A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

March 21, 2013

Back on the Challenge Train, Jane!

Isn't it terrific that today is Thursday?!
 
No special reason for saying that.  I just love being sort of Al Literative.  Last night, desperately needing a challenge fix after missing so many, I went on a challenge stampede.  I got back on the art wagon, Fagen.  I hopped the embossing bus, Gus.  I'm riding the craft train, Jane.  I cli ~ stop it.
 
First, I wanted to play in the current MUSE challenge #9 where our Muse is the wonderful Marion Vagg of Made Marion.  Here is Marion's inspiration card:
 
Friend
 
Second, I wanted to play in the current Addicted to Case (ATCAS) #8 where the code word is "wings."
 
Third, I wanted to play with my pals at Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground (Week 64) where the challenge is simply to use a scrap or "snippet" on your card.  Even if you don't play (which I hope you do!), you should take a minute and click over to Di's site and see the amazing frozen stalagmite that they found erupting from their birdbath!
 
Fourth, I wanted to get in on the fun over at Chrissie's and Jen's Less Is More (Week 111 ~ Theme) Challenge where the theme is "Frame It!"
 
 
Last, but not least, I used a trick from Jennifer McGuire (Day 1) about just cutting off a strip of a larger piece of patterned paper for your card as an accent. Here is a link to the Online Card Classes, if you would like more information.
Online Card Classes Pattern Play
~~~
 
Without further a dew, here is my card:
 
 
I used similar coloring for my card, and embossing, and a friend sentiment.  I also wanted to emulate the swirly feel of Marion's card.
 

 
I think that image is soooo inspired, artist person, if you are out there! It took to heat embossing so well and it is really pretty IRL.
 
~~~
 
I am thrilled to introduce you to our newest friend, Jeanne from A Kept Life.  Jeanne is an accomplished card artist and blogger.  You will want to grab a veberage and settle in for a lovely visit through her blog!  Thank you, Jeanne, and welcome!!
 
~~~
 
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS*!
 
Thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse. Special thanks to you, my friend, if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!
*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  DCWV PP; PTI vintage cream;
  SU! pear pizzaz
Stamp:  Inkadinkado
"Friend" is Ice Candy from kimemories
Ink:  Zing "Leaf" EP; SU! watercolor pencil
Bling from stash
Corner Chomper

40 comments:

Neets B said...

This is lovely Darnell, the stamp is gorgeous and looks great embossed. I love your little posts, you always put a smile on my face, just what I needed this week as I have a horrible cold and feel like I've been run over. I think I need some of what you're having! Hugs :D xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Lovely cards,
love blue,
hugs Tamara

Susan said...

Beautiful stamp.....and the embossing is awesome...i really struggle with heat embossing! And look at you getting 3 challenges included in one card!

Happy Dance said...

Ah-mazing. Again. Your clogged up challenge juices are now freely flowing, friend (a litta mo'alittarashun). Sweet, sweet hummingbird, perfect colors, perfect embossing, well, it's perfect!!! Love this. So glad you're back. Bev

Ardyth said...

Pretty colours and gorgeous, elegant image. Love your take on the muse!

landerson213 said...

Very pretty! Love the CAS design! :)

Lauren
http://landersoncraftydesigns.wordpress.com/

Suze Bain said...

What a beautiful birdie. A tremendous triple challenge card! Xx

Bobby said...

I hopped on the train with you, Darnell. I haven't combined challenges but am trying some new ones. My first MUSE card will be posted tomorrow. Your bird is gorgeous and so fitting for all three challenges.

Sue said...

WOW!! This is stunning Darnell. It is great that you were inspired by the challenges and combined the themes so well. The bird image is wonderful and I love the colours
Sue xx

JD/ Jill said...

Pretty card...and thanks for giving me my daily fix...(Your great sense of humor always puts a smile on my face)

Rosemary said...

Super fab take on all the challenges, Darnell! Love the fresh spring colors you used...

Tracey McNeely said...

Beautiful card and embossing Darnell. That hummingbird image is spectacular. Love your take on the Muse challenge.

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, you really are back on the trail! Love the hummingbird stamp with is't gorgeous swirly tail and delicate colouring - really beautiful. Your card is beautiful too. Hugs, Anne x

Kristie Goulet said...

WOW! You knocked all of these challenges out of the park with this card! So beautiful!

Unknown said...

Well if this is what happens when you're away for a few days Dippy I don't know what would happen after a two week holiday!!! You must seriously have had blogger withdrawal symptoms.....but you've found the bestest remedy; and it shows. Gorgeous card, love the paper fragment and the sentiment, and your embossed bird is ge-orge-ous! lol Thanks so much for joining in the fun at A2CAS.

Hugs.

Karen xxx

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. You've so talented to combine all those challenges into one beautiful card! Love the image (very artistic indeed!) :) Looks so pretty embossed and I love the soft blue bling you've added. Thanks for joining us at Addicted to CAS - so appreciated! Loll xx

Carol L said...

Way to rock all those challenges into one fabby card! Tis beautiful!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful image & embossing. And your creation covers all the challenges nicely! Have a great weekend, Shirleyx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful creations. Thank you for playing along with the Addicted to CAS wings challenge.
Florence.

Harriet Skelly said...

I LOVE that image - it is so gorgeous! It is amazing that you have created a CAS card even though you combined all of those challenges! Wow!

Jessi Fogan said...

AND NOW I have "50 ways to leave your lover" stuck in my head....although I don't remember the 'Fagen' part, it's jumping in too :P
I adore hummingbirds - in my prior-to-kids life I collected glass ones (I will again - just keeping them safe in the meantime!) and this one is absolutely stunning!

Sarn said...

Congrats on using up some more snippets and making some lovely cards. Bring your brolly - looks like rain in the playground.
xxx

Michelle said...

Darnell, you are on fire! This card is really beautiful (love that image!).

On a side note, about your friends, it is a real tribute to how lovely you are that your "followership" has grown so HUGE! I started following you when you had about 20 followers (and Blogger kept losing you from my feed, and I kept on going back to collect you again). I just love coming by to visit. One day I hope we get to meet in person (planning any trips to Australia in the near future?). :-)

Jen Nelson said...

What a lovely card... i love the stamp... in fact i need that stamp!!!

Thanks for joining us this week
Jen
"Less Is More"

Di said...

Wow Darnell - back with a bang, flourish, snippets and a hummingbird I see! Fabulous card - love it! Hugs, Di xx

Aileen said...

Lovely card Darnell. The colours are so classy and I love the swirls on the bird. x

Aileen said...

Lovely card Darnell. The colours are so classy and I love the swirls on the bird. x

shirley-bee said...

Hey Darnell, blogland was quiet without you last week, but you're making up for it with this card! That hummingbird image is gorgeous.

Zippy said...

Gorgeous cards and just love the hummingbird image xxx

Anonymous said...

Great art and Simon and Garfunkell too ! Thanks for lodging that t=une in my brain....ah that takes me back a few years. Your swirly bird indeed is fabulous and the colours are sublime. Thanks for taking the time to join us at `ATCAS with another super creation.

Marie

Bonnie said...

Wow! All those challenges and still a beautifully CAS card, Darnell! Way to go, girl! Love that bird in all it's swirly elegance! Great job!

Cathy said...

Beautiful card Darnell, very clever to include all of thos challenges, love your alliteration :)Cathy x

scrappymo! said...

Gorgeous! Love that bird image!!!

MaryH said...

Oh Wow! I was nearly overwhelmed at all your challenges, lady! You were on a roll. This card is just fabulous. I happen to be a hummingbird lover (as well as cardinal person), so I especially enjoyed the motif on this card. Loved your bright colors and Jennifer's idea was carried out on your card, superbly. She'd be proud of you. Are you taking her class? I always hesitate, then don't! Sorry to be away from commenting, just stuff going on. Hope to get caught up - uhgin - soon! TFS & Hugs

Karen M said...

Gorgeous card Darnell and well done on combining all those challenges too - hugs xx

Unknown said...

So beautiful colours, love both of your cards! Thank you for playing along with us at Addicted to CAS!

Anonymous said...

Just stunning, Darnell, love the humming bird image, so gently and beautifully tinted! Anita :)

Gillian R said...

What a fab card, love he stamp you have used

Chrissie said...

I'm really sorry I'm so late in visiting, but last week completely got away from me.
This is just fabbo, love that birdie Darnell.
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Cyndie said...

That hummingbird it fantastic! I love your card and loved reading your blog. Very clever!