Double Trouble #224

 

It's time to start our latest challenge at Double Trouble! 

This time our 3-2-1 recipe is asking for:

- at least 3 patterned papers

- at least 2 colors

- at least 1 image

As always, Thing 3 has an optional challenge you can play along with, and this time the option is to include stitiching on your card or project, you can use real stitching, stitched die cuts, draw your own stitching, etc.

 For even more of a challenge, visit our sister site, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, and consider joining in their challenge too!

Card Notes:  The dies I used are all from Spellbinders, part of the selection for June's monthly clubs.  The three patterned papers are all from my stash of Stampin' Up, long ago retired! 

ATC Challenge Week 35 - Watercolor

 

This week the prompt for the ATC challenge was "watercolor."  

This was kind of an easy one because there are a lot of different watercolor techniques.  For this ATC I used a rubber stamp and colored it with watercolor pencils that I dipped in water.  To thin the color down even more I spritzed the stamp with water before stamping on the ATC sized piece of watercolor paper.  

I used a paintbrush and some watered down ink to fill in the background, then when dry stamped some script on top.  I finished it off with some splattering.  Instead of distressing the edges this time I used a corner punch.

ATC Challenge Weeks 33 and 34

 

I have two ATC's to share today, I got a little behind after moving a few weeks ago, but things are back on track now!

For Week 33 the prompt was "Quote."  I don't have a lot of stamps that are quotes, and it seemed a little overwhelming to find just the right one and print it up, so I used one that was in a St. Patrick's Day set.

I used decoupage to add some different papers on a playing card, then found a few clear stickers to add to them.  The quote was stamped and then cut out, and  adhered to the background.  I finished it off with some black splatters.

The prompt for week 34 was "Summer."  

For this one I also used some torn papers to create the background, focusing on summer colors and the flip flops.  I used some premade ephemra (I rarely use that when card making, but for a mixed media, collage type of project it works great!)

I added some twine and inked the edges a little to finish it off.

Addicted to CAS - Anniversary

 

A new challenge is starting at Addicted to CAS Challenge today, here’s my card for a little inspiration!

Every other Saturday an new challenge begins featuring a specific “code word” which is to be used as the inspiration for your card. You’ll have two weeks to play along if you want, for more ideas be sure to visit the challenge blog to see what the other designers have created!

Card Notes:  Image is from AALL & Create ("Valentine Dee") and was colored with Copic markers. 

Can You Handle the Pressure? - Bees

 

Hello, glad you stopped by! My card is for the new challenge starting at Can You Handle the Pressure. This challenge requires that you must use an embossing folder while creating your card. The theme is always “anything goes, ” however there’s also an optional twist you can play along with each time if you want. For this challenge the optional twist is "bees."

Head on over to the challenge blog for some more ideas and inspiration from the rest of the design team!

Card Notes: Not sure where the umbrella die is from. The background was embossed with a 3D folder from Spellbinders monthly club, and the bees are from My Favorite Things. 

Alphabet Challenge - I for Insects

 

 

As we work our way through the alphabet with a new challenge every 2 weeks, today at the Alphabet Challenge we are on the letter H.  The chosen theme for I is "Insects" - anything related to or showcasing insects.

There are some great ideas and more samples to check out over at the challenge blog, so feel free to go take a look!

Card Notes:  I used a hexagon cover die from Stampin' Up, and distressed the border and the pieces before adhering them on to the die cut.  The background was made by smooshing different Distress Oxide inks, distressing the edges, and stamping with some script.  The images are from Pink & Main. Some glitter on the bees wings was the finishing touch! 

ATC Challenge Week 32 - Bubbles/Balloons

 

This week the challenge prompt was "Bubbles/Balloons."  I decided to use just the balloons part of it.

I punched the balloons from a magazine, then blended some ink on them.  I made the background by smooshing some ink, and then using a stencil to add some hearts.  I tore a strip of paper for the edge, heat embossed a few circles, stamped a couple sentiments, and added some twine for the balloon strings and a few shiny sequins.

The final step as I often do, was to distress the edges with a paper distressor.

Entering the following challenges:

Just Add Ink #792 - Choose two (I used circles and sequins)

Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge #129 - anything goes using mixed media

The Little Things #07 - anything goes

Tag Along and ATC's - anything goes

Cardz 4 Guys #389 - Hot Air Balloon(s)

 

It's that time of the month when we are starting another new challenge at Cardz 4 Guys.

This month our theme is "Hot Air Balloon(s)." We are looking for cards or projects that were inspired by anything to do with hot air balloons!  If you would like some ideas please visit the challenge blog.  This challenge will run for a whole month so we hope you will have time to join in!

Card Notes:  The hot air balloon images are from a press plate that was part of the Spellbinders monthly kit.  I colored the balloons with Copic markers.  I glittered the clouds/swirls to add lots of sparkle!

ATC Challenge - Week 31 - Floral Background

 

This weeks ATC Challenge prompt was "Floral Background."

I did a little ink smooshing to create the background, then heat embossed a floral stamp with white powder.  The die cuts were all from my bits and pieces drawer. 

I distressed the edges with a distressing tool, then gave them a little black ink.

Double Trouble #223

 

It's time to start our latest challenge at Double Trouble! 

This time our 3-2-1 recipe is asking for:

- at least 3 of something (I used 3 images)

- at least 2 of anything (I chose 2 frames)

- at least 1 of everything (I used 1 stencil) 

(So in other words, it's almost just "Anything Goes!")

As always, Thing 3 has an optional challenge you can play along with, and this time the option is to include lifting something up, meaning use foam tape, extra paper layers, an acetate pop up, etc.).  For even more of a challenge, visit our sister site, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, and consider joining in their challenge too

. 

ATC Challenge Week 30 - Black Bird

 

I am a few weeks behind on the ATC Challenge as we just moved 2 weeks ago, however now that my craft room is set up I have had a little time to play around!

The prompt for week 30 was "Black Bird" so this is what I came up with.  I used a vellum doily glued on a water color paper base, and then just wet it and brushed some different inks on it.  I used some die cuts from a Spellbinders set to make the bird and branches.

The sentiment was printed from my computer, cut, inked, and adhered to the base.

Addicted to CAS - Water

 

A new challenge is starting at Addicted to CAS Challenge today, here’s my card for a little inspiration!

Every other Saturday an new challenge begins featuring a specific “code word” which is to be used as the inspiration for your card. You’ll have two weeks to play along if you want, for more ideas be sure to visit the challenge blog to see what the other designers have created!

Card Notes:  I created the squares with the Waffle Flower postage wavy stencil and the postage collage die from Waffle Flower. The silhouette images are also from Waffle Flower.

Can You Handle the Pressure? - Tie it Up

 

We have a new challenge starting at Can You Handle the Pressure today! This challenge requires that you must use an embossing folder while creating your card. The theme is always “anything goes, ” however there’s also an optional twist you can play along with each time if you want. For this challenge the optional twist is “tie it up."

Head on over to the challenge blog for some more ideas and inspiration from the rest of the design team!

Card Notes: Dies are from the Waffle Flower Postage set, for this card I used patterned paper to fill the middle of the postage stamps.  The bows are also from Waffle Flower, which I cut out of white glitter paper.  The background was embossed with a folder from Altenew ("Organic Linen").

Alphabet Challenge - H for Horticulture

 

As we work our way through the alphabet with a new challenge every 2 weeks, today at the Alphabet Challenge we are on the letter H.  The chosen theme for H is "Horticulture" - anything garden or plant related.  

There are some great ideas and more samples to check out over at the challenge blog, so feel free to go take a look!

Card Notes:  The seed packets I made are from a recent release by Waffle Flower.  They were die cut to add the details, then stenciled to add the color, and finally cut out with the postage collage die.  

Simply Clean & Simple - Nature

 

There’s a new challenge starting today at Simply Clean & Simple, where the theme is always “anything goes” – as long as it follows the Clean & Simple style. To add a little more fun there is also an optional twist you can play along with, and for this month it is “Nature.”

In general a clean and simple card has:

- a lot of white (or open) space

 - one main focal point or image

 - clean lines

- minimal layers and embellishments.

Of course there’s always room for interpretation, but as a general rule, less is more when it comes to CAS!

Be sure to check out the challenge blog for all the dates and details and some more inspiration!

Paper Funday Challenge #90

 

It's the beginning of a new challenge over at the Paper Funday Challenge blog, where our theme is always anything goes!  There's always an optional challenge you can join in if too, this month it's fun folds.

This month we have two sponsors, you do not have to use their products to enter, but they generously provide prizes each month so be sure to check them out!  First is Altenew, which is who made the set I used for my card, and second is Whimsy Stamps.  

Please visit the challenge blog for more ideas and inspiration from the rest of the design team and to see some examples from our sponsors.

I used the supplies from Altenew that were part of the May, 2026 Secret Garden virtual retreat.  I do not know if the products are available individually yet, however I believe in the past they do  have releasee them eventually. 

Double Trouble #222

 

It's time to start our latest challenge at Double Trouble! 

This time our 3-2-1 recipe is asking for:

- at least 3 layers in addition to the base

- at least 2 colors from the ROY G BIV color wheel

- at least 1 sentiment

As always, Thing 3 has an optional challenge you can play along with, and this time the option is to include at least one more ingredient from the above recipe, so that should be an easy one!  For even more of a challenge, visit our sister site, Try a Sketch on Tuesday, and consider joining in their challenge too. 

Card Notes:  My card was made with a set from Pinkfresh Studio called "Brighter Days."  The trellis is a die from Altenew.  I used some patterned paper for the background and a sentiment from Waffle Flower. 

Send a Smile 4 Kids - Anything Goes!

 

 A new monthly challenge is starting today at Send a Smile 4 Kids! If you would like to learn more about the purpose of this group or are interested in donating cards please go take a look over on the blog here.

The challenge is always open to any themed entry, as long as it is appropriate for a child.  Each month we also have an optional theme you can play along with, however, for August there isn't an optional theme, so anything goes is what we are looking for!

Please visit the blog for more ideas and some inspiration from the rest of the design team.

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #187 - Clean and Simple

 

Starting our August challenge today over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge (#187).  This month our theme is Clean and Simple, in other words we are looking for lots of white space, minimal or no extra layers, and one main focal point - remember for clean and simple designs less is more!

I used a stamp from my stash, I have no idea who it is made by.  I masked off the star and Bible verse before stamping the rest of the stamp and heat embossed with green.  The star was also heat embossed with gold, the Bible verse stamped in brown.  The die cut is from Pinkfresh Studio.

I hope you're inspired to create your own clean and simple Christmas card, check out the challenge blog for some great ideas and inspiration!