Merry Christmas + Kitty Pix!

Meowy Christmas from Newton's Nook Designs! 

Hope you are having a fabulous Holiday & enjoying your time with family and friends!

Today, instead of a card I'm sharing some kitty pictures instead!

First up is this years photos - a cute pic of Newton in his santa hat ;)

And thought I'd go back and show you pictures from Newton's first christmas! 

He was about 4 months old here and so adorable -- look at that little tail! 

And here are a couple from the following year when we added Hobbes to our little family:

We are going to be spending some time over the next week with our own families so we will be taking a break from the blog  and there will not be any more posts until the new year!  But don't worry - we will be back in January with lots of amazing inspiration, our fabulous new design team and some new stamps in a few weeks! 

Merry Christmas to all of you from Jen, Jeff, Newton and Hobbes

Christmas Eve Mischief!

Meowy Christmas!

Hope everyone is all set for christmas! Thought I'd share one more Christmas card using Newton's Holiday Mischief. For this card I left the kitty white and added some teal, pink and red on his scarf with copic markers. Then I colored the had on a separate piece of paper and fussy cut it out and added it onto his head with some dimensional dots.   I also added a few snowflakes in the sky along with some sequins. Then I added it to my card with some coordinating paper and bakers twine. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful christmas eve and will be spending some quality time with family and friends! 

 Meowy Christmas --

Holiday Wishes - 2 ways!

Merry Christmas Shaker Card

I'm squeezing in my last few Christmas card posts here before the Holiday! I can't believe it's only a few days until Christmas! This first card is a fun little shaker card using the Holiday Wishes stamp set. I stamped the sentiment in red and black and made it into a shaker with some little gift confetti that  I had. 

If you don't know how to make a shaker card, I posted a tutorial awhile back and you can find it here: Shaker Card Tutorial. 

Here is a close-up of the card - you can see I also used the little gifts from this set to create a fun pattern!

Next up - Super Simple Holiday Card

Here is one last super simple card that you could make for the Holidays. I make A LOT of cards for family and friends - I think I made 60 this year - so simple is definitely a good thing! 

This card uses a lot of patterned paper and very little coloring so it would be very simple to make if you needed a bunch of cards quickly! I also used a sentiment from our Holiday Wishes stamp set and the little gift again. 

Three Canine Christmas Cards

Today I'm featuring the Canine Christmas Stamp set! 

I realized that Christmas is FAST approaching and I haven't had a chance to share all my cards that I made using our Canine Christmas stamp set so I thought today would be a fun day to do just that!

Happy Howl-idays

For the first card I chose the color the cute little basset hound stamp with my copic markers. Then I created a fun little strip of bones using brown ink on Kraft colored paper! Then to add a little fun pattern to the card I added some little flags from patterned paper and a button! Then I finished it off with the "Happy Howl-idays" sentiment! I love how the sentiment is so cheerful but the doggie looks a little bored. Reminds me a bit of eeyore... I picture him being annoyed that he's wearing those antlers!

Santa Paws Tag Card

For the next card, I colored the little Chihuahua doggie in the santa hat and cut him out to make a big tag! I cut out a little circle from Kraft colored card stock and used it on the tag top for a bit of added interest - sort of like a packing tag. Then I created a simple background with two patterns - one is a candy stripe from some misc. patterned paper I had lying around and the other I created by stamping paws all over the card stock with brown ink. I love how you can use stamps to create your own background patterns!  I also sponged the edges of the tag with some distress ink and then added it on with some fun kraft/red bakers twine. 

Snowy Sweater Card 

For this one I wanted to create a snowy scene for the puppy to sit in so I colored him on the white cardstock and then I paper pierced a sweater for him from a plaid paper scrap. Then I added some kraft colored snowflakes and a snowbank from a piece of torn cardstock. Then to balance out the colors I added some red polka dot paper and a piece of that kraft/red twine. Love how this one turned out! 

Do you have the Canine Christmas set yet? You can still order it from our Newton's Nook Designs Online Shop. Here's what the whole set looks like:

Just a few days until Christmas - do you have christmas cards done?

I'm done with my shopping but still need to finish those cards up! I've been so busy blogging and designing for spring that I'm a bit behind!  

Snow-one else like you - Card by Tessa Wise!

Snow-one else like you!

This adorable snowman card is by Design Team Member Tessa Wise! Tessa always has a way with colors, don't you think? I love the bright teal, pink and red mixed with the woodgrain background! And that snowman couple cut out and placed on the vellum really pops off the card! This would make a great Thank You card or even a sweet Valentine! 

Thanks, Tessa, for bringing some bright colors to a cold winter day (at least here in WI)! 

Make sure you go over to Tessa's blog, Crafty Girl Designs to learn more about her card and say hello! 

Design Team Reveal!

Our New Design Team Revealed!

Today I have a very special Announcement! I get to reveal our new Design Team!

Before I reveal who we chose I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who applied. We were amazed at the wonderful talent out there and that so many of you were interested in working with us! We were truly flattered! We would have loved to have picked everyone but we had to narrow down our choices to just a few. We hope that those of you who were not chosen will continue to participate in challenges and apply again the next time!

Now, without further ado, I present the new Newton's Nook Designs Team for January through June of 2014!  

First, I have two amazing ladies returning from our inaugural team

I am super excited to announce that Tessa Wise and Samantha Mann have agreed to stay on for another six months! These two ladies have done an fantastic job with our stamps so far and I can't wait to see what they will come up next! Scroll down to read their bios and see a favorite project that they created using Newton's Nook Designs Stamps! 

Tessa Wise

Crafty Girl Designs

My name is Tessa Wise and I'm so happy to be part of the Newton's Nook Designs Team! I live in Northern Virginia with my husband Jeremy and two little girls, Zoey and Natalie. I love being a mom and have enjoyed staying home with them for the last few years. They are sweet girls and love to craft, just like their mama! I have always enjoyed arts and crafts but none compare to my love of paper crafts! I love to shop for cute stamps, fun patterned papers, and embellishments. I like to use different techniques and also try out different design styles. I share my projects at my blog, CraftyGirl Designs. You can also find my work at my local scrapbook store, Scrapdoodles, where I teach and coordinate the class schedule.

Here is an favorite Holiday card by Tessa using SEAson's Greetings!

Samantha Mann

Sam's Scrap Candy

Hi, I'm Samantha Mann and I couldn't be happier to continue for another term with Newton's Nook Designs!! My husband and I have lived all over the US, from Washington State to Florida, but we're currently in hot, humid, coastal South Carolina! We have two little boys (who I usually call my little menn)! I have always been in love with school supplies (ever since elementary school when I would save my nickels to buy cute pencils or erasers!) and that love just grew and developed into my crazy obsession (read: passion!) of paper crafting! I love making cards and even dabble with the occasional scrapbook layout! I tend to lean towards clean and simple design, but not always! I am all about learning new techniques from fellow crafters! I'm definitely quirky, and love to make playful, humorous sentiments for my cards (and layouts)! I work full time for an advertising company and spend every other moment I can paper crafting, reading and enjoying the little moments in everyday family life.

This project using the Dinosaurs from Prehistoric Pals is one of Samantha's favorites (and mine too)

Next we have SIX amazing NEW designers that we added to our team!

We are so excited to have these ladies and can't wait to see what they all create!  I've included a card from each of them so you can get a hint of their style but make sure to click through to all of their blogs and tell them congrats and see what else they can do! Some of them even have new projects featuring NND stamps on their blogs today! 

Taheerah Atchia

fill the paper with the breathings of your {heart}

Hi Newton fans! I'm Taheerah and I'm so thrilled to be joining the Newton's Nook Designs DT! What better way to combine my love of cats and stamping?!

I'm a 30-plus-a-few Londoner now living in the North West of England with my beautiful cats. I work in IT by day and craft by night! I love all things geeky - having a background in science and working in my profession I guess that can't be avoided! I've always been creative but stamping and cardmaking have truly captured my heart and my imagination. I love experimenting with most styles and am definitely a huge lover of trends. I really thrive on pushing my skills and creative eye to the limit, so my work is frequently packed with techniques, outside-the-box uses of product, and clever details! I hope you'll stop by my blog at http://littlemisst-papercraft.blogspot.com/ and take a further look at my work - I'd love to see you there!

Here's a beautiful Holiday tag that Taheerah created using Newton's Holiday Mischief! 

Christine Drogt

Das Kartenchaos

Hi, it's Christine from Germany. I have been crafting all my life (I'm 31 now) and started card making in 2010. I have no idea how that happened - but I got totally addicted to stamping. (I bet you know that feeling that you NEED that stamp!). I live with my hero Michael and our three cats who all respect my crafty mess.  Lucky me :) I am also lucky to work in a youth centre with a focus on creativity (theatre, photography, arts,..) and enjoy motivating the kids a lot.

On my cards I love to use clean lines, different elements and little details. It's an honor to be on this Design Team, working with the cutest Newton's Nook Designs' stamps.

Here is a gorgeous card by Christine using the Newton's Antics stamp set! 

Larissa Heskett
Larissa Heskett Designs

I've been married to my best friend Adam for 8 years, and we have two handsome boys, Beckett (7 years old) and Greyson (11 months)! We live on our family farm, and I enjoy EVERY aspect of living a rural life. I'm a Certified Surgical Technician, but I'm very blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. I enjoy crafting in every way, baking/cooking, gardening, singing, nature and taking photos. I've been a creative soul from birth and really got my start in 4-H (making it to the State Fair was a goal each year - which I did)! I LOVE to stamp and have been doing so for the last 3 years. I LOVE all of the inspiration and the creative people I've found/met online and through other events! I also LOVE to try new techniques and experiment with my supplies! I've made my dream of becoming a published artist a reality and have had my first works published in the CARDS Magazine Nov/Dec issue, with more to follow after that! I have a blog, Larissa Heskett Designs, and I've guest designed and designed for several of my favorite manufactures. I look forward to inspiring you with the AMAZING Newton’s Nook Designs products!! I cannot even begin to explain how HONORED and EXCITED I am to have the opportunity to design with this AWESOME Design Team!! 

Larissa created this adorable bunny card using our Snow Day stamp set. 

Crafty Math-Chick
Canines and Card Designs

Hi!  I'm Meredith and I am WICKED excited Jen invited me to be a member of Newton's Nook Designs team - I am still waiting to wake up and discover it is just a dream...  You can probably guess from my use of 'wicked' that I grew up in Massachusetts but I have lived all over the country and move frequently courtesy of my husband's job.  We currently reside in OK with our pup Ty who is truly the sun of my solar system and a source of never-ending joy.  I am HUGE dog & critter lover, an animal adoption advocate, a mathematics educator and a lover of all crafty things, (thus my online handle 'Crafty Math Chick'), though papercrafting continues to be my favorite.  Since cards with cute critters on them are my favorite kind to make you KNOW I am going to have a blast designing with Jen's adorable whimsical images!  I am honored and humbled to be a member of this talented group of ladies and look forward to sharing my NND creations with you!

A "cheesy" card by Crafty Math-Chick using the Just Say Cheese set!

Danielle Pandeline

Girlracer Scrap

I am so thrilled to be a part of the Newton's Nook Design Team! I am a huge animal lover so I think we are a purrfect match!  

Let me tell you a little more about me. I live in Central Florida with my fiancée Chris and two fur babies. Nash the tuxedo cat and Sidney the mini Dachshund.  I have been crafty all my life from as far back as I can remember I have always been making something.  I dabble in a bit of everything Cards, Layouts, Project Life, Smash books, the list goes on! I am a photographer and work for a local Ford Mustang Restoration business and handle all their advertising, eBay and anything else they throw at me!  When I am not working you can find me getting inky, or riding my Honda Scooter around town! You can see all my creations at http://girlracerscrap.blogspot.com

Here is a colorful and fun clear card by Danielle using Newton's Antics! 

Valerie Ward

Val by Design

Hi fellow Crafters! My name is Valerie, and my awesome husband & I have 4 kids (ages 11-16), and 2 little doggies. We live just north of Chicago, Illinois, in the good ole U.S.of A! I've been scrapping since I was a child, and I discovered card making 3 years ago when I started my job at a craft store, which changed my entire focus of crafting! I'm also a substitute teacher, and when I'm not busy working or being swallowed up by my family, you can always find me in my craft room enjoying the glorious world of creativity!

Check out the amazing coloring on this card by Valerie using Newton's Holiday Mischief! 

So - What do you think? 

I think it's going to be an AMAZING year! I can tell you - I've been having so much fun getting to know these ladies already and the team has barely begun! I'm really looking forward to next year - I know we are going to be inspired by all of them!!

Sweet Winter Snowman Card by Samantha Mann!

Baby it's cold outside! 

Today I'm sharing a super cute card page by Design Team Member Samantha Mann!  Samantha used the sweet little snowman couple from our Frozen Friends set. I love how she cut them out and popped them off from the tree background! Her coloring is so soft and sweet too! And I LOVE that vellum banner stitched on! Such fun details on this card!

Thanks Samantha, for the adorable inspiration! Make sure you pop over to Samantha's Blog Sam's Scrap Candy today to learn more about her card and to and say hello! 

Announcement Tomorrow!

Make sure you stop back tomorrow - I have a super cool announcement to make and you won't want to miss it! 

Inky Paws #05 Challenge Winners!

Inky Paws #05 Challenge - WINNERS! 

We had so much fun checking out all the entries for our fifth Inky Paws Challenge at here at the Newton's Nook Designs blog! We had a so many cool card entries for this challenge! As always- it's hard to pick a winner! Thanks to everyone who played along! It's always so much fun to see what everyone does with our stamps! We love seeing all the projects. Without further ado- here are this months top picks!

Top picks!

Since we had over 15 participants we got to pick TWO winners - it was very hard to choose between all the amazing entries but here's what we decided! 

This card by Elena is our first winner this month! This card made me smile right away- She used our Prehistoric Pals set to create a really fun christmas scene! She added a santa hat on the dinosaur and a bow on the palm tree - and look, the dino is on his way to adding on a christmas light! Such a cute idea! 

Our second winner is Donna with this fun Mitten Card.  Donna used the free digital mitten stamp from our freebies page here. We thought it was really cool how she separated the mitten from the sentiment on her card. Also, we liked her clean white layout with pops of red and teal! So cute! 

Congrats Elena and Donna! Don't forget to send me an  e-mail at info@newtonsnookdesigns.com to claim your $10 store credit and get your winner badge for your blog! 

Inky Paws Favorites

Since there were so many beautiful cards, we chose two more as our favorite picks! If you see your card below, contact us if you'd like to get a "favorite" badge for your blog!

This card by Indy is super sweet! We love the monochromatic soft blues and gray and the little pearls on the hat and scarf! This card uses our Snow Day Stamp set. 

We loved the coloring of the kitty on this card by Katlyn! What a gorgeous card using our Newton's Holiday Mischief set!

Thanks so much!

Thanks again to everyone who entered - We LOVE seeing all the entries! It's seeing what you create with our stamps that makes all the work we put into our business worthwhile! If you didn't win this time we hope you'll try again next month. It's always SO HARD to pick the winners because everyone does such a great job!  We will be doing another challenge in January!