Happy Day

Sketch challenges are a personal favorite so here is my card for Try Stampin' on Tuesday #547. This biweekly challenge ends on Sunday, March 27, 2022. The sketch is below and our fun option is to include metallic elements. 

To create the card, I die-cut a floral panel from gold foiled cardstock and added it to a black cardstock panel. Another die was used to create the pink foiled stitched square, which was added with foam tape. The sentiment and dragonflies were also cut from dies. The completed black panel was added to a panel of pink foiled cardstock and then to a white card base. A few additional dragonflies were used to decorate the inside of the card. 

We hope to see your entry at our challenge - only the sketch is required - the metallic is for fun. We have a new biweekly challenge beginning every Tuesday so there is always an active challenge available. Visit our TSOT547 Blog for details.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Foiled (gold); PET Textured Foil (pink)

Dies: Stamp Doctor (sentiment), Frantic Stamper ("Floral Band"), Rubbernecker (stitched squares), RCD (dragonflies)

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

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

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)

Canoes for Rent (Masculine)

It's time to create another project for our biweekly challenge! Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #545 runs from Tuesday, March 1, through Sunday evening, March 13, 2022. Below is the required sketch. It's up to you if you wish to include the optional theme: include an animal(s) on your project.

 

I've had this masculine paper in my stash for several years. It seems as if I'm continuously trying to take older items from my stash but the stash never shrinks! There is always a need for a masculine card in my family so this card will not go to waste.

This sketch is ideal for a Clean & Simple (CAS) card but I headed in a different direction. I started by embossing the front panel of the card base. This was followed by a hand-cut triangle from the fish-patterned paper. From coordinating ephemera, I used a circle punch to cut the "Canoes for Rent" sign. The elements were added using foam tape. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper in plaid. I have met the optional challenge with several fish and two dogs.

Be sure to visit the TSOT545 Blog to see guidelines for our challenges. We have a biweekly challenge beginning every Tuesday so there is always an active challenge for you to join.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Baked Brown Sugar

Paper: Photo Play "Lakeside" Collection

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder & Circle Punch (1.5"), CTMH thin foam tape

Striped Birthday Card

Color My Heart Color Dare Biweekly Challenge #485 is ready for your project. Please visit our Blog to see the Design Team's inspirational projects. The colors for this challenge are shown on the color board below. Select at least three of the colors. Black, white, silver, and gold are free colors that may be added to your creation. You may use all of the colors but use only colors that appear on the board.

I used all of the colors except Rosemary plus the free colors of black and gold. I have been trying to create a few designs that are Clean and Simple but it seems I still cannot resist extra elements. I simply cut scraps of cardstock into varying widths then adhered them to a scrap of white paper. I trimmed it into the shape I wanted then added it to the front flap of the card base. 

The sentiment was stamped direct to paper in black ink. The inside of the card was lined in white cardstock and decorated with scraps from the design on the front. This card is meant to be masculine but could easily be considered gender-neutral.

Our challenge runs through Thursday evening, March 10, 2022. Each Friday we begin a new biweekly challenge so there is always an active challenge to join. Take a look at our guidelines at the Color Dare 485 Blog and we hope you'll play along.

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Happy Birthday to You"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Marker (Y32) to create the Shortbread color

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Raspberry Ripple (for Sangria), Mint Macaron (for Sage), Sahara Sand (for Mink), Pretty Peacock (for Harbour), Foiled Gold

Thanks for Being You (Double-Z Fun Fold)

It's a while yet before we can "officially" say it's spring in the Northern Hemisphere but there's always Hoodie-Hoo Day, which was celebrated on Sunday, February 20 - so we are a day late beginning our Hoodie-Hoo party. We encourage you to play along with us at Double Trouble Challenge #104. 

To start, all you do is step outside, raise your arms in celebration, and call out, "Hoodie-Hoo," as loudly as you are able. This will chase away the winter blahs and help to bring in spring. If you don't believe me, just give it a try!

As is customary, we have three "Things" for our challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker would like us to acknowledge Hoodie-Hoo Day by creating a project that promotes springtime.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare would like you to link your project to Creative Creases Challenge #26 or #27. Be sure to check out their guidelines but in general, their challenge theme is "Anything Goes" as long as it's a fun fold. There are additional details about these challenges at our DTC104 Blog.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister hopes to see you use a fun fold design with your project. It makes no difference whether it's a simple or complex design as long as it's a fun fold.

To begin, two card bases were required so they were cut in two different sizes from cardstock and scored. I used different colors but one color is fine - the choice is up to you. Six various rectangles were cut from two different paper patterns and adhered to the two card bases. The bird and leaves were stamped, colored, and fussy cut then added to a hand-cut tree branch with foam tape for added dimension. A sentiment was stamped and punched from white cardstock and backed with another punched label in black cardstock. To finish, pale green dots were added.

Side View of Double-Z Fun Fold

My card is a variation based on a Double-Z fold and once the pieces were cut and scored, they went together easily. The finished card size is A2, albeit slightly bulky.

View of Inside -  

the card is laid almost flat

This biweekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, March 6, 2022, so it's time to create your spring fun-fold project. Visit the DTC104 and CCC Blogs for additional information.

Materials

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

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Basic Black, Pale Plum & Perfect Plum (both plum colors are retired)

Paper: SU! "Hand-Penned" DSP

Punches: SU! "Modern Label" & "Word Window"

Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape & SU! "Genial Gems"

Happy Birthday - See-through card

Try Stampin' on Tuesday Biweekly Challenge #543 is ready for your projects! This challenge runs through Sunday evening, February 27, 2022. Our challenges are usually a required sketch with an optional theme but this time your challenge is to make a card using either the sketch or the theme or to combine the sketch with the theme. The choice is yours.

 

I chose to use the sketch and theme together but altered the sketch in order to fit my die-cut sentiment. I die-cut a stitched rectangle from a softly-colored floral pattern. I also cut three small rectangles but snipped them to create a single tall rectangular window instead of three windows. The flower was fussy cut from patterned paper and added with thin foam tape. I used Copic markers to deepen the colors in the flower. A die was used to create the sprigs.

This panel was added to an aqua panel of cardstock and the window opening was cut. This combination was added to a neutral card base where a window had also been cut on the front flap. The die-cut sentiment was added and light shadows were added to the letters with a gray-colored pencil. 

I had planned to layer clear acetate between the cardstock panels to provide the "see-through" element for the window but found I had none in my stash. Vellum was too opaque for my taste so this meant the window was left open. Finally, the inside of the card was decorated with more of the sprigs, Wink of Stella provided some shimmer and a white gel pen was used to added white dots to the flower center.

We're looking forward to seeing your entry so stop by the TSOT543 Blog to view the DT examples and the guidelines.

Materials

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Pool Party, Sahara Sand & Acetate (clear)

Paper: CTMH "In Full Bloom" Paper Packet

Dies: Paper Rose (stitched rectangles), Spellbinders (vertical birthday greetings), Frantic Stamper (sprigs)

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

Celebrate Good Times!

Thank you for visiting my blog. Today's challenge is from Color My Heart Color Dare #483. This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday evening, February 24, 2022. Our challenges always use color but we like to mix it up once in a while. Based on the "Fancy Five" color board below, this challenge requires you to select at least three of the five colors shown. We have used Close to My Heart colors but you may use any brand as long as they are a close match to the board. Once you have selected at least three colors you are free to include black, white, and metallic gold or silver in your design.

I selected Mink, Raspberry, Nectarine, and Carolina (both light and dark) then decided to add Green Apple. For free colors, I used black and silver foiled cardstock. Using a die-set that's been sitting in my stash for a while, the colored shapes were cut. Realizing they were a wash-out against the Mink background, each element was backed with black cardstock and a black frame was added. To finish, the silver stars were die-cut and added with thin foam tape. The finished panel was adhered to a Mink card base and the inside of the card was decorated with coordinating colors and silver stars. I added a die-cut sentiment in black cardstock to the inside (Celebrate) as well.

We encourage you to join our challenges. A new biweekly challenge begins every Friday morning so we always have an active challenge for you to try. Visit our Color Dare Blog for the guidelines.

Materials

Cardstock: CTMH Carolina (both sides) & Mink; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Peach Parfait (for Nectarine), Strawberry Slush (for Raspberry), Cucumber Crush (for Green Apple) & Silver

Paper: SU! (raspberry pattern from stash) & CTMH "BooCrew" (nectarine check)

Dies: RCD (background) & Whimsy "Primitive Shaker Shapes" (stars) and word (Celebrate)

Misc.: Foam tape from stash

Happy St. Valentine's Day

A new biweekly challenge is open at Double Trouble Challenges. This is Sweet Color Challenge #103 and it runs through Sunday evening, February 20, 2022. Our challenge has three "Things":

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker wants to see projects made from at least three of six colors. These six colors are commonly found in a bag of gumdrops or candy hearts - pink, yellow, lavender, white, orange, and green. 

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is challenging you to link up with Inspiration Station Challenge #23. You will earn one chance in our random draw so be sure to check out the guidelines.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister has added a twist by asking you to add at least one heart to your project and she will add one chance for you in our random draw.

My card includes four of the six colors - pink, yellow, green, and white and has 19 hearts (18 of which were cut in half by the die). I adhered the yellow and green shapes to a panel of white cardstock. The large heart and the sentiment were added with foam tape and the 36 half-heart pieces were inlaid. I had some tiny white resin hearts so added those as well. The entire panel was added to a card base and the inside was decorated with a few small die-cut hearts.

I also decided to participate in a few other challenges. Please visit their blogs and join their challenges!

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #2206

Use Your Stuff #441

Get Creative #108

We welcome you to join in our challenge fun at DTC103 and Inspiration Station #23.

Materials

Stamp: None (computer-generated sentiment)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Petal Pink, Pear Pizzaz & Barely Banana

Dies: Spellbinders "A Lotta Heart" (3-die set)

Misc.: SU! Resin Hearts (white) and CTMH thin foam tape

Kisses and Hugs

It's almost St. Valentine's Day so we hope you'll be inspired to join us at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #541. Our biweekly challenge runs from Tuesday, February 1, through Sunday evening, February 13, 2022. Your card does not have to be a St. Valentine's card - all you must do is follow the sketch. Our optional challenge is to use the colors red, pink, and gold.

I cut three hearts, which are more items than required by the sketch. One is cut from red glitter cardstock, another from gold metallic, and then a smaller one cut from striped paper. I cut a panel of metallic gold cardstock and added two panels of pink patterned paper. The three hearts were added with the smaller one popped up with foam tape. The sentiment was die-cut twice - once in gold and another in red. I stacked them with the red offset over the gold. The entire panel was adhered to a white card base and the inside was decorated with coordinating paper.

We look forward to seeing your interpretation of our sketch. Just visit our TSOT541 Blog for guidelines.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Red Glimmer & Gold Foiled Cardstock

Paper: CTMH "I Heart Us" & "Smitten"

Dies: Cutplorations (xoxo)

Misc.: SU! Gold Pearls & foam tape from stash

You Are a Star

Double Trouble Challenge #102 is open for some crafting fun. This challenge is one week in duration from Monday, January 31, through Sunday evening, February 6, 2022. As is customary, there are three "Things" to the challenge.

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is reminding us that this is the fifth Monday of the month so our theme is Anything Goes and our challenge is only for one week.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you will link your project to at least one current challenge at any of our previous partners. I am linking this to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #458, a weekly challenge that ends on Sunday evening, February 6, 2022.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister challenges you to create a card other than one that is A2 in size. As a reminder, an A2 is 4.25" x 5.5". Mine is a Slimline size (3.5" x 7.5") but can vary.

Card partly open:

Card completely open:

I was inspired by the AHSC sketch to create this card but as my card developed I found myself adapting the sketch to my card rather than adapting my card to the sketch but I didn't give up. Let's call it artistic license! 

Two mice images and several star images were stamped, colored with Copic markers, and die-cut. Next, the front of the card base was cut using a partial die-cutting technique with the larger mouse die. I added star-patterned paper to the inside of the card base and a green mosaic design to the front of the card. The large Copic-colored mouse that is reaching upward was added to the matching mouse partially die-cut on the front flap along with the larger star. On the inside, I added a second smaller mouse image holding the star. A few smaller stars were added for color and the stamped sentiment was added using foam tape.

Close up of large mouse:

We welcome you to play along with our challenge so visit the DTC102 Blog to view the guidelines and check out the challenge at AHSC458.

Materials

Stamps: Colorado Craft Co. ("A Star Is Born")

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Mosaic Mood" & CTMH "Wander" 

Dies: Colorado Craft Co. ("A Star Is Born")

Misc.: foam tape

A Sunny Happy Birthday

Color My Heart Color Dare is hosting a fun monochromatic challenge. The challenge is to use "Shades of Yellow". You are also free to use white, black, and/or metallic gold but your project should focus on the hues, tints, tones, or shades of yellow. Challenge #481 is underway and will end on Thursday evening, February 10, 2022.

I came across a scrap of yellow paper with a subtle white pinstripe. To decorate I added flourishes using a stencil and glossy white embossing paste, letting it dry overnight. I added the panel to a black card base. To finish the card I die-cut the sentiment from black cardstock five times, gluing each layer together to create a thick, bold sentiment. The letter "i" was dotted with a black gem. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with coordinating paper.

We hope you'll visit our Color Dare Challenge Blog #481. There is a new biweekly challenge beginning every Friday morning so there is always an active color challenge for you to try.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: CTMH "Taste of Summer" (yellow stripe)

Die: Simon Says Stamp (Painted Happy Birthday)

Stencil: Color Box "Swirl Dot"

Misc.: Dreamweaver Embossing Paste (Glossy White) & black gem from stash

Just Chillin' with the Penguins

Double Trouble Challenge#101 is open for your paper crafting pleasure. As usual, we have three "Things":

1. Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker is requiring that we use three patterned papers on our projects. You will receive one chance in our random drawing if you meet this requirement. Using our partner's sketch is optional but will qualify you for another chance.

2. Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link your card to Try Stampin' on Tuesday #539 if you have used their sketch. TSOT also has an option to create a Winter Wonder Theme. Linking your card with our partner will earn another chance at our random drawing.

3. Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is asking for at least one penguin with your project. This will give you one more chance in our random drawing.

First, I stamped, colored, and fussy-cut four penguin images along with two hats and a scarf. The TSOT sketch was just right for three patterned papers so I cut three panels. The large pink foiled snowflake panel was added to a black card base and serves as a background. Next, I selected papers from a pad of beach paper. One pattern was a streaked design of white and aqua that reminded me of glacial ice. The other was a pattern of dunes resembling snowdrifts. I continued to add the elements, sometimes with foam tape, onto the black card base. 

In keeping with the sketch, a strip of silver glimmer paper was added along with the stamped sentiment. The holographic snowflakes finished the design. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with snowflakes plus the fourth penguin wearing a hat.

I also submitted my card at Critter Crazy Challenge #58. This is a monthly challenge where "Anything Goes" as long as you feature a critter.

DTC #101 began on Monday, January 16 and TSOT #539 begins on Tuesday, January 17. Both challenges will close on Sunday, January 30. Be sure to check out the guidelines at both blogs and join us for some crafting fun.

Materials

Stamp Sets: Stamps of Life "Penguins 2" & "Waddle Penguins 2"

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copic Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black & Silver Glimmer

Paper: SU! "Whimsy & Wonder" DSP (pink foiled background paper), Honey Bee "Beach Vibes" (aqua streaks & snowdrifts)

Dies: Sizzix "662347" (Circles)

Misc.: Holographic snowflakes & foam tape from stash

My Flower Garden

Thank you for visiting my blog! One of my favorite challenge sites is Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges, a weekly challenge that begins each Monday morning. This is Challenge #455, which runs through Sunday evening, January 16, 2022.

Although my design was inspired by the sketch, I decided to take a bit of artistic license - a risk I enjoy taking. I die-cut a few rectangular and circular shapes from pretty paper and black cardstock and adhered them to a black cardstock panel. The sentiment was stamped and die-cut into a circle then added with foam tape. The decorated panel was added to a white card base and the inside of the card was decorated with coordinating paper.

Be sure to visit AHSC455! 

Materials

Stamp: Sizzix Circle Sentiments (#662347)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black

Paper: Carta Bella "Flower Garden"

Dies: Kat Scrappiness (scalloped rectangles) & Sizzix (circles #662347)

Misc.: Black gems and foam tape from stash

A True Classic - Masculine

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #479 is awaiting your entry! Our biweekly challenge will end on Thursday evening, January 27, 2022, so take a few minutes and enjoy our challenge. This color challenge is "Crazy 8". The color board below shows you eight colors from which you must choose at least four. You may pick more colors but to qualify, your project may not include any colors not included on the board. Free colors are black, white, and metallic gold.

I chose Sapphire, Scarlet, Sundance, and Mocha for my masculine card but did not have all of the exact colors. Color Dare permits crafters to use the closest match so that is what I did as seen in the materials list at the end of this post.

I had difficulty pulling my card together, which annoyed me because I have never had trouble understanding angles or how to use tools for measuring. It seemed as if I could not measure anything properly. As I plowed through I kind of liked that my patterned paper pieces were off so I just persevered until I had a completed project using scrap paper from my stash. I also decorated the inside of the card with coordinating paper.

Please drop by the Color My Heart Color Dare Blog #479 and join us for our fun color challenges. Every Friday morning, there is a new biweekly challenge so one is always in progress when you visit.

Materials

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla (sub for white)

Patterned Paper: SU! DSP in four retired designs from my scraps & Authentique "Explore"

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Ovals

Misc.: Foam tape