myasperations 8-29-25a

   I needed a few more entries for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) August challenge, and this is the third of four that I made on Wednesday. It features a pair of sweet Christmas digis from an amazing artist named Mo Manning. The base of the digi is actually a paper doll named Lula. Instead of dressing her in her fairy garb (part of the paper doll set), she donned a lovely gown and set of wings (from a free digi set) to become a Christmas angel! I printed an extra set of her praying hands, fussy-cut, and adhered them with foam tape to add some depth to the card. 

             

Supplies: 

·    Digi set from Mos Digital Pencil (Lula Fairy Doll)

·    Freebie Digi set  from Mos Digital Pencil (Lula Angel Wings)

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

·    Card Base with navy border- from a boxed set of cards/envelopes found at a local thrift store

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

·   Inside Sentiment- “Adventure is out there” Freebie from Lovesvg.com (Note you need to open an account to access freebies)

Vellum Musical Score paper- Hobby Lobby

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #60 Aug 2025         

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG

The Paper Shelter- Music to my Ears   

CRAFT Challenge  #762 Christmas      

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #803: Special Occasions  

   Since I’m a DT for All Dressed Up FB Challenge, I’m entering just for fun. Please don’t include me in prize draw!  

   This is my second entry into the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge (Shape-oval, Cue-leaves). It features a pretty nosegay or Tussie-Mussie (which are names for a tiny bouquet in Victorian times). I grew them in a little flower garden a few decades ago and dried them in a flower press. When completely dry, I carefully layered an assortment of the leaves and flowers atop a square of packing tape. (This process can’t be rushed because once they stick to the tape, they can’t be lifted/moved.) When positioned as desired, I carefully laid another, larger square on top and gently pressed them together. An oval die helped cut an opening in a piece of dotted swiss paper to create a frame for the dried flowers. A small white plastic doily added a nice vintage feeling!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including the Time Out Challenge (Theme: Friendship, encouragement, support)- I made this card to send to a BFF from high school who suffered several strokes in June, 3 weeks before our 50th class reunion. She has some difficulty speaking right now, so I've been sending her weekly cards to remind her that I'm thinking of and praying for her. Her daughter has told me that the cards really brighten both their days.  I'm hoping she will like this one!) 

Supplies: 

·    Small flowers and foliage from our front garden, dried in a flower press back in the early 2000s.

·    Sentiments-Computer Generated

·    Butterfly sticker embellishing inside sentiment- Dollar Store

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

·    Small plastic doily, patterned paper, cardstock, ribbon misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #296 (Theme Challenge)  Friendship, encouragement, support  

Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge- Aug 2025  

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)   Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival,  

    This is my second entry into the current Double D’s Challenge theme of Butterflies. It will be added to gift bags of handcrafted cards that I keep stocked for weddings, graduations, etc. 

     A bright lime green card front provides a color complement to the shades of pink in the lovely peonies, which were freebies from a favorite FB group, Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC. The group sponsor, Paulette Slater, offers dozens of wonderful freebies regularly, many with a vintage vibe. (You can check it out HERE! If you join, you’ll have access to thousands of digital images and sentiments. You can also search for specific items or topics).  I printed the precolored peonies,  fussy-cut, then layered and adhered them onto a scalloped oval frame from my scrapbook stash. I found the free digi of butterflies on the web several years ago. I often print them onto a sheet of vellum, which adds a touch of translucency to their wings. This time, unable to find my vellum in my partially de-cluttered craft room, I printed them on white cardstock. After some careful fussy-cutting, I adhered the butterflies, then used an extra fine-line black marker to touch up their bodies a bit, plus add antennas. A sentiment and a few clear rhinestones add the final touches!

     One added note-several years ago I saw a video where a paper-crafter (I think maybe Jennifer McGuire) gave a tip about fussy-cutting small items, or tight spaces that I now always use. It is simple and requires no special tools. Just attach a strip of transparent tape on the underside of the printed or stamped item or section that could easily be accidentally clipped off. The tape provides a layer of protection from accidental tearing of the paper while cutting, and also lessens the risk of cutting through small items, like flower stems, or the space where butterfly wings attach to a delicately frail body! 

Supplies: 

·    Pink Peony digi set is freebie from a FB group-Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC (This digi is no longer available, but if you search “Peonies” or “peony” there are many other options!)

·    Butterfly embellishments- free digis from what-a-beautiful-mess.blogspot.com (HERE)

·    Front Sentiment “Happy Spring…”-Freebie from TlcCreations (Happy Spring)

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

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

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge-Butterflies  (photo)   

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #714-715 AG/Family Friendly

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept  

myasperations 8-29-25

     I needed a few more entries for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) August challenge, and this is the second of four that I made on Wednesday. It features a sweet Christmas digi from an amazing artist named Mo Manning. This digi, named Treetopper, is a freebie that serves as the focal point of my card. I added a few festive touches, using strips of a musical score to add the center portion of the Sketch, and drew little holly leaves and berries on the dress of the little cutie, adding the final touch to her decorated tree!

  

Supplies: 

·    Digi- A freebie from Mos Digital Pencil (Treetopper)

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

·    Card Base with holly digis- boxed set of cards/envelopes found at a local thrift store

·    Front Sentiment- from Laurel Beard Creative  ( freebie from Spring 2025 Card Maker Success Summit) Learn more/sign up for her newsletter HERE)

·    Vellum Musical Score paper- Hobby Lobby

·    Inside Sentiment-The Paper Shelter digi set (Vintage X-mas Designs)

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #60 Aug 2025         

The Paper Shelter- Music to my Ears   

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)      Santa’s Village

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky

   This is my first entry into the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge (Shape-oval,  Cue-leaves) featuring a beautiful bouquet of tulips in a watering can from Beccy’s Place. I used a precolored digi, adding a bit  of shading to the leaves with markers, and created a velvety “texture” on the petals with a white colored pencil, to bring the tulips to life.

Supplies: 

·    Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

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

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

·    Front Sentiment “Thinking of You”- Victorine Originals Digis (Company no longer in business)

·    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-AG

Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge- Aug 2025  

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #604 Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept 

    This is my first entry into the current Double D’s Challenge with a theme of Butterflies. The card base features a scripture verse that was a freebie from a Facebook group I frequently visit, Free Printables for Your Junk Journaling with TLC. The group sponsor, Paulette Slater, offers dozens of wonderful freebies regularly, many with a vintage vibe.. (You can check out the FB group HERE! If you join, you’ll have access to thousands of digital images and sentiments. You can also search for specific items or topics.)

     I found the free digi of lovely butterflies on the web several years ago. I like to print them onto a sheet of vellum, which adds a touch of translucency to their wings. After carefully fussy-cutting the butterflies from the vellum, I used a fine-line black marker to outline their wings, add the antennae, and round out their bodies and heads if needed.  

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out Challenge (Theme: Friendship, encouragement, support)- My card features a scripture verse that has always provided me with encouragment during the many difficult times in my life).

 

Supplies: 

·    Digi- Scripture framed with floral accents from FB group-Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC (This digi is no longer available, but if you search “Scripture” there are many other options!)

·    Butterfly embellishments- free digis from what-a-beautiful-mess.blogspot.com (HERE) printed on vellum

·    Details added with a fine-line permanent black Sharpie marker 

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

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

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge-Butterflies    

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #296 (Theme Challenge)  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #714-715 AG/Family Friendly

myasperations 8-27-25

    It has been an honor to serve as a Guest DT at Word Art Wednesday over the last few months. This challenge has been a favorite for many years, and I loved getting to know several of the team members who help make it happen. They are good people!! 

    One of the "behind the scenes" team members is our talented Word Art Designer, Karen M. The way Karen creatively weaves fonts and words together brings the verses to life! For this new verse, from Psalm 105, she combined two font styles to proclaim a powerful promise from our God, especially when framed and mounted atop a glorious stained glass panel that displays several of His majestic gifts. Amen and Amen! 

Supplies:

Pink and Main- Set of 8 Cardfronts (Stained Glass Views Card Panels) 

Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  

Front Sentiment- Scripture verse from Word Art Wednesday (8-27-25) 

Inside Sentiment- back of a church friend's business card 

Butterfly digi from a Fred She Said digi set (Distressed Butterfly & Blossoms) 

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

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #604 Anything Goes

   In November, I’m teaching a stamping class for the County's “Learning In Retirement” group. Last Friday, I was excited to learn that the class had sold out, and a “waiting list” is filling up! I also learned that I can sell cards and related items there. So, I'm now making not only Christmas/holiday cards, but also assorted theme cards that can be options for people when they select cards to include in a pre-decorated gift bag. This is one of the cards I’ll offer for that purpose!  

Supplies: 

·  Grand Piano (Precolored) Digi and sentiments- from an Imagine That digi set (Company is no longer in business)

·    Pioneer Clear Photo corners- available from several sources

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

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

·    Music score patterned paper, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept  

The Paper Shelter- Music to my Ears   

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #714-715 AG/Family Friendly

     This month has been flying past! I want to add a few more entries to the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) August challenge. This is the first of four cards that I finished yesterday, utilizing the sketch. It features an adorable snowman digi from Fred She Said (I used the precolored version and added details with markers and my trusty white gel pen… to make it my own!)

 

Supplies: 

·    Precolored Digi- Fred She Said digi set (Snow Lady-Light Up Your Holidays)

·    Additional shading, highlighting and snowflake added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·    Front Sentiment “Let It Snow” from Bugaboo Stamps  (Sadly company is closed)

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #60 Aug 2025        

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)      Badlands Snow Park (WI)

Rudolph Days Challenge- August

myasperations 8-26-25

   During August, the theme for challenges at the We Craft Cards Forum is “Vintage.” I am hosting the final challenge, which will highlight vintage clothing or attire. I provided two cards to show examples. This first one features fashion from the '60s-'70s! (Some of us remember those years quite well!) Disco was all the rage, so this digi set from Beccy’s Place is a perfect fit for the challenge.

Supplies: 

·   Digi & sentiment from a Beccy’s Place set that is sadly, no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

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

·    Sparkly shooting star stickers- Dollar Store

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

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

Entered into:  

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug) Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort (50's-60's Retro Modern 

      Vacation Theme Park)

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (It's A Colourful World)         

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky 

    My second sample card for the We Craft Cards Forum Vintage theme features sports attire, specifically a football jersey and helmet. I liked the football digi as a sketch, but I used my Word program to turn it from grey into sepia tones. I’ve had the football washi tape in my stash for several years (possibly Oriental Trading Company?) so it was fun to finally use it. Also, since I live in "Packer Country" and there was little coloring on the card (just a bit of shading and highlighting), all of the embellishments are green and gold. Go Pack!

    An added note, I opted to make this a Father’s Day card to include in a gift bag filled with handmade cards that I give for weddings, graduation,s and sometimes Christmas gifts.    

Supplies: 

·   Digi-Freebie from TlcCreations (Vintage Football)

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

·    Sentiments-Computer Generated

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

·    Football washi tape, patterned papers, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 9, Week 4- AG                     

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #712-713 AG/Family Friendly

   This is my final back-to-school card, made for a friend's son, who is excited to start 3rd grade tomorrow! I wanted to add one more card to the current Time Out Challenge, so I used a blue/brown color scheme. (I even hand-colored the kraft photo corners with a dark blue marker to add one additional shade of blue to the card.)

    The sweet image, from Sassy Cheryl’s Stamps, is no longer available. However, Cheryl now shares her digis at Whimsy Stamps. You can find 56 of her wonderful digis HERE.

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sassy Cheryl's Stamps Back to School (no longer available)

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

·   Front Sentiment “You Are Awesome” (skogstokiga- Blog closed))

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

·    Inside Sentiments are from a Beccy’s Place set, no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only))

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

·    Star punch, patterned papers, silver glitter papers, other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #295 (Photo Inspirations)   

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: August  

Di’s Digi Stamps-Die Cuts and/or Punches