Not So Spooky Things

Happy Saturday Crafty Friends!  I've been creating Autumn and Halloween cards lately and I have a quick share for you today featuring a cute set that I found while "shopping" my stash.  Can you believe I've never inked it up?  For Shame, For Shame!

I've used the Happy Halloween Clear Stamp Set from Creative Expressions and papers from the Spooky Things paper pad by Simple Stories to create a not-so-spooky Halloween card.

I've colored the images using Copic Alcohol Markers, the images have been fussy cut and popped on foam pads.  The sentiment tag is a cut-out from the paper pad and I've added a but of purple ribbon and staples using the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Attacher. 

Lastly, I've added Dazzles in the same colors as the polka-dots in the patterned paper. Both images are adorable, but the Wiener Dog has my heart as he/she reminds me of my Stella.

That's all I have for today; I wish you a great weekend and hope you find some crafty time.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Inkspirational
2. Send A Smile 4 Kids
3. Polkadoodles
   
4. Polkadoodles Gem of a Challenge
   
5. Digi Choosday
   
6. Crafty Catz
   
7. Passion for Markers
   
8. Try It On Tuesday
   
9. Neglected Stuff Challenge - the stamp set is/was neglected
   
10. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
    

The NEW Pick 3 Challenge - Jan/Feb 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  There's a new challenge in Blogland and it's The Pick 3 Challenge.  The premise of the challenge is to pick at least 3 elements out of the 6 given and create using them.  Challenge are monthly, always starting on the 20th of the month.  Today is the 1st challenge and the element board contains some fun ideas:

 

For my team project, I've used Fun Fold, Stencil and Layers for my elements to create a Valentine's card for dear hubby.  The stencil is "Swirling Hearts" from Creative Expressions, the fun fold is the Double Gatefold and I've followed instructions by Eva Deitz, and the layers are from patterned paper panels, a layered sentiment and card folds.

To make the card a bit more masculine, I went with a black, white and red color palette.  I've inked around the stenciled panel with Black Soot Distress Ink and the patterned papers are snippets from a Carta Bella pad.

The sentiment is a die cut with shadow from Kat Scrappiness.  I used a vellum shadow so the sentiment wouldn't blend into the background.  Lastly, I've added 3 red sequins and Wink of Stella on the sentiment.  I thought adding a bit of sparkle to hubby's Valentine's card wasn't too feminine.  He probably won't even notice!

The team and I hope you'll pop over to the Pick 3 Challenge and join us.  You have a month to join in, and you can enter 6 original designs.  Any craft is welcome, as long as it contains at least 3 of the 6 elements provided.  We hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

1. Stencil Fun Challenge
2. Art Nudge - hearts from 0126D
3. Pammie's Inky Pinkies
4. Aud Sentiments
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
6. All Sorts
7. Crafty Catz
8. Creative Fingers
9. Creative Creases Challenge
10. Crafter's Cafe

The Paper Funday Challenge - January 2026

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  It's the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for a new challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog.  The team had a nice holiday break and we're ready for some fun and creativity.  Our generous sponsors this month are Taylored Expressions and Sweet November Stamps, with our optional twist for January being a Sketch:

For my design team project, I chose not to use the optional sketch but instead used the Bitty Bouquet Stamp and Coordinating Stencil Set from Taylored Expressions.  This set was included in the Nature's Canvas Cardmaking Kit, and I don't believe it is sold separately.

To start, using inks from Catherine Pooler, I've stamped the panel with the green stems and leaves, then ink blended the remaining layered stencil elements.  The result is a very cheerful background panel, which I thought would be a perfect Friendship card (or even a Galentine's Day card).

I've die cut the sentiment using a mini expressions die set from Creative Expressions, and to prevent it from getting "lost" against the busy background, I've adhered it to a panel of vellum.  Lastly, I've added pink faux gems to accent the sentiment.

I hope you'll stop by The Paper Funday Challenge and see what my teammates have created using items from our sponsors, and we hope you'll join us this month and share your creative makes.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Triple B Challenge

Let's Craft and Create

Stencil Fun Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Art Nudge

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Aud Sentiments

Dragonfly Dreams

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

Colour Crazy Challenge - Polkadoodles

Hello Crafty Friends and Welcome to Friday!  YAY...today begins a new bi-weekly challenge round at The Colour Crazy Challenge and our sponsor is the ever popular Polkadoodles!

For my design team project, I've created a card featuring the sweet Honeypie Just Lovely Digital Stamp. 

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Markers, the papers are from the Recollections Blush and Mint 6x6 paper pad and the die cut sentiment is from Creative Expressions.

Honeypie has been fussy cut and popped on craft foam for dimension.  The focal panel was die cut with a fancy scalloped die from Creative Expressions and adhered flat to the mat.  Lastly, sequins were added for additional interest and shine.

Join us over at The Colour Crazy Challenge Blog!  We'd love to have you.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

*Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Krafty Chicks

AYLI :  I wouldn't say I have a favorite layout but I do use sketches quite frequently

Cardz 4 Galz

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Digi Choosday

Passion for Markers