Not a Card !

      I know I post cards 99.98% of the time but today I want to share something new in my lineup of projects, a fun take on the rage for gnomes.  I adore gnomes but up until last month, I was buying gnomes made by other people.  I have colored my share of gnome images and made cards with them, but these 3D gnomes are the first of their kind I've made.

     These are made from craft foam cones, felt squares (which have been in my crafting stash forever and the package hadn't even been opened!) and faux fur, following a pattern I found on Duane King's YouTube site.  The fawn brown gnome with the pointed (but crumpled) hat is his Wizard pattern and the taller gnome is from the Gnome with Coat and Top Hat pattern.  They are approximately 6.5 inches and just under 8 inches tall.

     While I think these are cute enough, I also know that my finished gnomes will get better as I make more of them.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share my first efforts.  :-D

     

     Challenges:

Creative Inspirations

Outlawz PAM

Sisterhood of Snarky ...

     Enjoy and Happy Crafting!  NanaConnie

Gnome for Christmas

      It's the day for a new challenge over at FarmQuest Country Christmas where our theme is always "Anything Country Christmas Goes."  We want to see outdoor Christmas scenes or decorations on the farmhouse, or nearly anything that is both Christmas and outdoorsy, but not big city streets or shopping malls or cityscapes.  

     I chose this clip art image with three gnomes on the Christmas Tree Farm.  I don't know the artist but if you do, please let me know.  I love to give proper credit where possible.  I colored the image with my Sanjoki markers, added highlights to their beards with a white gel pen, and cut the image with an old QuicKutz die.  I love the shape of it.  I inked the edges in red, then layered it onto a background of glittery, golden holly leaves.  That CS came from Paper Studios and the dp strip along the right hand side is a scrap from a DCWV stack.

     The glittery golden bow is from K & Co. and I thought it added exactly the proper amount of sparkle and glitz.  I admit, when it's Christmas, glitter is my absolute favorite and when it's combined with gold, that takes it over the top!  The sparkle adds so much to the festive feel of the holiday.  :-D

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Aloha Friday

Colorful Options

Crafty Catz

Creative Inspiration

Digi Choosday

Kerst / Christmas

Outlawz Friday

     I hope we're going to see you playing along in this challenge.  Just create something that celebrates both country and Christmas and you're in!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

A Gnome's Christmas Tree

      This adorable image is from Anne Fenton and she gave it to us for the Outlawz Progressive challenge.  I colored it with my Sanjoki markers, cut it with a Spellbinders square die, and cut the green frame with another die from that same set.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     I found an old stack of Christmas papers from Recollections in my stash and chose the background paper from it.  Although it doesn't show very well in the photo, the ornaments on the background paper have glitter on them for a bit of sparkle on the card.  Beyond that, it's a very CAS card, very flat and suitable for mailing.

Tuesday Morning - sketch turned 1/4 turn

     Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart

Creative Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Happy...Stampers

I Love Markers

Passion for Markers

Simon Says Stamp

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Patch & Gretta - Gnome Admirers

       After a long hiatus from Pattie's Creations, I'm happy to announce that I'm back on the DT!  Our challenges are now monthly, starting on the first Friday of each month and ending on the Thursday before the next challenge starts.  We do encourage you to use Pattie's Creations images on your projects but images from other companies are allowed.  You can find a Freebie !! posted with each challenge and you are free to use it for your entry but that's not required.  In 2022, our theme is going to be "Anything Goes" for every challenge.  

     I combined two of Pattie's gnome images for this card; Patch the Gnome and Gretta the Gnome.  I thought they worked as a cute friendship couple for Valentine's Day.  Although I made a ton of Valentine cards this year because I have a craft fair just 2 days before Valentine's Day, I generally make only a few each year, much preferring friendship to love cards.  After all, I have many more friends than lovers!  :-D

     The images are colored with my ProMarkers, and cut with a Tonic Studios scalloped die.  I used my Linen embossing folder on the red card front before applying the image piece.  I used a Memory Box die for the heart and a die from Marianne Design for the red bow.  Those were also embossed with the Linen EF before I added them.

     Challenges:

As You Like It

Bastel-Traum

Creatalicious

Dies R Us

Digi Doodle Studios

Outlawz Stash

SheepSki Designs

       I'm so happy to be back with Pattie's Creations and I hope you'll come play in our Anything Goes challenges each month.  We love being inspired by you.  Be sure to stop by the challenge blog and grab the freebie for this month.  It's only there while the challenge is ongoing.  Happy Crafting.   NanaConnie

Tie the Bow

      This card is for the 30 Days of Holidays at Beccy's Place and it features things with the letter "T" - Tent card, Toys, & Tying the bow (too bad he Tied his beard into the bow!)  These gnomes are from Beccy's Place, and while they aren't specifically for Christmas, they certainly do work well on Christmas cards.  But they are versatile enough to be great for birthdays or other gift giving occasions.

     These two gnomes are from the same set but I merged them into one image.  I colored with ProMarkers, then cut the image with a die from QuicKutz.  I used two scraps of CS for the corners behind the image.  The sentiment was printed, then cut with an Avery Elle die, and matted with green CS.

     The dp with the text greetings came from a Recollections stack (don't ask me which one since it was separated from the stack) and the toy embellies are from K & Co., along with the one tiny present in the bottom corner.  Ribbons are from my stash and the double, quad-loop bow was tied using my bow maker.

     Challenges:

Colour Crazy

Crafter's Cafe

Crafty Catz

Creatalicious

Creative Fingers

Creative Moments

Paperbabe

Scrapping4fun

Scribbles Designs

      OK, this finishes my posts for today but I'll have another post or two tomorrow.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Gnomes

      This delightfully fun stack of Christmas Gnomes (which is on sale this entire month!) is from Conie Fong and I created it as my DT card for this week.  Remember, on the Facebook site we have two separate challenges each month; one is for coloring only and the other is for finished projects.  You must use a Conie Fong image to enter either one but you could win some additional Conie Fong images, too,  Wouldn't that be fun?  :-D

     I colored with my ProMarkers, used glitter on the star and the centers of the poinsettias, then cut both the image and the mats using dies from Tonic Studios.  The sparkly ribbon was in my stash and the bow was tied with a tiny bit of ribbon I found in the scrap basket.

I chose my colors from the bottom row of the

 #465 Tic Tac Toe board at CMH Color Dare:

Candy Apple, Harbour, and Evergreen, plus I added gold for the star

and Toffee for their shoes.

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Crafty Catz

Crafty Hazelnut's

Kerst Christmas

Paperbabe

Peace on Earth

Polkadoodles

Winter Wonderland

     Come play with us.  Our two challenges are open all month long and all you need is a Conie Fong image to enter.  The theme is always Anything Goes.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

State Fair Gnomes

      Conie Fong has some of the most adorable gnomes and I'm going to be sharing DT cards using some of the newly released gnomes this month.  This is my first one and the image is called "Pumpkin Gnome."  The set comes with 4 Gnome images (facing right and left) and 2 sentiments and it's ON SALE for $2.00 right now!  Go check it out.  

     These happy gnomes seem to be so proud of their harvest and are on their way to enter them into the competition at the state fair.  :-D

     I merged the right and left facing gnomes into a single image, and added my own sentiment before printing.  I colored it with my ProMarkers, then cut it with a large, square, QuicKutz die.  I used a ProMarker to ink the edges of the image.  The dp was a scrap which I cut into smaller pieces before adding it to the card front.  I had embossed the card front with my Linen EF for a slight bit of texture.

     I hand tied the double-loop, grosgrain, bow with the help of my bow maker and added it to the top corner.  I think this is a card which could be used for either a guy or a gal.

          Challenges:

As You Like It (squares over circles because they don't require a die to cut them.  :-D )

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Dare 2B Artzy

Lil Patch of ...

Paperbabe

Pattie's Creations

Polkadoodles

     Don't forget that Conie Fong has two challenges which each run for an entire month over on the Facebook page.  One is for coloring only and the other is for completed projects like this one.  You do have to use a Conie Fong image but with this one on sale (along with one or two others - check out the Pumpkin Kitties, too!) and with so many cute, cute, CUTE images, how can you resist?  We hope to see you there.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gnome's Wild Flower

      First, quick apology for the late post.  Unavoidable.  :-(

     Today we start another new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies and our theme is "Anything Goes."  Our challenge is sponsored this week by SheepSki Designs and they provided images to the DT for our inspiration projects.  Thank you, SheepSki!    

     I used one of Andrea's adorable Gnomes and this one is called "Wild Flower."  I colored him with my ProMarkers, and used a QuicKutz die to cut both the image and the blue frame around it.  I added a scrap piece of pale blue CS behind the image but there's a secret I'll share with you.  The background dp is actually 2 pieces which I carefully matched together and the image and blue CS are covering up a 'hole' in one piece where a piece had been cut for some other project.

     I keep saying, "Don't toss the scraps!  They can be used."  :-D

     I added one of my signature, hand-sewn bows which had been 'dyed' with ProMarker to match the flowers.  The sentiment was printed and cut with an Avery Elle die.

     Challenges:

Ally's Angels

Bastel-Traum

Carlin's Card Paradise

CCC Digi Creations

Classic Design

Crafty Hazelnut's

Creative Moments

LeAnn's World

Pixie's Snippets

     We really want to see you playing in our challenge this week.  Remember, "Anything Goes" and all you have to do is submit them with the link up tool on the challenge blog.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gnome Couple

     I'm back with yet another DT card for our newest weekly challenge at Creative Knockouts.  This week our theme is "Love or Valentines" and we're sponsored by the fabulous Laurie Furnell Ink.  I used this adorable Gnome Couple from Laurie's "Valentine Gnomes" set.  Aren't they perfect for any Valentine celebration?

Card shape cut w Tattered Lace die

Colored w ProMarkers

Image cut w Tattered Lace die

Sentiment printed & hand cut

     Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Double D

House Stamps Built

Mod Squad

Paper Funday

Paper Minutes

Passion for ProMarkers

TTCRD

     Be sure to come and play in our challenge this week!  What better theme with Valentine's Day arriving on Sunday?  It's a perfect chance to make that last minute card you forgot you would need.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

'Sailing' the River

      I've loved Mo's Digital Pencil images since I saw my first one several years ago.  The gnomes I used for this card were merged so that I could print them together with the sentiment onto a scrap bit of CS.  In fact, everything except the card base is made from scraps.

      One of my favorite things is ice skating - watching it, not doing it!  lol  It's a skill I never mastered. 

Colored w ProMarkers & gel pen

Cut w QuicKutz die

Blue and brown CS are scraps, cut w QuicKutz dies

Snowflakes cut from scrap w mini punch

Snowflake ribbon is also a scrap

     Challenges:

ABC Christmas

Artsy Stamper

Crafty Gals Corner

Cute Card Thurs

Incy Wincy

Lemon Shortbread

Passion for ProMarkers

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Pixie's Snippets

     Enjoy the holidays and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Gnomes

      This is my latest DT card for Conie Fong featuring merged images from two different sets, "Santa's Sack" (the upper presents) and "Christmas Gnomes" (the lower gnomes and packages.)  I absolutely adore gnomes (second only to dragons!) and Conie Fong has some of the cutest ones around.  You really should check out all her gnome set which have Christmas or Winter themes.  You can see them all simply by browsing the store.

I used red, green, plus neutrals from CMH Color Dare #423.

Colored w ProMarkers

Cut w Gina Marie die

Background dp is a scrap

Satin ribbon

Sentiment heat embossed and hand cut

Snowflakes cut w Art Impressions dies

     Challenges:

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Crafty Catz

Cute Card Thurs

Outlawz Festive Fri

Paperbabe Stamps

Pattie's Creations

Scrapping4Fun

Winter Wonderland

     That's all I have today but remember that Conie Fong has two challenges every month on the Facebook page; one is for coloring only and the other for hand-colored, finished projects.  Each challenges requires that you use a Conie Fong image.  Come play.  You could win more Conie Fong images!  

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Little Gnomes

     Beccy's Place has a fabulous (and optional!) "Flip a Coin" board on their challenge this month.  The theme is always Anything Goes with a Beccy's image but the optional board made the challenge that much more fun.  :-D

     I used two of Beccy's gnomes, merged before printing (which wasn't all that easy because they are jpg files, not png files!)

(Decorated envelope)

Here's the board and a list of those I used:

1.  Blues, purples, greens

2.  Square card

3. Ribbon or Lace

4. Something shiny

5.  Decorate the envelope

Colored w/ ProMarkers

Glossy Accents added to lantern glow (for the shine)

Cut with QuicKutz lg square die

Corners done w/ Fiskars punch

Striped paper from DCWV

Lacy mesh ribbon

Dot embellies made w/ dots punched from corners

Envelope liner and decoration made w/ same dp

     Challenges:
Allsorts
Aud Sentiments
Cardz TV
Carlin's Card Paradise
Colour Crazy
Creative Fingers
Cute Card Thurs
Outlawz Festive Fri
Stamping Sensations

     Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.  I appreciate all who leave comments of encouragement and who follow my blog.  In these times when we can't physically reach out to friends and family IRL, having contact from blogging and crafting friends makes the days feel brighter and cheerier.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Gnome Road

     I've always smiled at gnomes; they seem such an engaging sort of creature.  But a few years back when my blogging buddy, Linda - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/ - revealed that her hubby really loves gnomes, I sent him a gnome card I had made.  For some reason from that point on, I began looking at gnomes differently, with more appreciation and joy over them.  They are now a close rival to dragons (yes, even pocket dragons) in my affections and I search artists for gnomes quite often.

     This gnome, from Mo's Digital Pencil, seemed rather wise in the ways of tramping the world's roads so I paired him with that Mo's sentiment.  This card will be going to a grandson for his 21st birthday, that magical age when all roads seem possible.  :-D

Colored w/ ProMarkers and water color pencils
Cut w/ stitched die from Cottage Cutz
Scrap dp for background
Jute cord, 2 colors, wrapped and tied

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Colouring in Scrapland
Crafter's Castle
Crafty Sentiments
Get Creative
Outlawz PAM
Paperminutes
TTCRD

     I hope you are having a marvelous weekend.  Take some time for yourself and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Welcome Gnome

     Any time gnomes are photographed on a large mushroom, it's a sure sign they have a new home!  They quickly email the pic to all their gnome friends so that the friends will know where they are, and then they disappear into the forest undergrowth so that no humans can find them.  True story - don't doubt me!   :-D

     This darling image came from SheepSki Designs, provided for the progressive challenge at The Outlawz.

Colored with ProMarkers & fussy cut
Bird is machine embroidered
Sentiment printed and hand cut
Metal brads for embellishment

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time to...
A Perfect Time...
Angie's Digital
Art Impressions
Cardz TV
Crafty Friends
Dare 2B Artzy
Lil Patch of...

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Gnome for Christmas

     Our newest monthly challenge has begun today over at SheepSki Designs.  Our theme this month is "Favorite Things" and Gnomes falls right into that category for me.  The image I used is called "Gnome for Christmas."

Colored with pencils and ProMarkers
Aleene's Snow on beard
Stickles added to ornaments
Frame cut with Die-namics stitched die
Stitches enhanced with ProMarker
Signature, hand-sewn bow
Sentiment done with white gel ink

     Challenges:
A Bit More Time ...
Aud Sentiments
Christmas w the Cuties
Classic DT
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Friends
Creatalicious
Die Cut Divas
Outlawz PAM

     I really want to see you playing along in our challenge this month.  Sadly, this is my last month on the DT at SheepSki Designs and I'm going to miss being there.  My blogging life is taking me down a slightly different path which includes more responsibilities starting in the new year and I'm having to cut back on the number of teams I currently serve.  To those of you still on the SheepSki team, I'm waving a sad goodbye but I'll come by as often as possible and play in the upcoming challenges.
 
     Hugs and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Welcome Gnome

     Yes, the title is a deliberate pun and this card is going to new neighbors who just moved into the neighborhood.  They have a cute garden gnome in their yard so I thought this image would work well to welcome them.  Image is from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I did a CAS card with a masculine feel since I have no idea about their tastes or preferences and simple always works.

Sketch from Cheerful Sketches.

     I used:
ProMarkers
QuicKutz dies
Kraft CS
Linen embossing folder (yellow CS) (scrap)
Bleached CS (green) (scrap)

     Challenges:
Crafts Galore Encore
Creative Craft Cottage
Creative Moments
Morgan's ArtWorld
Paper Funday
Your Scrapbook Place

     Update:  My shoulder is healing slowly and is better than it was even a week ago.  Most activities are still being done by using my left hand/arm but I'm able to piece together a CAS card or two as long as I don't overdo it.  Typing is still forbidden, except the occasional, one-handed, left hand, hunt-and-peck, 10 minute foray, and not much gets done in that short span of time.  But the healing process is ongoing and I hope to be back to normal (an odd word to describe me! lol) within the month.  I figure I can give up brushing my hair with my right hand if it means I can have a crafting session for half an hour.  Thanks for your prayers.

     Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

The Ladybug Whisperer

     Good Friday morning to all of you!  As you know, if it's Friday, I'm showcasing a card for the new challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme is always "Anything Goes."  This week, I got charmed by another gnome image ("Knome and Ladybug" - unfortunately misspelled in the shop but you can click on the link to get there) and I thought he looked like a Ladybug Whisperer.  Or maybe that's just his pet.  :-D

     I used ProMarkers and water colors to color the image, then used Sue Wilson dies to cut the image and the delicate, flowery, frame.  I inlaid the image into the frame and matted them both with a die cut piece of green CS.  I printed and matted the sentiment before adding that entire piece to a "linen" embossed card front.

     The polka dot ribbon came from my stash and I dug out one of the wrapped, burlap twine, bow tie, bows that are in my basket.  I made several dozen of those over a weekend and am still finding them useful when I want a bit of extra texture.

     Challenges:
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Addicts
Crafty Creations
Creative Inspirations
Creative Moments
Ellibelle's Crafty Weds.
Paper Shelter
Scrappy Land
Simon Says Stamp
Word Art Weds.

     Come play with us this week and Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Down the Aisle

     This sweet image is from Gerda Steiner Designs and is perfect for the upcoming wedding season.  I adore these little gnomes.  :-D  I know gnomes are supposedly only mythological, but if they exist, obviously they get married!  :-D

I used the colors from the challenge at 

House of Cards.

     I colored with  ProMarkers, then cut the image with a Gina Marie die.  I matted it with red CS to pull out the red in the roses.  The strip of red behind the lace and ribbon is another piece of that same CS even though it looks more pink.   The flowers were in my stash.

     Challenges:
Colour Inspiration Monday
Crafting from the Heart
Cutie Pie
Everybody Art
Gerda Steiner Designs
Get Creative
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Simon Says Stamp and Show
TTCRD

     I just discovered that I didn't finish this post last night so it didn't get scheduled.  But here it is now and I hope you enjoy.  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Mushroom Gnomes

     I've been participating in the card exchange at Card Chain Challenge for about 4 months now and I'm already signed up to play again in August.  Click on the link above if you think you might want to get involved.

     Today I'm showing you the exchange card I sent out in July.  I used a sweet image from Toadstool Printables.

I started with the sketch from CCC:

and also used one of the theme options, "Mythical Creatures."

     Every month you get lots of options: a sketch, colors, at least three possible themes, usually three optional products you can use, and there's always the option of ignoring all of those and just doing a "Friendship" card.  

     I hand-colored with my ProMarkers, then did an out-of-the-box die cutting technique, using an Unbranded die.   I added yellow ribbon and a few scattered sequins, plus a fabric daisy, then added the sentiment.  All of that went onto an embossed card front.

     Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Gnome Granny

     Another Friday, another new challenge at QKR Stampede.  This week, we want to see "Splatters or Sprays."  I dug out two of my favorite sprays by Dylusions and, while they are favorites especially when used together, I have to admit they've been languishing in the stash for many, many months.  So it was great to have this challenge theme and use them again.

     I've wanted to use this darling "Gnome Lady" (called Knome Lady Digi 4101 in the store - a typo, perhaps, but nevertheless stuck with that name if you are going to search for it) ever since I saw it on another DT member's card a while back.  Today seemed a good day for it.

I first looked at the sketch on C.R.A.F.T.,

reversed it and angled the sentiment 

instead of putting it perfectly horizontal.

     I started by coloring her with my ProMarkers and then fussy cutting her.  I picked up two scraps of white CS, otherwise headed for the trash bin, and sprayed one with green iridescent spray and the other with purple.  I pieced those together and trimmed the edges to make them into a distressed square.   Then I die cut the black framing piece (Impression Obsession die), also a scrap, and layered everything together.

     I printed the sentiment and matted it with a tiny scrap left on the desk when I cut the purple sprayed piece.  I inked the edges of everything with a black marker.  Next, I dug through the ribbon stash and found the three different ribbons.  I layered the shiny wide ribbon that looks like lace and the sparkly purple ribbon together and wrapped them around the card front.  I used the third ribbon to tie the bow.  Again, all scrap pieces and you know how self-satisfied I feel when I use up snippets instead of throwing them out!  :-D.

     Challenges:
Aud Sentiments
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with an Attitude
Crafty Ribbons
DL.ART
Double D
DRS Designs
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Pixie's Snippets Playground
Scrapy Land
Time Out
Word Art Weds.

     That's all I have for today.  Hope we're going to see you playing along this week.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie