I love a Green Gnome? and a freebie sentiment

Hello, everyone! 

Back in December 2025 (yikes!) I enjoyed a wonderful playdate with my friend Ana. She brought this cute Woodware Gnome Stamp which she had won. Hoping to make some St. Patrick's Day cards for friends, I stamped off a few and got to coloring. Then Life happened, and the cards were not completed until mid April! LOL But I'd still like to share them. No reference to St. Patty's Day, so they COULD be used for other occasions, but they are pretty green! I DO enjoy monochromatic cards, so these were fun to make. First, I colored with Copic Markers:

Then a visit to the scrap box was in order for layering. For the first card, I used a couple Martha Stewart edge bunches. I really do miss EK Success and Martha Stewart! 

After flocking the beard, a heart of gold was glittered up, because after all, it is a person's heart that is so beautiful, not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Products: Stamps: Woodware Gnome Rainbow set, Dies: Tutti Stitched Rectangles, MS Traditional Scallop Edge, MS Daisy Edge, MS embossable Zig-Zag Edger,Other: White Flocking (beard), Glitter (clear mixed with green for the sky), Gold mixed with green for the rainbow and heart, Inks: DO mowed lawn, Copic Markers, Cardstock - 3 greens, 110lb Neenah Classic Crest CS white, My Favorite Things Cloud stencil.

Next came two cards made with more scraps and Spellbinders Grand Labels Four. A stencil helped create a fun background. To sparkle the clouds up, I applied Art Institutes fine point glue and added clear glitter mixed with pale green. Even the horizontal pieces have been glittered:

In real life, they are quite sparkly!

(Honk! if you love glitter!) giggle

Products: Dies: SB Labels Four Grands, Tutti Stitched Rectangles, MS Lace Heart Edger, MS embossable Zig-Zag Edger, Other: White Flocking (beard), Glitter (clear mixed with green for the sky), Green, Gold mixed with green for the rainbow and heart, Inks: DO mowed lawn, DI rustic wilderness Copic Markers, Cardstock - Bazzill green, K&Company pattern, 110lb Neenah Classic Crest CS white, My Favorite Things Cloud stencil.

A couple more using the same techniques, but with different scraps, and SB Grand Scallop Ovals:

With all the "old beloved goodies" from my stash, I also stamped a cute leafy image to complement the sequined cardstock. The dots were colored after running through an embossing folder.

Products: Dies: Tutti Stitched Rectangles, SB Big Scallop Ovals Grands, Leafy Image Starving Artistamps (2004) stamped with Mowed Lawn DO, MS embossable Zig-Zag Edger, MS Lace Heart Edger, Darice 5x7 dot EF, Green Sequin cardstock, My Favorite Things Cloud stencil.

Thanks for enjoying my 5 cards that took 5 months to put together! LOL Slowly but surely, right? In the meantime, here is the interior sentiment if you would like a digital (click to make full size before saving):

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Paper Funday Challenges #86 AG with die cuts and punches (I have used both on each card - the products are listed beneath the photos) 5/4 (sep post)
2. All Sorts Challenge #847 AG in the Garden - the products used are listed under each card with Woodware Stamps being the main feature 4/24 (sep post)
3. Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge #4 AG Fantasy 5/2
4. Crafty Catz #711 AG 4/23
5. Craft Rocket Challenges #135 Layer it Up 4/28
6. Shopping Our Stash Weekly #571 "I don't sweat, I SPARKLE 4/21 (the sky background is hand glittered, the rainbows are hand glittered, the hearts are hand glittered, some of the layers are glittered, some of the layers are sequin paper, very sparkly in person!) sep post.
7. A Perfect Time To Craft April 1 #4 - 4/26
8. Heart's Quest Challenge Blog #84 Anything with a heart - this rainbow protects a heart of gold rather than leading to a pot of gold! Thanks for the fun challenge. 4/27
9. Inspiration Station Challenge #84 AG with inspiration photo below (green, "shoes/feet", flowers) 5/4

On the Homestead here in Florida:

Like the rest of you, we have been experiencing strange weather. Here in central Florida, an early winter blasted its way through last Autumn, bringing unusual freezing temps down in the low 20s. The farmers had a rough time of it. Then we had early hot weather this Spring, breaking records with the 90s in March! 

Do you know what a staghorn fern looks like? Ours were a good 6-8 feet wide when the freezes hit. This is what happened after the awful blizzards made their way to Florida:

This is the east part of our front pasture, coated in ice. The grass matches the hues found in the hanging Spanish Moss and the gray dirt of the drive way coming up from the gate!

Normally, all that gray stuff is bright green (west front pasture)

I know these scenes are trivial compared to what most of you endured this past winter. Nevertheless, it severely impacts the wildlife (especially migrating species), the environment, and economic endeavors for the state.

Hoping you are doing well this spring. I am completely homebound except for doctor appointments. Wishing you Beauty, Love, and Patience always...

SNS EXTRAVAGANZA KICKING OFF 2017!

Hi! I hope your holiday celebrations were deeply memorable, and that 2017 is full of promise for new beginnings. Thanks for joining me today.

I am kicking off the New Year as a guest designer for the SNS Extravaganza 2017 with TEN new, fantastically-eclectic rubber and digital stamp sets PLUS a brand new artist joining the SNS team!

My projects use a combination of the digital and rubber images:

IT IS ALL ABOUT FUN AS YOU HAVE NEVER ENJOYED IT!
It's Demo Donna on the SNS YouTube Channel!

Subscribe today to REVEL IN all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques! But even more - PREPARE TO BE ENTERTAINED!  Each week a new technique is shared, and each month, a new video kit is revealed!

BEGINNING TODAY: The easy-peasy Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge. 

There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  We would love for you to be a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's

 January 1, 2017 New Reveal Blog Hop!

We're starting the New Year off with a BANG! 

We have a huge reveal to share with you - our largest ever!

 There are TEN new stamp sets (one is a digi-only set) being released this month!  These new sets are 20% off until January 3, 2017.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  

This month's sets include: 

    friendship, 

        Valentine's, 

            encouragement, 

                Easter, 

    birthday, 

        St. Patrick's Day, 

            Spring, 

                and celebrations. 

We hope you like the assortment! 

Our newest artist is Heather Valentin of Lacy Sunshine Stamps!

Emily Showers of Love 831   (digi version DIGI831)

Right Beside You 812  (digi version DIGI812)

Milton Friendly Giraffe 817  (digi version DIGI817)

Cattleya Orchid Friendship 818  (digi version DIGI818)

Easter Chicky 820  (digi version DIGI820)

Party #1 821  (digi version DIGI821)

Party #2 822  (digi version DIGI822)

Eggs-traordinary Kindness 825  (digi version DIGI825)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #1 828   (digi version DIGI828)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #2   DIGI3129  (DIGI ONLY)

On Jan 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  It's always a mystery which Designer will have the winning comment.

The Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).

The Blog Hop order this month is:

Jess

Diane

Chris

Eret

Donna (that's me!)

Anne

Belinda

Shona

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

My projects use a combination of both digital and rubber sets from Bugaboo's famous Edward Elephant - with the cutest sentiments and accessories!

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #1

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1, (shamrocks)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (embossed background)

Embossing Powder: White Detail EP298,

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (clover), Spirited Green G1070 (hearts)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

The lucky clovers were printed at a very large size, painted with SNS Brushable glue, and coated with Meadow Spark G1014 ultrafine glitter. The clover in the square is layered.

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green center each leaf cluster for visual pleasure and texture.

The Drop make perfect centers every time and never leave a peak or stringy appearance.

The patterned paper was randomly stamped with VersaMark and heat set with White Detail EP298.

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #2

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment),

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Glitter: Spirited Green G1070 (bow)

The digital 3-leaf clovers were printed in large scale format, colored with Copics, with a little Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green painted on and dropped in the center. It gives a little bit of shine to the clover.

_______________________________________

Standard Shape card 6" x 7.5" flat for mailing

Jackpot! Edward and his friends win!

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (enlarged Edward scene), 

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover border)

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy (sentiment)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green (on clover leaves)

Stitching accompanies the clover border which has been fussy-cut on the right side. The clover again has been painted and embellished with Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green after being colored with Copics.

Edward is darling and unabashed in all his "pink and green" glory!

_______________________________________

Last, but not least - the easel card

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (Edward circled, 4-leaf clover border), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (3-leaf clover leaves, sentiment)

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (glittered circle),

Embossing Powder: Silver Pearl  EP391 (brad),

Sticker Paper (glittered circle), 1/4" Tear-ific Tape,

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Here is my creative process, complete with boo-boos, of course!

Print border of four-leaf clovers, color with Copics and Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green. Trim and distress with ink on edges. This is the "Stop" for the card front.

Die cut SB Teardrop Circles from Sticker Paper. Place the die cut Edward image in the middle of the sticker paper, pressing firmly. Then burnish in the Meadow Spark G1014 glitter around the edges of the teardrops. The glitter is now firmly adhered with the image.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products shown under each card above.

Other Products:

Dies: SW Pierced Circles, SB Teardrop Circles, SB Grand Big Scallops, SB Grand Circles, SB Oval Regalia, MBox Beloved Hearts,
Punch: MS lacy hearts border

On the Home Front:

My white Christmas cactus finished blooming.
They will be severely trimmed then rooted in March for new plants to give to friends:

Fabulous Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 4 Crafty Chicks #331 Anything Goes! 1/6
2. All Sorts Challenge #396 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-6 
3. Crafty Gals Corner #103 Blogaversary and Anything Goes! 1/5
4. Crafting with an Attitude #22 Anything Goes  1/5
5. My Time to Craft Challenges #337 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-26 
6. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #17 Anything Goes 1/15

stamping hugs,

de

Think Green! {Scrapy Land} {Christina Hor}

Green Greetings to all my Sweet Crafty Friends!

Welcome to Scrapy Land Challenge #38
and
a special introduction to a VERY special digital talent AND free gift-for-you from
Christina Hor's Digi Arts for Healing!

Today, I'm wishing you all things beautifully green...

(psst! that means full of Abundant Life - your own personal internal SPRING!) 

May everything within your sights, sounds and smells remind you of the preciousness, loveliness and incredible-ness of YOU!

Theme: Think Green! (St. Patrick's Day) + Using Die Cut brands sold by Scrapy Land. 

Up for grabs is a $15 gift card to the Scrapy Land Store, and several badge opportunities, as well. 

We love being inspired by your pretty cards submitted to our challenges.

You have until April 3 to submit your pretties!

My cards use the following Scrapy Land Products:

• QuicKutz Nesting Lace Ovals
• Die-namites Birdhouse Branch DN-1144
• Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic, Scallop Grand Squares, 
• Spellbinders Labels 5, Foliage shapes, 
• Spellbinders Decocrative Imperial Gold Labels 4, Elegant Labels 4 (5x7) 
• Dee's Distinctively Dies mini circles

My first card uses:

Sketchy Colors #267 - Use Sketch

Instead of a single layer, I used the scallop squares. Brushable Glue was applied to the outside of the golden squares so SNS Starfire glitter could be applied before adhering the green scallops. The glitter provides a sparkly contrast that looks great in person! Even the oval frame has been brushed with glue and more glitter on it, too.

Here's a close up of Christina's darling digitals.  The little girl is one digital image, and the fenced tree scene is a separate digital. These are a freebies!  They are available on her blog Memories Crafter.

Christina Hor's Digi Arts of Healing
Don't you love the sweet Die-namites die cut bird house and bird?
It is part of a larger border. Cuts BEAUTIFULLY!

This card is 5x7

I really love the Spellbinders Card Creator dies for 5x7 cards.
The pale green die cut is one of the Imperial Gold dies.

Hanging my head in shame -
all this printed paper (DCWV) is over 10 years old!

The card interiors have the same sentiment:

Now it's your turn!

We always look forward to seeing your beautiful projects at:

Scrapy Land Challenge #38

Scrapy Land Products Used:

• QuicKutz Nesting Lace Ovals
• Die-namites Birdhouse Branch DN-1144
• Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic, Scallop Grand Squares, Labels 5, Foliage shapes, Decocrative Imperial Gold Labels 4, Elegant Labels 4 (5x7) 
• Dee's Distinctively Dies mini circles

Other Products Used:

• Christina Hor's Digi Arts of Healing -  "Sending Hugs" and "Fenced Tree"
• Sparkle N Sprinkle Starfire Glitter G1017, Brushable Glue, stitched pleated ribbon, lace
• Copic Markers, dyed tulle, several dye-based inks
• DCWV virginal papers - very old - like TEN YEARS PLUS! LOL (hanging head in shame). They were purchased at Joanns before we had papercrafting stores in the area.

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Clear It Out Challenge - (Mar 8-22) Anything Goes using paper over a year old 3/22 (All the patterned paper is at least 10 years old, and the gold paper is over a year old) Thanks for this challenge!
2. Shopping Our Stash #243 "Use mostly Green/St. Patrick's Day" 3/22
3. Sketchy Colors #267 - Use Sketch shown above - 3/19
4. Open Minded Challenges - (March/April #3) Luck - St. Patrick's Day 4/12 (winners post 4/20)
5. The Sisterhood of Crafters - (Mar 9) Use Your Dies and/or Punches! 3/20 (winners announced Tues Mar 22)
6. Dragonfly Journeys  #48 Go Green! 3/20
7. Glitter N Sparkle - #179 Use Some Green 3/20
8. Crafty Cardmakers Challenges - #159 "Go Green!" 3/19
9. A Bit More Time to Craft - #16 Anything Goes 4/1 (sep post)

Stamping hugs,