Prayers & Hugs

These challenges provided me with the opportunity to create a card for a close family friend in need of prayer and hugs. I am sure she will enjoy receiving my card. Double Trouble #154 is a biweekly challenge ending on Sunday evening, December 3, 2023. As usual, we have three "Things" for our challenge. 

In summary, Thing 1 is an acknowledgment of Pins and Needles Day with a theme of "Stay Calm and Stitch On," which requires stitching on your project. 

Thing 2 is optional. We are asking you to link your project with Tuesday Morning Sketches #734 but be sure to check their guidelines before creating your project. 

Thing 3 is also optional. This option is to use the sketch that was provided by our partner, Tuesday Morning Sketches. Their sketch is below. For complete details, visit the DTC 154 Blog.

Sketch challenges always provide inspiration even if one's interpretation creates a few variances. I found that to be true with the sketch above. I had a specific plan but as I worked through my process, I changed elements here and there. I can identify the sketch in my work so I was happy with the result. The inside of the card was lined with one layer of colored cardstock and one layer of white, decorated with a die-cut image of a Hyacinth, and stamped with a sentiment, "Prayers & Hugs".

Please join us for some challenge fun and you may win a prize in our random drawing. Just be sure to follow the guidelines for both challenges. Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Pistachio Pudding

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Orchid Oasis, Pistachio Pudding

Paper: Paper Rose Studio "Violet Garden"

Dies: Honey Bee "Lovely Layers Greenery", Spellbinders "Winter Borders"(double stitching)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Pumpkin-Man

 

We've been enjoying the fall season at Double Trouble Challenges and Challenge #95 is open through Sunday evening, October 31, 2021. As usual, we have three "Things" for our challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is asking you to create an Autumn card using cheerful and cute Halloween items.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link your card to the challenge at Cupcake Inspirations #530. This will give you an additional chance of winning our random draw.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister hopes you'll find a way to add Washi tape to your project so you can earn another chance of winning our randomly drawn prize. (I added it to the inside of the card.)

After die-cutting the "pumpkin-man" I colored him with markers followed by die-cutting the cat from black cardstock and adding two googly eyes. Onto a white card base, I added the patterned background paper. Using a rectangular die set, I cut two additional panels from patterned paper, adhering them to the card. The pumpkin-man and the cat were added with foam tape along with the sentiment. 

The inside of the card was decorated with paper imprinted with spiders and the word "Spooky" cut from a die. To adhere to Twisted Sister's optional challenge, I was given a strip of Washi tape from Trouble Maker. It has a spider web design and was added to the inside edge.

Be sure to visit the challenge blogs for DTC94 and CI530 to review the guidelines and play along. You could win a prize in the random draw!

Materials

Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: CTMH Pumpkin Spice Paper Packet

Dies: Frantic Stamper (Pumpkin-Man, Scaredy Cats, Spooky Words) & Whimsy (Stitched Zigzag Rectangles)

Misc.: Washi Tape, googly eyes & CTMH thin foam tape

Plaid, Dots & Stripes Mix

It's Friday, August 20, and the first day of two of my favorite challenges. These challenges are both biweekly and are scheduled to end on Thursday evening, September 2, 2021.

Double Trouble Challenge #91 has their usual three "Things":

Thing 1 (required): Use the theme "Scrapper's Trail Mix".

Thing 2 (optional): Link your card to our partner, Color My Heart Color Dare #458.

Thing 3 (optional): Use the Color Dare #458 color board. You must select at least three colors from the board but you may add more colors as long as they appear on the color board. Any colors that appear on your project that are not on the board will disqualify your entry so read the instructions carefully.

Double Trouble #91

 Color Dare #458

I selected Sundance, Peacock, Cinnamon, and Glacier, and used white as a neutral. I found a sketch from another challenge that dated back several years and used it for inspiration. I found that the first three colors were so saturated that I needed to add the Glacier and white to "cool" the color combination. The inside of the card is lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper. This challenge was a great way to use scraps.

We invite you to join us at these two challenges. Double Trouble always offers a randomly drawn prize and Color Dare selects a Top Four list. Visit the blogs for their guidelines.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Hello Honey (sub for Sundance)

Paper: Stampin' Up! Scraps from stash

Dies: Sizzix #662347 "Circle Sentiments"

Punch: Stampin' Up! (heart)

Misc.: Thin foam tape from stash

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Here in Arizona, it will be a while before signs of Autumn begin to appear but we still enjoy the seasonal celebrations and holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. This week I decided to use the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #433 for my first fall card. This challenge began on Monday, August 9, and will end on Sunday evening, August 15, 2021.

In an ongoing, but not enthusiastic, effort to reduce the size of my paper stash, I used paper that I had on hand. Onto a black card base, I cut three rectangles from patterned paper and adhered them vertically. Using thin foam tape, I added the smaller rectangle horizontally. I found the pumpkin image with a sentiment in the paper packet so added it to the card with foam tape after fussy cutting. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with additional paper cuts. To finish the card, I added Autumn leaves. Wink of Stella was added to the leaves and pumpkin.

Be sure to visit the AHSC433 Blog! 

Materials

Cardstock: SU Whisper White & Basic Black

Paper: CTMH "Hello Pumpkin" Paper Packet

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Autumn Punch Pack" (leaves)

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

Peachy Sweet (Thank You)

Fruit is nature's candy and peaches are wonderfully sweet so I thought a peach theme was a sweet way to express thanks to someone special.

I was inspired by the sketch and optional theme at Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #517. This biweekly challenge is open from Tuesday, July 27, through Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Using patterned paper with peach blossoms, I added a panel to a brightly colored card base that I had embossed with a leafy pattern. I added the scallop for interest and to bring out the tiny blue flowers in the patterned paper. The blue striped banner was added with foam tape along with the two die-cut circles and the fussy cut peach with leaves. Wink of Stella was added to the peach. I lined the inside with white cardstock and decorated it with coordinating paper scraps. The sentiment was stamped and added in keeping with the sketch.

Be sure to visit the TSOT 517 Blog to learn about our challenge and to see the Design Team's inspirational cards!

Materials

Stamp: Maymay Made It "Just to Say Thanks"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Marina Mist

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Petal Pink & Marina Mist

DSP: Stampin' Up! "You're a Peach" Collection

Dies: Spellbinders (Classic Circles) & RCD (Scallop Border)

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Lovely Labels"

TIEF: Stampin' Up! "Petal Burst"

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

The Piggest Fan

07/07/2021 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #427.

Recently I spent some time in the hospital because of a severe allergic reaction to a prescription drug. It was a surprise because I have never been allergic to anything! Part of the treatment included a blood transfusion. I have been a blood donor for years but have rarely given it a second thought after each donation. Being a recipient, however, left me thankful and humbled that someone would do that for me. If you are able, please consider becoming a blood donor or organ donor. Your kindness could save a life.

I decided to have some fun with the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #427 plus enter my Glamorous Pig at Two Crafty Critter Crazies. I created the card but determined it needed something more. Have you heard of the concept of turning a "now" card into a "WOW" card? That's what I tried to do. To liven up my card, I added the bejeweled pig along with the butterfly and a silly pun. I hope it makes you smile.

Following the sketch, I added panels to the card base for the background followed by the four circles in varying sizes. I added foam tape in two thicknesses to vary the dimension as well. My images were stamped, adhered, and fussy cut, followed by the stamped sentiment and the rhinestones. I almost gave her rhinestone earrings! I had a few die-cut flowers from another project so I placed one in the pig's hoof and added two to the inside of the card. The inside was also lined with a white cardstock panel and decorated with paper scraps.

I urge you to join in the weekly sketch challenges at AHSC427. and don't forget to visit Two Crafty Critter Crazies. Whether or not you have played along with these challenges before, it's always fun to challenge your creativity. AHSC427 is open through Sunday evening, July 4, 2021, and 2CCC52 is ongoing through Sunday, July 25, 2021.

Happy Birthday USA!

Materials

Stamps: MFT "Sow Much Cuteness"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Lost Lagoon

Paper: Carta Bella "Flower Garden" Collection

Dies: Whimsy (stitched circles)

Misc.: Rhinestones and foam tape from stash

Puddle Jumper

It's time to introduce Try Stampin' on Tuesday's Challenge #503. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, April 20, through Sunday evening, May 2, 2021. The sketch for this challenge follows and the optional twist is "April Showers".

Using a stamp from my stash, the image was stamped, colored with Copic Markers, and then fussy cut. Three ovals were die-cut with the smallest one providing a place to color in a little rainy scene. The scene was created using Copic Markers and a white gel pen. A stencil and sponged ink created the card background, which was added to the card base. In keeping with the sketch elements, a strip of red cardstock was added. I also included a die-cut circle to represent the sun peeking through. A few hand-cut sun rays were added. The stacked ovals with the rainy scene were added to the card base with foam tape along with the colored image.  The sentiment was stamped and added, also using foam tape. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a red umbrella.

To view my card, "Showers of Love", using the companion stamp set, "Rain or Shine", click HERE.

If you enjoy sketch challenges or if you're new to challenges, you will enjoy playing along with our Challenge #503. 

Materials

Stamps: My Favorite Things "Puddle Jumper"

Inks: DOX Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass & Hickory Smoke; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler & Marina Mist

Dies: Spellbinders (circle) & Hero Arts (ovals)

Misc.: Stencil & foam tape from stash

Pleated Curtain Technique

It's time for another biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare. Challenge #437 begins on Friday, March 26, and ends on Thursday evening, April 8, 2021. What makes this challenge a little different from our usual challenges is that you get to pick the colors. All you have to do is follow the 3-2-1 Recipe pictured below. I selected tones of pink, yellow, and green as my Three colors, vanilla and brown (woodgrain) for the Two neutrals, and pink glitter paper for my One item.

I have been trying to use paper from my stash so selected paper that gave me my colors for the challenge. The three main colors and the two neutrals can be found in the paper's design. The pleated curtain technique is an old favorite of mine and having recently seen it demonstrated again I decided to revive one of the many styles. This is also called Pleated Drape or Pleated Skirt in addition to other terms. (Click HERE to see another style.) 

For this card, I simply pleated a strip of patterned paper then adhered it to the woodgrain panel and finished the top edge of the pleating with a pink glitter punched border. The rose, leaves, and butterfly were fussy-cut from the patterned paper and added with foam tape along with a few embellishments. The entire piece was added to a vanilla card base. The inside was decorated with additional fussy-cut images. I decided not to add a sentiment until I am ready to use the card.

Visit our Challenge Blog to see the cards made by our Design Team. We'd enjoy seeing your interpretation of our challenge, too!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Mosaic Mood", CTMH Glitter Paper (Ballerina), & woodgrain from stash
Punch: Martha Stewart Loopy Border
Misc.: Foam tape & enamel dots from stash

Have a Purr-fect Day

It's January and I think this must be the coldest month of the year, even in Arizona. Two of my favorite challenges are cuddling up together against the cold temperatures for their biweekly challenges. Color My Heart Color Dare #425, beginning Friday, January 1, ends on Thursday evening, January 14, 2021. Double Trouble #74 has adjusted their start date to match with their partner but will be ending on the usual date of Sunday evening, January 17, 2021.

My three colors of choice were red, green, and brick yellow with a touch of gold. Following is the inspiration photo for Color My Heart Color Dare #425:

The "Cuddle Up" theme at Double Trouble #74 has one requirement and two options:

Thing 1: Trouble Maker is requiring that you use your favorite cutting or embossing device when creating your project. I used my Gemini Junior to cut a scalloped frame and the focal image. 

Thing 2: Double Dare has presented the option to link your project with Color Dare #425. This will give you an extra chance for the Random Prize Drawing.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister's optional twist is to add a warm and fuzzy critter, earning you another chance in the Random Prize Drawing.

I love cats and dogs equally but nowadays find living with just one cat seems to suit my lifestyle. (I have had as many as three cats and three dogs at the same time.) Sluggo, my dark gray male with tuxedo markings, has me well-trained and we coexist perfectly. I stamped this two-part image (body and head) then colored the images using Copic markers. Have you ever had a marker dispense a big puddle of ink? Grrrrrr. I managed to mop it up and after repeated treatments with blending solution managed to get the worst of it corrected. 

The hand-colored images were die-cut and placed onto the card that I had already assembled by adding white cardstock and a die-cut green plaid frame to a red card base. The body was added direct to paper but the cat's head was attached using a Wobble Spring and the green foil bow was die-cut and attached. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with green plaid paper. The sentiment, "Have a PURR-fect Day", was stamped on the inside.

Give these challenges a try! Be sure to visit the DTC74 Blog and the CD425 Blog to review the details and guidelines for this joint challenge.

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous "Love Mew"

Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Real Red

Paper: Stampin' Up! (green plaid); WRMK Foil (green) 

Dies: Lawn Fawn Inverted Scallop Frame; Stampendous "Love Mew"

Misc.: Wobble Spring, foam tape

Purple Poppies

The biweekly Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #383 is open today, Friday, February 28, and will end Wednesday evening, March 11, 2020. This challenge uses a Tic Tac Toe board, meaning you must use three colors in a row. In addition, once a row, column or diagonal trio of colors has been selected, you may add any additional colors on the board. Colors not on the board are not permitted. You may use any product to achieve the colors, as long as the colors are a close match. I selected the third column, Wisteria, Mint and Peach with neutrals of black and white. 

I decided to do a bit of water coloring, making this a genuine challenge. It goes against my grain to get sloppy but coloring outside of the lines is permitted so I rolled with it. The poppies were stamped using a masking technique so only one leaf and one pod are included. I used dye inks with an aqua painter. The lower portion of the card front was embossed for texture, the black strip die cut along one edge then adhered along with the punched butterflies. Wink of Stella and pearls were added to the butterflies. The card front was matted win black cardstock and adhered to a colored card base. The interior was lined with a panel of white, an accent of black and a few more punched butterflies. No sentiment has yet been added.

We welcome you to join our challenges. Every Friday there is a new biweekly color challenge, sometimes with a twist. Visit our Color My Heart Color Dare Blog for the guidelines.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Painted Poppies"
Ink: Staz-on Jet Black; Stampin' Up! Wisteria Wonder (sub for CTMH Wisteria), Mint Macaron (sub for CTMH Mint), Crisp Cantaloupe (sub for CTMH Peach)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe
Die: Mama Elephant Stitched Zigzag Border Die
Punches: Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Butterfly & Elegant Butterfly
Other: Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear), pearls from stash