Butterfly Birthday

      We're starting a new challenge at Crafty Catz today.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" but we also offer an OPTIONAL theme for those of you who are adventurous enough to try it.  The option this time is "Embellishments."  

     We are sponsored this fortnight by SheepSki Designs.  They provided the team with images we could use but I chose one from my own collection, called "Butterfly Curl."  This card will go into my "Birthday" collection for future use.

     I printed the image, added a birthday sentiment to it, and printed it onto pale blue CS.  I colored a few of the butterflies with Sanjoki markers and gel pens, leaving most of the butterflies as uncolored, outline sketches.  I decided to use my favorite color combo of all times, aqua and purple.  Purple is my favorite color and aqua goes so well with it that I use them together often.  I cut the image with a QuicKutz die.

     The two, horizontal, strips of paper came from the scrap basket.  The blue butterfly embellishment is machine embroidered and the purple butterfly is a ribbon bow, tied and trimmed to look like a butterfly shape.  It was white, initially, but I 'dyed' it with a Sanjoki marker.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

C.R.A.F.T.

Cupcake Inspirations

Pammie's IPnull

Pattie's Creationsnull

     Come play with us this fortnight, won't you?  Remember, Anything Goes unless you prefer to challenge yourself to "Embellish" your project.  Be sure to check out all the DT cards over on the main challenge site.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Finding Ladybugs

      Once again, I'm featuring a Mariola Budek image.  No, I'm not on a DT for her, nor do I have any connection to her other than my love for her fabulous artwork.  She does magnificent images of women and hair, but I also dearly love her cute images of children and critters, not the least of which are her images of cats.  I bet that's a surprise to you, right?  :-D

     I've colored and used this image more than once but this is the first time I've done her as a redhead.  I decided on a spring/summer color palette and did the coloring with water color paints.  The image was cut with a Tonic Studios die, and I inked the edges.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The green flower strip was embossed with a Darice EF.  

     The red butterfly is machine embroidered and I thought it was a great complement to the hair tie and the ladybug.

     Challenges:

613 Ave Create

Art Impressions

Butterfly

Lil Patch of ...

Pammie's IP

Paper Dragonfly

Paper Funday

Penny's P-C

Polkadoodles

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Red Dragon

      I have an adult granddaughter who dearly loves dragons, something we have in common.  I 'collect' new dragon digis and rubber stamps whenever I can, and I use them to make cards for her (with and without occasions) all year long.

     This one I did for her birthday.  No coloring, just lots of red, white, and black silk machine embroidery thread.  I have a sewing machine with embroidery capacity and now I'll have to add embroidery designs to the list of dragons I collect.  This one was embroidered onto a stiffening background so that, when finished and trimmed, it has the look and feel of an applique.  I simply applied it to the card front, then added the sentiment which had been cut with an Avery Elle die.

     I added a narrow ribbon and a tiny bow (Marianne Design die), and left the card design CAS to focus attention on the dragon.

     Challenges:

Addicted to CAS

C.R.A.F.T. (How to Train Your Dragon)

Dream Valley

Lil Patch of ...

Paperbabe

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Traces of Spring

      Today, in honor of the February challenge starting over at Jan's Digi Stamps, I'm sharing one of Jan's spring releases, called "Traces of Spring."  It's on sale throughout February.

     I reversed the image before printing and then colored it as closely as I could to the pre-colored image, using my Promarkers.  I cut the image with a QuicKutz oval die and layered it onto a dp scrap from the basket.  The sparkly ribbon I used for the hand-tied bow was also a leftover scrap but it worked so perfectly for dressing up the card that I couldn't resist using it.

    The sweet dragonfly is machine embroidered with sheer taffeta fabric and iridescent thread used for the wings.

      Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Colouring in Scrapland

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Gem of a Challenge

Outlawz Greetings

Passion for Markers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Polkadoodles

Word Art Weds

     Remember, our challenges at Jan's Digi Stamps are always "Anything Goes" and you may use any products from any company, but if you choose to use a JDS image, your card goes into a separate draw only for those using JDS and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount!  Can't wait to see what you enter.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cat Smiles to Get Well

      It's another new challenge at I Love ProMarkers, the first one of the new year.  Our theme this time is "Get Well" and we are sponsored by Ike's Art.  I adore this cat (my favorite kind of animal), called "Cat Smiles" and you can find it in the section under 'Animals' on her site.

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers (of course), then cut the image with a long rectangle die from QuicKutz.  I rounded the corners with a punch from Uchida.  The pink frame and the plaid dp (Lawn Fawn) were cut with dies from Spellbinder.  The sentiment was also cut with a Spellbinders' die but trimmed along the bottom so that it wouldn't hang over the edge.  All the pink CS is from Park Lane.  The butterfly is made by sewing machine embroidery.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Crafter's Cafe

Creations in Pink

Ike's World

Outlawz Stash

Paperbabe

Polkadoodles

Star Stampz

SUYP Cats

 

     Come play with us this fortnight.  We love being inspired by you every bit as much as we like to offer you some inspiration.  Happy Crafting  NanaConnie 

Tulips and Pansies

      My post today is a "2 for 1" in that a new challenge starts today at QKR Stampede and another new one starts at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies , plus QKR Stampede is sponsoring the challenge at 2 CCC!  So, because I'm on the DT of each of those challenges, I've used the same card for both.  The image is from QKR's sister company, Eureka Stamps, and it's called "Tulip & Pansy Frame."

     By the way, as of this month, the challenge at QKR Stampede will now be twice per month, on the 1st and the 15th of each month, allowing you to enter two challenge each month instead of just one.     :-D

I was inspired by the sketch at Stella Says Sketch

but I flipped it side to side.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
'Out of the Box' technique to cut w/ QuicKutz die
Purple CS frame cut w/ CUTplorations die
Sheer yellow bow hand tied
Machine embroidered butterfly
Sentiment printed & hand cut
Satin & sheer ribbon scrap

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Butterfly (coloring pens & orange)
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Craft Cottage
Lemon Shortbread
Polkadoodles
Star Stampz
Word Art Weds

     I want to see you playing along with us at both 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (Anything Goes with a Critter) and at QKR Stampede (Anything Goes.)  Thanks for visiting my blog.    :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Watermelon Girl

     I love fun summertime images of people eating watermelon (my favorite summer fruit!) and this is another of the older images I found when I was browsing through my files of digital images from companies which have gone out of business.  This one is also from Karen's Digis as was the one on my post from yesterday and I probably added it to my collection in 2011 or 2012.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Image cut with QuicKutz die
Ivy cut with Sue Wilson die
Green butterfly is machine embroidered

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Moments
Cutie Pie
Lemon Shortbread
Mod Squad
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Well, even though our weather has cooled considerably after those really hot, hot, hot four days of temperatures over 100, I'm going to go cut a piece of watermelon and add it to my lunch plate.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Daisy May and Sweet Pea Easter

     My second post of the morning and the third one for the First of the Month (counting the one last night at 9 p.m. my time) and this card is my DT creation for the Digi Doodle Studios April 1 challenge (no April Fool!)   This sweet image is called "Daisy May and Sweet Pea" and worked perfectly for our challenge theme of "Easter or Spring."  I added an Easter sentiment but it could still be delightful spring card for those who don't celebrate Easter.

I was inspired by the photo at Catch the Bug.

Colored with ProMarkers and gel inks
Image, card front, & Sentiment cut with Dare 2B Artzy die
Scrap dp from DCWV "Basics" stack
Embroidered flower & raffia bow for a bit of texture

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Dream Valley
Incy Wincy
My Favorite Things
Outlawz SAR
Simon Says Stamp & Show


     Come play in our challenge and also visit our Facebook site for another challenge and for more inspiration.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

In Time for Easter

     Some things arrive just in time, like Santa on Christmas Eve or a surprise gift in the mail on the morning of your birthday.  Today, I'm sharing an image from Angie's Digital Stamps featuring a tiny chick who arrived just in time for Easter.  :-D 

Colored with ProMarkers
Yellow frame cut w/ Sue Wilson die
   (scrap left over from another project)
Paper scrap from DCWV
Machine embroidered flowers
Sentiment printed, then cut & embossed w/ Avery Elle die

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...Extra
Classic Design
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Moments
Die Cut Divas
Friendship
SheepSki Designs
Stamping Sensations

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Kisses at Conie Fong

     I'm so enjoying my Guest Designer stint at Conie Fong and will truly miss it when I'm done.  I'd give anything to be a regular DT for Conie.  :-D  In any case, today I used "Butterfly Kisses" and I think she's an absolute delight to color!  Again, she's on sale!

     Everything on the card was made from scraps and leftovers, including the CS on which the image and sentiment were printed.

I started with one of the sketches at Sweet Sketch Weds.

but added embellies in the corner.

Colored with ProMarkers, chalks & gel pens
Cut with Memory Box stitched die
Edges of image were inked with ProMarkers
Heart and flower are both embroidered
Leaves cut from scrap w Cheery Lynn die
Blue doily is a partial piece, left over from another card
Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon (scrap)
Everything is layered onto a scrap of kraft CS

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Butterfly (Unbleached Silk & Dies)
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Creations
Creative Knockouts
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
I {heart} ProMarkers
Pixie's Snippets
Simon Says Stamp

     Wishing you all a crafty day.  :-D  NanaConnie

Look !

     These two cats have spied the largest butterfly ever and their attention is riveted.  I'm sure they are trying to figure out how to catch it.  The floral cat image is from Bugaboo Stamps.  I did two of them, flipped one horizontally, and adjusted the sizes so that one was just barely smaller.

I followed the sketch at Stella Says Sketch.

Colored with ProMarkers and white gel ink
Cut with die from QuicKutz (moved to get the shape and 2 cuts done)
Edges of cut image inked with ProMarker
Striped dp from K & Co.
Butterfly machine embroidered onto sheer fabric
Metallic brads added to image and butterfly
Sentiment hand printed

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Butterfly  (used die)
Catch the Bug
Creative Moments
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of ...
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Prika Crafts
Stamping Sensations (in the cats)

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Welcome Gnome

     Any time gnomes are photographed on a large mushroom, it's a sure sign they have a new home!  They quickly email the pic to all their gnome friends so that the friends will know where they are, and then they disappear into the forest undergrowth so that no humans can find them.  True story - don't doubt me!   :-D

     This darling image came from SheepSki Designs, provided for the progressive challenge at The Outlawz.

Colored with ProMarkers & fussy cut
Bird is machine embroidered
Sentiment printed and hand cut
Metal brads for embellishment

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to...
A Perfect Time...
Angie's Digital
Art Impressions
Cardz TV
Crafty Friends
Dare 2B Artzy
Lil Patch of...

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

In the Garden

     It's time for a new monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and this month we're sponsored by Jan's Digi Stamps.  I'm delighted to be on that DT as well and Jan's will have a new fortnightly challenge starting on Monday, February 3.  Jan's current challenge ends tomorrow at 3 p.m. Pacific time.

 

     I used a couple of the supplemental images from Jan's "Little Garden Cottage 943J" set, leaving the cottage itself for another creation later down the road.  The snail and mushrooms made a perfect Welcome Home card.

Colored with ProMarkers
Snail is fussy cut
Mushrooms cut with Unbranded die
Green CS hand bleached
Strip of dp from scrap basket (DCWV?)
Machine embroidered flowers

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Digi Choosday
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Polkadoodles
TTCRD

     Come play with us this month.  You could be the winner and take home some wonderful Jan's Digi Stamps sets!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Celebrate with Selfies

     This all started yesterday when I read the newest challenge title at Double Trouble, which said "Say Cheese."  I immediately thought about family reunion photos and selfies where everyone has to 'say cheese' to get a proper smile on their face.  I ran to my file of printed images, found the one from LeAnn's World for their progressive challenge because it has this fun couple celebrating and taking selfies.

     As it turns out, the 'cheese' was in honor of National Cheese Day and one of the options was to do something with your favorite cheesy food - sorry, no cheesy food at this party.  But the other option was show something which "makes you smile" and for me that would be parties and friends (and making cards.)

     Double Trouble is also partnering with Atlantic Hearts Sketch for the next 2 weeks (with a different sketch each week) so I chose this week's sketch and used it.

   

                             Colors came from House that Stamps Built

Colored with ProMarkers
Image & Sentiment cut with Unbranded dies
Blue CS cut with Memory Box dies
Both blue and orange CS embossed w/ Linen EF
Butterfly is machine embroidered

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Colouring in Scrapland
Double D
Pammies Inky Pinkies
Paper Funday
Scrappy Land

     This is my first post today and I'll have a second one in a couple more hours so be sure to stop back and check out that one, too.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Burp the Cat

     This sweet little girl from Mo's Digital Pencil knows all about babies, including feeding and burping them.  From the look on the cat's face, I'm not at all sure he truly appreciates all the dedicated care he's getting.  :-D

I used colors from Color My Heart #354, top row

plus Ballerina and Sweet Leaf.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Spellbinders
Layers offset
Dimension with Pop Dots
Sheer ribbon
Machine embroidered butterfly

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Jade and Juicy Orange)
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Gals Corner
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrappy Land
Take It, Make It
Word Art Weds.

     

Be My Valentine?

     This sweet little image (a new one to me) is from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz this month, provided by Di's Digital Stamps, and I thought she'd make a perfect Valentine.  :-D

I was influenced by the wheel over at Butterfly Challenge

and used 3 of the options: Kobe, Kobi, & Knot It.

     I colored with ProMarkers, and cut both the mage and the frame with double stitched circle dies from Die-namics.  The flowery dp used for the frame is from 7 Gypsies.  The butterfly is machine embroidered on my machine and the ribbon is a scrap bit which I tied into a knot.

     Quick post today because I'm running late for an appointment.  I'll add all the challenge links when I return.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Cuttlebug Mania
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers  ('l'ittle 'l'ady)
TTCRD
   
     Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Embroidery Butterflies

     This is going to be a really fast post this morning.  I'm back to machine embroidered things which I can use on cards and this morning, it's pink butterflies! 

     Pink and silver seemed a great combo for a completely feminine card which is still on the CAS side.  The die cuts are done with Bo Bunny dies, and the scalloped dp is from the scrap basket.  I layered everything onto a pink card base and then added a silver, die cut sentiment (Unbranded die.)

     Challenges:
Butterfly Challenge (Old Rose)
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Victorine Originals

     That's it for me and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  NanaConnie

Embroidered Flowers

     I shared my embroidered kitten with you last week and promised you more cards with appliques as I got them made.  This one today was done using the very first patterns I tried on the new data card for my sewing machine, but these are not the first samples I did.

     For these, I invested in some spools of variegated embroidery threads which I used for the stems and leaves.  The darker threads in the pink and yellow flowers were done by using the computerized program and changing the thread when the program stops and tells you to change thread.  Very simple and those two parts of the program were done last.

     No coloring, obviously, but I adhered two colors of CS together, then cut them as one piece with a stitched die from Die-namics.  I used fabric glue to adhere the embroidery to that.  The background dp came from the Whimsy stack by DCWV and I wrapped it one time with a narrow, green ribbon.  I added one of my hand sewn bows and it was complete.  I didn't want anything to take away from the shine of the embroidery.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Not Just Cards
Petal Lu
World Wide Open DT

      I have a couple of posts scheduled for this week but the big day will be Friday when I'll have a total of 4 posts!  All of my DT work seemed to fall on the same day this time although only one is a regular Friday post.  The others were either for the 1st of the month or the 1st Friday and this month, they all came together on that day.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie