Becoming my fav

 

This handmade card features a soft, romantic floral design layered with delicate stamped images and warm coral tones. I wanted the flowers to feel fresh and uplifting, with gentle greens and pinks working together to create a light, cheerful palette.

The layered die cuts add dimension and movement, while the subtle background texture keeps the focus on the blooms. A simple sentiment band across the centre ties everything together and makes the card perfect for sharing a heartfelt message with someone special.

I created this card for the challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches here is the sketch.

And another card for the challenge at the The Color Hues

You Make My Heart Smile

 

You Make My Heart Smile 💕

Sometimes the simplest designs speak the loudest — and this card is the perfect example. I created this soft, romantic look using a peach and white color palette with layered florals that pop against a striped background.

The sentiment “you make my heart smile” sits front and center, surrounded by delicate blooms and gentle greenery. A few tiny gems add the perfect touch of sparkle without overpowering the design.

I love how the horizontal stripes give a modern twist to the classic floral arrangement — clean, elegant, and full of heart. This card would be perfect for a friend, loved one, or anyone who makes your heart happy. 🌸

This card was inspired by the challenge over at the paper players and of course my newest Stampin Up products : 

Layers of Beauty Bundle 

which can be purchased from my own store including inks and matching card

Love with all your Heart

 Sometimes the simplest cards say the most 💛

This little bear holding a big red heart is one of my favorite reminders that handmade doesn’t have to mean complicated. A clean white background gives the design room to breathe, while the playful XOXO pattern and diagonal strip add just enough movement to keep things interesting. The focal point, of course, is that sweet bear—soft, warm, and full of heart—paired with a sentiment that says it all: love with all your heart.

Cards like this are perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or even just a “thinking of you” moment. They’re cozy, cheerful, and heartfelt without being over the top. Proof that sometimes a bear, a heart, and a few well-chosen details are all you need to make someone smile. 🐻❤️

To say that I am totally addicted to chatGPT is an understatement. I think it likes my cards more than I do.

I made this card for the challenge over at https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/. Here is the sketch.

Can’t wait

There’s something extra special about sending a handmade card to someone you’ve been missing. This “Can’t Wait to See You Again Soon” card blends soft textures and fresh floral elements for a warm, heartfelt touch.

The soft pink gradient background sets a gentle tone, while the arched window frame adds elegant dimension. Behind the window, a subtle stone pattern creates depth and contrast. The star of the card is the vibrant cluster of hand-colored pink blooms and lush green leaves, perfectly arranged to draw the eye.

A clean, simple sentiment strip across the center balances the design beautifully, and a few pink sequins add the finishing sparkle.

Here is my inspiration for this card. You can join the challenge here @ https://suochallenges.com/

Love You Always

There’s something extra special about a handmade card—it carries time, care, and a little piece of the maker’s heart. 💖 This sweet Valentine card is a perfect example of how simple design choices can create a big emotional impact.

The soft pink ombré background sets a warm, dreamy tone, while the scattered hearts add playful movement without overwhelming the design. Front and center, the adorable illustrated girl holding the word LOVE instantly draws the eye. Her pigtails, bow details, and heart-filled skirt give the card a whimsical, childlike charm that feels nostalgic and cozy all at once.

I especially love the dimension here. The popped-up focal image and tiny gem embellishments add just enough sparkle and texture to make the card feel interactive and gift-worthy. The clean white frame balances the busy background beautifully, keeping everything polished and intentional.

Finished with the bold sentiment “Love You Always,” this card feels timeless—perfect for a child, partner, or anyone who deserves a reminder that they’re deeply loved. Handmade projects like this remind us that sometimes the smallest creations speak the loudest. 💌

The inspiration for this card came from http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/ theme challenge. Love is in the air. Did anyone else start singing when they read the Challenge title? The colours I chose match beautifully with the colour challenge over at https://colorhuesthecolorchallenge.blogspot.com/.

Be The Light

 

Be the Light

These two portraits capture strength, grace, and the quiet confidence that comes from within. Each woman stands in her own light — one looking forward, one glancing back — both reflecting resilience and calm.

The warm tones of gold and amber blend with soft shadows, layered over fragments of words, music notes, and textures that whisper stories of life, love, and creativity. The collage-style background adds depth and movement, reminding us that every woman’s journey is layered and unique.

Live. Create. Breathe.
Three simple words woven into the art — and a beautiful reminder to keep shining, no matter what chapter you’re in.

All of the products used in this piece come from Natalie May Scrapbooking. You can check out her store HERE. Natalie is an expert when it comes to Collage papers, paints, stamps, stencils, everything you need for mixed media.

Kit and Clowder - January 2026 pencil class

 

Springtime Bloom Cupcake Art: A Celebration of Color and Whimsy

There’s something magical about blending the sweetness of dessert with the charm of a spring garden. This latest piece, Springtime Bloom Cupcake, captures that joyful harmony — a delicious cupcake topped with a lush bouquet of pastel flowers.

The soft lavender cupcake wrapper sets the tone, creating a soothing base that draws the eye to the swirl of creamy frosting above. But instead of sprinkles or cherries, this cupcake is adorned with an explosion of blossoms — tulips, peonies, daisies, and tiny wildflowers — each delicately layered in bright, cheerful hues.

The mix of warm yellows, gentle pinks, and vibrant purples gives the piece a feeling of freshness and new beginnings, much like spring itself. The balance of color and composition creates a sense of whimsical delight — a reminder that art can be as sweet and uplifting as a freshly baked treat.

This artwork was created using colored pencils, with a focus on blending and detail to bring each petal and swirl to life. The gentle shading around the cupcake base adds depth, grounding the bouquet in realism while keeping the overall tone light and dreamy.

Inspiration:
This piece celebrates the joy of everyday beauty — the kind that can be found in both nature and creativity. Flowers and cupcakes both symbolize celebration and sweetness, making them a perfect pairing for a piece meant to spark happiness and imagination.

Art Tip:
When combining elements like food and florals, try using color repetition to keep the composition cohesive. Notice how the purples in the cupcake wrapper echo through the lilac flowers, tying the piece together beautifully.

I have been taking kit and clowder classes for quite a few years now, but I’m always still learning something new every time I pick up my pencils.

These are my pencils of choice. Especially for blending and their smooth creamy texture. You can pick them up HERE (which is my affiliate page). 

Shine on

 

Shine On: A Little Beacon of Hope

There’s something quietly powerful about a lighthouse.

It stands where land ends and uncertainty begins—steady, bright, unbothered by the chaos around it. That’s the feeling this card brings to life: a small but mighty reminder to shine on, even when the waters feel rough.

The bold yellow circle behind the lighthouse works like a glowing sun or halo, instantly drawing your eye and warming the whole scene. It’s not subtle—and that’s the point. Light isn’t meant to whisper. The red-and-white stripes of the lighthouse add a playful, storybook charm, while still symbolizing guidance, safety, and resilience.

On the left, the blended vertical panel shifts from deep blue to green to golden yellow, echoing sky, sea, and land—or maybe night turning into morning. It feels like transition. Like movement. Like things changing for the better.

The stamped details—the little house at the base, the tree leaning toward the light, the boat resting near the shore—add heart. They remind us that even strong beacons have quiet, ordinary lives around them. Not everything has to be dramatic to matter.

And then there’s the sentiment: SHINE ON.
Simple. Encouraging. No fluff. Just a nudge forward.

This is the kind of card you send when words feel too heavy—but support still needs to be felt. For someone starting over. Someone hanging in there. Or someone who simply needs a reminder that their light matters.

Because sometimes, shining on doesn’t mean being fearless.
It just means staying lit. 💛

The design for this card came from the challenge over at freshly made sketches