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!

February 23, 2013

RIC#30; LCS Day 4 ~ New To Me

And we're back around to Saturday ~ Whoosh!

We're going to have to completely forget the Friday whoosh this week.  It whooshed by so fast, I missed it, although I did make today's card at the end of the yesterday.  Usually we say we did something at the end of the day yesterday, but I'm thinking maybe we can just cut out the redundant day before yesterday. 
 
So a lot of you know that I don't do well stopping one thing and doing another, preferring to finish the task at hand.  But I missed making cards and talking to you, so I took another break from organizing.  The problem is, up in my head half of me isn't really paying attention, so I had more "nojo" than mojo.  That means I sat there and stared at my monitor.  And ate Thin Mints.
 
Just to make things more difficult, once I got going, I decided to play in two brand new (to me) challenges!
 
The first is a sketch challenge from Lucy Abrams at Lucy's Cards.  A few of my friends are joining in and I wanted to support Lucy and join in, too.  I hope you click over and play along.  I am doing Sketch Day 4:
 
Microsoft Word - Document3
I put my imagivation to work trying to figure out if I could use Lucy's sketch and play in the current challenge #30 at Runway Inspired Challenge.  (This time the Design Team is fortunate to have Jennifer McGuire joining in as guest designer!)  I'll be honest, usually these Runway Inspired Challenges are too difficult for me, especially when I see some of the unbelievably creative work submitted by the Design Team and the participants.  But, hey, what do I always say?  That's right, "LITS!"  Life is too short, so I took the plunge and tried it "on."
 
Here is the current challenge photo:
Isn't it fun that the RIC gave us twin models to inspire us?!
 
And here is my make and take, using the outfit on the left:
 
 
Looking at the photo, I saw deep blues and pretty flowers with a lovely vellum overlay.  Since the cape in the inspiration photo seems to have a hue to it, I did a slip n' slide with my PTI Enchanted Evening ink cube over a piece of clear vellum to color it and mimic that element.  I didn't add a sentiment because I thought it would be too busy.
 
I hope you'll also join in the fun at the Runway Inspired Challenge!
 
~~~
 
I wanted to share a couple of things:
  • There are two talented card makers who have recently written excellent posts about the basics of blogging and branding and challenges and being on design teams.  For those of you who are interested, especially in the business and branding aspects of blogging, here are their website links:  Emily Branch of Emily Branch Designs and Jackie Rockwell of Jackie Rockwell.  Thank you, ladies!
  •  
  • With regard to commingling words, my friend Samantha Elliott of Hettiecraft provided me with a new one that I think a lot of us can relate to:  "procraftination."  Excellent, Sam!
 
~~~
 
We are off later today to watch the twins play in their basketball game and have dinner out.  Enjoy all the inspiratonal linkies, my friends, and enjoy your day!   No, seriously, enjoy your day.   LITS! 

Thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse. Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!
 
Paper:  PTI vintage cream; DCWV
  patterned paper; Grafix vellum;
  PTI enchanted evening
Ink:  PTI enchanted evening
Die:  PTI Frilly Flowers
Flower centers:  SU!
Sew Easy Stitch Piercer by
  We R Memory Keepers
 
 

45 comments:

Michelle said...

Well, I think you responded to both challenges beautifully, Darnell! (despite the multiple thin mint eating pauses). I have Lucy's sketches and the RIC photo put aside with my fingers crossed that I find some crafting time this week-end. :-)

Anonymous said...

More chocolate ! I see a pattern forming Darnell ! Another fabulous card I don't know how you did it but the result is outstanding I wouldn't mind a frock like that myself. Good luck to the twinks and enjoy dinner. Sounds like an action packed weekend. Oh and thanks for sharing all of the links you are a mine of information.

Marie

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, your card is outstanding - top marks from me! Love that word procraftination too - so clever. Hope you have a wonderful day, that the twink's team wins and that dinner is lovely. Thank you for those links too, off to have a look. Hugs, Annie x

Ardyth said...

Wow! You've combined these challenges perfectly. Not bad for nojo! In fact, I would say it's excellent!

Deborah Frings said...

Love the way you've taken the sheer fabric from the photo and used the vellum on your card - just beautiful!

Sue said...

WOW!! Your card is wonderful Darnell. I love the colours and gorgeous flowers.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend
Sue xx

Kim S said...

I haven't done a Runway challenge for the same reasons that you list - I look at the design team and I see and am amazed by how they were inspired, but I don't feel any inspiration at all!! But YOU...you have done it...I am so impressed with what you have come up with! Your vellum overlay is perfect!! Gives it that wonderful misty look but the big bold flowers keep bright and wonderful!! I bow to your talent!

ria gall said...

what a fantastic take on the challenge really great colour and layers. Thank you also for the heads up on the two blogs
Ria

Craftychris said...

ooh your card is gorgeous! The colours are fabulous. I hope you have a lovely day xx

JD/ Jill said...

Very pretty card! Great colors!

Hannelie said...

Darnell, this is a FAB-U-LOUS card. I can't add more! Love it!
I tried one challenge at the runway challenge ... and that was it! Should have a go once again!

Unknown said...

You did a lovely job with the challenges! Your flowers are beautiful and your colors are fabulous!

Tracey McNeely said...

Really really fun card today Darnell and I think you combined perfectly. Your vellum overlay is the bomb! Thank you for all that you said to me yesterday my sweet friend.

Suzanne said...

Darnell, have fun today too! I love your card. The color combo is perfect and the funky top layer has left me swooning! How'd you come up with that idea?!

Bobby said...

Is procraftination one of those words that has a double meaning? I mean are you procrastinating other things to craft, or procrastinating crafts because you haven't found the inspiration? ;)

Kristie Goulet said...

WOW Darnell, you did an amazing job combining the two challenges. Especially the Runway Inspired Challenge! Your clear vellum overlay is the BOMB!!!! I have yet to tackle that challenge for exactly the reasons you mentioned in your post. Maybe someday. :) Have a fantastic weekend.

Unknown said...

What a superb take on both the challenges Dippy - love the vellum and your slip 'n slide with the ink. Definitely adopting procraftination - especially when I hit a brick wall.........no not physically!!! lol Hope the twinks have a great basketball game and you all enjoy dinner.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Anonymous said...

Darnell,

What an ingenious way to mimic the inspiration of the clear coat in the photo...you are amazing, girl;)

Geri said...

Brave girl! I took one look and went running for the hills!

Love the velum panel - creates a Haute Couture feel to your card and totally mimics the shimmery sheer cape that the left twink is sporting!

You conquered, you won - Brave Heart be thy name!

Nan G said...

Thin mints, huh? Care to share? :) The models outfits are cool on a couple of thin twinks! As I was reading this I'm thinking what heck kind of ice cube is she using?! Duh! So anyway, I loves your ice cubed colored card!

Happy Dance said...

I'm guessing that you've been getting inspiration from the thin mints. At least that's how it would work for me!! I dug out some houndstooth, colored it, and then like Geri, I ran for the hills. Your card is magical. It looks like a fairy garden. And teensy piercings too--you've got it goin' on girl. Bright and happy. Big hugs. Bev

Rosemary said...

really fun take on both challenges darnell! you really captured the essence of the one outfit!

Carol L said...

What a great take on the sketch with your pretty card! I love those tiny flower centers! Hmmmm, you're getting pretty good at this cuz I don't see any chocolate finger print smears! How'd you do that?! :)

My Paper Epiphany said...

This is so perfect for the RIc challenge!

Esther said...

Beautiful take on the two challenges!!!
Love the new word "procraftination", will have to remember that!!!

alexandra s.m. said...

Your card is spectacular Darnell!
and spot on too ;-)
Have an excellent Sunday!

Kim Heggins said...

Beautiful card Darnell! I love Lucy's challenges and her sketches are so clean looking and make for amazing cards. Your choice of blue is so stunning and a winner in my book.

Joyce said...

This is just gorgeous. I love what you did with that vellum. I never woulda thunk that one up!

maria f. said...

Me likes! Me likes "procraftination" too. I'm soooo good at it.

Marybeth said...

Great way to combine both challenges Darnell! That paper is beautiful! I will check out the blog info. Don't this it will help me with all my grammar and punctuation problems though!

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Darnell and thanks for your visit and kind comments. I really enjoyed reading your post and have had a good old mooch around your gorgeous Playhouse! I love your interpretation of the two challenges - the left hand outfit reminds me of a dress I had back in the '70s! Have a good week. MM x

Unknown said...

So pretty and perfect take on the challenge. The RIC is too hard for me. Maybe it's because I have the fashion sense of a German Shepherd? I read both of the blog posts you mentioned and found both to be so helpful. While I don't really think of brand as part of creating, I can see why some would. It's just not where I want cardmaking "to go" for me. I'm off to procraftinate! ;)

Sandy said...

Looks like a great card you have created there, like the top part over it looks like a pretty veil over the lovely daisy flowers so they just peeking out.. Great interpretation of both challenges.
Sandy :)

Sian Ridley said...

Ha ha! I love your way with words - 'nojo' describes that feeling perfectly! I have been suffering from it this last week, and a lack of time. You seem to have successfully surmounted your 'nojo' though, this card is so bright and cheerful! And I know exactly what you're saying about Runway Inspired Challenge - I always feel a bit intimidated by it too! Maybe now you've taken the plunge I should have a go too! ;)

Kelly Griglione said...

You totally rocked this one, Darnell! That swish of blue is so interesting, and really ties in with the inspiration. Way to take the plunge! And on this photo too .. I think it's the most difficult one so far.

Virginia L. said...

Hello Darnell! I hope you are feeling pretty awesome about joining the challenge because you totally ROCK this (Kelly G. is right!)! NEVER NEVER NEVER underestimate what you can do with your inks and stamps! I love that sheen/vellum and colors! Beautiful card indeed! So glad that you join the fun with us over Runway Inspired Challenge! Hope to see MORE (wink)!

Vicky Hayes said...

Oh wow! Vicky x

Bonnie said...

This is so bright and pretty! I love the overlay effect! Great touch!

Barb King said...

Pretty card for the Runway Isp. challenge, Darnell, I love it! Trying to get a little mojo going here in MA, but it has been dark and gloomy for days. Ugh! I'll look into that new challenge and try to play along. Barb xxx

Tasnim said...

Great idea to use the vellum representing the cape! It looks pretty cool!

Mrs A. said...

I think you have caught both square on. Loving the big daisies. Hugs Mrs a.

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Lovely card,
have a nice weekend Tamara

Nina Yang said...

The fun and bright colors just make me happy! Great take on the challenges, Darnell!

Pamela said...

Oh yes that vellum overlay is just PERFECT!

Lucy Abrams said...

What a clever card - and such bold and bright colours. Very pretty.
Thanks for entering my challenge.