WooHoo!! It's Back!!

   My mojo has returned and I could not be more excited.  I have spent much of the past two days creating all kinds of new cards for a variety of challenges and some just for fun.

   In case you have not heard, this week The Outlawz Group is hosting a fun-filled week of events, challenges and games--all to celebrate reaching the milestone of now having over 2,000 members!!   There are daily events and it's been a lot of fun trying my hand at some of the challenges and the some of the games too.   If you want to join the FUN - come on over and look for the 2000 Member Party tab on the home page!  Once you click on that tab you'll find a huge list of all the events !   Everyone is welcome, all you need to do is sign up to be a member and as always, the membership is FREE and open to all!   They are crafters from all over the world in the group and that is also a theme that is tied into many of the fun challenges!!

     I was really stumped on many of the challenges, at first, and just could not seem to come up with any ideas.  Then yesterday, it hit me that I should take this time to my my Cameo to use and that was exactly what I need to come up with some new and fun card ideas.   And since the theme is tied to where you live, I also knew that being from the USA, I would need lots of Red, White and Blue and also some Patriotic cards and that's what I have now to share.

   The first challenge was the Greeting Card Challenge!   The theme was to create a project that shows something about your Country, State or Town -- the place you live.  I knew right away, it would NOT be an easy challenge and felt stumped!!  I started by heading to Pinterest looking for pictures to inspire me and hopefully come up with an idea for a card.

    I live in a tiny coastal town called Rockport, in Massachusetts.  We do not have any big business here and it's our major business is tourism, which is also seasonal.   One of the most famous places to see here is and Old Fishing Shack, that is downtown.    It's a huge attraction to artists who come from all over the world and is said to be the most painted building in America, giving it the name Motif # 1.   Of course, to me it's historical, but now exactly the prettiest thing in town.  I'm far more partial to the beaches or even some of the lovely gardens..and of course, the gorgeous sunsets.   After my search, I decided I needed to come up with another idea, but I am happy to share some of the pictures with you.

Motif #1

Fish Shack Sign

      I had thought about making a card of of the next photograph, which is my favorite, but then figured I would make something a bit more my style and since I'm not sure WHO took this photos, I did not want to violate any copyright.   This is my favorite picture....and as you can see it's a gorgeous sunset!   I totally LOVE the colors!

  Sunset!

   That's when I opted to use my Cameo to create a card that that features the colors of my Country - the gold ole' USA!!   This is the card that I made which was inspired by the colors Red, White and Blue and also by our Flag.

 
   My second card is for the Color Challenge this week and again you will see that I went with Red, White and Blue, despite the fact, that I would rather be using Purple and Pink.   We don't have a Town or City color, that I'm aware of and our State Flag is Blue, Gold and White, so not a lot different.  I also again was very happy to use my Cameo and found most of my inspiration in the Silhouette Store.  I combined elements from different shapes and background images for each of the cards I am sharing.   It turned out to be a blast, once I got going!!  I also tried very hard to make my cards unique and that's why I chose make this one in a Flower Shape and then added the stars and colors to meet the theme.

  My next card was created for the Twisted Thursday Challenge, which is "Anything Goes", but with the Twist being "Patriotic", which had me again working with more Red, White and Blue and also with more wonderful images and elements from the Silhouette Store.  This time I started with a little cute little flower image that I thought was perfect in the Stars and Stripes theme.    The best part about all these colors is that I can donate most of these cards to Operation Write Home!

    I also created one last card, in a Red, White and Blue Theme and this one was inspired by the "Show your Country Colors Challenge", which is for the Paper a la Mode Challenge, also being held for PARTY week over at The Outlawz.   And this too, was created with die cuts I created with more awesome shapes and designs I found in the Silhouette Online Store!

   I know lots of people have asked about the Cameo and if I like it...!   I LOVE it and have found it to be one of the BEST purchases I have ever made.   It's a breeze to use and so much more user friendly than my Cricut ever were.  I also LOVE the store and I bought a monthly membership, so that I can buy each image at a reduced price.  If you have been considering a new or your first electronic die cutting machine....I highly recommend you go for the Silhouette Cameo!!   It ROCKS!!!!

   My next couple of cards were created primarily for fun and to use my Copics and color.  The first card was one I started earlier in the week and at first I thought it might be the card that I would give to my Mom for her Birthday!   In the end, I chose a different card, but still LOVE the bright and happy card.  The image is a digi from Bugaboo and as I noted it was colored with my Copics and a tiny big of Yellow Stickles.

    I hope to break them out again today and color up a image to use for the Copic/Alcohol Ink Marker Challenge also being hosted over at The Outlawz, along with the Sketch Challenge, which so far is the one I'm still a bit stumped on, at this time.

     Update:   I did end up coloring up one more image, which was used on the card below which I am submitted to the Copic/Alcohol Ink challenge over at The Outlawz.    The theme for their challenge is also tied into the color of your Country and mine are for the USA in Red, White and Blue!    I picked out one of my favorite digi images"Firecracker Finn" from By Lori Designs.    He was colored with my Copics and a tiny hint of stickles was added to his Firecracker.  I used scraps left on my desk to create a very simple design on a bright white card.    This little guy is always fun to color and I love that he looks like he's all set to go out to a parade or a big 4th of July event!   

   And lastly, I want to send out a big HUG to my friend Jenn, who is currently battling breast cancer.  She's had a bit of down week after being hurt by some people that were not very kind.   It makes me very sad and I find it so upsetting to think that anyone would treat her rudely, during such a difficult time.   She's a dear person and one of the sweetest girls I've met.  I'm always amazed and the kindness in the craft community and found it so touching to see how many people have been visiting her blog and sending her well wishes.  I first met her when were were both on the Baby Bud Design team and we've keep in touch ever since.   We have a unique connection and found we shared other things in common.   I greatly admire her strength and courage in sharing her story with us all.   I hope all those who know her will continue to support her though these difficult times.  It was very touching to see all the wonderful comments she had from so many of her awesome friends, after being hurt by some who were not so nice!   Bless her heart!!

Pinkalicious....

   Today is a PINK day for me....I'm wearing a pink tank top, I have my Pink phone sitting on my desk and all of the cards I have to share, were all created with a variety of pink paper, markers and other fun pink elements.   Next to Purple, pink is my second favorite color and one that I really enjoy working with.

   My first card today, is a revised version of the card I had made yesterday, but was not loving.  This was my first take on a card for the new sketch-inspired challenge at the ABNH Flickr Group.

First try....

 
   And this is today's version, which I like better.   I felt like the Sentiment on the first card was just not right?  Why?  I don't know, but I started by removing it and then choosing another Happy Birthday sentiment, for another Hero Set (Find Joy).  I also used the lighter Soft Pink Shadow Ink, versus the Midtone Bubblegum color I had used yesterday.    And today, I picked a white satin look scrap to use as the background for my Sentiment, which I think helps it show a bit more?    To finish it off, I added the new sentiment a cute little pink ribbon...and this is my Take 2 !!

Second Try!

    I also created a second card, also another Birthday Card and again based on the exact same sketch I used for the first card.  This time, I chose to use one of the adorable Die Cut images from Lily of the Valley and it went perfectly the the background I had created with one my my favorite Hero Arts Cling Stamps (Large Flower Background), along with more of the wonderful Soft Pink Shad Ink.   I also based this on the same sketch, as yesterday and used up some of the pink scraps that I had left over.  

  I think that card is more like me and has the kind of fun and cute factor that I tend to love so much.   My third card would also fit very well into the Cute category and was created for the new Sketch Challenge being hosted over at The Pink Elephant.   I have included a copy of the sketch for this challenge and hope you'll also come on over and play in any or all of them!!

TPE Sketch # 154

  My Card

   As you can see I chose to use one of my cutest little digi images and this is one of Hannah Boyd's - Bug & Roo images (Marcie), who you'll find over at By Lori Designs.   I colored her up with my Copics, and then cut her into an oval with a Spellbinder die.  I then edged the image with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and stamped on a tiny pink "Hugs" sentiment.  I then used a variety of papers from Echo Park and my scrap pile and finished off my card with some matching pink and mauve pearls.

   I think Marcie, is one of my all-time favorite little girl images, but then again, I am such a huge fan of Lori and Hannah that it's hard to pick one!   I love so many of them and think they all make me SMILE!!  If you would like to add some to your collection, please visit the store and tell Lori that Lisa sent you over!!

Shop Here!!

  And now I have to rush and get off the computer, as we have ANOTHER Thunderstorm blowing in.  This is the fifth storm in the past two day!!  ARGH!!   I sure hope that this is it for awhile, as the roofers are coming tomorrow to start on our roof!  I'm be very pleased when that's repaired, but Geesh is it ever expensive and it's killing me to have to spend ALL the money on roofing?   Now, I don't mind spending money on fun and exciting new things for my home, like a new deck, or new furniture -- but when it comes to repairs that are not something I love seeing changed...it's a killer and this is one of those things, a MUST for us and luckily, this should be the LAST time we have to do it.  We went with the best shingles and they now have a 30 year guarantee and I don't expect we will still be in this house in 30 years.  I hope by then, well be retired and living in a wonderful condo....somewhere fabulous?

Hello Mojo!!!

   I think I'm slowly...and I mean -- very slowly starting to get a bit of my mojo back.   I have been working on cards for a variety of challenges and I am pretty happy with what I have come up with, so far today.

   On a very happy and exciting note, I found out that morning, that I received another Hero Heroine Award over at A Blog Named Hero, for the card I submitted to their color combination challenge earlier this month. This is the card that that came in the Top 5 - Yippee!!  Our colors were all based on the colors in their wonderful logo and also as shown on my award below.

 

    My thanks to the gals on the Design Team for choosing my card.  It's a wonderful honor and I'm very happy.  Congratulation to ALL the other Heroines and also to the Kerry, the challenge Winner!!

     And speaking of A Blog Named Hero, today they started a fun new challenge over on their FLickr Group in an effort to help us ALL find out missing mojo.  I guess I am not alone in finding that mine has been missing.   Kelly and Michelle are hosting the new challenge that will be held every Monday -- The Great Mojo Comeback, started today with a brand new sketch challenge, which I have copied over to share with you here on my blog.

   And this is my first take on the sketch, and my first card of day, which is NOT my favorite.  I had all kinds of ideas in my head, but they just did not work on my paper, so well.   I hope to try another card and really had hoped this would come out really nice, as I had wanted it to be for my Mom, who's birthday is this Wednesday.  I think it's the Sentiment that just doesn't look right....and I'd LOVE any ideas and input you have to share!

   The card is very feminine and is all done with soft subtle pinks and .   It's just not what I wanted, so I do plan to work on something else.  Even so, I'm still sharing this card, as I always share the good and the not so good and find it helps me to work on making cards over too!   Luckily, the challenge, just started today, so I have plenty of time!   I still do need a card for my Mom, but have some in my stash, that would also work, if needed!

   I also have two more cards that were simply CAS cards created from digi images I had colored up over the weekend.  The first is a sweet digi of Poppies...on of my favorite flowers and I put that on some matching background, and layered it onto an embossed white card base....very much a CAS Card.

  And my last card today is the one I like the very best and also the most simple of ALL the cards.  I really and learning more and more toward Clean and Simple and find that sometimes, less really is BEST!   This is a very sweet flower/butterfly image, also colored with my Copics and a touch of Stickles.  I matted this on a background and a deep purple embossed card base, (I really love the cute butterflies designs in this folder).  It's one of my newest and I'm glad I broke it it.  I was sorting through ALL my folders over the weekend, and that's I remembered I had these cool new Spellbinder "double sided" M-Bossability folders that I had bought a while back, and then totally forgot about?  OOPS!!    I'm sure glad I came across them as I really like the nice deep impressions and the unique fun designs!  

      And now that I'm done with my post, I can tell you that I won't creating any more cards today, but may die cut some shapes to have on hand.  I'm feeling beat, so trying to come up with a new idea for the sketch, would not be a great idea.  I will start that again tomorrow morning, after a good night's sleep!!

     See you all tomorrow and hope everyone his have a nice week.   Happy Crafting!!

What's up World???

   After having such a creative day yesterday.....today is totally the opposite and I've barely managed to complete much of anything and have ZERO ambition and motivation, which is not like me.  I guess maybe I am a bit worn out from the heat wave, and need a little time to rest and catch up.  Today, the weather is gorgeous and what a wonderful sleeping night we had last night...no AC required and lots of cool and refreshing air!

   I did make one card that was inspired by two challenges, one is the Sunday Sketch challenge, held every Sunday over at OWH's Stars and Stamps Blog and the second is the first challenge in the BIG PARTY EVENT happening this week at The Outlawz.

   This is a copy of the sketch for the OWH Challenge and you can also find more details over at the blog HERE!

 
     Grrr!  I have NO clue why but every now and then, when I do edits, I come back and find that my background has been changed on parts of my post and is then ALL white?  It just happened now and I had to go into the HTML page and then search for the word "White" and edit out all the fields that had the background as white?   Does anyone know HOW or WHY this happens and what I can do to avoid it?   I need HELP...as it takes me forever to fix it and if I don't, it looks awful???

   Since my lack of MOJO is so poor today, I decided I would try my best to use the sketch and also the "Summer Theme" from today's  CAS Challenge and combine them to try and make ONE card that would work for both challenges.    If you don't already know, today is the start of the "Celebration Week" over at The Outlawz and on top of their daily challenges, you can find all kinds of fun new events and lots of fantastic prizes too.    I have been working on the Crossword Puzzle and also on Pryn's very difficult Word Scramble.   She always seems to come up with the most creative scrambles and they are truly a challenge.  Even so, I really LOVE to try and figure them out and never seem to give up, until I either figure them all out, of the game is over.

    Do you want to help me??  Just Kidding!   But, everyone is WELCOME to come on over and play HERE!   Unless you are a word scramble expert, I think you'll find that Pryn created quite a challenge and it'll be fun to see who figures out all the words.  Luckily, we have a week to try it, because I am already Stumped on five words, despite working on this on and off ALL day!!    I'll be curious to hear if you try it and if you do, I can't wait to find out, if you are stumped on any words??

    I started by browsing through my always growing digi image collection and found a few images that would work.  I always print a full sheet of images and typically color them all and then pick out the one I want to use. I them save the others for more cards or put them in a folder for use at a later time!   I actually have a folder with several pages of pre-colored images.    Once I had a couple of them colored, I knew I wanted to use the cute little USA Heart, which I'm not sure where I found.  I think it was a freebie and thought I had found it over on the Stars and Stamps blog?   I know it's one I have had a while and sadly I don't recall who the artist is?   If you know, please share, so I can give credit to the creator.

    I colored the heart with my Copics and then added a hint of Stickles to make the stars sparkle.  I then took a star-themed embossing folder and ran it through my Cuttlebug with a piece of navy cardstock.   Next, I added red, white and blue stripes with some scraps of paper and ribbon and then added the Heart image.  To finish my card, I chose another Hero Arts Sentiment, which I stamped in Versamark and heat embossed in White.  I popped that up off the card top and had this nice little 4th of July Card.  I used the sketch as part of my inspiration, but changed from a border to the Stripes...and reversed that to the left side.     In the end I think it worked out pretty well and I am submitting it to both of the challenges.

  And this is the version that I created for the CAS Challenge at The Outlawz.   It's the same card, simply with a different watermark and from a slightly different angle.

   Update:   Special thanks to Kathryn, who was kind enough to let me know that this sweet heart image is from Designed 2 Delight and you can find it FREE in the store at this link!!

   I am also excited to be linking this card up to a fun new challenge at Paper Issues (thanks Ruby), who is hosting a fun Picnic and Patriots challenge this week!   Come on over and play!  :)

   I am also still coloring up some additional Summer-themed images, and as you can see, my desk is already a total mess again, even though it was all cleaned up last night!!     I sure can make a mess, and do it even faster than I can clean!!

   I hope to finish coloring the rest of these later and hopefully work on a few more "Summer" cards!   In the meantime, I am taking it easy and also hoping that tomorrow is a much more creative day, more like yesterday, when I finished up several cards!   

Crafty and Creative day!!

   After a pretty stormy night, it was nice to shut off the AC last night and sleep with all the windows open!  It's still a bit humid, but the temps are much lower and I'm hoping that once the sun is out, the air will also dry out more too.   My plan is to spend the day creating, so I'm pretty much fine either way!!

   I have lots of new cards to share with you right now and most were created and inspired for challenges.   My first card is one that I started on Thursday and it's a card that I created using my Silhouette for the Twisted Thursday Challenge at The Outlawz.   The theme for the new challenge is "Transportation" and I wanted to make something different, so I found this cute little Rocket in the Silhouette Store and that's what I used for this fun card.  I could also use it for a fun boy's birthday card, simply by changing the sentiment.

   Oh..... and while I have The Outlawz on my mind, I want to be sure you all come on over and JOIN the PARTY that starts on Friday, June 24th.  It's another fun-filled Party week in celebration of the group now having over 2,000 Members!   For more details, simply click on the image below!!




      My next two cards were both also created and inspired by challenges at The Outlawz (Friday's Alcohol Marker Challenge), as well as the current "Summer Lovin" Challenge over at Through the Craftroom Door, which is now also owned by Colleen Holmes, the creator and owner of The Outlawz!    Both challenges area ALL about Summer, Food and Fun and I started out by printing out a selection of my favorite Bugaboo summer themed images that were then colored up with my Copics.  I really enjoy coloring these cuties and was thrilled to find out that Bugaboo is also sponsoring the current TTCRD Challenge!!

      My next three cards were all created for fun and also to use up a bunch of scraps that were now lying on my desk.   I am also submitting two of them to some of the new 'scrap' related challenges, being hosted over at Crafting By Designs.    Please feel free to come on over and join this small and fun little group!  If you are new or can feel a bit overwhelmed in some of the large groups and challenges, then this group is just what you've been looking for and everyone is very sweet and inspiring.   


    First, is a sweet little floral card that I created with a digi that I had started coloring a while back.   When I first made this post I could not remember where I had found or bought this image!  But, good news as last night while lying in my bed, half asleep, I started thinking that it might be from DigiStamp Boutique, and sure enough, went I went through my files again, I found it it was!!  I also checked the store and can not find them, but I am certain this is where I bought them and think they've since been retired!   You can find some other cute flowers here, at the store -- along with many sweet and adorable images!!

   

    As you can see, I had a lot of yellow scraps and was happy to put them to good use.  These cards will very likely be sent to Operation Write Home, and I may add or change the sentiments.   Today, almost all of the Sentiments I created with were from Hero Arts.  The Much Love Sentiment on the little floral card is the only one that's not from Hero and that's a brand new set from My Favorite Things!  I just bought it this week, on Tuesday, while I was at my LSS for card club.     I totally LOVE having a variety of Sentiment stamps and really loved this set.  I has such a great variety and is a perfect addition to my collection.

    Oh...and speaking of Hero Arts that reminds me that there is a 90 Minute Scramble that I plan to take part in later on today.  I DO hope my energy level makes it, as it doesn't start until 6PM, which if you know me, is late and when I'm usually wiped out!  I think I may rest for a bit now and hope I can make it, since they are really fun!   If you want to play along - please come over of their FLickr Group HERE!  All their challenges are open to all members of the group, which is also open to all and is a fabulous group for those who you who LOVE Hero, like me!



   Before I go, I wanted to share a picture of my very messy desk.   They are have a fun-filled challenge today over at the Same Odd Girl Facebook Page...lots of games, sales and prizes.  One of the challenges this morning to quickly take a picture of our desk...no cleaning and no moving things around...simply AS is and this is what mine looked like about 10 AM!!!      LOL!   Lots of projects in progress and some you've now seen.

   For all those who asked, the Color Cubbies that I use for my Copic Storage are no longer made, which is a bummer, as they were excellent and were designed specifically for Copics.   I love them and I'm so happy I was able to buy them before they stopped making them.   However, if you are very crafty, I found a great link that will take you to a blog named - Syzygy of Me, where you'll find a super tutorial on how to create a "Knock Off" version using white foam board and they look pretty darn good too!   And the stand for my iPad is a standard iPad Dock, that I bought at Target (Note: they are must less at Amazon now)..under $10 which is a deal!   I love that I can stand it right up on my craft desk and quickly refer to a challenge I am working on.   My next possible iPad purchase is likely going to be a keyboard, but I'm not sure which one I want, as yet?   Does anyone have one, and if so, which brand/type would your recommend??



    As it turns out, it looks the the Scramble for this week is not going to happen!    Hoping all is well with the hostess and now I can look forward to it at another time.   That also gave me time to skip my rest time and I used that time to create two more challenge inspired cards.  The first is for another "sketch/scrap" challenge being hosted over at Crafting By Designs, where we have a fun little sketch form CPS, to use are our inspiration, along with scraps from our never ending piles!!

   And this is my last card for the day and I'm rushing to get this posted as another thunderstorm is getting close and those storms scare me and keep me off the computer.  This card is for today's Paper a la Mode Challenge over a The Outlawz and the theme for this is -- Vintage, Shabby Chic or SteamPunk, which I had to ask the girls to explain.   I ended up going with a kind of vintage/shabby chic combo and created this nice card in a very soft pink palette.   The more I found out about SteamPunk and the more funky images I saw, is when I realized, it's SO not me and kind of creepy, in a way   A style that I'm not likely to ever use or like!!   We are all unique in our own way and one of things I enjoy most about Art is that it's all about creating in your own way and style!! 

Life's a beach....

...and how I would LOVE to be at the beach today!!    I miss my beach days, but have learned that I can not handle the sun and have already done too much damage from all those years of sun-tanning daily at the beach -- lesson learned after I had another suspicious 'sun-damage spot' removed a few weeks back.  That is NOT fun and it's also not the the first time I've had to have something cut/removed from my face.  UGH!!

  On a happier note -- I am very content to be comfy as can be at home in my craft room.  I turned the AC on low this morning and have kept my house nice and cool, all day.   I'm feeling kind of tired today, after being a card club yesterday, so I simply want to rest up and relax a bit too.   It's one of those zero energy days for me, so being out in that 90 degree heat is NOT for me...being comfy and cool is so much better for me!!

  I have a few cards to share and they were all cards that were started yesterday at Card Club.  These are all very different and not exactly my style, but I do like trying new things, and I did enjoy the class.   There are few more that I am working on and there were a couple I will turn into something more my style and share later this week.

   This is a seasonal card and although I would not likely send out a 4th of July card, it was noted that this card would also be a fun Thank You card, perfect to send after attending a Holiday Cookout or event!

  This card was created with one of those newer stamp/embossing folder sets.   We colored the Stamp directly with Distress Markers...then 'huffed' it and stamped the image onto white cardstock.  You then match up your image in the embossing folder and run it through a Big Shot or Cuttlebug.  Next, we edged the  background image with more distress inks and added "Lady Liberty" on top.   Both stamps are from the Americana Silhouette set from Tim Holtz.  We finished off the card with the Red Star border and to make my more shiny, I coated them with Glossy Accents.

  We also had two more 4th of July themed cards in this kit, one with a Fireworks embossed background and another with more of a flag theme.  I'm still working on those and will try to share, once I have them done.

    One of my favorite cards was this one which was created using some of the new Summer Collection Stamps by Memory Box, along with papers from the Miss Caroline -Fiddlesticks collection from My Minds Eye.

    The papers in this set are really pretty...soft and subtle shades and they have a vintage look, that I like.  We also used the same paper set to create this card, which also features elements from Maya Road, Memory Box and a brand new Hero Art's Sentiment set.   I changed the design on this card, at home, by changed my Sentiment color and also added a few blossoms by my branch with a mini punch and stickles.  My little bird was created with an MS punch, I have in my stash.

