Large Flowers (CD #714)

There is a new biweekly challenge at Color Dare! This is Challenge #714, and you have until Thursday, August 6, 2026 to enter your card. The colors are pretty for any season, as shown on the color board below. Only two of the colors are required, but I used all three, plus white. I also added a few gold metallic gems.

The large flowers were fussy-cut from patterned paper and adhered to a white panel using thin foam tape to lift a few areas to create dimension. Two frames in green tones were cut to create mats, with thin foam tape used to lift one slightly more than the other, again to create dimension. To finish the card, three gold metallic gems were added.

I elected to omit a sentiment since this card can be used for several occasions and will go into my personal stash.

Visit the Color Dare Blog #714 for guidelines and a wonderful assortment of projects created by our Design Team.

Thank you for stopping by, and please leave a comment.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White

Patterned Paper: Clusters of Flowers (R2427); GCD Studios - Kathy Davis Journey (outer frame); scrap from stash (inner mat)

Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear); SBC Foam Tape; Metallic gems from stash

Size: A2

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Christmas Wishes (TSOT #700)

It's time for the second round of Christmas in July at Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #700. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon Eastern Time. There is a choice with the sketch... You are free to choose the sketch for either Challenge #699 or #700. Because I used #700 for the last challenge, I went with #699.

In order to adapt the pre-determined placement of the deer on the patterned paper, I created this card using an A6 layout. The other side of the deer print paper has the black-and-red check, so it seems like a good choice. Using a white card base, a panel of black cardstock, followed by a panel of gold Holographic paper, was adhered. Then the patterned paper was added and trimmed up with gold paper strips. A pre-printed sentiment in gold lettering along with a strip of gold paper was popped up with foam tape to complete the look.

The inside of the card was decorated with scraps of coordinating paper and a few small gold snowflakes from my stash.

Be sure to visit the TSOT 700 Blog for guidelines and play along at our challenge. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: SU Peaceful Prints, SBC Holographic (gold)

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (gold)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Christmas Wishes (DTC #221)

Join us for the second round of "Christmas in July" paper crafting fun at Double Trouble Challenge #221. This biweekly challenge begins on Monday, July 20, 2026, and ends on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon Eastern Time.

Please note: I chose to use the first sketch for Challenge #220, so I am using the second sketch for this Challenge #221. Be sure to review the DTC and TSOT guidelines before creating your card.

The sketch is below. My interpretation of the sketch varies from the original, but I liked the result.

Following is a summary of how I incorporated Trouble Maker's 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3 Colors of My Choice

Pink, Aqua, and Silver were my choices.

2 Layers 

(Card Base does not count.)

There are at least three layers adhered to the card base.

1 Holiday Sentiment

I selected a holiday sentiment in a silver font.

OPTIONS

 Twisted Sister's optional twist is to step away from traditional Christmas colors. Pink and aqua are not traditional. 

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #700, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, July 21, through Sunday, August 2, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

 

Optional Alternate Challenge

Be sure to visit the Jingle Belles website and consider entering your card into their "Unicorn" challenge. Their Inspiration Board is below:

Be sure to browse the Double Trouble Blog #221 to view the cards made by the Design Team.

Thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Basic Black, Lost Lagoon, and Silver 

Patterned Paper: Digi Doodle Studio Ink 'n Splatter Collection ("Summer Breeze"); Echo Park Winter Magic Collection ("Blizzard Animals")

Die: Honey Bee "Large Snowflakes"

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (silver)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - Merry Christmas (TSOT #699)

Christmas in July TSOT Challenge #699 is up on the blog. This is a great opportunity to launch your holiday cardmaking instead of waiting until the last minute.

Be sure to take a look at the Double Trouble Challenge #220 to see how using this sketch could help you win a prize in their random drawing... or check out two sketches just for fun.

This card has also been submitted to the Jingle Belles Challenge. This is always a fun place to add a holiday card and can keep you on track to have cards made throughout the year. Be sure to review their guidelines.

 

Be sure to check out the TSOT Challenge Blog for guidelines. The Design Team has created some lovely cards for you to review.

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White & SBC Holographic 

Patterned Paper: SBC Rainbow Glitter Paper & scraps from my stash

Die: Whimsy (ovals)

Sentiment Label: Paper Rose Christmas Sentiment Sheets (gold)

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape & Honey Bee Gem Stickers (gold)

CHRISTMAS IN JULY "Happy Holidays" (DTC #220)

Join in the "Christmas in July" paper crafting fun at Double Trouble Challenge #220. This biweekly challenge begins on Monday, July 6, 2026, and ends on Sunday, July 19, at noon Eastern Time.

Please note:  There is something a little different about using the sketch in this particular challenge, so be sure to review the DTC and TSOT guidelines before creating your card.

Following is a summary of how I incorporated the 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients into my card.

INCLUDE AT

LEAST 

3 Colors of My Choice

I chose pink, green, and silver metallic. Black was added as a neutral. The single image of the skier features brown and gray, both of which are neutrals.  

2 Layers 

(Card Base does not count.)

At least four layers have been added to this card base.

        

1 Holiday Image

An image of a skier was cut from patterned Christmas paper.

OPTIONS

Twisted Sister has pointed out that we missed celebrating Independence Day on our blog. This is the 250th birthday of our nation! The optional twist is to include stars and/or stripes in your design.

I used dark green patterned paper with whimsical stars, and there are a few stars on the green mountain-patterned paper. 

Double Dare is offering a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #699, shown below. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday, July 19, 2026, at noon (ET). You will be eligible for yet another chance in the random drawing if you also use this sketch for the Double Trouble Challenge. 

One of the TSOT sketches was used. Look for the secondary sketch in DTC Challenge #221 on or after July 20.

Materials

Cardstock: SU Basic White, Pretty in Pink, & Silver Metallic

Patterned Paper: SU "Lights Aglow" & Carta Bella "Winter Market"

Die: Whimsy "Wavy Frames"

Misc.: SBC Foam Tape; Paper Rose Studio "Holiday Sentiment Sheets" 

Size: A2