The Tattered Wanderer

      Things have gotten hectic around here and it's all thanks to my daughter!  She has set up two additional events for us as vendors of the gnomes and critters I've been making and suddenly our first event is now exactly 1 month away.  Yikes!  So, I've been making more gnomes and angels and I'm sharing with you the most recent ones.

     This delightful guy is a wanderer, a fine gnome gent who loves all things found in the woodlands, including the occasional bramble bush.  Hence, his clothing is a bit tattered around the edges but the stories he can share with all the ladybugs and butterflies!

     This guy is wearing my first pair of small gnome boots.  I had made one other pair for my largest gnome a couple of months ago and I tried to make them the same way but with a significant reduction in size.  I took them down from about 4" long to 1.3" or so from heel to toe.  They were made from scratch using cardboard and corks.

     I also made an angel using nothing but bookmark tassels and glitter foam, plus a large bead for her head.  These go fairly quickly (now that I have the "how to" part figured out) and I have materials to make another dozen or so.  Overall, they are about 4.5", not including the hanger cord.

     That's it for now.  Hopefully, I'll find a bit of breathing room when I can do some additional posts here on the blog but I'm really under the gun to get lots of things created so that we'll have enough stock to make the craft show events worthwhile.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tree Topper Angel

     I'm so excited to share this beautiful angel tree topper which was made completely from things in our crafting stash, no cash outlay at all.  I say "our" stash because this this is yet another collaboration with my sis-in-law, Lainy.  

     She did the majority of the hands-on work on this doll, painting it completely including the face, designing and arranging the hair, and adding all the little embellishment bits.  My stash supplied all the 'fabrics', including laces, tassels, ribbon, trims, and even the cardboard used to make a cone shape under the skirt.  The wings were made from lace which was painted and glittered after it was shaped into wings.  The paint helped to hold the shape after it dried.

     Just so you can appreciate the amount of time it took to complete the angel, a good week was spent on the project, working every day and letting things dry completely between steps.  I wanted you to see a close up of it and photographing it on the tree just became impossible due to the height of the tree this year.

     Challenges:

Crafting Happiness

Crafty Calendar

Outlawz Saturday

The Holly & Ivy

     Back to the craft room for me.  I still have a dozen or so cards I have to finish before this week ends and that end is very close at hand.  But let me leave you with a quick pic of the angel in her proper place on the tree. 

    

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Angel & Letter "W"

     It's the day for "W" over at the 30 Days of Holidays for Beccy's Place and I've managed to play along each day.  I started the month of November thinking that I'd get maybe 14 or 15 cards done so I'm really proud of myself for being this far through the alphabet and having done a card for each letter and each of the theme challenges.  My "W"s are: White, Wings, Winter, & Webbing (the 'ribbon.')

     This is another card that's a collaboration with my sis-in-law, who colored this gorgeous little angel and then had me put together the card.  It's not that I don't do my own coloring any more but she just isn't into the card making side of things (not yet, anyway!) so we've fallen into a lovely pattern of taking her coloring and turning it into cards.  In between, I color my own images and make those into cards, too.

     Lainy hand-colored the angel (from Monsoon Publishing) with water color pencils, and I cut the image with a Tonic Studios die.  The sentiment (from Beccy's Place,) was cut with a QuicKutz die.  I inked the edges of both using an alcohol marker.  The wintery background dp came from an old (very old!) DCWV stack. The glittered webbing seem perfect to use as a wide ribbon and the glitter added wonderful sparkle (oooh, another "W"!)

     Challenges:

52 Christmas Card

613 Avenue Create

Aud Sentiments

Christmas w Cuties

Dream Valley

Outlawz Monday

Pammie's IP

     I'll have another post tomorrow.  Until then, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bouquet of Angels

      I spent most of the afternoon yesterday making this card for one of the Deacons of our church who was hospitalized unexpectedly last week.  I dug into my collection of Eureka Stamps and found this beautiful angel image and both of the sentiments, outside and inside the card.

     I colored the angel with my Sanjoki markers, keeping it simple (in the interests of getting it done right away) and found a sentiment about Bouquets of Angels which seemed to fit her perfectly.  I cut the image with a die from Tonic Studios and layered her onto a background of blue CS, trimmed to fit the card front.

     No embellishments - it is a card for a guy, after all.  

I did finish the inside with a decorated sentiment but

 since I had already signed all the family names to it, I didn't photograph it.

The sentiment says, "With God, all things are possible and

we're praying you recover soon."

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time ...

Classic Design

Creative Inspirations

(OK, it's an angel not a bird,

 but she has feather wings!)

Digi Choosday

Jan's Digi Stamps

Morgan's ArtWorld

Pammie's IP

Rabisco

Word Art Weds

YSBP

      That's it.  See you tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Joyful Noise

      I managed a very CAS card for the progressive challenge at The Outlawz.  The image is from MMedal and I think it's adorable.

The background is water colored and the halo and horn 

are done with ProMarkers.   The dp is a left over scrap 

from the basket.  Both the image and the dark 

blue frame were cut with QuicKutz dies 

and the sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle Die.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Get Well Wishes

     I'm trying to get my stock of Get Well cards replenished and when I saw this adorable QKR Stampede image, called "Sick Angel" (but misspelled in the shop as Angle), I knew I had to use it for my DT card for the newest weekly challenge which starts today.

Colored with ProMarkers
Stickles added to wings and halo
Glossy Accents added to stars
Image cut with Tutti Designs die
Paper scraps cut with Impression Obsession dies
Background embossed with Couture Creations EF
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafty Creations
Creative Fingers
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paperbabe Stamps
Paper Funday
Pattie's Creations
Simon Says Stamps
Word Art Weds.
Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweet Angel

     I want to share a lovely, little, Conie Fong angel with you this morning, called "Angel Wishes" and she's my DT inspiration for the new May challenge.  You must use a Conie Fong image but the theme is always "Anything Goes" with an option and this month you can make it for a Mom or a Female, but remember, that part is optional.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter on the wings & skirt hem
Cut with QuicKutz die
Pink image frame cut with QuicKutz die
Triangle paper is a scrap
Sentiment printed and cut with QuicKutz die
Bow is hand tied w a gem added
Card base is pink, metallic CS

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafty Sentiments
Creations in Pink
Cute Card Thurs.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     I hope you're going to come play with us this month.  Remember, our challenges are held on our Facebook page and it's so easy to join us.  We have both a coloring-only challenge (no need to make a card or other project - just color your image) and a completed projects challenge (for your cards and other projects) and if you're a winner in either one, you can win fabulous images from Conie Fong!

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Gift of Love

     This darling angel is from AuroraWings and I thought she made a perfect, traditional Christmas card, bringing her beautiful gift of Yuletide love. 

Colored with ProMarkers & Copics
Loose glitter applied to wings
Cut with stitched, rectangle dies from Die-namics
Red card base
Golden sparkle ribbon

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Paper Funday
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Day 1 - 30 Days of Christmas at Beccy's Place

     OK, this is my first official post for this year's 30 Days of Christmas at Beccy's Place and, as usual, we start with the first letter of the alphabet as a theme.  I chose to do an Angel, colored with Alcohol markers, added to an A Frame, A2 card.

     Beccy's image is actually supposed to be a Holly Fairy but for this card, I turned her into an Angel, one with jingle bells on her collar and hem.  :-D  This was one of the first Beccy's Christmas images I ever bought and I've used her a lot over the years but never before substituting as an Angel.

Colored with  ProMarkers
Cut with an oval die from QuicKutz
Gold frame cut with QuicKutz die
Glittered papers from Recollections (gold) and DCWV (red)
Stickles Icicle added to her Holly wings
Stickles Frosted Lace added to hat and leggings
Silver paint pen added to the jingle bells on her tunic
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Christmas Kickstart
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's  (Holly for her wings)
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     I'll have one more post a bit later for the second day of the 30 Days of Christmas, featuring the letter "B."  See you then.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Glad Tidings of Great Joy

     This is the third of the "Angel" cards I did and the gal is coming by tomorrow to make her choice.  I love them all and it will be interesting to see which best suits whatever she had in mind.  She has purchased other cards from me and has loved each one so I know already that she likes my style (if I even have one!)  :-D

     Here's one with a hand colored image but who drew it or when I have no idea.  It was in one of my clip art files and had no identifying information.  If you recognize it, or know who drew it, please leave me a comment and let me know.  I'd love to give proper credit.

I started with the Soft and Pastel Colors in Challenge #323

at Color My Heart Color Dare.

     I used ProMarkers to do the coloring and added glitter to the angel's wings.  After it dried, I cut the image with an oval die from QuicKutz, then wove white, satin, ribbon through the holes in the outer edges.

     I tried putting the image onto embossed white CS thinking it would make a great white-on-white card but, instead, it just got lost.  So I switched to a light blue CS, ran it through my "Linen" embossing folder for a bit of light texture, and added the image piece to it.  The sentiment is printed and hand cut.  I didn't think the card needed any additional embellishment.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Addicts
Creative Inspirations
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Quick Quotes
Scrappy Land
Time Out
Winter Wonderland
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Forest Friends

     Today we start a new challenge at Colour Crazy and our wonderful sponsor is Polkadoodles.  They were generous and supplied images for the DT to use.  Mine is called "Forest Friends" and I think it's one of the most delightful images I've seen this season.  It features an adorable woodland fairy with two of her little forest friends; a deer and and a bunny.  I think deer are my favorite Christmas animals but that's probably because of the association with Santa's reindeer, which are favorites of all children because they deliver Santa and the presents!

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, and added "Frosted Lace" Stickles to the furry pieces of her dress and scarf.  I used loose glitter on her halo and added touches of white gel ink to the snow on the tree.  I used gold paint pen on her little wings.

     The frame for the image and the large snowflake were cut with dies from Spellbinders.  The sentiment pieces were cut with a Die-Versions die.  I used that deep, burgundy red for all the die cuts because it's my favorite when combined with traditional Christmas greens.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Butterfly
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
Creative Knockouts
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz SAR

     Come play with us this week, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels Among Us

     Is it the end of the week already?  No worry - I have my DT card for the new challenge at QKR Stampede, where our theme is always Anything Goes.  How about an unusual angel?  You're never going to find a cuter one than this "Angel Mouse" image from QKR.  The sentiment, "Angel Baby" is also by QKR.  Now, I admit I've never seen a Mouse Angel but I'm sure it's something magical !  :-D

      I used ProMarkers and sparkle gel pen (on the wings) to color the image, then cut it with a die from Tonic Studios.  The sentiment was also cut with a die from that set.  The little star on the sentiment was colored with a silver paint pen.

    I found a scrap of blue star dp, cut it with a Memory Box, pinpoint, die and it made a perfect background for the image.  I also had a scrap of embossed CS to make the card front.  I inked the edges of it in dark blue before adding it.

     I layered everything together, adding the sheer ribbon between layers.  That ribbon is one of my favorites from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It has a very light, plaid, pattern in pink and blue and is gorgeous.  I'm getting close to having to purchase it again after I used my bow maker to tie the double loop bow which I added separately.

     Challenges:
Craft-Dee Bowz
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute Card Thurs
Mod Squad
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
That's Crafty
Word Art Weds.

     I really hope you're going to come and play with us this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Happy Easter and New Challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Happy Easter to all !

     Today starts our newest monthly challenge over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and, for April, we're sponsored by Linda Simpson Designs.  Check out the post on the 2 CCC blog for all the details.

     I used an image from the "So Heavenly" set and it just seemed to call for flowers and butterflies!

      The image is cut with a die from Spellbinders and I backed it with yellow CS so that the little butterfly 'negatives' would show through.  I used two of the tiny butterflies which fell out, along with two Cheery Lynn die cuts I used to make the yellow, double butterfly.

     I found the lovely spring flowers in my stash and decided to use them along the left side of the main image.  Everything went onto a scrap of wood grain CS for the background.  I printed, cut and added the sentiment and finally found 2 left over pearls which I used as the body of the double butterfly.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cookie Challenge
Crafty Catz
Crafty Friends
DL.ART

Fussy and Fancy Friday
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Star Stampz
Victorine Originals

     Sorry I was late adding my challenge links but I've come down with a cold and have such a stuffy head and sore throat that I just couldn't sit at the computer any longer.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angel with Fresh Baked Pie

     Did you know that along with their other duties, some angels are fabulous bakers?  My DT card for the newest challenge at QKR Stampede offers proof of that.  :-D  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes" but our optional theme is "Angels" if you want to use it.  I'm using this angel for a Thanksgiving card instead of the more usual Christmas card so it's all done in autumn colors.

     The QKR image is called "Fresh Baked Pie" and the sentiment is "Happy Thanksgiving" also by QKR.  I colored with my ProMarkers then die cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  Using other dies from that same framing set of dies, I cut patterned dp and then cut the "linen" embossed gold CS.  All three 'layers' are actually inset into one another, so it's all really just one layer.

     I used another die from Memory Box to cut the leaves.  They are actually part of a rose die which I used to cut two different colored roses.  Then I trimmed off the leaves to use here and saved the roses for another project.  The sentiment was printed onto dp, then cut with the smallest die from this Spellbinders set.  I tied the bow using narrow satin ribbon and my bow maker.

     Challenges:
Classic DT Open
Craft Gals Corner
Crafty Creations
Double D
House that Stamps Built
Kraftin' Kimmie
Scrappy Land
Sugar Pea Designs
Word Art Weds.
World Wide Open DT

     Come play with us this week.  We love being inspired by you and your creations.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels & Snowflakes

     Another of my Christmas cards - my stash is growing!  :-D  This time I used a sweet image from Ching-Chou Kuik, done in monochrome blues with tiny bits of silver accent.  I'll have another dozen done by the end of July, many of which are in pre-scheduled posts for you to view.  The others?  You'll just have to wait and see those after I get back from my San Diego trip in August.  :-D

      I colored with my chalk markers and used a silver gel pen to highlight the snowflake.   I used two dies from a set by Sue Wilson to cut the deep blue frame, one inside and one outside.  The image piece is actually behind the frame.  The light blue, Swiss Dot embossed, decorative corner was a left over bit from a die cut (Amy Designs.)   It worked so well on this card that I used it instead of throwing it out.

     I printed and fussy cut the sentiment, layered it on, and finally added the tiny bow (dyed that color with markers.)  The pearl on the bow and the embossing on the corner gave great texture and I left the card plain but for those two bits of embellishment.  I liked it "as is" and knew it was finished.

     Challenges:
A Snowflakes Promise
Chalk n Stock
Christmas Card
Crafty Cardmakers (top row)
Crafty Hazelnut's
Inky Chicks
Merry Monday
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrapy Land

     You can bet your boots as you're reading this post that I'm off having the time of my life this week.  My own boots will touch ground for a day or two over the weekend and then I'm off - to the California Coast this time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Angel Swing Card

     This is my first ever swing card and it was inspired by using the "Angel 4 Front and Back" from Ike'sWorld for the latest challenge starting today.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes" but we always have an optional twist if you want to use it.  This week you have an option of "Angels or Demons."  I chose Angels and did one more card for my stash.

  

     I colored with my ProMarkers and added loose glitter to the wings.  I didn't get a photo of the back of the angel but I did the same thing on both sides.  I adhered the images to each other adding the string between them before gluing.  Then, I cut the images by hand so that the shape would be the same on both sides.

     I took midnight sky CS, added it to my card front with removable tape, then cut the oval with a die from Spellbinders, going through both layers.  I took them apart, then used double stick tape to add the angel in the open oval, and permanently adhere the two layers together again.  I used the blue oval inside the card to act as a backing for the angel when the card is closed.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Inspirations
I {heart} ProMarkers
Morgan's ArtWorld
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Shelter
Path of Positivity
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     This is it for me until Friday.  My week is just too full and I have no extra crafting time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Angels We have Heard on High

     Today starts another Advent Calendar day at Kit and Clowder, which today is sponsored by Sheepski Designs.  The angel on this card (Angelica) is a freebie which you can get if you're a Kit and Clowder and Sheepski Designs member.  See the instructions on the Kit and Clowder Facebook page for downloading it.

     As a Sheepski DT member, I had the option of participating and once I saw this gorgeous angel, I jumped at the chance!

     I colored her with my ProMarkers but her wings are 'colored' with Baby Blue Stickles, something I've never tried before.  I really love the overall effect of the soft blue and the sparkle, plus it gives some interesting texture.

     I used dies from Spellbinders and Memory Box and the dp came from some leftovers on my work table.  I added a handmade bow with a pearl, some sparkly netting, and a jeweled snowflake.  I just love the combination of silver and blue for this card!

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
AAA Cards
Addicted to Stamps
Angie's Digital Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Color Crazy Craft
Come and Get It
Crafting When We Can (top row)
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Ribbons
Creative Inspirations
Cuttlebug Mania
Dragonfly Dreams
Holly Jolly Christmas
House that Stamps Built
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Quick Quotes
Time Out
Winter Wonderland
Word Art Weds.

     OK, be sure to check out both Kit and Clowder and Sheepski Designs' Facebook sites and grab your "Angelica" image.  You'll also find a discount code on the Sheepski Designs site good for 20% off any purchase in the Sheepski store!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Angel Music for Christmas

     I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and that you have recovered from the tryptophan crash.  :-D  Today, we start a new challenge at QKR Stampede and our new theme is "Angels."  Just perfect for some of those Christmas cards which still need to be made.  What?!  You haven't even started them?!  Oh, no!  Well, this is the week, my friends.  :-D

     I used this delightful Christmas angel from QKR - Digi 10805 Music Angel (image) and Digi 10103 Angels Music (sentiment.)

     The angel is colored with ProMarkers and then fussy cut before mounting it onto a piece cut with a die from Spellbinders.   I added glitter to her wings.  The burlap and lace ribbon have been in my stash a while but they just seemed to work for this card.

     I added the gold bow with the pearl and the angel, which is a button with the shank removed, then left it pretty CAS.  The sentiment was hand cut and matted with two layers of CS.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Addicted to Stamps
Crafty Ribbons
Double D
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Robyn's Fetish
Stamping Sensations
Time Out

     Hope to see you playing along with us this week.  Dig out an angel and come play.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Stardust Angel

     New post today and a new challenge starting at QKR Stampede with a theme of "Quilting or Stitching."  I tried to do a card that looked a bit like quilting (questionable if I accomplished that) but at least I got the stitching part of it and since it's an 'either/or' theme, I think that'll be sufficient.  :-D

     This card also advises about the potential dangers of  'Stardust' !!  This sweet little angel (Digi 12405 Sprinkling Stardust) is scattering her stardust about without any concern at all !  If she'd just read the sentiment (Digi 12402 Stardust Caution), maybe she'd be better educated.   And more careful. :-D

     I used ProMarkers and chalk markers to color the image, and added glittery Snow-Tex to her wings.  Then I fussy cut her, added a mat of dp and fussy cut again.  That piece got layered onto a die cut stitched frame (Die-versions) and I added that to another piece of the dp.  I stitched around that after I mounted it onto white CS.

     I love the stitched die -- any of them and all of them!  It's such an easy way to get perfect stitching on cards.  Just compare the die stitching with the hand stitching to see what I mean.  :-D

     I added a strip of satin ribbon, then tied a bow using velveteen ribbon.  Everything was put on a 5.5" x 5.5" card base.  Finally, I matted the sentiment and added it to the card front.  This is just begging to be used for non-traditional Christmas card, don't you think?  OK, maybe it'll get used as a young child's birthday card before then but if not, it's going in my Christmas stash and I'm going to pretend that stardust is what brings children "visions of sugar plums" while they sleep.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
As You Like It
Color Your World
Come and Get It
Corrosive Challenge
Crafty Ribbons
In the Pink (flowery dp)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
One Stitch at a Time
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Robyn's Fetish

     I may be a bit late getting around to commenting on your entry (if you decide to play along at QKR Stampede this week) since I can't guarantee being able to get online.  Once I get back to my regular computer routine at home, I'll visit and leave you some comment love.  In the meantime -- Happy Stamping.   NanaConnie

Please continue to leave comments.  The "Word Verification" really isn't on.  BLOGGER INSISTS ON SHOWING THE "CAPTCHA" ICON BUT IF YOU IGNORE IT AND JUST PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT, IT WILL POST JUST FINE.  I WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT BUT THERE'S NO OPTION FOR THAT WHEN THE COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN A SEPARATE BOX.  SORRY.

Little Star Angel

     This sweet image by All Dressed Up is the December Progressive Freebie from the Outlawz challenge.  Isn't she just the sweetest angel?  Angels are one of my favorite things to use on cards at Christmas but for some reason this year, I did very few of them.  This one allows me to catch up.  :-D

     I wanted the green to be understated and very different from the usual Christmas green so I chose chartreuse shades from my ProMarkers.  I did the card primarily in black and white.  The image is cut with a framing die from Spellbinders.  The lace and the narrow white ribbon for the double bow are both from my huge stash of ribbons.

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Artistic Stampers
Brown Sugar
Card Mania
Cardz for Galz
Craft for the Craic
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Girls Creations
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra
Crafty Ribbons
Creatalicious
Digistamps 4 Joy
Little Miss Muffet
Lunagirl
Not Just Cards
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Scrapy Land
Simply Papercraft
Sisters of Craft
Sparkles Forum
Sparkles Forum Christmas

     Only a few days left now until Christmas and, unlike my norm. I won't be posting every single day between Christmas and the New Year.  A couple of posts are scheduled so be sure to stop by and check them out.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie