myasperations 8-11-25

     The August challenge at Sweet November Stamps (SNS) FB page is “Critters” and I think that the critter on this SNS digi, named Dolphin Hugs, is much loved by his mermaid friend! I used my much-used (much-loved) free Paint.net program to place this cute pair into a tranquil night scene, using a photo that is from a free Bing wallpaper program that I installed on my laptop some time ago. (I love learning about all the beautiful places in the world, with new photos and info every day! This picture is titled “Algae Ocean Bloom”. ) After finishing the creative work on Paint.com, I inserted the finished item into a Word document, cropped it to the preferred size, printed it, colored it, and set it aside. The SNS digi named Vampire Cavern was then used to create a natural “frame” for the mermaid and friend. I sized it to fit onto an A2 card front, printed it onto cream-colored cardstock, then added shadows and highlights with markers and white gel pen. Using an Exacto blade, I trimmed the center section from the cavern, positioned it atop the hugging friends, adhered it, and then finished the card.  

    I’m entering this card into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place where the challenge is anything inspired by a theme park. Since this card features a cute mermaid hugging a dolphin, I checked the wonderful “inspiration” listing that sponsor Makira provides, and found the perfect option- SeaWorld Animal Swims’ “Dolphin Encounter” in Texas. I’d love to have a hugging encounter with a dolphin! So fun.

Supplies: 

·   Background digi/image is from Sweet November Stamps (Background Builder: Vampire Cavern)

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Dolphin Hugs)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Wishing you oceans of joy…”- Bugaboo Stamps (no longer in business)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Hope it’s Fabulous” from Beccy’s Place Digi Sets that are, sadly, no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

·   Crab, starfish and sea horse  embellishments on sentiments from Fred She Said digi set (Emma the Mermaid- colored)

·   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 #800:AG  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) Aug (AG/Critter Theme) (Photo) 

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Aug)  SeaWorld Animal Swims’ “Dolphin Encounter”

      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 Dec 31, she continues to sponsor challenges for other companies, providing her wonderful digis to the challenge winners. This sweet digi, named “Bee Fairy,” is a favorite from my file of Sheepski digis. The background was created from an outdated calendar page.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Double D’s Challenge “Bee Happy”,  the Time Out Challenge (The “Pick Two” items I included on my card are stripes (paper to embellish the sentiments), Rainbow (I colored delicate rainbows on the fairy wings), and Transport (the bees in on this card are busily transporting pollen via their hairy legs to the hive, to be stored as food. I did a bit of research and found a wonderful video and learned more than I had imagined HERE).

   
                  

Supplies: 

·   Background created from an outdated calendar page.

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

and Bee Digis on inside are  from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Bees and Blooms) Sadly, no longer available

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

·   Sentiments- “… Sweet as can bee” and “… Beeyoutiful Day” from SnapClickSupply.com digi set (Sweet As Can Bee Word Art)

·   Newtons Nook 6x6 paper pad (Black & White Basics) 

·   Stickles- Diamonds (on fairy wings) and Sea Green (on bee’s eyes)

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

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

Entered into: 

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #294 (Pick Two… Transport, Strips, Rainbow)  

Double D’s Challenge- Be Happy    

   My final card for this post is a fun one that features a pizza chef digi from Dustin Pike (back when he had a blog with freebies), and a fun pizza joke sentiment from the web. It was fun to make this card... and now I'm hungry! (I want to add some colorful pizza toppings, but can't find my opaque gel pens. As soon as they surface, I'll add some "green peppers", "onions", and "mushrooms".)

    An added note- I discovered Dustin Pike’s blog is still open, and offers a few freebies, but this isn’t one of them. However, he is now one of the designers for Whimsy Stamps, and you can find many of his creations there, plus a few are available at his Etsy Shop

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Pizza Chef freebie from dustinpike.blogspot.com  (no longer available)

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

·   Sentiment drawn from- “family-friendly-pizza-jokes-you-crust-know” found HERE

·   Newtons Nook 6x6 paper pad (Black & White Basics) 

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

·   Patterned paper, Red & Black plaid paper napkin, and other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Quite Quirky