myasperations 12-25-23a

Dear readers- I don't have a clue why the formatting on this page is so wonky. I tried at least five times to make

corrections, but it just got worse each time. So I give up... and hope that you don't get a headache to reading it! 

This is the final card I created for the December Caffeinated Christmas Challenge, which is to include coffee and a snowman. I need to get it posted soon to beat the deadline.
   It features a coffee-cup-shaped card base with a dapper-looking snowman decorating its front. The snowman image, little snowflake tag, and snowflake charm/ornament (plastic silver-painted) are from my stash. I know I’ve had all of them for at least a decade, so don’t have a clue of their source. However, I can tell you where to find the card base template! (Google “coffee cup template free” and you’ll find some options. Or do the same on Pinterest, which is where I found the one I used- HERE)   


Supplies: 
·   Coffee-cup card base template found on Pinterest HERE

          Snowman image from my scrapbook stash.

      ·   Additional shading added to the snowman with Spectrum Noir Classique markers,       

          highlighting and stitching added with a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

     ·    Inside sentiment-computer generated.

    ·    Scraps of ribbon, patterned paper, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge Dec-#24 Coffee + Snowman 
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #268  
Jan’s Digi Stamps- Nov 2023 Anything Goes
Paper Funday- #60 Anything Goes      (Optional Twist: Snowman and/or bird)

This card is my second entry using the current sketch at the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC} Challenge on FB. It features an adorable penguin from Sweet November stamps, named Percy.  The sweet look on his face makes me think he is giggling, which is the perfect fit for the sheet music background.  All I needed to add was some lipstick kisses and a Santa hat to add a little more to the story that my card created.  Oh, and the beautiful pair of plaid papers in the background were from a prize packet I won in an earlier prize packet from the BYSHC challenge. Crystal really puts together some great happy mail!
 


Supplies:
·   Sheet Music background- “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” a freebie found HERE
·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Percy Penguin)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Lip Prints- upcycled/fussy cut from a business card
·   Front Sentiment “HoHoHo”- from a Hobby Lobby Sticker set
·   Sparkly Santa Hat Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Inside Sentiment - We Are 3 Christmas Sentiment can be found HERE.
·   Rustic plaid brown and black plaid papers- from a BYSHC prize packet!
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge-Christmas: Add a Santa Hat! 
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes Annual Bloghop 
{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #40 Dec 2023   
Friends of Sweet November (FB) Dec 
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #118 

Anne Fenton, from Anne’s Digital Art, donated her wonderful digi named “Decorating the

Tree” for the current Outlawz Progressive Challenge.  for our use. The digi inspired me to

create a card with depth and texture, so pulled out a Martha Steward punch I’ve had in my

stash for a long while and added a touch of the holidays with some bling and peppermints.

An added note- Anne’s website features a large assortment of beautiful drawings, which are

free upon request. I don’t see “Decorating the Tree” digi posted there, but you can ask Anne if

it is available. 

    I’m entering this card into several other challenges, including Inspiration Station’s prompt

photo (inspired by the Christmas Tree) and Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge (inspired by

the peppermint candy.)

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Anne's Digital Art (Check out Anne’s large assortment of beautiful drawings)
·   Digi- Decorating the Tree by Anne Fenton
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Front Sentiment “Merry and Bright”- Source Unknown (I can’t locate it in my collection of 

             digis.  Please let me know if you recognize it!)
·   Inside Sentiment- ‘It’s the Most wonderful time…” from Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set 
     (Sugar and Spice) found HERE 
      Note- A similar version of this sentiment is also found in a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Jolly Holiday)
·   Peppermint Candies- fussy-cut from scrapbook paper
·   Stickles, Martha Stewart branch punch, and other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #220
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Inspiration photo DEC 
Christmas Craft Creations challenge- Dec-Christmas Decorations   
Outlawz Challenge- Progressive Challenge (Dec) Decorating the Tree by Anne Fenton 
Inspiration Station- Challenge #56 Inspiration Prompt 

myasperations 12-25-23

     It’s Christmas evening, and I just realized that I didn’t post two cards I especially created for the December Caffeinated Christmas Challenge, which is to include coffee and a snowman. So, I’ll get them posted quick before before I turn off the Christmas tree lights and call the holiday a wrap (heh heh… I didn’t plan on that fun play on words, but I do like it!)

    This first card includes a cute snowman enjoying a hot brew on a snowy night. I thought Tiddly Inks had gone out of business a few years ago when the challenge blog was closed down. However, I was excited to find out that Christy Croll, the artist/owner of Tiddly Inks, still sells a nice assortment of her digis in her Etsy shop HERE) The snowman on this card is actually a freebie that is still available on the old TI blog. You can find the link in the  supplies list below.

Supplies: 

·   Snowman Digi- Tiddly Inks Digital Stamp (Freebie is available HERE)

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

·   Front Sentiment-“tis the Season... ” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cheers)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge Dec-#24 Coffee + Snowman   

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes Annual Bloghop
Patties Challenge- Anything Goes (Dec #213)
 
With Christmas over, I wanted to start making cards to celebrate 2024 to in time to get them mailed out in a short time. I planned to make several New Years cards and was considering ways to simplify the process when I saw this pre-colored digi from Jan’s Digi Stamps and inspiration struck. I love artist Jan Mehew’s realistic coloring of the bronze foil wrapping on the neck of this beautiful aqua-colored champagne bottle. So, although I seldom use pre-colored images, I decided thats what I was going to do this time! I again used my paint.net program to layer the png version of the image atop a freebie background image, changing the transparency of the digi so that the Happy New Year text shows through the bottle and top icecubes. Since I didn’t want the champagne bucket and front ice cubes to be transparent, I printed off a pre-colored copy and did some fussy-cutting, before adhering it to the card front. I then  added some additional depth to the images with light grey and soft aqua markers and a white gel pen. When finished, I layered the beautiful card front onto golf metallic cardstock, and embellished it with a scattering of sparkly stars to provide a party feeling to the card!
(Note- This digi set is  on sale until the end of December  for just $. It provides images and an assortment of sentiments!)

Supplies: 
·   Sentiment/background paper- “Happy New Year” from the Freebies Section at eyeletoutlet.blogspot.com (HERE)
·   Pre-colored Digi and Sentiments from Jans Digi Stamps Set (Happy New Year)
·    Free Paint.net program can be found HERE (you can add watermarks, layer digis, and more!)
·   Shading and highlighting added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Sparkly Stars made with glitter paper. star punch, and scrapbook template
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Party Time
The Paper Shelter-  Anything Goes
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge- Dec- Silver and Gold 
Jan’s Digi Stamps- Nov 2023 Anything Goes    

This final card was created using the sketch at the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC} December Challenge on FB and features an adorable penguin from Sweet November stamps. His name is Percy, and since he is all decked out in a warm hat and scarf, I provided a snowy background. Scraps of white and grey vellum help create the rectangular shapes in the sketch.        
   I’m entering this card into several other challenges, including Inspiration Station’s prompt photo (inspired by the snowflakes), and Allsorts Challenge: Cold and Ice (snowflakes represent both beautifully!)

                           

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Percy Penguin)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sparkly Snowflake- trimmed for a tag
·   Front Sentiment “Let it snow…” from Lili of the Valley Digi Set (Christmas Wishes)
·   Inside Sentiment- “Cozy Christmas” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Kitties)
·   Vellum, patterned papers, and other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Inspiration Station- Challenge #56 Inspiration Prompt     
Double D’s Challenge- Winter/Snow Scene                          
{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #40 Dec 2023                    
Friends of Sweet November (FB) Dec                                    

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Christmas)
Outlawz Challenge- Dec 2023 Linky
Allsorts Challenge- Week 760 AG  (optional Cold and Ice)

myasperations 12-20-23

    This month’s Sheepski Designs FB Challenge theme is “Layer it on” and I used a classy digi from Andrea’s artwork named “Strappy Sandal”.  Assorted items from my stash added elegance, bling… and perhaps even a touch of mystery to help bring in the new year! (PS- to help create some additional layering on the card, I printed the sandal onto vellum, colored it and laid it aside. I next made a base on which I’d attach the vellum; I cropped the “if the shoe fits…” paper and bright blue paper to size and used strips of washi tape to create pretty photo corners to hold them together. I then positioned the vellum sandal atop the base,  cropped it to size and adhered it at the corners with repositionable tape.

Then the fun could begin… I cut the Washi Tape into thin straps, then used an Exacto blade to cut slits where these would be woven through the base and taped underneath. It was a little tedious to do the weaving, but I do like the results. A strip of sheer ribbon, attached with a strip of the Washi tape, plus sentiments and sparkly stars finish off a card that will help to ring in the new year with style!

Supplies: 

·  Background paper “If the Shoe Fits…” from Freebies Section at eyeletoutlet.blogspot.com (HERE)

·   Digi- Sheepski Designs (Strappy Sandal)

·   Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Baby Animals) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted

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

·   Sparkly Washi Tape- Hobby Lobby

·  Front Sentiment- Metallic "Dream" tile from my scrapbook stash.

·   Inside Sentiment- “Happy New Year” from Papercrafts Magazine (no longer available, other freebies available by subscription HERE )   

·   Vellum, sheer ribbon, patterned paper, sparkly starts, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Party Time

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #220

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #268  

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Holiday Spectacular

Outlawz Challenge- Dec 2023 Linky

      I’ve always loved the wonderful “Front-N-Back” stamps from Art Impressions. I started my collection back in the ‘90s when a friend and I opened a stamp store in South Dakota. Art Impressions Stamps were some of our best sellers, and the owner was so kind and generous to us as new business owners. Most of these FnB stamps are now retired, but I still like to use them to add a bit of fun to my cards. This time, the little cutie greets us through a shiny teal “o” on the card front, and we can see him balancing on his tippy toes on the back of the card.  I also fussy-cut a mitten from the patterned paper, so he can maybe get some treats from Mrs. Claus? I’ll bet she is an amazing baker!

   I used sentiments from two Beccy’s Place digi sets. One reason I appreciate artist/owner, Beccy Muir, sets is because so many of her sentiments can be used with any number of images, plus they often reflect her wonderful sense of humor… which I love! (The one on the inside of this card always makes me smile!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Art Impressions-Front -N-Back penguin (retired)

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

·    Easel Card- Instructions found HERE  

·   Front Sentiment “Merry and Bright” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cardinals)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Just how good…?” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Here Comes Christmas)

·   Mirrored Paper, patterned paper, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Beccy’s Place Challenge- Dec 2023  

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

Inspiration Station- Challenge #56 Inspiration Prompt 

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Christmas)

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #101 Christmas

     

    I was saddened to read that Ching-Chou Kuik is closing her blog challenge at the end of this month. I have been making assorted holiday cards to put in gift bags of cards. This card will be included in a gift set mailed to a pair of special newlyweds in early 2023. The soon-to-be bride loves sunflowers, so she is sure to love this Thanksgiving card made with Ching-Chou Kuik's beautiful image named “Keep in Faith.”

    I’m entering it into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is one of my favorite challenges… as it has introduced me to many new amusement parks. This card was inspired by the Harvest Festival at Dollywood, TN, which I hope to visit someday! 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps (Keep in Faith)

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

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

·   Front Sentiment “Fall Greetings”- RG Ave Harvest Greetings set (no longer available)

·   Inside Sentiment from Verve Digi Set “Coffee Please” (Company no longer in business)

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

·   Sequins and other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes Annual Bloghop

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration & Challenge  (Anything Goes-Dec) 

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)    Fall/Autumn: Harvest Festival at Dollywood