Hello Stamplings!
I hope this finds you in your happy place! After I finish this post, I'm going to try a new recipe for sour cream blueberry muffins. I'm needing some comfort food. And maybe a tipple.
Onefer
This is the fourth Monday of July, so it is A = Anything Goes on the I.D.E.A.S. board. Over at Seize the Birthday, my friend Colleen is the hostess and she has chosen fruits. Given that Colleen had a lot to do with the fruits used in my cards today (thanks, Col), I couldn't not play along! The NBUS stamps, dies, and stencils are from, "Pears and Pomegranates" by Pink Fresh. The e/f is from Cuttlebug.
Twofer
Of course, I had to make two of them!
In Tribute
Some of you may have heard that our little corner of Blogland suddenly lost a dear friend on July 18, 2024. Her name was Anne Redfern and her blog was called Redanne. She was hugely talented with her craft supplies and her needle and she especially loved mixed media, all things Tim Holtz (including Tim and Mario), and making unbelievable miniature works of art.
More than that, Anne was a close friend to many of you and to me. She let me call her Annie and we first became acquainted on February 22, 2012, when she stopped by my desk on, "What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday" and left me a kind comment. Many thousands of comments followed, as well as emails, gifts, cards, and Zooms.
I was star-struck and delighted to have the chance to meet Annie in person in 2015 and spend two days with her and David when I traveled to England. I happened to have a free day at that point and they delighted me with an unexpected car trip over to Conwy, Wales!
I so enjoyed seeing Annie and David's community, their home, and especially Annie's craft room and creations. She even spoiled me with a delicious homemade meal! Just look at that beaming smile!
By the way, Annie would hate that bit about me being star-struck! Her smile and her kind eyes reflect the humble and gentle soul that she was, always ready to encourage and inspire others, never complaining, and incredibly generous.
You may remember that earlier this year I featured Annie on my blog when I introduced you to little Stanley:
I was star-struck and delighted to have the chance to meet Annie in person in 2015 and spend two days with her and David when I traveled to England. I happened to have a free day at that point and they delighted me with an unexpected car trip over to Conwy, Wales!
I so enjoyed seeing Annie and David's community, their home, and especially Annie's craft room and creations. She even spoiled me with a delicious homemade meal! Just look at that beaming smile!
By the way, Annie would hate that bit about me being star-struck! Her smile and her kind eyes reflect the humble and gentle soul that she was, always ready to encourage and inspire others, never complaining, and incredibly generous.
You may remember that earlier this year I featured Annie on my blog when I introduced you to little Stanley:
Annie's most recent adventure in crafting was felting, which she enjoyed in spite of the pain in her hands and fingers and she felted Stanley and the top of the sweet round box she used to mail him to me from across the pond.
I will always cherish many happy memories of Annie and I'm so grateful for our close friendship and for all the good times we shared because of this hobby.
Rest in peace, my friend, free of pain. I miss you already.
~~
Life is short. Too short. Please enjoy yours and thank you for spending part of yours with me!
Challenges:
Seize the Birthday: Fruits
Can You Handle the Pressure? A/G Embossing Folders
Just Us Girls: Mood Board. My card has pears instead of pineapples, but the colors inspired me.
38 comments:
Two very pretty cards and I'm sure you enjoyed your muffins when they were baked. What a really lovely tribute to your friend - RIP
Well Darnell...your craftiness has been very fruitful (sorry). Two lovely cards and I love the sentiment on the second one, I don't know here you find them. I hope you have got your comfort food baked and enjoyed. I make cranberry muffins with buttermilk. I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend with her lovely smile and generous nature, be sure to celebrate her life with a tipple and one of those muffins. A big hug for you....a squeezy one...and love xx
Your cards are beautiful, Darnell, as is the tribute to Ann. I'm so sorry for your loss xoxo
Beautiful cards and an even more beautiful tribute to your friend. I wish you and her family comfort and peace at this difficult time.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Dolly. What wonderful tribute and memories you have of Anne. When you miss her lots, give Stanley a hug. I'll bet he'll hug you back. It's a blessing that Col is with us still and gifted you this fruit! It's made two fruitastic cards!
Two beautiful cards with the fruits and embossing, Darnell - especially love the pink one but both are gorgeous!! So sorry to hear of your friend Anne's passing - I didn't know of her work and read her last post - such talent!!
Two beautiful cards using fruit. Your coloring is so awesome on both. I am so sorry for the loss of Anne. Losing a friend is so very hard. When losing a friend in blogland it affects everyone who knew her and brings sadness to all.
Your cards are beautiful. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.
Your fruity cards are what's on the menu for me in this heat wave. I just crave icy cold fruit for some reason. The embossing and colors are just beautiful. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend but it's wonderful that you two got to meet in person considering you live on opposite sides of the planet. Friendships like that are never forgotten and I wish you nothing but the best memories of her in the coming days. How were those muffins by the way?
Two very very pretty cards Darnell, but I am partial to the second one with colors from our JUGS moodboard. Gorgeous coloring and layout. So sorry to hear about your friend and how nice of you to write all of those kind words about her. I know that sour cream in baked goods makes them oh so moist...I can taste those muffins now! Thanks for playing along this week at Just Us Girls.
Two super cards and a lovely tribute to your cyber friend. How lovely that you got to meet her and is it really 9 years since Swindon?!! Every time you look at Stanley she'll be in your thoughts. :)
I'm so sorry that I'm not familiar with this set from Pinkfresh as it is so very lovely as are your cards, D!
I am ten times sorrier that I didn't know your friend Anne - I've had a little visit to her blog and can see her heart in every one of her amazing projects!
Big hugs, my friend... you'll no doubt be comforted by Stanley...
M
Two gorgeous cards. that fruit looks amazing. I really love the colours on the second one and that embossing folder works brilliantly. so sad about the loss of your friend. I hope you enjoyed your comfort food and tipple xx
What a beautiful post and tribute to your friend.
By the way your cards are terrific!
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend, Annie. It's a lovely tribute. How wonderful that you have Stanley as a reminder of Annie every day.
Two wonderful cards using your new fruits! :) They are bright and colourful and look delicious! Love, Lolly
Such beautiful cards, Darnell - so lovely! Sorry about your friend Annie. Very sad.
I like your fruit twofer. Great coloring and great design. It is always a pleasure admiring your work.
Muffin looks yumi. :-)
It is very hard to lose a friend. Losing a friend in blogland affects everyone in our small community. You wrote a lovely tribute to Annie.
Big hug, Sonja
What a lovely tribute to your friend, Darnell. I know you'll be keeping her in your heart. It's always such a blessing to meet our blogging friends in person. Both cards are lovely. Your choice of inks for the second card are inspired--so beautiful! (Thanks for your visit and the reminder that I "forgot" NBUS on my last post!)
Darnell your fruit cards are super fantastic!! Thank you for joining us at STB using the topping! And thank you for sharing the wonderful story of Annie! She impacted your life and you were so fortunate to be able to visit her and share food, stories and your life with her. What a gift for you to carry in your heart, I am very sorry for your loss! Hope all is well!!We ar3e getting lots of thunder and lightning, every day here in Florida, still hot and muggy. I actually had lots of pool time today, the clouds didn't roll in until later in the day! Saturday we fly to Nashville and spend a few days sightseeing, then watch Tristan on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and maybe even Saturday! then fly home Saturday night! We are having a good time with Lacey and the family!! Love you!!
Beautiful tribute to your friend Annie, and so sorry to hear of her passing, very sad. Your cards are lovely and perfect for our fruit challenge at STB. Your blueberry muffin looks divine! I'll have to google a recipe with sour cream, Cathy x
Beautiful cards, Darnell. I'm so sorry for the loss of your lovely, crafty friend. I did not know of her, but paid a brief visit to her blog and was amazed at her artistry.
Your cards are wonderful!
Hope your muffins turned out fabulous!
And the tipple!
Sorry to hear about your friend.
Two very similar cards and yet so different from each other. I like the embossing!
Lia DT CYHTP
Delicious fruity cards and your p.s. looks scrumptious. Beautiful tribute to your friend Annie, what a special lady. And yes life is too too short. Take care xxx
Two wonderful cards Darnell - love your colouring on the second card - that is amazing
Hope the muffins turned out ok - they sound delish!
So sorry to hear of your friends passing - it's always a loss, no matter how much time you may or maynot have spent in their physical presence.
Blessings
Maxine
I am so sorry about the loss of your friend, Darnell, but I'm glad you shared so many good memories that will live in your heart forever.
Your PFS fruit are luscious and I love them in both the bright and lighter colors.
I didn't pay attention to the fact that you sent the pink fruits to the Just Us Girls challenge, Darnell. I'm so glad you did.
Darnell, First and foremost, so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. She sounds like a kind and talented soul just like you! I am so happy you got to meet her in real life. As for your fruity cards, I absolutely love the multi-colored pears. Both cards are just wonderful! Thanks for playing along at Seize the Birthday. HUGS!
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend - but how wonderful to have those needle-felted gifts to remember her by. On a happier note your muffin looks delicious and your cards are fabulous - one of the best things about summer is all the local fruit so your cards are perfect for this time of year.
Both of your cards, are lovely, Darnell. I like the interest the embossing adds to them. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, your words are so kind and beautiful. I'm sure she's smiling down at you. Big hugs and a big thumbs up to that yummy looking muffin!
Special hugs Darnell...so sorry to read of your friend Annies passing....and I'm so please for you that you have a very cute little Stanley as a special memory.
Your two fruity cards are just simply lovely, Life Is Too Short... live and enjoy everyday, hugs Robyn
I am loving both of these fruity creations! The coloring/shading is so lovely and fabulous designs on both. Thanks for playing along with us at JUGS!
Hello Darnell, I just love your cards, gorgeous colours and design.
Sorry to hear of Annie passing, I didn't know her, but of her and her many talents. You'll have lovely memories of your time with her, Kate x
Two beautiful "fruity" cards Darnell. Love the colors of each one and the embossed backgrounds. Hope you enjoyed your sour cream blueberry muffins, they sound delicious.
Sorry to hear about your friend Annie. This is a wonderful tribute to her.
Have a blessed day my friend.
You have created 2 stunning cards Darnell and as always they have a great finish the embossed folder is gorgeous love the scalloped edged and the fruit image on your first card is lovely your 2nd card also with the scalloped edges is gorgeous too the fruit looks so realistic love them both, hope you manage to make yummy cakes, Darnell l feel your pain and reading about your visit sounds like you had a wonderful time with Annie and her family in Wales this is a lovely tribute to a beautiful friend sending lots of hugs x
Two beautiful cards, Darnell. A lovely tribute to your friend.
Those fruits on your two beautiful cards look good enough to eat as does that yummy muffin Darnell, and the background swirly embossing is so pretty. I do have a rather belated card for this week's I.D.EA.S. What a really lovely piece you have written about Annie, who sadly I didn't really know, but have seen how talented in every department she was and it is very sad to hear this news. I do remember that she was one of the people you visited but I had forgotten that it was she that sent the sweet Stanley as a companion to that little scamp Hammy, and he will always be a lovely reminder of her. x
Oh, my. I'm scrolling through viewing and reading but not able to do a lot of commenting due to being so far behind, but I had to stop and say how sorry I am that you've lost a friend. She sounds like such a lovely person. First off I was struck by how much I love those fruits and how you've used them. When I see things like this I get the urge to shop, but not gonna do it. Take care, Darnell.
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