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!

February 25, 2014

PTI February 2014 Blog Hop Challenge


Greetings, my friends!

Today we are all meeting up at Nichole's place for the once-a-month blog hop held to showcase our Papertrey Ink (PTI) products.
Blog-hop-logo
This fun hop is held on the 25th of each month and the contest ants are given a photo inspiration board to get their creative juices flowing. This is the beautiful spring inspiration board provided for us to use in this Papertrey Ink February 2014 Blog Hop Challenge:
Ah, spring . . . 

Here is my card:
I played with my patterned paper the other day and this time I played with some of the handmade papers in my collection which I'm pretty sure haven't seen the light of day since the Playhouse went up 2 1/2 years ago and possibly even years before that. Sigh. As I went through the folder, this wispy dried grass adhered to beautifully textured paper really spoke to me for this challenge. 
I saw tree branches, the hamster yelled nest, and I countered with eggs. We go back and forth like a well-oiled machete and then we collapse in design delirium, so proud! In this case, nothing says spring design like newly laid eggs in a nest.

Using my PTI egg die and another sheet of pretty dotted handmade paper, I cut nine eggs. I then glued the cutouts together to make three-ply eggs so they weren't so, well, paper thin. I outlined each egg with a brown marker.
The card base and the ribbon are both PTI "Spring Rain." The wee branch I stamped on the sky portion to carry the nest above the ribbon is from SU. I didn't add a sediment to the front, thinking it would be too much, and it would draw the eye away from the little scene of spring rebirth.

Nothing NBUS today, but the paper is so old it might as well be NBUS. Like the patterned paper, hopefully you will be seeing more of this type of lovely handmade paper used in my cards in the weeks to come now that I've sprung it from the dark recesses of the cabinet. Handmade paper is a lot more challenging for me to use on a card and just generally a lot harder for me to cut into. Still, with resolve, a little wodka, and a good candy bar, I can do it.

~~~

My card was also inspired by the current sketch challenge at Fab Friday, a fun challenge that I haven't played in for quite a while. If it's new to you, or you haven't played yet this week, check it out and join in!! Here is the sketch:
This is the part of my post where I provide you with exercise. For those of you reading this on your mobile devices, no fair cheating by simply turning your device upside down! No, Siree Saraw, I want you up and out of that chair, car, or bed. I'll pause for a second while you ... oh, geez, that's gotta hurt.

New Friends Corner

It's my pleasure to introduce you to a new friend today!

Please give a warm welcome to Nancy Thomas of the Creative Palette. Nancy has been blogging since the end of 2009, so there's a lotta goodies to gander at and add to your inspiration folders and boards! Nancy is an award-winner and design-team-member whose style is very often whimsical and always clean and sharp!

Welcome, Nancy, and thank you for joining us!!
~~~

It's a hop, so hop along ... and 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! 
  
 
*Life Is Too Short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:
Click CTL + Home.
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and the pop-up box opens.
Click Jump to Comment Form; no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!

73 comments:

Ardyth said...

Love the use of the natural elements in this lovely spring card (if only spring would arrive)!

Kristie Goulet said...

Another great card, Darnell. Love the thought of spring coming. Soon, right?!

Marybeth said...

Love the natural look of those eggs with that gorgeous homemade paper. Gorgeous spring card Darnell.

Linda said...

Lovely spring card Darnell. So unique.

Loll said...

Gorgeous hand-made paper Dolly. Am loving the spring cards that are popping up everywhere ... which spring was here. Lolly xx

Vanessa said...

A perfect spring card, Darnell! Love your speckled eggs!
Vanessa x

Redanne said...

Your beautiful card makes me wish for an early Spring, although surprisingly we saw a new baby lamb yesterday (very unusual)so I hope for it's sake that Spring is near!

The eggs are brilliant and so realistic looking. Hugs, Annie xx

Inkyfingers said...

Those speckly eggs are gorgeous Darnell and I love the muted, soft look of the card. Gorgeous!

victoria h said...

beautiful spring card - love the textures.

Irish Cherokee said...

I'm going to regret this but I promised Cherokee he could comment today. "Darn Nell Strange name" Comment! Comment! "OK. Eggs make Cherokee Hungry so must be good. Straw good for tooth pick when done eat eggs. Tell Darn Nell should change strange name." I knew I would regret this. Nice Card Darnell. Have a nice day. Mine will be Loooooong.

Unknown said...

The texture on this card is stunning -- makes me want to reach out and touch it!

Anonymous said...

So artsy and wonderful Darnell!!! I love the bottom of your card, the texture is so cool!!!

Nancy Penir said...

Darnell, don't know if I could cut this beautiful handmade paper, but your result is Spring Incarnate!
I want a basket of those sweet eggs for my Easter table!

Susanne Vargas said...

That is some gorgeous paper that you have hidden away in your cabinet! I am proud of you for finding the courage to cut into it (not sure if I could do it)! You made a beautiful spring card with it!

Colleen said...

Awesome card...your handmade paper is fabulous, love all the texture and those eggs, marvelous!

Pia S said...

It's good that you saved the paper for this card, because it sure is perfect for your eggs! Love how you used the sketch to make a little basket for them! I think it's a pretty spring/Easter card!

Casandra Bennett said...

I love how you take a sketch and draw inspiration from it, but make it uniquely you. Beautiful card, and thanks again for your lovely comment on my How Great Thou Art card. :)

Shannon J said...

Love this collaboration between you and the hamster! You hit it out of the park! That paper is gorgeous too, worth the trouble of working with it, I say! Lovely, perfect spring card!

Lisa Elton said...

Love the speckled eggs Darnell, they speak spring loud and clear!!

Rhonda said...

Love the speckled eggs!

carol (krillsister) said...

Gorgeous card! Those speckled eggs are beautiful and so natural looking. Love the touch of nature on the homemade paper.

Jacquie Southas said...

I love that you let the handmade paper shine on this card - love the layers of ribbons & eggs!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a wonderful nature card. Let's not talk about so old it might as well be NBUS homemade paper. I uncovered some not too long ago, gave it a look of horror and shoved it right back. I'm pretending I never saw it. I don't know what to do with it. You've done good with it though.

vic said...

Hi Hun oh this is so sweet love the eggs! Gorgeous products I don't think we can get them here boo!! It sounds like you had loads of fun :)
Hugs
Vic x

jimlynn said...

Real eggs!!!! And there's not even a dozen - but there doesn't need to be either! They're just precious and so real looking. Love the dried grass too! VERY nice card Darnell! If you need more grass, come to Texas where everything is dry - including the grass!
Lynn

Amanda Mertz said...

Beautiful card! I love the natural texture with the homemade paper and the branch image. What a great spring card! Thanks for sharing at Fab Friday!

Joyce said...

Fabulous spring card, Darnell.

Pat said...

Love these eggs with this super hand made paper, and the other with the seeded grass in it is pretty too. The blue works really well, and the nest idea is inspired. A really interesting and unusual card Darnell. x

A Cup of Cold Water said...

Pretty card, Darnell.
Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my blog! I cherish them!
See you, soon
Susan

Jill said...

Hi! This is my first visit to your blog, and I have enjoyed looking around! Love your playhouse, your NBUS acronym, and your card! First, it made me laugh because I have some *never used* handmade paper of my own that must be 10 years old! Next, I just love the speckle on the eggs, and the naturalistic feel of this card. Nice to "meet" you, Darnell!

Renee said...

That paper gives the eggs such a gorgeous primitive look...
LOVE them!!
Such gorgeous papers...
I hoard stuff like that and never actually use it *wink*...
but they make such a gorgeous card! :)

Vicki Dutcher said...

Very fun Easter card~ Love those :branches"

Andrea said...

what a great card Darnell love that textured paper i've not been around for a while but back and looking forward to catching with all the lovely goings on over the past month.I just had to visit you first spring is definitely in the air
best wishes Andrea x

Sue said...

Gorgeous card Darnell. I love the texture of the handmade papers. The speckled eggs look fabulous and the piece of embedded wispy grass looks so beautiful.
I am sure I have handmade papers somewhere, thanks for the inspiration. I just need to find them now!
hugs Sue xx

shirley-bee said...

That speckled paper is perfect for laying eggs, Darnell, and the dried grass paper is perfect for a branch. You and the hamster make a great team :)

Kay D said...

How pretty, love the handmade papers!

Unknown said...

Great use of your natural paper Dippy, such a pretty card.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

alexandra s.m. said...

Your card is amazing Darnell!
It just captures the beauty of Easter so perfectly well!
Thank You!

Tracey McNeely said...

Gasp! That is exacrlt what I did the moment I saw your card! Wow wow wow those speckled eggs are fabtabulous Darnell! The whole card is just fantastic!

Kathleen said...

Great card Darnell, love the layers with the eggs.

Kath x

Bobby said...

I'm sure those little eggs are loving their ribbon bedecked nest. That handmade paper is scrumptious.

Sally H said...

What a great card, Darnell! I could have used those eggs in my cake making! Next time I make one I will bring it to the playground, although I think I have ODed on chocolate just making it, so it may well be a while!!!

cm said...

Speckled eggs, beautifully textured home-made paper, a wisp of grass: how can this not be spring-like, uplifting and beautiful! Gorgeous! Please make spring happen soon!! And yes, my back hurts from the handstand I did but well worth the attempt at gymnastics! Day officially sparkling! Hugs~c

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Awesome card Darnell! You are a very artsy gal....

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your take on the inspirational photo. Very spring like looking to me and great papers used in it.

Alanna said...

Those papers are just gorgeous. Love how you did the eggs.

Carol L said...

I really like that hand-made paper, and outlining those eggs really gave them daffy-nition. Beautiful card and so egg-stra special!

Gerrina said...

Great Spring card! And so CAS aswell... Overhere it has been about 12°C untill 17.00h, so we would love to see more spring! (Last year it was snowing the first week of March... so I don´t know if spring really is here to stay...) Have a good week, Gerrina

Kelly Griglione said...

Oh I have several sheets of this type of paper that I coveted so much and NEVER used : ( What a shame. Glad to see you putting yours in action. The three layers really make a difference, love the luxurious feel of thick paper. Gorgeous card, Darnell!

Dana said...

Oh Lovely card!! I just love how you used the handmade paper, its perfect!! Fabulous!!

Carol Cel said...

great card -- love how the eggs are layered within the ribbon layers.

JD/ Jill said...

Pretty card, Darnell. I like all the texture! Hope you are having a good week.

Geri said...

Wow - a fine, fine job showcasing these gorgeous papers! You took the perfect sign of spring/renewal/rebirth and turned it into an awesome card! I love the wee branches that you stamped behind the eggs! Seriously? A real piece of grass embedded in the paper?

Stunning card!

MaryH said...

Finally got a few minutes to come by & enjoy all the goodness & chuckles here. Love this card, and I'm impressed with your handmade papers. I have some of those, (somewhere). They're so beautiful, I can't make myself cut into them. Love your speckled eggs (and that dimension) with the airy branches. This is really a Spring feeling card. Now I'm off to enjoy some of the earlier posts while I can read leisurely (oh yep, I got everybody caught up I think! Saved you for last! :-) Hugs

Greta said...

Artistic & beautiful! Wonderful card, Darnell!

craftmates said...

What a stunning card- Irma

Sharron said...

Love your card--so wonderful for spring! The textures on the paper and the speckled eggs look fabulous.

Sue Lelli said...

LOVE the sprigs on the textured paper and those FAB eggs! This card screams Spring!

Ros Crawford said...

Love it!! Great design!

Larissa Heskett said...

WOW!! What an AWESOME Design!! I LOVE the realistic Eggs and the FUN Nature inspired design!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

Laurie Unger said...

Great texture on this wonderful spring card!

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell...now this is spring! I love those sweet eggs and your colors are simply stunning...Have a wonderful day!

Leigh Penner said...

Fabulous card, Darnell! I love the texture!

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

Super cute and springy, Darnell. Love the eggs nestled in the ribbon;)

Kim M said...

This is just simply wonderful! Love the paper you used for the eggs. Great take on the sketch too. :-)

My Paper Epiphany said...

Beautiful natural looking card! I really love it!

Anita in France said...

What a delight, Darnell ... from the dimensional speckled eggs to the whispy grasses, from the wonderful handmade paper to the gorgeous blue ... so deliciously spring-like! Anita :)

Deepti said...

I remember I used to dry the petals of some flowers n some leaves as a child in my books n they used to be an important part of my creations in childhood, I loved ur card !!

Kathy Mc said...

Great design with a nice variety of textures ~ so soft and wispy. Just lovely!

Bonnie said...

Special paper! I think I might have some of that spotted paper hiding away. Never thought of using it for eggs! I love how you've tucked them in the ribbon!

Barb Ghig said...

I can't believe how far I've fallen behind on my visits...so sorry about that!

There is nothing in the whole world quite as beautiful as handmade paper, and you have really showcased it in such a lovely way on this card, Darnell! I love the wispy dried grass along the bottom of your card and all the texture you added with the eggs...WOW! Gorgeous...simply Gorgeous!!!

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Darnell, wow it's been a week since I visited, I've been a busy Magpie at my desk. Boy I'm loving those eggs, they are so beautiful made from that paper, the the tree stamp is perfect with them, glad you dusted that handmade paper, thanks for sharing..

Brenda said...

Oh my I love the natural papers on this card and I love your eggs. So pretty and so natural! Loving that ribbon too. Hugs!