Two Quilts and a Little Eye Surgery

 We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

 

Hey there from Nannyland,

Some people love to keep their holiday decorations up until after New Years Day and beyond, so they can  keep the magic of the season alive.  Some prefer to put things away to make room for the shiny new year.  I lean toward the latter.  To the shock and horror of some of my friends, my Christmas decorations are already neatly boxed and put away, and my home is its cozy, Hallmark-less self again.  This year I have another reason for efficiently putting things in order.  I will be having eye surgery for a macular pucker in a few days and will have to have a little restful time to recover.   

I had cataract surgery a few months ago and was happy to find that I could see well enough after each surgery to do some crafting (a few minutes at a time.)  I recently got two quilts back from the quilter and I will be thrilled if I can quietly bind them during my convalescence. Fingers crossed...we'll see how that goes.  This quilt block is called Chimney Sweep and I used an Accuquilt Go die to cut the block shapes, sashing and corner stones.  The fabric is Lori Holtz from Riley Blake. 

I used a Benartex jelly roll to create this colorful fruit patterned quilt.   It's part of a huge stash of jelly rolls I've been trying shrink. 

 

I'll let you know if the "binding with one good eye" thing works out.  If so, I'll happily have two finished quilts to post in a couple of weeks!  And  I'll start the new year viewing the world in a whole new light...literally.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Digi Doodle Studio Pop Up Box Card

Change always comes bearing gifts.   Price Pritchett

Digi Doodle Studios "Bringing Gifts" digi, Copic markers, Lori Whitlock pop up box card base,
Cricut, white gel pen, clear gems, digi snowflake paper, red card stock

Hey there from Nannyland,

This season's handmade cards are finally in the mail and my gifts are all wrapped and ready to deliver.  Since I had a moment to take a breath before all the joyful pandemonium starts, I couldn't resist creating one last holiday card with this darling Digi Doodle Studios image titled "Bringing Gifts." One of the greatest advantages to digi stamps is the ability to size them perfectly to any card base. I found this Lori Whitlock pop up box card svg in my library and exchanged the Santa image for this adorable  gift-bearing shopper. The tree and gift pop ups literally "spruce up" the cool snowy scene.  I found the perfect  "Bearing Gifts" sentiment in the Cricut Image Library.

This card was a fun and simple project to usher out a very eventful and challenging 2021. I'm praying by the time I start my Valentine's cards, our weary world will have some optimism and relief.   Bring on the mushy cards with hearts and cupids. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Christmas Craft Creations December Challenge

Paper Funday Challenge #36

Crafty Sentiment Designs Challenge - December 14

Bitten by the Bug 2 - Any Holiday Challenge

Dream Valley Challenge #260

A Gem of a Challenge #26

Crafty Calendar Christmas Challenge

Dragonfly Dreams December Challenge

Accuquilt Go Oven Mitt and Dollar Store Basket Revisited

Gifts of time and  love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly Merry Christmas.
Peg Bracken

Hey there from Nannyland, 

It's that wonderful time of year when we get to express our love to friends and family by bringing small tokens of our affection to their door.  A few years ago I watched this video on YouTube and created this Dollar Store Gift basket for my friends. To my surprise, it was a mega hit.  So this year,  since I  have moved to a new state, I'm excited for  the opportunity to recreate my baskets for a whole new group of friends!  I knew I had to start gathering all my cooking items weeks early because they can't be found in the picked over aisles of the Dollar Store when it gets closer to Christmas. And the same items, like the Betty Crocker cookie mixes, cost much more in the grocery store.   
 

I decided to up my game this year by sewing handmade oven mitts to spruce up my Dollar Store booty.  I used this die cut from Accuquilt Go to cut out the mitt, and then quilted, stitched and bound it, just like I would a quilt.  The most time consuming part was the quilting because I had to mark the hatched quilt lines with a fabric marking pen. The batting is insulated so it's leggit for keeping hands safe from the heat.  

I made eight of them, six for baskets and two filled with kitchen items that made fun smaller gifts on their own.  Although I logged some serious time, they were fun and fairly simple to sew. After I have recovered from my assembly line sewing frenzy, I plan to make others in different themes for future gifts (maybe with aprons to match...too cute).  I love the way they turned out.  I created the tag in Cricut Design Space to inform the recipient the mitt is handmade, but the rest was carefully curated from the Dollar Store. 

