Poppies for Remembrance

     This card was published in Through the Craft Room Door magazine, November/December issue.  The image is from a Doodle Pantry set called "Poppies."   You can find a complete materials list in the magazine but I do want to show you the card and tell you quickly the story behind it.

     One of the things I do is to volunteer time and make cards for a wonderful group called "Honor Flight."   

     Honor Flight is an organization which flies our war veterans from WWII and the Korean War (Viet Nam

Vets will be going soon) to Washington, DC as a way of honoring them for their service. Each Vet has

a companion/guide to assist them during their flight and during the tours of the various war memorials they visit in our capital.  All the costs are covered by donations from businesses and individuals either nationwide or on the local level.

     On the flight home from Washington, DC, a "Mail Call" is done and each Vet on the flight receives a

card or note thanking them for their service to this country.  If you want to get involved in making cards

to honor the individual Veterans from your area or in helping out in other ways, check out this link to the

national Honor Flight website: HONOR FLIGHT.  You can find links to your particular area of the USon that site.

      Thanks to every Veteran who served their country and to our currently serving troops.  You're all heros!

     Challenges:  

Allsorts

Crafty Boots

Friends of Speedy TV

Little Claire's

Not Just Cards

Outlawz Greeting

Path of Positivity

Sweet Stampin'

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Owls to Show Thanks

 I've done so much CAS in the last several days that it felt like it was time for something considerably more fancy -- in fact, nearly overdone.  :-D  I chose this image from AuroraWings, called "The Sisterhood" and decided to make a Thank You card which could also be used as a Thanksgiving greeting.  I'll probably use it to thank my hostess on Thanksgiving Day.  Anything which keeps me from having to do all the prep and clean up for the family Thanksgiving celebration deserves a huge thank you!

I based my design on the sketch from

Sweet Sketch Weds 2.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and chalks, then die cut.  I cut two mats (one from dp and one from CS which I've been hoarding) with a larger die from that same set and offset them slightly.  The sentiment is computer generated and also die cut and matted.  The background dp is from DCWV's "Autumn Melody" stack.  Both gold ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the bow is three separate bows stacked together to make a triple bow.  The lace which is wrapped across the middle and also along the edge was a hoarded scrap that was in my stash.  The flower I added to the bow is from Recollections.

     OK, I admit -- it felt good to make something that wasn't CAS.  I just needed to know I could still do these.  I have come to love CAS but this creation pleases me almost as much as discovering that I CAN do CAS when I put my mind to it!

     Challenges:
Chalk and Stock
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafter's Cafe
Craft Hoarders
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Delightful Challenge
House That Stamps Built
Inspiration Destination
Little Miss Muffet
MilkCoffee
Paper Pretties
Scrapy Land
So Artful

     I hope your weekend went well and that you managed to get a lot accomplished.  The holidays are nearly upon us and things will begin to get crazy from this point on.  Time to start thinking about Christmas shopping if you haven't already started.  I'm not going to make you jealous by telling you that mine is already finished.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Baby Bacchus Counts Blessings

     OK, another CAS card today using only a single layer and one ribbon for embellishment.  The image is by Rick St. Dennis, called "Baby Bacchus."  Isn't he fantastic?  He just looked like he should be on some kind of harvest card.  Since I lived for a long time in both of California's grape vineyard and wine country areas, I thought this would be a perfect California Thanksgiving card.  :-D

I took my colors from the challenge at

MFP Speedy TV -- Rust, Blue and Green

     I loved coloring this image!  It really lends itself to great shading and depth.  It's colored with ProMarkers.  The sentiment is done with a computer font and printed right onto the card front at the same time I printed the image.  I added the rust ribbon and tied a bow.  That was it!  Done in minutes.

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations
Digistamps 4 Joy
Eureka Stamps
House That Stamps Built
Male Room
Outlaws Greeting Cards
Paper Shelter
Through the Purple Haze

     That's it for today.  Hope your weekend is going well and that you have some wonderful "Me" time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Hanging the Star

     I'm so tickled to be able to share with you yet another challenge at QKR Stampede where our theme this week is "Let's Think Christmas."   Mostly I'm tickled with how well the coloring came together on this adorable "Hanging the Star" mouse.  OK, now, I want to hear everyone break out into a chorus of "Deck the Halls."  It's my favorite Christmas carol.  :-D

I based this on the sketch at The Sweetest Thing.

     The image is colored with my always-the-first-to-reach-for ProMarkers, then die cut and matted with CS from my stash.  The sentiment, "Yuletide Treasures," is also from QKR Stampede and I die cut and matted it, as well.  The dp pieces are from DCWV and have been in my Christmas stash forever.  The ribbon I used for the bow was the last scrap I had, just enough to tie a bow.  My final touch was the three little pearls in the lower corner.

     Challenges:
Card Mania
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Card Crew
Die Cuttin' Divas
Dream Valley
Get Creative
Glitter n Sparkle
Incy Wincy
My Craft Creations
Not Just Cards
Ppinkydolls
Quirky Crafts
Ribbon Girl
Whoopsi Daisy

     I hope your week has gone well and that you have wonderful plans for the weekend.  I hope you can find some time to make a card for our challenge at QKR Stampede while you're at it.  Remember, you're not required to use an image from QKR to enter, but you certainly increase your chances of winning if you do since we have a separate drawing just for those who use QKR images.  Good luck if you do come and play.

     Has "Deck the Halls" stopped running through your head yet?  No?  Catchy, isn't it.   :-D

Happy Stamping.   NanaConnie

Ve Vant Candy!

     The title of this post is the name of this image from Lacy Sunshine and I'm using it for their "Halloween" challenge.  Eleanor and Pickles are out "Trick or Treat"ing so they're perfect for the theme.

I chose to use the sketch from Sweet Sketch Weds 2

and I took my colors from Simon Says Stamp.

  

     The image is colored with my favorite ProMarkers, then die cut and I inked the edges of the die cut.  I also die cut the mat and inked the edges of it.  I die cut the computer-generated sentiment and inked those edges, too.  I do love my Spellbinders!  :-D

     Everything was layered onto kraft CS and I wrapped ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon around the kraft piece.  I used a scrap of the wide, wired ribbon, cut swallow-tails into the ends, then twisted it twice in the middle to create the 'butterfly' shaped 'bow.'   I added a button to the middle and adhered it to the polka dot ribbon.

     Challenges:
A Little Bit Crafty
Crafting for all Seasons
Digi Chooseday
Double Click
Ladybug Crafts
Little Red Wagon
Paper Nest Dolls
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrapy Land
Seemacrafts
Sisters of Craft

     I'll have a second post this afternoon if I get the card done.  I want to show off another of the Doodle Pantry sets released this month and remind you that there are still a few days left to play in the October challenge over there.  See you later and Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

The Witch is In -- um, ah, Out Riding

     It's Friday so it's my day for QKR Stampede (woohoo!) and the latest challenge.  Our theme is "The Witch is In."   We want to see witches, in or out.  My QKR Stampede digi is called "Out Riding" so she isn't really 'in', I suppose.  :-D  She's out having fun, the way witches will do.

I used the sketch from Outlawz,  turned 1/4 turn

and colors from Creative Colors.

  

     I colored the image with my beloved ProMarkers and die cut it with a die from Spellbinders .  I 'sponged' the sky with chalk while the image was still in the die.  I wrapped orange polka dot ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon) around a scrap of black CS then mounted the image on top.  The silly sentiment is mine, though I may have seen it somewhere last year and revived it.  Apologies if I'm claiming it and it actually was yours.  It's also die cut.

     All of that went onto a brown card base (which has a greenish tinge in the photograph - who knows why!)   The pumpkins and the gems have all been locked away in my stash (translate hoarded) as though using them might diminish them in some way.  "Why buy things and then hoard them?", I keep asking myself.  Sheesh!

     Challenges:

Come and Get It

Crafter's Cafe

Craft Hoarders Anonymous

Crafting from the Heart

Creative Card Crew

Digi Makeover

Inky Impressions

Inspiration Destination

Lia Stampz

Not Just Cards

One Stitch at a Time

Paper Shelter

Pile It On

Ppinky Dolls

Robyn's Fetish

Top Tip Tuesday

Whimsy Inspiration

     For some of us, today starts the weekend and for others it starts later tonight or tomorrow, depending on how you figure it.  However, I hope your plans include some time just for you.  Maybe you'll want to be creative and do something for our challenge.  You're not required to use a QKR Stampede image but if you do, you have an excellent chance of winning more QKR digis because we do a drawing just for those who use them.  If you use other digis, that's fine, too, and you still have a chance to win.  Come play with us this week.  The witch is in!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Black Cat Bad Luck?

     When I saw the expression on the face of this cat, it was clear he was objecting to the myth of "black cats are bad luck."  Too cute and too funny!  So my sentiment had to relate to that.  :-D  The image is from Squigglefly and the theme for their current challenge is "Pumpkins or the Color Orange."

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, added a bit of glitter gel ink to the moon and star dangling from her hat and also to her supposedly 'silver' hair, and then die cut the frame with a Spellbinders die.  That was mounted onto black CS and I added the sentiment at the top.  Fast card once the coloring was done.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Corrosive Challenges
Craft for the Craic
Crafty Catz
Crazy Challenge
Die Cuttin' Divas
Digi Chooseday
Digi Makeover
Di's Digi Designs
Docerela Creations
East Wind
Fairy Tale
Friends of Speedy TV
Glitter n Sparkle
Graph' It
Kit and Clowder
One Stitch at a Time
Outlawz Tuesday with a Twist
Pink Elephant Monday
Stamp and Create
Sweet Pea Stampers

     Quick post because I have lots to do today, hopefully including getting some blog visits done.  I'm running behind again with my visits and comments to friends and followers.  Be patient with me, won't you?  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

'Fraidy Cat

     It was time for a Bugaboo Stamps image and an entry into the Catch the Bug "Fall" challenge this week.  I have a ton of Bugaboo images and lots of them are Halloween related so here's my Fall contribution.

     Very CAS design today.  I printed the image and my own sentiment directly onto the card base then colored the image with my ProMarkers.  I added a bit of yellow glitter to the eyes, nose, and mouth for a touch of sparkle.  The three black gems in each bottom corner are the only embellishments.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Baffies Kreativladen
Bunny Zoe's
Crafting at the Weekend
Crafting by Designs
Crafting for all Seasons
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Divas by Design
I {heart} ProMarkers
Inspiration Destination
Little Miss Muffet
Open-Minded Crafting Fun
Outlawz PAM
Paper Pretties Weds.
Ppinky Dolls
Scrapper's Delights
Treasured Times

     That's it for me this morning.  I hope you're enjoying your weekend and finding lots of creative time in your day.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Frightfully Delightful

     It's Friday so that means a new challenge at QKR Stampede and this week our theme is "Frightfully Delightful."  Dig out those Halloween stamps -- either frightful or delightful -- and play along.  You could win some fabulous images!   My card is done using Digi 12303, "Jack-O-Lantern."  The sentiment is my own.

Sketch from The Sweetest Thing

turned on its side.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and die cut with the largest die in one of my Spellbinders sets.  The papers have been in my stash for so long I can't even remember buying them.  Each of the papers were corner punched so that they would look like the die cut image piece.  Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the little bow is one of those I make myself.  I dyed it with a ProMarker to get that mango-orange shade.  The pearl swirl seemed to say "windy autumn" and the leaf is made by Jolee's.

     Challenges:
A Little Bit Crafty
Bearly Mine
Come and Get It
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Creative Craft Cottages
Glitter n Sparkle (bow)
Jellypark Friends
Ladybug Crafts
One Stitch at a Time
Pile It On
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Sisters of Craft
The Corrosive Challenges

     I hope we're going to see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  You're not required to use a QKR image but if you do, you'll be in a special draw just for those who use QKR digis or rubber stamps and that will increase your chances of winning by a ton!  Get your Halloween on and come play along.  :-D Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Remembering Summer Butterflies

     I have the most exciting news!  For a couple of years now, ever since I was a GDT for their challenge, I've been slipping over to the store at QKR Stampede whenever the budget allowed and I've also played in the challenges over there nearly every week.  I'm really crazy about their images!!  I've specifically used QKR images to improve my coloring skills over the last several months and now I've been invited to join the QKR Stampede DT !  I'm just over the moon about that.  :-D  So, today's card is my first as a DT member.  Our challenge theme this week is the always popular "Anything Goes."

     I did a card in fall colors, using the "Bunny and Butterfly" image as a way of looking back at summer while turning toward a gorgeous fall.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and then die cut with a Wonky Square die from Spellbinders.  The sentiment was added when I printed the image.  I cut a second Wonky Square out of dp from my fall stash (two or three years old -- who knows?) and distressed the edges of both pieces.  I used an octagon die from QuicKutz to shape the card itself and layered on dp from SU, then trimmed it to fit the octagon.

     My three finishing touches were the ribbon, the bow and the flower.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Boots
Crafty Sentiments Designs (middle row or 3rd vertical row)
Deep Ocean
Die Cuttin' Divas
Fairytale Stampers
Glitter n Sparkle
Going Grey with Scrap Creations
My Craft Creations
Oldie but a Goodie
One Stitch at a Time
Pink Elephant Monday
{Pin}spirational
Ppinkydolls
Quirky Crafts
Scrapy Land
Whoopsi Daisy

     I really hope we're going to see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  What better week to play than when the theme is Anything Goes?  You don't have to use a QKR image to enter but if you do, you could be the winner of a separate draw just for QKR Stampede users.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Haunted House for Tuesday Throwdown #215

     Another Tuesday, another challenge at Tuesday Throwdown and this week we're playing with the color wheel to show that "Opposites Attract."   We want to see you use two colors which are opposite each other on the color wheel.  Our sponsor this week is Craft Classes Online and you could win entry into a free class!
 I chose purple and yellow for this spooky Halloween haunted house by QKR Stampede.

     This card is a little different.  Instead of printing the silhouette image onto white CS, I printed it onto lavender paper and then paper pieced the yellow moon.  The light in the windows is done with yellow chalks.  The white on the roofs, trim, and clouds is done with white gel ink.

     I adhered the image to the card front and then doodled with black ink to make the grass go off the edge into the margin.  The purple fibers were in my stash and I honestly have no idea where I got them although I have four or five different colors of them so I must have really liked them or found them on a clearance sale.  The ghost and sentiment are stickers.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Gem of a Challenge
Aud Sentiments
Brown Sugar
Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe
Craft a Scene
Outlawz Monday Greetings
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Pile It On
Red Rubber Inspirationals
Scribble & Scrap
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Sister Act
Sweet Stampin'
We Do Doobadoo

     Wow, that's a longer list of challenges than any I've done lately!  But most importantly, I'd love to see you playing along in our "Opposites Attract" challenge at Tuesday Throwdown.  Just in case you don't have a color wheel, work with this one.



     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Candy or Fish?

    OK, so my fur-babies and I were discussing Halloween the other day and I was reminding them that when the ghoulies and goblins come for Trick or Treat, it really isn't necessary for them to try to make a break-out rush through the front door; they are house cats, after all.  HoneyBear, who has the attention span of a gnat, had only one question -- could they expect fish for Trick or Treat this year instead of candy?  So much for my plans to eat all the Halloween leftovers!

     Image from QKR Stampede, colored with ProMarkers, and then die cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I found a scrap of dp and die cut that for the frame around the image.  Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, glitter from Stickles, and leaves from Jolee's.

     Challenges:

A Creative Romance

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards

Craft-Dee BowZ

Crafts and Me

Crazy 4 Challenges

Die Cuttin' Divas

DRS Designs

Fitztown

Going Grey with Scrap Creations

Hiding in My Craft Room

Luna Girl Moonbeams

Melonheadz Friends

Open-Minded Crafting Fun

Outlawz PAM

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Send a Smile 4 Kids

Sister Act

     I hope your weekend is relaxing and creative.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Vintage Autumn

     I had no idea I was going to be as thrilled with this card as I am but the result is eminently pleasing.  :-D

     This is a Fitztown image which I colored with ProMarkers and then die cut with one of my framing dies from Spellbinders.  I rarely work with oranges (except for fall color combos) so I had to dig around quite a bit to find the pumpkin CS which I die cut with a plain oval die from QuicKutz.

     At first, I intended to layer the two ovals so that the plain oval would be just a vertical mat behind the image but as I was playing around, I angled it and really liked the way it looked.  I layered both pieces onto the card front and then began adding flowers and pearls.  I didn't have any flowers that pumpkin color but ProMarkers fixed that.  :-D  I'm becoming convinced that I'll buy nothing but white flowers from now on and custom color them to whatever I need.  The bow was also white but dyed with a ProMarker.

     When she was finished, I thought she looked regal and vintage.  I certainly didn't plan the card this way.  I thought it was going to be another CAS card but it's one of those that just took off, apparently having a mind of its own.  This time, I'm glad I let it go instead of trying to control it.  :-D

     Challenges:
A Vintage Journey
Card Makin' Mamas
Crafts 4 Eternity
Crafty Catz
Creatalicious
Dies R Us
Docerela Creations
East Wind
Fitztown
Pattie's Creations
Quick Quotes

     That's all for today and it's been a really busy week so we'll have to see if there's any more time before the weekend for playing.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Puppy Love

     OK, I admit it -- I'm addicted to QKR Stampede images!   I find myself reaching into my collection of them whenever I want something fun or quirky or gently humorous.

     Since I'm a Guest Designer at The Outlawz CAS challenge this month, not only am I getting lots of practice on doing CAS (which I'm really loving!), I get to put on my thinking cap, too.  Our theme this week is the movie "6 Days, 7 Nights" and Pryn's advice is to "think of islands, planes, pirates, castaways, etc."  What I remember most about the movie is that when you take all those things away, it's really all about falling in love.  That meant this adorable image from QKR Stampede was perfect!

There are lots of challenges with an "autumn" or "fall colors" theme this week so

I started with the inspiration photo from Chocolate Baroque.

     The image is colored with a combo of ProMarkers and chalks.  In die cutting the image, I decided to do an out-of-the-box technique with the smaller scalloped rectangle die.  I used a larger scalloped die to cut the brown mat.  The sentiment is cut and matted with the same die set (Spellbinders) but I had to adjust the die to get the right size (cut one side, then move the die and line up the scallops.)

     Everything on the card, including the card front piece, was done using scraps of leftover CS and those scraps have been in the basket for nearly a year.  It was about time to get them used up.  No embellishments; the die cuts and CS mats were enough and this is a CAS challenge.  :-D

     Challenges:
AAA CAS Cards
Bloom Girl
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafting for all Seasons
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Creative Craft Cottage
Creative Moments
Cuttlebug Mania
Oldie but a Goodie
Outlawz PAM
Vandicrafts Artistry

     Enjoy the last half of your weekend and I hope we're going to see you playing along at the Outlawz CAS Challenge.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Autumn Naps

     It's the second Sunday in September and I'm Guest Designing this entire month over at The Outlawz CAS Challenge.  This week we have a challenge theme of "Girly" or "Feminine."  All right, I've done my share of feminine cards so that's no big deal -- except that I make feminine cards with tons of lace and ribbon and flowers and bling and...  Yeah, you get the idea but this card has to be CAS.

     In case you're wondering, yes, I did have a conversation with myself and it went this way, "OK, I made a commitment to do CAS at Outlawz for this entire month and I'm going to do it!"   First I want to share the card and then I'll tell you the other side of the story.

BTW, those of us who are in the "Autumn" of our years know how sweet an afternoon nap can be.  :-D

     The image is from Rick St. Dennis and he's a great sponsor of challenges at Outlawz.  I knew I wanted to use this image since the pumpkin is a great symbol of fall and harvest and Thanksgiving.  But fall colors are hard for me when I'm trying to think "girly."  For me, pink is the color that says "Feminine," not orange or brown.

     Then I remembered -- a couple of years ago my daughter saw some pink pumpkins for sale.  Not painted or dyed but real pumpkins that are pink when they grow.  The lady selling them was donating the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research.  That was near and dear to my heart since I'm a BC survivor (13 years this month!  :-D )   My daughter and I have already decided that next year we are going to grow pink pumpkins and sell them to donate funds to Breast Cancer Research, too.  You can find more info on the Pink Pumpkin Foundation by clicking on their name.

     So, with pink pumpkins in mind, I looked around and found this wonderful color combo over at Creative Craft Cottage:  

                                                                  

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, then die cut and matted.  Because I wanted a feminine feel, I decided that some lace with pink ribbon woven through it would make a good single embellishment.  After all, this is CAS not vintage!  :-D  I laid it diagonally across the card front, than added the image piece, popped up on dimensional dots.  I have it on good authority that despite the lace and ribbon this card still qualifies as CAS -- minimal embellishment, lots of open space, and clean lines.

     Challenges:

Bastel-Traum

Bunny Zoe's

Crafts Galore Encore

Ladybug Crafts

Lia Stampz

Paper Sweeties

Ppinkydolls

Scribbles Designs

Vintage Stamping

     Well, my friends, if I can do a feminine CAS card (even without using a really girly-girl image!) anyone can do it.  Won't you come along and show us what it is that makes you think feminine?  Is it colors, images, certain embellishments, maybe flowers?  Challenge yourself as I did and make a girly card, keeping it CAS.  See you at Outlawz.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Not Chicken

     I have to combine two of my favorite challenges (and add a few others) with this delightful image from QKR Stampede.  I know I've already posted today but as soon as I saw the Paper Playful list of Friday challenges, I knew this card had to be done right away.  :-D  It's total silliness in honor of All Hallow's Eve and fall.  I'm not sure if the chicken is 'sitting' the pumpkin or if the pumpkin is wearing a 'chicken' hat!

My sketch came from Cardabilities

and the colors came from the inspiration photo at Die Cuttin' Divas.

 

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then die cut with my largest 'banner flag' die.  The orange mat is hand cut since I had already used my largest die of that shape.  The plaid dp is a digital paper and I can't remember who made it.  It was a freebie download from more than 3 years ago and there is no company name on it.  The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the little bow is one of those I make myself.  I dearly love yellows and oranges for fall color combos.  Funny how little I use them in combo the rest of the year.  :-D

     Challenges:

A Creative Romance

A Girl Who Crafts

Crafts 4 Eternity

Crafty Catz

Creative Moments

Delightful Challenge

DL.ART

Natalie and Amy's

Outlawz Friday Coloring

Sister Act

STAMPlorations

Vandicrafts Artistry

     I hope your weekend is going well and that your weather is cooler than what we have out here in California.  I'm just soooo ready for the cooler temps of fall.  Where are they?   Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

"Day of the Dead" Fairy for Halloween

     

     Through The Craft Room Door, September 2014 Issue is now available for your viewing in the "Subscribers Only Area" at Through The Craft Room Door website: http://craftrmdoor.ning.com.   It is loaded with paper craft tutorials, tons of inspiration, and projects you can create.  Come see Colleen Schaan's craft room - trust me, it will knock you off your feet - it totally rocks .   Art by Miran is this issue's Featured Digi Artist and has given the subscribers the sweetest digital images to download.  Come on over and join us and try one of the great tutorials! 

     Another challenge starts to day at Through the Craft Room Door, always "Anything Goes," and we love seeing what you create and submit.  We're sponsored this time by AuroraWings (I love their digis!) and I chose to do another Halloween card using an image from their Fairies collection, called "Day of the Dead."

     The details and the materials list for this card are published in the new September/October issue of the magazine and I really hope you're a subscriber so that you can see all the tutorials and projects.  Believe me, you don't want to miss out!  I will tell you that I've used one of my favorite techniques which is to "frame" the image with the negative piece of a die cut.  The purple frame is laid over the image instead of the image being cut out with the die.

     Challenges:
4 Krafty Girlz
A Girl Who Crafts
Creative Craft Cottage
Fairy Tale
Frosted Designs Friday
Graph'It
Kreativeinkauf
Ladybug Crafts
Natalie and Amy's
Oddball Art
Outlawz Color Tuesday
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Paradise Stamps
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Red Rubber Inspirationals
Sister Act
Sisters of Craft
STAMPlorations

     What a great Tuesday this is!  I hope your week is going well.  Find some time for yourself, check out the fabulous new issue of the TTCRD Magazine, and then enjoy some Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Cinderella Cat

     I am delighted to announce that I've been asked to be a Guest Designer for September on the Sunday CAS Challenge at The Outlawz!   All I can say is that someone has a much better opinion of my ability to create Clean and Simple card designs than I have myself.  I think I still need loads of practice but every once in a while, I get one right.  :-D  Let's hope I get a few of those this month.  Our challenge theme this week is done in honor of the lovely fall colors which will be taking over the northern hemisphere soon, so Use Your Favorite Colors.  But they can be from any season.  I chose to use fall colors because I'm so ready for cooler weather.

     This one uses a darling image from Squigglefly.  I know it's been around for a long time (last year? two years?) but this is my first time actually using it.  Those two kittens with the pumpkin just made me think of what would have happened to Cinderella's coach right after midnight.  Hence, the silly sentiment.

I used the colors from Mema's.

     This is a single layer card, colored with water colors, and I added faux stitching with an orange pen.  The only embellishment comes from the three tiny stars.  Not much more to say given how simple this is.

     Challenges:
A Girl Who Crafts
Bearly Mine
Bastel- Traum
Card and Scrap
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Cutie Pie
Inky Chicks
Oldie but a Goodie
Miriam's Crafting
My Heart Pieces
Paper Sweeties

     Time to put on your CAS hats and get something done to play along with us this week.  I can't wait to see what you create and post at the Outlawz.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Autumn Leaf Frolic

     I'm really flattered to have been invited to be a Guest Designer at Sketch 'n Dies.  I've played in their challenges pretty regularly for a while now and it's an honor to be asked to Guest Design.  The sponsor this week is Scrappiness Designs and they have some of the prettiest papers and kits I've ever seen.  I used papers from their "My Fairy Tale" set.

Here's the sketch.

     The sentiment I used was a freebie I found and I've had it in my collection for so long that I don't know who made it.  If someone recognizes it, please leave me a comment and tell me.  I'd love to give proper credit.  I matted the sentiment with dp and dark brown CS.  All the leaves are die cut with a Cheery Lynn die, either from brown CS or the yellow striped dp.  The flower layers are punched and embossed with a stylus, then stacked together.  I punched a tiny hole through all the layers so I could add the stamen.

     There is one additional decorative die cut (Spellbinders) -- the light brown buried underneath the leaves.  The yellow leaves were somewhat lost against the dp background and that brown die cut helped to distinguish them from the background.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafter's Cafe
Creative Moments
Dream Valley
Suzy Bee's Bloomin'
Sweet Pea Stampers
We Do Doobadoo
Word Art Weds.

       Hope you're having a wonderful Labor Day in the US, and for the rest of the world, a great start to your  new week.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Are You Afraid of a Spook?

     Well, I'm definitely into fall this weekend (my favorite season) and am thinking of (and working on) Halloween.  I have done so many cards since Thursday night that I'm doing two posts today because I can't wait to share them.  :-D

     This one uses a fabulous, fun image from QKR Stampede.  They have a 2 week long blog hop and their challenge is an Anything Goes but you have to use either a QKR Stampede image or a Eureka Stamps image this time.

I used Sketch #216 from Sketch Saturday.

My stitched ribbon substitutes for the stars in the sketch.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then die cut it and the two mats (one from dp and one from CS) with octagon dies from QuicKutz.  I love browns and oranges for fall cards and especially for Halloween cards.  They reflect the fall colors we find in nature and tell us there's a quiet end of summer coming.  That makes me so happy because the hot summer weather is over finally!  :-D

     The background dp is embossed and glittered, and both dp are from DCWV, but they've been in my stash longer than I care to admit.  The ribbon came from Joann.com.  Sentiment was printed with a computer font and matted with brown CS.  The bow is one of the ones I make by hand.

     Challenges:
4 Krafty Girlz
As You Like It
Clear It Out
Crafty Creations
Delightful Challenges
DRS Designs
Hiding in My Craft Room
Just Us Girls
Moving Along with the Times
Outlawz Coloring
Top Tip Tuesday
Treasured Times

     I'll be back tomorrow with another Guest Designer card but I'm not telling you which team until then.  I am honored to have been asked to Guest Design in September for two different teams.  See you then.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

When the "Fashionista" Retires...

          The sentiment pretty much says it all on this one!  :-D  Image is from Rick St. Dennis and it seriously looks like I posed as the model for it.  And, since I know so much about this (having posed for it), I can tell you that the three fur babies are known as Bullet, Bluebell, and Buttercup.  They dearly love playing with Bows and they think the fashionista's Bathrobe simply must be covered with loose cat hair at all times.  How's that for a bushel of "B"s?

     Image is colored with ProMarkers and Triads and then fussy cut and adhered to coral pink CS.  I die cut a piece of embossed dp from my stash with a scalloped oval die, and used the negative as a frame for the image.  Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the bows were hand made by me.

     Challenges:
Crafts Galore Encore
Corrosive Challenge
Hiding in My Craft Room
Outlawz Greeting Card
Outlawz PAM
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Sentimental Sundays
Sister Act
Stempelsonnen

     Halfway to the weekend, folks!  Hope your week is going well.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Play Date for Two

     Good Tuesday morning to you all !  If it's Tuesday, then it must be time for a new challenge at Tuesday Throwdown and this week our challenge theme is "Furry Little Friends."  Oak Pond Creations is sponsoring the challenge this week and they have some adorable animal images.  They provided images for the team to use and I think these two feline buddies are just the cutest ever.

     I colored the image with a combo of ProMarkers and Triart markers, then die cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  Because friends in the northeast keep assuring me that there is a nip of autumn in their air (ours is still very hot and dry), I decided do a monochromatic card using "harvest gold" autumn colors in hopes it will encourage the cooler fall temperatures to get here very soon.  

     The striped and burlap look papers are both from my large pile of old scrapbook papers and it's time to start using those instead of just storing them.  I did use a couple of things I've never used before and those are the two different corner punches.  I love the decorative look they give -- almost like added embellishments.  The bow with the pearl is one of those I make.  I sewed up many more this past weekend when I was without internet connection or crafting supplies.  I did about 2 dozen of them in one sitting, and then another dozen on another evening so now my stash of them is all stocked up.

     Challenges:
4 Krafty Girlz
Brown Sugar
Craft for the Craic
Crafts 4 Eternity
Crafting at the Weekend
Creative Corner
Creative Moments
Delightful Challenges
Graph'It
Little Miss Muffet
MilkCoffee
Pattie's Creations
Scrapper's Delights
Treasured Times

     Come play with us at Tuesday Throwdown this week.  All you need is something that shows a furry friend.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

For Your Vintage Birthday

     I have a dear friend who loves it when I use green & yellow as a combo for my cards and she is always telling me that she's not old, she's simply "aged like a vintage wine."   So, here's the card I made for her birthday a week ago.  I created it as my DT card for Through the Craft Room Door this week and our new challenge has the usual "Anything Goes" theme.  Our marvelous sponsor this week is Oozak.

     The image is from Sandi Huggett (Sandi's Samples), called "Lady Kathleen" and I colored her with a combination of ProMarkers, Spectrum Noir, and Touch Twin markers.  The sparkle in the corners of the die cut is created with Cloud 9 Velvet Glitter from Sparkle n Sprinkle.  For a full materials list, please visit the TTCRD blog post this week.

     I added the birthday sentiment to the inside this time.   Here's a picture:

     Challenges:

A Girl Who Crafts

Bearly Mine

Cards Galore Encore

Delightful Challenges

Docerela Creations

Natalie and Amy's

Oddball Art Stamps

Outlawz PAM

Simply Create 2

Sisters of Craft

Sweet 7

Wags 'n Whiskers

     Come play along with us at Through the Craft Room Door this week.  How can you not want to play in an "Anything Goes" theme?  We're looking forward to seeing what you create and enter.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie