Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Janna Prosvirina "Fireworks" - Kit and Clowder December Class


We are each gifted in a unique and important way.  It is our privilege and our 
adventure to discover our own special light.     Evelyn Mary Dunbar

Janna Prosvirina digi, Copic markers, corner dies, gold leafing pen, pearl gems,
tiny flower die, white, lavender, blue, green and yellow colored pencils., white gel pen

Hey there,

What fun it was to switch gears from my frantic holiday schedule to take on this challenging and rewarding Kit and Clowder Copic Coloring Class.  The image for our December class is by Janna Prosvirina, one of my favorite digi artists, so I couldn't wait to gather my markers and follow along with Alyce's video instruction.  As always, there were many hits and misses with my coloring,  but I've learned that practice is the only way to improve and there are many enticing  opportunities to experiment along the way.  The thing I like the most about Alyce's classes is that she pushes us to try new techniques.  Some things that look impossible to me at first come together surprisingly simple if I have patience and do them step by step.  

Fantasy images always fascinate and beguile me because they offer such a delightful escape from reality.  I'm forever grateful that God gave us the gifts of art, literature, drama and music to allow us to visit tranquil, exquisite places where our worries can evaporate and our spirits can soar.      

Thanks for visiting,
Go forth and take some time to enjoy your favorite escape. 
Nancy 
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Friday, December 18, 2020

Snowman Greetings From Our House to Yours - Lori Whitlock Shutter Card

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things,
but look at what they can do when they stick together. 


Lori Whitlock svg, designer paper, swirl punch, assorted gens, silver leafing pen,
copics for shading, Cricut Maker, Cricut design space writing feature

Hey there,

Creating cards for my multi-talented card group has always been both a delight and a challenge.  It's so enjoyable making something special for them because I know they'll appreciate my efforts, no matter what I come up with.  But it's also a little daunting designing something special for friends I know are going to fashion their own masterpieces.  This year I have already received Christmas cards from some of my besties and they are nothing less than INCREDIBLE. It seems extra time in the craft room has resulted in some very intricate and elaborate designs.  


While this fairly simple card may not win awards for my most fancy and complex,  I loved creating this Lori Whitlock shutter card because the fold is new to me and it was so easy and fun to create on my Cricut Maker.  I can imagine using this fold for all types of cards and I hope my friends will see the possibilities, also. The sentiment comes from my heart because I'm missing them so much after my recent move.  Although I can't meet with the group as I used to (and they haven't met for months because of covid restrictions) we can still use snail mail to communicate our love and exchange ideas.  I would be lost without my cardmaking buddies and all the blessings they bring! 

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and create something special for a friend to express your love.
Nancy
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Friday, December 11, 2020

Joyful Traditions - Lori Whitlock Pop-up Box Card SVG

 And the angel said unto them: Fear not,  for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.      Luke 2:10


Hey there,

The joy and peace of Christmas has meant so much to me this year as I have experienced and witnessed countless miracles as a result of our epic worldwide trial.  I know many of my friends and family are feeling the same way. How about you?  Along with our challenges  (physically, emotionally and spiritually)  many of us have come to realize and appreciate our most precious blessings...those we love.


I had a fabulous time making several of  these festive z-fold cards for friends and family this year. I sized a holiday wreath in Cricut design space to customize this fun Lori Whitlock pop-up box card svg.  I chose this joyful, uplifting greeting and traditional icons to evoke the spirit and beauty of the season. I used the Cricut writing feature to write the sentiment on my panel. 

Although my family can't celebrate in our customary way, I'm finding that Christmas movies,  a colorfully lit tree full of treasured ornaments from years gone by and a blazing fireplace warming my husband  and me as we snuggle in our quilts on the couch go a long way to ignite our Christmas spirits.  Next year at this time, I'm sure we'll all have some inspiring tales of miracles, lessons and adventures, some of which will undoubtedly be much more amusing in hindsight!

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and bring some Christmas joy to someone whose spirit could use a lift. 
Nancy

Friday, December 4, 2020

White Christmas - La La Land Long Sweater Molli

A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.
Markus Zusak


 Hey there,

I grew up where white Christmases were anticipated with delight, but living in sunny California for 50 years has made me wimpy about those chilly flakes of fluff.  Sparkling white Christmas  snow is beautiful in my dreams and fun to depict with glitter paper, but I'm not a fan of shoveling it or twirling in my car on icy roads.  I have recently moved from the sunshine state, and while my new home may see an occasional freakish snow flake, I'm thrilled that enormous mounds of snow appear only in my friends' Face Book posts and on my holiday cards. 


I've been wanting to color this darling Long Sweater La La Land Molli with my Copics for a while and when I saw this Lori Whitlock Z-fold svg, I knew Molli needed to frolic on those glittery hills.  I used three different glitter card stocks for both the scene and the snowflakes to create dimension. I cut all the layers on my Cricut Maker and used the writing feature for my sentiment.  My twinkly snowflakes are adorned with clear gem centers.  Z-folds are my favorite to use for all types of scenes because there's so much marvelous real-estate between the folds. 

So many Christmas cards...so little time!

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and make some frosty snow angels...or maybe just dream about them. 
Nancy 

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