Cone Flowers for You (CD #656)

Color Dare Challenge #656 is up on the challenge blog, and I loved the color trio. It hinted at the autumn season but I did not go in that direction. I have been sorting some items in my card room and wondering, "How many floral stamps and dies does one card maker need?" 

When I rediscovered this Cone Flower die set, I decided to use it. I used the closest color matches from my stash. My photography never portrays the colors well. I have been working on reducing the paper volume and was glad I had the cardstock. In addition, I added black and white, which are "free" to add. Here is the color board:

After die-cutting the elements, I added the white petals to the pink so they would stand out against the black background. I also intended to add texture by embossing the black panel but forgot about it until my card was fully assembled. The butterfly was adhered, then the sentiment was stamped and added with foam tape. 

A few "peachy" colored pearls were added to coordinate with the flower centers. The inside was lined with a white cardstock panel and decorated with another cone flower and a smaller butterfly.

I invite you to visit the Color Dare #656 Blog and view the fabulous cards on display by the Design Team. This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Thank you for visiting.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Altenew "Extra Special" (sentiment)

Ink: Stampin' Up! Pretty Peacock

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty Peacock, Melon Mambo & Pumpkin Pie

Dies: UNB "Flutter-by" & "Cone Flower Garden"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm), Honey Bee Pearl Stickers

Have an Epic Birthday, Dude (TSOT #672)

 

There is a new sketch waiting for you at Try a Sketch on Tuesday #672. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Because the sketch includes a plaid design, it inspired me to create a masculine card. Father's Day is less than a week away, but I really needed a birthday card for my nephew.

      

Following a sketch almost always requires a few tweaks so the card fits my interpretation and preferences. I added the balloon in place of the top panel and included two sentiments on the front.

In my continued quest to reduce my paper stash, I have a folder of Photoplay paper scraps from two different collections that I combined for this project.

I found that this sketch worked perfectly for Double Trouble Challenge #193, so check out their guidelines and play along.

Be sure to stop by the TSOT #672 Blog to view the cards created by the Design Team. This may inspire you to play along! Thanks for looking.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Hello Honey

Patterned Paper: Photoplay "Birthday Bash" & "Explore" Collections

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (1 mm)

You're So Special to All of Us (DTC #193)

Father's Day - USA falls on Sunday, June 15, 2025. I usually use the occasion to show appreciation to one of my brothers, David, who has two sons, Dave and Dan. My nephews are grown adults, but they still enjoy getting together with their dad for a day of fishing. Later, they can guzzle Mountain Dew soda pop while cooking those fish for supper with grits, fried okra, and hushpuppies.

Our biweekly Double Trouble Challenge #193 is a chance to recognize a special guy in your life - father, son, brother, nephew, etc. We encourage you to create a card or project with us and let him know he is appreciated. Your project doesn't have to be for Father's Day... any occasion for your favorite guy is acceptable. 

Here's what I did to stir up some trouble in Double Trouble's Kitchen for Trouble Maker: 

                          

3-2-1- Recipe for "My Guy"  

Ingredients:  

AT LEAST

   3  Layers - Do not count the card base. 

I have five layers - count 'em!

   2  Different patterned papers

There are three different patterns. 

   1  Kraft or color similar to Kraft.

My card base and sentiment are both Kraft-type.

Twisted Sister hopes you will use an element representing how your guy enjoys spending time. Be sure to mention it in your post. See my introduction to read about "My Guy".

Double Dare has a great sketch from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch on Tuesday #672, shown below. I tilted the sketch on its side and used it for my fishing theme. If you use the sketch, you will be awarded an extra chance in our random drawing.

Original sketch:                     Tilted Sketch:

   

Here's a second glimpse of my card:

Join us for card-making and paper-crafting fun at the DTC #193 Blog, where our Design Team has created their own cards for you to see. 

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you'll leave a comment!

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Paper Smooches "Baby Birds" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

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

Patterned Paper: CTMH, Stampin' Up!, and Photoplay scraps from my stash

Die: Hero Arts Infinity (circle)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (2 mm)

Size: A7 (5" x 7")