Cheeky DIGs is open!

I added Sharkie, my 'need a lift' support balloon and my frothy fappuccinos today to my Etsy Shop, Cheeky DIGs (pronounced digs like with a shovel). I'm starting with 5 of each image/set. Here are my initial prices:

• Sharkie and his 3 cheeky sentiments are priced at $5 for the set.
• The support balloon and sentiment is $3.
• My fraps will be $3 for the collage image and $8 for the set, which includes both collage images AND the vanilla beans, strawberries, cloud and swirls as separate images.
• I'm planning to price singles at $2-3 and sets between $5-10 depending on the number of images.

How does that sound? If these sell out (wouldn't that be amazing!!), please let me know and I'll add more. I'd love to see what you do with my images....I think a contest with prizes would be a good way to celebrate!!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Nancy

Henri's first real birthday party...

I'm gearing up to open Cheeky DIGs on Etsy where I'll sell my digital stamps (these are not the same as the images I illustrate for Taylored Expressions although you may recognize a similar style) and my favourite handmade cards. I'm still tweaking and open to any suggestions. If you use digi stamps already, I really would like to know whether you prefer jpeg, png or pdf files and whether a set is best arranged on one letter-sized page or one image per page. I'd love to hear from you!!

On Friday, my little Henri turns 6. Anyone who knows me knows this is a very big deal--two years ago Henri celebrated his 4th birthday while living at Sick Kids and was having a bone marrow transplant less than 3 months later. He's cured and is having his first REAL birthday party and inviting REAL school friends. So my morning was spent on the invites to his bowling party and here they are:

I created the bowling alley in Illustrator (I'm not sure if you can see the lines in this photo) and arranged it on the top half of the page before printing on cardstock, folding the back up and adding cardstock edges with strong adhesive and stitching. The insert gives the party details and is topped with nestie labels and the bowling pins/ball (popped up with dimensionals) I also created in Illustrator.

Thanks for looking!

~Nancy

Make that a vanilla frappuccino, please!

So it turns out Morgana's friend prefers vanilla bean frappuccinos at Starbucks. I enjoyed making the strawberry version so much that I didn't mind mixing a vanilla one last night:

Hope you treat yourself to something delicious today! Thanks for stopping by...

~Nancy

A birthday frappuccino

One of my daughter's friends is celebrating her 12th birthday and loves Starbucks frappuccinos (for my kids, it's all about the whipped cream), so today I created this image and card inspired by the frappuccino promotion they've got going on right now.

I printed my images on TE choice snow white cardstock and SU 12"x12" white cardstock, coloured with copics and added shading with prismacolors/gamsol. To create the pocket I just folded up the bottom 2" on my 5"x12" card base and stitched the edges before adding the strip of DP with the punched edge.

The card layout is fairly simple--it's all about the frappy scene and whipped cream!

Thanks for looking!

~Nancy

Talent everywhere!

A comment on my last post led me to Jo, The Crafy Nomad. She creates fabulous sewn creations and cards to match. Fun stuff!! Jo has joined in on a Sew Mama Sew blog giveaway. I didn't know about this!! The idea behind Sew Mama Sew (from their blog) ...
"Readers benefit because a) they get exposed to blogs with great ideas; b) they get directed to shops with wonderful items; c) they get the opportunity to win a cool handmade prize; d) they know exactly when to tune in! Participants benefit because a) they get new readers (many participants end up with hundreds of comments & visitors); b) they get potential shoppers/readers; c) they can experience the joy of giving something they’ve made to a virtual friend. Want to play?"

YES! Jo is giving away personalized t-shirts/baby onesies, a collection of cards and coffee cup sleeves. Have a look...

~Nancy

Inspired by Nicole Heady's kite card, I created these last week and gave the support ribbon balloon to my friend with breast cancer. I also made purple versions for a friend with lupus in the family and another whose mother is going through chemo for pancreatic cancer. I didn't have enough time to take pictures before running to meet them for a girls' night out. Apparently lupus, pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer's all share purple as their colour of support.



I created the images and sentiment in Illustrator and printed on TE choice snow white cardstock before colouring with copics. The white background panel is sponged on the edges with chalk ink. Loved Nicole's layout and created my own version of stitching around the focal image. Here's another photo of the card I still have in my stash for someone who needs a 'lift.'



The support ribbon balloon, my shark, my rainy day umbrella and other digi images I've created may be available soon for purchase. I'd like to hear your thoughts first though...are you interested in these digi images and what file formats work for you?!!

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

Sharkie Wants A Piece!

I've actually got a second post for today after the excitement of the first TE customer blog hop. Last week Henri asked me to draw him a kangaroo, so I'm not sure how I ended up with this shark. Sharks seem to be the rage right now for little guys. Here's my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #139 and Henri's birthday card to go with the swimming trunks and flip flops he has his eye on at Gymboree.

I played around with Core'dinations and We R Memory Keepers textured cardstock, sanding after embossing with cuttlebug folders. My shark is printed on TE choice snow white cardstock and coloured with copics and prismacolors/gamsol. The mesh ribbon was from a TE kit when Spooky Expressions was released. I cinched it with a bead and included shells in front and behind to create a net. Not sure if this is a better closeup of my cheeky, cake-loving shark...

How do you like him? I'd love to hear...

~Nancy

TE Blast from the Past

Today is the very first customer blog hop for Taylored Expressions and we've been asked to create a card using stamps from 2008 or 2009 and a fun sketch designed by Sankari. So here's mine:



I've used the tool belt from Boys Will Be Boys, which I coloured with copics and prismacolors/gamsol. Discovering that both can be used (pencils AFTER copics) was truly one of the most useful tips and has really helped my colouring (I think anyway). I pulled out some Cosmo Cricket Lil' Man DP scraps and paired them with PTI aqua mist cardstock and ink (sponged around the edges) and Gina K pure luxury red.

The sentiment "love a guy who knows how to use his tools" is just one I created for this card. I laughed at myself because when adding the large eyelet with my crop-a-dile, I really crunched it and made a mess. Guess I should learn how to use my own tools! The thread is meant to disguise, however, it hides the 's' on the end of tools, which makes my sentiment sound a little naughty.

;) ~Nancy

Celebrating Waltzing Mouse Today

Welcome to the Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz this month! Since Claire and Waltzingmouse Stamps have been in business one year, the theme is birthdays. I’ve used the very first set I ordered from Waltzing Mouse, Earth Angel, for my card.

My angel’s dress is paper pieced with the back/coordinating Bo-Bunny Sophie Stripe paper. I used nestabilities to frame the SU sweet treat pocket filled with assorted wild flower seeds. Because Waltzing Mouse stamps are clear photopolymer, I was able to curve the sentiment and pattern around the circular frame. Angel’s wings are two leaves from SU's stitched felt sweet pea pack. I added some sparkle to her shoes, hair bow and stars with spica glitter pens.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Nancy

Happy Birthday, Janet!

I slept in on Janet's birthday so I'm late for the hop. I had so much fun creating this purple, slightly grungy, rockin' card for Janet using You're My Hero. The background I created especially for Janet and I'm sending her the digi file. Maybe she'll share it with her closest friends ;)...




LOTS of half pearls here, but the guitar is my favourite. I used the 'rock 'n roll' technique, of course, for the base of the guitar, lightly coloured the arm with copics and liberally applied crystal effects on the base (is that's what it's called, Janet?). Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Here's of list of some of Janet's friends wishing her the very best...

Karen: http://paperplayhouse.blogspot.com/

Joan: http://scrapmum.blogspot.com/

Dana: http://danashouseofcards.blogspot.com/

Mary: http://mbryt1.blogspot.com/

Nancy: http://cardworthy.blogspot.com/ (that's me)

Anita: http://www.hoveyhut.blogspot.com/

Michelle: http://micheldesigns.blogspot.com/

Anne: http://stargrovesblog.blogspot.com/

~Nancy

More Hangin' Out Sneaks

I have a few more cards to show you using Hangin’ Out. Yesterday I saw a few sets of this pair of undies:

Mine are also paper pieced, but to match. I’ve bought matching sets for myself but maybe it’s time for his and hers! The boys in my house love pink so here are some pink dotted under-gotchies for my hubbie. I’ve used the CPS sketch sponsored by Taylored Expressions this week…changed it a little but hopefully the basic elements are there.

Next, I’ve seen stitched bug trails on other cards so I thought I’d try with the bee in Hangin’ Out. I stamped the little guy twice and coloured with copics then stitched. Another time I might do the reverse—stitch then stamp.

And finally, the whimsical clothesline pole in the set also reminds me of a tetherball post so I created an opening in each of the card front layers to allow my bead ball to move. I printed the sentiment “Have a ball on your birthday!” on Choice Snow White cardstock; cut curved pieces with my Martha Stewart hand straight cutting wheel; and then liberally covered the pieces with copics before embossing with my Cuttlebug.

No stiching on this card and it isn't square...amazing! The hills are inspired by Jeanie’s fab card. I hope the kraft card base makes this krafty enough for THAT'S KRAFTY THURSDAY 25, Jeanie.

Looking forward to seeing the Baker’s Dozen treats today! Alex Maldonado; Carolina Butching; Charmaine Ikach; Donna Baker; Jackie Pedro; Jami Sibley; Jeanie Witmer; Jodi Collins; Karen Giron; Melissa Sauls; Sankari Wegman; guest designer Sandra MacLean, and Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by on your way!

~Nancy

Hangin' Out Sneak Peeks

I’m having LOTS of fun with the latest Whimsical Wishes set I illustrated for Taylored Expressions—Hangin’ Out, which hopefully captures Sankari's inital ideas. There are so many images—over 20, actually—that it’s not just another clothesline set. The sneak peeks I have for you today hopefully show what you can do with just a few of the images for birthdays, friendship, support and ‘just because.’ First, here’s a simple layout with the little bird image stamped twice and perched on a hand-drawn line, then coloured with prismacolors and gamsol. Don’t they just make the “perfect pair”…?

I’ve paired the ‘Welcome Little One’ sentiment with the bib and the miniature coordinating flower image; the cuddly bear; and the snappy nappy in the set.

Each image is masked within a frame. I’ve created the line—it’s not part of the set, so you can have clotheslines any length you wish or none at all. Most images can stand by themselves! I used my new SU scallop trim edge punch for this one because it just seems so delicate.

Finally for today (I have more for tomorrow), I used the bra image. A very new friend I met at Henri's gymnastics just learned that she has breast cancer and is scheduled for a mastectomy in two weeks. I created this sentiment “Friends are like bras: Close to your heart and there for support” on my computer for her and so many other friends who are completely healthy but just need support. If you don’t see just the perfect sentiment you need in this set, the computer is a wonderful thing. Combine these fabulous bras with your own words!



Why two cards with the same images and sentiment—'cause it’s perfect for so many people?! Well, actually, the purple version was my first take on this week’s Mojo Monday Sketch #137. When I first saw the sketch I thought of paint chips or my pantone colour fan and how the colours are presented in light-dark values, so I’ve created a subtle gradient using copics. I turned the sketch, included the half pearls inside my sentiment panel and extended the longer panel of squares the length of the card to fit the bras. Sometimes you create a card to work with a sketch, but it just doesn’t feel like ‘you’—just how I feel about this one. So, I used the same basic layout, brighter colours and my comfortable square shape to create this card:

I wanted white squares behind the bras for contrast but embossed each one differently for textural interest. And this time I used PTI rustic thread and those cute clothespins to string up my bras.

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has cooked up for us today! Alex Maldonado; Carolina Butching; Charmaine Ikach; Donna Baker; Jackie Pedro; Jami Sibley; Jeanie Witmer; Jodi Collins; Karen Giron; Melissa Sauls; Sankari Wegman; and Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by on your way!

Nancy

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge

Here's my card for Claire's sketch challenge over at Waltzing Mouse. The prize is huge--one of each of the 8 sets being released this Saturday! Who wouldn't want to win this and good luck to everyone.

My card was a quickie because I used one of Claire's digi images, changed the colour of the shamrock in my software and added a fine border before printing on TE choice snow white cardstock and going to town with layers of circles cut out with nestie circles. I trimmed around the inner edge of the shamrock to exclude it when cutting the circle. The 'IRISH Blessings' sentiment is printed on the inside of the card and shows through the window. Some stitching, jillibean soup paper (coordinating white bean paper) and Papertrey Ink buttons...that's it!

Times up, so please forgive my photography. I may get a better picture in daylight.

Thanks so much for the sketch and opportunity, Claire!

~Nancy

a rainy day

I created both this umbrella image and card last week when it was rainy and overcast.

I printed my umbrella image on SU very vanilla and PTI lemon tart cardstock, coloured the handle and raindrops with copics and prismacolors and cut out the lemon umbrella before embossing with my cuttlebug. Just a simple layout, dotted edge with a Martha Stewart edge punch and some sewing. I'm considering offering digital images on Etsy...would anyone be intersted in this umbrella and sentiment (sorry to have to ruin it with a watermark)?

I'd love to hear what you have to say about buying and using digi images because I have lots of them to share with you!!!

~Nancy

Bellarific Valentina

I'm finding time to stamp these days, so here's my take on today's Friday bellarific sketch challenge using Valentina from Stamping Bella.

It's not quite the style I'm trying to achieve these days but I think it works for Henri's next birthday party for one of the girls in his Kindergarten class. I rotated the sketch and layered it up like a birthday cake. Since my colouring with copics and prismacolors was a little dark, the Spica glitter pens helped. I wish my picture captured the sparkle and contrast a little better.

Thanks for looking!

~Nancy

More CreativiTEA

Although I'm not part of sneak peeks today, I do have two cards using CreativiTEA and Miniature Motifs, new Whimsical Wishes sets now available at Taylored Expressions. My first card is quite simple and uses one of the patterns from Miniature Motifs to create the pink patterned paper for the border and teapot. My layout and use of buttons was inspired by Becky Oehler's Compose a Card inspiration. For fun, I threaded rustic thread through the sentiment and nestie frame to create the look of a tea bag.



My second card is my favourite. Love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote "a woman is like a tea bag...you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water," which I actually just created for the card and printed it before stamping the teacup image twice (once on the sentiment panel and then on textured cardstock) for paper piecing. The teabag is coloured with copics and prismacolors. Sorry to tease, but don't you love that sentiment?! The polka dotted paper is once again from We R Memory Keepers.



Thanks for looking!
~Nancy

Day 2 Peeks at Taylored Expressions!

Back in January, Taylor asked me if I had any ideas about what types of gifts/cards a teacher would want to receive. I wound back time a few years and thought about when I taught Grade 7 and 8. Sure, apples are certainly the traditional symbol for teacher appreciation, and so we’ve included a whimsical apple in these two sets. But as a teacher, I really appreciated thoughtful notes from students and gift cards for things like books and Starbucks. (Isn’t that what everyone wants?!) ...Anything that told me the kids realized I was a REAL person with a REAL life outside of school and perhaps in need of restorative down time. I really feel any image is appropriate for teacher cards—one of my favourites is Branching Out and the swing…it’s all about the sentiments!

So here are my peeks today—a mix of cards fresh from the new Whimsical Wishes release Make the Grade and some favourites from throughout the year paired with Extra Credit, just the perfect sentiment collection for teachers, instructors, parents, grandparents, coaches and role models of any kind…

First, this one could be for my son's fabulous Grade 6 teacher, but in my mind, it's really for my dad who taught geography through his entire teaching career and showed us a lot of the world. I finally got a chance to use one of Karen's sweet Sunday sketches (SSSC63)! I adhered the paper layers together before running the card front through my cuttlebug and nestie pinking circle die. The sentiment "for opening up the world for me" fits perfectly around the globe, which I stamped twice, coloured with copics and popped up. The inside is a happy accident—I ran out of black thread so cut another pinked circle to cover up the unstitched edge.

My next three cards use sentiments from both of today's new sets. I mentioned that one of my favourites for teachers is Branching Out. "You helped me" fits with several different sentiment options in the Extra Credit sentiment set and I've chosen "Grow and Learn" to work with the symbolic tree of learning and life.

"Thanks" and "for believing in me" are two different stamps from the Make the Grade set. Together I think they work well with my favourite backpack bear from Beary Special, which I've paper pieced and coloured with copics. I've used Mojo Monday sketch 133 (MOJO133) for this one and lots of layers! Again I've used paper from the We R Memory Keepers vintage blue collection (peachy keen) and also from the Basic Grey green at heart 6x6 paper pad.

And finally, here's a quick one using "You're Appreciated" from the Extra Credit set and the wild flower background stamp from Discover Your Wings, which I stamped in PTI melon berry and highlighted with vintage photo stickles. The scalloped upper edge and ribbon treatment is an idea from Lisa Johnson's Depth of Life card featured in Stamp It! Cards magazine. Easy, simple and ready for one of my daughter's dance teachers or the many people in our lives who always seem to be there to help.

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has for the teacher's in their lives today… Alex Maldonado, Carolina Butching, Charmaine Ikach, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jeanie Witmer, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Melissa Sauls, Jami Sibley, Sankari Wegman and Taylor VanBruggen.

Have a good one!

~Nancy

Day 1 of April Sneaks at Taylored Expressions!

Today Taylor and her Baker’s Dozen are showing peeks of two of the newest Whimsical Wishes releases, CreativiTEA and Miniature Motifs. The images are perfect for Mother’s Day, but I think this is a set I’ll use frequently throughout the year for friends and encouragement. I’ve got THREE cards to show you today!

All three cards use papers from the We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue collection and textured cardstock pad. I coloured the delicate flower image from CreativiTEA with copics and then prismacolors and gamsol. For a change, I put the image on the inside and cut a frame in the card front with my Labels Two nesties.

My next card shows you the outline teapot image (coloured with copics), the nestie-friendly (Labels Nine) frame and punny “Oh my Darjeeling” sentiment.

Finally, keeping the layout simple, here’s a combination of masked images from the 19 image set, coloured with copics and prismacolors. I hope this inspires your “creativiTEA!”

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has cooked up today…

Alex Maldonado

Carolina Butching

Charmaine Ikach

Donna Baker

Jackie Pedro

Jeanie Witmer

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Jami Sibley

Sankari Wegman, and

Taylor VanBruggen

Just a little late with the polka-dotted theme

Last week's Bellarific Friday theme was polka dots, but I was so busy with the Whimsical Wishes release for Taylored Expressions that I just didn't get a chance until this week. Here's Gertie lulu coloured with copics then with prismacolors and gamsol.

Thanks for looking.

~Nancy

We have a winner!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to play along and leave a message this weekend. It's been a wonderful year for me illustrating the Whimsical Wishes stamp line for Taylored Expressions and working with Taylor. I'd love to hear what your favourite set is so far and what you'd like to see more of in the future.

Mainly I'm on tonight to send congratulations out to Laura! You've won a Wimsical Wishes set of your choice. Laura guessed all 10 of the sets correctly as did almost everyone else who played along. What a clever bunch!! Taylor will also be in touch with you.

Have a great evening everyone!
~Nancy