myasperations 12-11-25

     One of my favorite things about making cards is sending them to friends and family who might need some encouragement or comfort. This one will be sent to a dear high school friend, also named Kathy, who had three strokes this past summer and, since then, has spent time in and out of hospitals in three states. Since Kathy suffered some memory loss, communicating by text or phone is difficult for her. So, after learning of her strokes back in July, I started sending her a card or two every week. Kathy’s family has told me that it helps raise my friend's spirits, especially when I send humorous cards or those with creative folds. She loved an explosion card that I sent a few months ago, so I decided to make her another one!       

      This one features a beautiful digi from Not2Shabby, named "Joy Loves the Snow" and some Sparkle and Shine (paper, glitter paper, silver photo corners, Stickles glitter drops on snowflakes, and rhinestone "earrings"), which allows me to enter it into two challenges- Wednesday Simon Says and We Craft Cards.

      Back in the 1960’s we used to spend “snow days” making snow forts and having snowball fights with all of our siblings (12 in all!) Since the “explosion fold” on the inside of the card packs a simulated explosion of snow, I think Kathy will enjoy the card!

     Note- I added bulky knitted texture to Joy's gloves and mittens using a technique I learned from Anabel Haines on an easy-to-follow tutorial (see link in supplies list.)

    I'm also entering this card into the Not2Shabby December Challenge (The snowflake background loosely mimics the snow-covered trees on the mood board, and I used a few colors from this month's Color Board- aqua/blue and light pink.) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi Stamp- Not2Shabby Shop (Joy Loves the Snow)

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

·   Tutorial for creating knitted texture (on gloves and hat) can be found HERE

·   White Glitter paper used to make sparkly snowballs-Hobby Lobby

·   Small Pink Rhinestone Hearts from JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

·   Snowflake paper from a package of heavyweight Christmas/Winter giftwrap purchased at JoAnnes Crafts (Sadly no longer in business)

·   Silver photo corners available from several web sources (WXJ13 Photo Mounting Corners)

·   Sentiments-Computer Generated

·   Blue and Silver snowflake paper (on the inside of the card) is from an upcycled gift bag.

·   Explosion Card tutorials HERE , HERE (Explosion fold starts at 6:10 on video), a mini-version is found HERE

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

·   Diamond Stickles- to add sparkle to snowflakes and around rhinestone earrings.

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

Entered into:  

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)     Badlands Snow Park (WI)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #728-729 AG/Family Friendly

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine

Via Pinterest Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge- December (Mood and Color boards) 

We Craft Cards- Sparkle and Shine

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #267 AG 

   Since I’m a DT for All Dressed Up (sponsor), please don’t include me in the prize draw!   

      I had so much fun making the last card that I printed off another copy of the digi and got to work! Also, since I won this sweet digi, along with several others, at last month’s coffeelovingpapercrafters 2025 Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, I decided to make a few changes to create a  coffee theme.  First, I used an exacto knife to cut slits around the snowballs. Then I printed off, colored, and fussy-cut a coffee cup digi, and slid it into the cut area, covering the two snowballs with the coffee cup.

     Since I won this sweet digi at a coffeelovingpapercrafters' last Blog Hop, it’s fun that this card is my first entry into this month’s Coffee Loving Papercrafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge! I’ve also decided that if that coffee cup was mine, it would be filled with a yummy Gingerbread Latte… which allows me to enter it into this month's ABC Christmas Challenge- ‘Y is for Yummy’ and the Colorful Options December Challenge (Gingerbread and other treats)! 

   I'm also entering this card into the Not2Shabby December Challenge (I used several colors from this month's Color Board- sage green, brown, light pink and peach.) 

     Note- I added bulky knitted texture to Joy's gloves and mittens using a technique I learned from Anabel Haines on an easy-to-follow tutorial (see link in supplies list.)

Supplies: 

·  Digi Stamp- Not2Shabby Shop (Joy Loves the Snow)

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

·   Tutorial for creating knitted texture (on gloves and hat) can be found HERE

·   Small Red Rhinestone Hearts and patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

·   Coffee Cup Digital image and Front Sentiment are from Beccy’s Place Digi sets that are no longer available. (Business recently changed to clear stamps/wholesale only)

·   Inside Sentiment- a freebie from YouTube@Sassy’s LLC (learn more Here)

·   Holly image cut from patterned paper (Hobby Lobby)

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

·   Metallic Gold Cardstock-Hobby Lobby

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

Entered into:  

Coffee Loving Paper Crafters/Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge: #48 Dec 

Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge- December (Mood board) (Photo)

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Dec  Color Board (Gingerbread & other treats)  

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #11-2025 Nov/Dec (Optional twist- Hug in a Mug) 

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #818: Mega Christmas Challenge-Add a Sentiment  

      Since I’m a DT for All Dressed Up (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize!  

ABC Christmas Challenge- Y and Z are for?  'Y is for Yummy’

     I made another gift bag, with a striking box folded “topper” to enter into the current Double D challenge “Christmas Wrappings”.  I’ve made these toppers for several years, and always love being reminded how easy they are to make using the tutorial in my supplies list!

   The topper was made with heavyweight scrapbook paper, which created crisp folds that hold their shape. The tag was made with greetings, and the paper strip with green foiled swirls was upcycled from old cards and sequins I’ve had in my stash for a few decades. The green leaf sequins are embossed with raised veins, and the round red sequins create berries, especially when held in place with red seed beads, and bits of red thread.

 

Supplies: 

·   Kraft Gift Bag from Dollar Tree

·   Gift Bag Topper Tutorial can be found HERE  

·   Tag made from upcycled items from old cards, plus Holly and berry sequins found at a thrift store years ago.

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

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

Entered into:  

Double D’s Challenge- Christmas Wrappings 

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 13, Week 2-AG