Whew!  All wrapped up and ready to go.  Another holiday score with the help of an ingenious Accuquilt die and The Dollar Store! 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

All Is Bright On Christmas Night - The Paper Shelter Follow The Stars Digi

Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high.
Then life seems almost enchanted after all.   Vincent Van Gogh

The Paper Shelter "Follow the Stars" digi, Cricut forest and poinsettia svg's ,digital paper,
 swirl punch, silver card stock, silver glitter paper, iridescent gems,glitter Nuvo Drops,Copic Markers

 Hey there from Nannyland,

I've enjoyed using non-traditional colors for some of my holiday cards this year.  I think these cool blue, green and lavender tones create a beautiful frosty scene for this lovely Paper Shelter lantern lady and her starlit path. 

One of my most daunting design challenges is creating backgrounds for my colored images. I borrowed this white birch tree svg from a Lori Whitlock winter scene that originally had a deer peeking through the forest.  I cut only the back layer (three times) on my Cricut Maker and  glued the layers together to provide seamless dimension beneath my image.  My Cricut is fast becoming one of my favorite inspirational tools because using die cuts in  unconventional ways helps me to create some unexpected and sometimes unique designs.

Digital paper printed on my computer created a mystical starry night sky.  I mounted my finished panel on silver card stock with just a sliver of black peaking from behind.  The poinsettia, from the Cricut image library, was cut in white card stock and colored with the same lavender copics I used to color my image.  I shaped the flower and added a little elegance with some silver glitter swirls and a blue iridescent gem. The sentiment and tag were created in Cricut Design Space and edged, along with the flower and main panel,  with a silver leafing pen. 

I sure hope you're finding some time to relax with all the seasonal frenzy swirling around you. I found some peace today by making time to have lunch with a friend.  Now I'm going to eat some chocolate and watch a cheesy Hallmark movie. A perfect recipe for "calm and bright."  

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Addicted to Stamps and More - Die Cuts and Stencils

Creative Moments Challenge #228

Little Red Wagon Challenge #632

QKR Stampede Challenge #434

Crafty Creations Challenge #428

A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge - December/January

A Place to Start Challenge #12

The Corrosive Challenge #12

Classic Design Challenge #12

Morgan's Art World Challenge #12

Lori Whitlock Wreath Pocket Pop-Up Box Card - Gift Card Holder and More

No one has ever become poor from giving. 

Lori Whitlock svg, Copic markers, ribbon bow, assorted gems, dotted blue cardstock,
Cricut cutting and writing, red and white card stock, glitter Nuvo Drops

Hey there from Nannyland,

When I first downloaded this beautiful Lori Whitlock pocket box card, I was confused at a seemingly unnecessary box protrusion. I was delighted when I realized it contained a perfectly-sized  pouch to hold a gift card, cash or a note.  Immediately,  I went to work creating cards for appreciation gifts to my hairdresser and cleaners.  I also made them for friends and family whose gifts have to go through the unreliable mail.   I love the way they turned out!  It makes a  generic gift card a little more personal and festive. 

As usual, I cut most of the pieces in white card stock on my Cricut Maker.  It's much easier to color and shade the small pieces with copics.  It was also much simpler to print the sentiment directly on my front panel with the writing feature in Design Space than to cut out the detailed sentiment in black card stock.   I had the best time adding beads, bows and gems to embellish.  

It's a lot more rewarding to present gift cards or money to my loved ones in a way that shows I care enough to make something special for them.    As it turns out, this pocket pop-up box card has become a favorite and I can see many fun uses for it in the future.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Make My Monday Challenge #163

SheepSki Challenge #57

Crafty Catz Challenge #576

Cut It Up Challenge #240

Just Add Ink Challenge #584

Moving Along With The Times Challenge #137

Through the Craft Room Door December 7

UnstampaBelles Challenge #118

Tidings of Joy From Elizabeth - Julia Spiri Giveaway Image

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” - Elf

Julia Spiri digi image (Elizabeth), Spellbinders frame die,
Cricut Design Space cutting and writing features, gems, pearls,
 Copic markers, red card stock, digital dp for inset on bodice, silver leafing pen

Hey there from Nannyland,

I'm so excited that Julia Spiri. one of my all-time favorite artists, is generously giving her Facebook followers this image as a freebee until December 20.  We are asked to add our colored image to her Facebook Giveaway album, where we will have a chance to win one of her fabulous coloring books.  I'm crossing my fingers because I love her beautiful images so much!

This grayscale image called "Elizabeth" is absolutely stunning.  She was a joy to color with copics in shades of red and green, with silver accents, to create a holiday card.  I added a paper pieced inset to her bodice and green glitter Nuvo drops to her festive dangly earrings.  I cut my lacy Spellbinders frame in white card stock and added  red gems for sparkle.  The poinsettia and sentiment tag were created in Cricut Design Space. The background panel, flower and sentiment tag were lined with a silver leafing pen. I added pearl accessories for a little touch of classic elegance.   

What a delightful surprise this beautiful, generous gift was.  Julia's Etsy shop is full of gorgeous images just like this one.  I think I'll go Christmas shopping in her store for some fun images to add to my Julia Spiri collection.  Merry Christmas to me. (And to you, too, of course.)

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #226

Double "D" Christmas Joy Challenge

Passion for Markers Challenge #621

Colouring in Scrapland December Challenge

Crafting Happiness Challenge #118

Dream Valley Challenge #260

Avenue 613 Create Challenge #12e

Sunday Stamps Challenge SSC271

Classic Design Challenge #12

Morgan's Artworld Challenge #12

Stacked Gifts Christmas Card - Anna Griffin Slimline Dies

 I love the rebelliousness of snail mail, and I love anything that can arrive with a postage stamp.  There's something about that person's breath and hands on the letter.   Diane Lane

Anna Griffin Gifts slimline die, slimline frame die,
 Cricut Design Studio tag, assorted gems, digital paper

Hey there from Nannyland,

Have you spent countless hours every holiday season creating special handmade cards for your family and friends?  Then maybe you can relate to my decision (however flawed) that I would quietly ease out of this custom, starting this year.  Since I've observed that few people send snail mail Christmas cards anymore, I was sure no one would notice if my card didn't appear as usual in their mailbox. My guilt was assuaged by the fact that I would have more time to make handsewn gifts for my tribe. Imagine my chagrin when one of my friends told me she was putting away her Thanksgiving cards to make room for a very special Christmas card she knew she would be receiving from a "certain someone."  Then some of my other yearly recipients expressed excitement over receiving yet another of my "limited edition" holiday cards, which they hang on string as a banner for decorations. Apparently, we cardmakers accumulate some devoted "card groupies" over the years! Who knew? 

So, in a panic, I reconsidered my scrooge-like decision and scrambled to design a card that I could assemble quickly.  I found this stylish slimline stacked-gifts die from Anna Griffin and it turned out to be a happy solution to my frenzied meltdown. I used several digital Christmas prints for the die cut gifts and added fussy cut embossed silver bows.  I created the tag in Cricut Design Space and attached it with silver thread to one of my gifts. Coordinating gems added some holiday sparkle. The silver base panel is a stitched slimline die.  A couple of intense cutting and gluing days later I had twenty cards ready to send to my card-worthy tribe. I still have more to do, but I feel so satisfied that I decided to keep my card making ritual. What was I thinking?  Some Christmas traditions are meant to stay.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Winter Wonderland End of Year Challenge

C.R.A.F.T Challenge #620

The Paper Funday December Challenge

Creative Craft Cottage Challenge #146

Die Cut Divas December Challenge

                                                                       QKR Stampede Challenge #433

Creative Fingers Challenge #220

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #330

Peace , Love, Joy - Grazia Salvo Women of Flowers Christmas Card

 Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. 

Grazia Salvo digi, Copic markers, black and green glitter card stock, white heavy cardstock, 
 green gems, gold leafing pen, Cricut Maker, Cricut Design Space cutting and writing features

Hey there from Nannyland,

I hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as mine was and you're energized for a delightful, giving holiday season.  I chose this Grazia Salvo Women of Flowers beauty for a holiday card because I think she looks like she is dressed for a festive Christmas party in her elegant dress.  Coloring the lace on her frilly frock with my Copics was a little daunting but I managed to fill in some of the fine detail with Prismacolors. This was one of those cards that didn't come together right  away and I ended up frustrated trying to frame her.  It always helps me to put my image aside and pick it up again the next day with fresh new eyes.  

After giving my mind a breather, I happened upon a card base I had created in Cricut Design Space for another card and I was elated that it fit her perfectly.  I changed the sentiment with the Cricut writing feature and cut the base, panels and frame out with my chosen cardstock.  I also found a pretty, layered poinsettia in the Cricut library and sized it to fit perfectly.  I printed it out on white card stock and colored it with the same Copic reds I used for the flowers in  her hair for a perfect match. I shaped the petal layers with a ball stylus and glued them together, then added some gems to the center.  I lined my black glitter panels and the sentiment with a gold leafing pen.

Sometimes the creative process takes patiences and persistence, but it's so rewarding when things come together in the end.   Creativity is a master class in life skills, as all crafters know. That's why we're such mirthful people!

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

I'm playing along with Challenge 164 at The Card Concept because I love this gorgeous Christmas inspiration photo with the rich reds, greens, blacks and browns.  I chose traditional red and green, with some bold black for contrast  I used their classy and elegant style concept. 

The Card Concept Challenge #164

Also playing along with:

Color Crazy Challenge Wk 47

Aud Sentiments Challenge #288

Krafty Chicks Challenge #587

Christmas Craft Creations November

Through the Craft Room Door November 16 Challenge

Dream Valley Challenge #259

Dragonfly Dreams November Challenge

Sweater Weather - Conie Fong Christmas Carole Digi

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.  
It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.
Abbey Montago

Conie Fong digi, digital paper, Cricut cutting and writing features, silver leafing pen,
irredescent snow flakes, clear gems, Copic markers, white gel pen

  Hey there from Nannyland,

Sweater weather has arrived in my beautiful desert town (some days actually don't reach 70 degrees!) and I can't get enough of the cool crisp air. Last year I actually witnessed a few flakes of snow so I'm looking forward to a repeat of that delightful spectacle. I grew up with chilly snowy winters and then moved to LA when I was in my early twenties, so snow that drifts down slowly and then melts when it reaches the ground is just my style.  

I colored this darling Conie Fong image with my favorite shades of Copc markers.  I've been obsessed with digital paper lately and I used several different designs on this card.  The plaid background and the dotty blue sky where both downloads from Etsy which I printed on my computer.  But my all time favoriate paper is the red knit print I used to paper piece her sweater. So much easier and more realistic than trying to create a pattern with my markers.  All it needed was a  little gray marker to give it depth.   

I created the white twig wreath in Cricut Design Space, cutting four of the same shape and gluing them together for dimension.  The Sweater Weather tag was also created in Design Space using the cutting and writing features.   The irredescent blue snowflakes are embellished with clear gems and look very shimmery in person.  I edged the plaid background panel and the sentiment tag with a silver leafing pen.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Crafty Sentiments Designs November 16

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk 46

The Unicorn Challenge #71

Classic Design Challenge #11

CCC Digi Creations #131

Digi Doodle Studios Challenge #44

Crafter's Castle Challenge #47

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Use Red

Fab' n' Funky Challenge #540

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #11

CD Sunday Plus Challenge 73

Autumn Witch - FairyTanglesArt by Normal Burnell

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. 

FairytangleArt digi, Cricut Design Space frames and card base, Copic markers,
gold leafing pen, black glitter paper, handmade paper flowers, Tim Holtz sentiment strip

 Hey there from Nannyland,

Every good witch doesn't just fly away after Halloween.  Some stay around to remind us to be grateful for our bounty and wish us a magical Thanksgiving.  I created this Autumn Witch from FairyTangleArt  to remind you to relax and be your amazing self while gathering with your loved ones this holiday season.  

I used Copics in fall colors to color this lovely image by Norma Burnell, one of my favorite artists, and surrounded her with scalloped frames and a shaped card base, all created in Cricut Design Space.  I edged my frames with a gold leafing pen and added hand made paper flowers for accents.    

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...a card maker's bonanza. Let the blissful seasonal panache begin.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!                      

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Try it on Tuesday - Make it Magical

Creative Moments Challenge #226

Arty Divas October Challenge

Classic Design Challenge #11

Crafter's Cafe Challenge #277

LeAnn's World Challenge #44

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #11

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge November 10

Mo Manning Guest Designer - Amity Gives Thanks

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. 
And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.  Maya Angelou

Mo Manning Amity digi, Cricut die cutting, gems, gold leafing pen, paper flowers, Copic markers

Hey there from Nannyland,

                                                   

I am beyond thrilled to be a Guest Designer for Mo's Digital  Pencil Challenge  Blog this month. The optional theme is Anything Goes with the optional theme of Thanks and her talented Dream Team has created some beautiful inspiration for you. 

I invite you to pop on over to Mo's challenge blog and join in this fabulous challenge. 

  

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog

 

For the Thanks theme I chose this adorable image called Amity.  Mo's amazing artwork introduced me the the magical world of digi stamps many years ago and changed my card making forever.  Her images are full of personality and her art skills are epic. 

