Curious Cats (CD #718)

Welcome to my blog! Today is the beginning of a new biweekly color challenge at Color Dare. This challenge runs through Thursday, September 10, 2026.

The color board is below. You must use at least three of the colors shown. Neutrals are also permitted, including black and white, and you are free to add metallic silver or gold. Colors outside of these limitations are not permitted.

I recently went through a forgotten box of patterned paper in my stash and found a packet of delightful paper - depicting my favorite domestic pet - the Felis catus, or Feline. (I love dogs, too.) 

The black cat images and green paw prints were printed on the white background, and after fiddling with the dimensions, the result was a scrap of patterned paper perfect for a Slimline card front.

Looking at the color board, the paws in two tones of green on the patterned paper closely matched the required green. I punched a few bright butterflies from yellow patterned paper, and cut a tiny yellow collar. A grape-colored collar is depicted with enamel dots. For something different, I added a small die-cut silver metallic bow to one of the cats. Additional enamel dots create a more festive vibe. I will add a sentiment to the card later. 

Thank you for visiting. Please visit our blog to view the array of cards created by the Color Dare Design Team. I would appreciate your comments as well.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Basic Black, Old Olive & Silver

Patterned Paper: "Cats" (unknown source), Ink 'n Splatter "Honey Sweet"

Die: Little Bow

Punch: SU "Itty Bitty Butterfly"

Misc.: Enamel Dots from stash

Size/Style: Slimline

Celebrate (TSOT #702)

It's time for another great sketch challenge over at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 30, 2026, at noon ET.

This sketch is the perfect choice for almost any occasion as well as for a variety of patterned designs and colors. The image can be stenciled, die-cut, or stamped, and there is sufficient space for a sentiment.

The card was made using scraps from my stash. The plant image is comprised of two identical die-cut images, with the white adhered behind the black. The sentiment was stamped direct-to-paper, and a few gems were added. The inside was decorated with a few butterflies fussy-cut from the paper.

The TSOT Design Team has created an array of lovely cards, each with its own interpretation of the sketch. Visit the TSOT 702 Blog to view the cards and guidelines.

Double Trouble Challenge #223 is also open. If you use the TSOT sketch above and enter your work at Double Trouble, you will earn a chance in their random drawing. Just be sure to read their guidelines before creating your card. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Melanie

Materials

Ink: SU #139471 "Birthday Blossoms" (sentiment)

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Basic Black; SBC "Fresh Duo" (mat)

Patterned Paper: Vicki Boutin "Where to Next?"

Specialty Paper: SBC Rainbow Glitter (orange butterfly)

Die: Sizzix Thinlits Wildflower Stems

Punch: SU Itty Bitty Butterfly

Misc.: Dot stickers from stash

Size: A2

Techniques: Stamping, Die-cutting

Happy Fall (DTC #223)

Here in the southeastern USA, it's still very much summer, but I wanted to get a start on a few Autumn cards before throwing my energy into the winter holidays. Double Trouble Challenge #223 presented an opportunity with Trouble Maker's 3-2-1 Recipe.

Because this challenge includes the fifth Monday of the month, you get to make all of the recipe decisions. Here's how I incorporated my elements to meet the open requirements and optional twists.

REQUIREMENTS

3  -  Three elements were used to decorate 

the front of my card.

2  -  I used three patterned papers. 

Only two were required.

1  -  One sentiment was added.

OPTION - THING 3

Twisted Sister loves to thrift shop. She is ready to go right now! In fact, she is humming a tune, "Thrift to uplift," so that's what we'll do on our projects. Her option is to include at least one item on your project using foam tape or multi-layering to lift it up.   The three leaves on my project have been adhered using two different foam tape heights. 

OPTION - THING 2

Above is Sketch #702 from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, effective on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. If you use the sketch, you will earn additional chances in our random drawing.  This sketch inspired my card, and to adhere to back-linking rules, I will submit a new card to TSOT.

A sentiment was stamped and added using foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a white cardstock panel, then decorated with a few small fussy-cut leaves and coordinating paper. 

