Down the Aisle

     This sweet image is from Gerda Steiner Designs and is perfect for the upcoming wedding season.  I adore these little gnomes.  :-D  I know gnomes are supposedly only mythological, but if they exist, obviously they get married!  :-D

I used the colors from the challenge at 

House of Cards.

     I colored with  ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  I matted it with red CS to pull out the red in the roses.  The strip of red behind the lace and ribbon is another piece of that same CS even though it looks more pink.   The flowers were in my stash.

     Challenges:
Colour Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
Everybody Art
Gerda Steiner Designs
Get Creative
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp and Show
TTCRD

     I just discovered that I didn't finish this post last night so it didn't get scheduled.  But here it is now and I hope you enjoy.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Prince Charming must be Lost

     When the Outlawz sketch came out last Wednesday, I knew right away I wanted to use it on one of my projects.  I just had to decide what and how.  Then, as I was scrolling through my TLC collection, I found this delightfully funny sentiment and knew exactly how I wanted to put together a card.  And you thought Prince Charming was a myth!  lol

Here's the sketch from Outlawz.

     I started with the paper scraps which were on my crafting table, cutting and trimming them to the sizes I wanted, keeping the sketch in mind.  While I took a couple of liberties, I stayed pretty close to the original this time.  I inked the edges of each piece with a purple ProMarker, setting them off from the lavender and red violet colors.

     I printed out the sentiment image and cut it with a Gina Marie die, then inked the edges of that piece.  I began layering everything together and decided to put them onto an embossed piece of white CS.  I had used my "Linen" embossing folder on several pieces of CS and one of them was still on the desk so I used it.

     I dug out my Nuvo Crystal Drops and added three tiny dots of it to the bottom corner of the gingham check dp.  That was it - almost CAS with all the open space, except for the patterns in the dp.  Still, it's very flat and will mail easily.
   
     Challenges:
Create with TLC
Creative Moments
Dream Valley
Get Creative
Incy Wincy
Paper Girls
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Unicorn

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

B is for Butterfly

     I found a different challenge the other day and made this card from their inspiration 'wheel.'  It's Called Butterfly Challenge and each time they choose as letter from the alphabet and give three color options and three theme options, and you can choose any one color and one theme to combine plus you must use a butterfly.

     I did this card using all the colors and themes: lavender, lemon, & light blue plus lace, layers & letters.  What do you think?

     The quilt die is from Gina Marie and I used it to cut scrap paper from my stash plus light/medium blue and lavender CS.  I used the light blue as the 'frame' then inset the blue and lavender CS pieces.  I filled the remaining spots with the flowery dp.

     I layered white lace onto lemon yellow CS, then added the quilt piece on top.  I printed the sentiment and hand cut it, layering it onto a banner flag.  The final touch was the embroidered butterfly, done in lemon yellow.  It was quite a challenge getting all 7 items but it felt good when I finished and I really love the result.

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Double D
House that Stamps Built
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper Crafty
Scrappy Land
That's Crafty
WordArt Weds.

      I hope you enjoyed my project for today and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Chick

     This darling little chick from Limited Runs is the image for their Progressive Challenge on FB.  Although it isn't necessarily intended to be an Easter image, I thought it would make a really cute Easter card.

     I colored with my ProMarkers, and use a stitched die from CUTplorations.  I matted that by cutting some glittered CS (with great texture!) with a die from Gina Marie.  That piece went onto a turquoise card base, then I added white ribbon and the shiny butterfly, die cut (Cottage Cutz) from stiff taffeta fabric.  It's 3D and adds more great texture.  Rather CAS but easily mailed without bulk or extra postage.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
House that Stamps Built (center column)
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Sisterhood of Crafters
WordArt Weds.

     Halfway through the weekend and I think I can say that the flu is now on the run; I've survived it or beaten it, whichever.  :-D  I have lots of catching up to do before the month runs out so I'm heading back into the craft room.m  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Great Adventures in Reading

     I grew up in a family which treasured reading and one of my great pleasures was reading in bed before lights out.  I can remember asking about going to bed early so that I could read longer.  There were great adventures in those pages!

     However, when I look at this image from Sasayaki Glitter (for their Progressive Challenge) I think there may be Great Adventures in store for her FROM her avid reading.  lol

     I started  by coloring with ProMarkers, then cut the image with one of my Gina Marie dies.  I've used this die set quite a bit recently but it's so versatile and has 3 perfect sizes.  I knew I wanted the card to be completely CAS so I used one of my favorite techniques - die cut and let the die cut be the focus.

     I found a sky blue card base, printed the sentiment, and added both the image piece and the sentiment, then left it alone!

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Crafter's Castle
Crafting from the Heart
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz CAS
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Kickin' Back Fishing Day

     While everyone else in the world was counting crocus buds as the first sign of spring, my dad always said that spring had arrived when you could grab a pole and sneak away for an afternoon of lazy fishing without freezing from sitting still.  :-D  Here's a salute to spring and my dad.

     The image is from Anne Fenton at Anne's Digital Art and is the freebie this month for the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.

     I colored with ProMarkers and cut the image with a pinpoint die from Memory Box.  While the die is a rectangle, it wasn't narrow enough for what I wanted so I cut twice, moving the die to narrow the original cut.

     The "quilting" is cut with a Gina Marie die, cutting two different papers and inlaying them to get the quilt look.  I printed the sentiment, matted it, and added it across the quilting.

     I used three metallic chevrons on each side.  (Secret - but don't tell anyone - those are metallic, self-stick, photo corners!  I don't mount photos anymore but I have a ton of those still in my stash and they make great embellishments for guy cards.)

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Crafter's Castle
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Friends
Dies R Us
Digistamps4Joy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Joy Clair
Sunsational Stamps

     Thanks for visiting and I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Fluffy Cat

     Anyone who looks at the side panel  of my blog can see immediately that I'm a cat lover so you know without any doubt that the image from Limited Runs this month for their FB Progressive Challenge  just tickled me to pieces!  She reminds me of my Honey, all scrunched into a fluffy ball, with tail end twitching, about to pounce on a dust mote or ray of sunshine.  lol

I started with the color combo from House of Cards.

     I colored her with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  However, that Chain Link die is actually a rectangle so I had to cut twice, adjusting the placement for the second cut, to make it square.

     The two pieces of dp were scraps in my stash and came from a "Linen Closet" stack by DCWV.  The dp is embossed and glittery.  No matter how I tried to photograph it, I got a shiny glare from the embossing on the upper piece.  Apologies.

     I added sheer ribbon and a silver bow for a bit of texture and dimension, then left it alone.  I wanted the image to be the focus, not the embellishments.  :-D

     Challenges:
Color Inspiration Mon.
Crafting from the Heart
Get Creative
Outlawz Color Tues.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     OK, I'm off to bed.  Instead of this being a pre-scheduled post, I'm actually awake at nearly 3:00 in the morning and I really need to go to sleep.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Loving Bunnies

     One more card which I'm using as a Valentine but which has great general appeal as well.  This is the image for the Progressive Challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs.

I used the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2,

flipping it top to bottom.

     I started by coloring the bunnies with ProMarkers, then I fussy cut them and added a hot pink CS mat which is also fussy cut.  I used my newest Gina Marie quilt die to cut 4 different paper scraps and mounted the image (using Pop Dots) on top of the quilt design. 

     I chose a soft pink CS for the background, cut it to size for the A2 card, and wrapped sheer, golden ribbon around it before adding the quilted design with image.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied a bow from some pink lace. adding it above the sheer ribbon.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp

     That's all I have for today but I love that you stopped by.  Browse around, leave a comment if you wish, and enjoy your day.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wanna Be Your Valentine

     Well, today has certainly gotten away from me.  I fully intended to post this much earlier in the day and here it is after the supper hour!  I didn't get it finished until an hour or so ago.  Not that it matters.  Worst case is those who follow me may not see it until tomorrow and then they'll get to see two posts the same day.  Not the first time for that on my blog.  :-D

     This one is another Valentine and I used an image from Lemon Shortbread, one of my favorite places to play in challenges.

I started by using the sketch at The Outlawz

turned on end to better fit the shape of my image.

     I colored it with my ProMarkers, and added little red hearts to the stars to make it feel more like a Valentine.  The sentiment was printed at the same time as the image.  I cut the image piece with a pinpoint,rectangle die from Memory Box.

    The framing piece was cut from some Neenah Products dp with a Gina Marie die.  Everything was put onto a deep, burgundy card base.  I used one of my tiny, hand-sewn, bows which I make up by the dozens and toss into my stash for future use.  I have come tot he point where I only make them from white satin ribbon and then I use markers to "dye" them the colors I want for a particular card.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Cuttlebug Mania
House that Stamps Built
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land

     Better late than never!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Feed the Snowmouse

     Today I have the honor of being a Guest Designer for the next two Sundays at the CAS challenge at The Outlawz.  Today we have a theme of "Anything Snow Related." I chose this darling House Mouse image as the focus of my card.

     It's a pretty simple design because this is the Clean and Simple challenge, calling for lots of open white space.

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image, adding a touch of white gel ink for highlights.  I cut the image with a Gina Marie "Chain Link" die.  I mounted that piece onto an embossed card front (used my "Linen" folder) and then started looking through my ribbon stash.  I found two different sheer blue ribbons and used one to wrap the card front and the other to tie a quadruple loop bow.  That was it - done!

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Addicted to Stamps
Angie's Digital Stamps
Crafty Sentiments
Cutie Pie
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Stamping Sensations
TTCRD
Unicorn

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Invite the Cat

     I know a good many of you have homes which are graced (?) by cats and at least some of you banish the cats to the outdoors when you have the house all dressed up for a party.  But I want to share with you what happens at my house when you don't invite the cat(s) to the birthday party!

     The image is from Bugaboo Stamps in honor of Day 4 of their week-long, 8th Birthday Celebration.  The theme over there today is Bingo and I used Funny Sentiment/Bugaboo image/ Die or Punch.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut the frame for the image with a Gina Marie die.  I used that same die to cut the green background paper, then inserted the image and frame into window cut.  I backed that with yellow dp and added the yellow baker's twine. That went onto the card front, leaving a white border all the way around.  I used a ProMarker to 'dye' the satin bow the exact color I wanted.

     The "Party Time" is embossed with white EP and the sentiment below the image is printed and hand cut.  I added three, tiny, yellow, pearls below the upper sentiment.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Moments
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats
Word Art Weds.

     Thanks for stopping by.  I'll see you tomorrow with another Catch the Bug birthday card.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"Never Forget" Belated Birthday

     I know the title of this post is a complete contradiction but I'm using this card for a birthday which I did forget so...  The cute little elephant is an image from Dragon's Lair January Progressive challenge

     I colored with my ProMarkers, then cut the image with a square die from QuicKutz.  The two rectangular pieces of dp are cut with Chain Link dies from Gina Marie.  Both of those papers are from SU.

     The card front is dry embossed with a bamboo embossing folder.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, inked the edge, and mounted it onto the card front.  Because this is a masculine birthday card, I did no fru-fru embellishing.

     Challenges:
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     I'm off to get this into the mail so that it won't be any later reaching the recipient.  Bad enough that I forgot to get the card made in time for it to arrive on his birthday!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Merry Cat-mas

     Here's my card for the sketch challenge at Catch the Bug's Holiday Chaos.  I'll show you a picture of the sketch below but I turned it a quarter turn so that it worked better with the shape of my image.

     The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I colored it with my ProMarkers, then added glitter to the snow and a touch of Glossy Accents to the white parts of the Santa hat.  I cut the image with a die from Gina Marie Dies.

     I used a red card base, added two different papers, one with handwritten text and the other embossed with a striped folder from Sizzix.  I cut the sentiment with a die from QuicKutz and added it to the embossed paper.  I dug out three tiny, red, buttons and a black bow for embellishments.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Cardmakers
Cuttlebug Mania
Glitter n Sparkle
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Happiest Thanksgiving to all my Blogland Friends

and Thank You for all your support and visits!

Image by TLC Creations.

Blessings.  NanaConnie

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Moments

Frilly and Funky

Scrappy Land

Sisterhood of Crafters

Poinsettia Garden

     I love this angelic snowman tending his lovely Poinsettia garden.  With that capital "P" on Poinsettia, can you tell it's another card for the Month of Holidays at Beccy's Place?  Yep, today we are to use the letter "P."

     I colored with my ProMarkers, and added glittery gel ink to the snowflake halo and used dots of Wink of Stella on the Poinsettia centers.  I cut the image with a stitched die from CUTplorations and then framed it with another die cut (Gina Marie Dies.)  I mounted the image piece onto Pop Dots before layering it onto the frame and then put that entire thing onto a lime green card base.  The sentiment was computer printed, hand cut, and added to the image piece.  Aside from the dimension (which doesn't show too well in the photo), it's a fairly CAS card.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
A Perfect Time to Craft
Beccy's Place
CCC Digi
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's Extra
Crea Chicky's 
Create with TLC 
Stempelsonnen
World Wide DT Open

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Icicles

     Yep, it's another card for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and today is the letter "I" so I opted for Icicles as my theme.  I chose to use Beccy's lovely family of snow people.

     I colored them with my ProMarkers, Inked the background, then cut them with a die from Gina Marie.  I printed the sentiment and cut it with another die from that same Gina Marie set.  I mounted those onto an Ice Blue card base.

     I cut the Icicles by hand from glittered CS and added them across the top of the card.  Finally,  I added three snowflakes, two silver and one Iridescent white, each with a gemstone.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More
Beccy's Place
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Ike's World
Kraftin' Kimmie
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
Sisterhood of Crafters

     I have cards made up through the letter L and hope to work on more of the alphabet over the weekend.  I know this month is going to get crazy with Thanksgiving right around the corner so I'm trying to get as many cards as possible done ahead for Beccy's alphabet challenges.  See you tomorrow with two posts, one of which will be my QKR Stampede DT card.  Come check them out.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Baby, It's Cold Outside

     Another day of participating in the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and the alphabet letter today is "C."  I decided that a good Cold snowman would be perfect so used one of Beccy's wonderful snowmen.

     I colored with Copics (the blues) and ProMarkers (the greens), then die cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  The die in the set was wider than I needed so I did two cuts, adjusting the placement of the die to where I needed it for the second cut.  I did the same thing with the sentiment, using a smaller die from that same Gina Marie set.

     I fully intended to make this a really CAS (another "C"!) design, using only the image and the sentiment.  But that gorgeous, sparkly ribbon was lying on my crafting desk, begging to be used, and the silver color added to the "cold" idea so I added a strip of it.  Then it seemed to need a bow so I tied a variation of my standard bow tie bows.  But the only ribbon I had was white so I used a ProMarker to 'dye' it green.

     I resisted any further embellishment so I guess it's still a bit CAS compared to others I do with lots of flowers or die cut embellies.  At least there's lots of open space left, even if it's turquoise instead of white.  But I started with a colored card base so there never would have been any "white" space, regardless.  :-D

     Challenges:
Beccy's Place
Card Mania
Ching-Chou Kuik
Craft-Dee Bowz
Crafts Galore Encore
Crea Chicky's
Creatalicious
Do-Al(l) Kreatives
Not Just Cards
Stempelsonnen

     OK, I think three posts in one day is probably enough and I promise, while there may be other days this month with 2 posts, I think this is the last 3-post-day!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Under A Spell

     Once more, I'm sharing a card using one of the Sasayaki Glitter Progressive Challenge images over on their FB page.  I've been really consistent in playing in the FB progressive challenges and don't want to miss any of them.  :-D

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a die from Gina Marie.  I printed the sentiment and cut it with a die from Die-namics. 

     While I was trying to decide what I was going to do design-wise, I ran across some scraps of burlap in my stash which I had originally cut for some fall cards last year.  I had scraps in green, beige, red, and dark brown and thought I'd combine the green and brown as background for this card.  Since the green scrap was already a wonky shape, I pulled a few more threads from it to accentuate the 'shabby' look, then did the same with the brown scrap, after which I layered them onto each other on the card front.

     I added the image piece, then some ribbon with spiders and webs, and on top of that, I added the sentiment piece.  A hand-tied bow made from sheer orange ribbon (with a black fringed edging) made a perfect embellishment, standing alone for great dimension and texture.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
A Vintage Journey
Colour Crazy
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Catz
Creative Fingers
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles
Sasayaki Glitter

     That's what I have for you this morning.  I'm planning a half-day of laundry, house cleaning, and grocery shopping, then I'm diving into the craft room for the rest of the weekend to work on some DT cards for November and December.  Maybe I'll find time for one or two cards to post next week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Kitty Noel

     Let me tell you a Christmas story.  Once Upon a Time there was a baby kitten who was born on a cold, December night and the family promptly dubbed him "Noel" and wrapped him in a Santa cap to keep him warm.  For all their good intentions, Noel turned out to be a female but the family kept the name, changing the pronunciation to the more feminine "NoEl" and loved the bright orange fur ball just as much as ever, despite the fact that she pulled ornaments off the tree at every opportunity.

     Here's her portrait, caught red handed (red-pawed?) with the ornament in her grasp.  :-D

     Colored with pencils and ProMarkers, then cut with a Gina Marie die.  Papers from my Christmas stash and I have no idea how long I've had them but more than 4 years, I guarantee it.

     I double wrapped narrow, green ribbon around the Noel paper and tied a double loop bow.

     Challenges:
Christmas with the Cuties
Crafting with an Attitude
Inspiration Destination
Lemon Shortbread
Merry Monday Christmas
Outlawz Festive Friday
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Keep Your Chin Up

    The card I'm sharing today is made with all my East Texas and Florida friends in mind.  I thought they all could do with a bit of humor in their lives right now.  :-D  We're praying for all of you every day and acknowledge you for your strength and bravery in the face of horrendous hurricanes.

I did my best to use all the colors from

The Colour Sisters.

     I colored this image (Bugaboo Stamps) with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a Gina Marie Designs die.  I found the plaid dp in my stash and used it for the full background.  I wrapped a strip of gray-blue lace around it before adhering it to the card front.

     I had a scrap of yellow leaves dp left over from an earlier project so matted it with dark gray CS and layered it onto the card front.  Next came the image piece, two strips of orange dp and the sentiment.  The final touch was the bow, dyed golden orange with a marker.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Allsorts
A Perfect Time to Craft
Bugaboo Crafty
Card Mania
Catch the Bug
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's PP
Hiding in My Craft Room

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie