A Happy Monday!!

  Today's an extra fun day for me and I am very happy to be back to creating and also excited to be taking the brand new Stretch Your Dies Class!

    I have already watched today's videos and am excited to share three new cards that were inspired the this class, as well as some of my favorite challenge.   It's been a LONG time since I have been able to play in the challenges, and I was very happy to start again today!   All three cards use die cuts and all three all also being submitted to new challenges.

   My first card was inspired by a card that Debby Hughes, who is one of the guest designers in class and also one a designer I love to follow.   I loved the idea of created an "inlaying" my die cut, a technique I have seen many times, but never tried.  For some reason, I always thought it would be a challenge, but Debby's steps made it very easy to follow!

   In addition to the class gallery I am also submitted with card to the "Addicted to CAS" challenge where the theme this week is GREEN!!

  I was quickly able to create a second card, with the "negative" pieces toe the Hello Die Cut, which is from Simon Says Stamp,

  My next card is one and that I colored up with my Copics, and this card was inspired by Kathy Racoosin's - 30 Day Coloring Challenge, as well as the current "Fusion" Challenge.  

    Loving the color purple the way that I do, I knew right away that I would be playing in the Fusion Challenge, and I was very happy to break out a gorgeous new stamp from Penny Black, called Divine. 

   I inked up my stamp with black Versafine ink and stamped it onto some Neenah white cardstock.  I then went to work with my Copics using the same colors as in the Fusion image -- Love them.  I added a few highlights with a white gel pen and then complete the card with adding a die-cut "Love" sentiment -- another favorite from my SSS collection.

  That's it for now as I need to get ready for my "in-home" - Physical Therapy.   I have one of the best therapists I have ever had the pleasure of working with.  His name is Darren, and he's young guy, probably about  the same age as my oldest son, Brian.  He's so personable and what I really like is that he doesn't PUSH me to a pain level....something many others did over the years and why I ended up hating PT!   Thank goodness times have changed!

    Well that it's for now -- time to get ready!   Hope you have a wonderful day!

Paw Prints.....

  I am happy to have to new cards to share with you today!   They both were inspired by two fun new challenges.  The first is the Kathy Racoosin's - 30 day Coloring Challenge and the second the new Simon Says Stamp -- Flickr Group Challenge.

  I broke out some of mew newest SSS exclusives and started with my Bear Hugz card, which ended up being a bust.  I've since revised it and will show both versions, but let's just say it's not good and I could not submit it the the SSS - One Layer Challenge in it's original form.   Ink smudges ruined it....BooHoo!!

First Card

  I smudged ink all over and on top of that, think this turned out....too darn plain.   One layer cards are truly a challenge for me.  

  The good news is that with some changes I was able to make it into a second card that I think is much better.  I can't use it for the challenge, but that's okay by me!

  Happily I also created and colored up a third card using more SSS stamps, along with my Copic Markers.  I think this one is better and the one I'm entering into both the SSS challenge and Kathy's challenge for today.

 I am in a Dog theme today and really missed my dogs very much when I was in the hospital.  Skye my lil' Chiweenie, also missed me, like crazy and would not go upstarts to bed at night...She sat/slept on the couch daily, watching out the window for me to come home.  The are all such love bugs and I'm so happy to be back home with them!

  That's it for today, but boy was it fun to create again!  I've missed it so much.   Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Healing.....happily and slowly!!

Hi everyone -- Sorry for the long delay !!  As most of you know I had hip replacement surgery on 2/27 and boy did that turn out to be a LOT more than I ever expected.   Due to my Fibro the first two days were really hard, as they were not able to easily get my pain level down -- NOT fun!   Then then I was finally was doing a bit better, I developed Post-Op Pneumonia, which was a huge set back.  I ended up in the hospital for 6 full days (versus the originally planned 2-3).   I also had to have huge does of IV antibiotics and they ended up making me feel petty sick.....sigh~

But, jump forward to today and I have now been home for a full week.  I was able to sleep in my own bed, (versus a recliner, for the past three nights and that's been wonderful.   I'm still having home nursing care and PT and it's getting better each and every day!   I can now go up and down the stairs and that's so good, as compared to being trapped on one floor!

It's so nice to feel better and I know it will only improve from here,   I get my staples out tomorrow and will be going to the local hospital for a follow -up check X-ray just toe sure the pneumonia is totally gone, which I an confident it will be.

Special  thanks to everyone who has send cards called and written.....you really brightened each day. For all the gals in the Deb's Card Chain Group  I am so touched by all your kindness -- Debbie is a gem!!  I look forward to being back very soon!!

And lastly, I am dying to get back to my craft desk  -- especially with so many wonderful new products on the market.  I'm in LOVE with the new Hero Arts release, which you can find over at the a2z Scrapbooking Store -- New things are still coming in every day and I'm happy to remind you that you can use my Design Team Promo Code LISAH15, to save 15% off or any order of $25 and up (excluding shipping)!   A great savings!

I am very much looking forward to the next "Online Card Class" - Stretch Your Dies, which starts on Monday!   I truly hope by then I can play along and us some of the amazing new dies I had bought before I had my surgery!   Hope to see you there!

Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to Spring....I know I am and when it was Sunny and in the 50's yesterday -- it felt awesome,  It's going to take a LONG time for all this snow to finally melt, but every warm day does help!!

I finally sat down at my craft desk for the first time in weeks.  I wanted to make a special Thank You card for my Mom, who has been so good to me during my surgery.  She's brought me a gorgeous plant in the hospital, has taken care of the dogs...made us meals and even come up and set when me, when my hubby had to run out to get me meds and such.  I very grateful for all her caring and hard work,   This card was also inspired the Kathy Racoosin's -30 day Coloring Challenge and this the the first day I have colored, even though it was simple coloring my "die cut" sentiment with my Copics and a Wink of Stella.  I do hope to follow Kathy for the remainder of the fun challenge and I LOVE her fabulous coloring skills.   

Hugs and Happy Thoughts to ALL!!!!

New HERO ARTS - In STOCK Now at a2z Scrapbooking!!!

  I am SUPER excited to let you know that several items from the Brand New Hero Arts Spring 2015 Catalog are NOW in stock and ready to ship over at the a2z Scrapbooking Store!   I am also delighted to SHARE my DT Promo Code -- LISAH15 -- which will save you 15% off of ANY and ALL orders of $25 and up (excluding Shipping).

   Keep in mind that many things are selling super fast and more are due in within the next week or so.  Also, some items like the new "Ombre Inks" are currently back ordered with Hero and those will be coming in shortly.

  For the BEST Selection SHOP early!   I placed my first order today and will be adding more!  I can't wait to buy the Ombre Inks, a lot of the cute new "Dog Themed" goodies and those fun new Stamp and Cut Sets.   Below are pictures of some of my new favorites!!  

  

  And for the Dog lovers, Like me......

   Be sure to check back daily --- anything that has sold out in this first batch, has been re-ordered and many other items are still being shipped directly from Hero Arts!    I am so excited and really happy with this latest catalog, so many fun new things!!  To see ALL the goodies from the Spring 2015 Release - please stop over at the Hero Arts Site, where you'll find the FULL catalog Here !!

Happy Shopping!!

Click HERE to SHOP!!

It's all about Love....

    For the first time in ages, I have actually had some time to sit down at my craft desk and create some new cards.   It's been a challenge with my hip, but the past days days, I've also been in less pain, so I'm taking full advantage....

    I have quite a few new cards to share and will not go into all the details...However, you can feel free to send me message, IF you do have any questions.  I used  variety of stamps and digital images for all of these cards...and totally enjoyed ,making each and every one.

    My first two were cards were created yesterday for the latest Scramble over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group.   For me details, please see this post, which was shared by Betty, our Hostess for this Challenge.   Loved here them as well as the two inspiration images she had for us.  Thanks Betty!!

My first Scramble Card

  This card is also being submitted to this week's MUSE Challenge, where we had this wonderful card by Vicki as our inspiration.   For my take, I created a background using a new Stampin' up heart themed embossing folder and also added a red heart along the a "Love" sentiment, which om my card was created with a die set from SSS.   

Vicki's Card

    My card would also be  perfect for the current "Embossing" themed challenge over at the a2z Scrapbooking blog, which you'll fine HERE!   Come on over and play along!!

My second Scramble Card

  I used one of my favorite oldie but goodies Hero Arts Background stamps, to create the Script for both cards.  It's called Old Letter Writing and also is nice for this type of background.   Most of the heart themed dies I used are from Hero Arts, as is all the Red, White and Black Layering Papers I used on each card.   Two other hearts are from one of my older Spellbinder Sets.    PS:  If YOU love the Black Layer Paper by Hero, it's now be discontinued, but YOU can find it over at the a2z Scrapbooking Store, on clearance @ only $1.50 per pack - a great deal!  I picked up five packs for ME and may have to go buy a few more!   Black will now only be available as part of the  "mixed sets" !  

    These new few cards were my creations from today and boy did I have fun breaking out my Copics to color all this sweet little robots, all from Pink Cat Studios, which has always been one of my favorites stores for fun and whimsical digi images.    These cards were created for my boys for Valentine's Day -- seems not matter how old they get, I still love to send them fun little cards in the mail...something to make them smile and brighten their day.

  I hope you like these cuties too.....they are also very much my style and I really had a lot of fun coloring these up today.  I very much kept with with Red, White,  and Black theme !!  

   After my fun, I went back to more "traditional" valentines and made my final two, starting with this very CAS style card that features the fabulous "Renaissance Heart" die that is from Hero Arts.  Its' always been a favorite and after I saw it used in a card that "Barb" created for yesterday Scramble, I knew I had to dig mine out to put it to good use.   And the best news, is that you can find it in stock NOW over at the a2z Scrapbooking Store!  

  And last by not least is a card that I created with another of my older Wooden Stamps, this one is by Tim Holtz, but it does NOT have the name on it and for the life of me I can't seem to find it online.  I thought it was Tattoo Heart or something like that, but have not had any luck in finding a link for you. IF anyone knows the exact name, please share and I'll happily update this post.   NOTE:  This link will take you to see the "Cling" set that also contains this image. which is called "Rockstar".

   For this card, I inked up my stamp in Black Versamark and stamped it directly to some "kraft" colored cardstock, and then heat embossed with Hero's Arts Clear Ultra Fine powder.  I colored i the heart with red Copics and then added a layer of 3D Crystal Accents.   I cutthe circles with Nestie dies and mounted it with foam tape on this Woodgrain Background Cardstock that I found in "brown" over at Ellen Hutson's Store.

   And that's it for today!   I also want to say thanks to everyone for the well wishes and happy thoughts while I had my son home for a visit...it was awesome to see him and I only he had been here longer...but he lucked out and missed the snowstorms and is now happily safe and warm back in San Lego...which I wish I was at this point too...especially since its' snowing again today and will snow tomorrow and even part of Tuesday?   Please get me out of here !!   We could end up with another 18"foot of SNOW????  

Please send me SPRING....!!!