Garden Cat

      I needed a birthday card this past week and found this delightful digital coloring book image, which I reduced in size to fit onto a card.  Colored with Ohuhu markers and colored pencils, then cut with a QuicKutz die.  I used the next size larger die to cut the navy blue frame for the image.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     The background dp is from a DCWV stack.  The butterfly-shape bow is hand-tied and dyed with an old marker.

     Challenges:

Creative Friday

Inkspirational

Lil Patch of ...

Polkadoodles

SUYP Cats

Triple B

     That's all I have for today but tomorrow will bring you three DT post!  Be sure to stop by then.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sowing vs Reaping

      We're all familiar with the phrase "Reap what you sow" but this cute image from House Mouse Stamps makes me wonder about the wisdom of a tiny mouse sowing Catnip seeds!   If, indeed, he reaps what he sows, he may have a field full of cats which isn't really what a mouse would want!  On the other hand, maybe he's just warm and neighborly and believes in taking care of all creatures, friends or foes.  

      Or maybe he's like me and any excuse will do to get out into the garden, my favorite place to be!  :-D

Colors chosen from Color Dare challenge.

Canary/ Mink/ Blue Belle/ Ivy Green w a neutral of Brown

Colored with ProMarkers  

   (my fav coloring medium because of the way they blend)

Cut w Lawn Fawn die

Matted w Cottage Cutz die cut

Texture burlap scrap

Plaid paper from Your Next Stamp stack

Sentiment cut w Avery Elle die

Watering Can charm

Fiber bow

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Crafty Sentiments

Creative Fingers

Cute Card Thurs

Cutie Pie

House Mouse

Lawn Fanatics (used LF die)

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

     I think I'll get away from the computer and go play in the garden for a bit.  The weather this morning is a perfect balance of warm and still cool enough to be comfortable outside but that is slated to change drastically this afternoon and over the Memorial Day weekend.  We'll be in the mid to high nineties later today and they are predicting a 5 day (or more) run of temps over 100 F starting on Monday.  Yuck!  I guess summer is officially here even though the calendar says it's still 3 weeks away.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Window on Autumn

     I know it isn't Autumn yet but this gorgeous image from our sponsor, Sparkle n Sprinkle ("Welcome Autumn"), was begging to be used as my DT card for the latest monthly challenge at Cards Galore Encore.   I have a huge collection of both stamps and digi images from SnS and this one hadn't been used and needed to be.

Below is a photo of the lattice-gate when it's closed.

I used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch

and the colors from Catch the Bug.

   

     Although this started with a pre-colored image, I used my ProMarkers to color the sky and to add colors to the cat, the kitten, the bird, the fence, and a couple of the squashes.  I discovered that technique several months ago and love using it for different looks.

     The die is an unbranded die and the ribbon was in my stash.  I doubled it, wrapped it around the card front, and then used two layers to make the double-loop bow.  I stamped the sentiment.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Aloha Friday
Colour Crazy
Die Cuttin' Divas
Polkadoodles
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Sweet Stampin'

     This is my last DT post for Crafts Galore Encore because I'm going to be gone off and on throughout the summer.  I'll continue to do DT work for three teams but have had to resign or take leave time from the other three in order not to be overwhelmed.  I'm going to miss all of the wonderful ladies who have become friends from those teams but I'll be around blogland and will play in those challenges as often as possible.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Digging in the Dirt

     I'm just so happy to be playing in challenges again at From the Heart Stamps, including their "I {heart} Sketches" challenges.  I've also been on a couple of new shopping binges in their store since Faith got back and the challenges started up again.  However, the image I used today is one I've had for a while but just hadn't used before now.

I used I {heart} Sketches and also the colors.

     I used both chalks and ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it and distressed the edges.  I matted it with some pink CS, trimmed it to fit, and distressed those edges also.  The sentiment is from that same set and worked so perfectly with all the dog bones buried in the garden.  :-D

     The ribbon was hiding in my stash and I think it came from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
A Perfect Time to Craft
Chalk n Stock
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Awesomeness
Creatalicious
Not Just Cards
Open-Minded Crafting Friends
Outlawz Greetings (flower/layers/pink)
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Petal Lu

     Well, we're half way through the week and the weekend will be here before you know it.  We've had the driest day today since the long weekend started last Friday with pouring rain and more washed out streets and highways.  Yesterday and today they've been able to get repair crews working so the the roads are open again, although there are still cautions and warnings on some of the less traveled streets where repairs haven't yet been done.  Fortunately, nothing like that close to my home.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Raspberry Wishes

     I think this is the first of my spring cards, but it may actually be a card which celebrates summer berries more than spring.  Raspberries are a favorite and the new challenge theme at QKR Stampede this week was a perfect opportunity to use this fabulous Raspberry Label image (Digi 17901.)  Our theme is "Yummy, Yummy" and we want to see you include food on your cards.

I based this on the sketch from Stella Says Sketch

and used colors from The Outlawz 

(Green plus choose 2 from photo - pink & white).

   

     I also used Digi 12407 "Garden Grow" for the sentiment.  The image and sentiment are printed directly onto the card front, making this a one-layer card.  I used my ProMarkers to color the image and to outline the sentiment.  I added the bee, the ribbon, and the handmade flower with a yellow brad for embellishments.  Overall, it's still a very CAS card.  Mmmm, don't I wish those raspberries were growing in my yard right now!

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Colour Your World
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
I {heart} ProMarkers (1st diagonal)
Inspiration Destination
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Not Just Cards
Pile It On
That Craft Place
Our Crafty Corner
Outlawz Greetings
Simon Says Stamp
Through the Craft Room Door
WordArt Weds.

     I think that's it for today and I have a busy weekend with kids, grandkids, and even my 2 great-grands all in town for the Valentine weekend.  I don't know how much crafting I'll get done so I may not see you again until Monday or Tuesday.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie