A really long post

Yeah.  I know.  I've already posted 2x today.  But they were both DT posts, and I've been busy making cards this weekend!!!  It's been a few weeks since I felt like stamping this much, so I HAD to take the opportunity and run with

Before we start, I've gotta brag for just a little bit here.  I went to a "garage sale" at a local craft store this weekend.  Basically what happens is people bring in their old stash and price it as they like.  They receive store credit for a percentage of what is sold.  It's HUGE.  TONS of stuff--I found ALL of the retired SU! sets I've been pining for!!!  I spent $46 and some change and literally got about $300 worth of stuff.  BUT, the real surprise find this weekend was....

A bag that cost $7 and had the following in it~

3 BRAND SPANKING NEW Papertrey Ink Sets

 

 

A Time Holtz single stamp

2 Studio G sets (gave one to a friend)

Random birthday stamp sets

 

A swirly stamp set that I'm not so sure about

Acrylic journaling stamps

You guys, the PTI stamp sets were each $24 each!!!!!!!!!!  So, already that put the retail value at almost $75!  On top of that, the rest of the stamps cost around $50 together.  I got $125 in stamps for SEVEN DOLLARS.  Please feel free to be mad at me and be jealous.  But I REALLY needed this!  TOTALLY made my weekend!!!  So, with about 15 new stamp sets to play with (some not pictured), I HAD to spend time in my craft room!!!  Funny, the cards I'm gonna show you don't use any of the sets above...

So, what did I make?  Well, I made some CAS cards using a masking and layer technique paired with some blender pen coloring...

Here's the first one~

Details~

I call it Fire Flower.  I created this card for this week's Less Is More challenge--it's a sketch, friends!  It used the retired SU! set Natural Beauty.  I have coveted this set for about 5 years, and FINALLY got it!  For only about $5!  Beat THAT, eBay!

Okay, the second card is the same "concept" with a bit MORE and some different coloring.

I call it Pink, Pink, Nothing About My Weekend Stinks~

Details~

This one is for the CAS-ual Friday challenge calling for flowers and The Paper Players Tic Tac Toe challenge (my row was flowers, emboss, square card).  I did a little embossing in black and coloring, then ran my panel through my embossing machine with the Swiss Dots folder, then layered the masked flower up.  I like the way that the black is more black after it's embossed, but I don't like the pink as much as the "fire" colors of the first.

Thanks for bearing with me!  Thanks for popping over to take a peek at my cards--and wallowing through my bragging!  It's just so dang exciting!  I hope you come and play along with the three fabulous challenges I've entered!  Happy stamping! :)