Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Double D Challenge: Add a Bow


Hello friends!  Double D has a challenge for you today that is bound to inspire some pretty cards -- put a bow on it!




I knew I wanted to use my pretty SSS Double Loop Bow, and might as well use the SSS Country Basket Bouquet which I bought at the same time.  The brown basket was a spare already made up, so I commenced to filling it with flowers.  So much fun!  As it happens, I had two spare Chickadees from the SSS Chickadee Gathering 3D embossing folder with dies, so I colored them as well.  Too dark on the wings and tail feathers, oops, but there's always a next time.  I think they look very comfortable tucked into the flowers!





The background was embossed with the Chickadee Gathering folder and brushed with ink.  Just enough of it shows to add texture and to help the card appear a lot more dimensional than it actually is.  As I made this card near Mother's Day I was thinking of my mom who passed years ago, and I may never mail it.  I still have the card I made while thinking of her on last year's Mother's Day.  I wish I'd started a card tradition years ago... a special collection just for Mom.  It's not too late to start.




Lastly, I added some tiny SSS gold star embellishments, and a sentiment from The Ton.  Further details are in the recipe below my signature.

Drop by Double D and see what the team has to share with you.  Pretty stuff there!  I hope you'll have time to share yours as well!


Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions w/dies  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, brown scraps for basket  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Versamark for sentiment, Distress Oxide Shabby Shutters for leafy background, SU Close to Cocoa to shade basket  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  SSS Country Basket Bouquet and Double Loop Bow, SSS Chickadee Gathering 3D embossing folder with dies, Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder for sentiment, SSS gold star embellishments, Scotch brand foam mounting tape to pop up basket

18 comments:

Lia said...

Your basket filled with flowers is so very pretty!!
Lia xx

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely gorgeous card, love the beautiful basket of flowers and little birds and the added bow on the handle. A lovely idea and no it's never too late and you already have two so there you go.
Carol x

Yogi said...

Such a pretty card and a lot of thought and work in it. Have a great day

Vicki said...

Stunning, glorious, perfection are just a few of the words that come to mind for this gorgeous card! Lovely bouquet of mixed flowers and that basket topped with a pretty bow. So inspiring and never tire of your amazing designs,, my friend.

Donna Phelan said...

Love your pretty basket brimming with those gorgeous posies--they are so beautiful--and you picked just the right colors! That chickadee is the sweetest! And then topped with your beautiful bow! Lovely all over!

Barbara said...

Leslie I think you have outdone yourself this time. I so enjoy this beautiful basket bursting with the flowers and I do see the bow but it all comes together so well. I too wish I had started card making earlier so that I could send cards to mothers, daughters who are mothers, Daughter in laws who are mothers and all of the wonderful people out there

Marcia Hill said...

What a basketful of loveliness Leslie!! The basket alone is so pretty, but all those added flowers and sweet birdies topped with the pretty pink bow...well it's a masterpiece my friend!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Hugs. :0)

Margaret said...

This is gorgeous. Love the cute little birds tucked into the flowers. Looks like they want to make a nest in those beautiful flowers.

Pam Sparks said...

Absolutely gorgeous Leslie! Your flower coloring and design….stunning!

Diane said...

A gorgeous card full of beautiful flowers and the pretty birds, reminds me of parts of my blooming garden right now, absolutely beautifully created!!

Bonnie said...

That would be a great tradition, Leslie. I like that idea a lot! A beautiful basket of flowers is a fun place to find chickadees! Such a beautiful tribute to your Mom!

Ida said...

Oh my gosh this is amazing. So beautifully colored and layered. I miss my mom as she always loved seeing my cards. I think that would be a great tradition.

I Card Everyone said...

Oh, Leslie! This is perfection! The basket, abundance of flowers, and double bow are only made better by your duo of Chickadee-dee-dees! Thinking of your mom while making makes this the beginning of a wonderful tradition!
=]

Lisa Elton said...

I absolutely love the way you've filled that wonderful basket! Those chickadees are darling and look perfectly happy among those sweet blooms. The bow on the top is the icing on the cake. Such a pretty card, Leslie!

HilaryJane said...

oh wow, what an amazing basket of flowers and 2 little birds hiding make it extra special and so cheerful and colourful xx

Cindy Beach said...

I quite agree, this card is a keeper to treasure in honor of your mother, Leslie! The basket overflowing with beautiful flowers is wonderful. You know I'm in love with the chickadees - had to look that one up and add it to my wish list! How sweet they look perched in the basket.

Conniecrafter said...

A beautiful tribute to your mother, I think that is a great idea to make and save cards made while remembering your mother. This basket of flowers is so lovely, wonderful job of arranging the flowers, and like how you tucked the birds in there too. The embossed leaves in the background is a perfect touch and I like how you added the bow to the top of the basket!

Darlene said...

HOLY COW!! WOW! Your card actually took my breath away when it popped up ... GORGEOUS!!! You are SO creative ... love this!