myasperations 6-28-24

     With 4th of July celebrations fast approaching here in the USA I used a favorite (and FREE) digi from Whimsie Doodles that I found over 10 years ago. So… I was thrilled to see that although Whimsie Doodles closed in 2018, this freebie, plus a similar one for Canada Day, are still available on their July 3, 2012 website page HERE!  

     I love this digi because it brings back fond childhood memories. In elementary school, we celebrated the 4th with relatives who lived on a farm in Iowa. What I remember about those gatherings was picking fresh strawberries and taking turns turning the crank of an ice cream churn to make creamy vanilla goodness! After dark, we'd watch fireworks. But first, we each got to burn three sparklers. I still marvel at the magic of having shooting star at my fingertips  as we made swoops and even wrote our names in the air. So Fun!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (a favorite challenge that has introduced me to many new amusement parks. One large and popular waterpark in central Wisconsin boasts the Largest Fireworks Display in WI Dells!

  Supplies: 

·   Digi and front sentiment- Freebies from Whimsie Doodles (Happy 4th of July)

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

·   Inside Sentiment “Celebrate With a Bang” Eureka Digital Stamp (Currently not available)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Glitter, small sequins and rhinestones, patterned paper, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #745: Add a Number

Double D’s Challenge- Reach for the Stars  

Art Impressions Challenge- #381 Stars & Stripes Forever

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (June) Largest Fireworks Display in WI Dells 

      STAMPlorations is a family-owned business, and I’ve enjoyed using their stamps, digis, and other products for several years. For this card I used a STAMPlorations picnic basket digi, a pair of friendly bees (from a Beccy’s Place Digi set), and a sentiment. All other items came from my stash, including a checkered napkin that added a bit of realism and color to the card. (I used an Exacto knife to cut slits into the basket so that I could slide a corner of a piece of napkin into the slit. I then arranged it to look like it was hanging out of the opening with a few pinches and folds, then taped the napkin in place on the underside of the digi. I then arranged and taped an additional piece of napkin sticking out from under the basket atop the woodgrain picnic table. I took a side-view photo to show the napkin tucked through a slit under the grapes.)  

    (Note, STAMPlorations artist/owner Shery Russ was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer a few years ago. You can read about her journey HERE. Her shop has remained open, in a limited capacity at first, but now most items are available. including this picnic basket digi for just $2!)

                                                

Supplies: 

·   Picnic Basket Digi- Stamplorations Digital Stamp (Picnic Basket)

·   Bees Digi- from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Bees and Blooms)

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

·   Front Sentiment “You’re So Sweet”” from SnapClickSupply (Sweet As Can Bee Word Art)

·   Red & White checked napkins, cardstock, patterned paper (clouds and woodgrain), and other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #653-654

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

     This is my final entry into the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC) monthly sketch challenge. I love the simplicity of this month's sketch (although the BYSHC sketches usually go together pretty quickly yet are still striking! The front of this card features two strips of patterned paper, a sentiment, and a wreath fussy-cut from the front of an old acetate gift box that held holiday treats last year! The front sentiment was computer generated and printed onto vellum, the inside sentiment is a favorite of mine from WeAre3. 

Supplies: 

·   Patterned papers from JoAnnes and Hobby Lobby.

·   Wreath upcycled from an acetate gift box.

·   Front Sentiment- Computer Generate and printed on vellumd

·   Inside Sentiment- WeAre3 Christmas Sentiment set (Sadly, this wonderful Etsy Shop is closed)

Entered into: 

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #46 June 2024         

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas)

Outlawz Challenge- June 2024 Linky

myasperations 6-27-24

      This is my final entry into this month’s Challenge at Sweet November Stamps (SNS) with a Summer Theme. I recently added this sweet little Umbrella Girl, Kisa, to my digi collection. I printed, fussy-cut, and colored Kisa before having some fun being creative with her umbrella. I love that she is carrying a transparent “plastic” umbrella and decided to make it with a scrap of real plastic that will allow the cloudy sky background photo to show through!

     Note- Putting the card together was tedious and will take some time to write up. I provide the supplies below, but if anyone is interested in step-by-step instructions, I’ll be happy to write them out. Just let me know via email (in my profile) or as for the instructions in a comment on this post!

Supplies: 

·   Cloudy Sky background- upcycled from an old calendar

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Umbrella Kids-Kisa)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, fine-line black Sharpie pen, and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Sentiment-a Freebee from Gingershouse.blogspot.com (When life gives you rainy days…)

·   Clear Self-Stick Laminating Sheet (I use the Avery brand, but there are other options on the web) Packing tape might also work.

·   Cardstock, plastic index divider sheet, and all other items from my stamping stash.

Entered into:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) June (AG/ Summer  

Cupcake Inspirations- #597 Anything Goes  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes

Paper Funday- #66 Anything Goes     

     I rarely used sketches when making cards until I discovered a group on FB named Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC). Their monthly sketches are always striking, but not complicated. The front of this card features two strips of patterned paper, a sentiment, and a wreath is fussy-cut from the front of an old acetate gift box that held holiday treats last year! The inside sentiment is from my scrapbook stash. Easy-peasy!

Supplies: 

·   Patterned papers from JoAnnes and Hobby Lobby.

·   Wreath upcycled from an acetate gift box.

·   Front Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Inside sentiment- from my scrapbook stash.

·   Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #46 June 2024         

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #653-654

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas)

     The sponsor for June's Progressive Challenge at Outlawz is Sandra, and I had fun creating with her wonderful digi named "Coffee To Go.". The card required little coloring, basically touches of red and white on the background papers little coffee cups!  

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sandra's Freebie (Coffee To Go) 

·   Background paper- from Imagine That (Coffee Boy) Company no longer in business

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

·   Starbucks emblem cut from a bag of coffee beans.

·   Front Sentiment- “I hate that part of the day…” Freebie from Create with TLC (retired)

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

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Challenge- Progressive Challenge (June) Coffee To Go by Sandra

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- June 2024 Linky

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #24 AG                                          

myasperations 6-25-24a

      I had to dig into stamp supplies and tools I hadn’t used for some time to create a card for the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Embossing. I am working on gift bags of handmade cards I give for wedding gifts, and I am low on Sympathy cards. I made an embossed Sympathy using one of the first wood-mounted stamp set I ever bought (from Stampin’ UP! back in the 90's!) 

     This simple, yet elegant card went together quickly, mainly because it required no coloring and few embellishments. The card front features beautiful Victorian-colored cardstock (navy, burgundy, and dark green) plus a scrap of wrapping paper that contains gold and Victorian-colored patterns.  To add more sparkle, I cut the edge of the navy rectangle that held the sentiment with a deckle edge scissor, wiped this torn edge across my gold pigment pad, dipped it into the EP, shook off the excess, and heated the EP edge.

Supplies: 

·   Wood Mount Stamps from Stampin’ Up! (Retired)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Emboss It

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #653-654

      I seldom used sketches when making cards until I discovered a group on FB named Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC). Their monthly sketches are always striking, but also not complicated. The front of this card features a digi from Scribbles Designs that serves as both an image and a sentiment!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This one of my favorite challenges as it’s introduced me to many new amusement parks. One named Santa’s Village, includes a historic St Nicolas Chapel, plus a stable and life-size nativity that provide the true meaning of Christmas!)   

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Scribbles Designs (Silent Night Wreath)

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

·   Inside Sentiment - WeAre3  (Sadly, this wonderful Etsy Shop is closed)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #46 June 2024     

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #122  (Anything Goes Positive-Dreams/Goals) 

Double D’s Challenge- Reach for the Stars    

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas)

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (June)   Santa’s Village (includes Nativity) 

ABC Christmas Challenge- “L and M are for…?”   M is for Music

     The final card for this posting also went together quickly using a journal card with a bike image and floral paper with a 60s vibe from my scrapbook stash. A scrap of sheer ribbon and a few sentiments finish the card. (Oh… I almost forgot the single sparkly heart perking up the inside sentiment along with one small red bloom fussy-cut from the floral paper. So cute!)

    

Supplies: 

·   Journal card and floral paper- from my scrapbooking stash

·   Front Sentiment- “Dear friend” from  Beccy’s Place Digi Set (One Fine Day)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Sending All My Love” (I am not able to find the source of this digi at this time. If you recognize it, please let me know so that I can give appropriate credit!)

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Beccy’s Place Challenge- June   

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #232

Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Use Three Colors (pink, yellow, teal)    

Outlawz Challenge- June 2024 Linky

Crafty Catz Challenge- Anything Goes #674

Allsorts Challenge- Week 786: Blooms, Bees and Butterflies  

myasperations 6-25-24

     I had to dig into stamp supplies and tools I hadn’t used for some time to create a card for the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Embossing. I need a Wedding card for a dear friend in August and wanted to make her an elegant vintage card. So, I dug out one of my favorite wood-mount rubber stamps from PSX named “Rose Wreath” and matching rose spray wood-mount stamps (also PSX.) Pink mulberry paper and glitter-gold EP will provide the needed elegance. (I was glad I could find my heat gun and that the EP still “worked” as it was a bit clumpy!) Because I know that coloring images made with glittery EP can chew up markers, I opted for my  Tombow Markers which I’ve had for over 20 years, and my trusty white gel pen.  I wanted to add extra sparkle, so used wiped my gold embossing pad along the cut edge of the mulberry paper, dipped it into the EP, shaking off excess, and heating the EP edge. After coloring the images, I added some sheer ribbon, and computer-generated sentiments to finish the card.

Supplies: 

·   Wood Mount Stamps from PSX (Company no longer in business)

·   Colored with Tombow markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Mulberry paper, Embossing ink and powder, heat gun, scraps of ribbon and other other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Emboss It

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #653-654

Paper Funday- #66 Anything Goes      

We Love Stamping-Fabulous Floral

     This is my final entry into this months Challenge at Sweet November Stamps: Summer Theme!  My card features e sweet little Skipper, colored, fussy-cut and adhered atop a “Summer, Sand and Sunshine” sentiment card from my scrapbooking stash. Torn scraps of watercolor papers in ocean colors create “waves” for the background, and few dabs of Stickles provide some bling.

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge (My card features the three colors: yellow-sun, teal- in the waves behind Skipper, and pink- highlights in Skipper’s shimmering hair!)    

Supplies: 

·   Digi and inside sentiment- Sweet November Stamps (Skipper)

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

·   Cardstock, Stickles and all other items from my stamping and scrapbooking stashes.

Entered into:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) June (AG/ Summer  

Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Use Three Colors    

Cupcake Inspirations- #597 Anything Goes  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (June)    The Little Mermaids Undersea Adventure  

Di’s Digi Stamps- Sun and/or Sand and/or Water

     Another masculine card, this time a fairly simple one made with assorted items from my digi files and cardmaking stash.

Supplies: 

·   Upcycled calendar photo for background scene.

·   Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Fishing Lure) Currently not available

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

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Father’s Day”- Computer Generated

·   Inside Sentiment- a freebie from Birdscards (Have a Fin-tastic Day)

·   Brown photo corners, sparkly fibers, scraps of colored vellum and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Crafty Catz Challenge- Anything Goes #674 (Make It Masculine)   
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Father's Day)
Outlawz Challenge- June 2024 Linky