myasperations 3-13-22

This sweet card features an upcycled card front, and an adorable digi named Rose Kitty, that my cat-loving mom, named Rose, would have loved! The digi/coloring page was provided free via the Kit & Clowder FB page in May 2021. I printed off an extra copy of the digi that I colored, and fussy-cut the flowers, kitty's nose, arm, and right foot, then attached them with foam tape to provide a bit of depth to the card front.  

Supplies: 

·    Rose Kitty-Dis Digi Stamps Free coloring page provided via Kit & Clowder FB page in May 2021

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

·   Green A2 Card base- Hobby Lobby boxed card/envelope set

·   Card Front with “Hi” sentiment-upcycled

·   Black cardstock and foam mounting tape from my stash.

Entered into:  

Cupcake Inspirations- Challenge #539   
Di’s Digi Stamps- Green with Envy  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Bit ‘o Green  
2craftycrittercrazies challenge- March 2022                                 
Digi Doodle Studios- #47 Perfect Pets and Animals

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration & Challenge- Spring, Easter, or Floral

The base for this card is old… I mean decades old! I started collecting greeting cards when I was in high school and just found a scrapbook full of them. Since they are from the late ‘60s many showed wear and tear but this bell-shaped Christmas card was in pretty good shape. I carefully removed it from the scrapbook page (notice the price was just 25 cents), trimmed a sheet of kraft cardstock to add to the back of the card, and created an apron-shaped embellishment to add to the card front. The sweet little apron includes a pocket so I can enter the card into the current challenge at Double D’s. I’m entering this card into several other challenges including Path Of Positivity Challenge-Celebrate Something Special about your Childhood (my mom and both grandmothers were wonderful cooks and bakers. I remember helping make cutout cookies for most every holiday-Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving plus even St. Pat’s and the 4th of July at least once. I always wore one of my mom’s aprons. It reached the floor when I was young, and now hangs in our kitchen, waiting  to be used whenever the rolling pin comes out!)  

Supplies: 

·   Cookie Digi- Power Poppy (Gingerbread Family)

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

·   Inside Sentiment-“Delicious Christmas Wishes” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cheers)

·   Paper lace, ribbon scraps, and other items from my stash.

Entered into: 
Double D’s Challenge- Something with Pockets  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #585 AG
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- March  
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #99 
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #177 Anything Goes
Gem of a Challenge- Week #6 Anything Goes                               

Since being introduced to Power Poppy stamps and digital images years ago, I've appreciated the talent and generous heart of Power Poppy’s artist/creator, Marcella Hawley. Marcella recently shared the following with her newsletter followers, “Hello, friends. We are all watching the attack on Ukraine with immense pain, horror, and a crushing sense of helplessness. I have been wracking my brain to figure out how to help, even in a small way. Perhaps starting with my drawings, and extending out to YOU, we can make a bigger impact to help people feel supported, loved, and wrapped in prayer from all over the world. “

She adds, “Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, and we are starting to see them pop up all over the world in an effort to show our support and love. I have two bouquets and sunflowers both detailed and simple. Use them with my blessing for whatever purpose helps show support - whether in a card or in social media.” 

Marcella then offers, “All four of my Sunflower-themed digital images are now available for FREE to anyone who wants to download them and create cards, flyers, or posters.”

This card was made with one of those free sets, watercolor pencils, a wooden butterfly embellishment, and a few sentiments. I’m entering it into several challenges including the Butterfly Challenge (my card features two of the colors-buff and banana- and one butterfly) and NBUS-Never Before Used Schtuff! (I used the new freebie set from Power Poppy and a pretty wooden butterfly that I’ve had in my stash for some time.)     

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Power Poppy (Sunshine of My Life) printed on light tan cardstock

·   Colored with Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Spectrum Noir Classique markers, and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Front Sentiment “hello” is from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Little Cuties)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Thanks for adding...” from Power Poppy (Sunshine of My Life)

·   Wooden butterfly, sun die-cut, cardstock, and woodgrain paper from my stash.

Entered into:  
Butterfly Challenge- #167 B is for Book Binding Fold Card  
NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff!)-  Challenge #36                 
Incy Wincy Designs- Nature      Since I’m a DT for Beccy’s Place (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!

Beccy’s Place Challenge- March  Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #533-534 Anything Goes                   
Jan’s Digi Stamps- March 2022 Anything Goes    
Outlawz Challenge- Crash Your Stash- Watercolors
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Marcella has also created a beautiful sunflower digi and coloring sheet set named, Peace Offering, which is available for $5. All proceeds will be donated to the Sunflower of Peace Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping Ukrainians affected by the Russian military invasion. You can learn more at sunflowerofpeace.com

(I’ll be posting more sunflower cards in the coming days, plus I just ordered 

the Peace Offering set and cannot wait to use it!)

myasperations 3-11-22

It’s Friday and time for the Colour Crazy Challenge. This challenge is also an “Anything Goes” but it adds a requirement; the creation needs to include coloring in “any colouring medium you like, onto any project you like, and in any colours you like.” I’ve never outgrown my love for coloring… which is why making cards is stress therapy for me!! 

This week's sponsor is Mirtillamente and my DT card features a digi named Crazy Paw Monkey.  I colored the primate with Spectrum Noir Classique Markers and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, plus added highlights to his piercings with a silver gel pen.  The sentiment, that I feel compliments the quirky image, is computer generated.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Mirtillamente (Crazy Paw Monkey)

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

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Cardstock, leaf patterned paper, Fiskars Victorian Scroll Edge Scissors, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #9 Anything Goes                        

Papercraft Challenges   Challenge #79-Anything Goes

2craftycrittercrazies challenge- March 2022                                 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- March                    

My next card features a fun winter digi that makes me smile… mainly because I have memories of being this bundled up as a kid so I could go out and play on beautiful snowy days! My siblings and I spent hours sledding, ice-skating, and building snowmen and snow forts during my childhood. I still love being outside in the winter, walking or snowshoeing while enjoying nature!  

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Cute As A Button (It's Cold Outside)

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

·   Front Sentiment- TLC Creations Freebie (Warm Winter Wishes)

·   Assorted die-cut Snowflakes: Cheery Lynn Designs Die (C146 Snowflakes) AND Lawn Fawn LF995-Mini Snowflakes Die Set

·   Blue snowflake Sticker set- Hobby Lobby

·   Inside Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Cardstock and snowflake patterned paper from my stash.

Entered into: 

Cute As A Button- March: CH #78 Anything Goes + (Option) Purple and Green

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #533-534 Anything Goes                   
Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #10 Anything Goes                      
Scribbles Designs Challenge- #106 Winter Wonderland
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #99 (Celebrate Something Special about your Childhood)

My final card this post includes a sweet little elf from a Beccy’s Place digi set, cooking up a batch of gingerbread cookies. I added lots of patterns, textures, and depth to the card with stickers, patterned paper piecing (apron), and foam mounting tape. I especially like the cookies on the cookie sheet. They have such cute little dough-bellies!

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi and front sentiment- from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Making Merry)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, and Marvy silver marker

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

·   Puffy Heart Stickers- Sticko’s

·   Front Sentiment- “Sweet” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Candies)

·   “Frosting” on sentiment cookies-Liquid Pearls (red&green) and Scribbles White 3-D paint

·   Inside Sentiment- Eureka Digi Stamp (Thinking of You) Also available: unmounted or cling-mounted

·   Gingerbread cookie and Christmas tree paper behind inside sentiment- From Hobby Lobby Christmas Basics Box of Cards

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Beccy’s Place Challenge- March  Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!

Incy Wincy Designs- Home and Food Since I’m a DT for Beccy’s Place (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Bit ‘o Green  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge- January: Gorgeous Green   

Paper Funday-#39 ATG  Since I’m a DT for Eureka, please don’t include me in the draw for their prize! 

PS- Beccy’s Place will be retiring many digital and also clear stamp sets at the end of April. Until then, you can pick up some of my favorites for 50% Off! Link to the entire list HERE.

myasperations 3-6-22

This is my first entry into the Butterfly Challenge, which is one of my favs!  Each challenge offers several themes that we can use as our guide, plus a specific creative fold that we can use if desired.  The current challenge is to create a Book Binding Fold Card and the sponsor, Mrs. A, provides easy-to-follow instructions.  My card includes the fold, butterflies, a pretty strip of ribbon that has a braided/woven texture, and all four of the colors (although the blue looks darker in this photo than it looks on the card!) The butterflies were printed on a transparency sheet that I've had in my office supplies since the late '90s! That might be why the black printer ink didn't dry. So I embossed the butterflies with fine-line black embossing powder, then colored them on the underside, then fussy-cut and attached them to the card. 

Supplies: 

·   Butterfly Digi- Fred She Said (Butterfly and Blossoms)

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

·   Front Sentiment “Happy Mother’s Day” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (My Mama)

·   Inside Sentiment- Simply Cards & Papercrafts Magazine sentiment downloads- (No longer available)    

·   Acetate Transparency film, black embossing powder, braided ribbon, floral paper, and clear laminate from my stash.

Entered into:  

Butterfly Challenge- #167 B is for Book Fold Card     

Gem of a Challenge- Week #5 Anything Goes                                

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- March                    

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes

My first entry for the new challenge at Double D’s is a baby onesie shape card that includes a pocket. I used a template from a cardmaking class I attended years ago, and the sentiments are computer-generated.  I gave this card a feminine feeling by adding paper lace, buttons (sewn in place with a needle and thread), and delicate floral patterned paper. In the past, I’ve made a masculine card with a denim bib and red bandana.  

Supplies: 

·   Wood mount Button stamp- Stampin’ Up hostess gift years ago

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Patterned paper, flower punches, silver brad, paper scraps, and paper lace from my stash.

Entered into:  

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #630 Feminine

Double D’s Challenge- Something with Pockets         

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #533-534 Anything Goes                   

My final post is for the Scribbles Designs “Winter Wonderland” challenge. It features an adorable Scribbles digi, plus a snowflake die-cut and patterned paper from my stash.

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Scribbles (Snow Kisses)

·   Clear stamp set and inside sentiment- Art Impressions (Crazy Cat Lady)

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

·   Front Sentiment- desertdiva freebie (Hello How are You?)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Warmest Wishes” from a Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Christmas Cardinals)

·   Snowflake Diecut- from a package purchased at JoAnnes

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Scribbles Designs Challenge- #106 Winter Wonderland

Digi Chooseday Crafting Challenge- Week #9 Anything Goes    

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Add A Die  

myasperations 3-1-22

Hello. If you stopped by to see either my QKR or Sheepski DT cards I apologize. I had a nagging feeling this evening (Monday) that I was forgetting something. Figured it was because of a busy day training a new staff member and I'd adjust the schedule tomorrow when I remembered just what I was forgetting. Then, when brushing my teeth before heading to bed I suddenly realized, tomorrow is March 1st. "Yikes! Tomorrow is March 1st!!!! And I haven't posted my DT cards!"

So, I will post the photos and supplies now, then come back tomorrow and post the details after I get some much-needed beauty sleep (or in my case, "Look less like a zombie" sleep!) 

Just realized that I also missed posting my DT card for March 2nd challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge. Sorry about that. For the sake of time, I’ll add it below.  

First up is my DT card for QKR Stampede. 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? 

I needed a get-well card for someone who wouldn’t be wowed by flowers or cute kittens. So… opted for this fun fussy caterpillar. I printed off the caterpillar digi, mason jar digi, an extra copy of just the lid on white cardstock and fussy cut all three. (The digi includes a sentiment. But since it didn’t work for this card idea, I trimmed it from the image.) Adhered a few die cut leaves to the jar digi, added the fuzzy cutie, then laid a strip of laminate across the top and pressed it into place. After trimming the excess laminate, I set it aside and worked on the lid. Colored it with grey markers, added white gel pen highlights, the punched little “air holes in the top with a mini-circle punch (usually used for eyelets.). A bit of twine and computer-generated sentiments finished the fun card. 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- QKR Stampede Digital Image(Warm and Fuzzy) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted (Note-I trimmed the sentiment from the image for this card) 

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

·   Free Printable Mason Jar found HERE

·   Scotch Name Tag Laminating sheets- available from several sources

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   Foliage die cuts, mini hole punch, cardstock, and other items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #176 Anything Goes

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #7 Anything Goes                        

Jan’s Digi Stamps- February 2022 Anything Goes     

Next up is my DT card for the monthly challenge on the Sheepski Designs Blog. The theme is “Flowers” and since Daffodils are one of my favorite Spring flowers, I picked (ha… picked! Get it?!) this beautiful digi named “Jo’s Daffodils for my card. Decided to keep the color scheme simple to help the bold blooms stand out, and added some wonderful patterns of polka dotted paper and ribbon. Those that follow my blog know that I use my trusty white gel pen often, and outlining delicate blooms is one of my favorite techniques.                

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sheepski Designs Digi (Jo’s Daffodils)

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

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·    Inside Sentiment- Desert Diva Freebie (Birthday Wishes)

·    Front Sentiment “You’re On My Mind” from Beccy's Place Digital Set (Keeping It Simple)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   Cardstock and other items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- March                

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Spring Flowers)

Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Looking Forward To.... (Spring Flowers!)

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

Outlawz Sunday Challenge- The Brook in February

For Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, my DT card features a vintage digi from Twinkle Lane Designs.  It was quick and easy to color with grey, white, and a titch of silver. The colorful sentiment on the front and inside is actually upcycled from a Christmas gift. The agency where I work gave all 50 of us a beautiful Christmas tin that contained a bonus check (who doesn’t love that?!), plus chocolate, packages of gourmet hot chocolate, and a pair of lovely red&black checked socks with positive statements on the bottom of each sock. I didn’t even think of tossing the packaging from the socks in the trash, as the sentiments they held will work beautiful on this card, which will be sent to our local Chief of Police after his staff helps us provide a community education event for parents in April (hopefully the first “live” training since COVID roared onto the scene.) Even during COVID local law enforcement has continued to help my team provide drug prevention information- via virtual and media platforms and this card expresses the feelings of my prevention team perfectly!

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Twinkle Lane Designs (Vintage Camera)

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

·   Stickos Puffy Heart Sticker- available from several sources

·   Sentiments- Upcycled from a Christmas gift (packaging from wool socks)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Tiny little camera on inside sentiment was fussy cut from paper in my scrapbook stash.

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Gem of a Challenge- Week #5 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes (Optional Twist- Paint the Town Red)