Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Thank You EMS

In early December, the generous team at Scribbles Designs organized a Special Event to honor health card providers named “Give the Gift of Thanks This Holiday Season!”  They even provided free digis with this note, “… we'd like you to create a card and send it out to a medical professional in your own community who could do with some praise. You could send it to your own doctor or nurse; a family member, friend or neighbour you know who works in the medical profession; or, you could send it to a group of doctors or nurses in your local hospital. Odds are there is someone out there in the medical field who would be more than happy to receive a card thanking them for all they've done during the last several months.”
I picked a wonderful sentiment to create this card, which I’ll be giving to the Emergency Room staff at our local hospital who provided me with excellent care after an ER visit for heart issues earlier this year. I copied the fold from a card I saw in a recent challenge. Not sure what it is called, but is a modified gatefold card, using a 4¼ x 11-inch-long strip of cardstock. I wanted the simple card to still look elegant so used paper from a 12x12 paper stack I’ve been hoarding for a while. I love the beautiful patterns, most with embossed gold textures. I left the inside blank so that I could add a note.
                                             
 
Supplies: 
·   Digi and Inside “Thank You” Sentiment- Scribbles Designs (Brrr HCW2)
·   Patterned Papers- DCWV Far East 12x12 Paper Stack from JoAnnes
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
CCC Digi Creations- #121 Include a Sentiment
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Anything Goes              
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge
Jan’s Digi Stamps- January 2021 Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
 
This fun card is made with a free coffee digi from a wonderful Blogspot named Beyond the Fringe (which offers nearly 250 freebies.) The direct link to the freebie, plus instructions for paper piecing the stack, is provided in my supplies list below. I printed the blank cup stack on patterned paper from an 8½ x 11 paper stack in pastel colors. I used four different colors of paper, so ended up with lots of cups when done! (I used the instructions provided with the freebie but added a few steps to the directions to help simplify the process. You can find them, and a photo of a different card made with more paper-pieced cups on my blog HERE.) The sentiment is a freebie from a blogger, who has many snarky and funny sentiments available... all free! 
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Beyond the Fringe Freebie (Cup Stack)
·   Front and Inside Sentiments- Kellie Winnell Freebie (A Day Without Coffee)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays                                                
Do-Al[l] Kreatives #49 Hot Drinks
Bugaboo Stamps- Jan Anything Goes

Two years ago I met a talented young artist named Sherry West via her FB page. The images she creates are adorable, so I am always thrilled when I have the chance to add a new one to my collection. This cute digi, called “Friends” was a freebie last month from Kit & Clowder. I used a png version, layered upon the wonderful background from a Paper Shelter digi set then added a flurry of snowflake dies, and a bit of bling with Stickles on the “ice.”  I’m entering this card into several challenges including Simon Says Monday Challenge- Use a New/Unused Product (this is a new digi and the first time I’ve used it), and 2craftycrittercrazies January Challenge (Isn’t the little bunny friend the cutest critter ever?!)        
Supplies: 
·  Digi- Sherry West Art Coloring and Crafts (Friends)
(If you are interested in purchasing this digi, visit Sherry’s FB page HERE and PM her for details. Tell her Kathy Asper sent you!)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Snowy Background- The Paper Shelter Digi Set (Snowboarder Girl)
·   Front Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Feathered Nest)
·   Inside Sentiment- Craftin Desert Diva (Magical Day)- company no longer in business
·   Snowflakes- Cheery Lynn Designs Die (C146 Snowflakes)
·   Snowflakes- Lawn Fawn LF995-Mini Snowflakes Die Set
·   Stickles- Star Dust (on ice)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Use a New/Unused Product     
Incy Wincy Designs- Person (plus sketch and/or blue)   
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #667 Anything Goes
Di’s Digi Stamps- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas   
Pattie's Creations Challenge- #178 Winter Fun  
2craftycrittercrazies Challenge- Jan 2021                                      
       
Since I’m a DT for QKR (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Thank you Doctor Murdy!

In early December, the generous team at Scribbles Designs organized a Special Event to honor health care providers named “Give the Gift of Thanks This Holiday Season!”  They even provided free digis with this note, “… we'd like you to create a card and send it out to a medical professional in your own community who could do with some praise. You could send it to your own doctor or nurse; a family member, friend, or neighbour you know who works in the medical profession; or, you could send it to a group of doctors or nurses in your local hospital. Odds are there is someone out there in the medical field who would be more than happy to receive a card thanking them for all they've done during the last several months.”
I picked the cute Penguin named Brrr (or should I say Dr. Brrr?)  and a wonderful sentiment to create this card, which I’ll be giving to Dr. Murdy, a skilled Internal Medicine Specialist that is helping me navigate this thing called “getting old”!  I added a bit of texture and color with googly eyes and a red plastic index divider sheet.  (These wonderful items- sometimes called document file folders- come in a pack of assorted colors and can be found in the office supply section of most stores. They're cheaper than colored vellum and more translucent. Punches and dies don’t work on these sheets, but they are easy to fussy-cut with a sharp pair of scissors after tracing shapes on them with a permanent fine-line marker.)
Supplies: 
·   Digi and Inside “Thank You” Sentiment- Scribbles Designs (Brrr HCW2)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Heart scrapbook templates and a scrap of red plastic index divider sheet from my stash
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Scribbles Designs Challenge- Special Event: Give the Gift of Thanks This Holiday Season!
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #667 Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread Challenge- Anything Goes #136  
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
2craftycrittercrazies Challenge- Jan 2021                                      
        Since I’m a DT for QKR (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!

I won a recent challenge at Jan’s Digis and this is one of the sets that I picked. It has been so fun to use… and is quickly becoming a favorite! (An added note- it's currently on sale for just $3.) I figured out how to use my free Paint program to layer the png digi of the champagne glasses (just realized they are called flutes) atop a star-filled freebie background image from Polkadoodles. After playing around a bit I figured out how to change the transparency of the digi so that the background text shows through and absolutely LOVE the effect!  I added some shading, highlights, and color to the flutes, then finished off with some bling (framed with silver glitter paper and embellished with a splash of sequins!)
 

Supplies: 
·   Digi and Sentiments- Jans Digi Stamps Digital Set (Happy New Year)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Starry Background- Polkadoodles- Free digital bundle (USA 4th July Celebration)
·   Studio Katia Crystal Clear Fusion Sequins Mix
·   “Happy New Year” and “Celebrate” brads and assorted cardstock from my stash
Entered into:
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Celebrate                                     
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #149 Anything Goes (Happy 6th Birthday!)
        Since I’m a DT for Sheepski (sponsor), I’d like to be removed from the draw for their prize! 
Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration & Challenge- Happy, Happy, Happy (New Year)
Bugaboo Stamps- Jan Anything Goes 
Cute As A Button- Jan: CH #64 Anything Goes (Option) Cheers to You! 
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays 
Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes (Optional Twist- Glitter)
Stamping Sensations- Favorite Stamps

My final card for this posting was created for the current challenge at We Craft Cards titled, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”  The host notes, “When I think of ‘HOME’ I think of cozy or a quiet neighborhood. For this challenge make a card or project reflecting your idea of a home.” My sweet hubby and I have lived in 11 different towns, in two states during our 43 years of marriage. However, one of the most memorable homes we have lived was our first apartment after college. We were offered jobs in a little community with few options except for rentals above the town's main street.  This free coloring sheet named Street* reminds me of that first apartment. I drew attention to the upstairs apartment by coloring the curtains and adding a plant on the balcony. The girl with coffee represents one common theme in any of our homes- coffee! Rich and I are both major coffee lovers.
*To access this coloring sheet, and many other freebies, go to the link in the supplies list below, select download and sign up for access to freebies. One added note-I reduced the size when printing to 5x7 then trimmed it to fit my card front.
Supplies: 
·   Background Image- Favoreads Coloring Sheet (Street)
·   Digi- The Paper Shelter Digi Set (So Casual So Beautiful)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Front Sentiment- Imagine That Digistamps (Bean Thinking About You Alot)
·   Inside Sentiment- Imagine That Digistamps (Latte Birthday Wishes)
·   Tulips on balcony- Fussy cut from a sticker from my scrapbook stash
·   Cloud stationery, vellum scrap (coffee steam) and assorted cardstock from my stash
Entered into: 
We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
The Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs- Person (plus sketch and/or blue)   
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Anything Goes              
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Bugaboo Holiday Chaos- Final Entries

I finally found some time to finish my final entries for the annual Bugaboo Christmas Chaos event. This one is for Day 4’s ABC Challenge. I made a silver tag that features a sweet little Bugaboo snowman. I added a bit of color to the digi to match the gift wrap, then added a layer of acetate that I’d embossed with snowflakes atop the snowman. I love the clear texture and depth it adds to the tag, while safely tucking the little snowman beneath its icy surface!  
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Bugaboo Stamps (Three Snowmen)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Package of Silver Tags with grey ribbons- JoAnnes Crafts
·   Cuddlebug Embossing Folder- Snowflake
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Bugaboo Stamps- Holiday Chaos- Day 3 Anything but a Card Challenge
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays                                                
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

My second entry, also a tag, is for the Day 4 BINGO Challenge. It features the following BINGO items, from upper left : Ribbon/Bows (I have both), Bugaboo Image (Deacon the Elf is perched atop a strip of HOHOHO imprinted ribbon) and a sentiment.
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Bugaboo (Deacon Elf Sitter)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Package of Plaid Tags- JoAnnes Crafts
·   Warm Winter Wishes Sentiment- Imagine That Digi Stamp Set Jenn & Friends (Retired)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Bugaboo Stamps- Holiday Chaos- Day 4 A Bingo Challenge
Outlawz Sunday Challenge- Help Wanted 
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #667 Anything Goes
Digi Doodle Studios- Anything Goes 
Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes

My final entry is for the Day 6 Photo Challenge. Although my card doesn’t include a large critter, it reflects a few other elements from the photo: a scenic background (upcycled from an old calendar), an adorable little girl (angel), and some flashes of red (her shoes and belt.) I muted the background with a layer of vellum to look similar to the hazy air in the inspiration photo. The sentiments add to the Christmas theme of the card. (Then sentiment on the inside is precious to me. It is actually a tag I recently found in my files that is nearly four decades old! When I was in college I made money at Christmas by selling hundreds of handmade and handpainted dough ornaments 
(not Fimo dough but the old flour/salt kind of dough!) Psalm 91:11 has always been a favorite scripture verse, so I created little tags that attached to little angel ornaments, which were some of my best sellers! I added the little stars to cover a few smudges and rips on the nearly vintage sentiment tag… and then added stars to the front to match. So fun!)
I’m entering this card into several challenges including the Path Of Positivity whose current challenge has an optional twist-Rejoice. The challenge  is to “Create a project that depicts thankfulness or gratitude in some way.” The sweet angel digi, named “Nobody’s Perfect”, with a crooked halo and slightly confused look on her face reminds me that no matter what is going on around me, or even within me, I can rest on the promise in Psalm 91:11 that I am never alone. God even has assigned angels to watch over me! How neat is THAT?!
Supplies: 
·   Angel Digi- Beccy’s Place Digi (Nobody’s Perfect) Retired
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Front Sentiment- Eureka! Stamps (Believe)
·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Inside Sentiment- Typewriter generated and copied!
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Bugaboo Stamps- Holiday Chaos- Day 6 A Photo Challenge
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #86 (Optional Twist- Rejoice)
The Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   
Beccy’s Place Challenge- January 
       
Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!

Friday, January 1, 2021

Happy New Year

Since it’s the first of the month, I’m sharing my DT card for the January Sheepski Designs Challenge. This month’s theme is “Anything You Want” and what I wanted was to feature this helpful gnome and his sidekick snowguy on my card. I used a few items from my stash, including the die-cut window A2 card and pretty pastel background scene and sentiment upcycled from a notecard. When I made the card I was thinking of our landlord who always is up and out early in the morning after we have snow… which makes getting out our apartment so much easier and safer.  So I decided to turn it into a thank you card for him… which I’ll tuck into a container of treats.
PS Stop by the Sheepski blog to learn more about the monthly challenges. Maybe you’ll be inspired to enter a card or two yourself and have a chance to win some wonderful digis created by artist Andrea Norris!

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Sheepski Designs (Sno' Worries)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Front sentiment- Desert Diva (Hello)
·   Snowy Scene and sentiment on the flap-upcycled from a note card
·   Inside Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digital Set (Warm Fuzzies)
·   Inside snowflake- upcycled from the acetate packaging of a Christmas gift (spa slipper set)
·   Window Diecut A2 sized card and misc. supplies from my stash
Entered into:  
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #148 Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #667 Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge-Week #1 Anything Goes
Pattie's Creations Challenge#178 Winter Fun

The 1st of the month means it’s also time for the challenge at QKR Stampede. My DT is a fun Christmas card featuring a cute snowman balloon floating above a beautifully scripted sentiment!  
Stop by the challenge, which is always “Anything Goes” and several prizes are awarded. Maybe you’ll be inspired to enter a card or two yourself? 
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Eureka Digi Stamp (Snowman Balloon) Also available in unmounted or cling mounted
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Front Sentiment-QKR (Merry Christmas)
·   Inside Sentiment- LoveSVG.(Be Jolly)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Christmas Clean
Lemon Shortbread Challenge- Anything Goes #136
Di’s Digi Stamps- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge
Createful Heart Designs- Dec Challenge #27  
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- January

I seldom use pre-colored digis but I fell in love with the realistic coloring of the bronze foil wrapping on the neck of the champagne bottle in this digi set so just had to use it! Also, I again used my paint program to layer the png version of the image atop a freebie background image, changing the transparency of the digi so that the Happy New Year text shows through the bottle. Since I didn’t want the champagne bucket and front ice cubes to be transparent, I printed off a pre-colored copy and did some fussy-cutting. Before adhering it to the card front, I added some additional depth to the images with light grey and soft aqua markers and a white gel pen. When finished, I layered the beautiful card front onto bronze metallic cardstock, and embellished it with a scattering of sequins that give the card a total party feeling!
Supplies: 
·   Digi and Sentiments- Jans Digi Stamps digital set (Happy New Year)
·   Background- Eyelet Outlet Freebie (Happy New Year’s) Click on the link next to the image
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
Jan’s Digi Stamps- December 2020 Anything Goes
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Celebrate                                     
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine
Scribbles Designs Challenge- #95 Sparkle and Shine
Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration & Challenge- Happy, Happy, Happy (New Year)
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays                                               
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Christmas