 

I created the base for this easel card in Cricut Design Studio and sized my image to fit the inner panel.  The card is 5 x 7, so there's plenty of real estate for this sweet little pilgrim to thoughtfully lounge on her pumpkins.  I colored her with  Copic markers and mounted her to a cloudy digi background.  The sentiment was also created in Cricut Design Studio.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Creative Fingers Challenge #218

Polkadoodles Challenge Wk 45

Time Out Challenge #200

Tic Tac Toe Challenge 138

Little Red Wagon Challenge #626

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #328 

QKR Stampede Challenge #431

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #10

Dreaming Tree Le Chapeau Lady - Crafty Chefs Challenge Inspiration

Life is like a new hat.  You don't know if it suits you 
if  you keep trying it on in front of your own mirror. 

Dreaming Tree Le Chapeau svg bundle, Copic markers, digital paper,
Cricut cutting and writing features, swirl embossing folder, pearls and gems, paper flower

 Hey there from Nannyland,

I'm thrilled to join in the fun at the October Craft Chefs Challenge on Face Book.  I was so lucky to have my name drawn last month to receive the "happy mail"  prize and I received the most beautiful card and extra die cuts from Monica ( Sunshine Creativity.)  Hurry...you still have time to pop on over to the Crafty's Chefs Challenge and add your creation to the mix! The recipe this month is:

              Do some coloring

              Use dry embossing.

My elegant lady comes from the Dreaming Tree Le Chapeau svg bundle.  Her fanciness was absolutely delightful to create using my Cricut Maker and Cricut Design Space.  Even though I own oodles of dry embossing folders, I rarely use them, mainly because I forget what a good option they are for adding texure and interest to my die cuts.  I chose to emboss my stylish gal's cascading hair with a swirly folder, creating some perky curls. The curved twigs are also embossed with the same folder. 

My new computer did a wonderful job of printing the coordinating fall digital papers for the hat. The face layers and twigs were cut from cream card stock and colored with Copc markers. The curving feature in Cricut Design Space made it easy to follow the shape of  the hat for my sentiment.  The twigs came from the Close To My Heart Flower Market set, which has hundreds of beautiful garden related images.  The earrings were cut from gold foil card stock and embellished with pearl gems.  The flower came from my stash and was adorned with a fancy coordinating gem. 

Even though my first love is Copic coloring, a close second is creating beautiful dimensional cards in Cricut Design Space, both simple or intricate.  The Cricut Image Libary includes every image I can imagine and there are also tons of  amazing svg's for every occasion available on the internet. It's incredible that just about anything I can envison, I can find the tools to create! 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Through the Craft Room Door - October 26

Crafting Happiness Challenge #116

The Corrosive Challenge #10

Allsorts Challenge #647

Crafter's Castle Challenge #46

My Time to Craft Challenge #468

Craft Rocket Challenge #86

Moving Along With the Times Challenge #135

Creative Craft Cottage Challenge #145

The Creative Crafters Challenge #45

 

Jeremiah Ketner Pumpkin Collector - Shine Like The Stars

 Laugh and the world laughs with you, 
cackle maniaclly and people back  away from you slowly. 

Jeremiah Ketner Pumpkin Collector digi, Copic markers, Spellbinders frame die,
silver foil cardstock, black glitter cardstock, star background die, purple gem,
Tim Holtz strip sentiment

Hey there from Nannyland,

One of the most splendid ingredients of my favorite season is Halloween, with all its motley, quirky, colorful commotion. I'm obsessed with witches, but not the crabby, wicked kind.  I prefer the beautiful, mysterious, whimsical ones ala Morticia.  I loved coloring this darling Jeremiah Ketner miss called Pumpkin Collector in Halloween hues and designing a sparkly night sky to frame her.  

I die cut the frame with black glitter cardstock and created my silver foil stars with an awesome background die that has varying sizes of stars. I fussy cut my fancy lady and attached her to the background with mounting tape. The sentiment is a Tim Hotlz strip sentiment mounted on silver foil card stock. I've been enjoying using these small sentiments because they fit my cards without taking up too much space.

I pulled out several ravishing witches from my digital files today who are anxiously waiting to be given some spooky splendor.  "Witch" ones shall I choose?  Mwahahaha.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit.  

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

My Time to Craft Challenge $468

Modsquad Challenge - Halloween

The Paper Funday Challenge #34

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #327

Shopping Our Stash #456

Try it on Tuesday Halloween Time

Unicorn Challenge #70

Inspiration Station Challenge #16

The Paper Shelter #488

Crafty Gals Corner #224

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #10

Classic Design Challenge #10