Monday, January 6, 2025

Inspiration Station Challenge #69

Hello and Happy Monday Crafty Friends!  It's the 1st Monday of the month and it's time for a new challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Everyone (including us Floridians) are in a freeze at the minute so I believe this months' inspiration photo is a good one considering the weather:


For my team project, I've went through my digital stamps and found a sweet one from Power Poppy titled "My Little Chickadee" and created a CAS card with a New Year's greeting.


The artist has drawn this image perfectly for coloring as it contains lots of drawn shading, and the colorway of a Chickadee is pretty basic, so the coloring is simple.  I've used alcohol markers to add pops of color to the scene.


I've masked off the edges of the die cut panel and inked a bit of blue ink to create a subtle frame.  The sentiment is included in the digital set and I've enlarged prior to printing.  The patterned paper is from a Winter themed stack from Alina Crafts. Lastly, I've added Silver Crystal Stickles around the sentiment and Clear Crystal Stickles to the berries and snow on the branch.

The team and I invite you to join us at the Challenge this month, we love seeing how the photo inspires everyone, and we hope to inspire you with our designs, so hopefully see you there.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Paper Funday Challenge January 2025

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy New Year!  Wow, here we are...2025...who would have imagined it?  Anyhoo...it's time for a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  Our challenges are Always Anything Goes with Optional Twists.  The Twist this month is Monochrome, which is what I've chosen to use for my team project.


My card features patterned paper from Stampin' Up, Snowflake images from Gina K. Designs and a sentiment from Brutus Monroe.


I've stamped the snowflakes and sentiment using Boho Blue ink from Stampin' Up.  I've added silver sequins for some extra sparkle, and placed a nest of silver thread behind the sentiment, which has been popped on foam pads for dimension.  

Please join us this month at the Challenge, we would love to see your creations, and we have 2 generous sponsors this month:  Pattie's Creations and Lawn Fawn.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Warmest Holiday Wishes from Our Family to Yours

Happy Christmas Friends!  I would like to share the last 2 Christmas Cards for 2024.  The first card features a die cut Poinsettia and patterned paper from Scrapbook.com.  Also, a sentiment from Memory Box.



The second card features a wreath made from die cut stars.  The patterned paper used are snippets from a holiday pack by American Crafts.  The small stars have been popped on foam pads, the background panel has been embossed with a snowflake embossing folder.  A plaid bow added and the sentiment is from Memory Box.




I hope you have the merriest of days, full of love and laughter. Until Next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Poinsettia Card:


Wreath Card:

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Holiday Candle Arrangement

Happy Christmas Eve to you and yours, just 1 more sleep until Christmas Day!  I have a quick share for you featuring the Holiday Candle Arrangement Stamp Set from Hero Arts #CM648.


I've had this set in my stash since last year, and I found it while searching for the sets I wanted to use this year.  I was surprised when I realized I hadn't opened the package and a bit ashamed that I bought and then forgot.  

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Makers and die cut the focal image using a nesting postage die from Hero Arts.  The extra postal stamping is from a stamp set from Penny Black and the sentiment strip is from a pre-packaged set from Simon Says Stamp.


The sentiment strip and focal panel have been popped on foam pads for dimension.  I've also inked around the edges of the focal panel with Catherine Pooler "Mint To Be" light green ink.  The patterned papers are from the Rustic Noel 6x6 paper pad by The Paper Studio.  

Last but not least, Crystal Stickles were added to the candle flames, holly berries and leaves.  I'll be back tomorrow to share my last Christmas Card for 2024.  It's hard to imagine we will be celebrating the New Year next week.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Creative Crafters
The Dream Factory
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - inspired by the song "Light the Candles All Around the World"




Monday, December 23, 2024

Gingerbread Postage Collage

Happy Monday Crafty Friends!  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Waffle Flower Postage Collage Gingerbread Stencil and Die Set.  I love Gingerbread; freshly baked Gingerbread is the best with a cup of Hot Cocoa but I digress, I'm supposed to be sharing details of my card.


Using inks from Catherine Pooler, I've went with a traditional Gingerbread color, along with Mint and Chocolate Chip colors.  The Waffle Flower Holiday set is truly fun and festive, and the stencils are very easy to line up and ink blend through.


After stenciling the images, I've cut out the panel using the coordinating postage die, the sentiment was stamped in Dark Brown ink and popped on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, I've used Gold Stickles to highlight areas on the "stamps".  

That's all I have to share today.  We have 2 more sleeps until Christmas Day and I'm finalizing my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus..this truly is my favorite time of year!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:






Sunday, December 22, 2024

Love & Magic

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday!  This day has almost gotten away from me, and I wanted to make certain to share another Christmas Card with you.  This one features the Love & Magic Stamp Set by Penny Black #30-923.  I've treated myself to several festive Penny Black sets this year and I've made use of each of them.  This one contains a darling image that I've colored with alcohol markers.


After stamping and coloring, I've die cut the focal image using a stitched nesting rectangular die from Kat Scrappiness.  The patterned papers are from the "Holiday" 6x6 paper pad by American Crafts.   The sentiment is included in the stamp set, and the strip has been popped on foam pads for dimension.


To finish off the design, I've added my trusty Crystal Stickles to the furry hat band, Pom Pom and Holly Berries, along with red sequins from my stash.  That's all for today my friends, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Poinsettia Postage Collage

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I hope your week went well and you're finishing up your holiday plans.  I want to ask everyone for their prayers for Germany and especially those affected by the senseless act of violence at a Christmas Market on Friday.  This is a horrific I pray for comfort and peace for all those affected.

I have a quick share today featuring the Poinsettia Postage Collage Die and Stencil Set from Waffle Flower.  I love the stencil sets, they are so easy to put together and make such lovely Christmas cards. 


Instead of the traditional Red Poinsettias, I've went with pretty shades of Pink Inks from Catherine Pooler.  I'm pleased with the outcome.


The sentiment has been popped on foam pads for dimension and I've added Crystal Stickles to the flower centers and holly berries.  Quick and easy card, and perfect for those last minute card needs!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Happy Snowman

Hello and Happy Thursday to you! It's a gloomy, overcast day here in Florida so what better way to spend the day than to wrap Christmas Prezzies, drink Hot Cocoa and do a bit of cardmaking?  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Happy Snowman Stamp Set from Penny Black #30-503.  I went with a CAS design on this one.


He's truly a Happy Guy, especially since it's snowing.  I've colored him with alcohol markers, and it's very hard to see in the photo but I've splattered the panel with Dr. Ph. Martin's White Ink and spritzed with Shimmer Mist.


The sentiment is included in the stamp set, and this image is so versatile.  You can use to make a holiday or winter card, I've went with a holiday theme, my Merry Christmas message is inside.  That's all I have for today, I hope you have a fantastic day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Inspired By... the Christmas Vibes in the Photo





 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Christmas Arrangement

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  One week until the Big Day, are you ready?  I'm almost there, I have a few gifts left to wrap, 2 Christmas luncheons to attend and grocery shopping for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.  

I have a quick share today featuring the Christmas Arrangement Stamp Set by Penny Black, No. 40-646. I've colored with alcohol markers and splattered with Dr. Ph. Martin's White Ink.


This is a lovely image and it's quite large.  My panel measures 3.75" x 5", so that gives you an idea of the stamp size.  I kept the design to a minimum of 2 layers and embellishments; only adding 3 gold sequins.  The sentiment strip is from a package of pre-made sentiment by Simon Says Stamp, and it's been popped on craft foam for dimension.


I hope you are almost ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...or at least more than half way there.  That's all I have for today, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:






Monday, December 16, 2024

Classic Design Challenge #12-2024 Anything Goes with Optional: Happy Holidays

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!  The 15th of the month saw the opening of a new challenge at The Classic Design Challenge Blog.  We have 3 generous sponsors this month:  Keen Crafter Designs, Sheepski Designs and Dr. Digi House of Stamps.

For my team project, I've colored up the "On the Fence" No. 278 digital image from Sheepski Designs.  This image is versatile and can be used for Christmas or Winter cards.  I've chosen to go with a Winter theme.


I've colored the image using alcohol markers, the papers are from a 6x6 paper pack by Alina Crafts.  I've cut the focal image using a scalloped edge oval nesting die, also from Alina Crafts.


The sentiment is from the Snowflake Season stamp set from Penny Black.  I have popped the strip on foam pads for dimension. Before calling this card complete, I splattered with a white Posca pen to replicate Snow.  

The team and I hope you'll join in and share your projects with us this month, and we hope to inspire you with our projects.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered: