Tuesday, February 3, 2026

myasperations 2-3-2026

     I have been a regular participant in the Path of Positivity (POP)  Challenge since I stumbled upon it 5 years ago, mainly because it inspires a positive mindset and encourages positive actions! To learn more, read the Introduction provided in 2013 by the creator of this inspiring challenge, Lisa D.  
     This year, the Path of Positivity is officially entering its 13th year of offering challenges that encourage positivity and creativity! In honor of this wonderful anniversary, 0ur challenge host, Lisa D, introduces the theme for 2026: Crafting by the Numbers. (Click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2026)!
     February’s challenge TWIST is Dynamic Duo: Create 2 Matching Projects, and I decided to making a gift holder with a coordinating tag using items I've had in my stash for several decades! The elegant pillow box, made with corrugated craft paper has lots of texture and also some lovely bling! Two wood-mounted rubber stamps, one of the first stamp purchases I made back in the 90’s, were used to create this card. The first, a large grapevine wreath with roses, was used to make a gold-embossed front panel for the pillow box. A matching tag, with a gold-embossed rose image and elegant sentiment, is secured to the pillow box with a gold elastic cord.  (Sadly, both stamp companies are now out of business.)
                      
 
Supplies: 
·   Pillow Box Template/instructions- I found a simple one HERE and a more elegant one HERE  
·   Front panel Grapevine Wreath and Rose image on the tag are made with Azadi Earles Woodmount Rubber 
    Stamps (Company no longer in business)
·   Tag “Hello” Sentiment is from a Rubber Stampede Wood Mount Rubber Stamp (Company no longer in business)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Corrugated Cardboard craft paper/12" x 12" Scrapbook Paper- Hobby Lobby 
 ·  Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.
·   Pigment ink, embossing powder, and elastic cord (all in gold), plus misc. items and tools from my stash.
Entered into:  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #736-737 (AG/Family Friendly)
Neglected Stuff Challenge- Feb 2026
Simon Says Monday Challenge-Add Some Texture      
Outlawz Anything but a Card Challenge- Feb 2026 
Outlawz Challenge Monthly Linky- Feb 2026

    Kit and Clowder’s artist/owner, Alyce Keegan, provided a class at a Card Maker Success Summit last March using a free worksheet named “Unicorn Mail.” The sweet little Unicorn was easy to color, and I especially love her rainbow mane and tail, which became radiant with the help of a Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Gel Pen.
Supplies: 

·   Digi- Kit & Clowder Coloring Class Freebie (Unicorn Mail March 2025) Sign up on K&C FB page, HERE, to learn of future classes and freebies! (Once you are signed up, enter “Coloring Classes” in search box to qview  classes that have been offered.)

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

·   Front Sentiment- a Freebie from Desert Diver (You add COLOR to my life!)

·   Inside Sentiment- Computer-generated

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

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

Entered into: 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG (Pink & Main)                
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Feb 2026  Color Board (Shades of Pink/Purple- or rainbow)
Pammies Inky Pinky Challenge #2605 (AG) 
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #823: Add Some Red
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Feb 2026- Color Scheme

      A friend is having a baby next month, and her 8-year-old son, Lam, is super excited! He LOVES turtles, so I decided to make him a card to let him know that we think he is great and will be an AWESOME big brother! The card features a cute little turt from a Not2Shabby paper pack and a fun card fold that is new to me. A stamper friend created an excellent video tutorial for making a “3D Easel Card,” which helped me create one with little trouble... except that I can't find my velcro! So, for now, it is held together with a paperclip.
     The three photos show 1) the card front, 2) the card open with the turt lying flat atop the sentiment, and 3) the turt slid behind the raised sentiment, tilting him forward.  I wanted to make it look like the little turtle was stirring up lots of bubbles as he shot through the water, and I’m not sure if that if a bunch of punched circles, sequins and rhinestones create that result. What do you think? Can you tell the little cutie is stirring up some turbulence in his wake?
 
   
Supplies: 

·   3D Easel Card tutorial on YouTube HERE

·   Sea Turtle on front of card is upcycled from an advertisement for an Aquarium that I picked up on my travels! 

·   Precolored Sea Turtle digi on inside of the card is from a Not2Shabby 6x6 paper pack (Watercolor Cuties)  

·   Front Sentiment- Handwritten (scroll and anchor digi upcycled from an old card)

·   Inside Sentiment-“You are Awesome (just so you know)a freebie from TlcCreations

·   Sea shells beneath sentiment are fussy-cut from patterned paper- Hobby Lobby scrapbooking set

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

·   Stickles-Diamonds

·   Several sizes of paper punches, a small anchor punch, sequins, other items, and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  
Not2Shabby Mood Board Challenge- Feb (card features shades of all colors on current board) 
Pick 3 Challenge-Jan-Feb 2026 (Card features fun fold, layers, texture)
Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #1-2026 Jan/Feb (Optional twist- Use Circles) 
Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 2, Week 1-AG  
The Paper Shelter- #664 AG

15 comments:

  1. Wow Kathy, all of these cards are so wonderful. I absolutely love the sea turtle. I started following a group on Facebook called The Turtle Hospital And now I am so invested in their lives. They’re such sweet creatures. Your friend’s son will love that card for sure. You also did a great job coloring that unicorn. It’s super cute. And the projects that you made for the Dynamic Duo are really nice. I will have to get over to the Path of Positivity and check that out Thanks so much for playing along with us at Word Art Wednesday. We have a new challenge starting today and would love to have you join us again!

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    1. Barb, of course I'll join you at WAW! It's one of my favorite challenges!

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  2. A lovely post and beautiful artwork~ thank you for sharing.

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  3. Such a sweet card, thanks for joining us at the Outlawz Twisted challenge , xx

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  4. Back again to comment on your lovely pillow box, love the corrugated card used, thanks for playing at the Outlawz ABAC challenge, x

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  5. Wonderful projects
    Thank you for joining with us at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.
    Good luck with your entry
    Maritza DT

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  6. Awhh! Such a Awesome idea to send a card to a big brother....GORgeous design and I LOve these colours.
    Thank you so much for sharing with us at Crafty Catz.
    Chrissyxx

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  7. What a great pillow box...and made out of goodies hidden away in the craft room! Wonderful corrugated cardstock and the gold is such a lovely accent. Thanks for sharing with us at The Outlawz Anything but a Card Challenge. Katrina

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  8. All are beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing with us at PIP Challenges.

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  9. Such a great card, thanks for sharing it with us at the Pick 3 Challenge.
    Ilonka DT

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  10. Some lovely cards here thanks for sharing at Passion for markers and Crafty Catz

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  11. Hi there Kathy, my goodness all those cards, and the tag and box, are just fabulous! Thanks for joining in with us at Passion for Markers this week, Sarah - DT.

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  12. Thanks for playing with us over at passion för markers.
    Love n hugs
    Marie

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  13. Great projects, Kathy. I love the turtle card! Looks like he is swimming off of the card.

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  14. These are all great projects Kathy!

    Thank you for playing along with us at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- Good luck!!

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Thanks you for your comments. They bring joy to my day!