Monday, June 23, 2025

myasperations 6-23-25a

     I had fun creating this card using a 6x6 Not2Shabby paper pack filled with watercolor backgrounds and two pages of adorable pre-colored sea turtles. The colors of the turtles and background papers were a perfect fit for the June Colorful Options Challenge, so I got busy fussy-cutting two of the cute turts. When finished, I created the undersea background by adhering a piece of patterned paper with a watercolor look in shades of aqua/blue/teal to an A2-sized white card base. Torn scraps of tan parchment cardstock and a brown paper bag were layered at the bottom of the page to create a sandy ocean floor, into which I tucked and adhered several fussy-cut seashells, a starfish, and one gold coin!
     To add a sense of movement to the card, I used two small circle paper punches, plus scraps of vellum plus teal and aqua paper, to punch several dozen “bubbles.” After adhering the turtle's head and front fins to the background, I started layering the paper and vellum bubbles in a scattered pattern to create an explosion of bubbles following in his wake as he dove toward the ocean bottom. Possibly a flash of gold caught his eye and sent him into the quick dive? I made sure to tuck a few of the larger bubbles under his little bottom and back fins, adhere these bubbles in place, and then adhere his little bottom and back fins on top of them, holding everything in place. The final touch to the front of the card was to use Stickles to add sparkle to the bubbles. I also added smaller “bubbles” by scattering drops of Stickles around and within the turtle's wake.
 
   
Supplies: 
·   Pre-colored Turtle (and scraps of colored paper)-Not2Shabby paper pack (Watercolor Cuties). The small Turtle Digi on the inside of the card was upcycled from the front cover of the paper pack

·    Patterned paper background- Hobby Lobby

·    Seashells and starfish cut from patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·    Seaweed digi  from a Fred She Said digi set (Emma the Mermaid)

·    Assorted circle punches and vellum (to create the flurry of bubbles)

·    Stickles- Diamonds (to add sparkle to the bubbles & “droplets” to the watery background.

·    Sentiments- Computer Generated

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Assorted papers and a small gold coin from my stash.

Entered into:  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: June  Mood Board-Summer (Shades of Aqua Blue)      
Time Out Challenge- Challenge #291  (Photo Inspiration)    
Double D’s Challenge- Beach 

Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge- June (My card includes the first 3 colors and touches of the last 2) 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Going Around in Circles

    I served as a DT for Sheepski Designs for five years, and loved working with artist/owner Andrea Norris, who is a talented, kind, and generous person.  Proof of that is that even though Andrea closed her Etsy shop on December 31, she continues to sponsor challenges for other companies, providing her wonderful digis to the challenge winners.
     Earlier this year, I was thrilled to be the Random winner at a Passion for Markers Challenge. This is one of the Sheepski digis that I chose, and this is the first time I’ve crafted with it! I already had several Unicorn stamps and digis, and I liked them, but most are cute or cartoonish. So I love that Andrea drew a Unicorn that is resembles a real horse, in all its regal splendor. It was so fun to color the Unicorn, and to embellish the regal creature with a bit of Gold Stardust gel pen sparkle! (I enlarged the second pic so you can see the sparkle!)
 
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sheepski Stamps (Unicorn)  Sadly, this wonderful shop closed at the end of 2024.

·  Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique marker, Sakara Gelly Roll White and Gold Stardust gel pens

·  Cloudy background-Upcycled from a Fleet Farm Calendar Page

·  Rainbow Digi- Freebie from cornishkat.blogspot.com (HERE)

·  Front Sentiment “ You add COLOR to my life”  A freebie from Desert Diva HERE

·  All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #793: Animals  
   Since I’m a DT for All Dressed Up, I’m entering just for fun. Please don’t include me in the prize draw!  
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Board-June  (My card includes all the colors but dark green) 
Outlawz Challenge-June 2025 Linky  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #704-705
Di’s Digi Stamps-Show Us Something New

    I discovered digital stamps over 10 years ago, and loved how easy they were to use! Plus, there were many free digi on the web. Dearie Dolls were some of my first favorites… and I still enjoy using them. This cute Santa digi was to fun to use on this card, especially when the sentiment adds such a playful tone. Just imagine this scene- Santa is relaxing after his busy annual ride. He sighs, leans back, and says to Mrs. C., “I just want to bake stuff and watch Christmas movies!” Ha! 
    (I also love the cute “Gingerbread Wishes” paper from Digi Doodles Studio. I fussy-cut two of the little cookies from a scrap of the paper to embellish the top of the inside sentiment. They look like they are doing a happy Christmas jig!)
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Dearie Dolls Santas cookie- no longer available (you can lots of other Santa freebies HERE)

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

·   Weathered wood patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Gingerbread patterned paper- 6x6 Paper Pad from Digi Doodles Studios (Gingerbread Wishes)

·   Front Sentiment- Freebie from LoveSVG (I just want to bake stuff…) Note you need to open an account to access freebies

·    Inside Sentiment- Freebie from LoveSVG (May Your Christmas be Sweet) Note you need to open an account to access freebies

·   Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·   All other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
The Paper Shelter- #643 AG  
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: June (Christmas)         
  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (June)      Santa’s Village

8 comments:

  1. Very impressive card Kathy! You did an excellent job of creating movement and dimension! I love all the color choices too. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Word Art Wednesday! We love seeing what you've created! :)

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  2. These are all just fabulous! Thanks for joining us at The Paper Shelter!

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  3. That's an awesome sea turtle and background! We live on a creek and we had a huge turtle come by the other day, his back was all covered in green moss, he must be a very old turtle as big as he is!
    Thank you for joining our challenge at Double D!
    Diane DD Co-Owner
    {Nellies Nest}
    {Double D}

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  4. A trio of gorgeous cards Kathy - I love your turtle card in particular - that is fabulous
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  5. I love the Sparkle on that pretty Unicorn! Thanks for playing along at The Inspiration Station Challenge and sharing your lovely card with us. Please stop in and share again soon.
    Donna xx
    The Inspiration Station Challenge
    The Paper Funday Challenge
    The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge
    The Classic Design Challenge

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  6. Wow both cards are awesome but esp. your turtle card! So happy you were inspired by our Photo Inspiration - thanks for taking Time Out to join us! Hugs, Kate (DT Time Out Challenges)

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  7. Fabulous unicorn design - love the sparkle.

    Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Station Challenge.

    Helen x
    DT

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Thanks you for your comments. They bring joy to my day!