Monday, February 17, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #26 - Feb/Mar 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!  I'm a few days late with my Beautiful Blossoms Challenge project, as the challenge started on the 15th.  I've been dealing with Bursitis in my knee and the pain has not allowed me to sit for long without my knee being propped up.  However, better late than never!

The optional inspiration photo this month is a gorgeous one, full of bright Spring colors!  I took inspiration directly from the colors in the photo, and ink blended a load of floral die cuts. 


The dies I've used here are from various companies, I went through my die binders and just pulled out lots of different types, then ink blended them using Catherine Pooler Inks.


The background panel has been embossed using the Picnic Floral 3-D Embossing Folder from Simon Says Stamp.  This card has a lot of layering, dimension and texture, some of the florals and leaves have been popped on foam pads.


The sentiment is from an older Scrapbooking Queen Set titled Royal Garden, and was stamped on an oval die cut.  I've matted the focal panel with black card and added gems for the finishing touch.

Please join us at the Challenge, Spring is right around the corner, and we would love to see your floral creations!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Word Art Wednesday February Guest Designing

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're doing well and your week is coasting along nicely.  I've been invited to join the team at the Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog as their February Guest Designer, and I'm honored to be creating with such a talented team.  

If you're not familiar with Word Art Wednesday, it's a Family Friendly Anything Goes Challenge that provides an optional Biblical Word Art piece you may incorporate into your design.  This is strictly optional, and the word art for this challenge is:


I've used the verse from 1 John 3:1 in my design.  This verse emphasizes the deep love God has for us and no matter who we are, no matter what we've done in our past or what's to come in our future, we are his children.  And just like a parent, his love is unconditional for us.


After printing the scripture, I've cut the panel using a Postage Nesting Die from Catherine Pooler.  The papers are from a 6x6 paper pad by American Crafts and the foliage is a dimensional die cut embellishment I received in a card swap, along with the mini embossed panel it's resting on.


Lastly, I've added light green gems to finish the design.  I love the gold glitter on the foliage, and I thought the patterned paper was so sweet.

Please take a moment to visit the Word Art Wednesday Challenge and see what the team have created, you'll definitely be inspired, and we hope you'll share your projects with us.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:








Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Hot Cocoa Mouse

Good Tuesday Crafty Friends! Just when we thought Spring was in sight, here comes another Winter Storm across the middle United States.  It's balmy here in Florida though, and my bones are thankful for that.

Today, I have a quick share featuring an adorable mouse and her Big Cuppa Cocoa, just in time for the Winter Storm expected in the next few days.


This cutie is from Bugaboo Stamps, which sadly is now defunct.  I do miss Bugaboo and Jodie's amazing characters (Jodie, wherever you are, I hope you are well).  I've colored using Copic and Spectrum Noir Alcohol markers.  The sentiment is from the Hot Cocoa Wishes Stamp Set from Your Next Stamp.


I've cut the focal panel using a nesting Postage Die from Catherine Pooler, the sentiment has been cut using a sentiment strip die from Kat Scrappiness, the patterned papers are from an older 6x6 paper pad, purchased at Hobby Lobby and the sequins are from my stash.  

That's all Folks, stay warm and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Paper Funday Challenge #73

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday, it's the 1st Wednesday of the month and that starts a new challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  Our challenges are Always Anything Goes with Optional Twists and the twist this month is: Use colors Burgundy, Pink and Sage Green.

Our sponsors are the generous Not 2 Shabby and Scrappy Tails Crafts.  For my DT project, I've used the Sweet Valentine Stamp Set from Not 2 Shabby, and colored using Copic Alcohol Markers.  This set was part of a monthly subscription box and unfortunately, I could not find it on the site.


Not 2 Shabby has so many adorable sets, although this one may no longer be available, I'm confident there's something there equally as adorable.  I've cut the focal panel using a nesting stitched rectangle die, and the patterned papers are some I've had in my stash that I had purchased from Amazon.


The sentiment is included in the set, and I've added some red gems to finish off the design. Valentine's Day is creeping up on us, so it's time to bust out those cards! 

The team and I hope you'll visit us and join in the challenge this month.  We always love seeing everyone's creativity.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Monday, February 3, 2025

Inspiration Station Challenge #70

Hello Crafty People, I hope you're doing well.  We've been sick around here and I've not had the energy nor the mojo to be creative, only within the past few days I've had the energy to create a few cards.  

Today is the 1st Monday of the month and it's time for a new challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  I know lots are wishing for Spring and our inspiration photo reminds me of warm, sunny days in the garden.


I was inspired by both images in the photo and I've used the Butterfly & Flower Digital Stamp from Creative Worship by Sweet n' Sassy Stamps for my card.  The image has been colored using Copic Alcohol Markers, and white dots have been added to the butterfly using a Gelly Roll Pen.


The sentiment was a freebie from the blog of my dear friend Donna Ellis of Creative Smiles. I decided to keep the card design CAS as the image is so pretty and the sentiment so sweet, I thought this card didn't need anything else, except for a few golden sequins.


We hope you'll visit us at the Inspiration Station Challenge this month and share your inspired cards.  We' always enjoy visiting everyone and are constantly amazed at all the talent.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Classic Design Challenge #01-2025

Hi Friends, it's the 15th of the month and that signals a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog.  Our generous sponsor this month is SheepSki Designs and our Optional Twist is Winter Fun.

I've used the "Snow Happy" Digital image to create my card, and this snowman is definitely having a bit of Winter Fun creating Snow Angels!


There's not much coloring needed for a Snowman, just a few pops of color and a bit of shading to help him appear more round.  It's hard to see in the photo but I've highlighted the snow and "motion lines" with Crystal Stickles, so there would be glistening snow in the scene.


I almost added a few sequins but they just didn't look right, so I've left them off.  The patterned paper is from a 12x12 paper pad from Color Blok, which I've had in my stash for at least 10 years (I have so much designer paper, I forgot I had this pad..for shame, for shame!).  The sentiment is from the "Snowflake Season" Stamp Set by Penny Black.
  
That's all I have for today.  The team and I hope you'll visit us at The Classic Design Challenge, where the theme is Always Anything Goes with Optional Twists.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #25 - Jan/Feb 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  This month is coasting right along and since today is the 15th of the month, that means a new challenge month has begun at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  This month's optional inspiration photo contains some lush winter colors and I've chosen pastel colors, based on the colors in the photo, for my florals.

Using the "With All My Love" Digital Stamp Set #SK-0520 from Angie Blom Digital Designs, I've colored the florals in this gorgeous bouquet using Alcohol Markers. This is a lovely set, it contains 8 printables in various sizes.  And here's the best part - at the time of this writing, Angie Blom is having a 40% off sale celebrating her 5 years in business!


I've kept the card just 1 layer, but it appears to have a frame as I cut the focal panel a bit shorter to give that illusion.  The sentiment is one that's included in the set and is perfect as a Card of Encouragement or to give to someone spiritually like-minded, which I plan to do.


For the finishing touches, I've added white sequins from my stash.  I'm really pleased with this color combo and just how quickly this card came together.

We hope you'll join us this month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge.  We love seeing everyone's creativity and how (or not) the optional inspiration photo is used.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Friday, January 10, 2025

Warm Wintery Wishes

Hello and Happy Friday!  We've made it to the weekend and I hope you're staying warm and toasty, lots of snow and ice in the Northern Hemisphere.  I would like to take a moment to mention and send prayers to all those affected by the horrific Fires in California.  It looks apocalyptic!

I have a quick share today featuring a Sweet Snowman and Penguin friend sharing some Wintery Hugs.  The image is from Bugaboo Stamps and I've colored using Alcohol markers.


It seems teal and pink are all the rage recently, so I couldn't resist going with that color combo in my card.  The papers are from a holiday/winter pack from Scrapbook.com. The sentiment is part of the digital set, but unfortunately Bugaboo Stamps is no more and I miss them!  Jody, I hope you are well and maybe one day, you'll share your art with us again.


The focal panel and sentiment have been cut using stitched nesting dies, the sentiment has been popped on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, I've added sequins for additional interest and shine.  That's all I have for you today.  Have a fabulous weekend, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Crafty Gals Corner: Fill in the Blank - Snowman










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: