Very Merry 25th

We have just enough time in 2021 for one more challenge! Double Trouble Challenge #99 is underway and the duration of the challenge has been extended through Sunday evening, January 2, 2022. As usual, we have three "Things" for you to consider:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker says that the theme is, "It's Up to You." Be sure to check the guidelines at the DTC99 Blog.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare suggests you link up with The Paper Funday Challenge #36 to earn a chance at our randomly drawn prize. They'll be looking for your project.

Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is hoping to find a number on your project that represents a special age or date. Adding the optional twist will earn you another chance at the randomly drawn prize.

My card was inspired by the fact that December 12 is Poinsettia Day (and my birthday). Once I had the card nearly finished, I decided to use "25th" on my card because I have a Christmas theme.

The Design Teams have cards for you to view at the DTC99 Blog and The Paper Funday Challenge #36 so we hope you'll submit your project, too!

(All materials are Stampin' Up! except for the computer-generated "25th".)

Have a Joyous Holiday

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #473 is up on the blog. This biweekly challenge, which runs through Thursday evening, December 16, 2021, is a Tictactoe challenge. You select three colors that are arranged in a row - vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. If you add any colors other than black and white that are not on the board, your card will not be considered for the top-four selection. I chose column #1 - Wisteria, Mulberry & Rosemary, using patterned paper that also included Glacier & Charcoal. Then silver can be found in the snowflake embellishments.

The front of the peach card base was dry embossed with a pattern of snowflakes. Various shapes were die-cut and added to the peach card base, some with thin foam tape. Then two banners were added along with three tiny silver snowflakes embellished with mini rhinestones. The sentiment was computer-generated. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated.

Be sure to visit the Color Dare #473 Blog for the challenge guidelines and to view the Design Team's cards!

Materials

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Crisp Cantaloupe (sub for Peach), Wisteria Wonder (sub for Wisteria), Pool Party (sub for Glacier) 

Paper: CTMH "Wonderland" Paper Packet

Dies: Spellbinders (classic circle), Whimsy (stitched circle), MFT (stitched rectangle)

Embossing Folder: Sizzix (snowflakes)

Misc.: Snowflakes, rhinestones & CTMH thin foam tape

Joy to the World

There's a new biweekly challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #535. Our challenge is usually based on a required sketch with an optional twist but with this challenge, you are free to use only the sketch or only the theme or combine both. Below is the challenge board showing the sketch plus the theme of "Keep It Off-Center". This challenge runs through Sunday evening, December 12, 2021.

I also added my card to Creative Creases Challenge #20, which uses an "Anything Goes with a Fun Fold" theme. This challenge ends on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 6:00 pm, Eastern time.

I saw an off-center Angled Trifold card and decided to adapt the sketch to the fun fold. The link for a card tutorial can be found HERE. After cutting the panels of cardstock and patterned paper to size, I die-cut some greenery, decorating the front and the inside. The pine cones were layer-stamped and added with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and die-cut with a circle.

 

I thought about making a belly band for the card but instead, I die cut a zigzag-edged circle, added the circle with the sentiment adhering it with foam tape, and placed it so the top card flap could be tucked underneath the edge. Wink of Stella was added to the pine cones and greenery and glitter enamel dots were added. I also had an extra pinecone so placed it inside the card.

The Design Team invites you to visit the TSOT535 challenge blog and play along with our challenges. Be sure to visit the Creative Creases Challenge Blog, too.

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas" (sentiment) & "Christmas Season" (pinecones)

Inks: SU! Pretty Peacock, Soft Suede & Early Espresso

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar & Mossy Meadow

Paper: Photo Play "Winter Dwellers" (both sides)

Dies: SU! Seasonal Labels (pinecones), Spellbinders (circles), Lawn Fawn (zigzag circles) & Sizzix #661597 (greenery)

Misc: SU! Glitter Enamel Dots & foam tape

Christmas Cheer

It's time for our last fifth Monday challenge of 2021 at Double Trouble's Something, Anything, Everything Challenge. Challenge #98 runs for only one week so will be closing on Sunday evening, December 5, 2021. The three "Things" are:

Thing 1 (required): Troublemaker says it's time for an Anything Goes theme so enjoy! You will be awarded one chance for our random draw.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare hopes you will link your card with at least one of our previous partners. There is a list on the challenge blog HERE. I linked my card to Crafting Happiness Challenge #117, an Anything Goes challenge. An additional chance will be awarded for the random draw for each previous partner. Be sure to include it in your own blog post.

Thing 3 (optional): Take a look at Twisted Sister's card (see below). She is hoping you will use her card as inspiration by using at least one element from her card - a color, an image, twine, dry embossing, etc. I love the French macarons but did not have an image for them. I used her card as a sketch to develop the layout for my own design. An additional chance will be awarded for the random draw if you take on the twist.

 

Twisted Sister's twist:

French macarons (not to be confused with coconut macaroons) are so delicious! I first enjoyed them when I was in Paris in 2005.

I split a packet of pretty holiday paper with a crafty friend so used it for this challenge. I added a panel of red cardstock to a white card base, followed by a panel of patterned paper. Although I only needed to copy one item from Twisted Sister I also added a gold-edged ribbon in place of twine and instead of the sweet macarons, I die-cut this cute image of the deer from coordinating patterned paper. Taking more of the same paper collection, I created the banner. Finally, a few gems were added.

We hope to see you at our DTC98 Blog and Crafting Happiness #117 for the challenge!

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Christmas

Ink: SU! Pretty Peacock

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Real Red & Pretty Peacock

Patterned Paper: CTMH "Holly & Ivy" Collection

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Dies (ovals)

Punches: SU! (Modern Label & Word Window)

Misc.: SU! Glitter Enamel Dots (red), gold-edged ribbon & foam tape from stash

Making Memories at Christmas

The Design Team at Color My Heart Color Dare welcomes you to join our biweekly Challenge #465. This challenge will end on Thursday evening, October 21, 2021. This is a Tictactoe challenge so you must select and use three colors in a row. Once you know which three in a row you intend on using, you may also include other colors from the board. Any colors not on the board are not permitted. I initially selected the bottom row - Candy Apple, Harbour, and Evergreen. 

As I was selecting my paper, I found I was able to include all of the colors because they coordinate with a new CTMH paper packet, Holly & Ivy. You may, however, use any brand of products as long as you use close color matches. I also used a sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #441. This is a weekly sketch challenge ending on Sunday evening, October 10, 2021.

The patterned paper was matted with red cardstock and adhered to the card base. I die-cut a red oval frame and a vellum oval, inserting the stamped sentiment. The fawn was stamped, colored with Copic markers, and added with foam tape. The gold metallic gems were added. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock, decorated with patterned paper, and stamped with a Christmas sentiment.

Be sure to visit our Color Dare Challenge Blog #465 for inspiration and to play along. Our biweekly challenges begin every Friday so there is always an active challenge underway. And don't forget to drop by the weekly sketch challenge at the AHSC Blog - you'll be glad you did!

Materials

Stamps: CTMH "Holly & Ivy" (Z4326)

Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers; Stampin' Up! Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Pretty Peacock (sentiment on front) & Soft Succulent (sentiment inside)

Cardstock: SU! Basic White, Baked Brown Sugar & Real Red

Paper: SU! Vellum & CTMH "Holly & Ivy" Paper Packet

Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Ovals

Misc.: Gold metallic gems and foam tape from stash

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It's not yet Christmas but I am making holiday cards here and there as I can. This card is for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #438, which runs through Sunday evening, September 19, 2021. 

Onto a blue card base, I added a panel of pink cardstock and then another panel of patterned Christmas paper. The paper has plenty of sparkle because it's foiled with silver. In keeping with the sketch, I added a horizontal strip in a diagonal metallic stripe, followed by the pink sentiment banner. The banner was stamped and heat-embossed with the sentiment before adding the foam tape to adhere to the card front. A bow was added. The inside was lined with a panel of Basic White cardstock and decorated with matching patterned paper.

The art of photography continues to elude me. This foiled paper is alive with shine and my embossed sentiment appears perfect to the human eye (and quite possibly my cat's eye) but I continue to miss the reflective features when using a camera.

If you're seeking a sketch challenge, then the AHSC438 Blog is the place to go.

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Christmas (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Strawberry Slush

Paper: Stampin' Up "Whimsy and Wonder" DSP

Ribbon: Stampin' Up! (striped organdy)

EP: SSS Ultra Fine Silver

Punch: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Tag Topper

Misc.: Rhinestones, foam tape

Christmas Cheer in a Pocket

When the movie, "Christmas in July" was made in 1940, I doubt anyone ever realized how popular the idea would become! But here we are 61 years later creating a project to celebrate that very event. It's July and time for a Christmas challenge at Double Trouble. Here are the three "Things" for Challenge #89:

1. Trouble Maker is requiring a theme of "Christmas in July" for your project.

2. Double Dare has provided the option to play along with the challenge at Heart2Heart.

3. Twisted Sister is hoping you'll "Tie It Up"  by adding a bow, ribbon, twine, etc. to your project.

I saw a tutorial HERE for this Crisscross Pocket fun fold design. It's not a difficult design. The card does not open because it's a pocket. It is perfect for a note or even a gift card or money. I cut and assembled the cardstock and glittery holiday paper as instructed in the tutorial, then die-cut the multi-layered poinsettia from cardstock. I added the poinsettia to the card front then added glitter and some small tiny gold foiled circles to the center of the flower. To add the green leaves I used green foiled cardstock that appears as almost black in the photos. The insert was die-cut from white cardstock and decorated with a die-cut poinsettia and gold metallic pearls. The sentiment was stamped with gold ink then punched to create the shape. The ribbon was run through two punched holes and tied into a bow. This aids in extracting the card from the pocket.

My card was also submitted to the Creative Creases Challenge #11. This is a challenge solely for fun folds, so check out their blog and enjoy.

In addition, I added my card to the July 2021 Winter Wonderland Challenge. Their theme is "Christmas Music or Songs". I believe the sentiment on my card expresses a song I enjoy, "Christmas Cheer Is Near".    

Finally, I included the July 2021 Challenge #52 at Two Crafty Critter Crazies because I am featuring a sweet songbird on my card. 

Be sure to visit the challenge blogs and follow the guidelines to play along at CCC11, WWCB, 2CCC52, DTC89, and H2H.

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"

Ink: Delicata ((Golden Glitz)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Garden Green.

Paper: MultiCraft Holiday Trendz "Forever in Time"; foil (gold & green)

Dies: RCD (poinsettia), 

Punches: Stampin' Up! "Modern Label" & "Word Window"

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Shimmer Ribbon (gold) & Stickles (Icicle)

Happy Christmas

07/21/2021 Update: This card was a Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #429.

Atlantic Hearts has a fun sketch on their weekly challenge blog. This is Challenge #429, which began on Monday, July 12, and will end on Sunday evening, July 18, 2021. I decided to create a Christmas card using the sketch.

To a blue card base, I adhered a panel of blue wintry patterned paper. A strip of metallic paper along with a strip of the same blue as the card base was added. The pretty metallic design is the reverse side of the wintry paper. I stamped some snowflakes onto vellum using Versamark ink, then heat embossed them with silver embossing powder and die cut them. I was disappointed that the snowflakes were not as bright as I had hoped so I die-cut the shapes using white cardstock and added the embossed vellum snowflakes to the white cutouts.

I liked the snowflakes so I added a light spatter of glue and silver embossing powder to the card front. Once I applied the heat tool, the card gave off a nice shimmer. I added the snowflakes with thin foam tape. The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed with silver powder then added with foam tape. Finally, I added rhinestones in a variety of sizes because I like my Christmas cards to sparkle! The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a vertical paper strip to match the one on the card front.

Take a look at the AHSC429 Blog for the Design Team's cards and play along with the challenge!

I also found the Dies R Us Challenge. This is an Anything Goes as long as you use a metal die to create your design. They even have a store where there is a fine selection of dies. Take a look at the DRU173 Blog for their guidelines. This challenge will end on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

Materials

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas", CTMH "Elegant Snowflakes"

Ink: Versamark

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, & Vellum

DSP: Stampin' Up! "Snowflake Splendor"

Dies: CTMH "Elegant Snowflakes" & Jeanine's Oval Mini-Frames

Misc.: Stampin' Up! EP (silver); CTMH thin foam tape; rhinestones

Oh, What Yum

The remaining two weeks of Double Trouble Challenge #73 are underway. Use a favorite cutting tool, link to Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge, and "Tie It Up" with string, twine, or ribbon. Both challenges began on Monday, December 7, 2020, ending on Sunday, January 3, 2021. 

Although I tried to do a Cricut design, my cut item had incorrect score marks. I tried to make sense of where to fold the item but it was complex and the instructions were unclear. Frustrated, I changed tactics and created this cute little box using a set of dies that were a gift. I used three paper patterns plus the white cardstock and also lined the inside of the box. I think this would be cute if it had some chocolate kisses in it and used as a gift for a coworker or neighbor. I added a Christmas bow in green to complete the project.

After looking it over I decided to make a tag for the box. I used several punches and a die using white and green cardstock and pretty red patterned paper. I stamped the tiny sentiment and added the red ribbon. I adhered the tag to the box lid but it does not interfere with removing or replacing the lid and the tag will not get lost.

For specific details on participating in these three challenges, be sure to visit their blogs for the guidelines. Both can be successfully combined. We hope you'll join the challenge fun! Here are the links: DTC73 Blog, and BBtheB2 Blog.

Materials

Box

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White

Paper: CTMH "Comfort & Joy" Collection

Die Set: Crafter's Companion (Gemini) Box w/Lid

Misc.: Christmas bow

Tag

Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"

Ink: Distress Oxide "Rustic Wilderness"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Garden Green

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Classic Christmas" Collection

Punches: Stampin' Up! Tag Topper & Curly Label & Martha Stewart Doily Lace

Dies: RCD "Curly Leaf"

Misc.: Stampin' Up! Scallop Dots Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Today is the final day of Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #399 and I wanted to add my last holiday card for 2020 to this weekly favorite. If you missed it - there is another challenge beginning on Monday, December 21, 2020. I have found the past sketches to be most helpful in making my holiday cards this year.

Onto a Kraft card base, I adhered a panel of green cardstock followed by a panel of patterned paper depicting Santa in various activities. In keeping with the sketch, the other elements were added using vellum and various patterned papers. The tree was punched from cardstock and added with foam tape. One of the banners was also added with foam tape to add more dimension. Wink of Stella was used to add glimmer to the tree. The gems were added. I omitted a sentiment for the challenge but added a small one (Happy Holidays) over the bottom banner when I mailed the card. The inside was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with another punched tree and the sentiment, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

I hope you'll visit the weekly challenge: AHSC399!

Materials

Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas" & Stamp of Approval "Holiday Sentiments"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum

Paper: Stampin' Up! "Classic Christmas" & Authentique "Jingle" Collections

Punch: Stampin' Up! "Pine Tree"

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

Rejoice!

The new biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #424 opens Friday, December 11, ending on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. The colors for this challenge are to use non-traditional holiday colors although your project does not have to be a Christmas card.

I have a new paper pack that I was eager to use and I needed a few more Christmas cards to finish up so I used the paper pack to cut 12 One-sheet Wonder designs. This is one of the cards cut from that method. The other 11 cards are now completed but this was the first one I completed so chose it for the challenge. The floral paper in this set is really pretty.

Please join us at Color My Heart Color Dare #424 Blog and check out the cards of the Design Team and entrants. We'd love for you to play along!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; CTMH Sapphire, Toffee & Glitter (Blue Belle)
Paper: CTMH "Serenity" Collection
Die: Simon Says Stamp "Rejoice" (with shadow)
Misc.: Foam tape

Very Merry!

The holiday crunch is alive and well as I finish my holiday cards and get them mailed. Card challenges have provided continued inspiration for the designs, whether through sketches, colors, or themes. I followed the theme at Double Trouble Challenge #73: Use a favorite cutting tool, link to Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge, and "Tie It Up" with string, twine, or ribbon. I am also submitting this to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #398, a fabulous source for sketches. All challenges are underway as of Monday, December 7, 2020. The DTC73 biweekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, December 20, 2020. Bitten by the Bug 2 ends on Monday, January 4, 2021, and the AHSC398 weekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, December 13, 2020. 

The first element was cut by using a decorative edge rectangle on a white card base. I added a panel of green tree-patterned paper. The narrow gold ribbon was added and tied into a bow, in keeping with the sketch. The fishtails on two of the banners were done with a punch. The banners were stacked together then added with foam tape for dimension. Finally, the sentiment was stamped, heat embossed in gold, and punched from red cardstock. A few glittery gems were added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper. By the way, my favorite cutting tool is the die - any die. I love the results. Perhaps over time, I will say it is my Cricut but I need to build more confidence.

For specific details on participating in these three challenges, be sure to visit their blogs for the guidelines. All three can be successfully combined. We hope you'll join the challenge fun at all of them! Here are the links: DTC73 Blog, BBtheB2 Blog, and AHSC398 Blog.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer
Paper: Echo Park (I think!)
Die: Gina Marie Designs
Punches: Stampin' Up!
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon and gems; SSS ultra-fine EP (gold); foam tape from stash

Joy to the World

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #397 opened on Monday, November 30, and will end on Sunday evening, December 6, 2020. Here is the sketch for this week:

I had a sheet of patterned paper that I wanted to use. The little moose and polar bear are so cute! If I had made a larger card, perhaps I could have also captured a rabbit, reindeer, Yeti, and snowman that are scattered throughout the pattern. Onto a panel of white cardstock, I added a panel of green and then a panel of the patterned paper cut into three equal parts. The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed with silver. It was die-cut with an oval die and matted with a die-cut silver oval. I added the narrow silver ribbon and then with foam tape, the oval was added. I also added a few gems. The inside was decorated with a few scraps of coordinating paper. Because almost every card that I give has to be mailed, I try to keep them low profile for easy mailing.

Be sure to visit the AHSC397 Blog to see more inspiring cards using this sketch.

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Itty Bitty Christmas"
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Just Jade, Silver Glimmer
Paper: Doodlebug "Winter Wonderland"
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity Ovals
Misc.: Stampin' Up! ribbon; SSS Ultra-Fine EP (silver); gems and foam tape from stash