Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Double D Challenge: Anything Birthday Related




Hi everyone!  Welcome to my first post of 2023.  Today is a big deal because we're celebrating the 7th birthday of the Double D Challenge.  Yippee!  Happy birthday Double D, and thank you for 7 years of great fun and inspiration!

Our celebratory challenge asks for anything birthday related, and the DD's have provided you with a mood board full of colorful birthday inspiration:




I focused on the balloons so I could color these cute Penny Black critters.  It's an older set that's new(ish) to me.  I recently purchased a few PB critter sets because I find them especially adorable and collectible.  The birthday sentiment is also Penny Black.  I added grass and splatters with some ages old non-PB stamps from my stash.



The card is one layer, 3 3/4 x 6 3/4 -- not a full-size slimline, but bigger than my usual mini-slimline.  I stamped, then masked the critters so I could brush on an inky background.  I used a curved border die to cut a mask for the landscape.  Used a cloud stencil in the sky.  I tried to keep it simple.  Sponged ink around the edges to add depth and framing to the scene.

Coloring was done with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol odorless mineral spirits.

I hope you'll pop over to the Double D challenge blog to see the team samples, say "happy birthday", and check out all the prizes that are up for random winners.  As per usual the team will vote on creative winners.  I can't wait to see you in the gallery!

Have a happy day!


Stamps:  Penny Black Time to Celebrate and Birthday Love (sentiment), SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds (splatters), Posh Impressions Wild Grass  Paper:  Neenah super smooth 110 lb white  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue  Coloring:  Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol odorless mineral spirits  Other:  Heffy Doodle Cloudy Skies stencil


27 comments:

Darlene said...

Oh My ... what a sweet & fun image! Your designs/coloring are always perfect (how do you keep doing that? lol) Love your daisy photo set up also ... so nice to see flowers again ... I'm ready for Christmas to be put away but we celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas so it won't come down until this weekend. Thanks for making my day happier with this sweet card!

Glenda said...

What an adorable card my friend. Those little critters are so cute and those balloons are colored to perfection! Like Darlene, I am in love with those daisy flowers you used to set up the photo! Well Done!

crafty-stamper said...

Gorgeous card and love the cute critters and stencilled sky
Carol x

Barbara said...

I love PB critters and I think that they can be used for so many occasions. I really love the coloring and the fun idea of the doggie watching the cat fly away with the balloons. Great photography too with the daisies.

Diane said...

Adorably cute scene you have created with the cutest stamps around!! Love all your pretty and perfect inking too!! The fat cat could be one of my cats, she's pretty plump and I could see Mack sitting there watching her float away, absolutely the cutest!!

Donna Phelan said...

They are adorable and they just make any card HAPPY! This is a sweet little creation! Love these images! A true celebration!

Yogi said...

cute. Good way to start 2023. Have a great day

Margaret said...

What a simply fun card. The images are so cute. You always do such fabulous work creating your scenes for your cards. Happy New Year.

Conniecrafter said...

They are just the cutest, I think I would be a bit nervous if I was the cat but the dog seems to be enjoying it too :) Your background clouds are so fluffy and like the splattered stamp with it, the grass is a perfect addition to the scene too!

Cat Craig said...

Everything about this screams HAPPY. The inked edges along with the clouds for your balloon hitchhiking cutie to fly amongst down the the inked hill with the grass tufts stamped in...so cute.

HilaryJane said...

What a wonderful and happy little scene. I love how you have put it together. Those little spots of splatter really add interest. I would never have been able to do that as I would instantly think I had ruined it, but you haven't you have enhanced it. Brilliant. lovely to see a one layer too xx

I Card Everyone said...

If that cute Kitty were carrying my balloons, he'd be on the moon by now, Leslie! LOL OH, what a darling birthday card - love your Prismacolor-ing, and your masks really worked their charm!
Happy birthday, DD!
=]

Judy Woodland said...

Oh my gosh, how stinkin' CUTE!!! Those little guys look so happy, they just make me smile. I love your coloring and design, you never disappoint. Well done!!

Loll said...

Sweet card Leslie! LOVE the adorable scene you've created with is beautiful and so uplifting! Those critters are adorable, hard not to smile when you see them. xx

Donna Ellis said...

What a darling card, Leslie, and the perfect way to celebrate Double D’s birthday! Such sweetness in the grassy scene, and lots of PB critter fun! Happy New Year, my friend! xx

Doni High said...

Super cute card! The sweet little dogie looks like he'd like to be holding on to those balloons too!

Vicki said...

Adorable! Mr. Kitty is off for a birthday balloon ride and his friend looks a little jealous. LOL! Super cute and happy card, my friend.

Bonnie said...

Your little critters are adorable and full of celebration, Leslie! Love the added splatters and grasses! It's hard to believe it's been 7 years! Wow!

Christine Alexander said...

that's so cute with the cat flying away with the balloons and the dog just watching :)

Birgit said...

This is super cute Leslie! You've captured the PB style perfectly with your inking and coloring. I think the dog is happy to see the cat floating away. Now he can eat all the birthday treats himself. ;0) Adorable card!!

Lynette said...

So, so cute, Leslie! Penny Black stamps are always great!

Marcia Hill said...

Awwwwwwww...this card is absolutely ADORABLE Leslie and I just adore PB critter images too! This whole card totally makes me smile and will definitely make the card recipient smile too I'm sure! And once again, beautifully colored too! Hugs. :0)

aussie aNNie said...

Stunning design and most gorgeous colours here.. beautiful stamping x..

Cindy Beach said...

Oh, how sweet this is! I am loving PB lately and these critters are so cute. I love this longer size card and your inked background works so well with it. This delightful kitty steals the show!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a fun and cute card! Love the little critters especially the one floating away with the colorful balloons! Who doesn't love balloons?

Verna Angerhofer said...

Cute card design and your coloring is so beautiful!

Pam Sparks said...

I love this and I think I have these stamps, yay! So cute Leslie!