Gathering Acorns

     I just noticed there's a new challenge on the FB page for AuroraWings and their theme is "Holiday Sprites."  I love this little Acorn Sprite but have never used it before so I decided on Thanksgiving as my holiday.

I chose to use the sketch from STAMPlorations

and took my colors from the Friday Coloring challenge at The Outlawz.

  

     The Acorn Sprite is colored with my ProMarkers, then die cut with a die from QuicKutz.  The papers are from my stash and the yellow paper is embossed with Swiss Dots.  The sentiment is computer printed and matted with CS.  The "Thankful" sentiment is hand-printed on woodgrain paper, mounted on chipboard, and cut with a banner die.  Finally, I added a bow, the flower (punched pieces layered together with a gem), and the three gems below the bottom sentiment.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiran
Corrosive Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Fingers
Creative Moments
Di's Digi Designs (top row)
DL.ART
DRS Designs
Fussy and Fancy
Inspiration Destination
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lacy Sunshine (top row)
Love to Scrap
Morgan's ArtWorld
Not Just Cards
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrapper's Delight
Stamping Boutique

     I'm getting toward the end of my Thanksgiving cards but still have a few to share.  Many of mine will have to be in the mail by mid-week if they are to arrive at their destinations on time.  I hope your crafting time isn't suffering from all the necessary holiday prep and that you're enjoying your weekend.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Alice in Halloween-land

     I had some wonderful inspiration for this card, not the least of which are some early childhood memories of Halloween and costumes.  Once I was beyond the age where my mom chose my costumes and dressed me for Halloween Trick or Treating, my first demand for a costume was to be Alice in Wonderland.  Don't ask me why -- my First Grader's thought process is not part of my memory.

     But my mother dutifully sewed an "Alice" costume for me from some blue and yellow fabrics she had on hand (no, there weren't any costume stores back in those days - we made our own.)   The following year, I still wanted to be Alice and fortunately, the costume still fit, although it was a bit short.  By Third Grade, when I wanted to be Alice again, my mom had to let out a couple of seams and add a ruffle to the hem so that the jumper would be long enough.  And there it ended.  By Fifth Grade, I'd had a growth spurt and no amount of costume alteration would let me wear it one more time.  But I still remember my first costume and whenever someone mentions Alice in Wonderland, I always think of Halloween.  Probably nobody else associates those two things, but I do.

     So this card, with a great "Alice" image by Rick St, Dennis, is a salute to childhood Halloween, even if it's done in the blue and yellow of my first costume instead of the traditional Halloween colors.  :-D

     I colored her with my ProMarkers but the background behind her is done with powdered chalks, applied with a cotton swab.  This is my second attempt at doing black hair and, while it's better than my first attempt, I still have lots to learn.  Practice, practice, practice.  :-D

     The scallops are done with a border die from Cheery Lynn and because they are a separate piece, I had to adhere them to the sides of the rectangles.  I added the sentiment and then left it alone to show off those wonderful scallops.

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations
Chalk n Stock
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Inspiration Destination
Jo's Scrap Shack
My Time to Craft
Outlawz Coloring Friday
Rick St. Dennis Progressive
Stamping Boutique
Wags n Whiskers
WordArt Weds.

     OK, enjoy your day and Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie