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

Love You

     Can you believe that this is the last day of January and Valentine's day is only two weeks away?  Weren't we tossing out the torn Christmas wrap just last night?  It's also a Friday which means that today's card is my DT card for the latest weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.

     Our challenge theme is always Anything Goes but I chose to make a Valentine card.  This is my second Valentine this year but the image I chose (with it's own sentiment as part of the image) is a favorite of mine.  It's called "Love You" and I just adore the little rag doll.  It's the 'ragged" part of her that inspired me to do lots of distressing on this card.

     I do love the typical "warm" colors of Valentine's Day because they are really our first chance to add warm colors to our otherwise cold winter palette.  The red, pink, and deep burgundy are such a delight.  :-D

Colored with ProMarkers and chalk ink pad
Pink and burgundy color combo
Image and mat cut with Spellbinders dies, 2 corners curled
Edges distressed with kraft knife
2 corners shaped with Fiskars punch
Kitty ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
Lace bow made with bow maker

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Catz
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrapper's Delights
Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Cuddle Kind of Love

     Today is a good day for cuddling at my house.  The weather is chilly, my fur babies think I should be curled up in bed so that they can pile on top of me or crawl under the covers and plaster themselves against my back for warmth.  They didn't think much of my taking time to sit at the craft table and make this Valentine salute to love in the rarest of forms.  :-D

     The stamp is from House Mouse.  HM images always make me smile and this one is no exception.  I apologize that the image isn't spectacularly clear but I stamped it with Light Coffee ink so that the design would look almost as though it had no outlines but I think my coloring just didn't give enough definition.  None-the-less, I submit this for your enjoyment.

Coloring w/ ProMarkers and chalks
Die cut green CS is a snippet cut with Sue Wilson die
Burlap fabric pieces are left over scraps
Mulberry paper flower, 'dyed' with ProMarkers
Sentiment printed and cut w/ Avery Elle die

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Digi Choosday
Double Trouble
Dragonfly Dreams
Incy Wincy
Pixie's Snippets
Simon Says Stamp & Show
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bundle Up Snowman

     It's Friday and you know that means another challenge is starting at QKR Stampede where the theme is always "Anything Goes."  I've used a sweet, bundled-up-because-he's-frozen, snowman from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, which is called "Snowman Block."  The sentiment is "Bundle Up."  This is a new-to-me stamp which I was happy to add to my collection of snowmen.  If I could find a reason to use snowmen all year 'round, I would!

Colored with ProMarkers and chalks
Papers are scraps from the basket
Stitched ribbon is also a scrap
Distressed edges on all layers
Sentiment is hand cut and inked on the edge

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
C.R.A.F.T.  (new image)
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Creative Knockouts
Creative Moments
Outlawz PAM
Time Out (scarf)

     Please come and play with us this week.  We love being inspired by you and always look forward to visiting your blogs.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dragonfly Day

     This is my second post today so if you missed the first one, click HERE or scroll down one post.

     I was looking through my folder of older images which were waiting to be colored and found this one from Pattie's Creations.  I know it's been a long time since I used it and it just appealed to me as a sign that spring will be here before we know it.

Sketch from Sweet Sketch Weds 2

Colored with ProMarkers and chalks
Glitter added to the wings
Image cut with QuicKutz square die
Scrap below image cut with Spellbinders die
Background dp from my old stash (DCWV)
Metal brads

     Challenges:
Allsorts
As You Like It
Cardz TV
Crafty Friends
Creative Fingers
Creative Inspirations
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Succulent Bouquet

     It's the third Monday in January and we start a new challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps today!   Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you may use any products from any makers on your projects.

     I'm using a really gorgeous set called "Succulent Bouquet 942J."  It has some stunning images in both B&W and pre-colored, plus lovely sentiments.  I colored it myself but I did try to stick to the gray-blue colors of the cactus succulents Jan had done in the set.  Mine is almost a perfect match to the few succulents which are growing in pots on my porch.

     I have tons of flower stamps but must admit this is probably my favorite.  There's something about the combination of succulents and roses that really appeals to me.

Colored with ProMarkers and chalks
Pearl Drops added to rose centers
Image and 2 circles cut with Sizzix dies, using out-of-the-box technique on image
Lightest circle is metallic paper
Purple CS embossed with "Linen" folder
Sheer bow has 7 loops
Wide ribbon is sheer, plaid, and from RRR
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Arty Divas
Colour Crazy
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Paper Funday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Stamping Sensations
TTCRD

     Come play with us this fortnight.  We want to see what you create.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Stubborn Cats and Children

     I'm finally getting to play with and share new (new to me) Mo's Digital Pencil images which I purchased before the holidays but had no time to use before the holiday rush and scramble began.  Now that we're in the New Year, I have breathing room and managed to get this new card done.

     I combined these two images with that sentiment because they brought back childhood memories of trying to teach my cat to play fetch.  Well, our family's golden retriever did it pretty well with only a little bit of training so why not the cat?  The cat on this card pretty much tells the story of what happened .  :-D

     I deliberately used bright pink ribbon because everything else on the card was done in pastel shades, including the lavender CS behind the image piece.

Colored w/ ProMarkers & chalks
Cut with Spellbinders border die - used on all 4 sides
1/8th" ribbon woven through and tied in the corner
Gem added to bow
Rosette for tassel cut w/ QuicKutz die
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Crafty Friends
Creative Inspirations
Creative Knockouts
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House that Stamps Built
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Something Wonderful Easter

     Today I have the honor of being a Guest Designer at Through the Craft Room Door.  Their theme is always "Anything Goes" and I decided on something for Easter.  Over the years, I've given up most of my rubber stamps, changing primarily to digital images because they require so little storage space.  I did keep this rubber Easter stamp (Bankes Vintage Stamps), mostly because I love the vintage aspect, and how it can look 'lineless' if stamped with light ink.  I used an ink pad called "Old Photo," a pale, sepia-brown ink.

I was inspired by the colors at Prika Crafts.

     I colored with ProMarkers and added the 'sponging' with chalks.  I chose two different Fiskars corner punches to shape the image corners after cutting it with a plain rectangle die from QuicKutz.  I printed the top sentiment and hand cut it, but the bottom sentiment (Always Believe) comes from Clear Dollar Stamps (now closed.)

     The leafy vines were cut with a Cheery Lynn die and the mulberry paper flower was cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I added glitter to the flower petals and a gem stone to the center.  Everything was mounted onto an aqua card base.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Bastel-Traum
Country View Crafts
Crafts Galore Encore
Creative Moments
Dies R Us
Friendship
Outlawz Greetings
Scrap from Your Heart

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

Building Dreams

     The newest challenge starts today over at QKR Stampede and our theme is the usual "Anything Goes."  I made this card for a friend who has donated more than 1500 hours of labor to Habitat for Humanity over the last 10 years.  He doesn't even talk about the amount of materials he's also donated.  I just wanted to give him a pat on the back and this QKR Stampede image called "Carpenter Rabbit" seemed perfect.

I was inspired by the sketch at My Favorite Things.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, then cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I used chalk to highlight the embossing around the edges of the die cut.

     I chose dp from Recollections, cutting a strip from the chevron paper and trimmed down the background scrap to fit the card front.  I layered everything together, printed and hand cut the sentiment, and after that, left the card very plain and un-embellished.   It had to be mailed and it's for a guy so plain is better.  :-D

     Challenges:
Cute N Crafty
Crafty Creations
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Ike's World
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD

     I hope we'll see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  I mean, how can you go wrong with an Anything Goes theme?  See you over there.  NanaConnie

Honey Bee Mine

     Today starts our newest monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs this month.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes with a Critter" which means you can do any kind of project you like (not just paper or cards although those are certainly acceptable options!) as long as you have a critter featured on it.  Here's mine for this month, using 'Bumble Bee Blossom.'  I love Andrea's images, have a large and growing collection of them, and this is the first time I've colored this one.

     I used ProMarkers and water color pencils to color the bee and blossom, adding sparkle gel ink to the wings, then used pale blue watercolor paint for the sky/background.  Instead of cutting the image itself, I used one of my dies from Spellbinders to cut a scrap of pink CS, then trimmed it to fit the card front so that the aperture was on an angle.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then tied gold satin ribbon into a small bow and added it to the upper corner.  Although this isn't a bright red Valentine, it definitely says "romance" and that's perfect enough.

     I thought the die cut shape was so 'fancy' that little else was needed in the way of embellishment.  I really want the image to be the focus.

     Challenges:
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Crazy Challenge
Die Cuttin' Divas
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
SheepSki Designs
Sheepski Designs FB
TTCRD

      Come play with us this month, won't you?  All you need is a project with one or more critters featured on it and it qualifies.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mousie Valentines by Air Mail

     I'm playing with House Mouse images again this weekend (I do love all the HM critters!) and decided to color up this one showing how the House Mousies handle their Valentine Mail.  This is an oldie but goodie which I've used at least a dozen times in the last 4 years.  :-D

I based my design on the sketch from Sketch Saturday

but turned it on its side.

     This is a pretty simple design and I got to play around with more washi tape.  I started by coloring with my ProMarkers and watercolor pencils, then I used a rectangle die from Spellbinders to cut the image.  I inked the edges for a bit more definition.

     I decided on a pale yellow for the card front and used chalks to distress it.  Both the metallic and the glittery pieces are washi tape.  I added them along the bottom of the card front and added the image on top.  The sentiment is printed and hand cut.

     For the flower, I cut the deep blue leaves with my oldest die from Cheery Lynn (first one I ever bought!), then took layers of mulberry petals, stacked them, and added an enamel-head brad to hold them together.  Final touch was the little pieces of glittery washi tape.  Those were left over from another project and they were cut with a quilting die from Stampin' Up.

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Colour Crazy
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Catz
Crafty Friends
Creative Moments
Hiding in My Craft Room
Outlawz PAM

     I'll see you tomorrow with another GDT card for The Outlawz CAS challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bugs or Windshields

     It's Friday again and you know that means another new challenge at QKR Stampede.  Any of you who visit my blog regularly also know that working with QKR images tends to bring our my quirky sense of humor and today is no exception.  I love that we have an "Anything Goes" theme every week.  It allows me to explore a whole new bunch of images that perhaps didn't fit into particular themes before.

     This morning I've used "Splatted Bug 14502" for the image and "Sometimes 13506" for the sentiment.

     For coloring, I used ProMarkers, sparkle gel pen, and chalks.  I cut both the image and the frame with a die set from Sue Wilson.  Included in that set were the butterflies and I cut those and the flowers from yellow CS, then scattered them across the frame piece.  Of the dozen or so Sue Wilson dies that I own, this set is my absolute favorite and I don't even remember the name of it!  I love the versatility of it and even though on this card it has a "spring" look, it's good for any season of the year.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment before adding it below the image.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
That's Crafty

     I hope you're going to come and play along with us this week.  No requirement to use QKR Stampede images but if you do, your entries will be put into a separate drawing and that will increase your chance of winning by a huge marfin.  :-D  Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Love in Tennis

     Another Friday, another QKR Stampede "Anything Goes" challenge but, as usual, we also have an optional theme if you want to use it - "Any Sport with a Ball."   I thought "Tennis Duck" was a perfect image for that theme and grabbed him from the shop as quickly as I could.

     I printed the image and sentiment right onto the card front.  I used chalks and ProMarkers to color the image, then cut a blue frame with a Gina Marie die.  The frame is laid right on top of the image making it look like two or even three layers.  I wrapped jute cord around the card front and tied baker's twine around the cord.

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
Addicted to Stamps & More
Glitter n Sparkle
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Scrapper's Delights
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Stamping Sensations

     Extreme hot weather is back so I'm running away for another week.  I'll be back for a couple of days and then gone again over Labor Day.  But I have four posts scheduled for the 1st of September, all DT work, so feel free to visit.  I'll visit with all of you when I get back.   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Toil and Trouble

     For those of you who question whether or not I know it's only August, yes, I do know.  Despite that, I posted my first Thanksgiving card on Monday and today I have my first Halloween card.  But I was a winner in the FB challenge at Sasayaki Glitter and chose this image as my prize.  Then I just couldn't wait to get it colored up and made into a card.  :-D  It's called "MacBeth Witches" and it makes me think of the Hogwart's Choir singing "Toil and Trouble" in the first of the Harry Potter musical scores, a favorite of mine.

     The theme at the Sasayaki Glitter blog challenge is "Colors of the Rainbow" so I did my best to use as many colors as possible, while still having a Halloween color palette.

     I used a combination of ProMarkers, chalks, and polychromos pencils to color.  I cut the image with a stitched, rectangle die from Die-namics.  I layered together two scraps of CS, then used the same die to cut a window in which I inlaid the image so it becomes all one layer.  I added the sentiment and a small gingham bow and called it finished.  A delightful CAS design which will be easily mailed.

     Challenges:
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafty Sentiments
Cupcake Inspirations
Digi Choosday
Get Creative
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Sasayaki Glitter
TTCRD

     This is the mid-day of the week so we're closer to the weekend than we were yesterday.  Hooray!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Aging Unicorns

     IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MY DT POST FROM EMERALD CITY CRAFTS, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN ONE POST.

     New challenge starts today over at QKR Stampede; Anything Goes with an optional twist of "Humor."

     Every unicorn I've ever seen (?) is young and spritely so I never thought about what happens when unicorns reach their "golden years."  However, QKR Stampede made me think and that gave me a completely different perspective!  Check out what I did using this delightful image called "Unicorn and Butterflies."

      I colored with my ProMarkers (unicorn and ground), chalks (sky and butterflies), and sparkle gel ink (unicorn's horn and hooves), then cut him with a die from Gina Marie.  I also cut two layers of colored CS using larger dies from that same set.  Although the middle layer looks blue in the photo, it's actually a deep periwinkle/lavender.  I added the sentiment and a small, double layer, bow-tie bow made from gingham fabric.

     CAS design even with the 3 layers, and looking rather masculine with only minimal embellishment.

     Challenges:
Colour Inspiration Monday
Crafting by Designs
Digi Choosday
I {heart} ProMarkers
Kraftin' Kimmie
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Color
Paper Shelter
Through the Craft Room Door
Unicorn

     Two posts today and I should be back in my usual routine for a couple of weeks now.  It will feel good to get back to regular visits to my favorite blogs and challenges.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Wanna Play?

     EDITED TO ADD:  Having been gone all week and with only the most unreliable access to the internet, this is the first time I've been able to connect and correct two pre-scheduled posts which didn't go live as scheduled.  So today, you get to see two posts!  :-D

     I adore this image by Anne Fenton which came to us as the image for the July Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  Isn't he just the most adorable thing?  He's waiting for someone to come play on the beach with him (which is where I am right now while you're reading this!)

   
     I used chalks to color the dog and ProMarkers to highlight his fur and color both the beach ball and the sand.  I cut the image with a die from CUT-plorations and also cut the embossed blue background piece with another die from that same set.  After cutting it, I used my Swiss Dot embossing folder on it.

     I layered those two pieces together and wrapped them with red, white, and blue baker's twine, tying it into a bow around all three strands.  I thought this made a great masculine card so I left it without any further embellishment.

     Challenges:
Card Mania
Catch the Bug
Chalk n Stock
Crea Chicky's
Create with TLC
Cute as a Button
Digistamps 4 Joy
Let's Craft and Create
Love to Scrap

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Angels & Snowflakes

     Another of my Christmas cards - my stash is growing!  :-D  This time I used a sweet image from Ching-Chou Kuik, done in monochrome blues with tiny bits of silver accent.  I'll have another dozen done by the end of July, many of which are in pre-scheduled posts for you to view.  The others?  You'll just have to wait and see those after I get back from my San Diego trip in August.  :-D

      I colored with my chalk markers and used a silver gel pen to highlight the snowflake.   I used two dies from a set by Sue Wilson to cut the deep blue frame, one inside and one outside.  The image piece is actually behind the frame.  The light blue, Swiss Dot embossed, decorative corner was a left over bit from a die cut (Amy Designs.)   It worked so well on this card that I used it instead of throwing it out.

     I printed and fussy cut the sentiment, layered it on, and finally added the tiny bow (dyed that color with markers.)  The pearl on the bow and the embossing on the corner gave great texture and I left the card plain but for those two bits of embellishment.  I liked it "as is" and knew it was finished.

     Challenges:
A Snowflakes Promise
Chalk n Stock
Christmas Card
Crafty Cardmakers (top row)
Crafty Hazelnut's
Inky Chicks
Merry Monday
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrapy Land

     You can bet your boots as you're reading this post that I'm off having the time of my life this week.  My own boots will touch ground for a day or two over the weekend and then I'm off - to the California Coast this time.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Making Friends

     Another progressive challenge card, this time using a sweet image from Gerda Steiner.  I love friendship cards or those done and sent for no particular reason at all.  This is one which won't stay in my stash very long.

     Not only does this card have lots of distressing, it's put together completely from left over scraps.  Even the image was printed onto a half sheet of white CS which was left behind from printing a single image onto a full 8 1/2 X 11 sheet.

     I colored the image with chalk markers and pale tan ProMarkers for the turtle's actual body.  The embossed leaves were from an earlier project.  I matted the printed sentiment and then tore the edges.  The little butterflies were die cuts (the negative bits from a Spellbinders die which are usually tossed into the trash can) and I added a green bow (dyed with ProMarkers.)  I did keep adding various distressed layers but overall I tried to keep it simple and flat.  Who knows, it may end up going to a guy friend instead of a gal friend.  :-D

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Butterfly Challenge
Chalk and Stock
Colour Crazy 
Creative Fingers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Pixie's Snippets
Sweet Stampin'
Take It, Make It

     How can it be Tuesday already?  I'm still operating on weekend time.  :-D  Oh, well, fortunately I only have one truly busy day this week so I can still be lazy this morning.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Hangin' Out at the Pad

     Usually when asked about how he wanted to celebrate Father's Day, my dad would choose to stay home and just hang out around the "pad."  Although he's been gone for many years now, I'm going to honor him with the sentiment on this card.  Of course, the image had to fit the sentiment and we all know that frogs love (lily) pads!.  :-D

     The image came from Beccy's Place and I just adore the expression on his face!  I colored him with chalks and added shading with my ProMarkers.  I cut the image and the green mat with an inside/outside stitched die from Die-namics, and then cut the background CS with that same die so that the image was inlaid into the background except for the place where the scrap of polka dot dp was applied.

     I added the fussy cut sentiment piece and the tiny bow and left it alone.  It's a masculine card and simply didn't need anything else.  :-D

    Challenges:
Aussie Digital Artists Open
Cards in Envy
Crafty Cardmakers
Crafty Creations
Cute Card Thursday
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Paper Nest Dolls
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Under the Sea

     I certainly have been on a sea foam green kick this week but it just works so well for this image from the Sasayaki Glitter FB progressive challenge.  Need I say that I've been humming "Under the Sea" from Disney's 'Little Mermaid' every since I first saw it?

     This time I colored the image with chalk markers and I used regular chalk to color the water.  I also added glitter ink to the bubbles for a touch of sparkle.

     I used a Memory Box stitched, scalloped die to cut the image and each of the three background pieces.  The sentiment is printed, hand cut and matted, then hand cut again.  The starfish and the octopus (don't you just adore her little bow?) have been in my collection of embellishments for a couple of years and this just seemed to be the perfect place to use them.  They are actually buttons with the shanks cut off the back.  The fact that they're 3D adds some wonderful texture, too.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Chalk n Stock
Digi Choosday
Get Creative
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Shelter
Pile It On
Quirky Crafts
Tuesday Throwdown

     Hooray, it's the weekend again!!  I hope you have plans for lots of rest, relaxation, fun and creativity to recharge your batteries.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie