Polkadot Orchard - Trust Your Journey

Happy Saturday Crafty Friends!  I hope your weekend is off to a great start.  This weekend we are in Helen, Georgia for the Oktoberfest.  The town resembles a Bavarian Village and there are loads of Oktoberfest festivities going on.  And to top it off, it's my dear husband's birthday today.

I have a quick share for you today using an image from the Polka Dot Orchard "Let Your Dreams Be Your Wings" digital set.  This set includes 1 image and 5 sentiments and I chose to work with only a sentiment for my design.

I printed the semtiment using a laser printer and hot foiled using toner reactive foil from Thermo-web.  I then cut the panel using a stitched rectangle die and mounted on craft foam for dimension.

The background is an ombre colored panel of patterned paper and I've added strips of white glitter card to create the illusion of blocks of colored card.  Lastly, I've added silver gems from Kat Scrappiness or additional sparkle.

That's all I have for you today, now it's time for more Oktoberfest shenanigans.  Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

My Time to Craft

Your Next Stamp

As You Like It - Tough Choice but I'm loving Metallics lately, I've been foiling everything! 

Stamps Fun Creativity

Word Art Wednesday

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge - Marylin

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  It's time for a new bi-weekly challenge at The Colour Crazy Challenge Blog and our sponsor this round is Mirtillamente.  For my team project, I've created a card using the Marylin digital stamp, graciously provided by our sponsor.  Marylin is part of the Mirtillamente Character Line and isn't she fun? 

I've colored the image my Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers and the papers are snippets from Recollections and Polkadoodles.  I'm trying to use up scrap before I cut into a new piece of patterned paper, however I have so many 6x6 paper pads that I'm set until the year 2030 (and I keep buying more)!

I've also been following card sketch lately as I'm all out of fresh ideas for layouts.  This sketch is lossely based on a sketch from Cards by Kendra.  The focal image has been cut using a fancy edge stitched oval die and the sentiment is from Cardz TV set.

A few sequins have been added for sparkle and shine, it's a Miss Monroe look-alike after all!  Thanks for visiting me today.  Please stop by the challenge blog and play aloing.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

** Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Pattie's Creations

Creative Fingers

Mirtillamente

Paper Babe

Leigh SB Designs

Sweet Stampers

QKR Stampede

Creative Crafters

WWO DT Challenge

Varada Sharma Designs - Thank You Bouquet

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  Today I have a quick share for you featuring a digi stamp from Varada Sharma Designs.  This is gorgeous floral bouquet can be found HERE and I'd like to say "Thank You" to Varada Sharma for giving us all a freebie!

To start, I've printed the image on Canson Mixed Media paper and loosely watercolored using my Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  I've fussy cut the image and proceeded to assemble the card using Sketch #154 from Operation Write Home.

The designer patterned papers are from the Prima Marketing "Havana" 6x6 paper pad and the sentiment, from an Altenew stamp set, has been heat embossed using fine detail gold powder.  I should note I have a little container full of sentments I've created ahead of time and I will pick something from there once and a while.

I've splattered the florals with white watercolor paint and used the image as the circle in the sketch.

I've so enjoyed using card sketches recently and I think I will continue until my design Mojo comes back.  I find that Operation Write Home has many wonderful sketches but a Google search for sketches brings up many choices.  

Please note the Operaton Write Home project closed several years ago but the sketches still remain.

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

Donna 

** Challenges Entered:

QKR Stampede

Creations in Pink

Creative Crafters

Creative Crafting Uncles

WWO DT Challenge

Sweet Stampers

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

TTCRD

Stamps Fun Creativity

.

Free Floral Bouquet from Varada Sharma Designs

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Thursday!  Today I'm sharing a Friendship card created with a Free Digi Stamp courtesy of Varada Sharma Designs.  There are 2 floral images included in this Free Bundle and you can find it HERE.

I've printed the image and sentiment using a laser printer so I could hot foil them using toner reactive foil and a laminator.  I've colored the image with alcohol markers and due cut the focal panel with a tag die.

The patterned papers are from a Recollections 6x6 paper pad that I've had in my stash for ages.  I was looking for a particular color of blue and found it in this older paper pad.  Gold Flecked Gems from CTMH have been added as accents and Gold Thread from Altenew is added to the tag.

Thanks for visiting and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Rabisco

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Craft Rocket

Creative Inspirations

The Paper Funday Challenges - QKR Sunflower

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  Today begins a new challenge month at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and our sponsors this month are QKR Stampede and Newton's Nook Designs!  The theme is Always Anything Goes and this month's optional Twist is:  Thinking of You.

For my design team project, I've used the Sunflower Digital Stamp from QKR Stampede and a card sketch from Mojo Monday to create an Autumn themed card.   

I've printed the image 3 times, colored with alcohol markers and die cut using nesting circle dies from Kat Scrappiness.  The papers are from the Carta Bella "Hello Fall" 6x6 paper pad.

The larger flower in the middle has been popped on craft foam for dimension and I've added chocolate gems from Kat Scrappiness for additional interest.  The sentiment is from the Cardz TV Potpourri Stamp Set.  I've added fancy corners to the sentiment and patterned paper strips using a decorative corner punch.

Please join us at the challenge this month, we hope to see your lovely projects.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Make the Cards

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Inspirations

Ellibelle's Crafty Corner

The Male Room - Love Wthout End, Amen by George Strait

Handstamped Sentiments

TTCRD

Unicorn Challenge

Crafting Happiness

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Get Creative

Not 2 Shabby Monthly Challenge

Colorful Options

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday Challenge - Magical/Fantasy

Hi Friends and Happy Tuesday!  It's time for a new challenge round at the Polkadoodles Digi Choosday Challenge blog.  The Design Team is going Magical/Fantasy and for my project, I've used the Serenity Stardust Digi Stamp, which is part of the Serenity Collection.

I've colored the image using alcohol markers and created a textured background with a cover die. The sentiment is part of the Serenity Set and I trimmed the strips very thin and popped on craft foam for dimension.  The cover die mat and focal panel have been adhered flat and to finish the design, I've added purple gems.

Please stop by the Digi Choosday Challenge and join us this round, we would love to have you!  That's all I have for today, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Challenges Entered:

TTCRD

Everybody Art

Double Trouble

A Place to Start

Love to Craft

QKR Stampede

Crafty Friends

Mirtillamente

Sheepski

Craft Rocket

My Time to Craft

Pattie's Creations

Fairy and Unicorn

Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge - Mrs. Teddy Bear

Hi Friends, it's time for a new challenge month at the Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge Blog and the theme is Always Anything Goes.  Jan has released 3 new sets for September:  Mrs. Teddy Bear, Autumn Leaves and Fresh from the Farm.  These sets, along with 14 others are on Sale for the month.

For my team project, I've colored the Mrs. Teddy Bear image using alcohol markers and the papers are from the Carta Bella Christmas Market 6x6 paper pad.  The image has been fussy cut and I've followed a free card sketch from Mojo Monday.  

A snippet of brushed gold card was die cut using a stitched nesting triangle die and the sentiment is included in this digi set.  To finish off the design, I've added green gems.  

Please join us at the challenge this month and don't forget to visit the shop for the September Sale.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafting Happiness

Christmas With the Cuties

A Place to Start

CD Sunday

Peace on Earth

Stamping Sensations

Corrosive Challenge

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas

Di's Digi Creations

Crafty Calendar

Inspiration Station Challenge #37 - Autumn Splendor

Hello and Happy Monday!  It's the Labor Day Holiday here in the States so we will be going to the Lake for a leisurely lunch and boat ride this afternoon, but now I'm here to announce a new bi-weekly challenge round at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  

The Inspiration Photo #37 is:

What a beautiful scene!  I don't see Bucks this size here in Florida but when we lived in the Georgia countryside, they would come up to the house and eat corn I put out for them. The babies are just too precious! 

My project features a stamp set I received as a gift in a card swap so I have no idea who the maker is. 

I've colored the image using alcohol markers, the papers are from a Carta Bella 6x6 paper pad and the sentiment is from the Cardz TV Potpourri Stamp Set.  I've also been relying on card sketches lately.  This particular sketch is from Operation Write Home.

I don't have many Masculine cards in my stash so I jumped on the opportunity to create a birthday card with this image. It's nice to have one set aside and ready when I need it.

Please join us this round at The Inspiration Station.  We would love to see how Photo #37 inspires you.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafting Happiness

Cupcake Inspirations

Double Trouble

4-Season Challenge

Get Creative

INTAAS

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

613 Avenue Create

Dare 2B Artsy

Dragonfly Dreams

We Love Stamping

SSS Mon Challenge

Not 2 Shabby Monthly Challenge

Friends Make Life Better

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  Today I'm sharing a Friendship Card created using the Have Faith in His Love Digital Stamp from Polka Dot Orchard. 

There are different orientations of this image in the set and I've chosen to use the Portrait layout for my card.  I've colored using Prismacolor Pencils and the sentiment, which is included in the set, was added to the design prior to printing.  

I've kept the overall design simple by adding 3 mats; the cardbase is white but the gray mat was cut to the same dimension, and adhering iridescent water droplets.  This image is so versatile and perfect for any season, just change up the colors of the flowers.

That's all Folks!  Have a great weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Festive Friday

Pattie's Creations

Your Scrapbook Place

Mirtillamente

Crafting Happiness

Moving Along with the Times

Cardz 4 Galz

Word Art Wednesday

Creative Crafters

The Four Seasons Challenge - Autumn Month 1

Hello Friends and Happy 1st Day of September!  Today begins a new challenge at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and our inspiration prompt is Autumn themed. 

I recently received the Fall Foliage Layering Stencil Kit and Coordinating Die set from Pink Fresh Studio.  This is a great stencil set, even though it's named Fall Foliage, it's actually so versatile.  The stencils are easy to layer and the combinations of colors you can create are limitless.

I knew right away I wanted to create a Wreath so I proceeded to stencil and die cut several leaves in various colors.

The card measures 5.5" square and the polkadot patterned paper is from the Bo Bunny "Vintage Polkadot" 6x6 paper pad.  I've has this paper pad in my stash for a few years and I hoard this paper, I love it and it's hard for me to use it.  Do you hoard paper like I do?

I die cut a circle and stamped the sentiment, then added craft foam behind as I planned to elevate it; I needed the ground clearance to tuck all the leaves in.

I wanted an extra full wreath; hence the amount of leaves.  After getting everything adhered, I added a Baker's Twine Bow and some gold gems.  I hope you'll stop by the challenge blog and see the lovely projects my teammates have created this 1st challenge of Autumn.  I hope you'll play along too!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

AYLI = fav base is square; I started papercrafting when we were stationed overseas and that was the shape everyone made so it has a special place in my heart.

Cardz 4 Galz

Craft Rocket

DL. Art

Country View

Moving Along with the Times

Scrapping 4 Fun

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft

Classic Design Challenge

Die Cut Divas

Love to Craft

Hero Arts