inspiration Station Challenge - March 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Monday, the 1st Monday of March and time for a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Our inspiration prompt for this month is:

Aren't these Pups adorable dressed in their St. Patty's Day best?  Even though the photo is simple in it's composition, there's lots of inspiration here, and I was directly inspired by the dogs and St. Patrick's day, so I've created a card for the holiday.

Using the Pup with Balloons digital image from Bugaboo Stamps (who remembers Bugaboo?), I've used a St. Patrick's Day color palette and colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers.  As a side note, Jodi Mackrell is alive and well, she made an appearance in the Bugaboo Facebook Fan group and I was so relieved to hear from her.

I've die cut the focal panel and mat using scalloped nesting dies from Hero Arts,  the patterned paper is from my stash, the sentiment has been computer generated and popped on foam pads.  For a bit of interest, I've added a nest of gold thread from Altenew.

The team and I invite you to join us this month, we love seeing all the creative designs and how the photo inspires everyone.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

The Pick 3 Challenge #2 - Feb/Mar 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  Today begins a new challenge month at the new Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  The premise of the challenge is to take 3 of the 6 elements provided to you, and create using your choices, making sure to tell us which you've used.

  Here is the element list for this month:

For my team project, I've used Bright Colors, Flowers and Circles.  I had a shop in my stash and found some bright and cheerful floral stickers I thought be be perfect for the color and flower elements,  I've die cut 3 circles for that element and viola!  Complete!

The patterned paper is from the "Blush and Mint" 6x6 paper pad by Recollections.  The sentiment is from a Spellbinders Kit of the Month stamp set, and the sentiment strip has been popped on foam pads. 

Please stop by the Challenge and check out what my teamies have created with their Pick 3 elements, and we hope you'll play along too.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Feb/Mar 2026

Hello Friends!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  The challenges are Always Anything Floral Goes (entries must be floral focused) with an optional inspiration picture.  Following is the picture this month:

I was directly inspired by the Purple and Yellow Iris flowers in the bouquet, and I've used the Altenew Build-a-Flower Bearded Iris Layering Stamp and Coordinating Die Set for my card. To color the flowers, I've stamped each layer using Catherine Pooler and Stampin' Up inks.

The background panel has been embossed with the Mod Squares 3-D embossing folder from Altenew, and I've lightly inked around the edges of the panel using Pixie Dust light purple ink from Catherine Pooler.

To finish off the design, I've stamped the sentiment, from the stamp set, popped the strip on foam pads and adhered to the embossed panel.  Lastly. I've added lilac faux gems for that extra something special.

Please stop by the Challenge and check out the beautiful cards my teamies have created, the ladies are so talented and you'll be inspired.  We hope you'll create a floral focused project and join us this month.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

AAA Colorful
Creative Crafters

Allsorts Challenge

Can You Handle the Pressure?

Sweet Stampin'

Simply Clean & Simple

Craft Rocket

Ellibelle's Garden Party

Word Art Wednesday

Crafts Galore Encore

 

Paper Funday Challenge #84 - February 2026

Hello Friends!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog, with a theme of Always Anything Goes.  The optional twist this month is: Pastel Colors and our amazingly generous sponsors are Pretty Pink Posh and Lawn Fawn.

For my design team project, I've used the optional twist of Pastel Colors to create a Valentine's Card for my Daughter-in-law.  She loves those old farm trucks, so this card is definitely her style.

The image is from a package of farmhouse style stickers I purchased on Amazon a few years back, and recently found in my stash.  They make the cutest Valentine's Day/Spring cards because the color palette is all pastel colors.  This card was a quick and easy make and the stickers are perfect for when you're short on time or the mojo has taken a walk-about.

As I stated in my post on Monday, I'm continuing my quest of using what I have and shopping my stash.  I have so much that is tucked away, never been used and/or forgotten about.  I'll admit though, all the new Spring Releases are tempting me something awful, but I must resist LOL!

I've cut all the layers using nesting stitched dies from Kat Scrappiness, adhered the peel and stick image to the white panel and adhered all to the card base.  The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp Set, and stamped on a scalloped stitched nesting die, then popped on foam pads.  

To finish the design, I've added flat iridescent sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  The team and I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun this month.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Paper Rocks Scissors

Let's Craft and Create

Lil Red Wagon

Fab 'n Funky

Double D Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Impressions

Inspiration Station Challenge #82 - February 2026

Hello Fellow Crafters and Happy 1st Monday of February 2026!  Wow, January flew by and I have a feeling there are loads of people dreaming of spring.  Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and our optional inspiration photo are Almond Blossoms and I'd say they will be blooming in California soon.

I found some cute farmhouse themed stickers in my stash that were purchased from Amazon for a project a few years ago. I completely forgot I had them so, in my continued quest to shop my stash, I thought they would make cute Valentine's Day themed cards.  

I made this card for my sister, the papers are from the "Cute Girl" 6x6 paper pad by Crate Paper.  This pad is a few years old, I purchased it at Tuesday Morning, and they are no longer in business (thanks to COVID).  I've cut a stitched scalloped square from a set of nesting die and adhered the sticker, then cut a mint green base mat using a Hemstitch Nesting Die from Spellbinders

To finish the card design, I've added pink pearlescent flat sequins for the necessary sparkle and shine.  The focal square has been popped on foam pads for dimension.  

The team and I invite you to stop by the Challenge and join the fun.  We love seeing everyone's take on the inspiration photo, so we hope to see you there this month.

Have a fabulous day and week ahead, until next time Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Dream Valley

Neglected Stuff Challenge - stickers found in stash

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

Cards Galore Encore

Outlawz Twisted Challenge

Moving Along with the Times

Winter Friends

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I hope everyone is safe and warm, considering the Midwest and North Eastern United States are in a deep freeze! I have a quick share today featuring adorable snow friends, and considering the weather in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, I thought this card was appropriate for today.

 

The images are the Festive Penguin and Snowman from Amanda Jayne Designs. Here's a side note: Amanda Jayne Designs will stop selling on the 31st of January, so now is the time to get her images before she retires.

The images have been colored using Copic Alcohol Markers, and the focal panel has been cut using a fancy edged circle die from Spellbinders. The patterned papers are from a winter 6x6 paper pad from Ink 'n Splatter and the sentiment is from a Pink and Main Set.

I've popped the focal panel and sentiment on foam pads and before mounting the focal panel, I've splattered it using Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen White ink to replicate snowfall.

That's all from me today.  I hope everyone that's affected by the winter storm stays safe and warm, keep hot beverages on standby.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Inkspirational

Love Those Pretty Papers

Polkadoodles

Gem of a Craft Challenge

Digi Choosday

Double D Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Crafty Gals Corner

Passion for Markers

Double Trouble

The NEW Pick 3 Challenge - Jan/Feb 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  There's a new challenge in Blogland and it's The Pick 3 Challenge.  The premise of the challenge is to pick at least 3 elements out of the 6 given and create using them.  Challenge are monthly, always starting on the 20th of the month.  Today is the 1st challenge and the element board contains some fun ideas:

 

For my team project, I've used Fun Fold, Stencil and Layers for my elements to create a Valentine's card for dear hubby.  The stencil is "Swirling Hearts" from Creative Expressions, the fun fold is the Double Gatefold and I've followed instructions by Eva Deitz, and the layers are from patterned paper panels, a layered sentiment and card folds.

To make the card a bit more masculine, I went with a black, white and red color palette.  I've inked around the stenciled panel with Black Soot Distress Ink and the patterned papers are snippets from a Carta Bella pad.

The sentiment is a die cut with shadow from Kat Scrappiness.  I used a vellum shadow so the sentiment wouldn't blend into the background.  Lastly, I've added 3 red sequins and Wink of Stella on the sentiment.  I thought adding a bit of sparkle to hubby's Valentine's card wasn't too feminine.  He probably won't even notice!

The team and I hope you'll pop over to the Pick 3 Challenge and join us.  You have a month to join in, and you can enter 6 original designs.  Any craft is welcome, as long as it contains at least 3 of the 6 elements provided.  We hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Stencil Fun Challenge
2. Art Nudge - hearts from 0126D
3. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
4. Aud Sentiments
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
6. All Sorts
7. Crafty Catz
8. Creative Fingers
9. Creative Creases Challenge
10. Crafter's Cafe

The Classic Design Challenge #01-2026 - Jan/Feb '26

Hello Friends and Welcome Back.  It's time for a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog and our generous sponsor this month is Pattie's Creations and the optional Twist this month is: Use Circles. For my team project, I've went with a Valentine's Day theme, and colored the Hearts and Flowers Digital Stamp from Pattie's.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers, the patterned paper is from the "Blush and Mint" 6x6 paper pad by Recollections, the sentiment is from the "Friendship Greetings" Stamp Set by Kat Scrappiness.

I've die cut the focal image using a nesting circle die from Kat Scrappiness. Lastly, I've added flat backed holographic sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and added Wink of Stella to the pink hearts.  The sentiment has been heat embossed and popped on foam pads, as well as the focal image.

I hope you'll pop over to the challenge and see what my teamies have created using images so generously provided by Pattie's Creations, and we hope you'll play along too!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Pattie's Creations

Dragonfly Dreams

We Love Stamping

Polkadoodles

The Dream Factory

Sisterhood of Crafters

Digi Choosday

Passion for Markers

A Place to Start

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Jan/Feb '26

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  It's the 15th of the month and time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  We have a cheery inspirational picture (always optional) that features the January Flower of the Month - Carnations.

The inspiration picture had me thinking of Valentine's Day, but I chose to create a Card of Encouragement for a friend who's experiencing a tough time of it lately.  I've used the Best Flowers Stamp Set from Gina K. Designs and patterned papers from the "Havanna" 6x6 paper pad by Prima Marketing, and I've colored the floral using Copic markers.

After coloring the image, I've fussy cut it and adhered to a panel that's been embossed using a Park Lane embossing folder that my sister-in-law sent me for Christmas.  The sentiment is from a digital set that I've had in my sentiment stash, just waiting for the right card.  The sentiment has been popped on foam pads.

Lastly, I've added pink faux gems to accent the sentiment, and called this card complete.  I do hope it brings a bit of comfort to my friend.  

I hope you'll pop over to the challenge and see all the beautiful cards my teamies have created, and play along with us too.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Crafters

Ally's Angels

Girlz Creative Crafts

Word Art Wednesday

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Creative Inspirations

Art Nudge - Flowers from 0126C

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Make My Monday

Girlz Rebel Challenge

Let's Chill

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was nice and you found time to do something you like. I enjoyed some crafty time and created a few cards along with working on a crocheted scarf, which I'm half way to completion.  

Today, my card features the "Chill" digital stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I've colored this cutie using Copic Alcohol Markers, and the patterned papers are from the "Whispers of Winter" 6x6 paper pad by Ink 'n Splatter. 

I've used a nesting arch die set from Hero Arts to cut the focal image and mat, then popped on foam pads for dimension.  The sentiment is included with the image, and I've printed it with the resized image.

Lastly, I've added Crystal Stickles to his hat pom pom and the cold breath steam, it's just nearly impossible to capture the sparkle on camera.  

That's all for me today.  I wish you a fantastic week, and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Make My Monday

CD Sunday +

Stamping Sensations - "B" for Boy

We Love Stamping

613 Avenue Create

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Polkadoodles

Pattie's Creations

Pearly Sparkles

Pammie's Inky Pinkies