myasperations: myasperations 7-14-25

This card features a stamp that I purchased back when I was making cards for members of our military through Operation Write Home. Since I live in a state where Harley-Davidson cycles reign, I use it quite often. I gave this Harley the impression of speed by stamping it with black ink on glossy cardstock. Then, I gently pull my index finger across the wet ink from the front of the motorcycle to trail behind it. Additional details are added to the image with a red marker, plus white and silver gel pens. After finishing the motorcycle, I created a Z-fold card base that will provide some background for my card, plus will highlight some history of favorite travels from my childhood.

First, the card details- I trimmed a South Dakota map to decorate the three card sections. A few sentiments, stars made with scraps of embossed silver cardstock, and sentiments helped to finish the card.

Then, the history- I grew up in a large family (six children), so I can remember only a few real “vacations” during my childhood. However, my dad and two brothers were car and motorcycle mechanics, and we had two Harley-Davidsons! From a young age, I loved the feeling of speed, but it also scared me. So, I preferred to be on the back of the bike that was all chopped out, or in the sidecar of the standard model. We often took short day trips, and with a helmet on my head, and the feeling of the wind- and often bugs-on my face, we flew down the road! We lived near Sturgis, South Dakota, when they held their 50th Anniversary Motorcycle Rally in August 1990. Nearly 440,000 people attended, filling the interstate highways, the Black Hills, and Custer State Park with roaring streams of bikers!

Supplies:

· Motorcycle is from Deep Red Stamps (Motorcycle)

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

· Front Sentiment- Harley Davidson quote (Source Unknown) It’s been in my sentiment files for several decades. I attempted to find, and cite, the original source, but there are too many samples on the web. If anyone can share that info, please share it with me!

· Inside Sentiment-Computer Generated

· Darice Embossing Folder (Octagon) Appears to be retired, but I’ve occasionally seen it on EBay

· Silver stars created with scraps of dry embossed silver cardstock.

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

· Assorted papers, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Emboss It

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #794: Masculine

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG July 2025 (optl twist- Travel Destinations)

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #292 (Photo Inspiration- Travel)

I am hosting a challenge at the WeCraftCards Forum this week. This month’s theme is Texture Takeover, and my challenge is that participants incorporate some kind of fiber on their creations, i.e., string, cord, yarn, embroidery floss, etc., either as single strands or woven (embroidered, cross-stitched, knitted, braided, etc). My sample card features a sweet little bear digi, all decked out in comfy winter gear. I colored his fur, then bounced a blender pen to add highlights to the fur, creating fuzzy texture. I added strips of clear tape to the back of the digi in the area where I'd be sticking a needle through the paper, to prevent tearing, then used embroidery floss to add fringe to his scarf, and a pompom to his hat! I added knitted texture to the lovely scarf and hat using a technique I learned from Anabel Haines on an easy-to-follow tutorial. (That said, my coloring doesn’t look as nice as I’d like because I really need to refill my markers!) I provided a picture of the first step of adding knitted texture to the scarf and hat. Plus a pic with the back of my card after I added the stitching. When adding the pompom, I realized that the paper was pretty fragile when doing the stitching, so I decided that the scarf stitching would need a bit more support. So I cut and adhered an extra layer of paper behind the scarf to survive the needle holes plus to help hold the stitches in place.

Supplies:

· Finn’s Scarf Digital image from Beccy’s Place (Sadly, Beccy recently closed her digi shop.)

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

· Tutorial for creating knitted texture can be found HERE

· Inside Sentiment- “Have yourself a merry little Christmas,” a freebie from Birdscards.com (Blog now closed)

· Inside Sentiment- “Wishing you a Merry Christmas…” from a We Are 3 Digital Sentiments set (company no longer in business)

· Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

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

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

Entered into:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #257 AG

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #706-707 AG/Family Friendly

ABC Christmas Challenge- “N and O are for…? ” ‘N is for Non-Christmas Stash!'

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: July (Christmas)

Outlawz Challenge-July 2025 Linky

This is the first time I’m using this adorable digi and sentiment set from Sweet November Stamps. I decided to use a bright color palette for the background and fins, the crown her head with silvery white hair, full of wispy strands that move with the current. I wasn’t sure about how to color her little friend, so I did some web surfing. and finally opted for the spotted tan and brown coloring of a Giant Pacific Octopus.