Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Card Design: The Christmas Card Panic Begins

Can you believe that this is only the second Christmas card I've made?  I'm in sooooo much trouble.  I've been trying to pull off some really simple and quick designs.  No time to colour right now if I have any hopes of these cards getting to their destinations on time.  I have been working on colouring some images but haven't been able to put a card together for them yet.  Here is the first of two I've made so far.  



As I said REALLY simple.

Here are the details.  I hope I haven't forgotten anything...
  • Image of Santa is an AWESOME freebie that I got from Grands9Creations.  It was pre-coloured saving me a lot of time.  I've been wanting to create a card using an image from my wonderful friend Sue, and here it finally is.  It is the first of several I plan to use on Christmas cards this year.  Please go and pay Sue's blog a visit and become a follower if you haven't already.  As of last count she is just one member shy of 100--an awesome milestone that she wants to reach by her blogiversary January 1st.  So help her out if you can.  She provides daily free word art creations so the trip over is definitely worth it.
  • To fulfill the requirements of one of the challenges, "use a sentiment", this image has one built right in to save me time.  Plus there are some words running along the bottom.  They should count too right?
  • Paper:  The base is from a card set I got at Dollarama(R) some time ago.  I've had it over a year so I'm finally using up some of my older stash (a requirement for another of the challenges); the Christmas themed papers are all from a Recollections(R) Christmas paper pad (sorry I don't have the exact name--I'm upstairs and it is downstairs right now).
  • The fabric snowflakes are from Dollarama(R).
  • The sentiment inside is also from a year old stash of rub-ons I also got at Dollarama(R). Amazing all the things you can get for a buck or two, isnt it?
  •  One of the challenges is a doing a cute christmas theme.  I believe that Sue's image firmly falls in the category of cute, don't you?
I have entered this card into the following challenges:

Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget to leave some love if you have the time.

Until next time,

Holiday Handout: Day 2

Here is a little Hanukkah gift for my Jewish friends celebrating their holiday this week from Dec. 8th - Dec. 16th.  As you celebrate the Festival of Lights may your home be bright with happiness and love. Best wishes at Hanukkah and always.




The first image is provided in jpg format.  Since the menorah had a background it was more economical space wise to change it into a jpg.  The second image is in png format.  If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

The Christmas countdown continues...

Until next time,
 
Note:
*The menorah used in creating the image is from Karen's WhimsyThis image is in the public domain.

Fonts Used:
 
Click the font name to take you to a download location.  The Truetypewriter PolyglOTT font is considered free for commercial use.  The lisence information for Dreidl is unknown.  Therefore be careful if considering to use the second image on cards you intend to sell. The quote's author is unknown.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:
  • Do not claim the image as your own.
  • Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
  • Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
  • If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
  • Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Holiday Handout: Day 1

We are soooooo close to Christmas, I can almost hear the sound of reindeer hoofs on the rooftop and smell the wonderful fragrances of Christmas time.  It may still be 15 days away but those days are going to fly by much too fast for my liking.  So today I present you with a holiday handout.  I don't know exactly how many there will be so come back often to find new goodies posted as we lead up to that magical day.

Today's goody should come out roughly 3.5 in. by 3.5 in. if brought up in Photoshop or in Microsoft Publisher.  For some reason in Inkscape (the program I use to create my digital designs until I learn how to use Photoshop Essentials) it comes out as being almost 12 in. by 12 in.  Actually, when I import it into the blog and choose original size it also shows up super huge.  I honestly don't understand why the pixels of the image enlarge so much when I save it as 300 dpi.  The original design stays small but the exported png breeds exponentially.   However, that is what happens when you don't have a background in digital design and fly by the seat of your pants hoping that what you create will turn out all right somehow by the grace of God and a little luck thrown in.  Sorry, bit of a run-on sentence going on there.  Just out of curiosity, when you import the images that you download from this blog into the programs you use, are they super big too?  If anyone knows of some great sites where they have easy to understand tutorials for Photoshop Elements, I'd love to know.  Just drop me a comment or an email.  I'd be ever so thankful.

So, now for your goody:

Hope someone out there can put it to use.

The Christmas countdown continues...

Until next time,
 

Motivational Monday: The Power of the Mind

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Mondays, please go HERE.


The mind is far more powerful than we could possibly ever imagine.  Two people facing the same difficulties can each react in completely different ways.  Some people have been known to shrivel in unto themselves and yet others can thrive when facing the same problems or issues.  Sometimes it can just come down to the way we think about our circumstances.  Those who think negatively will often dwell on all that is wrong; whereas, people who think positively shift their thoughts to focus on what they can do to change the situation and make it better.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Staying positive is not easy.  In fact, it can be a struggle.  However, as I've mentioned before, everything worthwhile in life must be worked at.  It is easier to let oneself dwell on the negative things.  I know; I've done it.  I lost quite a few people in my life about ten years ago because of doing exactly that.  The first three years when I became disabled and had to adapt to a new way of living were very dark days for me.  However, slowly I pulled myself back up into the light.  Once I accepted that my life was leading down a different road from the one I had planned and began to accept my new reality, I started to see things differently.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t fast enough for the majority of my friends to deal with as one by one they disappeared from my life.  I work very hard not to slip back into that dark hole.  So, I know what I'm talking about when I say it is possible to change your thinking processes.  You just need to work at it.


UPDATE:
I'm sorry but this image is no longer available for download.  Free Digital Photos has revoked the permission that they had originally given me.  While I am still allowed to post their images on line, I am no longer able to offer them up for download.  I can however still offer you the original quote that was part of the motivational graphic.  Sorry for the inconvenience.
 
 If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.  Please note that due to the nature of this design, you may not use it on products you sell since one of the fonts is for personal use only with no profit generation.

Until next time,
 

Fonts Used: 
 Click the font name to take you to a download location.  While Angelina is considered free for commercial use, Hoffmanhand and Agent Orange are for personal use only.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

  • Do not claim the image as your own.
  • Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
  • Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
  • If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
  • Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Nail Design: Christmas Colours

While my nails continue their pilgrimage to sufficient design length (if you are interested in the back story click HERE), I present you with another design from last year.  It is currently posted on my personal page at the Cool Nails Art website.


Instructions:
  • Start with a clear base coat to protect the nails. 
  • Paint entire nail with red.
  • Next paint about 1/3 of the nail with a green appropriate for the season.
  • Add a stripe with a glittery gold polish painted on where the red and green meet.
  • Finish with 2 coats of a good quality top coat and you have some pretty fingers all dressed up for the Christmas season.
Another pretty simple design!

Now a special surprise freebie that you will only find by actually reading this post because I'm not putting it into the labels or search parameter nor telling anyone where to find it.  It is just for those of you who took the time to read through this post.  Call it an early Christmas gift.


This paper is produced at 300 dpi and is much larger than what appears here.  Enjoy and let the countdown to Christmas begin.  Keep checking back for more goodies this week. 

Until next time,



Sunday Spotlight: December 9th, 2012

Wow!  We are that much closer to the holidays.  I still have soooooooo much to do to get ready.  For those of you preparing for one holiday or another, I hope your plans are going well.

If you are just visiting for the first time, it is that time of week when I say a particular thank you to one of my readers acknowledging them for something thoughtful, inspiring, or mindful that they have said in one of their comments.  As a way of saying thanks, I will present this person with an advanced copy of a freebie that I promise, no one else will be able to get their hand on for at least three months and possibly longer.

So without further ado, the comments I'm highlighting and reflecting on this week belongs to two people.  Since they both were saying something similar, I felt that it was unfair to highlight just one.  The first comment belongs to:


 
DEB OCHS-LAGRONE


who said:
Lisa, I wanted to personally thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. I have been watching your blog for a few weeks now and am SO impressd by all the encouragement you give to others. It's unique and heartwarming. Your inspiration is uplifting to anyone who finds you. We are all blessed to have you in our blog world. Keep up the fantastic work!

The second comment belongs to:


SMOOKIEDO

who said:
I really admire you and all the hard work that you do! I enjoy reading your blog as it is so interesting and fun! Through your hard work and dedication your blog has grown by leaps and bounds!! Please keep up the wonderful work you do so that others like myself can continue to enjoy all you do!!

These are the kinds of comments that keep me going when I have those days where I wonder if anyone out there is interested in what I have to say. It continues to amaze me and warm my heart that people enjoy my take on things.  Apparently, even those of us who according to Deb, help to inspire and encourage others, need motivation ourselves sometimes.  As I've mentioned before, we all want to know that what we do is valued and that we make a difference in someone else's life, even just one person.  This encouragement thing is most definitely reciprocated.  While Deb, Smookiedo and countless others have thanked me for the encouragement and inspiration I have provided, in return, I am encouraged and inspired by what you all have to say.  You keep me going so that I can keep you going.  It is a full circle kind of deal. 

Honourable mentions include: 
  • Thank you for this very inspiring post. I am finding inspiration from reading your blog. Thank you for the great posts and please keep the motivational ones going - they are fantastic. Suze on Motivational Monday: November 26, 2012
  •  Lisa: Your card is absolutely beautiful.  I have no doubt at all that you will be a tremendous blessing to your new Design Team.  This is VERY excited for you, and I really hope you enjoy it.  I also hope that you will continue to share your cards each week in our challenges cuz I'd LOVE seeing more of your sweet art!  This one is just darling, and I enjoy having you play along with us.  Good luck in your new endeavor, and please do come back often.  I really  look forward to seeing more from you! Blessings, Karen L Word Art Wednesday DESIGN TEAMS ROCK!!!!! Karen Letchworth on So Very Thankful: Good News To Share
  • Hi Lisa, I was just at Smookie_doo's crafts, and saw your comment, followed the link to your blog. Firstly, congratulations on your new venture. I'm sure you will do a wonderful job on the Design Team, just basing my opinion on the card you are posting here. Lovely card, great coloring, nice layout. Secondly, people may not always leave a comment, but I bet you are being visited a lot. I understand where you're coming from, though, wondering if anybody is interested in what you are doing. I am sort of the same at times, but mainly, I did a blog for ME. I always hope folks will like what I write about, cards that I make, but I'm strictly an amateur, so learning all the time. I applaud your courage at joining a Design Team. Wow! I'm impressed. I joined your blog as a follower, so I hope when you have time, you will pay me a visit, and I'd love to hear what you think of what I do, as well! Good luck, and I'll be back to see your progress & hear about all your adventures! Mary H. on So Very Thankful: Good News To Share
  • Hi Lisa just found your blog through Ike she posted about being showcased on here and was saying how different your blog was well she wasn't wrong I have only had a quick look through but a refreshing way to view people love your idea and your posts are brilliant oh and congrats on your win too Jacki xx (new follower) on Saturday Showcase: December 1, 2012
  • I just read you blog from yesterday and I want to join all the others to tell you congratulations.  I told you good things were going to come your way, you just have to believe in yourself.  Life takes us down many, many paths and you my dear friend deserve this so much.  You are so talented not only in your artwork, but in the way you speak to others...you are heaven sent.  Hugs, Sue on So Very Thankful: Good News To Share

Please know how truly difficult it is each and every week for me to choose just one comment to highlight.  So many of you have left such beautiful comments that have touched me deeply and I truly appreciate each and every one of them and each and every one of you!  

Until next time,

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Saturday Showcase: December 8, 2012

It is that time of week where I showcase other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase. If you are new to my blog you can find out why I created the showcase HERE.




My top picks for this week include...
Card Choice

This wonderful card was designed by
  SUZE
Her blog is called
craftysuze 
 
Suze has been one of my dedicated followers since week one.  She has already made and shared four cards using my designs.  So, I have had the opportunity to check out many of Suze's cards.  I definitely like what I see.  Once of my favourite cards is the one she created using one of my fall background papers.  It is found in her post, "Foxy Thanks" from November 14th.  Now this isn't the reason I chose to showcase this card.  REALLY!  I just love how all the colours worked together.  I haven't had the opportunity to print out any of the papers from my premiere paper pack so it was really cool to see how well it came out.  I applaude Suze's ambitions because she downloaded the papers, created and posted her card all on the same day I released them!  Her fox is just so cute and all the elements come together to make a design that catches your eye.  Now to prove that this choice isn't about stroking my own ego, I'm showcasing a second of Suze's designs.  


This card is from her post, "Punch It Out", dated November 3rd. I just love the overall feel of this card.  The contrast of the gold pearlized paper with the white is very striking.  The results of using both the diecut and punch are fantastic.  The image is just delightful and those embellishments are beautiful.  You can find out the details to both these card by following the associated links. To view Suze's other designs, please visit her blog (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).  
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
  Free Digital Stamp Artist Choice
This cute stamp was designed by
  ANJI PEARSON
Her blog is called

Anji's Antics was one of the first places I found on the internet offering free stamps.  Anji offers up freebies and music lyrics almost every single day.  The image of the Christmas moose is from her November 20th post entitled, "My Daughter Came To See Me".  I just fell in love with this adorable moose.  From the expression on his face to the Christmas lights hanging from his antlers, he is just too cute for his own good.  I have big plans for this sweetie pie.  If you haven't already found her, Anji's blog is definitely worth a visit (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).  
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
  Next that  brings me to the...
 This is a special category highlighting 
a stamp for sale by another artist.
  This week that honour goes to...
 
 This neat paper pack was created by
DIANE NOBLE
Her blog is called
Her store is located HERE
This stamp set is available for sale HERE

I share something in common with Diane--we are both triple D's; and, no I'm not talking about our bra sizes.  I have enjoyed visiting Diane's blog for some time now.  She always has great card designs which I have taken some inspiration from.  She also offers a freebie on occasion and I have been fortunate enough to grab most of them before she puts them into the store.

While window shopping one day, I came across this lovable family of snowpeople.  I got a chuckle out of their name and of course loved the expression.  Memories of growing up in a snow belt came to mind.  There were many opportunites to build snowmen during the winters and I'd often create snow families on our front lawn.  Of course, in my snow family, just as in my own, there was only one snowchild.  Diane has lots to see so please go and take a peek at all the wonderful things she offers (clicking on the above links will bring you to their respective locations).  
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Normally, this would be the end of the showcase.  Today however, 
I am once again asking for your help in my special segment called... 
However, instead of asking for your financial support, this time I'm asking you to share some of your talents.  

 A couple of week's ago I featured Ginger's House in the Showcase.  For those of you who still don't know her, Ginger is a teacher in Florida.  In her class there is a special little boy named Sebastian who has a condition called Arthrogryposis. To learn a little bit more on what this is and how it affects him, you can read her post called, "Cards For Sebastian".  As far as Ginger is concerned, she has learned as much from Sebastian as she has taught him--maybe even more.  In the time that she has known him he has taught her valuable lessons in patience, perseverance, courage, perspective and more.  You can learn more on how this little boy has impacted her life in the same post mentioned above.  According to an update on Sebastion featured in the post, "Another Surgery For Sebastian", on December 19th he will be going in for another surgery.  Christmas will be very different for him this year.  While he will still experience the joy and wonder that only a six year old can experience at this time of year, he will also have to deal with "doctors and casts and pain and medication and sleepless nights for him as well as his parents".  It is Ginger's wish that Sebastian's hospital room be filled once again with love and hope.  The cards that he received during his first surgery, many of which came from strangers, meant the world to him.  Ginger is hoping for a repeat of those feelings of love, and care and kindness. 

 I realize it is a crazy, busy time of year but if there are any of you who might be able to find the time in your busy schedule and the generosity of heart to make a card and send it to Sebastian, it would mean so much to a little boy in need.  You can visit Ginger's House and read the post mentioned above to see the complete story on Sebastian and find the address where you can send your card.  To get you started here is a special freebie that you can use for the inside of the card if you want to.  I've provided it in a number of different varieties.  Since there are so many configurations, (sentiment with image, sentiment alone, image alone in different ways, different colours) I needed to create a zip file. Now, I've learned that I can link it straight to the zip file and eliminate a step for you so I hope it works okay. However, if anyone has a problem with downloading this file, please let me know.  This is just a sample of one of the elements.  Click the word 'here' in the caption under the image to download the zip file.
Please click HERE to get download

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, that is it for this week's edition of the Saturday Showcase.  Thanks to all these wonderful artists for agreeing to allow me to showcase their work on my blog.  I'm sure I'll be coming back to them time and again.  Though you never know, I may be contacting YOU next to showcase something incredible you've created.

If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats. 
 
Until next time,
Notes:  
*The hands used in creating the 'helping out one of our own' banner are from Antique Images.
 *Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.

Fonts Used: 
Click the font name to take you to a download location.  This font is considered free for commercial use.  The quote's author is unknown.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

  • Do not claim the image as your own.
  • Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
  • Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
  • If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
  • Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

The Expression of Gratitude

 If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started "Thursdays Are For Thanksgivings", please go HERE.


Thank you.

So many meanings wrapped up into two little words.  

The words may stay the same but the intensity can change with each utterance.  The same words are used for something as simple as gratitude expressed when someone passes you something at the dinner table; or, it can mean something as profound as the appreciation one expresses to someone for the act of intervening in a situation that could have had deadly consequences.

Two little words.  A multitude of expressions.  

 What does it mean for you?




  
The original size of each of the images is a little under 4 & 1/2 inches wide which might be a bit big for smaller cards.  However, it is much easier to make something smaller than to enlarge it without affecting the resolution of the image.  I played around with different colour choices--grey-blue, burgandy, blue and greyscale.  While three of the images look like they are much smaller they aren't, it is simply to conserve space in this post.  

If you are interested in the font information, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time,
 
Fonts Used: 
Click the font name to take you to a download location.  Both these fonts are considered free for commercial use.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

  • Do not claim the image as your own.
  • Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
  • Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
  • If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
  • Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Motivational Monday: December 3, 2012

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Mondays, please go HERE.

I came across a quote this week while reading VC Andrew's Hidden Jewel.  "Life holds a surprise around every bend.  Some good, some disappointment.  The trick is to keep poling your canoe."  Since we don't have the ability to see into the future, we don't know what will happen a month, a week, or even a day from now.  Life is truly about the surprise.  The future will bring with it many challenges.  We just need to think positively and hope the good will outweigh the bad.  However, regardless of what we face, the key is to keep going, keep trying, keep pushing, keep at it.  It is only when we give up that we lose our way and end up floating down the wrong stream.  So, with that thought in mind I leave you with today's quote.


If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time,
 

Clipart Information:
The background image used to make this design can be found at Morgue File. 

Fonts Used: 
Click the font name to take you to a download location.  Both these fonts are considered free for commercial use.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

  • Do not claim the image as your own.
  • Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
  • Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
  • If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
  • Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies.