Double D Challenge: Let's Go to the Beach!

Hi!  How about a trip to the beach?  Darlene is inviting us to share our beach-themed cards or projects for the Double D Challenge that kicks off today.  She's provided a lot of inspiration to get us started:

There's a prize for a random winner.  Creative winners are voted on by the team.

I've made two cards.  The first brings to mind the cooler temperatures of our Pacific Northwest beaches.  I embossed and sanded a blue panel, then added a few bits and pieces from my die collection, all older, some probably retired.  They're listed further down.  I'm especially fond of the fishing net which doesn't get many opportunities to play.  The patterned frame was in my spare parts drawer.  The sandy beach is torn paper.

Next is a tropical beach.  The beautiful Mintay paper was not to be resisted, though I've had it for quite a while and barely used it.  When I pulled out the pad I found the shell pattern with a circle already cut on the edge, so I used it to frame another piece, then added a woodgrain border.  I brushed the tropical fronds with Stampin' Up inks Barely Banana and Sage Shadow.

I'm serious about using my designer paper more often.  It can feel like cheating, but I put a lot of thought into this design and thoroughly enjoyed the process.

10 die sets -- Spellbinders Standard Circles Large & Small, Amy Design Fishing Net, MFT Die-namics Wild Greenery, Impression Obsession Grass Border, Grass, and Mini-Shell Set, Memory Box Wrapped Stitched Frames, Cottage Cutz Seagulls in Flight, Sue Wilson (Creative Expressions) Life's a Beach
1 embossing folder -- Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber 3D
1 paper pad -- Mintay Paradise
2 stamp sets (for inside sentiments, not shown)

My teamies at Double D have shared all manner of beach cards for inspiration.  I hope you'll come along and have some beachy fun with us!

Enjoy your day!

Playing with Sweetly Scented

Hello friends!  It's been a busy couple of weeks here with a few routine appointments, some outings with friends, and several days of gardening.  The wind died down and the weather was incredible.  I'm working to restore the garden after too many negative factors made me almost give up.  Let's hope I'm not simply inviting the deer to a fresh smorgasbord.  Wish me luck!

Morning coffee time, however, is for playing in my room.  Today I'm sharing my first attempt with a brushstroke stamp.  Now I'm hooked, but I won't rush out and buy more just yet.  I've got a lot of catching up to do.

Penny Black's Sweetly Scented waited too long in the NBUS basket.  It's such a pretty thing and easy to work with, a good one for beginners.  The first card was done the usual way on watercolor paper with markers and spritzing lightly with water.  I worked with Tombows in smallish areas at a time.  I stamped a lower corner with PB's Nature's Paintbrushes (2015), then sponged the edges, added stamped sprinkles and a sentiment.  Finally, I dotted with Nuvo Crystal Drops.

The second card was an experiment which I would really like to play with a little more.  I used wedge-tipped sponge applicators to brush on Distress Oxide inks -- Milled Lavender and Seedless Preserves on the petals, Wild Honey for the flower centers, Shabby Shutters and Pine Needles on the leaves.  I used regular Neenah super smooth white cardstock and didn't spritz with water.  Its a different sort of look, not perfect, but it doesn't have to be.  I would also like to try it with spritzing.

Since my Sweetly Scented is out of the package for the first time I'll share here:

NBUS Challenge #75 -- Never before used schtuff.  Darnell is celebrating 75 months of the challenge.  Visit her and read all about it.  Thank you, Darnell!

The busy times continue with more of the same, and I hope that will include card crafting.  I'm glad we could visit today.  Take care!

Stamps:  Penny Black Sweetly Scented, Nature's Paintbrushes, Thinking of You, Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor (first card), Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb (second card)

Ink for first card:  Tombow markers, various possibly retired Stampin' Up for sponging and sprinkles, PTI Dark Chocolate for sentiment, DOX Antique Linen for Nature's Paintbrushes

Ink for second card:  Distress Oxide Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Wild Honey, Shabby Shutters, Pine Needles, Stampin' Up for sentiment and sprinkles

Other:  Nuvo Sugared Almond Crystal drops on first card

Double D Challenge: Frames

Hello there!  It's Double D Challenge time again, and to kick off the month of June Diane is asking us to design with frames.

As always, there's a prize for a random winner, and creative favorites are voted on by the team.

The inspiration board is full of vintage loveliness, but I went a different direction with the Woodland Whimsy set (Simon Says Stamp) which was still on my table from another project.  This oldie set packs a lot of cuteness.  You know how I love critters!

My bear is resting happily on the edge of Impression Obsession's Birch Tree Rectangle frame.  Isn't he a handsome fella?  Maybe he's waiting for his Valentine to come along.  I brushed inks on the background and stamped some sprinkles.  Coloring is with Copic markers.  The plaid around the edges makes his home appear all the more cozy.

Check out the team's inspiring samples at Double D.  I hope you'll have time to play along!

Have a happy June day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white for die cuts, 111 lb woodgrain white for card base , brown scrap for layering, Mintay Wilderness designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Impression Obsession Birch Tree Rectangle