Thankful Scarecrow

      It's been a couple of days since I posted anything but mother nature kind of controlled our weekend what with tropical storms and earthquakes swirling around us.  Nevertheless, I got to spend time hiding in my craft room so I worked ahead on a few DT projects and then created this card, using a Mariola Budek image.  If you follow my blog (or even visit fairly often,) you know how I adore her artwork/images.

     For this one, I colored with my Sanjoki markers, then cut the image (and the frame) with QuicKutz dies.  I used my 'Linen' embossing folder on the frame CS before layering on the image piece.  I cut the printed sentiment with a die from Avery Elle, and added a frame from a scrap of the same embossed CS.

     Because I mail so many of my cards, I try to keep them flat and simple but I have been playing with different ideas for the backgrounds, also wanting some visual or textural interest in even the simplest of cards.  For this card, I dug into my stash and found burlap paper from DCWV.  I trimmed it to fit the card front, then added the image and the sentiment.  

I pulled colors from the Outlawz color challenge.

     Challenges:

Carlin's Paradise (Autumn)

Crafts Galore ...

Digi Choosday

I Love Markers

Morgan's ArtWorld

Paper Funday

Penny's P-C

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Believe

      I think this may be my favorite Christmas card this year.  Image is from Beccy's Place and it's a pre-colored image which made this card very quick and easy.  I made it for my spot this fortnight as a GDT at The Outlawz Tuesday color challenge and Beccy's Place is our sponsor.  The theme is a very easy "Anything Goes" as long as it's inspired by their chosen photo.  Obviously, my inspiration was the little bear.  :-D

     I decided on a gate-fold card and scored each short end of the card base, then folded those inward on the score lines.  I used Memory Box dies to cut the tiny angels from gold, glitter paper, and a Die-Versions Nativity die for the heavenly star, which I cut off the Nativity.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die.  The little bear was carefully hand cut with scissors.  I used up a few scraps of gold paper making this card.

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Creative Creases

Creative Inspirations

Ike's World

Lemon Shortbread

Outlawz Festive Fri

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Scor-Pal

WordArt Weds

     Happy Crafting and don't overdo!  NanaConnie

Fairy & Unicorn

      Here we are at the mid-week point and I have a darling little fairy and unicorn to share with you.  One of my granddaughters adores unicorns and I try to make her at least one unicorn card each year, though it usually turns into three or four.  :-D  This image is from Polkadoodles and I won it in a challenge.

     I'm still 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 not only from the stash but from the scrap stash! 

Colors from The Outlawz + "F" for Fairy

Colored w ProMarkers & gel pens

Cut w Sizzix scalloped die

Papers are all from the scrap basket

Sentiment printed and hand cut

Lace scraps from basket

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Digi Choosday

House that Stamps Built

I {heart} ProMarkers

Lemon Shortbread

Paper Funday

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Polkadoodles

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hot Dog Time

Happy 4th of July !

     For those of you doing BBQ in your own back yard because of the new "go-back-inside-and-play-lockdown-again" rules, enjoy and stay safe.  Me, I think I'll 'toast' a hot dog in the toaster oven and call it good.  I'm isolating and spending quiet time in the craft room this weekend.  :-D

     But here's my salute to happier BBQ days, be they past or in the future (we can hope!)  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps.

I took my cue from the colors at Outlawz, 

red, white, and a touch of green

although my red is a bit more subdued.

Colored w Promarkers and gel inks

Cut w QuicKutz die

Diagonal strip is embossed w 'Linen' EF

CAS design

     Challenges:
Arty Divas

Catch the Bug
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Have yourself a great day and enjoy the holiday, USA.  Happy Crafting, NanaConnie

Top Hat Teddy Bear

     I somehow got inspired by a color palette at Outlawz Color challenge, which is surprising considering that I rarely use yellows and oranges except for autumn cards.  They just aren't in the range of my favorite colors.  Nope, I'm a cool colors person for sure, loving purples, blues, and greens.  I often pair yellow with one of those colors when I want a particular color combo of cool and warm colors but beyond that, it's rare to see yellow or orange in my creations.

     But today, this just called out to me.  I used a sweet teddy bear image from Bugaboo Stamps and the sketch from Stella Says Sketch.

  

Colored with ProMarkers w/ glitter on flower
Image cut with oval die from QuicKutz
Frame cut with Spellbinders
   & overlapped to get rectangle shape
Sentiment cut with Avery Elle die
Background scrap paper from DCWV
2 layers of ribbon - both scraps
Mulberry flowers dyed, glitter added, & gem in center

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Cardz TV
Crafty Sentiments
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of ...
Outlawz SAR
TTCRD

     Have yourself a fabulous day and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cat Nip Buddies

It's Day 4 of the Cat Lovers Blog Hop.

Haven't played before and interested in joining?

Click HERE.

     I'm back to another of the House Mouse images which have a cat (and mouse, of course) and I think Maxwell is doing his best to get as excited about the cat nip as the cat.  It's never going to happen, Max.  lol

I used colors from the challenge over at The Outlawz

adding yellow and green from the inspiration photo

and doing lots of layers for my twist.

Colored with ProMarkers

Cut with a Memory Box pinpoint die

Layered with QuicKutz rectangles

Scraps of dp at the corners

Card base embossed with Linen EF

Hand wrapped burlap twine bow

     Challenges:

Bastel-Traum

Craft-Dee BowZ

Crafts Galore Encore

Cuttlebug Mania

Digi Choosday

Lemon Shortbread

SUYP Cats

     Have you played in the Cat Lovers Hop yet?  If not, it's time to get going!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Critters for a Baby

     It's August 1 and we are starting a new monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes Featuring a Critter."  This month, we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs.  Since I'm on that DT also, I'm letting this card do double duty for the new challenge over there which starts today, too.

     The fun part is that the theme at SheepSki is also "Critters" so any card you might make for 2CCC can also be entered in the SheepSki Designs challenge.  Here's my card using these adorable giraffes (Mini Me #174) for a new baby card.

I used colors from the challenge at The Outlawz.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Tonic Studios and QuicKutz dies
Paper from DCWV "Nanna's Nursery" stack
Twine and Jute cord

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Di's Digi Designs
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wild Roses

     I wish I could tell you more about the image on this card but it was given to me by a lady who orders cards from me.  She didn't ask for a card - just gave it as a gift.  :-D

Sketch from Sketch Saturday.

Colored with ProMarkers

Die cut with QuicKutz

Jute cord

Hand tied bow

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Craft-Dee BowZ

Cutie Pie

Dies R Us

I {heart} ProMarkers

Outlawz Color

Prika Crafts

Simon Says Stamp

Sparkles Monthly

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mermaid Summer

     Summer is definitely here in my part of the world, with hot, hot, HOT weather, and I'm already wishing I was a mermaid !  This cute image is from Sasayaki Glitter.

I used the colors from The Outlawz.

     

     Colored with ProMarkers & glitter

     Cut with dies from Spellbinders

     Patterned papers are scraps from my stash

     Hand sewn bow 

     Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T.

Creative Inspirations

Cute Card Thurs.

Double D

Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.

Scrappy Land

Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Morning

     Another card for Easter, this time using an old image from Clear Dollar Stamps (now closed) back when they were handling Doodle Pantry images.  I was on  the Doodle Pantry DT for a couple of years and I really miss them.  It's sad that they are also closed now.  :-(

I was inspired by the colors at The Outlawz.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and the background dp, which is part of the set.  I cut both the image and the sentiment with pinpoint dies from Memory Box.  The flourish is a corner die cut (Spellbinders) and the bow is made from wrapped twine.

     On this card, I did several layers and also use Pop Dots for the image and the sentiment.  I do multiple layers because I like having dimension and texture on a card.

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments (dp/stamp/fav color)
Butterfly Challenge (burgundy and bow)
Crafty Creations
House that Stamps Built
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     The weekend is flying by and those two days each week are when I do the majority of my crafting these days.  I may have an additional post for you this afternoon but if I don't get the project done, I'll post it tomorrow or Tuesday.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Spring Bird in His Garden

     This image from the Progressive Challenge at Limited Runs is so perfect for spring (which hasn't arrived at my house yet - how about yours?)  Each day with a freezing temperature makes me wish more strongly for spring. 

     Before I had decided what to do for the background, I saw that the Color challenge at The Outlawz gave us one color (green), an option to choose two other colors from the inspiration photo (see below) - I chose pink and pale blue - and the twist was to make our own background.  I sorted through the dp scraps on my desk, added a strip of washi tape, and laid them all together on the card front to make the background.  Fortunately, all the dp scraps were distressed and worked well together.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a stitched Unbranded die.  The glossy, pink frame was cut with a Cottage Cutz pinpoint die.  I thought they complemented each other.  The pale pink satin ribbon was a left over scrap and the deep pink ribbon for the bow was in my stash.  I added a tiny gemstone to it.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers
{PIN}spirational
TTCRD

     Thanks for visiting.  Please stop by again tomorrow when I'll have my weekly post for QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Forest Witch

     It seems that even the woodland animals celebrate Halloween!   Over the weekend, I shared a card showing how the fairies disguise themselves as toadstools to avoid the witches and goblins on Halloween but today I'm sharing another delightful image from Ching-Chou Kuik showing a gentle witch of  the woodlands.  I guess not all of them are scary or dangerous.  At least, the squirrels aren't afraid.  :-D

I used colors from Outlawz Colors.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and did the sky and ground with water colors.  I cut the image with an Unbranded oval die.  The purple piece is a CS scrap, cut into a rectangle with a simple die from Spellbinders, then framed with a Bo Bunny die cut piece, also a scrap.  Everything was layered onto a scrap of orange CS, including the sentiment, and that layered piece was put onto a kraft card base. 

     I added mesh for texture, then found a scrap of purple ribbon which I wrapped around the card front.  I tied the purple, gingham check, ribbon into a bow and added it on top of the sheer ribbon.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Pile It On
{Pin}spirational
Pixie's Snippets
Stamping Sensations
Unicorn

     How can we be halfway through October already?   My daughter's birthday is just around the corner and I haven't even thought about doing a card for her.  OMGosh, I'd better get going on that one!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hedgehog Gratitude

     Can hedgehogs be grateful?  Sure, why not?  Give them a few leaves to line their nests before winter hits and their gratitude knows no bounds.  :-D

     I did this sweet card using an image from Lemon Shortbread.

I started with the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches

and the autumn colors from Time Out.

  

     I colored with ProMarkers and water colors, then cut the image with an Unbranded die.  The glittery dots which make up the flourish along the left side and the three on the top right I made by hand punching the dots out of paper which I had glittered and let dry before punching.

     I printed the sentiment, inked the edges and added it above the image.  The bow was hand sewn from sheer ribbon and I put one of the glittered dots on it.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

House that Stamps Built

I {heart} ProMarkers

Mod Squad

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds.

Words to Craft By

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back tomorrow with something else for you to see.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Cherry Harvest

     It's August 1st (how did it get to be August???) and that means another new challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies where we always have an Anything Goes theme as long as you feature some sort of creature.  We're being sponsored by A Day for Daisies this month and they generously gave us images to use.  I chose "A Bite of Cherry" for my image and it makes me think of harvest time.  :-D

I started with the sketch from Sketch Saturday

and the colors from The Outlawz.

  

     I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and water color paints.  I cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  I found a scrap of marbled, rusty, CS and trimmed it to the exact size of the die cut, framing out the image in rusty reds for a feeling of fall harvest.

     I added a simple strip of sheer ribbon and red bow to which I added a tiny gem.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges, and added it to the bottom of the image.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Take It, Make It
Word Art Weds.

     I hope we'll see you playing along with us this month.  You can submit any kind of project as long as it features some kind of creature - 2 legged, 4 legged, feather, fur, wings or no wings, insects, even complete fantasy creatures.  Come play!  NanaConnie

Hug a Ladybug

     Yesterday we got up to 73F and I thought for sure spring was actually here.  Then, by bedtime, thick clouds rolled in and we're sure to have a storm tonight or tomorrow.  Oh, well, maybe it'll be a spring shower.  :-D  In either case, I know that when the ladybugs arrive, spring is here for sure.

I decided to use colors from the challenge at The Outlawz.

    This adorable image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I colored it with ProMarkers.  I cut the image and all three dp pieces with dies from Lawn Fawn (Large Stitched Squares.)  The 3 dp pieces (DCWV) were in my scrap basket and I cut each of the scraps as large as I could, wasting as little as possible. 

     The stitching part got a bit lost in the pattern of the dp so I highlighted the stitches with sparkly, white gel ink, although in the photo it looks mostly white.  The sparkle just didn't photograph. 

     I played a bit with how to arrange all the pieces but settled on what you see here.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied a tiny bow and 'dyed' it pink with a marker.  I added one sequin and a teensy drop of Liquid Pearls for a little touch of bling.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lawn Fawnatics
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Well, this weekend I have to turn my attention to getting things ready for a garage sale in a couple of weeks so I'm not  sure exactly how much crafting I'll get done.  I have a couple of things planned but they are for DT commitments and you won't see them this week.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting. NanaConnie     

Chocolates Mean Love!

     I remember as a child growing up that there were a few special occasions when a box of fancy chocolates would show up and they were always occasions when love was being celebrated - Valentine's  Day, my parent's Anniversary, sometimes even Mother's Day.  If we were oh, so good, we could choose a piece from the box and that meant "Love!"

     My card today celebrates those lovely memories with an image from House Mouse.

I decided that I'd also use the color palette from Outlawz Color Challenge 

since it has all my favorite purples in it.  :-D

     I stamped and colored the image (using ProMarkers), then cut it with a plain rectangle die from Spellbinders.  I matted it with dp from SU and cut it again with another, larger die from that set.  The background dp came from a pad by Paper House.  I've used so much of it because of the entire pad is all purples and now I wish I'd purchased three of them instead of just the one.

     I wrapped the card front with sheer, lavender ribbon and dug out one of my hand-sewn bows, dyed it purple, and layered it onto the sheer ribbon.  The tiny flower is embroidered using purple floss for the flower itself and a combination of purple and green floss for the stem and leaf.

     Finally, I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it to the bottom corner of the image.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More
Cards in Envy
Color Inspiration Mon.
Creates and Makes
House Mouse
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Simon Says Stamp
Unicorn

     Have a great Monday and Happy Crafting.   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

Birthday Bird

     This gorgeous 'Bird on a Wire' is from Beccy's Place and I thought it would be great on a sophisticated birthday card.  

I first pulled my colors from the photo inspiration

at The Outlawz Color Challenge,

     I colored with my ProMarkers (again, my favorite coloring medium) and highlighted the feathers with a white gel pen.  The image is cut with a deckled rectangle die from Spellbinders, as is the pale blue mat behind it.  I matted those pieces with another die cut (Sue Wilson).

     The ribbon is fabric ribbon and the bow is made with satin ribbon.  The sentiment is printed with a simple, computer-font, then adhered at the bottom of the image.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Beccy's Place
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Fingers
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Polkadoodles
Tuesday Throwdown

     That's it for me today but since I did two posts yesterday, I guess that's enough.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Father's Day Fishing

     My dad was a man who never expected any kind of fuss to be made over him, not even on his birthday or Father's Day.  He used both of those occasions every year as an excuse to go fishing and just have quiet time.  Since both his birthday and Father's day were in June and since I was out of school by that time, I got to go with him on many of those occasions.  It was wonderful, father-daughter, quiet time and I still love fishing and enjoying serene, quiet time.

     When I discovered our new challenge at QKR Stampede this week had a "For the Guys" theme, I immediately dug out my favorite "Going Fishing" image (Digi 13209) and paired it with the "Fishing Is" sentiment (Digi 12401) as an homage to my dad.  Today would have been his birthday.  :-D

Colors are from The Outlawz Color Challenge.

Blue isn't necessarily required but a monochrome creation is.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, die cut it with a Cheery Lynn stitched die, and inked the edges.  I did the same with the sentiment.  The other two die cut pieces were done with dies from Spellbinders.   The ribbons were in my stash.  Can you tell I've just gone crazy over those 'bow tie' bows?  I seem to be making them for about every third card, give or take.  :-D

     Challenges:
Craft Rocket
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Deep Ocean
Digi Choosday 
Inky Chicks
Inspiration Destination
Lemon Shortbread
Male Room
Sasayaki Glitter
Scrapy Land
Star Stampz
Sweet Stampin'
Through the Craft room Door
Tuesday Throwdown

     I have now added those "few more challenges" as promised after getting some sleep.  Thanks for your patience.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Please continue to leave comments.  The "Word Verification" really isn't on.  BLOGGER INSISTS ON SHOWING THE "CAPTCHA" ICON BUT IF YOU IGNORE IT AND JUST POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  I WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT BUT THERE'S NO OPTION FOR THAT WHEN THE COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN A SEPARATE BOX.  SORRY.

Rockin' Birthday

     Each month, I play in the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz and this month we were given a wonderful image from Beccy's Place.  It seemed perfect for a summer birthday card, when everyone is enjoying a cool breeze, rocking on the front porch, and looking for an excuse to eat cake and ice cream.  :-D  Besides, at the age of most of my friends (and me), this is likely the only form of a "rockin'" birthday we'll have!

I used three of the colors (yellow, green & lilac)

from the color challenge at Outlawz and did 4 layers.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then die cut and embossed it with a plain, square die from Spellbinders.  I mounted that onto green CS and die cut a decorative corner, also Spellbinders.  The sentiment is printed with a computer font, hand cut and matted with dark green CS, then hand cut again.

     All the CS I used were scrap pieces from my scrap basket, and both ribbons are leftover end pieces from the scrap pile.  Love using up scraps instead of tossing them out!

     Challenges:
2 Creative Chicks
A Bit More Time to Craft
Catch the Bug
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Girls Creations
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers (Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer)
Inspiration Destination
Pixie's Snippets Playground
Scrapper's Delights
Star Stampz

     Our temperatures are still very hot but now they are predicting that we'll have a 'cool down' to about 97 (that's "cool"?) by Wednesday.  I guess we should be grateful it's not still over 100.  :-D  In the meantime, wishing you lots of Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie