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!

March 18, 2013

RS#55, CASADIA (CASE+IDEA) CHAIN; MOXIE FAB CHEVRON CHALLENGE

I'm home!
 
I couldn't wait to get back in the Playhouse!  While I was away, I received an email from Wida Miller of Beachorado that my name was "up" in the game she started a few months ago, called CASADIA.  Sort of like the old-fashioned game of "telephone," the idea is for each participant to CASE (copy and share everything) the card of the person who was just before them in the chain.
 
Wida:  This story all started when I saw a card Jennifer Rzasa CASED which was made by Laura Bassen. I decided to CASE Jennifer's card. I had a fun idea to start a card chain by CASEing cards, hence the name Case+idea=CASADIA. This page is dedicated to seeing how far the chain can go.  If you would like to participate, please click on Wida's Beachorado link and it will give you all the details. 
 
I believe I am the 40th participant in the chain!  My assignment was to CASE the card that was last posted, which was created by Adrienne Crist of Paper Diva Scraps.  This challenge has given me the opportunity to meet new card artists and isn't that always a treat?! 
 
Here is Adrienne's wonderful card:
 
 
I have to tell you that I feel really lucky to be following Adrienne because I recently purchased the chevron dies from "My Favorite Things" and I was excited to use them.  Squee!  
 
As it happens, the sketch this week at Retrosketches worked perfectly for my CASADIA card.  The sketch is based on this fabulous card by Laurie!
 
And here is my card:
 
If I'd had the time, I would have made all my lined patterned paper line up, but crookidy is what we'll have to be content with today.  Instead of using a button, I used a round SU! stamp of thanks.

Thanks to Adrienne's post, I am also linking up my card over at Moxie Fab World: Chevron Challenge!  Double squee!!
 
End of card talk.  I'm sorry I've missed all your news and wonderful creations this week.  Let me know if there is something you really want me to know or see and I'll make sure I check it out!
 
~~~
 
I did miss you!  I'm exhaustipated, but very fulfilled from helping my sister stage her home for sale.  We started with new carpet throughout.  We took four rooms which had some furniture and we rearranged and repurposed and replaced.  We did little things like update the lamps and add new throw pillows.  Then we took three rooms which were completely bare and minimally filled them with new and gently used and Aunt Ique's furniture. 
 
If was fun shopping my sister's stash and being innovative.  We pretended we were being filmed for an HGTV episode.  We used an air mattress up on milk crates for a guest room bed and covered it with a beautiful white chenille spread so no one would know what lie beneath.  We applied lots of greenery.  In another room we set up a baby's bed, added a rocker, and some adorable pictures we bought at a thrift store.
 
It was hard at times for my sister not to add more wall art, more furniture, more kitch, but she was very receptive to many card design approaches.  We used the rule of three.  She learned about "less is more,"  which will allow prospective buyers to envision their stuff in her home.  She embraced the Darnell Rule of "life's too short; you have too much crap."
 
At the end of each evening we went over our lists, crossing off the "dones," and making new "to-do" lists.  This was a long process which rejuiced our energy because of the feeling of accomplishment it gave us.  I said one evening, "Some people are risk-takers ~ we are list-makers."  She found it quite profound, as anyone would at 2:45 a.m.
 
So that was it.  I hope her house sells quickly for her.  It is quite impressive that we made over three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms, and a bonus room in three and a half days, especially considering my sister worked two of those days!  When our recently widowed sister and niece arrived on Friday, they were given the grand tour and gave us their resounding seal of approval.  For the next day we simply enjoyed each other's company until it was time for me to leave.
 
And now it's time for me to leave Bloggerville and tend to home duties.  Mister, bless his heart, kept the house clean and the cupboards full, so I only have to excavate Mail Mine and climb Mount Laundry.
 
~~~
 
Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy!  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!

*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  PTI white, SU! Designer Series
Stamp:  SU!
Ink:  SU! markers
Die:  Chevron from MFT
Twine:  Doodle Twine

41 comments:

Ardyth said...

So glad you're back! I missed you but it sounds like your time was very well spent! This sunny almost-rainbow card is a fantastic link in the CASADIA chain! Heading over to Wida's right now. (and I'm sure you meant Aunt Ink, right? Aunt Ique was just a typo, right?)

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous cards, love the zig zag
Hugs Tamara

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, oh how I have missed my daily fix of fun from you! Welcome home girl. You achieved so much at your Sister's house - now can you come and do the same for me please? Fingers crossed that your Sister sells quickly - love the sound of the air mattress on the orange crates....

Your card is a triumph, love the colours and the amazing chevrons, that is a wow card! Big hugs, Annie xx

JD/ Jill said...

Welcome back, You were missed. Your card is nicely done, and a great case...way to go...Thanks for sharing that great website where the idea came from.

Harriet Skelly said...

Welcome back Darnell! I missed you. What a fun idea the CASADEA is - I just sent off an email to Wida to see if I can join in.
I love your chevron card!

Carole said...

You are a Diva darling...staging and creating amazing. Well done. Lucky sisters..blessing abound. I'm sure it will sell quickly. Well done. BTW Fabulous card.

Lesley said...

Hey Darnell, love this and think that is such a cool concept to keep the case going. Your card is amazing, love that chevron. Great to see you back.

Bonnie said...

I'm glad you're home safely! Missed you! Love the chevrons and what a wonderful idea to keep the CASE going!

Bobby said...

Welcome back. I'm back, too. Your chevrons are great. I'm sure you did a great job on staging. So many talents you have.

Carol L said...

WOWSAH! I love those colorful chevrons!! I like those snipped corners too which add great interest! Welcome home..........wanna come to PA and re-vamp my home? The door's open :)

Kristie Goulet said...

Welcome back! Missed coming to your blog and seeing your wonderful creations. I absolutely LOVE your chevron card! Perfect even with the crookidy pattern. ;)

Happy to hear things went well with your sister and will pray that her home sells quickly for her.

Geri said...

Yay! You're back! Sounds like you guys could have done a television show accomplishing that much in 3 days. Any before and after pics to share?

Awesome card! The fun colors seems to reflect the happiness that you carried home with you from your time spent with your sisters!

Joyce said...

Welcome home. Sounds like you accomplished a lot. Love your card for CASADIA--it is so fun to see how the chain is evolving, and I love the spin you put on your link.

Wida said...

OMG LOVE...you made such good use of that chevron die, love it when you get to use new stuff right away. THis card is right up my alley, I love the way you used the sketch. Laurie is fab and I too am glad you are back! thank you so much for wanting to play CASADIA. great explanation too :)

mjbest said...

Love the card. I didn't notice anything crookedy until you mentioned it. The card still looks fab.

Unknown said...

Love these pattern paper chevrons! Great card!

Tenia Nelson said...

Awesome creations, dearie!!!

Unknown said...

What a brilliant idea Dippy - beats a blog hop hands down! Love your CAS(e) of Adrienne's card - serendipity that it also fitted the sketch challenge. Love those chevrons but tut tut for not lining up the lines....,.hehe. Sounds like you had a really busy time at your sisters - you should have taken some photos....sounds like you did an amazing job. Bet Mister was pleased to see you back.

Hugs.

Karen xxx

Michelle said...

Welcome back, Darnell! It sounds like it was a very productive trip!

I love your card, wonky lines and all. In fact, I think if you lined up those lines, it wouldn't be quite as nice. ;-) Great CASE!!

Suze Bain said...

Great to have you back Darnell and even greater to hear you had a great time with your sisses (that's a lot of greats!) Great card too!! Xx

Jessi Fogan said...

Welcome home, Darnell!! I love your take on the CASADIA - those colours with the stripes are just awesome :)

maria f. said...

First off, sounds like you were a super productive helper. Wishing your sister luck with the sale... As for Casadia - ain't it fun? Love your chevrons and the twine. Oh and the multi-colored sentiment. Looks like you've got nice weather to welcome you home. Lucky.

Jenny said...

ooo this is chevron heaven!!! Love that the pattern doesn't line up :0)
Sounds like a very productive trip and a great get-together with your sisters... Shame you have to come back to mount laundry, I scaled that one at the weekend :0)
Jenny x

Emily Keaton said...

So glad to see you back safely, Darnell! Sounds like your time with your sister was productive and fun. I hope her house sells quickly!!!

LOVED your chevron card! It may have given me an idea . . .

Virginia L. said...

Sounds like you had an awesome and productive time with your sis! Welcome back! I love your Chevron card--so colorful and cheery! Beautifully done, Darnell!

Happy Dance said...

You're baaackkkk! So glad to *hear* your voice and *see* your face again! And, lest I forget, your creations!!! Love your rickityrackty card! Bright and happy, just what we need in snow and cold land. Bev

Jenni's Jems said...

What a bright and cheery card ,love the chevron stripes(in fact reminds me of a sweater I once owned ..I loved that sweater) & glad u enjoyed the time with ur sisters x

Marybeth said...

Get out of here this card is amazing! Wow I so love what you did with this one. I would not want to follow you.
Today is the feast day of Saint Joseph. I have heard many people say if you pray to him your house will sell also if you plant…. if you want to know give me an email I will say a prayer to him for you.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, Darnell, I've missed you ... lovely to have you back! What an amazing amount you squeezed into your time away ... hope the house sells without a hitch.

The zigzag CASE is stunning ... I love that the stripes don't match up ... it adds more movement! Anita :)

Sian Ridley said...

What a fabulous idea CASADIA is - I may have to partake! :)

This card is fantastically happy and sunny - I love a good rainbow! :)

In answer to your comment - Mr. Nojo is unfortunately still with me whereas Mr. Mojo is nowhere to be seen - doh! Hence my lack of posting the last week or so :( I thought if maybe I left it a while that a new wave of inspiration may fall upon me - I'm not feeling it just yet! I'm working on it though :)

I'm glad to hear that you had a lovely time at your sisters', I hope all goes well for her :) glad to have you back in bloggerland now too! :)

Aileen said...

Loved reading your post and glad you were able to help you sister by CAS'ing her house. It's bound to sell quickly now!

Lovely take on your muse card and it looks so cheerful. x

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, welcome home!!! I missed seeing your posts but sounds like you were quite the busy bee and I am sure your sister was so grateful to have you there. I too love your CASADIA, so fun and your take on her card is simply stunning! Again, welcome home!

Sue said...

Welcome home Darnell!
Your card is stunning. I love that chevron die and the colours look amazing.
It sounds like you had a really busy time helping your sister but so worthwhile and I am sure her house sell soon
Sue xx

froebelsternchen said...

Oh wow.. what a fab blog!
xxx Susi
FROEBELSTERNCHEN FROM AUSTRIA
please notice our monthly challenge for
Art Journalers over on
ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY

and do you know what a MOO is?
No?
look here and take part:
MOO-MANIA-CHALLENGE

Tracey McNeely said...

I can't believe I missed this post Darnell! Your card is just gorgeous and I think lined up perfectly.

Mrs A. said...

Fab card and all those colours go wow together. Hugs Mrs A.

Rosemary said...

Really cool card, darnell! I quite like how things arent perfectly lined up!

Kelly Griglione said...

Yay, so glad to have you back home! And how fun that you're in the CASADIA chain! Wow are those a lot of chevrons ... love the combination of colors you chose. Very cool card : )

And what a great sister you are! Quite a lot of work, but in this market you need it. Glad you still had some time to relax together!

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

Love the card. I just had to come see how the chevron die worked.... couldn't wrap my pea brain around it.

My little condo is still for sale (going on three months now). And I really could clear out more of the clutter. Being a crafter that's just hard to do! Although with the weather getting warmer I can now move more things to my storage unit in town and organize what I put in there.

I like the idea of a list -- yep, need to make a few!

Hugs,
Kay

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Darnell! Thanks also for linking this up to the Chevron Challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun there as well! :)

Jackie Rockwell said...

Wecome back Darnell! Your card is terrific!!! The crisp white panel looks fantastic against your vibrant chevrons.