Greetings!
How are you? How's the family? Did you have a great 4th?
Well, I had a fantastic 4th, 3rd, and 2nd and I want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and emails and FB messages I received for my birthday and continue to receive every day! I have one of those pesky turn-the-calendar-and-surprise! birthdays. We all feel badly when we miss them and our cards are late, but the celebrant doesn't mind because cards keep coming in for days and days afterwards! That's a win-win!
Today I thought you might enjoy this weird little Serena Dipity interconnectivity thing that happened to bring about the featured card.
Well, I had a fantastic 4th, 3rd, and 2nd and I want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and emails and FB messages I received for my birthday and continue to receive every day! I have one of those pesky turn-the-calendar-and-surprise! birthdays. We all feel badly when we miss them and our cards are late, but the celebrant doesn't mind because cards keep coming in for days and days afterwards! That's a win-win!
Today I thought you might enjoy this weird little Serena Dipity interconnectivity thing that happened to bring about the featured card.
So what happened was the new challenge was posted on Less Is More. It's Colour Week and the brief is to make a card using the colors of your kitchen. My kitchen colors are black and white with a pop of blue. Hammy immediately went to work on a mood board.
I adjourned to the recliner with a highball and set about opening all the cards and packages I had saved to open on my birthday. In a very generous package I received from my friend Petra, there were these two beautiful handmade kitchen tea towels:
In black and white!
I immediately emailed Petra to thank her. I asked her if she had seen a post of mine from March 2013 which had included a picture of my black and white kitchen.
Petra replied that no, she had no idea my kitchen was black and white! Schpooky!
Of course, how could I not use the towels in some way as inspiration for my card?! I gave Hammy the rest of the day off and made this:
All I needed was an ancient piece of DSP, an ancient Hero Arts ric-rac stamp, a NBUS Tim Holtz giggle stamp, and some bling to complete the circle that had started in England, passed through South Africa, and ended up in California!
Challenges
- CAS on Sunday: Black and white and one other color.
- CASology: Chevron.
- Less Is More: Colours of your kitchen.
I certainly got a giggle out of how this card was meant to be and I hope you did, too!
~~~
While the youngsters are off enjoying a bit of summer vacation on the other side of the country, we've had the pleasure of Duke-sitting for several days.
~~~
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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:
Click CTL + Home.
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and a pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and walla, no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me
your email address so I can respond. Thank you!
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and a pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and walla, no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me
your email address so I can respond. Thank you!
89 comments:
Don't you just love it when things come together like that. Fab card and lovely towels. Sounds like you had and still are enjoying a wonderful birthday, yipee! May the celebration continue and Duke looks like a sweetie.
What a lovely birthday you have had, and are still having :-) Gotta make these celebrations last!! Those tea towels are stunning, and certainly 'fit' your kitchen.
Love your card and it gave me a giggle :-) Glad to hear your gave Hammy a break once inspired.
Blessings
Maxine
Congratulations Darnell - I have just seen that you are the June winner over at Simply Less is More!!! A well deserved recognition!
Blessings
Maxine
A lovely card and glad to see your Birth-Festival is still going strong! Congratulations on being the June Winner at Less is More too!
Kath x
Oh, my, Darnell, for a change I am up to date with my blogvisits and I'm one of the firsts commenting on your post!!!! (usually I'm nr 256 or somewhere around there!!!) And you really got some inspiration from the towels I sent you to make a lovely card - that makes my heart so happy, Darnell!!!!! And LIM has the perfect challenge and how unbelievable that you had the perfect paper and a rick rack stamp!!!!! I had to smile at how the whole story worked out!!!! Love your beautiful kitchen and the spots of bright blue - will remember that next year!!!! Your card is sooooo cute and I love the sentiment!!!
Have a great day, my friend and enjoy getting ready for your trip!!!! You must be counting the days by now!!!!
Hugz
Congrats Darnell
fantastic post and card
love all published things
hugs Tamara
OOOPS! Missed your birthday - Happy Belated Greetings... & enjoy how it goes on for a bit. I reckon that's a bit of fun, too:) LOVE your kitchen...those towels are GORGEOUS and so is your card. For a minute I thought that was real ric rac! Looks fabulous :):)
Fab make, lovely gift and super pooch! Can't believe you turned 21 ... again!
Happy Wednesday
Kathyk
Happy Belated Birthday! What a lovely gift and your card is superb. I love how you used that as your inspiration. Well, that and your kitchen. Great work!
Love how you found inspiration from the gift of a friend, in awe that you found the right DP in your stash (I'd have been frantically searching craft stores!) and loving your finished card. Happy belated birthday (c:
I agree with you; cards that are late just spread the fun!
And that is always such a great gift; somethig handmade and so useble!
Your card is great bold and I love the black-blue combi! Enjoy the Duke-sitting! :) Hugs, Gerrina
You have received a fab gift, just perfect for your kitchen!! And your inspired card is beautiful as well!
Love your cute doggie Duke! :)
Happy happy belated birthday, let's call it your bike month! I like your kitchen and your card for the challenge. Sorry I haven't been around much lately, as you know summers are busy. I'm going to make another cup of coffee and catch up now, I know I'm in for some excitement!
What an amazing match to those fabulous dish towels your card is Darnell! A great CAS design! Glad you had a wonderful birthday, can't wait 'til the 21st! Hazel xx
My Card Attic
Happy Belated Birthday, Darnell! Hope you had an awesome day. And BTW your kitchen is gorgeous!
Well dang! Those towels are a perfect match to your kitchen, and your card is a perfect take on those towels! I love how the pattern in your paper perfectly mirrors the pattern in the towels! And Duke...........what can I say? I love how he manages to tuck his hind legs up into that small bed! He probably has a wonderful time at Grandma's house while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy life with 2 boys! I hope you had a great birthday and are anxiously preparing for your trip abroad soon! Have a fabulous time!!!
Happy belated birthday!! Sounds liked you had a wonderful birthday
Gorgeous card, and I loved the story of how it came about! Your kitchen looks pretty fab too <3 Massive congratulations on being a June winner at LIM, so well deserved!
Spooky indeed or is it just serendipity... whatever it was, it was pretty amazing and your card is so similar, who would have thought you would papers that match so well! I love black and white so your card is a winner with me!
Duke looks so comfy on his pillow, glad you had a good weekend and that you continue to enjoy your birthday. Counting down the days now..... Hugs, Annie xxx
Belated Happy Birthday Darnell. Love your card inspired by those gorgeous towels, I should look further afield for inspiration!! xx
What fun!!! I just love hearing stories like yours! Happy Belated Birthday, my friend! Hope it was happy, happy, happy :) Gorgeous card!
Dear Darnell, sorry, missed your birthday. I plan to get organised this decade. Happy Belated Birthday. Hope it was fantastic. Maybe I'll surprize you with an anyday card. Love the b/w creation and congrats on your win at LIM. HUgz
Congrats on being a winner for Less Is More!!
Great card and congrats for your win too !
Just beautiful hun. Are you sure that the bed is big enough for Duke? Bless they do love to roll up tight into a ball. Hope you had a lovely birthday sweetie, sadly I don't do cards now as I can't get out to the post box or post office. Have a fabulous week Karen x
Hi DJ, Happy Birthday, if I didn't wish you it before.
That is spooky about the t-towels, but they are lovely.
What breed is Duke? He looks so adorable trying to fit on that bed.
Hope you are having a good week. Sue
Your card is lovely Darnell and so are the towels that inspired it. Whatever happened to ric-rac? Perhaps it will stage a come back now. So glad you enjoyed your birthday weekend - I'm sorry my card is still on the way, but you can get a peek of it on my blog today.
Hugs
Carol x
That's a bit disconcerting to receive a gift that matches your kitchen perfectly, especially when the sender didn't know your colors. Eeeek! But what a terrific lovely present. And the card you made to honor it is perfect. It even looks like the towels. Did you know that CASology's current challenge cue word is Chevron. Think this qualifies...
Your card is a perfect representation of your kitchen and the beautiful gifts you received!! It's gorgeous!! And oh my gosh, Duke is precious!! I just want to hug him!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
"turn-the-calendar-and-surprise! birthdays" That is brilliant! And so true. It's caught me out on more than one occasion when people have early birthdays. Although having said that, I've missed ones near the end of the month before because I plumb forgot to turn the page altogether! Oops...
Love your towel-inspired card. And how perfect that it fits in with your colour-scheme too. I also love how you have the almost exact negative of it in your paper stash. Is this merely coincidence, or do you have every pattern (and colour) known to man hidden away in the Playhouse? I know I do! lol. x
Fabulous kitchen, love the blue lights, lovely gift of tea towels from Petra and a beautifully designed card Darnell. I'm sorry I didn't wish you a Happy Birthday on the day but glad you had a great weekend. A cute photo of Duke too. x
How the heck did I miss your birthday??? Will have to put that right! Love your card, as always.
Hugs,
Em xxx
What a beautiful card you made and I wish you a happy belated birthday as well.
Love your card! And kitchen look! And the story behind the card. Sorry I missed your birthday, hope it was a great one!
Sounds like your birthday celebrations are still going strong .... and rightly so my dear friend.
Fabulous card with such pretty inspiration, and I love the dog .... he looks so comfy.
Congratulations on your LIM win too .... well deserved! xx
What a great coincidence with the tea towel and what a stunning kitchen! I always enjoy your posts and love your blog not always have time to comment but I always want to that counts for something right? I al currently a mom to a 1,5 months boy heh so time is scarse! Duke looks so cute on that non tire pillow! :) hugs and belated Happy Birthday!
Sounds like a wonderful birthday! Love the card! Duke is a cutie!
Hi Darnell
I am sad to hold my hand up and say I didn't realise it was your birthday, only because you have a timeless elegance that seems to transcend space and makes you seem ageless.............is that sufficient grovelling?
Only you could make a super card inspired by an amazing tea towel.
I'd keep that snap of the kitchen looking so slick and span as I'm guessing it won't look like that when you have been away for 3 weeks lol!
Happy belated birthday!
Ang x
AI love the story of how your card came about, Darnell, and the results are wonderful. I love black and white and adding a giggle - or two - makes it all the better.
I am completely stunned that you would have paper and rick rack that matched your towel! Your card was perfect. How sweet of her to send you those lovely towels. Duke is just adorable curled up on that bed. He must think he is a puppy. I hope the fireworks didn't scare Hammy or Duke. Duke looks pretty chill about the whole thing.
Great card and nice tea towels. Lucky you. Happy belated birthday wishes.
Happy birthday to you, belatedly!! What a great story and gift of the pretty towels. Loved reading your post and how it inspired you for your pretty card! Thanks for sharing!
[hanging head in shame] My card will get there in time for your return from England, how's that? So sorry I missed your day but am so happy to hear it was a nice one. Giant birthday hug to you who always makes me giggle. Or guffaw.
Congratulation to a month winner by LIM Challenges! Great present for your birthday and a really deserved reward. :-)
You have a superb kitchen and have created a fabulous card in their colours.
It seems that my card for you took a world trip. :-)
Hugs, Sonja
Serendipitous! Thanks for the giggle! Enjoy your continuing birthday!
You are so right, Darnell! I also have a turn-the-paige-and-surprise-birthday and never mind cards that arrive late! It extends my birthday!
What a fun card and story that went with it!
Happy to know that the celebration just keeps going and going Auntie! That's always a good thing. I love those towels and I love that Petra didn't know that your kitchen was white, black and blue but sent towels that matched! Talk about clairvoyant! Love those towels and love how your paper, stamp and cute sentiment matched so well to the towels!! This card was definitely meant to be Auntie! Duke is so cute all cuddled up on his spare tire, whoops, I mean his bed! Looks like he is very comfortable at your house. Hugs, Brenda
Fabulous card...love the wonderful gift of towels, they look amazing! Duke is so funny!
It's so cool that you used the towels for inspiration! Keep celebratin,
I do love black and white with a pop of almost any other color. Your kitchen is beautiful, and your happy card is such a fun result of your tea towel inspiration. A belated happy birthday to you. I hope it was 9and continues to be) glorious!
Happy Birthday to you! and congratulations on your win at Less is More! :)
Happy Birthday :) What a gorgeous set of towels and beautiful card you made.
What a lovely gift and your card is brilliant! I laughed when I saw that doggie all curled up on his bed! So cute!
What a fun little story behind your pretty design for a card! Happy belated birthday Darnell. Sounds like the celebration continues!!
Oh wow!! First-Petra's towels are so beautiful!! Second, I LOVE how her towels inspired your card!! So cool!! Happy Belated Birthday Darnell!!
What a wonderful birthday you had, and those towels are incredible. Love your card with the cute bit of chevron. Thanks so much for playing along at CASology this week.
Love it when a plan comes together !!!
Belated Birthday wishes, sounds like you're still celebrating x
I love how you've got DSP that coordinates with your new tea towels (and kitchen)!
See you soon :)
Fabulous inspiration and what a wonderful gift. Perfect card for the challenges and had a chuckle at the sentiment. Thank you for sharing x
I'm sorry but that does look like that pup is sleeping on a rubber tire. LOL! BUT... I wouldn't have thought that if you hadn't said it first. I started reading your post and thought, "Hey, my kitchen is black and white too!" Only it isn't and hasn't been since we moved in March. So then I had to spend an inordinately long time pondering what color my kitchen was now. I came up with kraft (maple cupboards and sante fe sand colored tile) and dark gray (marbled looking countertops). That's not very exciting. We did buy red oven mitts to change things up when we moved. Kraft and red are a nice combo. There would definitely have to be a cat or two thrown in if it were to be my kitchen.
I really like your card and you copied your new handmade kitchen towels very, very well. Awesome sauce!
Darnell, Belated Birthday Greetings... or should I say Happy Extended Birthday! Love the card you shared and the story behind it. :)
Happy belated b'day Darnell - what lovely towels you received - love the card they inspired you to make! Julia xx
Greetings from Greece! So pleased you had a fun Birthday. And isn't it amazing how we are inspired by so many things around us. I just love the giggle sentiment! Have a fun day x
I'm glad you like late birthday cards:) Petra is such a sweetheart and the towels she gave you are beautiful! Happy Birthday, just getting back in the swing of things here.
Take care!
WOW another fun, clever and cheery post Darnell and what a stunning kitchen you have. Loving the black and white with that pop of blue in the lights. Awesome and how sweet of your friend to send the tea towels too ... just in time for some more inspiration. Superb card as ever, Glad you had a wonderful birthday and catch up with you IRL very soon. Thanks for playing along with us at Less is More this week. Sarah
Belated birthday wishes going your way Darnell. Great card from your inspiration and I love the picture of Duke.
Hugs, Sarn xxx
Hi Darnell,
Happy belated birthday wishes!!! I wanted to let you know that I mention you in my post today. I linked up with Annie for her Friday Smiles. I love the card you sent and it's still sitting on my mantle for everyone to enjoy.
Now, I'll be sending you a little surprise. Like you said - better late than never!!
By the way, it seems that my retirement will more than likely be July, 2018. YAY!!
Hugs,
Kay
Oh, very cool about the towels!
SO glad to hear your birthday (& extended bday!) was just wonderful and that so many of your friends remembered you with lovely cards, and that's a smashing tea towel. Will go perfectly in your pretty kitchen too. (it's ESP!) Loved your lovely card inspired by the towel, and pleased that you gave Hammy a little break while you worked on it. (the highball must be good pre-craft therapy). Bet you are getting egg-cited about the coming adventure, and I'm wishing you good weather, fun and just a wonderful time!!! Big hugs & TFS
Oh wow--that IS amazing & really neat--as is your fun card, Darnell! Oh that Duke--what a sweetheart & a cutie! I agree--cards coming for days around a birthday is so much fun!
Love the card inspiration, Darnell. Those towels are perfect in your kitchen! Happy you are enjoying your Birthday days after the real date ~ so fun!!
Loving that your card was inspired by those gorgeous tea towels, what a lovely gift they were! You card is fabulous! Love the rick rack stamp and the 'giggle' sentiment is perfect! xxx
Just playing catch up on last week's challenge entries!
This is so co-incidental about a) your kitchen colours and b) the fact that the towels matched them and c) that you had DP which perfectly echoed both!
To say that the card is yummy is understatement!
See you soon!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"
What a wonderful post Darnell! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Your card is fabulous! Great mix of papers! The trio of fun embellishments add a nice touch! What a sweet pup :) TFS
Terrific card! Love those deep blue light in your kitchen! So pretty! Thanks for sharing at Less is More!
Bummocks! How did I miss your birthday? Will have to give you an extre birthday hug when I see you. Love the card and the story of how it came about. Cara x
Wonderfully put together to match your new towels, loving the pop of bright blue. I completely forgot about a ric-rac stamp I have, I must get that out again soon!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Anita x
Less is More
Hey Darnell!! What a great inspiration, such a pretty towel. I love your card. The sentiment is my favorite. Nicely done!! Thank you so much for playing with us this week at CASology.
What a fabulous gift from Petra, Darnell ... certainly spooky that the colours were such a delicious match for your lovely kitchen ... and even spookier that you had DP and a ric rak stamp to make the perfect card inspired by those towels! Must be another super highway out there that's beyond even the mighty internet!! Delighted you had such a splendid extended birthday, my friend! LYAMYHMCA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)
That paper is the perfect match for the tea towels! Love how you cut it insteps and the giggle sentiment is so cool. Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!
Oh my gosh, Duke looks adorable curled up on his bed!! He'd neb a good diver with that perfect pike position! :D
That's a great story and a fantastic card! It's amazing how closely you created your card to the towels! Ha! Duke looks like the kind of guy who thinks he's a lap dog too!
Love the pop of color on your pretty card Darnell!! What a thoughtful gift (and pretty too) from Petra!! that Duke, too cute!!
Wow, how amazing is that Darnell! Petra is one talented lady, and super kind... AND one of a kind!
I LOVE the way you honored her with your beautiful card!
Thank you so much for joining us at CASology this week!
What a fun post... And great kitchen! Looks lovely! The card design you made is very successful, I love your use of DP. xxx
Hi Darnell, sounds like you enjoyed a fabulous birthday :) The towels are beautiful and so is your kitchen. Your card inspired by the towels is beautiful (very creative). Thank you for all your kind words at FB and my blog. Have a great day, Shirley xx ps.. your grand dog looks like a sweetie.
What a wonderful post! I love when serendipitous things happen. So cool. And you took that inspiration and ran with it to create such a great card. Thanks for sharing. Gotta love a big dog curling up into a small space. Or a huge dog that thinks it's a lap dog as happened on our recent visit to SD. My sister-in-law's dog that is German Shepard hopped up onto her lap to give her lots of love. She almost fell over backward in her chair, he was so enthusiastic and big! LOL Have an awesome week, Darnell! Hugs!!
Down to serious numbers now.Just 7 sleeps left!! I do hope Hammy realizes that there is a weight limiit on planes (their held up by elastic bands you know when flying or they had better be other wise i'm never going on one again!!) so that replica of the Statue of liberty (just in case he gets homesick) will have to be taken out of his back pack. A signed photograph of 'The Mister' is perfectly acceptable to be placed under his pillow at night though. Best not to menshun sum topics of convesashun such as Boris Johnson, how is Jeremy Corbyn feeling or the British Weather. Safe subjects are 'What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt' (hope there will be none staying at the otel and before he asks Hammy is banned from checking for himself!) or what the Royal Corgis had for breakfast. Please make sure that you pack your hincontinence knickers cos you wil be in sore need of em. I'm washing me smalls as we speak and ironing me bestest dress. See you soon.
hugs Mrs A.
Happy belated, you! Can not believe how perfectly you were able to match the kitchen towels... amazing!
Have fun watching your grand-dog :)
Pal...you are a CREATIVE GENIUS!!! Splitting the dp like you did with a wee schmick of white betwixt the rows is so cool!!! I'm also thinking that your card will have a whole lot of us card makers digging out our 'ric-rac' stamps and dies!
Post a Comment