Adventure Awaits

Thank you for visiting my blog. Feel free to browse. I needed some inspiration for my nephew's birthday card. He's a grown man and enjoys several hobbies, one of which is hunting so using the sketch from this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #467, I decided to go for a masculine, "woodsy" vibe. 

I looked through my paper stash and found this old paper collection. The vertically aligned triangles reminded me of fir trees. I layered a panel of cardstock and the panel of fir trees onto a vanilla card base. A piece of coordinating patterned paper was added for the horizontal panel across the center of the card front. For the tilted panel, paper with a woodgrain pattern was selected. Using punches, I created three trees and a moose. I added the moose then sponged the edges of the trees with ink and popped them up with foam tape. The ricrac trim was added to mimic mountains and the sentiment was also added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper.

I waited until the last minute to play along with AHSC #467, so there isn't much time left for this sketch. Their weekly challenges begin every Monday morning so be sure to visit their blog for future sketches.

Materials

Stamps: Computer generated

Ink: Stampin' Up! Bermuda Bay

Cardstock: SU! Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, Cajun Craze

Paper: SU! DSP from stash (name unknown) & In Good Taste (woodgrain)

Die: MFT (ricrac)

Punches: SU! (Moose & Pine Tree)

Misc.: Foam tape

Happy Anniversary

There is a celebration going on at Double Trouble Challenge #86 and Trouble Maker says that you must decide what occasion to celebrate. (I decided to celebrate an anniversary.) Double Dare is hoping you'll take our option to link your card to our partner If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #157. Twisted Sister would like to see you use the inspiration photo below provided by our partner.

I had this vintage-style illustration of two children and thought it was perfect to use for a married couple who have been together for many years. I added some stitching to the card base then using foam tape added it to a stitched panel and then onto the card base. I purposely offset the focal piece to allow for decoration. I added the butterfly with a gem and then a flourish cut from silver foil. The inside was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with more silver flourishes.

We hope you'll play along with us at DTC86 and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #157!

Materials

Stamp: Computer generated

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pretty Peacock, Silver Foil

Paper: Authentique "Endless"

Dies: MFT Large Flourish, MFT Stitched Rectangles Stax Set, Mama Elephant (border stitch), The Stamp Doctor (dragonflies on the inside)

Punch: Stampin' Up! Bitty Butterfly

Misc.: Gem and foam tape from stash

You Are Awesome

6/12/2021 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges.

As the saying goes, "It seems as if I am a day late or a dollar short," when it comes to finishing a card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. Challenge #423 began on Monday morning, May 31, and will end on Sunday evening, June 6, 2021. There is always a great sketch for their weekly challenge.

I was recently reminded of an old technique using gold metallic flakes and decided to use it. I cut a scrap of patterned paper into four 1" strips. There are more ways to do this but I chose to stick the paper strips onto a panel of two-sided tape that had been adhered to a panel of cardstock. The tape is made in various sizes (mine was actually in sheet form) and both sides are protected with release paper. Once the paper strips were affixed, I brushed gold metallic flakes on the remaining exposed sticky tape until I had good coverage and nothing sticky remained. I then added the panel to the card base. The remaining two patterned paper designs were added, followed by the die-cut Hummingbird in gold using foam tape. The sentiment and a few light embellishments were also added. The inside of the card was decorated with patterned paper.

I enjoyed using this technique and made another card to be published on Friday, June 4. Click HERE on or after June 4 to see that card. For great inspirational sketches, visit the AHSC Blog.

Materials

Stamps: Maymay Made It "Wanted You to Know"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Gold Foiled Card

Paper: Sara Davies "Letters from the Heart"

Die: RCD "Hummingbird in Flight"

Misc.: Be Creative Tape Sheets (Sookwang); Prima Metallic Flakes (Oro/Gold); pearls and foam tape from stash

It's All About You

Let's play Tic-Tac-Toe using color tiles! Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #441 has a fun Tic Tac Toe color board ready for you to enjoy. The rules are simple: select three colors in a row, a column, or diagonally from the board shown below. Then you are free to add any additional colors as long as they are included on the board. To add to the fun you are free to use black, white, vanilla, Kraft, or metallic gold. I selected the third column using Nectarine, Candy Apple Red, and Lemonade then added Lagoon, plus black and white.

I used a design called the "Banner Fold" by Tina Zinck from a tutorial found HERE. I started out a little slow but everything quickly fell into place as I created the card. Unlike the tutorial, I matted the banners with bright cardstock for definition. I like the bold design and think it would work for a masculine card quite nicely. I would also consider using patterned paper. A panel of white cardstock was added to the back of the card for a personal message.

This biweekly challenge runs from Friday, April 23, closing on Thursday evening, May 6, 2021. To play along, visit our Challenge Blog for all the details.

Materials

Stamps: Stamp of Approval "All About You" plus numerous others for miscellaneous stamping

Inks: DOX Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpkin & Peacock Feathers; Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Peach Parfait (retired)

Dies: Technique Tuesday (awesome), RCD (you + shadow on the inside of the card) & Sizzix #662347 (circles)

Punch: Stampin' Up! (small red heart on the inside of the card)

Misc.: Foam tape

An Autumn Greeting

It's Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and my favorite season so I used a fall theme for my card. The design was inspired by two challenges. Double Trouble Challenge #70 is a biweekly challenge with three elements and began on Monday, November 2. The first element (required) is to include stitching in the design, the second element (optional) is to partner with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges #393 and/or #394. The final element (also optional) is to include a humorous image or sentiment - one that will keep the recipient in stitches! DTC70 will end on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020.

This card was made to coordinate with Sketch #394, which is a weekly sketch challenge beginning on Monday, November 9, and is the second week of the challenge, ending on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020. To see the card for the first week of the challenge, Atlantic Hearts Sketch #393, click HERE. 

A panel of vanilla cardstock was embossed with the same die of stitched leaves as used in Sketch #393. The vanilla panel was adhered to an orange panel and then to a card base. A banner was cut from designer paper and adhered with foam tape. The pinecones were stamped and cut with dies along with the leafy bits. The sentiment was stamped. The inside of the card was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with additional die-cut leafy bits.

The Design Team invites you to join in these challenges! For guidelines, visit the blogs for DTC70 and AHSC394.

Materials
Stamps: Stampendous "Brushed Wishes", Stampin' Up! (pinecones)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock, and Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Illustrated Faith (striped banner)
Dies: Stampin' Up! (pinecones) and Frantic Stamper (leafy bits and stitched background)
Misc.: Foam tape

Autumn Blessings

Participating in sketch challenges is one of my favorite activities. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #387 begins on Monday, September 21, and runs through Sunday, September 27, 2020. I enjoy using their sketches for inspiration, often adding additional elements to complete the design.

I decided to make a few Thanksgiving cards for family members since we will not be together this year. I kept this design somewhat low profile for easy mailing. A panel of mint cardstock onto a vanilla card base was added, followed by a patterned paper and brown cardstock. I added three pieces, creating the angular strip required by the sketch. The sentiment was stamped and added with foam tape. The various leaves and branches were die-cut, punched, and arranged around the sentiment. The enamel dots finished off the front. The inside was decorated with additional die-cut branches.

If you haven't tried a sketch challenge, here's your chance! Visit the AHSC Blog and give it a try. 

Materials
Stamp: Reverse Confetti "Autumn Blessings"
Ink: Stampin' Up! Cajun Craze
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Mint Macaron & Cajun Craze
DSP: Stampin' Up! "Gilded Autumn" Collection
Punch: Stampin' Up! Autumn Punch Pack (Maple leaf)
Dies: Frantic Stamper: Wreath & Swag Components
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Enamel Dots & foam tape

All Things Grow with Love

I needed a special card this week for my cousin, Cathy. We live so far apart! Except for a stamped flower, the inside was left blank to allow for my personal note. In fact, when this publishes, the card will be well on its way to Australia.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #469 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 16, 2020. As always, our challenge is based on a sketch but there is also an optional twist. Here is the sketch and the twist is to make your own background.

After cutting a panel of white cardstock with a stitched scallop border die, the floral design was stamped then colored with Copic markers. Onto a white card base, a panel of deep pink cardstock was adhered. A bow was tied with a strand of narrow ribbon around the decorated panel. This panel was then attached to the card with foam tape. A few tiny gold pearls were adhered. The inside was decorated with additional stamped, colored flowers.

Be sure to join us at the TSOT469 Blog to view the guidelines and take on our challenge.

Materials:
Stamps: Uniko "Originally Organic"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Melon Mambo
Die: RCD Borders (Curved, Stitched, Scalloped Edge)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon and gems; foam tape

Arrrgh... You're a Treasure

Today marks the beginning of Double Trouble Challenge #57, "Brown Bag-It Day". This biweekly challenge will end on Sunday evening, May 31, 2020.  There are three "Things" to the challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker wants to see Kraft paper (or a paper bag) on your projects. Visit the challenge blog for inspiration and clarification.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare dares you to link your project to Crafting Happiness. Because these are weekly challenges, you may create something for either or both Challenge #49 and Challenge #50. Be sure to check their guidelines, too. This blog posting is for Challenge #49. The project for Challenge #50 will be available on May 25, 2020.

Update: Here is the link to Crafting Happiness #50.  To see the card I submitted, click HERE.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister hopes you will include a favorite item or toy from childhood. I am still in possession of a small chest that was given to me by my mother. The clasp and hinges are showing their age but my little chest held special treasures so I created this pirate card and included a treasure chest.

I hope to see your projects posted at Double Trouble Challenge #57 and Crafting Happiness #49!

Materials
Stamps: Pink & Main "Pirate"
Inks: Stampin' Up! Baked Brown Sugar; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin Up! Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar & Elegant Eggplant
Paper: The Paper Studio (map)
Misc.: Foam tape

A Little Note

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #363 opened on Monday, April 6, and will close on Sunday evening, April 12, 2020. Here is the fabulous sketch for this fun weekly challenge.

A panel of white cardstock was adhered to a red card base, followed by a panel of patterned paper with a ribbon added. The two small cards were cut - one red and one gold. They were attached to the card front using foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and cut with a punch, matted and adhered. Two hearts were added. Pearls were placed in keeping with the sketch's design. The inside was decorated with ribbon and a butterfly punched from red cardstock.

Check out the great sketches each week at the AHSC Blog and join in the challenges!

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! Butterfly Gala (sentiment)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Petal Pink, Cherry Cobbler & Gold Foil
DSP: Stampin' Up! "Parisian Blossoms"
Punches: Stampin' Up! "Modern Label" & "Every Season Pack" (hearts), Itty Bitty Butterfly (inside)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Metallic Edge Ribbon (pink); pearls and foam tape from stash

Adventure Bound Birthday - Masculine CAS

Tic Tac Toe challenges are a fun way to challenge oneself. Sometimes the ideas simply fall into alignment with one or more directions on the grid and other times it can be a struggle. I like making masculine cards and one of my brothers will be celebrating his 62nd birthday in April, so this grid inspired my card. I kept the card low profile for easy mailing.

This is a monthly challenge for March, The Joy of Sets #015. In the end, I selected the top row - Birthday, Forest, Silver - although my card is also masculine, which first drew me to the challenge.

I added a panel of dark brown cardstock to a green card base, then adhered patterned paper depicting a forest. Although there was a hint of green in the forest design, I lightly sponged additional color onto the patterned paper so it would coordinate with the card base. Finally, I die cut three sentiments - one each from silver, green and white, stacked them in an offset style and adhered directly to the card.

The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper and another die cut greeting, leaving sufficient space for a personal note.

If you enjoy Tic Tac Toe challenges or are looking for one to try, visit the JOSTTT015 Blog and play along!

Materials
Ink: Stampin' Up! Old Olive
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Old Olive, Early Espresso & Silver Foil
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! "Adventure Bound" Collection (retired)
Die: Spellbinders "Happy Birthday"

You Are Awesome

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #359 is open, beginning Monday, March 9, and ending Sunday evening, March 15, 2020. This sketch has plenty of possibilities!

In my continuing effort to use up my hoard of patterned paper, I found this silver and green stripe with coordinating floral paper. I like the silver metallic throughout this paper. The stripe is different from the sketch but that's what sketch interpretation is all about - right?

Onto a card base, I adhered a panel of white cardstock then the striped paper. The images were fussy cut from the floral paper.  The vellum was added to provide contrast between the floral images and the striped paper. I like the way the silver stripes show through the vellum. Using foam tape, the images were popped up onto the vellum. The sentiment was die cut and added. The inside of the card base was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with paper and another fussy cut flower. 

Be sure to stop by and visit the AHSC #359 blog - you'll be glad you did!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry & Vellum
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Sweet Soiree" Collection (retired)
Die: Sizzix
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Candy Dots & foam tape from stash