Angels

      It seems like forever since I posted anything on my blog, and it has been nearly 3 weeks but I've been busy.  It seems my daughter has convinced me to do some craft fairs and other vendor events, focusing on my gnomes.  I've made so many and given away many of them, but it was a blogging/crafting friend who first gave us the idea of selling them.

     My daughter has several contacts for various events and one of them takes place as a fund raising event for a local Christian school.  They allow only hand made items to be sold; no mass manufacturing.  I have a few months to get enough stock made to make it worth while and since it takes place at the beginning of the Christmas season, I decided it might be good to branch out and make some angels, too.

     So, today I'm sharing a free-standing angel and several angel tree ornaments.  What do you think?

13" tall, burlap and lace

Wired ribbon, 4" tall

Glitter craft foam, 4.5" tall

Unwired ribbon, 3.5 " tall

and finally, the kind everybody has made for the last decade but it's my first one...

Deco Mesh, 8" tall

     That's it for today.  Hopefully, I'll have more to share and it won't take me another 3 weeks to get  post done.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter Mice for the Letter "E"

     Today's card is going to be entered for Day 5 in the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place so we're using the letter "E" as the theme.  My "E"s are: Embossing, Ecru (the stars), & Embellishments. (and a little Eeek for all of you who are afraid of mice!)

     I'm also playing again in the challenge over at Conjuror of Dreams and this month their optional theme is "Winter Critters."  The image I used is from Conjuror of Dreams and I adore these little mice.  I just know they are perched on that log, singing Christmas Carols from their tiny hearts.

     The image and its white frame were die cut with dies from QuicKutz and Tonic Studios.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die. I embossed the gray CS background, using my 'Linen' EF.   I found a strip of red dp in the scrap basket and added it to the left side, then put the angels and snowflake embellishments along the left side.

     Challenges:

4 Season

Digi Choosday

Make My Monday

Peace on Earth

Penny's P-C

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Child in the Manger

      I spent so much time making cards for the Month of Holidays at Beccy's Place this morning that I completely forgot to post the card I finished last night.  I've done cards all the way through "H" but I may not be posting them in order.  The one I made for "F" is actually doing double duty and will be a card I did for a new DT position I was offered and accepted.  But you won't see it until November 28th.  :-D

     This is my third card posted so far and it's for the Letter "C."  It's a Criss-Cross card (see a tutorial from Beccy here), and I've done Coloring, Cutting, used the Color Calm Blue, and used 2 Corner punches (Uchida and Fiskars.)   The image is from Beccy's Place and it's of the Christ Child in the manger.  

     I colored with ProMarkers, added glitter to his halo, and cut the image with my paper cutter before using 2 different corner dies on it.  I followed the tutorial from Beccy for making the criss cross card.  This would be a great time to tell you about the wealth of "How To" instructions Beccy has on her blog for making all different types and styles of fancy fold cards.  Check them out at this link: A to Z Card Folds.  Thanks, Beccy, for having all those tutorials in one convenient place.  I know those have taken you a ton of time to create!

     The glittery angels were cut with a Memory Box die and I used a QuicKutz die to cut the octagon which I used as a clasp (oh, another C!) for the front criss cross.  I cut two, glued them together, and mounted them on a dimensional dot.  The edge of the criss cross slips behind it and yet easily flips open.

Open

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Crafty Friends

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Creases

Creative Knockouts

Die Cut Divas

Gem of a Challenge

ScorPal

     See you tomorrow with my next post for Beccy's and probably another post as a DT for Conie Fong.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Country "Cowboy" Angels for Halloween

      Here we are starting another challenge at QKR Stampede and I think these two adorable images (merged together on this card) make perfect Halloween costume ideas.  :-D  I know when I was a child, I wanted to be an angel for Halloween one year and a cowgirl another year, but I never thought about combining them into one costume.

     "Cowboy Angel" and "Cowgirl Angel" were both colored with water color paints and glitter was added to their wings and halos.  I cut the image piece with border dies from Spellbinders both top and bottom, then used my Fiskars paper cutter to trim up the sides.  Both the red and the blue background pieces were scraps from the basket, and I dry embossed them using my Linen EF.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  I inked the edges of the sentiment with ProMarkers, keeping in mind the diagonal line of the background.  It wasn't a perfect match up but close. 

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Digi Choosday

Penny's PaperCrafty

Simon Says Stamp

World Wide DT

     You really should come and play with us this month.  Our challenges are always "Anything Goes" and we choose 2 winners from each challenge.  The first winner is randomly chosen from those who entered using QKR Stampede images and the second is a random winner from all other entries.  We have challenges starting on the 1st and the 5th of each month.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels Heard on High

      We're sharing the mid-August inspiration for the challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and our theme is always "Anything Goes."  Jan had some really sweet new releases this month (which are on sale right now!) and I've used "Angels Heard on High" for my DT card.  

     The image is one of the pre-colored ones in the set and the sentiment is also part of the set.  I used a die from QuicKutz to cut the image ad one from Tonic Studios to cut the sentiment.  The polka dot dp is a scrap from the basket and I used my 'Linen' EF on the golden background piece.  

     Challenges:

12 Months Christmas

Christmas Craft ...

Christmas Kickstart

Kerst

Outlawz SAR

Peace on Earth

     Be sure to come and play in our challenge.  Remember, the theme is "Anything Goes" and you can use any image from any company.  BUT, if you chose to use an image from Jan's Digital Stamps, you entry goes into a separate draw which increases your chance of winning by a huge amount!  

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels Sending Peace

      I feel like it's been forever since I did my last DT card for Conie Fong but my back problems last month meant that I just couldn't sit very long, and coloring was very difficult so I took some time off.  Now I'm back with a card using two merged images, "Angel Messenger" and "Angel Prayers."  Both sets have the angels facing both directions and in Angel Prayers, one of the angels has roses at her feet..

Colored w ProMarkers

Glitter added to wings

Image is fussy cut

Both blue dp from DCWV

Ribbon is sheer and glittered

Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:

12 Months of Christmas

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

LeAnn's World

Morgan's ArtWorld

Outlawz Festive Fri

Scribbles Designs

Your Scrapbook Place

     Coloring is still a slow process for me because sitting too long aggravates my back but I can sit for a lot longer than the mere 10 minutes only a week or so ago.  That feels great!  

     Don't forget that Conie Fong has two different challenges running each month; one for coloring only and the other for finished projects.  Prizes are always Conie Fong images and you must use a Conie Fong image but how could you resist them?

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels We have Heard on High

     This is the second of the 'angel' Christmas cards I did for the friend who commissioned me to make an angel card for her to give to a friend.  This time I did just die cuts and a sentiment, no colored image, but I think the card is superbly elegant.  Whichever one she chooses, I'll donate the other two to my local senior center so there was no problem with making a total of three to give her more than one choice.

     I cut the angels from glittered CS by Doodlebug.  The Impression Obsession angel die only faces one direction so I cut one with the die on the glittered side and cut the second with the die on the back side.  Fortunately, there's very little embossing on the angel so it didn't make a lot of difference between front and back.

     I mounted the angels onto deep, blue CS, then printed and hand cut the sentiment.  I found silver satin ribbon and made one of my hand-sewn bows with a pearl as the single embellishment.

     Note to my friend, Lynn:  I know you get starved to see blue around Christmas since all your friends are doing red and green (but for a few cards that might have ice blue shadows on snowmen) so I did this one with you in mind.  Absorb it, my friend!  :-D

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Catz
Ike's World
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Path of Positivity
{Pin}spirational

     Happy Stamping!  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

Heaven's Angels

     Another Friday morning means another challenge starting over at QKR Stampede.  Remember, our theme is always "Anything goes" and you can use any image you choose, from any company.  However, if you use an image from QKR or their sister company, Eureka Stamps, your entry will be put into a separate draw, significantly increasing your chances of winning some fabulous QKR Stampede images!

     For my card this week, I used "Heaven's Angels" for the sentiment and "Dancing Angel" for the image.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then fussy cut it with scissors.  The yellow die cut in the background is a frame cut with dies from Cheapo Dies.  The sentiment was printed and hand cut.  Everything was layered onto an embossed card base.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra
Aud Sentiments
CCC Digi Creations
Crafter's Cafe
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Catz
Creatalicious
Pattie's Creations
Southern Girls
Sparkles Monthly

     I hope you'll be playing along with us this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels We Have Heard on High...

     I have 2 posts today and that's what happens when you have access to borrowed crafting goodies, to markers and colored pencils, and a camera!   I think I've fallen in love with two more House Mouse stamps and I may even have to add them to my collection before next Christmas season, if they are still available.  This one is all about Angel Mice and you'll have to check back in a bit to see the second one.

     I used ProMarkers, Copics, and colored pencils on the image, then added even more snowflakes with a gel pen.  I cut the image, punched the corners (Fiskars), matted it and punched the corners again.  The white frame was done with a set of dies from Sue Wilson.  Everything was mounted onto textured CS.  I added no other embellishments because my SIL loved the way it looked with just the white frame around the image and she's going to be using it for family.  Can't say who will get it because they just might read the post.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Creates and Makes
Cutie Pie
Digi Choosday
House Mouse
Lemon Shortbread
Let's Craft and Create
Outlawz Festive Friday
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     I'll have my second post for today up in about an hour.  Please check back.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Up, Up and Away at QKR Stampede

     Friday once again and a new challenge is starting at QKR Stampede.   Our theme is always "Anything Goes" but we offer an optional twist if you choose to use it and today it's "Up, Up & Away" - so, anything that rises up into the sky.

     I chose to use one of the sweet angels which can be found in the QKR store and it's called "Bird Feeding Angel."  Remember, you can get any of the images at QKR either as digital images or in rubber, which ever is your personal preference.

     I'm sending this to a dear friend who always does the kindest things for no particular reason other than it makes her feel good to be kind to others.  I love her attitude and outlook on how to make life wonderful for everyone.  :-D

I took my colors from the challenge at Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday.

   
     I colored this image with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a Spellbinders die.  I layered that onto a piece of blue CS, and cut the corners with a punch from Fiskars.  The dp came from the "Stone Washed" stack by The Paper Studio.  My one embellishment was a double bowtie bow.

     Challenges:
Crafting with an Attitude
DL.ART
Fab'n'Funky
I {heart} ProMarkers
Polkadoodles
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Stop back later in the day to see my final card for the Christmas-in-July week long, daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  I'm so tickled that I managed to get a card done for each day!  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Helping Hands

     Fridays always mean a new challenge starts at QKR Stampede and I want to remind you that we are now an "Anything Goes" challenge but we have optional twists each week if you want to use them.  Our optional twist this week is "Embossing" and it can be either heat or dry.  I chose to use one of my favorite embossing folders from Stampin' Up and a die which both cuts and embosses from Spellbinders.

     The image and the sentiment are both from QKR Stampede (Digi 13007 "Helping Hand" and Digi 13313 "Up and Running.")

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image, then hand cut it to a size which would fit on top of the die cut/embossed doily (Spellbinders.)  I used the SU embossing folder on some turquoise CS which I then used for the background.

     The plaid dp was a snippet I found on my desk and I wrapped it with a leftover strip of ribbon.  I added the sentiment and three of the little bows I make.  Two of them I left in the original white and the third I 'dyed' with a light blue ProMarker.  I love working with nothing but white ribbon for making those bows.  I sew them together by the dozens, toss them into my stash, and then color them with markers to match colors I've used in my design.

     Challenges:
Creative Inspirations
Inspiration Destination
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper Crafty
Pixie's Snippets Playground
Scrapy Land
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     I hope we're going to see you playing along in our challenge.  Remember, it isn't necessary to use images from QKR but if you do, your card gets entered into a separate draw only for QKR users and that greatly increases your chance to win.  Come play, won't you?  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie