Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Double D Challenge: Make Your Own Background


Welcome to another Double D Challenge, friends!  Our DD host, Darlene, is asking that we make our own backgrounds for this challenge.  What a great idea!  See our inspiration board:



Creative winners are by team vote, and the prize pictured below will go to a random winner.



I do have a background or two or 100 in my bag o' backgrounds.  The one I've used today was made quite some time ago on glossy cardstock with Stampin' Up inks and 91% alcohol.  Not sure which method I used for this one.  Most likely I soaked either a cotton ball or a small wad of paper towel with alcohol, then dropped reinker onto the wad, and pounced on the cardstock.  Maybe I dropped ink and spritzed with alcohol, or dropped alcohol and tipped the cardstock to spread it around.  If you've ever made an alcohol ink background, it's rather like that.

Does anyone still make alcohol ink backgrounds?  I never invested in the alcohol inks, but I had fun experimenting with this method.



I cut into the background with three parts of the years old Cheery Lynn Dutch Daisy Boutique Stacker A2 Frame to create the effect of a screen.  I was hoping the Memory Box Graceful Anemone was large and impactful enough to hold its own against the busy background.  Maybe it's just me, but I love it a lot.



A little bit of gold adds a lot of pretty, doesn't it?

When looking through my backgrounds collection I wondered why in the world I don't use more of them.  That's what's nice about a challenge -- it oftentimes sends us in a direction we haven't traveled in a while.

I hope you'll visit the Double D blog to see the team's samples and be inspired to share one of your backgrounds with us.

Have a beautiful day!


Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions with dies  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 80 & 110 lb, glossy white  Ink:  Stampin' Up Lavender Lace, Old Olive, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, various for inky background  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Memory Box Graceful Anemone, Cheery Lynn Dutch Daisy Boutique Stacker A2 Frame  Other:  91% alcohol, Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

25 comments:

Donna Phelan said...

No matter how old or how you created that background, it is gorgeous! Love the look and the pretty colors! That floral is magnificent--and yes a pop of gold makes everything better! This is a very lovely Sympathy card!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I bought all Tim’s colors up to 2018. Haven’t used them in eons. I suppose I should do something with them… wonderful background. love that flower… have a great day

Darlene said...

GORGEOUS!! Yes I have alcohol inks in my stash (haven't used them in quite awhile but you've inspired me). Your background panel is beautiful and LOVE how you've die cut it. Perfect back drop for this AMAZINGLY beautiful flower! So big, bold & beautiful!! I simply LOVE what you've shared today ... gorgeous my friend! Always inspired by your makes!! Well done!

Birgit said...

Your colorful background is so pretty! I especially love how you die cut the intricate detail into it. The oversized flower takes center stage on this lovely card.

Marcia Hill said...

Your background however you did it is GORGEOUS Leslie! I love the colors and it's perfect to show off the design of the die cut! Your Anemone definitely did not get lost against your background and shines beautifully on this lovely, lovely card my friend...I kinda like it a LOT too!! Hugs. :0)

Margaret said...

OMG! This is so beautiful. I love, love that flower and the colors and design are just awesome! You have really outdone yourself with this gorgeous creation.

I Card Everyone said...

Leslie, your lovely anemone has a friend in me - see what I did there? pun intended!
I can't tell you how long it's been since those alcohol inks have been out of the closet - I do love your inky background and the gorgeous colors found there - and how you've cut it to suit your needs. Here's a funny coincidence: I just brought an older background stamp out for a play... maybe I'll share it with Double D - we'll see if it passes the test!
=]

Lisa Elton said...

Well, what ever the method was you used, you did it well! This is a gorgeous way to send your sympathies, Leslie! I love the little bit of gold you added!

HilaryJane said...

Your background is fabulous. I love how you have cut into it too. I have some alcohol inks and occasionally make backgrounds. Must get them out and have a play. You have inspired me xx

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

I saw your card over at DD. With your beautiful background and your floral it makes a lovely Sympathy card.

Bonnie said...

My friend and I made some alcohol ink backgrounds last week. Mine are not as interesting and colorful as this is. This makes a beautiful and fun background for this beautiful die cut flower!

Cindy Beach said...

It's not just you, Leslie, I also love everything about this wonderful card! Oh that anemone is gorgeous! Your background is beautifully done.

Cat Craig said...

No matter the actual method...what a fab background. Lovely card, Leslie.

Vicki said...

Wow, what a gorgeous card, Leslie! The colors are beautiful and you did a wonderful job with the alcohol technique. The intricate die cuts really look amazing and make a great background panel for the stunning flower!

Christine said...

Beautiful background and I love that Anemone xx

Lia said...

The colorful background is gorgeous! And the flower is a great eyecatcher.
Lia xx

Diane said...

Gorgeous and creative card, what a beauty this is from the impressive background to the beautiful flower, it certainly makes a statement!! I too pulled my background from my stash!!

Conniecrafter said...

It's beautiful, the flower is lovely against it, such pretty colors you used and that die cut shows it off nicely, I do love the gold touches you gave to it and how you embossed the sympathy. I have a bunch of backgrounds too, I just seem to gravitate to my pretty papers first. I usually only get out my AI inks when we do a project with my stamp group over teams :)

Lynette said...

Beautiful background and beautiful card! I love your flower. Can't wait to see more of your backgrounds, now that you have rediscovered them.

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous background, I have never has any alcohol inks either-love the absolutely beautiful large Graceful Anemone!
Carol x

Loll said...

Gorgeous background Leslie. I love your home make alcohol inks ... the colours are beautiful and vibrant. And they make a wonderful home for this gorgeous flower die to rest. The detailed cutting in the background just adds to the beauty of this design. xx

Bonnie said...

Ooh, I love it too, Leslie! The colors and the way they blend and move make a beautiful background for this gorgeous flower!

Ida said...

What a pretty card. Love the background (I have been playing around with ink smooshing lately) - Beautiful flower and the touch of gold is wonderful.

Judy Woodland said...

Oh Leslie, those colors are so stinkin' GORGEOUS. That background is amazing, and the focal is stunning too. I really LOVE this!!!

Pauline said...

Beautiful Sympathy card Leslie, and your background is amazing. Great job using the inks & alcohol! Love this!