myasperations 8-22-25

     I had fun making this card for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) monthly challenge and the Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge. It features a coffee-themed digi that I added to my file in 2019. I got creative with the sketch, inside of cutting 3-4 strips of paper for the middle section, I trimmed the thumbnail sketches from the side of a box of cards and envelopes from Hobby Lobby. After rearranging them, I added a strip of green polka-dotted paper across the middle and taped the design in place. Additional strips of the thumbnail sketches were used to embellish the inside sentiment.

     I’m entering this card into several other challenges, including Passion for Markers (my card features spots on the green paper strips, and the lines of sentiment on the 'Tis the Season paper resemble stripes).

 
 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Little Blue Button Stamps (Coffee love) Company no longer in business

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

·   Front Sentiment “Have Yourself a Merry Little Coffee” from Polka Dot Orchard digi set (Merry Little Coffee)

·   Inside Sentiment- from Laurel Beard Creative  (A freebie from the Spring 2025 Card Maker Success) You can learn more, and sign up for her newsletter HERE)

·   Center of Sketch was created with the side from a box of “Christmas Basics” card and envelopes (Hobby Lobby)

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #60 Aug 2025         

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #44 Aug New Format  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #802: Spots and/or Stripes  

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky 

     This week's challenge at WeCraftCards Forum was super fun! The challenge host, Trudi, has sent all the regular participants several photo images from a Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls set. The challenge was to “take a sepia image and add a little bit of color to it...keeping with a vintage look.”  We were also invited to add embellishments to the card as long as they supported the vintage vibe. I had spent a lot of time during my childhood playing with paper dolls, so this challenge was a perfect fit for me! I ended up making four cards, using all the images that Trudi had sent to me. This is the first! A fun part of making these cards was finding or creating sentiments to go with them. I shared a few ideas with my hubby for this card, and this is the one that he chose. So fun!

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including Time Out (I was inspired by the many shades of blue and brown tin he Challenge Photo) and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is one of my favorite challenges and has helped me to develop a bucket list of parks I want to visit before I… well… kick the bucket! I did some web research and found a listing of 15 vintage amusement parks. Some are well-known, others I’ve not heard of. They scan the nation, and the write-up was developed earlier this year, so it should be current. A few are already on my bucket list!)

Supplies: 

·   Antique photo images- From Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls (assorted sets available from many web sources)

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

·   Sentiments-Computer Generated

·   Star created with medium and small star punches, embellished with patterned papers

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

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

Entered into:  

We Craft Cards- Vintage: Recolor, embellish sepia images!

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #295 

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept (optional-Happy Birthday) 

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)   Listing of 15 Vintage Amusement Parks

   I am still making Back to School cards for challenges. This one features a few digis, patterned paper, some sparkly star stickers, and two sentiments. (I especially like the inside sentiment, which was a freebie from Lovesvg.com. I registered to access their freebies and also get notices of new freebies regularly.)

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Stack of Books from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is sadly, no longer available. (Business recently changed 

      to clear stamps/wholesale only)   I did find a free stack of precolored books digi (plus several other freebies)  

      at WinkWinkInk HERE

·   Digi- Bugaboo Stamps (Book-sitter Girl). Sadly company is closed.

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

·   Front Sentiment- Computer Generated

·   Inside Sentiment- “Adventure is out there” Freebie from Lovesvg.com (Note you need to open an account to    

      access freebies)

·   Sparkly Stickers from the local dollar tree

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

·   Patterned paper, all other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: August (inspired plus School theme items and Books) 

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #603 Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #712-713 AG/Family Friendly

myasperations 8-21-25

     I created this card mainly for two current challenges: the August Colorful Options Monthly Challenge (inspired by four colors noted on the board, plus the school theme items, especially books); and the Time Out Challenge (inspired by the beautiful, and varying, shades of browns in blues in the photo.) 

     My card features a sweet digi from Cute As A Button digi stamps, which was one of my favorite companies until artist/owner, Francesca, closed it a few years ago due to family health issues. I miss Francesca… and her amazing digis!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Cute as a Button Digital Stamp “School Books” (Sadly, company closed due to family health issues.)

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

·   Front Sentiment-Computer Generated

·   Inside Sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is sadly, no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

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

·   Patterned papers and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

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

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #295 (Inspired by the shades of brown in blue in the photo) 

Di’s Digi Stamps-Die Cuts and/or Punches

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: August  Color Board (All four colors plus School items and Books)

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #121 Back To School 

    This cute digi from A Day for Daisies (ADFD) was offered as a freebie on the ADFD FB page back in 2015. I was thrilled to learn that it is still available (See link in supplies). So…  I had fun creating this card, coloring it with alcohol markers, a white colored pencil (to add extra sheen to her hair), and a white gel pen (to add highlights and detailing especially to her rainbow wings.) I attempted to make her body look soft and tufted, like a real butterfly, but I'm not sure I achieved that goal! Oh well... it does add texture!

    My card also features a sentiment I created using font formatting in the WORD program. I really like being able to color it in to match an item on my cards. I've used bee stripes, rainbow hues, and here... ladybug dots! I attached the sentiment as a freebie if you are interested! (Also attached is a sheet that tells how to create this fairly simple formatting option. I can't find the original WORD document, so I am providing a photo I took of it. Sorry, it is a bit hard to read.)

      
 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- A Day for Daisies FB Freebie (You can find it HERE)

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

·   Front Sentiment- “You add COLOR to my life”- Computer Generated using WORD font format options (Freebie attached!)

·   Red & White polka dotted paper- Hobby Lobby

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

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

Entered into:   

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #802: Spots and/or Stripes  

Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Board-Aug (twist- Add Wings)  

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes (Aug) (Polka Dots)   

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky 

Inspiration Station- Challenge #76 Inspiration Prompt  (wings on fairy inspired by rainbow colors)

   My final card for this post features an adorable digi from Whimsie Doodles. I had fun coloring the cute digi and creating a festive base for it with a piece of holiday foliage photo paper.

   Sadly, the source of the digi, sentiments and paper used on my card have all closed. However, the Whimsie Doodles blog is still available and offers excellent tutorials that I have found helpful, especially on coloring hair and eyes with alcohol inks. You can find them HERE in the Tuesday Tutorials section, listed in the right panel.)

 Supplies: 

·   Digi and inside sentiment from Whimsie Doodles (Latte Lizzie) No longer available/Shop closed

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

·   Patterned Paper- from a paper pack purchased at JoAnne’s Crafts (Recently closed)

·   Sentiments- from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is sadly, no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

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

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

Entered into:  c.

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)      COFFEE (available at most theme park venues)

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #44 Aug New Format  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #712-713 AG/Family Friendly

myasperations 8-19-25a

     I made this gift bag, with an unusual box folded “topper” to enter into the current Simon Says challenge “Not a Card.” I remembered making one of these toppers years ago, and was surprised at how easy it was to make. So, I searched my blog to nab the original tutorial. As soon as I had that in hand, this item went together very quickly. I wanted to use a red kraft bag I found at the local dollar store, and was thrilled to find bold plaid gift wrap in my stash to use for the topper. The gift wrap was made with heavyweight paper, which means the folds will be crisp and will hold their shape. Perfect!  The tag was made with assorted stickers, labels, and ephemera from a paper pack purchased at JoAnnes. (Another recently closed company that I already miss!)

 

Supplies: 

·   Red Gift bag from Dollar Tree

·   Gift Bag Topper Tutorial can be found HERE  

·   Tag- created items from a Christmas/Winter paper pack purchased at JoAnnes Crafts

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

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

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Not a Card

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)      Santa’s Village

    I have one final item to enter into the current Simon Says challenge “Not a Card” before the deadline. I opted to make another Treat Box, this time using a free template I found on Pinterest and kraft cardstock for the base. The decorations (sentiment, leaves and pumpkins), were provided by a FB group that I visit a lot- Free Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC. The group sponsor, Paulette Slater, offers dozens of wonderful freebies on a regular basis, many with a vintage vibe.. (You can check it out HERE! And if you join, you’ll have access to thousands of digital images and sentiments. You can also search for specific items or topics). 

Supplies: 

·   Treat Box template can be found HERE  

·   Sentiment, and ephemera are from Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC (Posted on 1-27-23 for free use)

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

·   Kraft paper from Hobby Lobby

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

Entered into:  

Via Pinterest- Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Not a Card

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #712-713 AG/Family Friendly

 

   This month’s Songs and Rhymes Challenge at Outlawz is a sweet little poem named Marigold. I remembered that I had a digi from Polkadoodles named Marigold Flower Girl and created a card that featured this beautiful image. A free sentiment from one of my favorite sites for free sentiments, TLcCreations, fits perfectly with the happy image!

 

Supplies: 

·   Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

·   Digi- Polkadoodles Digi Set (Marigold Flower Girl)

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

·   Front Sentiment is a freebie from TlcCreations (You are a gift to this world SHINE)

·   Gold glitter cardstock- Hobby Lobby

·   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- #260 AG 

Outlawz Sunday Challenge: Songs and Rhymes-Marigold   

Outlawz Challenge-Aug 2025 Linky  

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 9- Week 3- AG        

            

    This adorable snowman is a freebie from Beccy’s Place with a face that warms my heart. I don’t use pre-colored digis very often, but Beccy’s coloring  on this little cutie is so very soft and lovely that I just had to use it. The only changes I made to the digi was to add “texture” to the furry hat with a white gel pen, silver details to the bauble, and some decorative stitching to the scarf. The final touch was to add two sentiments to the card, and sparkle to the snowman. So fun!

Supplies: 

·   Digi-Beccy’s Place Freebie-colored version (Snowman with Bauble)

·   Additional details added with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Marvey Silver Marker, Sakura Gelly Roll white  & silver gel pens

·   Nuvo Glitter Drops -White Blizzard

·   Light blue polka dotted cardfront with window (from a packet of cards I found at a thrift store years ago)

·  Front Sentiment “Warm Holiday Wishes” from an Imagine That digi set (Company is no longer in business)

·   Inside Sentiment is from The Paper Shelter digi set (Vintage X-mas Designs)

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

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

Entered into:  

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes (Aug) (twist- Polka Dots)   

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #603 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Aug (Christmas)         

ABC Christmas Challenge- P, Q, R are for?    'P is for Pastel Colours'