Bold, Bright, and Merry

 

December 16, 2024 Update: Double Winner of the Weekly Favorite at Splitcoast Stampers!

December 17, 2024 Update: Featured Stamper at Splitcoast Stampers!

 

Color My Heart Color Dare has a biweekly challenge that's just right for finishing up your holiday cards. Challenge #579 is open for fun, closing on Thursday evening, December 28, 2023. Below is the color board and it is bold and bright!

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I was short on time because my family surprised me with a birthday party forcing me to rush to make the card deadline. I decided to go bold and bright by adding metallic and holographic elements to my card base, using the prints and designs in the paper to reflect colors.

The circles and snowflakes were die-cut and adhered to the card base with thin foam tape. The sentiment was also adhered with thin foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with additional circles in holographic paper. 

Please join us at the Color Dare #579 Challenge Blog to view the Design Team's cards.

To add to the challenge fun, I am participating in the December challenge at If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #187 with a fourth card! This challenge ends on December 31, 2023, but I will be joining in future challenges.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Merry Christmas!

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Paper Rose (sentiment on front) & Honey Bee "Mini Messages" (inside sentiment)

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! "Basic White" & Cardstock Warehouse "Blu-raspberry" 

Paper: SBC "Holographic" & various scraps of foiled gold and silver

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (Circles) & Honey Bee "Lovely Layers - Large Snowflakes"

EP: Wow! Metallic Gold Rich Super Fine

Misc.:  CTMH thin foam tape & Honey Bee gem stickers

I'm Bacon You a Cake

There's a cute challenge underway at Double Trouble #112. We usually enjoy having three elements for each challenge but lighten the load when we have a month with five Mondays. This is the fifth Monday in May so our challenge is only one week, ending on Sunday evening, June 5, 2022. Here are our elements:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has declared this as an "Anything Goes" challenge!

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare hopes you will link your card to a previous partner's current challenge. I am linking my card to The Crafter's Cafe #285, which features using spots or stripes.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is celebrating "Repeat Day." There are details on our DTC Blog, but generally, we're asking you to repeat an image or sentiment on your project. Take a look at the Design Team's cards for inspiration.

I borrowed a stamp from a friend to create my card. I thought these pigs were so sweet! The images were stamped, die-cut, and colored with Copic alcohol markers. The sentiment was stamped and adhered to three narrow strips. All of the elements were added with foam tape. 

But - then it happened! A beverage without a lid was tipped over and the Diet Coke went flying. EEEK! Why was there a drink on the table? So a crafting friend saved the day in part by quickly mopping the mess off of the card. A new card base was made, new pig images were stamped and colored, and we were able to salvage the remaining elements.

These pudgy, pink, and pretty pigs returned to their party by playing in the puddle of chocolate. Such fun!

We hope you'll join in the fun and visit us at the DTC112 Blog and play along with CC#285, too.

Materials

Stamp set: Borrowed

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: CTMH

Patterned Paper: CTMH ("mix-ins")

Misc.: Foam tape

Butterfly Burst

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #491 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday, April 21, 2022. Below is the inspiration photo from which you can select three colors of your choice. Black and white are free colors. You may use additional colors as long as they are present in the photo. I used a variety of colors.

The design was die-cut from white card stock and the ink was added with brushes. I wanted to use silver foil as the background for the butterflies but silver is not a permitted color. Instead, I went with white glittered cardstock and adhered the butterfly panel to it. Next, I adhered the panel to a white card base and added a few gems. The inside was decorated with butterflies punched from glittered cardstock. I decided not to add a sentiment at this time.

We invite you to join us at Color Dare Challenge #491. Our challenges are biweekly. We have a new challenge beginning every Friday morning and running for two weeks so there is always an active challenge to try.

Materials

Inks: DOX Dusty Concord, Salty Ocean, Lucky Clover, Spiced Marmalade & Picked Raspberry

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Glittered (white) 

Die: RCD "Butterfly Burst" (w/stitching)

Punch: SU! "Itty Bitty Butterfly" (inside of card)

Misc.: Gems from stash

Scrapping with Banners

Dig the scraps out of your stash for this one!  Try Stampin' on Tuesday has a fun sketch with an option for their biweekly Challenge #549. This challenge runs from Tuesday, March 29, through Sunday, April 10, 2022.

