Double D Challenge -- Easter

 

Hi there!  Double D Diane has a cute inspiration board for our next Double D Challenge beginning today.  The theme is Easter, and just look how adorable:

I'm in love with every corner of the board and if I could make a card exactly like any bit of it I would be so happy.  However, I do have a bunny, chicks, and Easter eggs and they're pretty cute, too.

I've used another bunny from the same Inky Antics set as my previous card.  The eggs are a separate stamp in the same set -- stamped, masked, and then the bunny stamped behind them.  I drew in the grass line, colored with Copics, brushed blue ink for the sky.

The big daisy is the last and largest from a years old pack of daisies.  I added blue color for shading, then dimensional glaze to the center.  Dimensional glaze on the little hearts, too.  The sentiment was patched together from different sets.  Mintay designer paper covers the card -- it's one of my goals this year (yes, I made a list) to dip into The Vast Hoard of DP more often.  

Check out the inspiring team samples, and then we'd love to have you play along in our Double D Easter challenge.  You may end up a creative favorite, or perhaps the random winner of this adorable prize:

Have a happy spring day!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Bunny #1, Hero Arts Easter Greetings sentiment (partial), Simon Says Stamp Tweet Friend hugs sentiment w/die  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, SU Pink Pirouette, Mintay Springtime designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers and Stitched Scalloped Circles, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, hearts die cuts from trinket jar, years old purchased daisy flower

Bunny on a Swing

Hello there!  I've got bunnies on my mind with the arrival of spring, and Easter not too far off.  I stamped a few that I haven't used yet, just coloring and making cards for the fun of it.  It won't be a bunny a day, but they'll make an appearance here and there.  I also stamped a whole set of Penny Black flowers from last spring.  I'm staying focused...

First, an Inky Antics bunny that's been waiting since last spring.

Doesn't he look happy?  Stamped on Neenah and colored with Copics.  The card base is covered with an embossed panel smooshed with white ink, and a bit of some BasicGrey designer paper scraps I'm trying to finish off.  I'm so close, just a few small scraps left.  Rather than die cut the bunny panel I rounded the corners with punches -- regular rounded on the top, decorative on the bottom.  I like how that worked out!

Playing along here:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #489 -- Any occasion.  I'm definitely addicted to stamps and more, and happy to be playing along in this challenge for the first time.
The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Shades of Green.  I made sure to use plenty of green because bunnies love green (don't they?)
NBUS Challenge #72 -- Never before used schtuff.  That's my bunny!

  

This was fun!  Thanks for indulging me.  Have a happy spring day!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Bunny #1  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, SU green (maybe Pear Pizazz?), SU Barely Banana, scraps BasicGrey Origins designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, white pigment ink, SU Summer Sun to sponge yellow edges, SU Bashful Blue for sky  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Elizabeth Craft Bunch of Flowers 4, 1/4" circle punch, standard corner rounder punch, decorative corner punch, Sizzix Branches w/Leaves embossing folder, SU Subtle embossing folder, Diamond Stickles on flower centers, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Bringing in the Harvest

For my final autumn card this year I used the second dog in my Inky Antics Autumn Dogs stamp set.  Six dies, one embossing folder, two stamp sets, and two patterned papers later I ended up with this scene.

I know, it's a lot.

Honestly, I intended to make a simple card with the dog and Sunrays (Spellbinders) embossing folder.  Then along came the Whittle Field and Trees (Poppystamps), an additional rolling hill, a fence, a butterfly because the dog seemed to be looking up at something.  I puzzled over where to put the sentiment, and finally made a tag and slipped it under his carefully trimmed and lifted paw.  Sheesh.  Autumn papers, Tombow coloring on the stamps, brushed and sponged ink on the die cuts and embossing.  Oh, and I cut a scalloped circle for the sun just for an extra touch of whimsy.

It will be sent as a Thanksgiving card.

Playing along here:

Four Seasons -- Fall season November 2024.  Anything fall themed.
Love those Pretty Papers -- Anything goes, optional yellow and brown.
NBUS Challenge #68 -- Poppystamps Whittle Field and Trees is my never before used schtuff.

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Landscape

  

Thank you for visiting!  Enjoy your weekend!

Double D Challenge: Fall Leaves

 

It's that time of year, friends -- cooler temperatures, shorter days... and a Double D challenge in which Darlene is asking to see our fall leaves.  Have a look at her inspiration board full of rich color:

In addition to creative winners the Double D's have a prize for a random winner:

I dearly wanted to color my Inky Antics Autumn Dogs this fall, and the DD challenge gave me the perfect opportunity.

I colored with Tombow markers on hot pressed watercolor paper.  The embossed card base was brushed with SU's Apricot Appeal ink, keeping it bright, but with just a bit more definition in the texture.  The patterned papers are some I've had for years and will probably still have for years to come.  I love my patterned papers, but I also like a fair amount of white space.  Usually.  Sometimes.  It depends on my crafty frame of mind.

The zig zag stitch is an old Hero Arts stamp.  The die cut leaves are sponged with ink on the edges.  It was a fun card to make!

I know you'll enjoy the team samples at Double D.  I hope to see you in the gallery.  Have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Autumn Dogs, Hero Arts Stitched Ribbon (zig zag)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, scraps designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, SU Apricot Appeal (card base), Brocade Blue (sky), Crumb Cake (zig zag)  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Darice Fall Leaves Swirl embossing folder, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Impression Obsession Small Leaf Set

Double D Challenge -- Polka Dots

 

Hello and welcome!  It's Double D Challenge time again, and Darlene is calling for polka dots!  I do love polka dots.  In my vintage preschool days I had a favorite book about a polka dot thief -- a sinister fellow who stole the polka dots off everything in the house.  Imagine!

Have a look at our very cute inspiration board:

And a prize for a random winner:

My card features plenty of polka dots and a pup with a cupcake.

He's another of my recently acquired Inky Antics critter sets by Jane Miller.  So much life and character... I've collected most of my favorites, but will probably go back for more.  Just gathering joy.  I did messy coloring with Tombow markers.  Added glitter to the cupcake frosting.  Everything on this card, other than the dog, has been in my stamp room for years.  The polka dot papers are oldies from Stampin' Up.

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My pup looks like he should be for a guy, so I'll probably give him to my friend to use for one of her boys.  Every card finds a home.

We sure enjoyed all the beautiful florals in our previous challenge, and now I'm looking forward to seeing your polka dots.  Come to the Double D blog and check out all the polka dot cards the team is sharing.  This is going to be fun!  Have a great day!

Bunny Thinkin' About Color Hues #84

Hello and welcome back!  The Color Hues challenge of peach and green made me think of flowers first, but I've been really and truly wanting to color this bunny which was still in my "to do" basket after making Easter cards.  He is cute, isn't he?

Inky Antics Carrot Bunny with a sentiment from Delightful Dogs 2.

He's colored with Copics on Neenah cardstock.  I pulled out an oldie Sizzix tag die and cut an extra from CTMH Apricot Blossom cardstock which I sanded to soften the color.  Added a bow and some leaves to top it off.

Underneath the tags is a green frame covered with paper lace that's been sitting in the cabinet for many years.  It's wrapped and taped behind the frame.  All is mounted on a white card base.  

A whole lot of fun was had in the making of this card.

I'm sending thanks to the Color Hues team for always providing such great inspiration, and many thanks to all of you for coming to visit.  I love when you stop by!

 Color Hues #84 -- Peach and Green

Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Carrot Bunny and Delightful Dogs 2 sentiment  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 110" & 80 #, CTMH Apricot Blossom, Memory Box Parsley  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Sizzix Fancy Tags, Memory Box Leaf Bunches, Poppystamps Prim and Proper Bow

Double Easter Bunnies

Hello again, friends!  Today's Easter bunnies are one of the Inky Antics stamp sets I recently purchased when I found their website.  I'm drawn to the Jane Miller designs as there's just something about her style with the critters.  Wherever Jane Miller is or was, I hope she knows she brought me and I'm sure many others a whole lot of smiles.

This set is called Carrot Bunny.  It has a Happy Easter sentiment with it, but it's not strictly an Easter set.  I used dies and an embossing folder to pretty up the scene.  I do love a splash of color on white.

Coloring was done with Copics on Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.

There is not so much white in the next card, below.  It was a hot mess for a while.  Let's not go there.  I like everything about it, but the patterned paper background is too busy under the big sentiment and I keep picturing it on white and know I'd like it much better.  I love the bunny and think he'd be just as cute on a "thinking of you" card.

The frame on both cards was created by nesting Spellbinders Fluted Classic Rectangles, the grass is Impression Obsession, and the big sentiment, eggs, and flowers are a new-to-me Cottage Cutz die set called Happy Easter Phrase.  Oh, and the embossing folder is Spellbinders Floral Background.

There are some challenges I'd like to share in today:

Can You Handle the Pressure (use an embossing folder)-- Sending my first card there because it has the dry embossed background, but I did not use the optional twist of bling.
Word Power #3 (focus on the sentiment) -- Sending the second card there.  I hesitated because my eyes go straight to the bunny as the focal point, but there is that big sentiment which I had intended to use for this challenge.  It's fun to play along at any rate.
NBUS #60 (never before used schtuff) -- The bunny stamp set and the Cottage Cutz die set are both being used for the first time.

  

Thank you for coming to visit today.  I'll keep working on Easter cards, even if I don't manage to get them all sent out this year.  No pressure.  Just for fun.  Have a beautiful day!

Double D Challenge: Patterned Paper

Hello friends!  It's all about patterned paper at Double D today.  Darlene is asking us to dip into our designer paper collection, however vast or limited it is, and feature it in our projects.  I've mentioned a few times that I have a Vast Hoard, so this is a delightful challenge for me.

Here's the inspiration board and a pretty paper pad for a random prize winner.

  

The papers I focused on are perhaps not the most gorgeous in my collection, but they're fun and I've had them for many years.  There was a time I would browse the all the wonderful shelves of 12 x 12 papers in our local papercrafts shop and choose 2 or 3 sheets that coordinated.  I can hardly begin to tell you how enjoyable that process was for me.  Sadly, the shop has been closed for a few years (sniff sniff, boo hoo).  Way back in 2016  I cut all the not-yet-used 12 x 12 coordinating patterned papers into 6 x 6 sheets and made charming and fun, easy to store, much more likely to be used collections of them.  On the rare occasion that a collection gets down to the last few sheets I like to make layouts on card bases and set them aside for future use.  That's what I did with these papers, and then the challenge came along so I turned two of them into cards.

I chose to work with my beloved Inky Antics dogs -- also many years in my collection.  I could have left the branch off the first card, but what's done is done.

For the second card I cut strips of plaid and wove them together.  Our 6 month old Golden Retriever, Sophie, sent this card to her best friend, Tommy, a mini-Schnauzer exactly the same age.  On Valentine's Day they got together and had an exceptionally good time, though Tommy did most of the yapping.

Pictured below are the two remaining cards-in-waiting.  I have other collections I've been working on as well.  There are simply too many things I enjoy playing with in my room.

My Double D teamies have done some pretty fabulous things with their patterned papers.  Have a look and then show us yours.

Happy crafting!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Delightful Dogs #3 plus a sentiment from Inky Antics Puppy & Kitty Love on the second card  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, designer paper from stash  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Brocade Blue, Old Olive, and Baroque Burgundy for inking die cuts  Coloring:  Copics and ink blending  Other:  Poppystamps Freida Leaf, Freida Curve, and Whittle Birds, small flower punch, white gems, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Inky Antics Valentines

Hi and welcome to a new week!  It's Valentine week and I'm still lagging behind.  I need to start working on next year's cards because this holiday comes too soon after Christmas for me to get any steam behind it.  I did make a few with my oldies but goodies.  It starts to feel as though I'm sending the same cards over and over, but when you've got favorites you just have to use them, don't you?

I wasn't thinking of Valentines when I pulled out my Inky Antics dogs and stamped and colored and cut out every single one of them.   Actually, the image on the first card was already stamped and in my card parts drawer so hooray for getting it colored and on a card.

All coloring was done with Copics.  To the card below I added a background from Rubbernecker and some little hearts from (?) -- an unlabeled stamp.  The gray scalloped mat was already cut so I built on that.

At some point along the way I looked up Inky Antics to see if they still make and sell stamps, and I found a whole website.  Well, you know what happened then.  Three sets into my cart.  Not new, but new to me.  I think it's important that we create what makes us feel happy in the making, and Inky Antics have been making me feel happy for years.

Sending sweet Valentine wishes to all!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Puppy Love (1st card), Puppy & Kitty Love #2, Rubbernecker dog stuff background(?), nameless heart flowers stamp (latter 3 all on 2nd card)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, grocer's kraft, SU Going Gray & Pink Pirouette (2nd card), scrap designer paper (1st card)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Rose Red  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Poppystamps Heart Hugs and Scribble Daisy Heart Frame, Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Hearts, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Stackables, rhinestones, foam mounting tape