Friday, September 16, 2016

I broke myself...

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Hello, friends! I had a clumsy moment last week that resulted in me breaking myself:-(( The good news is that the orthopedic surgeon has assured me all should be well in a few weeks. In the meantime my arm is immobilized as snug as can be, and I am officially grounded from using any part of it. I'm already longing for the day when I can lose myself in my craft room (and wash my own hair!). I've never had this much time on my hands. I plan to use all of this unexpected free time to visit your blogs and admire your beautiful works of art! 

I wish you a day overflowing with joy and sparkling with sunshine! 

Hugs,
Nancy-sign

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A Finely Feathered Nest


Hello again! I'm back with a third project this week, and I have great news to share. It's time for a new two week challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Pamellia is our hostess, and her them is Things with Wings. All she asks is that we create a vintage or shabby chic project that includes wings. They can be butterflies, birds, dragonflies, or anything else you can think of that sports wings. Now that I think about it, there are tons of other creatures and beings with wings; angels, insects, dragons, and a host of mythical creatures. Let your imagination run wild! 

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at the Frilly and Funkie Blog. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique! For entry specifics and inspiration from my amazing teammates just click on the blog link above.

I love birds. I watch them. I feed them. I water them. I boil and crush eggshells for them. I even mail order gourmet bird food so I can be certain my feathered friends are getting the very best nutrition. Naturally, my winged creature of choice is a bird (a Blackcap Chickadee to be exact). My chickadee is preparing a cozy home in preparation for nestlings.  

I'd like to mention that my talented friend and teammate, Pamellia (My Little Craft Things), is a bird and squirrel whisperer. She has her backyard creatures literally eating from her hand, whereas mine bolt at the first sign of humans. I highly recommend a visit to her blog, where she shares stunning photos of her tiny friends.    


Almost everything you see on this card (except the stamps and dies) is from the Prima Vintage Emporium collection. I'll leave a list at the end of the post. Below are a few close ups.  


In the photo below you'll notice a scroll embellishment below the sentiment. That is a scrap from a Spellbinders die cut (the shell/opening left by the the die cut that people usually toss out). Don't throw those treasures away. Layer them, embellish with them, have fun with them.   






Below are photos of the inside and back of the card.  




That's all I have for now. It's your turn to create your own special project featuring anything that flutters or flies! Thank you so much for being here with me today, and for the kind comments you left on my last post. My heart is overwhelmed with joy to be part of such a wonderful group of people. I wish you a day filled with blessings! 

Hugs,   
Nancy-sign




Additional Supplies: Prima Vintage Emporium flowers. Bird and nest stamps and dies from Sizzix, other stamps from Invoke Art and Impression Obsession. Bird nest from my stash. Sewing machine and thread.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Autumn Elegance with Maja Design


Hello and welcome, my friends!  I hope you're having a wonderful day.  I have a brand new card for Maja Design to share with you. 

The promise of autumn is in the air. To quote my favorite bear, Winnie the Pooh, it's a time for 'hot chocolatey mornings and toasting marshmallow evenings'.  In honor of this glorious season I'm opening my stash of Vintage Autumn basics.

The lovely papers are distressed, stitched, and layered. Foam tape adds dimension to the torn strips on the right, forming a base for the floral embellishments. The two large flowers are handmade using design paper. The resin frame is a very happy surprise, found hidden away in my stash.

A 5

There's a bit of stamping in opposite corners and on the inside of the card.

A 15

A 8

Paper flowers from my flower basket and some natural twine are added alongside the handcrafted blooms. Below is a little peek inside the card.

A 3

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you'll join me in creating your very own autumn treasures with Maja Design's fabulous papers. I wish you a day filled with every good thing!

Hugs,
Nancy-sign

Maja Design Papers Used: 


Additional Supplies: Stamps: Invoke Art Script, Indigo Blu Ink Splats; Archival Ink, Prima Resin Frame, Paper Flowers from my stash, Natural Twine, Foam Tape, Sewing Machine, Thread, Tim Holtz Distress Tool.  

Did you know Maja Design is on Social Media?

Pinterest: Did you know that Maja Design has a Pinterest Page? You can find it right here.
Facebook: You can follow us on Facebook right here and of course "LIKE" us.
Instagram: Maja also has an Instagram account – majadesigninsweden.
(Use the hashtag #majadesigninsweden or the tag @majadesigninsweden
with your Maja papers so we can find you.)

Monday, September 5, 2016

Maja Design September Mood Board Challenge!


Hello, crafty friends! It's already the beginning of September. I can't believe it. The days are gradually getting shorter again, children are back in school, and pumpkins spice lattes are back.  

It's also time to unveil Maja Design's September Mood Board Challenge! Isn't the board beautiful this month? It truly captures the essence of the season.      

This is how we use the mood boards:
Definition mood board – n
[a board used by designers on which samples of various colours and textures are mounted to help in deciding which elements complement each other]
We are using mood boards for our challenges. We truly believe in creativity and art at Maja Design. You are free to interpret the mood boards in any way you’d like. They are supposed to set you in an inspirational mood without too much controlling. We would like you to be inspired by the poems, words and photos. They are not given rules, they are just there as inspiration. Feel free to use any Maja papers you’d like as long as they follow the colour scheme.
We will pick a winner and present it here on the blog January 25th.
Have in mind that these challenges are a really great way for us to discover new talents and maybe some future Creative Team members…

How to participate?
♥ Create anything you’ll like – a layout, a card, something altered or maybe a canvas, take a nice picture of it and send it to moodboard@majadesign.nu. We also need to know your full name, address and a phone number. Please specify what collection you would like to win, if you are the lucky one. We will also want to know if you would like it in the size 12*12 or 6*6. Please send us the pictures in the size of 800 pixels on the width. We would be so grateful if you also could change the file name of the photo to your first and last name including your country.
♥ Feel free to send us more than one picture, from different angles or some close-ups – or why not more than one project?
♥ Publish the project/s on your blog (or/and any social media, e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) with a link to our site. Please also add the picture of the mood board.
♥ Feel free to combine your entry with other challenges.
♥ The winner will be revealed the last Monday each month, at the Maja blog. The winner will be sent one collection by their choice, and also a digital Winner’s Badge to use and brag with.

Below are a few more photos of my take on the mood board featuring Maja Design's Enjoying the Outdoors and Fika paper collections. The bunches of grapes are stamped and water colored. 





Thank you so much for stopping by! It's time to turn the challenge over to you. I'm so excited to see your interpretation of the mood board! Wishing you autumn days filled with sunshine and happiness!   

Hugs, 

Maja Design Paper Collections Used: 
Fika-P

Enjoying-Outdoors-P

Did you know Maja Design is on Social Media?

Pinterest: Did you know that Maja Design has a Pinterest Page? You can find it right here.
Facebook: You can follow us on Facebook right here and of course "LIKE" us.
Instagram: Maja also has an Instagram account – majadesigninsweden.
(Use the hashtag #majadesigninsweden or the tag @majadesigninsweden
with your Maja papers so we can find you.)