Thinking of You... So Very Much! (CD #597)

It's time again for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #597. This biweekly challenge ends on Thursday evening, May 2, 2024. Over time I have learned to enjoy color challenges although I found them daunting in the early days of my card-making. Below is the color board. The colors remind me of my emerging tulip garden. The challenge requires using at least three of the colors shown and there is also a selection of free options. I used all four colors plus black and white.

I have recently been thinking about creating Clean and Simple (CAS) cards more often, so this card attempts to accomplish a CAS design. The important element seems to be keeping a significant amount of "white space". The space does not actually mean the color white. In graphic art, white space refers to blank space, not color. I could not resist adding a bit of bling so my card may be just outside the realm of a true CAS design.

After die-cutting the leaf image, it was colored by blending three colors, Ballerina, Sundance, and Limeade. The leaf was adhered to a white card base. The sentiment was stamped. I selected this for the simple, small font. The color, Rosy, was introduced by adding gems. The inside of the card was decorated with a coordinating stamp of the leaves in green ink, leaving sufficient space for a personal message.

I plan to mail this card to my Aunt Mildred. She is 98 years old and recently broke her leg. I have already sent her a few cards but I know she will enjoy receiving another while she is rehabilitating. 

Please visit the Color Dare Blog #597 and enjoy our color challenge. Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Altenew "Leaf Canopy" (sentiment and leaves inside of card)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Parakeet Party (for Limeade), Blushing Bride (for Ballerina), Crushed Curry (for Sundance); Memento Tuxedo Black (sentiment)

Die: Altenew "Leaf Canopy"

Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers

Hello... Love You (TSOT 645)

 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Today's card was inspired by a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #645. Sometimes my interpretation doesn't follow the sketch precisely but for me, the sketch is for inspiration, and not necessarily to be copied exactly, unless that is what the cardmaker is inspired to do.

Challenge #645 is a semimonthly event that began on the third Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and runs through Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

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Just about every card I make these days is with existing items from my stash. I have so many beautiful patterned papers that I have resisted purchasing more until I reduce my current inventory. I thought this paper was sweet when I saw the tiny pink birds and the coordinating floral paper. After die-cutting and adhering the double-stacked branch along with the sentiment and its shadow I used scraps of pink cardstock and adhered it to a white card base. A few silver pearls completed the card front. The inside was decorated with the die-cut words "love you" and a leafy pink branch.

Last week I received word that my 98-year-old Aunt Mildred had broken her femur (thigh) in a fall so this card with a long overdue letter enclosed, is already on its way to her in Virginia. I will be sending her cards regularly while she is in rehab for this fractured leg.

Please visit the TSOT Challenge Blog 645 and thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Pink Pirouette

Paper: Spellbinders "Love Grows Here"

Dies: Altenew "Decorative Swirls" (Leaf) & "Sweet Expressions" (sentiment)

Misc.: 3M foam tape & Honey Bee pearl stickers

Just for You - Less but Better aka CAS (DTC 164)

 

Thank you for joining in Double Trouble's Challenge #164. This challenge runs through Sunday evening, April For this challenge, we are partnering with The Crafter's Cafe #307. As is customary, there are three "Things" to the Double Trouble Challenge. 

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is waiting to see your Clean and Simple (CAS) project. For details about CAS, visit the Double Trouble Challenge Blog.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link your project to the CAS challenge at The Crafter's Cafe #307.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister wants you to tweak your CAS design. CAS usually means your card should have plenty of uncluttered "white" space. In graphic art, white space means uncluttered blank space regardless of color. So her optional twist is to use a color other than white for that uncluttered blank space. I chose to use pink with silver accents and a black sentiment.

To create my CAS card, a floral image was die-cut from pink cardstock and adhered to a pink card base along with a few additional flowers, also in pink. For a bit of interest, a stencil was used to add silver embossed accents. In addition, the centers of the small flowers were heat embossed with silver. The sentiment was stamped with black ink for contrast. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and several small flowers were added for decoration.

As usual, photography seems to be the bane of my existence. The silver embossing was difficult to capture and there is a "funny" spot in the photo that is not present on my card. The camera lens is clean so who knows where that spot came from? Oh, well. 

Be sure to visit the challenge blogs for DTC #164 and The Crafter's Cafe #307 to view the Design Team projects.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Picture Perfect" (sentiment)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Pink Pirouette

Die: Spellbinders "Kaleidoscope Floral"

Stencil: A Colorful Life "Rippling Squares"

Embossing Powder: Wow! Metallic Silver Super Fine

Thinking of You (CD 595)

 

It's time to create Challenge 595 at Color My Heart Color Dare Challenges. The color board below is a Fancy Five Challenge meaning you have five colors from which to choose. You may use three, four, or five colors from the board. I selected Peach, Flamingo, Glacier, and Sage, including black and gray. This challenge is biweekly and runs through Thursday evening, April 18, 2024.

I used a stamped image - a freebie from Honey Bee Designs, to create my card. After coloring it with Copic alcohol markers, it was fussy cut and adhered to a black and gray patterned paper panel. This was matted asymmetrically with Glacier-colored cardstock and adhered to a card base in a peachy hue. The sentiment banner provided with the image was adhered with thin foam tape and a few pearls were added. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with patterned paper. 

We look forward to seeing your project in our challenge, so visit the Color Dare Blog and play along!

A few days after creating this card, I received word that my 98-year-old Aunt Mildred had fallen and broken her leg so I mailed the card to her with a personal message included. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Honey Bee Designs (freebie image & sentiment)

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Pool Party (sub for Glacier), Crisp Cantaloupe (sub for Peach)

Patterned Paper: Paper Rose "Katie's Tea Party"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee pearl stickers

The Tea Party (TSOT 644)

 

A warm hello to you! Thanks for stopping by. Challenge #644 for Try a Sketch on Tuesday is up on the blog and ready for you to post your project. Below is the sketch for this challenge, which will close on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

In my continuing effort to use items from my stash, I selected a few coordinating patterned papers along with bits of matching ephemera. I followed the sketch and finished off the front with a sentiment heat embossed in silver and a few silver pearls. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with ephemera matching that on the card front. 

Please join us at the TSOT 644 Blog to see their lovely projects, and share your creation.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Altenew "Elegant Sayings"

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Mint Macaron & Basic Gray

Paper & Ephemera: Paper Rose "Katie's Tea Party"

Die: Hero Arts Infinity (circles)

Embossing Powder: Wow! Silver Metallic Super Fine

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee gem stickers

Let's Get Krafty on Earth Day (DTC 163)

 

It's time for another biweekly challenge at Double Trouble. This is Challenge #163 and runs through Sunday evening, April 14, 2024. As is customary, we have three elements to our challenge.

Did you know Monday, April 22, 2024, is Earth Day? In observance, Trouble Maker's requirement is to use Kraft-type paper in your project. Kraft is biodegradable and breaks down very quickly, absorbing into the environment.

Double Dare hopes you'll take the option to link your project to our partner's challenge. Inspiration Station Challenge #60 is suggesting using their photo prompt of Planet Earth (below) to energize your creativity and then tell your readers about it in your personal post.

Twisted Sister has an optional twist for you! Planet Earth is often called "The Blue Planet" because of its appearance from space. Did you know that about 71% of Earth is covered in water? Our twist is to focus on the color blue. This photo energized me by encouraging me to look up the details of our Blue Planet and Earth Day's history and create a card depicting our unique and beautiful planet.

To create the card I used part of a die from my stash. This die depicts a globe that is mounted in the semi-meridian style. I only used the mounting cradle portion of the die. I hand drew the rough outlines of five continents, fussy cutting them from the green mirror cardstock. (Australia and Antarctica are not within view from this angle.) Texture was added to the green pieces and were adhered to the blue mirror cardstock. 

