Wednesday, August 17, 2016

WARM HUGS

Happy Wednesday, friends!
 
I was in the mood to make something fun for the new Double D challenge which starts today.  Our theme is "Neutral Colors".  I wondered what's fun that's naturally neutral, and then I thought "critters"!  I think you know I love critters, especially dogs and cats, so I pulled out a favorite oldie Inky Antics stamp and paired it with a Power Poppy Nice Things to Say sentiment.
 
 
 
 
Pictured below is the inspiration board. 
 
 
 
And a peek at the prize for a random winner.  Small photo, I know, but a very cool prize -- an Amy Designs parrot die.
 
 
 
 
I didn't take much from the inspiration board other than the colors, but there're buttons and jugs and twine and numbers...  all kinds of inspiration.
 
I used a Darice Paw Prints Background embossing folder on which I brayered SU! Creamy Caramel ink before embossing.  My efforts at this technique never seem to turn out as well as those which inspire me.  I don't know if it's the ink or the texture of the embossing folder.  I tried it with a Sizzix folder, too, which has a rougher texture and it seemed to hold the ink better.  Maybe I should try Memento ink?  Any suggestions?
 
 
 
Some fun dies helped me put the scene together.  I cut the dog house from wood grain designer paper, then colored over the roof with a brown Copic marker.  Looks like someone let the grass grow tall and then failed to water it.
 
Rich said I could give this card to our Wally dog post surgery.  He's doing as well as can be expected, but requires constant vigilance.
 
Okay, friends, hop over to the Double D blog and see all the different Neutral Colors cards the team is sharing.  Everyone has a different idea, and we'd love to see yours.  Have a happy day!
 
 
 
Stamps:  Inky Antics dog & cat, Power Poppy Nice Things to Say  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, Neenah 110 lb white, Creamy Caramel, dark brown Core'dinations, Bo Bunny Very Vintage Double Dot designer paper, Snap Basics Wood & Notebook Paper designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Creamy Caramel, Versafine Onyx Black, Copics as pictured above  Accessories:  Baker's twine, JustRite Custom Charms heart, Impression Obsession Grass, Impression Obsession All-in-One-Frames-Oval, Paper Smooches Dog Icons, Darice Paw Prints Background embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
 

26 comments:

Joan B said...

aww, adorable. good luck to Wally

Hannelie said...

This warms my dog loving heart ! So beautifully designed!

Ros Crawford said...

WOW WOW WOW!!!! What a terrific card! I love every inch of this and I'm pinning it too! Brilliant design and so beautifully coloured. I'm glad to know that Wally is doing well and I pray he will make a full recovery soon ... I know just how much this must make your heart hurt...

Diane said...

Well, you have to know I LOVE this card...what an adorable image!! Love your EB folder, too, now why don't I have that one?...I was at Joan's (former owner of Joan's Gardens Scrapbook store) and we did this brayer technique and found that the best brayer for this was the red rubber one and ink was the Wendi Vechhi Archival Inks from Ranger (after experimenting with different brayers and ink). However I think your background looks great! Big hugs to Wally ( and to Lulu as well of course)!

Pauline said...

Oh my Leslie, what a fabulous card! So many great elements on this from your adorable image so perfectly coloured, to all your die cuts, the embossed background (love the dog prints) and that little dog house, so cute! Leslie you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. You've nailed this challenge! Stunning!

Barbara said...

As I was scrolling down through the cards that the team has done, this one stood out. I had to stop and take a closer look and leave a comment too. I love your background and think it is fine. that is the cutest image of a dog and cat I have ever seen. You have put together a fun and amazing card. It it totally adorable.

Darlene said...

OMG this is just precious!! You are so good at putting elements together to really make an image POP and you have with this cute dog/cat couple! Fabulous background ... WOW just a wonderful & CUTE creation Leslie! As I've said in the past ... thanks for inspiration! You are one crafty crafter! LOL HUGS from OHIO!

Amelia Breytenbach said...

This is the sweetest card Leslie and the image - just too cute for words. Beautiful coloring and the background is just perfect.

Yogi said...

oh that's fabulous. love all your textural elements. wonderful card. Have a great day

Sherri said...

This is just off the charts adorable! Between the embossed paw prints, the wooden dog house & the adorable image, this has to be one of my favorite cards of yours! The QKR challenge for this week is monochrome & you should enter this card! You are just amazing at designing "WOW" cards!

Elaine M said...

Well - now I have to go shopping!! That is the cutest image EVER and your card is darling! Hugs to the pups

pam said...

OMW Leslie his is so gorgeous, beautiful colours and that image is the cutest I have seen in a long while..your embossed background look amazing to me!
I always use a Speedball Brayer and sticky ink, works best.. Like Encore..Brillance.. I roll the ink on my glass mat first! get good coverage on the brayer, then ink the folder.. when I finish I put a baby wipe in the folder and run through the machine, this removes a fair amount of ink, then wash in warm soapy water if needed..
You could also try other inks on a glass mat first! it`s the coverage on the roller you need..
Hugs Pam x

Kathy Krug said...

I love it when a new post comes up for Double D so I can visit the team's blogs and see how they created the beauties I have been looking at on the team blog and also check out what else they have been doing. I have adored this card since you posted it. I love the paws embossing folder and how you layered the black oval over it allowing some to peek through. The dog house and grass for a perfect backdrop for one of the cutest images I have ever seen. The heart sentiment says it all. this card just makes me feel happy!!! Loved browsing your blog with my coffee this morning.

Linda said...

OMG you are the best! Love this!!

Margaret said...

So fabulous as usual. Love the adorable image. Love the scene that you created.

Stacy Morgan said...

Adorable!!! The paw prints look like they are in sand, it is so cool. The heart tag is perfect and what a totally cute image. Adorable Leslie!

Conniecrafter said...

This is just perfect for the challenge, especially the grass that hasn't been watered :) That image just puts a big smile on my face, and I think your embossed background turned out great, I am trying to think what I have used in the past and it was either Memento inks or distress I am pretty sure, love the heart sentiment with this, just perfect... more wishes going Wally's way for a quick recovery!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh my, Leslie, this is one of THE cutest cards I've ever seen! That precious dog hugging on to the cat is sweetness! Your coloring is fabulous, and what an amazing card you've "built" - and I do mean built. I love the design with the great embossing folder that you inked up. Stacy is right that the paw prints look like they are in the sand. And the oval is fabulous to really pop these two along with the grass and the the little doghouse! And what a perfect sentiment inside the heart! Sweetness all over it! And, yes, Wally would LOVE it? Haha! So sorry he is still needing constant vigilance, but his "mom" and "dad" love him dearly and are watching over him. He's blessed to have you both. And I'm sure Lulu knows that he needs extra love. Wishing him a complete recovery soon. Hugs, sweet friend, and thanks for the big smile! :-)

Lisa Lara said...

Super cute Leslie and beautiful at the same time. Thank you so much for the sweetest comment on my blog. Big hug.

Greta said...

I absolutely adore that image, Leslie & what a neat embossing folder! This is just fabulous! I hope Wally continues to improve--so hard when furbabies have problems!

Vicki said...

This is so adorable, Leslie! The embossed background is fantastic. Your image and coloring are so perfect!!

Traci M said...

Leslie, your card is just so very cute...so many layers of whimsy and fun!! I think your inked embossing looks flawless...but we're always more critical of our own work. I'm hoping Wally is much better. I am sure that is exhausting for you...and worriesome. . Beulah is being managed so far with medication. But the vet has recommended chiropractic which we have not tried yet.

Evelyn S. said...

There are so many details on this card! It's delightful to look at. Of course, the coloring is extra special, too.

Linda Carson said...

Adorable! I can feel the love! I had a dog and cat once who were best friends. Their names were Bud and Spud!!

Lynette said...

Awesome! Such a cute stamp. I would just love to sit and watch you go through your "creation process." Your cards always have just the perfect pieces and are so wonderfully put together.

Donna Ellis said...

Leslie! Soooo Cute... And pretty... And gorgeously designed! The paws background is yummy with that ink, and the color combo is fantastic right down to the stitching! I feel hugged just enjoying this delightful piece of art! Fun layers, fussy cutting, and shapes. The little heart holding the sentiment is the perfect touch! Could not be sweeter, dear friend. XXOO