All About Love

      I love this CAS card made with the February image from the Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge.  The 'woven heart' image was given by Cara (on the Outlawz team.)   I love the simplicity and decided to add a bit of lace to it as a contrast to the simple woven design.

     I printed it after carefully measuring it to fit one of my Spellbinders heart dies, colored it with ProMarkers, then die cut it.  I cut a square of red CS, trimmed it to exactly fit the square card front, then I dug some lace out of my stash and used craft glue to add it around the edges of the heart.  I cut it at the top and bottom points to keep it from curling.   The lace adds some delightful texture to the card.  I printed and cut the sentiment with an Avery Elle die, layered it on top of the heart, and it was done!

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Creative Inspirations

Di's Digi Designs

Double D

Dragonfly Dreams

Lil Patch of ...

Paper Shelter

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

Star Stampz

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

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

Happy Heart

     Hearts are happiest  when they overflow with love!  This fun little House Mouse has found a perfect way to express it.  :-D

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, then cut with a Sizzix scalloped die.  I used my 'Linen' embossing folder on the card background, and added a scrap of red, metallic CS before adding the image.

     Challenges:

Addicted to CAS

Allsorts

Art-Piaskownica

Aud Sentiments

Colorful Options

Colour Crazy

C.R.A.F.T.

Creative Fingers

Paperbabe

     I'll have another post shortly.  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

Sweetheart Candy

      Today we're reminding you that we're halfway through the January monthly challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and this is one of her new images, called "Sweetheart Candy."  It's on sale this month!  You really need to go and check out the store because Jan has put 8 of her sets on sale for January, plus there's a cute little freebie that you'll want to add to your order.  :-D

      In the interest of doing a CAS and quick card, I used the pre-colored version of the main image but added my own sentiment.  I used a Spellbinders die to cut the pink frame, and the image and the pink mat were cut with QuicKutz dies.  I wanted to keep the design relatively simple so it's just quickly stacked layers plus the sentiment piece.

I colors in the candies are perfect for Incy Wincy.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

C.R.A.F.T.

Creations in Pink

Creative Fingers

Creative Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Dream Valley

Penny's Paper-Crafty

TTCRD

     Don't forget that you have until Sunday, February 6 to get a project entered into the "Anything Goes" challenge at Jan's.  We'd love to see you create something fun and wonderful.  :-D  NanaConnie

Gnome Couple

     I'm back with yet another DT card for our newest weekly challenge at Creative Knockouts.  This week our theme is "Love or Valentines" and we're sponsored by the fabulous Laurie Furnell Ink.  I used this adorable Gnome Couple from Laurie's "Valentine Gnomes" set.  Aren't they perfect for any Valentine celebration?

Card shape cut w Tattered Lace die

Colored w ProMarkers

Image cut w Tattered Lace die

Sentiment printed & hand cut

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Double D

House Stamps Built

Mod Squad

Paper Funday

Paper Minutes

Passion for ProMarkers

TTCRD

     Be sure to come and play in our challenge this week!  What better theme with Valentine's Day arriving on Sunday?  It's a perfect chance to make that last minute card you forgot you would need.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

All About the Heart

     This is the first of 3 posts today which is what happens when the first of the month falls on a first Monday.  :-D  This is the one for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies but be sure to check back in just minutes for the post for Jan's Digi Stamps and in a couple of hours for the post for QKR Stampede.

     Here it is the first of another month and, since it's February, our thoughts turn to deep friendship or love and things of the heart.  Our latest monthly "Anything Goes with a Critter" challenge starts right now at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  We are sponsored this month by Beccy's Place, who generously supplied images for the DT.  

     I actually used the freebie image from the January challenge at Beccy's Place.  That challenge has ended but the image is still available.  He's perfect if you still have Valentines to make.  :-D

I used sketch #199 from Sweet Sketch Weds.

Colored w ProMarkers & gel pens

Cut w Sizzix die

Papers from Neenah

Satin edged ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon

Mulberry paper flowers from stash

Pink gems from stash

Hand-tied pink bow w gem

     Challenges:

Crafter's Cafe

Creatalicious

Dies R Us

Double Trouble (all 3)

   partner w Heart 2 Heart

Dream Valley

Outlawz Stash

Simon Says Stamp

     Come play this month.  Remember, our theme is always "Anything Goes with a Critter."  We want to see a critter featured prominently on your project, not just a teeny butterfly or an almost unseen animal down in the corner.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Date Night

     I seem to have been on a LeAnn's World 101 kick recently but this card is for the Progressive challenge this month and they provide the image.  I think this darling couple is is so sweet and since Valentine's Day is already past, I thought a Date Night card was in order.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers and gel pens
Cut with cross stitch, Tutti Designs dies
Signature, hand-sewn bow w pearl

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Fingers
Outlaw Festive Fri
Pattie's Creations
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Southern Girls

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Puppy Love from Digi Doodle Studios

     My next DT card as a reminder that our challenge at Digi Doodle Studios is still open and you have time to play.  Our theme for February is all about Love & Friendship and this time I used an adorable image called "Puppy Love" for my card.

I was influenced by Sketch 176 at Sweet Sketch Weds.

Colored with ProMarkers & pencil
Image and mat cut with QuicKutz octagon dies
Background scored with ScorPal board
Sheer ribbon and signature bow w pearl
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Creative Inspirations
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Southern Girls
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

    Come join our challenge or visit us on Facebook.  We'd love to see you enter the challenge.  Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Cave Man Love

    HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

     In days of old... and I mean REALLY old!  Yes, people fell in love way back  then, too.  lol  Today starts a new "Anything Goes" challenge at QKR Stampede and I decided that one more Valentine would be appropriate since today is Valentine's Day.  I merged two QKR images, each called "Cave Man" (yes, even the Cave Woman is titled as a Cave MAN!) but they have different numbering designations: 24292 & 24293.

Colored with ProMarkers and gel pens
Cut with Gina Marie die
    (do you see all the little hearts or do you only see 4 leaf clovers?)
Mounted onto red card stock base
CAS design which looks more complex due to die cut

     Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Creatalicious
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Friendship
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday
Paper Shelter
SheepSki Designs
Tales from the Craft Room

     Hoping to see you playing along with us this week and in the meantime, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Chocolate Kind of Love

     Catch the Bug has a theme of "Child's Play" and I'm still thinking back to those fun childhood days of Valentine exchanges in school but wishing someone had put chocolates in my Valentine box.  :-D  This adorable little sunbonnet girl is an image from Bugaboo Stamps.

Colored with ProMarkers
Image is fussy cut with scissors & mounted on dimensional dots
Heart doily cut from mulberry paper
Scrap strip of CS added to bottom & gems applied
Pearls added to sunbonnet & apron
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Brown Sugar
Crafty Friends
Do Al(l) Creatives
Double D
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Friendship
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Mousie Kind of Love

     I adore House Mouse stamps but have very few which work as Valentine images.  This one, however, brings back childhood memories of candy hearts with words on them and how we looked forward to the Valentine card exchange in our classrooms.  :-D  Do kids even do that any more?

I pulled color and hearts inspiration from 

this photo at Passion for ProMarkers.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with QuicKutz rectangle die
CAS design
Card front is embossed with "Linen" folder
Hand tied bow with sequin

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Coloring in Scrapland
Cutie Pie
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Get Creative
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Love Bears

     These two darling little bears, who are probably in love, came from the Scrapper's Delights Progressive challenge.  They are separate images but I merged them so that they would be looking at each other with their sweet daisies in their hands.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Spellbinders die
Edges inked
DP scrap from the basket
Embossed background paper scrap from Doodlebug
Butterfly from Spellbinders die cut from a scrap

     Challenges:
Artsy Stamper
Coloring in Scrapland
Dragonfly Dreams
Dream Valley
Incy Wincy
Lil Patch of ...
Outlawz SAR
Pixie's Snippets

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweets for a Sweetheart

     Time for a card featuring an image from Beccy's Place where the optional theme is "All About Animals."  I'm doing a few Valentine's since it's early February and I thought this sweet bear was perfect for someone who loves home baked goodies.  All it took was a combo of traditional Valentine colors.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers
Layered onto rose red and pink CS
Hearts cut with Memory Box dies
Sentiment printed in red and hand cut
Matted with pink CS

     Challenges:
Cuttlebug Mania
Dies R Us
Double D
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Memory Box #58
Mod Squad
Paper Funday
Paperminutes
Paper Shelter
Simon Says Stamp

     Have a very Happy Crafting day.  :-D  NanaConnie

Gracie & Nibbles

     I'm so tickled to announce that after having served last month as a Guest Designer for Digi Doodle Studios, I've been invited to be part of the DT!  I'm thrilled and have fallen in love with all of Dina's sweet images.  I can hardly wait to share with you what I've done with them as time moves along.  :-D

     Here's my first card as a DT for the challenge which begins today, with a theme of "It's a Love Thing."  I used a darling image called "Gracie & Nibbles" which is perfect for another Valentine card to add to my stash.

This is a fancy fold card and here's how it looks with the top flap open:

     The card base is a triangle, cut on the diagonal across a full sheet of CS, 11 x 8.5 inches.  The points are scored to make an A2 size card, 5.5 x 4.25 inches, when folded.  I used my Scor-Pal to get perfectly straight score lines.  I added the rectangle of white CS to the inside which can be used for writing the message.