The Design Team invites you to visit the Double Trouble Blog to enjoy their cards and review the challenge guidelines.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp set: Paper Smooches "Fall Sampler" (sentiment)

Ink: SU Baked Brown Sugar

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Club Scrap (Kraft-type)

Patterned Paper: Dare 2B Artzy "Fall Harvest" & SBC "Harvest Collection"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1mm & 2mm); Dot stickers from stash

Size: A2

Techniques: Stamping, Fussy-cutting

A True Friend Is You (CD #716)

Color Dare opens today with a new biweekly color board for Challenge #716. This challenge is open through Thursday, August 20, 2026.

I had a little trouble deciding if one of the colors was orange, coral, tomato red, or terra cotta. I finally picked a color that's sort of an orange-coral color. For the third color, I selected a retired color, Not Quite Navy, and of course, white is a permitted neutral.

I have had this cute bird die for a while and have been wanting to use it, so this seemed like a good opportunity. I cut out two of them, each from a separate patterned paper, then swapped the wings and leg bases. I added black enamel "gems" for the eyes.

The various layers were cut from cardstock using a trimmer or a die. The tree branch was cut freehand from yet another patterned paper design.  The leaves were also cut freehand and adhered. The card base is white, and the interior is decorated with another die-cut bird. The sentiment was stamped and added to the card front.

Please visit the Color Dare Design Team's card display on the Blog for Color Dare #716. We invite you to play along.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials; 

Stamp set: Stampin' Up! (sentiment)

Ink: SU Not Quite Navy

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Not Quite Navy (retired)

Patterned Paper: Digi-Doodle Studio, Ink 'n Splatter "Honey Bee Sweet" Collection

Dies: Simon Says Stamp "Standing Whirl Bird" and UNB Stitched Rectangles (w/stepped corners)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

Just Because (TSOT #701)

Try a Sketch on Tuesday #701 is up on the blog with a new sketch challenge. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 16, 2026, at noon Eastern.

To create my card, I die-cut a few fruit images, touched up the colors by brushing on a little ink, and arranged them onto a layered card front using foam tape for dimension. The inside was decorated with a few leaves and extra fruit die-cuts. The sentiment was added to the front of the card along with some stamped splatter.

The Design Team has an array of cards available for your review at the TSOT 701 Blog. We invite you to take a look and hope you gather inspiration to create a few cards as well.

Thanks for dropping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Wintertime Crafts "Brush and Splatter"

Ink: SU Wild Wasabi, Crushed Curry, & Pretty Peacock

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Garden Green, Barely Banana, & Tangerine Tango

Sentiment: Paper Rose sentiment sheet

Patterned Paper: Digi-Doodle Ink 'n Splatter "Summer Breeze"; SBC "Ombre" Collection

Dies: SBC Shape Dies "Fruit"; UNB Bow Collection

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape & Honey Bee Gem Stickers

Techniques: Ink Blending, Die-cutting, and Fussy-cutting

Size: A2

Live, Dream, Inspire (DTC #222)

Double Trouble Challenge #222 welcomes paper crafters to another biweekly challenge. This biweekly challenge will end on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at noon Eastern. 

Trouble Maker has layers of sticky, gooey goodness in mind for National S'mores Day on Monday, August 10, 2026. She is encouraging everyone to just add more and more stuff to your project, like you would on your own S'more, while remembering to use the 3-2-1 Recipe. 

To create my card for Double Trouble #222, I fussy cut a few floral images, touched up the colors by brushing on a little ink, and arranged them onto a die-cut hexagon using foam tape for dimension. I repeated the process for the sentiment which is also from the same paper collection. In keeping with the sketch, I added two tiny die-cut bows adjacent to the sentiment hexagon. Medium size gem stickers were added to the flower centers, and tiny coordinating gem stickers were added in little clusters of three. The inside was decorated with a few fussy-cut flowers.

To complete the 3-2-1 Recipe:

        At least three layers were added to the card base.

        Three colors (green, blue, yellow) were chosen from the ROYGBIV color wheel.

        A sentiment has been cut from patterned paper.

For the Options:

Twisted Sister also loves S'mores and has confessed to adding double chocolate for extra deliciousness! She wants to see extra elements added to your project. I added extra floral and foliage images to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #701, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 16, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. The sketch inspired my card design.

The Design Team has an array of cards available for your review. We invite you to take a look and hope you gather inspiration to create a few cards as well. Thanks for dropping by.

Melanie

Materials

Inks: SU Wild Wasabi

Cardstock: SU Basic White; Club Scrap (soft green-blue)

Patterned Paper:  GCD Studios "Journeys" by Kathy Davis; scraps from stash

Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons, Kokorosa Bow

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape and Honey Bee gem stickers

Techniques: Ink blending, die cutting, fussy cutting

Size: A2

Large Flowers (CD #714)

There is a new biweekly challenge at Color Dare! This is Challenge #714, and you have until Thursday, August 6, 2026, to enter your card. The colors are pretty for any season, as shown on the color board below. Only two of the colors are required, but I used all three, plus white. I also added a few gold metallic gems.

The large flowers were fussy-cut from patterned paper and adhered to a white panel using thin foam tape to lift a few areas to create dimension. Two frames in green tones were cut to create mats, with thin foam tape used to lift one slightly more than the other, again to create dimension. To finish the card, three gold metallic gems were added.

I elected to omit a sentiment since this card can be used for several occasions and will go into my personal stash.

Visit the Color Dare Blog #714 for guidelines and a wonderful assortment of projects created by our Design Team.

Thank you for stopping by, and please leave a comment.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White

Patterned Paper: Clusters of Flowers (R2427); GCD Studios - Kathy Davis Journey (outer frame); scrap from stash (inner mat)

Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear); SBC Foam Tape; Metallic gems from stash

Size: A2

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Christmas Wishes (TSOT #700)

It's time for the second round of Christmas in July at Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #700. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon Eastern Time. There is a choice with the sketch... You are free to choose the sketch for either Challenge #699 or #700. Because I used #700 for the last challenge, I went with #699.

In order to adapt the pre-determined placement of the deer on the patterned paper, I created this card using an A6 layout. The other side of the deer print paper has the black-and-red check, so it seems like a good choice. Using a white card base, a panel of black cardstock, followed by a panel of gold Holographic paper, was adhered. Then the patterned paper was added and trimmed up with gold paper strips. A pre-printed sentiment in gold lettering along with a strip of gold paper was popped up with foam tape to complete the look.

The inside of the card was decorated with scraps of coordinating paper and a few small gold snowflakes from my stash.

Be sure to visit the TSOT 700 Blog for guidelines and play along at our challenge. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: SU Peaceful Prints, SBC Holographic (gold)

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (gold)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Christmas Wishes (DTC #221)

Join us for the second round of "Christmas in July" paper crafting fun at Double Trouble Challenge #221. This biweekly challenge begins on Monday, July 20, 2026, and ends on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon Eastern Time.

Please note: I chose to use the first sketch for Challenge #220, so I am using the second sketch for this Challenge #221. Be sure to review the DTC and TSOT guidelines before creating your card.

The sketch is below. My interpretation of the sketch varies from the original, but I liked the result.

Following is a summary of how I incorporated Trouble Maker's 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3 Colors of My Choice

Pink, Aqua, and Silver were my choices.

2 Layers 

(Card Base does not count.)

There are at least three layers adhered to the card base.

1 Holiday Sentiment

I selected a holiday sentiment in a silver font.

OPTIONS

 Twisted Sister's optional twist is to step away from traditional Christmas colors. Pink and aqua are not traditional. 

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #700, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, July 21, through Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

 

Optional Alternate Challenge

Be sure to visit the Jingle Belles website and consider entering your card into their "Unicorn" challenge. Their Inspiration Board is below:

Be sure to browse the Double Trouble Blog #221 to view the cards made by the Design Team.

Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Basic Black, Lost Lagoon, and Silver 

Patterned Paper: Digi Doodle Studio Ink 'n Splatter Collection ("Summer Breeze"); Echo Park Winter Magic Collection ("Blizzard Animals")

Die: Honey Bee "Large Snowflakes"

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (silver)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Merry Christmas (TSOT #699)

Christmas in July TSOT Challenge #699 is up on the blog. This is a great opportunity to launch your holiday cardmaking instead of waiting until the last minute.

Be sure to take a look at the Double Trouble Challenge #220 to see how using this sketch could help you win a prize in their random drawing... or check out two sketches just for fun.

This card has also been submitted to the Jingle Belles Challenge. This is always a fun place to add a holiday card and can keep you on track to have cards made throughout the year. Be sure to review their guidelines.

 

Be sure to check out the TSOT Challenge Blog for guidelines. The Design Team has created some lovely cards for you to review.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & SBC Holographic 

Patterned Paper: SBC Rainbow Glitter Paper & scraps from my stash

Die: Whimsy (ovals)

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (gold)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape & Honey Bee Gem Stickers (gold)

CHRISTMAS IN JULY "Happy Holidays" (DTC #220)

Join in the "Christmas in July" paper crafting fun at Double Trouble Challenge #220. This biweekly challenge begins on Monday, July 6, 2026, and ends on Sunday, July 19, at noon Eastern Time.

Please note:  There is something a little different about using the sketch in this particular challenge, so be sure to review the DTC and TSOT guidelines before creating your card.

Following is a summary of how I incorporated the 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3 Colors of My Choice

I chose pink, green, and silver metallic. Black was added as a neutral. The single image of the skier features brown and gray, both of which are neutrals.  

2 Layers 

(Card Base does not count.)

At least four layers have been added to this card base.

        

1 Holiday Image

An image of a skier was cut from patterned Christmas paper.

OPTIONS

Twisted Sister has pointed out that we missed celebrating Independence Day on our blog. This is the 250th birthday of our nation! The optional twist is to include stars and/or stripes in your design.

I used dark green patterned paper with whimsical stars, and there are a few stars on the green mountain-patterned paper. 

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #699, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday, July 19, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

One of the TSOT sketches was used. Look for the secondary sketch in DTC Challenge #221 on or after July 20.

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Pretty in Pink, & Silver Metallic

Patterned Paper: SU "Lights Aglow" & Carta Bella "Winter Market"

Die: Whimsy "Wavy Frames"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape; Paper Rose Studio "Holiday Sentiment Sheets" 

Size: A2

"May Your Day Be Filled with Yay" (DTC #219)

On Monday, June 22, 2026, Double Trouble Challenge #219 went up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, July 5, 2026. 

Trouble Maker has provided us with the new recipe for the challenge, "It's Going to Be a Long Day." Following is a summary of how I incorporated the elements into my card.

INCLUDE 

AT LEAST 

3  Layers, including the card base.

Three layers have been added to the card base. 

2 Images

There are three die-cut stars and a hand-cut bolt of lightning. 

1 Slimline-style Card

The card is styled in a Slimline design.

OPTIONS

Thing 3: Twisted Sister is celebrating the Summer Solstice, which began in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21, 2026, and marked the first day of the summer season. This day is often called the "Longest Day" because we will have more hours of daylight than on any other day of the year. Twisted Sister's option is to use fireworks to celebrate the Longest Day. A little glitter or sparkle will help your card pop!

This card has an overlay plus holographic paper and silver metallic cardstock to add shine.

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #698, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, June 23, through Sunday, July 5, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

The TSOT sketch was used as inspiration for the Double Trouble card.

The inside was stamped with "May your day be filled with yay!" and a few small silver stars.


The Design Team has an array of cards available for your review at the Double Trouble Blog. We invite you to take a look and hope you gather inspiration to join the challenge with us.


Thank you,
Melanie



Materials
Stamp: Club Scrap "Happy Life" (Inside: "May your day be filled with yay.")
Ink: SU Night of Navy
Cardstock: SU Basic White, Night of Navy, and Foiled Silver
Paper: Ella & Viv "Watercolor Paradise 1", SBC Holographic Mirror Paper
Dies: KS Crafts "Stitched Stars"
Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Intertwined Lattice"
Misc.: Brutus Monroe Sparkle Overlay, SBC Foam Tape
Style: Slimline

Sending Love Across the Miles (CD #708)

Greetings! Today, my card was inspired by a biweekly color challenge, Color Dare #708. The color board is below. This challenge began on Friday, June 12, 2026, and runs through Thursday, June 25, 2026. The requirement is to use at least two of the colors. I used all three colors and included a few neutrals.

A sketch was not used - I just started cutting and assembling. A cut-apart that coordinates with the floral paper provides the sentiment. It was added with foam tape to bring in some dimension. The inside of the card was decorated with a fussy-cut dragonfly and a few scraps of paper.

The Design Team invites you to visit the Color Dare Challenge Blog and view their array of cards. Simply follow the guidelines, then share your card. We hope you'll join us.

Thank you for visiting.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Lost Lagoon

Patterned Paper: Club Scrap "Toile" Collection & Sunny Studio "Gingham Pastels" 

Cut-apart: Club Scrap "Toile" Collection

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

Happy Retirement (TSOT #697)

So glad you visited my blog today! Today's post announces the beginning of a biweekly challenge - Try a Sketch on Tuesday #697. This sketch runs from Tuesday, June 9, 2026, through Sunday, June 21, 2026, at noon.

The task is simply to use the sketch below for inspiration, and then interpret it into a greeting card or another papercraft item.

I grew up on the Florida beaches and never tire of the sounds and smells of the sea. As I shopped my stash for inspiration, I found materials well suited to this challenge. I enjoy using scraps, but many of these elements were in an unused paper collection from Club Scrap.

Cutting the pieces and assembling the card were basic card-making tasks. The strips were cut from glitter paper (gold), coordinating with the yellow gold in the patterned paper. The focal image was part of a cut-apart that I trimmed with a wavy-edged die, then matted it with two layers and adhered it with foam tape. The sentiment was popped up with foam tape as well. 

The inside was decorated with a few small bits of ephemera that coordinate with the collection. To finish the card, I added a few enamel dots.

Double Trouble Challenge #218 is also open. If you use the TSOT sketch above and enter your work at Double Trouble, you will earn a chance in their random drawing. Just be sure to read their guidelines before creating your card. 

Melanie 

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Club Scrap (bright yellow)

Patterned Paper & Ephemera: Club Scrap "Cabana" Collection 

Specialty Paper: SBC Mixed Metals (Gold)

Dies: Whimsy Wavy Frames

Misc.:  SBC Foam Tape & Enamel Dots

King for the Day (DTC #218)

Greetings! It's time to explore a new 3-2-1 Recipe Challenge from Double Trouble. This is biweekly Challenge #218, opening on Monday. June 8, 2026, and closing on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at noon, Eastern time.

Trouble Maker has provided us with the new recipe for the challenge, "My Guy." Following is a summary of how I incorporated the elements into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3  Washi tape or patterned strips.

Four patterned strips were added to the card. 

2 Die-cut Elements

There is one die-cut deer and a die-cut circle.

1 Masculine-themed Card

The card was created with "masculine" paper and images.

OPTIONS

Twisted Sister wants to know more about a special man in my life.

This year, Father's Day is celebrated on Sunday, June 21. I only have one living brother, David, who has children, so this card is for him. David has two grown sons. They enjoy hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Last Father's Day, I created a card for David with a fishing theme, so this year I went with a deer theme, though the focus isn't specifically on hunting.

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #697, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, June 9, through Sunday, June 21, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

The TSOT sketch was used to create the Double Trouble card.

To create my card for Double Trouble #218, I gathered masculine-themed papers from my stash. The strips were matted with cardstock to provide a shadow. The die-cut deer was added onto a trimmed die-cut circle. A bit of ephemera was used for the sentiment. The sentiment and circle were adhered using foam tape for dimension. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a die-cut deer and ephemera to create a banner.

The Design Team has an array of cards available for your review at the Double Trouble Blog. We invite you to take a look and hope you gather inspiration to create a few cards as well.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & More Mustard

Patterned Paper & Ephemera: Photoplay "Birthday Bash" Collection

Dies: Frantic Stamper "Reindeer Duo" & Whimsy (stitched circles)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

Hang in There! (TSOT #695)

It's time to take on a new sketch over at the Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge. This is biweekly Challenge #695, running through Sunday, May 24, 2026, at noon ET.

The requirements are not difficult. Simply use the sketch below as inspiration to create a card. Visit the TSOT Blog for the guidelines and an array of cards made by our Design Team.

As is my custom, I shopped my stash. When I saw the ephemera with a sloth, and its coordinating sentiment. I thought combining these elements with the coordinating paper would make a fun card for a family member. The inside of the card is lightly decorated with coordinating paper and a few fussy-cut leaves. 

Double Trouble Challenge #216 is also open. If you use the TSOT sketch above and enter your work at Double Trouble, you will earn a chance in their random drawing. Just be sure to read their guidelines before creating your card. 

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock, patterned paper & enamel dots: Club Scrap "Rainforest" Collection

Dies: Whimsy (stitched circles)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm)

Time to Celebrate (DTC #216)

Double Trouble Challenge #216 is open and ready for your cards through Sunday, May 24, 2026, at noon Eastern time.

Trouble Maker has provided us with the new recipe for the challenge. This reminds us that it's Bike to Work Week, which involves circles, gears, and other mechanical bits. Following is a summary of how I incorporated the elements into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3  Layers (excluding card base)

There are more than three layers to the card. 

2 Shapes

There are numerous circles and rectangles.

1 Image

The old clock face is the image.

OPTIONS

Twisted Sister wants to see something with a wheel, cam and/or gear, i.e., bike, pinwheel, vehicle, wheelbarrow, Ferris Wheel, etc.

The clock image includes gears and a chain.

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #695, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, May 12, through Sunday, May 24, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

The TSOT sketch was used to create the Double Trouble card.

While shopping my stash, I decided to use a bit of leftover paper in masculine patterns. The inside of the card was decorated with a few small die-cut gears. Drop by the DTC Blog to view the cards made by the Design Team and look over the challenge guidelines. 

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White and Chocolate Chip

Patterned Paper: Photoplay "Birthday Bash" Masculine Collection

Dies: Delorigin "Two Gear Sets"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm)

TSOT #694 Hello Spring

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #694 is up on the blog. This challenge runs through Sunday, May 10, 2026, at noon ET. 

Our requirement is simply to use the sketch to inspire your project. With Mother's Day approaching, I think this would make a lovely project. I decided to turn my card into a celebration for spring.

The flowers were fussy-cut and added with foam tape of varying thicknesses, along with a butterfly. I arranged them loosely as shown in the sketch. The copper metallic "gems" were added to brighten the flowers, and I used a few colored pencils to add more dimension. The pin dot frame appears dark blue, but is actually charcoal gray. I added the extra hexagon as decoration to the inside.

 

The Design Team has an array of fabulous cards available on the TSOT Blog. We invite you to join us at our sketch challenge.

Materials

Stamps: SU "Circle of Spring"  & "Painted Petals"

Inks: SU Baked Brown Sugar

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Pale Papaya

Patterned Paper: SBC Dots & EAMOTOL Vintage Floral

"Clusters of Flowers"

Dies: Spellbinders Hexagon

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm & 2 mm); Metallic copper gems; cheap colored pencils

Size: A2

Techniques: Stamping, Fussy Cutting, Coloring

It's Time to Seal-ebrate! (CD #700)

My niece's delightful husband, Kyle, has a birthday this month, and I made this for him using the Color Dare Challenge #700 color board for inspiration. This is a biweekly challenge that began on Friday, April 17, and ends on Thursday, April 30, 2026. 

I decided to use three of the required colors: navy blue, bright green, and teal. Quite possibly, the fourth color, a light grayish-green, is hidden in the patterned paper design. I used "free" colors - beige on the ephemera and a panel of white cardstock so the sender (that's me) can find a spot to write a message. Here is the color board:

Another view:

I enjoy making "Z-folds", so that's what I used for Kyle's card. And I know he enjoys the beaches in Florida, so I was looking for beachy items.

I mixed patterned paper and cardstock from several sources, including my scrap stash. I also had a few "beachy" items of ephemera that coordinate with the shell-patterned paper. The front reads, "It's time to Seal-ebrate," and the inside sentiment features a few shells in a bottle and reads "happy birthday." The aforementioned white cardstock panel is on the back of the card. By the way, there are no seals or sea lions in Florida except at the theme parks.

Be sure to review the challenge guidelines HERE. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Night of Navy; Club Scrap (green linen texture)

Patterned Paper: Club Scrap "Beachcomber" and scraps from my stash

Ephemera: Club Scrap "Beachcomber" 

Size: A2