Dreaming.....

.....of feeling better and finding some time to create!   I'm even missing out on my Stretch Your Stamps Class, which is such a bummer!  I sure HOPE the passes soon...I'm SICK of it!!  Do ya hear me....!!!   Enough already!!  I'm wiped out and really sick and tired of feeling this way.....!   Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

  

    I know I should not be complaining, because this could be so much worse...but when you are sick and feel miserable for long periods of time...it just plain gets to you.   I am thankful for the good days and could really use one about now.  In the meantime....says prayers for two of my dear friends who are fighting a far more brutal battle...those two gals as battling cancer and the dreadful sounding side effects of Chemo.   My heart goes out to them and when I do feel this crappy, I try to remember that things could be even worse...and maybe I'm the lucky one...so I'm signing off and focusing my thoughts on Jenn and Pat -- two of the bravest women I know!   

   Before I go lay down, I have two cards (from earlier this week), to share.  I think maybe Monday's class?   ...gosh I'm so behind, I'm not even sure -- but they were FUN to make and I'm dying to spend time in my craft room -- very soon!  

   

   And one more thing that DID make me smile, was seeing this picture of the newest inks that Hero Arts shared on their Facebook page!   Coming soon to a store near you....check out these pretty new colors --  lovely purples!   They will be on my WISH LIST, for sure!

Off to nap.....!!!  

What is your favorite Summer Treat??

   If you are like many people, I'll bet it's something nice and refreshing, and if you are like me, then you'll be screaming for Ice Cream.   It's not something we keep in our home, as I would be too tempted to want to eat a dish every night and goodness knows, that is not something I need.   But, I admit that every so often I truly do crave a rich and gooey Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae and that is one of those very special treats, I love to have a few times each Summer.   We have a little local Ice Cream shop that is open seasonally and that's the place we love to visit a few times each year.   A true indulgence for me and a treat I crave form time to time, especially on a hot summer night?  Hum...could it be one of those nights...time will tell, but as I am typing this it sure should fabulous.  

   Luckily,  I also happen to love popsicles and we do keep those on hand throughout the year, but more so during the hot Summer.   I will even have one as an afternoon snack or something even for lunch, if I'm too hot to eat anything else.  We actually buy the Fruit Bars, which are really yummy, low calorie and fairly healthy.   My favorites are the Acai Blueberry and the Tangerine Fruit Bars from Edy's.    They are made with All Natural Fruit, and thankfully only 60 calories, far less than pretty much any ice cream, making it a much better choice for me!  

   If you are wondering WHY I'm asking, it's because of the fun new CAS Challenge being hosted over at The Outlawz..  Come to find out, back in 1984, former President Ronald Reagan,named July as National Ice Cream Month and based on that little tidbit, the Design Team, decided that the challenge for this week is to create something which show cases you favorite summer treat.    I did not have any Brownie Sundae images...my absolute FAVE, so I decided I wanted to create my card using some fun image from the Silhouette store.  I found a few that I loved and have not added to my Library.  My favorite is a cute Ice Cream Cone, by Echo Park and it's exactly what I used on my card.   I also used the color tools in my Silhouette Cameo Software to make this into a Print N' Cut, so that it would be all colored once I cut it.   A feature I absolutely LOVE, because you can take any die cut and add color or even patterns of color, which you first print on your printer, and then cut out that exact design on your Cameo!   I love the feature so much that my next printer will be one that can print in a 12" format, so that I can use a full 12" mat for each Print and Cut.

   Once I had my shapes all colored and cut, I took the cone piece and ran it through my brand new Cuttlebug in an embossing folder that reminded me of the look of an Sugar Cone, my favorite.  I popped up my second scoop with pop dots and did the same the cherry, on top!   I then added Crystal Accents to the cherry and Stickles to the edges of my Ice Cream.   Once I had it all done I simply placed it on a little black and white polka dotted strip and added it to a plain white card-base.  I found the sentiment in my stash, printed it in black, punched it with a circle punch and then punched a matching scalloped circle background.

  I really love how it came out and this is exactly WHY I love my Cameo so much.  I can use it to make all kinds of fun cards and I love the wonderful selection of images and cut files they sell in the store!!

  My next two cards were also very fun and easy to make, as they are based on this week's Sketch from the Star's and Stamp Blog.   If you are know me, you'll know I LOVE to create card for Operation Write Home and I try to take part in every Sunday Sketch Challenge.  I also love the sketches and find them easy to follow.  Today's was a new favorite and I love it so much I actually have already created two new cards for my batch.

   This is a copy of Sketch # 129, which I am sharing here, to help inspire YOU!  Every one is not only welcome to play in the challenges, but OWH can ALWAYS use new cards and always has a need for card makers who want to donate cards for our Troops service overseas!

 And this is the first card I created using the sketch!  This card was created entirely with digital background papers that I purchased today, during the sale at Shery K. Designs.  All I did was choose the colors and sizes I wanted and added the papers as "images" in a Word Document.  I also created my Sentiment in the same Word File and have it saved, so that I could create the identical card, over and over!   While I don't use digital papers on every card, I've grown to LOVE them and have purchased several sets from Shery's Store.  She has a fantastic collection and has great prices too!!   They are also awesome for paper-piecing and that's why I first started buying them.  It's my all time favorite digi paper store and I buy about 99% all my digi papers here!  I love it!!   The set I used for this card is called Blue and Green and you can find it HERE in the store!   Be sure to hurry on over today or tomorrow as the SALE is fabulous !!

Click HERE to SHOP!!

      And my second card was created a bunch of scraps, left over from my Hello Summer Pack by Echo Park, a favorite this summer for me!!

   I had a lot of fun creating ALL three cards today!  I am also equally excited to be heading back to "Stretch Your Stamps" class tomorrow and can't wait to see what we will be working on next.  I am having a great time in class and so happy I took it.

    If I am not posting a lot, you'll know it's because creating....and will do updates when I have time.  I'm also excited to see what the girls have in store for us at "The Great Mojo Comeback Challenge" and the next new challenge at CASology!!  I'm loving CAS more and more and need to find even more ways to learn how to create that wonderful style of cards!

   Have a fabulous Sunday and as always....hope you have lots of time to create!

Oh, what FUN I am having........

.... in the "Stretch Your Stamps" class!  Every day has been fantastic and I am very happy and pleased that this class is as awesome as all the others have been.   Yesterday, I shared lots of the projects we had made in class and today I found it was time to start a new blog post, as the editing was not working out so well.    I am still on my little mini-vacation, but also wanted to continue to share more projects, so I will try and do a few blog updates every couple of days.  On top of that I've found all kinds of awesome new challenges and have other fun news to share.

    My first exciting news is that I made it into the TOP 8 - in the Week Two, "The Great Mojo Come Back Challenge", which is hosted over at a A Blog Named Hero's Flickr Group, which you'll find HERE!   Two of the design team members, Kelly and Michelle started this challenge a few weeks back to help those of us struggling with our Mojo to help find it again and for me, it's been awesome.

    I want to also say Congratulations to all the other members who made the TOP 8 and to everyone who is playing along.   I'm also including a copy of the card that I submitted to the challenge, which was a color combo challenge!!   My thanks to both Michelle and Kelly for putting together these fun new challenges.

   It's also been such a JOY to be back in class and I find that classes are always a wonderful inspiration for me.  I totally LOVE each and every class I have taken in the Online Card Classroom and the current "Stretch Your Stamps" is another favorite.   I love that it inspires me to try new things or to use techniques that I know, but forget about.   Every day is so full of fabulous ideas, hints and tips along with wealth of fabulous projects from Jennifer, Kristina and the Guest Designers!!

   I really can NOT being to express just how MUCH I truly LOVE these classes.   I was thinking the other day, about how much has changed in my life, because of Fibro and how I will always be grateful that I found this wonderful hobby to help me pass the time and also learn new things.  I know now that if I were ever well enough to some how go back to school or work, I would totally change my career and would go into Art and start with very basic art classes, so I could learn all the basics about design, layouts, sketching and shading.   I may even look into seeing if I can find some very basic art classes I can follow and take at home.   To me this whole craft/art world is now such a JOY and I only wish I had found it a long time ago!  I think it would have totally changed my life and who know, maybe some day it still will.   The one thing I know for certain is that I would be LOST without this hobby and that's one thing I am so thankful to be able to have in my life.  As long as I can create...in some form...it will keep me happy and that's such a wonderful thing.

  The first project I have to share is something totally new for me, and it's a little 'framed art',  so to speak that I created for my bathroom, which is currently being updated!!   One of the main things I wanted to do was to change the wall color, put in new flooring and then buy all new accessories to brighten it up a bit.  We've already replaced our toilet, sink and vanity, so this is smaller update.   I picked out a very deep plum color and my color motivation, actually came from a cute little wastepaper basket I bought a few months back at Micheal's.   It has varies shades of purple, plum and lavender and that's where I started.  I wanted a very vibrant color and after looking at several paint chips, I finally chose a deep plum color.   We'll have white trim and white shelves etc., which will match our tub/sink and vanity.  The flooring will also be white in a textured like pattern and that should be done soon.  Hubby has also removed all the old ugly white baseboard and will put in all new trim that we'll do in a natural finish, like the window and skylight that are already in there.  I also found my new towels and they are plum, white and grey and great stripes, along with matching solid plum.  Our shower curtain and blinds will be white and the white trim that remains, will also be repainted.

    I wanted a simple little print to put on a shelf and found this super cute shelf idea on Pinterest.  Hubby built me some already, and then I found smaller unfinished wooden crates at Micheal's too.  Those came yesterday and will also be painted white.  I'm doing these on two walls and think it'll be a fun look.  One thing I will place on one shelf, is a little print that I created with a cute flower digi from Bugaboo, that I colored with Copics to match my walls.  I then took a simply dollar store frame and hubby painted that with the new paint color.  I matted my colored image and put it all together to have this cute little framed image.

 

Note:  You can see one of my new crate behind the print!

One of my new crates - by Hubby

    One of these days I hope to be back to share pictures of my bathroom - Totally Done!!  Sadly, with a hubby who works 60+ hours a week, six days a week, it doesn't leave much time for him to work on this project.  But, it is coming along, so that's good!!

   My next project was a new card that had been inspired by Monday's class, which focused on all the different ways you can use background stamps.   I chose one of my favorites which is the Leaf and Floral Pattern, from Hero Arts and inked it in a few different colors, all onto white cardstock.  I put them aside to have on hand for upcoming cards and used one today for this card.  It was inspired by the new "Paper a La Mode Challenge" being hosted today at The Outlawz.  The theme "Nature Inspired" and there was a lovely picture of flowers in a garden.   At first I was going to use my framed art, but then decided to make a couple of cards, all different, but in the them and then chose!   This is the first card, was incorporates the Background along with a nice little Bird/Flower image, which is actually another of my Stickeroos by Penny Black.

  And next I have a fun little card that was created by coloring up another of my cute little digi images from Bugaboo Stamps.   I tend to LOVE to color and it's the most relaxing part of crafting and pretty much the one thing I can do, even on my worst days!   And now, I'm not only coloring with my Copic Markers, but am now expanding my marker collection to include the new ShinHan Art Touch Markers, which are fabulous.   They are very compatible with Copics, have fabulous new vibrant colors and the prices are awesome...far less than Copics.  I'm really very pleased with them and so happy that another company is now making it more affordable to color the alcohol based markers!!   Love it!!

  And last, but not least, I was so excited when I stopped by the classroom today and found that Jennifer had added a full BONUS Day for us!  WOOHOO!    There were new videos, a new PDF files and all kinds of wonderful new inspiration on creating with the newer style of dies/stamp combo sets.  Like this set HERE, from Hero Arts, or those made by Memory Box and My Favorite Things.

   I used one of my Memory Box Butterfly dies to create a card based on Jennifer's video, using a technique she shared today and taught us in the A Cut Above Class, that I took a few months back.  It's a really fun technique where you'll learn how to create a fun card with your die cut actually comes off the card.   This is my card which I created this afternoon.   As it turns out, this card could also work out well for the new challenge today.

and a different view!!   

...and that my friends will be all for today!   Now I need to decide which of these cards I want to submit to the challenge.  I am heading there now and will decide when I'm over there.  If you want to find out which card I submitted -- come on over and play along -  The Outlawz is a fabulous, fun and friendly craft group and I love taking part in the challenges -- it's the perfect way to practice and also helps me try new things!  Classes and Challenges are what make me HAPPY!!!   

Stretch Your Stamps .....and a mini vacation!

......WOOHOO!   I can hardly believe that there is only one more day before I start in a brand new and exciting craft workshop, being hosted by Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner, over in their wonderful  Online Classroom!!    This class is called "Stretch Your Stamps" and it starts tomorrow and ends on Monday, July 23rd.

   If you would like to be part of the fun, you can still enroll and start the Interactive Class with us all tomorrow morning.  For all the details and to sign up - Please go HERE!!   I have also found that many of my crafty friends are signed up and everyone seems very excited to start!!  I know I am and I always have such much fun and learn all kinds of fabulous tips and hints in each of these classes!!!

   In the meantime, I will be taking a little break from Blogging for the most part and this post will remain my top post until the class is over.   I also be taking a break from all my other challenges as I really need a ltitle break and have been feeling a bit wiped out.   It's kind of like my Summer Vacation, with a special workshop  thrown in!    And if this class is not enough fun, I'll be heading to my LSS (Absolutely Everything), on July 22nd, for a full day of workshops being taught by Dyan Reaveley!!   I can't wait to see what we create with all the awesome Dylusions...goodness knows I LOVE the vibrant cool colors!!  

    On a happy note, I am very much looking forward to a little break and some much needed relaxation!   I really want to take some time to be outside more and enjoy this fabulous Summer weather.  I hope to see most of you in class tomorrow and can't wait to get started!  Today, I'm going to clean my craft room, organize my supplies and be all ready to start when our first email arrives tomorrow at 9AM!!

Dreaming.....!  

  See you all later this month and wishing everyone a fun-filled summer!  I hope you all enjoy time outside, time with your family and friends and lots of Blue Sky - Sunny days!!    And as always -- Happy Creating!!

______________________________________________

Friday, July 13th - Update

  I am totally loving every day in class and have also have a few new updates to share!  I decided to  post a update today off all the new cards I have created in class or challenges this week.  I'll try to that this again next week and then will be back to regular posting after that!!!

  If anyone wants to start class, we still have another full week and there are still lots of great days to come, and some awesome prizes to be won!!   I enjoy seeing lots of my friend in class and also over the Flickr Groups!!    Everyone is welcome to join us and the more the merrier!!

Day 1 - Background Stamps

Class Focus Stamp is the

Lattice Backgroud Stamp from Hero Arts

Day Two - Collage Stamps

We used a variety of Collage Stamps

including this Papillion Set by Tim Holtz

Day 3 - Alpha Stamps

The Class focus Stamp Set is this cute set.

 by My Favorite Things

NOTE:  I found this day a true challenge

and had a hard time coming up with designs and also

lining up my letters well!   In the end, I completed these two cards!

Day 4 - Graphic Stamps

We focused on using this Cool Set

by Paper Smooches

  I only finished one card yesterday, as I also did my Day 3 Cards on Thursday. I am excited to have some awesome inspiration for other cards and will work on them this weekend.

Day 5 - Friday - Sentiment Stamps

I'll be using this wonderful "Sunshine" 

set, which is by Ali Edwards

   I am very excited about this class, and this set of stamps is wonderful.  When I saw it on the class supply list, I knew I wanted it right away.  It has so many nice sayings and I think today's cards will be fun.  This is the first of my "Sentiment" cards and I totally enjoyed making it this afternoon.   I am also realizing how much I totally LOVE this Stamp Set and you can bet it's one I'll be using often!!

   I have a couple more cards to share that were created this week for fun and also for some of my favorite challenges, which I simply could not pass up.  One is a brand new challenge that just started on Monday and one I know I'm going to play in every week.  It's called CASology and the focus will be on CAS Cards, which I've come to love.  You can find the new blog HERE, as well as the first challenge and our first "Cue" Card which I copied over to share:

My Card

  As soon as I saw the "cue" card I knew right away that I wanted to play and also that I new I have some very fun "sun" images in my Silhouette Library.   I went right to work on deciding which of my sun images I wanted to cut and I actually combined a couple different suns to come up with something all new.  I cut out some of the shapes with my Cameo, and also used a Scalloped Circle Punch for another layer.  The top center was run through my Big Shop with a fun embossing folder and I used a variety of Yellow Distress Inks to add subtle changes of color to each layer.  I then simply layered it onto a white square base, which was then added to a Pale Yellow card from Hero Arts.   A fun and easy card that turned out to be one of my favorite cards all week.    

  Earlier in the week I worked on a card for the new "The Great Mojo Comeback" week three challenge, which you can find at the ABNH Flickr Group - Here!!  This week is Sketch week and this is the sketch we had as our inspiration.  I LOVE it and also really liked how my card came out!    

My Card

   And I am especially excited to have just learned that my card from Week Two - Made it into the Top Eight for their color challenge!   You can see that fun card HERE!!   Yippee!!!   I want to thank the girls for helping to inspire us and bring keep the Mojo going.   I also was to congratulate the ALL the other winners too!!   There are a lot of awesome cards submitted by many wonderful designers!

   My last card today is one I created solely for fun and because I had a urge to color some flowers.  This cute little image is from "A Day for Daisies" and it always makes a super easy and fun card.   

  I'm off now to head back to class and create some fun new "Sentiment Cards".   Oh...I just remembered, I have one more piece of exciting new to share --  I read today that Hero Arts is adding three brand new "Neon" colors to their new Neon Collection and guess what one of the new colors is ----  Yup! -- it's my absolute Favorite -  P U R P L E!!!!!   And it also looks like a gorgeous shade, so you can bet, I'll be adding this set, once it comes out!!   I'm in LOVE the the Purple and the Blue too...!  Thank you Hero Arts -- I love you!!

Are you ready....?

....ready for what, I'm sure you are thinking...well for me it's time time to be ready for another 90 Minute Scramble over at the Hero Arts Group!   They are one of my most favorite challenges and they are held every other week over at the Hero Flickr Group! 

   Today's Scramble,started at 3PM Eastern Time and was hosted by Ger, also known as Cards n Chocs and she inspired us with today is "Encouragement Cards", which are always a favorite and cards that aslo are prefect for Operation Write Home!   She had also added in the 'optional' theme of masking, which I had tried on my very first card, but quickly was a bust, especially since it's a technique I don't know well.   I then quickly move on and started my first card, a background with one of my favorite Hero Background Stamps CG05 - Leaf and Floral Background, which I stamped in one of my new favorite colored Ink - Calypso Coral from Stampin' Up.   I then started looking for a matching contrast paper and couldn't' easily find anything, I decided to emboss another piece of white cardstock and added a border with a scalloped scrap along with some matching lace trim.   My sentiment was also stamped in the same color and is from this Hero Set - CL493 - Live Life,  another of my favorite clear stamps sets!!

   After finishing up the first card, I still had time to spare and got right to work on a second card, which was pretty much the same design, only done in different colors and with a new Sentiment, which is from another Sentiment Set - CL272 - All Occasion Sentiments, also by Hero Arts.  NOTE:  One of the main requirements of this challenge is to use at least one product from Hero Arts.   The pink cardbase used on both cards is also from Hero and these are some of my favorites.  These are both form the Blush Set, which you'll find HERE!!   I also used my Bubble Gum-Shadow Ink, to stamp the Sentiment on White, which I then die cut with a Label Die from Spellbinders!  Both cards made in on time, and I'll be heading back now to leave comments for everyone who joined the fun.

  Oh and speaking of FUN -- If you LOVE Blog Hops, then you'll want to be sure to head on over to Crafting By Designs as they are hosting a hop today in celebration of the group reaching it's One Year Anniversary.   I did make it a point to visit all the blogs, but did not have time to make a card for the hop.  I think I'm burnt out on Red, White and Blue and just couldn't' come up with another idea.  Typically, I play in almost all the challenges that are hosted in the Group and really enjoy them.  I do hope there will be more soon, so that I don't miss out again!!   I had already shared all my of Patriotic Cards in the Gallery, at the time I made them and I'm sorry that I could not motivate myself to make another!

   I also have these two new cards to share and both of these were created for fun.  I had bought a whole bunch of new images from Lori Boyd, when she had her wonderful sale on the 4th of July.  I adore her style and was so excited to have the chance to take advantage of the 40% off sale.  Thanks Lori!!  This first card is a perfect little Boy card, one that would work well for a birthday or just an I Love you every day kind of card.  It's one that will very likely end up in my next OWH shipment and I think it might be perfect for a Dad to send home to his little boy - especially one who happy to enjoy Baseball.

      And my last card is a basic and very simply Birthday Card that I put together today with some papers from my May - Monthly Card Kit, that I subscribe to each month from Simon Say Stamps.  If you love kits, these have all been fantastic.  You can GO HERE to see a sneak peak of the August kit, which will be shipping next.   For more details on subscribing or ordering any of the past kits, please go HERE!!    I am so loving these kits and think Kristina has done a fantastic job of putting together many wonderful elements that all go together so well!

       Lastly, and with Kristina on my mind, it reminds me that we start a brand new class Monday, over at the Online Card Classroom with Kristina (Werner) and Jennifer (McGuire), along with a fabulous list of Guest Designers.  This class is OPEN to all and you can still enroll now and start fresh on taking the LIVE/Interactive class on Monday!   I can't wait and have been looking forward to this one for awhile.  It's called "Stretch Your Stamps" and you'll find all kinds of details HERE!   I know many of my friends are already signed up and many of us have taken almost, if not every class they have offered!   They are AWESOME and I highly recommend each one!!

    Wishing you all a wonderful evening!  I'm heading back to the Hero Arts Flickr Group now and want to see all the new cards and find out who the lucky winner is!   I also hope you'll consider joining this fun group (free and open to all), especially those of you who love Hero Arts.   I'll be hosting my very own Scramble in the Fall and think it will be fun.