Puppy Walking

      How about a reminder that LeAnn's World 101 has a monthly Progressive Challenge over on their FB page and the freebie (if you played last month) image is Dog Walker Annie?  If you didn't play last month, you can purchase the image, make a card, enter it into the album on FB, and next month, you'll get a free image to play again.  Each month that you play, you get the image free the following month.

     I did a card with a lot more embellishment than is my normal "style" (if I even have a style!) but after mostly CAS or near CAS cards over the last couple of weeks, I just wanted to create something different.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, and cut it with a QuicKutz die.  I inked the edges on both the image and the sentiment (cut with an Avery Elle die), using a deep purple marker.  The background papers are both from Stampin' Up and they've been in my stash for at least 5 years, probably longer.  I found scraps of them in a folder and used a Darice EF on each one, carefully matching the embossed design when I layered them together on the card front.  

     The ivy vine was cut with a Sue Wilson die.  I decided on a bow and found the lovely, sparkly, copper ribbon, then used my bow maker to tie a triple-loop bow.  I thought the copper color was a great compliment to the color of the butterflies in the image.

     Challenges:

     We'd love to see you playing along in the Progressive Challenge at LeAnne's World 101.  If you played last month, this image has already been sent to you.  If you didn't play, head over to the store (see link to the image up above) and grab it.  Then play with us and get the image for next month free!  

  

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Stockings were Hung ...

      Guess what?  After a 3 month hiatus, the Blog Challenge at LeAnn's World 101 is back!  And I've joined the DT.  :-D  Normally, the Blog Challenges will begin in the 3rd of each month and run through the last day of the month, but this month we're doing a 2 week challenge starting today and running through July 31, then the next challenge will begin on the normal August 3rd.  The theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can enter any kind of project using any paper products as long as you use a stamp or digital image (from any company.)

     We also have a challenge in our Facebook Group which is a Progressive Challenge (get an image one month, use it to enter the Challenge, then get another image free the following month.)  That challenge starts on the 5th of each month and runs through the end of the month.  If you're interested in getting those free images each month, get over to the FB page NOW, request the image, and play before the end of July, otherwise you'll have to buy the August image before you can play and then get the September image free.  :-D

     For the Blog Challenge, I chose to use this sweet LeAnn's image called "Stocking Stuffer."  I colored her with Sanjoki markers, then cut the image with a Sue Wilson die.  I inlaid that into a scrap of red CS which had also been cut with that same die, used a Fiskars punch on the corners, and mounted that whole thing diagonally onto a piece of snowflake dp (DCWV), trimmed to fit the card front.  I cut the white snowflakes with two Spellbinders dies and added them to opposite corners, top and bottom.  Finally, I added the printed and fussy cut sentiment.

     Challenges:

Crafter's Cafe

Crafty Calendar

Creatalicious

Creative Fingers

Double Trouble

Happy...Stampers

Polkadoodles

Star Stampz

Worldwide Crafters

     We're so happy to be back and we really hope you're going to come play with us again!  Remember, the Blog Challenge theme is always "Anything Goes" so how can you go wrong?  See you there!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Kittens in the Milk Pail

      I had so much fun making this card, my second DT project for the new challenge at FarmQuest General Store (FQGS, for short) which starts on the 7th of each month and ends on the 5th of the following month.  Our theme is always Anything Farm Country Goes (see the blog site for more specifics on that.)

     I played with an old photograph, printed in grayscale, and colored with blue ProMarkers to give it a bit of tint, kind of like coloring old tintypes.  I cut the image with a rectangle Tonic Studios die, then layered it onto a scrap piece of CS which was the center of  a frame previously cut with a Sue Wilson die for another project.  

     Moral of the story:  Never, ever throw out the scraps!  I know both the scrap CS and the scrap of dp have been around in the scrap basket for more than 2 years.  The twine is probably 4 or 5 years old, and the dies I used have been in my collection for more years than I can count.

     The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die and the top edge of the mat was cut with that same Sue Wilson die so that the sentiment would tuck in nicely at the bottom of the image piece.  The striped dp was also a scrap from the basket and I think it was from a K & Co. stack.  The fiber/twine came from The Twinery.

     Challenges:

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Thurs

Pammie's IP

Paper Funday

Passion for Markers

Penny's P-C

Polkadoodles

SUYP Cats

Word Art Weds

     We'd love to see you playing in our challenges this month.  We get as much inspiration from you as you get from us, you know.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bailey and Bee

      I adore this precious image by Conie Fong called "Bailey and Bee."  This is one of her newest releases and I'm happy to say I had a bit of input in suggesting the design.  :-D  

     I printed the sentiment (also from the set) with the image and used water color paints, then cut it with a Tonic Studios die.  The frame was made by cutting a scrap of CS with a Sue Wilson die.  Everything was mounted onto a pale, sky blue, piece of CS, layered onto the card front.   Pretty simple but it looks really complex due to the filigree design of the die cut frame.

I pulled 3 of the 4 colors from My Favorite Things.

     Challenges:

Digi Choosday

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz Thursday (center row)

Pammie's IP

Paper Funday

Pattie's Creations

Penny's P-C

Polkadoodles

Word Art Weds

     Feel free to come and play in our Conie Fong challenge which you'll find on our Facebook page.  Anything goes but you must use a Conie Fong image.  Conie always has some images on sale and there are even freebies available on the FB site.  Check it out and then come play!  

     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

Blue Zinnias

      This beautiful image was drawn by Sandra at The Outlawz for their monthly Progressive Challenge.  I spent a lot of the month trying to decide between another Valentine card or a birthday card for my annual stash.  For the second day in a row, birthday won out.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers and white gel pen, then carefully fussy cut the image with scissors.  I wanted to use the sketch I found at There's a Stamp for That, so I added a delicate frame, cut from glittery, sticker paper with a die from Sue Wilson.  That frame is so detailed it's nearly impossible to add glue to the back so cutting from sticker paper is the only way to go.  Before cutting, I used Versamark clear ink, then added glittery, yellow embossing powder, and heat embossed the entire sheet.  

     I used textured fiber paper from DCWV which has been in my stash for so long, I had completely forgotten about it.  I added the glittery frame (deliberately tilted on an angle), then layered on the zinnia image, using an out-of-the-box technique with the leaves.  The sentiment was printed and cut with dies from Avery Elle.

Here's a shot of the sketch:

     Challenges:

Creative Fingers

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

I Love ProMarkers

Pammie's IP

Simon Says Stamp

Your Scrapbook Place

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Broom and Caldron

      The image I used today is another one of those which was exchanged in my group of crafters and I think it was done with a stencil but it may have been a silhouette rubber stamp.  I thought it was fun and fabulous so I did a bit of coloring with ProMarkers, then used gold paint pen on the witch's hat and sparkle gel pen on the cauldron handle and rim.

     The image was cut with a Sue Wilson die and the sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The background paper is from Taylor Made.

This is also my Day 19 entry for the
 LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop.

 

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Crafty Catz

Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Inspirations

Di's Digi Designs

Double D

Paper Funday

Paper Shelter

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Paper Piecing in a Peaceful Garden

      I'm just so tickled with the final result of this paper pieced card which I did for our latest challenge at I Love ProMarkers, and "Paper Piecing" is our optional theme for this challenge.  Our challenges are always "Anything Goes" but we also have an optional theme to go along with that.  We're sponsored by Digi Doodle Studios and they were so generous, supplying the DT with images to use.

     I chose this one, called "Dahlia's Blooms," and it was fun to both color and paper piece.  I chose 2 pieces of dp from a Lawn Fawn stack before printing the image, then printed it 3 times; on both dp and on white CS.  I decided what parts of the image I wanted to paper piece and fussy cut those from the patterned papers.  I did the little bird on top of the birdhouse and her hat from the blue, and 3 of the flowers plus the butterfly from the coral pink patterned papers.  I used ProMarkers to color the rest of the flowers, her hair, face, and arm, and the ribbon tied around her hat.

     At that point, I used a Sue Wilson die to cut the image and an Avery Elle die to cut the sentiment.  Both of those were mounted onto remaining scraps of the same dp (used to make the card front background.)  No further embellishment seemed necessary.  :-D

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Di's Digi Designs

Dragonfly Dreams

Gem of a Challenge

Get Creative

Lawn Fawn

Mod Squad

Outlawz Mon

Paperbabe

     I hope you found a bit of inspiration today and you really should check out what the rest of the team have created.  Come play in our challenge, with or without paper piecing!  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Hedgehog

      (Edited to add:  So sorry.  Somehow my post, instead of being pre-scheduled, reverted to a draft. I've fixed it now.  :-D)

     Another challenge has started today over at Paper Funday.  We are sponsored by Jan's Digi Stamps and by Lee Holland Art, whose image I used on my card.  The image is called "Hedgehog with a Daffodil."  I turned it into an Easter card.

     Colored with ProMarkers and cut with a Sue Wilson framing die.  I colored all the ivy pieces and inlaid them back into the frame.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  I added pearls to two of the corners and called it finished.

My card design was inspired by Sketch #227 at Sweet Sketch Weds 2.

     Challenges:

Creative Inspiration

Double D

Mod Squad

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Word Art Weds

     We'd really love to see you playing along with us this challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Talking to Flowers

      This sweet little lady (fairy? pixie?), who's talking to the "spring flower," is an adorable image from Star Stampz, who just happens to be our challenge sponsor this week at Creative Knockouts.  Our theme this time is "Spring is in the Air."  

     I loved working with this image.  It colored so beautifully.  I used my ProMarkers, then cut a frame using a Sue Wilson die.  In this case, it's the frame which was cut, not the image piece.  I used another Sue Wilson die to cut the frame around the sentiment, and used a QuicKutz oval die to cut the actual sentiment piece.  I do love using dies - clearly one of my favorite things to do!  

     I added a mulberry paper flower to the sentiment frame.  I went a little crazy earlier this week cutting and embossing flower petals from mulberry paper and turning out finished flowers.  I think I've used one on every card this week.  :-D

     Challenges:

Colouring in Scrapland

Creative Inspirations

Outlawz SAR

Paper Shelter

Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says ... & Show

Stamping Sensations

Star Stampz (cranberry CS)

We Love Stamping

     We'd love to see you playing in our challenge this week.  "Spring" is such an easy theme this time of year when most of us are so tired of cold, rainy, snowy weather and are longing for those flowers to pop from the earth.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Last Day of 30 Days of Holidays

      It's the last day of the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and Beccy always lets us do whatever we love on the last day, so an "Anything Goes" theme.  I chose to use this beautiful candle by Beccy and to use the last I have of a Graphic 45 Christmas paper.

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then used a Sue Wilson die to cut the image piece.  I used another die from that same set to cut the white glitter CS from Doodlebug and layer it over the image with the center open to let the candle 'shine' as the star of the card!  :-D

     The Graphic 45 paper has lovely candles on it and I added a bit of Stickles to each candle flame on that dp.  The sentiment is also from Beccy's Place and I cut it with a Tutti Designs die.

     Challenges:

Digi Choosday

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

Uniko

Word Art Weds

Your Next Stamp

     It's sad to see the end of the 30 Days of Holidays but I have so many cards added to my stash this year!  As in other years, I always make lots of extra cards to give to my local senior center because so many of those seniors have transportation complications and they simply can't get out to buy Christmas cards for their children and grandchildren.  Each year the cards I leave with them are welcomed happily and I get such sweet "thank you"s from those who pick out something they consider special for a family member or friend.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ho Ho Ho Gift Holder

      Today I want to share with you a Hand-made, gift Holder for my "H" card at the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place.  With a big "Ho Ho Ho" ringing in my head, I decided I wanted to do something with a Santa theme but without actually showing a Santa; only doing something which would make the viewer think of Santa.

     My daughter has her own business as a Color Street stylist.  If you're not familiar with Color Street, it's "dry" nail polish which is easily put onto your nails by applying nail polish strips.  They come in a package and you'll see one of them in one of the photos I'm posting.  At Christmas time, she gives sets to those of us who want them as our gifts, and she also has many people who buy the packaged sets as gifts for people on their lists.  She asked me if I could make gift holders in a size suitable for holding the Color Street packets.  

     Of course, I jumped right in and started designing something.  I measured the Color Street packet, then scored and folded red CS so that it was 3/8 inch larger in width, and 1/2 an inch longer.  I sealed the holder by using double stick tape on the bottom and along a narrow flap I made on one side.  The dies are from Sue Wilson and I cut 4 different kinds of buckles to use.  I cut only scraps for the belts and buckles.  I made a dozen of these; some have the sentiment and some are just the belt and buckle.  I'm sure she's going to want more of them.  Here's the result of my labors:

Did your brain say "Santa" as soon as you saw this?

 

The photo above shows the Color Street packet

and the photo below shows how it slips into the top of the holder.  

It actually slides all the way inside but I left one end peeking out

so that you could see how it fits.

     Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Sentiments

Outlawz Festive Fri

TTCRD

Word Art Weds

     I'm heading back to the craft room to make some gift card holders and I'm so pleased with this design idea that I may very well make some of those using this idea.  They'll be much smaller, of course, but that just means I have to find a way to cut smaller buckles.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

It's All About the Salsa !

      I know, all you 'foodies' out there think I'm talking about a new recipe just in time for the upcoming holidays, but this card has absolutely nothing to do with tomatoes or hot chili peppers.  Rather, it's all about Salsa Dancing!  I had to get one more of my dance theme cards shared.  :-D

     The image is water colored (although her skin tones are done with ProMarkers and the white on his shirt is gel pen), cut with a QuicKutz rectangle die, and the corners were done with a Fiskars punch.  The bright red-orange frame was cut with Sue Wilson dies, inlaid back into themselves.  I added scrap strips of textured gold CS, and everything is mounted onto a cocoa-brown card base.  I found three, square, metal brads in my stash, broke off the prongs, and glued them to the card front.  The "Salsa" sentiment was done with a dried-out black marker.

I chose colors from My Favorite Things.

     Challenges:

A Perfect Time ...

Classic Design

Crafts Galore Encore

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Lemon Shortbread

Morgan's ArtWorld

Penny's Paper-Crafty

TTCRD

     Kind of a short post but my hand isn't completely healed so typing is still very slow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Why We Have Friends

      I love the sentiment on this card (QKR, called "Friends") which I paired with this delightful image, also from QKR Stampede, called "Checking Shadows."  The image is colored with my ProMarkers, and cut with a die from Cuts.  The delicate frame was a Sue Wilson die cut.  The sentiment was fussy cut and matted.

     I added satin & sheer, aqua ribbon to the top of the card, and a bow tied using brown lace, folded in half lengthwise before tying.

     Challenges:

Aud Sentiments

Crafter's Cafe

Craft's Galore Encore

Cute Card Thurs

Morgan's ArtWorld

Outlawz Twist Thurs

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

WordArt Weds

     Our challenge at QKR Stampede runs from today through the 14th of October, then a new challenge starts on the 15th and runs through the end of the month.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and we love to see you playing along with us.  Won't you please come and play?

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Totally Innocent Devil Dragon

      As some of you know (if you visit my blog with any regularity), I have a granddaughter who shares my great love of dragons and I've been using any excuse (birthday, Christmas, Easter, Summer Solstice, start or end of Daylight Savings time, etc.) to send her dragon cards for most of her 22 years now.  Yes, she still loves them even as an adult.  So, this one will be her Halloween card this year.

     It's colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut and embossed with Sue Wilson dies.   The background papers are scraps from a Recollections stack.  The lace strip was in my stash and has been enhanced with suede strips before adhering it diagonally across the card front.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

I was influenced by the sketch at Paperminutes, 

adjusted for a square card.

I did reverse the diagonal line and used a square shape

instead of a circle.

      Challenges:

Cardz TV

Creative Inspirations

Cute Card Thurs

I love ProMarkers

Lemon Shortbread

Outlawz Festive Fri

Polkadoodles

Scrapping4Fun

Two Old Bats

     That's all I have for today but I'm wishing you a great day and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Coffee and a Muffin

      This is my second post today so feel free to scroll down and check out the first one.

     We're mid-way through our August challenge over at Your Scrapbook Place  and I'm using the other 2 images which are the prize from Bugaboo Stamps this month.  Check out my first card (at this post) if you want to see the third image of the prize.  You may know that the Bugaboo Stamps store closed unexpectedly but we are still offering a prize of the three images Bugaboo gave to the DT for this challenge.  So sad that Bugaboo closed.  :-(

     I merged the images before printing and coloring them.  I colored with my ProMarkers and then cut the image with a complex die set from Sue Wilson.  That same die also embosses the frame part of the cut.  I used my 'Linen' EF on both pieces of CS, aqua and lavender.  I backed the cut image with the aqua CS an the purple CS strip went behind the image.  The die cut is so detailed that I allowed it to be the 'embellishment' on the card.

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Creative Inspirations

Cutie Pie

Dragonfly Dreams

Dream Valley

Gem of a Challenge

Get Creative

Inspiration Station  (great range of colors!)

Three Room Studio

TTCRD

     You still have a little over 2 weeks to play in our Anything Goes challenge this month so get something made and come play with us.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Putting on the Ritz

      One more of my dance themed cards and this is the one I love the best (so far) because I got to use both water color paints and markers.  I'll share another one tomorrow that is all water color and, in its own way, is every bit as glamorous.  :-D  

     On this image, the background is all watercolor, as is the clothing on the couple but their faces, hair,  arms and legs are colored with ProMarkers.  The problem with markers on watercolor paper is that it tends to 'bleed' into spots where you don't want it but when the background is all water color, that can be a blessing in disguise.  The 'lights' were done by putting a tiny brush point of water onto the dried background, then removing the water with another dry brush point, which pulled the color out of the middle, making it look like a floodlight.

     The die cuts were made with a Sue Wilson die and I added the pearls to mimic the floodlights in the image.  The sentiment at the bottom of the frame around the image is so tiny you probably can't read it but it says, "Puttin' on the Ritz."

I chose complimentary colors of blue and rust 

from the color wheel at Color Dare.

       Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Crafter's Castle

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Taylormadecards ...

TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dance 'til ...

      A few days ago, I told you about the inspiration I got from seeing a live dance competition and how that resulted in a new batch of cards featuring dance themes.  (See this post for the full story.)  Today, I want to share 2 of the latest dance cards.

     This first one is delightfully romantic and also vintage, reflecting a feel of the 1920s.  The digi image is pre-colored and I found it online after doing a search for "dancers."  There is no way to credit the artist because no information was given about who drew it.  If anyone recognizes it, please let me know and I'll edit this post to give proper credit.

     I'm going to give this to a friend who wants to use this as an Anniversary card.

     I cut the image with a rectangle die from QuicKutz.  I used a Fiskars punch to round the corners, and cut the gold frame with an Unbranded die.  I embossed the frame with my "Linen" EF.  I added no ribbon or bow or gems, feeling that the delicacy of the filigree frame was enough embellishment.

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Crafty Creations

Creative Fingers

Dragonfly Dreams

Gem of a Challenge

Lil Patch of ...

Paperbabe

Word Art Weds

     This second card was made for the recipe challenge at Crafty Chefs.  That challenge has been reactivated due to the efforts of  Monica of Sunshine Creativity (bless you, my friend!) who has given us a much simplified recipe this month.  Only 2 ingredients: die cuts & a sentiment.

     This is not a challenge for a prize.  It's open to any kind of project providing you use the recipe ingredients, and it's there purely for the fun of challenging ourselves and sharing our results with friends.  If that sound like your kind of challenge, come join the Crafty Chefs on the Facebook page and play along.

     This image was printed on water color paper and I used water color paints to color it.  The background was 'aged' with a beige ProMarker but the text is part of the image.  The pink frames were cut with Tonic Studios dies.  I cut the larger one into 2 pieces and left the 2 diagonal corners slightly open.  The ivy leaves came from a Sue Wilson die and the sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  I used beige CS to make the card base because I wanted an aged look but also wanted contrast with the white leaves and sentiment.

     Challenges:

Carlin's Card Paradise

Country View Crafts

Crafty Sentiments

Die Cut Divas

Digi Choosday

Get Creative

Outlawz PAM

Stamping Sensations

TTCRD

     That's all I have for today but I still have several more cards with dance themes either made or in process and I'll be posting them off and on over the next two months.  For now, Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Red Panda

      Today's card is for the Progressive Challenge over at The Outlawz.  The image provided for the challenge is from Fabrika Fantasy and it's called Red Panda.  I thought it was lovely and intriguing and decided to do only partial coloring on it.

     I colored with my ProMarkers and cut it with my paper cutter.  The frame behind it was a leftover from a Sue Wilson die cut for another project and I cut the scrap with a QuicKutz die, making it a rectangle with the cut out shape on the inside.  The background paper was a scrap from SU.  I made a mulberry paper flower and added a sparkly, red, Dew Drop to the center.  The sentiment was printed and cut with a QuicKutz die.

I based this on the left-hand sketch at Three Room Studio.

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Lil Patch of ...

Paperbabe

Pattie's Creations

Taylormade ...

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

'Tis the Season

      I was playing around with some new dies last night and this card was the end result.  It went a different direction than what I had in my mind's eye but I'm rather pleased with this result despite that.  One more for my Christmas card stash.

Birds & Pine Branch cut w/ Sue Wilson dies

     (Birds & Pine cones are embossed)

Snowflakes cut w/ Art Impressions dies

Sentiment cut w/ Die-Versions dies

Colored w/ ProMarkers

Liquid Pearls white added as snow

White gel pen used for snow on pinecones

Background embossed w/ "Linen" EF

     Challenges:

12 Months Christmas

A Bit More Time...

Arty Divas

Colour Crazy

Crafts Galore Encore

Crafty Animals

Crafty Friends

Crafty Hazelnut's

Kerst Christmas

Your Scrapbook Place

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie