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 

Christmas Cheer

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #485 is up on the blog, ending Sunday, December 6, 2020. This is a sketch challenge with an option. The option is to create a non-traditional Christmas card. My interpretation of the option was to use non-traditional colors so I chose pink, black, and silver on a white card base.

Following the sketch, I cut three panels, adhering each to a panel of black cardstock. Using a punch, I cut three trees, adhering them with foam tape. The sentiment was heat embossed with silver powder on black cardstock and added with foam tape, followed by the addition of a few glittery gems, then attached to the white card base. The inside was decorated with strips of pink and silver and another tree.

We welcome you to join our biweekly challenges. There is a new challenge starting each week that lasts for two weeks so there is always an open challenge to join. Visit our TSOT Blog for complete information.

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Inks: Versamark (front of card) and Memento Tuxedo Black (inside sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, and Silver Glimmer
Paper: Doodlebug "Milk & Cookies" Collection
Punches: Stampin' Up! (trees and banner for sentiment)
Misc.: SSS EP (silver); gems & foam tape

A Pink Merry Christmas

Today is the first day of weekly Challenge #396 at Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge Blog. The sketch is lovely and versatile. I was making a few holiday cards in non-traditional colors and was inspired by the sketch.

Using a die I cut the fancy-edged rectangle from pink cardstock, adhering it to a black card base. Next, I cut a simple rectangle from patterned paper and matted it with white card stock. I added this to the card front. Using another die, I cut the sentiment from black cardstock and added it to the card. Finally, I added some rhinestone snowflakes and a few gems to the card. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with more of the paper.

Join in the fun at AHSC396! You have until Sunday evening, Nov 29, 2020, to play along.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas" (inside sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Strawberry Slush
Paper: Doodlebug "Milk & Cookies" Collection
Dies: Scrapbook.com (sentiment) & Gina Marie Designs (pink panel)
Misc.: Gems from stash

Feeling Blessed

    

Although the temperatures are still warm I know it is Autumn here in the Arizona Desert. I am enjoying the sunshine along with cooler breezes as I sit on my porch. My Fall Gnome is enjoying a snack and feeling blessed. At Double Trouble Challenge #71, we are thankful for your support in participating in our biweekly challenges.

Here's what you need to know to play along. Our biweekly challenge begins on Monday, November 16, and ends on Sunday evening, November 29, 2020. There are three elements to each challenge:

Troublemaker's challenge is the required element. Use our TicTacToe board to qualify for the challenge. I used the center column, Leaves, Free Space & Digital Image but also added Fall Colors and used three Punches and a Die. Double Dare's optional element for you to play along at The Paper Funday Challenge #23. (Be sure to follow their guidelines.) Finally, Twisted Sister is offering an optional twist to use a large sentiment.

I sponged color onto a panel of white cardstock and spattered a little water on it to add some texture to the background. The panel was added to a green card base. I downloaded a digital image, resized it, fussy cut it, and adhered it to the panel using foam tape. The leaves were cut from white cardstock using punches and colored with Copic markers. They were added with foam tape. Finally, the sentiment was die cut and added to the card. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with more leaves and a coordinating sentiment, "grateful".

The Design Teams at Double Trouble Challenge #71 and The Paper Funday Challenge #23 welcome you to join in the challenge fun!

Materials
Stamp: KLM Digital Designs "Fall Gnome"
Inks: Distress Oxide Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Fossilized Amber & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Lucky Limeade
Punches: Stampin' Up!
Die: Reverse Confetti "Grateful, Thankful, Blessed"
Misc.: Foam tape

An Autumn Greeting

It's Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and my favorite season so I used a fall theme for my card. The design was inspired by two challenges. Double Trouble Challenge #70 is a biweekly challenge with three elements and began on Monday, November 2. The first element (required) is to include stitching in the design, the second element (optional) is to partner with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges #393 and/or #394. The final element (also optional) is to include a humorous image or sentiment - one that will keep the recipient in stitches! DTC70 will end on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020.

This card was made to coordinate with Sketch #394, which is a weekly sketch challenge beginning on Monday, November 9, and is the second week of the challenge, ending on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020. To see the card for the first week of the challenge, Atlantic Hearts Sketch #393, click HERE. 

A panel of vanilla cardstock was embossed with the same die of stitched leaves as used in Sketch #393. The vanilla panel was adhered to an orange panel and then to a card base. A banner was cut from designer paper and adhered with foam tape. The pinecones were stamped and cut with dies along with the leafy bits. The sentiment was stamped. The inside of the card was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with additional die-cut leafy bits.

The Design Team invites you to join in these challenges! For guidelines, visit the blogs for DTC70 and AHSC394.

Materials
Stamps: Stampendous "Brushed Wishes", Stampin' Up! (pinecones)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock, and Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Illustrated Faith (striped banner)
Dies: Stampin' Up! (pinecones) and Frantic Stamper (leafy bits and stitched background)
Misc.: Foam tape

Be-leaf in the Wonders

It's Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and it's my favorite season so I used a fall theme for my card. The design was inspired by two challenges, both starting on Monday, November 2. Double Trouble Challenge #70 is a biweekly challenge with three elements. The first element (required) is to include stitching in the design, the second element (optional) is to partner with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges #393 and/or #394. The final element (also optional) is to include a humorous image or sentiment - one that will keep the recipient in stitches! DTC70 will end on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020.

This card was made to coordinate with Sketch #393, which is a weekly sketch challenge beginning on Monday, November 2, and ending on Sunday evening, November 8, 2020. To see the card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #394, click HERE effective on Monday, November 9. The second sketch challenge ends on Sunday evening, November 15, 2020.

A panel of vanilla cardstock was embossed with a die of stitched leaves. Using small wads of Saran Wrap, the color was daubed onto the stitched design. This panel was adhered to a panel of brown cardstock and then to a card base of honey-colored cardstock. A vanilla circle was die-cut and matted with a honey circle and added. A strip of brown cardstock was included, in keeping with the sketch. The die-cut acorn and oak leaves were added with foam tape. Glossy Accents was added to the top of the acorn. The inside was lined with vanilla cardstock decorated with die-cut leaves. The sentiment, a silly pun about fall, was computer generated onto a banner and added. 

The Design Team invites you to join in these challenges! For guidelines, visit the blogs for DTC70 and AHSC393. 

Materials
Stamp: Computer generated
Inks: Stampin' Up! Hello Honey, Cajun Craze & Crumb Cake
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Hello Honey, & Chocolate Chip
Paper: Stampin' Up! (from scrap stash)
Dies: CAS-ual Friday (acorn & leaves), Spellbinders (circles); Frantic Stamper (Swirling Leaves Stitched Background)
Misc.: Glossy Accents & foam tape

Swanky Snowdude

Sketch #481 is up on the blog at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. This sketch is a biweekly challenge, which began on Tuesday, October 27, and ending Sunday evening, November 8, 2020. In addition to the sketch, there is an optional color twist as well. The colors are navy, teal, and pink.

I stamped the Swanky Snowdude image, coloring it with Copics and fussy cutting it. Onto a white card base, I added the background papers. The white pearlized paper with a gold pattern represents snowfall. The "Snowdude" was added with foam tape to one of the rectangular cuts and covered in Wink of Stella for shimmer. The rectangles were then added to the card along with the die-cut snowflake. The inside was decorated with more snowflakes. The card does not have a sentiment because there is not one indicated on the sketch. I will be adding one to use the card for the upcoming holidays.

The TSOT Design Team invites you to join our challenges. There is a new challenge every Tuesday and each lasts for two weeks. Click HERE to review the guidelines for entering.

Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Swanky Snowdudes"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Gold Foil
Paper: CTMH "Ballerina" (pink glitter paper), Gold Foil Patterns, "Blue Skies" Collection (teal & navy patterned papers)    
Die: Spellbinders (snowflakes)
Misc.: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear) & foam tape

Have a Happy Day

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #417 opened Friday, October 23, and will run through Thursday, November 5, 2020. This biweekly color challenge offers a twist this time to use one color + one metal + one neutral on the project you submit. I elected to use aqua (color) + silver glitter paper (metal) + gray (neutral). Black and white are "free" to use but neither can count as the neutral.

The aqua cardstock was cut with the Butterflies die and the butterflies removed. The aqua panel was backed with black cardstock. The same die was used a second time to cut the silver glitter cardstock. The butterflies were removed and inlaid on the aqua cardstock. The flowers were die-cut from the gray neutral color and decorated with white pearls. The entire panel was added to a white card base. The inside was decorated with the aqua butterflies and a sentiment, "Have a happy day."

The Color Dare Design Team welcomes you to play along at Challenge #417!

Materials
Stamp: Stampendous "Brushed Wishes" (inside sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana & Silver Glimmer
Dies: RCD (Butterflies in Flight, Flowers)
Misc.: Pearls from stash

Halloween Jack O'Lanterns

It's time to get my Halloween cards together. I only make two cards each year, one for each of my grand-nephews, Oliver and Carpenter. They live in another state and are always so excited to receive snail mail. I have used one of the cards for this challenge.

Several challenges inspired this card. The first, Double Trouble #69, is a biweekly challenge. This time, we have been given a color board to use for guidance along with a twist to exclude using bats. In addition, the challenge is partnering with The Paper Girls Halloween Challenge #210.

Halloween Theme

Use at least three bat colors from the Double Trouble clipart below. I used orange, purple, and green.

In addition, inspiration came from the weekly sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #391 so am submitting my card there.

Onto a black card base, I adhered a panel of green cardstock cut with a die followed by a panel of patterned paper. Next, I die-cut the banner and matted it with black cardstock, adhering it with foam tape. The sentiment was die-cut and adhered to a white oval surrounded by a green die-cut oval ring. The pumpkins were fussy cut from patterned paper, touched up with Glossy Accents, and adhered with foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with a white panel and decorated with more fussy cut pumpkins.

I hope you will give all three challenges a try:
    Double Trouble #69 (Fall Colors)
    The Paper Girls #210  (Halloween)
    Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #391 (sketch)

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Old Olive
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Got Candy" Collection
Dies: Whimsy (Zigzag Rectangles) & Tutti (Cross-stitch Ovals); Elizabeth Craft (Word "Boo" from the set "Ghosts")
Misc.: Glossy Accents & foam tape

Bright Birthday!

10/21/2020 Update: This card was a Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #390.

 

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #390 is about to slip by without my project! This card has been on my desk all week in need of a sentiment, which is required by the sketch. I often omit a sentiment until I actually use the card except when the challenge calls for one. My niece will be 43 years old in a few weeks so I decided this will be her birthday card. This is a weekly challenge that began on Monday, October 12, and will end on Sunday evening, October 18, 2020.

My eye coordinated all of my purple hues perfectly but the camera's eye sees them differently. The mirror cardstock is tricky and I need to learn how to work with lighting. When I finish my new "crafty" space, I think I will add a small lightbox.

I borrowed and stamped this image ages ago while at a crop and then tucked it away. When I saw this challenge sketch, I remembered the stamped image and found it stashed in my travel bag. I colored it with Copic markers and Wink of Stella then fussy cut it. I then proceeded to stack four die-cut rectangular layers of cardstock onto the card base. Using a die, I also cut the patterned paper and added it to the stack. I die-cut some branches and leaves from foiled cardstock and tucked them around the bouquet, which was adhered with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped direct-to-paper and few rhinestones were included. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with additional die-cut stems and leaves.

AHSC always has great sketches so if you're looking for a challenge, visit their Blog.

Materials
Stamp: Bouquet (borrowed); Stampendous "Brushed Wishes" (sentiment)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana & Rich Razzleberry; Tonic Mirror Card "Purple Mist"
Paper: Stampin' Up! "In Good Taste" Collection
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (rectangles); Paper Rose (stitched rectangles); Dare 2 B Artzy (wavy pierced rectangles); Frantic Stamper "Wreath & Swag Components"
Misc.: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear), rhinestones & foam tape from stash

Side-Step Schommelkaart with Sketch

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #479 is a biweekly challenge beginning on Tuesday, October 13, and running through Sunday, October 25, 2020. This time we have a unique challenge called a "Mix-Up". Our challenges usually require the use of a sketch and then there is an optional element that can be added if you choose. With a Mix-Up Challenge, the choice is either the sketch or the element or a combination of both. 

I decided to do the full Mix-Up. When you look at my card you can see evidence of the sketch. Schommelkaart is believed to be a Dutch technique. It's not difficult to make in that it is simply a side-step card shaped like a circle. "Schommel" means to sway or rock and "kaart" means card. So here it is - a swaying or rocking card. I am providing two links to YouTube (in English) that were helpful in providing me with measurements.

Circle Step Card           Circular Side Step Card

I had no circle dies as large as 6" in diameter, which is the starting point. I cut a 6" square and went about turning that into a circle with a ruler and a pencil. Once the shaped card base was completed from white card stock, I added the patterned papers. The images were stamped, colored, and die-cut along with other elements. The elements were added to the card, sometimes with foam tape for dimension. Once the card was completed, the blue enamel dots were added to provide the necessary balance so the card would stand evenly. (After all that, my photograph is off-kilter and the card looks slightly crooked!) There is sufficient space on the back of the card to leave a message for the recipient.

We would enjoy seeing your creations at our TSOT Challenge Blog.

Materials
Stamps: Sunny Studio "Plane Awesome"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Hello Honey & Chocolate Chip
Paper: CTMH "Penelope" scraps & Photoplay "Twila & Norbet" scraps
Dies: Sunny Studio "Plane Awesome", Paper Smooches (zigzag circles), & Memory Box (clouds)
Misc.: Enamel dots & foam tape

Organic Slimline Birthday

The colors for this biweekly challenge is a bit different than expected because they are not Autumn colors. That's okay because I've been using Fall colors ad nauseam and am ready for a change. Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #415 begins on Friday, October 9, and ends on Thursday, October 22, 2020. From the color board below I selected Toffee, Linen, Ballerina, Bluebell, and Sage. To play you must use at least three colors from the board. There is an allowance for neutral colors. Using a color or neutral that is not on the board will result in your project being disqualified. 

I have always been a fan of "tall and skinny" cards so am pleased to see that they are trending right now. That means there are stamps and dies in abundance designed for the new size. Onto the card base, I added a panel of paper and another of cardstock. Using patterned paper, I die cut three scalloped holes then framed them with blue scalloped circle frames. The flowers were stamped, die-cut, and colored with markers then added to the card front with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped on the middle circle. The inside of the card was decorated with stamped images, colored to match the flowers on the front of the card.

The Color Dare Design Team welcomes you to join their color challenges. We have a biweekly color challenge beginning each Friday so there is always a challenge underway. Visit our Blog for details.

Materials
Stamp Set: Uniko "Originally Organic"
Inks: Stampin' Up! Baked Brown Sugar & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar & Bashful Blue
Patterned Paper: CTMH "Lovely" (pink dot) & "Celebrate Mix-In" (blue stripe)
Dies: Pink Fresh (slimline) & Uniko (flowers)
Misc.: Pearls & foam tape from stash

Say It with Patterned Paper

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #389 is live as of Monday, October 5, closing in one week, on Sunday evening, October 11, 2020. They have fabulous sketches with which to work. 

I used three patterned papers for this card, four if you count the flower. The background paper is obvious but the yellow and pink papers have patterns that are more difficult to discern because they are color-on-color designs. I have tried to show the patterns in my photos. The multi-color patterned paper was added to a black card base. Onto this, I added the pink triangle with the one edge of black trim, as I interpret the sketch. I die-cut the two long hexagonal pieces - one in black and one in yellow, adding them with foam tape for dimension. The whimsical flower was fussy cut from a scrap of paper and adhered with foam tape. I added the green gems to balance the colors of the leaves. The sentiment, required in the sketch, was stamped and punch-cut from white cardstock. The inside was lined with white cardstock and trimmed with patterned paper.

If you're new to sketch challenges, this is the place to play along and enjoy the fun, and if you like sketches, be sure to visit the AHSC Blog for inspiration and a new sketch each Monday. I also submitted my card to an Anything Goes challenge at Crafting Happiness #69.

Materials
Stamp: Hero Arts "Greetings" (CM351)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Basic Black
Paper: CTMH "Blue Skies" Collection & "Craft On" (flower)
Dies: Stampin' Up! "Stitched Nested Labels"
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Petite Curly Label"
Misc.: Gems and foam tape

Tails of Love

It's time for another biweekly challenge at Double Trouble #68. The challenge, which began on Monday, October 5, runs through Sunday evening, October 18, 2020. There are three elements to play:

Thing 1 (required) - Create a slimline card.

Thing 2 (optional) - Link your project to one of our previous partners' challenges. I entered my card at Crafting Happiness #69 and Two Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #43, both with an Anything Goes theme. A list of all partners is available with links at the DTC#68 Blog. 

Thing 3 (optional) - Include a critter, real or fictional, that has a tail. My card has four poodle tails - two on the front and two on the inside! Visit DTC#68 for information.

Onto a white card base cut to a slimline (tall-and-skinny) size, the dotted paper was die cut and added. (3 7/8" x 8") Before adding the die-cut Eiffel Tower image, I thought the large white oval needed background elements. I remembered from my trip to France that the Eiffel Tower has rows of trees on either side so I die cut a tree from white cardstock to add a bit of interest to the white background. I also added a white flourish. The Eiffel Tower die-cut image was added along with the die-cut word, "Amour", in black cardstock. The poodle images were stamped and colored with Copic markers then fussy-cut. I also added a little texture to the fur of the poodles. Two dogs were added to the card front with foam tape. A stack of white hearts was also added for dimension. The inside was decorated with the two remaining poodle images - one colored in lavender and one in yellow. Wink of Stella was added for some soft shimmer.

Every night, every hour on the hour, the Tower is illuminated with lights for five minutes while the beam from the top of the Tower lights up the city of Paris. I added a blue gem to represent the beam at the top. The Eiffel Tower was one of the highlights of my trip to France, especially when we were able to take the elevator all the way to the top level, where Gustave Eiffel constructed a secret apartment for himself.

We hope you'll join our "Tall Tails" challenge. Guidelines and inspirational cards are available at our Blog and please visit Two Crafty Critter Crazies and Crafting Happiness #69 as well.

Note: Slimline size of this card is 4" x 8".

Materials
Stamps: La La Land Crafts "Poodles of Love"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black & Silver Foil
Paper: CTMH "Celebration" (mix-in)
Dies: Stampin' Up! "Parisian", Elizabeth Craft "Wisteria" (tree) & Hero Arts Infinity (nesting ovals)
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Accents" (heart)
Misc.: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear) & foam tape

Fancy & Feminine Floral Card

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #477 is open for entries as of Tuesday, September 29, closing on Monday evening, October 12, 2020. Along with the sketch, there is always a fun option for the entrant. This time, the option is "Coloring". I changed the orientation of the sketch from portrait to landscape.

I stamped the images, colored them with Copic alcohol markers then fussy cut each image. (There are dies available from the manufacturer.) The front of the card base was texturized with an embossing folder and in keeping with the sketch, a horizontal strip was added to the card base. Layers of cardstock were glued to one another and the stack was added to the card base with foam tape. The images were placed onto the stacked paper along with shiny seafoam-colored pearls. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a remaining colored fussy-cut image.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday has a new biweekly challenge beginning every Tuesday, so check out the challenge blog!

Materials

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "More Spring Flowers"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana & Rich Razzleberry

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder "Parisian Flourish"; foam tape & pearls from stash