myasperations 5-18-23

I love my blogging friends and artists. Thanks to those who have recently reached out to me with concern as I’ve not been blogging as often as I’d like. So far in 2023, life has included family health issues and an exhausting work schedule. My mind and heart have grown weary. So, after discussions with my sweet hubby and wonderful boss, I've decided to make a life change. Over the next few months, I will step down from being a department manager at the agency where I work. This means that I'll no longer be responsible for writing grants, keeping up with scores of required reports, supervising five staff members, and managing annual program budgets totaling nearly $400,000! Instead, after my agency recruits and hires a person for the management position, I will train that person and then happily join the amazing team of prevention staff that I've supervised for several years. Together, we’ll provide education, resources, and support for students, parents, school staff, agency clients, and others directly impacted by substance use or mental health-related issues.  This change in my work schedule should allow me to spend precious time with my hubby, who is in the final stage of MS, plus allow more time for therapy sessions (in my craft room!) So, stay tuned! 

Last year I was introduced to a wonderful line of stamps and digis when a stamping friend gave me a gift card for Sweet November Stamps. I started building a collection of their beautiful images and am glad that I now have a few of their cute mermaids so I can create a few cards to enter into the Friends of Sweet November FB challenge during this month of “MerMay”! My goal was to spend some time every day this month, coloring and creating, and have been successful at that! I have a few days off and hope to get many of them posted. Here is the first- a shaker card with sparkle and bling!  So… be prepared for some fun undersea fantasy coming your way!

(PS- I used to struggle with static electricity causing shaker items, especially sequins and glitter, to stick to the acetate. To avoid this, or at least lessen the impact, gently wipe the inside of the acetate scrap with a dryer sheet. Easy Peasy!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sweet November-(Capri with reflection)

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

·   Clouds created with shades of blue decorative chalks, a cloud template cut from a cardboard scrap, and a makeup sponge.

·   Sentiments from my stash of freebies (contact me if you’d like the source)

·   Shaker card instructions- lots available on Pinterest. I like THIS ONE

·   Stickles- Diamonds

·   Stripe stencil, ink pad. ink sponge, shaker card bling and foam tape and other items from my stash.

·   Patterned paper (weathered wood frame) from my scrapbook stash.

Entered into: 

Friends of Sweet November (FB) (MerMay) 

Friends of Sweet November (FB) May Challenge  

Cupcake Inspirations- #568 Theme Challenge (Mermaids) 

IncyWincyDesigns- Fun Folds +/or Summer Fun  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Interactive Card

Di’s Digi Stamps- Polka Dots and/or Stripes

The Paper Shelter- #554 Embellishment

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #205 Anything Goes

Gem of a Challenge- Gem of a Challenge- Week #10 AG             

Patties Challenge- Anything Goes (May #206)

Moving inland from the sea, the fantasy continues with a sweet little fairy and her flutterby friend! This card was created for the Butterfly Challenge, which is one of my favorites that I try to regularly enter. This card includes all three of the required colors: Persimmon (in the butterfly wings), Pistachio (leaves), and Pale Pink (flowers and background), plus one of the themes: Butterfly.

I’m entering this card into several other challenges including Outlawz Tuesday color challenge (it includes a bit of all of the colors, and flowers, too!); and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (I love the whimsical magic of fairies, so would love to one day add a theme park in the Netherlands The Fairytale Forest at Efteling Park to my bucket list!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- All Dressed Up (Flower Dreams)

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

·   Butterfly Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment “Hi there my Friend”- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Paw Prints)

·   Inside Sentiment from my stash of freebies (contact me if you’d like the source)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Butterfly Challenge- #182 for Pillar Card  

All Dressed Up- #140 Anything Goes (May)

All Dressed Up FB Challenge- May (Flower Power)                     

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #94- Things with Wings

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #690 Add a Sentiment

The Sisterhood of Crafters- Flowers  

Double D’s Challenge- Flowers   

The Four Seasons Challenge- Spring (May)   

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #112 (Twist-Inspired by Nature (Photo)

TRIPLE B Challenge (Birds, Butterflies or Blooms)- May   

Outlawz Challenges- Tuesday Color Challenge   

Outlawz Challenge- May 2023 Linky

This final card was created as a surprise for a friend whose stepfather has been a truck driver for WalMart for many years. He is in their “million-mile” club… working his way toward two million! And this weekend he is competing in a national truckers contest being held here in Wisconsin. My friend, Kelly, and her family will all be there to cheer him on… so I just had to make a card that she and his “little Grands” can sign and present to him. Kelly especially liked the addition of the sparkly star stickers and wispy exhaust from the smoke stack (or whatever it’s called on a semi!) I love making specialty cards for special events/celebrations like this. 

I’m entering this card into several other challenges including Snippets (one of my favorite challenges that helps me to use up all the bits and pieces of treasured papers and other supplies.) For this card, I used a scrap of cloudy sky stationery, acetate to create “windows” in the semi, and fluff of cotton from an aspirin bottle to create exhaust. I also googled to find a photo of a WalMart truck, copied and printed the sign and logo onto a scrap of copy paper (that I actually pulled from the trash can near our printer!) Yay to upcycling!

Supplies: 

·   Image and sentiments from Beccy’s Place Clear Stamp Set (The Long Haul)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura white and silver gel pens

·   Rhinestone hearts, star stickers, patterned paper, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Beccy’s Place Challenge-May

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

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Celebrate (Non Holiday) 

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Love)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #595-596 Anything Goes   

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #254

Allsorts Challenge- Week 728: AG   (Option- Embellish It)

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #19 AG                                          

Jan’s Digi Stamps- May 2023 Anything Goes    

Snippets- Week #454