myasperations 12-31-21

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 set, named Christmas Cardinals, is one of Beccy’s encore sets, which means it’s been part of her collection for a while but is also an old favorite and so deserves to be highlighted!

Since the little cardinal with winter boots was dressed for the cold, I created a blizzard just for the little tweetie! The white snowflakes are hand-folded and cut using instructions I found on Pinterest. (The site I feature in my supplies list provides instructions and templates for making designs from super easy to intricately detailed. I love the sense of wonder when cutting snowflakes. So fun!)

Supplies: 

·   Precolored Digi plus“Thinking of You At Christmas” sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cardinals)

·  A few additional details (shading and highlighting) added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Hand folded and cut snowflakes- instructions and templates for a variety of designs HERE

·   Blue Snowflake Stickers and “Let it Snow”  sentiment- Hobby Lobby

·   Cardstock and patterned papers from my stash.

Entered into:  
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #1 Anything Goes                        
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes
        Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  

Snow globes also bring out a sense of childlike wonder for me, so I enjoyed making this card using one of my newer digis from The Paper Shelter. And it was fun to use a snow globe sticker embellishment, which is a perfect fit for the card's inside sentiment. Layering, photo corners, glossy accents, and some coloring provides textures, patterns, shading, and highlights to the sweet card.

Supplies: 

·   Digi with sentiment- The Paper Shelter (My Christmas Snowball)

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

·   B&W Plaid paper- Hobby Lobby’s Plaid Box of Cards

·   Inside Sentiment- “Wishing You a Jolly Holiday” Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Jolly Holiday)

·   Mini Snow globe Sticker- Hobby Lobby

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

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

·   Glossy Accents- used to add “glassy finish” to the snow globe

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
The Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Challenge-Anything Goes
Digi Chooseday Crafting Challenge- Week #51 Anything Goes   
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Jan’s Digi Stamps- December 2021 Anything Goes    

My final post features a new digi that I won in a recent challenge, from a sponsor that is new to me! Alex Syberia has some wonderful digis in her Etsy shop, and I especially liked this elegant one named “Christmas Bouquet.” I used rich Victorian colors, silver embossing, and a sketch from the current Sketch N Scrap challenge to give the digi a chance to shine!

I'm entering the card into several challenges including Outlawz Sunday Challenge (My New Year Wishes for you are Peace, Love and Joy!) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Alex Syberia Design (Christmas Bouquet)

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

·   Front Sentiment- “Peace Love  Joy” PSX Rubber stamp (No longer available)

·   Inside Sentiment- freebie from LoveSVG (May Joy Fill Your Home)

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Silver Pigment Inkpad, Silver Embossing Powder. Cardstock, patterned paper, and silver mirror paper from my stash

Entered into:  

Sketch N Scrap-Card Sketch  #207  or  #208

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #621 Mega Christmas Challenge

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #523-524 Anything Goes                   

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration & Challenge- “Something New" 

Outlawz Challenge- Crash Your Stash- Choices (Heat Embossing powder)

Outlawz Sunday Challenge- New Year’s Wishes

myasperations 12-30-21

I’m excited to share my second card as a guest DT for the Outlawz Color Challenge this month, especially since the sponsor is Beccy Muir from Beccy’s Place and I’m one of her Contributors (DT’s). The challenge is to create something using B&W and one color from the inspiration photo. I had fun using a Beccy’s Place digi named “Hoss” and several shades of brown on my easel card. Hoss, printed on kraft brown paper is savoring chocolate chip cookies! I wanted his eyes and teeth to stand out (and knew that wouldn’t be possible with my trusty white gel pen) so I printed them on white paper, trimmed the teeth and eyes from the image printed on kraft with an Exacto blade and scissors, then adhered the white versions in their place.  (PS Click HERE to see a Christmas card that I made earlier this month featuring a fluffy white version of Hoss with an assortment of luscious holiday DONUTS!)

Supplies: 

·   Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  (But I started with a vertical card base to add the height needed for Hoss!)

·   Digi and front sentiment is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Beasties)

·   Cookie digi- Tiddly Inks Digi set (Cookie Bugg) no longer available

       (I did find the cookie digi in another cute TI digi set you can find HERE)

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

·   Inside sentiment “Life is Short…”  is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Candy Shoppe)

·   Cardstock, patterned paper and all other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #172 Anything Goes

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Let’s Party!

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #52 Anything Goes                     

Beccy’s Place Challenge- December  

Outlawz Challenges- Tuesday Color Challenge- B&W+1 color from photo  

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

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

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

Many years ago, I made felted wool from a well-worn white wool blazer I found at a thrift store for a few dollars. I cut the blazer into pieces, removing the liner, buttons, etc. then washed the pieces in hot water with mild detergent. When finished, I let them tumble in a very HOT dryer until they shrunk down to less than half the size as when they started out! I ended up with a nice amount of beautiful, felted wool I cut it into circles, squares, mitten and stocking shapes. Decorated with embroidered and beaded accents they became vintage-looking Christmas tree ornaments. I recently found a few of the decorated circles and they made me smile as the holly sequins had been from my mom’s stash, and I’ve never seen anything like them since. I decided to make a card for one of my favorite challenges, Pixie’s Snippets (which requires the use of bits and pieces of paper.) It was fun to use the last few snippets of the patterned papers, plus I figured that pieces of an old wool jacket… um I mean felted wool… could also be considered a snippet?! I wanted to add another embellie to the inside, but with less bulk. So punched a heart from the patterned paper to add some of that bright color to the inside of the card. Easy peazy!!

Supplies: 

·   Front Sentiment- “Merry Christmas” Embellishment from Oriental Trading Company (no longer available)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Friends Warm the Heart” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (New Friends)

·   Kraft cardstock, Parchment stationery, scraps of patterned paper, felted wool, holly sequins, red seed beads, and a heart punch from my stash.

Entered into:  

Pixie's Snippets-Week #418 (Theme: Christmas or New Years)

Outlawz Challenge- Crash Your Stash- Your Choice (Felt)

Digi Chooseday Crafting Challenge- Week #51 Anything Goes   

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #523-524 Anything Goes                   

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #574 AG

This is my second entry into Double D’s Challenge “Lots of White”.  I star of the card is an elegant and intricate snowflake named Eliza (Yes, she has a name! Just ask the source of the snowflake die, Simon Says Stamps.) A lovely, patterned paper, silver and white cardstock, a computer-generated sentiment, and several circle dies helped finish off the whimsical card that is sure to give someone a smile!

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Simon Says Wednesday Challenge (I feel like fresh chocolate chip cookies are a reason to party! Especially with a milk chaser!) and STAMPlorations- CAS Challenge (This card is about as CAS as I get. It has no fussy-cutting or coloring!) 

Supplies: 

·   Snowflake Die- Simon Says Stamps (Eliza Snowflake Wafer Die)

·   Patterned paper-freeprettythingsforyou.com (Free Rustic Christmas Santa Photo Templates)

·   Circle Die- Little B Dies

·   Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Pioneer Clear Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge- Lots Of White                  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- It’s Time to Party!

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             

STAMPlorations- CAS Challenge December (Optional- Metallic + One Color)         

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Winter

myasperations 12-26-21

Earlier this month I was a guest DT for the Outlawz Color Challenge. Since I’ve been a Contributor for Becky Muir at Beccy’s Place (this month’s sponsor), I had fun using a few of her digis on my card (you can see it HERE.) My card reflects the theme and characters in the inspiration photo, which features a little girl and her favorite teddy bear. The sweet digi is a freebie from Beccy’s Place! A sheet of pretty floral patterned paper that I won from a company that is new to me beautifully mimics the appliqued flowers on the little girl's jeans. So fun!

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Incy Wincy Designs (my card features several pastel colors including pale blue, lime green, and apricot.) 

Inspiration Photo

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Beccy’s Place Freebie from 8-24-2011 (Piggy-Back Bear)

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

·   Flowers- Strips (and individual fussy-cut flowers) from Dare2BArtzy paper (Merry and Bright Variety Pack)

·   Front Sentiment- Desert Diva Freebie (hello!)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Believe in Magic” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Gnomes in My Garden)

·   Oval templates from my scrapbooking stash.

·   Cardstock and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Challenges- Tuesday Color Challenge- Photo Inspiration   

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

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes

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

Beccy’s Place Challenge- December  

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

Incy Wincy Designs- Pastel Colors and/or sketch

The Cute As A Button’s December Progressive Challenge features a sweet digi image named Polar Nap. I learned while making this card that some gray markers turn a bit gnarly looking when used to add shading to a large white polar bear! I ended up using a white gel pen to add fur over the entire critter, one hair at a time! Sadly, I couldn’t figure a way to let the wonderful heart-shaped steam swirl that artist Francesca Lopez had drawn rising from the coffee mug stand out in all that fur. (You can see it in the Watermarked version of the digi.)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Cute As A Button (Polar Nap)

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

·   Sentiment “Sending Warm Hugs”- Lili of the Valley digi stamp set (Christmas Wishes) 

·   Inside Sentiment- “Merry Christmas” from Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Swinging By With Holiday Cheer)

·   Snowflake patterned paper- JoAnne’s

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Cute As A Button-FB Progressive Freebie Challenge- #75 Polar Nap

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #172 Anything Goes

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week # 621 Mega Christmas Challenge

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #574 AG

Gem of a Challenge- Week #26 Anything Goes                             

Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Winter 

The sponsor for the Outlawz December Progressive Challenge is Maria Medel Illustrations, and the digi is an adorable angel trumpeter. I decided to use the little angel on a sparkly snowflake ornament I’d picked up at a thrift store several years ago. Paired with lovely vintage sentiment and music sheet background paper with a lovely antique look, the card with attached ornament is sure to be loved for at least a few years!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- “Angel” from Maria Medel Illustrations (image appears to be retired)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Christmas Wishes” from The Paper Shelter (Vintage Xmas Designs)

·   Sheet Music Patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Inside Sentiment- QKR Stampede Digital Stamp (Merry Christmas)

·   Cardstock, gold snowflake ornament, red rhinestones, and other items from my stash.
Entered into:  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #523-524 Anything Goes                   
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #51 Anything Goes                      
Outlawz Challenges- Progressive Freebie- December
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday   

myasperations 12-22-21

I apologize for the late posting of the following cards. It has been an unbelievably trying month with health issues, unexpected work at the office due to staff resignations… and the busyness of this time of the year (which I usually love!) My sweet hubby and I celebrate our anniversary later this month and I’m looking forward to being able to spend time relaxing with him as we wrap up a difficult year.  Amen!  Now… on to my belated post!

I am honored to have been a Guest Designer for Beccy Muir at Beccy’s Place and now serve as one of her “Contributors” (which means that Beccy provides me with digis or clear stamp sets several times a year and I get to create cards or other items with them!) This time, the digi and inside sentiment is from a just-released set named “Snow Time”.  I loved the vintage feeling of this snowman (named Woodrow), so went looking for patterned paper upon which to highlight him. Instead, I found this wonderful vintage postcard in a large box of treasures I inherited from my mom. My sisters and I discovered it when we’d helped her move from an apartment into assisted living. Over the next year, mom and I turned the piles of photos and assorted ephemera into three large scrapbooks which are now family heirlooms. (There is also no doubt that I inherited the packrat gene… um, treasure hunter/keeper gene… from my mom!) I colored Woodrow to match the postcard, then fussy-cut and attached him to the card, sliding him into a frame that I created by trimming a scene from the postcard. After positioning him, I decided to pull the end of his scarf to the front to show off the lovely fringe that Beccy added to her creation. (This attention to detail, plus the names she gives her hundreds of characters, always delights me!)

     I am entering this card into several challenges including the Path to Positivity Challenge where this month’s challenge is a great one- “As we continue this year's goal to encourage you to usher more positivity into your life, this month we want you to design a creation that focuses on GIVING TO or HELPING OTHERS.  A giving heart is a joyful, Positive heart. With the holiday season upon us, it is the perfect time to reflect on things and see what we might be able to give to others or perhaps look at ways we could provide assistance to others. This could include the obvious gift-giving aspect or one might choose to go with a ‘thinking of you’ or charity sort of idea.” (This year, as the drug treatment/recovery center where I work, is once again on “lockdown” because of COVID rates. This is especially hard on our clients. They are fighting so hard to overcome disabling addictions and support from family and friends can help in this life-changing struggle.  Our wonderful agency director invited staff members to consider ways we can help our clients stay positive and connected to loved ones this holiday season, despite the lockdown. A few staff have spent a few afternoons helping the clients bake and decorate the center. Others donated gifts that clients could send to their children (and the agency helped to provide postage costs). I put together a box of handmade Christmas and New Year’s cards for client use. It was especially fun to create some cards for young kiddos, who will be missing seeing their mom/dad this Christmas. Virtual visits are okay… but getting mail is sure to help make the holidays a bit more special!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi and Inside Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Snow Time)

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

·   Card Front with Sentiment- Vintage Postcard from my sweet Mom’s craft stash

·   Puffy Heart Stickers- Sticko’s from WalMart (113 assorted puffy hearts for just 99 cents!)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Cute As A Button- December: CH #75 Anything Goes + (Option) Vintage
The Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
Gem of a Challenge- Week #26 Anything Goes                             
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Winter

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #97 (Optional Twist- Give To-Help Others)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #523-524 Anything Goes      

              

I was saddened to learn that Kris Breach, artist/owner of Imagine That Digi stamps just closed her shop. For 9 years she provided us with adorable images and wonderful sentiments. I enjoyed serving on Kris’ DT for a short time and, more recently, participating in her Progressive Challenges each month. The December one features a playful gingerbread guy relaxing IN a hot beverage (vs. WITH a hot beverage!)

I didn’t realize that the shop closed until I started writing this posting. I am thankful that Kris is keeping her blog open (HERE) with a Customer Gallery so we can continue to share what we’ve been making with her digis!

I had made two cards with this month’s set, so will share both in this one post.

The grungy green card base on the first is actually from a box of Christmas cards that I bought several years ago for 75% off at a local thrift store. The cards make great bases for layered cards, have their own envelope and sometimes the inside greeting even works with what I’ve added to the front (as with this card.) The sweet little cookies adorning the inside greeting were fussy-cut from the patterned paper… mainly because they are so cute!

Card 1 Supplies: 

·   Digi and front sentiment- Imagine That! Digi Set (Gingerbread Cookies n' Cocoa)

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

·   Card base- from a box of Christmas Cards found at Goodwill (I kept the inside sentiment and added a few embellies)

·   Hot beverage mug sticker- Hobby Lobby

·   Gingerbread cookie paper- From Hobby Lobby Christmas Basics Box of Cards (cookies on inside fussy-cut from scrap)

Entered into:  
Imagine That Blog Progressive Challenge- Gingerbread Cookies n' Coca
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #51 Anything Goes                      
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Jan’s Digi Stamps- December 2021 Anything Goes    

The background for this second card was too yummy looking to discard… so I did some upcycling magic! Kris’ little Ginger guy peeks in on one side of the card, and cookies (upcycled from a grocery ad) frame the other.  Both sentiments, plus the decorated cookie on the inside, are part of the digi set.

    I am entering this card into several challenges including Simon Says Wednesday "It's Time to Party!" (To me cookies and cocoa are also a reason to party... especially if you add a little  Peppermint Schnapps to the cocoa. Yummy!) 

Card 2 Supplies: 

·   Digi and sentiments- Imagine That! Digi Set (Gingerbread Cookies n' Cocoa)

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

·   Upcycled hot chocolate box front and cookies fussy-cut from grocery store sale ad/flyer

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #172 Anything Goes

Digi Chooseday Crafting Challenge- Week #50 Anything Goes  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #573 AG

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- It’s Time to Party!