myasperations 4-20-26

  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)!

     April’s challenge TWIST is Lucky #4: Use 4 Spring Papers/Cardstocks on your card. I've been organizing/downsizing the myriad of items in my craft room (garage, closet, and a small bookcase near my recliner!) In the process, I've found lots of heirloom-quality items. This adorable wood-mount rubber stamp from Azadi Earles is the first stamp that I ever bought back in the late 80s! The sweet little lamb is doing a happy dance, maybe because she loves all the wonderful patterned papers I  used on this card? So fun! 

   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"!

    I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out: Pick 2 (My card reflects the words Pastel and Bloom. Plus, to me, the happy dance depicts JOY!), and Inspiration Station's photo (my card features flowers in bright spring colors).  

 

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Azadi Earles Woodmount Rubber Stamp (company no longer in business) 

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

·   Front Sentiment- Eureka Stamps (company no longer in business) 

·   Inside Sentiment- "Happy Spring" journal tag from my scrapbook stash 

·   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 #311 (Pick 2 Challenge)    

Inspiration Station- Challenge #84 Inspiration Photo (Spring)

Crafty Catz Challenge-#711 AG

Pattie's Creations Challenge- #241 AG (April 2026)

     This yummy birthday card features a digi image from Polkadoodles named Gnometastic Birthday Cake. I colored the handsome guy with Spectrum Noir Classique Markers and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen. I decided to give the card a rich elegant vibe by using an unusual color scheme: deep rich brown (might I say “dark chocolate” colors), B&W patterns, a bit of grey, deep red cherries and red cardstock layered behind the subway art) plus a few touches of pink (frosting), abd yellow (vellum for the flame). I love how the card turned out… but now I’m craving chocolate cake. Darn!!

Supplies: 

·   Background- Birthday Subway Art Freebie from createwithTLC (can be found HERE)  

·   Digi- Polkadoodles (Gnometastic Birthday Cake)

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

·   Inside Sentiment-“Wishing you a very happy birthday,” a freebie from Desert Diva (This sentiment appears to no longer be available, but paper artist Hannelie provides many other wonderful freebies on her blog HERE!)

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

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

Entered into:  

Polkadoodles Challenge-  Challenge 4, Wk 4- AG

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #748-749 (AG/Family Friendly)

Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2616  

Paper Funday- April 2026 #86 AG 

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #4-2026 March/April

     I made these last two cards to enter into the April Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB. Each features snowflake-patterned papers that I’ve had in my stash for several decades.  

     This first Sketch Challenge card features a sweet little snowman that appears to love donuts and whipped cream-topped coffee as much as I do! The colors I used in the background, and when choosing colors for the little guy, are drawn from the Color Board for the April challenge at Not2Shabby. So Fun!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Not2Shabby’s April Color Board:  my card features shades of all 5 colors, ABC Christmas Challenge:‘H  is for Hat' (I wasn’t sure if a wool cap is considered to be a hat, so did a bit of web research and found an article on Bobbie Hats, aka wool caps! HERE)   

  

Supplies: 

·   Digi with sentiment- Not2Shabby Digital Stamp (Snow Happy)

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

·   Nuvo Glitter Drops -White Blizzard

·   Front Sentiment- A freebie from Desert Diva (Stop and Smell the Coffee)

·   Inside Sentiment-A freebie from TlcCreations (Warm Winter Wishes)

·   Coffee embellishment on the inside sentiment is trimmed from a printed copy of the  Snow Happy digi stamp

·   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- #68 April 2026       

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #51 April 
Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge-April- (Color board) 

ABC Christmas Challenge- H and I are for… ?  ‘’H  is for Hat'    

Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- April 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- April 2026

      My second Sketch Challenge card features an adorable digi from Whimsie Doodles named “Holiday Mug.”  I had fun coloring the cute penguin and perching him upon the sketch-directed background made with non-traditional holiday colors. I decided to place a circle of vellum beneath the cute penguin to help him stand out from the busy background, created with strips of patterned paper I’ve had in my stash for several decades.

     Sadly, the Whimsie Doodles shop closed in 2018. (However, their blog is still posted and offers excellent tutorials that I have found helpful, especially on coloring hair and eyes with alcohol inks. You can find them HERE.  Tutorials are listed in the right panel on this link.)

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Quite Quirky (I Googled synonyms for quirky and found several, my favorite is whimsical, which the Merriam Webster dictionary defines as “Playfully quaint or fanciful, often in an appealing way.” I think the cute penguin, and the cup of yumminess he holds are both appealing!)  

Supplies: 

·   Digi and front sentiment “Can’t wait to see your mug this holiday” is from Whimsie Doodles (Shop closed)

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

·   Inside Sentiment "Merry Christmas" (Unable to find this in my files. I think it was from Desert Diva, but is now retired.  However, paper artist Hannelie at Desert Dive offers many Christmas sentiments. A nice assortment can be found HERE. 

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #68 April 2026         

via Pinterest Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #51 April 

Double D’s Challenge- Tea or Coffee    

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #275 AG 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Quite Quirky         

myasperations 4-17-26

      My first card features an adorable digi and sentiment from Beccy's Place named “Stanley in the Rain.” I don’t usually use watercolors, but decided to try it for this card, and love the way the light washes of color gives the image an almost translucent feeling. The little umbrellas were fussy-cut from a sheet of stationery that I’ve had in my stash for over a decade. I didn't have any paper or stamps depicting rain... so I used an A2-size piece of weathered wood paper and light blue dotted swiss paper (representing raindrops) to provide a nice rainy day backdrop for Stanley. So fun! 

    I’m entering this card into a few other challenges, including the Time Out Challenge Pick 2 Challenge (my card contains pastel colors and rain), Inspiration Station’s April photo (features rain boots), plus three challenges that are related to bright spring colors- Simon Says Monday, Passion for Markers, and April’s Colorful Options.             

                     

                  

                   

Supplies: 

·   Digi and Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digital Set (Stanley In The Rain)

·   Colored with Prang Watercolors (a set from elementary school) and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen.

·   Weathered wood patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Inside Sentiment- a freebie from Gingershouseblogspot.com (When Life Gives You Rainy Days…)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

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

·   Cardstock, umbrella stationery, and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #311 (Pick 2 Challenge)      

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: April 2026  Color Board (Yellow- or rainbow) 

Inspiration Station- Challenge #84 Inspiration Photo (Spring-flowers and boots)

Simon Says Monday Challenge-Bright & Cheerful       

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #833: Spring Colors

     Several Christmas and coffee challenges are going on right now, so the rest of the cards in this post were created with them in mind! This first card features a Stamplorations digi named "Framed Coffee Cup" with patterned paper and a gingerbread embellishment to fit a Christmas theme. I printed the digi onto white cardstock, plus printed the coffee cup separately on patterned paper using the process I developed in my last post (HERE). After the holly decorated coffee cup was adhered to the Framed Coffee Cup digi, the finished (layered) digi was adhered to a red A2 card base. Then came the fun part, adding a sentiment and cute little gingerbread cookie (embellishment) to the card front, and perching another one on the inside sentiment.  

 

Supplies: 

·   Stamplorations Digital stamp (Framed Coffee Cup) (clear stamp is retired. Digital image is available for $2.oo)
·   If desired, you can add shading to the cup with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and highlights with a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen.
·   Gingerbread cookie embellishment from a Beccy’s Place digi set that is now retired.
·   Sentiments “Happy Gingerbread Season” and “Sweet Holiday Wishes” are from Beccy’s Place digi sets-Gingerbread Season and Christmas Cheers. (Beccy closed her digi shop but sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)
·   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- Tea or Coffee      

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17   

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #51 April 

STAMPlorations- April 2026      

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #748-749 (AG/Family Friendly)

Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- April 2026

Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- April 2026

     This card features a sweet cocoa-themed digi from Not2Shabby, perched atop a beautiful snowy background that was inspired by the April Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB. I placed a circle of vellum beneath the cup of cocoa to help it stand out from the busy background, created with strips of patterned paper I’ve had in my stash for decades. A bit of sparkle was added to the snowflakes with Nuvo Glitter Drops (you can see this in the side view closeup. It is really pretty!) 

    I’m entering this card into a few other challenges, including Not2Shabby’s April Color Board (my card features shades of all 5 colors).

   

                 

Supplies: 

·   Digi with sentiment- Not2Shabby Digital Stamp (Warm Wishes)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Nuvo Glitter Drops -White Blizzard
·   Inside Sentiment- “Cocoa and Snow=Happy Glow” a freebie from LoveSvg (Site is no longer available)
·   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- #68 April 2026        

Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge-April (Color board)  

(Via Pinterest) {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17   

(Via Pinterest) Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #51 April 

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #4-2026 March/April  

Crafty Catz Challenge-#711 AG

      While organizing/decluttering my craft room, I came across several braided-edge card bases that I'd made before we moved to our current location nearly 20 years ago! I was excited to use one on this unusual Christmas card, which came together with assorted items from my stash. I think the wispy plumes of steam really bring the card to life. I created them by lightly sketching a few swirls onto scraps of vellum with a pencil and carefully cutting them out. With a little positioning, I gently intertwined the plumes, then dabbed a bit of glue on the vellum wisps and pressed them into place.

   PS-I had learned how to make these cards using a template named “Lattice Folds” from Hot Off the Press (which appears to no longer be in business.) However, if you enter Lattice Fold Card or Braided Edge Card either on Pinterest or Google, you can find lots of videos and templates. I posted a few of my favorites in the supplies list.

     I’m entering this card into a few other challenges, including April’s Pick 3 (My tree picks are Text, Slimline, and Stripes that are made with words!)  

 

 

Supplies: 

·   Lattice Fold Card/Braided Edge Card- I found a few videos and templates Here, Here, Here, and Here.

·   Coffee Cup Digi from Bugaboo Stamps (Sadly, the company is no longer in business)

·   I shaded the cup with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and added highlights with a Sakura Gelly Roll white

      gel pen.

·   Front Sentiment (tag)-“Celebrate” from a Lili of the Valley digi set (Sentiment Tags)

·   Inside sentiment-“All hearts Come Home for  Christmas” freebie from LoveSVG (Site is no longer available)

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

·   Patterned papers, a strip of red satin ribbon, scraps of vellum, and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Neglected Stuff Challenge- April 2026  

(Via Pinterest) {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17  

(Via Pinterest) Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #51 April 

Pick 3 Challenge- March-April 2026  Text, Slimline, Stripes

Paper Funday- April 2026 #86 AG 

Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2615