Gathering Nuts

     It must be fall; the squirrels are gathering nuts!   I'm delighted, for more than just the cooler temperatures.  Check out my card for this week's new challenge at QKR Stampede and you'll understand why.  If you enlarge the photo, you can more easily read that silly sentiment.  :-D   I used the QKR image "Writing Squirrel" and added "Acorn Accent" to give him an armful of nuts.  In the original image, he's holding a pencil.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Unbranded die, inked edge
Acorns printed twice, hand cut, and added in layers
Background embossed with Sizzix folder
Wrapped burlap-twine bow
Hand cut sentiment, inked edge

     Challenges:
2 Sisters on the Blog
A Bit More Time to Craft
Bastel-Traum
Classic DT
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Creative Moments
Die Cut Divas
Friendship
Paperminutes
Scribbles Designs

     I'll have a second post today and some fun news so be sure to stop by a bit later.  In the meantime, think about creating something to enter into our Anything Goes challenge at QKR.  We love being inspired by the things you enter.  NanaConnie

Easter Morning

     Another card for Easter, this time using an old image from Clear Dollar Stamps (now closed) back when they were handling Doodle Pantry images.  I was on  the Doodle Pantry DT for a couple of years and I really miss them.  It's sad that they are also closed now.  :-(

I was inspired by the colors at The Outlawz.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and the background dp, which is part of the set.  I cut both the image and the sentiment with pinpoint dies from Memory Box.  The flourish is a corner die cut (Spellbinders) and the bow is made from wrapped twine.

     On this card, I did several layers and also use Pop Dots for the image and the sentiment.  I do multiple layers because I like having dimension and texture on a card.

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments (dp/stamp/fav color)
Butterfly Challenge (burgundy and bow)
Crafty Creations
House that Stamps Built
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     The weekend is flying by and those two days each week are when I do the majority of my crafting these days.  I may have an additional post for you this afternoon but if I don't get the project done, I'll post it tomorrow or Tuesday.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hatching a New World

     It's a New Year so why not a New World?  We have a new challenge starting today at QKR Stampede and I thought this funny image, called "Top of the World," would be a fun way to play on that idea.  The theme is always "Anything Goes" and the prize is always images from the QKR store.

I took color inspiration from the mood board at Crafts Dreamy.

     I started by coloring the image with a combination of ProMarkers and water color pencils, then cut it with an Unbranded die.  I inked the edges and then used another oval die from Spellbinders to cut the large oval behind the image piece.  I inked the edges of that piece, also. 

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then made the burlap-twine, wrapped, bow with the help of my bow maker.  I added the mesh 'ribbon' to a piece of dark gray CS and added the die cut ovals on top of it.  Both the bow and the ribbon added great texture to the card.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
a2z Scrapbooking
Ching-Chou Kuik
Craft-Dee Bowz
Creatalicious
Die Cut Divas
Dies R Us
Digi Doodle Studios
Do Al(l) Creatives  - 2 ovals

     I hope we're going to see you playing in our Anything Goes challenge this week at QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Ladybug Whisperer

     Good Friday morning to all of you!  As you know, if it's Friday, I'm showcasing a card for the new challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."  This week, I got charmed by another gnome image ("Knome and Ladybug" - unfortunately misspelled in the shop but you can click on the link to get there) and I thought he looked like a Ladybug Whisperer.  Or maybe that's just his pet.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers and water colors to color the image, then used Sue Wilson dies to cut the image and the delicate, flowery, frame.  I inlaid the image into the frame and matted them both with a die cut piece of green CS.  I printed and matted the sentiment before adding that entire piece to a "linen" embossed card front.

     The polka dot ribbon came from my stash and I dug out one of the wrapped, burlap twine, bow tie, bows that are in my basket.  I made several dozen of those over a weekend and am still finding them useful when I want a bit of extra texture.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Come play with us this week and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie