Happy New Year!

Hello followers and fellow bloggers!  I trust everyone had a wonderful holiday and will have fun watching the ball drop at the stroke of midnight.


I am not one for New Year's resolutions but I decided a couple of days ago that I needed a few.  So here goes:

1. Decorate the inside of my cards.  I have seen a lot of designers doing this and suddenly wondered why I am not doing it.  I have decorated the inside of a few of my cards but I want to do it most of the time this year.
2. Give away more cards.  I have actually been hording them. I make and post cards every week and they keep piling up.  I do send some out to family and friends for various reasons like birthdays and I give a few out to people at church but the supply is greater than the demand.  So I am going to package up a big bunch and send them to the children's hospital.  Send a Smile for Kids is a great organization and they take care of giving the cards to the various hospitals in different areas of the country.
3. Start a challenge blog.  Why you ask? Well, because it will be fun and rewarding and expand my blog friends.  Ok, so I already started this one a couple of days ago.  The new challenge blog is Craft a Scene.  The focus of these monthly challenges will be scenic projects - cards, tags, boxes, whatever, just as long as it is a finished project.  The first challenge starts on Sunday, January 1, 2012!

Well, I think three resolutions is enough for me to get started.  What are your New Year's resolutions?  I would love for you to leave a comment with your list.  In a couple of days, I will compile the whole list and post some stats about resolutions.

Here is my last card for 2011 and it is my first new card to give to Send a Smile for Kids.

Isn't Elle from Digital Delights cute?  I couldn't resist coloring her with pink tones.  The background paper from BoBunny has etchings of different safari animals which I thought worked will with the theme.  I also embossed a piece of paper using a Cuttlebug folder and then sponged over the raised portions with Adirondak Slate.

Card Recipe:

Images: Digital Delights Ellie the Elephant, Happy Birthday Scroll

Paper: Whisper White, Bazzill Black

Markers/Inks: Adirondack Slate, Copics - R81, R83, R85

Embellishments: Prima Pearls, Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle, Cuttlebug folder

Challenges for this card:

• Card Crafter's Circle - Anything goes
• Delicious Doodles - Anything goes
• Fussy and Fancy Friday - Animal print or happy birthday (I've got both)
• Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes
• Stampin for the Weekend - Anything goes
• Charisma Cards - Anything goes

Have a wonderful New Year and don't forget to tell me your new year resolutions.

NancyD

New Challenge Blog and DT Call

Hi all!

Today, I posted a DT Call on my new challenge blog - Craft a Scene!

The purpose of this challenge blog is to promote making projects with scenes using a variety of stamps such as Stampscapes.  This is a new enterprise and the blog will grow as time goes on.

If you like to work with Stampscapes and other scene related images this design team may be for you.  I am looking for people who have a variety of skill levels both with creating scenes and with blogs.  You do not need to have previous design team experience, but you do need to have a blog.

Hop over to Craft a Scene and check it out.  I posted a card there for inspiration and further details about the design team opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!
NancyD

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Today, much of the world celebrates Christmas.  Some are celebrating by exchanging gifts brought by Santa Claus, while others are celebrating the birth of a Saviour.

My family celebrates by getting together, eating lots of good food, exchanging small gifts, and playing games.  Most important, however, is our belief that we are celebrating the birth of our Saviour and coming King.

However you celebrate, my prayer for you is that you cherish your family, and think about what and why you are celebrating.  Lives are changed just by knowing about this special little child.

Merry Christmas!

Scene by Thomas Kincade

Spread the Holiday Cheer with Critter Sketch

This week at Critter Sketch the challenge is "Let it Snow".  For my card I used a wonderful image from our sponsor Stamp Fairy and some Michael's paper pack snowflake paper.

The Whisper White paper edge is punched with Martha Stewart punch.

Card Recipe:

Images: Stamp Fairy Snowie

Paper: Whisper White and snowflake paper from Michael's paper pack

Markers/Inks: Copics - R37, R39, G17, G14, C01, Distress Blue Jeans

Embellishments: SU pearls, Stickles, MS edge punch

Challenges for this card:

• Make it Monday - Always anything goes
• Cheerful Stamp Pad - Merry Christmas
• Creative Stamp Friend - Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts - Christmas
• Truly Madly Crafty - Christmas images and colors
• Dream Valley Challenges - Christmas

Hop over to the Critter Sketch Challenge blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has created.  I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations for our "Let it Snow" challenge.

Have a wonderful day!

NancyD

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas with Paper Cutz

The new Paper Cutz challenge this week is "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas."  Make your project this week with a heart.


For my card I used a new Christmas Tilda with a heart from the Sweet Christmas Dreams collection.  I also modeled the design after the Mojo Monday sketch.

Card Recipe

Images: Christmas Tilda with Heart

Paper: Very Vanilla, Graphic 45 Christmas Past Collection

Markers/Inks: Distress tea Dye, Copics - C1, C3, C5, E01, E02, R39, R37, YG93, YG95, YG97, E17, E13, R85, R83, R81

Embellishments: Wild Orchard flowers and leaves, Crafts-Too dots embossing folder, Graphic 45 Tag 2 set, Sparkly ribbon

Challenges for this card:

• Mojo Monday - Sketch
• Make it Monday- Always anything goes
• 4 Crafty Chics - Christmas
• Charisma Cardz - Last minute Christmas makes
• PaperPlay Challenges - Christmas
• ABC Christmas - Y is for Yipee it's Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Traditional Christmas
• Always Something Creative - Christmas
• Simply Magnolia - Christmas
• Bling it On - Christmas

Hop over to Paper Cutz Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has created.  I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful pink creations for our All Hearts Come Home for Christmas challenge.

Have a great day!

NancyD

Did You Pick Your Tree?

My card today is for my new position on the Digital Delights design team.  For the last six months I have been working with the Challenge Team, making cards to inspire the folks entering our weekly challenges. Wendy asked me if I would like to continue into a second term, but on the regular design team that posts here on the DD blog.

For this card I tried something new for me. I have combined two images together before printing them out.  It certainly cuts down on the cutting!!

I used Gimp (free download) to load and size the background image and then added the Jingles .png image.  Using Gimp I was able to resize and move Jingles to just the right spot on the background. Next I had to add white to sections of Jingles to block out the background image.  I saved the file and then transfered the saved image to MS Word for printing. 

I also tried a new product (new to me that is), DecoArt Snow Writer.  It is a gloppy, gritty, white paint that comes in a tube with a fine tip applicator.  The substance looks like snow (a bit) and you can apply it with some precision.  The paint also dries quickly.  I applied a little at the snow line near the trees and under the Jingles and his sleigh.

Card Recipe:

Images: Jingles and Tree, Winter Wonderland Background Set

Paper: Whisper White, Black Glossy

Markers: Copics - G17, G14, C01, C03, C05, C07, C08, R20,Y28, R37, R39, Y20, E13, E11

Embellishments: SU Pearls, SU punches, DecoArt Snow Writer

Challenges for this card:

• Make it Monday - Always anything goes
• Creative Stamp Friends - Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts - Christmas
• ICopic - Christmas holidays
• Karen's Doodles - Clean and simple
• Outlawz - Let it snow with greeting
• Truly Madly Crafty - Christmas
• Paper Sunday's - Anything Christmas
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Let it snow

Have a wonderful day!

NancyD

Wintery Tilda Rings in Christmas

I have the honor of being the guest designer at It's a Magnolia Challenge this week. The challenge is white with gold or white with silver.  I chose white and silver as you can see.

I also followed the sketch at Christmas Challenge (without the twist) as my guide for the layers on the card.  For one of the panels I stamped with VersaMark the trees from Stampin Up's Patterned Pines, and snowflakes from the same set on another panel. I sprinkled them with white sparkle embossing powder and then applied the heat. The result is sparkly trees and snowflakes in the background. Distress Weathered Wood was used to sponge just enough color to bring out the images.

The Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams paper was edged in glue and then sprinkled liberally with silver glitter.  I applied white glitter to the ground under Tilda and Icicles Stickles to her hat.

Card Recipe:

Image: Tilda with Bell, SU Patterned Pines, Sweet Christmas Dreams sentiment

Paper: Whisper White and Sweet Christmas Dreams paper pack

Markers/Ink: Distress Weathered Wood, Copics - E01, E02, E13, C01, Y06

Embellishments: ZVA Creative Gems, Glitter, Flower sprig from Stamprs in Victoria, Stickles, Wild Orchard lace, corner charms and pearls

Challenges for this card:

• Just Magnolia - I am dreaming of a white Christmas
• 2 Sisters - Christmas
• Drunken Stampers - Glittery Holiday
• Alphabet Challenge - White Christmas
• Clearly I Stamp - Christmas
• Delicious Doodles - Lots of embellishments
• Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes
• Raise the Bar - Christmas
• Simply Create - Christmas
• Stampin for the Weekend - Christmas
• Aud Sentiments - Winter holiday sentiment
• Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Use an accessory stamp
• Simply Magnolia - Christmas

Check out all the other great designs and enter your card today!

Have a great day!

NancyD

Blue, Blue Christmas

Join us this week over at Delightful Challenges for our 

"Blue Christmas" challenge.

This card is made with one of the new backgrounds from Digital Delights and a great image of Pickles the Penguin.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Digital Delights Pickles Penquin, Winter Wonderland Background, new Christmas Sentiment set

Paper: Whisper White, Glossy Black

Markers/Inks: Copics - G17, G14, R37, R39, E17, E15, C1, C3, C5, C8, Distress Weathered Wood

Embellishments: Spellbinders Label Four, Stickles, SU Pearls

Our sponsor this week is Crafty Ribbons with a special set of ribbons.

Challenges for this card:

• Make it Monday - Always anything goes
• ABC Christmas - Anything Christmas goes
• Cooking it up with Katie - Anything goes #2
• Crafty Creations - Card + sentiment
• Freshly Brewed - Christmas
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Merry Christmas
• Papercraft Star - Photo inspiration + tree
• Come and Get It - Anything Christmas

Be sure and take a look at what the wonderful Design Team has come up with for your inspiration.  I hope you join us this week at Delightful Challenges ! 


Have a great day!
NancyD

A Purple, Snowy Christmas

I really like working with the Mojo Monday sketches and for this card I wanted to work in a couple of special techniques.

The background paper is stamped with VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with sparkly white powder.  The next step is to sponge a light blue ink over the paper leaving some white space.  Fill in the white space by sponging on a darker blue ink.  The final step is to use a purple ink. For some reason using the purple around the stamped flakes really makes them visually pop off the paper.

I wish you could see how sparkly the paper looks!  

The second technique is with the embossing folder.  I applied a small coating of the purple ink to the inside of the embossing folder and then set my white paper in place.  After rolling it through the Cuttle Bug the paper comes out looking vintage with color splotched over the surface and in some of the crevices of the embossed image.

Card Recipe:

Images: Sitting Tilda from the Sweet Christmas Dreams collection, Hero Arts snowflake stamp

Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant

Markers/Inks: Distress Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans, Memento,  Danube Blue, Versa Mark ink, Copics - E12, E01, E02, Y06, V17, V20, V25

Embellishments: Wild Orchard lace, Sparkly white embossing powder, Sizzix Snowflake embossing folder, SU pearls, MS Star edge punch

Challenges for this card:

• Mojo Monday - Sketch
• Make it Monday - Always anything goes
• Craft Your Passions - Anything goes plus glitter
• Crafty Boots - Anything goes
• Crafty Bloggers Network - Shades of Winter
• Crafty Card Makers - Heat embossing
• Cupcake Craft Challenges - Make your own backing paper
• Hooked on Crafts - Winter Wonderland
• Incy Wincy Designs - Non traditional Christmas colours
• Paper Creations Ink - Bling it Up!
• Just Magnolia - Anything goes with sparkle
• It's a Magnolia Challenge - Use a punch

Have a wonderful day!
NancyD

Peace on Earth - Critter Sketch Challenge

Today our challenge at Critter Sketch is to make a card using a sketch.  For my card I used this beautiful Fairy image from our sponsor Stamp Fairy.

Card Recipe:

Image: Stamp Fairy image, ODBD Holly Tag Set

Papers: Kaiser Craft Belle Collection, Very Vanilla, Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas

Markers/Ind: Distress Weathered Wood, Copics

Embellishments: Prima pearls, Spellbinders Fancy Tags and Label Four

Challenges for this card:

• Make it Monday - Anything goes
• Stampin Sisters in Christ - Use an Angel
• Crafty Boots - Anything goes
• Stamps+Fun=Creativity - Pearls
• Cutie Pie Challenge - Pastel Christmas

Hop over to the Critter Sketch Challenge blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has created.  I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations for our Sketch challenge.

Have a wonderful day!

NancyD

Jingle All the Way with Paper Cutz

The new Paper Cutz challenge this week is Jingle All The Way.  Make your card or project this week with a Jingle Bells.

Card Recipe:

Image: Magnolia Snowman with Bells

Paper: Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams, Whisper White

Markers/Inks: Distress Fired Brick, Copics

Embellishments: Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangles, Craft store ribbon, Maya Road pins, Prima pearls

Challenges for this card:

• Make it Monday - Anything goes
• Paper Crafting Journey - Anything goes
• Rainbow Lady - Christmas Carols (Jingle Bells)
• Southern Girls - Ribbon madness
• Cooking it up with Katie - Anything goes (entry #2)
• Magnolia Down Under - Let it snow
• Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Red and White
• Just Magnolia - Anything goes with sparkle
• Scrappin' Chics - Anything goes

Hop over to Paper Cutz Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has created.  I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful pink creations for our Jingle All The Way challenge.

Have a wonderful day!

NancyD