This is my first year in review since I started blogging. I am excited to bring you the top ten posts of the year. Together we have accomplished more then I ever dreamed of when I started Dragonfly & Lily Pads in October 2013. I want to thank each of you for support.  As this year ends I have a sense of relief, excitement, and a positive outlook for the coming year.
Why relief you ask? Because we all have times that our life takes us in a totally different direction. I believe in helping when there a need from some one you love. Family has taken on a whole new meaning to us this year.
Excitement now your wondering? Making that day in Oct. 2013 count as Something New each day by writing DNLP blog. This blog is a bit of a gift to myself, as I express my creativity, share my love by inspiring others, and transforming all of us into the people and lifestyles we strive for in everyday life.
   OK! A little deep I  know but, it is truly how I feel.
Positive outlook is pretty easy because, this year has been a difficult year outside of these pages. 2015 is going to be different. I have learned a few valuable lessons about who I am and where I want to be this coming year. I will be sharing more about these goals during the coming year.
Today is about the closing the past year 2014 and opening a new door to 2015. Choosing what I want to carry with me as hard taught lessons, and what to Let Go! Yeah I went there...LOL
  Today I am sharing the top ten posts of the year chosen by you .

1. Sweet Baby Love Quilt  

Personalized Christmas Ornament

     One of my favorite times of year is Christmas.  In the Gift giving spirit The Silhouette Challenge Facebook Group December Challenge is here along with a Holiday Giveaway. We have 35 Group members and +Silhouette America  helping us gather this Giveaway for this special time of year.

Fall Lovin October Silhouette Challenge

     This month the theme for the October Silhouette Challenge is Fall! I chose
 5 different shades of +Bazzill Basics Paper card stock: on sale for 59 cents at  +Michaels Stores
 One group of leaf shapes from the +Silhouette America Store:  99 cents.
 One wreath Stand from +Decor Steals:  (previous purchase)
 The leaves I wanted to cut out from my Silhouette library

"Favorite" Silhouette Challenge

   

  This "Favorite"Silhouette Challenge is one I have been waiting to share with you. I had this project waiting in the wings.  A family emergency kept me from completing my design for an earlier challenge this year.

   List of Supplies, 

Kindred Spirits

A Handmade Gift Exchange started by my friend Tori

 created a journey of Kindred Spirits.

 Two Karens, same country, different states, 

Married 10 and 30 years, Loving Husbands (different men) LOL. Two children all boys, SAHM one starting the other finished, 

both creative, and talented in the many ways.

Handmade Gift Exchange

 Tori was following our Facebook Group called the Silhouette Challenge. All of this handmade work swirling through the words of our members. Each post a person, pictures of a new project, with loads of encouragement below. Others asking for an opinion, which looks better?  Where do you get the best vinyl? Tricks to keep your machine running smoothly, and money savings tips too.

Tori Set up an event Handmade Gift Exchange asking people to participate, then she split us into pairs sent us our present partners, gave us ideas how to get to know each other, and of course a deadline for when the packages to ship.

Facebook

As you can see from above, is how I met my kindred spirit Karen. We have not met in person but, we have corresponded like modern day pen pals. 

Patriotic Made in America Banner

     I am excited to be part of the Silhouette Challenge this month. This challenge theme is patriotic for each project. I am made in America, my family serves our country now, and  many generations before. I like this challenge because the Cameo is made by +Silhouette America too. 
   I used several Silhouette cut patterns, some with slight changes to make it my own,  for the American Banner

Some Assembly  Required

Showers of Love for Baby Dove

      Last year we celebrated with the lovely pair of Doves as they married. Fast Forward one year and we are Showering Baby Boy Dove, who is on his way. My BFF, her Daughter-in- Law, Mamma Doves  sister,  I were off to the races with finding ways to decorate, games, and gifts. Pinterest was a great resource but, I did not find the items. That is the only reason I did not attach the appropriate credit. I helped with the +Silhouette America Cameo making some of the decorations. This was one of the most coordinated, detailed baby showers I have been involved in to this date. 

Monogrammed Gifts

   I started making Monograms for gifts. I create them with my +Silhouette Cameo, scrapbook paper, glue, and my +Xyron Inc sticker machine. I Made them as gifts, which needed personal touches for each precious person. These were all given to my nieces, and nephews. Auntie Karen Marie had to add a special color, paper design, or some even have a nod to their nicknames.

All you need from the Silhouette portion of this project is right on this screen!

