myasperations: January 2026

This year, the Path of Positivity (POP) is officially entering its 13th year of offering challenges that encourage Positivity and Creativity! In honor of this wonderful anniversary, our challenge host, Lisa D, introduces the theme for 2026: Crafting by the Numbers and January’s challenge TWIST, NUMBER ONE. “The first step in our creative journey of crafting by the numbers is to challenge you to create a NEW project--one that you have never made before. It is time to step outside your comfort zone, explore a new technique or project, and embrace the excitement that comes with starting at one. If you tend to only make cards, how about putting together a mixed media canvas? If digital is normally your thing, complete something totally handmade. Never made an ATC card before? Well, now is the perfect time to try it. Whatever project you decide on, new beginnings start here! Be sure to make it one to remember!!!

Note- the twist is completely optional, and you don't need to follow it to win. As long as your creation is positive or encouraging in some way, enter it into the POP challenge for a chance to win $6 worth of images from our sponsor, Scribbles Designs, and/or be honored as one of our special "picks"!

In my 60+ years of crafting, I’ve never tried my hand at crocheting. That changed in early December when I took a crochet class at our local library with a few friends. I'd been seeing adorable little crocheted animals online and wanted to learn some basic skills so I could make them for friends and family. So... that was my goal! How hard could it be? I soon found out!

After the two-hour-long class, I ended up with a 2-inch-by-3-inch-long strip of brown loops, chains, small holes, and one long tail! I jokingly told a friend who attended the class with me that I'd try to turn it into a "Mustache Warmer" for her hubby!

Instead, I perused Pinterest and found a photo of a reindeer ornament (posted below) that I was able to create with my brown crochet strip! I still had a bit of brown yarn and figured out how to make ears for little Rudolph. I hope to make enough of these cute little Rudy's to give to my great-nieces and nephews next Christmas... and it might take me that long to finish them!!

PS This challenge has given me a new appreciation for fabric artists. For me, crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitch is more of a stress inducer than a stress reducer!

Supplies:

· Tutorial for Reindeer ornament found on Pinterest is available HERE

· Candy Canes- from local grocery store

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

Entered into:

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #12-2025 Dec/Jan (Optional twist- Make It Merry)

The Paper Shelter- #622

Outlawz Anything but a Card Challenge- Jan 2026

Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Jan 2026

This month’s sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB is a fun one that has already inspired me to make several cards. This one features sweet snowman digi, which is a freebie! (There are both B&W and colored versions available. I used the colored version, adding shading and highlights with markers and a gel pen, and a Wink of Stellar brush tip marker adds a glittery sparkle.)

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

· ZIG Wink of Stella GLITTER CLEAR Brush Tip Marker- Available from several sources on the web

· Snowy patterned paper and white glitter snowflake stickers- Hobby Lobby

· Front Sentiment-upcycled label from the sheet of patterned paper

· Inside Sentiment- “Let it snow…” from a Lili of the Valley digi set (Christmas Wishes)

· 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- #65 Jan 2026

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Jan 2026 Color Board (Blue & White)

Polkadoodles Challenge 2026- Challenge 1, Week 1-AG

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #730-731 Annual Christmas Blog Hop (AG/Family Friendly)

This sweet digi is a new addition to my collection of Patties Creations digis. When I first saw this Flamingo with his adorable bunny slippers, my brain immediately started creating ways to use the feathery cutie on a Christmas card for my brother who lives in Florida. This is the result of my efforts! Jim rarely makes it back “home” so I think he’ll like it. He sees flamingos quite often where he lives, plus I know that the bunny slippers will elicit a laugh!