Beat the Heat - Cool! (DTC #170)

Double Trouble Challenge #170 is open through Sunday evening, July 14, 2024. As is customary, there are three elements to this biweekly challenge. The details and guidelines can be found in the DTC170 Blog.

For Trouble Maker's Thing 1 requirement I used wind and water as my elements to stay cool, using heat embossing as my technique.

Then I took Double Dare's Thing 2 option and linked up with My Happy Place - Park Hopping HERE.

I could not ignore Twisted Sister's Thing 3 option and spent some time thinking it through. I went for a walk down memory lane as I pondered how to create this card to involve a theme park. Having lived in Florida for a long time (1950-1957 and 1967-1999), I have visited many beaches, keys, parks, swamps, and attractions related to the fun, beauty, plants, and wildlife associated with water and staying cool. 

Returning to Florida has always made me happy. What comes to mind is running through a sprinkler in the backyard to beat the heat when I was a child. This was before the days of theme parks. On Sunday afternoons my family enjoyed fishing or sailing in our sloop-rigged daysailor, the "Puffin", which was moored in Tampa Bay. Those were my halcyon days.

My family members have worked at several Florida theme parks over the years, and I have visited all of those parks. My finished card depicts a sailboat on Bay Lake at Disney World - Orlando. The wind and water spray keep boaters cool as they enjoy the sunshine.

Thank you for joining our challenges at Double Trouble and My Happy Place. I hope you also have good memories of your happy times and places.

Melanie

Materials

Inks: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Real Red, Just Jade & Soft Sky

Paper: SBC "Travel Airplane Collection"

Dies: Stamps of Life words "So Cool" & Kokorosa "Sailboat in a  Frame"

Embossing Powder: Wow Silver Metallic extra fine

Misc.: SBC thin foam tape (1 mm.)

Wild Meadow All Occasion

It's time to join the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #587. I love the color called Rosy, especially paired with Capri and a touch of metallic gold ink. Below is the Color Dare Board. All you do is choose at least three colors and create. You may not add colors that are not on the board. Black, white, and neutrals are free to use. 

Onto a panel of white cardstock, the square shapes were randomly stamped in three locations without considering if the large stamp would coordinate. I had no idea if any of the flowers or leaves would end up in a good place with the random squares. Once stamped, I was content with the result but thought the top of the card was devoid of interest. Using a tiny circle stamp, I added metallic gold ink to the three wildflowers. The panel was popped up on foam tape and added to a white card base with the edges inked in Rosy. The inside was decorated with a few more stamped squares, leaving space for a personal message.

This was a quick and easy card to create - perfect for producing a large quantity of cards.

Please visit the Challenge Blog and play along with us.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments.

Melanie

Materials

Stamps: Woodware "Wild Meadow", Waffle Flower "Color Swatches"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; CTMH Rosy & Capri; Delicata Metallic "Golden Glitz"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

A Wee Bit o' Love - Valentine

My grand-nephew, "Penny", loves animals and always enjoys receiving mail so I created this Valentine for him using Sketch #562 from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This weekly challenge runs from Monday, January 29, 2024, through Sunday evening, February 6, 2024. (I also made a card for Penny's brother, "Oz", that can be viewed HERE.)

 

I have had this border die of Scottish terriers and knew it would be a hit with Penny. My family runs deep with Scottish heritage so I selected tartan paper for the strips. The variety of tartans seemed to work with the Scotties perfectly. In keeping with the sketch, I added a stamped sentiment. I wish that stamp had said "A wee bit o'love." The hand-drawn hearts represent the cord element seen in the sketch. 

Also included was a strip of patterned paper with "x" and "o" symbols, then tiny gem stickers in four colors (red, silver, gold, and green) were added to the dogs as collars. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock decorated with tartan strips and one Scotty left from the border strip on the front. 

For fun with sketches, stop by the AHSC Blog!

Materials

Stamp: Concord and 9th "All Wrapped Up"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Midnight Muse

Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again", Paper Rose "Winter Plaid"

Dies: Cottage Cutz "Scotty Dog Border", Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)

Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers; CTMH thin foam tape

Extrovert or Introvert?

Extrovert or Introvert?

Probably more of an Ambivert!

 

Introvert or Extrovert? 

The Double Trouble team is having a bit of fun with you and hopes you will play along. Here is a summary of their Challenge #156:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker says, "January 2 is World Introvert Day. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, Thing 1's requirement is to create a project to show us your personality through one of these two background choices. These choices are the Introvert - calm, soft, pastel  OR  the Extrovert -  loud, bold, bright."

 

Most people are actually ambiverts - people who kind of exist in between introversion and extroversion depending on the situation. Being an ambivert myself, I decided to create two cards - one for my extrovert side and another for the introvert. Both cards are for both challenges - participants are not required to submit more than one card. 

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare has the link to Try a Sketch on Tuesday #638 so you can join our partner's challenge as well and earn another chance in our random drawing. Both of these challenges are biweekly and will end on Sunday evening, January 14, 2024.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister will give you another chance in the Random Drawing if you use the sketch below, provided by our partner. This sketch was used to design both of my cards.

To create the extrovert card, I used bold striped patterned paper for the background. Instead of using two squares from the sketch, I switched out the shapes by using a rectangle from patterned paper and a die-cut ring from cardstock. After all, extroverts aren't fearful of making changes in the sketch design shapes. The flowers and leaves were fussy-cut and adhered using thin foam tape to create additional levels of dimension. The card front was adhered to a white card base, decorated with coordinating paper.

Materials for Extrovert Card

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White; Cardstock Warehouse Blu-Raspberry

Paper: Altenew Collection "Enjoy the Ride"

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (circles)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape & Pink Fresh pre-printed sentiments

To create the Introvert card, I selected a soft tone-on-tone patterned paper for the background, adding the squares cut from coordinating patterned paper. The top square was backed with cardstock and I used a round sticker for the floral design, adhering the square with thin foam tape. The sentiment was adhered, also with foam tape, then enhanced with a fussy-cut butterfly. The card front was adhered to a white card base, decorated with coordinating paper.

Materials for Introvert Card

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

Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Paper Roses pre-printed sentiments

Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoy reading your comments. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Melanie

Wishing You Joy

Note: Part of the theme is to use a  bow, ribbon, cord, twine, etc. In answer to a few questions I used Washi tape for the horizonal band with the stamped sentiment, which is permitted.

Greetings! It's almost the end of another year... where did the year go? And, as usual, it seems that nothing changes from year to year because I was still in a rush to wrap up the completion of my holiday cards for 2023. I am finally getting them in the mail.

Double Trouble Challenge suggests you use this opportunity to "wrap it up" with the holiday cards with Challenge #155. As is customary, we have three "Things" for you. In summary:

Thing 1 (required): We don't want to drive Trouble Maker "die-lerious" so use at least one item on your card that has been cut with your favorite cutting tool. You may use a die, punch, scissors, or a cutting machine. I fussy-cut some flowers and die-cut some leaves for my card. By the way, entering our challenge means your name is in for a chance at the random drawing.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare hopes to see your project posted at Use Your Stuff Challenge #481. This is our partner for this challenge and if you link up with them you will have another chance in our random drawing.

Thing 3 (also optional): This is where you can "wrap it up" and complete your to-do list. Twisted Sister is looking for some ribbon, cord, twine, etc., for your project. I used a little Scotch brand Washi tape on my card, on both the front and inside. Play along with Twisted Sister to earn another chance in our random drawing.

My card is a Slimline style and was inspired by a sketch. This sketch can be found at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #554. This weekly challenge runs through Sunday evening, December 10, 2023, so don't miss out on sharing your talent with them. Here's the sketch:

Please join us at the DTC 155 Blog and the UYS 481 Blog as we close out another year of fun challenges. Double Trouble ends on Sunday evening, December 31, 2023, but we'll be back with a new challenge on New Year's Day, Monday, January 1, 2024. 

Special Note: The Use Your Stuff Challenges will be closing down with this challenge on Sunday, December 31, 2023. This is your last chance to play along with them. You may also wish to post a farewell message on their blog.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will leave a comment. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Melanie

Materials

Stamp: Gina K "Under the Mistletoe" (sentiment)

Ink: VersaFine Clair (Green Oasis)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Evening Evergreen, Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Honey Bee "Holiday Wishes"

Die: Honey Bee "Lovely Layers" (leaves)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee gems, Scotch Washi Tape

What a Day!

Thank you for visiting my blog! Today begins a new biweekly challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. This is Challenge #551 and runs through Sunday, April 24, 2022. This time we're challenging you to select the following sketch OR to create a project with photographs OR to combine both elements. I used only the sketch but I think this would be a great layout to use for a scrapbook page.

I used a stamp set of Newton (the cat) enjoying his day. There are 16 small stamps showing Newton engaging in various activities. The stamps fit the squares nicely. I selected four - Newton exercising in the morning, then practicing his guitar in the afternoon, and finally reading at bedtime. The stamped images were colored to resemble my cat named Taffy, and then fussy cut. Inside the card, I lined the black card base with white cardstock and added Newton enjoying a burger. Whew! What a day for Newton! I added a little color to the patterned paper by using a Copic marker to color the little fish.

We welcome you to try our challenges. A new biweekly challenge opens every Tuesday so there is always one underway. Visit our TSOT#551 Blog for our sketches and guidelines.

I also added my card to the April challenge at Two Crafty Critter Crazies #61.

Materials

Stamps: Newton's Nook "Newton Makes Plans"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Ballet Blue

Paper: SU! DSP "Playful Pets"

Dies: Rubbernecker (stitched rounded-corner squares) & Sizzix (sentiment)

Misc.: Foam tape

Windy Days of March

Welcome to my blog! Today I am featuring a card for Double Trouble Challenge #105, a biweekly challenge that runs through Sunday evening, March 20, 2022. Our challenge usually has three elements:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has decided we need to focus on the color green. This month we have St. Patrick's Day and the first day of spring so using the color green seems like a good idea. If you join our challenge you are eligible for our random draw.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you'll also link your project to the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. Be sure to visit their blog to see their guidelines. You will be awarded another chance in our random draw if you play along at H2H.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister has added a twist to this challenge by asking you to use plaid on your project. Details are available at the DTC105 Blog. Using plaid means you will qualify for another chance in the random draw.

My card is a depiction of a windy day since March is known for being blustery. The card panel was die-cut in a Slimline size from white cardstock. I daubed three shades of green dye ink using a stencil. A Copic marker was used for the brown tree branches. The sentiment was die-cut from gold foiled cardstock and adhered, followed by the gems. I added two tiny hand-cut shapes that resemble birds, topping them off with Wink of Stella. The main panel was added to plaid paper followed by a white card base. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper and a stenciled leafy branch.

We hope you'll visit our DTC105 Blog and that of our partner, H2H, and play in our challenges.

Materials

Inks: Stampin' Up! Soft Seafoam, Soft Succulent, Shaded Spruce

Cardstock: SU! Basic White

Paper: CTMH Foil (gold) & SU! (plaid)

Dies: Pink Fresh (Slimline Stitched Rectangles) & Spellbinders (Birthday Set)

Stencil: Funky Fossil Designs ("Windy Day")

Misc.: SU! Champagne Rhinestones, Wink of Stella (clear)

Fish and whales and sea turtles, oh, my!

Double Trouble Challenge #81 is up on the blog beginning Monday, April 5, and ending Sunday evening, April 18, 2021. This is a biweekly challenge with a prize for a random winner. There are always three "Things" with Double Trouble challenges:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has asked to see your favorite summer getaway spot or vacation destination.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is challenging you to create a project that will also fit the requirements for Challenge #516 at Cupcake Inspirations, Dreaming of Summer.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister has added her twist by suggesting you place your sentiment in a cloud or speech bubble and earn another chance at the random draw prize.

My favorite place is the seashore. I love everything about it. I grew up in a military family and we lived on the Florida coast plus a few occasions living in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic states but always near the water. I have been enjoying water activities much of my life. While living in Kansas, we retired and my husband wanted to give desert living a try. So we landed in Phoenix, AZ, rather than returning to Florida. While the desert climate is much to my liking, I still miss the beaches. Vacations see me on my way to Florida to visit family and friends and take in the seascapes.

I was inspired to make my vacation destination card for a family member who also loves the sea. I have made this fun fold design in a portrait orientation before but never landscape. I followed a newly posted tutorial for a tri-fold card but as I cut out my pieces, I realized the tutorial had an error in the measurements. After checking measurements several times, the final product is slightly larger than A2 and the tutorial is incorrect. As card makers and paper crafters, we just roll with it, right? I used patterned papers and cardstock as listed below and assembled the card. The intended greeting from my stamp set was too large for the card so I created a smaller computer-generated sentiment using the same message as the stamp set. The speech bubble was simply hand-cut. Wink of Stella was added to the sea turtles. The inside of my card was decorated with another whale image and another sentiment from the set.

I hope you will view the Design Team cards at both the DTC81 Blog and the Cupcake Inspirations #516 Blog and join our challenges.

Materials

Stamp set: Stampin' Up! "Whale Done"

Inks: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Pacific Point

DSP: Stampin' Up! "Whale of a Time"

Punch: Stampin' Up! (whale punched from DSP)

Dies: Mama Elephant (zigzag border), Lawn Fawn (zigzag rectangle)

Misc.: Foam tape

You're the Whirl to Me

Today holds a new challenge at Double Trouble. This is Challenge #77. There are three "Things" to Double Trouble Challenges. Thing 1, a required element, is to make a layered card with at least three layers. Thing 2, which is optional, is to enter your project into Challenge #260 at The Crafter's Cafe. To top it off, Thing 3, also optional, is to play along with the twist. The twist is to add lace and/or pearls.

To meet the requirements I created my card with a card base plus six layers, depending on how you count them. I know there are more than three. I added a panel of cardstock and a panel of patterned paper to the card base. Using circle dies, I used a technique called Layered Circles. There are numerous ways to layer the circles to achieve different results. The sentiment was stamped on a banner of cardstock and decorated with pearls and a small bit of die-cut lacy trim. The inside was decorated with a few scraps of cardstock. I found this sentiment in my stamp stash and thought it would work with the "whirled" circles.

We hope you'll join us for this fun challenge, which ends on Sunday evening, February 28, 2021. Be sure to view the guidelines for these challenges at DTC77 and Crafter's Cafe #260.

Materials

Stamps: Lil' Inker "Pinwheel Sentiments"

Ink: Distress Oxide Seedless Preserves

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe, Rich Razzleberry & Bermuda Bay

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Birthday Basics" Collection (retired)

Dies: Whimsy (Stitched Circles), Lawn Fawn (Fancy Scalloped Rectangles) & Mama Elephant (Tiny Scalloped Border)

Punch: Stampin' Up! Lovely Labels (sentiment)

Misc.: Pearls and foam tape from stash

A Winter Scene with Penguins (Shaker)

During 2018 and 2019 I enrolled in a few Copic classes. Various materials for making the card were provided by the instructor so students were able to design and assemble the card as they wished after coloring the penguins. I selected elements from an array of items to add to the card. I colored the penguins then turned the card into a four-window card. The only window that is actually covered with acetate and has shaker bits is the one in the lower-left corner. 

I decided to take this card from my stash and add it to my blog for Double Trouble Challenge #72. This is usually a biweekly challenge but this specific challenge is only one week in duration because it is the fifth Monday of the month. As usual, our "fifth-Monday" challenge is themed by Trouble Maker as Anything Goes. We have two options: Twisted Sister says, "Let It Snow", and Double Dare is hoping you'll link your project to one (or more) of our previous partners. A list of partners can be found on the DTC72 Blog.

 

The DTC Design Team hopes you'll visit our Challenge Blog and consider playing along. You could win a prize from Double Trouble!

Materials
Stamp: Whimsy Stamps "Penguin Holiday Squares"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
Paper: Lawn Fawn "Itsy Bitsy Polka Dot" and other unknown
Dies: Cottage Cutz "Winter Wonderland", Lawn Fawn "Peekaboo Backdrop"
Misc.: Acetate, Diamond Dust, Stampendous Crystal Glitter, sequins from stash, foam tape 

A Wheelie Great Friend - Masculine

Welcome to my blog! I really enjoy making masculine cards so decided this color challenge was just right for one. I have been wanting to try a technique called Black Ice but I was unhappy with the results so will try it another time. There are two challenges for my card:

1. Color My Heart Color Dare #407, a biweekly challenge, begins on Friday, August 14, and runs through Thursday, August 27, 2020. Here is the color board:

2. The second challenge is Double Trouble #64, which is comprised of three "Things". The first "Thing", which is required, is to create a Friendship-type project. Second is an optional "Thing" - play along with the color challenge at Color Dare #407. Last, also optional, is to add two additional colors to the Color Dare board. This biweekly challenge will begin on Friday, August 14, instead of Monday, August 17, and will end on Thursday, August 27, instead of Sunday, August 30, 2020.

In addition to the slate color, I used two blue-green colors along with black and white. I stamped the image in black ink onto the silver cardstock, layered a few panels onto the card base, and added the sentiment. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and stamped with a tire track and the sentiment, "Live it up".

Join us at the Color Dare #407 and Double Trouble #64 for the details and play along with our challenges.

Materials

Stamps: Power Poppy "Move the Soul"

Inks: Staz-on Jet Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Basic Black & Silver

Patterned Paper: Sunny Studio "Preppy Prints" (An Argyll print in two blue-green colors.)

Misc.: Foam tape

Wishing You A Happy Day

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #366 is up on the blog for the current week of Monday, April 27 through Sunday evening, May 3, 2020. I was also planning to enter my card into a Tictactoe Challenge but it closed today at noon in another time zone meaning I missed the deadline.

On a panel of white cardstock, using stencils, I sponged pink clouds then the yellow butterflies. This stenciled panel was added to a gray panel and then to a light gray card base. The tag was made from die-cut labels and adhered with foam tape. A silver cord was added to the tag along with a small stamped sentiment. A metallic gem was placed in the upper right corner and inside the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with lightly stenciled yellow butterflies.

Visit the AHSC Blog for guidelines to these fun weekly sketch challenges.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "A Wish for Everything"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Distress Oxide in Worn Lipstick, Fossilized Amber & Spiced Marmalade
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray & Smoky Slate  
Dies: Stampin' Up! "Chalk Talk" & The Stamp Doctor "Happy Day"
Stencils: MFT (clouds) & Whimsy (butterflies)
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Word Window"
Misc.: Darice braided cord (silver); metal "gem" & foam tape from stash

Merry Christmas with Washi Tape

Here is the second card I made for Double Trouble Challenge #53. To see my first card and challenge details, click HERE. 

Onto a panel of cardstock, I crisscrossed five different Washi tapes to create what looks like the ribbon on a package. The poinsettia pieces were die cut from red glitter cardstock and adhered to the front panel. The front was decorated with red rhinestones and gold sequins. I chose to omit a sentiment for now. The panel was adhered to a card base using foam tape. The inside was decorated with a smaller die-cut poinsettia on a gold foil doily. 

Be sure to visit the Double Trouble Challenge Blog #53 to join the challenge.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; The Paper Studio (red glitter cardstock)
Die: Reasonable "Filigree Poinsettia"
Misc.: Washi tape, sequins, gems & foam tape from stash

Happy Birthday with Washi Tape

It's the fifth Monday of the month and time for a one-week challenge at Double Trouble! Here are the requirements for Challenge #53:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker says that this is Some Thing, Any Thing, Every Thing challenge. In other words, it's a "Free for All".

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare would like to see you link your project with one of our previous partners. There is a list on the blog.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister has decided that we should use some scraps or Washi tape or paper scraps to create a background.

On the front of a white card base, Washi tape was added along the two vertical edges and the focal panel was adhered using foam tape. The inside was decorated with additional Washi tape and a heart. To create the cake and candles I adhered Washi tape to a panel of cardstock. Embellishments were added to set a festive tone. The die-cut sentiment was added to the cake and then the focal panel to the card base with foam tape for dimension.

I also made a holiday card for this challenge, which can be viewed HERE.

We will resume our biweekly schedule on Monday, April 6, with Challenge #54. Please join us at Double Trouble Challenge #53. There is a very nice prize for a randomly selected winner!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Melon Mambo
Die: SSS "Painted Happy Birthday"
Misc.: Embellishments, Washi tape and foam tape from stash