Birthday Daffodils

     It's been a while since I played in the challenge at Delicious Doodles and, because I've been adding to my stash of birthday cards, I decided it was time to dig through my rather extensive collection of their images to find something that would work for a feminine birthday card.  So, welcome to a peek through the window of my summer garden solarium.  :-D

I loved the citrus colors from Hand Stamped Sentiments

and decided to use them.

I also based my design on the sketch at Sweet Sketch Weds. 2

   

     I have no idea why I chose green as the majority color - all the citrus shades seem equally represented in the inspiration photo - but that's how it worked out.  Before I ever started coloring the image, I used one of my Spellbinders dies to cut the Happy Birthday into that lovely, green CS and then decided that the negative should go on the card front.  That entailed scooping up the tiny bits that drop out of the letters "H," "a," "p," "B," "h," and "d" and gluing them back where they belong.  Then,  I also cut a strip of 'bunting' but used the positive of that one.

     The window in the image is colored with water colors and then I used ProMarkers to color the flowers and vine after the water colors were completely dry.  You can't see it in the photo, but the watercoloring left a wonderful texture on the window panes.  The image is cut with another die from Spellbinders but I trimmed the decorative border along one side because the bunting just got lost otherwise.

     I added the lace and a row of pearls for embellishment, then decided that the sentiment deserved a couple of pearls, too.  :-D

     Challenges:
Colouring in Scrapland (1 sentiment, 2 shades of green, 3 daffodils)
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations (top row)
Digi Choosday
DRS Designs
Lemon Shortbread
Our Crafty Corner
Paper Girls
Simon Says Stamp
Time Out

     Have a great weekend, won't you?  Our temperatures out here in hot California have dropped by 15 degrees and, while it's still hotter than I personally like, it much easier to bear than those drastic, 100+ temps we had last weekend.  I might actually leave the house and get some things done.  :-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 POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  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.

Father's Day Fishing

     My dad was a man who never expected any kind of fuss to be made over him, not even on his birthday or Father's Day.  He used both of those occasions every year as an excuse to go fishing and just have quiet time.  Since both his birthday and Father's day were in June and since I was out of school by that time, I got to go with him on many of those occasions.  It was wonderful, father-daughter, quiet time and I still love fishing and enjoying serene, quiet time.

     When I discovered our new challenge at QKR Stampede this week had a "For the Guys" theme, I immediately dug out my favorite "Going Fishing" image (Digi 13209) and paired it with the "Fishing Is" sentiment (Digi 12401) as an homage to my dad.  Today would have been his birthday.  :-D

Colors are from The Outlawz Color Challenge.

Blue isn't necessarily required but a monochrome creation is.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, die cut it with a Cheery Lynn stitched die, and inked the edges.  I did the same with the sentiment.  The other two die cut pieces were done with dies from Spellbinders.   The ribbons were in my stash.  Can you tell I've just gone crazy over those 'bow tie' bows?  I seem to be making them for about every third card, give or take.  :-D

     Challenges:
Craft Rocket
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Deep Ocean
Digi Choosday 
Inky Chicks
Inspiration Destination
Lemon Shortbread
Male Room
Sasayaki Glitter
Scrapy Land
Star Stampz
Sweet Stampin'
Through the Craft room Door
Tuesday Throwdown

     I have now added those "few more challenges" as promised after getting some sleep.  Thanks for your patience.  :-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 POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  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.

Snowman's Laundry Line

     OK, so I know if this scene was plunked down in the middle of my back yard on this excessively hot summer day, it would melt away in seconds and the snowman would never return to claim the things from his laundry line but at least I have gotten my first Christmas card done for this year!  :-D
   

 

I based this design on the sketch at Paper Play Sketches.

     The image came from The Stamping Boutique.  After printing both the image and sentiment, the image is colored with ProMarkers and glitter gel pen, then cut with a die from Spellbinders.   The dark dp is from DCWV ("Winter Magic" stack) and the white CS was embossed with a folder from Darice,

     Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge

A Snowflakes Promise

Artistic Inspirations

Crafty Boots

Crafty Cardmakers

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas

Great Impressions

Melonheadz Friends

Outlawz Greetings

Pile It On  (middle column)

Sweet Stamps

     That's my post for today.  I have worked ahead on a few cards so will have things to post for you while I'm taking a bit of a break and I'll have my DT cards, of course.  Do come by and visit.  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 POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  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.

One More Scoop

     When it comes to ice cream, I admit that I love it -- any flavor, any time of year, with any kind of added goodies.  Unfortunately, it's now banned from the list of things I get to enjoy because of my diet-controlled Type 2 diabetes.  And I do miss it, especially in heat wave weather like we've had for more than a week now.  But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy images of its cool sweetness on my cards.  :-D

Since the image is the freebie at From the Heart Stamps

I used the sketch from the challenge there also.

     The image is colored with ProMarkers, die cut with a die from Spellbinders, and I used chalk to highlight the embossing on the die cut.  I added a circular mat, also cut with a die from Spellbinders, and matted that with black card stock, fussy cut into a circle.

     The papers are scraps which originally came from Authentique.  I embellished the card with a bow, a layered flower with a brad and a pearl - chalked to give it a touch of color, and a bow with a pearl.  Finally, I added a trio of pearls to the upper corner.  The sentiment is part of the image set, printed, hand cut and matted, then hand cut again.

     Challenges:
Catch the Bug
Chalk n Stock
Corrosive Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crazy Challenge (1st column)
Fairy Tale
Get Creative (center column)
Our Crafty Corner
Where the HeART Is
Whoopsi Daisy

     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 POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  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.

Changed My Mind

     I love the expression on this gal's face!  She's the freebie for the month of June on The East Wind's FB challenge.  She looks exactly like a friend of mine when she was annoyed by something, usually me!  :-D  She would just give me that stare...

I started with the sketch from Sketch Saturday.

      On this card, I combined something new (the image) with something old (the die set and the ribbon.)  The image is colored with Promarkers, then die cut with a framing die from Spellbinders.  Both ribbons are from my stash and I layered everything onto Ocean Blue CS.   I added pearls to the die cut and to two of the corners.  The sentiment is printed and hand cut, matted, then hand cut again.  I mounted it on dimensional dots.

     Challenges:
Crafts and Me
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Awesomeness
Creatalicious
CCC Digi
Die Cut Divas
East Wind
Not Just Cards
Petal Lu
Sisters of Craft
Sweet Stamps
Your Scrapbook Place

     The new week is underway, and the new month of June is speeding by.  Can you believe the first week of it is already gone?  I guess we have to get through another day or two of 100 degree temperatures even though they had predicted that we'd drop into the 90s today.  I know the hot, hot, hot temps of summer have just started but I do hate hot weather and will be so glad when it cools off and begins to feel like fall.  No, I'm not wishing away the summer -- just wishing I lived somewhere with much cooler days and nights from June through August.  :-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 POST YOUR COMMENT, IT'LL BE THERE.  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.

Teacup Kittens

     A second post today!  I went on a shopping binge at Sami Stamps a couple of weeks ago and this is the first chance I've had to do anything with the images I bought.   I fell in love with this one and you can, no doubt, guess why.  :-D

I used the sketch from Sweet Sketch Weds.2

and my colors came from Just Add Ink.

   

   
      The image is colored with ProMarkers, then cut with a die from Spellbinders.  I distressed the edges with ink.  The papers are from my stash and they were scraps from craft packaging but worked so well together that I decided to use them for the corners.   I had a leftover piece of flower ribbon in the basket and trimmed it to fit behind the image.  I tied the bow (5 loops) using sheer ribbon and added a pearl.

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft
Craft and Smash
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Creative Fingers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Sami Stamps
Show Us Your Pussy Cats 
Stamping Boutique

     I'm off to do some errands today and will return tomorrow if I get a card done.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Rockin' Birthday

     Each month, I play in the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz and this month we were given a wonderful image from Beccy's Place.  It seemed perfect for a summer birthday card, when everyone is enjoying a cool breeze, rocking on the front porch, and looking for an excuse to eat cake and ice cream.  :-D  Besides, at the age of most of my friends (and me), this is likely the only form of a "rockin'" birthday we'll have!

I used three of the colors (yellow, green & lilac)

from the color challenge at Outlawz and did 4 layers.

     I used ProMarkers to color the image, then die cut and embossed it with a plain, square die from Spellbinders.  I mounted that onto green CS and die cut a decorative corner, also Spellbinders.  The sentiment is printed with a computer font, hand cut and matted with dark green CS, then hand cut again.

     All the CS I used were scrap pieces from my scrap basket, and both ribbons are leftover end pieces from the scrap pile.  Love using up scraps instead of tossing them out!

     Challenges:
2 Creative Chicks
A Bit More Time to Craft
Catch the Bug
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Girls Creations
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers (Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer)
Inspiration Destination
Pixie's Snippets Playground
Scrapper's Delights
Star Stampz

     Our temperatures are still very hot but now they are predicting that we'll have a 'cool down' to about 97 (that's "cool"?) by Wednesday.  I guess we should be grateful it's not still over 100.  :-D  In the meantime, wishing you lots of Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Cotton Candy Ants

     The ants in cute, cute image are not something I'd want to find happening in real life but the ants  by Doodle Pantry are my favorite critters over there.  Our weather has been so hot here for the last week that I'm thinking about mid-summer county and state fairs, and that brings to mind fair foods, cotton candy being one of the best, according to my childhood memories.  I don't think I've eaten it at all in my adult years but I loved it as a kid.

     As I was planning this card in my head, I thought about how much fun it would be to contrast the casualness of a day at the fair (with or without eating cotton candy) with a design which was fussy, fancy, and somewhat vintage.  I inlaid die cuts (black and pink) from a set by Spellbinders, added black lace which gives some great texture, and put everything onto a white card base.  The sentiment is printed and matted, then the bottom of it is cut into a wavy pattern with a punch (Fiskars.)

     Challenges:
A Vintage Journey
Aud Sentiments
Crafting for All Seasons
Crafting with Friends
Die Cuttin' Divas
Digi Choosday
Fairy Tale
Inspiration Destination
In the Pink (1 image, 2 die cut layers, 3 colors)
Lemon Shortbread
Little Red Wagon
Scrapy Land
Through the Craft Room Door
WordArt Wednesday

    I'm going to brave the heat today and cook something on the outdoor BBQ.  However, I'm planning to do it fairly early in the day and cook for a brunch or lunch instead of dinner.  That way, I can avoid the hottest part of  the day.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Carnation Sprite

    Have you ever had one of those days when you were surrounded by "new" things which just had to be used right now?    Yesterday afternoon was one of those days for me.  I had received new die sets in the mail, new papers from a friend, and bought a new (to me) Sprite image from AuroraWings.  It seemed a perfect time to use new things but I ended up combining them with old card stock, ribbon, and pearls which have been in my stash nearly as long as I've been alive!  :-D  OK, so for maybe 4 or 5 years but a long time.

I started with the sketch from the current challenge at My Favorite Things,

although my image is inside a square rather than an oval.

Remember, I just had to use the newest die set!  

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image, then die cut it, deliberately cropping the image on one side.  Then I used that same die set to cut the deep pink CS and inlaid the image piece into it.  The light pink CS was cut with one of my stitched square dies from Lawn Fawn.  I layered the image piece over that and mounted all of it onto some of my new dp.

     I stamped the sentiment using white ink on black CS, then matted it with pink CS, hand cut and added to the card front.  The three dark pearls were added in place of the stars shown in the sketch and I found the polka dot ribbon and tied one of the recently-learned bow ties, which I love nearly as much as the bows I sew together by the dozens.

     Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge
AuroraWings
Craft Rocket
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with Friends
Craft Your Passion
Creative Moments
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie
Inspiration Destination
Little Red Wagon
Scrapy Land

     I hope your weekend is going well and that you are enjoying either the great weather, or if the weather is lousy, then enjoy some crafting time since going outside is out of the question.  We're on day five of 104+ temperatures and they say tomorrow will get to 108!  I'm almost to the point of envying those places which are flooding.  OK, not really but yes, you can bet your entire bank account that I'm staying inside, making cards and coloring.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Bridal Shower

     Friday- equals- QKR Stampede - equals - New challenge and New Theme.   Our theme is "Brides" and I did a card for a bridal shower using Digi 6201 "Heart Box Angel" and Digi 17004 "Stew of Life."  June is a traditional month for weddings!

     I tried once again to do a White-on-White card but ended up feeling that a bit of color was necessary to differentiate the layers.  I used plain white CS, glittered CS, metallic white CS, and a very pale, pastel-pink CS.  The pink directly behind the image is dp but in the photo it looks more 'rust' than pink.  All those die cuts are done with dies from a set by Spellbinders.  Each layer is also embossed.

     The sentiment is printed, framed, and hand cut, then adhered along the edge of the image.  The two little pink bits are scraps from a different die cut that were left on the desk so I used them instead of throwing them away.  Because this card is 5.5 x 6.75, a completely non-standard size, I made the envelope for it from a 12 x 12 piece of scrapbooking paper with the design turned inside.  Unfortunately, I didn't photograph the envelope before sending this on its way.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Art Impressions
Aud Sentiments
Colour Your World
Craft Rocket
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Cardmakers
Crafty Girls Creations
Incy Wincy
In the Pink (1 image, 2 leaves, 3 die cut layers)
Julia Spiri
Pencil Case
Simon Says Stamp
Star Stampz

     I hope we'll see you playing along with us this week.  Remember, you don't have to use an image from QKR but if you do, your card will be placed in a separate drawing just for those who used QKR Stampede digis and that will increase your chances of winning by a huge amount.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Best Wishes Butterflies

     I have to admit that this is one of my favorite dies although I think I've only used it two or three times.  Still, it's so versatile and can be used to do just one butterfly, the three lower ones or all of them.  This time I did all of them and cut the entire card front.  It's a pretty simple card design but looks very complex.

     This die, by Memory Box, cuts out everything you see in purple, leaving behind the actual, pale-periwinkle, card front.  It's a 'negative' die.  I added a leftover piece of purple (my favorite color!) CS behind the butterfly openings so that the color shows through.

     The two little black butterflies are from another Memory Box die set and were cut from yet another scrap piece, a very small one this time.  The sentiment is hand stamped but don't ask me who made the stamp because it's been around so long that all the identifiers have been worn off.   I debated about adding ribbon or a bow but decided to leave it as is for a more CAS look.

    Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
A Beautiful Mess
Butterfly Challenge
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Boots
Crafty Friends
Craft Your Passion
Crazy Challenge
Creative Fingers
Die Cuttin' Divas
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Little Claire's
Outlawz PAM
Pixie's Crafty Workshop

     That's all I have for today but tomorrow I'll have another QKR Stampede card for our new challenge.  Hope you'll stop by then and check it all out.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Beach Combing

     The beach is where I should be for the rest of the week since our temperatures are going to soar above 100 for the next 7 days.  They are actually predicting 4 of those days as being between 106 and 110 !  Unfortunately, I have commitments which will keep me in town and unable to go the the beach.  I should probably be committed.  lol

    At least I can share a beach combing card with one of those darling House Mouse images I love.

     I gave myself a bit of a personal challenge with this card.  I wanted to see if I could do a design with lots of layers but which still had an overall 'open' look.  I started with a background of kraft CS.  I die cut a forest green layer with one of my Cheery Lynn dies (bought months and months ago and used only once!) and then cut another with the same die using yellow CS.  I cut the yellow die cut in two and all of those layers went onto the card base.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and watercolor pencils, and then used the die to cut just the edges so that no part of the two die cut layers below would be covered.  I printed the sentiment, fussy cut it, and then added a mat and fussy cut that before adding it to the bottom edge of the image.  If we count the card base and the sentiment, that's a total of seven layers!

     Finally, I die cut a butterfly (also Cheery Lynn), folded it in half, and added it to a top corner.  It's folded because I wanted a profile view of a butterfly instead of a top view.  Does that count as yet another layer?  :-D  I don't know about that but the die cuts certainly to give the card some great, even if simple, texture.

     Everything on the card, including the image and CS, came either from my hoarded stash or from scraps which have been in the "use someday" basket for waaaay too long.  I've done such a good job of using up things from my stash this month that it must be time to go shopping again, right?  Afterall, if I don't get new papers to cut, how will I ever have more scraps to use up?

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Cheery Lynn Designs
Colour Your World
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
House Mouse
Incy Wincy
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Greetings
Penny Black & More

     And so the work week begins a day later than normal.  Hope your weekend was smashing and that you arrived at today rested, relaxed and refreshed.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Big Birthday Celebration!

     This card is specifically for a dear friend who turned 81 today.  Happy Birthday, Don. :-D  I hope I'm as active and energetic when I get to that age.  Not that I'm decades away from it, mind you, but not there yet!

I did a different take on the sketch at From the Heart Stamps,

using feathers to replace the long, vertical strips,

 and I used colors in the top row of the Color Bingo

 at Creative Corner.

    

     I used my ProMarkers to color the chicks, then cut and matted the image (which happens to be a From the Heart Stamps image, as is the sentiment.)  I mounted that piece onto a cream -colored, confetti CS base before adding the ribbon and the feathers.  I found a tiny, glittered flower and added a small, golden, Dew Drop to it.

     I love using feathers on cards but forget about reaching for them most of the time.  Maybe I need to change where I store them.  I'm sure it's the old "out of sight, out of mind" thing.

     Challenges:
A Beautiful Mess
Aud Sentiments
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Girls Creations
Creative Fingers
Cre8tive Hands Friends
Docerela Creations
Jo's Scrap Shack
Just Add Ink
Male Room
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Star Stampz

     Have a great Memorial Day, all my fellow Americans, and take a moment to remember why we celebrate the day.  Reach out and say a huge Thank You to a veteran, won't you?  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Quilled Flowers

     Something different from me today; a quilled design!  I first saw and became fascinated with quilling about 7 years ago.  I bought paper strips and some tools and a book of 'how to' designs and made a few rather pathetic attempts to produce something that looked like a flower.  Being somewhat discouraged, I gave up and put all the papers and tools away.

     When I sold my home and moved 2 1/2 years ago, those quilling things got packed into one of the boxes and have lain dormant (translate to "That box never got unpacked") until a couple of weeks ago.  Out came everything and I'm going to do a lot more practicing.  Quilling is fun!  Time consuming, but fun.  :-D

     I put these flowers on dimensional dots and mounted them onto a die cut (Spellbinders).  The sentiment is rubber stamped, cut with an oval die (QuicKuts) and that's layered onto a stitched scalloped circle (Memory Box.)  All the die cuts were made from scrap pieces waiting to be used or tossed out.

     The ribbon is purple grosgrain and the bow is made from lavender satin ribbon, both from my stash of leftover bits and pieces.  The card base is made from shiny, metallic CS - hard to photograph but gorgeous IRL.

     Challenges:
Crafting for All Seasons
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Create and Inspire
Creative Inspirations
Deep Ocean
Everybody Art
Fairy Tale
Lemon Shortbread
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper Crafty
{PIN}spirational
Pixie's Snippets
Through the Craft Room Door
Word Art Weds.

     I hope you're all enjoying your long weekend.  I'll be back on Tuesday.  Until then - Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Sparkly Ballerina Fairy Bear

     I had so much fun making this card!  As a child, I did ballet classes until I was around 12 and, at that time, the family moved far enough away that it was impossible to continue due to the distance  we would have had to travel.  But I have maintained a love of all things ballet-related throughout the rest of my life.  This darling little bear from Morgan Fitzsimons tugged at my heart and I just had to use it to make a little girl's birthday card.

Colors came from Color My Heart

although in the photo my "Thistle" looks more pink and less violet

but the larger polka dot piece really is violet, not pink.

I also based my design on a sketch I found at Paper Play Sketches.

      

     I colored her with my ProMarkers and added glitter to her fairy wings before fussy cutting her.  I added a navy blue CS mat and fussy cut it.  The border is done with a Cheery Lynn die, as is the butterfly.  The polka dot papers are from a Paper Studio pad I bought weeks (months?) ago and have never used.  It was one of those "I must have these papers!" purchases and then it went into a drawer.  I matted them with the same navy blue CS.  The butterfly has three layers; pink, white, and navy blue CS, all glued together along the body.  I added more glitter to the wings and body on the top layer.  The image is mounted on dimensional dots.  Lots of texture going on this time.

     Challenges:
ArtbyMiRan
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafting for all Seasons
Crafty Gals Corner
Create and Inspire
Creative Moments
Cut It Up
Die Cuttin' Divas
I {heart} ProMarkers
Jo's Scrap Shack
Just Add Ink
Mod Squad
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp

     Thanks for dropping by and Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

An Elephant Never Forgets!

     It's Friday so there's a new challenge beginning today over at QKR Stampede.  Our theme this week is "Birthday Cards" and, heaven knows, I can always use another one in my stash!  :-D  On this card, I used this delightful elephant image (Digi 13405 "Forget") and added a fun balloon (ES Digi 5201.)

     I used my ProMarkers to color the elephant and the balloon, then fussy cut both of them.  I used an ink sprayer to make the shiny, ombre card front.  I know I still need lots more practice but this was my first time ever using a sprayer so I think it's "passably" good.

     Before mounting the balloon with dimensional dots, I wound twine around it and ran that twine behind the elephant's ear, then back out so that it could be tied around his front foot, like a string on your finger so that you won't forget something.  I did that by punching a couple of holes just large enough to take the twine (I used a tapestry needle.)  I tied a bow, then added a splash of ribbon, a single flower, and called it good for a CAS design.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
AAA Cards
AuroraWings
Cards in Envy
Colouring in Scrapland
Creatalicious
Digi Choosday
Glitter n Sparkle
Love to Scrap
Melonheadz Friends
Not Just Cards
Petal Lu
{PIN}spirational
Simon Says Stamp
Sisters of Craft

     Another week behind us, a weekend on the near horizon and, for those of us in the USA, a long weekend celebrating Memorial Day and the veterans who served/serve their country.  May God bless each and every one of you.  Thanks for all your sacrifices and those of your families.  NanaConnie

Life at the Beach

     Early last month I used this beach pail image (From the Heart Stamps) because the weather had turned hot, hit the high-90 degrees, and I thought something from the beach might make it seem a bit cooler.  It didn't.  Last time, I did the whole card including the image in all black and white for a monochromatic effect.  This time I colored it and did a 'cool blue' palette.

I started with the sketch at I {heart} Sketches.

     I used ProMarkers to color and, since the optional twist is to fussy cut the image, I die cut the bottom half and fussy cut the top half of the image.  I adhered the image so that I could get an out-of-the-box effect.  The stitched die is from Memory Box and the plain circle dies used to cut the mats are from QuicKutz.

     All the papers were in my scrap basket, including the navy blue for matting the rectangles.  They were all waiting for me to find an excuse to use them.  With all those layers, I decided that a simple bow made from burlap ribbon would be enough embellishment.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafting from the Heart
Craft Your Passion
Crafty Friends
Die Cuttin' Divas
Dragonfly Dreams
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Love to Scrap
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Ribbon Girl
Scrapy Land
Stamping Sensations
Unicorn

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

For the Big Wheel

     Today is my day to post some Designer Inspiration on the MHK Designs blog and I hope maybe this card will encourage you to see how much fun masculine, vintage cards can be.  I love making masculine cards but combining that with vintage is wonderful.  This "Big Wheel" image from the "Wheely Like You" set was perfect for a card I'm giving to a lovely gent who recently got a promotion to upper level management.

I started with the sketch from Cheerful Sketches.

     I used a masculine color combo of white, brown and beige, using CS for the die cut image, sentiment, the mats for those, and for the rectangles, then added a piece of plaid fabric (starched and ironed.)   I heat embossed a rubber-stamped strip with gold EP, dry embossed the card base using a Darice embossing folder, and used a few wheel and gear embellies to emphasize both the masculine and vintage elements of the card.

     I love embossing as a technique, especially when I can do both heat and dry embossing on the same card.  All those layers add to the vintage feel and I added a few dark brown pearls to one upper and one lower corner.  I thought the gears and the pearls were enough embellishment so settled for just those two things.

     Although this set comes with some really great sentiments, I printed one of my own this time because I wanted it to be specific to the job promotion.  :-D   After I had it all finished and photographed, I thought about how a bit of sponged distressing around the edges of each layered piece would have added a bit more vintage flavor but I guess that can wait until the next card.  :-D

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Craft for the Craic
Crafty Catz
Crafty Friends
Creative Card Crew
Cuttlebug Mania
Deep Ocean
Di's Digi Designs
Dream Factory
Going Grey with Scrap Creations
Jo's Scrap Shack
My Sheri Crafts
{Pin}spirational
Scrapper's Delights
Scrapy Land
Simply Papercraft

     Don't forget that MHK Designs has a new challenge that started last Saturday and there's plenty of time for you to play along.  Check out the challenge post by clicking here and then come play along with us.

     Have a wonderful day and Happy Stamping!   NanaConnie

Get Well Puppy

     A new challenge starts at Tuesday Throwdown today and, sadly, this is my last week on the DT over there.  I started with Tuesday Throwdown in the late spring of 2011, took a short break in 2014, and have enjoyed every moment there.  The team is such a wonderful group of crafty women; warm, helpful, and so supportive & loving.  I'll miss every one of them.  BTW, they're looking for a couple of new team members so, if you think you might be interested, leave me a comment below and I'll forward your name and blog info to them.

     Our theme this week is "For a Child" and our sponsor is Digital Delights.  I used one of their images which I had in my own collection and I thought it was perfect as a get well card for a child.

     I did a very CAS design, cutting the image and the offset blue mat with my stitched square dies from Cheery Lynn Designs.  The chair is supposed to be red but it came out more sienna in the photograph.  The stitched ribbon was in my stash and the polka dot ribbon for the bow was a left over piece I found in my "ready-to-toss-out" basket.  There was just enough to make that small bow, which is fine because, truth be told, I like small bows best.  Small bows leave more room for the image to be the main focus and the card is flatter for mailing.

     Challenges:
613 Avenue Create
As You Like It
Cards in Envy
Cheery Lynn Designs
Crafting with Friends
Cre8tive Hands Friends
Creative Corner
Di's Digi Designs
Glitter n Sparkle
Hannah and Friends
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Ribbon Girl
Simply Papercraft

     That's it for me, signing off from Tuesday Throwdown.  Goodbye to all the friends I've made at Tuesday Throwdown over the years, those still on the team and those who have come and gone before this.  I'll be around blogland and will come play in the challenges whenever possible.  Love you all !  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Serenity

     The fairy in this image just seems so serene and wise.  Wish I could be dipping my toes in a pond somewhere.  Of course, I also wish I was small enough to sit on a waterlily.  :-D

I based this on the sketch from the Outlawz.

 

     I used ProMarkers on the fairy, chalks on the flower and water, and her wings are done with loose purple glitter.  The frames are cut using a die set from Spellbinders.  I backed the stacked frame layers with navy blue CS and added royal blue, satin ribbon, lacing it through one of the frames.   All those layers went onto the card front.  The sentiment is mine, printed, hand cut and added to the ribbon.  The multi-color ribbon for the bow came from my stash of bits and pieces.

     Challenges:

Chalk n Stock

Craft Rocket

Crafty Addicts

Crafty Gals Corner

Crafty Girls Creations

Creative Moments

I {heart} ProMarkers

Inspiration Destination

Little Miss Muffet

Little Red Wagon

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Scrapy Land

Time Out

Whoopsi Daisy

Word Art Weds.

     I wish you well as your new week takes hold.  So glad you stopped by for a visit, however brief.  If you  have a bit of time, feel free to browse around while you're here.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie