Gnome for Christmas

     Our newest monthly challenge has begun today over at SheepSki Designs.  Our theme this month is "Favorite Things" and Gnomes falls right into that category for me.  The image I used is called "Gnome for Christmas."

Colored with pencils and ProMarkers
Aleene's Snow on beard
Stickles added to ornaments
Frame cut with Die-namics stitched die
Stitches enhanced with ProMarker
Signature, hand-sewn bow
Sentiment done with white gel ink

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time ...
Aud Sentiments
Christmas w the Cuties
Classic DT
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Friends
Creatalicious
Die Cut Divas
Outlawz PAM

     I really want to see you playing along in our challenge this month.  Sadly, this is my last month on the DT at SheepSki Designs and I'm going to miss being there.  My blogging life is taking me down a slightly different path which includes more responsibilities starting in the new year and I'm having to cut back on the number of teams I currently serve.  To those of you still on the SheepSki team, I'm waving a sad goodbye but I'll come by as often as possible and play in the upcoming challenges.
 
     Hugs and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter Deer for Christmas

     A different kind of deer than the one on my last post an hour ago but every bit as much fun for creating another Christmas card.  It's November 1 and a new challenge is starting at SheepSki Designs.  Our theme this month is "Christmas is Coming."  This silhouette image is one of Andrea's newer ones and I fell in love with it the instant I saw it!  It's called "Winter Deer" and I thought it was graceful and elegant.

Colored with ProMarkers
Christmas Star cut with Memory Box die
Glitter added to Star
White Lace
Sentiment cut with Spellbinders die & edges inked

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft
Carlin's Card Paradise
Classic DT Open
Crafts Galore Encore
Die Cut Divas
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pearly Sparkles

     OK, that's most of the posts for today but I still have one more late tonight and I know you don't want to miss that one but you might want to stop by tomorrow instead of staying up until it posts.  It really is a Saturday post anyway but I have to post tonight because of the time difference.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

All Hallows Eve

     Welcome to my second post today and to my DT card for the new monthly challenge beginning at SheepSki Designs.  Our theme this month is "Autumn Colors" and I used those to make a Halloween card, using the "Duplicity" image.  This wasn't necessarily intended as a Halloween image but I thought I'd try it and see how it turned out.  I'm pleased with the result.

Colored with ProMarkers
Fussy cut with scissors
Sparkly ribbon
Black card base
White gel ink on sentiment

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Butterfly (Mandarin, Magnolia, Markers)
Colour Crazy
Crafty Friends
Dream Valley
Outlawz Greetings
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles
Stamping Sensations

     Dig out all your lovely autumn colors and come play with us this month.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Unicorn Dreams

     New challenge today at the SheepSki Designs blog and our theme is "Dies and/or Punches."  I used this fantastic "Unicorn" image drawn by Andrea and I'm so crazy about it, I know I'm going to use it again and again.  This time, it's being used as a birthday card.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter added to unicorn horn
Tonic Studios dies
Double loop, double layer, bow (ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon)
Sheer, plaid, ribbon strip (also from Really Reasonable Ribbon)
Metallic CS base
Sentiment printed and die cut with Tonic Studios die
Inked edges - ProMarker

     Challenges:
2 Sisters on the  Blog
a2z Scrapbooking
A Bit More Time to Craft
Bastel-Traum
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafter's Cafe
Digi Doodle Studio
Dream Valley
Your Scrapbook Place

      Come play this month.  We love being inspired by you and your creations.  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

Birthday Wishes

     I know you've already seen my DT card for SheepSki Designs if you visited on Wednesday, but this morning I'm sharing a card with a stunning (and fun to color) image from SheepSki called "Peonies" because SheepSki is sponsoring the challenge over at Crafty Friends and I was lucky enough to be a Guest Designer.  :-D  The theme for the Crafty Friends challenge this fortnight is "Use 2 or more dies." 

   

I pulled all my colors from the inspiration board

at Color My Heart Color Dare #341.

     I colored the peonies with ProMarkers, then used a die from Sue Wilson to cut the image.  I trimmed one end of it so that there would be a straight side on the left.  I chose a golden yellow CS for the background and cut the butterflies into it with a Memory Box die.  

     I mounted that onto a kraft card base, then added the image and one of my signature, hand sewn, bows with a tiny pearl.  The bow was 'dyed' with a ProMarker to match the color of the sentiment.  The sentiment was cut with Tim Holtz word dies by Sizzix.

     This is one of those fun cards where I get to combine ribbon (for the bow) and flowers (in the image) and still have a flat card for easy mailing.  If I have to choose between ribbons and flowers as embellies, I'll almost always go with ribbon because the bulk of flower embellies make cards difficult to mail.  When I do use dimensional flowers, I almost always am giving the card personally, not mailing it.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Crafty Catz

Digi Choosday

Dream Valley

Happy Craft

Outlawz Greetings

Paperbabe Stamps

Passion for ProMarkers

Southern Girls

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gladioli for Mom

     This is my second post of the day and I want to welcome you to our latest challenge at SheepSki Designs.  Our theme this month is "Flower Power" and Andrea has some of most incredible flower images, including this one "Gladioli No. 142."

     I remember my mom grew glads in her garden and my favorites of all the colors she raised were a soft, peachy-pink that faded into almost white around the very edges of the petals.  I tried to re-create those when I colored this image with ProMarkers and water colors.  I cut the image with a rectangle die from QuicKutz and inked the edges with a ProMarker.

     I printed the sentiment using a computer font, then cut that with an Unbranded die.  The circle was cut with a die from Memory Box. 

     Challenges:
Allsort's 
Colour Crazy
Crafty Creations
Di's Digi Designs
Paperbabe Stamps
Pattie's Creations
Pile It On
Polkadoodles
Word Art Weds.

     If you missed my first post of the day for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies, scroll down one post.  I hope to see you at both challenges.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie    

Spring Butterflies

     New challenge today at SheepSki Designs and our theme is "Wings."  What's more spring-like than butterfly wings?   This delightful SheepSki image is called "Butterfly Curl."

     I colored all the butterflies with ProMarkers, then added loose glitter (Sparkle n Sprinkle "Azul") to the wings of the largest butterfly.  The lattice work was cut with a Memory Box die.  I printed and handcut the sentiment, inked the edges, and added it to the top corner.

     The blue background is actually a scrap of suede cloth, trimmed to size for the card front.  It gives a soft, fuzzy look and feel to the card.  I added one of my signature, hand-sewn bows to the lower corner because the shape of it mimics a butterfly and is a perfect complement.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Gals Corner
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Twist Thurs.
Simon Says Stamp
Sparkle n Sprinkle
Time Out
Word Art Weds.

     Come play with u this month!  We can't wait to see what you create.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter Warm Up

     It's the First of March and our newest challenge at SheepSki Designs begins today.  We have a fun theme of  "Your Favorite Colors" and I stretched it a bit to show one of my favorite color combos - purple and blue.  The image is called "Winter Warmer" and you can find it by clicking on the name.  I thought she looked so gorgeous wrapped in that warm winter scarf.

     She's colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, and I cut her with a stitched die from Memory Box.  I cut blue and purple dp with other stitched dies from that same set, picking up the blues and purples in the image.

     I made the card base from kraft CS because I loved the way the dp popped off it.  I found a piece of lovely, lace ribbon and laid it diagonally across the card base before applying the dp and the image.  I embellished the design with a 'butterfly' shaped bow with pearl for the body.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments (top L to bottom R)
Butterfly  (Burgundy + Bow - which is also the butterfly!)
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Creations
Creative Knockouts
House that Stamps Built
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Celebrating Love

     I'm back on track but will be posting only sporadically this month and maybe the first half of next month since my craft room supplies are going to be pretty much packed up during that time.  :-(  In the interests of plain and simple sanity, I'll probably keep a few ProMarkers and a box of watercolor pencils close at hand so that I can do coloring if nothing else.  Sitting and coloring a dozen images over a weekend will go a long way toward making me feel both calm and creative.  :-D

     In the meantime, here's my card for the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz this month.  The image came from SheepSki Designs.

     I started with scraps of confetti CS, printed the image on one, and trimmed the other piece to the size of the card front so that I could do a twisted easel card.  I colored with ProMarkers and cut the image with a square die from QuicKutz.  I inked the edges of both the image and the confetti CS square for the card front.

     The scattered hearts were all cut with dies from Spellbinders, Memory Box, or Lawn Fawn, all of which are brand new in my stash!  How perfect to now have them for this card.  :-D  I used them to complement the scattered hearts in the image.  The sentiment, together with one heart, is used as the 'stopper' for the easel.  The card base is made with kraft CS and I love the contrast with the confetti CS.

     Challenges:
Crafter's Castle
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cute N Crafty
Ike's World
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

Snow Buddies

     The challenge theme at SheepSki Designs this month is "New or Old" and since I'm still on my Holiday break, I'm sharing with you a card with an image more than 2 years old.  The image is called "Penguin Pals" and I think it's absolutely adorable!  Two penguins building their own snow man penguin.

     I colored with ProMarkers and die cut both the image and the frame with dies from Cheery Lynn.  I mounted those onto a a deep green card base.  I added a single, hand-tied, red bow and the sentiment, then left it CAS.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Cardz TV
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs.
Outlawz Twisted Thurs 
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Have yourself a wonderful New Year's Day and I'm sending wishes for a happy and prosperous year.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Moon for the Penguins

     One last post for today and I know that 3 posts means a lot of reading and looking but that's what happens on the first of the month when three of my DTs all start their monthly challenges.  :-D  I hope you'll come and celebrate with us at SheepSki Designs where our theme this month is "Celebrations."  It doesn't have to be Christmas - you're free to choose any winter holiday or occasion, even a birthday, I suppose.  We just want to see what you're celebrating!

    This sweet little penguin couple are celebrating the Christmas moon and the fact that they get to share it with each other.  The image is called "Cool Couple" and I think they are so adorable!

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a Gina Marie die.  I had already decided on a very CAS design so I took the cut image and mounted it onto an ice blue card base.  That's it.  I let that delicate, filigree border do all the work of showcasing the image.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Creative Moments
House that Stamps Built
Jo's Scrap Shack
Mod Squad
Paper Shelter
{PIN}spirational
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Come play with us this month and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Candle

     This is it!  Fourth post of the day and the last one.  :-D

     One last DT card for another new monthly challenge and this time it's at the SheepSki Designs blog!  We have a theme this month, "Anything Christmas."  Since you are a bit over 6 weeks away from Christmas (yes, it's true, and I don't know how that happened either!), it's a great time to add a couple more holiday cards to your stash.  You know you're going to need them.

     I used one of Andrea's newer images, Christmas Candle, and it really inspired me to use traditional colors.  It reminds me of all the holiday references to candles in the windows for those who are making their way home, hence the sentiment.,

     I colored with ProMarkers and Copics and used dies from QuicKutz to cut the image and the mat behind it, plus the aperture in the card front.  I added golden Nuvo Crystal Drops to the centers of the poinsettias.  The leaves I used for the 'wreath' frame were cut with a Cheery Lynn die.  The background paper was in my stash of Christmas papers and I've had it for so long I'm not absolutely sure but I think it came from one of my Bo Bunny stacks.

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Beccy's Place (aperture & avocado green)
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Creations
Die Cut Divas
Fabrika Fantasy
Joy Clair
Not Just Cards
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.
   
     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Freesias

     We are starting the October challenge at Crafting with an Attitude where our theme is always "Anything Goes."  This month, we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs (and I'm honored to be part of that DT also!)  I chose to use this beautiful "Freesia Vase" image.

I decided to use colors from the Tic Tac Toe challenge

at Color My Heart's Color Dare.

I chose the bottom row.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then fussy cut the image.  The background pink and white 'mat' is cut with dies from Spellbinders and they are inset into each other.  I mounted the image onto dimensional tape and added it to the mat.

     All of that went onto peacock CS which was trimmed to fit the card base. The only embellishment I added were the two sets of three tiny pearls on the two diagonal corners.  I wanted it as simple as possible to showcase that gorgeous flower image.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Country View 
Crafting with Friends
Dream Valley
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Festive Friday
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies

     We hope to see you playing along in our challenge this month.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Berry Pie Time

     Did you know that fall is really the time for berry pies?  I know most of you think that berry pie is a summer thing but since I used this marvelous "Berry" image on my DT card (theme is "Wings") for October SheepSki Designs challenge, I'll tell you the real story.

     Berry picking is definitely a summer activity but since those fresh, ripe, berries can only last so long, and since in my family we always picked more than we could possibly eat before they spoiled, we froze quarts and quarts of them.  When October rolled around and the weather finally was cool enough that we didn't care if the oven heated up the kitchen, we dug out a couple of quarts of those frozen berries and used them to make berry pies!  We could have berry pie throughout the fall and we usually used the last of them for a wonderful and unexpected Thanksgiving dessert.

     I colored the berry vine with my ProMarkers and added tiny spots and dots of highlighting with a gel pen.  The image was cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, adding it to the bottom of the image piece.

     The bow is one of those I sew up by the dozens, only this time it has a tiny button on it instead of a pearl.  I 'dyed' it aubergine purple with a ProMarker.  My final touch was to add the 'Wings" and that's a machine embroidered butterfly.  It reminds me that we always saw butterflies when we were out picking berries even though they were pretty much all gone by the time we were eating berry pies.  :-D

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Cardz TV
Creative Knockouts
Digi Choosday
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Polkadoodles
Southern Girls (dots on the berries and on the die cut)

     That does it for my First-of-the-Month DT posts and I may or may not have another post tomorrow.  My fingers are tired from all the typing and my brain is recuperating from all the creative juices flowing through it.  Can you get drunk on creative juices?  :-D  But I'll be back in a day or two, I promise.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flying Pigs and Salute to Lewis Carroll

     " 'The time has come,' the Walrus said,

      To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

      Of cabbages — and kings —

   And why the sea is boiling hot —

    And whether pigs have wings."

       Of course, that's the famous passage from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and my DT card today for the newest challenge at SheepSki Designs salutes the author with this darling image called "Pigs Can Fly."  

       From the time I was a young child and first read (or had read to me) the 'Alice' book (as I called it), I was fascinated by the idea of pigs having wings.  As a teen, hearing the old adage about something happening "when pigs fly," I was just as intrigued.  So, when Andrea first drew this image, I knew I had to use it.  Since the optional twist on this month's usual "Anything Goes" challenge is "For Kids," it seemed the perfect time.

       I colored with ProMarkers and added gold and white gel ink on the wings.  I die cut the image with a die from Die-namics.  The scalloped frame is cut with a Memory Box die which is also stitched.

       I found a scrap of dp in my basket of leftovers which had stitching and it seemed perfect.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges and added it.  Finally, I tied a "bowtie" bow and added it below the sentiment.  Voila', finished!  And it makes me happy - like being a child again and dreaming of magical things like pigs with wings.  :-D

       Challenges:

Aud Sentiments (top row)

CARDZ TV

Creative Fingers

Cute Card Thurs

Lemon Shortbread

Outlawz Color

Outlawz Festive Friday

Passion for ProMarkers

Time Out

TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cold Days & Hot Coffee

     This is my second post of the day so if you're looking for my DT card for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies, please click here.

     The new challenge starts today at SheepSki Designs and our theme is "Favourite Things."  I used the SheepSki image called "Coffee Break" because two of my favorite things are cold autumn nights and coffee.  When those are put together it's a perfect evening!   Just so you know, I'm really tired of the hot, hot, HOT weather we've had for 33 days (in a row) and I'm wishing for autumn and crisp air and coffee.  Does the coffee part make that a 'Warm Wish' ? 

     She's colored with ProMarkers and cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I framed the image with a pinhole die cut (Cottage Cutz.)  Both of those are simple square dies turned on point.

     The background paper is from DCWV, pulled from the oldest part of my paper stash, and I used an ink pad to ink the edges before applying it to the card front.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, added it, and then used three small pearls on each side for embellishment, also from the stash.

     Challenges:
CARDZ  TV
Crafting by Designs
Die Cuttin' Divas
Di's Digi Designs
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Shelter
Pile It On
Polkadoodles
TTCRD
   
     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tulips in My Garden

     My card today is done with the image from the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  The image just happens to have been donated by SheepSki Designs, where I've just rejoined the DT.   :-D
Is this a marvelous image?

     I think this may be the most CAS card I've done ever!  I do like CAS and try to do simple designs pretty regularly but this is literally nothing more than the image adhered right onto the card base.

     I used ProMarkers to color the tulips and to make a bit of a scene by adding ground and very pale sky.  The sentiment is printed right with the image.  I cut it with a stitched die from Lawn Fawn and added a bit of marker ink to the edges.

     The card base is single sided, 12"x12", distressed, scrap booking CS which I cut to size and scored to make a tent fold card.  No embellishments - no ribbon, no flowers, no bows, no bling... just the die cut image and the card base.  I like it!

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
That's Crafty
WordArt Weds.

     I'm off running today and will be only occasionally posting for the next couple of weeks.  I do have some posts pre-scheduled so I hope you'll stop by to see what's being posted in my absence.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Make Your Own Shade

     This is my second post of the day and, in my first post, I promised you wonderful news if you stopped by again.  So here it is:  I've rejoined the DT at SheepSki Designs!!   And, yes, I'm excited to say Andrea took pity on me and said "Yes" when I begged to return.  :-D  Thanks, Andrea.

     Our challenges are always "Anything Goes" but we also offer an optional theme with each challenge, which you can use or not, your choice.  I followed the theme this month "For Someone Special."  I'm sending this to a friend who needs some emotional support and encouragement, and that in itself makes her very special.

     I used this beautiful image, "Becca."  How fun that I have a granddaughter who goes by Becca.  :-D

     My first card today was very CAS so with this card, I went to the other extreme.

     The image was colored with ProMarkers, the cut with a die from Spellbinders.  The darker pink frame was also cut with another die from that same set.  The lighter pink CS was embossed and pinpoint punched around the frame.

     I added lace to the bottom of the light pink CS, then I added the image piece.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, matting it with a scrap of the same light pink CS.

     I covered the card front with embossed, metallic paper and then added the framed and matted image on top of that.   Looking for embellishment on this already 'fancy' design, I dug through my box of flower and leaf dies, found a flower die from Spellbinders and a leaf die from Cheery Lynn.  I used those cut the flowers and leaves.  I added pink glitter to the top layer of flower petals and put a tiny dot of yellow Nuvo Crystal Drops in the center of each flower.

     I apologize for the photo quality but the metallic paper, which is so gorgeous IRL, made it very hard to photograph so this is the best I could do, even with photo editing.

     Challenges:
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Catz
Creative Inspirations
Fussy and Fancy
Crafty Gals Corner
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz PAM
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     Come play along this month, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cinderella Shoes

     Cinderella clearly knew the value of a good pair of slippers and I submit for consideration that in itself is reason enough to go shopping for a new pair of shoes!  This delightful image from SheepSki Designs inspired me.  For their FB challenge, they want us to use two colors so I chose pink and silver.

     This one is pretty simple because I wanted the shoe to be the main focus.  I colored it with ProMarkers and cut the image with a rectangle die (Spellbinders), then punched the corners for a bit of  visual interest (Fiskars.)

     I put the image onto an embossed card front, added the hand-cut sentiment, and tied that outrageous triple bow with the help of my bow maker.  Almost as an afterthought, I decided to add the silver pearls and that really dressed up the shoe.  Now I know Cinderella would love this pair!  :-D

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Brown Sugar
Crafter's Castle
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafty Calendar
Cute Card Thurs.
Dragonfly Dreams
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack

     This week has gone by so quickly!   I can hardly believe that it's Thursday already and that the weekend is just around the corner.  Hope you're planning on lots of crafty time.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie