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!

September 5, 2013

Birgit and Penny ~ LIM #135

Hi Everyone!
 
Thank you all for your kind comments on the old achy breaky back.  I promise I am taking a teasy!  I'm not lying this time.  Here's a fun comment to say to a child, with a twinkle in your eye:  "Are you sure you're lying?"  Watch their face closely as they work that out.  I equally love saying it to adults.
 
But, oh, my friends, I simply had to join in the fun over at Less Is More (LIM) this week, so I made a super fast card. 
LIM-graphic
This week the wonderful LIM hostesses Chrissie and Jen have teamed up with the esteemed Penny Black stamp company and the PB Design Team members are joining them in presenting us with stunning card inspirations.  (Not only is there a fabulous prize, but you will find even more inspiration at the Penny Black blog.) 
 
The LIM challenge is to "use a rubber stamp" and water color (optional) as a tribute to the incredible card artist Birgit.  As Chrissie said, her work inspires so many and LIM is so fortunate to see her work in the gallery each week!  Here is Birgit's card:
Birgit's Card
 
Honestly, isn't her work phenomenal?!  I think you all create the most amazing card art, but I have to say that Birgit's cards stop me in my tracks every.single.time I see one of her cards in a gallery.  I draw in a sharp breath, my jaw drops, and my eyes widen.  My shoulders lower and relax to a full rest position.  And I sit and stare, mesmerized.  She is not of this world, I think, every.single.time.
 
How could I not join in this wonderful tribute and show of respect for Birgit's fabulous art, using one of my very favorite Penny Black stamps. 
Darnell's card
~~~

Enjoy your day as you whoosh around to the end of another week!  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:  letterpress square
Stamp:  Penny Black "Pastoral" 2952K
Ink:  SU! markers
Hand-drawn edge
Pop dots
 

67 comments:

Kathyk said...

You're not wrong - Birgit's cards are indeed fabulous but so is yours, Darnell

Kathyk

Hannelie said...

I am still struggling with this one... I do better with printer ink than with a rubber stamp :)

But certainly you didn't struggle!

Great card Darnell
Hugs

My Paper Epiphany said...

Beautiful! I love Birgit's amazing cards too!

Marion said...

Her cards are beautiful, but so is yours Darnell.

Sue said...

Gorgeous card. I love the image and beautiful colours.
Take care, I hope you really are taking it easy
hugs Sue xx

Susan (rainy) said...

Yes, Brigit's cards are beautiful, but yours is also STUNNING!! The hand drawn lines are such a simple yet perfect addition to the design.

Kate said...

Fabulous job Darnell - it looks so ethereal. I need to try this technique again - last attempt was not so good. The effect is well worth the practice though.

Brandi said...

Your blue flowers are beautiful! It looks just like a watercolor painting!

Hope your feeling well!

Mrs Harry said...

YOur card is beautiful Darnell. I love that blue and the little lines to finish it off. Hope you are still recovering well. x

Anonymous said...

Ummmmmm, gorgeous!!!! Glad you are resting !!
:)) :)) your card is fabulously simple & stunning !! :))
Take care of yourself !! Xo

Anonymous said...

Oooh i like it!Beautiful watercolouring on this one Darnell :)
I agree Birgit's cards are awesome-not seen one yet that i didn't like,just such a gorgeous and unique style she has and you can spot them a mile off in a gallery can't you?
Enjoy the day-r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g !
Ness axxxxx

Lisa Elton said...

Nice to hear you are taking it easy Darnell. It's SO easy to overdue when we start feeling a bit better, been there done that!! Your card is beautiful! love the water color look, well done!!

Kim M said...

I agree that Birgit's cards are fantastic! But your card is super fabulous too! So pretty, Darnell. :-)

Ardyth said...

Gorgeous watercolouring, but that partial frame is genius and original! (although it won't be so original when I case it! lol!) Glad you're taking it easy!

stampwithsandy said...

Darnell this is stunning! What a beautiful image. Did you just marker your stamp or did you spritz with water? So sorry about your back, take it easy and I hope you feel better soon. Gardening gets me every time, too! Hugs :)

jimlynn said...

A CAS work of art! What a gorgeous stamp this is and I love your coloring.
Lynn

Brenda in IN said...

You did a fantastic job on your card. It really stands out. Birgit's cards are great. I can't believe she is not an artist. Glad you are resting up for real this time and congratulations on the "Wall of Fame".

Happy Dance said...

Stunning. Breath taking. Gorgeous. Delicate. Perfect. Can you tell I'm smitten with this card?!!! It's moved to my top 10 favorites of all time. I'll be pinning this for sure. And be a good patient, and take care of your back...you only get one. Will put you on my little prayer list. Gentle hugs, Bev

Tracey McNeely said...

Love this Darnell so beautiful with the blue. Look after yourself and that achy breaky back!

Kelly Griglione said...

Yep, I love Birgit's work too, every time it's something wonderful. Love your take on her card ... that corner detail with the line and the dot is great! Love it, Darnell!

Marybeth said...

Oh I love the card you made in blue! I love the corner line as well. Great take on the original beautiful card.
Hope you are moving with a bit more ease today.

Carole said...

Happy to hear your taking it easy. Be good to yourself. Your watercolor card is stunning...seriously lovely.

Nan G said...

Stunning card, Birgit....oops Darnell! tehe Have a fabulous relaxed weekend, my friend!

Loll said...

Gorgeous watercolor Dolly. Love the line border - very creative! Lolly xx

Deepti said...

Brilliant take on Birgit's card :) I love the colors you picked and the borders you drew only on the two sides :)

Redanne said...

Birgit's card is gorgeous but I think yours is stunning too - love that stamp, love the colours you have used. Absolutely brilliant work Darnell. Hugs, Annie xx

PS - please keep taking it easy!

Anonymous said...

Yep, Birgit's cards are simply splendid, Darnell, you're so right. But what was that about a sharp intake of breath, jaw dropping, eyes widening experience ... I know that one ... I just had it enjoying your delicious creation ... just beautiful! Anita :)

Vicky Hayes said...

I know what you mean about Birgit's cards Darnell, but I just had a sharp intake of breath at your gorgeous creation too! Vicky x

Elizabeth said...

Hi Darnell, Birgit's cards are beautiful but then so are yours. Love the flowers in yours - the blues are lovely. Elizabeth xx

Unknown said...

So glad to hear you're taking a teasy Dippy .......I think you need to upgrade to a T.E.A.S.Y! Honest now I'm not joshing so take heed Mrs K......

I know what you mean about Birgit's card they are awe some and the one featured on LIM is absolutely amazing........but then my jaw dropped when I saw your incredible creation. It's just beautiful - I love it.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

G Peplow said...

Hi Darnell, You're right Birgit's cards are wonderful, she is a talented artist :D But my friend so are you, this little one is proof! Fab stamping and your half frame is inspired, well done it's stunning :D Glad to hear that you are taking it a bit easy, hope all heals quickly, hugs Gay x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

LOVE your card, the water coloured stamping is fabulous! I think I've missed something again.. you have a bad back? Take it easy ! Shirleyxx

Carol L said...

THose blue flowers look gorgeous! I really REALLY like this card, and NO! I'm NOT lying, but I love the idea of asking someone (anyone) if they're sure they're lying? You're way ahead of most of us in the thinking game my friend ;)

MagsB said...

Birgit's card is lovely, and so is yours! The flowers on your card are so elegant!

Thank you also for your lovely comment on my blog, it made me very happy!!

love Mags B x

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Well, Darnell, your card is as beautiful as Birgits' card -I also love the 2 lines you drew as a border!

Bobby said...

I think your did Birgit proud. Your card is sensational. Alas I own no rubber stamps so I'll have to live vicariously through you on this challenge.

Sue Lelli said...

Your flowers are GORGEOUS and look so real! FAB card!

Dianne said...

Hello my dear, your right Brigit is an incredible artist,and and an extraordinary card make, thanks for sharing her link.Well you certainly did her proud, your card is gorgeous, beautiful flowers, thanks for always sharing yourself and others, hope you have a wonderful creative day...

Geri said...

Stunning - your creation is equally as beautiful, elegant and stunning as Birgit's card (don't you just love her name!). Your partial hand drawn frame is original and creative and perfectly balances the gorgeous water colored image!

Love this card!!!

Irene said...

Darnell, your card is beautiful and gorgeous. The stamped image is stunning and wow such brilliant colours.
luv
irene
xxxx

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Darnell, this is simply gorgeous! You should be proud!

None None said...

Darnell - while Birgit's card is beautiful, yours is just as stunning. The hand drawn frame you added grounds the image. Without the frame, the card would be lovely - with those lines, it went from lovely to stunning. You are the mistress of LIM, CAS, QASC, NBUS, etc. ;)

Here's hoping the back is feeling better and Billy Ray Cyrus stays far away with his Achy Breaky nonsense. ;)

Viv said...

Hi Dr Arnell, fabulous card here as always, beautiful watercolouring! I agree about Birgit's work ...my jaw often drops too.I do hope you are taking it easy still....hmmmm but are you ?? :) hugs Viv xx

Jackie Rockwell said...

Don't over due and strain your back Darnell. Hope you are feeling better today.

Your card is so wonderful! I just love that watercolor print look!!!

Jen Nelson said...

darnell this is just wonderful.. i love the technique
Thanks for joining us this week
Jen xx
"Less Is More"

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, these are both so lovely! What a great effect!

Unknown said...

stunning! i love the depth of color in greens and blues...beautiful!

shirley-bee said...

This is fabulous, Darnell! Those Penny Black brush stamps are just made for watercolouring and you've done a wonderful job!

Bonnie said...

I'd say that you were truly inspired by Brigit's work! This is gorgeous! Love the watercolor effect and I'm not sure if the lines are on the stamp or you put them there, but I really, really like them.

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Totally stunning and beautiful!!!!

Joyce said...

Your card is just gorgeous.

cm said...

WOW, as in WOW x WOW! Stunning, gorgeous, beautiful...what more can be said! This is a knockout, Darnell; it now holds the #1 position on my Favourite Cards by Darnell list!! Awesome!! Hope the aches have done their business on your back and gone away! Hugs,
c

Greta said...

Stunning card, Darnell! You've made that PB stamp truly shine!

Jean said...

Absolutely gorgeous ~ I am keeping you and your back in my prayers.

Dianne said...

This card is so pretty, I love the colour.

Dianne.

Robin said...

What a gorgeous card you made. I am hoping that was not the "simple" card. I really admire your cards everyone looks so special. What do you do with them all? Hugs, Rasz

Denise Price said...

Your card is beautiful! It almost looks as if you used real flowers as your stamp.

I like the idea of stamping with watercolors. Will definitely try that soon.

Hope your back feels better and better!

Vickie Z said...

Gorgeus card!! Can't wait to try out the question....just picturing the puzzlement!!

Kim Heggins said...

Fabulous card Darnell...Love the look too, fabulous way to show off your beautiful stamping too, stunning!

Shannon J said...

Well, Birgit's card IS phenomenal, but it was Darnell's card that stopped.me.in.my.tracks!!! Took my breath away, Darnell! Absolutely beautiful!!!

maria f. said...

Birgit is phenomenal and I love your watercolor beaut.

Helen F. said...

BEAUTIFUL doesn't begin to describe your card, Darnell!
PS: I love Birgit's amazing artwork too~~such an awesome talent!

Harriet Skelly said...

I agree Birgit's work is amazing! This card is absolutely gorgeous Darnell - a watercolor beauty!

wienerhoneymooners said...

What a wonder of a card- no wonder it is such. WINNER!!!! Yay, great news!!!!!

Linda said...

Hi Darnell,
Fabulous card, love the PB stamp. What a well deserved winner!! Congratulations hun, you deserve it! xx

Anonymous said...

Yep, sharp intake of breath, jaw dropping, eye widening ... and a totally worthy winner at LIM, Darnell ... fantastic, congratulations my friend! Anita :)

Anonymous said...

Congatulations !! Sooo well deserved-beautiful creation Darnell :)
Nessa xxx