Thanks - Clean and Simple/Masculine (CD 603)

Here we go with another bi-weekly challenge! This is Color My Heart Color Dare #603, consisting of three required colors. I did not have any of these precise colors so I used scraps from my stash that I hoped were close enough in color. The light is playing tricks with the camera, distorting my photo's colors.

I decided to go CAS (clean and simple) with the design, which led me to create a masculine card. Using a technique that's an oldie but goodie I cut scraps into strips of varying widths, adhered them to a piece of copy paper, then cut the word using a die. I especially like the "loose" font. The spatter was added and the inside of the card was decorated with a coordinating piece of scrap.

Be sure to join us over at Color Dare #603. This challenge runs through Thursday, June 13, 2024.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Wintertime Crafts "Spatter and Brush"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Succulent

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Paper: Scraps from my stash

Die: Altenew "Mega Thanks"

Welcome Home - Masculine Card (TSOT 647)

A new semi-monthly sketch is ready for your review at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. This is Challenge #647 and runs through Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Growing up in a military family taught me that there are events that bring sadness and others that are accompanied by great joy. Most homecomings were a reason to celebrate. 

Today's sketch triggered thoughts of my military-influenced childhood, waiting at a fence with a large noisy crowd of people eager to embrace loved ones, due to arrive at any moment.

In my stash, I found paper that reminded me of the Army green color along with a sheet of utility vehicles, resembling Army vehicles. Also included was a sheet of circles with various greetings so I selected Welcome Home.

Patterned pieces suitable for the sketch were cut and adhered to a black card base. The sentiment was die-cut from the paper as well and backed with a die-cut circle of black then popped up with foam tape. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper.

Our semimonthly challenges begin on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. We encourage paper crafters of all skill levels to join us. Visit our TSOT Blog for guidelines and details.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: Carta Bella "Home Again"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Cheers - Sixth Anniversary Challenge (DTC #167 & AHSC #578)

When this challenge was born, I worried if we could keep it going. After six years, we're here to stay - at least for a few more years! We appreciate the support we have received from our partners and participants so we are hosting a special challenge "Raffle" to celebrate our Sixth Anniversary. For details, visit the Double Trouble Blog. 

I selected a blue raffle ticket to create a masculine card. I always enjoy making them. For the card base, Kraft cardstock was selected, then brown plaid paper, plus a "tweed" print. I needed something bright because I thought the brown-toned paper was dull. I found some printed floral paper in my stash so I fussy-cut a pale yellow flower and colored it with bright-toned alcohol markers. I don't usually add flowers to a masculine card but I like the addition of this flower to complete the card.

The dark-green-almost-black leaves that coordinated with the flower were also fussy-cut and the elements were assembled onto a panel of white cardstock, and then onto the Kraft card base. The sentiment was ephemera from the birthday paper. Both the flower and the sentiment were added with foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper.

I am partnering with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges, using Sketch #578, which runs from Monday, May 20, 2024, through Sunday, May 26, 2024. 

Be sure to check out the Double Trouble Sixth Anniversary Challenge. You could win one of several prizes being given away!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Baked Brown Sugar (sub for Kraft)

Paper: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" (flower) & Photoplay "Birthday Bash"

Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Dude! (Sketch Saturday #751)

 

This is a sketch challenge I came across recently from Sketch Saturday Challenge. I have never participated before but now that I know of its existence, I will try to play along more often. This appears to be a monthly challenge, beginning the second Saturday of each month and running for two weeks. Therefore, this challenge opened on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and will end on Friday, May 24, 2024.

I decided to go with a masculine theme. I enjoy creating masculine cards and my stash needs to be replenished. Using a paper pack of masculine paper and ephemera, I followed the sketch by using birthday candles as a focal point and a balloon and party hat added to the sides. 

I was unsure if this sketch required a sentiment because the strips that run horizontally across the lower edge of the sketch appear to be decorative. The Design Team cards are not definitive as to whether these are for a sentiment. Because of this, I added a little interest to the left side of the card by adhering a banner that simply says, "Dude!" The inside of the card was decorated with stars and another banner saying, "Cheers to You."

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Paper & Ephemera: Photoplay "Birthday Bash"

Keeping It Clean and Simple (CD 601)

It's another color challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #601. This is an "Only Two" challenge where one color is required but you get to pick the second color from the color board below. I chose blue to go with the required red. I did not have the exact colors in my stash but used close substitutes. 

I created a 'Clean and Simple' (CAS) card since the colors are also 'Clean and Simple'. I also wanted a card that could be used for either gender. Onto a white card base, I stamped part of the sentiment in red and part in blue, then added "second generation" spatter painting. The inside of the card has spatter as well. Leaving plenty of "whitespace" adds to the CAS style.

If you have not tried a color challenge, please visit the CD 601 Blog and join the fun. You are free to make it as CAS or fancy as you wish as long as you use the correct colors.

Thanks for stopping by.

Melanie

 

Materials

Stamps: Honey Bee "Smooch" & Wintertime Crafts "Spatter and Brush Strokes"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Real Red & Pacific Point

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Celebrate - Masculine Card (TSOT 646)

It's time again to try a sketch over at the Try a Sketch on Tuesday Blog #646. This semi-monthly challenge began on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, and ends on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

I have three brothers and five nephews so masculine cards are in demand. After searching my stash I found a bit of ephemera and patterned paper that I liked and then simply followed the sketch, making two identical masculine cards. 

Thanks for checking out the TSOT Challenge and for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Peacock

Paper: Photoplay "Birthday Bash" Collection with Ephemera & Scrapbook.com "Pinstripes & Polka Dots"

Misc.: Honey Bee Pearl Stickers & CTMH thin foam tape

Lovely Amazing You (DTC #166)

It's another Double Trouble Challenge. This biweekly Challenge #166 runs through Sunday evening, May 19, 2024. Our challenge has three "Things".

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has decided we need to celebrate "Lost Socks Memorial Day". This occurs annually on May 9. The point is to honor all the socks that have disappeared and are no longer with us. Crazy, right? Take a look at the DTC #166 Blog for the details.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare would like to see your project posted at our partner's challenge. Visit Tuesday Morning Sketches #756 for their requirements.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister has suggested you create your card using our partner's sketch (below) for inspiration.

In honor of "Lost Socks Memorial Day", I used a favorite paper collection that is almost depleted. I was sure I needed more paper to follow the sketch successfully but I used a few tricks in piecing to complete the card. I was thinking, "Missing paper = missing sock." I know... it's a stretch, but it's fun.

Scraps were layered in keeping with the sketch. Each layer was backed with cardstock scrap to add dimension rather than using foam tape. (Most of my cards are mailed so I keep them low profile.) The layers were adhered to a white card base decorated with a panel of wood grain paper. The top layer was stamped, adhered, and decorated. The inside of the card was decorated with a coordinating paper scrap.

Here's hoping you'll join us for these challenges so be sure to include the sketch. For all the details, visit the blogs for DTC #166 and TMS #756!

Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Lovely Amazing You"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Paper: Honey Bee "Modern Spring" Collection

Misc.: Honey Bee "Winter Pearl" sticker gems

Silver Dragonfly (CD 599)

For years I dreaded color challenges, avoiding them at every turn. A friend encouraged me to try them and I have grown to enjoy them. Below is the color board for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #599, a biweekly challenge that runs through Thursday, May 16. I used colors from my stash that most closely match the required colors. I also included silver foiled cardstock.

A design was die-cut into a cardstock panel and the resulting opening was backed with darker cardstock. Next, the leaf cluster was stamped and colored using alcohol markers. The dragonfly was die-cut from silver foiled cardstock and adhered to a piece of vellum that had been colored with a marker. The vellum was fussy-cut to fit the dragonfly. The elements were adhered to the panel and then to a white card base. A hole punch was used to cut a few bits from silver scraps and added to the card. The inside was decorated with a small dragonfly die-cut and additional silver bits.

I hope my card has inspired you to play along at Color Dare Challenge #599! Thank you for looking.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Altenew "Leaf Canopy"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant (for Royal), Wisteria Wonder, Foiled Cardstock (silver)

Dies: Altenew "Leaf Canopy", Sizzix Thinlits #660220, Unbranded Dragonflies

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape