Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Magic Time!

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  We've finally recovered from Hurricane Milton, we've had contractors in and out with estimates for repairs but it's a small price to pay, and I consider ourselves beyond blessed as it could have been so much worse.  Our prayers continue to go out to South Florida, North Carolina and all areas hit with damages.

I've had some time to play in the craft room and wanted to share this cute card, created for Halloween/Autumn, although I don't think the set was created for Halloween or Autumn. It's the Magic Time Stamp Set from Colorado Craft Co. and I love how big the images are.  Folks, the images in this set are large, the entire pumpkin didn't fit on the A2 sized card panel.


I've stamped the image on Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper and painted using my Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  After the painting was completely dry, I used a circle mask from Lavinia Stamps to create a halo around her wand.  Then trimmed the panel slightly, and adhered to a black cardbase.  


To finish the design, I splattered with gold watercolor paint, no other bells and whistles were added, I intend to post to a dear friend overseas and didn't want any bulkiness going through the international post.  

I hope you like her and her big pumpkin, I think she may represent Cinderella, what do you think?  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #22 - Oct/Nov 2024

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  It's the 15th of the month and time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  Our optional mood board contains rich and vibrant colors, perfect for the Autumn Season, or any season for that matter:

 


Using the Simply Spring Stamp Set from Altenew, I've water colored the image onto Tim Holtz Watercolor paper, using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  In my opinion, just because the set is named Simply Spring, that doesn't mean you have to use it only for Spring themed cards.


After stamping the image, I heat embossed it in order to make the watercoloring a bit easier, this is a detailed image and I didn't want to worry about colors running into one another, the embossing adds a bit of a "wall", that contains the water. I've also heat embossed the sentiment.


Once the image was completely dry, I inked around the edges to give the piece a "frame".  Lastly, I've added clear. waterdrop embellishments to complete the piece.

The team and I would like to invite you to visit the challenge, and show us your floral focused projects.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Path of Positivity
AYLI - my "go to" shape is the rectangle A2 size, mainly because it's easy to photograph


Wednesday, October 9, 2024

It's Halloween...Owl You Doin'?

Hi Friends!  I hope you're well and enjoying your Wednesday.  While we await the arrival of Hurricane Milton, I've been crafting to de-stress and pass the time (while I have electricity - fingers crossed it stays on).  I've been working on Halloween cards and this one features the cutest lil owl and jack-o-lantern.


Using the "Owl You Doin'" Clear Stamp Set from Darcie's Heart and Home, I've watercolored this cute image using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  The image has been stamped on Tim Holtz watercolor paper.  After the image was completely dry, I've die cut using a Slanted Edge nesting square die from My Favorite Things.


The patterned papers are from the "Spooktacular" 4.25" x 5" paper pad from Waffle Flower.  I've heat embossed the sentiment and added purple sequins to finish out the design. The sentiment and focal image have been popped on foam pads for dimension.

That's all for today!  I hope you have a fabulous rest of the week and weekend.  I'll be back soon, as long as Milton is kind to us and we keep the electricity and internet flowing.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Fab 'n Funky - Feathers

Monday, October 7, 2024

Guest Designing with the Double Trouble Challenge - #177

Hi Friends, I'm back with another post for today, sharing my Guest Design Team project for The Double Trouble Challenge.  It's a fun one this round, and I'm so honored to be the Crazy Cousin for October.


The Double Trouble Challenge #177 starts today and runs through the 28th of October and you can enter HERE.  
Here are the details:
Fall Bat Color Challenge
Choose at least 3 Bat colors with Optional: Use at least 1 Die Cut that represents Fall or Halloween.  If you've included at least 3 colors and 1 Die Cut, you are eligible to enter at the A Cut Above Challenge HERE.


For my project, I've used a leaf die set that was a Free Gift with an order from Scrapbook.com.  I've cut the leaves from Canson 140 lb. watercolor paper and "watercolored" them using Catherine Pooler inks.  After they were completely dry, I splattered with a generous amount of gold Gansai Tambi watercolor paint.


I've used a nesting frame die from Kat Scrappiness to create a frame, which I layered up a few cuts to create some strength.  The sentiment is from the "Fall Sampler" stamp set by Scrapbook.com, and I've stamped it using Copper Clay ink from Stampin' Up.


I've added enamel dots and Baker's Twine with Linen thread to complete the look.  Please pop over to The Double Trouble Challenge and share your creative projects.  We hope to inspire you and love seeing everyone's creativity.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna
**Challenges Entered:
Cut It Up Challenge - inspired by Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran (and Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole)


Inspiration Station Challenge #66 - October 2024

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Our optional inspiration photo is full of wonderful Autumn colors and items:


I was directly inspired by the Jack-o-Lanterns in the photo and based my card on them.  Using the "Autumn Splendor" Clear Stamp Set from Penny Black, I've stamped the Scarecrow onto Tim Holtz watercolor paper and painted using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.


The sentiment is from the "Autumn is Calling" Clear Stamp Set, also from Penny Black.  I'm getting lots of mileage out of the sets this Autumn season.  To keep the design somewhat CAS, I've inked around the edges using Vintage Photo Distress ink, and highlighted the scarecrow using Salty Ocean Distress Ink.


The plaid patterned paper is from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella, the card base and focal mat are Cajun Craze cardstock from Stampin" Up.  No other bells and whistles have been added, however I have popped the focal panel on foam pads for dimension.

The team and I invite you to join us at the Challenge, we hope you'll be inspired by our projects, and we love seeing how the photo inspires you.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Paper Funday October 2024 Challenge

Happy Wednesday Crafty Friends!  It's a new monthly challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog, the theme is Anything Goes with an Optional Twist of Autumn Colors.  For my card, I've went with the Twist theme, as Autumn is my favorite season.


I've used a Reverse Confetti Stamp and Coordinating die set, that was part of the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember Collaboration a couple years ago.  The image was stamped on Tim Holtz watercolor paper and painted using Gansai Tambi watercolors.  The focal image was cut using the coordinating die and popped on foam for dimension.


The patterned papers are from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  The sentiment is a cut apart from the same paper pad, and some linen thread has been added for texture.  We hope you'll join us at the challenge this month, please stop by and see what the team has created.  You may be inspired to get creating for Autumn.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Lil Cactus Trick-or-Treater

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday, I hope your weekend has been wonderful.  Our continued prayers go out to all who have been affected by Hurricane Helene,  We are blessed and gave thanks to God as we experienced no significant damage. 

I have a quick share today featuring an adorable little Trick-or-Treater dressed in a Cactus Costume, ready to get some Candy.  It's hard to believe October 1st will soon be here, along with Halloween!


To start, I've stamped the image, from the Darcie's Heart and Home Llama Halloween Clear Stamp Set, on Canson 140 lb watercolor paper and painted using Gansai Tambi Watercolors. I've kept the painting simple, the image is small so not a lot to shade.  I've backed the focal image with purple card and popped on foam for dimension. 


The patterned papers are snippets from the Echo Park "Trick or Treat" 6x6 paper pack.  I've also used a strip of glitter tape from Cricut to add a bit of sparkle and to create a break from top to bottom.

The sentiment is from a pre-packaged set of sentiment strips, designed by Cathy Zelski for Simon Says Stamp, and I've popped on foam for dimension.  Lastly, Halloween Green sequins were added for more spooky sparkle and shine.

Thanks all I have to share today, until next time - Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:




 


Friday, September 27, 2024

Creative Creases Challenge Guest Designer 27 Sep 24

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  I've had the pleasure of Guest Designing with the Creative Creases Challenge Team today and I would like to share my card with you.

Using the new Stampin' Up Autumn Expressions Stamp and Die Bundle, along with the Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper, I've created this easy fancy fold card inspired by Jackie Bolhuis of Klompen Stampers, you can find her Tutorial HERE


Both the Stamp Bundle and Designer Series Papers are stunning and perfect for the Autumn Season; the colors are so rich and warm.  For the card base, I've used Blackberry Bliss, and die cut a leaf from the same and one from the Mossy Meadow cardstock.


More leaves were stamped and die cut using Cajun Craze ink and cardstock, and Mossy Meadow cardstock.  The sentiment was stamped using Blackberry Bliss ink, and some wheat stalks stamped using Mossy Meadow ink.

Please stop by the Creative Creases Card Challenge and join the fun.  There is loads of inspiration for fancy fold cards, and you'll be impressed with the talented team!  I'm sending a huge thanks to Debbie Mageed for having me, it was a pleasure.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Product List

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Autumn Scenes with Penny Black

Hello and Happy Thursday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Autumn Splendor and Autumn is Calling Stamp Sets from Penny Black.  


To start, I've stamped the image onto Tim Holtz watercolor paper, I like this watercolor card as it's white and not an ivory or off white as most other watercolor papers are. I then painted using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.

I kept the design simple, I stamped the sentiment directly to the panel and after the watercolors were completely dry, inked around the focal image using a template from Lavinia Stamps, along with inking around the edges for that vintage and weathered look.


Lastly, Amber colored gems were added to complete the design.  I hope you have a wonderful day, I'm preparing for Hurricane Helene as she is expected to make landfall on the opposite coast from where we are, however we are still expected to receive Tropical Force winds of 55-65 MPH along with heavy rains.  We shall stay put, hunker down and ride it out.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:
Inspired By... - Autumn Theme
 


Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Splendid Autumn

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  I hope your day is terrific and you're finding some time for yourself.  I have a quick share today featuring the new Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up.  Golly, this paper is gorgeous!

I've created a fun fold card style, with a a card base, and a smaller card base op top, all decorated with lovely Autumn colors.


The card base was created using Mossy Meadow cardstock, and I've embossed a panel of Blackberry Bliss card.  The sentiment is from a retired Stampin' Up set - Climbing Roses.





I've added Linen Thread and a Bow for a bit of an earthy accent, along with clear faux gems.  There is plenty of room inside to write a personal message.  

That's all I have for today, I wish you a great rest of the week and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Outlawz Sunday Songs and Rhymes - inspired by flowers and Autumn colors
Love Those Pretty Papers