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

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 #194, so 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

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

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")