The flowers and leaves were die-cut and colored with Copic markers. Much of the North American continent is covered with flowers but you can still see Florida. The background is patterned paper adhered to a Kraft-type cardstock. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with additional flowers and leaves. In the photo the lighting has played a trick showing Asia as a lighter green than the other continents.

I have two grand-nephews who enjoy receiving cards so I will make another but different card for Earth Day so each will have one. It's never too late for them to learn about caring for the Earth!

I hope you will stop by the DTC 163 Blog and Inspiration Station #60 to enjoy the challenges.

Thank you for visiting my blog...

Melanie

Materials

Inks: Copic alcohol markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Baked Brown Sugar (for Kraft), Basic White, & Silver; Tonic Mirror in  blue & green

Paper: Reminisce "In the Clouds"

Dies: Spellbinders "Be Bold Blooms", Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Kokorosa (globe cradle)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Just Because (CD #593)

It's Friday and that means we have a new Color Dare challenge underway. This is Challenge #593 and it runs through Thursday, April 4, 2024. Below is the color board for this challenge. I decided on the color Capri to go along with the Honey Butter. I used substitutes that are very close matches to the specified colors. 

A die set that has been sitting in my stash unused has been calling my name. I decided that it was well-suited to the two-color challenge. I was a little disappointed because the dies required a variety of shims to get them to cut cleanly. The word dies are included in this set and are kind of flimsy. It was an exercise in patience to use the words. 

I created the card to my liking, stacking the words in white onto the words in Honey Butter. I also add 23 gem stickers! Out of character for me but I was content with doing it. After all of the rich colors, the card needed the color white so I could say it was finished. The inside of my card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with extra die-cut flowers, leaving sufficient space for a personal message.

Please visit our Color Dare Blog #593 for some challenge fun. Each challenge begins on Friday and is two weeks in duration so we always have an active challenge in the works.

By the way, I will use this die set again despite the cutting issue. If you look at the black filigree design eight "hidden" flowers would be fun to feature so there are other possibilities.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It makes my heart happy if you leave a comment. Enjoy!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Hello Honey, & Tempting Turquoise

Die set: Spellbinders "Floral Butterfly Card Front" (includes words and flowers)

Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers

Thinking of You (TSOT 643)

 

Welcome to my blog! Here is my card for Try a Sketch on Tuesday #643. This semimonthly challenge will end on Sunday afternoon, March 31, 2024.

I have been trying to use items from my stash so I used some leftover ephemera and die-cut elements. I prefer to make handmade items but these were too pretty to waste. I used three die-cut circles, adhering images to them. Due to the size of the images, I elected to make this a Slimline card.
The panels were added to a white card base and green gems were adhered to dress up the card. The inside was decorated with floral ephemera, leaving sufficient space to add a personal message.

I hope you'll play along with the sketch challenge at TSOT 643. Thank you for visiting my blog. 

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Simon Says Stamp "Orchid Rose Bouquet" (sentiment)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Pistachio Pudding & Blackberry Bliss

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Pale Plum, Blackberry Bliss & Pistachio Pudding

Paper & Ephemera: Paper Rose "The Violet Garden"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape & Honey Bee sticker gems

Spring Florals - Anemone Easter Card (DTC #162)

 

Double Trouble Challenge

Thank you for viewing my Spring Floral Easter card and welcome to Double Trouble Challenge #162. This biweekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, March 31, 2024. As always, there are three elements to this challenge. Be sure to visit the DTC162 Blog for specific details. Our partner for this challenge is Beautiful Blossoms #15.

Since purchasing a new die set with pretty Anemones I was eager to use it for this challenge. The style of the flowers appealed to me - sort of Art Deco. Although not required, our partner's Mood Board provided direction for my selection of colors, however, the layout is directly from the Spellbinders packaging but adding the textured background was my personal choice. 

After die-cutting the images and assembling the flowers the items were brushed with ink. A panel of cardstock was embossed and the elements were adhered. A layer of scrap cardstock was added behind each flower to elevate them slightly. (Even thin foam tape would have been too thick for the look I wanted.) For my optional Easter element, I simply added a meaningful sentiment in keeping with the solemnity of Easter.

In keeping with one of the challenge options I am linking my card with Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #15. Here is their Mood Board. 

Did you know that Anemones have deep meaning in many cultures? They symbolize love, affection, and good luck. The ancient Greeks thought they were the tears of Aphrodite and Adonis. Since my Anemones are purple, they also symbolize royalty.

Be sure to visit the Blogs for DTC #162 and Beautiful Blossoms #15.

Enjoy!

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stamps of Life "Easter Statements"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Shaded Spruce & Rich Razzleberry

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White (card base), Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Mint Macaron, Just Jade

Die Set: Spellbinders "Fresh Picked Anemones"

Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Optical Arches"

With Love (Color Dare 591)

 

Thank you for stopping my to see my card for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #591. The color board is below and demonstrates that this challenge requires the use of the colors black and white with the addition of only one color. I chose an orange color. I originally planned to use a soft peach but decided to use a stronger color.

The image was stamped onto white cardstock, partially fussy cut then placed onto a panel of black cardstock. The sentiment was then stamped. The ink was brushed onto the flowers and sentiment. This was adhered to a white card base. The ink was also brushed onto white scraps to create the striped elements.

The inside was stamped with another sentiment and a smaller flower that coordinates with the larger image on the front. This was also brushed with ink.

Because this is a large image, the card was created using an A6 size so that the image would not appear crowded.

Enjoy!

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Gina K "Sweet Memories"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Size: A6 (4.75" x 6.5")

 

Good Luck Card for St. Patrick's Day

It's time to play along with another biweekly challenge at Double Trouble. This is Challenge #161, beginning on Friday, March 1, 2024, and ending on Thursday, March 14, 2024. For details, visit the Double Trouble Blog. Our partner for this challenge is Festive Friday #FF0154. Their inspiration board is below. There are ten items to choose from but you only need three. Using the color green for Double Trouble was my first element. I included four additional items on my card - Gold, Gold Embellishments, Clover, and the Good Luck Sentiment.

I decided to use a stencil to create an Argyl pattern on my card but once the orange ink was applied, I changed my mind and added green ink without adding the additional Argyl lines so it looks more Harlequin than Argyl. Then the stenciled panel was cut into two pieces. Onto a panel of green cardstock, a white panel followed by an inked panel in Pumpkin Pie were added. Then I added the stenciled strip, matted in Parakeet Party. 

The sentiment was die cut from gold glimmer paper, shadowed by vellum. The four-leafed clover was created by stamping a small heart four times, fussy-cutting the image, and adding a stem. The clover was popped up with foam tape. Gold metallic pearls were added. The inside of the card was decorated with the second strip of stenciling. 

We hope you will join us for this challenge. Just click HERE and you will be connected to the Double Trouble Blog.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Concord & 9th "Sweet on You" (small hearts for clover)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Parakeet Party & Pumpkin Pie

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Parakeet Party, Garden Green, Glimmer (gold), & vellum

Stencil: Pink Fresh "Argyle"

Die w/shadow (sentiment): Photoplay "Good Luck" 

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee Gems

Spring Card with a Fun Fold

Double Trouble Challenge #160 is temporarily on a different schedule by opening this challenge on Friday, February 16, 2024. Our format, however, has not changed so this challenge is based on three "Things". Challenge #160 Blog provides an explanation in detail of the requirements and options.

Creating a fun fold is the required element. Recently, a correspondent of mine shared instructions with me on creating a "Diamond Tent Fun Fold" card. I decided to create the card for this challenge and play along with Thing 2 by submitting it to our challenge partner, Creative Creases #76.

The instructions began with a card base of 6" x 12" but I typically use cardstock no longer than 11", so I made it work. It meant the landscape card now stands at 3.5" tall rather than 4" tall but the width remained unchanged at 6", about the size of a mini-slimline design. Once the base was completed, the card was quick and easy to decorate. One of the challenge options is to recognize Leap Day, which falls on February 29, 2024. The option is to include a creature who leaps, so rabbits were added, which works with my spring theme. My niece's paper collection with matching ephemera came in handy by using two different paper patterns and two different green-colored cardstock panels to complete the card. 

Three rabbits were die-cut in different colors and tucked into the card's fold along with adding a floral image and a butterfly. I thought the card needed more color so touches of pink ink were brushed onto a few elements, including the rabbit ears. There is an inside fold to this card, which was embellished with a die-cut rabbit. The sentiment was omitted for now and there is sufficient space for a personal note. 

I think I need to take some lessons in photography. I am constantly disappointed with my photographs! Be sure to join this fun challenge and try your hand at creating a fun fold - it can be rewarding! Visit Double Trouble #160 and Creative Creases #76 to play along.

Thank you for looking.

Melanie

Materials

Ink: CTMH "Rosy"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate

Paper & Ephemera: Echo Park "Good to Be Home" Collection

Die: Jaded Blossom Gnome Collection (rabbit)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Wild Meadow All Occasion

It's time to join the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #587. I love the color called Rosy, especially paired with Capri and a touch of metallic gold ink. Below is the Color Dare Board. All you do is choose at least three colors and create. You may not add colors that are not on the board. Black, white, and neutrals are free to use. 

Onto a panel of white cardstock, the square shapes were randomly stamped in three locations without considering if the large stamp would coordinate. I had no idea if any of the flowers or leaves would end up in a good place with the random squares. Once stamped, I was content with the result but thought the top of the card was devoid of interest. Using a tiny circle stamp, I added metallic gold ink to the three wildflowers. The panel was popped up on foam tape and added to a white card base with the edges inked in Rosy. The inside was decorated with a few more stamped squares, leaving space for a personal message.

This was a quick and easy card to create - perfect for producing a large quantity of cards.

Please visit the Challenge Blog and play along with us.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Woodware "Wild Meadow", Waffle Flower "Color Swatches"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; CTMH Rosy & Capri; Delicata Metallic "Golden Glitz"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

My Heart Misses You (Valentine Card)

Welcome to my blog. Here we are again for another Double Trouble Challenge. This is Challenge #159, which will run through Thursday evening, February 15, 2024. There are three "Things" that make up the challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has assigned the theme as "Love Is in the Air". Your project must be related to the subject of love. While hearts and flowers are symbolic of love, we encourage you to use an "air" element, such as a bird, butterfly, cloud, etc. My card using the theme, "Love Is in the Air", is posted above.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is looking forward to you linking your project with the challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #586.
 
Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is challenging you to use the color board below. I used Ballerina, Bluebird, and Candy Apple plus the free colors of black and white.

The stamp set has been around for a while and I have used bits of it here and there but it was by accident that I came across it for this challenge. I CASE'd a card I saw on Pinterest when I recognized this as a stamp in my stash. I don't have a link to the original card but I wanted to disclose that I am not the original designer of this layout. I changed the colors and sentiment when creating my own card.

The cloud outlines were stamped, pink ink was added to the clouds with a blending brush, the tiny person was stamped and colored, and I hand-drew the rope. The sentiment, different from the original card, was also stamped directly onto the card front. The heart was stamped on red cardstock and fussy cut then added with 2 mm foam tape for dimension. This was added to a card base of blue cardstock.

The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock, stamped and inked with clouds and a stamped, fussy-cut heart, leaving plenty of space for a message. I am going to send this card to my sister-in-law, whom I have not seen in a very long time, although we chat regularly. I know she'll enjoy receiving it.

Be sure to check out the challenges at DTC 159 and CD 586 and join in with our "Love Is in the Air" theme using three colors from our Fancy Five color board!

Thank you for visiting - please leave a comment.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp Set: Simon Says Stamp "Just Miss You"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH "Ballerina", Copic markers (for the tiny image)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Real Red, CTMH Bluebird

A Wee Bit o' Love - Valentine

My grand-nephew, "Penny", loves animals and always enjoys receiving mail so I created this Valentine for him using Sketch #562 from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This weekly challenge runs from Monday, January 29, 2024, through Sunday evening, February 6, 2024. (I also made a card for Penny's brother, "Oz", that can be viewed HERE.)

 

I have had this border die of Scottish terriers and knew it would be a hit with Penny. My family runs deep with Scottish heritage so I selected tartan paper for the strips. The variety of tartans seemed to work with the Scotties perfectly. In keeping with the sketch, I added a stamped sentiment. I wish that stamp had said "A wee bit o'love." The hand-drawn hearts represent the cord element seen in the sketch. 

Also included was a strip of patterned paper with "x" and "o" symbols, then tiny gem stickers in four colors (red, silver, gold, and green) were added to the dogs as collars. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock decorated with tartan strips and one Scotty left from the border strip on the front. 

For fun with sketches, stop by the AHSC Blog!

Materials

Stamp: Concord and 9th "All Wrapped Up"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Midnight Muse

Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again", Paper Rose "Winter Plaid"

Dies: Cottage Cutz "Scotty Dog Border", Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)

Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers; CTMH thin foam tape

Sending Good Vibes - Valentine

February 7, 2024: Top Three at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #562!

Welcome to another Double Trouble Challenge. This is Challenge #158, beginning on Monday, January 29, 2024, and running through Sunday evening, February 4, 2024. Let me remind you that this challenge begins on the fifth Monday of the month so is only one week in duration. Most importantly, this is an "Anything Goes" event - but read on for more information.

Our challenges are comprised of three "Things":

Thing 1: Trouble Maker is giving us a little break. She's making this a Something-Anything-Everything Challenge. That means Anything Goes! You will earn one chance in the random drawing by submitting an Anything Goes project.

Thing 2: Double Dare is hoping you'll link your project to any one of our previous partners. A list with links is provided on the DTC 158 Blog. You will receive a chance at our random drawing for each previous challenge partner. (I have linked my project to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #562.)

Thing 3: Twisted Sister never rests from her duties. She has decided that National Kazoo Day needs recognition. To accomplish this, and for another chance at our Randomly Drawn Prize, use something musical in your project. This can include a Kazoo or other instruments, sheet music, musical notes, etc., using stamps, dies, embossing, etc. (I decided to create a piano keyboard, which was inspired by the AHSC sketch below.)

The Double Trouble Design Team has created projects based on the above information. Be sure to take a look at the DTC Blog and join in!

I come from a family of musicians so I knew my keyboard had better be accurate or I would have to hide my card! To create my Anything Goes card plus a musical theme, I hand-cut 11 white strips to a width of 7/16" each so they would fit evenly across the card. I adhered them to a panel of black cardstock. Next, I cut eight black strips. Based on the dimensions of a traditional piano keyboard, I calculated the black keys should be cut at a width of 5/16" each and greater than 67% of the length of the white keys. 

I carefully placed and adhered the black keys as found on a piano. My niece pointed out that black keys should not all be centered between white keys. Who knew? So I had to correct my mistake and slightly move six of the eight black keys to their correct positions. Then I learned that black keys are actually slightly tapered and not perfectly rectangular, but I did not make that change. When did this younger generation get so smart? And, by the way, I am the only member of a large family who does not play at least one musical instrument.

The panel of pink patterned paper was added followed by a black horizontal strip as seen in the sketch. The sentiment was stamped and then combined with a fancy die-cut heart in silver glimmer paper. A few silver gems finished off the design. The front panel was adhered to a white card base, decorated inside with pink and black paper and a silver flourish.

We look forward to seeing your project! Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Simon Says Stamp "Just Miss You"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer

Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again" (pink)

Die: Unbranded Fancy Heart

Misc.: Honey Bee (gem stickers); CTMH thin foam tape