PagesPat's Ponderings

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Found a Happy Place


Today I decided to create a scrapbook page for my last guest DT project for DeeDee's Digis. I have had a lot of creative fun while playing with some awesome image sets. Everyone who participates in their progressive challenges has a chance of becoming a Guest DT member. AND when you use the digi of the month, you will receive next month's digi for free!
Pictured above is my hubby during our road trip vacation to Siesta Key back in 2009. We tried Siesta Key again this Spring, but only my daughter and he enjoyed the vacation. I ended up with acute bronchitis and a sinus infection the day we got to our luxurious condo on the beach, and spent most of the time in bed.
I created this page using the following in Adobe Photoshop:
Elements from the following DeeDee’s Digis sets:
Monkey Business/ Paper Dots patterned paper
Beachy State of Mind/4 pre-colored images & sentiment
Christmas Grunge Textured papers/Royal Blue & Chocolate Brown
Button 2
Elements from Mischief Circus:
Rucola Designs freebie/Summertime poster
Clipart:
Newsprint Butterfly
Palm tree
Challenges I am Entering:
Anything But a Card challenges - Anything Goes (no cards) 
Allsorts challenges - Add a Butterfly
Splendiferous Creations - B is for...(Beach)




Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Will Work for Treats

Today's DT project for DeeDee's Digis uses images from two different sets, Dad's Day Off and Goody Jars. This lovable corgi comes from the Dad's Day Off set. This digital set includes: 3 outline images, 17 pre-colored images, 3 white-filled layering images, and 7 sentiments, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily re-sizable to fit your crafting needs. 


I printed the pre-colored image twice and used pop dots to give him dimension. The rest of the images come from the set Goody JarsThis digital set includes: 16 outline images, 39 pre-colored images (some images in multiple colors), and 16 white-filled layering images, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily resizable to fit your crafting needs.
I played around in Photoshop and "filled" a jar with dog treats, then printed twice (again for some dimension). A few extra doggie treats, a bit larger, embellish my sentiment (snagged from thequotegarden.com) and my card is finished.
DeeDee's Digis has so many sets that can be mixed and matched to fit anyone's style or need. Why don't you check them out? There's sure to be something (a lot of somethings) that tweeks your muse!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

We All Scream for Ice Cream

There's some fun over at DeeDee's Digis blog. They're hosting a progressive challenge. All you have to do to join in the fun is create a project with this month's featured image. That would be Ice Cream Truck, a very popular vehicle throughout these hot, sunny days. LOL
Once you link up your project, the next month's featured set will be sent to you FOR FREE!! Now who doesn't like FREE?! I know I do!
This digital set includes: 3 outline images, 9 pre-colored images, 3 white-filled layering images, and 6 sentiments, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily resizable to fit your crafting needs.
I printed out four pre-colored images of bears and set them as compass points to the corners of my shaped card. My sentiment is the focal point, and I used a few flowers and brads from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.
If you want in on next month's freebie, get to the store quick. It's still half price, but I don't know how long that will last. And as always, crafters, have fun!

What Happens in Germany, Stays in Germany

Today brings a card for my sister, who has spent the last ten days with her German national boyfriend in Berlin. My sentiment is a take on the American TV ads regarding Las Vegas, where whatever goes on there, stays there. She will love this card, and can share it with her love.
The new challenge at Ike's World Challenges is to create "anything but a square." I don't do many square cards (too much postage when mailing), so this was an easy one for me. I feel I am still getting my feet wet as a new DT member at Ike's blog.
Anywho, did you know that the colors of the German flag are Red, GOLD and Black (I missed that question on Trivia Crack). I used the national colors to design the background of my card, and to frame this cute image, called Leiderhosen, from the Germany Bundle over at Ike's Art Store. The bundle comes with seven images!!
You still have time to link up your project in this challenge for your chance to win free digis of your choice. You don't have to use an Ike's Art image, but you get your name in the draw twice each time you do! I like those odds, don't you?! And if you join the Ike's Art Fan Page on Facebook, there are several freebies with which to play to your heart's content. So snag them and come on over! And as always, crafters, have fun!
Challenges I am Entering:

Monday, July 20, 2015

Midway Through the Path of Positivity Challenge

 The Path of Positivity  challenge blog offers a positive spin on the value of sharing, along with a challenge that has reached its midpoint. You still have some time to share a card, a layout, a mixed media piece, a photo, even a pondering about sharing and how it has positively affected you or can positively affect others. Whether you share memories or greetings with others, please join us in this month's challenge.
I thought of my girlfriend when I created this card. I've known her since grade school and we recently got together at our high school reunion. We were inseparable until her family moved away before our senior year. We must have spent half the time at the reunion sharing memories of school, scouts, and sleepovers.
I used a Limited Runs digi image called Tea Party for my step card. It seemed to set the right scene for the theme of sharing. After coloring the image with Copics, I popped it onto my card and used butterflies from K&Co, cat & dog stickers from Sticko, and ribbon bows from Wild Orchid. Patterned papers came from my stash box, which shows very little signs of emptying out, although I pull from it daily. I have not bought new paper for the whole of 2015!! But I have shared my papers with a little girl I met at work who loves to craft, and with the vacation Bible School team for prayer flags for their crews. So, it's  win-win situation in my craft room today!
Why don't you share your project with us at the Path of Positivity this month?
The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:
  • Three images of the winner's choice from Fresh Brewed Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
  • A $10.00 gift certificate from Limited Runs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
There will also be:
  • One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on the start, midway, pondering or top picks post for Challenge #28.
  • One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.



DeeDee's Digis Sponsors This Week's CYP Challenge

The flowers are in full bloom here in Chicago, despite the weird wishy-washy weather we've been having. And to celebrate the beautiful colors of summer, I created a Birthday card for my girlfriend, who lost her job last week. Craft Your Passion has a new challenge starting today, and the guest sponsor is DeeDee's Digis.
I got to play with a digi sheet called Spring Blocks, which comes with outline, layering and colored images, and sentiments.
I printed out four of the images and placed them in a a square design, using pop dots for dimension. I embossed my sentiment, and added a few lines of pearls on each block to embellish. It's a nice bright summery card for my friend. The sentiment inside reads: "May your day bloom with wonderful surprises" I hope she gets them, too, as she has a number of interviews set up for a new job! Wish her luck.
Now it's time for you to create something fun and link it up with Craft Your Passion challenge blog this week. Happy crafting!
Challenges I am Entering:
Alphabet challenges - K is for Kind Thoughts 
Craft for the Craic - Summer Time



Service Comes in All Sizes

I love playing with Kenny K's digis, and when I saw this Girl Soldier digi image, I had to create with it for the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week. Kenny K is one of our generous sponsors this month, and is offering 3 digi images as a prize to one lucky winner.
The theme this week is Buttons! and I have been experimenting with merging paper and digital crafting techniques again. My card is 1 part digital and the rest cut and color. Can you tell which is which? LOL
I colored my image with Copics, going back in time to when I wore fatigues and they were a mix of greens and browns. I was never as buff as this soldier, but I did put in my time for my country, and proud of it. That's why I support programs such as Operation Write Home, Honor Flight, and Wounded Warrior. This card will join others in a mail out to deployed troops. There's a Reserve Unit close to home (I should know, my son is an Army Reservist) and they have at least one company deployed.
I have to admit, the digital elements on my card are my buttons, the necessary element to qualify for this challenge (well, that plus a greeting). I was struck by inspiration for my card, and had no idea at the time what the theme was, so had to add them in last minute as it were.
So when you create a card for the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week, Don't Forget Those BUTTONS! LOL And as always, have fun crafting!
Challenges I am Entering:
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
Cutie Pie challenges - Cute as a Button
Get Creative challenges - Stars
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
Use Your Stuff - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Moon and/or STARS
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Decorating for the Holidays, Card Style

Happy Holidays, crafters! I am well on my way toward a massive Christmas card stash, thanks to the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up blog. Every month you can win awesome digi paper and prizes just by creating and linking up at least two Christmas cards. 
Today I created a square card. BTW, one of the things I like about my new-found experiments with digital card making is that when I print up my cards to send out to family and friends. they have the look of dimension without adding the cost of extra postage to the envelopes! LOL
Here, I used some delicious patterned paper, called "Green Balls" from "It's Ornamental" kit from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, framing it with Emerald-colored paper from Decosse's' set, "Christmas Grunge" textured digital paper. 
Since the sponsor this month at the 12 Months of Christmas blog is Robyn's Fetish, I got to play with this cute digital image. It's called "Putting Up the Tree" and after I colored it up, I framed it with two different colored papers from the Grunge set before popping it onto my background. Decosse's has some awesome Christmas embellishments and papers. I used a mistletoe border for my card, as well as a few snowflake brads and a couple gingham ribbons.
Let's see, this is the 7th month of 2015, so I have a hefty stockpile of cards going. Yep, I will be ready this year to send them out nice and early. How about you--have you started yet? It's a win-win situation if you create a couple cards AND link them up! You will also have your own little stockpile, and you'll be in the running for prizes!
In order to be in the running for prizes from Robyn's Fetish (3 free digis of your choice to a random participant), you must create following the optional theme of "It's Ornamental."
You don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards, earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies.  You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of 3 digital stamps from Robyn’s Fetish Digital Stamps.


Challenges I am Entering:
Simply Create Too - Christmas in July
Sister Act Card challenges - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything Goes/Christmas
Paper Creator's Crafts challenges - Christmas in July
Crafting by Designs - Christmas



Note Card Sets Make Great Gifts

Here's my guest DT project for this week, being showcased at DeeDee's Digis blog. I got to play with the digi sheet called Spring Blocks. This digital set includes: 5 outline images, 5 pre-colored images, 5 white-filled layering images, and 5 sentiments, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily resizable to fit your crafting needs.
I used 4 of the 5 pre-colored blocks to make note cards with matching envelopes. I love digi images because you can print them off in different sizes. I actually printed them in three different sizes. The smallest went on the envelopes; I popped the largest-sized images onto my cards, and the middle-sized ones went into a different project.
Here is a close-up of one of my cards. I used the same sentiment for each, embellishing each card with pearls at each corner and jeweled butterflies-simple and sweet. (The white lines in the graphic design of my background paper is glittery, but the camera didn't pick it up)
My neighbor had another stroke, and she can't craft like she used to. I made her a get well card, and she liked it, so I think she'll get a kick out of using these.
Meanwhile, check out DeeDee's blog for inspiration. don't forget to visit her shop, where inspiration meets beautiful and very affordable digital images. Don't forget to let her know Patacake sent you!!
Challenges I am Entering:
Digitally Sweet - Anything Goes
CCEE Stampers - Cheer Up the Lonely


Monday, July 13, 2015

The Wonders of Washi Tape

I belong to a local card swap club that meets once a month at my lss. This month's theme was Washi tape. Now I have a few rolls of the stuff but never really delved into their possibilities--until today.
After cruising Pinterest for inspiration, I decided on using my tapes as borders. I taped around plain white cardstock to make it look like patterned paper underneath my embossed papers. I also used the tape to frame my sentiment.
Since I used the sentiment as the focal point, I added a single shaker balloon and tiny adhesive-backed pearls in each of the corners.
Of course, I ran out of the balloons and, pledging to use up my stash, I had to find another birthday-related embellishment to finish up the 16 cards I needed to swap. I found some 3D cupcake stickers to use on the last 4 cards.
I was so thrilled with the Washi tape that I made everyone a matching pen or pencil to go with the card they chose. And now I must put Washi tape on my Christmas list, as I am almost out of the stuff, and love to use it.

Have you discovered a passion for a new technique or product through a challenge? While my favorite challenges are Anything Goes, I also love to be nudged (shoved) out of my comfort zone with all the challenges out there in blogland.
Meanwhile, I am entering my cards (16 in all w/matching writing stick) in the following challenges:

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Fantastical Challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog

One of the things I like about playing with images from Ike's Art is the fantastical drawings she comes up with. Take the Hatter, for example, whose image I colored and popped onto a card. Until I saw the most recent version of Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp playing the same role as this guy, I thought of the Hatter as this funny, lovable character (kind of like in the Disney animated movie).
But Ike has brought to life a newer, sad, deranged but still lovable character...and we all get to color him and play with him and create with him. It is a mad, mad, world, and if you're playing with the Hatter, you're in very good company!
So today marks the midpoint of the Fantasy challenge over at Ike's World Challenge blog. You have one more week to let your imagination fly and link it up with us!!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Life is Best when Shared

I could never live a hermit's life. Never to share a smile, a meal, a laugh, a memory-with a friend, a neighbor, even a stranger. No, I am entangled in humanity. I smile at people as I pass by them, each on our ways to the destinations of the moment. I speak with people in grocery lines, in the dentist's waiting room, and fellow shoppers. I am a chatty person.
I am a person invested in life. A bottle of wine tastes sweeter when shared with my husband, a rainbow more wondrous when shared with my granddaughter, a memory more tender when shared with my mom and sisters. I could never live a solitary life. I think I wold shrivel up and die.
So, the new challenge theme at the Path of Positivity is the perfect inspiration for my project today. The guest sponsors are Fresh Brewed Designs and Limited Runs. I got to play with an image today from Fresh Brewed Designs called Best Friends. I created a water color background for my card, then popped my image onto it. After coloring their hair, I decided to leave the rest of the image transparent. Then I added the sentiment, followed by embellishments from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, as well as stamps from Photoshop.
I think I'll have to print several copies of my card, as I have specific people I would love to send this to. I think they need to be reminded how wonderful they are. I think everyone needs that reminder now and then, don't you?
The Path of Positivity challenge blog is a place that promotes inspiration, nurturing and support for the soul, one project or post at a time. The monthly challenge themes are thought-provoking concepts that inspire crafters to stretch their imagination in a positive way.
 The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:
  • Three images of the winner's choice from Fresh Brewed Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
  • A $10.00 gift certificate from Limited Runs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
There will also be:
  • One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on the start, midway, pondering or top picks post for Challenge #28.
  • One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.
So as you craft this month, please share what you create with us at the Path of Positivity challenge blog, won't you?
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Use Your Stuff - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Use 3 elements from Inspiration photo
Left of Center challenges - Splash of Paint (water colors)
Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes
ART-tastic challenges - Use Water (water colored background)
Digi Galore challenges - Summery Bright



Let Freedom Ring!

I hope everyone in the US had a great holiday weekend. My daughter Wendy was born on the Fourth of July. In fact, while in labor, the fireworks were sparkling outside the hospital window 20 years ago. Everyone watching was oohing and ahh-ing. I was like erghh-ing and ughh-ing. She was the first baby born in the area on Independence Day.
Every year, Wendy would get a kick out of all the parades and picnics and fireworks "for her birthday." Of course, as she grew older, she understood that it wasn't just about her, but about the birth of our nation, and of the bravery of so many men and women to keep that nation independent and democratic.
What does this have to do with my project today? Well, it's a new week and a new challenge at Craft Your Passion. Doodle Pantry is the sponsor this week and I got to play with this cutie called Fireworks Birdie. The sheet comes with black line, layering and colored images, as well as several sentiments.
I started to create a birthday card for my daughter, and then the muse pushed me toward this mixed media shadow box. Funny how inspiration often takes you somewhere completely opposite of where you were headed.
So, where will inspiration take you? Whatever you do, link it up and share with us at Craft Your Passion challenge blog!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Doodle Pantry Blog - Anything Goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Red, White & Blue
Crafty Friends challenge - Anything Goes
Splendiferous challenges - Wave the Flag
Brown Sugar - Red, White & Blue
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes
2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes (mixed media, no cards)
Crafting Musketeers - Anything Goes
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes


Di's Digi Stamps Sponsoring the Outlawz Greetings This Week

I love to listen to music while I craft--do you? So many songs inspire me. I am an eclectic music lover, in that I love all kinds of music. This cute image I used from Di's Digi Stamps, this month's sponsor at the Outlawz Greetings challenge reminded me of a really, really old song. I wasn't around when it first came out, but I remember singing it when I was little ( the song was recorded by Doris Day on records that came BEFORE vinyl!):

"Oh, honey...
Picture me upon your knee
With tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me alone

Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations on weekend vacations
We won't have it known, dear
That we own a telephone, dear

Day will break and I'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For you to take, for all the boys to see
(Oh, darling)

We will raise a family
A boy for you and a girl for me
Can't you see how happy we will be?"

The digi image is called "Drinky Mice for Two" and I colored it with Copics, adding some white gel pen to highlight. I'm still using up the papers in that re-discovered box I found in my closet. I promised myself NOT to buy any more paper until the box is empty. LOL
So, the theme at the Outlawz Greetings is ANYTHING GOES, and you have ALL week to create and link it up at the challenge blog. Can't wait to see what you create!
Challenges I am Entering:
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes
Animal Friends challenge - use an animal
Card Mania challenges - Anything Goes
Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes


Friday, July 3, 2015

Altered State of Mind when It Comes to Crafting

Today I created my DT project for the Outlawz Progressive Freebie group. As always, the theme is Anything Goes, and this month's sponsor is Blueberry bear Digi Stamps.
I chose to alter this gigantic clothes pin that I snagged at Hobby Lobby on clearance for a dollar. Can you believe that?! If there had been more than one, you bet I would have bought them all! LOL I love a good deal.
I colored my Blueberry Bear digi with Copics and fussy-cut him, framing him first with a paper doily and then with a few layers of freehand-cut stars. The gold stars are cut from patterned paper, and the poem at the bottom is from a kit from K & Co.
I finished off my project with assorted ribbons and fibers, and my altered clothespin stands almost a foot high!!
When we at the Outlawz Progressive Freebie say it's Anything Goes, we mean it!! LOL Cards, ATCs, mixed media, altered art--the sky's the limit. And to play, all you have to do this month is create with this little image. If you created last month for the challenge, you will receive this guy free. If you're new to the challenge, check out the rules HERE.
And whatever your plans this holiday weekend, have fun!!
Happy crafting!
Challenges I am Entering:
2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes (no cards)
Crafts Galore Encore - Use stamp or digi
Digitally Sweet - Anything Goes