myasperations: myasperations 8-12-25

This is my second card for the August challenge at Sweet November Stamps (SNS) FB Challenge. The theme is “Critters,” and I love how the little dolphin (critter) on the SNS digi is enjoying a hug, or maybe eight hugs, from his mermaid friend! I printed off a free background that features wonderful bubbly waves, trimmed and adhered it to the front of an A2-sized card, and set it aside. I printed the Dolphin Hugs digi onto white cardstock, trimmed it to a small rectangular size, colored it, and then laid it atop the wave-topped card front. Using a pencil, I lightly sketched in the waves, extending them from the background, across the white rectangle, and the dolphin hugs digi. I used watercolor pencils to lightly add colors that mimic those on the background paper. I added a few bright pops of pink on the mermaid, plus added a bit of blue and teal colors with scraps of colored plastic index divider sheets. (These wonderful items- sometimes called document file folders- come in a pack of assorted colors and can be found in the office supply section of most stores. They're cheaper than colored vellum and more translucent. Punches and dies don’t work on these sheets, but they are easy to fussy-cut with a sharp pair of scissors. And you can trace shapes onto them with a permanent fine line marker- which Is how I trimmed ovals from these scraps!) The final bit of texture I added to my card was swirling waves to the finished digi with a few layers of glossy accents.

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:

· Watery Background- a freebie from dragonsmoore.blogspot.com HERE

· Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Dolphin Hugs)

· Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils

· Ranger-Glossy Accents (to add texture to the wavy washing over the digi)

· Front Sentiment- a freebie from TlcCreations-(Wishing You Little Moments of Delight)

· Inside Sentiment “Have a Fintastic Day”- a freebie from Simply Cards/CraftWorld Magazine (no longer available)

· Fish embellishments are from a Fred She Said digi set (Emma the Mermaid)

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

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

Entered into:

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #07-2025 Jul/Aug (optional- Sand/Sun/Water)

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

Friends of Sweet November (FB) Aug

As summer draws to a close, back-to-school challenges are starting to show up. I created this card for the August Colorful Options Monthly Challenge. It is inspired by the 4 colors on the color board, plus the many books. It features a sweet digi from Cute As A Button digi stamps, which was a favorite company until it closed a few years ago. (I miss the artist/owner, Francesca, and her amazing digis!)

Supplies:

· Digi- Cute as a Button Digital Stamp (Sadly, company was closed in 2022 due to family health issues.)

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

· Front Sentiment “You Are Awesome”- a freebie from skogstokiga.blogspot.com (Sadly, blog is now closed)

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

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

Entered into:

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: August

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #710-711 AG/Family Friendly

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #801: For a Child (The student on my card looks like a young teen. I'm thinking she is considered to be a child until she turns 18?!)

I wanted another card for the Simon Says “Quite Quirky” challenge and had fun creating this card using a fun sentiment that I’ve had in my files for many years. I found free photos of kale and assorted emojis on the web, and used B&W striped paper to provide a bold background. And added note, I've tried kale in many recipes and prepared in numerous ways... but no matter what, it still tastes inedible to me. I wanted to like it because I know it is healthy, but... at this point, it’s not gonna happen!)