Limited Runs has it's latest Progressive Challenge going right now and this cute little spaceman is the image for this month. I went with a CAS design and a masculine theme. I've just gotten a commission for a dozen or so masculine, encouragement cards for a friend of my daughter who sends a card to her 18 year old son once a week and this one will be a great start. :-D
Colored with ProMarkers, gel inks, & water colors
Image and frame cut with QuicKutz dies
Sentiment printed and cut with Avery Elle die
Jute cord wrapped around pre-made card base
Challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner
Creative Inspiration
Get Creative
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Simon Says Stamp
Simon Says Stamp & Show
Short post today but I'm still playing catch up from last week and trying to get everything done for all my First of the Month DT commitments. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Monday, June 29, 2020
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Awesome !
This morning, I want to share with you something both fun and awesome! Most of you who follow my blog or who have browsed around it are aware that I tend toward coloring images when I'm making cards and I rarely vary from that tried and true formula (OK, so it's a rut. Give me a rut and I'll furnish it!)
However, I've joined a small group of crafty ladies (3 of us so far but we hope more of you will join us, thereby increasing the fun) who are trying to stretch their comfort zone by following a 'recipe' of four "Must Do" things and another three "Can Do if you choose" things in making a card or other project. One of us chooses the Must Dos and the Can Dos, makes a sample card (or other project), emails a photo of it to each person in the group, along with the list of Must and Can Dos. The single catch is that one of the Must Dos is given to the next 'Cook' (cook = recipe) by the person who made up the previous recipe. It does NOT have to be something they had in their recipe, just something they have designated as a Must Do for the new recipe.
This is only the second month we've done this and it was my turn to choose the recipe items. I was given the first Must Do of Make it Monochromatic. I added three more items to the Must Do list:
1. Make it Monochromatic
2. Make the Sentiment your focus - Sentiment can be die cut, stamped (digi or rubber), &/or typed/ computer font/ hand written
3. Use "Paint Chips" - If you can't get any of those from your local paint store, make your own by coloring card stock "chips" to look like paint chips
4. Use patterned paper in the background - if you don't have any dp, make your own & use as much or as little as you like
The additional three Can Do items are:
1. Use a Die Cut
2. Use your favorite color
3. Use summer fruits
Here's my sample which I photographed & emailed to the other gals this morning (actually, I emailed the URL of this post to them but they'll get all the info when they visit.) They are NOT required to CASE this card; they are only required to follow the four Must Do parts of the recipe to make anything they like.
Paint chips (scraps) in purples (my favorite color)
"Awesome" sentiment cut w/ Your Next Stamp die
Stampin' Up dp scrap used for the sentiment
Background dp is a scrap from the basket
The other players have as much time as they want to complete their projects, post them to their blogs whenever they are finished, and send the rest of the group a link to their blog post, but the next Recipe will be sent out by our next 'Cook' on or just before August 1, regardless of how many have or haven't finished the July Recipe. There's no deadline for completing the July Recipe because there are no rules other than the four Must Do items and there are no kits to send or receive, no prizes, no pressures, and no drama. We are in this simply because we want to try some new things with a little shared inspiration.
Think you might like to try this one or to join our fun Recipe group? Email me and I'll get you added to the list. Does a particular recipe not appeal to you? Fine, don't use it; just wait for the next one. We'll keep emailing you the new recipes once a month as they are ready. And every few months (depending on how many Cooks we get on our list) your name will come up in the rotation and it'll be your turn to make up a recipe with one Must Do item supplied by the previous Cook. :-D
Challenges:
However, I've joined a small group of crafty ladies (3 of us so far but we hope more of you will join us, thereby increasing the fun) who are trying to stretch their comfort zone by following a 'recipe' of four "Must Do" things and another three "Can Do if you choose" things in making a card or other project. One of us chooses the Must Dos and the Can Dos, makes a sample card (or other project), emails a photo of it to each person in the group, along with the list of Must and Can Dos. The single catch is that one of the Must Dos is given to the next 'Cook' (cook = recipe) by the person who made up the previous recipe. It does NOT have to be something they had in their recipe, just something they have designated as a Must Do for the new recipe.
This is only the second month we've done this and it was my turn to choose the recipe items. I was given the first Must Do of Make it Monochromatic. I added three more items to the Must Do list:
1. Make it Monochromatic
2. Make the Sentiment your focus - Sentiment can be die cut, stamped (digi or rubber), &/or typed/ computer font/ hand written
3. Use "Paint Chips" - If you can't get any of those from your local paint store, make your own by coloring card stock "chips" to look like paint chips
4. Use patterned paper in the background - if you don't have any dp, make your own & use as much or as little as you like
The additional three Can Do items are:
1. Use a Die Cut
2. Use your favorite color
3. Use summer fruits
Here's my sample which I photographed & emailed to the other gals this morning (actually, I emailed the URL of this post to them but they'll get all the info when they visit.) They are NOT required to CASE this card; they are only required to follow the four Must Do parts of the recipe to make anything they like.
"Awesome" sentiment cut w/ Your Next Stamp die
Stampin' Up dp scrap used for the sentiment
Background dp is a scrap from the basket
The other players have as much time as they want to complete their projects, post them to their blogs whenever they are finished, and send the rest of the group a link to their blog post, but the next Recipe will be sent out by our next 'Cook' on or just before August 1, regardless of how many have or haven't finished the July Recipe. There's no deadline for completing the July Recipe because there are no rules other than the four Must Do items and there are no kits to send or receive, no prizes, no pressures, and no drama. We are in this simply because we want to try some new things with a little shared inspiration.
Think you might like to try this one or to join our fun Recipe group? Email me and I'll get you added to the list. Does a particular recipe not appeal to you? Fine, don't use it; just wait for the next one. We'll keep emailing you the new recipes once a month as they are ready. And every few months (depending on how many Cooks we get on our list) your name will come up in the rotation and it'll be your turn to make up a recipe with one Must Do item supplied by the previous Cook. :-D
Challenges:
Friday, June 26, 2020
Birthday Balloons from a Dragon
I love all the Tori the Dragon images from Conie Fong, and this one is called "Tori the Dragon - Up." I think there are 5 or 6 of them altogether and what I love most is that he looks good in any dragon-color combo! But, of course, my favorite combos always have purple. :-D This one is perfect for nearly any celebration where balloons are traditional but I'm putting it into my birthday card stash.
Colored w ProMarkers
Cut with Frantic Stamper die
Scraps of patterned dp
Purple CS is hand-bleached with Q-tips
Sentiment is hand cut &
mounted onto glitter paper,die cut flag scrap
Challenges:
2 Sisters ... Blog
Colored w ProMarkers
Cut with Frantic Stamper die
Scraps of patterned dp
Purple CS is hand-bleached with Q-tips
Sentiment is hand cut &
mounted onto glitter paper,die cut flag scrap
Challenges:
2 Sisters ... Blog
Your Scrapbook Place
You still have a day or two to play in the Facebook challenge which is open until June 30 at midnight Eastern time. You do have to use a Conie Fong image to enter and I hope we're going to see you there. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
You still have a day or two to play in the Facebook challenge which is open until June 30 at midnight Eastern time. You do have to use a Conie Fong image to enter and I hope we're going to see you there. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
For the Bride
I haven't done a wedding card in ages but this one was commissioned and it's also my last DT card for Digi Doodle Studios. My term ends this month and I've been eyeing this Blushing Bride image ever since I started with them. As soon as I was asked for a wedding card, I jumped at the chance to use it. :-D
Colored w ProMarkers
Image cut with Spellbinders' die
White strip = glitter paper scrap
Pink dp = scraps
Sentiment cut w Spellbinders' die
Challenges:
Arty Divas
Creative Crafters
Cutie Pie
Cuttlebug Mania
Double D
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Scrapping4Fun
Southern Girls
Word Art Weds
Don't forget that Digi Doodle Studios has two challenges every month; one is on the blog ("Anything Goes" theme this month) and the other is on the Facebook page (also Anything Goes but must use a DDS image.) You still have time to play in either one or both of them. :-D
Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Colored w ProMarkers
Image cut with Spellbinders' die
White strip = glitter paper scrap
Pink dp = scraps
Sentiment cut w Spellbinders' die
Challenges:
Arty Divas
Creative Crafters
Cutie Pie
Cuttlebug Mania
Double D
Dream Valley
Lemon Shortbread
Scrapping4Fun
Southern Girls
Word Art Weds
Don't forget that Digi Doodle Studios has two challenges every month; one is on the blog ("Anything Goes" theme this month) and the other is on the Facebook page (also Anything Goes but must use a DDS image.) You still have time to play in either one or both of them. :-D
Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Gone Fishing !
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
to all the Dads in the U.S.!
Colored with ProMarkers, gel inks, & water colors
Cut w/ stitched die from Tutti Designs
Avery Elle die on sentiment
Forest green CS & polka dot dp are scraps
Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, also a scrap
Challenges:
All you dads out there - enjoy your day and find some time to do what you love best. For those of you who love to craft, whether you be a dad, a mom, a child, a sibling, or just someone who's still observing isolation precautions, be safe and Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Sharing a Malt
I keep finding all the adorable Conie Fong images I want to use now that I've joined the DT and it's hard not to want to make a new card with them every day. Well, I am doing about one each week and I try to start off my weekends sharing them with you. This image is called Bella and Benji and it's a delightful peek back into the days of bobby socks and malt shops.
Colored w ProMarkers and water colors
Image cut with Unbranded wedge die using
out-of-the-box technique on their heads
Striped dp from DCWV Basics stack
"Picture on the wall" made w hand-drawn kitten
Double sheer ribbon (pink & blue)
Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Cute Card Thur
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Polkadoodles
Scrapping4Fun
TTCRD
Don't forget that we have two monthly challenges on Conie Fong Facebook each month; one is for coloring only and the other is for completed projects. You must use a Conie Fong image and hand color it. Come play with us. If you haven't joined our FB page, please do. We'd love to see what you make. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
I used colors found in the photo inspiration
at Time Out.

Colored w ProMarkers and water colors
Image cut with Unbranded wedge die using
out-of-the-box technique on their heads
Striped dp from DCWV Basics stack
"Picture on the wall" made w hand-drawn kitten
Double sheer ribbon (pink & blue)
Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Crafty Sentiments
Cute Card Thur
Outlawz Twisted Thurs
Polkadoodles
Scrapping4Fun
TTCRD
Don't forget that we have two monthly challenges on Conie Fong Facebook each month; one is for coloring only and the other is for completed projects. You must use a Conie Fong image and hand color it. Come play with us. If you haven't joined our FB page, please do. We'd love to see what you make. Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Friday, June 19, 2020
Independence Day !
Here's a reminder that the June monthly challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps is still ongoing and you can enter projects until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5. The July challenge starts on Monday, July 6. My mid-month reminder card for June celebrates with one of Jan's newest sets, Independence Day Friends, and the set is on sale until the end of June!
I'm so proud of this card because, while I used all pre-colored images from the set, I put a lot of work into merging the ladies, their picnic lunches, the fireworks, and the sentiment so that they would look like a single image. I've been practicing but this is the first time I've merged more than just 2 images. Each image becomes a 'layer' and this one has a total of 6 layers! I can hardly believe I managed it. :-D
But if merging isn't your thing, fret not. Jan has already merged images within the set so you can either use a single image or one of the pre-merged images. You really should go and look at the entire set. It's going to be so versatile. I used the Independence Day sentiment to make this one a 4th of July card but leaving that sentiment out, all the rest of the individual images would make fabulous summer-themed cards or cards to celebrate nearly any occasion.
You know, it's digi sets like this one that make me remember why I'm now so hooked on digis as opposed to real rubber. Not only can you adjust the size of your images (which I love!) but there are so many images and sentiments in this set, if I had to store them all mounted on wood, I'd run out of room. As digis, they store in a really small space on one of my flash drives. Yep, digis for me forever!
Pre-colored images
QuicKutz and Spellbinders dies for all cut shapes
Baker's twine in blue and red stripes
Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Creative Fingers
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs
DreamValley
Stamping Sensations
Time Out (It was the celebration part that got to my creative juices!)
If you haven't played in our June challenge yet, please come on over! Our theme is always Anything Goes and, while you aren't required to use a Jan's stamp, if you do your entry will go into a separate draw just for JDS images. That increases your chances of winning buy a huge amount!
Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
I'm so proud of this card because, while I used all pre-colored images from the set, I put a lot of work into merging the ladies, their picnic lunches, the fireworks, and the sentiment so that they would look like a single image. I've been practicing but this is the first time I've merged more than just 2 images. Each image becomes a 'layer' and this one has a total of 6 layers! I can hardly believe I managed it. :-D
But if merging isn't your thing, fret not. Jan has already merged images within the set so you can either use a single image or one of the pre-merged images. You really should go and look at the entire set. It's going to be so versatile. I used the Independence Day sentiment to make this one a 4th of July card but leaving that sentiment out, all the rest of the individual images would make fabulous summer-themed cards or cards to celebrate nearly any occasion.
You know, it's digi sets like this one that make me remember why I'm now so hooked on digis as opposed to real rubber. Not only can you adjust the size of your images (which I love!) but there are so many images and sentiments in this set, if I had to store them all mounted on wood, I'd run out of room. As digis, they store in a really small space on one of my flash drives. Yep, digis for me forever!
This card has all the colors from the TicTacToe board
found at Color Dare this week except for the very
center, Laguna Blue. I used top and bottom rows plus
first and third columns.

Pre-colored images
QuicKutz and Spellbinders dies for all cut shapes
Baker's twine in blue and red stripes
Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps
As You Like It
Aud Sentiments
Creative Fingers
Creative Knockouts
Cute Card Thurs
DreamValley
Stamping Sensations
Time Out (It was the celebration part that got to my creative juices!)
If you haven't played in our June challenge yet, please come on over! Our theme is always Anything Goes and, while you aren't required to use a Jan's stamp, if you do your entry will go into a separate draw just for JDS images. That increases your chances of winning buy a huge amount!
Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Beach Umbrella
I did a lot of playing this week with my old House Mouse stamps and summer themes. Summer officially arrives this weekend but in my hometown, we're slated for another heat wave stretching over the next 4 days with temperatures over 100F each day. It's definitely time to learn something from this darling (and oh,so comfortable!) mouse and head for the beach!
Colored w ProMarkers and gel pens
Cut w cross stitched die from Tutti Designs
Sand castle and sentiment = Helz Cuppleditch dies
Dotted dp also Helz Cuppleditch
(The Helz Cuppleditch supplies were a prize for winning a challenge more than 6 month ago. They had to be saved for a summer theme. :-D)
Ribbon was a scrap bit tied into as knot
Challenges:
Happy Crafting. NanaConnie
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Life's Lemons
I'm sure we are all familiar with the age old phrase about 'Life giving you lemons and making lemonade.' But this fabulous little House Mouse has a slightly different idea. Very cool! :-D
Colored with ProMarkers & gel pens
Cut with die from Sizzix, edges inked
Sheer ribbon and hand-tied bow 'dyed' with ProMarkers
Sentiment printed & hand cut
Yellow CS bleached with Q-tip
Challenges:
A Bit More Time...Extra
Carlin's Card Paradise
Craft-Dee BowZ
Creative Craft Cottage
Colored with ProMarkers & gel pens
Cut with die from Sizzix, edges inked
Sheer ribbon and hand-tied bow 'dyed' with ProMarkers
Sentiment printed & hand cut
Yellow CS bleached with Q-tip
Challenges:
A Bit More Time...Extra
Carlin's Card Paradise
Craft-Dee BowZ
Creative Craft Cottage