Monday, January 31, 2022

You Are a Star


Double Trouble Challenge #102 is open for some crafting fun. This challenge is one week in duration from Monday, January 31, through Sunday evening, February 6, 2022. As is customary, there are three "Things" to the challenge.

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is reminding us that this is the fifth Monday of the month so our theme is Anything Goes and our challenge is only for one week.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you will link your project to at least one current challenge at any of our previous partners. I am linking this to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #458, a weekly challenge that ends on Sunday evening, February 6, 2022.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister challenges you to create a card other than one that is A2 in size. As a reminder, an A2 is 4.25" x 5.5". Mine is a Slimline size (3.5" x 7.5") but can vary.





Card partly open:


Card completely open:


I was inspired by the AHSC sketch to create this card but as my card developed I found myself adapting the sketch to my card rather than adapting my card to the sketch but I didn't give up. Let's call it artistic license! 

Two mice images and several star images were stamped, colored with Copic markers, and die-cut. Next, the front of the card base was cut using a partial die-cutting technique with the larger mouse die. I added star-patterned paper to the inside of the card base and a green mosaic design to the front of the card. The large Copic-colored mouse that is reaching upward was added to the matching mouse partially die-cut on the front flap along with the larger star. On the inside, I added a second smaller mouse image holding the star. A few smaller stars were added for color and the stamped sentiment was added using foam tape.

Close up of large mouse:

We welcome you to play along with our challenge so visit the DTC102 Blog to view the guidelines and check out the challenge at AHSC458.

Materials
Stamps: Colorado Craft Co. ("A Star Is Born")
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Mosaic Mood" & CTMH "Wander" 
Dies: Colorado Craft Co. ("A Star Is Born")
Misc.: foam tape

Friday, January 28, 2022

A Sunny Happy Birthday


Color My Heart Color Dare is hosting a fun monochromatic challenge. The challenge is to use "Shades of Yellow". You are also free to use white, black, and/or metallic gold but your project should focus on the hues, tints, tones, or shades of yellow. Challenge #481 is underway and will end on Thursday evening, February 10, 2022.


I came across a scrap of yellow paper with a subtle white pinstripe. To decorate I added flourishes using a stencil and glossy white embossing paste, letting it dry overnight. I added the panel to a black card base. To finish the card I die-cut the sentiment from black cardstock five times, gluing each layer together to create a thick, bold sentiment. The letter "i" was dotted with a black gem. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper.

We hope you'll visit our Color Dare Challenge Blog #481. There is a new biweekly challenge beginning every Friday morning so there is always an active color challenge for you to try.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black
Paper: CTMH "Taste of Summer" (yellow stripe)
Die: Simon Says Stamp (Painted Happy Birthday)
Stencil: Color Box "Swirl Dot"
Misc.: Dreamweaver Embossing Paste (Glossy White) & black gem from stash

Monday, January 17, 2022

Just Chillin' with the Penguins



Double Trouble Challenge#101 is open for your paper crafting pleasure. As usual, we have three "Things":

1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is requiring that we use three patterned papers on our projects. You will receive one chance in our random drawing if you meet this requirement. Using our partner's sketch is optional but will qualify you for another chance.

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link your card to Try Stampin' on Tuesday #539 if you have used their sketch. TSOT also has an option to create a Winter Wonder Theme. Linking your card with our partner will earn another chance at our random drawing.


3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is asking for at least one penguin with your project. This will give you one more chance in our random drawing.

First, I stamped, colored, and fussy-cut four penguin images along with two hats and a scarf. The TSOT sketch was just right for three patterned papers so I cut three panels. The large pink foiled snowflake panel was added to a black card base and serves as a background. Next, I selected papers from a pad of beach paper. One pattern was a streaked design of white and aqua that reminded me of glacial ice. The other was a pattern of dunes resembling snowdrifts. I continued to add the elements, sometimes with foam tape, onto the black card base. 


In keeping with the sketch, a strip of silver glimmer paper was added along with the stamped sentiment. The holographic snowflakes finished the design. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with snowflakes plus the fourth penguin wearing a hat.

I also submitted my card at Critter Crazy Challenge #58. This is a monthly challenge where "Anything Goes" as long as you feature a critter.

DTC #101 began on Monday, January 16 and TSOT #539 begins on Tuesday, January 17. Both challenges will close on Sunday, January 30. Be sure to check out the guidelines at both blogs and join us for some crafting fun.

Materials
Stamp Sets: Stamps of Life "Penguins 2" & "Waddle Penguins 2"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black & Silver Glimmer
Paper: SU! "Whimsy & Wonder" DSP (pink foiled background paper), Honey Bee "Beach Vibes" (aqua streaks & snowdrifts)
Dies: Sizzix "662347" (Circles)
Misc.: Holographic snowflakes & foam tape from stash

Sunday, January 16, 2022

My Flower Garden


Thank you for visiting my blog! One of my favorite challenge sites is Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges, a weekly challenge that begins each Monday morning. This is Challenge #455, which runs through Sunday evening, January 16, 2022.


Although my design was inspired by the sketch, I decided to take a bit of artistic license - a risk I enjoy taking. I die-cut a few rectangular and circular shapes from pretty paper and black cardstock and adhered them to a black cardstock panel. The sentiment was stamped and die-cut into a circle then added with foam tape. The decorated panel was added to a white card base and the inside of the card was decorated with coordinating paper.

Be sure to visit AHSC455

Materials
Stamp: Sizzix Circle Sentiments (#662347)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black
Paper: Carta Bella "Flower Garden"
Dies: Kat Scrappiness (scalloped rectangles) & Sizzix (circles #662347)
Misc.: Black gems and foam tape from stash

Friday, January 14, 2022

A True Classic - Masculine



Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #479 is awaiting your entry! Our biweekly challenge will end on Thursday evening, January 27, 2022, so take a few minutes and enjoy our challenge. This color challenge is "Crazy 8". The color board below shows you eight colors from which you must choose at least four. You may pick more colors but to qualify, your project may not include any colors not included on the board. Free colors are black, white, and metallic gold.


I chose Sapphire, Scarlet, Sundance, and Mocha for my masculine card but did not have all of the exact colors. Color Dare permits crafters to use the closest match so that is what I did as seen in the materials list at the end of this post.

I had difficulty pulling my card together, which annoyed me because I have never had trouble understanding angles or how to use tools for measuring. It seemed as if I could not measure anything properly. As I plowed through I kind of liked that my patterned paper pieces were off so I just persevered until I had a completed project using scrap paper from my stash. I also decorated the inside of the card with coordinating paper.


Please drop by the Color My Heart Color Dare Blog #479 and join us for our fun color challenges. Every Friday morning, there is a new biweekly challenge so one is always in progress when you visit.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla (sub for white)
Patterned Paper: SU! DSP in four retired designs from my scraps & Authentique "Explore"
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Ovals
Misc.: Foam tape

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Balloon Celebration



The newest biweekly sketch challenge is up on the blog at
Try Stampin' on Tuesday. Challenge #537 will end on Sunday evening, January 16, 2022. The sketch is shown below and the optional theme is Celebrate.


To create my card I used some paper and cardstock colors that have been retired for a while. This balloon paper has always been a favorite of mine so seemed perfect for a card of celebration. After cutting the panels and other elements, I adhered everything to the card base. I also lined the card base with white cardstock and decorated the inside with coordinating paper. A few green "gems" were added as a final touch.

The Design Team welcomes you to the TSOT537 Blog. We have a new biweekly challenge beginning every Tuesday.


Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay & Summer Starfruit
Paper: SU! DSP Birthday Basics
Dies: Kat Scrappiness (Stitched scalloped rectangles) & Spellbinders (word)
Misc.: Foam tape and "gems" from stash

Monday, January 3, 2022

Cuddle Up and Let It Snow



Happy New Year! Double Trouble is celebrating its 100th 
 Challenge and its first challenge of 2022. This is a biweekly challenge closing on Sunday evening, January 16, 2022. As is customary, there are three "Things" to the challenge.


Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker wants us to remember that January 6 is Cuddle Up Day so she wants to see your project about cozy and warm and layering. That means your project must have at least two layers on top of the card base and your project must include the use of at least one die.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare hopes you will take on the challenge to ensure your card also meets the requirements of our partner, Bitten by the Bug 2. Be sure to check out their guidelines.
Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is challenging you to include a cuddly item on your projects such as a quilt, comfort food, or even a good book - something you like to cuddle with.

With each of the above elements, you will earn a chance at our random draw so we encourage you to play along and join the fun. For our 100th anniversary, we are also including some fun prizes in addition to our usual random draw, so be sure to follow our guidelines at our DTC100 Blog.

I decided to use a pair of mittens for my cozy and warm item. I always wear gloves of some type when the weather turns even the slightest bit cool so I like mittens when the temperatures really drop. I assembled three rectangular die-cut panels onto the card base then added snowflakes and mittens, so ended with a card comprised of five layers. To complete the card I added a narrow red ribbon and a couple of "buttons" to the mittens.

Thing 2 Prize:  Double Dare (That's me!)
I am offering a Special Prize if you have used a machine-created image or shape on your project. Be sure to mention in your post what element you created and what machine you used. A Cricut, Silhouette, Brother Scan 'n Cut or similar is acceptable. To enter, leave a comment below. 

We're looking forward to seeing your creations for "warm and cozy!"

Materials
Stamps: Reverse Confetti "Smitten Mittens"
Ink: Stampin' Up! Coastal Cabana
Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Cherry Cobbler, & Glimmer Cardstock (silver)
Paper: Dare 2B Artzy
Dies: Paper Rose (stitched rectangles), Reverse Confetti (mittens), Lil' Inker (stitched snowflakes)
Misc.: SU! Ribbon (Real Red), SU! Glitter Enamel Dots, foam tape