Flamingo Anniversary - Spellbinders Grand Tropical Flamingos Large Die of the Month

 A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength. 
Proverbs 17:22 

Hey there from Nannyland,

On August 15 my husband and I celebrated 56 years of wedded bliss.  Don't do the math please, but in our defense, we were very young when we got married.  This year I knew I was going to use these darling Spellbinders flamingos and was so excited to start my fun creation.  Then, as often happens in the aging season of life, I had an emergency visit to the hospital for blood clots (eek) and several stressful medical encounters thereafter related to my breast cancer saga.  I really just wanted to hide under some big pink flamingo feathers and hibernate.  But that's no way to go about life when challenges threaten to take you down.  So, as usual,  I secluded myself in Nannyland and went to work trying to design a card with my limited mojo.

One step at a time, my card came together and I ended up with something that expresses my love for my extremely supportive hubby who bears all my burdens with me with calm patience and optimism.  I cut my flamingos and leaves out of white card stock and shaded them with Copic markers.  The detailed layers on Spellbinders dies make it simple to create stunning dimension without much thought.  I wasn't sure if my Anna Griffin background die was too busy, but I actually like the lattice screen look it gives my card.  I couldn't help zhuzhing up my cute flamingo couple with the crown that comes in the die set and some small flowers from other sets.  I was actually a little shocked that my card came together so easily with stress zapping my energy, but I really like the results and so did my hubby.  

I'm an advocate for the healing powers of creativity.  The blissfully calm hours I've spent creating during some of life's most difficult times have proven to be life savers for me throughout my whole life and especially during my 19-year breast cancer saga.  Thanks to many blessings from a loving God, I'm still here, still creating, and still loving it.

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

                                                                  Playing along with:

Moving Along With Times Challenge #169

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #231

The Paper Funday Challenge #68

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #474

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #8

Ally's Angels Challenge #85

Morgan's Artworld Challenge #79

Once Upon A Time Challenge #25

PINspirational Challenge #316

Classic Design Challenge #8

Anna Griffin Carte Homme Anniversary Card

Dressing well is a form of good manners.  Tom Ford

Hey there from Nannyland,

I can't believe I finished my Anniversary card almost a month early this year! I love these adorable Anna Griffin Carte Homme dies so much, I just couldn't wait to use them.  I'm extremely proud of myself for creating a legit guy card, even though dressy suits with fancy patterned ties and pocket squares could be considered a little borderline.  

I chose a 6 x 6 paper pad from my stash in navys and grays with double-sided papers that work well for the folded lapels that expose the prints on the other side.  The patterned lapels and pockets added to the posh look I was going for.  I discovered another paper pad with small matching prints for the ties and pocket squares.  All the pieces in the die set make it possible to create many different looks with either a bow tie or a regular tie. So fun!!!

This card measures 5 x 1/2 by 8 1/2  (a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of card stock folded in half) to accommodate all three suits easily in my design.  Envelopes are easy to find for this size but extra postage might be required.  I knew I would be delivering this one in person, so I wasn't worried.  I created the sentiment in Cricut Design Space with the cutting, writing and offset features.  I used foam tape behind the lapels and bowtie for dimension.  I also adhered the center suit to the card base with foam tape. I added tiny gold metallic embellishments for lapel pins and lined the red card base and sentiment with a gold leafing pen. 

Another masculine card for the books.  I'm getting there!

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

        Playing along with:

Moving Along With The Times Challenge #156

The Paper Funday Challenge #55

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #501

Dream Valley Challenge #297

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #450

Try it on Tuesday - Use 3 Colors (Red, White ,Blue)

Avenue 613 Create July Challenge 

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #7

Classic Design Challenge #7

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #113

Dreaming Tree Anniversary Card

A good marriage is one where each partner secretly suspects they got the better deal. 

 

Hey there from Nannyland, 

On the list of life's most momentous occasions, a 50th Wedding Anniversary has to be right up there among the most notable.  My husband and I will celebrate our 55th this year and are thrilled to be among the blessed 5% who reach the 50-year milestone.  Our dear friends are planning to celebrate their 50th next month by taking a sentimental trip to the California beach city where their marriage saga began. We were lucky to join in the merriment on their actual anniversary in December by cooking them a special dinner and gifting them a handmade quilt for their RV. (I'll post the quilt in a future post.)  

I knew this Dreaming Tree SVG would be perfect for a special Anniversary card.  The elegant couple are originally cut as silhouettes but I summoned up the courage to draw faces on them and I'm happy with my attempt.  I won't win any art awards, but both of the recipients are artists themselves,  so I knew they would appreciate my effort.  I paper pieced the wedding dress with gold and white glittered cardstock and found some marblish looking paper for the garden wall. I chose moon and sky digital papers for the background in my digi library.  The leftover flowers were colored with Copics, embellished with gems  and attached to the tree. I also added mini flowers with  pearl accents to my lady's dress and hair, and some tiny dots of white Nuvo Drops to her sleeve.   

The inside of the card cuts a circle and frame to add a photo.  I printed the sentiment in Cricut Design Space.

The original dies look beautiful with just the silhouettes if drawing faces isn't your thing.

Our friends loved their card and appreciated the effort that went into creating it.  I hope this inspires you to use your die cuts in new ways and create something unique for a special occasion.

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 December 6 Challenge

A Place to Start December Challenge

613 Avenue Create Challenge #202212

Dragonfly Dreams Anything But Christmas

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge #292

Die Cut Divas Polkadoodles Month

QKR Stampede Challenge #457

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #199

Z-Fold Anniversary Card - Toucan Do It Better Than One

 Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey there from Nannyland,

After anguishing for many years with "male card dysphoria" (MCD),  I think I have finally found a formula for creating masculine cards that allows me to use my signature vivid colors and flowers, without apology.  The traditional subdued brown, green and navy hues (with mustaches, gears, and tools for embellishments) are so limited and hum drum to me.  Just google "guy cards" and you'll see what I mean.  I'm sorry...I just can't right now!  Beach themed cards are becoming my "go to" because my guy is drawn to all things coastal. Our countless adventurous and romantic trips to the picturesque shores of California, Hawaii, Canada, Europe and even Tahiti make them appropriate for just about any occasion we're celebrating. 

I found this delightful toucan z-fold card in my Lori Whitlock svg library and had fun adding my own touches and a befitting sentiment.  I sometimes procrastinate making masculine cards but this one went super fast and I enjoyed every minute of the creative process.  I used my Cricut Maker to cut the pieces, using white for the smaller ones so I could  color and shade them with Copic markers. It's much easier than using tiny scraps of card stock and it adds lots of wonderful shading and dimension.  I traded the tropical flowers I originally cut for  these handmade ones in  my stash because I thought they added personality and sparkle.  Hey, flowers are for everyone! 

Lori Whitlock svg, Cricut Maker, Copic markers, brown pearl gems, 
Heartfelt Creations stamps, dies, mold; blue heavy card stock, 
kraft card stock, white gel pen

My hubby's birthday is next month and I was able to keep  my head in the game and create another flashy, vibrant card, even without a tropical theme.  I'll be posting it in September and  I think you'll like my impressive use of brilliant colors on yet another guy card.  I'm on a roll! 

Thanks for visiting Nannyland.

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

Nancy (aka Pink Panoply)

Playing along with:

Little Red Wagon #667

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge August 16

Dream Valley Challenge #275

Use Your Stuff Challenge #454

613 Avenue Create Challenge #202208

Dare to be Artsy Challenge - Shaped or Fun Fold Cards

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #187

Allsorts Week 688/9 Challenge

Time Out Challenge #220

Classic Design Challenge #8

Anniversary Fred and Ginger - Mo Manning Cheek to Cheek Digi

Heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together, dancing cheek to cheek

Mo Manning digi, Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip card base in Cricut Design Space,
Authentique "Classique: Pretty" dp, acrylic gems, Copic markers, clear glitter pen

Hey there,

It's always a treat browsing the latest fabulous Mo Manning images at  Mo's Digital Pencil. Her characters are always so full of personality and emotion. I was  delighted when I came across this darling couple blissfully tripping the light fantastic and  I knew they were perfect for my anniversary card this year. I gave myself permission to make this card a little girly, even if I'm giving it to my hubby, because it's depicting both of us, so it's gender neutral, right? I colored a loose floral pattern on Ginger's dress to coordinate with Fred's spiffy tux. 

The sentiment is from the fabulous (and Academy Award nominated) song, "Cheek to Cheek," sung by Fred  to Ginger in the vintage movie "Top Hat."  It came with the digital image and I took advantage of some flip card panels  created in Cricut Design Studio  to accommodate a larger size.  

My double sided dp had lots of pretty paper options so I just went wild and used up all the scraps  created from my die cutting.  

I love fancy cards that do tricks like this double flip card because they give me so much awesome real-estate to adorn! 

Thanks for visiting,

Go forth and cut the rug with some "cheeky" dancing.

Nancy

Playing along with:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #608

Crafty Creations Challenge #424

Creative Moments Challenge #220

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #322

Through the Craft Room Door

Stamping Sensations Challenge - August

Aud Sentiments Challenge #281

Crafter's Castle Challenge #44

Snow Scene Z-Fold Christmas Card - Dreaming Tree SVG

Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; 

so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.   
Henry David Thoreau

Dreaming Tree Snowed In SVG, Cricut Maker, assorted glitter card stock,
Tombow Mono glue, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, silver glossy card stock

Hey artsy friends,

This year's Christmas card for my beloved paper crafting group started out as a fairly simple z-fold Christmas scene.  Many layers and parts later, I realized it was a little more complicated than I had anticipated.  THIS beautiful Dreaming Tree snow scene caught my eye right away when I saw it assembled on You tube.  I admit, I got a little nervous when I cut out all the pieces but actually, the sponging of the snow was the biggest challenge.  All sorts of nooks and crannies!  I didn't plan to do the sponging in the beginning. . . it's usually not my favorite look,  but I realized my snow needed dimension and depth and I'm happy I acquiesced in the end.  

I downloaded the Dreaming Tree SVG to Cricut Design Space and made the intricate cuts on my Maker in a snap.  I  cut a sturdy plain white card base and layered patterned paper on top for the snowy background.  Most of the other layers are glitter card stock with the exception of the moon, which is glossy silver card stock.  I used two different colors of green for the trees to add some depth.  

I made ten of these. . . yeah, I know. . . pretty ambitious.  But my darling friends are worth it!  I always lose a few pieces somehow, so the tenth card was missing a tree and some clouds.  It was a happy mistake, though.  I'll show you the cute card I made in a future blog.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and enjoy a magical snowy day...in real life or your imagination. (I prefer the latter. 😁)

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Everybody Art Challenge #460

        The Holly and the Ivy Challenge #62

        Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

        Try it on Tuesday Challenge - Christmas is Coming

        A Place to Start December Challenge

        Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #247

        Dream Valley Challenge #215

        Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #202

        Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Anything Christmas

        Inkspirational Challenge #202

Golden Anniversary Cricut Classically Modern Gatefold Card - Tiddly Inks Honeymooners Digi

  In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed.  You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.    Mr. Darcy  - 😍 Pride and Prejudice 

This adorable Tiddly Inks Honeymooners image from the July Kit and Clowder Copics Class couldn't have been more perfect  to create a fun Golden Anniversary card for my honey of fifty years.  A beautifully intricate  Cricut Design Studio  gate fold card from the Classically Modern Cards Cartridge was the perfect base to showcase these cute newlyweds riding off into the great unknown to start their new life adventure, just as my sweetheart and I did  50 years ago.  We drove from Ogden, Utah  to  Glendale, California three years after we were married and haven't left the amazing Golden State since.

Copic makers, Tiddly Inks digital image, Cricut Design Studio gatefold card (Classically Modern Cards), glossy gold cardstock, gold cording, computer generated sign

In class we learned how to create the background from scratch for this fun vintage image   I know there is a cool way to print words  directly  onto an  image in Word, but I didn't have the time nor energy to figure it out, so I just typed and sized my Doug and Nancy sign, cut it out, sponged the edges and popped it up on my card with some shallow pop dots. I'll save the technology lesson for another day.

It's amazing how fun it is to create depth and interest for a stamped image just by using a few simple copic techniques.  It takes some work, and I definitely need a lot more practice.  but I think it's well worth the learning curve!

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Colour Crazy Challenge #38

        Crafting with Friends Challenge #73

        Crafting with an Attitude Challenge #43

        Crafty Creations Challenge #374

        Creative Moments Challenge #152

        Inspire.Create.Challenge #027

        Through the Craft Room Door Challenge - 9/18

        Bitten By the Bug Cricut Challenge