Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Hello (TSOT #705)



It seems as if two weeks have flown by, and it's time again for another TSOT challenge. This is biweekly Challenge #705, running from Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to Sunday, October 11, 2026, at noon Eastern Time.

The sketch for this challenge is below. This sketch lends itself to a quick, easy card, with many ways to create and embellish your project.


To see the cards on display, created by our Design Team, visit the TSOT Blog #705. We hope our handmade cards will inspire you to join us with your own designs using our sketch.

Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are always welcome.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: SU "Quite Curvy" (#154430) - sentiment
Ink: SU Calypso Coral
Cardstock: SU Basic White
Patterned Paper: SBC Ombre Collection, Vicki Bouton "Where to Next" paper pad
Die: Gina Marie Fancy Circle
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape; Honey Bee Gem Stickers


Monday, September 28, 2026

Gather Together (DTC #226)




Double Trouble Challenge #226 is up on the blog awaiting your projects. This biweekly challenge runs through noon on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

As is customary, Trouble Maker has a required 3-2-1 Recipe ready to follow for "Hello Fall, Y'all!"

Here is how I completed Thing 1's REQUIREMENTS:

AT LEAST
3  -  Colors (Combo Color Wheel)
I exceeded this requirement by using a variety of paper.
.
2  -  Worded Sentiment
The sentiment is two words: "Gather Together."

1  -  Autumn Image
There are three pumpkins representing Autumn.

THING #3 OPTION
Twisted Sister's "twist" is to include harvest fruits and vegetables, such as pumpkins and gourds, in our designs, and to remember it's National Pumpkin Spice Day on Thursday, October 1st. I included three pumpkins in my design.



THING #2 OPTION
Above is Sketch #705 from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, effective on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. If you use the sketch, you will earn additional chances in our random drawing. I followed the sketch for my card.

The Design Team is eager for you to see their cards on display at the DTC Blog #226. Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are appreciated.
Melanie

Materials
Stamps & Dies: Lapoo Designs (Amazon)
Ink: SU Calypso Coral
Cardstock: SU Basic White & Soft Succulent; SBC "Harvest" Collection
Patterned Paper: SBC Ombre & Patterned Collections
Misc.: SBC Foam tape; SU tiny gold dragonflies.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Rock Candy Mountain (DTC #225)



Double Trouble Challenge #225 is up on the blog awaiting your projects. This biweekly challenge runs through Sunday, September 27, 2026. 

I have titled it "Rock Candy Mountain."

As is customary, Trouble Maker has a required 3-2-1 Recipe ready to follow. She is also hoping you'll share your favorite filled donut flavor. I don't care much for filled donuts, but that doesn't mean I ignore sweets. 

When I was a young girl, my mother made rock candy in a variety of colors. When she finished, the colorful sugar crystals were everywhere, but she managed to corral them onto sticks so the candy was easy to eat without creating sticky hands. She also saved some crystals to crush and use to decorate cupcakes. This paper reminded me of that rock candy. 

Here is how I completed Thing 1's REQUIREMENTS:

AT LEAST
3  -  Layers
There are at least four layers, depending on 
how you count them.
2  -  Images
This is kind of tricky. When I look at the squares of rock candy, there are many images, along with the die-cut oval for the sentiment.
1  -  Aperture
An aperture was created.

THING #3 OPTION
Twisted Sister's "twist" is to fill the aperture with something sweet. The aperture contains rock candy.



THING #2 OPTION
Above is Sketch #704 from our sister challenge, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, effective on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. If you use the sketch, you will earn additional chances in our random drawing. The sketch inspired my card.

A song that was popular on the radio when I was very young was Burl Ives's "The Big Rock Candy Mountain."

Oh, the buzzin' of the bees in the peppermint trees,
The soda water fountain,
Where the lemonade springs and the bluebird sings,
In that Big Rock Candy Mountain.

The Design Team invites you to visit the Double Trouble Blog to enjoy their cards and review the challenge guidelines.

Thanks for looking. Your comments are welcome.

Have a sweet day!   Melanie

Materials
Stamp Set: Sunny Studio "Color Me Happy" (sentiment)
Ink: SU Gorgeous Grape
Cardstock: SU Basic White & Garden Green; SBC "Harvest" and "Fresh Duo" Collections
Patterned Paper: Club Scrap "Colorful Life" Collection
Die: Whimsy Ovals
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape (3 mm), Gems from stash


Friday, September 11, 2026

Hello (CD #720)




Announcing another color challenge! This is Color Dare Challenge #720, a biweekly challenge that runs from Friday, September 11, 2026, through Thursday, September 24, 2026. Below is the color board:


I chose to use Daffodil Delight, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Soft Succulent, omitting the pale pink. I also used white cardstock and brushed gold metallic paper.
 
This design is made for scrap-busting. Once the scrappy strips were adhered, the sentiment "Hello" was stamped, followed by the "stamped-off" leaves. The flower was die-cut, then brushed with inks, and the die-cut metallic shape was adhered. The entire flower was adhered using foam tape. 

Three tiny gold gems were added to highlight the sentiment.
The inside was decorated with an extra die-cut flower and a strip of coordinating paper.

The Design Team invites you to visit the Blog to view their card examples. Thank you for dropping by,

Melanie

Materials
Stamp:  Stampin' Up! "Quite Curvy" (#154430)
Inks: SU Soft Succulent, Daffodil Delight, & Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: SU Basic White, Soft Succulent, Crisp Cantaloupe, & Brushed Gold Metallic
Patterned Paper: SBC scraps from my stash
Die: SSS "Layered Dandy Flower" (S855) 
Misc.: SBC Foam Tape & Honey Bee Gold Gems
Size: A2
Techniques: Stamping, Coloring, & Die-cutting 

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Christmas Wishes (TSOT #703)

 

The latest Try a Sketch on Tuesday challenge is now open. This biweekly challenge is #703, and ends on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The sketch is below.


I decided to make an early Christmas card because I still had a few holiday items on my desk remaining from the Christmas in July challenges.

The ombre background paper worked effectively for the night sky, and the image of a person making a snow angel, fussy-cut from paper, is a touch of nostalgia for me. I added the stitching using a white gel pen.

The TSOT Design Team has created an array of lovely cards, each with its own interpretation of the sketch. Visit the TSOT 703 Blog to view the cards and guidelines.

Double Trouble Challenge #224 is also open. If you use the TSOT sketch above and enter your work at Double Trouble, you will earn a chance in their random drawing. Just be sure to read their guidelines before creating your card. 

Thanks for stopping by. 
Melanie


Materials
Cardstock: SU Basic White & Night of Navy
Patterned paper: SBC Ombre; Echo Park "Winter Magic"
Dies: Nesting Circles w/irregular edges
Misc.: Paper Rose Sentiment, SBC Foam Tape, Rhinestones, White Gel Pen
Size: A2