myasperations 11-30-24

     After spending the day enjoying a delayed Thanksgiving celebration of eating, drinking, gabbing, and laughing with friends and family, I get to end my day posting to my blog... another thing I enjoy!

   I created this card for the current Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge using a sweet digi from All Dressed Up Designs. The intensely curious look on the cute pups face inspired me to pair him with the sentiment “Here Comes Santa Claus!”  And, as always… I love coloring sweaters! Because of the size of the stitches in this one, I kept it fairly simple, just adding crosshatching with my white pen and a Pentel lead pencil.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- All Dressed Up Stamps (Sledging Pup)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens and a Pentel mechanical lead pencil

·   Red hearts cut from paper scraps

·   Front Sentiment-“Here Comes Santa Claus” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Simply Santa) Retired

·   Inside Sentiment- “Wishing You a Bright and Happy Christmas” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Jingle Bells)

·   Candy Canes trimmed from patterned paper

·   Patterned papers andother items from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #51 Nov 2024         

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #767: Fall or Winter 

All Dressed Up- Anything Goes (Nov #157) 

All Dressed Up FB Challenge- November: Christmas is Coming  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Nov)    The Secret Life of Pets (Universal Studios) 

      This card features a cute feline named “Leroy” from a Beccy’s Place digi set. Although he has a look of innocence on his face, I can almost hear the background music from the movie “Jaws” as his eyes lock onto the ornament. The inside sentiment, with the help of a few scraps and candy cane embellies, silver cord, and even a bit of tinsel, tells “The rest of the story.”

Supplies: 

·   Cat Digi and sentiments from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Kitties)

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

·   Evergreen swags/branches fussy-cut from an old card

·   Candy Canes embellishing inside sentiment are trimmed from patterned paper

·   Patterned papers, scrap of silver cord and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes  

The Paper Shelter- #620 Add a Sentiment     

Crafty Catz Challenge- Anything Goes #683 AG   

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

Beccy’s Place: A Month of Holiday Cards- Nov 2024   Day 17 - O is for Ornament

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

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas) 

Outlawz Challenge- Nov 2024 Linky  

     Christmas at our house includes some wonderful traditions. We decorate the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and then start watching a few Christmas-related movies we’ve collected over the last few decades every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. We have “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “The Christmas Carol” (2 versions), “While You Were Sleeping”, “The Holiday”, “New in Town”, “The Nativity Story”, and round out the holidays with two New Years themed movies, “The Last Holiday” and “Sleepless In Seattle.”  

      One of our favorite movie-watching treats is popcorn, however, during the holidays season, we make a very yummy (but unhealthy) popcorn mix that inspired this card! The background of the card is a copy of the recipe for the yummy treat in case you would like to try it. However, be warned... it is very addictive.  My hubby jokingly calls it "popcorn crack" !!! (One added note, the recipe came from a dear friend named Linda... hence her name is in the title.)  Also, the recipe contains a few notes in pencil, plus a few stains because both my hubby and I really throw ourselves into making anything that includes chocolate. And, when finished we fight over who gets to lick the spoon like we did as kids!

     The embellishments for the card were created by taking a photo of a Popcorn sign at our local Marketplace Grocery Store (they gave me permission to take the photo). I cropped out one large clump of popcorn (see photo) and printed off a few copies which I adhered along the side edges of the recipe. I fussy-cut several extra pieces of popcorn, plus fussy-cut photos of M&Ms from a large bag of my favorite candy. Then I positioned the copies of popcorn and candies, taping them down as I went along overlapping and sliding them into place on both the inside and front of the card. (An important note- No chocolate was wasted in the making of this card! When I was finished, so was the contents of the original bag of nummy MMs!)  

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Cupcake Inspirations: Color Challenge (my card  includes red, golden yellow and brown candies, toffee brown background, plus red and tan frame around the recipe.)  

 

   

 

Supplies: 

·   Background recipe- copied from my original

·   Popcorn and M&M’s- fussy-cut from photo and candy bag

·   Inside Sentiment- ”May your holidays be sweet!” from Imagine That! Digi set (Gingerbread Cookies and Cocoa) No longer available

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Cupcake Inspirations- #607 Color Challenge- Red, Yellow and Toffee  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #675-676 

myasperations 11-28-24

      This is another card for the 12th Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge at Beccy’s Place, featuring a yummy fall beverage in a pumpkin mug! I wanted to give the mug a ceramic look, and I think I accomplished that by adding a cloudy “glaze” with a white pencil after coloring the image with alcohol markers. Also, I created the sentiment by carefully adhering the back of the sentiment trimmed from a Halloween napkin to a piece of  Clear Self-Stick Laminating Sheet (packing  tape might also work.) After smoothing out any bubbles, cute the sentiment and use it on the card as desired.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Inspiration Station: Photo Prompt (my cart includes a hot beverage and a Fall/Halloween theme complete with pumpkins), and  Passion for Markers Challenge: Fall or Winter  (my card has a prominent fall theme!) 

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Pumpkin and Spice)

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

·    Brick Wall background- upcycled from an old magazine

·    Front Sentiment “Happy Halloween” fussy-cut from a paper napkin

·   Clear Self-Stick Laminating Sheet (I use the Avery brand, but there are other options on the web) 

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Inside image upcycled from a package of Halloween Candy

·   Patterned paper and other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Inspiration Station- Challenge #67 Inspiration Prompt 

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #767: Fall or Winter 

The Paper Shelter- #620 Add a Sentiment     

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Nov)    Hersheypark Halloween

Beccy’s Place: A Month of Holiday Cards- Nov 2024   Day 26- U is for Upcycled Background

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

      I created this card for the current Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge using a snowman image I found in my stash. I know that it is from Stampin’ Up!… possibly part of a stamp set in the late 90’s or early 2000’s?  The sentiments are both from Beccy’s Place digi sets.

   

Supplies: 

·   Snowman Image from Stampin’ Up clear set- Retired

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

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment-“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Home for the Holidays)

·   Inside Sentiment- “... Hugs and Kisses”  ” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Keeping it Simple)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #51 Nov 2024        

Double D’s Challenge- Get Ready for Winter   

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas, Winter Fun) 

Outlawz Challenge- Nov 2024 Linky  

      In the midst of creating fall and winter cards it felt a bit odd to work on a Spring card, but was also fun to create an Easter card with the free digi from Moondrea Designs for their Progressive FB Challenge.

Supplies: 

·   Digi-Moondrea Designs FB November Progressive Challenge

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

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Easter” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Easter Joy)

·   Inside Sentiment- Freebie from Desert Diva (Spring Adds New Beauty and Life…)

·   Butterfly trail lines inside of card drawn with a Pentel mechanical lead pencil

 ·  Sheer yellow ribbon, patterned paper and other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Moondrea Designs Progressive Challenge FB-(November)  

Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge- Nov 2024: Optional Use Brown or Yellow colors  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #675-676 

Time Out Challenge- #277 Inspired by Words      

myasperations 11-26-24a

      Now that I’m retired, I have more time for making cards. One vow that I’ve made to myself is that I’ll create and post more cards for Sheepski Designs and Beccy’s Place since both Andrea and Beccy have been so kind and generous during the years I’ve worked with them   

     

     This first card, named Strappy Sandal, is from Sheepski, and I’ve used it several times for New Years cards. (Sadly, since having both hips replaced, my days of wearing heels are gone. But I still love them!!) I made this card for the Simon Says “Sparkle and Shine” so it has lots of bling!!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz Sunday Songs and Rhymes Challenge: Dandelion Curls (My sisters and I used to love wearing dandelions… and basically any flowers…in our hair. And we all love “girly shoes” with high heels and bright colors and/or bling! This card reflects the truth that the two preferences can be related!), Time Out Challenge: Inspired by Words "There is truly not an occasion that is not improved by wearing something festive."  (This sparkly sandal just screams PARTY!!)  and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (this is one of my favorite challenges. It has introduced me to lots of places that are now on my bucket list. I love fireworks, and I love desserts, so would love to celebrate the holidays with Minnie and friends at Disney World.)

Supplies: 

·   Sentiment/background paper (white)- “Happy New Year” from the Freebies Section at eyeletoutlet.blogspot.com (HERE)

·   Sentiment/background paper (black)- “If the shoe fits…” from the Freebies Section at eyeletoutlet.blogspot.com (HERE)

·   Digi- SheepSki Designs (Strappy Sandal) 

·   Sandal colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white and silver gel pens

·   Sparkles added to Sandal with Stickles Garden State (Green)

·   Happy New Year Sentiments (front and inside)- Eureka Digital Stamp (Another Year) Currently Not Available

·   Silver ribbon, glitter cardstock and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

(Via Pinterest) Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #242 AG 

        Since I’m a DT for Sheepski’s Designs, I’m entering just for fun!  

Allsorts Challenge- Week 808-AG

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Nov)    Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party

Time Out Challenge- #277 Inspired by Words   

    I made this card, featuring a digi and sentiments from a Beccy’s Place digi named “Sandy Christmas”, for my youngest brother who lives in Florida. I like sending him beach-themed Christmas cards, so I was thrilled when Beccy released this set! And I think Jim will like the idea of a Sandman Santa... especially since one of the beaches near his home has white sand! 

     The card went together pretty quickly, with a postcard photo “setting the scene.” I added some shading and highlights to the digi plus changed his hat from blue to red... to add a shout of holiday coloring! I used a border digi on the inside of the card, placing it along the bottom of the card because that might possibly bring a smile to my brother's face. (We used to regularly pull pranks on each other… and occasionally still do!)

 

                   

Supplies: 

·   Beach Postcard- from a package found at a thrift store long ago

·   Pre-colored Digi and sentiments are from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Sandy Christmas)

·   Shading, and highlighting added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Inside digi (BeachBorder-Sand) from Whimsie Doodles (Company no longer in business)  

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

·   Sparkly Christmas Greenery- Hobby Lobby

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #675-676 

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas) 

Outlawz Challenge- Nov 2024 Linky  

Di’s Digi Stamps-Use a Digi Image  

Beccy’s Place: A Month of Holiday Cards- Nov 2024   Day 21- S is for Sandman

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

     Although I regularly use digis on my cards. I still have wood and clear mount stamp sets… and this card proves it! It features two of the first stamps (wood-mounted rubber) I purchased when I started collecting stamps in the 1990’s. I wanted to create a special Christmas card for a couple that became parents in October. They like hand-made cards and also have a great sense of humor, so I think they’ll like this. I found this shaker card front while organizing my craft room, and decided to put it to use. Stamping, fussy-cutting, and coloring the bear and gift was pretty easy. To add a bit of texture to the bear, I bounced the tip of a blender pen along the right side of the bear's fur to give him a much-loved, heirloom look. I’m hoping the sheet music inside of the card might just make Kenzie and Michael laugh out loud!

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Cupcake Inspirations: Color Challenge (my card includes red, toffee/tan, and yellow, as in yellow gold?!), Passion for Markers Challenge: Fall or Winter (where I live Christmas usually brings a blast of winter with it!), Path Of Positivity Challenge: Friends/Family (my card, created for a wonderful young lady who joined my team of educators for our after-school program when she was 16 years old and worked with us for several years. Nearly ten years later Kenzie is working on a Master’s Degree, married, and now a new mom. I am so happy for her and her little family! My card is inspired by this sentiment-“Having somewhere to go is home. Having someone to love is family. And having both is a blessing.” Author Unknown) and ABC Christmas Challenge: Photo Challenge-X is for Xylophone (I was inspired by the bear shape of the xylophone.)   

             
Supplies: 

·   Shaker Card Tree- upcycled from an old card

·   Stamped image (Bear on Gift)-Azadi Earl Wood-Mount stamp (Company no longer in business)

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

·   Front Sentiment- Hand Written in Black Fine-line Sharpie Marker

·   Inside Sentiment- “Make it Merry” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Here Comes Christmas)

·   Sheet Music background- “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus-” A freebie found HERE

·   Sparkly Santa Hat Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine  

Cupcake Inspirations- #607 Color Challenge- Red, Yellow and Toffee       

ABC Christmas Challenge- “'X is for Xylophone” (Photo Challenge)   

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #767: Fall or Winter 

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #125 Friends/Family