Happy Haunted Garden Ghost

Happy Saturday and Happy World Cardmaking Day! I hope you have time to squeeze in a crafting session today and celebrate with a handcrafted card.  I've started, albeit late on Halloween cards and I've also overspent during the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember 2026 event.  I couldn't resist the "Haunted Garden" Stamp and Coordinating Die set this year. 

The image has been colored using Copic Alcohol Markers and all die cut with the coordinating dies.  The patterned paper is something I found in my Scraps Box, it's a digital download from Shery K Designs. 

The image and sentiments have been adhered flat to the card base and to finish, I've added purple Dazzles for that required (in my opinion) Sparkle and Shine.  An easy peasy, not too spooky Halloween Card for 2026.  

Have a fun, World Cardmaking Day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Inkspirational
   
2. Crafty Calendar
   
3. Love Those Pretty Papers
   
4. Polkadoodles
   
5. Just Us Girls
   
6. Halloween Crafts All Year 'Round
   
7. Give a Crafter a Cookie
   
8. Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
   
9. Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge
   
10. Pattie's Creations
    

Not So Spooky Things

Happy Saturday Crafty Friends!  I've been creating Autumn and Halloween cards lately and I have a quick share for you today featuring a cute set that I found while "shopping" my stash.  Can you believe I've never inked it up?  For Shame, For Shame!

I've used the Happy Halloween Clear Stamp Set from Creative Expressions and papers from the Spooky Things paper pad by Simple Stories to create a not-so-spooky Halloween card.

I've colored the images using Copic Alcohol Markers, the images have been fussy cut and popped on foam pads.  The sentiment tag is a cut-out from the paper pad and I've added a but of purple ribbon and staples using the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Attacher. 

Lastly, I've added Dazzles in the same colors as the polka-dots in the patterned paper. Both images are adorable, but the Wiener Dog has my heart as he/she reminds me of my Stella.

That's all I have for today; I wish you a great weekend and hope you find some crafty time.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Inkspirational
2. Send A Smile 4 Kids
3. Polkadoodles
   
4. Polkadoodles Gem of a Challenge
   
5. Digi Choosday
   
6. Crafty Catz
   
7. Passion for Markers
   
8. Try It On Tuesday
   
9. Neglected Stuff Challenge - the stamp set is/was neglected
   
10. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
    

The Pick 3 Challenge #9 - Sep/Oct 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!  It's also the 20th of the month and that signals a new challenge at The Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  The premise of the challenge is to pick at least 3 elements from the elements list and create using your choices.  The element list this month is:

I've chosen Halloween, Leaves, Brown and the extra elements of Vintage and Checks for my team project.  I've used the "Halloween Pumpkin" Stamp and coordinating Die Set from Memory Box and colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers.

After coloring and heat embossing the sentiment, both have been die cut and the edges inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The distressed patterned paper has also been inked around the edges for a vintage, Autumn vibe.  

The pumpkin image is quite large, my card base measures 5.5" square so that gives you an idea of it's size.  To finish everything off, I've added black gems and Wink of Stella to the small leaves and acorns.  

We hope to see you at the Challenge this month, we love seeing how creative everyone gets with their chosen elements.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. 613 Avenue Create
   
2. Just Us Girls
   
3. As You Like It - Orange because I like the traditional look and I love Pumpkins!
   
4. Creative Knockouts
   
5. Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Halloween, Free, Plaid
   
6. Word Art Wednesday
   
7. Creative Moments
   
8. Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge
   
9. A Place to Start - Song is Jack's Lament from The Nightmare Before Christmas
   
10. The Four Seasons Challenge
    

The Classic Design Challenge - Sep/Oct 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome Back!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge and we have 2 sponsors this month, which means 2 winners!  We have Alex Syberia Designs and Goha Digital Stamps, and I've used the Autumn Leaves Wreath image from Alex Syberia Designs for my team project.  

I've searched the Alex Syberia site for this digital image and could not find it (it may be retired) but she has many digital images that are just as pretty.  I've colored the leaves using Copic Alcohol Markers and the papers are from the "It's Autumn" 6x6 Mega paper pad by Carta Bella.

I've went with a 5.5" square card base this time as I wanted to keep the wreath large.  The sentiment is from the "Autumn is Calling" stamp set by Penny Black.  The enamel dots are part of the Carta Bella "It's Autumn" coordinating set of papers and embellishments.

The team and I invite you to join us at the Challenge this month and share your Anything Goes projects.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Try It On Tuesday
   
2. Crafter's Cafe
   
3. Creative Crafters
   
4. Creative Moments
   
5. Dream Factory
   
6. Papercraft Challenges
   
7. Dream Valley
   
8. CD Sunday +
   
9. Little Patch of Crafty Friends
   
10. We Love Stamping
    

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Sep/Oct 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  It's the 15th of the month and that means a new challenge has started at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  We have a colorful optional inspiration photo this month and I was inspired by a few of the colors in the Bouquet.

Using the Gina K. Designs Sketched Flowers Stamp and Die Set, I've created a birthday card that's somewhat CAS and a bit vintage.

The background panel was embossed using the Altenew Garden Harmony 3-D Embossing Folder and lightly inked around the edges using Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The flowers and sentiment were stamped using Catherine Pooler Inks.

The flower heads and sentiment were popped on foam pads, gold sequins and thread were added for additional interest.  

The team and I invite you to join us this month at the Challenge and share your Floral Focused projects.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Sweet Stampin'
   
2. Crafty Catz
   
3. Can You Handle the Pressure?
   
4. Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
   
5. Crafts Galore Encore
   
6. Triple B Challenge
   
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
   
8. A Cut Above
   
9. Craft Rocket
   
10. Ellibelle's Garden Party
    

It's Sweater Weather!

Happy Wednesday Crafty Friends!  I hope your day has been a good one.  I have a quick share today using patterned paper scraps, and if you're like me, you have enough to make many of this type of card.

To start, I've cut 3/4" strips of leftover papers from the "Fall Fun" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella and arranged in a fun pattern on a mat.  After I got the arrangement the way I wanted, I started adhering the strips, many of them hung over the sides, which I trimmed with scissors when finished.

I've cut 2 stitched nesting circles and stamped the sentiment, which is from a Fall Sampler Pack by Scrapbook.com, using Dark Brown ink from Catherine Pooler.  Everything has been matted with dark chocolate brown card.  Lastly, gold sequins added for shine.  

This pattern reminds me of a cozy quilt, and one I would love to make if I could actually Quilt/Sew.  That's all I have for today so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Word Art Wednesday
   
2. Creative Inspirations
   
3. A Place to Start - The song Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Pardon
   
4. Love Those Pretty Papers
   
5. Pin-spirational
   
6. Paper Rocks Scissors
   
7. Love to Craft Challenge
   
8. Love to Scrap Challenge
   
9. 613 Avenue Create
   
10. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
    

inspiration Station Challenge #89 - Sep 2026

Hello and Happy Monday or, here in the States, Happy Labor Day!  I hope your weekend was fabulous and you enjoy your day.  Today begins a new monthly challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and our theme has those Autumn vibes.  Who's ready for Autumn?  The inspiration photo is:

For my team project, I've used the Crafters Companion Scattered Leaves Die set (no longer available) to create a wreath of gorgeous Autumn leaves.  I've die cut all the leaves from white cardstock and colored using various colors of Distress Inks.

The patterned paper base is from the "Feels Like Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park. After adhering the leaves to the patterned mat, I die cut a stitched circle and stamped a sentiment from the "Autumn Splendor" Stamp Set by Brass & Bliss, and popped on foam pads.

To finish off the design, I've adhered a brushed gold die cut Bow from the Put a Bow on It" die set by Simon Says Stamp and added Gold Dazzles.  I'm pleased with the end result and love all the pretty Autumn colors of the leaves.

We hope you'll join us this month at the Challenge and share your inspired makes.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. A Cut Above
   
2. A Place to Start - Song is The Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole
   
3. 613 Avenue Create
   
4. Pinspirational
   
5. The Four Seasons Challenge
   
6. Just Us Girls
   
7. Creative Knockouts
   
8. Craft Rocket
   
9. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
   
10. Dream Valley
    

Golden Sunflowers

Hello and Happy Sunday!  I hope your weekend is going well and you've found time to do something you love.  The heat and humidity is still oppressive here in Florida so today I stayed indoors and had a play.  

For my birthday, I received a Free Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp (make sure your birthdate is added to your profile); I purchased the matching die set, and I've used both to create this quick and easy Autumn themed birthday card.

I've colored the image using Copic Markers and popped on foam pads along with the sentiments.  The patterned paper is from the "Sunflower Summer" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  I followed Sketch #98 from Cardz TV. 

Lastly, I've added Gold Dazzles for that essential birthday sparkle and shine.  That's all from me today.  I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, and if you're in the States, you celebrate Labor Day with good friends, family and something fun.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Little Patch of Crafty Friends
   
2. 613 Avenue Create
   
3. Let's Craft and Create
   
4. Sweet Stampin' Challenge
   
5. Love Those Pretty Papers
   
6. Creative Fingers
   
7. Pattie's Creations
   
8. Krafty Chicks
   
9. Ellibelle's Garden Party
   
10. Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
    
11. Word Art Wednesday
    
12. Creative Inspirations
    

The Paper Funday Challenge for Sep 2026

Hello and Happy September!  Wow, where has this year gone?  Dare I say there's only 114 days left till Christmas? YIKES!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and we have 2 amazing sponsors:  Brass & Bliss Craft Co. and Lawn Fawn.  The optional twist is a Sketch:

For my team project I was inspired by the optional sketch and used it loosely, along with the Build-An-Owl and Halloween Add-On Die Sets from Brass & Bliss Craft Co.

I've die cut all the pieces for the owl and his vampire costume from colored cardstock, and highlighted using distress inks for depth and dimension.  After piecing him together, foam pads have been added. I've used tiny citron colored gems for his eyes.

The patterned papers are from the "Spooky" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park.  The sentiments are a combination of a cut apart from the paper pad and a sentiment strip from a Halloween sentiment pack by Simon Says Stamp.  To Finish off, I've added Green Dazzles and Wink of Stella for a bit of spooky sparkle.

The team and I hope you'll play along in the Challenge this month.  We love visiting everyone and seeing your creative designs, not to mention it's the perfect opportunity to share your Autumn inspired makes.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Word Art Wednesday
   
2. Creative Inspirations
   
3. Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge
   
4. Art Nudge - 826D
   
5. Double Trouble
   
6. All Sorts
   
7. Snarky Stampers
8. Mirtillamente
   
9. Sparkles Monthly Challenges
   
10. Creative Crafting Uncles
    

Let the Good Times Roll!

Happy Saturday Friends, I hope your weekend is going well.  Today I'm not in the mood for anything other than crafting!  Luckily, I'm dedicated to my housework through the week and laundry day is Friday so...that gives me the opportunity to have a play on Saturday!

My quick share today features another Stash item that's never been used before today.  It's the You're Dynamite Stamp and Die Set from Hero Arts - CM705.  It's no longer available as a Bundle. 

I've colored these Retro Skates using Copic Alcohol Markers and added foam pads to them.  The Laces have been adhered to the skates flat.  The sentiment is part of this set and it has been die cut and popped on foam pads as well.

The patterned paper is from the Rainbow Dreams Slimline paper pack by Kat Scrappiness.  To finish off my design, I've added Purple Dazzles randomly and Wink of Stella to the purple accents on the skates.  This card goes to my Birthday stash, and I will stamp a birthday greeting inside when it's needed.

That's all for today, I hope you enjoy the remainder of your weekend.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Sweet Stampin' Challenge
   
2. Polkadoodles Challenge
   
3. Cut it Up Challenge
   
4. Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Die Cut, Patterned Paper, Bright Colors
   
5. Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
   
6. The Sisterhood of Crafters
   
7. TIOT Challenge - Song is Let the Good Times Roll by The Cars
   
8. Double Trouble - 3 colors, 2 images, 1 sentiment
   
9. Aud Sentiments
   
10. 613 Avenue Create