Monday, December 18, 2023

myasperations 12-18-23

     I am honored to have served as a Guest Designer for Beccy Muir at Beccy’s Place and am now one of her “Contributors” (which means that she provides me with digis or clear stamp sets several times a year and I get to create cards or other items with them!) It is always fun to see the images Beccy invites me to use. 
  This time, the dig set is named, “Cat Tails” and the cat at the window image inspired me to create a beautiful scene for the cutie to enjoy while “relaxing”! A scrap of patterned paper that resembles vintage wallpaper, small paper doily, and a scrap of striped cardstock, trimmed into an oval and scored to resemble a comfy chair all help build a comfortable scene. As is my norm,  I used scraps of the papers used on the card front to decorate the inside sentiment.
Supplies: 

·   Digi and Sentiments from Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp set (Cat Tails)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, a white colored pencil, and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Tree Stamp used to make scenery from Stampscapes wood mount (Pines & Rocks)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into: 
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #268  
Allsorts Challenge- Week 759 AG  
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #118 
Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge- Furry Thing Goes (#95 Dec)  

     One thing that I enjoy about the digi sets that Beccy Muir creates and sells through Beccy’s Place is that she always includes sentiments. Many are versatile, like this one, “Thinking of You” from her newly released Cat Tails set. It works so beautifully when paired with a large rose-patterned frame from my scrapbook stash (which I’ve had for at least a decade or possibly two.) I didn’t want to waste any of the beautiful roses so fussy-cut two from the section that would be covered by the sentiment and used them to embellish it. A scrap of sage green vellum provides a bit of contrasting color while also letting the roses peek through!
Supplies: 

·   Front Sentiment “Thinking of You” from Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp set (Cat Tails)

·   Rose Frame from my scrapbook stash. (I have no idea of the source!)

·   Patterned paper,  vellum scrap, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #625-626 Anything Goes   
Beccy’s Place Challenge- Dec 2023  
Patties Challenge- Anything Goes (Dec #213)
Paper Funday- #60 Anything Goes      

    This final card was fun to make because so many of my memories involve spending time in the kitchen first watching, and later helping, my mom make so many wonderful treats. We never made a Gingerbread house, but since it is on my bucket list of things to do before I die, I gave this " wee pie baker” a cap of soft white hair! 
Supplies: 

·   Digis- Sweet November Stamps Digi Set (Wee Pie Baker) and (Gingerbread House)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Christmas Cheer”- Source Unknown (I can’t locate it in my collection of digis. Please let me know if you recognize it!)

·   Inside Sentiment “Sending warm...” is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Gingerbread Wishes)

     Small gingerbread cookies fussy-cut from scraps of patterned paper from my stash. 

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #719 Mega Christmas Gala: Add a Sentiment
     Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize!
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Christmas, Children)
Outlawz Challenge- Dec 2023 Linky
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Friday, December 15, 2023

myasperations 12-15-23

I wanted to make a special card to enter into the current challenge at The Paper Shelter because it’s their 13th birthday. (And they are celebrating with some nice goodies… so there’s also THAT! heh heh!) The fun-loving Santa just makes me smile…especially when paired with a background scene that provides him with a wonderful scene on which he can “SWOOSH!” The chalkboard card base and matching envelope are an invitation from the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. (I love repurposing paper items, especially when I find them at 80% off!) 
    I’m entering it into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is another of my favorite challenges… as it has introduced me to many new amusement parks. This card was inspired by Santa’s Village which is now on my bucket list!)
Supplies:  
·   Digi- The Paper Shelter set (Xtreme Xmas)

·   Snowy Background from The Paper Shelter set (Snowboarder Girl)

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

·   Stickles-Diamonds

·   Front Sentiment-“Here Comes Santa Claus” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (The Big Guy)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Snow Much Fun” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Finn in The Snow)

·   Snowflake stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Chalkboard card base and envelope from Hobby Lobby Clearance aisle

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Di’s Digi Stamps- Any Winter Holiday
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #268  
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Dec)    Santa’s Village
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge-Christmas Greetings: Add a Santa Hat!
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Christmas)
Outlawz Challenge- Dec 2023 Linky
 
This card is my third entry for the current Butterfly Challenge, where the December them is “Fairy Time.” (Since I love fairies, I wish I could enter more than three! Actually, I just might do that… and note that I’m entering just for fun?)  My last fairy card features a loveable grandma fairy. This one puts an adorable little girl fairy from Polkadoodles named “Grace.” Since little girls often like the color pink, and also bling… I added both!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Polkadoodles (Fairy Grace) Sadly this cutie appears to be retired as I can’t find it in the shop!

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

·   Front Sentiment “JOY” (Sketched by hand… and created with paper scraps)

·   Inside Sentiment- “May your holidays sparkle…” Source Unknown (I can’t locate it in my collection of digis. Please let me know if you recognize it!)

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

·   Music score vellum, star stickers, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #49 AG                                          
Gem of a Challenge- Week #25 AG                                                  
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge- Dec- Silver and Gold 
Time Out Challenge- #253 Theme Challenge-Sparkly 

This last card was made with scraps of vellum, papers, and miscellaneous snowflake stickers from my stash. It features a large hand-cut snowflake that has been in my stash for several decades. My sister Carol, who is also a craft lover, taught me how to make intricate snowflakes. This was one of my first attempts… and I felt proud of it. (With practice, I was able to make smaller and smaller ones with few oopsies. But when I found this large one in a box in the garage, I just had to create a special card for Carol that features it. (She knows I am a major pack rat, so I think she will smile realizing that I’ve kept it all these years.)
    I’m entering it into several challenges including Inspiration Station: Photo of Disney Christmas Parade Float (my card has lots of snowflakes, just like the float and wintry sky.)
Supplies: 

·   Large delicate snowflake that I made with the help of my sweet sister, Carol.

·   Assorted Snowflake Stickers- Hobby Lobby and JoAnne’s Crafts

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated and printed on vellum

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

·   Stickles, vellum, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Cupcake Inspirations- #583 Theme Challenge Snowflake    
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #625-626 Anything Goes   
Patties Challenge- Anything Goes (Dec #213)
Paper Funday- #60 Anything Goes  
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #719 Mega Christmas Gala: Add a Sentiment
     Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize! 
Posted by at 16 comments:

Sunday, December 10, 2023

myasperations 12-10-23

    I am honored to have served as a Guest Designer for Beccy Muir at Beccy’s Place and am now one of her “Contributors” (which means that she provides me with digis or clear stamp sets several times a year and I get to create cards or other items with them!) It is always fun to see the images Beccy invites me to use. 
  This time, the digi is named, appropriately, “Stem in a Cup” and decided to create a card that would echo its delicate beauty and simplicity. The strip of lace is from my sweet mom’s craft box that I inherited after she went to her heavenly mansion 12 years ago. I dip into its cache of treasures occasionally when making a card for someone special. This card is for a friend who is going through a really difficult time. She has been in recovery from alcoholism for quite a while, so I knew that this sentiment would resonate with her. I left the inside of the card blank so I could provide her with encouragement and support… and tell her that I treasure having her in my life! When I recently gave her the card, I told her the strip of vintage lace is from my sweet mom’s treasured box… and that my mom would want me to share it with her. She responded with a big hug! (I love making special cards for unexpected reasons and need to do it more often. Hmmm... resolution time!) 
           
Supplies: 

·    Digi and Sentiments from - Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp set (Stem in a Teacup)

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

·    Vintage lace from my sweet mom’s craft box.

·    Papers and ribbon from my stash.
Entered into: 
Crafty Catz Challenge- Anything Goes #662  
       Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun! 
Jan’s Digi Stamps- Nov 2023 Anything Goes    
Paper Funday- #60 Anything Goes      

This second card features a sweet image from a company that is currently seeking a buyer. I hope they find one soon, as a friend and I owned a stamp store back in 1999-2001, and we sold Eureka's wood mount stamps in our store. A few years ago, I found them on-line, and a short time later, became one of their DT’s. I've always loved sharing their artwork so for now, I just continue to do that because some of them are favorites. After coloring and finishing this card, I made it extra sparkly so I could enter it into the current Time Out Challenge... then I found the perfect sentiment to fit the sparkly front. Yay BLING!
     I’m entering this card into several challenges, including he Time Out Challenge: Sparkly,  and the Path Of Positivity Challenge: Music (the look on this sweet feline's face makes me think of the song, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”)    
Supplies:

·   Digi- Eureka Digital Stamp (Cat in Santa Hat) Currently not available

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

·   Front Sentiment “Merry Christmas” from Polka Dot Orchard Digi Set (Swinging By With Holiday Cheer)

·   Inside Sentiment- Source Unknown (I can’t locate it in my collection of digi's. Please let me know if you recognize it!)

·   Polar White Flower Soft- Available HERE

·   Clear glitter and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge-Christmas Greetings: Add a Santa Hat!
     Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (one of the sponsors), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize!
Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge- Furry Thing Goes (#95 Dec) 
Double D’s Challenge- Christmas Animals  
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #118 (Anything Goes Positive with opt. Twist-Music) 
Time Out Challenge- #253 Theme Challenge-Sparkly   

This final card is for the current Butterfly Challenge, one of my favorites. This time of the year instead of butterflies  the theme changes to “Fairy Time.” I decided to feature a fairy from a fairly new Beccy’s Place digi named “Fairy Folk.” This card will be sent to one of my nephews with a special Christmas greeting. His name is Jesse, and although he is now in his '30s (or maybe even '40s?) when he was around six years old I was having a coffee date with his mom when came home from school. Running into the kitchen for a snack, her saw me, he smiled wide and said, ‘Hi, Grandma!” As soon as he realized it was me he grinned and said “I mean Aunt Kathy…”  I colored this sweet fairly to resemble Jesse’s loveable silver-haired, slightly pudgy Grandma. (I left the inside empty so that I can not just Merry Christmas, but also how much his Grandma Rose loved him… and also how much his Aunt Kathy loved him. And, since I stopped coloring my hair during COVID, I now also have silver hair. And, am also… well… a bit beyond slightly pudgy!!)   
PS Mom also had a green thumb and our yard, and several window boxes, were also full of color and life. So... this beautiful fairy reminds me of her in yet another way. Sadly, I didn't inherit her magic with plants. She has rescued many a potted plant from my many homes and apartments and brought them back to life. She was a gem!
Entered into: 

·   Digi and front sentiment from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Fairy Folk)

·   Background from an upcycled Thomas Kinkade (Painter of Lights) calendar page.

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

·   Heart-patterned vellum strips and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #625-626 Anything Goes   
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG #267   
Beccy’s Place Challenge- Dec 2023 
       Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Children)
Outlawz Challenge- Dec 2023 Linky
Posted by at 12 comments:
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