Christmas Leftovers for the New Year

     I know most of us think about turkey, dressing, or pecan pie when we hear the word "leftovers" a day or two after Christmas, but sometimes the leftovers are hanging on the tree or can be found in the Ball jar which was filled with candy.

     This darling little fox image from the Progressive Challenge at LeAnn's World 101 made me think about leftover candy canes since the card didn't get made until halfway to the New Year.  Mind you, I can't guarantee that foxes love candy canes but I have one cat who loves popcorn and another who thinks cauliflower is a treat so who knows?

Colored with pencils and mounted on Pop Dots
Fussy cut with scissors
Paper is a Christmas wrap 'leftover'
Snowflake is a button with glitter added
Card base is made from leftover CS

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time ...
Allsorts
Christmas w/ the Cuties
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creatalicious
Double Trouble (striped candy cane)
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Prika Crafts
World Wide DT

     Wishing you all a Happy New Year in just a few more days!   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Skinny Snowman - Too Much Workout?

     Most of us are worried about putting on a few pounds over Christmas but this "Skinny Snowman" from QKR Stampede, which I used on my DT card for the latest weekly challenge, seems to have been doing workouts on an overtime basis to stay this slim!

Colored with ProMarkers
Image & mat cut with oval dies from QuicKutz
Papers are scraps from Doodlebug
Ribbon from Crafty Ribbons

     Challenges:
2 Sisters on the Blog
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Crafters
Creative Knockouts
Morgan's ArtWorld
Pixie's Snippets
Prika Crafts
Star Stampz

     I hope you're going to come and play in our challenge this week.  Our theme is always Anything Goes and you can use any image from any company.  However, if you choose to use an image from QKR Stampede (or our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go into a completely separate draw, thereby enhancing your chances of winning by quite a lot.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Peace on Earth - Merry Christmas

PEACE ON EARTH

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Peace on Earth

     I'm sharing a very simple card today because I want to share with all my blogging friends the peace of the Christmas season.  The image is obviously from House Mouse.

Colored with ProMarkers, watercolor pencils, and gel inks
Plaid ribbon from Crafty Ribbons
CS layers are from scraps
Hand sewn bow
Sentiment is a computer font printed in white on black

     Challenges:
Cutie Pie
Christmas Kickstart
Christmas w/ the Cuties
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Path of Positivity
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas.  NanaConnie

2 Layer CAS at Critter Chaos

     Well, my plan to do a second post yesterday got sidetracked when everyone awoke at the same time and it was like a hoard of locusts landing on the WiFi so guess who got booted?  lol

     It's the last challenge theme at Catch the Bug's Critter Chaos but you still have until the end of December to get cards entered.  The last theme is Keep It Simple with only 2 Layers plus Twine/ Ribbon.  In addition, you have to use the Friday Freebie image they have given to everyone.

Colored with ProMarkers & Copics
Cut with Spellbinders die
Kraft card base
Wrapped twine bow
Hand cut sentiment

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Christmas with the Cuties
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafty Friends
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lil Patch of ...
Morgan's ArtWorld
Pammie's Inky Pinkies

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

'Tis the Season

     It looks like the whole house is sleeping in this morning, including the cats who decided that my bed was the only reasonable place to stay warm.  Made me feel right at home.  lol  But with everyone sleeping, it gives me time to get a couple of posts done without any competition for computer time.

     This image came from the Progressive challenge at The Outlawz and is by LeAnn's World 101.

Colored with watercolor pencils and markers
Glitter added to lights & star on the tree
Image cut with cross stitch die
Sentiment cut with Die-Versions dies
Scraps of ribbon for both the strip and the bow

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Creative Crafters
Dies R Us
Dream Valley
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Paper Girls
World Wide DT

     I may have another post in just a short while if the sleeping in continues.  :-D  Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Carols

     Friday once again and even though I'm not around, my QKR Stampede DT card for the latest challenge is here.  I used a fun image called "Serenading Turtle" which had nothing to do with Christmas but the little Santa hats I added to both the turtle and the snail helped make it Christmas.  I used tiny, hand trimmed, bits which were scattered on the craft table to make those hats.

Colored with pencils and ProMarkers
Cut with Simon Says dies
Bow is hand-wrapped burlap twine,
        dyed with ProMarker
Musical notes drawn in gel ink
Mini pom poms

     Challenges:
Crafter's Cafe
Crafter's Castle
Creatalicious
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs
Dies R Us
Outlawz SAR
Polkadoodles
Scribbles Designs
Star Stampz

     I hope we're going to see you playing along with us this week.  Remember, our theme is always "Anything Goes" and you can use any image from any maker.  If you do use an image from QKR Stampede (or our sister company,Eureka Stamps), your entry goes into a separate draw and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Did Santa get Lost in the Critter Chaos?

     This reindeer thinks he knows the answer to the question "Where's Santa?" but I'm wondering if maybe he crowded Santa against the top of that chimney so that his own red reindeer nose could get all the glory.  lol  Who knows?

     It's the 6th theme this week at Catch the Bug's Critter Chaos and we have a delightful, subdued, Christmas/Winter inspiration.

Here's how I used them.

Colored with markers

Glitter on the ornaments around his antlers

Cut with a stitched die (maker unknown - it's a borrowed die)

Papers from Doodlebug

Shiny satin ribbon

     Challenges:

12 Months of Christmas

Addicted to Stamps

Colour Crazy

Crafty Friends

Creative Fingers

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz Festive Fri

Penny's Paper Crafty

Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Humor Me at Catch the Bug Critter Chaos

     Another fun Bugaboo Stamps image for today's Critter Chaos challenge at Catch the Bug where the theme this time is "Humor."  I love, love, LOVE stitched dies (because they make the faux stitching so much neater than anything I can do by hand!)

I used one of the sketches from Sweet Sketch Weds.2

but turned a quarter turn.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Die-namics stitched dies
Aleene's Snow
Papers from Doodlebug
Sparkle red ribbon and red satin ribbon for bow

     Challenges:
As You Like It
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs
Mod Squad
Outlawz Festive Fri
Scrappy Land
Time Out

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tic Tac Toe at Catch the Bug Critter Chaos

     Now we have a Tic Tac Toe board for the theme at Catch the Bug's Critter Chaos challenges.  Here's the board and I used the diagonal from bottom left to top right - Tree/Free/Ribbon.  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps, of course and I used the sketch from Outlawz, but I flipped it side to side.

  

My card:

Colored with ProMarkers
Stickles added to hat 'fur' & star on tree
Gold and silver paint pens used on ornaments
Sizzix and QuicKutz dies
Hand tied, polka dot bow
Gold sparkly ribbon

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Mod Squad
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.
Words to Craft By

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Anything But a Card at Critter Chaos

     Time for an "Anything But a Card" theme in the Critter Chaos challenges at Catch the Bug, and you must use glitter.  I did a very simple, 7"x 9" shirt box with a Bugaboo Stamps image on the top. 

Image colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Spellbinders rectangle die
Glitter paper made w/ loose glitter on sticker paper
Box made with Aleene's Box Maker (This one was borrowed but it's on my list of thing I'm going to buy for myself as soon as I get home!)

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Fingers
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pattie's Creations
Polkadoodles
Take It, Make It
Winter Wonderland

     I may have another post late tonight.  We'll have to see how the internet access goes.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Day 2 of Critter Chaos at Catch the Bug

     This card is for Day 2 at Catch the Bug and, instead of a theme, we have a sketch.  I turned it a quarter turn to better fit the length of my image, one of the Bugaboo Stamps lovable birds.  I colored and cut all the Bugaboo images I used while I still had access to my craft room.  Then I put the cards together with supplies I took with me or "borrowed" from family and friends.

Here's the sketch and you can see how I turned it.

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with oval die from QuicKutz
Embossed red CS
Glitter paper (source unknown)
Bow made with Bowmaker
Ribbon scrap

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Classic DT
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafter's Cafe
Creative Moments
Prika Crafts
Scribbles Designs
Stamping Sensations
Star Stampz

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

It's Critter Chaos at Catch the Bug

     Each year there's a week long celebration of Christmas over at Catch the Bug, with a new challenge each day and a new theme.  This year they are all "Critter" related.  I'm running late on getting things done but most of that has to do with family fun and activities so now I'm playing catch up.  I find that the late night hours are currently best for accessing the internet but managed some time this morning so I'm doing two posts with projects I managed to finish yesterday.

     This is the first one using the Day 1 theme of "Use a Christmas Critter and use Snow."  Bugaboo Stamps image of these cute snowmen surrounded by a flock of cardinals (my 'critters'.)

Colored with ProMarkers
Stickles added to the snowflakes
Aleene's MemorySnow added to the snowmen
Die cut with a Memory Box die
Glitter paper - source unknown
White ribbon is a scrap

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
A Perfect Time ...
Carlin's Card Paradise
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's
Die Cut Divas
Lil Patch of ...
Sparkles Christmas

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Blowing Kisses

     It's our 4th challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and I'm using one of her newest sets, released earlier this month, called "Holiday Gingerbread 3235J."  I'm having so much fun with her images!  Whether you use the pre-colored versions or choose to color them yourself (as I did this time), you get such wonderful results on your projects.

Colored with ProMarkers and watercolor pencils
House image cut with QuicKutz die
Gingerbread people fussy cut with scissors &
      mounted on dimensional tape
Red card base embossed with "Linen" folder
Holly leaves cut with Sizzix die
Mini buttons for holly berries

     Challenges:
Coloring in Scrapland
Crafty Creations
Cutie Pie
Dream Valley
Ike's World
Paper Funday
Passion for ProMarkers
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Purr-fect

     I've been scrambling to get things done before the Holidays absences got in the way but on this card for the Progressive challenge at LeAnn's World FB, I was a day or two behind no matter what.  Still, I wanted to post this because this little Christmas Cat is just so cute!

Colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Memory Box stitched die
Sparkle ribbon (a scrap)
Linen embossing folder used on card front

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time ...
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Sentiments
Creative Crafters
Cute Card Thurs
Dies R Us
LeAnn's World
SUYP Cats
Time Out
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Milking Christmas for All It's Worth!

     I was in an awfully silly mood when I made this card for the latest weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.  I used a cute image from our sister stamp company, Eureka Stamps, called "Christmas Cow" and this one is available in both digi and rubber.

Colored with ProMarkers
Image is fussy cut w/ scissors
Mounted onto red frame cut with Sue Wilson die (scrap)
Textured ribbon (scrap)
Hand tied bow (scrap)
Background is sparkly Christmas wrap

     Challenges:
Christmas w/ the Cuties
Creative Moments
Cutie Pie
Dare 2B Artsy
Die Cut Divas
Double Trouble w/ Artsy Stamper
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pattie's Creations
Pixie's Snippets
Time Out
Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

December Birthdays

     My favorite DIL has one of those December birthdays so close to Christmas that it often gets lost in the holiday shuffle.  Each year since she joined the family (a long time ago!), I've tried to make sure that she got both a birthday card and a Christmas card along with separate gifts for each.

     Then, this year, I found this really fun image at The Paper Shelter and knew I could use it for a joint Birthday/Christmas celebration.  See how Mama Snow has both a birthday present and Christmas stocking for Little Snow Boy?  Perfect!  (I'll probably return to my separate cards and separate gifts for DIL but this year I couldn't resist!)  :-D

Color/ shading enhancements w/ ProMarkers
Cut with QuicKutz die
Hand tied, polka dot bow
CAS design

     Challenges:
Crafty Creations
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspirations
Outlawz Festive Fri
Paperbabe Stamps
Paper Funday
Scrappy Land
Word Art Weds.
Words to Craft By

     I have a pre-scheduled post tomorrow for my QKR Stampede DT inspiration and then several which are already pre-scheduled for the week-long, annual, Christmas celebration at Catch the Bug.  After that, it may be a bit hit-and-miss as I spend time with family and focus on the joy of holidays surrounded by them.  If I seem to be MIA when it comes to visiting your blogs, my apologies, but my focus is more apt to be on family than friends through Christmas and the New Year.  Once we get to January, I'm sure my return will mean all is back to the normal routine.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Too Much Christmas Candy

     When I first saw this silly bird at Bugaboo Stamps/Catch the Bug, I knew without question that his expression was a direct result of too much Christmas candy!  I remember the years when my kids (grandkids & even great grands now as well) went straight for their stockings on Christmas morning because that's where Santa always put all the candy.  Often, unless parental control was exerted, they ended up looking slightly nauseated just like this bird and had no interest in the Christmas feast when it was spread on the table.  :-D

I used the sketch from Stella Says Sketch, 

adjusted for a square card instead of an A2.

Pre-colored image
Image cut and punched with Fiskars corner punch
Red, embossed mat cut with Spellbinders square die
Polka dot ribbon is a scrap from the basket
DP strip across the top is from Doodlebug
Double loop bow w/ button, hand sewn
Sentiment is a computer font, hand cut

     Challenges:
Christmas w/ the Cuties
Coloring in Scrapland
Creative Moments
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of ...
Simon Says Stamp
Stamping Sensations

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Poinsettia Girl

     This lovely image is from the Facebook Progressive Challenge at Scrapper's Delights.  I decided on a CAS card design and I added poinsettia images from Beccy's Place and a sentiment from QKR Stampede.

Colored with ProMarkers
White texture paste added to Santa hat
Image cut with Memory Box die
Poinsettias fussy cut with scissors
Kraft card base

     Challenges:
Cardz TV
Crafting by Designs
Creative Inspirations
I {heart} ProMarkers
Paper Funday
Polkadoodles
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sittin' on the Roof, Waitin' for Santa

     This is one of those last minute Christmas cards which get done because your daughter or one of the grandkids says, "Nana, Can you make me a card for ..." and you've already mailed or donated every card you've made for the entire season.  Not a big deal normally but they need 5 additional cards,not just one!  (Yes, I'm making them but 4 are still being processed.  I'll share them this upcoming week before my hiatus for the holidays.)

     This is a pre-colored image from Bugaboo Stamps which really saved me a lot of time, as did the CAS design.  The elf and the reindeer are patiently (?) waiting for Santa to arrive with his bag full of toys.

Cut with Spellbinders die
Sparkly mesh ribbon & sheer ribbon w/ snowflakes
Card base embossed with 'Linen" folder
Sentiment printed & hand cut

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Art Impressions
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Catz
Crafty Hazelnut's
Cute Card Thurs
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Time Out

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie