Dana's Imagination Creations

Large Keepsake Mini Album using Jen Of Eve Designs Template

2017-12-02T09:52:00.001-06:00

Blog Move

2017-04-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

This blog will be moving to:

Previous content will remain here, so feel free to browse here, but visit the new page for new content.

Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you over on the new site.

A Beautiful Life Lived-DT Project for Pixel Scrapper

2017-03-20T10:24:00.000-05:00

Today's project is a 10 page chipboard mini album. I used the digital bundle Pretty Things created by Marisa Lerin with Pixel Scrapper.

Materials

Chipboard Album from Recollections

Stamps: Pearls of Wisdom (My Favorite Things), Well-Connected Alpha (My Favorite Things)

Punch; Heart Trio (Stampin' Up)

Digital Kit: Pretty Things

This Album is For Sale: Etsy Listing

YouTube video of this album.

New Etsy Releases

2016-03-13T14:23:00.001-05:00

...One Year Later

2016-03-11T06:43:00.001-06:00

One year ago today I walked into the doctor's office and made a huge decision that changed my life.

The picture on the left was taken that day by my doctor and the picture on the right was taken this morning (Yes, that is the same shirt, it just fits properly now). Although I don't see a huge difference, it is still amazing that the change even happened.

I'm not going to say it has been easy (my husband can tell you definitely has not been), but I would do it all over again. Even during the worst days, I never regretted it.

Today, I'm able to eat most of what I want, keeping in mind protein first. I don't eat the dozen donuts at once or the burger and fries, but I do occasionally have a burger with the bun removed and a couple of fries. Instead of donuts, I will have a few dark chocolate covered almonds, not too many because my stomach won't hold it. So, I don't have to deprive myself, I just make better choices. I'm more aware of the food I put into it. When I eat out, I choose restaurants with higher quality, simple foods like steak and fish (have not touched a McD's burger in over a year and do not plan on it ever.)

It's only been 7 months since my surgery, but I've lost a totally of 110 lbs. (40 lbs. on my own before surgery, because I was too heavy to safely have the surgery). Statistically, you continue losing 12 to 18 months after surgery, but if I never lose another pound, it was still absolutely worth it.

If you have any questions about my weightloss journey, don't hesitate to ask.

Have a great day,
Dana

My First Plan With Me and New Releases

2016-03-01T08:14:00.000-06:00

I have so much to learn when it comes to filming. The light in my room kept messing with the image and my desk is so unstable, it was driving me crazy. However, my new camera is awesome. So, with a little practice and luck, my videos will get better (and shorter).

If you are interested in ordering from my Etsy store (link above), there is a 10% coupon code at the end of the video. In addition, friends and family willing to meet me for delivery, I have a coupon code that removes the shipping charge. Arrangements to meet need to be worked out before ordering. Just leave a comment below and we can work something out.

Have a great day and happy crafting,
Dana

Weekly Spread 2/22/2016 thru 2/27/2016

2016-02-22T09:04:00.002-06:00

I used Vintage Spring and my Weekly Habit Trackers

along the bottom to track my vitamins.

Newly reformatted weekly sets coming this week.

Etsy Shipping is Fixed!

2016-02-18T19:27:00.001-06:00

New Sticker Release

2016-02-13T15:55:00.001-06:00

My New Etsy Store!!!

2016-02-03T12:20:00.000-06:00

For several years I have had an Etsy store, but didn't list anything. Well, that changed this week. I listed my first set of planner sticker sets and single sheets. Most of my sets are designed for the Erin Condren Vertical, but I have a new St. Patrick's set for the Happy Planner. I am working on other Happy Planner sets, I just need to list them.

Here are the sets I currently have listed. You can also buy each sheet individually. Visit my Etsy store for pictures of each sheet. While you are there, "Favorite" my store so you will see all of my newly listed items.

St. Patrick's Day - Erin Condren Vertical

St. Patrick's Day - Happy Planner

Vintage Spring - Erin Condren Vertical

Easter - Erin Condren Vertical

Vintage Garden - Erin Condren Vertical

In addition to sticker sets, I will be listing most of my mini albums. I bet I have 50+ finished right now. I have all shapes and sizes. I have very simple albums to very ornately decorated ones. My plan is to film a video of each one, post it on YouTube and include that in the shop description.

To my family and friends living near my home, if you purchase from my Etsy shop and are willing to meet me, I can give you a special free shipping coupon code.

Don't forget, I also do custom work. For more information and prices, click the Visit My Etsy Store tab at the top of this page and scroll down a bit.

I am very excited about starting my new store. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact me.

Have a great day and Happy Crafting,
Dana

Creative Card Crew DT Project - #93 Sparkle!

2015-08-04T07:09:00.000-05:00

A little paper, embossing powder, transparency, double sided adhesive, glitter, and alcohol markers... the result, a stunning stained glass card perfect for any occasion.

This fortnight challenge over at Creative Card Crew is Sparkle! What sparkles more than a beautiful stained glass window? When I saw this image from Sparkle N Sprinkle, I knew I had to figure out a way to make it into just that.

I explain below how this I achieved this look.

#93 - Sparkle! - glitter or anything that sparkles

Craft Room Update-Video

2015-07-27T16:00:00.001-05:00

First, I apologize for the wobbly video. It gets better after the first few seconds. I'm still learning.

I promised a video update over a year ago when I moved to my craft room in the basement. I finally made one.

WARNING Disaster Area Ahead

Thanks for watching and happy crafting,

Dana

Creative Card Crew DT Project Video

2015-07-21T13:56:00.001-05:00

Today, I filmed my first process video. I'm slowly getting up the courage to share my work. The video isn't the best, I had a bit of trouble "finding" the camera, especially when I'm showing things up close. Still, not too bad for my first.

So, my DT submission at Creative Card Crew a A2, top-folding card.

Here is a picture of the finished card.

As you will see, I added the banners after I made the video. I got so into filming, I forgot the theme of this week's challenge. LOL

The sponsor for challenge #92 Banners/Flags is

A Day for Daisies.

Prize: $12 gift voucher

Now for the video, (My channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Time2FlyAway/videos)

I used the Fairy Hello digital image. I printed it on Copic X-Press It Blending Card and colored it using Copic markers.

The rest of the papers are from the July 2015 Card Kit. The flower is from Michael's and the ribbon is from my stash.

I am planning to make more process videos. I learned a lot making this one. With practice, I'm hoping they get better. If you are a YouTuber, I'm in the market for an inexpensive camera to shoot my videos. I used my iPhone for this one, but I would like to have a camera I can leave in my craftroom.

I guess, that's about it. Please leave a comment giving me suggestions on how to improve on my next video.

Until then, thanks for stopping by,

Dana

Mini Album - All About a Boy

2015-07-20T06:37:00.003-05:00

Mini album share #2 is made using the All About a Boy collection from Echo Park. The page design is from Laura Dennison's Turn the Page 2014 pattern set.

Everything is from the collection, except the cardstock which is Stampin' Up.

Thanks for watching.
Dana

Mini Album-Seashore by Prima #lovesummerart

2015-07-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

My first YouTube share for the #lovesummerart collaboration. I have one more to share, but I underestimated the processing time of the videos, so it will be tomorrow or later before it is up.

In the meantime, enjoy. This album is for sale, email me if you are interested.

Thanks for watching,
Dana

Creative Card Crew Challenge 91 Die Cutting

2015-07-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

The next challenge at Creative Card Crew is Die Cutting. I own quite a few dies, but for some reason I rarely use them. I used a combination of die sets to create this card. The image is from Morgan Fitzsimons at Morgan's Artworld. I love her designs, especially her portrait images. This digital stamp is called Ragamuffin Kids.

Creative Card Crew Challenge 90 - Clean and Simple (CAS)

2015-06-24T06:44:00.000-05:00

Even though this Creative Card Crew challenge is a CAS challenge, it was probably one of the more difficult for me to tackle. I wanted so much to add layers of patterned paper and embellishments, but I stuck with a simple colored image from the Floral Tea Set digi set from Imagine That!

I decided to step away from my Copic markers and try my hand at colored pencils. I'm not sure I achieved the look I was going for, but I don't think it is too bad for my first attempt.

I layered the image panel on a piece of DCWV pink glitter paper and then popped that panel up on a piece of Basic Grey cardstock from Stampin' Up.

That's it, clean and simple. Now for your chance to participate and possibly win some free digital images of your own.

This challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Kris of Imagine That! Go there to see lots of cuteness!

Creative Card Crew Challenge #89 White on White

2015-06-09T07:13:00.000-05:00

Our next challenge over at Creative Card Crew is White on White. You can use only white with no image or have the image be the only color on the card. I chose the latter.

The White on White Challenge is Sponsored by,

Marianne Designs

I began by printing this beautiful Sabrina image by Saturated Canary on Copic X-Press It Blending Card. I colored the image using Copic Markers. Since the image only had a couple of dots for the nose, I tried a new technique that indicates the bridge of the nose with the light coming from in front of the image. I even impressed my self, it wasn't as hard as it looks. I really like the results.

I embossed the base card using a Cuttlebug folder that has clean strips. I cannot find the name of the folder anywhere. If I do, I will link it below.

I die cut the image using Spellbinders Twenty. I used various dies to cut all of the other components (see supplies list below).

I used the flower dies from MFT's Blueprints 5 to cut multiple flowers. I stacked them and added a pearl brad from The Paper Studio.

Honestly, I was a bit intimidated by this challenge. I've never attempted a one color card. These types of cards rely on texture to make them pop. I'm not sure if my first attempt was the best, but I love it.

Please join us for the White on White challenge over at Creative Card Crew. Until then, thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana Desmond

Products List

Creative Card Crew Challege #88 Teen

2015-05-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Creative Card Crew challenge #88 is a teen theme. At first this challenge threw me. I had no idea what to do for a Teen project. It seems all my teen does is text, listen to music, and play video games.

Then I ran across the ElenaK digi image and decided this is perfect; heavens knows my son would give anything to be a Rockstar.

Our Challenge Sponsor

Kenny K Downloads

Prize: 3 Digi's

I began by printing the image and coloring her with Copic markers and adding accents with my Sakura Gelly Roll pens. I fussy cut the image and set it aside while I assembled the rest of the card.

I used patterned paper from the Hey Kid paper stack by Pink Paislee. For the background, I used Ranger's Clear and Gold Embossing Powder and the Rockstar stamp set from Inkadinkado. I highlighted the sentiment with my Signo Uni-ball gel pen.

I used a EK Success punch and backed the open spaces with Scor-pal tape. I filled the star-shaped holes with gold embossing powder and heated it to create an "enamel" feel to the "stage."

I adhered all of the paper components to a purple card base and popped the image p off of the "stage." I finished the card off by adding faux stitching with my Signo Uni-ball white gel pen.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation of the Teen challenge. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana Desmond

Good Day, Designer Collaboration at Pixel Scrapper

2015-05-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

Today is one of the most fun at Pixel Scrapper--COLLABORATION DAY--!! Collaborations are when all designers create kits that all collaborate together, using the same theme and color palette. You get slightly varied styles that all work together. I have created several very different layouts using elements from the Good Day Collaboration Bundle.

The first one uses mostly elements from Marisa Lerin's portion of the collaboration. It is very bright, but uses a limited color palette of mostly yellow and pink. The open flowers remind me of crocheted doily centers. I think they work very well with the pictures.

The next layout mostly consists of elements from Melo Vrijhof''s kits in the collaboration. Her style for this kit is more free-flowing watercolor images, with many different colors. I love the 4-square watercolor block background. Kelli's dress in the picture is completely covered in sequins and when the light hits it, rainbow spots of light reflect on every surface around her. So I wanted to being that though together using all of the rainbow papers. The gray border paper from the kit just keeps the focus on the photos and bright colors without letting your eye wander around the page and get lost.

These layouts feature only two of the many talented digital artists who participated in the collaboration. As you can see below the bundle if loaded with every type of scrapbooking element you could ever want.

I love this kit so much, I'm going to being working on a hybrid project for it, similar to the mini album project using Already There that I posted yesterday. I will do my best to make sure the video quality is much better this time. (I was going to promise and decided maybe that is a bit too strong. I'm not that confident in recording skills yet.)

If you want to be able to play with these wonderful images, head over to Pixel Scrapper. You will definitely have a blast finding fun ways to use them.

Keep coming back to find more projects made with this awesome collaboration. Until then, thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana Desmond

Hybrid Mini Album using Already There Digi Kit

2015-05-18T13:55:00.000-05:00

I made this mini album using the Already There digital kit by Violet Irisonva. This kit can be found at Pixel Scrapper. As you can see it has tons of inspirational quotes and lots of real estate for photos, journaling, and memorabilia.

First, I apologize for the poor video and sound quality. I'm still learning, so it will get better. I still wanted to share my latest project.

All the papers and elements of this kit are separate digital files. I first created the base pages (the ones that say, "Place Photo Here") in Photoshop Elements 10. I printed them on my Epson Workforce 7520 on heavy cardstock.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to print and cut the other loose elements I show you at the beginning of the video. I embellished each page a bit more with the loose die cut pieces.

I made pocket pages out of the 4 x 6 journal cards that come in the kit. All of the tags were created using the leftover papers I had printed.

One of the best parts about using a digi kit to make physical projects is that you never run out of a design or element you like. You also get to choose what type of paper it is printed on. I printed this on heavy cardstock, but when I decoupage, I use regular copy paper. So digi's are perfect for any application.

I have tons more mini albums made using traditional scrapbook paper that I will be sharing in future videos. I might even talk in them.

If you like anything you see, let me know. I make custom albums of all sizes as well.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana Desmond

Creative Card Crew Challenge # 87 Embossing

2015-05-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

This fortnight challenge over at Creative Card Crew is to create a paper project using embossing.

I used the Berry Sundae image set from Sparkle N Sprinkle for my card.

#87 Embossing - Wet or Dry

Our sponsor for this challenges is

Sparkle N Sprinkle

Prize: Up to $15 in Digi's

3 digi's SNS Exclusive Digital Stamps only

I began by printing the image and sentiment on a piece of Simon Says Stamp #120 cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. This digi set has many sentiments that work perfectly with this image.I then used my Signo Uni-ball white gel pen to add highlights to the image.

Using an old paint brush, I lightly coated the "glass" portions of the image with Diamond Stickles.

Since the Stickles was a thin layer, it dried very quickly, allowing me to add a coat of Glossy Accents over the area.

Using a Spellbinders die, I cut the image piece, a brown mat layer, and a cream piece of index cardstock. I dry embossed the index layer using the Swirls embossing folder from Cuttlebug. I thought this pattern coordinated well with the swirl of the pudding.

I then embossed a Lavender Moon piece of cardstock from Papertrey Ink, using the Swiss Dots embossing folder, also by Cuttlebug. I wet embossed the edges of a piece of white cardstock using 1/4" Scor-pal tape and Rangesr's Enchanted Gold embossing power. The creamy color of the embossing folder coordinates well with the creamy color of the pudding and it adds a bit more sparkle to the card.

I added the the Lavender Moon panel to a black cardstock based. I popped the focal image up on foam tape and finished the card off by adding faux stitching with my Sakura Sepia Metallic Gelly Roll Pen.

Please join us over at Creative Card Crew. Your project does not have to be a card, just a paper craft. I look forward to seeing what you create.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana Desmond

Brought to you by the letter "Nn" for Jellyfishing...

2015-05-07T11:16:00.001-05:00

Like yesterday's layout, this one was also created using the Shine digital bundle by Sheila Reid. This bundle can be found at Pixel Scrapper. Yesterday I used this bundle for a birthday layout, the soft colors and the beautiful images were perfect for a very feminine layout.

Today's layout is a bit more beachy. I wanted to capture this awesome moment between my daughter and her boyfriend's son. Jacob is new to us and the only child in our immediate family. So, that means everything he does is adorable. This little boy has filled my heart with love faster than I ever though possible.

Jacob crawls in bed with Kelli wanting to do his flash cards. He is going along, doing very well naming the pictures and Kelli is helping him with his letter sounds. They get to the letter N and Jacob proudly announces the picture is “Jellyfishing!” I’m guessing he has been watching a bit too much Spongebob. Oh, the glimpse of a child’s world.

As I mentioned yesterday, this kit is very versatile; that is what I like best about digital kits. You can make them work for so many different applications.I urge you to head over and check out this bundle and all the other digital goodness available at Pixel Scrapper.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana Desmond

60th Birthday Surprise Party Digital Layout

2015-05-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

My layout today was created using the Shine digital bundle by Sheila Reid. This bundle can be found at Pixel Scrapper. Even though I have used this bundle for a birthday layout, the soft colors and the beautiful images definitely have potential for all kinds of spring or baby layouts. The word art in the kit is absolutely inspiring.

Mom thought she was going to a 40th birthday party for my cousin Andy. When she got there, we told her the bakery had messed up the cake and that is was so bad she had to look at it. She got halfway across the room before she saw the “60” on the cake.

I urge you to head over and check out this bundle and all the other digital goodness available at Pixel Scrapper.

86 Fancy Folds

2015-04-28T06:34:00.000-05:00

For design project for Creative Card Crew's Fancy Fold challenge, I made a side-step card using the image Mother Moon from A DAY FOR DAISIES digital stamp shop

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

A Day For Daisies

Prize: #12 Gift Voucher

Our challenge for this fortnight is Fancy Folds. My very favorite challenge to view.

We hope that you will join us in designing some amazing projects/cards.

For my design, I started out by coloring the image using Copic markers.

I fussy cut the image and set it aside to work on my background. The gray paper is from Bo Bunny's Altitude collection. It is actually a winter paper, but I just love how it looks like a night sky with twinkling stars.

I cut cut the side-step card base using Papertrey Ink cardstock. I matted each section with the Bo Bunny paper. I the metal filigree is from Butter Bee Scraps. I backed that piece with DCWV glitter paper. I added a star and rhinestone from my stash. I adhered that to the front of the first panel.

I used a frame sticker from The Paper Studio and backed it with the same DCWV glitter paper. I popped up this metal charm, also from The Paper Studio, in the center of the frame. I adhered all of this to the back panel.

I popped my colored image up on the main panel and finished the card by adhering more stars and small gems throughout the starry sky.

Thanks for stopping by and please join us over at Creative Card Crew.

Dana Desmond