Tuesday, October 7, 2025

myasperations 10-7-25

   This is my DT card for the “New Release Inspiration” Day for artist Wendy Burns' latest creations at All Dressed Up Stamps.  It features the digi" Christmas Sprinkles" with all its yummy details! I loved pairing it with patterned paper I’ve had in my stash for several years. A dear friend had sent me a card in a handmade envelope. The envelope was made with this paper! I was thrilled that the envelope provided me with enough paper to create the background for this card, and also allowed me to fussy-cut embellishments for the sentiment inside. So fun!
     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Pink & Main: Favorite Things (I love all things Christmas, especially the wonderful treats! The fragrance of gingerbread and sugar cookies reminds me of my dear mom and grandma, and yummy Norwegian Sandbakkels remind me of my MIL. All were top-notch bakers.)
 
Supplies: 
·    Digi- All Dressed Up Stamps (Christmas Sprinkles)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Front Sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

·    Inside Sentiment- from an Imagine That! Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Company is no longer in business)

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Patterned paper,  other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 11, Week 2-AG                     
Pink & Main Challenge- #8: Favorite Things  
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Oct (Christmas)         
Outlawz Challenge-Oct 2025 Linky  

     I had fun making this fun Halloween card using a wonderful background scene (a Freebie from Di’s Digi) and an adorable digi from Sweet November Stamps named “Halloween Scrappy”.  I’m a dog person… and the look on Scrappy’s face shows so much excited anticipation of going Trick or Treating with his little humans makes me smile. (When I first saw this digi, I envisioned making his ghost costume a bit transparent by using a layer of vellum. I did it… but it was a bit more work than I'd planned!)
    Note- if you aren't interested in details of how to replicate this card, you can skip the rest of this post as it's a bit long!) I first sketched in a few “pieces” of little Scrappy’s body that were hidden by the sheet, but would show through the vellum (mainly, the left side of his head, left shoulder, and the right side of his body from neck to ground.) I also had to trace the sheet onto a piece of vellum, trim around it, and cut out the needed sections where his body would be visible. It took a little time to figure out this step, but I finally got it worked out so it fits around and could also be adhered to the backside of the image. Whew! When I placed the finished ghost onto the background, I quickly realized that the vellum was too transparent. (See the last photo) I dug through my paper options and found a small writing table of lightweight white paper that we used to refer to as “onion skin”. I quickly traced and trimmed the item, then wrapped it around Scrappy... sighed. Here was the look I wanted. Yay! After that, the card went together quickly. Yay! I now plan to make a few more of these cards now that I have figured out how to make them with little fuss! So Fun!
 
Supplies: 

·    Background-Freebie from Di’s Digi FB page (Join Di’s FB page HERE, you can find this digi HERE.)

·    Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Halloween Scrappy)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens

·    Front Sentiment- Desert Diva Freebie (hello!)

·    Inside Sentiment- Freebie from TLC Creations (FabBOOlous Halloween)

·    Mead 6 x 9 Writing Tablet- Plain/unlined, 100 Sheets, 15# weight paper

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Board-Oct (twist-Halloween Jack-o-lanterns) 
Double D’s Challenge-Trick or Treat Smell my Feet   
Di’s Digi Stamps-Hand Colored Image  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct 
Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #122 Theme- Amazing Autumn 

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this card is for the new challenge at Simon Says Wednesday, “Think Pink”! I used a cute digi image from Eureka Stamps, which is sure to bring a smile to the face of one of my sweet great-nieces. She loved dinosaurs…. which are kinda like dragons, right? And the card has lots of sparkles. Win-win for Great-Aunt Kathy!!
Supplies: 

·    Digi- Eureka (Birthday Dragon) (Currently not available)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens

·    Stickles- Diamonds

·    Front Sentiment “Cheers”- Sticker set from JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

·    Inside Sentiment “Warm Birthday Wishes”- a freebie from Birdscards.com (Blog now closed)

·    Silver photo corners available from several web sources (WXJ13 Photo Mounting Corners)

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Patterned papers, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Think Pink
Crafty Catz Challenge- # 701 Sept 26- Oct 8 (Optional- Fall)
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Oct)   How to Train Your Dragon
Paper Funday- #81 Anything Goes  (Cute)

Monday, October 6, 2025

myasperations 10-6-25

     This year, the Path of Positivity is challenging you to Embrace the Unexpected!  This month's theme is "Unexpected colours for a holiday [of your choice]" (More theme information can be found HERE. 
     Note- This theme is optional, so as long as your creation is positive or encouraging in some way, enter it into the POP challenge for a chance to win $6 worth of images from our sponsor, Scribbles Designs, and/or be honored as one of our special "picks"!
     My card features a wonderful digi from Scribbles Designs named "Woodland Santa" and the "Unexpected Christmas Color Scheme" is blue and brown... with lots of plaid!  
 
Supplies:
·    Digi- Scribble Design (Woodland Santa)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Front Sentiment- from a Sande's Poema Nordic Winter set (Obtained via a weekly email newsletter which you can join HERE, or check out the FB page HERE for additional info.)

·    Inside Sentiment- “... Cozy Christmas,” a freebie from Birdscards.com (Blog now closed)

·    Patterned paper, vellum, and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Oct)   Santa’s Village    
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Oct (Christmas)         
Outlawz Challenge-Oct 2025 Linky  

    I made several Halloween cards earlier this month, and this is one of them! It features a Halloween digi from an amazing artist named Mo Manning. (Sadly, this digi was just retired, but Mo has other wonderful digis on her new website HERE) My siblings and I loved watching old B&W monster movies back in the 60’s, and Creature from the Black Lagoon was a favorite. So I had fun making this Halloween card, which I plan to send to one of my brothers. I think he’ll get a kick out of it!
   
Supplies: 
·    Background-Freebie from Di’s Digi FB page (Join Di’s FB page HERE, you can find this digi HERE.)

·    Halloween Digi- from Mo’s Digital Pencil (Troy's Monster Pack). This digi is retired, but you can find Mo’s new website HERE

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll White & Sparkle gel pens

·    Front Sentiment “Got candy?” is from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

·    Inside Sentiment- a freebie from skogstokiga.blogspot.com (Sadly, blog is closed)

·    Pumpkin candy holder- upcycled from a newspaper Halloween candy ad

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Board-Oct (twist-Halloween/Jack-o-lanterns) 
Double D’s Challenge-Trick or Treat Smell my Feet   
Di’s Digi Stamps-Hand Colored Image  
Paper Funday- #81 Anything Goes  (Optional Twist: Cute or Creepy)

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this card is for the new challenge at Simon Says Wednesday, with the theme “Think Pink”! I used a beautiful digi image from Pink & Main (the sponsor of the Challenge.) It is a freebie named “Sakura Wallpaper,” and it’s intended to be used as wallpaper on a laptop. However, I thought it would work beautifully on a card… and I think it does! A lacy punched border embellished with ribbon added a nice touch. However, after cropping a few of the pretty flowers from the digi, printing, coloring, fussy-cutting and adding them to the border with a bit of ribbon finishes the card with a Voilà!   
 I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Pink & Main: Favorite Things (one of my favorite things is making cards to send to friends and family who might need some encouragement or comfort. This one will be sent to a dear high school friend who had three strokes a few months ago and is going through a tough time. I send her a card every week, and it provides a wonderful way to keep in touch with her!)  
Supplies: 

·    Pre-colored Digi with sentiment- Pink & Main freebie (Sakura Wallpaper)

·    Shading and highlights added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Inside Sentiment- from a Jan’s Digi Stamps set (Company is no longer in business)

·    Martha Stewart Crafts Punch Around The Page-Swirling Lace Punch Set (occasionally available on EBay, etc.)

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Think Pink
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #718-719 AG/Family Friendly
Pink & Main Challenge- #8: Favorite Things       

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

myasperations 10-1-25

  The last few weeks, I’ve neglected my blog for a longer time than ever before, and I appreciated your messages of concern. (I love my blog land friends!) As my sweet hubby of 48 years moves through the stages of MS, no doctor can tell us how long this devastating disease will continue or provide any help in dealing with it. What I most want right now is to spend as much time with Rich as possible, especially as the holidays draw near. They truly are our favorite time of the year! 
  So, here is my plan- over the last few days, I've made a few posts to share cards I created earlier this month for several current challenges. In the coming months, I plan to continue in my DT responsibilities for the All Dressed Up and Path of Positivity challenges as long as I can. Other than that, entering challenges or posting to my blog will be on an occasional basis. So, I hope to see you from time to time!  

   It’s October first, which means I get to share my DT card for All Dressed Up (ADU) Stamps monthly FB Challenge. The theme is “Fall” and my card features an adorable digi name, “Tip Toe.”  My card features bright colors that just shout "Autumn is coming... Autumn is HERE!"  
                       
Supplies: 
·    Digi- All Dressed Up Digital Stamp (Tip Toe)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Front Sentiment- from RG Avenue Stamps Newsletter Freebie (no longer available)

·    Inside Sentiment-“Happy Fall” from Power Poppy’s Digital Stamp Set (Autumns Opulence)

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Patterned paper, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct (Optional twist- Trees and/or Leaves) 
Inspiration Station- Challenge #77 Inspiration Prompt (My card was inspired by seasonal fall colors) 
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #808: Autumn Colors  
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Board-Sept (twist- Fall is in the air)  
Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky 

     This card is my third entry into the current Time Out Challenge which requires that we incorporate at least two of the words provided which inspired us when creating our entries. The “Pick Two” items I included in my card are Season (Autumn, and it’s candy extravaganza named Halloween), and Metallic (I cut strips of  aluminum foil tape that is used for ductwork to decorate the corners of the card and to add the "handle" to the little ghoulie's candy basket.)
   The scenic base of the card is from one of my favorite freebie sites for digis. (This digi is no longer available, but the group sponsor, Paulette Slater, provides dozens of free sentiments and digis monthly to site members. If you join, you can access this digi HERE. Also, Paulette offers sets of digis on a website where I found a digi set named Autumn In My Town with several similar scenes.)
      The card also features a fun Halloween digi from an amazing artist named Mo Manning. (Sadly, this digi was just retired, but Mo has other wonderful digis on her new website HERE)
 
Supplies:
·    Background-Freebie from Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC on FB. 
·    Halloween Digi- from Mo’s Digital Pencil (Monster Pack) This digi is retired, but you can find Mo’s new website HERE

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll White. Silver & Sparkle gel pens

·    Front Sentiment “Got candy?” is from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

·    Inside Sentiment- a freebie from DDDoodles (Ghoulish Halloween)

·    Pumpkin candy holder- upcycled from a newspaper Halloween candy ad

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Time Out Challenge- Challenge #298 “Pick Two…” Challenge  
Double D’s Challenge-Trick or Treat Smell my Feet    
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Sept (Colours Of The Season) 
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Oct)   Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this card is for the new challenge at Simon Says Wednesday, “Think Pink”! I used a beautiful digi image from Stamplorations that I colored in shades of Pink!
An added note- In 2022, STAMPlorations artist/owner Shery Russ was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Thankfully, Shery’s cancer is no longer active, but her recovery journey with therapy, bloodwork, and scans will continue for some time. (You can read about her family’s breast cancer journey HERE.) Their shop remained open, in a limited capacity, for some time but is now back to normal. Stamps (clear and digital), Dies,  Paper Goods, Clear Stickers, Stencils and Masks, Outlet (items at 50%-80% off!), and Mystery Grab Bags are all available. They ship internationally, and are offering 10% off all orders!)
Supplies: 
·    Digi- Stamplorations Framed Rose and Cupcake from a digi set (Love A2 Card Fronts)

·    Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Think Pink
Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #606 Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #718-719 AG/Family Friendly