Buzzing Around the Thistle

      New challenge day at Creative Knockouts and our theme this week is "Flower Power."  We are sponsored by Sheepski Designs and the image I chose to use is called "Buzzing."  

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and added some Wink of Stella to the wings, although it doesn't show in the photo.  The blue frame was cut with 2 rectangle dies from QuicKutz, one set inside the other, then dry embossed using my "Linen" EF.  The frame was applied on top of the image.  I decided I wanted a very CAS card design and once I had the image framed, I liked the effect and the simplicity.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Creative Moments

Dies R Us

Double Trouble

Outlawz Festive Fri

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     Come play with us this week.  We love being inspired by you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Cute "Cubimals"

      Only at Ike's Art could you find cube animals - Cubimals!  Our April challenge is running at Ike's World and, while our theme is always "Anything Goes," we offer an optional theme if you are feeling the need for something to really inspire you.  This month, the optional theme is "Animals/Crazy Critters."

     There are a total of 8 different animals in this set but I used only 3 of them - all felines.  I merged the 3 images with the sentiment (my own), then colored them with my ProMarkers,  I used a large rectangle die (QuicKutz) to cut them and did the corners with a Fiskars punch.  I added a tiny bowtie bow and then layered the image piece onto some Recollections dp, which came from the scrap basket.

     I think it's a fun, masculine card design which will work for a birthday or any other occasion, even Father's Day.

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time ...

Crafts Galore ...

Incy Wincy

Mirtillamente

Morgan's ArtWorld

SheepSki Designs

     You still have time to enter our April challenge at Ike's World and we'd love to see your projects.  :-D  Happy Crafting  NanaConnie

Wedding Magnolias

      I absolutely adore this magnificent image & sentiment set from Jan's Digi Stamps, new this month and called "Wedding Magnolias."  It's also on sale for the rest of April so grab it while you can and save some money.

     I merged the sentiment with the magnolia image before printing, then colored with ProMarkers.  I cut the image with my largest QuicKutz die.  I found the pink-purple-aqua, ombre glitter paper in my stash (from Recollections) to use for the background.  I wrapped a piece of iridescent cord around the card front and tied it into a bow.

     I stamped a dragonfly onto a scrap bit of white CS, colored it with water colors, added glitter to it and, after it dried, fussy cut it with scissors and secured it to the card front with dimensional dots.

     Challenges:

     This is just a reminder that our April challenge will run until Sunday, May 1, so you have another 2 weeks to enter your project into our April "Always Anything Goes" challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterflies

      I'm sharing with you my DT card for the current challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" except on a 5th Monday, and that happens only a few times each year.  Our sponsor this week is the artist Varada Sharma and I've only recently been introduced to her work.  She's really marvelous!  I used her beautiful butterflies, merging them together into an interesting pattern and adding the sentiment before printing.

     I colored with ProMarkers and watercolor pencils, then cut the image with my Fiskars paper cutter.  I did the corners with Fiskars and Uchida punches.  I added glitter to the butterfly wings and let it dry.  I chose one color from the butterflies and matched (as closely as possible) colored CS to it for the background piece.  I tied a Butterfly shaped, wrapped bow, using 1" grosgrain ribbon, and 1/4" ribbon for the center wrap.

     Challenges:

2 Sisters ... Blog

Ally's Angels

Country View

Creatalicious

Creative Moments

LeAnn's World

Let's Craft & Create

     We really would love to see you join in our challenge; "Anything Goes" and it runs until next Sunday.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Geisha Girl

      This is my second post for our April challenge at Your Scrapbook Place, a reminder that you have until the end of the month to get something entered for a chance to win a prize from our sponsor, Moonflower.  This image is called "Little Oriental Lady."

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut the image with a Spellbinders die.  She's done in purples because that's my favorite color.  The background was made with scrap bits and pieces from the 'leftovers' basket, including the piece with the leaves cut out.  Unfortunately, that particular scrap was die cut so long ago, I have no idea what company made the die.  

The color combo was inspired by this photo.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

A Perfect Time ...

Carlin's Card ...

Colour Crazy

Country View

Crafts Galore ...

Crafty Hazelnut's

Dies R Us

Mirtillamente

Outlawz Festive Fri

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Happy Easter

      Our newest challenge starts today at QKR Stampede, where our theme is always Anything Goes and where there are 2 winners for each fortnightly challenge.  The first winner is someone who has used a QKR Stampede image (or one from our sister company, Eureka Stamps) and the second for any image from any company.  You can win fun and fabulous QKR images if your entry is chosen.

     For my DT card today, I used a cute Easter Bunny image called "Happy Easter."  I love working with 'cute' images, even more than flowery images because cute images are so much more versatile.  It's hard to use flowers on a masculine card but cute works no matter what.  :-D

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a Spellbinders rectangle die.  If I remember correctly, that set of dies was the first I ever bought and it's been well used.  It also generated a love for dies of all kinds, shapes, and sizes!  :-D  I used a 'grass' die from Your Next Stamp.  I sewed a quick, pink, satin bow, and then added a few sequins for just the tiniest bit of sparkle.  I used my 'Linen" EF on the green card front.

My color combo came from My Favorite Things.

     

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Colouring in Scrapland

C.R.A.F.T.

Cupcake Inspirations

Cutie Pie

Dragonfly Dreams

Get Creative

Outlawz PAM

Paperbabe

     With an Anything Goes theme, you have absolutely no reason not to enter something in our challenge.  Come  play.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Entertaining the Bunny & Bird

      It's time for a new challenge at Creative Knockouts and this week we have everyone's favorite "Anything Goes" for you to use as the theme.  Our wonderfully generous sponsor is KLM Designs.  Unfortunately, I just found out that the image I used, "Reading Gnome," is no longer available in the Etsy store.  :-(  But there are so many darling images over there that you could browse all day and fall in love with at least 50!  lol

     I merged the sentiment with the image before printing.  I colored the image with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a Tonic Studios scalloped die.  I chose scrap bits of blue dp from the basket, using them for the background and the top corners.  I'm pretty sure they all came from a Recollections stack.  The bow was hand-tied using crinkle ribbon, also from the scrap basket.

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Inspirations

Di's Digi Designs

Lil Patch of ...

Mod Squad

Outlawz PAM

Paper Dragonfly

Polkadoodles

Taylormadecards ...

Word Art Weds

     Hope to see you playing along this week.  You could win images from KLM Designs and I know you'll be thrilled with any of the designs.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Paper Piecing in a Peaceful Garden

      I'm just so tickled with the final result of this paper pieced card which I did for our latest challenge at I Love ProMarkers, and "Paper Piecing" is our optional theme for this challenge.  Our challenges are always "Anything Goes" but we also have an optional theme to go along with that.  We're sponsored by Digi Doodle Studios and they were so generous, supplying the DT with images to use.

     I chose this one, called "Dahlia's Blooms," and it was fun to both color and paper piece.  I chose 2 pieces of dp from a Lawn Fawn stack before printing the image, then printed it 3 times; on both dp and on white CS.  I decided what parts of the image I wanted to paper piece and fussy cut those from the patterned papers.  I did the little bird on top of the birdhouse and her hat from the blue, and 3 of the flowers plus the butterfly from the coral pink patterned papers.  I used ProMarkers to color the rest of the flowers, her hair, face, and arm, and the ribbon tied around her hat.

     At that point, I used a Sue Wilson die to cut the image and an Avery Elle die to cut the sentiment.  Both of those were mounted onto remaining scraps of the same dp (used to make the card front background.)  No further embellishment seemed necessary.  :-D

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Di's Digi Designs

Dragonfly Dreams

Gem of a Challenge

Get Creative

Lawn Fawn

Mod Squad

Outlawz Mon

Paperbabe

     I hope you found a bit of inspiration today and you really should check out what the rest of the team have created.  Come play in our challenge, with or without paper piecing!  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sunny Birthday

      I'm thrilled to have been invited to be a Guest Designer in the fortnightly challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty.  Our marvelous sponsor is Colour of Love and I used this Sunflower Kokeshi Doll image provided by Heather.  I'm using this as a birthday card for a dear friend.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and water color pencils.  The image and the black frame for it are both cut with QuicKutz rectangle dies.  I used peachy/pumpkin colored CS for the background and wrapped it with white lace.  I found a small scrap of satin ribbon, 'dyed' it peach with a marker, and tied a simple, knotted bow.  The sentiment was printed and fussy cut.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Colour Crazy

Digi Choosday

Dream Valley

Inspiration Station (inspired by the colors)

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz Festive Fri

Polkadoodles

TTCRD

     It would be wonderful to see you entering the Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge this time around and their theme is always "Anything Goes."  Come play!  NanaConnie

Lessons from Dad

      I'd never really thought about how the next generation of Easter Bunnies were trained, or even about the fact that there must be 'next generations' since bunnies (Easter or otherwise) aren't all that long-lived.  But when I saw this image from Beccy's Place, a freebie for their April challenge, I knew immediately that Father Easter Bunny was schooling his children in the Easter Bunny arts.  :-D

     Colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut with a QuicKutz die.  The aqua framing was also cut with a QuicKutz die.  Both of the dp came from a Recollections stack.  I left it rather CAS because I wanted the bunnies to be the focus.  I know, I know, many people insist that only "white" open space counts as CAS but I prefer to accept any and all forms of open space, including dp patterns!  I don't believe in excluding all those other lovely colors.  :-D

     I think this one will make a great masculine Easter card.

 I used all 4 colors from 4 Season.

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Colouring in Scrapland

Cupcake Inspirations

Double Trouble

Dream Valley

Get Creative

Inspiration Station

Simon Says Stamp

     That's all I have for this weekend.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bunnies and Eggs

      I'm sharing one of Conie Fong's newest images which is only available as a freebie over at Kit & Clowder.  Please go check it out before it's gone!  :-D  For my card, I merged the darling "Bunny with Egg" with one of the smaller bunnies which can be found in Conie's set called "Easter Bunny Gnome" and that set is on sale throughout April.  The sentiment is also one of Conie's.

      I colored with ProMarkers, then used my largest QuicKutz square die to cut it.  The background paper is from a Recollections stack.  I found the sparkly sheer ribbon in my stash and used the last of it to wrap the card front and make the knotted bow.

I chose my colors from My Favorite Things.

     Challenges:

Art Impressions

CCC Digi

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

LeAnn's World

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Paperbabe

Taylormadecards ...

     Be sure to checkout our challenges on the Conie Fong FB site.  You do need to use a Conie Fong image but the freebie is available at Kit & Clowder so you have no excuse.  :-D  Come play with us.   NanaConnie

Fairy Birthday Wishes

      A post today featuring an image from an artist I discovered late last summer and I'm still using images I bought on my first shopping spree in her shop!  I bought quite a few that day and this image is the one which inspired me to do a search and check out what was available. 

      I saw this girl with her tiny fairy friend bringing her a gift and it was on a card made by someone entering a challenge.  I just had to know more about the image and the artist.  I went to her blog, hoping to find a link to the image (or at least the artist, Mariola Budek) but there was nothing.  So I used a search engine, tracked down her store, and bought images and coloring books that first day!  This image can be found in one of her coloring books, called "Cute Friends."

     I colored with my ProMarkers, then used a Sizzix scalloped die to cut the image.  I used a die from Dare 2B Artzy, cut two dp (Recollections), mounted the image onto 1 of them, and used the second one as the background paper, then inlaid the image piece into it.  I found some sheer ribbon in my stash, wrapped the card front and used my bow maker to tie a triple-loop bow and add it.  The sentiment was printed and fussy cut.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Colour Crazy

Dare 2B Artzy

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Paper Shelter

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Hedgehog

      (Edited to add:  So sorry.  Somehow my post, instead of being pre-scheduled, reverted to a draft. I've fixed it now.  :-D)

     Another challenge has started today over at Paper Funday.  We are sponsored by Jan's Digi Stamps and by Lee Holland Art, whose image I used on my card.  The image is called "Hedgehog with a Daffodil."  I turned it into an Easter card.

     Colored with ProMarkers and cut with a Sue Wilson framing die.  I colored all the ivy pieces and inlaid them back into the frame.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  I added pearls to two of the corners and called it finished.

My card design was inspired by Sketch #227 at Sweet Sketch Weds 2.

     Challenges:

Creative Inspiration

Double D

Mod Squad

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Word Art Weds

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

Red Dragon

      I have an adult granddaughter who dearly loves dragons, something we have in common.  I 'collect' new dragon digis and rubber stamps whenever I can, and I use them to make cards for her (with and without occasions) all year long.

     This one I did for her birthday.  No coloring, just lots of red, white, and black silk machine embroidery thread.  I have a sewing machine with embroidery capacity and now I'll have to add embroidery designs to the list of dragons I collect.  This one was embroidered onto a stiffening background so that, when finished and trimmed, it has the look and feel of an applique.  I simply applied it to the card front, then added the sentiment which had been cut with an Avery Elle die.

     I added a narrow ribbon and a tiny bow (Marianne Design die), and left the card design CAS to focus attention on the dragon.

     Challenges:

Addicted to CAS

C.R.A.F.T. (How to Train Your Dragon)

Dream Valley

Lil Patch of ...

Paperbabe

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Full of Best Wishes

      Welcome to the April challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps. where our theme is always Anything Goes.  My post today will be really short and to the point because I'm running late getting it written, it's nearly midnight, and I'm very tired.  :-D  I'll edit and add to it later.

     Jan has some really beautiful Spring sets which she created this year (and many others from previous years, all of which are on sale) and I really fell in love with one called "Best Wishes."  My card features the main image from the set along with one of the sentiments merged onto the envelope.  This set is on sale this  month and you really should check it out.

     I used; ProMarkers, QuicKuts die, Uchida punch, 'Linen' EF on purple CS, embossing on pink foil, signature bow with pearl.

     Challenges:

     We'd love to see you playing in our challenge this month.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Stained Glass Eagle

      Today starts a new weekly challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies, and we're sponsored by Newton's Nook.  The theme is Anything Goes (every week except on a 5th Monday) and, because I didn't have any Newton's Nook stamps, I chose to use one of my newer 'stained glass' dies to cut this scene.

     I cut it from black, self-stick CS, mounted the outline onto white CS, then colored with my ProMarkers.  You can't imagine how many pieces fall out of this cut!  I put the tree negatives from the cutting back into the tree spaces.  Because the die doesn't cut an outside border, I fussy cut the outer edges, creating an out-of-the-box cut around the wingtips, beak, and talons.  This is the first time I've used this die and I think it's pretty spectacular, not to say unusual.  

     Unhappily, these were purchased at a garage sale many years ago and the original packaging had been removed so I have no idea what company made the dies.  Sigh...

     Challenges:

Addicted to CAS

Allsorts

Outlawz Color

Paperbabe

Paper Dragonfly

Simon Says Stamp

Taylormadecards ...

TTCRD

Word Art Weds

     Come play with us this week, won't you?  We'd love to see what you create.  NanaConnie

Gypsy Flower

      Our April 1st challenge is starting at Your Scrapbook Place and our fabulous sponsor is Moon Flower Digi Stamps.  They generously provided images to the DT and I've used one called "Gypsy Flower."  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."

     Colored with ProMarkers, then cut with an Unbranded die.  The butterfly background was made with a Cuts die.  The polka dot paper is from Recollections.   I printed the sentiment and cut it with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Butterfly (lettuce, lt pink)

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Paper Shelter

Simon Says Stamp

     We'd love to see you play in our challenge!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Count Your Easter Eggs

      It's a new month, this time April, so that makes today April Fool's Day but we have no tricks or jokes in the new challenge at QKR Stampede.  We just want you to have fun playing along with our Anything Goes theme, every 1st and 15th of each month.

     For my DT card this time, I chose to use an image called "Easter Girl."  I flipped the image side to side before printing.  I colored with ProMarkers using a combo of purple and turquoise green, one of my favorites.  I actually like purple and nearly any other color for color combos.  :-D

     I cut the image with a die from Spellbinders, then inlaid several of the pieces in the bottom half that drop out of the frame so that I could keep that portion of the image intact.  The background dp and CS (including the glitter CS) are all from different Recollections stacks and all 3 of them happen to be scraps or recycled bits left over from previous projects.  

     I printed the sentiment, cut it with an Avery Elle die, and matted it before adding it to the card.  My final touch was the row of recycled rhinestones (from an old cell phone case.)

      As You Like It asks if we prefer Recycling or buying new.  I always prefer using up a scrap or recycling something because I hate seeing things go to waste.  Only the tiniest scraps actually make it to trash can in my house.  It saves on the budget, too!  :-D 

      Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Country View Craft

Crafty Catz

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creatalicious

Creative Fingers

Incy Wincy

Mirtillamente

SheepSki Designs

The Four Seasons

      I hope you're going to come play in our challenge.  Remember, it's an Anything Goes theme.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flower Moon

      It's time for a new challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme this week is "Anything Goes" and we're sponsored by the fun and fanciful Mirtillamente.  They kindly supplied the DT with images to use and my choice was this delightful "FlowerMoon."  

     Colored with ProMarkers, then cut with a die from Tutti Designs.  The 'chain' on the left was cut with a die from Your Next Stamp.  The card front was dry embossed with my 'Linen' EF.

This card was inspired by Sketch #225 at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

     Challenges:

Creative Fingers

Creative Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Festive Fri

Passion for Markers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD 

Word Art Weds

     We really would love to see you playing along in our challenge this time and, since it's Anything Goes, how can you resist?  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Spring Daffodils for a Birthday

      Can you believe April 1st is here?  No joke, no trick.  :-D  That means it's time for new monthly challenges and my first DT post is this one for Pattie's Creations.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes," which makes it very simple for you to participate.  :-D  

     The image I used is from Pattie's Creations and it's called Potted Spring Daffodils."   I colored with ProMarkers, then cut both the image and the sentiment with dies from Spellbinders.  I used scraps of dp for the background and tied a bow using crinkle ribbon (which was also a scrap from the basket.)

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time ...

Classic Design

Crafts Galore Encore

Die Cut Divas (1st column)

Digi Doodle Studio

Friendship

Morgan's ArtWorld

     Be sure to come and join us!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie