Duncan Street Designs

Crafts Galore Encore

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Jan/Feb '26

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday! It's the 15th of the month and time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. We have a cheery inspirational picture (always optional) that features the January Flower of the Month - Carnations.

The inspiration picture had me thinking of Valentine's Day, but I chose to create a Card of Encouragement for a friend who's experiencing a tough time of it lately. I've used the Best Flowers Stamp Set from Gina K. Designs and patterned papers from the "Havanna" 6x6 paper pad by Prima Marketing, and I've colored the floral using Copic markers.

After coloring the image, I've fussy cut it and adhered to a panel that's been embossed using a Park Lane embossing folder that my sister-in-law sent me for Christmas. The sentiment is from a digital set that I've had in my sentiment stash, just waiting for the right card. The sentiment has been popped on foam pads.

Lastly, I've added pink faux gems to accent the sentiment, and called this card complete. I do hope it brings a bit of comfort to my friend.

I hope you'll pop over to the challenge and see all the beautiful cards my teamies have created, and play along with us too. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Ally's Angels

Girlz Creative Crafts

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Creative Inspirations

Art Nudge - Flowers from 0126C

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

Make My Monday

Girlz Rebel Challenge

Saturday, November 15, 2025

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Nov/Dec 2025

Happy Saturday Friends, it's the weekend and time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. The Challenge is Always Anything FLORALS Goes with an optional Inspiration picture to get you started. The picture this round is full of warm, wintery colors which I used to inspire my coloring.

I've colored the Snowdrops and Tea Roses Digital image from Power Poppy using Copic Alcohol Markers, and used colors from the inspiration picture, to create a Christmas Card. The sentiment is included in this digital set.

While chomping the corners with a fancy punch, I slipped on the top right corner so I've added a plaid banner to cover the boo-boo. I'm not exactly happy with it but I wasn't going to start over with coloring (thanks Dear Husband for saving my tears and coming up with the idea to "just cover it up").

I've been a huge fan of Power Poppy for years, and this image is just one of many holiday images she has to choose from. I would love to have this bouquet front and center on my holiday table.

The team and I invite you to share your floral focused projects with us, we always look forward to seeing everyone's creativity, so join us!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Krafty Chicks

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Crafty Gals Corner

The Holly and Ivy Challenge

Triple B Challenge

Unicorn Challenge

Creative Fingers

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #34 - Oct/Nov 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday! Today begins a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. The challenges are Always Anything FLORAL Goes with an Optional Mood Board for Inspiration, and Florals must be the Focus of your design.

I'm usually inspired by and decide to use the optional mood board, and I have done so this month as well. The mood board for this month is:

I love the combination of colors in this mood board, so for my design team project, I've colored images from the "Breezy Bouquet" Stamp Set by Memory Box using Copic Alcohol Markers.

This is a large floral image, which made it easy to color and I also like the large sentiment, both of which were cut out using the coordinating dies. I've made a frame using nesting stitched rectangle dies from Kat Scrappiness, and backed the image with a distressed Polka Dot panel.

Before arranging everything on the card panel, I've splattered the florals with Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen White Ink. I like this ink because it stays true white when dry; it doesn't pick up any of the colors underneath.

Lastly, I've popped the sentiment on foam pads and added blue gems. In hindsight, I should have colored both florals orange, but the yellow does break up the color palette and adds interest.

We hope you'll stop by the challenge and join in this month! We always love visiting everyone and being inspired by your floral designs.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Ellie's Crafty Wednesday

Die Cut Divas

Triple B Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Flicker Challenge

Monday, September 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #33 - Sep/Oct 2025

Hello and Welcome Friends. Today is September 15th, and that marks a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. Our optional inspiration photo offers lots of warm Autumn colors and I took inspiration from this photo for my DT project:

Using the Spring Bouquets Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp, I created an Autumn themed card using colors from the photo. Just because the stamp set is named Spring Bouquets, doesn't mean it has to be saved for Spring cards, it's actually very versatile.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers, and fussy cut along the top edge to create a half panel. I've used foam pads for elevation before adhering to a vintage polka dot patterned paper mat. The sentiment is from the Autumn is Calling sentiment set from Penny Black.

Lastly I've added crackled gold embellishments from Close to My Heart and covered the florals with Wink of Stella for that extra Autumn sparkle!

The team and I invite you to join us this month and share your beautiful Floral Focused projects. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Friday, August 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Aug/Sep 2025

Hello Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog and our optional inspiration photo is full of Autumn goodness (at least in my eyes):

I adore Sunflowers, both in the Summer and Autumn and I was directly inspired by the gorgeous flowers in this photo. Using the Hello Sunflower stamp set from Fun Stampers Journey, I've created a multi-occasion card for my design team project.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers, the patterned papers are from the "Bee Happy" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set, and to finish everything off, I've added faux gems in a golden color to match the patterned paper. We invite you to join us this month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge, where the focus is Always Anything Flowers Goes. Hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Penny's Challenges

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #30 - Jun/Jul 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday! Today starts a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. Our optional mood board this month is:

The months of June and July are patriotic here in the States, but I didn't go for a patriotic theme necessarily, however I did use the colors from the mood board for my card, and colored up the "Kindness is the Way" digital stamp from Power Poppy.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and chose to use the entire panel of florals for the card front. After coloring, I've trimmed the panel and popped on foam pads for dimension and to help distinguish the panel from the card base.

The sentiment is from an older set by The Scrapbooking Queen, which I've trimmed using a nesting oval die, then popped on foam pads, with a nesting of silver thread from Altenew. Lastly, I've added some light blue gems for sparkle.

We want to invite you to share your Floral inspired projects with us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge. We hope to see you there and Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

CD Sunday +

The Crafting Challenge

A Perfect Time to Craft

Crafty Calendar

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #29 - May/Jun 2025

Hello Crafty Friends! It's the 15th of the month and that means a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. Our challenges are all about florals and an optional mood board is provided for inspiration. This month, the mood board is a combo of interesting colors:

For my team project, I've colored up one of the floral images from the Nature's Canvas Kit by Taylored Expressions. I love how the images are drawn in an "artsy" style and I'm glad I decided to purchase this kit before it sold out.

Using Copic Alcohol Markers, I've colored the stamped images and die cut using the coordinating dies. In hindsight, I should have went with a coral shade instead of orange but the mood board is optional after all, and I do like blue and orange together.

I've used diagonal stitched oval dies from Kat Scrappiness to create a frame, and placed the arrangement on a panel that has been pierced using the Fanfare Cutting Plate from Taylored Expressions. I've popped the oval frame and florals on foam pads for dimension.

To finish the design, I've stamped and die cut the sentiment, from the Taylored Expressions Timeless Greetings Set and popped on foam pads. Lastly, dusty rose sequins have been added for sparkle and shine.

We hope you'll stop by the challenge and join us, we love seeing everyone's creative designs! That's all for now, so until next time, Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Craft Rocket

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Crafty Gals Corner - Fancy Frame

A Cut Above

AAA Birthday

Give a Crafter a Cookie

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #28

Hello Crafty Friends! Today begins a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog, where the theme is Anything Florals Goes. Our Optional Mood Board this month contains lots of bright and cheery Spring Colors, which I've tried in incorporate into my card design:

I would love to have this arrangement sitting on my dining room table! My card features the Altenew Paint-A-Flower Chamomile Stamp Set. I've created a Get Well card, because we just can't have enough of those in our stashes, and I've colored the image using alcohol markers.

I've went with a square card profile this time, and added lots of mat layers to compliment the colors in the florals. I've added gold sequins with a dot of white Nuvo Drops in the centers. The sentiment, which is part of the stamp set, has been popped on foam pads for dimension.

We hope you'll stop by the challenge and link up your floral focused projects. There is a nice prize on offer, and we love seeing everyone's clever creativity. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Stamping Sensations
Crafty Catz

AYLI - I gravitate towards Floral because I have so many floral stamps and images

Craft Rocket

Elliebelle's Garden Party

Moving Along with the Times

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #27 - Mar/Apr 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday! It's the 15th of the month already, and that means a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. The theme is Always Anything FLORALS Goes, with an optional Mood Board. The mood board this month is an interesting one:

This is a gorgeous display of Asian floral design, not to mention the green and yellow could very well go for St. Patrick's Day. I took the colors as inspiration for my design team project and used some dimensional stickers I've had in my stash to create an Easter card.

The papers are from a 6x6 Spring pad by Scrapbook.com, the sentiment is from an Easter Blessing Set by Cardz TV and the gems are from my stash.

I've popped the side panel on craft foam, as well as the sentiment; which has been cut using an stitched nesting oval die. I'm so glad to have finally put these pretty stickers to use, I've got to start using up more of my stash. It's amazing what you find when you're looking for something else.

Please stop by the challenge and join us this month. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Love Those Pretty Papers

Outlawz Festive Friday

Just Us Girls

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Monday, February 17, 2025

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #26 - Feb/Mar 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! I'm a few days late with my Beautiful Blossoms Challenge project, as the challenge started on the 15th. I've been dealing with Bursitis in my knee and the pain has not allowed me to sit for long without my knee being propped up. However, better late than never!

The optional inspiration photo this month is a gorgeous one, full of bright Spring colors! I took inspiration directly from the colors in the photo, and ink blended a load of floral die cuts.

The dies I've used here are from various companies, I went through my die binders and just pulled out lots of different types, then ink blended them using Catherine Pooler Inks.

The background panel has been embossed using the Picnic Floral 3-D Embossing Folder from Simon Says Stamp. This card has a lot of layering, dimension and texture, some of the florals and leaves have been popped on foam pads.

The sentiment is from an older Scrapbooking Queen Set titled Royal Garden, and was stamped on an oval die cut. I've matted the focal panel with black card and added gems for the finishing touch.

Please join us at the Challenge, Spring is right around the corner, and we would love to see your floral creations!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Double Trouble Challenge

A Cut Above

Daisy Chain Challenges

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

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:

Outlawz Monday Greetings

CD Sunday +

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Dragonfly Dreams

Stampin Sensations

Di's Digi Design

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #24

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday! It's the 15th of the month and that means a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. Our challenges are Always Anything Floral Goes with an Optional Mood Board for Inspiration. The mood board this month is:

Given the time of year, I thought it would be fun to create a non-traditional Christmas Card using colors from the mood board. My card features the Filigree Tree digital image from Power Poppy and I've colored using alcohol markers.

After coloring the image, I fussy cut it and cut a frame from white card. I've embossed the frame and placed a panel of glitter card within the aperture, then placed the image, which has been popped on foam pads for dimension.

The sentiment strip is from a package of pre-made holiday sentiments by Simon Says Stamp, and has been placed on craft foam as well. I've added no other bells and whistles as I felt the glitter card added the right amount of holiday sparkle.

The team and I invite you to join us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge this month, we would love to see your Floral Focused projects, and if you use the optional mood board as inspiration, all the better.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Outlawz Twisted Thursday - Pink and Teal are one of my fav holiday color combos

CD Sunday +

Pearly Sparkles

Crafts Galore Encore

Friday, November 15, 2024

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Creative Knockouts

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Dream Valley

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Path of Positivity