Happy Easter - Mo Manning Copic Coloring

Wow! Spring is here in all its glorious splendor.  After a long brutal winter, we are finally witnessing the earth awakening from its slumber.  Oh wait, I live in sunny California. But hey, we endured some serious rain this year!   At this time when I feel so blessed by my Savior's sacrifice and love, I'm happy to pass this love on to my family and friends by sending them handmade Easter greetings. 

These delightful Mo Manning Digital images take me back to my childhood when families looked forward to attending church on Easter Sunday decked out in full holiday regalia.  We wouldn't think of setting foot in the chapel without a frilly new dress, ruffled socks, shiny white shoes, lace gloves and a perky hat. Isn't the cute little dog in  this Mo image hilarious?  He looks like a real dog would look if forced to wear tied on bunny ears! And his sweet little companion is oblivious to his pain. 

Here's another darling Mo image, slightly less whimsical but just as adorable  The base for both of these cards is a Lori Whitlock SVG cut file that I sized to A6 and cut on my Cricut.  The notches in the lace border are just the right size to decorate with some narrow satin ribbon.

I wish you all a wonderful, blessed Easter and an abundantly beautiful Spring. 

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Metallic Spring Bouquet - Elizabeth Craft Dies and Mylar

I brought out my iridescent shimmer sheets and some of my favorite die cuts to make this spring bouquet for some fun blog challenges this week.   All of the die cuts are Elizabeth Crafts except for my faithful old "go to" Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  I added some detail by embossing the purple background panel and edging both panels with a gold paint pen. I love the beautiful iridescence underneath the gold detail on the pot. I forgot how much I enjoy working with these shimmer sheets.

Here is my inspiration sketch from Mojo Monday:

And I chose this  Sunday Stamps color challenge.

I'm loving the blog challenges because they inspire my creativity and I'm also using some of the awesome stash I forgot I have. Shopping in my own craft room is delightful!

I'm also adding my card to The Card Concept Challenge (Classy and Elegant).

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

My Cozy Craft Room Retreat

One of my life's greatest blessings is this little place of my own that is lovingly referred to as my "cave."   We built this room over our dining room over fifteen years ago and it's still one of my favorite places to hide. Except everyone always knows where to find me!

The red and white color scheme just sort of evolved from my red obsession. I like how bright and cheery it makes my room and the Martha Stewart-ish appearance makes my hoard look kind of  legit. I don't like a lot of clutter because it messes with my creative mojo, but I keep the things I use most at my finger tips. 

A lot of my storage comes from Ikea because it's not expensive and works great for my purposes...and it comes in red.

The pretty stained glass tulip in the window was made by a dear friend for my daughter when she was born 37 years ago.  I kept (stole) it when she left home and I love how it catches the light in this little window.

These Ikea narrow drawer units fit perfectly under my desk and make fabulous storage.

After all these years of organizing and reorganizing, I think I have some great tips on storing my stash.  I'd love to share some of these with you and I plan to do just that in future blogs.  Say tuned.

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

Stampendous Blossom Stencil Duo - Boho Flower

Who doesn't smile when they're coloring with Copics? When I decided to color this flower I had some really bright colors on my desk from another project and I'm glad I was too lazy to haul my other colors out.   I think my flower turned out sorta boho-liscious. 

                            

To create my flower I used Stampendous duo stencils. They have two parts...an outline and a pattern. I taped the outline down on one side first and traced it with a permanent black pen.  Then I lifted the hinged stencil and placed the pattern stencil underneath.  I moved  the pattern stencil around until I liked the look and then just traced the design inside the shape. I have other stencil duos and the patterns are interchangeable. The result is a beautiful design to color!  Easy, peasy.

  

I like A6 size cards and I love being able to manipulate my Lori Whitlock svg files in Cricut Design Space.  I feel so techy, but really it's super simple and fun.  

I love all things zentangle and I really love not having to use my own doodles. But these stencils would be really cute with some of YOUR original doodles on them. MINE, not so much.  Just sayin'.

Adding my card to these challenges:

The Crafty Addicts Challenge
Crafty Creations Challenge
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

   

Vellum Overlay - Stampin Up Rose Wonder

Vellum is like a lovely lady who is always the belle of the ball as long as you treat her with respect...she  just doesn't like to be tousled. I went on a search in my craft room for a large open line floral image and was elated to find Stampin Up's Rose Wonder, one of my favorite and most versatile stamp sets. The bonus is this set has matching die cuts.  I was so happy not to have to stamp and emboss my image on the vellum. All I did was glue the beautiful die cut image to the vellum overlay.  Lady vellum doesn't like too much heat either!

I usually reach for  pastels when I color my flowers with Copics but I'm glad I opted for brilliant pinks this time.  They show up so beautifully through the vellum. 

I cut my vellum flap about an inch larger than the front of my card so I could tuck it between the layers and attach it without glue showing.  The vibrant colors of my rose were subtle and pretty under the translucent vellum but I wanted to make sure the recipient of my card could lift the vellum to take a peak at the unmasked brightly colored rose  underneath ...kinda like two cards in one.

This was one of those cards that simply evolved as I created it, and I really like how it turned out. I can't wait to try it in another color...blue maybe?  I love, love, love lady vellum.  I'm going to see that she gets out more often.

I'm adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Stampin' Royalty

Freshly Made Sketches
The Card Concept

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

I Might be Challenge Challenged. - Mojo Monday

Confession: I have been creating cards since 1995 and have never joined a blog card challenge other than Splitcoaststampers. It's been on my bucket list for a long time, so I think I'll just be brave and jump right in.

I love the Mojo Monday challenges because they post a fun new sketch each Monday and then I have a whole week to get my creative juices flowing.  It seems very non threatening and doable, don't you think?  

Here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

                     

And here's my card:

                     

... not something I would normally come up with because I'm not used to creating with  a "map."  In fact, I found it a little challenging (pun intended) and I'm not completely happy with the results. I'm planning to improve with practice and I think I might learn something by encouraging myself to think outside the box.  Different ways of thinking are good, right?  New brain synapses and all.  I hope I don't blow up the internet trying to post my link in the blog. Anyone have some good suggestions on some fun  blog challenges?  What are your faves?

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

  

Sew-y Saturday - Robert Kaufman Flannel Baby Blanket

When I found this adorable Robert Kaufman giraffe flannel print I knew it would make a perfect self-binding baby blanket for a girl or boy. I immediately went on the hunt for a cute machine embroidery giraffe pattern and found this handsome little guy on Etsy. 

It was easy to find fabric to match this fun color scheme. What little munchkin wouldn't love a turquoise and orange giraffe?  

I always make sure to use the best quality flannel when I make one of these quilts  because I know it will be washed often and the lower quality flannel tends to pill.  It's worth a few extra bucks to make sure it will last. Who knows...the recipient might even take it to college:) 

And, of course, I created a coordinating flip card.  My cute little Stampin' Up giraffe matches perfectly, don't you think?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy