Nature Challenge

Hello There Blogging Friends:

Yes, it is me Dana!! I know that I have been MIA for a real long time, but I just felt the creative itch recently and wanted to share with you what I made for the Hero Arts Challenge. 

It really has been way too long since I have posted anything. I really did lose my mojo, but lately I have been creating some things just for me and not blogging about it. Really it is because I have not had the time to blog. But today I really wanted to share with you the card that I made for a friend who was going through a tough time and needed some encouragement. 

Also, I wanted to share with you that this card was made using my new Chameleon Markers that I got for Christmas. I am still learning how to use them. I will admit that it is tough for me because I want to use them in a fast approach like I do with my other mediums, but with these you have to use them like they are designed to be used - slow and steady.  Holding them properly is key and helps to prevent streaks. You can check out the wonderful video tutorials here to learn more about these markers.  When you do use them correctly, the results are amazing. 

So here is my first attempt at coloring a card front. I hope that you like it. This took me longer than normal.  This is because I usually put down my darkest shades where the shadows are first and work out to the highlights, which is totally backwards to how most folks colour with alcohol markers.  The colours are so vibrant and crisp. And it did turn out great. They are more than worth the effort of watching every video and learning a new way to colour. My friend Cathy Andronicou  who I got to know through the Hero Arts Flicker Group, is one of their Designers and her tutorials are outstanding. So if you haven't given these markers a try, why not check them out today! You won't be sorry that you did. 

Here is a close-up of the coloring using Chameleon Markers.

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill, Neenah White Cardstock
Hero Arts Stamps: CL596 Pattern Hearts & Flowers, 

CL491 Made With Love, S5507 Envelope Pattern, 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink 

Stamping Mask Paper: Inkadinkado 

Adhesives: ATG, Pop Dots

This card is also being submitted to 

Check out the Design Team work! It is awesome!

Thanks for hanging around and checking in with me. Great to know that there are other crafters out there who still support me even if I am only posting from time to time. Love ya and hope that you're all doing well and taking good care of yourselves. Before I go please make sure to check out what my friend Kathy is up to these days. You won't be disappointed. 

It is a challenge you won't want to miss. 

Blessings 

Doodle Pantry New Card Challenge & Give-Away

Just a quick post to let you know that Doodle Pantry will be starting a new card challenge starting in the new year. Also, Laurie is giving away some pretty amazing prizes. Also, you need to check out all the stunning digital images in the store. Here is a peek at some of the prizes. Some great stuff here to win. 



Check out the Doodle Pantry Blog to learn about all the changes happening in the new year and for your chance to possible win this wonderful prize. Thanks for visiting. 

Merry Christmas Greetings

Hi Everyone:

Just popping in real quick with a card that I made for some special folks for Christmas.

 I am delighted to say that I had the opportunity to color this image for this card with Spectrum Noir Markers. I watched several tutorials on how to use these markers, and though the process was long, I am happy how it turned out in the end. This year I was determined to make some handmade cards for family and some of my friends. This is what I came up with. 

The bottom portion of the image was colored using distress inks and the snowflake background was also colored using these same inks. Though I am not sure if the night of Christ birth was actually a snow filled night, I wanted to give the feel that it was, thus the use of a Snowflake Embossing Folder. All cardstock was Stampin' Up and the image itself was printed on Neenah Cardstock. When using Alcohol  based markers it is important to use a heavy cardstock as it will seep through on the back of the paper. So it is important to lay an extra sheet of copy paper beneath. 

Close-up of Use of Spectrum Noir Markers. To add highlights, I used the White Big Brush Maker from Faber-Castell to give even more dimension and depth. 

I just love how this donkey turned out and he is a cute little fellow. This digital image comes from Mo's Digital Pencil and is called From Bethlehem. I just fell in love with it soon as I saw it and just had to buy it. No better version of that special time than this one. Mo's Images are amazing and be sure to check out more of her designs at her store. 

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge: Favorite Make of 201

DRS Designs - W, 1E, SIO, - #154 Winter Wonderand

Cute Card Thursday - W, C5 - #353 Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts W, 2E, C8 #69 Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. - W, 5E -#291 Anything Goes

Stampavie and More -2W,  JFF - #227 Christmas

Elphine House - M, SIR - #66 Traditional Christmas colors (ends Feb17)

WordArt Wednesdays - 5E ,#155 -  Anything goes (2nd week)

TIME OUT Challenges-2W (W2 of 2) #21 Christmas is Love With All The Trimmings

I trust that you are all enjoying this Christmas season and spending some quality time with your family & friends. For us Christmas really begins today and ends on January 6th, we celebrate Ephipany.  So we have a while yet to visit and still have some fun. It is a green Christmas outside and it just doesn't feel like Christmas without it.

But regardless of the weather outside, or how we celebrate, Christmas will always come. It will be a time when so many receive so much, but hopefully a time to be thankful for all that we have. For all the friendships, all the support, and all blessings we have experienced since our last Christmas. It is also a time to be so thankful for that first Christmas morn when love came down in the form a precious baby. One who would grow up to be the Saviour of the world, and it is this gift that helps us hopefully to be a little more loving, kind, and grateful for all that life brings our way good or bad.  And for this I am forever grateful. Praying God's blessing on your Holiday Season and the whole year through. May the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts & home with love, joy, peace, & happiness today and every day. 

From my family to yours Merry Christmas & Happy New 

Christmas Greetings

Happy Mothers Day

Just a quick note to say "yes" I am still alive and that I have been real busy with schooling. That will soon be over for another year and maybe, just maybe, I will find my creative side again soon. Lol.
 Just wanted to share this video that really encourages us as Moms to not give up.  That when the going gets tough, get tougher. That when the weakness comes admit it and find strength in God. That when sadness comes and you want to just cry, have a real good one, but than start over again. Why, because what we do doesn't require perfection but a heart that is full, that is unstoppable, that is in love with those who have been entrusted to us and because we have been given a heart to serve, to make the world a better place. So today of all days I would like to wish all of you who are mothers and all of you who are not, but still invest into the lives of others, the best day ever. May it be filled with much love, happiness, laughter, and peace.
Until next time, take care of yourself and each other.