Smile !

     Over the weekend, I was visiting the Playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop and found this post by Di, in which she describes the steps she took to get a perfect line up of striped paper die cuts and scraps.  I was so fascinated by her technique, I knew I had to try it.  Take the time to go and read her post. The bold words up above are a link which will take you directly there.  I'm not going to try to describe each step here when she's done such a great job of explaining the step-by-step.  Thanks, Di!!

     I woke up super early this morning and had empty time on my hands so I grabbed a patterned paper scrap (DCWV), some dies, and my Cuttlebug.  In under half an hour, this is what I had !

    I know the pattern in the paper triangles doesn't look straight but here's the scrap I cut and you can see the perfect way everything lines up when the pieces are laid into the background CS.

     Dies for cutting the triangles are from a set by Memory Box and the "Smile" die is from Penny Black.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Cardz TV
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Fingers
Dies R Us
Jo's Scrap Shack
Scrap from Your Heart
Scrappy Land

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Live Simply

     I adore the image at the Progressive Challenge for LeAnn's World 101 this month, which you'll find on their FB page.  It reminds me of how wonderful it can be to just live simply.

     This is a one layer card and I printed the image right onto the card front, then colored with my ProMarkers, adding a few highlights with white gel pen.  The die cut sentiment was made with a die from Die-versions.  The original sentiment was inside a circle but I cut that away and used just the words.  No embellishments because I wanted this to be very CAS in keeping with the sentiment.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Double Trouble
I {heart} ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
Words to Crafty By

     A short post today but my time at the computer is limited.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Carrot Basket

     I think the Easter Bunny got lost somewhere along the way or perhaps was distracted by something irresistible.  :-D

     The image is an old one from Beary Wishes, which I think is now closed.  I colored it with ProMarkers, then die cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  The plaid scrap was cut with a die from QuicKutz.

     Everything went onto a deep, blue, card base.  I knew this was going to be used as an Easter card for a boy so I kept it simple and unembellished, letting the paper and die cut give all the visual interest.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
A Gem of a Challenge
Dare 2B Artzy
Digi Choosday
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bribery Works

     Good morning on a lovely spring Friday!  We have another new challenge starting at QKR Stampede and our theme is always Anything Goes.  I have a fun card today, which is not only a total fantasy but is a take off on the old Tortoise and Hare fairy tale.  In this version, it takes a bit of bribery to keep the old turtle moving along.  lol

     The image is from QKR and is called "Bribery Goes Far."  I did my best to make it look like springtime since yesterday was the first day of Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere.  :-D

I used the colors from My Favorite Things

although my blue background is not quite dark enough

the rest of the colors are found in the image.

     I used ProMarkers and water color pencils on the image, then cut it with a stitched die from Lawn Fawn.  The blue background piece was cut with an Altenew die.  I put everything onto a kraft card base and added the metal brads to the upper and lower corners.

     I want to share with you a new technique I tried with the Altenew die.  I prefer dies over stencils but that's mostly because I have so many dies and so few stencils.  So I cut some very heavy CS with this particular Altenew die, then used the cut CS as a stencil to get perfectly aligned polka dots on a background piece.  I need a bit more practice but I'll share the results with you in a few more days.

     I printed the sentiment and cut it with the smallest Lawn Fawn die but I had to adjust the placement and cut twice to get the long rectangle shape out of a square die.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Brown Sugar
Colour Crazy
Cute Card Thurs.
Double Trouble  (all 3)
Outlawz Greetings
Penny's Paper Crafty
Take It, Make It

     Please come play along in our challenge this week, won't you?  You are NOT required to use images from QKR Stampede but if you do (or use one from our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go into a separate draw and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Basket of Chicks

                                HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

     A huge "Thank You" to my dear friend, Donna, for this adorable Irish dancer!  Now, let's get to my post for today...

