Just Because (CD #593)

It's Friday and that means we have a new Color Dare challenge underway. This is Challenge #593 and it runs through Thursday, April 4, 2024. Below is the color board for this challenge. I decided on the color Capri to go along with the Honey Butter. I used substitutes that are very close matches to the specified colors. 

A die set that has been sitting in my stash unused has been calling my name. I decided that it was well-suited to the two-color challenge. I was a little disappointed because the dies required a variety of shims to get them to cut cleanly. The word dies are included in this set and are kind of flimsy. It was an exercise in patience to use the words. 

I created the card to my liking, stacking the words in white onto the words in Honey Butter. I also add 23 gem stickers! Out of character for me but I was content with doing it. After all of the rich colors, the card needed the color white so I could say it was finished. The inside of my card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with extra die-cut flowers, leaving sufficient space for a personal message.

Please visit our Color Dare Blog #593 for some challenge fun. Each challenge begins on Friday and is two weeks in duration so we always have an active challenge in the works.

By the way, I will use this die set again despite the cutting issue. If you look at the black filigree design eight "hidden" flowers would be fun to feature so there are other possibilities.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It makes my heart happy if you leave a comment. Enjoy!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Hello Honey, & Tempting Turquoise

Die set: Spellbinders "Floral Butterfly Card Front" (includes words and flowers)

Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers

Joy to the World (Sketch)

January 2, 2024 - Update:

This card was selected as a "Top Cookie" at If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #187.

My holiday cards are completed so I was tempted to create a birthday card but was inspired by the snowflake on this sketch. I guess I could have gone with a wintry theme but I don't live in a climate with long winters so once the holidays are finished, it's not long before my tulips and daffodils show themselves. But it's time to write about this Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!

Onto a green card base, I added white patterned paper with a design of scattered gold fir trees. A green band backed with gold was adhered to the card front. A square was cut from the same green cardstock and also backed with a panel of gold paper. The large snowflake was die-cut from gold holographic paper and adhered to the square element, which was then added to the card front with thin foam tape for dimension. 

The sentiment was heat embossed with gold powder and adhered directly to the snowflake, and two clusters of three gold gem stickers were added. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with small die-cut snowflakes in gold holographic paper. I also added a sentiment that was heat embossed with gold powder, saying "Merry Christmas". I really like this sketch and see myself using it again, tweaking it here and there for other non-sketch challenges.

Be sure to visit the AHSC Challenge Blog #555 on Wednesday, December 13, to view the Design Team's cards and if you haven't played along, it's time to try.

I recently discovered the challenge, If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #187, so I am adding this card to their December challenge to include gold and silver.

 

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Honey Bee "Mini Messages - Holiday" (both sentiments)

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Gold Foil; dark green (source unknown)

Paper: Honey Bee "Holiday Wishes" & Scrapbook.com "Holographic"

Die: Honey Bee "Lovely Layers - Large Snowflakes"

Embossing Powder: Wow! Metallic Gold Rich Super Fine

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

Happy Birthday to Jean

Another color challenge is awaiting your project at Color My Heart Color Dare #495. This challenge runs through Thursday evening, May 19, 2022, and it's an easy one! Start with the colors black and white and add one color. If you wish, add gold or silver to your project.

I decided to use the color blue with some gold pearls. I adhered a panel of black cardstock and another of white to a blue card base. The circle and hexagon were die-cut. The circle was added directly to the white panel and the hexagon was added with foam tape. The floral image was stamped, fussy cut, and adhered so it's peeking out of the hexagon. A sentiment was stamped and the gold pearls were added. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a coordinating stamped floral image.

We welcome you to our challenge - a new biweekly color challenge begins every Friday morning so there is always a current challenge to join. Visit our Color Dare Blog for details.

Materials

Stamps: Altenew "Frosted Garden" & SU! "Wildflower Path" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black & Ballet Blue

Paper: SU! "Everyday Chic"

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles and Classic Hexagons

Misc: SU! Metallic Pearls (Gold) and foam tape

Just Chillin' with the Penguins

Double Trouble Challenge#101 is open for your paper crafting pleasure. As usual, we have three "Things":

1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is requiring that we use three patterned papers on our projects. You will receive one chance in our random drawing if you meet this requirement. Using our partner's sketch is optional but will qualify you for another chance.

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link your card to Try Stampin' on Tuesday #539 if you have used their sketch. TSOT also has an option to create a Winter Wonder Theme. Linking your card with our partner will earn another chance at our random drawing.

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is asking for at least one penguin with your project. This will give you one more chance in our random drawing.

First, I stamped, colored, and fussy-cut four penguin images along with two hats and a scarf. The TSOT sketch was just right for three patterned papers so I cut three panels. The large pink foiled snowflake panel was added to a black card base and serves as a background. Next, I selected papers from a pad of beach paper. One pattern was a streaked design of white and aqua that reminded me of glacial ice. The other was a pattern of dunes resembling snowdrifts. I continued to add the elements, sometimes with foam tape, onto the black card base. 

In keeping with the sketch, a strip of silver glimmer paper was added along with the stamped sentiment. The holographic snowflakes finished the design. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with snowflakes plus the fourth penguin wearing a hat.

I also submitted my card at Critter Crazy Challenge #58. This is a monthly challenge where "Anything Goes" as long as you feature a critter.

DTC #101 began on Monday, January 16 and TSOT #539 begins on Tuesday, January 17. Both challenges will close on Sunday, January 30. Be sure to check out the guidelines at both blogs and join us for some crafting fun.

Materials

Stamp Sets: Stamps of Life "Penguins 2" & "Waddle Penguins 2"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black & Silver Glimmer

Paper: SU! "Whimsy & Wonder" DSP (pink foiled background paper), Honey Bee "Beach Vibes" (aqua streaks & snowdrifts)

Dies: Sizzix "662347" (Circles)

Misc.: Holographic snowflakes & foam tape from stash

Just for You Triple Point

Although color challenges can be frustrating they provide an opportunity to use a different technique or fold. I found a fun fold on YouTube that I had not seen before, called a Triple Point Triangle Fold. It's unique but not difficult.

I made this for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #451, which began on Friday, July 2, and will end on Thursday, July 16, 2021. This is a Crazy 8 Challenge. I selected Glacier, Smoothie, a neutral (Charcoal), and embellishments (pearls) as my four elements. 

I am not a fan of square cards but since this was the first time making it, I followed the directions found HERE. Note that imperial units of measurement used in the USA are added below the YouTube video. The finished card is 5.5" x 5.5".

Visit the Color My Heart Color Dare Blog for guidelines on our challenges. We have a new biweekly challenge beginning every Friday so there is always a fresh color board to try.

I am also submitting my card to Creative Creases Challenge #10. This is a fun fold challenge that you're sure to enjoy.

Happy Birthday USA!

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Spring Sentiments" (tiny flower) & Altenew "Dainty Swiss Dots" (sentiment)

Ink: DOX "Hickory Smoke" (Charcoal) & "Abandoned Coral" (Smoothie)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray (sub for Charcoal) & Pool Party (sub for Glacier)

Paper: CTMH Chelsea Gardens (Charcoal print) & Seaside (Smoothie print)

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Pretty Label" (for sentiment)

Misc.: Pearls and foam tape from stash

Just for You

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #439 has begun! This is a biweekly challenge, ending on Thursday evening, April 22, 2021. Below is the inspiration photo to help you with the challenge. I selected a bright pink, called Melon Mambo, as my color of choice.

Mini-slimline cards are beginning to appear on card blogs so I played around with my paper and images to create a mini-slimline card (3" x 6"). But then I decided to adhere the white card base to a black cardstock panel (4.25" x 6"). So now my card is neither mini nor slim and it's too tall to be A2. The front of the white card was dry embossed then decorated with stamped flowers that were fussy cut. I decided to introduce pink with the ribbon. The stamped sentiment on two die-cut ovals was purposely offset when adhered and the inside of the card was decorated with a small flower from the same stamp set and a pearl center. In keeping with the pink theme, I added rhinestones and pearls to the front of the card. Because I don't care for the way Wink of Stella appears in photographs, I waited until after the photos to add it to the two black flowers. 

If you're new to color challenges, this challenge is a great way to start. Visit our Color Dare Blog for ideas and inspiration.

Materials

Stamps: CTMH "Floral Celebration" (flowers) & Stamp of Approval "All About You" (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Melon Mambo

Die: Jeanine's (small oval frames)

Embossing Folding: Stampin' Up! ("Parisian Flourish")

Misc.: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear), Stampin' Up! Striped Organdy Ribbon (Melon Mambo); gems & foam tape from stash

A Clowder of Cats Just for You

Try Stampin' on Tuesday #493 is up on the blog. This is a biweekly challenge that opens on Tuesday, February 9, and ends on Sunday evening, February 21, 2021. There is always a sketch and this time there is an optional theme of Peekaboo. These cute images are giving off a party vibe and I placed a few of them hoping they would look as if they were playing a little peekaboo.

After stamping and coloring five little cat images, I fussy cut them. I die cut five circles in a panel of patterned paper, backing it with foam tape and adding to the red card base. The cat images were tucked inside each of the circles. The sentiment was die cut from cardstock and added to the card. Finally, the inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with coordinating patterned paper. 

For a great sketch challenge visit the TSOT493 Blog!

Materials

Stamps: Newton's Nook "Newton Makes Plans"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Real Red

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Playful Pets"

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles & RCD "Just for You"

Misc.: Foam tape 

Just Flyin' By...

With Father's Day almost here plus a few family birthdays, I have been making masculine cards. I made this card in response to the Tictactoe Challenge #065. I selected the second row - Blue, Square and Outdoors.

I trimmed the navy blue cardstock to a 5" x 5" square card base and added a few panels. I have been whittling away at my huge paper stash so I chose two patterned papers for this card. The final two panels were added using foam tape along with the sentiment. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper. I kept the card low profile for ease of mailing.

Be sure to visit the TTTC065 Blog and play along with the challenge. The weekly challenges begin on Thursdays.

Materials
Stamp: Sentiment computer generated
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Night of Navy & Cajun Craze
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up (gold dotted paper from stash) & Authentique "Explore" (aircraft)
Dies: Frantic Stamper Deckled Edge Rectangles (I adapted them to create squares.)
Misc.: Foam tape

Just for You

A combination of two challenges led me to create this card. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge # 367, a weekly challenge, began on Monday, May 4, and will end on Sunday evening, May 10, 2020.  

Color My Heart Color Dare #393, a biweekly challenge, began on Friday, May 8, and will end on Thursday evening, May 21, 2020. This particular challenge is Tictactoe, requiring three colors in a row. Players are also permitted to add any additional colors from the board plus black and white. My additional colors are Green Apple and Lagoon. The use of colors not on the board will disqualify your project.

Following the sketch, I layered multiple patterned papers to a red card base. This was followed by the matted rectangle and banners using foam tape for dimension. The butterfly and small sentiment were stamped and punched, the white stitching was added and these elements were added to the card front. (A small sentiment was a sketch requirement.) A few pearls were added. The inside was decorated using coordinating paper and a punched butterfly.

Stop by the AHSC Blog and the Color Dare Blog to learn more about these challenges.

Materials
Stamp: Crafters Companion "Downton Abbey Elements 1"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight
Patterned Paper: CTMH "My Reflections" Collection
Punches: Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Butterfly, 1.5" Circle, Petite Curly Label
Misc.: Boxun Gel Pen (white), pearls & foam tape from stash.

Just a Note - All Occasion

It's time for another color challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare! Challenges begin each Friday and are two weeks in duration so anytime you visit the blog there is a challenge underway. This is Color Dare #389, a Tic Tac Toe challenge, which began on Friday, April 10, and will run through Thursday evening, April 23, 2020. I selected the middle column from the board - Mink, Peach, Smoothie - plus black as a neutral.

It's been a while since I used the rubber band technique but I recently saw a YouTube video HERE and I decided to do this card. Crafters are clever by coming up with ways to use common household items!

After completing the rubber band design on white cardstock, the panel was cut into five strips and adhered to black cardstock. I did not use an embossing powder tool purposely because I wanted loose particles of powder to become part of the design. 

I adhered this to the light gray card base. I used pale woodgrain patterned paper for the sentiment banner but the grain is not visible in the photos. The sentiment was cut with a die, added to the banner and adhered with foam tape. I resisted the urge to add flowers or bling, deciding the design spoke for itself.

The inside of the card was decorated with a scrap of the embossed panel set on black. No sentiment was stamped to leave sufficient space for a personal note. 

The Design Team at Color Dare #389 welcomes you to join the challenge. When you see the products below, you can see that I used a few substitutes for the required colors. You are free to do the same!

Techniques: Rubber Band, Heat Embossing, Die Cutting, Sponging, Color Blending, Emboss Resist
Size: A2 (5.5" x 4.25")

Materials
Inks: Stampin' Up! Peach Parfait (retired); CTMH Smoothie; Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Basic Black; W+9 Dove Gray (sub for Mink)
Patterned paper: CTMH "Into the Wild" Collection
Die: Spellbinders (sentiment)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! EP, foam tape, gem (black), rubber bands in various widths