The Rockies

     It's the start of a new challenge at Ike's World and this time we'd like you to do something which really expresses the "YOU" of you - in other words, "Be You."  Remember, we're always an "Anything Goes" challenge and the theme is jut an option you can follow if you choose .

     Nothing is more 'me' than being in nature.  In my younger days, I was most alive when I was camping or backpacking in the woods so this "Rockies" image from Ike's Canada Bundle in her World Tour series is a perfect reflection of that.  The psalm I used for the sentiment is my favorite Bible verse so it's another thing which is definitely "me."

     I colored the image with ProMarkers and white gel pen, die cut it with a rectangle die from Spellbinders, and mounted that onto the piece with the sentiment.  I added it to a layer of torn and distressed CS, wrapped the ribbon and tied the bow, then put it all onto a white card base, leaving the design rather CAS.  Although this is a card perfectly showing "me being me,"  I think it also makes a great masculine card.

     Challenges:
AAA Cards
Addicted to Stamps
Aud Sentiments
Brown Sugar
Colour Crazy Craft
DL.ART
Fussy and Fancy
I {heart} ProMarkers
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
WordArt Weds.

     I hope you're going to come play in our challenge this fortnight and show us what makes you "you."   That's such a broad theme, you'll be able to do almost anything with it.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Grandma's Cookies

     This may not look like a typical Valentine card but I assure you, as a very knowledgeable Nana of 6 and Great-Nana to 2, that home baked cookies are the favorite Valentine treat of any grandchild and a huge number of "favorite grandma" points can be scored with a simple plate of them every February 14!  :-D

     The image (from Paper Nest Dolls) is actually intended as a Christmas image, supposedly Mrs. Claus, but I modified it a bit by covering up a sprig of holly in the image and it worked perfectly for a child's Valentine.  Since it's a new image for me which I got just this month, I wanted to find a way to use it without having to wait for Christmas to roll around again.

     I colored her face, hand, hair, and the plate of cookies with my ProMarkers, then paper pieced her dress, apron, shoes, and bonnet.   The holly sprig I mentioned was originally on her apron and it's covered with one of the paper-piecing bits.

     I cut the image with a die from Spellbinders, then cut the card front with the same die and inlaid the image, backing the entire card front inside with darker pink CS.  Die cutting the card front and doing an inlay is a new technique for me and for my first time using it, I think it turned out pretty well.

     I printed the sentiment, matted it with a scrap of the plaid dp and layered it on at the bottom of the card.  The pink bow was white but I 'dyed' it with a pink ProMarker to match the CS as best I could.  There's also embossing and piercing around the image.

     Challenges:
Aloha Friday
Brown Sugar
Colour Crazy Craft
C.R.A.F.T.
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs
In the Pink
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Polkadoodles

     The more I look at this card, the more I love it and am impressed with the new die cutting technique.  I'm sure you'll see lots of it from me in the future.   Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

A Fairy's Hello

     One more image from A Day for Daisies which has been hiding in my stash, unused until today.  I've done a set of 8 of these for quick note cards and they are a gift for a friend.

     Isn't this the most adorable fairy?  I used ProMarkers to color the image and a Cheery Lynn die to cut it.  The large leaf was cut with a die from Spellbinders.  Both the gingham ribbon and the ribbon leaves were in my stash.  The butterfly was cut from felt and I added a gem to it.

     Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Gals Corner
Crafty Sentiments
Creates and Makes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Passion for ProMarkers
Simon Says Stamp
Tuesday Throwdown

     Wishing you a happy Saturday morning and a lovely weekend.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Spa Day