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!