Happy Holidays (TSOT #685)

Happy Holidays to you! Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #685 is now open through Sunday, December 21, 2025, at noon. This biweekly challenge is simple. Just show us your interpretation of the sketch, and it can be for any occasion. 

Having a large supply of "cut-aparts" from previous years, I decided to use two of them along with patterned paper from my scrap stash. Because of the size of these cut-aparts, I used an A7 size to keep the image's scale appropriate.

Because the card base is black, the inside of the card was lined with a white cardstock panel, decorated with coordinating paper. The second cut-apart was adhered with a phrase from a traditional carol, "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to all."

The Design Team at TSOT welcomes you to this challenge. Their inspirational cards are on display at the TSOT Blog.

Double Trouble Challenge #206 is also open. If you use the TSOT sketch above and enter your work at Double Trouble, you will earn a chance in the random drawing.

Thank you for stopping by.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Basic Black

Patterned Paper: Honey Bee "Pinstripes & Polka Dots" & "Holiday Wishes", Carta Bella "A Wonderful Christmas"

Ephemera (two cut-aparts): Echo Park "The Magic of Christmas"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm); SU "Real Red" 1/4 inch Sheer Ribbon; Honey Bee Gem Stickers

Size: A7  (5" x 7")

Merry Christmas (DTC #206)

It's time for another 3-2-1 Recipe at Double Trouble Challenge #206. This biweekly challenge began on Monday, December 8, 2025, and will end on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

There will not be a new challenge beginning on December 22, 2025. Our next challenge will begin on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Because this is the third challenge of the month, we are enjoying a Some Thing, Any Thing, Every Thing theme, meaning it's Anything Goes. I chose to use:

AT LEAST

3  -  Layers (I have six.)

2  -  Patterns (There are three.) 

1  -  Sentiment ("Merry Christmas")

Twisted Sister is asking for a ribbon, bow, string, twine, etc. A 1/4 inch silver ribbon was selected. In addition, Double Dare is reminding us to use the sketch provided by Try a Sketch on Tuesday #685. The card represents my interpretation of that sketch (below).

We hope to see your project in Challenge #206. The Design Team has provided an array of cards to inspire you.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: SU "Curvy Christmas" (sentiments)

Ink: SU Just Jade

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Just Jade, & Petal Pink

Patterned Paper: Ink n' Splatter "Whispers of Winter"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm), Spellbinders Gems, Offray Silver Metallic Ribbon

Sparkling Snowmen (TSOT #684)

It's that time again! Time to try a sketch on Tuesday! This is biweekly Challenge #684, ending on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at noon ET. This sketch has unlimited possibilities so we hope you'll join in the fun. 

This sketch helped me complete my last few holiday cards. For the challenge, I used pink and green colors from the patterned paper and added sparkle with the holographic paper and snowflakes. I omitted a sentiment but added a banner from the ephemera saying, "Winterland Magic." There is sufficient space remaining to include a personal message.

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Warm and Cozy (DTC #205)

Let's play along with Double Trouble #205! The guidelines can be found at their challenge blog. This biweekly challenge runs from Monday, November 24, 2025, through Sunday, December 7, 2025, at noon ET.

Thing 1: Trouble Maker has the requirements within her 3-2-1 Recipe. She is requesting the following elements for "Tie One On Day."

AT  LEAST

3  -  Colors 

2  -  Layers (excluding the card base)

1  -  Image

Thing 3: Twisted Sister is keeping her twist simple. Just add a bit of cord, string, jute, twine, etc. This will give you another chance in our random drawing.

Thing 2: Double Dare has a fabulous sketch for inspiration. This is from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch on Tuesday #684, which runs from Tuesday, November 25, 2025, through Sunday, December 7, 2025, at noon ET. You will be awarded additional chances in our random drawing as well if you play along.

In summary, my card includes:

Thing 1 (required)

Four colors consisting of brown, blue, charcoal, and white.

Five layers, excluding the base card.

One image of a snow globe with a snowman and sentiment included.

Thing 3 (optional)

A bit of jute cording is attached to the tag.

Thing 2 (optional)

The sketch was not used as a guide for this challenge.

FYI: In addition to a stamped sentiment, the inside was decorated with coordinating patterned paper.

Be sure to visit the Double Trouble Blog #205 for all the challenge details and the Design Team's projects.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Unb 'Winter Wishes' (sentiment inside of card)

Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Gray & Boho Blue (inside)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Boho Blue

Patterned Paper & Ephemera: Echo Park "The Magic of Winter" Collection

Dies: Whimsy Stitched Circles

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm), Jolee's Boutique (snowflakes), Jute Cord

Thunia Orchids Mini-Slimline (DTC #204)

Double Trouble Challenge #204 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, November 23, 2025, closing at noon. For guidelines and details about this challenge, visit the challenge blog by clicking HERE.

The required elements for this challenge are included in a traditional "3-2-1 Recipe." For this challenge, AT LEAST three colors were needed, so I used tones of peacock, purple, and ivory, plus silver metallic. 

For the second element, AT LEAST two images were to be included. I stamped the orchid image and colored it with Copics, followed by fussy-cutting it. A punched butterfly was created for my second image.

The final requirement was to style the card as a Slimline or Mini-Slimline. I selected the latter.

This challenge also has two options. 

Option 1: Include an image that begins with the letter "T". I selected a Thunia orchid. My grandfather raised orchids in his greenhouse and specialized in Thunias.

Option 2: Use the sketch below from Try a Sketch on Tuesday #683 as inspiration for your card design and enter it into their challenge on Tuesday, November 11, or after. The background on the sketch influenced my card for Double Trouble, but I did not follow the specific sketch.

Be sure to visit the Double Trouble Blog to view the cards by the Design Team. We look forward to seeing your designs.

Melanie 

Materials

Stamp: SU "Backyard Basics" #129258 (orchids) & Paradise Palms #157716 (sentiment)

Ink: SU Gorgeous Grape, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Pretty Peacock, Pale Plum, Silver Metallic

Patterned Paper: Lil' Inker "Dip-dyed Ombre" 

Die: CAS-ual Fridays Fancy Frames

Punches: Martha Stewart Arch Lattice, SU Itty Bitty Butterfly

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm), rhinestones 

Size: Mini-slimline  (3" x 6")

Happy Birthday - Masculine (CD #676)

Creating a card for a color challenge can be daunting. The color board for Color Dare #676 was no different. 

But I adjusted my attitude and went to work. Orange is a common color for fall, so I went through my stash of fall papers. I selected a plaid paper with three shades of orange, along with off-white and purple. I thought the color green was an appropriate color as well. So, there were my two colors, purple and green, not counting neutrals.

I have a sketch book from ages ago, when I first discovered using sketches for inspiration. This card was inspired by one of those early sketches. Because my card is not difficult to construct and no special techniques were used, I am not including information on its creation or the decoration on the inside.

The Design Team at Color Dare invites you to join our challenge. You can view our cards and the guidelines HERE. This challenge is biweekly and ends on Thursday, November 13, 2025. We look forward to seeing your projects.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie

Ink on leaf: Stampin' Up! Baked Brown Sugar & Pumpkin Pie

Patterned Paper: CS "Abundance", scraps from stash

Sentiment and Ephemera: CS "Abundance"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm & 2 mm); Stampin' Up! Enamel Dots; Jute Cord

 

Congratulations! (DTC #203)

Welcome to Stitches and Smudges! My card was created for Double Trouble's Challenge #203. This biweekly challenge is open through noon on Sunday, November 9, 2025. As is customary, below is the 3-2-1 Recipe designed for this challenge, called "Round and Round" in observance of "Look for Circles Day," which occurs on Sunday, November 2nd.

Trouble Maker has made herself dizzy looking round and round for circles after being told about this observance. It's supposed to be a family fun day celebrated outside, but we convinced her to come inside, calm down, and look for circles in her stash.

Let's get around to Thing 1's requirement by creating a project using all the ingredients from our 3-2-1 Recipe below.

3-2-1 Recipe "Round and Round" 

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

AT LEAST

3 Circles

There are three die-cut circles.

2 Images

The two images are ephemera of a Tern and the fussy-cut Turret shell.

1 Ribbon, Twine or Cord, etc.

Silk cording was added behind the ephemera.

 

Twisted Sister said she was in a spin looking for circles, and she wanted to see at least one bird on the card. This is optional, but if you include a bird, you will earn an extra chance in our random drawing.

Optional: The ephemera includes a photo of a Tern.

As for Double Dare's optional dare, she has offered the sketch above in Try a Sketch on Tuesday #682. Be sure to review the guidelines at the Double Trouble #203 Blog. 

Optional: I did not use this sketch.

Please note that TSOT begins Tuesday, Oct 28th, so this sneak peek gives you the day before to create; but remember... to prevent backlinking, your project should not be posted, published, or entered before Oct 28th, in Try a Sketch On Tuesday HERE."  

The Design Team has posted their cards on the Double Trouble #203 Blog to offer you ideas and inspiration for joining the challenge.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, SBC Holographic Collection (silver), CS Lime Green, and my stash 

Ephemera: CS - cut-apart and a fussy-cut shell image from my stash.

Embossing Folder: Darice - very old

Die: Whimsy Stitched Circles

SBC Foam Tape (1 mm & 2 mm)

Celebrating Your Day (CD #674)

Color Dare Challenge #674 features unlikely colors for the Autumn season, but they work well for a feminine or baby card. My sister-in-law has a birthday in a few weeks, so this card is for her. I remained perplexed, but then I saw a YouTube video HERE by Natalie Bowers on CAS cards, which inspired me to get started.

Here is the color board:

After masking a few areas on cardstock with hand-torn mint tape, the open spaces were colored by blending the three ink colors. The tape was removed, and a few images were stamped in black ink on the card front. The sentiment was stamped, matted on black cardstock, and fussy-cut before being added to the card with foam tape. The card was then matted in black cardstock and adhered to a pink card base. 

The inside was lined with a white panel, decorated with a tiny stamped bird colored with Copics, and a few scattered dots from the same stamp set used for the sentiment. I resisted the urge to use anything in silver metallic, although I liked the idea. 

The Design Team has provided beautifully created cards. They can be viewed at the Color Dare #674 Blog. Those cards may inspire you to share your talent with us.

Thank you for paying a visit. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! #129258 "Backyard Basics" and #153289 "Gorgeous Posies" (sentiment)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Boho Blue, Flirty Flamingo (pink), and Fresh Freesia (lavender)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, & Flirty Flamingo

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm)

Size: A2

Techniques: Masking, Ink Blending, Fussy- cutting

IT'S A PUMPKIN FEST! (DTC #202)

We're celebrating Autumn at Double Trouble Challenge #202. This is a biweekly challenge that runs through Sunday, October 26, 2025. Our recurring theme is to use our 3-2-1 Recipe.

Trouble Maker is all about seasonal colors, including Halloween, so this is your chance to enhance your card with ghost images, or pretty patterns and festive colors. My card was very bright, so I toned it down by layering a scrap of vellum over the stenciled pumpkins..

Shades of Fall

Servings -  Unlimited portions of fun.

Ingredients

AT LEAST

3 Colors in shades of fall

There are five colors.

2 Images

The two required images are the die-cut leaves.

1 Stenciled or dry-embossed element

The background features stenciled pumpkins.

For the optional twist, Twisted Sister has her sights set on including any seasonal fruit(s) and vegetable(s) in your design. Just a hint... she loves pumpkins and gourds, so no worries if you don't have a stamp or die for other foods. 

The background features pumpkins.

Hmmm... I wonder... Where would you find a stamp or die of a rutabaga?

As for Double Dare's optional dare, she has offered up the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #681. Be sure to review the guidelines on the Double Trouble #202 Blog.  Optional: I did not use this sketch.

There is also an alternate choice from Double Dare, which is to play along at the Pearly Sparkles Challenge #112. This challenge is open from Wednesday, October 1, through Friday, October 31, 2025. Optional: My card has been entered into the following challenges.

In addition, I have added this card to Challenge #78 at Inspiration Station.

And also to Challenge #628 at Cupcake Inspirations.

And just for fun, I included the October Neglected Stuff Challenge because I have used discontinued ink and cardstock from 2011, called Peach Parfait, as a substitute for Pumpkin Pie.

The Design Team invites you to share your talent by considering these challenges. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Inks: Stampin' Up! Boho Blue, Flirty Flamingo, Lost Lagoon, Peach Parfait, & Pecan Pie

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait, Vellum

Dies: Echo Park "Thankful Leaf Trio" & Kokorosa "Pumpkins" (a cover-all die used as a stencil)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm)

Size: A2

You Made My Day! (CD #672)

Color Dare #672 is the perfect place to share your talents. You are challenged to use the color board below. This color combination is classic, offering numerous possibilities. I was wishing there was one more color—perhaps something bright, like red, orange, or green. The absence of an additional color meant I had to work with neutrals or metallics. I shopped my stash and found patterned paper to fit the challenge. The layout is just an old sketch from my scratch pad. I also was intending to go with a masculine card, but I think it is gender-neutral.

Simple to make, the matted horizontal panel was adhered to the Kraft-type cardstock, and the matted vertical panel was added on top using foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and die-cut, then added to the card. Finally, a few gem stickers were added to spread the blue color around the card. The inside was decorated with coordinating patterned paper.

Please give Color Dare #672 a try! This biweekly challenge is open through Thursday, October 16, 2025. 

Melanie

Materials

Stamp set: Stampin' Up! #133485 "Best of Greetings"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla and Baked Brown Sugar

Patterned Paper: Scraps from my stash

Die: Sizzix Framelits #658838

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm) & Honey Bee gem stickers

Unique Design (TSOT #680)

Try a Sketch in Tuesday Challenge #680 is now available on the blog, featuring a new sketch challenge. This biweekly challenge is open through Sunday, October 12, 2025, at noon Eastern.

As usual, you are free to interpret the sketch with your own creative ideas.

When I needed a thank-you card for someone I didn't know well, I shopped my stash for coordinating paper, seeking a modern vibe. I found this collection of patterned papers.

Using the sketch as a guide, the card was assembled, with the front decorated by a die-cut butterfly from silver metallic cardstock. The inside was decorated with a bit of patterned paper and another silver butterfly, leaving sufficient space for a handwritten note. Additionally, I made this an A6-size card, allowing me to work with a bit more length.

Visit the TSOT Blog for guidelines and to view the Design Team's cards. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant, & Metallic (silver)

Patterned Paper: three designs from my stash

Dies: Kokorosa Butterfly Quartet

Misc.: Honey Bee gem stickers

Size: A6   4.5" x 6.25"

Something, Anything, Everything for the Holidays (DTC #201)

Welcome to my blog. Today's card was made for Double Trouble Challenge #201. This is a biweekly challenge that runs through Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Because this is the third Monday of the month, Trouble Maker has tweaked the rules just for fun. To participate in the challenge and to be eligible for a chance to win a prize in the random drawing, you must follow the 3-2-1 recipe:

**AT LEAST**

3 of SomeThing from your stash.

Three patterned papers were included.   

     2 of AnyThing from your stash.

Two layers excluding the card base were used.

     1 of Everything else from your stash. 

There are five gold metallic "gems".

Earn additional chances in the random drawing by playing along with Twisted Sister and Double Dare. They are in agreement that if you follow the sketch below, you will increase your chances of winning the drawing. Be sure to review the guidelines.

The TSOT Challenge begins on Tuesday, September 30, so this sneak peek gives you a day to prepare. However, remember to prevent backlinking, your project should not be posted, published, or entered before September 30th at Try a Sketch On Tuesday #680.  

Enjoy the challenges!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Patterned Paper & Ephemera: Carta Bella "Letters to Santa"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm); Honey Bee "gems"

Thank You (CD #670)

If you have never tried a color challenge, you're missing out on some fun. This is Color Dare Challenge #670, a biweekly challenge that runs through Thursday evening, October 2, 2025. Can you believe that's the last quarter of the year? Crazy.

What's also crazy is the color board for this challenge. I was expecting fall or holiday colors, but my brain interpreted this as spring or summer colors. That's what makes color challenges unique - you never know what the next color board will bring. I selected green, blue, and yellow, with white as my only neutral.

My design was inspired by an old sketch. I recently saw it made into a card again and recognized it as one I had used to create a large quantity in a hurry quite some time ago.

After shopping my paper stash, the elements were punched, stamped, die-cut, and colored, then added to a white card base. The sentiment oval and flowers were added using foam tape, and a few yellow dots were included.

The inside was decorated with a few smaller floral triangles and one large flower. 

Please drop by the Color Dare Blog #670 to see the projects created by the Design Team. Thank you for visiting.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Sizzix Oval Stamps (#663510)

Ink: Stampin' Up! Misty Moonlight (sentiment) & Lemon Lolly

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Basic White

Patterned Paper: Flonz "Colorful Days" & Memory Place "Time to Celebrate"

Die: Sizzix Layered Ovals (#663510)

Punch: Stampin' Up! Large Blossom Builder

Misc.:  SBC Foam Tape (1 and 2 mm); Sparkle Dot Stickers

Beyond Awesome (TSOT #679)

A new sketch is now available at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. This is #679, a biweekly sketch that runs through Sunday, September 28, 2025. The sketch is below.

The sketch and my card are simple enough that I don't need to explain the details of how things were cut and assembled. This challenge is all about doodling. In my way of thinking, doodling is all about creating something with paper and pencil/pen. It is being done to pass the time with no specific result in mind. 

That's the direction I took, thinking that this card would be much appreciated by a few "nerds" in my family.

I started drawing a simple flower, then another, and suddenly a leaf sprouted from the upper left corner because I needed to leave room for the sentiment. After filling a few open spaces with a few Zentangling designs, I lightly colored the images with alcohol markers.

The sentiment was stamped, the inside was decorated with tiny doodled and colored flowers, and a strip of coordinating pattern paper.

Thank you for playing along with us at Try a Sketch on Tuesday. Visit the TSOT679 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 set: CTMH "Beyond Awesome" (sentiment)

Ink: Stampin' Up! Boho Blue, Micron Archival Ink Pen (Black), Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Patterned Paper: Ink 'n Splatter "Whispers of Winter"

Oodles of Doodles (DTC #200)

Put on your creative cap and take a look at the Double Trouble Challenge Blog! This is Challenge #200.

Thing 1: Trouble Maker was placed on hold while trying to make an important phone call. So what did she do? She couldn't do anything about the phone call, but as she waited, she started doodling. With National Doodle Day on Friday, September 26, she knew this was an inspiration for the challenge.

If I do any "art" with a brush, pen, or pencil, it usually isn't something I want to share on a card. About ten years ago, our little craft group was gathered, and one of the members demonstrated doodling using Zentangling. (This method is copyright-protected.) For my project, I drew inspiration from the designs we developed during the demonstration.

Use your imagination and see the results when you doodle.

3-2-1 Recipe

"Oodles of Doodles" 

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients

AT LEAST

2 Layers

There are four layers, including the card base.

2 Images

There are more than two images: the stamped, fussy-cut flower and several hand-drawn leaves and tangling designs.

1 Sentiment

A handwritten sentiment has been added.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister says she is feeling "punchy" from her hard work and would like you to play along with her optional twist. Her suggestion is to add a "punch" of color - something bold or bright. 

A bright magenta color was chosen for the flower and a layering mat.

Thing 2:  Double Dare has provided a sneak peek of our sketch from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch On Tuesday #679.  My optional dare is to combine this sketch with our Double Trouble 3-2-1 recipe, 'Oodles of Doodles'. If you do, you will be awarded TWO additional chances in our random drawing.

While I followed the Oodles of Doodles theme, 

I did not use the sketch for Double Trouble.

Please note that TSOT starts on Tuesday, September 16th, so this sneak peek gives you the day before to create. However, to prevent backlinking, your project should not be posted, published, or entered before September 16th at Try a Sketch On Tuesday.

To finish the card, I decorated the inside with another, but smaller, magenta flower. Both flowers were stamped, fussy-cut images I found in my "extras" bin. The style looked like doodling. I colored them with Copic markers and put them to use.

Thank you for visiting.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Floral Bouquet" 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Micron Archival Ink Pen (Black), Copic Alcohol Markers

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

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm.)

Have a Bee-autiful Birthday! (CD #668)

09/15/2025 Update: This card was chosen as a Weekly Favorite at Splitcoast Stampers.

It's time for another color challenge! This one is Color Dare #668, and the color board is below. Please note that only red and yellow colors may be used; however, you may enhance your card with neutrals. Additionally, gold metallic may be included. 

Inspiration came from a sketch by Sheetload of Cards that I saw on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL5MyyUBUqI)

My original thought was to create an Autumn card using red and yellow leaves, so I went stash-shopping. Rather than leaves, finding paper with tiny bees buzzing around and pairing it with bright yellow gingham paper caught my eye. A red card base, along with a red focal point, was chosen. A honeycomb die cut was adhered to the card to emphasize the bee theme. Die-cut hexagons with a stamped, colored, fussy-cut bee in the center were added. 

A few of the hexagon scraps from the honeycomb die were also added. The inside was lined with a white panel and decorated with a few tiny stamped bees and scraps of hexagons. I elected not to include a sentiment on the card front, but stamped one on the inside. 

This challenge runs through Thursday, September 18, 2025, giving you a full two weeks to complete your entry. The design team invites you to visit the Color Dare Blog, where you will find an array of projects to inspire you and guidelines for participating.

Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to leave a comment.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Backyard Basics" (bee) & Dare 2b Artzy (inside sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Real Red

Patterned Paper: Sunny Studios (gingham) & scraps from my stash

Dies: Spellbinders (hexagons) & Kokorosa (honeycomb)

Misc.: SBC foam tape (1 mm)

Welcome to Happy Bear Camp! (DTC #199)

Double Trouble Challenge #199 is open for your cardmaking fun.

Thing 1: Troublemaker has been experiencing a sugar rush in the Double Trouble kitchen with Challenge #199.  She decided to celebrate National Cream-filled Donut Day and cannot stop eating donuts! This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, September 14, 2025. That's a full two weeks to overeat donuts and make this recipe! 

I am not much of a fan of store-bought donuts. My grandmother and mother made "fry cakes." They were significantly better than the overly sweet donuts in the stores. Nowadays, fry cakes are commonly referred to as cake-style donuts and are available in the grocery store, but gone is the crispy exterior.

Use your imagination and see what you can cook up:

3-2-1 Recipe

"Sweet Surprise" 

Servings - Unlimited Portions of Fun

Ingredients

AT LEAST

3 Layers

There are four layers.

2 Images

There are two ephemera images - 

the bear in the canoe and the paddles.

1 Aperture

There is a die-cut oval aperture.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister is suggesting that you fill your aperture as if it were a cream-filled donut: 1. Fill your aperture with at least one image, AND/OR shake it up a bit by 2. Making a shaker and filling it with your favorite shaker bits.

I elected to use one of my required images to fill the aperture.

The inside of the card is decorated with ephemera, including a Happy Birthday banner and a few festive gift packages. Here is a close-up of the image in the aperture. My card features Photoplay's Happy Bear paddling his canoe at summer camp. The name of the camp is Happy Bear Camp, of course. My grand-nephew has a birthday soon, so this is for him. He loves camping, hiking, and fishing with his younger brother. 

THING 2:  Double Dare says, you are invited to a sneak peek at the sketch from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch On Tuesday #678. Combine this sketch with our 'Sweet Surprise' challenge, and you will be awarded TWO additional chances in our random drawing. 

My card was inspired by the sketch, but it's a loose interpretation. 

Please note that TSOT starts on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, so this sneak peek gives you the day before to create. However, to prevent backlinking, your project should not be posted, published, or entered before September 2, 2025, at Try a Sketch On Tuesday.

Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Garden Green, Barely Banana

Patterned Paper & Ephemera: Photoplay "Birthday Bash"

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)