Day 14, Letter "L" - Beccy's Place 30 Days of Christmas

     Day 14 and today we get to use the letter "L" on our cards for the 30 Days of Christmas at Beccy's Place.    I've used a sweet image with Lambs around the manger which holds the Lamb of God.  I also did Lots of Layers and used a Beccy's sentiment - "Let us adore Him."

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter added to halo
Die cut with stitched die (Die-namics)
Gold sparkle paper from Recollections (Unbranded die)
Blue CS cut with pinpoint die from Memory Box
Stitched ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
White card base
3 layers on the sentiment (unbranded dies)
A total of 8 layers including the card base

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
C.R.A.F.T.
Cute Card Thurs
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paperbabe Stamps
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Take It, Make It
Time Out

     Have a great day and find some crafting time.  It'll strengthen your spirit.  :-)  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Harvest Flower Jar

     Even though this is my second post of the day, it's Monday morning and the beginning of another week.  I'm still focused on autumn and hoping for a quick end to summer (hope springs eternal!)  This lovely image from Bugaboo Stamps called out to me and I bought it the minute I saw it.

My favorite fall color combo is green and orange.

Colored with ProMarkers 
Fussy cut image
Square is cut with a QuicKutz die
Faux stitching
Stitched ribbon
Accordion-fold bow

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Crafty Friends
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Cutie Pie
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Make a Wish Birthday

     Today I'm featuring an image from Bugaboo Stamps on another birthday card for my stash.  I did the design as a gate fold with the short flap on the right hand side.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image and the frames with simple, square dies from QuicKutz.  The butterfly piece on the left flap was cut with a die which was loaned to me by a crafting buddy and I think it's by Memory Box but I can't swear to that.  I added faux stitching to each frame.

I added glittery gel ink to the dandelions and here's a close up photo to show the sparkle.

     I  made the card base from kraft CS.  Before adding the framed image to the right hand flap, I wrapped the flap with ribbon.  I dug through my scrap ribbons and found the two white flowers, adding them above and below the image.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar
Butterfly Challenge (flap fold/French Rose/flowers)
Catch the Bug (top row)
Crafty Gals Corner
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Good Egg

     Friday morning and another weekly challenge is starting over at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."   This week, I'm still doing Easter cards and I used this delightful QKR image called "Bunny and Egg."

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it with a Double-stitched Circle, Die-namics die from My Favorite Things.  I also cut the dp with that same die.  Notice the stitching on both the image edge and the dp circle?  The die is double stitched to give that effect when the die cuts are inlaid.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, adding the plaid at the bottom of the card front, and finally tied a small bow using satin ribbon.  I added glitter to a medium Pop Dot and stuck it onto the bow for a teeny bit of sparkle.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Bastel-Traum
Country View Crafts
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Creations in Pink
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty
Cut It Up
Cuttlebug Mania
Friendship
Paper Fundays
Tales from the Craft Room

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back with another post tomorrow.  I hope you're going to come play with us at QKR Stampede this week.  Remember, Anything Goes!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Full Moon Bats

     We all know what happens when a werewolf is caught under the light of a full moon, Halloween or otherwise, but do you know what happens to bats?  Nope, nothing to do with vampires or Dracula. 

     They fall in love and get completely twitter-pated!  Here's the proof in this cute Conie Fong image.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, and cut with a simple Spellbinders' die.  The two-piece, black mat behind it was cut with dies from Cottage Cutz.  I layered those together, offsetting them for a visual effect.  They are stitched buy that doesn't show well in the photo.  I added one, small, flying bat (a die cut) to the upper corner of the image (Cottage Cutz.)

     The spider web dp is from a stack by Memory Makers.  I added the stitched, orange ribbon and tied a black, bow tie bow.  There was already so much visual interest that I didn't want to add much more by way of embellishment.  This way, it's flat and easy to mail.

     Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cute Card Thursday
Simon Says Stamp
Try Stampin' on Tues.
TTCRD
Unicorn

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flying Pigs and Salute to Lewis Carroll

     " 'The time has come,' the Walrus said,

      To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

      Of cabbages — and kings —

   And why the sea is boiling hot —

    And whether pigs have wings."

       Of course, that's the famous passage from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and my DT card today for the newest challenge at SheepSki Designs salutes the author with this darling image called "Pigs Can Fly."  

       From the time I was a young child and first read (or had read to me) the 'Alice' book (as I called it), I was fascinated by the idea of pigs having wings.  As a teen, hearing the old adage about something happening "when pigs fly," I was just as intrigued.  So, when Andrea first drew this image, I knew I had to use it.  Since the optional twist on this month's usual "Anything Goes" challenge is "For Kids," it seemed the perfect time.

       I colored with ProMarkers and added gold and white gel ink on the wings.  I die cut the image with a die from Die-namics.  The scalloped frame is cut with a Memory Box die which is also stitched.

       I found a scrap of dp in my basket of leftovers which had stitching and it seemed perfect.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges and added it.  Finally, I tied a "bowtie" bow and added it below the sentiment.  Voila', finished!  And it makes me happy - like being a child again and dreaming of magical things like pigs with wings.  :-D

       Challenges:

Aud Sentiments (top row)

CARDZ TV

Creative Fingers

Cute Card Thurs

Lemon Shortbread

Outlawz Color

Outlawz Festive Friday

Passion for ProMarkers

Time Out

TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Whale of a Birthday

     Welcome to September!  Can you believe that nearly 3/4 of the year is gone already?  Since it's the first of a month, we're starting a new challenge over at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and, as usual, our theme is "Anything Goes with a Critter."  Just feature a creature on your project and it qualifies for entry.

     Ike's Art is sponsoring us this month and she supplied the images all the DT used.  Be sure to check out the 2CCC blog to see all of them.  I chose this magnificent whale and used it for a masculine birthday card. 

     I colored the whale with ProMarkers and water colors, then cut the image with a die from Gina Marie.  I inked the edges with black ink.

     The background is done with papers from a DCWV scrapbook stash, cut to size for the card.  I enhanced the faux stitching around the swirl with white gel ink.  I added the ribbon bow and a few sequins and left it alone.

     The sentiment is inside and it says, "Have a Whale of a Birthday."

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Cookie Challenge
Crafty Friends
Double Trouble
Fussy and Fancy Fri
Ike's World
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pause Dream Enjoy
Polkadoodles

     Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wisdom of an Owl

     This is my second post of the day.  If you're looking for the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies post, please click the link or scroll down one post.

     It's Friday again and that means another new challenge at QKR Stampede.  We always have an "Anything Goes" theme so there's no reason not to enter.  For my card today, I saluted all the graduates with this "Graduate Owl 16911" image.

     I colored with ProMarkers and gel pens, then framed the image with a left over, negative, die cut (Spellbinders), meaning the die cut part is the plaid paper, not the white image.  I inked the edges of the frame before applying it to some pumpkin colored CS which then went onto the card front.  The sentiment was printed, hand cut, and applied.  I added faux stitching and a bow and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Cardmakers
Die Cuttin' Divas
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp and Show
TTCRD

     I hope you'll play along with us this week.  See you at the challenge.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweet Dreams

     My card today is doing double duty;  I'm posting it as my DT card for the new monthly challenges at both 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (theme: Anything Goes with a Featured Critter) and SheepSki Designs (theme: Flower Power.) We are fortunate enough to have SheepSki Designs as our sponsor for the month of August and, even though I'm on a leave of absence for another month at SheepSki, I worked ahead to have this card done for 2 CCC and the post pre-scheduled while I'm gone so why not use it for the August challenge at SheepSki also?

     The image is called "Sleep Tight"and I absolutely love the little bear, hugging and protecting his sleepy mistress.

     I colored with my ProMarkers, die cut with a stitched die from Lawn Fawn, embossed with my Swiss Dot folder and highlighted the stitches on the dark brown square because the stitching just didn't show up well on something that dark.

     I printed background dp onto vellum and it was chosen mostly because of the color combo.  I used the largest die in the Lawn Fawn set to cut it.  I found that gorgeous, scrunched ribbon in my stash, wrapped it around the card front and tied it into a bow.   Finally, I added the white rose (which promptly fell off as I was photographing it! - but I re-attached it just below the sentiment.)

     Challenges:
Cards in Envy
Colour Crazy
Crafting from the Heart
Dream Valley
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings

     Happy Stamping and come play with us in the challenges.  NanaConnie

All Tucked in for the Night

     It's Friday again and we have a new, weekly, challenge starting at QKR Stampede.  As usual, we have our "Anything Goes" theme but we also have our optional twist - the theme of "Quilting or Stitching."  I did my best to accomplish both on this one card.  I used the QKR image "All Tucked In" and I think it's totally adorable!

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a die from an unbranded die maker.  The polka dot frame for the image is also cut with another die from that same set.  I cut the denim and yellow papers for background "quilt" with a chain stitched die from Gina Marie Dies.  The sentiment is printed and matted with blue and yellow layers.

     I decided not to add any embellishments because I wanted the quilt background to showcase the image.  I felt that anything added on top of it would take away from that effect.

     Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft
Classic DT Open
Colour Crazy
Crafty Awesomeness
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper
Creative Ladybirds
Polkadoodles
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Take it, Make It
Time Out

     I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge this week.  Remember, while we'd love to see you using a QKR Stampede image (and you'll be in a separate draw just for QKR users), you can use any image from any company to enter our challenge.  See you over there.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Time to Water the Garden

     As hot as it's been the past few days, I've had to make sure the garden was well watered so that things didn't wilt and die.  This sweet image from Whoopsi Daisy (Tic Tac Toe challenge where I used the first column) caught my eye and was just waiting for me to color it and showcase it on a card.  :-D

I used the sketch from The Outlawz,

adjusting it from square to an A2 size rectangle.

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it into a simple rectangle and matted it.  The frame is cut with a Gina Marie die and everything is mounted onto a black card front.  I added silver ribbon to the bottom with a polka dot bow.  I did faux stitching on the image and on the frame.  I added a double-layer, die cut butterfly, and a few gems on each side of the bow.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Inspiration Destination
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Teddy Bear Valentine

     This adorable image is from Morgan's ArtWorld and we start a new challenge today.  We have everybody's favorite theme this time - Anything Goes!  Since I'm trying to get my Valentine cards done, I thought this delightful little "Teddy Heart" image was perfect.  It works perfectly for an anniversary card, too.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, then fussy cut it and added the faux stitching.  The other two 'hearts' were cut with a leaf die from Spellbinders.  I cut a square of textured, metallic-green CS and layered everything together onto the card base. 

     I added more faux stitching in an outline around all the shapes.  I dug thorough my ribbon stash and found the stitched ribbon and a sheer ribbon which worked well together and wrapped them around the card front.  My final touch was the tiny, green bow.

     Challenges:
Creative Corner
Di's Digi Designs
Double D
Glitter n Sparkle
Jo's Scrap Shack
Pattie's Creations
Scrapper's Delights
Scrapy Land
Send a Smile 4 Kids
Take It, Make It

     I hope you're going to come play along with us this fortnight.  We love seeing what you create and we get as much inspiration from you as any you might get from our inspiration cards.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Christmas Baking

     One of the best parts of the holidays is the baking of dessert goodies.  The whole house smells so fabulous, baked goods are eaten while they're still warm, and the kitchen is the favorite room of family and guests alike.

     Our family has an award winning fudge recipe which has been passed down from Mother to Oldest Daughter through at least 5 generations now, and I can remember my mother whipping it into fudge frosting for cupcakes.  Mmmmm, so good, but the fudge all by itself was pretty wonderful, too!  So I'm celebrating those childhood candy and baking memories with this one little card.

     The image is from Angie's Digital Stamps and I'm entering their challenge this month.

     I colored that darling little baker mouse with my ProMarkers, then cut him and the mat/frame with my newest die set, "Double Running Stitch" from STAMPlorations.  I love that die set and you're going to see it getting lots of use.

     I dug out a scrap of ribbon and tied it diagonally across one corner of the image, then added the bow.  The background dp was done with left over scraps which came from my 12 x 12 scrapbooking papers.  I'm not sure how long the scraps have been waiting to be used but I know I bought the papers more than 2 years ago.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Sentiments
Crazy Challenge
Digi Chooseday
Incy Wincy
Pile It On
Send a Smile 4 Kids
TTCRD

     I think fall weather is finally settling in.  I'm absolutely delighted because now it's cool enough to start baking and making candy for the holidays.  I have tons of recipes for make-ahead cookie doughs which can be tossed in the freezer without any harm to the texture of the finished cookies and now is the time to start making those so that it's an easy job later during the holiday rush to get freshed baked cookies in a really short time with little fuss.  That leaves more time for crafting and that can't be a bad thing.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Happy Fall Cat

     I was so lucky in a game over on the Facebook page of Sheepski Designs and I won this darling image!  I won in the very next game, also, and another digi was my prize.  You'll see that one in a day or two.

I started this card with the sketch at Mojo Monday,

where they want to see tall and skinny cards.

Mine is 7 1/4" x 4 1/2" and I had 

to make the envelope myself.

     While it doesn't show really well in the photo, this is a lapped, gatefold card.  The left flap is wider than the one on the right (but narrower than the overall width of the card) and the right flap tucks inside, under the left flap.  What you see as a colored strip on the right side is actually the outside edge of the right flap.

     I colored that darling cat with my ProMarkers, then cut him with one of my stitched rectangle dies from Die-namics.  I cut another piece with the next size larger die from that same set and used it to mat the image.  All the papers came from different stacks by DCWV and most of those are matted with kraft brown CS.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Sentiments
Die Cuttin' Divas
Everybody Art
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Greetings
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats
Through the Craft Room Door

     Middle of the week so it's down hill to the weekend.  I'm celebrating because we haven't had a 100 degree day in a week and none are predicted for at least another week.  I'm not going to say they are totally gone but September started tomorrow and then it's only another three weeks until autumn begins.  Can we at least hope?  :-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.

Stardust Angel

     New post today and a new challenge starting at QKR Stampede with a theme of "Quilting or Stitching."  I tried to do a card that looked a bit like quilting (questionable if I accomplished that) but at least I got the stitching part of it and since it's an 'either/or' theme, I think that'll be sufficient.  :-D

     This card also advises about the potential dangers of  'Stardust' !!  This sweet little angel (Digi 12405 Sprinkling Stardust) is scattering her stardust about without any concern at all !  If she'd just read the sentiment (Digi 12402 Stardust Caution), maybe she'd be better educated.   And more careful. :-D

     I used ProMarkers and chalk markers to color the image, and added glittery Snow-Tex to her wings.  Then I fussy cut her, added a mat of dp and fussy cut again.  That piece got layered onto a die cut stitched frame (Die-versions) and I added that to another piece of the dp.  I stitched around that after I mounted it onto white CS.

     I love the stitched die -- any of them and all of them!  It's such an easy way to get perfect stitching on cards.  Just compare the die stitching with the hand stitching to see what I mean.  :-D

     I added a strip of satin ribbon, then tied a bow using velveteen ribbon.  Everything was put on a 5.5" x 5.5" card base.  Finally, I matted the sentiment and added it to the card front.  This is just begging to be used for non-traditional Christmas card, don't you think?  OK, maybe it'll get used as a young child's birthday card before then but if not, it's going in my Christmas stash and I'm going to pretend that stardust is what brings children "visions of sugar plums" while they sleep.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
As You Like It
Color Your World
Come and Get It
Corrosive Challenge
Crafty Ribbons
In the Pink (flowery dp)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
One Stitch at a Time
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Robyn's Fetish

     I may be a bit late getting around to commenting on your entry (if you decide to play along at QKR Stampede this week) since I can't guarantee being able to get online.  Once I get back to my regular computer routine at home, I'll visit and leave you some comment love.  In the meantime -- 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.

Away in a Manger

     I've been on a Deedee's Digis kick all weekend and have used several different sets to make Christmas cards and tags.  Just as I was thinking that I was pretty well caught up on the number of cards I need this year, I got another commission for eight cards.  Then my neighbor, who loves all my cards and has ordered several from me over the last year, wants ten MORE Christmas cards!  So now I'm hopping like a bunny to get everything done.

     I also want to let you know that Deedee's Digis is having a year end sale of 75% off all sets in the store!!  Nothing over $.88!  Can you believe those prices?  

     Since Deedee has so many pre-colored images, and since those make cards go really quickly, I printed out 4 images for tags, and another 4 for cards.  Here's the first one I finished from the "Away in a Manger" set.  Both the image and the sentiment are from that set.

     I used my newest scalloped dies (Memory Box) and I love the stitching on them.  The background embossing is done with a folder from Darice used on red CS which has stars on it.  The sentiment is also cut with one of the stitched dies.  The bow is tied with my bow maker.

     Challenges:
Christmas Card
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Moments
Dream Valley
Fab n Funky
Inky Impressions
Lemon Shortbread
Our Daily Bread
Paper Shelter

     That's it for me today but I'll be posting cards and tags all week long so that I can share what I've done with all the things I printed (and colored on many of them.)  Less than 4 weeks to Christmas now and I have even more to do than I did before the Thanksgiving holiday.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

A Boy's Gift !

     I admit when I first saw this image from QKR Stampede (Digi 12806 'Little Boy'), I knew I was going to use it for a Mother's Day card.  Every year, I make cards for my daughter, my wonderful DIL, and my Granddaughter-in-law.  I also make cards for their kids to give to them.  The fun part is that each of them have boys so I get to use some fun, boyish images.  :-D

     A new QKR Stampede challenge starts today and this time our theme is "Stitching - Real or Faux."

I was inspired by the colors at Cosmic Colors.

I used a sketch I found at Sketchtanten but I'm not entering that challenge since they don't allow the use of digital images.  I reversed the sketch because it fit better with the direction my image was facing.

  

     This time I colored the image with chalks but most of the shading is done with Copics.  It's difficult to get enough chalk in the right places to make good shadows.  I hand cut the image, leaving a good margin around it for the faux stitching.  It's adhered with Pop Dots for a bit of dimension.

     Both of the papers came from a stack by The Paper Studio and I did stitching around the edges of the argyle design and the white CS mat behind it.  The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the twine came from my stash.  The tiny flower was punched and I added a small gem to the middle of it.  The stitching, the flower, and the bow are my only 3 embellishments.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
2015 World Wide DT
Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe
Come and Get It
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper
DT Showcase
Really Reasonable Ribbon
That Craft Place

     I hope we're going to see you playing along this week at QKR.  You can use any digital or rubber stamp but if you choose to use an image from QKR Stampede, you'll qualify for a separate drawing to win images.  That really does increase your chances of winning so think about it, won't you?

Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie