Kitten in the Garden

     There's a neighborhood cat (apparently feral, but relatively friendly) who has had a litter of kittens in the next door yard and they are old enough to be out and about.  Two of them visit my garden at least once each day, often three or four times.  They are so cute, and I'm doing my best NOT to feed them.  You probably know how well that's working!

    Anyway, this darling image from Fabrika Fantasy reminds me of them.

Colored with ProMarkers and water color pencil
Image cut with QuicKutz die
Scraps of dp from DCWV
White satin ribbon
Yellow card base

     Challenges:
Ching-Chou Kuik
Country View Crafts
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creatalicious
I {heart} ProMarkers
Papercraft
Simon Says Stamp
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Harvest Flower Jar

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

My favorite fall color combo is green and orange.

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

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

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Latte Good Wishes

     What could be better than a morning latte with the girls?  Nothing, as this fun stamp from Art Impressions shows!

ProMarkers for coloring
QuicKutz dies for card shape and circle cuts
Art Impressions die for snowflake

     Challenges:
Brown Sugar
Color Crazy
Crafty Calendar
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs.
Di's Digi Designs
Dragonfly Dreams
Polkadoodles
Time Out

     I'll have a second post later today so be sure to check back.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Evening Stroll

     I'm wishing and waiting for fall weather to set in so that I can get back to taking evening strolls through my lovely neighborhood.  That's something I have to give up during the hot summer months and I miss them.  As a salute to them, I've done this card using a wonderful image from Digi Doodle Studios.

ProMarkers
DCWV papers (Basics stack)
Sue Wilson die
Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon

     Challenges:
Bastel-Traum
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creations in Pink
Dare 2B Artsy
Dies R Us
Double Trouble (recipe only)
Scrap from Your Heart
World Wide Open DT
Your Scrapbook Place

     Hope your weekend is going well.  I may have a second post today if I get it finished.  Otherwise, I'll post it tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Summer Birthday

     Beccy's Place always has an Anything Goes theme for its monthly challenges but they also give an optional theme or inspiration which is just that, optional.  This month Beccy has used a wonderful photo as the optional inspiration.  The brick walk made me think of the seasonal 'Windows' images she has and I used "Summer Window" and the colors for my masculine birthday card.

 Inspiration photo

Colored with ProMarkers and gel inks

Cut with Lawn Fawn stitched die

Papers from DCWV "Basics" stack

Handmade accordion bow

     Challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking

A Bit More Time...

Classic Design Team

Craft-Dee BowZ

Crafty Hazelnut's

Crafty Sentiments

Lemon Shortbread

Simon Says Stamp

Southern Girls

     That's it.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Racing to Get Well

     Here it is, another Friday and that means a new challenge starts at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use any image from any company.  However, if you use a QKR image (or one from their sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will be put into a separate draw, increasing your chances of a win by a huge amount!

     I did a Get Well card this week, using "Racing 13601" as the image.

ProMarkers
Spellbinders dies ("Lattice" for the frame)
Hand-sewn bow w/ gem
Fussy cut sentiment

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafter's Castle
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Gals Corner
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp

      Hope we're going to see you playing along at QKR Stampede this week.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Burp the Cat

     This sweet little girl from Mo's Digital Pencil knows all about babies, including feeding and burping them.  From the look on the cat's face, I'm not at all sure he truly appreciates all the dedicated care he's getting.  :-D

I used colors from Color My Heart #354, top row

plus Ballerina and Sweet Leaf.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Spellbinders
Layers offset
Dimension with Pop Dots
Sheer ribbon
Machine embroidered butterfly

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Jade and Juicy Orange)
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Gals Corner
Outlawz Festive Friday
Scrappy Land
Take It, Make It
Word Art Weds.

     

Autumn Butterflies

     Most of us think of spring when we think "butterflies" but I've noticed that there are more of them in my garden in the fall than in the spring.  I don't know what's growing there that time of year that they particularly like, but whatever it is, they prefer it to what's there in the spring.

     This image is from Conie Fong.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Image is hand cut with scissors
Background squares cut with Sizzix dies
Only scraps used for the background

     Challenges:
Butterfly wheel (jade, juicy orange)
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafting by Designs
Cute N Crafty
Dare 2B Artsy
Dragonfly Dreams
Get Creative
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Pixie's Snippets

     That's all I have for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

To the Stars and Back

     There's a delightful new image from All Dressed Up given to us for the Progressive Challenge at The Outlawz.  The sentiment about "Love You to the Stars and Back" is part of the image.

Colored with ProMarkers
Glitter added to the stars and hat tassle
Image and frame each cut with Spellbinders dies
Signature bow, hand-sewn + gem

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Brown Sugar
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Friends
Crafty Gals Corner
Lemon Shortbread
Words to Craft By

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Autumn Wishes

     I'm pushing hard for autumn because it will mean an end to the hot days of summer.  You'll see autumn cards from me more than once this week.  I'm sure there are people who love summer temperatures in the 100+F, but I'm not one of them.  Miserably hot summers may be the one thing that makes me regret moving from my northern California home to be closer to family.  I love being with my family - I just wish they had lived some place cooler.  lol

     Today, I've used an image from Ching-Chou Kuik, where the challenge theme celebrates "Four Legged Friends."

ProMarkers
Unbranded die to cut image
Memory Box die to cut orange butterfly corner
Stitched ribbon form Crafty Ribbons

     Challenges:
Butterfly  (Juicy Orange)
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Sentiments
Cutie Pie
Dies R Us
Double Trouble (A/G + die cuts)
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz SAR
Tues Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Happy Summer Pig

     In the hot, hot, HOT! temperatures of summer this year, one happy pig is cooling his heels in the closest mud puddle.  This image is called "Happy as a Pig 24202" and it's from QKR Stampede.  Our newest weekly challenge started today and our theme is always Anything Goes.  Hope we're going to see you playing along with us.

Colored with ProMarkers
Memory Box dies
Couture Creations embossing folder
Crafty Ribbons stitched ribbon
Eureka Stamps sentiment "Being Cool"
Metal brads

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Cute Card Thurs
Di's Digi Designs
Happy Craft
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie       

Sibling Bonds

     In my world, nothing is more important than family.  If you think you've seen this before, you may have but today I'm using this as my DT card for the Crafting with an Attitude August challenge and the image, "Tiger Cubs," is from our wonderful sponsor, Morgan's Art World.  I had to dig back to cards I've previously created because I simply ran out of both time and ability to craft anything new due to the shoulder problems I've been having.  Too many Christmas cards last week, I guess.  :-D

Spotlight coloring with ProMarkers
Paper scraps
Distressing
Velveteen ribbon
Burlap twine bow
Kraft CS card base

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Lil Patch of Crafty Friend
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pile It On
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Critters for a Baby

     It's August 1 and we are starting a new monthly challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  As always, our theme is "Anything Goes Featuring a Critter."  This month, we're sponsored by SheepSki Designs.  Since I'm on that DT also, I'm letting this card do double duty for the new challenge over there which starts today, too.

     The fun part is that the theme at SheepSki is also "Critters" so any card you might make for 2CCC can also be entered in the SheepSki Designs challenge.  Here's my card using these adorable giraffes (Mini Me #174) for a new baby card.

I used colors from the challenge at The Outlawz.

Colored with ProMarkers
Die cut with Tonic Studios and QuicKutz dies
Paper from DCWV "Nanna's Nursery" stack
Twine and Jute cord

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Di's Digi Designs
Scrappy Land
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Evening Gown

     LeAnn's World 101 has the most fantastic image for their Progressive Challenge this month.  It made me want to get all dressed up and go out on the town!  Isn't she elegant?

Colored with ProMarkers & gel inks
Pink glitter
Spellbinders die
1.5 inch Sheer ribbon
Paper scrap frames
Pink card base
Hand tied bows

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
Colour Crazy
Crafty Creations
Creations in Pink
Happy Craft
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paperbabe Stamps

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A New Fur Baby at Our House

     A few months ago I shared with some of you that my sister-in-law had begged me to take a cat which had been abandoned by someone in her neighborhood when they moved away, a sweet calico cat.  My friend, Lynn, even commented that I just had to take her (bless Lynn's heart.)

     But it turned out the cat was pregnant and I just could not see myself saddled with a litter plus the momma plus the fur babies I already have so I declined.  However, when the kittens were born, I fell in love with one of them (OK, I fell in love with all six of them but one more than the others!) and I agreed to take her when she was weaned.

     My granddaughter brought her home to me when she was 7 weeks old, and she's a calico like her momma.  Here are a couple of photos taken the day she arrived.

She has a chess board pattern on the top of her head so she was quickly dubbed "Queenie."

     She's now a week away from being 4 months old and these photos show how much she's changed in those few, short weeks.  She's discovered the scratching post and everything must be tested by mouth, paws, and claws.

 

     She is totally fearless!  The other cats have adjusted to her being here, after a few days of cautious watching.  Queenie and Molly have become fast friends, tussling, chasing, sleeping together, while Honey somewhat grudgingly accepts attention from Queenie but really prefers to be "unmolested" by her.

     Both Molly and Honey are huge by comparison - Molly is about 7 pounds and Honey is easily 10 pounds, compared to Queenie's less than 1 pound - but she believes she's the alpha cat, regardless of her size.  See what I mean?

     Have a marvelous day.  NanaConnie

Last Day of Christmas in July

     Yesterday was Day 7 of the Christmas in July challenges at Catch the Bug and it's a color challenge plus inspiration from the movie, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  I'm just now posting the card I made because I wanted to wait until I could get the Friday Freebie from Bugaboo Stamps, which I used as my salute to Rudolph.

     I waited until this morning to write the post because my shoulder needed a rest after all the cards I've done this week.  :-D

Here are the colors we had to use.

ProMarkers

QuicKutz rectangle dies

Glitter on the stars

Scrap bits of dp

Signature bow w/ candy cane added

     Challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's 
Creative Fingers
Cut It Up
Di's Digi Designs
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Festive Friday
Paperbabe Stamps

     That's it for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Shared Bravery

     Ever notice when one friend is acting bravely, everybody else feels more brave?  I'm celebrating bravery with my DT card for the challenge at QKR Stampede this week.  This time, instead of a QKR image, I've used a darling image from our sister brand, Eureka Stamps, called "Best Friends 47501."

     I've used a color combo which is a bit outside my usual combos which always utilize purples/ aquas/ pinks.

This color combo inspired by the colors

 in the inspiration photo at C.R.A.F.T..

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with QuicKutz square die
Inked edges
Scrap papers
Satin ribbon + hand-sewn bow w/ pearl

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Happy Craft
House that Stamps Built
Paper Shelter
Scrapper's Delights (top row)
Scrappy  Land
Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

White Christmas

     Day 6 of the week-long Christmas in July challenge at Catch the Bug and there is both an inspiration photo of a lovely Christmas tree and inspiration from the White Christmas movie.  I chose a Christmas Tree image from Bugaboo Stamps and a more-or-less white-on-white design.

ProMarkers
Tim Holtz & Darice embossing folders
Glittered & wired ribbon bow
Fussy cutting
Dimension with Pop Dots

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Creative Fingers
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Mod Squad
Outlawz Twisted Thurs.
Paperbabe Stamps
Work It Weds.

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

The Three Wise Cats

     It's the 5th day in the week-long challenges at Catch the Bug's Christmas in July.  The theme today is to use humor and be inspired by one of three Christmas movies: Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, or A Christmas Story.

   

ProMarkers

Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, Memory box dies

Satin ribbons (Crafty Ribbons)

Star made from die cut scraps

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Crafting by Designs

Crafty Catz

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Color

SUYP Cats

TTCRD

Word Art Weds.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tis the Season of Magical Reindeer and Elves

     Day 4 in the week-long, Christmas in July challenges at Catch the Bug and today's theme is BINGO + "Inspired by the movie Elf."  My BINGO choices were Ribbon & Bow/ Bugaboo image/ Die cut. 

     I have several Elf images in my collection of Bugaboo Stamps but the one I used today is one of my absolute favorites.   It has a sense of magic with a reindeer that flies and an elf who makes toys for Santa.

Don't they look like they're waiting for Santa to come back from vacation?  lol

ProMarkers
Sue Wilson (background panel) & Die-Versions (sentiment) dies
Satin ribbon & bow
3 gems
Kraft CS for card base
Almost everything was cut or put together from scraps, including the ribbon strip and bow.

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Girls
Pile It On
Pixie's Snippets
Scrappy Land

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie