Thursday, October 30, 2025

๐Ÿ‚ Hello Pumpkin! ๐Ÿ‚ | Gerda Steiner Designs Guest Designer

 

I am a guest designer for Gerda Steiner Designs.  Her images and collections are so adorable and so much fun to color!  Whether you use alcohol markers, colored pencils, or even watercoloring, it is easy to bring them to life.


Isn’t this little bear just the cutest? This image is from Gerda Steiner Designs and it completely stole my heart! I used Prismacolor pencils on kraft paper for a cozy, autumn feel—perfect for pumpkin season. I love how the warm tones just pop against that kraft background.

This stamp set, appropriately named Pumpkin Bear, is such a fun one to color. Between the pumpkins, the scarf, and that sweet bear face, it’s hard not to smile while working on it. ๐Ÿงก

I kept the layout simple to let the image shine—sometimes less really is more! A bit of die-cut layering adds just enough detail without distracting from that cute fall moment.

๐Ÿ What’s your favorite thing to color on kraft paper? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments below!

#CardMaking #FallCrafts #GerdaSteinerDesigns #PumpkinBear #HelloPumpkin #ColoredPencils #KraftPaperCards #HandmadeCards #FallVibes #JanaMaysDesigns

Prismacolor pencils used: 


Thursday, October 16, 2025

Designing Ahead of the Seasons



If you’ve been crafting as long as I have, you know — our creative clocks tick just a little differently than everyone else’s. While most folks are lighting summer fireworks, I’m usually knee-deep in Christmas paper, covered in glitter, and humming “Jingle Bells” like it’s perfectly normal in July.

That’s the life of a creator, isn’t it? We’re always looking forward — to the next holiday, the next color palette, the next cozy collection that makes us say, “Ooh, I can’t wait to make something with this!”

Living a Season (or Two) Ahead

As paper crafters, we kind of live in two worlds — the now and the next. Designing ahead means I’m already playing with pumpkins when my garden is still blooming, and making snowflake cards long before the first chill hits the air. It’s not about rushing through the year; it’s about staying ready to inspire others when they reach that season.

I always think of it as setting the stage — pulling out ideas, experimenting with colors, and giving myself plenty of time to just play. Because when the holidays actually arrive, I want to be enjoying them, not scrambling to photograph projects or finish blog posts between batches of cookies!

My Favorite Ways to Stay Ahead

  • Keep a Seasonal Idea Journal: I jot down ideas all year long. If I see a color combo that reminds me of Easter or a cozy pattern that screams Fall, it goes straight into my notebook. Inspiration never shows up on schedule, so I grab it when it does!
  • Batch My Crafting: When I’m in a creative groove, I make several projects in the same theme. If I’ve pulled out all the reds and greens, you can bet I’m doing Christmas everything before cleaning up that mess.
  • Theme Bins Are My Best Friend: I keep bins labeled by season — Fall, Christmas, Valentine’s, Spring, etc. When it’s time to start designing, I can just grab the right one and go.
  • Leave Room for Play: Even though I plan ahead, I always leave space for those spur-of-the-moment projects. Sometimes a new stamp set or paper pack just speaks to me, and I’ve learned to listen!

Why It’s Worth It

Designing ahead keeps my creativity flowing and lets me truly enjoy each season as it comes. It also means my readers and followers can craft right along with me — with plenty of time to shop their stash, try new techniques, and make something special.

And honestly? There’s something magical about celebrating every season twice — once in the making, and again when it arrives.

So if you’re crafting Christmas cards in August or cutting out hearts while your tree’s still up… you’re not behind or out of sync — you’re just ahead of your time. And that, my friends, is part of the creative joy we share.

Thanks for stopping by!

I’m so glad you’re here sharing a little creative time with me. If you love talking paper, color, and seasonal inspiration, be sure to subscribe or follow along — there’s always something new (and a little glittery) just around the corner. Until next time, happy creating and stay crafty! ✂️๐Ÿ’–


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nhdkwHAcOK8_ow-VDHv1bI-ztxP5hoCg/view?usp=drivesdk




Friday, October 10, 2025

๐Ÿ‚ Fall feels are in full swing! ๐Ÿ Pink and Main Monthly Challenge


I am submitting this cozy card for the @Pink and Main Monthly Challenge — “All Things Fall” ๐Ÿ‚ You can join in here: https://pinkandmainblog.com/monthly-card-challenge-10-all-things-fall/ 

I used the Pink and Main Field of Dreams stamp and coordinating die set — isn’t that little scarecrow just the sweetest? ๐Ÿงก The patterned papers are from the Crafty Courtyard monthly kit, perfectly paired with Kendra’s Card Challenge 20, Sketch #1.  You can watch the replay HERE!

Warm tones, playful prints, and just a hint of sparkle — everything that makes fall crafting pure happiness! ✂️✨

Would you join this challenge? What’s your favorite fall color combo? ๐Ÿ