myasperations 7-31-22

We’re heading into a new month, so I had fun making a DT card for the challenge at QKR Stampede. Stop by the challenge, which is always “Anything Goes” and several prizes are awarded. Maybe you’ll be inspired to enter a card or two yourself?

I recently found some colorful large cards with matching envelopes in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby and knew that I wanted to find a use for them. This fun digi named Boy with Balloons is the perfect fit, especially when I added the realistic balloons (freebies from Dr. Digi) to provide some pops of bright color.

Note- QKR has another digi that, when paired with this one creates an innovative two-layer scene. I made a sample on an earlier posting HERE.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- QKR (Boy with Balloons) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted

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

·   Front Sentiment -Freebie from Simply Cards & Papercrafts Magazine  (No longer available) 

·   Inside Sentiment- “You add COLOR to my life”- Computer Generated using WORD font format options

·   MrONEderful card and envelope- Hobby Lobby

·   Pre-colored Balloons- Freebies from Dr. Digi (you can find them HERE)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- #97 Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #553-554 Anything Goes                   

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #31 Anything Goes                       

The Cute As A Button’s July Progressive Challenge features a wonderful digi image named Betsy Ross. Artist Francesca Lopez did a great job of depicting Betsy Ross diligently doing her part in building a nation!  I especially enjoyed coloring all the special details that Francesca included in this scene, including the fireplace, candle, and framed “embroidery sampler.”  A star-spangled 4^th of July sentiment adds a festive touch to the inside of the card.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Cute as a Button Digital Stamp (Betsy Ross)

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

·   Inside Sentiment-  We Are 3 Digi Set (Wishing you a Happy 4th)

·   Patterned paper (Woodgrain and stars), scraps of vellum, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Cute As A Button-FB Progressive Freebie Challenge- #55 Betsy Ross

The Paper Shelter- #521 Anything Goes (Summer Break)  

Gem of a Challenge- Week #16 Anything Goes                               

In April, I stumbled upon a Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group {BYSHC}, which was new to me. They were also hosting the  Spring into Christmas 2022 Linky Party, with some fine prizes. I was thrilled to win a prize from one of their sponsors, named “Fresh and Renewed with Teresa.” Teresa’s prize packet was jammed full with all kinds of treasures, including the JOY tag and red patterned paper that I used on my card.

Supplies: 

·   JOY tag and red patterned paper- from Teresa’s Prize package.

·   Front Sentiment- “Believe” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (The Big Guy)

·   Inside Sentiment- TLC Creations Freebie (Dream A Little Christmas Dream)

·   The green card base and envelope- a set of boxed cards that I picked up at a Goodwill after-Christmas sale for 90% off! 

·   Cardstock, patterned paper, Wooden Santa embellishment, Ho ribbon and silver cord, from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #24 July 2022

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #605 AG       (optional-add a reindeer)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- August                   

myasperations 7-29-22

Warning- this posting starts with an old lady talking about her recent surgery. The content might be too graphic… no… too boring for some readers. Skip if desired!

Many of you know that I had hip replacement surgery last month I’m doing very well in my recovery, but am a bit concerned that I may unintentionally dislocate my new “bionic” hip!  Case in point: last week the Doctor reminded me that I must NOT bend at the waist past a 90-degree angle as it could cause major issues. His tone of voice increased my awareness of this risk, and now, at least 4-5 times a day, I stop myself before bending too far! He had also added that I should not jump, run or dance…. which all seemed unlikely to me right now when staying upright while walking is a bit of a challenge. I had followed the restriction… until this AM when I had a Tri-fecta Oops!

In my defense, it wasn’t really my fault. A huge furry spider spooked me when he ran across the bathroom counter while I was brushing my teeth. My immediate response was to jump away from him, screaming at the top of my lungs. (It was a big jump… and loud scream… to which my husband can attest.) When the spider leaped to the floor, I grabbed a tissue from a nearby box and proceeded to bend completely to the floor, not once, not twice, but three times until I was able to thwack-smash the ugly critter into a smear on the linoleum.

By the grace of God, I don’t appear to have hurt myself. But as I continue to feel better every day, I am also at increased risk for overdoing it… or in this case, overreaching it!  So I welcome prayers that I will remember to STOP and THINK… before a react. (I really don’t want to explain to the doctor that killing a spider, or picking up a dropped donut for that matter, was the cause of a future dislocation!)

 

Now… on to my cards!

Earlier this year, I stumbled upon a Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group {BYSHC} on FB and just had to join. They offer a monthly sketch challenge, plus host other challenges and events during the year. Here are my three final entrees into their July 2022 Christmas in July Linky Party.

This digi reminds me of my sweet mom, who loved blown-glass ornaments. The card went together pretty quickly, except for some extensive fussy-cutting. And the two sentiments, from the digi set, are a perfect fit!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Swinging By With Holiday Cheer

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

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

·   Christmas Tree patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Pioneer Clear Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Cardstock, rhinestones, gold cord and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

BYSHC 2022 Christmas in July Linky Party

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- #97 Anything Goes

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #31 Anything Goes                      

Papercraft Challenges   Challenge #84 Christmas in July

Rudolph Days Challenge- July

When working on the last cards, I’d printed off a few extra copies of sentiment from the Polka Dot Orchard digi set. The one that mentions “swinging by…” is so fun to pair with this cute image from Di’s Digis. Once again, this card involved some major fussy-cutting (which I find relaxing!) The fringed edge of the scarf hanging off the card was a happy accident. I didn’t realize the digi I printed off was too large for an A2 card front until I started putting all the pieces together. Ack! I knew that I didn’t want to trim that lovely fringe, so I adhered it to the card, allowing the extra portion to stick off the card. It will easily fit into an A4 or A6-sized envelope.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Dis Digi Stamps (Festive Friends) Appears to be retired

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

·   Front Sentiment and inside sentiments from Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Swinging By With Holiday Cheer)

·   Digi and sentiments are from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Gnomes in My Garden)

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

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

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #186 Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #605 AG (optional-add a reindeer)

Gem of a Challenge- Week #16 Anything Goes                              

Dare 2 Be Artzy–July Challenge: Christmas In July

Jan’s Digi Stamps- July 2022 Anything Goes    

I’m hosting the current Christmas in July Challenge for wecraftcards Forum, with the theme to create a Christmas card using non-traditional colors. I tend to mostly use bright red and green for Christmas, so this was truly a challenge for me. My card was inspired by the strip of sheer pale lavender”ish” ribbon with glittery silver snowflakes. I did a deep cleaning of my paper scrap box seeking shades of pale blue, lavender, silver, and grey that would compliment the ribbon strip. After assembling my card, I thought it looked kind of drab. So I added richness and depth to the holly berries with a few markers in rich mulberry tones. Lastly, I found a large scrap of deep mulberry cardstock, cut it into a circle, adhered it to the card front, and then topped it with the elegant bell and holly image. 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Golden Bell) Also available in cling-mounted (Christmas Bells

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

·   Herringbone background made with Paper Scraps- instructions HERE and HERE

·   Inside Sentiment- Digi- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Golden Bell) Also available in cling-mounted (Christmas Bells

·   Silver photo corners- available via several web sources (WXJ13 Photo Mounting Corners)

·   Cardstock, sheer Glittery Snowflake Ribbon, and  other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Wecraftcards- Christmas in July: Non-traditional Color Scheme!

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #553-554 Anything Goes                   

Pixie's Snippets- Week #433 (Christmas in July)

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

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- July

myasperations 7-29-22

Earlier this year, I stumbled upon a Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group {BYSHC} on FB and just had to join. They offer a monthly sketch challenge, plus host other challenges and events during the year. This week is their 2022 Christmas in July Linky Party and I spent some time happily creating in my craft room. Here are my first few entrees made with adorable little digis from 2 Cute Ink.  

I love the smiley “Celebration Penguin” digi, and easily turned it into a Christmas image by using red and green color scheme and replacing his party hat with a Santa Cap!  So fun!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- 2cuteink (Celebration Penguin)

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

·   Front Sentiment- “Merry Christmas” label from my scrapbook stash

·   Inside Sentiment- “Wishing you all the hope…” from We Are 3 Christmas Set  HERE.

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Sparkly Santa Hat- upcycled from old greeting card

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

BYSHC 2022 Christmas in July Linky Party

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes

Jan’s Digi Stamps- July 2022 Anything Goes    

This second card turned out much differently than I had planned… but I kinda like it! After coloring the image with chalks, I added a bit of texture by bouncing the tip of a blender pen atop the chalked image. I had planned to use the entire digi but a few major ink smears on the lower part of the birdie meant that I needed to trim it down to just his round body. I repurposed the card for Christmas by removing the party hat and covered the cupcake with a little NOEL sticker. To make it look like he is holding the sentiment close, I  trimmed around the tips of his wings with an X-acto blade, and  slid the sticker  under them,

I planned to perch a Santa hat on his head, until I found the little tan feather quite by accident. I had grabbed a pillow to elevate my left leg (following hip replacement surgery) and something poked me through the casing. I grabbed a tweezer and pulled out this wonderful feather that was just begging to added to this little guys topknot.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- 2cuteink (Cupcake Birdie)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Noel” label from my scrapbook stash

·   Inside Sentiment- TlcCreations Freebie (Christmas a Time to make Magic) No longer available

·   Sparkly Santa Hat- upcycled from old greeting card

·   Patterned Paper, cardstock, vellum, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Digi Chooseday Crafting Challenge- Week #29 Anything Goes  
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- July                        
Patties Challenge- #196 Anything Goes (July)
Paper Funday– #43 ATG

My last card for this post is also for this week’s 2022 Christmas in July Linky Party. It features a digi and sentiment from Polka Dot Orchard digi sets. I decided to use a non-traditional color scheme with a retro feeling. Shades of pink, orange and lime green remind me of brightly wrapped packages under our family tree back in the 60’s.  So fun!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Gnome Talkie Before Coffee)

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

·   Front Sentiment- Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Merry Little Coffee)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Wishing you all the hope…” from We Are 3 Christmas Set HERE.

·   Mini Poinsettia paper scrap- used to create photo corners

·   Cardstock, patterned paper, scrap of vellum and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #651-Let’s Have Some Pink
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #553-554 Anything Goes                   
Dare 2 Be Artzy–July Challenge: Christmas In July
The Sisterhood of Crafters- Fairy or Gnomes