Duncan Street Designs

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

Paper Rocks Scissors

CD Sunday +

Moving Along with the Times

Monday, August 5, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge #64 - August 2024

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. Our inspiration photo is a colorful one and I immediately knew the set I would use for my project.

I've used the Organic Fruits Stamp Set by Simon Says Stamp. I love the retro vibe, the images can be hand colored or stamp layered, which I chose to do here. The stamp set is designed so when layering the color onto the images, the colors either do not stay within the lines or do not completely fill the image, which gives it that cool organic look.

For my colors, I've used Versafine Black ink to stamp the images and various Gina K. Designs inks for the fruit colors. I've created my own designer series papers, if you will, with the images. After the inks were dry, I splattered the panel with white acrylic ink.

I've layered the focal panel with a black mat, die cut a circle, heat embossed the sentiment, popped on craft foam for dimension and added a twine bow. To add a bit more interest, I dipped a new pencil with unused eraser into the inks and dotted around the design. Lastly, I've added gold gems from Kat Scrappiness.

I invite you to please join us at The Inspiration Station Challenge this month. We hope to inspire you with our designs and we always enjoy seeing how the photo inspires everyone.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Double Trouble - Bright colors and a Retro vibe make me happy

Make My Monday - coloring medium is ink

FarmQuest Homestyle Kitchen Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

I Spy with My Little Eye

Monday, July 1, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge #63

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was grand and you did something fun. Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge blog and we have a great inspiration photo, especially for this time of year:

I was digging through my huge stash (hangs head in shame) and came across some 3-D embellishments, purchased from Hobby Lobby, and thought these would work for my team project!

And I didn't stop there, I decided to create another fun fold design (yes, I'm on a roll with the fancy folds). I did a search on Pinterest for fancy folds and came across this one from Creative Moments by G. She calls it the 3 Panel Crossover Pop Up card and you can read about it HERE.

The front panels are only adhered to the card base on the left, and when the card opens, there's a pop up inside.

There's a simple mechanism inside that pops up the journaling card as shown here:

The patterned papers and journaling card are from a 12x12 paper pad by Paper House, titled "Seas the Day" This is such a cool design, and Creative Moments by G has a You Tube Tutorial for this card HERE.

The team and I invite you to join us at The Inspiration Station Challenge this month, we would love to see how the inspiration photo inspires you!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafts Galore Encore

Give a Crafter a Cookie

Monday, May 6, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge #61 - May 2024

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Monday! It's the 1st Monday of the month and that means a new challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. We have a pretty inspiration photo this month:

I love florals and the colors of the prompt are gorgeous, so for my team project, I've used the Paint-A-Flower Fashion Monger Dahlia Stamp Set from Altenew.

My color inspiration came directly from the photo prompt. I love Pinks, Purples and Yellows together, and the image has been colored using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Brush Markers.

I went with a Clean and Simple theme; adding a black mat border, gold and white paint splatters and dew drop embellishments. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

The team and I would love to see you at the challenge, we're always amazed at the different interpretations of the inspiration photo. We hope you'll join in and share your creativity with us.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Triple B Challenge

Make My Monday

Monday, April 1, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge April 2024 - The Blue Planet

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Monday! It's a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. The month of April brings Earth Day (April 22nd) and our inspiration prompt this month reflects the Blue Planet and just how precious it is.

And as a bonus for the first 2 weeks of this month, we are collaborating with The Double Trouble Challenge. We hope you'll visit their challenge and join in there as well. That gives you 2 chances to win!

Now for my team project. Using the Big World Stamp and Coordinating Die Set from Altenew, I've created a CAS styled card, taking my inspiration directly from our prompt this month.

This is a layering stamp set, with various configurations for the continents. I stamped the Earth using Catherine Pooler Inks and die cut using the coordinating die. I die cut the pedestal from silver matte card and layered the Globe on a snippet of patterned paper and blue mat, using nesting circle dies from Kat Scrappiness. I popped the earth on foam pads for dimension.

To help the silver pedestal stand out from the gray background, I've traced around the die cut using gray and blue Prismacolor Pencils. The sentiment is from the same set, and the "world" die cut is included in the die set. To finish the design, I've added silver sequins.

We hope you'll be inspired by this months' photo prompt and create something to share with us. And don't forget to play along at The Double Trouble Challenge, which you can find HERE.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

SSS Monday Challenge

The Crafting Challenge

Incy Wincy - based on the book "Around the World in 80 Days"

Crafts Galore Encore

Pearly Sparkles

Scrapping 4 Fun

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges

CAS on Friday

Monday, March 4, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge March 2024

Hello and Happy 1st Monday of March! I hope you are starting to see signs of Spring where you are. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, I hope you're winter weather hasn't arrived yet.

Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. The challenges always have an inspirational prompt for you to interpret into your design. The inspiration photo this month is:

There are so many ways to interpret this photo, I went with a St. Patrick's Day theme as I get the vibe of a Parade with lots of fun visuals and sounds. I've used the now defunct Bugaboo Stamps St. Patrick's Day Frog for my card.

I've colored this Cheeky Frog using Prismacolor Pencils. The patterned papers are from a St. Patrick's Day digital paper pack that I purchased on Etsy approximately 5 years ago, and I've used only scrap on this card. Because it's a digital paper pack, I'll always have these "papers" to use.

I've die cut the focal image using a nested stitched circle die from Cheery Lynn (purchased from Amazon). I've popped the circle focal on foam pads, as well as the banner. Lastly, I've added green faux gems for added interest.

The team and I hope you'll pop over to the challenge and play along this month. There is a lovely prize from Pretty Pink Posh (not a sponsored prize) and everyone is eligible for the prize, no matter of your location, as long as rules for the challenge are followed.

That's all for now. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Aud Sentiments

CD Sunday +

Crafting Happiness
Crafty Animals

613 Avenue Create

Pearly Sparkles

Crafts Galore Encore

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges

Monday, February 5, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge #58 - February 2024

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday! Today starts a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and we have a sweet inspiration photo for you:

I knew immediately I wanted to create a Galentine's Day card, using animals but not the typical puppies and kitties, but rather 2 adorable Cupid Bears from Di's Digi Stamps.

I've colored the images using Prismacolor Pencils, and tried to color in such a way as to give them "textured" fur. I've die cut the focal panel with a fancy edged oval die and adhered flat to the card base.

The patterned paper is from a Recollections pack purchased at Michael's Craft Store acouple of years ago. I've kept the design fairly simple, only adding a few enamel dots as accents. These are simply the cutest little nuggets and they were easy to color.

Please join us at The Inspiration Station Challenge this month, there is a nice stamp set from Jane Davenport on offer, and you may just be a winner.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Cupcake Inspirations

Colorful Options

CD Sunday Plus

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Critter Crazy Challenge

Crafty Animals

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Inspiration Station Challenge - Snowmen and Bunnies

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday! I trust everyone had a very Happy Christmas and Joyous New Year. I'm ready to take 2024 by the horns and make it great. Today starts a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge and we have a very peaceful scene for our inspiration prompt:

I was inspired by the snowy scene, the cold air and the brightness of the moon, so for my project, I've used the Snowmen and Bunnies stamp set from Colorado Craft Company (featuring the adorable drawings of Anita Jeram) to create my card:

I've colored the images using my Prismacolor Pencils, then ink blended a soft circle using templated from Lavinia Stamps to highlight the scene. I've kept the design fairly CAS, added some snowflake embellies and sequins for added interest.

We hope you'll play along with us, we love seeing how the inspiration prompt inspires everyone. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

AUD Sentiments

Crafting From the Heart

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie

Pearly Sparkles

The Four Seasons Challenge

All Sorts

Monday, November 6, 2023

Inspiration Station Challenge - Inspiration Prompt #54

Hello and Happy 1st Monday of November! Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. Our inspiration prompt this month is:

I've been inspired lately to use up stash items, to go shopping my stash if you will. In searching for something with loads of Autumn vibes, I've come across a package of adorable Gnome Stickers I picked up at the Dollar Tree Discount store.

The patterned papers are snippets from an Echo Park 6x6 paper pad, and of course the stickers make the perfect focal image and accents.

To complete this easy to make card, I've added sparkly orange enamel dots. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the leaf stickers and leaf accents in the Gnomie's hat.

Please visit us at the challenge and enter your inspired makes. We always love seeing everyone's creativity and visiting your posts.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

4 Season Challenge

Crafting From the Heart

The Four Seasons

Love to Craft

The Crafting Challenge

Monday, October 2, 2023

Inspiration Station Challenge Prompt #54

Hello and Happy Monday! Welcome to October and a new monthly challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. We're on inspiration prompt #54 which is here:

When I look at this picture, I'm inspired by Halloween, Costume Parties and Trick-or-Treating. I've used the Boo Mummy digital image from Polkadoodles for my project this month. This adorable fella is part of the Boo Halloween Series.

I've colored him using Prismacolor Pencils and die cut the image using a spiral stitched nesting oval die from My Favorite Things. The patterned papers are from Kat Scrappiness.

The sentiment strip is from Simon Says Stamp and has been popped on craft foam along with the focal image. I've not added any bells or whistles to this card as he is on his way overseas and I didn't want him to get damaged in the post.

Please join us at The Inspiration Station Challenge this month. We have a great prize on offer and we are always delighted to see how the inspiration prompts inspire your designs.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Use Your Stuff

Two Old Bats

Get Creative

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

We Love Stamping

Gem of a Craft Challenge

Polkadoodles

Mirtillamente

Monday, August 7, 2023

Inspiration Station Challenge #52 August 2023

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! Today starts a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. If you're not familiar with the challenge, the premise is to be inspired by the photo prompt provided and let your creativity flow. Our photo prompt for August 2023 is:

Needless to say, everything in this photo spoke to me: the butterflies, the colors and the "out of focus" parts of the photo. I've used a portion of a layering Butterfly Die Set from Altenew and embossing powers to create my card for this challenge.

To start, I stamped a panel with the Old Letter Background Cling Stamp from Simon Says Stamp, using gray ink from Catherine Pooler. Using a stencil from Uniko, I've applied embossing ink through the stencil and heat embossed translucent Distress Embossing Powders in colors Twisted Citron, Wilted Violet and Wild Honey.

I've die cut only the base layer of the layering Butterfly in black card, cut a piece of stiff honeycomb ribbon for the butterfly to rest on and adhered all to the card panel using Fabri-Tac Adhesive (due to the ribbon). Lastly, I've added a pre-made sentiment strip from Simon Says Stamp, which has been popped on craft foam.

I hope you'll join us at the challenge. The team and I always enjoy seeing how the photo inspires everyone's creativity. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge

Creative Moments

Triple B

Moving Along with the Times

Through the Purple Haze: Punch, Girly, Floral

Creative Inspiration

Crafty Animals

Monday, July 3, 2023

Inspiration Station Challenge #51

Hello Everyone and Happy July 3rd! I hope you're enjoying a long holiday weekend and staying as Cool as you possibly can in this sweltering heat!

Today begins a new challenge month at The inspiration Station Challenge Blog. Our photo prompt for July is so appropriate for this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere:

For my team project, I've decided to use an oldie but goodie digital image from Bugaboo Stamps. I was inspired by the water and found a fun Snorkeling Penguin. I've colored up the Poppi Penguin with Scuba Gear image using Prismacolor Pencils.

The patterned papers are from the Summer Vibes paper pack by Kat Scrappiness and the sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps.

To finish off the design, I've added faux gems that match the color of the water. I've always loved Bugaboo images and they were the first digitals I started coloring. I was also honored to be on the Design Team. Jodie, I hope you are well and living your best life, wherever you are!

Please stop by the Inspiration Station Challenge and let's see how the photo prompt inspires you.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

CD Sunday

613 Avenue Create

Crafting Happiness

Friendship Challenge

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Inspired by the Penguins at Sea World Orlando

Four Seasons Challenge

Love to Craft

Crafty Animals

Monday, June 5, 2023

Love and Friendship - Inspiration Station Challenge #50

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! Today begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. The inspiration prompt this month is a gorgeous sunset/sunrise photo and it can be interpreted in so many ways.

For my team project this month, I shopped my stash and decided to use the "Sittin' Tree" Stamp set from Maymay Made It and Distress Oxide Inks to create a background design that was completely inspired by the scene in the inspiration prompt.

To start, I've ink blended the background using distress oxide inks that I felt would make a nice sunrise/sunset color palette. Once the ink was completely dry, I stamped the images directly on the blended panel. *TIP: Before stamping on a blended background, make certain the ink is completely dry, otherwise you will find yourself stamping and stamping to get a crisp, dark image. Ask me how I know this :)

This stamp set has different types of foliage for the tree. I've chosen to use the tiny blossoms and I've painstakingly dotted each one with a white Posca Paint Pen.

The ready made sentiment strip is from Simon Says Stamp. These are nice for quick and easy sentiments, all you have to do is trim them. And the black background can be heat foiled too. No bells or whistles were added to the card as I thought the scene was busy enough.

Please stop by the challenge and join in. We always love seeing how the photo inspires everyone. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Inkspirational - Summer

Creative Fingers

Krafty Chicks

AYLI - I prefer Bright colors and don't have a reason - maybe because they make me happy

Creative Inspiration

QKR Stampede

Monday, May 1, 2023

Inspiration Station Challenge - Inspiration Prompt #49

Hello Friends and Happy May Day, also known as International Worker's Day! The 1st day of the month signals a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog. Our May Inspiration Prompt #49 is:

This appears to be a celebration, dancing around the Maypole. I remember in elementary school, we used to celebrate May Day with a dance around the Maypole. This photo inspired me to use the color Red and create a card of Friendship. I'm inspired by friends getting together for fun in the sun.

I have several decorative paper napkins, some gifted to me and others purchased through Ninny's Napkins. When I purchased this napkin, my thought was to upcycle a home decor item but I put it away, and never completed the home decor project. When "shopping my stash", I remembered all the lovely cards I've seen made with paper napkins.

The card design is very simple to create. I glued the top layer of the napkin to a card panel and after it was dry, I die cut an 2 nesting ovals from the center. I've adhered the napkin panel to a card base, it's hard to see in the photo but each layered oval has a graduated step of dimension and I've also dry embossed the napkin before die cutting

To finish, I've die cut the sentiment with a stitched oval and added a bit of twine. Please join us at The Inspiration Station, we would love to see how the photo prompt inspires you. Everyone's interpretation is unique and we hope to inspire you with our projects.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

Make My Monday