Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was enjoyable and the weather was cooperative.  Autumn is in full swing for many (except for us Floridians) and I have a few more Autumn themed cards to share before going full Christmas Blowout. 

 Today's card features a sweet image from the Simon Says Stamp "Haunted Garden" stamp and die sets, which were part of the Stamptember 2026 Event.

The image was colored using alcohol markers, the patterned paper is from a Fall 6x6 pad by Echo Park, the textured die cut accent is from Brass & Bliss, and the sentiment strip is from Simon Says Stamp.

To finish it off, I've added Copper Nuvo drops.  The focal and sentiment are on foam pads for a bit of dimension.  A simple Autumn card that was quick and easy to put together.  

That's all for today, I hope your day is blessed and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
   
2. Dream Valley
   
3. A Cut Above
   
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
   
5. Let's Craft and Create
   
6. Crafty Calendar
   
7. Cut it Up
   
8. Pattie's Creations
   
9. Give a Crafter a Cookie
   
10. Cards Galore Encore
    

 

The Paper Funday Challenge #93 Nov 2026

Hello and Happy Wednesday! It's time for a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  Our optional twist this month is: Autumn or Christmas, and our generous sponsors are Gina K. Designs and Pajama Crafter Stamps.

For my team project, I've used the Gina K. Designs Holiday Wreath Builder Stamp set to create my first Christmas Card for the 2026 holiday season.

I've also used the GKD Wreath Builder Template to assist with image placement while stamping around the panel using various colors of GKD inks.  The patterned paper is from a Vintage Christmas stack by The Paper Studio.

To finish it off, I've added a die cut Bow, Red Crystal Nuvo Drops and Crystal Stickles.  The patterned paper is giving me masculine vibes so this card may go into my "guy cards" pile.  

We hope you'll join us at the Challenge this month and share your projects.  It's time I get serious about holiday cards, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Lil Red Wagon
   
2. Fab 'n Funky
   
3. Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge
   
4. Unicorn Challenge
   
5. A Place to Start
   
6. 613 Avenue Create
   
7. Aud Sentiments
   
8. Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge
   
9. We Love Stamping
   
10. 12 Months of Christmas
    

Inspiration Station Challenge #91 - Nov 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy 1st Monday of November!  It's also time for a new monthly challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Our inspiration photo is giving off those Cozy Autumn feels with a cup of your Hot Beverage of Choice.  This time of year, I love Hot Cocoa but I like warm Apple Cider too. 

I was directly inspired by the hot beverage and the spices in the photo.  I remembered I have the Latte Love Stamp, Die Set and Designer Papers from Stampin' Up and thought they are perfect for my team project.

I've stamped the cups directly on the patterned paper and die cut with the matching dies, as well as the spoons.  The plaid mat was die cut using a scalloped stitched square nesting die.  The sentiment is from the Fall Sampler Set from Scrapbook.com.

The front cup, the top spoon and sentiment have been popped on foam pads.  To finish this card, I've added a strip of Polka Dot Ribbon and enamel dots.  I'm pleased with the final product and I like the simplicity of the limited amount of colors used.  

We hope you'll pop over to the Challenge and share your inspired projects with us, and we hope to inspire you with our designs.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. A Cut Above
   
2. Neglected Stuff Challenge - all the products used are neglected LOL
   
3. First Cup Challenge
   
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
   
5. Cards Galore Encore
   
6. Crafty Catz
   
7. Krafty Chicks
   
8. Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge
   
9. Word Art Wednesday
   
10. Creative Crafters
    

Happy Halloween 2026!

Happy Saturday Oct 31st Friends! I hope you've had a productive week and your weekend will be filled with whatever you desire.  I have one last Halloween card to share for the 2026 season, and it features the cute set Bats & Cats from Penny Black.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and die cut using a distressed edge circle nesting die.  The patterned paper is from a Halloween pack by Kat Scrappiness.  The sentiment has been heat embossed and die cut using a distressed edge square nesting die.

The patterned panel was die cut using a distressed edge rectangle die, and all the dies used on this card have come from Globeland.  To finish off, I've added purple Dazzles.  Quick, Easy and Not So Spooky card for Halloween.  

That's all for today.  Beware of any adorable ghosts and goblins who may ring the doorbell tonight.  I suspect they are after sweet treats.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Sweet Stampin'
   
2. Penny Black Saturday Challenge
   
3. Polkadoodles
   
4. Gem of a Challenge
   
5. Star Stampz
   
6. Krafty Chicks
   
7. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
   
8. Digi Choosday
   
9. Crafty Gals Corner
   
10. Passion for Markers
    

Witch Way to the Party?

Hello and Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was wonderful and you enjoyed some "me" time.  We're in the run-up to Halloween and I still have a couple more cards to share, so let's get to it.

Using the new "If the Hat Fits" Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp (which was part of the Stamptember 2026 Event), I've put together a fast and fun card for one of my October card swap partners.  

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and fussy cut. The patterned papers are from a Halloween themed paper pad by Scrapbook.com, the sentiment is part of the stamp set and I've heat embossed it.  The scalloped square was cut using a square nesting die from My Favorite Things.  To finish it off, gold sequins were added.

There you have it, a fun and fast card for Halloween.  I hope you have a fabulous day, and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. A Place to Start
   
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
   
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
   
4. Star Stampz
   
5. Sweet Stampin'
   
6. Snarky Stampers
7. Love those Pretty Papers
   
8. Gem of a Challenge
   
9. Pattie's Creations
   
10. Craft Rocket
    

The Pick 3 Challenge #10 - Oct/Nov 2026

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Pick 3 Challenge and we have an interesting Element list to work with this round:

I took a quick shopping trip through my stash and found the "Sweet Life" Stamp set by Catherine Pooler (that's never been used...imagine that!) and thought it would be perfect for the Apple element. I then found the apple patterned paper in my scrap box. My other elements are Hexagon and Twine, with the added element of Gold (the Dazzles).

I've stamped and fussy cut the Apple and leaves images, popped on foam pads and adhered to the die cut Hexagon Mats.  The sentiment has been heat embossed, and two twine ribbons adhered with glue dots.

I like the way the images layer and stamp, they are not intended to line up perfectly, which gives it that artsy look.  Overall, I'm pleased with the outcome and ask myself why I've never used this set, it's really cute. 

The team and I hope you'll join us at The Pick 3 Challenge this month. So put your thinking cap on, choose 3 or more elements and create something to share.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Dream Valley Challenge
   
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
   
3. A Place to Start
   
4. 613 Avenue Create
   
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
   
6. We Love Stamping
   
7. Pattie's Creations
   
8. NBUS (Never Before Used Stuff) Challenge
   
9. Ellibelle's Garden Party
   
10. Creative Inspiration
    

Got Candy?

Hello and Happy Saturday!  I hope your week was trouble free and you have a nice weekend planned.  We have rain in the forecast so perfect excuse for me to stay in the craft room.  All of my Halloween cards have been sent to their recipients, so I'm able to share with you. 

I say this all the time, when I "shop my stash", I find a stamp set that has never been used, and you guessed it, I've come across another one, the "Spooky Season" set from Penny Black. 

The image has been colored using Copic Alcohol Markers, fussy cut and popped on foam pads.  The background panel was embossed with a Halloween themed folder from Darice and lightly inked with Hero Arts Unicorn White ink.  The patterned papers and sentiment cut-apart are snippets from a Halloween themed paper pad, most likely from Echo Park.

Lastly, Purple Dazzles have been added for the spooky sparkle.  I just love this pup, but what a long neck he has!  That's all for today, I wish you a Super Saturday and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered

1. Sweet Stampin'
   
2. Penny Black Saturday Challenge
   
3. Polkadoodles
   
4. Gem of a Craft Challenge
   
5. Cardz 4 Galz
   
6. C.R.A.F.T Challenge
   
7. The Dream Factory
   
8. Crafty Gals Corner
   
9. Try It on Tuesday (TIOT)
10. NBUS (Never before used Stuff)
    

Classic Design Challenge #10-2026 - Sep/Oct

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog, and our generous sponsor this month is Mirtillamente.  The optional Twist is a Sketch.

I've decided to skip using the optional sketch this month, and colored the Eat & Drink: Spiced Pause digital stamp from Mirtillamente using Copic Alcohol Markers. 

I'm one of those Pumpkin Spice loving ladies, and I also enjoy Pumpkin Pie this time of year, so this stamp was right up my alley.  The focal panel has been cut using a nesting postage die from Hero Arts.  The background mat is glitter card from Recollections.

I've left any Embellishments, Dazzles, Faux Gems, etc. off as I thought the glitter card was enough bling, however it's not too late to add something.  Do you think it needs anything extra?

The team and I hope you will join us this month at The Classic Design Challenge.  We're always inspired by all the clever and creative makes that are shared with us.  Now I'm off to make myself a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Mirtillamente Monthly Challenge
   
2. Creative Crafters
   
3. Creative Crafting Uncles
   
4. Word Art Wednesday
   
5. Digi Choosday
   
6. The Sisterhood of Crafters
   
7. Unicorn Challenge
   
8. Cupcake Inspirations
9. Double Trouble
   
10. CD Sunday +
    

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Oct/Nov 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  It's also the 15th of the month and that signals a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  The optional floral prompt for this month features bright Marigolds in the colors of the season.  I love Marigolds and plant them in my garden as a natural insect repellant.

I was directly inspired by the optional prompt and used the Marigold Layering Die Set from Altenew for my team project. The "keyhole" system Altenew has created makes lining up the die cut layers so easy and basically fool-proof.

I've used textured colored cardstock from American Crafts for the flower layers & leaves, and added distress inks for additional shading.  The background has been embossed using the Deck Planks Embossing Folder from Altenew along with the Versatile Greetings Die Set, also from Altenew.

Golden Dazzles have been added to highlight the gold mirror card sentiment, and then I decided an Easel Card would be nice so I added additional die cut words as the stopper.

Please join us this month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge.  We love seeing all the creative designs shared with us.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Sparkles Monthly Challenges
   
2. Word Art Wednesday
   
3. Triple B Challenges
   
4. A Cut Above
   
5. A Place to Start
   
6. 613 Avenue Create
   
7. The Four Seasons Challenge
   
8. Ellibelle's Garden Party
   
9. Altenew October Monthly Challenge
   
10. All Sorts
    

It's a Spooky Day

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I hope your day is going along well and your weather is full of Autumn Sunshine.  I'm always envious of everyone outside of Florida that experience the changing of the seasons with colored leaves and crisp air.  It's currently a balmy and humid 86 degrees F here in Central Florida..at least it's not in the upper 90's!

I have a quick share featuring an oldie but goodie stamp set from Impression Obsession, who is sadly out of business.  The landscape of our craft is changing so much isn't it?  The set is Spooky Day and the Ghosts are just too cute to spook with their funny expressions.

The Ghosts were lightly shaded with alcohol markers and fussy cut, then popped on craft foam for dimension.  The papers are from a Halloween 6x6 paper pad by Recollections.  I found some cut aparts that spelled "Boo"; and they made the perfect sentiment.

That's all I have for today, I wish you a Terrific Tuesday, and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Try it on Tuesday (TIOT)
   
2. Unicorn Challenge
   
3. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
   
4. Stamps & Fun = Creativity
   
5. Sweet Stampin'
   
6. Crafty Calendar
   
7. Love Those Pretty Papers
   
8. Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge
9. Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
   
10. Fab 'n Funky