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!

May 4, 2014

Happy Mother's Day 2014

Hi There!

I keep having holidays jump out at me from behind my calendar. Know what I mean? One day I look and the holiday is three weeks off and then it seems like it's just the next day and I am sitting at my desk minding my own business making a birthday card and talking about skin care with my hamster and BOOO out from the wall the calendar yells, "MOTHER'S DAY IS SUNDAY!" I jumped a foot!

That's here in the USA, of course. I know some of you were already startled by that holiday a few weeks back. For you, however, you must have something coming up like Boxer Day or Bra Day or some such Unnerwear Day. Speaking of unnerwear, all of the holidays creep up on my any more. I figure what we could do is, we could just all agree to stop time, say on the 15th of this month, for about ten days while we do nothing but make cards for special holidays. Are you with me? Okay, good. I'll start a petition.

Having said all that, I don't have a need to make a Mother's Day card for a mother, but I did make one for my wonderful DIL, mother of our beloved twin grandsons. We will be brunching with them on Sunday and I can give her my card then. You get to see it first:
Some of you may remember that I bought a bunch of beautiful napkins when I went to see my friend in Colorado last fall and every now and then I will dip in the napkin basket and use one to make a card. They are truly gorgeous napkins. 
To dimensionalize my nappy, I added a hydrangea that I made by applying some Tim Holtz alcohol inks and blending solution to a piece of glossy card stock (ala Laurie), stamping the hydrangea and then fussy-cutting it. To make it look like it was an inter grill part of the napkin, I added the stem and bud  after fussy-cutting them from another snippet of the napkin.
The sediment banner is made from a snippet of purple vellum, certainly celery cardstock, and an overlay of clear vellum. The flower centers were popped on with Liquid Pearls. And thassit!

~~~

My card is playing in these fun challenges:

Clean and Simple 291, sketch.
Pixie's Snippets Playground, use your snippets.
Pixies Crafty Workshop
The Squirrel and the Fox, "Mother's Day." This is my first time playing in this challenge! You might have guessed that Hammy found it when he was leafing through the magazine section of the Sunday Critter Chronicles.
Stamplorations, stamp & flowers.
Words 2 Scrap By, "Bloom Where You Are Planted."
Our Badge!!!
If you click on the challenge links, you will find all the details about rules, sponsors, and prizes!

~~~

New Friends Corner

Jenny BI'm so thrilled to introduce you to our newest friend at the Playhouse. Please welcome Jenny B. of Owl Be Crafty! In Jenny's own words, she enjoys doing just about anything creative such as baking, event planning, and photography, but her absolute favorite thing is making cards. Everything she learned about crafting, she learned from her mother! What a wonderful acknowledgment from a sweet daughter and so timely as we celebrate Mother's Day!

Jenny is trying to become more active as a blogger and I know that your visit and your encouragement will mean a lot to her. If you could follow her, that would be an added bonus for both of you! I know you will find her card art to be exceptional and inspirational!

Welcome, Jenny, and thank you for joining us!!

~~~

I have made a collage of photos for you as a follow-up to my last post. If you're interested, the individual photos can be viewed by clicking on the tab at the top called "My Photos."
~~~

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!

Project Details
PaperSU certainly celery, unknown textured card base; glossy paper by Stampland; colored and clear vellum by Grafix
Stamps    Hydrangea H2121 by Hero Arts; sediment by Art Gone Wild (AS-E4.506)
 InkStazon jet black; Tim Holtz alcohol inks
AccessoriesNapkin by Michel Design Works; Liquid pearls

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Mwah!

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

OW she will love the card its absolutely stunning!!!

Loll said...

Wow! This card is AMAZING Dolly. Your DIL will love it! The napkins are so beautiful for the background, but that hydrangea - it's so gorgeous - love the bold color and the liquid pearls add such elegance. Lolly xx

Jasleen Kaur said...

Beautiful, just beautiful, Darnell. Your colouring is amazing. And what a brilliant idea to use a snippet of another napkin to make the stem and the leaf, it actually looks like the bunch is popping out from the base design :) Indeed a special gesture for a special person in your life :)

Annie said...

Hi Darnell this is such a beautiful card....love the colours and stunning stamped image.

TFS and crafty hugs Annie x

Mrs.B said...

Stunning card. Like the idea of extra dimension with the stamped flower.
I'll sign your petition to stop time - great idea.
Avril xx

Redanne said...

I think I am speechless..... your card is incredible, I love what you did with the alcohol inks and that hydrangea - stunning and yes it does look inter grill with the rest of the card! Wowzers!

It is a holiday today here in the UK, it is our May Day bank holiday. I second your idea to add another 10 days, I need to make SO many cards....

Love your photos, you really should be a professional photographer my friend! Hugs, Annie xxx

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Spookily, I'm featuring a similar flower in white.
Pass the petition over here.
Looking forward to Thong Day!
Best wishes.
Ang x

Gerrina said...

A great card! I love hydragenias... And the napkin as a background is such a good idea... Hugs, Gerrina

Suze Bain said...

An absolutely gorgeous card Darnell, I love hydrangeas, my granny used to grow them. Wonderful pics too. Xx

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness. Your DIL is going to love this Darnell. The hydrangeas are amazing!

Christine said...

Gorgeous card Darnell! The flowers are real beauties!
Christine

Ros Crawford said...

Put my name on the petition ... I'm with you! Oh my what a stunner this card is .... DIL will LOVE this! And I love looking at photos ... gotta love those chickens!

Sue - said...

Absolutely stunning card! What more can I say?

maria f. said...

I fall for every single purple hydrangea that crosses my path, and this is no exception. Beautiful napkin, gorgeous alcohol inked bloom that you created. Thanks for joining us this month at STAMPlorations!

Kim M said...

This is just lovely, Darnell! What a great find with those napkins! Love how the sentiment looks. :-)

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Happy Monday Darnell
I am impressed
your card is divine
love all on it
image, colours, colouring,...
have a lovely start in new week
hugs Tamara

Carol L said...

This is one gorgeous card for a lucky Mom! WOW! I love the darker hydrangea against the softness of the napkin! BEE-YOO-TEA-FULL!!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow love your gorgeous card, your DIL should be very pleased to receive such a beauty. The colours are beautiful and such a great idea to use a pretty napkin as the background. Your photo collage is fantastic, I should figure out how to do such things. And yes indeed time seems to fly by. Have a great week, Shirleyx

Sheila H said...

Your card is exquisite. The fussy cut hydrangea gives nice depth atop the lovely napkin background. Your DIL is sure to love her special card. Your photos are just gorgeous, by the way :)

OH Babs said...

I love your card and so will your DIL. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers and remind me of my youth in Oregon. Where did you go on your trip? Happy Mothers Day.

OH Babs said...

I just viewed the photos which is difficult on an IPhone and Darnell you are very gifted. Each looks like it should be in a frame.

Sharron said...

When opening my Blogger Reader this morning, your card literally jumped right off the screen! The color is AMAZING! Love your gorgeous hydrangea!! And I never thought of using napkins on a card--very creative. Have a happy Monday.....

scrappymo! said...

This is gorgeous. Your DIL is going to love this one. The stamped image is so pretty and love your design!

Di said...

That is one absolutely fabulous card Darnell - I can almost smell the flowers right here - atchoooooo, sniff, snuffle! I can see there was a shed load of work and love went into it - beautiful colouring and the vellum sentiment is just such a perfect finishing touch too! Hope you had a lovely day.

Hugs, Di xx

Benzi said...

Wow! Darnell, this is a stunning card and your daughter-in-law may become breathless when she sees it. I think I would.

Your photos are gorgeous...such beautiful flowers, body of water, and cute critters/animals. Thanks for sharing them.

Krisha said...

Super Stunning Darnell!
I only have DIL to make Mother's day cards for too, just the chain of life.

Canonbury creations said...

Wow, love everything about this card Darnell! The colour is beautiful and the way you've used the napkin and the dimensional hydrangea is wonderful.
Val x

Diane Jaquay said...

So creative of you to use the napkin on your card! I just love hydrangeas and your card is beautiful!!!

Pat said...

I love this card Darnell. The background using that beautifully patterned napkin is gorgeous, and the Hydrangea stamp from Hero Arts over the top works wonderfully. Such lovely colours too. Love the photos of your time away, it made me wish I was there too. x

Pink Blossom Creations said...

Beautiful card and colours are brilliant x

Sarn said...

That's a beautiful card Darnell. Hope YOU had a lovely Mother's Day xxx

Laurie Unger said...

Beautifully done - that napkin is just wonderful and I understand why you bought them! Great pictures or collage of the coast!

Patti said...

Stunning! The colors are so dynamic!! She will love it.

Happy Mother's Day to you, Darnell.

Patti : )

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Where is that petition?! I'll sign it. Can we add a rider there will be no health issues allowed during those 10 days we are using to make cards? I mean, we won't have time to them and all.

Great pretty card! I remember using napkins on cards, but more for making some fancy schmancy envelopes out of it.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous colours and gorgeous card. Enjoy your brunch.
Heather T

Greta said...

This card is a keepsake! One of my all-time favorites, Darnell! Lovely collage--thanks for sharing!

Pia S said...

I like how you incorporated the image with this paper napkin background! You've done a great job fussy cutting the image and I like how you popped it up too. Very elegant!

chera said...

Stunning colour pallet!

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

So pretty, DJK! It is so 3D- I felt like I could reach in and touch it. Your DIL will love it:)

Anita in France said...

Wow ... I mean WOW, Darnell ... this is so stunning! Gorgeous colours, beautiful images, so impeccably designed and executed ... your DDIL will love it forever! Hugs, Anita :)

Lisa Elton said...

You are really going to score in the MIL department when you give this STUNNING card to your DIL!!! LOVE it Darnel!

Verna Angerhofer said...

An outstandingly beautiful card with those pretty hydrangeas. Like you, I made cards for my daughters and daughter-in-law as my mom and hubby's are in Heaven now.

Anne said...

What a beautiful card Darnell. x

shirley-bee said...

Where do I sign?
Love your hydrangea card, and I love your stunning photos!

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful card! Your DIL is going to love it.

mjbest said...

Your card is BEAUTIFUL!! LOOOOVVVVEEE IIITTTTT!

Bonnie said...

Not only is the napkin gorgeous, but your stamped hydrangea goes so perfectly! Your DIL will feel the love! Happy Mother's Day!

BobbisTreasure said...

I love seeing "re-purposed" items on cards! Inspiration comes form all kinds of interesting places. Love the hydrangea card, I bet it feels wonderful, too! Thanks for playing along with us this month at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com.

Susanne Vargas said...

Ha, those holidays do the exact same thing to me! I'll sign that petition immediately!
Beautiful card! That alcohol background is stunning!

ike said...

Ooooh - that is just so GORGEOUS !!! Fantastic colours on there and that napkin is amazing. You did a beautiful job with the inks and stamp :-D FABULOUS.

Hugz
IKE xxx

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Geri said...

The hydrangea card is magnificent! Seriously...a napkins? Your dimensional hydrangea is gorgeous! The colors blend together beautifully! And your fussy cutting - wow - barbers everywhere would be impressed!

Fabulous photos! The lighthouse staircase pic really needs to be enlarged and framed! Real pigeons or fake? Seals in the water?

happyglitzygirl said...

This really is stunning, and I am in love with the colours. Thanks for playing along with us at the Squirrel and the Fox, blessings Hilde

Dawn @ LilyPinkScraps said...

Wow, stunning! The napkin is beautiful enough on it's own but adding that gorgeous extra flower really sends the card down another road of 'Wow'

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Hi Darlene - you always speak out loud what I am thinking - I just had a almost heart attack when I realized on Sunday that Mothers Day is a week later - thankfully I still had a Mothers Day card laying around in my stash to send to Germany....Now to your card - AMAZING - WOW - EYE-CANDY! A true masterpiece - keep staring at it - so many gorgeous details - like the bud hanging over the sentiment strip - I could go on and on about it, but don't want to bore you ;)
Thanks so much for playing with us at STAMPlorations. I hope to see one of your amazing creations there next time, too! Hugs, Cornelia DT

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Sorry, Darnell - I just realized I mangled up your name in my above comment....

Jenny B (aka Owl Be Crafty) said...

Hello Darnell!

I kept getting comments on my blog about you sending people over to my site and I thought WOW what amazing word of mouth she has! Then I popped over here and starting reading through more posts and realized you spotlighted me. I had missed that the first time, lol! I can't thank you enough for your awesome introduction of my little blog :) I was so surprised and honored! I truly appreciate your support and hopefully this will continue to help me build up my little crafting world. Again, no words how grateful I am!

cm said...

Please - send that petition my way! Nothing but healthy, rejuvenating card-making for 10 days is exactly what I need! sign me up! Your card for your DIL - swooning! She will be absolutely thrilled when you pass this lovely work of art to her! Isn't she the luckiest daughter-in-law to have you as her MIL!! Gorgeous card, infused with love!! Your photo collage...sighhh...beautiful! Would you like some snow? It's still fluttering down here (and my initial 'oh, isn't this pretty' has turned to "grrr..enough already!). Thanks for adding much welcome sunshine to this cloudy day! Hugs~c

Shona Chambers said...

Napkins?? How do you come up with these wonderful ideas??!!! I would never have thought to use napkins but have certainly seen some gorgeous ones in my travels. I love hydrangea's and have quite a few in my garden. Unfortunately we are going into winter so they don't look their best but wish I had one this colour to look forward to in Summer!

Brenda said...

A double WOW! I love, love this card, it is simply stunning! That is one gorgeous napkin and I just love how you put another hydrangea, inked and stamped on the card-oh my it is just exquisite and I'm sure your DIL will adore it!! The other wow was for the lovely photo collage, those pics are amazing and looks like you and hubby had a great time! Hugs

Sybrina K said...

Hi, Darnell.

Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought of using a napkin. What an amazing card! I'm sure your DIL loved it and will treasure this work of heart for a long time to come.

Thanks so much for joining us at W2SB!

Unknown said...

Darnell, I just had to pop by and say how thrilled we are at The Squirrel and The Fox that you chose to play along with us. Your card is really stunning and I am loving this napkin art craze. You are a hoot and I can tell you enjoy life. :) Hope you'll join us as often as possible. Off to become a follower so I can keep up with you. :) Hugs, Lisa

dnisme@blogspot.com said...

I absolutely love your hydrangea card and want to try the alcohol inks in the way you used them. Now I gotta go buy more alcohol ink. Thanks a lot, Darnell! (says she, sarcastically) LOL!

Brenda in IN said...

Wow, what a great card. DIL will love it. Love that you incorporated the napkin and the paper. You always have the best ideas.

Petra Swart said...

WOW, Darnell, this is just beautiful!!!! Your DIL surely loved this card as much as I do!! Here in SA we are having MD on Sunday, so hopefully I will be spoiled with coffee in bed! Hope you had a lovely MD!!
Greetings from Africa!!!

Shirley said...

How elegant and royal too! Love the design, beautiful colors and how you mounted your beautifully painted creation!

Nonni said...

What a beautiful card, Darnell! I love the colors and the layout you have chosen works perfectly with your napkin art. So feminine! Thanks for joining us at STAMPlorations!

Janet McLaughlin said...

Love this, Darnell! I have never tried the napkin technique, but I sure am going to try it soon! All I can say is WOW!

Puddin N Pie said...

I love what you did with the napkin and the alcohol inks! They are my favorite medium, thanks for sharing!

sandie said...

Hi Darnell, congrats on your top 3 at Stamplorations, I did love this card x

wienerhoneymooners said...

Hi there miss awesomeness!!! Congrats on your top pick at Stamplorations!!!! This is so magnificent, my moms fave colors too sigh!!!!... Love!!!

Anita in France said...

Yep ... this is just as stunning and gorgeous as I remember it, Darnell ... congratulations on the Stamplorations Top Pick ... so honoured to share the spotlight with you! Anita :)

Kim M said...

Congrats on your top 3 pick over at STAMPlorations, too! A beautiful card! Nice to see our two cards sitting there together. :-). Hugs!