It's Almost Here....

....and if you are wondering what in the world is she talking about, it's SPRING!   Only two more days until we officially start Spring, and I can't wait!   For so many of us, it's been a VERY long, snowy and cold winter and I am so happy that Spring is so close, followed by Summer, my favorite season!!   It's still pretty cold here, in the 30's today, but the sun is brighter every day and it's actually not unbearable to be outside.  The dogs are totally enjoying more outside time and we even took a nice walk on the weekend.   I will be happy to get back to walking daily and as soon as mud season ends, that's when we'll be back on track.

     Today, has been another great day in the Clean & Simple 3 Class and I have three new cards to share with you today, all based on latest two classes, which have focused on created one layer cards by coloring, in a variety of mediums.  I have to admit that one layer cards is a LOT harder for me, and I still can not seem to always make them ONLY one layer, but for the most part, I've cut back on my layers and have only use one card top, sometimes on a card base.

     For my first two cards, I used the exact stamp stamp, which is a new flower image that I have love.  I used it once already last week and twice today and can tell it's one I use often.  It's from Whipper Snapper Designs and is very fun and easy to color.   The name of this stamp is "Spring is Here" and to me they named it perfectly!!

    This is the first card that I created and this one is pretty much my true "One Layer" card for the day.  I started by coloring the image on a piece of white Neenah Cardstock and I used Tombow Markers with a Waterbrush to created a fun watercolor look for the card.   Then I took an oval die and cut the image out of the white cardstock and used the exact same die to cut out an oval in my card-base, which is one I created with some Hero Hues Layering Paper.   I then placed my image directly into the oval opening and cover the back with another piece of cardstock to help adhere it into place.

  Note:  I should have used watercolor paper and also a waterproof ink, but I wasn't sure what I was going to do, when I started.  Had I done that I think it would have looked nice and the black ink (Memento) would not have smeared when I colored it.

   The second card was also stamped on Neenah Cardstock, but that was on purpose, because I knew I would be using Copics to color it and again used Black Memento ink, which is perfect for images that will be Copic Colors.    This time, I layered the oval cut out image onto a plain white background, which another oval cut out and then to add a bit more color, I added those two pieces to some of my favorite lavender polka dotted cardstock from Memory Box.   I find I prefer a few layers and like to tie to my colors together and for me, it works!!   I do LOVE the amazing cards the designers have shared in class, but I feel like my cards are missing something without a little more layering!!  My main focus in the class is truly to create clean and simply cards and to limit my layers, when I can and when I feel it looks best on my cards!!

  And that brings me to my last card today, also colored with Copics, although I did try coloring on Watercolor Paper this time, and think it really pulls in a lot of ink.  I wanted to see if the blending might be different and it was actually a bit hard, since I think the paper is more porous, even so, I did end up with a cute little card and this one also features two of my newest stamps from Whipper Snapper.  I adore their dog images and have picked up quite a few in the last year or so!!

  This time I wanted a frame around my image, so I cut a little 4 1/2" square red Bazzill card base and then cut my image down to 4" by 4" which seemed to work out well.  This did not turn out to be my best coloring, but I do think it's because of how hard it was to blend the 'browns" using watercolor paper!   I do think blending with Copics works much better on the Copic approved card stocks, like Neenah and Cryogen, which is my favorite.

   And now it's time to feed my pups and then figure out what we want to have for dinner!   Tuesday is always an easy night, because it's Take Out and Alex will pick up all up something on his way home form work.  I think I want nice big salad and the place we often go has great salads and they all come with homemade Pita bread...Yummy! 

Happy Monday & Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

....here we are into the third week of March and this week is when "Spring" officially begins, at least on the calendar.  I'm not so sure it's going to be very Spring-like here for a bit, but I sure am happy that Winter will be over soon and the weather will continue to improve!    To those of you are Irish, my best wishes to you for a "Happy St. Patrick's Day".  May it be a fun, happy and lucky year for all and may you all enjoy lots of "green" goodness today!!

    Today also starts of the second week of the wonderful CAS3 (One Layer Card Class) and today's new inspiration was perfect for me at it focused on ways that you can "color" your very one-layer cards and 'coloring' is my favorite form of relaxing!   I feel in love with Copic Markers pretty much when they first started becoming very popular and I'm now very happy to own a wonderful collection and pretty much every color.   It took me over three years to build up that amount, but it's a investment and one that I'm very happy I made.  I still do need several refills and it will take time to buy all of those, but I happily have most of the ones that I use often and that's a great start.

     I have been a bit behind in class, yes again!!   No matter how hard I try to keep my schedule totally free, something always seems to come up and that's simply LIFE!!   Even so, I have been keeping up with the videos and do have a few new cards to share.  I'm working on more today and will continue to update, when I can!!

     This is one of my latest cards and it was created with a simple Hello die cut, which is one of the many from the SSS Exclusive Line.  It was also the first step in creating this card.  One I cut my Hello, I took out my favorite shades of Violet and colored it with my Copics and put it aside, after also coating it with a Clear Wink of Stella Marker.   I then masked off the section where the "Hello" was cut from and using a combination of Distress Inks, and Spray Mists from Ranger and Hero Arts, I created the background shown.  As for the "spots" I simply removed the sprayers from the bottle and tapped on the end to created the random dots and then to complete the card and fill in the background, I used my Shaded Lilac Distress Ink with a Blender tool and blended in the colors.  NOT:  I did heat set the "spatters" first so they would not smudge.

   Today's card was inspired by a card that Kristina shared and somewhat by some of the newer stamps and Die sets that are meant to be stamped/cut together to create a sentiment or phrase from a variety of sets or combinations.  For my card I used the large "Love" die which is also from SSS and I first cut then and used a combo of 4 different Copic RV color the letters in kind of an ombre look.  I then colored over that with a Wink of Stella Clear Marker.  Next, I chose a new stamp set from Reverse Confetti and stamped on the works "live your lie in" and then added my LOVE die to complete my little phrase -- Live your Life in Love!! I completed my card by taking a little wooden heart, which I colored black with another Wink of Stella Marker, added that on and then rounded three corners with my Corner Chomper!

   

   I did start a third card, which is my fail card and it's not one I'm sharing in class, as I just did not like the end result.  I think it would have worked better on a white background and I think the pink is too much!   But, as always I'll share it here, so you can see my best and worst of the day!!  I was going with the same basic theme and this time used the same set from RC, but chose different words that I wanted to go with the  "You" die cut, which actually comes with the "Love" one, both in the same package from SSS.

  The "you" die cut is NOT dry in this photo and has been coated with a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer, to give it extra dimension and shine.  Once it is dry, I'll remove it from this card, which will be going into my paper recycling bin.    I am not heading back to the classroom for some more inspiration!   Wishing you all a wonderful week and hoping the snow is over for this Winter Season!!   (Crossing my fingers)!!

Feeling Good is a Good thing....

...and today I am very thankful and grateful to be feeling SO much better than yesterday.  Don't know what was going on with this body of mine yesterday, but I felt miserable and hurt all over.  Most likely a little Fibro flare, but on top of not sleeping the night before, I feel miserable and it could have easily been a day where I showered put on new jammies and went right back to bed....!!

    But, when you have two puppies and Scoutie, my big senior guy, there is no such thing as sleeping all day!  Having dogs, is much like raising children again, especially when they two are puppies and LOVE lots of attention.  Even Scoutie, likes attention, but he is older and loves to sleep, so sleeping late is a LOT easier with him.  The girls (Skye and Zeva) love to wake me up every day and then pretty much want to go downstairs, run outside and then eat!!!    They seem to have quickly adjusted to the time change and are back to being up bright and early, unlike me, who is a sleeper!

    Today, I was up pretty early, but that's because I went to bed, pretty much right after dinner last night and just could not keep my eyes open.  Plus, by then Hubby was home and it was his turn to take over with the dogs!!   I went to sleep in pouring rain, and had no clue it was going to change to snow by morning!  Yuk! My goodness the snow Gods are out to get me this year...it just will NOT stop and we are all so sick of snow and cold....Brrrrrrrrrrr!!!   Luckily, it was light and has now ended, but it's still more snow and that means it will take longer for the ground to ever be totally bare?    We have had a few "Spring Fever" kind of days and I would LOVE even more, unfortunately I do see any coming soon and the dreadful forecast for Saturday morning is only 9 degrees....Yikes!!

   Even so, all that I can seem to think about is warm sunshine, pretty flowers, green grass and all those wonderful signs that Spring is actually here.  Most of my cards have a spring feeling including the two I'm sharing today, both of which were inspired by the fabulous One Layer Card Class (CAS3) that I'm currently taking at the Online Card Classroom.

   Not to giveaway any of the class details, I can say that these are based on the newest techniques we focused on for Day 3 and Day 4 and I have more to do in this style, because I really LOVE the look of so many of the designers cards, as well as the amazing cards that are showing up in the class Gallery!!

  This was my first card and and does have a little "layered" heart on it, which kind of makes it a CAS layered card, but that heart is also placed exactly where it is to cover a mistake!!  OOPS!  I inadvertently smeared on a bit of black ink and I needed to cover and this is how embellishments can be used to fix those mixed up.

   I also broke out some of new newest stamps including this really bold Sentiment which is from a new set from Hero Arts called - Happy Today CL729, my background was created using another Hero Background stamp, called Tiny Flags S5881, which I just LOVE!!  I used a combination of inks, first for my stamping, which was done in Hero's Tide Pool and then for my ink blending, which was done in Peacock Feathers - Distress ink.   Both of these cards were created using  Neenah's 110# cardstock, which is exactly the type of nice quality cardstock that you really need for one layer cards.  

    Note:  That reminds me that I am in LOVE with the new Mini Ink Blending Tool and new Foam Pads that Ranger premiered at CHA.  I can't wait for them to arrive in stores, so I can add them to my collection.  I think the round pad and size will be so much easier to work with, especially seeing Jennifer use them in Class!!   Here is a photo "by Ranger", if you have yet to see them!   They also will be selling the new foam refills and those will come in packs of 20 -- WooHoo!  These both can be pre-ordered now at my LSS and also from Simon Say Stamp!!

   My second card of the day, was also done in this lovely shades of aqua and teal, and is a bit different than some of the cards in class, but is a One Layer Card.   I was going to cute the oval out and then use it like a mask for another card, but then came up with my own idea of makes this a Window Acetate card, and originally thought I would a sentiment inside that would show through to the front.  But, when I was looking for the right size sentiment, I came across this brand new stamp, "Spring is Here", which I had just purchased from Whipper Snapper Designs and realized it would fit in the open area perfectly, so I went with an image instead.  I stamped it in Black Memento Ink and then to keep the mono-tone feel of my card front, and then colored the image with assorted shades of Blue, Green, and Blue Green Copics.   The front of the card was stamped in Tide Pool Ink and also distress with the same Peacock Feathers Distress Ink, using this background stamp - also from Hero Arts/Basic Grey (CG628 - Fresh Cut Pebbles).

and in a close up view!!

    And that's it for today, but I am heading back to my desk now to try working on another idea that I saw in this morning's class!

....this is my lucky day!!!

...and I am very happy and excited to share a little fun news with you today!!   I was "Spotted" by Simon Says Stamp and one of my recent cards is being featured on their blog today!   To me this is such a wonderful honor and I was tickled pink when Stephanie asked me if she could use this card on their next "Spotted" post.   And on top of that two of the girls that are also members over at the Hero Arts Group, were also included in the same Spotted post, so I'm extending my Congratulations to Cat and Debbie, and also to the other designers, (Larissa and Tracy) who also were featured today.  My thanks to Simon Says Stamp for sharing all of our cards on the blog.

   This is another copy of the card that I created a couple of weeks ago.  I also owe credit to Kate, the teacher/owner of my LSS, who originally created a card similar to this. as part of our February Card Club.   I changed mine around, by using the Simon Says Stamp Clustered Leaves Die,  along with the gorgeous "Leanna" butterfly also from Simon.  I also added a different sentiment, which is very touching to me. When I originally posted this card, I did not know who designed the stamp, but after a little research, I found it was created by Verses and then began my search to find one to add to my collection.  I happy found it at fabulous store on Etsy!!

 

   Today is also another fun day in the new CAS3 Class over at the Online Card Classroom.  Today, we had more wonderful inspiration provide by three more of the awesome Guest Designers!   Their creative work led me to create two more of my own "One Layer Cards" starting with this first card, which I am also submitted to the current challenge over at "Neat and Tangled"  where the challenge is to create both the Outside and Inside of you card and that worked perfectly with the design I used on this card.  It was was fun to see that Jennifer McGuire was the Guest Designer there for the current challenge.  

   This is also another really fun way to make the inside of your card match with the front and I did that but first cutting off the bottom on my card front, using this very cool die "Curved Edge" from SSS.  I then picked out my papers, which are all from the new Lawn Fawn "Lets Polka" Collection (oh how I love Polka dots) and cut a one inch strip to go inside on the very bottom on my card.  You can see it from both the outside and inside because of me cutting the size of the front down.   I actually think I learned this fun tip in one of the other Online classes, but I've taken so many at this time, I can't begin to cut which one it may have been.  You can use this in other way, with a variety of border dies too.

  I used two different sets of Neat and Tangled Stamps -- Scrap Circles along with Ink Splash, which I stamped on with Black Versafine ink and Hero Art's Butter Bar Shadow Ink!   I also created the small circle border around the happy sentiment from the same matching patterned paper and did this using two Lawn Fawn Stackable Circle dies.    I finished off this card by adding some Sparkle to my ink splashes with a Black Wink of Stella Marker!

  My second card today is a new one featuring a sweet little Dachshund, named "Marley" who is from an adorable set of stamps/dies from Taylor Expressions.   I started by stamping Marley and coloring her up with my Copic markers and then die cut her with the die cut that include with the stamp set.  I then started on my background which I created with some more of the adorable "Lawn Fawn" Polka Dotted paper, as well as some scraps.  To create my little landscape scene I used this adorable border die from Memory Box and then used a circle die to cut a sun from some scraps of yellow from the card above.  I used the fun in-lay technique on the background, but I did actually adhere Marley and the sentiment on top...so I guess that may not technically be a true one-layer card, but it's pretty close for me.

    And now it's time for me to spend some time with my adorable dachshunds before they are ready for bed. They have been loving the warmer weather and having a chance to play outside more and more.  Now if all the snow would simply melt away and we get though "mud" season quickly, it'll almost be time to start planting flowers and spending the majority of the time "Outdoors"!!  I can hardly wait!!

Woohoo...! I love classes....

....and today is the first day back in "Class" over that the awesome  "Online Card Classroom", where I am taking their newest workshop - Clean & Simple 3,  focusing on One Layer Cards!   I have been looking forward to this for days and already I can already tell, that this will be another class that I'll totally LOVE!!   Yippee!!

    As always, I can't share all the wonderful tips and techniques we learn in each of the classes, but I can share the cards I make, based on what I have been inspired by and today, I loved everything that was shared.  I should also note that it certainly is bonus that we have three amazing designers creating and sharing their wonderful videos with us on Day One!    The first card I have to share was inspired by a card that Kristina created and although I created my "One Layer Card" using a different methods, colors and such, it's very much like her card except for my "Oops" moment, which happened when I realized that I had scored my card incorrectly, so when I folder it, the front was shorter than the back.  But, I found a really easy and fun solution and what I did was take a piece of matching "Washi Tape" and adhered it to the inside of my card so that it showed through from the front and actually had it tie into the design.  Hope you like it!!

   I used a variety of little circle stamps and one little Heart Stamp, along with 2 different Shadow Ink colors, plus some Hero Arts Ink Spray which I flicked onto my card to create the tiny random dots of teal color. My Sentiment is from a set called, "Handwritten Messages" and is brand new from the Spring Exclusive collection at SSS!   It's also one I particularly love because it was created by Kristina and is her beautiful handwriting.   All of the black dots and the heart were created using more stamps along with Versamark Ink and Black Sparkle Embossing Powder from Ranger.   Oh and I should note that whenever you are created true "One Layer Cards", you'll want to be certain to use a very nice quality cardstock.  For this card I created my card base with some Neenah Solar White 110# Cardstock, which is fabulous heavyweight cardstock.  

   My next card was totally inspired by Shari Carroll who also created a very cute "balloon" themed Birthday Card using the same SSS Die Set I used for my card.  The idea of die-cutting my balloon from strips of matching papers, also came from Shari, but it is something I've done in the past!!  All of the papers I used today were pulled from my Scrap bin, and this is one great use for them.   I am so pleased that I bought it set of dies and want to thank my friend "Terri" who enabled me a bit, after she fell in love with them, after seeing this card that Jennifer shared on her blog.   Awesome, don't you agree!!   NOTE:   This card is one that some would say is NOT truly a ONE layer, because I added my card panel (design) to a pre-colored note-card, but in my world, this is pretty darn close!!   I also had another OOPS moment and had to add on the little black heart at the very end to cover a spot where ink splashed on my card, just as I was finishing up.  That too, is technically another layer, but I was so happy with the card, and bummed that I ruined it, so this was the only way to fix it and since it took quite a bit to time for created I did not want to start all over!

  And last, but by no means least, I have this card which was my own take off of the card that the fabulous Debby Hughes created and shared with us in her fantastic video today.  You might be noticing by now that I'm using a lot of the same colors and that's something I often do when I'm working on multiple cards.  I used what's "on my desk" and that not only saves me time, but is a great way to use up scraps and not waste any of the my "Precious Cardstock/Paper", as if I don't have enough to last a lifetime!  LOL!!  Both this card, as well as the Balloon card were created to be one layer, by actually in-laying the die pieces into the card base and each of the designers has shared their own awesome tips and hints as to how they do this!   I always LOVE that I learn something new or a great time saving tip and that's another reason, I am also so happy to be part of these classes!!  I really can't say enough about how much I LOVE them and I always HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who loves to create cards!!  

   The first heart on the left, was actually die cut from the same piece I used for my large balloon.   And the others were cute from assorted scraps using this fabulous Heart's a Plenty Die & Stamp Set, again from SSS.   The "Love" die is another Exclusive, and again, created in Kristina's handwriting...Love IT!!   Yes, it's true I LOVE their exclusive items and every since Kristina and Shari joined the team, they expanded into their own line so much more.  I also love the Monthly card kits and enjoy taking part in Simon's challenges too!!  They are one of my favorite stores and the service for me, is always excellent. I am also very grateful for the discount they provide to each student, not to mention all the prizes they donate too!   Thank YOU!!

  My next stop will be over at the Class Gallery where I can share today's cards.  I'll also stop by the forums and read up on the new comments or questions, which are always very interesting.   There are already quite a few amazing cards in The Gallery and I love seeing what everyone creates and shares!   

   Before I go, and as promised I am also sharing the cute little cards/project that I created yesterday at the Amuse Open House I attended.   They are all very cute and are also very easy and fun to make.   Amuse favors making smaller "note-cards" and what's fun is that you can actually create three of these cuties all from one piece of cardstock.   They measure 3 1/2" X 5" and they sell the matching sized envelopes!   They are perfect to use in many ways and also a great for gift cards too!   

              

   All of the papers, die cute, ribbons, stamps and inks were used on each of these projects are from Amuse and all can be ordered from your Amuse Representative.   This link will take you to my Rep,  (Tobey's) online store, and you can buy directly from her, if you do not have your own rep.   Of course, I immediately came home and placed an order and you'll can look forward to seeing more of the adorable mini checked cardstock, which is back in their catalog.  They also have adorable polka dotted paper and some of the prettiest sequins I have seen.  Love the size and the colors and added more of those too!   Not to mention their fabulous stamps and gorgeous ribbons!!   A new edition is the cute crepe paper we used on the first two projects.  I also loved making these fun and easy little goodie bags and Amuse sells these food safe bags in a variety of sizes!!  They pretty much have all you need to create all types of fun papercraft projects! 

   Well that's it for me....I'm currently up in my craft room with all three of the dogs, which are NOT happy because there is a "stranger" downstairs (a Dell Technician) here to fix "Daddy's" Laptop.   My two puppies, are very very protective and also get very timid around strange/new men, so we are very careful to keep them apart, to make it easier for all!    Believe it or not, they also like "Dog TV' and yes it's TV for dogs and was free for awhile on DirecTV, so I taped several episodes for them.  I never knew a thing about it, but from what I've seen, they really seem to enjoy it.  If you have pups you have to leave alone or want to keep content at times, it may work for you, you can read more about it and find out if it's available in your area -- Go here for more info!!   I'm been pretty impressed, but no sure I would ever "Buy" it....free is fine!!   But, even with all my "distractions" they all want OUT and I sure hope he is almost done, as it'sh ard to keep them in only two rooms, when they want to run around and play!  Plus, I know they'll need to go outside very soon.