Friend Holiday Card -- using Hero Arts

 Happy holidays to you!  Thank you for visiting my blog.  Today, I'm featuring a holiday card using Hero Arts products.  I plan to enter in the the Hero Arts Stay Crafty 'Deck the Halls' challenge and to use it as one of the cards I send in to apply for the Stay Crafty design team (Hero Arts). 

Using a Hero Arts products, here's my holiday card: 

I started with a 2 layered snowflake stencil from the November 2023 My Monthly Hero kit.  This was part of the deluxe kit.  I used 2 colors of ink cubes from the Aqua Core ink cubes bundle of 4 inks. The shiny aqua snowflakes were cut out using the Snowflake Pattern Cover Plate die.  The 'Friend' word die is from the Smile/Friend Stamp and Cut XL. The Happy Holidays stamp was part of the November 2023 kit. I used 2 colors of Hero Hues card stock -- Passion Flower & Amethyst.

Happy holidays, Friend!  Thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Hero Arts Stay crafty with a Blog Named Hero  -- Deck the Halls challenge

Cut it Up Challenge -- Use more than 1 diecut 

My Time to Craft -- Something snow related

A Cheerful Snowman -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, crafty friends!  It's time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This is our Christmas Break challenge.  It will run for a month to give the design team a little break.

I used one of my favorite winter images from The Paper Shelter -- A Cheerful Snowman -- 

I colored A Cheerful Snowman with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  The wonky stitched oval dies that I used tout out and back the image have been in my stash for a long time and no longer have an identifying label on them.  The snowflakes were cut out with glitter card byAltenew.  I used a combination of snowflake dies by Cheery Lynn and Lawn Fawn.  The sentiment is by Hero Arts, cut out with a die from Pink & Main. 

I hope you can join us this next month at The Paper Shelter.  The above graphic explains the rules of the challenge and the prizes you could win.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

The Holly and Ivy Challenge -- AT Christmas Goes

AUD Sentiment -- Christmas or Winter

A Cut Above -- ATG

DigiChoosday -- ATG

Passion for Markers -- ATG

Christmas Mail -- using Hero Arts

 I'm so glad you're visiting my blog during this busy time of year!  Thank you, thank you!!

I am showcasing a card I made today using Hero Arts products.  I'm going to enter it in their Stay Crafty challenge.  I usually only blog cards I'e made for design teams, but I'm planning on throwing my hat into the mix and trying out for the Stay Crafty design team, so I'm blogging several cards over the next few days using Hero Arts products. 

I created this card using some products I've been wanting to create with, and to enter the 'Deck the Halls' HA challenge.  I have a card that I'm hoping you'll hoot over, lol!

I used the following Hero Arts products on this card:

Perforation Cover plate

November Studio Card Kit -- 2023

Hero Hues Premium Card stock -- Arctic

Hero Hues Premium Card stock -- Cranberry

Copic markers

Aqua Core ink cubes

I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Sending you 'owl' my love.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero December Challenge -- Deck the Halls

The Holly and the Ivy -- Christmas

Peace on Earth -- Christmas

Singing Snowman -- for Di's Digistamps

 Fa la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaa! It's almost Christmas. 

I've been in the mood for coloring up Snowman and cute critters.  This darling image from Di's Digistamps, called Singing Snowman, definitely fits the bill!  

Here's Singing Snowman: 

See? Isn't that adorable?!? I think the receipient of this card will definitely smile upon opening it.

I colored Singing Snowman with Copic markers.  The dies I used to cut it out and mount it are from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment is part of a stamp set from Pink & Main. The gems are from my stash. The red dotted paper is from Crafter's Companion. I thought it was a perfect match with the ribbon on the snowman's hat. 

I hope you like my Singing Snowman.  I enjoyed creating it very much.  Di's Digistamps are too cute not to color up! 

Thanks for visiting my blog! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge -- 'S' is for Silent Night (singing)

Aloha Friday Challenge -- Winter/Christmas

Creative Fingers -- ATG

Prickle All the Way -- for Di's Digistamps Challenge

 Happy holidays and thanks for visiting my blog!  This is it, my final Christmas card of 2025 (or possibly for 2026).  I'm in the process of sending out cards and I think I have enough for this season.  Yeah!

Today is the start of a new challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is 'Winter Holidays'.  Di has so, so many cute digis for the winter/Christmas season.  Check out her Etsy shop and see for yourself!

I used the darling image Prickle all the Way for today's card:

I colored Prickle All the Way with Copic markers.  I used new elongated circle dies with a blanket stitch edge (Pinkfresh Studios) to cut out and back the Prickle image. The blue snowflake designer paper is from Crafter's Companion. The sentiment is a stamp/die combo from Hero Arts.  I kept the card simple because I love the Prickle all the Way image and wanted it to be the focus of the card, with no distractions. 

I hope you can join us this fortnight for our Winter/Christmas holidays challenge.  I'd love to see what you create!!

I hope to enter this card in the following challenges: 

2 Sisters on the blog -- blue Christmas card

Love to Craft -- ATG

The Holly and the Ivy -- Christmas

Peace on Earth Challenge blog -- Christmas

Holly Jolly Mice -- for Di's Digistamps

 December -- are your Christmas cards done?  I'm sharing another one I made today, just in case I need it. You'd think I'd know exactly how many I need, but honestly, I never exactly know.  So, therefore, here's another to add to the growing pile.

I made this with a Di's Digistamp image.  I just love her stamps, and color them up whenever I have a chance.  They are so precious! This card is made using Holly Jolly Mice:

I colored up Holly Jolly Mice using Copic markers.  I thought a circle die best fit the shape of the Holly Jolly Mice digi, and I tried a few different shapes.  The designer papers are from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is from a Pink & Main stamp set.  Thek die cut snowflakes are from my stash.  I've had them for years. 

I hope you visit the Di's Digistamps Etsy Shop to see all her wonderful images. 

I hope to enter this card in the following challenges: 

2 Sisters on the blog -- blue Christmas card

Love to Craft -- ATG

The Holly and the Ivy -- Christmas

Peace on Earth Challenge blog -- Christmas

Winter Walk -- in Tribute at The Paper Shelter

 Greetings, my crafty friends!  Thank you for visiting my blog today.  The entire The Paper Shelter team is having a two-week challenge in memory of Veronica, the former owner of The Paper Shelter. Se died a short time ago.  She loved the store, the blog, and seeing everyone's creations with her and her husband, Pedro's images.

I used one of my favorite images from her to create a card for today's tribute.  I suspect Veronica was just as much of a dog lover as I am, because she has soooo many darling images with dogs in them.  Today, I created a card using Winter Walk.  Just looking at this image makes me smile!

I colored Winter Walk with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  I used a set of mini slim dies from Spellbinders to cut out the Winter Walk image and mat it. The designer paper is the background is from Crafter's Companion.  It's part of a 12x12 Christmas pad I've had for quite a while.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and the gems are from Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks paying tribute to our beloved Veronica. Also, please visit the blogs in this hop to see all the inspiration and give them some love.

The above graphic explains the prizes you can win from TPS challenges. Thanks again for visiting.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft -- ATG

Crafts Galore Encore -- ATG

Two Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a featured critter

Skater -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

December 1, can you believe it?  Thanks for stopping by my blog during this busy season.

Since it's the first of the month, there is a new challenge starting over in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. The challenge will run for the whole month.  The theme is 'Celebrations'.   I made one more Christmas card that may be used as a Winter card instead.  We'll see. 

The All Dressed Up Stamps image I used for this challenge is Skater. 

I colored Skater with a combination of Copic and Olo markers. I used a couple of wonky stitched oval dies by Memory Box to cut her out and frame her. The tiny die cut snowflakes on the card are fromLawn Fawn and the sentiment is from a Taylored Expressions set. 

I hope you can join our challenge this month at All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. I'd love to see what you create!

Are You Ready, My Friend? for The Paper Shelter

 It's Wednesday, and that means a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  Every Wednesday, you'll find a new challenge with a new theme.  This week the theme is "Include a Sentiment".  Since we almost always do that, anyway, hopefully this will be an easy one for you.  Use a Paper Shelter image for a great prize (see below). 

I thought this would be a great time to get another Christmas card made.  I used the incredible digital stamp, "Are You Ready, my Friend?" Here's what I created for the challenge:

I colored 'Are you ready, my friend?" with Copic markers.  Then, I used various mini slim nesting dies by Taylored Expressions to create the card.  The plaid paper is from a paper pad from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment, stamped directly on the image, is from Taylored Expressions.  I embellished it with a few star sequins from my stash.

I hope you can join us this week!  Here's an explanation of the prizes you could win:

I look forward to seeing your creations!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Passion for Markers -- Fall or Winter (winter)

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge -- ATG

Try it on Tuesday -- Traditional Christmas

Unicorn Challenge -- Christmas &/or Winter

Aud Sentiment -- Christmas

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Autumn Wreath Foxy -- for Di's Digistamps Challenges

 Greetings, crafty friends!  Thanks for visiting today.  

My card today features a Di's Digistamps image.  It is inspiration for the new Di's Digistamps Challenge.  The challenge starts today and runs for the next 2 weeks. The theme is, "use a Di's Digistamps image".  Since there are over 600 images in Di's Etsy Shop, this should be an easy challenge to complete.

For today's challenge, I used the image, Autumn Wreath Foxy:

I colored Autumn Wreath Foxy with Copic markers. I cut it out and backed it with some stitched ovals that have been in my stash forever.  The Autumn papers are by Photo Play and are also very old.  I don't even know if they are still in business.  The sentiment and die are from Taylored Expressions.  The bling used to finish off the card is from my stash.  

I hope you enjoyed your stay at my blog.  I also hope you can join the Di's Digistamps challenge there next 2 weeks.  I'd love to see what you create!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Aloha Friday -- Thanks

Creative Fingers Challenge -- ATG

DigiChoosday -- ATG

Liil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG

Snow Ride -- a New Release from All Dressed Up Stamps

 Greetings, crafty friends!  Today is the day New Release images are showcase for All Dressed Up Stamps.  You'll find inspiration in the ADU Facebook group and on the All Dressed Up Stamps Challenge blog.  There are 3 new releases this month.  You'll find the new releases, and all Wendy's sweet images in the ADU Etsy Shop. 

I had the fun of creating with the Snow Ride image.

I colored Snow Ride with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  I really like this color combo, and have use it on several other Christmas cards this season.

I used some layers dies by Spellbinders to make this mini slim card.  The wintery background paper and the shimmery layer are both by Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts.  Some bling from Taylored Expressions finished off the card.

Thanks for stopping by, and please check out the other inspiration.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Creative Fingers - ATG

Cut it Up Challenge -- Favorite Colors (lilac/pink)

CRAFT challenge -- Christmas

Craft Rocket Challenge -- Christmas or Winter

My Big Scarf -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, fellow crafters!  Thanks for stopping by today.  It's  time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.  The theme for challenge #618 is 'Dots &/or Stripes'.  I love combining dots & stripes, so this was a fun challenge for me.  Have you visited the Paper Shelter store lately?  There are so many fantastic sets to color, and each set comes with a pre-colored image, if coloring isn''t your thing.  There are also wonderful coloring books and pages. 

For this week's dots & stripes theme, I used the image, My Big Scarf: 

I started out by coloring the .jpg image of My Big Scarf with Copic markers, then started the hunt for dots & stripes papers to match the colors of the My Big Scarf image. I found both dots & stripes to match in a retired paper collection from Taylored Expressions.  

I created the card with mini slim cutting dies from Pink & Main.  They made constructing this card very easy. The sentiment is from a stamp & die set from Hero Arts. The gems to complete the card are by Altenew. 

The above graphic explains the the prizes given away each week at The Paper Shelter Challenges.  I hope you enter because I'd love to see what you create! 

Thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Passion for Markers -- Dies &/or punches -- used dies

Unicorn Challenges -- Christmas/Winter -- used winter theme

A Cut Above -- warm it up

Give Thanks -- for Di's Digistamps Challenge

 Hello, everyone.  Thanks for stopping by today!  I'm excited to once again be on the Di's Digistamps Challenge team.  I was on it some years ago, but needed to drop for health reasons.  I'm pleased to say I am feeling well again, and am back on board.  I just love Di's super sweet images.  They are so fun to create with!

Di's Digistamps challenges run for 2 weeks.  They always start on a Saturday.  This time, the theme is 'Thankful or Happy Harvest'.  As long as you stick with the theme, you can use any image, but if you use a Di's Digistamps image, you get a bigger prize.  Her images can be found in the Di's Digistamps Etsy shop.

Following the 'Thankful' theme, I used the darling Squirrel Fun image to create this: 

I colored Squirrel Fun using a mix of Copic markers.  Once I got Squirrel Fun  colored the way I wanted it, I used a set of Spellbinders dies to cut it out and back it.  The background paper with the leaves and acorns is from Brutus Monroe.  The sentiment, matching die, and sticky back pearls are from Taylored Expressions.

I hope you can join us at Di's Digistamps Challenges this fortnight. There are so many darling images in the shop that fit this theme, and I'd love to see what you create!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Aloha Friday -- Thankful

Creative Fingers Challenge -- ATG

Cut it Up -- Grateful or Thankful

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG

As You Like It Challenge -- Favorite Animal (and why). We feed squirrels and watch them for entertainment.  

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Leaves/Autumn

Christmas Deer -- for all Dressed Up Stamps

 Greetings, fellow crafters. Thanks for visiting today.  It's November 1, and it's time for a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group.  The theme this month is "Christmas is Coming".  It is, isn't it?  It's coming all too fast.  I've been busy making Christmas cards, but it will soon be time to send Christmas cards.  Eek!  I'm not ready for the busy-ness of it all.

Christmas is coming.  With that theme in mind, I made a card to add to my Christmas stash using the beautiful Christmas Deer image, found in the ADU Etsy shop. Here's my inspiration card...

I colored Christmas Deer using Copic markers.  I used some stitched arch dies from Pink & Main th frame it.  The dotted paper is from a Christmas paper pack from Crafter's Companion.  The holly & berry dies were from a one-day card making retreat sponsored by Scrapbook & Cards today.  I don't know what company made the dies for the class. The 'Joy' sentiment is by Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you can join us this month for the 'Christmas is Coming' challenge found in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. It runs all month.

Autumn Joy - For The Paper Shelter

It's October 30th, and it looks like late Fall in my neck of the woods.  The leaves are down, and the trees, other than the oaks, stand bare.   Challenge #616 starts today on The Paper Shelter blog.  The theme is 'Make it Sparkle' (in honor of Bonfire Night).  Since Autumn is nature's fireworks, I went with an Autumn card.  Here's what I created with Autumn Joy: 

I colored Autumn Joy with Copic markers. I used dies from Crafter's Companion to cut out the image and back it with an Autumn Plaid paper (also from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions.  I cut it out with the matching die, cut a couple extras, and layered them all up.  The dies and shiny papers are from my stash.  I dig these dies out every year for a Fall card or two and I no longer remember where I got them.  They are OLD!

I hope you can join us this week for our 'Make it Sparkle' challenge.  The above graphic explains the prizes you can win.  I'd love to see what you create!

Star Pup -- a New Release for All Dressed Up Stamps

 New releases -- who doesn't love them, right?  I look forward every month to the new release images at All Dressed Up Stamps.  Every month, Wendy releases 3 new images, and one is as wonderful as the next.  This month, I had the pleasure of creating with Star Pup.  It, and all of ADU's mages, are available in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop.

Here is Star Pup:

I colored Star Pup with Copic markers. After finishing the coloring, i used various sized dies to cut out the image and back it using mini slim layering dies from Taylored Expressions.  The plaid paper was in a Christmas pad by Crafter's Companion.  I stamped the sentiment directly on the image.  The sentiment is also by Taylored Expressions.

You can see the other great releases in the ADU Facebook group, and on the ADU Challenge Blog. Check both places for wonderful inspiration!

Spoooky! For The Paper Shelter

 Boo!  Read on to see one of the few Halloween cards I've made and posted this spooky season.  It's The Paper Shelter's challenge #614.  The theme is Halloween or Halloween colors.  It's starts today and runs for a week.

There are many wonder The Paper Shelter Halloween images in the TPS Store. 

I created my card this week with the super cute Halloween image, Spoooky! 

I colored Spoooky! with Copic markers, then fussy cut the cutie out.  The purple background paper that looked like I spent hours making with various mixed media techniques is actually an 8x8 pice of designer paper from Crafter's Companion.  The die cut bats are from Crafter's Companion also. 

I used stitched oval dies from The Scrappin' Cottage.  I cut the largest oval out of the card base (card stock from Taylored Expressions).  I found a matching orange color (card stock from Concord & Ninth) and made the lighter orange frame, then glued this to the oval card front.  Lastly, I taped a 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece of the purple paper to the inside of the base.  The card front was constructed.  

The finishing touches included popping the Spoooky! image up on foam tape, taking it to the inside of the oval, die cutting and attaching the 3 bats, and adding foam tape to the sentiment (from Waffle Flower) and adding it to the lower left corner. 

I hope you like my Spooky card and are inspired to enter the Halloween challenge at The Paper Shelter this week. Here's a graphic explaining the prizes. 

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Wag Your Tail -- for The Paper Shelter

 If you're happy and you know it, wag your tail!  Hello, and thanks for visiting today.   Welcome to challenge #612 at The Paper Shelter.  This week's theme is 'All Creatures Great and Small.  You have until October 8 to enter.

Here's my creation for the All Creatures Great and Small challenge. You know I love dogs, so any excuse to color one up, right? 

I used the fun Bath Time image from The Paper Shelter to create this card. It is colored with Copic markers.

The frame die is from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment is from Close To My Heart, and cut out with die from Taylored Expressions.

I hope you can join us this week at The Paper Shelter challenges.  We have great prizes!

Plus, I'd love to see what you create!

Little Pumpkin -- For All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's October 1, and it's time for a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. The theme this month is Autumn or Halloween.  I'm not big on making Halloween cards, so I made an Autumned themed card for the challenge.  Here's my inspiration for you using Little Pumpkin:

I colored Little Pumpkin with Copic Markers, then used a wonky stitched circle die from My Favorite Things.  I used 2 designer papers from Brutus Monroe, and used a die from Taylored Expressions to cut the papers out and use them as the base layer of my design.  The sentiment is from a Fall set from Taylored Expressions.  I added some bling to finish off the card. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog.  I also hope you enjoyed my card and are inspired to enter our challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group.  You'll find many images that would fit the challenge theme in the ADU Etsy Shop. 

Autumn Fairy -- a new release at All Dressed Up Stamps

 Today is one of the days that New Releases are shared in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group and on the All Dressed Up Stamps challenge blog. There are 3 new releases this month.  You'll find them all in the ADU Etsy Shop. This month, I had the pleasure of creating with the digital image, Autumn Fairy:

This card is an unusual size for me.  It's 6x6 inches.  Here in the US, it costs extra to mail this size, so I usually stick to A2 or 5x7.  But, 6x6 worked best for my design.  

I colored Autumn Fairy with Copic markers, then used a set of dies I've had for years to cut her out and back her.  They are from a company that has long since closed their doors, but their dies that I own are still going strong. The squirrel die is another one I've had for years and no longer remember who it is by.  I bring it out every year to make a Fall card or 2.  The sentiment and backer die are from Taylored Expressions.  The background paper is from Brutus Monroe. 

If you like this card, check out what the other  design team members have created.  You'll find them on the ADU blog, and in the ADU Facebook group. There's still time to enter both challenges, too.

My Good Boy -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, crafty friends.  Thanks for visiting my blog today!

A new challenge starts today on The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.  The challenge will last for a week, and has the theme of '3 of something'.  The Paper Shelter has so many darling images and coloring pages.  Grab one, color it up, and join us! 

For my card for this challenge, I colored up the image, My Good Boy. I used the black & white .png stamp to create this: 

I used 3 circles and 3 die cut dog bones to meet the criteria for the challenge theme. 

I colored the image with Copic markers, used a set of circle dies from Hero Arts to cut out the circles.  The designer paper is from Newton's Nook.  The dog bone dies are from Cheery Lynn.  The sentiment is a stamp and die set from Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you can join us this week At The Paper Shelter for our '3 of something' challenge.  I'd love to see what you crate! 

Enchanted Roses -- For The Paper Shelter

 Hello, crafty friends, and welcome to this week's challenge at The Paper Shelter!  This week's theme is 'Add Flowers'.  I love flowers, so this was a fun challenge for me.  

Usually I choose to color flowers with Copic markers.  This time, I used a preprinted flower that I found in the Paper Shelter Store. It's called Enchanted Nature- Romantic. I used one of the rose images, but there are many pretty flowers in this design resource.

Here's the card I created with the preprinted Enchanted Nature image:

The dies and sentiment are from Pink and Main. 

This set from The Paper Shelter would really help you develop shading skills in your coloring! 

I hope you can join us for our 'Add Flowers' challenge.  You can use a flower in your image, like I did, or you can add them with dies, diecuts, bling, or whatever pleases you.  The above graphic explains the prize structure for wins at The Paper Shelter challenges. I hope to see your pretty creations this week!