Trying To Master CAS

Hello friends!!  I had fun yesterday playing with some of my new Stampin' Up stamp sets.  I love the look of CAS so much but think that my cards always look yucky!  I don't understand how something so simple could be so hard!  LOL.  Anyway, I decided that I was going to try and master this CAS thing so I made a couple of cards yesterday.  The first one was pretty but it just didn't work for me so I made another one based on the inspiration picture for the CAS challenge at The Outlawz.  Now that one, I really like how it turned out!!!  Okay, here's my first card using the SU Blessed Mother clear mount stamp set (these come in the coolest little DVD cases).....

I tried to do the crinkly ribbon but mine looked stupid!  :)  I used my Copics to give it a little color pizazz.  Still didn't work on the feeling bland to me.  What do you think?

Here's my card using the inspiration picture from the CAS challenge at The Outlawz.  I have used the SU clear mount sets Awash with Flowers and Word Play.  First I'll show you the picture and then I'll show you my card!

So...can you tell what I used as my inspiration? The colors and flowers of course but also the shape of the boot. :)  I was so proud of myself.  heehee

Anyway...thank you for stopping by today and you still have some time to get in on all of the action at The Outlawz this week.  Seriously awesome prizes to be won including a $50 gift certificate from Oozak!!!!  YeeHaw!!!

Have a good one!