Friendship

There aren't many tic-tac-toe color challenges for paper crafters but one is available at Color My Heart Color Dare #427, a biweekly event beginning Friday, January 15, and ending on Thursday evening, January 28, 2021. Select a direction of colors and create a project for our challenge. Once you have selected three-in-a-row colors you may add additional colors provided they are on the tic-tac-toe board. Also permitted are black, white, neutrals, and metallic gold. Colors that are not designated on the board below may not be used for this challenge. If you do not have the exact color, you may use one that is a very close match. I selected Peach, Blue Belle, and Sage then added Canary and Paprika plus a "freebie" of white.

The card base was die-cut from blue cardstock. A patterned paper was also die-cut to fit on the front of the card base. On white cardstock, I stamped three flowers in two colors, fussy cutting them and then adding a few yellow dots to the flower centers with yellow cardstock. The flowers were adhered using foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was stamped and matted then added using foam tape. A few pearls were added as well. The inside of the card was decorated with a white scalloped rectangle and a pink patterned paper. A large block-lettered "THANKS" was die-cut from pink patterned paper and adhered along with another stamped flower.

If you haven't tried one of our challenges, visit CD427 to see the inspirational cards created by the Design Team, and to review our guidelines.

Materials
Stamp Set: Stampin; Up! "Gorgeous Posies"
Inks: Distress Oxide Spun Sugar (for Peach), Fired Brick (for Paprika), and Faded Jeans (for Blue Belle)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Daffodil Delight; CTMH "Blue Belle"
Dies: Stamps of Life

Paper: CTMH "Happiness Lives Here"
Misc.: Pearls & foam tape from stash

Sending XOXO

St. Valentine's Day will be here before we realize it! I have an aunt who is in her nineties and who loves to receive cards and letters. She is the last of her generation in our family and a generous, loving woman. I include her on my card list for every occasion so this is a Valentine for her.

I was inspired by a sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday's biweekly challenge. Below is the required sketch for Challenge #489. The optional twist is to include die cuts on your project. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, January 12, through Sunday evening, January 11, 2021. A new biweekly challenge begins each week so there is always one active challenge underway.

Using a circle die I cut a floral image from a sheet of patterned paper, adhered it to the pink card base, and added a bit of faux stitching with a white gel pen. A strip of metallic gold cardstock was added next and decorated with a tiny scalloped edge along the edge. The backside of the floral image had these casual hearts printed on white, so I matted a strip with dark red cardstock and adhered it to the card using foam tape. With a gold gel pen, I colored in a few of the hearts. To finish the card I added the die-cut xoxo sentiment and some gold metallic pearls. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with the same floral paper.

There are always inspirational cards created by the Design Teams to encourage you to enter the challenges. Check out the TSOT489 Blog for the sketch and guidelines.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Gold Metallic

Paper: Simple Stories "Kissing Booth"

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles, Cutplorations (XOXO), Memory Box (scalloped border)

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Metallic Pearls (gold), Boxun Gel Pens (white & gold metallic), foam tape

Celebrating Your Day

Having missed a few weekly challenges at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, I was eager to submit a card for Challenge #403. This challenge began on Monday, January 11, and ends on Sunday evening, January 17, 2021. Here is the sketch:

Onto a white card base, I added a panel of lavender cardstock and then another slightly smaller panel in purple. The patterned paper was cut to size and adhered as well as a color-coordinated ribbon. I stamped the sentiment and then die-cut the label shapes. The sentiment was added with foam tape for dimension. The butterfly is a vellum image (ephemera) from the same collection as the patterned paper, colored with Copic markers. In addition, I die-cut the flourish using more of the patterned paper and added it with the butterfly using foam tape. In keeping with the sketch, a few pearls were added. The inside of the card was decorated with paper scraps, a butterfly, and another flourish.

Visit the AHSC403 Blog and join the weekly challenge!

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Gorgeous Posies" (sentiment)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant & Wisteria Wonder
Paper: CTMH "Every Little Thing" Collection
Dies: Whimsy Stamps (sentiment labels) & MFT (flourish)

Ribbon: Stampin' Up! "Scallop Dots" (Elegant Eggplant)
Misc.: Mermaid Rainbow Pearls & foam tape from stash

Have a Purr-fect Day

It's January and I think this must be the coldest month of the year, even in Arizona. Two of my favorite challenges are cuddling up together against the cold temperatures for their biweekly challenges. Color My Heart Color Dare #425, beginning Friday, January 1, ends on Thursday evening, January 14, 2021. Double Trouble #74 has adjusted their start date to match with their partner but will be ending on the usual date of Sunday evening, January 17, 2021.

My three colors of choice were red, green, and brick yellow with a touch of gold. Following is the inspiration photo for Color My Heart Color Dare #425:

The "Cuddle Up" theme at Double Trouble #74 has one requirement and two options:

Thing 1: Trouble Maker is requiring that you use your favorite cutting or embossing device when creating your project. I used my Gemini Junior to cut a scalloped frame and the focal image. 

Thing 2: Double Dare has presented the option to link your project with Color Dare #425. This will give you an extra chance for the Random Prize Drawing.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister's optional twist is to add a warm and fuzzy critter, earning you another chance in the Random Prize Drawing.

I love cats and dogs equally but nowadays find living with just one cat seems to suit my lifestyle. (I have had as many as three cats and three dogs at the same time.) Sluggo, my dark gray male with tuxedo markings, has me well-trained and we coexist perfectly. I stamped this two-part image (body and head) then colored the images using Copic markers. Have you ever had a marker dispense a big puddle of ink? Grrrrrr. I managed to mop it up and after repeated treatments with blending solution managed to get the worst of it corrected. 

The hand-colored images were die-cut and placed onto the card that I had already assembled by adding white cardstock and a die-cut green plaid frame to a red card base. The body was added direct to paper but the cat's head was attached using a Wobble Spring and the green foil bow was die-cut and attached. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with green plaid paper. The sentiment, "Have a PURR-fect Day", was stamped on the inside.

Give these challenges a try! Be sure to visit the DTC74 Blog and the CD425 Blog to review the details and guidelines for this joint challenge.

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Love Mew"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Real Red

Paper: Stampin' Up! (green plaid); WRMK Foil (green) 

Dies: Lawn Fawn Inverted Scallop Frame; Stampendous "Love Mew"

Misc.: Wobble Spring, foam tape

Oh, What Yum

The remaining two weeks of Double Trouble Challenge #73 are underway. Use a favorite cutting tool, link to Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge, and "Tie It Up" with string, twine, or ribbon. Both challenges began on Monday, December 7, 2020, ending on Sunday, January 3, 2021. 

Although I tried to do a Cricut design, my cut item had incorrect score marks. I tried to make sense of where to fold the item but it was complex and the instructions were unclear. Frustrated, I changed tactics and created this cute little box using a set of dies that were a gift. I used three paper patterns plus the white cardstock and also lined the inside of the box. I think this would be cute if it had some chocolate kisses in it and used as a gift for a coworker or neighbor. I added a Christmas bow in green to complete the project.

After looking it over I decided to make a tag for the box. I used several punches and a die using white and green cardstock and pretty red patterned paper. I stamped the tiny sentiment and added the red ribbon. I adhered the tag to the box lid but it does not interfere with removing or replacing the lid and the tag will not get lost.

For specific details on participating in these three challenges, be sure to visit their blogs for the guidelines. Both can be successfully combined. We hope you'll join the challenge fun! Here are the links: DTC73 Blog, and BBtheB2 Blog.

Materials

Box

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White

Paper: CTMH "Comfort & Joy" Collection

Die Set: Crafter's Companion (Gemini) Box w/Lid

Misc.: Christmas bow

Tag

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"

Ink: Distress Oxide "Rustic Wilderness"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Garden Green

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Classic Christmas" Collection

Punches: Stampin' Up! Tag Topper & Curly Label & Martha Stewart Doily Lace

Dies: RCD "Curly Leaf"

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Scallop Dots Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Today is the final day of Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #399 and I wanted to add my last holiday card for 2020 to this weekly favorite. If you missed it - there is another challenge beginning on Monday, December 21, 2020. I have found the past sketches to be most helpful in making my holiday cards this year.

Onto a Kraft card base, I adhered a panel of green cardstock followed by a panel of patterned paper depicting Santa in various activities. In keeping with the sketch, the other elements were added using vellum and various patterned papers. The tree was punched from cardstock and added with foam tape. One of the banners was also added with foam tape to add more dimension. Wink of Stella was used to add glimmer to the tree. The gems were added. I omitted a sentiment for the challenge but added a small one (Happy Holidays) over the bottom banner when I mailed the card. The inside was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with another punched tree and the sentiment, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

I hope you'll visit the weekly challenge: AHSC399!

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas" & Stamp of Approval "Holiday Sentiments"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Classic Christmas" & Authentique "Jingle" Collections

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Pine Tree"

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

Rejoice!

The new biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #424 opens Friday, December 11, ending on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. The colors for this challenge are to use non-traditional holiday colors although your project does not have to be a Christmas card.

I have a new paper pack that I was eager to use and I needed a few more Christmas cards to finish up so I used the paper pack to cut 12 One-sheet Wonder designs. This is one of the cards cut from that method. The other 11 cards are now completed but this was the first one I completed so chose it for the challenge. The floral paper in this set is really pretty.

Please join us at Color My Heart Color Dare #424 Blog and check out the cards of the Design Team and entrants. We'd love for you to play along!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; CTMH Sapphire, Toffee & Glitter (Blue Belle)
Paper: CTMH "Serenity" Collection
Die: Simon Says Stamp "Rejoice" (with shadow)
Misc.: Foam tape

Get Well Gnome

It's hard to believe that this is the last challenge of the year at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #487. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, December 8, through Sunday, December 20, 2020. The TSOT Design Team will take a break for the holidays but we'll see you again in 2021! This challenge sketch includes an option to create a "Get Well" card, which can include Thinking of You and other similar greetings.

First, I adhered a panel of "watery" blue paper to a white card base. Onto that, I added a panel of patterned paper with tiny hearts, attaching the scalloped edges in red cardstock. I downloaded the digital gnome image, resized, printed, and colored it with Copic markers. I fussy cut the image, backed it with foam tape, and added it to the card front. The sentiment was stamped onto a punched label, which was adhered with a banner to the card. The inside was decorated with patterned paper.

Please take a few minutes and visit the TSOT487 Blog to view the sample cards made by the Design Team. You can also check out our guidelines while you're there. We hope you'll play along.

Materials

Stamp: Paper Smooches "Smooches" and KLM Digital Designs "Nurse Gnome"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, DOX Blueprint Sketch & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Real Red
Paper: CTMH: "More Magical" & "Something Fierce" Collections
Die: Lawn Fawn Fancy Scallops
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Lovely Labels"
Misc.: Illustrated Faith (blue enamel heart) & foam tape from stash

Very Merry!

The holiday crunch is alive and well as I finish my holiday cards and get them mailed. Card challenges have provided continued inspiration for the designs, whether through sketches, colors, or themes. I followed the theme at Double Trouble Challenge #73: Use a favorite cutting tool, link to Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge, and "Tie It Up" with string, twine, or ribbon. I am also submitting this to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #398, a fabulous source for sketches. All challenges are underway as of Monday, December 7, 2020. The DTC73 biweekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, December 20, 2020. Bitten by the Bug 2 ends on Monday, January 4, 2021, and the AHSC398 weekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, December 13, 2020. 

The first element was cut by using a decorative edge rectangle on a white card base. I added a panel of green tree-patterned paper. The narrow gold ribbon was added and tied into a bow, in keeping with the sketch. The fishtails on two of the banners were done with a punch. The banners were stacked together then added with foam tape for dimension. Finally, the sentiment was stamped, heat embossed in gold, and punched from red cardstock. A few glittery gems were added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper. By the way, my favorite cutting tool is the die - any die. I love the results. Perhaps over time, I will say it is my Cricut but I need to build more confidence.

For specific details on participating in these three challenges, be sure to visit their blogs for the guidelines. All three can be successfully combined. We hope you'll join the challenge fun at all of them! Here are the links: DTC73 Blog, BBtheB2 Blog, and AHSC398 Blog.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer
Paper: Echo Park (I think!)
Die: Gina Marie Designs
Punches: Stampin' Up!
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon and gems; SSS ultra-fine EP (gold); foam tape from stash

Joy to the World

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #397 opened on Monday, November 30, and will end on Sunday evening, December 6, 2020. Here is the sketch for this week:

I had a sheet of patterned paper that I wanted to use. The little moose and polar bear are so cute! If I had made a larger card, perhaps I could have also captured a rabbit, reindeer, Yeti, and snowman that are scattered throughout the pattern. Onto a panel of white cardstock, I added a panel of green and then a panel of the patterned paper cut into three equal parts. The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed with silver. It was die-cut with an oval die and matted with a die-cut silver oval. I added the narrow silver ribbon and then with foam tape, the oval was added. I also added a few gems. The inside was decorated with a few scraps of coordinating paper. Because almost every card that I give has to be mailed, I try to keep them low profile for easy mailing.

Be sure to visit the AHSC397 Blog to see more inspiring cards using this sketch.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Just Jade, Silver Glimmer
Paper: Doodlebug "Winter Wonderland"
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Ovals
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon; SSS Ultra-Fine EP (silver); gems and foam tape from stash

Traditional Christmas Wishes

Traditional Christmas colors - I love them! This is one of my favorite cards this season and I was inspired by Color My Heart Color Challenge #423. It's really quite simple. Select your favorite traditional colors and create a card. Black and white are permitted along with gold and silver. I selected red, green, gold, white, and, of course, black ink. Just to clarify - your project does not have to be a holiday card - just select what is considered traditional for the season and create your project.

I found a digital image with a sentiment and downloaded it. After resizing, I colored it then using a fancy-edged die I cut a smaller rectangle including the digital image. Using a larger die from the same set, I cut another rectangle from white cardstock. I adhered it to a green panel. Next came the addition of a plain rectangle in gold glittery cardstock followed by the smaller fancy-edged rectangle bearing the digital image. This smaller rectangle was added with foam tape. A few gems were added. The entire card front was added to a white card base. The inside was decorated with gold glitter cardstock and a sentiment.

Design Team cards can be viewed at the Color Dare Color My Heart Challenge Blog. Our challenge began on Friday, Dec 4, and ends on Thursday, Dec 10, 2020. You may enjoy our next biweekly challenge as well. Challenge #424 begins on Friday, December 11, 2020, and features using non-traditional colors. We hope you'll play along!

Materials
Stamp: Digital image in black and white (source unknown) 
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Garden Green & Gold Glimmer
Dies: Gina Marie Designs
Misc.: Gems & foam tape

A Winter Scene with Penguins (Shaker)

During 2018 and 2019 I enrolled in a few Copic classes. Various materials for making the card were provided by the instructor so students were able to design and assemble the card as they wished after coloring the penguins. I selected elements from an array of items to add to the card. I colored the penguins then turned the card into a four-window card. The only window that is actually covered with acetate and has shaker bits is the one in the lower-left corner. 

I decided to take this card from my stash and add it to my blog for Double Trouble Challenge #72. This is usually a biweekly challenge but this specific challenge is only one week in duration because it is the fifth Monday of the month. As usual, our "fifth-Monday" challenge is themed by Trouble Maker as Anything Goes. We have two options: Twisted Sister says, "Let It Snow", and Double Dare is hoping you'll link your project to one (or more) of our previous partners. A list of partners can be found on the DTC72 Blog.

 

The DTC Design Team hopes you'll visit our Challenge Blog and consider playing along. You could win a prize from Double Trouble!

Materials
Stamp: Whimsy Stamps "Penguin Holiday Squares"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
Paper: Lawn Fawn "Itsy Bitsy Polka Dot" and other unknown
Dies: Cottage Cutz "Winter Wonderland", Lawn Fawn "Peekaboo Backdrop"
Misc.: Acetate, Diamond Dust, Stampendous Crystal Glitter, sequins from stash, foam tape 

Christmas Cheer

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #485 is up on the blog, ending Sunday, December 6, 2020. This is a sketch challenge with an option. The option is to create a non-traditional Christmas card. My interpretation of the option was to use non-traditional colors so I chose pink, black, and silver on a white card base.

Following the sketch, I cut three panels, adhering each to a panel of black cardstock. Using a punch, I cut three trees, adhering them with foam tape. The sentiment was heat embossed with silver powder on black cardstock and added with foam tape, followed by the addition of a few glittery gems, then attached to the white card base. The inside was decorated with strips of pink and silver and another tree.

We welcome you to join our biweekly challenges. There is a new challenge starting each week that lasts for two weeks so there is always an open challenge to join. Visit our TSOT Blog for complete information.

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Inks: Versamark (front of card) and Memento Tuxedo Black (inside sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, and Silver Glimmer
Paper: Doodlebug "Milk & Cookies" Collection
Punches: Stampin' Up! (trees and banner for sentiment)
Misc.: SSS EP (silver); gems & foam tape

A Pink Merry Christmas

Today is the first day of weekly Challenge #396 at Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge Blog. The sketch is lovely and versatile. I was making a few holiday cards in non-traditional colors and was inspired by the sketch.

Using a die I cut the fancy-edged rectangle from pink cardstock, adhering it to a black card base. Next, I cut a simple rectangle from patterned paper and matted it with white card stock. I added this to the card front. Using another die, I cut the sentiment from black cardstock and added it to the card. Finally, I added some rhinestone snowflakes and a few gems to the card. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with more of the paper.

Join in the fun at AHSC396! You have until Sunday evening, Nov 29, 2020, to play along.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas" (inside sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Strawberry Slush
Paper: Doodlebug "Milk & Cookies" Collection
Dies: Scrapbook.com (sentiment) & Gina Marie Designs (pink panel)
Misc.: Gems from stash

Feeling Blessed

    

Although the temperatures are still warm I know it is Autumn here in the Arizona Desert. I am enjoying the sunshine along with cooler breezes as I sit on my porch. My Fall Gnome is enjoying a snack and feeling blessed. At Double Trouble Challenge #71, we are thankful for your support in participating in our biweekly challenges.

Here's what you need to know to play along. Our biweekly challenge begins on Monday, November 16, and ends on Sunday evening, November 29, 2020. There are three elements to each challenge:

Troublemaker's challenge is the required element. Use our TicTacToe board to qualify for the challenge. I used the center column, Leaves, Free Space & Digital Image but also added Fall Colors and used three Punches and a Die. Double Dare's optional element for you to play along at The Paper Funday Challenge #23. (Be sure to follow their guidelines.) Finally, Twisted Sister is offering an optional twist to use a large sentiment.

I sponged color onto a panel of white cardstock and spattered a little water on it to add some texture to the background. The panel was added to a green card base. I downloaded a digital image, resized it, fussy cut it, and adhered it to the panel using foam tape. The leaves were cut from white cardstock using punches and colored with Copic markers. They were added with foam tape. Finally, the sentiment was die cut and added to the card. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with more leaves and a coordinating sentiment, "grateful".

The Design Teams at Double Trouble Challenge #71 and The Paper Funday Challenge #23 welcome you to join in the challenge fun!

Materials
Stamp: KLM Digital Designs "Fall Gnome"
Inks: Distress Oxide Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Fossilized Amber & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Lucky Limeade
Punches: Stampin' Up!
Die: Reverse Confetti "Grateful, Thankful, Blessed"
Misc.: Foam tape