Blessings of the Season 1

The weekly challenge is open at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This is Challenge #386, beginning on Monday, September 14, and ending on Sunday evening, September 20, 2020.

I decided to use the sketch for a Christmas card. A panel of green cardstock was added to the white card base, followed by a panel of plaid paper. The tree was stamped, colored, and fussy-cut before being placed onto red foiled cardstock with foam tape and then adhered to the card front. The sentiment was stamped and adhered along with a few Christmas presents to the bottom right of the tree, in keeping with the sketch. Gold pearls were also added. The inside was decorated with the same style of gifts.

I think that AHSC has some of the very best sketches available for challenges. Visit their Blog and take a look at their guidelines for playing along.

Materials
Stamps: Stampendous "Blessings" (sentiment) & Penny Black "All Wrapped Up" (tree)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Green, Foiled Red & Foiled Gold
DSP: Stampin' Up! (plaid) from stash
Die: Stampin' Up! "Stitched Nesting Labels"
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Metal Pearls & foam tape

Elegant Christmas

There is a biweekly sketch challenge beginning at Try Stampin' on Tuesday! TSOT #475 begins on Tuesday, September 15, ending on Sunday, September 27, 2020. In addition to the sketch, there is always an option. This challenge's option is "Metal". Just use something that represents metal on your card. 

I had quite a time with the photographs. I kept seeing my reflection and that of my camera in the gold foiled cardstock when I looked at the results. I took a few more shots from a different angle and am posting the newer photos.

I used gold foiled cardstock on my card as a mat and for the focal point. Using some patterned paper from my stash along with black and white cardstock, a white die-cut sentiment, and some narrow ribbon, I created a holiday card. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and trimmed in gold.

The Design Team welcomes you to the TSOT475 Blog and hopes you'll play along.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Gold
Patterned Paper: Reminisce "Elegant Christmas"
Die: RCD "merry"
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Metallic Pearls, ribbon & foam tape

For You

As Fall approaches, I am eager to make a few Autumn cards. Living in Arizona means that there are few visible signs of any seasonal change until later in the year. The biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #411 offers some colors that work perfectly to depict autumn leaves. This is a tic-tac-toe challenge so my project must include at least colors that align in a row on the board below. Once I select three colors, I am free to choose as many as appear on the grid plus any neutrals as permitted. The challenge stipulates that colors not on the grid may not be added. This challenge began on Friday, September 11, and ends on Thursday, September 24, 2020. 

I selected the bottom row from the color board, Goldrush, Ruby, Julep, then added Eggplant and Pixie. I used a shade of brown as a neutral. I stamped the images with brown ink onto cardstock then blended the challenge colors. I die-cut the leaves and then heat-embossed them with clear embossing powder. The clear powder gives the leaves a soft shine. Using a julep card base, I added a panel of the brown cardstock and some wood grain paper. The leaves were placed with foam tape along with the sentiment. Three enamel dots were added. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with wood grain paper and a small color-blended leaf.

We hope you'll join us for our challenge by visiting the Color Dare Blog to learn more about taking part.

Materials

Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy "Tangle Leaves" 

Inks: Versamark; Distress Oxide Gathered Twigs, Fossilized Amber, Candied Apple, Evergreen Bough, Wilted Violet & Worn Lipstick

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Hello Honey, Baked Brown Sugar & Just Jade

Paper: Stampin' Up! from stash (wood grain)

Dies: Dare 2B Artzy "Fall Leaves"

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Powder (clear) & foam tape

Live It Up! - Masculine

Tic-Tac-Toe challenges can be fun! When I saw the game board for this week at TicTacToe Challenge #080, I was drawn in by the elements on the top row - Stripes, Masculine, Blue.

I recently "rediscovered" a masculine stamp in my stash and decided to use it. I stamped the image on gray cardstock matted with white and added it to a white card base with blue striped patterned paper. I used foam tape to attach the image. The sentiment stamp is from the same stamp set. It was stamped onto white cardstock and then die-cut. A few enamel dots were added. The inside was stamped with tire tread for decoration.

This weekly challenge began on Thursday, September 3, and will end on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at noon CDT. Take a look at the TTTC080 Blog for details.

Materials

Stamps: Power Poppy "Move the Soul"

Ink: Distress Oxide "Blueprint Sketch"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Smoky Slate

DSP: Stampin' Up! from stash

Die: Sizzix # 662347

Misc.: Enamel dots and foam tape

Christmas Peace Dove

This a new stamp and die bundle for me. I think it's pretty as well as suitable for more than Christmas cards. I am entering this card at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #385, which began on Monday, September 7, and ends on Sunday, September 13, 2020. I am always pleased with their sketches.

I cannot call this a CAS (Clean and Simple) design but it is a QAE design. (My own acronym for Quick and Easy.)

Using a few of the dies, I cut the bird from silver foiled cardstock and the olive branch from green cardstock. In keeping with the sketch, I added two strips of blue cardstock across the center of the card. Because the Dove gives off the movement of flight, I thought the strips held more interest by cutting them with angles to convey an idea of moving with the bird. With foam tape, the bird's body and wings were added at slightly different heights to patterned paper that had been placed onto a blue card base. I stamped the sentiment with coordinating blue ink. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with an olive branch and some of the patterned paper.

For great sketches, visit the AHSC385 Blog and consider joining the weekly challenges.

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Dove of Hope"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pacific Point, Mossy Meadow & Silver

DSP: Stampin' Up! "Snowflake Splendor"

Dies: Stampin' Up! "Detailed Dove"

Misc.: Foam tape

Up, Up and Away

 

There is a new biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #66. This challenge begins on Monday, September 7, and ends on Sunday evening, September 20, 2020. As always, this challenge has three elements:

1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker would like to see a project that depicts a scene. This can be a scene anywhere you wish - a favorite vacation spot or a place you dream of visiting. 

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you will link your project to The Paper Girls Challenge #207, provided you have met their requirements, too.

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is eager to learn about your mode of transportation when you travel (real or fictional). I have shown a hot air balloon on my card.

In addition, I have added my card at Moving Along with the Times Challenge #122. Their monthly challenge for September is to "Create a Scene". 

Onto watercolor paper, I sponged a blue sky then painted a winter scene. The fir trees are also watercolored but the deciduous tree was stamped then touched up with a wet brush. I stamped the tiny red cardinal in the tree then added the balloon silhouette with a black pen. Because I used watercolor paper, I decided to distress the image piece on all four sides then added it to a card base along with gold foiled cardstock and patterned paper. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock. A white gel pen was used to add a bit of snow to the tree.

The Design Teams For DTC66, The Paper Girls #207, and Moving Along with the Times #122 welcome you to join the challenges!

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Snow Front"
Inks: ZIG watercolors, Stampin' Up! Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar & Real Red
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo (card base) & Gold
Patterned Paper: From stash
Misc.: Boxom Gel Pen (white) & Sakura Micron Pen (black)

Regal Power

The optional theme for the biweekly Challenge #473 at Try Stampin' on Tuesday is to use "Regal Colors" with the required sketch. This challenge runs from Tuesday, September 1, through Monday, September 14, 2020. Here is the sketch:

Using gold and jewel-tone cardstock along with gems and coordinating patterned paper translated to "Regal Power" in my mind. I layered the panels then added a few die-cut elements - a vellum shape, a pink flower, the small pink circle, and the gold butterfly. The gems were added in keeping with the sketch. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and a small die-cut flower. 

If you like sketch challenges, this is the one for you! The challenges begin weekly and last for two weeks so there is always an open challenge to join. Click HERE for the TSOT Blog.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Gold, & Vellum

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Lily Impressions" Collection

Dies: All from RCD

Misc.: Gems from stash

A Huge Hello

August 31 is the fifth Monday of the month so it's time for our Double Trouble Anything Goes Challenge #65. The "Fifth Monday" challenge is usually one week in duration. For this challenge only, the dates are Friday, August 28 through Sunday evening, September 6, 2020, which is a switch from our usual start date of Monday.  There are three elements to this challenge:

1. Thing 1: Trouble Maker (required) is permitting you to play along with an Anything Goes project.

2. Thing 2: Double Dare (optional) has indicated that if you want to earn an extra chance at the random prize, then share your card at any one of the challenges where we have partnered previously. A list is provided on the challenge blog. I elected to go with Crafting Happiness #64, another Anything Goes Challenge.

3. Thing 3: Twisted Sister (optional) has decided we should celebrate Emma R. Nutt Day by placing a telephone on our projects. On September 1, 1878, Ms. Nutt became the world's first woman telephone operator. You will earn an extra chance at the random draw if the phone image you use is NOT a mobile phone.

I have a stamp set with a telephone that has never been used. I stamped and fussy cut the phone with a little heart and added it to the card with foam tape. The large hello was cut using a die set and the words at the top of the card are also from a stamp set but different than the one with the phone. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with blue cardstock strips.

We hope you'll visit us at Double Trouble Challenge #65 and Crafting Happiness #64 so you can read about our challenges and perhaps play along.

Materials

Stamp sets: Concord & 9th "Say Hello" & Paper Smooches "Hello Sampler"

Inks: Distress Oxide (Blueprint & Candied Apple)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Dapper Denim & Real Red

Dies: Concord & 9th "Say Hello"

Misc.: Foam tape & gems from stash

Thanks for Being You - Fun Fold

 

The biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #409 is up on the blog beginning today, Friday, August 28, and runs through Thursday, September 10, 2020. This color challenge requires your choice of three or more colors from the board below. You may also use black and white but no other colors may be added. If you do not have the exact color, then simply use the closest match from your stash. I decided on Smoothie, Nectarine, Lagoon, Peacock, and Mink.

I enjoy making fun fold cards so used the Double Z Fold. I cut the various papers and adhered them to each Z-folded cardstock piece then attached them together. The stamping was done on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers before being fussy cut. Using foam tape, the elements were added. The sentiment was stamped and punched then added. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the flowers along with a few gemstones.

If you're looking for a way to express yourself in color then this challenge is for you. All you need to do is visit the CD409 Blog and create!

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Free As a Bird" 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo, Sahara Sand

Paper: CTMH "Seaside" & Stampin' Up! "Bird Ballad"

Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear), foam tape & gems

Ticket to the Tropics

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Biweekly Sketch Challenge #471 is underway today, Tuesday, August 18, through Sunday, August 30, 2020. We have a combination challenge this time where you have a choice to use either the sketch OR the theme, which is "Ticket to the Tropics", OR you may combine the sketch and the theme into one project, which is what I did.

I lived in the tropics most of my life and am a newcomer to the desert where I now reside. I not only love the lush greenery and fragrant flowers of the tropics but also find the ocean to be a treasure trove of beauty.  For my card, I cut panels of cardstock and patterned paper in keeping with the sketch. I changed the final layer from a square to a circle and added the silhouettes of palm trees. The inside was decorated with additional die-cut palms with space remaining to write a personal message.

Any time you're looking for a sketch to follow, visit the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Blog for inspiration and fun. There is a biweekly challenge beginning each Tuesday morning so there is always at least one active challenge to join.

Materials

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers (inside of card)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Mossy Meadow & Pool Party

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Botanical Garden" (retired) &  "Bird Ballad"

Die: RCD (palm trees)

A Wheelie Great Friend - Masculine

Welcome to my blog! I really enjoy making masculine cards so decided this color challenge was just right for one. I have been wanting to try a technique called Black Ice but I was unhappy with the results so will try it another time. There are two challenges for my card:

1. Color My Heart Color Dare #407, a biweekly challenge, begins on Friday, August 14, and runs through Thursday, August 27, 2020. Here is the color board:

2. The second challenge is Double Trouble #64, which is comprised of three "Things". The first "Thing", which is required, is to create a Friendship-type project. Second is an optional "Thing" - play along with the color challenge at Color Dare #407. Last, also optional, is to add two additional colors to the Color Dare board. This biweekly challenge will begin on Friday, August 14, instead of Monday, August 17, and will end on Thursday, August 27, instead of Sunday, August 30, 2020.

In addition to the slate color, I used two blue-green colors along with black and white. I stamped the image in black ink onto the silver cardstock, layered a few panels onto the card base, and added the sentiment. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and stamped with a tire track and the sentiment, "Live it up".

Join us at the Color Dare #407 and Double Trouble #64 for the details and play along with our challenges.

Materials

Stamps: Power Poppy "Move the Soul"

Inks: Staz-on Jet Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Basic Black & Silver

Patterned Paper: Sunny Studio "Preppy Prints" (An Argyll print in two blue-green colors.)

Misc.: Foam tape

Hello Sunshine

It's been a while since I submitted a card to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge but I found time to play along with #381 this week. I really enjoy their sketches.

I am using the new version of Blogger for the first time. Not terribly different but it seems as if it could be more user friendly. The formatting seems to be tricky so I hope this will look good once it is published!

Using a favorite paper collection, I mixed things up a bit by using three different patterned papers along with some ephemera that was in the pack. The scalloped circle, the bee, and the sentiment were popped up with foam tape. The inside of the green card base was lined with a white panel and decorated with patterned paper.

Be sure to visit this fun challenge at the AHSC381 Blog!

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Mint Macaron

Paper: Photoplay "Tulia & Norbert" Collection

Misc.: foam tape

All Things Grow with Love

I needed a special card this week for my cousin, Cathy. We live so far apart! Except for a stamped flower, the inside was left blank to allow for my personal note. In fact, when this publishes, the card will be well on its way to Australia.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #469 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 16, 2020. As always, our challenge is based on a sketch but there is also an optional twist. Here is the sketch and the twist is to make your own background.

After cutting a panel of white cardstock with a stitched scallop border die, the floral design was stamped then colored with Copic markers. Onto a white card base, a panel of deep pink cardstock was adhered. A bow was tied with a strand of narrow ribbon around the decorated panel. This panel was then attached to the card with foam tape. A few tiny gold pearls were adhered. The inside was decorated with additional stamped, colored flowers.

Be sure to join us at the TSOT469 Blog to view the guidelines and take on our challenge.

Materials:
Stamps: Uniko "Originally Organic"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Melon Mambo
Die: RCD Borders (Curved, Stitched, Scalloped Edge)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon and gems; foam tape

I Lava You!

The biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #63 begins today, Monday, August 3, and runs through Sunday evening, August 16, 2020. The required challenge theme is to include any type of embossing on your project.

There is an option for "The Dog Days of Summer". You are free to use any non-human image on your project. I selected a baby Cutiesaurus hatching from an egg. With the erupting volcano, I'll bet there is plenty of heat to rival the Dogs Days of Summer!

You can earn an extra chance for the random draw if you also link up with our partner for this challenge - Two Crafty Critter Crazies #41.

I stamped the hatchling and the volcano images, colored them with Copic markers and fussy cut them. I layered several panels of patterned paper and cardstock, including an embossed panel for texture. The sentiment is not part of the stamp set so I generated it on my computer. The inside is decorated with patterned paper.

If you've never played along with our challenges, we hope you will give us a try. Visit our Challenge #63 Blog for the guidelines and be sure to check out Two CraftyCritter Crazies #41.

Materials
Stamps: Sugar Pea Designs "Prehistoric Pals" & computer-generated sentiment
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana & Pear Pizzaz
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Gingham Garden" (retired)
Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles
Embossing Folder: Stampin' Up!
Misc.: foam tape