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!

December 16, 2013

Celebrate the Season and Carol's Birthday! Merry Monday #88; NBUS #82; Pixie's #103; PS SPARKS

Monday greetings of merriment!
 
Here we are at the mid-point of December and the mid-point of my time as December Featured Designer over at the always merry, Merry Monday.  Hosted all year-long by the super-creative Lesley, this is a fun challenge with a sensational Design Team!  I hope you will play along, whether your card is for this Christmas or next Christmas.

This Monday, our challenge is to use a critter on our cards:
 

I chose some extra-happy polar bears for my critters and made this:
Seriously, you cannot stop yourself from smiling back at these adorabears!

The diamond SU! DSP and silver glitter paper work so well for the sky and the snow.  I used a dry-embossed white paper from my stash with a sheen to it for cutting out the bears and an unknown snippet of gray paper was used for the Paper Smooches shadows under their little polar bear butts.  They are rocking their brand new identical paper-pieced Christmas sweaters!  The Lil' Inker flagpole and flag are also NBUS and the sediment is heat embossed.  All the ingredients are listed at the end.

I'm also linking my card with the current Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge of "Anything Goes."  You can find Paper Smooches products at papersmoochesstamps.com.


And I'm always delighted to link up with my playmates at Pixie's Snippets Playground where all you have to do to join in the fun is use up some of your scraps/snippets on your card. 

****************************************************************
 
Now let's turn our attention from cold and snow to warm and sunny as we celebrate the birthday of a wonderful and creative lady named Carol.  Her delightful blog is Just Me: c.  She only started blogging this year, but she is quickly becoming well-known for her enthusielastic love for blogging and card-making! 
 
Some of Carol's bloggie friends have gotten together today to surprise her with Happy Birthday cards, led by the sweetest one of us all, Bev of Happy Dance!  You see, Carol lives where it is very, very, very cold this time of the year, so Bev thought it would be fun to have a tropical theme for Carol's party today.  Something toasty to warm her up!

Here is my tropical number:
Carol, I hope these bright and warm colors do the trick and bring you lots of smiles and cozies as you celebrate your birthday, and may you have many, many more!!

Please pop over to Carol's blog to leave her your happy wishes, and don't forget to visit Bev's blog where you will find hot hop links to all the crafty ladies who made beautiful surprise cards for Carol today!

~~~

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!  Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!

Displaying Darnell Signature.png

*Life Is Too Short!

Carol's Birthday Details
PaperSU! DSP, summer starfruit, pool party; Stampland glossy
StampsPTI "Reasons to Smile;" Paper Smooches "Zoo Crew" leaf
 InkSU! summer starfruit, Bermuda bay, tangerine tango
AccessoriesEmbossing folder by Lifestyle Crafts; EK Success punches


Merry Monday Details
PaperPTI white; SU! DSP and silver glitter;
unknown gray
Stamps    SU! sediment; Art Impressions "Polar Pals" UMP4081; Flagpole, flag by Lil' Inkers;
Shadow ovals by Paper Smooches; HO by Simon Says Stamp
 InkEmbossing powder by Stamp n Stuff
AccessoriesWink of Stella pens

58 comments:

Sammy said...

I call my son "adorabear" when he's being cute. Which, perhaps surprisingly for an 11 year old, is often! :-)

And those bears are exactly that! Such a fun card, I love it! And I just love the colours on the second card. I'm sure Carol will love it! x

~amy~ said...

both of your cards are wonderful..those bears are a-dorable!

Love your tropical colored card for Carol! Way too fun!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Lovely WARM colors and so sweet, LOVE this colorful treat!

Julia Aston said...

Love those cute little bears and with their sweet matching sweaters!

Marybeth said...

Both are adorable! Happy Birthday to Carol!
I love the bears ..they remind me of you ...slim,cute and they just look like a lot of fun! Great job!

Alanna said...

Two fabulous cards and you're right about those papers you used on the first one being perfect.

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell two fantastic cards! Carol is going to love that tropical number. It has got me thinking this morning as we sit at -4 Fm brrrr!

stampwithsandy said...

Super cute card, Darnell! Love your "adorabears" and the flag cracks me up too!

Happy Dance said...

Darn sweet bears! Mom used to put us three girls in identical outfits at Christmas (and whenever she could get away with it...), so this card brings out some good memories. Perfect paper choices, and love their shadows! Carol's card is pure warm delight, and she's going to love it!! Bright and happy and full of beautiful color. Just love it, dear friend. Bev

Shannon J said...

Okay, those polar bears are ADORABLE...and just when I thought they couldn't be any more adorable, I spotted that texture on them - WOW!!! Super awesome!!! And you card for Miss Carol is delightful - that will squish any winter blues out of her for sure!!!

Ardyth said...

Love that image of the polar bears, and the contrast with the warm sunny feel of Carol's birthday card!

Karen Petitt said...

Both cards are stunning Darnell, but I do love those polar bears. The texture of that card must be really fab with the glitter papers. Wonderful sunny tropical card is very cheering as it's so grey and dull here right now! xx

Anonymous said...

Yikes, Darnell ... fabulous! I'm just wondering if these sweet as can be and super co-ordinated PB's are the Bearverley Sisters? Carol's tropically hued card is fantastic ... I clicked on the picture just to get the whole flavour ... and it's even more delicious in close up ... she'll love it! Anita :)

Just occurred to me ... the Beverley Sisters wit may not translate well ...don't know if their music crossed the Atlantic! Oops!

Redanne said...

You are so right about those adorable bears, they made me smile - big! I also love the tropical card, the colours are so warming..... beautiful work Darnell. Hugs, Annie x

Pat said...

I am sure polar bears should not be, but these look completely huggable, and love the sweaters. The card for Carol is so bright and sunny. Two lovely cards. xx

Kristie Goulet said...

LOVE your card for Merry Monday, Darnell. Yep, they made me smile.

What a lovely idea to use a tropical theme for Carol's birthday hop. Your card definitely makes me think of summer and warm temps. Lovely!

Lisa Elton said...

Oh good grief those bears are just TO CUTE! And Carol will LOVE this bright happy card!!

Sue - said...

Those bears are just so cute! And love your bright card certainly cheery on what has been a very grey, dark,wet day here!

Karren said...

Two gorgeous cards, Darnell. Those polar bears DO make you smile when you look at them. Too, too cute. And that background paper is perfect!

alexandra s.m. said...

Love your cards Darnell!
Thank You~

Sarn said...

Hi there Darnell . . . well we have two cards at opposite ends today don't we? One tropical and one cold and festive! Both excellent!

Bring a hammer and nails to the Playground . . . need to rebuild the burned down bike shed!

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Unknown said...

WOW!! This is adorable...what a fun challenge. I just love the polar bears :)

Kay Miller said...

Oh Darnell, your card is just adorable!!! And yes, I did smile when I saw those cute little polar bears!! You did a fabulous job on Carol's birthday card too! I'm sure it will warm her heart!! ((hugs))

cm said...

OMG: AWESOME, Darnell! Your adorabear card is exactly that: adorable! In fact, I was coveting one of their sweaters (and that candy cane was tempting me, too), when I discovered your second card: made especially for me! WOW, WOW and WOW! the beautiful colours have worked exactly as you intended; forget the sweater because I'm feeling mighty toasty, and mighty 'heart-warmed' by what you've created - for me! Darnell, finding you was one of my greatest 'accomplishments' this past year. Your posts, delight; your cards, inspire; your comments encourage and support. And this, today - joining the party when you're busy with things Christmas - has me feeling tremendously special. Tremendously! Your card, post, you - treasures!! You are a GEM!!! Thank you x 100000000000!! Hugs~c

Vicki Dutcher said...

a trio of fun critters - hanging around on the glittered hill! :)

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Those bears sure make everybody smile - too cute!

Geri said...

Well friend, you sure know how to cover two poles with one post!

The north pole is well represented by the sweet polar bear lacrosse team sporting their awesome paper pieced sweaters. Yes, I'm thinking that the candy cane is a lacrosse stick (?) so that makes theses fellas lacrosse players!

Then, the south pole responds with an abundance of brightly colored flora that could only be found where the sun shines bright and warm.

Gorgeous glitz and glamour papers and beautiful colors on the tropical card!

Awesome cards pal! The bears ROCK!

Canonbury creations said...

Such a cute card Darnell, love the bears, they look so pleased with themselves:) Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
Val x

Sue said...

Yes, those bear certainly made me smile and they are definitely adorabears. I love their matching jumpers and wonderful papers.
Your card for Carol is stunning and sure to bring her lots of happiness.
hugs Sue xx

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous creations, opposite ends of the scale too. Really great image of the bears and love the deep warmth of the second card.
Cheers me dear.

Kath x

Loll said...

Adorable bears. Love the glittery accents.! Lolly xx

Bonnie said...

These bears have made me grin every time I've looked at them (which was quite a few. Like whenever I needed a smile). And those pretty tropical colors are bound to make Carol smile!

Bobby said...

Those polar bears are adorable and the paper you used makes the scene. It's nice to have a tropical vacation from all the snowy Christmas cards. I'm sure Carol will love your card.

Dana said...

Adorable cards!! LOVE LOVE the polar bears!! Oh so cute!!

Carol L said...

Two great cards and both of them make me smile :) Those bears are TOO stinkin' cute!!

Wendy said...

Such a jolly group of polar bears! Love the expressions on their cute little faces! Perfect card for today's challenge, Darnell!
I wanted to send a little thank you for the Secret Santa package that arrived over the weekend! Lots of cool goodies to put to good use this coming year! :) Happy Holidays!

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my, those bears are too CUTE, Darnell! And the sentiment on the banner...Ho 'cubed'!!! I love a good puny sentiment, and this one is fab! Love your tropical card, too! What a lovely way to warm up the birthday girls' day and heart!!!

jimlynn said...

My heart melted when I saw that first card!!!! The absolute cutest thing I've ever seen - and yes....worthy of a huge PIN! LOVE those little guys! The background paper is sensational with this! LOVE IT!!!
Your second card - tropics here I come!!! Like a breath of spring/summer air. So very pretty!

Lynn

Greta said...

Oh my goodness, Darnell--your MM card is over the top wonderful! The background papers, paper piecing, adorable images--love it! Will play this week for sure! Carol is feeling warm, I know--beautiful summery card for her!

vic said...

Aww love your cards :) your right you can't help smiling back at them they are just adorable :) beautiful cards!
I hope you have a lovely christmas and gets lots of crafty bits ;)
Hugs
Vic x

Joni Andaya said...

Goodness!Fabulous cards as always! Those little bears are so CUTE! Love <3

Kylie said...

Adorable cards! You are amazingly talented!!

Di said...

I adore both cards Darnell, although the little polar bears stole my heart (and Parsnip's too) - so, so cute :)

Hugs, Di xx

Unknown said...

Two fabulous cards Dippy - just love the three bears and that sediment is perfect! Carol's card is also great and makes you wish for the summer months - she's going to love it. Really like your new boxed details with the recipes of each card.....very swish! Unfortunately your signature isn't showing.....just the wording????

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, two awesome creations! I love the cute bear trio on the glittery snow and the colours on the 2nd are gorgeous! Have a great day. Hugs, Shirleyx

Deborah Frings said...

You should see me now - those cute little polar bears have made me smile so much! It's a fabulous card. And I love the warm, tropical card too.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Hugs, Deborah x

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a super card. I love those fab bears. They certainly made me smile.
Happy Birthday to your blog friend Carole. Her card is certainly bright and lovely.
Here's wishing you and your family the very best of the coming festive season.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Thanks for stopping by. Love this fun card, such cute little characters!! I'll hop over to Carols too...I know about cold, it came early this year.

Anonymous said...

Oh I want to hug those little adoreabears! Do you think they'll let me? Or maybe they'll think I'm going for the gift and take my head off, lol!! Very pretty card for Carol, it certainly warmed us up in the Great Frozen North!

Hugs
Brenda

LeAnne said...

Love this little cool Yule trio! I think that sentiment banner is the coolest...no pun intended!

Susan Joyce said...

Love your adorable smiling critters Darnell, they made me smile.

Karen Davis said...

I am not surprised you have 51 comments Darnell. What a lot of detail you have in this card. The background you have created is perfect. The embossed polar bears and their 'sit-upon's' are fabulous and I do love their matching jumpers.

Cathy said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell, the bears are totally adorable! Cathy x

Katie Gehring said...

Both your cards are just fantastic! Love the glittery snow bank on the polar bear card! Thanks for playing along with this week's Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge!

Notes by Nina said...

Your card is so darn cute Darnell, these happy polarbears are wonderful.

shirley-bee said...

Definitely Ho3! Your adorabears are fabulous! Love the tropical birthday card too!

Joyce said...

Two very darling cards.

scrappymo! said...

Two great cards...but I am so loving those polar bears.