Wishing You a Pot O' Gold - Digi Doodle Studios Patty Leprechaun

 May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true,
and the kindness you spread keep returning to you. 

Hey there from Nannyland, 

Shamrocks and leprechauns and rainbows...Oh My! Another fun card crafting holiday is on the horizon and I'm knee deep in all things green in Nannyland.  This adorable image from Digi Doodles Studios is called Patty Leprechaun and she depicts everything delightful about this lively day of celebration.  

I designed a shaped flip card base in Cricut Design Space and used digital designer paper with an Irish theme for the background panels.  The argyle print is very colorful and a bit busy, so I toned it down with a large sentiment panel on the inside of the card.  I edged all the card panels with a gold leafing pen and dry embossed the front panel with a celtic-style embossing folder.   

A  close up of my image shows the Stickles in the center of the shamrocks on her skirt and clear gems in her shamrock bouquet and her hat.  I chose to color her tights and shirt in rainbow stripes to go along with the pot of gold theme. 

I created a label in Cricut Design Space to match my card base and used the writing feature to draw the sentiment.  I love this feature in Cricut because I can create any sentiment I want and cut it out to fit my card dimensions. 

Digi Doodle Studio Patty Leprechaun digi, Copic markers, Cricut cutting
and writing features, clear gems, gold leafing pen, glitter shamrock stickers, Stickles 

What a delight it was to use Copics in bright greens, yellows and rainbow hues to brighten up one of the happiest holidays of the year.  Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! 

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 Challenge #424

The Card Concept Challenge #170 (classy and elegant)

The Paper Funday Challenge #39

Create a Smile February Challenge

Dream Valley Challenge #264

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #79

International Heart and Soul Challenge #128s

Allsorts Challenge Week 665

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #97

Crafting Happiness Challenge #121

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

You are Unique - Janna Prosvirina Flip Card

Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.   Dorothy Parker

Janna Prosvirina digi, Copic markers, green and clear gems, white gel pen, silver leafing pen,
green glitter card stock, silver foil card stock, magenta card stock, Cricut Design Space cutting
and design features, iridescent peel off stickers, Jane Davenport sentiment and star dies  

Hey there,

I was beyond thrilled to get a brand new shiny computer for my birthday last week, but HOLY MOLY...downloading a humungous amount of data from a prehistoric computer (apparently the "flip phone" of the breed) has been a monumental task, even when done by a competent professional.  It's been almost a week and I still don't have everything running smoothly, but ultimately I know I will be ecstatic with my updated, state of the art technology.

In the meantime,  I managed to figure out how to edit my card in my newfangled Photo Shop Elements program and upload it to my blog. It's like finding some favorite "old friends" on a twisted path in the dark.  Now I can't wait to find some time to relax and create in my happy place.

This glamorous grayscale Janna Prosvirina digital stamp is colored with Copic markers with a few Prismacolor details.  I used pastel colors for her hair which is uncharacteristic for me and was a little challenging. But it's always good to try something new, right?  I lined my card panels with a silver leafing pen and added a few gems to the necklace, the panel corners and the stars.  The silver foil card stock sentiment and stars were created with Jane Davenport dies.   I added further decoration to the  necklace and the back panel with iridescent peel off stickers. 

I loved creating the flip card base for this card in Cricut Design Space.  I chose a layered frame from the Cricut library, did some simple math, and manipulated the square shape with some added score lines and, hallelujah, a fabulous flip card was born.  Once I got the knack,  I made several in different shapes and sizes.  I'm obsessed with all the incredible features in Design Space.  It's worth taking time to conquer the learning curve because the sky's the limit for what you can accomplish. 

It's good to be back in the game.  I feel so happening!

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and challenge yourself to learn a new crafty skill.

Nancy

Playing along with:

Fab'n'Funky Challenge 526

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge May 25

Classic Design Challenge #6

Crafter's Cafe Challenge #267

LeAnn's World 101 Challenge #39

Love to Craft Challenge #59

Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #6

Dream Valley Challenge #249

Happy Birthday Flip Card - Paper Shelter Rosie

No matter how old you get, if you can keep the desire to be creative, you're keeping the child alive.      John Cassavetes

The Paper Shelter "Rosie" digi;  Heartfelt Creations stamps, dies, mold; Copic markers,
gold leafing pen, Authentic Imagine dp, Sizzix Framelits sentiment 

Hey there,

I'm thrilled this adorable Rosie digital stamp from The Paper Shelter fits so perfectly on this Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip card svg.  I have used this card base  many times in Cricut Design Space and it has definitely become one of my all-time favorites. The only downside is that its 5 x 7 dimensions restrict the size of the swing panels. But no worries... there's still plenty of room on this flip for lots of embellishments and birthday greetings.  After coloring Rosie with my Copics,  I set her aside while I glammed up her fancy digs.

This svg cuts lots of fun coordinating shapes to match the swing layers in the card.  I used  double-sided designer paper in my Cricut Maker to add variety to my layering. A layered Happy Birthday sentiment fits nicely on one of the inside panels.

  

I mounted Rosie on the front panel with mounting tape and my final step was attaching handmade sparkly Heartfelt Creation flowers to the front panels.  The flips and folds on this card definitely give it a fun "wow" factor for my recipient. I'm always fascinated by kinetic cards.  They're my fave!!!

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and keep your childlike creativity alive.

Nancy 

Playing along with:

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #675

Krafty Chicks Challenge #548

Seize the Birthday Challenge #208

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #310

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #399

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes

Die Cut Diva Challenge - Fun Fold

Passion for Markers Challenge #580

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

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things,

but look at what they can do when they stick together. 

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

Hey there,

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

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

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something special for a friend to express your love.

Nancy

Playing along with:

Creative Moments Challenge #204

The Sisterhood of Crafters Winter Challenge

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge #257

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #82

Die Cut Divas Challenge

Do-Al (1) Creatives Challenge #8

QKR Stampede Challenge #410

The Creative Crafters Challenge #35

Ching Chou Kuik Party Girl

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

Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip Card in Cricut Design Space, Cricut Maker, Copic markers, Xpressit Blending card stock,
pink glitter card stock, silver textured card stock, "party" die, white gel pen, heart 3-d embellishments

Hey there,

It's birthday season for my creative card-making friends and I'm having a blast creating cards to suit  their unique personalities.  I think this Love Balloon digi by Ching Chou Kuik is perfect for the lady who enjoys a festive birthday bash.  A fancy dress and a glitzy heart balloon screams "let's rock and roll, " even if your guest list consists of your close family members wearing masks and standing six feet apart.    

For this shimmering kinetic card, I used my favorite Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip Card design, which I have used many times and is already downloaded to my Cricut Design Space projects.  I sized my digital image to coordinate with this 5 x 7 card base, colored her with Copics, and fussy cut her to layer off-center on my front panel.  This card actually flips twice so I have some extra real estate for an added decorative panel and my inside sentiment.

I used my fave color combination of aqua and red, with a little hot pink for some extra pop. Black and white stripes always add contrast and elegance to a vivid palette.  All of the panel pieces are part of Anna's design so they cut to size perfectly.  Even the lovely scripted Happy Birthday is included in this design as a writing option.  I used a regular word die to cut the "party" sentiment on the front panel..

Thank you for visiting.
Go forth and party on.
Nancy

Playing along with:

Dream Valley Challenge #228

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #134

Crafter's Castle Challenge #30

Creative Fingers Challenge #188

Daring Cardmakers - Glamorous

Just Add Ink Challenge #510

Everybody Art Challenge #472

Digi Choosday Challenge #25

Before and After - Penny Black Vintage Stamp

No matter how long the winter,

spring is sure to follow. 

Penny Black vintage stamp, Tonic Flip Card die, flower and butterfly dies,
white gel pen, lace sticker trim, mounting foam tape, Nuvo drops, designer paper

Hey there,

The blessing of extra time in my craft room lately has meant going down memory lane with some boxes of my very old card creations.  I've kept a few of my originals because I wanted to revisit some of my favorite vintage stamps and do a "before and after" project just to see how far I've come.  I've been stamping since 1995, so things have changed a lot since then. I remember when the advent of heat embossing rocked my world.  This little cutie from Penny Black has always been one of my favorite stamps, and I was excited to dust her off and color her with some pretty pastel copics for spring.

I felt a little constrained because I couldn't size her like I do my digi stamps, but  her smaller size made it possible for me to put her on this  fun flip card with a fancy border that's perfect for some spring blossoms.  

I added the slightest hint of a smile to her face because she's eyeing a pretty butterfly and is obviously delighted to have picked the most humongous flower in the garden. The butterfly and small flowers are die cuts and the flower centers are Nuvo drops.  I also added white gel pen dots to her dress and Stickles to the center of the large flower and the small flower print on her dress. 

I haven't chosen the recipient of  this card yet, so I added a more generic sentiment, but one that I think goes with my image.  

Yikes, here's my first card created almost three decades ago!  What an enlightening and encouraging exercise to document my progression. Time flies and our skills...and tools.. improve. I think I colored her with water color pencils, which I thought were the greatest invention known to man at the time. And a paper crimper was a must in any crafty tool kit. As for embossing folders, well they weren't even born yet.

I challenge you to do a "before and after" yourself.  I'll bet you have some cards you'd like to update with some new techniques and modern savvy. And you probably have a little extra time, for now. 

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and make something old new again and see how far you've come..

Nancy

Playing along with:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - March

Retro Rubber Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (bottom across)

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #627

                                                   Sisterhood of Crafters Spring Challenge

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - March

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #116

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge - Pastel Palette

Unicorn Challenge #52

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #382

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #128

Sloth Birthday Card for Josie - Lori Whilock Flip Flap Card

As long as you don't stop, it doesn't matter how slow you go. 

A dear, sweet childhood friend of mine who loved my punny animal valentine cards asked if I would create a birthday card for her granddaughter, Josie, who is having a sloth-themed birthday party next month. I knew I had very limited time because our tax business is at full tilt right now so I was excited when I quickly found this cute sloth svg in Etsy.  Happily, I have always been able to find just the right image there for die cutting or embroidery. Those Etsy artists are amazing!. 

     

I used this Lori Whitlock Flip Flap card base on my Cricut to make my card. This is one of my favorite folds because there is tons of great real-estate to decorate and the inside looks just as fancy as the outside. The writing feature in Design Space made it simple to personalize my message to little Josie.  I also found the party hat and the tree in Design Space and sized them to fit my card perfectly. Normally a sloth wouldn't be my first choice for a cute animal image, but now I can think of several of ways to use it in the future..."let's hang out", "hang in there", "relax"...you get the picture.

I'm super pleased with the way this card turned out.  I sure hope Josie likes it. Sometimes the best ideas are born of  necessity, love and service.

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and create something fabulous.
Nancy

Playing along with:
        Scrapbook Stamps Society Challenge #158
        Unstampabelles Challenge #86
        613 Avenue Create Challenge #218
        2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #23
        As You Like It Challenge - Fave Shape or Fold
        Cute Card Thursday #568
        Crafting With Friends Challenge #79

Snowflake Fold and Flip Christmas Card - Sizzix Thinlits Die Set

Like snowflakes, we are all beautiful in our own way.

A group of my talented crafting buddies meet once a month to do parchment craft cards and I  hate to admit it, but I'm a Pergamano dropout.  I have all the tools from classes we took together, but I just can't seem to commit myself to all the hours it takes to complete these gorgeous projects.  So when I needed a card to make for these ladies for our annual Christmas lunch, I wanted something fancy and lacy, without having to take my tools out and struggle through a parchment project.

My friends would have appreciated any handmade card I chose to make, but I was surprised and delighted when I found this Sizzix Christmas snowflake thinlits die set in my stash from years gone by!  The center die cut images are meant to create a completed fold and flip card,  but I chose to mount the assembled card on my usual a 5 x 7 card stock base.  I used white and two shades of blue glitter card stock for my die cuts. Rhinestones were added to my snow flakes for added sparkle.  My white front panel needed some texture, so I embossed a chevron design to mimic some of the snowflake geometric designs.

The pretty layered snowflake opens up to reveal some die cut seasonal words in glossy silver.  Noel was included in the set, but I chose to use just the other three die cut words. 

Best of all, this card is a two-fer.  When the snowflake is opened on the front of the card, a beautiful message is revealed and then I get another opportunity  for a sentiment on the inside of the card.  Lot's of convenient card real-estate for sending good wishes.

Speaking of good wishes, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2019.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy 

Playing along with:

        Crafter's Cafe Blog - Challenge #210

        Creatalicious Challenge #153

        Do-Al(1_ Kreatives - Challenge #24

        QKR Stampede - Challenge #327

        A Perfect Time to Craft - Challenge #12

        Archi-scraps December Challenge

        Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round December Challenge 

        Sparkles Christmas Challenge #95

        

        

Cactus Garden Inspiration - Stamped Succulent Cards

👉   Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before.

Hi everyone,

Ever wonder why artists are so obsessed with succulents? I didn't appreciate their unique charm until I hiked through the desert hills (uphill both ways) on a fascinating adventure exploring the amazing landscapes of Southern Utah. These gorgeous creations pop up everywhere amid the colorful desert mesas adding texture and beauty to the magnificent scenery.  How their gorgeous blossoms survive in the hot arid climate is truly a mystery!

When I returned home I knew I had to use some of my cactus stamps to create some bright summer cards for friends.  Three small neglected potted cactus stamps (two from Hero Arts) called to me from my stamp shelf so I took them down  and colored them with copic markers.  I found directions for this Double Z Joy Fold Card here and created a pattern in Cricut Design Space.   

My plan was to use a bright  yellow, aqua and purple palette for all my cards but when I saw this patterned paper resembling a desert sunset, I had to experiment with it. Sometimes you gotta just go with your mojo.

My original  yellow and orange sunset, coupled with a more intense aqua sky,  created a bright card with  more contrast. I saw all shades, bright and subtle, in the desert sunsets I witnessed on my trip, so I couldn't go wrong here.

I still haven't decided which pallete I like best.    Got a fave?

Sitting in a lovely cactus garden in the warm sun is heaven.   Definitely a halcyon day.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

        Dream Valley Challenge #182 - All Things Bright and Beautiful
        Stamps + Fun = Creativity - #327 - Summer
        Heartful Stamping Challenge
        Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Challenge #84
        The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes
        Dare 2B Artzy Challenge - Bright Colors

Stamping Bella "Charlotte Loves to Shop" - Anna Griffin Fantastic Flips Cricut Cartridge

👉 When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine.

Hey there,

I just can't resist choosing sweet, stylish Stamping Bella images for my birthday cards.  I was excited when I realized the size of this darling shopping Uptown Girl fit perfectly on the front panel of my flip card.  I used my Cricut Explore Air to cut out the Anna Griffin Fantastic Flips card base in Design Space.

The pretty bright colors on this patterned paper guided my choice of Copics for coloring Bella.  It's always a challenge for me to limit the number of colors I use because I'm often tempted to use "every crayon in the box."  For this image, I kept it to red, blue and green to keep my image from looking too busy.  

There are so many ways to use Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip cards.  Several different elements come with the Cricut cut so it's fun to mix and match. I cut an extra card base with the designer paper so I could layer some of my panels.  I kept the front panel of my card solid for my stamped image.  I  cut this tag shape in Xpressit Copic Coloring paper on my Cricut and then stamped and colored it before attaching it to my card.   Voila, perfect fit!

 I like these flips so much because there is plenty of room for creativity!  I embellished my die cut flowers and the flowers on the dp with Elizabeth Crafts Peel and Stick gems.  And, as is my habit lately, I used gold shiny metallic card stock for a couple of my frames and my sentiment.  No card is fully decked out without some sparkly accessories! 

Here's what I used:
        Stamping Bella "Charlotte Loves to Shop" stamp
        Anna Griffin Fantastic Flips cartridge in Cricut Design Space
        Copic Markers
        Gold Metallic, white and designer cardstock
        Happy Birthday to you die
        Elizabeth Crafts Peel off Gems
        Die cut flower embellishment 

Thanks for dropping by.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Simply Create Too - 137 Die Cuts

        Creative Craft Cottage - 106 Anything Goes
        The Rubber Buggy Challenge - April/Flowers
        Scrapyland Challenge - #88 - Anything Goes
        Let's Craft and Create - #136 Anything Goes
        Artistic Inspiration Challenge - #198 Anything Goes
        HeARTful Stamping - Anything Goes
        Stamping Sensations Challenge - April/One for the Girls

Seals and Butterflies by the Sea in Monterey - Cricut Valentine

Hey there,

Here's the last of my special limited edition wacky-tho-tasteful valentines for youthful adults.   This one is for my daughter who lives in Monterey, California...or as I call it, paradise.  It was obvious to me that I had to use a darling sea creature for her image.  I picked an otter because Monterey is an otter habitat and my artistically gifted daughter graduated with an Art Degree from UC Monterey...go Otters.  But I found out later  this is apparently a seal.  Whatever.   

Once again, I used the square Lori Whitlock Flip Flap svg card base.  This time I found some cute ocean images to embellish my card.  And since Pacific Grove (near Monterey) is a monarch butterfly habitat, I made sure to include some of these magical creatures flying around the lighthouse on the inner panel.

I had a fabulous time creating these landscapes in Cricut Design Space and I plan to use these card bases for lots of other fun cards.  The possibilities are endless.

Here's what I used:

1. This Lori Whitlock svg file.
2. Cricut Create and Critter Cartridge in Cricut Design Space
3. Lighthouse, wages and fab sentiment image in Cricut Design Space
4. Impression Obsession butterfly dies
5. Tonic Studio Nuvo drops -  black for butterfly accents
6. Cricut writing feature for sentiment
7. Sun die.

Thanks for visiting,

Go forth and create something fabulous.Paper Craft Crew

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Crafting by Designs

        Crafty Creations

        Creative Moments

        Little Red Wagon

        Die Cuttin' Divas

        Stinkin' Inkers

Happy to be stuck with you - Cricut Valentine for my favorite guy

👉 There is a certain happiness in being silly and ridiculous.

Hey there,

Yep, I can even come up with an embarrassingly cutesy Valentine for my hubby.  It takes a special talent, and a certain level of immaturity that I hope we all possess when we advance in age. But, honestly, can anyone keep from singing the happy Huey Lewis song when you see this card?  And I am, indeed, blessed to be stuck with a wonderful guy.   I used a rectangle Lori Whilock svg card base to accommodate my extremely  handsome and talented cactus guy. 

     

Originally, I had a brightly colored, multi-layered lizard in the center panel.  I was so proud of my handiwork until I added some black Nuvo drops to his eyes and then accidentally closed the card!!!!  I'm sure that never happens to you.  While cutting the complete card over again. because, of course, I had already glued everything in place, I  found this Southwestern heart in Design Studio.  I like it even better than my original lizard. Kismet.

Here's what I used:

1. This Lori Whilock svg file.
2. Cricut Southwestern cartridge images in Design Studio.
3. Nuvo drops to embellish hat and marakas
4. Cricut writing feature for front sentiment.
5. HA stamp for inside sentiment.
6. Sun die.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

Playing along with:

        Avenue 613 Challenge

        Allsorts Challenge

        Crafty Calendar Challenge

        My Time to Craft

        Crafting with Friends

        Cut it Up Challenge