Reliving Tomorrow

Lily Pad Challenge & More

2012-02-07T14:34:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to share this project that I made for Valentines' Day with you. Hope you like the idea and can use it in your gift creations.

This box was made using a box from the Dollar Store, ribbons, and of course, my Hero Arts stamps. The box looked to bright with all the white showing, so I used my distress inks to tone the colour down a little. Once this was completed, I hot glued some ribbons and lace around the box to add a little touch of romance.

I then added my handmade Fimo heart shape pin to the bow.

This flower was coloured using longer strokes to give it a more of a sketchy feel.

I then stamped the Hand Drawn flower on watercolor paper and then coloured it using, STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner pastel markers. All shading was completed with STAEDTLER Marsgraphic water colour makers. These are wonderful for shading and the tip is so big that you can use them on larger background stamps that require a big brush tip.

After flower was coloured and leaves hand cut, it was hot glued to the side of the box with a doilie behind it. The little hearts and xoxoxox were stamped from the new just release stamp set from Hero Arts - CL586 XO. I just love all the different stamps in this set, so many options. The flower just needed some black pearls added to it's center and the project was complete.

This project was made for the following challenges:

Febuary Colour Challenge! Check It Out!

Check Out All The Fun!

Don't forget my Fimo Give-away. There will be 3 winners chosen. So why not check it out for your chance to win! There are so many creative things to make using Fimo and handmade embellishments are my favorite.

Thanks for dropping bye and look forward to you visting again.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

STAEDTLER Design Team Fimo Give-Away

2012-02-01T22:20:00.007-04:00

Well today is the day that I wanted to share with you about the STAEDTLER Design Team Fimo Give-Away. There will be 3 opportunities for you to win here at my blog. For more chances of winning, just hop over to each STAEDTLER Design Team member in my sidebar panel and leave them some love. Better still, become one of their followers. I will draw the 3 winners after Valentines' Day and maybe through in something else as well.

Now I am no Fimo artist by any means but I thought that I would give this a try. I looked around on You Tube and did find some great tutorials. After watching them multiple times, I gave it a go. This is what I came up with! Lol. Not the best, but not to bad for a first time hey!

This cute little mouse was made with the following colours: # 70 light Beigh - 04OA1, #9. Black - 168B1, #76 Terra Cotta - O27F0, #22 Fushia - 044A1, and #26 Deep Red - 017A1. And also Fimo Gloss Varnish was use to seal the clay. White gel pen was used to add 4U to the heart to add some more whimsy.

Fimo clay can be used to make embellishments for cards, layouts, and for gift packages. I will be sharing two more projects this week showing you how you can create your own embellishments for cards and for Valentine's Day projects.

These are the prizes that will be given away. Remember that 3 names will be drawn. Now you don't have to become a follower, but it sure would be great if you did. If you could share the picture below on your blog or your blog sidebar, it would be greatly appreciated.

This kit includes a cutter as well for making the heart shape on the package.

I don't know if you remember or not, but I made this card a while ago with a flower that was made from white clay and the cabbage flower mold was just stunning. It came from my Flickr Friend Janet and she said it came from Etsy. I just love it so much. Thanks for sharing sweetie. The possibilities are endless. Why not give it a try!

Thanks for dropping bye. Come back again for my Valentines' Day project using some Stick Pins using Fimo Clay.

Wishing You Health & Happiness

Dana

Quick Post

2012-01-31T23:52:00.003-04:00

(Edited Version)
Hi Everyone:

Since my last post I have been dealing with a sinus & ear infection and been feeling rather terrible. So that is the reason for my disapearing act. So today I have a few things to share with you and to catch up on my posting for this month, which is going way to fast.

I have been trying to play along with my friend Barb's Challenge and finally felt up to it. I started this card about a week ago and never got to finish it until yesterday. Barb's challenges were based on her photography pictures which are beautiful by the way and her blog button was in my sidebar if you noticed it. I hope that some of you got to play along.

Join In The Fun!

My first card was based on the yellow flower picture, but later I saw that she had a picture of these beautiful yellow-red roses. I knew just what I had to do for this card creation. I feel in love with this picture immediately. Her picture is breath taking to say the least.

I was smiling from cheek to cheek because I had a Hero Arts new stamp that was a rose. So I just had to use it, but I actually stamped it and then increased the size to make this beautiful rose flower below. The sentiment is from their new release as well. The flower was coloured with STAEDTLER products and will be listed at the end of this post.

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge.

Incy Wincy Designs: Challenge 131

Party Time Tuesdays#53

Hero Arts Monthly Challenge

My next card was made based on this beautiful picture. Isn't it amazing!

This card was created using a digital stamp from MyGraphico and I really am happy with how it turned out. I also used STAEDTELR products here as well, but added a rustic feel with Ranger Distress Inks. My go-to products, can't create without them.

Being Submitted to the following challenges:

Simon Says: Anything Goes Challenge

The image was printed on watercolour paper and then distressed with watercolor Marsgraphic markers and distress inks. Moon/sun was added with a punched out circle die and shaded with STAEDTLER watercolor pencils and markers.

Thank you for dropping bye today. And tomorrow there will be an exciting post! I am having a Fimo give-away, along with a special Valentine's Day project to share. Be sure to check back later tomorrow to read more about this give-away.!

Wishing You Health & Happiness

Dana

HeroArts Pearls-Blue	Etched Flowers	True Friends	BabyStarDesign
Ink Blending Tool & 2 Foams	Bazzill Cardstock	Bazzill Paper	Bazzill Earthtones
Mini Misters 3 Piece Pack	Marsgraphic Markers	STAEDTLER - karat aquarell	Blue Distress Inks
E-Z Runner Combo Permanent Adhesive	Straw Distress Ink	White Opaque Pigment Pen	STAEDTLER Pigment Liner
STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner	STAEDTLER - ergosoft Pencils

InLinkz.com

Voyage of Discovery!

2012-01-14T08:00:00.003-04:00

Have you ever felt like you completely lost your mojo and have wondered where it went? Well, that was the funk that I was dealing with for the past little while it seems. Life throws some curve balls and after dealing with it all, you just seem to lose interest in the things that once brought enjoyment. Well, after playing around with stamps and a new techinque using artist's canvas I am once again excited about creating. It really is funny how something new will really bring you out of that funk that one can sometimes experience. I really had a lot of fun creating this canvas and encourage you to give it a try as well. You will be surprised at how easy it is and you can follow my tutorial from yesterday to create it!

I so love how this turned out because, I am more of a warm colors sort of gal! Now this can have even more layers of color by adding distress inks and by adding embellishments. I so love the Hero Arts Flutterbies Digi Kit and just had to use it in this project. I decided to use various sizes to focus on the depth and nearness of the butterflies and tree. This creates the impression that the tree is further away and the larger butterfly closer. The project was created using STAEDTLER Pastel Chalks, Triplus Markers, and watercolor pencils. These can be created in 4 pieces for the 4 seasons. This is a spring piece and I am working on the others to share later. I am so happy that I thought to give this new technique a try on canvas because the texture was great to work with. Why not give canvas or some other fabric covered surface a try and you will be surprised how fun it can be! I sure was and I am happy to have my mojo back again! Lol.

This is a close up shot of what the butterfly looks like and the colors that were used to bring this it to left. It was colored with Tri-plus markers first and then shaded with watercolor pencils. Highlights were added with the white watercolor pencil, which I did not add water to because I wanted to keep the highlight bright. Also, white gel pen was used to add highligts to the body of the butterfly.

Be sure to check out 2 Peas in a Bucket for all of your digital kits. Hero Arts really does have a great variety of kits there and the possibilities are endless. Remember this card, it is the same butterfly has the one above, just increased in size and colored with STADTLER watercolor crayons.

Why Not Hop Along With The Hostesses For Your Chance To Win!

Thanks so much for popping in for a visit. I greatly appreciate it. Come back tomorrow to see some of the Hero Arts stamps that I won from their previous blog hop. Why not check out their current blog hop for your chance to win some of their just released stamps. I trust that all is well in your part of this crafting world and wishing you lots of scrappy moments.

I like to leave you with the words of the sentiment used in this project." The Real Voyage of Discovery consist not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes!" Life can give some ups and downs but it is only how you look at it! So true.

Hugs

Dana

Ink Blending Tool & 2 Foams	Glossy Accents	Uni Ball Signo Gel Pen	STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner
STAEDTLER Pigment Liner	Staedtler Pastel Chalks	Cloud Stamp/Imaginisce	STAEDTLER - karat aquarell
HA Flutterbies	Cloud 9 Sentiment

InLinkz.com

Using STAEDTLER Pastel Chalks

2012-01-12T23:18:00.130-04:00

HiEveryone:

Youthought that I was MIA right! Well, no I have been right here working on designwork and some work for publications that I am trying out for. So yes, I havebeen busy. Also, we are back to Home Schooling, so life is busy again. A good busythough!

Iwanted to share a Tutorial to show how to use STAEDTLER Pastel Chalks to makebackgrounds for your card or canvas projects. I was so impressed with how easythey were to use and how well they blended together. Amazing really how it allcame together. Why not give these Pastel chalks a try yourself and see what youthink!

Sohere is the canvas that I was working on using these Pastel Chalks. Now I keptit simple but distress inks can be added over top of the chalks and apples orcherries could be added to the tree. This can even be used has a Autumn canvas project. I am thinking that I will be adding some pumpkins and maybe some more fall embellishments later. Not sure yet though!

Supply List:

Ink: Black StazOn

One5x7 artist canvas

White Gel Pen: Marvey

TreeDieCut: Unknown

Tools: Mop Brush, Blending Tool

ColoringMediums: STAEDTLER Soft-Pastel Chalks

Cut a piece of cardstock the same size has your canvas or card base. This is to be used to make a mask to cover various areas of your project while adding chalk colors. Take this piece of cardstock and draw lines to create the shape of rolling hills/grassy mounds. Cut along the lines to separate the grass mounds from the sky and ground areas.

Take the bottomhalf of this mask and cover what will be your grass area on your canvas. Thisis to prevent the spreading of any sky colors on to the grass area. With thelower portion of canvas covered, lay the cloud die cuts randomly on the upperpart of canvas with repositionable adhesive. Next, using the blue chalk colors,add color to sky by gently addingstrokes ofchalk across the canvas. Be sure to leave some white spaces has you blend chalkcloser to the hills/grass area. Next take a blending tool or Mop Brush and rubthe chalk in a sweeping or circular motion.

Oncesky has been added and shading completed, remove cloud die cuts from upperportion of canvas. Use a Mop Brush to soften any areas that may look to dark.Take the lower portion of the cardstock mask that was made in the first stepand cut along the line that separates the two hills. This will be the 3^rdmask has seen in Step One.

Tobegin adding color to the grass/ground area, first cover the upper portionagain, then take half of the grass mask that was just separated and cover theleft side. The other side is what will be colored with green chalk. Once thisis completed repeat the step again for the other side.

This is a Progress Shot of what things look like so far. Remembering to leave some of the sky white is a good idea because it gives the idea of a graduation in color.

Now you will need to finish the hill/grass on the other side. So justcover these areas you see here and remove the other mask on the left/bottom andstart coloring and shading.

To add highlights rub white chalk randomly and soften with the blending tool. With the background complete, the project is ready for stamped images of choice. This project included a tree die cut. The canvas is now ready for more stamping and more embellishments.

I would like to thank Kathy from the "Daily Marker" for sharing her tutorial with us all on how she creates her backgrounds using makers. She was my inspiration here with this project. Thanks so much sweetie. So appreciate all that you do!

Please come back for another canvas project using this tutorial that I shared with you today. I trust that your New Year is off to a good start and that each day is a blessing to you. Until tomorrow, take care of yourselves and each other.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T07:20:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very Happy New Year! Things are looking up and my son is feeling much better. Yay! I am feeling a lot better too. I still can't seem to get rid of this fever and the headaches though. I am sure that I will be back to 100% real soon. I am just praying that the beginning of this year starts off with us all bug free!

I trust that you are all feeling well and have had a great holiday season. For us folks from Newfoundland we celebrate Christmas a little differently in that we celebrate Twelfth Night or Old Christmas Day and this festive season ends on January 06th. I am so happy that the 2 weeks in between Christmas Day and Old Christmas day really give us longer to visit family and friends. I especially appreciate it this year, due to us not feeling well. So I look forward to visiting family tomorrow and friends later in the week.

I want to share with you a " Year In Review" of sorts of my favorite cards that I created this year. I have been blessed with many wonderful blogging friendships, reconnected with some old friends, and have been given the opportunity to have my work featured. The biggest and most exciting event of my creative journey, was being chosen for the STAEDTLER Design Team. I feel so bless to work with such a wonderful line up of designers and to work for a very generous company. So without further ado here is my 2011 Line-Up.

JANAURAY

FEBUARY

MARCH

APRIL

Flower Close-Up

MAY

Flower Close-up

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER
(Toss Up Between This One.......)

(And this one!)

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

There you have it! My favorites of 2011! Thanks for visiting and hope you come back again real soon.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2011-12-26T19:01:00.001-04:00

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From Our Home To Yours!

Praying that this Holiday Season finds you celebrating with love ones, making many wonderful memories, and finding happiness in all you find to do!

Hugs
Dana & Family

Just In Case Your Wondering!

2011-12-22T01:11:00.001-04:00

Hi There:
Just wanted to pop in to say that I haven't forgotten you or my 4 Days of Christmas Creations, but life seems to have thrown a monkey wrench into things. Things that are more important like my son. He has been ill the past two days and this morning I awoke with a major headache and fever. So I am sad to say that I must have some down time before posting again. I hope to post more things next week. I have a few more Christmas projects to share and a video that is in progress. I am truly sorry, but I am starting to become a little stressed. So until next week I need to take some time for my family and just to feel better. I don' t mean to complain or sound sappy, but just wanted to pop in to explain to those who faithfully follow my blog. I trust you understand! Wishing you the best this holiday season. Until next time Merry Christmas and happy memory making.

Blessings
Dana

Christmas Creations - Day 2 - Handmade Cards

2011-12-16T19:25:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to share this card with you that I made for this little blog series called "Christmas Creations". Today I am sharing a card that was made using a warm palette of colors. I so love earth tone colors and mixing it up with shades of teal blue, has such a great effect. Today's card was created based on the Hero Arts monthly contest using this sketch.

The card was created with the left hand corner sketch in mind. I used ribbon to cover the lower portion of my card and added sentiment to the right.

And once again I am submitting it to the Hero Arts Contest at 2 Peas.

Submitting this also for the Wee Memories Challenge

Such An Easy Challenge! Why not Play Along!

Well first of all I had to sit down and really think about what colors I really love. The colour brown always seems to call my name. So after looking at my distress inks and STAEDTLER pencils/markers, I decided on brown, pale yellow, beige, and teal blue. I so love how it turned out, though I wished that I had outlined my bulbs in a dark brown instead of black. Oh well, life must go on! Lol.

Sorry for the glare on the bow!

Close up of shading and coloring.

Christmas bulbs were stamped in various areas onto a piece of watercolor paper that is just a little smaller than 5 1/2 x 7. Once again, these bulbs were stamped on scratch paper and cut out to use for masking. Once the mask were temporarily placed over-top of those images which were previously stamped, distress inks were applied randomly. To blend the inks, water was spritzed over the entire surface.

The Old Letter Writing was then stamped over the entire surface in dark chocolate chip brown. The masks were then removed and the bulb images then colored with Hero Arts chalk ink, STAEDTLER watercolor pencils and outlined with black permanent ink. The corner of this panel was then torn and distressed with ink. This was then adhered to a choc. brown panel and wrapped with a teal blue bow. Once ribbon was added, the panel was adhered to a kraft card base. To add an extra touch of elegance Magic Pearls was used to had centers to the snowflakes on each bulb. Voila! Another handmade Christmas card.

I love Christmas so much and all the possibilities it provides to make some really special projects. Check back tomorrow for a fun project on how to spruce up a plain gift bag and make it into something bold, bright & beautiful.

I trust that your enjoying all the fun that comes with preparing for Christmas, but most important the time you spend with family & friends. For my family & I, we love to celebrate the Birth of Christ and always try to make room for Him, the real reason for the season. But it can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle & bustle of it all and forget the real meaning of Christmas. That is Love- love of God, of family & of friends! May your Christmas be blessed and filled with many wonderful memories.

Love & Blessings

Dana

Peeled Paint Tim Holtz Distress Ink	Broken China Tim Holtz Distress Ink By Ranger Industries	Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries	Colorbox Chalk Queue - Pumpkin Patch
Ink Blending Tool & 2 Foams	Mini Misters 3 Piece Pack	Craft Scrubbie	White Opal .5 Oz. Liquid Pearls By Ranger Industries
Designblock: Old Letter Writing	Snowflake Ornaments Clear Stamps By Hero Arts	Scotch ATG - Adhesive Applicator Gun - Pink - Uses One Fourth Inch Adhesive	Glue Dots
STAEDTLER Pigment Liner	STAEDTLER - ergosoft Pencils	Bazzill Neutrals

InLinkz.com

Christmas Creations - Day 1 - Gift Card Holder

2011-12-14T00:06:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone:

I guess your all getting ready or maybe completely ready, for the Christmas Season. Well my package for my parents & in-laws was sent yesterday and is now on route. Our family cards are sent and now I am making some for our friends here and my friends on-line. Decorations are up outside and now we just need to do the inside. Then I have some shopping to finish. Hopefully I will get it all completed before that magical night.

Why Not Play Along For Your Chance To Win!

Today I want to share this Gift Card Holder that I made for the Hero Arts contest over at 2Peas. I love this place for great challenges and the inspiration in their gallery is amazing. I recently won some new stamps over there and was so excited to get them in the mail late last week. I had to get them inked up right away!

So I made this card to submit to their Hero Arts contest and I am also adding it to the Monthly Hero Arts company contest. Yes, I know! I am ga ga over Hero Arts stamps it seems! Lol. Be sure to order your Hero Arts stamps at 2 Peas because right now you can purchase most of the new stamps just released. I am praying to get some of these under my tree.

Check It Out & Join In The Fun!

Over at the Hero Arts blog the challenge was to use pockets and this sketch below. I based my card on the on the very first sketch at the top. Now I was suppose to take a picture of the inside of the card showing the pocket with the gift card, but forgot! Sorry! So to see what I am referring too, you can see Shari Carroll’s pocket cards right here! She also shares the measurements for the card base. They are gorgeous by the way and so easy to make!

Get Your Sketches Here!

Okay, enough chatter! Here is my card that I made, and to be honest Jennifer Mcquire's card was my inspiration. She used a very cute Lawn Fawn stamp set for her card.

This card was made using the latest Christmas stamps from Hero Arts. I used the backside of a sheet of Imaginisce patterned paper to create a snowy background. I took white cardstock and tore it into smaller pieces, then layered it for snow mounds. To add some depth and dimension, I added some glitter to the top of the snow with Stickles. I also added shading with STAEDTLER watercolor pencils and distress inks. The snowman was colored with the watercolor pencils and fineliner markers. Snowman was added to card using foam dots. To give it that little something extra, blue bling embellishments were added to the snowy sky.

Thanks for dropping bye today. Hopefully I have inspired you to make a gift card holder. There are more Christmas post to share, so be sure to come back again soon.

Hugs

Dana

American Crafts - Ribbon Value Pack - 24 Spools - Solid Grosgrain -	Scotch ATG - Adhesive Applicator Gun - Pink - Uses One Fourth Inch Adhesive	Bazzill Cardstock	Snowy Jo- Tinsel To The Top
Happy Holidays Snowman Hero Arts	Broken China Tim Holtz Distress Ink By Ranger Industries	Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries	STAEDTLER Pigment Liner
STAEDTLER Triplus Fineliner	STAEDTLER - karat aquarell	Glue Dots	Ranger Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Stardust

InLinkz.com

Hero Arts Blog Hop - Join The Fun!

2011-12-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to share with you all about Hero Arts Blog hop today and about their new release party starting December 10, 2011. There is a line up of amazing card artist and there are loads of gifts to be won. Why not check out the fun and be inspired for a new year of cardmaking.

Hugs
Dana

Kennedy's Birthday Give-Away!

2011-12-09T13:34:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks:
Just a quick post to share with you about a give-away at my friend Kim's blog. Her sweet daughter Kennedy is celebrating her birthday the same day as me - December 16th. She will be 9 and I will be turning ??????? Lol.
So in honor of her birthday her Mom is giving away some wonderful prizes. Yes, I am having a give-away that day as well. You will have to check back. This is what Kim is giving away at her blog.

So hope that your day will be wonderful Kennedy sweetie! Please check it out for your chance to win, and why not become a follower too. I am sure that Kim would love you visiting her each day.

Hope that you are all having a great day. Still filling out cards and sending packages away. Hopefully today will be my last day to do that. Tomorrow we are decorating outside and maybe inside depending on how I am feeling. Time will tell! Take care everyone.

Hugs
Dana

Virginia's Virtual 50th Birthday Party!

2011-12-08T13:46:00.006-04:00

Hi Everyone:
I guess some of you are wondering what happened to me after announcing my Big News! I know that I haven't shared anything on my blog since then but the reason was because I had pulled a muscle in my neck. Not sure what happened, all I know is that I had severe neck pain and had to be taken to the ER. I was concerned that it was heart related due to the fact that heart problems are in my family. Praise God that it wasn't that, and that it was indeed a pulled muscle. So I have been taking meds for the pain and doing some exercises. I am feeling much better these past few days, but trying not to over do it! Not sure how long I can keep that going though because I have nothing ready for Christmas. I am working on some Christmas gifts today and sending out my cards to family & friends. That should be easy because my son can help me with that!

Okay enough about that! Lol! Today's card is for my sweet Hero Arts Flickr friend Virginia. I remember when I first started hanging out in this group, she was the one who kept me in line! Lol. Always such a friendly and helpful person, a real sweetheart. Will her 50th birthday is tomorrow! Yes, really she is, but she sure doesn't look it! She is having a virtual party and everyone who wanted to make & send her a card could attend. So this is the card that I made for her. I sure hope that she likes it. Make sure you check it out because her blog is loaded with fun and informative things.

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Wee Memories Challenge # 78: Free For All Challenge
Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge: Use Your Favorite Embellishment

This card was so fun to make. I love shopping at the 2Peas store for my digital kits and of course they have to be Hero Arts Digital Kits. One of my first ones was the Flutterbies Digital Kit. I so love how I can make my images any size. And there are so many digi stamps in these kits that you have lots of variety.

So after printing this butterfly on watercolor paper, I colored it with STAEDTLER Karat Watercolor Crayons. I received a package in the mail along with some Christmas Greetings from our STAEDTLER managers. What a surprise! It was wonderful to open the box and see these watercolor crayons, along with other things. I didn't even know there was such a thing. Can I just say that I love my watercolor pencils, but I think I am madly in love with this new coloring medium. The blending is amazing. No, I didn't get paid to say that, just being honest. I always color stamped images with light colors first and then build my shading with several darker colors. Well with these, I just added color over color and blended it all at once. So much easier than what I was doing before and mush faster. Thanks Gail and Kathy for the lovely Christmas Package. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Well that is it for now! I have several Christmas projects to share along with a video. I also have a card to share that I made for a challenge at my friend Barb's blog. It was for Movember Canada! I am sure that most of us know what that was all about, and such a great cause. I tried uploading a card at the last minute and had trouble. So then I felt defeated and never shared it after all. I was disappointed that I didn't get to play along and support her. So sorry Barb sweetie! Please forgive me. I promise to be better at joining in the next time.

Okay folks! I am off to the post, then launch, and then sitting down to make some more Christmas gifts. Hope your all doing well and enjoying time with family & friends.

Big Hugs.

Dana

HA Flutterbies	E-Z Runner Combo Permanent Adhesive	STAEDTLER Pigment Liner
STAEDTLERÂ® karatÂ® aquarell Watercolour crayons	Uni Ball Signo Gel Pen

InLinkz.com

BIG NEWS TO SHARE!

2011-11-18T08:00:00.010-04:00

Hi Everyone:
I recently mentioned that I had some BIG NEWS to share and that I would be sharing with you soon! Well today is the day that I share this with you all! I am so excited about this and really do feel that this is a answer to prayer. We all work so hard on our card & layout creations, and we all want to have our work noticed by a big company name. Well I am extremely excited to say that my big break as come and I am feeling so blessed right now! So without further ado, my news is that I am officially a member of the STAEDTLER Design Team!!! Yay!! ................................ Read about it on our Face Book page.

Isn't this cool! STAEDTLER company is known world wide and is now making a break through within the paper crafting world. I am so excited because my STAEDTLER water colour pencils have been one of my coloring mediums/staples since I can remember. You can see some samples of my work using these mediums here and here. To see others just scroll through my blog post because there are many. Being a part of this team is a dream come true and so exciting. It is my goal to inspire, inform and encourage you in your creative journey and to show you the endless possibilities that STAEDTLER products can provide. Make sure to come back from more inspiration using these products.

Today I want to share this card that I made for today's announcement using Hero Arts Digital Kit from 2Peas. I love this digital kit and thought that I would use it to make a "Thinking of You" sort of card.

Close Up of Coloring.

Inside of Card.

Card Instructions:
A 5x5 piece of white cardstock was used for the card base. Then a 4x4 piece of navy polka dot patterned paper was adhered to the card front. Once this was completed, a circle was cut out of the card front thus providing a "Peek A Boo" hole to see the inside of the card. Once the circle was cut from card front, ribbon was glued around the circle opening in a pleated fashion. Colored digital image was added to lower portion of card using pop dots. For additional whimsy a cloud, a paper pieced sun and sentiment was added to the upper left corner of card. To complete the scene, cloud paper was added to the inside of the card, along with a stamped sentiment and sun. To provide texture and depth to this card, the digital image was covered in Glossy Accents and left to dry. To complete the card, hi-lights were added randomly to add a more fun feel. Voila! A fun cute Peek A Boo Card.

Check out HA Monthly Contest

I am submitting this card for the Digital Contest at Hero Arts. I am not sure if it will qualify because it doesn't fit in with their themes but it is Digital. So hopefully it will be okay.

Lily Pad Challenge
Image curtsy of Lily Pad Blog

Simon Says Stamp Presents....A Texture Challenge

This card is also being submitted to the Lily Pad Texture Challenge.

I so loved making this card and it was indeed my first time creating one of this nature. It was a lot of fun.

I also want to take this time to say a Big Thank You to STAEDTLER for having me join your team of wonderful ladies and can't wait to share more projects featuring your products. To see more inspiration please check out the Design Team blogs. They are as follows:

April Derrick: Create ART Design
Tina Guigui: Finding Your Niche
Linda Abadie: The Craft of Caring
Dawn Knight: Rubber Room
Lisa Somervillee: Splendiferious Creations
Kellie Mowat: Make It With Me

Card Supplies:

American Craft Ribbon	Glossy Accents	Cloud Stamp/Imaginisce	HA Kiss From The Sun
HA Everyday Sayings	Sea Life - Otters	STAEDTLER - ergosoft Pencils	STAEDTLER - karat aquarell
E-Z Runner Combo Permanent Adhesive	STAEDTLER Pigment Liner	Lime Twist 6x6 Paper-MME	Little Boy Collection-Echo Park
Bazzill Cardstock

InLinkz.com

Thanks for sharing in my Big News!
Blessings & Hugs
Dana

I Won! I Won!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to share my excitement in winning the Hero Arts challenge over at 2 Peas. I was floored to read that I had won! I even did a happy dance which got my son rolling his eyes! Lol. Then to read about my winning in the Hero Arts Flickr' forum with so many congrats, really made my day. Thanks so much Kim! Your a real sweetie!

Check Out All The Fun!

This is the package that was up for grabs and I can't wait to get it in the mail. I so loooooooove Hero Arts stamps and the more I have the happier I am! Lol!

The folks at 2Peas are so generous to give such a prize pack away and I am feeling so blessed right now. I well share a pick when I get these goodies in my hands. I won this based on my submission below and you can read more about here.

I thought that I had shared this card on my blog before but was happy to see that I did not. I made this earlier this summer for a challenge in the Hero Arts Flickr group. Always a great place to hang out! Just a fun way to show you how you can take everyday stamps and use them to create Christmas cards.

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Recollections

Pattern Paper: Unknown - will check again later.

Watercolor Pencils: STAEDTLER Karat Aquarell
Markers: Triplus Fine Liner Markers /STAEDTLER

Inks: Basic black/StazOn, Ranger Distress Inks

Embellishments: bling/gems & lace doily - Dollarama

Adhesives: E-Z Runner/3L, Double sided tape - ultra clear/Scrapin Gear

Stamps: HA Hydrangea Stamp, HA Hand Drawn Flower HA Snowman Globe, Studio g. Clear Stamp

I also wanted to share with you that I won this badge:

Thanks Julie & Team!

I won this badge for this card that I submitted for one of the challenge over at Paper & Such.

So your maybe wondering about my Big News right! Well due to uncontrollable circumstance I have to hold off for a little while until I am given the go ahead to share. So sorry for the delay, but make sure to come back and share in my news later this week. So excited! Lol.

Before I sign off I want to say that I am sorry for not leaving comments on your blogs like I should; even though I do visit. I have been working on some projects and had to get those finished first. Just know that I will be back to commenting more often real soon. I want to say Thank You for all the inspiration that you provide me on a regular basis. I love all your work and appreciate you so much for sharing what you know with other crafting bloggers; like myself. It really means so much.

Okay I better scoot! Life is calling! Take care of yourself & each other.

Big Hugs

Dana

Sending A Grateful Thank You!

2011-11-12T00:33:00.007-04:00

Hi Everyone:

I guess you may have thought that I forgot all about you right! That really is not the case but I have been extremely busy working on some projects. Also, I have not been feeling so great lately. I have been fighting off a flu bug for the past couple of weeks. Funny thing is once I feel better, it comes crashing down again. I am feeling much better now though and that is great because I have way to many things to do, to be sick right now! Lol. I also have some BIG NEWS to share next week and have been working on projects that will tie in with this announcement. So please forgive my absence from here and make sure to check back for my news.

I wanted to share a card with you that I made for my brother-in-law who is a Solider with the Canadian Armed Forces. He has been on many trips overseas and have been fortunate enough to return to us each time unharmed. For that we are all truly blessed and thankful. So this card below is to show my family's appreciation for all that he has done for our country and also to show respect for this very special day - Remembrance Day.

Close-up of Flower Coloring

I colored this flower using fine tip markers and I wasn't sure it was going to work really. But I am so happy with the way that it turned out. The white is empty space that I left on the petals to indicate where my light source was and to had high-lites. The shadowing around the flower is something I saw someone else do on their card and thought it wold be fun to give it a try. Not sure if I got this mastered or not. Thanks for looking.

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections

Watercolor Pencils: Karat Aquarell
Markers: Triplus Fine Liner Markers /STAEDTLER

Inks: white pigment ink & basic black/StazOn

Die Cuts: Big Scalloped Ovals Lg. Nestabilities/Spellbinders

Adhesives: E-Z Runner/3L, Double sided tape - ultra clear/Scrapin Gear
Stamps: "Wonderful Words"- Stampin Up', "Delicate Blossom Stamp" - CL449/Hero Arts

This card is also being submitted to the following challenges & contest:

Use Older Stamp Challenge
( I am using my older sentiment stamps & hope this counts!)

Paper Piecing Challenge

Photo Inspiration Challenge - Field of Poppies!

Challenge # 33 - Be Thankful

Be Thankful Challenge

Thanks so much for dropping bye. I trust my card inspires you to create a Thank You card and to show someone how much they mean to you.

Until next time, take care of yourself & each other.

Hugs

Dana

Happy Birthday Get Picky!!!!

2011-10-27T22:47:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to share a layout that I completed for the "Get Picky Birthday Celebration". They are celebrating having 1 year of creative fun and challenges. Here is the sketch that all readers were challenged to use in honour of this celebration.

Now I completed this layout while at a crop this weekend, but I just wasn't happy with it. Now my friend Jean will laugh her head off when she see's all the extras that I added. I actually did the page over. I wanted to mist it with Misting Inks and to also cut the size of the sun down. I felt that the orginal page had a focus that was all about that sun in the corner and not the pictures. That wasn't what I was going for. So I cut the sun shape down, spritzed some blue ink around the page and tore the corner to add some more red. Having a page that flows is a key element when scrapbooking and bringing colour across a page does just that. This helps to direct the eye and to focus on the main subject - in this case my sweet boy Noah.

I have to say that this was a labour of love. It took me so long to complete, but I am now finally happy with it. I guess a word to the wise is, if you scrapbook don't ever give it up or put it to one side. Why you might ask? Well because when you get back into to it again, it can take a while for the mojo to set in and it takes so much longer than planned. Lol. Yes, my friend Jean can vouch for my struggle with time and design completion. Lol. It took some time but this page turned out great and now I can add it to my album.

Title Close-Up

Sub-Title Close-Up

This page was completed using the "Little Boy" paperpack from Echo Park. Also, cloud paper from the "Lime Twist Collection" from My Minds Eye was used, along with the green strip with white stars, which is from the "Super Stud Collection" from Bella BLVD. Cardstock used was Bazzill and inks used to distress edges and sun were Ranger Distress Inks.

For those of you looking for a card today, I am sorry, but I will have one up tomorrow to share. I will be sharing layouts again though for you who scrapbook. I am finally getting back into it again and I really did miss it.

I trust that you are all doing well and enjoying the Autumn weather. I need to get going because I have cards to complete for Hero Arts Card contest. Why not play along there is still time. Until tomorrow.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Non-Traditional Christmas Cards & Scrapling Contest Winner!!

2011-10-16T00:06:00.003-03:00

Hi Everyone:
I wanted to share a card with you that I made for Christmas. I was challenged by one of the ladies in the HA Flicker group today to make a card based on my last upload to HA Gallery! Now I didn't complete mine in the allotted time due to camera problems. It was still really fun and I knew I would be submitting it to other challenges. My last card to that gallery was this one! So my card had to use the same stamps but in a different way. I so love the combination of black, white and red. Those colours are so formal but yet so elegant. So that is what I wanted to create today - a card based on the new Card Patterns Sketch, the Hero Arts challenge to make a card using non-traditional Christmas stamps, using the same stamps has yesterday's card, and to make it elegant.

These are the challenges that this card was made for today.

Check It Out !

Why Not True For Your Chance of Winning $50.00 of Hero Arts Products!

Card Patterns Sketch Challenge

I flipped the sketch to have the circle on the other side of the card.

October Monthly Contest

And now for my card! Don't you just love these colours together!

Card Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Adhesive: Easy Glider Pro, Versa Mark

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Ranger, StazOn

Embellishments: Handmade Flower, Cricuit die-cut medallion and lace doily.

Stamps: Woodgrain Stamp S5298, Enjoy The Season CG210 - Hero Arts,

Ribbon: From my Stash (It's really red broadcloth binding.)
Embossing Powder: The Artful Stamper - Black

Instructions:

Using woodgrain stamp, add versa mark adhesive to surface and stamp onto a 4x6 piece of white cardstock. After stamping, cover with black embossing powder. Then shake off excess powder and place back into jar. Taking a Heat Embossing tool, set the embossing powder until you see it rise up and give texture. Then trim around the stamped panel if need be. Set aside. Now cut a black panel just a little bigger than the first one and set aside. Now with red ribbon, wrap around white embossed panel and tie a bow. Taking half of a small size doily, add to right side of card. Add die-cut medallion and handmade flower. Now add this embossed panel to black cardstock previously cut. Stamp sentiment on white cardstock with black ink and distress around edges with red ink and add to card.

SCRAPLING CHALLENGE WINNER!

Brenda Urbanik Congrats On Winning My First Blog Card Challenge.

Please email me at Flickr with your mailing address to receive a Our Craft Lounge Stamp Set.

Brenda's Scrapling Card. Isn't it beautiful.

Thanks so much to all of those who played along with my challenge. All of the entries were gorgeous and some of you got to make more than one. Wishing you many fun scrappy days.

Until next time, take care of yourself & each other.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Breaking Out The Christmas Stamps & Music!

2011-10-14T02:09:00.005-03:00

Well the time as come when Christmas Challenges are popping up everywhere it seems. And so I thought I would give it an early start this year. But I just could not get the mojo going until I put the Christmas music on. Sure enough! My juices were following and I must say that I am extremely happy with the end result.

Hero Arts is starting a new challenge for the month of October and this time around it includes making Holiday Cards. I love the fact that they have provided not 1 sketch but 3 to help inspire all of us. Also, we can make a Holiday card using non-holiday stamps. Check out these beauties on the Company Blog.

Check Out The Details!

The colours for this challenge were based on the challenge over at Paper & Such blog. I so love these colours and so will you. There is still time to play along!

Paper & Such Current Colour Challenge

Design Seeds - You Have To Check This Out!

Now I know that some of you may think that these colours are more for Autumn but really when you do up a Christmas Card country style, these colours fit right in with the rest of the card. Tell me what you think!

This is the pic my hubby thought I should use. But here is my pic that I thought was better. (I took them both, while he held up the flashlight! Honest he did!) I think that my pic shows the true colours of the above challenge better. It doens't really matter I guess as long as the picture is nice. I would love to take better pics that is for sure. I love my camera, but wish I knew how to use it better! Some day!

This card is also being submitted to the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday - Must use a stamp - So Distressing

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Anything Goes

Card Supplies:

Adhesive: Easy Glider Pro

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Ranger, Stampin Up'

Pattern Paper & Cardstock: Cosmo Cricuit (Wanted Collection) & Bazzill

Embellishments: Handmade Flowers, jute, pearls, die-cut flowers and border.

Stamps: Woodgrain Stamp S5298, Enjoy The Season CG210 - Hero Arts, Mini Snowflake - Studio G

Instructions:

The woodgrain stamp with white craft ink was stamped onto drk. brown cardstock. The piece was then inked around the edges with drk.chocolate chip. This was then trimmed and added to card base. A cranberry red strip of cardstock was inked with walnut distress ink and drk. chocolate chip around the edges. The snowflake image was then stamped in various places on the strip and adhered to the card front. The paper that is seen from the bottom of the card, is a piece of old paper bag that has been crumpled, smoothed out and then distress with the two inks mentioned above. This was added to the card front in the bottom location. The scalloped border, along with pattern paper were added to the center of card. Jute was then wrapped around card and tied in a bow at one side. To complete card, handmade flowers, pearls, and distressed die-cut leaves where then added to the card.

I know that I was suppose to share the card that I made for Thanksgiving. In all honesty I didn't get it all completed. I needed to add some ribbon and some embellishments. I thought that was no big deal and that I could get that completed this morning when there was testing going on in our Homeschooling. Well that didn't happen. Other important things came up and my crafting had to wait. So I hope to complete it tomorow and share some pics of our Apple Picking Adventure as well.

I trust that your all doing well and enjoying the Autumn weather. Maybe a good time to get a head start on your Christmas crafting. Until next time.

Blessings

Dana

View From My Window!

2011-10-12T23:17:00.003-03:00

Hello Everyone:

I haven't forgotten you, just dealing with life and trying to get back on track. I want to send a big cyber hug to all of those who sent their prayers and loving thoughts my way during the lost of my Nanny. It was appreciated more than you will ever know. My Mom is taking it really hard and it pains me to know that I am so far away from her right now. So any prayers on her behalf would be greatly appreciated too.

Okay on to happier things like my card that I wanted to share! I know that you all know about the Hero Arts blog! But did you know that they do a post called, " Hero Arts Weekend Inspiration Challenge" and you can find it under the Fun Fridays section in their sidebar on their blog. Well last week I was going through their blog post and found this challenge from Lisa Spangler. I so loved the pic that she shared with all of us for inspiration. Her photography is amazing and I only dream of taking pictures this great. Now this card was made just last Wednesday and I do realize that to submit my card for Lisa's challenge was a little late, but I fell in love with the photo and just had to play along. I also had some Fall challenges in mind when I made this card and will be submitting it to those as well.

Check It Out On The HA Blog!!!

Not to long ago, Kathy shared this beautiful card that she made using a window image from Tiffany Doodles. So I had to use it in my card as well. I fell in love with it from the get go and was so happy that Kathy shared it with all of us. She provided a link to this image for free at the Papercraft Inspiration Blog where she was featuring some more of her stunning cards. Why not check it out and make sure to visit Tiffany Doodles for some more amazing Digital Stamps.

Close-Up of Colouring of Flowers

Submitting to the following Challenges;

Crafting For All Seasons: Fall Flowers & Pumpkins

Fab 'n' Funky: Challenge # 94 - Fall Colours

House That Stamps Built : DCC1012~ Halloween/Fall Challenge

Stampavie and More: Autumn Theme

Now this card really came together much faster than I thought it would. I recently had some stamped images sent to me from my sweet HA Flicker Pal Sheila and they are gorgeous. I so love the sunflower stamp that I knew I had to use it along with 3 Hero Arts stamp sets. I used Cling Dots, Time To Stamp, and Everyday Sayings set. The stamped image from Sheila was a Northwoods stamp. I never seen these stamps before until I saw this card that Sheila shared on her blog. I couldn't get over the detail and beauty of the stamped images. Her card was stunning and you should check it out!

Now when this card started I thought I would create a blue sky with a sun in the background, but that didn't work like I wanted it too. So I did the next best thing and added some My Mind's Eye sky paper to the background. The window frame and sill were coloured with my Mustard Yellow Tombo marker - #993, but shaded with my new Staedtler pencils. The cool thing about these pencils is that they will not break like so many others will. They have ABS (Anti-Break System) which makes them so easy to use and are a big time saver. I also used these to colour my vase of sunflowers. These pencils were the only colouring medium used to fill in this image to add some character. I was floored at how amazing the colours blended and complimented each other. I actually would lay down my lightest colour and then layer other darker colours over top and then blend with the white colouring pencil. It was amazing how well they blended and I didn't have to use Baby Oil or Gasmo solution. I then felt like I needed to add a curtain of some sort to this window. It started out as a longer curtain hanging on 1 side but I didn't like that at all! Lol. So I decided to stamp the dots on some blue material and make a Roman style blind. Don't you just love the curtain strings to pull the blinds up & down? Lol. All elements were then added to the cardfront using pop-dots and sentiment stamped inside of the window frame. (In this case outside of the window! Wink!) Yes, this was a lot of fun!

Sorry that this is such a long post, but I really wanted to share the details of this fun card and challenge you to make a Scenery card. Also, I wanted to let you know that I will be announcing the winner of my Scrapling Challenge before this week is out okay!

That is it until tomorrow when I share my late Thanksgiving Card with you all. I trust that you had a great day today and are making memories that will last a lifetime.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Sad News!

2011-10-06T18:16:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to let those who participated in my Scrappling Contest know that I haven't forgotten about you. I have been so crazy with life that I didn't get to purchase a gift certificate yet. So I might just send you some prizes from my stash. But to make matters worst my Nanny pasted away on Tuesday night and I haven't felt like doing much since I got the news. It really has been a tough year. My Dad's youngest brother passed away in May and then 3 months later is oldest brother passed away. And now my Mom's mother just passed away. Yes, it really has been a tough year. If any of you pray and could do so on our families behalf that would be greatly appreciated. Not really sure of how much more we can take. I do try to remember that God tells us in His Word that He doesn't give us more than we can bear and that trials build our character. This is true I know but it can be ever so tough when it first begins. Looking down the road from now we can all look back on life and breath a sigh of relief and question how we ever made it through. But that is life isn't it! Always tossing us moments of happiness and saddness, decisions and choices. All of it giving us a life that we can each call "My Life". No matter the journey, it is our little part of life that we occupy, and ours to make a change for the better and impact those around us. Hope this email finds you all in good health and enjoying the Autumn weather.

Blessings
Dana

Happy World Card Making Day

2011-10-01T02:11:00.005-03:00

Are you busy making cards today? Do you have a day planned with friends to get scrappy and to have some fun? Today is World Card Making Day and I am sure that there are many cards being made today. Some were made previously for todays blog post I am sure. Just like the one that I made here for you all to see.

Close up of the white embossing.

Card Instuctions:

Taking the Hero Arts Flower Text stamp I added some Versa Mark adhesive to it. Before adding it to my white cardstock, I rubbed my Embossing Buddy overtop of my paper to prevent the adhesive from sticking in places not needed. Once this was done, I then stamped the image on the cardstock. Then I poured clear embossing powder overtop. After shaking off the excess, I then used my heat gun to dry the embossing powder. Once completely dried I took, Broken China, Walnut, and Peeled Paint Ranger Distress Inks to add some colour to the background of this cardfront. After adding the distress inks overtop of cardstock, I spritzed it with water to give it a more blended look. After this was completed the sides were distressed using blending tool and chocolate chip ink to finish. Now moving on to the flowers. I used my Tombo Markers to colour and shade the flowers. Bling was then added for the flower centers. The card front was adhered to craft cardstock and matching ribbon, along with Jelly Bean Soup sentiment were added for the finishing touches.

Check Out The Fun!

This card was made for today, but also for the Blog Hop that is happening over at PaperCrafts Magazine Blog. Today there will be many bloggers sharing their cards with you so be sure to check out there company blog here.

Simon Says Bling Challenge! Check it out!

This card was also made with the Lily Pad Bling Challenge in mind. I didn't share that here before when I posted because I thought I missed the challenge deadline. But after checking it and seeing that I still have time to submit it, I am doing just that! Make sure that you play along too.

I just wanted to let the winners of my last Blog Candy Giveaway know that I finally got your prizes sent to you in the post today. Sorry about the delay, but life is extremely busy! Hope that you enjoy them and share what you create.

Thanks so much for dropping bye today. If this is the first time to visit my blog then I invite you to make yourself comfortable and browse through the many post to find something that may inspire you. If you like, you can follow my work by becoming a follower. Love that you all find something inspiring here at Reliving Tomorrow and thanks so much for the encouraging words and visits.

Okay it is way past my bedtime. Thanks again for dropping bye and have a great World Card Making Day!

Blessings

Dana

Scrapling Challenge - My First!! Join The Fun!!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.006-03:00

This Post Will Remain At The Top Until Deadline!!! Scroll Down For Most Recent Post! Thanks

Have you ever found yourself with bags of scraps left over from your days of making layouts or cards? Have you ever planned on organizing it all into different colors and patterns? Well I went out and bought special filing caddy and folders to do just that, but maybe what I needed to do was just make those scraps into something special. I recently found out from a friend of mine that you can make something that is called a “Scrapling” This is the piece of paper that you normally would trim off your 8 ½ x 11 paper to make two cards. So instead of putting it in a bag to file or use later, why not make a card with it from the leftovers that you just used to make your scrapbooking page!

Here is a sample of a Scrapling that I made using my Hero Arts stamps.

Card Recipe:

I just took 3 scraps of paper from my stash and cut them down to size, making sure that my white paper would fit on my gray cardstock. I took my white card stock and stamped flowers with H5481Classic Bloom/ Hero Arts stamp off to the side of what will be my front panel. I then took a piece of scratch paper and stamped the same flowers again. Then I cut them out to use later in my masking technique.

Masking is where you stamp an image, cut it out, and then place it over top of a previously stamped image to prevent other stamping or inking from going onto it. Hope that isn’t too complicated to understand!

So in this case I stamped the flowers first on the white cardstock.

Then I took the cut out flowers of the same stamp and placed over top. Make sure to add adhesive so the mask won’t move. Reposition able adhesive is the best to use here because you want to remove the mask and not tear the paper beneath.

Once this was completed, I took my Ranger Blending Tool and Ranger Distress Ink of Broken Straw and blended right over top of the complete surface of the card.

Then the edges were blended with Storm Grey to deepen the outer edge.

Once done, I removed my flower masks and put them aside to use later. Once the mask was removed, I then took Tombo Markers # 553 & # 623 to color the flowers and to add shading. Flower centers were colored with #993 and shaded with # 905.

Once coloring is completed the mask should be placed back onto the previous stamped flowers on your card panel.

Once this is done, the S4878 Old Letter Writing/Hero Arts Stamp is inked with Black StazOn and stamped over top. Note: Now I didn’t mind the letter writing being on my flowers so I didn’t place my mask back onto my flowers, but you may wish to do so.

Now that your card front is completed, add ribbon of choice and some bling to the front. Adhere to gray cardstock and then to your scrap of black folded paper. Voila! You’ve made a Scrapling!

Now that you have an idea of what to do to make these Scraplings, I would love to see what you can do! So I challenge you to make a Scrapling or 2 yourself and upload it here to my blog. Consider this my first Blog Challenge. All you have to do is add your link to this blog post and follow the instructions. The prize for this Scrapling Challenge will be a Gift Certificate from Simon Says Store and some other scrapping goody. The more entries the better chances to win! Please only submit cards made after todays' date. Deadline: Sept. 30, 2011. Thanks so much.

Thanks for playing along and can't wait to see what you create!

Blessings

Dana

I'm Still Here!

2011-09-22T00:38:00.001-03:00

I guess you all thought that I dropped off the face of the earth! Lol. Well I am still here and busy. I am sorry for the lack of posting this past little while, but we just got back not to long ago from vacation. And we are well into our second week of Homeschooling.

Yup! You read right! I am now a Homeschooling Mom! After much prayer and review of some of my son's struggles with math and language, we felt that this was the right move to make. To re-enforce skills and to expand on them is what our goals are for this year. I am excited to say that things are going amazingly well and that he is fairing greatly with his on-line Homeschooling. Yes, I oversee things and have to correct work but a big portion is done through an accredited program. I am so thankful for this and I truly appreciate all those Moms who really teach by using actual school books. These are the real Homeschoolers. My hubby reminds me that no matter how you teach an Homeschooler it is still teaching and a school at home. Thanks honey! Lol.

So I do have something to share with you and I trust that it is well worth the wait. Awhile back I did a card for Scraptacular Images and never did post it here at Reliving Tomorrow. So I want to share it with you today. This card was inspired by Amy Wanford's beautiful creation.

And here is a close-up to show how the shading is completed around the flowers giving the effect that they are hanging in a downward position. I used Tombo Markers and my Staedtler watercolour pencils.

I saw this card on CAS Study Challenge Blog and was floored by it's beauty. I know that mine is nothing compared to this image due to the fact that I do not have the same Craft's Meow stamps ( which I have actually dreamt about at night! Lol! No, honest! First when the release came out, I thought of them all the time! Played along with challenges to win them but no such luck!) And Amy's work is to die for. I look at her work and just drool. It helps to have amazing stamps like these as well. But this was truly my inspiration for this card above.

My card had it's center coloured with blue and the image was pre-stamped and given to me by a friend. Otherwise I would have stamped it out several times myself and layered it over top of the circle like Amy did in the above picture. That was not happening,so I had to improvise instead! lol.

I so love that Amy lightly stamped a flower in the corner of her card front. And to be honest I didn't notice it until after the fact. It's okay because no one says that you have to Case a card exactly the same, right! Thanks Amy for the inspiration. Hugs.

Thanks for dropping bye today and hopefully you like the card that I made. My challenge is still going on and maybe extended if I don't get at least 10-12 players. So please jump in and play along. These Scrapling cards are so fun to make and quick too. If you would like to share about this challenge on your blog as well, it would be greatly appreciated. To see more ideas for Scraplings check here!

Okay it is beddy bye for me. Early morning again tomorrow. Trust that your all doing well and that your enjoying your first day of Autumn!

Missed You All!

Hugs

Dana

Remembering 911

2011-09-11T01:16:00.007-03:00

I know that today is a very sad day for so many people. That day 10 years ago is still itched in my memory and I wasn't even there. But I think that has the world watched we all had a piece of our hearts, our security, and dignity taken away from us. Knowing that this would only be something that we could see in a movie, and here it is, real and happening in front of us.

I remember wanting to go home for the summer with my then 3 year old child to visit my folks for the summer. My hubby was going away to London on business and I just wanted to leave our apartment and not be alone. I decided to go 3 days prior of the 911 attacks and I have thanked God many times that I made that choice. My hubby headed out the day before, so I thought I would leave early too. Little did we know that just 3 days later the world would be watching such a horrific event unfold and that it would touch our lives living here in Canada. With all that happened airports shut down, flights delayed, flights grounded and now while I look back on it all, I wonder how would I have dealt with all that ciaos. Not knowing what was wrong, wondering if someone on the flight was going to do something alarming. I don't know how I could have cooped with a 3 year old child, consoling him that everything was okay while uncertainty closed in all around me. We all know that the folks involved in the actual attacks were the worst victims here, but the effects of this day must have been great on all those who were still flying that day and think of those who were lost in the plane crashes. With family living in the Bronx and not knowing where they were, we were gravely concerned. To later be informed that all was okay and they were safe, was another reminder of all the phone calls that didn't end so happily. While my family and I watched in horror all I could do was cry and thank God for my safety, but pray constantly for the safety of those who were lost in those buildings. For God to make Himself real in this time of desperate need and for there to be some since of hope. Like our Pastor spoke this morning, America got Religion that day. No, not the do's and don'ts that we all associate church and religion with, but a knowing and understanding of an Almighty God who loves and cares for His people.

I have read some amazing stories of how God came near to the heart of man that day and have been truly inspired to hug a little longer, to laugh a little louder, encourage until you have no more words to say, and to love a little deeper.

To all those touched bye that horrific day, my hearts go out to you. So many lives lost and so many hurts remain. I pray that God will encompass you. That He will fill you with a knowing that you are His, and that in Him you can place your trust for each tomorrow. That fear will be no more and that you can walk in the light of His Love, knowing that he works all things for your good. Romans 8:28

I just wanted to share this video with you to encourage and to remind you that there can be hope in the remembering. And with hope comes strength for a better, brighter tomorrow!

Please turn on your volumn. Thanks.

In my thoughts & prayers always!

Dana

BLOG CANDY WINNERS!! Finally!! Right!

2011-09-06T18:07:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone:

I trust that today's post finds you in good spirits, health and with wonderful summer memories. Can you believe that it is all over. Well the calendar says otherwise but school, and work dedicate something different. Yes, it is that time again!

We just got back from vacation late Saturday night. Sunday was spent getting over the travel that went along with our return home. But that wasn't the only thing that went along with it. We were happy to be here in our little abode again, but we soooo missed the people we just left behind. That is why we have been so blessed with many great memories and most of all wonderful pics. I will see if I can come up with some to share with you later. Ones that I am not on though! Lol. Can't stand getting my pic taken! Lol.

Then yesterday we had the power gone all day and it never came back on until around 6 a.m this morning. There were 20, 000 people without power and we were included in that great number. I say all of this to say that these are the things that kept me from picking the winners of my Blog Candy on Sept.4th.

Without further ado, the winners of my 2 Blog Candy give-aways are the following people:

The winner of this Blog Candy is Carla!! Yay!!

The winner of this Blog Candy is Judy123! Yay!

If both ladies would be so kind as to be in touch with me regarding your address that would be awesome. I will get your things out to you in the mail asap! Thanks to all of those who played along and became followers. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I feel that you appreciate my work and find it inspirational enough to come back each day. It really means so much and I am ever grateful.

Back with more cards, and even some scrapbooking layouts this week. Hope your having a fun week and enjoying the last days of summer.

Until next time!

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

My Lily Pad Blog Candy!

2011-09-04T01:24:00.001-03:00

This post will remain at the top until I have over 100 followers. Be sure to let me know that you are a new follower, or shared this on your blog. My previous followers can try out for this prize too. Just share it on your blog as a post or in your sidebar. Easy Peasy! So please let me know okay what you did. It makes it easier to draw for a winner that way! Thanks so much.

Blog Candy Give-Away!

Blog Candy Contents:

Me & My Big Idea Love of My Life Album Kit W/Bling & Chipboard Embellies.

Also included, 3 spools of American Craft ribbon ( 4ft each) Pink, Purple, Teal

Purple Fiber String, Pink & White Lace, Purple Flowers ( Not sure of Company)

Pastal Colour Brads & Clips, Bakers Twine, Creative Memories Love Stickers

I would really appreciate it if you could post TO YOUR blog sidebar linking it back to my blog. Though I am not on FaceBook or Twitter, you can share it there too if you like. If you could become a follower that would be super! Thanks so much for your support. It really does mean so much!

Also, don't forget that there is My Mind's Eye Blog Candy being given away also. It is beautiful and it was a kit similar to this one that I used to make this card.

Check It Out & Sign Up To Follow Today!

This kit is beautiful and can be used for some amazing page layouts or cards. Why not check out My Mind's Eye new releases that were just revealed at CHA. I am drooling everytime I look at each new line. I love these new papers so much because they really can be used for boy scrapbooking, which I find so difficult to find. Some folks are okay with using flowery paper on boy layouts, but not me! I tried to sneak some peach into a layout before and he wasn't very happy with me! Nothing but video games, bow & arrows and hockey for this boy!! Lol. So I try to keep him happy! These are my favorites.

Check It Out On Their Blog For Closer Look!

And this one too!

Check It Out For A Closer View

The Christmas one is to die for! Just gorgeous! I am suppose to not purchase any more supplies for a while, but I will have to see what I can do to twist my hubby's arm to get these.

Check It Out!

Okay I better get to bed! I trust your all doing great and taking loads of pics for your very own layouts.

Thanks for being here and visiting with me today!

Sweet Dreams

Dana

Helping A Good Cause!

2011-08-18T03:52:00.003-03:00

Just wanted to share two cards that I made for my Hero Arts Flickr Group challenge - called 90 Minute Scramble. Recently sweet Janet from our group hosted the challenge and all cards were to be donated to a very good cause called Operation Marshmallow and supports men and women in the military. Most of the cards go to veterans. Please check it out and if you can send in a card please do! Thanks so much.

There was a site for the Canadian military called "Cards For Canadian Soliders" but is not accepting cards now, due to the fact, that our troops are no longer overseas. Most have pulled out with only few groups remaining and to my knowledge the mission will be completed before the end of this year. If there is someone who knows of another group to send cards along to, like maybe recovering soliders, or Veterans please bye all means let me know and I will be in touch with them to see what their needs are for cards and then pass it along to others here. Thanks so much.

This card was made using the Florish Stamp from Hero Arts and was stamped with white kraft ink on dark purple cardstock. If I had my time back I would have embossed it white instead, because now the card looks more like a very pale white on a black background and it isn't! Oh well, know I know for next time. Speaking of time, I only had 90 minutes to make both of these cards and the clock was ticking. Lol.

Now this card was made using the Classic Bloom stamp from Hero Arts as well and was stamped using black StazOn on mustard yellow Bazill cardstock. (It turned out much brighter than I had hoped for but oh well!) All flowers were then coloured with blue Tombo Marker and then shaded with my Staedtler Karat watercolor Pencils. Centers were coloured in with black maker and outer part of centers where coloured in with orange. For a more whimiscal touch I added white highlights to the flower petals with white Tombo gel pen. American Craft mocoa colour ribbon was tied around card front and the pearls added for a little charm.

The 90 Minute Scrambles are so challenging and even though I have only ever won one time, it is so fun and the ladies so nice, that winning never really matters! I have made such wonderful friends from this group of ladies that I feel extremely blessed. You should should try and play along on the next 90 Minute Scramble too.

Well I guess that you have seen that I am finally over 100 followers! Yay! I am so happy right now! I am gonna leave this Blog Candy going until our vacation time is over. We are getting ready to start our vacation time tomorrow and we cannot wait! I just love taking road trips and short day trips. If you can share about this that would be great, but please let me know if your a new follower, or if you shared this on your blog. Don't worry, there will still be some other post, at least one or two. So please check back in okay!

Thanks for being here today and I hope that you are inspired to share your creations with someone in your community or for a worthy cause. It really does mean so much to others to get a handmade card. Until next time, have fun and God Bless!

Hugs

Dana

Happy Friendship Week!

2011-08-10T00:38:00.012-03:00

Not sure if you knew that or not, but this is considered Friendship week. I want to send a big Thank You to all of you who are my Blogging Friends, and my friends who I see on a more real basis. Like face to face! Though I wish I could really meet some of my Blogging Friends face to face. Some day! This is for you all!

You all mean so much to me and your encouragement is what keeps me going. One person I want to send this to is my Mom! She is my mother mostly, but also my close friend. I want to share a card I made for her today because she is sick. She has the Shingles, a form of Chicken Pox and is really sick. I only found out today and I am somewhat bothered that she didn't tell me. She is in her 70's and is dealing with some health issues anyway, and now this. She doens't always tell us what is wrong until it is too late. Oh well, now that I know I hounded her for information. She did go to the doctor and has some meds. Okay here is the card that I made for her.

Some Close-Ups!

Card Supplies:

Ribbon: Teal Blue

Cardstock: Autumn Leaves & Recollections

Inks: Stampin' Up, ColorBox/Hero Arts, StazOn

Embellishments: Corsage Pin/Design It! Pearls/Dollarama

Stamps: Hydrangea/Hero Arts, Mini Clear Stamps/Kaisercraft

Adhesives: Score Tape, Stamp Runner/Tombo, Glue Glider Pro

Pencils & Markers: White Gel Pen/Tombo & Watercolor Pencils/Staedtler

This card is being submitted to Case Study Blog Hop Challenge. I was inspired bye Dawn who was the Muse over there for a while and loved this card. So the card above is my take on that beautiful card.

This card is also being submitted to the Hero Arts challenge over at 2Peas. Check it out for your chance to play along and maybe win 50 dollars worth of Hero Arts Product. I just love Hero Arts stamps and you should see their new Winter Catalogues. You can see them bye clicking on the link in my sidebar as well.

Hope your all enjoying your days of summer as they begin to count down. So depressing really how fast this summer has gone bye. Still lots of time to spend at the beach yet though, so I would encourage you to get in so many fun summer days as possible. Be sure to take lots of pictures too. Not being bossy, just saying you will be sorry later when summer is gone and autumn is upon us. Lol. Yes, I am speaking from experience.

Thanks for looking and for dropping bye.

Hugs

Dana

I'm Back!

2011-08-03T23:59:00.007-03:00

Hi Everyone:

I trust that your all doing great and still enjoying your summer. I must admit that the break I took really did help my hand feel better. I guess all this love I have for cardmaking is wearing me out before my time! Lol. Just kidding! My son says, " Mom your falling apart sure!" Lol. It is so funny hearing him say that, just like a little old man! Such a sweetheart. Loves his Mama! Now if I could get over this stupid Bronchitis then I would be back to normal. I know your wondering if normal is a part of my character. Lol. Now come on! I just love to have fun and have a good laugh! Life is too short to be down right! So just laugh and then laugh some more!

Okay back to posting the cards that I made for my Guest Designer Gig over at Lily Pad. I have to say that I was soooo happy how they turned out. I had such heartfelt comments and encouragement. It really meant so much. The next cards are my favorites really. I love the vibrancy of the colours and how realistic the flowers look. You tell me what you think!

Card Supplies:

Markers: Tombo

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Ranger, Stampin’ Up

Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections, Stampin’ Up

Stamps: Everyday Sayings CL342– Hero Arts

Pattern Paper: Mustard Moon, K & Company

Punches & Die Cuts: Lacy Punch – Martha Stewart, Classic Scalloped Circle – Spellbinders – Nestabilities

Rose Flower: Made with Sculpy 111 Clay and using molds from Mold Mice @ Esty ( This flower was from my Flickr Friend Janet! Thanks sweetie)

Instructions:

Old Vintage News Print paper was cut to size, distressed, adhered to black cardstock, and then to card base. Lacy border was punched from Kraft cardstock then added to card front. Cotton lace was then added to bottom portion of punched lace border and black ribbon added to the center and tied to the side.

Scalloped circles were then punched from pink cardstock and edges distressed with black ink. Lace Doilies were cut from pattern paper. All were distressed and layered on card front from biggest to smallest.

Molded flower was colored using Tombo pink markers and then shaded with black ink. This was then soften with a mop brush in a pouncing motion. A darker shade of black was added to petal edges and around flower center. This flower was then added to the card front using Score Tape. To finish the card, the sentiment was stamped and matted then added to card along with pearls and corsage pin.

Card Supplies

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Ranger, Stampin’ Up, StazOn

Cardstock: Recollections

Watercolor Paper: Canson 90lbs/185GSM

Stamps: Classic Bloom H5481, Old Letter Writing S4878, Hydrangea K5376, Everyday Sayings CL342 – Hero Arts, Journal Spots – Autumn Leaves

Adhesives: Glossy Accents, Score Tape, Pop Dots, and Glue Dots

Markers: Tombo

Pencils: Staedtler

Instructions:

Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint, Broken China, and Vintage Photo distress inks were added to an acrylic block and then spritzed with water. Once inks bleed together and pooled in places, a piece of watercolor paper was placed over top. Once removed and blotted a little, it was heated with the embossing heat tool. Then text was added using Old Letter Writing stamp. Edges were distressed with Choc. Chip and adhered to a Kraft cardstock card base.

Journaling spot was stamped in Choc. Chip and cut in half to be used later. Wide coordinating ribbon was then tied around card. Journal spot was then added to the side of ribbon bow. Using the Classic Blossom stamp, two flowers were stamped with black StazOn on watercolor paper.

Each flower was colored with Tombo Yellow Marker and shaded with brown watercolor pencil. Center of flower was colored blue and shaded around with dark blue. To add depth and dimension to flower, the center was stamped again and colored. It was then cut out and layered over flower center using pop dots. The center was then covered with Glossy Accents to add shine but also to give a smooth surface to lay down white gel dots. This made the dots pop! Top flower was then layered over the bottom flower. The bottom flower did not have any shading. This is one’s preference. Flower was then placed over top of journal spot using pop dots.

Leaves were made using just the leaf portion of the Hydrangea stamp. Five leaves were stamped, cut, colored and adhered to the flower. Sentiment was stamped and added to flower along with corsage pin. To complete the card, pearls were added randomly.

This card was also submitted to the Hero Arts July monthly contest and I am praying & hoping that it helps me to win some new release stamps. Praying, crossing my fingers, legs, & toes! Lol. The new contest is up now as well. It is a goodie this time! But then again the contest are always amazing.

Before I go I just want to share a bit of information with you regarding Hero Arts and their incentive program.

Check Out This Very Exciting News!

When you use Hero Arts stamps in your card makingand those card then become published in some crafting or cardmaking Magazine, then you will recieve a reward from Hero Arts. No better time to purchase Hero Arts stamps than now. You will be so happy that you did!

Okay that is it for this post, but there is one coming right after this one that will share some more Blog Candy. So please stay tuned!

Hugs & Blessings.

Dana

Your Probabley Wondering .....

2011-07-29T17:21:00.000-03:00

Hi Everyone:
Your maybe wondering what happen to the rest of the pics that I was gonna share from my feature over at Lily Pad. Well to be honest I was suppose to post them today along with a pic of my Blog Candy, but I haven't been feeling well today. Sorry but my hand is acting up again and giving me pain in my arm. So I guess my body is telling me to take a break. I have been doing a lot of creating this summer and maybe I have over done it. It was a year ago in May that I had surgery on the same hand and it really as been feeling great since than, but lately it is acting up again. So I am taking a break today but will be back in with more pics in the next day or so. So sorry for this but hopefully you will understand.

Blessings
Dana

Lily Pad Cards - Some Today & Some Tomorrow

2011-07-28T00:11:00.005-03:00

Hi Everyone:

I guess I waited long enough for most of you to head over to LilyPad to see my cards, but for those of you who didn't here are the first 3 cards that I will share. The other 2 along with a New Blog Candy Give Away, will be shared tomorrow okay.

First I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who left such warm and kind comments for me over at Lily Pad today. There were some comments that actually made me cry! Thanks so much Judy!! Your such a sweetheart and friend. Big Hugs. Also I am sooooo grateful to those of you who found your way here from Lily Pad blog. It really means so much!! Okay now for the cards!

Card Supplies

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Ranger, Stampin’ Up

Cardstock: Autumn Leaves, Recollections

Stamps: Everyday Sayings CL342, Old Letter Writing S4878, Hydrangea K5376 – HA

Markers & Pencils: Tombo, Marvy, Staedtler - Karat

Watercolor Paper: Canson 90lbs/185GSM

Embossing Powder: The Artful Stamper

Embossing Adhesive: Versa Mark

Instructions:

With Versa Mark, the Hydrangea Flower was stamped around the surface of a 5x5 piece of watercolor paper. Black embossing powder was then sprinkled over each flower. The excess was then returned to container and the stamped images were then set using an embossing heat tool. Each flower was then colored with Tombo Markers. First used was the lighter color, then a darker shade, but only in various places. The leaves were colored and shaded. White dots were added for highlights on leaves and flower centers.

The flower was stamped 5 more times on scratch paper and cut out. These 5 were placed over top of the already colored flowers. These will be your “Masks”. Once flowers were all temporarily put in place, Scattered Straw distress ink was rubbed all over the surface. Be careful not to left up any of the masks while doing this step. This was all blended with an Aqua Pen to soften the ink. Once dried and with masks still in place, text was added to the background using the Old Letter Writing stamp with Chocolate Chip ink. Once dried, all masks were removed and discarded. To add more depth, watercolor pencils were used to add a darker shade around each flower. The sentiment was stamped on a white cardstock banner strip. The card front was then adhered to Kraft card base. To complete the card, the edges were distressed and banner was added to center of card.

This card was also submitted to Hero Arts July Monthly Contest.

Card Supplies:

Inks: StazOn

Cardstock: Bazzill

Stamps: Everyday Sayings CL342 – Hero Arts, My Little Monsters - Recollections

Markers: Tombo & Marvy

Patterned Paper: Berry St. Farmers’ Market – DCWV, Little Boy – Echo Park Paper Co.

Instructions:

Blue pattern paper was cut and adhered to fit a 5x5 black card base. Button images were cut from pattern paper and placed with pop dots in the corner of card front. The monster image was paper pieced and so therefore needed a base to glue individual pieces too. So first the image was stamped on white cardstock, then orange pattern paper, and last red cardstock. All pieces were cut and then glued to the white stamped image. Scales and feet where colored with Tombo Markers. Highlights were added randomly on Monster body. A white strip of cardstock was placed at bottom of card and ribbon was also tied around card. Sentiments were added to center and bottom of card. To add a touch of whimsy and fun, Googley eyes added to the Monster face. Monster was then added to complete the card.

Card Supplies

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Ranger

Cardstock: Recollections

Stamps: Old Letter Writing S4878 – Hero Arts

Sentiment: Discover Title Stickers - Creative Memories

Patterned Paper: Life Stories Kit – My Mind’s Eye

Instructions:

Text was added to a 5 ½ x 4 piece of grid pattern paper using the Old Letter Writing stamp using Peeled Paint distress ink. The edges were then distressed and adhered to flower patterned paper, then matted with Kraft and brown cardstock. Ribbon was added to tag. The flower die cut, along with tag, and half of a journal spot was distressed around edges and place on card with pop dots. The sentiment sticker was placed across tag and to finish the card, pearls were added randomly. This card was made with the green Scrapbooking kit that is similar to the kit that is up for grabs with this Blog Candy. Please let me know if you shared about this on your blog or if you are a new follower and want your name added to the draw. Thank so much!

Today was another hot summer day and was a good time to go to the air conditioned stores to pick up groceries and run errands. Lol. I do love this beautiful weather though, especially hot summer nights. It was so cool and romantic (kind of) to be outside until late at night, with Citronella candles glowing and setting down with a cool drink. Talking to my sweet hubby, laughing, and remembering . I so appreciate our big wonderful garden and the very beautiful night sky with twinkling stars. We really do have so much to be thankful for. Hope your enjoying your summer and taking lots of pics to help you remember when the seasons change.

I guess I better get to bed. Until tomorrow sweet dreams.

Big Hugs
Dana

Lily Pad Guest Designer Sneek Peek Teaser!

2011-07-26T02:11:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone:

Well the day for my Guest Designer feature at Lily Pad will soon be here! Yup! July 27th - this Wednesday! I am super excited and can't wait to share my cards with you on that day. But for now I do want to tease you with some Sneek Peeks of my cards that I made for this very exciting opportunity. So here they are in no particular order. Can you figure out what the originals might look like. I can't wait to share them with you.

And Finally, the last one!

Okay, that is it for all my Sneek Peeks. And remember to see the the cards with details and a larger view be sure to see my Guest Designer Post at Lily Pad. My post goes live at Lily Pad on WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, at 4:00 a.m. EST. That is what I was told anyway!! Lol! So I will meet you at the pad, and be sure to drop back in here again for another Blog Candy Give-away in honour of my Lily Pad Guest Designer spot. There is still Blog Candy up for grabs here too. If you share about my Blog Candy on your blog, please let me know so I can add your name to the draw okay.

Thanks so much for popping in and checking things out. I trust your all enjoying the hot days of summer. So much better than snow remember. Lol. I am not gonna complain. Well, try not too.

Good Night & Sleep Tight!

I know I will!

Blessings

Dana

Tropical Creation & More Exciting News!

2011-07-20T17:30:00.003-03:00

Hi Everyone;

Hope your summer is going great and that you are still getting some creative time to get your fingers inky! Lol! If you headed over to Jill's blog you would have noticed that today and the rest of this week, her blog will be taken over by some of her friends while she is away at CHA. Today is my turn over there and this is my take on her card that I shared yesterday.

Close-Up Shot

Card Supplies
Inks: Black StazOn

Cardstock: Autumn Leaves
Stamps: CL342 - Everyday Sayings – Hero Arts
Digital Stamps: Sweetest Flower - Deedee’s Digis

Watercolour Paper: Canson 90 lbs./185GSM
Adhesives: Glue Dots, Score Tape, and Glue Glider Pro
Markers: Tombo Markers #’s 098, 443, 452, 856, 905, 993, White Gel Pen - Marvy
Distress Inks: Ranger/Broken China, Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint, Storm Grey, Fired Brick, Vint.Photo

To make this card I printed the digital image on watercolour paper. I coloured each flower with a combination of 3 to 4 shades of one colour. The advantage with watercolour paper is that you can take away colour if there is too much and add extra if you need to darken a colour. Each individual flower was coloured this way. Then to add a deeper shade, I used Distress Inks to add shading around each flower petal and underneath. A little tip to determine where your shading should be, is visualize that the shadow should always be behind or beneath. To add highlights I just used my white gel pen and added it in areas that were in the opposite direction of where the shading was located. For a touch of whimsy I added white dots to the center of each petal. The edge of the card was distressed with Vintage Photo ink. Then jute twine was wrapped around the card twice and tied in a bow. The sentiment was then stamped in black. The flowers were added to the side of the card using pop dots rather than in the center like Jill did with her card. That’s it! Voila! I love tropical flowers and though we don't see many of those in this part of the world, they are so beautiful when you see them at the flower store. Hopefully these remind you of tropical flowers too. I am so thankful to my freind Deedee who was the designer of this wonderful Digital Stamp. Thanks sweetie.

If you came here from Jill's Blog, then I want to extend a warm welcome to you. I am so happy that you dropped bye and hope that there is something at "Reliving Tomorrow" that inspires you to create. If you have any questions feel free to be in touch at dana.colbourne@yahoo.com

In honour of my Guest Blogger Day and also some other exciting news ( which I will share in a minute) I want to give away some Blog Candy! You don't have to become a follower but I sure would love it if you did and if you wanted to share about my Give-Away on your blog that would be awesome too.

To Have A Better View Of Individual Pages See Them Here

I so love these papers. If your into Vintage style scrapbook pages or cards these are the papers that will help you get the job completed. I will share a sneek peek of a card that was created using some of these papers next week. That card is actually apart of the exciting news that I have to share. Okay, here it is! Lol! I am so happy to say that I will be Guest Designing at Lily Pad for the month of July. I have some sneek peeks to share of all the cards that I have created for my time over there, but you will have to come back to see for yourself.

Well that is it for now. Sorry such a long post but I had lots to share. I have been quiet for a while about the Guest Designer Spot but now that the time is drawing near, I thought it would be okay to share. I am so grateful to Deborah Nolan & Vicky Papaioannou for providing me with this amazing opportunity and for helping me to get my work out there! Thanks ladies!

Okay off to get some chicken on the Barbie! Until next time, take care of yourself and each other!

Hugs & Blessings

Quick Post & Some Exciting News!

2011-07-19T17:40:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to pop in for a brief moment and to share some exciting news with you all. Tomorrow, I will be Guest Blogger at Inspired By the blog of Jill Foster. If your a cardmaker and know anything about the hobby I am sure that you must know who she is and how fab her cards are! Tomorrow I will be taking over her blog as she will be away at CHA WOWING everyone there. Lol! I was so humbled that such a great friend would ask me to do this. Her heart is as big as the ocean and for her friendship, I am ever grateful. So why not check it out to see my take on one of her cards that I have been inspired by. This is the card that inspired me so much!

Her eye for detail and brilliant colours is amazing and I cannot wait to share my take on this beauty. So to see my take on this card be sure to check out the provided link and tell me what you think. Be sure to stay tune, because I have some more wonderful news to share and some sneek peeks too! You never know, maybe there will be some Blog Candy up for grabs as well.

I trust that you are all having a wonderful summer and enjoying each other. Remember to take care and be safe.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

I've Been Tweeted!!!!

2011-07-11T13:02:00.005-03:00

Check Out All Your Hero Arts Tweets

I am so excited right now! I love being a part of Hero Arts Flicker group and it is so amazing to see so many ladies having their cards being Tweeted about on Twitter! To be honest I have wished many times that I was in that group! Lol. I know it seems silly and it shouldn't matter, but for some crazy reason, it does! Lol. We are all guilty of wanting to be recognized for our hard work and determination, and when it happens it becomes so exciting!! I was so happy to read the Tweets on the Hero Arts blog and my jaw dropped when I saw that my name and this card was mentioned in their Twitter thread on July 6th! Lol! I couldn't believe it! Oh my goodness! I have been Tweeted! Lol. You can read it here! It feels wonderful to have my work noticed by one of the leading Stamp Manufactures in North America! It was such a nice surprise and I am feeling so grateful right now! Thanks so much Hero Arts!

Also, I am so excited to say that I made the Top 3 again at Case Study! I was so excited to see that my card was chosen for this category and the week before I won the Random Org. pick. So Case Study really has been so good to me! Lol. Thanks for choosing my card. I so appreciate it! Their new challenge is up!

I just want to share this card that I made for a challenge that I hosted with my HA Flickr Group! I challenged the ladies to make a card that was going against their natural creative grain! To do something different than the norm and to share it with our group. So the "Against The Grain Challenge" was a little more difficult than most 90 Minute Scrambles, but the ladies said that they really enjoyed it and was happy to be challenged outside of their comfort zone. The cards that were made were gorgeous! You can check it out here and this is my card.

This card was made using the "Time To Stamp" and sentiment from "Everyday Sayings" set as well. Both Hero Arts stamp sets. I actually stamped one of the clocks and then enlarged it on a photocopier! It was distressed with Ranger Distress Inks and then stamped with Old Letter Writing HA stamp as well. To add some character, I added a cluster of embellishments on the side. The grommets and brads were from Making Memories and I used a white gel pen/Tombo to add some highlights around the clock and on the Roman Numerals.

Enlarging stamped images really can give you some pretty amazing shaped cards! Now I don't do this all the time, but when I would like something different or I am tired of the regular size card, I try something like this. Don't be scared to stretch your imagination! You'd be surprised with what you come up!

I wanted to add that the "Take 5" feature that was suppose to be up here at Reliving Tomorrow is being delayed due to some technical difficulties. Yup! Just another way of saying that I am having computer issues. Grrr! I can't wait to get my own computer again. Trying to figure out video making using a different program, and photo editing program is driving me nuts!!! Grrr! Lol! So I have taken a step back from it for a while, and hope to get everything sorted by the end of July. So please be patient with me! I have some amazing ladies being featured here and can't wait to share their work with you.

Okay, that is it for today! Time to get some lunch & walk to the post! Take care and enjoy your summer.

Wishing you much Sunshine & Happiness.

Dana

Happy Anniversary

2011-07-06T15:08:00.001-03:00

Well today is my Wedding Anniversary! 15 Years! Wow! Where did the time go! I feel very privileged to say that I am a married woman. With the way that marriages are viewed in today's society by some, getting to 15 years is really an accomplishment! Lol. Even if I say so myself! Lol. My hubby and I have been together since High School. I remember that first time we spoke, that first date, and that first kiss. Lol. The thing that sticks out the most is that he use to write letters and tell me how he felt about me. A real romantic! Lol. I don't get those anymore, but there are times that he still expresses his heart. This is rare for most men, so I am so happy that he is a tender hearted guy!!

Not only is he a wonderful hubby, but he is also an amazing Dad! His love for our son is so great to watch. He doesn't feel that he measures up sometimes in the parenting department, but we all feel like that at times I think.

So I wanted to make an Anniversary Card for him that was different from the one I did last year. So the challenge at Cas-ual Fridays was to make a man card with Kraft paper. So I tried this and this is what I came up with.

My Anniversary Card For My Hubby!

Close Up

This card is being submitted to these two challenges:

Challenge #149
This weeks challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges is to make a single layer card.

Current Challenge Info

Now I try not to do much colouring because my hand still bothers me, but seeming this card was for a great guy and I was encouraged by my good friend Dorcas to give the Kraft paper colouring ago, I did it! Lol. Now this card was made using a clip art pic from the Internet and believe it or not, I used Crayola colouring pencils. YUP! That is the truth! Can you believe it! Now I still need to get some Prismas because they are softer, but these still did the job! Now this was a labour of love because it took me 3 hours or so to do this from start to finish. I know! I know! CAS cards are suppose to be fast! Lol! Well not when it is your first time trying out a new technique! I have to say that I am happy how it worked out. I just hope that he feels the same way. Can't wait to see the look on his face when I give this to him at dinner tonight.

Off to spend some much needed quality time with my family and to have a fun afternoon. Hope your enjoying your summer too!

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

Case Study Challenge & More!

2011-07-06T01:03:00.005-03:00

Challenge # 46

This is the last time for Jill to be the Muse at Case Study and so therefore I wanted to play along. I loved making this card and will be submitting it to other challenges as well. The Design Team did some totally outstanding work on their creations and if you don't believe me, just check it out for yourself! Lol.

Hero Arts Challenges

This is a new month and that means that Hero Arts begins a new challenge. This month the challenges is all about summer. Make a card that reminds you of summer. It could be summer at the beach, could be flowers, butterflies, cool drinks, etc..... the possibilities are endless.

Pretty Blossoms Challenge

This is a very easy challenge because we all have flower stamps right! Still lots of time to play along in this challenge, so get out your stamps and get inky! Lol!

Moxie Fab Stamp It Challenge

I made this card also for the Stamp It! Cards Week Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and you can play along too. Loads of inspiration in this new magazine and it is on shelves right now. I was floored by what was in this book and the fun thing is that I knew some of the people who had their cards published. So cool!

Wee Memories Current Challenge

The challenge at Wee Memories this time around is "Summer" and that can be interpreted any way you see it! I decided to go with flowers for the thing that reminded me of summer. After all the snow we had this past winter seeing big beautiful blooms is a welcome sight!

Here is my card for these challenges!

Card Supplies

Cardstock: Autumn Leaves

Watercolour Paper: Canson 90lb/185GSM

Inks: Black StazOn, White Pigment Ink/Stampin' Up, Ranger Distress Inks - Fired Brick, Scattered

Straw, Storm Sky, Peeled Paint, Broken China, & Vintage Photo

Stamps: H5481Classic Bloom & CL342 EveryDay Sayings/Hero Arts

Markers: Black Craft Marker/Crayola, White Gel Pen/Marvy

Adhesives: Easy Glider Pro

Embossing Folder: Sizzix

This card was much faster to make than you would think! Lol. I stamped several flowers in black ink on a piece of scratch paper and then cut them all out. I then stamped my first flower in black on my 4x6 watercolour paper. Then I took one of the previously cut out flowers and placed over top of the flower I just stamped on my watercolour paper. ( Note: Repositional adhesive is the best to use here! ) This was done to prevent me from overlapping flower petals. I wanted them to look like they were underneath each other. So once this is stamped again you just peel up the cut out copy that you placed on your first stamped image and repeat the step again. All flowers were coloured with distress inks and shaded with watercoloring pencils. Then I used one of my son's school markers and filled in the black. I added some white to the centers and then stamped the sentiment in white. I hope you can understand what I mean bye the masking ( covering one image so you can stamp overtop with out overlapping.) and give this idea a try yourself.

You can purchase your Hero Arts stamps, Distress Inks, and Easy Glider adhesives at Scraptacular Images. This is a great opportunity because not many stores in Canada sell Hero Arts stamps and it helps save on shipping.

On a sad note, I wanted to share that this card is for a good friend of mine who just found out that she has breast cancer. It comes as such a shock because she is really a wonderful athlete, eats healthy, and exercises faithfully. So shocked right now like everyone who knows them! So my heart goes out to her and her family today has they begin this very tiring, stressful, and painful journey together. We are in the same age group and I keep thinking that every year younger people are getting this dreadful disease. I pray that a cure would come very soon! If you could remember her in your prayers today that would be greatly appreciated because I am sure that they need all the prayer they can get right now. Remember that the "today" you have now may never really be the same tomorrow, so love a little harder, hug a little longer, and listen while there is still time to call today living!!

God Bless

Dana

Happy Celebration

2011-07-05T02:54:00.006-03:00

Hi Everyone:
I trust that you are all having a wonderful long weekend with family and friends. I just wanted to share a card with you all in honor of Canada Day and July 4th! This card is to all my on-line friends who have become really special to me. I think that some of my closest friends are those that I have met on-line and through blogging. So in honour of all of you and the support that you have given me during some difficult times and especially the support you give me here in my cardmaking this card is for YOU! It really means so much, every comment, every suggestion, and all the cards that you send. You have blessed me in so many ways! Just wish there wasn't so many miles between us!

This card was made using Making Memories patterned papers. Digital Image was stored on my computer that crashed. I have no idea who the designer is, but I do know I purchased it at the Creative Digital Art Center. It is called "Fireworks Birdie" if that helps at all! I do remember that much! Doodle Pantry rings a bell for some reason!

I made sure to spritz all papers with water and then crumple up into a ball. Then I flatten them all out and then distressed them with Ranger Inks. Center image was cut using Spellbinders Nestibilities. Buttons are Creative Cafe and Maple leaf die cut was from SVG Cut Files. Celebrate sentiment is Stampin' Up and stamped in black StazOn. Ribbon is Daisy Bucket and all edges of paper was distressed with Tonic Perferator.

Close Up of Shimmer & Colouring

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Creative Inspiration Challenges: Red, White, & Blue

Paper Play Time: Use a Digi, Red, White, & blue

Mark's Finest Papers: Challenge # 62 - Patroitic

My Sheri Crafts: # 63 - Independence Day or Canada Day

Just wanted to share a close up so you can see the shimmer on the fire works. One of my blog followers named Emily was so kind to send me some Shimmer pens. It is amazing Emily! Thanks soooo much sweetie.

Also, the image was slowly coloured, with Tombo Markers, Ranger Distress Inks, and my Staedtler watercolour pencils. I used my white gel pen/Marvy to add highlights.

Thanks for dropping bye and I trust that with all the fun that was had by all, that there were loads of pictures to help you remember the memories forever.

Happy Canada Day & July 4th!!

Hugs & Blessings

Dana

I WON! I WON!

2011-06-30T16:08:00.002-03:00

Yes sireee! I won! The card that I last made was entered into the Case Study Challenge # 45 and I won the Random Org draw. A $ 25.00 gift certificate to Paper and Such on-line store. Check it out below!

Visit There On-Line Store Today!

Thank you so much Random Org. for picking me, to Case Study for the amazing challenge, and to Paper & Such for being the sponsor for Challenge # 45. Challenge # 46 is now up and waiting for you to play along. I am gonna try to play along sometime this weekend. Off to clean my kid's room.

Have a great day everyone and enjoy the sun!
Hugs
Dana

Lily Pad Give-Away! Leap To It!

2011-06-29T13:50:00.002-03:00

I became a Member of Lily Pad Cards today! Go become a member for a chance to win a collection of Hero Arts stamps. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 15.

Come join me for a a nice cool dip in the pond and some much needed sunbathing on your very own pad! You won't want to miss out on the fun! With challenges galore, announcements from our ever adorable "Freddy" organization and crafting tips, video tutortials, special techniques, and of course prizes, you will be so happy that you took the leap and made Lily Pad your Froggie Friend forever.

Meet you at the Pad!

Dana

Case Study Challenge Gallery Idol & Hero Arts

2011-06-29T00:36:00.009-03:00

Hi Everyone:

I trust that you are all doing well and having a great summer so far. I am starting to feel a little better and so today I decided to play along in some challenges. That was after I did some of my house work and chores. Lol. And boy was it ever hot trying to get everything done! Lol. Well, I had a chance to take a breather and create this card for the challenge over at Case Study.

Challenge # 45

Also, the popular Gallery Idol 2011 is now started. I don't expect to win, though it would be awesome if I did, but it would be amazing if I could make the Top 20! Also, Hero Arts contest is still going strong and I wanted to submit this card for that challenge also. So here is my card for these three challenges.

Jill Foster of Inspired By is still the Case Study Muse and she rocked it again this past week. If you see her second card you will see that it really inspired me more than the first. Why? Well both had my mouth hitting the floor, but the second one spoke to me because I love old vintage school books or papers. Those that you find in a yard sale. If you never heard of this before, well you will be happy that you did because these are great to use on scrapbook layouts and of course, cards! Lol!

Now these papers used here were from my friend Calia and were aged to perfection. In Jill's card you will see that there is indeed a little piece of Vintage Book Paper being used. So I wanted that paper to be the focus of this card. Also, the fact that no one else did their take with this idea in mind. So I hope that you all like this idea!

I stamped K5376 - Hydrangea/Hero Arts onto the vintage paper and then watercoloured around it with my Ranger Distress Inks - Peeled Paint, Broken China & Vintage Photo. I then spritzed it with water and soften the edges with my aqua brush. I then stamped the flower again and once cut out, added pop-dots and layered it over the previous stamped flower image. This was then coloured in various areas and distressed around the edges with ink. This was then adhered to a black card front that was distessed around the edges with my Tonic Studios Perforator Tool. I then added a vintage frame from Life Stories Scrapbooking Kit/My Mind's Eye and inked around the inner and outer edge of this frame.

Close Up of Vintage Page Flower

To add an elegant touch, I added cream coloured pearls randomly around the flower. To add more dimension I added Glossy Accents/Ranger to the flower.

Close Up of Scalloped Lace & Edging

The scalloped edging was cotton lace from the Dollorama. Between each layer I added circle halves that were inked around the edges to carry through with the vintage feel. I then added matching Offray ribbon around the card and tied in a double bow. I then added a sentiment for the finishing touch.

The challenge at Gallery Idol 2011 was to make a card that was congratulatory. Hero Arts monthly challenge is similar but you can also use watercolouring in your creations for their challenge. I used the Congratulations stamp from Hero Arts stamp set called CL342 Everyday Sayings! This was stamped on co-ordinating paper from the same paper kit. And there you have it! My first card in what seems like a long time.

It is my hope that has I get better each day that I can break out my scrappy supplies and play again. Hope that your making memories this summer that will last a life time.

God Bless & Take Care

Dana

Haven't Forgotten Father's Day or You!

2011-06-20T21:07:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to pop in and say sorry for not posting yesterday like planned. But I am out of commission for a little while. I haven't been feeling well for 2 weeks but kept putting it off to go and see a doctor. Well, with pains in my chest and back on Saturday afternoon and having trouble breathing, I ended up at the After Hours Clinic late Saturday evening. No, I don't have phenomena, but I do have bronchitis. So just taking a break for a couple of days and will be back when I am feeling better. Thanks.

Hugs
Dana

Doin' The Moxie While Hangin' At The Cafe & Then Hopping To The Pad! Lol!

2011-06-19T04:02:00.002-03:00

That was a great title don't you think! Lol! I tried to get all three to fit in there! Lol. I wanted to share a card with you that will be submitted to three challenges.

Moxie Fab World: Tuesday Trigger

First challenge is the challenge over at Moxie Fab World. I so love the colours in this picture and wanted to share those same bright colours in my card.

Lucy's Lovely Lines

The second challenge is the Sketch Challenge over at Lily Pad. I loved this sketch provided by Lucy Abrams. I love how simple it is and how fast this was to put together.

The Play Date Cafe Challenge

The third challenge is the challenge over at The Play Date Cafe. I love the colours here too, and the only difference between the two is the colour yellow, which I did add to my card. I hope it doesn't get me in trouble! Lol. Here is my card for these three challenges. Hope you like the fun and whimsical feel to this one.

This card is also a Father's Day card for my sweetie, but I also have some more to share tomorrow.

Close Up

Lollipop was drawn using a compass/protractor to make the circles. All colours used in colouring were Tombo Markers. Alphas used were from the Little Boy Collections/Echo Park. Bling is from Dollarama. Ribbon is grosgrain from Wally World, and cardstock is Recollections & Autumn Leaves. Detail was added with black Marvy pen and white gel pen/Tombo. Shine was added to the Lollipop to give it that glassy look and this was done by adding Glossy Accents/Ranger.

This is not normally my style but when I saw the inspiration up above in the provided pictures all I kept seeing in my head was a big old lollipop! Lol. Thanks for popping in to visit. Be sure to check back later today for some more Father's Day Cards.

Hugs & Blessings

Dana