my flowers and then used the matching dies to cut them and the matching leaves out.  The sentiment is also embossed in gold and is from the same set.  These flowers also are really fun to color with Copic Markers.

...and that's it for today !  My pups have decided they want to go out and play so that's exactly what we're off to do now!!   

I'm back.....!!

....and happy to be feeling better today.  I am also very happy to have a very comfy and cool air-conditioned craft room, as are my Pups, who seem to want to be here by my side, rather than be out in the hot sun!  

    I'm also excited to share a couple of new cards and I'll start with one that I had actually created yesterday, but was too darn tired to post last night.  It's an "all digital" card and the entire card was created with digital papers, elements and even my sentiment was a Hero Arts cut file, that I bought a while back in the Silhouette store.   I really love working with both digital and standard stamps and images and often will combine the two.  
 

   It's a fun little Hello card and everything "except" the card base, is a digital printable or cut file.  I create all my digi/hybrid card in "Microsoft Word" and it's as simple as deciding which background papers I wanted, then I add them to a blank document and continue adding until I have chose all my backgrounds and the image I want for me card, which in this case is the pretty flower.  Both of the patterned papers behind the flower are Hero Arts Digital background papers.  I then layered on the flower and printed out my papers directly onto some good quality cardstock.  I used a Epson Matte Presentation cardstock for this design, but you can pretty much use any cardstock you like.  Once my print was done, I then trimmed down the "printed" papers to the size that I wanted for my card and layered them onto a "Shallow" Notecard.   The Hello sentiment, a Hero Arts Cut File, was cut on my Cameo in white.  I actually cut almost a full sheet of assorted sentiments, all on the same piece of white adhesive backed cardstock.  That way, when I need one, I can simply peel it off and stick it to my card, or color it and then add it after it dries. It's so easy to do and you can make a card in a matter of minutes.   

   My next card also started out as a simply "Digital File" another of the fun flower files I own from Hero Arts.  It was also printed directly onto some quality cardstock and was ready to use for this card, which was inspired by the new "Purple" challenge over at "Addicted to Stamps".   Woohoo!  You can only imagine how excited to see the inspiration image and as soon as I did, I knew I wanted to make a card that was "primarily" all purple.

My Card

   I chose two elements from the photo for my card --- the color "Purple" of course, although I chose a more violet-blue shade and flowers, because of seeing the flowers on the front door!!    I started with my digi image which I printed first and then cut down to the size I wanted for my card.  I then stamped on a cute "Thanks" sentiment, which is one of the fun Simon Says Stamp exclusives.  I used my favorite "Grape Juice" Shadow ink and then added some matching sequins.  Next, I added that to a pretty piece of matching cardstock and then using foam take I popped it up off of another layer of "WoodGrain" cardstock and then finished it by adding it all to a snow white card base!   A very simple yet pretty "clean and layered" look, which I hope you'll love.  

   After I finished that card I actually created three more, but you are going to have to wait a bit to see those.  Two will be featured in an upcoming 90 Minute Hero Arts Scramble that I'll be hosting over at Hero's Flickr Group on Sunday, August 10th, at 1 PM EDT.   Everyone is welcome to play in the scramble and all you have to do is the join the group, which you to do HERE!  It's OPEN to everyone who loves Hero Arts products, like me and many others.  I have fun little theme in mind and the two cards I created today with help inspire you, if you play along!!   I really hope you will!

   And the third card is for a new Design Team project coming up very quickly over at the a2z Scrapbooking Blog.  Please stay tuned as we have some fun and exciting news that will be shared very soon.   And before I forget, you still have time to take part in our current "Linky Party" for the month of July and you can find all the details on that on the a2z Blog here!   

Happiness is....

.....a lot of things and lots of different things can bring happiness into our lives.   To me, as soon as I hear that phase the very first think that always comes to mind is the fun little book written by Charles M. Schulz - "Happiness is a Warm Puppy", and if you also remember that book then we are probably close in age and may bring back fond childhood memories for you.   I owed that book way back then and realized today it was first released in 1962.     I even found a picture of the book on Google Images, and here is it in case you've never seen it.

    I guess you might say I have puppies on my mind today and it's partly because my puppies have be very lovable and also because I have a few new cards to share and two of them feature cute little pup images that are from this fun set of Paper Smooches stamps.

    For my next card I not only used one of my favorite Paper Smooches stamps, but I also used the matching dies, which I think are adorable.  It's also a card that was inspired by two new challenges this week.  One being the new challenge at CASology where the Cue Word for this week is "RUN" and in my house and yard the pups just LOVE to run and whenever I say, "Run, Run, Run" they take off running all around the yard.  Something that Skye has been doing since I first adopted her and something her sister Zeva, as since picked up on now too!  That being so, as soon as I saw the cue word, I knew I had to create a card with some type of image that showed a dog running and the Woofers &Tweeters set had the perfect little pup. 

My Card

   And the second challenge is the 300th Sketch Inspired challenge being hosted this week over at "Clean and Simple.  Using these fabulous Winnie & Walter Sentiments seem perfect for this challenge!!   I'm happily also sharing a copy of the sketch to try and inspire YOU to play along too!!  Congratulations on the big 300!!!  WOW!!

   I colored up my little pup and then die cut him with the matching die.  I then chose a piece of Simon Says Stamps, white woodgrain cardstock as my card base.  I just love this cardstock, the quality and the fun texture make every card extra special!  I would love to have had a stamp that said "Run Run Run", but I thought this cool "Adventure time" sentiment also worked out well and it's from one of my newest Winnie & Walter Sets.   Speaking on Winnie & Walter, they have a brand new release coming out this week and I already know that there at least two new sets, I must have!  More of these amazing, "The Big, and The Bold" and the next two are "Blessings" and "Seasons" and I can't wait to add them to my collection! Love Love Love there fun mix and match sentiments with the extra large "script" words!! 

   My next card was also created and inspired by a challenge and that is this week's new "MUSE" Challenge which you'll find HERE!  I'm also very thankful and grateful that my card from last week's challenge was featured in the Honorable Mention this week - which you can see here!   Yippee!!!

This Week's MUSE

Marion Vagg

"Adorable"

   As soon as I saw Marion's card, I knew I also wanted to again feature a puppy on mine, because I loved the idea of using a sweet and adorable animal, just like her little owl.  That had me coloring up a second little puppy and putting it together with some new stamps to create my card!   Hope you like him, I think he's a cutie and that was the look I totally took from Marion!

     I did have more to share but am suddenly feeling wiped out, and don't have the energy to sit and type any more today!!   So... I will be back tomorrow with a new update and more of the cards I have created in the past couple of days.  I can tell you know, I'm going to bed very early tonight so that I can try to catch up on on my sleep!   Goodnight!!

On a much happier note....

....I am now back with some new cards and am happy to say that I even cut some new files with my Silhouette today and today it seems to be working a bit better???  Why?  I have no clue, but this is exactly why it's such a nuisance and why I know there has to be some defect in the machine?

   Anyway -- I am happy to now share some of my latest creations and almost all of them has something that I did actually cut with my Cameo.  This also shows you just how wonderful this machine CAN be when it's working, as it should.  

   My first card was inspired by the current challenge at "Cas(E) This Sketch" and I'm happily also sharing a copy of this week's sketch.

CTS # 85

My Card

  As you can see, I had pretty good luck with my cuts today and also used the Designer Edition of the Silhouette Software to design the card base.  The butterfly die cut, was cut from the red and white polka dotted paper, and also cut from a piece a very light card base.  I then simply added that piece onto a matching red card base, and placed the dimensional butterfly inside the opening that had been cut!   If you recognize the "Thanks a Bunch" you'll know it's from Hero Arts, who does actually sell their own cut files in the Silhouette Store and now you can also find their Digital Cut and Printable files being sold over at the a2z Scrapooking Store.  This set is called "Hello Sunshine" and compliments a few of the the Hero Stamp sets, including this one, as well as the "Hello Sunshine Daises", which are due to be back in stock any day!  Woohoo!  If you are heading to the store now to do some shopping, please feel free to use my Design Team Promo Code LISAH15 -- which will save you 15% off of any order of $25 and up (Excuding shipping).   Just remember to add it during the checkout process!   Be sure to stop by often as new items will be added and sold out goodies are re-stocked!!  If there is anything you can't find, simply ask and we'll be happy to help you find it!!

   I also created this card, using another butterfly and a fun sentiment from one of my favorite new Simon Says Stamp Sets.  

  Next, I have a cute little tag that I created for this week's "Tag You're It" Challenge # 2, where I feel in love with Laura Bassen's tag, along with all those created by the Design Team!  WOW! WOW! WOW!  I still am learning this whole "tag" thing, but it's fun to challenge myself.   I also just happen to adore Laura Bassen and love pretty much anything and every thing she creates!!   

Challenge #2

Tag Inspiration by Laura Bassen

My Tag

   

     I loved that Laura used die cuts on her tag and that was a main part of the inspiration for my card.  And I knew I already had a wonderful Hero Arts Cut file in my Library that I wanted to use as part of my design. I combined that image with a plain circle as my background layer and then created a scalloped layer where I added a tiny hanging attachment that was actually part of an ornament shape!  This again are some of the thinks I LOVE to do with my Silhouette and why I have such a love/hate relationship with it!!   I also used a combination of black, white and red - picking out those colors from Laura's tag. I love how she used Distress Inks for her background, but in trying not to case her, I went with Patterned Paper!

    And, I also had the leftover negative space from the same cut, which I was able to put to very good use in making my next card!  This is where you'll also notice that the cut about did NOT come off the mat very well and I had to piece together some of it, but again, I should be able to cut the entire file and not have half stuck to my mat or not cut well enough that it breaks apart when I try to remove it?   Bummer!!  In this case, if I had not told you, you probably would not have noticed?   I actually like the Negative better, because it did stay together a bit better, enough so that I could glue it onto the lavender background circle and pretty much repair it! I do love this design and hope that some day I'll get a truly perfect cut!

    And now to my last card of the day which was created with some more of the little butterflies that I had worked with this morning.   I had actually put them in a bin where I keep all my extra little die cuts.  I have them on hand for projects where I can use them in the future.  At the time I put them there this morning I had no idea I'd be pulling them out this afternoon for a new challenge, but that's exactly what it did when I saw the new challenge today at "The Cutting Edge".   I think the card that Jean created for this week's inspiration is absolutely adorable -- look closely at the sweet little kitties....!   Awwww!!!

Challenge # 4 

Card Inspiration by Jean Manis

My Card

  

  Jean's card design gave me the idea of using a long vertical strip running down my card, as she did for the kitties.  Only I changed mine to a solid piece, embossed it in my Cuttlebug and then added three little die cut butterflies, all in the row!   I also chose to go with Red, Black and White as my color them, based on her colors!!  I thought about using a Kraft card base, but thought I'd use red instead, to make it my own!

  Tomorrow, I hope to be creating with some on my brand new goodies which arrived today!  Lots of fun new exclusives from the latest Simon Says Stamp release, which I LOVE!!

Buyer Beware -- Silhouette!!

   As much as I love my Silhouette Cameo and the wonderful capabilities of this machine, I wanted to take the time to warn everyone about some of the issues I have had and how disappointed I am in the way I have been treated by Silhouette.

   I am one of the many who was originally a Cricut user -- but, never cared for the limits that I had with that machine.   After doing my own research, I decided I wanted to purchase a Silhouette.  Just about that time, I also found out that Silhouette was due to release a new machine, the "Cameo" and decided to wait for the "new" machine to come out, rather than to buy the current SD.   Once it was released, I purchased it - that was in November of 2011.

    From the very first day, I had issues with the blades and mats and at that time, had excellent responses from Silhouette and they were more than happy to replace my defective blades/mats.   I also had issues with cuts and from the day I bought that machine I was NEVER able to cut really detailed or intricate cuts, no matter WHAT I tried.  I spend a lot of time on the phone with Silhouette or writing emails and always did everything they recommended.  After some time, they thought that maybe my cutting strip was damaged, so they again, happily sent me a new one.    I also admit, that there was a long period of time, where I wasn't using the machine (pretty much almost a year after I adopted my Puppies), and had only limited crafting time.
But, every time I would use it, it would work fairly well for simple cuts, but continued to constantly give me issues with more intricate cuts...so much so that I basically gave up on trying those and used it primarily for very easy designs.  I took several classes and really LOVED the things I could now create, but still was upset, when I would go to cut something and always have some issue.  I can't even count how many blades and mats I have purchased, not to mention how many pieces of cardstock have been wasted?   I even have two Starter Kits that I've NEVER even used, because I was always afraid my machine would ruin the materials.   I kept hoping that with new software updates it would eventually work out, but that never did happen and I'm angry with myself for NOT contacting them EVERY time this happened...!  My mistake..I admit, but NOT one I'll ever make again!

   Long story short.....I made a special point of contacting them shortly after my one year warranty was up and wanted it noted on my account that I still was having issues and I wanted it noted on my account that I still strongly felt I had a defective machine.   I was still not happy with how it worked and the gal I spoke to, agreed to do that for me.  She also had me try a few more setting changes, and that was also when I was sent a new "cutting strip" that they hoped would resolve the issues once and for all.  And while it did work better, with the strip, it still wasn't right and that's when I should have been on the phone again, but I was sick of it and just kind of gave up...my mistake...again!!

    Unfortunately, I did NOT complain enough and found that out yesterday, after writing several times this week about more of the same cutting issues, expressing that I really felt it was LONG over due for Silhouette to replace the machine and that this had gone ON far too long.  After more emails and more suggestions, which I did try again to no avail.  I even sent them the cut files, but was never told if they works for them, they kept insisting it was a blade or mat issue....again.  By now, I was really upset and I wrote and said, I had let this go on way too long and simply wanted my machine replaced.  I included my address and asked them to contact me to let me know when my replacement would be shipping!  Shortly after that I,  received this email --

"Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:51:12 +0000

From: support@silhouetteamerica.com
Subject: RE: I need my Cameo Replaced!!!!!
To: purple_place@verizon.net

Lisa,

 We are sorry for any frustration caused. Will you please email us the best number and time to call you, so we can resolve this issue or replace your machine for you "

     I immediately emailed them back gave them my phone number, which I might add, they already HAD on file and told them they could call me anytime and that I would be here all weekend.  A couple hours later, they did call, but it was a useless call.   They continue to insist that the issues are related to "me" either using a bad mat, blade or not using the right settings.   GRRRRR!    Despite the fact that had a brand NEW blade and mat in the machine and was using the exact setting the machine suggest, or even trying altering the setting for a better cuts, there I clearly could not achieve it with this machine.   I explained it all in great detail, told them about the machine jamming, the machine not being recognized when it IS one and several other issues, all of which have always made me feel I had a lemon.   And of course, what was I told in the end even after all my notes and calls?  I was told there is NOTHING they can do for me now.  My machine is too old and is out of Warranty!   Grrrrrrrrrrr!   No kidding!!   I told the gentlemen how upset I was to hear that and that I had called specifically to have this all noted so warranty would NOT be an issue...but too bad, they don't care and they will NOT help me!   I'm so mad I could scream!

    Now, I'm stuck and they only way for me not to totally LOSE out on all I have invested in Cut Files, Accessories, a store subscription and so on is to buy another machine and the sad part is that they know this and in my opinion, they don't care, because they get another sale out of it.  It's not like there is another company I can go to and buy a Cameo, there is only ONE Silhouette and it is the ONLY die cut machine on the market that I am interesting in owing.  So as much as I despise giving Silhouette my business, I'm pretty much stuck... Shame on you Silhouette!   You really should think FAR more about your customers than the bottom line.   This machine has been a problem from the day I opened it and I'm so upset that you are not standing by your product.  

     These are just a few pics of cuts I "Tried" to make with my machine yesterday!   Grrrr!  It's so annoying to be wasting SO much time, effort and paper and then see this happen --- over and over....

  

This is the design I tried to cut!!

    That was the closet to coming out as it should.   All during this I should note that I tried different cardstock thicknesses, adjusted the blade setting and speed and so on.   At one point, it jammed so bad and was "stuck" in the same spot, that it "cut right through my mat" and ruined it.  And I 'paused' the machine as SOON as I heard that dreadful jam sound!!   Grrrrr!!    The only reason, I'm posting this is to warn you all, to be aware of what happens when you are NOT persistent.  I should have called MORE and I should have NEVER let it go this far.  I should have insisted they replace the Cameo when it was under Warranty!   And believe me, I will never be that foolish again!!   Please, if YOU are buying any type of expensive products (crafty or not) and you have issues and problems with it, from day one....continue to call and email EVERY day until you have a resolution you are happy with!  I'm not, at ALL happy with Silhouette and I expressed that on the phone and followed it up with another email last night.  I'm also planning to contact the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Agency and see if I can file a complaint with them!   Do NOT be as foolish as I was -- if you have something that is NOT working right.....make sure you do NOT stop calling!!        And now, I'm off to go sit at my craft desk and create some cards --- my therapy and my relaxation!   I'm not about to let Silhouette ruin my day....!