Bunny Love

     One more card which I'm using as a Valentine but which has great general appeal as well.  This is an image from Gerda Steiner Designs.  I started by coloring the bunnies with ProMarkers, then I fussy cut them and added a hot pink CS mat which is also fussy cut.  I used one of my Gina Marie quilt dies to cut 4 different scrap papers from the basket on my desk, then mounted the fussy cut image (using dimensional tape) on top of the quilt design. 

     I chose a soft pink CS for the background, cut it to size for an A2 card, and wrapped sheer, golden ribbon around it before adding the quilted design and image.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied a bow from some pink lace, adding it above the sheer ribbon.

 

     

     Challenges:

Colouring in Scrapland

Crafty Hazelnut's

Dare 2B Artzy

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Dream Valley

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz SAR

Simon Says Stamp

Stamping Sensations

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tea Time Valentine

      A new week and a new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies, where our theme is always "Anything Goes" except on the occasional 5th Monday in a month (which will be NEXT Monday, as a matter of fact!)  :-D  Our sponsor this week is Gerda Steiner Designs, and they generously supplied images for the DT to use.  I chose this darling little Mouse in a Cup and turned it into another Valentine card.

     I colored with my ProMarkers, then paper pieced the tea cup with a dp scrap.  I cut the image with a stitched die from Memory Box.  The dp for the background probably came from a Paper Shack stack.  I added the sheer ribbons in Thistle and Tan for a bit of contrast and also because they were colors, along with Tickle Me Pink, in the Butterfly Challenge. 

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Inspiration Station

Mod Squad

Paperbabe

Penny's Paper Crafty

Word Art Weds

     We'd love to see you playing in our challenge this week.  It's "Anything Goes" so create something fun and enter it into our  challenge.   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Little Pen Pal

      How many of you had a pen pal when you were a youngster?  I did; a girl about the same age I was who lived in Nebraska (I was in California.)  When it came time for me to try completing a DT card for the new April challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies, sponsored by Gerda Steiner Designs, this adorable little "Pen Pal Bear" brought back memories of my own pen pal.

     I'm still doing CAS designs because of how long it takes to me make a card (especially if it includes coloring.  Reminder to self - never discount the after-effects of Covid!) but this darling bear is so cute, it can clearly stand alone.  :-D

I was inspired by the sketch at My Favorite Things, 

turned to fit the image shape.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w Tonic Studios die

Metallic marbled dp - cut w Tonic Studios die

Blue background heat embossed

Glitter EP

Polka dot bow

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Cute Card Thurs

Cuttlebug Mania

I {heart} Pro Markers

Passion for Markers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     Be sure to come and play with us this week.  Don't forget that our challenges are always Anything Goes (except on a 5th Monday when there's a theme) and we love being inspired by what you show us.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

'Beary' Sweet Day

The Happiest Mother's Day to all of you who are moms!

     I did one more card which I'm going to use as a Mom's Day card even though the image could work for any occasion or even a non-occasion.  That sweet bear came from Gerda Steiner Designs and was the most recent image for their monthly progressive challenge.  Unfortunately, they've had to drop their challenge but I'm posting the card anyway just because the image is so adorable.

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image (printed on a scrap of white CS), then cut it with a framing die from Spellbinders.  The die was longer than I wanted so I covered the the bottom with a scrap of dp from the DCWV Linen Closet stack.  I matted everything with another scrap of navy blue CS and layered that onto a light blue card front.  My signature, hand-sewn, bow is the only embellishment.  This time, the plain white seemed to work best so I didn't even dye it like I usually do.

     I've really been into blues the last three days!  I hope my blogging friend, Lynn, appreciates it!  lol  She totally loves blue; lots of it and any shade there is.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
CCC Digi
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafty Friends
Di's Digi Designs
Get Creative
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pixie's Snippets

     All you moms out there, enjoy your day and hug your family!  If you can sneak in a crafting hour, enjoy that, too.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Down the Aisle

     This sweet image is from Gerda Steiner Designs and is perfect for the upcoming wedding season.  I adore these little gnomes.  :-D  I know gnomes are supposedly only mythological, but if they exist, obviously they get married!  :-D

I used the colors from the challenge at 

House of Cards.

     I colored with  ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  I matted it with red CS to pull out the red in the roses.  The strip of red behind the lace and ribbon is another piece of that same CS even though it looks more pink.   The flowers were in my stash.

     Challenges:
Colour Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
Everybody Art
Gerda Steiner Designs
Get Creative
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp and Show
TTCRD

     I just discovered that I didn't finish this post last night so it didn't get scheduled.  But here it is now and I hope you enjoy.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

When the Cat Naps...

     Cats nap about 19 hours out of every 24.  Remember that old saying "When the cat's away, the mice will play" ??  Well, what about when cats nap?  Do the mice get to play then, too?

     Check out this darling image by Gerda Steiner Designs and I think you'll find an answer hiding in the corner of the book shelf, although you may have to enlarge the photo to see it.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, and then cut it with a stitched, rectangle die from Die-namics.  I cut the two frames with dies from that same set, making the card look like it has 4 layers.  However, the image and both frames are all inset so it's actually a single layer.  I love doing single layer designs because the cards are easier to mail and require no extra postage but I like the look of complex layers so inlaid die cuts is a fabulous solution.

     I added only tiny pearls and metal brads for embellishment so it's pretty CAS as well as flat and light weight.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafting with Friends
Creative Fingers
Di's Digi Designs
DL.ART
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paper Shelter

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

First Valentine of 2018

     When I saw this darling little bear buried in a pile of hearts, I just had to get my first Valentine of the year done.  The image is from the monthly progressive challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs.

I used the sketch from Cheerful Sketches.

     Those two triangular strips are harder to plan than I first imagined when I looked at the sketch.  I ended up using two different types of dp, one glittered and the other with polka dots. 

     After I had already colored him with my ProMarkers, I realized he would have made a perfect little Panda but I was staying with the colors for the February Card Chain Challenge so I'll leave him as is.  Next time, I'll try him as a Panda Bear.

     After coloring, I cut the image with a die from Spellbinders, inked the edges, and added the triangles.  The sentiment was stamped and hand-cut, then layered onto the red CS strip along the bottom.  Since this one is going to get mailed halfway across the world, I left it pretty flat and CAS - no additional, bulky, embellies.

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft
Card Mania
Dream Valley
Stempelsonnen
World Wide Open

     Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Balancing Christmas

     This darling little mouse has everything completely balanced for the Christmas holidays.  He's the freebie for the Progressive Freebie over at Gerda Steiner Designs. 

     He's colored using ProMarkers and Copics, with a touch of white gel ink.  I fussy cut him, then used dimensional dots to mount him onto a white die cut (Spellbinders.)

     I chose two matching papers from a stack by Recollections, and added the image piece to the top of them.  I printed the sentiment and adhered it to the image piece.

     I kept this one very flat and CAS because I know it's going to be mailed.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper
Jo's Scrap Shack
Merry Monday
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thankful Raccoon

     Isn't this the most adorable little raccoon ever?  It's for the progressive challenge this month at Gerda Steiner Designs.

     Because it's already October (where DID this year go?), I chose a fall color palette and colored the image with my ProMarkers.  The entire card is made from scraps and bits.  The bottom border piece was cut with a die from Spellbinder.  The pumpkin were done with an Impression Obsession die and the leaves are cut with a die from Dies R Us.

     Both the sheer ribbon and the yellow gingham ribbon were left over bits in my stash.  I printed, hand cut, and added the sentiment to the sign, turning this into a Thanksgiving card.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Creations
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrapy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

It's Always About the Chocolate

     Each month I play along in the Progressive Challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs and this cute little mouse is the image for the September challenge.  What better than a chocolatier working away the hours in his kitchen, especially when he's making fancy chocolates just for me?!  I can smell the melting chocolate from here in the craft room!

     This is going to be a birthday card for a friend who thinks that chocolate is the only thing which never disappoints.  :-D

     I colored with my ProMarkers and used a die from Spellbinders to cut the image.  That die happens to cut the image and makes a frame at the same time.  I took the image piece and fussy cut around the top 3/4, basically from the floor upward so that the mouse and his bowl were standing alone, with no white paper aroundthem.

     I cut the striped 'wallpaper' dp with the same die, took the inside part (saving the 'frame' from that cut for another project) and laid the mouse image onto it.  I inlaid the entire image piece into the white frame (from the original image cut.)

     I used deep purple CS for the card front, wrapping it with a piece of satin-border, sheer ribbon.  I added the framed image and the sentiment and called it finished.

    Challenges:
Cards in Envy
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
Incy Wincy (inspired by colors)
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Let Us Eat Cake

     This crazy little "Cake Monster" from Gerda Steiner Designs was just too cute to ignore!   It's the image from the monthly Progressive Challenge and I started working on it practically the moment I got it.  :-D

     This is actually a 'window' card in that the card front is die cut (Memory Box), leaving a scalloped hole and the image is on the inside of the card.

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers, trimmed it to the size of the A2 card and mounted it on the inside.  I printed the sentiment, fussy cut it and adhered it to the card front.  This is another ombre card front.  I bought a stack of ombre CS in various colors and I'm having a lot of fun using them for card bases.

     This time, I decided it only needed minimal embellishment, so I added the sheer, purple-ribbon bow. Because there wasn't a lot of room along the sides of the window, I added a small tab sticking into the window and then adhered the bow to it so that the tab was hidden by the bow.

     1 more card for the birthday stash.  :-D

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More
Crafting by Designs
Kraftin' Kimmie
Outlawz Greetings
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Unicorn 

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Yummy Summer

     I found another adorable mouse - the paper kind, not the real kind!  :-D  This one can live in my house or my garden any time.  This little Strawberry Mouse is the monthly image from the progressive challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs.  He arrived in my e-mailbox just in time to get colored up and made into a card for one of my pre-scheduled posts this month.

     I colored him with my ProMarkers, then cut him and the frame with scalloped oval dies from Spellbinders.    Both of the papers were in a pile of years-old paper which hadn't seen the light of day in waaaay too long.  They were just crying out to be used and I no longer know who made them.

     The pink ribbon is woven through white lace but somehow got overexposed in the photo so it's a bit hard to see.  IRL, it's a lovely complement to the dp.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Kraftin' Kimmie
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     I hope your week is going well.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Making Friends

     Another progressive challenge card, this time using a sweet image from Gerda Steiner.  I love friendship cards or those done and sent for no particular reason at all.  This is one which won't stay in my stash very long.

     Not only does this card have lots of distressing, it's put together completely from left over scraps.  Even the image was printed onto a half sheet of white CS which was left behind from printing a single image onto a full 8 1/2 X 11 sheet.

     I colored the image with chalk markers and pale tan ProMarkers for the turtle's actual body.  The embossed leaves were from an earlier project.  I matted the printed sentiment and then tore the edges.  The little butterflies were die cuts (the negative bits from a Spellbinders die which are usually tossed into the trash can) and I added a green bow (dyed with ProMarkers.)  I did keep adding various distressed layers but overall I tried to keep it simple and flat.  Who knows, it may end up going to a guy friend instead of a gal friend.  :-D

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Butterfly Challenge
Chalk and Stock
Colour Crazy 
Creative Fingers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Pixie's Snippets
Sweet Stampin'
Take It, Make It

     How can it be Tuesday already?  I'm still operating on weekend time.  :-D  Oh, well, fortunately I only have one truly busy day this week so I can still be lazy this morning.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Flowers Just for You, Mom!

     Although my mom has been gone for more than 20 years, I still think of her every Mother's Day and, because I can't make cards for her, I make them for my daughter, my DIL and my GDIL in her honor.  Love you, Mom.

     This darling image is from Gerda Steiner Designs and it's the image for the May Progressive Challenge.

     I started with the sketch from Creates and Makes

and colors from the challenge at 

The Outlawz, where we

have to use 3 out of the 5.  I used 4 of the 5.

     

     I used a combination of ProMarkers and chalk markers to color the image, then die cut it with 2 sizes of stitched circle dies from Die-namics.  The scalloped stitched die I used for the purple frame is from Memory Box.  

     I wrapped two different sheer ribbons around the card front, then tied a quad-loop bow using those same ribbons and my bow maker.  Finally, I printed, hand-cut, and matted the sentiment before adding it to the design.

     Challenges:

Chalk n Stock

Craft-D Bowz

Crafty Sentiments

Die Cuttin' Divas

DL.ART

Outlawz Festive Friday

Scrapy Land

     That's all I have for today but I seem to be settling back into my routine of crafting and posting nearly every day so thanks for hanging in there with me.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Have Enough to Juggle?

     I clearly remember those days of being a working Mom and homemaker, a college student, and a wife, and trying to keep all the balls in the air without dropping anything.  This darling little tiger by Gerda Steiner brought back many of those memories.  :-D  The image is this month's freebie offered to all who play in the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.

     The image is colored with my ProMarkers and, although it looks die cut, this time it's the black  CS that's actually die cut.  That was a leftover negative from another project and I put it on top of the image, and then used a plain circle die to cut both of them.

     I layered those onto a pale orange card base, added sheer ribbon, and then adhered the matted sentiment.  I used two of my hand-sewn bows and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Angie's Digital Stamps
AuroraWings
Craft-Dee Bowz
Crafty Gals Corner
Inky Chicks
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz CAS
Word Art Weds.

     Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I appreciate all of you who follow my blog or even just visit now and then.  It's always fun to have company.  Over there on the counter there's coffee in the pot and cookies in the jar.  Feel free to help yourself.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Hauling Pumpkins to the Jack-o-Lantern Carver

     I've been playing along in the Progressive challenge over at the Outlawz for nearly a year now and I love all the freebie images we've gotten over those many months.  The image for October (Gerda Steiner Designs) was no exception.  I just know this little guy is hauling all those pumpkins off to the jack-o-lantern carver to have happy or spooky faces put on them.  Personally, if it was up to me, I'd be taking them to the pie maker for pumpkin pie!  :-D

I used the sketch from the Wednesday challenge at The Outlawz.

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers and then fussy cut it.  The dp which I cut with the circle die (QuicKuts) is a digital paper from Kitten Scraps but I used chalk to color the background on it rather than leave it white.  That helped the image to stand out from the paper a bit more, as did mounting the image on dimensional dots.

     The curved strip is dp cut with two of my new curved dies from Spellbinders.  That particular paper has been in my stash for a couple of years and I think it's from a stack by DCWV.  I know I've had the Halloween ribbon for at least 3 years and couldn't begin to tell you the manufacturer if I racked my brain for an hour.

     The leaf is cut with a die from Cheery Lynn and the little flower is handmade from the bits which fell out of the scallops on the curved dp strip.   I added a small, brown pearl to the flower center.

Challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks
Artistic Inspirations
Die Cuttin' Divas
DL.ART Thankful
DRS Designs
Going Grey with Scrap Creations
Hanna & Friends
House That Stamps Built
Inky Chicks
Love to Scrap
Moving Along with the Times
Outlawz PAM
Passion for ProMarkers
Time Out

     I know I missed posting on a lot of days last week, but between classes and doctor appointments, I just didn't have any crafting time.  Next week will include some days with no posting, too, but I hope to be back to my normal routine in a couple more weeks.  It's becoming obvious that I'm going to have to cut back a little so daily posts probably won't happen for a while longer.  Hope you'll still stop by when there is something new to see.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie