myasperations 2-24-23

    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 and sentiments are from a just-released set named “Beachside Bliss.”

     Since we are at the end of a major blizzard in the Midwest of the USA… this beautiful scene gives me hope that spring will arrive. Not tomorrow… but soon! The scene also reminds me of one of the places my husband and I lived for many years near a small body of water named “Lake Pelican.” And these large powerful birds were really fun to watch as they swooped the skies and dove deep into the water for the lunch buffet!

     I colored and fussy-cut around the pelicans, their wooden perches and even the ropes. (Here is a great tip that helps make fussy cutting a lot easier- First, reinforce the underside of any small or intricate areas with a few strips of clear tape. Then, use a small, sharp pair of scissors to trim the excess. I prefer EK Tools Cutter Bee Precision Tip- 5 inch.) The cloudy sky was created with light blue chalk, a stencil cut from a paper scrap, and a makeup sponge. I then used a torn scrap of a water-colored card front, flipping the torn edge to the top and positioning it to create a “horizon.” To add depth to the watery bottom of the card front, I positioned the fussy-cut pelicans and images on the card and used an Exacto blade to cut slits in the “water” allowing the bottoms of the pilings and rope ends to be tucked down behind the card front and taped into place.  Adding reflections and ripples with chalks, markers and a white gel pen adds realism to the scene. 

Supplies: 

·   Digi and Sentiments-Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Beachside Bliss)

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

·   Watercolor Dreams Box of Cards-Hobby Lobby

·   Fussy-cut shells on the inside of card-K&C Company paper pack

·   Clouds created with a stencil cut from a paper scrap, decorative chalks, and a makeup sponge!  

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #200 Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #583-584 Anything Goes   

2craftycrittercrazies challenge- #71 Feb 2023     

Paper Funday-  #50-Anything Goes (Optional Twist: Lots of Layers)

        Since I’m a DT for QKR/Stamp On It (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize! 

I wanted to make another card for Double D Challenge with the theme “Birds”, and decided to use one of my favorite digis, from Beccy’s Place- a flamingo that is lookin’ fine! I remembered the feathery hair elastic I found in the Hobby Lobby a while ago and love the wonderful texture it provides. So fun!

Supplies: 

·   Digi and sentiment-Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Feathered Friends)

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

·   Pink Feather Hair Elastic- Hobby Lobby Clearance Aisle

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge- Birds  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge- Pink      
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week # 678 Favorite Digi or Stamp
Beccy’s Place Challenge-February   
        Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday Christmas, Anything Goes
Outlawz Challenge- February 2023 Linky

I love this Race Car digi from All Dressed Up… mainly because I know a few little boys that have pretty amazing collections of Hot Wheels. Two additional perks about this digi is that it comes with an attached sentiment and costs just $1.88 (US dollars)! I cropped the little race car from the digi and printed a copy to be able to make the race care “embellie” for the inside of the card.

I'm entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out's  Anything Birthday Goes (It's Time Out's 9th year... so, Happy Birthday to them!!) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi (with attached sentiment)- All Dressed Up (3-2-1 Go)

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

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

All Dressed Up- #137 Anything Goes (February)

All Dressed Up Fb Challenge- February (Celebrations)    

Time Out Challenge- #232 Anything Birthday Goes  (9^th Birthday)

 

myasperations 2-20-23

This month’s Sheepski Designs FB Challenge theme is “Celebrations ” and I had fun creating with an adorable gnome digi named “Snowman Selfie.” I have always thought this group looks friendly group, so I computer-generated sentiment bubbles so each could share a warm hello!

PS Stop by the Sheepski blog to learn more about the monthly challenges and have a chance to win beautiful digis created by artist Andrea Norris!

I’m entering this card into several challenges including the Path Of Positivity-Inspired by Fashion (I love all the styles of headwear in this bunch- knitted caps, dapper stovetops, and bright Santa hats with furry accents!)

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sheepski Designs (Snowmen Selfie)

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

·   Sparkly Holly Swirl Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Inside Sentiment-“Merry Christmas...”  From Lili of the Valley Digi Set (Christmas Wishes)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #200 Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #583-584 Anything Goes   

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #248

Gem of a Challenge- Week #4 Anything Goes

Patties Challenge- #203 Anything Goes (Feb)

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #109 (Inspired by Fashion)  

The new challenge at Scribbles Designs is “Sheep Thrills” and a sparkly heart sticker helped me turn a thoughtful Woolley into a love-struck Woolley! I forced myself to eat some Hershey's Kisses to add a few embellies to the inside of the card. (Ha! The only force involved is that I made myself stop after eating just a few.) The fingerprints were made with a brown ink pad. (I’d never waste good chocolate… especially Hersheys which is sooooo yummy!)

I’m entering this card into several challenges including the Outlawz Twisted Thursday: TicTacToe (Top Row- Pink, Sparkle and Candy… Chocolate Kiss wrapper inside!) 

                                 

Supplies: 

·   Sheep Digi- Scribbles Designs (Woolley Thoughtful)

·   Fence Stamp- Art Impressions (No longer available)

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Cloudy sky background- upcycled from an old calendar

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Incy Wincy Designs- Valentines and/or In the Garden   

Scribbles Designs Challenge- #117 Sheep Thrills Wanted

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #7 Anything Goes                    

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes  (Twist-TicTacToe)  

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Anything Goes)

Outlawz Challenge- February 2023 Linky

I made this last card to enter into one The Butterfly Challenge, a favorite of mine! It features an adorable Fairy who is enjoying a little time with one of her best friends. So cute! A stampin’ friend shared this card fold with me, and I love how simple it is to make.

I’m entering this card into several challenges including the Butterfly Challenge: my card features two of the colors-Coral (dress) and Camel (mushroom stem), 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- The Paper Shelter-(A Fairy’s Best Friend)

·   Fun Fold #3- YouTube tutorial found HERE

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

·   Front Sentiment “Miss You” sticker- Hobby Lobby

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

Entered into:  

The Paper Shelter- #541 Lace and Flowers

Butterfly Challenge- #178 C is for Corner Fold Card     

Allsorts Challenge- Week 716: AG   (Option-Wings)

Di’s Digi Stamps- Circles  

Jan’s Digi Stamps- February 2023 Anything Goes    

Paper Funday-  #50-Anything Goes (Optional Twist: Lots of Layers)

        Since I’m a DT for QKR (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize! 

myasperations 2-15-23

        It’s the 15th of the month, so I’m sharing 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?
Don’t these sweet little chicks carefully fussy-cut from the flock, look adorable poised on a colorful Easter sentiment and dyed egg? (Note- after accidentally clipping one of the spindly legs, I opted to clip all of them off and then sketch them lightly onto the card with a pencil. When they were positioned where desired, I added shading with a marker, then drew over the pencil lines with a fine-tipped marker.)  I like the way the card turned out,  especially their fluffy feather tails! Once again my trusty white gel pen helps add highlights and texture to the front sentiment and little chicks.   

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz Thursday: TicTacToe (second row-Animal, flower, Sentiment/Title) 

       An added note- One comment reminded me to share of a great tip I learned years ago that helps make fussy cutting a lot easier; before cutting, reinforce the underside of any small or intricate areas with a few strips of clear tape. Then, use a small, sharp pair of scissors to trim the excess. (I prefer  EK Tools Cutter Bee Precision Tip- 5 inch.) For this job, it was still a bit difficult. Since I plan to make more of these cute cards, next time I might try clipping the legs off and then adding them to the sentiment with light pencil sketching and markers before attaching the feathers and little fluffy bodies. 

 

  

Supplies: 
·   Front Sentiment Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Happy Easter) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted
·   Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Bunch of Chicks) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Inside Sentiment- Freebie from Desert Diva (You Add Color To My Life)
·   Upcycled scalloped card front
·   Easter eggs cut from scrapbook paper
·   Feathers and other items from my stash.
Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge- Birds  

Jan’s Digi Stamps- February 2023 Anything Goes  

Gem of a Challenge- Week #3 Anything Goes  

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #5 Anything Goes  

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes 

Outlawz Challenge- February 2023 Linky

 
This is my second entry Power Poppy’s Challenge where the current theme is named “Clean Slate.” Since CAS cards are… well… challenging for me, I am not sure if this card will even qualify because I decided it looked a bit blah with a solid background. So I added a shabby chic floral patterned paper that peeks through the lovely spray of blooms. I have always liked coloring on vellum. This time, after coloring the digi on the underside of the vellum, I added details to the image on the top side with my white gel pen, making the petals, leaves and berries POP!

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including The Paper Shelter: Lace and Flowers (the shabby chic background looks a bit like lace.)
                      

Supplies: 
·   Digi (printed on vellum)- Power Poppy Digital Set (Autumns Opulence)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Front Sentiment -“Happy Hello” from Power Poppy Digital Set (Blossoming Cherry)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:  

Power Poppy- The Blossom Challenge- Clean Slate   

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week # 677 Add Some Flowers

The Paper Shelter- #541 Lace and Flowers

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #583-584 Anything Goes   

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #248

Patties Challenge- #203 Anything Goes (Feb)

Several years ago this playful elephant stamp was a freebie with a purchase at the on-line store Scrapbook.com. His bike basket is filled with fall leaves, but I decided to use him on a Valentine’s Day card so I covered them with a flurry of puffy heart stickers. The front sentiment is from a sheet of Gina K’s, “mixed messages” in white and black strips. They are easy to use, reasonably priced, and would also work on journals!
               

                             

         

Supplies: 

·  Art Impressions  Unmounted Clear Stamp, Exclusive Elephant on a Bike (Discontinued)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pens
·   Front Sentiment “Love You So Much”- Gina K’s Sentiment Sheets (Mixed Messages)   
·   Puffy Heart Stickers-Stickos
·   Inside Sentiments- Computer Generated
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:  

Cupcake Inspirations- #562 Theme Challenge-Valentines Day   

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge- Pink 

Incy Wincy Designs- Valentines and/or In the Garden   

The Sisterhood of Crafters- Hearts

Allsorts Challenge- Week 715: AG (option-All About Hearts)

Di’s Digi Stamps- Add One or More Hearts  

myasperations 2-8-23

     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 and sentiments are all from a just released set named “LaFemme.”

     I love that Beccy names each of her characters, and they usually each possess their own unique personalities. The beautiful woman on this card is named “Bella”! The fact that it looks like Bella’s dress and hair are whipping in the wind inspired the background for my card. I used an upcycled calendar page that features what looks like a tempest at sea. While facing the churning waves and clouds, Bella turns her eyes to the heavens. I recognize that stance, as I have held it many, many times as I faced "storms" in my life- physically, emotionally and mentally. Yet, when feeling alone and powerless, the “Faith over Fear” sentiment  provides an answer to the question, “Where does my help come from?” For me, the answer is found in Psalm 21, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  The inside of my card features two other sentiments from the set that I combined to create one powerful statement. (The calendar photo I used here reflects a totally different feeling than the one on the card front. Faith and spending time in quiet/rest can lead to a beautiful and calming sense of peace. Amen and Amen!)

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz Sunday (the poem from Wm Wordsworth mentions clouds and waves), Allsorts: I love… and The Paper Shelter: Something You Love (I love the many promises made by the Maker of heaven and earth to His children!) 

Supplies:

·   Digi and Sentiments- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (La Femme)

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

·   Upcycled calendar pages

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Sunday Challenge- Wm Wordsworth   

Outlawz Challenge- February 2023 Linky

The Paper Shelter- #540 Something You Love

Allsorts Challenge- Week 714: AG (option-I Love…)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #581-582 Anything Goes   

Jan’s Digi Stamps- February 2023 Anything Goes    

I was so happy earlier this year when Power Poppy started offering challenges again. The theme for the current challenge is “Clean Slate.” Since CAS cards are… well… challenging for me, I'm getting a late start on entering a card into the challenge. I finally opted for a simple and sweet card (as in Cookies) with a fun/snarky sentiment! I always like printing gingerbread cookies on kraft paper, as I think that base gives a bit of crunchy depth to the finished cookies. Adding textured frosting with 3-D paint adds texture and nice, bold contrast. Yummy good! 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Power Poppy Digital Stamp Set  (Gingerbread Family)

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

·   Scribbles Shiny White 3-D Paint- JoAnne’s Fabrics 

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Power Poppy- The Blossom Challenge- Clean Slate     

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #199 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday Christmas

Gem of a Challenge- Week #3 Anything Goes                                

One of my favorite challenges is the Butterfly Challenge, partly because the talented and generous sponsor provides easy-to-follow instructions for making a creative fold card each time. I usually try my hand at the featured fold, but I’ve been working on grant writing the past few weeks, and think I need to few more "little gray cells" to do anything with more than two steps right now! So… I used what I had on hand and/or knew how to easily complete! My card features three of the required colors Denim Blue (background paper), Dairy Cream (ribbon and delicate butterflies), and Damson (a shade of burgundy in the flowers) plus two of the themes- Die Cut and Butterfly.

I’m entering this card into several other challenges including Incy Wincy Designs (the flowers fit within the “in the garden” theme), Outlawz Challenge Twisted Thursday, TicTacToe: diagonal from upper left- pink (mulberry paper glued with spray adhesive onto white cardstock for strength), flowers, and ribbon.

Supplies: 

·   Floral image- Rubber Stamp from PSX (Company is no longer in business)

·   Glitter Gold embossing powder on Gold Pigment Ink.

·   Front Sentiment- Sticker from Hobby Lobby

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

·   Double Medallion Die- Spellbinders (no longer available)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Butterfly Challenge- #177 D is for Double Slider Card       

Incy Wincy Designs- Valentines and/or In the Garden   

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes (Twist-TicTacToe) 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Fun With Dies

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #5 Anything Goes                        

Paper Funday-  #50-Anything Goes (Optional Twist: Lots of Layers)

        Since I’m a DT for QKR/Stamp On It (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize!