PagesPat's Ponderings

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Pixel Scrapper's March Blog Train Freebie

This month Pixel Scrapper's Blog Train is called "In Your Pocket", offering everything imaginable for scrapping pocket pages. My Mini Kit consists of six 4" x 6" Filler Cards in a beach theme. And it's yours for FREE!
All I ask is that you abide by my Terms of Use which are included with the cards, AND to please leave a little love.
Just click on the button below to Download the Mini Kit. Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Mother Nature Visits Ike's World Challenge Blog


Today, I created my DT project for Ike's World Challenge Blog. While the challenges are ANYTHING GOES, there is (almost) always an OPTIONAL theme, and this fortnight the challenge is Nature.
I was stumped for inspiration on the optional theme of nature until I was browsing the store at Ike's Art and found these fun animal silhouettes. The set is called African Animal Silhouettes. I thought they would make perfect "pages" for a child's picture book.
Each letter represents an animal. Unfortunately, I can't finish my picture book for my newest grandson, Jonny. I have to wait until Ike draws more animals for me to use!
I did manage to use six of the eight animal silhouettes in the set. But that's okay, my grandson is only 18 months old, so I have time. His second birthday is in August.
After choosing my background papers, I printed and then laminated each image, making sure to round the corners so my little man won't cut himself on the sharp corners.
I then hole-punched the corner of each so that I can string them all on a large jump ring. I'll tie on colorful fibers and ribbons as I create more pages. It has to be large as there are 26 letters in the alphabet!! LOL

For now, my little Fox is guarding the pages I was able to finish. Until I get more images to play with, why don't you join the newest challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis from the store?? I can't wait to see what you create!
Challenges I am Entering:
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
CAS on Sunday - Critters
Corrosive Challenges - Anything Goes
AllSorts - Anything Goes
Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Less Is More - Alphabet
My Time to Craft - Anything BUT a Card
Alphabet Challenges - Y is for You Choose
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

Monday, February 20, 2017

Find LOVE at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog

Welcome to the midway point of the February challenge at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. While it's always ANYTHING GOES, the optional theme is Expressions of Love. Our sponsors for this challenge are:
AND
My card today is for my sister Dee, whose support and love have carried me through some tough times this month. I thought she would like this card because, like me, she loves puns! The digi image I used is called "Love You 2 Pizzas" and is offered in the Imagine That! store.

SPONSOR & PRIZE INFORMATION: 
  • $10 gift certificate from Imagine That! Digistamp for the post or project that is deemed most inspiring of the bunch. To be eligible for this prize, you must follow the optional theme of Expressions of Love.
  • The same three digis used by team members, provided by Mari Digis for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.  To be eligible for this prize, entry must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
Whether you choose to express love for someone in a birthday card, a sympathy card, a scrapbook layout, or other media, be sure to link it up at the Path of Positivity Challenge blog for your chance to win prizes!
Challenges I am Entering:
Crafty Calendar Challenges - Love is in the Air
Crafty Cardmakers - Add Some Texture
Get Creative Challenges - Use Red + Another Color

*Anything Goes Theme*


Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Holiday Humor at the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up & Challenge Blog

Christmas time is a time of joy, of renewal, of family and friends, of food and faith. We all make plans and preparations for the perfect Christmas, but sometimes LIFE throws a pumpkin pie in our faces and we have to laugh. Some of the funniest times are during the holidays, which make for happy memories throughout the years. Like when Grandma laughed so hard at the dinner table her dentures fell into the mashed potatoes, or when your toddler spent more time and had more fun unwrapping the presents than the presents themselves (both were actual holiday events in my family).
This month at the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up Blog the OPTIONAL theme is HOLIDAY HUMOR. Whether you choose to use a humorous sentiment, a funny image, or some other element to elicit a smile, a snicker, or a full blown snort, it is up to you. In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, make sure that your card has some element of humor. IMPORTANT: Be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.
My card today uses a digi image from Scribbles Designs called Twinkle Brrr. After coloring with Copics, I decorated my card face with a digi paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles from the new Cartoony Christmas paper Kit. I remember one year my son was "helping" me with the Christmas tree and I ended wrapped in glowing bulbs of multi-colored twinkling lights along with the tree!! So that memory inspired me to wrap my card with a twisting strand of lights before calling my card finished.
Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and 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 a $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs. 
Guest Sponsor:   Scribbles Designs
http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.ca/
  • Prize being offered: One free digital paper to everyone who links up a minimum of two cards to the challenge.  Cards can be anything goes for this prize. The mini set of six digital papers called A Cartoony Christmas, will also be offered up as a prize to one random winner.

Baby, It's Cold at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog

Welcome to a new challenge at Scribbles Designs! It's the middle of February, and if you live in the northern hemisphere, that means cold days and colder nights - Brrr! So Scribbles would like to see your creations, inspired by the winter weather.
I created this fun step card using several digi images from Scribbles Designs: Free Snow Sign, Bunny Bum, Cat and Snow Kisses. The edge of each "step" has been sprinkled by faux snow, something you can make by rubbing two Styrofoam balls together and gathering up the "flakes". Except for my background paper, Rolling Hills patterned paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' Snow Much Fun Paper Kit, the rest is from my stash.
What's your winter weather look like? Be inspired by looking out your window and link a project up to Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis from the Scribbles store. See you there!!
Challenges I am Entering:
Creates & Makes - Winter Blues
Show Us Your Pussies - Kitty Love
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Use your Favorite Things (I love my homemade snow)

Monday, February 13, 2017

BE-YOU-tiful You at Ike's World Challenge Blog

It's said that artists reveal themselves in their work. This fortnight, the challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog is to create something that shouts "THIS IS ME." I was inspired to use my daily mantra for my "coming out."
Dance as if no one is watching 
I created a desk accessory for stray pens, markers & an occasional pair of scissors. I snagged an unfinished wooden pen holder from my local Goodwill store (99 cents!). 
Using four images from Ike's Store, I colored the images with Copics and a white gel pen. Then I created a scene for each dancing image with Copics again. I really like my backgrounds (is that vain of me?). LOL
Before adhering my colored images to the wood, I wrote an affirmation relating to dancing and life  on each.


The images that I used are "Fred and Gene", "Spanish Dancer", "Spring Fairy" and "Polynesian Girl." They are all available at Ike's Art.
I love creating background scenes for my images, and go to Pinterest for inspiration. I feel  that I am improving each time I create one.


Why does this project reflect who I am? Well, "everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." I am often inspired by music. I am eclectic in my tastes, meaning I like almost everything! I can't help but move when I hear the songs. I am more motivated to clean, work out, craft, MOVE, when music is playing.


So no matter where I am (like in the grocery store) my hips start swaying and if my kids are with me, they turn red and whisper to me to STOP IT MOM YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME. I in turn tell them that one of the goals of a parent is to embarrass them. LOL

My quotes read, "Dance first, think later," "Life is a Dance," "Dancing is Dreaming on your feet", and "Dance to the Rhythm of Love."  When I spin bike, my iPod is urging me on. If I had the time, I would take Zumba classes just for the fun of it. And when I create,music surrounds me with inspiration.

So what will YOU create that screams YOU? Any project is welcome, from cards and layouts to canvases and altered art.  Let's see the REAL you at Ike's World Challenge Blog. And if you're too shy to reveal yourself, this is an OPTIONAL TWIST, so you can create anything for your chance to win free digis from Ike's Art.

Good luck and Happy crafting! And don't forget to DANCE



Monday, February 6, 2017

The Path of Positivity Looks for Expressions of Love

Welcome to a brand new challenge from the Path of Positivity blog, where all projects with a positive theme or message are welcome. There is always an optional theme as well, and while the challenge is always ANYTHING GOES, the optional theme this month is Expressions of Love.
Love can be given to spouses, family members, friends, co-workers and pets. Love can be expressed in so many different ways, and we want to see them!
Today I created a card for some wonderful people. I've had a very stressful new year, especially the last two weeks.  I have only just survived with my sanity due to the love and care of my family and friends. Between hugs, phone calls and some much needed relaxation, I am able to carry on through the continuing stress.
This month the challenge is being sponsored by Imagine That! Digis by Kris

My card today uses an image from Mari Digis called Amigas. The image is perfect for making Thank You cards for all those on my support team. This one is for my biggest cheerleader, Janie. Her favorite color is Teal/aquamarine, so I think she'll like it.
How do you express your love for others? If you link up your crafty creations at the Path of Positivity, you'll have a chance to win some awesome prizes this month!
In order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You don't need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of a $10 gift certificate from Imagine That! Digistamp, one of our sponsors this month. 
You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of the same three digis used by the DT provided by Mari Digis.

PRIZE INFORMATION: 
  • $10 gift certificate from Imagine That! Digistamp, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that is deemed most inspiring of the bunch. To be eligible for this prize, you must follow the optional theme (details above).
  • The same three digis used by team members, provided by Mari Digis, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.  To be eligible for this prize, entry must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

  • Challenges I am Entering:



Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Scribbles Designs 4th Birthday Bonanza Challenge & Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the midway point of Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog and there are still two weeks left in the challenge. This month we're celebrating Scribbles Design's fourth birthday. We had a blog hop at the start of the challenge along with our regular challenge. To make this an extra special birthday, we've added some extra special prizes in addition to our regular ones.
Here is a refresher of what the theme is all about: 
It is time to break out the party hats and light up the candles on the birthday cake. Get ready to hang some streamers and blow up a few balloons too as Scribbles Designs has just turned four!!! In honor of this wonderful occasion, this challenge celebrates birthdays. Yours, mine, a family member's, a friend's, or even an acquaintance's. It doesn't matter whose birthday you are celebrating or how many candles are on the cake. Simply design a card or handmade gift commemorating someone's birthday.  
For this celebration, I created a 3D canvas (on foam board) using the following:
Images from Scribbles Designs:
Movember Boys
Pinwheel
Valentine Balloon
F61 Happy Birthday
F90 Shooting Star
Daisy 2
Layer Cake
I printed the whole thing four times, then started cutting out my layers. Here's a peek at them:
This month's prizes...


As we are celebrating our fourth birthday from January 15th to February 14th, the prizes for the challenge will be as follows...
  • We will still have our regular prizes of:
    •  Top Scribbler (chosen randomly) receives $10 worth of digital images, winner's choice 
    •  Top 3 and Gold Star (chosen by the Design Team) receives $3 worth of digital images, winners' choice
  • Additionally, a special birthday themed prize package will be given away to three lucky winners. The images in the pack will include the following:
  • In order to be eligible to win this special prize package, you must:
    1.  Comment on every blog hop stop, including the original challenge post no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 14th.
    2.  Enter a card into the Birthday Bonanza challenge.
  • Three people who follows the above rules will win this special bonus!
  • Sandy, the owner and designer behind Scribbles Designs, is also offering up one more unique prize. Check it out...

    • In order to be eligible to win this exquisite Tangle Jewelry piece worth $30.00 USD, you must:
      1. Comment on every blog hop stop, including the original challenge post no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 14th.
      2. Enter a card into the Birthday Bonanza challenge using a Scribbles Designs image. If you are new to Scribbles Designs you can use the freebie offered above or any of the other freebies available in the store (click on the name above to go to the store and look for 'Free' under Categories in the sidebar).
  • One person who follows the above rules will win this amazing gift!
To find the original challenge post where you'll find all the blog hop links, along with the challenge link, please click HERE.

Pixel Scrappers Winter Fun Freebie

Every year I choose a goal that will guide me throughout the months. This year I strive to EXPAND my knowledge, my experiences, my contributions, my creativity. While my craft room back has been out of bounds during construction on the house, I have been learning and practicing my digital creativity, with help from my creative friend Lisa of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, as well as PixelScrapper.com.
Lisa owns several blogs besides her personal crafting blog. They are The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog and The 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up Blog.
Pixel Scrapper is a free website that offers registered guests free digital elements, papers, tutorials, etc. One of the amazing things they offer is a monthly BLOG TRAIN filled with tons of free digital mini-kits through a Blog Hop. This is offered EVERY MONTH!
This month the theme is Winter Fun, and I created a Mini Kit with four papers and four journal cards. You can download it by clicking the button below. To snag the rest of the kits, check out the Pixel Scrapper website and register. Every day you will receive credits for free elements, word art, papers, templates, etc. There are forums, challenges and tutorials. Specifically, look for the Blog Train forum conversation and my link as well as many many others will be there for the taking, absolutely free. Now who doesn't like FREE?
My credits for the resources used to create my papers, as well as my Terms of Use, are in the zip file. Please adhere to them when using my papers and journal cards. And as you an see in my sidebar, I LOVE comments, so let me know if you like the kit.
Happy Crafting!