Live in the Clouds!

      It's time for the next challenge at QKR Stampede, where our challenge theme is always "Anything Goes."   For my DT card today, I used a fun and fabulous image called "Castle in the Sky."  All my life I've been a very "feet-firmly-on-the-ground" kind of person and I have to be reminded that occasionally it's OK to live in the clouds!  Here's my salute to that idea.  :-D

     This card was actually made before my craft room was sorted in preparation for moving so I still had dies and fancy dp and all my crafting supplies close at hand.  The image was colored using ProMarkers, then cut with a die from Spellbinders.  Both of the papers came from an old (and favorite!) 'Linen Closet' stack by DCWV.  The sentiment is my own and it was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Inspirations

Dies R Us

Digi Choosday

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

Tues Morning  turned vertically 

Word Art Weds

World Wide Open

     I hope you're going to come and play in our challenge.  Remember, we have two winners each challenge; one for people who use QKR Stampede images (or Eureka Stamps images - our sister company) and a second for people who use non-QKR images.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Everything Ages

      I have to do a little explaining about the image I used for today's card.  It came from Twinkle Lane Designs and it's the freebie image for the progressive challenge at The Outlawz this month.  The image is called "New Car" and my car is definitely not colored to look anything like a new car.  

     But I wanted to use it as a masculine birthday card for one of the 'older' males in my family and I really didn't want him thinking the card would be a promise of a new car as a birthday gift!  :-D  So, my apologies to the artist who intended the car to be bright and shiny and sparkling.  

     I had intended to reverse the image before I printed it so that it would look more like an old, American, left-hand-drive, car and not quite so British but I simply forgot about flipping it.  Sigh... as we age, the memory goes.  I'm told the memory goes second but I can't remember what goes first.  lol

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and I cut it with a die from Tonic Studios.  The image came with sentiments (one of which I used - the Happy Birthday part) as well as some add on features.  I printed the extra license place, fussy cut it, 'bent' it, added a bit of rust, and glued one corner to the car so that it appeared to be falling off.

     The card base is an old one I had in my stash from the "Linen Closet" collection by DCWV.  The first part of the sentiment (which is my own and is at the top of the card) was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  Because I'm using it as a masculine birthday card, I added no embellishment other than the bent license plate which actually gives a bit of 3D texture.

     Challenges:

4 Season

Aud Sentiments

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Digi Choosday

Do Al(l) Kreatives

I love ProMarkers

Lil Patch of ...

Stamping Sensations

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge

      Today is July 3, 2021, and I've amended my post about the new challenge which started on July 1 at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  This month the challenge is sponsored by Jan's Digi Stamps and I've finally gotten a card made with one of her newest, fantastic images.  This is from the set called "Splish Splash" and I merged two of the .png images to get this.  This set is on sale this month, too!  Go check it out.

     I've injured my wrist and it's in a brace so hand-crafting activities are difficult at the moment, as is typing at the keyboard.   It took me well over 20 minutes just to type these first two  paragraphs.  But I worked on this over a 3 day period and it's finished.  Quick rundown:  ProMarkers, QuicKutz die, dp from DCWV Linen Closet stack, sparkly with glitter, ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I used all six colors on the Color Dare #451 board

plus one neutral and a single embellishment of the bow.

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

Outlawz PAM

Paperbabe

Three Room Studio

     I did manage to get other DT cards done before the wrist injury, so check the other posts which will be live on my blog today.  Thank for visiting. 

Seeking Snowman

    Here we are in the middle of the month and it's time to start a new challenge over at QKR Stampede.  As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes" and you have two ways to win; if you use an image from QKR (or their sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry is put into a separate draw from all other entries and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount!

     For my DT card today, I used a cute image called "Seeking Snowman" which I reversed before printing.  Think of it as something we've all thought more than once during this ridiculously long pandemic.  :-D   Despite that, I'm using it as a birthday card for a gal who's looking for all those years already behind her.  

     I did this in my favorite winter color combo of blues.  That combo always makes me think cold & icy which is perfect for a winter card.

I used the colors from My Favorite Things.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w CUTplorations die

Mat cut w Spellbinders die

Grosgrain bow

Sentiment cut w Avery Elle die

Card front hand-embossed w stylus

      Challenges:

As You Like It

Aud Sentiments

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Catz

MFT Birthday

Outlawz Festive Fri

Scrapping4Fun

     I have a second card to share today and this image is called "Sleepy Owl" but why he's sleepy when the moon is out is beyond me.  I think the sentiment expresses everything that needs to be said.  lol

Colors from CMH Color Dare (Lemonade, Lagoon, Peacock, brown & black)

Colored w ProMarkers & water colors

Cut w Dare 2B Artsy die

'Linen Closet' dp

Sheer blue ribbon

Black satin bow

Gems from CTMH

     Challenges:

Angie's Digitals

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Dare 2B Artsy

Lil Patch of ...

Pattie's Creations

Polkadoodles

Stamping Sensations

     Once again, I'm 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! 

     I hope we're going to see you playing along with us this fortnight.  Remember, it's Anything Goes and you can use any image from any company.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Peace and Quiet

     I went on a shopping spree at Lili of the Valley during their half-off sale last weekend.  I've always loved their images since the first time I saw one and if they have a sale, you can bet I'm over there buying new (to me) stamps.

     Today, I'm going to share with you something I bought which is slightly different for me but it sure makes for quick and easy, git 'er done, cards!  These are files which contain three different sizes of digital images (A2, A6,& A7 card sizes), pre-colored and ready to print.  All you need is to trim them to fit the card.

     Here's an A2 card made with the smallest image size.  The image is called Peace and Quiet.  I think it took me less than 10 minutes to have the card finished.

In order to use all the colors from Tuesday Throwdown,

I used dark blue CS for the frame and I chose

the pre-made card base with the flowers.

Pre-colored
Cut with QuicKutz die
Dark blue frame cut with Tutti Designs die
Card base is from DCWV Linen Closet set

     Challenges for 1st card:
Art Impressions
Aud Sentiments
Arty Divas
Crafty Sentiments
Lemon Shortbread
SUYP Cats
Time Out

     Now, having done that really quick card, I decided to play around a bit and see what else I could do with them.  Here's the result using exactly the same size image but this time I adjusted the pre-colored version into gray-scale before I printed it.  This card took me about 15 minutes, including working in MS Word to get the preferred lever of gray-scale before printing.

Yellow ProMarker used to color the bees and pansies
Black, fine line, gel pen used on sentiment
Image cut with Tutti Designs die
Card front embossed w/ "Linen" folder
CAS design w/ no embellishment

     Challenges for 2nd card:
Colour Crazy
Crafty Calendar
Creative Fingers
Outlawz SAR
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Path of Positivity
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles
Your Scrapbook Place

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Live Out Loud !

     You all know how much I love the weekly challenges at QKR Stampede and working with their images but this "Baby Donkey" image is one of my favorites.  I used it on my DT card this week and am already thinking of other possibilities.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Sue Wilson die
Paper from Linen Closet stack by DCWV
Dots on dp are embossed w/ sparkle EP
Sentiment printed on vellum
Background made with burlap
Sheer ribbon & hand tied bow

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments (top row)
Colour Crazy
C.R.A.F.T.
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Fingers
Creative Moments
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scribbles Designs
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

You're the Best !

     I have a grandson who adores baseball and plays Little League every season.  He's made a team each year since he was 7 or 8 and has been on playoff teams twice.  This will probably be his birthday card this year.

     The image is the freebie from the progressive challenge at LeAnn's World 101.

    Colored with ProMarkers
    QuicKutz oval dies
    Papers from DCWV 'Linen Closet' stack
    Stitched ribbon

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Friends (baseball, bat, ball, blue, best)
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments
Di's Digi Designs
Scrappy Land
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Curiosity

     Good morning!  Today we start a new monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and we're sponsored by A Day for Daisies.   They graciously supplied images for the DT to use and I chose this cutie called "Cat and Fish."  The sentiment says it all.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers
Fussy cut image
DP from DCWV "Linen Closet" stack
Signature, hand-sewn bow w/ pearl

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Creations
Crafty Friends (Bowl, Bow, Blue)
Creative Fingers
House that Stamps Built
Sasayaki Glitter
Simon Says Stamp
Time Out
Word Art Weds.

That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Guardian Angel

     Time for the June challenge at World Wide Open DT Challenge.  You'll want to check out the winners post, too, just in case you might be one of them.  For my DT card this month, I've used the Julia Spiri image, "Ofelia Angel."  Isn't she lovely?

     The coloring of the image is done with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  I used dies from a Spellbinders set to cut both the image and the sentiment.  I used one of my ProMarkers to ink the edges of the die cuts.

     The dp is from the Linen Closet stack by DCWV (my favorite stack ever!)  The card front is embossed with my "Linen" folder.  For embellishment, I used a 'bow tie' bow.  I can't tie those by hand - I have to use my bow maker.  :-D

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft
Aud Sentiments
CARDZ TV
CCC Digi Creations
Color Sisters
Craft-Dee BowZ
Creative Craft Cottage
Morgan's ArtWorld
My Favorite Things
Paper Nest Dolls

     Come play with us this month, won't you?  Our theme is always Anything Goes.  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

Flowers for You

     This sweet little boy (image for Progressive Challenge at Sasayaki Glitter FB) is bringing flowers for his Valentine, although I think it would also make a great image on a Mother's Day card.  I wanted to keep this one CAS but with a bit of visual interest.

      I colored him with my ProMarkers and colored the flowers using Nuvo Crystal Drops (a new acquisition for me.)   I cut the image with one of my older dies from Spellbinders and I inked the edges using an old ink pad.  I die cut the sentiment piece and inked it the same way. 

     The plaid paper is from the DCWV Linen Closet stack (my favorite ever of all their stacks) and that was a scrap leftover from another project.  The background was in my stash of scraps I've saved from 12" X 12" papers and I don't remember the company.

     I added one of my hand-sewn bows and I made a tiny flower instead of my usual pearl.  Again, I used the Novo Drops to mimic the flowers in the image.  Despite the dp, the design is pretty CAS.

     Challenges:
Cards in Envy
Color Inspiration Mon.
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Crazy Challenge
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
Unicorn Challenge

     Happy Crafting, my friends.  NanaConnie

Getting Your Dander Up

     I love Fridays!  Not only are they the beginning of the weekend but every Friday I get to share another DT project for the challenge at QKR Stampede!  I've been on the DT over there for 3 years next month and played in their weekly challenges for at least 2 years prior to that.  It's the only weekly challenge team on which I still serve.

     I love their images and had a huge collection of them before I even joined the DT.  Today, I'm using "Bucking Bronc" for our optional theme of "Wild West."  We're always have a theme of 'Anything Goes' but each week we give you a new optional theme if you want to use it.

I started with the sketch from My Favourite Things,

turned a quarter-turn counter-clockwise.

     The horse was a dream to color and since we are thinking about the Old West in America, I decided to make him a pinto pony.  I used my ProMarkers, of course, then cut the image with one of my Gina Marie dies.

     I layered that onto dp from the Linen Closet stack (by DCWV) which has been in my stash for more than four years.  It's my favorite DCWV stack and whenever I'd find stacks on sale, I'd grab an extra Linen Closet if it was available.  I ended up with about 6 of those stacks in my stash and I still have 3 full stacks left plus bits and pieces of another one.  I keep hoarding them as though I was going to run out tomorrow.  :-D

     I added the blue and white twill tape and the blue bow, then printed the sentiment, hand cut it, matted it, and hand cut it again before adding it to the corner of the image.

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Creative Moments
Simon Says Stamp
Sisterhood of Crafters
Word Art Weds.
Work It Weds.

     OK, this is my fourth and final post of the day and, phew, I'm tired!  Come play along in the challenges; this one at QKR Stampede or any of the others you saw in my DT posts today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie