Ghostly Greetings (TSOT #657)

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #657 opened on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, and closes on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Visit our Challenge #657 Blog for details and guidelines.

Here's a sketch that's just right for any theme but the image inspired me to create something for Halloween. I am not a big fan of goblins, devils, and witches on my cards but I had these ghost dies in my stash that looked friendly enough.

To create the card, the ghosts were die-cut from white cardstock. Black cardstock scraps were adhered to the backs of the white images to darken the eyes and mouths. A black oval frame was added and a panel of purple was layered as a background for the oval aperture. The ghosts were added using thin foam tape.

The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card base. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock matted with purple cardstock and a tiny ghost was added. Another greeting was stamped inside, "What's up, pumpkin?".

My card will be given to one of my nephews. Thank you for stopping by to view it. I hope you will play along with TSOT Challenge #657.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Brass & Bliss "Ghostly Greetings" & Wintertime Crafts "Spatter and Brush"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum

Dies: Brass & Bliss "Ghostly Greetings", Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm.) & Honey Bee gem stickers

"Spooky" Halloween card (DTC #177)

It won't be long before we hear the neighbor children calling out, "Trick or treat," while awaiting a bit of candy. The costumes are so cute. Plenty of eager superheroes or smiling princesses are at my door for a few hours. I plan on giving this card to one of my nephews who is about to outgrow this American tradition. 

Double Trouble Challenge #177 opened on Monday, October 7, 2024, and will close on Monday, October 28, 2024. Our challenges are usually two weeks in duration but this challenge is being extended. For guidelines and details about the challenge, visit the DTC 177 Blog.

My card was created using three of Double Trouble's required colors - purple, green, and orange. Neutrals are black and white. Typically, I avoid witches, ghouls, and goblins but found this friendly ghost acceptable. Neither stamp set had coordinating dies so everything was fussy-cut. Our partner for this challenge is A Cut Above. To meet our partner's requirement a set of deckle-edge rectangular dies was used for the green and purple layers. The card was also linked to our partner's challenge.

The Double Trouble Design Team has great examples to inspire you for this card challenge. We hope you will join the fun! Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Fall Fest" & Brass & Bliss "Ghostly Greetings"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie & Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Garden Green, Perfect Plum

Patterned Paper: CP Designs "Color Pop"

Dies: Honey Bee Rectangles (Deckle Edge)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 & 2 mm.), Honey Bee gem stickers (green), Spellbinders Dots (black for ghost's eyes)

Hello Fall (CD 621)

Hello to all! The Tic Tac Toe format is my favorite of the Color Dare Challenge styles. This is Color Dare Challenge #621 beginning on Friday, October 4, 2024, and ending on Thursday, October 17, 2024. It's simple - using the color board below, select three colors in a row as if you are playing Tic Tac Toe, and use only those to create your card. You may use any number of colors but they must appear on the board. Neutrals and metallics are free to use.

My initial selection was from the middle row - Capri, Pumpkin, and Jade. As my card progressed I added Sundance, Peach, Desert Rose, Evergreen, and Honey Butter. I did not have precise colors but substituted them with similar colors from my stash. I found a piece of plaid paper with several colors from the board plus charcoal as a neutral and decided to use it. In the end, I have all of the colors except Scarlet.

Rectangular layers were adhered at an angle to a white card base. The sentiment was hand-drawn onto another die-cut rectangle and added with thin foam tape. Next, the die-cut elements were touched up with markers and added. A few gems were also included. The inside was decorated with a scrap of plaid paper and a few die-cut leaves.

We would enjoy seeing your card so visit the Challenge 621 Blog and join the fun!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your comments are appreciated.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: None used - the sentiment was handwritten.

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers & white gel pen

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Just Jade, Pool Party (for Capri), Hello Honey (for Sundance), Crisp Cantaloupe (for Peach), and Pumpkin Pie.  Also, W+9 Cashmere (as a neutral).

Patterned paper: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful"

Dies: Leaves and Gourds (unbranded) & Jaded Blossoms Stitched Rectangles

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm.), Honey Bee gem stickers

Autumn Birthday - Masculine (TSOT #656)

Update 10/06/2024: This card was chosen as a Splitcoast Stampers Favorite of the Week.

It's the first Tuesday in October, so it's time to "Try a Sketch on Tuesday". This is Challenge #656 and runs from Tuesday, October 1, 2024, through Sunday, October 13, 2024. This is a great sketch providing inspiration for other styles and occasions. In fact, I turned it into a masculine fun fold card by placing the opening along the vertical line instead of at the usual right edge and using autumn colors and plaid papers.

Here is the sketch:

The card elements were cut and assembled, and the die-cut leaves were added along with the sentiment. The gold metallic bling represents the two small circles on the sketch. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with patterned paper and additional leaves. Additional photos are included below.

                    Front Vew                          Inside View   

Thank you for stopping by. The TSOT Design Team looks forward to seeing your card. 

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Old Olive, Delightful Dijon & Bravo Burgundy

Paper: Craftsmith "Fall Plaids"

Die: Altenew "Decorative Swirls" (Leaf)

Misc.: Paper Rose (sentiment sheet) & Recollections Bling stickers

Missing You Pig Time (DTC 176)

It's the fifth Monday in September so it's Double Trouble's Something, Anything, Everything one-week challenge. This is Challenge #176, beginning on Monday, September 30, 2024, and ending on Sunday, October 6, 2024. 

For this challenge, I am partnering with The Crafter's Cafe. Their Challenge #312 is open from Sunday, September 15, 2024, through Saturday, October 12, 2024. The theme is "Include an Animal".

For specific guidelines and details, consult the Double Trouble Blog regarding their three "Things" but here is a summary:

As Twisted Sister observes National Mud Pack Day on Monday, September 30, she is hoping to see at least one pig on your project and/or use pink and brown colors. You are free to use other colors as well. I used both the pig and pink and brown colors. This is an optional twist.

To create my card, the image was stamped, colored with alcohol markers, and fussy-cut. The card was assembled onto a Kraft-type card base using additional die-cut elements. A sentiment was stamped and adhered and a few pink gem stickers were added. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with scrap paper. 

I left my desk for a while and upon returning discovered the sentiment strips I had stamped and glued together earlier were missing. After a search, they were found on the top level of the cat's condo - crinkled - but I used them anyway. There is no mystery as to how the strips went missing!

Thank you for dropping by and leave a comment if you wish.

Melanie

 

Materials

Stamps: Kitchen Pigs (image and sentiment)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Pecan Pie, Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Pink Pirouette, Baked Brown Sugar

Paper: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful" Collection

Dies: LDRS Scalloped Rectangles & Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm.) & Honey Bee gem stickers

Tulip Time Birthday (CD #619)

It's time for some paper crafting fun using color. The Color Dare Board below is the perfect inspiration for getting started! Select three of the four colors shown (or a very close match) or use all four colors. Black, white, and other neutrals along with metallics are free to use. Check out the Color Dare Blog for detailed guidelines.

This is Challenge #619, beginning on Friday, September 20, 2024, and ending on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Matching the colors with the color board was a challenge for me because I couldn't settle for the colors in my stash. Using an old rubber stamp I opted for alcohol markers. (I also noticed that just about every maker of cardstock and ink has something different for the color Jade.)

Once the coloring was completed, the remainder of the card came together easily. The inside was decorated with three very tiny bluebirds using an ancient punch.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Leave a comment if you wish.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Rubbernecker "Tulip Spring"

Ink: Memento & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Just Jade

Dies: Kokorosa Stitched Rectangles with notched corners

Punch: Tiny birds to decorate inside (source unknown)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm.), Paper Rose sentiment sheets, Honey Bee sticker gems

Floating Orbs (DTC #175 & TSOT #655 collaboration)

It's time again for another semi-monthly challenge at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. This is Challenge #655 and we are partnering with Double Trouble Challenge #175.

A set of circular nesting dies was used to play along with the Thing 1 requirement at DTC. The sketch from TSOT's challenge was used for the Thing 3 optional twist at DTC. After pondering many ideas - flowers, leaves, butterflies, ornaments, etc., to name only a few, I finally decided to simply echo the sketch's shiny orbs. To complete optional Thing 2, this card has been linked to the TSOT challenge.

The background was created by adhering charcoal-colored glitter paper strips to the front of the black card base. Three orbs were die-cut from silver foiled cardstock and decorated with glitter paper. Random holes were punched in the two remaining orbs and then backed with glitter paper. All five orbs were popped up on the background with foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with glitter paper scraps.

 F

Double Trouble's challenge runs from Monday, September 16, 2024, through Sunday, September 29, 2024. Try a Sketch's challenge dates are Tuesday, September 17, 2024, through Sunday, September 29, 2024. For guidelines on joining these challenges, visit the challenge blogs here:

 DTC175 and TSOT655

Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

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

Paper: SBC Glitter Paper in Rainbow and Mixed Metals

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles)

Misc.: WRMK multi-punch & SBC foam tape in 1 mm.

Fresh Picked Daisies (CD #617)

This card was inspired by Color Dare Challenge #617. The color board is below. This is known as a Triple Play whereby you must use the three named colors - no more, no less, although you are permitted to use neutrals including black and white plus metallics.

This challenge also permits the use of colors from any source as long as there is a close match to the board. Challenge #617 is biweekly in duration and runs through Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Color challenges are just that - a real challenge, at least for me! When I think about them, it seems I am devoid of imagination. Hoping for the best, I went through a few of my die sets and found one I purchased months ago but had not yet used.

The die set resulted in a few large daisies. One of the great things about my personal "card world" is that I can have whatever color daisies I choose to create but I kept with white. However, the leaves and flower centers may be different than in nature.

Inside of Card

The inside of the card was decorated with a Royal-colored daisy and other bits left over after I completed the card front. I hope you enjoy looking at my card and joining this fun challenge. Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant (sub for Royal), Pool Party (sub for Lagoon); CTMH Limeade 

Dies: Spellbinders Etched "Fresh Picked Daisies"; Kokorosa (sentiment)

Size: A6

Autumn Tree (TSOT #654)

Welcome to my blog. Today's card is my contribution to the Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #654. This is a semi-monthly challenge that runs from Tuesday, September 3, 2024, through Sunday, September 15, 2024. Following is the new sketch for this challenge:

The stitched rectangular layers and the aperture were die-cut. The tree was fussy cut from patterned paper and placed into the aperture. I planned to use several leaves but because of the size of the dies, I elected to use only the Sugar Maple leaf. This leaf was stacked to give it height as well as a shadow. The sentiment was stamped and added to the card along with the clear gem stickers.

The inside of the card was decorated with a fussy-cut tree image from patterned paper. A stamped sentiment was added saying, "In all things, Give Thanks".

For guidelines about this challenge, visit the TSOT 654 Blog. The Design Team also has cards on display.

Melanie  

Materials

Stamps: Colorado Craft Co. "Savvy Sentiments"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Just Jade, & Gold Foil; The Paper Studio Textured Copper Foil

Paper The Paper Studio "Autumn Trees"

Dies: Jaded Blossoms "Stitched Rectangles"; Spellbinders Modern Ovals (Oblongs) & Stitched Fall Leaves

Misc.: SBC foam tape; Honey Bee clear gem stickers

You're So Sweet (DTC #174)

Here we are - looking at a new challenge - where does the time go? This is Double Trouble #174 and we are partnering with Festive Friday Challenge #FF0167, using their "Inspiration List". This challenge is open through Sunday, September 15, 2024.

As is customary, Double Trouble has three "Things". Thing 1 is required but Things 2 and 3 are just for fun. We also offer a randomly drawn prize and your chances for the prize increase as you play along with each Thing. Visit the DTC174 Blog for details and guidelines.

The requirement for Double Trouble is to use fruits and fruity colors. I selected citrus because I loved living in Florida. I stamped the outline of the slices in two sizes from colored ink and then added more color using markers to achieve lemons, limes, oranges, and pink grapefruit. They were then fussy cut, saving six for the front and two for the inside.

The large sentiment was stamped, die-cut, and matted with another die-cut. I selected a gingham paper for the background, added the twine, and popped the sentiment on with 2 mm foam tape. Finally, the slices were added using foam tape. The assembled elements were adhered to a white card base.

The inside of the card was decorated with gingham paper scrap and the remaining citrus slices. Another sentiment was stamped in green ink, "You're the Zest". Finally, the enamel dots were added. In summary, I achieved four elements from the Inspiration List - Fruit, Fruity Colors, Twine, and Gingham.

For some Zest, here's a look at the inside of the card:

We look forward to your joining our challenge. Be sure to view the Design Team's cards at the DTC174 Blog and play along with our partner's challenge at Festive Friday #FF0167.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: SBC "You're So Sweet"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU! Granny Apple Green, Lemon-Lime Twist, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Baked Brown Sugar

Paper: Craftsmith "Fall Plaids"

Dies: Spellbinders Modern Ovals (Oblong)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (2 mm); Beadsmith Brazilian Cord (colors in Saddle and Tan); Enamel dots

Rise and Shine for Your Birthday (CD #615)

Welcome to my blog. Today I am featuring a fun challenge at Color Dare. Below is the "Six Pack" color board. You must select at least three colors but you may include all six if you choose. Black, white, metallic, and neutrals are available in addition to the colors in the Six Pack. Be cautious - use only colors (or a close match) specified on the color board.

Rosy, Lemonade, and Sapphire were my selections. Free elements in black, white, and tan were also used. Not having the specific colors named the closest matches from my collection of ink pads plus Copic markers were used.

I was shopping my stash when I saw this old stamp set. I imagined some of the challenge colors in the rooster's feathers. After stamping the rooster, his image was colored with Copics and then stamped with the checkerboard pattern to "ground" him. I had no Rosy or Sapphire cardstock so applied ink from ink pads using a direct-to-paper technique. I like the texture-like result of the blue panel.

I thought the sentiment from a different stamp set worked well with the crowing rooster so stamped it and popped it up with 1 mm foam tape and then added a companion sentiment inside the card that says, "It's Your Birthday". Once the layers were assembled, they were adhered to a white card base. The sunflowers, also part of the stamp set, were stamped, colored with Copics, fussy-cut, and then added with 2 mm foam tape.

For guidelines visit the Color Dare Challenge #615 Blog and view the Design Team's inspirational cards, too. This biweekly challenge begins on Friday, August 23, 2024, and ends on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Although our challenges are two weeks long, we have a new challenge beginning every Friday.

Thank you for stopping by. It makes my heart happy to read your kind thoughts. 💖

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Farm Fresh Rooster" & "Cowlick Sunshine"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo (for Rosy) and Blueberry Bushel (for Sapphire); Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Daffodil Delight (for Lemonade)

Misc: SBC foam tape (1 mm and 2 mm)

Happy Birthday Using a 3-2-1 Recipe (DTC #173 & CD #614)

 
Welcome to my blog. This card was made specifically for two challenges. One challenge is Double Trouble #173, partnering with the second, Color Dare #614. As with all Double Trouble Challenges, there are three "Things" to consider. In summary:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has decided a 3-2-1 Recipe is just right to work with our partner. Take a look at the DTC173 Blog for details on how to use the 3-2-1 Recipe.

 

Thing 2 (optional): Link your card to the CD614 Challenge. Be sure to look at their requirements before making your project.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister suggests you select at least three colors from the Color Dare inspiration photo below. I chose pink, purple, and green, with black and white elements.

To compile the 3-2-1 recipe, I selected both cardstock and patterned paper in various colors. Excluding the card base my floral focal image sits on five layers. For interest, I added a few strips of purple cardstock to the right of the card to balance the offset focal image and bring the purple color to the card front. The pink patterned die-cut circle was matted in black cardstock and added with foam tape. 

The floral image was stamped onto white cardstock, colored, and then fussy-cut before being adhered to the stacked circles. The required embellishments in the form of white pearls (plus a few more) were added. The purchased sentiment was added with foam tape. Inside, the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a few scraps of coordinating paper.

I also entered my card at the following challenges:

1. A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut.

2. Four Seasons Challenge - Anything Goes "Summer"

3. Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Goes "Flowers/Florals" plus optional inspiration board.

In addition to the above, Please visit my challenges at DTC173 and CD614 to play along. You could win our randomly drawn prize.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Spotlight on Nature"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Flirty Flamingo & Garden Green; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pale Plum

Paper: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful" Collection

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Jaded Blossoms "Stitched Scalloped Rectangles", Stampin' Up! "Spotlight on Nature" (fancy circle)

Misc.: SBC foam tape & Honey Bee pearl stickers

Racing by... Masculine Card of Encouragement (CD #613)

Another masculine card! I enjoy making them and all the men and boys in my family seem to enjoy receiving them. When I saw the color board below, I knew the colors worked for this stamp set and theme. One of my nephews is an excellent student. He is entering the seventh grade and loves school. He is frequently recognized for academic achievements so this will go into my stash for an upcoming event.

I always enjoy using primary colors - they are perfect for children's cards but I especially love their purity and brightness. The construction of this card is self-explanatory in the way it was made. The main technique was paper piecing the car's elements onto the basic car image. I also added the tires with foam tape for dimension. The checkered flag was also stamped, fussy-cut, and popped up with foam tape.

We invite you to join Color Dare #613 for some creative fun. This biweekly challenge is open through August 22, 2024.

Thank you.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Racing by..."

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry & Real Red

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Tip Top Taupe & Marina Mist

Paper: CTMH "Sweet Memories"

Die: Lil' Inker

Misc.: CTMH stars; SBC foam tape (1 mm and 2 mm)

It's a Beautiful Day (TSOT #652) (August 6 - August 18)

 

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #652 is now open through Sunday, August 18, 2024. The sketch is below. I tipped the sketch on its side to design my card. 

   Original Sketch                                                  Tilted Sketch

I have an elderly aunt (age 98) with whom I stay in touch by sending her a card every few weeks with a few words of news about the family so she will enjoy the floral paper and the pink cardstock. 

The floral panel was adhered to a panel of gray cardstock. Using thin foam tape, three strips of dotted paper were added to the floral panel. The focal image was created by using a cut-apart that coordinates with the paper collection and matting it with pink cardstock. This was added to the three strips using more foam tape. A few enamel dots were added. The finished card was added to a pink card base. The card base was lined with a white panel and decorated with patterned paper.

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy our semi-monthly challenge at TSOT #652.

Melanie

Materials

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Gray, & Blushing Bride

Paper and Cut-Apart: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful" Collection

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape, Enamel Dots