The Inspiration Station Challenge - June 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome to the 1st day of a new month!  Wow, how can it be June already?  Today also starts a new monthly challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and we have a yummy inspiration photo this month: 

I love strawberries and my card was directly inspired by the photo.  I've used the Strawberry Fields digital stamp set from Angie Blom to create an all occasion card, and I've colored the images using Copic Alcohol Markers.

I've used nesting stitched and scalloped dies from Catherine Pooler for the focal panel and mat, rounded the bottom of the card base using my Crop-A-Dile and added Gold Dazzles (which are sparkly flat stickers) for accents.  

The card design is simple and the image was a joy to color.  The team and I hope you'll join us at the Challenge this month and share your inspired projects.  A Strawberry Milkshake sounds good right now!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Cut Above

A Place to Start

Crafts Galore Encore

Moving Along with the Times = Fav Die Scalloped Nesting, Tool is Alcohol Markers

Give a Crafter a Cookie

The Four Seasons

CD Sunday +

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Crafty Catz

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - March/April 2026

Hello and Happy Sunday Crafty Friends!  I can't believe it's the 15th of the month and time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  Time is steadily marching on!

I know several of you are dreaming of Spring and it will soon be here. Our optional inspiration photo features March flowers and pretty Spring colors and I chose to use the photo as inspiration for my project this month. 

Angie Blom's latest release features a very pretty set with Daffodils that I thought would be perfect for my card this month; it's the new A Cup of Kindness Digital Kit.  Better yet, at the time of this writing, Angie Blom is offering 40% off her digital kits.

I've colored the image using alcohol markers and the patterned paper is from the "Easter Egg-plosion" 6x6 paper pad by Ink 'n Splatter, the enamel dots are from my stash. I've inked around the edge of the focal panel with yellow ink and adhered flat to the card.

The team and I hope you'll pop over to the Challenge and join us this month.  We love seeing everyone's Floral designs.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Stamping Sensations

Crafty Calendar

Alphabet Challenge

Creative Friday

Pattie's Creations

Sparkles Monthly

Girlz Creative Crafts

Triple B Challenge

Creative Moments

Creative Crafters

Christmas Joy and Merry Making

Hi Friends!  I hope your day is good and you've had an opportunity to find a moment of rest before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day arrive. I have a quick share featuring another Christmas Joy Mug from Angie Blom.  I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and the patterned papers are from a 12x12 Winter Stack from Recollections.

A very quick and easy card, the image is simple to color.  I've cut the focal panel using a stitched edge nesting oval die from Kat Scrappiness, added tiny peppermint candy and pearl embellishments; also from Kat Scrappiness, and a layer of Crystal Stickles on the Whipped Cream.

That's all for today. now it's time for a Christmas Movie and a Cup of Christmas Joy (in my case, Hot Cocoa).  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Passion for Markers

Art Nudge - 1225C

Make My Monday

A Place to Start (https://avenue613.blogspot.com/)

TGIF Challenges!

Creative Inspiration

Lil Red Wagon

Word Art Wednesday

ABC Christmas Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Christmas Joy Hot Cocoa to Go

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!  We're on the downhill side racing towards Christmas Day and I've been busy with last minute prep: baking and cleaning.  We only have 4 more sleeps till the Big Day!

Today I have a quick share featuring another Festive Mug from the Christmas Joy Mugs Cardmaking Kit from Angie Blom.  The images are easy to color and make adorable holiday cards.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and die cut the focal image using a nesting stitched rectangle die from Kat Scrappiness.  I've adhered to a red mat and popped on foam pads for dimension.  The patterned papers are from a Christmas 6x8 paper pad purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Lastly, I created my own embellishment dots using a hole punch. After attaching I've added Gold Stickles to them for that much needed holiday sparkle.  I wanted the card not too bulky as it traveled overseas.  Punching circles is therapeutic and a good way to use up small snippets of card too.

That's all for today, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Caffeinated Christmas Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

We Love Stamping

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

Polkadoodles

Gem of a Challenge

Pattie's Creations

TGIF Challenges

Colorful Options

Word Art Wednesday

Mirtillamente

First Cup Challenges

Jingle All the Way

Happy Friday Everyone!  I hope your week went well and you're ready for the weekend.  I have a quick share today featuring the Jingle All the Way Digital Cardmaking Kit from Angie Blom.  There are pre-measured A2 panels in the kit and that's what I've used for my card today.

I've kept the design mostly CAS, but added ribbon as an accent.  I've colored the baubles using Copic Alcohol Markers.  I've also added Gold Stickles and White Gel Pen dots for that extra touch.

 

After attaching the holiday ribbon, I've added foam pads to the panel and adhered to a red mat, before placing on the card base.  

I printed the image using a laser printer, and when using laser printer toner, you can foil any image or sentiment.  In hindsight, I wish I had remembered to foil the sentiment.  But I do like the sentiment the way it is.  That's all for today, 6 more sleeps till Christmas! I'm grocery shopping this weekend for food and snacks.  Funny how much more we eat during the holidays! 

Until next time, Happy Crafting,

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:

Alphabet Challenge

Creative Fingers

Pattie's Creations

Krafty Chicks

Creative Knockouts

Word Art Wednesday

Dream Factory

Passion for Markers

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Make My Monday

  

Baked Gingerbread Couple

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring an adorable Gingerbread Couple from the Baked Gingerbread Digital Stamp Cardmaking Kit by Angie Blom.  This set has cute images and sentiments, and I've colored this couple using Copic Alcohol Markers.

I'm always looking for easy to color and cute gingerbread images for Christmas Cards and these two fit the bill.  I've printed out the A2 sized panel included in the cardmaking kit and trimmed so I could add two mats.

I've added Crystal Stickles to the candy cane, peppermint candy, his bow tie and her necklace.  I've also added white gel pen doodles and wooden hearts. There ya' go, quick and easy!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Passion for Markers

Art Nudge - 1225B

Christmas Kickstart

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Digi Choosday

ABC Christmas Challenge

Mirtillamente

The Crafting Challenge

12 Months of Christmas

Colorful Options

Pastel Christmas Joy - Mug Merry and Bright

Hi Friends and Happy Sunday!  Wow, it's the 14th of the month and we only have 11 more sleeps till Christmas Day!  Today I'm sharing another Christmas Joy Mug from Angie Blom.  This one just needed to be in Pastel Colors and I think it works.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and the patterned papers are from the Merry Patterned Collection paper pad by Scrapbook.com.  I've cut 2 panels for the focal image, one a postage die and the other a stitched nesting die.

I've popped the panel on foam pads and added pink gems to complete the card.  The sentiment is included in this digital set.  I'm imagining this holiday cup is filled with Hot Cocoa, marshmallows and whipped cream.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna xx

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday +

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Peace on Earth Challenge

613 Avenue Create

Star Stampz

Polkadoodles

Gem of a Challenge

Pattie's Creations

Krafty Chicks

As You Like It

Caffeinated Christmas Challenge

Christmas Joy Mug - Santa

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I've got a quick share today featuring an image from the adorable Christmas Joy Mugs Set by Angie Blom. This digital set contains 8 different mug images and sentiments, and I'm working my way through all of them, coloring each with Copic Alcohol markers.

I've kept the design fairly simple, letting the Santa Mug take center stage.  I've never had a Hot Cocoa topped with red whipped cream but there's always a first time for everything!  The Buffalo plaid paper is from the 12x12 Christmas Plaid Kit by Reminisce. 

To finish the card, I've added red sequins around the focal image and Crystal Stickles on the Pom Pom and cup lip.  The images in the set are super cute and easy to color.  That's all from me today, I'll be back soon to share more of the Christmas Joy Cups.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Fab 'n Funky

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Digi Choosday

Crafty Gals Corner

First Cup Challenges

Passion for Markers

Hand Stamped Sentiments

Mirtillamente

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge

Christmas Tree Blessings

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I hope you're week was great, and if you celebrated Thanksgiving, that you had a blessed day full of love and good food.

I have a quick share today featuring the Christmas Tree image from the newest set by Angie Blom, Tree Blessings. It's an easy color, and I used my Copic Alcohol Markers.

I've kept the design CAS, which is hard for me.  I didn't resize the image much, so basically used it as is.  I've used dies from Catherine Pooler for cutting the mat and focal panel.  The sentiment is a pre-made strip from Simon Says Stamp, and it's been popped on foam pads.

That's all from me today, I'm off to get some lunch, tidy up and settle in for Christmas Card making and college football. Have a wonderful day, until next time, happy crafting!

Donna

Challenges Entered:

Creative Fingers

Pattie's Creations

Inspired By Challenge

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Crafty Gals Corner

Passion for Markers

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Classic Design Challenge #05-2025

Hello and Welcome Back! Today begins a new challenge at The Classic Design Challenge Blog where the theme is Always Anything Goes with an Optional Twist.  The Twist this month is Masculine and our generous sponsor is Angie Blom Digital Designs.

For my team project, I've colored the Thanks Dad digital image from Angie Blom using Copic Alcohol Markers.  This is just one of the images included in the digital set, which also includes sentiments.  I've went with a Father's Day theme, also incorporating the optional twist of Masculine.

I did not resize the image as I wanted to keep it large and tucked into the bottom right corner.  The sentiment has been popped on foam pads and is from the Mini Messages Stamp Set by Cardz TV (retired).  To complete the design, I've added a snippet of patterned paper from a My Favorite Things paper pad and a Baker's Twine Bow.

We hope you'll join us at the challenge and play along for your chance to win a prize from Angie Blom Digital Designs.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Creative Inspiration

Ally's Angels

Creatalicious

Creative Inspirations

Passion for Markers - I love green and blue together

Art Nudge - 525A for the Green, 525D for the Blue Jeans

Crafts Galore Encore

Mirtillamente

Daisy Chain Challenge

Di's Digi Design

Digi Choosday

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #25 - Jan/Feb 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  This month is coasting right along and since today is the 15th of the month, that means a new challenge month has begun at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  This month's optional inspiration photo contains some lush winter colors and I've chosen pastel colors, based on the colors in the photo, for my florals.

Using the "With All My Love" Digital Stamp Set #SK-0520 from Angie Blom Digital Designs, I've colored the florals in this gorgeous bouquet using Alcohol Markers. This is a lovely set, it contains 8 printables in various sizes.  And here's the best part - at the time of this writing, Angie Blom is having a 40% off sale celebrating her 5 years in business!

I've kept the card just 1 layer, but it appears to have a frame as I cut the focal panel a bit shorter to give that illusion.  The sentiment is one that's included in the set and is perfect as a Card of Encouragement or to give to someone spiritually like-minded, which I plan to do.

For the finishing touches, I've added white sequins from my stash.  I'm really pleased with this color combo and just how quickly this card came together.

We hope you'll join us this month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge.  We love seeing everyone's creativity and how (or not) the optional inspiration photo is used.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Digi Choosday

Fab 'n Funky

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Crafters

Passion for Markers

Outlawz Monday Greetings

CD Sunday +

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Dragonfly Dreams

Stampin Sensations

Di's Digi Design

Strawberry Fields

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Tuesday!  Today I have a quick share for you featuring the new Strawberry Fields Digital Stamp from Angie Blom.  Angie has created very nice digital images for her newest release and I just couldn't resist purchasing this set.  I love strawberries, yum yum!

I decided I would color this image using my Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers.  I'm a bit out of practice as I've been using colored pencils primarily lately.  Alcohol Marker coloring is quite different for me, I feel I don't have as much control of the color using markers.

In this set, there are separate images and pre-sized A2 card panels.  I've used a pre-sized image as I wanted the image to be the main focus, and since I was using markers, I wanted the images to be as large as possible.

I've trimmed the corners with a Crop-a-Dile, the sentiment is a die set from the Berry Sweet set by Scrapbook.com.  The focal panel has been matted with black card, I've added dew drops here and there. 

That's all I have for today, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Try It On Tuesday - Strawberry Fields Forever by the Beatles

Digi Choosday

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Aud Sentiments

The Four Seasons Challenge

Scrapping 4 Fun

NBUS

Pattie's Creations
Creative Knockouts

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #16

Happy Monday Friends!  I hope your weekend was enjoyable and you had the opportunity to get out and about. Today begins a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog, where it's all about Floral Focused projects with an optional mood board for inspiration.  The mood board this month has pretty color combinations, which I chose to use in my design.

I find it difficult to get the perfect color of Coral, I think I may have achieved it with my coloring of the Full Bloom Peonies digital image from Angie Blom using Prismacolor Pencils.  This is a gorgeous image and Angie's drawings are always so life-like. 

In this set, Angie provides A2 sized panels with sentiments as well as single images you can size yourself.  I chose to use one of her A2 sized panels with sentiment.  I trimmed it slightly so I could use a black mat.

I've splattered in the image with white acrylic paint and added 3 teal enamel dots to an area I felt was needing something.  I also touched up the middle of the flowers with Gold Wink of Stella.

We hope you'll join us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge.  We love seeing everyone's creativity and you just may be a winner!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Cupcake Inspirations

A Place to Start

Path of Positivity

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Aud Sentiments

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Triple B Challenge

Coloring with Pencils

Sparkles Monthly

Dream Valley

 

Paper Funday Challenges #61

Happy Wednesday!  Today begins a new challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and it's the first challenge for 2024!  Our challenges are Always Anything Goes with an Optional Twist, the twist this month is:  Let's Celebrate.  We also have 2 fabulous sponsors - Angie Blom Digital Designs and Polkadoodles.

For my team project, I've used the Polkadoodles Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Love you Mum digital image and incorporated the Twist in my design; celebrating Love.

I've colored Winnie using my Prismacolor Pencils and the patterned papers are from an older Valentine's set by Bo Bunny.

I've fussy cut the focal image and placed some enamel dots to accent the design.  Everything has been adhered flat to the patterned mat, the sentiment is a sticker from the same paper pack.

Please stop by the challenge and join in, we would love to have you. 

P.S. I want to add the winners of our 5th Birthday Bash Challenge have been posted, if you played along in that special challenge, check HERE to see if you're a winner.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Instagram Card Makers Discovery Hop - March 2023

Hi Friends and Happy Sunday!  It's time for this months' Instagram Card Makers Re-Discovery Hop where the premise of this Just for Fun Themed Hop is creating a project using items you have in your stash.  The theme this month is Easter. and there's loads of inspiration from a huge line-up of card makers, you can start the Hop HERE.

This project took me deep into my stash. I was searching for something cute and festive for this hop and I came across a digital stamp set I had won last year.  This bunny and sentiment are part of the Egg-stra Ducky Easter Digital Stamp Set by Angie Blom Digital Designs.  I never got to use the images from this set last Easter so today was the day to finally use this set!

I've colored the images using my Prismacolor Pencils.  The focal panel was cut using a nesting stitched rectangle die from Kat Scrappiness.  The patterned paper was also found in the stash, it's part of a digital Easter pack and was a Card Making Magazine Freebie.

I've die cut a frame from green card using a nesting frame rectangle die from Kat Scrappiness.  I've adhered the frame flat to the patterned paper, which gives the illusion there is a mat behind, but doesn't use a whole panel of card.  I now have the inside of the frame to use on another project.  As a finishing touch, I've added iridescent sequins for a bit of bling.

I hope you'll hop along with us today.  There are lots of great card makers participating, so there is loads of inspiration for using those forgotten about items in one's stash.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Corrosive Challenge

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Allsorts

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Three Room Studio

Crafty Catz

Beyond the Blue

Outlawz Festive Friday

My Time to Craft

Krafty Chicks

Get Creative

SSS Wed Challenge

Inspiration Station Challenge #45

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy New Year!  I trust you had a lovely holiday season and ready to tackle 2023!  Today begins a new challenge at the Inspiration Station.  The challenges are now monthly, beginning on the 1st Monday of the month and running through the 25th of the month.

The inspiration photo this month is the following and the prize this month is a lovely Swirling Hearts Stencil from Creative Expressions.

For my team project, I was inspired by the purplish blue outdoors and the bird on the branch.  Using the "Own Kind of Beautiful Bird" digital image from Angie Blom, I've colored the images using alcohol markers.

I've colored my bird in the colors of the Chickadees I see here in Florida.  I also choose the cool colors of lilac and mint green for the flowers and leaves.

I kept the design simple, only adding a few purple gems and a black mat.  The sentiment was computer generated.  This is such a lovely image, an easy color and very versatile.  

Please join us this month at The Inspiration Station Challenge.  We hope to inspire you and love to see how the prompt inspires others.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Double Trouble - partnering with Critter Crazy

Critter Crazy

Outlawz Monday Greetings

A Place to Start

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

We Love Stamping - Purple is my favorite color!

Creatalicious

Love to Craft

Pearly Sparkles

Birthstone Challenge

Crafts Galore Encore

Just Chicken In - Colour Crazy Challenge

Hello and Happy April 1st!  It's time for a new bi-weekly challenge at the Colour Crazy Challenge blog and that's no April Fooling!

Our sponsor this round is the super talented Angie Blom and I've had the pleasure of using one of the Quirky Chickens from the Just Chicken In Digital Stamp Set for my design team project.

The clouds and sentiment are part of the same digital set and I've colored the images with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  I fussy cut the clouds and popped the larger cloud on craft foam then place in the foreground.

I've added no Bells and Whsitles to this design, only adding some highlighting with a White Gelly Roll Pen.  I used coordinating colored cardstock to create complimentary mats.

Please stop by the Colour Crazy Challenge and enter your handcolored project for a chance to win an Angie Blom prize!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Knockouts

Krafty Chicks

As You Like It:  Recycle!  I always try to recycle in my crafting and in my daily life.  Waste Not. Want Not as my Mama always said!

2 Sisters on a Blog

Countryview Crafts

Crafting Happiness

Crafty Animals

QKR Stampede

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

A Perfect Time to Craft

Creative Fingers

Paper Dragonfly