Envelope Card Tutorial

     A few weeks back, I made an Envelope Card and posted it to my blog.  I had several inquires about how it was made, including one from The Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge.  They wanted to know if I could do a tutorial of it and I agreed.  Because I had no photos of the process for the first one I did, I made another one and photographed it as I went along.

     So, today I'm a Guest Designer for the Greetings challenge where "Christmas" is our theme and  "Fred, She Said" is our sponsor.  They generously supplied the "Nuthatch" image for me to use.   I'm showing the step by step process here on my blog.  I tried to keep it as short as possible but if I ended up not being clear about something, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to clarify it.

    Starting at Step 1:  I printed and colored the image with ProMarkers, then cut it to a 4 inch square.

     Step 2:  I used scissors to distress the edges of the image.

     Step 3:  Cut the envelope paper into a square measuring 6 7/8 inches, (I used solid teal green instead of patterned but either will work as long as the back side is plain) then cut a notch at the mid-point on each side.  Don't worry that the notch is a perfect right angle cut.  That will be done later.  

     Step 4:  Measure 2 1/2 inches in from the point (or whatever distance you need to match the notches), draw a light pencil line between two notches, then score and fold along that line.  Do this between each notch to make a square.

     Step 5:  Make the notches exact right angle cuts by trimming with scissors straight with the scored lines.  It's easier to do this now than to try to make it a perfect right angle when you first make the notches.  Trust me on this one!  :-D

     Step 6:  Cut a CS square, just slightly smaller than the inside square of your envelope.  Mine is 4 1/4 inches square.  If you are using paper with a printed design for the envelope, make sure you adhere the smaller square to the side with the print.  You'll need the plain, white side for your address if you are mailing the finished card.

     Step 7:  Adhere the image to the inside square.  I also added my sentiment at this point.

     Step 8:  Fold the points along the score lines to close the envelope.  DO NOT glue or tape them closed.  Instead, make a sleeve by cutting a strip of paper or CS 10 1/2 inches long and about an inch wide.  

Wrap it around the folded envelope, overlap it and adhere the overlap to hold it.  That sleeve will slip off to allow for opening the card.

     

     Challenges:

ABC Christmas

Crafty Cardmakers

Crafty Creations

Crafty Sentiments

Creative Inspirations

Cute Card Thurs

Dragonfly Dreams

I {heart} ProMarkers

Take It, Make It

Winter Wonderland

     Remember, if I've been unclear on any of the steps, leave me a comment and I'll try to fix that.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gratitude

     For today's card, I've used "Earth Fairy" from Fabrika Fantasy.  She colored up so beautifully!

     I colored with ProMarkers, cut the image with a die from Spellbinders, and backed it with orange CS.  I printed the sentiment, matted it with a scrap of that same CS, and added it to the top of the image piece.

     I made a card base from kraft CS and added a scrap of dp which had been lying on my desk.  I wrapped the card front with some sparkly brown ribbon, then layered on the image.  I cut tiny pumpkins with an Impression Obsession die and added them to the bottom of the image.

     The double layer butterfly was cut with a die from Cottage Cuts and I added pearls to make the body.

     Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
Cards in Envy
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Catz
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Stamping Sensations (Bounty, Butterfly, Brown ribbon)
TTCRD

    I'll have another post tonight, around 6:00 p.m Pacific time.  I don't normally pre-schedule my posts for that hour but in this case, I'm guest designing and that's when the Outlawz Monday challenge goes live.  So think of it as being my post for Monday and check back when you have time.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Perfect Pumpkin

     When was the last time you wandered through a pumpkin patch (with or without kids/grandkids) searching for that one perfect pumpkin?  I remember the days when we actually went out to the farmer's field and found pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Now, they come to us by way of our super markets and a good number of grandkids don't even know that pumpkins grow on vines which are found trailing across acres and acres of ground.  Sigh...

     I absolutely love this darling image from Ching-Chou Kuik and I know that she didn't find her perfect pumpkin in a grocery store.  Nope, she and her kitten found that one in the field and picked it straight off the vine.  :-D

     I colored the image with my ProMarkers, then use dies from Sizzix to cut it and the frame piece.  I had already decided on a CAS design so I grabbed a scrap of kraft CS which was not large enough to made a standard A2 size card.  I left the back side as a 4.25" x 5.5" rectangle but the front flap was only 3" wide.

     I used my Scor-Pal to make the score lines vertically on that front flap, then added the scalloped circle image.  Although it's not really clear in the photograph, it gives a very interesting shape to the card.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, adding it below the image.  There are no additional embellishments, only the score lines.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
Cardz TV
Ching-chou Kuik FB
Creative Fingers
Fussy and Fancy
Outlawz Festive Friday
Pattie's Creations
Scor-Pal
Take It, Make It

     It's the start of the weekend and we still have another few sweltering days before cooler air moves in from the Canadian north.  Weatherman is saying we'll be down in the 80s before the end of next week and I can hardly wait!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Jumping in Leaves

     Nothing is more fun in the fall than jumping in leaves!  Kids love doing it and grown ups love remembering when their bodies were young enough to do it.  Well, at least I do.  :-D

     Another Friday and another "Anything Goes" challenge from QKR Stampede.  I'm sticking with doing autumn cards in hopes that the fall weather will finally arrive and today's card is no exception.  I've used an image and a sentiment from QKR's sister company, Eureka Stamps.  The image is called "Lady Throwing Leaves" and the sentiment is "Jump into Pile of Leaves."

I was inspired by the sketch at AAA Cards

turned sideways.

     I chose the scrap of paper before I started coloring with ProMarkers and pulled colors from it.  I cut the image and the brown frame with Sizzix dies.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it and inked the edges with a ProMarker. 

     I took the scrap of paper and tore the edges all the way around for a distressed look.  I layered everything onto a kraft card base.  I dub out black and gold jute cord and wrapped the card front with them, tying a knot.  I also tied a small, black, polka dot, bowtie bow and added it.  I really liked the CAS look of the design so I left it as it was.

     Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Dragonfly Dreams
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Time Out
Word Art Weds

     OK, now it's all up to you.  Come enter our challenge this week and you might win some fabulous QKR Stampede images!  See you there.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Days

     Here it is the first Thursday in September and our latest challenge is starting over at Crafting with an Attitude.  Our sponsor this month is Bugaboo Stamps and our theme is the usual "Anything Goes."

     Bugaboo Stamps generously provided images for the DT to use and I chose one from Floral Set 2.

     I had such fun coloring this image in lovely autumn colors and I went a little bit crazy with new ideas.  I started with my usual ProMarkers, then added Stickles to the butterfly.  While I was waiting for that to dry, I did a very light spritz of Heidi Swapp Amethyst mist.  I printed the sentiment, spritzed it, hand cut it, and inked the edges before adding it.

     Once the Stickles glitter on the butterfly was completely dry, I fussy cut the image circle, leaving the flower and one leaf  "out-of-the-box."   I still had the scrap of white CS on which I had laid the pieces for spritzing and I decided to cut it with one of my Amy Designs dies.  I wasn't sure that was going to work but I actually loved the way it looked so I layered on the image piece and added loose, "Grape" glitter to some of the tiny butterflies in the die cut, leaving others just spritzed.

     That entire thing went onto a Harvest Gold piece of CS, cut to the size of the card front.  As the final embellishment, I added three lavender pearls to diagonal, top and bottom, corners of the card.

     Challenges:
Butterfly Challenge (electric yellow and embellishment)
Catch the Bug
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Sisterhood of Crafters
Work It Weds.

      I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge this month.  You can't lose with an Anything Goes theme so join us and inspire us with your creations.  :-D  NanaConnie

The Cat's Candy

     Before you read that post title and decide that I'm completely bonkers for thinking that cats like or have candy, let me tell you the quick story behind the phrase.

     When I was a young child, perhaps 4 or 5 years old, if my parents didn't want me having more candy than was good for me - mostly during the fall holiday season - they would put the candy into a special vintage tin which had a picture of a cat on it.  That became known as "The Cat's Candy" and the rule was that I had to ask our pet cat if  I could have more.  She had to say "Yes" before I could have any more.  Of course, she never learned to talk so she never said that magic word.  lol

     I saw this cat silhouette at Beccy's Place and the expression on the cat's face was so forbidding, I was reminded of "The Cat's Candy" from my childhood.  So, here's what I did...

     The cat is one image and the little bag of candy is another.  Both are from Beccy's Place.  I merged them and colored with ProMarkers.  Since the optional twist at Beccy's this month is Fancy Folds, I followed Beccy's tutorial on Dutch Door Folds and did my first one.  It's a fun fold and looks more complicated than it is.  It also allows a card to stand on its own.

     I used an oval die from QuicKutz to cut the image and used a smaller oval die to cut the sentiment.  The candy corn paper was in my scrapbooking stash and probably came from a DCVW stack.  That paper was so busy I decided to limit my embellishments to one, simple, bow which I tied by hand from black, grosgrain ribbon.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
Crafter's Castle
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Friends
Di's Digi Designs
Fussy & Fancy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Festive Friday
Send a Smile 4 Kids
SUYP Cats

     That's what I have for today and I'm working on cards for tomorrow and over the weekend.  Of course, on Friday, I'll have my usual DT card for QKR Stampede so be sure to stop by.  Everything is autumn related through Saturday at least, and I'm still hoping for cooler weather to show up.  :-D
Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thanksgiving Maiden

     If you visit my blog regularly or are a follower, you undoubtedly know that I love progressive challenges.  I found one that's new to me although it's not a new challenge.  I popped over to the online store at Cute as a Button, bought the image for this challenge (at half off), and sat down to make this card.  I could have gotten the image free simply by sending an email and requesting it but since it was on sale at half off, I did what I could to support the artist by buying it.  After all, I'll get the next one free.  :-D

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a die from Bo Bunny.  The delicate frame is also cut with another die from that same set and that brown CS was simply a scrap from the basket on my craft table.  I layered the image and frame pieces onto marbled-beige CS and trimmed that to fit the card base.

     I took a scrap of that trimmed off CS and printed the sentiment onto it, then die cut it (again, Bo Bunny die) but I had to cut more than once, moving the die each time to get the size I wanted since the die was much larger than the sentiment.  The brown CS behind the sentiment was the inside leftover from cutting the frame for the image but I cut that piece with the same die I used on the sentiment.  The cut piece shows you the actual size of the die, no adjustment made to the cut that time.

     As a final touch on this otherwise CAS card, I tied a simple bow using brown jute cord and added it above the sentiment piece.

     Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Creates and Makes
Cute N Crafty
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pixie's Snippets
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.

     Last week's somewhat lower temperatures are already a thing of the past so we're still waiting on autumn here in my neck of the woods.  Weather predictors are saying we will be back to 100F either today or tomorrow and at 99F for the rest of the week, through and including the weekend.  Maybe this is just what we use to call "Indian Summer" back when I was a child.  I can hope, right?

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Rosy Birthday

     I'm excited to announce that this fortnight I'm a Guest Designer at The Paper Girls.  The  newest challenge has a photo to show the color theme.  Notice that green wasn't selected as one of the colors to use despite all the green in the photo.  :-D  I used an image (Bella Rose) from Conie Fong and here's how I used the colors.

     I colored with ProMarkers and fussy cut the image with scissors.  The black oval was cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I mounted that onto a pink card base and added the image using dimensional dots so that the image is actually raised above the black oval.

    I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and matted it with a scrap of black.  The bowtie bow was made using white lace which I 'dyed' pink with a ProMarker.  I love it when CAS designs look more complex that they are.  :-D

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Always Happy Birthday
A Perfect Time to Craft
Cardz TV
Classic DT Open
Creative Fingers
Digistamps4Joy
Morgan's ArtWorld
Outlawz Festive Friday

     I hope we're going to see you playing in the challenge at The Paper Girls some time in the next two weeks.  Those are such lovely colors - lots of neutrals with a gorgeous pink for balance.  How could you resist?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Word is Autumn

     We've had an entire week of temperatures under 100F - meaning 97 to 99 - and I'm taking that as a sign that autumn will be here any minute.  Today's card celebrates that fact with a fun image from Bugaboo Stamps.  :-D

I was inspired by the colors at Card Mania.

     I colored with ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  I cut the image with a die from Die-namics and the frame is cut with two different dies - Die-namics on the inside and CUTplorations on the outside.  All have some form of stitching on them.

     I ran both the gray CS of the frame and the brown CS of the background through my Linen embossing folder, then I layered everything together.  I added narrow grosgrain ribbon to the top of the card, and used 2 additional ribbons and my bow maker to tie a double loop bow.

     For final embellishment, I added three sets of three brads each.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafter's Cafe (brads + 3 layers)
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Friends
Do Al(l) Creatives  (dies/image/ribbon)
Jo's Scrap Shack
Joy Clair
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     That's all I have for today.  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

Angels Among Us

     Is it the end of the week already?  No worry - I have my DT card for the new challenge at QKR Stampede, where our theme is always Anything Goes.  How about an unusual angel?  You're never going to find a cuter one than this "Angel Mouse" image from QKR.  The sentiment, "Angel Baby" is also by QKR.  Now, I admit I've never seen a Mouse Angel but I'm sure it's something magical !  :-D

      I used ProMarkers and sparkle gel pen (on the wings) to color the image, then cut it with a die from Tonic Studios.  The sentiment was also cut with a die from that set.  The little star on the sentiment was colored with a silver paint pen.

    I found a scrap of blue star dp, cut it with a Memory Box, pinpoint, die and it made a perfect background for the image.  I also had a scrap of embossed CS to make the card front.  I inked the edges of it in dark blue before adding it.

     I layered everything together, adding the sheer ribbon between layers.  That ribbon is one of my favorites from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It has a very light, plaid, pattern in pink and blue and is gorgeous.  I'm getting close to having to purchase it again after I used my bow maker to tie the double loop bow which I added separately.

     Challenges:
Craft-Dee Bowz
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute Card Thurs
Mod Squad
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
That's Crafty
Word Art Weds.

     I really hope you're going to come and play with us this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Balloons

     I need to add several more birthday cards to my stash and most of them need to be CAS and masculine.  Fortunately, I love doing both of those and even better when I can combine them.

     I've had this balloon image (Bugaboo Stamps) for a while and I can't remember ever using it but I love the color combo from the Catch the Bug challenge this week and knew it would work wonderfully with this image.

Color Palette from Catch the Bug and 

sketch from Stella Says Sketch.

   

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it with a pinpoint die from Memory Box.  I inked the edges of the rectangle.  Both of the papers I used were in my scrap basket and they were perfect for the color combo.  The green, polka dot, paper is from Stampin' Up and it was in the very first batch of SU papers I ever bought so it has to be among the oldest things in my paper stash, if not the oldest.  :-D

     The scalloped border piece, which I used across the middle of the card, was cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, matted it with dark green CS, and added it to the top of the card.  I found the three, blue pearls and added them to the bottom corner.  That was it - a CAS and masculine card for the birthday stash.

     Challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas
Digi Choosday
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lemon Shortbread
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On
TTCRD

     The weekend is almost here and, for those of us in the US, it's a long weekend as we celebrate Labor Day.  That particular 'holiday' has always intrigued me.  We are celebrating "Labor" by doing our absolute best to not labor for the entire 3 days.  lol

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hedgie Witches on the Move

     I haven't done a tall and skinny card for ages, it seems, but this one for Halloween (done with a Penny Black stamp) just had to be tall to get the effect of the entire scene.  Take a look - you'll see right away what I mean.

     I adore hedgies and finding these two as witches on their broom just made me happy!  I also love making Halloween cards so that made me even happier.  :-D

     I colored the cute hedgie witches on their broom with my ProMarkers and die cut them with a Sizzix die.  I inked the edges with a deep, purple marker.  I printed and cut the sentiment with another Sizzix die.

     The background is done entirely with papers from a Making Memories Halloween stack.  I had to trim things to fit the card size but I loved figuring out the how and where of placement for the papers and scrap bits.

     I decided that I only needed minimal embellishment so I tied a black ribbon bow and added a tiny gem to it.

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty
Cutie Pie
Die Cuttin' Divas
Dream Valley
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Penny Black Saturday
Penny Black and More
Scrappy Land

     OK, I'm going to take all my happiness to the kitchen and fix some dinner, then do an early bedtime.  I was up at 4:30 this morning, didn't have a nap, and sleepy time is fast setting in.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Pumpkin Wagon

     The pumpkins in the garden are getting bigger, fatter, and more orange each day.  The rest of the crops are pretty much done for the year even though my tomato plants are still looking healthy and are massive in size.  I was inspired to dig out this delightful image from Sandi Huggett which I used nearly every fall; sometimes for Halloween, sometimes for Thanksgiving.  This year it's just for a celebration of the harvest season.

     I started with water colors on the sky and ground, then colored the rest of wagons and pumpkins with ProMarkers.  I cut the image with an Unbranded, Cross Stitch Rectangle die.  I wanted dp which had fall colors but also had blue.  I found two scraps of dp in my basket, neither of which was large enough to cover the entire card front so I combined them.

     The brown strip is the back side of one of those papers.  The sentiment was printed and cut with another die from that same Cross Stitch set.  I inked the edges before adhering it to the top corner.  I added the three metal brads and the wrapped-string bow and called it finished before it got away from me.  :-D

     Challenges:
CARDZ TV
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz SAR
Simon Says Stamp Mon.
Simon Says Stamp Weds. (this is pumpkin pie in its raw form! :-D)
Sum More Fun
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie  

Hedgies with Poppies

     I think hedgies are my favorite critters (don't tell the cats!) especially for making cards.  Poppies are one of my favorite flowers so this darling image from Di's Digi Designs was a delight to color.  When I checked their current challenge theme, they want to see Fancy Folds so I took a standard gate fold card and turned it sideways so that the 'gate' opens top and bottom.  Sounds weird, I know, but let me show you the pic and you'll immediately see what I mean.

     I used water colors on the image and cut it and the frame with scalloped circle dies from Sizzix.

     I used kraft CS to make the card base and scored an 8.5 inch x 5.5 inch piece at the 1.5 inch line and the 2.5 inch line, leaving the middle section 5.5 x 4.25 (standard A2 size.)  The dp (Recollections) was a scrap and it worked perfectly with the color combo - beige background to complement the kraft and red flowers to pair up with the image and frame.

     I folded on the score lines and adhered the image to the top flap.  I tied a bowtie bow, dyed it red with a ProMarker, and added it to the bottom of the image.  Finally, I printed the sentiment, hand cut it and matted it with a scrap of red CS, then hand cut it again, attaching it at the top of the card.

     My next door neighbor loves poppies - any color, any size, and any variety so I'm giving this one to her for her birthday next month.  That should 'brighten her day' and make it an occasion.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafty Friends
Everybody Art
Hiding in My Craft Room
House that Stamps Built
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Send a Smile 4 Kids

     That's all I have for this first day of the work week.  Have a great week and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Words for Christmas

     I have two more Christmas cards to share today, both using image sentiments as the focus.  These are from Limited Runs and I've used four of these Christmas sentiments to make a dozen  CAS Christmas cards for my stash.

     The coloring on each one was done with ProMarkers.  On the top one, I used "Frosted Lace" Stickles for the snow on the letters.  The snowflakes are rub-ons which have been in my stash at least 5 years.  It was about time  I used them!  

     I'm still working on getting the weather to cool down and feel like fall instead of a sweltering 100+F day after day so this card is actually a plea more than a statement.  lol

     On the bottom one, I used ribbon from my Christmas stash and tied a tiny bow, white originally but dyed red with a ProMarker.  The Santa and the snowflakes on that one are simple foam stickers to which I added glitter.  

     That's two more quick, CAS cards for the Christmas stash.

     Challenges:  (Cold Outside)

Color Sisters

Creative Craft Cottage

Joy Clair

Morgan's ArtWorld

Paper Nest Dolls

     Challenges:  (Santa Stop)

12 Months of Christmas

A Bit More Time to Craft

Christmas Crafts All Year Round

Classic Design Team Open

Not Just Cards

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sketch Saturday Guest Designer

     This is my fourth (and final) card as a Guest Designer for Sketch Saturday and I'm having so much fun with the sketches and sponsors.  This week, we're sponsored by Little Miss Muffet and I've used their darling "Pippa" image.   She definitely looks like she's ready to conquer her first day at school !  Don't tell her it could also be used for someone's birthday.  lol

     Here's the sketch for this week but I turned it a quarter turn and reversed the layers because that better fit my image shape.

Here's my card:

     I used ProMarkers to color sweet Pippa, then cut her with a Bo Bunny die.  I used another die from that same set to cut the delicate, pink frame and inlaid the two.  The dp rectangle came from my scrap basket and didn't even need trimming; it was the perfect size as it was.

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then began looking for a single embellishment.  I thought about a flower but decided on the two-tone, bowtie, bow.  I'm loving the monochromatic pink of this card.

     Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge

Aud Sentiments

Bastel-Traum

CASual Friday

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Sentiments

Cute Card Thurs.

I {heart} ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp

Time Out

     Have yourselves a great little weekend and feel free to come play with us this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Building Dreams

     The newest challenge starts today over at QKR Stampede and our theme is the usual "Anything Goes."  I made this card for a friend who has donated more than 1500 hours of labor to Habitat for Humanity over the last 10 years.  He doesn't even talk about the amount of materials he's also donated.  I just wanted to give him a pat on the back and this QKR Stampede image called "Carpenter Rabbit" seemed perfect.

I was inspired by the sketch at My Favorite Things.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, then cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I used chalk to highlight the embossing around the edges of the die cut.

     I chose dp from Recollections, cutting a strip from the chevron paper and trimmed down the background scrap to fit the card front.  I layered everything together, printed and hand cut the sentiment, and after that, left the card very plain and un-embellished.   It had to be mailed and it's for a guy so plain is better.  :-D

     Challenges:
Cute N Crafty
Crafty Creations
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Ike's World
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD

     I hope we'll see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  I mean, how can you go wrong with an Anything Goes theme?  See you over there.  NanaConnie

Sparkling Christmas

     As I said before in an earlier post, I spent most of last weekend making Halloween and Christmas cards and today I'm sharing another of the Christmas cards.  If there's someone on your list who doesn't celebrate Christmas, I suppose it could be used for a celebration of the Winter Solstice.  But I celebrate Christmas so it's a Christmas card.  ;-D

     The sentiment image is from Limited Runs and I printed it large enough to take up almost 3/4 of this card.  I used sparkle gel pen to 'color' the snowflakes in the letters and used "Diamond" glitter to make the frame. 

     I had the very narrow white and gold ribbon in my Christmas stash and I wrapped it around the card front before adding the sentiment piece.  The iridescent glittered bow is made from die cut pieces.  Unfortunately, I don't know who made the die.  I made half a dozen of the bows at a crafting party we set up for exchanging the use of dies.  Someone brought that die as her contribution to the party and anyone interested could use it.

     If you've never done that kind of crafting party, you really should think about organizing one.  I think we had about 10 ladies who attended, each one bringing some kind of unusual die (it could be any crafting tool or supply, depending on what interests the group) and each person brought their own paper and CS supplies.  I also took images I had already colored because I knew one of the ladies was bringing a set of framing dies which I could use to cut them.

     But, back to this bow - I assembled it (totally new for me - I've never "assembled" bows before - tied them, yes, but not "assembled"!) and added it to the narrow ribbon, nearly obscuring  that poor ribbon altogether!  With all that sparkle, I called it finished and added it to my Christmas stash. 

     I realize that card is mostly black and white but the glitter on the bow is a lovely shade of winter-y lavender and it's just so stunning.  I love any shade of purple (my favorite color) but in this case I love it because, with everything else black and white, it adds a deliciously icy sheen to this winter weather card!

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Catch the Bug
Fussy and Fancy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Limited Runs
Outlawz Festive Friday
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Pile It On
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Dandelions in the Wind

     I remember as a child discovering how much fun it was to blow on dandelions and watch their delicate seeds drift all over the yard.  I also remember my mom telling me not to do that because she hated having to dig the dandelion plants out of the lawn.  But the temptation was just soooo great.  lol

     Anyway, when I first saw the Dandelion Sprite image at AuroraWings, I bought it and I'm using it on this card today to celebrate a friend's birthday. 

AuroraWings has a sketch challenge this month.

      I colored with ProMarkers, added glitter to the dandelion and seeds, and used Nuvo Crystal Drops on the sprite's flower petals.  The image was cut with stitched dies from Die-Namics.  I also cut the yellow background CS with the largest of those dies and inlaid the image.

     The leaves were cut with a Cheery Lynn die, and the butterfly was cut from burlap paper with a Cottage Cuts die.  I added a strip of Nuvo Crystal Drops for the butterfly's body and added little touches of it to the flowers, too.  The flowers were in  my stash as was the net 'ribbon.' 

     I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges and adhered it to the card.  I added the birthday sentiment to the inside but forgot to photograph it and the card is already in the mail.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More
Crafting by Designs
Creates and Makes
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Hey, do you realize that we're halfway to the weekend?  Only 2 more days to go.  Woohoo!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie