Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The Pick 3 Challenge #5 - May 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  It's also the 20th of the month and that signals a new challenge at The Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  The premise of this challenge is to pick at least 3 elements from a list of 6 and create using your chosen elements.  The choices this month are:


For my design team project, I've used Blue, Plaid, Birthday and an extra element of Embossing to create a birthday card.  Do you ever purchase things and later wonder WHY did I purchase this?  That's what I was thinking when I came across a set of cute Elephant dimensional die cuts with sentiments that were living in my stash.


The patterned papers are from Scrapbook.com. the dimensional die cuts were purchased at Hobby Lobby a few years ago and the faux gems are from the stash.  Maybe this little Elephant was just waiting for a time like this to shine!


I've die cut an oval using a nesting set from My Favorite Things and embossed with the Textures 3-D folder from Penny Black, the die cuts had foam pads already so no need for more, I just added gems and a bit of Wink of Stella inside his ears and called this card complete.  

We hope you'll join us at The Pick 3 Challenge and share your creative makes using your elements.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:
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Labels: cardmaking, papercrafting

Friday, May 15, 2026

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:
Unicorn Challenge - something new is the digital image



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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:
Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Floral, Free, White
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

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




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Monday, May 4, 2026

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:


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