Mother's Day Silhouette

     I'm pretty much hooked on all the images from Bugaboo Stamps but I especially love their silhouettes!  I thought this one would make a lovely Mother's Day card.

I started with the inspiration photo from Catch the Bug

and the sketch from Stella Says Sketch

which I adjusted to fit a square card.

  

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a simple, square die from QuicKutz.  I cut another square one die size larger, cutting shiny, metallic, purple CS to use as the frame for the image.

     All the designer papers are from DCWV and all were scraps, including what I used for the background.  I added one of my signature bows, this time made from sheer ribbon and 'dyed' with ProMarkers to get the exact shade of purple that I wanted.

     I printed the sentiment, hand cut, matted, and hand cut it again, then added it to the lower corner of the card.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Addicted to Stamps
Allsorts
Di's Digi Designs
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pixie's Snippets
Stamping Sensations

      Welcome to a new work week (for those of you who still have to report in or punch a time clock) and have a wonderful Monday.  Happy Crafting (to those who are home instead of at work.)  NanaConnie

Floating By

     It's a lazy kind of weekend at our house.  I've been hiding in the craft room while grandson has a baseball game and the younger granddaughter is working.  Older granddaughter lives in her own house now so who knows what she might be doing.  Sleeping in, probably, if her fur babies allow.   I was working with this sweet image from Limited Runs Progressive Challenge and it seems to perfectly reflect how lazy the day is.

     The coloring on this one is a mix of ProMarkers, watercolor paints, and bleached dp (the pink half circle.)  The image and the sentiment are cut with oval dies from QuicKutz.  The blue rectangle with the cross-stitching was cut with an Unbranded die. 

     The pink circle had been cut with a die from My Favorite Things Die-namics.  I cut it in half for use on another project and this half was left over. 

     The bow was made with a bit of Baker's twine.  Everything (except the image piece) started out as a scrap and I cut them to suit based on how large or small they were.  Even the card base was a left over piece of 12" x 12" CS which had  been used in scrapbooking.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Pile It On
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Shared Umbrella

     This lovely image from LeAnn's World 101 Progressive Challenge is perfect for an April/Spring card and is also great for a friendship card.

I chose 4 colors from Color My Heart #340; 

Lagoon, Sapphire, Ballerina & Smoothie

     I colored with ProMarkers, then used a Lawn Fawn die to cut the image and the largest square of background dp.  The orange (Smoothie) dp plus the Sapphire square were cut with Cottage Cutz dies.  I layered all of those together creating layers.

     I printed the sentiment, matted it with a tiny scrap of navy blue CS, and added it below the image piece.  I decided on 3 tiny metal brads, putting those into the corner, and 3 crystal raindrops, which I put on the image itself.  I've had a long run recently of using kraft CS for card bases and I'm really liking the effect.  It seems to make everything on top of the kraft 'pop.'

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafty Catz
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute Card Thurs
House that Stamps Built
LeAnn's World 101
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.
Words to Craft By

     Have yourself a fabulous weekend and do lots of Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Beware of ...

     Welcome to the start of another weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and it's open to any player using any products they choose.  I decided on more silliness because that's what I love best.  :-D

     The image is from QKR and is called "All Tied Up" and the sentiment is from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, called "Beware of Children."

     I colored with my ProMarkers, distressed them lightly with extra fine sandpaper, then used a stitched die from Die-namics (My Favorite Things) to cut the image.  The background is embossed with a folder by Couture Creations. 

     I had that textured red ribbon in my stash and it seemed to match up with his shirt so I wrapped it around the card front.  I have to admit that I much prefer using ribbon over flowers because not only is it flatter for mailing but it's easily used on masculine or feminine cards and flowers seem limited to feminine cards only. 

     The single 'gem' I added to the ribbon was made by adding loose glitter to a tiny circle of metallic foil.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Colour Crazy
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs.
Cute N Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Time Out

     Thanks for coming by to visit and come play with us!  We love being inspired by you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Best Friend Mermaids

     Tiddly Inks has a freebie this month and it's perfect for a summery, best friend, kind of card.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a stitched Die-namics die by My Favorite Things.  I printed and cut the sentiment with another die from that set.  Both of those circles are inlaid into the circles cut in the background dp and, although it's hard to see, there is stitching on the dp from the Die-namics dies used to cut it.

     I found stitched ribbon in my Crafty Ribbons stash and added it to the background.  The final touch was the mermaid charm at the top.  I added glitter to her for a bit of sparkle. 

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Creations
Crafty Friends
Cute N Crafty
House that Stamps Built
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Simon Says Stamp
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Word Art Weds

     OK, tomorrow is another DT day, this time at QKR Stampede so be sure to come by and visit.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sleepy Sheep

     The current challenge at Sasayaki Glitter has a theme of "Sleepy Time."  I thought this SG image of a coffee guzzling sheep in his night cap was a perfect for the theme.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then used a die from Spellbinders to cut the image.  The starry sky paper is  scrap from DCWV.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edge, and added it to the image piece.

     Challenges:
Crafty Catz
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Path of Positivity
Scrappy Land

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dream Hunter

     I love the freebie image from Scrapper's Delights for their Progressive Challenge this month!  I think this elf decked out in his hunting gear is delightful.

     Colored with ProMarkers, then both the image and the frame are cut with stitched dies from My Favorite Things Die-namics.  The side piece is cut with a die from Memory Box.

     Everything is mounted onto a kraft card base.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, matted it with a scrap, and added it.  I wanted this to be a simple card with only the die cuts as embellishment so I did nothing else.

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Craft Cottage
Get Creative
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Polkadoodles
Scrapper's Delights
TTCRD

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back tomorrow.  Even with all the family time for Easter, I had a really productive weekend.  The local schools are on Easter holidays so we've given my grandson a week off from home schooling and that means everyone gets a break.  Hmmm, maybe I'll do some grocery shopping.  :-D
   
     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Calico Cats

     While I was fur-baby sitting three additional cats last week, my sweet SIL sent me photos of the most precious calico cat which had apparently been abandoned when a family moved away.  She's friendly, healthy, and my SIL has been feeding her on the back patio.  She was hoping that I'd adopt the little calico girl but I'm still debating.  In honor of the possible new feline, I did this card, using an image from Ike's World.  Aren't they precious?  Clearly best friends.      :-D

     These are the easy kind of calico cats - no feeding and no litter box!  lol  

I started with the colors from My Favorite Things.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  I found two scraps of dp on the desk and cut them with the same die, then offset them behind the image.  I wrapped a strip of satin ribbon around a bit of lace, making it into a bow, and added that.  A really quick and easy design but one which looks much more complex and time consuming because of the frilly die cuts and the fancy lace bow.

     Challenges:

Art Impressions

Cardz TV

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Creative Inspirations

I {heart} ProMarkers

Scrappy Land

SUYP Cats

     For those of you who get a day off for Easter Monday, enjoy the long weekend and take a deep, refreshing breath of that spring air.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tilda's Birthday Roses

    ~HAPPY EASTER~

      Now, on to my post for today.  It's been a while since I used any Magnolia stamps and I admit to missing sweet Tilda so today I've done another card for my birthday stash.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from QuicKutz.  I cut a larger frame out of pink CS with another die from the same set.  The pink leaves were cut with a Cheery Lynn die and the white flowers are mulberry paper cut with a die from Spellbinders.

     I added glitter and center gemstones to the top 3 flowers.  Finally, I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, inked the edges, and added it to the top corner.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Cute Card Thurs
Digi Choosday
Magnolia-licious
Paperminutes
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Enjoy your Easter celebrations, whatever they may be.  I'm spending the day with family.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Barefoot Kind of Summer

     We've had our first two days of temperatures in the 90s (F) and that's just to prepare us for the hot, hot, HOT days just over the horizon.  Today's card is my only salute to high temperatures since I really hate unbearable hot weather.  When it gets over 100, I regret living where I do.

     But, for now, I love this darling little girl from Conie Fong.  She's a classic, barefoot, summer girl.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel inks, then cut the image and the frame with Bo Bunny dies, inlaying them when I adhered them to the dp background.  That paper is from my stash and I have no idea what company made it.

     The ribbon is lavender and has metallic fibers running through it.  Because of the delicate detail in the die cut frame and the print in the dp, I decided that no further embellishment was needed. 

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafty Addicts
Creations in Pink
Creative Fingers
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Scrap from Your Heart
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Looong Day !

     Some people think that being the Easter Bunny is a breeze job - only having to work one day a year.  But that's a tremendously "Long Day 24127" as this image from QKR Stampede shows.  Yep, it's Friday and that means another weekly challenge has started.  Come play - the theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use any image you like, from any company.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then used an oval die from Spellbinders to make an out-of-the-box cut of the image.  I had to trim a bit near the hand and at the top to fit the exact shape of the oval in the image.  The scalloped oval behind the image was cut from a sticker paper scrap with a QuicKutz die.  I had peeled off the protective cover and sprinkled it with Goldenrod glitter from Sparkle n Sprinkle.  I put the protective sheet back on top and then cut it with the die.

     I layered the image onto the glittered piece.  I used a scrap of navy blue CS to make the background.  I wrapped it with a scrap of white, stitched ribbon (Crafty Ribbons) and added one of my signature bows.  The three little dots were bits that dropped out of the die cut and I put them onto the ribbon.

     Finally, I printed and hand cut the sentiment before adding it to the bottom.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Happy Craft
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Papercraft
Paper Funday
Pixie's Snippets
Simon Says Stamp

     Enjoy your weekend and be sure to take some time to charge your batteries.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Celebrate Life !

     I've been practicing my coloring on roses, using ProMarkers, or pencil, or charcoals, even pastel chalks.  I'll be sharing more of those in the upcoming days but today I wanted to show you what I did with a combination of ProMarkers, gel pens, and water color pencils.

     The image is from LeAnn's World 101.

     After coloring the image, I cut it with a stitched, scalloped die from Memory Box.  I used another, larger die from that set to cut the solid golden piece used as an offset mat.  The 'damask' background is a scrap of DCWV dp and the stitched bronze ribbon was a scrap I found in my stash.

     I printed the sentiment and hand cut it before adhering it below the image.  This one goes in my stash of birthday cards.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Friends
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Pattie's Creations
Pile It On
Take It, Make It

     That's all for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

All About the Rain

     Another "rain dance" card today, still hoping that we'll get another half inch or so before the dry days of summer set in.  I love this darling little girl from Lemon Shortbread in her rain slicker and boots.

I used the colors from My Favorite Things.

     She's been colored with ProMarkers, and cut with a scalloped die from QuicKutz.  The sentiment was printed and also cut with a QuicKutz die.  The flowers are die cut from mulberry paper (Spellbinders) and I added a tiny gem to the center of each.   What you can't see is that the center flower has been glittered with loose glitter. 
   
     I found two different satin ribbons in my stash of Crafty Ribbons, one white and the other light gray, and I layered them together before wrapping them around the suede cloth card front.  This is the last of my suede cloth and that's a great excuse to go buy some more.  :-D  It gives such a lovely texture to the card.

     Challenges:
CCC Digi Creations
Country View Crafts
Creative Craft Cottage
Dies R Us
Digi Choosday
Double Trouble (2 done)
Outlawz Greetings
Paperminutes
TTCRD

     Halfway to the weekend - woohoo!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tulips Mean Spring

     Hey, did you know the Mo's Digital Pencil challenge was back?  It's an "Anything Goes" theme with an optional twist of "Spring."  This darling image (called Boo and Tulips) is an older one but you can still find it in the shop.  It's perfect for a spring theme but could work for nearly anything.  I'm using it for a birthday card for my SIL who has a May birthday and who loves kittens.

     Even the briefest of glances around my blog sidebar will tell you that I love cats!  I disagree with every person who says cats are aloof and unresponsive.  I agree that some of them have "attitude" but it's the very thing I love most about them. 

     I love that when a cat attaches to a human, it's forever and it's completely unrelenting.  My cats follow me around the house when I move from room to room, insist on sleeping right beside me on the bed at night, and have their own favorite spaces in the craft room which they occupy whenever I'm in there.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers, then used a Cottage Cutz die to cut out the image.  I printed the sentiment and used another Cottage Cutz die to cut it.  I had to adjust the placement of the die and cut twice to get the size and shape I needed but it worked.

     I found periwinkle CS to make the card base and ran the front side through my 'Linen' embossing folder.  I wanted something really CAS so I adhered the image and the sentiment pieces and then left it totally alone - no embellishment at all.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafter's Castle
Cutie Pie
Get Creative
Happy Craft
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM
SUYP Cats
Work It Weds.

    Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Pug Love

     I'm sneaking this post onto the blog while the feline fur babies are distracted by my first post this morning which featured a kitten (at their insistence!)  They don't much like it when I feature other animals, most especially dogs.

     On the other hand, who could resist this precious little pug?  Let me tell you a quick back story about this card.  My eldest granddaughter and her best friend have rented a house, each of them moving away from home on that "I'm now an adult" adventure.  Her friend has a sweet little pug named Eva and, when I saw this image at Ching-Chou Kuik, I knew I had to do a card for her.

     I had it planned for her birthday but then, over the weekend, she was in a car accident wherein the car in which she was riding was rear-ended by another car.  Although there's nothing life threatening, she's pretty banged up and in a lot of pain from classic whip lash injuries, including headaches and throwing up.  The ER doctors told her she's going be even more sore by this morning than she was yesterday.  I knew what she needed most was to hug her pug so I'm sending this card to her as a get well.  :-D

     I enlisted my granddaughter's help in getting a photo of Eva so that I could do the coloring to match her.  Here's what she sent.

     The little black kitten is Luna, a recent addition to the family and she immediately decided that Eva was her new momma.

     Here's the card:

     I used ProMarkers to color the image with added highlights done in gel ink.  I cut the image, the mat for it, and the sentiment with Unbranded, cross stitch dies.  Everything went onto a kraft card base.

     I added metal brads to upper and lower corners, then left it alone, adding no other embellishments.  I wanted the image to be the focus of the card.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Creative Inspirations
Ching-Chou Kuik
I {heart} ProMarkers
Morgan's ArtWorld
Paper Fundays
Paper Nest Dolls
Path of Positivity
Scrap from Your Heart

     Two posts on one day and it's been a while since I did that so enjoy!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Garden Kitty

     I've been so steeped in Easter cards which feature bunnies and chicks, the fur babies were complaining that I wasn't giving felines a fair shake.  So, today I'm sharing a sweet little kitty from Di's Digi Designs.  He seems completely absorbed in meeting a new friend while sharing his garden.

     I used ProMarkers to color, then cut with an octagon die from QuicKutz.  I added the deep blue frame, also cut with another octagon die from that same set.

     The stitched ribbon is from my stash of Crafty Ribbons and the bow is one of my hand-sewn bows.  It was white but I used ProMarkers to 'dye' it the color I wanted.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then matted it and hand cut once again.  I added no other embellishment because I wanted this one fairly CAS.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Butterfly (Dartmouth green/Denim blue/Digi
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz PAM
Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mouse Catcher

     I've been a Sparkle N Sprinkle customer since before I started blogging or got seriously into card making and I still love playing in their challenges.  If you have even glanced at my sidebar, you know I'm a nut for cats.  So, when I found this image in the SnS shop, I had to grab it up right away.

     I colored the cat with ProMarkers, adding a bit of white gel ink to the chest and paws.  I die cut it with a plain but large, square die from QuicKutz.  I inked the edges with a 'coffee' ink pad.

     I made my card base with kraft CS, then added scraps of dp which came from Echo Park and Now & Then.  I happen to love a combo of polka dots and stripes.  The image piece went on top of that and my final touch was to add one of my signature, hand-sewn bows, this time with a sparkly gem instead of the usual pearl.  I think this is simple enough to make a great masculine card.

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Creative Inspirations
Get Creative
I {heart} ProMarkers
Incy Wincy
Papercraft
SUYP Cats
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     The weekend is flying by and I still have 3 cards to finish for posts due next week!  Yikes, I'd better get on the ball.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

April Showers

     Where I live we had nearly twice as much rain in March as is normal but now into April, we've had no rain at all.  Having had severe drought over the last 5 or 6 years, we really need more rain so I'm hoping for a few more April Showers.  Maybe this card, featuring a darling image from Bugaboo Stamps, will help.

     Of course, I used ProMarkers to color the image (my go-to favorites!) and then I cut it with a Tonic Studios scalloped die.  I added some Dew Drops to a few of the raindrops in the image, enhancing the water aspect.

     I found a denim blue card base and wrapped it with some gingham ribbon from Crafty Ribbons, adding the image piece on top of that.  I did one of my signature, hand-sewn bows, shaping it to look like a butterfly to complement those in the image.  I added a tiny pompom as the butterfly's head.

     Finally, I printed the sentiment and added it to the lower corner.

     Challenge:
Aud Sentiments
Butterfly (Denim Blue/Digi)
CCC Digis
Catch the Bug
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Creations
Die Cut Divas
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House That Stamps Built (right hand column)
Outlawz SAR

     Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Good Egg

     Friday morning and another weekly challenge is starting over at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."   This week, I'm still doing Easter cards and I used this delightful QKR image called "Bunny and Egg."

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it with a Double-stitched Circle, Die-namics die from My Favorite Things.  I also cut the dp with that same die.  Notice the stitching on both the image edge and the dp circle?  The die is double stitched to give that effect when the die cuts are inlaid.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, adding the plaid at the bottom of the card front, and finally tied a small bow using satin ribbon.  I added glitter to a medium Pop Dot and stuck it onto the bow for a teeny bit of sparkle.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Bastel-Traum
Country View Crafts
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Creations in Pink
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Cut It Up
Cuttlebug Mania
Friendship
Paper Fundays
Tales from the Craft Room

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back with another post tomorrow.  I hope you're going to come play with us at QKR Stampede this week.  Remember, Anything Goes!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweetpeas for Beccy's Place

    One of my favorite stamp artists is Beccy from Beccy's Place.  Her work is available in either rubber or digital stamps.  She runs a monthly challenge and the theme is always "Anything Goes" but each month she offers an optional twist.  You are required to use a Beccy's Place image but she gives a digital freebie every month which can be used if you wish.  I've been buying her images for so long that I have a really huge collection.  :-D

     This month she gave us a Tic Tac Toe twist and I've used the right hand column: Twine/ Flowers/ Embossing.

      I love these sweet peas and this time I started with a pre-colored image.  Before I printed it, I used tools in Word to lighten the image, making the background around the flower a softer and more pale blue.  Then, I used ProMarkers to intensify the sweet pea colors, plus pencils and gel inks to add highlights and shading to the petals and leaves. 

     The "Sweetpeas" sentiment is part of the image set and I printed it, then trimmed it to fit the banner space in the image.

     I fussy cut the image, then layered it onto a piece of white CS which I had cut with a Tonic Studios die.  The deep purple frame was cut with another, larger, Tonic Studios die from the same set.

     I double embossed the card front.  I started with periwinkle CS, embossed the front of it with my 'Linen' folder, then used a Sizzix 'Leaves' folder to emboss right over the 'Linen" embossing.  The spaces between the leaves still shows the 'Linen' embossing.  I layered everything together and added the jute cord twine and bow.

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Crafty Creations
Di's Digi Designs
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Southern Girls
Word Art Weds.
Work It Weds.

     Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Monsters Are Hiding

     Did you know that when monsters hide (in the closet, under the bed, behind the flower pot), they can't be seen?  It's true!  Check this out.

     This image is for the April Progressive Challenge at Sasayaki Glitter and I colored it with watercolors, then used gel inks on the flowers and eyes.  I did all the die cuts with Unbranded dies.  The little plaid bow is actually made from a strip of fabric.  I added the glittered ribbon for just a touch of sparkle.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Cardz TV
Crafty Catz
Creative Fingers
Double D
Happy Craft
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM
Take It, Make It

     Hey, we're mid-way through the week!  Does anybody else feel like time goes way to quickly these days?  I mean, we're a third of the way into April and almost a third of the way through 2019, and it still feels like I was doing Christmas cards just a couple of weeks ago.  Sigh...  Oh, well, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Blessings

     Today I want to share some of my oldest images which came from the now closed "Clearly Digital Stamps" store and they are both perfect for Easter.  I combined the two images by hand this time because I wanted to run the ribbon between them.

     I colored the rose with ProMarkers and used colored pencils and gamsol on the rest of the sentiment piece.  I left the Bible white and added the "Easter Blessings" sentiment to it.  I fussy cut both pieces.

     I had that scrap of green dp which had been cut along the border with a die from Spellbinders.  I trimmed it to fit the card front, ran it through an embossing folder (sorry, I don't remember the name), and adhered it, purposely leaving some white along the cut edge.

     I played around with how to layer things together, including the green satin ribbon, and finally decided I like this layout design the best.  I tied a bow from a scrap of matching ribbon and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps 
Angie's Digital Stamps
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Paper Funday
Paper Shelter
Pile It On
Scrappy Land
Stamping Sensations
Work It Weds.

     Thanks for visiting and I appreciate those of you who leave comments.  They inspire me and keep me posting.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Bunny's Bonnet

     I found this darling image in my collection of A Day for Daisies digis and thought it needed to be on a spring card.  What a fun idea - a bunny wearing her new spring bonnet!

     I colored with ProMarkers, adding glitter to the bonnet, then cut the image with an Unbranded oval die.  The bonnet in the image isn't actually that shape but I cut a tiny scrap with a very small scalloped die (Spellbinders), covered it with glitter, and adhered it onto the bonnet, giving the piece some great texture and sparkle.

     I found two scraps, one of pale lavender and the other of purple CS, on my desk.  One I trimmed into a simple rectangle and the other I cut into the sentiment with a die from CUTplorations.  I added all the elements to a light blue card front and chose one of my signature bows as embellishment.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Catz
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     I hope your weekend was restful and creative and that you're ready for the new week.  Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie  

Easter Ewe

     When it comes to Easter 'critters,' most of us think of bunnies and chicks, but not sheep.  I just laughed out loud when I saw this image from Bugaboo Stamps.  It felt like a take-off on the Cadbury Chocolate commercials about everyone wanting to be the Easter Bunny.  :-D

     I started by coloring the image with ProMarkers and pencils, then I cut it with a die from QuicKutz.  The frame behind it was cut from blue CS with a Sue Wilson die.  Because the die cut was narrower than what I wanted, I cut it in the middle (lengthwise) and attached one half to each side of my image rectangle.

     I wrapped stitched, satin ribbon around the card front, added the framed image, and then used one of my signature, hand-sewn bows with a pearl.  Quick and easy design but the fancy frame makes it look much more complex.

    Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar
Catch the Bug
Crafter's Castle
Incy Wincy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings
Path of Positivity

     Well, my weekend is winding down and I still have weeds to pull and plants to put in the family vegetable garden.  My granddaughter is going to help out and I'll be most grateful for that.  These old bones don't bend over as easily as they used to do.  Well, bending isn't really the problem - it's getting back to an upright stance that doesn't happen the way it did a few years ago.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Outlawz Progressive Challenge

     Another of my favorite progressive challenges, one I've been entering each and every month since they started it almost 4 1/2 years ago, Outlawz Progressive.   This month, Oddball Art has supplied the image for us to use and I turned it into a birthday card.

      I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image and both frames with simple rectangle dies from QuicKutz.  The background dp was a scrap that was on my desk and I think it was from Doodlebug.  I trimmed it to fit the card front.

     The little bit of white ribbon was also a scrap on my desk and I saw no point in tossing it out when it fit perfectly here.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, inked the edge, and layered it onto the ribbon strip.  I added one of my signature, hand-tied bows to which I added a flat gem.

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Lemon Shortbread
Oddball Art
Paper Girls
Paper Nest Dolls
Passion for ProMarkers

     Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

No Place like "Gnome"

     Happy Friday to all of you and welcome to my usual Friday QKR Stampede post. It's our latest challenge and our theme is always Anything Goes.  I'm a huge fan of all the QKR stamps but I do love the gnomes especially.  This one is called "Sitting Gnome" - inadvertently misspelled as 'knome.'

     I colored him with ProMarkers and watercolor pencils, then cut him with a stitched die from CUTplorations.  I matted him with a scrap of bleached, green CS.  I did the bleaching on that myself, using a Q-tip and 'dotting' spots, then letting it dry.  I got on a huge kick of that a few years back and did probably 50 sheets of CS in different colors.  Some of those sheets I still have in my stash.  Because it's so time consuming to make, I keep every little scrap and try to use it up.

     I cut the sentiment with the same CUTplorations die, but I adjusted the placement of the die and cut it twice to get the size I wanted.  The polka dot ribbon was in my stash and I used a separate scrap to tie the bow.

     I added everything to a golden yellow background, putting the image and sentiment on Pop Dots for some dimension.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
Cupcake Inspirations
  
Digi Choosday
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Festive Friday
Passion for ProMarkers

     That's it for today and I hope you'll have a fabulous weekend!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Hatchlings?

     Here we are on the fist Thursday of a new month and that means a new challenge is starting over at Crafting with an Attitude.  As always, our theme is "Anything goes" and this month our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.

     Did you ever think when you were hunting for all the eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny that some of them might hatch?  I think that's what happened to this little gal as she was putting all her eggs into her garden wagon.  Now she has a garden blooming with chicks and eggs!  :-D  You can find her by clicking HERE.

     I grabbed my ProMarkers to color the image, adding grass and sky to make it a scene, then cut it with a stitched die from Die-namics (My Favorite Things.)  I printed the sentiment and cut that with a Die-namics die also.  I matted both the image and the sentiment with cross stitch, die cut, papers (Unbranded dies.)

     I used pink CS to make the gate fold card base, leaving one flap very long and the other one narrower but just long enough to tuck in behind the long side.  I embossed the long side with a folder from Couture Creations.  The borders of the long side, both pink and white, were cut with a Poppy Stamps die.  I simply layered everything together onto the long side of the gate fold, playing with the layout until it all looked 'finished.'

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafty Sentiments
Cute and Crafty
Cupcake Inspirations

Double Trouble (Taking Suzanne's suggestion - the cart is wooden!)
Ike's World
Incy Wincy
Paper Girls
Passion for ProMarkers
Poppystamps

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Smile !

     Over the weekend, I was visiting the Playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop and found this post by Di, in which she describes the steps she took to get a perfect line up of striped paper die cuts and scraps.  I was so fascinated by her technique, I knew I had to try it.  Take the time to go and read her post. The bold words up above are a link which will take you directly there.  I'm not going to try to describe each step here when she's done such a great job of explaining the step-by-step.  Thanks, Di!!

     I woke up super early this morning and had empty time on my hands so I grabbed a patterned paper scrap (DCWV), some dies, and my Cuttlebug.  In under half an hour, this is what I had !

    I know the pattern in the paper triangles doesn't look straight but here's the scrap I cut and you can see the perfect way everything lines up when the pieces are laid into the background CS.

     Dies for cutting the triangles are from a set by Memory Box and the "Smile" die is from Penny Black.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Cardz TV
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Fingers
Dies R Us
Jo's Scrap Shack
Scrap from Your Heart
Scrappy Land

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie