Cownt Your Blessings

Happy Sunday Friends!  I hope your weekend is going well and you've had time for fun.  We are off to meet my younger brother and his bride for lunch at the lake.  My SIL has recently returned from a Girl's trip to Greece and Italy so I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.

I have a quick share for you today featuring another stamp set that was resting in my stash, never been used and I have no explanation why.  It's the "Cownt Your Blessings" Stamp Set from Artful Angel.  

I've colored this sweet Highland Cow using Copic Alcohol Markers, fussy cut and popped on foam pads.  The patterned papers are from a "Basics" paper pad by Recollections.  The sentiment is included in the stamp set and has been heat embossed.

I've used "torn spiral paper" dies from Globeland for 2 of the mats and Red Dazzles added for sparkle and shine.  I rarely create a card without using Dazzles. Gems or Enamel Dots.  I suppose that's my "thing"  What's your "Go-to" embellishment?

That's all for today.  Have a blessed Sunday and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Little Patch of Crafty Friends
2. 613 Avenue Create
3. Crafty Animals
4. Mirtillamente
5. Snarky Stampers
6. Word Art Wednesday
7. Digi Choosday
8. A Place to Start
9. Sparkles Monthly Challenge
   
10. Creative Moments
    
11. Creative Crafting Uncles
    
12. Creative Crafters
    

The Pick 3 Challenge - #8 Aug/Sep 2026

Hello Crafty Friends!  I hope you're staying cool in the pool, at the beach or in your craft space. We've been under extreme heat warning for several days so I go to Aqua Fitness Class in the morning and stay indoors the remainder of the day.

Today begins a new challenge month at The Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  The premise of the challenge is to choose at least 3 of the 6 provided elements and create using your choices.  The elements list for this month is:

 For my project, I've used the Insect, Stamping and Orange elements to create a card with a fun Caterpillar (or worm).  I've used the "Chompy" Stamp and coordinating die set from Your Next Stamp and colored this adorable insect using Copic Alcohol Markers. 

Unfortunately, Your Next Stamp closed shop in June 2024 and I'm embarrassed to admit this is the 1st time I've inked this stamp up.  It's amazing what one will find while digging through the stash!

The patterned paper are snippets from my scrap box, the image and sentiment are on foam pads and I've added black Dazzles to complete the design.

The team and I invite you to stop by the Challenge and play along.  Please help us spread the word about our challenge, we would love to see lots of creative entries this month.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Tic-Tac-Toe - Insect, Gems, Free
2. Creative Inspiration
3. Ellibelle's Garden Party
4. Word Art Wednesday
5. Digi Choosday
6. TIOT - Song: Fuzzy Little Caterpillar Nursery Song
7. Cupcake Inspirations
8. Dream Valley
9. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
10. Creative Knockouts - Fav embellies are Dazzles and Wink of Stella!

Beach More, Worry Less!

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!  I've been staying indoors, away from the dangerous heatwave we've been experiencing, and creating cards so I have a quick share for you today. 

I've colored up the "Look Out Beaches" vintage Bathing Beauty image from Unity Stamps using Copic Alcohol Markers.  The background was ink blended using a cloud stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.

The patterned paper is from a summer themed paper pad by Echo Park, and I only have snippets of it left.  The focal image has been die cut using a distressed edge nesting arch die from Globeland.

I've kept everything flat for mailing purposes as she's making her way to England, and postal rates have risen so drastically that I'm forced to stay away from my beloved foam pads for overseas happy mail!  Lastly, I've added pink Dazzles because...why not?

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Dragonfly Dreams

Sweet Stampin'

Love Those Pretty Papers

Creative Friday

Cardz 4 Galz

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Crafty Gals Corner

The Classic Design Challenge for Aug/Sep 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog, where the theme is Always Anything Goes with an optional Twist.  The Twist this month is: Use Die Cuts.  We also have 2 sponsors - Sheepski Designs and Fred, She Said.

For my design team project, I've colored the Tea Cup Pansies digital stamp from Fred, She Said using Copic Alcohol Markers.

I've die cut the focal image, mat and sentiment using distressed edge nesting label dies.  A die cut bow from Simon Says Stamp was added, the plaid and gold sparkle paper are from 6x6 paper pads by Recollections.  The sentiment is from a oldie but goodie stamp set by The Scrapbooking Queen. 

The team and I invite you to pop over to the Challenge and play along.  We love seeing everyone's creative shares and hope to inspire you with ours.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Pattie's Creations

Passion for Markers

TIOT

Unicorn Challenge

Cupcake Inspirations

A Perfect Time to Craft

Cards Galore Encore

The Crafting Challenge

Moving Along with the Times

First Cup Challenges

 

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge for Aug/Sep 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy August 15th!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. The theme is Always Anything Florals Goes with an Optional Inspiration Photo:

For my team project, I was directly inspired by the photo and used the Altenew Paint-A-Flower Himalayan Poppy Stamp Set and colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers.  The card base measures 5.5" square and the patterned papers are from a 12" paper stack by Recollections.

The focal image and sentiment were cut using distressed edge nesting oval dies and popped on foam pads. Altenew's Gold Thread was added along with gold dazzles for additional interest and sparkle, along with white ink splatters.

The team and I invite you to join us at the Challenge this month and share your floral focused projects. Please stop by to see the amazing projects my teamies have created, you will be inspired by their beautiful designs. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:

Inkspirational

Creative Crafters

Creative Fingers

Cut it Up Challenge

AYLI Challenge - Alcohol Markers are my fav because I feel I have more control with them

Creative Inspiration

Ellibelle's Garden Party

Word Art Wednesday

Triple B Challenge

Moving Along with the Times

The Paper Funday Challenge #90 for August 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and our optional Twist is Fancy (Fun) Folds.  Our generous sponsors are Altenew and Whimsy Stamps.  

For my team project, I've colored up an image from the Happy Elephants Stamp Set by Whimsy Stamps and created a fun birthday card.  This set seems to be retired, but I did find on an independent site.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and cut out using nesting hexagon dies from Hero Arts.  The papers are from the "All Occasions" 6x6 paper pad by Recollections.  The sentiment is included in the set, and I think it's a hoot!

The focal and sentiment have been popped on foam pads and gold dazzles have been added for a bit of bling.  I may save this card for the hubby's birthday in September.  He'll appreciate the punny sentiment as he will turn 70 years young and we are both on a journey to eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight.  

The team and I hope you'll pop in and join us at the Challenge this month.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Inspirations

Daisy Chain Challenge

Passion for Markers - love adding dazzles!

Unicorn Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Critter Crazy

Polkadoodles

Digi Choosday

Let's Craft and Create

Dream Valley

Inspiration Station Challenge #88 - August 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome to August!  Wow, we are quickly sneaking up on Christmas (I know, I didn't need to mention that).  It's also time for a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Our inspiration photo gives me Autumn feels, and I'm certain there are many in the Northern Hemisphere that are excited for Autumn, the heat waves have been unrelenting this summer.

Out inspiration photo for August is:

I adore Sunflowers in the Summer, but especially in the Autumn.  I have a gorgeous Sunflower Stamp Set from Fun Stampers Journey named "Hello Sunflower" that is perfect for this challenge, as I was completely inspired by the flowers.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and cut out the focal image using a stitched nesting die set from Catherine Pooler.  The patterned papers are from the "Sunflower Market" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  

The sentiment is included in the stamp set and has been hand cut into a banner, then popped on foam pads.  Lastly, I've added golden faux gems for that extra sparkle and shine.  

The Team and I invite you to join us this month at the Challenge Blog and share your inspired projects.  Are you ready for Autumn crafting?  I definitely am!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Triple B Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

We Love Stamping

All Sorts

Creative Fingers

Krafty Chicks

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Lil Red Wagon

Word Art Wednesday