  My next card features a dimensional sticker, which I guess maybe I do not use enough, especially since some of them are so lovely now.   We also used some very cool lacy paper that came in long strips, something new at the store, and something else I added to my shopping basket, while there.   I thought it would be fun for future use and is very unique in it's border like shape!!   

  

  This next card also features some gorgeous floral embellishment stickers by K and Company and I have used these types of stickers in the past, but would never have thought about them to frame a window, as we did on this project.  This is another reason, why I really enjoy classes.  I love all the wonderful new ideas and inspiration that I learn every time I take one.  I may not always love every card or design that we create, but I love learning new things and then using them in my own way for future cards.   And this card is so much prettier in person, with all the sparkling glitter and bling on each of the flowers.  Plus, it was such an easy card to make and all you need is a set of stickers, a card base and a punch or die to cut a window in your card!!   With this wonderful set of all white glitter flowers, it makes a really pretty card.   We also used another Hero Arts Say it All  sentiment set, and one that I own and love.

   And my last card today is my one vibrant and whimsical card, but one that I'm also taking apart to re-color, right after I finish this post.   Once I took the photo of my card, I realized that my 'purples' did not blend well and I grabbed a wrong color, while I was coloring this cute little Lori Boyd image.  I will be using my same card design and hope to get it done later.   It's a card I wanted started with two challenges in mind, so I really do want to make it look nice!!   As always, I try to show the good and the bad and the before and after too!!

Before

  As you can see on her dress, there is too much "pink" in the the deep violet that I started with.  I started colored her dress with my brand new "Touch" markers, which have the most awesome shades of Violet.  But, I then grabbed a Copic marker in between, and they are not the same shades!!   OOPS!!  

And After

    Despite this not being my favorite card, I am submitting her to these challenges, as they all inspired me to create a fun Summer-themed card.

• The Pink Elephant - Challenge #153 - Photo Inspiration
• Through the Craftroom Door - Summer Theme - Summer Lovin'

     As it turned out, I'm still NOT loving her?   My eyes are very dry and even with my contacts...this is not looking like it should!   I thought it would be fun to give her Pink Hair...which is okay...but her shoes are now too light!!   UGH!!  Even so, I sure had FUN and to me, this is what challenges are all about!!

Afternoon Update!!

  Most times I don't have too many updates, but today I wanted to share one last card and also tell you about a brand new craft magazine, blog and challenge site that I just found last night.   It's called Designed to Color and it's a wonderful new publication that is all about coloring and you can find the blog HERE!!

   To learn more about Designed to Color and the Color Crew, please hop on over HERE to the blog.  I'm sure you'll all probably know at least one of the crew and knowing most of them, I think this will be a wonderful new magazine and I wish them well in their new venture.

    I was reading a post that Lori Boyd had shared on Facebook and found out that she was one of the artists that was interview for the most recent (June/July) issues, which you can read about on the blog at this link.  As soon as I went over to the site, I was excited to read about the new magazine and was excited to order the June/July issue.  I also found that they are now hosting monthly challenges, and since I love everything and anything to do with coloring, I knew I wanted to join the the fun.   Lori is also the sponsor for the current challenge and since I'm such a fan of her work, I choose one of her adorable images "Beach Boy Cole" for my card and began to work on it based off of the sketch you'll find a copy of below.

    In addition to the Designed to Color Challenge, I am also submitting my Fun in the Sun card to each of these new challenges:

• Creative Monday's - Challenge # 9 - Summer
• Love to Create Challenge Blog - Summertime Fun
• Make it Monday - Monday Inspiration Blog - #94
• Paper Playtime - Anything Goes - Sentiment is Required

    And now I am off to start on dinner and then I think I may come back to my craft room and color up some more of these sweet images!   I just love coloring them, because they make me SMILE!!!

    Have a magical Monday and as always, Happy Crafting!!

Special thoughts and wishes...

 ...go out to two very dear and special friends that have come into my life, because of crafting.   I want to take a moment  send out very special and Heartfelt Wishes to each of these very sweet ladies, who have both touched my heart watching them both go through difficult challenges with their health.   As much as I do not love living with a chronic health condition, I have always been very thankful and grateful that it was not worse and I know far too many people who suffer much more than I do and especially feel for those who have to battle with Cancer.   Being the daughter and best friend to two Breast Cancer Survivors, it's an illness that has greatly touched me and one that has also taken loved ones away from me.  I will forever hope for a cure for this and any and all illness that take so much for those who have to experience them.

   Today, my heart and wishes go out to these dear ladies, who both have been dealing with some tough times lately.  The first is Jennifer Scull is currently fighting a touch battle with a difficult form of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.   I met Jenn when we both were on part of the Baby Bud Design Team.  I felt like we had a instant connection, as we both dealt with illness and we were both Mom's to boys.   I also loved her wonderful vintage style of creating and was was deeply sad when I first learned she was battling this illness.  She has an amazing family and wonderful support system, and I greatly admire her strength and courage.   I will continue to hope and pray that she WINS this batter and that each of the treatments get a little easier...if there is such a thing.  

    The second friend is Pat Jaynes, another of the many creative friends I have met through crafting.  We met through Suzanne Dean in her Color Me Creative Classroom and I have always loved her fabulous coloring skills and her super sense of humor.  Pat, is also dealing with Chemo treatments and is currently in the hospital awaiting surgery later today to help drain some of the fluid that continues to build up around her lungs.  I hope that she will be done with this surgery soon and this will help her to feel a bit better, so she can continue with her battle.    Both of these ladies are amazing designers and both have a natural gift of talent and strength.  They are both in my thoughts and prayers and I hope with all my heart they both win their battles!    I will continue to HOPE and PRAY each and every day for them both to be on the road to recovery and also HOPE that some day we will be able to find a cure for Cancer, once and for all!!

  I have three new cards to share and the first was inspired by the latest challenge over at Hero Arts.  It also includes a sentiment from my newest Hero Arts Set - Thinking of you Kite, which I bought on my last trip to my LSS.

  This is the first of my newest cards and the one that includes the new sentiment.  It's a very simple design and the papers for this card were left over pieces from a Basic Grey and Echo Park pad.  

  My next card also features was created for today's new "Greeting Card" Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'.   This week's challenge is called--Tic-Tacky-Toe and I chose to use - Flower, Brands and Glitter (down the center),  for my card from this cute little inspiration image:

   This wonderful sentiment is part of a brand new stamp set that was part of my July Card Kit, that arrived today from Simon Say Stamp.  If you are a fan of Kristina Werner, as I am, you'll recognize her writing and know that she designed this sweet set.  You can also find it HERE in the store as part of the kit.   The flower were quickly made with two different SU Punches and the brads are pre-glittered brads from my stash.  I also added a White Glittery border on the top edge of my card, what was cut from Glitter Cardstock and punched with a Fiskars Border punch.

   And my last card today is one that I created for my sister-in-law who has a birthday coming up on Thursday.  This is a card design that I have used many times and it's very simple, but always seems to be one that comes out nice.  I generally start by picking out two or three matching scraps and then simply cut it down to fit on a A2 Hero Arts Card.   These again are leftover pieces from BG and EP and I put them together to make her Birthday Card, which is very much like my first card.  The major different is the sentiment and the way I placed the papers.   This sentiment is a digi sentiment and I will often print several on a sheet of white cardstock and then use a variety of punches to make make them different shapes and sizes.

  I'm off now to clean up and pack up my craft bag for tomorrow's Card Club at Absolutely Everything.  We never know what we'll be making, but it's always nice to get out and make a trip to the store.  I enjoy creating with others and I also don't mind spending a little time shopping.  They have the brand new Summer Distress Inks in and those are on my wish list, so I'm sure I'll grab them and maybe even a few more goodies?  It's hard to hit the store and not pick up some new things.  I don't know about you, but I don't think I have ever gone into any craft store and come out with only ONE thing?   Have YOU??