Cards Blog Challenge

Just wanted to share this card that I made for the Cards Magazine Challenge. It was to make a card using butterflies. And you know me, I loooove butterflies. So here is my card for this challenge and I will be submitting it to the Hero Arts monthly challenge. It was inspired bye the card on page 53 of the New Hero Arts Catalogue using the Old Letter Writing stamp.  My Blog Candy is still up if you want to play along!

Supplies List:

Cardstock: Recollections Paper Stamps Supplies

Stamps: Hero Arts & Stampin Up

Digital Stamps: Hero Arts

Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger - Broken China, Walnut, Peeled Paint 

Embellishments: Pearls - Dollarama, Ribbon/Lace - Dollarama,

Tools: Spellbinders Nesatabilities - Labels 15 , Texture Boutique Die Cutting Machine

Punches: Martha Stewart Lacey Punch

Be sure to play along in this Month's Hero Arts Challenge. Here are the specifics of the contest:

2011 Catalog Inspiration — Use anything from the new Hero Arts 2011 Catalog as stamping inspiration! Projects can be of any theme.

Card Insides — Create cards that are stamped both inside and out! Cards can be of any theme.

Masking Technique — Check out Shari Carroll’s new technique article this month for one masking idea! Projects can be of any theme.

Please use at least one Hero Arts stamp or Hero Arts digital element on each of your projects.

Thank you for dropping bye! Trusting that your cherishing the memories of Christmas Past and all the fun memories yet to be. Have a great weekend!

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Getting Organized!

I started out this year promising myself that I would be more organized in all aspects of my life. So I decide to make a Organized space for my printed digital images. I used a tin from one of the local craft stores and  some Chatterbox paper, matching cardstock, and some of my favorite coloured digital images. I so love how you can take a digital image and resize it. That is what I did here and then punched them out and then matted them on various size circles and flowers.

Once the tin can was decorated with a flower and handmade leaves, I then added the ever cute dragon fly to add an extra bit of whimsy! I made labeled dividers to organize my images from one season to the next. I have to actually make more because I want to add "Birthday", "Thank You", and "Thinking Of You" dividers to my collection. Here are some more close-ups of each card divider and the can itself.

Close-up of Handmade Leaves & Curly-Q's!

 Now close-ups of each individual Card Divider. Isn't that Scarecrow just adorable!

These images used here today were, Sunshine & Flowers , The Right Flip Flop, You Melt My Heart, and the ever popular and my favorite, Little Miracles. Why not pop into Deedee's Digital store and pick up your images today!

Thanks for dropping bye. Next week have a look out for some fun Valentines' Day Projects. Hope your all doing well and that you have started off your New Year with some organization projects to help you have more time for fun & family.  

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

You Melt My Heart!

If you are visiting and looking for my Blog Candy Give-Away you can find it here. Thanks for dropping bye! I love company, so why not pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

Well, the snowflakes are flying and the temperature dropping. I know a lot of you from the States are experiencing some nasty weather like we are, here in the Maritimes. I know it can be a dangerous time of the year and can cause so much havoc if your not use to it. But being from the Great White North - Lol!- we are use to the snow. Yes, I am one Canadian who loves the snow. There are so many fun things to do. We love sledding most of all in this family and ice fishing comes close too! Lol! You have to love snow because after all it is Winter. Also, because you get the opportunity to make cute adorable snowmen like this one.

When I received this Digital Image to work with I was so excited. Isn't he just gorgeous. I love everything about him. Looks like he is all dressed up for the cold weather too. This ever adorable Image called You Melt My Heart is sending love your way. And who wouldn't want to be all warm and cozy on a chilly day!

 

Just wanted to remind you that this image is this weeks Dollar Digi . Also, this weeks Happy Monday challenge was to use red and pink, like I did in this card. (I sneaked in some blue, but don't tell Deedee! Lol!) Be sure to play along to win a free image from Deedee's Digis. Thanks for dropping bye and check back because next week is the week to share some organizational tips with you on how to store your printed digital images.

Take Care & Be Safe

Blessings

Dana

My First Guest Designer Gig! Lol!

Well your tree is probably taken down bye now. The decorations packed away for another year. I guess those gifts are nicely packed away too! Well if those things are all done, now it is time to thank all of those great folks who thought you were special enough to receive a present. Lol! I have decided this year to take the time to say a "Christmas Thank You" for all of the great gifts that I received. Sometimes we forget to send out the cards after the holidays to show how much we appreciate others and their kindness. So I hope that this card inspires you to do the same. I used Deedee's Digital image "Deer Friend" and it is one of my favorites. I had so much fun making this Thank You card. I am sending it to my Mother-in-law because she gave me some wonderful scrapbooking supplies this year. And you know everyone loves scrapbooking supplies right! Lol!

I want to say a Big Thank You to Deedee for asking me to be the Guest Designer for this month. It is my first Guest Designer Gig and I was thrilled when she asked me back in December. I will be sharing some great projects that will help you with organizing your digital images and more. See you back here again next Wednesday with another project using Deedee's wonderful digital images. Don't forget the Happy Monday Challenge and the chance to win a free digital image.

Happy Scrapping!

Blog Candy Give-Away!

Celebrating my hubby's birthday was a busy one. With church in the morning, lunch at a local restaurant, and then cooking one of his favorites for supper, it was a happy but crazy day! But I love him so much I would do it all over again.  After supper, we chatted via webcam to the in-laws for a couple of hours - time flew before I realized how late it was.  So please forgive me for posting late.

In honor of celebrating my birthday on December 16th, I am giving away some blog candy. Yup! I am two years away from 40. So scary! Lol!

The blog candy is an American Crafts 8" x 8" Blue Skies Album Kit (product No. 91357). I tried to find a photo or link to the product on the American Crafts website but no luck.  So here are two pics showing the album kit contents.

 

So what you have to do to win?  Okay so here is the fun fun drill! First, you have to be a Follower of my blog, but here is the fun part - not that following my blog is not a lot of fun - right? I would love for you to share a lasting memory from the Holiday Season (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.) of 2010 or earlier. You can share the story in the comments section of my blog. If you include a picture of the memorable moment I will give you an additional two (2) entries in the contest.   When sharing a photo, please be sure to include a link to the photo on your blog or photo sharing site so everyone can share in your memory.  Isn't that what it is all about - capturing and sharing memorable moments for now and tomorrow!!

The contest winner will be chosen through a random draw.  The more entries in the contest the better your chances of winning.  The way to gather entries into the contest are as follows: 

• One (1) entry for becoming a follower;
• One (1) entry for sharing a memorable moment on your blog;
• Two (2) entries for sharing a story accompanied by a Holiday picture of your memorable moment; and
• Three (3) entries for any existing follower who recommends my site to a friend who subsequently becomes a follower - the new follower can email me to let me know you recommended my blog to them).

The contest will run until I get 100 or more followers. If the number of followers grow in a short time, then I will add more American Crafts Products to this Blog Candy Give-Away so everyone has an opportunity to participate and share in the fun.  I am looking forward to the contest and seeing the number of followers on my blog grow, but more so I can't wait to see what stories you share with me.

Okay I will share two memorable moments to get the contest rolling!! During the Christmas holidays of 2009, we awoke to the the beautiful postcard-like scene below.  It was so beautiful. It was early morning after a fresh overnight snowfall  -  everything was covered. It was so magical and my son said it reminded him of the lamp-post in the Chronicles of Narnia movie. Lol! We do so love snow and would love to go snowmobile riding right now! I am afraid that it will have to wait seeming that it is raining right now and most of our snow is gone. I hope it snows soon, we want to go sledding while my son is off from school for the Christmas Break. 

The second picture is of my Dad and I during Christmas of 1993 - it is a funny picture. I was home from college on Christmas Break and what fun we had.  My Dad is a real funny guy and is always making other people laugh! Just thinking about him makes me laugh. Being from a family of 11 there was never a dull moment. Lots of laughter and noise. For anyone who truly knows me, they know that I love to have a good laugh as well and always want to share it with others - so I hope that this picture makes you laugh too!  Believe it or not, that is me in the funny get-up. Lol! My Dad is singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!" and I had to join in, but had to dress-up silly first. I think that you can see my tonsils in this one! We got a lot of laughs from the family that morning. I guess someone wearing a Christmas bag on her head, glasses on upside-down and their apron on over their lounge coat would make anyone laugh.

Oh how I miss those days! Funny how things changes and how life can make us more serious!  I don't make many New Years resolutions in fear of not of being able to stay true to the task, but this year I am promising myself to be more mellow. To relax a lot more regardless of the situation and to enjoy the moment. Or like my son says, "Chillax!"  I read a story last week in an on-line poll. It said that most folks are not truly happy because they are always planning, looking towards, or wishing for something better in the moment, in the future. It said that if people just lived in the moment rather than in the future than folks would be so much happier.  Even though I am not a "Live In The Moment" kind of person I do agree with this. I see nothing wrong with organizing, planning and being prepared, but maybe it would be so worthwhile, if when the snow falls like it did today (which I wished for) that I would enjoy it in all it's beauty and not wish I was in some tropical place with my sweetie enjoying the sun. Taking the time to enjoy family, friends, and those great in-between moments is what life is meant to be. Taking the time to seize an opportunity to make an everyday moment a remarkable and lasting memory.

I trust that you are all doing well and making some happy memories of your own.

Thanks for popping by and I am looking forward to seeing you here soon.

Hugs,

Out With The Old & In With The New!

Wow! Where as the time gone?  I look back on this year and have to honestly say that it has been a difficult year. With having surgery in May and then dealing with other medical issues, I am even surprised with myself that I actually got to make a few cards.  I haven't scrapbooked in a very long time and felt somewhat sad about not getting our memories into an album.  But this year saw my creativity turn to the cardmaking side of the hobby.  I am so glad that it did!  I have always loved getting and giving cards, but this year has taken on an whole new meaning. To see the love and joy on a person's face when they get that handmade card is priceless.  It feels amazing to brighten someones day.  The other thing that really overwhelms me is the love and support I have received from bloggers like yourselves. Wow! I have made some pretty amazing friends along the way and have been inspired beyond measure. The thing that stands out the most this year, is that even though times have been tough, I can now look back at it all and be in wonder of how everything worked out and how our family is stronger and better because of it. God is so good! 

I want to take this time to thank all of you who follow and visit from time to time.  I have loved reading your ever supportive comments and answering your questions.  "Reliving Tomorrow" was suppose to have different features this year past, but that didn't take place either.  That will change this year! I will be having some special features, along with some Special Guest. I am so excited, but I will share more later.  Also, I just celebrated a birthday on Dec.16th and my hubby will be celebrating tomorrow. So check back in tomorrow to have a chance to win some American Crafts scrapbooking products.  There will be a twist of course! Be sure to check back.  I also have some Guest Design Team work coming up, so be sure to check in for that as well.

In honour of 2010 and the Joy of Cardmaking, here is a review of some of my cards in no particular order that are my favorites. Wishing you much love, peace, & joy this year!

 Favorites of 2010

 

Thanks for dropping bye and hope to see you again soon!

Hugs & Blessings

Dana