Fresh Picked Daisies (CD #617)

This card was inspired by Color Dare Challenge #617. The color board is below. This is known as a Triple Play whereby you must use the three named colors - no more, no less, although you are permitted to use neutrals including black and white plus metallics.

This challenge also permits the use of colors from any source as long as there is a close match to the board. Challenge #617 is biweekly in duration and runs through Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Color challenges are just that - a real challenge, at least for me! When I think about them, it seems I am devoid of imagination. Hoping for the best, I went through a few of my die sets and found one I purchased months ago but had not yet used.

The die set resulted in a few large daisies. One of the great things about my personal "card world" is that I can have whatever color daisies I choose to create but I kept with white. However, the leaves and flower centers may be different than in nature.

Inside of Card

The inside of the card was decorated with a Royal-colored daisy and other bits left over after I completed the card front. I hope you enjoy looking at my card and joining this fun challenge. Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant (sub for Royal), Pool Party (sub for Lagoon); CTMH Limeade 

Dies: Spellbinders Etched "Fresh Picked Daisies"; Kokorosa (sentiment)

Size: A6

Autumn Tree (TSOT #654)

Welcome to my blog. Today's card is my contribution to the Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #654. This is a semi-monthly challenge that runs from Tuesday, September 3, 2024, through Sunday, September 15, 2024. Following is the new sketch for this challenge:

The stitched rectangular layers and the aperture were die-cut. The tree was fussy cut from patterned paper and placed into the aperture. I planned to use several leaves but because of the size of the dies, I elected to use only the Sugar Maple leaf. This leaf was stacked to give it height as well as a shadow. The sentiment was stamped and added to the card along with the clear gem stickers.

The inside of the card was decorated with a fussy-cut tree image from patterned paper. A stamped sentiment was added saying, "In all things, Give Thanks".

For guidelines about this challenge, visit the TSOT 654 Blog. The Design Team also has cards on display.

Melanie  

Materials

Stamps: Colorado Craft Co. "Savvy Sentiments"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Just Jade, & Gold Foil; The Paper Studio Textured Copper Foil

Paper The Paper Studio "Autumn Trees"

Dies: Jaded Blossoms "Stitched Rectangles"; Spellbinders Modern Ovals (Oblongs) & Stitched Fall Leaves

Misc.: SBC foam tape; Honey Bee clear gem stickers

You're So Sweet (DTC #174)

Here we are - looking at a new challenge - where does the time go? This is Double Trouble #174 and we are partnering with Festive Friday Challenge #FF0167, using their "Inspiration List". This challenge is open through Sunday, September 15, 2024.

As is customary, Double Trouble has three "Things". Thing 1 is required but Things 2 and 3 are just for fun. We also offer a randomly drawn prize and your chances for the prize increase as you play along with each Thing. Visit the DTC174 Blog for details and guidelines.

The requirement for Double Trouble is to use fruits and fruity colors. I selected citrus because I loved living in Florida. I stamped the outline of the slices in two sizes from colored ink and then added more color using markers to achieve lemons, limes, oranges, and pink grapefruit. They were then fussy cut, saving six for the front and two for the inside.

The large sentiment was stamped, die-cut, and matted with another die-cut. I selected a gingham paper for the background, added the twine, and popped the sentiment on with 2 mm foam tape. Finally, the slices were added using foam tape. The assembled elements were adhered to a white card base.

The inside of the card was decorated with gingham paper scrap and the remaining citrus slices. Another sentiment was stamped in green ink, "You're the Zest". Finally, the enamel dots were added. In summary, I achieved four elements from the Inspiration List - Fruit, Fruity Colors, Twine, and Gingham.

For some Zest, here's a look at the inside of the card:

We look forward to your joining our challenge. Be sure to view the Design Team's cards at the DTC174 Blog and play along with our partner's challenge at Festive Friday #FF0167.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: SBC "You're So Sweet"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU! Granny Apple Green, Lemon-Lime Twist, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Baked Brown Sugar

Paper: Craftsmith "Fall Plaids"

Dies: Spellbinders Modern Ovals (Oblong)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (2 mm); Beadsmith Brazilian Cord (colors in Saddle and Tan); Enamel dots

Rise and Shine for Your Birthday (CD #615)

Welcome to my blog. Today I am featuring a fun challenge at Color Dare. Below is the "Six Pack" color board. You must select at least three colors but you may include all six if you choose. Black, white, metallic, and neutrals are available in addition to the colors in the Six Pack. Be cautious - use only colors (or a close match) specified on the color board.

Rosy, Lemonade, and Sapphire were my selections. Free elements in black, white, and tan were also used. Not having the specific colors named the closest matches from my collection of ink pads plus Copic markers were used.

I was shopping my stash when I saw this old stamp set. I imagined some of the challenge colors in the rooster's feathers. After stamping the rooster, his image was colored with Copics and then stamped with the checkerboard pattern to "ground" him. I had no Rosy or Sapphire cardstock so applied ink from ink pads using a direct-to-paper technique. I like the texture-like result of the blue panel.

I thought the sentiment from a different stamp set worked well with the crowing rooster so stamped it and popped it up with 1 mm foam tape and then added a companion sentiment inside the card that says, "It's Your Birthday". Once the layers were assembled, they were adhered to a white card base. The sunflowers, also part of the stamp set, were stamped, colored with Copics, fussy-cut, and then added with 2 mm foam tape.

For guidelines visit the Color Dare Challenge #615 Blog and view the Design Team's inspirational cards, too. This biweekly challenge begins on Friday, August 23, 2024, and ends on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Although our challenges are two weeks long, we have a new challenge beginning every Friday.

Thank you for stopping by. It makes my heart happy to read your kind thoughts. 💖

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Farm Fresh Rooster" & "Cowlick Sunshine"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo (for Rosy) and Blueberry Bushel (for Sapphire); Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Daffodil Delight (for Lemonade)

Misc: SBC foam tape (1 mm and 2 mm)

Happy Birthday Using a 3-2-1 Recipe (DTC #173 & CD #614)

 
Welcome to my blog. This card was made specifically for two challenges. One challenge is Double Trouble #173, partnering with the second, Color Dare #614. As with all Double Trouble Challenges, there are three "Things" to consider. In summary:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has decided a 3-2-1 Recipe is just right to work with our partner. Take a look at the DTC173 Blog for details on how to use the 3-2-1 Recipe.

 

Thing 2 (optional): Link your card to the CD614 Challenge. Be sure to look at their requirements before making your project.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister suggests you select at least three colors from the Color Dare inspiration photo below. I chose pink, purple, and green, with black and white elements.

To compile the 3-2-1 recipe, I selected both cardstock and patterned paper in various colors. Excluding the card base my floral focal image sits on five layers. For interest, I added a few strips of purple cardstock to the right of the card to balance the offset focal image and bring the purple color to the card front. The pink patterned die-cut circle was matted in black cardstock and added with foam tape. 

The floral image was stamped onto white cardstock, colored, and then fussy-cut before being adhered to the stacked circles. The required embellishments in the form of white pearls (plus a few more) were added. The purchased sentiment was added with foam tape. Inside, the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a few scraps of coordinating paper.

I also entered my card at the following challenges:

1. A Cut Above - Anything Goes with a Die Cut.

2. Four Seasons Challenge - Anything Goes "Summer"

3. Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Goes "Flowers/Florals" plus optional inspiration board.

In addition to the above, Please visit my challenges at DTC173 and CD614 to play along. You could win our randomly drawn prize.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Spotlight on Nature"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Flirty Flamingo & Garden Green; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pale Plum

Paper: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful" Collection

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Jaded Blossoms "Stitched Scalloped Rectangles", Stampin' Up! "Spotlight on Nature" (fancy circle)

Misc.: SBC foam tape & Honey Bee pearl stickers

Racing by... Masculine Card of Encouragement (CD #613)

Another masculine card! I enjoy making them and all the men and boys in my family seem to enjoy receiving them. When I saw the color board below, I knew the colors worked for this stamp set and theme. One of my nephews is an excellent student. He is entering the seventh grade and loves school. He is frequently recognized for academic achievements so this will go into my stash for an upcoming event.

I always enjoy using primary colors - they are perfect for children's cards but I especially love their purity and brightness. The construction of this card is self-explanatory in the way it was made. The main technique was paper piecing the car's elements onto the basic car image. I also added the tires with foam tape for dimension. The checkered flag was also stamped, fussy-cut, and popped up with foam tape.

We invite you to join Color Dare #613 for some creative fun. This biweekly challenge is open through August 22, 2024.

Thank you.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Racing by..."

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry & Real Red

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Tip Top Taupe & Marina Mist

Paper: CTMH "Sweet Memories"

Die: Lil' Inker

Misc.: CTMH stars; SBC foam tape (1 mm and 2 mm)

It's a Beautiful Day (TSOT #652) (August 6 - August 18)

 

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #652 is now open through Sunday, August 18, 2024. The sketch is below. I tipped the sketch on its side to design my card. 

   Original Sketch                                                  Tilted Sketch

I have an elderly aunt (age 98) with whom I stay in touch by sending her a card every few weeks with a few words of news about the family so she will enjoy the floral paper and the pink cardstock. 

The floral panel was adhered to a panel of gray cardstock. Using thin foam tape, three strips of dotted paper were added to the floral panel. The focal image was created by using a cut-apart that coordinates with the paper collection and matting it with pink cardstock. This was added to the three strips using more foam tape. A few enamel dots were added. The finished card was added to a pink card base. The card base was lined with a white panel and decorated with patterned paper.

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy our semi-monthly challenge at TSOT #652.

Melanie

Materials

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Gray, & Blushing Bride

Paper and Cut-Apart: Echo Park "Life Is Beautiful" Collection

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape, Enamel Dots

What Makes You Happy - Masculine (DTC #172)

What a special time! At Double Trouble we are thinking about happiness. Did you know that there are actual days dedicated to being happy? International Happiness Day falls on March 20 and National Smile Day is May 31. But we could all use some happiness at any time so that's my focus.

As is customary, our challenge is comprised of three "Things".

Thing 1 is the only required element but if you play along with the options from Things 2 and 3, you could increase your chances of winning our randomly drawn prize. Visit the DTC 172 Blog for specific details.

Our partner for this challenge is If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #195 so check out their challenge guidelines as well. The cookie they selected for this challenge is all about being happy and is below next to their badge.

Our challenge runs from Thursday, August 1 through Thursday, August 15, however, our partner's challenge will continue through August 31, 2024.

  

For this challenge, I did some pondering about happiness. I concluded that happiness has many elements. Having people with whom to share our lives made my "shortlist". I was also reminded that my favorite season is autumn - it makes me happy and evokes wonderful memories from childhood. This led me to create a birthday card using an autumnal theme to celebrate one of the kindest and most helpful men in my family.

By the way, did you find the happy face on my card? If not, here is a hint. Look at the leafy patterned paper.

Enjoy our challenge AND our partner's challenge. Thank you for stopping by and remember, "Be the reason that someone smiles today". 

Melanie

😁

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Garden Green, Crushed Curry, & Cajun Craze

Paper: Photoplay "Autumn Greetings"

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles), LZBRDY (circle heart wreath)

Misc.: Enamel Dots, SBC thin foam tape

"Cards from the Coop" Challenge - Aperture Card

 

Rarely do I have the opportunity to play along with challenges just for fun. Being on several Design Teams has drawbacks because those challenges keep me busy making required cards. I am not complaining but it's great just to submit a card for fun.

This is for a challenge hosted by Cards from the Coop owner Tracey Pierce, a cardmaker friend and Stampin' Up Demonstrator who is hosting a challenge on Facebook. (https://tinyurl.com/5n7hw9x8). This challenge is simply to select one color and create a monochromatic card. 

 

The image was stamped once to appear in the aperture of the card but I thought it was too sparse by itself, so I stamped additional flowers onto white cardstock scraps and fussy cut them. I added them to the lone flower with glue, creating three flowers in the window. Another fussy-cut flower was added to the inside of the card.

I dropped my "pokey-tool" onto the face of my card and it left two gouges so I added the brass butterflies. Two of them are covering the holes!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Melanie

Materials

Stamp set: Stampin' Up! "Spotlight on Nature"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Stampin' Up! Blushing Bride

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Blushing Bride

Paper: CP Designs "Color Pop" (Catherine Pooler)

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circle) & Honey Bee (deckel edge rectangle)

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Brushed Brass Butterflies; SBC foam tape (2 mm.)

Sweet Almond (CD #611)

Color Dare Challenge #611 is underway. This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday, August 8, 2024. The color board is below. You must select at least three colors from the board to create your project. You may use four or even all five colors from the board but no new colors may be added. However, the challenge permits using Black, White, Neutrals, and Metallics.

I used a recently acquired stamp set and selected Papaya, Peach, and Pine with gold gems. My image is that of a Sweet Almond branch with flowers. The flowers are typically white or very pale pink but in my "card world" they can be any color. 

The image was stamped, colored with alcohol markers, and fussy cut. To the card base, a rectangular die-cut panel was adhered with 1 mm foam tape. Next, again using 1 mm foam tape, another rectangular die-cut panel with dry embossing was added. To finish, the fussy cut image was added.

A few gems were added to the card front. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a stamped image of a colored flower and leaves. I elected to omit a sentiment.

The Design Team at Color Dare looks forward to seeing your ideas for using these colors, so visit their CD611 Blog and share your creations.

Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Lovely and Sweet"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Peach Parfait, & Pale Papaya

Die: Kokorosa (stitched rectangles)

Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Loops"

Misc.: Honey Bee (gem stickers) & SBC (1 mm foam tape)

Celebrating with a Friend (DTC #171)

Update: July 28, 2024: Favorite of the Week at Splitcoast Stampers

July 29, 2024 Update: 

Favorite of the Week at Splitcoast Stampers.

It's another biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #171 and the challenge dates have been altered so we can more easily partner with the Jingle Belles Challenge. As is customary, there are three "Things" to our challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is having fun visiting her favorite drive-thru windows so our projects need to include some sort of window or aperture. My project has three windows.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you create your project so that you are eligible to play along with our partner, Jingle Belles.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister wants to "Dash Through the Snow" until the end of July by using a theme inspired by our partner, Jingle Belles.

For specific guidelines and details, visit the Double Trouble Challenge #171 Blog.

I created a winter scene with a Polar Bear, including fir trees, ice, and snow. The clouds are window elements but the bear, while dashing through the snow, has decided to explore the round window, where he sees his Christmas present - a delicious fish! I handdrew the fish and colored it with markers. The inside of the card is decorated with a little holographic paper and a fir tree.

After completing the card I did a little research. I found that Polar Bears are more interested in consuming mammals than fish so the Polar Bear and the fish decided to celebrate Christmas in July together.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Melanie

Materials

Inks: Stampin' Up! Azure Afternoon & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Garden Green, Mossy Meadow, & Old Olive; CTMH Blue Skies

Paper: SBC Holographic (silver); Stampin' Up! Brushed Metallic (silver)

Dies: SBC "Winter Wishes" (polar bear), Hero Arts Infinity (circles), DzIxY "Sun & Clouds", Kokorosa (bow)

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Pine Tree"

Misc.: SBC foam tape (2 mm.)

Pedaling By... (TSOT #651)

The biweekly challenge at Try a Sketch on Tuesday is now live and open for your projects.  This is Challenge #651 and runs through Sunday, August 4, 2024. 

For guidelines visit the TSOT Blog #651. Here is the sketch:

In making my card, I changed the circle to an oblong shape. Lately, I have been looking at tutorials on creating cards with windows and apertures so I decided to experiment with a window on this card. I have a new stamp and die set that I used. I changed the sentiment from, "We're going to party," to, "We're going to a party." All it took was a black-inked pen.

I did experience difficulty aligning the stamps that work together even though I used the MISTI. I also discovered that the dies did not match the stamped combined images as closely as I thought they should, but I persisted. The resulting image is in the window. The card front was popped up with foam tape to create dimension. This could have been a shaker card but I kept it open.

In keeping with the sketch, I added balloons in place of the floral image and then placed a celebratory sentiment as shown in the sketch. The TSOT Design Team has cards on display at the Challenge Blog for inspiration. Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Catherine Pooler Designs "Pedaling By" & "Best Birthday Yet"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Blueberry Bushel, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate, Fresh Freesia, Coastal Cabana, & Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Soft Sky, & Crushed Curry

Paper: Catherine Pooler Designs "Color Pop" Collection
Dies: Catherine Pooler Designs "Pedaling By"; DzIxY "Sun & Clouds"; Hero Arts Infinity (circles); Honey Bee (oblongs)
Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm & 2 mm), CTMH enamel stickers (hearts)

Life Is Better with Friends - Masculine Card (CD #609)

A biweekly color challenge is up on the Color Dare Blog! This is Challenge #609 and runs through Thursday, July 25, 2024. According to the color board below, using black and beige plus one additional color is required. Metallics are free.

Thinking about a masculine card, I selected a beige color from my stash to use with black and soft green. I used no metallic paper but added silver embossing powder. I used another neutral, vanilla, but only inside the card.

A black-inked frame was added to the focal panel by masking the edges, and then a stencil was applied to add the green background design. A lizard was stamped directly to the panel with black ink and then colored with beige and green alcohol markers. 

The sentiment was stamped with black ink onto a scrap of stenciled cardstock then matted with black cardstock and adhered using foam tape (1 mm). The focal panel was backed with foam tape (2 mm) and adhered to the card base. The inside was lined with a panel of vanilla cardstock, partially stenciled in green. I took the sentiment seriously by stamping part of another lizard on the inside, so now the focus lizard has a friend and his life is better!

Please join the Color Dare Challenge #609. Our challenges begin every Friday and are two weeks in duration. Thank you for looking!

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Technique Junkies "Lovely Lizards" & Altenew Leaf Canopy (sentiment)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Soft Seafoam, & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Basic Black, & Sahara Sand

Stencil: A Colorful Life "Flowing Drops"

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm and 2 mm)