Double D Coffee or Tea

We have a new theme at Double D Challenge Blog. Here is the mood board Dar created for us. 

I was drawn to the cookies but could not make it work for a card so I switched to the tea tins and their pretty patterns so that is what I made.  I used an IO coffee set  as my focal image. I had just gotten a note card in the mail that had  a pretty butterfly and flower pattern. It was on my desk so I recycled it for my coffee cup and pot.  I did not have a single coffee sentiment so I computer generated this one. 

If you join us for this challenge at  Double D you will have a chance to win this fun Lawn Fawn stamp set.

Dies R Us Birthday Challenge

If you are like me, you send out a lot of birthday cards.  A birthday of a friend or family member is the perfect way to let them know that you are thinking of them. Since the Dies R Us Challenge is Birthdays this time, you have the perfect opportunity to make a card to add to your stash or to create a special card for a special person. I have used this lilac die from Elizabeth Crafts before, but today I paired it with Elizabeth craft geraniums. I love this wood grained paper, also from Elizabeth Crafts. 

The team has a lot of inspiration for you so visit the Dies R Us Challenge Blog and then create your own birthday card and link up with us and you will have a chance to win a gift voucher for the Dies R Us Store. 

Elizabeth Craft geranium


Elizabeth Craft Ladder Fern

Elizabeth Craft Lilac 2


 Elizabeth Craft Wood paper pack.

Double D Nautical

I love  the blues and the pops of red in this mood board. I had a hard time deciding which board to choose so I went through my stamps and dies and found an Xcut die that I have only used once so I decided to use it. Then I watched a video Jennifer Mcquire did on an Inside Shadow Box Card, and knew I had to give it a try. 

Here is my card. 

I started by sponging a background of sand, water and sky.

I added the boat from the die set which I cut it in black and red to get the two colors.

I decided I wanted to use the chairs and umbrella from the die set also so I cut them from blue and then some red dp and paper pieced them to get some texture. I used some sandpaper on the bottom of the frame. 

I decided to add some blue paper on the inside. I can write my message on that. 

I kept the outside simple.  I just got these spellbinders dies for Mother's Day and had not used them so I cut some blue paper with them. I had this palm tree and clouds left on my desk from another project. 

Now it is your turn to pick some inspiration from the board and create your nautical scene, but before you do check out the inspiration from the team HERE. Everyone has a different take on this challenge, and I can promise you will be inspired, but you need to know that you inspire us too. We look forward to seeing what you create each challenge. 

Dies R Us Anything Goes

Everyone loves an Anything Goes Challenge, and you will find one at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog Just remember that you must use at least one die from a company that DRU carries in their store. I got some new dies from the store that I have been having fun playing with. I really like how this turned out. They also carry distress inks and distress oxide inks and a pretty line pf papers. DRU is becoming a one stop shopping store.

Now I will admit that the lilacs take a bit of time. I cut the from lilac and sponged the edges of each flower. I recently (but after I made my card) saw  a post from Selma Stevenson. She sponged a piece of white card stock in shades of purple and blue for hydrangeas and cut the flowers from that.  I will be using that technique for my next lilac card. After they were all sponged, I glued each petal to the lilac base. I usually work on several at a time so I can let the layers dry. These are the dies I used for this card. 

Elizabeth Craft Wooden Fruit Crate

 Elizabeth Craft Fern

  Cheery Lynn Daisy Strip

        Memory Box Delicate Flower Frame

Frantic Stamper Fern

Elizabeth Craft Lilac 2