Luna Girl Sponsors 12 Months of Christmas Blog

It's the 15th of the month, which means it is the midway point in the Anything Christmas Goes challenge at the 12 Months of Christmas Blog. The optional twist is to Add at least THREE brads, buttons or bows, or a combination of all three to your card, and the guest sponsor is Luna Girl.  All projects qualify for a chance to win the sponsored prize from Luna Girl.

Luna Girl has the most beautiful collection of vintage photos ever. I love cruising through their assortment and collections, especially their collage sheets. I got to play with the collage sheet called Winter Wonder to create my holiday card today. Since my sister lives with her husband in Berlin, I wanted to personalize their card, so I wrote the sentiment in German.

I didn't forget the theme of the challenge! You can see my red bow at the top of my sentiment as well as my 2 brads. I also used papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' Snow Much Fun Mini Kit and the  Green Square Frame from Holiday Hoopla. If you follow the twist, you will have a chance to win the digital paper pack offered up by Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.

So let's get going on our stash of holiday cards NOW, instead of waiting until October or November!! I already have 2 cards created, with more on the way! And don't forget to link your cards up with the 12 Months of Christmas blog for your chance to win! See you there!

September on the Path of Positivity

Just as the seasons change, so do the challenge themes change at the Path of Positivity. This month's color theme is ORANGE. I think Autumn is my favorite season, as it is rich in warm, intense colors. Nature gives us bountiful opportunities to enjoy and record these colors in the last of summer's flowers, the gradually-turning tree leaves and the Autumn crop harvests (think pumpkins, gourds and other hardy vegetables. I believe I take more photos in the Fall than any other season.

Autumn is also a transitional season, as the Earth get ready to take a well-earned rest (actually, she should think about getting some help. Have you noticed or read about the unusual weather patterns and natural events that are taking place this year?!). Anyway, everyone should take some respite while they can, to re-energize and reboot their imagination and power.

This perspective of the season's process of slowing down inspired me to create the digital card above. I used an image from  Lunagirl's Day Dreaming Collage Sheet to showcase my thoughts on Fall. Using papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. I threw on some elements from Pixel Scrappers to embellish my card, and created my sentiment using a font called "Simple Game". Details are below.

Image: Luna Girl Daydreams Collage Sheet, Image 6

DDD papers: September Kit Spatter paper 3; Bokeh Solid Colors 1 Paper Kit Tangelo Paper; Vintage Damask 1 Rich Colors Wine paper

Pixel Scrapper.com: A Janner Halloween Flower Element 9 & Leaf Element 5; Sahin Designs Autumn Day Lace; Sheila Reid's Outdoor Adventures Rustic Wood Frame; Jessica Dunn Pumpkin Spice in the Garden Golden Leaf; PSBT October 2016 by DigiScrapCafe.com

Font: Simple Game

The Path of Positivity challenge blog feels a great need for a challenge blog designed to inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time! Whether you create a card, canvas or illustrated poem, please think about sharing your work at the Path. 

Challenges are monthly, with an Optional theme to follow. The last few months the challenges have been reflections on the positivity of color. If you choose to create with the optional theme in mind, you will be in the running for the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation.

If there are 14 entries or more in any challenge, the DT chooses a Top 7. Those seven entries are then voted on by visitors for the Voter's Choice.

If there are less than 14 entries in a challenge, the DT will choose a Top 3. Visitors to the main  blog will then get to vote for their favorite from those three.

If there are five entries or less, the DT chooses just ONE Top Pick, but every entry will be offered up for voting by the visitors.

There are two lovely sponsors for the September challenge: Luna Girl and Imagine That! Digis by Kris.

So now that all that info is bursting in your head, try taking a walk outside to relax, be mindful and let your imagination fly. Then link up at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog for your chance to win prizes from our sponsors. I'll be looking for you...

Going Green at the 12 Months of Christmas Blog

This month at the 12 Months of Christmas Challenge Blog, the optional theme is to "Add Some Greenery." My greenery is in my holly border on the left, in the poinsettia under the sentiment and in my patterned papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. My image is called "Joyeux Noel" from Luna Girl, who offers tens of thousands of vintage ephemera images. Lunagirl is sponsoring the August challenge.

This month, in order to have a chance to win the prize from Lunagirl, our guest sponsor, you are asked to create a card that has GREENERY (Christmas trees, wreaths, holly and berries, ivy, pine boughs, poinsettia plants, mistletoe, etc.) featured prominently in your overall design. If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Now, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month or for a chance to win the featured paper set. But if you follow the theme, the prize offered is a $15.00 gift certificate to the Lunagirl store.

How's your stash of Christmas cards coming along? I've got a nice amount already, and it's only August!! At this rate, I should have time to create some tags to go along to the presents I'm giving out. This year my family has decided to adopt the Icelandic tradition of giving books as presents. They give them out on Christmas Eve, and everyone starts reading them that night, but it's nice to unwrap a present on Christmas Day. Maybe instead of tags, I'll create bookmarks to go with the books I give out...

Back to the challenge- make sure you link your holiday cards by the last day of the months for your chance to win the prizes offered. Good luck and happy crafting!!

Challenges I am Entering:

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Goes

Merry Christmas - Anything Goes

The Holly & Ivy Christmas - Anything Goes
Fabrika Fantasy - Anything Goes

Surround Yourself with ART on the Path of Positivity

SURROUND YOURSELF...with ART

This is the optional theme offered at the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month. ART has the power to pull you into its colors, its patterns and its moods. It can certainly make you cry or smile. It moves you emotionally.

One of the best things about having computers is the access to works of artistic masters and modern day artists at your fingertips! From acrylics to water colors, ceramics to wood, glass work to quilting, the world of art comes to your home.

I am an eclectic art lover. I like so many different styles of art that it's hard to pin me down when asked what my favorite is. My house is filled with a jumble of styles, colors and themes, almost like I imagine the basement of a small art museum would have collected over the years (without the dust and cobwebs).

Since I can't (won't) make up my mind and choose just one style, I chose to create a set of note cards in different styles. Of course, I had to put a Pat Martin-21st century spin on them, so be sure to read each sentiment on the cards.

I created my cards using images from Luna Girl. They are part of the collage sheet called Day Dream and can be found at their store HERE.

This month's challenge is to be inspired in a positive way by the art in which you surround yourself. Look around your house. What's hanging on your walls? What style does each room have? Often what we choose to hang on our walls or place on our shelves not only makes us feel happy and positive, it tells us something about our artistic tastes.

Use your own artistic preferences to create something for your chance to win the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation. We can’t wait to see what you create and learn about yourself on this journey!
Keep in mind, you are thinking about how different kinds of art affect us as individuals.  It’s not really about doing something “visually" art-related. For example, any positive image that reminds us of any piece of art work or use the style of a famous artist on any image.

If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational. Also. please leave a comment letting us know how your creation relates to the concept of art and what you learned about yourself along the way, if it isn't clearly written somewhere else in your post. 

You don't need to follow this optional theme; if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of a $12 gift certificate from Bugaboo Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month, make sure to create something positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. 

You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's Most Inspirational sponsored prize of a $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, provided by the second of our guest sponsors this month.

Whatever you choose to create, have fun!

Finding Faith, Hope & Love at the Path of Positivity Challenge blog

Welcome back, crafters! My girlfriend and her hubby are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this month. She loves vintage, so I thought this digital image from Luna Girl would be perfect for the digital papers and elements I chose from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, one of two sponsors this month at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. The optional theme is Faith, Hope and Love, and you certainly need all these to maintain a marriage!

My card uses the following:

 Luna Girl Vintage Romance 2 Image 1 

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' Hearts & Swirls pp,

As Time Goes By Cranberry Plaid pp,

Glitterati Gold Glitter Paper,

Mommie Dearest Textured Paper #5,

and Pixel Scrapper A Janner Designs' Cluster Freebie

The challenge theme asks to see wedding, anniversary or engagement cards. Of course, the challenge theme is optional, but in order to have a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a scrapbooking kit from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, you must incorporate some faith, hope and/or love in your card. Please remember to type in the letters FT after your name when you link your card up so we know you followed the theme. You don't need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of three images from Pattie's Creations, another of our guest sponsors this month. 

I have FAITH in your creativity. I would LOVE to see what you make, and HOPE to see you link it up for your chance to win this month's prizes. And as always, have fun!

The Ghost of Christmas Past Visits the 12 Months of Christmas Challenge Blog

The best part of Christmas is the memories of Christmases past. Charles Dickens hit it spot-on when he wrote A Christmas Carol, pulling Ebenezer Scrooge and his readers into the heart of Christmas with his spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Around my dinner table at Christmas, we a single place setting  for all those who can no longer celebrate with us. Memories of their laughter and love keep them alive every year.
This spirit of Christmas Past inspires April’s Optional theme of The Ghost of Christmas Past (a Vintage Theme) at the 12 Months of Christmas Challenge Blog. The guest sponsor is Luna Girl, a perfect match for this theme as you will see from the offerings of our DT.

I used an image from Luna Girl's Pink Christmas 2 Collage Sheet, along with the following papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles': Vintage Damask 1: Rich Colors Paper Kit in Green, Pink Glitterati Textured Paper and Brown Paper from A Grungy Christmas Paper Kit
The rest of the embellishments are from Carolyn's Scrap Creations and various crafters at Pixel Scrapper. 
The challenges are always ANYTHING GOES but there's always an optional theme. 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 $15.00 gift certificate from Lunagirl. Please add the letters FT after your name when you link your cards so that we know you're interested in that $15 Luna Girl prize and let the spirits inspire you to create a vintage Christmas card this month!

Silver & Gold at the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up Blog

Hey, crafters, I have a question for you---

Have you started your Christmas card-making yet? We have almost reached the halfway mark until Christmas! If you need a little inspiration and a little motivation, take a look at what I created today for the 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up blog.

Here is what went into my newest Christmas card:

Lunagirl "Christmas Angels" Sheet, one of 13 different images

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Snowflakes Paper from "An Eclectic Christmas 1: Silver & Gold" and Gold Glitter Paper from "Glitterati" Paper Packs

Pixel Scrapper Janet Scott's "Christmas Day Glitter Dot Swirl" 

Pixel Scrapper Karry Dempsey's "Thank Heaven for Little Boys" Star 2

Pixel Scrapper Marisa Lerin's "Christmas Day" Flower 165

Sonoma Script font

This month's guest sponsor is Lunagirl.com They offer several hundred unique digital collage sheets and dozens of themed craft CDs. They are a great resource for card making, scrapbooking, jewelry making, and much more! They are easy to use, carefully researched and curated, all thoughtfully organized and lovingly cleaned up, and ready to use in your projects, just like I used an image from one of their sheets on my newest Christmas card.  

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, make sure that you use a combination of BOTH silver AND gold somewhere on your card. Whether you choose to use these colours in your image or your paper or choose to use silver or gold embellishments, it is completely up to you. If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards at the 12 Months of Christmas blog 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 $15.00 gift card from Lunagirl. 

Finding Beauty on the Path of Positivity

Today's project is an inspirational album with the theme of Beauty. Each page ends with the letters in the word BEAUTY. Each also holds a lovely vintage image from the Romance 2 Sheet from Luna Girl, as well as inspirational words to help us find the peace that comes from recognizing our own beauty. I used my Zutter Bind-It-All for the first time!

Above, closed.

The altered book as the pages are opened:

  

 

 

 

Here are the opposing pages for each:

 

 

 

 

As we walk the Path of Positivity this month, we look for beauty along the way. The theme of Beauty is open to any thoughts, cards, art or other projects that incorporate that theme. This month the challenge blog is sponsored by Luna Girl

                         and Sami Stamps

Many people (like me) do not feel beautiful. They feel ordinary. Sometimes it takes somebody to love you before you feel beautiful. That somebody sees you and sees inside you. He or she sees your inner beauty as well as your appearance, and they understand that looks fade, hair grays, wrinkles appear, but a beautiful soul remains intact. And the love they feel for you will be stronger for loving all of you. I just wish that we could love ourselves as strongly as others love us, so that we can truly see the beauty we own.

Do you feel beautiful? Do you want to make beautiful things? What kind of beauty do you discover in your life? Create something that relates to Beauty and link it up with the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month.

PRIZE INFORMATION:

• A $12 gift certificate from Sami Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• A $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, 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:

• A small selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on posts published during the challenge time-frame.

• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge. 

Challenges I am Entering:

Luna Girl - Spring Flowers & Birds (and using Romance 2 Sheet)
Alphabet challenge blog - A is for Anything PINK
Fussy & Fancy - Bingo Grid (see Blog)
(I used the items from the second horizontal line: something old/embellishments, something new Zutter Bind-it-all, lace, pearls)
Open-Minded Crafting - Use Something New (Zutter Bind-It-All)
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes Mixed Media only
We Love Vintage challenges - Anything Goes with Lace
Dream Factory - Pretty Woman

Christmas is Coming - Are You Ready?

Well, it only took two days and a lot of sweat but my first 100% digital Christmas card is ready to print up. The 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up has a new challenge this month, and I created a card for the midway reminder. The theme is always Christmas, with an optional twist of VINTAGE.
The sponsor is Luna Girl and they have the most beautiful collages and images! The one I played with is called Blue Christmas Collage sheet and comes with 8 Christmas scenes.

I used Adobe Photoshop to work with my card, and when i say work, I mean it! I am still learning the software and make the simplest mistakes! I used digital papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, as well as those sharp-looking icicles and flourishes. My sentiment is from within Photoshop. Don't you just love that little angel lighting the tree for the holiday?
The way the Link-Up works is this:
As long as you link up two handmade Christmas cards, you will receive a holiday-inspired digital paper each month. If you follow the monthly theme (which is Vintage this month), you will be in the running for prizes. Make sure you type in the letters FT after your name so it will be easy to place your name in the draw! And remember, the theme is optional!
Sponsor and Prize Info for this challenge:

• Guest Sponsor:  Lunagirl
• Prize being offered:  A $15.00 gift certificate for one random winner chosen from those who participate in the optional theme
• Additional Sponsor: Décosse's Dynamite Doodles
• 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, they only have to follow the theme if they want a chance at the sponsor's prize.  The mini set of six digital papers called A Grungy Christmas, will also be offered up as a prize to one random winner.

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Christmas Card challenges - ANything Goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Something Blue
CASE-ing Christmas - Inspiration card

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas

ABC Christmas challenges - L s for Lyrics (Angels We Have Heard on High)