   Did you know that you can print paper from your Silhouette? I was searching for paper with bears and stopped by Archiver's Scrap booking Store. (Sad this Company is now Closed) I asked a clerk, she was a delightful person, who showed me how you simply type bear paper in the Silhouette Cameo search box and hit enter. A few second later there was a paper that was perfect for my bear project. When I arrived home I added it to my cart, and a few seconds later, I printed it out on my printer at home on card stock.

I think it came out very successful.

I wanted to show you here that I used a 6" x 6" frame on the top. When I was completing my gifts I ran out of those frames. Being a Creative Person, I adapted to what I had on hand, 9" x 9" frames for the remaining 3 frames. It does let me show you how you can get a different look by adding an additional background paper and foam tabs to lift the design off the page.
 Of course my plan all along? LOL

How many of you have a Big Family? Now I mean BIG!

   I love giving gifts to all my nieces and nephews but, when you have been blessed with enough to field more then two baseball or softball teams. Next mix in 3 great nieces, 6 great nephews, and an additional delivery is waiting to surprise us any day now?

Wow! I just realized we can field another team + One, I hope by now!

    Each color and style of Font has been chosen for the room colors, personality, and gender. As you look at this picture above, you will notice the Letter mans Font from the +Silhouette Stores in the middle.

1. Here you see how I set up my page. I add the 6" x 6" Square first because it gives me the area I will need to work.
2. Then I select the Monogram Letters. The Center is the last Initial which I make larger then the first and middle. In this instance K is the last  name initial, L is the first name, and M is the middle one.

 3. The final step to set up my monogram project is to make another layer to add depth. To do this I Copy my letters and paste to page  then line them up as shown. Move the individual letters and square off the page for a minute. Next I highlight and drag over the whole image in the bottom left of the screen and hit weld. Then you can drag it all back to be on one page again to save. Click save I used  the persons name, it was easiest for me, then I could use this template for each layer.

 Now to create the layers you will need a Background, Welded and Three separate initials.

This is where I choose to through in each personality of the recipient of the gift.

   Above is is an example of how I did this with the paper. First the background is paper with bug stickers for the nickname bug. Just lady bugs and fluttery bees did not fit this boy's personality but I needed bugs. The stickers worked out great and know my nephew has custom paper for his gift. I do wish I would have copied, and saved the paper with the bugs, as a image for future use though. Next time! In order to cut the layer I just moved the other items to the side and cut only the 6 x 6 inch section.

 Next I moved over the welded layer into the page and slid out the background.

   Layer number two is the welded layer, which I usually chose a subtle pattern. 

This one is grass because that is where bugs live! Pretty corny I know. Ha Ha! 

Then I move the welded section off to the side.

The final Layer is the individual letters. I like to make them all different paper patterns that compliment each other. I put one letter on at a time, because I am usually using small pieces of paper by now. I do not want the paper to get caught in the up machine.

 I know, I could attach them all lined perfectly but, this is just my preference, after a few mishaps.

 I glue the first and middle initials on then place the last initial on top to give it more importance.

 TaDa! Three of the many Monograms I have made.

 I have realized that I could have used no cut option on this project. I have learned that process since I made these for gifts. That is one of the great parts of life, we always have opportunities to keep learning. If you are wondering where frames came from it is one of my favorite stores +Michaels Stores. I hit half prices sales and stock up.

Until Next time........

~Let Your Creative Spirit Dance~

Please follow along with my Silhouette Challenge Friends have shared their posts today too!

1. McCall Manor // 2. The Turquoise Home // 3. Creative Savings // 4. Sandpaper and Glue // 5. The Thinking Closet // 6. Sowdering About in Seattle // 7. Persia Lou // 8. From Wine to Whine // 9. Dream a Little Bigger // 10. Please Excuse My Craftermath... // 11. Play. Party. Pin. // 12. Everyday Paper // 13. Practically Functional // 14. A Tossed Salad Life // 15. My Favorite Finds // 16. The House on Hillbrook // 17. Adventures in All Things Food // 18. A Glimpse Into Barb's Life // 19. TitiCrafty // 20. The Experimental Home // 21. feto soap blog // 22. Creative Ramblings // 23. The Stamp Doc // 24. Ginger Snap Crafts // 25. Simply Kelly Designs // 26. Whats Next Ma // 27. unOriginal Mom // 28. Bringing Creativity 2 Life // 29. Cutesy Crafts // 30. My Paper Craze // 31. Create & Babble // 32. Grey Luster Girl // 33. The Sensory Emporium // 34. Lil' Mrs. Tori // 35. Black and White Obsession // 36. Mama Sonshine // 37. Weekend Craft // 38. Creative Carnival // 39. Peace, Love and Joyce // 40. Tried & True // 41. The Frill of Life // 42. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 43. Get Silvered // 44. Minted Strawberry