Hello... Love You (TSOT 645)

 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Today's card was inspired by a sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #645. Sometimes my interpretation doesn't follow the sketch precisely but for me, the sketch is for inspiration, and not necessarily to be copied exactly, unless that is what the cardmaker is inspired to do.

Challenge #645 is a semimonthly event that began on the third Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and runs through Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

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Just about every card I make these days is with existing items from my stash. I have so many beautiful patterned papers that I have resisted purchasing more until I reduce my current inventory. I thought this paper was sweet when I saw the tiny pink birds and the coordinating floral paper. After die-cutting and adhering the double-stacked branch along with the sentiment and its shadow I used scraps of pink cardstock and adhered it to a white card base. A few silver pearls completed the card front. The inside was decorated with the die-cut words "love you" and a leafy pink branch.

Last week I received word that my 98-year-old Aunt Mildred had broken her femur (thigh) in a fall so this card with a long overdue letter enclosed, is already on its way to her in Virginia. I will be sending her cards regularly while she is in rehab for this fractured leg.

Please visit the TSOT Challenge Blog 645 and thank you for stopping by!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Pink Pirouette

Paper: Spellbinders "Love Grows Here"

Dies: Altenew "Decorative Swirls" (Leaf) & "Sweet Expressions" (sentiment)

Misc.: 3M foam tape & Honey Bee pearl stickers

Love You - St. Valentine's Day

It's time to make cards for family members to celebrate St. Valentine's Day, so I have been making a few Valentines in advance. This sketch, from the weekly Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, offers the opportunity to create another Valentine. This is Challenge #561 and is scheduled to run through Sunday evening, January 28, 2024.

Flowers are always appropriate on cards so that paper was my first selection, and then finding additional patterned papers was next. After cutting the shapes, they were adhered to a panel of scrap cardstock. I thought my careful selection to fit the majority of two large flowers into the largest shape was just right because I had also managed to capture a bit of the leaves. That is... until I added the additional elements. My sentiment circle was going to cover the leaves. The color of the leaves, a deep blue-green, was the reason I selected the pinstripe paper. It was time to tweak the plan. 

The silver metallic circle was adhered along with the stacked hearts stamped with a tiny sentiment and then a set of leaves fussy-cut from the floral paper was adhered. This was still in keeping with the sketch and added the color I wanted. A few silver pearls were added and the card front was adhered to a white card base. The inside of the card was decorated with leftover paper scraps and another silver circle with a dragonfly silhouette. The dragonfly was originally die-cut to use with the sentiment but I went with the leaves instead.

I think this sketch design is a great way to use up scraps from my stash so I am planning to use it again. I am also sure that my sister-in-law in Florida will enjoy receiving her annual St. Valentine's card!

Be sure to visit the AHSC 561 Blog!

So glad you stopped by to view my card. Your comments are welcome.

Thank you,

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: The Stamps of Life "Candy Hearts 2"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Silver Foiled, Bravo Burgundy (retired)

Paper: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" Collection, Honey Bee "Pinstripes & Polka Dots - Winter"

Dies: The Stamps of Life "Candy Hearts 2", Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Kokorosa (dragonfly on the inside)

Misc.: Honey Bee (silver pearls)

Love You - Valentine

 

Sometimes I find it challenging just to keep up with my favorite challenges, which is often the case with Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenges. A weekly challenge, beginning every Monday morning and ending on Sunday evenings, following is the sketch. This is Challenge #560 ending on Sunday, January 21, 2024.

After selecting a pretty striped paper to cut on the diagonal for the first layer, the yellow linen-textured cardstock backed with black pearlescent cardstock was added. The squares in the sketch were replaced with hexagons, my favorite shape in cardmaking. The smaller hexagons were die-cut from patterned paper, also backed with black pearlescent cardstock.

The center hexagon consists of black pearlescent cardstock. The paper pattern was an unusually large image for cardmaking use so I trimmed away a small portion to adhere to the hexagon. I did not care for the plain white portion above the three flowers the white portion was cut away, leaving part of the black hexagon exposed. I was satisfied with the result so left it.

The completed card front was adhered to a white card base and the inside was decorated with a bit of scrap paper and die-cut hexagon rings. The five black hexagon-shaped stick-ons were added for interest.

Thank you for stopping by... please leave a comment. Happy New Year!

Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White; Doodlebug (textured yellow); Paper Papers "Pearlescent" (Black) 

Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again" Collection; Paper Rose (preprinted sentiment)

Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons

Misc.: Stampin' Up Hexagon Stickers, CTMH thin foam tape

Love & Christmas Cookies

12/24/2023 Update: Favorite of the Week at Splitcoast Stampers!

Once the children in our family become teenagers, it's gift cards or cash instead of a wrapped gift. It's now down to the wire and I realized I was short one Christmas card for the cash gift for my 13-year-old nephew. I don't often use ephemera and stickers on my cards because I like to create the elements myself, but I had Christmas paper and accessories on my desk so decided to make something quickly.

My nephew enjoys learning to cook with his mom, so this suite of Gingerbread Christmas paper worked well for a cooking theme. A cut-apart was trimmed and backed with gum-drop patterned paper, then adhered to the red card base, adding a strip of green plaid paper behind the cut-apart. The cute garland of gingerbread cookies was added across the top of the card and a green gumdrop was adhered on the lower left.

The inside of the card was lined with a panel of dark green cardstock and then another panel in white. A sticker with "Official Cookie Tester" was added along with a Merry Christmas sentiment. This was a quick and easy card but I'm sure my nephew will be more interested in the cash than in the card making!

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Melanie

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Real Red, Mossy Meadow

Paper: Echo Park "Gingerbread Christmas" Collection

Let It Snow

Update: Top Three Winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #547. 

It has been more than a year since I participated in one of my favorite challenges, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This is AHSC #547, which is one week in duration, beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023, and closing on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Below is the inspiration sketch.

I recently received a die set called Skinny Snowmen so I decided to put it to use with this challenge. The die has seven snow people of varying heights plus the scarves and hats. Coloring the details on the snow people was a little time-consuming but I enjoyed making the card. I backed the figures with strips of black cardstock so the tiny die-cut openings for the eyes and buttons would appear black. The die also embossed the smiles, which I dotted with a black fine-tip pen. The hats and scarves were colored with markers and adhered.

Wanting just a light touch of snow on the blue panel, the ocean wave stencil and white craft ink seemed to work just fine. I kept it pale so as not to distract from the images. After arranging and adhering the snow people, I added the vellum banner with the word "Snow" die-cut in blue and backed with white, adding the text, LET IT. A few rhinestones were added for sparkle. The finished panel was adhered to a white card base and the inside of the card was decorated with three extra snow people.

If you enjoy using sketches, then you will enjoy playing along weekly at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges.

I appreciate your visiting my blog and thank you for your comments.

Blessings...

Melanie

Materials

Inks/Markers: Stampin' Up! Craft (white pigment); markers borrowed from my sister

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Boho Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Vellum

Dies: Kokorosa "Skinny Snowmen" & Impression Obsession "Let It Snow"

Stencil: "Wave Strips" by Clear Scraps 

Misc.: Rhinestones

Lapoo Lotus Birthday Card

It's time again for a color challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare. Challenge #571 began on Friday, October 20, 2023, and will close on Thursday, November 2, 2023. The requirements make this challenge one of my favorites. I really enjoy creating black and white cards with a punch of color.

This time, I decided to go with a soft punch by using a pretty pastel pink color. I was inspired by a scrap of patterned paper that I used on the card. The pretty pink and gold hearts in the paper design along with the tiny black keys simply caught my eye. 

To create the card I simply die-cut the flower pieces and circles and adhered them to a card base of layered cardstock. The sentiment was stamped and popped up with foam tape for dimension. The inside of the card was decorated with another gold-backed circle and a pink flower. My sister-in-law will be celebrating her birthday in two weeks so I will be mailing this card to her.

Our challenges are biweekly, with a new challenge beginning each Friday, so we always have an open challenge. Please visit our Challenge Blog for details to play along with us.

I appreciate your visiting my blog and thank you for your comments.

Blessings...

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Concord & 9th (sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black 

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Bubble Bath, Gold Foil

Paper: Spellbinders "Love Grows Here" Collection 

Die: Hero Arts Infinity Circles and Lapoo Sacred Lotus

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Size: A2 (5.5" x 4.25")

Just Pure Love

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #497 is up on the blog with the latest colors! This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday evening, June 2, 2022. This is a tic tac toe challenge so to play along choose three colors in a row and complete your project. You may use all of the colors as long as you start with three in a row from the color board. If you use a color that is not on the color board, your card may be disqualified. I selected the third column - Lemonade, Capri, and Flamingo but actually used all colors except Kraft and Gold.

I was out of town when I created this card. I had no supplies with me but was given the opportunity to use products from a friend's stash. I kept it simple. Onto a black card base, I added a panel of turquoise cardstock followed by the patterned rainbow-colored paper, beautifully spattered. To finish I added a large piece of ephemera to the card front, expressing "love" in bright red and closely matted with black cardstock. This was popped up with foam tape. A few gems were also added.

I hope you'll visit the Color Dare Blog and give our challenge a try!

Materials

Cardstock: CTMH Black & Capri

Patterned Paper: CTMH "Fresh Paint" Paper Packet

Misc.: gems and foam tape from stash

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

It's a green-colored challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #487. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) falls during this challenge but your card only needs to meet the challenge board requirements shown below.

In 2022 I am trying to use products I own that have never been used. When I found some Asian-inspired dies in my stash I decided to feature the Lunar New Year on my card, although the holiday will be over by the time this is published. This festive and colorful holiday is not celebrated by all Asian cultures and countries but remains extremely popular and lasts through the month of February. For the color challenge, I used shades of green adding gold as my required metallic element, then black and white, which are free colors.

To a panel of white cardstock, I stenciled bamboo images using several green inks, also brushing on a very light shade of green ink to the white cardstock. I adhered the panel to black cardstock. The Asian-inspired frame was cut from black cardstock using an A2 frame die. I die-cut two of the frames, then cut them apart and carefully glued them to fit the Slimline card dimensions. 

Next, the die depicting the wagasa-carrying lady was used to cut an image in black and another in gold. The details were poked out of the black image and it was glued to the gold image, which had been left intact. I added the completed image with foam tape, then the entire card front was added to a white card base. The inside was decorated with a few stenciled bamboo branches and an Asian motif in black and gold. I omitted using any sentiment until I know how I will use the card.

We look forward to seeing your entries at our biweekly challenges. This challenge runs through Thursday evening, March 24, 2022. Visit our Color Dare Blog to view the DT's projects and to see our guidelines. We have a new biweekly challenge beginning every Friday morning so there is always an active challenge.

Materials

Inks: Stampin' Up! Soft Seafoam, Granny Apple Green, Pear Pizzazz & Shaded Spruce

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Foiled Gold

Stencil: Slimline Bamboo (source unknown)

Dies: Frantic Stamper "Oriental Frame and Motifs"; RCD "Oriental Lady"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Life's at Ease

There's a biweekly challenge awaiting your project at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. Challenge #511 began on Tuesday, June 15, and will end on Sunday evening, June 27, 2021. In addition to the sketch, there is an option to use a beach theme.

Onto a white card base, I added a panel of blue wave-patterned paper along with a yellow striped piece. I stamped the palm tree, the umbrella, and the shorebird then colored them with Copic markers. I fussy cut and adhered the elements to the card using foam tape. The clouds were punched, edged with color, and adhered with a hand-cut sun. The sentiment was stamped with blue ink and added. The inside was decorated with stamped, colored images.

Please visit our TSOT511 Blog to join the biweekly challenge. We have challenges beginning each Tuesday that run for two weeks so there is always an active challenge underway.

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Ocean Wisdom" (sentiment) & "Seaside Chair" (umbrella & shorebird); Sunny Studio "Sending Sunshine" (palm tree)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Oxide (Blueprint Sketch), Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White

Paper: CTMH "I Heart Us" Collection

Die: Whimsy Wavy Frames (sentiment)

Punch: Stampin' Up! (clouds)

Misc.: Foam tape

Latched Hearts Gatefold Card

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge # 411 is underway. This is a weekly challenge that began on Monday, March 8, and will end on Sunday evening, March 14, 2021. I always enjoy participating in AHSC challenges because it was the first challenge I ever attempted and it was the first challenge where I eventually won a Top Three designation. I was so new to card making!

This sketch just begged to be used for a gatefold design so I obliged. I also created the card with a portrait orientation rather than a landscape. Inspired by the heart in the sketch, I went with a heart motif as well. The die-cut hearts interlock when the card is closed, creating a latch. I found using a heart shape requires patience when unlatching the card. I created a standard A2 card base with the double gate closing in the center, embossing each door to add texture. 

Using a set of heart nesting dies, I cut five images, alternating between a solid color and a Hound's Tooth check pattern and attaching them to the front gates. The three solid-colored hearts were added to the left gate with glue applied to the left half of each heart. Likewise, the two patterned hearts were added to the right gate with glue applied to the right half of the heart. Carefully nestle the hearts so they fit together. In keeping with the sketch, I added a sentiment but placed it below the focal image so it would not interfere with the latch. The sentiment banner is attached only to the left gate. Because the card is in soft colors, I added a few white pearls for interest and dimension. The inside of the card was decorated with coordinating die-cut hearts.

If you're looking for a card challenge I hope you'll visit the AHSC Blog. The Design Team always contributes plenty of inspiration to get you going.

Materials

Stamp: Concord & 9th "Say Hello"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Perfect Plum & Pale Plum

Paper: LDRS Creative "Pastel Patterns" 

Dies: Spellbinder's Classic Hearts

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder ("Parisian Flourish") & pearls from stash

Live It Up! - Masculine

Tic-Tac-Toe challenges can be fun! When I saw the game board for this week at TicTacToe Challenge #080, I was drawn in by the elements on the top row - Stripes, Masculine, Blue.

I recently "rediscovered" a masculine stamp in my stash and decided to use it. I stamped the image on gray cardstock matted with white and added it to a white card base with blue striped patterned paper. I used foam tape to attach the image. The sentiment stamp is from the same stamp set. It was stamped onto white cardstock and then die-cut. A few enamel dots were added. The inside was stamped with tire tread for decoration.

This weekly challenge began on Thursday, September 3, and will end on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at noon CDT. Take a look at the TTTC080 Blog for details.

Materials

Stamps: Power Poppy "Move the Soul"

Ink: Distress Oxide "Blueprint Sketch"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Smoky Slate

DSP: Stampin' Up! from stash

Die: Sizzix # 662347

Misc.: Enamel dots and foam tape

Just Cruisin' By...

The next biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #58 is up on the blog beginning Monday, June 1, ending Sunday evening, June 14, 2020. This challenge has one required element and two optional elements. Here is a summary but be sure to visit their blog to clarify the requirements and guidelines. Please note, that our partner is Use Your Stuff Challenge #399.

I enjoy making masculine cards perhaps because I grew up with three brothers and I have six nephews plus a husband and a stepson. To a gray card base, I adhered a panel of vanilla cardstock and then a panel of patterned paper that has little images of cars. I added a patterned strip for interest. To this, I added some die-cut gears in silver foiled cardstock and a few metallic "gems". The sentiment was computer generated and printed on vanilla cardstock. The sentiment and largest gear were popped with foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a vanilla panel, a few die-cut gears and a VW Bug.

Be sure to check out the challenge blogs for DTC#58 and Use Your Stuff #399.

I am entering this card at Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge #246. The theme is Father's Day. I made this card for my stepson. Be sure to visit their blog!

In addition to the aforementioned challenges, I discovered a challenge that is new to me and decided to play along. Be sure to check out Two Sisters on the Blog. This is monthly challenge #40 ending on June 30, 2020. The requirement is to include at least two circles.

Materials
Stamp: Computer generated sentiment
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Silver, Hello Honey
Patterned Paper: Stash
Dies:  RCD Gears & VW Beetle (inside)
Misc.: Foam tape and silver "gems"

Let's Celebrate!

Today is the last day for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #370. This is a weekly challenge that begins on Mondays. I love using flowers on cards but have been trying to use other elements just for a change.

Onto a white card base, I added a panel of blue cardstock and then a die-cut panel of patterned paper sliced in keeping with the sketch. I liked the little butterflies fluttering about, using a white gel pen to emphasize their paths. I die cut the balloons from white cardstock and then sponged them for color, adding Wink of Stella for a little shine. The balloons were added with foam tape and the strings were hand-cut and glued directly to the card. Some tiny iridescent gems were added for sparkle. The sentiment was stamped, die-cut and matted then added with foam tape. The inside was decorated with additional balloons and hand-drawn strings.

Be sure to visit the AHSC Blog to join the weekly sketch challenges. You'll be glad you did!

Materials
Stamp:
Inks: DOX Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon & Lucky Clover
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; CTMH Sapphire
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Sweet Girl"
Dies: Frantic Stamper "Deckled Rectangles" & Paper Smooches "Let's Celebrate" (balloons)
Misc.: Gems & foam tape

Little Leprechaun

03/16/ 2020 Update: Favorite of the Week at Splitcoast Stampers for week ending 03/14/2020.

It's time for another biweekly color challenge at the Color My Heart Color Dare Blog. Challenge #385 uses a photo for inspiration, which includes a rainbow and plenty of the color green. (There is no requirement to include a St. Patrick's Day theme.)

The leprechaun image on my card was downloaded, resized, printed, colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut. The coins in the pot were colored with metallic gold ink along with the leprechaun's buttons and the buckle on his hat. Onto a white card base, I added two layers of cardstock along with some thin strips of cardstock representing a rainbow for the pot of gold. Wink of Stella was applied to the rainbow. The tree, cloud, grass and dragonfly were die cut. The sentiment was added and the inside was decorated with several tiny gold foil dragonflies.

Color My Heart Color Dare challenges begin weekly and last two weeks. Challenge #385 begins on Friday, March 13, and closes on Wednesday, March 25. For guidelines, visit the Color Dare blog and join us!

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Peaceful Moments" & Whimsy Stamps "Little Leprechaun" (digital)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Pistachio Pudding, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist, Perfectly Plum, Gold Foil
Dies: MFT (cloud), Memory Box (tree), The Stamp Doctor (dragonfly), Lawn Fawn (grass)
Misc.: Boxun Gel Pen (gold metallic ink), ZIG Wink of Stella (clear) & foam tape.