Monday, May 25, 2026

myasperations 5-25-26

     This card is my final entry into the monthly challenges at the Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge. It features one of my favorite Stamplorations digis named "Coffee Cup Parade." I printed one copy of the digi onto sage green striped patterned paper and one onto red cardstock. I then fussy-cut and adhered three of the red cups atop the green striped parade. When finished, I adhered the layered parade onto a scrap of the red cardstock and then onto snowflake-patterned paper.  I then fussy-cut several snowflakes from the background paper and used them to embellish the parade! The final step was to add sentiments and a few additional snowflake embellishments.
 
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Stamplorations (Coffee Cup Parade)

·   Snowflake patterned paper- purchased at JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

·   Front Sentiment- “Warm Holiday Wishes” from a Beccy’s Place Digi (Christmas Kitties) (Beccy closed her digi shop last year but still sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment from Polka Dot Orchard digi set (Merry Little Coffee)

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

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

Entered into:  
STAMPlorations- May 2026     

    The challenge at Inspiration Station inspired me to start working on replenishing my graduation card supply. This cute little grad digi from Bugaboo Stamps is one that I’ve used often because I like perching him on a sentiment or frame. For this card I perched him upon a glittery gold star. I colored Deacon’s gown and cap with deep burgundy since that is the color of the local school district. I upcycled an old card for the background, which also provides a flurry of “Celebrate” sentiments for this card front. The inside sentiment is from one of my favorite sites for freebies, and it is embellished by a few more glittery stars.
Supplies: 
·   Background scene is upcycled from an old card front

·   Deacon Grad Sitter digi is from Bugaboo Stamps (Sadly, company is no longer in business)

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

·   Stars cut from Glitter Gold Cardstock using a template from my scrapbook stash

·   Inside Sentiment-Dr Seuss quote freebie from Create with TLC (Available HERE)

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

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

Entered into: 

    This is my third entry into the current Time Out challenge with its wonderful Music theme. My Easter card features a vintage digi I found back in 2017 on a site called Create with TLC, which introduced me to digital images and offers lots of large collections of freebies. The vintage Easter digi features a bouquet of violets adorning a cross atop a musical score.  The Old Rugged Cross was one of my mom’s favorite hymns, plus violets are my favorite Spring flower, so I had fun creating this card.
     
Supplies: 

·   Front digi with sheet music background is a freebie from Create with TLC (Vintage Easter Cross)

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

·   Inside Sentiment- “He Is Risen” is from a packet of Easter Stickers from Hobby Lobby

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

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

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

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

Entered into: 
Time Out Challenge- Challenge #313 (Theme Challenge- Music)  

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Sunday, May 24, 2026

myasperations 5-24-26

   This is my second entry into the current Time Out challenge with a wonderful Music theme! My card features two items that I’ve had in my stash for several decades (the background template and the vellum sentiment), plus a set of metallic markers and a guitar sticker that I’ve picked up over the last year. I love how the rich shades of the metallic markers shimmer on the paper, and the guitar sticker jauntily perched atop the vellum sentiment adds a nice touch!
   An added note- The background image was created with a template I received at an Iris Fold class at a stamp store in South Dakota in the early 2000’s. (The template was one of four on a sheet of cardstock. I added a photo that shows the rest of that sheet.) The gorgeous vellum sentiment was also purchased at that same store. Sadly, this is the last one I have… and some web research provided several options, but only for vinyl wall art, and an embroidery pattern. I plan to do more searching later!)
 
Supplies: 

·   Background features an Iris Fold template I’ve had in my stash for many years.

·   Colored with Bic Intensity fine-point permanent markers in metallic colors (Bronze, Yellow Gold, Jade, 

     Emerald, Green, Sapphire, Platinum Silver) and a Sharpie Fine-point permanent marker.

·   Front sentiment-from a packet of vellum sentiments (also in my stash since the 1990’s)

·   Guitar Sticker-Hobby Lobby

·   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 #313 (Theme Challenge- Music)     
Neglected Stuff Challenge- May 2026  
Paper Funday- May 2026 #87 AG 

   This month has been consumed with health and family issues, and I’ve not been able to spend much time in my craft room or on my blog. So, this is my first entry into the May Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB. I followed the sketch a bit more loosely than usual, so am not sure it will be accepted. That said, I do like the way it turned out!  Also, if you have followed my blog for even a short time you probably know that I like upcycling items on my cards. This time I was planning to use vellum to make the steam whisps, but when using some alphabet stickers I noticed that the cover sheet for the letters was made with vellum. And... since it has an adhesive back, it would make attaching the whisps waaaay easier! I had to make the whisps a bit smaller than planned, but it worked! 
   I’m entering this card into several challenges including Colorful Options Monthly Challenge (my card features a mostly B&W color scheme with touches of red), and Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge (coffee cup and sentiment).
 
 
   
Supplies: 
·   Coffee Cup Digi-Freebie from Birdscards (blog now closed)

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

·   Sparkly Snowflake Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Inside Sentiment from Polka Dot Orchard digi set (Merry Little Coffee)

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

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

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

Entered into:  
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: May 2026 Color Board (B&W or Rainbow) 
Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- May 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- May 2026

    This card is my final entry into two May Challenge at Sweet November Stamps (SNS), their usual monthly challenge, PLUS week four of their wonderful annual event named “MerMay”! When I saw that the theme for week four is “Add a Friend” I knew just which SNS pair of friends I would feature on my card-  Shimmer RedKelp and her Otter friend named Otto. I printed Otto and Shimmer (head and upper body), colored, fussy cut and set them aside. The card then came together quickly with an underwater digi, sentiment digi, and other items from my stash!
    An added note- The beautiful deep blue underwater photo, named “Algae Ocean Bloom” is from a free Bing wallpaper program I installed on my laptop some time ago. (I love learning about all the beautiful places in the world, with new photos and info every day!)       
           
 
Supplies: 
·   Watery background scene Bing Wallpaper ap can be viewed/downloaded HERE (the photo I used is no longer  available, but I found a similar one HERE)

·   Mermaid, Otter and Sand Dollar digi’s are all from a Sweet November Stamp (Shimmer RedKelp and Otto)

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

·   Front Sentiment-hello sunshine is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Bees and Blooms) (Beccy closed her digi shop 
    last year but still sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

·   Kraft paper with gold foil anchors purchased at JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

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

·   Small anchor/star embellishment (fussy-cut from patterned paper),  other misc. Items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #5-2026 May-June
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #838: Special Anniversary 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Cute Critters (May)  
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Monday, May 18, 2026

myasperations 5-18-26

       I have been a regular participant in the Path of Positivity (POP) Challenge since I stumbled upon it 5 years ago. It became a favorite almost immediately, mainly because it inspires a positive mindset and encourages positive actions! (To learn more, read the Introduction provided in 2013 by the creator of this inspiring challenge, Lisa D.)   
      This year, the POP is officially entering its 13th year of offering challenges that encourage positivity and creativity! In honor of this anniversary, our challenge host introduced the theme for 2026, "Crafting by the Numbers," back in January. (Click HERE if you'd like to read more in-depth about our overall theme for 2026)!  
     May’s challenge TWIST is Lucky #5: and we’re layering on the creativity by encouraging you to use five layers or to embrace a sweet theme (or both!). If you’d like to learn more about the #5, and/or see suggestions for other creative ways to use the #5 on your card HERE. 
      One of my favorite treats is donuts, and this card features a very yummy-looking donut on a colorful easel birthday card. Its five layers include a white card base, bold polka dotted patterned cardstock, a subway birthday greeting, a fussy-cut donut digi, and several embellishments providing the 5th layer (yellow vellum for the candle glow, golden stars made with paper punches, and the little "Happy" sentiment tag at the top!  The suckers sticking into the donut are not made with vellum. I colored them with pastel markers, and added the translucent look with a fine line black marker and white gel pen. I love how they look so real! 
   Note- the twist is completely optional, and you don't need to follow it to win. 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"!
 
 

Supplies: 
·  Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  
·  Background- Birthday Subway Art Freebie from createwithTLC (can be found HERE)  
·  Donut Digi and inside sentiment are from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Sweet Thing) (Beccy recently closed her digi shop. She now sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Inside Sentiment- "Birthday Blessings" is a freebie from Decosses Dynamite Doodles HERE  

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

·   Vellum,  other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #5-2026 May-June (Optional twist-BDay) 
Paper Funday- May 2026 #87 AG 
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2620

   I made this card for the Spring Fling at STAMPlorations! It features a weathered wood digi named Rustic Window (which is available at Stamplorations for just $2 US dollars!) I used a tan Copic (#E70) to lightly sketch wood grain  on the kraft brown paper. I also wanted to add depth to the card, so after adding stripes and lace to the curtains with a white gel, I vut out the lower part of the curtains with an exacto knife, then used foam tape to mount the finished window upon a scrap of yellow patterned cardstock. (A photo of the window taken from the side shows this detail.) I also added a few bright shouts of color with red and green markers on the geraniums in the window box, then gave them a bit of texture with a few dabs of red and green Tulip fabric paints that I’ve had in my stash for at least a decade… and maybe two!
    I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Pick 3- card includes the following picks: Friend (sentiment), Feminine (frilly curtains), and Rustic.) 
   
Supplies: 
·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  

·   Digi- Stamplorations (Rustic Window) printed on kraft cardstock

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

·   Front Sentiment- QKR Eureka Digital Stamp (I am happy to see that Eureka Stamps are again offered online. Check HERE to see which ones are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Tulip fabric paint

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

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   Foam tape, exacto knife, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
STAMPlorations-Spring Fling May 2026     
Pick 3 Challenge- #4 April/May 2026  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #752-753 (AG/Family Friendly)
Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #130 Theme- AG (Twist- Botanical Beauty)

      This card is my third entry into the May Challenge at Sweet November Stamps, where May signals a wonderful event named “MerMay”! This beautiful mermaid, named Brook Wavedrifter, shyly peeks out of the card over her full tail fins. I had fun creating a layered base that features assorted scraps (Snippets!) from my stash. Included is a watery background scene from an upcycled flyer that I picked up back in the late 1990’s when I visited Niagara Falls while attending a convention in New York. A scrap of glossy white cardstock, embossed with swirls from an old Cuttlebug embossing folder, is adhered atop the Niagara Falls photo. And lastly, Brook is perched atop a few scraps of aqua-colored cardstock, cut into ovals with a few templates from my scrapbooking stash.
     
Supplies: 

·  Watery background scene is an upcycled Niagara Falls flyer

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Brook Wavedrifter)

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

·   Front Sentiment-Gina K. Designs (Sentiment Set-Mixed Messages)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Cuttlebug-D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder

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

·   Small anchor punch, metallic silver cardstock, oval templates, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Snippets- Week #532

      I created this card for the current Time Out challenge with a wonderful Music theme! My card features assorted items from my digi collection (which I’ve had since 2015) plus patterned papers from my stash. The wonderful guitar and musical note stickers, a recent purchase from Hobby Lobby, add a perfect touch of color and glossy sheen to the card!
 
   
Supplies: 
·   Silhouette With Music digi-Freebie from May 2016 PaperCrafters Magazine (no longer available)
·   Front Sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place digi set (All That Jazz) (Beccy closed her digi shop last year but still sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

·   Music Themed Stickers (Guitar and Musical Note)-Hobby Lobby

·   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#313 (Theme Challenge- Music)      
Neglected Stuff Challenge- May 2026  
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: May 2026 Color Board 

     This final card features a sweet snowman digi (which is one of my favorite freebies), perched upon a shape card (whose template is also a freebie!) The beautiful, knitted texture on the background adds a touch of holiday warmth, complemented with just a few touches of color (the little coffee cup is paper pieced with snowflake-patterned paper!)  The inside of the card features snippets of the patterned papers, plus a warm sentiment to match!
    An added note- Although Christy Croll, the artist/owner of Tiddly Inks, closed her challenge blog a few years ago, she has maintained the blogsite to maintain access to coloring tutorials plus several freebies (including this image) HERE, and sells a nice assortment of digis in her Etsy shop HERE.   
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Tiddly Inks Freebie “Something Warm” (You can find in the Freebies section of the blog HERE)

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

         gel pen

·   Polkadoodles Mug Card Template Freebie Mug HERE

·   Nordic Knitted Sweater paper- Originally found  at Whimsy Stamps. No longer available there, but I found a similar assortment of patterns HERE

·  Inside Sentiment “Tis the Season for Coffee” from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Christmas Cheers) (Beccy closed her 

      digi shop last year but still sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Sending You the warmest…” from Polka Dot Orchard digi set (Merry Little Coffee)

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

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

Entered into:  
Polkadoodles Challenge-  Challenge 5 Wk 3- AG
ABC Christmas Challenge- J and K are for… ?  'K is for Knitted’
Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- May 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- May 2026
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