Friday, April 17, 2026

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) 
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   
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:  
Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge-April (Color board)  
(Via Pinterest) {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17   
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #4-2026 March/April  

      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  
Pick 3 Challenge- March-April 2026  Text, Slimline, Stripes
Paper Funday- April 2026 #86 AG 
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2615   
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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

myasperations 4-14-26

     I enjoyed the online Card Maker Success Summit last March, and this is one of the cards I created with a PDF file from one of the classes.  I first made the backdrop for the drama on this card with Easter Egg paper.  I used my MS Word program to size the two bunnies, then  changed their color to brown and printed them off.  After adding shading with alcohol markers and highlights with a white colored pencil, I fussy-cut  the bunnies, and I then gently tore off the ears of one and the backside of the other, saving a few of the pieces to “embellish” the finished card.  After positioning everything and adhering them in place, I just needed to add the sentiments and some “chocolate” fingerprints to embellish the inside of the card.   
    Oops... I just realized that I didn't share my reason for entering this fun card into the Time Out Sweet Treats Challenge! Besides the fact that I am a chocolate fiend, chocolate bunnies provide me with many sweet childhood memories.  I was never a fan of jelly beans or peeps, but seeing a chocolate bunny in my Easter basket always made me feel loved! Also, my two older brothers, who loved to tease their four younger siblings, always ate their chocolate bunnies heads and butts first while saying annoying things. They could have actually patented the sentiments on this card front! (I just realized that I usually try to credit the sources of anything that inspired a card or sentiment. I had found the "My Butt Hurts... What?" sentiments on a card many years ago, but it wasn't sourced. So...I did a bit of research, and you can find that info HERE!) 
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Chocolate Rabbits made with PDF file for a Cute Bunny Shadowbox Cricut project that can be found HERE ·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and white colored pencil.

·   Front Sentiments-Computer Generated

·   Inside Sentiment- “Sweet Easter Wishes” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Easter Joy)  (Beccy closed her digi shop 

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

·   Easter Egg paper from Hobby Lobby

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

·   Brown ink pad, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Food and/or Drink
Simon Says Monday Challenge-Bright & Cheerful       
Time Out Challenge- Challenge #310 (Theme Inspiration)  Sweet Treats     
Polkadoodles Challenge-  Challenge 4, Wk 3- AG

      This is my first entry in the April Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB. My card features a digi from Beccy’s Place named “Holiday Hounds.” I printed off a copy this hound, which artist Beccy Muir named “Earl”, and added knitted texture to his sweater using an excellent tutorial from artist Annabel Haines (see link in my supplies list.) Although it takes a little time to detail all the cable stitches, I think the results are worth it! (In 2022 I posted tips, plus a few photos showing how I colored this adorable Earl the first time! You can find that HERE. The stitching on this sweater is a little different, but the technique is the same.)
     Since the Earl image is tall, I decided to made a slimline card base that fits into basic #10 business envelope. (An added note- I like using these envelopes because you can find them anywhere they sell office supplies, and they are much cheaper than buying “slim line envelopes” or an expensive envelope die!)  
     I’m entering this card into several challenges including  ABC Christmas Challenge ‘’H  is for Hat” (I think that the antlers on Earls head can count as a hat? At least it's the closet thing to a hat that he’ll let you place on his head. He definitely doesn’t look like a hat… umm …Mutt!! 
 
 
Supplies: 
·   Digi  and front sentiment from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Holiday Hounds)  (Beccy closed her digi shop but sells 
     clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which  sets are available!)

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

·   Knitted texture tutorial can be found HERE

·   Inside Sentiment- We Are 3 Digital Sentiments  (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:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #4-2026 March/April (Optional twist- Furry Friends) 
Pick 3 Challenge- March-April 2026    Text, Slimline, Stripes 

     Several Christmas and coffee challenges are going on right now, so I decided to use a Stamplorations digi named "Framed Coffee Cup" to make the next two cards and printed it on patterned paper to fit into a Christmas theme. (I remember from printing on patterned paper in the past that I needed to load the pattern “face-up” in the tray to do this. Check your printer manual, or google a question to learn how to load the paper in your specific printer.)
     I used my MS Word program to size the digi to fit an A2 card front, printed it on white cardstock, trimmed the entire image from the white cardstock, and set it aside. Then, using MS Word, I cropped the coffee cup from the image, loaded my printer with an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of soft green striped paper (face up!), and ran it through my printer. After fussy-cutting it from the frame, I aligned the striped cup with the cup on the white cardstock (which I had earlier set aside), and adhered it in place. Next, I adhered the finished  “Framed Coffee Cup” to a scrap of red and green plaid paper, cut to fit an A2-sized card front. I added a bit of bling to the green striped cup with a strip of 3-foil holly stickers from Hobby Lobby, then finished the card with a scrap of the plaid paper, and a bit of the holly sticker bling to decorate the inside sentiment. 


 
Supplies: 

·   Stamplorations Digital stamp (Framed CoffeeCup) (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.

·   Inside Sentiment “Sending… cup of holiday cheer” from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Christmas Cheers) (Beccy closed 

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

·   Christmas Icon Border Foil Stickers- Hobby Lobby 

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

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

Entered into:  
STAMPlorations- April 2026  
{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17   
Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- April 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- April 2026

     To make this second card, I only needed to print the coffee cup from the digital image on patterned paper. So, I used my MS Word program to help me to crop from the "Framed Coffee Cup" digital image. Then, following the process I used above, I printed the cup on red paper with a slight grunge pattern, fussy-cut, and set it aside. I created a background for the A2 card front with scraps of cardstock and patterned paper, and adhered them to add some color and contrast for the cup.  
    I used an Exacto knife to cut a slit in the top of the card so a gift card could be slipped inside, then, using a few thin strips of foam tape, I  adhered the sides of the cup to the card, making sure there was room to slide the gift card inside. Next, I used a pencil to lightly sketch a few swirls onto scraps of vellum to make wispy plumes of steam, then carefully cut them out. It took a bit of positioning, but I was able to slide their "tails" down into the cup, and then gently positioned/intertwined the plumes to create wisps that crown the Cuppa with a whimsical heart! When I liked the results, I carefully taped their ends to the front of the card with small strips of clear tape, dabbed a bit of glue on the vellum swirls, and pressed them into place. A few sprigs of holly, fussy-cut from the patterned paper used on the card front, provided sweet little embellishments for the card's sentiments! All that was needed was to slide the gift card in place and share it with a friend. 
Supplies: 
·   Stamplorations Digital stamp (Framed CoffeeCup) (clear stamp is retired. Digital image is available for $2.oo)

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

·   Front Sentiment  “Sending… cup of holiday cheer” from a Beccy’s Place digi set (Christmas Cheers) (Beccy closed her digi shop but sells

     clear stamp sets online. Check HERE  to see which sets are available!)

·   Inside Sentiment-“Celebrate the Season” from a Stamplorations digi set (Framed Christmas)        

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

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

Entered into:  
via Pinterest {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party: April 10-17 
via Pinterest STAMPlorations- April 2026   
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