Whimsical Journal Pages - Jeremiah Ketner Peony Digi Stamp

 There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them. 
Charles D. Gill

Hey there from Nannyland,

Sometimes, when we're walking a dimly lit new path, it can be a very unsettling and daunting challenge. As we take those first few tentative steps and realize that both heavenly and earthly angels are surrounding us to illuminate our path, it's a testament to the fact that God knows each one of us and is always there to help us along the way.

This is true for me more than ever right now and I'm so blessed to be encircled by dear friends and family who encourage me and lift me up.  I love retreating to Nannyland for some therapeutic journal coloring to relax me and keep my head in a happy place. 

I used my Whimsical Journal to showcase this gorgeous digi image from Jeremiah Ketner called Peony.  I have chosen a nontraditional cool toned palette to bring her to life in her lush peony garden.  I framed her with a lacy Spellbinders frame that mimics  the sketching on the DP on the opposite page. My inspiration quote was created in Cricut Design Space using the writing feature on a lace doily cut from the image library.  Small gems and gold foil stars are scattered throughout the pages for sparkle. 

I hope I have inspired you to shine your loving, friendly light in the path of someone who is hiking up a lonely, difficult trail.  And grab hold of their hand, while your at it.  They will be forever grateful and you will be blessed in ways you can't imagine. 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                              Playing along with:

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #2
Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #25

Classic Design Challenge #1

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #85

A Cut Above February Challenge

A Place to Start Challenge #020325

Path of Positivity Challenge #128

Polkadoodles Challenge #2. Wk4

613 Avenue Create February

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #151

Believe in Your Selfie - Whimsical Journal Pages with Vera Lane Digi Stamp

Take time first thing to visualize an incredible day. 

 Hey there from Nannyland,

It's a gray, misty day outside my Nannyland window,  but that doesn't stop me from creating a bright, sunshiny world for my adorable Vera Lane image's selfie-snapping stroll.  She's obviously a modern-day Dorothy-type, meandering down the yellow brick road on her way to the Land of  Oz, snapping selfies of her awesome self in a magical, enchanted landscape.

Imagining a colorful landscape with bedazzled primary-colored orbs on curly tree branches is just what I needed today to immerse myself in a happy, peaceful place.  I adore Vera Lane's quirky images and I can't resist creating large soulful eyes to replace the cute dots she draws for a more whacky wide-eyed look.  I drew stripes on my little lady's frock to add some swing and added die cut hearts to the bodice for extra texture in honor of Valentines Day this month.  A few die cut flowers and a butterfly make my scene come to life

I was happy to skip my usual Cricut generated sentiment in exchange for some easy word strips I created on my computer.  

These pages came together very quickly to my delight because my mojo takes a little extra effort due to my recent health challenges.  It's nice to know that my imagination doesn't depend on outside factors in my life, but is ignited by lighthearted energy from within.  True joy lives within our hearts! 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                              Playing along with:

613 Avenue Create January Challenge
Stamping Sensations Challenge - Hand Colored
We Love 2 Create Challenge #2

Allsorts Challenge 815

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #608 

Paper Funday Challenge #72

A Perfect Time To Craft Challenge #1

Classic Design Challenge #1

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #84

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #131

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

"Cutesy" Art Journal Page - Mo Manning Friday's Child Digi

 What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is
prayer to the soul.    Corrie Ten Boom

Hey there from Nannyland, 

The tiered ruffles on the dress of this darling digi from Mo Manning have been asking for a little rainbow magic for years now, so I thought it was time to make her the focus of some fun bird-themed  journal pages in what I call my  "Cutesy Journal."  It's not a surprise that most of the pages in this journal are the delightful art of Mo Manning. This adorable digi is called Friday's child, after the nineteenth century poem that assigns the nature of a child according to the day of the week in which he/she is born.  Years ago Mo Manning created images of children depicting each day of the week,  and I have several, so I googled this old rhyme:

Monday's child is fair of face, (that's me)
Tuesday's child is full of grace, (my husband and older daughter))
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living, (my younger daughter)
But the child who is born on the Sabbath day,
Is lucky and happy and good and gay 

Of course, I had to google what day of the week each member of my family was born, and was pleased that none of us was born on a Wednesday.  But it's only a made up poem, after all, so I won't get too consumed with  random foretelling. I'll leave that to my horoscope...😀 

I thoroughly enjoy all the planning, coloring and zhuzhing that goes into creating my journal pages.  I feel free to do anything I like, so there's really no mistakes.  I love the Spellbinders bird house dies, and while the scale is a little off in this case,  I think  this one made a fun background scene for my cute girl.  I used Spellbinders birds, branches and flowers on my inspiration page and created my sentiment tag in Cricut Design Space with the writing and cutting features. 

Another fun set of art journal pages for the books and many more blissful journaling hours ahead for this "fair of face" artist.

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 676

As You Like It Challenge - Non-Card Project (more room to create)

Craft Rocket Challenge #116

Just Us Girls Challenge #735

Word Art Wednesday Challenge Week #655-656

Try It On Tuesday Challenge - Things with Wings

Dream Valley Challenge #318

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #7

Classic Design Challenge #6

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #78

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

Quality Time With My Art Supplies - Conie Fong Artistic Leilani Digital Stamp

There's a flight plan in life, whether easy or hard.  It comes with a breathtaking view.
Trust your wings, trust your journey, trust you're never alone.  
See the beauty in the plan.  It's you. 

Hey there from Nannyland, 

One of the things I love most about art journaling is that I can just randomly choose a favorite image and create whatever pops into my head at the moment without thought to occasion, sentiment or  theme.  I often look around Nannyland with eyes agog, getting a little high on the delicious art tools surrounding me on every side.

I chose this adorable Artistic Leilani  image from Conie Fong for my journal page this week,  because she looks like she's contemplating an afternoon of blissful crafting ( if that huge swooping bird doesn't peck the cup right out of her hand. Yikes!).  I was excited to use my Spellbinders paintbrush dies again because I love their awesome embossed details.

I used pin-striped designer paper with flower and bird details for my image background.  I fussy cut the flowers and bird from a matching sheet of paper, added glitter and small flower centers, and popped them up for dimension.  I paper pieced the bodice of Leilani's dress with a shimmery embossed pattern and added Spellbinders flowers to her luxurious hair.  

I die cut coordinating designer paper with a Tattered Lace frame die for the background layer on the opposite page and edged it with a silver leafing pen.  The sentiment was created in Cricut Design Studio with the writing and cutting features. 

Yep, art supplies are definitely some of my most treasured companions.  My Copics, Spellbinders dies, and Cricut Maker are my besties, for sure! We have spent many blissful hours together in Nannyland. while cozily navigating life's peaks and valleys.  I thank God every day for the healing power of the gift of creativity that lives within us all in some form or another. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm just gonna close my door now and be at one with my supplies.    

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

A Place To Start Challenge - Anything But a Card

Dream Valley Challenge # 317

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #6

Ally's Angels Challenge #82

Classic Design Challenge #5

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #124

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #77

We Love 2 Create Challenge #5

Allsorts Week 783

Fantasy Journal Pages - Julia Spiri Young Fairy

Choose joy!  Don't wait for things to get easier, simpler, better.
Life will always be complicated.  Learn how to be happy right now.
Otherwise, you'll run out of time. 

Hey there from Nannyland,

It's a sun-drenched Friday morning here in my lovely desert home and, as I type, I'm looking with delight at the gorgeous citrus trees outside my window.  Directly in front of me is  a lush young apricot tree full of small green orbs that will soon burst forth with my favorite fruit.  Juicy ripe home grown fruit is definitely a simple thing that brings me joy. 

If you haven't checked out The Art of Julia Spiri,  you are missing a real treat.  She is a talented Spanish artist who creates with an amazing whimsical, fantasy style that I love.  I blissfully colored this stunning digi called Young Fairy with Copic markers and embellished her for my Fantasy Art journal.   

I used a white Anna Griffin die cut to frame her angelic face and embellished her with Spellbinders flowers, pearls, colored rhinestones and a white gel pen.  My sentiment page was created in Cricut Design Space with the writing and cutting features. 

Some of the simple things I'm delighting  in today are: a quiet morning prayer, a nature walk with red hills surrounding me, lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, an afternoon creating in Nannyland, my hubby across the hall in his office, an orchard in my side yard, bright flower beds in my back yard, kids laughing next door.  How about you? 

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 #104

Cut It Up Challenge #304

My Time to Craft Challenge #534

Classic Design Challenge #5

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #123

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #76

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #133

A Perfect Time To Craft

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I Love Promarkers Challenge #559

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

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Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #16

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