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 18, 2014

Happy Spring!

Good Friday Greetings!

Thank you for whooshing through your week and arriving here today!

I'm sorry there is no DJKASE for you, but I was able to grab a few minutes to make a card. I've been wanting to play in a new challenge I learned about a couple of weeks ago. It is a challenge based on words and it's called Words 2 Scrap By. Even though the word "scrap" is in the challenge title, card artists are welcome to play along!

The current challenge is "Shine Bright Like a Diamond." You are free to interpret that however you want.
Our Badge!!!
Words 2 Scrap By is a new challenge in Blogland that just started up this year. I hope you will check them out and join in when you can to show your support of the terrific team that is bringing you this fun new challenge!

So I wanted make you a Happy Spring card to wish you a Happy Easter or Passover or however you celebrate this religious holiday ~ or simply to wish you a happy spring if you live where it's springtime! (Sorry that some of you have snow on top of your daffy dills!)

The thing was, I was a bit stumped figuring out how to bring springtime and diamonds together on my card. As I made my way through the part of the Playhouse known as Mt. Paper, Hammy was trying to help with all sorts of ideas: springtime diamond ring engagements, springtime baseball diamonds, diamonds in the sky like Lucy, no, Lucy in the sky ... mercifully, I came across a wonderful SU floral paper which has pretty blossoms in a diamond pattern. Yay!

Next I checked the various sketch challenges for inspiration and I found this sketch from the wonderfully talented Jen B. at Freshly Made Sketches:
And here is my card:

I used a Penny Black Stickeroo for the sweet vase of flowers, so I'm linking up with the Penny Black and More April challenge which is "Blossoms and Blooms."
Please do grab our logo to display on your own blog

And, as luck would have it, the fun Mod Squad Challenge is have a "Spring Color Challenge" where you are to incorporate at least three of the photo colors. I think I'm good to go.
Share Our Badge on Your Blog!

~~~

If you would like more information about these challenges, the links will take you to the websites where you will find details on rules, sponsors, and prizes. I'm sorry I haven't had the time to make more cards incorporating bunnies, eggs, butterflies, wet watercoloring, or froggies in order to participate in some of my other favorite challenges, but I hope to be back to playing in them soon. 

~~~

New Friends Corner

I'm delighted to welcome Tracy of Tracy's Treasures. Tracy has been blogging since 2010. She is a wife and SAHM of three beautiful daughters. She loves to dabble in all types of crafts (including making yummy candy eggs!) and right now she is hooked on scrapping and cards. She is very productive and very entertaining and I know you'll be inspired again and again as you get to know her blog!

Thank you, Tracy, and welcome to the Playhouse!!

~~~

As I was watering my hanging plants yesterday, I was nearly decapitated by a house finch that flew out of one. Naturally I stuck my camera overhead and clicked a pic. There is an egg hiding behind that frond, so there are four of them. I'm not going to get invested like I did last year and risk another broken heart, but I won't be able to help keeping a hopeful eye on the incubation. I sure do want these birdies to make it!

~~~

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!

I'll see you in a few days. I'll be the one with chocolate all over my face.
  
 
*Life Is Too Short!

Project Details
Paper PTI white; SU DSP; Bazzill blue snippet
Stamps    Simon Says Stamps
 InkSU melon mambo 
AccessoriesPenny Black Stickeroo; 
Ribbon SU melon mambo

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Mwah!

84 comments:

vic said...

Oohh this is lovely Darnell love the penny black flower! Beautiful paper too :) wow your finch sounds like he's very happy there.
Have a lovely Easter
Hugs
Vic x

Redanne said...

Your card is fabulous! I could do with borrowing Hammy for a day or two, you have such an inventive mind the way you fit those challenges is so impressive... Loving the bouncing bunny too!! So cute.

Hope you have a lovely Easter weekend - I bet you do get 'invested' in those beautiful little eggs..... how could anyone not. Big hugs, Annie xxx

Canonbury creations said...

A beautiful spring card Darnell,I hope your little birdies survive!
Val x

Anonymous said...

Happy Good Friday to you too @! Well what an amazing card beautifully spring like and you did a great job incorporating the diamonds clever you. How wonderful to have those little eggs in your hanging now you don't have to go egg hunting for Easter. Wishing you and your lovely family happy holidays.

Marie

Kim M said...

A very sweet and springy card, Darnell! Just lovely. Hope you are having a wonderful time with your family this weekend. Have a lovely Easter! Hugs! :-)

Gerrina said...

A cheerful and bright card! Wish you a happy Eastern weekend, Gerrina

Eve said...

Hi Darnell,
I have just popped over from Penny Black and More to see your stunning card - I love it!

Hope to see you in Di's playground next week!
xx

Cindy Hall said...

Even without the sentiment, this card would scream "Happy Spring!". Love the paper you chose! Thanks for sharing with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Alanna said...

What a beautiful card Darnell. And I hope the birds make it. Happy Easter.

Dana said...

Wow! I love how you used spring and diamonds together!! Score with flower diamond paper!! Such a seet card!!

Patti said...

Beautiful! I love the way your sweet vase stands out! Great interpretation of these challenges. I love challenges!!

Have a wonderful celebration with your family Darnell! eat a bunny for me : )

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful Spring design and colours. The main image is very pretty, great colouring. Have a wonderful Easter, Shirleyxx

cm said...

Beautiful card - the vase of flowers is soooo cheerful (she says, looking out the window at the falling snow). Your wee nest: fingers crossed the babies will incubate safely! And the link to new-to-me challenges - excited to have yet more inspiration! Off to pack; hopefully the snows will abate long enough for us to get to my family's; I have niece and nephew time on my schedule! Hugs~c

Marcia Hill said...

Great card Darnell! It is definitely "Spring" like and I love the DSP you found! Wishing you a very blessed Easter, and just to let you know...you won't be the only one with chocolate all over your face!! :0)

Viv said...

What a beautiful Spring card Dee,just love that jumping bunny he he. I will keep everything crossed for the little birdies too. Happy Easter :) hugs Vee xx

Jacquie Southas said...

How clever to have a diamond shaped floral pattern stashed away - perfect for a bright, spring card! Every year we interfer with birds trying to nest in the patio cover/trellis/balcony because I hate dealing with cleaning up the droppings every few days - this year they slipped in while we were away and now I'm watching the babes learning to fly. Definitely worth dealing with the mess, but I have yet to get a decent photo. Happy Easter to the family!

Linda said...

Happy Easter Darnell to you and your family. Love your spring card. Beautiful. I'm trying to catch up with some of my favorite card makers.

Andrea said...

A very happy Easter to you and your
family hope you have a lovely time and don't eat to many chocolate bunnies big hugs Andrea x

p.s. great card love your take on the sketch and the patterned paper great take on the diamond theme ..I do love your imagination it's brill!... and the colours are matched perfectly with the stickeroo .

Susanne Vargas said...

This is indeed a HAPPY spring card! Love those cheerful colors and that you let the ribbon stick out instead of tucking it in!
I will keep my fingers crossed for this cute nest of yours!
Happy Easter,
Susanne

Dianne said...

Hello My Sweet Miss Darnell, thanks for stopping by my nest, finally getting some time to visit, I've missed you.Beautiful spring card, love the flower and vase you added, and the ribbon hanging off the side, I actually had to make some quick cards for a gift it was fun, thanks for sharing and wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend full of love, laughter, with family and friends, ((( BIG HUGS ))). Mwha right back at ya...

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Happy spring to you too
and one amazing Easter
love your fabulous card
hugs Tamara

Verna Angerhofer said...

The card you created is an absolute delight with all those fantastic colors and that beautiful floral image. I love it!

Bonnie said...

What bright and happy Springtime colors! Love that little vase, especially since it's a sticker! Hope these babies make it.

Geri said...

Where did you find that bunny?

Gorgeous DP!!! The dainty design and the colors are soooo pretty! Love the simple elements that you added - awesome sticker too! You sure have some sa-weet 'schtuff' in your stash of goodies!

Happy Easter :)

"They" are forecasting up to 25cm of snow this evening (about 9 - 10 inches!) I don't really like "Them" all that much right now!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, this is such a happy, fun spring card, Darnell!! Loving the little diamond flowers and the sweet stamp and ribbon you've used to go with it. Beautiful!!

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous card, great stickeroo. love your Mt Paper, haven't we all.
Have a really lovely Easter, whatever you are doing or not doing.

Kath x

Unknown said...

Happy Easter Dippy. Love your card.....it's like an explosion of Spring. Fab photo of the house finch nest and eggs but glad you're not "going there"!!! I remember the events of last year.......

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

maria f. said...

That new challenge... sounds just perfect for you Ms. Way With Words.
And I bet you're the only player to use PP with flowers in a diamond pattern! Happy Easter and happy baby bird watching.

Sue said...

Fabulous card Darnell!!! have a wonderful Easter huggles Sue xxx

Karin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karin said...

Nice! What a beautiful, happy spring card! Lovely colors. Success with the little birds. I wish you and your family a happy Easter!
Karin x

Skye said...

Love your bright cheery card just right for Spring.
Nice photo of the nest. I like to watch the bird life in our garden too.
Have a happy Easter

Bobby said...

Spring has sprung and so has that bunny. I love him hopping at the bottom of your page. That's a lovely spring card, too. Happy Easter to you and yours.

Shannon J said...

Wait, WHAT?!! It's Friday already?!! HOW did THAT happen?!!! LOVE the spring card - those blooms are just gorgeous.
LOVE your hopping bunny at the end of your post too...boy, was I relieved to see that you hadn't amputated the ears off this one too!! ;) hahaha!!!

Kay Miller said...

Hi Darnell! That card is just lovely! That's some very pretty patterned paper and I love the sentiment on the ribbon! So cute! I just received my Easter card today! Thank you SO much! It is so pretty! I love the embossing at the bottom! I didn't get Easter cards made in time to send, but I'll have Spring cards coming soon! Thanks so much for thinking of me and sharing your lovely work! Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! ((Hugs))

Sheila H said...

Those happy colors make me smile :)

BobbisTreasure said...

What a cool interpretation of the challenge! Diamond patterned flowered paper! Love it! Thanks for playing along with us at Words 2 Scrap By!!!

Lisa Elton said...

This pretty card would make anyone's spring happy Darnell!! THANK YOU for the adorable Easter card you sent. You're such a sweetheart! Wishing you a Happy Easter ~HUGS!!!

Karen M said...

Beautiful spring card Darnell - I love the happy fun colours:) I hope you and your family all have a happy easter and that easter bunny spoils you with lots of delicious chocolate - big hugs xx

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely spring card, Darnelle, and I love that you can always find a great sketch to go with your main theme, and that you marry everything together so beautifully.
Good luck with the nest and enjoy that chocolate!
Hugs
Carol x

Anonymous said...

Love this bright, fun card and you are so clever to be able to combine so many challenges. Have a great Easter weekend, Cx

Carol L said...

What a colorful and fun card, and I love that ribbon!! Love that bouncing bunny too - how fun!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!

Sybrina K said...

Hi, Darnell.

What a pretty, spring-in-the-air card! Just love the paper you chose for our Shine Bright Like a Diamond challenge... and the way your little strip of ribbon runs right off the edge of the card. :)

Thanks for this wonderful shout-out -- as well as for joining us for this month's W2SB challenge. We're so looking forward to your guest I-Team visit!

Have a blessed Easter!

Sharon Underwood said...

I would've never thought of using that diamond-shaped-patterned paper, Darnell! You're so clever! Love that Penny Black flower! Sure hope those eggs survive into pretty little creatures. How neat!

Kristie Goulet said...

Another beautiful Darnell card. Love that paper! Have a blessed Easter! xo

Anita in France said...

What a fabulous riot of spring colour, Darnell ... the PB bloom is perfect with the BGDP! Hope those eggs hatch and you have the joy of seeing those wee birds growing and flying. Easter Blessings to you and all of yours! Hugs, Anita :)

Oh yes, while I remember ... chocolate all over the face is a good thing ... a new masque treatment perhaps? Hoping so, I'll be joining you in chocolating with abandon!

shirley-bee said...

Fabulous way to combine those challenges, Darnell! Using the diamond/flower DP was inspired. Hoppy Easter to you and yours :)

jimlynn said...

Spring just sprang, sprung or whatever with this beautiful spring time card. Love that background paper and all the wonderful colors of the season.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter.
Lynn

Aileen said...

I think you've nailed it! Lovely spring card. x

Diane Jaquay said...

So so pretty, love the vase and flowers, and the background paper compliments it perfectly!

Jenni's Jems said...

This is such a cheery card and just shrieks... spring is here !! x

alexandra s.m. said...

I love your card Darnell and i wish you the happiest Easter ever!!

Anonymous said...

Love your fun and cheerful design Darnell, thanks again for being such an inspiration! Wishing you a wonderful Easter, from across the ocean!

Diane said...

Your card is fabulous Darnell. Enjoy your chocolate.

Hugs Diane

Lee-Anne said...

Sweet, sweet card Darnell...happy colors...beautiful flower! Happy spring to you too and may the bunny bring you loads of yummy chocolate! Happy Easter!

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful spring card! (My favorite season!) Hope you have a very special Easter! I know I have already with the good news I received this week!

Unknown said...

Happy Easter Darnell! I wanted to say thank you for the beautiful spring card. I've been working on one for you. I make one and then change my mind and make another and change my mind and make another...and the cycle continues.

As for the bird eggs, I can see how easy it is to get invested emotionally. I have a hummingbird nest in the front yard tree. It's so high I can't see the contents. I do know that one of the parents doesn't like my cats near the tree.

Lovely card, as usual! Traci

Anonymous said...

This is sch a happy Spring card Darnell-perfect!
Hope you are having a lovely Eastertime and that the chocolate(and the Wodka lol!!) is flowing freely,Hugs,Nessa xxxx

Ros Crawford said...

Happy Easter!! Love that you photographed that nest ... How wonderful!
And you rocked those challenges with your lovely card!! BTW thanks so much for your lovely comments ... Have a beautiful day!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous Spring card Darnell, happy Easter :) Cathy x

Karen Petitt said...

So pretty and fresh Darnell - a perfect spring creation!
I love that hopping bunny - very cute and fun too!
Hope you have a lovely and Happy Easter with family and friends! Karen x

Jessi Fogan said...

Such bright springy colours! I love those Penny Black stickeroos - I bought a bunch and want to use them all immediately :)
Happy Easter to you & yours, Darnell - try to keep the chocolate IN your mouth :) We have a few bird visitors in our yard that we haven't had before, but I definitely relate to the almost not wanting to hope. Fingers crossed for them all!

Marybeth said...

I had a CE minutes before we leave to my daughters house. I wanted to wish you a Happy Easter.
Your card is beautiful and bright . I might link up to the color challenge. Thank you! HUGS!!!!

MaryH said...

Hey & Happy Easter! That's me you can hear singing the theme song to The Golden Girls (ie, "Thank you for being a fri...endddd"). Hope you like my singing skills (NOT! quite like my photo skills in that category). Loved your take on the spring card. Most colorful and loved the sweet PB sticker. Adored your ref to Mt. Paper. I took some "me" time yes'dy afternoon, and sorted through snippets..good intentions and all that kind of thoughts. Loved your bouncing bunny, and good luck with your baby birds. We've never had a nest 'round here, but SIL has had cardinal & bluebird babies down the street from us. Those Mamas can do some serious hurt. Happy Easter, Hugs, & TFS

OH Babs said...

Happy Easter Dear Darnell. This beautiful So CA day I spent with my kids and dear DIL helped me with my blog. Thanks for your help. Bless you Iowa girl. Love your colorful spring card.

ILEANA ARTUFFO said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful (as always)! Your mind is so full of fantasy!
Happy Easter
Ileanaxxx

Craftychris said...

Absolutely gorgeous card! I love the flowery paper, it's so pretty. Also love your hopping bunny, so cute! I hope you are having a fabulous Easter! xx

Greta said...

Happy Easter, Darnell! Hope you had a wonderful day with your family. This card is adorable--love how you used the sticker! Hugs, Greta

Anonymous said...

That's such a pretty card Darnell, great lateral thinking there, or was that hammy? Hope you had a great Easter with your family too. We have a little birds nest by our garage but on Sunday morning Andrew found a newly broken small egg on the driveway, we think it came from that nest. Let's hope your birdies make it this year!

Hugs
Brenda

laurie said...

I think your card will be a winner in all the challenges!I love the spring colors. Happy Easter!

Linby said...

wow-this is a stunning card. Love that vibrant background with the simple image.
Thanks for sharing with us at Penny Black & More this month.
Lynn x
DT

Brenda in IN said...

Happy spring card! I love the bright colors and sweet pink ribbon. Your bunny is adorable and so much fun! I need to look through my stash of stickers. I never think to use them on cards. Yours is great on the card and you always inspire me to use things in other ways.

Claire Grantham said...

Darnell, Happy Easter! Love the card, the little bit of ribbon hanging off the edge is very on trend :) Love the pic of the nest, how lovely. Where I live, we have baby squirrels and baby bluejays - fun to have so much nature around me in NYC. Cx

Pia S said...

Your colorful spring card fits the bill of all the challenges! I like that the DP covers the whole front, I usually add papers onto panels, but covering the whole front with the DP gives your card a great clean feel!

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

I love your card! It definitely meets the diamond and color challenges with a lot of flair!

So, do you still have chocolate on your face?!? Tee hee. I resisted any chocolate bunnies this year but couldn't pass up homemade strawberry shortcake!

Thanks for visiting my Flat Susan post. I'm planning to mail her off to you this Wednesday as I'm not working that day.

Hugs,
Kay

Anonymous said...

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!! I love your card, so bright and springy lol!!!

wienerhoneymooners said...

So, so lovely!!!

Pat said...

I love this pretty floral card Darnell, so bright and springlike. The PB Stickeroo is the perfect topper. I love your bouncing bunny and hope you had a good Easter weekend. x

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

Oh, this is so pretty. The background is just perfect for the image you chose along with the ribbon! Just happy, happy, happy:)

Cat Tidwell said...

So gorgeous! Just oozes spring! Thanks so much for playing along in our challenge on the Mod Squad Blog this week!

Brenda said...

Oh my what a beautiful card Darnell! I love your "diamonds" paper, so springy, so pretty! That vase of flowers are just beautiful too. I am loving this card, I think it would brighten anyone's day! Hugs

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Yea! Love the spring card.

What a cute little birdie nest tucked away. Let's hope it results in baby birdies.

Mervi said...

Lovely spring creation.
Thank you for sharing at Penny Black and more,
good luck and welcome again;-))m

Whisper said...

Oh gorgeous and thanks for joining us at Penny Black & More this month and good luck, Luv Sam x