Mistletoe Ornament

     Yesterday, we finished the entire alphabet prompts and today is the last of the daily challenges which have been running for an entire month at Beccy's Place.  Today we get to do "Anything We Love."  I loved the Mistletoe which came in this set from Beccy's and had to use it before the challenges ended altogether.

     However, I wanted to try something other than just another card so I turned it into a tree ornament!

Colors from Color My Heart #321, 3rd column

plus Gold on the twine bow.

     I printed the mistletoe image onto CS twice, added glitter to the mistletoe berries, then after it dried, cut both of them at the same time with a die from QuicKutz.  I wanted the ornament to have a bit of weight so I cut six more of the same shape from white CS.  I sandwiched those six pieces between the two image pieces and glued them all together, adding the ribbon hanger to the center of the layers.

     If I do another one I think, instead of gluing the layers, I'll try weaving narrow ribbon through the holes and I can tie the ends together to make the hanger.  It'll make it a bit more decorative and I could even add a splash of bright color simply by choosing the right ribbon.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Cardz TV
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Dream Valley
Get Creative
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Note especially for Beccy: Playing this month has been so much fun and I look forward to your 30 Days of Cards each November.  Thank you so much for all you do to make the daily challenges fun and fabulous!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

It's Merry ChrisMoose Time!

     Another Friday and another "Anything Goes" challenge at QKR Stampede!   When I was looking through the Christmas images available from QKR, I found this sweet little she-moose.  Her expression said she'd just found out Christmas is tomorrow and she only has one present ready.  lol  The image is called "Christmas Moose" and I just love her. 

     Everything on this card came from scraps, including the white CS on which the image is printed.  I colored with ProMarkers, added a few tiny highlights with a gel pen, and then used a stitched die from Cottage Cutz to cut out the image.  I used that same die on two dp scraps which I used behind the image piece.

     I sewed a tiny bow from a scrap of white ribbon, dyed it with a marker, and added it at the bottom corner of the image.  Finally, I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and layered it onto the burgundy dp.

     Challenge:
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pixie's Snippets
Simon Says Stamp

     I hope you're going to come and play along with us this week.  We love being inspired by you.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Zoo's Who?

     When it's Christmas at the National Zoo, the giraffes have a 'high' time catching snowflakes!  It's the final day of the 30 Days of Christmas at Beccy's Place and the prompt for today is the letter "Z."  I did a Z-fold card and used a Zoo theme.  :-D

I started with the colors offered at My Favorite Things.

     I used ProMarkers to color, then cut the image and the sentiment with stitched dies from CUTplorations.  The red mat is also cut with another die from that same set.  I did the Z-fold on a slant, cutting off the top, right-hand, corner of the card front all the way to the middle fold before adding the image piece.

     I found some lovely silver ribbon, dotted with glittery snowflakes, and I wrapped it around the card front, behind the image piece.  I also added a glittered snowflake.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Double D
House That Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Work It Weds.

     I can hardly believe I managed to play each and every day of the 30 days at Beccy's Place and it was really fun.  I now have an additional 30 Christmas cards in my stash and that's a good thing since I plan to donate at least 75 Christmas cards to the Senior Center just down the block from my house.  Every year, those cards are so appreciated and I even get calls from the Center now asking if I'm bringing cards again this year.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

XOXO Hugs and Kisses

     OK, we've reached the most impossible day for alphabet prompts - the dreaded "X" !!  Last year I did a card with "X Marks the Spot" but this year, I borrowed (CASEd?) an idea done by Donna at Popsicle Toes last year, Xs and Os.  What could be better than snuggling up for hugs and kisses at Christmas - with or without mistletoe?  The darling penguins are from Beccy's Place, appropriate for the 30 Days of Christmas daily challenges which have been going on there all month long.

I used the sketch at Stella Says Sketch,

flipping it side to side.

     I started with a pre-colored image, then used ProMarkers and white gel pen to add the shading and highlights.  The XOXOs and the sentiment were printed as part of the image.  The image piece was cut with a die from QuicKutz and matted with a square of green CS. 

