All Shopped Out

     I hope this post goes live as scheduled because there's nothing I can do to fix it right away if it doesn't.  :-D  We have our latest monthly challenge starting over at Creations in Pink and our theme is always "Anything Goes with Lots of Pink."  Each challenge starts on the 15th of the month and runs until the 14th of the following month.

     We have The Paper Shelter sponsoring us this month and I used an image from them called "Snug but Stylish."  I could tell instantly her feet needed a rest from all the Christmas shopping.  If she's like me and has to combine a couple of birthdays with the Christmas rush, she must be totally beat!  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers, then used a Gina Marie die to cut out the image.  The chevron paper is a scrap from my stash and I cut it with another Gina Marie die from that same set.

     The white background piece was cut with a die from Memory Box.  I backed it with solid pink CS and ran gold ribbon through the cuts along the left edge.

     I printed the sentiment, hand cut it, and added it below the image.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
A Gem of a Challenge
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Fingers
Di's Digi Designs
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz Greetings
Penny's Paper-Crafty

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Elf

     This is my last post as a DT member at the World Wide Open challenge.  I'm so sorry to be leaving but once the hustle and rush of holiday visits and travels are over, I'm going to find my lifestyle making a radical change and that means much less time for my usual creative pursuits.  Not that I won't still be crafting and making cards but I need to be able to do it without deadlines or commitments.  I'm staying on a couple of teams but I've resigned from most of them and World Wide is one.

     This month, we have our usual "Anything Goes" theme and I've used a delightful little elf from Julia Spiri to celebrate the Christmas season.  The image is actually named "Little Gnome" but with the use of traditional Christmas red and green, it made a perfect elf!  And, right now, it's also on sale at 50% off.  Click on that link and go get it!

     I colored mostly with water colors but used ProMarkers on the hair, face, and eyes.  I cut the image with a Spellbinders' die and inked it all around the edge. 

     The background was done with scraps of papers from my Christmas stash, which I distressed along the edges.  The green snowflakes are embossed stickers and the white one was punched and glittered.  The bow was tied and I added a button to the center of the knot.

     Challenges:
Butterfly
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute N Crafty
DL.ART
House that Stamps Built (sparkle/ red/ holiday)
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

      I have several pre-scheduled posts done and may be adding one or two more between now and my return (to normal?) in January.  In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Crafting to all.  NanaConnie

Decked Out for Christmas

     Yesterday, when I did an extra QKR Stampede card, I promised you that today your would see my regular, Friday, QKR Stampede DT card and here it is!  Our newest "Anything Goes" challenge starts today so please come and join us.  I used a delightful image from our sister company, Eureka Stamps, called "Christmas Kitties."

     For those of you who don't share your lives with furry felines, you're missing out on the loveliest way to have 'Warm Wishes' - when they cuddle in your lap and snuggle in your bed on cold, winter nights.

I used the colors from Cupcake Inspirations,

red, green, & white.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with an Unbranded die.  I printed and cut the sentiment with another die from that same set.

     I wanted a very simple design, flat and easy to mail, so I mounted both the image and the sentiment on a red card base, then added the narrow, sparkly, ribbon, finishing the wrap around with a bow.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Cute N Crafty
Cutie Pie
Dream Valley
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Simon Says Stamp & Show
SUYP Cats

      I hope we're going to see you come and play with us.  I know Christmas is nearly here but surely you can take a bit of crafty time just for yourself?  You need a break from the hustle and bustle!  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

BARK! the Herald Angels Sing

     I know Friday is the day you see me posting projects with images from QKR Stampede and if you stop by tomorrow you'll see another one, but today I'm sharing an extra one which I hope will make a country boy grin.  :-D  The image is called "Country Crooning" and I turned him into a Christmas card.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from Tonic Studios.  The Christmas tree dp was a scrap I found in my stash and I wrapped it with red, grosgrain ribbon to look like package wrapping.  I tied the little bow with a scrap of narrow green ribbon.

     The silly sentiment was printed and hand cut, and seems to go well with the doggy image.  :-D

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Crafty Sentiments
Cute N Crafty Christmas
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
I {heart} ProMarkers
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD
Tues Throwdown

     Happy Crafting and thanks for stopping by.  NanaConnie

Glad Tidings of Great Joy

     This is the third of the "Angel" cards I did and the gal is coming by tomorrow to make her choice.  I love them all and it will be interesting to see which best suits whatever she had in mind.  She has purchased other cards from me and has loved each one so I know already that she likes my style (if I even have one!)  :-D

     Here's one with a hand colored image but who drew it or when I have no idea.  It was in one of my clip art files and had no identifying information.  If you recognize it, or know who drew it, please leave me a comment and let me know.  I'd love to give proper credit.

I started with the Soft and Pastel Colors in Challenge #323

at Color My Heart Color Dare.

     I used ProMarkers to do the coloring and added glitter to the angel's wings.  After it dried, I cut the image with an oval die from QuicKutz, then wove white, satin, ribbon through the holes in the outer edges.

     I tried putting the image onto embossed white CS thinking it would make a great white-on-white card but, instead, it just got lost.  So I switched to a light blue CS, ran it through my "Linen" embossing folder for a bit of light texture, and added the image piece to it.  The sentiment is printed and hand cut.  I didn't think the card needed any additional embellishment.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafty Addicts
Creative Inspirations
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Quick Quotes
Scrappy Land
Time Out
Winter Wonderland
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels We have Heard on High

     This is the second of the 'angel' Christmas cards I did for the friend who commissioned me to make an angel card for her to give to a friend.  This time I did just die cuts and a sentiment, no colored image, but I think the card is superbly elegant.  Whichever one she chooses, I'll donate the other two to my local senior center so there was no problem with making a total of three to give her more than one choice.

     I cut the angels from glittered CS by Doodlebug.  The Impression Obsession angel die only faces one direction so I cut one with the die on the glittered side and cut the second with the die on the back side.  Fortunately, there's very little embossing on the angel so it didn't make a lot of difference between front and back.

     I mounted the angels onto deep, blue CS, then printed and hand cut the sentiment.  I found silver satin ribbon and made one of my hand-sewn bows with a pearl as the single embellishment.

     Note to my friend, Lynn:  I know you get starved to see blue around Christmas since all your friends are doing red and green (but for a few cards that might have ice blue shadows on snowmen) so I did this one with you in mind.  Absorb it, my friend!  :-D

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Catz
Ike's World
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
Path of Positivity
{Pin}spirational

     Happy Stamping!  NanaConnie

Believe in Angels

     Each year when we would put the angel on the tip of the Christmas tree, I would hear my mom whisper, "I believe in Angels."  Years later, when I had my own home and was decorating my own tree, I heard myself whispering the same thing as I put the angel on the tree.  A tradition was passed down without any of us realizing it at the time.  :-D  So this card is a salute to my mom.  I miss you, Mom.

     The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I colored it with ProMarkers.  I added white Liquid Pearls to their little wings, then cut the image with a scalloped, Tonic Studios die.  I found a scrap piece of plaid paper from a stack by My Favorite Things and it had perfect colors in it to complement the card base and the colors in the image.

     I wanted a CAS design so I added only the bow tie bow at the bottom of the image.  That one was made from the last scrap of that ribbon that I had.

     This card was done as one of three options for a lady who wanted a card with an angel to giver to a friend of hers at Christmas.  You'll see the other two I did in the next few days, both with angels.  The other two are more Christmas-sy but this one could be left on a mantle piece all year round.  :-D

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
A Gem of a Challenge
Catch the Bug
Di's Digi Designs
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
LeAnn's World 101
Pixie's Snippets

     Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Here Comes Santa Claus

     This morning, I have the honor of being a Guest Designer for the Songs and Rhymes challenge at The Outlawz.  The challenge always uses lyrics as the inspiration for their challenge and this week it's "Here Come Santa Claus."

     I've done a pretty simple card using all die cuts instead of a hand colored image but I really like it even though it's different from what I normally create.

     I used dies from Die-Versions (Santa Sleigh and Reindeer), Art Impressions (Snowflakes), and Die-namics (North Pole sign.)  All of the snowflakes are heat embossed with clear EP.  Everything was adhered to blue CS.  No embellies, just the die cuts.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner
Cute N Crafty Christmas
Double D
Double Trouble  (all 3)
Dream Valley
Paper Girls
{Pin}spirational
Scrappy Land
Three Amigos

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Lady

     This image, from Delicious Doodles, has been one of my favorites for a few Christmases now and I'm using it again this year.  I think I've colored her in greens each year so maybe next year I should think about using reds.  :-D

I was inspired by the sketch this week at Sketch Saturday.

     I colored her with ProMarkers, then cut a green oval with a die from Spellbinders.  I hand cut the image and mounted it onto the oval.  I backed that oval with another die cut shape (also Spellbinders) which had been cut from white CS.  It gave a little pop since the image piece tended to fade into that lovely Christmas dp. 

     The branch and pine cone were cut with a Memory Box die, and I added white Nuvo Crystal Drops to it.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, then grabbed one of my hand-sewn, signature bows and added it below the pine cone.  The pine cone and the bow take the place of the stars in the sketch.

      Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned dp
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM

     It's been a busy morning but I'm finally finished with my chores and can now head to the craft room to play.  I'll see you tomorrow with a GDT project I hope you'll love.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holiday Chaos - Shopping Humbug!

     I know this is my third post of the day but the Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug ends today and we have to have our projects posted within the next few hours.  I spent the morning sporadically getting this card made, interrupted by many other things that kept cropping up.  Now, in the middle of writing up this blog, I find out that my daughter is on her way over with my grandson and I'll delay one more time in order to visit with them.  :-D  Sorry, but being a Nana always comes first!

     The image I used is the Friday Freebie from Bugaboo Stamps which we are supposed to use along with this BINGO board.

I used the diagonal from bottom left to top right: Plaid/ Die Cut/ Sentiment but I also used a Bugaboo image.  :-D

     I colored with ProMarkers, then die cut the image and the frame with dies from Bo Bunny.  The plaid dp came from a stack by My Favorite Things.  I printed and hand cut the sentiment, inked the edges with red, and adhered it with dimensional dots.  The red bow is one of my hand-sewn, signature bows with a pearl.

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Cardz TV
Creative Fingers
Pattie's Creations
Penny's Paper Crafty
Take It, Make It
Winter Wonderland

     I've had a ton of fun playing each day this week and I now have an additional 7 cards in my Christmas stash.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Reindeer are Loose!

     It's Friday and we have a new challenge starting at QKR Stampede.   Our theme is always "Anything Goes" but I stayed with the Christmas theme I've been doing since the beginning of last month.  This time, I used an image from our sister brand, Eureka Stamps, and it's called "Jumping Reindeer ES3202."

     In order to get the sense of a team of Santa's reindeer, I used the image 3 times in a row.  I colored with ProMarkers and Copics, plus white gel ink.  I used a border die from Spellbinders to cut the image, then layered them onto polka dot paper from DCWV. 

     I wrapped that with red, grosgrain, ribbon and added a hand-sewn bow with a tiny button in  the middle.  I printed the silly sentiment because they do look like they ditched the sleigh and are off on a joyriding (joy flying?) trip without Santa.  :-D

     I used my "Linen" embossing folder on deep blue CS, then used that for the card front.  Simple, fun, and flat for mailing!

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafting from the Heart
Cute Card Thurs.
DL.ART
Double D
Outlawz Festive Fri.
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Sasayaki Glitter
Time Out

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

Forest Friends

     Today we start a new challenge at Colour Crazy and our wonderful sponsor is Polkadoodles.  They were generous and supplied images for the DT to use.  Mine is called "Forest Friends" and I think it's one of the most delightful images I've seen this season.  It features an adorable woodland fairy with two of her little forest friends; a deer and and a bunny.  I think deer are my favorite Christmas animals but that's probably because of the association with Santa's reindeer, which are favorites of all children because they deliver Santa and the presents!

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, and added "Frosted Lace" Stickles to the furry pieces of her dress and scarf.  I used loose glitter on her halo and added touches of white gel ink to the snow on the tree.  I used gold paint pen on her little wings.

     The frame for the image and the large snowflake were cut with dies from Spellbinders.  The sentiment pieces were cut with a Die-Versions die.  I used that deep, burgundy red for all the die cuts because it's my favorite when combined with traditional Christmas greens.

     Challenges:
As You Like It
Butterfly
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
Creative Knockouts
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz SAR

     Come play with us this week, won't you?  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holiday Chaos - Day 6

     The Holiday Chaos week of daily challenges at Catch the Bug is almost over, with only one more day to go after today.  The inspiration theme is a color challenge, using this photo inspiration.

    Here's what I did with it.

     I started with a pre-colored image, then used ProMarkers to add orange and yellow to the birds and carrot noses on the snowmen, and a bit of gray to the sky.  I cut the image square with my largest die from QuicKutz, then cut two straight lines to run the ribbon behind the image.

     I tied a simple, plaid bow, added it at the bottom, and used a Die-Versions die to cut the red sentiment.  Again, a card design that's pretty CAS overall and definitely flat enough to mail.

     Challenges:
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's
Di's Digi Designs
Fussy and Fancy
Jo's Scrap Shack
Outlawz PAM
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp & Show (bow, birds, bells)

     That's all I have for today but 2 posts in one day should be enough.  I'll have 2 posts tomorrow, too; the last of the Catch the Bug Holiday Chaos projects and a new one for the challenge at QKR Stampede.  Be sure to check in for those.

    Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Candle Light and Silent Night

     This post is all about the latest challenge which starts today over at Crafting with an Attitude.  As usual, our theme is "Anything Goes" and we have Lemon Shortbread as our fabulous sponsor!  They generously supplied us with images we could use and I fell in love with Candlelight Girl. Candle light at Christmas is probably my favorite thing during the holiday season.

     I think the image may have originally been intended for Halloween but it's so versatile, it worked perfectly for a Christmas card as well.  I think it could make a great birthday card, too.

     I colored with ProMarkers, made the stars with white gel pen, and cut it with a die from Gina Marie.  I used silver ribbon with glittery, silver spots which could be interpreted as winter snowflakes.  Everything went onto a navy blue card front, and I added a tiny, hand tied, bow below the image.  It's pretty CAS but that's what showcased the image.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Cardz TV
Creative Moments
Cute N Crafty Christmas
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Festive Friday
Southern Girls
That's Crafty!
Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Holiday Chaos - Day 5

     Well, it's day 5 at Catch the Bug's week long Holiday Chaos daily challenges.  Today there's a photo inspiration with the theme of "Smile for the Camera."  I'm playing on the smile/ humor angle.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then die cut the image with a stitched die from Frantic Stamper.  I printed the sentiment and cut it with the same die, shifted to make 2 cuts so it would be the size I needed.  Both of those pieces were mounted onto a red card base and I added three, small, Art Impressions snowflakes, leaving off any other embellishment for a very CAS card.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Cute N Crafty Christmas
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
I {heart} ProMarkers
Scrappy Land
That's Crafty!

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holiday Chaos - Day 4

     It's time for the next Holiday Chaos theme at Catch the Bug and it's Ugly Sweater day with three possible recipes for making your card.  I went really literal on the "Ugly Sweater" theme as well as using one of the recipes.  I used Glitter/ 3 buttons/ & ribbon.  The mouse image is from Bugaboo Stamps.

I started with the sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.

     I colored the image with ProMarkers, but paper pieced the ugly sweater and her hair bow.  I added tiny dots of glitter to the sweater.  The image was cut with a QuicKutz die, as was the rectangle of dp.  I cut the sentiment with a die from Die-Versions.  The ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and the three, tiny buttons were in my stash.

     Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Colors
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

      Only one post for today (that must be a relief for those of you who visit regularly!) but I'll have another double post day tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holiday Chaos Day 3 - Gift Card Holder

     Today is Day 3 of the week-long, Holiday Chaos daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  I'm up to date on making projects for the challenges and today we need to make some form of gift wrap, gift bags, gift card holders - you get the idea.  I did a gift card holder using this cute little Santa from Bugaboo Stamps.

     This is the front of the gift cardholder.  I decided to use basic red and white, my favorite Christmas color combo, then colored the image with ProMarkers and paint pens (a tiny touch of silver and gold.)  I cut it with a QuicKutz die.  The sentiment was cut with a die from Die-Versions and all the little snowflakes were done with Art Impressions dies.

     The inside looks like this:

     The card is actually a gate fold card, but the inside flap is adhered at top and bottom to make the pocket for the gift card.  I don't have the gift card yet so I just tucked a piece of CS into the pocket for visual definition.  The plaid paper bits were scraps from my desk and came from a stack by Your Next Stamp.

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafty Catz
Crafty Creations
Creative Knockouts
Cute N Crafty
Paper Girls
Winter Wonderland

     I'll see you tomorrow with another post.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Ornaments

     Last week, I did something new to me - I made an ornament for the Christmas tree by stacking layers of die cut CS.  I liked the result enough to try making a couple more of them.  This time, I did one with a colored image and a second one using just the die cut itself.

     I used another adorable image from Beccy's Place, colored with a combo of ProMarkers and Copics, plus white gel ink for the highlights.  I cut it with a stitched, scalloped die from Memory Box, then cut 4 more from plain, white CS.  I added the ribbon hanger between the two middle layers.  One of the things I learned is that it was extremely difficult to get the scallops to line up exactly!  It seems it should be easy but it wasn't.

     Challenges:
Crafting from the Heart
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
House that Stamps Built
Outlawz Greetings
Simon Says Stamp and Show (basket and bauble)

     Here's the second one I made.

     This next one was cut from red CS with a Die-Versions die.  I cut 2 from the red and 4 more from white CS.  The red ones are the top and bottom layers.  This time I used twine for the hanger instead of ribbon but it's still added between the middle layers.  I put ruby red glitter on the exclamation mark.

      Challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations
Dream Valley
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Penny's Paper Crafty
Simon Says

     There will be a second post later today for the Holiday Chaos week of daily challenges at Catch the Bug.  Hope you'll have time to stop by again.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug - Day 2

     This week there are going to be a few days with double posts and this is one of them.  It turns out that the week-long "Holiday Chaos" challenges at Catch the Bug are going on this week and I plan to play each day.  Today, the challenge is to use the sketch they provided.  I turned it on end because of the shape of the image I wanted to use.

     Do you remember the version of "Jingle Bells" done with the cats meowing the melody?  I'm sure these are the three feline, musical stars who did that recording.  lol

     I colored those three singing cats with ProMarkers, cut the image with a simple rectangle die from Tonic Studios, and cut a frame for it out of sparkly CS with a die from Bo Bunny.  The plaid papers are from Your Next Stamp.  I cut the sentiment words with a Die Versions die.  With all that plaid, the only embellishment needed was one of my hand-sewn, signature bows.  The punched dot in the center of it is covered with sparkle gel ink but, sadly, it doesn't show in the photo.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Creative Inspirations
House that Stamps Built
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Mod Squad
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Your Next Stamp (Cats Jingle Bells + YNS papers)

     If you missed my first post today, just scroll down to the next post.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Is That All???

     Every neighborhood, every classroom, probably every family, has one - the kid who rips into a huge pile of presents, opens every one, and then wants to know if that's all there is!  lol  You'd think Santa would put them on a special Naughty List and bring them only one present next year.

     This fun image is the freebie from the Limited Runs Progressive Challenge on their Facebook page.  I colored the image with ProMarkers and gel inks, then die cut it with a stitched die from Cottage Cutz.  I cut a scrap of red CS with a CUTplorations, wonky-stitched, die and mounted the image onto it, offsetting it to one side.

     I found some silver, grosgrain ribbon in my stash and wrapped that around the CS piece, then I added the sentiment which had also been cut with a die from Cottage Cutz.  The die I used was larger than the sentiment so I had to make an adjustment and cut twice to get the size I wanted.

     Everything was mounted onto a navy blue card base and I added three glittered snowflakes with gems for a splash of bling.

     Challenges:
2 Sisters on the Blog (ribbon/white/blue)
Card Mania
Christmas Crafts...
Country View Crafts
Crafter's Cafe
Crafts Dreamy
Creative Craft Cottage
Dies R Us

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie