Paper Funday Challenges - July 2025

Hello Friends, I hope you're weekend was fantastic and if you celebrated the 4th of July holiday, I hope you had a fun time.  I'm very late with my design team project for The Paper Funday Challenge, which began on the 2nd of July; life has a way of getting in our way doesn't it?

Our challenges are Always Anything Goes with an Optional Twist.  The Twist this month is Fun with Stencils, and I've chosen to go with the twist for my card design.

Using the Abstract Floral Stencil from Erin Lee Creative and inks from Catherine Pooler, I've created a simple and fun card for Summer.  The stencil is sized 6x6 and one layer, I've blended on a 6x6 piece of card and trimmed down to an A2 size.

To finish off the design, I've added holographic embellishments from Stampin' Up and a die cut sentiment from Kat Scrappiness; the sentiment shadow is vellum.

We would love for you to stop by the challenge and share your designs with us!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Autumn Silhouettes with the Double Trouble Challenge

Hi Friends and Happy Tuesday!  I'm back to share my second Guest Designer project with The Double Trouble Challenge.  This challenge is for 1 week and it's a Something, Anything, Everything Challenge. The are other optional twists you can play along with if you choose.

I've created a CAS styled Autumn card using the Autumn Silhouettes Stamp Set from Gina K. Designs and blended a pretty sunset in the background using Catherine Pooler inks.

After stamping the image, I heat embossed and masked off a thick border using mint tape from Scrapbook.com.  I ink blended the colors and once dry, splattered using Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen-White ink. I like this white ink because when it's dried, it does not take on any color from underneath, it stays bright white.

I've popped the focal panel on craft foam for dimension, not before adding natural colored linen thread.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  I'm very pleased with the look of this card, CAS just isn't my forte but I do like how this card turned out.  

I thank Double Trouble for having me as a Crazy Cousin this month, I always have a great time creating with the gals and we hope you'll stop in a play along!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Aud Sentiments

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Creative Fingers

Crafty Catz

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Creative Knockouts

Creative Inspiration

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #21 - Sep/Oct 2024

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday to you. Today begins a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  Our optional mood board contains gorgeous seasonal colors, which inspired my card today.

For my card, I've used the "Like a Sunflower" Stamp Set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I stamped onto Tim Holtz watercolor paper and water colored using my Gansai Tambi paints.

After the paint was dry, I masked off the edges of the panel using Pixie Tape from iCraft and lightly inked around the inside of the masked area using Catherine Pooler inks.  This method was directly inspired by Jill Foster with Penny Black.

I've kept the design simple, the cardbase is Pecan Pie card from Stampin' Up, the green mat is Mossy Meadow, also from Stampin' Up.  Lastly, I've added clear droplets from Kat Scrappiness.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set as the image.

I hope you'll pop over to the challenge and share your Floral Focused projects with us.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Crafters

Sparkles Monthly

613 Avenue Create

We Love Stamping

Crafty Catz

Outlawz Festive Friday

Simply Create Too

Double D

Word Art Wednesday

Penny's Challenges

I Spy with My Little Eye

Creative Inspiration

Small Watercolor Florals by Varada Sharma Designs

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Small Watercolor Florals Stamp Set by Varada Sharma Designs for Rubberstamps.com.  This is a gorgeous set and currently on sale for $9.99 US at Rubberstamps.com.

I've created a frame using nesting stitched rectangle dies from Kat Scrappiness and randomly stamped the images using Catherine Pooler Inks.  I've ink blended and splattered the inner piece of card with water.  After dry, I've stamped the sentiment, which is included in the set, popped the piece on craft foam and mounted in place.

Lastly, I've added blue sequins, from my stash, as an accent.  I love the loose and artsy style of the florals.  There is a companion set, the Large Watercolor Florals, that I shared a week or so ago.

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Power Challenge

AYLI - no matter how hard I try at a CAS, I still create a fussy card - so it's Fussy for me

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Color Throwdown

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Night Owls

Cupcake Inspirations

Dream Valley

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Varada Sharma Designs - Large Watercolor Florals

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  My sweet friend Varada Sharma has created the perfect set of watercolor florals for Rubberstamps.com and she's invited me to join her today for an Instagram Live!

Using her stamp set, Large Watercolor Florals and inks by Catherine Pooler, I've created an all occasion card of Best Wishes.  I was going for a teal and coral color combo.

This was a quick and easy card to create, I've randomly stamped the images around a card panel, alternating the colors and positions.  Once I was happy with the look, I've matted with black card and adhered to the card base.

The sentiment is included in this set and I love the font.  I've stamped on a stitched sentiment strip die cut and mounted on foam pads for dimension.  Before adhering to the card, I've tucked in a nest of gold thread from Altenew. 

Currently, this set is specially priced at $9.99 US and can be found HERE.  I hope you'll pop over to Rubberstamps.com and see all the other wonderful sets by Varada Sharma Designs.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Creative Fingers

AYLI - I like cute but tend to go with florals because I own many, many floral sets

Creative Knockouts

Creative Inspiration

Fab 'n Funky

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Crafty Gals Corner

Crown Blooms

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  I hope your week is smooth sailing thus far.  I have a quick share for today featuring the Crown Bloom Stamp Set from Altenew.  This is a "new to me" set that I've had in my stash and today was the inaugural inking!

I've attempted to create a card using an Autumn color palette, the background has been ink blended using Aged Mahogany Distress Oxide ink and embossed with the This Plus This Embossing Folder from Spellbinders.  After the ink dried, I've splattered with water and white acrylic paint from a Posca Pen.

The florals and leaves in this set are layering stamps and easy to line up; I've stamped them using Catherine Pooler inks.  I've trimmed the panel corners with a corner punch and matted with a panel of burgundy textured card.

I've fussy cut the images and adhered flat to the embossed panel, only popping up the sentiment strip on foam pads, but not before adding some gold thread behind for additional interest.  Lastly, I've added brown sequins from Studio Katia.

That's all I have for you today.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Altenew Sept Inspiration Challenge

Creative Fingers

Everybody Art

Unicorn Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

NBUS

Outlawz Monday Greetings

A Place to Start

A Perfect Time to Craft

Incy Wincy

 

Happy Birthday Tulips

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Thursday!  I have a quick share today featuring layering dies, a cover die and a pre-foiled sentiment.

I've received this layering floral die set from a friend recently for my birthday.  I believe it's the Into the Blooms: Tulips from PaperTrey Ink.  I've die cut the pieces using white card and ink blended with Catherine Pooler Inks.  The cover die is the Peek-a-Boo Polka Dot from My Favorite Things

Everything was assembled and arranged on the card front.  I've popped the flower heads up using craft foam and added Gold Coast Glitter Drops from Nuvo.  The sentiment is from a pre-foiled sentiment pack by Pink Fresh Studio. 

That's all I have for you today, thanks for stopping by to visit me.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Krafty Chicks

Through the Purple Haze

Creative Inspiration

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Try It On Tuesday

Word Art Wednesday

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Creative Moments

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Happy Little Stampers Die Challenge

Rainbow Birthday Snail

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-YAY!  I had made this card last weekend but didn't get an opportunity to post before we left for our week on the High Seas.  We took a Cruise and had so much fun (we always do!).  We ate like Henry the VIII (visited the midnight Buffet too many times), had cocktails (but NOT as much as Henry!), sat on the Balcony and listened to the Sea, went to Broadway type Shows, played Bingo, participated in the Scavenger Hunt and sat by the Pools. I can't tell you how nice it was to plan (and actually take) a getaway post COVID.  

I have a cute Birthday Snail to share today.  He's from the Rainbow Snail Stamp and Coordinating Die Set from Trinity Stamps.  I'm not a fan of Snails but I like this little fella, he's adorbs!

The background panel was created using the Swirling Hearts Stencil from Creative Expressions, I've used Catherine Pooler Inks to stamp the image.  The blue mat was created using another CP ink color, as I didn't have any colored card to match, I made my own!

The Circle and Frame were cut using the Diagonal Stitched Circle Dies from Pink Fresh Studio and the I've embossed the inner circle using a Birthday Embossing Folder from Cricut.  To finish, I've added holographic confetti from Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks for visiting me today, I hope you have a great weekend.  Now to unpack, do the washing, love on the fur babies, telephone the Kids, go to the Grocery and REST up for our next adventure. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Daring Cardmakers

Craft Challenge - and all the Hop Stops!

AYLI Challenge - Living in Florida, we don't have a Spring (it's always Summer LOL) but if I had to choose, I say Spring because of all the baby animals being born and all the flowers blooming

Creative Inspiration

Through the Purple Haze

SSS Wed Challenge

Penny's Paper Crafty

Word Art Wednesday

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

TIOT

Path of Positivity

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge

Inspiration Station Challenge #46

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome to Monday!  Today is the 1st Monday of the month and that means a new challenge has started at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  An inspiration photo is provided and you create a project based on your interpretation of the prompt.

 The photo this month is:

Aww, how sweet is this photo?  It looks like some Love is being shared between the two and since this is the month of LOVE, I've been inspired to create a Valentine's/Friendship card.

Using the Love Letters Layering Stencil Set from Simon Says Stamp, I ink blended a post box and some love letters using various pastel shades of Catherine Pooler inks.

I've gone the extra mile and fussy cut the images, however there are coordinating dies for this stencil set.  I've also dry embossed the panels, popped the images, sentiment (which has been heat embossed with Copper fine detail powder) on foam pads and punched the corners of the panels.  Lastly, I've added a paper heart doily, a teeny pink bow and clear sequins to finish the design.  

Please join us at The Inspiration Station this month.  We always love seeing how the photo prompt inspires everyone.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

SSS Mon Challenge

Cupcake Inspirations

Double Trouble

Make My Monday

Get Creative

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Crafting Happiness

CYHTP

Double D

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Everyone always smiles at the Happiest Place on Earth

The New Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #1

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday!  I'm excited to announce that today begins a new challenge month at the new Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  This is a new monthly challenge that focuses on florals.  There will be a moodboard provided as inspiration, the main focal/focus of entries must be flower related and you can enter up to 8 times a month.

The challenges run from the 15th of the month to the 12th of the following month.  There will be a Randomly chosen winner and Top 3 picks each challenge with occasional prizes being awarded.  The moodboard for this month is as follows:

This is a great moodboard to get the ball rolling for this cold January.  It's a monochromatic winter color palette with lovely images.  For my design team project, I've used the Exotic Tulips Layering Stamp and Coordinating Die Sets from Altenew to create a sweet and simple card design.

To start, I've ink blended a panel using Catherine Pooler "Sand Castle" ink.  I've stamped the floral layers using graduated shaded of blue inks from Altenew, the leaves were stamped using 2 shades of Catherine Pooler grays and all pieces cut using the coordinating floral dies.

Before assembling the card, the blended panel was splattered with diluted Sand Castle ink and White Gloss Acrylic Spray.  The sentiment, from the Creative Expressions "Festive Script Sentiments Stamp Set" was stamped using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and silver gems from Kat Scrappiness were added as a final touch.

I hope you will visit The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge and check out what my teammates have created for this challenge.  They have created some stunning projects and I hope you'll play along with us.  We look forward to seeing how you are inspired by the moodboard.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

613 Avenue Create

WWO DT Challenge

Corrosive Challenge

We Love Stamping - in the Winter, I love Winter Blues and Teals

All Sorts

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Cut It Up

Pattie's Creations

QKR Stampede

Word Art Wednesday

Pearly Sparkles

A Place to Start

  

 

Paper Funday Challenge - The Colors of Autumn

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  The Optional Twist this month is The Colors of Autumn and we have 2 generous sponsors:  Hetty Clare and Sweet November Stamps.

I've decided to use the optional twist on my project this month.  Autumn is my favorite time of year however we don't get much of an Autumn here in Florida.  The forecast today is clear skies and 89 degrees F.  I've gotta get my Autumn any way I can!

I've used the Autumn Silhouettes Stamp Set by Gina K. Designs to create this card.  To start, I've masked off a side panel and blended 3 Catherine Pooler Inks in lovely autumn colors.  Once dried, I used Memento Espresso Truffle Dye Ink to stamp the leaves and sentiment.

I've stamped the leaves in different orientations in order to give the appearance of movement.  To finish the card, I've matted the focal panel with brown card and added 3 gold gems from Kat Scrappiness.

I hope you'll visit the challenge and join in.  We would love to see your Anything Goes projects, and if you feel like you want to try the twist, we would love that too!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Addicted to Stamps and More

Double D Challenges

SSS Wed Challenge

Make the Cards

Penny's Challenges

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Word Art Wednesday

Crafting Happiness

Creatalicious

Your Scrapbook Place

Cheers Friend!

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  This week is scootin' right along.  I some time to play at the craft table last night and thought experimenting with geometric patterns was a good idea.  I came up with a Birthday Card for a friend living in the U.K.

My card today was inspired by Ardyth Percy-Robb and the card she posted on Instagram yesterday.  I love how Ardyth thinks outside the box with her designs, never uses patterned papers and always has the most amazing ink blended color combos.  Check her You Tube channel HERE.

For my card, I ink blended a white card panel with Catherine Pooler Cranberry Fizz, Catching Rays and Over Coffee Inks.  I splattered the panel with water as CP inks are water reactive and dried with my heat tool.  I proceeded to cut the blended panel into 1/4" strips along with strips of gold mirror card.

I did a dry run, arranging the strips in a pleasing pattern and once I was happy with the layout, I snapped a reference photo. I then proceeded to adhere the strips to a white card panel that measures 3.75" x 5". 

I trimmed the overhanging strips around all 4 sides and adhered the panel to a black mat, then to a cardbase of 110 lb. Neenah Solar White Classic Crest card.  I die cut the sentiments and ahered flat to the card front and called this card complete.  No bells and whistles were added, I think the mirror card is enough shine.

I like experimenting with geometric shapes and I like using card designs like this for masucline cards.  It takes the guess work out of deciding on a design - just go geometric!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspiration

Creative Fingers

SSS Mon Challenge

4-Season Challenge

Through the Purple Haze

2 Sisters on a Blog

Country View Challenge

Moving Along with the Times

 

The Four Seasons Challenge - Pineapple Crush

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy 1st Day of August.  The year is flying by and we are that much closer to Christmas...but I digress.  It's a busy Monday; I have 4 posts scheduled for today so let's get started!

Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and this is the last month for a Summer Theme.  The inspiration prompt features lots of color and color inspired my team project.

I love to create with lots of color and I've had the lovely Pineapple Crush set from Impression Obsession in my stash for a while and have never used so when I saw the inspiration photo, I knew exactly this set was the one to use.

Pineapple Crush is a layering set but there are so many ways to stamp the designs without actually layering them.  Also, this is a 5x7" card; a size I seldom create but I wanted to create a landscape format and wanted to stamp 3 of the images so it looked best as a 5x7.   

Using complimentary Catherine Pooler Inks, I stamp layered the pineapples and mini hibiscus flowers.  To be honest, the hibiscus are small and I was having trouble lining them up so I decided to just stamp and if they didn't line up perfectly, they would just look "artsy".

To finish the design, I've added gold iridescent sequins along with black and gold twine.  We hope to see your lovely Summer themed projects at The Four Seasons Challenge this month.  Next month we enter Autumn and then the holiday season...I know, I know!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Friends

Incy Wincy

We Love Stamping

Art Impressions

Crafting Happiness

A Perfect Time to Craft

Carlin's Card Paradise

Mirtillamente

Creatalicious

Moving Along with the Times

NBUS

SSS Wed Challenge

Rediscover Your Supplies Instagram Hop

Hello Crafty Friends.  Today I'm participating in an Instagram Inspiration Hop highlighting re-discovery....of your supplies. Today my crafty friends and I are sharing inspiration wth our stash supplies with a theme of Summer.  You can hop along with us starting HERE...please visit and get inspired.

My project today features the Radiating Squares 4 part layering stencil from Simon Says Stamp.  The inks are Catherine Pooler and the sentiment die set is from Kat Scrappiness.

I love stenciling and this stencil set is so versatile.  The amount of different designs is endless and I think the pattern would be great for those quick and easy masculine cards.

Catherine Pooler Inks are so vibrant and I adore my collection of them.  I chose 4 complementary colors I felt "spoke" Summer - the theme of this inspiration hop.  The sentiment was die cut and popped on craft foam for dimension.  I've added sequins from my stash; it's kinda my thing to add embellies to my cards.  It's difficult for me to call a card complete without adding them.

Please join us for this inspirational hop.  There are lots of stops and loads of inspiration by my crafty friends.  Have a great day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Krafty Chicks

As You Like It - I always gravitate to and prefer Feminine. I am trying to create masculine themes so I have them ready to go.

Creative Knockouts 

Aud Sentiments

Cardz 4 Galz

CCC Digi Creations

Let's Craft and Create

Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge

Creatalicious

QKR Stampede

Creative Crafters

TTCRD

Die Cut Divas

Lovely Daisies

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  Today, I'm sharing a bright and cheerful Spring Themed card created using the Altenew Lovely Daisies layering die set.   

I didn't have cardstock in the colors I wanted to use so I set out to make my own using Catherine Pooler Inks and 80 lb. Neenah Card.  The layers were then die cut, the flowers were assembled and set aside to work on the background panel.

I die cut a mask of Gina K. Masking Magic using a scalloped oval die, adhered to card panel and ink blended light yellow ink over the card piece.  Catherine Pooler inks are reactive to moisture so I blotted the blending with a damp paper towel in order to get the splotchy look I was going for.

After the blended panel was completely dry, the sentiment was stamped using a dark charcoal ink and the florals were adhered.  Lastly, light lavender gems were added for sparkle and I called this card complete.

Thanks for visiting today.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Altenew April Challenge

Creative Knockouts

As You Like It - I always try to recycle when I can and love to "shop" my stash but this die set was a new purchase, I needed to treat myself!

Crafting Happiness

Dies R Us

QKR Stampede

Crafty Friends

Digi Doodle Studios

Mirtillamente

Your Scrapbook Place

Word Art Wednesday

Avenue 613

Colorful Options

Die Cut Divas - flowers, yellow, 2+ layers

Make the Cards

Butterfly Kisses

Hello and Happy Sunday!  I have a CAS card design to share that was quick and easy to create.  I don't do CAS very often but I do get the urge to create something sweet and simple from time to time.

Using the Butterfly2Build Stamp Set from The Stamps of Life, I've stamped layered a Butterfly using 2 complimentary shades of Catherine Pooler Inks.  The color Serene reminds of the Pantone Color of the Year 2022:  Very Peri.

The sentiment is from the same set as well as the dotted flight trail.  I matted with black card and adhered to a cardbase of 110 lb. Neenah Solar White Classic Crest card.

As a finishing touch, I've added Kat Scrappiness Enamel Dots from the Shades of Teal pack...and that's it...a sweet and simple card for your Sunday.

Thanks for the visit, until next time - Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Outlawz Sunday Songs & Rhymes

We Love Stamping

Stamping Sensations

Avenue 613

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodle

Send a Smile 4 Kids

Taylor Made Cards 4 U

SSS Wed Challenge

Classic Design Challenge