Joyful Merry Christmas

     We're back to the alphabet prompts at Beccy's Place 30 Days of Holidays and today's letter is "J."

     What's better than the Joy of Christmas as shown by a Jolly snowman with an ornament hanging from his Jaunty nose?

I followed the color inspiration from the

3rd column at the TicTacToe board at

Color My Heart Color Dare.

     I colored with ProMarkers and I'm calling those greens "Jade, Juniper, or Jungle" to add a few more "J"s.  Don't they look great against the glacier blues? 

     I cut the image with a simple, square die from Spellbinders, then used another larger die from that set to cut glittered, white CS for the frame behind it. 

     I had already used an Elizabeth Craft Designs sentiment die to cut out the "Merry Christmas" which I used on another project.  The snowflakes were all cut with various Spellbinders dies.  I used white gel ink to pop them from the blue background, adding some dimension at the same time.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Cute Card Thurs.
Double Trouble (all 3)
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Polkadoodles
Try Stampin' on Tues (1st column)
TTCRD

     This is my second post and that's all I have for today.  I'm going to go and make decisions on the images for the next several Christmas cards for Beccy's Place, just to see if I can work ahead a bit.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Early Bird

     Today the theme at Beccy's Place, where I'm playing in the 30 Days of Holiday cards, is a BINGO board.  I've used the 3rd column:  Ice & Snow/ Ovals/ Kraft CS. 

     The little 'cardinal' (maybe he's an owl, but since I colored him red for Christmas, he's now a cardinal!) is one of Beccy's images and I did a take off on one of the sentiments that comes with this bird set.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with an oval die from QuicKutz.  The sentiment, "I woke up early but all the worms were under the snow!" was also cut with an oval die from QuicKutz.  I used kraft CS for my card base.

     I wrapped baker's twine around the card front and tied it in a square knot.  I used a few of the dots which dropped out of the image die cut to symbolize snow falling from the sky.  The "Merry Christmas" is a negative piece from an Elizabeth Craft Designs die.  I've used that one a lot this holiday season and you'll see it a couple of more times this week on upcoming cards.  It just seems foolish to let those negatives go into the trash bin when they are so usable!  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Creations
Crafty Hazelnut's
Dragonfly Dreams
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
That's Crafty!

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Home for the Holidays

     I'm playing catch up again at the 30 Days of Christmas going on at Beccy's Place this month.  So, I'm doing two posts today and this first one is for the alphabet prompt "H."   I used this cute little House image from Beccy's and went with the theme "Home for the Holidays."  There's nothing I love more than being with the family for Christmas. 

     Beccy should love this one since it's done in the national colors of Australia - green and gold.

     I also used Hexagons, Hunter Green, and Harvest Gold.  The Hexagons were cut with a die from Quick Cuts and the "Merry Christmas" was cut with a die from Elizabeth Craft Designs.  The CS and papers were all in my stash and no new papers were Harmed in the making of this card.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crackerbox and Suzy Stamps
Crafty Catz
Joy Clair
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scrappy Land
Stamping Sensations
Time Out
Winter Wonderland

     Be sure to stop by later this morning for the second post of the day.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Vintage Mantle Ornament

     I tried something completely new today and I love the result, although it's extremely difficult to photograph.  A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to win a new die set from Pixie's Snippets Playground.  Here's a photo of the die.

     Although the die is intended to be used to make accordion cards, I used it to cut 4 sides of a Victorian Christmas ornament made to stand on a table or mantlepiece.

     The best part is that it will fold flat for mailing or storage.  I printed four different vintage girls, printing each one twice, so that I could add them to the swing flaps, both front and back.  The overall size is about 5.5 inches square on each side.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
A Vintage Journey
Creative Corner
Dragon's Lair
Fussy and Fancy
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles
Stamping Boutique

     I have another post today so be sure to come back and check it out.  It offers instructions for getting a very special freebie you won't want to miss.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Christmas Lassy

     When I first saw this image (ArtbyMiran), it made me think of an Irish lassy, all bundled up against the cold winter air of an Emerald Isle Christmas.  I wanted to use her on a very traditional Christmas card.  While it's fun to try other colors for Christmas, I freely admit that I am moved by the traditional red and green -- so many happy childhood memories are tied to Christmases with those colors.

     I colored her with ProMarkers and used a border die from Spellbinders to cut the piece.  I love the odd shape and unusual corners that resulted.  I'm going to have to try this kind of cutting in the future with some of my other border dies.  The sentiment was cut with an Elizabeth Craft Designs die.  The sparkly ribbon was in my stash and I had completely forgotten about it so you know it needed to be used.  :-D

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiran
A Snowflakes Promise
As You Like It
Cardz for Galz
Coloring in Scrapland
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Gals Corner
Di's Digi Designs
DL.ART 
Inspiration Destination
Not Just Cards
Outlawz PAM
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Sweet Stampin'
Unicorn
WordArt Wednesday

     Christmas is only days away and I'm happy to report that I'll be spending it with family.  Nothing like being surrounded by family and friends on such a blessed holiday, even if travel in bad weather is required.  I know a good many of you have been enjoying warmer than usual weather and very little or no snow at all so travel shouldn't be a problem for those east of the Mississippi.  I'm hoping that means you'll also be surrounded by family.  Merry Christmas.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie