Be My Valentine?

     This sweet little image (a new one to me) is from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz this month, provided by Di's Digital Stamps, and I thought she'd make a perfect Valentine.  :-D

I was influenced by the wheel over at Butterfly Challenge

and used 3 of the options: Kobe, Kobi, & Knot It.

     I colored with ProMarkers, and cut both the mage and the frame with double stitched circle dies from Die-namics.  The flowery dp used for the frame is from 7 Gypsies.  The butterfly is machine embroidered on my machine and the ribbon is a scrap bit which I tied into a knot.

     Quick post today because I'm running late for an appointment.  I'll add all the challenge links when I return.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Cuttlebug Mania
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers  ('l'ittle 'l'ady)
TTCRD
   
     Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

The Morning After

     Those of you with feline fur babies will completely understand this card because all of them sneak off to party when we're not watching the (cat) door and this is how they appear when finally they bring their bedraggled selves home!  In this case, the Siamese must have been the "designated driver" since he's showing few ill effects.  lol

I started with the sketch from Beccy's Place

and the images are also from Beccy.

I used colors from the challenge at C.R.A.F.T.

with the red and pink being in the dp "flags."

  

     I started by merging the three cat images, then colored them with my ProMarkers.  The gray background is washed with a muddle of watercolor paints and the image piece laid on top of it.  I printed and hand-cut the sentiment, then matted it and hand cut that.

     The 'flag' strips were all cut from a single, two-sided scrap of 7 Gypsies paper which had been slipped back into the stack.  Instead of throwing it away, I cut and used the little flags from it.  The diamond texture ribbon is from my (huge) stash of Really Reasonable Ribbon bits.  The dark brown, grosgrain, bow was hand made and I added a tiny sequin star to it.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Southern Girls
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     OK, I'm taking the rest of the day off to be a lazy couch potato!  I may even fall asleep with the TV on.  I'm tired of boxes and chores.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

     Hey, guess who found her ProMarkers?  One more craft room box unpacked and put into the new space.  :-D  Having organized them, it was necessary to immediately use them.  You understand, I had to test them to see if any had gone dry or leaked or changed color.  Besides, the progressive challenge at Limited Runs comes to an end in just a few more days and I had to get something made and submitted.

     I colored the cupcake with ProMarkers, then used a stitched die from Lawn Fawn to cut the image and the two framing pieces.  The dp is from 7 Gypsies and each little diamond in the pattern echos the stitching.  I decided on a CAS design, letting the pattern in the dp do all the visual work.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lawn Fawnatics
                
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz SAR
Path of Positivity

     That's it for today.  I really do have to get back into the craft room but not for play this time.  I have to get things completely reorganized so that play will be something enjoyable again.  Hang in there with me -- I promise to get back into my routine soon.  NanaConnie

No Fear of the Night

     It's time for our February challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!   As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes with a Critter" and, once again, Sparkle n Sprinkle is our fabulous sponsor.  They generously provided images for our team members to use and I hope you're going to visit the main 2 Crafty Critter Crazies blog to see all of the inspiration the team is offering.

       I used an incredible Owl set (Great Horned Owl) designed by our very own Donna E!  Isn't it gorgeous?

     I colored the owl with ProMarkers and then used SnS EP to heat emboss the white areas on the owl's feathers and on the tree branch.  I cut the image and the frame with scalloped dies from Sizzix.  The deep blue dp is from 7 Gypsies and the flowery paper is a scrap of origami paper.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment (also part of the Great Horned Owl image set), inking the edges of it.  The CS behind the sentiment was a scrap left from die cutting the blue CS frame.  I simply lined up the scallop spaces and that helped to pop the sentiment off the background.  The card base is kraft CS.

     I added one, hand-sewn, bow with a pearl for embellishment and decided it was beautifully finished.  I know I'm going to be using this set a lot.  There are so many options available.  Go check it out.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Sparkle n Sprinkle
TTCRD
Tues. Throwdown

     Check back in another three hours or so when I'll have my post for QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie