Friday, August 22, 2025

The Best Day Ever (CD #666)




The color board is up on the blog for Color Dare Challenge #666, a biweekly challenge that runs through Thursday, September 4, 2025. The requirements are that all three colors must be included in your design. While you are free to use neutrals and gold metallics, no other colors may be introduced.

These gorgeous colors reminded me of autumn, but I wanted to go with a quick birthday card for a neighbor, so that's the direction I went. You are free to take these colors in any direction that you are led.

This card turned out to be a real scrap buster! Shopping my stash for patterned paper scraps paid off. I easily found patterned scraps in all three colors. 

The inside was lined with a panel of Very Vanilla, stamped with a few flowers as seen on the card front, and decorated with several strips of patterned paper.

I adore my cat, a dark gray and white male with tuxedo markings. His name is Sluggo. He helped me with this card, and I must give credit. Just look closely at the two horizontal strips. He tried to remove them from the card front while I was out of the room. He is so talented!

The Design Team invites you to join our challenge. Guidelines are available at our CD666 Blogas well as an array of cards created by the Team.

Thank you for taking a look at my blog - I appreciate your comments.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp set: Stampin' Up! "Birthday Blossoms"
Ink: Stampin Up! Calypso Coral
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla & Pretty Peacock
Patterned Paper: CTMH Mix-in & "Crisp Air", Colorbok "Bright Splash" & CS "Inspired"
Dies: Paper Rose (stitched rectangles)
Misc.: SBC foam tape


Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Hallelujah Fall-elujah! (TSOT #677)



What an interesting sketch!  Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #677 runs through Sunday, August 31, 2025.  You are free to interpret this sketch using your own imagination. 

 

There is, however, a fun fold design that can be partnered with this sketch. Instructions for this Fan Fold card in the A2 size can be found at Delight of My Art by Deb Joy Smeak. I found the card was not difficult and went on to make a second one with different papers and colors. That card can be found HERE

I noticed that there are several different styles of the card, as seen by the array of cards by the TSOT Design Team. Some of the angles are different, and the size of the triangular elements is different. But the results are all fabulous!

Autumn colors and patterned paper were used in this design. The products are listed below. The small leaf adhered to the sentiment was a die-cut scrap.

If you created a fun-fold Fan card, then you will want to check out two other challenges: Double Trouble #198 "Mix It Up" and Creative Creases #106.

The TSOT Design Team invites you to join in the challenge and share your creativity. Thank you for taking a look.
Melanie

Materials
Stamps: None (sentiment is computer-generated)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Delightful Dijon
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Crisp Air" & Stampin' Up! "Color Me Autumn" (includes the green "washed" paper)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape; Stampin' Up! Blooming Pearls (green)


Monday, August 18, 2025

Dance of the Dragonflies (DTC #198)




Thing 1: Troublemaker has been busy cooking up a challenge in the Double Trouble kitchen with Challenge #198. This biweekly challenge will run through Sunday, August 31, 2025. That's a full two weeks to make this recipe!


3-2-1 Recipe 
Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun
Ingredients
AT LEAST
3 Layers
There are eight layers.

2 Patterns
There are three patterns.

1 Sentiment
A sentiment has been included.

Thing 3:  Twisted Sister 
It's August in Arizona, and Twisted Sister is trying to cope. She said she was thinking she could use a fan to stay cool. Her optional twist for you is to create a Fun-Fan-Fold card. The DTC 198 Blog has guidelines to assist you in creating this Fun-Fan-Fold card.
My Fan-Fold card is on display at the top of this blog post. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Thing 2: For some added fun, Double Dare dares you to create a card for Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #677. The sketch is below. TSOT is a biweekly sketch that will go live on Tuesday, August 19, and will end on Sunday, August 31, 2025. For this challenge, you may also enter your card at Creative Creases #106, an "anything goes" challenge using a fun-fold.
The TSOT #677 sketch was used for the Double Trouble Challenge.



 


To finish my card, the inside of the card was lined with a panel of coordinating patterned paper, followed by a panel of white paper. A few tiny die-cut dragonflies from my stash were added to the inside.

Because this was the first time making this fun-fold, I followed the instructions provided by Deb Joy Smeak at Delight of My Art on YouTube. I reviewed several other YouTube videos, but I preferred hers.

The Double Trouble Design Team invites you to join the challenge using the ingredients and to view their cards at the DTC 198 Blog. Thank you for stopping by!
Melanie


Materials
Stamp: Sizzix Circle Sentiments Set
Ink: Stampin' Up! Emerald Envy
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White; dark teal from stash
Patterned Paper: GCD Studios "Journeys" by Kathy Davis
Dies: Sizzix Circle Sentiments Set & Whimsy (stitched circles)
Misc: SBC Foam Tape
Size: A2
 

Friday, August 8, 2025

Thinking of You (CD #664)



Color Dare Challenge #664 is now open through Thursday,  August 21, 2025. Below is the color board, which is asking you to pick at least two of the blue tones and use them in your project. 

I selected all of them simply by using patterned paper that includes the colors. In addition, white was used for the card base and silver glitter paper provided a matboard. The inside is decorated with a single blue flower to match the card front, leaving sufficient space to write a message.


You are invited to view the Design Team's cards at the Color Dare Blog. Our challenges begin weekly on Friday and last for two weeks, so there is always an active challenge underway.

Thank you for dropping by my blog.
Melanie


Materials
Stamp set: Stampin' Up! "Blossoms in Bloom"
Ink: Stampin' Up Azure Afternoon & Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White and Silver Glimmer
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! DSP "Whale of a Time"
Die: Paper Rose Stitched Rectangles
Misc.: Wow! Silver Metallic EP, prismatic gem stickers


Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Fall - A Second Spring (TSOT #676)






A new sketch is now available at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. This is #676, a biweekly sketch that runs through Sunday, August 17, 2025. The sketch is below.



I think the sketch and my card are simple enough that I do not need to explain the details as to how it was assembled. It's obviously an autumn card - my favorite season. The patterned papers are from a very old collection. The hexagon was die-cut, and all the images were fussy cut. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock, decorated with a fussy-cut image.

Thank you for playing along with us at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. Visit the TSOT676 Blog to review the guidelines. The Design Team cards are also on the challenge blog.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Melanie


Materials
Stamp: none  (sentiment is computer-generated)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand
Patterned Paper: Dare 2B Artzy "Fall Harvest" 
Die: Spellbinders hexagons
Misc.: SBC foam tape, Jolee's adhesive gems (gold metallic)



Monday, August 4, 2025

"MERRY" - Pinecone Spotlight (DTC #197)




How I enjoyed creating my card for this challenge! It's been a few years since I used the Spotlight Technique. (Click here to see it.) There are several styles considered to be spotlight cards, so I just picked the one I preferred. 

This was going to be an Autumn card, but it developed into a Christmas card. I used red and gold glitter cardstock to achieve that. I get too many ideas cooking in my head when I make cards for challenges, and the result is usually quite different than the original vision.

Double Trouble Challenge #197 is live today and will run through Sunday, August 17, 2025. Following is a summary of the challenge titled "You're in the Spotlight," and what I did to play along. 


Trouble Maker is ready to stir up trouble with her 3-2-1 Recipe:

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun
Use AT LEAST

3 - Colors of your choice
My card includes gold foiled paper, gold and red glitter paper, and several shades of green. Neutrals include black, white, and shades of brown.

2 - Layers
There are five layers, excluding the card base.

1 - Spotlight Technique
This technique is included. The pinecone image was colored with Copic markers. The Ruby Red gems were added for color.

Twisted Sister wants to recognize that August is "Happiness Happens" month. Happiness is contagious, so let's promote happiness by using at least one of the following or any combination of birds, butterflies and/or blooms ... it's your choice. (My card was completed, photographed, and posted before I realized that I had overlooked the optional twist.)

Double Dare: Take a look at the Triple B Challenge. It's all about Birds, Butterflies, and Blooms and fits perfectly with our spotlight challenge. The challenge began on Sunday, August 3, 2025, and ends on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 8:00 PM (ET).

The inside of my card was decorated with a small, stamped, colored, and fussy-cut pinecone image and a die-cut bow in red glitter paper.

Thanks for visiting my blog.
Melanie

Materials
Stamps: Colorado Craft Co. "Pinecone Branch" (BB264)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Foiled (gold), Glimmer (gold), and from my stash, pearlescent green and red glitter cardstock
Dies: Whimsy (stitched circle), SBC word die "Merry"
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm); Honey Bee red gems


Friday, July 25, 2025

Live, Love, Sparkle (CD #662)





It's time again for a biweekly challenge from Color Dare. This is Challenge #662 and runs through Thursday, August 7, 2025. The inspiration photo is below. The instructions indicate that White and Gold Metallic must be used plus one additional color of your choice. I selected pink. Additionally, I included black and white, which are 'free-to-add' colors.




You can see my card is made up of nine rectangles. I just cut them to size as I went along, layering the various elements until I achieved what was satisfactory to me. Except for the gold glimmer paper and the card base, all of the remaining papers came from my scrap stash.

After layering the rectangles, I used a cut-apart for the sentiment and added it with foam tape for a little dimension. Seven tiny gold pearls were added to the card front along with a heart stick-on. The finished card front was adhered to a white card base. The inside of the card base was decorated using paper scraps. No sentiment has been added to the inside yet, leaving sufficient space to write a message..

The Color Dare Design Team invites you to visit the Challenge #662 Blog to learn more about our challenges. Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated.
Melanie

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, & Glimmer (gold)
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! Dry Brushed Metallic and KaiserCraft "Sparkle" Collection
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Metallic Pearls (gold),  SBC Foam Tape (2 mm), Cloud 9 Design "Heart Rain Drops"


Tuesday, July 22, 2025

CELEBRATE (TSOT #675)





Try a Sketch on Tuesday is now available on the challenge blog, featuring Sketch #675. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 3, 2025.


Many ideas came to me as I thought about the sketch - flowers were the obvious choice, followed by clouds, which ultimately led me to settle on balloons. Instead of creating a sky background for the balloons, A scrap of patterned paper that resembled a misty sky was used. This sketch is suitable for a few fun fold designs, but instead, I chose to decorate the card front in the standard manner, keeping the fold on the left. Blue glitter paper was trimmed to size and adhered to the patterned paper. 

The balloons were die-cut from metallic paper and stacked with a few layers of cardstock to add dimension.. The next step was to add the balloons, but I had a dilemma. What to do about adding strings to the balloons? After deciding to let the balloons be free-floating, the "strings" were added using a black Micron pen. The sentiment was stamped onto a banner and added to the card front.

The inside was decorated with more free-floating balloons and a bit of the misty sky paper. 

You are invited to visit the TSOT 675 Blog. Original cards designed by our team are on display. We hope they will inspire you to join the challenge.

Thanks for looking!
Melanie


Materials
Cardstock: SU Basic White, Recollections Glitter (blue)
Paper: Reminisce by Ella & Viv "Watercolor Paradise 1", metallic variety from stash
Dies: Paper Rose Studio "Balloon Trio", Spellbinders (sentiment)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm)



Monday, July 21, 2025

Hello Bluebird (AHSC #639)




Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

Today, I am participating in Challenge #639, a weekly challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. This challenge runs through Sunday, July 27, 2025.


Three years ago, I relocated from Phoenix, AZ, to Chattanooga, TN, after my husband, Bob, passed away. I enjoyed our retirement home in Arizona, but family was urging me to come back east since I had no immediate family living nearby. So here I am in Eastern Tennessee, where there are no Roadrunners - my favorite bird in Arizona. There is a large area of forest behind my home, and my bird feeders abound with many birds. My favorite is the Eastern Bluebird, a native of Tennessee, although not the "official" state bird.

I came across a small die set called "Bluebird" while going through a collection of my "Long-Ignored Possibilities" (LIPs? LOL) and thought the images were adaptable for this week's AHSC sketch. I was eager to use the dies since I enjoy Bluebird watching. (There is no matching stamp set.)

Two sets of die-cut images were used in case I needed an extra set of cut flowers & branches to fill the card front and decorate the inside. After coloring the pieces with alcohol markers, I assembled the card, keeping to the sketch as closely as possible. The bird image was added with foam tape, but the remaining elements were adhered directly to the card. 

The inside was decorated with a few scraps of paper and the extra die-cut images. A few shiny pearls were added in keeping with the sketch. If you're looking for quality sketches, AHSC is the place to go.

I also found another fabulous challenge for my card - Triple B. A challenge all about Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies. This monthly challenge closes on July 31, 2025, so be sure to visit their challenge before it's too late!

Melanie


Materials
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Calypso Coral
Patterned Paper: Ella & Viv Paper Co. "Watercolor Paradise 1"
Dies: Cottage Cutz "Bluebird", Jaded Blossom "Scalloped Rectangles", Momenta "Hello"
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm), Honey Bee pearl stickers


Let's Patch Things Up (DTC #196)



Greetings!  It's time for Double Trouble Challenge #196. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 3, 2025. For fun, we're observing "National Thread the Needle Day" on Friday, July 25, 2025.

THING 1: Trouble Maker has given us the requirements to play along with this new 3-2-1 Recipe:

3-2-1 Recipe "Keep Us in Stitches" 
Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun
Ingredients
AT LEAST
3 Layers
There are actually ten layers added to this card base, using three solid colors and three patterned papers.

2 Images - Stamped or Die-Cut
Two die-cut dragonflies were included, plus one on the inside.

1 Stitched Element
I added stitching to four elements on the card front and to one inside of the card. I added the stitching the "old-fashioned" way, with a fine-tipped black marker.

THING 3:  Twisted Sister 
says, "My optional twist is to include a fun pun as your sentiment."
Thankfully, at the moment, I don't need a card to "patch things up" with anyone, but at least I'll have one in my stash. 


THING 2: Double Dare
says, "The TSOT #675 sketch is below if you wish to participate. Their challenge opens on Tuesday, July 22, so be cautious not to unintentionally publish your card before that date."
This sketch was not the inspiration for my card.



A layer of green was adhered to a pastel-colored card base, then a panel of wood-grain paper was added diagonally. Next, I cut a rectangle from the same cardstock used for the card base, layering a panel of green and then a panel of floral paper. Finally, a skinny rectangle was cut from bright pink cardstock to serve as a mat for the gold-striped patterned paper. Once the stitches were completed, the layered rectangles were arranged on the wood-grain with foam tape. This totaled seven layers. The two dragonfly images were also added. 

This card required a sentiment, preferably a pun about stitching or sewing. After running a bunch of words through my head, I arrived at "Let's Patch Things Up..."  I created it on my laptop, then added it to two layers of cardstock, bringing the total layers to ten. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and scraps of patterned paper. Stitching was added, and a die-cut dragonfly was included, leaving space for a personal message. 

Thank you for stopping by. Please visit the Double Trouble Challenge #196 Blog to view the Design Team's creative cards.

Melanie


Materials
Stamp: computer-generated sentiment
Inks: Sakura Archival Ink - black (Micron Pen)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Pool Party, Old Olive & Melon Mambo
Paper: CTMH "Happy Times" & Ink 'n Splatter "Summer Breeze"
Die: Paper Smooches "Silhouette Flowers" (dragonflies)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm & 2 mm), Honey Bee Gems
 




Thursday, July 17, 2025

Thinking of You (AHSC #638)





Since my personal supply of cards is constantly raided by family members, it needed replenishing. Armed with a 6"x6" paper pad and Sketch #638 from the Atlantic Hearts Challenge Blog, I decided to enter this week's challenge. I made six cards using this sketch, but they are all similar, so I picked one for the challenge. (I will need to create more cards, so I am now waiting to see next week's sketch.)

Because the sketch includes a leaf or sprig of some type, a die-cut sprig in turquoise, backed with white, was adhered, and then the sentiment was added with foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock, decorated with coordinating paper and another die-cut sprig.



Visit the AHSC Blog #638 to view their Design Team cards and to take on the card challenge. This weekly challenge closes on Sunday, July 20, 2025, and a new sketch is released every Monday morning.

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Melanie 

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Botanical Layers" (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Tempting Turquoise
Patterned Paper: GCD Studios - "Journeys" by Kathy Davis
Dies: Kokorosa (sprigs), Hero Arts Infinity (circles)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm)






Friday, July 11, 2025

Celebrate - It's Your Day! (CD #660)




It's time for another Color Dare Challenge! The colors on the board are so bright and bold. This is biweekly Challenge #660, running through Thursday, July 24, 2025.


These pretty colors were pointing me in the direction of flowers, lots of flowers, and as I explored my paper stash, I wanted something more contemporary yet still fun. So, after cutting a few strips of cardstock and adhering them to a small black panel, I found them to be satisfactory for a modern card.

I grew up in a family of aviators. As I laid this out, it reminded me of an aviation chart—a very simple one, so I turned it into a scrap-busting interpretation of an aerial view of an airport. 

Attaching the white panel to a black card base, I elected to leave it without texture, preferring the contrast of the bright white. After adding a few strips directly to the white background, the rectangle of strips was adhered using foam tape. A few shiny black gems were added, and the sentiment was stamped directly onto the card front.

The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white, decorated with a few strips and stamped, "Today is YOUR Day!" One member of my family fits the "nerd" description, so it will go to him.

Because I was experiencing difficulty with computer access, I was frustrated and did not realize I had forgotten to adhere the little silhouette images of aircraft until after the card was posted.

The Design Team invites you to participate in this color challenge HERE.  

Melanie


Materials
Stamps: MFT "Many Thoughts"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral
Patterned Paper: SBC Merry Patterns Collection
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape, Honey Bee gems




Monday, July 7, 2025

DTC #195 Inky Pinkies Monday, July 7


Double Trouble has some challenging fun lined up for you! 

Biweekly Challenge #195 is up on the blog through Sunday, July 20, 2025.

THING 1: Trouble Maker has given us the requirements to play along with this 3-2-1 Recipe:

Inky Pinkies Challenge #195
Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun
Ingredients:
AT LEAST
    Colors of your choice
Pink, yellow, and aqua, with gray and white, were chosen.

    Images - Must be hand-stamped 
One floral and one leaf image were stamped and adhered to the card front. The inside was stamped with a coordinating bundle of flowers.
 
    1 Sentiment 
One sentiment has been added.

THING 3:  Twisted Sister 
says, "How about shine, shimmer or metallics? My optional twist is to include foil, splatter, metallic ink or metallic embossing powder.
The card was decorated with gems for a bit of sparkle.


THING 2: Double Dare
says, "The TSOT #674 sketch is below if you wish to participate. Their challenge opens on Tuesday, July 8, so be cautious not to unintentionally publish your card before that date. 
This sketch was not used for my card.


Every time I create a card, I reduce my paper stash, but it isn't getting any smaller. There is still enough paper in my card room to last a very long time!

Choosing three patterned papers from a 6 x 6 pad gave me the three required colors. I chose pink, yellow, and aqua. I also added gray and white. An old sketch provided the design layout.

The process is self-explanatory, especially if you're a card maker; however, here is information about the circles. The two circles were created by using two sets of nesting dies. Ages ago, I purchased a set of double-stitched circle dies. I discovered that they only pierced the stitches into the paper, but did not cut any circular shapes, which were known as 'Just Stitching' dies. I paired them with nesting dies to create the circles for this card.

You are invited to join Double Trouble Challenge #195. There is nothing complex about the requirements or options, and you could win a great prize in our random drawings. Please add a comment if you choose. It makes my heart happy!
Thank you for taking a look.
Melanie


Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Peaceful Petals"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Gray
Patterned paper: Ink 'n Splatter "Summer Breeze"
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Lawn Fawn #2066 "Just Stitching Double Circles"
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm); Honey Bee Gems

Friday, June 27, 2025

Thinking of You (CD 658)




This was an interesting color challenge! Check out Color Dare Challenge #658. The color board is below. 


I selected the colors pink and green to go with two shades of gray. My neutral choice was white. I don't usually make square cards, even with square dies, but the symmetrical design worked out well. The front was matted with white and then adhered to a light gray card base. The sentiment was die-cut three times and stacked before being added. The inside was decorated with scraps from the card front.

The Design Team invites you to visit the Color Dare #658 Blog for guidelines and to view their lovely cards. This biweekly challenge ends on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Thanks!
Melanie

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Petal Pink & Just Jade
Dies: A Pocket Full of Happiness "Swirl Background" & Sizzix "Thinking of You" #661578


Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Lovely (TSOT #673)





Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #673 is open! This biweekly challenge will run through Sunday, July 6, 2025. Although a fun fold is not required, this design lends itself well to a gatefold card. In fact, you could use this sketch as inspiration for Double Trouble Challenge #194so check out their guidelines and play along.


I kept the making of my card quite simple. Into a white card base, I added a full panel of foiled gold cardstock as a mat, then added the two strips of foiled specialty paper I found in my stash. 

The gold flowers, acquired from 'who-knows-where', were adhered staggered down the front of the card. Five gems were added - three in the flower centers and two randomly placed. The sketch requires a sentiment, so "lovely" was stamped using Stazon ink on a small die-cut gold oval and adhered with foam tape.

The inside of the card was decorated with the same papers used on the card front, along with a companion sentiment, "Thank you for your kindness."

Thank you for taking a look.
Melanie

Materials
Stamps: Pink Fresh Studio "Just a Little Lovely" 
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White and Foiled Gold
Paper: Stampin' Up! Specialty Foil (name unknown)
Die: Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm); gems from stash; gold metallic flowers from stash

Monday, June 23, 2025

Celebrate... the best day ever! (DTC #194 )




I love Independence Day in the USA! As Americans, we should remember it's more than just the date, "Fourth of July." Descended from immigrants and raised in a military family, it's pure and simple for me—I love my country and am proud to be an American. We aren't perfect, but we are blessed.

So Thing 1 has given us the following recipe for Double Trouble Challenge #194. This biweekly challenge, "Summer Fun Fold", runs through Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Summer Fun Fold Challenge #194
Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun
Ingredients:
     3  Red, White + One Other Color
I used blue as my additional color and substituted vintage ivory paper for white. I also used silver holographic paper for the optional twist.
     2  Shapes 
Shapes depicting stars and an oval were used.
     1  Fun Fold
This is "Interlocking Gatefold". The card "locks" when the red oval is inserted into the blue oval frame. This card will stand up for display. 

View while slightly open.

THING 3:
  Twisted Sister 
says, "My optional twist is for you to add fireworks, glitter, or sparkle to your project..."
Silver die-cut elements and sparkly rhinestones were added.

THING 2: Double Dare
says, the TSOT #673 sketch is below if you wish to participate. Their challenge opens on Tuesday, June 24, so use caution that you don't unintentionally publish your card before that date. Although the three elements are aligned differently, this sketch inspired me to make an 'interlocking gatefold' card.

The card was decorated inside by lining the blue card base with a white panel and stamping a companion sentiment. Additionally, two cut-aparts were added and a few small stars. 

We also have an Alternate Challenge. 
Creative Creases "Anything Goes Fun Fold" is a monthly challenge starting on the 1st Friday of each month and ending the Thursday before their next challenge begins. Use the links below according to your post date for your Fun Fold entry:
     June 23 - July 3rd - Click HERE for June Challenge #104 
     July 4th -  July 6th - Click HERE for July Challenge #105 

Please join our challenge at the DTC194 Blog, and check out TSOT673  and Creative Creases 104/105

Thank you for looking. I appreciate your comments. Thinking about Independence Day, I have included a personal photo below that I enjoy. 

My Dad's Aircraft (B-52) 

Now celebrate your country's specialness!

Melanie

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Birthday Blossoms" (sentiments)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Real Red & Night of Navy
Patterned Paper: Authentique Collection "Glory"; SBC Holographic
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape, gems from stash