Hanging the Star

     Today starts our newest challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and we're honored to have QKR Stampede as our sponsor.  Since I'm on the QKR DT as well as the 2CCC DT, I was tickled to have an excuse to share cards that used QKR images two days in a row! 

I started with the sketch from C.R.A.F.T. but, 

because I was using up dp scraps, my horizontal

strip is wider and a bit shorter than the one in the sketch

and I put my sentiment into a circle.

     This adorable little mouse is "Hanging the Star" on the Christmas tree  and the sentiment I used is also from QKR Stampede.  

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it and the mat for it with simple, circle, dies from Spellbinders.  I used additional circle dies from QuicKutz to cut the sentiment and its mat.  The Spellbinders set just didn't have any dies that small.  

     I found my well-worn "Linen" embossing folder and used it on the front of the card base before I wrapped diamond textured ribbon around it and added the hand-tied, sheer ribbon, bow.  Both of those ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

     I added two scraps of dp behind the image, both of which had been inked along the edges.  For a final bit of embellishment, I added the three, pale green, pearls to the lower, left corner.

     Challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ

Crafting by Designs

Crafty Catz

Fussy and Fancy

I {heart} ProMarkers

Outlawz Festive Fri.

Scrappy Land

Word Art Weds.

Work It Weds.

     I really want to see you come and play in our "Anything Goes with a Critter" challenge this month.  It runs from now until the end of the day on December 25th so there's plenty of time.  The DT is taking a well deserved break so you may not get any comments on your entry but the challenge is up and running and we have a delightful sponsor so how can you lose?    

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweet Smell

     Today you get another post from me but count it as tomorrow's post.  I have a full schedule tomorrow and probably won't be anywhere near the computer nor the blog.  For this card, I used a freebie image from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  This beautiful vintage perfume bottle is by Sandi Huggett.

I followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday 

and colors from C.R.A.F.T..

  

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and those inspiration colors from C.R.A.F.T. allowed me to use my favorite color combo, purple and turquoise.  I added a bit of glitter to the jewels on the bottle and I also used a white gel pen to make the reflection of light on the bottle.

     The image is cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I used some lovely ombre dp from Recollections.  I snipped a scrap of navy blue CS into a dovetail and added it across the middle, then hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges, and added it.   One of my signature, hand-sewn bows was the final touch.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Crafting from the Heart
Di's Digi Designs
Dragonfly Dreams
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp & Show

     Enjoy the two-for-one posts and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A QKR Valentine

     It's Friday again so that means a new challenge starting at QKR Stampede.  Don't forget that we've changed over to "Anything Goes with a Twist" and the twist is always optional.  Our twist this week is "Valentine."   I chose to use Digi 10304 Chocolate Kisses as my image and Digi 10302 Kiss Me Quick as my sentiment.

I used colors from the inspiration photo

at C.R.A.F.T. Challenges.

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  The sentiment is printed, hand cut, inked on the edges and mounted onto the image.  I saved three of the little hearts that fell out of the die cut so that I could use them for corner embellishments.

     I dug out a piece of burlap, trimmed it, and pulled out some of the fibers along the edges.  I mounted that onto a red card base, then applied the image on top.  Finally, I tied the fibers I had pulled out of the burlap swatch into a knot and used them as a 'bow.'  Fast, clean and simple, and perfect for a masculine Valentine.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
CAS on Sunday
Come and Get It
Crafting with an Attitude
Cute Card Thurs.
Di's Digi Designs
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Time Out

     Come play with us this week, won't you?  Although you can do only the "Anything Goes" part of the challenge theme, if you want to get another Valentine finished, (it's only 10 days now until you'll need them!) feel free to use the optional twist, too.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie