Nutcrackers

      Conie Fong has a new image set, released just this week and perfect for Christmas.  It's a fabulous set of Nutcrackers which includes a King, a Soldier, and a Drummer.  Click on the word "Nutcrackers" in the previous sentence and that will take you right to them in store.  They are so perfect and I went a little crazy making DT projects with them.  :-D

     I started with this card, using the Nutcracker King image.  He's colored with Sanjoki markers, then cut with a Tonic Studios die.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder on a scrap of CS (Stampin' Up) to make the blue panel, then cut the snowflakes with dies from Impression Obsession.  They have glitter added to them for a tiny bit of sparkle but it just doesn't show up in the photo.  The Noel sentiment was cut with a Die-Versions die.  The final touch was the hand-sewn, satin bow with a pearl.

     Challenges:

     Feeling that the other two Nutcracker images shouldn't be left out, and because my daughter collects nutcrackers as Christmas decorations and displays, I made a two-sided, tree ornament for her.  Both images were colored with Sanjoki markers, then I cut each one with the same Spellbinders die.  

 

     After cutting the images with that die, I cut 7 more of that shape from plain white CS.  I sandwiched all those layers together using double stick tape to make the ornament thick and heavy, and added a scrap of ribbon as the hanger.  (Note: As an afterthought, after the photos had been taken, I applied Mod Podge to both sides and along the edges of the ornament, letting it dry between applications.  It's now very sturdy and can be used year after year.)

     These snowflakes were cut with a die from Cottage Cuts.  Here are photos of both sides of the ornament.

Drummer

 

Soldier

     Challenges:

     Don't forget that we have a monthly challenge going over on the Conie Fong Facebook site with an Anything Goes theme.  All you have to do is use a Conie Fong image (there are freebies available on the site which you can download and use.)  Or, if you've fallen in love with the Nutcrackers, you can pick up all 3 of them in the set for only $4.00!  Again, all you have to do is click on the word "Nutcrackers" in the first paragraph of this post and that link will take you right to them in the Etsy store.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Pumpkin Patch

      If Linus (from the Peanuts cartoon) plans on sitting in his pumpkin patch this Halloween, waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive, he's apt to run into this adorable witch from Star Stampz.  This is another of those images I had printed last fall which then ended up in a folder waiting to be colored.
     

     So, I grabbed my Sanjoki markers, colored the image, and then cut it with a stitched die from Memory Box.  The background haunted house dp (Paper Pizazz) was a scrap I had on hand, and I cut a crescent out of the image piece with a smaller die from that same Memory Box set of dies.  I chose one which had a round shape because I wanted to cut away enough of the image so that the haunted house would show but not ruin the image.  Cutting a crescent fit the bill perfectly.  

     The orange strip down the left side is actually a scrap of fall ribbon and the bats were cut with dies from Impression Obsession.  The sentiment was printed and fussy cut.

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time

Archi-scraps

Classic Design

Creatalicious

Mirtillamente

Morgan's ArtWorld
Outside the Box

SheepSki Designs (Halloween is definitely a fav!)

Two Old Bats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

All About the Boos

      I'm so excited about something new going on in my life which is actually a return to something old.  A few years back, I was a DT member at Through the Craft Room Door.  Back then, they were a weekly challenge and now they have changed to a fortnightly (every 2 weeks) challenge but the theme is always Anything Goes.  Recently, they had a DT call and I asked if it was possible for me to return to the team and they graciously said "Yes."  :-D

     So, this is my first DT card since returning to the DT at TTCRD (much easier to type!) and our sponsor this fortnight is Oddball Art.  The prize is a $10 voucher to the store.  The image I used is called "Penelope 3" but the sentiment and the spider actually came from a different Oddball Art set (which I can't find in the store so it may have been retired. ;-( )  I thought they were perfect for making the Penelope image into one for Halloween so I merged them before I printed the image.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a QuicKutz die.  The purple CS diamond shape and the orange CS were cut with another QuicKutz die.  The purple piece was turned 1/4 turn and the corners were trimmed off at the edges of the card front.  The pumpkins were cut with an Impression Obsession die, and the bats came from a Die-Versions die set.  The black ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the bow was double loop bow was tied with my bow maker.

This is also my Day 11 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     

     Challenges:

Classic Design

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Friends

Creative Fingers

Gem of a Challenge

LeighSB 31 Days

Pattie's Creations

There's a Stamp ...

     I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge this time around.  Remember, it's Anything Goes so how can you not have something to enter?   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Ghostly Halloween

      Over at the Outlawz Progressive Challenge this month, we were given a Ghost image from Oddball Art and, at first, I envisioned a very CAS card featuring just the ghost against a dark background.  But, as you can see, my creative muse led me off that path onto something completely different.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color the cute ghost, then fussy cut it with scissors.  I pulled paper scraps from the Halloween box, cut strips from 3 of them, and used those for the background.  I also gathered up all my scraps of black CS to start cutting the various bits and pieces which make up the overall Halloween scene.

     The tree was cut with a die from Die-Versions.  The haunted house was cut with a Cuts die, and the large bat above the tree was cut with an Impression Obsession die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The ghost was popped up on dimensional dots and tucked into the house to look like he was rising from one of the upstairs rooms.

     Finally, I added one of my hand-sewn, signature bows with a pearl.

This is also my Day 7 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Creative Knockouts

Double D

LeighSB 31 Days

Paperbabe

Paper Funday

Paper Shelter

Snippets Playground

Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mummy Wants Candy

      I've been digging through an old set of manila folders I found stashed in a box and one of them held Halloween images which were waiting to be colored.  The one I used for this card had a notation on the back which said "Meljen's" so I'm assuming she was the artist.  I know her store closed a few years back and, unfortunately, that's one of the artists whose images I lost when my thumb drive crashed 2 years ago.  I'm heartbroken over losing her images.

     I love this mummy with his jack-o-lantern candy bucket, trotting off for a night of Trick or Treat.  Every kid knows that's the best way to celebrate the night on Halloween!

     I colored him with ProMarkers, then cut him with a Tutti Designs stitched circle die.  The spider webs were cut with a die from Memory Box.  I hate to admit how many years I had that die and never used it, but it's been used now.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die and the bat in the top corner was cut with an Impression Obsession die.

This is also my Day 4 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Country View Craft

Crafty Friends

LeighSB 31 Days

Mirtillamente

Morgan's ArtWorld

Outside the Box

Simon Says Stamp

Taylormadecards ...

The Four Seasons

     That's all I have for today but since I'm playing in a 31 Days of Halloween challenge or two, I think I may have a post each day this month.  Feels like old times when I regularly posted every day.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

When Witches Fly

      I'm a total fan of Beccy's Place images and love trying new things with them.  I've used this fun flying witch silhouette (which may now be retired since I can't find it in the store) several times but this is the first time I've fussy cut it with scissors and used it with various Halloween die cuts.

     I printed the silhouette on white CS, then cut it with small scissors, leaving a very narrow, white rim around the witch.  That helped her to stand out from the background.  The background was done with water colors.  The moon and the two largest bats on the moon were cut with a die from Die-Versions.  The smallest bat on the moon and the 2 in the sky were cut using an Impression Obsession die.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die.  I used a gray ProMarker to make the shadows on the moon.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Di's Digi Designs

Double Trouble

Friendship

Happy Little ...

Incy Wincy

Outlawz Monday

Polkadoodles

Two Old Bats

     Have a spooky day!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Waiting for the Witch

      Another Halloween card today and this one was made specifically for a neighbor and friend who brought the silhouette image to me, asking me to create a card for her to give to her young grandson.  It was on plain white paper when I received it.  The image may have been done with a stencil but I'm basing that on nothing more than the way the ink was applied to the image.  It may well have been a rubber stamp with ink blotted on the lighter side.  All I really know is that the ink was very, very dry when she brought it over and it didn't smear when I used alcohol markers on it.

     I colored the sky and the cat's eyes with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut the image using a Spellbinders die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The little pumpkins were cut with a die from Impression Obsession and the moon was done with a Die-versions die.  The bats on the moon are part of that Die-versions die.  Everything was put on a black CS background.

     Since the card is for a boy, I left it very CAS - no ribbons, no sparkle, no gems, no bows.

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Friendship

Happy Little Stampers

Paperbabe

The Four Seasons

This is Halloween

Two Old Bats

World Wide Open

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Laughing with Dragonflies

      Yesterday I saw a post on one of the blogs I follow (Her Peaceful Garden) and Janis had shared about a new challenge blog she'd discovered, Paper Dragonfly, where entries must feature Dragonflies (and follow a theme.)  Janis shared that she wasn't crazy about crawly bugs of any kind, nor did she much like dragonflies, but she did have a dragonfly die she wanted to use so she made a card and shared about the challenge.  Thanks, Janis, for the information and the inspiration!

     I dug out three different dragonfly dies from my stash (Impression Obsession, Cutz, and Memory Box), and got to work cutting scrap bits of dp and CS, plus some glitter CS.  (I chose icy blue and white papers for the Winter Dragonflies theme at the Paper Dragonfly challenge.)  I have a little basket of paper scraps sitting on my desk with left over pieces from all the cards I've created in the last six months.  I've been digging through it, using up whatever I can, and everything on this card came out of that basket.

     Even the sentiment had previously been stamped onto a scrap but not used, so it ended up in the basket.  Talk about serendipity!  :-D

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Creative Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Outlawz PAM

Paperbabe

Paper Dragonfly

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Vintage Christmas Gnome

      My first post today was for the letter "U" and now this one is for the letter "V" at the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place.  My "V"s are: Very Vintage, Vermilion, & Verdigris.  

      The little gnome is from Beccy's Place and I colored with ProMarkers, adding a few highlights with gel pens.  I cut the shape with scissors so that I could pop him up on dimensional tape.  Once that was done, I dug through my scrap basket and found bit and pieces which I could cut with dies.  I cut a larger piece of white CS with a framing die from Amy Design.  The glittery poinsettia pieces were cut with Impression Obsession dies from silver and gold scraps.

     The red plaid dp is a scrap from Graphic 45 and I added spots of Stickles to it for s little sparkle.  The larger green dp is a scrap of 12 x 12 paper by K & Co.  I printed and fussy cut the sentiment.

     This card is going to a very special friend of mine who dearly loves anything and everything vintage.  :-D

     Challenges:

ABC Christmas

Christmas Kickstart

Christmas w Cuties

Double D

Paperminutes

Pixie's Snippets

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

     That's all I have until late tonight.  Come play in the daily challenges at Beccy's Place.  The 30 Days of Holidays are almost over.  :-D  NanaConnie

Fox for Halloween

      One of the best things about celebrating Halloween is getting to see all the adorable costumes that the kids wear.  This image from Kinda Cute is the freebie for their Progressive Challenge this month.  Isn't it darling?

      I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a CUTplorations stitched die.  The Trick or Treat  was cut from a scrap of black CS and the die is from Impression Obsession.  The spider web was cut with a Memory Box die and the bats came from a Die-versions die.  The sentiment was cut with n Avery Elle die.

      I left it as simple as possible so that it would be flat for mailing by adding all the elements to a brown card front.  For you purists who believe that open space must be white in order for something to be CAS, you'll be disappointed by this card, but I think the brown adds an autumn flavor and make the little fox pop..  :-D

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Di's Digi Designs

Outlawz PAM

Outside the Box

Simon Says Stamp

     I hope your weekend is going great and that you find lots of "me" time.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Broom Ride

      I'm still doing Halloween cards, even though I seem to be balancing each one with a Christmas card for the stash.  The image I used today is a digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil and I don't think I've ever used it in all the time it's been in my collection.  But it's adorable, was fun to color, and made a delightful card.  :-D

     I merged the sentiment before printing, then used my ProMarkers to color the image.  I cut it with  pinpoint, circle die from Dare 2B Artzy, which I also used to cut the circle in each of the two blck and orange CS pieces.  I inlaid the image into the background.

     I added other die cuts for embellishment; bats cut with an Impression Obsession die, and the house cut with a die from Cuts.  All of those were cut from small bits and pieces of scrap papers.  Finally, I used one of my signature, hand-sewn bows which was white ribbon before I 'dyed' it with a ProMarker.

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Dare 2B Artzy (used a die)

Gem of a Challenge

Ike's World

Lil Patch of ...

Pixie's Snippets

Stamping Sensations

Taylormadecards...

Two Old Bats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Summer Rays

     Our latest monthly challenge has started over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and I have to announce that it is also the last challenge after nearly 5 years.  I really hate to see it close, but unless someone steps forward and is willing to take it over, when this challenge finishes on September 25th, it will be the last one.

     Our theme has always been "Anything Goes with a Featured Critter" but that could be changed if someone else wants to take over.  We've had sponsors each month and that, too, could be changed.

     One of our first sponsors was QKR Stampede and they are our last sponsor as well.  They have the most adorable images, many of them available in both digi and rubber stamps.  I chose one called "Basking" and I just love the idea of a rooster soaking up the last rays of summer even if it means a bit of sunburn.  :-D

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut with a pinpoint die from Dare 2B Artzy.  The green dp square was cut with a QuicKutz die, and then I cut the center of it with the same Dare 2B Artzy die and inlaid the image cut into that piece.

     The sunshine dp was also a scrap from the basket.  It had been in there so long, I was pretty sure it would never get used but it was too big to throw away.  This seemed the perfect card for it.  :-D  I tied a bow tie bow from satin ribbon; printed the sentiment and cut it with an Impression Obsession die.  It's CAS enough to work as a masculine card.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Moments

Dare 2B Artzy

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Dragonfly Dreams

Outlawz Greetings

     I hope you'll come and play with us in what may be our last challenge.  Or maybe you'll be the one to decide to take it over and keep it going.  Many on the team are more than willing to stay and all will be most helpful.  If you have any interest, please email 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  Here's the address:  2craftycrittercrazies@gmail.com

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sky's the Limit!

     It was wonderful to receive the freebie image for the May Progressive challenge at Imagine That!  It meant I was back as one of the participants over there and that made me feel that things were definitely getting back to 'normal.'  :-D

     I thought this would be perfect for an encouragement card or just to let someone know I was thinking about them.

I based this on the sketch from The Outlawz.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w QuicKutz oval die

Polka dot dp - DCWV scrap

Flags cut w IO die

Flags colored w watercolors

Metal brads & gray pearls

     Challenges:

Addicted to CAS

Colour Crazy

Crafter's Castle

Crafty Calendar

Di's Digi Designs

Outlawz Festive Fri

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gardening Girl

      My second post of the day but that's what happens on the first of the month.  This post is for QKR Stampede and our new challenge starts today.  I've been with the QKR DT since 2015 and I absolutely adore their images and those of our sister company, Eureka Stamps.  I've showcased more than 200 images and, so far, haven't duplicated anything.  That means there are a huge number of stamps available in the shop.  The image I used today is from QKR Stampede and it's called "Gardening Girl."

     BTW, QKR Stamps are a terrific bargain.  They come in both digis and rubber and the digis sell for $2.00 each while the rubber stamps range from $3.00 up to the mid- $4.00.  When is the last time you bought a rubber stamp for $3.00?  Incredible!  And they are all so cute.  :-D

Colored w ProMarkers

Image cut w Spellbinders die

Sentiment printed & cut w IO die

Edges inked w ProMarker

Card base is shiny, metallic CS

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Die Cut Divas 

   (Uneven Edge (on the die cut)/Friendship/Flowers)

Dies R Us

Double Trouble

Gem of a Challenge

Incy Wincy

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

     We'd love to see you playing in our QKR Stampede challenge.  Don't forget, our theme is always "Anything Goes."  You may use any image from any company but if you do use something from QKR (or our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go into a separate draw just for those who used QKR/Eureka and that increases your chances of winning by a huge margin!    See you there.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ain't No Sunshine...

      This image took me quite a while to color but that was because I had to take several rest breaks during the process.  I've had a couple of 'not-so-good' days with low oxygen levels and a bit of dizziness now and then but I did manage to get this card finished.

     The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I think she's just adorable!  In my part of the world, we're wishing we had rain instead of the drought conditions we've had most of the winter and the short bit of spring so far.

I was inspired by the sketch from The Outlawz

although you can see I twisted it a bit.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w QuicKutz dies

Frame dp is a scrap

Flag pieces cut w Impression Obsession dies

Metal Brads

     I also decorated the inside:

Umbrella cut w Spellbinders die

     Challenges:

Catch the Bug

Crafter's Castle

Crafty Creations

Crafty Gals Corner

Paper Funday

Paper Shelter

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Taylormade...

Word Art Weds

     I'm keeping this short because I'm ready to rest again.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sketch for Holiday Chaos Week

      Here's my second post this morning and it's a short one because I want to get back to the craft room to work on cards for the rest of the week.  There will be another day (maybe even two) with double posts because I have DT projects to show off during the week, too.  

     Today at Catch the Bug's Holiday Chaos we have sketch to follow:

Here's what I did with it using a Reindeer Silhouette from Bugaboo Stamps.

Silhouette is fussy cut & mounted on sky blue paper

Papers are from the scrap basket

Poinsettia pieces cut w Impression Obsession die

"Noel" sentiment cut w Die-Versions

     Challenges:

Christmas w Cuties

Crafty Gals Corner

Lemon Shortbread

Lil Patch of...

Outlawz PAM

Paper Girls

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"W" Means Wreath

      Beccy's Place 30 Days of Christmas is getting down to the last of the alphabet prompts and this is the last post I had pre-scheduled so we'll see what happens with the other 2 or 3.  I may run out of days to get them posted since today is already the 29th and I have DT cards to post on the 1st.

      In any case, this one is for "W" and I used: Wreath (Beccy's image), White, and Winter flowers (die cut poinsettias.)

Colored w/ ProMarkers

Cut w Sizzix die

Sentiment cut w/ Die-Versions die

Poinsettias cut w/ combo of dies by 

   Impression Obsession & Dee's Distinctively

Gold & Silver glitter paper

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Colour Crazy

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Fri

Outlawz Greetings

Polkadoodles

TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Spooky Night

      I was in the mood to clear the clutter off my crafting table and got a good start by grabbing the "round file" and scooping tiny scraps into it.  Then I found some larger scraps and didn't want to toss them out because, who knows, they might be exactly what I needed for a particular size die.  I debated that with myself for a minute and then decided to prove to my "toss everything" side just how valuable they could be.  Next thing you know I was making this Halloween card and everything on it was cut from a left over scrap, including the orange background.  :-D  

      BTW, my craft table still needs to be cleared off !

     Dies I used:  1. Tree/Fence/Cat - Die-Versions; 2. Flying Witch - Yvonne Creations; 3. Bats - Impression Obsession; 4.  Moon - QuicKutz    Some pieces were cut more than once in order to add a different color to one part of the die cut, e.g. the cat, the witch's hat, and the straw of the broom.  The tree/fence piece has an embossed 'waffle pattern' texture though it's a bit hard to see in the photo.

• Challenges
• Bastel-Traum
• Cardz TV
• Crafter's Cafe
• Dies R Us
• Di's Digi Designs
• Double D
• Pixie's Snippets
• Scribbles Designs
• Simon Says Stamp
• SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Firefly Night

     My apologies again for another late post but it's been quite a weekend with my grandson in the ICU with diabetes-related problems and blogging just wasn't my priority.  Things are better and thank you for your prayers.

     This morning, I want to share with you a DT card I did for Pammie's Inky Pinkies using a cute image from our sponsor, Star Stampz, called "Fireflies."

Colored w water colors & pencils
Glitter on the fireflies
Cut w Unbranded, stitched die
Gold glitter-paper frame
Gold sparkly ribbon
White signature bow w pearl
Sentiment cut w Impression Obsession die

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Moments
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scribbles Designs
Simon Says Stamp
World Wide Open

     I hope we're going to see you at our challenge this week.  Always "Anything Goes" and you can enter up to 3 times.  We love being inspired by your creations.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Set Your Goals High

     I have two posts today and this is the first.  I hope you'll come by later this morning to see my second post featuring another card for the Christmas in July event I'm following all this week.

     This morning I have a delightful inspiration card as my DT post for the mid-month reminder at Jan's Digi Stamps.  I've used a perfect summer-y (or fall) image called "Boy Climbing Tree" and the sentiment is also from that set.  I think this is a magnificent image for a masculine card.  :-D

Colored w ProMarkers and pencil
Cut with QuicKutz die
Vertical strip done w watercolors
Butterfly cut w Impression Obsession die
CAS design to go w masculine theme

     Challenges:
Butterfly (apricot & aquamarine)
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Cutie Pie
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Funday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     You still have time to come play in our "Anything Goes" challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps which runs until Sunday, August 2nd.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie