Set My Heart Awhirl

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !      

     I made another card with this image from Jan's Digi Stamps last month but the penguin with his top hat and his handful of roses is just so precious, he had to be seen again!  He's from a set called "Putting on the Ritz" and this time I took a shortcut and used the pre-colored image, which I reversed before printing.

     I love making card for my friends and family but cards about Love made for special people (the kind we celebrate on Valentine's Day) are my favorites, primarily because I make fewer of them so they are even more special.  :-D

     I cut the image with a Sizzix scalloped die and added a tiny Petaloo flower with a gemstone in the center.  The background dp is a scrap from an old Recollections 12x12 stack.  Aside from the busy design in the paper, it's a pretty CAS card and took less than 15 minutes to make.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Catz

Creative Knockouts

Cutie Pie

Double Trouble

Inspiration Station

Jan's Digi Stamps

Outlawz Color

Outlawz Thursday (1st Column)

     Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and hug everyone you love!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

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

Baby, It's Cold Outside

      This morning, I'm posting a card to remind you of the monthly challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and I'm using an image called "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with a sentiment from the same set.   That set (images plus sentiments) is on sale through Christmas, along with the other new Christmas sets.  Be sure to check out all of them.

     This is also my card for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place for the letter "P" - Pair of Penguins & ProMarkers.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and pencils, then cut with a square die from QuicKutz.  I inked the edges with a marker and layered it onto a scrap of dp from my Christmas stash (DCWV).  I used my bow maker to tie a quad-loop bow and added a sequin to the center of it.

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Crafty Catz

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Fingers

Dragonfly Dreams

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Stamping Sensations

Winter Wonderland

     I'll have another post in a couple of hours so be sure to stop by again.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hanging the Christmas Bunting

      Another new weekly challenge is starting now at Pammie's Inky Pinkies and our theme is "Anything Goes."  We're being sponsored by Polkadoodles and they were generous enough to supply images for the team to use on their sample projects.  I used "Wanda Penguin Hanging Bunting," a sweet little penguin.

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers and added highlights with gel pen.  The image was cut with a die from Dare 2B Artzy and framed with a scalloped die cut (Sizzix.)  The tiny snowmen and trees on the banner were done with mini punches and I added 3 tiny, sparkly red, Dew Drops.  The dp is from Recollections, and the green polka dot ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The black bow is one of my hand-sewn, signature bows with a pearl.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

12 Months...Christmas

Dare 2B Artzy

Dragonfly Dreams

Kerst Christmas

Outlawz Festive Fri

     Don't forget that the challenges at PIP are always Anything Goes except on a 5th Monday when we have a specific theme.   I really want to see you playing along with us this week and every week.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Penguins & the Christmas Moon

      We have another new recipe over at our Crafty Chefs FB page and this is the card I've done following it.  Carol gave us the recipe this month and, while you can check it out on the site, I'll also give it to you right after I show you my card.  The penguins & moon are from SheepSki Designs.

Recipe:

MUST DO:  

Add a tag, Make a pocket, Use analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel), Use a die

CAN DO:

Mirror CS, Charm, Stitching

I did all of the MUST DO and did Stitching from the CAN DO list.

Here's another photo showing how I used the pocket and tag for the sentiment.

Colors were pulled from My Favorite Things.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w QuicKutz octagon die

Red frame cut w QuicKutz

Moon, pocket piece, & tag cut w Spellbinders

Faux stitching done w gel pens

Soft twine for the tag

Gingham ribbon for the bow

     Challenges:

2 Sisters on Blog (Diagonal: Bottom left to Top right)

Arty Divas

Colour It, Create It...

Craft-Dee Bowz

Crafter's Cafe

Crafty Animals

Dies R Us

Winter Wonderland

     Don't forget that Crafty Chefs is open to anyone who would care to join in and stretch their comfort zone a little bit.  Hope to see you over there.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Puttin' on the Ritz

     Today we start our 5th challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and our theme is always "Anything Goes."  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Jan has released a darling new set called "Puttin' on the Ritz."  Although it works well for a Valentine salute, it's pretty versatile and can work for lots of occasions.  For my card, I reversed the image using MS Word before I printed it.

     I have to say that of all the penguin stamps I have in my collection, this one is among the top 5 favorites!  As new as it is, it made its way into my heart immediately. 

Colored with ProMarkers, highlights with polychromos pencils & gamsol
Cut with Unbranded cross stitch die
Edges inked with SU ink pad
Background CS embossed with "Linen" folder
Silver brads added to diagonal corners

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Angie's Digital
Brown Sugar
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Friends
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of ...
Simon Says Stamp
Stamping Sensations
Word Art Weds.

     Jan's Digi Stamps is having a design team call.  Details can be found here.  You can use this link: 
https://jansdigistampschallenges.blogspot.com/p/dt-call.html

     Come play with us this fortnight and get your name into the draw to win a $10 gift card to Jan's shop!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sledding by ..

     A second post from me today so that I can share with you a card I made for a Christmas card exchange organized by Digi Doodle Studios.  We were assigned exchange partners (either within our country or international) and we had to use a Digi Doodle Studios image, which was no problem for me because I love every one I've ever seen.  :-D   I used Penguins Lottie and Tillie and I think they are so cute on their little sled.

Colored with ProMarkers
Fussy cut with scissors
Background by Paper Shelter
Sentiment hand cut
Image and sentiment mounted on Pop Dots
Glittered snowflakes and gem added

     Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Inspirations
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs
Digi Choosday
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Lemon Shortbread
TTCRD

     Have a great day and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Snow Buddies

     The challenge theme at SheepSki Designs this month is "New or Old" and since I'm still on my Holiday break, I'm sharing with you a card with an image more than 2 years old.  The image is called "Penguin Pals" and I think it's absolutely adorable!  Two penguins building their own snow man penguin.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut both the image and the frame with dies from Cheery Lynn.  I mounted those onto a a deep green card base.  I added a single, hand-tied, red bow and the sentiment, then left it CAS.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Cardz TV
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs.
Outlawz Twisted Thurs 
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Have yourself a wonderful New Year's Day and I'm sending wishes for a happy and prosperous year.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Moon for the Penguins

     One last post for today and I know that 3 posts means a lot of reading and looking but that's what happens on the first of the month when three of my DTs all start their monthly challenges.  :-D  I hope you'll come and celebrate with us at SheepSki Designs where our theme this month is "Celebrations."  It doesn't have to be Christmas - you're free to choose any winter holiday or occasion, even a birthday, I suppose.  We just want to see what you're celebrating!

    This sweet little penguin couple are celebrating the Christmas moon and the fact that they get to share it with each other.  The image is called "Cool Couple" and I think they are so adorable!

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a Gina Marie die.  I had already decided on a very CAS design so I took the cut image and mounted it onto an ice blue card base.  That's it.  I let that delicate, filigree border do all the work of showcasing the image.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Creative Moments
House that Stamps Built
Jo's Scrap Shack
Mod Squad
Paper Shelter
{PIN}spirational
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Come play with us this month and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

XOXO Hugs and Kisses

     OK, we've reached the most impossible day for alphabet prompts - the dreaded "X" !!  Last year I did a card with "X Marks the Spot" but this year, I borrowed (CASEd?) an idea done by Donna at Popsicle Toes last year, Xs and Os.  What could be better than snuggling up for hugs and kisses at Christmas - with or without mistletoe?  The darling penguins are from Beccy's Place, appropriate for the 30 Days of Christmas daily challenges which have been going on there all month long.

I used the sketch at Stella Says Sketch,

flipping it side to side.

     I started with a pre-colored image, then used ProMarkers and white gel pen to add the shading and highlights.  The XOXOs and the sentiment were printed as part of the image.  The image piece was cut with a die from QuicKutz and matted with a square of green CS. 

     The plaid dp was a scrap as was the blue CS.  Everything was mounted onto a kraft card base.  I added the little snowflakes for sparkly embellishments.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Moments
Cupcake Inspirations

Digi Choosday
Double D
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On

     We're counting down the last few days of November and Saturday will be the beginning of December.  Once again, I have no idea how the last year scrambled by so quickly!  Why is it kids think time passes so slowly?  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Penguin at Sasayaki Glitter Progressive Challenge

     I think this is the silliest/ cutest/ most adorable penguin I've seen this season and he's the image for the Progressive Challenge at Sasayaki Glitter.  Of course, his reindeer antlers just "make" him!  lol

     I used my ProMarkers and Copics to color the image, added some glitter to the snow and snowflakes, then die cut it with stitched dies from Die-namics.  The snowflake border was cut with a die from Tutti.  The light blue frame and the image are mounted on Pop Dots to give some dimension.  The bow is one of those I make by the dozens and toss into my stash for future use.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Come and Get It
Crafting from the Heart
Die Cuttin Divas
Glitter 'N Sparkle
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Melonheadz Friends
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Unicorn

     That's it for today.  Tomorrow I'll have my regular Friday post for QKR Stampede and I hope you'll come by.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie    

Penguin Pals

     Today starts our latest challenge on the Facebook page of Sheepski Designs and we'd love to see you play along.  The winner of last month's challenge will also be announced today so be sure to check.

     My inspiration card uses Andrea's darling "Penguin Pals" and they are a real joy to color.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  The frame is part of the same die.  I mounted it on top of green CS and added the sentiment and the hand made bow.

     Challenges:
Cheery Lynn
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Boots
Crazy Challenge
Cutie Pie
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers
Through the Craft Room Door
Tuesday Morning Sketches

     I still have some other pre-scheduled posts between now and the end of the year.  Hope you'll stop by to see what they are.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Image of the Month at Morgan's

     Friday morning starts the new challenge at Morgan's ArtWorld and I guess I'm the only one on the DT using the December Image of the Month.  I think he's an adorable penguin and he comes either pre-colored or simple outline!  :-D

     I decided to use somewhat vintage shades of the traditional Christmas colors since I've just done so many traditional Christmas cards this week.  I used my ProMarkers to color him and found a Cheery Lynn die to cut the red frame.  The polka dot paper was in my stash and I think it's from SU.  I added the 3 green candy canes for a bit of sparkly embellishment.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Animal Friends
Christmas Cards All Year Round
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments

     If you're in the mid- or western- US, this challenge posts at night on Thursday, but for the rest of the world, it's already Friday morning so jump out of bed and get something made for our challenge before it ends in 2 weeks.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Catch the Bug Day 2 Holiday Chaos

     I love Bugaboo Stamps and love playing in their week-long celebrations which they do in July and again in December.   I know I'm doing these a little bit out of order but I'm not going to be able to play in each of the 7 days of their Catch the Bug Holiday Chaos challenges anyway so I don't know that it really matters what gets posted on which day.  This card follows their sketch challenge for Day 2.

     Colored with Copics and ProMarkers, then cut with a stitched circle die from Memory Box.  The Stitched Scalloped die is by Die-namics.  The scalloped border (both top and bottom of the dp) was cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  I added the sentiment and two silver snowflakes for embellishment.

     Challenges:
CAS-ual Fridays
Crafty Boots
Crazy Challenge
Dream Valley
Melonheadz Friends
Outlawz Greetings
Whoopsi Daisy

     Another day with more than one post and tomorrow, I'll have 2 also.  Enjoy the extras.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Warm Irish Coffee Wishes

     Winter and December/January holidays are great times for sending warm wishes and holding hot cups of coffee in otherwise frozen hands.  When it's Irish Coffee, that's even better.  :-D

     I made this masculine card for a friend who was kind enough to commission 8 Christmas cards from me.  The image is from My Whimsical Little World.  It was a freebie on their FB page and I'm entering it in their "Anything Goes" challenge on the blog..  I colored it with my ProMarkers and die cut it with one of my hexagon dies.  I used that same die set to cut the red and black CS used for framing it.

     The sentiment is computer generated, printed, and cut with a die from Spellbinders, then I added matching red and black CS to frame it.  Everything was mounted onto blue, shiny CS to give it an icy look suitable for a penguin.

     The only embellishment is the bow from my stash of those I make myself.

     Challenges:
Card and Scrap
Catch the Bug
CCC Digi
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Friends
Die Cut Divas
Just Keep on Creating
Karleigh Sue
Outlawz Greetings
Petal Lu

     Hope your rush is slowing down a bit and that you're now able to spend some time gathering new creative energy for the New Year.  We all deserve a short break before we face the necessity of getting back into the drudge of our every day routines after the holiday hustle and bustle.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Do Penguins Wait for Santa?

     I've never been able to confirm that penguins are excited about Santa's visits but this little guy seems to think it's worth watching the skies.  :-D  It's a Bugaboo image and this is the first card I've been able to get done in their week of Christmas themed challenges.  This one is for Catch the Bug's "Here Comes Santa" challenge.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut the image with one of my Stitched Rectangle Dies (Memory Box.)  I added two layers of mats and adhered it all onto a pre-made, colored, card base.  I used three little snowflakes, punched from red CS.  Hard as it is to see in the photo, I added glitter to the snow and to the snowflakes.  I left it CAS, partly because it's going to be a card for a guy.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Animal Friends
Card Mania
Christmas Cards All Year Round
CCC Digi
Digistamps 4 Joy
Hiding in My Craft Room
My Time to Craft
Natalie and Amy's
Petal Lu
Scrapy Land
Speedy Fox & Friends
Where the HeART Is

     Two weeks from tonight is Christmas Eve.  Are you ready?   Have you mailed your packages and cards, and wrapped all the gifts?  Have you baked those cookies for Santa?   Are the stockings hung by the chimney or do you wait until Christmas Eve for that little chore?  If you haven't done any of those things, you need to get a move on!    Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Penguin Weather

     Since penguins are birds who live in the southern hemisphere, does that mean they head north when winter closes in?  I guess, since they can't fly, they have to just stay put and weather the icy storms.  This one was smart enough to wrap up in his scarf and top hat.  :-D

     The stamp is from Sparkle n Sprinkle, and I used Black Detail Embossing Powder (also from SnS), heat embossed to get the glossy black on the penguin.  I used my ProMarkers to color the hat and scarf, and his cold little feet.  :-D  I added loose glitter to the snow and also to the spaces on the die cut (Spellbinders).

     I matted the die cut image with red CS, then layered it onto blue CS and die cut the corners.  The red ribbon is from my Christmas stash, probably from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The sentiment tag is also a die cut from Spellbinders.  I used silvery snowflakes which were in my stash and added the little white bow with the pearl for a bit of texture.  Finally, I added all the layers to a white card front.

     With the exception of the blue CS, everything on here was taken from deep hiding places in my stash.  :-D

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations
A Snowflakes Promise
Cards in Envy
Clear It Out
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Creative Card Crew
Cuttlebug Mania
Get Creative
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Love to Scrap
Paper Minutes
Scrapy Land
Unicorn Challenge

     I haven't done heat embossing for a couple of months and I had forgotten how much I enjoy both it and the results.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie