myasperations 5-13-26

    I love the photo inspiration for the current challenge at Time Out, which inspired me to make this card. It features a free digi from Beccy’s Place, which I’ve always thought would work beautifully on a Sympathy card. So… that is what I did! I punched a circle from a Post-it note, adhered it to the scene, and sponged layers of yellow, orange, and rusty red to create a rich sunset. After removing the “sun”, I added sentiments to the front and inside, then finished the card with butterflies, which I use on sympathy cards to represent new life!

    The timing of this photo inspiration challenge was almost unbelievable, as the day it was posted was the day that my sister’s husband, Marty,  went into hospice after a 7-year battle with colon cancer. He passed away the next day, and my hubby and I just returned from his funeral. 

    I knew Marty as an amazing man who, for nearly 47 years, cherished my dear sister, whom he called “The love of my life”, and was one of the best dads I’ve ever seen. He was loved and respected deeply by my sister, Carol, his three sons, and their wives. He was also the beloved grandfather to four little girls who called him "Papa" and enjoyed his generosity with hugs, treats, and especially his funny stories and cartoon voices!

    What I did NOT know is that during his career as a teacher, coach, and later the manager of a few businesses, he mentored hundreds of other people’s children.  His funeral was probably one of the most touching that I have ever attended. If you’d like to “meet” this real-life hero, you can view a recording of the service on YouTube HERE.

     My card features bands of color similar to those in the inspiration photo, plus Marty's life shimmered with light and encouragement, which he poured into the lives of so many people. His legacy is that the helped make the world a better place because he was in it! 

     I'm entering the card into several other challenges, including Passion for Markers-Masculine (it seems that Sympathy cards often feature flowers, I made this one to have a more masculine feeling.) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Freebie from Beccy’s Place (Free Silhouette Digi) (Beccy closed her digi shop, but continues to offer a large number of free digis on her blog, and sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!) 
·  Colored with assorted inkpads a sponge from my stash, and a circle mask. 

·  Front Sentiment-Gina K. Designs (Sentiment Set-Mixed Messages)
·  Inside Sentiment- Computer Generated
·  Butterfly images- trimmed  from the upper margin of a 12x12 sheet of American Crafts paper from JOAnnes Crafts (sadly 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: 

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #312 (Photo Inspiration)  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #752-753 (AG/Family Friendly)

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #837: Masculine

Pattie's Creations Challenge- #242 AG (May 2026)

Paper Funday- May 2026 #87 AG 

     This card is my first entry into the monthly challenges at the  Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge and Stamplorations.  It features one of my favorite Stamplorations digi is named "Framed Coffee Cup." I printed a copy of the complete digi onto white card stock, then cropped the digi to include just the cup, and printed that onto striped fuchsia colored paper that I loaded into my printer, then fussy-cut, and adhered it atop the cup on the white “Framed Coffee Cup digi”. A bit of color and whimsy were added with a strip of Christmas Ornament paper, a sentiment tag, and a small Santa hat from my scrapbook stash. The inside sentiment was embellished with a coffee cup and hearts stamped on green paper with an old Stampin’ Up! Coffee-themed stamp set. 

   

Supplies: 

·   Stamplorations Digital stamp (Framed Coffee Cup) (clear stamp is retired. Digital image is available for $2.oo)

·   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!)

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

·   All other misc. items and tools from my card-making or scrapbooking stash.

Entered into: 

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #53 May 

STAMPlorations- May 2026      

Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- May 2026

Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- May 2026

      This card is my second entry into the May Challenge at Sweet November Stamps, where May signals a wonderful event named “MerMay”! This sweet little mermaid, named Nami, is perched within a delicate oval to share a bright greeting with all who see her! She is sure to brighten the day of anyone who sees her!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Pick 3- card includes the following picks: Friend (sentiment), Feminine, and Pastel)

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Nami)

·   Oval Templates and Front sentiment- from my scrapbook stash

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

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

Entered into:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) May 

Friends of Sweet November (FB) MerMay- May 2026 Week 2  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #277 AG 

Pick 3 Challenge- #4 April/May 2026  

    I tried a new fold on this card, a “Three Panel Gatefold,” but I mustn’t have followed the directions that I found HERE since it took me forever to get the panels to slide together without a hassle. And then, to keep them together so that the card doesn’t look like a sloppy mess, I ended up adding a pretty red bow. I like the end result, so it was worth the effort. Since I really like the look of the sample card, I'll give it another try. For now, here is my final card for this post. It will be on its way to one of my sister-in-laws tomorrow. I know that it will make her smile!

Supplies: 

·   Three Panel Gatefold Instructions (and video) can be found HERE

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

·   Front Sentiment-Musical Happy Birthday from Birdscards (blog now closed)

·   Inside Sentiment “You don’t look a day older…” from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Feathered Friends ) (Beccy closed her digi shop last year but still sells clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

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

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

Entered into: 

Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2619

Polkadoodles Challenge-  Challenge 5 Wk 2- AG

Crafty Catz Challenge-#713 AG

myasperations 5-4-26

     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 are donut holes! We live just a few blocks from a gas station that sells these tasty bits of heaven, which have provided me with many moments of pleasure... and perchance a new chin? Ack! Anyway… my card features two yummy “regular” donuts, upon five layers; a white card base, sprinkles paper, black paper, Love sentiment on white, and dangling donuts! (In the heat of decorating my card, I lost track or counting when I added the little sentiment tag… so let’s just consider that the “cherry on the top”?!) This card, with it’s Valentine’s Day theme, will go into a gift packet of holiday cards that I’m making for a soon-to-be college graduate who loves donuts almost as much as I do!

   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: 

·   Donut Digis and tag sentiment are from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Sweet Thing) (Beccy recently closed her digi shop. She now sells clear

·   Front Sentiment- “LOVE” is from Eureka Stamps (retired)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Happy Valentine’s Day” from LoveSVG (Site is now longer available)

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

·   Red twine,  other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #277 AG 

Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2618  

Polkadoodles Challenge-  Challenge 5 Wk 2- AG

Pattie's Creations Challenge- #242 AG (May 2026)

     I had fun making this snarky card for one of my siblings who is not as old as me… but is quickly catching up! (Ha! I’ve never been very good at math!) It features a fun image and sentiment from Eureka Stamps, plus assorted items from my stash.

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including Double D’s current challenge (I don’t watercolor my cards very often because I took a scenic watercolor class at college and hated it… mainly because the instructor repeatedly chastised me for “muddy-ing” up all of my attempts at watercolor painting. After a few weeks of that, I switched to an acrylic portrait painting class and… found my true love! (I have never tried to making portrait painting a full-time job, but I enjoy painting for friends and family members. I’ll attach photos of two portrats that I made for a showing years ago. I used photos of a dear friends kiddos to paint them, and they show that I CAN produce "non-muddy" paintings! Also, I have recently started using watercolors on cards, and since the images are so much smaller than on a canvas, I have found that I have better control over the medium. I am not saying I really like using watercolors, but I no longer hate them! I might even try watercoloring some flowers for the challenge! :)  

 
 Supplies: 

·   Digi and front sentiment- Eureka Digital Stamp (I am happy to announce that Eureka Stamps are again offered online. Check HERE to see which ones are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Happy Birthday” from LoveSVG (Site is now longer available)

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

·   Vellum scraps, circle template (to make vellum balloons), other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge- Watercolor     

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #836: Furry Friends/Animals

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #4-2026 March/April (Optnl- Furry Friends) 

Crafty Catz Challenge-#712 AG

      This card will be added to the gift packet of holiday cards that I’m making for a soon-to-be college graduate. Her dad is an avid hunter so I think he’ll like this card!  It features a page from an old calendar, plus a little wood-mount stamp I’ve had in my stash since owning a stamp store back in the ‘90’s. Both add nice outdoorsy touches to my card.

     After I laid the pieces for my card on the scenic background, I looked blah to me. So, I played around with a few embellishments and decided that a bit of vellum might solve that problem. After a bit of experimenting, I cut DAD from the vellum and positioned it over the card front,  framing the geese within a “D”. Gold stars sprinkled across the front of the card, and on the computer-generated sentiment inside of the card added a bit of burnished bling! Ahhh… Voila!

      I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out’s Photo Inspiration (My card features a beautiful dawn or dusk sky, plus one reason I love making cards is that they serve as wonderful “bridges” between people! I don’t send many texts, but I do send lots of handmade cards!)

 

Supplies: 

·   Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

·   Rubber stamp from Stampscapes (Duck Trio in Flight)

·   Front Sentiment- “You’re the Best” Digital Stamp from Eureka Stamps (I am happy to announce that Eureka Stamps are again offered online. Check HERE to see which ones are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Gold star sickers, vellum, circle punch, alphabet templates, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #312 (Photo Inspiration)      

Neglected Stuff Challenge- May 2026  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #750-751 (AG/Family Friendly)

Paper Funday- May 2026 #87 AG 

    I try to make holiday cards regularly to make sure I have enough to send out PLUS I provide packets of cards to the office staff at our optometrist, dentist, medical docs, the agency where I used to work, and a nearby nursing home. (I started doing this during COVID and have enjoyed continuing this task of “sharing the Christmas spirit”!)

Supplies: 

·   CandyCane from Power Poppy (this digi is retired, but you can find many similar holiday foliage digis HERE)

·   Patterned paper and sentiment tag label from my stash

·   Inside Sentiment- “All Hearts Come Home for Christmas”  freebie from LoveSvg-(Site is now longer available)

·   Puffy Heart stickers-WalMart

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

·   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- Make It Colorful (May)  

Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- May 2026

Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- May 2026

     This final card is my first entry into the May Challenge at Sweet November Stamps, where May signals a wonderful event named “MerMay”! I will be making mermaids for most of my entries this month, but this sweet Unicorn was just begging me to be featured on a card for one of my grand-nephews! The card also features wonderful starry sky patterned paper that is from a bundle of a number of patriotic item… and it is FREE! (The link is in my supplies list.)

 

  

Supplies: 

·   Starry background paper- a freebie from Polkadoodles (4th of July celebration free digital download bundle)
·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Daydream Unicorn)
·   Cloud digi- From Bugaboo Stamps (Sadly, company is now closed.)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Front Sentiment-“You are Awesome” a freebie from skogstokiga.blogspot.com (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:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) May  

myasperations 4-28-26

     I had fun making a card featuring a sweet little fairy from Sweet November Stamps (SNS) named “Flutter Fairy” for the April FB Challenge (feature floral). I printed off, colored and fussy-cut the little cutie, creating her wings with a few scraps of vellum, then perched her upon a card base lined with some pretty floral paper from Hobby Lobby.

    Note- Sweet November Stamps offers amazing images (in clear and digital stamps.) I was thrilled after I signed up for their free newsletter and started receiving a free digi each month! This little Flutter Fairy was the freebie earlier this year. (You can sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the page HERE.)

Supplies: 

·   Background-floral paper from Hobby Lobby

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Flutter Fairy)

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Spring”- Computer Generated

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

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

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Make it Feminine        

Friends of Sweet November (FB) April 

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 5 Wk 1- AG

Crafty Catz Challenge-#712 AG

     This is another card for this month’s Sweet November Stamps "feature floral" theme on FB. I decided to make a sweet fairy card. It features a colorful scene with a cute little fairy named Junie communing with a pair of playful butterflies while perched within a frame of pansies! (I added little "dotted trails" behind the butterflies to depict their paths as they entertained little Junie, fluttering, and flipping all around her.)  Junie's delicate wings are made with a scrap of sage green vellum, accented with swirls from a sparkly gold gel pen.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out: Pick 2 (my card features pastel colors, and blooms), and Pick 3: My card fits into the themes, feminine, pastel, and also friends (I think the friendly sentiment and sweet butterflies fit into the friend theme!)

 

Supplies: 

·   Card base- upcycled Thank You notecard with pansies included! (I cut out the sentiment, leaving the floral 

    frame for Junie.)

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Fairwee Junie)

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

·   Front sentiment- “Just Flying By to Say Hi!” Freebie from Birdscards (Blog now closed)

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

·   Other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #311 (Pick 2 Challenge- pastel, bloom)  

Pick 3 Challenge- #4 April/May 2026  (feminine, pastel, and friends) 

Via Pinterest Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Make it Feminine        

Friends of Sweet November (FB) April 

    I needed a wedding card for a friend, and dug through my stash to find the perfect items to use. The castle stamp is from Stampin’ Up! Set I picked up in the 1990s. I utilized a variety of scraps: brushed silver cardstock, a scrap of striped paper, white vellum, pink grosgrain ribbon, and a bit of pretty paper upcycled from an old wedding card. The sentiments are computer-generated… and the one on the inside is from personal experience! (On our 35th Anniversary, I teased my husband that we’d had “25 years of ‘wedded bliss’, 7 years of ‘pretty good’, and 3 years of ‘whatever were we thinking?’” Rich grinned and said, “Hon, I think you got those last two mixed up!”) Since then, I’ve incorporated some of that fun banter as a sentiment on wedding cards like this. 

Supplies: 

·   Castle Wedding Stamps Set- Stampin Up! (Retired set)

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

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Pretty paper on inside of card is upcycled from an old wedding card.

·   Deckle Edge scissor, circle punch, cardstock, other items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #276 AG 

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

Paper Funday- April 2026 #86 AG  (Optional Twist: Dies/Punches)

    I made this card to enter into the Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge. It features a sweet snowman digi, which is a favorite of mine…. and it's a freebie! (There are both B&W and colored versions available. I used the colored version, adding shading and highlights with markers and a gel pen, and a Wink of Stellar brush tip marker adds a glittery sparkle.)

Supplies: 

·   Digi-Beccy’s Place Freebie-colored version (Snowman with Bauble)

·   Additional details added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Marvey Silver Marker, Sakura Gelly Roll 

    white & silver gel pens

·   ZIG Wink of Stella GLITTER CLEAR Brush Tip Marker- Available from several sources on the web

·   Patterned background- upcycled a scrap of gift wrap.

·   Front Sentiment-“Winter Wishes” from Sande's Poema Nordic Winter set (Obtained via a weekly email 

    newsletter which you can join HERE, or check out the FB page HERE for additional info.)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Merry Christmas” (Freebie from Polka Dot Orchard, 2018) 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:  

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

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

Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- April 2026

Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- April 2026

Rudolph Days Challenge- April