Tea Party Alice

     I've been playing with things in my "Images Waiting to be Used" folder again, mostly consisting of printed or stamped images sent to me by fellow crafters which I've either colored or partially colored, and then popped back into the folder for use later.  That means I don't always have info on who created the image, as is the case on this one.

     It was probably sent to me a couple of years back when one of my granddaughters had an Alice in Wonderland "Mad Hatter" tea party theme for her birthday.  But as of now, I can't remember who sent it to me nor anything else about it.

     Given the size of the image, I opted for a very CAS card although it looks complex.  Everything you see is part of the image except for the sentiment.  Believe it or not, it's a single layer card !  I do love the Cheshire Cat.  Can you find him?

Colored with ProMarkers
Stamped Sentiment

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Colour Crazy
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Paperminutes
Passion for ProMarkers
Polkadoodles
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     (I got that far on drafting my post and the power went out in my neighborhood.  According to the power company's hot line, a vehicle accident broke a power pole and they expected to have power back on within the hour.  It took about 2 hours.)

     Happy Crafting and have yourself a great weekend.  For those of you in USA- like me- enjoy your long Labor Day weekend.  NanaConnie

Out for a Swim

     It's Friday again and that means we have a new challenge starting at QKR Stampede.  I'm using this fun QKR image, called "Out for a Swim."   The sentiment is all mine - printed with a computer font and hand cut with scissors.  I admit that's my favorite way to add a sentiment because it allows me to chose the font style and to add the silly sentiments which seem to pop into my head (unbidden, I might add) when I'm choosing images to use.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers
Gina Marie die for image
QuicKutz dies for dp & brown CS
"Linen" embossing folder (brown CS)
Satin ribbon & hand tied bow
Kraft card base

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Crafty Creations
Creative Knockouts
House That Stamps Built
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sneezes and Sniffles

     I've done a Get Well card using a House Mouse image and I have no doubt it'll get used rather quickly although, at the moment, it's in my stash.  Cold season is just around the corner and I've learned those can go through the entire household very quickly (and predictably!)

Colored with ProMarkers and colored pencils
Frame cut with Spellbinders die
Stripes created with ribbon
2 polka dot, bow tie bows (tied on my bow maker)
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Bastel-Traum
Crafter's Cafe
Creative Moments
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
House Mouse
Papercraft
Simon Says Stamp & Show (Sniffles, Sneezes)
TTCRD
Tues. Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Embroidery Pattern Kitten

     I went on a "clear it out" rampage last weekend when I opened a rarely used cabinet in my crafting area.  I think most of us have such places but mine was filled with shoe boxes of crafting things I hadn't seen since my move to this city almost 6 years ago!   During my last move, I simply moved the cabinet with boxes intact and without sorting anything.  After this weekend, there are two shoe boxes left in the cabinet and I know everything that's in each one.

     Among the things I found were several packets of iron-on embroidery patterns, including this one of a kitten with flower.  The flower may have been intended as a daisy but since I did it in fall colors, it's now a sunflower.

I based this on the sketch at The Outlawz

flipping it so that the bow becomes the butterfly.

ProMarkers
QuicKutz circle dies
Persimmon CS frames
2 layers of sheer ribbon
Kraft card case
Hand tied, gold, sheer ribbon bow

     Challenges:
Crafty Friends
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Paperbabe Stamps
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dragon's Flower

     Today I'm featuring my favorite color combo - purple and anything!  Why?  Purple is my favorite color and I know it goes well with turquoise, green, pink, yellow, orange, and neutrals such as white and tan.  It's just so versatile.

I was inspired by the color inspiration at Paper Girls.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Spellbinders die
Bleached CS cut with Spellbinders die
Lace
Stacked bows with gingham on top
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It
Cutie Pie
Dream Valley
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp & Show
   (stacked bows & Spellbinders)
Southern Girls
Word Art Weds.

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Kitten

     You mean you didn't know that fairies have kittens?  They do.  Look at this image from Paper Shelter and you'll see they have butterfly kittens!  :-D  What a delightful fantasy concept.

Colors inspired by House that Stamps Built.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter on the wings
Image & frame cut with Cottage Cutz pinpoint die
Border cuts with Spellbinders die
Paper from the scrap basket
Hand sewn bows w/ pearls

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Kobe hair)
Cut It Up
Double D
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Polkadoodles
Scrappy Land
Southern Girls

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Purple Roses

     I've been going through my folder of images and projects which are awaiting completion, getting inspired all over again about how to use them.  I don't know if you have one of those folders but it holds images I've colored but not yet used and even uncolored images waiting for the ProMarkers or polychromos pencils. 

     I also store stamped images which others have given to me.  I belong to a group of ladies who regularly exchange images they have stamped, giving them to others in the group who then color and use them to make cards.  It's a great way to expand the number and kind of images you might have available.  These roses came from someone in that group and I have no information on who made the stamp or how old it might be.

The inspiration for my colors came from

The Paper Girls.

Colored with ProMarkers
Fussy Cutting
Heat embossed with "Bullfrog" EP
Hand sewn bow
Stamped sentiment

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Colour Crazy
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute Card Thurs.
Digi Choosday
Outlawz Stash
Southern Girls
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Summer

     Summer is the time of travel, vacations, trips to the beach, picnics with watermelon, cool drinks served in coconuts, and heat!  I love all of it except the heat.  :-D  My card today is inspired by the inspiration photo at Catch the Bug challenge.   

     I combined two Bugaboo Stamps images to create this CAS card.  Although it looks really busy because of the collage image, it's only the card base and the combined images - no embellishment of any kind.

Colored with ProMarkers
Images are cut with QuicKutz square (out-of-the-box technique) and rectangle dies

     Challenges:
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Mod Squad
Path of Positivity
Simon Says Stamp
Stamping Sensations
TTCRD

Hope you're having a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cleaning Up

     Welcome to another Friday and another start to the weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.  I have a DT card to share today which is filled with just plain silliness.  The image is called "Bathing Bear."  It comes in both digi and rubber stamps.

Again, using my favorite orange & brown fall colors.

ProMarkers
Sparkle gel ink on faucet
Spellbinders die
Stitched ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Plaid Ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon
Brown CS for background embossed with 'Linen' EF

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Creative Knockouts (digi/sentiment/ribbon)
Cute Card Thurs.
Cutie Pie
Dragonfly Dreams
Get Creative
Outlawz Greetings
Path of Positivity

     Come play with us, won't you?   We love being inspired by you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Mermaid and the Diver

     I have another fun summer-y card to share today and I seem to be on a kick of mermaids this week.  :-D  Maybe it's just the need for something cool (or at least cool colors) in the midst of yet another predicted heat wave in my part of the country.  Looks like we're faced with another 5 to 7 days of over 100F temperatures.  Yuck.  I'm really tired of it.

     This card features an image from The Paper Shelter which I think is adorable.

Colored with ProMarkers
Mermaid heat embossed with a sparkly EP
Image cut with QuicKutz die
Papers are scraps left on the desk from other projects this week
Pearls for embellishment
Sentiment rubber stamped - unknown maker

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Cute Card Thurs.
Double D
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Worm in an Apple

     Mr. & Mrs. Worm have found a new home in a left over, picnic apple!  I know, I know, it's usually ants who show up at our picnics, but this couple was in serious need of a home and a meal so an apple, deliberately left behind by some kindly person after the last picnic of the summer, seemed a perfect choice.

     (Sorry, I had to take a break right there.  Queenie, the new kitten, decided it was nap time and that somehow required that I hold her in the crook of my elbow while she 'nursed' on my hand.  Of course, I couldn't put her down until she woke up.  Sigh....)

     The image on this card is for the latest Progressive Challenge at Limited Runs.  Actually, it's two images which I combined for the card.

ProMarkers
Fiskars corner punch
Polka dot ribbon for hand tied bow (scrap)
Scraps for the dp and the white frame
Linen embossing folder on the card front

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Coloring in Scrapland
Colour Crazy
Crafter's Castle
Dream Valley
Outlawz PAM
Path of Positivity
Pixie's Snippets
Words to Craft By

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Water World Mermaid

     A summer card today, despite my recent focus on autumn cards in a desire to get summer over and done.  But this one has a cool color combo so it's almost as good.  :-D

     The image is from LeAnn's World 101 and is the freebie given for their monthly Progressive Challenge. 

I used the sketch again from Sketch Saturday 

but this time flipped side to side.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glossy Accents added to image
Image is fussy cut
Background splash cut with Memory Box die
DCWV background dp
Starfish ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon

     Challenges:
CardsTV
Crafty Creations
Crafty Friends
Creative Inspirations
LeAnn's World 101
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Globe

     When I saw this image at Bugaboo Stamps, I fell in love with the peaceful feel of the butterflies in the globe.  Most of us think of globes as being snow globes and, therefore, only for winter but this one was unusual and I immediately wanted to work with it.

Based on the sketch at Sketch Saturday.

Image printed onto vellum and fussy cut
Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter & Liquid Pearls on globe and butterflies
Scrap dp
"Ocean" CS for card base
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Bastel-Traum
Catch the Bug
Colour Crazy
Creatalicious
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
Stamping Sensations

     That's all I have for today but enjoy your upcoming week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Fairy & The Unicorn

     Another birthday card today, this time for a young lady who loves fairies and unicorns.  The image, which comes from Digi Doodle Studios, couldn't have been better.

I started by using the colors from the 

Digi Doodle Studios FB Challenge 

and the sketch from Sweet Sketch Weds.

 

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter on her hair & the unicorn's horn (enlarge photo to get better look)
Sue Wilson die (pink CS) & QuicKutz (circles)
Paper from DCWV "Basics" stack
Ribbon and hand tied bow w gem

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Cupcake Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Golden Libra

     One of my grandsons was born under the sign of Libra and, while I don't usually care much for the Zodiac images I've seen, the set recently released at AuroraWings appealed to me.  I grabbed images for the family birthdays (and there are a lot of them, many duplicated) and this is the first one I've used.  Grandson's birthday is only a couple of months away so...

I was inspired by the "Gold or Silver + 2 Accent colors"

(#356) at Color My Heart's Color Dare.

I chose Gold, plus olive green and kraft.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with double stitched die from Die-namics by MFT
Inlaid into gold foil also cut with the same die
Sentiment cut with stitched die, adjusted to get proper shape
Gold jute cord

     Challenges:
AuroraWings
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Knockouts
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paperbabe Stamps
Polkadoodles

     That's all for today.  Enjoy your weekend.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gold Medal Diving

     With all the Olympic qualifying trials going on this month, I thought a fun card featuring an Olympic diving hopeful (!?) might bring a smile to your face.  The QKR Stampede image is called "At the Beach" and I used it on my DT card for the weekly challenge starting today.

Colored with ProMarkers and Copics
Fussy cut image mounted on dimensional tape
Framed with Sue Wilson die cuts
Polka Dot ribbon from Crafty Ribbons

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Bastel-Traum
Crafter's Cafe
Creations in Pink
Creative Moments
Dies R Us
Digi Doodle Studios
Scribbles Designs
Tales from the Craft Room
World Wide DT Open

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Beyond the Wall

     Scrapper's Delights has started their latest progressive challenge and you have your choice between two images; one a wall, the other a fence.  I chose the wall and I love how the card developed.  :-D  The lovely sunbonnet girl is also one of their images.

Colored with ProMarkers
Wall image cut with Spellbinders die
Sunbonnet girl is fussy cut
Sheer ribbon used for double bow
Green CS pieces are scraps
Pop Dots for dimension on girl

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Colour Crazy
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafty Creations
Creative Fingers
Dare 2B Artsy
Dream Valley
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scrapper's Delights

Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Oldest You've Ever Been

     How about a card that has a total focus on the sentiment?  I think this sentiment is from Aud Sentiments but since I had it in a folder of things waiting to be used and who knows how long it's been in there, I simply don't remember.  Unfortunately, I didn't write anything on the back.

Sentiment cut with border die from Spellbinders
Gingham ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
Stars cut with Art Impressions dies
Mini-hearts from Cheery Lynn die

     Challenges:
Cardz  TV
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Creative Fingers
Cut It Up
Dragonfly Dreams
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scrappy Land
Take it, Make It

     Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Kitten in the Garden

     There's a neighborhood cat (apparently feral, but relatively friendly) who has had a litter of kittens in the next door yard and they are old enough to be out and about.  Two of them visit my garden at least once each day, often three or four times.  They are so cute, and I'm doing my best NOT to feed them.  You probably know how well that's working!

    Anyway, this darling image from Fabrika Fantasy reminds me of them.

Colored with ProMarkers and water color pencil
Image cut with QuicKutz die
Scraps of dp from DCWV
White satin ribbon
Yellow card base

     Challenges:
Ching-Chou Kuik
Country View Crafts
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creatalicious
I {heart} ProMarkers
Papercraft
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Harvest Flower Jar

     Even though this is my second post of the day, it's Monday morning and the beginning of another week.  I'm still focused on autumn and hoping for a quick end to summer (hope springs eternal!)  This lovely image from Bugaboo Stamps called out to me and I bought it the minute I saw it.

My favorite fall color combo is green and orange.

Colored with ProMarkers 
Fussy cut image
Square is cut with a QuicKutz die
Faux stitching
Stitched ribbon
Accordion-fold bow

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Cutie Pie
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Latte Good Wishes

     What could be better than a morning latte with the girls?  Nothing, as this fun stamp from Art Impressions shows!

ProMarkers for coloring
QuicKutz dies for card shape and circle cuts
Art Impressions die for snowflake

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Color Crazy
Crafty Calendar
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs.
Di's Digi Designs
Dragonfly Dreams
Polkadoodles
Time Out

     I'll have a second post later today so be sure to check back.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Evening Stroll

     I'm wishing and waiting for fall weather to set in so that I can get back to taking evening strolls through my lovely neighborhood.  That's something I have to give up during the hot summer months and I miss them.  As a salute to them, I've done this card using a wonderful image from Digi Doodle Studios.

ProMarkers
DCWV papers (Basics stack)
Sue Wilson die
Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon

     Challenges:
Bastel-Traum
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creations in Pink
Dare 2B Artsy
Dies R Us
Double Trouble (recipe only)
Scrap from Your Heart
World Wide Open DT
Your Scrapbook Place

     Hope your weekend is going well.  I may have a second post today if I get it finished.  Otherwise, I'll post it tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Summer Birthday

     Beccy's Place always has an Anything Goes theme for its monthly challenges but they also give an optional theme or inspiration which is just that, optional.  This month Beccy has used a wonderful photo as the optional inspiration.  The brick walk made me think of the seasonal 'Windows' images she has and I used "Summer Window" and the colors for my masculine birthday card.

 Inspiration photo

Colored with ProMarkers and gel inks

Cut with Lawn Fawn stitched die

Papers from DCWV "Basics" stack

Handmade accordion bow

     Challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking

A Bit More Time...

Classic Design Team

Craft-Dee BowZ

Crafty Hazelnut's

Crafty Sentiments

Lemon Shortbread

Simon Says Stamp

Southern Girls

     That's it.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Racing to Get Well

     Here it is, another Friday and that means a new challenge starts at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use any image from any company.  However, if you use a QKR image (or one from their sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will be put into a separate draw, increasing your chances of a win by a huge amount!

     I did a Get Well card this week, using "Racing 13601" as the image.

ProMarkers
Spellbinders dies ("Lattice" for the frame)
Hand-sewn bow w/ gem
Fussy cut sentiment

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafter's Castle
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Gals Corner
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

      Hope we're going to see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Burp the Cat

     This sweet little girl from Mo's Digital Pencil knows all about babies, including feeding and burping them.  From the look on the cat's face, I'm not at all sure he truly appreciates all the dedicated care he's getting.  :-D

I used colors from Color My Heart #354, top row

plus Ballerina and Sweet Leaf.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Spellbinders
Layers offset
Dimension with Pop Dots
Sheer ribbon
Machine embroidered butterfly

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Jade and Juicy Orange)
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Gals Corner
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrappy Land
Take It, Make It
Word Art Weds.

     

Autumn Butterflies

     Most of us think of spring when we think "butterflies" but I've noticed that there are more of them in my garden in the fall than in the spring.  I don't know what's growing there that time of year that they particularly like, but whatever it is, they prefer it to what's there in the spring.

     This image is from Conie Fong.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Image is hand cut with scissors
Background squares cut with Sizzix dies
Only scraps used for the background

     Challenges:
Butterfly wheel (jade, juicy orange)
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafting by Designs
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Get Creative
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pixie's Snippets

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

To the Stars and Back

     There's a delightful new image from All Dressed Up given to us for the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  The sentiment about "Love You to the Stars and Back" is part of the image.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter added to the stars and hat tassle
Image and frame each cut with Spellbinders dies
Signature bow, hand-sewn + gem

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Friends
Crafty Gals Corner
Lemon Shortbread
Words to Craft By

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Autumn Wishes

     I'm pushing hard for autumn because it will mean an end to the hot days of summer.  You'll see autumn cards from me more than once this week.  I'm sure there are people who love summer temperatures in the 100+F, but I'm not one of them.  Miserably hot summers may be the one thing that makes me regret moving from my northern California home to be closer to family.  I love being with my family - I just wish they had lived some place cooler.  lol

     Today, I've used an image from Ching-Chou Kuik, where the challenge theme celebrates "Four Legged Friends."

ProMarkers
Unbranded die to cut image
Memory Box die to cut orange butterfly corner
Stitched ribbon form Crafty Ribbons

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Juicy Orange)
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Sentiments
Cutie Pie
Dies R Us
Double Trouble (A/G + die cuts)
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz SAR
Tues Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Happy Summer Pig

     In the hot, hot, HOT! temperatures of summer this year, one happy pig is cooling his heels in the closest mud puddle.  This image is called "Happy as a Pig 24202" and it's from QKR Stampede.  Our newest weekly challenge started today and our theme is always Anything Goes.  Hope we're going to see you playing along with us.

Colored with ProMarkers
Memory Box dies
Couture Creations embossing folder
Crafty Ribbons stitched ribbon
Eureka Stamps sentiment "Being Cool"
Metal brads

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Cute Card Thurs
Di's Digi Designs
Happy Craft
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie       

Sibling Bonds

     In my world, nothing is more important than family.  If you think you've seen this before, you may have but today I'm using this as my DT card for the Crafting with an Attitude August challenge and the image, "Tiger Cubs," is from our wonderful sponsor, Morgan's Art World.  I had to dig back to cards I've previously created because I simply ran out of both time and ability to craft anything new due to the shoulder problems I've been having.  Too many Christmas cards last week, I guess.  :-D

Spotlight coloring with ProMarkers
Paper scraps
Distressing
Velveteen ribbon
Burlap twine bow
Kraft CS card base

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Lil Patch of Crafty Friend
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pile It On
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Critters for a Baby

     It's August 1 and we are starting a new monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes Featuring a Critter."  This month, we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs.  Since I'm on that DT also, I'm letting this card do double duty for the new challenge over there which starts today, too.

     The fun part is that the theme at SheepSki is also "Critters" so any card you might make for 2CCC can also be entered in the SheepSki Designs challenge.  Here's my card using these adorable giraffes (Mini Me #174) for a new baby card.

I used colors from the challenge at The Outlawz.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Tonic Studios and QuicKutz dies
Paper from DCWV "Nanna's Nursery" stack
Twine and Jute cord

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Di's Digi Designs
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie