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!

July 22, 2013

Oh, Joy! Merry Monday "Anything Goes" Guest Designer! NBUS #25 and Pixie's #82

And, whoosh, we're back around to a fresh and vibrant Monday!

Vibrant is not a word I see a whole lot, which is odd because it's such a great word.  It means:
  1. Full of energy and enthusiasm.
  2. Quivering, pulsating:  "Rose was vibrant with anger."
I don't like the example they use.  Full of energy and enthusiasm, quivering, pulsating ~ all of those seem like happy, bouncy words for happy, bouncy (maybe even a little bit naughty) activities.  Rose should be "seething" with anger.  If she's going to vibrate with something, it should be a happy something, like the mailman arriving with lots of crafty NBUS!  
 
Or being featured as a guest designer on the terrific weekly Christmas card challenge, Merry Monday.  Each week during July for her month-long challenge, the uberly-talented Lesley Croghan has featured one or two guest designers and I'm aquiver to be featured as one this week!  Thank you so much, Lesley, for this wonderful honor!
 
The "Anything Goes" theme continues at Merry Monday.  Here is my card:
I love a holly berry backed by a fluffy white snow bank, the snow coming down so thick it has coated the branch with white.  It brings me ... yes, it brings me joy.  I also love a Halle Berry, but that's a whole other thing.

The "joy" from the "Joyful Sizzlits" SU! die is NBUS.

It's been so fun to see the hundreds of Christmas cards that have linked up to this July Merry Monday challenge!  What an awesome site for your holiday card inspiration!  The challenge runs until August 4th, so I hope you get a chance to join in!

~~~

I used snippets of red and green for my die cuts, so I'm also taking my card over to share at Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground.  Some of the lasses don't like to see such "C" cards so early in the year.  Because I know this, and I'm sassy, I taught Polly Pixie the parrot to say "Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!" and then run like the dickens!
 
~~~
 
From Christmas cards to the long, hot days of summer, I thought you'd like to see an update on my Jack-in-the-tomato-stalk volunteer plant.   
I put the patio chair in the picture for scale.  There is a tomato cage around the plant, but it only comes up to a height even with the top of the chair.  Our dining table is on the other side of that window and Mister and I have watched, vibrant, as the plant has grown taller and taller, seemingly defying the laws of gravity!  Its small cherry tomatoes are finally turning red so no doubt I'll be the cause of its collapse when I scramble into the nether reaches to pick them!

~~~
 
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 leave a comment and/or join as a follower!
 
 
*Life Is Too Short!  
 
Paper:  PTI white, SU! real red and
  glorious green
EF: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Dies:  PTI "Holly Jolly"; SU! "Joyful
  Sizzlets"; Memory Box "Twigs and
  Berries


 

51 comments:

stampwithsandy said...

Darnell! I was so exited to see you as a Guest Designer at Merry Monday! Congratulations and I love your awesome card. The embossed background is a perfect backdrop for the gorgeous die cut holly leaves a sentiment. Hugs :) Sandy

Danni said...

Congrats on the guest spot at Merry Monday! Such a wonderful holiday card!!
You made me giggle with your thoughts on vibrant!!

Sue - said...

Congrats Darnell at yournguest designer spot!

Ardyth said...

Love this clean, crisp card! Perfect for Christmas! Congrats on the GD spot!

Sammy said...

Haha... The mailman arriving can be cause for happiness indeed!
Unfortunately if he doesn't arrive when expected, I think the "seething" may be more appropriate! :-D

And what a lovely card! So clean and simple, yet every inch of it says "Christmas"! I am a firm believer in getting started early... Last year I started my X-mas cards beginning of september, and had them done by the end of the month! Everyone else I knew was running around trying to get theirs sent off in time, while I was sitting pretty with all the cards dispatched in plenty of time :-)

Jen W. said...

Love that embossing folder for snow - it's so perfect! Congrats on your GD spot!

Happy Dance said...

I'm with Scrooge on this one...after he thought to celebrate Christmas every day of the year! This is a great card. The 'snow' background is just perfect to pop your reds and greens. Great card, and I'll bet this could be made by the dozens rapido. Those tomatoes are going to have you eating them until you turn red! Way cool. Bev

Anonymous said...

Lovely clean Christmassy card-Congrats on being a Guest Designer-exciting :)
Loving the dwarf Cherry Tomaato plant LOL! Do you remember my Hubby's greenhouse pics last year Darnell? where the blooming things made their escape through the roof sky light-and the only way to go in was commando style!he SAID they were tomatoes-but we were always a little dubious LOL!
Have a great week ,Nessa xxxxx

Canonbury creations said...

Lovely CAS Xmas card Darnell and congrats on your GD spot:)
Looking forward to seeing the fruit from your tomato triffid!
Val x

Lisa Elton said...

Congrats on your guest spot Darnell, well deserved!! I love this sweet simple card with the holly branch and dotted swiss background. Holy cow on the tomato plant too!! I know how you feel, we had one of those a few years back. Once those cherry tomatoes start to ripen you'll feel like they're coming out of your ears!!

Craftychris said...

Well done being guest designer, that's so cool! Love the card - gorgeous! xx

Benzi said...

I see why you're all 'aquiver' getting to play as Guest Designer over at Merry Monday. And, you've sent them a gorgeous card. I meant to use that folder with all that falling snow on my card this week but my mind failed me and I forgot. Ugh! Have fun this month.

Be sure those tomatoes get ripe before you scamper into that cage...I know the wait is making you tremble. :-)

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

Oh, you crack me up! Seething is such a better word for anger. Congrats on your guest designer gig!! Way to go.

I need to go check out the playground. I've never joined in but maybe that will change.

LOVE the plant. My aunt and uncle in Escalon have tomato plants as tall as their shed! Woo hoo.

Hugs,
Kay

Geri said...

Well deserved recognition over at Merry Mondays! These gals sure know how to recognize and acknowledge talent when they see it!!!

Love the vibrant and fun look of your card! Beautifully balanced with simple design elements. Love the snowy background!

Geri said...

Ooops! Forgot to add a whopping WOW - what the heck are you feeding that plant?

Tracey McNeely said...

Eeeek Darnell! Congrats on being the Merry mondayy Guest Designer, so excited for you and totally not surprised my friend. Gorgeous clen design, love this one!

Harriet Skelly said...

Congrats on being a guest designer Darnell I'm definitely pinning this to case!!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OHHHHH! Congrats on the GDT for Merry Monday!!! That's awesome:)

I love love love this card-- what a gorgeous design with that embossed background and the die cut branch! LOVE the simplicity but pop of detail!

Your patio/tomato pic is beautiful- we don't have green thumbs around here! So our yard/patios/plants.... a bit on the dead side! LOL!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Fabulous card, great embossing
hugs Tamara

Denise Price said...

Congrats on being featured at Merry Mondays! I'll have to check out that site.

Unknown said...

Such a well deserved honour Dippy - you are the perfect GD for Merry Mondays. Your card is seriously CAS with the great background and the pop of colour with the holly. Had to giggle visualising the naughty parrot shouting the "C" word and then turning tail and running out of there before she became Sunday lunch! lol Your tomato giant looks so happy.....you'll have to keep a tally of just how many toms you get.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Vicki Dutcher said...

Hey WTG Darnell! Good for you~ What a fabulous photo of you also! I knew what the playhouse looked like but not you :) Now, I can put a face to the name

Carol L said...

Congrats Mrs GD!! I couldn't be happier for your well-deserved honor! Love your simple joy card with the traditional colors, and I'm loving that gigantic tomato plant too! What are you feeding it???

scrappymo! said...

Congratulations on the guest designer spot at Merry Monday! I will be watching for you!

Your card looks great. That JOY sizzlet is wonderful on this card.

The volunteer tomato is wonderful...bet they will be so tasty pretty darn soon!

Sue from Oregon said...

Wonderful creation! I have to laugh at your tomato plant...I have two plants with just 2 tomatos-thats it! No such luck this year!

Greta said...

Congrats on your guest DT spot! I love your card--just the style I like! Really should get another card made for the challenge--thanks for the inspiration!

Marie Bingaman said...

Hi Darnell! You are really too funny! Just wanted to pop by and say that I love your card! :)

Pam Carter said...

That is wonderful Darnell, getting a guess Team Design spot on Merry Monday. Your cards will fit right in with Lesley's style. I follow all her Blogs. As always your card is outstanding. Boy that tomato plant has taken off. It'll be a tree before you know it. Have a good week.

Di said...

Oh well done Darnell on the DT spot - and a brilliant, VIBRANT card too :) I adore holly on a white background and you sure nailed this one perfectly!

Giggling here with visions of you swinging round that tomato plant :)

Hugs, Di xx

Mrs Harry said...

Congratulations Darnell. You deserve the honour, and what a gorgeous card you've made. I hope you keep count of the number of tomatoes your triffid yields.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful card, the embossing behind the holly die is very pretty. Congratulations on the guest designer spot, well deserved! and Wow your cherry tomatoe plant is amazing and it's a volunteer? Enjoy those tomatoes :) Shirleyxx

Sarn said...

Fantastic Chrimbo card. Gotta love embossing and die cutting. xxx

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your guest DT spot !!! Woot! Woot!!
I love the texture of your card & the glorious white space -- so clean & lovely !!
Fresh garden tomatoes are heavenly -- you are sooooo lucky to have all that yummy goodness right in your backyard !! :)) :))

JD/ Jill said...

Congrats on your Guest Designer spot...great card you created for the challenge.

Redanne said...

Huge congratulations on being Guest Designer at Merry Monday! So well deserved too and I adore your holly card, love the snow background too.

Wow to the tomato 'tree' too, nothing nicer than fresh tomatoes! Hugs, Annie xx

Jean said...

Congrats on being the guest designer at Merry Monday ~ so very well deserved! Love this all die cut Christmas card! Your tomato plant could qualify for the jack in the beanstalk of tomato plants ~ fantastic. You'll be eating the tomatoes until you send out that card!

Claire Grantham said...

Ooh love your card - I love making Christmas cards!! I think I'll be entering this challenge :) Congrats on being a guest designer. See you tomorrow for WOYWW. Cx

Sharron said...

Love your card--so wonderfully CAS with lots of gorgeous white space! I was especially attracted to your white branch. I have that die but hadn't thought of doing white--very "cool"! Congrats on being selected as GD too! And enjoy all those yummy tomatoes!

Teresa Zuehls said...

Darnell, a big congrats on being the Guest Designer over at Merry Monday! Enjoy your time there. Love your CAS card. The holly is perfect for a Christmas card and I love the white background with the Swiss Dots. Of course it is my favorite embossing folder so I may be a bit partial to it. I also want to thank you for dropping by and leaving me so love. I had no idea I had made Colour Queen Courtier till I had read your comment. I was so surprised and had to check it out. Sure enough there was my card! Have a wonderful day!

Ginny said...

Beautiful card! But then again, I love all of your cards, as well as your very entertaining posts. I also wanted to thank you for your comment on my blog and letting me know I was a CQ Courtier. I was totally surprised!! I so appreciate your taking the time to leave me such a sweet comment. :-)

Karen M said...

Congrats on being a guest designer Darnell - your card is fabulous! Thanks also for your beautiful comments on my blog this week...you are such a lovely friend - hugs xx

Keren Baker said...

LOVE your holiday card- love the fact it's CAS too. Thanks for your really lovely comments too. Your playhouse is umm..amazing. Drool!! x

Cathy said...

Congrats Darnell on your guest spot at Merry Monday :) Beautiful CAS card, love the embossed bg :) Cathy x

Dianne said...

Congrats to you Missy,GT, you go woman, and a beautiful card it is, thanks for sharing, I see you are too busy to WOW, me too, have a great day..

Anonymous said...

Ooh congrats on being featured, hope you've stopped quivering now! Love the card, very clean and graphic. Great tomato, we have some really tall ones too, some of the heirlooms will get to 12ft tall in open ground!

Hugs
Brenda

alexandra s.m. said...

BRAVO Darnell! Love your card and always enjoy the more personal side-note ;-)
Thank You~

cm said...

I'm vibrant with excitement over your guest designer role! Wonderful news, indeed - and your card here is a perfect example of why you were selected, as it's certainly merry, bright and delightful! Oh, your tomato plant has me both in awe, and green with envy! Our short growing season doesn't 'agree' with tomato plants (I miss my garden from my previous home!!), so oh, how I'm drooling over yours! Should you have extras, I'll joyfully take them off your hands!!
c

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, sorry this is late, I am trying to get caught up on commenting. So excited for you to be the Guest Designer for Merry Monday...just so much fun and your card is fabulous! I love the clean and simple look you created with the holly, so festive! And more NBUS too, so fun.

MaryH said...

Amazingly effective, this bright holly die on the white dot (my fav C/B and probably my 1st C/B purchase too!). The red sentiment is all this one needs to send it over the top! Great design...very eye catching. TFS

Unknown said...

beautifully cas! i love the white on white...embossing and perfect diecutting!

Bonnie said...

This holly is so pretty against the heavy snowfall! It's just vibrant! I'm so glad to see that you're a guest designer at Merry Monday this week. I haven't been over there yet. Sigh, 4 days vacation, 5 days to catch up!