I was glad to be able to use paper from a small bundle of scraps that were previously cut into 3/4" strips. I wanted to use silver glitter paper as a background but was concerned that the strips would not stick well to the glitter. Instead, I adhered the strips to a panel of clear acetate using high-tack two-sided tape. A panel of silver glitter paper was cut and added behind the strips, glued to the acetate, facing forward. I elected to add a strip of pearls across the card. The acetate adds a pretty sheen to the card front along with the glitter.

If you have been thinking about trying a sketch challenge, then this is for you. Visit our TSOT549 Blog for our guidelines and to view the inspiring cards from the Design Team. Our challenges begin every Tuesday morning and last two weeks so there is always a challenge ready for you to join.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & CTMH Bluebell

Paper: SU! & CTMH patterned paper from scraps

Misc.: Judi-kins (window sheets); pearls and high-tack tape from stash

Striped Birthday Card

Color My Heart Color Dare Biweekly Challenge #485 is ready for your project. Please visit our Blog to see the Design Team's inspirational projects. The colors for this challenge are shown on the color board below. Select at least three of the colors. Black, white, silver, and gold are free colors that may be added to your creation. You may use all of the colors but use only colors that appear on the board.

I used all of the colors except Rosemary plus the free colors of black and gold. I have been trying to create a few designs that are Clean and Simple but it seems I still cannot resist extra elements. I simply cut scraps of cardstock into varying widths then adhered them to a scrap of white paper. I trimmed it into the shape I wanted then added it to the front flap of the card base. 

The sentiment was stamped direct to paper in black ink. The inside of the card was lined in white cardstock and decorated with scraps from the design on the front. This card is meant to be masculine but could easily be considered gender-neutral.

Our challenge runs through Thursday evening, March 10, 2022. Each Friday we begin a new biweekly challenge so there is always an active challenge to join. Take a look at our guidelines at the Color Dare 485 Blog and we hope you'll play along.

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Happy Birthday to You"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Marker (Y32) to create the Shortbread color

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Raspberry Ripple (for Sangria), Mint Macaron (for Sage), Sahara Sand (for Mink), Pretty Peacock (for Harbour), Foiled Gold

Balloon Celebration

The newest biweekly sketch challenge is up on the blog at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. Challenge #537 will end on Sunday evening, January 16, 2022. The sketch is shown below and the optional theme is Celebrate.

To create my card I used some paper and cardstock colors that have been retired for a while. This balloon paper has always been a favorite of mine so seemed perfect for a card of celebration. After cutting the panels and other elements, I adhered everything to the card base. I also lined the card base with white cardstock and decorated the inside with coordinating paper. A few green "gems" were added as a final touch.

The Design Team welcomes you to the TSOT537 Blog. We have a new biweekly challenge beginning every Tuesday.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay & Summer Starfruit

Paper: SU! DSP Birthday Basics

Dies: Kat Scrappiness (Stitched scalloped rectangles) & Spellbinders (word)

Misc.: Foam tape and "gems" from stash

Block Party (Mini-Slimline)

Another biweekly challenge is up at Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge. This is #461 and runs through Thursday, September 23, 2021. After staring at the challenge board for days, I finally decided to go with the double complementary colors on the sample for my own card because these were the colors I preferred. As you can see, the colors are Violet, Blue, Orange, and Yellow. I used the closest match from my cardstock stash.

Using a set of square-shaped dies, I cut the cardstock into squares then into additional shapes and styles - frames, triangles, bars, and other bits, etc. I created five "patchwork" squares (1 1/8") and adhered the squares with foam tape onto a white cardstock card base cut to mini-slimline size. 

I decided not to add a sentiment until I am ready to use the card. The inside was decorated with a few bar-shaped bits. I decided on gray as my neutral color so used some gray metallic studs to finish off the card front. At present, the card can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation.

The Design Team welcomes you to play along with our challenge by visiting our Blog #461. A new biweekly challenge begins every Friday morning so there is always an active challenge underway.

Size: Mini-slimline (3" x 6")

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Elegant Eggplant for violet, Bashful Blue for blue, Tangerine Tango for orange, Pale Papaya for yellow

Dies: Spellbinders

Misc.: EK Success Mini-Studs & foam tape from stash

Book Inspiration

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch Challenge #519 is up on the blog effective Tuesday, August 10, through Sunday evening, August 22, 2021. The option this time is to use a favorite book or film as inspiration. I am not a big fan of Hollywood films but I love to read. I used to visit the library every week but now with my Kindle, I can download three or four books, return them and check out more, and never leave my home! It was difficult to select a favorite book so I went with a childhood favorite, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. 

I found the sketch a bit tricky to execute and after fiddling with it for a week I finally had a finished product. As you can see, I kept it simple. The setting of this book is Prince Edward Island in the Canadian Maritimes, a beautiful, picturesque part of North America.

To create my scene, I die cut two landscape hills and adhered them onto some striped paper so I could build the card using a blue cardstock base. The clouds were hand-cut and added with thin foam tape. The birds were simply drawn with a pen. The house was stamped, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut, then adhered to the pristine scene. In keeping with the sketch, I added a few gems. I did not add a sentiment since the sketch did not call for one but this card could be used to wish Bon Voyage or to say Hello. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper and clouds. I also added two stamped cottages.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday is a biweekly challenge. We have challenges that begin each Tuesday and last for two weeks, meaning that we always have an active challenge underway. Check us out by visiting the TSOT519 Blog.

Materials

Stamps: Paper Smooches 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Garden Green & Bashful Blue

Paper: Honey Bee "Beach Vibes" & CTMH scraps

Die: Mama Elephant (landscape) 

Misc.: Thin foam tape & gems from stash

I'm Totally Bananas for You!

A few days ago I was sorting through my patterned paper scraps when I saw the small pink dots on the green tropical paper "sort of coordinated" with the white speckled pink paper. I had not yet made my card for this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #432 so decided to combine the papers to create this card. 

I stamped the images then colored them with Copic markers. I also fussy cut the images. Onto a white card base, I adhered the green tropical patterned paper, followed by a panel of the speckled pink paper. To break up the patterns, I added a scrap of white with narrow charcoal stripes. 

In keeping with the sketch, I cut and matted two rectangles and two squares. The images were added to the shapes and then to the card using thin foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and added with foam tape. The inside of the card was decorated with additional scraps and a few stamped and colored bananas.

If you enjoy challenges, visit the AHSC Blog for great sketches.

Materials

Stamp set: Sunny Studio "Love Monkey"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray & Barely Banana

DSP: Stampin' Up! scraps from my stash

Misc.: Foam tape

In My Garden (Bendy Fun Fold)

Bendy Cards have been around for a while but we still don't see many of them. And since Emma Fewkes (Lady and the Stamp) made the first Bendy card, other styles have been developed that are easier to cut and assemble than Emma's. I have made a few of them using Emma's basic design and find them time-consuming but rewarding.

This card is for the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #515, a biweekly challenge that began on Tuesday, July 13, and will end on Sunday, July 25, 2021. This is a "mixup" challenge where you may choose the sketch or choose to make the Bendy Fun Fold or combine them into one creation. If you need a bit of help, click HERE.

I gathered up a few punches and dies to create some flowers and foliage with white cardstock. As I assembled them, I colored them with Copic markers. I decided to create a garden with a stone wall and a gate of wooden slats. I cut the cardstock freehand into the shape I wanted, then added patterned paper. After designing a few flower pots and a birdhouse I began adding the bits to my card base. 

I found the little bird at a website with free digital images so I colored it like a bluebird, then fussy cut it to add to the card. Some of the bits were added using varying thicknesses of foam tape. The large branch with the leaves was hand-drawn and colored with markers.

I hope you enjoy the little peek into my garden! Please join our challenge by visiting the TSOT515 Blog.

Basic Materials:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! "Whisper White"

DSP: Stampin' Up! "In Good Taste" (woodgrain & stone)

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers

Dies & Punches: Stampin' Up!

Welcome, Baby Boy!

It's time for a biweekly challenge at Double Trouble! This is Challenge #88. This challenge runs through Sunday evening, July 19, 2021. There are three "Things" to this challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Troublemaker is asking for a project for "Baby". She has provided an inspiration board. It makes no difference if it's Baby's birthday or an invitation to a shower, or even a congratulatory creation. Just give it your best shot.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is challenging you to link your card to our partner, Bitten by the Bug2. Be sure to check the guidelines.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is looking for die-cut or machine-cut elements. Fussy-cut elements alone will not qualify your entry for our partner so be sure to include at least one item cut by die or machine. (Cricut, Silhouette, Scan 'n Cut, etc.) 

This was a fun card to create in that it went together quickly once I decided on the boat theme. Onto the white card base, I added a dark blue panel, then an embossed panel in the lighter blue. (I thought this embossed design gave the card a little movement, i.e. water.) I die cut two squares from the dark blue, added the yellow patterned paper and a smaller square of white then built my little boat scene plus added the sentiment. I decorated the inside of the card with a similar boat that was a bit larger than the one on the front.

Visit our Double Trouble Blog to see the projects created by the Design Team and be sure to check out our partner's blog at Bitten by the Bug 2.

Materials

Stamp: Computer-generated sentiment.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Barely Banana, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue (all retired colors)

Paper: Stampin' Up! (from my scraps)

Dies: Lawn Fawn (zigzag squares), Spellbinders (circles)

Punch: Stampin' Up! (3/8" circle for sun)

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder, foam tape from stash

The Ball Game

This week's challenge sketch at Atlantic Hearts is a reminder of a card I made a few weeks ago referencing a tutorial for a Banner Fun Fold card. (Click HERE for information on that card.) In order to follow the sketch, I created today's card using a similar technique plus I also tilted the sketch. This challenge began on Monday, May 3, and will end on Sunday evening, May 9, 2021.

                          Original Sketch                Tilted Sketch

Using a masculine paper collection I have had for ages, I created a birthday card for my stepson. He will be 53 in June! He has always loved baseball and this is not the first time I have used this paper for his birthday (but I doubt he'll notice). First I created the Z-fold base, then cut three banners from patterned paper to resemble the banners shown in the sketch. I matted the banners with cardstock. The largest banner was added directly to the card base and the two smaller banners were added with thin foam tape for dimension. Because I turned the sketch, I had to allow for variance in the placement of the sentiment, which was also cut from the patterned paper. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with additional coordinating paper.

If you enjoy using sketches be sure to stop by the AHSC Blog.

I also decided to play along with a fairly new challenge dedicated to fun folds: Creative Creases Challenge #6

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler & Pretty Peacock

Paper: Echo Paper "Grand Slam" Collection

Misc.: Foam tape (thin)

Sweet Baby

The biweekly challenge is up on the blog at Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #505. This challenge runs from Tuesday, May 4, through Sunday, May 16, 2021. This is a sketch challenge with the option to use pastel colors. 

I decided to use one dark color (constellation map) along with the pastel colors I chose but essentially my card has pastels in pink, blue, lavender, and yellow. The images were die-cut in white cardstock and I added color with Copic markers. The baby's blanket was done with paper piecing. The strip for the blue banner was embossed for texture. The sentiment was also die-cut from white cardstock along with a second cut from the constellation map paper. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with additional die-cut elements. I kept the card low profile for ease in mailing.

Please visit our blog at Try Stampin' on Tuesday and join the challenge.

Materials

Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Barely Banana (retired), & Bashful Blue (retired)

Paper: Stampin' Up! DSP (pink scrap) & CTMH "Aurora" (constellation map)

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Pattern

Dies: RCD "Sweet Baby" & Frantic Stamper (word)

Misc.: Thin foam tape

Be You!

It's wonderful to have spring again in all its glory. In Arizona, certain cacti are in full bloom. Their orange, white, and yellow blossoms abound and the honey bees are everywhere! Many of the Hummingbirds have left for northern climates but we still have plenty of desert fauna remaining. 

I had this pad of patterned paper in my stash and it reminded me of spring. I am submitting this to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #415, a weekly challenge that is running from Monday, April 5, through Sunday evening, April 13, 2021. Here is their inspirational sketch:

I decided to use black cardstock for my card base because of the black and white striped awning on the flower cart and the bodies of the butterflies. I added the butterfly paper to the card base, then added a strip of pink gingham paper, which is the reverse side of the butterfly paper. I used a die to create the small scalloped borders. I matted the sentiment panel with black cardstock. (The sentiment panel comes from the paper pad.) Two butterflies were die-cut from black cardstock. In keeping with the sketch, a smaller one was added to the card front and dressed up using pearls and Glossy Accents. The shine from the Glossy Accents really enhances the dark butterflies but did not photograph well. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a die-cut scallop strip. The second larger butterfly was added to the inside. There is sufficient space remaining to write a personal note. 

Give this challenge a try by visiting the AHSC415 Blog!

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Basic Black

Paper: Carta Bella "Flower Garden"

Dies: Mama Elephant (scalloped border) & RCD (Dancing Butterfly Trio)

Misc.: Glossy Accents, pearls & foam tape from stash

Birthday Fishes

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is a weekly challenge. Challenge #414 began on Monday, March 29, and is scheduled to end on Sunday evening, April 4, 2021. Their sketches provide inspiration for card designs. I stuck with the window concept but shaped it a bit differently than the sketch suggests, and, instead of flowers, I used a school of fish.

Hoping to give the look of a ship's interior (aka shiplap), I cut a panel of wood grain patterned paper and enhanced it by sponging it unevenly with gray ink. This toned down the brown hues and weathered the wood. It now coordinates nicely with the silver hexagon frame and the blue cardstock. I added this woodgrain panel along with a white panel to a blue card base. To create the porthole, I die-cut a hexagon frame from silver foiled cardstock, adding six brads that look like screws. The ocean view was cut from patterned paper along with the sea turtle. I like the way the turtle is looking directly at the window. I used thin foam tape for the turtle to add dimension. Next, I adhered the porthole to the card, also using thin foam tape. The sentiment was stamped, matted, and added to the card with foam tape. 

The inside was lined with a white cardstock panel and decorated with patterned paper and an additional sentiment, "My love for you is bigger than the ocean." Can you guess why I added the fussy-cut sea turtle to the inside? Yep. A blue thumbprint. I stamped some tiny fish around the sentiment and on the inside of the card. I thought the water needed some sparkle so I added very tiny silver discs to the scene and clear Wink of Stella to the sea turtle.

See the great cards made by the Design Team by visiting the AHSC414 Blog. 

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Whale Done" (both sentiments)

Inks: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point; DOX Hickory Smoke & Spiced Marmalade

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pacific Point, Silver Foiled Card

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Whale of a Time" & "In Good Taste" (woodgrain)

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Hexagons

Misc.: Brads from stash, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear) & CTMH thin foam tape

Fancy Butterflies

For crafting fun, join us at Try Stampin' on Tuesday Biweekly Challenge #499. This challenge begins on Tuesday, March 23, and runs through Sunday evening, April 4, 2021. While the challenge requires the use of a sketch, there is an optional element to include butterflies in your project. I tilted the sketch and created my card with a landscape orientation.

             Original                          Tilted

 

Using a patterned paper collection that has been stored in my stash for several years, I added a gray panel to a white card base. Next, I added a die-cut stitched rectangle in a yellow print directly to the gray panel. Using foam tape, I added a smaller die-cut rectangle in a gray, white, and yellow design. In keeping with the sketch, I added some angled strips of silver glimmer paper to represent the banners. For the optional theme, I die-cut two butterflies - one from the yellow paper and another from silver glimmer paper, adhering them so the wings are slightly lifted. A few rhinestones were also added. The inside was decorated with a smaller yellow butterfly and some silver glimmer paper. No sentiment was required by the sketch, so I omitted a stamped greeting until I use the card.

We hope you'll take a look at the TSOT499 Blog and join our challenge!

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Smoky Slate & Silver Glimmer

Paper; Stampin' Up! Eastern Elegance (retired)

Dies: Paper Rose (stitched rectangles) & RCD (Large Fancy Butterfly)

Misc.: Foam tape and rhinestones from stash