Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Selfie Girl

     Although I'm not a gal for taking selfies myself, I love it when my granddaughters (and occasionally a grandson) sends me their latest selfie.  This image was a freebie from LeAnn's World 101 for the coloring contest at their 1st Birthday Celebration all through February.  I'm just now getting it done.


     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut both the image and the scalloped frame with QuicKutz dies.  The shapes are cut with dies from Memory Box.  The shapes and the scalloped frame were cut from glittered CS.

     The plaid dp came from a sheet of 12 x 12 scrap booking paper, and now I have remnants of it on my craft table so expect to see it again fairly soon.  :-D  The sentiment was printed and cut with another QuicKutz die.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Creatalicious
Dream Valley
Morgan's ArtWorld
Outlawz Greetings
Scribbles Designs

     This will post Tuesday night but it's really a post for mid-week Wednesday and I'll see you again on Friday with 3 posts for the 1st of the month!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Monday, February 25, 2019

Bunnies for Sale

     I'm working on Easter cards because I need quite a few this year, at least a dozen more than last year.  Since Easter is only about 6 weeks away, I'm spending most of my somewhat limited crafting time working on them.

     My card today uses a cute images from Bugaboo Stamps.


My layout was inspired by the sketch at Sketch Saturday.


     I used two different images, colored with ProMarkers, the die cut each one with a die from Tonic Studios.  I trimmed one side of the smaller one and laid it on top of the larger image.  I had two, die cut, scrap, squares of shiny pink lying on the desk and I used them behind the image.  The striped dp was also a scrap.  I printed, hand cut, and inked the edges of the sentiment, then added it.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Di's Digi Designs
Double D
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Papercraft
Pile It On
Stamping Sensations

     More tomorrow.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Golden Roses

     This gorgeous image, with all kinds of options for coloring it, is the freebie image for the Progressive challenge at LeAnn's World 101.  I colored them to look like roses which actually grow on a bush in my side yard.  I don't know the name of the rose because the bush was there when I moved in but they are a golden, buttery, yellow with pink on the edges.


     This time, I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  I cut the image with a framing die from Spellbinders, then cut a piece of dp with a second die from Spellbinders, which I used as a mat behind the image.   

     The plaid background paper is a digital paper I created by changing the colors in a paper from Doodle Pantry (now closed - sadly.)

     The two ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and I had them in my rather huge stash of ribbons.  The bow is another of the ones I sew up by the dozens and I 'dyed' it with ProMarkers.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Outlawz Colors
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.
Work It Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Tulips for Easter

     Today I'm sharing my first Easter card of the year and I used a lovely tulip image from Beccy's Place. 


I used the colors in the palette from 


     I started by coloring with my ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  The sentiment is also cut with another die from that same set.  The background dp was a left over on my desk and worked perfectly with the color combo. 

     I find that when I'm using 12 x 12 scrap booking paper, I tend to leave the scraps on my desk after I've cut into a new sheet.  Over the next few days of crafting, I'll grab and use up those scraps as they work with whatever I'm creating at the moment.  Often, the scraps themselves will inspire the next color combo.

     I added two of my signature, hand-tied, bows with pearls.  I used a ProMarker to 'dye' them the color I wanted, choosing the lilac color of two of the tulips.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Craft-D BowZ
Crafty Creations
Happy Craft
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Polkadoodles
Scrappy Land

     That's all I have for today but I'm headed to the crafting table so who know what else you might see the rest of this week.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, February 22, 2019

Birthday Flight for Pegasus

     Welcome to another Friday and the start of another challenge week at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use products or images from any company.  If you do choose to use a QKR Stampede image (or even one from our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go onto a separate draw and that increases your chances of winning by a huge margin!

     This QKR image is called "Pegasus" and I love him to bits!


I based this card on the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches
but I reversed it and adjusted it for a vertical card.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and cut it with a stitched die from Card Deco.  I used my favorite purple paper with hearts and flowers on it as the background and added the sentiment to it.  I die cut all the flowers (Spellbinders), added glitter to two of them and to the lavender flower, then added tiny gems.  I added Glossy Accents to his eyes and wings but none of that shows up very well in the photo.

     This is my oldest granddaughter's birthday card and I can share it on my blog because she's already seen it.  Her birthday was yesterday and she loved this card!  She's the one who really loves dragons but she also has a passion for Greek Mythology so this aging Pegasus was a definite hit.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Dream Valley
Double Trouble (all 3 - middle row of TicTacToe)
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Papercraft
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrapy Land
Use Your Stuff

     I hope we're going to see you playing along with us this  week.  How can you lose with an Anything Goes theme?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Spring Bird in His Garden

     This image from the Progressive Challenge at Limited Runs is so perfect for spring (which hasn't arrived at my house yet - how about yours?)  Each day with a freezing temperature makes me wish more strongly for spring. 


     Before I had decided what to do for the background, I saw that the Color challenge at The Outlawz gave us one color (green), an option to choose two other colors from the inspiration photo (see below) - I chose pink and pale blue - and the twist was to make our own background.  I sorted through the dp scraps on my desk, added a strip of washi tape, and laid them all together on the card front to make the background.  Fortunately, all the dp scraps were distressed and worked well together.


     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a stitched Unbranded die.  The glossy, pink frame was cut with a Cottage Cutz pinpoint die.  I thought they complemented each other.  The pale pink satin ribbon was a left over scrap and the deep pink ribbon for the bow was in my stash.  I added a tiny gemstone to it.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers
{PIN}spirational
TTCRD

     Thanks for visiting.  Please stop by again tomorrow when I'll have my weekly post for QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Unicorn Love

     When this image from All Dressed Up begged to be used as an expression of love, I had a moment of doubt but then I remembered a saying from my childhood when my dad said, "Love from a puppy is the best kind of love" and I knew that had to be true about unicorns, too.  Maybe even better than puppy love since unicorns are so rare.      :-D


      I did my usual coloring with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from QuicKutz.  The background paper is the last scrap of a 12x12 scrapbooking paper from my stash.  I'm sad to see it used up and will have to look for more.  I love that it has hearts and flowers and is PURPLE!!!

     I knew I wanted a really different kind of bow for this one so I used a scrap bit of lace, rolled and pinched it in the middle, then wrapped with satin ribbon.  The sentiment was printed and hand cut, then added to the bottom.  Not quite CAS but not overdone either.

     Challenges:
All Dressed Up
Angie's Digital Stamps
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Calendar
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artzy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Path of Positivity
Stamping Sensations

     Happy Tuesday to all of you and thanks so much for stopping by.  If I haven't visited you in the last week or so, hang in there and be patient with me.  I'm getting there in between home school projects for my grandson, trips to the doctor for my daughter (torn tendon in her ankle & can't drive), grocery runs for everyone, plus celebrating my oldest granddaughter's birthday this week!  I can't remember when I've been so busy day after day after day.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Monday, February 18, 2019

Ladybugs and Daisies

     We've had lots of rain this winter and we're grateful for every drop of it having been in or on the verge of a drought the last two years.  I haven't seen any ladybugs in my garden yet - I think it's still too cold for them to be out and about but I'm ready for a touch of spring anyway.  :-D  And no matter what the season, it's always time for Someone Special!


     The image came from Ching-Chou Kuik and I colored it with my ProMarkers.  Although it's very difficult to see in the photo, I added Glossy Accents to the underwings and the white spots on the ladybugs.

     The image is cut with a circle die from Spellbinders, leaving the leaves, flower petals, and wings out-of-the-box.  The red circle frame is cut out of a scrap of dp using a stitched, scalloped die from Memory Box. The background dp and the strip holding the sentiment are opposite sides of dp from a Paper House stack.

     I added tiny, epoxy, flowers that have a heart in the middle to each end of the sentiment piece.

    Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Ching-Chou Kuik
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cute Card Thurs
Digi Choosday
Get Creative
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Love in a Flower Basket

     This darling little girl with her flower basket is from Conie Fong and she was such fun to color!  I love the tiny hearts in her basket and on her socks.


I was inspired by the color palette at Bastel-Traum.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a pinpoint die from Memory Box.  The polka dot frame was cut with another pinpoint die from that same set.  I added a scrap of satin ribbon between the frame and the image and wrapped it around the card front.

     I decided on a sentiment which would be more versatile than a "Valentine" greeting but which would still work for that if desired.  I printed and hand cut it before adding it below the image.  My final touch was the hand-sewn bow with pearl.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Creatalicious
Creations in Pink
Die Cut Divas
Paper Nest Dolls
Pearly Sparkles
Pile It On
Scribbles Designs

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back tomorrow with another post.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!   NanaConnie

Friday, February 15, 2019

Three Blind Mice

     Welcome to yet another Friday and the start of another "Anything Goes" challenge at QKR Stampede.   I've been playing with some of the older images in my QKR collection and this one, called "Blind Mice," was perfect for a card that seems to say "I'm really missing you!"


     I made this card before I found my markers so this is colored with a combination of water color paints and colored pencils.  I cut the image and the sentiment with Unbranded, cross-stitch dies, then mounted both pieces onto a scrap of dark blue CS.

     The argyle plaid paper was in my stash of 12 x 12 scrapbooking papers which I am determined to use following the reorganization (which forced me to recognize and admit just how much paper I have in my rather overwhelming stash!)  There's no getting around the fact that I have to use up a ton of paper before I can justify purchasing any more.  lol

     I found a scrap of jute cord in a color perfect for this card and added it before layering on the image.  I wanted this to be a masculine card so I didn't embellish it any further.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Friends
Creative Fingers
Cutie Pie
Ike's World
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Fri
Take It, Make It

     Have a great weekend and come play with us this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Final Vintage Valentine Cards

Happy St. Valentine's Day !
     I want to share with you my last three vintage Valentines.  These were done at the last minute after I got a call yesterday from a friend who had seen the earlier ones I did and asked if there was still time for me to make two cards for her grand-daughters (ages 4 and 6) and one for her daughter.  
It took me about 3 hours to get these done and she's on her way over to pick them up.  :-D

     Here are the two for the grand-daughters.  She told me they both love kittens so...

 

     On both cards, the kittens were originally gray scale images so I used ProMarkers to add some color.  On the top one, I used white gel pen to add the sentiment to the hearts.  I fussy cut the kittens and added them to a red heart with Pop Dots, then layered that onto a white doily.  I used 'confetti' CS to make the card base, added two scraps of red dp (Paper House) and one of my signature, hand-sewn, bows with a pearl.

     Challenges for this card:

     For this second card, the kittens were already in a heart shape so I fussy cut that allowing for the pink bow and the rose to be "out-of-the-box."  I used dimensional tape to add the kitten/heart piece to the inside of a filigree heart stamp.  I cut that piece with a Gina Marie die and added the sentiment to the top and bottom.  I used chalks to 'sponge' the border.  The card base is embossed, burgundy CS and I added a scrap of dp from my stash plus 2 blue doilies.


     Finally, this is the card for her daughter.


     On this one, I highlighted the roses with white gel pen on one of the images and popped up the roses and the bow in her hair with Pop Dots for added dimension.  The lace behind the image is from my stash and the pink half-frame is a scrap of CS which was on the craft desk.  The bright pink bow was made with lace, wrapped with satin ribbon.  I added the tiny, epoxy, flower/heart and called it finished.

     Challenges for this card:
Aloha Friday
Crafty Addicts
Creative Inspirations

     That's it for today.  Spread the love this Valentine's Day and don't forget to love yourself, too.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Be My Valentine?

     This sweet little image (a new one to me) is from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz this month, provided by Di's Digital Stamps, and I thought she'd make a perfect Valentine.  :-D


I was influenced by the wheel over at Butterfly Challenge
and used 3 of the options: Kobe, Kobi, & Knot It.


     I colored with ProMarkers, and cut both the mage and the frame with double stitched circle dies from Die-namics.  The flowery dp used for the frame is from 7 Gypsies.  The butterfly is machine embroidered on my machine and the ribbon is a scrap bit which I tied into a knot.

     Quick post today because I'm running late for an appointment.  I'll add all the challenge links when I return.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Cuttlebug Mania
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers  ('l'ittle 'l'ady)
TTCRD
   
     Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Monday, February 11, 2019

Loving Family

     One more progressive challenge in the bag and I love this sweet image of a big, happy family.  What better way to say "Love" this month?  The image is from Sasayaki Glitter and I think it's one of their best.


     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a die from Gina Marie.  The purple dp was a scrap left over from a DT project which you'll see in a couple of weeks.  The dark blue CS was also a scrap and all of those things were layered together onto a 'confetti ' CS base.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then inked the edges before adding it to the bottom of the card.  I used one of my signature bows, left white this time instead of 'dying' it to match a color in the card, and I added a sparkly gem to it.

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Happy Craft
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunday, February 10, 2019

The Morning After

     Those of you with feline fur babies will completely understand this card because all of them sneak off to party when we're not watching the (cat) door and this is how they appear when finally they bring their bedraggled selves home!  In this case, the Siamese must have been the "designated driver" since he's showing few ill effects.  lol


I started with the sketch from Beccy's Place
and the images are also from Beccy.
I used colors from the challenge at C.R.A.F.T.
with the red and pink being in the dp "flags."

  

     I started by merging the three cat images, then colored them with my ProMarkers.  The gray background is washed with a muddle of watercolor paints and the image piece laid on top of it.  I printed and hand-cut the sentiment, then matted it and hand cut that.

     The 'flag' strips were all cut from a single, two-sided scrap of 7 Gypsies paper which had been slipped back into the stack.  Instead of throwing it away, I cut and used the little flags from it.  The diamond texture ribbon is from my (huge) stash of Really Reasonable Ribbon bits.  The dark brown, grosgrain, bow was hand made and I added a tiny sequin star to it.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Southern Girls
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     OK, I'm taking the rest of the day off to be a lazy couch potato!  I may even fall asleep with the TV on.  I'm tired of boxes and chores.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

     Hey, guess who found her ProMarkers?  One more craft room box unpacked and put into the new space.  :-D  Having organized them, it was necessary to immediately use them.  You understand, I had to test them to see if any had gone dry or leaked or changed color.  Besides, the progressive challenge at Limited Runs comes to an end in just a few more days and I had to get something made and submitted.


     I colored the cupcake with ProMarkers, then used a stitched die from Lawn Fawn to cut the image and the two framing pieces.  The dp is from 7 Gypsies and each little diamond in the pattern echos the stitching.  I decided on a CAS design, letting the pattern in the dp do all the visual work.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lawn Fawnatics
                
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz SAR
Path of Positivity

     That's it for today.  I really do have to get back into the craft room but not for play this time.  I have to get things completely reorganized so that play will be something enjoyable again.  Hang in there with me -- I promise to get back into my routine soon.  NanaConnie

Friday, February 8, 2019

Puppy and Cupid Valentines

     I have to get this post written up very quickly before the feline fur babies awake and see me posting something featuring a puppy!  Here are two more of the Valentine cards I've done by recycling vintage Valentines from the box I found hidden under who know how many tons of supplies when the craft room was getting packed up and reorganized.

     I especially love these two and put in quite a bit of work on them.  Let's start with the puppy.


     Starting from the card base and working upward, the background dp came from Paper House, trimmed to fit the front of an A2 size card.  I had some lovely, glittered ribbon scraps in my stash which I think came from Crafty Ribbons.

     I dug out a set of doily dies from Spellbinders, and cut alternating layers of white and pink doilies (all cut from scraps), offsetting them as best I could.  Once all those were layered together with foam tape, I added the hand cut puppy to the top of the stack.  

     I added one of my signature bows to the bottom of the card front and called it finished.

     Challenges:

     Here's the second card with a sweet cupid image.


     I put silver glitter on his wings, and I used a rectangle die from QuicKutz top cut the image from the front of the old card, then inked the edges with ProMarkers to enhance the distressed look.  I 'dyed' a white doily with a dark brown ProMarker so that the image piece would pop.  I had two scraps of ribbon, one in hot pink and the other a golden brown.  I decided to put the doily between them and then wrap them around a piece of background dp (also Paper House.)

     The image went on top and I make a double bow but sewing two hand crafted bows together.  The final touch was a tiny, epoxy flower in the bottom corner of the image.  I hand wrote the sentiment in the opposite corner.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
Brown Sugar
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Catz
Creative Fingers
Happy Craft
If You Give a Crafter...
Polkadoodles
Time Out

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie  

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Kitten Love and Lady with Roses

     Today I have two more recycled, vintage Valentines to share.  Of course, the one with the kittens has to come first.  -D


     This time, I fussy cut the kittens and added them to a heart shaped doily with dimensional tape.  I found two scraps of red dp from a stack by Paper House, and used those to cover the front of a square card base.  The doily went on top of that and I added a red, epoxy flower with a heart in the middle.  The bow is one of my signature, hand-sewn bows with a pearl.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cute N Crafty
Digi Choosday
Get Creative
Paper Shelter
Simon Says Stamp & Show
SUYP Cats
TTCRD
Unicorn 

     The second card has a fantastic image of a Victorian lady with roses.

                               
     I cut the image from the original card with a QuicKutz rectangle die.  The "frame" behind it was a negative left over from cutting out a frame with a die from Spellbinders.  I took that piece, cut it diagonally, and offset the pieces behind the image.  That piece was previously embossed but I don't remember which of my embossing folders was used.

     The deep, pink card front is dry embossed and I used a scrap of white lace threaded with a piece of pink, satin ribbon and layered those along the left side of the card front.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Creations
Cupcake Inspirations

Cuttlebug Mania
Dream Valley
Double Trouble (Flowers + Bouquet)
House that Stamps Built
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Girls
Outlawz SAR

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

My Happy Valentine

     I've done a few Valentine cards using recycled and vintage images since things are still not completely accessible after all the boxing up and reorganizing.  Most of the markers and colored pencils are still put away and my printer use is somewhat limited.  But I am loving the entire box of vintage Valentines which were given to me several years ago and which got set aside during the last move.  I found them a few weeks ago and they have been put to great use during this year's turmoil.

     Expect to see several vintage Valentine cards over the next couple of weeks.


     I thought this image was adorable with the little girl and her faithful dog.  I cut the old card, used a Spellbinders die to cut the image into a rectangle, then punched it with a Fiskars' corner punch.  I used scraps of red paper on a kraft card base, and layered on a scrap piece of wide, wired, sparkly, silver ribbon before adding the image piece.  That ribbon and the flowers gave the card some really great texture!

     The ribbon of embroidered daisy flowers with pink centers came from my stash.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Cardmakers
Cupcake Inspirations

Cute N Crafty
Get Creative
Incy Wincy
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Girls
Simon Says Stamp & Show

     See you later.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, February 1, 2019

Bandaged Cat

     Welcome to our newest weekly challenge at QKR Stampede where our theme is always "Anything Goes."  There's no requirement to use images from QKR (or from our sister company, Eureka Stamps) but for those of you who do use them, you increase your chances of winning by a huge amount since those entries go into a completely separate drawing so your odds are much better.  :-D

     The image I used today is from QKR and it's called "Bandaged Cat."  Every time I use this image, I can hear my dad in my head talking about someone being "as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!"  lol  Now you know why!


     I used my ProMarkers to color the cat, then cut the image with a die from Lawn Fawn.  I cut the blue frame with a Cottage Cutz die.  The shiny, metallic background was cut with an Altenew die and everything is layered onto a smoke-blue card base.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, matted it with a scrap of blue CS, and added that below the image.  Because I used this as a masculine, get-well card, I didn't add any further embellishment.  I thought the texture of the layers and the die cuts was enough.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Catz
Creative Inspirations
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paperbabe Stamps
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     I'm hoping that by next week, I'll be back to my regular routine but if it takes another week, please trust that I will be back.  I haven't abandoned my crafting nor my blogging.  I just need to get settled in again after all the recent changes.  Thanks for your patience.  :-D  NanaConnie

No Fear of the Night

     It's time for our February challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!   As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes with a Critter" and, once again, Sparkle n Sprinkle is our fabulous sponsor.  They generously provided images for our team members to use and I hope you're going to visit the main 2 Crafty Critter Crazies blog to see all of the inspiration the team is offering.

       I used an incredible Owl set (Great Horned Owl) designed by our very own Donna E!  Isn't it gorgeous?


     I colored the owl with ProMarkers and then used SnS EP to heat emboss the white areas on the owl's feathers and on the tree branch.  I cut the image and the frame with scalloped dies from Sizzix.  The deep blue dp is from 7 Gypsies and the flowery paper is a scrap of origami paper.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment (also part of the Great Horned Owl image set), inking the edges of it.  The CS behind the sentiment was a scrap left from die cutting the blue CS frame.  I simply lined up the scallop spaces and that helped to pop the sentiment off the background.  The card base is kraft CS.

     I added one, hand-sewn, bow with a pearl for embellishment and decided it was beautifully finished.  I know I'm going to be using this set a lot.  There are so many options available.  Go check it out.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Sparkle n Sprinkle
TTCRD
Tues. Throwdown

     Check back in another three hours or so when I'll have my post for QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie