Nonni's Birthday, Anita DJKASE, and NBUS #148

Happy Whoosh Day!

Today we are celebrating several extraordinary card artists, one of wooms having a birthday!

Happy Surprise Birthday to Nonni!!

Nonni is from Finland and her blog is the incredible Korttikarkuri - Runaway Cards. She has been blogging since 2012 and she is well known in our stamping community for all of her design team work, her challenge entries, and her wonderful sweet disposition! Nonni's card art ranges from CAS to vintage, so there is something for everyone on her blog and if you haven't had the pleasure, make sure you check her out!

For your birthday card, Nonni, I played along with the current TIME OUT Challenge where you are on the Design Team. We are to CASE the card made by the outstanding Anita of My Papercraft World. Since I've been meaning to DJKASE a card of Anita's for some time now, I hopped at this chance.

Here is my card,

which is winging its way to you, Nonni!! I hope you have a very special day and I hope you extend your celebrations at least through the entire weekend! Here's a matching grid cake for you!

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The kind and talented Sandie of London Days is providing us with an InLinkz button to add our birthday cards to a gallery for Nonni for two weeks. I hope you will be able to join the party!!

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And here is the spectacular card of Anita's that I DJKASEd:

Isn't it stunning? I had the best time making my own version of this happy card. It's not too late for you to join in the Anita challenge!

Anita has been blogging for a couple of years (coming up on your 2nd Blogaversary, Anita!) and every time I visit, I leave wanting to make a card just like she did. Her card art designs are breathtaking, CASlicious, and clever! I'm thrilled to have had this opportunity to CASE her!

Since I'm avoiding the stencil and embossing paste trend until I can cross off some other Try This Technique items, my twist to Anita's card was using a NBUS "Grid Border" die from Simon Says Stamp instead. I sponged a background to peek through and I popped some of the wee squares back into the grid to give it a faux paste effect. Sort of like. (Are you buying that?)

The happy sediment is a die from PTI that I triple-cut and layered like Anita did on her card. In my photos, however, it looks a little blurry for some reason, but it snot blurry IRL, I promise. However, yes, it's true that the word "birthday" (Avery Elle "Fanfare") is a bit crookity. It was a dumb move to stamp the sediment AFTER I made the ENTIRE card! I'm such a dork. I should have just stamped "birthday" on the inside. That's a tip, although I suspend that most of you will not need it since you wouldn't be that foolish in the first place!

Anita, thank you for all the inspiration you continually provide to me, as well as your personal friendship! For those of you not already familiar with Anita, I know her card will have you scooting over for a vis ... well, okay, you could have waited until you finished here, but I don't blame you!

Today's Challenges:

TIME OUT Challenge (DJKASE of Anita)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge (Anything Goes)

Addicted to CAS (ATCAS) (geometric)
Just Us Girls (JUGS) (blue/green/neutrals)

If you click on the links for any of the challenges, you will find out the details regarding rules, sponsors, and prizes.

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New Friends Corner

I am delighted to welcome and introduce some new friends today!

Aussie Annie of The Journey is the Start. As her name suggests, Annie is from Australia and her cards are sensational. Her coloring and designs are divine, which is why you will find her on several design teams. It is certainly a fascinating journey when you visit Annie!

Kelly of You and Your Big Dreams. Kelly has been blogging since 2010 and like Annie, her coloring is absolutely spectacular. In addition to giving you lots of inspiration, Kelly is very generous with sharing tutorials about her beautiful works of art!!

Julie of Any Old Craft. Julie just started blogging last year, but it feels like she has been a pro for ages. Not only do I think her card art is fun and often unique, she provides her readers with free digi images! You'll often see Julie playing in, and winning, challenges!

Thank you for joining, ladies, and welcome to the Playhouse!!

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I noticed that I am getting close to reaching 600 followers which means it will be time for the NBUS #2 Challenge! With the holidays coming up, I'm thinking I'll hold the next challenge the first part of September whether I'm at 600 or not. By then all the schools will have started and it will be after the long Labor Day holiday weekend in the States so some of you moms will be able to settle back into some crafting time. Plus, it will be over before the big holiday rush overwhelps Blogland, so I think that will work best for everyone. I hope you are all becited!

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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!

 

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