Inspiration Station Challenge #80

Hello Friends and Welcome to the 1st Monday of December 2025!  Wow, we're on the countdown to Christmas now and I hope you've made some headway in decorating, cardmaking and gift purchasing. Today also begins a new challenge month at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog and we have a cozy scene to inspire us:

For my project, I was directly inspired by the rustic Christmas Tree and I've used the O Christmas Tree Bundled Kit from Taylored Expressions.  I've purchased very little this holiday season, opting to go with my stash but I couldn't resist this bundle when it was offered at a special price in July. 

To start, I've heat embossed a background panel using the snowflake cover stamp in white sparkle power.  The tree has been layer stenciled with Catherine Pooler inks and the plaid paper is from a Craft Consortium 12x12 Christmas pack I've had for years.

After the ink dried, I die cut the tree and adhered flat to the panel, which was cut using a postage die from Catherine Pooler.  The sentiment is popped on foam pads and I've added a die cut glitter foam star to the tree top.  Lastly, I've added a few red gems and sprayed everything with Shimmer Spray.

The team and I hope you'll stop by the Inspiration Station Challenge and play along with us.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Make My Monday

A Cut Above

The Crafting Challenge

Die Cut Divas

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

A Place to Start - (adding link for 613 Avenue Create so I can enter my card at A Place to Start)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Just Us Girls

Give Us a Kiss by Penny Black

Happy Monday!  It's the start of another week, inching closer to Thanksgiving here in the States, and the Christmas Holidays.  As usual, I'm behind the 8-ball with Christmas Cards so I sat at the craft table off and on all weekend and created several.

Today I'm sharing the "Give Us a Kiss" wood block stamp from Penny Black.  This one dates back to 2010, and I'd forgotten I had this one.  It always surprises me what I find when I dig deep.

Nothing stamps quite like a wood block stamp, and Penny Black images are timeless. I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers and the patterned papers are snippets from Echo Park 6x6 Christmas themed pads. The papers were already cut into triangle shapes from another project, and it's a shame to waste them.

No bells or whistles have been added, only a Baker's Twine Bow to give the design a finishing touch.  The focal image had been matted and popped on foam pads for dimension.

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

A Place to Start

Crafty Animals

Critter Crazy

613 Avenue Create

Stamping Sensations

We Love Stamping

Neglected Stuff

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Nov/Dec 2025

Happy Saturday Friends, it's the weekend and time for a new challenge at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog.  The Challenge is Always Anything FLORALS Goes with an optional Inspiration picture to get you started.  The picture this round is full of warm, wintery colors which I used to inspire my coloring.

I've colored the Snowdrops and Tea Roses Digital image from Power Poppy using Copic Alcohol Markers, and used colors from the inspiration picture, to create a Christmas Card.  The sentiment is included in this digital set.

While chomping the corners with a fancy punch, I slipped on the top right corner so I've added a plaid banner to cover the boo-boo.  I'm not exactly happy with it but I wasn't going to start over with coloring (thanks Dear Husband for saving my tears and coming up with the idea to "just cover it up").

I've been a huge fan of Power Poppy for years, and this image is just one of many holiday images she has to choose from.  I would love to have this bouquet front and center on my holiday table.

The team and I invite you to share your floral focused projects with us, we always look forward to seeing everyone's creativity, so join us!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Krafty Chicks

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

Crafty Gals Corner

Word Art Wednesday

Triple B Challenge

The Holly and Ivy Challenge 

Unicorn Challenge

Creative Fingers

Rudolph Days Holiday Challenge - February 2025

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday!  I've been invited to join The Rudolph Holiday Challenge as a Guest Designer for the month of February and what a better way to start on my holiday cards for the 2025 Season, since I'm a terrible last minute Christmas Card creator, plus I'm honored for the invite!

My card features an adorable, gift bearing Elf from Bugaboo Stamps.  Sadly, Bugaboo is no longer in business but I've always loved Jodie's art work and I have quite the collection of her images.

I've colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers, the patterned papers are from the Gnome Christmas 6x6 Mega paper pad from Hobby Lobby, and the sentiment is a pre-made strip from a holiday pack by Simon Says Stamp.

The focal panel has been cut using a fancy edged nesting rectangle die and popped of foam pads for dimension.  The sentiment has also been elevated and I've added red gems for a finishing touch.

It feels strange yet satisfying to have completed a holiday card at this time of year.  I may try to keep this up so I'm not completely stressed in November and early December, so we shall see.

Please pop over to the Rudolph Days Holiday Challenge and get some early festive inspiration.  Create a holiday card and we hope to see you there!

Until next time, Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

The Holly & Ivy Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap

12 Months of Christmas

Kerst/Christmas Facebook Challenge

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

CD Sunday +

Love Those Pretty Papers

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Holiday Candle Arrangement

Happy Christmas Eve to you and yours, just 1 more sleep until Christmas Day!  I have a quick share for you featuring the Holiday Candle Arrangement Stamp Set from Hero Arts #CM648.

I've had this set in my stash since last year, and I found it while searching for the sets I wanted to use this year.  I was surprised when I realized I hadn't opened the package and a bit ashamed that I bought and then forgot.  

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Makers and die cut the focal image using a nesting postage die from Hero Arts.  The extra postal stamping is from a stamp set from Penny Black and the sentiment strip is from a pre-packaged set from Simon Says Stamp.

The sentiment strip and focal panel have been popped on foam pads for dimension.  I've also inked around the edges of the focal panel with Catherine Pooler "Mint To Be" light green ink.  The patterned papers are from the Rustic Noel 6x6 paper pad by The Paper Studio.  

Last but not least, Crystal Stickles were added to the candle flames, holly berries and leaves.  I'll be back tomorrow to share my last Christmas Card for 2024.  It's hard to imagine we will be celebrating the New Year next week.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Passion for Markers

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge

A Cut Above

Outlawz Monday Greetings

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Ally's Angels

Papercraft Challenges

Creative Crafters
The Dream Factory

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - inspired by the song "Light the Candles All Around the World"

Word Art Wednesday

Gingerbread Postage Collage

Happy Monday Crafty Friends!  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Waffle Flower Postage Collage Gingerbread Stencil and Die Set.  I love Gingerbread; freshly baked Gingerbread is the best with a cup of Hot Cocoa but I digress, I'm supposed to be sharing details of my card.

Using inks from Catherine Pooler, I've went with a traditional Gingerbread color, along with Mint and Chocolate Chip colors.  The Waffle Flower Holiday set is truly fun and festive, and the stencils are very easy to line up and ink blend through.

After stenciling the images, I've cut out the panel using the coordinating postage die, the sentiment was stamped in Dark Brown ink and popped on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, I've used Gold Stickles to highlight areas on the "stamps".  

That's all I have to share today.  We have 2 more sleeps until Christmas Day and I'm finalizing my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus..this truly is my favorite time of year!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:

Dream Valley

A Cut Above

Cutie Pie Challenge

All Sorts

Inkspirational

Stencil Fun

My Time to Craft Christmas

Inspired By...

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Love & Magic

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy Sunday!  This day has almost gotten away from me, and I wanted to make certain to share another Christmas Card with you.  This one features the Love & Magic Stamp Set by Penny Black #30-923.  I've treated myself to several festive Penny Black sets this year and I've made use of each of them.  This one contains a darling image that I've colored with alcohol markers.

After stamping and coloring, I've die cut the focal image using a stitched nesting rectangular die from Kat Scrappiness.  The patterned papers are from the "Holiday" 6x6 paper pad by American Crafts.   The sentiment is included in the stamp set, and the strip has been popped on foam pads for dimension.

To finish off the design, I've added my trusty Crystal Stickles to the furry hat band, Pom Pom and Holly Berries, along with red sequins from my stash.  That's all for today my friends, so until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Girlz Creative Christmas

Little Patch of Crafty Friends

Peace on Earth Christmas

613 Avenue Create

Dragonfly Dreams

Stamping Sensations

All Sorts

Sweet Stampin'

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Lil Red Wagon

Penny Black Saturday Challenges

Love Those Pretty Papers

Poinsettia Postage Collage

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I hope your week went well and you're finishing up your holiday plans.  I want to ask everyone for their prayers for Germany and especially those affected by the senseless act of violence at a Christmas Market on Friday.  This is a horrific I pray for comfort and peace for all those affected.

I have a quick share today featuring the Poinsettia Postage Collage Die and Stencil Set from Waffle Flower.  I love the stencil sets, they are so easy to put together and make such lovely Christmas cards. 

Instead of the traditional Red Poinsettias, I've went with pretty shades of Pink Inks from Catherine Pooler.  I'm pleased with the outcome.

The sentiment has been popped on foam pads for dimension and I've added Crystal Stickles to the flower centers and holly berries.  Quick and easy card, and perfect for those last minute card needs!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Polkadoodles Gem of a Challenge

Inkspirational

Crafty Calendar

Creative Fingers

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Creations in Pink

Aud Sentiments

Word Art Wednesday

Pearly Sparkles

Happy Snowman

Hello and Happy Thursday to you! It's a gloomy, overcast day here in Florida so what better way to spend the day than to wrap Christmas Prezzies, drink Hot Cocoa and do a bit of cardmaking?  I have a quick share for you today featuring the Happy Snowman Stamp Set from Penny Black #30-503.  I went with a CAS design on this one.

He's truly a Happy Guy, especially since it's snowing.  I've colored him with alcohol markers, and it's very hard to see in the photo but I've splattered the panel with Dr. Ph. Martin's White Ink and spritzed with Shimmer Mist.

The sentiment is included in the stamp set, and this image is so versatile.  You can use to make a holiday or winter card, I've went with a holiday theme, my Merry Christmas message is inside.  That's all I have for today, I hope you have a fantastic day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Krafty Chicks

Inspired By... the Christmas Vibes in the Photo

Cardz 4 Galz

Digi Choosday

Polkadoodles

Pink Gem Challenge

Sweet Stampin'

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

The Male Room

Passion for Markers

Cutie Pie Challenge

 

The Star

Happy Wednesday!  I hope your week has gone well thus far and you've made progress with your Christmas preparations.  Today I have plans to wrap gifts and get them under the tree...we shall see how that goes.  But for now, I have a quick share featuring the Penny Black Stamp Set titled The Star #31-082.

Isn't she just the sweetest?  I've colored her using alcohol markers and cut out the focal image, along with the sentiment and mat using nesting circle dies from Kat Scrappiness.

The patterned paper is from "Miss Mary Christmas" 6x6 paper pad by Hobby Lobby and the sentiment is from a holiday set by Memory Box. Before cutting out the focal image, I've splattered it with Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen White ink to give the illusion of snow.  Lastly, I've added a green twine bow and Crystal Stickles to the Star.

I hope you have a great day!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

The Holly and Ivy Challenge

Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge

Star Stampz

Double Trouble

Jingle Belles

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

A Place to Start

613 Avenue Create

Cutie Pie Challenge

Joyful Journey

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I hope your week was awesome and you're getting into the Christmas Spirit.  Today, I have a quick share featuring an adorable sledding Squirrel.  The stamp set is the Penny Black Joyful Journey #30-761.  There is a coordinating die set, which I've used to cut out the images for my card.

I've colored the images using alcohol markers and created a snowy hill by hand trimming a piece of white card.  I've stamped the sentiment and then embossed the "hill" with a snowflake embossing folder from Darice.

The background paper is from a holiday paper pack by Alina Crafts, and the images have been popped on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, I've added my trusty Crystal Stickles to the holiday packages.  I hope the packages and parcels are strapped on the sled as I think they may be going faster downhill that it appears.

Have a fantastic weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:

All Sorts

Di's Digi Designs

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Sweet Stampin'

Crafty Calendar

Gem of a Challenge

Polkadoodles

Critter Crazy

Crafty Catz

Krafty Chicks

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Fab 'n Funky

A Place to Start

Flowering Santa

Happy Fri-YAY friends!  I hope your week has been great; if you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, that it was a day filled with blessings.  We had a quiet family day with lots of food, laughs, football and naps!

I have a quick share for you featuring the Flowering Santa digital image from Power Poppy.  The image caught my eye, I just had to have it, so unique and the artistry is amazing.

Santa's beard is full of holiday florals and I've colored the image using alcohol markers. After coloring, I fussy cut the image and popped on foam pads.  The background panel is embossed with a 3-D poinsettia design; the embossed panel was gifted to me in a card swap.

 

You can see a bit of the embossing in this photo, and of course the Crystal Stickles covered poinsettia flower.  The sentiment is pre-made from a package of sentiments by Simon Says Stamp.  Lastly, I've added silver sequins to complete the sparkly, holiday design.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, tomorrow we plan on putting up the Christmas decorations.  I love all the decor and twinkling lights but it is becoming harder and harder to get it all up.  I may have to think about downsizing the decorating.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards

Jingle Belles - inspired by the Christmas vibe and the Poinsettia flowers

Krafty Chicks

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Polkadoodles Digi Choosday

Word Art Wednesday

Passion for Markers

Girlz Creative Christmas

CD Sunday +

Christmas Bells are Ringing

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday, I hope your day is going to be a good one.  Here in the States, we are gearing up for Thanksgiving, and I today I'm getting a head start on the feast by baking Pies, cutting up veggies and making deviled eggs. 

I have a quick share for you featuring the lovely Ringing Stamp Set by Penny Black #40-937.  I've colored the image using alcohol markers and kept the design CAS.

The sentiment is from a set of holiday wishes by Memory Box.  I've added a red mat and a few silver gems from Kat Scrappiness.  That's all I felt I needed to complete this holiday card.

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

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Passion for Markers

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge

Try It on Tuesday

Rudolph Days Challenge

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards

Aud Sentiments

AAA Cards

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

Kindness & Joy

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday!  I hope your weekend has been lovely thus far, we're having a "cold snap" here in Central Florida and it's been nice to wear leggings and long sleeved tops, and have the windows open to air out the house.  Temperatures will soon be back to their seasonal norms, I hope the cooler weather returns, at least for Christmas.

Today, I have a quick share featuring the Kindness & Joy Stamp Set from Penny Black #30-778. I collect Snowmen so I fell in love with this adorable image, it's perfect for holiday and winter cards.

 

I've colored the image using alcohol markers, the patterned papers are from the "Winter Wonderland" 6x6 paper pad by Doodlebug Design.  I've cut the focal image and mat using scalloped stitched oval nesting dies from Alina Craft.  

The sentiment is pre-made and from a package of holiday sentiments by Scrapbook.com, and I've popped it on foam pads for dimension.  To finish off the design, I've added shiny sequins from my stash and Crystal Stickles have been added to the Snowman hat band and mistletoe.  

Thanks all I have to share today, I hope you have a fabulous week.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Polkadoodles

Polkadoodles Gem of a Challenge

Send a Smile 4 Kids

Crafty Catz

Outlawz Festive Friday

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards Challenge

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Craft Rocket

Word Art Wednesday

Fab 'n Funky

Santa's Sweets

Hi Friends and Happy Thursday!  I hope your day has been enjoyable thus far, it's a beautiful day here in Central Florida.  It's sunny, breezy and the temperature is only 64 degrees F, which is so nice that I have my windows open, enjoying the fresh air.

I'm in full swing with Christmas cards and today I'm sharing the Santa's Sweets Stamp Set #31-083 from Penny Black.  This set has a matching die, I do own it but I didn't use it here, instead I've used a Wavy Nesting Die from Kat Scrappiness to cut out the focal image.

I've colored the image using alcohol markers and the patterned papers are from the "A Gingerbread Christmas" 6x6 paper pad from Echo Park.

The focal image has been popped on foam pads for dimension, I've added a few sequins from my stash and of course....Crystal Stickles on Santa's hat brim, suit trim and hat pom pom.

When my children were small, on Christmas Eve we put out cookies and milk for Santa and sprinkled Magical Reindeer food around the house.  Santa AKA my husband loved his midnight snack.  And if you've never heard of Reindeer Food, you can find the "recipe" HERE. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

C.R.A.F.T Challenge

Craft Rocket

Digi Choosday

Word Art Wednesday

Crafty Gals Corner

I Spy with My Little Eye

Holly and Ivy Challenge

Aud Sentiments

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

Daisy Chain Challenge

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

Jingle Friends

Happy Tuesday Crafty Friends!  Here in the States, we are on the Countdown to the Thanksgiving holiday and it's our family's tradition to put up the Christmas Tree and decorations the weekend after the holiday.  My husband is already grouching about hanging outside lights...but I digress...I have a cute Christmas card for you featuring the Jingle Friends Stamp Set from Penny Black, No. 30-739.

I've colored the images using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers, the patterned paper is from the "My Favorite Christmas" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park. I've die cut the focal panel using a nesting stitched rectangle die from Catherine Pooler.

Since it's a Christmas card, I've brought out the Crystal Stickles and applied to the white fur on Santa's hat and Pom Pom, as well as Rudolph's nose.  The sentiment is from the same set and I've accented with silver gems from Kat Scrappiness.

My Christmas card creating is now in full swing, I just need to coax the Grinch out of my dear husband so I'll have twinkling lights around the house this year!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge

Unicorn Challenge

Aud Sentiments

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge

We Love Stamping

Inkspirational Challenge

Polkadoodles

Polkadoodles Gem of a Challenge

Send a Smile 4 Kids

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round

Crafty Animals

Critter Crazy Challenge

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards

Classic Design Challenge Nov/Dec 2024

Hi Friends, I'm back with my second post for this Friday, as it's a new challenge month at The Classic Design Challenge Blog.  Our generous sponsor this month is Mirtillamente and I've used one of the holiday icons from the Svario About Christmas No. 1 digital set.  This set includes 6 Christmas icons that are cute and easy to color.  I've chosen the Penguin 1 for my Christmas design.

Isn't this little fella adorable?  I love Penguins and especially in Holiday cards, which I've chosen to create here.  I've colored this little guy with alcohol markers and fussy cut him, then popped him on foam pads for dimension.

The patterned papers are from the "Winter Time" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella, the blue tones give it that Frosty feel.  I used a cut apart as a panel for him to land on, I liked the small tree on the bottom left.  The Joy die cut and shadow are from Paper Roses Studio.  I cut the word from blue glitter card, and the polka dot ribbon is from my stash.  Lastly, silver gems from Kat Scrappiness were added for additional interest.

Please stop by the challenge and join in the fun!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

The Outlawz Festive Fridays

Pattie's Creations

Creative Friday

Krafty Chicks

AYLI - I love festive ribbon on Christmas cards, just adds an extra bit of fancy and whimsy

Craft Rocket

Lil Red Wagon

Digi Choosday

Creative Inspirations

Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards - "J" is for Joy