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!

April 28, 2013

Challenges Be Fitting a Musical Card

Hey, how's it going?  Where have you been?

Ha, did you see how I did that just then?  How I turned that around and asked you?

I had no plans to make the card I'm showing you today.  In fact, I have the beginnings of three cards on my desk, which might be par for you, but is unusual for me ... you know, the whole shallow thing.  I usually can't do more than one card at a time or I end up with unicorns popping out of wishing wells.
 
So, the last thing I expected to do was get going on a fourth card.  Then what happened was I saw Arielle's sketch this week over at retro sketches #61, shown here.


This sketch is from a card Arielle made a little over a year ago, which you can see here,  It  is one of the most stunning cards I've ever seen in my life.  I loved her card and, hence, the sketch, so I made this:
 
 
I used metallic gold paper to cut my die from Memory Box "Virtuoso Music" and then attached it to a matching piece of glazed ivory card using Glossy Accents.  I'm also entering my card in a few happenin' events around town:
 
1.  The uber talented and generous Lesley over at Always Playing With Paper is holding a birthday hop for another well-loved lady, Vicki Burdick of It's a Stamp Thing, so I'm linking there.
 
2.  The gold metallic paper I used to cut my musical notes was just a snippet, so I am happily hopping over to play at Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground (Week 70!).  Thaz a lotta weeks and I send an exuberant thank you to our hostess there, Di, for continuing the tradition started by Jules.  You take good care of us and the playground, Miss Di!
 
3.  Since Michele's special birthday hop is still going on over at CAS-ual Fridays, I'm going to link up there again.
 
4.  Finally, the challenge is "Anything Goes" over at Simon Says Stamp. 
 
It's always a popular challenge and why not, with the fab prize of a $50 gift voucher!  The number of entries is up over 800, so it's sort of like buying a lottery ticket!
 
~~~
 
That's a lot of links and a lot of fun.  You have no excuse not to play and be inspired!!
 
~~~
 
And as if that wasn't enough, more inspiration is available to you via our latest friends!  Please visit and make welcome:

 Sharyn Polesel of My Crafty Place

Regina Hamilton of My World My Solitude

Tracy of I Wanna Build a Memory

Sue of Sue's Card Craft

Thank you for joining us, ladies!  It is an honor to have you here sharing and playing with us!
 
 ~~~

Couple little things.
  • The Lettermen concert was a disappointment.  That's all I'm going to say because musical concerts and performances and performers are so dependent on individual tastes.  Not unlike cards.  If you're interested, you should definitely go and see them for yourself!  Mister and I had fun anyway.
  • And we really had a good cackle while preparing dinner last night.  Let me just say that if you have any doubt about how fast time flies, please take a few minutes and go through your cup boards!
                                        Why it just seemed like yesterday . . .
 
 
and yet . . .
 
 
It wasn't even opened!  And we have a very small pantry so it's not like it got lost in there! I'm thinking it might still be okay as vinegar, but maybe no longer winey?  What kills me is that I swear I am good at checking expiration dates once a year.  NOT!  Oh, my, the things kids must find when their parents, well, exit.
 
~~~
 
Enjoy your day, in the pantry or out!  (I say "out," let the kids find it!  The way time is flying, you have better things to do!)  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:  unknown glossy ivory and metallic gold
Sentiment:  Mrs. Grossman
Die:  MB "Virtuoso Music"
Ribbon:  Offray CA07795
Pop Dots

58 comments:

Lesley said...

Wow Darnell, I LOVE the simplicity of your card, this looks like a winner to me! Thank you so much for celebrating Vicki with me!
Hugs,
Lesley

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Clean and simple,
white and gold,
beautiful,
hugs Tamara

Unknown said...

A stunning and very classy looking card.

Pity about the concert but at least you had some time out together.

Time certainly does fly with products in the pantry - I quite often by items for a specific recipe to end up only using it once before it goes out of date - I guess the recipes weren't that good if that's what happened.

Colleen said...

I think I can take a word from your dictionary and say: FANTABULOUS!!

Jacquie Southas said...

Elegant, classic, timeless, stunning - gorgeous Darnell!! I saw the card at retrosketch, but I think this is going to be a winner in a few challenges!!

I will admit to finding an occassional expired item in the pantry, but vinegar?! I'm more surprised it has a "use by date" & thought it was one of those lasts forever items.

Tenia Nelson said...

This card is gorgeous!!!! On the expired items...been there.....lol!!!

ria gall said...

Hi Darnell
This card is so elegant, the clean lines and the simplicity make it really pretty, love it.
I think we would all get a shock if we looked through our cupboards.
Ria

joy said...

Exquisite is the only word I have for your card!! Just so pretty - LOVE it!!

Redanne said...

I agree with Joy (above), your card can only be described as exquisite! As for the vinegar, does it make you feel better to know that we have a small pantry but I found something from 2005 not long ago.......! I blame bad eyesight and old age for mine...... Hugs, Annie xx

Carole said...

Yes I agree it is exquisite. Simply divine. Now who is enabling?

Kim Heggins said...

Stunning card Darnell, I love all of your shiny gold and those music notes are simply amazing. I love your cupboard story too, time really does fly!

Greta said...

Oh for crying out loud! This is one of my all-time favorites! Glad you enjoyed the concert.

Geri said...

I am getting far too old to have my heart race like it did when I saw your card! OMG - stunning, elegant, beautifully crafted, amazing...

The sentiment and the bow...cut & paste the above paragraph and stick here!

Gorgeous! Yep - winner, winner for sure!

Geri said...

As far as the vinegar goes....clean cupboards out....or play....I think you chose wisely!

jimlynn said...

Darnell, this is smashing!!!!! So very elegant and classy looking. LOVE IT!
Lynn

Unknown said...

What a pretty card Dippy. Love the bow semi-hiding behind those gorgeous music notes - so clean, simple and stunning; and what a lot of challenges you've found to enter! Had to giggle about the vinegar....that happens to me a lot!

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sue said...

WOW! such a stylish card Darnell. I love the gold music note and perfectly tied bow.
Sue xx

Carole Z said...

Super card Darnell, very stylish indeed! Carole Z xx

Lisa Elton said...

Love your fancy gold musical notes Darnell!! Maybe the Lettermen could have used them ~ haha!! Too bad the concert was a disappointment. But looks like your vinegar find made up for it ;)

Bonnie said...

Ariele's card is beautiful, but yours is super elegant! Perfect! I'm glad I'm not the only one with old expiration dates!

Mrs A. said...

What total class this card is. Daren't check my cupboards. Know for a fact half of it would be past it's sell by date! Hugs mrs a.

Carol L said...

THUD!!! This card just made my jaw drop to the floor!!! OMG Darnell, this has to be one of the prettiest cards you've ever made! I absolutely LOVE it!!

Unknown said...

and you made your own stunning creation! i love the snippet of gold...and that gorgeous bow!

Bobby said...

Stunning card! I'm sorry about the concert. I had the same experience when we went to see the Righteous Brothers. Fortunatley the Smothers Brothers were on the same bill and they more than made up for it.

Lyndal said...

A FABULOUSLY fine-tuned card Darnell!
Looking forward to the unicorns out of the well - they are much less endangered on dry ground!

Angie Tieman said...

LOVE your card! The music notes in gold and ribbon are just so beautiful! Great job with the sketch!

Sanketi said...

Love the gold music notes!
Thanks so much for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays this week!

Karen B. said...

What a beautifully elegant card!

stampwithsandy said...

Darnell this is so lovely! The ivory and gold are so elegant together and I love the embossing. And that bow! I think Vicki will love it.

Tracy said...

This is so stylish in the gold and white. Really makes a statement. Hugs!

Kelly Griglione said...

So immediately I was going to ask you how you got your gold embossing so smooth ... and then you answered my question - gold paper! What a BEAUTIFUL way you used this die, Darnell! So classy and elegant. Thanks so much for joining the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!

Joyce said...

Your card is so elegant and stunning. Really a beauty.

Di said...

Oh my word Darnell - this fabulous card just blew my socks off - it's absolutely stunning! Just THE best!!

Watch that wine vinegar though - it might just blow your socks off too :)

Hugs, Di xx

Annie said...

Hi Darnell,
Sorry I'm rather late in popping over to check out what you've been up to....I've only just noticed you'd left a message :-)
Love your card....simply beautiful.
Sam is now much improved thank you.
Hugs,
A x

Cathy said...

Stunning!! This is awesome Darnell, love that music diecut too Cathy x

Brandi said...

Gorgeous card! Love the gold embossing!

Marie said...

Absolutely stunning! So glad you decided to do a fourth card. This card is over the top awesome.

Just finished scrolling through a few pages of your blog. Love your style. I'll be visiting often.

Anonymous said...

What a classy card Darnell-cream and gold go so well together-very posh :)

Hugs,Nessa xxx

shirley-bee said...

Oh, this is so sophisticated, Darnell! I love the elegantly long tail on the bow.

I'm not going to incriminate myself by discussing use-by dates in kitchen cupboards...

JD/ Jill said...

Your card is both classy and lovely at the same time...Very nicely done! Hope you realize that I was just kidding about all the "links" in your posts! I love to visit other people's blogs, etc...it's just that I forget to come back and visit you and leave a comment...OLD Age on my part...

MaryH said...

I wondered how this diecut would look on a card(one I've passed by as I was shopping). You did it up proud! It is Gor-jous in this bright gold snippet. Loved it with the gold trimmed ribbon. Elegant card. Enjoyed the read, & I'm with you on letting the kid 'find the stuff' later! We have the same problem around here... TFS a beautiful card and a good laugh to start Monday morning. Hugs

Allisa said...

Such a stunning card, love the die cut out of the gold paper!

alexandra s.m. said...

Such an elegant card Darnell! and your more personal points in your posts make them so special! Thank You~

Rachel said...

this is so beautiful! the embossing is perfect! thanks for stopping by my blog :)
-Rachel w k
rwkrafts.blogspot.com

Loll said...

Amazing card Dolly. Love the musical notes done in gold ... and your layout and design is PERFECT!! Beautiful bow to finish.

I'm thinking the vinegar is "well-aged" --- just like you and I :)

Lolly xx

Sian Ridley said...

Oooh! Oooh! This bad boy is hot! I love the simplicity and the style that just oozes from this beautiful creation ;)

Anonymous said...

Elegant, stunning, striking, a true gold and white delight, Darnell ... so perfect!

Just for now, I have no blush inducing worries about use-by dates in kitchen cupboards ... I don't have any kitchen cupboards! There's always something to be thankful for!! Anita :)

Aileen said...

So classy. Love the touches of gold. Hate to think what I'd find in my cupboards and how old!! x

Tracey McNeely said...

Fantastic Darnell, doesn't gold embossing make everything so elegant!

Happy Dance said...

You are simply the bomb! Love it totally, and am echoing all the other wonderful comments. xoxo bev

debby4000 said...

Fabulous, elegant card. I've had to pin it.

Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp challenge.

luv
Debby

Jean said...

FANTASTIC take on the sketch ~ gorgeous CAS card!

scrappymo! said...

Gorgeous!!!

Sue - said...

Very elegant card. I'm always finding out of date things in my cupboard and mostly they're still OK. What did we do before they put dates on everything? Went by taste and smell and didn't waste as much. Sorry I'll get off my soapbox now!

Jingle said...

This is GORGEOUS! I love the gold! Thanks so much for playing along with us over at CAS-ual Fridays!

Juls said...

Very stylish! Fab use of snippets! Hugs Juls xxx

Jessica said...

Wao! U know this card is awesome...but still I HAD TO SAY SOMETHING!! Absolutely gorgeous. Oooh so glad I stopped by your blog. Plus I laughed reading about your vinegar...that happens to me too...yikes!!!
Jess

Elizabeth said...

Hi Darnell, can't think how I missed this card first time round but I absolutely love it - the simplicity makes it stunning :) Elizabeth xx