Friday, January 31, 2020

St. Valentine's Day


Special occasions seem to arrive more quickly than I can complete my cards! I enjoy sending handmade cards so needed to speed up my efforts for my family's valentines. This card was made for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #379, which began on Friday, January 31, and will run through Thursday, February 13, 2020. The Design Team was given the following inspiration photo for the occasion.
To make the card, I used a recently acquired heart border die on a panel of white cardstock. I selected a variety of colors to fill the hearts in the resulting design, including black and white as neutrals. Sequins and Glossy Accents were added. The inside was lined in white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper and cardstock shapes.


Be sure to view our Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge Blog #379  to join in the biweekly challenge. We look forward to having you join us!


Materials
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Basic Black, Rose Red, Marina Mist, Crisp Cantaloupe, Daffodil Delight & Pistachio Pudding
Paper: CTMH "Heartstrings" & scraps of black and white stripe
Die: Reasonable "Hearts Border", Technique Tuesday "love"
Misc.: Glossy Accents, sequins from stash

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Floral Valentine



Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #441 is underway, effective Tuesday, January 21, through Sunday, February 2, 2020. In addition to the sketch, the optional twist is to use foil. I don't have any foiling equipment so used foiled cardstock. Here is the sketch:

I elected to use a mix of patterned papers along with the glitter paper in two colors and the foiled cardstock. The various papers were cut to follow the sketch and adhered to a white card base. I die cut directly from the patterned paper for two of the hearts. The edges of the hearts were lightly sponged for definition and stacked onto the card front with foam tape. The inside was decorated with a few small hearts. The card was finished off with a few pearls and a spritz of shimmer mist.

How disappointing that I was unable to capture the pretty teal color of the foil. Shiny objects are always difficult to photograph.

Challenges at TSOT are biweekly and a new one begins each Tuesday. You are cordially invited to play along any time. Visit our challenge blog for details.

Materials
Ink: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake (for sponging)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
Paper: Mintay "Lovely Day" (floral & wood grain); CTMH "Craft On", WRMK foiled cardstock (teal) and Glitter Collection (light aqua & soft pink)
Dies: Reasonable Craft Dies "Stacking & Nesting Scalloped Hearts"
Misc.: Altenew Shimmer Mist; pearls and foam tape from stash

Monday, January 20, 2020

Yummy for the Tummy


Feb 5, 2020 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts sketch Challenge #353.

Cheese + kernels of corn = delicious popcorn!

On Monday, January 20, the biweekly Double Trouble Challenge #48  began and will continue through Sunday, February 2, 2020. There are three "things" to know about this challenge:























1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker says, "Say cheese." This challenge requires you to use something that makes you smile - humorous, babies, pets, a joke, comfort food, etc.

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare challenges you to link up with our partner, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, for two weekly challenges. AHSC is a weekly sketch challenge so you may choose to create two cards, one for AHSC #352 (January 20 through 26) and another for AHSC #353 (January 27 through February 2). There is an extra chance to win a prize if you submit a project to each challenge. This blog post is for AHSC #353. (Click HERE for my post for AHSC #352.)

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister wants you to show her your favorite cheesy comfort food. One of my favorites is popcorn with freshly grated cheese. Yummy!

Here is the sketch for AHSC #353: 
                                          Double Trouble #48

  



A panel of white cardstock was dry embossed to give it a linen texture, which doesn't show well in the photos. The digital elements were downloaded, resized, printed, colored with Copics and fussy cut. First the film strip was added to depict the curve in the sketch. The three food items were adhered with foam tape for dimension and the silhouette of an old movie projector was adhered directly to the card front. The sentiment was computer generated and adhered with foam tape. The card front was adhered to a panel of black cardstock and then onto a yellow card base. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with more of the film strip.


Please join us at Double Trouble #48 and AHSC #352 and #353!

Materials
Stamps: Digital images; computer generated sentiment
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Crushed Curry
TIEF: Stampin' Up! "Subtle"
Misc.: Foam tape

Say Cheese


I never met a cheesecake I didn't like! On Monday, January 20, the biweekly Double Trouble Challenge #48  began and will continue through Sunday, February 2, 2020. There are three "things" to know about this challenge:
1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker says, "Say cheese." This challenge requires you to use something that makes you smile - humorous, babies, pets, a joke, comfort food, etc.

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare challenges you to link up with our partner, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, for two weekly challenges. AHSC is a weekly sketch challenge so you may decide to create two cards, one for AHSC #352 (January 20 through 26) and another for AHSC #353 (January 27 through February 2). There is an extra chance to win a prize if you submit a project to each challenge. This blog post is for AHSC #352. Click HERE to see my post for AHSC #353.

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister wants you to show her your favorite cheesy comfort food. One of my favorites is cheesecake. 
Here is the sketch for AHSC #352:

                                                                                Double Trouble #48
      

My card was put together beginning with two digital images. Both the cheesecake and the reaching hands were downloaded, resized, printed and colored with Copic markers. The hands were printed directly onto the card front to depict the emanating lines on the sketch. The cheesecake was fussy cut and adhered to the die cut scalloped circle. The pink topping was heat embossed using clear powder and Glossy Accents was added to the strawberry. This was adhered to the front with foam tape. The sentiment was computer generated and also adhered with foam tape. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock trimmed with the lemon-lime cardstock.


We hope you'll join us for the two sketch challenges at AHSC as well as Double Trouble #48.

Materials
Stamps: Digital images, computer generated sentiment
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers & Versamark pen
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Lemon-Lime Twist, Pacific Point
Die: Sizzix (scalloped circle)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! EP (clear), Glossy Accents, foam tape

Friday, January 17, 2020

For You


A week ago I made a card for a sketch challenge planning to use it for a color challenge as well until I realized that I could not submit it to both challenges because the dates did not coincide. So my card was entered into the sketch challenge only. 

I liked the papers and the sketch well enough that I decided to use them again to make this card but for the color challenge only. Color My Heart Color Dare #377 is a tic-tac-toe challenge that began today, Friday, January 17, and runs for two weeks through Thursday, January 30, 2020. Using the color board below, the challenge to to use three colors in a row. Once that has been decided, any or all additional colors on the grid can be used. The only colors not on the board that may be used are black and white. 

I selected the third column - French Vanilla, Julep and Sangria then included all of the others except Gold. 


The elements were die cut and adhered with various panels of patterned paper and cardstock. To dress up the plain heat-embossed sentiment, a die cut frame of the same color as the background was added. The inside of the card was decorated with coordinating paper.

If you've never played along at one of our color challenges, you're missing out on the challenge fun. Visit our Color Dare Blog and give the challenge a try!

Materials
Stamp: Sizzix #658838 "Phrases" (w/dies)
Inks: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry & Mossy Meadow
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Spruced Up"
Dies: Spellbinders Classic & Scalloped Ovals; Paper Smooches "Laurels"; Sizzix #658838 "Phrases" (w/stamps)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Powder (white), enamel dots, foam tape

Thursday, January 9, 2020

For You


1/15/2020 Update: Selected as a Top Three winner in the AHSC #350 challenge.


The weekly Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is underway for the week of January 6 through 12, 2020. Here is the sketch for Challenge #350:




My card was also inspired by a color challenge but I confused the dates so the color challenge card will have to be made in a few weeks and this card cannot be used. The elements were die cut and adhered with various panels of patterned paper and cardstock. To dress up the plain heat embossed sentiment, a die cut frame of the same color as the background was added. The inside of the card was decorated with coordinating paper.

If you enjoy sketch challenges, you will love visiting the AHSC #350 Challenge Blog and playing along.


Materials
Stamp: Sizzix #658838 "Phrases" (w/dies)
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry & Mossy Meadow
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Spruced Up"
Dies: Spellbinders Classic & Scalloped Ovals; Paper Smooches "Laurels"; Sizzix #658838 "Phrases" (w/stamps)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Powder (white), enamel dots, foam tape

Monday, January 6, 2020

Warm Wishes


Welcome to the newest biweekly challenge at Double Trouble! Our theme is "Hot or Cold". This is Challenge #47, which begins Monday, January 6, and closes on Sunday, January 19, 2010.  This challenge includes the following:

Thing One (required): Troublemaker insists you use embossing on your card in the form of dry, heat or embossing paste. 

Thing Two (optional): Double Dare hopes you'll double up with the Stinkin' Inkers Challenge.

Thing Three (optional): Twisted Sister is enjoying a warm Caribbean vacation so she wants you to show us something that warms you on these cold January days.

 I can always be sure that a cup of cocoa will warm me instantly. Although I live in Arizona, we still have some cool weather in January and cocoa is great to have on hand. Using a free digital image, I resized it by extending the cup so it was taller than the original. I liked the way it elongated the polka dots. I printed and colored the image then fussy cut it. Onto a white card base, I adhered patterned paper resembling a sweater. Using foam tape I added a smaller cardstock panel, embossed and distressed. I also rounded the corners of this smaller panel. My bright red cup was adhered with foam tape. I topped it off with fake snow to resemble whipped cream. I resisted the urge to add bits to the topping so used Wink of Stella instead. The sentiment was stamped and backed with cardstock. A few candy dots were added. The inside was decorated with part of a smaller coffee mug, matching the one on the card front, and includes the sentiment, "Happy sweater weather."


I hope you'll play along with both Double Trouble #47 and Stinkin' Inkers.



Materials
Stamps: CTMH (sentiments)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Coastal Cabana
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! "Sweater Weather"
TIEF: Stampin' Up! "Zigzag"
Misc: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear), enamel dots & foam tape from stash; Aleene's True Snow; sanding block

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Thanks - Split Card


Again, I am sliding under the wire with my card for the Atlantic Hearts Challenge #349, which closes in 12 minutes. Whew!


Attending a crop gathering today was great fun and I actually completed several cards. I had spotted a split card technique on YouTube last week and decided to try it for this sketch, hoping I would be home in time to post the card to the challenge blog. 



I found the paper in my stash and have no idea from where it came but decided to use what little I had. Click HERE to view the tutorial. In the end I made mine a little differently than this but the end result is basically the same.


The tomato-red flowers were taken from some uncolored coordinating paper, colored with a Copic marker, fussy cut and adhered to the narrow end of the split. The sentiment was stamped, then cut with an oval die. The little flower was punched and the small leaf was colored with a Copic marker then fussy cut. The gems were added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper.

Atlantic Hearts has fabulous sketches each week. Be sure to take a look at their blog to view Challenge #349 and share your interpretation of the sketch.

Materials
Stamp: CTMH (sentiments - a retired stamp of the month)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Basic Black
Patterned Paper: source unknown
Die: Spellbinders Basic Ovals
Punch: Stampin' Up! Boho Blossoms
Misc.: Gems and foam tape from stash

Friday, January 3, 2020

Birthday Wishes



At the Brown Sugar Challenge Blog the January 2020 Challenge #297 opens today, Friday, January 3, through Tuesday, February 4, 2020. We hope you'll join the challenge with your "Anything Goes" card.


Our sponsor is DRS Designs. We hope you'll browse their on-line store and blog for inspiration. I used the cupcake image for my birthday card. The image was downloaded, resized, printed and then colored with Copics and fussy cut. I added very fine glitter to the icing on the cupcake and Glossy Accents (liquid glass) on the cherry. I selected a pastel floral paper for the background, framed it with scallops and adhered it to a white card base. I stamped the sentiment directly onto the cupcake so as not to cover the pretty paper. The cupcake was adhered to the card with foam tape. The pearl flourish was added and a few spritzes of shimmer mist finished the card front. The inside was decorated with a few random birthday candles, also from DRS Designs.

If you've never played along at Brown Sugar, you're missing out on the chance of winning a generous gift certificate from our sponsor. You are not required to use an image to qualify for the gift. We hope you'll share your paper crafted project with us.

Here are the images I used:

Cherry Top Cupcake - 463E                          Single Birthday Candle - 258B
                                                                                  
Materials
Stamps: DRS Designs (digital images) & Sizzix #658838 (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Sweet Sugarplum
Patterned Paper: Mintay Papers "Lovely Day" Collection by Karola
Die: Sunny Studio "Frilly Frames - Polka Dots"
Misc.: Glossy Accents, pearl flourish, foam tape, Shimmer Mist, very fine glitter

Sending Hugs - Tall & Skinny Shaker



Happy New Year - it's time for a color challenge! Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #375 begins on Friday, January 3, and runs through Thursday, January 16, 2020. This time you are challenged with creating a monochromatic paper crafted project in blue.


I recently acquired two dies especially made for creating tall and skinny cards so wanted to use one right away. The windows seemed perfect for a shaker card. The die was used on blue mirror cardstock. The background was stenciled with light blue to achieve the look of clouds then butterflies were stenciled with navy blue ink. The shaker bits and blue sequins were added and the card was adhered to a white card base. The entire size of the card is 3.25" x 8.25" based on the size of the die cut (3" x 8"). The sentiment was stamped in blue ink, then die cut and adhered to the card front. The inside was decorated with a few stenciled butterflies in blue.

Note: The stenciled clouds are most effective as a background but do not show well in the photos. 



Check us out for some challenge fun and give this monochromatic theme a try! We'd love to see your project posted at Color My Heart Color Dare #375.

Materials
Stamp: Sizzix Oval Greetings #663510
Ink: Stampin' Up! Dapper Denim (sentiment), Night of Navy (butterflies), Soft Sky (clouds)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Tonic Mirror Card (blue); Window Pane Acetate
Stencils: MFT Clouds & Whimsy Stamps Butterflies
Dies: Whimsy Stamps "Slimline Marqee", Sizzix Oval Framelits #663510
Misc.: Sequins, shaker bits & foam tape