myasperations 9-30-25a

    The last few weeks, I’ve neglected my blog for a longer time than ever before, and I appreciated your messages of concern. (I love my blog land friends!) As my sweet hubby of 48 years moves through the stages of MS, no doctor can tell us how long this devastating disease will continue or provide any help in dealing with it. What I most want right now is to spend as much time with Rich as possible, especially as the holidays draw near. They truly are our favorite time of the year! 

    So, here is my plan- I am making a few posts over the next few days to share cards I created earlier this month for a few current challenges. Then, in the coming months, I plan to continue in my DT responsibilities for the All Dressed Up and Path of Positivity challenges as long as I can. Other than that, entering challenges or posting to my blog will be on an occasional basis. So, I hope to see you from time to time!  

   I created this card for the ABC Christmas Challenge, theme “S is for Stocking.” It features a wonderful freebie from Beccy’s Place named “Quilted Stocking”. I printed off two copies of the stocking and set one aside. I cut the second apart and made it into a pattern, which I used to cut pieces of patterned papers from papers in rich Victorian Christmas colors. When I finished, I adhered the quilt pieces on top of the colored and fussy-cut jingle bells, then adhered the bells to the top of the stocking. The rest of the card went together quickly with paper, ribbon, and rickrack from my stash.

Supplies: 

·    Digi- A freebie from Beccy’s Place (Quilted Stocking)

·    Stitches sketched on with Black Fine-line Sharpie Marker

·    Jingle Bell Digis are from a Beccy’s Place Digi set that is no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

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

·    Sentiments- from We Are 3 Digital set (Company no longer in business)

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

·    Red rickrack, ribbon and rhinestones, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

ABC Christmas Challenge- S and T are for?  'S is for Stockings'  

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG Sept 4 -Oct 3 2025

Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky  

Pink & Main Challenge- #8: Favorite Things (My favorite Christmas items are hand-crafted!)

Snippets- Week #516    

I used the Sketch from the September Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) challenge on FB as my base and built the card from there with items from my stash!

Supplies: 

·    All patterned papers are from my stash.

·    Holly and berry sequins were a great find at a thrift store years ago.

·    Front Sentiment “mini merry” and “Christmas” plus holly leaves embellishing the inside are fussy-cut from patterned paper scraps.

·    Inside Sentiment- from We Are 3 Digital set (Company no longer in business)

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

·    Red seed beads,other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #61 Sept 2025        

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct

      My final card on this post is for the current Time Out Challenge which requires that we incorporate at least two of the words provided which inspired us when creating our entries. The “Pick Two” items I included in my card are Metallic (a pretty, 3D gold metal star), Season (Christmas- with a beautiful Baby Jesus digital image… that is a freebie from artist Sylvia Zet, who now designs for Whimsy Stamps), and Spatter (I adhered 8 little star sequins across the dark sky, then drew an additional 21 on the sheet music and sky with a sparkly golden Stardust gel pen).

Supplies: 

·    Starry sky background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

·    Digi- “The Little Lord Jesus” a freebie from sylviazet/Wee Stamps on FB HERE  

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

·    Sparkly Star Stickers- Pretty Pink Posh Silver Mini Star Confetti Sequins from Simon Says

·    3-D Gold Metal sticker- Hobby Lobby

·    Front Sentiment- Christmas Sheet Music from an old choir book found at a thrift store

·    Inside Sentiment- John 3:16 “Love” (I’ve had this in my files for years. Unknown source. If you recognize it, please let me know!)

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

·    Gold glitter paper, star punch, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #298 “Pick Two…” Challenge)  

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #606 Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #718-719 AG/Family Friendly

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Sept (Christmas)         

myasperations 9-30-25

   The last few weeks, I’ve neglected my blog for a longer time than ever before, and I appreciated your messages of concern. (I love my blog land friends!) As my sweet hubby of 48 years moves through the stages of MS, no doctor can tell us how long this devastating disease will continue or provide any help in dealing with it. What I most want right now is to spend as much time with Rich as possible, especially as the holidays draw near. They truly are our favorite time of the year! 

    So, here is my plan- I am making a few posts over the next few days to share cards I created earlier this month for a few current challenges. Then, in the coming months, I plan to continue in my DT responsibilities for the All Dressed Up and Path of Positivity challenges as long as I can. Other than that, entering challenges or posting to my blog will be on an occasional basis. So, I hope to see you from time to time!  

    One of my favorite challenges is Park Hopping-My Happy Place for two reasons, the host is one of the most kind and generous people I know… and the challenge has helped me to develop a whole bucket list of theme parks I want to visit before I… well… kick the bucket!

    So I was thrilled when asked to be a guest DT for the September challenge, which has a theme of Willie Wonka, i.e. SWEET Treats! I’ve been making cards with yummy items all month. This is my final entry. It features cookies fussy-cut from patterned paper, and with all that buttercream frosting they look good enough to eat! I used the Sketch from the September Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) challenge on FB as my base and built the card from there! 

Supplies: 

·    Christmas cookie patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·    Plaid and Evergreen papers plus front sentiment-from a Park Lane Holiday Papercrafting book, JoAnne’s Crafts (sadly, closed in July 2025)

·    Inside Sentiment- Freebie from Lovesvg.com (Note you need to open an account to access freebies)  

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

Entered into:  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Sept)   

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 11, Week 4-AG                     

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Sept (Christmas)        

Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky 

  This card was also developed with the Sketch from the September Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) challenge on FB! It features many items from my stash.

Supplies: 

·    Background papers plus front sentiment- from a Park Lane Holiday Papercrafting book, JoAnne’s Crafts (sadly, closed in July 2025)

·    Inside Sentiment-Computer Generated (source unknown… I’ve had it in my “sentiment” journal that I started when I was in High School!)

·    Scrap of ribbon, gold snowflake stickers, all other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #61 Sept 2025        

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #718-719 AG/Family Friendly

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct (trees-my card features pine boughs/pine cones) 

Pink & Main Challenge- #8: Favorite Things  (I love snowflakes. They are my favorite part of winter!) 

Supplies: 

·    Happy New Year's Background-this Freebie and many others (coffee, cats, and more) found at Eyelet Outlet and Brads

·    Digi- Bugaboo Xmas Heel (Sadly, company is no longer in business)

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

·    Front Sentiment “Celebrate” silver brad (Oriental Trading Company,no longer available)  

·    Inside Sentiment- Freebie from Simply Crafts (Online magazine No longer available)

·    Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·    Silver and gold rhinestones, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #298 “Pick Two…” Challenge)  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #606 Anything Goes

myasperations 9-17-25

    Here is another yummy card for the chocolate/sweets theme at Park Hopping. This card features the wrapper of a mini Hershey’s bar, which I was willing to provide (after removing the chocolate… heh heh!) Using a Heart Pocket card tutorial from Pinterest, plus computer-generated sentiment and items from my stash, I was able to develop this fun card.

Supplies: 

·    Heart Pocket Valentine Card Tutorial found HERE

·    Darice-Embossing Essentials Dies, Nesting Scallop Hearts, 5-Pack (available from several web sources)

·    Sentiments-Computer Generated

·    Mini-chocolate bar is from my favorite brand of chocolate, Hersheys!

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

Entered into:  

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG Sept 4 -Oct 3 2025

Crafty Catz Challenge- Sept 12-25 AG

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #716-717 AG/Family Friendly

    Here is another card using the Sketch from the September Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) challenge on FB. It features a cute little mouse digi, several patterned papers, and misc items from my stash. I didn't want the little mouse to be overwhelmed by the boldly patterned paper at the top of the card, so I "dressed" him up a bit by adding spots in his fur. (I did a web search for “pet mice” and picked this one because the colors fit nicely into my card's color scheme. Paper piecing a strip of the background pattern onto the cup label also helped the little “Coffee Mouse” to stand out a bit! He is so cute!)

Supplies: 

·    Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Hot Coffee Mouse)

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

·    Patterned paper with reindeer and inside sentiment tag from a Park Lane Holiday Papercrafting book- JoAnne’s Crafts, (sadly, closed in July 2025)

·    Woodgrain patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

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

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

·    Other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into: 

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #45 Sept New Format  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Sept)   Peppermint Mocha at Holiday World in Santa Clause Indiana 

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #805: Animal Friends  

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Sept (Christmas)         

Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky  

ABC Christmas Challenge- S and T are for?  'T is for Trees' (which appear on the patterned paper)

    This card features a Moondrea Designs digi, which is provided free to participants of their monthly Progressive FB Challenge. The September digi, named Harvest Fairy, is adorned in fall colors. I knew I wanted to highlight her beautiful face as if it were in a locket, so I cropped that section of the digi and inserted an oval around it. I also cropped two sections of the digi that held bounty from the harvest, which I used to frame the bottom of the oval. After coloring, fussy-cutting, and adhering these items together on the oval, I positioned it atop an upcycled calendar page, then adhered it, a sentiment, and a few small golden orange leaves in place. 

    I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Time Out Challenge: Favorite Season (My favorite season is Fall. I especially love the rich colors, and the many fruits that start appearing. I live in a location surrounded by apple orchards, and I enjoy all that entails- apple cider, apple crisp, apple butter, caramel apples, and more!) 

                           

 

Supplies: 

·    Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar

·    Digi- Moondrea Sept Challenge-Harvest Fairy.

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

·    Front Sentiment “Have a Fabulous Day”- from RG Ave Stamps Fall Greetings Newsletter Freebie (no longer available)

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

·    Small leaf embellishment cut from patterned paper, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Moondrea Designs Progressive Challenge FB-(Sept- Harvest Fairy)  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #297 (“Inspired By…” Favorite Season)

Inspiration Station- Challenge #77 Inspiration Prompt Fall Trees

The Paper Shelter- #651 AG (optional-Falling Leaves)   

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct (twist- Trees and/or Leaves)  

myasperations 9-16-25

     I’ve had fun making cards for the September Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers (BYSHC) challenge on FB. I used a beautiful, snowy scene as the base of my card, adding a strip of silver embossed vellum for the center section of the Sketch. I love the serene feeling of the card, enhanced by the front and inside sentiments.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Simon Says Wednesday: Layer it Up! (Both the front and inside of the card have four layers, plus a fluttering of snowflakes.), and the ABC Christmas Challenge: T is for Trees (There are many trees along the fence line and along the valley that leads down to the church in the valley.)  

Supplies: 

·    Background scene is upcycled from an old calendar (Details of original painting-“Peace on Earth” by Jesse Barnes, The Light Painter)

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

·    Vellum embossed with silver pigment ink and EP, plus old Printworks wood-mount stamp set (Snowflakes)

·    Snowflake stickers- Hobby Lobby and JoAnne’s

·    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- #61 Sept 2025         

ABC Christmas Challenge- S and T are for?   'T is for Trees'

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #09-2025 Sept/Oct (twist- Trees and/or Leaves) 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Layer it Up! (Use ephemera)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #716-717 AG/Family Friendly

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #605 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: Sept (Christmas)         

    This yummy cup of hot chocolate is topped with a large dollop of whipped cream, plus more in the spoon. Nom Nom! Most of the items used to make this card were from my ever-growing stash. I love the Victorian feeling of the image, and the gold filigree stickers add a nice bit of bling! The front sentiment is one of a large set of vintage images from The Paper Shelter that I often use. It includes both black/white and pre-colored digis.  

Supplies: 

·    Cup of Hot Chocolate Sticker- from a JoAnne’s Crafts Park Lane Holiday Papercrafting book  

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

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

·    Inside Sentiment- from a We Are 3 Digital set (Company no longer in business)

·    Gold filigree photo corner stickers (front) and filigree flower stickers (inside)- Hobby Lobby

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

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

Entered into:  

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #45 Sept New Format  

The Paper Shelter- #650 AG

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Sept)   

Crafty Catz Challenge- Sept 12-25 AG

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG Sept 4 -Oct 3 2025 

Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky 

   Another card created for several fall-themed challenges that are happening right now! It features a cute digital image from Sweet November Stamps, named Cozy Critter Suzy Squirrel. Suzy loves fall days as much as I do… and apparently as much as the children playing in the beautiful fall scene upcycled from an old Navigator Ministries calendar.

     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including Friends of Sweet November: Sept (Use at least 3 fall colors-Red, Orange, Yellow, Brown or Gold. My card includes all of them!), Time Out Challenge: Favorite Season (My favorite season is Fall, and always has been. When young, my siblings and I loved jumping in leaf piles. Now, as the leaves change, I love watching the world turn into a kaleidoscope of vivid color!)  Inspiration Station (My card features many versions of colorful tree confetti, aka, leaves!)

Supplies: 

·    Fall Scene upcycled from an old church calendar (Printed by Navigator Ministries)

·    Digi- Sweet November Stamps (Cozy Critter Suzy Squirrel)

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

·    Front Sentiment- “Have a Fabulous Day” from RG Ave Stamps Fall Greetings Newsletter Freebie 

·    Inside Sentiment tags- from a Fall Paper Pack- JoAnne’s Crafts (Sadly, closed in July 2025)

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

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

Entered into:  

Friends of Sweet November (FB) Sept 

Inspiration Station- Challenge #77 Inspiration Prompt 

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #297 (“Inspired By” Challenge-Favorite Season)   

Paper Funday- #80 Anything Goes  (Optional Twist: Changing Seasons)

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #805: Animal Friends