Getting to Know Polka Dot Orchard Instagram Hop

Hi Crafty Friends! Today the Creative Team from Polka Dot Orchard is having a "Get to Know Us" Instagram Hop.  There is a $15 Gift Voucher Prize for digital products in the Polka Dot Orchard Shop so you'll want to join in the fun!  The Hop starts at 12 noon EST with the 1st Stop on the Hop found HERE.

For my team project, I've used the Note to Self digital image to create a cluster card.  I have loads of ephemera in my stash and thought I should use some of it.  I wasn't in the mood to create a mixed media journal page but thought the ephemera would be nice on a card.

In my mind, she is relaxing and nourishing her soul with thoughts of her past travels and dreams of future plans.  She's wearing a comfy set of Joggers, having a hot brew.  I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers and fussy cut the image.

I've ink blended the background panel using It's a Boy blue ink from Catherine Pooler.  I've arranged the ephemera, adhering to the panel with liquid adhesive and popped the image on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, I've added clear and black gems for added interest.  

We hope your Hop along with us, the creative team have created some lovely projects and this is our way of introducing ourselves to you.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Fingers

Pattie's Creations

SSS Wed Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Crafty Catz

Paperbabe

TTCRD

Altenew Blossoming Creativity Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes)

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  I've got a post today that's jammed packed full of crafty goodness!  I'm honored to be invited as a stop on the Altenew "Blossoming Creativity" Blog Hop, so let's get started!

My projects today feature sets from the Just Imagine Stamps, Dies, Embossing Folders and More Release found HERE.

Card #1 was created using the Cherry Blossoms Bunch Complete Bundle. This bundle includes the stamp set, coordinating dies and 2 piece stencils for easy coloring.  I've used shades of pinks for the florals and did a ghost stamp on the background panel using Altenew Silver Lake Crisp Die Ink.

Card #2 features the Bloom With Grace complete Bundle.  I've colored the image with Alcohol Markers, embossed a panel using the Altenew Rows of Squares 3-D embossing folder (after embossing, I cut the panel at an angle so the squares would appear as diamonds) then accented with a strip of gold mirror card and black twine.

Card #3 showcases the new Triangle Madness Die Set and Versatile Greetings Hot Foil Plate Set with matching Dies.  I love Geometric shapes for masculine cards and this card was a quick and fun make using colored card scraps.

 

Card #4 appears difficult to create but it's as simple as blending a panel and cutting the cover die.  I've been experiementing with non-traditional holiday colors this year and I loved how these colors complimented each other.  I've used the Geo Tiles Cover Die, Holiday Greetings Hot Foil Plate Set and Coordinating Die Set.  Wow, I love Hot Foiling and Splattering!

Card #5 features a more traditional holiday color palette.  It was a quick make and the candy cane syled background was so easy to create using the Altenew Stripe Builder Stencil.  I've also used the Essentials Alpha Complete Project Bundle, which consists of the foiling plates, dies and stencil set. 

Card #6 features the lovely Swallowtail Butterfly Layering Die Set.  This set gives you 3 different styles of Butterfly.  I loved dimension on cards and this Butterfly has it.  I've also used the Essentials Alpha Complete Project Bundle for the word cut.  

Giveaway Prizes: $300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 11/03/2022 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 11/04/2022. 

Blog Hop Order:

Altenew Blog

Adriana Arminio

Caly Person

Jeanette Jones

Lilith Eeckels

Michelle Short

Annemarie Caister

Betty Wright

Donna Walls 

Meghan Kennihan

Michelle Burnier

Amy Hill

Bridget Casey

Thanks for visiting and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Card #1

Creative Fingers

Pattie's Creations

Word Art Wednesday

Card #2

Crafty Catz

Addicted to Stamps and More

Passion for Markers

Card #3

SSS Wed Challenge

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Penny's Challenges

Creative Inspirations

Cardz 4 Guyz

Card #4

TGIF Challenges

Outlawz Festive Friday

A Very Vintage Christmas

Krafty Chicks

Fab n Funky

ABC Christmas

The Holly and the Ivy

Card #5

Hero Arts Stay Crafty

Scraps of Life Rudolph Days

A Very Vintage Christmas

As You Like It - Love images of Snowmen, Candy Canes and Elves because they remind me of a Classic Chrismas

Art Impressions

The Card Concept

Card #6

My Time to Craft

Small Wonders

Hello Everyone and Happy Tuesday!  Today I have a share using an image and sentiment from the Small Wonders digital stamp set by Polka Dot Orchard.

This image is a quick and easy color; I've used Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers to color the fun toadstools and snail.  

The papers are from the Warm & Cozy 12x12 paper stack by Jen Hadfield.  I've popped the focal image on craft foam along with the strip at the bottom.  Lastly, twine with gold thread and gems were added for extra interest.  

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Passion for Markers

Cardz 4 Guyz

TTCRD

613 Avenue Create

Ally's Angels

Sweet Stampers

QKR Stampede

WWW DT Challenge

Let's Craft and Create

Country View Crafts

3-D Paper Pumpkin at Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!  Today starts a new challenge week at Pammie's Inky Pinkies and our sponsor is The Cutting Cafe.

For my design team project, I've used the 3-D Pumpkin Template and Cutting File kindly provided by our sponsor.  I have an electronic cutting machine so I chose to use the SVG file for the pumpkin pieces but you do not need a cutting machine.  You can trace the template provided in the set and hand cut the pieces.

I wanted a very full pumpkin so I cut the Pumpkin base and 12 half pieces.  I used various patterned papers from a 12x12 paper stack from Jen Hadfield and snippets of colored card for the leaves, stem and tendril.

This 3-D pumpkin is the medium cut size; the set includes a small and large pumpkin template also.  My project measures approximately 8" in total height.  I think I will create a large and small one to compliment this pumpkin and display on my sofa table.

Please stop by Pammie's to see what my teammates have created and be inspired.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

SSS Mon Challenge

Double Trouble

Use Your Stuff

A Place to Start

INTAAS

There's a Stamp for That

Dare 2B Artsy - my favorite colors this time of year are oranges and reds

613 Avenue Create

All Sorts

Outlawz PAM

QKR Stampede

Let's Craft and Create

Country View Crafts

Frosty Winter Smiles - Sweet Tweets

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Tuesday!  Today begins a new bi-weekly challenge at the Polkadoodles Digi Choosday Challenge Blog.  My project today features the Sweet Tweets digital image from the Frosty Winter Smiles Collection.

Isn't this little guy with his birdie friend adorable?  I collect Snowman and Snowwomen images so naturally I have the Frosty Winter Smiles Collection.  It contains so many precious images that are perfect for Holiday and Winter crafting projects.

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers, the patterned paper is from the Never Ending Christmas Card Kit by Tattered Lace; the paper pack was a freebie with a U.K. Paper Crafting Magazine.  The focal panel was trimmed using a fancy edged rectangle die from Alina Craft.  

Please join us at The Digi Choosday Challenge, we enjoy seeing everyone's projects and love visiting your posts.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

The Holly and the Ivy

CD Sunday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Peace on Earth

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas

Send A Smile 4 Kids

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Friday

Krafty Chicks

As You Like It - I prefer a Traditional Christmas although I've been tempted to try Contemporary.  Traditional Christmas reminds me of my childhood and good family memories.  

Inspiration Station Challenge #40 - Harvest

Happy Monday Everyone!  I hope your weekend was lovely.  Today starts a new inspiration challenge round at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  The inspiration photo for this bi-weekly round is:

For my team project, I've used the A World of Octobers Mini Stamp Set from Picket Fence to create a fun fold card.

I was directly inspired by the pumpkins in the photo. After stamping and coloring the images using alcohol markers, I trimmed in very close to create a mini panel.  I did the same with the sentiment, which is part of this stamp set.

The patterned papers are from the "Celebrate Autumn" 6x6 paper pad from Echo Park.  I left the section behind the front fold blank as a place to write a sentiment.

To complete the design, I've added 2 shades of golden sequins.  I usually forget to create fun fold cards, mainly because I'm always trying to stay ahead of team projects, but I do love them and plan to make time to create more of them.  

Please stop by and join us at The Inspiration Station Challenge.  We always love to see how the photo inspired you.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Path of Positivity - Celebrate the Autumn Colors

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Corrosive Challenge

Dare 2B Artsy - Fav colors this time of year are reds and oranges

We Love Stamping

Stamping Sensations

Dragonfly Dreams

All Sorts

Creative Creases

There's a Stamp for That

Sweet Stampers

Hay There

Hello and Happy Sunday!  Today is a quick share for Varada Sharma Designs.  I've created a card using one of the new images from the Farm Friends Digital set, which is part of the larger "Fun Times" Release for October 2022.

 The Farm Friends Set includes this sweet Dairy Cow, a Duck and a Fluffy Sheep.  I've colored my cow using alcohol markers and the papers are from the Bo Bunny "Kiss the Cook" 6x6 paper pad.

I've followed a sketch from one of Cards by Kendra's quarterly challenges.  The sentiment is from the Moo-tiful Friends Stamp set by Not 2 Shabby.

I've added 3 black gems for sparkle and shine.  I plan to stamp a birthday greeting inside and send to my niece on her birthday next Spring.  She's in 4-H and she loves farm animals.  

That's all I have for you today.  Have a wonderful week ahead and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Crafty Animals

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Unicorn Challenge

4-Season Challenge

Passion for Markers

NBUS

Ally's Angels

   

Polkadot Orchard - Believe in Yourself

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  Today is a quick share for the Polka Dot Orchard Creative Team.  I've created a gift tag using the Believe in Yourself Digital stamp and Sentiment.

I love the sketchy drawing of the flower; Polka Dot Orchard has many images drawn in this way and they really appeal to me.  I thought the image would make a nice tag for a Thank You gift I have going out next week.

I've ink smooshed the tag, made from watercolor card, using distress inks.  I've colored, using alcohol markers, and fussy cut the Rose, apply ultrafine glitter, then splattered with white acrylic paint and adhered to the tag using foam tape.  Lastly, I've added silver sequins and black twine.  

That's all I have for today, thanks for stopping by.  I wish you a wonderful weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

QKR Stampede

WWO DT Challenge

Creative Crafters

Outlawz Crash Your Stash

Alphabet Challenge

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Passion for Markers

TTCRD

A Perfect Time to Craft

613 Avenue Create

Colour Crazy Challenge - Signs of Autumn

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  Today beings a new bi-weekly challenge round at The Colour Crazy Challenge Blog and our sponsor is Jan's Digi Stamps.  For my team project, I've colored an image from the Signs of Autumn digital set, provided by our sponsor.

I've chosen to create a Birthday card so if you have an Autumn Birthday - Happy Birthday to you.  I kept the design pretty simple, only using one sheet of designer paper from the Carta Bella "Hello Fall" 6x6 paper pad for a background panel.  To finish the design, I've added chocolate gems from Kat Scrappiness and punched the focal panel corners.

Please share your crafty and hand colored project with us at The Colour Crazy Challenge this round.  Hope to see you there and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Alphabet Challenge

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Friday

Aud Sentiments

Craft Rocket

AAA Birthday - fav technique is alcohol marker coloring

Ally's Angels

Sweet Stampers

Double Trouble

Make My Monday

Stamping Sensations

There's a Stamp for That

Fun Times Instagram Hop - Varada Sharma Designs

Hi Friends and Happy Wednesday!  Today, the team from Varada Sharma Designs is celebrating the Fun Times Release for October 2022 with an Instagram Hop.  There are (3) $10 Gift Vouchers up for Grabs.  You can find the 1st Hop Stop HERE starting at 10 AM CST (11 AM EST).

My project today features the Water Lilies Digital Image, which is part of the larger Fun Times Release.  I've chosen to create a Card of Encouragement however this lovely floral image is perfect for any occasion.  

Water Lilies belong to a family of approximately 60 species of freshwater flowering water plants. They thrive in the temperate and tropical parts of the world.  We have them growing in the Lake by our home and they are soft pink with yellow centers so I've colored mine the same. 

I've colored the florals with Prismacolor Pencils and blended using Gamsol.  The focal panel was cut using a fancy edged rectangle die from Alina Craft, the patterned paper is from the Secret Gardenia 4.5" x 7" pad by Recollections.  

I used my distressing tool from Tim Holtz to give the edges a tattered look and inked around the panel with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.  The sentiment is from the Feathered Lilies Stamp Set from Altenew and the pink gems are from Kat Scrappiness.

Please join us and Hop along for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Varada Sharma Designs online Shop.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Art Wednesday

Penny's Challenges

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

Outlawz Tuesday Colors

TTCRD

Crafty Friends

Crafts Galore Encore

Time Out Challenges

Cardz 4 Galz

Addicted to Stamps and More