Valentine Penguin

      This precious image from Jan's Digi Stamps, called "Puttin' on the Ritz," has been reversed for this card.  It's a pre-colored image so putting the card together was quicker than usual.  The image was printed, then cut with an Unbranded die.  I added a scrap of red CS behind the die cut and trimmed it to fit the rounded corners.

     I printed and fussy cut the sentiment (also part of the set), inked the edges with neon ProMarker to make it stand out, then added it to the image piece.  I used baker's twine to enhance the red, burlap ribbon, wrapping two pieces on each side of the ribbon.  The Petaloo flower covers the spot where the ribbon and twine ends overlapped.  

     

     Valentine's Day is getting closer by the minute so if you haven't started on your cards yet, let this be an inspiration.  Remember, you can get cards done very quickly with pre-colored images, especially if you do CAS cards (which this one isn't!)  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter in the Country

      I'm late getting this card posted but it's my DT card for the latest challenge at FarmQuest which started today.  Our theme this time is Anything Goes as long as it has a country flair.  I thought this beautiful image of winter birds on the corral gate, from Jan's Digi Stamps, was perfect for a Christmas card.

     Merged images of the birds and the black and white grapevine wreath, with dp scraps in red and green.  The sentiment and the image are both fussy cut.  The only embellishment I added are the three little gemstones.

     Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart

Cupcake Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Inspiration Station

Outlawz Monday

Pammie's IP

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

     I really hope we're going to see you playing along this time.  You have until December 27th to enter, and then our next challenge begins on December 28th.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday, Slim Line, Easel Card

      I played a bit with an idea while making this DT card for Your Scrapbook Place and did something I've not seen before, a slim line, easel card !  Our theme is always Anything Goes.

     Our sponsor this month was Bugaboo Stamps and they supplied the images used by the DT.  Then, rather suddenly, the shop closed without any notice!  So, we're going to offer the challenge winner a prize which will include the images used by the DT on their inspiration projects.  I'm so sad that Bugaboo is closed.  I adore all their images and love working with them.  

     On my card today, I used an image called "Rose Block Trio" and, despite it being a silhouette style, I still managed to color it with ProMarkers.  I used CS textured with my 'Linen' EF and folded into a lengthwise easel.  I added pink ribbon and green pearls, using those same pearls as the easel stopper.  The bow is hand-tied and I added a gem to it.

     Challenges:

Art Impressions

C.R.A.F.T.

Creative Creases

Dare 2B Artzy

Lil Patch of Crafty ...

ScorPal More than 1 Score

Outlawz Festive Fri

Passion for Markers

Simon Says Stamp

Stamping Sensations

     Happy Crafting and come play in our challenge.  NanaConnie

Sweet as Sweetpeas

      I can hardly believe that I've done 4 daily posts in a row!  I'm beginning to get back to my normal "every day" postings and, in my mind, that means my COVID recovery is moving right along.  :-D

     This is my card for the monthly challenge over at Beccy's Place where the theme is "Anything Goes" but there's an optional theme of flowers, plants, & foliage.  I used Beccy's Sweetpeas image, which I think has been retired.  I took the shortcut of using a pre-colored image and it's really gorgeous!  I'm sorry for the glare on the photo but the green background is metallic CS and every photo I took had that shiny glare.  :-(

I used the sketch from The Outlawz

Pre-colored image

Image was fussy cut

Mounted on Pop Dots

Circle cut w Dare 2B Artsy die

Green metallic CS

Black, glitter CS

Sentiment cut w Avery Elle die

Hand tied bow w gemstone

     Challenges:

A Bit More Time...

Carlin's Card Paradise

Crafts Galore Encore

Crafty Gals Corner

Dare 2B Artzy

House that Stamps Built

Paper Funday

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Exercise the Cats

     If you thought being on lock down was tough on we humans, try explaining to a cat why they can't go outside and exercise by scrambling up trees or chasing butterflies or even a bit of paper tossed on a spring breeze!  With most cats, it's not easy (translate as not POSSIBLE) to take them for a walk on a leash.  They are not dogs (as they keep telling us) and I've never gotten one to heel or sit. 

     The best I've managed when it comes to taking a cat for a walk is to trail a length of string where they can see it and chase after it.  That not only gives them exercise, it also entertains them (and me!)  :-D

     When I saw the new Star Stampz image, called "Red String," which we were given for the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz, I could hardly wait to get something made.  But that nasty bronchitis I had delayed my usual first-week-of-the-month schedule for getting it done.  In any case, the month isn't over yet so this is plenty early for getting my card posted.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Fancy Weave dies from Spellbinders
Signature, hand-sewn bow w/ gem

     Challenges:
Angie's Digitals
Crafty Gals Corner
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp (Exercise or Entertainment)
SUYP Cats
WordArt Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

December Challenge at Brown Sugar

     Good morning and happy Friday morning.  We're starting a new monthly challenge today over at Brown Sugar.  Our sponsor this month is The Paper Shelter and they supplied us with an image set called "Holy Night."  Paper Shelter is having a sale this month and the image we all used is included in the sale.

     Interestingly enough, I used this very same image for a DT card last month but with a different team.  You can see what I did for them by clicking this LINK.  Rather than duplicate something I had just done, I decided to use the beautiful background that came with the set and build a scene on top of it with die cut deer and Liquid Pearls.

Background paper from The Paper Shelter (Holy Night digi set)
Cottage Cutz dies for deer - colored w/ metallic ProMarkers
Sentiment cut with Die-versions dies
Liquid Pearls for deer hoof prints in the snow
Snowflake cut with Art Impressions die
Blue rhinestone added to snowflake center

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Dare 2B Artsy
Dream Valley
Incy Wincy
Outlawz SAR
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Sparkles Christmas
Tales from the Craft Room
Your Scrapbook Place

     I hope we're going to see you playing along with us this month.  This is my last month on the Brown Sugar DT but I'll be visiting many of you before the month ends.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Batdog to the Rescue!

     OK, OK, I know there's no "Batdog" in real life or even in the comics but think of him as a recent, mythical creature!  I adore the cute image we received this month from Polkadoodles for the Outlawz Progressive Challenge.  Perfect for another Halloween card with her little pup all dressed in his bat costume.  :-D

I pulled my colors from the

Ike's World challenge.

Colored with ProMarkers & gel pens
Cut with an Unbranded die
Ribbons (black sparkle and orange/white stripes) - both are scraps
Gemstone bling on the bow
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
I {heart} ProMarkers
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     That's all for today and I hope your weekend is going well.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie