myasperations 12-28-25

    As 2025 moves quickly toward a close, I’m eating a gingerbread cookie and drinking a big mug of steaming coffee while writing this post… which will be my final one for December. (Mainly because the next few days will be busy. My sweet hubby and I celebrate our 48th Anniversary, spend Dec 30th watching our favorite holiday movies, and I’ll need to get rested up for my 60-something birthday in early January. Whew… like I said… BUSY!)

   I’ve had so much fun making cards to enter into this month's Colorful Options Challenge: Gingerbread and other treats.  The cute little gingerguy on this card is a free digi that I nabbed from Whimsie Doodles before it was closed down back in 2018. I printed the digi cookie and an additional copy of his left hand on Kraft cardstock, cut them out, then added some "browning" (shading) along his edges with my Spectrum Noir markers. I also dabbed on and rubbed in a bit of white chalk "flour" to add a touch of realism. Scribbles 3D Paint adds “frosting squiggles,” and a little dab of red Liquid Pearls adds his sweet little “red hot candy” nose! I printed the hot chocolate mug on white cardstock. I used markers to add a bit of color and shading, and a white gel pen to highlight the candy cane. I adhered the mug on top of the cookie with mounting squares to pop it out a bit. Then, cut the extra copy of his left hand and adhered it on top of the mug handle with mounting tape. Perfecto!

Supplies: 

·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  (Except I used a portrait vs a landscape format for my A2-sized card, and added a window cutout with an acetate “window” on the stand-up portion of the easel card) 

·   Gingerbread Digi (printed on kraft paper) from Whimsie Doodles (Sadly, shop closed in 2018. I miss Kel and her wonderful artwork)  

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

·   Scribbles White 3D Paint- adds “frosting” to the Gingerguy

·   Ranger Liquid Pearls: Ruby Red- adds red nose

·   Sentiments-Computer Generated

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

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

Entered into:  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Dec  Color Board (Gingerbread and other treats) 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Add A Sentiment  

    I stumbled upon a wonderful website a few years ago, which has provided me with not just some wonderful digi images, but also tips and techniques for coloring the digis. Kit and Clowder’s talented and generous artist/owner, Alyce Keegan, hosts an annual Advent Calendar of free digis on FB. I downloaded a few dozen this last month and colored several of them.

      This sweet Panda was the first I’ve colored and made into a card. (I did mess up on coloring his little envelope, so I used a few paper scraps to create a simple envelope of my own!) Because the envelope he is holding is sealed with a tiny heart, I created a Valentine's card and gave this little cutie center stage on its simple “Belly Band.”

 
 

Supplies: 

·   Tutorial for making a simple “belly band” can be found HERE.

·   Digi- Kit & Clowder Dec 2025 Advent Calendar Freebie (Panda Mail) Sign up on K&C FB page, HERE, to learn of future classes and freebies! (NOTE- Alyce is offering a wonderful Christmas present of four free digis and video instruction for coloring them with alcohol markers or colored pencils from Dec 25-Jan 12. So… check it out soon. HERE is the link.)

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

·   Valentine's Subway Art on front of card from TlcCreations (retired)

·   Inside Sentiment “Happy Valentine's Day”- a freebie from Lovesvg.com (Company appears to be closed) 

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

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

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #268 AG 

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #12-2025 Dec/Jan

    Instead of making a card with this second Kit & Clowder (K&C) digi, I let her be in the spotlight on a Christmas ornament for my optometrist’s daughter, Abby. When I learned that Abby was turning 8 years old on December 23rd, I noted that it is no fun to have a birthday so close to Christmas when you are a kid! Dr. Davis agreed and said that last year, Abby was thrilled when she got a small Christmas Tree from her parents, and was told she could decorate it in any way she wanted. Abby started collecting ornaments and set it up in her room the first part of December. 

    I realized that Abby needed a special ornament for her 8th birthday and got to work on making her one as soon as I got home. I printed off and, using the K&C colored photo as my guide, colored the little ballerina, carefully fussy-cut around her, tied sparkly ribbon on the candy cane, and set her aside to work on a base. I found a rustic slice of wood in my stash that was the perfect size for the base, hot-glued a strip of sparkly ribbon for a hanger, then adhered a brushed gold circle to add some sheen to the base. I perched the little dancer atop the ornament base and quickly saw that she just kind of blended into the background. So, I added a bit of magic by tracing her wings onto vellum, trimming them to size, adhered them to her back, and added bright green glitter to her wings and costume. The bling helped, but it wasn't until I used a black fine-line marker to add details that…Tada... she popped right off the base!  

     When I gave the ornament to Dr. Davis last Friday, he responded with the biggest smile ever! So, I’m thinking she will like it, too.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is one of my favorite challenges and has helped me to develop a whole bucket list of parks I want to visit before I… well… kick the bucket! I googled “Theme Parks with Ballet” and found that Disney offers an opportunity that sounds pretty amazing! Here's a bit of info from the website-“Dance The World offers exclusive dance opportunities like parades at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs, stage shows, workshops, and more!” and “Meet & Learn from Jenna Johnson from Dancing with the Stars… and participate in Master Classes for Student Dancers!”)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Kit & Clowder Dec 2025 Advent Calendar Freebie (Sugar Plum Fairy) Sign up on K&C FB page, HERE, to learn of future classes and freebies! (NOTE- Alyce is offering a wonderful Christmas present of four free digis and video instruction for coloring them with alcohol markers or colored pencils from Dec 25-Jan 12. So… check it out soon. HERE is the link.)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, Black Fine-line Sharpie Marker

·   Stickles- Sea Grass

·   Brushed Gold cardstock- Hobby Lobby

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

·   Vellum, gold-edged ribbon, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)      Dance the World Disney Summer

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #730-731 Annual Christmas Blog Hop (AG/Family Friendly)

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #125 Theme- Festive Sparkle 

myasperations 12-24-25

     For this card, I used one of my favorite digi sets from Beccy’s Place named "Lamb of God". I upcycled the front of a card for the background, adhering it to a jade green A2 card base with a slightly larger piece of metallic gold cardstock in between. I pasted the Nativity digi into my Word program, cropping Jesus in the manger from the larger digi and printing it off. Color and shading were added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, and highlights were added with my trusty Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen. After fussy-cutting Baby Jesus, I adhered a halo (small circle of metallic gold cardstock) behind his sweet head. Lastly, I  gently adhered him to the lower left corner of the card front, allowing room for the red heart embellishment I made to accent the “Treasure of the Heart” sentiment!

Supplies: 

·   Background (with many wonderful sentiments) is upcycled from an old card

·   Metallic Gold cardstock- Hobby Lobby

·   Nativity Image- Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set (Lamb of God) (Beccy recently closed her digi shop. You can check HERE to see if a clear stamp set is available. Or contact Beccy directly if you aren’t able to locate a retailer that carries it!)

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

·   Inside Sentiment-“May Love and Light….” Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set (Peace and Light)

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

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

Entered into:  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #730-731 Annual Christmas Blog Hop (AG/Family Friendly)

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)   Santa’s Village (includes Nativity)

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #125 Theme- Festive Sparkle  

     This is my final entry into this month's Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge.  It features one of the first digital images that I ever used, from a website named Dearie Dolls. Although the site's artist/owner, Mary Ellen, isn’t regularly posting new work, she has maintained the site, which is packed with free digis related to seasons/holidays, celebrations, sports, friends, family members, and more! I used the Dearie Dolls digi, plus papers from my stash, including a small scrap with a sketch of Santa that I paper-pieced onto the Chef’s coffee cup.

Supplies:

·   Digi- Free Dearie Dolls Digi Stamps (Coffee Chef) no longer available

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

·   Inside Sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Christmas Cheers) (Beccy recently closed her digi shop. You can check HERE to see if a clear stamp set is available.)

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

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

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #268 AG 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Add A Sentiment  

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #48 Dec 

     When decluttering, I found a gingerbread cookie gift tag/ornament that a friend gave me a few decades ago. It is created with a paper bag, and I wanted to make one to enter into the December Colorful Options Monthly Challenge, which has a theme of Gingerbread and other treats. I didn't have a template for the gift tag/ornament, and didn't want to take time to make one, so I conducted some web research and found a free Build a Gingerbread Man Coloring page, which provided a great option! It is larger than my original cookie, but that can be adjusted as desired. I wrote down the steps I used when making the ornament, and typed them up to help anyone who might want to make one! (An added note- if you request the free coloring page, I'll bet that any kiddos in your life will enjoy creating the sweet Gingerbread man! (Link is provided in my supplies list.) 

 

Supplies: 

·   Gingerbread man shape from www.gatheringbeauty.com (Build a Gingerbread Man Coloring Page) 

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

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

·   Paper bag, piece of quilt batting, thread or cord, buttons, ribbon, and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Dec  Color Board (Gingerbread and other treats) 

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #12-2025 Dec/Jan (Optional twist- Make It Merry) 

myasperations 12-23-25

    For this card, I used one of my favorite digi sets from Beccy’s Place named "Lamb of God". I printed the digi on kraft cardstock and colored it with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and my trusty Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen. I used an oval template to crop the image, then created a teal-colored card base, slightly larger than the A2 card front, that will allow the Nativity Image to be attached to a flap that extends from the back of the card and folds over the front.

                                

Supplies:

·   Background is upcycled from an old card

·   Nativity Image- Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set (Lamb of God) found HERE (Note: Auzz Trinklets and Crafts currently carries 65 of Beccy’s sets)

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

·   Sentiment inside of flap from Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set (Lamb of God)

·   Inside Sentiment-upcycled from an old card

·   Pioneer Clear 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:  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #818: Mega Christmas Challenge-Add a Sentiment  

      Since I’m a DT for All Dressed Up (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize!  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #268 AG 

The Paper Shelter- AG (opt-Christmas)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #730-731 Annual Christmas Blog Hop (AG/Family Friendly)

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)   Santa’s Village (includes Nativity)

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #125 Theme- Festive Sparkle (The sentiments on card front are foiled)

     This card features a yummy coffee image from a free digi set that I nabbed after I joined a FB group named "Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC". The group sponsor, Paulette Slater, provides dozens of free sentiments and digis on a monthly basis plus sets of affordable digis for members via a Kofi shop. (See details in Supplies list below.)   

Supplies: 

·   Yummy coffee image- from TlcCreates Vintage Junk Journal FB page (Sign up for the group HERE, then do a search for “coffee” and you’ll find this free digi and many more!)

·   Front Sentiment- Freebie from TlcCreations (Very Special Place) Retired, but you can find other freebies HERE

·   Sentiment Tag- “My friend…”- from Lili of the Valley digi set (Everyday Sentiment Tags)

·   Patterned Paper from a 6x6 Hobby Lobby paper pack (Vintage Christmas) On sale now at 50% off

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

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

·   Dark red cord, other, misc. items and tools are from my stash.

Entered into:  

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #12-2025 Dec/Jan

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Dec  Color Board + Yummy Latte 

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #48 Dec  

 

  I created this card, featuring an adorable image from Sweet November Stamps (SNS), the December challenge at SNS FB page, the current Snowman and/or Santa Challenge at Double D’s, and the Simon Says Wrap It Up Challenge. Found this little brown striped gift bag in my stash, and love the blue and brown color combo that it inspired! The little Let It Snow tag is also from my stash.  

Supplies: 

·   Digi image- Sweet November Stamps (Snow Friends: Melton)

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

·   Sentiment Tag- from my stash

·   Snowflake paper and Sparkly White Snowflakes- Hobby Lobby

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

·   Silver cord, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) Dec (AG/Winter Wonderland) 

Double D’s Challenge- Santa and/or Snowman     

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Wrap it Up  

     I wanted to get one more card entered into the Simon Says Wrap it Up challenge, and this easy-to-make Pillow Box helped me to create this fun way to "wrap" a gift! 

Supplies: 

·   Pillow Box Template/instructions found HERE

·   Sentiment Tag- Lili of the Valley digi set (Everyday Sentiment Tags)

·   Patterned papers- heavyweight giftwrap purchased at JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

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

·   Silver cord, green twine, corrugated cardboard, and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Via Pinterest- Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Wrap it Up