"Mistletoe" Fairy

     This is the second of today's posts and features another card for the week long Christmas in July challenges at Catch the Bug.  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I've had a fun debate with myself about whether this is a Holly Fairy or a Mistletoe Fairy.  I insist that's holly she's holding but the image title in the store is "Mistletoe Fairy" so I've colored the berries the creamy white of mistletoe berries rather than the red of holly.

     I don't really care which she is - she's so adorable!

Today's theme at Catch the Bug is a sketch.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, the cut her with a stitched die from Die-namics.  The red frame is cut with another die from that same set.  Both of the patterned papers are from the scrap pile in my Christmas stash.  I printed the sentiment, hand-cut it, and matted it with a scrap of red CS shaped like an arrow.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Brown Sugar

Classic Design Team

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Calendar

Digistamps4Joy

Pixie's Snippets

So Suzy/Crackerbox

Sparkles

     Be sure to check out my first post of the day by scrolling down to the next post.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Time at Challenges for Days!

     Many of you know that I handle and update one of the challenge lists at Challenges for Days, a site which gives you lists of challenges and their themes for every day of the week and for "by the month" dates.  If you go to the Challenges for Days site, you can sign up to follow and you'll never miss the daily list of challenges ever again!

     We are celebrating our 5th Birthday with quite a collection of fabulous prizes.  Starting today and ending on Saturday, July 28 (our actual 'birthday') there will be 1 daily winner and 4 super winners on Saturday.  I have a prize which I've donated for the daily winner today.  I'm giving away a Spellbinders die set, "Romantic Rose" (see photo at end of post) which will be mailed to the winner.  Just leave a comment here on my post and on the Birthday Bash post over at Challenges for Days, and you could be the winner of today's prize.

     The image is from Conie Fong and I colored it with ProMarkers.  I cut the image with a die from Sue Wilson and the green framing was cut with another Sue Wilson die.  Even the butterfly is a Sue Wilson die.   I added rows of pearls to the corner and printed the sentiment, matted it, and adhered it below the image.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Conie Fong
Crafting from the Heart
Cute N Crafty
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Outlawz PAM
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Stamping Sensations

     Be sure to get your comments in before midnight Pacific time on Saturday, July 28.  We'll be doing the draw for today's prize (and the others) on Sunday morning.  Then come back and visit the Challenges for Days blog each day to be in the running for the other daily prizes and the super birthday prizes on Saturday.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

 Prize for the giveaway - leave a comment!

Christmas in July

     I'm back! and I want to share with you the first Christmas card I've made this year.  Because I donate a lot of cards to my local Senior Center, I usually start much earlier and do at least two cards per month until about April and then 2 cards or more per week after that all the way up to the middle of December.  But this year, I just didn't get started.

     So, it's a good thing that Catch the Bug (Bugaboo Stamps) has their week long, Christmas in July, daily challenges starting today.  Today's theme is "Baby, It's Cold" and I did my best to make the card feel cold and icy despite the 105 temperatures predicted for today.

Bugaboo Stamps image

     I colored with ProMarkers, added glitter to all the snowflakes, then die cut the image with a square die from Spellbinders.  The image is framed with a die cut scrap in green CS (QuicKutz die.)  The background paper (also a scrap) is embossed, glittered, and sparkles like an ice storm IRL.  In the photo, the sparkle just looks gray so you can see that it's filled with flowers and leaves and butterflies.  But when looking at the actual card, the sparkle is so overwhelming that it could be snowflakes so it works.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Di's Digi Designs
I {heart} ProMarkers
Ike's World
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Outlawz SAR
Sasayaki Glitter
Simon Says Stamp & Show

     I'm going to do my best to play along in the Catch the Bug challenge each and every day this week so there may be days when I have more than one post.  Tomorrow will be one of those and, if you have time, please be sure to stop by and check out both posts.  One will have a fabulous "prize" attached to it which you could win just by leaving a comment.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Ladybug Whisperer

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

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

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

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

     Come play with us this week and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Taking a Bow

     I adore this sweet image (Mo Manning) and this is the first time I've used it as a Thank You card.  I needed one on the spur of the moment and this image was lying on the desk, waiting to be colored.

My colors came from My Favorite Things.

     This time, I 'water' colored with a brush and some of my refill alcohol inks.  I added sparkle gel ink to her tutu and the gems in her hair.  I know it doesn't show up well in the photo but that was the best I could do.  I really did try to get the sparkle to show.  :-D

     I used a Fiskars corner punch on both the image and the piece behind it.  I mounted everything onto a pink card base.  The sheer ribbon was in my scrap stash and I used up what I had left.  Rather than tying a bow since I had such a small piece left after wrapping it around the card front, I simple folded it into a bow shape and added a sparkly flower to the center.  I used ribbon glue to add it to the corner of the image.

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Catz
Crafty Creations
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs.
DL.ART Thankful Thurs.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Southern Girls #2 (ink/stamp/white)
 
     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wild Summer Roses

     Wild roses always remind me of summer and the lovely, coral-pink, bushes of them which grew next to my grandfather's cabin in the mountains of southern California.  There were dozens of plants and they seemed to increase each summer.  Though the blooming season was short, they always said "summer" at the top of their delicate, flowery, voices.  :-D

     When I saw this delightful image of wild roses at Beccy's Place, I just had to use it on a card.

I was inspired by the inspiration colors at House of Cards.

     I used my ProMarkers to color  the image and then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  The lattice work was also a die from Spellbinders and was actually a scrap from another project.  The dp was left over from a scrap booking page and the bow was tied by hand using burlap ribbon.  The sentiment was printed, hand-cut, matted, and hand-cut again.

     Challenges:
Card Mania
Carlin's Card Paradise
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Dreamy
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's PP
Digistamps4Joy
Morgan's ArtWorld

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Magic Day

     It's the middle of the month so that means it's challenge time at World Wide Open DT again.  Julia Spiri sponsors the challenge and this month I'm using "April Elf." 

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and cut with a die from Spellbinders.  The dark green CS frame is also cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I mounted everything onto a pale green card base, then printed and added the sentiment.  That's it!  No embellishments - just the layers of die cuts doing all the work to focus attention on the intricate details.  Funny how it ends up looking so shabby chic, isn't it?

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafting with Friends
Fussy and Fancy
Outlawz Festive Friday
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

An Apple a Day

     It's another Friday and another challenge starts at QKR Stampede today.  This post is another pre-scheduled one but I don't think you'll mind.   I know I have a few blog buddies who always stop by on Fridays to see what kind of silliness I've produced with the QKR image for that day.  And I know my friend, Lynn, will love this one if for no reason more than the blue color combo.

     Today I've played with "Happy Tummy" and this card is going to a diabetes diet technician in my doctor's office.   I know that sentiment will put a smile on her face.  :-D.

   I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a stitched die from CUTplorations. The polka dot dp is a scrap rescued from the basket, and the background plaid was a leftover exactly the right size for this card base.

     I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and inked the edges.  I found some navy-blue, jute cord and tied a double bow, then added it to the image piece.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Cute Card Thurs.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Southern Girls (middle row)
Time Out

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Hedgehog Taxi

     I love this adorable image from Di's Digi Designs which makes me think of a taxi ride for a hedgie.  This little girl pulling her garden cart is so sweet.

I did something new for me - a Double Z Fold card.

Here's a side view photo to show how the two pieces are put together.

     I colored with ProMarkers and watercolor pencils, then cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  I layered the image onto the top portion of the pink CS, and scored it twice to make the Z fold.  I took the white confetti CS (5 3/4" x 11"), scored it twice, and folded it into a larger Z fold.  The largest part (below the middle fold) is 5 3/4" x 5 3/4", making it a square card when all is folded together.  It will fit perfectly into a 6" x 6" envelope.

     I put the two Z fold pieces together, using double sided tape first at the top of the card, then folded them up together to determine where the bottom of the pink CS should be.  Once I had that, I removed the covering strip from the double sided tape on the bottom of the pink CS and pressed them together.

     I tied a bow tie bow from a bit of leftover lace, wrapping the center with satin ribbon and I added that to the bottom of the pink CS.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it to the bottom of the inside Z fold.

     It took me a little experimenting to figure out how to do the Double Z fold but I quite like it and will undoubtedly do more of them.

    (Edited to add:  As I was adding the challenge links to this, one of my grandkids told me I could have searched PINterest or YouTube for instructions on Z fold cards but I didn't think of that when I was making it.  I checked and both of those are filled with instructions.  lol  Check them out if you think you might be interested in doing one of these.  :-D )

     Challenges:
Allsorts
CARDZ TV
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Catz
Fussy and Fancy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Festive Friday
Polkadoodles

     That's it for me.  I'm really enjoying my time away and hope you are enjoying the pre-scheduled posts.  I'll have another one on Friday for my DT project at QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ice Cream at the Beach

     Want to know the perfect remedy for hot weather?  Yep, you guessed it - ice cream at the beach!  And I thought this cute little image from Bugaboo Stamps showed that off perfectly.  :-D

I used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch.

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel inks (white, silver, and sparkle), then die cut the image and the frame with two of my new dies from Tonic Studios.  I found scraps of dp in my basket, cut the ends of them with one of the scalloped dies from Tonic Studios, and added them underneath the framed image.

     I tied the multi-loop bow using two ribbons on my bow maker.  Finally, I printed the sentiment, hand-cut it, matted it, and added it, offset below the image.

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Catch the Bug
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Catz
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tulips in My Garden

     My card today is done with the image from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  The image just happens to have been donated by SheepSki Designs, where I've just rejoined the DT.   :-D
Is this a marvelous image?

     I think this may be the most CAS card I've done ever!  I do like CAS and try to do simple designs pretty regularly but this is literally nothing more than the image adhered right onto the card base.

     I used ProMarkers to color the tulips and to make a bit of a scene by adding ground and very pale sky.  The sentiment is printed right with the image.  I cut it with a stitched die from Lawn Fawn and added a bit of marker ink to the edges.

     The card base is single sided, 12"x12", distressed, scrap booking CS which I cut to size and scored to make a tent fold card.  No embellishments - no ribbon, no flowers, no bows, no bling... just the die cut image and the card base.  I like it!

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
That's Crafty
WordArt Weds.

     I'm off running today and will be only occasionally posting for the next couple of weeks.  I do have some posts pre-scheduled so I hope you'll stop by to see what's being posted in my absence.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

What Can You Do?

     It's another Friday and another challenge is starting at QKR Stampede today.  As usual, our theme is Anything Goes.  There's no requirement that you use QKR images for your project but if you do, then your entry will be in a separate draw and your chances of winning are huge!

     This morning, I let my quirky sense of humor run wild and here's the result. 

 

                                                    Card front using

                                                    "Held Prisoner."

     Here's the inside using
     "Men... " as sentiment.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it with a die from Cheapo Dies.  I used black CS to make the background, added a sheer, sparkly ribbon, and layered on the image.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it to the card front.  For a final embellishment, I added the three tiny pearls to the top corner.

     I hope this brought a smile to your face.  :-D

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Crafting from the Heart
Cute Card Thurs.
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Time Out
TTCRD

     Have a wonderful weekend, find some crafting time, and enjoy the weather - whatever it may be.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Life can be a Circus

     Happy 4th of July!  Hope your is safe and sane.

     This morning, I'm sharing a card with an image from Sasayaki Glitter for their Progressive Challenge on FB.

     I colored with ProMarkers (don't you love my subtle red, white, and blue?), and cut both the image and the sentiment with  dies from QuicKutz.  I inked all the edges and layered them onto dp from a large, 12x12, DCWV stack.  I added the baker's twine and CAS card which can be mailed easily.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Cardmakers
Outlawz Festive Friday
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD

     OK, I'm out of here for a day of celebrating freedom and thanking those who keep us free with their service.  Then back home for a couple of days before I take a couple of weeks off.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Summer Tea Time

     If you ask my dear SIL, he'd tell you that Summer Tea Time was actually Summer "Tee" Time on the golf course!   But when I think of  Tea Time in the summer, I remember delightful afternoon teas in the garden when I was an exchange student at Cambridge University in England.   I have delightful memories of that whole experience, despite the long hours of classes and studies.

I was inspired by the sketch at The Outlawz

adjusted for a square card.

     The images (by Sandi Huggett) were printed individually, then colored with ProMarkers.  I fussy cut the teacup, and used a scalloped circle die from Spellbinders to cut the teapot.  The background dp was a leftover of scrapbooking paper and I love the print.  It has such a delightful vintage feel to it which seemed to work well with the 'Old World' tea set.

     I found another scrap in the bin, this one glittered CS just the perfect size for a tag shape.  I adhered it behind the images, and added a large, white, grosgrain bow.  I added a metallic brad to each of the other three corners and called it finished.  :-D 

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft

Carlin's Card Paradise

Country View Crafts

Dies R Us

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Mod Squad

Outlawz SAR

Pile It On

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Fairy Godmother in Training

     Have you ever wondered how Fairy Godmothers get their skills?  Like any truly great, magical creature such as warlocks or wizards, they are required to go to school and serve as intern/trainees with older, more experienced, fully accredited, Fairy Godmothers.  Yes, it's true!  And, sadly, there are mistakes and mishaps at the famous fairy school, Nowarts, just as there are each school year at Hogwarts.

     The Fairy Godmother Trainee on today's card comes from Bugaboo Stamps.

I was inspired by sketch #498 at Sketch Saturday.

       I colored with ProMarkers, and cut the image with a scalloped circle die from Sizzix.  I found a scrap of bright pink, polka dot dp and added it for a pop of color.  The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and inked on the edges.  I tied one of my bow tie bows, using complementary polka dot ribbon.

     There you are, a fast and simple card design that took about 20 minutes to make after the coloring was done.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Crafty Gals Corner
House that Stamps Built
Jo's Scrap Shack
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Simon Says Stamp
Sisterhood of Crafters

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Make Your Own Shade

     This is my second post of the day and, in my first post, I promised you wonderful news if you stopped by again.  So here it is:  I've rejoined the DT at SheepSki Designs!!   And, yes, I'm excited to say Andrea took pity on me and said "Yes" when I begged to return.  :-D  Thanks, Andrea.

     Our challenges are always "Anything Goes" but we also offer an optional theme with each challenge, which you can use or not, your choice.  I followed the theme this month "For Someone Special."  I'm sending this to a friend who needs some emotional support and encouragement, and that in itself makes her very special.

     I used this beautiful image, "Becca."  How fun that I have a granddaughter who goes by Becca.  :-D

     My first card today was very CAS so with this card, I went to the other extreme.

     The image was colored with ProMarkers, the cut with a die from Spellbinders.  The darker pink frame was also cut with another die from that same set.  The lighter pink CS was embossed and pinpoint punched around the frame.

     I added lace to the bottom of the light pink CS, then I added the image piece.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, matting it with a scrap of the same light pink CS.

     I covered the card front with embossed, metallic paper and then added the framed and matted image on top of that.   Looking for embellishment on this already 'fancy' design, I dug through my box of flower and leaf dies, found a flower die from Spellbinders and a leaf die from Cheery Lynn.  I used those cut the flowers and leaves.  I added pink glitter to the top layer of flower petals and put a tiny dot of yellow Nuvo Crystal Drops in the center of each flower.

     I apologize for the photo quality but the metallic paper, which is so gorgeous IRL, made it very hard to photograph so this is the best I could do, even with photo editing.

     Challenges:
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Catz
Creative Inspirations
Fussy and Fancy
Crafty Gals Corner
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz PAM
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     Come play along this month, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Basket Buddies

     My card today is for the 16th Challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies where our theme is always "Anything Goes with a Critter."  You can do any kind of project - cards, scrapbook pages, clothing, painting, watercolors, ... and submit it.  It just has to feature some kind of animal, insect, bird, fish - any animal, real or fantasy.

     This month our sponsor is Createful Heart and they supplied four different images to the team and those same four images are the prize for the winner.  I used "Lex and Boo" which hasn't yet made it's way into the new store but you can keep looking for it by visiting the store occasionally.

     This is a really CAS design because I really wanted the image to be the focus.  I colored with ProMarkers and cut the image into a large square.  I inked the edges and layered it onto the card base.  The inking made the image pop off the background.

     The sentiment is printed and hand cut, then applied at the bottom of the image.

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Moments
Jo's Scrap Shack
Paper Shelter
Path of Positivity
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     This is the first of two posts for today and I really want you to check back because I have some wonderful news to share.  No more hints - you'll have to come back.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Penny Farthing

     Several years before he passed on, my hubby owned a bicycle shop and his trademark symbol was a hand drawn penny farthing bicycle with a quirky little guy riding it.  After the shop was sold to his partner, hubby kept the reproduction penny farthing I had bought for him which hung in the shop window as an advertisement.

     A dear blogging buddy (and now fellow DT  once again), Lynn H., sent me this fabulous die cut and I had to get it made into a card as soon as possible.  Sorry, I don't know the maker of the die.  In Lynn's honor, the design is CAS because she does the most incredible CAS designs I've seen.  Thanks, Lynn!

     I started with a red card blank and added the die cut bicycle (which looks like it's climbing a hill so I'm going to pretend that was my intent all along as opposed to an error in placement which couldn't be undone!)

     The sentiment is done with VersaMark ink, then heat embossed with white embossing powder.   I really love heat embossing!  There's nothing like watching it as the powder melts and takes on a shine.  As many years as I've been doing it, it still fascinates.

     I found a scrap of gingham ribbon, tied a bow and added it as the only embellishment.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
CARDZ TV
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Card Makers
Crafty Catz
Cute Card Thurs.
Outlawz Festive Friday
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paper Girls

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Creek and Paddle

     We've all heard the old expression "Up a creek without a paddle" but this little turtle (QKR Stampede - "Out at Sea") has everything securely in hand.  Our newest challenge starts today and our theme is always Anything Goes.  You can find the challenge by clicking on this QKR Stampede link.

     I colored him using ProMarkers, cut the image with a square die from Spellbinders, and punched 2 corners with a Fiskar's corner punch.  The blue die cut "splash" is a discard scrap from a die by Amy's Designs which I cut in half before using.

     Everything is laid out on a sea foam card blank.  The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the bow is one of those I make by the dozens and I dyed it green with a ProMarker.

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
That's Crafty
Work It Weds.

     I hope to see you playing with us this week.  We're always inspired by what you enter.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Dragon's Gift

     Today I'm sharing my card for another of the progressive challenges in which I play regularly, this one at Dragon's Lair.  I'm using it for one more masculine birthday card since I use quite a few of those throughout the summer months.  Males were popular in my family from May through September.  :-D

     I wasn't sure what color combo I was going to use when I started coloring this image but I love what happened to it during the process.  Can you believe I started with pale green dragons?  They just didn't work once I decided on the purple wings.  So, I grabbed both khaki and tan ProMarkers to cover the green, blending the colors with the blender as I went along. 

     I cut the image and the frame with dies from QuicKutz.  The image was printed on a piece of scrap CS, and the frame piece was also in the scrap basket.  There was just enough of it to cut the frame.  The three purple dp strips all came from cutting a scrap and I inked the edges of them once they were cut.

     I thought three sets of three, tiny pearls would be a simple embellishment and they dressed up the card without making it feminine instead of masculine.  I printed the sentiment, hand-cut it, and again, inked the edges.  Still a simple design and flat enough to mail easily.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Everybody Art
Pile It On
Pixie's Snippets
TTCRD
Unicorn

     I'm already thinking about some more vacation time next month and trying to make sure all my various DT projects are done and pre-scheduled.  I'll have to figure out how to get all the progressive challenges done.  Fortunately, I'll be home the early part of the month and the last part so I'm sure I can make it work out.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Cupcakes

     I love cupcakes as birthday cakes!  It saves having to cut a large cake, makes decorating so much easier, and eliminates all the fights between kids (and adults?) over who gets the frosting flower.  lol

     This cupcake is the image from Limited Runs for their Progressive Challenge this month.

I used the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday.

     I used ProMarkers to color the cupcake, then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  The background started as a left over scrap of pink CS which was cut with my Lattice die (Spellbinders.)  The five narrow strips of dp are also scraps.

     The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and inked on the edges.   I found two scraps of pink ribbon in my stash basket, used one to wrap around the card front and the other one to tie a bow.  I really hope I can get more of that ribbon because I really like the way it looks and it was a dream working with it.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD

     Halfway to the weekend, folks, for those of you who are keeping track.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Water Spirit

     Most of us are drawn to cool waters during summer's hot days and the coast, with it's crashing waves, is often the first option for a getaway.  Last summer was extraordinarily hot in my area and I headed for ocean breezes as soon as I could.   This spectacular silhouette from Crackerbox Palace says it all.

     I used ProMarkers to color the sky and the ocean, then cut the image with a rectangle die from Spellbinders.  The scalloped frame is also a die cut (Spellbinders.)  I added two more layers of framing, one a simple rectangle and the bottom one punched with two different Fiskars corner punches.

     All of that went onto an eggshell white card base.  I printed and hand-cut the sentiment, matted it, and added it to the top of the card.  The only embellishment was the one, hand-sewn bow.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Addicted to CAS
C.R.A.F.T.
Cupcake Inspirations
Get Creative
Outlawz PAM
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On
So Suzy/Crackerbox

     With the weather hot already, I'm looking forward to some time away in July.  The ocean breezes are calling to me.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Fairy Tale Masquerade

     Every great fairy tale has (or should have) a masquerade ball.  Since AuroraWings has a theme for their challenge of  "Once Upon a Time," in which they want us to do something inspired by a fairy tale, I've used their masquerade mask to celebrate every fairy tale ever told.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  The image is fussy cut with a craft knife - not easily done!  I found the sparkly silver ribbon in my Christmas stash and used two strips of it to border the image.  I added one of my signature, hand-sewn bows, but this time I added a glittered flower instead of the usual pearl.

     Challenges:
AuroraWings
Brown Sugar
Crafty Catz
CARDZ TV
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Friends
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pile It On
Simon Says Stamp

     Have a great week and thanks so much for visiting.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

New Summer Hat

Back in  the day, ladies wore hats - highly decorated and decorative hats.  Going out without a hat was very bad taste and just not done.  I love hats and I do wish that wearing them was still in style.  Nothing starts off the summer fun more than getting a new summer hat.  :-D

     This adorable image is from Di's Digi Stamps and I knew the minute I saw it that it called for blues and purples.  I colored with watercolor paints then cut the image with a die from Sizzix.  I inked the scalloped edges and started thinking about how I'd do the background.

     Lying on my craft desk was a scrap of white lace but white just didn't make the image pop.  I grabbed my Dylusions Ink Spray (Grape) and used it to dye the lace.  The lace was marvelous when put onto white CS and really made the image the focus. 

     I found a scrap of dp in the basket, trimmed it to size, and placed it diagonally across the lace, then I added the image circle.   I sewed together one of my signature bows with a dark pearl and added it for embellishment.  The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and inked on the edges to match the image piece. 

     Challenges:
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD

     That's it for today.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Raspberry Abode

     I started this card with a particular idea in mind but it took off on its own and I admit I like it even better now.  :-D  The image is from Beccy's Place.

Beccy's had an optional sketch this month which I used,

and I used colors from 2 Sisters on the Blog.

   

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and I added highlights to the berries with white gel ink.  I cut the image with a Spellbinders die.  Both dp strips were in the scrap basket and I dug them out because they matched the colors in the berries.

     I did faux stitching on one of the strips, scored the longer strip 4 times with my new Scor-Pal (which added some great texture!), and then added a pink, satin bow with a gem placed in the middle of the knot.  The sentiment is printed, hand-cut, and inked on the edges.

    Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra
Crafts Galore Encore
Create with TLC
Creative Craft Cottage
Let's Craft and Create
More than 1 Score
Not Just Cards
Paper Nest Dolls
Scrappy Land

     Hope your weekend is going well and that you are enjoying some down time.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

For an Old Goat

     This is my second post today so be sure to scroll down to see the GDT card I did for Colour Crazy.

     I've done another masculine birthday card for the challenge which starts today at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and it doesn't matter whether or not you use an image from QKR, but if you do, your entry goes into a separate draw and that increases your chance of winning by a huge amount.

     This image is called "Old Goat digi 13206" and so is the sentiment ("Old Goat digi 14506.")

I was inspired by the colors at My Favorite Things.

     I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, then cut the image with my paper trimmer and cut out the inside of the yellow, overlaid, frame with a die from Cheapo Dies.  I wrapped that in gold, satin ribbon and layered it onto a black card base.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then inked the edges before applying it.  Finally, I added one of my signature bows.

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Crafty Catz
Crafty Friends
Cute N Crafty
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Outlawz Festive Friday

     I hope you have lots of "me" time planned for the upcoming weekend.  Our minds deserve rest as much as our bodies, you know.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bloomin' Boots

     This is my last GDT card for Colour Crazy but I've been invited to join the team next fall.  :-D  The theme is always "Anything Goes" and we do require hand coloring on your projects.  My card today uses an image from Conie Fong called "Bootiful Bouquet."

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel inks, then cut the image with an Unbranded die from Cheapo Dies.   I framed the die cut with pearls and added one of my signature, hand-sewn bows.

     I printed the sentiment, cut it by hand, and added it below the boots.  I really love that image!  This is the first time I've used it but definitely not the last.

     Challenges:
Conie Fong Designs
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Dream Valley
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp
Take It, Make It
Word Art Weds.

     I have 2 posts today so be sure to stop by and take a look at my DT card for QKR Stampede, too.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Beach Birthday

     I always envied my school-days friends who had summer birthday because, even though they complained about the lack of classroom recognition of their special day, they could go to the beach for their birthday!

     This cute image from Sasayaki Glitter is my way of celebrating all that summer fun.  Ice cream, the beach, and her kitty - what else could a gal need on a summer day?

I started with the sketch from Tuesday Morning,

turned sideways,

and the Color Sisters had some great inspiration.

   

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  I inset that cut into the frame die, also from that Spellbinders set.   I printed and fussy cut the sentiment, matted it with CS, hand cut that, and applied it at the bottom of the image.

     The bow is one of those I sew together by the dozens and toss in my stash for future use.  I mounted everything onto turquoise CS which became the card front.  CAS but more complex looking because of the complexity of the framing die.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
Everybody Art
Lemon Shortbread
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Catching up on all my 'favorite blog' visits is turning out to be very time consuming!  Even though I checked email pretty regularly, I had more than 200 in my inbox yesterday and that's without Blogger sending me any notifications of comments on my blog.  Whew!  So, I'm working on it but if I leave you one comment on all your posts, please forgive and understand.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie