Weeeeeeeeee!!!

.....when I look at this adorable Bugaboo image the fun and fond memories of sliding down a hill makes me smile and say -- Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

    Today, I am also smiling because of the sweet honor that Arlene and the gals over at Die Cut Divas, have given me today!   I was asked to be the "Guest Diva "(me a Diva, now that's funny), on their blog today and to share a little bit more "About me".  Isn't that sweet?  I sure thought so and was delighted to be asked!

     This is a group that I first found over on Flickr and I happily joined right away and always enjoy sharing some of my favorite "Die Cut" card designs in their fun Flickr Group.   As someone who love die cuts and owns several hundred, not to mention also having my Silhouette Cameo, this group is one that I fit into very well.  It's also a really sweet group, lots of great people and everyone is so nice and easy to know, they make everyone feel so welcome!  And if you love challenges, then you'll also want to visit and follow the monthly challenges they host on their Blog, which you'll find Here!

     And is that isn't enough, they also have some fantastic sponsors and for this month's challenge I was thrilled to learn that  "Bugaboo Stamps"  was the sponsor.    I just happen to love Bugaboo's images and own several of those, so it made it a perfect challenge for me to enter.   Die Cuts and Bugagoo images -- plus a lot of fun Coloring with my Copics.  Woohoo!!  

    This is my card and as you can see, included my signature "Purple" in my coloring, my card background and also in the purple foil snowflakes, which I die cut for this card!  Hope you like it and I also hope it might remind you of the fun winters you had as a child.  It sure did for me and not only memories of sliding in the neighborhood I grew up in, but also taking my boys sliding in some of those same fun places, when they were little!   Those were the days, and back then I kind of enjoyed winter -- imagine that?   Now, I long for the warmth of Summer, but still love to make fun and happy Winter inspired Christmas Cards!
           

    I will be submitting this card to the current "Any Holiday" challenge which you'll find over on the  Die Cut Diva Blog.    I would love for you to join me.  All you have to do is a create your own project, in the challenge theme, using some of my favorite die cut!   If you need some more inspiration, please visit the blog or take a peek at the other cards I created for this challenge last weekend.   Needless, to say, Die Cuts, Copics and Bugaboo are a few of my favorite things and I had a blast coloring up each card.   You'll find them all on this post from last weekend!

    It's been a lot of fun to be a "Guest Diva" today -- I invite you all over to see the answers I had for the interesting questions that Arlene asked me as part of today's fun interview!  Special thanks again to Arlene for this very sweet opportunity -- I truly feel very lucky and honored that you asked me!   YAY!

Happily back online....

...and all it took was having the perfect "Verizon" repair tech "Nick", to come down and troubleshoot our phone lines--and sure enough, just down the street, at one of the main "junction" locations he found a cross in our line, which is what has been causing us ALL this hassle for week and months.   Kudos to him for making sure he did NOT give up, until he found the true problem.  Had one of the previous repair techs done what he did today, this could have been fixed a LONG time ago!   I'm thrilled with him and thankful that he is one of the "Good Guys", who really cares.   I also had a second "nice" call with a local Verizon Customer Service rep today -- and was delighted that she graciously credited our account for the loss of service!!   It's amazing how much having people who "care" can make things so much more pleasant.  I was thrilled to give "Nick" a glowing review today - he certainly deserved it, as did the representative who called later to follow up!  I guess the "very poor" review I left yesterday, must have been seen by someone who made certain, I was VERY happy with Verizon today!

      Once that was done, I was eager to catch up on some emails and to also then work on some new cards -- two which I have to share with you now.  Both, cards were designed for challenges and the first card is for a fun challenge called "Fusion".   I love the concept of how this challenge works and think it's such a creative idea.  You have two images, a nice photo inspiration and also a sketch and it's all your choice as to which you use as your inspiration, or if you want to "FUSE" them both together, which is what I did for today's Fusion Card.

 
    First, let's start with the sketch and the photo inspiration, which I have copied from the challenge blog to share with you here -

My Card

    In addition to the Fusion Challenge, this card has also been submitted to the Die Cut Challenge that Simon Says Stamp is hosted over on their Flickr Group!   Come on over and play along!!

    As you can see, my card was created based on the gorgeous shades of teal and aqua from the photo and designed based on the sketch, which I also loved.   I started by picked out some scrap of teal and aqua papers, and layered them out on a white background in the design from the sketch.  I then die cut this wonderful snowflake die "Rylynn", which is one of the wonderful selection in the Simon Says Stamps "Exclusive" die cut line!   I Love Love Love snowflakes dies and theirs are by far some of my favorites!    While I may now love the "real" snowflakes that fall from the sky, I sure do love to use snowflake stamps and dies on my winter cards and the ones that SSS has designed are amazing.

    I actually ordered three more yesterday after seeing an amazing card that Kristina Werner shared in our 'last day' of the 2014 Holiday Card Workshop!  It was stunning and I can hardly wait to create something similar once my new "snowflakes" arrive.   Note:  If you took the class you'll find the card I am referring to on the class wrap up day!  It's a beauty and the colors she chose make it extra special!   Unfortunately, I can't share it with you others, as it's part of the workshop and as always, every project there is copyrighted and for the students only.  But, I have a feeling if you were in the class, you already know exactly the card I feel in love with!  

   Moving on -- I went back to my desk to create another new card and this one was created for the latest challenge at "Cas(E) this Sketch" which is one I play in pretty much every week.  I really love the sketches and it's a great way to come up with new cards ideas.   I'm happy to share the sketch with you here and hope you'll all come on over and play too!!   It's hard to believe, but this week we are creating with Sketch #100!!   Congrats to CTS on hosting 100 awesome challenges!!!

Sketch #100

My Card

    I loved the design of this sketch and at first, I was going to create my card using this Chevron stamp set, by "Winnie & Walter", but then had a feeling that everyone might have that same idea, so I decided to create my own little "chevrons" using dies and picked a brand new die set "Stitched Square Mats", that I bought from Lil Inker Designs.   I did however, pick my "Awesome" sentiment from this fabulous Winnie & Walter "Big/Bold" set -- one of my favorites from that collection.   This card was a fun one to create and another great way to use scraps.   As you can tell, my "chevrons" are a bit "off center" but I kind of liked that fun look and allowed myself to leave them alone, versus trying to make everything 'perfect', something that can be a challenge for me.    I added the black "dots" which a black marker to tie in with the black ink I used on my Sentiment!  I also added two simple pearls as a little extra whimsy.   I really like the way the stitching from the dies adds some extra texture to the card.   It almost reminds me of a very modern looking "Christmas Tree".    

    My third project today was created for an upcoming Design Team project that you'll find here and on the a2z Scrapbookign Blog on Wednesday, November 26th -- the day before Thanksgiving.   I'll also have some extra fun news to share with you that day including a super fun "Black Friday Event" event -- and some special "Thanksgiving Weekend" deals - all for your shopping pleasure.  

   For those of you who may be new to the a2z Scrapbooking Supply Store, it's a fabulous online store you'll find over at Etsy.  A wonderful place to shop for all the latest and greatest "Hero Arts Products" - a2z is the leading online retailer for Hero Arts products and always offers you the best value for your Hero supplies.   As one of my blog followers, you are welcome to use my DT promo code  -- LISAH15 -- to save 15% on any order of $25 and up (excluding shipping).  You can use it more than once and for every product in the store, whether its' a brand new release or something in our Sale section.   We are also the exclusive retailer for all of Hero's Digital productl line, along with a nice variety of products that compliment the Hero line perfectly!   Personally, I have been shopping at a2z for the past few years and I love their service and value.  All orders ship super fast, the shipping rates are very reasonable and the service is excellent.  I have happily promoted a2z and the Hero line for a long time now,  long before I was asked to be part of their Design Team!  To me that's simply an added bonus and I feel fortunate to be part of a very talented and creative team.

    PS:  Don't forget that there is still plenty of time to play in our current challenge -- "Anything Goes" using Hero Arts products!   More details can be found on the blog HERE and you'll want to be sure to upload your projects to the Inlinkz Gallery HERE!   Good Luck and as always -- Happy Crafting!!

Thank goodness for my creative outlet....

....if not for this wonderful hobby, I think I'd be screaming on the phone right now with Verizon?? But, but instead of letting them and their horrible internet get to me any MORE today...and after being through minutes of "Voice-mail Hell" and then being constantly put on hold while they ran "tests"---I finally was so frustrated I asked the tech, to PLEASE call me back, after she "ran" her tests and please give me some idea of when they will actually do  something about their lousy internet service.....Grrrr!  It's been months of frustration and far too many annoying calls and it's the same old thing, nothing is ever resolved and I give up again for a few more months, because I can't stand what you go through to 'connect' to a person and then it's always someone with an accent I can't seem to understand!   UGH!  

     It's been a few hours, and I've yet to hear back, so instead of making my headache even worse, I did my very best to calm down and de-stress, and for me that meant it was time to CREATE!  Which is exactly what I have been doing ALL afternoon -- maybe Verizon will actually call me back sometime and truly fix our Internet....I am not convinced, but one thing is for sure, having a creative outlet is very good and for me, was much-needed today!

     I'm now happily here to share four new cards, all of which were inspired or created with some of my favorite new challenges in mind.   And today was the perfect day for me to "escape" into my littl world of relaxation and was just what I needed!

     My first card and one of today's favorites is one that was inspired by the current challenge over at MUSE, where I was sad to read that we'll only have the very talented "Therese" with us for one more challenge!   I do wish her well in her new creative endeavors, but I know I'll miss her too!   She actually designed the MUSE card for this eek and I just LOVE it.  Truly a classic "CAS" card and one that was really fun to use as today's inspiration!

Therese's Muse Card

My Card

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   As you an see I loved her design so much that I created a card with her same design, although instead of stamping, I used Die Cuts for my "Tree" as well as my sentiment.  My card base is the fabulous wood-grain cardstock from Simon Says Stamp, as is the adorable "Deco tree die cut".  My "Peace" sentiment is a Memory Box die and I cut both from Brushed Gold Stampin' UP cardstock.  I also loved the gems that Therese added and used all Hero Arts Pink Gems on my little card -- also very much in a CAS style.

   In keeping with my Gold theme, I moved on to create my second card which was inspired by the brand new "Seeing STARS" themed challenge being hosted by Simon Says Stamp on their Wednesday Challenge Blog.

  This card also started with the left over wood grain cardstock from my Muse card, along with more of the fabulous Brushed Gold SU Cardstock.  Using this fun SSS Exclusive die, I first cut it in white which I used for my "outline" and then die cut the same design in gold and punched out a few stars to add to the background of my white cut.  I then layered that onto some pretty new lavender cardstock also from SSS!   I  adhered that panel onto my on angle, so I could fit in all the stars.  I then grabbed my sentiment from this fabulous set "Brushstroke Christmas"  "Julie Ebersole" and stamped it in Versamark and them heat embossed it with the Ranger's Liquid Platinum Embossing powder -- a new favorite that is perfect for any card.  It's such a pretty color, almost a cross of old and and silver and is a color that I learned about from Jennifer McGuire, who uses it often on her cards! The picture does not show you how truly Gorgeous, this color is!  

     And in the themw of gorgeous colors, I am sure you all know how much I LOVE the color "Purple", but I do also love other colors and one that I find myself using over and over again lately is Aqua and Teal and I think it all started with the wonderful "Pool" and "Tide" colored products that Hero Arts has in their line.   It's a color I love year round but a color that is very much one that reminds me of the Beach or the Sea and that's exactly why I chose it for this next card, which was created for the "Sea" inspired Challenge at -

    From the moment I saw the cue card the very first thing that came to my mine is the ocean or the beach and living on the Coast, I'm blessed to see the "Sea" every day and especially love spending a Hot Summer day, floating in the waves at one of my favorite beaches -- Good Harbor Beach.  It's a "beautiful" place and another fabulous place to be when you simply need to escape and relax.   

  NOTE:  As it turns out, I was TOO late for the "SEA" challenge at CASology, I guess the time went buy a bit to fast for me.  

     However, on a happy note, I am exited that I can still play in the brand new challenge which is "FESTIVE".   And I'm submitted my lovely gold tree card to that challenge, since I think it's very festive and a tree I'd happily have in my home !!

    My final card today is once again, one that was inspired by a challenge and this time if the latest challenge over at "The Cutting Edge", and I'm delighted to share a copy of the wonderful card that was created as our inspiration -- love it!

The Cutting Edge # 14

My Card

   I happen to own this wonderful "Heart Die" - another SSS exclusive and when I saw the inspiration card, I decided to use mine, but went with a "Christmas" theme for my card.  I started by cutting my 'heart banner" from white cardstock and then coated it with a layer of Wow's white/gold glittery embossing powder which heat embossed onto my panel.  I then created a base using some of Hero's Layering Paper and cut that out with one of my Stitched Rectangle dies.  I then added pop dots to my heart panel and adhered that to the red layer which was then added to a nice white card base.  My sentiment is from also from Hero Arts - Holiday Sayings set and seemed to fit perfectly with this card!

    Before I go I want to remind you to hope on over to the a2z Scrapbooking Blog, where there is still plenty of time to play in this month's Challenge !   Be sure to check out all the amazing projects the Design Team has created to help inspire you -- they are all wonderful and the new team is full of some amazing designers, who love to create with the fabulous products sold over at the a2z Scrapbooking Store!  My go to store for all my Hero Arts goodies and so much More!

     Thanks for visiting and as always Happy Crafting!

In Honor or our Veteran's!

   Today, on Veteran's Day, I would like to take a moment to say special thanks to each and every Veteran who has served our Country and to Veterans all over the world who protect us all.  You are ALL Heroes to me and I am very grateful for your sacrifices and all the time and devotion you committed while serving our Country!   Thank you for your service and bless your hearts!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Today, I am also here to invite you over to the a2z Scrapbooking Blog, where I have a new post and some fun new cards to share, and to inspire each of you to join our November Challenge, where the theme is "Anything Goes" with Hero Arts Products!   You'll find all the challenge details over on the blog HERE!

        I also have two little sneak peeks of the cards I created for you--both from this adorable stamp "You Make me Smile" Hero Art/BasicGrey Stamp set: 

Hero Arts BasicGrey Grand Bazaar

 You Make Me Smile - CL781

  

   

    Thank you for stopping by and please remember to thank all your Veteran friends today and let them know how much you appreciate them and their service. 

Digis and Copics = LOVE!

...I'm back with my second post of the day and this one is all about "Coloring" and creating with digital images two of my favorite things!   Coloring, is one of my all time favorite techniques to use in creating my cards and for me my favorite coloring medium is my wonderful "beloved" collection of "Copic Markers".   A collection that is truly and investment and one that took move close to sixe years to build.  And because Copic are refillable and also have replaceable nibs, I consider them my lifetime markers and plan to use and own this set forever - which is the main reason, I made this investment, once completed, I will never have to buy them again!   I also love the way Copics colkor and find them to be my all time favorite alcohol markers.  I also own other alcohol based markers,and do use them along with my Copics, but I admit, these are by far the best of all I have and to me were well worth the investment.   Even so, if I were staring ALL over now, I would NOT buy ALL the colors and would also have bought a combo of both the Sketch and original markers, so I have more with a bullet tip!  This is an older picture of my Collection, a few year ago.  I've sense filled four more of these awesome "Color Cubbies" units with my refills, something I am still purchasing at this time.

   After a morning filled with chores and still continuing my craft room move, I decided to take the afternoon off to simply sit back and relax and for me one of the nicest ways to relax is to color, especially with my Copics.    I was inspired to put them to good use and to color up some of my favorite little digi images to have ready for more Christmas Cards.   I also wanted to make a card for the new "Any Holiday" inspired challenge at Die Cut Divas and when I realized saw that Bugaboo Stamps was their sponsor this month, I knew right away that I wanted to use a Bugaboo digi for my card.   I absolutely LOVE Bugaboo images and out of all the digis I own (literally over a thousand) I'm pretty certain the I own more Bugaboo images than any other brand!  And I still buy them and always try to stop in every week to grab their weekly freebie and check out the new release that come out every Tuesday!   I would LOVE the be the very lucky winner of this challenge, as the prize is "7" images of your choice from the Bugaboo collection!  WooHOO!

    

    The hardest part today was decided just which image I wanted to use and in the end as you'll see e I actually made a few cards and still need to now decide which one I should enter to the challenge.   For me when it comes to digital images, I always print out a full sheet and I print mine directly onto my favorite Copic coloring cardstock with is the this fabulous Cryogen White Iridescent cardstock that I buy exclusively from "The Paper Temptress".  I love the weight of this cardstock and also love it most for the subtle hint of shimmer that shows up even more once you add color!  Another great thing about digi images is that you can buy them and instantly be creating with them within minutes -- they are downloadable and you have instant access.  

    This was my first card today and like all the other where I used a Bugaboo image, it's an adorabl little "snow" person!  I love snow people and use them often on my Christmas cards.  I also love the dress them up in bright happy colors and like always tend to use a lot of "Non-Traditional" colors on my Christmas Cards.  

   I added lots of sparkle and shine to each of my cards by using a combination of Wink of Stella Markers, Ultra fine glitter and Stickles!  I also added a variety of die cuts and for this card broke out my brand new set of "Stitched Circle dies" -- from Lil Inker Designers.   I used it for my snowman image, as well as the mat behind him and the cute little Digital Sentiment.  The patterned papers are all scraps left off from all my recent cards and these all from Lawn Fawn.....Love Love Love their papers and have used them so much this season.

   Next, is another little Bugaboo cutie and this "Tag" project was inspired the Day 5 projects in teh "Holiday Card Workshop" that I'm currently taken over at the OCC!   For some reason, I really find tags to be a challenge, but have recently learned that I just think of them as cards in a different shape, I do so much better!   I actually was thinking of making a circular card, but then thought this would make a really cute gift tag too!   Yay!!

  Day 6 (Bonus Day) was a nice surprise to come across on the classroom yesterday and it was all about "Coloring" and that is also what inspired me to sit down and color this afternoon!   I was super excited after viewing the fantabulous video that was shared by Kathy Racoosin, who also happens to be a designer I follow and love!  She's one of my ALL time favorite Copic artists and I have learned a lot from her and how she colors.  She was also one of the Guest designers in the the "Copic Markers for Card-Makers' class, which was another favorite!   If you love to color and have not taken that workshop, it's a MUST !  You'll LOVE it and not matter how many other classes you may have taken and if you've taken Copics Certification classes, you will NOT be disappointed!   Seriously, its' that good!!

    This card and all the Pretty Pink was totally inspired by Kathy's video!   I just loved the fabulous ideas she shared and the card she made just happened to have a lot of gorgeous pink in it!   If you are in the class, I'm sure you know exactly the card I mean, where she used this fabulous Hero Arts Stamp Set --- one I still have on my wish list and amazingly have not bought?   Maybe tomorrow, I'll finally break down and order it before it sells out!

   And speaking of digital images, die you know that Hero Arts has it's own Digital product line?  I was surprised to recently learn at a craft class that many crafters have never created with any type of digital images nor did that know that Hero Arts, along several larger stamp companies have their own digital product line.   Of course, I just happen to be lucky enough to be a member of the a2z Scrapbooking Store Design Team, and a2z Scrapbooking is now the exclusive online retailer for Hero's Digital Line!   But, even before that, I have been creating with Hero's digital products, back when they were sold at Two Peas and also n CD!    If you would like to see or purchase any of Hero's' digital line, you can them HERE over at the a2z Etsy Store,  If you are a regular follower of my blog I'm sure you've see some of the really fun and super easy cards, I have created using this line.   You can find some on this page, and more here!   I thoroughly enjoy working with digital ad traditional stamps and also have fun combining them together to create "Hybrid" card!  I encourage everyone to try coloring up some digs today for you next card.   Bugaboo Stamps, like many other online digi stores offers a "Freebie" image every week and that a fun way to start building your own digi library.  You can find this week's adorable "Freebie" in the store.

    My last card today is another super and easy card and although this one is NOT a digital image, it's another of those adorable pre-colored "art pad"  images that I bought from Lili of the Valley.  These are those perfect images when you need a card in a hurry and may not have time to color another.  That's pretty much why I ended with this, as it was getting close to dinner time  and I know I  did not have enough time to color one more image!  This cutie was on my clipboard waiting to be  used and it matched up perfectly with all the left over scraps on my desk.  I matted it onto one piece of red paper then die cut a second piece into a circle, added another digi sentiment which I also cut out with a die cut!   I layered it all onto a card based I created with Hero's Snow Layering paper and in a matter of minutes, I had complete this sweet little card which I named "Bunny Love"!   It tied right in with all my other "Snow" themed cards and helped me use up those last bits of adorable Lawn Fawn Patterned papers -- Swoon!!

    Before I go, I have a couple more pics of how my craft room "move" is coming along.  As you'll see there are still lots of "things" on the floor that need to be put away and I still have a lot more to do but every day gets me one step closer to being done!

    In the first picture, on the right is where my small "computer' desk is and a little hutch unit.  You can't see much of the desk in this photo, but an see part of the hutch, my chair, and one of my IKEA "Alex" drawer units, that has my "Silhouette Cameo" on it.  As you can see, I have to hang up the paper rack in front of that area and still have boxes, on the floor in front of my IKEA bookcase unit, on that back wall.     That unit is all full now and well organized.  On top of that unit is where I am now storing most of my "stamp sets".  I'm using the fabulous Jennifer McGuire idea of storing them in the Avery Pockets and then storing the pockets in clear "Fridge" bins.  I still have to sort he and separate them by company, add the divider and label them, but this has come a long way and I love this storage idea!   Thank you Jennifer!! 

    To the left of the IKEA bookcase unit, you can see part of my larger desk, this is where I create and I have a small drawer unit under that desk that I use for things I grab all the time.  Card fronts, gems, twine and so on.

  This is my "crafting" desk and as you can see it's NOT overly organized right now.  Ideally I would LIKE to have less on my desk and more "open" space, but then again, everyone there are things I use ALL the time when I am creating!   I have my Copics, my iPad, two Organizers full of assorted tools etc., plus a trimmer, craft mat, cutting mat, a Xyron, my new pretty "Aqua" Big shoot and little bins of assorted pen/markers, adhesives, scissors etc.   

 

   This photo continues from my "work desk" to another desk that is to the left, where is were I do al my die-cutting, stamping, heat embossing etc.  I have a Vagabond on that table, along with inks blending tools a large bin all all my dies, another craft mat, my super large trimmer, my Copic Airbrush system, inks, embossing powders and so on.  Due to the Angled ceiling on that wall, I am very limited in "wall" space and ideally would love to have a skylight added to that area!   I have two more "Alex" drawer units under that table, plus a Elfa Rolling cart from (The Container Store), that is under my desk and one that I can easily move all around the room!  I love it but think it's very pricey for a cart.  Not sure about you all, but I find IKEA prices are far more affordable and LOVE their units even more (like the "Alex" Drawer Units that are only $79  and $119 for the larger size).  It's crazy that a wire mesh cart is more than the small Alex unit -- Go Figur!  

  ...and as you can see, I still have MORE "stuff" on the floor, still needs to find a home and I still have a ton more in my old room and jut will NOT fit!  Needless to say, this is why I'm opening a little "Etsy" store after the Holidays!  I've already donated $100's and $100's product to my favorite charities and now it's time that I try and make a little of my money back or at least enough to cover the costs of all the new organizational stuff, plus the money we spent to do these rooms over and other work we're doing in the house right now!   I still have two huge closets of stuff to go through and have so much I simply do not use any longer. I would much rather sell it off at really reasonably prices and hope that way, newbies to the hobby can buy things they might not otherwise be able to afford.   I also want to STOP adding to my stash, since clearly I have MORE than I need!  UGH!   I'm also using CASH only from now on for all my shopping and my goal is to to only buy new supplies, with money I make from selling off my stash.  I and tossing the "Credit Cards" in 2015 and want all the balances back down to Zero!  NO more charging -- Period!  The only exception will be emergency purchases or medical expenses for me and my furbabies!      

   I know I'm not alone and it seems that we all love to shop for "craft" supplies almost as much as we love to create with them -- it's a bit much at times - so I am actually kind of excited about this new goal in my life!  Now to see how I do?

    It's been such a creative weekend for me and I am so pleased with how much I have accomplished, even though I'm hurting tonight, it feels good to have more stuff done.  I have a busy week coming up and it won't all be fun !  I have go see my doctor this week, need more lab work and also have to go to the dentist for a filling = Dread!  But, hopefully that will be the worst thing for me this week and if that goes okay, I'll be very happy to have it over and one with! 

  See you all tomorrow and HOPE you all have a very happy and creative weekend too!  I had a blast and hope tomorrow is just as rewarding.