Colored with ProMarkers

Image is fussy cut with scissors

Circle cut with QuicKutz die

Pink satin bow is hand tied and stitched

Colors from the inspiration at Color My Heart.

     Challenges:

Crafty Sentiments

Cute Card Thurs

Cuttlebug Mania

Passion for ProMarkers

Scrappy Land

Simon Says Stamp & Show

SUYP Cats

Time Out

Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting and come share your creations with us in our "It's a Love Thing" challenge.  NanaConnie

Tea 4 Two

     My card today is a salute to love and friendship expressed with the warmth of a cozy tea time.  For you golfers, that's TEA time, not tee time!  I used a delightful image from Conie Fong and decided to put the emphasis on the hearts by doing everything in gray scale except for the red hearts.  I love the overall effect of it.

I based the card design on this sketch from

Sweet Sketch Weds.

Colored with ProMarkers and #2 pencil
Image cut with Spellbinders die adjusted to fit
Quilt die from Gina Marie
Papers in 'quilt' are DCWV; embossed and sparkly
Hand sewn ribbon for bow
Sentiment done w/ red heat embossing

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time ...
Country View Crafts
Creatalicious
Dies R Us
House that Stamps Built  (middle row)
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

    Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Little Bear's Gift

     I just adore the freebie image from Limited Runs for this month's Progressive Challenge.   It's an adorable little bear with  his arms open.  I thought he looked like he should be holding something and my thought was maybe a big bouquet of mums all done in lovely fall colors.  But every fall bouquet I tried just covered up his face and arm so I downsized my idea to a couple of roses wrapped in paper and it worked perfectly!

Colored with ProMarkers
Image and both frames cut with Tonic Studio dies (from scraps)
Roses - fussy cut
Ribbons - scraps from the bin
Sentiment printed and fussy cut - matted with scrap CS
Signature bow with pearl

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Calendar
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paperbabe Stamps
Pixie's Snippets
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Unicorn Love

     When this image from All Dressed Up begged to be used as an expression of love, I had a moment of doubt but then I remembered a saying from my childhood when my dad said, "Love from a puppy is the best kind of love" and I knew that had to be true about unicorns, too.  Maybe even better than puppy love since unicorns are so rare.      :-D

      I did my usual coloring with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from QuicKutz.  The background paper is the last scrap of a 12x12 scrapbooking paper from my stash.  I'm sad to see it used up and will have to look for more.  I love that it has hearts and flowers and is PURPLE!!!

     I knew I wanted a really different kind of bow for this one so I used a scrap bit of lace, rolled and pinched it in the middle, then wrapped with satin ribbon.  The sentiment was printed and hand cut, then added to the bottom.  Not quite CAS but not overdone either.

     Challenges:
All Dressed Up
Angie's Digital Stamps
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Calendar
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artzy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Path of Positivity
Stamping Sensations

     Happy Tuesday to all of you and thanks so much for stopping by.  If I haven't visited you in the last week or so, hang in there and be patient with me.  I'm getting there in between home school projects for my grandson, trips to the doctor for my daughter (torn tendon in her ankle & can't drive), grocery runs for everyone, plus celebrating my oldest granddaughter's birthday this week!  I can't remember when I've been so busy day after day after day.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Love in a Flower Basket

     This darling little girl with her flower basket is from Conie Fong and she was such fun to color!  I love the tiny hearts in her basket and on her socks.

I was inspired by the color palette at Bastel-Traum.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a pinpoint die from Memory Box.  The polka dot frame was cut with another pinpoint die from that same set.  I added a scrap of satin ribbon between the frame and the image and wrapped it around the card front.

     I decided on a sentiment which would be more versatile than a "Valentine" greeting but which would still work for that if desired.  I printed and hand cut it before adding it below the image.  My final touch was the hand-sewn bow with pearl.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Creatalicious
Creations in Pink
Die Cut Divas
Paper Nest Dolls
Pearly Sparkles
Pile It On
Scribbles Designs

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back tomorrow with another post.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!   NanaConnie

Loving Family

     One more progressive challenge in the bag and I love this sweet image of a big, happy family.  What better way to say "Love" this month?  The image is from Sasayaki Glitter and I think it's one of their best.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a die from Gina Marie.  The purple dp was a scrap left over from a DT project which you'll see in a couple of weeks.  The dark blue CS was also a scrap and all of those things were layered together onto a 'confetti ' CS base.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then inked the edges before adding it to the bottom of the card.  I used one of my signature bows, left white this time instead of 'dying' it to match a color in the card, and I added a sparkly gem to it.

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Happy Craft
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie