Flying Lessons

      It's Thursday and time for the latest challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme this week is "Furry Friends" and our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps, who provided images for the DT to use.  

      I'm sure many of you, looking at this cute image for the first time, will presume that the 'Whimsical Cat' is looking for an opportunity to pounce on the little birds.  But, NO, you'd be wrong!  He's actually taking flying lessons from them!  lol

     Colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut with a die from QuicKutz.  Framed with another QuicKutz die cut and the largest die in that set cut the striped frame.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The mesh ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  All the dp, including the wood grain background, came from a stack by DCWV.  The grosgrain 'butterfly' bow is one of my favorite styles, deliberately tied into a butterfly shape.

I used all 6 of the colors from Color Board #448 at Color Dare.

     Challenges:

Catch the Bug

Crafty Catz

Creative Inspirations

Cute Card Thurs

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

Scrapping4Fun

SUYP Cats

Word Art Weds

     Come play in our Furry Friends challenge this week!   You could win a fantastic prize from Bugaboo Stamps and we'll enjoy being inspired by you.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Fairy Dust Day

      It wasn't until I saw this image and sentiment from Bugaboo Stamps that I understood what makes the difference between an ordinary day and a birthday.  lol  I love that idea and will be calling on the fairies for all family birthdays from this point forward.

Colored w ProMarkers (in my fave purples & blues)

Glitter added to wings

Image & frames cut w QuicKutz dies

Sheer & sparkle ribbons from RRR

Sentiment & mat cut w QuicKutz dies

     Challenges:

Catch the Bug

CCC Digi

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

Passion for Markers

Simon Says Stamp

Taylormade ...

TTCRD

     That's all I have for today.  I'm having a bit of a relapse into the COVID lethargy and am finding it hard to sit at the computer or crafting table for more than half an hour at a time.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ice Fishing

      My dad loved fishing, any day of the week, and time of the year, and that included winter time in the mountains.  Although we didn't live in snow country when I was growing up, my grandfather had a cabin up in the mountains and if we stayed there for a long weekend in the winter months, ice fishing was something he was going to do while we were there.  I used to tease him that all the fish must have gone south for the winter because  I don't remember that he ever caught anything.  lol

     Anyway, when I was looking for a Bugaboo Stamps image to use for their color combo over at the Catch the Bug Challenge this week, I saw this Ice Fishing image.  The colors immediately reminded me of my dad's ratty, old, fishing jacket that was stained and had a few patched holes in it but he loved it and always wore it when sitting out on the ice.  He called the color "rusty mustard."  lol  So, even though they aren't winter colors, I chose this Ice Fishing image in honor of my dad.  :-D

     I'm still following the "challenge-yourself" idea being promoted by my blogging buddy, V.  It's called "Just Stash January" and it involves using nothing but things already in your stash throughout the entire month of January!  There are a few reasonable exceptions (all of which mean that no money has come out of your pocket) and you can read about those on her post.  Just click on the link above to find out all about it, then start counting those coins and bills you'll be 'stashing' in your pocket this month instead of crying about even more charges on the credit cards after the holiday season. 

Catch the Bug colors.                       Stella Says Sketch (reversed)

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w Sizzix die

Sentiment printed & hand cut (scrap)

Sentiment mounted on Spellbinders die cut (scrap)

Orange polka dot washi tape (scraps)

Black satin & sheer ribbon (scrap)

Background made from dp scraps

     Challenges:

Crafty Sentiments

Cutie Pie

Cuttlebug Mania

Digi Choosday

Lemon Shortbread

Lil Patch of Crafty...

Passion for ProMarkers

TTCRD

     Wishing you warmth in the middle of winter or cooling breezes if you're south of the equator in a heat wave.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flaky Friends

      Growing up as I did in southern California, I had little chance to see snow much less make snowmen.  We would sometimes visit my grandfather's vacation cabin up in the mountains during the winter and I always did my best to make a snowman, even if it was only a small one.  When I accomplished that, I would then refer to it as my "flaky friend!"  To this day, I adore snowmen and I use them on winter cards whenever possible.  I'd use them on summer cards, too, but they might melt.  lol

      Here's one for the BINGO challenge at Catch the Bug this week.  I actually did two of the BINGO columns - a diagonal (Snowflakes/ Bugaboo Image/ Ribbon) and also the 3rd column (3 layers/ die or punch - I used both/ Ribbon.)

Colored w ProMarkers

Image & 2 circles cut w Sizzix dies

Blue dp from scrap stash

Snowflakes cut w AI dies

Sentiment cut w Avery Elle die

Signature bow w pearl

Sheer, striped ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon

Bottom card corners rounded w Fiskars punch

     Challenges:

Cutie Pie

Cuttlebug Mania

Di's Digi Designs

Dragonfly Dreams

Dream Valley

House that Stamps Built

Paper Funday

Passion for ProMarkers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

     I'm still following the "challenge-yourself" idea being promoted by my blogging buddy, V.  It's called "Just Stash January" and it involves using nothing but things already in your stash throughout the entire month of January!  There are a few reasonable exceptions (all of which mean that no money has come out of your pocket) and you can read about those on her post.  Just click on the link above to find out all about it, then start counting those coins and bills you'll be 'stashing' in your pocket this month instead of crying about even more charges on the credit cards after the holiday season.  :-D  Everything on this card came from the stash! 

     Have a wonderful creative day and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Feet

      It's Day 6 of the daily challenges for Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug and today there's an Inspiration Photo for all to follow.  I used the colors from the photo, focusing on the red, white, and gray, plus reindeer feet (among the others).

And here's my project, a gift card holder, using a Bugaboo Stamps image.

Colored w ProMarkers

Stickles "Diamond" used on the snow

Cut w QuicKutz die

Mounted onto embossed CS

Off-the-Edge design; opens upward

     Challenges:

Crafty Sentiments

Creative Inspirations

Cutie Pie

Digi Choosday

Ike's World

Lemon Shortbread

Paper Funday

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mailing Packages

      In case you didn't know, yesterday was the LAST day to mail Christmas packages at regular rates within the US via the Postal Service if you want them to be there on time.  Up to the 19th, you can pay the higher fees for rapid deliveries, and you can also pay the astronomical prices for overnight delivery if you want to wait until the 23rd.  Personally, I decided to send my cards and packages last week.

     But, I'm also very aware that this gal from Bugaboo Stamps understands how mailing Christmas packages actually works!  This card is for Day 5 of the Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug and the theme is "Humor Us."  This one was fast and easy to make with only the image, a glitter paper scrap, and a bow.

Colored w ProMarkers including Metallic Gold 

Cut w Unbranded cross-stitch die

Glittery gold paper

Satin, polka dot bow, hand-tied

Red card base

     Challenges:

AAA Cards

A Bit More Time...

Allsorts

Crafty Hazelnut's

Di's Digi Designs

Incy Wincy

Lil Patch of...

Outlawz PAM

Star Stampz

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tic Tac Toe at Holiday Chaos

      We're at Day 4 of the Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug daily challenges and today we have a Tic Tac Toe board.   I'm having problems with Blogger letting me copy and paste a photo of the board into this post but you can check it out by visiting the Day 4 post on the Catch the Bug blog.  The important point here is that I managed to get everything but 'twine' so I have 8 out of 9 of the blocks and 6 of the 8 lines, including both diagonals.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w Tutti Designs stitched circle die

Silver glitter paper cut w QuicKutz

Sentiment printed & cut w Avery Elle die

Red bow w pearl

Snowflake circles dp = Doodlebug

Distressed dp w stars = DCWV

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Cute Card Thurs

I {heart} ProMarkers

Paperbabe Stamps

Pattie's Creations

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Scrapping4Fun

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Last Day - CIJ Catch the Bug

     Here we are on the last day of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug and today I'm using the Friday Freebie, a cutie from the Knobby Knees collection called "Christmas Sack," plus colors from the inspiration photo.

Colored w/ ProMarkers & a touch of glitter
Card front aperture cut w/ Tonic Studios die
Image cut with Spellbinders die
Sentiment cut w Sue Wilson die
SnowTex added to ground

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Cute Card Thurs
Cutie Pie
Double Trouble
Dragonfly Dreams
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pattie's Creations

     Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

List or No List?

     Here's what happens to Santa's Nice List when the world wide pandemic takes over.  He has to choose the Top 3 and let everyone else go by the wayside.  :-D   This is my card for Day 6 of the CIJ daily challenges at Catch the Bug and this is one of the older images from the "A Kid's View" (AKV) collection.  There's an inspiration photo so be sure to check out the Catch the Bug blog for today.

Colored with ProMarkers & pencils
Image & green CS cut w/ Tonic Studios dies
Red, satin bow
Sentiment printed & hand cut
CAS design

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Kerst/ Christmas
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Girls
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

NOT Merry & Bright !

     Day 5 of the CIJ week at Catch the Bug and since it's Wednesday, we get to use Humor, a theme which I love.  This crabby cat is from Bugaboo Stamps and what could be more perfect?

Colored w/ ProMarkers
SnowTex added to ground
   (it sparkles but that's hard to see in the photo)
Image cut w/ Cottage Cutz die
Sentiment printed & cut w/ QuicKutz die
Papers are scraps from the basket
Gold metallic ribbon
Bow tied using bow maker

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Country View
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Double Trouble (fav tool = dies)
Ike's World
Paper Girls
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bad Boy Gus - Day 4 Catch the Bug CIJ

     Here we are, on Day 4 of the daily challenges this week over at Catch the Bug and the theme today is a TicTacToe board.  I've used everything on the board except for 'distressed' and 'twine' (unless the gold cord counts as twine.)  Bugaboo image of Gus in Santa's sled.  The sentiment is totally mine. :-D  There's also a flash freebie which you can grab between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. today only

     If the papers look familiar, I've done enough Christmas cards over the last week that the scraps are piling up in the basket.  I decided to use up as many of the scraps as I can by reaching into the basket instead of cutting new sheet of paper.

 

I used 1st & 3rd columns plus the diagonals.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Both image & mat cut w/ QuicKutz die
Glitter added to openings in frame
Paper scraps from Graphic 45 and DCWV
Gold cord + sparkly ribbon for bow
Sentiment cut w/ Spellbinders die
3 metal brads

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Fingers
Double Trouble (fav tool = dies)
Outlawz PAM
Paper Girls
Winter Wonderland

     Another CIJ day down and I'm already looking forward to tomorrow when we get to use humor as the theme.  lol  I think all of mine so far have had an element of humor but check back anyway.  You might get a smile.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

CIJ Day 3 - "Wrap" a Gift

     Day 3 of the daily "Christmas in July" challenges at Catch the Bug and, in keeping with their usual "Anything but a Card" Mondays, today we are to make things that hold or go on gifts - gift card holders, money folders, boxes, bags, tags, etc.  Mine is a money folder with a cute Bugaboo Stamps snowman.

Here's a photo of the inside.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Gina Marie die
Scraps of Graphic 45 dp inside and out
Jute cord tie

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Dare 2B Artzy
Die Cut Divas
Dies R Us
I {heart} ProMarkers
Kerst Christmas
Lil Patch of Crafty...
Outlawz Festive Fri
Star Stampz

     That's all for today but I'll see you tomorrow with the next CIJ challenge at Catch the Bug.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas in July - Day 2 - Sketch

     Here we are on Day 2 of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug and today we get to use their sketch.  I used this cute, silly bird who's in the process of decorating for Christmas.  He's definitely an "early bird" on Christmas decorating since it's only July.  :-D

Here's the sketch & you can see I adjusted it 

slightly for a square card.

I also used colors from House that Stamps Built.

 

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut with Unbranded die

Frame cut w QuicKutz die

Sentiment cut w Die-Versions die

Papers from DCWV Basics stack

Satin ribbon and Twine bows

     Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge

Angie's Digitals

Arty Divas

Christmas w the Cuties

Crafty Hazelnut's

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Simon Says Stamp
Tuesday Throwdown

     So far, I'm right on course with doing a card each day of the Christmas in July event and I already have the next project done so check back tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Santa's Workshop circa 2020

     Today is the first day of the "Christmas in July" week-long, daily challenges over at Catch the Bug and, as I have done for the last several years, I'm planning to play each day.   There is a different theme for each day and Saturday's is "Santa's Workshop."

     My mind immediately went to how the Workshop would be functioning during the pandemic, assuming it has reached the North Pole.  :-D  I used this cute Bugaboo Stamps image.

Colored w ProMarkers and Copics
Corners cut w Fiskars punch
Glitter added to the snowflakes
Sentiment printed and fussy cut
Narrow satin ribbons wrapped and tied

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Calendar
Dare 2B Artzy
Dragonfly Dreams
Ike's World
Outlawz Festive Fri
Southern Girls
TTCRD

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hot Dog Time

Happy 4th of July !

     For those of you doing BBQ in your own back yard because of the new "go-back-inside-and-play-lockdown-again" rules, enjoy and stay safe.  Me, I think I'll 'toast' a hot dog in the toaster oven and call it good.  I'm isolating and spending quiet time in the craft room this weekend.  :-D

     But here's my salute to happier BBQ days, be they past or in the future (we can hope!)  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps.

I took my cue from the colors at Outlawz, 

red, white, and a touch of green

although my red is a bit more subdued.

Colored w Promarkers and gel inks

Cut w QuicKutz die

Diagonal strip is embossed w 'Linen' EF

CAS design

     Challenges:
Arty Divas

Catch the Bug
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Have yourself a great day and enjoy the holiday, USA.  Happy Crafting, NanaConnie

Jellyfish

     I'm having fun today.  I woke up with a smile, smelled the coffee already brewing, and immediately decided it was a good day to be alive!   I took coffee in hand, went to the computer, scrolled through my digi files, and found this humorous image from Bugaboo Stamps.  It tickled my funny bone so I printed it and headed right to the craft desk.

I used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch.

Colored with ProMarkers

Image cut with QuicKutz die

Scalloped circle cut w/ Sizzix die

Grosgrain ribbon

Mulberry flowers w/ Nuvo centers

     Challenges:

2 Sisters ... Blog

A Bit More Time...

Catch the Bug

Classic Design

Crafty Sentiments

Ike's World

Morgan's ArtWorld

TTCRD

Your Scrapbook Place

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flowery Hello

     Catch the Bug had such a great inspiration photo this week that I just had to get a card made using flowers, butterflies, and the colors.  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps.  Everything on the card, including the CS on which the image was printed, came from a scrap.  I love it when I can make cards like that.  Using up scraps and snippets makes me feel so justified when I buy new papers.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers
Image cut with QuicKutz die
"Hello" from Tutti Designs dies
Leaf branches from Creative Expressions dies
CAS design

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Dare 2B Artzy
Digi Choosday
Lil Patch of Crafty...
Outlawz SAR
Pixie's Snippets
TTCRD

     We're halfway through this week (for those of you who may have lost track of which day this is) and I hope all is well with each of you.  I'm so ready to get everything back to normal.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Garden Flowers and a Ladybug

     It's a beautiful spring day where I am, although the prediction is that we'll get an afternoon shower or two but they won't last long or bring much rain.  The sprinkles are fine with me, as are the cooler temperatures we're going to have over the next three days.

     Let's celebrate gardens and flowers and even ladybugs!  This is an image from Bugaboo Stamps and I adore all of their Fancy Sunbonnet images.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers and watercolors
Cut with die from Spellbinders
Lace scraps used behind the image
Sentiment printed and hand cut
Red satin bow made to be a butterfly
3 'heart' bits added to side (came from the die cut)

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Catch the Bug (middle row - choice is lace)
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Inspirations
Digi Choosday
House Stamps Built (1st column)
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Word Art Weds

     Happy Monday (for those of you who are keeping track of the days of the weeks) and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ladybugs on their Night Out

     HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the moms!

     How about a fun but silly idea for a card - celebrating with ladybugs on a night out?  OK, I'm probably bending the theme a bit from the Catch the Bug challenge - Ladies Night - but this ladybug image from Bugaboo Stamps caught my eye so I used it.

     Can't you just picture this as a mom ladybug with 4 of her daughters out exploring their night time world of flowers and butterflies?  lol

Colored with ProMarkers & gel pens
Glitter on the butterfly wings
Cut with MFT Die-namics dies
Inlaid die cuts
CAS Design

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
All Fun
Angie's Digitals
Artsy Stamper
Arty Divas
Crafty Friends
Digi Choosday
Paper Girls
TTCRD

    Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tulip Silhouette for Mom

     I've finally finished my last Mother's Day card (you'll see two others later this week) and can now get them into the mail (if I can find some stamps!)  Even though my own mother has been gone for many years, I still make Mother's Day cards to send to the moms of my 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grands. 

     Today's card features spring colors and a delightful silhouette stamp of tulips in the garden plus a hand-colored butterfly.  It came from Bugaboo Stamps and I adore it.  This is one of  those "git 'er done" cards my friend, Lynn, is so fond of making.  Thanks, Lynn.  I know this is your kind of CAS and I'm doing my best to mimic you.  :-D  The sentiment and the image are both printed on one piece of CS, cut with a die and added to the front of a pre-made card base.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with QuicKutz die
Sheer bow tied by hand
CAS design

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
Allsorts
Butterfly  (Xiketic/Xanthic/Xtra colors)
Catch the Bug
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Crafty Gals Corner
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of ...
Stamping Sensations

     That's all for today.  Tomorrow we'll have a new challenge starting at Jan's Digi Stamps and I'll be sharing another of my Mother's Day cards using one of her beautiful images!  Be sure to stop by. 

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie