Friday, December 27, 2013

New Year Lovers

     OK, it's my first Friday since leaving the Delicious Doodles design team and I begged Teri to let me come back one more time as a Guest Designer so that I could do this card using her fabulous silhouette image, "Lovers."  She said "yes," and here I am!   The theme this week is "Let's Party" and I can't think of a bigger party than the one to start off the New Year every year.  I hope we'll see you playing along.


I chose sketch #173 from Sunday Sketch & Stamp.


     This image is also fantastic for a wedding, engagement, or anniversary card.  Or maybe a New Year's wedding?  Just change out the sentiment.  I printed the image, added some Stickles (Diamond) for a bit of glitz and sparkle, then double framed it with two negative die cuts, one black, one white.

     The embossed paper is a leftover from another project (you'll see it next year) and I used my brand new embossing folder from Sizzix (which actually is flowers, not snowflakes, but I thought it made great flakes, too.  :-D )  I have some wonderful new tools to use this year.

     The silver ribbon was in my stash and the background dp was made by painting a scrap piece of  paper with Royal Blue paint from Creative Inspirations and then adding snow to it with a white gel pen.  The sentiment is also an image from Delicious Doodles and is a freebie on the Facebook page over there.

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations -- Anything goes
Craft-Dee Bowz -- Anything w/ handmade bow
Crafter's Cafe -- New Year
Crafting by Designs -- New
Crafty Bloggers Network -- Girly
Crazy Challenge -- New Year
Creative Inspirations Paints -- Anything goes
Cuttin' n Stampin' -- Anything goes w/ leftovers
Fan-Tastic Tuesday -- Punches & dies
Friends of Speedy TV -- Wedding or engagement
My Craft Creations -- Anything goes
One Stitch at a Time -- Anything goes
Outlawz Monday Greeting -- Tie it up (ribbon/lace)
Paper Pretties Weds. -- New Year
Pink Elephant Monday -- Anything goes
Rhedd & Rosie's -- Snow
Robyn's Fetish -- Silver or gold
Scribble n Scrap -- Anything goes
Twisted Tuesday -- New beginnings + use something new (emb folder)
Vintage Stamping/Flonz -- Cold & frosty colors
Whimsy Inspirations -- Party time

     So, one last time as a favor for me, won't you play along in the "Party Time" challenge at Delicious Doodles?  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie  

Monday, December 23, 2013

Santa Mouse

     A few days ago, I told you I had done my last Christmas card and, at the time, I meant it.  But then, I remembered this darling "Santa Mouse" image, drawn by Kathy at Stamp Art by Kathryn and available through Whimsy Stamps, which I had to buy the first instant I saw it.  I had bought it before Thanksgiving, printed it out and slipped it into my folder of 'Things to Color' which is always nearby, no matter where I am.  I forgot about it until I saw it again yesterday and then just had to color it and turn it into a card.  It's just so cute; I know it's now a favorite of mine and will get used every year.  So, let me share with you my absolutely, very last, Christmas card.  :-D


I followed this week's sketch from The Outlawz
and took my colors from Color My Heart: "ruby and juniper."

  

     I colored Santa Mouse with a combination of ProMarkers and colored pencils.  He was already die cut before coloring but I matted him and all the papers with black CS.   The background dp I used is scrap booking paper from Paper Pizazz, called "Santa Plaid."   The corner dp were just scraps which I cut to size.  I added strips of gold colored gemstones to each corner and then found the bits of ribbon and holly leaves in some dp and cut them out by hand, backed them with CS, and added them to the corners.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas -- Make own embellies
A Creative Romance -- Sparkle at Christmas
As You Like It -- Fav Christmas digi & why (It's too cute to resist!)
Baffies Kreativladen -- Last minute Christmas
Catch the Bug -- Fav Christmas song (Here Comes Santa Claus)
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards -- Happy holidays
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas -- Last minute Christmas
Digi Haven -- Colors of the season
Di's Digis Designs -- Christmas
DL.ART Thankful Thursday -- Christmas
House That Stamps Built -- Last minute Christmas card
MilkCoffee -- Anything Christmas
Pumpkin Spice -- Anything holiday
QKR Stampede -- Happy holidays
Simon Says Stamp -- Bling
Stampin' w/ the Dragon -- Last minute Christmas
Stempelsonnen -- Anything goes
The Squirrel & the Fox -- Christmas
Whimsy Inspirations -- Party time (Christmas party)

     Well, it's the last Monday before Christmas and I'm totally ready.  No last minute shopping, not even at the grocery store.  My time is my own and I'm enjoying being close to family this year.  Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Snow Flurries for Christmas

     I have a very dear and lifelong friend who lives in the foothills of the High Sierras on the California side and more than anything she loves snow at Christmas.  Unfortunately (or fortunately all the rest of the winter) she lives at an elevation where snow isn't something that falls and sticks to the ground for days at a time.  Still, flurries of snow in the cold of December occurs often enough that she crosses her fingers for a cold snap during the last week of December.  So, I've done this card for her as a good luck charm in bringing snowflakes.


I used the sketch at Sketchy Colors
and the image is "Flurry" from Lacy Sunshine 
where we're supposed to 'Celebrate' so I'm celebrating Snowflakes and Snow Fairies.  :-D


     That adorable fairy image is colored with ProMarkers and, instead of die cutting the image, I die cut the frame and placed it over the image.  I have to tell you that I've been hoarding the papers I used here.  They have been part of my Christmas/Winter stash for 2 years and I just love them.  I can't find them any more so I have kept them as treasured pieces, refusing to use them or give them away.  But they just fit this card so perfectly, and she's such a good friend, that I let go and used two pieces of them.

     The snowflake and snowflake buttons are also treasures but I dug them out and decided to use them.  I added dots of Artic Blue Ice Stickles to them, let them dry and then adhered them to the corners.  I used regular Stickles (Star Dust) on the flakes in the image and added Frosted Lace Stickles to the snow on the branches and cones in the image.  What a sparkly splendor!

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -- Anything goes
All That Stickles -- Holidays w/ Stickles
Card Mania -- Fantasy
Craft Your Passion -- Let it snow
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas -- For someone special
Created with Love -- Anything goes
Cutie Pie -- Cute card for a special friend
Glitter n Sparkle -- Show some blue
LEJ Designs -- Festive fun
Lexi's Creations -- Snow
Lunagirl Moonbeams -- Snow angels
Oldie But a Goodie -- Winter
Paper Playtime -- Winter fun
Party Time Tuesday -- Winter wonderland
Passion for ProMarkers -- Use sentiment
Quirky Crafts -- Use special items (papers and buttons)
Speedy Fox & Friends -- Blue Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday -- Snowflakes
Use It Tuesday -- Winter & holiday
Vintage Stamping /Flonz Craft -- Cold and frosty colors

     Downhill to the weekend now and tonight I'm going to my granddaughter's high school concert (we used to call that a "Christmas Concert" but now we have to say Winter Festival.  Sigh...)  I hope you're able to find some calm in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle and maybe even find time for a bit of creating.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

What Christmas Means

     Our theme for the latest challenge at Tuesday Throwdown this week is "What Christmas Means to You."  For me, it starts with the Nativity and the Glad Tidings brought by the angels that a savior had been born.   As a child, it meant lots of Christmas cards filling up the mail box from strange and wonderful places all over the country.  One of the things my mother would do was to pin up the US map and let us put pins in the names of the cities shown in the return addresses.  Bless her school-teacher heart -- I probably learned as much about geography and the names of the states from that little tradition as I did from the classes in school.  :-D

     We have the wonderful Meljen's Designs as our sponsor and they supplied the images used by the DT.  This one, "Cheery Lights Mailbox" was perfect for honoring both the glad tidings and the childhood memories.  :-D


     This is another of those CAS cards that just looks more complicated because of the fancy frame, a die cut from Cheery Lynn Designs.   I colored the image with ProMarkers, then added some sparkle to the snow and the star with glitter.  I wish it showed better in the photo.  I guess you'll just have to take my word that it's there.

     The bow is one of those I make by the dozens and the flower was in my stash.  I printed the sentiment and added it last.  I told you it really was CAS.  One colored image and a die cut frame, two tiny embellishments and nothing else.

     Challenges:
A Creative Need -- Christmas CAS
A Creative Romance -- Sparkle at Christmas
Card Makin' Mamas -- Christmas/New Year
Cardz TV -- Winter Wonderland
Color My Heart -- Barn red
Colour Me Creative -- Holiday themed
Crafts Too Challenge You -- Natural world + flower
Crafty Calendar -- Cold & frosty
Crafty Hands -- Winter
Creative Corner -- Traditional Christmas
Digi Haven -- Christmas
DRS Designs -- Glitter it up
Hanna & Friends -- Christmas
Little Claire's -- Christmas
Pattie's Creations -- Christmas card
Quick Quotes -- Holiday card
Shelly's Images -- Welcome Winter
Stampin' for the Weekend -- Use some red
Stempelsonnen -- Merry Christmas
Wags 'n Whiskers -- Things with wings

      Another long list of Christmas or Winter themed challenges and I loved entering each one.  :-D

      Don't forget our DT Call at Tuesday Throwdown which runs until December 26.  We'd love to have you apply.  And come play in our challenge.  It's going to last for the rest of the month while the DT takes a well deserved break  You can enter up to 3 times.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Friday, November 22, 2013

Olyvia at Thanksgiving

     It's Friday and that means another new challenge at Delicious Doodles.  Our theme this week is to do a card with "No Designer Paper."  Much as I love patterned dp and often as I use it, I also do a lot of cards with just colored CS so this one was fairly easy for me.  I chose Teri's magnificent image, "Olyvia." However, I spent quite a bit of time trying to decide if "Olyvia" wanted to be a Christmas image or a Thanksgiving image and just couldn't decide.  So I did two cards, coloring her differently for each one, and today I'm sharing the Thanksgiving image since it's the closest to being here.  I'll share the Christmas "Olyvia" with you later on.


I used a sketch from Stella Says Sketch
modified a bit for the size of my image,
and I used colors from Outlawz.

  


     The image is colored with my favorite ProMarkers, then die cut with a simple rectangle die and matted with two different colors of CS.  I did the long 'flag' pieces with ribbon from my stash, all of which came from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The entire thing is done on a kraft card base.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments -- Any sentiment
Crafty Creations -- Thanksgiving or Christmas
Die Cuttin' Divas -- Thanksgiving
Divas by Design -- Make it pretty
House That Stamps Built -- Thanks or Thanksgiving
Inspired by Stamping -- Ribbon or crochet trim
MilkCoffee Challenge -- Thanks,/ Thanksgiving/ Thank you
Shelly's Images -- Give Thanks

     Pretty simple card this time but I felt like I was running out of time to get it done so finished it as quickly as I could.  I barely have time to get this posted to my blog before the challenge starts, and I really need some sleep so I'll edit it a bit later on to add the links to all the challenges I had in mind while making the card.  Hope to see you playing along at Delicious Doodles this time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Priscilla Pilgrim

     Welcome to another challenge at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog.  Our fabulous sponsor (whose images I just love) is Rick St. Dennis and our theme this time is "Heavy Metal" -- use something metal on your card.  I chose an image which happened to be the freebie for Rick St. Dennis challenge but "Priscilla Pilgrim" was just what I needed for the "ear of corn " charm I wanted to use.  That charm was sent to me by a dear blogging friend, Cely, from "Creating in Carolina."  Thanks so much, Cely.  It was absolutely perfect for this Thanksgiving card.


     The image itself is colored with a combination of ProMarkers and Graph'It pens (which a friend loaned me so I could try them), then die cut with a lacy frame and matted with another plain circle die cut.  To add a bit more metal, the image is mounted onto a sheet of embossed, sparkly metallic gift wrap, the good, heavy-duty kind which embosses so well.  What a glittery shine it has!  I matted that with brown CS and added it to the card after I stippled the front with both brown and gray ink.  The gold ribbon, from Really Reasonable Ribbon, had a fine, metallic border on each edge and I added a sheer ribbon to it before making the double bow.   The corn charm is tied on with hemp cord.

     Challenges:
2 Creative Chicks -- Thanksgiving
A Creative Need -- Ribbons or buttons
A Little Bit Crafty -- Sparkle & shine
Brown Sugar -- Thanksgiving
Cards Galore -- Animals
Craftitude -- Anything goes/falling leaves
Die Cut Divas -- Holidays & celebrations
Digi Haven -- Fall
Digitally Sweet -- Ribbon or lace
Graph'It -- Anything goes
Hiding in My Craft Room -- Die cuts
Jo's Scrap Shack -- Anything goes
Ladybug Crafts -- Autumn colors
Mema's -- Anything goes
Outlawz Alcohol Markers -- Thanksgiving
Really Reasonable Ribbon -- Gift packaging (metallic gift wrap) & ribbon
Sister Act -- Anything goes
So Artful -- Trees (in the embossing)
The Stamping Boutique -- Fall colors

     I know there's a ton of challenges on my list today but there are just so many with fall, fall colors, or Thanksgiving variations, to say nothing of the 'Anything Goes' themes, how could I not play in every one of them?  :-D  With that, I hope we're going to see you playing along with us at The Crafter's Cafe and remember, our theme is "Heavy Metal" so lets see some metal on your cards!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie  

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Thanking the Hostess

     It's been several years since I played hostess over the holidays, due mainly to the fact that my kids and their families all lived so far away from me.  It was easier for me, as just one person, to travel to their homes over the holidays than for all of them to pack up kids, pets and packages, and come home.  So, I've become pretty good at doing Thank You cards for the hostess.

     When my DT duties at 613 Avenue Create called for a Thank You card for a hostess, I jumped right on that one!  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Bugaboo Stamps and they provided images for the team to use.  I used one called "FANSB Thanksgiving."  That stands for Fancy Sunbonnet, and she's always a favorite of mine.       :-D


I chose the sketch from the Wednesday challenge at The Outlawz
and the colors came from the Tuesday challenge at The Outlawz.

  

     I colored Fancy Sunbonnet with ProMarkers, then die cut her using one of my favorite frame dies from Spellbinders.  I matted that with charcoal CS.  I found gold CS to match her dress and layered a square of it onto the dark brown card base, after adding the two bits of lace ribbon to it.  I put just a touch of Stickles in each corner of the frame and the lace has its own glittery sparkle.

     The flower is hand made by piling up punched layers of flower petals, adding a metal flower charm to the center and using glitter on the largest layer of petals.  The swirl is done with Stickles Ice, then I added pearls to it.  I put one final pearl in the upper corner.  The sparkle and shine don't show as well in the photo but IRL, it will just knock your socks off!

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs -- Anything goes
Crafting for all Seasons -- Autumn colors
Crafty Creations -- Autumn colors
Cuttlebug Mania -- Autumn
Divas by Design -- Use a Digi
Everybody Art -- Autumn
I {heart} ProMarkers -- All That Glitters
Inky Impressions -- Dies & punches
Just Inspirational -- Glitter
Moving Along with the Times -- Pearly, swirly, girly
Nutcrafters -- Autumn Splendor
Penny's Paper Crafty -- Lots of layers
Ribbon Carousel -- Holidays/celebrations
Top Tip Tuesday -- Seasons

     Well, I hope we're going to see you playing along at 613 Avenue Create this week.  Remember, our challenges are always "Anything Goes" but you can use the optional weekly twist if you like.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Friday, November 8, 2013

Remembering Our Veterans

     Next Monday, November 11, we celebrate Veterans' Day here in the US and in other parts of the world it's often called Remembrance Day.  Whatever the title, it's a time for remembering and honoring those who served their countries.  So, our theme for the challenge this week at Delicious Doodles is "Remembrance."  For those of you too young to know the significance of the red poppies (and that's most of us out by now), they came to symbolize the casualties on Flander's Field in WWI.  I still remember getting little paper poppies in grammar school on November 11 and that was many years after WWI, and even some years after WWII, for that matter.

     My card today uses a new digi from Teri at Delicious Doodles called "Poppies and Butterflies," just perfect for remembering and honoring those service men and women of the entire past century.  Honoring them is near and dear to my heart.  My grandfather was a veteran of WWI, my dad served in WWII, my brother served along with many of my cousins between 1955 and 1975, and I have a wonderful grandson who is a career Marine, who has served two tours in Iraq and is currently stationed in Japan.  I'm grateful for each and every one of them.


     I did a spotlight technique by printing the image twice, then coloring a portion of one and die cutting it with a circle die.  I adhered that to the black and white image, being careful to line it up as perfectly as possible.  Then I used scissors to fussy cut the B&W image.  I chose to use a black card base because it really made the spotlight and the red bow 'pop'.

     I used a computer font to print the sentiment, outlined it with black marker and layered it onto the image piece.  Very CAS this week.  :-D

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug -- Anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges -- Black, white, plus 1 color
Heck of a Challenge -- In the frame
Going Grey w/ Scrap Creations -- Give thanks
House of Gilli -- Thanks
LEJ Designs -- Monochromatic
Love to Scrap -- Anything goes
Male Room -- Remembrance
Mema's Crafts -- Anything with Thank in the sentiment
Oozak -- Anything goes with Thanks
Operation Write Home -- Any Hero cards
Party Time Tuesdays -- Thanks or Thanksgiving
Path of Positivity -- Thankfulness
The Paper Girls -- Fussy cutting
Whoopsi Daisy -- Monochromatic
Word Play Saturday -- Anything

     It's definitely fall around here.  The weather is getting chilly and I've added two blankets to my bed.  Both of the fur babies now think they should be allowed to sleep UNDER the covers instead of draping themselves across my feet or shoulder as I try to sleep.  I've dug out the sweatshirts and pants for lounging around or going outside, though I'm not doing much of either of those things the last few days, preferring to stay in and tackle the remaining boxes.  Soon, all will be unpacked and then I can truly get to organizing the craft room.  I might even take a few pictures and share them with you (the first and only time!)  In the meantime, Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Friends Across the Miles

     It's so good to be back posting with The Crafter's Cafe again after taking a leave while I was doing all that moving.  Having gotten the craft room into a manageable state (which is not to say it's organized or even completely unpacked), I'm excited to be fulfilling my DT obligations again.

     This challenge our theme is "Friends" and our wonderful sponsor is QKR Stampede.  I love QKR digis and I found this image in my own collection, although QKR provided images to the team.  I wanted to do something that would celebrate all those friends and loved ones who are so many miles away but are still counted among those dear to us.


I chose to use the sketch at CAS on Sunday.


     I really love coloring QKR digis and watching them come to life.  I used my favorite ProMarkers, and then added Metallic Silver EP from WOW! to the mailbox and the larger gift.   I used a glitter gel pen to make the snowflakes and shadow the snow on which the snowman is standing.

     I used a VersaMark pen on the bits I wanted to emboss, then sprinkled on the EP and used my heat gun. That's one of my favorite ways to heat emboss digital images.  I always color the image first, then use an Embossing Buddy to powder the image before applying the EP.  That way,  I don't get unwanted spots of EP on the digi.  Here's a tip for you:  When you want to heat emboss really small areas of a digital image, use a very small 'spotter' type paint brush, stroke it across your embossing ink pad (or dip it into your refill bottle if you have one) and then 'paint' the area you want to emboss.  The embossing ink sticks to the paper and you can emboss smaller areas than the VersaMark pen tip would allow.  The biggest problem with VersaMark pens, I think, is the relatively large size of the nibs.

     The bow is one of those I sew and I used ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon to make it.  Paper came from DCWV, their "Winter Magic" stack from a couple of years ago.  I used a strip of washi tape and mounted the sentiment on it.  The rhinestone bling was in my stash.  (It's amazing what you can find when you have to pack and then unpack due to a move!!)   After all I've done on this card (or should I say "haven't done" -- meaning I left off most of the embellishments I wanted to use), I certainly hope it has a CAS feel to it.  I know the open space isn't 'white' space but there was so much white in the image piece, it just needed a patterned background to showcase it.  At least the bow & rhinestones are the only embellishments and it will definitely fit in to a standard envelope.

     Challenges:
2 Sisters -- Christmas with no red or green
A&T Emerald Faeries -- Ribbon/lace & bling
A Little Bit Crafty -- Sparkle and shine
Card and Scrap -- Christmas cards
Catered Crop -- Washi tape
Challenges 4 Everybody -- Anything goes
Christmas Card Challenge -- Dimension
Christmas Cards All Year Round -- Winter wonderland
Corrosive Challenges -- TicTacToe: bling/ image/ layers
Crafting Cafe -- Winter blues
Die Cut Divas -- Holidays and celebrations
Flat Friends -- Christmas cards
Great Impressions -- Holiday card or tag
Hobbycutz -- Song inspired (Blue Christmas)
One Crazy Stamper -- Christmas
Outlawz PAM -- Snowmen
Really Reasonable  Ribbon -- Christmas + ribbon
Tok Bobok -- Christmas
Whoopsi Daisy -- Monochromatic
WOW Embossing Powders -- Christmas/Winter

     Goodness, I haven't done a single card for that many challenges in many months!  But this week/month seems to have so many challenges with Christmas or winter themes, how could I resist?  :-D  I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge at The Crafter's Cafe.  Remember, it doesn't have to be Christmas -- just anything that fits our "Friends" theme.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Look What I Found!

     Well, the actual relocation part of my moving is done and I'm happily in my new home in my new city.  Now, if only I could just snap my fingers and have all the boxes unpacked, the crafting room all organized, and the fur-babies all adjusted to the new digs.  Ah, well -- good to have something to keep me occupied.

     I thought I had planned everything so well, bringing certain of the crafting supplies with me instead of putting them on the moving van.   Somehow I overlooked a few rather important things not the least of which is the cable which connects my camera to the computer so that photos can be uploaded into the hard drive for editing and saving.  It seems that little cable got packed into one of the million boxes still in need of unpacking.  Without that, no matter how many cards I make, nothing will get edited or posted to the blog.  :-(

     However, counting all my blessings, guess what I found already in my hard drive just waiting to be posted?  So, here's my first post from the new home.  :-D


     The image is "Gertie Goose - Fall" from Imagine That !!, given to everyone who played in the progressive challenge last month.  I'm barely getting it in before the end of this month and I'm so grateful I had it photographed before last weekend.  Now I won't miss the challenge over there.

     Everything on the card came from left over scraps, including the trim and the papers.  Both the image and the mat were cut with dies from Spellbinders, and the bow is one of those I make up by the dozens.  I did the sentiment with a computer font.

     Oh, just to finish the story -- having no idea which box is holding the elusive camera cable, I was smart enough to get online and do a search for a store that had another one.  I found it quickly (although in a state halfway across the country), ordered it, and it should be delivered early next week.  Thank goodness for that.  Now I can take time away from unpacking to create a few things, knowing that I can post them within a very short time.

     Challenges:
4 Krafty Girlz -- Anything goes
Brown Sugar -- Autumn
CraftyHands -- Anything goes
Inkspirational -- Photo inspiration (colors)
Outlawz PAM -- Anything goes
Sister Act -- Anything goes

     It's been a long day already and I'm so ready for a nap.  I woke up at 3:30 this morning, started unpacking boxes and finally ate "lunch" about an hour ago.  So, this short post will have to do as my first in almost two weeks.  I promise more posts as this week goes by.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Sunday, October 13, 2013

A Vintage Autumn

     This was one of the last cards I got to make before all the paper crafting supplies got boxed up for the move and I'm proud to say that it's my Guest DT card for this week's 'Anything goes' challenge at Scribble & Scrap. The image is a magnificent one from the Scribble & Scrap shop called "Vintage 3."  If you haven't been to the shop before, you really should go explore it.  More is being added all the time.


I used a sketch from I {heart} Sketches, elongated to fit the image
and the colors are from There She Goes.
.
Card Sketch Challenge Pattern no. 37  

     Isn't she marvelous?  Maybe it's because fall is my favorite season but I thought she'd be perfect done in muted fall colors.  Of course, I can see her done up in spring pastels, too, or even summer brights.  This time, she's colored with ProMarkers and then die cut with that magnificent Cheery Lynn frame.  I did two cuts with that die; one on the image (the white) and a second cut on brown CS.  I fit the white image piece into the brown frame, then matted it with pumpkin CS.

     The leaves are also from a Cheery Lynn die.  All the flowers were in my stash.  I added pearls to the corners and a few places on the frame, plus in some of the flower centers in the image.  They don't show up as well in the photograph but IRL they just shine!

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations -- Make it girly
Crafty Sentiments -- Anything goes
Die Cuttin' Divas -- Use brown
Eureka Stamps -- Anything goes
House of Gilli --  Anything goes - Fall
MFP Simple Salutations -- Flowers
Outlawz Monday -- Smiles (even soft, gentle ones)
Parade Your Crafts -- Fall
Rhedd & Rosie's -- Shades of Autumn
Simon Says Stamp Monday -- Inspired by Tammy Tutterow
Top Tip Tuesday -- Flowers
Vintage Stamping -- Feminine Beauty

     I hope you'll come and play along in the challenge at Scribble & Scrap.  Remember, it's anything goes and there's nothing better than that!  I'll see all of you in a couple of weeks when I'm settled and back online after the move. Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Candy Corn Halloween

     I'm getting close to the end of my Halloween cards, thank goodness, and will have to mail some of them really soon since they are going overseas to Japan.  The others can wait until after the move and by that time, some of them won't even have to be mailed.  I can hand-deliver them to the grandkids who already live in my soon-to-be new city.  After all, being close to family is the whole reason for this move.  :-D

    On this card, I used an image from Lacy Sunshine, "Candi Corn Sticky Wings", and I think she's just adorable!   The theme for their challenge is "Stitching, real or faux."


The sketch came from The Outlawz
and the colors from the challenge at Color Throwdown.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and I used glitter gel ink on her wings.  The embossing folder is by Cuttlebug but I don't remember the name of it.  I've had it at least 2 years and this is the first time I've used it (hanging head in shame.)  Papers came from my 12 x 12 scrapbooking papers and they just really worked for that color combo.  The sparkly bats were in my stash from last year and the bows are some of those I sewed up myself.

     Challenges:
Allsorts -- Autumn colors
Card Makin' Mamas -- Trick or Treat
Challenges and Candies -- Colors of Autumn
Crafting by Designs -- Anything goes
Crafty Catz -- Anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges -- Halloween
House That Stamps Built -- Happy Fall
Just Inspirational -- Think Pink or Halloween
Moving Along with the Times -- Anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty -- Anything goes
QKR Stampede -- Fall
Shelly's Images -- Inspiration photo w/ fall colors
Stamping Chef -- Stitching

     OK, that's the end of my break today -- now it's back to work.  I have files to organize and label for the office and very few days left to get it all done.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Silent Night for Whimsy Inspirations

     In the midst of everything else going on in my life (sorting, packing, moving), I was invited to be a Guest Designer for Whimsy Inspiration's challenge this week.  It goes live today at noon Eastern time so my post is a couple hours early but this was when I could get it linked up so... I guess you get a quick preview of the theme.

     I've played in their challenges so often over the last year or two that I just couldn't say "No."  :-D  The theme is "Shabby Chic/Vintage" and I immediately thought of that lacy die cut frame when I saw this image in the Whimsy Stamps store.   It's called "Silent Night," perfect for a Christmas card and lovely with a vintage-y look.  I know vintage is usually piled with flowers, lace, and glittery embellies but I didn't want to cover up the stamp.  I thought the frame was enough and I just did my best to balance CAS and Vintage.


I based this on a sketch from Sketchbook Saturday adapted for a square card.


     I know there's a bit of an angle to the photo but I used gold, metallic CS to mat the image and sentiment and it gives off a terrific glare in a straight-on shot.  The image is colored with ProMarkers and sparkle gel ink on the star and on her wings, although it's hard to see because of the angle.  I die cut both the image and the sentiment with frame dies from Spellbinders.  The bow is one of those I make by the dozens (hand sewn) and the star embellies are metal and enamel brads.  The blue background dp is from DCWV's Juniper Berry stack.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps -- Create a scene
A Gem of a Challenge -- Use black (the wolf)
Challenges 4 Everybody -- Anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges -- Anything Christmas goes
Crazy 4 Challenges -- Use a bow
Di's Digi Designs -- Show your coloring skills
Drunken Stampers -- Die cuts
Glitter n Sparkle -- Something metallic (CS & brads)
Outlawz CAS Sunday -- Baby related (Birth of the Christ child)
Sweet Stampin' -- Things w/ wings

     I think this one may be my favorite Christmas card so far this year.  I know it has to go to someone really special but haven't decided which of the family members will get it.  I do have a friend who just loves wolves so maybe it'll end up in his mailbox instead.  We'll just have to wait and see.  I don't know how many other posts I'll have this week but since yesterday had 3 posts, I know there'll be lots for you to see.  In the mean time, Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Caroling Snowmen

     I'm so excited to announce that I was invited to join Beccy's Place as a Guest Designer for a blog hop that is being done by Sparkle N Sprinkle, where you can find many of Beccy's images. 

     Today the Beccy's Place designers have teamed up with Sparkle N Sprinkle for the release of the new "Snow One Like You" set of images.  The girls over at SNS have been working with the rubber stamp version, while we have been using the digital set that contains a couple of additional images.
Keep reading to learn how you can win one of Beccy's digital sets!
The digital set is available for purchase from Beccy's online store.
Here is the card I created using the set. 


     I went a little wild with the circles but that just makes it a "well-rounded" card, right?    I used ProMarkers to color the image and added glitter to them and to the ice for a bit of sparkle.  I used the same shades of blue to color the "joy" in the sentiment.

     I die cut everything; image, dp, sentiment, then layered everything onto a sapphire blue card base.  I added pearls to the corners for embellishment and then left it alone.  I thought the papers were busy enough that nothing more was needed.

     Beccy is giving away three sets of the "Snow One Like You" digital stamps.  All you have to do is leave a comment on one of her designers blogs during the hop.  Three random comments will be chosen and those people will receive the full set of digital images.  You can leave a comment on as many of the designers blogs as you like... visit them all to increase your chances of winning!
NanaConnie's Blog  <----that's me!

     Challenges I'm entering with this card:
2 Sisters -- Anything goes
Crafts-Too Challenge You -- Texture + glittery
Creative Corner -- Great Outdoors (if they weren't outdoors, they'd melt!)
Cut It Up -- Going in circles
Digi Haven -- 2 colors (blue & white; just for you, Lynn!)
Drunken Stampers -- Die cuts
My Creative Moments -- Seasons (winter)
Outlawz Monday -- Anything goes
Sister Act -- Anything goes

Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Which Witch Has the Spider?

     When I saw this witch over at Beccy's Place, I knew I had to get her colored up and ready for Halloween.   I love fun Halloween cards and even though I really hate spiders, this one was almost cute.



I used the sketch from A Die for a Sketch.


     The image is colored with ProMarkers and I added a bit of glitter gel ink to the spider's web and to her wand.   I used a hexagon die to cut both the image and the mat.  The paper has been in my fall stash for waaay too many years and is by DCWV but was probably discontinued long ago.  I thought it made a great background for this fun witch.

     The purple ribbon is the last bit I had from some which was recycled from a potted plant and the bow is one of those I make myself.  I added the Dew Drops (purple) and Rain Drops (orange) for embellishment and knew it was finished without anything more.  This is truly one of those "less is more" cards.

     Challenges:
A&T Emerald Faeries -- Magical Creatures
By LORi Designs -- Hexagons/chevrons
C is for Challenges -- Make it sparkle
Craft Your Passion -- Fall colors
Creative Craft -- Use ribbon
Designed to Color -- Anything goes
I {heart} ProMarkers -- Anything goes
Just Inspirational -- Die cuts/punches
Ladybug Crafts -- Anything goes
Lexi's Creations -- Autumn colors
My Craft Creations -- Stamped or digi image
My Craft Spot -- Fav technique (die cuts & coloring)
Oozak -- Fall
Pink Elephant Monday -- Digi image or paper

     OK, back to the "packing" mines for me, my friends.  As the moving gets closer, I feel the pressure of running out of time.  I may be somewhat scarce in my posting for the next couple of weeks, limiting my play to DT work only.  Isn't it terrible when life gets in the way of fun?  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Saturday, September 14, 2013

"Santa" Bear Gets the Tree

     This adorable image is from QKR Stampede and they were generous enough to provide it to Lady Anne's for the progressive Christmas challenge.


My colors came from Chromatic Craze 
and it's based on the sketch from Christmas Challenges w/ Sketches,
with a couple of small liberties taken like tilting the image background.

August 2013 Color Challenge  (Edited to add:  The sketch had to be removed
but you can find it by clicking on the link.)

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and used a white gel pen to add the snow and snowflakes.  The ribbons came from my stash and the papers are some I've been hiding and hoarding so the maker is unknown.  The white snowflake embellies are punched from vinyl and I added blue gems to them for a colder, more icy feel.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas -- R for Recipe: 3 dp, 2 ribbons, 1 image
Christmas Stampin' All Year Round -- Cute and cuddly
Crafty Cardmakers -- Christmas snow & ice
Creative Creations -- Christmas
Cutie Pie Challenge -- Cute Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas -- Include some nature (outdoors & tree)
One Crazy Stamper -- Christmas

     You'll see more of my day-in-the-craft-room if you visit me this weekend and again early next week.  I've really kept myself busy playing all day today.  Other than taking time to wash a couple of lunch dishes and do some laundry, I gave myself the entire day to just play and enjoy crafting.  Too soon now, everything will be packed and I'll be forced to take a week or so without any card making at all.  :-(  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Pumpkins Are Fruit

     Yes, my friends, pumpkins are fruit, not veggies!  If you don't believe that, just check Wikipedia.  Or simpler yet, read the sentiment on my card and I'm sure you'll agree.  :-)

     We had a late start with our usual 1st of the Month New Releases at Doodle Pantry but it's here now and to make it up to you, Laurie is running a sale at the Doodle Pantry store.  BTW, if you get over there and get some weird error message, be patient.  The server had a major crash just as Laurie was getting ready to load all the new sets.  Try again in a short while.

     My card today uses both an image and a sentiment from the new "Pumpkin" set.  There is also a single pumpkin, several sentiments, and some gorgeous papers!  This particular set will be the freebie with any purchase made by Sept. 24th.  Aren't these gorgeous?


Sketch came from 2 Sisters.

     This is a pre-colored image which I stippled after I die cut it, then I mounted it onto that lacy frame die cut (Spellbinders).  The papers have been in my fall colors stash for a year and are from DCWV.  Everything is layered onto a kraft card base.  The white CS on which I printed the stamp and the orange bow are both recycled from a Thanksgiving card I received last year.  The white CS was an insert to keep the card flat and the bow tied the envelope shut.

   I thought the little pearls on each side of the frame were exactly the right amount and size of embellies since this card has to be mailed.  I wanted it relatively flat so that it would fit into a regular envelope.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments -- Fav fall colors (green, orange, yellow, brown)
Hobbycutz -- Recycle
Oldie but a Goodie -- Spots & stripes
Pattie's Creations -- Anything goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty -- Spooled items
Pumpkin Spice -- Anything goes
Speedy Fox & Friends -- Frame it
Sweet Stampin' -- Spots & stripes
Whimsy Inspirations -- Masculine

     Scroll down for a peek at the whole Pumpkin set, then go check out all the rest of the new releases.  Some adorable Christmas sets, and a couple more of Laurie's "Ants."  You know what an absolute hoot they always are!

     And don't forget the challenge which starts at 10 a.m. Eastern time today.  You must use a Doodle Pantry image (not just a sentiment) but you'll get a free set just for playing.  A photo of that set is below also.  Happy Stamping  NanaConnie

 Free w/ Purchase Sept 5 - 24

  Free for playing in the challenge