Winter Sparkles at Christmas Time

     

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

     I have an announcement today which makes me very happy.  :-D  After more than three years of playing the various challenges at The Outlawz, I've been invited to be on the DT of the Twisted Thursday challenge over there.  

     Today is my first 'official' appearance sharing this card for the challenge.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and we have an optional twist each week, too.  This week the twist is "Winter Sparkle for Christmas."  Our fantastic sponsor is Stitchy Bear.  They supplied images to the DT members but I used one which I already had in my own Stitchy Bear collection called "Winter Tree."  Even though it's an older image, it's one which lends itself to Christmas or even just winter cards.

     If you'd like to see the same image used by another DT which looks totally different, visit the Twisted Thursday challenge.  If you haven't joined The Outlawz yet, now is a great time to do so.  Joining is free and we have a different challenge every day plus they are adding a new Progressive Freebie challenge and you can get a new sponsor's image every challenge by signing up and then using it for an entry in the next challenge.

I have another close up photo and it's a much better view of all the sparkle.

It almost looks like Christmas lights, doesn't it?

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and then added a very thin layer of Stickles "Diamond."  I matted the image with various layers of dp and CS (all from the scrap bin) and finally added a dp from DCWV's Linen Closet stack, something I've had for nearly 2 years.  That all went on the card front.  I used dark blue cord, stamped the sentiment, and added the little blue snowflakes.

     Challenges:

A Creative Romance

Addicted to Stamps

Bearly Mine

Christmas Cards

Clear It Out

Come and Get It

Corrosive Challenge

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra

Emerald Faeries

Fan-Tastic Tuesday

Hiding in My Craft Room

Jellypark Friends

Just Inspirational

Kreativeinkauf

My Sheri Crafts

Party Time Tuesday

That Craft Place

Vandicrafts Artistry

We Do Doobadoo

     I hope you'll consider playing in our Twisted Thursday challenge this week.  What better time to do that than when you have a four-day weekend?  Yeah, right -- you'll all be out fighting the crowds for Christmas goodies, won't you?  Not me, I refuse to do the Black Friday thing!

     I don't fight crowds, I don't go anywhere near a department store or a big box store between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.  I do my Christmas shopping during the first 8 or 9 months of the year, grabbing things whenever I find something perfect for a particular person and I'm usually done in August.  Whatever may not have gotten done by then, I shop online.  :-D  Enjoy your holiday if you're in the US and have a wonderful weekend anyway if you're not.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Kitten from Santa

     I was asked to make a card for a young girl who is getting a kitten from Santa this year.  It'll be her first pet now that she's old enough to care for an animal.  I looked through my images and found this one from QKR Stampede (Digi 7502 - "Sitting Pretty" + sentiment, Digi 14505 - "Hug") and since the new challenge starts today, it seemed a perfect card to use.  The theme at QKR is "Bling It On!"

     I colored the kitten with ProMarkers, then die cut the image with a die from a Spellbinders'  set.  Die cutting images is one of my favorite techniques, which you undoubtedly know if you've visited my blog very often.  :-D  I matted that with dark red CS.  I added three, tiny, red gems in each of two corners,one larger one to the bow around the kitten's neck, and then added the pearl snowflakes to the bottom corner of the die cut and to the side of the card.  The red ribbon bow is one of those I sew together by the dozens with a pearl added.  I hope all those pearls still count as bling even though they don't sparkle like diamonds or gemstones.  :-D

     Challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafter's Cafe

Crafty Ribbons

Crazy Challenge

Creative Moments

Cutie Pie

Delightful Challenges

Dies R Us

DL.ART Thankful Thurs

Inky Impressions

Inspiration Destination

My Craft Creations

Paper Shelter

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Scrapper's Delights

     Don't forget to come and play with us this week.  You can use any company's images to enter but if you use a QKR Stampede image, you'll be in a special separate drawing and that increases your chances of winning more than you can imagine!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Feast Day

     I know by now you are all completely ready for Thanksgiving, right?  Pies baked, turkey bought and ready to thaw a day or two before, menu planned, good China and stemware washed and shiny, dust bunnies and cobwebs banished -- yeah, yeah, I know...  Well, this gobbler is ready and waiting!  He looks just like every man I've ever known, of whatever age, sitting at the table, waiting impatiently while the women are still slaving away in the kitchen.  :-D

     Friday means there's a new challenge at QKR Stampede and our theme this week is ""I'm Thankful for..."
My image is Digi 15904, "Thanksgiving Feast" and the sentiment is Digi 13815, "Happy Thanksgiving,"  both from QKR Stampede.  I'm thankful for family, food, and lots of other hands helping in the kitchen.

I based this design on the sketch at Sketchy Colors but reversed

so that the background is square and the image is round,

 and the sentiment piece is on the opposite side..

          The image is colored with ProMarkers and then die cut with a simple circle die from QuicKutz.   The doily is cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  The rust CS behind the image and also framing the sentiment are salvaged scraps, as is the polka dot dp.  The ribbon and lace are from my stash, probably originally from a local scrap store.  The rose is from Recollections.

     Challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs
Come and Get It
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Delightful Challenges
Die Cuttin' Divas
Dragonfly Dreams
Fan-Tastic Tuesday
Glitter 'n Sparkle
House That Stamps Built
Papertake Weekly
Party Time Tuesday
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Hands
That Craft Place

     Hey, folks, it's time for the weekend!  Get your crafting hats on and make something that pleases you.  Then go finish the pre-Thanksgiving chores which still need to be done.  Life's short -- eat dessert first!  :-D  NanaConnie

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