Card Design: Christmas Birds with Nicecrane Designs

Hello on this last hour of the last day of the month!  It is time to share my latest Nicecrane Designs creation with you all.  This one uses one of the sweet images from the Vintage Birds Greeting Cards collection. There are some lovely images in this set.  

Today I'm showcasing one of the images suitable for making a Christmas card.  I've been so busy behind the scenes that I am a bit behind in making my Christmas cards.  Maybe it is the reduced activity on my blog that has also caused the loss of two of my followers in the past two weeks or I suppose it could be because I don't really get to visit anyone anymore. :(

Anyway...here are my card and the details...

Christmas Cards to date for 2015:  22

 
General Info:

• I opted to go non-traditional for this Christmas card basing the palette on colour choices from the image.

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• Vintage Birds Greeting Cards:  This great set features several bird images, some suitable for Christmas cards.  For this card I used the image you see in the top right hand corner of the preview below.  Click on the name or the watermark below to take you to its location in the store.

Embellishments: 

• The ribbon is Celebrate It brand and was purchased at Michael's.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment Details: 

• This awesome sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC. I coloured it digitally using different colours from the image.  You can purchase it in the "Tis the Season 2" Vintage Image Transfer and Word Art Set.  I've linked the watermark below to go to its location in the store.  For great freebies and inspiration be sure to click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and for more awesome sets for purchase, click HERE to go to the home page of the store.

OVERALL
Paper Products: 

• Card, image and sentiment bases:  Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.
• The designer paper is from Recollection's The Sweetest Thing Paper Pad.
  
• Matting:  From my stash but originally from one of the  Recollection cardstock collections that I own.

 
Challenges I am hoping to enter... 

• http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://kraftinkimmiestamps.blogspot.ca/ -- Wonderful Wednesdays:  Anything Goes
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.ca/ (3E) -- Always Anything Goes
• http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/(UL) -- Always Anything Goes 
• http://ttcrd.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes (1st Entry)
• more to come...

Before I go...
If you are a bird lover, be sure to also check out this great set of digital stamp images called Christmas Birds featuring the pretty birds you see below (click on image below to head to its location). 

Don't forget, to stay current on ALL the latest releases and to check out the fabulous inspiration from my fellow DT members, be sure to head over to the Nicecrane Designs blog.

I am so happy that you had a chance to pop by and check out my latest creation.  Once again, it is now time to work on some behind the scenes stuff for the challenges I run.  Hopefully, I'll see you all again very soon. 

Until next time,

Wonderful Wednesdays--Offering for September

If you are new to my blog and want to know how this concept got started, you can find the original post by clicking HERE. 

 
Hello all.  Once again I managed to pull off getting an offering done this month.  I've actually managed to get something done for each month of the year so far, although I was a bit late on one.  YaY!  Just two more months to go before we start all over again in 2016!

If you are new to my blog in the past year, you can find other items for the September kit by clicking on the respective links below:

September 2013 

• The word September offered up as a word art creation, paper pieced with five different fall images. Click HERE.
• Five different digital papers (including the leaf paper I use and love so much).  Click HERE.
• A leaf spray.  Click HERE.
• Three different fall themed word art creations.  Click HERE.

 
Boy I was busy that month!  For 2015, I am offering up another digital paper in two different versions for the September kit with the theme: Fall Into Fall...

I had the original image of the leaves rotating with other images on my desktop and the more I've been seeing it these past few weeks, the more I realized that it would make a nice paper.  This paper is 3600 x 3600 pixels and in jpg format and published at 300 dpi. Credits include:  George Hodan (PublicDomainPictures.net).  I've also had fun this time around using a Redfield filter and then running the image through a painting application in FotoSketcher.  While the program is completely free, some of the Redfield filters do cost money.  To grab today's offering, click the download button to be taken to a download location.  In the zip folder you will find a copy of the papers, the preview sheet, the full credit information and my terms of use which are standard to all my folders.

Finally, you can find your bonus stamps for September below.  Once again, when going through the resources offered in 2013, I couldn't seem to find the round date stamp in a post even though I it was made so I've included that one here as well.  You can just left click on these ones to bring them up in the lightbox and then right click to save them in their original size.

Stay tuned for a new Wonderful Wednesday post coming next month!  

Until next time,

Card Design: Gerda Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge...September

It is time to get my final progressive card for the month done.  Thankfully I've pulled it off again with five days to spare--a one day improvement on last month!  This time up it is for the Gerda Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge.

This month we got to work with the following sweet image...

Everyone who played along in last month's challenge received Mouse on Broom for free. If you decide to hop on and play along in the Gerda Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge, then you can purchase this digital by clicking HERE (or on the watermark above to head to its location in the store). This way you'll receive next month's digital stamp for free. 

Here are my card and details...

General Info:

• This card was created mostly digitally and then printed out and assembled and coloured by hand (image).

• This particular layout was inspired by a Your Next Stamp Sketch. 

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• Mouse on Broom:  You can find this image in the store.  Details above.  This image was coloured in with coloured pencils. 

Digital Embellishment Details: 

• The pennant shape was created with a digital template from Marisa Lerin, Pixel Scrapper and paper pieced with a paper from the textured paper portion of my Trick or Treat Kit (details below).
• The hat embellie is from the same kit, only in the General Elements section.

Digital Sentiment Details:

• The sentiment is also from the general elements section of the Trick or Treat Kit.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment: 

• The sentiment used on the inside was created by Paulette from Create with TLC.  Click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and HERE to go to the store.

OVERALL
Paper Products: 

• Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

 

Digital Paper Products: 

• The designer papers I have used come mostly from the Trick or Treat Kit set that I created   I used a total of four of the papers from this set--one as the main paper for the front and as the background on the inside, two for accent pieces and then paper pieced the pennant shape with another of the textures from the set.  If anyone is interested in purchasing these sets, let me know in the comment section and I'll get it uploaded to the store.

•  I also used a paper from the new Ghostie Delights set that I created for an upcoming sponsorship.  I used the plain grunge black textured paper for the background on the front.

Challenges I am entering: 

• Gerda Steiner Designs Progressive Challenge

 
Other challenges I hope to enter... 

***Please note that if the word verification appears, ignore it and simply click the 'publish' button***  

• Word Art Wednesday -- Anything Goes
• http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes but must be a card
• http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes but no digital colouring
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.ca/ (3E) -- Always Anything Goes
• http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.ca/ (2E) -- Always Anything Goes (first entry)
• http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Hallowe'en
• http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.ca/ (3) -- Anything Goes or Hallowe'en
• http://stampartpapel.com/retarte-61-anything-goes-with-a-halloween-twist/
  -- Anything Goes with a Hallowe'en Twist

Well guys, that is it for this one. Hopefully, I'll see you all again real soon!

Until next time,

Card Design: From the Heart Stamps September Challenge

Hello!  Today I am popping in to post my September card for the From the Heart Stamps (FTHS) progressive stamp of the month challenge. Thank goodness I got it done on time as I'd really be disappointed to miss out on the wonderful opportunity to earn incredible stamp sets from such an amazing designer by not getting my project completed in time!  
 
In order to enter the FTHS progressive challenge, you must either have received the latest image by having participated in the previous month or you can buy the stamp for the current month's challenge.  Everyone who enters and follows the rules is a winner because you automatically get the stamp for the next month's challenge.  Stop by the site and check out the rules for yourself.  While you are there, have a look around.  They have some really awesome images.

General Information: 

• This card was created mostly digitally and then printed out, coloured by hand (image) and assembled.
• I followed the current sketch from From the Heart Stamps.

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• The image on the front, Faithful Friends Pumpkin Patch Girl, is available for purchase over at From the Heart Stamps. Click on the title or on the watermark below to go to its location in the store.
• If you missed out, you can still play along with the challenge by purchasing the image. Then you can enter the challenge and receive next month’s digi free. Alternatively, if you spend $10 in the From The Heart Stamps store this month, you'll receive the image for free.  To find the special code you need, be sure to check out the original post by clicking HERE.
• This image was coloured and grounded with Copic markers.  Eek!!!  I forgot to add some actual ground!  Guess I'm bringing it back downstairs for a touch up.

Digital Embellishment Details:

• The pennant shape was created with a digital template from Marisa Lerin, Pixel Scrapper and paper pieced with a paper from a freebie that I offered up in 2013 as part of the September Kit of the Month Offering (link below).

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment Details: 

• This great sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC.  I picked it up as a freebie a while back.  Check out Paulette's wonderful blog by clicking HERE or click HERE to go to the store.
• I coloured it digitally so it would match the colours of my background.

OVERALL 
Paper Products: 

• Card base:  Michael's Recollection's cardstock, white.

 
Digital Paper Products: 

• The paper used as a background on the front and inside, along with the papers used as an accent on the front and paper pieced to the pennant, are freebies from the 2013 September Kit of the Month Offering.  You can find all three papers, plus others, HERE.

Digital Embellishment Details: 

• The shape used for matting in behind the image (front) and sentiment (inside) are simple shapes created in Photoshop Elements.
• The shadows to give each element some depth were created with a layer style from Sheila Reid, Pixel Scrapper. 

Challenges I am hoping to enter: 

• From the Heart Stamps -- progressive stamp of the month challenge
•  From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge

 
Others I might get it into...

• http://www.cropstop.com/blog/ -- Anything Goes with Something from the CropStop Shop (I've used a Fiskars blade which is available in the shop.  I have asked if the blade is enough and was told yes.)
• http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.ca/ -- The Pumpkin Patch
• http://lilredwagon.blogspot.ca/ -- Happy Fall Y'all!
•  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.ca/ E3)-- Fall
• http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ (Max10)-- Autumn
• http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.ca/ (E4)-- Autumn + must be sq. or rect. (mine is retangular)
• http://our-crafty-corner.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Autumn Colour
• http://www.cardsinenvy.blogspot.ca/ -- Colours of Fall + A2 (my card is 4.25 x 5.5 and definitely flat)

 
One more progressive card done and just one more to go, along with a couple DT posts.  Hopefully I'll get it all done in time!  See you all again soon!

 
Until next time,

Card Design: Deedee's Digi of the Month Challenge...September

Oh dear.  Once again I find myself running out of month.  Sheesh, am I ever going to get it together?!  Well, thankfully I'm not too late to post my project for the Digi of the Month Challenge taking place over at Deedee's Digis.

In order to enter the progressive challenge, you must either have received the latest image by having participated in the previous month or you can buy the stamp for the current month's challenge.  Everyone who enters and follows the rules is a winner because you automatically get the stamp for the next month's challenge.  Stop by the site and check out the rules for yourself.  Be sure to check out the store while you are there too.  Currently there are a few sets available for free and of course there are some wonderful ones available for purchase in the store.

Right now it is time to check out the awesome set participants got to work with this month...

Leaf Your Cares Behind is a fun and silly set but like they said on the Deedee's blog, we all need a little silly in our lives some times.  As always, Deedee's sets come with both outline and coloured versions to provide you with incredible variety and sentiments to help you out as well.  If you did not participate in last month's challenge, you can still purchase this set for just $1.25 during the month of September at the store or get it for free with any $10.00 purchase (check blog for more details). You can find it HERE.

Here are my card and details...

General Information: 

• This card was created 100% digitally and then layered in a poster mockup.  I will print it out and assemble it at a later date.

 
FRONT

Digital Image Details:

• Leaf Your Cares Behind: You can find this set in the store. Details above. I used the coloured version from the set to once again help save me some time.

Digital Sentiment Details: 

• This is another great image created by Paulette from Create with TLC. I picked it up a while back as a freebie.  For great freebies and inspiration be sure to click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and for awesome sets to purchase, click HERE to go to the home page of the store.

Digital Embellishment Details: 

• The leaf spray used on the bottom left corner is a freebie that I offered up in 2013 as part of the September Kit of the Month Offering.  You can find it HERE.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment Details:

• One from the Leaf Your Cares Behind set.

OVERALL
Digital Paper Products: 

• The paper used as a background on the front and inside, along with the paper used as an accent on the front, is also a 2013 September Kit of the Month Offering.  You can find both of them, plus others, HERE.

Digital Embellishment Details: 

• The shape used for matting in behind the image (front) and sentiment (inside) are simple shapes created in Photoshop Elements.
• The shadows to give each element some depth were created with a layer style from Sheila Reid, Pixel Scrapper. 

Other Notes: 

• The poster mockup that I used to display the card in is from Design Bolts.

 

Challenges I am entering: 

• Deedee's Digi of the Month Challenge

 Others I am hoping to enter...

***Please note that if the word verification appears, ignore it and simply click the 'publish' button** 

• http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ (5E)-- Anything Goes
• http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Anything Goes
• http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.ca/ (3E) -- Always Anything Goes
• http://ttcrd.blogspot.ca/ (2E) -- Always Anything Goes (1st entry)
• Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist
• http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• http://kraftinkimmiestamps.blogspot.ca/ -- Wonderful Wednesdays:  Anything Goes

Well, I've finally managed to finish my first progressive card of the month now on to the next two plus some DT work and more behind the scenes stuff for my teams.  The countdown to the end of the month begins... 

Until next time,