Tuesday, February 10, 2026

myasperations 2-10-26

    I created this card as my first entry into the Sweet November Stamps Fae-bruary (fairy) Challenge. The beautiful background is from a favorite FB site for digis, Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC. (See details in my supplies section.) I used a free Paint program to layer the sweet fairy digi (her name is Cecily) atop the cloudy rainbow background digi. Some delicate coloring of Cecily with Spectrum Noir markers and a few gel pens brings the digi to life.  

Supplies: 
·  Pre-colored Rainbow background was posted on FB on 6-7-2024 at Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC (on FB). Once you join HERE, check to see if this digi is still available HERE (on a posting)

·   Free Paint.net program can be found HERE (you can add watermarks, layer digis, and more!)

·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Cecily)  

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

·   Sentiments “Hello Sunshine” is from Beccy’s Place digi set “Hello Sunshine” and  “Be a rainbow…” is from Beccy’s Place digi set “Rainbow (Beccy is starting to sell clear stamp sets online again. Check HERE if you'd like to see which sets are now available!)

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

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

Entered into:  
Sweet November Stamps Fae-bruary Challenge- Week 1: Fairies and Toadstools 
Paper Funday- Feb 2026 #84 Anything Goes  (Optional Twist: Use Pastels)

     I created this card to enter the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge, “Add a Heart,” and had so much fun featuring an adorable cat (from Eurekat Stamps) front and center! Bright and cheery patterned papers jammed full of hearts are sure to… well… warm the heart of the person who receives this sweet card!  
Supplies: 
·   Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

·   Digi- QKR Eureka Digital Stamp (Lovesick Kitty) is retired, but  an assortment of other Eureka "critter" stamps can be found HERE)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Valentine’s Day”-Connie Fong digi stamp set (Lulu and Lonny With Balloon Bundle)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Hugs & Kisses” from Hero Arts Words of Love Digi stamp sheet (no  longer available)

·   Patterned Paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   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-Add a Heart   
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #1-2026 Jan/Feb  
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2606
Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 2, Week 2-AG  
Pattie's Creations Challenge- #239 AG (Feb 2026)

   I created this festive card for the new challenge at Double D’s with a “Vintage/Shabby Chic” theme. It features a photo of a recipe card for Gingersnaps, one of my husband’s favorite holiday cookies.  The recipe was handwritten by my sweet mother-in-law and given to me nearly 50 years ago, so I consider it to be an heirloom! I love honoring the family tradition of making these, and other beloved cookie recipes, every Christmas. The addition of Holly wreath patterned paper as the base of my card, and the wonderful wooden spoons embellished with twine and greenery, gives the card a festive vibe!
Supplies: 
·   Background- Patterned paper from Hobby Lobby (one wreath is fussy-cut and used to embellish inside sentiment)

·   Front Sentiment- Photo of a handwritten recipe card

·   Wooden spoon from  Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Tied Up With String) (Beccy is starting to sell clear stamp sets online again. Check HERE if you'd like to see which sets are now available!)

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

·   Inside Sentiment- “Sweet Holiday Wishes” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cheers) (Check HERE for availability)

·   Pioneer Clear Photo corners- available from several sources

·   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

·   All other misc. items and tools from my stash.
Entered into:  
Double D’s Challenge- Vintage/Shabby Chic     
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #738-739 (AG/Family Friendly)
Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- Feb 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Feb 2026
Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge-Feb- (Includes several shades from the Color board, and the theme "From the Kitchen" of the Mood Board)  
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Tuesday, February 3, 2026

myasperations 2-3-2026

     I have been a regular participant in the Path of Positivity (POP)  Challenge since I stumbled upon it 5 years ago, 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 Path of Positivity is officially entering its 13th year of offering challenges that encourage positivity and creativity! In honor of this wonderful anniversary, 0ur challenge host, Lisa D, introduces the theme for 2026: Crafting by the Numbers. (Click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2026)!
     February’s challenge TWIST is Dynamic Duo: Create 2 Matching Projects, and I decided to making a gift holder with a coordinating tag using items I've had in my stash for several decades! The elegant pillow box, made with corrugated craft paper has lots of texture and also some lovely bling! Two wood-mounted rubber stamps, one of the first stamp purchases I made back in the 90’s, were used to create this card. The first, a large grapevine wreath with roses, was used to make a gold-embossed front panel for the pillow box. A matching tag, with a gold-embossed rose image and elegant sentiment, is secured to the pillow box with a gold elastic cord.  (Sadly, both stamp companies are now out of business.)
                      
 
Supplies: 
·   Pillow Box Template/instructions- I found a simple one HERE and a more elegant one HERE  
·   Front panel Grapevine Wreath and Rose image on the tag are made with Azadi Earles Woodmount Rubber 
    Stamps (Company no longer in business)
·   Tag “Hello” Sentiment is from a Rubber Stampede Wood Mount Rubber Stamp (Company no longer in business)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Corrugated Cardboard craft paper/12" x 12" Scrapbook Paper- Hobby Lobby 
 ·  Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.
·   Pigment ink, embossing powder, and elastic cord (all in gold), plus misc. items and tools from my stash.
Entered into:  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #736-737 (AG/Family Friendly)
Neglected Stuff Challenge- Feb 2026
Simon Says Monday Challenge-Add Some Texture      
Outlawz Anything but a Card Challenge- Feb 2026 
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Feb 2026

    Kit and Clowder’s artist/owner, Alyce Keegan, provided a class at a Card Maker Success Summit last March using a free worksheet named “Unicorn Mail.” The sweet little Unicorn was easy to color, and I especially love her rainbow mane and tail, which became radiant with the help of a Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Gel Pen.
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Kit & Clowder Coloring Class Freebie (Unicorn Mail March 2025) Sign up on K&C FB page, HERE, to learn of future classes and freebies! (Once you are signed up, enter “Coloring Classes” in search box to qview  classes that have been offered.)

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

·   Front Sentiment- a Freebie from Desert Diver (You add COLOR to my life!)

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer-generated

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

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

Entered into: 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG (Pink & Main)                
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Feb 2026  Color Board (Shades of Pink/Purple- or rainbow)
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2605 (AG) 
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #823: Add Some Red
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Feb 2026- Color Scheme

      A friend is having a baby next month, and her 8-year-old son, Lam, is super excited! He LOVES turtles, so I decided to make him a card to let him know that we think he is great and will be an AWESOME big brother! The card features a cute little turt from a Not2Shabby paper pack and a fun card fold that is new to me. A stamper friend created an excellent video tutorial for making a “3D Easel Card,” which helped me create one with little trouble... except that I can't find my velcro! So, for now, it is held together with a paperclip.
     The three photos show 1) the card front, 2) the card open with the turt lying flat atop the sentiment, and 3) the turt slid behind the raised sentiment, tilting him forward.  I wanted to make it look like the little turtle was stirring up lots of bubbles as he shot through the water, and I’m not sure if that if a bunch of punched circles, sequins and rhinestones create that result. What do you think? Can you tell the little cutie is stirring up some turbulence in his wake?
 
   
Supplies: 

·   3D Easel Card tutorial on YouTube HERE

·   Sea Turtle on front of card is upcycled from an advertisement for an Aquarium that I picked up on my travels! 

·   Precolored Sea Turtle digi on inside of the card is from a Not2Shabby 6x6 paper pack (Watercolor Cuties)  

·   Front Sentiment- Handwritten (scroll and anchor digi upcycled from an old card)

·   Inside Sentiment-“You are Awesome (just so you know)” a freebie from TlcCreations

·   Sea shells beneath sentiment are fussy-cut from patterned paper- Hobby Lobby scrapbooking set

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

·   Stickles-Diamonds

·   Several sizes of paper punches, a small anchor punch, sequins, other items, and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge- Feb (card features shades of all colors on current board) 
Pick 3 Challenge-Jan-Feb 2026 (Card features fun fold, layers, texture)
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #1-2026 Jan/Feb (Optional twist- Use Circles) 
Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 2, Week 1-AG  
The Paper Shelter- #664 AG
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Sunday, January 18, 2026

myasperations 1-18-26

This year, the Path of Positivity (POP) is officially entering its 13th year of offering challenges that encourage Positivity and Creativity! In honor of this wonderful anniversary, our challenge host, Lisa D, introduces the theme for 2026: Crafting by the Numbers and January’s challenge TWIST, NUMBER ONE. “The first step in our creative journey of crafting by the numbers is to challenge you to create a NEW project--one that you have never made before. It is time to step outside your comfort zone, explore a new technique or project, and embrace the excitement that comes with starting at one. If you tend to only make cards, how about putting together a mixed media canvas? If digital is normally your thing, complete something totally handmade. Never made an ATC card before? Well, now is the perfect time to try it. Whatever project you decide on, new beginnings start here! Be sure to make it one to remember!!!"
   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 enjoy gifting my great-nieces and nephews with books on their birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions. Although I'd never thought to include bookmarks with the gifts, after seeing a few Corner Bookmark tutorials on the web (links in the supplies list below), I knew I needed to try my hand at making them. 
   When I retired in November 2024 I started slowly but diligently de-cluttering and organizing my craft room. In the process, I found a box of cute images I'd previously stamped or printed (some of them are nearly a decade old!) Using a handful of the digis and paper scraps from my stash, these fun bookmarks went together so quickly and easily that I know there will be more “Litters” popping up in my future!       
     
Supplies: 
·   Corner Bookmark Instructions- Written tutorial HERE and short video version HERE 

·  Stamped/printed Images are from the following companies- Angel Kitten (a freebie found HERE), Cat in Shades (from Eureka Stamps, retired, but an assortment of other Eureka "critter" stamps are available HERE), Heart Cats (Bugaboo Stamps, company now closed), Cat in Bookshelf  (Gerda Steiner Stamp set available HERE) , Fat Cat and Sleeping Cat (Beccy's Place Digital Set "The Cat's Meow") Note- Beccy is starting to sell clear sets online again. So you can check HERE to see which sets are available to you now!

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

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

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

Entered into: 
Via Pinterest- Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2602  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #1-2026 Jan/Feb (Optional twist- Use Circles) 
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #734-735 (AG/Family Friendly)

    I used a sweet image from a Gerda Steiner Design (GSD) “Cat on Bookshelf” digi on one of the corner bookmarks. This card features an A2-sized GSD digi… and it was a freebie! 
    Back in 2018, I signed up for the Gerda Steiner Design newsletter, and since then, I’ve been getting an invitation every fall to add their annual NEW YEAR digi to my GDS collection of wonderful digis and clear stamp sets! It’s always fun to see what critters are embellishing the digi. This year it is penguins…  my favorite winter critters. I also love to color images with Christmas lights because adding colored glow to each with chalks and Q-tips is so fun!
     (Note- You can see what GSD freebies are currently available and also can sign up for the Newsletter on their website toolbar HERE!)   
Supplies: 
·   2026 Image- Annual Free Digi from Gerda Steiner Designs via Newsletter email
·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  

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

    Chalks were used to add colored glow to the lightbulbs

·   Inside Sentiment- “ Sending you warm winter wishes” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Seasonal Windows) Beccy is 

    starting to sell clear sets online again. So you can check HERE if you'd like to see which sets are now available!

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

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

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

Entered into: 
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2602  
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #820: Favorite Digi or Stamp
The Paper Shelter- #663

     I created this Christmas card using this month’s sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB. The sweet bear, named “Stanley Claus,” is a favorite digi from one of Beccy’s Place “Stanley” digi sets. The sentiments are from a source that is fairly new for me… and it offers a nice assortment of free sentiments!
Supplies: 
·   Background created using Sketch from the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers December Challenge

·   Digi- from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Stanley Claus) Beccy is starting to sell clear sets online again. 

    Check HERE if you'd like to see which sets are available!

·   Beccy recently closed her digi shop. You can check HERE to see if a clear stamp set is available.)

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

·   Sentiments- freebies from YouTube@Sassy’s LLC (learn more Here)

·   Holly embellishments- trimmed from patterned paper (Hobby Lobby), detailing added with Black Fine-line 

     Sharpie Marker

·   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- A & B are for?  'A is for Anything Christmas’
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Jan 2026
Outlawz Christmas Only Challenge- Jan 2026

     There are a few more days to enter cards into this months Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge.  My easel card features one a sweet digi from Polkadoodles, “Sweet” for two reasons! The first is that the little barista is adorably sweet, plus she is holding not just coffee but also a baked treat that looks yummy with a cherry on top! I added a red satin ribbon bow to the card to add some texture and another shout of bright color to the card!  
 
Supplies: 
·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE (Except I used a portrait vs a landscape format for my A2-sized card)

·   Digi- Polkadoodles Digi Set (Barista Coffee/Cake)

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

·   Snowflake patterned paper-from 6x6 paper pack-Michaels Crafts (Recollections-Gingerbread Forest)

·   Front Sentiment “Have Yourself a Merry Little Coffee” from Polka Dot Orchard digi set (Merry Little Coffee)

·   Inside Sentiment “Sending you…Holiday Cheer” from Beccy’s Place digi set (Christmas Cheers) Beccy is starting 

     to sell clear sets online again. Check HERE if you'd like to see which sets are now available!

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

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

Entered into:  
Polkadoodles Challenge 2026- Challenge 1, Week 3-AG  
STAMPlorations- January 2026    
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