Classic Design Challenge - May/June 2026

Hello! It's time for a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog, and our sponsor this month is the talented and generous Moondrea Designs. For my team project, I've chosen to use Proteas Queen.  Isn't she lovely? 

I'll admit that images from Moondrea Designs intimidate me.  They are detailed and I always feel out of my comfort zone coloring them, however it's a good thing to step outside our comfortable boxes and try something new.  I've approached this image by coloring in small segments and that made it much easier for my brain to wrap around.  

I've used alcohol markers to color her and dug out my color wheel for this project.  I just couldn't put together coordinating colors in my mind, and the color wheel is great for that!  I've cut the focal panel using nesting scalloped edge dies from Catherine Pooler.  The sentiment is from the Small Talk strip pack by Tim Holtz and has been popped on foam pads.  

No bells and whistles added to her, other than a bit of highlights using a clear Gelly Roll glitter pen (which is not visible in the photos).

The team and I hope you'll visit and share your creative makes this month.  And don't be intimidated by detailed images, coloring this one was relaxing once I settled in and was the perfect craft for a Friday night.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Ally's Angels

Creative Crafters

Pattie's Creations

Creative Inspiration

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Unicorn Challenge - something new is the digital image

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - May 2026

Hello Friends!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  We have a lovely optional inspiration photo, however the challenges are Always Anything FLORAL Goes.  

I was directly inspired by the optional photo of the vase of lovely Lily of the Valley flowers and chose to use the Spring Border Two Digital Stamp Set from Power Poppy for my card.  This set includes a sweet Lily of the Valley image.  Another thing to note - Lily of the Valley is the birth flower for May, along with the Hawthorn. 

This month's optional inspiration photo:

Coloring this image using alcohol markers was quick and easy, the entire card was put together in under 30 minutes.  I used a distressed edge ruler to tear the edges of the focal panel, then inked around it using Salty Ocean Distress Ink.

For additional interest, I popped the sentiment on foam pads; the sentiment is included in the digital set.  I've rounded the bottom corners of the card base using the Crop-a-Dile corner chomper and added mini dew drops from Pink Fresh Studio. 

We invite you to join us this month at the Challenge and remember, you don't have to follow the optional inspiration photo, that's up to you.  However, florals must be the focus of your design.  Hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Just Us Girls

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Floral, Free, White

Ellibelle's Garden Party

Little Red Wagon

Word Art Wednesday

Triple B Challenge

Aud Sentiments

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

Do-All Creative

Paper Funday Challenge - May 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  It's the 1st Wednesday of the month and that always signals a new challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  We have 2 amazing and generous sponsors this month - Gina K. Designs and The Pajama Crafter Stamps.  Our optional twist for this challenge is: Mountains or Coast.

For my project, I've used the "Time to Coast" stamp set from Gina K. Designs and the optional twist of Mountains or Coast.  I've actually never been to the mountains, but have easy access to the coast; my scene today is one I've seen in person many times.

I've colored the image very simply using alcohol markers and cut out using a nesting die from the Moonstone set by Hunkydory.  I've lightly inked a background using Distress Inks,  the patterned paper is from a Nautical 12x12 pad by Recollections, the sentiment is from the same Gina K. stamp set and has been heat embossed.

To finish it up, I've popped the focal panel on foam pads, added Baker's Twine & Bows along with enamel dots.  Everything from the stash this time, I've had this lovely stamp set since 2021 and it makes the prettiest/handsomest cards, I really like it for masculine themes.

Please pop over to the challenge this month and play along, we would love to have you join us!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Passion for Markers

Art Nudge

Triple B

Daisy Chain Challenges

Dream Valley

A Cut Above

Dragonfly Dreams

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Crafty Animals

Inspiration Station Challenge #85 - May 2026

Hi Friends!  Wow, it's May already (where did the last 4 months go?) and it's also the 1st Monday of the month so it's time for a new challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Our inspiration photo is apropos for this time of year:

The happy young people in the photo have lots to look forward to, and this inspiration photo doesn't have to be about graduation, it could also be about Congratulations or happiness, or togetherness, use your imagination with this one.

I remembered I have a stamp specifically for Grads in my stash, so I went digging around and found the "Hats Off to You" stamp and coordinating die set from Colorado Craft Company.  I've created a Congratulations Card that will go to my neighbor, who has a grandson graduating college soon.

I wanted to go Simple with the design, so I've used a circle mask from Lavinia Stamps to ink blended a circle that reminds me of the Earth.  I've colored the image with alcohol markers, die cut and popped on foam pads.

Before placing the images, I splattered the ink blending with water and white ink.  The sentiment is from the same set and was heat embossed.  After looking at the design, I was reminded of the old saying "you've got the world by the tail".  I've also finished the inside with another sentiment and images from the set.

The team and I hope you'll visit us this month and share your inspired projects. Remember, the picture prompt can be interpreted in so many ways, so don't let that stop you and please stop by to see what my creative teamies have come up with.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Heart Quest Celebrations of Love

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Love to Craft

Crafts Galore Encore

Mirtillamente

Krafty Chicks

A Cut Above

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

The Pick 3 Challenge - #4 Apr/May 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!  It's also the 20th of the month and that means a new challenge at The Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  The element list for this month is:

The premise of the challenge is you are provided with 6 elements and you choose 3 to create with.  For my 3 elements, I've chosen to use Friend, Feminine and Pastel.  I've also shopped my stash for the pretty patterned papers, sentiment sets and floral puffy stickers.

Following a free sketch from Cardz TV (you can find the sketches HERE), I've created a feminine birthday card.  When you're short on time, sketches are great and this card was quick to assemble.

Please pop over to The Pick 3 Challenge and see what my teamies have created with their 3 elements, and then please join us!  Have a creative day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

 

The Classic Design Challenge - Apr/May 2026

Hi Friends and Welcome Back!  Today starts a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog and our talented sponsor is Cute Bee Digis. They have generously provided the team with images for our projects and I've colored this very sweet digital image from the Furry Friends Digital Set.  

The coloring was done using Copic Alcohol Markers, the patterned paper is from an Echo Park Pet themed 6x6 pad.  The focal image has been die cut using a nesting hexagon die from Hero Arts, and popped on foam pads.  The sentiment is from a Pet themed stamp set by Maymay Made It.

I love this image; she is gorgeous and her pup is precious!  And not difficult to color, especially when you leave the pup "white".  My mother had a white Poodle named Ginger, and this pup reminded me of her. 

We hope you'll join in the challenge and share your creative projects.  We love seeing everyone's inspiring creations.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Art Wednesday

Digi Choosday

Crafty Animals

Critter Crazy

Unicorn Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Polkadoodles

Crafty Catz

Pattie's Creations

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Apr/May 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  It's time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog and we have a very pretty optional inspiration photo to get the creativity flowing:

I've taken my inspiration straight from the photo and using the "Kindness is the Way" digital stamp set from Power Poppy (which is a FREE set for everyone, thanks Power Poppy!), I've created a cheerful all-occasion card.

I've colored the Gerbera Daisies using Copic Alcohol markers and die cut the focal panel and insert using stitched nesting dies from Kat Scrappiness.  I wanted to create a 3-D effect so the inner panel has been popped on foam pads and carefully placed back into the center, matching everything up.

The sentiment is a pre-made foiled die cut from Pink Fresh Studio and it has been popped on foam pads also.  I've added a few water droplet embellishments around the sentiment but they are hard to see on the busy panel.

We hope you'll pop over to the Challenge and play along.  The inspiration photo is optional, so be inspired and have fun creating.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspiration

Crafty Gals Corner

Passion for Markers

Art Nudge - Daisies 426D 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

CD Sunday +

Stamping Sensations

The Inspiration Station Challenge - April 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday!  Today signals a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog, where challenge themes are based on an inspirational picture and you interpret it your own way.  Our photo this month is:

I was directly inspired by the bright yellow rain boots and decided on a bright and cheerful card design.  My card features an adorable Bee from Amanda Jayne Designs (sadly, no longer in business) with patterned papers from the "Bee Happy" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park. 

I've colored this cutie using Copic Alcohol Markers and went with a square card design.  I've die cut the focal and mat using nesting oval dies from Hero Arts, the sentiment is a cut apart from the paper pad and I've rounded the corners with a corner punch.

The focal image and sentiment have been popped on foam pads and I've added gold sequins from my stash for that something extra.  The papers in this pad are lovely and I think this little bee is perfect for Springtime.  

The team and I hope you'll "buzz" over to the Challenge and play along this month.  We're always delighted to see everyone's creative interpretations of the inspiration photo.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Let's Craft and Create

All Sorts

Love Those Pretty Papers

Polkadoodles

Pattie's Creations

Color Dare Challenge #697

Craft Rocket

Paper Funday Challenge #86 - April 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy April 1st, also known as April Fool's Day here in the States. This year is moving along at record speed and I hope you're experiencing the full effects of Spring.  

Today begins a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and we have 2 amazing and generous sponsors:  Birch Press Design and Newton's Nook Designs.  The Challenges are Always Anything Goes with an Optional Twist.  The twist this month is Die Cuts/Punches.  

For my team project, I've used the Tulips Stamp Set from Newton's Nook and also included die cuts to tie the optional twist into my design.

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Tri-blend Alcohol Markers; I should have used the Copics as these markers are drying out and probably need to be put in the bin.  The plaid paper is from the "Summer Splash" 6x6 paper pad by Pink & Main, the fancy edged nesting oval dies are from Hero Arts, the enamel dots and string are from my stash,

The sentiment and main focal panel have been popped on foam pads for dimension.  I think this card just sings SPRING!  We hope you'll stop by the Challenge and join us this month by sharing your creative and inspiring makes.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Fab 'n Funky Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspiration

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Moving Along with the Times

Passion for Markers

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Dream Valley Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

I Spy with My Little Eye

The Pick 3 Challenge - March/April 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Friday! It's the 20th of the month and time for a new challenge at The Pick 3 Challenge Blog, where you're given 6 elements and you create something using at least 3 of those elements.  The element list for this month is:

For my design team project, I've chosen the Wings, Stripes and Slimline elements for my card.  In my stash I found Dragonfly 3-D die cuts, and I've used the Watercolor Stripes Stencil and Distress Oxide inks for the stripes.

Before adhering the Dragonflies on the stenciled panel, I've splattered with black Posca Pen and let dry thoroughly.  The sentiment is from the "Small Talk" Sticker pack by Tim Holtz idea-ology, and it's been adhered directly to the panel.  

The team and I hope you'll pop over to the Pick 3 Challenge and play along.  We love seeing what elements everyone has chosen and how they've used them.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Craft Rocket

Stencil Fun Challenge

Ellibelle's Garden Party

Word Art Wednesday

Try it on Tuesday

Dream Valley
613 Avenue Create

Allsorts Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

A Place to Start