     The plaid dp was a scrap as was the blue CS.  Everything was mounted onto a kraft card base.  I added the little snowflakes for sparkly embellishments.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Moments
Cupcake Inspirations

Digi Choosday
Double D
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On

     We're counting down the last few days of November and Saturday will be the beginning of December.  Once again, I have no idea how the last year scrambled by so quickly!  Why is it kids think time passes so slowly?  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wreath of Poinsettias

     A new alphabet prompt at Beccy's Place today.  "W" is a little bit easier than U and V were but I did try to get creative with the Wreath so that it wasn't ordinary or expected.

I was inspired by the sketch at

The Outlawz, although I took a liberty or two -

turning it a 1/4 turn and offsetting the middle band.

     Beccy has a lovely set of poinsettia images and one of them is the three-poinsettia floral spray I used here.  I printed it off three times, cutting each one with a round die from QuicKutz.  I cut those circles in half, fussy cutting the portion next to the petals on each one.  I placed those three cut images into a Wreath shape and mounted them onto a green, die cut, circle (also QuicKutz.)

     I chose a piece of deep red CS, ran it through my "Linen" embossing folder, and Wrapped it with Wide, Wired ribbon.   I added the image on top of that, then printed the "Wishing you...." sentiment.   I wanted something as a focal point in the center of the Wreath so I cut a snowflake with a die from Art Impressions and put a tiny gem on it.  I added a handmade bow and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Crafting with Friends
Die Cut Divas
Lemon Shortbread
Scrap from Your Heart
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     The new week is starting and the rush to Christmas is upon us.  Thankfully, I don't have to brave any of the shopping crowds this year so I can stay inside where it's warm and cozy, crafting and humming Christmas carols while the rest of the country tears their hair and fights for the perfect gift, all the while losing patience along with the true Christmas spirit.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"V" Day at Beccy's

     These last few alphabet letters really take some thinking but Beccy (30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place) does give us some great hints.  Going to her list for "V" inspirations, I chose Vintage, Vermilion, Violet, and Verdigris, then added Vine on my own because of the image I chose to use. 

     It's the "7 Swans a Swimming" image from Beccy's 12 Days of Christmas set, one I don't think I've used before.  Of course, that song is now in my head for the rest of the day!

     I colored with ProMarkers, then fussy cut the image.  The coloring on the Vine round the swan's elegant neck is done with Violet (as is one of the tiny stripes in the plaid paper), Verdigris leaves, and Vermilion berries.  The dp, plus the ribbon and hand-tied bow, are Verdigris and the Vertical strip of dp is Vermilion.  I used a holly shank button on the bow (cutting off the shank before I applied it.)  The two poinsettia flowers are adhered with Pop Dots, giving some wonderful dimension.

     This year, I'm doing some Very special cards which will also be my gifts to those friends and this is one of them.  I have a friend who moved to Arizona last winter and she has collected swan figures and pictures for many years now.  I know she'll love this card! 

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Crafty Catz
Crafty Hazelnut's
Cute N Crafty
Frilly and Funky
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.

     That's it for today.  If you're traveling home after a Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends, be safe.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Presents Under the Tree

     The letter "U" is the prompt for today over at Beccy's Place 30 Days of Christmas cards and it's not an easy one!  I decided on one of the suggestions given to us by Beccy ("Under the Tree") and went looking for a Beccy's image I could reasonably put Under a tree.

   

I tied the image coloring with the colors in 

the My Favorite Things challenge.

     The tree is one of Beccy's Images and I colored the scene with ProMarkers, adding snow to the tree with white gel pen.  The presents were also colored with ProMarkers but they came from another of Beccy's sets, the one I used for my "Reindeer in Training" card a few days ago.  I printed it twice, reversing the image once, and making sure that the image was printed small enough that the gifts would fit Under the tree.  That's one of the great things about using digis - you can adjust the size to fit your needs!

     I cut the reindeer away from both images, leaving only the stack of presents. then cut off the sled on one of them, doing fussy cutting on each one.  That was a dedicated effort because those piles of packages are less than a square inch in size.  Once the presents were adhered, I cut the entire image piece with a Spellbinders die and backed it with CS.

     The stitched ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and the snowflake is covered in glitter.  

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Cardz TV

Creative Knockouts

Outlawz Festive Fri.

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Polkadoodles

     I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  I'm spending creative time doing things for and with family and having the time of my life!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Nutcracker

     Here's my post for the 'curve' Beccy's Place threw us on Thursday when she gave us a prompt of "CASE Yourself" instead of the letter "T" which I was expecting and had prepared ahead.  We have to take a previous card we have made and CASE it.

     Here's the card I CASEd, one I did last year for the 30 Days of Christmas.  You can see the post HERE.  I used one of Beccy's freebies.

     I decided on something really quick and printed out 

     a pre-colored version of one of her new Nutcrackers. 

I also took my cue from the sketch

at Sketch Saturday.

     I decided to reverse the reds and greens from last year's card while still keeping the single character as the main focus.  I punched the corners of the image with another Fiskars corner punch, and began searching through my Christmas ribbons.  I was looking for that same plaid ribbon but it was not to be found.  I really love the one I did find and I think it goes well with the masculine Nutcracker image.

     I used an Art Impressions die to cut the snowflakes, made the center one with 2 layers, and added glitter and a gem to the top snowflake.  The sentiment was cut with a Die-Versions die and it echos the sentiment from last year.

     Challenges:
Crafty Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's
Di's Digi Designs
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holly Snowman

     This delightful "Christmas Snowman q-24346" image from QKR Stampede is perfect for this time of year.  Our latest challenge starts today and our theme is always Anything Goes.

     I want to share with you a little story about QKR and my early experiences with them.  I think I fell in love with QKR digi images almost before I even knew what digi images were.  Up to that time, I was completely into rubber stamps and even scoffed at digital images.  In fact, my earliest QKR images were rubber stamps (a thing you can still get!)  But as I was introduced to them and learned what could be done with them in sizing, reversing, flipping upside down, and the ease of storing them (hundreds and hundreds on one small flash drive!), it didn't take me long to go almost completely digital!  I admit it - I prefer digis to rubber and that's been true for a number of years now.  Thank you, QKR Stampede for being one of the major factors in my conversion (and for taking me onto the DT coming up on 5 years ago!)  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with one of my earliest dies from Spellbinders.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment before mounting everything onto sea foam green CS.  I wrapped it with sparkly, white and gold, wired ribbon and added one of my signature bows, hand-sewn with a pearl and dyed with a ProMarker.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs.
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Take it, Make It

     Like many others, I'm still not back into the routine after the Thanksgiving Day festivities but I have a couple of posts pre-scheduled so I can be as lazy as I like.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

from The Smithsonian Gallery

Trees in the Forest

     Edited to add:  Beccy's Place threw me a curve giving us a non-alphabet letter prompt for today but I'd worked ahead on and pre-scheduled  my "T" card since it's Thanksgiving and I won't be posting until I'm back home.  I'll get caught up as soon as I can.
   
      One more post with a card for the 30 Days of Holiday cards at Beccy's Place and the prompt is "T."  Trees is a pretty obvious choice but I chose this image from Beccy's with pine Trees in the forest instead of a decorated Tree in the house.

I admit I was heavily inspired by the color combo photo

which I found at House that Stamps Built.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a simple, rectangle die from Tonic Studios.  I added Teal ink to the edges of the cut piece.  The mulberry paper is called Teak Brown.  The Trees have a Tapered shape, adding yet another T !

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafter's Castle
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's
Digi Choosday
Paper Shelter
{Pin}spirational
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

     That's all I have for today but I have two posts pre-scheduled for Friday; one for QKR Stampede and one for the next Beccy's Place daily challenge and the rather difficult letter "U."  I'm good so far at having been able to post each day of 30 days and it looks like I may get all the days in, even if I have to play catch up again after the weekend.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Snuggle Snowman

     Two posts today but none tomorrow because of Thanksgiving when I'll be visiting with family for the holiday.  This post is for the "S" prompt at Beccy's Place 30 Days of Holiday cards.  I am just crazy about Snowmen, especially those I find at Beccy's, and this is one of my favorites.

   
     I colored with ProMarkers, using Scarlett and Deep Sea Blue as my primary colors, then cut the Snuggly Snowman with a Scalloped border die from Spellbinders.  I decided on a very Simple design so I adhered the image to a card base, then cut 3 Snowflakes with a die from AI.  Two of those are not obvious since they are in the Sky next to the Snowman.  I added Sparkle to the snowflakes and called it finished! 

     Challenges:
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Inspirations
Double D
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Try Stampin' On Tues

     Be sure to stop back this afternoon for my second post and to those of you in the USA, may Thanksgiving Blessings be yours.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Reindeer in Training

     You may not be aware that Santa has to train new reindeer for a very long time before they can become the next Dancer or Prancer.  Since we're doing "R" as a prompt at Beccy's Place today, I decided on one of her Reindeer images.  Doesn't he look like he's training to pull a full sleigh one day?

      I thought it would be fun to do a Rocker card since I haven't done one in at least a year!  The Rocker part is cut with a QuicKutz die.

     I colored with ProMarkers and cut the image with a Sizzix scalloped die.  I used Red CS for the upper part of the card and layered the image circle onto it and the Rocker.  I added one tiny snowflake (AI die) onto the card as embellishment and used one of my hand-sewn, satin Ribbon bows (left white this time) to use in the other corner.

     I printed the sentiment, hand cut it and matted it with deep Rust CS, then hand cut that, also, before adding it at the bottom of the image.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Addicted to CAS
Cute N Crafty
Dream Valley
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Polkadoodles
Sasayaki Glitter

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Wreath Besties

     This is an unexpected second post today but I want to share a warm and wonderful story, and the card which resulted from it.

     I first saw this new AuroraWings image when Donna Mundinger posted her card using it over at the Outlawz challenges.  I had to go check out her blog post for more info and I fell in love!  On the Outlawz post, I left a comment that if I wasn't so broke I'd be over at AuroraWings buying it right then.  I also opined that if I was really good, maybe Santa would bring it for me.  :-D

     A few hours later, it arrived in my mailbox with a note that it had been sent to me by my Secret Santa!  Somebody at the Outlawz has the most generous heart in the world!  Thank you, Secret Santa.  You are truly blessed.

     I colored with ProMarkers and cut the image with a Sizzix scalloped die.  The frame was cut with a die from QuicKutz.  I layered those together and went looking for ribbon.

     I found that gorgeous, sparkly gold, wide ribbon in my Christmas stash and wrapped it around the card front, adding the image piece on top of it.  The sentiment was cut with a Die-Versions die and I used a glue pen to adhere the words to the slate gray card front and the ribbon.  I used a white gel pen to outline the two words on the gray CS.  That made them pop.  Before that, they were a bit hard to read.

     The final touch was the snowflake which is covered in glitter but that just doesn't show in the photo.

     Challenges:
Cookie Challenge
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats

     I think that's all I have for today but I am headed back to the craft room so who knows what may get created that demands immediate posting.  lol  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Quilt

     I'm following the letter prompt of "Q" at Beccy's Place for the 30 Days of Holidays but I keep forgetting which letter it is because I have as many "P"s as "Q"s in today's post; maybe even more.  :-D  But I did "P" yesterday so this is all about the Christmas Pudding Quilt.

     I colored the Quilt image with my ProMarkers (my favorite method of coloring) and then replaced the center square with my wish for Peace on Earth - a sentiment which is also from Beccy's Place.  I spent a bit of time sizing it to fit and still had to trim the edges in thin slices but it did fit eventually.

     I used two of my Quilting dies - one from Gina Marie and one from Sizzix - to cut the dp and the glittered paper.  I made that glittered paper by adding loose glitter to sticker paper, burnishing it in, and then cutting it with the die.  I have to give my friend, Donna, credit for jogging my memory and inspiring me to use that technique again.  Here's her post about glittering sticker paper, but I didn't do anything nearly as complex as she did.  I just peeled off one side of the sticker paper (trimmed to the size I needed for the die), added glitter to the entire thing, then cut it with the quilt die.  It made the glittery pieces easy to apply since they already had adhesive on the backs.

     I put the Quilted papers together like a puzzle, then placed them into position on the card front.  The Christmas Pudding Quilt image went on top.  I embellished the corners with two of my signature bows which had been dyed with a Pine ProMarker.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
C.R.A.F.T.
Double Trouble  (all 3)
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Path of Positivity
Pile It On
Try Stampin' on Tues
Unicorn
Use Your Stuff
Word Art Weds.

     I hope your week is starting well and, if you live in the USA, that you are getting on with all your preparations for Thanksgiving, only 3 more days away!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Partridge in a Pear tree

     Yep, you guessed it - we're doing the letter "P" in the 30 Days of Christmas cards at Beccy's Place today.  I've used Beccy's Partridge in a Pear Tree image from her 12 Days of Christmas set.  I've had this set for at least 4 Christmases and have used some portion of it each year.  I think this image is my favorite.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, including the Pears and the Partridge, giving her Pink tail feathers!   I used Pine green ribbon for the strip at the top and added Pearls on each end.  The same ribbon was used to tie the bow.

     The image and the scalloped frame were both cut with dies from QuicKutz.  Before assembling the tent card, I tapped on a Paint brush to spatter Peach, Poppy and green watercolors on the card front.

     On the sentiment piece, I used dots which were Punched out of the the same CS I used for the frame piece.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Angie's Digital Stamps
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"O" Means Ornament and Oval Card Shape

     Today we're doing the letter "O" as the prompt at Beccy's Place for the 30 Days of Christmas cards.  I found one of Beccy's fabulous Ornaments and used it.  It colored up beautifully.

Color combo came from My Favorite Things.

     I colored with ProMarkers, and the parts which look gold are actually colored with an Olive green marker.  The two narrow stripes bordering the holly are done with Onyx glitter.

     I had already decided on a shaped card so I dug out one of my Oval dies from QuicKutz and used it to cut the card shape.  I had to plan ahead for this card because I wanted it to be a One layer card so I had to put the Ornament at the bottom of the CS sheet in order to have the fold at the top to make a tent card.  This is my first ever Oval card but I'm liking it!

     I added two, teeny, rhinestones - one on each side of the sentiment.

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Cardz TV
Crafty Friends
Di's Digi Designs
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie    

Christmas at a Snail's Pace

    Good Friday Morning all of you!  If it's Friday, it must be time for another QKR Stampede challenge.  I want to share a card with you this morning which will explain why your Christmas packages may arrive late or even not at all.  You can use the information to explain to all the kids and grandkids why there are no presents under the tree for them.

     Santa apparently ran short of reindeer this year, or maybe they're all in the stable, hung over from too much Christmas cheer but, whatever the reason, Santa seems to have hired a snail to replace them.  Unfortunately, like most snails, he's completely unused to the ice and cold which explains the blue color of his skin.  He's traveling awfully slowly; maybe he's frozen solid and not going anywhere!  But then, he's carrying his home with him, so maybe he doesn't care.  :-D

I used colors from the TicTacToe Color Dare at Color My Heart

only this time I did the diagonal bottom left to top right.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a rectangle die (Spellbinders.)  I inked the edges and cut a tiny, decorative corner (also Spellbinders) which is off -the-edge of the image piece.

     I used a Darice EF to emboss the scrap of distressed, red CS.  I added grosgrain ribbon and a lace, bow-tie bow which I dyed red with a Copic marker.  It didn't really need any more embellishment so I left it rather CAS.  It's going to be a perfect masculine Christmas card.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
 
Aud Sentiments
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
Dragonfly Dreams
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Sasayaki Glitter
Time Out

     That's it for today but I do hope you're going to come and play with us at QKR Stampede this week.  Remember, you can use any image from any company and our theme is Always Anything Goes.  However, if you do use a QKR image, your entry goes into a completely separate draw for only QKR (or Eureka Stamps) and your chances of winning in that draw are huge!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Nativity Night

     Today Beccy's Place is using "N" as the inspiration prompt for the 30 Days of Christmas cards and I used various parts of the Nativity set, part of which I used for "Kings" a few days ago.  I couldn't use all the parts - it would have been too large for the card.  So this time, I used a different one of the kings and added a shepherd and lamb (reversed in Word so that he was facing the manger.) 

     I love using Nativity scenes at Christmas - it reminds me of the Reason for the Season.

     I remember, as a child, being completely fascinated by a Nativity set my Grammy had.  Her father had hand carved it from blocks of soap her mother made.  She told me that when the set was new, it was sparkling white (a huge feat for home made soaps in those days) but by the time I was seeing it, it was yellowed with age.  I thought that made it all the more spectacular.  :-D  It was passed on to my mother but I have no idea what became of it after that.  If it was still around, I'd be setting it out each Christmas.

I used colors from the Tic Tac Toe Color Dare at Color My Heart,

3rd column plus Saffron for the gold shades and neutrals of beige & brown.

     Once again, I started with a pre-colored image (printed with the Nativity Night sentiment) but I used ProMarkers to add highlights and even to change some colors on the clothing.  I used white gel pen on the lamb and on the beards of the shepherd and wise man.  I cut the image with a rectangle die from QuicKutz, inked the edges with gold ProMarker, and matted it with Natural Earth CS - CS which is made completely from recycled products.

     I layered additional papers behind the image onto the card front, all of which were scraps left on the crafting desk.  I swear, most of the time the only way the craft desk gets cleared off is because I'm using up things left over from other projects!

     I dug through my bag of spangles and sequins to find the two stars, one gold and one silver.  I layered those together with craft glue (not easy to do with things that tiny) and added them above the image.  I used the gold ProMarker to draw the lines of light downward.

     Finally, I found my Noel sentiment die (by Die-versions) and cut white CS, then added Neptune Green glitter to it.  Once that dried, I put it on the upper corner and called the card finished.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Bastel-Traum
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafts Dreamy
Creative Craft Cottages
Cute Card Thurs.
Paper Nest Dolls
Winter Wonderland

     There will be one more post today but not until 3 a.m. my time.  I'll be sharing my DT card with you for the challenge at QKR Stampede so feel free to check back.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Mail Delivery

     It's the 15th of the month so it's time for the next challenge at Creations in Pink.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" as long as you use lots of pink in making your creation.  We have wonderful sponsors this month; Starz Stamps and Di's Digi Designs.  I'm using a darling image from Di's Digi Designs, called "Surprise for All" (which may have been retired since I can't find it in the shop.)  I chose this one from my own, rather large, collection of Di's stamps.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it with two related dies from Spellbinders and I inlaid the die cuts into each other.  I mounted that piece onto pink polka dot paper.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it above the image.

     I used green satin ribbon to tie a bow-tie bow and put it at the top.  Everything went onto a pink card base.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's DP
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land

     I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge this month.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Making a Joyful Noise with Music

     Yep, another card for the 30 Days of Christmas at Beccy's Place but then, if you've been visiting me at all this month, you already suspected that.  :-D  The alphabet prompt is the letter "M" and we're at the midway point of both the month and the alphabet.  My "M"s to day are related to Music.  I adore these 3 snowmen Making Music, singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs (do snowmen have lungs?)

I started with the sketch from Tuesday Morning.

     I colored with ProMarkers, my favorite alcohol Markers, and cut the image with a Lawn Fawn, stitched, square die, turned on point to make a diamond shape.  The silver and white ribbon is wired & glittered and I wrapped the card front with it.

     I printed and hand-cut the sentiment and began layering on all the different bits and pieces.  The bow is from my stash, one of those I make by the dozens and toss into the stash for future use.  The snowflake charm was in my Christmas stash and I'm sure it's been there for 3 years, forgotten and unused.  It seemed awfully happy to see the light of day when I took it out.  :-D  I added glitter to it and put it in a prominent place at the top of the card.

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Cardz TV
Crafty Sentiments
Digistamp4Joy
Outlawz Festive Friday
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrap from Your Heart
Try Stampin' on Tues.

     This is my first post of the day and in about an hour, I'll be posting my DT card for Creations in Pink so be sure to stop by again.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Waiting

     It's time for the next monthly challenge at World Wide Open Design Team and, as usual, we have an Anything Goes theme.  I used this sweet image from Julia Spiri called "Little Lori."  It wasn't designed to be a winter or Christmas image, but I used gel inks to add the snow and it made a perfect Christmas Eve image.  Can't you just feel Little Lori missing all those who are due to come for Christmas?

I was influenced by the sketch from My Favorite Things

but I flipped it a quarter turn so that my card would be horizontal instead of vertical

and moved the vertical bow off the image to the side.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then used dies from Art Impressions to cut both the image and the frame.  I chose a pre-made card base from DCWV and the "Holly Jolly" design is printed right onto the card front.

     I went through my stash of Christmas ribbons, found two that were gold and glittery, used one to wrap the card front and the other to tie a double loop, double layer bow with the help of my Bow It All.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Aud Sentiments
Craft-Dee BowZ
Creative Fingers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Mod Squad
Simon Says Stamp
Words to Craft By

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

Light in the Window

     The alphabet prompt today at Beccy's Place is the letter "L" and I used one of Beccy's Seasonal Window images to make my card.  This is the winter window and it gave me another chance to focus on being home for the holidays - Thanksgiving or Christmas.

     I played with a pre-colored image but used a Lemon ProMarker to cast the glow on the window pane and a pale green to color the candle.  I also used a couple of gray ProMarkers to enhance the bricks a bit, and used a white gel pen on the snow.

     I added Lemon yellow, Nuvo Crystal Drops to the flame which gave it both shine and texture.  I know that's hard to see but if you click on the photo to enlarge it, you'll get a good look at it.

     The image piece was cut on my Fiskars paper cutter, then I distressed the edges.  I cut scrap pieces of gray CS with a Bo Bunny die and made Layers with them, adding the image piece on top.  I printed the sentiment, getting two more Ls, Light and Leading.  The bow is one of those I sew up by the dozens using white ribbon, then I dye them the color I want with ProMarkers.  The bow is the same color as the candle, and that complementary pop of color in the bow makes the candle more visible to the eye.

     Challenges:
Crafting with Friends
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Hiding in My Craft Room
I {Heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Take It, Make It
Time Out
Winter Wonderland

     Can you believe it - a day with only 1 post!  Ooops, I forgot that I'm posting for World Wide Open DT challenge later today.  lol  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"K" is for King, Kraft, and Khaki

     I'll bet the title of this post will tell you all you need to know about today's prompt at Beccy's Place in the 30 Days of Christmas cards.  I actually combined Beccy's images to add the King to the nativity scene.

I used the colors again from Ike's World

but this time I did include the purple.  :-D

     Really fast details:  Image cut with stitched, CUTplorations die and Khaki green mat cut with Gina Marie die.  Ribbon is wired and wrapped around card front, and the bow is one of my signature, hand-sewn, bows dyed purple with a marker.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Lemon Shortbread
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

     Quick and short post but duty calls today so Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Joyful Merry Christmas

     We're back to the alphabet prompts at Beccy's Place 30 Days of Holidays and today's letter is "J."

     What's better than the Joy of Christmas as shown by a Jolly snowman with an ornament hanging from his Jaunty nose?

I followed the color inspiration from the

3rd column at the TicTacToe board at

Color My Heart Color Dare.

     I colored with ProMarkers and I'm calling those greens "Jade, Juniper, or Jungle" to add a few more "J"s.  Don't they look great against the glacier blues? 

     I cut the image with a simple, square die from Spellbinders, then used another larger die from that set to cut glittered, white CS for the frame behind it. 

     I had already used an Elizabeth Craft Designs sentiment die to cut out the "Merry Christmas" which I used on another project.  The snowflakes were all cut with various Spellbinders dies.  I used white gel ink to pop them from the blue background, adding some dimension at the same time.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Cute Card Thurs.
Double Trouble (all 3)
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Polkadoodles
Try Stampin' on Tues (1st column)
TTCRD

     This is my second post and that's all I have for today.  I'm going to go and make decisions on the images for the next several Christmas cards for Beccy's Place, just to see if I can work ahead a bit.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Off We Go

     Today, I'm thinking of holiday travels - both for Thanksgiving and for Christmas/ New Year.  They are all cold weather traveling and require taking lots of warm clothing layers instead of packing the Bermuda shorts and bikinis.  These two little mice from Sasayaki Glitter's Progressive Challenge have the right idea.  They even come bearing gifts!  :-D

I used most of the colors from Ike's World

missing only my favorite - purple.  The pink seemed 

a better fit for this little lady.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut the image with a stitched die from Memory Box.  The background papers are from DCWV.  I sewed one of my favorite bows, dyed it royal blue, and added a glittery paper-punched bit to the center.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
Lemon Shortbread
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Sasayaki Glitter
Scrappy Land
Unicorn
Word Art Weds.

     I'll have one more post today - yes, you guessed it - for Beccy's Place.  Be sure to stop by again in a couple of hours.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie