Slay the Day !

     Today I'm sharing a birthday card instead of a Christmas card but tomorrow, I'll be back to Christmas.  My oldest granddaughter is absolutely mad about dragons and this cutie image from The Paper Shelter just seemed perfect for her birthday card.  I'm not the least worried about her seeing it ahead of time for two reasons; first, she rarely visits my blog and second, her birthday isn't until February so even if she sees it now, she won't remember what's on the card until she opens the envelope.  lol

I was inspired by the sketch at Tuesday Morning but turned it on end.

Image cut with Memory Box stitched die
Sentiment cut with Memory Box stitched die
Ribbon from scrap basket
Bow, hand tied and 'dyed' pale blue with ProMarker
Aqua card base

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD
Tues Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dragon's Flower

     Today I'm featuring my favorite color combo - purple and anything!  Why?  Purple is my favorite color and I know it goes well with turquoise, green, pink, yellow, orange, and neutrals such as white and tan.  It's just so versatile.

I was inspired by the color inspiration at Paper Girls.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Spellbinders die
Bleached CS cut with Spellbinders die
Lace
Stacked bows with gingham on top
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It
Cutie Pie
Dream Valley
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp & Show
   (stacked bows & Spellbinders)
Southern Girls
Word Art Weds.

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Dragon's Gift

     Today I'm sharing my card for another of the progressive challenges in which I play regularly, this one at Dragon's Lair.  I'm using it for one more masculine birthday card since I use quite a few of those throughout the summer months.  Males were popular in my family from May through September.  :-D

     I wasn't sure what color combo I was going to use when I started coloring this image but I love what happened to it during the process.  Can you believe I started with pale green dragons?  They just didn't work once I decided on the purple wings.  So, I grabbed both khaki and tan ProMarkers to cover the green, blending the colors with the blender as I went along. 

     I cut the image and the frame with dies from QuicKutz.  The image was printed on a piece of scrap CS, and the frame piece was also in the scrap basket.  There was just enough of it to cut the frame.  The three purple dp strips all came from cutting a scrap and I inked the edges of them once they were cut.

     I thought three sets of three, tiny pearls would be a simple embellishment and they dressed up the card without making it feminine instead of masculine.  I printed the sentiment, hand-cut it, and again, inked the edges.  Still a simple design and flat enough to mail easily.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Everybody Art
Pile It On
Pixie's Snippets
TTCRD
Unicorn

     I'm already thinking about some more vacation time next month and trying to make sure all my various DT projects are done and pre-scheduled.  I'll have to figure out how to get all the progressive challenges done.  Fortunately, I'll be home the early part of the month and the last part so I'm sure I can make it work out.  :-D   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Outlawz 'Songs and Rhymes' Challenge

     I have the honor of being the first GDT on the brand new Sunday "Songs and Rhymes" challenge over at the Outlawz and I'm delighted to participate.  :-D  Each week, they will have a song or a rhyme as the theme and you can create something which was inspired by it.  This week, I was inspired by the whole "English Garden" idea and I am convinced that English Gardens are filled with fairy circles and all that comes along with those, including fairies and dragons and tiny-but-meaningful gifts. 

     My card uses a delightful image from A Day for Daisies.

I started with colors from Color Sisters 

and loved the inspiration photo of this lovely garden at 

ARTastic.  Don't you just know there's a fairy in there somewhere?

  

     The image, which is printed directly onto the card front for a single-layer card, is colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  My version of the color combo is soft, springtime pastels to enhance the feeling of a garden.  I added some Wink of Stella shimmer to the fairy's wings and sparkly glitter to the dragon's wings.  As a salute to the previous requirement of CAS designs for the Sunday challenge, I kept this card very CAS, adding no embellishments other than the sparkle.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
CCC Digis
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Friends
Jo's Scrap Shack
Not Just Cards
Paper Nest Dolls
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     Come join us at The Outlawz.  There are new challenges each day, a monthly progressive challenge, and membership at the Outlawz is free.  You'll find lots of new (and old) friends, crafters just like you who are warm, friendly, and wonderfully helpful when needed.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge with Rick St. Dennis

     Here we are - another new challenge starts today at 2 Craft Critter Crazies and the sponsor is Rick St. Dennis.  They generously supplied images for each of the DT members so all of our inspiration projects are completely different this month.  Be sure to check the main challenge blog to see them all.

     I used a fabulous image called "Dragon" and, if you're into dragons the way my granddaughter is, be sure to check out the Zibbet store.  There are several fantastic dragon images over there.

     I colored the dragon using ProMarkers, then cut him on three sides with a border die from Spellbinders.  The scallops on the dp were also cut with another border die from Spellbinders. 

     The olive green dp came from Stampin' Up and I used 4 different scrap pieces to make all those layers.  I thought minimal embellishment would best feature that magnificent dragon so I limited the embellishing to three, tiny pearls in two corners and then left it alone.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Color Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Catz
Cut It Up
Di's Digi Designs
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies

     Come play with us this month!   Out theme is always "Anything Goes" as long as you feature a creature.  Be sure to check the blog to find out who won last month's challenge and to see all the DT Favorites.  One of them might be you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Fairy Sleeps

     Another really fun image this month from Dragon's Lair for their progressive challenge on their FB page.  I love that the fairy is curled up asleep in the flower with the dragon watching over her.

     I used ProMarkers, Copics, and water color pencils to color the image.  I used dies from QuicKutz and Sizzix to cut and mat the image.  The background dp came from my scrap stash.  I added three of my signature bows and a tiny rose bud, and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Crazy Challenge
Cutie Pie
Double D
Everybody Art
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD

     Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy your weekend.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Meeting New Friends

     I was sorting through my collection of digis over the weekend and ran across one which had been saved but not in any particular folder so I have no idea who drew it or when I gathered it into my collection.  I'm sure I grabbed it because of my oldest granddaughter who adores dragons in any shape or size.  I know I've never colored it before so it'll be new to her.

    I think it's a classic representation of making new friends, regardless of how different they may be.  Or maybe it just shows how everyone and everything is attracted to baby dragons, even a butterfly.  :-D

     This is a rather CAS card made with scraps.  I started by printing the image on a scrap of CS, then I colored it with ProMarkers.  I cut two sides of it into an oval using an Unbranded die and left the other two sides straight.

     The checkered dp was a scrap with one corner missing but the colors worked so well with the image, I just had to use it.  I found scraps of ribbons in my stash, one of which has stitched edges.  I wrapped one around the checkered scrap and used the other ribbon to tie a bow.

     I found a pre-made card base with a teal front and began put the other layers onto it, creating the simple design you see here.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inking the edge before adding it to the card front.  I added three tiny pearls to the upper corner, keeping the embellishment as simple as possible.

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
Crafty Calendar
Digi Choosday
Hiding in My Craft Room
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Not Just Cards
TTCRD

     I think I'll write a sweet note inside and mail it to my granddaughter for no reason other than I love her and we both love dragons.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Santa's Unusual Helper

     It's the last challenge of 2017 over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and we have a new sponsor, Sasayaki Glitter.  I've played in many of their challenges and progressives and I'm just tickled to pieces to have them as a sponsor.

     I'm using "Christmas Dragoon."  I know that dragons aren't typical Christmas animals but my eldest granddaughter loves dragons (as do I) and I see no reason why they can't participate in this wonderful winter holiday.  They beat out penguins (who are basking in their summer during December) and lazy mama polar bears hibernating away with tiny cubs, and certainly are more delightful than Calling Birds or Partridges.  Yes, they are definitely my favorites because they are so unexpected!

     Besides, Santa obviously can't deliver packages to Dragon Mountain (far too dangerous for Santa) so Dragoon is now Santa for all those deliveries.  For those of you who wanted to see the actual Santa, sorry.  This is as close as we get today.  :-D

     Santa has his sleigh and Dragoon has his sled.  I hope his tiny wings will be enough to take off with that heavy load.

     The image is printed right onto the card base because I wanted this one to be very CAS.   I used ProMarkers to color the image and added a bit of sparkly gold and silver to the package wrappings and the sled runners.  I did print the sentiment separately, then hand cut it and added it to the upper corner but other than that, it's a single layer card.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Color My Heart
Cookie Challenge
C.R.A.F.T.
Cute Card Thurs.
Double D
Everybody Art
I {heart} ProMarkers

Come play with us.  Remember, we always have a theme of "Anything Goes with a Critter" and we have a very broad interpretation of "critter."  :-D  Happy Stamping.

World of Discovery

    A couple of weeks back I was invited to be a Guest Designer on the Clean and Simple Challenge over at the Outlawz and I was honored by the invitation.  It must have taken me at least 2 seconds (ok, nano seconds) to say yes!  Every project has to be CAS but in addition to that this week, we are only allowed to use limited supplies so we have to make our own backgrounds.  No dp!

     That darling dragon is from Rick St.Dennis and I colored him with ProMarkers and pencils.  The background is made by dabbing heavy card stock with a cotton swab which had been dipped in bleach.  It's a long process and it has to dry completely - overnight is best - before using it or the CS will begin to peel and shred on the bleached spots.

     I cut the image and the green frame with an oval die set from Spellbinders, then used another Spellbinders die on the brown frame.  The sentiment was stamped and I thought it was an appropriate one for an encouragement card.  I added only one embellishment - a tiny, brown bow.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Colour Crazy
Cut It Up
Incy Wincy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Let's Craft and Create
Morgan's ArtWorld
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It

     I hope you'll come visit with us at The Outlawz.  If you're not a member yet, you really should join.  It's free and they have regular weekly challenges that start every day of the week and a monthly progressive challenge with freebie images from different artists.  It's a great way to get introduced to new artists or artists you've known and admired for a while.  See you there.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Dragon Friend

     This darling little dragon from Sasayaki Glitter has been in my collection of images for many months without ever being used.  I decided it was time - in fact past time! - to get him colored up and onto a card.  Since Sasayaki Glitter wants us to "Use Purple" for their current challenge, he's decked out in his best purple and green for spring.  :-D

I started with the sketch from Outlawz.

     I colored him with my ProMarkers and cut him with a die from Spellbinders.  The butterflies are cut with dies from QuicKutz and I layered two different sizes to make a double layer butterfly.  The white butterfly bodies are made from the bits which dropped out of the Spellbinders' die.

     The ribbons were in my stash and are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I found the butterfly charm in my stash and it just seemed to be perfect for this card.

     Challenges:
Aussie Artists Open
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafty Gals Corner
Crazy Challenge
Die Cuttin' Divas
Digi Choosday
Fairy and Unicorn
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Sunday and Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

So-oh-oh Old !

     My sweet SIL has a birthday this month and, for some reason, I get so tied up in Valentines and my granddaughter's February birthday that I forget about his.  But this year I figured out how to handle that and the humor should bring a sunny smile to his face.  :-D

     The cute dragon is "Clyde" from Bugaboo stamps and I colored him with my ProMarkers in Mardi Gras colors (gold, green & purple) to celebrate a February birthday.  I used one of my earliest Spellbinders dies to cut the image and both sentiment pieces.

     I used two shades of gold paper to make the background and added one little burlap bow.  Since it's a guy card, I left it without further embellishment.  It has great open space (even though it's not white space) and makes a wonderfully fun, CAS card.  It took less than 30 minutes to make and most of that was spend coloring the image.  :-D

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Bit More Time to Craft
A Perfect Time to Craft
Animal Friends
Aurora Wings
Bugaboo Crafty
Catch the Bug
Country View Crafts
Crafter's Cafe
Outlawz PAM
Stamping Sensations
Sweet Stampin'

     For those of you still buried under snow from the weekend storms in the middle and eastern US, bundle up and spend time crafting.  For those of you roasting down under, crank up the air conditioning and stay cool in the craft room.  I'm going to sit here and listen to raindrops on the patio cover while I make another card.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Life as a Grown Up

     My eldest granddaughter (the one I hoped and prayed would be a girl after having only grandsons prior to her birth) turns 18 next month!  How is that even possible?  I'm not that far from 18 myself, am I?  :-D  Well, whatever, she's also the one who adores dragons and even though 18 means being an adult, it doesn't mean we have to leave childhood entirely behind so this dragon (from A Day for Daisies) seemed perfect for a birthday card.

     I colored the dragon with my ProMarkers, die cut him with a die from Spellbinders, and matted it with dark blue CS, trimmed to fit.  The diagonal orange strip is actually patterned paper and both it and the argyle diamond paper came from a pad by Paper Studio.  The roses were in my stash and I simply twisted them together and curled their stems.  The bow is one I made weeks ago and tossed in my stash for future use.  This time, I left it white.

     Challenges:
Glitter n Sparkle
Inky Chicks
Inspiration Destination
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paper Girls
Path of Positivity
Ribbon Girl
Unicorn
WordArt Weds.

     Someone peeking over my shoulder just asked, "Is that about 'How to Train Your Dragon'?"  Having raised my share of kids and grandkids, I know it's all about the training - - dragons or otherwise.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

The Dragon Queen

     Our newest challenge starts today over at Morgan's ArtWorld and this time we want you to "Use Something from Your Stash."   I used the image "Dragon" to make this card and I'll give you a running total of all the stash items I used.

     I colored the dragon with my Polychromos pencils and cut it with a simple rectangle die from Spellbinders (item 1 from my stash.)  I used an old embossing folder from Darice (item 2 from the stash) to emboss a scrap of vellum (item 3), then found two strips of ribbon to wrap around the card front (irtem 4.)

     The bow is one of those I sew together and toss into the stash (item 5) so that I have them when I need them.  This one was originally white but I 'dyed' it with a ProMarker to get the shade of coral/ orange I wanted.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Color Crazy Craft
Creative Fingers
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM
Pencil Case
Polkadoodles
Southern Girls
Take It, Make It

     Dig out goodies from your stash and come play with us during this next fortnight.   Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Guarding the Fairytales

     This is going to be a really fast post to day -- I have a jammed packed day ahead.

     The image is by Fabrika Fantasy and I'm playing along in the challenge on their FB page.   I used the sketch from Outlawz Sketch challenge, adjusted so that I could maximize the impact of the castle.

     The background is scrapbook paper which I scanned, reduced to fit the card size, and then printed.

     Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations
Chocolate Baroque
Crafting for all Seasons (sparkle/diecuts/backing paper)
Creative Moments
Critters and Creatures
Digitally Sweet
Get Creative
Inspiration Destination
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Paper Shelter

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Appreciate a Dragon Day

     Did you even know there was a day for appreciating dragons?  Since I have a granddaughter who loves dragons, and is crazy about every dragon card I make, so I knew about that unique Holiday.

     I'm going to use this as a Valentine card.  How could you not want to share love with this obviously adored dragon?  The image is from A Day for Daisies.

   
     I used ProMarkers to color the image and then die cut it using one of my newest dies from Spellbinders.   At Christmas, my SIL gave me a gift card to Amazon and I went crazy buying new die sets.  I'm so happy!

     The die cut frame was so delicate and fancy that all I did was add the stitching and the sentiment.  No ribbon, no flower embellies, no bling -- just the frame and faux stitching.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiran
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Sentiment Designs
Creative Fingers
Deep Ocean
Hannah and Friends
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrapper's Delight
Scrapy Land
Stamping Boutique
Through the Craft Room Door

     I hope you'll find a dragon to love before Valentine's Day.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Get Well Dragon

     I have no idea why this image from The East Wind made me think of a "Get Well" card; maybe it was the potion bottle that made me think of  'a teaspoon of medicine?'  :-D  Whatever it was, I love the dragon and I know a granddaughter who will love it, too, so I'll have a get well card in the stash if she gets sick this winter.

My sketch came from Outlawz Sketch Challenge,

turned sideways.

     I colored the image (using a favorite blue and purple color combo) with a combination of ProMarkers and Copics and, although it doesn't show, I added sparkle gel ink to the bottle.  The image is cut with a framing die from Spellbinders and the polka dot blue mat is also die cut.  I layered that onto a deep purple CS, then added the sparkly striped ribbon.  I used that same ribbon to tie the bow with my Craft-Dee BowZ bow maker.  Finally, I added the sentiment.  Can you believe everything was done with scraps from my stash, including the ribbon?

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge (polka dots on the blue dp and stripes in the ribbon)
Colouring in Scrap Land
Craft-Dee BowZ
Craft Your Passion
Crafting from the Heart
Creative Fingers
East Wind FB
Hiding in My Craft Room
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Not Just Cards
Outlawz Color
Ribbon Girl
Scrapy Land
STAMPlorations
Through the Craft Room Door
Vintage Stamping/Flonz
Whoopsi Daisy

     So, this is my second post today but I won't have one again until Friday.  I'll be off line all day tomorrow and most of Friday afternoon, but will be around for a bit early Friday morning.  Then it's the weekend!  Yay, hooray!  And that means lots of Happy Stamping.  :-D  NanaConnie

The Magic (of) Animals

     Today, and for the next two weeks, I have the honor be being a GDT at Quirky Crafts.   Their challenge has two sponsors, Bugaboo Stamps and Sweet Pea Stamps.  The theme is a fun one, "Magic of Animals," which I interpreted as animals which may have magic, like dragons!  :-D

     This darling dragon is from Sweet Pea Stamps and it's called "Snowflake Wonder."  I colored the image with ProMarkers and then used pale blue chalk to color in the snowy sky.  I added the darker blue clouds because that snowflake had to come from somewhere; I've never seen one fall from a clear sky!  :-D

     I added some sparkle to the snowflake and cut the image piece by using a square die as a border die on two sides.  What you're seeing is the 'outside' of the die cut.   I added a large, die cut snowflake (Cheery Lynn die), and put some sparkle on it before layering on the sentiment.  The tiny snowflake embellie was in my stash.  I added the bling of two rows of small rhinestones to the lower corner.  Lots of glitter and bling on this card which celebrates every child's wish for snow on Christmas.

     Challenges:
Artistic Stampers
Aud Sentiments
Card Mania
Craft and Smash
Crafting by Designs
Crafting for All Seasons - mid column
Crafting with Dragonflies
Crafty Friends (blue)
DRS Designs
Inky Impressions
Moving Along with the Times
Simply Papercraft
Unicorn Challenge

     I'll see you again next week with another card for the Quirky Crafts mid-challenge reminder.  In the meantime, find something showing the magic of animals and come play along, won't you?  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

A Magical Dragon Day

     Is it OK if I start this post by saying that I LOVE THIS CARD! ?

     This is one of those that just came together after I made my list of more than a dozen challenges I wanted to enter (not counting A/G challenges.)  The list included themes like fancy folds, vintage, pockets, die cuts, lace, layers, flowers, sentiments, animals... you get the idea.  Most of the time, when my list of challenge themes is that long, the card is finished long before I get all the challenges included and I end up eliminating some of them.  Not this time!  I used them all and I think they really worked.

      The card is made from a piece 12 x 5.5 inches, cut on angles from the top to the outer corners, then folded to make the front flaps cross.  The bottom is sealed to make a pocket and the image piece slips into the pocket.  Here's a close-up of the image piece.

     I wish I knew what I did differently in photographing this time so that my purples stayed purple.  Well, come to think of it, I used red violets and now they look purple and lavender.  :-D  Maybe that's the secret -- use red-violet instead of purple to get purple in the photographs.  When I use purples, they turn blue in the photographs.

     I've used this image at least twice in the two years I've had it but this time I colored the dragons ("Dragon Babies" from AuroraWings) with ProMarkers, adding glitter to their wings before I cut them with one of my new Pinpoint Rectangle dies from Memory Box (Scrapy Land purchase.)  The mat is also cut with another die from that set.  All the papers are from Stampin' Up (old and from my stash) and I think the lace came from one of my local craft stores, but it's been in my stash for so long that I really can't remember.  

     The gem swirl has been in my stash for well over a year and the butterfly was cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  I had cut that as an extra several months ago and put it into a drawer full of die cut bits and pieces.  It worked perfectly on this card, so I dug it out, colored the body, and added glitter to the wings and body.  The small flowers are punched (Fiskars punch), colored, layered, and added on top of the lace.  The sentiment is printed, hand cut, and edged with a marker.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Vintage Journey
ArtbyMiran
AuroraWings
Cheery Lynn
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards
Clear It Out
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Catz
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Card Crew
Creative Moments
Digi Choosday
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Love to Scrap
Lunagirl Moonbeam
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Paper Nest Dolls
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrapy Land
Stamp and Create
Vintage Stamping

     I hope your weekend has started well and that you have lots of crafty plans for the weekend.  The weather predictors say that we're going to "cool down" to the upper 90s (is that some kind of a joke?)  I guess that's better than the 101 and 102 we've had for the last 4 days, but I'd love it even more if the cool down was going to be into the low 80s with a chance of a shower.  :-D  Maybe next month.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Cuddle a Dragon

     My second post of the day but my old computer is about to be replaced by the new one and that means I have to learn a completely new operating system!  Since I don't learn things as quickly as I once did, and since there's no "Operating System for Dummies" manual, I can only hope that it's not as difficult as I've heard from certain trusted sources.  In any case, I decided to get this one posted before the old computer goes away forever, even if I do get punted offline every few minutes.  :-D

     This image came from AuroraWings and I decided that it should be a "Bucket List" card.  That's a card which celebrates things you can now scratch from your Bucket List.

     That sweet little Snapdragon Sprite is colored with ProMarkers and die cut with a Spellbinders die.  I added glitter to his little wings for a bit of sparkle.  The mat is also cut with a larger die from the same set.  Both ribbons were n my stash and I tied a double bow.  I added the February gemstone butterfly (amethyst) and three small pearls for embellishment.

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Crafting for all Seasons
Creative Corner
Moving Along with the Times
Quick Quotes
Outlawz Greetings
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Scrapy Land
Sister Act
Whimsy Inspiration

     That's it for today.  I do have a few posts scheduled this week so we'll see how things go with the new computer and, hopefully, I'll be able to get back online without any problems.  If there are problems, at least you'll have some things to see when you come over to visit my blog.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Dragon Babies for Mom

     Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  

     Spring is definitely creeping up on us and that makes me think of new life.  New life often means first time moms and birthdays -- and no 'birth'day is more important than the actual day you were born.  Each one after that is just a celebration on the anniversary of your birth, right?  So, today's card is dedicated to spring, new life, new moms, and milestone birthdays.  Yes, I'm celebrating mine today, too, even though it's not a milestone.  :-D

     The image comes from Aurora Wings and is called "Dragon Babies."  Aurora Wings has a fantastic FB page which you should visit for some wonderful inspiration.

I chose to use the sketch from Sketch Saturday.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, then die cut.  The mat is die cut from dp by K & Co. and the background dp is also K & Co.  The ribbon is grosgrain and was in my stash.  The bow is one of those I make by the dozens.  The glittery border is actually made using "Design Adhesives" diamonds and green glitter.  I'm still experimenting with various gitter and adhesive techniques.  I really like this one!

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -- Mother's Day or Special lady
AuroraWings -- Anything goes
Corrosive Challenge -- Go green
Craft for the Craic -- Something green
Craftitude -- Add green
Dream Valley -- Big birthday (the day you were born!)
DRS Designs -- You're a good egg
Glitter n Sparkle -- Green
One Stitch at a Time -- Use a digi
Outlawz Alcohol Markers -- Fantasy
Paper Sweeties -- Polka dots
Ribbon Girl -- Green
Robyn's Fetish -- Green & glitter
Sentimental Sundays -- Cute & cuddly
Simon Says Stamp -- Mother's Day or Special lady
Stampin with the Dragon -- Go green
Sunflowerfield Designs -- Birthday
That Craft Place -- Mother's Day

     It's Monday and I'm sure that means we're one day closer to spring.  I hope your weekend was relaxing and productive whatever you were doing.  Now we face the start of another work week and must wait a few more days before we can anticipate the weekend.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie