Blue Elephant's Happy Day (TSOT #667)

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #667 is now available on the blog for your card-making pleasure. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, April 13, 2025, at noon, Eastern Time. Below is the sketch. 

I took to the air to celebrate one of my favorite pastimes, flying, and to create a birthday card for my grandnephew. I chose to substitute other elements for the rainbow, heart, and splash.

Did you know there are blue elephants on our planet? I thought it would be fun to color him some other color than gray, so I looked it up.

To begin, a panel with clouds was created using a stencil, and small birds were stamped directly onto that panel. The images were stamped, colored with Copics, die-cut, and then adhered to the panel of clouds using foam tape. 

The cloud panel was matted with orange cardstock and added to a blue card base. The interior was lined with a white panel and adorned with a small, free clip art image of an aircraft in silhouette. 

For additional ideas, visit our sister challenge, Double Trouble #188, and you may win a prize in their random drawing.

The Design Team invites you to visit the TSOT 667 Blog and share your own interpretation of our sketch.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Pink & Main "Plane Sweet" & Paper Rose "Bird Day"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Marina Mist & Tangerine Tango

Dies: Pink & Main "Plane Sweet"

Stencil: MFT Clouds

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm.)

Make a Splash (DTC #188)

Double Trouble Challenge #188 is now open for paper crafting fun. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Here are Trouble Maker's 3-2-1 Recipe requirements for "April Showers."

Ingredients

     3  Colors of the Rainbow

A rainbow has been included.

     2  Die-Cuts, Ephemera, or Punched Items

More than two die-cut items have been used. 

     1  Scene

The background scene was created using

 stencils and muted colors.        

Twisted Sister's option is to enhance your scene by adding a representative of April showers or water. I included a puddle made with Glossy Accents. The child, colored with Copics, is wearing a slicker and rainboots, and carrying an umbrella. She is splashing in the puddle with a yellow duckling.

Double Dare hopes you will use the TSOT #667 sketch. The sketch inspired my card.

The inside of the card was decorated with three tiny die-cut ducks, clouds, and a sun, all colored with Copics.

It seems that sometimes my blog posts sound like "True Confessions," and this post is no different. As I was placing the elements onto the card front, I dropped the black ink pad lid onto the card, leaving black lines. The elements above the image had not yet been adhered. Determined not to destroy the card, I resorted to rearranging the clouds, rainbow, sun, and sentiment to cover the mess and called it done.

Please note that TSOT #667 starts on Tuesday, April 1st. 

 

Don't forget to stop by the DTC#188 Blog for details on the "April Showers" challenge. Thank you.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps:  MFT "Rain or Shine" & Reverse Confetti "Sealiously" (sentiment)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Smoky Slate, Evening Evergreen, Misty Moonlight & Azure Afternoon; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray & Misty Moonlight

Dies: MFT "Rain or Shine"; Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)

Stencils: MFT (cloud background), Newton's Nook (Evergreens)

Other: SBC foam tape, Glossy Accents, PPP clear droplets

Size: A6

Thanks a Lot (CD #645)

This Color Dare Challenge #645 begins on Friday, March 28, 2025, and ends on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The color board below gives four colors, of which three must be used, but four may be used. Except for the "free to add" colors, no additional colors may be included.

I saw these colors as yellow, sage, pink, and dark green. I chose to use all of them. The striped paper was adhered to a panel of dark green cardstock. The sentiment was stamped, colored with markers, and die-cut. The die-cut elements were added directly to the panel. The tags were added using foam tape. The card panel was added to a white card base. The inside of the card was decorated with coordinating leafy branches.

Discover what our Design Team did with these spring colors at the CD 645 Blog. The Team hopes you will be inspired to create a project for our challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Paper Smooches

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Blushing Bride; LUX dark green

Patterned Paper: CTMH "Postcard Perfect" (sage), and Apple Blossom Designs "Firework Flowers" (yellow)

Dies: Birch Press "Fun Floral," UNB Floral Leaves, Paper Smooches (banner), Lil' Inker (tags) 

Misc.: SBC foam tape

Hexagon Hello (TSOT #666)

The time changed from Standard to Daylight time last weekend (except in Arizona and Hawaii), and I figure we all lost an hour that could have been spent making a card. Now we will have to wait until Autumn to find that hour.

Let's find time to take on another fun sketch at Try a Sketch on Tuesday #666. This challenge runs through Sunday, March 30, 2025, at noon Eastern Daylight Time. I liked this sketch and considered many possibilities, but then I landed back at the starting point and went with hexagons. I think the hexagon is my favorite shape. It is interesting in many ways in nature, science, industry, and more.

Knowing I had patterned paper with hexagons, I went through my stash of scraps and found just enough to use for this card. On a panel of coordinating floral paper, the fussy-cut hexagons were arranged following the sketch design. For dimension, one hexagon was added using foam tape. To create the required sentiment, the word "hello" was die-cut. 

To add interest, the sentiment was adhered to slender cardstock strips mounted on foam tape. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper. 

To view the Design Team's cards and join the challenge, visit the TSOT 666 Blog and be sure to look at our sister challenge, Double Trouble #187, too. 

Melanie 

Materials

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

Patterned Paper: Panalisa "Honey Flower" Collection

Dies: Paper Rose Stitched Rectangles & Paper Smooches (sentiment)

Other: SBC foam tape (1 mm.)

Tweets Just for You (DTC #187)

It's been two weeks, and we're back today to introduce our next challenge. This is Double Trouble Challenge #187, ending on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Following is a summary of the challenge:

Here is what I did to create an Anything Goes project using our 3-2-1 recipe below. 

Servings

Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients 

You must pick at least:  

     3   of SomeThing from your stash. 

(I used four die-cut birds.)

     2   of AnyThing from your stash.

(Three branches were included on the card.)

     1   of EveryThing else from your stash.

(One sentiment was added.)

 

Thing 3: Twisted Sister 

says, "Use the following sketch for inspiration and enter your card at TSOT #666." This challenge is effective on Tuesday, March 18. (I used the sketch below as inspiration for Double Trouble.)

 

Thing 2: Double Dare is joining with Twisted Sister to remind you to join in the sketch-inspired project at TSOT or find another challenge to use as an alternative. 

Special Note: When using the TSOT sketch and/or the Alternate Challenge, enter your project(s) and include TSOT's name and/or your preferred Alternate's name next to the DTC link in your post to be eligible for the extra chances in our random drawing.

I had fun creating this card while playing outside of the box. I also added another card to the sketch challenge. The card can be viewed HERE, effective on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Take a look at the DTC #187 Blog to see complete guidelines for this challenge and to view the cards created by the Design Team. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Rooted in Nature" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black & Island Indigo.

DSP: Stampin' Up! "Thoughtful Journey"

Dies: CAS-ual Fridays (frame), Kokorosa "Bird Family"

Misc.: SBC foam tape & Honey Bee gems

Hello with a Fun Fold (CD #643)

Welcome to my blog and to Challenge #643 at Color Dare. This biweekly challenge is now active and runs until Thursday evening, March 27, 2025.

The color board is simple — just two colors — but you are free to add black, white, other neutrals, and metallics. Your colors should be a close match to ours, and you may not add any additional colors.  

 

Lately, I have been spring cleaning and decluttering, so when I discovered this unused 6" x 6" pad of pretty paper, I thought it was just right for this challenge. In fact, I added none of the free colors and stuck with using only the colors indicated; however, two of the patterned papers do have a wee bit of white and black in their designs.

I selected a very simple fun fold design known as a "Flip-back Fold," also known as a Five-Minute Card. The front right edge of the card is scored at 1.25", folded back, and adhered. The patterned columns do not need to be matted, but I preferred to do that. The paper on the inside of the card provides the color for the "third" column of paper.

The die-cut sentiment was adhered to a die-cut oval and then placed on the card front. Three blue gems were added for some sparkle.

We invite you to visit the CD643 Blog to look at the cards by the Design Team. I hope you'll be inspired to create a project and join the challenge. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Perfect Plum & Boho Blue

Patterned Paper: Kathy Davis "Scatter Joy"

Dies: Momenta "Words" (sentiment) & Tutti (x-stitch oval)

Other: Honey Bee (gem stickers)

It's Your Day (TSOT #665)

 

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #665 is underway! This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, March 16, 2025. You are only required to use our sketch for inspiration and not required to create a St. Patrick's Day card.

I have heard crafty friends say, "Let your paper do the work for you." That's exactly what I did. As I was browsing through a 6" x 6" paper pad, I found this background design where leaves swept along one side in a curve, so I used that to emulate the clover in the sketch. 

The other elements were added, including the two floral images. These were fussy-cut from coordinating paper, a bit of ink was brushed onto the petals and they were adhered with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and adhered with foam tape as well. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with another fussy-cut flower.

If you've never used a sketch to create a card, visit the TSOT665 Blog and join in the fun. Additionally, try TSOT's sister challenge, Double Trouble Challenge #186, and you could win a prize.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoy reading your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Honey Bee S7-228 (sentiment)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Island Indigo & Granny Apple Green

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Daffodil Delight, & Island Indigo

Patterned Paper: Kathy Davis "Scatter Joy" Collection

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm. & 2 mm.)

Size: A2

Pinch Proof (DTC #186)

Did you know that leprechauns will pinch you if you don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Your project does not have to be a St. Patrick's Day theme, but even if you aren't Irish, nobody likes to be pinched, so I decided to make myself "pinch-proof" by playing along at Double Trouble Challenge #186. This is a biweekly challenge beginning on Monday, March 3, 2025, and ending on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Even though I am only a wee bit Irish, I have always enjoyed making a card for St. Pat's Day. My mother had some distant ancient Irish connection with King William III [of Orange]. Mom thought it was fun to receive a card as long as it had the color orange on it. I won't bore you with that history, but the Irish flag has green and orange in it for a reason.

Below is a summary of this card challenge:

Here is what I did to create a project for any occasion using our 3-2-1 recipe below. 

3-2-1 Recipe "Pinch Proof "

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients  

     3   Include green, gold + one color of your choice. 

(Green, gold, and orange were used.)

     2   Use stand-alone or layered stencils.

(There are two stenciled designs - plaid on the background of the shamrock, and the grid design on the white butterflies.)

     1   Sentiment. (Sentiment added.)

Thing 3:  Twisted Sister 

says, "Well, shake my shamrocks... my optional twist is to use shamrock(s) in your project." (One shamrock included.)

THING 2: Double Dare
says, "Check out the current sketch at our Sister Challenge, Try a Sketch On Tuesday #665." This is effective on Tuesday, March 4. (I used the sketch for inspiration.)

Take a look at the DTC #186 Blog to see complete guidelines for this challenge and to view the cards created by the Design Team. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Uniko "Organic Wishes"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie, CTMH Sweet Leaf

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Garden Green, Foiled Gold; Tonic Mirror (orange)

Punch: Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Butterfly

Dies: UNB Looped Rectangles & Fancy Shamrocks

Stencils: CP Designs (plaid) & Stampers Anonymous (grid)

Other: SBC foam tape (1 mm.)

Size: A2

It's Your Day (CD #641)

 

Color Dare Challenge #641 is up on the blog through Thursday, March 13, 2025. To play along, you must use at least three of the five colors and their tones, hues, or shades, and you may not add colors. To enhance your card, you are free to add black, white, other neutrals, and metallics. The color board is below.  (I added numbers to each of the colors on the board just for my own use.)

All of the colors except for #3, the lavender, are included in the patterned papers on the card. Color #5 is used in two tones of the blue-green color. The only neutral is white. 

Using a random sketch from the past, the elements were matted and adhered to the card base. The sentiment was die-cut and adhered using thin foam tape. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with patterned paper. Gem stickers were added to the front of the card.

Visit the CD641 Challenge Blog to view the Design Team's examples and to submit your card. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your comments are welcome. 

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Melon Mambo, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon

Patterned Paper: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" & Doodle Bug "Summer Breeze"

Die: Simon Says Stamp #111987 "It's Your Day"

Misc.: SBC thin foam tape, Honey Bee gem stickers

Retiform Revisited - Again (TSOT #664)

 

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #664 is underway. This biweekly challenge will run through Sunday afternoon, March 2, 2025. The only requirement is to create a project using our sketch. We encourage you to use your imagination and creativity while having fun.

If you are looking for a bit of inspiration, take a look at the TSOT664 Blog to see what our Design Team has done. Additionally, try TSOT's sister challenge, Double Trouble Challenge #185, and you could win a prize.

To create my card. I decided to use an old technique called 'Retiform'. To see examples, click on the following:

Retiform Revisited

Beata Johns at Splitcoast Stampers Tutorials

Gina K Designs

If you look at the above links, you can see each card maker has a distinct style of their own, but the cards are all interesting and unique.

The retiform technique requires creating a grid by masking off sections. I initially masked off the basic sketch, then added more lines to the grid. The inks were blended, and then I went through my stamp stash, selecting images to stamp onto the sections. The stamping was enhanced with Copic markers as necessary. 

The flower was stamped four times onto white cardstock. The four pieces were fussy cut and then stacked onto each other. The top flower was colored with Copic markers. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and stamped with additional images. Typically, additional items are not added to the Retiform card front - it's all stamping - but I could not resist the urge to add a bit of texture and dimension by adding the Golden Poppy.

Visit the TSOT664 Blog to check on the challenge guidelines and play along. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up!

        1. Grace's Garden #151513 (sentiment, cat, & bird)

        2. Painted Poppies #151599 (golden poppy, leaf)

        3. Textured Essentials #152612 (mosaic-type design)

        4. Seascape #155009 (fish & bubbles)

        5. Butterfly Gala #148580 (butterfly)

        6. Mountain Air #151610 (evergreens)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers; Stampin' Up! Summer Splash, Granny Apple Green, Pumpkin Pie, Blueberry Bushel, Old Olive, & Poppy Parade

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Cucumber Crush, & Peach Parfait

Size: A2

Techniques: Retiform, Stamping, Ink Blending, Masking, & Fussy Cutting

Thanks a Bunch (DTC #185)

 

Here's a summary of Double Trouble #185, "Hoodie-Hoo," a biweekly challenge running through Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Thing 1: Trouble Maker

says, "Get ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring by calling out 'Hoodie-Hoo' to your neighbors on February 20th. Then try our 3-2-1 Recipe below."

Hoodie-Hoo!

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients

3 Embellishments

(Three black gem stickers were included.)

2 Layers

(Four layers were adhered to the card base.)

1 Sentiment

 (One sentiment was added.)

Thing 3:  Twisted Sister 

says, "My optional twist is to include seasonal flower(s) of any kind in your project."

(Patterned papers with images resembling Chinese Quince and Winter Jasmine were used. These are seasonal flowers that bloom in winter.)

Thing 2: Double Dare

says, "My optional dare for you is to use the sketch below at our current Sister Challenge, Try a Sketch On Tuesday #663, beginning Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 

(This sketch provided inspiration.)

Alternative Challenge:  If you included flowers, you may enter the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #26. This challenge began on February 15, 2025. (My card was submitted.)

I hope you will take this opportunity to flex your imagination and enter these challenges. Be sure to visit the DTC185 Blog to see our team's examples. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! "Lights Aglow" & Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" Collections

Misc.: Creative Expressions Sentiment strip, Spellbinders black gem stickers, SBC thin foam tape, Doily from stash

Size: A2

Hello, There! (CD #639 & AHSC #616)

Color challenges can be fun... really! 

I used to avoid them. Then, in order to "face my fear," I joined the Design Team at the Color Dare Challenge and I now enjoy creating these cards. This is Challenge #639, which runs through Thursday, February 26, 2025. 

The important elements are to use both of the colors and to remember no other colors are acceptable other than those that are 'Free to Add'. If you don't have the exact colors, use the closest match you have. Here is the color board:

I shopped my paper stash, hoping to find patterned paper with the required colors. The search was a success when I found a small scrap that would work. I added a few other papers, and referring to a new sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #616 for inspiration, the card came together. I am entering this card into their challenge after the Color Dare Challenge goes live on Friday, February 14, 2025.

A sentiment was stamped, and the trio of diamond-shaped labels were added with thin foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of vanilla cardstock and decorated with a few small diamond shapes in coordinating colors.

Inside View

To play along with this biweekly color challenge, visit the CD 639 Blog to view the cards created by our Design Team. If you wish to see inspirational cards for the sketch, visit AHSC #616. Their weekly challenge is open through Sunday, February 16. Here is their sketch:

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: CTMH #Z8049 "Cherish" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: SU! Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Pale Plum

Paper: Scrap from my stash & Sunny Studio Gingham Pastels

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (diamond-shaped)

Misc.: SBC thin foam tape, Spellbinders Gem Stickers (black)

Love You (TSOT #663)

 

Here we are again... it's the beginning of another TSOT Challenge.  This is Challenge #663, which runs through Sunday afternoon, February 16, 2025. Following is the sketch for this challenge. Be sure to visit Double Trouble Challenge #184 for information about using this sketch for their challenge as well.

Because St. Valentine's Day is almost here, I used that as the theme for my card. I made two identical cards - one for my sister-in-law and one for my aunt. They are both elderly and enjoy receiving cards. They live on opposite ends of the country so identical cards are not an issue.

I decided to switch things around with the sketch by using black and white striped paper instead of colorful strips and adding a bright patterned paper where the sketch is plain. The paper has black dots, but I added seven black gems to add more of the black color. I also added a sentiment, although it is not required.

Stop by the TSOT #663 Blog and join in the fun of interpreting the sketch and creating a project using your style. Thank you for stopping by. 

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: CTMH "Every Little Thing" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pool Party, and Melon Mambo

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

Dies: Newton's Nook "Heart Frames", Jaded Blossom "Scalloped Border"

Misc.: Honey Bee gem stickers & SBC foam tape (2 mm.)

Love Is in the Air (DTC #184)

Here's a summary of Double Trouble #184, "Love Is in the Air," a biweekly challenge running through Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Thing 1: Trouble Maker

says, "Valentine's Day is almost here... and love is in the air. Try our 3-2-1 Recipe below."

Love Is in the Air

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients

3 Patterned Papers or 3 Washi Tapes 

(includes four Washi tape designs)

2 Shapes (sentiment labels & butterflies)

1 Image or Sentiment (one sentiment)

Thing 3: Twisted Sister
says, "I'm not waiting until Valentine's Day... I'm off to the store to get my favorite Sweethearts Candy. (There is one tiny plain heart placed next to the sentiment.)

Thing 2: Double Dare
says, "My optional dare for you is to use the sketch below at our current Sister Challenge, Try a Sketch On Tuesday #663, beginning Tuesday, February 4, 2025. (I used the sketch.)

I hope you will take this opportunity to enter the challenges. Be sure to visit the DTC184 Blog to see our team's examples. Thank you for dropping in. 

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: CTMH "Every Little Thing"  (sentiment)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink & Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, & Foiled Gold

Washi Tape: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" Collection

Dies: Unb Sentiment Labels

Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Columns"

Punches: Stampin' Up! "Elegant Butterfly" & "Bitty Butterfly"

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Champagne Rhinestones & SBC Foam Tape (2 mm.)

All the Best (CD #637)

 

Welcome to Color Dare Challenge #637! It's all about the color purple. There are six colors on the color board below so I went with three from my cardstock stash. Neutrals and metallics are also permitted, so I added silver foiled cardstock.

This challenge runs to Thursday evening, February 13, 2025. We have one challenge per week, each two weeks in duration so we always have one active challenge going. 

I knew I had some paper with a violet garden theme, so selected a patterned scrap with two purple hues. This printed paper also has a tiny touch of sage green in it. I have an art book that explains how neutrals are used, and it indicates that sage green is a perfect neutral for purple, so I used the print. I also added silver foiled cardstock.

The card front and leaves were die-cut from the silver foil and then adhered to an eggplant card base. The patterned paper was trimmed to size and matted with the same eggplant color. The sentiment came from a set of purchased sentiments. These elements were all adhered to the card base, with the leaves, sentiment, and matted paper being added with foam tape. Sparkly rhinestones were also added.

The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a die-cut silver leaf and patterned paper.

I hope you enjoyed my card. Let me remind you to visit the CD637 Blog to view the Design Team's cards. Thank you for viewing my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, & Silver Foil

Patterned Paper: Paper Rose Studio "Violet Garden" & Sentiment

Dies: LDRS Scalloped Rectangles, Leaves - maybe SBC (?)

Misc.: Honey Bee gem stickers (rhinestones); SBC thin foam tape