Thanksgiving Gratitude

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring an Autumn theme.  In the States, tomorrow is our Thanksgiving Day holiday and we will be spending it with family and friends.  It's been a tough year for us as a family and I've had fleeting thoughts of foregoing Thanksgiving and Christmas, but that would not be honoring our son Dylan, as the holiday season was his absolute favorite time of year.  

We are spending the holiday with my brother and my sister-in-law's family, and I needed to make a thank you card to go along with the hostess gift.  I thought these tattered and distressed leaf die cuts were perfect for the card.

I've went with a square card measuring 6", I've cut the leaves from various colors of cardstock and inked the edges with distress inks. The sentiment was die cut a few times for dimension and the background panel was embossed with the "Texture" EF from Penny Black.  The patterned paper strip is from my box of scrap.

To finish off the card, I've sprayed with Shimmer Spray for a glittery effect.  If you're celebrating Thanksgiving, please have a blessed day and I hope you are surrounded with family. friends and love.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Color Throwdown

Double D Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Penny's Challenges

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Art Nudge - 1125B

Make My Monday

A Cut Above

613 Avenue Create

 

A Pilgrim and a Turkey!

Happy Tuesday Friends!  Wow, it's turned Artic Cold here in Florida, we woke to 36F and that's too cold for us beach bums.  It's Veteran's Day here in the States, and we honor all those who serve in our military, both enlisted and the families who support them. 

I've got a quick share for you today featuring 2 comical characters dressed up for the Thanksgiving Day Feast.

These two are from the "Talk Turkey" Stamp Set by Newton's Nook, which was a Stamptember Collaboration with Simon Says Stamp a couple years ago.  Would you believe this is the 1st time inking them up?  I should be ashamed!

I've colored them using Copic Alcohol Markers and fussy cut.  The patterned paper is from the "It's Autumn" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella, the focal panel was cut using nesting Hexagon Dies from Hero Arts and the sentiment is from the same stamp set.

I've popped the characters on foam pads, along with the sentiment.  Lastly, I've added enamel dots to accent the sentiment.  In true Cat Style, Newton doesn't appear too pleased to be wearing this fancy headdress!  On the other hand, his Pup Friend doesn't seem to be bothered.

That's all from me today and I wish you a fabulous day.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Art Nudge - 1125B

Crafty Animals

Critter Crazy

Di's Digi Designs

Crafty Catz
Newton's Inky Paws Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Give a Crafter a Cookie

The Four Seasons

Mirtillamente

Pumpkin Hedgehogs

Hi Friends and Happy Thursday!  I'm still making Autumn themed cards and I have a quick share today featuring 2 adorable hedgehogs from Di's Digi Stamps.  They're the Pumpkin Hedgehogs and they can be found HERE, and at the time of this post, the image is 50% off regular price!

I've colored the image using Copic Markers and the patterned papers are from the "Fall Fun" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  I've followed a sketch found on Pinterest; I like using sketches when I don't want to think too hard about a design layout.

The focal image has been cut using a Nesting Circle Die from Kat Scrappiness, and the sentiment is a pre-made strip from Simon Says Stamp.  Both the focal image and sentiment strip have been popped on foam pads.  Lastly, I've added Wink of Stella to the Pumpkins and the Pumpkin cap, unfortunately I can never get Wink to show in photos.

That's all from me today, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Cardz 4 Galz

Creative Inspiration

Let's Craft and Create

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Digi Choosday

Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

All Sorts
Polkadoodles

The Four Seasons Challenge

A Big Pumpkin for Autumn

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I hope your week is moving along smoothly and you've found some crafty time.  I managed to get an afternoon of coloring yesterday and decided I needed to color this larger than life Pumpkin from the Halloween Pumpkin Stamp set by Memory Box. 

I recently purchased this set off eBay, it's an older set so not sure if it can be found anywhere else. 

My card measures 5.5" square, so you can see how large this stamped image is.  I've colored using Copic Markers and the patterned papers are from a Harvest paper pad from Scrapbook.com.  The darker background appealed to me and thought it would compliment the bright orange of the pumpkin.

After coloring the image, I fussy cut and popped on foam pads.  I've used a sketch from the Queen & Co. free sketch site.  The sentiment is from a now retired set from Cardz TV, the sentiment was cut using a banner die from My Favorite Things.

No bells or whistles added, except for Wink of Stella added to the acorns and leaves.  WOS never shows on camera and that's a shame because it gives this card the perfect amount of Autumn sparkle.

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Try It on Tuesday

Art Nudge - 1025B

Cardz 4 Guys

Dream Valley

Pearly Sparkles

Outlawz Sunday Songs and Rhymes

Word Art Wednesday

613 Avenue Create

A Place to Start

Otto in Autumn

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!  I'm getting caught up on Autumn cards and have a quick share today featuring the adorable Otto, who is playing in the crunchy leaves.  He's a digital stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil and you can find him HERE.

I have to laugh at his face, due to the way I've colored his eye area, he looks very devious!  That wasn't my intention but it is Halloween season, so maybe it suits him.  I've colored him using Copic Alcohol Markers, and cut the focal panel using a fancy stitched edged nesting die from Pink Fresh Studio.

The wooden background paper is from a P13 mini mat stack and the patterned paper is a scrap from a Carta Bella 6x6 paper pad.  The digi set includes the sentiment and a leafy background paper, I've used the sentiment and cut using a nesting circle die from Kat Scrappiness.  The focal and sentiment have been popped on foam pads.  Lastly, I've added orange enamel dots and called this card complete.

I wish you a fabulous day, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna xx

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Polkadoodles

Digi Choosday

Gem of a Challenge

Unicorn Challenge

Critter Crazy

Crafty Animals

Mirtillamente

Just Us Girls

A Bright and Beautiful Autumn

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was splendid and you found time for some crafty goodness.  I had lots of time in my craft room this weekend and I have a quick share for you today.  Using the Waffle Flower Layered Sunflowers Stamp set, I've created a bright and cheerful Autumn card.  Yes, I'm still working on Autumn cards but Christmas is next!

This is a stamp layering set, which I've had in my stash, and thought it needed to see the light of day.  The floral images are quite large, as you can see it takes up a lot of real estate on the front of this A2 sized card.

I've used Catherine Pooler inks to stamp the layers.  The patterned paper is from my stash, a leftover snippet from a Carta Bella pad I believe, and the sentiment is from an Altenew set.  To finish everything off, I've popped the focal panel on craft foam for dimension, then added orange twine and bronze sequins.  

That's all I have for today.  I hope your day is fantastic, as well as your week ahead.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

A Place to Start

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Crafting Happiness

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Creative Crafters

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Nov/Dec 2024

Happy Fri-YAY friends!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  We have a pretty Optional Inspiration Mood Board for you.  The mood boards are Always Optional, the only requirement is your design must be FLORAL FOCUSED.

I was inspired by the colors in this mood board and tried to match the Autumn colors in my design.  Using the Painted Flowers Stamp Set from Altenew, I've created a somewhat CAS styled card.

I've stamped the images randomly on a Tim Holtz watercolor card panel and colored them using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  The sentiment is from a Gina K. Designs Stamp Set.

To complete the design, I've added copper gems from Kat Scrappiness to highlight the sentiment.  The team and I hope you'll pop in and join us at the challenge, so see you there!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie

Creative Crafters

Creative Knockouts

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Dream Valley

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Path of Positivity

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Pumpkin Blooms by Penny Black

Happy Saturday Crafturday Friends!  Are you planning on crafting something today?  Me, yes and I have a quick share today featuring the new Pumpkin Blooms Die set from Penny Black.  

I've die cut the pieces from the die set using Tim Holtz watercolor card and painted the pieces using Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  To give the pieces some depth and shading, I've inked using Ranger Distress inks in coordinating colors.

In my continued effort to use as much from my stash as possible, I took a snippet of patterned paper and a cut apart tag from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad and coordinating ephemera pack to decorate the front.  I've also embossed the white panel using the "Texture" embossing folder from Penny Black, and placed bronze gems in the blossom centers.  The card base is "Cajun Craze" from Stampin' Up.

I hope you find time for a but of crafty fun today, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Cut It Up Challenge

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge

Let's Craft and Create

Creative Inspiration

Outlawz Twisted Thursday - Growing the Big One with Shannen Doherty on Hallmark Channel 

Word Art Wednesday

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

A Cut Above

Classic Design Challenge - Monique

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Saturday!  I'm a bit late sharing my design team project for The Classic Design Challenge, which started on the 15th...better late than never eh?

Our sponsors this month are the Paper Nest Dolls and The Paper Shelter.  I've colored up the sweet Monique from The Paper Shelter, using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers. 

I've given her an Autumn color palette, the patterned papers are from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  The sentiment is pre-cut and foiled, from Pink Fresh Studio and they are handy to have on hand. 

I've inked around the focal image using Vintage Photo Distress ink, I didn't like the stark white and needed to knock it back a bit.  I've also trimmed the corners with a punch.  The sentiment die cut has been popped on foam pads and brown sequins added to finish the design.

Please stop by and join in the challenge this month.  The optional twist is Anything But a Card.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Crafty Calendar

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Fridays

Pattie's Creations

Just Us Girls

Craft Rocket

Digi Choosday

Penny's Challenges

Magic Time!

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  We've finally recovered from Hurricane Milton, we've had contractors in and out with estimates for repairs but it's a small price to pay, and I consider ourselves beyond blessed as it could have been so much worse.  Our prayers continue to go out to South Florida, North Carolina and all areas hit with damages.

I've had some time to play in the craft room and wanted to share this cute card, created for Halloween/Autumn, although I don't think the set was created for Halloween or Autumn. It's the Magic Time Stamp Set from Colorado Craft Co. and I love how big the images are.  Folks, the images in this set are large, the entire pumpkin didn't fit on the A2 sized card panel.

I've stamped the image on Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper and painted using my Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  After the painting was completely dry, I used a circle mask from Lavinia Stamps to create a halo around her wand.  Then trimmed the panel slightly, and adhered to a black cardbase.  

To finish the design, I splattered with gold watercolor paint, no other bells and whistles were added, I intend to post to a dear friend overseas and didn't want any bulkiness going through the international post.  

I hope you like her and her big pumpkin, I think she may represent Cinderella, what do you think?  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Digi Choosday

Double D Challenges

Fab 'n Funky

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Crafty Gals Corner

I Spy with my Little Eye

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

All Sorts

October 2023 Instagram Re-Discovery Hop - Fall/Autumn

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday!  Today is the Instagram Just for Fun Re-Discovery Hop!  The idea behind this fun hop is to "Shop Your Stash" and created a project based on the monthly theme.  This month, there are a whopping 40 creators participating, so there is tons of inspiration for using your hidden treasures!  The Hop starts at 11 am EST and you can start hopping HERE.

The theme this month is Fall/Harvest.  When I think of Autumn, rich colors and Gratitude instantly come to mind.  Using an image and sentiment from the "With Love and Gratitude" digital set from Graciellie Designs, I've created an Autumn Card of Gratitude.

 

I've had this image in my stash for a year or more and always forget to color it for Autumn. so this Hop was a perfect time to use it.  I've colored using Prismacolor Pencils.

The patterned papers are snippets from various 6x6 paper pads and I've die cut the focal image and sentiment using dies from the stash.  I've added Wink of Stella, gold Posca Paint Pen splatters and golden thread for accents. 

We hop you'll visit and hop along all the stops.  You can start the hop HERE. and if you would like to join us next month, please reach out to our Leader and brains behind the Hop,  Tracy @craftwithme101 on Instagram!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Corrosive Challenge

613 Avenue Create

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Pattie's Creations

Aloha Friday

Krafty Chicks

Craft Rocket

SSS Wed Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #10

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  The theme of our challenges is Always Anything Floral Goes with an Optional Mood Board.  The mood board this month is for Color Inspiration.  

I love Autumn colors and I've used a few of the colors from this mood board in my card design.  I've used the Botanical Journal 1 stamp set from Bo Bunny and snippets of patterned paper from various 6x6 paper pads.

I love this Rose image, especially the Vintage look of the drawing.  I've added some color using my Prismacolor Pencils.  I've used a fancy corner punch for the detailing of the focal panel and mat.  

I've used a cut-apart from one of the paper pads as my sentiment and added golden gems for a touch of sparkle.  Please visit us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge, we hope to inspire you with our designs and love seeing everyone's creativity.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

613 Avenue Create

Dragonfly Dreams

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Alphabet Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Fab n Funky Challenge

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

Autumn Leaf Prints

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I'm in full blown Autumn card creating mode, this is my favorite time of year, even if we don't have "Autumn" in Florida.  My card today features skeleton leaf prints from the Gina K. Designs Layered Leaf Prints stamp set. 

This is a layering stamp set but I've only stamped one layer of the leaves, using distress inks in Autumn colors.  I've stamped lightly in the beginning; sort of a ghost print, then stamped over top in increasingly bolder colors, creating a border of falling leaves. 

I've splattered the card with brown and gold inks, stamped the sentiment in a dark brown ink and added golden sequins for effect.  This card was a quick and easy make and I'm pleased with the outcome.  

That's all for today.  I hope you have a splendid weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Calendar

Alphabet Challenge

CAS on Friday

Aloha Friday

Simply CAS

Ally's Angels

Star Stampz

Outlawz Festive Friday

Pattie's Creations

Craft Rocket

Inspiration Station September 2023 Challenge

Hello Friends and Happy 1st Monday of September!  It's a new challenge month at the Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and soon to be officially "Autumn" in the Northern Hemisphere; my favorite time of year. 

Although we don't have an Autumn in Florida per se, I've lived in places that do have a change of season and I adore the colors, crisp air and anticipation of the upcoming holiday season.  Our photo inspiration this month ushers in Autumn and really jumped started my love of Fall Crafting:

For my team project, I remembered I had the Pumpkin Die Set from STAMPtember 2022 at Simon Says Stamp.  I didn't use the set last year, so you can imagine my delight to have found it in my stash. 

To start, I've embossed a panel of white card using the Fall Foliage 3-D Embossing Folder from Simon Says Stamp and inked around the edges with Catherine Pooler Brown and Yellow ink shades.  I've die cut the pumpkin pieces out of white card and colored them by ink blending with Distress Inks.

The sentiment is from the Fall Sampler Stamp Set by Scrapbook.com, which I stamped using a dark brown ink and popped the strip on craft foam.  I've arranged the pumpkins and leaves, popping the 2 smaller pumpkins on craft foam.

Before adhering the focal panel to the card base, I've splattered everything with white Posca Pen paint and adhered gold sequins, then called this card complete.

I would love for you to visit us at The Inspiration Station and join in the challenge.  We hope to inspire you with our projects and enjoy seeing everyone's creativity with the photo inspiration.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Double Trouble

Dream Valley

Outlawz Monday Greetings

613 Avenue Create

Colorful Options

Classic Design Challenge

Your Scrapbook Place

Incy Wincy

Crafts Galore Encore

Challenge Up Your Life

Die Cut Divas

Four Seasons

Fall Berries at the Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge

Hi Friends!  Thanks so stopping by for my last post today.  Today starts a new challenge month at the Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge Blog and Jan has released 4 new sets this month in addtion to having a blow-out holiday sale on close to 50 christmas themed sets!

For my team project, I've colored the new Fall Berries digital image.  I love images like this, I'm starting to decorate my home in the Cottagecore design for the holidays and this image is definitely a Cottagecore theme.  If you're not familiar with Cottagecore, it's similar to Rustic Country with an English Country vibe.

I wanted to keep this image large, because it's pretty and so I could easily color the berries.  Sometimes my eyes play tricks on me, especially if I've been at the Craft table for a long period of time.  This card is my favorite square size of 5.5".  I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers and the sentiment is one of several included in the set.

The patterned papers are just a few that I have left from the much loved Carta Bella "Hello Fall" 6x6 paper Pad.  I've added a Baker's Twine Bow and 3 small gems to complete the design.

I want to remind you that Jan has brought back the FREE Ornaments Set for 2022 that debuted in July.  It's FREE until the end of the year so if you didn't grab it in July, head to the Shop and get it now!

Thanks for stopping by my friends.  Please visit the Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge Blog to see all the other new sets in projects my lovely teammates have created.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafting Happiness

A Perfect Time to Craft

Classic Design Challenge

Cards Galore Encore

Incy Wincy

Rabisco

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper

NBUS

CD Sunday

613 Avenue Create

The Four Seasons Challenge - November Gnomie

Hello Friends and Happy 1st Day of November!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and it's the last month of Autumn themed Mood Boards; next month we move into Winter themes.

I received a packet of decoupage sheets in a Card Swap last year and while looking for something from my stash to create this month's project, I came across them. I loved the Gnomes, they are so adorable and I especially love the Starbucks-like drink this Gnomie Girl is holding.  

To start, I've embossed a panel using a Autumn leaves folder from Darice and die cut an oval from the center.  I've ink blended the cut out with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and splattered with water and white acrylic gloss spray.  

I've fussy cut the decoupage image and sentiment, then adhered all to a brown mat.  Before adhereing to the card base, I've wrapped Baker's Twine and tied a bow.  To finish the card, I placed gold gems and called this card done.

Please stop by the challenge blog and join in.  We love seeing how the monthly Mood board inspires everyone and my team mates have created some lovely projects that will surely inspire you as well.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

TTCRD

Creatalicious

Crafting Happiness

Cupcake Inspirations

INTAAS

613 Avenue Create

Corrosive Challenge