     Probably the best way to get little spring chicks to 'follow you home' is to transport them in a basket!   As a child, "It followed me home" was always the best excuse I could muster for keeping the latest stray pet who needed to be loved and cuddled.  Those were usually kittens or puppies, but bunnies or baby chicks would have been welcome, too.  I admit I didn't think about transporting them home in a basket but if I had, I would have done it!

     This sweet Penny Black stamp takes me back to childhood.  :-D

     I colored with a combination of water colors and ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Sizzix die.  Both of the smaller circles were cut with Sizzix dies also.

     I wanted the card design to be CAS so I added no embellishment beyond the die cut circles, simply laying those onto a deep gray, CS, background.  The CS was embossed with my Linen folder.

     Challenges:
2 Sisters on the Blog
Addicted to CAS
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar (Carried in a basket? lol)
Ching-Chou Kuik
Jo's Scrap Shack
Penny Black Saturday
Penny Black and More
Scrap from Your Heart
SUYP Cats

     I think this will be the only post for today but since I gave you a twofer yesterday, that should be sufficient.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"Cheesy" Birthday

     Good Morning and a happy Friday to you!  Friday means another challenge is starting at QKR Stampede for this week and we have our usual "Anything Goes" theme.  Remember, you can use any images from any company.  If you decide to use something from QKR (or our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry goes into a separate draw and that greatly increases your chances of winning QKR images!

     I used a fun QKR image today to  make a masculine birthday card.  It's called "Sharing 24215" and it's a fun and silly try to share a bit of cheese as a birthday offering.  I don't think I've ever been given cheese as a present but then, I haven't invited many mice show up at my parties.  lol

     I decided I wanted to see how many shades of blue I could use on this so I colored the image with ProMarkers and pencils (3 different blues), then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  I printed and cut the arm/hand holding the cheese twice more and fussy cut them, adding them in flat layers so that it has a bit of dimension.  I mounted the image piece onto an ocean blue card base, and added aqua blue glitter to the negative holes in the die cut.

     The birthday sentiment was cut from navy blue CS with a Memory Box die.  I mounted the words onto white CS and trimmed them to the general word shape, using scissors.

     I added a hand-sewn bow with a baby blue button and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Creative Fingers
Cute N Crafty
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
House that Stamps Built (birthday/ribbon/button)
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Papercraft
Time Out

     I hope we're going to see you playing along this week.  We love being inspired by you!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Friendly Hello

     I've been on the DT at QKR Stampede for 5 years, give or take, and I can't believe that after doing that many cards for our weekly challenges, I had overlooked this image!  It's called "Sante Fe Mouse."  Another new challenge is starting today (Always Anything Goes) and I'm really tickled with this simple, southwestern flavored, greeting card with it's very simple sentiment.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut him with a die from Tonic Studios.  I mounted him onto a yellow card base which had been embossed with my 'Linen' embossing folder.  The "hello" sentiment was cut from a tiny scrap of dp with a Poppy Stamps die.  I want to use this as a masculine card so I did no additional embellishment.

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Cute Card Thurs.
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
TTCRD
   
     It's Friday and I hope you have lots of wonderful plans for your weekend.  Be sure to include some play time for yourself.  Think of it as charging your batteries.  If your battery is dead, you'll have nothing to give to your kids, family, or anyone else, and you know how they all rely on you.  Play time for yourself is critical and actually benefits everyone!   :-D  Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Clutch of Eggs

     Well, I was going to give you a break from Easter cards by posting something for one of the progressive challenges I love to do each month but wouldn't you know the image from The Outlawz Progressive (by Sandra Van Blaricum) was an image of Easter eggs?  lol

I based my design on the Sketch found at Feeling Sketchy

but off-centered my image.

   
     I colored with ProMarkers, then used Gina Marie dies to cut both the image and the frame.  BTW, that frame is not navy blue!  It's actually purple but the photography is playing tricks.  I tried different lighting and a different time of day for taking the photos but in every one, it looks dark blue.  Sigh...

     The ribbon was in my stash and it is pale lavender with shiny, silver thread that sparkles.  I wrapped the card front and used a cut off scrap to make the bow.

     Challenges:
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Sentiments
Die Cut Divas
Incy Wincy
Papercraft
Scrap from Your Heart

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

     Hey, guess who found her ProMarkers?  One more craft room box unpacked and put into the new space.  :-D  Having organized them, it was necessary to immediately use them.  You understand, I had to test them to see if any had gone dry or leaked or changed color.  Besides, the progressive challenge at Limited Runs comes to an end in just a few more days and I had to get something made and submitted.

     I colored the cupcake with ProMarkers, then used a stitched die from Lawn Fawn to cut the image and the two framing pieces.  The dp is from 7 Gypsies and each little diamond in the pattern echos the stitching.  I decided on a CAS design, letting the pattern in the dp do all the visual work.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lawn Fawnatics
                
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz SAR
Path of Positivity

     That's it for today.  I really do have to get back into the craft room but not for play this time.  I have to get things completely reorganized so that play will be something enjoyable again.  Hang in there with me -- I promise to get back into my routine soon.  NanaConnie

It's a Booboo !

     I found myself having to make a couple of quick Get Well cards and used an image from QKR Stampede to make each one.  I'm sharing this one today and will share the other next Friday as my DT inspirations for those two QKR Challenges.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes."

     The image is called "Booboo" and I think it's adorable.  Not the first time I've used it, but when it's this cute, who can resist?

     I colored with ProMarkers and a touch of sparkle gel ink on the tear, then cut the image with a die from Memory Box.  I cut the frame from dark pink CS with a QuicKutz die.  The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and matted.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Happy Craft
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Paper Fundays
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

More Cake! More Cake!

     This is the last of the cards for the week long, Birthday Bash at Catch the Bug where they were celebrating their 9th year on the challenge blog.  They offered a Bugaboo Stamps freebie (as they always do on Fridays) and I used it, along with the birthday cake image, following this inspiration photo.  What better way to banish the winter blues than by having a party and eating cake?
                             
         

     I used my ProMarkers to color the images, then fussy cut the little monsters and added them on top of the huge cake image.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and inked the edges before adding it to the bottom of this really CAS card.

     I used a craft knife to distress the edges of the image piece before I mounted that onto an aqua card base.  There was already so much going on with the images that I opted for no embellishments, just the images and the sentiment.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV 
Crafting with Friends
Cute Card Thurs.
Happy Craft
My Favorite Things   
Outlawz Festive Friday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp

     I may have a post tomorrow, too, if I find the time to write it up.  The card is done but I have several folks coming tomorrow at different times throughout the day so we'll just have to see how much I can get done between their visits.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

More Birthday Celebrations

     This is another post with multiple cards for the week long, Birthday Bash over at Catch the Bug.  Today, I'm starting with the card I did for the Tuesday challenge.

Tuesday Theme:  BINGO Top Row:  Die Cut/ Sentiment/ Texture

     This sentiment is an image from Bugaboo Stamps and it's a new one for me.  I printed it onto aqua CS and used a black ProMarker to enhance the depth of the color on the "Happy Birthday" portion.  I die cut the sentiment with border dies from Spellbinders.

     The texture on the white background is dry embossed with a folder from Cuttlebug, another new item for my stash.  I used my bow maker to tie the polkadot, bowtie bow.

     Challenges for this card:
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
Incy Wincy
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown


Wednesday Theme: Make Us Laugh

     Coloring was done with ProMarkers and the image was cut with a scalloped die from Sizzix.  The green, grosgrain ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and I simply cut a strip and adhered it like washi tape, using double stick tape on the back of it.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inking the edges before adding it.  The bow is one of my signature bows, this time with a gem added instead of a pearl.

     Challenges for this card:
Creative Inspirations
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday
Paper Shelter
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.


Thursday Theme: Color Challenge

                            

     I used ProMarkers to color the image (a new one for me), selecting colors that were featured in the inspiration photo.   I used soft, golden, neutrals as much as possible on the critters, keeping the bold and bright colors for the word "Birthday."  I cut the image with a large, rectangle die from QuicKutz and mounted it onto a gray-blue card base.  The bronzy-gold ribbon was recycled from a craft store bouquet and the blue ribbon was in my stash.  Fun how the edges of the two ribbons matched up.

     Challenges for this card:

Cupcake Inspirations

  

Cutie Pie

Dream Valley

Outlawz Festive Friday

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Simon Says Stamp & Show

     Well, that's six more birthday cards for my stash and I'll post one more, the last for the Catch the Bug Birthday Bash this week, later this afternoon.  I'm so on target with my time frame for all the house projects which have to be done that I'm feeling calm and almost relaxed in the midst of the chaos.  lol   I'm sure that'll change tomorrow morning when three more major projects are on the list, including a meeting to sell some of the furniture pieces I'm not keeping!

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Snow Buddies

     The challenge theme at SheepSki Designs this month is "New or Old" and since I'm still on my Holiday break, I'm sharing with you a card with an image more than 2 years old.  The image is called "Penguin Pals" and I think it's absolutely adorable!  Two penguins building their own snow man penguin.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut both the image and the frame with dies from Cheery Lynn.  I mounted those onto a a deep green card base.  I added a single, hand-tied, red bow and the sentiment, then left it CAS.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Cardz TV
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs.
Outlawz Twisted Thurs 
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Have yourself a wonderful New Year's Day and I'm sending wishes for a happy and prosperous year.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Digging In or Out?

     Happy New Year to all of you!  The first day of 2019 and the first day of our new January monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and this month our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.  They have their own challenge going - a Bingo board - which will be open through Friday.  I used the top row of that board to make my card - Texture/ No dp/ & a Bugaboo Stamps image.

     I love their cute images and have a quickly growing collection of them.  They generously provided the DT with images to use for this challenge and I'm using "Winter Bird Friend."

     I colored with ProMarkers and water colors, then used a die from CUTplorations to cut the image.  I inked the edges and turned it on an angle on a square card.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and inked the edges of it.

     I added the three, sparkly snowflakes and beyond that, left it CAS.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
A Gem of a Challenge
Cutie Pie
Di's Digi Designs
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM
Stamping Sensations

     Please come and play with us this month.  The holidays are behind us (for the most part) and we have time to take a breath before Valentine's Day swoops in and inundates us.  We'd love to be inspired by you and your creations.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Leftovers

     We all have Christmas leftovers, some from the meal we shared, some from the decorating, and some that are still around simply because we haven't recovered adequately after the festivities to take care of them properly.  But I have a great idea.  What if we just made all the leftovers (candy canes, fruitcake, ornaments on the floor because the feline fur babies took them down...) the property (and responsibility) of the elves?  Problem solved!  lol

I decided on bold and bright traditional Christmas colors 

so I could play along in the Color Dare challenge.

     This cute image is from the Progressive challenge at Limited Runs and I used ProMarkers to color it.  I cut it with a scalloped die from Memory Box.  I printed the sentiment and cut it by hand.  I added the red, polka dot ribbon and the white bow with a pearl but left it rather CAS.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Butterfly
Cardz TV
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Hazelnut's
Cupcake Inspirations

Cute N Crafty
Double Trouble
Hiding in My Craft Room
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paper Girls

     BTW, if you need a suggestion, I'm sending all our Christmas leftovers home with the Elf on the Shelf!  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

     I'm wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas.  

     My card today celebrates the day and the blessings of the Christmas season which stretch back hundreds of years, including the era of Charles Dickens, the iconic author who brought us Tiny Tim, Scrooge, and all things Christmas from a classic Victorian period, including carolers in olde London.

     My dear friend and blogging buddy, Christi, sent me these die cut carolers (I don't know who made the dies) and I just had to use them before the rush of Christmas and spending time with family took over.  I thought it would make a perfect post for Christmas Day!

    Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Moments
Cutie Pie
DL.ART
Double D
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Path of Positivity
Whoopsi Daisy

    Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

December Birthdays

     I have a dear friend and a DIL who each have late December birthdays, late enough in the month to get lost in the Christmas rush, so each year I make it a point to do birthday cards for them in addition to the Christmas cards I send.  The friend's birthday is on the 21st (shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere) and this year I used the DT card I did for QKR Stampede as his birthday card.

     Our new challenge starts today and our theme is always "Anything Goes."  I used a QKR image called "Puppy Eyes" and a sentiment called "Dog Years You're Dead."

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then fussy cut it with scissors.  The embossing folder is from Couture Creations ("Tied Together") and I used it on CS which I had already run through my "Linen" folder.  The Happy Birthday at the bottom was made by cutting letters with an alphabet die from Memory Box.  I had to adhere each letter by hand and it took some time to get them lined up as well as they are.  lol

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
That's Crafty!
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Decked Out for Christmas

     Yesterday, when I did an extra QKR Stampede card, I promised you that today your would see my regular, Friday, QKR Stampede DT card and here it is!  Our newest "Anything Goes" challenge starts today so please come and join us.  I used a delightful image from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, called "Christmas Kitties."

     For those of you who don't share your lives with furry felines, you're missing out on the loveliest way to have 'Warm Wishes' - when they cuddle in your lap and snuggle in your bed on cold, winter nights.

I used the colors from Cupcake Inspirations,

red, green, & white.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with an Unbranded die.  I printed and cut the sentiment with another die from that same set.

     I wanted a very simple design, flat and easy to mail, so I mounted both the image and the sentiment on a red card base, then added the narrow, sparkly, ribbon, finishing the wrap around with a bow.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Cute N Crafty
Cutie Pie
Dream Valley
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Simon Says Stamp & Show
SUYP Cats

      I hope we're going to see you come and play with us.  I know Christmas is nearly here but surely you can take a bit of crafty time just for yourself?  You need a break from the hustle and bustle!  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Believe in Angels

     Each year when we would put the angel on the tip of the Christmas tree, I would hear my mom whisper, "I believe in Angels."  Years later, when I had my own home and was decorating my own tree, I heard myself whispering the same thing as I put the angel on the tree.  A tradition was passed down without any of us realizing it at the time.  :-D  So this card is a salute to my mom.  I miss you, Mom.

     The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I colored it with ProMarkers.  I added white Liquid Pearls to their little wings, then cut the image with a scalloped, Tonic Studios die.  I found a scrap piece of plaid paper from a stack by My Favorite Things and it had perfect colors in it to complement the card base and the colors in the image.

     I wanted a CAS design so I added only the bow tie bow at the bottom of the image.  That one was made from the last scrap of that ribbon that I had.

     This card was done as one of three options for a lady who wanted a card with an angel to giver to a friend of hers at Christmas.  You'll see the other two I did in the next few days, both with angels.  The other two are more Christmas-sy but this one could be left on a mantle piece all year round.  :-D

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
A Gem of a Challenge
Catch the Bug
Di's Digi Designs
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
LeAnn's World 101
Pixie's Snippets

     Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Candle Light and Silent Night

     This post is all about the latest challenge which starts today over at Crafting with an Attitude.  As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes" and we have Lemon Shortbread as our fabulous sponsor!  They generously supplied us with images we could use and I fell in love with Candlelight Girl. Candle light at Christmas is probably my favorite thing during the holiday season.

     I think the image may have originally been intended for Halloween but it's so versatile, it worked perfectly for a Christmas card as well.  I think it could make a great birthday card, too.

     I colored with ProMarkers, made the stars with white gel pen, and cut it with a die from Gina Marie.  I used silver ribbon with glittery, silver spots which could be interpreted as winter snowflakes.  Everything went onto a navy blue card front, and I added a tiny, hand tied, bow below the image.  It's pretty CAS but that's what showcased the image.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Cardz TV
Creative Moments
Cute N Crafty Christmas
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Festive Friday
Southern Girls
That's Crafty!
Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie