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