Valentine Couple

      This cute image is from LeAnn's World and I think it's adorable.  It works as a Valentine card but would also be great for an anniversary, a dating couple, or any occasion where LOVE is being celebrated.

     I tried for a 'light line' version of the image but all that happened is the outline got a bit fuzzy.  Nevertheless, I used my water color paints to color the image, then fussy cut the couple using scissors.  The circle behind them was cut with a stitched circle die from Dare 2B Artzy.  I ran that circle through my Cuttlebug, using a new EF I got from Taylored Expressions.  

     The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die and the butterflies were cut with dies from a Sue Wilson set.  Everything was layered onto a beige card front so that the pops of pink and red would stand out.

     Challenges:

Butterfly (Damson, Dandelion, Denim & Die cuts)

Can You Handle...?

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Dare 2B Artzy

Di's Digi Designs

Dragonfly Dreams

Outlawz Friday

Pattie's Creations

There's a Stamp...

     Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

The Missing Bird

     Today we start a new challenge at QKR Stampede, where our theme is always "Anything Goes" and where you can win two different ways; use a QKR Stampede image (or Eureka Stamps, our sister digi company) and be entered into a drawing just for those who used those images or use any image from any company and have your entry put into the general drawing.  Both winners are chosen by Random.org but DT members have some input on which QKR/Eureka entries are put into the drawing.

     I absolutely adore this image from QKR Stampede, called "What Bird?"  It's just so true to feline character when caught doing something they ought not!  Obviously, this cat has too much time on his hands when he's forced to stay inside during the cold winter months.  This is his version of  'winter fun.'  I doubt that his people truly believe his "What Bird" answer when the family canary is missing from his cage!  lol  

     I colored the image with water color paints and cut it with a Dare 2B Artsy pinpoint circle die.  The brown frame was also cut with another die from that same set, making pinpoints on the inside of the circle instead of the outside, and the frame circle was cut on the outside with a QuicKutz die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The background paper is a scrap from K & Co.  I used polka dot, grosgrain ribbon for the hand-tied bow.  This is going into my birthday card stash for one of the grandkids.  :-D

     Challenges:

Creative Inspirations

Cupcake Inspirations

Dare 2B Artsy

Digi Choosday

Dream Valley

Paper Funday

Paper Shelter

Penny's P-C

Simon Says Stamp (food? lol)

SUYP Cats

     I hope we're going to see you playing along in our challenge this fortnight.  We love being inspired by you.

     And, don't forget that we have a DT call going until mid-February and we're still looking for a couple more people to join the team.  Check out the details on the blog.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"N" is for Naughty List

      Another quick post today for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and this is for the Letter "N."  The expression on this robin's face from Beccy's Place just seemed perfect for the Naughty List sentiment (also Beccy's Place.)  Other "N"s include: North Pole and Noel. 

     The image was colored with ProMarkers and cut with a Dare 2B Artzy circle die.  I used a QuicKutz die to cut the large, red square behind the image, then I ran it through my 'Linen' embossing folder before mounting the image on top of it.  The striped dp is distressed and came from a stack by Authentic.  The Noel was cut with a Die-versions die and for the North Pole sign, I used a Die-namites die.

     I've been really under the weather the last several days and am not entering this card into any other challenges, mostly because I'm not able to type up a list of links to such challenges today.  If that changes, I'll add them later.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Lamb of God

      It's time for the Letter "L" at Beccy's Place 30 Days of Holidays.  I used this beautiful image from Beccy's showing the manger with the Lamb of God surrounded by Lambs.  I did a Latch card, following the TUTORIAL from Beccy's Place.  I also did the Lettering on the sentiment and used Lemon yellow on the halo.

     The image is pre-colored but I changed the color of the blankets and the hay using ProMarkers.  I also added blue sky, and I used white gel pen on the lambs for a little visual texture in their wool.  The halo was also colored with ProMarkers and gel pen.  I cut the image and the sentiment with Cutz dies.  The background papers came from Paper Studio, and the latch circle was cut with a Dare 2B Artzy die.  The latch was mounted on a dimensional dot for a bit more flexibility when opening and closing the card.

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Crafty Friends

Crafty Hazelnut's

Cutie Pie

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz Festive Fri

Polkadoodles

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Most Magical Time November Challenge

      Here we are on the first Friday of November and that means another new challenge at Most Magical Time of the Year where we celebrate both Christmas and Halloween all year around.  Our sponsor this month is All Dressed Up and they supplied the cutest images for us to use.  I chose to use both images (Christmas Tree Fairy and Magical Day) and make two cards.  Our theme is "Magical Fall Colors."

      Both are colored with watercolors but Christmas Tree Fairy has glitter on her wings and is cut with a QuicKutz die.  Unfortunately, when I photographed the Fairy card, the orange colors I used look more red than orange.

     The Magical Day image and the lavender frame are cut with dies from Dare 2B Artzy.  The background paper on the Christmas Tree Fairy card is from a K & Co. stack.  The bow is hand-tied using orange and gold corded ribbon.

     The Magical Day card has one of my signature, hand-sewn bows made with sheer ribbon and a pearl.  The background on that one is from DCWV and the pumpkin & flowers are heat embossed with sparkly EP.

     Challenges:

All Dressed Up

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Creative Knockouts

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Pattie's Creations

     Challenges:

2 Sisters ... Blog

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creatalicious

Dare 2B Artzy

Happy Li'l Stampers

There's a Stamp ...

Two Old Bats

     I hope we're going to see you playing along in our November challenge.  Check out the Most Magical Time blog for all the details.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Baby Animals for a Baby Card

      It's November First and we're starting a new challenge at QKR Stampede.  The challenge will run through the 14th and a new one will start on 15 November.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."

     The  image I used today is from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, and it's called "Baby Animals."  My neighbor down the street needed a baby card for a soon-to-be-born great grandchild, unknown at this point whether it's going to be a boy or a girl.

     I colored with water color paints, then cut the image with a Dare 2B Artzy die.  The background dp is from Recollections and was also cut with the same Dare B Artzy die, allowing me to inlay the image into the background.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  I added one of my signature style, hand-sewn bows which has a pearl.

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz
Cupcake Inspirations

Double Trouble  (all 3) 

Outlawz Festive Fri

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Paperbabe

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     Hope we're going to see you playing along in our challenge this time.  Remember, we always have 2 winners - one drawn randomly from those who use a QKR Stampede or Eureka Stamps image, and one drawn from all the other entries.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Teddy Hugs

      My card today features another image from Mariola Budek, one of my favorite artists (whom I discovered in the last year.)  I think this little girl is so sweet, hugging her teddy bear and giving (or getting) comfort.

     The image is colored with water colors, then cut with a pinpoint circle die from Dare 2B Artzy.  I inked the edges of the circle with a ProMarker.  The pale, yellow frame was cut and embossed with a die from Spellbinders.  The background dp came from Stampin' Up.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Dare 2B Artzy

LeighSB Designs

Pammie's Inky ...

Paperbabe

Penny's Paper-Crafty

TTCRD

Word Art Weds

     If you're having one of those days, find your teddy and give him a hug.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  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 Bunny Gnome

      I'm sharing another image from @Conie Fong, this one from the Easter Bunny Gnome set.  There are several images in the set and a couple of sentiments.  Not only is this a darling gnome, all the bunnies are precious in their own right and could easily be used for any 'bunny' occasion apart from Easter.  :-D  Check out our challenges this month.  There's still almost a week to go before they end.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Dare 2B Artzy.  I ran a scrap of aqua CS through my Linen EF and attached that to the card front.  The glittery, silver strip was another scrap from the basket and I hand-tied the bow using gingham ribbon.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Colour Crazy

Colouring in Scrapland

Crafty Catz

Dare 2B Artzy

Dream Valley

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Simon Says Stamp

Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Delivery

      I'm sharing another Hetty Clare image on this card - a mid-month reminder of our challenge at Your Scrapbook Place which is sponsored by Hetty Clare.   This is such an adorable gnome delivering a stack of Easter eggs to someone who is staying "Gnome for Easter."  lol  The image is called "Easter Delivery" and it's ON SALE!

     I used ProMarkers and gel pens to color the image, then cut it with a Dare 2B Artzy die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The dp came from a Recollections paper stack.  I used iridescent cord to tie the double loop bow and the flower is made from die cut & embossed, mulberry paper with a bead center.

     Challenges:

613 Ave Create

Allsorts

Crafty Catz

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Dragonfly Dreams

Lil Patch of ...

Polkadoodles

Taylormade ...

Your Next Stamp

     Be sure to check out our March challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

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:

Allsorts

Colour Crazy

Gem of a Challenge

Outlawz PAM

Paperbabe

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

We Love Stamping

Your Next Stamp

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

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:

4-Season

Allsorts

Clever Dexter

Die Cut Divas

Digi Choosday

LeAnn's World

Morgan's Art World

Passion for Markers

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

Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

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

Double D

Paper Shelter

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

    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

Very Cherry Birthday

     I have the honor of being a Guest Designer for the Thursday challenge at The Outlawz.  The theme is always "Anything Goes" and there's always an optional twist which you can use if you want to enter twice instead of just once.  The twist this time is "Feminine."  

     There's always a sponsor for the entire month and challenges run for 2 weeks at a time.  This month the sponsor is Christine Karron, a new-to-me artist (whose images and coloring pages I adore) and, as soon as I saw her artwork, I went on a shopping spree at her shop!

     For this card, I used an image called "Sweet Temptation" which was supplied by Christine for the DT to use.  (It's a freebie available on her website - just click on the name of the image above.)  I colored it using my ProMarkers, then cut the image with a circle die from Dare 2B Artzy.  The pink frame was cut with a larger die from that same set.  The background was made with glitter CS from Recollections.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die, and the bow is one of my signature, hand-sewn bows.

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Di's Digi Designs

LeAnn's World

Let's Craft & Create

Lil Patch of ...

Pattie's Creations

Polkadoodles

     If you're not yet a member of  The Outlawz, you can join in about 1 minute and it's FREE!   You can play in a different challenge each day of the week ('join' each daily challenge individually from the main home page, then you can play in them whenever), plus there are both a progressive monthly challenge and another one for using up old stash items which are lying about, forgotten, and which need to be used.  Yes, you have lots of those, you know you do!  :-D  

    

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dress Up Day

      Sorry this post for the new Your Scrapbook Place challenge is late but there was a mix up as to whether I was sharing it for the start of the challenge month or as a mid-month reminder.  :-D  I'm posting it now and will do another card for the mid-month.  

     Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and our sponsor this month is Paper Nest Dolls.  They generously provided images to the DT and I'm using "Dress Up Avery."  I remember those long ago, childhood, days of playing dress up.  My Grammy had a fabulous attic with trunks of old clothing and the attic was given over to being a playroom for the grandkids.  The trunks were always available to us as long as we put things back in them when we were finished.

     My blog is named for that wonderful space.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers, then found the frame in a stack of scraps which I save just for things like this.  The frame is on top of the image and it's the leftover negative of a Dare 2B Artzy die cut.  I trimmed the image piece to fit it.  The background is ombre CS from a stack by Recollections.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die, and the edges were inked.  I tied the bowtie bow using a scrap of lace and narrow satin ribbon for the wrap.

     Challenges:

Colouring in Scrapland

Creations in Pink

Gem of a Challenge

Outlawz Greetings

Outlawz PAM

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Three Room Studio

Word Art Weds

World Wide DT

      Come play with us, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Snowman Snowglobe

      I don't know where this month has gone but I've missed most of the progressive challenges I enjoy so much due to poor health and sore hands so I guess I'll be starting over in January.  But for today, I have this one to share featuring a delightful snowman in a snow globe, both of which are from Kinda Cute and I merged the images before printing them for coloring.

Colors came from Board #475 at CTMH Color Dare.

     I colored with ProMarkers and sparkle gel ink, then cut both the image and the glitter paper frame with dies from Dare 2B Artzy.  The background dp is from Doodlebug and the ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The sentiment was printed and then cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Polkadoodles

Word Art Weds

     This may be all I have until posts for my new DT cards on January 1st.  If I get really inspired (and have the energy), I may post something else on either Thursday or Friday, but if not, I'm wishing you a Happy New Year and a safe and sane New Year's Eve right now.  :-D   NanaConnie

Mad Turkey !

      Remember "Mad Cow Disease" from a couple decades ago?  Well, this is a completely different version (no disease, only behavior) but it has to do with Mad Turkeys in the USA and only in November.  lol   This is my DT card for I Love ProMarkers with an image from our sponsor, Dr. Digi, which is called "Tough Turkey."  Our theme for this challenge is "Make it Funny."

     Nobody is taking this turkey to the oven (or anywhere else for that matter!)

     I used ProMarkers (naturally) to color the image, then cut it with a Dare 2B Artzy die.  The card front is dry embossed and the diamond pattern ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I added three, small black gems, then fussy cut a sentiment and added it.  Fairly CAS but the 'white' space is brown.  :-D

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Crafty Catz

Creatalicious

Cupcake Inspirations

Dies R Us

Di's Digi Designs

Incy Wincy

Inspiration Station (determined animals!)

Paperbabe

STAMPlorations  

Your Next Stamp

     I do hope you're going to come and play in our challenge.  Just put together something fun and funny an enter it for a prize from Dr. Digi.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Broom Ride

      I'm still doing Halloween cards, even though I seem to be balancing each one with a Christmas card for the stash.  The image I used today is a digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil and I don't think I've ever used it in all the time it's been in my collection.  But it's adorable, was fun to color, and made a delightful card.  :-D

     I merged the sentiment before printing, then used my ProMarkers to color the image.  I cut it with  pinpoint, circle die from Dare 2B Artzy, which I also used to cut the circle in each of the two blck and orange CS pieces.  I inlaid the image into the background.

     I added other die cuts for embellishment; bats cut with an Impression Obsession die, and the house cut with a die from Cuts.  All of those were cut from small bits and pieces of scrap papers.  Finally, I used one of my signature, hand-sewn bows which was white ribbon before I 'dyed' it with a ProMarker.

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Dare 2B Artzy (used a die)

Gem of a Challenge

Ike's World

Lil Patch of ...

Pixie's Snippets

Stamping Sensations

Taylormadecards...

Two Old Bats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mousers (Meow-sers) on the Hunt

      When I saw these two adorable felines over at Kinda Cute, this card idea popped into my head instantly!  So I decided to use them for the monthly progressive challenge on their FB page.  :-D

     I colored them with my ProMarkers and cut the image with a die from Dare 2B Artzy.  I cut another circle with a smaller die from that same set and added the two, tiny, mice cut with Gina Marie dies.  The background dp was a left over from a large piece of scrapbook paper which has been in my stash for longer than I can remember and it was definitely time to use it.  I printed and then cut the sentiment with an Avery Elle die.

     What looks like a strip of polka dot ribbon is actually washi tape, but I used 1/16" satin ribbon to tie the double bow.

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Cute Card Thurs

Dare 2B Artzy

I love ProMarkers

Outlawz Greetings

Passion for Markers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Scrapping4Fun

SUYP Cats

     That's all for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Summer Rays

     Our latest monthly challenge has started over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and I have to announce that it is also the last challenge after nearly 5 years.  I really hate to see it close, but unless someone steps forward and is willing to take it over, when this challenge finishes on September 25th, it will be the last one.

     Our theme has always been "Anything Goes with a Featured Critter" but that could be changed if someone else wants to take over.  We've had sponsors each month and that, too, could be changed.

     One of our first sponsors was QKR Stampede and they are our last sponsor as well.  They have the most adorable images, many of them available in both digi and rubber stamps.  I chose one called "Basking" and I just love the idea of a rooster soaking up the last rays of summer even if it means a bit of sunburn.  :-D

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut with a pinpoint die from Dare 2B Artzy.  The green dp square was cut with a QuicKutz die, and then I cut the center of it with the same Dare 2B Artzy die and inlaid the image cut into that piece.

     The sunshine dp was also a scrap from the basket.  It had been in there so long, I was pretty sure it would never get used but it was too big to throw away.  This seemed the perfect card for it.  :-D  I tied a bow tie bow from satin ribbon; printed the sentiment and cut it with an Impression Obsession die.  It's CAS enough to work as a masculine card.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Moments

Dare 2B Artzy

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Dragonfly Dreams

Outlawz Greetings

     I hope you'll come and play with us in what may be our last challenge.  Or maybe you'll be the one to decide to take it over and keep it going.  Many on the team are more than willing to stay and all will be most helpful.  If you have any interest, please email 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  Here's the address:  2craftycrittercrazies@gmail.com

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie