Summer Rays

     Our latest monthly challenge has started over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and I have to announce that it is also the last challenge after nearly 5 years.  I really hate to see it close, but unless someone steps forward and is willing to take it over, when this challenge finishes on September 25th, it will be the last one.

     Our theme has always been "Anything Goes with a Featured Critter" but that could be changed if someone else wants to take over.  We've had sponsors each month and that, too, could be changed.

     One of our first sponsors was QKR Stampede and they are our last sponsor as well.  They have the most adorable images, many of them available in both digi and rubber stamps.  I chose one called "Basking" and I just love the idea of a rooster soaking up the last rays of summer even if it means a bit of sunburn.  :-D

     The image is colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut with a pinpoint die from Dare 2B Artzy.  The green dp square was cut with a QuicKutz die, and then I cut the center of it with the same Dare 2B Artzy die and inlaid the image cut into that piece.

     The sunshine dp was also a scrap from the basket.  It had been in there so long, I was pretty sure it would never get used but it was too big to throw away.  This seemed the perfect card for it.  :-D  I tied a bow tie bow from satin ribbon; printed the sentiment and cut it with an Impression Obsession die.  It's CAS enough to work as a masculine card.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Moments

Dare 2B Artzy

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Dragonfly Dreams

Outlawz Greetings

     I hope you'll come and play with us in what may be our last challenge.  Or maybe you'll be the one to decide to take it over and keep it going.  Many on the team are more than willing to stay and all will be most helpful.  If you have any interest, please email 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  Here's the address:  2craftycrittercrazies@gmail.com

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Violets

     Today I'm playing in the June challenge at Beccy's Place and they have a fun "Flip a Coin" theme.   Here's the chart and all you do is flip a coin to choose between the 2 options on each of the 4 rows.  I ended up with "Not a rectangle/ Kraft CS/ Digi/ & Recycled.  My lace is recycled from an old child's dress and that lovely image is from Beccy's Place.



     Here's my card:

     Here's a list of what I used:
ProMarkers
Stitched and inlaid dies from Memory Box
Alphabet letters die from Memory Box
Recycled lace
Sheer ribbon for hand-sewn bow
Dimensional Dots for mounting the fussy cut violets

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time
Aud Sentiments
Creatalicious
Creative Moments
Cute Card Thurs.
Scribbles Designs
Southern Girls
Sparkles Monthly
World Wide Open DT

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Pumpkin Patch

     Friday morning and I'm sharing another DT card for the weekly challenge at QKR Stampede which started this morning.  It really is fall (according to the calendar if not the weather) and that means Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner.  If you want to play along in our challenge this week, you could make something for either of those occasions or anything else you choose because we always have an "Anything Goes" theme.  I chose a beautiful autumn image from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, called "Pumpkins and Fence."

I started with the sketch from Sum More Fun

and colors from The House that Stamps Built.

  

     I colored with ProMarkers and used water colors for the muted sky and ground.  I cut the image with a stitched die from Memory Box.  I had one piece of that lovely dp left in a DCWV stack and I though it went perfectly with the image.

     If you look closely, you'll see that the background dp is also cut with a stitched die from that set and the image is inlaid into the background.  I added the wider, paler, polka dot ribbon before inlaying the image, then I wrapped that whole piece with a deep orange, polka dot, ribbon before putting it onto the card front.

     I love how the vertical and horizontal stripes in the background make a box for each pumpkin or leaf or other fall item.  Stripes, squares, and polka dots are wonderful geometric shapes for visual interest and texture.

     On this card, rather than leaving it completely CAS, I added a white, hand-sewn, bow with a button, and the stitched pumpkin.  The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and inked on the edges.

     Challenges:
Double D
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.
Words to Craft By

     I hope you'll come and play along with us this week.  We want to be inspired by you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Ladybug Whisperer

     Good Friday morning to all of you!  As you know, if it's Friday, I'm showcasing a card for the new challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."  This week, I got charmed by another gnome image ("Knome and Ladybug" - unfortunately misspelled in the shop but you can click on the link to get there) and I thought he looked like a Ladybug Whisperer.  Or maybe that's just his pet.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers and water colors to color the image, then used Sue Wilson dies to cut the image and the delicate, flowery, frame.  I inlaid the image into the frame and matted them both with a die cut piece of green CS.  I printed and matted the sentiment before adding that entire piece to a "linen" embossed card front.

     The polka dot ribbon came from my stash and I dug out one of the wrapped, burlap twine, bow tie, bows that are in my basket.  I made several dozen of those over a weekend and am still finding them useful when I want a bit of extra texture.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Come play with us this week and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

When the Cat Naps...

     Cats nap about 19 hours out of every 24.  Remember that old saying "When the cat's away, the mice will play" ??  Well, what about when cats nap?  Do the mice get to play then, too?

     Check out this darling image by Gerda Steiner Designs and I think you'll find an answer hiding in the corner of the book shelf, although you may have to enlarge the photo to see it.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, and then cut it with a stitched, rectangle die from Die-namics.  I cut the two frames with dies from that same set, making the card look like it has 4 layers.  However, the image and both frames are all inset so it's actually a single layer.  I love doing single layer designs because the cards are easier to mail and require no extra postage but I like the look of complex layers so inlaid die cuts is a fabulous solution.

     I added only tiny pearls and metal brads for embellishment so it's pretty CAS as well as flat and light weight.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafting with Friends
Creative Fingers
Di's Digi Designs
DL.ART
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paper Shelter

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie