Tuesday, April 30, 2024

myasperations 4-30-24

    My first card for this post is for one of my favorite challenges names “Snippets.” I love that it encourages me to use all the lovely paper scraps that I hoard… I mean… save for later use! I found a pile of a pastel colored scraps from a paper pad I bought to make a baby gift years ago. The pages in the pad all had the same pattern in a half-dozen pastel colors. I trimmed the scraps into strips, then created a herringbone pattern using one of my often used tutorial that I found on Pinterest years ago (weblink in supplies list.) The bunny, bunch of carrots, and inside sentiment are all from a Beccy’s Place digi set. (I used a strip of fluffy white yarn to create a tail with texture. After seeing this photo, I decided it looks more like a frosted mini-cinnamon roll than a bunny tail! I’ll see if I can fluff it up a bit before I slip it into the gift bags of assorted themed cards that I’ll be giving as graduation and wedding gifts in the coming months.)
     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Park Hopping-My Happy Place (my card is inspired by Universal Studios, The Secret Lives of Pets which features a cute but also completely unpredictable rabbit named “Snowball.”
Supplies: 
·   Herringbone background- made with paper snippets cut into strips (instructions HERE)

·   Digis on card front and sentiment on inside all from a Beccys Place digi set (Easter Joy)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

Snippets- Week #479  

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: April Pastels  (optional rainbow)   
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #645-646
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (April)    Rabbit: The Secret Lives of Pets
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Spring is in the Air)
Beccy’s Place Challenge- April   
        Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun! 

   If you are a regular here at my blog, you might know that I regularly donate cards to the drug/alcohol treatment center where I work, so that our clients can keep in touch with loved ones. I often get requests for kids cards, especially princesses and dinosaurs. I recently was asked if I could make a card with turtles, specifically Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). Since I like challenges… I said I’d try.  I don’t have any TMNT stamps or digis, so decided to sketch them… with the help of a TMNT coloring book (which I’m thinking will become happy mail to one of my grandnephews/nieces in the near future!)  
     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Di’s Digi Stamps: Fantasy (Tte challenge lists several options for the challenge including “talking animals.” Although they are reptiles, since the TMN Turtles say things like “Cowabunga, dude!” I think they qualify as fantasy/pretend?!)
Supplies: 
·   Front-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- Sketched from a Nickelodeon Coloring Book     

·   Inside-Turtle image- Whimsy Stamps Clear Set (Under the Sea)

·   Images colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Sentiments- Computer Generated

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Crafty Catz Challenge- Anything Goes #670 (Optional twist- For a Boy  
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Wheel (Photo)  
Outlawz ChallengeApril 2024 Linky
Di’s Digi Stamps- Fantasy Challenge (Mermaids, unicorns, fairies, talking animals, etc)

      This cute feline in a stamp set from Biblical Impressions named “Crazy Kitty” always makes me laugh. This time I stamped it on kraft-colored cardstock with black ink and got to work with my Spectrum Noir Coloring System alcohol markers and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen. The paws, which come in the set, were stamped on scrap paper, colored and fussy-cut. I then mounted them with foam tape, positioning them to look like the kitty is peeking over them. The front sentiment is a vintage wood-mount stamp from Printworks. The “Excerpt from the Diary of a Cat” on the inside is computer-generated. I found it on the internet years ago and it was love at first sight. (Since I like to give credit when I use an image or sentiment, I researched its source when I first posted a card using it in 2017. I couldn’t find the original author, but I found an article from the 1990s that mentioned it. I just checked and that site is no longer available. Currently, the funny excerpt does pop up in lots of locations on the web, one of them is a 400+ page book named “Getting Out: Excerpts from a Cat’s Diary” by John Woodcock. Since I found the earlier listing from the 1990’s and this book was published in 2009, it’s not the original source… but it might credit the original author. For that reason, I’m going to say I’ve done my due diligence it trying to follow copyright rules! (Can you tell that two jobs I’ve had in the last 50 years were at a community Carnegie Library during high school, and as a work-study librarian at the University I attended in the 70s!)
Supplies: 
·   Image- Biblical Impressions Wood-mount stamp set (Crazy Kitty) Stamp line is currently unavailable

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Front Sentiment- from Printworks Stamps (no longer in business)

·   Inside Sentiment -

·   Victorian Postcard, brown ink and sponge used to stencil edge of A2 Kraft card.

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  

We Craft Cards- Dogs and Cats

Allsorts Challenge- Week 778 Use Stencil  (Option AG)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge- Anything Goes (optional: Baby Animals)  

Friday, April 26, 2024

myasperations 4-26-24a

    A few years ago I discovered a great group on FB named Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC}. They offer monthly Christmas-themed sketch challenges, plus they host Linky parties several times a year that include lots of wonderful prizes, and the group host and members are so kind!) 
    This is my final entry into their annual Spring into Christmas Linky Party. It features a sweet image from Di’s Digis within a rustic, weathered-wood card. A scrapbook template helped create the oval frame for the tender Christmas scene. (It looks like Mary might be whispering "Shhh" to the critters excitedly crowding around the newborn King! If you look closely, you can see a little lamb's nose and a tiny bunny's ears, as they try to peek into the manger.) Her "fabric" gown is paperpieced with a scrap of light colored Silver stars add sparkle to the deep blue sky, white a circle of the smallest stars frame the head of baby Jesus, displaying his majesty! 
     I’m entering my card into several challenges including Christmas Craft Creations: Non-traditional Colors (mainly shades of blue and brown), Path Of Positivity: Power of Words-Love/Relationships (this card represents my life's most important relationship with a loving God who offers abounding love and saving grace!) and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (This is another of my favorite challenges… as it has introduced me to many new amusement parks. I’ve entered several Christmas cards into this challenge with a Santa theme and was excited to find a theme park that I added to my bucket list- Santa’s Village. After making this card, I wondered if any Christmas theme parks include Christian-focused options. I wasn’t having any success in finding one, until I decided to revisit Santa’s Village and found they offer a historic St Nicolas Chapel, with a stable and life-size nativity with a woodsy backdrop, provide the true meaning of Christmas… and keeps this place securely on my bucket list! I also found that Branson Mo features a theater production of the nativity, the Miracle of Christmas, with several family fun parks nearby. Find them HERE, type “theme park” into the search bar. One called “Fritz’s Adventure makes me want to head there NOW!)   
Supplies: 
·   Digi (Izzy’s Nativity) Retired (Check Di’s Etsy shop HERE to see other adorable digis!)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sentiments- Computer Generated
·   Oval template, star stickers, and tiny shaker stars plus other items from my stash
Entered into:  
{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2024 Linky Party    
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #120 Power of Words: Love/Relationships 
Christmas Craft Creations challenge- April-Non-traditional Colors   
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Friday (Christmas)
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #645-646
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (April)    Santa’s Village

    This baby card features two freebie digis from the talented Beccy Muir, two sentiment strips from my scrapbook stash, a handful of colorful paper snippets, and a smattering of sparkly heart stickers. Ahhh… sweet!
    I’m entering this card into several challenges including Crafty Catz Challenge: For a Boy (although girls can- and do!- like reptiles like lizards, dinosours and crocodiles, this little Croc’s light blue helps make this card appropriate for a boy)
Supplies: 

·   Pre-colored Digi and patterned paper- Freebies from Beccy’s Place (Baby Crocodile)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Sparkly Heart Stickers- Hobby Lobby

·   Sentiments- set of baby stickers from my scrapbook stash

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes
Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: April Pastels  
Beccy’s Place Challenge- April    Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun!

    I used a free Paint.net program to layer the png outline  digi atop the pre-colored background in the digi set (link is in my supplies list.) It was fun to color the beach beauty and her yummy beverage! Added kraft photo corners, sparkle to her tail and water with Stickles, and sentiments that are freebies from two of my favorite sites for… well… free sentiments!  
     I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz- Tuesday: Color Wheel (my card includes several shades of blue from top of wheel and shades of red/pink and peach/orange from the bottom), Inspiration Station: Photo Prompt/Earth Day (I did some web surfing and found several credible sources that reported 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water and our oceans hold about 96.5 % of all Earth’s water. So, caring for our oceans is very important… and I’m sure that 100% of mermaids agree!) 
Supplies: 

·    Free Paint.net program can be found HERE (you can add watermarks, layer digis, and more!)

·   Digi and background scene- The Paper Shelter (Little Mermaid On Vacation)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Front Sentiment- This Desert Diva Freebie is no longer available, but generous artist Hannelie does offer two similar ones (Hey Birthday Girl) and (Birthday Girl)

·   Inside Sentiment- a freebie from Birdscards (Have a Fin-tastic Day)

·   Sea creatures on inside are from a Fred She Said Digital set (Emma the Mermaid

·   Kraft photo corners available from several web sources (WXJ13 Photo Mounting Corners)

·   Stickles- Diamonds and Stardust versions (to add texture and sparkle to the glass rim.)

·   All other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
The Paper Shelter- #59 Yummy Delights
Double D’s Challenge- Water Related  
Papercraft Challenges- Challenge #105 Fairies and other Mystical Beings
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Wheel
Outlawz ChallengeApril 2024 Linky

myasperations 4-26-24

     I have loved this sweet digi from Di’s Digis named  “Love to the Moon and Back” for many years. So I was thrilled to find a book named “On the Day that You were born” by Nancy Tilman that holds a beautiful excerpt that compliments the digi. I love using  the combo of these two items on baby cards. So when I was invited to a baby shower, for a friends first grandson, I decided to make this card for the little guy and his excited family. (Am thinking I'll also purchase a copy of Nancy Tilman's book to gift to the new Grandma!)  

Supplies:
·   Digi- Dis Digi (Love To the Moon and BackRetired (check Di’s Etsy shop HERE to see 
         other adorable digis!)
·   Baby stamp- from a Stampin' Up wood-mount set that is a few decades old!
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Haze around moon made with a sponge and white craft ink
·   Front Sentiment-  from author Nancy Tillman’s book “On the Day that You were Born” 
·   Inside Sentiment- Freebie from Papercrafts.com (no longer available)
·   Window die-cut A2 card, star stickers and shaker stars plus other items from my stash
Entered into:  
Passion for Markers Challenge- Week #736: For a Boy
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #645-646
Di’s Digi Stamps- Scraps and Stash  
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #120  (Twist-Power of Words: Love/Relationships) 
 
    A few years ago I discovered a great group on FB named Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers {BYSHC}. They offer monthly Christmas-themed sketch challenges and host Linky parties several times a year that include lots of wonderful prizes!) 
    This is my third entry into their annual Sping into Christmas Linky Party. It features a fun digi Angie Blom Digital Designs, from one of the Linky Party’s sponsors. The card's theme of Christmas baking plus the beautiful woman in the digi makes me think of my sweet mom, so the digis coloring, with shiny black hair and a lovely red dress, is in memory of her.
     I'm entering this card into several challenges including FB Friends of Sweet November (my card features a digi from Sweet November Stamps- the sweet [literally] Gingerbread House, and the card features lots of pink!) 
Supplies: 
·   Digi- Angie Blom Digital Designs (Birthday Girl Sass)

·   Digi- Sweet November Stamps Digi Set (Gingerbread House)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Front Sentiment “Merry Christmas, Y’all!” from 2 Cute Stamps digi set (Country Snowman)

·   Inside Sentiment- Freebie from LoveSVG (I just want to bake stuff)

·   Gingerbread man embellishment- trimmed from a scrap of patterned paper

·   Pioneer Black Photo corners- available from several sources

·   Patterned paper and other items from my stash.
Entered into:  
{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2024 Linky Party        
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter- #59 Yummy Delights
Paper Funday- #64 Anything Goes  (Optional Twist: Sweet Treats!)
     Many years ago I stumbled upon a source of wonderful digital images, named Little Scraps of Heaven (LSOH) Designs. Artist/owner, Tricia Moore, is talented and creative, plus the cost of her amazing artwork is so affordable. As a result, I have nearly 200 of her digis in my collection, some include sentiments. The one I’m using for this Z-fold card is from a retired digi set that includes the two sentiment. Planet earth is cut from this digi, the rest of the planets were cut from patterned paper. I added some texture and shine by paper piecing the spaceship with acetate, silver paper, red brads, and added vellum scraps for the exhaust.
   PS- Currently there are 131 pages (including nearly 2000 LSOH digis and sets/combos) on sale for just $1.50. A pre-colored version of this digi is included!
    I’m entering this card into several challenges including Inspiration Station-Inspiration Prompt: Earth Day (my card features not just the “blue planet, but a whole bunch of planets and a friendly-looking guest), Outlawz- Tuesday: Color Wheel (my card includes blue and green from top of wheel and red from bottom), Crafty Catz Challenge: For a Boy (made for a friend's sweet space lovin’ son), and Park Hopping-My Happy Place (a favorite challenge that highlights  amusement parks around the world. The alien on this card looks like it would feel right at home at FL Universal Studios’s Men In Black ride/experience!)                 
Supplies: 
·   Instructions for Z-fold card can be found HERE.

·   Little Scraps of Heaven Digi set Digi with sentiments is no longer available (the single pre-colored digi, pictured above Youre Out of this World) is currently just $1.50!)

·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, and a Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

·   Assorted papers brads, and other items from my stash.

Entered into:  
Park Hopping-My Happy Place (April)                     
Outlawz- Tuesday Color Challenge- Color Wheel   
Outlawz ChallengeApril 2024 Linky