Ice Skates for Letter "I"

      I'm running a bit behind in the 30 Days of Holidays over at Beccy's Place but I'm fighting a bad bout of RSV or some kind of respiratory virus and I'm pretty much staying in bed.  I get up for about a half an hour, work some on coloring an image or designing a card, nd then I have to go rest again.  As you can imagine, it's taking me a long time to complete just one card.  But today, I have a card done for the letter "I" and I'm sharing it with you.  If I finish another one, I'll do a second post today.

     To start off the "I"s I used, I chose a Jan's Digi Stamps Ice Skates image to feature on an Interlocking Gate fold card.  This is the first time I've made one of these but I followed the tutorial from Beccy's Place, which you can find in the "A - Z Card Folds" section on her blog.  Check the tabs at the top of the page.

     I colored the image with Sanjoki markers, using Ivory on the Ice skates.  I chose some Icy dp for the background which sparkles with Iridescent glitter.  I cut the image and the frame with dies from Die-Versions.  I printed the sentiment in an Italics font and cut it with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

     OK, time for me to go and rest again.  I really want to get over this whatever-it-is sickness.  It's definitely more than just a cold.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wheel in the Blessings

      Here it is, the first Monday of November and Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away, at least here in the USA.  Once again, Inspiration Station has a new challenge and a new inspiration photo for you.  Find something in the photo which inspires your creative juices and enter a creation into our challenge before the end of the month.

     Here's the inspiration photo for this month: 

Here's my card.  I was inspired by the autumn colors, the pumpkin in the background, the leaves, and the overall harvest season feel.

     The image is from Jan's Digi Stamps and it was colored with a combination of Ohuhu and ProMarkers.  I cut the image using a Spellbinders rectangle die, then rounded the corners with a Fiskars punch.  The sentiment was also from Jan's Digi Stamps and is part of the set for this image.  I cut it with another die, this one from QuicKutz, then inked the edges before adding it to the image piece (which also has inked edges.)  

     The plaid paper is from a fabulous stack by DCWV, called very simply "Stack 9."  I can't even tell you how long I've had that stack but I found it when I was going through my stash of 12" x  12" papers.  It was in an overlooked plastic storage container, along with at least 4 other stacks, none of which had been touched in at least 3 years!  This one was in pristine condition with none of the papers ever having been used!   Sigh... yes, I do hoard and forget to use things.

     Note about Double Trouble  We're partnering with Double Trouble this challenge and if you do layers - at least 3 - and are inspired by our photo, you can enter both challenges!  I did 3 layers and was inspired by the photo, obviously.

     Challenges:

613 Ave Create

Di's Digi Designs

Gem of a Challenge

Inkspirational

Love Those ... Papers

Outlawz Monday

Outlawz Color

Pammie's IP

     Hope we see you playing long this month.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Halloween Shuffle

      This Country Couple really knows how to shuffle it on the dance floor!   I adore this image and can hardly believe this is the first time I've used it, considering how long I've had this set.  It came from Jan's Digi Stamps and the set is called "Pumpkin People."  

      For this card, I started with one of the pre-colored images, printed it in grayscale, then colored it with my Sanjoki markers and colored pencils.  The cat image (and the sentiment) was merged with the pumpkin people before printing, and I kept it as printed, no additional coloring.

     I cut the image with an old QuicKutz square die.  I found a scrap of Halloween paper for the background, layered the image onto it, and kept it very simple with no embellishment of any kind.

     Challenges:

I Love Markers

I Spy with My ...

Paper Funday

Penny's P-C

Simon Says Stamp

Star Stampz

SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Spring Birthday

      We're at the mid-way point in our current challenge at FarmQuest where our theme this fortnight is "Bird Nests or Bird Houses" and, of course, every challenge entry must always feature a farm or country feel.  This time, I've done a second card using an image from Jan's Digi Stamps (now closed - sniff sniff) called Early Spring Nest.  I love this image!  I just know those are robin's eggs in the nest.  :-D

     I colored the image with Sanjoki and ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Cottage Cutz die.  I printed the sentiment and cut it with an Avery Elle die.  The background paper is a scrap from an old DCWV scrapbooking stack.  Pretty CAS overall, though it looks more complex because of the background.

     Challenges:

     Please come play with us during this upcoming week.  We love being inspired by what you create and enter.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

FarmQuest and Double Trouble Collaborate

      Our newest challenge at FarmQuest starts today and tomorrow (January 15), we collaborate with Double Trouble through the end of the month (January 31.)  Our theme at FarmQuest is "Winter Activities," things like skating, skiing, sledding, or even sleigh rides.  In addition to that, Double Trouble wants you to use embossing folders or stencils.  (See below)

THING  1:  Trouble Maker 

says, "It's Wintertime and I'm just chillin' so I don't want to make things complicated. That's why I'm asking you to pull embossing folders and/or stencils from your stash to create a project with a wintry country feeling."   

You can stop here... 

OR  

play along with Twisted Sister's optional twist to help you earn another chance in our random drawing.  

THING  3:  Twisted Sister 

says, "Remember the song, "Playmate, Come Out and Play with Me"?  If you come out and play with me, be ready to enjoy skiing, sledding, sleigh riding, tobogganing, or skating. My optional twist is to include one of these winter sports in your project to earn an additional chance in our random drawing.   

"And let's not forget National Hat Day is January 15th. This is a fun observance when you wear and enjoy any hat of your choice and style. If you also include a hat in your project we have a 'January Special' for you - a second random drawing in addition to our usual one." 

THING  2:  Double Dare 

says, "If you have met Thing 1's requirement to create a wintry theme and have included a winter sport, you are eligible to enter your project HERE at Farm Quest Challenge #44 and you will qualify for an additional chance in our random drawing."                   

January Special:  While not a requirement don't forget if you have included a hat in your project you are eligible for our 'January Special' - another drawing in addition to our usual random drawing.

 

     For my card, I used an Ice skate image from Jan's Digi Stamps, colored with Sanjoki markers, and fussy cut with scissors.  The winter themed frame was made using a die from Amy Designs and it has embossing on it.  The background is Swiss Dot embossed on sparkly, glitter paper.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The image, the frame, and the sentiment are all mounted onto dimensional tape for a raised effect and visual interest.

     Challenges:

Can You Handle...?

Christmas Bingo (I - Image, Free, Square)

Creative Fingers

Di's Digi Designs

Friendship

Outlawz Friday

Pattie's Creations

Peace on Earth

Polkadoodles

Star Stampz

     Come play in our challenge this week and if you use an embossing folder or a stencil, then enter it over at Double Trouble, too.  We look forward to seeing what you create.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Signs of Christmas

      I'm apologizing right now for being so late with this post but between internet connection problems and back pain problems all last week, I simply couldn't get it posted any sooner.  Nevertheless, here's two cards I did as DT inspiration for the challenge this week at Crafty Catz.  Our sponsor is Jan's Digi Stamps and they generously supplied images for the DT to use.  I chose to use both of them.  The first is called "Santa's Gift" (with the image reversed) and the second is "Christmas Skates."  The sentiments on both cards are from the Christmas Skates set.

     Santa is colored with water color paints, cut with my Fiskar's paper cutter, and the edges were inked with a Sanjoki marker.  The background dp came from a K & Co. stack and it has a decorative, die cut edge on two sides.  I found some lovely, silver, metallic ribbon in my stash and used it to do a quick wrap around the card front and to tie the bow.

     Challenges (1st card):

Crafts Galore ...

Creatalicious

Happy...Stampers

Jan's Digi Stamps

Kerst Christmas

SheepSki Designs

     Here's the second card with the Christmas Skates image and it's probably my favorite of the two.

     I colored it using my Sanjoki markers, then cut the image with a die from Tonic Studios.  I inked the edges with an ink pad.  The red background is dry embossed with snowflakes (easier to see if you enlarge the photo by clicking on it), and I used more of that silver ribbon to tie a simple but larger bow. 

 

     Challenges (2nd card):

Archi-scraps

2 Sisters on the Blog

Carlin's Card Paradise (Iceskates)

Die Cut Divas

Happy...Stampers

Jan's Digi Stamps

     So happy to be back online and to finally have this posted, even if it is 3 days late!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie 

Wicked Good Time

       It's October already!  How did that happen so quickly?  I suppose everything moves more quickly once Labor Day is behind us and that means the fall and winter holidays will be in our laps before we know it.

     My card today is for the FarmQuest General Store challenge and our theme is always "Anything Country Goes."  I decided on an old fashioned celebration of Halloween in a country graveyard.  I merged these spooky images from a set I found at Jan's Digi Stamps called "Haunted."  It's been one of my favorite Halloween sets since Jan first made it.  So many fantastic images and so many possibilities!

     I colored the merged images with Sanjoki markers, then fussy cut them with scissors.  The sentiment was also merged and it can be found in that same set.  I decided to create a background by using polka dot dp and adding bits of foiled spider webs which are metallic and shiny.  It looks really spooky IRL !

     Challenges:

Classic Designs

Double Trouble (all 3)

Halloween All Year ...

Mirtillamente

Most Magical ...

Pammie's IP

Park Hopping (Universal Studios)

Two Old Bats

Worldwide Crafters ...

     We'd love to see you plying in our challenge this month.  Just do something "Country" and enter it.  Did you know we also have a new FarmQuest Country Christmas challenge blog?  (If you scroll down one post, you'll see my DT card for that challenge.)  You can submit anything that has a 'Country' flair but it must be Christmas (or a winter holiday) and our first challenge started just minutes ago!  Get over there and take a look.

  

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

4th of July - Independence Day !

      Happy 4th to all my American friends!  

    It's Independence Day in the USA and in my town, we're celebrating with BBQ hot dogs, hamburgers, a visit to the Museum of History Revolutionary War exhibit, a parade, and fireworks once the sky gets dark.

     My youngest granddaughter isn't home this summer because she's taking a full load of summer classes at her university, along with participating in a summer internship.  Because she's out of state, we put together a "care package" box for her to open today.  My other granddaughter (her older sister) decided the box should have a theme like the other boxes we sent to her during the school year (i.e. Exams, Valentines, St. Patrick's, etc.) and the theme became Red, White, and Moo - in honor of the silly 'Counting Cows' game, originally used to lessen the boredom of long drives back and forth between California and Texas when she was moving at the beginning of the academic year.

     Of course, as with each box, my job was to make a card to go in it and my daughter picked out the cow image for me.  The cow was pre-colored but I added highlights to it using gel pens and polychromos pencils.  The sentiment had to be the theme, and I cut the image piece with an oval die from QuicKutz.

     I found the fireworks for the background in a digital stamp set by Jan's Digi Stamps called Independence Day Friends.  There were two separate images, one red and the other blue, which I merged together after reversing one of them.  I sized them before printing so that they would fill the entire background.

     I chose scraps of red and blue CS to make the card front, added the panel of fireworks, and then mounted the image onto dimensional dots before applying it over the fireworks.  I love the way it turned out!  :-D

     Challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations

Jan's Digi Stamps

Outlawz Monday

Pammie's IP

Penny's P-C

Simon Says Stamp

Word Art Weds

     That's it for today.  Be safe and sane with all your celebrations.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Patriotism

      Our greatest National holiday in the US is undoubtedly July 4th, Independence Day, (right around the corner!) but the image I used on this card would work for Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, even Labor Day, I suppose.  The image and the sentiment come from a Jan's Digi Stamps set called "Star Spangled Wreath" and it was a delight to color.  It also happens to be on sale right now.  :-D

     I used Sanjoki markers and a gold paint pen to color a gray scale image, then cut it with a QuicKutz die.  I 'distressed' the edges with a craft knife and layered it onto a blue CS rectangle, also distressed along the edges.  The image itself was so beautifully detailed that I didn't want anything to distract from it so no embellishments of any kind.

     Challenges:

613 Ave Create

Aud Sentiments

Double Trouble (summer, red, blue, gold)

Gem of a Challenge

I Love ProMarkers

Lil Patch of ...

Pammie's IP

Passion for Markers

Penny's P-C

Word Art Weds

     Wednesday will mark the official first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and trips to the beach, family and friends around the BBQ, the rising heat can't be far behind.  So unpack your shorts and swimsuits, grab your flip flops, and get ready!  If you're not traveling, then head for the craft room and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Set My Heart Awhirl

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !      

     I made another card with this image from Jan's Digi Stamps last month but the penguin with his top hat and his handful of roses is just so precious, he had to be seen again!  He's from a set called "Putting on the Ritz" and this time I took a shortcut and used the pre-colored image, which I reversed before printing.

     I love making card for my friends and family but cards about Love made for special people (the kind we celebrate on Valentine's Day) are my favorites, primarily because I make fewer of them so they are even more special.  :-D

     I cut the image with a Sizzix scalloped die and added a tiny Petaloo flower with a gemstone in the center.  The background dp is a scrap from an old Recollections 12x12 stack.  Aside from the busy design in the paper, it's a pretty CAS card and took less than 15 minutes to make.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

C.R.A.F.T.

Crafty Catz

Creative Knockouts

Cutie Pie

Double Trouble

Inspiration Station

Jan's Digi Stamps

Outlawz Color

Outlawz Thursday (1st Column)

     Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and hug everyone you love!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Banner Heart

      My card today was really quick to put together.  I used one of the images by Jan's Digi Stamps, from their Valentine Wishes set.  I printed the image in black and white, then colored the entire thing  with red ProMarker.  

     I cut the image with a Gina Marie die, perfect with the little 'quads' of hearts all around the edges.  I used a scrap of Recollections dp for the background and simply by added the image piece on top.  Voila' - done in less than 15 minutes!

       Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Valentine Penguin

      This precious image from Jan's Digi Stamps, called "Puttin' on the Ritz," has been reversed for this card.  It's a pre-colored image so putting the card together was quicker than usual.  The image was printed, then cut with an Unbranded die.  I added a scrap of red CS behind the die cut and trimmed it to fit the rounded corners.

     I printed and fussy cut the sentiment (also part of the set), inked the edges with neon ProMarker to make it stand out, then added it to the image piece.  I used baker's twine to enhance the red, burlap ribbon, wrapping two pieces on each side of the ribbon.  The Petaloo flower covers the spot where the ribbon and twine ends overlapped.  

     

     Valentine's Day is getting closer by the minute so if you haven't started on your cards yet, let this be an inspiration.  Remember, you can get cards done very quickly with pre-colored images, especially if you do CAS cards (which this one isn't!)  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Life's Journey

      My card today can be a Valentine or just any celebration of Life and Love.  The image is from Jan's Digi Stamps and it's colored with a combination of ProMarkers and water colors.  I used the pre-colored image from the set as an example and tried to get my own colors as close to it as possible.  This is probably the third or fourth time I've used this image and it's been colored differently each time but I'd never tried the color combo in the pre-colored image before.  I'm really pleased with the result and am sending a huge "Thank You" to Jan for providing such a lovely combo.

     I cut the image with a stitched, square die from Lawn Cuts (Lawn Fawn.)  I used my Linen embossing folder on the background CS for a bit of visual texture but added no embellishment, wanting the card to be as CAS as possible.

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Lawn Fawnatics

Outlawz Festive Fri

Pammie's IP

Paper Funday

Paperminutes

Word Art Weds

     I'll have another post this afternoon, so be sure to stop by again.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Bear Hugs for Christmas

      This sweet Christmas image, called Mrs. Teddy Bear, is from Jan's Digi Stamps and I think it's really precious.  Although I made it before my vision problems got really bad, I'm just now getting around to posting it.

     The image was pre-colored but I added my own highlights using ProMarkrs and gel pens. I merged the holly (also an image in the set) into her pocket and onto her hair bow, then cut the image and punched the corners with Fiskars punches.  The red chevron paper was a scrap from an old Recollections stack and the green CS was embossed using my Linen EF.   The sentiment is part of the Teddy Bear set.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Creative Fingers

Creative Knockouts

Outlawz Thurs Twist

Paperbabe

Pattie's Creations

Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Winter in the Country

      I'm late getting this card posted but it's my DT card for the latest challenge at FarmQuest which started today.  Our theme this time is Anything Goes as long as it has a country flair.  I thought this beautiful image of winter birds on the corral gate, from Jan's Digi Stamps, was perfect for a Christmas card.

     Merged images of the birds and the black and white grapevine wreath, with dp scraps in red and green.  The sentiment and the image are both fussy cut.  The only embellishment I added are the three little gemstones.

     Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart

Cupcake Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Inspiration Station

Outlawz Monday

Pammie's IP

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Simon Says Stamp

     I really hope we're going to see you playing along this time.  You have until December 27th to enter, and then our next challenge begins on December 28th.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Pumpkin Kisses

      I love the images in this set from Jan's Digi Stamps!  The set is called "Fresh from the Farm" and I've used some of the lesser image, merged together to create this image.  The sentiment is also part of the set.

     The image and the frame were each cut with a die from Spellbinders.  The "butterfly" bow was one I tied and wrapped using 1 inch grosgrain ribbon and 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon, plus my bow maker.  The ribbons were originally white but I dyed them with ProMarkers to get the colors I wanted.  Pretty CAS card even though it looks a lot more complex.

     Challenges:

Creative Fingers

Creative Knockouts

Dream Valley

Inspiration Station (autumn colors & harvest)

Outlawz Thur Twist

Pammie's IP

Paper Funday

Word Art Weds

Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Thanksgiving Blessings

      This morning, I'm sharing another Thanksgiving card but not one for the 30 Days of Holidays.  I'll have that one this afternoon.  This card has an image from a Jan's Digi Stamps set called "Autumn Leaves."  I'd give you a link to it but I can't seem to find it in the shop.  Sorry.  Edit: Found it! (Thanks, Donna) Click HERE to see the whole set.

     This image is the 'Spices' part of the set and I thought it had gorgeous autumn colors.  I cut the image with a Spellbinders die.  I used scraps of gold and orange CS to make the background, added glittered ribbon, and layered the die cut image on top.  The sentiment was merged with the image before printing.  I added a double loop bow with button which I 'dyed' with ProMarkers to match the colors in the card.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Die Cut Divas

Happy Li'l Stampers

Incy Wincy

Inspiration Station (fall oranges and yellows)

Jan's Digi Stamps

Morgan's ArtWorld

Rabisco

     I'll see you later with another card this afternoon.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

It's All about the Candy Corn!

      When I was a kid, Halloween was all about the candy corn (my whole family called it "Corn Candy," don't ask me why) and I waited all year long for the Trick or Treat night which would reap at least 2 good portions of the luscious treat, more if luck was on my side.  

     This adorable Candy Corn Witch from Jan's Digi Stamps was merged with a candy corn border which is part of the set.  The sentiment also comes in the set.  I used the pre-colored image this time and cut the image with a framing die from Spellbinders.  I mounted that on top of polka dot dp from Your Next Stamp and called it finished.  It's a CAS card which looks fancy and complicated.

This is also my Day 5 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     Challenges:

Double Trouble

Inspiration Station

Jan's Digi Stamps

LeighSB 31 Days

Lil Patch of  ...

Outlawz Festive Fri

Outlawz SAR

There's a Stamp  ...

Two Old Bats

Your Next Stamp

     See you again tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Angels Heard on High

      We're sharing the mid-August inspiration for the challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps and our theme is always "Anything Goes."  Jan had some really sweet new releases this month (which are on sale right now!) and I've used "Angels Heard on High" for my DT card.  

     The image is one of the pre-colored ones in the set and the sentiment is also part of the set.  I used a die from QuicKutz to cut the image ad one from Tonic Studios to cut the sentiment.  The polka dot dp is a scrap from the basket and I used my 'Linen' EF on the golden background piece.  

     Challenges:

12 Months Christmas

Christmas Craft ...

Christmas Kickstart

Kerst

Outlawz SAR

Peace on Earth

     Be sure to come and play in our challenge.  Remember, the theme is "Anything Goes" and you can use any image from any company.  BUT, if you chose to use an image from Jan's Digital Stamps, you entry goes into a separate draw which increases your chance of winning by a huge amount!  

      Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Crafty Friends

     How did it get to be August?  I'm simply not ready to face what is usually the hottest month of the summer out where I live, especially after we've already had 26 days in a row of temperatures over 100F!  But these delightful ladies from Jan's Digi Stamps (called "Crafty Friends") have the right idea - stay indoors and craft!

     This is a pre-colored image, cut with a Spellbinders die, and adhered with dimensional dots.  The striped pink background paper is from Recollections.  The sentiment is part of the Crafty Friends set and I printed it, then fussy cut it before adding it to an upper corner of the image.  Very CAS but still pleasing because of the die cut shape of the image.

     Challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's

Dies R Us

Outlawz Monday

     Remember, the theme at Jan's Digi Stamps challenges is always "Anything Goes" and we always have 2 winners; 1 from those who use one of Jan's images and another from all the other entries.  Clearly, it pays off to use a JDS image because your chance of wining the prize is so much higher.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie