Be The Light

1) I have on my playlist Kathy Troccoli's song, Go Light Your World.  The lyrics were the first thing I thought of when I saw Valerie's December challenge, light and darkness, at Art Journal Journey.  (I'm #128)

Carry your candle, run to the darkness....light up your world.

2) This also fits well for the December challenge (until January19) at Mixed Media Place, having chosen the center photo from the mood board for inspiration:  your true nature is luminous. I'm #22



3) Lastly, when I read Karenkia's blog post, one paragraph in particular struck a chord, about letting your light shine and being a reflection for others' light.

It is a good way to start the new year, don't you think?....

I wanted to find a luminous "face, and ended up using a rather large copy of this Facebook freebie from Moonlight Journey.  In PSE software, I made the hue as yellow as possible for my printer.

Other Materials:
Daler Rowney Simply Acrylic Lemon Yellow Paint 
Liquitex Basics Acrylic Cadmium Yellow
Art Alchemy Metallique Ancient Coin Acrylic Paint. 
STAMPlorations script stamp from Mixed Media Elements
Red Lead Paperworks stencil 
trim from stash (I think the mini roses are Maya Road).
The beautiful butterfly that matched perfectly is a gift from a craft friend.

(I apologize for the wonky photo--indoors with Ott light with a journal page that wants to curl.)

I'm entering this also here:

STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge (anything but a card, must use a stencil) I'm #9

New Year's Party

A little Thursday inspiration from this Craft-astic Connoisseur of the Imagine That! digis by Kris Design Team....

Be sure to visit the Creative Playground blog for more inspiration and details about the current sale...HERE

Party Cows #3                                                  Summer Fun Digi Paper Pack                            

Entering these Challenges:

Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes Week of Dec 27 #30

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge:  Party Time  #129 x

Pile It On:  #123 Celebrations  #225 x

Outlawz:  (ning site--must sign in) site-wide entry #165; also these 2 groups:
Twisted Thursday December 29 Anything Goes  TT122916
Saturday Paper A La Mode:  Dec 17-until Dec 29: Anything Goes  PAM12172016

Happy New Year

Our Christmas holiday is over, and already I'm moving on to New Year's Eve and some winter themed projects which I hope to get done this week.

Here's the first project, totally digital.

Digital Credits:
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles paper
Scribbles Designs digi image which I digitally colored, playing off of the colors in Lisa's digital paper
Pixel Scrapper Merisa Lerin frame
Crafty Secrets sentiment

Entering these Challenges:

Scribbles Designs:  Challenge #48 Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New  #4

A Holiday Tag Ornament and Blog Hop Winner Announced

A little Thursday inspiration from this Craft-astic Connoisseur of the Imagine That! digis by Kris Design Team....

Materials used:

Top Layer:

Three digital sets from Imagine That! Digis by Kris from the store HERE

I started with the tag; added the pink wood grain paper, then layered on top the reindeer circle composition. Then I printed it out.

Red Nose Reindeer                                         Tags & Labels

Woodlands Digi Paper Pack

Sharpie black to edge ornament tag which I cut out after printing

Hero Arts Metallic Decor CH188 Red (holly berries)

Sakura Glaze #850 Pen for 3-D effect on white stitches

Wink of Stella 027 GL Dark Pink on nose glow

Sakura Glaze #700 Pen Clear Star on nose glow

Sakura Glaze #830 Pen green on leaves

Hobby Lobby Make It Christmas 6mm red jingle bells for collar

red gem for nose from stash

Bo Bunny Silver and Gold Brads

"P" brad from stash

ribbon from stash, using Craft-Dee BowZ maker

Middle Layer:

Stampin' Up gumball green card stock cut to ornament shape then edge distressed--also for leaves

Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Snowfall embossing folder

Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Pinecone die cut

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Pine Twine

Prima flowers

Maya Road stick pin

Hobby Lobby A Tree for Me plastic Mini Merry Christmas

crepe paper trim, lace trim, other flowers and trim, and glittered snowflakes from stash

Bottom Layer:

Piece of cardboard packing material cut into ornament shape, partially stripped, then dry brushed with Dina Wakley Media heavy body white acarylic paint and Delta Ceramcoat Touch of Pink acrylic paint

Finnabair Art Basics transparent Heavy Body Gel

ENTERING THESE CHALLENGES:

A Vintage Journey: December Winter Magic #90 x

Alphabet Challenge:  U is for Use Something Red #100 x

Altered Eclectics December #28 until Feb

Classic Design Team Open Blog Challenge: December #09 (limit 3 entries) This is entry #3 #113 won with different entry

Country View Challenges: December-Christmas #159

Craft-Dee BowZ: December Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow  #60 x

Creative Artiste's Challenge #21 Anything Mixed Media Goes #63 x

Path of Positivity #44 Blessings of the Season  So blessed to have many new babies arriving in our extended family this coming year.  This is a gift tag for one such baby we are anxious to hold. 2nd entry I'm #7  Top Pick!!!!!

Outlawz (ning site-must sign in) 
Twisted Thursday Dec 22-28--anything goes TT122216
Festive Friday Dec 16-22 Santa's Reindeer Day  FF121616

The Paper Girls Challenge #118 Anything Goes #8 x

Through the Craft Room Door Week of Dec 20 Anything Goes #36 x

613 Avenue Creates: Challenge #192 Anything Goes with Holiday Happiness #292 x

We Love to Create Challenge #25 Anything Goes Creative/Mixed Media #39 x

Scribbles Designs:  Challenge #48 Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New #3
(word prompts from poem that I used:  happy, bells, new (baby)



BLOG HOP WINNER!

There were 8 comments From the Winter 2016 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop indicating they lived in the USA and wanted a chance at the Starbucks gift card.
Winner is Megan W !!!!  Congrats Megan!  I need your snail mail addy!

 Megan W said...

Hi! Such a cute card, this is the first digital made card I've seen. I am also participating in the hop, and having so much fun! I'm from US and would love to enter your little giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity, and now I'm off to hop some more.

December 12, 2016 at 3:00 PM

Ugly Sweaters

Can you believe we now have a National Ugly Sweater Day?

Here are a couple of gift tags I made.  I used digi paper from Imagine That! Digis by Kris.  I layered on top the digis from Vera Lane Studio.  The sets include several sweaters to choose from.  I then digitally colored them.  After printing out, I cut into tag shapes.  I added the word strips which I outlined with black marker.

Note:  I tried to post this from my phone on December 16 but the photo didn't transfer into the post so here it is again, in case you think you're seeing the same thing twice.....

A Little Peppermint Mocha

Today you find me with a 100% digital composition, a square card:

This is my design team make for Inspiration Thursday at the Creative Playground for Imagine That! digis by Kris. Be sure to stop by to see all the design team makes. And don't forget to enter the Joys of the Season monthly challenge.

I'm using Lorie's Peppermint Mocha digi kit which you can find in the store HERE.



I'm entering the following challenges:

Winter 2016 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop  I'm #624  and this is my 4th entry.
The link up ends tomorrow.  x

Choux Choux Paper Art Winter Link Up  I'm #70 and this is my 4th entry. Link up by December 17. x

Cards in Envy Challenge: Wouldn't It Be Sweet  My 3rd entry #17 --won with a different entry x

Classic Design Team Open Blog Challenge:  December (limit 3 entries) This is entry #2  #88 -- won with a different entry

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - December  #185 x

Digitally Sweet Challenge:  #157 December #10 (random) x

Holiday Tea Time Card

I won 3 sets from Mynn Kitchen of MHKDesigns, on of the sponsors from the 2nd Annual Celebration Blog Hop at Through the Craft Room Door.

I chose the Stitched Tea Party to created something for our current Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Winter 2016.

Again, it's a 4x4" card, printed, scored on fold, and ready to mail.

Digital Files used for this composition

MHKDesigns: Stitched Tea Party digi stamp set
Snowflakes digi paper designed by Decosse's Dynamite Doodles for Scribbles Designs.
Gecko Galz Tea Party Digi Paper Set


Entering these Challenges:


Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Winter 2016  my 3rd entry. I'm #505 x

Choux Choux Paper Art Link Up  Winter Link Up I'm #58 and this is my 4th entry.  Link up by December 17. x

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - December I'm #169 in the random draw

Through the Craftroom Door Week of December -13 Anything Goes I'm #11x

MHKDesigns:  November/December: Anything Goes if use MHKDesigns I'm #12

Gecko Galz FaceBook Papercrafting Group: December Color Challenge Silver and Gold

Scribbles Designs Challenge: #47 Happy Holidays using Freebie Friday paper I'm #47 with my 3rd entry x

Path of Positivity #44 Blessings of the Season  This is a very special time of year to acknowledge my sister-in-law and her husband.  They both are tea drinkers.  We cherish their friendship and are blessed to have them in our lives.
I'm #3

Warm Up with Cocoa

Winter is trying awfully hard to show it's face.  It's been cold and snowy off and on for a week now.  This 100% digital composition makes me feel warm and cozy even though it's made with cool colors.  

The composition prints out nicely as a square card.  If you print on the upper right side of your cardstock, all you have to do is cut off the excess paper and score to fold for an easy card.

I used solely the Winter Arabesque mega kit digital collection from Imagine That! digis by Kris. 


Entering These Challenges:

Cards in Envy Challenge: Wouldn't It Be Sweet  my 2nd entry. I'm #11

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Winter 2016  my 2nd entry. I'm #192 x

Choux Choux Paper Art Link Up  Winter Link Up I'm #50 and this is my 3rd entry.  Link up by December 17. x

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - December I'm #132 in the random draw

Digitally Sweet Challenge:  #157 December  My 2nd entry I'm #9

Try It On Tuesdays - Celebrate (ends Dec 19) I'm #24 celebrating sweet friendship, winter activities together, and a good warm cuppa (cocoa in this case) 

Ahhh!

Ahh, yes, the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop is on once again!  This time with winter themed makes.  I've started with a 4x4" digital card.  I've made several cards this way.  I print them out on the top right edge of cardstock, trim off the excess and score on the fold.  

The main image is by JessicaLynnOriginal.com .  She never fails to provide a wonderful freebie for the hop.  You can find it HERE. I digitally colored Jessica's digital image and added the word "ahh".  
The digi papers and sentiment are from Imagine That! digis by Kris.  
The holly sprig is from Pixal Scrappers.  


Entering These Challenges!

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop  First day I'm entry #78 x

Choux Choux Paper Art Christmas/Winter Link Up  I'm #46 and this is my 2nd entry.  x

Scribbles Designs Challenge #47: Happy Holidays  I'm#45 2nd entry x

Curtain Call:  Sweet  I'm #21 x


Outlawz Color Challenge December 6 (ning site, must sign in)


Outlawz Festive Friday challenge Dec 9-15 (ning site, must sign in)  I chose the Snowman theme for this week.  WINNER!

The Paper Girls Challenge #117 Snowmen I'm #15 x

Through the Craftroom Door:  December 6 Week:  Anything Goes I'm #68 x

Cards in Envy Challenge: Wouldn't It Be Sweet  I'm#8 x

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - December I'm#113

Digitally Sweet Challenge:  #157 December I'm #8



BLOG CANDY

For the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, I'm offering a $5 Starbucks gift card to someone in the USA.  Winner will be announced on my blog on Thursday December 22 and winner will have until December 28 to respond. 

If you're interested, please leave a comment on THIS post stating you're doing the Coffee Lovers hop, you live in the USA and would like a chance to win. One comment per person, please.

Happy Holidays, Helene

Holiday Birthday Card

Some Thursday inspiration for you.....see more inspiration at the Creative Playground HERE.

Earlier this summer, I posted a 2 page scapbook layout showcasing the Airstream Camper my sister and her husband came in for a visit.  Now that it's my brother-in-law's birthday (on Christmas) I made him this special card.

I used the camper outline and digitally colored it.  Then I did lots of layering with elements from several kits from Imagine That! digis by Kris.  After printing out my digital composition, I added some "snow" and other mixed media products.

Materials:

From the Imagine That! digis by Kris store:

The Great Outdoors                        Snow Mice


Christmas Sled                           Owl With Robin


Other products:

Finnabair Art Extravagance Snowflake Paste
Too Marker At You Spica gold
Zig Wink of Stella silver
Sakura Glaze Pens:  black #849 and blue #825
Marvy liquid applique
Stampendous Crystal Glitter
Prima Finnabair Art Basics Heavy Body Gel transparent (on strand of lights)

Entering These Challenges

Choux Choux Paper Art Christmas/Winter Link Up  I'm #40 and this is my 1st entry.  Link up by December 17. x

Classic Design Team Open Blog Challenge:  December (limit 3 entries) This is entry #1  I'm #49

Highly Commended Winners:

2am Scrapper No 49

2am Scrapper Wins Cetificate and Badge 

Crafty Hazelnuts Extra December (random draw) I'm #219 x

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper - December (random draw) I'm #98 x

Creative Knockouts #171 Snow Much Fun I'm #5 closes Dec 14 x

Cupcake Inspirations #387 Snow Globe by Dec 9 I'm #14 x

My Time to Craft:  #335 Christmas Animals I'm #47 til Dec 17 x

Pixels and Paper Challenge:  December Christmas and or Pets

I was inspired by the dog (furry friend) and added an owl (feathered friend). And they're dressed as Christmas pets! I'm #3

Scribbles Design Challenge #47 Happy Holidays  I'm #41x

The Paper Girls Challenge #117 Snowmen I'm #12 til Dec18 x

Through the Craftroom Door:  December 6 Week:  Anything Goes I'm #50 x

Try It On Tuesdays - Celebrate (ends Dec 19) celebrating the holidays in a cozy camper with animal friends I'm #12

The Crafty Addicts:  #30 Anything Goes/Christmas Colours  (Imagine That! digis by Kris is one of the sponsors this challenge) I'm #9 x

Digital Gift Box Label

New releases from Imagine That! digis by Kris.  Just in time for me to make a quick digital gift box label for my grandson.  I bought him a similar bear cap so this new release is just perfect!  

This release is called Raymond's Reindeer.  There also is Kimmie's Reindeer.  To see more design team inspiration with these new releases, please visit the Creative Playground HERE.  

using Merry and Bright papers     and         Tags and Labels

To purchase, please visit the store HERE

Season of Joy

This is my Craft-astic Connoisseurs creation for the Imagine That! digis by Kris December blog challenge.  Using the provided photo, I was inspired by the wood, window, small white tree, and trim on the fireplace.  This time around I chose to hand color the digi image with watercolor pencils for a soft effect.

Here are some challenge details from the Creative Playground: 



THEME:  Joys of the Season  December 3 - January 6

With the holiday hoopla in full swing, now is the perfect time for doing a holiday inspired picture inspiration challenge.  The wonderful thing about pictures is that one person can be moved by one particular aspect and another individual may see something completely different.  So, whether you are inspired by the colours, the shapes, or the objects themselves within the following picture, it doesn't matter.  Just be sure to let us know what elements from the picture inspired you in your design.  Looking for some images or papers that would fit nicely with this picture?  

You can find quite a few in the STORE; so, be sure to stop by.

This month it is all in the eye of the beholder!



Sets from Imagine That! digis by Kris used for my card:

Soft Florals digi pape

Woodlands Digi Paper

Snow Mice

Other Materials:

Poppy Stamps, Inc. Grand Madison Window die

Stampin' Up Whisper White card stock
Stampin' Up watercolor pencils
Prima Julie Nutting Watercolor Pencils Hair and Skin Tones
Water blending brush
varioius Sakura glaze and metallic pens
Marvy Snow Marker
Stampendous Crystal Snow
Wink of Stella silver
Tim Holtz Ideaology Boxwood Twine
white crochet tree from stash
EK Success Jolee's Boutique Baby Patches crochet bows
Prima Finnabair Art Basics Heavy Body Gel Transparent
Finnabair Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint Opal Magic Aquar/Rose
STAMPlorations CUTplorations die Magical

Entering these challenges:

The Card Concept:  #63 Love and Joy
Style: It started out Clean and Layered but ended up with a touch of elegance and shabby chic--so it's my own style
inspired by the pinkish red, green, white and beige colors, as well as trim on the fireplace  I'm #12; challenge ends Dec 12; winner announced Dec 14


Aud Sentiments:  #169 Anything Goes + a Sentiment  I'm #153; x

Creative Knockouts #170 Festive Fun (Winter Wonderland theme?)
can enter up to 3 times but cannot combine with more than 8 other challenges
I'm #9.   x

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  Use Some Pearls  I'm #45  x

Time Out: #71 Christmas with option of glimmer/shimmer (glitter and shine on outdoor snow scene and tree topper) I'm #165 Closes Dec 7

Try It On Tuesday Layer It Up I'm #64.  Closes Dec 5

OUTLAWZ ning site (must sign it): a few challenges:

MONDAY GREETINGS CHALLENGE - GCC112816 - ANYTHING GOES

sentiment must be on outside

Twisted Thursday Challenge For Dec 1 - 7, optional twist is... Christmas Card! TT120116

if use twist, name entered twice; can only add 2 entries