Up, Up and Away

 

There is a new biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #66. This challenge begins on Monday, September 7, and ends on Sunday evening, September 20, 2020. As always, this challenge has three elements:

1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker would like to see a project that depicts a scene. This can be a scene anywhere you wish - a favorite vacation spot or a place you dream of visiting. 

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you will link your project to The Paper Girls Challenge #207, provided you have met their requirements, too.

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is eager to learn about your mode of transportation when you travel (real or fictional). I have shown a hot air balloon on my card.

In addition, I have added my card at Moving Along with the Times Challenge #122. Their monthly challenge for September is to "Create a Scene". 

Onto watercolor paper, I sponged a blue sky then painted a winter scene. The fir trees are also watercolored but the deciduous tree was stamped then touched up with a wet brush. I stamped the tiny red cardinal in the tree then added the balloon silhouette with a black pen. Because I used watercolor paper, I decided to distress the image piece on all four sides then added it to a card base along with gold foiled cardstock and patterned paper. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock. A white gel pen was used to add a bit of snow to the tree.

The Design Teams For DTC66, The Paper Girls #207, and Moving Along with the Times #122 welcome you to join the challenges!

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Snow Front"
Inks: ZIG watercolors, Stampin' Up! Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar & Real Red
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo (card base) & Gold
Patterned Paper: From stash
Misc.: Boxom Gel Pen (white) & Sakura Micron Pen (black)

Regal Power

The optional theme for the biweekly Challenge #473 at Try Stampin' on Tuesday is to use "Regal Colors" with the required sketch. This challenge runs from Tuesday, September 1, through Monday, September 14, 2020. Here is the sketch:

Using gold and jewel-tone cardstock along with gems and coordinating patterned paper translated to "Regal Power" in my mind. I layered the panels then added a few die-cut elements - a vellum shape, a pink flower, the small pink circle, and the gold butterfly. The gems were added in keeping with the sketch. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and a small die-cut flower. 

If you like sketch challenges, this is the one for you! The challenges begin weekly and last for two weeks so there is always an open challenge to join. Click HERE for the TSOT Blog.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Gold, & Vellum

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Lily Impressions" Collection

Dies: All from RCD

Misc.: Gems from stash

A Huge Hello

August 31 is the fifth Monday of the month so it's time for our Double Trouble Anything Goes Challenge #65. The "Fifth Monday" challenge is usually one week in duration. For this challenge only, the dates are Friday, August 28 through Sunday evening, September 6, 2020, which is a switch from our usual start date of Monday.  There are three elements to this challenge:

1. Thing 1: Trouble Maker (required) is permitting you to play along with an Anything Goes project.

2. Thing 2: Double Dare (optional) has indicated that if you want to earn an extra chance at the random prize, then share your card at any one of the challenges where we have partnered previously. A list is provided on the challenge blog. I elected to go with Crafting Happiness #64, another Anything Goes Challenge.

3. Thing 3: Twisted Sister (optional) has decided we should celebrate Emma R. Nutt Day by placing a telephone on our projects. On September 1, 1878, Ms. Nutt became the world's first woman telephone operator. You will earn an extra chance at the random draw if the phone image you use is NOT a mobile phone.

I have a stamp set with a telephone that has never been used. I stamped and fussy cut the phone with a little heart and added it to the card with foam tape. The large hello was cut using a die set and the words at the top of the card are also from a stamp set but different than the one with the phone. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with blue cardstock strips.

We hope you'll visit us at Double Trouble Challenge #65 and Crafting Happiness #64 so you can read about our challenges and perhaps play along.

Materials

Stamp sets: Concord & 9th "Say Hello" & Paper Smooches "Hello Sampler"

Inks: Distress Oxide (Blueprint & Candied Apple)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Dapper Denim & Real Red

Dies: Concord & 9th "Say Hello"

Misc.: Foam tape & gems from stash

Thanks for Being You - Fun Fold

 

The biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #409 is up on the blog beginning today, Friday, August 28, and runs through Thursday, September 10, 2020. This color challenge requires your choice of three or more colors from the board below. You may also use black and white but no other colors may be added. If you do not have the exact color, then simply use the closest match from your stash. I decided on Smoothie, Nectarine, Lagoon, Peacock, and Mink.

I enjoy making fun fold cards so used the Double Z Fold. I cut the various papers and adhered them to each Z-folded cardstock piece then attached them together. The stamping was done on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers before being fussy cut. Using foam tape, the elements were added. The sentiment was stamped and punched then added. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the flowers along with a few gemstones.

If you're looking for a way to express yourself in color then this challenge is for you. All you need to do is visit the CD409 Blog and create!

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Free As a Bird" 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo, Sahara Sand

Paper: CTMH "Seaside" & Stampin' Up! "Bird Ballad"

Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear), foam tape & gems

Ticket to the Tropics

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Biweekly Sketch Challenge #471 is underway today, Tuesday, August 18, through Sunday, August 30, 2020. We have a combination challenge this time where you have a choice to use either the sketch OR the theme, which is "Ticket to the Tropics", OR you may combine the sketch and the theme into one project, which is what I did.

I lived in the tropics most of my life and am a newcomer to the desert where I now reside. I not only love the lush greenery and fragrant flowers of the tropics but also find the ocean to be a treasure trove of beauty.  For my card, I cut panels of cardstock and patterned paper in keeping with the sketch. I changed the final layer from a square to a circle and added the silhouettes of palm trees. The inside was decorated with additional die-cut palms with space remaining to write a personal message.

Any time you're looking for a sketch to follow, visit the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Blog for inspiration and fun. There is a biweekly challenge beginning each Tuesday morning so there is always at least one active challenge to join.

Materials

Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers (inside of card)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Mossy Meadow & Pool Party

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Botanical Garden" (retired) &  "Bird Ballad"

Die: RCD (palm trees)

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

Hello Sunshine

It's been a while since I submitted a card to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge but I found time to play along with #381 this week. I really enjoy their sketches.

I am using the new version of Blogger for the first time. Not terribly different but it seems as if it could be more user friendly. The formatting seems to be tricky so I hope this will look good once it is published!

Using a favorite paper collection, I mixed things up a bit by using three different patterned papers along with some ephemera that was in the pack. The scalloped circle, the bee, and the sentiment were popped up with foam tape. The inside of the green card base was lined with a white panel and decorated with patterned paper.

Be sure to visit this fun challenge at the AHSC381 Blog!

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Mint Macaron

Paper: Photoplay "Tulia & Norbert" Collection

Misc.: foam tape

All Things Grow with Love

I needed a special card this week for my cousin, Cathy. We live so far apart! Except for a stamped flower, the inside was left blank to allow for my personal note. In fact, when this publishes, the card will be well on its way to Australia.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #469 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 16, 2020. As always, our challenge is based on a sketch but there is also an optional twist. Here is the sketch and the twist is to make your own background.

After cutting a panel of white cardstock with a stitched scallop border die, the floral design was stamped then colored with Copic markers. Onto a white card base, a panel of deep pink cardstock was adhered. A bow was tied with a strand of narrow ribbon around the decorated panel. This panel was then attached to the card with foam tape. A few tiny gold pearls were adhered. The inside was decorated with additional stamped, colored flowers.

Be sure to join us at the TSOT469 Blog to view the guidelines and take on our challenge.

Materials:
Stamps: Uniko "Originally Organic"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Melon Mambo
Die: RCD Borders (Curved, Stitched, Scalloped Edge)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon and gems; foam tape

I Lava You!

The biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #63 begins today, Monday, August 3, and runs through Sunday evening, August 16, 2020. The required challenge theme is to include any type of embossing on your project.

There is an option for "The Dog Days of Summer". You are free to use any non-human image on your project. I selected a baby Cutiesaurus hatching from an egg. With the erupting volcano, I'll bet there is plenty of heat to rival the Dogs Days of Summer!

You can earn an extra chance for the random draw if you also link up with our partner for this challenge - Two Crafty Critter Crazies #41.

I stamped the hatchling and the volcano images, colored them with Copic markers and fussy cut them. I layered several panels of patterned paper and cardstock, including an embossed panel for texture. The sentiment is not part of the stamp set so I generated it on my computer. The inside is decorated with patterned paper.

If you've never played along with our challenges, we hope you will give us a try. Visit our Challenge #63 Blog for the guidelines and be sure to check out Two CraftyCritter Crazies #41.

Materials
Stamps: Sugar Pea Designs "Prehistoric Pals" & computer-generated sentiment
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana & Pear Pizzaz
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Gingham Garden" (retired)
Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles
Embossing Folder: Stampin' Up!
Misc.: foam tape

A Little Birdie Told Me

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #405 begins today, Friday, July 31, and runs until Thursday evening, August 13, 2020. This is a Tictactoe challenge meaning that I selected three colors in a row - Smoothie, Lemonade & Fern. Once the row was chosen I was free to use any other colors that were on the board plus neutrals. I also used Almond, Glacier, Mink & Toffee. For the focal point, I used pretty patterned papers that matched up nicely with the color grid below:

This triple easel card went together so quickly that I made several using different paper and colors. I found a tutorial on YouTube, so click HERE if you wish to view it.  I used the measurements and shapes provided in the tutorial, changing only the sentiment placement. I also added some pearls. 

When completed, this card is 4" x 5" and folds flat to fit perfectly into an A2 envelope when allowing for thickness. It requires additional postage of $0.15 because it weighs more than one ounce, then another additional $0.15 because it is rigid and thick, for a total of $0.85 in the USA.

Card folded flat:

Visit the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge Blog to learn more about the challenges and colors.

Materials
Stamp: Sentiment (computer generated)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Gray, Petal Pink & Daffodil Delight 
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! "Bird Ballad" Collection
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Word Window"
Misc.: Foam tape and pearls from stash

Christmas in July

Christmas in July is everywhere - even at the North Pole! The biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #62 is also celebrating Christmas, beginning on Monday, July 20, through Sunday evening, August 2, 2020. DTC#62 is comprised of three elements:

Thing 1: Troublemaker would like to know about your favorite crafting tool. As both a paper crafter and a seamstress, I favor my scissors. They are of good quality and kept very sharp.

Thing 2: Double Dare dares you to link your project at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, but remember to check out their requirements.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister will give you an extra chance at the random prize if you use an elf or gnome on your project.

I had this cute gnome in my stash of digital images so downloaded, resized, printed, and colored the little guy. Then I fussy-cut the image using my favorite tool - scissors. I added a panel of plaid patterned paper. Next, I added a panel of vellum. The gnome image was then adhered to the card front using foam tape. The front was decorated with varied snowflakes. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with matching patterned paper and snowflakes.

Be sure to visit the blogs for DTC#62 and H2H for guidelines on entering these challenges.

Size: A2 (5.5" x 4.25")

Materials
Stamp: KLM Designs "North Pole Gnome" (digital image)
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Island Indigo
Paper: CTMH Vellum & Dare 2 B Artzy "Snow Much Fun" (plaid)
Misc.: Varied snowflakes and foam tape from stash

"More of You" Thank You Card

My thank you card was created for a couple, Bruce and Joyce, who recently assisted my family. For inspiration, I used Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #403. This biweekly challenge runs from Friday, July 17, through Thursday, July 30, 2020. I selected pink and white as my companion colors to the required brown and used gold as permitted by the guidelines.

I found a fun fold HERE, known as a Tri-fold Accordion Design. I found this to be an easy design to put together, making an additional four birthday cards for my stash with other papers. After assembling the basic card, I decided to use gold foiled cardstock to mat the sentiments and for the flourishes and heart. I touched up the leaf-patterned paper with a gold-inked gel pen, heat embossed the first sentiment, then added a personal note. I refrained from adding additional embellishments to keep the card from tipping too far into the feminine side.

The glitter embossed sentiment is, "Thank You". The one in Soft Suede ink says, "The world needs more of you."

I hope you will join us for this challenge by checking in at the Challenge #403 blog page.

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Free as a Bird" & "Love What You Do"
Inks: Versamark, Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Boxun Gel Pen (gold)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Petal Pink & Foiled Gold
DSP: Stampin' Up! (from my stash)
Dies: Stampin' Up! (from "Hippo Happiness" bundle) & Spellbinders (flourishes)
Misc.: Gold Glittered Embossing Powder

Maritime Birthday

When I was young, we lived within walking distance of the Gulf of Mexico where my parents moored our sailboat. There were boats of every size and style in the warm gulf waters and we grew up familiar with the sounds and smells of the ocean. (This card will be used for one of my brothers or nephews.)

There is a weekly challenge underway at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This is Challenge #375, ending Sunday evening, July 5, 2020. I have been using patriotic colors for a few weeks so decided to continue using the papers on my desk for just one more card.

A panel of navy cardstock was adhered to a white card base, followed by a matted panel of fish-patterned paper. The banners were cut and added with foam tape. Imagine my surprise when I realized I did not have a die to create an anchor. So two anchors were hand-drawn and fussy-cut - one from navy and one from silver. The inside was decorated with the navy blue anchor and cardstock strip.

If you have been wanting to try sketch challenges, you'll be pleased to see the great sketches each week at the AHSC Blog.

Materials
Stamp: RCD "A Little Birdie" (birthday sentiment)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Night of Navy, Real Red, Coastal Cabana & Silver
Paper: Stampin' Up! "Maritime" Collection (retired)
Punch: Stampin' Up! (used for sentiment)
Misc.: Foam tape, enamel dot, jute cord

Let Freedom Ring!

I am descended from families who arrived in the New World beginning in 1620 and from others who arrived on our shores as recently as 1930. Celebrating a 244-year birthday on Independence Day is an important occasion in our family. I am proud to be an American.

It's time for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #401. This biweekly challenge began on Friday, July 3, and will end on Thursday evening, July 16, 2020. 

I adhered patterned paper to a panel of scrap cardstock then I created three small pinwheels from 1.5" squares. Using brads, the pinwheels were added to this decorated panel. The panel was adhered to a red card base using foam tape so there was space to allow the pinwheels to turn. Small strips of red cardstock were added as handles for the pinwheels. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with coordinating patterned paper. Using a die with the word Freedom, I hand-printed additional words to read, "Let Freedom Ring".

Be sure to join us at Color My Heart Color Dare by visiting our Challenge Blog! We'd love to have you share your project with us.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Real Red
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug "Patriotic Parade" Collection
Die: Frantic Stamper "Freedom"
Misc.: Brads & foam tape from stash