myasperations 3-27-25

       I’m (still) in the process of decluttering my craft room and decided to take a break to make a few cards with some of the items I’m finding. One folder of pastel/spring paper scraps inspired this fun card. I first used a paper cutter to trim several dozen 1x1-inch squares and 2x1-inch strips from my pile of scraps.  I created a template to turn folded cardstock into my card base. I also traced this cat shape onto a separate A2-sized piece of scrap paper, onto which I added strips of double-stick tape or other preferred adhesive. I then gently positioned the squares and strips, placing them closely together to create a quilted look. When this cat shape was completely covered, with some pieces extending over the edges, I gently pressed them all into place. I carefully trimmed the pieces that extended over the edges, then added the bow * (which I decided to leave white, adding a bit of crispness to the card!) So fun!  Adding the inside sentiment and a few embellies finished this fun card. 

      I’m entering this card into several challenges including Snippets, which is a favorite because it inspires me to use up all the little odds and ends I squirrel away in envelopes and folders (mainly because I just can’t bear to throw them away!), the Outlaws Color  Challenge: Rainbows (the pretty pastels of my card all would easily fit into a rainbow image. Hmmm.... might create one before the end of this challenge!) and Cupcake Inspirations: Theme-How Do You Relax?  (These days I seem to spend any open time coloring, cutting and creating, which is therapy to me!)   

      PS I’m also attaching a photo of the template I created, which includes the outline for two card sizes. Enjoy! And wanted to let you know that Power Poppy is currently adding the digi set that includes this bow for just $2 (US rate). I've used the bow on cards, and even enlarged it to decorate my office door for a Christmas challenge years ago.  

 

Supplies: 

·   Calico cat Template (provided for your use!) 

·   Digi- Large Bow from Power Poppy Digital Stamp Set (Big Ol' Bow) 

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Easter” in one of the paper scrap quilt blocks!

·   Inside Sentiment “Happy Spring!” Computer generated

·   Rhinestone Butterfly sticker embellishing inside sentiment- JoAnnes Crafts

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

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

Entered into:  

Snippets- Week #502

Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge- Furry Thing Goes- #110 March   

Cupcake Inspirations- #614 Theme Challenge- How Do You Relax?     

Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Rainbow  

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG March 2025

Outlawz Challenge-March 2025 Linky  

      The sponsor for the March Outlawz Progressive Challenge is Laurian, and I had fun creating with her wonderful Mushroom House digi. After coloring and fussy-cutting the digi I nestled it into the corner of a trellised garden background. The little bees and butterflies, and their “Trails” that I added to the front and inside, provide bit of fun to the whimsical card!  

     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Passion for Markers Challenge: Spring Colors (I had fun coloring this little mushroom house, making it look inviting to little peoples looking for a home!), and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is one of my favorite challenges. Host Makira even provides a listing of specific themes, items and types of entertainment to assist in researching parks across the glovbe!. Her listing “Fairies” provided me with  The Fairytale Forest at Efteling Park (in the Netherlands). It offers a ride named Droomvlucht that features an  “enchanting world of fairies, elves and trolls.” However, that isn’t even the neatest thing. Since boarding the ride involves a moving walkway and visitors need to be able to descend stairs or a ladder independently in case of an evacuation, the park offers  an optional way to experience the ride.  (Here is info from the web “Disabled visitors can also enjoy the attraction with Virtual Droomvlucht. All senses are stimulated by virtual reality, music, scents and wind. Moreover, visitors are connected with their group in the regular attraction by headphones and microphones, so they can experience this enchanting attraction together.”)  Isn’t that the neatest thing EVAH! This theme park is now on my bucket list! (I added a photo of three fairies from the Droomvlucht below so you can see that it really is a magical place!

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Laurian’s Mushroom House (Freebie for Outlaws March 2025 Progressive Challenge)

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

·   Background- from an upcycled calendar

·   Bee and ladybug Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment “Thinking of You” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Beachside Bliss

·   Inside Sentiment “Have a Magical Day” from WeAre3 Digital sentiment set (Magical Sparkle) No longer available

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

·   Embossed silver cardstock (upcycled from an old card), other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Challenge- Progressive Challenge (March)  

Outlawz Challenge-March 2025 Linky  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #781: Spring Colors

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #692-693

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: March (Spring) 

Crafty Catz Challenge- #690 AG- Optional: Spring Green

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (March)   The Fairytale Forest at Efteling Park

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: March Mood Board- Kermit GREEN  

     This card features three of my favorite things, Christmas Elves, cookies, and a bit of humor. One of Santa’s elves looks festive as he preps a pan of gingerbread men to slide into the oven. The format of the card was inspired by the current sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB.

I’m entering this card into several challenges, including ABC Christmas Challenge-'F is for Focal Sentiment (this card features a humorous sentiment that is split in half to provide a chuckle on the inside of the card! And a reason to add a handful of fussy-cut gingerbread cookies to help stress the point!)  

 

Supplies: 

·   Elf Digi is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Making Merry)

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

·   Sentiment (divided in half for use on front and inside) “When what to my wondering eyes…” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Here Comes Christmas)

·   Gingerbread cookie embelllishments  fussy-cut from Hobby Lobby patterned paper

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

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #55 March 2025         

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #593 Anything Goes

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

The Paper Shelter- #631 Anything Goes  

ABC Christmas Challenge- “E, F and G  are for…? ”  'F is for Focal Sentiment'

Paper Funday- #74 Anything Goes     

myasperations 3-25-25

       This is my third entry into Time Out Challenge’s “The Red Carpet” theme/mood board. It is inspired by the gorgeous array of dark red peonies tumbling down the length of an elegant gown worn by Cameron Diaz at the 2002 Academy Awards. (Details HERE.) Peonies were my mom’s favorite flowers, so they have always been special to me. I have a collection of peony digis in my collection, so I grabbed another one from Chin-Chou Kuik and got to work coloring and creating. I decided to send it to one of my neices, who has also become a dear friend. She is going through a rough time… and, since we both consider ourselves to be fierce, brave and strong, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the sentiments!  

 

Supplies: 

·   Peony Digi- Ching-Chou Kuik digi (Peony) Digi Retired

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

·   Front Sentiment “Hey Friend…” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Whats Up)

·   Front Sentiment “Just take a moment to be…” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (La Femme)

·   ZIG Wink of Stella clear glitter brush marker (To add a bit more Sparkle to jewelry)

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

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

Entered into:  

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #284 (The Challenge: The Red Carpet)    

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #592 Anything Goes

Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #117 Spring Blooms 

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG March 2025 (optl twist-"It’s Never Easy!"-Encouragement.) 

Outlawz Challenge-March 2025 Linky 

     This month’s sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group (BYSHC) Challenge on FB is a simple one that has inspired me to make many cards This one features a fun penguin digi/sentiment that I’ve had  in my collection for nearly 10 years. The sweet little guy makes me smile!

 

Supplies: 

·   Dig and inside sentiment- Whimsie Doodles (Holiday Mug With Sentiment) No longer available/Shop closed

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

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Front Sentiment “How ‘ya doin’?- Computer Generated

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Candy Cane Patterned Paper- Hobby Lobby

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

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #55 March 2025         

Double D’s Challenge- Birds     

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: March (Christmas) 

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (March)     Penguin Trek (Orlando Seaworld)

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: March Mood Board- Kermit GREEN      

Paper Funday- #74 Anything Goes      

    I made this card featuring a sweet digi from The Paper Shelter for one of my “20 something” nieces… who often strikes this pose when we are gabbing. I think she will love it!

 

Supplies: 

·   Instructions for Z-fold card can be found HERE.

·   Digi- The Paper Shelter (Giselle) 

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

·   Front Sentiment “Hey Friend…” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Whats Up)

·   Inside Sentiment “Thinking of You”- from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Beachside Bliss)

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

Entered into:  TPS Giselle

The Paper Shelter- #630 Anything Goes  (Opt Twist- For the Ladies)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #691-692

Crafty Catz Challenge- #690 AG

Allsorts Challenge- Week 819- Feminine

myasperations 3-20-25

     This is my second entry into Time Out Challenge’s “The Red Carpet” theme/mood board. I imbibed in some web research, drinking in dozens of beautiful gowns that would work well on a card front. However, my eyes were drawn to the gorgeous array of dark red peonies tumbling down the length of a gown Cameron Diaz wore at the 2002 Academy Awards. (Details HERE.) Peonies were one of my mom’s favorite flowers, so they have always been special to me. I knew I had several peony digis in my collection that I could use for my card. I copied a lovely digi from Ching-Chou Kuik named “Peony Dawn” into my Word program, cropped it back to end up with a digi strip that held a few blooms and leaves and sized it to fill half of an A2 card front. Next, I copied and pasted another strip beside the first… and I had the base for my card front! After printing and cutting the A2-sized pair of digi strips, I used a closeup of the Red Carpet photo as my guide to try to replicate the look of the flower-laden gown! The process of coloring and embellishing the peonies took seven steps, but I like how they turned out. (The steps plus photos are just above the supply listing in case you would like details.)

      Mz. Diaz draped a pretty scarf (with blue diamond shaped patterns) and a chunky silver/gold belt around her waist. These inspired me to use blue patterned paper and metallic accents on my card. Lastly, I selected the sentiments, thrilled to discover that I had some Mother's Day wood-mount stamps (circa 1990’s!) My mom would have loved this card… so I plan to send it to my sister in May. (Since I have two sisters, I'll be making a second one!)  

  

    Step 1- outline blooms with a deep shade of red. 

    Step 2-Add depth by blending in two additional shades of red. 

    Step 3- Outline the leaves with a medium shade of green, add another lighter shade of 

        green, then outline leaves with white gel pen. 

    Step 4-Outline the edges of the colored blooms with a white gel pen.  

    Step 5- Use a ruler and a light pink marker to draw lines down the peony strips, evenly 

        spacing them ¼ inch apart. 

    Step 6- Use a white gel pen to draw a white line down each side of the pink stripes. 

        Optional- Trace over the pink lines with a sparkly pen or marker. 

Supplies: 

·   Peony Digi- Ching-Chou Kuik Grayscale digi (Peony Dawn)

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

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- punched or fussy-cut from glittery and metallic paper scraps

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Mother’s Day”- Wood Mount Printworks Stamp (no longer available)

·   Front Sentiment “A Mother Holds a Special Part…”- Wood Mount Printworks Stamp (no longer available)

·   ZIG Wink of Stella clear glitter brush marker (To add sparkle onto pink stripes)

·   Blue and gold patterned paper- Hobby Lobby

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

·   Scrap of sheer cream/gold ribbon, Green ink pad, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into: 

Time Out Challenge- Challenge #284 (The Challenge: The Red Carpet)      

Allsorts Challenge- Week 819- Feminine 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #691-692

Paper Funday- #74 Anything Goes     

Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge-AG March 2025

      This final card features a beautiful Moondrea Designs digi named Cherry Blossom, which is provided free to participants of their monthly Progressive FB Challenge. Cherry Blossoms bring a hint of Spring, so I loved making this card. Although you can’t see it in the photo, my card also has lots of sparkle with several gel pens and markers. 

 

Supplies: 

·   Background photo of Cherry Blossoms- from www.istockphoto.com

·   Digi- Moondrea Designs Digi (Cherry Blossom)

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

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Sentiments are from a We Are 3 Digi Sentiment set (Etsy Shop closed) 

·    Embellishments on inside sentiment- From Power Poppy digi set (Blossoming Cherry)

·    ZIG Wink of Stella clear glitter brush marker

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

·   Strip of sheer ribbon, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Moondrea Designs Progressive Challenge FB-(March-Cherry Blossoms)  

  Park Hopping-My Happy Place (March) Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival

  Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge- #592 Anything Goes

  Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #780: Add a Sentiment

  Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #117 Spring Blooms 

     This card features a cuddly Di’s Digi image named Candy Cane Bear. Sadly, this cutie is now retired, but if you visit Di’s Etsy Shop, you’ll find lots of adorable critters and right now they are on sale for 30% off (I especially love her bears and bunnies!) The gorgeous patterned paper provides a wonderful vintage look to the card. And the little bear looks pretty comfy perched on the frame I created on the card front. I added some depth to the card by printing, coloring, and fussy-cutting an extra set of his legs that were attached with foam tape.

Supplies: 

·   Dis Digis- Candy cane Bear (Retired)

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

·   Front Sentiment- “Thinking of You at Christmas” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cardinals)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Jingle Bells)

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

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #55 March 2025         

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge- #250 AG 

Di’s Digi Stamps-All About Animals

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday: March (Christmas) 

Outlawz Challenge-March 2025 Linky