Happy Freezin' Season - (DTC #180 & AHSC #604)

The new Double Trouble #180 Challenge Challenge is underway. We have one requirement: Add any type of stitching to your project. This also means you will be entered into our random drawing.

We also have an optional element that includes our partner, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: Use our partner's sketches posted below. Sketch #604 is open from Monday, November 18, through Sunday, November 24, 2024. Sketch #605 is open from Monday, November 25, through Sunday, December 1, 2024. This is another way to earn a chance in our random drawing.

If you have added stitching and followed at least one of the sketches, you can link your project(s) to the respective AHSC Challenges, and earn another chance at the random drawing.

Below is the sketch for AHSC #604, which runs from Monday, November 18, 2024, ending on Sunday, November 24, 2024. It has a holiday theme but is adaptable for any occasion. This sketch applies only to the one-week challenge at AHSC but may be submitted to DTC #180 during the entire two-week period.

To make my card seasonal patterned paper was used. A few elements were made using dies as well as fussy-cutting images from the paper. Following the sketch, the elements were placed using foam tape. The gems were added, and a tiny stamped sentiment followed. This was assembled onto a white card base. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper scraps and a few fussy-cut Christmas presents.

I hope you will play along with us at DTC 180! Thank you for viewing my blog. Your comments are welcome. 

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: LDRS "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Real RedPatterned Paper: SBC "Merry" Patterned Collection

Dies: Spellbinders "Modern Ovals" & Kokorosa "Fancy Stitched Rectangles"

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm.) & Honey Bee sticker gems

Happy Birthday with Moroccan Paper (CD #627)

Here is my project for the Color Dare Challenge #627, which is open through Thursday, November 28, 2024. The color board is below. In this challenge, you must use all three colors on your project without adding additional colors. But... black, white, other neutrals, plus metallics are free to use. 

You may use the closest match from your stash if you don't have exact colors. The only color addition to my design is the Kraft color as a neutral and a thin strip of gold foiled cardstock. 

Using a sketch from the past, scraps of Moroccan-inspired patterned paper were cut into strips and adhered to a scrap of copy paper. Using a white card base, the remaining cut elements were added and topped off with the patterned piece. The sentiment was added with thin foam tape. The inside was decorated with additional patterned paper scraps.

Additional cards are available on the CD#627 Blog, so take a look and play along. Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Crafter's Companion

Ink: Stampin' Up! Petal Pink

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Petal Pink, Pretty Peacock, Gold Foil

Patterned Paper: Honey Bee "Pinstripes and Polka Dots", scraps from my stash

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm.)

Beautiful Girl (TSOT #658)

Greetings. Welcome to my blog and to Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #658. This semi-monthly challenge runs through Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2024. The sketch is pictured below. For guidelines and sample cards from the Design Team, visit the TSOT658 Blog.

 

Using elegant floral paper from my stash, the sketch was followed to make the card. Pinstripe peel-off stickers were used to create the silver strips. The sentiment was cut from the paper and popped up on a die-cut circle. To finish the card, silver gems were added. The inside of the white card base was decorated with additional patterned paper.

Another view of the card:

Thank you for looking and I hope you will join us at TSOT 658.

Melanie

Materials

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Patterned Paper: Paper Rose "Urban Garden"

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles)

Misc.: Love from Lizi - pinstripe peel-off stickers, Honey Bee gems, SBC thin foam tape

Less Stress. More Happy (DTC #179 )

Double Trouble Challenge #179 is open and ready for your project. This challenge is biweekly and runs through Sunday, November 17, 2024. For details and guidelines visit the DTC 179 Blog. 

Thing 1 (required) for this challenge is to create a card in observance of National Nacho Day on November 6. It's simple because all we ask is that your project have "lotsa layers" (at least three). Food is not required for your project. My project has a card base plus four layers.

 

Thing 2 is an option for linking up your layered project with our partner if you were inspired by the photograph in Thing 3. To create my project, I needed something to brighten the day after the past week of cold, rainy weather so cheerful paper and an old stamp set from my stash were used. 

Thing 3 is an option to use the Photo Prompt (below) provided by Inspiration Station #67, our partner for this challenge. They hope you are inspired by the photo and that you let your creativity flow. I gained inspiration from the photo's comforting cup with a warm beverage. 

One of my favorite places is Inkspirational Challenges so I have also added my card to their blog for #328.

And, finally, drop by the Coffee Lovers Challenge and enter your project.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I hope you enjoy the challenge at Double Trouble.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "A Nice Cuppa"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Mint Macaron & Basic Gray

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Gray, Mint Macaron, Daffodil Delight, & misc. scraps

Patterned Paper: Catherine Pooler "Color Pop" Collection

Punches: Stampin' Up! several for the small flowers

Misc.: Paper Rose sentiment strip, white gel pen, SBC foam tape (1 mm.)

Take Time to Rest (CD #625)

Look at this color board below — so many possibilities! Due to other obligations, I have had little time to create lately. I would have been disappointed if I had missed these gorgeous colors.

Several challenges ago I saw a card using a companion set of dies coordinating with a set in my stash. I was drawn toward the modern vibe of the flowers. When I saw this color board I thought about those dies sitting unused. This is Color Dare Challenge #625, which runs through Thursday, November 14, 2024.

Three challenge colors were selected, red, gold, and orange, adding white and gray tones as neutrals. I quickly realized that five bright flowers on an A2 card had created chaos so I used only three. As the card began to take shape, the patterned Argyll background was added but the background needed more. So the two additional flowers were included in gray stripes rather than bright colors, becoming part of the background and keeping with the modern vibe I was seeking.

The sentiment was added to a strip of paper and popped up with foam tape. Gems in red and gold were adhered. (Lately, for no particular reason I have been using five or more gems rather than three.) Very small partial matting was added to the upper left and lower right corners in orange and gold and then adhered to a red card base. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a flower.

Thank you for stopping by to view my card. Be sure to visit the CD 625 Blog for challenge guidelines and the Design Team's cards.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, & Tangerine Tango

Patterned Paper: Paper Rose "Urban Garden", Sunny Studio "Subtle Gray" (Argyle pattern), Honey Bee "Stripes & Polka Dots"

Dies: Sizzix Thinlits Wildflower Stems #3 (#665221)

Time for Tea (DTC #178)

It's the fifth Monday in October and at Double Trouble Challenge #178 we're enjoying an Anything Goes theme as the required element. Our usual challenges last two weeks but this one is only one week, ending on Sunday evening, November 3, 2024.

Be sure to visit the DTC 178 Blog for challenge guidelines and additional information about the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Since the theme is Anything Goes, I just moved on to the options. Thing 2's option is to link up my card with a previous partner, so I went with Ellibelle's Corner - I Spy with my Little Eye - The Colors of the Season.

To create Thing 3's option for an autumn flavor, I used fall colors. Using a stamp set from 2016, the image was stamped onto white cardstock and matted. The plaid paper was added to a burgundy card base. Inspired by a sketch from the past, a curry-colored banner was placed on its side and layered with a simple rectangular scrap of burgundy. Next, using thin foam tape, the focal image was added. I decided to adhere more-than-the-usual gems in burgundy and gold to add sparkle and interest. To finish, I added a small fall leaf.

The inside of the burgundy card base was lined with a panel of curry cardstock then a layer of white, and stamped with a coordinating sentiment, "and spending time with you." Another small leaf decorated the inside.

The Design Team has posted their fabulous cards to offer inspiration so join DTC Challenge #178 and have fun!

Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp Set: Stampin' Up! "A Nice Cuppa"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry, Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Crushed Curry, Bravo Burgundy

Patterned Paper: Craftsmith "Fall Plaids"

Misc.: Honey Bee sticker gems, SBC thin foam tape (1 mm.)

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)

Update 10/16/2024: This card was chosen as a Splitcoast Stampers Favorite of the Week.

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