myasperations 9-11-22

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 and sentiments are all from a just-released set named “Pumpkin and Spice.” I colored the apple cider image so that it looks translucent, with the yummy recipe peeking through. (The recipe, which is a freebie from Susan Branch’s blog, is held in place by a pocket created on the card front with a piece of acetate. The back of the recipe holds a magnet so it can be removed from the card and used to add a bit of holiday fun to any metal surface!) A strip of ribbon adds shouts of fall color to the card, while wooden leaf embellishments with raffia accents add texture. Ahhh… I love fall! 

Supplies: 

·   Digi and Sentiments- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Pumpkin and Spice)

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

·   Front Sentiment- recipe freebie found HERE

·  Inside Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Pumpkin and Spice)

·  Plaid Ribbon- JoAnne’s Fabric and Crafts

·  Wooden Leaf Embellishments- Hobby Lobby

·  All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #189 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Sweet Greetings   

Outlawz Challenge- September 2022 Linky

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- September                   

Jan’s Digi Stamps- Sept 2022 Anything Goes

I created this card specifically for the Outlawz’ Sunday Challenge “We're Going to Be Friends.” The current rhyme focuses on school, and even mentions brand new shoes, possibly like the ones that this sweet little image wears! Stars fussy-cut from background paper embellish the sentiments, adding bright accent colors.

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz’ Tuesday “Inspiration Photo” (My card features lots of light blue and yellow like the inspiration photo, and the little cutie holds a pencil like a trident!) 

 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Sassy Cheryl's Stamps Back to School (no longer available)

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

·   Front Sentiment “You Are Awesome” (skogstokiga- Blog closed))

·   Inside Sentiment- “Say Yes... Adventures” From Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Smooth Seas)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Outlawz Sunday Challenge- We're Going to Be Friends 

Outlawz Challenges- Tuesday Color Challenge- inspiration photo  

Di’s Digi Stamps- For a Child  

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #37 Anything Goes    

Paper Funday–#45 ATG  Since I’m a DT for QKR (sponsor), please don’t include me in the draw for their prize! 

One of my favorite challenges is the Butterfly Challenge, partly because the sponsor provides easy-to-follow instructions for making a creative fold card each time (and is kind and very generous!) The current creative fold is a Window Card. I haven’t made one of these for a long time and forgot that they are easy to make, plus they have a nice “wow” factor!

My card features all four colors- Wheat, Wisteria Watermelon, and Wild Blue Yonder, plus two of the themes- Window Fold and Butterfly. I had decided to make the window card base with patterned vellum but it didn’t provide quite the impact I was after. A few scraps of bright pink (Watermelon) dotted Swiss paper adhered behind the window “points” added the needed pizzazz! I enlarged a few of the butterflies from the digi, printed them off, colored and fussy-cut them to provide lovely embellishments on the front and inside of the card.  

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Paper Dragonfly Creative Challenge: Time Flies (my card doesn’t include a watch or clock… but it does include lots of butterflies!)

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Alex Siberia Designs (Adore You)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen, and Sharpie Black Permanent Fine-Line Marker

·   Inside Sentiment “Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful”- Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Rainbow Lorikeets)   

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Butterfly Challenge- #173 W is for Window Card       

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #559-560 Anything Goes  

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Nature)

Paper Dragonfly Creative Challenge: #9 Time Flies

myasperations 9-2-22

     After a few busy weeks at the office, I took the last few days off to spend in my craft room. Hence, I have a handful of photos to share! And, with a three-day weekend coming up, I hope to have more to share soon. Woohoo!

    An added note- I’ve decided to try to shorten my blog descriptions. I will still post the names of companies/businesses from which I’ve purchased or won items (and of course for those for which I am a DT/Contributor!) However, since I now have thousands of freebie sentiments and digis I’m finding that it can take me quite a while to find the source for each. So, if I don’t provide that info, feel free to make a request in a comment and I’ll try to find the source and share it with you.  

Earlier this year, Marcella Hawley. the generous artist/owner of Power Poppy’s 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 added, “Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, and we are starting to see them pop up all over the world 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 makes a generous offer, “All four of my Sunflower-themed digital images are all now available for FREE to anyone who wants to download them and create cards, flyers, or posters.” I used two of the sets that Marcella is currently offering for no charge to make this card. (Note- I attempted to write out the steps I used to make this card, it quickly became confusing to follow. I’d be happy to create another of these cards and make a step-by-step tutorial with photos to simplify the process if there is interest in that. Just let me know in a comment if you’d like a tutorial, and I’ll see what I can do!)

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Pixie's Snippets (I used scraps of vellum to develop the letter templates, and after cutting the letters from the sunflowers, I used all the pretty sunflower “Snippets” to create a colorful border along the edge of the burlap and twine on the left side of the card.)

Supplies: 

·   Sunflower Images- Power Poppy Digital Stamp (Sunshine of My Life)

·   Front Sentiment- Power Poppy Digital Stamp (Bring Home Some Sunflowers)

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

·   Strips of burlap and twine, card stock, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Power Poppy- The Blossom Challenge- Going Sentimental          
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #559-560 Anything Goes                   
Pixie's Snippets- Week #435
Patties Challenge- #198 Anything Goes (Sept)

I always like to participate in the Outlawz Challenge Crash Your Stash challenge, because it helps me to use some old items in my stash. However, the current challenge was more challenging than I’d thought it would be…. because I’ve never quite understood how to use chipboard items! The only ones items I could find were handful of small frames from my scrapbook stash. For this card, I covered the frame with gold washi tape… and love the results! (I might have to make more with the remaining frames.) 

Supplies: 

·   Sheet Music- “You Are My Sunshine” a freebie from Central Texas Accordion Association Tune Book 2010 (HERE)

·   Bee Digi- Freebie from The Graphics Fairy

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

·   Wings made with scraps of vellum, white gel pen and Stickles

·   Bee Washi tape-Hobby Lobby

·   Small chipboard frame (from my stash) covered with Golden Beehive Washi Tape-Hobby Lobby

·   Inside Sentiment- Snap Click Supply Co- Meredith Cardell (Sweet As Can Be Set)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Outlawz Challenge- Crash Your Stash- Chipboard
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  (Nature)
Outlawz Challenge- August 2022 Linky
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- August                   

Paper Dragonfly Creative Challenge: #9 Time Flies

The Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group {BYSHC}, posted their September Sketch yesterday and it’s a good one! I used a cute Conie Fong digi as the focal point, embellished with items from my stash.

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz’ Monday “Sweet Greetings” (the cute little gingerbread cookies that decorate both sentiments reflect one of my favorite things about the holidays. Not gifts… but all the treats!) and Christmas Craft Creations “Winter Activities” (one of my favorite winter activities is baking those wonderful treats… and helping to eat them, too.) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Conie Fong’s Santa Gnome Gift (a freebie from Kit & Clowder Dec 21)

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

·   Front Sentiment-“Sending Warm Gingerbread Wishes” from  Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Gingerbread Wishes)

·   Inside Sentiment- “Fat Pants” from Beccy’s Place Digi Set (Grumpy Goose)

·   Fur on hat made with Flower Soft Polar White you can find HERE

·   Circle template, patterned papers (fussy-cut gingerbread peoples), scraps from a green file folder and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge FB- #26 Sept 2022                              
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Sweet Greetings    
Christmas Craft Creations challenge- Winter Activities                
Conie Fong Art & Design Group [FB]- Challenge- August/September
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #656 Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #609 AG  

I’ve loved being a Contributor for Beccy Muir for several years. But before that, I built up a nice collection of her great digi sets and freebies. I still nab her freebies quite often and this sweet bear is my latest. Also, I don’t use pre-colored digis very often, but when I do they are often Beccy’s digis with her stellar coloring. This cute little cub is an example of that. I added a bit of shading, highlights and stitching (to make it my own) then also added Glossy Accents to her eyes and leafy tiara.  She is such a cutie!

Supplies: 

·   Pre-coloured Digi- Monthly Freebie from Beccy’s Place (July 2022)

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

·   Puffy Heart Stickers-Stickos

·   Inside Sentiment- desertdiva freebie (Hello How are You)

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Sheer black dotted Swiss ribbon- JoAnne’s

·   Filigree heart scrapbook paper, patterned papers, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- #102 AG
Beccy’s Place Challenge- September  Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!
2craftycrittercrazies challenge- #66 September 2022                  

myasperations 9-1-22

The 1st of the month finds me making a DT card for the challenge at 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 yourself?

For this colorful card, I first printed the Eureka sentiments and digi, then colored and trimmed the butterfly from the digi image. An upcycled daily planner was used to decorate the card front. I trimmed the floral image from the planner, leaving a pretty frame for the butterfly. The pot of beautiful red blooms was added to the inside of the card, providing a frame for the sentiment. The final touch was to add gold photo corners to bring a few touches of bling to the card.

I’m entering this card into several challenges including The Butterfly Challenge (it features two of the colors; Dark Yellow and Forest Green, plus one theme; butterfly) and Cupcake Inspirations “Hobbies” (I learned to upcycle at a young age, as my mom took that skill to an art! Although back then it was called re-cycling and occurred mainly because of my mom was a child of the depression plus had to be frugal when raising six kiddos. As a card maker, upcycling is now almost a hobby in itself for me. It helps me to stretch my craft budget, save the environment, and regularly reminds me of my sweet mom!)

Supplies: 

·   Card front and inside floral image- Upcycled from an old daily planner

·   Digi-Eureka Digital Stamp (Butterfly and Daisy Flower) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted

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

·   Front Sentiment - Eureka Digital Stamp (Happiness is Like a Butterfly) Also available in unmounted or cling-mounted

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

·   Gold Filigree Photo Corners- Hobby Lobby

·   Pioneer Gold Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Butterfly Challenge- #172 F is for Faux Stepper Card                

Cupcake Inspirations- #551 Theme Challenge-Hobbies             

The Paper Shelter-#523 Autumn Colors

The Sisterhood of Crafters- Frame It

Allsorts Challenge- Week 690-1: Anything Goes 

Polkadoodles Challenge- Week #34 Anything Goes   

Jan’s Digi Stamps- August 2022 Anything Goes 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- #102 AG

Di’s Digi Stamps- Add a Sentiment  

One of my favorite challenges is Scribbles Designs and they are celebrating their 9th Birthday. So, of course, I just had to participate!

Their current challenge requires the use of a mandala or zentangle as the focus of our project. I found a mandala on a free Coloring Page on artist Mariola Budeks FB page that makes a beautiful Christmas card when paired with a scripture wreath from Scribbles Designs. I colored the foilage and berries plus added shading with alcohol markers, then added highlights with a white gel pen. Green vellum, scrapbook paper, black photo corners, Glossy Accents, and Ruby Red Liquid Pearls help add texture, bling, and elegance to the card. And the inside sentiment highlights the true reason that the silent night is called Holy!

I’m entering this card into several challenges including Path Of Positivity’s  “Celebrate Your Creative Self By Making Something Special Just For YOU”  (Besides upcycling, I’ve always loved finding creative ways to combine my many craft supplies. It took much experimenting to find all the "right" pieces for this card, but seeing them fit together so beautifully thrills my soul. And the cards message speaks life to my heart!)

Supplies: 

·   Mandala Digi- Free Coloring Page by Mariola Budek Art (available HERE)

·   Front Sentiment- Scribbles Designs Freebie (Silent Night Wreath)

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

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Ranger Glossy Accents and Liquid Pearls (Ruby Red)

·    Inside Sentiment- Eureka Digital Stamp (Jesus is the Reason for the Season) 

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  scribbles & ES 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #559-560 Anything Goes

Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday  

Outlawz Challenge- August 2022 Linky

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #609 AG   

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- August  

Scribbles Designs Challenge- #111 Get Your ZEN On

Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #103- Celebrate Your Creative Self            

Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #656 Christmas