"Cheesy" Birthday

     Good Morning and a happy Friday to you!  Friday means another challenge is starting at QKR Stampede for this week and we have our usual "Anything Goes" theme.  Remember, you can use any images from any company.  If you decide to use something from QKR (or our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry goes into a separate draw and that greatly increases your chances of winning QKR images!

     I used a fun QKR image today to  make a masculine birthday card.  It's called "Sharing 24215" and it's a fun and silly try to share a bit of cheese as a birthday offering.  I don't think I've ever been given cheese as a present but then, I haven't invited many mice show up at my parties.  lol

     I decided I wanted to see how many shades of blue I could use on this so I colored the image with ProMarkers and pencils (3 different blues), then cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  I printed and cut the arm/hand holding the cheese twice more and fussy cut them, adding them in flat layers so that it has a bit of dimension.  I mounted the image piece onto an ocean blue card base, and added aqua blue glitter to the negative holes in the die cut.

     The birthday sentiment was cut from navy blue CS with a Memory Box die.  I mounted the words onto white CS and trimmed them to the general word shape, using scissors.

     I added a hand-sewn bow with a baby blue button and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Creative Fingers
Cute N Crafty
Cuttlebug Mania
Digi Choosday
House that Stamps Built (birthday/ribbon/button)
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Friday
Papercraft
Time Out

     I hope we're going to see you playing along this week.  We love being inspired by you!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

May Your Dreams Bear Fruit

     Hey, it's almost the weekend!  Only one more week day and then we all get crafting time.  :-D  Last weekend, I did all my cards which were posted this week and will probably do the same thing this coming weekend.

     For today, I want to share with you a card with a lovely Fabrika Fantasy image.  I've used her before but that time I did all fall colors.  This time I tried to be more spring-like with the colors.

     As usual, I used ProMarkers to color her, adding Cadet Blue glitter to the four tiny butterflies in the image (can you find them?), then cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  Once cut, I used chalks (as close to the Cadet Blue butterflies as possible) around the border and background of the die cut image.

     I printed the sentiment, and hand cut it.  I found a strip of sheer, golden-tan, ribbon (which looks gray-brown in the photo) and wrapped it around an embossed piece of CS which I used for the card front.

     The large, yellow, butterfly is an applique I made on my sewing machine, using a computer generated program, so it was little work for me other than selecting and changing out the threads.

     Challenges:
Butterfly Challenge  (Cadet Blue)
Crafty Creations
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD
Words 2 Craft By

Yellow Easter Rose

     I absolutely love the vintage feel of this card and I know exactly who's going to get it for Easter.  I have one friend in particular who adores anything vintage and this will be perfect for her.  She also loves yellow roses so, of course, that was the color I chose for the main focal point.

     I printed the image in gray scale, then colored it with ProMarkers.  I printed the sentiment and cut both image and sentiment with Unbranded, oval, dies.  I found a strip of scrap lace, trimmed it to size, and added it to the left edge of the card front.

     I used one of my signature, hand-sewn bows, which I 'dyed' yellow to match the main rose, then added a tiny button.

      Challenges:
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Friends
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Get Creative
Jo's Scrap Shack
Southern Girls
Take It, Make It
Unicorn
Word Art Weds.

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cat-titude !

     I live with enough felines to know what real "cat-titude" is and all the different ways in which it is expressed!  It's often said that "Dogs have Masters and Cats have Slaves."  lol  This card is a celebration of "Cat-titude."   

     The image is from Sparkle n Sprinkle.  (Digi set #650 - Welcome Autumn)

   
     I colored the cat with ProMarkers, then fussy cut him.  The fence and gate die is from Spellbinders.  I printed the sentiment and cut it by hand.  Everything went onto an embossed (Linen folder), "Smoke Gray," card front, and the cat is adhered on Pop Dots.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Cute N Crafty
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Passion for ProMarkers
Sparkle n Sprinkle FB
SUYP Cats
TTCRD

     OK, that's all for today.  Enjoy the day, whatever the weather at your house.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Go Fly a Kite

     I keep looking at the calendar (and the skies) to see how close we are to the official start of spring and, so far, the skies are winning and they definitely aren't clear and sunny!  Today we have  a lot of wind and overcast so maybe we should break out the kites and pretend it's spring.  :-D

     My card today has an image from Doodle Dragon and I thought he looked like he was going to fly his kite regardless.  Of course, I have to admit that a dragon flying a kite is a complete fantasy anyway.  lol

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and cut it with a die from Spellbinders.  I also used a Spellbinders die on the sentiment but had to shift it around and make 2 cuts to get that shape and size.

     I mounted the image and sentiment onto a navy blue card base, tilting the image piece at an angle and trimming the two corners that overlapped the edges.  I added one of my signature bows which had been dyed with a ProMarker.  I also added a tiny button to the bow.

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Catz
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs.
Cut It Up
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz PAM

     I have a second post that will be going live today so be sure to check back a bit later.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Luck o' the Irish

     I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE House Mouse stamps and when I downsized everything in the big move, I got rid of most of my rubber stamps.  But not the House Mouse!  I kept every one of those, even though there's not enough room without storing them in boxes which have to be tucked neatly away until it's time to dig through all of them to find that one particular stamp wanted for a particular project, like this one!

I started with the colors from My Favorite Things

and the sketch found at C.R.A.F.T. this week.

 

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then cut it and distressed the edges a tiny bit.  I matted the image with deep green CS which had been cut with a Tonic Studios die. 

     I used Tonic Studios dies to cut each of the pieces of dp (all scraps), although I had to adjust the placement of the dies and cut each piece twice in order to get the shapes I wanted.  I printed and then die cut the sentiment and the CS mat for it, doing the same adjustment process to get the size and shaped I wanted.

     There were so many shapes and patterns in the dp that I felt the card didn't need any additional embellishment.  There was already enough to please the eye and anything more would have just been a distraction.

     Challenges:
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs.
Happy Craft
House Mouse
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Southern Girls

     Wishing you a very green March and all the luck you may need.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wanna Be Friends?

     I decided to do a second, but very quick, post today because I adore this image and the card.  The image is this week's Friday Freebie from Bugaboo Stamps and I colored both grass and sky to turn it into a scene.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a framing die from Spellbinders.  I cut the mat with a larger die from that same set.   The background paper was made with watercolors.

     I printed, hand cut, and matted the sentiment, then tied a bow tie using my bow maker.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Allsorts
Catch the Bug
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafty Calendar
Dream Valley
Jo's Scrap Shack
Scrapy Land
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     That's it for today.  Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Land of Fruit and Nuts

     Beccy's Place is always one of my favorite places to play and Beccy always offers a freebie, which you can use if you wish.  I usually work with something from my collection of her images, as I did this time.  I adore this little critter and he was perfect for a Welcome card for a new neighbor who moved here (California) from Wisconsin.

     I colored with ProMarkers, adding highlights with a white gel pen, then cut the image with a hexagon die from Spellbinders.  The card base is made from smoky gray CS, embossed with my 'Linen' folder.  The dp was a left over scrap from previous projects which seemed to work well with the overall design.  I cut it so that I could line up one of the 'corners' of the hexagon with one of the half-diamonds on the paper. 

     I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it to the upper corner.  Finally, I 'dyed' one of my hand sewn bows with a lilac ProMarker, added a gem to it, and called the card finished.  It's a card for a guy so I kept embellishment to a minimum.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's
Die Cut Divas
Dies R Us
Southern Girls
Sparkles Forum
Take It, Make It
Your Scrapbook Place

     That's all I have for today.  I hope your weekend is going well and that you found a bit of crafting time.  I've been at it since very early yesterday morning since the weekend is pretty much when I do my crafting these days.  I've already completed 4 cards and have 3 more planned for completion today.   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Play It, Man!

     Sasayaki Glitter has two wonderful images for its Progressive challenge this month and they can be combined into one image or used separately.  I used just one of them, this fabulous (and obviously unique!) trumpet player, for a masculine, musical card.

     I colored with my ProMarkers, adding a few highlights with a gel pen, and then cut the image with an oval die from QuicKutz.  I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and matted it with a scrap which had been cut off the end of a stitched, die cut, strip (Lawn Fawn.) 

     What looks like a single ribbon is actually two ribbons of different widths, one layered on top of the other, and wrapped around the card front.  I tilted the image so that it looked like he was really l
'leaning' into his music and adhered it across the ribbon. 

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Creative Fingers
Double D
Happy Craft
I {heart} ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Time Out

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Friendly Hello

     I've been on the DT at QKR Stampede for 5 years, give or take, and I can't believe that after doing that many cards for our weekly challenges, I had overlooked this image!  It's called "Sante Fe Mouse."  Another new challenge is starting today (Always Anything Goes) and I'm really tickled with this simple, southwestern flavored, greeting card with it's very simple sentiment.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut him with a die from Tonic Studios.  I mounted him onto a yellow card base which had been embossed with my 'Linen' embossing folder.  The "hello" sentiment was cut from a tiny scrap of dp with a Poppy Stamps die.  I want to use this as a masculine card so I did no additional embellishment.

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Cute Card Thurs.
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
TTCRD
   
     It's Friday and I hope you have lots of wonderful plans for your weekend.  Be sure to include some play time for yourself.  Think of it as charging your batteries.  If your battery is dead, you'll have nothing to give to your kids, family, or anyone else, and you know how they all rely on you.  Play time for yourself is critical and actually benefits everyone!   :-D  Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

An Irish Fairy!

     Welcome!  Today I'm sharing a DT card I made for the newest challenge at Crafting with an Attitude.  Our theme is "Anything Goes" (as always) and we're being sponsored by Digi Doodle Studios.  They generously supplied images for the DT to use, and I chose "Pepper Bella Flora."

     Although she wasn't intended to be a St. Patrick's image, I colored her in greens (all pulled from their challenge color palette - see below) and suddenly she passes for an Irish fairy!  Isn't she adorable?

Here's the Digi Doodles color palette for their challenge.

I used all the greens and the palest pink for her skin,

plus bits of gold here and there.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, and each of the gold flowers has a center made with golden Nuvo Crystal Drops.  The image and the darker frame are each cut with dies from Cottage Cutz, one stitched and the other pinpoint.  The lighter green square behind those was cut with a stitched, square die from Lawn Fawn.  The lattice piece was cut with one of my newest dies, one from the Memory Box "Distressed Windham Collage" set.

     I printed the sentiment and used one of smaller Cottage Cutz dies to cut it, adjusting the die after I cut the top edge so that I could cut the bottom edge.  The die is actually square (with rounded corners) but I managed to get that shape for the sentiment piece simply by moving the die and cutting twice.  I matted that piece with green CS, hand cut it and added it to the lower corner of the card front.

     Challenges:
Creative Inspirations
Double Trouble  (all 3)
Heart 2 Heart
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Greetings
Scrappy Land
Tales from the Craft Room
Work It Weds.

     Come play along with us this month.  We love being inspired by you.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter is Past

     My card today was a commissioned card and the scripture from Song of Solomon was specifically requested.  For me right now, after a full week of rain every day and another 3 days of it predicted, it feels more like a prayer.  :-D  Either way, it's a great spring card.

     I pulled the sentiment from {PIN}terest after the lady who commissioned the card showed me where to find it.  Sorry, folks, I spend very little time on {PIN}terest; I'm much more apt to be found in my craft room than at the computer, surfing around websites or social media. 

     I sized it to fit the card, printed it, cut it into a square, and used a Fiskars punch on the corners.  I printed the roses in gray scale and used ProMarkers to color them.  I added highlights with a white gel pen.  I used a rectangle die from QuicKutz to cut the image, then used a kraft knife to gently distress the edges.

     I added the sentiment piece after I inked the edges on it.  The satin ribbon across the bottom of the card was a scrap left on my desk and I also added one of my signature, hand-sewn bows.  All of that went onto a yellow card base which had been run through my Linen embossing folder.  Sweetly feminine and the lady loved it.  :-D

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.

     Half way through the work week; "Hump Day" as the camel says!  It'll be weekend in no time.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Clutch of Eggs

     Well, I was going to give you a break from Easter cards by posting something for one of the progressive challenges I love to do each month but wouldn't you know the image from The Outlawz Progressive (by Sandra Van Blaricum) was an image of Easter eggs?  lol

I based my design on the Sketch found at Feeling Sketchy

but off-centered my image.

   
     I colored with ProMarkers, then used Gina Marie dies to cut both the image and the frame.  BTW, that frame is not navy blue!  It's actually purple but the photography is playing tricks.  I tried different lighting and a different time of day for taking the photos but in every one, it looks dark blue.  Sigh...

     The ribbon was in my stash and it is pale lavender with shiny, silver thread that sparkles.  I wrapped the card front and used a cut off scrap to make the bow.

     Challenges:
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Sentiments
Die Cut Divas
Incy Wincy
Papercraft
Scrap from Your Heart

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Soft and Fluffy

     My card today is made with one of my favorite images from AuroraWings.  I think it's a perfect representation of a place where dreams come true, where kittens and chicks can be best friends, and where a kitten could be an Easter critter.  Sounds like an "Over the Rainbow" dream, right?  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, of course, then cut it with a scalloped, Sizzix die and matted it with a stitched die from Memory Box.  I decided on a kraft card base, wrapped it with green ribbon, and added the image piece.  I cut white flowers from mulberry paper (Spellbinders die), added one with a gem, and used die cut leaves (Cheery Lynn) cut from a scrap of white CS.

     I printed and hand cut the simple sentiment and decided that was just enough embellishment.  I wanted the image to be the focal point, unobscured by piles of embellishment.

     Challenges:
Addicted to CAS
Angie's Digital Stamps
Cute Card Thurs
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD
Words to Craft By

     Happy Crafting, my friends.  NanaConnie

Edward Elephant for St. Patrick's

     I promised you another post today if I got the card finished and I did!  This is my second or third St. Patrick's card and I make them every year for all my grandkids to remind them that they have an Irish heritage on my side of the family.  It's also a fun turn-around on birthday cards since I celebrate my birthday on St. Paddy's Day and it's fun to send out cards on my birthday.  :-D

     This image came from Bugaboo Stamps and is so adorable.

My colors came from the board at Color My Heart Color Dare

and used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch.

       

     I colored Edward with my ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Memory Box, scalloped, stitched die.  All the papers and CS were scraps and snippets from my desk, even the three little flowers were die cut from a scrap of mulberry paper (Spellbinders dies.)

     I used my Linen embossing folder on the gold CS at the top and used my Scor-Pal to score the lines on the deeper green scrap of CS at the bottom.  I added gems to the flower centers and called it finished.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Colour Crazy
Crafting with Friends
Cute Card Thurs.
Cut It Up
Dare 2B Artsy
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends 
Pixie's Snippets
Scor-Pal

     OK, that's it for today.  I'll be back tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Morning

     Another card for Easter, this time using an old image from Clear Dollar Stamps (now closed) back when they were handling Doodle Pantry images.  I was on  the Doodle Pantry DT for a couple of years and I really miss them.  It's sad that they are also closed now.  :-(

I was inspired by the colors at The Outlawz.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and the background dp, which is part of the set.  I cut both the image and the sentiment with pinpoint dies from Memory Box.  The flourish is a corner die cut (Spellbinders) and the bow is made from wrapped twine.

     On this card, I did several layers and also use Pop Dots for the image and the sentiment.  I do multiple layers because I like having dimension and texture on a card.

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments (dp/stamp/fav color)
Butterfly Challenge (burgundy and bow)
Crafty Creations
House that Stamps Built
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

     The weekend is flying by and those two days each week are when I do the majority of my crafting these days.  I may have an additional post for you this afternoon but if I don't get the project done, I'll post it tomorrow or Tuesday.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Easter Egg Surprise

     Another Easter card today and I'll have several more this upcoming week.  I awakened at an unearthly hour (2 a.m.) this morning and it was one of those wake ups where you're wide awake and you know there's no chance of just rolling over and drifting off again.  So, after about 10 minutes, I got up, tossed on a warm robe, and headed for the crafting table.  Can you believe the end result was an additional 5 Easter cards?!! 

     Here's the first one:

I used colors from the inspiration palette at 

Digi Doodle Studios.

      This image is one from ArtbyMiran which has been in my collection for quite a while and I've used her a few times.  This time, she seemed to be a perfect Easter image so I colored her with ProMarkers and colored pencils, then fussy cut her with scissors. 

     The open egg image behind her is from Any Old Craft (now closed, I think) and was meant for creating images of sugar eggs (do you remember those?) with scenes made inside them and an open aperture for peeking inside.  However, instead of actually putting that sweet girl inside, I adhered her with dimensional dots to the front of the egg.  I had colored the egg with ProMarkers and cut it with an oval die from QuicKutz.

     I used hot pink CS for the card base and embossed the front with a folder from Sizzix before wrapping it with white, polka dot, ribbon.  I quickly sewed together a scrap of pink ribbon to make the bow and added a tiny gem to it.

     The sentiment was printed and cut with another QuicKutz die, then added to the top corner.

     Challenges:
a2z Scrapbooking
A Bit More Time to Craft
A Gem of a Challenge
Classic DT Open
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Cardmakers
Friendship Challenge
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings

     Have a great weekend and don't forget to enjoy some recreational time just for you.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter Warm Up

     It's the First of March and our newest challenge at SheepSki Designs begins today.  We have a fun theme of  "Your Favorite Colors" and I stretched it a bit to show one of my favorite color combos - purple and blue.  The image is called "Winter Warmer" and you can find it by clicking on the name.  I thought she looked so gorgeous wrapped in that warm winter scarf.

     She's colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils, and I cut her with a stitched die from Memory Box.  I cut blue and purple dp with other stitched dies from that same set, picking up the blues and purples in the image.

     I made the card base from kraft CS because I loved the way the dp popped off it.  I found a piece of lovely, lace ribbon and laid it diagonally across the card base before applying the dp and the image.  I embellished the design with a 'butterfly' shaped bow with pearl for the body.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments (top L to bottom R)
Butterfly  (Burgundy + Bow - which is also the butterfly!)
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Creations
Creative Knockouts
House that Stamps Built
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wizard Mouse

     Welcome to my second DT post of the day, this one for QKR Stampede where our theme is always "Anything Goes."  My card today uses a precious QKR image, called "Wizard Mouse" and it's all about 'times gone by' when magic and wizards ruled the world.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color and shade the image, added gold to the stars and silver to the crystal ball with paint pens, then cut it with a stitched Cottage Cutz die.  You've recently seen both of the dp I used because they were scraps left over from another project which were still lying on my craft desk.

     I printed the sentiment, and used another Cottage Cutz die to cut it.  I had to put the die at the top of the sentiment, and make a cut, then move the die so that I could cut the bottom of sentiment. If you're off searching for a CC die that exact shape, you're not going to find it.  Being able to shift dies to get the size you want is one of the versatilities in using dies.  :-D

     My final touch was hand sewing a sheer, purple bow with a purple pearl. 

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Double Trouble (1st column) (all 3)
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Simon Says Stamp & Show
TTCRD
Use Your Stuff

     The next post (for SheepSki Designs) will be up in about 6 or 7 hours from the time this one goes live so come visit again, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Panda for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

     Today I have a total of 3 posts for you because not only is it Friday, my regular day for QKR Stampede, but it's also the 1st of the month when I post for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies and for SheepSki Designs.  This one is for 2 Crafty Critter Crazies but be sure to check back for the other two posts.  Our theme at 2 CCC is always "Anything Goes with a Critter Featured."

     The sponsor at 2CCC today is Imagine That! and while they provided images for the DT to use, I chose one from my own collection of IT! images, this darling Panda.

     I used a die from Sizzix to cut the image, and other stitched dies from Memory Box to cut the four circles of dp.  That dp is included in the image set and I think it's fantastic. It could be used for many projects, with or without the pandas.  The sentiment is printed and hand cut.

     I'm going to use this for one of the boys in my family so I decided not to add any embellishments.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting with Friends
Cutie Pie
Di's Digi Designs
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pixie's Snippets

     See you soon for the rest of today's posts.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Selfie Girl

     Although I'm not a gal for taking selfies myself, I love it when my granddaughters (and occasionally a grandson) sends me their latest selfie.  This image was a freebie from LeAnn's World 101 for the coloring contest at their 1st Birthday Celebration all through February.  I'm just now getting it done.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut both the image and the scalloped frame with QuicKutz dies.  The shapes are cut with dies from Memory Box.  The shapes and the scalloped frame were cut from glittered CS.

     The plaid dp came from a sheet of 12 x 12 scrap booking paper, and now I have remnants of it on my craft table so expect to see it again fairly soon.  :-D  The sentiment was printed and cut with another QuicKutz die.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Creatalicious
Dream Valley
Morgan's ArtWorld
Outlawz Greetings
Scribbles Designs

     This will post Tuesday night but it's really a post for mid-week Wednesday and I'll see you again on Friday with 3 posts for the 1st of the month!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bunnies for Sale

     I'm working on Easter cards because I need quite a few this year, at least a dozen more than last year.  Since Easter is only about 6 weeks away, I'm spending most of my somewhat limited crafting time working on them.

     My card today uses a cute images from Bugaboo Stamps.

My layout was inspired by the sketch at Sketch Saturday.

     I used two different images, colored with ProMarkers, the die cut each one with a die from Tonic Studios.  I trimmed one side of the smaller one and laid it on top of the larger image.  I had two, die cut, scrap, squares of shiny pink lying on the desk and I used them behind the image.  The striped dp was also a scrap.  I printed, hand cut, and inked the edges of the sentiment, then added it.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Di's Digi Designs
Double D
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Papercraft
Pile It On
Stamping Sensations

     More tomorrow.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

Golden Roses

     This gorgeous image, with all kinds of options for coloring it, is the freebie image for the Progressive challenge at LeAnn's World 101.  I colored them to look like roses which actually grow on a bush in my side yard.  I don't know the name of the rose because the bush was there when I moved in but they are a golden, buttery, yellow with pink on the edges.

     This time, I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and polychromos pencils.  I cut the image with a framing die from Spellbinders, then cut a piece of dp with a second die from Spellbinders, which I used as a mat behind the image.   

     The plaid background paper is a digital paper I created by changing the colors in a paper from Doodle Pantry (now closed - sadly.)

     The two ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and I had them in my rather huge stash of ribbons.  The bow is another of the ones I sew up by the dozens and I 'dyed' it with ProMarkers.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Outlawz Colors
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Word Art Weds.
Work It Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tulips for Easter

     Today I'm sharing my first Easter card of the year and I used a lovely tulip image from Beccy's Place. 

I used the colors in the palette from 

The House that Stamps Built.

     I started by coloring with my ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Spellbinders.  The sentiment is also cut with another die from that same set.  The background dp was a left over on my desk and worked perfectly with the color combo. 

     I find that when I'm using 12 x 12 scrap booking paper, I tend to leave the scraps on my desk after I've cut into a new sheet.  Over the next few days of crafting, I'll grab and use up those scraps as they work with whatever I'm creating at the moment.  Often, the scraps themselves will inspire the next color combo.

     I added two of my signature, hand-tied, bows with pearls.  I used a ProMarker to 'dye' them the color I wanted, choosing the lilac color of two of the tulips.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Craft-D BowZ
Crafty Creations
Happy Craft
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Polkadoodles
Scrappy Land

     That's all I have for today but I'm headed to the crafting table so who know what else you might see the rest of this week.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Birthday Flight for Pegasus

     Welcome to another Friday and the start of another challenge week at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use products or images from any company.  If you do choose to use a QKR Stampede image (or even one from our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go onto a separate draw and that increases your chances of winning by a huge margin!

     This QKR image is called "Pegasus" and I love him to bits!

I based this card on the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches

but I reversed it and adjusted it for a vertical card.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image and cut it with a stitched die from Card Deco.  I used my favorite purple paper with hearts and flowers on it as the background and added the sentiment to it.  I die cut all the flowers (Spellbinders), added glitter to two of them and to the lavender flower, then added tiny gems.  I added Glossy Accents to his eyes and wings but none of that shows up very well in the photo.

     This is my oldest granddaughter's birthday card and I can share it on my blog because she's already seen it.  Her birthday was yesterday and she loved this card!  She's the one who really loves dragons but she also has a passion for Greek Mythology so this aging Pegasus was a definite hit.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Dream Valley
Double Trouble (all 3 - middle row of TicTacToe)
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Papercraft
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
Scrapy Land
Use Your Stuff

     I hope we're going to see you playing along with us this  week.  How can you lose with an Anything Goes theme?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Spring Bird in His Garden

     This image from the Progressive Challenge at Limited Runs is so perfect for spring (which hasn't arrived at my house yet - how about yours?)  Each day with a freezing temperature makes me wish more strongly for spring. 

     Before I had decided what to do for the background, I saw that the Color challenge at The Outlawz gave us one color (green), an option to choose two other colors from the inspiration photo (see below) - I chose pink and pale blue - and the twist was to make our own background.  I sorted through the dp scraps on my desk, added a strip of washi tape, and laid them all together on the card front to make the background.  Fortunately, all the dp scraps were distressed and worked well together.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and cut it with a stitched Unbranded die.  The glossy, pink frame was cut with a Cottage Cutz pinpoint die.  I thought they complemented each other.  The pale pink satin ribbon was a left over scrap and the deep pink ribbon for the bow was in my stash.  I added a tiny gemstone to it.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers
{PIN}spirational
TTCRD

     Thanks for visiting.  Please stop by again tomorrow when I'll have my weekly post for QKR Stampede.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Unicorn Love

     When this image from All Dressed Up begged to be used as an expression of love, I had a moment of doubt but then I remembered a saying from my childhood when my dad said, "Love from a puppy is the best kind of love" and I knew that had to be true about unicorns, too.  Maybe even better than puppy love since unicorns are so rare.      :-D

      I did my usual coloring with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from QuicKutz.  The background paper is the last scrap of a 12x12 scrapbooking paper from my stash.  I'm sad to see it used up and will have to look for more.  I love that it has hearts and flowers and is PURPLE!!!

     I knew I wanted a really different kind of bow for this one so I used a scrap bit of lace, rolled and pinched it in the middle, then wrapped with satin ribbon.  The sentiment was printed and hand cut, then added to the bottom.  Not quite CAS but not overdone either.

     Challenges:
All Dressed Up
Angie's Digital Stamps
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Calendar
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artzy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Path of Positivity
Stamping Sensations

     Happy Tuesday to all of you and thanks so much for stopping by.  If I haven't visited you in the last week or so, hang in there and be patient with me.  I'm getting there in between home school projects for my grandson, trips to the doctor for my daughter (torn tendon in her ankle & can't drive), grocery runs for everyone, plus celebrating my oldest granddaughter's birthday this week!  I can't remember when I've been so busy day after day after day.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ladybugs and Daisies

     We've had lots of rain this winter and we're grateful for every drop of it having been in or on the verge of a drought the last two years.  I haven't seen any ladybugs in my garden yet - I think it's still too cold for them to be out and about but I'm ready for a touch of spring anyway.  :-D  And no matter what the season, it's always time for Someone Special!

     The image came from Ching-Chou Kuik and I colored it with my ProMarkers.  Although it's very difficult to see in the photo, I added Glossy Accents to the underwings and the white spots on the ladybugs.

     The image is cut with a circle die from Spellbinders, leaving the leaves, flower petals, and wings out-of-the-box.  The red circle frame is cut out of a scrap of dp using a stitched, scalloped die from Memory Box. The background dp and the strip holding the sentiment are opposite sides of dp from a Paper House stack.

     I added tiny, epoxy, flowers that have a heart in the middle to each end of the sentiment piece.

    Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Ching-Chou Kuik
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Cute Card Thurs
Digi Choosday
Get Creative
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Love in a Flower Basket

     This darling little girl with her flower basket is from Conie Fong and she was such fun to color!  I love the tiny hearts in her basket and on her socks.

I was inspired by the color palette at Bastel-Traum.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a pinpoint die from Memory Box.  The polka dot frame was cut with another pinpoint die from that same set.  I added a scrap of satin ribbon between the frame and the image and wrapped it around the card front.

     I decided on a sentiment which would be more versatile than a "Valentine" greeting but which would still work for that if desired.  I printed and hand cut it before adding it below the image.  My final touch was the hand-sewn bow with pearl.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Creatalicious
Creations in Pink
Die Cut Divas
Paper Nest Dolls
Pearly Sparkles
Pile It On
Scribbles Designs

     That's all I have for today but I'll be back tomorrow with another post.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!   NanaConnie