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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Saturday, January 17, 2026

myasperations 1-17-26

      I’ve enjoyed participating in Outlawz challenges since 2018, so of course, I re-joined Outlawz after their recent website relocation, especially since one of the challenges that is still available, Songs and Rhymes (S&R), has been a favorite of mine!  The theme of the January S&R is Bees, and I had fun creating a card that is all the Buzzzzzz!
 
Supplies:

·   Bee Image- Hero Arts Rubber Stamp (retired)

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

·   Hive frame on front of card and Inside Sentiment- “Wishing you… Sweetest things…” from Imagine That (Company no longer in business)

·   Front Sentiment- “Happy Bee Day” from SnapClickSupply.com digi set (Sweet As Can Bee Word Art)

·   Stickles- Diamonds (on bee wings)

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

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

Entered into:  
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Songs and Rhymes Jan 2026
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Jan 2026
STAMPlorations- January 2026   

     This fun digi, “Flamingo in Bunny Slippers”, is a new addition to my collection of Patties Creations digis, and it’s quickly become a favorite. This is the second card I’ve made since I got it, and this time the cutie is playing center stage on a Valentine’s card. It includes a bright red heart on the bunny's coffee mug, and additional hearts on the patterned paper. But I also added a touch of fun with a few lovely pink feathers!
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Patties Creations (Flamingo With Bunny Slippers)

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

·   Heart Patterned Paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Valentine’s Day”- from a Hero Arts Digital Set (retired)

·   Inside Sentiment- “BEAN Thinking about you” from Imagine That (Company is no longer in business)

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

·   Pink feathers, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #1-2026 Jan/Feb
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #820: Favorite Digi or Stamp
Pattie's Creations Challenge- #238 AG (Jan 2026)

    I wanted to make a card for the Sweet November Stamps challenge, plus several others that feature wintery colors/schemes on their mood boards. I used a free Paint program to layer this beautiful digi atop the snowy background scene. Spectrum Noir markers and a white gel pen help bring the digi to life, with the knitted texture added to her hat added with a tutorial I found on the web (link in my supplies list!)  A few strips of torn paper create “snow drifts” along the bottom of the card front. A light layer of a Wink of Stella Brush tip marker adds a bit of sparkle to the snow drifts and snow-laden tree branches!
    PS- I added some depth to the card by cutting around the little cuties boot and lower leg, then added a few pieces of foam tape to the card beneath her boot to lift it abit from the card front. You cand see this in the last photo. So fun!  

Supplies: 
·   Background Scene- “Snowy Tree Photo” freebie from artist Dina Gerner’s FB page (no longer available)  

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

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Rory)

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

·  Tutorial for creating knitted texture (on hat) can be found HERE

·   Front Sentiment “Hello”- Handwritten

·   Inside Sentiment-“If Kisses were snowflakes…Blizzard” a freebie from Mudmaven.blogspot.com HERE

·   Inside- Snowflake circle embellishment- Bugaboo Stamps (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:  
The Four Seasons Challenge- Winter Season Jan 2026 
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Jan 2026  Color Board 
Inspiration Station- Challenge #81 Inspiration Photo (inspired by the snowy background!) 

     I wanted to make one final card to help Double D’s celebrate their 10th Birthday (online) and opted to go with a card that features a little cutie and a sweet cupcake! A free Subway Art background helps to set the mood.
Supplies: 

·   Birthday Subway Art Background- a Freebie that can be found HERE (I printed the digi in B&W)

·   Digi- The Paper Shelter (Cupcake Birthday)

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

·   Inside Sentiment- “Wishing you the happiest of Birthdays” from Beccy’s Place Digi set (Daisy Elements) Beccy is starting to sell clear sets online again. Check HERE if you would 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:  
Double D’s Challenge- DD Ten Year Birthday 2026  
The Paper Shelter- #663
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #734-735 (AG/Family Friendly)

 

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