The Classic Design Challenge - Jul/Aug 2026

Hello Friends!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog and our Optional Twist is:  Any Holiday.  Our talented and generous sponsor this month is Rachelle Anne Miller, and I've colored up an adorable image from the Penguin and Snowman Snowy Christmas Digital Stamp Set. 

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers, the designer paper is from a holiday stack purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I've used a nesting Arch Die from Hero Arts to cut a window in the patterned paper and added Red Dazzles for sparkle and shine.  

The sentiment is from a holiday pack by Simon Says Stamp and has been popped on foam pads. This adorable little gang looks like they better hold on, they are zooming down the hill!  

The team and I hope you'll pop in and play along with us at the Challenge this month.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Fab 'n Funky Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Digi Choosday

Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge

Make My Monday

CD Sunday +

Mirtillamente

Outlaws Christmas Challenge

Pearly Sparkles

Send A Smile 4 Kids

Sparkling Season

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Saturday!  I have a quick share for you today, but before we get to my holiday card, I want to announce a New Challenge that will be starting on the 20th of January 2026.  It's The Pick 3 Challenge. Please check it out, be sure to follow, spread the word and get ready to play along!

My card today is another fairly CAS design, using the Sparkling Season Stamp Set from Gina K. Designs.  This set was a Simon Says Stamp Stamptember offer a few years ago and it's a timeless holiday set.

I started with heat embossing the images and sentiment on Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss card using Ranger Fine Detail gold embossing powder.  I've back the focal panel with gold mirror card and adhered to a Blackberry Bliss card base.

I use this set every year for at least 1 Christmas Card, I love the nostalgic feel of the baubles, the sentiment font and the elegant gold and blackberry together.  

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Sweet Stampin'

Crafty Calendar

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #682

Cardz 4 Galz

Lil Red Wagon

Word Art Wednesday

Shopping our Stash

613 Avenue Create

A Place to Start

A Perfect Time to Craft

FaLaLa and Snowflakes

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday, does anyone say Happy Hump Day anymore?  I have a quick share featuring a large sentiment die and stenciled snowflakes.  This card was a fast make, the longest part was waiting for the ink to dry.

You've probably guessed by now that I've went shopping in my stash and used the Bundle Up Snow Stencil from Carta Bella and the FaLaLa die from Simon Says Stamp to create a simple yet festive Christmas Card.  I've used the sentiment die last year, however this year is the first for using this stencil.

I've used Unicorn White Ink from Hero Arts for the stenciling, and I've die cut stitched stars from silver mirror card to use as embellishments.  Lastly, everything has been popped on foam pads for dimension, and this card is complete and now in the post!

Have a fabulous day, until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Little Red Wagon

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Stencil Fun

Word Power

Word Art Wednesday

Art Nudge - 1225A

Christmas Kickstart

A Cut Above

A Place to Start

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

Talk Turkey to Me

Happy Sunday Funday Everyone!  I have a quick share featuring the cutest Turkey I've ever see!  He's part of the Turkey Digital Bundle by Conie Fong and he's ready for Thanksgiving Dinner - not as the main course but as a Guest at the Table.

I've colored him using Copic Alcohol Markers and die cut the panel using a scalloped edge nesting die.  The patterned papers are from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella, and the glitter paper is from a 6x6 glitter pad from Recollections.

The Sentiment is from the "Talk Turkey" Stamp set by Newton's Nook, and was a Stamptember 2023 collaboration with Simon Says Stamp.  I've used a hexagon nesting die to cut out the sentiment.

I hope you have an amazing day and week ahead.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

CD Sunday +

613 Avenue Create

All Sorts

Love Those Pretty Papers

Polkadoodles

Mirtillamente

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Crafty Animals

Critter Crazy

Crafts Galore Encore

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:

Dream Valley

A Place to Start

Crafter's Cafe

Creative Crafters

Avenue 613

We love Stamping

Stamping Sensations

All Sorts

Crafts Galore Encore

Simon Says Stamp Flicker Challenge

Happy Days

Hello and Happy Monday from Sweltering, Sunny Florida.  We're in store for another hot day with temps topping out at 96 degrees F/35 C.  That's hot for May folks! I have a quick share for you today featuring an adorable Frog from the Happy Days Set (sss202723c) by Simon Says Stamp.

I've had this sweet set in my stash for a while now and never inked it up.  In an effort to use what I have, I decided to use it today.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and die cut the focal panel using a nesting circle die from Kat Scrappiness.  The patterned papers are from a 12x12 paper stack by Die Cuts with a View and the water droplets are from Kat Scrappiness.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set and stamped on a stitched sentiment strip die cut, also from Kat Scrappiness.  The focal panel and sentiment have been popped on foam pads from dimension.  

That's all for today.  If you're looking for me, I'll be in the pool.  Have a fabulous day and until next, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

A Place to Start

A Cut Above

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

We Love Stamping

Crafty Calendar

Polkadoodles

Gem of a Challenge

Alphabet Challenge

Creative Moments

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Word Art Wednesday

Paper Rocks Scissors

Triple B Challenge

Daisy Chain Challenges

Paper Funday October 2024 Challenge

Happy Wednesday Crafty Friends!  It's a new monthly challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog, the theme is Anything Goes with an Optional Twist of Autumn Colors.  For my card, I've went with the Twist theme, as Autumn is my favorite season.

I've used a Reverse Confetti Stamp and Coordinating die set, that was part of the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember Collaboration a couple years ago.  The image was stamped on Tim Holtz watercolor paper and painted using Gansai Tambi watercolors.  The focal image was cut using the coordinating die and popped on foam for dimension.

The patterned papers are from the "Welcome Fall" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella.  The sentiment is a cut apart from the same paper pad, and some linen thread has been added for texture.  We hope you'll join us at the challenge this month, please stop by and see what the team has created.  You may be inspired to get creating for Autumn.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Word Art Wednesday

Penny's Challenges

Creative Inspirations

Crafty Gals Corner

Try it on Tuesday

Moving Along with the Times

Scrapping 4 Fun

The Four Seasons

The Crafting Challenge

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

 

Lil Cactus Trick-or-Treater

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday, I hope your weekend has been wonderful.  Our continued prayers go out to all who have been affected by Hurricane Helene,  We are blessed and gave thanks to God as we experienced no significant damage. 

I have a quick share today featuring an adorable little Trick-or-Treater dressed in a Cactus Costume, ready to get some Candy.  It's hard to believe October 1st will soon be here, along with Halloween!

To start, I've stamped the image, from the Darcie's Heart and Home Llama Halloween Clear Stamp Set, on Canson 140 lb watercolor paper and painted using Gansai Tambi Watercolors. I've kept the painting simple, the image is small so not a lot to shade.  I've backed the focal image with purple card and popped on foam for dimension. 

The patterned papers are snippets from the Echo Park "Trick or Treat" 6x6 paper pack.  I've also used a strip of glitter tape from Cricut to add a bit of sparkle and to create a break from top to bottom.

The sentiment is from a pre-packaged set of sentiment strips, designed by Cathy Zelski for Simon Says Stamp, and I've popped on foam for dimension.  Lastly, Halloween Green sequins were added for more spooky sparkle and shine.

Thanks all I have to share today, until next time - Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Allsorts

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Love Those Pretty Papers

Send a Smile 4 Kids

Krafty Chicks

Cardz 4 Galz

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Papercraft Challenges

Girlz Creative Crafts

Creative Crafting Uncles

 

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Stamping Sensations

All Sorts

Crafty Catz

Krafty Chicks

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

I Spy with My Little Eye

Santa Knows!

Happy Tuesday Friends!  I have a quick share for you today featuring a die cut Santa Claus from Spellbinders.  I picked this set up during their clearance sale a few months ago and couldn't wait to put him on a Christmas Card.

After die cutting and adhering Santa together, I've added bits of shading with a cool gray colored pencil to give him a bit of dimension.

The patterned papers are from a Holiday paper pad by Recollections, the sentiment is from a pre-made sentiment pack by Simon Says Stamp and has been popped on foam pads.  

I've used a card sketch from Cardz TV and embossed the background with a wintery scene folder from Darice.  Santa's hat is glittery and I've added small red gems to complete the design. 

That's all for today friends.  Remember - he knows if you've been bad or good.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Holly and Ivy Christmas

Unicorn Challenge

A Place to Start

Cutie Pie Challenge

Christmas Bingo - Top Line straight across

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

Scrapping 4 Fun

Challenge Up Your Life

Peace On Earth

Die Cut Divas

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards - "S" is for Santa

Autumn Cascade

Hi Crafty Friends, Happy Monday!  I have a quick share today featuring the Autumn Cascade Layering Stencil from Simon Says Stamp. I had forgotten I purchased this stencil during Stamptember 2023 and while I was looking out my craft room window, I had an idea....

I have wide slated, wooden blinds on my craft room windows, and outside my window is a gorgeous hibiscus bush.  This scene gave me an idea to create a "window" with a blind, looking outside onto Autumn leaves.

I stenciled the leaves with Distress Oxide Inks and Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Paste.  Once dry, I've outlined the images with a fine tipped permanent marker and splattered with Gold Posca Paint Pen.

The panel was cut into 1" strips, then arranged on black card. The sentiment is from a ready to use package of Thanksgiving Sentiments, and has been popped on craft foam.  Lastly,  I've added a cluster of gold thread behind the sentiment strip for additional interest.

That's all I have for today.  I hope you have a fantastic week ahead, until next time - Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenges

Use Your Stuff

A Place to Start

Aud Sentiments

Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge

Crafty Calendar

Alphabet Challenge

Craft Rocket

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

 

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

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:

A Place to Start

Creative Moments

Happy Little Stampers Stencil Challenge

Triple B

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Inkspirational

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Paper Dragonfly

Through the Purple Haze:  Punch, Girly, Floral

Creative Inspiration

Moving Along with the Times

Crafty Animals

Word Art Wednesday Guest Designer - Trust in Him

Hello Friends and Welcome, I'm glad you stopped by.  I've been honored with a guest designer spot for the month of August at the Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog.  For my first project this month, I've created a sweet and simple design using this inspiring quote from Psalms Chapter 62, Verse 8.

I wanted the verse to take center stage, so I've printed it large, then stamped sun rays from the Simon Says Stamp "Hello Sunshine" set above using 2 shades of yellow ink from Catherine Pooler.

To "ground" the design, I've wrapped and tied a bow of Caribbean Blue Twine from a Fun Stampers Journey to the bottom.  

This guest designer spot and this verse couldn't have come at a better time.  We recently learned that someone close has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, but God can do miracles and we are putting our trust in him.  Any prayers are greatly appreciated.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Lil Red Wagon

Double D

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Crafty Catz