Cheers!

     I have been away from my crafting desk for way too long and really missed it.  I swear I'm going to have to start a "Crafter's Anonymous" group to help with this addiction.  :-D  Today's card is one I've done for the Progressive Challenge at Rick St. Dennis' Sparkle n Glitter blog.  The image is a new one I purchased with a gift certificate Santa brought me and I also used two of my brand spankin' new dies from Cheery Lynn, the frame and the "Cheers."  What a perfect way to celebrate the New Year!

I used the colors from Pals Paper Arts.

Unfortunately, my Navy Blue looks almost black

and, of course, my lavender/wisteria turned blue. :(

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then die cut it.  I cut the frame from lavender/periwinkle CS and then cut the sentiment from the same CS.  I added glitter to the "Cheer" sentiment and to the upper corner of the frame for a touch of sparkly bling.

     That gorgeous sheer ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The little mouse at the bottom is actually a completely separate RSD image which I sized, printed, and fussy cut before adding it.  I think he definitely adds to the party atmosphere, doesn't he?

     Challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks
As You Like It (square because it gives the most space for designing)
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Catz
Digistamps 4 Joy
DL.ART
I {heart} ProMarkers
Inspiration Destination
Just Inspirational
Little Miss Muffet
Little Red Wagon
Passion for ProMarkers (die cut/free/glitter)
Simply Create Too

     The weekend is half over and the reality of post-holiday work weeks looms ahead.  I hope your day brings you some relaxation and creativity.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

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Snow Flurries for Christmas

     I have a very dear and lifelong friend who lives in the foothills of the High Sierras on the California side and more than anything she loves snow at Christmas.  Unfortunately (or fortunately all the rest of the winter) she lives at an elevation where snow isn't something that falls and sticks to the ground for days at a time.  Still, flurries of snow in the cold of December occurs often enough that she crosses her fingers for a cold snap during the last week of December.  So, I've done this card for her as a good luck charm in bringing snowflakes.

I used the sketch at Sketchy Colors

and the image is "Flurry" from Lacy Sunshine 

where we're supposed to 'Celebrate' so I'm celebrating Snowflakes and Snow Fairies.  :-D

     That adorable fairy image is colored with ProMarkers and, instead of die cutting the image, I die cut the frame and placed it over the image.  I have to tell you that I've been hoarding the papers I used here.  They have been part of my Christmas/Winter stash for 2 years and I just love them.  I can't find them any more so I have kept them as treasured pieces, refusing to use them or give them away.  But they just fit this card so perfectly, and she's such a good friend, that I let go and used two pieces of them.

     The snowflake and snowflake buttons are also treasures but I dug them out and decided to use them.  I added dots of Artic Blue Ice Stickles to them, let them dry and then adhered them to the corners.  I used regular Stickles (Star Dust) on the flakes in the image and added Frosted Lace Stickles to the snow on the branches and cones in the image.  What a sparkly splendor!

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -- Anything goes
All That Stickles -- Holidays w/ Stickles
Card Mania -- Fantasy
Craft Your Passion -- Let it snow
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas -- For someone special
Created with Love -- Anything goes
Cutie Pie -- Cute card for a special friend
Glitter n Sparkle -- Show some blue
LEJ Designs -- Festive fun
Lexi's Creations -- Snow
Lunagirl Moonbeams -- Snow angels
Oldie But a Goodie -- Winter
Paper Playtime -- Winter fun
Party Time Tuesday -- Winter wonderland
Passion for ProMarkers -- Use sentiment
Quirky Crafts -- Use special items (papers and buttons)
Speedy Fox & Friends -- Blue Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday -- Snowflakes
Use It Tuesday -- Winter & holiday
Vintage Stamping /Flonz Craft -- Cold and frosty colors

     Downhill to the weekend now and tonight I'm going to my granddaughter's high school concert (we used to call that a "Christmas Concert" but now we have to say Winter Festival.  Sigh...)  I hope you're able to find some calm in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle and maybe even find time for a bit of creating.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie