Sunday, April 5

Clean & Simple Easter Elegance

I wanted to create something soft and simple for Easter, and this card came together so beautifully. The bold purple flower really takes center stage, while the clean white background keeps everything feeling fresh and elegant.

I added a sweet “Easter Wishes” sticker in the middle of the flower for a cheerful touch, and finished it off with a few enamel dots for just a hint of dimension. Sometimes less really is more, and I love how this design lets the colors and textures shine.


Sharing my project with:
~Girlz Rebel-pearls
~Triple B-birds, butterflies, blooms
~AAA Cards-CAS and starts with E (Easter)
~Fab N Funky-Easter/Spring
~Inkspirational-CAS (option-starts with E-Easter)
~Cardz 4 Galz-Spring flowers


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Clean, Crisp & Thankful

The challenge at DRAGONFLY DREAMS is "CAS-Clean and Simple".

My card is all about letting simplicity shine. I created a clean and open background using a bold teal cardstock, which really allows the focal point to stand out. The soft pink flower adds a lovely pop of color and a touch of dimension, while the subtle twine detail brings in just a hint of texture without overwhelming the design.

I love how the small patterned strip along the bottom grounds the card and adds just enough interest to keep things playful. The rounded panel behind the flower softens the overall look and ties the colors together beautifully.

Sometimes less really is more, and this card is a perfect reminder that a few well-chosen elements can make a big impact!


Sharing my project with:
~Pearly Sparkles-something old (patterned paper), something new (stickers I got for Christmas)
~Pick 3 Challenge- text, punch (border), CAS
~Triple B-birds, butterflies, blooms
~Snippets Playground-use a snippet (strip of patterned paper, fit almost perfectly ! Just had to snip off one edge)
~I Spy With My Little Eye-showers/flowers
~Paper Funday-option (dies/punches)
~CAS on Friday-CAS and botanical
~Girlz Creative Splash It With Colors-pink/blue


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Raindrops & Smiles

The new challenge at 613 AVENUE CREATE is "April Showers or Anything Goes".

My card was inspired by those gentle April days filled with soft rain and fresh beginnings. I created a simple layered background with delicate raindrops to set the scene, keeping everything light and airy.

The sweet little fox adds such a cozy, cheerful touch—perfectly content sitting under a bright blue flower like a tiny umbrella! I love how the pop of teal frames the design and ties in beautifully with the flower, while a touch of sparkle on the petals gives it that extra bit of magic.

The “April Showers” sentiment brings it all together, making this card feel like a celebration of the season and all the beauty that comes with it.

Materials: cardstock, Stickles glitter, Glossy Accent

My April Showers card can be found at Cricut Design Space.

Sharing my project with:
~Beautiful Blossoms-flowers are focal

Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Coffee & Retirement: A Match Made in Heaven


I made a handmade retirement card featuring a humorous coffee-themed sentiment — "retirement: world's longest coffee break". It's set against a rich, swirling coffee-like marbled background, with a dimensional diecut coffee cup , cut from my Cricut. I added a faux coffee bean as an added embellishment.

My Retirement card can be found at Cricut Design Space.

Sharing my project with:
~Farm Quest Grocery Game-anything food-related
~Double D-humor
~Little Red Wagon-M is for masculine
~Paper Funday-option (dies/punches)
~Word Art-Wednesday-anything uplifting/encouraging
~Crafty Calendar-dies/punches

Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Saturday, April 4

Rooted in Love: Remembering Lexi, Celebrating Zoe

This layout is very close to my heart. It features a photo of sweet Zoe sitting beside the tree we planted in memory of our beloved Lexi. Watching this tree grow over time feels like a living tribute—full of love, memories, and connection.

I chose warm, earthy tones and a cozy plaid pattern to reflect the feeling of comfort and remembrance. The layers and soft textures help ground the design, much like the roots of the tree itself.

The hidden journaling is tucked into the pocket. It holds personal thoughts and memories. I love how hidden journaling allows us to include deeper emotions without overwhelming the visual design.

The title, Lexi’s Tree says it simply, but holds so much meaning. This page is a reminder that love never really leaves us—it just grows in new ways.



Sharing my project with:
~Stash Bash Challenge-scrapbook page using kit that I created (see kit items below)




~Crafty Animals-anything with an animal
~Critter Crazy Challenges-anything with a critter (no people)
~Farm Quest Home-anything home-related
~Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap-anything with patterned paper
~Girlz Rebel-pearls
~Pearly Sparkles-something old (Thickers letters), something new (Echo Park kit I got for my birthday last month)
~Craft Rocket-layer it up
~Love Those Pretty Papers-anything with patterned papers
~Love To Scrap-anything goes


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

A Card Full of Gentle Encouragement

So, Old Man Winter hasn't yet gotten the memo that it is SPRING !!!! 

This snow can go ! Way too much today  (20 cm) added to what's on the ground. There's more in the forecast for tomorrow evening (another few cm and then turn off to rain) 

I made a chocolate cake with vanilla icing  this morning and I can't wait to taste it!


So, right now I'm in my craft room making stuff !

For this card, I wanted to create something soft, uplifting, and full of quiet encouragement. I used a calming color palette with gentle tones that give the whole design a peaceful, dreamy feel.

The layered elements and subtle textures add depth without overwhelming the design, letting the focal image and sentiment really shine. I love how everything comes together in such a delicate and balanced way.

The sentiment, Dream Big is simple but powerful—a reminder to hold onto hope and believe in possibilities. Cards like this are perfect for sending a little encouragement, whether it’s for a friend, a child, or anyone who needs a gentle reminder to keep dreaming.

This card feels like a little hug in paper form—soft, thoughtful, and full of positivity.

The sentiment comes from a wonderful motivational bundle at WHITE SPRUCE STUDIO. So many ways this bundle can be used. I printed them all off and have a beautiful set of sentiments to create cards.


Sharing my project with:
~Girlz Rebel-pearls
~Word Art-Wednesday-anything uplifting/encouraging
~As You Like It-favorite embellishment-ribbon. I have a HUGE collection and any chance I get I love using it and making a pretty bow with it.
~Word Power-sentiment main focus
~Love Those Pretty Papers-anything with patterned papers
~Paper Funday-anything goes
~Conjuror of Dreams-anything goes


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Sweet Treats & Cozy Wishes

The April challenge is posted at PAPER ROCKS SCISSORS and it's "always anything using paper and/or scissors". Here's mine, using cardstock and patterned papers and a fussy cut peppermint candy on the ribbon.

There’s something so comforting about combining holiday cheer with sweet treats, and this card brings both together beautifully ! I used a warm, festive patterned paper filled with candy swirls, hot cocoa, and holiday greenery to create a cozy background that instantly feels like the season.

To add a touch of elegance, I wrapped the card with a rich satin ribbon and topped it with a coordinating embellishment that ties everything together perfectly.

The sentiment, sweet holiday wishes felt like the perfect finishing touch—simple, heartfelt, and perfectly in tune with the theme. I lightly inked the edges to give it a subtle vintage glow, helping it stand out against the busy background.

This card reminds me of quiet winter moments, warm drinks, and the joy of sharing a little sweetness with others during the holidays.


Sharing my project with:
~12 Months of Christmas-Christmas card
~Caffeinated Christmas-Christmas card featuring coffee/tea or hot cocoa
~Farm Quest Grocery Game-anything food-related
~Merry Little Christmas-anything Christmas
~Holly & Ivy-anything Christmas
~Word Art-Wednesday-anything uplifting/encouraging
~As You Like It-favorite embellishment-ribbon. I have a HUGE collection and any chance I get I love using it and making a pretty bow with it.


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Friday, April 3

But First… Coffee (Always!)

The April challenge at FIRST CUP CHALLENGES is "always anything goes with coffee/tea or any kind of drink/beverage".

If you know me, you know this project speaks my language—because let’s be honest… coffee really is the answer !

For this piece, I wanted to create something fun and a little bit bold, so I started with a neutral background and added splatters of brown paint to give it that rich, coffee-inspired feel. The splattering adds texture and movement, almost like little bursts of espresso across the surface !

The sentiment, “coffee is the answer (no matter the question)” was created using my Cricut and really becomes the focal point of the whole piece. I love how clean and crisp it looks against the textured background—it really pops !

To finish it off, I added coffee bean embellishments for a bit of dimension and personality. They tie everything together perfectly and add that extra touch of charm.

This project was such a fun mix of clean design and playful texture—and it’s the perfect little reminder that no matter what the day brings… coffee can handle it !

Materials: wooden piece, acrylic paint, Cricut vinyl (for sentiment), coffee bean embellishments


Sharing my project with:
~Shopping Our Stash-white out-no white
~Double D-humor
~Allsorts-anything goes
~Do Al(l) Creatives-anything goes
~Love To Craft-anything goes


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Scrapping Sisterly Love

The April challenge is posted at ONE MORE PAGE. It's "always anything goes-scrapbooking layouts". This is the second month, and we're hoping for the same success of the first month. We got 11 entries and that was awesome !

This scrapbook page celebrates one of the most special bonds in life—sisters. The photo, taken in August 2024, captures a beautiful moment of all of us together, smiling and enjoying time outdoors. It’s one of those simple photos that instantly brings back the feeling of laughter, stories, and the comfort of being with people who have known you your whole life.

I chose a soft floral background to reflect the warmth and sweetness of our relationship, with lots of little flowers and hearts scattered across the page. The stitched frames and hand-drawn doodle lines around the photo help draw the eye to the center while adding a cozy, handmade feel to the layout.

The title “Sisters Are Forever” says it all. No matter where life takes us or how busy things get, that sister connection never fades. This page is a reminder of the memories we’ve shared growing up and the many more moments we will continue to create together.

Sometimes a single photo is all it takes to capture a lifetime of friendship, love, and sisterhood.

Materials: Basic Grey kit items, Thickers letters, Sharpie marker for doodling


Sharing my project with:
~Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap-anything with patterned paper
~Love To Scrap-anything goes
~Paper Funday-anything goes
~Crafty Catz-anything goes
~Conjuror of Dreams-anything goes
~Crafts Galore Encore-anything goes


Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Carefree Spring and Birthday Vibes

The new challenge at CUT IT UP, for the next two weeks, is "for a baby or child (and remember a diecut)".

Who can remember getting your bike out and riding it for the first time in the Spring? I can !
This birthday card is all about joy, freedom, and celebrating life’s little adventures. I used die cuts to create a playful silhouette of two children riding a bicycle, capturing a moment full of movement and happiness. The soft cloudy sky background adds a dreamy feel, while the grassy border grounds the scene and brings in a fresh, outdoor touch. The simple “Happy Birthday !” sentiment keeps the focus on the design while perfectly tying the whole card together.

*sadly there'll be NO BIKES taken out this weekend in our neck of the woods ! The forecast is calling for another 25 cm of snow ! We don't need it ! Please, Mother Nature, give us Spring !


Sharing my project with:
~Die Cut Divas-dies and birthday
~Heart's Quest Celebration of Love-birthday and option (Spring)
~Sparkles-Spring
~Fab N Funky-Easter/Spring
~Paper Funday-option (dies/punches)

Happy Crafting, 
~DEANNE~

Total Page Views

I watched it live! April giving birth to Tajiri!!

I watched it live! April giving birth to Tajiri!!
April 15,2017

I watched it live! April giving birth to Azizi!

I watched it live! April giving birth to Azizi!
March 16, 2019- Oct 27, 2020 RIP April RIP Ap 2 2021