Grammy's Attic: February 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022

Calico Cats

This is my second DT card as a GDT at Ike's World and I've used an image called "Stitchy Cats." I love these darling calico cats! I merged them together and they just seemed to say "boy" and "girl" so I did them in traditional blue and pink.

Our theme is always "Anything Goes" but our optional theme this month is a Tic Tac Toes board. I chose the middle row of Die cut/ Free/ Pearls.

I colored with ProMarkers, then used a die from Spellbinders to cut the fancy shape. I knew I wanted a very CAS design because it would enhance the image as well as the delicate shape of the die cut. I mounted the image onto pink CS, trimmed it to fit an A2 card, and added a large pearl on each end of the die cut. Voila', done!

Colors from Bastel-Traum.

Challenges:

Cupcake Inspire ...

Just a quick update to let you know that starting next month, I'll be a regular DT member instead of a GDT at Ike's World and I'm so excited! Help me celebrate and come play in our challenge this month. We love being inspired by you. :-D Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Grow Where You're Planted

I've finally completed the monthly Progressive Challenge at the Outlawz, using the image provided for this month from Hetty Clare. It's Called "Flower Pot Hat" and I think it's darling. :-D A perfect "I wish it was spring" image!

I used a combination of my ProMarkers and some water coloring to color the image, then I cut it on an angle with a stitched die from Die-namics. Once that was done, I decided on a gate fold card and went looking for papers that would enhance the design. I found the plaid paper in my scrap basket, cut it to fit each of the two panels of the 'gate,' and mounted the image piece.

The sentiment was printed and cut with a QuicKutz die. I tied a double layer, bowtie bow, then added both it and the sentiment.

Challenges:

Double Trouble (all 3)

Dream Valley

Lil Patch of ...

Polkadoodles

Have yourself a Happy Crafting kind of day. NanaConnie

Monday, February 21, 2022

Spring Tiger Lilies

I absolutely adore the stamp I used for my reminder DT card in the February challenge over at Jan's Digi Stamps. It's called "Spring Tiger Lilies" and it's one of the new releases which is on sale this month. Remember that the theme at Jan's is always "Anything Goes."

I colored the image with ProMarkers, cut it with a QuicKutz rectangle die , then used a Fiskars punch on 2 opposite corners. I put scraps of colored CS for the ombre background, wrapped lace ribbon around it, and then added the image piece. I used another piece of the lace ribbon to tie the bow which I mounted just below the tub of lilies.

Challenges:

Let's Craft and ...

Come play with us this month and be sure to check out all the sets in the shop which are currently on sale. You'll be thrilled with what Jan has created for all of us. :-D

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Magical Birthday

A new challenge begins over at Pammie's Inky Pinkies where our theme is always Anything Goes, except on the occasional 5th Monday in a month when we have a theme you must follow. This being a third Monday, we don't have to worry about that.

Our sponsor for this challenge is CAS-ual Fridays and you should check out their wonderful products.

I've made another card with all die cuts. The butterfly die is from Cuts; the wheat die from Die-namites. I dearly love butterflies! They have to be my favorite insects. Their colors are so varied and marvelous that we crafty people can do almost anything with them. :-D

The sentiment die (Cut & Make) is really special to me because it was sent to my by my friend, Faith, and I love the look of it! Thank you, Faith. :-D The background dp is a scrap from an old (very old !) DCWV stack.

Challenges:

Lil Patch of ...

Come play with us this week. How can you beat an Anything Goes theme? Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Friday, February 18, 2022

Tricycle Gnome

I absolutely adore Conie Fong's gnomes and I used one of her latest, "Tricycle Gnome" on this DT card. I decided on soft, spring pastels (favorites of mine this time of year when the winter has just lasted too long!) and a birthday sentiment (also from this set.)

I think Birthdays are the best occasions of all. Major holidays can be stressful with family commitments, gifts to buy for all, or heavy meals to plan, but simple birthdays put the focus on one person and sharing cake is always a joy, not a stress. :-D

I colored the image with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a fancy die from Spellbinders. I mounted that onto green dp from K & Co. The final touch was to add sheer, pink ribbon, wrapped around the card front and tied into a bow. Pretty quick and simple.

Challenges:

As You Like It

Colouring in Scrapland

We need a few more people to enter either one of the monthly challenges before they end on the 28th. In order to award prizes, our policy is to have a minimum of 8 different people (not entries) enter either the 'coloring only' challenge or the 'completed projects' challenge, using one of Conie's darling images (there are freebies available if you don't have any of her images.) Grab an image and enter one of the challenges. You could end up being the person who wins images from Conie Fong!

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Keepin' Warm

Our next challenge has started at Creative Knockouts and our new theme is 2 or more Patterned Papers. Our fun sponsor is Stamper's Delights and they generously provided images for the DT to use. I chose "Chibi Freddie" which I think is an adorable image. :-D

I used water color pencils and gamsol, plus I did his skin and some highlights with ProMarkers. The image was cut with a Dare 2B Artzy die. My plaid dp is from a Recollections stack and my second dp is the frame around the sentiment (from that same stack.) In the photo, the paper looks solid but it actually has a marble pattern to it. The sentiment itself was cut with an Avery Elle die. No fancy embellishments for this masculine card.

Challenges:

We'd love to see you playing with us in this challenge. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Birthday Card for His Valentine

Today starts our newest challenge at I Love ProMarkers and we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs this month. Our theme this challenge is "Birthday" and my card was actually one commissioned by a gentleman whose wife’s birthday falls on Valentine’s Day! I used a SheepSki Designs image called 'Bumble Bee Blossom' to go with the specific sentiment he wanted, ‘Honey Bee Mine.’ He really liked Andrea's images (which I have in a binder for people to view) and he was very impressed with her art.

I used ProMarkers, water color paints, and water color pencils to color the bee and blossom, adding sparkle gel ink to the wings, then used pale blue watercolor paint for the sky/background. Instead of cutting the image itself, I used one of my dies from Spellbinders to cut a scrap of pink CS, then trimmed it to fit the card front so that the aperture was on an angle.

I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied gold satin ribbon into a small bow and added it to the upper corner. I thought the die cut shape was so 'fancy' that little else was needed in the way of embellishment. I really wanted the image to be the focus.

Challenges:

I hope you're going to come and play in our challenge. All of us can use an extra 'Birthday' card in our stash so even if you don't have someone specific in mind, I'm sure you can make one for your stash. :-D Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

You Are Great !

For the newest challenge starting today at QKR Stampede, I've done a sweet encouragement card for my neighbor to give to her niece. The image is from QKR and is called "Apple." Simple enough. :-D

I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with an oval die from QuicKutz. The sentiment was cut with a smaller oval die from that same QuicKutz set. The background dp came from a Recollections stack. The butterflies were cut with a Memory Box die. I applied Wink of Stella to them for a bit of shine but it doesn't show very well in the photo.

Challenges:

Allsorts

Butterfly (coral, cardinal, & celedon)

Colorful Options

Colouring in Scrapland

Lil Patch of ...

Feel free to come play with us this fortnight! We look forward to seeing what you enter. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Monday, February 14, 2022

Rose Bouquet

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

On my card today, I used a lovely image from Beccy's Place. This is another of the cards I made for the vendor faire I did over the weekend. Something different than any I had done before and I think I had expectations which were just too high for a 'pop up' event with little advertising or promotion. Still, I met some lovely people and made some new contacts. I even had one lady who not only bought a card for her granddaughter right then and there, but also commissioned another one for her daughter who is getting married next month!

I really love this image. It always reminds me that I live in one of the rose growing capitals of the world. In my local area of California, we have roses blooming all the way from late February until nearly Thanksgiving in late November. South of us, in the Los Angeles County area of Pasadena, they hold the rose parade every January 1. How's that for a bit of local history? :-D

I colored the image with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut it with a Spellbinders die. I used lace from my stash for the background. The sentiment was printed and then cut with an Avery Elle die. Pretty simple, really, but looking much fancier.

Challenges:

Taylormade ...

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Friday, February 11, 2022

Valentines by Die Cut

I've been playing with another half dozen Valentine cards for my upcoming vendor fair this weekend. I shared 2 of them yesterday and today I have cards made with die cuts and scrap bits of this and that. I really cleaned off the craft desk by using only paper scraps which were on the desk.

On both of these cards, I used Spellbinders dies and scraps from a C C Designs "Smoochie" stack. The odd shaped hearts were cut with dies which are supposed to be leaves but I've used them several times to make hearts. The sentiment on the balloon bouquet card was cut with an Avery Elle die. The XOXO on the other card (along with a few others) was sent to me last year by a friend who has an electronic cutter. I added glitter to the letters and used it as the sentiment on that card.

Card #1 Challenges:

Card #2 Challenges:

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Thursday, February 10, 2022

A Rose for You

This is my second post today and, again, I'm using a sweet House Mouse stamp. I'm finishing up all my cards for a Valentine themed, vendor fair this weekend. House Mouse images are always very popular on my cards and I get lots of requests for them so I thought I'd try them at the event.

This was colored with ProMarkers and water color pencils, then cut with a QuicKutz die. I cut a larger rectangle from a scrap of red CS for the frame, embossed it with my 'Linen' embossing folder, then used a Fiskars punch on the corners. The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die. I matted it with a small scrap of deep pink CS, trimmed to fit. Everything was mounted onto a pale pink card base.

Challenges:

Inspiration Station (colors & love)

Lil Patch of ...

Simon Says Stamp

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Happy Heart

Hearts are happiest when they overflow with love! This fun little House Mouse has found a perfect way to express it. :-D

The image is colored with ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, then cut with a Sizzix scalloped die. I used my 'Linen' embossing folder on the card background, and added a scrap of red, metallic CS before adding the image.

Challenges:

I'll have another post shortly. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Bunny Love

One more card which I'm using as a Valentine but which has great general appeal as well. This is an image from Gerda Steiner Designs. I started by coloring the bunnies with ProMarkers, then I fussy cut them and added a hot pink CS mat which is also fussy cut. I used one of my Gina Marie quilt dies to cut 4 different scrap papers from the basket on my desk, then mounted the fussy cut image (using dimensional tape) on top of the quilt design.

I chose a soft pink CS for the background, cut it to size for an A2 card, and wrapped sheer, golden ribbon around it before adding the quilted design and image. I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied a bow from some pink lace, adding it above the sheer ribbon.

Challenges:

Colouring in Scrapland

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Wanna Be Your Valentine

This is one more Valentine as I'm getting ready for a Valentine themed vendor event on Saturday. I used an older image from Lemon Shortbread. I colored it with my ProMarkers, and added tiny, die cut, red hearts to the stars to make it feel more like a Valentine. The sentiment was printed at the same time as the image. I cut the image piece with a pinpoint, rectangle die from Memory Box.

The framing piece was cut from some Neenah Products dp using a Gina Marie die. The tiny hearts I used on the stars were the bits which fell out of the die cut. I’ve had the Neenah papers for at least 5 years! Everything was put onto a deep burgundy card base.

I used one of my signature, hand-sewn bows which I make up by the dozens and toss into my stash for future use. I have come to the point where I only make them from white satin ribbon and then I use markers to "dye" them the colors I want for a particular card.

Challenges:

Art Impressions

Creative Inspirations

Taylormade ...

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Monday, February 7, 2022

Traces of Spring

Today, in honor of the February challenge starting over at Jan's Digi Stamps, I'm sharing one of Jan's spring releases, called "Traces of Spring." It's on sale throughout February.

I reversed the image before printing and then colored it as closely as I could to the pre-colored image, using my Promarkers. I cut the image with a QuicKutz oval die and layered it onto a dp scrap from the basket. The sparkly ribbon I used for the hand-tied bow was also a leftover scrap but it worked so perfectly for dressing up the card that I couldn't resist using it.

The sweet dragonfly is machine embroidered with sheer taffeta fabric and iridescent thread used for the wings.

Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Colouring in Scrapland

Remember, our challenges at Jan's Digi Stamps are always "Anything Goes" and you may use any products from any company, but if you choose to use a JDS image, your card goes into a separate draw only for those using JDS and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount! Can't wait to see what you enter. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Valentine Wishes

We've started another new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies and since we're back to the first Monday of the month, our theme is "Anything Goes." Our wonderful sponsor this week is Lawn Fawn. On my card, although it's rather simple, I've used Lawn Fawn papers.

The background paper was trimmed to fit a 6" x 6" card, and then I began playing with the dies. I used scrap pieces of Lawn Fawn paper for both the butterfly cut and for the sentiment paper. The paper for the sentiment was cut with a Gina Marie framing die, filled with tiny hearts. The butterfly corner was done with a die from Memory Box and I carefully put back in place all the little bits which are intended to fall out. There were a few which went astray but I simply used a black marker to fill in those open spaces in the butterfly wings. The deep pink ribbon came from my stash and was an end-of-the-roll scrap.

This is a pretty CAS card made to look complex with the die cut. But look at all that open space! :-D

Challenges:

Art Impressions

Aud Sentiments

Creative Inspirations

It would be great if you'd come play with us this week! We really look forward to seeing what you have to share. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Friday, February 4, 2022

Patch & Gretta - Gnome Admirers

After a long hiatus from Pattie's Creations, I'm happy to announce that I'm back on the DT! Our challenges are now monthly, starting on the first Friday of each month and ending on the Thursday before the next challenge starts. We do encourage you to use Pattie's Creations images on your projects but images from other companies are allowed. You can find a Freebie !! posted with each challenge and you are free to use it for your entry but that's not required. In 2022, our theme is going to be "Anything Goes" for every challenge.

I combined two of Pattie's gnome images for this card; Patch the Gnome and Gretta the Gnome. I thought they worked as a cute friendship couple for Valentine's Day. Although I made a ton of Valentine cards this year because I have a craft fair just 2 days before Valentine's Day, I generally make only a few each year, much preferring friendship to love cards. After all, I have many more friends than lovers! :-D

The images are colored with my ProMarkers, and cut with a Tonic Studios scalloped die. I used my Linen embossing folder on the red card front before applying the image piece. I used a Memory Box die for the heart and a die from Marianne Design for the red bow. Those were also embossed with the Linen EF before I added them.

Challenges:

I'm so happy to be back with Pattie's Creations and I hope you'll come play in our Anything Goes challenges each month. We love being inspired by you. Be sure to stop by the challenge blog and grab the freebie for this month. It's only there while the challenge is ongoing. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Thursday, February 3, 2022

A New Home

A new, weekly challenge just started at Creative Knockouts and our theme is "Lots of Layers." We're sponsored by Twinkle Lane Designs and they are offering a gift certificate as the prize. You can go to their online shop and buy some really adorable images with it. :-D

They generously provided images for the DT to use and I chose "Toadstool Homes." I am perfectly certain that gnomes and fairies must live in them. I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, then cut the image & the frame with dies from QuicKutz. Using dies to cut images and frames is probably my favorite card making technique. I used a Fiskars punch on the corners.

The sentiment circle was cut with a Dare 2B Artzy die. The large bow was made with 1 inch wide, grosgrain ribbon. Even though the card has 4 distinct layers of CS, plus the bow, I tried for a relatively CAS design to really showcase the image.

Challenges:

Come and play in our challenge. Layer up card and enter it before the week runs out!

Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Heart full of Love

We're starting our new monthly challenge at Paper Funday today and our theme is always "Anything Goes" with the optional twist for February being "Hugs & Kisses." Our fun and fabulous sponsors are Polkadoodles and All Dressed Up. I am using an image from Polkadoodles called "Love You Bunches."

I used my ProMarkers to color the sweet bunny image, then fussy cut it with scissors. I used a circle die from Dare 2B Artzy to cut a circle in silver glitter CS and layered a scrap of pink dp behind it. I mounted the image onto dimensional dots and put that in the circle. The sentiment was printed, cut with an Avery Elle die, and matted with another scrap of the pink dp. Sparkly and fun but still pretty CAS.

Challenges:

Butterfly (circle, coral, cardinal + butterflies)

Creative Inspirations

Come play with us in our February challenge. You are free to do Anything Goes or to follow the option of Hugs and Kisses, but either way,. we'd love to see you entering our challenge. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Spring Flower Cart

It's time for the next challenge at I Love ProMarkers and our wonderful sponsor is Paper Nest Dolls. Our theme is "Spring Time" and I used a darling Paper Next Dolls image called "Flower Cart Avery."

Colored with ProMarkers, and cut with a fancy Spellbinders die. The pink CS mat is another Spellbinders die cut. The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die, then matted with a pink CS scrap. The little bow was hand sewn and a sequin was added. The tiny leaves came from the scrap basket and I simply can't remember what die I used. I know it was a leftover from Christmas crafting.

I pulled my colors from the challenge at My Favorite Things.

Challenges:

Double Trouble (image sized up)

Outlawz Festive Fri

Polkadoodles

We'd love to see you entering our challenge. We love being inspired by you, maybe even more than you love seeing our inspiration creations. :-D Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Always Coffee First !

I'm told that the world didn't really exist before the discovery of coffee! For sure, Winter wasn't much fun without coffee. In our monthly challenge at Your Scrapbooking Place for February, the DT is having fun celebrating the various joys of coffee. Our sponsor for February is Babycakesdnd by Sandra Caldwell and the image I used is one of hers, called "Old Lady Gal."

I enlarged the image, used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a Memory Box die. I decided on a wintry blue color combo. The dark blue CS used to mat the image was dry embossed with my Linen folder before adding the image and sentiment. The sentiment was printed and cut with another Memory Box die from that same pinpoint set. I hand-sewed one of my signature bows, this time with a pearl added, using satin ribbon. The ribbon I used was white but I 'dyed' it an icy blue with a ProMarker.

Challenges:

Come play in our challenge this month, won't you? Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

Two for One for Love

Welcome to another fortnightly challenge at QKR Stampede! As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes" but, since it's February, I've focused on Love and Valentine's Day. In fact, I've actually done two DT cards for this challenge. One celebrates an Anniversary and the other celebrates the search for a Valentine.

Let's start with the Anniversary. I used a cute QKR image called "Watching Together." I used my ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a fancy framing die from Spellbinders. The red, gingham-check dp (behind the image and behind the sentiment) is from a Lawn Fawn stack and was cut with another Spellbinders die. The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die. The satin ribbon and hand-tied bow came from the box of ribbon scraps. Everything was mounted onto a pale pink card base.

Challenges:

My second card is silly and pokes fun at the seeming desperation of some people for having someone (anyone!) as a partner rather than being 'single' on Valentine's Day. lol

The QKR Stampede image is called "All Tied Up." Again, I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Memory Box. The background dp on this card is also from a Lawn Fawn stack. Both sentiments were printed and then cut with Avery Elle dies. No embellishments since I wanted it to be a masculine card.

Challenges:

A Perfect Time ...

We hope you'll come and play in our challenge this fortnight. In the meantime, Happy Crafting. NanaConnie

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