Friends at the Beach

     OK, so not many of us are heading to the beaches these days, even with the weather as hot as it is.  In my part of the world, we're suffering through day 11 in a row of temps over 100 degrees F and the beach is where we should be!   Since I can't be there in person, I'm going in spirit and showing off my latest DT card for the August challenge which just started at Jan's Digi Stamps.

     These images (ladies and drinks) plus the sentiment are all from Jan's "Beach Friends" set and for the design, I decided to try a different kind of rocker card.  This is a basic tent style card with the die cut, rocker part attached at the bottom.  I cut a full circle, then cut that in half and attached one half to the front and the other to the back of the tent card.

Images & sentiment merged and printed
Colored w/ Tim Holtz distress markers
Cut with Sizzix die
Rocker piece cut w/ QuicKutz die
Paper is a scrap from the basket
Satin bow hand tied

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...
A Perfect Time...
Country View Crafts
Craft-Dee BowZ
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Crafter's Cafe
Paper Girls
Scrapping 4 Fun

     Come play with us and remember, while it's not required that you use a Jan's image to enter our challenge, if you do use one, your entry goes into a separate draw just for Jan's Digi Stamps and your chances of winning are increased by quite a bit!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Quilt for Encouragement

     One of my dearest blogging friends is taking a break from card making and blogging while she does other things including making her first ever quilt!  I'm so excited for her and, remembering back to my "first quilt" days, I wanted to share a bit of encouragement and kindness with a dear friend.

     My first quilt was anything but perfect because I made the mistake of assuming that because I'd been sewing since my childhood days, I could certainly quilt!

     Little did I know how much I had to learn about exact measurements - not just in cutting but in seam allowances and layouts.  When the instructions say 3/8 inch seam, it means 3/8 inch exactly, without variation anywhere along it.  And you never, under ANY circumstances, decide on a quilt pattern that has curves for your first ever quilt!  lol  My first attempt was taken apart so many times, the pieces were worn out before it ever got fully put together.  I personally tossed it into the dust bin, disgusted but still determined to conquer the craft.  :-D

     Anyway, here's the card I sent her.  Her favorite color is blue, obviously.  The image is from Art Impressions.

Image is on vellum
Image mounted onto white CS
     & cut w/ Unbranded die
Quilt pieces cut w/ Gina Marie die
Faux stitching from each die
Twine from The Twinery

     Challenges:
Art Impressions
Arty Divas
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Calendar
Crafty Sentiments
Dare 2B Artzy
Dragonfly Dreams
Gem of a Challenge
Lil Patch of ...
Simon Says Stamp

     I hope Lynn shares her quilt on her blog.  There's a wonderful story that goes with it but it's not mine to tell.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Sweet Birthday Bear

     QKR Stampede is still doing monthly challenges instead of weekly and a decision will be made by the end of summer as to whether we remain monthly or opt for some other schedule.  In the meantime, my DT card for this month allows me to add to my stash of birthday cards.  I used a QKR image called "Birthday Bear" along with the sentiment "All Your Memories" to come up with this cute and simple card for young man.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut with QuicKutz die
Inked edges
Used scrap of CS on card front
Hand tied bow w/ sequin
CAS design

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Friends
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Stash
Polkadoodles
Simon Says Stamp
TTCRD

     Our challenge themes are always "Anything Goes" so there's no reason for you not to enter.  You could win fantastically fun images from QKR Stampede.  You're not required to use QKR images on your cards but if you do (or use images from our sister company, Eureka Stamps), your entry will go into a completely separate draw and that increases your chances of winning by a huge amount.  :-D  See your at our challenge.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Hair at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

     It's August 1st and that means another new monthly "Anything Goes with a Critter" challenge is starting at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!  Our sponsor this month is SheepSki Designs and Andrea generously donated all the images used by the DT.   I chose one from my own collection of SheepSki images and it's called "Butterfly Hair."  I merged one, larger, butterfly above the image so don't expect it to be there if you go look at the image in the store.  :-D

     2CCC is also partnering with Double Trouble for the first two weeks of August (starting on Monday, August 3).  The theme at Double Trouble will be/is "Dog Days of Summer" and you can enter using any image of a dog or a cat or any of your favorite creatures.  I chose butterflies, but don't tell my feline fur babies - they'll be so jealous!  As an additional twist you can do either heat embossing or dry embossing.  I did dry embossing.

I was inspired by the sketch at House that Stamps Built.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Cut w/ QuicKutz die
Embossed w/ Swiss Dots folder
Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Bow tied using bow maker
Paper from DCWV "Basics" stack

     Challenges:
Bastel-Traum
Butterfly (Beau Blue)
Craft-Dee Bowz
Crafty Gals Corner
Paper Funday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     Come play with us at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies this month.  The challenge is open until 3:00 p.m. on the 25th of August and all you need is to have a critter featured on your project, whether that's a card or otherwise. 

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Butterfly Summer

     Today I want to share one more DT card on which I used a beautiful fairy from Conie Fong, called "Crystal Fairy 3."  As you can guess, there's more than one version of this image and you can receive them when you purchase the image.  I used the one without the crystals for this card, so the name may seem a bit confusing.  But if you click on the link (image name), you can look at the actual image in the store and that will clear it up for you.  :-D

Colored w/ ProMarkers +
   2 colors of Stickles on wings
Cut w/ Spellbinders die
Green CS (scrap) cut & embossed w/ Spellbinders
Background dp - scrap from basket
Green "lace" - scrap
Sheer ribbon bow tied on bow maker
Sentiment printed & cut with Avery Elle die, inked edges

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Paperbabe
Papercraft
Passion for ProMarkers
Pattie's Creations
Pixie's Snippets
Your Next Stamp

     Our July challenge ends today but a new one starts tomorrow.  Actually, 2 new challenges begin at the same time; one is for coloring only and the other for completed projects, like mine.  Both can be found on the Conie Fong Facebook page.  We hope to see you playing long.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gift Card Holders for Christmas

     Last week when I was doing cards for the Christmas in July challenges, I made a money folder specifically for cash but it could have been used for gift cards as well.  However, it was longer than needed for a gift card so I rimmed the height and made these. 

     It seems every holiday season (well, all year round, actually) my family members and several of my friends come to me asking for gift card holders.  I guess we use a lot of them.  So, this year, I'm trying to get ahead of the game and get a couple dozen made up before the first request comes in.  :-D

     To make these, I start with card stock which is 4.5" high x 8" long and I score along the length of it at 1", at 4", and at 7", then fold on the 1" and 7" score lines, using double sided tape to close those folded ends so that they won't flip open.  On one side is where the gift card goes and on the other there is room for a short note or for "To:/From:" tag.

     Here's what they look like when the gift cards are safely tucked inside and they are folded up and tied with the ribbon which runs under the image and wraps around the back to tie on the right hand side.

Images are pre-colored or colored w/ ProMarkers
Images from Bugaboo Stamps & Doodle Pantry
Die cut images = QuicKutz
Die cut sentiments = Die-Versions & A I

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Christmas w Cuties
Crafty Hazelnut's
Die Cut Divas
Dream Valley
Outlawz Festive Fri
SheepSki Designs
Star Stampz
Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Hiking Break

     I'm sharing a card I made using the image from the Progressive Challenge at LeAnn's World 101.  The image is just the girl but I added a rock, grasses, and sky, creating a background scene so that she looked like she was taking a break while out hiking.  The frame around the image was made by cutting a scrap of paper which had been water colored for the sky part and cutting a scrap of dp for the ground part.  I think it turned out pretty well.  :-D 

Colored w ProMarkers
Cut w Frantic Stamper rectangle die
Frantic Stamper frame die
Card base embossed w 'Linen' EF
Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Hand tied bow
Sentiment printed and hand cut

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Bastel-Traum
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Moments
I {heart} ProMarkers
LeAnn's World
Outlawz Color
Paper Funday
Passion for ProMarkers
World Wide Open

     See you tomorrow with another DT card to share.  :-D   Happy Crafting,.  NanaConnie

Keeping Baby Dragons Safe

     Did you know there are dragon-keepers whose only job is to keep all baby dragons safe until they reach the age of 1 year and have had lots of practice flying?  It's true!  Don't doubt me.  Am I not the one who told you about Pocket Dragons?  :-D

     However, I could really use some help on this image.  This is one of those I printed out long, long ago, tucked it into a folder, and never got it colored.  While coloring it yesterday, I realized that I hadn't put any notation on the back regarding the artist or company so I have no idea after all this time who drew it nor how to give proper credit to the artist.

     If you know who created this marvelous image, will you please leave me a comment and tell me?  I really want to do justice to the artist by giving them credit.  Thanks so much.

I chose colors from I {heart} ProMarkers.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Open Studio Fairy Sugar on her wings
    (unfortunately it doesn't show up sparkly in the photo)
Corner die from Memory Box (also embosses)
Sponging w/ chalks
Grosgrain ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Hand tied satin bow
Sentiment printed and hand cut, inked edges

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz Color
Passion for ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
TTCRD
Tuesday Throwdown (ribbon/bows)

     Thanks for stopping by and if you do know who the artist is, please leave me a comment and let me know so that I can give them credit.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Best Buddies

     It's another Monday and that means a new challenge is starting at Pammie's Inky Pinkies (PIP.)  Our theme is always Anything Goes (except when there's a 5th Monday in the month) so you have no excuse not to play along.  We don't have a sponsor this week but PIP is offering a $5.00 gift certificate for Mo's Digital Pencil.  In honor of that, I've used one of my own Mo's images (called "Buds") for my DT card today, and used warm summer colors.

     I thought that sweet little gal looked like a "Peggy" so I put that into the sentiment.  :-D

This is based on the sketch at Sketch Saturday w/o the background

strips and with sentiment at the top instead of bottom.

Colored w ProMarkers
Image is fussy cut w scissors
Image mat cut w Spellbinders dies
    (mounted onto yellow CS)
Background dp from  DCWV
Hand tied bow w shank button

     Challenges:
Ellibelle's Craft Weds
House that Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Morgan's ArtWorld
Outlawz Greetings
Passion for ProMarkers (top row)
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Word Art Weds
Your Scrapbook Place

    Come play with us this week.  Remember, it's "Anything Goes" so no excuse not to enter.  :-D Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Ugly Sweater Time

     One thing we all know is that the holidays will come around no matter what so for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the cold months mean Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Ugly Sweaters!  lol  It's almost a national craze here in the USA and Art Impressions has helped us celebrate that craze with this fun and funny stamp!

Colored w ProMarker
Glitter added to the snowflakes on her sweater
Cut with QuicKutz die
Snowflake embellies are sparkly
Card base is shiny, pink CS

     Challenges:
All Fun
Cardz TV
Crafty Hazelnut's
Crafty Sentiments
Dragonfly Dreams
Ike's World
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty...
Outlawz Festive Fri

     Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Flutterby Daisy

     I adore this sweet fairy from Conie Fong, called "Flutterby Daisy."  She comes in a set, both with and without the daisy but I loved her best all nestled into the daisy having a wonderful conversation with the butterfly.  I suspect they're talking about great changes and how to face them.  :-D

Colored w/ ProMarkers & gel inks
Glitter added to wings
Cut w/ QuicKutz oval die
Sentiment cut w/ Avery Elle die
Lace scrap
Background dp from DCWV
Signature bow w pearl

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Angie's Digitals
Arty Divas
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Incy Wincy
Lemon Shortbread
Outlawz PAM
Passion for ProMarkers
   (pearls/image/die cuts)
TTCRD

     Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Last Day - CIJ Catch the Bug

     Here we are on the last day of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug and today I'm using the Friday Freebie, a cutie from the Knobby Knees collection called "Christmas Sack," plus colors from the inspiration photo.

Colored w/ ProMarkers & a touch of glitter
Card front aperture cut w/ Tonic Studios die
Image cut with Spellbinders die
Sentiment cut w Sue Wilson die
SnowTex added to ground

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Cute Card Thurs
Cutie Pie
Double Trouble
Dragonfly Dreams
Outlawz Festive Fri
Pattie's Creations

     Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

List or No List?

     Here's what happens to Santa's Nice List when the world wide pandemic takes over.  He has to choose the Top 3 and let everyone else go by the wayside.  :-D   This is my card for Day 6 of the CIJ daily challenges at Catch the Bug and this is one of the older images from the "A Kid's View" (AKV) collection.  There's an inspiration photo so be sure to check out the Catch the Bug blog for today.

Colored with ProMarkers & pencils
Image & green CS cut w/ Tonic Studios dies
Red, satin bow
Sentiment printed & hand cut
CAS design

     Challenges:
Arty Divas
Crafty Sentiments
Digi Choosday
Dream Valley
Kerst/ Christmas
Outlawz Greetings
Paper Girls
TTCRD

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

NOT Merry & Bright !

     Day 5 of the CIJ week at Catch the Bug and since it's Wednesday, we get to use Humor, a theme which I love.  This crabby cat is from Bugaboo Stamps and what could be more perfect?

Colored w/ ProMarkers
SnowTex added to ground
   (it sparkles but that's hard to see in the photo)
Image cut w/ Cottage Cutz die
Sentiment printed & cut w/ QuicKutz die
Papers are scraps from the basket
Gold metallic ribbon
Bow tied using bow maker

     Challenges:
ABC Christmas
Country View
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Double Trouble (fav tool = dies)
Ike's World
Paper Girls
SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bad Boy Gus - Day 4 Catch the Bug CIJ

     Here we are, on Day 4 of the daily challenges this week over at Catch the Bug and the theme today is a TicTacToe board.  I've used everything on the board except for 'distressed' and 'twine' (unless the gold cord counts as twine.)  Bugaboo image of Gus in Santa's sled.  The sentiment is totally mine. :-D  There's also a flash freebie which you can grab between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. today only

     If the papers look familiar, I've done enough Christmas cards over the last week that the scraps are piling up in the basket.  I decided to use up as many of the scraps as I can by reaching into the basket instead of cutting new sheet of paper.

 

I used 1st & 3rd columns plus the diagonals.

Colored w/ ProMarkers
Both image & mat cut w/ QuicKutz die
Glitter added to openings in frame
Paper scraps from Graphic 45 and DCWV
Gold cord + sparkly ribbon for bow
Sentiment cut w/ Spellbinders die
3 metal brads

     Challenges:
Colour Crazy
Crafter's Cafe
Crafty Hazelnut's
Creative Fingers
Double Trouble (fav tool = dies)
Outlawz PAM
Paper Girls
Winter Wonderland

     Another CIJ day down and I'm already looking forward to tomorrow when we get to use humor as the theme.  lol  I think all of mine so far have had an element of humor but check back anyway.  You might get a smile.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

CIJ Day 3 - "Wrap" a Gift

     Day 3 of the daily "Christmas in July" challenges at Catch the Bug and, in keeping with their usual "Anything but a Card" Mondays, today we are to make things that hold or go on gifts - gift card holders, money folders, boxes, bags, tags, etc.  Mine is a money folder with a cute Bugaboo Stamps snowman.

Here's a photo of the inside.

Image colored with ProMarkers
Cut with Gina Marie die
Scraps of Graphic 45 dp inside and out
Jute cord tie

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Dare 2B Artzy
Die Cut Divas
Dies R Us
I {heart} ProMarkers
Kerst Christmas
Lil Patch of Crafty...
Outlawz Festive Fri
Star Stampz

     That's all for today but I'll see you tomorrow with the next CIJ challenge at Catch the Bug.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas in July - Day 2 - Sketch

     Here we are on Day 2 of the Christmas in July daily challenges at Catch the Bug and today we get to use their sketch.  I used this cute, silly bird who's in the process of decorating for Christmas.  He's definitely an "early bird" on Christmas decorating since it's only July.  :-D

Here's the sketch & you can see I adjusted it 

slightly for a square card.

I also used colors from House that Stamps Built.

 

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut with Unbranded die

Frame cut w QuicKutz die

Sentiment cut w Die-Versions die

Papers from DCWV Basics stack

Satin ribbon and Twine bows

     Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge

Angie's Digitals

Arty Divas

Christmas w the Cuties

Crafty Hazelnut's

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Simon Says Stamp
Tuesday Throwdown

     So far, I'm right on course with doing a card each day of the Christmas in July event and I already have the next project done so check back tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Set Your Goals High

     I have two posts today and this is the first.  I hope you'll come by later this morning to see my second post featuring another card for the Christmas in July event I'm following all this week.

     This morning I have a delightful inspiration card as my DT post for the mid-month reminder at Jan's Digi Stamps.  I've used a perfect summer-y (or fall) image called "Boy Climbing Tree" and the sentiment is also from that set.  I think this is a magnificent image for a masculine card.  :-D

Colored w ProMarkers and pencil
Cut with QuicKutz die
Vertical strip done w watercolors
Butterfly cut w Impression Obsession die
CAS design to go w masculine theme

     Challenges:
Butterfly (apricot & aquamarine)
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Cutie Pie
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds
Lemon Shortbread
Paper Funday
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds

     You still have time to come play in our "Anything Goes" challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps which runs until Sunday, August 2nd.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Santa's Workshop circa 2020

     Today is the first day of the "Christmas in July" week-long, daily challenges over at Catch the Bug and, as I have done for the last several years, I'm planning to play each day.   There is a different theme for each day and Saturday's is "Santa's Workshop."

     My mind immediately went to how the Workshop would be functioning during the pandemic, assuming it has reached the North Pole.  :-D  I used this cute Bugaboo Stamps image.

Colored w ProMarkers and Copics
Corners cut w Fiskars punch
Glitter added to the snowflakes
Sentiment printed and fussy cut
Narrow satin ribbons wrapped and tied

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
C.R.A.F.T.
Crafty Calendar
Dare 2B Artzy
Dragonfly Dreams
Ike's World
Outlawz Festive Fri
Southern Girls
TTCRD

     Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Tori the Dragon - Birthday Girl

     I'm totally in love with dragons (as is one of my grown granddaughters) and I think this is the third card I've done with one of the dragons from Conie Fong.  This one is called "Tori the Dragon - Birthday Girl" and I love the look of that luscious birthday cupcake!

Colored w ProMarkers
Cut w circle die by Spellbinders, Pop Dots
Leafy mat cut w Sue Wilson die
Pink CS backing for mat
Sentiment hand cut & matted, Pop Dots
3 hand-tied bows

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time...
CCC Digis
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Creatalicious
Creations in Pink
Creative Crafters
Creative Moments
Pearly Sparkles
Southern Girls

     Come play in our Conie Fong challenge this month.  Actually, we have 2 - one for coloring only and one for completed projects like this one. You do have to use a Conie Fong image but you have great chances of winning if you just enter.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie