Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Tie Dye Happy Birthday

 Happy Wednesday, the week is half gone with the weekend in sight.  Today's make and share features stamping, heat embossing, die cutting and ink blending.


The images with matching dies are from the Gina K. Designs "Forever Flowers" card kit.  I created my own funky tie dye background by heat embossing in white and ink blending with distress oxide inks.  I die cut a large bloom and popped up on foam pads along with the sentiment strip and die cut "birthday". 

Cheerful and colorful..of couse LOL.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Grumpy Gus and Stella

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Todays card features the Bugaboo Digi Stamp Stella and Gus Tidbits. I created this A2 card for the Catch the Bug Blog so stop by today to see other inspirational projects using Bugaboo images from the Bugaboo Design Team!


I kept the design very simple, only using a few colors with a piece of twine as an embellishment.  The image was colored with Specrum Noir Alcohol Markers.

Stop by Catch the Bug to see what's going on and check out the Saturday Weekly Challenge as well as the Sunday Sketch Challenge.  We would love to have you!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Monday, March 29, 2021

Inspiration Challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Hello and Happy Monday!  Today is the 5th Monday of the Month and that means a Themed Challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies.  It's an Inspiration Challenge this week and the intrepretation of the Cue is your own and how it inspires you is unique to you.  

For my design team project, I was inspired by the Rainbow in the Photo (2nd pic below) and thinking of Spring, I created the following A2 sized card that features ink blending and die cutting.


With Inks from Gina K. Designs, I blended out a Rainbow panel and mounted an intricate die cut on top.  I then popped up on foam pads and placed on an embossed panel.  I heat embossed a sentiment from the new Spellbinders "Wonderful Spring" stamp set, die cut with a stitched circle die and mounted on foam pads.  Using Baker's Twine and Sequins from my stash, I completed the design.  

Please join us this week at Pammie's Inky Pinkies.  We would love to see your intrepretaion of the inspiration photo and learn how it inspires you.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Make the Cards  #mtcc10 #makethecardchallenge
Double Trouble - also entered previous partner Crafting Happiness





 




Sunday, March 28, 2021

Bunny and Friends Celebrate Spring

Hello and Happy Sunday.  The weekend is slowly coming to a close but before the night gets any later, I wanted to share a make from today's power crafting session.  This A2 card was created with die cuts, stamps, designer papers and embellishements from the Spellbinders March 2021 "Celebrate Spring" card kit.


This months' card kit was chocked full of fun things to play with:  a 6x6 paper pad, die cuts, stamp set, dies, embellishments, puffy stickers.  When using card kits, I generally create clusters with different elements.  I used a tag die set to create a panel for the focal images and a sentiment tag.  The sentiment was part of the stamp set in this months' kit.  I embossed the large tag with a dandelion embossing folder and lightly inked with Tattered Rose Distress Oxide Ink.  

I created a scene with the bunny along with his buttterfly and songbird friends.  I mounted the focal tag and butterfly with foam pads, added some tiny gold heart embellishments and a bow made from Fun Stampers Journey Marigold Twine.  

I plan on sending this card to a swap buddy, to wish her a Happy Spring and to let her know I cherish her friendship.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:








Saturday, March 27, 2021

Easter Daffodils

Good Saturday to you!  Easter is fast approaching and today's make and share features beautiful Daffodils, Ink Blending and Alcohol Marker coloring.


My card measures 5" square, the image and sentiment stamps are from the Gina K. Designs Forever Flowers card kit.  I embossed and ink blended a panel with Distress Oxide Inks in shades of blue, colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, cut a banner for the sentiment, added enamel dots and twine for a finishing touch.

Daffodils are a sure sign of Spring and as a child, I always knew when I saw them pop up, it would be time to go shop for a new Easter Dress.  Have a Great Day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Thursday, March 25, 2021

With Love, Butterfly

Hello and Happy Thursday!  The weekend is right over that hill and in sight...what a nice feeling to know I will have some extra time this weekend for crafting!  Today is a simple make using elements from the Spellbinders March 2021 "Welcome Spring" card kit.


My simple design started by laying gray card and designer paper, adding a dimensional butterfly die cut, stamping and die cutting the sentiment banner.  The final touch was adding yellow gems for a bit of sparkle.  The card, DSP, butterfly, gems, sentiment stamp and die - all from the kit.  

A design with few elements and 1 patterned paper..understated by my standards but I like the final outcome.

Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Inspired By - Inspired by the Colors
The Card Concept - Using CAS Style, Inspired by the Butterfly



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Monochrome Hello Friend

 Hello and Happy Wednesday and I hope you've had a lovely day.  It's early evening as I type this post and I'm sharing a Monochrome Friendship Card created with the Gina K. Designs Forever Flowers Stamp set which is part of the Forever Flowers Card Kit.


I love color but was inspired to create a Black and White card after watching a Gina K. You Tube Video.  Her card was stunning so I wanted to give it a go.  I stamped the images with Versafine ink, die cut with the matching dies; which are part of the kit, and arranged all on a die cut oval panel.  I die cut two card panels with Kat Scrappiness Stitched Rectangle Dies, embossed the white panel with a Brick embossing folder, added clear gems and a gingham ribbon.  That completed this Monochromatic card; I do like the final result.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:


  


Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Amazing Just As You Are

 Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today's card is a quick and easy make using elements from the Spellbinders February 2021 "Let Your Heart Soar" card kit.  


This kit contains so many cute and useful elements.  I often say when I'm low on inspiration and/or short on time, I reach for a card kit.  It enables me to stay creative and often times jump starts my Mojo.  

I created a cluster using a chipboard frame and placing a piece of Vellum behind it.  I layered die cuts, a small puffy heart and sequins along with a sentiment.  I cut a strip of gold mirror card, embossed it and accented the left side.  That completed my design; I think the Little Fairy is the star of the Show!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra

Monday, March 22, 2021

An Ink Blended "Hello"

Happy Monday!  Today was a busy day but I managed to create this simple yet colorful ink blended card using a Tim Holtz Flowering Stencil, Distress Oxide Inks and a Die Cut Sentiment.


I love this stencil however it doesn't cover the entire front of an A2 sized card so I made a panel from it and mounted on a black mat.  I ink blended with Wilted Violet, Faded Jeans and Twisted Citron Distress Oxide Inks and cut the "Hello" from a die I have in my stash.  I die cut 3 times and layered them to give a chipboard-like thickness.  The final touch was adding sequins from the stash.

Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Sunday, March 21, 2021

LuLu Bee

 Hello and Happy Sunday!  It's a dreary and Cold (for Florida) today so it's a great day to spend crafting with a hot cup of coffee.  Today I am sharing a card I created using the LuLu Bee digital image by Paper Nest Dolls.


I received the image by playing along in the Outlawz Progressive/Freebie Challenge. the designer papers are from the Fred She Said Painterly Pastels digital paper pack and I colored the image with Sepctrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  I will be featuring the Painterly Pastel papers in an upcoming project; the papers here are what I had left over.

The sentiment is from the new Spellbinders "Wonderful Spring" Monthly Stamp Club and to finish off the design, I added sequins and Baker's Twine from my stash.

Have a Wonderful day and until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Bunny Block Trio - Bugaboo Saturday Challenge

Hello and Welcome to Saturday.  It's Challenge Day at the Bugaboo Stamps Catch the Bug Blog and today's theme is B-I-N-G-O.  For my design team project, I've colored up the Bunny Block Trio digi stamp and Bingo'd 1 way:  No Designer Paper, Bugaboo Image and Green.



I colored the image using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and created an Ink Blended Background with Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide Ink, Water and White Acrylic Paint splatters.  The sentiment was heat embossed using Hero Arts White Sparkle embossing powder with a few sequins and Baker's Twine finishing off the design. 

Please stop by the Catch the Bug Blog today and play along in the B-I-N-G-O challenge.  We hope to inspire you with our designs and would love to see your entries.

Until Next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Friday, March 19, 2021

Violet Can - Bugaboo's Friday Freebie

 Hello and Happy Fri-YAY!  It's Freebie Day at Bugaboo Stamps Catch the Bug Blog and I'm featuring the Violet Watering Can image for this week.  The image should be available today Free for All.


I've created a Birthday Greetings Card, colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers,  The designer paper is from the Die Cuts with a View "Stack 9" 12x12 paper pad.  A few sequins and Baker's Twine finish off the card.

Please stop by the Catch the Bug Blog today for the image and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges.  

Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Colour Crazy Challenge - Oddball Art

Hello and Happy Friday!  It's finally the start of a great weekend and time for a new challenge at Colour Crazy Craft Challenges.  The theme is Anything Goes and our generous sponsor this week is Oddball Art.  For my design team project this week, I had to color up Monday Morning by Oddball Stamps.


Frazzled Fran is feeling the Monday Morning Blues and this image just spoke to me as I am truly one of "those people"....don't speak to me until I've had my first cuppa :)

This image set comes with 3 different sentiments.  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, the designer papers are from a Alina Crafts paper stack and for a final touch I added sequins from my stash.

Please join us this week at Colour Crazy Craft Challenge with your projects.  We hope to inspire you with ours and would love to see yours.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Theodore Shamrocks and Friend

Happy St. Patrick's Day!   It's Humor Me Wednesday at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog and to celebrate the day, I'm sharing my blog project using the Theodore Shamrocks digital image available at Bugaboo Digital Stamps.


I've colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, the designer papers are from a digital paper pack and the sentiment is from an older Hero Arts Set.  For a finishing touch, I've added Gold Sequins.  Theodore and his Friend are ready for St. Patty's Day, Corned Beef and Cabbage!

Have a Great Day and until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Color Throwdown #colorthrowdown


Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Shamrock Love

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  On the Eve of St. Patrick's Day, I thought it appropriate to share a themed card; perhaps a mexied media project...I'm really not sure what mixed media is but I used an ink smooshing technique, a die cut, twine, enamel dots, a sentiment stamp and paint splatters.  Does that count?


I'll be back tomorrow with a cute St, Patrick's Day card, until then Happy Crafting!
Donna

P.S.  I want to mention a new challenge blog that is based on Inspiration Cues.  It's the Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and Challenge #2 has started.  The challenges start the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month so please visit and get inspired!

**Challenges Entered:





Monday, March 15, 2021

April Showers Promise

Hello and Happy Monday!  Today begins a new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies with a theme of Anything Goes.  The sponsor this week is Jan's Digital Stamps and I had the pleasure of using an image from the April Showers Promise digital pack.


This is a gorgeous image and was fun to color.  I went crazy with a Spring Theme and lots of cheerful Yellow.  The Wellies set the tone and I went with it!  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, designer papers from the American Crafts "Everyday" 6x6 paper pad, sentiment from the new Spellbinders "Wonderful Spring" Stamp Set and card candy dots from my stash.

Please join us the week at Pammie's Inky Pinkies and enter your creation for a chance to win a prize from Jan's Digial Stamps.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Reverse Confetti #SYSChallenge




Inspiration Station Challenge #2

Hello and Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was awesome and your week will be even better!  Today begins a new challenge at the Inspiration Station challenge Blog.  The theme is always based on an Inspiration Cue and today's cue features a dog and kittens.  From the photo, I was inspired to create this A2 size card:




The photo is adorable however it stumped me because I really don't have Dog or Cat stamps in my stash.  I have one stamp set but it wasn't inspiring me.  Then it came to me!  I created a Mini album a few years ago and had some papers and die cuts left.  So I dug out the left overs from the Kaiser Crafts "Pawfect - Dog" 12x12 set and started creating.

I designed a Cluster of die cuts, used Glossy Accents, Sequins and Twine to compete the card.  I still have plenty of left over paper and embellishments for a few more projects.  Nothing like going through stash to find inspiration.  Please join us at The Inspiration Station these next 2 week.  We would love to see how you are inspired by the photo.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Be Awesome Today!

 Good Sunday to you and I hope you are well.  In the States, we changed our time and "Sprung Ahead" for Daylight Savings Time.  I'm feeling that hour of lost sleep so today's post is a quick one.  

I was inspired by the butterflies I saw fluttering about this morning as I sat on the deck and had coffee.  I created this card using die cuts and the "Small Talk" sentiment strips by Tim Holtz.


The die cuts and patterned paper are from the Spellbinders May 2020 "All the Little Things" card kit.  I added some Gold Stickles for a bit of shine and called this card complete.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Let Your Colours Shine

Hello and Happy Saturday!  Today's make and share features elements from the Spellbinders "Unicorn Dreams" card kit.


After a very productive, crafty Thursday, I had some creativity left on Friday but didn't feel like getting too involved with ink blending, embossing, stamping, picking out patterned papers and coloring.  This is where the card kit came in.  I love using card kits when feeling creative but short on time or not feeling like a lot of product use.  The great thing about a kit is all the elements match so all is needed is putting a design together...easy peasy.  

Have a great day and until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Friday, March 12, 2021

Find Your Song

Good Day and Happy Fri-YAY!  The week flew by and we're counting the Days until Spring.  Today's make and share is my take on a Simple Design and features ink blending with simple stamping.  


I wanted to create a simple card where the ink blending was the star.  Using a stencil and Distress Inks, I created a soft sky full of fluffy clouds.  I stamped a Cherry Blossom Branch and bird with a sweet sentiment - all from an older Gina K. Designs Stamp Set titled "Birds & Blossoms 2".  I'm not certain if the set is still available for purchase on the Gina K. Designs online shoppe, I purchased throught eBay.

Have a blessed day and great weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:









Thursday, March 11, 2021

Happy Spring Robin

Hello and Happy Thursday!  Spring is around the corner (Daylight Savings time this weekend) and I'm ready for that extra of hour of Daylight in the evenings.  My share today features a Cheerful Robin Red Breast; a sign of Spring, and he is singing his Welcome Spring Song. 

The card measures 5" square, features masking, ink blending, alcohol marker coloring and the Beautiful Birds Stamp set with coordinating dies from Gina K. Designs.  This style of card is different for me as I tend to make A2 sized cards with lots of layers and patterned paper.  It's fun to step outside your box once in a while - I like how this card turned out...I see more of this style in my future.

Don't forget to "Spring Ahead" 1 hour this weekend....Spring is Coming!  Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
As You Like It - I prefer to Die Cut with Fussy Cutting coming in at Second Favorite Way to Cut
Double D Challenges - Inspiration is the colors from A Thousand Years to Wait







Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Chocolate Fantasy

 Hello and Happy Wednesday!  It's Humor Me Wednesday at Bugaboo Stamps Catch the Bug Blog and I'm featuring Ruby today.  She's dreaming of Chocolate and she requests no interruptions!


I've used the Ruby Do Not Disturb digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps for my Inspiration Project today.  I colored her up using my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and designer papers from my stash.  A few added sequins for a bit of bling and this card was completed.  It's a simple design and cute for any occasion.

Please stop by the Blog today to see what other images are being featured and remember to enter in the Saturday Challenge each week.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Tuesday, March 9, 2021

All The Little Things You Do Mean So Much

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I hope your day was terrific; it's now evening as I type this and this day flew by, however I wanted to share this sweet card created using elements from a Card Kit, Die Cuts and a Lovely Sentiment.


I created this A2 sized All Occasion Note card using elements from the "All the Little Things" May 2020 Spellbinders Card Kit .  This kit has lovely die cuts, a gorgeous die, sequins a stamp set, colored cardstock, dimensional embellishments, etc.  I chose this particular sentiment because of it's sweetness; perfect for a Thank You or Thinking of You card.  For a finishing touch, I added Fun Stampers Journey Twine in the color Whip Cream.  

Thanks for visiting today.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:





Sunday, March 7, 2021

Hello Friend

 HappySunday to You.  Today is a quick post featuring a beautiful butterfly and an ink smooshed background.


This is my take on a Clean and Simple design.  I love designer paper and pattern but every now and then I like to experiment with a simplier design.  This card features a butterfly and sentiment from the Gina K. Designs "Beautiful Butterflies" stamp set designed by Melanie Muenchinger.

To create the background, I added color to a stamping block using Arteza Real Brush Markers, spritzed with water and "stamped" on 110 lb. card.  To complete the card, I added ink splatters and card candy dots.  It developed into a lovely Friendship card.

Until Next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:






Saturday, March 6, 2021

Lady Gnome Leprechauns Rule!

Hello and Happy Saturday Evening!  Wow...I had a great crafting day..all alone for several blissful hours so I took advantage and created several cards I will be featuring this week.

One of the cards today is this Sweet Lady Gnome Leprechaun bearing a Top Hat full of 4 Leaf Clovers.  I love to craft for seasons and Holidays, even though many may not recognize or celebrate, it's a reason for me to get creative.  A majority of my cards go to Sending Smiles to Seniors and Card Swaps so I'm always in need of seasonal cards.


Gnomes are currently my "thing" so when I came across a set of these Gnomes on Creative Fabrica (I have a monthly membership), I couldn't resist.  The designer papers are from my St. Patrick's Day crafting last year, the sentiment is from an older Hero Arts set and the banner and oval were die cut from old Simon Says Stamp dies.

Tomorrow is another creative day!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Friday, March 5, 2021

Let Your Dreams Take Flight

 Hello and Happy Friday!  It's been a busy day however I did manage to squeeze an hour of crafting time in this afernoon.  When I 'm short on time but have some inspiration and energy, I reach for card kits.  I really love the Spellbinders Card Kits as they are jam packed with die cuts, papers, embellishments, dies, stamps...all the things needed to create beautiful cards on the quick.


The elements are part of the Spellbinders February 2021 "Let Your Heart Soar" card kit.  There are some beautiful elements in this kit so I sat down and played around with a layout until I had something I was pleased with.  I used a die I had in my stash to create a background of Gold for the Cluster of die cuts.  This card is so Springtime...and I'm sure many of us are ready for Spring.  Even though I live in Florida, I, too, am ready for the budding of flowers, trees and bsuhes and let's not forget warm pool water!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The Paper Funday Challenges - March 2021 Challenge

Hello and Happy Wednesday!  It's the 1st Wednesday of March and that means a new challenge has started at The Paper Funday Challenges.  The theme this month is Anything Goes with Optional Twist of Irish Luck (Add the Color Green).  We have 2 wonderful sponsors this month, Vectoria Designs and QKR Stampede.

For my design team project, I used the Queen Bees Digital Paper Pack from Vectoria Designs to create a Vintage Inspired Friendship Card in A2 size and Landscape orientation.  


The papers in the pack are gorgeous.  I selected a few images to highlight then die cut panels using Spellbinders dies and fussy cut images to bring all the elements together.  Finishing touches include ceating depth with foam pads, a simple twine bow, a copper charm embellishment, Vintage Photo distress ink to distress the edges and Gelly Roll Sparkle Pen for a bit of shine.

We hope you will join in the fun this month at The Paper Funday Challenges.  We would love to see your creations and hope to inspire you with ours.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna  

**Challenges Entered:




Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The Luck of the Irish with Colorburst Powders

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today is a short post featuring a St. Patrick's Day card created with Ken Oliver Crafts Colorburst Powders, Water and Die Cuts.


I created my background and side panel using the Colorburst Powders sprinkled on watercolor card and spritzed with water.  I added powders and water until I was happy with the result.  For the Panel, I did the same technique but sprinkled the powders and spritzed the water over a stencil to get the abstract Plaid look.  

I layered some leaf die cuts, stamped the sentiment from an older Hero Arts set, added sequins and Fun Stampers Journey Twine as a finishing touch.  A bright and cheery St. Patrick's Day card...it's March after all and we all could use a bit of the Ole Irish Luck!

I would also like to mention a new Craft Challenge that started on the 1st of March.  It's a Bi-Weekly Inspiration Challenge so please stop by, take a look, follow and enter your inspired project at Inspiration Station

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Double Trouble