Author: rkecrouch

Double Trouble Challenge #219 “It’s Going to be a Long Day”
Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #219 “It’s Going to be a Long Day”

rkecrouch4 Comments

It’s time for another Double Trouble challenge, and the theme is “It’s Going to Be a Long Day.” Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe calls for:

  • 3 layers (including the card base)
  • 2 images
  • 1 slimline or mini-slimline format

I also followed Thing 2’s suggestion and used the sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #698 as the inspiration for my layout. The sketch worked perfectly with the patriotic theme I had in mind.

For this card, I pulled out the “Spirit of ’76” Acrylix stamp set from Close to My Heart and created a patriotic tag featuring a waving American flag and stars. The tag itself was cut using a Squoval Tag die set that was included in a recent Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. A bit of twine threaded through the opening to highlight it as a tag.

The stamped images were inked with Stampin’ Up! Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, and Smoky Slate, which provided the perfect red, white, and blue color palette. I paired the images with patterned papers from my stash, including the star-filled background that helped reinforce the patriotic theme.

For the challenge recipe, I included:

  • 3 layers (card base, patterned paper layer, and tag layer)
  • 2 images (the flag and the stars)
  • 1 mini-slimline card format

Thing 3’s optional twist was to add glitter or sparkle. While I decided to skip the twist this time, I focused instead on bold patriotic colors. When I finished stamping the flag onto the tag, the white background seemed too “bright”, so I muted it a little by using stamping a variety of stars from the set with Smoky Slate and love how it turned out. It also adds a repetition element with the 3 stitched stars included at the bottom of the tag.

Here is my card for the challenge. Be sure to stop by Double Trouble and check out all the inspiration from the Design Team, and don’t forget to visit Try a Sketch on Tuesday to see how the sketch inspired everyone else’s creations as well!

This card reminds me of summer celebrations, parades, and gathering with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s independence. Sometimes a simple patriotic design says it all!

Thanks for stopping by!

Double Trouble Challenge #218 “My Guy”
Birthday · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #218 “My Guy”

rkecrouch5 Comments

It’s time for another fun challenge at Double Trouble! This time the theme is “My Guy,” and the challenge is all about creating something masculine.

For Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe, I included:

  • 3 washi tape strips or paper scraps (I used several paper strips from my scraps!)
  • 2 die-cut elements
  • 1 masculine project

I also took advantage of Thing 2’s suggestion and used the sketch from Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #697 as the inspiration for my layout. I always enjoy using sketches because they provide a great starting point while still allowing plenty of room for creativity.

The patterned papers are from the Craft Smith “Boho Coastal” paper pack. I loved the combination of coastal colors and earthy tones, which seemed perfect for a masculine birthday card. For my focal point, I used the Prickley Pear “Camper” stamps and dies. One of the things I enjoy most about this set is the ability to customize the camper with different accessories and interchangeable doors. For this card, the camper itself is one die-cut piece, and the door is a second die-cut element, helping me meet the recipe requirements. I also used patterned paper from the Boho Coastal collection to create the lower portion of the camper siding, which helped coordinate everything with the background.

For Thing 3’s optional twist, we were asked to include something our guy enjoys. My husband loves camping and being outdoors, and the little “Gone Fishing” sign on the camper checked both boxes perfectly! It made me think of relaxing weekends at the campground, fishing pole in hand, and nowhere important to be.

Here is my card for the challenge. Be sure to visit Double Trouble to see all of the inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us.

Thanks for stopping by! 😊

Double Trouble Challenge #217 “8th Anniversary Celebratory Raffle”
Birthday · Distress Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #217 “8th Anniversary Celebratory Raffle”

rkecrouch6 Comments

The newest challenge over at Double Trouble is extra special because we are celebrating the challenge’s 8th Anniversary with a celebratory raffle! Instead of the usual 3-2-1 recipe, participants get to choose a ticket color based on their card theme:

  • Yellow Ticket – Anniversary or Wedding
  • Blue Ticket – Father’s Day or Masculine
  • Pink Ticket – Birthday
  • Green Ticket – Graduation

I chose the Pink Ticket category and created a birthday card with a rustic farm theme. The optional twist was to use kraft paper or something similar, and while this may look like kraft cardstock, it actually started as plain white cardstock!

I had recently watched a YouTube video demonstrating the retiform technique and decided this challenge was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. The technique uses masked-off sections to create a patchwork-style layout, and I really enjoyed how it gave each stamped image its own little spotlight while still keeping the design cohesive.

The cow, pig, and birthday sentiment are from Unity Stamp Company, and the remaining farm-themed stamps came from my stash. To achieve the kraft-paper appearance, I blended Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo onto white cardstock before stamping all of the images in black ink. I love the warm vintage feel it created, especially paired with the farmhouse imagery.

To finish the card, I mounted the panel onto black cardstock, which helped frame the design and make all of the details stand out a little more.

This card was a fun departure from my usual style, and I really enjoyed experimenting with the retiform technique. It’s always nice when a challenge inspires trying something new!

Here is my card for the challenge — be sure to stop by and check out all the inspiration from the Double Trouble Design Team, and don’t forget to join in for your chance at the celebratory raffle!

One more thing, to get extra chances in the drawing, you can also accept Thing 2’s Double Dare to play along with Try Stamping on Tuesday’s challenge #696 which is pictured here.

Double Trouble #216 “It’s a Wheelie Cool Day”
Distress Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble #216 “It’s a Wheelie Cool Day”

rkecrouch6 Comments

Time for another fun challenge over at Double Trouble! This challenge theme is “It’s a Wheelie Cool Day”, and the optional twist was right up my alley—include at least one wheel, cog, or gear.

For this card, I pulled out my February Simon Says Stamp Card Kit to create the layered background. The kit came with dies to cut out the shapes, and stencils to help put them in an appealing layout.

To add to the steampunk-inspired feel, I used gears from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Gearhead Die Set. The gears were the perfect embellishment for the optional twist and helped tie the whole design together.

I distressed the background using stamps and stencils with Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo to give everything an aged, worn appearance. I love how the splatters and grungy texture added extra depth without overwhelming the focal sentiment. And I couldn’t resist adding some extra “splatter”.

I’m not sure of the brand of the “Dream” sentiment. It came with the die and matching shadow die as well as many phrases that go with it that youc can mix and match. I like how it has an industrial vibe while encouraging creativity.

I followed Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe, by using:

  • 3 layers
  • 2 shapes
  • 1 main image

And of course, I completed the optional twist by adding multiple gears and cogs! If you want to be even more daring, you can use this sketch for Try a Sketch on Tuesday’s Challenge #695.

Here is my card for the challenge — thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all the inspiration from the Double Trouble Design Team!

Double Trouble Challenge #215 “A Special Day”
Distress Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #215 “A Special Day”

rkecrouch5 Comments

It’s time for a new challenge over at Double Trouble, and this one is all about celebrating “A Special Day”—which leaves lots of room for creativity! If you want to double your entries, you can accept Thing 2’s double dare by modeling your card after this sketch from TSOT.

For my card, I decided to go with a floral theme and incorporate Thing 3’s optional twist of using flowers. The Tufted Petals set from LDRS Creative was perfect for this, giving me lots of dimension and texture.

To create the flowers, I used the Tufted Petals 3D embossing folder (cut out with the matching die), which gives the card a dimensional feel. Then with the coordinating layering stencils, I blended several Ranger Distress Ink colors—Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Kitsch Flamingo, Mowed Lawn and Shabby Shutters—to bring the flowers to life. I think these colors come together for a bright, cheerful look that really pops against the background.

For the background, I added a subtle pattern to the larger rectangle using a stencil from a Hero Arts card kit with Stampin’ Up! Smoky Slate ink. And I added a second rectangle out of a matching gray textured paper to ground the floral image and sentiment. By the way, the sentiment is from the Honey Bee Stamps set “Queen Bee”.

I of course followed Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe for this challenge:

  • 3 layers (including the card base–mine has 4 without the card base)
  • 2 shapes/images (two rectangles)
  • 1 stencil or dry emboss element (I used both for extra texture!)

This card came together as a bright and happy design—perfect for celebrating Mother’s Day.

Be sure to head over and check out all the inspiration from the design team and join us for the challenge!

Double Trouble Challenge #214 “Let’s Make This Air-mazing”
Distress Oxide Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #214 “Let’s Make This Air-mazing”

rkecrouch5 Comments

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2026/04/Challenge-214.html

https://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com/2026/04/Challenge-693.html

Hello and thank you for stopping by! If you are here, most likely you are perusing the next Double Trouble challenge, “Let’s Make This Air-mazing”. The Things have prepared some new guidelines to inspire you to create a card. Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe is: 3 patterned or special papers, 2 colors from the pictured color wheel, and 1image. Thing 3’s optional element is to include a flying element. Thing 2’s Double Dare is to follow the sketch for Try a Sketch on Tuesday challenge #693, which looks like this.

For this project I decided to use some peacock-patterned papers and a coordinating stamp that I picked up at a stash sale. They originally came with a stamping magazine, but unfortunately, I didn’t keep the publication—and there’s no identifying brand information on the papers or stamp.

For the peacock, I randomly blended Distress Oxide Inks – Peacock Feathers (how could I not?), along with Pine Needles, Faded Jeans, and Dusty Concord onto cardstock to create its coloring. Then the image was stamped, heat embossed with black powder, and fussy cut.

For this card, I leaned into the “3” part of the recipe—using three patterned papers and three metallic papers (which I think count as “special”!). The mix of patterns and finishes adds some interest without overpowering the focal image.

It’s not very often that I leave a sentiment off the front of a card, but in this case, it seemed like including one might take away from the regalness of the peacock.

As I worked on this card, my mind drifted back to where I grew up in southern Missouri. We lived on a farm, and one of our neighbors had peacocks. They were so loud—almost like watchdogs—and yes, they do fly! I remember seeing them perched high up in tree branches, calling out and making their presence known.

Here is my card for the challenge. We hope that you will play along with us!

Double Trouble Challenge #213 “Something, Anything, Everything”
Distress Oxide Inks · Double Trouble Challenge · Easter

Double Trouble Challenge #213 “Something, Anything, Everything”

rkecrouch7 Comments

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/Challenge-213.html

https://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com/2026/03/Challenge-692.html

Happy Spring and welcome to another Double Trouble card making challenge, where the Things provide the inspiration and we turn it into a crafty creation! How fun is that?

Thing 1 has a 3-2-1 recipe this time that is very easy to follow: 3 of something in your stash, 2 of anything in your stash, and 1 of everything else from your stash. (Essentially, anything goes!) Thing 3’s optional twist is to include an Easter Element and Thing 2 has a double dare to use the Try a Sketch on Tuesday’s sketch #692, seen here.

Spoiler alert for anyone seeing this post that will be getting an Easter card from me…there’s a good chance it will be this one because I mass produced several of them. It was pretty quick and fun to do, lots of stenciling, not much stamping. I used 3 colors of distress oxide inks: shaded lilac, speckled egg and abandoned coral. I used 2 stencils, one on each layer. The one on top is from Simon Says Stamp, Stained Glass Cross stencil. And I stamped on one sentiment, from the Honey Bee “He is Risen” sentiment set. The bottom layer is some patterned paper that looks like wood/shiplap, and I stenciled over it using the same 3 colors on a diagonal with a patterned stencil (unmarked brand). I love enhancing patterned paper by ink blending onto it! I also used 2 dies from an LDRS set to add some detail around the edges of the 2 layers. Here is how it turned out.

I hope that everyone has a blessed Easter! And that you make some beautiful Easter card so that you can participate in our challenge.

Double Trouble Challenge #212 Paw-Some and TSOT Challenge #691
Distress Oxide Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #212 Paw-Some and TSOT Challenge #691

rkecrouch4 Comments

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/Challenge-212.html

https://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com/2026/03/Challenge-691.html

Wow, two weeks went by quickly and its already time for the next Double Trouble Challenge. If you love animals this challenge will be right up your alley!

Thing 1 has a 3-2-1 recipe to use, which is 3 colors (using the wheels in the graphic which include neutrals), 2 images and 1 sentiment. Twisted Sister Thing 3’s optional twist is to include a 4-legged animal on your card, and Thing 2’s double dare is to model it after the sketch in TSOT challenge #691.

I have some stamps by The Rabbit Hole Design that showcase an adorable squirrel, Clarence. I decided to feature him on my card as a tribute to all the squirrels by our house that keep us entertained with their crazy shenanigans! The colors I used are blue, yellow and orange (and white). Clarence is the main image, colored with OLO markers. Two clouds are included for the second image, colored with a glitter pen. The sentiment is part of the “Clarence Skydiver” stamp set. The background is patterned paper that I enhanced by adding some pumice stone distress oxide ink with a cloud stencil by Lawn Fawn. The shading around the edge of Clarence’s circle is carved pumpkin distress oxide ink. Here is how it turned out:

Maybe there will be another challenge that Clarence can participate in so you can see what else he can do. We hope that you are inspired to play along with our Pawsome challenge and I can’t wait to see all of the furry (and non-furry) 4-legged animals that join our parade in the next 2 weeks!

Double Trouble Challenge #211 “In with the Old, Out with the New”
Distress Oxide Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #211 “In with the Old, Out with the New”

rkecrouch6 Comments

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/Challenge-211.html

https://2craftycrittercrazies.blogspot.com/2026/03/critter-crazy-108-anything-goes-with.html

Greetings! Thank you for coming back to check out the new Double Trouble card making challenge. This time we are teamed up with Try a Sketch on Tuesday #690, as well as the Crazy Critter Challenge #108 where anything goes with the featured critter. And the featured critters are…..pigs!

Thing 1 has a new 3-2-1 recipe which is 3 layers not counting the card base, 2 colors from the color wheel, and 1 image. Thing 3 Twisted Sister’s optional twist is…you guessed it! (oink oink) And Thing 2’s Double Dare is to use the TSOT sketch for challenge #690, which is shown here.

I made 2 cards again for this challenge, one that followed the sketch and one that didn’t. For this one, I found a purple splattered background in my stash and was able to use oxide ink (villainous potion) and a stencil to add the “rays” like in the sketch. I trimmed it down a little and added it to a blue cardstock panel for an extra layer. I stamped the pig image (generic stamp set), colored it with OLO markers, and used a square die to cut it and add the punched star border. I die cut the scalloped circles and added villainous potion around the edges. I added the smooshing to the larger circle using plastic packaging, spritzed water and the leftover ink on my glass surface. The featured colors are blue and purple, with some other detail colors included in the stamped image.

Here is another card using the 3-2-1 recipe and the twist, but not the sketch. I used 2 patterned papers to form the ground and the sky background, which are adhered to an orange textured card stock panel. I stamped the pig onto pink card stock with the pig found in the Unity Stamp set “Wilbur”, and did some additional coloring and shading with OLO markers. The sun is stamped onto orange polka dot patterned paper and die cut from the Brutus Monroe set “Beach Bum”. The sentiment is also from the Wilbur set. Here is how it turned out…so cute for a pig!!

We hope that you will play along with us for this challenge! We love seeing how the same ingredients can be turned into so many different card designs…which is what it’s all about.

Double Trouble Challenge #210 Scrapper’s Guacamole
Birthday · Distress Inks · Double Trouble Challenge

Double Trouble Challenge #210 Scrapper’s Guacamole

rkecrouch8 Comments

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2026/02/Challenge-210.html

Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge #689

https://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com/2026/02/Challenge-689.html

Hello! I hope everyone had a fun Valentine’s Day. We went to visit our daughter, who lives about 2.5 hours away. It was a rainy day, but we made the best of it and even saw some other friends who live nearby while we were there.

Are you ready for the next card making challenge? It’s a colorful one! Thing 1’s 3-2-1 recipe calls for 3 colors on the wheel, 2 patterned papers, and 1 dry or heat embossed element. Thing 3’s optional twist is to include a favorite snack food, and Thing 2’s Double Dare is to use the TSOT sketch #689, shown here.

I don’t have a large selection of food themed craft supplies, but one food that I do happen to love and makes several appearances in my stash is CAKE! I wanted to use some bright colors for this challenge and ended up with yellow, pink, blue and a little green. I selected the patterned papers, one with balloons and the other tone on tone polka dots in blue. I used a geometric background die that allows one to mix and match the pieces into a frame. I actually cut out several frames and pieces using a few different papers and ended up making 5 cards total, which was great!

I used the Cake Walk stencil/die/stamp set by Taylored Expressions to create some cake elements. For my featured card, as the backdrop for the piece of cake, I used a Scrapbook.com nested round balloon die set. I cut a balloon out of yellow card stock and then heat embossed the whole thing with holographic embossing powder. The set comes with dies to add the “shine” to the balloons, so I used some holographic cark stock for that. I added 2 more layers to the card by mounting the geometric die pieces onto a black layer of scalloped cardstock, and then another piece of holographic card stock. The “Yay” sentiment is from a Spellbinders set, and it is also heat embossed. So, here is how it all came together.

Here is one of the alternate cards I made while playing around with the same supplies, that also meets the elements of the challenge.

Since these are both birthday cards, I’m also entering them into the Seize the Birthday challenge (Anything Goes), which is found at this link:

https://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/

We look forward to seeing your Scrapper’s Guacamole creations! You can even enjoy your favorite snack food WHILE you are making your card.