Book Learnin'

      As my Grandpa used to say, "There's a time for book learnin' and a time for doin'."  By that, he meant hands on learning instead of studying books.  Since the start of school is right around the corner, I decided to use this delightful House Mouse stamp to celebrate going 'back to school' during the hottest month of summer but the warm, summer colors take care of that aspect.  :-D

     Colored with ProMarkers and pencils, then cut with a CUTplorations stitched die.  The papers came from DCWV's "Basics" stack (both polka dot dp), and one of their (very old) 12" x 12" scrapbooking paper stacks (the flowery dp) and all were scraps.  I inked the edges of the image and the sentiment with ProMarkers.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges: 

Aud Sentiments

Classic Design

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafts Galore Encore

Crafty Friends

Crafty Hazelnut's

Dies R Us

SheepSki Designs

There's a Stamp ...

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Back to School Fairy (or Not)

     While all the adults I know are thrilled that school is back in session, there are lots of grandkids (some of mine included) who would give anything to have a Magic Fairy who would let them out of school, even for just a day.  That was the inspiration for this card and sentiment.

     The image is the freebie for the Progressive Challenge over at Sasayaki Glitter.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then die cut the image with a stitched, scalloped die from Memory Box.  I printed and cut the sentiment with another die from that same set.  I inked the scalloped edges of both pieces.

     I ran a piece of shiny, lavender CS through my "Linen" folder to add some great texture and wrapped that piece with pink, polka dot, ribbon.  All the layers gave even more texture to the card. 

     For a simple embellishment, I made one of my signature bows with a pearl and added it to the ribbon. 

     Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Moments
Digi Choosday
If You Give A Crafter a Cookie
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Passion for ProMarkers
Sasayaki Glitter
Scrappy Land
Tuesday Throwdown

     If I can get back into my craft room today, I may have a post for tomorrow.  I've been "babysitting" these two delightful, 'great-grand' fur babies (my oldest granddaughter's kittens) for a few days and they are very demanding of my time (to say nothing of being too cute to ignore!)  So very little has been done in the way of crafting for the last few days.  Good thing I had things ready to post.  :-D

Ivory and Ebony (perched where they can watch my every move!)

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

School of Life

     All the kids are returning to school, fall is just around the corner, we celebrated Labor Day last Monday which seems to always be the unofficial end of summer and, as I'm watching the kids catch the school bus, I'm thinking of what a great education we get just from living life every day.  So, here's a salute to the school called "Life."

     This sweet image from ArtbyMiRan is perfect for this idea since she's carrying her books with her.  I colored her with my ProMarkers, then cut with an Inside-Outside Stitched Rectangle Die by Die-namics (MFT.)   I cut two more rectangles with dies from that same set and inlaid them all.  All of that went onto an olive green card base.  I fussy cut the sentiment and added it at the bottom of the image, then used one of my bowtie bows and three tiny pearls as embellishment.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiRan
Colour Crazy Craft
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Calendar
Crazy Challenge
If You Give a Crafter...
Melonheadz Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday

     Tomorrow I'll have another DT card for the new QKR Stampede challenge and you know how much I love working with their digis!  Be sure to stop by.  You'll love it.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Please continue to leave comments.  The "Word Verification" really isn't on.  BLOGGER INSISTS ON SHOWING THE "CAPTCHA" ICON BUT IF YOU IGNORE IT AND JUST PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT, IT WILL POST JUST FINE.  I WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT BUT THERE'S NO OPTION FOR THAT WHEN THE COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN A SEPARATE BOX. SORRY.

Best Teacher

     I try to play each month in the Progressive Challenge at ArtbyMiRan and the image for this month is right up my alley since it has to do with teachers and school.  My mom was a teacher as were several of my aunts and I, myself, taught college for many years.  Maybe one of my grandkids will use this to acknowledge one of their teachers.  :-D

I chose my colors from the inspiration at DRS Designs

(where I was lucky enough to be a winner last week! Woohoo!)

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and then cut it with a rectangle die.  I framed it with one of my newest dies from Memory Box, called Blooming Flower Frame.  I used a strip of turquoise CS at the top which brought out the blues in the image.  I added the sentiment and decided that the only embellishment I wanted was one of the small bows I make by the dozens and keep in my stash.  I didn't want to bury that beautiful frame under a lot of embellishment.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Bit More Time to Craft
ArtbyMiRan
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Addicts
Creative Moments
Lemon Shortbread
Not Just Cards
One Stitch at a Time
Outlawz Greetings
Petal Lu
Sisters of Craft
Southern Girls
Sweet Stamps
Word Art Weds.

     Halfway through the week already and (hard as it is to believe) more than half way through the year!  I remember when my mom used to tell me that time goes faster and faster the older you get.  Since I was still in school in those days, and since waiting for summer or Christmas vacation was the hardest thing in the world, I simply could not understand what she meant.  Mom, I understand today.  Wish you were still here.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Please continue to leave comments.  The "Word Verification" really isn't on.  BLOGGER INSISTS ON SHOWING THE "CAPTCHA" ICON BUT IF YOU IGNORE IT AND JUST PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT, IT WILL POST JUST FINE.  I WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT BUT THERE'S NO OPTION FOR THAT WHEN THE COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN A SEPARATE BOX.  SORRY.

Room for Rent?

     I was so tickled when I saw this image in the store at Rick St. Dennis!  If you've never had the opportunity to visit the coastal country of Big Sur in California, you've not only missed some gorgeous country, but have missed out on some of the quirkiest, neatest, toes-to-the-earth-and-head-in-the-clouds, artistic people in the world.  :-D  This "Big Sur Outhouse" image sums it all up!  Only in Big Sur would you have an outhouse that looks like a school with a belfry on top!  Hmmm, come to think of it, I remember an outhouse at a back woods school in Montana that looked a lot like this one.  :-D

     Today starts a new challenge at 613 Avenue Create and Rick St. Dennis is one of our sponsors.  The other one this week is Sassy Studios.  We always have an 'Anything Goes' theme, and a twist.  The twist this week is very simple.  Just use a sentiment.  Mine just adds some humor to this wonderful image.

I used a sketch from Papertake Weekly

and my colors came from the inspiration photo

at Just Inspirational.

 

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and pencils, then die cut the image with a rectangle die and rounded the corners with a punch.  The brown CS (a scrap) is embossed with a folder and, again, I used a punch on the corners.  The flowery dp is also a left over scrap.  I inked the edges of everything with distress ink straight from the pad.

     The ribbon is one of those "What was I thinking?!" purchases that we crafters sometimes do.  Don't get me wrong, I love the ribbon!  But when I bought it, I just knew I'd use it on everything so I bought a 30-yard spool of it which was on clearance at 75% off.  But 30 yards??!!  OMG!   And this is the first time I've ever used it.  Sigh.  Of course, it did get hidden in a drawer and I only located it a week ago during a reorganizing campaign.  :-D  Maybe you'll be seeing it on lots of projects now.  I also shared some of it with a friend of mine so maybe you'll see it on some of her projects, too.

     Challenges:
Crafty Catz -- Pastel colors
Just Add Ink -- Masculine cards
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday -- School (see paragraph 1)
Nutcrafters -- Summer Sunshine Fun
Party Time Tuesdays -- Anything goes
Shelly's Images -- Use your scraps
Sister Act -- Anything goes
The Male Room -- Anything masculine goes

     Well, August is here, the last of the hot summer months.  I have no idea where the earlier part of the year has gone but I know the years are moving faster and faster all the time.  Many kids are returning to school this month, and harvest season is nearly upon us.  Soon I'll be picking the garden clean and eating the last of the fresh vegetables.  Since I'm moving away from here in the next couple of months, it is probably my last summer garden.  A sad thought.  But fewer garden chores means more crafting time so there's always a silver lining.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Thank Your Teacher

     Having grown up with a school teacher for a mother, and also having spent many years beyond high school in various classrooms getting my own education, saying thanks to a teacher comes high on my list.

     Tuesday Throwdown has a new challenge starting today and our theme is "Thank Your Teacher."  We're sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps, who generously supplied images to the DT members.  I'm using "SBTeacher", and Sun Bonnet is one of my favorite characters at Bugaboo.

     I'm playing with the green/brown combo again and I still like it.  :-D  Sun Bonnet is colored with Promarkers, then die cut and matted with two different mats.  Both ribbons and all the flowers are from my stash.   The sentiment is computer generated and die cut.  Everything is mounted on a blank card base of spring green.

     Challenges:
Crafty Ribbons -- Anything goes w/ ribbon
Delightful Challenges -- I appreciate you
Docerela -- Flowers
DRS Designs -- Pastel colors
Fairies Challenges -- For a lady
Paper Crafting Journey -- Use a sentiment
QKR Stampede -- Favorite things (school)
Sassy Studio Designs -- Special Lady (or Mother's Day)
Southern Girls -- buttons, badges, OR Flair!
Stampin' for the Weekend -- die cuts/punches
Tammy's Scrappin Corner -- Layers

     OK, now we want to see you playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown this week.  I know there are teachers who need to be thanked, and even if you don't have anyone in school in your own house, there are always others who need a card to give. My youngest granddaughter has already claimed this card to give to her teacher.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie