myasperations 9-15-21

(Forgive the funky formatting. Blogger is having a tantrum tonight!) 

The 15^th of the month finds me making a DT card for the challenge at QKR Stampede. This time I used a ghost balloon digi from Eureka Stamps. Stop by the challenge, which is always “Anything Goes” and several prizes are awarded. Maybe you’ll be inspired to enter a card or two yourself?

After covering the background with some fun herringbone patterned paper, I adhered a wonderful Halloween Subway art on top of it. (The website where I found this freebie offers 8 versions from which to pick!) I next used a pencil to trace the top part of the ghost digi on vellum, then sketched a “tail” in place of the balloon bottom.  When finished, I drew over the pencil lines with a fine-line permanent marker, then erased the pencil, and fussy-cut the little ghoul. I’ve been called “the Queen of upcycling” and the reason is apparent on this card. The fun letters I used for the “BOO” sentiment are actually created with the backing from some black felt alphabet stickers. After using the three letters on another card, I trimmed around the blank spaces that remained in the sticker paper, creating a set of inverse letters! After adhering them to across the ghosts chest and tummy area (or whatever they call it!) I gently flipped the hands down to “hold them” adding a bit of double-stick tape where needed to keep them in place. So fun!  A free sentiment on the inside with a sprinkling of bling on the front and inside of the card is the final TA-DA! 

Supplies: 

·  Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Ghost Balloon) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted

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

·  Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·  Front Sentiment- Freebie from todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com (Halloween Subway Art)

·  Inside Sentiment- Create with TLC Freebie (FaBOOlous Halloween) 

·  Cardstock, patterned paper, vellum, alphabet stickers, and assorted gems from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- September            

My second DT card is  Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog where challenges are also always Anything Goes and prizes are awarded from one or more sponsors.  Stop by to check it out!  My card features a cute gnome digi from Sheepski Designs all decked out to go on a candy hunt! After coloring the little mummy, I added texture to the light gray shading of his gauzy wrap with a white gel pen. Simple but stunning, right?! I also wanted to add a little movement with wiggly eyes. Tried out two different sizes and decided the larger one looked less creepy for some reason. So... he is a friendly, big-eyed mummy gnome!

Supplies: 

·  Digi- Pennys Sheepski Design (Trick or Treat)

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

·  Front sentiment- Freebie scrapbookandcards.com-bonus summer files 2017 (Hello)

·  Inside Sentiment- Label from my Scrapbook stash.

·  Orange and Yellow photo corners available from several web sources (WXJ13 13 Sheets 13 Colors Photo Mounting Corners)

·  B&W checked paper- Hobby Lobby (Boxed cards with envelopes)

·  All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Incy Wincy Designs- Spots, Stripes, and/or Checks

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Lots of Layers

SheepSki Designs FB- September 2021 - I spy......something beginning with B (Bandages!)

     Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun! 

My final card for this post features a fold that is brand new to me. Called an “arrow fold” it is so easy to create. (See link to instructions in my supplies list.) I love fall leaves, so I love this beautiful Washi Tape from a friend. When added to the adorable busy bee digi, small bumbles, and cute sentiment I ended up with a pretty sweet card. 

       

Supplies: 

·  Instructions for Arrow Fold card (Here)

·  Digi- All Dressed Up Digital Stamp (Busy Little Bee)

·  Little Bee embellishments- from an Imagine That digi set (Bee Boy)

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

·  Stickles- Star Dust (on bee wings!)

·  Inside Sentiment- from an Imagine That digi set (Bee Boy)

·  Autumn Leaf Washi Tape- a gift from a friend

·  All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- Arrow Card

All Dressed Up- #121 Anything Goes (Sept)

All Dressed Up FB Challenge- Winged Things                               

Double D’s Challenge- Leaves    

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #509-510 Anything Goes                    

myasperations 9-11-21

I am honored to have served as a Guest Designer for Beccy Muir at Beccy’s Place and am now one of her “Contributors” (which means that she provides me with digis or clear stamp sets several times a year and I get to create cards or other items with them!) It is always fun to see the images Beccy invites me to use.  This time, the digi and sentiments are all from a just-released set named Frightful Fancies.
The happy pumpkin made me think of a party, so I opted for bright colors on my card. I even turned the berries into little colored lights by adding a chalk “glow” to each one. (After coloring the bulbs with markers, I used circle punches in two sizes to make homemade stencils from paper scraps. I then used a makeup sponge to first smudge the larger circle lightly with pastel colors, then used the smaller circle stencil to smudge the same color of chalk with more pressure to get a deeper tone. This was a bit tedious, but I do love the results!) More colors were added by topping the dotted pink background paper with layers of plastic index divider sheet scraps. (These wonderful items- sometimes called document file folders- come in a pack of assorted colors and can be found in the office supply section of most stores. They're cheaper than colored vellum and more translucent. Punches and dies don’t work on these sheets, but they are easy to fussy-cut with a sharp pair of scissors.) Before adding the colored digi onto the layered card front, I used an Exacto blade to cut the jack-o-lantern eyes, nose and mouth from the pumpkin. I adhered a circle of pale-yellow cardstock atop the layered card front, then attached “Jack” with foam tape to create a some depth. (I added a closeup to show this detail.) 

I usually decorate the inside of my cards to reflect the front. This time I did that by carrying the bright colors into the inside of the card with patterned paper and more scraps of the plastic index folders. I also cut the front sentiment in half, and used "the rest of the story" on the inside. Plus, to add a bit of Halloween fun I fussy-cut a cat silhouette from a scrap of black paper. (I found the silhouette on the web. It was created byartist Dave Lowe and he gives permission to use this, and many other great silhouettes, for free. You can find them Here.)

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz Sunday (that notes the word color- and my card has several of those!) and Show Us Your Pussycats (the black cat silhouette fits that category, especially for a Halloween card!)

                                 
Supplies: 

·   Digi and Sentiments-Beccy’s Place Digital Set (Frightful Fancies)

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

·   Cardstock, patterned paper and scraps of plastic index dividers are from my stash.

Entered into: 

Outlawz Sunday Challenge- Color Drops

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Besties Challenge- September Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- September            

Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge- Furry Thing Goes (#70 September) 

I was thrilled last year when Kris Breach, artist/owner of Imagine That Digistamps started offering monthly challenges again! I served on Kris’ DT a few years ago and always enjoyed working with her… and creating with her wonderful artwork. She now offers a Progressive Challenge each month. The September digi set with the sentiments and adorable meercats makes me smile! (The$10  set is now available for just $5.99 HERE. And if you enter a card into this month’s challenge using any items from the set, you’ll get next month's digi for free! But hurry, the challenge ends on the 31st.)

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi and front Sentiment- Imagine That Digi Set (Meerkats)

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

·   Holly Embellishment on the card front and Sentiment label on the inside are from my scrapbook stash

·   Scraps of assorted patterned papers, music sheet vellum, and cardstock from my stash.

Entered into:  

Imagine That Blog Progressive Challenge- September  

Double D’s Challenge- Anything with a Tail        

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #36 Anything Goes                     

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #559 AG

Incy Wincy Designs- Spots, Stripes and/or Checks

Cute Card Thursday- Challenge 692- Anything Goes

Di’s Digi Stamps- Use 2 (or more) Patterned papers 

Three years ago I met a talented young artist named Sherry West via her FB page. The images she creates are adorable, so I am always thrilled when I have the chance to add a new one to my collection. I love this little cutie holding her jar that contains a bit of summer magic. When I was young, we called them “lightning bugs.” (I still giggle when I remember the first time my little brother caught one. He screamed, "I got a lightning butt. I GOT A LIGHTNING BUTT!" He was so excited!) I decided to make a thinking of you card for a dear friend, using a sentiment from a Beccy’s Place digi set. I created a few “embellishments” by fussy-cutting several of the magic bugs from the patterned paper, replacing their um… “butt glow”… with a circle of translucent yellow vellum, before perching them on the sentiment and ribbon. The final touch was to add a bit of sparkle to every one of the little butts. Awwww!  

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Simon Says Mondays "Sparkle and Shine" (If you've ever seen lightning bugs in the trees on a dark summer's night, you'll agree that they fit both categories!) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sherry West (You Light Up My Life)

(If you are interested in purchasing this digi, visit Sherry’s FB page HERE and PM her for details. Tell her Kathy Asper sent you!)

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

·   Front Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digital Set (Nasturtiums) RETIRED

·   Firefly Paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Sheer white ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   Stickles- Star Dust (on bug butts!)

·   Cardstock and any remaining items are from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine

The Paper Shelter- #482 Ribbon, Lace and/or Twine

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes (Optional Twist- Add a Bow)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #507-508 Anything Goes                   

Cute As A Button- August: CH #72 Anything Goes + (Option) Lots of Layers

Beccy’s Place Challenge- Sept  

        Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun! 

myasperations 9-10-21

It’s Friday and time for the Colour Crazy Challenge which is “Anything Goes” but adds a requirement; the creation needs to include coloring in “any colouring medium you like, onto any project you like, and in any colours you like.” I’ve never outgrown my love for coloring… which is why making cards is stress therapy for me!! 
This week's sponsor is Dr. Digi and my DT card features a festive image named Harley Claus. After coloring the Jolly Ol’ Elf with Spectrum Noir Classique Markers and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, I provided Santa a change of scenes for the holidays by upcycling two very different calendar pages adhered to an easel fold card. Computer-generated sentiments finish off the fun. (This card will be sent my younger brother and his family in Florida this year. He grew up in the Midwest and has lived in Florida since the ‘90’s. Every time we have a blizzard here “up North” he calls to brag that he spent the day on the beach soaking up beautiful 70-degree temps. HoHoHo!)
I’m entering this card into several challenges including Christmas Craft Creations challenge- Non-traditional colors (mostly shades of blue plus yellow, orange and gold. So fun!))

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Dr. Digi Digital Stamp (Harley Claus)
·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Sentiments- Computer Generated
·   Sparkly Santa Hat Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Blue Snowflake Stickers- JoAnne’s
·   Cardstock, scrap of yellow plastic file folder, and upcycled calendars from my stash.
Entered into: 
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #558 AG
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #36 Anything Goes                     
 
I had fun making a Flip-flop card for the challenge at wecraftcards Forum with a new digi set from Beccy's Place. (My hubby liked the card but asked, "What's a YAY Day !" I think it might be because his most recent birthday (the big 65), wasn't really one that he wanted to celebrate! Actually, that day he kinda had a look on his face that resembled the grimaces on my cards cow and pigs faces. Ha! (I noticed after looking at the photos that when I fussy-cut the cow and pig I trimmed off many of the chin and head whiskers that artist Beccy Muir had added to the images. I think they add fun realism to the critters, so plan to draw them on with a fine line black marker before I send the card on to a friend who grew up on a farm in the Midwest! I know they will make her LOL! )
I’m entering this card into several challenges including Double D’s Challenge- Anything with a Tail (Although the critters tails don’t show up on the card… they do both have tails… which are probably scraggly and mud-laden!)

Supplies: 
·   Digis and Sentiments- Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp set (Funny Farm)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Flip-fold/Swing Card- Instructions at Beccy’s Place HERE  
·   Cardstock, patterned paper and assorted tools from my stash.
Entered into:  
We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- Flip Flop
Beccy’s Place Challenge- Sept  
        Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!
Double D’s Challenge- Anything with a Tail      
Di’s Digi Stamps- Use 2 (or more) Patterned papers 
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- September            

My final card, created for an Outlawz Challenge with a music theme, features a cute banjo playing frog! The first time I saw him I knew the sheet music that I had to place behind him on a card. “You are my sunshine” was one of my mom’s favorite songs. As a child I remember singing it on long car rides, along with ‘She’ll be coming around the Mountain”, “Little Brown Jug” and many other songs. I still can’t sing on key… but I do try. (Just ask my sweet hubby who has lovingly said that my singing resembles a tussle of cats in full howl. He is so very funny!)
I’m entering this card into several challenges including Incy Wincy Designs (the frog has lots of spots, and the musical score has stripes galore!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Frog on Banjo) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Small googly Eyes- Hobby Lobby

·   Sheet Music- “You Are My Sunshine” a freebie from Central Texas Accordion Association Tune Book 2010 (HERE)
·   Cardstock, scrap of green plastic file folder and an upcycled calendar page from my stash.
Entered into:  
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Musical
2craftycrittercrazies challenge- Sept 2021                                     
        Since I’m a DT for QKR Stampede (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!
Incy Wincy Designs- Spots, Stripes and/or Checks
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #507-508 Anything Goes                   
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge 692- Anything Goes (Optional Birthdays)

myasperations 9-4-21

I apologize for this late posting. I spent over 60 hours this week working on a large federal grant and didn’t have the energy to do anything else! I’m thankful that the companies for which I am a DT are understanding that sometimes life, or in my case, work, gets in the way. Now without further delay… here are my three cards.
 
The first is for QKR Stampede and my DT card features a sweet Bovine with a wand! I loved using this fun sentiment, also from QKR, because I “cud”! Since I cropped the cow digi, I’m providing a pic of the watermarked image so you can see her in all her beauty! I printed the cropped image onto white cardstock, then fussy-cut the cutie. I made the translucent wings by tracing the ones on the digi with a scrap of vellum with a gel pen. Then I trimmed off the white ones, cut out the vellum ones (leaving a little extra "tab" at their base that would help me to tape them to the back of the image.) The final touch was to add some bling to her wand with a rhinestone and some stardust Stickles!

PS This challenge is always “Anything Goes” and several prizes are awarded. Stop by the challenge and maybe you’ll be inspired to enter a card or two yourself?

Supplies: 
·   Digi- QKR Digital Stamp (Cow Ferrie) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sparkly Star Sticker- Hobby Lobby
·   Front Sentiment- QKR Digital Stamp (Dairy Godmother) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted
·   Inside Sentiment- Mudmaven Freebie (Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday)
·   Instructions for Z-fold card can be found HERE.
·   Galaxy Cardstock- Hobby Lobby

·   Stickles- Stardust (around the wand) 
·   Small crystal gem, Vellum scraps and all other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Glimmer and Sparkle
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge 692- Anything Goes (Optional Birthdays)
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #35 Anything Goes                     
2craftycrittercrazies challenge- Sept 2021                                     
        Since I’m a DT for QKR Stampede (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- September            
 
My second DT card is  Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog where challenges are also always Anything Goes and prizes are awarded from one or more sponsors.  Stop by to check it out!  My card features an sweet Halloween digi from Paper Nest Dolls and a wonderful sentiment from Scribbles Designs (which I divided to extend from the front to the inside of the card!)  
I’m entering this card into several challenges including Scribbles Designs’ “Fantasy” (this sweet scene includes not just fantasy but a bit of broom flying magic, too. I’ll bet that cute little black cat is also watching for a wayward Golden Snitch to whiz by!) and Double D's "Anything with a Tail" (the cat has a tail... and so does the broom?!)  

                           
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Pennys Paper Nest Dolls (Witch Ellie Riding Broom)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Galaxy Cardstock- Hobby Lobby
·   Moon Digi- From a Dis Digi Image (Love To the Moon and Back) (available for $1)

·   Sentiment- Scribbles Designs (Cute Frightening)
·   Vellum scraps and all other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Double D’s Challenge- Anything with a Tail        
Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge- Furry Thing Goes (#69 August)
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes
Createful Heart Designs- Challenge #35 (August)
Scribbles Designs Challenge- #102 Fantasy
 
My final DT card is for Sheepski Designs Challenge. This month's theme is “Boys n Girls Come Out to Play” and features a bit of solitary play named “Bubble Dreams.” The colorful bubbles were inspired by a visit to Pinterest where I found lots of pics and tutorials. The one I found most helpful used paints and a brush. I used the techniques with colored pencils and a white gel pen. I need a little more practice, but I do think that my first attempt at adding a bit of bubble magic to a card turned out pretty good!
PS Stop by the Sheepski blog to learn more about the monthly challenges and have a chance to win some wonderful digis created by artist Andrea Norris!

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Sheepski Designs (Bubble Dreams)
·   Colored with Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Pinterest provided several instructions for drawing bubbles. I found this one the most helpful!
·   Rocker Card Instructions, (3 versions) found HERE
·   Sentiment- maxammadestudio.com freebie (Happy Day)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #164 Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #505-506 Anything Goes                   
Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge