Potted Roses

     Today I'm sharing another of my 'all die cuts' cards.  I love doing these when I travel and don't have all my coloring tools with me.  It's easy to do a bunch of die cuts of varied subjects and colors ahead of time, then pack them away carefully between 2 pieces of cardboard.  Pop those into a plastic bag, add a glue pen, and you have everything ready for card making on the run.  :-D

     For this one, I cut the roses twice, one green and one yellow, using a die from Cottage Cutz.  The plant pot was cut with a Cheery Lynn die, and the butterfly (both layers) is Impression Obsession.  The "Hello" sentiment was done with a Poppy Stamps die.  I had a scrap of pale green, checked, dp which I used for the background.

     For the roses, I cut the flowers off the yellow die cut and layered them onto the green die cut.  I used white gel ink to highlight them and added tiny gems for a touch of sparkle.  I used the gel  pen on the pot as well.  The butterfly was highlighted with pencil and gel ink before adding gold pearls to the body.

     The sentiment was added last.  I wanted the die cuts to be the focus so no ribbons, no 3D flowers, no embellies, just the dp and the die cuts for something CAS.

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
CARDZ TV
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Creations
Crazy for CAS
Incy Wincy (1 word senti/creature/checks)
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings
Star Stampz

     That's all I have for this hot summer day.  We've already had more 100F+ days in a row than we normally have all summer long so I'm done with summer!  I'm ready for rain, cool days, falling leaves, and something better than the weathermen saying, "105 again today."  Yuck.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

One Last Christmas in July

     All last week, I did Christmas cards for the daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  Today, I have one last Christmas in July card but this time the image is from AuroraWings.  While their challenge theme has nothing to do with Christmas, how could I resist these adorable felines?  I got this image back in January and I've been waiting to use it so this week seemed the perfect time.

     I'm truly not sure if they are decorating or un-decorating the tree.  If it was my fur babies, they'd be taking it apart!  lol

      The image is printed right onto the card front for a very CAS design and I colored it with polychromos pencils, plus I added glitter to the tree ornaments.  The sentiment is done with a die from Die-Versions.  I cut it three times from red CS, stacked those together and glued them with a glue pen, then added them to the card front.

     The stacking gives some great dimension but also adds texture.  A CAS card, easy to mail.

     Challenges:
Christmas Crafts All Year Round
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Die Cuttin' Divas
Hiding in My Craft Room
Outlawz Festive Fridays
Outlawz PAM
Send a Smile 4 Kids
SUYP Cats

     This will be the last Christmas card for a couple of weeks.  But now that I've gotten a start, I'll be doing two or three each month for the rest of the summer, then I do at least one a week through the holidays.  I get my stash built up each year because I need 20 to 25 for family and close friends, and then I donate 50 to 75 to my local senior center.
   
     I started doing that when I moved here 5 years ago.  It happened quite by accident.  My first Christmas in my new home, I was busy unpacking through the late fall and finally ran across a box of Christmas cards I had done for family but by the time I found them, I had already made and mailed new ones because I couldn't find that particular box.  The senior center is literally 2 blocks away and I passed it on my way over to my daughter's house the very day I found the cards.

     I turned around, went back to the house, grabbed the box of cards, and took it over to the Senior Center just to see if anyone might be interested in having cards for their own family and friends.  I knew some of those attending activities at the center really don't have adequate transportation to get out to the Hallmark store to buy cards for family and friends.  There were only about 20 or so but I understand they were all taken that very afternoon.

     The next year, I did an extra 25 cards specifically to take to the Senior Center.  By year three, the center manager called me on December 1st to ask if there was any chance I was bringing cards that year also.  It seems she had requests and inquiries from many of the seniors asking if there would be cards that year.  :-D  Now I make as many cards as I can for the Senior Center and every year I get wonderful feedback and warm "Thank You"s so I keep on doing it.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Bash Winner from my Blog

     Just a quick post this morning to announce the winner of the Spellbinders' die set I offered for the Birthday Bash at Challenges for Days.  And the winner is....... (drum roll, please).....

                           VICKI from Stamped Smiles !! 

Woohoo, Vicki.  Please send your mailing address in an email to ChallengesForDays@yahoo.com and mention that you are the winner from NanaConnie's blog.

Congratulations.  :-D  

Embroidery Butterflies

     This is going to be a really fast post this morning.  I'm back to machine embroidered things which I can use on cards and this morning, it's pink butterflies! 

     Pink and silver seemed a great combo for a completely feminine card which is still on the CAS side.  The die cuts are done with Bo Bunny dies, and the scalloped dp is from the scrap basket.  I layered everything onto a pink card base and then added a silver, die cut sentiment (Unbranded die.)

     Challenges:
Butterfly Challenge (Old Rose)
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Victorine Originals

     That's it for me and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  NanaConnie

Santa on Vacation

      This is my second post for today.  If you're looking for my QKR Stampede DT card, scroll down one post.

     This post features my card made for the final day of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  We had to make a project inspired by this photo.



     Here's where inspiration took me.  When the Christmas rush is over and supervising the elves in the toy shop isn't yet needed for next year, Santa takes a tropical vacation.  :-D

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and gel inks, then carefully fussy cut it.  The 'sand' and sea in the scene are made from patterned paper, but I used a white gel pen to make the breaking waves in the ocean.

     The sky is done on white CS with water color pencils and gamsol for blending.  I printed the sentiment, cut it by hand and added it to the card front.  The three tiny pearls are the only embellishment but there is great visual texture from the four layers - 3 dp plus the image.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas (on a beach - lol)
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper
Digi Doodle Studios
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Outlawz Festive Friday
Sasayaki Glitter
Sisterhood of Crafters
Star Stampz
That's Crafty

     Don't forget - today and tomorrow are the last days of the Challenges for Days Birthday Bash and all you have to do to win is to comment on my post (HERE) and on the Birthday Bash post at Challenges for Days.  There are great prizes to be won from not only some lovely sponsors on Saturday but also from each of the CfD List Manager volunteers who have offered prizes of crafting goodies.  Check it out and be sure to leave comments on all the blogs which are offering prizes.  See the list on the CfD blog.   

     That's all I have for today but you did get a "twofer" so no complaining.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Light My Fire

     It's Friday and time for the next weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and we love having you play along with us.

     For my card today, I used the QKR Stampede image, "Book of Matches" and this card has a double meaning - I'm sending it to a friend of mine and she's going to give it to her Hubby on their anniversary in early August.  He's the BBQ king of the neighborhood and still cooks over charcoal.  He says gas BBQs are for sissies.  lol

     While I don't do a lot of cooking over the home BBQ, I've done my share of camping vacations where all the cooking was done over a campfire so I'm intimately familiar with lighting those kinds of fires!

     I colored with ProMarkers and pencils, then cut the image with a stitched die from Cheery Lynn.  I found scraps of dp and used them behind the image.  The sentiment was printed and cut with a smaller Cheery Lynn die from that set, then adhered just at the bottom of the image.

     The only embellishment is the row of tiny pearls.  I think that design made a delightfully fun and CAS masculine card.

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
CARDZ TV
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Creations
Cute Card Thurs.
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Sisterhood of Crafters

     Don't forget - today and tomorrow are the last days of the Challenges for Days Birthday Bash and all you have to do to win is to comment on my post (HERE) and on the Birthday Bash post at Challenges for Days.  There are great prizes to be won from not only some lovely sponsors on Saturday but also from each of the CfD List Manager volunteers who have offered prizes of crafting goodies.  Check it out and be sure to leave comments on all the blogs which are offering prizes.  See the list on the CfD blog.

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

'Sno-one Like You

     It's Thursday and I have another entry into the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  They asked players to use an Oldie but Goodie, meaning anything that isn't a "new" stamp.  Here's one I've had in my collection but I don't think I've ever used it.

     I tried something I saw on one of the blogs I follow and found it pretty easy.  It's an envelope card, meaning the image is in the very center of the envelope and the sides and top flaps all fold in to make the envelope.  It's held shut with a slip-on loop but you could close it with a ribbon, too.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and water colors, then cut the image with a square die from Spellbinders.  I inked the edges with a ProMarker and centered it into the envelope.  I made the envelope from a leftover piece of scrapbook paper, putting the color on the inside and the white on what will be the outside when it's all folded.

     Because I wanted it to be flat, I added no embellishments of any kind so this is a very CAS card design.

     Challenges:
Crafting From the Heart
House That Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp & Show
That's Crafty

     That's it for today but tomorrow I'll have 2 posts so be sure to check back then.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas 'Cheer'

     It's Day 5 and I've managed to enter each and every day of the daily challenges at Catch the Bug's Christmas in July.  Today's theme is "Make it Funny" and there's an inspiration photo which can also be incorporated.

     I chose this fun image and made up my own sentiment to go with it.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and colored pencils plus a bit of glittered gel ink on the cocktail glass and liquid.  I cut it with a square die from QuicKutz, then distressed the edges with a craft knife blade.

     I dug through my scrap basket and found the papers, distressed the edges of the red one and curled one corner.  I printed and fussy cut the sentiment, distressed the edges lightly.  The ribbon and bow were waiting in my stash and they seemed a perfect final touch.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments
Cutie Pie (top row)
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
{PIN}spirational
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD

     Only two more days of the Christmas in July and I'm already working on cards for both days.  I am pretty sure I'm going to make my goal of entering each day's challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Stockings Were Hung...(and filled!)

     Day 4 of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug and I'm still on target for playing along each day.  Today I used a Bugaboo Stamps image with the cutest little teddy bear filling up a stocking - with himself, not with toys.  :-D

     The theme for today is a BINGO challenge and I managed to use all the items listed on the board.

     I started by coloring with ProMarkers, then I fussy cut the image with scissors.  I die cut a stitched circle to go behind the image (Die-namics) and mounted the image onto Pop Dots before putting it onto the circle.  It gave some great dimension.

     I found a scrap of burlap and used that behind the image/circle which added wonderful texture.  The rectangle of dp was a scrap from my Christmas paper stash and I inked the edges before adding the sparkly washi tape to it.  

     I dug through my stash of handmade bows, found one made from ivory ribbon instead of white, and used it.  It better matched the beige card base.  I printed, hand cut, matted, and added the sentiment, then put three small pearls in the lower corner of the burlap.

     Challenges:

Card Mania

Crafter's Cafe

Crafts Galore Encore

Create with TLC

Creative Craft Cottage
Die Cuttin' Divas

Digi Doodle Studios

Morgan's ArtWorld

Not Just Cards
Passion for ProMarkers

Sparkles Christmas

     That's it for me today.  Hopefully, I'll  be back tomorrow with a project for Day 5 of the Christmas in July challenges.  See you then.  

     Also, don't forget to check out the Birthday Bash with all the great prizes over at Challenges for Days!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hickory Dickory Dock

     This is my first post of two for today.  Please check back later to see the latest Christmas card for Catch the Bug's Christmas in July challenges.

  This one is another card that is just die cuts - no coloring, no stamps or digital images, just a CAS application of die cut pieces.  A little different from my usual style but one I like to do occasionally.  It seems I've been on a binge of all-die-cut cards recently but I'm having fun.

     The grandfather clock die is from Die-versions (I used it twice to cut both black and steel gray CS,) the mice die is by Gina Marie, and the Happy Birthday sentiment was done with a Memory Box die.  The bow is NOT a die cut; it's actually made from black, satin, ribbon and I used my bow maker to tie it.

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Catz
Outlawz SAR
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Time Out
TTCRD
Word Art Weds

     Be sure to stop by later to see the next in my next in the series of Christmas in July cards.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gift Card Holder

     This is my project for the 3rd day of the Christmas in July challenges at Catch the Bug.  So far, I've managed to play each day and I'm doing my best to keep time clear each morning for creating that day's card.  The theme today is to make a gift or a gift card holder.  Since I'm always in need of gift card holders over the holidays, I make lots of these.

     The one today is made with an image from Bugaboo Stamps.

     I colored with ProMarkers, including ProMarker silver metallic pens on the bells and stars on the tree, then added glitter to the snowflakes and the dot in the "i" of Christmas.  I die cut the image with a rectangle die from QuicKutz, and inked the edges.

     This is an all-in-one card and envelope.  The image piece was mounted onto the central section of what would become the inside of the 'envelope' for the gift card.  I trimmed the top edge to make a wide arrow-point, then used my Scor-Pal to score across the width about 2 inches below the top, again just below the image piece, and once more 2 inches up from the bottom of the CS.  I folded at each of the score lines, then cut the very bottom into a dove-tail.  I used double-sided tape to adhere the folded up, bottom flap to the card back along the outside edges, making the slot for the gift card.

     The image will fold down onto the gift card, and the arrow-point flap seals it closed.  The back side of the card is the outside of the envelope and, because the image is inside, there's plenty of room for the recipient's name (and address, if being mailed.)  The green CS is in the pocket just to show where the gift card will be.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Hazelnut's 
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Mod Squad
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Passion for ProMarkers
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"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