There is a big birthday party happening today for Tracey, a card artist who is a sweet friend much-admired in our stamping community. Her amazing blog is called In My Creative Opinion. I feel like Tracey is The Professor of CAS (clean and simple) and her blog is a classroom through which I learn.
You can find Tracey's party and cake over at The Organizer's blog (otherwise known as the inimitable Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea). Here is the link Thank you, Joyce, for organizing this fun party! This party for sweet Tracey is going to be open for a whole week if you would like to make her a card and add it to the party gallery. I hope you will!
To design my card for Tracey, I CASEd this beautiful card of hers:
And I used this picture perfect photo inspiration from Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge:
Thusly armed, I made this card:
I masked and stamped three rows of greens, yelloranges, and purples using a leaf stamp and then overstamped that with a water droplet stamp. Here is the inside:
 |
| Happy Birthday, Tracey, and many, many more!! |
~~~
I'm also entering my card in these current challenges:
I'm also entering my card in these current challenges:
- Addicted to Stamps and More where the challenge is "Clean and Simple," sponsored by Nicecrane Designs.
- Seize the Birthday where the linky party is always open for "Anything Goes."
- And "Anything Goes" is also on the menu at both Simon Says Stamp Monday and Wednesday!
It is my absolute delight to welcome our newest friends! Many of you already know and love them. On the right is "Benzi" of Benzi Stampz! She has been blogging since 2010 and is an award-winning card artist. You'll be doing yourself a huge favor if you visit her wonderful blog!
On the left is the winsome and talented Mina from Pinkbuds. Mina has been blogging since 2008! You'll be totally inspired by the wonderful cards at her site!
Welcome, Benzi and Mina, and thank you so much for joining the party!
~~~
A couple of months ago I purchased a mini butterfly bush and I thought you might enjoy seeing how it is still thriving even though our temperatures are really starting to drop. (Our full-size bushes in the front yard have long since stopped producing blooms.)
A couple of months ago I purchased a mini butterfly bush and I thought you might enjoy seeing how it is still thriving even though our temperatures are really starting to drop. (Our full-size bushes in the front yard have long since stopped producing blooms.)
If you look closely in the lower center of this close-up, you'll see a Monarch butter fly, also a surprise to see this time of the year!
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy. LITS*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life Is Too Short!
Paper: PTI vintage cream; SU! elegant eggplant
Stamps: SU! leaf and front sediment; Paper Smooches
inside sediment from "I Heart Art"; water droplets by
Ryn's Designs
Ink: SU! markers; eggplant pad
Die: Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles
Stamps: SU! leaf and front sediment; Paper Smooches
inside sediment from "I Heart Art"; water droplets by
Ryn's Designs
Ink: SU! markers; eggplant pad
Die: Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles
Beautiful stamping and colors. Love it!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful card Darnell with brilliant stamping and colours.
ReplyDeleteluv
irene
xxxx
Wow! was my first second and third word!
ReplyDeleteShe's going to LOVE it!
Beautiful card Darnell!
GORGEOUS CARDS,
ReplyDeleteand fotos
amazing work
love it
bhugs and lovely Sunday
Tamara
Gorgeous, as always! Tracey is going to love it! x
ReplyDeleteTotally gorgeous card and that droplet stamp is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous card! Love the shaded leaves and the water droplets look so real!! Great work. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Darnell! I love the beautiful colors, and I must find me one of those water droplet stamps, I love it! Tracey is going to love this, too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Great CASE of Tracey's card while using the inspiration photo. Your card is perfect!! Super work, Darnell!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely 'pile' of beautiful leaves Darnell! a wonderful inspired card - and I just LOVE the 'crafty' sentiment too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! What great colours! Have a creative week, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteLove how you've cased Tracey's card - great colours and textures from the overlapping stamps!
ReplyDeletelove all your cards but the card for ARSM is just stunning, the water droplets look so real. Thanks for joining us at ATSM
ReplyDeleteStunning card Darnell! lots of huggles Sue xxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card for Tracey, Darnell...love the colors...so yummy!
ReplyDeletePerfect CASE of Tracey's card Darnell she is going to love this!!
ReplyDeleteDarnell, Gosh that card is beautiful, so simple but stunning.
ReplyDeleteYour friend is going to be very blessed with it.
Chris
What a gorgeous card!!
ReplyDeleteGreat card! Love the colors and the way you've used the leaf stamp. What did you use to get the perfect stitching outline!? Have a fab Sunday!
ReplyDeleteDarnell this is so gorgeous and wow you CASE'd my card and used the PS inspiration photo just perfectly! Now I want to make a card just like the one you made for me, love that water-droplet stamp. Thank you so much my dear friend, you are always so supportive and encourage me so much. Have a great day! xoxo
ReplyDeleteDarnell, this is sensational!!! LOVE all those wonderful colors and the design. SO pretty and know she's going to love it.
ReplyDeleteThose water droplets are just right!!
Lynn
Beautiful colours for the leaves and the addition of those water droplets is sheer genius. x Sue
ReplyDeleteOh my Darnell, I swooned over your card! I just have to find that raindrop stamp! Thanks so much for all of your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteDarnell, your card is so beautiful. Love that you cased one of Tracey's cards to make this beauty.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Tracey - she's going to love your inspired card Dippy. You've used my favourite water droplets stamp - isn't it just gorgeous. Love how they look on the leaves.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Karendipity xxx
Beautiful CASing of Tracey's card! I also love your take on PS Sparks challenge! Totally gorgeous, Darnell!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous design Dolly!! Lolly xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful take on the photo Darnell and I love the water droplets too :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing along at PS Sparks this week :0)
Jenny x
Wow, Darnell, this is awesome! Such a wonderful tribute to a wonderful stamper!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous card Darnell - I love the colors and that water droplet image is really cool! Fabulous stamping!
ReplyDeleteWow Darnell the nicest card I've seen for a while! Love how you created it and have pinned it so I can CASE it in the future:)
ReplyDeleteVal x
Oh my! I love your card Darnell and these drops work like a trompe l'oeil! Brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThank You~
Oh this is soooo pretty, Darnell! Extra sweet that you personalized it for Tracey with a CASE of her card! You are one special, caring, thoughtful lady!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant card, and so sweet that you case'd Tracey's card. I absolutely adore those water drop stamps. They are so realistic. What stamps are they? Thanks so much for partying at Tracey's linky birthday party.
ReplyDeleteIncredible job matching your stamping and coloring to the challenge photo! I gotta get that droplet stamp!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure Tracy loves your card!!!
I love the "rainbow" of leaves but the water droplets really blew me away. I forgot about that stamp and it was perfect for this card.
ReplyDeleteYour card is so stunning Darnell - I love the beautiful colours and the design looks fab! What a lovely card to make for tracey - she is also a treasure in our stamping world:) Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning card this is! I absolutely love it!!
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell, Your card is gorgeous with the fabulous stamping. Your take on the photo is wonderful right down to the water droplets :) Hope you had a great weekend, Hugs, Shirleyx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Work!!! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!!! - Ashli :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful rainbow of colors Darnell...those water droplets look so realistic and I am sure Tracey will love this card!
ReplyDeleteWell Miss Darnell,look what Tracy's inspiration and the love you added has produced a stunningly beautiful card, the colors of the leaves are fabulous,and my all time favorite stamp, the water drops,excellent interpretation on both cards,love how you decorated the inside, things made with love are the best.. Thanks for sharing Benzi blog she is a wonderful card artist, and dear Mina, her cards are fabulous, her coloring is perfect..
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the magic happening in your garden.. Hope you have a wonderful week..
Well, I am late to the party. Or I show up a few days too soon. Ugg!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness this is STUNNING! I bet this is also a winner! I love everything about this.Love the way you overlapped the leaves.
You sure know how to welcome new bloggers. I think that is wonderful and I wish I would have done the same a long time ago.
What a gorgeous card, Darnell! Love the colors and you used that water droplet stamp that I have been meaning to order forever!
ReplyDeleteArtistic & beautiful--wonderful card for Tracey's celebration! And what fun to see the butterfly & flowers!
ReplyDeleteAs always, fabulous cards my friend! I am sure Tracey will be so happy with your case of her card, such a sweet way to say Happy Birthday! See you soon.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this CASE of Tracey's card ~ absolutely fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS birthday card!!!
ReplyDeleteThose water droplets completely MAKE that card, Darnell! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Darnell, I love this CAS card and I must get the water droplet stamp - I have never seen anything like it. Where is it from if I might ask? Love the little plant and so great to see a butterfly at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteMwaah! as you would say.
Carol xx
Wow Darnell! That card you made is awesome!!! I'm wondering if I could use a water drop stamp like that for painting? It is so beautiful and I can see all of your cards winning competitions!!! Have a wonderful week! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOops! I forgot to mention a thank you for sharing your new bush and the butterfly! Its too cold here now but I am going to get a few bushes next Spring. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! A stunning card! You have certainly mastered well the lessons of CAS Tracey has shared; indeed, this beauty sees you at the top of the class! The water droplet is perfect; realistically perfect!! Oh, to see some flowering plants - alas, the foot of snow we acquired over the weekend has put a halt to that! Thank you for sharing your 'pretties' with us...ummm, how long 'til Spring? Hugs, c
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness, Darnell, this is such a fabulous card for Tracey ... those gorgeous colours are so perfectly complemented with the water droplets ... awesome, really, awesome! Anita :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous card for Tracey. I can't believe all the layers of color and those water drops look absolutely real! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteDarnell, this is quite a beauty! Those water droplets are amazing, and the leaves are gorgeous colors, so rich! Tracey will be nothing less than thrilled with this card!
ReplyDelete...catching up on the last couple of days of posts and I see that you have been on one heck of a beautifully creative roll! The chevron card - clean, simple, graphic gloriousness! The leaf card...well you had me at the water droplets (to think that it is a stamp!!!). The colors in this challenge really are pretty and you did them proud with your two creations! Sweet purple mats!
ReplyDeleteLove the flowers pics and the Monarch butterfly! We are apparently surround by snow (over one foot just a couple hours north of us) but so far, we have dodged the white stuff!
Absolutely beautiful CASE. Your leaves are luscious. Reminds me I have a NBUS water droplet stamp to ink up... There ain't enough time in the day.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, Darnell! The leaves stamped over the raindrops in those lovely colours looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove this - the colors you used are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWOW! 62 comments! How do you do it??? Well-- it's your creations and posts:) LOL! But still-- WOW!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this card-- love the water drops and the layered leaves! GORGEOUS color too! FAB x100000:) THANKS so much for playing along with the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge! Hope you join in the fun this week for the STRIPE trend watch challenge;)
Gorgeous card Darnell, so elegant and pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
hugs
Mandy xx
This is so gorgeous. I love the stamping you did and how it's framed with those stitched mats.
ReplyDeleteooh this card is beautiful! Fabulous stamping and I am loving the colours. The pretty bush is gorgeous too! xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous inspiration...
ReplyDeletegorgeous card and I know she loves it! :)
Hey Darnell, you interpreted that photo so well!!! Love what you did. Your followers left some really lovely comments as well. I'll definitely add this to my next customer creations blog post :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Darnell! You are an Honorble addict! Yay!
ReplyDelete