Dreaming of a Secret Gate - Fantasy Journal Pages with Zan Von Zed Digital Stamp

Take time first thing to visualize an incredible day.   Robin Howard

Hey there from Nannyland,

It's nice to begin the New Year with a dream of an intriguing new road or magical secret gate just around the bend.  I'm anxious and eager for a change in my path this coming year because,  although the one I've been on has been loaded with amazing learning and growing opportunities, it has been way too bumpy with obstacles for my liking! 

I'll never grow too old to fantasize about being a princess on an ornate balcony in the fanciest of frocks with nothing else to do but survey my vast kingdom. Zan Von Zed is one of my favorite artists when it comes to regal ladies and this one seems perfectly content in her "castle-in-the-forest" setting.  I loved coloring the layers of her gorgeous gown in jewel toned shades of Copics and adding rhinestones for sparkly decorative trim.  

I found some beautiful background DP to mimic a balcony and forest landscape and was happy that her fussy cut image tucked into the scene perfectly.  Since the paper wasn't quite large enough to fill the opposite page, I used some pretty marbled DP to expand the space. I created my inspiration quote in Cricut Design Space using the cutting and writing features, then added a few journal-friendly flat die cut flowers to adorn my tag.

Hanging on my patio pergola is a vintage sign leading into my backyard that says "Secret Garden." It's one place I love to go this time of year to drink warm cider and read a favorite book. I'm sure any princess would love it there as much I as do. That's where I'm planning to hang out whenever possible this year. I hope you have a cozy, restful escape where you can feel joy, contentment and peace of mind and visualize the fantastic things to come.   Happy New Year! 

  

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 #550

Time Out Challenge #279

Digi Choosday Wk50

A Perfect Time to Craft January Challenge

Allys's Angels Challenge #89

Classic Design Challenge #12

Love to Scrap Challenge #171

The Creative Crafters Challenge #83

Morgan's Artworld Challenge #84

Passion for Markers Challenge Wk 769

Reading Books in Cozy Nooks - Journal Pages With Zekesami Emma Digital Stamp

In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold.

Hey there from Nannyland,

When the crisp cool weather of winter begins, one of my favorite ways to relax is soaking up the brisk air as I sit on my patio reading a good book.  A snuggly warm jacket and a cup of warm apple cider are all I need to take me to my happy place.

Emma, the darling girl in this Zekesami digi, looks like she is exactly where she wants to be on a cool, winter's day.  I have colored her with Copic markers using warm citrus green and orange hues combined with cool winter shades of blue.  I fussy cut the image and mounted her on a lacy oval die cut frame and surrounded her with  bejeweled snowflake accents.  I was excited to find tiny matching green brads in my stash to add dimension to the front of her sweater. The dots on her mug were made with green and white fine line markers.  

                                      

I wasn't sure about my color palette when I started coloring, but I really like this mix of cool and warm non-traditional colors.  I'm having such fun branching out from my favorite color palettes and experimenting with some new combinations. The inspiration page was created using the Cricut cutting and writing features. 

Cool and warm, crisp and cuddly, I love all the contradictions of winter.  I hope you are looking forward to the magic of the season as much as I am.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.
I'll just be here blissfully creating until your next visit. 
Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)
                                                              Playing along with:

Craft Rocket Challenge #120

Time Out Challenge #276

Little Red Wagon Challenge #782

Passion for Markers Week 765

A Cut Above November Challenge

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #11

Ally;s Angels Challenge #88

Classic Design Challenge #11

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #82

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #261

Leave a Little Room for Miracles - Mariola Budek Lady Spring digi

Miracles happen to those who believe in them.   Bernard Berenson

Hey there from Nannyland,

It's still a wild ride over here with some pretty intense medical issues going on at our house, but I'm making sure I find time to relax, take deep breaths and color some beautiful inspiration for my art journals.  When it feels impossible to summon my mojo,  I just dive in and get started until the creative juices begin to flow. They have never failed me and  I love feeling like my old self again. I thank God everyday for my magnificent obsession with paper arts and quilting that allow me to escape into a bright, magical world of color and creativity. 

The lovely image I colored here is called Lady Spring from the artwork of Mariola Budek.  I usually have a color scheme in mind, but this time I just started laying down color until I liked what I saw. Instead of using soft, spring colors for the flowers I ended up going with more of a Fall palette and added lots of Spellbinders die cut blooms to add dimension and movement. 

My inspiration sentiment has meant so much to me during these stressful times. I wanted to create something I could look at as I flip through my journal pages and remember the amazing miracles and tender mercies that have lifted me up the past couple of months.  

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                              Playing along with:

Crafty Catz Challenge #681

Cut it Up Challenge #315

The Paper Funday Challenge #70

A Cut Above October Challenge

Dream Valley Challenge #324

A Perfect Time to Craft October Challenge #9

Classic Design Challenge #10

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #81

Ching-Chou Kuik "Love" Digital Stamp - Trust in the Lord

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalms 46:10

Hey there from Nannyland,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart...sometimes that's about all we can do when things get a little rocky on this exhilarating but extremely twisty road of life.  I've had several run-ins with breast cancer in the past 18 years, but this last one has been quite the challenge.  My aged body doesn't take the punches as well as it used to. But I have always trusted God to hold my hand and help me weather the storm and he hasn't let me down yet.  Good thing I can escape to Nannyland and renew my positive, healing energy doing all the things I love. 

This absolutely gorgeous Ching-Chow Kuik digital stamp called "Love" was a delight to color for my journal page, reminding me to be still and listen to the Spirit.  I colored her with Copics in rich jewel tones and adorned her dress and hair with tiny Spellbinders flowers.   

She is framed with a lacy Spellbinders die and mounted on a Ranger Dylusions Journal page. Die cut vellum butterflies are added to the background to complete my tranquil scene. Small gems embellish the flowers and butterflies and a white gel pen was used to add detail to the vines. 

The scripture quote layers were created in Cricut Design Space using the writing and cutting features.  Just a few more Spellbinders embellies finish the design. 

Now I think I'll trust the Lord to keep watch while a take a dreamy nap under my big, bright chartreuse minky blanket!. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                              Playing along with:

Creative Artiste Challenge #109

Creative Fingers Challenge #286

Pattie's Creations Challenge 223

Digi Choosday Challenge WK 40

Paper Craft Crew Challenge #591

The Paper Funday Challenge #70

Passion for Markers WK 760

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #9

Classic Card Design Challenge #9

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #81

Guest Designer for C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #371 - Polkadoodles Winnie's Winterland Card

 

Hey there from Nannyland,

Today I'm delighted and very honored for the opportunity to be a Guest Designer for C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 371.  The theme is Christmas and the sponsor is one of my all-time favorite card-making and craft supply companies, Polkadoodles.  

For my card I chose this beautiful digital stamp called Winnie's Winterland to create a frosty Nordic scene.  I colored this darling image with Copic markers, including the drawing and shading of Winnie's facial features.  The original stamp has a very adorable simply drawn face, but I chose to add some personality with a little more detail.  

I backed my scene with digital water color paper to mimic the Northern Lights.  The frame was created in Cricut Design Space and cut out with silver metallic card stock.  The sentiment was also created with my Cricut using the Design Space writing and off-set features.

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas cards and I'm excited that I have this one to get me in the holiday spirit.  I hope I have inspired you to do some Christmas creating also.  The holidays will be here before we know it! 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                                    Playing along with:

Digi Choosday Challenge - Wk 34

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #168

Dream Valley Challenge #321

613 Avenue Create August Challenge

A Gem of a Challlenge Wk17

Allsorts Challenge Wk 795

Polkadoodles Challenge - Wk 34

Classic Design Challenge #8

Creative Fingers Challenge #283

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #258

Peace Begins With a Smile Journal Pages - Julia Spiri Girl With Dove

Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, 
but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.  
 John Lennon

Hey there from Nannyland,

I think we all reach a point in our lives where things seem to be whirling around us at breakneck speed, and we realize we need to slow down and find a peaceful space to rest, both physically and mentally. Nannyland is by far the most peaceful place for me and art journaling sooths my soul like no other pursuit.  

Coloring this absolutely gorgeous digital stamp by Julia Spiri was just what I needed to rejuvenate my frazzled spirit. I'm trying to adjust to some new meds, and my body needs a place to practice faith in a good outcome. My original plan for  my journal pages was to use a laurel wreath die on the inspiration page, but I couldn't find it in my stash.  Once again, Cricut Design Space came to the rescue.  I found a heart-framed peace sign and added a fabulous layered dove with heart cut-outs to the center. I used the curve and writing features for my sentiment. 

I love this beautiful lady's graceful arms encircling the dove and the tranquil look on her face with the slightest hint of a smile. She seems to know that God is in charge and things are going to turn out fine.

After fussy cutting her, I adhered her to a lacy white die cut with a gold scalloped panel in the center and surrounded her with sparkly blue gems. I used pink gems for her earrings and a Spellbinders flower to embellish the feathers in her hair. A white gel pen was used for extra detail.

I'm a believer that peace starts with the small gestures and kindnesses we share with those around us every day.  I know the incredible makers in our crafting community are full of smiles and encouragement for each other, whether virtual or in person.   That's why I love hanging out here so much. Sending smiles and hugs all over the place...pass it on. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                                       Playing along with:

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk 5

A Place to Start June Challenge

Gem of a Challenge Wk 12

Allsorts Challenge Week 786

Creative Artiste Challenge #105

Pattie's Creations Challenge #219

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #216

Classic Design Challenge #6

The Paper Funday Challenge #66

Word Art Wednesday #653-654

Dreaming Tree Super Dad SVG - Happy Fathers Day

Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul, I swear...
until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice becomes the reality
we all share --I'll haver stop fighting.       Clark Kent

Hey there from Nannyland, 

My struggle to create guy cards is real, but I have to admit I had a delightful time creating this Father's Day card for my hubby.  I downloaded this fabulous svg from the Dreaming Tree website and had a blast assembling their incredibly clever card.  After cutting the layers on my Cricut Maker, it took only a few minutes to do all the assembly and add a few fun embellishments.  All the pieces in this design fit together seamlessly like a puzzle

I didn't want to bother with messy sponging, so I added a few light shadows with Copics and colored pencils, which are always at the ready on my desk.  I paper pieced the tie because my husband would rather die than be seen in a boring one. The sample on the website had pearl buttons but I drew  small circles with  my pencils instead for a more masculine look...because, of course, the flowered tie and flower in the lapel are so manly. Hey, I was just trying to keep things balanced. I thought of adding a clever sentiment to the belly band, but the Happy Fathers Day was so cute, I went with that.

Creating this super fun card was definitely positive reinforcement to ease my guy card qualms.  I think I'll just keep hopping over to Dreaming Tree for my masculine card designs.  I've seen some really awesome ones I'm dying to try! 

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 #256

Paper Craft Crew Challenge #574

The Paper Funday Challenge #66

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #596

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #6

613 Avenue Create June Challenge

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #249 (layers, die cut, patterened paper)

Creative Fingers Challenge #279

Love to Craft Challenge #80

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #77

Fancy Dress Slimline - Anna Griffin Paper Dress Dies

Dressing well is a form of good manners.
Tom Ford

Hey there from Nannyland,

I could spend countless hours creating fancy dresses from Anna Griffin's darling paper dress dies.  Oh wait...I DID!  I chose two of the three dies in this adorable set and reacquainted myself with my neglected 6 x 6 double-sided designer paper pads to use for "fabric." I got all giddy choosing coordinating designs for my chic frocks and was obsessed with folding them into stylish origami-style gowns. Zhuzhing them up with lace trim, button gems and elegant jewelry was the frosting on my girly cake. 

I don't own the 3D Anna Armoire die that was designed to hang her dresses, but I wanted mine to take center stage so I checked out the Cricut image library for "Armoire" images.   A pretty layered frame that mimics an armoire was sized to create a background for  my layout.  I chose a dress form instead of a hanger to showcase my designer ensemble and sized it to fit my dress.  

I'm thrilled that I created enough of these adorable dresses to send cards to my friends through the millennium. I can quickly cut the files I have saved in Cricut, change the sentiment in the writing feature, and add my dress to make a card for any occasion.  

I love the gold accent I was able to create in this layered frame.

 My finished image fits a  4 x 9 slimline card with room for embellishing. 

An adorable Spellbinders scissors die cut in silver and a mini flower 

are a cute accent for my sentiment tag.

These first four cards will go my dear talented friends in California to express how much I miss our weekly card making sessions.   Die cutting definitely is taking over a heartfelt place in my maker repertoire. 

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 #255

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Ladies

A Place to Start May Challenge

Get Creative Challenge #131

The Perfect Time to Craft #5

Classic Design Challenge #4

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #76

Pinspirational Challenge #313

Creative Fingers Challenge #277

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #2418

Morgan's ArtWorld Butterfly Fairy - Fantasy Journal Pages

God's love is wrapping all around you whether you notice it or not. 

Hey there from Nannyland,

The first time I saw a beautiful Morgan's ArtWorld digi image was in a card making class with my dear friend, Arlene, who has been a designer for Morgan for many years.  I was so impressed with her beautiful coloring and asked where her gorgeous stamped image came from. She told me it was digital art, which I knew very little about, and as our conversation progressed,  I learned she was a designer for Morgan.  I grilled her a little on what was required to become a member of this coveted design team and shortly thereafter, I was having my first designer experience creating cards for Morgan's ArtWorld using her incredible images.  

I realized lately that I haven't colored a Morgan image in a while, so when I won this one on her challenge blog, I went right to work creating a journal page for my fantasy journal.  I found some intricate layered die cut butterflies in my stash that I used to replace her digi wings. I also added a vellum layered butterfly to coordinate with the lovely insects Morgan drew on her image  It was a delight zhuzing up her wreath crown with several small beaded die cut flowers.  On the opposite page, I created a butterfly and sentiment in Cricut Design Space and adhered it to a dp background. 

I no longer design for Morgan's ArtWorld but you can check out my design team cards in the Labels side bar of this blog under Morgan's ArtWorld or in her fabulous shop here. I also encourage you to enter her wonderful monthly challenge here.
 

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 Challenge - Fantasy

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #5

Ally's Angels Challenge #81

Classic Design Challenge #4

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #76

Papercraft Challenge #105

Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #16

613 Avenue Create Challenge - April

Dragonfly Dreams April Challenge

Cinderella Fantasy Journal Page - Have Courage and Be Kind

The greatest risk any of us will take is to be seen as we are.
Cinderella

 

                                           

Hey there from Nannyland,

I can't believe I actually coaxed my husband into watching the 2015 Disney version of Cinderella with me this week! I guess the Hallmark movies are convincing him that, with the depressing menu on TV now, sometimes a fairytale is the only antidote to falling down the bleak rabbit hole.  Whatever the reason, it was delightful having his company for this enchanting walk down memory lane.  I knew I had this adorable Krista Smith digi in my digital stamp library so I set about coloring her to create a page for my fantasy journal.  I attempted to make a little scene behind her with a Cricut fairy cottage, but I got carried away with  my die cut flowers and pretty much eclipsed the cottage with floral splendor.  Whatever, she rode to the ball on a pumpkin pulled by horses created from mice and doormen morphed from lizards.  A few massive flowers aren't that much of a stretch.  

                                                 

Actually, Cinderella's mom uttered the famous quote on her deathbed that I used for my sentiment.  Simple, direct and so appropriate.  A lovely thing to teach to young folks who need a little direction in their lives to help them form their dreams for the future. I like all my journals, but I think my fantasy one is fast becoming my fave. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                                              Playing along with: 

Craft Rocket Challenge #113

Crafty Gals Corner #254

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #466

The Unicorn Challenge #97

A Place to Start April

Path of Positivity Challenge #120

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #4

Classic Design Challenge #4

Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #16

Choose What Makes Your Heart Bloom - Lendel Art Journal Page

Happiness is when you've gotten really good at being you! 

Hey there from Nannyland,

The burgeoning spring flowers outside my window are getting as big as my head...well almost.  This gorgeous Lendel Art beauty seems to have picked one and has landed in my art journal peaking out with her alluring gaze. What a blissful way to spend a clear spring day, looking out of my sunny Nannyland window, while creating a blossomy page for my journal.  I choose to do what makes my heart bloom and encourage you to do likewise.   

My layered flower was created with a Heartfelt Creations stamp, die and mold.  In the center I have glued tiny clear glass beads that I've colored with a blue Copic marker. I used my markers to add additional shading to my originally pink flower and glued it to a large flower that is part of the digital image.  I attached my image to a swirly Spellbinders die cut frame and added dainty pearls to the corners.  

After attaching designer paper to the opposite page, I created the sentiment tag using the Cricut Design Space writing and cutting features.  I added a layered Tim Holtz die cut butterfly with an embossed vellum layer and some small Spellbinders flowers to adorn my tag. 

What makes your heart bloom?  Find out and then joyfully do it.

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 #254

Fab'n'Funky Challenge #593

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Showers or Flowers

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #4

Classic Design Challenge #4

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #75

Sparkles - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #16

A Place to Start April Challenge

Aud Sentiments Challenge #312

Page For My "Cutesy" Journal - Moonstone Designs Cuties Digital Stamp

If it brings you even a little bit of joy, 
do that...definitely do that. 

Hey there from Nannyland,

My little library of art journals is growing with the addition of this one called "Cutesy," for want of a better name.  I have lots of digi images that are so adorable and delightful to color, they have earned their own category.  This darling image from Moonstone Ink Designs is over-the-top gorgeous, right?  There are several of these "Cute Fairies" in this bundle I bought from Etsy and I'm excited to color more of them.

 

When the opportunity arises, I love adding handmade die cut flowers to my compositions because they create a little added texture and dimension. These mini posies are from Spellbinders.  I framed this image with two Tattered Lace nested frame dies and did the same on the opposing page, after I glued a panel of coordinating designer paper to hide a calendar.  I created my sentiment in Cricut Design Space using the writing and cutting features and edged both panels with a silver leafing pen.  Just a couple more die cut flower embellishments for my sentiment panel and I was done. 

I've absolutely loved categorizing my creations and adding them to my personal art journals.  It helps me branch out and color some of the wonderful art work of my favorite artists that I might have been neglecting.  My  journals are becoming an unexpected source of bliss for me.  I'm still making lots of cards, but I'm using mostly die cuts and I love experimenting with one of my favorite mediums. I'm learning new skills and that's always a good thing. And, of course, quilting will always have an important  place in my repertoire. 

So, I hope you will consider listening to your heart as I did.  It just might take you on a new creative adventure that you will love. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                             Playing along with:

As You Like it Cute or Floral Challenge

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk13

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #4

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #122

Morgans ArtWorld Challenge #75

The Four Seasons Spring Challenge

Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #15

A Place To Start April Challenge

613 Avenue Create March Challenge

Classic Design Challenge#3