A PLACE TO START - MARCH CHALLENGE - ANYTHING GOES w/Optional Twist: NO SQUARES

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

This is my second card for our March Challenge.  We are asking our players to refrain from using squares "anywhere" on their cards.  I considered creating a rectangular card, but finally settled on this Circle design.

I look forward to seeing your creations at:

A PLACE TO START

Remember:

 NO SQUARE CARDS (4X4, 5X5, 6X6, ETC.)

NO SQUARE LAYERS ON THE CARDS 

NO SQUARE CUT OUTS, NO SQUARE WINDOWS

NO SQUARE SENTIMENT BANNERS

Hugz,

Chana

CHALLENGES ENTERED:

A Cut Above (Anything Goes w/Die Cut)

Neglected Stuff Challenge:  My stuff: Patterned paper (5yrs old), Chocolate Card (2 yrs old), Crystals (1 yr old).

Pammie's Inky Pinkies: Anything Goes

Path of Positivity: Anything Goes w/Option Use 3 Gems

Cupcake Inspiration: Love Is In The Air

Dragonfly Dreams: Something with Butterflies

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes

A PLACE TO START - FEBRUARY CHALLENGE - "IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS!"

Good Morning, Crafty Creators!

The monthly challenge at A Place To Start starts today, and our Optional Theme is: NO SQUARES!

The challenge dates are March 2 - April 3, 2026

In The Midst of Chaos, I Still Have Hope

The world is on fire, and each day it becomes increasingly more difficult to believe that good will triumph over evil. It occurred to me that art journaling might be the best way to channel my thoughts and reinforce my prayers.

There is a lot of symbolism in this page. The number "26" reflects my desire to see both Houses of the U.S. Congress flipped in November. I also desire to see the end of the current administration in 2028 and the beginning of healing worldwide. The number 44 represents the presidency of Barack Obama and the Hope he represents, even as a "regular" citizen. Butterflies represent freedom, and the Beetle is a reminder that we will never eradicate evil from the world, but we do not have to empower it! 

I am the first to admit that journal pages are not exactly my forte! I am currently working on 100 Days of Layering. These pages are my work for days one and two. I am sure I will get better. I may add a few more stencils to this page, but for now, I am moving on.

I plan to add more layers to this page, but I have started a new page, and my first layer is Gesso. 

Thanks so much for dropping by!  

Happy Crafting!

From my lips to G-d's Ears...Peace!

Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Make Your Own Background

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes

We Love To Create: Anything Goes: Mixed Media

SYMPATHY CARD - THERE ARE NO WORDS

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

My Sister-in-law lost her husband of 55 years on February 9th. This has been a difficult time for my husband and me, too. She is his favorite sister and one of the people I love most in the world. We bought houses close to each other, and our kids grew up together. Her daughter became a physician, and our son became a physician's assistant. I have never seen her so broken.

If you follow my blog, you have seen her mentioned numerous times. She is my best customer and is always my best marketing person. She tells everyone to come to me for special occasion cards. I knew I had to create a card for her.

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

I knew I wanted to create a shaped card. I also knew I wanted to keep the footprint small. I knew there were no words to express how my heart hurt for her and this loss. Nothing I could say would penetrate the darkness of the lonely nights ahead. So, I chose those words as my sentiment. I chose the butterfly to represent growth and change through each stage of life, and the circle to symbolize the circle of life that eventually closes for all of us!

I used my "tree" wood embossing folder to create texture on the bottom of the card. The butterfly die is from my Memory Box Die collection. The MB dies are timeless.

I framed my basic stitched circle die with a combination of fancy circle dies. The flower circle die is my favorite. It is so delicate. I  ordered this die from Temu. It was the best $.99 I ever spent. I love the combination of Kraft card and White card. I found my inspiration for this card on Pinterest!

This card style is super easy and very versatile! I will use it many times in the future!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

A PLACE TO START - ANYTHING GOES - ENVELOPE POCKET CARD

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

The February challenge theme at A Place to Start is

Anything Goes w/ Optional Theme:

Small Creatures!

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I opted to create a project for the Anything Goes portion of the challenge. 

My schedule was crazy around Christmas, and I had to reschedule my infusion appointment. Because of that, I was unable to give my infusion nurses their usual gifts. I thought it would be too weird to deliver Christmas presents in February, so I decided these little envelope pocket cards would be more appropriate.

I did not have the pink cardstock I wanted, so I used Ranger's Picked Raspberry and Vintage Photo Distress Inks to create the color combination I wanted! I used Lost Shadown Distress Ink to color my stencil.

 I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to color my white buttons.

I used waxed thread for the stitched edge.

I had these heart flower dies in my stash. They seemed perfect for this project.

I used my Vertical Lines Die to create the faux corrugated cardboard look on my hearts!

The envelope pocket card is a great way to present gift cards or cash. I decided to give some money this year. I also included a soap saver, a bar of rock soap, and a small journal and pen in the gift basket!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to add the project sheet sometime this week. You can also find the tutorial on my YouTube channel, "Chana, Coffee & Crafts!"

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

 

 

JANUARY 2026 - A PLACE TO START - ANYTHING GOES w/Optional Twist: Rainbows (Lots of Colors)

Happy New Year, Crafty Makers!

Over at A Place to Start, we decided to start the New Year off with HOPE!

Optional Theme: Rainbows - Lots of Colors

Your project does not have to be a rainbow; we just want to see lots of colors!

I created this card for my granddaughter, who celebrated her 13th Birthday on December 27th.  My son flew down for the holidays, but the kids had other plans, so this card and her gifts are going back with her Dad.  After I completed the card and showed it to my son, he reminded me that her favorite color is lavender and her older sister's favorite color is pink.

I recreated the card in her favorite color, but switched to gold-foiled straws because they seem to work best with the lavender.

I also added a bit more color to the confetti background and brushed on some gold shimmer paint.

RAINBOW LOTS OF COLORS

This card best captures our theme of lots of colors!  The colorful straws and the confetti splatter are bright, cheery, and hopeful!

I used liquid watercolor inks to color the vellum flower.

Want to make this card? Click For Project Sheet

Project Sheets include a complete supply list and cutting dimensions.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see your project in our challenge!

Hugz,

Chana

Challenges Entered:

A Cut Above - ATG (Die Cuts: Sentiment and Flowers)

Aud Sentiments - ATG + Sentiment

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - ATG

Simon Says-Something New -Sentiment, Embossing Folder, Straws

Little Patch of Crafty Friends-ATG

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Stuff I Used:

Swiss Dot Embossing Folder

Faux Corrugated Cardboard EF

NicPro Metallic  Acrylic Paint

Rose Art Acrylic Paint

Pink and Gold Paper Straws

Party Patterns Paper Straws

Happy Birthday Die