"N" is for Nutcracker - 30 Days of Holidays

      One more card for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and today we're working with the letter "N" so a Nutcracker was a Natural.  Because I'm still fighting that nasty respiratory virus, I decided on something really quick and printed out a pre-colored version of one of Beccy's Nutcrackers. 

      I cut the image with a die from Tonic Studios, then punched the corners of the image piece with a Fiskars corner punch.  After that, I began searching through my Christmas ribbons.  I was looking for a plaid ribbon and  was found in the scrap basket.  I really love the plaid on Christmas cards and I think it goes well with the masculine Nutcracker image.  I think ribbon is my favorite embellishment because it works so well with both feminine and masculine cards.

     I used an Art Impressions die to cut the snowflakes, made the center one with 2 layers, and added glitter and a gem to the top snowflake.  The NOEL sentiment was cut with a Die-Versions die and it gave me one more "N."

     Challenges:

52 Weeks Christmas

As You Like It

C.R.A.F.T.

Creative Friday

Krafty Chicks

Outlawz Thurs (The Nutcracker, of course!)

Pattie's Creations

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

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

Nutcrackers

      Conie Fong has a new image set, released just this week and perfect for Christmas.  It's a fabulous set of Nutcrackers which includes a King, a Soldier, and a Drummer.  Click on the word "Nutcrackers" in the previous sentence and that will take you right to them in store.  They are so perfect and I went a little crazy making DT projects with them.  :-D

     I started with this card, using the Nutcracker King image.  He's colored with Sanjoki markers, then cut with a Tonic Studios die.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder on a scrap of CS (Stampin' Up) to make the blue panel, then cut the snowflakes with dies from Impression Obsession.  They have glitter added to them for a tiny bit of sparkle but it just doesn't show up in the photo.  The Noel sentiment was cut with a Die-Versions die.  The final touch was the hand-sewn, satin bow with a pearl.

     Challenges:

     Feeling that the other two Nutcracker images shouldn't be left out, and because my daughter collects nutcrackers as Christmas decorations and displays, I made a two-sided, tree ornament for her.  Both images were colored with Sanjoki markers, then I cut each one with the same Spellbinders die.  

 

     After cutting the images with that die, I cut 7 more of that shape from plain white CS.  I sandwiched all those layers together using double stick tape to make the ornament thick and heavy, and added a scrap of ribbon as the hanger.  (Note: As an afterthought, after the photos had been taken, I applied Mod Podge to both sides and along the edges of the ornament, letting it dry between applications.  It's now very sturdy and can be used year after year.)

     These snowflakes were cut with a die from Cottage Cuts.  Here are photos of both sides of the ornament.

Drummer

 

Soldier

     Challenges:

     Don't forget that we have a monthly challenge going over on the Conie Fong Facebook site with an Anything Goes theme.  All you have to do is use a Conie Fong image (there are freebies available on the site which you can download and use.)  Or, if you've fallen in love with the Nutcrackers, you can pick up all 3 of them in the set for only $4.00!  Again, all you have to do is click on the word "Nutcrackers" in the first paragraph of this post and that link will take you right to them in the Etsy store.  :-D

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Wizard Spells

      I love Halloween!  I love everything about it - the kids in costume, the sugar rush they get from the Trick or Treat goodies, the silliness of witches and wizard legends and traditions, and most of all making cards.  Halloween kind of makes Fall my favorite season!  :-D

     Since this is Friday, we have a new challenge starting over at Crafty Catz and our sponsor this week is Dr. Digi.  They generously supplied images to the DT but I chose to use one from my own collection, called "Spells for Beginners."  Our theme is always "Anything Goes" but we also offer an optional twist and this week it's "Use a Die;"  I used three.

     I colored with my Sanjoki markers, then used a QuicKutz die to cut the image.  I inked the edges so that it would stand out from the background.  The spiderweb background was made using scraps from paper by Doodlebug.  The spooky, black tree was cut using a die from Die-Versions, as were the bats.  I printed the sentiment and fussy cut it.  I inked the edges with a neon ProMarker.

     Challenges:

As You Like It (Fall because it has Halloween!)

Creatalicious

Creative Fingers

Creative Knockouts (small die cuts)

Happy...Stampers

Let's Craft and ...

Paper Dragonfly

Pattie's Creations

Two Old Bats

     I hope we're going to see you playing along in our challenge this week.  Anything you make is fine as long as you use at least 1 die.  Can't wait to see you there.  

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Nativity in Kraft

     My sweet daughter bought me another new die this year, also from DIY Scrapbooking, and I wanted to test it right away, right out of the package.  I was siting at my craft desk and the closest paper to me was a scrap of kraft CS so I grabbed it and ran it through the Big Shot.  I really had no intention of using the cut but when I tossed it aside, it landed on some black CS and the design just popped!

     Next thing I knew, I was trimming the black CS to size, gluing down the Nativity, and coloring the star with gold paint pen.  I made a square card from kraft CS and cut the sentiment from cream colored, sparkly CS, using a die from Die-Versions.  This made a really CAS card which looks far more complex than it is.

     Not exactly traditional Christmas colors but I love the end result !

     Challenges:

AAA Cards

Creative Fingers

Dare2BArtzy

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Mon

Paperbabe

Peace on Earth

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

Winter Wonderland

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Christmas Fireplace

     This is my second card as a DT at FarmQuest where we give you at least 2 theme options for each challenge!  For this challenge, our theme options are "Table or Fireplace."  I chose to do a Christmas fireplace and I used an image from Beccy's Place.  

     I can also use this as my card for Letter "F" in the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place even though it's terribly out of order given that we're currently at the end of the alphabet.  But I've been saving it for the start of this challenge.  :-D

     There are three different images, all from the same Beccy's Place set: the fireplace itself, the logs on fire, and the cat with his yarn.  All were fussy cut and put together on dimensional dots.  The images are pre-colored.  The dark green dp in the background is from Stampin' Up and the lighter greens are simple CS scraps.  The green ribbons were in my stash.  The sentiment was cut with a die from Die-Versions.

                   

     Challenges:

(links will be added shortly)

     I hope you're going to come and play with us this time.  The challenge will run until the 13th of December and all you need to do is make something that features either a table or a fireplace (or both, if you like.)  We look forward to seeing you there.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

30 Days of Holidays - Letter "S"

      Another card done for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place.  I know I haven't posted my cards for the letters "Q" or "R" yet but I don't have them done.  The "Q" card is taking forever to finish because it's very detailed and complex, and I have to take rest breaks because I'm still recovering from some tough respiratory issues.  But I do have a card to post today and I get to say thanks my sweet daughter for the dies I used to make this one.  She gave me this die set and another one, both from DIY Scrapbooking.  So this is a Special card just for her.

     My "S" items for this card are: Sparkle, Stitching, Silver, Sequins, and Sentiment.   I die cut sparkle glitter paper, both gold and white, then layered them in alternating colors.  I added three extra white 'leaves' behind the flower.  When I'm not using the traditional Christmas colors of red and green, I love the combo of gold and white because it makes everything looks rich and elegant.  When those are also sparkly, it's just an additional bit of WOW!

     The sentiment was cut with a die from Die-versions  I used a gold paint pen to create the faux stitching on two edges.  The sparkly sequins in the lower corner are silver but also have a hologram quality so they reflect a bit of gold sparkle, too.

     Challenges:

ABC Christmas (X-tra special)

As You Like It

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Creative Inspirations

Gem of a Challenge

Lil Patch of ...

Outlawz Thur Twist

     

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

"N" is for Naughty List

      Another quick post today for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and this is for the Letter "N."  The expression on this robin's face from Beccy's Place just seemed perfect for the Naughty List sentiment (also Beccy's Place.)  Other "N"s include: North Pole and Noel. 

     The image was colored with ProMarkers and cut with a Dare 2B Artzy circle die.  I used a QuicKutz die to cut the large, red square behind the image, then I ran it through my 'Linen' embossing folder before mounting the image on top of it.  The striped dp is distressed and came from a stack by Authentic.  The Noel was cut with a Die-versions die and for the North Pole sign, I used a Die-namites die.

     I've been really under the weather the last several days and am not entering this card into any other challenges, mostly because I'm not able to type up a list of links to such challenges today.  If that changes, I'll add them later.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cowboy Jack-o-Lantern

      I've done another Halloween card for today, this time using a cute QKR Stampede image called "Cowboy Pumpkin."  The "Happy Halloween" sentiment is also from QKR.  I colored with ProMarkers, and fussy cut the jack-o-lantern with scissors.  The silhouettes in the background were cut with dies from Memory Box & Die-Versions.  

     I wanted to add some texture to the card so I chose burlap cloth for the background.  Everything was mounted onto a Kraft card base.

This is also my Day 27 entry for the
 LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop.

 

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

CRAFT

Creative Inspirations

Inspiration Station (pumpkin)

Passion for Markers

Penny's Paper Crafty

Polkadoodles

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cat-o-Ween

      This is my first post for today (be sure to check back in a few hours) and my card today uses all die cuts and all of those cut from scraps of this and that.  I used dies from a Cheery Lynn set for the cats and the sentiment.  The moon and bats were done with a Die-Versions die set.  I mounted everything onto a purple card front, thereby using mostly Halloween colors.

This is also my Day 25 entry for the
 LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop.

 

Cat Lovers Hop 2022.

     Challenges:

4 Season

Addicted to CAS

Country View ...

Crafty Friends

Crafty Gals Corner

Pammie's Inky ...

Paper Dragonfly

Simon Says Stamp

SUYP Cats

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Cat Gratitude

      Today is the first day of the six day Cat Lovers Hop 2022.

     I've played in the hop every year since 2016, and may even have played the year it started (2015) but I can't confirm that, so I only claim 6 years of playing.   The card I made is a Thanksgiving card and we all know how grateful cats can be when they can get a high view from a tree branch.  :-D

     My card today is all die cuts and all scraps, but for the plaid dp from Taylor Made.  There's dry embossing on the orange CS.  I used my "Linen" EF but this time, I turned the CS scrap on the diagonal so that it has a cross-hatch look.  The tree was done using a die from Die-Versions and I cut black, brown, gold, tan, and eggshell scraps to get all the different leaf colors, plus the cat and tree trunk.  It took a lot of time to make all the cuts and individually place all the pieces but it was worth it in the end.

I based this on the sketch from The Outlawz, turned sideways

& using the leaves, trunk, & cat's tail as the shapes

 along the sides of the middle panel.

     Challenges:

4 Season

Creative Inspirations

Double D

Inspiration Station (harvest colors)

Jan's Digi Stamps

SUYP Cats

Word Art Weds

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

All About the Boos

      I'm so excited about something new going on in my life which is actually a return to something old.  A few years back, I was a DT member at Through the Craft Room Door.  Back then, they were a weekly challenge and now they have changed to a fortnightly (every 2 weeks) challenge but the theme is always Anything Goes.  Recently, they had a DT call and I asked if it was possible for me to return to the team and they graciously said "Yes."  :-D

     So, this is my first DT card since returning to the DT at TTCRD (much easier to type!) and our sponsor this fortnight is Oddball Art.  The prize is a $10 voucher to the store.  The image I used is called "Penelope 3" but the sentiment and the spider actually came from a different Oddball Art set (which I can't find in the store so it may have been retired. ;-( )  I thought they were perfect for making the Penelope image into one for Halloween so I merged them before I printed the image.

     I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a QuicKutz die.  The purple CS diamond shape and the orange CS were cut with another QuicKutz die.  The purple piece was turned 1/4 turn and the corners were trimmed off at the edges of the card front.  The pumpkins were cut with an Impression Obsession die, and the bats came from a Die-Versions die set.  The black ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the bow was double loop bow was tied with my bow maker.

This is also my Day 11 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     

     Challenges:

Classic Design

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Friends

Creative Fingers

Gem of a Challenge

LeighSB 31 Days

Pattie's Creations

There's a Stamp ...

     I hope we're going to see you playing in our challenge this time around.  Remember, it's Anything Goes so how can you not have something to enter?   Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie 

Ghostly Halloween

      Over at the Outlawz Progressive Challenge this month, we were given a Ghost image from Oddball Art and, at first, I envisioned a very CAS card featuring just the ghost against a dark background.  But, as you can see, my creative muse led me off that path onto something completely different.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers to color the cute ghost, then fussy cut it with scissors.  I pulled paper scraps from the Halloween box, cut strips from 3 of them, and used those for the background.  I also gathered up all my scraps of black CS to start cutting the various bits and pieces which make up the overall Halloween scene.

     The tree was cut with a die from Die-Versions.  The haunted house was cut with a Cuts die, and the large bat above the tree was cut with an Impression Obsession die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The ghost was popped up on dimensional dots and tucked into the house to look like he was rising from one of the upstairs rooms.

     Finally, I added one of my hand-sewn, signature bows with a pearl.

This is also my Day 7 entry into the 

LeighSBDesigns 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. 

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Creative Knockouts

Double D

LeighSB 31 Days

Paperbabe

Paper Funday

Paper Shelter

Snippets Playground

Your Next Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

When Witches Fly

      I'm a total fan of Beccy's Place images and love trying new things with them.  I've used this fun flying witch silhouette (which may now be retired since I can't find it in the store) several times but this is the first time I've fussy cut it with scissors and used it with various Halloween die cuts.

     I printed the silhouette on white CS, then cut it with small scissors, leaving a very narrow, white rim around the witch.  That helped her to stand out from the background.  The background was done with water colors.  The moon and the two largest bats on the moon were cut with a die from Die-Versions.  The smallest bat on the moon and the 2 in the sky were cut using an Impression Obsession die.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die.  I used a gray ProMarker to make the shadows on the moon.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Di's Digi Designs

Double Trouble

Friendship

Happy Little ...

Incy Wincy

Outlawz Monday

Polkadoodles

Two Old Bats

     Have a spooky day!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Waiting for the Witch

      Another Halloween card today and this one was made specifically for a neighbor and friend who brought the silhouette image to me, asking me to create a card for her to give to her young grandson.  It was on plain white paper when I received it.  The image may have been done with a stencil but I'm basing that on nothing more than the way the ink was applied to the image.  It may well have been a rubber stamp with ink blotted on the lighter side.  All I really know is that the ink was very, very dry when she brought it over and it didn't smear when I used alcohol markers on it.

     I colored the sky and the cat's eyes with ProMarkers and gel pens, then cut the image using a Spellbinders die.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.  The little pumpkins were cut with a die from Impression Obsession and the moon was done with a Die-versions die.  The bats on the moon are part of that Die-versions die.  Everything was put on a black CS background.

     Since the card is for a boy, I left it very CAS - no ribbons, no sparkle, no gems, no bows.

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Die Cut Divas

Dies R Us

Friendship

Happy Little Stampers

Paperbabe

The Four Seasons

This is Halloween

Two Old Bats

World Wide Open

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Snowman's Christmas Tree

      After making nearly 75 Christmas cards to donate to my local Seniors Center, I had scraps of small this and that lying all over my work table so I dug out all of my metal Christmas dies and started cutting up the scraps.  Before I knew it, I had another dozen cards and a plastic baggie full of cut but not yet used pieces.  :-D

     It seems that each card I put together became a favorite but I think this one best shows off what can be made from simple scraps of plain CS.  The snowman dies are from Cheery Lynn and the tree die is made by Dee's Distinctively.  I cut the tree twice from 2 different shades of green and when layered all together, it almost looks like there's snow on the tree.

     The sentiment was cut with Die-Versions dies.

     Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Lemon Shortbread

Passion for Markers

Pixie's Snippets

Simon Says Stamp

TTCRD

     That's all for today.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Believe

      I think this may be my favorite Christmas card this year.  Image is from Beccy's Place and it's a pre-colored image which made this card very quick and easy.  I made it for my spot this fortnight as a GDT at The Outlawz Tuesday color challenge and Beccy's Place is our sponsor.  The theme is a very easy "Anything Goes" as long as it's inspired by their chosen photo.  Obviously, my inspiration was the little bear.  :-D

     I decided on a gate-fold card and scored each short end of the card base, then folded those inward on the score lines.  I used Memory Box dies to cut the tiny angels from gold, glitter paper, and a Die-Versions Nativity die for the heavenly star, which I cut off the Nativity.  The sentiment was cut with an Avery Elle die.  The little bear was carefully hand cut with scissors.  I used up a few scraps of gold paper making this card.

     Challenges:

Crafty Catz

Creative Creases

Creative Inspirations

Ike's World

Lemon Shortbread

Outlawz Festive Fri

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Scor-Pal

WordArt Weds

     Happy Crafting and don't overdo!  NanaConnie

Snowflakes

      Today I'm sharing a pre-scheduled post while I'm off doing other things that are not nearly as much fun as crafting and making Christmas cards.  But in the last 24 hours, I've made no fewer than 15 all die-cuts cards which will be donated (along with about 60 others) to my local senior center to be used by the seniors who are otherwise limited by transportation issues and can't just run down to the local card store to get Christmas cards for their family and friends.

     This one is a simple, monochromatic red with white card on which I used a Cuts die for the snowflakes and a die from Die-Versions for the "Noel" sentiment.  I used a red card base and tore a piece of white CS for the bottom/right side of the card front.  Despite how fussy and fancy it looks, this card took less than 15 minutes to make and most of that time was spent gluing down the various snowflakes using a glue pen.

     Challenges:

Country View

C.R.A.F.T.

Creatalicious

Creative Inspirations

Creative Moments

Dies R Us

Friendship

Mod Squad

Simon Says Stamp

The Four Seasons

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Noel on the Night before Christmas

      My earlier post today was for the letter "M" and this one is for the letter "N" in the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place.  I have to share with you that I was completely inspired by a card Beccy did using this same image against a very dark background so that the candle light seemed to glow.  I CASEd the card as best I could, including the sentiment.  

     I'm not nearly as skilled with coloring as Beccy is but I did give myself the advantage of starting with her pre-colored image, then adjusting the color so that it was much lighter (almost gray scale) and then used my ProMarkers (Beccy tends to use colored pencils) to color pretty much the same color combo as she had used.  The main differences are that I used grays on the mouse instead of browns, added some shadows, and used less yellow on the parts of the mouse where the candle glow would be.  I also colored the candle green.

      I didn't even attempt to color a dark background (which Beccy did.)  Instead, I fussy cut the mouse, mounted him onto Pop Dots, then used black CS for my card front and put him right in the middle of it.  The "Night Before Christmas" sentiment is cut with an Avery Elle die and the sparkly gold 'Noel' was cut with a Die-Versions die.

     Challenges:

Crafty Calendar

Dream Valley

Gem of a Challenge

Incy Wincy

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe

Peace on Earth

Polkadoodles

TTCRD

     Happy Crafting, everyone, and for those of us in the US, I hope your Thanksgiving preparations are well under way.  If you're traveling, may you have safe travels and warm moments with family.   Happy holidays to you and yours.  NanaConnie

Witch on a Pumpkin

      My 4th DT post for October monthly challenges and it should be the last one.  :-D  Our newest monthly challenge is starting today over at Your Scrapbook Place.  Our theme is "Anything Goes" and you may use whatever images you like.  Our sponsor this month is MoonFlower and I used a cute image called "Gina le Cat Witch."  Do you see the teeny, tiny cat beside the bottom of the pumpkin?  Barely bigger than the witch's shoe.  :-D

     I used my ProMarkers to color the image and cut it with a Spellbinders die.  The little black bat was cut with a Die-Versions die and the sentiment was cut with a die from Cheery Lynn.  Although the card looks detailed and complex, it really is very CAS; black CS for the card front, the die cut image, and the two smaller die cuts.  No other embellishments or layers.

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Creative Inspirations

Digi Doodle Studios

Paperbabe

Polkadoodles

Two Old Bats

Uniko

     Wishing you a Happy Halloween, a great October, a delightful autumn, and an invitation to come and play with us at Your Scrapbook Place.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie