Friday, March 15, 2024

Spring Florals - Anemone Easter Card (DTC #162)

 

Double Trouble Challenge


Thank you for viewing my Spring Floral Easter card and welcome to Double Trouble Challenge #162. This biweekly challenge ends on Sunday evening, March 31, 2024. As always, there are three elements to this challenge. Be sure to visit the DTC162 Blog for specific details. Our partner for this challenge is Beautiful Blossoms #15.


Since purchasing a new die set with pretty Anemones I was eager to use it for this challenge. The style of the flowers appealed to me - sort of Art Deco. Although not required, our partner's Mood Board provided direction for my selection of colors, however, the layout is directly from the Spellbinders packaging but adding the textured background was my personal choice. 

After die-cutting the images and assembling the flowers the items were brushed with ink. A panel of cardstock was embossed and the elements were adhered. A layer of scrap cardstock was added behind each flower to elevate them slightly. (Even thin foam tape would have been too thick for the look I wanted.) For my optional Easter element, I simply added a meaningful sentiment in keeping with the solemnity of Easter.

In keeping with one of the challenge options I am linking my card with Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #15. Here is their Mood Board. 


Did you know that Anemones have deep meaning in many cultures? They symbolize love, affection, and good luck. The ancient Greeks thought they were the tears of Aphrodite and Adonis. Since my Anemones are purple, they also symbolize royalty.

Be sure to visit the Blogs for DTC #162 and Beautiful Blossoms #15.

Enjoy!
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: Stamps of Life "Easter Statements"
Inks: Stampin' Up! Shaded Spruce & Rich Razzleberry
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White (card base), Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Mint Macaron, Just Jade
Die Set: Spellbinders "Fresh Picked Anemones"
Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Optical Arches"

Friday, March 8, 2024

With Love (Color Dare 591)

 

Thank you for stopping my to see my card for Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #591. The color board is below and demonstrates that this challenge requires the use of the colors black and white with the addition of only one color. I chose an orange color. I originally planned to use a soft peach but decided to use a stronger color.


The image was stamped onto white cardstock, partially fussy cut then placed onto a panel of black cardstock. The sentiment was then stamped. The ink was brushed onto the flowers and sentiment. This was adhered to a white card base. The ink was also brushed onto white scraps to create the striped elements.

The inside was stamped with another sentiment and a smaller flower that coordinates with the larger image on the front. This was also brushed with ink.

Because this is a large image, the card was created using an A6 size so that the image would not appear crowded.

Enjoy!
Melanie

Materials
Stamps: Gina K "Sweet Memories"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White & Basic Black
Size: A6 (4.75" x 6.5")
 

Friday, March 1, 2024

Good Luck Card for St. Patrick's Day




It's time to play along with another biweekly challenge at Double Trouble. This is Challenge #161, beginning on Friday, March 1, 2024, and ending on Thursday, March 14, 2024. For details, visit the Double Trouble Blog. Our partner for this challenge is Festive Friday #FF0154. Their inspiration board is below. There are ten items to choose from but you only need three. Using the color green for Double Trouble was my first element. I included four additional items on my card - Gold, Gold Embellishments, Clover, and the Good Luck Sentiment.


I decided to use a stencil to create an Argyl pattern on my card but once the orange ink was applied, I changed my mind and added green ink without adding the additional Argyl lines so it looks more Harlequin than Argyl. Then the stenciled panel was cut into two pieces. Onto a panel of green cardstock, a white panel followed by an inked panel in Pumpkin Pie were added. Then I added the stenciled strip, matted in Parakeet Party. 

The sentiment was die cut from gold glimmer paper, shadowed by vellum. The four-leafed clover was created by stamping a small heart four times, fussy-cutting the image, and adding a stem. The clover was popped up with foam tape. Gold metallic pearls were added. The inside of the card was decorated with the second strip of stenciling. 

We hope you will join us for this challenge. Just click HERE and you will be connected to the Double Trouble Blog.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: Concord & 9th "Sweet on You" (small hearts for clover)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Parakeet Party & Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Parakeet Party, Garden Green, Glimmer (gold), & vellum
Stencil: Pink Fresh "Argyle"
Die w/shadow (sentiment): Photoplay "Good Luck" 
Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee Gems



Friday, February 16, 2024

Spring Card with a Fun Fold



Double Trouble Challenge #160 is temporarily on a different schedule by opening this challenge on Friday, February 16, 2024. Our format, however, has not changed so this challenge is based on three "Things". Challenge #160 Blog provides an explanation in detail of the requirements and options.

Creating a fun fold is the required element. Recently, a correspondent of mine shared instructions with me on creating a "Diamond Tent Fun Fold" card. I decided to create the card for this challenge and play along with Thing 2 by submitting it to our challenge partner, Creative Creases #76.

The instructions began with a card base of 6" x 12" but I typically use cardstock no longer than 11", so I made it work. It meant the landscape card now stands at 3.5" tall rather than 4" tall but the width remained unchanged at 6", about the size of a mini-slimline design. Once the base was completed, the card was quick and easy to decorate. One of the challenge options is to recognize Leap Day, which falls on February 29, 2024. The option is to include a creature who leaps, so rabbits were added, which works with my spring theme. My niece's paper collection with matching ephemera came in handy by using two different paper patterns and two different green-colored cardstock panels to complete the card. 

Three rabbits were die-cut in different colors and tucked into the card's fold along with adding a floral image and a butterfly. I thought the card needed more color so touches of pink ink were brushed onto a few elements, including the rabbit ears. There is an inside fold to this card, which was embellished with a die-cut rabbit. The sentiment was omitted for now and there is sufficient space for a personal note. 

I think I need to take some lessons in photography. I am constantly disappointed with my photographs! Be sure to join this fun challenge and try your hand at creating a fun fold - it can be rewarding! Visit Double Trouble #160 and Creative Creases #76 to play along.

Thank you for looking.
Melanie

Materials
Ink: CTMH "Rosy"
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate
Paper & Ephemera: Echo Park "Good to Be Home" Collection
Die: Jaded Blossom Gnome Collection (rabbit)
Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape



Friday, February 9, 2024

Wild Meadow All Occasion




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


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

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

Please visit the Challenge Blog and play along with us.

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

Materials
Stamps: Woodware "Wild Meadow", Waffle Flower "Color Swatches"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; CTMH Rosy & Capri; Delicata Metallic "Golden Glitz"
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White
Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape

Friday, February 2, 2024

My Heart Misses You (Valentine Card)




Welcome to my blog. Here we are again for another Double Trouble Challenge. This is Challenge #159, which will run through Thursday evening, February 15, 2024. There are three "Things" that make up the challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has assigned the theme as "Love Is in the Air". Your project must be related to the subject of love. While hearts and flowers are symbolic of love, we encourage you to use an "air" element, such as a bird, butterfly, cloud, etc. My card using the theme, "Love Is in the Air", is posted above.

Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is looking forward to you linking your project with the challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #586.
 
Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is challenging you to use the color board below. I used Ballerina, Bluebird, and Candy Apple plus the free colors of black and white.

The stamp set has been around for a while and I have used bits of it here and there but it was by accident that I came across it for this challenge. I CASE'd a card I saw on Pinterest when I recognized this as a stamp in my stash. I don't have a link to the original card but I wanted to disclose that I am not the original designer of this layout. I changed the colors and sentiment when creating my own card.

The cloud outlines were stamped, pink ink was added to the clouds with a blending brush, the tiny person was stamped and colored, and I hand-drew the rope. The sentiment, different from the original card, was also stamped directly onto the card front. The heart was stamped on red cardstock and fussy cut then added with 2 mm foam tape for dimension. This was added to a card base of blue cardstock.

The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock, stamped and inked with clouds and a stamped, fussy-cut heart, leaving plenty of space for a message. I am going to send this card to my sister-in-law, whom I have not seen in a very long time, although we chat regularly. I know she'll enjoy receiving it.

Be sure to check out the challenges at DTC 159 and CD 586 and join in with our "Love Is in the Air" theme using three colors from our Fancy Five color board!

Thank you for visiting - please leave a comment.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp Set: Simon Says Stamp "Just Miss You"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH "Ballerina", Copic markers (for the tiny image)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Real Red, CTMH Bluebird

Monday, January 29, 2024

A Wee Bit o' Love - Valentine



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

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

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

For fun with sketches, stop by the AHSC Blog!

Materials
Stamp: Concord and 9th "All Wrapped Up"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Midnight Muse
Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again", Paper Rose "Winter Plaid"
Dies: Cottage Cutz "Scotty Dog Border", Hero Arts Infinity (ovals)
Misc.: Honey Bee Gem Stickers; CTMH thin foam tape

Sending Good Vibes - Valentine


February 7, 2024: Top Three at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #562!




Welcome to another Double Trouble Challenge. This is Challenge #158, beginning on Monday, January 29, 2024, and running through Sunday evening, February 4, 2024. Let me remind you that this challenge begins on the fifth Monday of the month so is only one week in duration. Most importantly, this is an "Anything Goes" event - but read on for more information.


Our challenges are comprised of three "Things":
Thing 1: Trouble Maker is giving us a little break. She's making this a Something-Anything-Everything Challenge. That means Anything Goes! You will earn one chance in the random drawing by submitting an Anything Goes project.

Thing 2: Double Dare is hoping you'll link your project to any one of our previous partners. A list with links is provided on the DTC 158 Blog. You will receive a chance at our random drawing for each previous challenge partner. (I have linked my project to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #562.)

Thing 3: Twisted Sister never rests from her duties. She has decided that National Kazoo Day needs recognition. To accomplish this, and for another chance at our Randomly Drawn Prize, use something musical in your project. This can include a Kazoo or other instruments, sheet music, musical notes, etc., using stamps, dies, embossing, etc. (I decided to create a piano keyboard, which was inspired by the AHSC sketch below.)


The Double Trouble Design Team has created projects based on the above information. Be sure to take a look at the DTC Blog and join in!

I come from a family of musicians so I knew my keyboard had better be accurate or I would have to hide my card! To create my Anything Goes card plus a musical theme, I hand-cut 11 white strips to a width of 7/16" each so they would fit evenly across the card. I adhered them to a panel of black cardstock. Next, I cut eight black strips. Based on the dimensions of a traditional piano keyboard, I calculated the black keys should be cut at a width of 5/16" each and greater than 67% of the length of the white keys. 

I carefully placed and adhered the black keys as found on a piano. My niece pointed out that black keys should not all be centered between white keys. Who knew? So I had to correct my mistake and slightly move six of the eight black keys to their correct positions. Then I learned that black keys are actually slightly tapered and not perfectly rectangular, but I did not make that change. When did this younger generation get so smart? And, by the way, I am the only member of a large family who does not play at least one musical instrument.

The panel of pink patterned paper was added followed by a black horizontal strip as seen in the sketch. The sentiment was stamped and then combined with a fancy die-cut heart in silver glimmer paper. A few silver gems finished off the design. The front panel was adhered to a white card base, decorated inside with pink and black paper and a silver flourish.

We look forward to seeing your project! Thank you for visiting my blog.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: Simon Says Stamp "Just Miss You"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer
Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again" (pink)
Die: Unbranded Fancy Heart
Misc.: Honey Bee (gem stickers); CTMH thin foam tape

Friday, January 26, 2024

Simply Geometric - Masculine Card



Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #585 is open for some card-making fun. This biweekly challenge runs through Thursday, February 8, 2024. Our challenges always include color and this time we're asking you to play Tic Tac Toe using our color board below. Just pick three colors in a row and use them in your card design. Once you have selected the three colors, you may select additional colors but they must be on the color board. If you use colors not on the board your card will be disqualified but you are free to add black, white, neutrals, and metallics to your card. Your colors do not need to be a precise match with CTMH products but please use the closest colors from your stash.


 

My color choices work in two directions on the color board. I selected a diagonal - Papaya, Limeade, and Lagoon, then added Harbor and Shortbread, which meant that the third column was also included. The framework and shapes of my card were cut using a die set. The frame was adhered to a panel of Papaya cardstock, followed by the shapes. As I assembled the card, I thought it was taking on a masculine appearance so just continued with that idea using a simple die-cut greeting and coordinating shadow with foam tape for dimension. I also added the metallic studs to the card front. The completed panel was adhered to a white card base decorated on the inside with a bit of scrap cardstock.

We hope you will join us at the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #585. The Design Team has cards displayed to inspire you. A biweekly challenge begins every Friday morning so there is always a challenge in progress - that's non-stop paper crafting!

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Melanie

Materials
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic White, Pool Party (sub for Lagoon), CTMH Shortbread, Papaya, Harbor, and Limeade
Paper: Photoplay (dotted scrap)
Dies: Altenew  "Hello and Hugs" (hello greeting & shadow), Kokorosa (framework die)
Misc.: Honey Bee (metallic studs); CTMH thin foam tape 

Monday, January 22, 2024

Love You - St. Valentine's Day



It's time to make cards for family members to celebrate St. Valentine's Day, so I have been making a few Valentines in advance. This sketch, from the weekly Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, offers the opportunity to create another Valentine. This is Challenge #561 and is scheduled to run through Sunday evening, January 28, 2024.


Flowers are always appropriate on cards so that paper was my first selection, and then finding additional patterned papers was next. After cutting the shapes, they were adhered to a panel of scrap cardstock. I thought my careful selection to fit the majority of two large flowers into the largest shape was just right because I had also managed to capture a bit of the leaves. That is... until I added the additional elements. My sentiment circle was going to cover the leaves. The color of the leaves, a deep blue-green, was the reason I selected the pinstripe paper. It was time to tweak the plan. 

The silver metallic circle was adhered along with the stacked hearts stamped with a tiny sentiment and then a set of leaves fussy-cut from the floral paper was adhered. This was still in keeping with the sketch and added the color I wanted. A few silver pearls were added and the card front was adhered to a white card base. The inside of the card was decorated with leftover paper scraps and another silver circle with a dragonfly silhouette. The dragonfly was originally die-cut to use with the sentiment but I went with the leaves instead.

I think this sketch design is a great way to use up scraps from my stash so I am planning to use it again. I am also sure that my sister-in-law in Florida will enjoy receiving her annual St. Valentine's card!

Be sure to visit the AHSC 561 Blog!

So glad you stopped by to view my card. Your comments are welcome.
Thank you,
Melanie


Materials
Stamp: The Stamps of Life "Candy Hearts 2"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Silver Foiled, Bravo Burgundy (retired)
Paper: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" Collection, Honey Bee "Pinstripes & Polka Dots - Winter"
Dies: The Stamps of Life "Candy Hearts 2", Hero Arts Infinity (circles), Kokorosa (dragonfly on the inside)
Misc.: Honey Bee (silver pearls)


Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Thank You (Tulips and a Dragonfly)




01/21/2024 - Weekly Favorite at Splitcoast Stampers

Welcome to Stitches and Smudges. Join me in creating a card using a sketch for inspiration. The sketch is shown below. You are free to interpret the sketch as you wish regarding colors, shapes, themes, etc., so have some fun with it! 

Be sure to include a sentiment - or space for a future sentiment - as shown in the sketch. Details and guidelines are available at the Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge Blog. This is Challenge #639, running through Sunday evening, February 4, 2024.

Lately, I have been trying to reduce the volume of paper in my stash. I have a large area for my hobbies but I have reached the point where enough is enough. I found this paper pad - it's not very old and I thought it would work nicely for a few cards. 

First, background strips were created from floral paper. The edges were sponged with ink to give them depth and then matted with coordinating patterned paper. To a white card base, a panel of coordinating paper was added, followed by the three strips. The strips were added directly to the card front without foam tape so I could pop up the sentiment and not add too much height. 

The sentiment was stamped and added to a strip of dotted paper then adhered with 2 mm. foam tape. Finally, the dragonfly was die-cut from more of the dotted paper. The inside of the card was decorated with paper scraps, leaving sufficient space for a personal message. To finish off the card, crystal gem stickers were added.


Be sure to join me at Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #639 to share your crafting talent with the Design Team.

Thank you for visiting my blog. When you leave a comment, it makes my heart happy. 
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: Altenew "Elegant Sayings"
Ink: Stampin' Up! Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White
Patterned Paper: Honey Bee "Modern Spring" & PhotoPlay "Autumn Greetings" (dotted paper)
Die: Kokorosa (dragonfly)
Misc.: Foam tape; Honey Bee Crystal Stickers

Monday, January 15, 2024

Love You - Valentine

 

Sometimes I find it challenging just to keep up with my favorite challenges, which is often the case with Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenges. A weekly challenge, beginning every Monday morning and ending on Sunday evenings, following is the sketch. This is Challenge #560 ending on Sunday, January 21, 2024.



After selecting a pretty striped paper to cut on the diagonal for the first layer, the yellow linen-textured cardstock backed with black pearlescent cardstock was added. The squares in the sketch were replaced with hexagons, my favorite shape in cardmaking. The smaller hexagons were die-cut from patterned paper, also backed with black pearlescent cardstock.

The center hexagon consists of black pearlescent cardstock. The paper pattern was an unusually large image for cardmaking use so I trimmed away a small portion to adhere to the hexagon. I did not care for the plain white portion above the three flowers the white portion was cut away, leaving part of the black hexagon exposed. I was satisfied with the result so left it.

The completed card front was adhered to a white card base and the inside was decorated with a bit of scrap paper and die-cut hexagon rings. The five black hexagon-shaped stick-ons were added for interest.

Thank you for stopping by... please leave a comment. Happy New Year!
Melanie


Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White; Doodlebug (textured yellow); Paper Papers "Pearlescent" (Black) 
Paper: Doodlebug "Hello Again" Collection; Paper Rose (preprinted sentiment)
Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons
Misc.: Stampin' Up Hexagon Stickers, CTMH thin foam tape


Sunday, January 14, 2024

Wishing You Frosty Fun (Winter Card)



Time for another challenge at Double Trouble #157. This challenge runs through Saturday evening, January 27, 2024. As is customary, there are three "Things" to our challenge:

Thing 1 (required): Trouble Maker has decided on a Wintry Country Feeling using either a stencil or embossing folder.


Thing 2 (optional): Double Dare is hoping you'll link your card to our partner's challenge at Farm Quest Challenge #44. Just be sure to check out their guidelines.


Thing 3 (optional): Twisted Sister is suggesting that you include a winter sport in your design. She wants to see one of the following: skiing, sledding, sleigh riding, tobogganing, or skating. There is also a "January Special" - include a hat in your design in observance of National Hat Day on January 15 to be entered into a special random drawing.

This was truly a challenge for me because I didn't have much in my stash that represented winter sports. I have also been trying to use up my existing supply of patterned paper so have not purchased much lately, which can be limiting. Using an evergreen stencil, I used two shades of green ink, then fussy cut the resulting image and adhered it to patterned paper representing a night sky. 

Two snowbanks were added and popped up with foam tape in both 1 mm and 2 mm heights. The skate in the foreground was die-cut from white cardstock and trimmed with glitter paper. The skate blade was cut from silver holographic paper. The entire card front was adhered to a card base of blue cardstock. The blue color is also present in the night sky but did not photograph well. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with glitter paper. The sentiment was stamped and adhered along with the winter hat, and tiny rhinestones were added to the sky and the evergreens.

Be sure to visit the Double Trouble Blog to view the Design Team's cards and to play along with us. Don't forget to visit our partner's blog, too, Farmquest Challenge Blog #44

Thank you for stopping by.
Melanie

Materials
Stamp: The Stamps of Life (sentiment and hat)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Boho Blue, Shaded Spruce, Parakeet Party
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White, Boho Blue
Paper: CTMH Glitter Paper (Mulberry), Stampin' Up! Glimmer Paper (silver), Honey Bee "Winter Wonder" (sky), SBC "Holographic" (skate blade)
Dies: Kokorosa (ice skate and bow)
Stencil: Newton's Nook (Evergreens)
Misc.: CTMH Bitty Sparkles, CTMH thin (1 mm) foam tape, 3M (2 mm) foam tape
Size: 5.5" x 5.5"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, January 12, 2024

Hello - Color Challenge



It's time for another biweekly challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare. This is Challenge #583, running through Thursday evening, January 25, 2024. The color board is shown below and features a Fancy Five color array. At least three of these colors must be used.



I was on the horns of a dilemma because I had placed an order for some of these colors and to replenish others but my order was delayed at the FedEx Hub in Kansas. What to do since I did not have "at least three" of the required colors? As my deadline approached I finally went to my scraps and selected papers that I believed were a close match to the color board and quickly constructed the challenge card. My colors may not be a precise match to Mulberry, Periwinkle, and Mink, but they're as close as I could get them using my existing stash.

I thought about keeping this card 'Clean and Simple' but as I discovered a few patterned paper scraps, I just had to use them. The white cardstock panel was embossed for texture. A few strips of paper were adhered to a scrap of cardstock then trimmed to size and adhered to the white embossed panel as if to underline the greeting. I wanted to add dimension to this decorative unit keeping it at less than 1 mm. By backing it with another scrap of cardstock I was able to keep within that measurement.

The greeting was die-cut from black pearlescent cardstock and added to a coordinating die-cut shadow of patterned paper. This was popped up using 1 mm foam tape. Five pink-ish gem stickers were added for interest. The card front on the black mat was adhered to a "Mulberry-ish" colored card base and lined with a white cardstock panel. The inside of the card was decorated with a few banners from the same scraps as used on the card front.

Visit the CD 583 Blog to see the Design Team's cards. We hope they inspire you. Color Dare Challenges begin each Friday and run for two weeks so we always have an open challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog. 
Melanie


Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic White plus scraps; off-brand of Pearlescent (black)
Patterned Paper: Scraps from various collections
Die: Pink & Main "Hello" w/shadow
EF: Spellbinders "Loops"
Misc.: Honey Bee gem stickers & CTMH thin foam tape

Monday, January 8, 2024

Feel Better Soon




It's time again for another weekly challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. This is AHSC #559, closing on Sunday evening, January 14, 2024.


Several weeks ago, a family member, Susan, age 82, fell down the stairs in her home, resulting in a concussion, broken shoulder, and numerous bruises and sprains. She recently returned home from her stay in the hospital and is undergoing a long recovery. A few family members decided to send her cards or call her every few days. My turn to send a card is next week, so this sketch presented the perfect opportunity to make my card for Susan.

From patterned paper, the image was die-cut into an arched window shape, then backed with black cardstock, also die-cut. The background panel was embossed for texture, and then three strips of coordinating patterned paper were adhered. This was added to a vanilla card base. The image was added with thin foam tape. To finish, the pearls were added along with the pink die-cut bow and a sentiment. The inside of the card was decorated with paper scraps and another pink bow.

If you enjoy sketch challenges then AHSC #559 is for you!

Thank you for visiting my blog and I enjoy reading your comments. 
Melanie


Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Sweet Sugarplum, Boho Blue
Patterned Paper: Altenew "Enjoy the Ride" Collection
Dies: Hero Arts Infinity (Nesting Arches), Kokorosa (Bows)
Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Loops"
Other: Paper Rose preprinted sentiment
Misc.: CTMH thin foam tape, Honey Bee (pearls)