Monday, August 31, 2020

Crafty-holics!

     This was such a quick card, due mostly to the Art Impressions image being made into a sticker for easy assembly of the card.  The card base is pink CS, the purple ribbon is from  Really Reasonable Ribbon, and the bow was hand-tied using a bow maker.


     I know these ladies are having the time of their lives!   It makes me miss my crafting group horribly and I can't wait until we can all get together again.  I remember when the lock down started and we cancelled the first meeting, then the second, and finally we were saying, "Well, we'll try for the first week next month" and that was nearly 6 months ago!  We're all feeling like we've been imprisoned and penalized just because we breathe.  :-(

     And to think this is what we did for fun on all the hottest days of summer when staying inside in the air conditioning was the thing we desired most.  There were times when we'd meet 3 days in a row just to share the cool air and friendship of crafting together.  

     Challenges:

     Find some fun in your life whether or not you need air conditioning today.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunday, August 30, 2020

The Quiet Snowman

     This snowman is enjoying the hushed, white, silence that comes to the meadow when gentle snow falls and covers the ground around him.  But he will wish you a Merry Christmas if you speak to him.  :-D

     The image is from A Day for Daisies and is one of my favorite snowmen although I've not used him for a couple of years.  I found him waiting in a folder of "to be colored" images and decided it was time for another Christmas card to add to the stash.  Every bit of paper on this card is a left over scrap including the CS on which I printed the snowman.


Colored with ProMarkers & glitter pen
Image cut w Spellbinders die
Frame is scrap of dp cut w Spellbinders
Aqua frame is CS scrap cut & embossed w Spellbinders
Sentiment printed and cut w Avery Elle die
Sequins added for a bit of bling

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas (Quiet)
All Fun
Christmas w the Cuties
Crafty Hazelnut's
     (snowman, snowflakes, sequins,snippets, sentiment, Spellbinders)
Gem of a Challenge
House that Stamps Built
Pixie's Snippets
Simon Says Stamp
Time Out
Word Art Weds

     Enjoy the rest of your weekend (for those of you who can still tell the difference between week day and weekend.)   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Swing It, Baby

     I have a really quick & easy card to share with you today.  This funny little monkey is from Bugaboo Stamps and I think this is the first time I've ever used him.  It took me all of 5 minutes to color the image and cut it out.  The fussiest part was layering the scrap pieces of satin and mesh ribbon, and hand tying the bow.

     Bows are my favorite way to add ribbon to any card because they are easy to grab from the stash - no measuring or wrapping, just pop it on and it's done!  I do tie lots of bows at one sitting so that I have a good stash of them when I need them.  I also tend to use white ribbon for the bows and that way I can 'dye' them any color I  need.  I do that with a marker, usually one I've used in coloring the image, so that the bow color matches the image.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Tutti Designs die
Ribbon scraps from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Background dp from scrap basket

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Catch the Bug
Creative Fingers
Cutie Pie
Dragonfly Dreams
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz SAR
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, August 28, 2020

Sweet Treat

     I'm finally getting back to my Christmas cards.  I did really well making Christmas cards in July but since then, I think I've only made 1 or 2 and my goal has been to make at least 2 per week between now and November.
   
     Christmas cards are a priority in my crafting because I use between 15 and 20 for my own family and friends but I make an additional 75 to 80 every year which I donate to our local Senior Center for those seniors who can't get out to the Hallmark store to buy cards for their own families.  I'm trying to do even more this year because so many are isolated due to the lock down regulations.

     Today's card uses an image from Angie's Digital Stamps.  Isn't she a sweetheart?


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Spellbinders die
Scrap of lace added
Sparkle EP strip heat embossed on lace
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Christmas w/ the Cuties
Colour Crazy
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Creative Knockouts
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Festive Fri
Time Out
TTCRD

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Generous Robin

     This is one of the funniest House Mouse stamps I own and I haven't used it in a couple of years, at least.  The whole idea of  very generous robin feeding baby mice is fun but add the factor of  "generous" baby mouse passing the food offer on to one of his brothers brings on pure laughter!

     I'm sending this to one of my grandsons who has two brothers.  I think he'll get a real kick out of it.  :-D


Colored w/ ProMarkers & gel pens
Cut with Tonic Studios die
Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Gingham bow, hand-tied
Rhinestones

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paperbabe
Paperminutes
Simon Says Stamp &...
TTCRD

     The weekend is right around the corner and I'm going to be focusing on all my First of the Month DT and Coordinator obligations because, believe it or not, September is almost here.  Then, next weekend is Labor Day here in the USA and by that time, all the rush will be behind me and I can just play and craft and visit my favorite blogs (something I haven't had time to do for a couple of weeks and I apologize.)

     In the meantime, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Music in His Pocket

     If this isn't the best image of today's teenage boy, I don't know what is.  A music player in his back pocket, earbuds in his ears, and a cell phone in his hands.  If this is one particular teen I know, he's watching a basketball game streamed live to his tiny screen, and in a normal year, he might even be waiting for waiting for the bus to take him home after his first day back at school.  ;-D

     The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil.


I used colors from Color My Heart Color Dare
(diagonal from left bottom to right top 
+ Glacier, Espresso, & Peach)

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ QuicKutz die
Edges inked w/ inkpad
Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Sentiment printed and cut w/ QuicKutz
3 metal brads
Card base is metallic CS

     Challenges:
All Fun
Aud Sentiments
C.R.A.F.T.
Ike's World
Paperbabe
Paper Funday
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

"Chikin" Dinner

     My family has friends whose autistic son is utterly mad about one of the nationwide food chains which serves 'chikin' and has had an entire, years-long, advertising campaign which features cows encouraging people to "eat mor chikin."  One of the things his mom does it to give him cards every few days and I'm constantly looking for images (sometimes photos) which I can use to make cards for her.

     When I saw the latest image for this month's Progressive Challenge at LeAnn's World, called "Aaryn," I knew he'd make a perfect card for her to give to Jacob.


Colored w ProMarkers
Cut w Tonic Studios die
Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Card front embossed w Linen EF
CAS design

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Fingers
Creative Inspirations
Cute Card Thurs
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paper Girls
Polkadoodles

      In addition to that card, I found this advertising photo of one of the Cows leading cheers in one of the restaurants but, thinking of the current state of affairs, I added a mask to the cow, found some scraps of dp, printed an appropriate sentiment, and voila', one more card!      :-D


     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Monday, August 24, 2020

Firefly Night

     My apologies again for another late post but it's been quite a weekend with my grandson in the ICU with diabetes-related problems and blogging just wasn't my priority.  Things are better and thank you for your prayers.

     This morning, I want to share with you a DT card I did for Pammie's Inky Pinkies using a cute image from our sponsor, Star Stampz, called "Fireflies."


Colored w water colors & pencils
Glitter on the fireflies
Cut w Unbranded, stitched die
Gold glitter-paper frame
Gold sparkly ribbon
White signature bow w pearl
Sentiment cut w Impression Obsession die

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Moments
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scribbles Designs
Simon Says Stamp
World Wide Open

     I hope we're going to see you at our challenge this week.  Always "Anything Goes" and you can enter up to 3 times.  We love being inspired by your creations.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Sunflower Birthday

     I'm totally in love with the newest sunflowers from Conie Fong.  Her new 'Gnome' set, released a couple of weeks ago, featured a gnome holding a large sunflower, and Conie took that potted sunflower and did an entire set which she has called "Sunflower in a Pot."  :-D  I used one of the secondary sunflowers and one of the sentiments from that set to make this fun birthday card.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Sunflower fussy cut w/ scissors
Mounted on dimensional dots
Score lines made using Scor-Pal board
Score lines marked w/ Zig markers
Sentiment & frame cut w/ Unbranded dies

     Challenges:
All Fun
Angie's Digitals
Artsy Stampers
Arty Divas
Creative Knockouts
Double D
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scor-Pal
Word Art Weds

     Sorry that today's post is both late and short.  My 13 year old grandson, a Type 1 diabetic, is in the Pediatric ICU with extreme ketone levels which have to be medically lowered and it's a slow process.  He's been there nearly 24 hours and it will be at least mid-afternoon before they will consider releasing him.  Needless to say, my mind really isn't on blog posts today.  :-D

     Nonetheless, Happy Crafting to all of you.  NanaConnie

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Sleeping Dragon

     It's time for the next Progressive Challenge at Limited Runs and this time we get to work with this delightful sleeping dragon, which my granddaughter will love!  I decided to use my favorite color combo of purple and aqua.  Everything on this card was made from scraps, including the CS on which the image was printed.


Inspired by the sketch at Sweet Sketch Weds
flipped top to bottom.

Colored w/ ProMarkers & glitter
Cut w/ Dare2BArtzy die
Oval die from QuicKutz
Rounded corners cut w/ Fiskars punch
White ribbon Really Reasonable Ribbon
Gingham bow, hand-tied
Papers = scraps from the basket
Sentiment printed, hand cut, & matted

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Dare 2B Artzy
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of ...
Passion for ProMarkers

     Have yourself a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, August 21, 2020

Basketball Benny

     I know most of you are used to lovely women, cute girls, fab flowers, and cuddly animals from Conie Fong but she has some wonderful boys, too!  Here's "Basketball Benny" and I adore him.   Not only can you get him by himself (in both right and left facing versions), but you can also get him in a bundle with "Skateboarding Benny" for a mere 25 cents more!

     This is a 4" x 4" card and the image is about 2.75" high.  Just wanted you to know how small it was for coloring.  I do adore the ultra fine tips for ProMarkers but they are getting harder and harder to find.  Anybody else know of a resource for them?  :-D


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Image, sentiment, & mats cut w/ QuicKutz dies
Everything mounted onto kraft card base
Hand tied bow
CAS for masculine card

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Inspirations
Cutie Pie
I {heart} ProMarkers
Ike's World
Outlawz Color
Outlawz Greetings
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     You still have time to come play with us in either of our two challenges this month; coloring only and completed projects.  You do have to use a Conie Fong image but entering means you could win additional Conie Fong images and how great would that be?

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Naughty Giraffe

     I have a dear friend who adores giraffes (and who is kind enough to also adore the cards I make for her!) and she collects them in all forms.  When I saw this poem, I knew it described her love of giraffes perfectly.  I've already mailed this card to her so it's safe to post it here today.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Image & mat cut w/ Tonic Studios die
Plaid dp cut w/ Tonic Studios
All papers are scraps
Baker's twine in 2 colors

     Challenges:
Bastel-Traum
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Crafters
Creative Inspirations
I {heart} ProMarkers
Papercraft
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
World Wide Open

     I hope this one brought a smile to your face today and thanks for visiting.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Botanical Orchid

     We're mid-way through the August challenge over at Jan's Digi Stamps and I've done this card for the mid-way reminder.  I used Botanical Orchids for this sympathy card.  I almost never make sympathy cards until they are needed and at that point, they are so hard to make.  But this image from that particular set, which is really a secondary image, just seemed to lend itself to a generic sympathy card.


Colored w ProMarkers
Image cut with QuicKutz die, edges inked
Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Quadruple loop, hand-tied bow - sheer ribbon
Raindrop gem + 3 mini gems

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time
Artsy Stamper
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Craft Cottage
Creative Crafters
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Polkadoodles
TTCRD

     You have until September 6 to play in our challenge and our theme is always Anything Goes so come join us.  We love being inspired by you.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Witches on Broomsticks

     In this miserable, record-breaking, heat wave, you may not realize that the spooky, chilled night of  Halloween is right around the corner, card-making-wise.   But I'm on it!  I think this is my second Halloween card of the season and I have at least 3 more images printed and waiting.  :-D

     This image is an old one from Angie's Antics.  I haven't seen anything new from her in quite a long time so they may be out of business altogether.  But their stuff is always fun, regardless.


I used colors from My Favorite Things.

Colored w/ ProMarkers and blending chalks
Cut w/ QuicKutz die
Polka dot ribbon from RRR
Mounted onto black card base

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Creations
Gem of a Challenge
Lil Patch of ...
Paper Funday
Polkadoodles

     Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Monday, August 17, 2020

Hyacinths

     Hyacinths are some of my favorite flowers, both for the garden and as 'forced' blooms in a kitchen window.  My card today has a vintage image of hyacinths, printed in gray scale, and colored by hand.  It came from an old magazine (really old, specifically "The Garden Journal" November, 1920) and I scanned it, saved it as a jpg file, then printed it and adjusted the size to fit what I wanted for my card.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Image cut w/ Spellbinders die
Shaped card base cut w/ QuicKutz die
Butterfly cut w/ Cottage Cutz die
Signature bow w/ pearl

     Challenges:
Art Sandbox
Arty Divas
Colour Crazy
Creatalicious
Die Cut Divas
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Passion for ProMarkers
Star Stampz
TTCRD

Sunday, August 16, 2020

The Train Home

     Remember those days when we all took a vacation trip in the summer?  When we got to go somewhere distant and special?  Some place other than our own back yard which is what most of us have been seeing this summer when we wanted an 'excursion' into the unknown.  What I really loved was being able to come home on some form of transportation which wasn't the same as our every day transports of automobiles!

     I'd love to be taking this vintage train home from some far reaching vacation destination as the summer was ending.


Image source unknown
Colored w/ blending chalks
Image & mat cut w/ Tonic Studios dies
Paper are all scraps
Card corners cut w/ Fiskars punch

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Cardz TV
Catch the Bug
Colour Crazy
Creative Fingers
Gem of a Challenge
Lil Patch of ...
Outlawz Stash
Polkadoodles
Stamping Sensations

     That's all I have for this weekend but I'll be back in the morning with another card.  In hte meantime, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, August 15, 2020

One of Those Days

     It's the 15th of August, middle of the month, and I just want to give you a reminder that our monthly "Anything Goes" challenge is still going at QKR Stampede.  This fun and funny Eureka Stamps image (sister company to QKR) is called "Rainy Day Duck" and while he's not really depicting those rainy days which return in the fall, I did use autumn colors.  The image reminds me of the poor soul in the comics who seems to wander around under a dark cloud. :-D

     Personally, out here in California, we'd love to have a rain cloud or two right now!  We'd call it the perfect kind of "summer fun!"  We had temperatures at 101F for the first four days of this week, then 105F yesterday, predicted for 107F today, and at least another 10 days with predicted temps as much as 10 degrees above normal, so well above 100F to come.  I'm staying indoors to craft happily in the air conditioning.  :-D


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Tonic Studios die
Sentiment printed and cut w/ Avery Elle die
Raffia twine bow
Everything framed with black CS
CAS design

     Challenges:
All Fun
Allsorts
Angie's Digitals
Catch the Bug
Colouring in Scrapland
Crafty Friends
Gem of a Challenge
Paper Girls
Simon Says Stamp
Stamping Sensations

     You still have plenty of time to enter our challenge this month so come play along.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, August 14, 2020

Curly Piglets Birthday Party

     If you were a cute, pink piglet and it was your first birthday, wouldn't you be just a little bit "piggish" about smearing frosting and cake all over your fingers, face, and anything else within reach?  Yep, I thought so.  I think this is a perfect 1st Birthday card for either boy or girl.  I love mixing blue with pink when I want a card that will work for either gender.

     The images are from the Curly Piglet set by Conie Fong and I merged two of the three images available in that set.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Unbranded die
Corner punched w/ Fiskars punch
Pink satin ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
White ribbon w/ sparkle from stash
Hand-tied, double loop bow

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Creative Inspirations
Cute Card Thurs
Digi Choosday
I {heart} ProMarkers
Inspired By
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Greetings

     Don't forget we have two challenges every month on the FB page for Conie Fong; one is for Colored Images only and the other is for Finished Projects.  Both require the use of a Conie Fong image but her images are just so sweet and cute, how can you resist them?  Dig out some of your Conie Fongs and come play with us.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Vintage Thoughts

     The title of this post should give you a clue that there is a vintage creation being presented today but there's so much more to the story!  So pour yourself a cuppa or something cool if it's hot where you are, and settle in for a bit of a read.

     Unlike most really hip crafters, I'm rather new to browsing on PINterest, much preferring to be in the craft room than at the computer.  :-D  I do very little on social media sites other than FB things required by the DTs on which I serve.  I don't have any Instagram, Twitter, Flick'r, Tick Tock, or whatever accounts and I don't waste my rather budgeted creative time with any of those things.

     However, I did take a glance at PINterest when I was looking for photos of some particular flowers to figure out how I wanted to color an image of them.  Did you know if you use search terms which are too general you will get millions and millions of hits?  OK, you probably knew that but remember, I don't spend my time searching PINterest.  lol  Anyway, one link led to another and suddenly I found myself on a place called "Deviant Art" and found some rather lovely vintage photos of flowers, bouquets, and tussy mussies.

     Tucked in among them, for no apparent rhyme or reason, were several sepia toned, vintage photos of people.  I was dumbstruck to see one photo which I recognized instantly!  In the interests of giving full and appropriate 'credit' to whomever now has the 'rights' to it (on Deviant Art the photo was credited to "peterpicture,") I have no idea who or what they may be and am in no way associated with them, nor do I know how they got access to it or ownership of it.  BUT, the reason I recognized the photo is because it's one of my mother, taken at a professional photography studio when she was a few weeks away from turning 16!  As was the custom back in the 1920s, girls had professional photos taken at age 16 as a way of saying they were now "coming of age."

     My mother gave me this photo of her when I turned 16.  I kept it on my dresser for many years until it finally got relegated to the 'keepsakes' box when I was in my late 40s.  Interesting side note - I had grown up in the town where my mother had been born and raised, and had been told throughout my entire childhood how much I looked like my mother when she was ... insert whatever age I was at that time.  It never really impressed me all that much, partly because I was a child but also because I was the youngest sibling and my mother turned 42 the year I was born so looking at her at whatever age she was then, I really couldn't see the similarity.  But this photo of her at age 16 could have been me at 16 (aside from the obvious age of the photo)!  Edited to add: In response to Bunny's comment - I can't put my hands on any photos of myself at age 16, 17, 18, or anything close to it, else I would have put one up for comparison.  :-D

     So, after all that, let me share the photo by showing you what I did with it.  My oldest granddaughter asked me if I would turn the photo into something she could keep on her desk or mantle piece so I made a large, tent fold style card.  And yes, if she had that hairstyle and was dressed in vintage clothing, it would look a lot like her.  :-D


I started with one of the current sketches at


Photo printed and cut with Spellbinders die
Framed with CS embossed with "linen" EF
Background dp is a scrap
Sentiment cut with Sizzix/Tim Holtz die
    (cut twice from white and gray CS)
Card front framed with 1/16" strips of CS
Gray CS circles punched w/ hand punch

     Challenges:
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Caendar
Creative Fingers
Dragonfly Dreams
Outlawz Festive Fri
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD
Word Art Weds

     I'm running way behind today but thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Why They Call it Fall !

     I know we're only a third of the way through August but I get tired of the miserably hot weather some time in early July each summer and I begin pining for fall leaves and changing colors that come with the cooler evenings of autumn.  Here's my salute to the end of summer this year!  :-D

     I have this adorable kitten from Mo's Digital Pencil which I don't think I've used before (shame on me!) and it seemed a perfect time to dig it out and color it.  Since we're talking fall colors, I made the kitten a calico, patterned after my own sweet Queenie (see the right-hand sidebar.)


Inspired by the sketch at Sketch Saturday,
turned 1/4 turn.


Colored w ProMarkers
Image and both frames cut w/ Tonic Studios dies
Sentiment printed & cut w/ Tutti Designs die
Mesh ribbon was a scrap on the table
Jute cord used for the triple loop bow

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz PAM
Penny's Paper-Crafty
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Cup of Tea

     This cute image is the freebie at The Outlawz Progressive Challenge this month and it's from the Paper Shelter.  It's been a long time since I did anything steam punk so this was a bit of fun.  I also wanted to see what I could do with larger scraps of paper, card stock, and ribbons.  The background dp had been used before.  The larger piece had a circle cut out of it which I covered with the image and there was a narrow strip which I laid next to the larger piece, then covered the seam with the ribbon.  The image was printed onto a scrap of white CS, as was the sentiment.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Image & sentiment cut w/ Spellbinders
Sentiment from Beccy's Place (scrap CS)
Tea cup stack cut from scrap CS w/ Tutti Designs die
Mesh lace & satin ribbon (scraps)
Background dp - scrap from DCWV
3 stars are left over from the sentiment cut

     Challenges:
All Fun
Archi-scraps (colors are in the image)
Colouring in Scrapland
Creative Moments
Cutie Pie
Dragonfly Dreams
Morgan's ArtWorld
Pixie's Snippets
Your Scrapbook Place

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Sunday, August 9, 2020

New Hat Makes the Lady

     It's another Monday (ok, very late on Sunday evening in my area but it'll be Monday by the time you wake up and see this!) and that means another "Anything Goes" challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies.  Our sponsor this week is the wonderful and whimsical Bugaboo Stamps.  I used a darling image called "Flower Bird."  I loved her hat and decided to focus on that when I added my sentiment.


 I used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch, but reversed.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut with Unbranded die
Wide ribbon by Really Reasonable Ribbon
Striped dp from Stampin' Up
Hand tied bow (scrap ribbon)
Sentiment printed & cut w/ die by Spellbinders

     Challenges:
Angie's Digitals
C.R.A.F.T. (Is shopping a sport or is it leisure? lol)
Crafty Creations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
My Favorite Things Colors
Paper Funday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp (dies)
WordArt Weds

     Come play with us, won't you?  It's Anything Goes so how can you lose?   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunflower Gnome

     Gnomes two days in a row!  Anyone would think I like them.  :-D  Today's gnome is called "Sunflower Gnome" and it's new from Conie Fong, her first gnome ever.  This is also her first png set but it also comes in jpg if you prefer..  It is a set of three images plus two sentiments and it's ON SALE!!

     I also added a new Sun image and Conie has done 6 of those, available right now as freebies on the Facebook page (but only until August 11 so hurry!)  If you don't belong, join now.  It's free and very simple.  Once you are on the Discussion page at the FB site, click on "Photos", then "Albums", and do a long scroll all the way down (almost to the bottom) and look for the "Freebie Member Celebration" album.  If you download the images in that album, you'll have Conie Fong images to use for an entry into one of this month's challenges - either Coloring Only or Completed Projects.


Colored w/ ProMarkers & gel pens
Image and frame cut w/ QuicKutz dies
Embossed strip from DCWV
Sentiment = Memory Box die
Glittered circles
Signature bow w/ sparkly pearl

     Challenges:
All Fun
Arty Divas
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Dragonfly Dreams
I {heart} ProMarkers
Ike's World
Lil Patch of Crafty...
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Please come and join us at Conie Fong's.  We love being inspired by you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Saturday, August 8, 2020

Little Gnomes

     Beccy's Place has a fabulous (and optional!) "Flip a Coin" board on their challenge this month.  The theme is always Anything Goes with a Beccy's image but the optional board made the challenge that much more fun.  :-D

     I used two of Beccy's gnomes, merged before printing (which wasn't all that easy because they are jpg files, not png files!)


(Decorated envelope)

Here's the board and a list of those I used:

1.  Blues, purples, greens
2.  Square card
3. Ribbon or Lace
4. Something shiny
5.  Decorate the envelope

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Glossy Accents added to lantern glow (for the shine)
Cut with QuicKutz lg square die
Corners done w/ Fiskars punch
Striped paper from DCWV
Lacy mesh ribbon
Dot embellies made w/ dots punched from corners
Envelope liner and decoration made w/ same dp

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Carlin's Card Paradise
Colour Crazy
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs
Outlawz Festive Fri
Stamping Sensations

     Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.  I appreciate all who leave comments of encouragement and who follow my blog.  In these times when we can't physically reach out to friends and family IRL, having contact from blogging and crafting friends makes the days feel brighter and cheerier.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Friday, August 7, 2020

Is It Love?

     Limited Runs has some of the cutest, silliest, little 'monsters' I've ever seen and they have given us several of them over the years in their monthly Progressive Challenges over on their FB page.  The one this month really tickled me and here's what I did with her.


Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Spellbinders
Frame cut w/ Spellbinders
Both dp from DCWV
Purple dp is a scrap
Sentiment printed & cut w/ Avery Elle die
Hand-tied bow w/ sequin (fav embellie)

     Challenges:
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Sentiments
Creations in Pink
Dare 2B Artzy
Digi Choosday
Gem of a Challenge
Lemon Shortbread
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Summer Silhouette

     Bugaboo Stamps has some of  the greatest silhouette images and wonderful sentiments, too.  I used this one for a supportive, encouragement card for a friend who's had some tough days this summer and I just want him to know there's someone right beside him if he feels the need.


Sky & ground colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ QuicKutz square die
Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Hand tied bow
Red, CS mat
White card base

     Challenges:
A Bit More...EXTRA
All Fun
Catch the Bug
Classic Design
Crafts Galore Encore
Creatalicious
Dragonfly Dreams
Gem of a Challenge
Lil Patch of...
Paper Girls

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Dog (?) Days

          I know August is typically what we call the Dog Days of summer but sometimes those "dog" days turn into cat or bird days as well.  Just see below for an example in this delightful Mo's Digital Pencil image.  I know I usually do cat images but that's because my fur babies get so upset when I feature some other animal, but this time I think I can get away with it since there IS a cat in the image. :-D


I pulled my colors from the tic tac toe board at
Color My Heart Color Dare - 
the main ones from the diagonal top left to bottom right -
plus mink & almond (cat's fur), red (in the dog's collar), 
toffee (bird's feather's) & tangerine (bird's beak.)
I think all I missed was the Glacier Blue.  :-D
All 3 of the diagonal colors are in the dp and the image has both 
green and yellow with neutrals of black and white.


Colored w/ ProMarkers & pencil
Image & frame cut & embossed w/ Tonic Studios dies
Paper is a scrap from the basket
2 shades of green CS

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It (Both dog & cat!)
Cardz TV
C.R.A.F.T.
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paperbabe
Word Art Weds
Your Next Stamp

     That's all for today but I'll be back tomorrow with another card.  Hope you'll stop by then, too.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Crafty Chefs

     Today I'm doing another card using the next recipe from Crafty Chefs.  This is a group of crafters who want to stretch their "comfort zone" a bit by following a recipe with both "must do" and "can do" items on it.  There is a FB page for the group (click on the name above) and we'd love to have you join us if this sounds interesting.

     There are very few 'rules' and no prizes, no deadlines, no drama - just the fun of participating and doing something you may not have done before or you don't do regularly.  Check out the FB page and become part of the group.  Later, you can decide if you want to add yourself to the rotation for making up the recipe for a month.

     Vicki created the recipe for August and it is:

MUST DO:
1.  Die cut (or electronic machine like Cricut)
2.  Interactive (More than 1 fold, eg: gate fold, easel, slider, etc.)  Check out Vicki's Youtube video.
3.  Specialty paper (vellum, glitter, foil, etc.)
4.  Ribbon/twine/or raffia

CAN DO:
1.  Color an image
2.  Add 3 of something
3.  Add glitter/sparkle

     I watched Vicki's video and followed her well explained and easy steps to make my card.  I did change the size of my card so that it was 4 1/4 " square when folded (8 1/2 x 8 1/2 starting size) and I made the envelope for it.  I decided on a Halloween theme partly because Vicki had done a Christmas theme and partly because I wanted to color up this cute image from LeAnn's World.

    I did use all the MUST DO items plus all the CAN DO items.  :-D  Here's the finished card when folded up:


and when opened up:


Outside:
Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ Unbranded, stitched die
Gold glitter paper
Sheer ribbon wrapped on top of gold paper and under image
Sentiment printed & cut w/ Unbranded die

Inside:
"Chenille" paper (it's actually fuzzy)
"Halloween" sentiment is a button
Bats die cut from foam (Die-namics)
"Pearl" CS for card base

     Challenges:

     Happy Crafting and we do hope you'll come and join our FB group!   NanaConnie