A Fresh Start...

I think everyone deserves a fresh start every now and then.  I'm taking a fresh start into blogging again about everything that interests me!  I'm starting a new blog called The Crafting Nanni.  That's what my grandkids think I am so I'm going to embrace it!

My grandchildren make me so happy.  My girls and sons-in-law thrill me with how wonderful, kind, and caring they all are.  My church family feeds my soul in ways I don't get anywhere else.  My girlfriends are the absolute best and make me laugh so hard I tinkle.  Not gonna lie, life is really good.

I love to sew, knit, papercraft, read, get lost in genealogy.  I love Christmas and could leave my tree up all year long and not get tired of it.  I love photography and the beach.  Food trucks are the best things ever, and I'm trying to be healthier.  I love Easter and each year it gives me hope.

Speaking of a fresh start, what is sweeter and more refreshing than watermelon in the summertime?  Nothing if  you ask me!  My granddaughters, Alaina and Raylee, have the cutest friend, Emmalynn, who they met at dance class.  This child could and would dance her life away!  We had a driveby birthday party for her and I had the perfect card to make for her.  This is my version of Ballet Marci and some of the dies from Club La-La Land Crafts monthly kits.  This one is from March 2018 and I've used it like 6 times with ballet recitals and just for fun!  

Isn't she just the cutest thing?!  She is colored with copies and I still need to work on her hair.  One thing at a time, I say!  Below is the inside.  The balloon and the package on the front and the slippers and tutu are from the same set from La-La Land Crafts and the Birthday cutouts are from the August 2019 monthly set.

I need to get my photo box set back up and some more coloring under my belt.  I've found some really great classes that I've been taking so hopefully my folds in clothing, hair and other things will come around.  But as long as I'm happy with it, I'm good with that!  

I plan to enter that sweet girl into a few challenges, like:

1.  Crafty Friends Challenge Blog

2.  Colour Crazy Challenge

3.  As You Like It Challenge Blog

Just a few this time to start out.  We'll see what happens!

After all, it's just a fresh start...

Love,

Susan

September Pencil Class - Flowers!

I know it's been a while but I'm jumping back into blogging and paper crafting.  I needed a break from working so hard and I needed some relaxation.  I've found a really wonderful group to be associated with, Kit and Clowder facebook group, and absolutely love all of the inspiration and ideas Alyce Keegan is so talented and one of the best instructors and people I've ran across in such a long time! I get so much inspiration and encouragement from the facebook group that it's made it so easy to get back into coloring  I took some time with the newest Pencil class I did and am so glad I did!  Here are some pictures of how the class progressed for me:

 Day 1: I did just the first video and this is just one of the flowers I worked up.

Day 2:

I really liked how the twine came out!  It's the little things!

Day 3:  Seeing how the butterfly came out really made me happy!

Day 4: Adding these two flowers really made the picture start to pop right off the page.

The end result:  I still need to work on blending the background, but before I started being serious with these classes, I never would have even tried a background, let alone the flowers! 

If you've seen any of my blog posts from way back, you know flowers aren't my specialty - cute or sassy girls are.  While I have a lot to learn and practice up on, I'm having more fun now than I did before!  These were all done with Prismacolor Pencils and I used some Gamsol to blend the background out.  I absolutely loved how this came out.  More than how it came out, I totally loved the experience of just doing something for the relaxation of it. 

Recipe:

Kit and Clowder September Pencil Class
Prismacolor pencils

I hope you'll stop by again to see what else I have going on.  Have a great evening!

Fairy Birthday for my sweet Emma

My first granddaughter turned 9 in July and we had a blast!  This girl is so amazing and tough!  She can smack a softball like no one's business and do some serious butt kicking in karate!  She's got some of the thickest hair I've ever seen, and believe me between my three girls and 4 granddaughters, I've seen and dealt with a lot!  Emma is always sweet to me and always wants me to show her how to do something, knitting, crochet, and I can see us sewing together in the future.  I love her to the moon and back and had to make a special card just for her.

Most of the birthday cards I made for my granddaughters come from my favorite, Miss Elisabeth Bell!  I simply adore her images and can never get enough of them.  For Emma's card, I used lots or purples (which I don't normally use), and had such a blast coloring her up!

 True to form for me, she's got stickles all over her and the frame and flowers are done with Spellbinder dies and the Swiss Dot embossing folder from Cuttlebug addes some texture to her.  Oh, and I can never forget the pearls!  Oh, how I love me some pearls!

For anyone who was stopped by, thank you so much!  I'm back in the swing and hope to be back with some fun cards and silly stories.

Enjoy!

Norwex - Making Things Cleaner and Greener

I've taken off on a great adventure as a Sales Consultant for Norwex products!  I'm hook on anything that can make my life easier, cleaner, and greener.  These products make cleaning quicker and without the need for all the chemicals that come in commercial cleaners.  For the most part all you need is water and some of these amazing microfiber cloths and you're off towards a healthier lifestyle. 

I'll be back with more on them and my Pampered Chef as well as some adorable cards I've got sitting on my craft table that I just need to put together!

Hope to hear from some of you soon!

Sweet Baby Ray-Ray and Valentines

It has been a while but I'm getting my mojo back.  Today is a day of celebration for my Sweet Baby Ray-Ray, really Raylee, because she's three years old today!  Isn't she just a doll?

She makes me happy just being around her and she makes my heart so full.  Happy Day sweet baby girl!

 

I also finally made a couple of cards and I was pretty proud of them! 

 

This one is Miss Kelly Von Sweet from Polkadoodles and she's colored with Tim Holtz Distressed Ink Markers. They are quickly becoming one of my favorite digital companies!  I'm still working on my coloring skills because I'm so rusty, but at least I'm trying!  If you really need help, I highly recommend Kit and Clowder's classes.  They are so easy to follow and break things down to help you with your blending, light source, mixing colors, everything! 

 

And the second one is Molly's Basket of Love by Connie Fong Art.  I am in love with her cute designs as well!  She's also colored with distressed inks and I added some Stickles to her as well.

 

I just wanted to pop in and say "Hello", and share a little bit of my happiness with whoever might be out there.



If I said I wanted to blog again, would you believe me???

It's been forever, but I've missed this.  I've really missed this!  I've had a lot going on since my last post.  I've moved back to Maine when my old employer (that I probably shouldn't have ever left!), reached out and asked what would it take for me to come back.  I told them, they sent me my employees packet, and 6 weeks later I came home!  That was in August, 2014 and I've not regretted it for one second.  Except for during the winter when I've been freezing my butt off!!!

I've got a great apartment that I love with one of my sweet friends, Wanda, living two steps from me, my youngest daughter, Nichole and her family, are back, my oldest, Jennifer and her family are still here, and my Tiffany and hers are still in Florida.  I have my Hagrid here with me and life is good!

As you can see, he doesn't like the cold any more than I do!

I've started selling Pampered Chef because I finally have realized how much easier and more fun it is to cook when you have great products to cut with!  I love everything so much I might as well sell it and pick things up as I need them.  My daughter, Nichole, is my director so it's something I get to do with her and I love it!

I've grown my hair out and I really need to get that color job done in the next few days!

Coloring is something that I always loved to do but have totally forgotten how to.  Best way to learn I've found out, is through Kit and Clowder's coloring classes.  I signed up for their Pencil Perfecting class and am having such a great time!  Here's a peek at what I've learned so far:

I'be got a lot of catching up to do, but I'm so excited about sharing my new found love of learning to cook, coloring and putting some cards together, knitting, and just sharing my days and loves again.  I hope there are still some people out there that may still want to see what I've created and want to hear what I yak on about.

Also, any suggestions on someone who can help give me some direction on updating my blog would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks and I'll be back chatting soon!

Little Witch on The Moon for Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection with The Digi Bells

Gosh, it seems like a lifetime ago since I've posted and it probably has been.  Life intervenes and has a way of helping you reexamine things that have become your life and helps you put all things in perspective.  I've had to do that these past few months and have made some changes, for the positive overall, in my life.  But I'll share all that later.  

Today I want to share my love for the uber talented Elisabeth Bell and my designing family over at The Digi Bells by sharing our newest member to our digital family, Little Witch on the Moon for Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection!  If you came here from Pop's gorgeous creation, then you're on the right track.  If not, head back over to her blog and start off on the right broom, I mean track!

Here's the order in case you're lost:

Pops - http://popscards.blogspot.co.uk/

Susan - http://stampingtink.blogspot.com/ (You'e here now!)

Alethea - http://lilodesigns.blogspot.com

Lori - http://mycomfortcottage.blogspot.se/

Sebrina - http://sissi4477.blogspot.com/ 

Lisa - http://www.craftingbelle.blogspot.se/

Mary Lou - http://marylouscorner.blogspot.com/

So here's my take on this cutie pie of a magical creation!

Isn't she just too cute for herself?  I do love all things magical and mysterious and witches are my all time favorite things to create this time of the year!  

She's colored with copics and let me tell you, I just about forgot how to shade!  I used some stickles on the moon and the night sky is done by sponging distressed ink in Faded Jeans.

I added some stickles all over her dress, hat, stars and broom.  To give the background papers some texture, I used my spider web Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The swirls are from a Sizzix die and the gems are from Studio G.

I just love these papers from K&Company.  My other favorite thing to use on my cards has become Stampin Up's seam binding for ribbon.  Love that stuff and think it totally rocks!  I get my Stampin Up supplies from my fabulous friend, Janis Lewis and you can find her here.  

Here's one last look at this sweetie pie.  

Now head on over to Alethea's fabulous blog and see what she has instore for you!  For a chance to win her, make sure you leave a comment on each of my designing sister's blogs as well!  They're all so talented and some of the best in the stamping world and I'd hate for you to miss out on their glorious and magical creations! Thanks for stopping by and it feels good to be back!

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Sponsored by There She Goes

Sorry I've been missing for a few days.  I just started a new job and I've been putting in a lot of hours.  Excited because I'm working with scrapbooking (oh you know how I love me some paper and embellishments!) and it just doesn't get much better than that!  Allie starts kindergarten next week so I need something to take up my time now.

I'm glad to be sharing my Tuesday with you showing off some fun things with my stamping sisters over at Tuesday Throwdown!  This week we're sponsored by There She Goes Stamps and they generously gave us some of their gorgeously fun sets to work with!  I was so lucky and got "Nutmeg" to play with and I think she's such a doll!  Our theme this week is Pastel Rainbow and I've got to tell you, I had to search hard for some pastels in my collection!

This little spicy thing is colored with copics and I added some stickles to her headband, stockings and dress.  The papers are from My Mind's Eye and I made the flowers using the Flower Shoppe cartridge from Cricut.  The pink branches are punched from the Martha Stewart branch punch and the seam binding is from Stampin Up (one of my favorite things to make ribbons with!).

I just love her little sassy heart on her cheek and the sweet little pucker of her lips!

Here's one more look at this cutie pie.  She was such fun to work with and I was thinking of my dear friend, Lynn, when i was working on her hair!

Make sure to stop over at our Tuesday Throwdown Challenge blog and see all the fabulous creations that my designing buddies have come up with for your enjoyment!  You know I never steer you wrong!  And pull out those refreshing pastels and come play along with us!

80's To The Max Release and Blog Hop for Sassy Studio Designs!

Oh, "Close your eyes, hear the rhythm,"  how I love a good 80's song!  "What a Feeling"!  Anyone out there remember that?  Well, I do!  I'm a child of disco and loved it!  That's why I'm having so much fun with our new release from Sassy Studio Designs!  The release is called "80's To The Max" and Lindsay has some fabulous designs for you!

This release is really special because it's a celebration of what seems to be most of our design team's birthdays and we're so lucky to have one of our designing team sisters, Regan, back for this release!  Our blog hop is including the outstandingly talented members of the Corrosive Challenge design team so we're really psyched about this release!

Well, if you've come to my blog from my fabulous and very talented sister, Chris's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, boogie on over to the Sassy Studio Designs blog and start there.  I don't want you to miss a single memory from the 80's with this release!  OK, so from my first paragraph, can you guess what image I got to play with?  Yep, I'm presenting Flashdance Sassy!

I can just feel her energy!  She's colored with copics and cut out with Spellbinders.  I made a center step card and used the gorgeous papers from the Black Currant paper pack from DCWV.  The gems are from Studio G and the lace is from Cloud 9.

Sassy and gorgeous, isn't she?  I added some stickles to her leggings, sweatshirt and top.

Here's a view of the shirt cuffs and cuff links.  I love that part of the movie where Alex is having dinner with Nick and she takes her blazer off and is sitting there at dinner with her cuffs and tuxedo bow tie on!  Actually, the cuffs are just some card stock with a hole punched into the middle and some cuff links put through them!  Simple, but i hope they give the effect!

I added a computer generated sentiment.  I hope from the sentiment you can figure out what age this card is for!

Just a couple more views of this sassy girl!

Since Alex is on stage so much in the movie, I hoped the lace would kind of give the effect of a stage curtain.

So now do the hustle on over to the uber talented Julie's blog and see what fabulous happening she has going on for you!  And remember, leave a comment every where so you get the chance to win a free image.  These are such fun, I'd hate for you to miss out on the chance to get something free to play with!  I hope you're having as much fun looking as we have had creating!

Carmen Medlin for SCACD Digital for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design

Today SCACD is formally premiering the SCACD Digital site by adding over 35 images designed by Carmen Medlin!!! Carmen's range is fun, fresh as well as elegant and will have something for everyone. Susana has added quite a few never before seen Fab images as well as taken some classic past rubber stamps and turned them into digi for this release.

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Reminder to Our International Friend: As you know, SCACD has stopped the sale of physical items. However, International customers can now purchase SCACD Digital images only J

Join us today to celebrate this release with the SCACD DT as well as bunch of amazing Guests J If you loose your way check out the Store Blog for the entire list.  

I'm so excited to get the chance to help launch this new division of digital stamps for my dear friend, Susana!  We go way back and Susana's team was my very first design team and if I'm honest, I should have never left!  She got me started on my road to papercrafting and the stamping world for me!  I owe her so much and love her muchly!  

If you've come to my magical place from the oh so talented Melanie's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, head on over to Alex's blog and start at the very beginning.  I don't want you to miss out a single image!  There's so much talent here and they're gonna rock your world and set your weekend off on the right foot!

I'm so excited to present Aviana, but I've made her up as Luck be a Lady tonight!  

 

Isn't she just gorgeous? I can think of so many different ways to color her and different occasions to use her for!

Can't you just see her flying in and sprinkling good luck all around?  I sure can!

She's colored with copics and the papers are Carta Bella's Well Played paper pack and Core'dination's Shattered Collection Paper.  I added some Diamond Glaze to her hair bow and belt and Stickles in Stardust to her dress.

I used Floral Oval frame and scalloped oval dies from Spellbinders to cut her out and Classic Corner Dies from SCACD on the corner.  The metal fixtures are from some Tim Holtz hardware I had in my stash.

The dice are a variety of papers from the fun paper packs and the template I used was from here.  It's great because the boxes can open up for goodies.  Me, I'd fill it with some peanuts and chocolate!  I used the Art Nouveau Embossing Folder by Couture Creations on the Core'dinations paper and the dots are made with a McGill petite flower punch.

Here's one last look at her before I show you my next fun project!  I plan on entering this gorgeous gal in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Bling
Craftin' Bouique Challenge - Anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Punch and/or die cuts
Simon Says Stamps - Anything Goes

And now on to my whimsical and fun, Flying Owl!  Isn't it a hoot?!

I love these fun, happy colors!  I know owls are brown, white, grey, black, you name it, but i wanted something light and fun!

She's colored with copics and has Stickles in Stardust outlining her, on her wings and on the sweet butterflies.  I thought the delicate  Classic Corner Dies from SCACD would be a perfect touch! If you look closely, you can see the gorgeous pattern in the Art Nouveau Embossing Folder by Couture Creations.

I added some handmade flowers from Spellbinders and the branches are from a Martha Stewart punch.

The gorgeous paper is from a K&Company pack from my stash and the seam binding is from Stampin Up.

The pearls on the butterfly are from my stash.

Doesn't she look so happy and fun?

I added some Diamond Glaze to her eyes to make them pop and I think they came out pretty great!

Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Use one or more circles
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Happy Campers - Summer
Southern Girls - Animal Anticts
Whimsical Designs - Bugs or animals

Now fly on over to the ever inspiring Susanna's blog and see what stunning project awaits you!  Oh, this is one hop you're not going to want to miss a single step on!