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!

June 18, 2014

Celebrating All Over! NBUS #138

Hi there!

I'm doing a quick second post today in honor of a few celebrations going on. Here's a look at my card which I made for my friend Nancy who is retiring. I think she will love the suggestion that palm trees and sunshine and celebrations await her in the Land of Retirement!:
For my card, I used a NBUS Darice palm tree embossing folder for the rose-colored circle which has a stitched embossed line built into the die from Lil' Inkers Designs. The circle is really much pinker IRL. The little sun circles are also by Lil' Inkers Designs. The congrats sediment is from Papertrey Ink. The washi tape strip is from Freckled Fawn and the charm is from American Traditional Designs.

I am linking my card with these challenges:

First, there is CASology, which is celebrating 100 weeks of challenges! This is a popular and challenging cue card word challenge and I've rarely missed a week of fun! Congratulations to the fabulous Melissa and the entire talented Design Team! This week, of course, the word is "celebrate!" My little charm says it all!

At The Paper Players, the incredible Design Team is celebrating its 200th challenge! Congratulations to Lesley and the entire Team! To celebrate this milestone, each DT member has chosen their favorite challenge to showcase. We are then to chose one of those sketches for our own card. I chose this sketch by the very creative LeAnn Pugliese:
The third challenge is AAA Cards. This is a relatively new challenge in Blogland that I've been wanting to play in since they started. This challenge is their seventh and it is "Create" week where we are to use a technique. The technique this time is "embossing" and, additionally, we are to use some pink on our card.
There are a few other challenges that would also work for my card, but The Paper Players challenge rules are that we only link to three challenges, so that's all I'm entering. Please click on the links to join in the challenges and to find all the details about rules, sponsors, and prizes!

~~~

New Friends Corner

It makes me so happy to introduce you to the next group of five new Playhouse friends, some of whom have ridden over on the NBUS!

Kim of Kim's Cards & Crafts. Kim has been blogging since 2009! She is a published and award-winning card artist and designer. Her cards are bright and beautifully made. In addition to cards, Kim enjoys cake decorating, embroidery, cross-stitch, sewing, and quilting!

Sarah of Mallows Crafty Bits. Sarah has been blogging since 2012. She is a delightful award-winning card artist and design team member. She also knows her way around animals, fabrics, her camera, and her kitchen! When she's not doing all that, she works part-time to support her crafty addictions!

These next three bloggers are all new to Blogland as of 2014! You know I love it when you make a special effort to welcome our newest bloggers to this very friendly and supportive stamping community, which can nevertheless be very intimidating to start with. 

Rachel of Rachel's Card Corner. Rachel is newly married and started her blog in April. She is very enthusiastic about her craft and she makes darling cards!

Judy Woodland of Judy's Happy Place. Judy just started her blog in January. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Besides making her wonderful cards, she loves to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, bead, and work with stained glass!

Gracie CH of Graciellie Designs. Graciellie has also been blogging since January. She was born in Brazil and moved to Central America at an early age. She is multilingual and very talented. Her style and elegance is evident in her beautifully constructed cards!

Thank you very much for joining, ladies, and welcome to the Playhouse!

~~~

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! 

 
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Mwah!
Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)
June 6, 2014 - June 27, 2014
Thank you for your overwhelming support and enthusiasm!
Here

75 comments:

Kathyk said...

Fab card, Darnell, lovely sunshiney feel to it!

Kathyk

vic said...

This is gorgeous Darnell love the bright colours!!

Vic x

Lynn said...

Oh I love those palm springs...which I could go lay on the beach and read a book under some!

Ros Crawford said...

Super card!! It's so happy!

Pat said...

Sorry Darnell, I should have saved my comments on the card for this post, but just to reiterate, this is bright and beautiful and 'Happy Retirement Nancy'. x

Canonbury creations said...

A wonderful happy card for an exciting occasion, don't you just love being retired? I DO :)
Val x

Irish Cherokee said...

Love the card Darnell. A sunny bright creation.

Blessings
Jim

My followers reading list has been down. Blogger R.I.P. Will comment as I can.

jimlynn said...

Cute card and perfect for someone that's retiring!
Lynn

Colleen said...

What a great card, Darnell! You worked the sketch with your magic and it is awesome! BTW...I forwarded your directions about posting more than one card to a post to TWO more crafting ladies! I sent them your way...Marlena and Helen! I am sure they know you!

Tracey McNeely said...

The embossing folder rocks Darnell! Love the happy sunshine feeling on this card!

Sue said...

Wonderful card Darnell. I love the sunny colours and fabulous design.
Sorry I haven't commented in a while, things are still hectic for me at the moment.
take care
hugs Sue xx

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Hi Darnell, Thanks for visiting my blog. Gorgeous and fun card!!!!

Alanna said...

What a darling card. It's perfect for a retirement card. Love the fun feel it gives off.

G Peplow said...

HI Darnell, WOW that's one bright and sunny card, I love it, good luck with your challenges :D Thanks for dropping by my blog you always brighten up the place !! :D
Let's hope that you do get to write botanically again real soon LOL Hugs Gay xx

Anonymous said...

Oh so cute and cheerful!! She will LOVE it!!

Craftychris said...

What a happy relaxing card! Its gorgeous! XX

Carol L said...

This is one great retirement card! Nothing could be more fun that palm trees, warm sun and summer colors! NJ!

Sarn said...

And who wouldn't like the thought of palm trees and sunshine . . . any time of their life!

Great card Darnell.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

KandA said...

This is gorgous Darnell. Such cheerful colours and great design xx

Kathleen said...

Great card, one to make you dream even if it can't be a reality.

Kath x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

So positive and fun card
love it
hugs Tamara

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

So positive and fun card
love it
hugs Tamara

Anita in France said...

How fun, Darnell ... oh to be relaxing under those palms, with warm sunshine, gentle breeze, long cool drink ... oops, getting carried away (or maybe should be!). Love these fabulous bright colours ... such a happy card! Anita :)

Bobby said...

What a fun card to celebrate a retirement.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Super cheerful retirement card. Got to wait a good few years before I get me one of them but after a busy shift at work today, I wish it was sooner, lol !
Best wishes.
Ang x

Kristie Goulet said...

Very fun and colorful card, Darnell! xo

Unknown said...

Such a bright and cheery card - who couldn't fail to look forward to retirement if this is one of the many things to look forward to. Wishing your friend a wonderful retirement. x

OH Babs said...

What a fun embossing folder. Cool card and your friend will love it.

Barb Ghig said...

I really love the fun, bright colors you chose for this card, Darnell! The embossed palm trees are fabulous, and I love all of your stitched elements! It's perfect for retirement, too...I'm sure your friend is going to love your thoughtful, beautiful card!

Bonnie said...

I love the bright, tropical feel of this! Great retirement card!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fun embossing and very appropriate! Your friend will love this fun card - Thanks for joining in at AAA!

Joyce said...

What a super fun and bright card you made for your friend. Palm tress and sunshine sound perfect right about now. Thanks so much for playing along at CASology and helping us celebrate 100 challenges this week.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

What a fabulous summery card! Perfect for someone retiring!

Julia said...

So much fun!! Love your newsy way in your blog. You make my smile as I read!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at AAA Cards! Love having you there.

Sue from Oregon said...

What a cheerful retirement card!!!

Brenda said...

What a cute card Darnell! I love the colors of this one and of course I love the laid back lazy days of summer which is what this card represents to me and what better way to be laid back is to retire. Notice I didn't say lazy-cause when you retire you are busier than ever! lol But maybe if your friend can find a place with palm trees and bright sunshine she can be lazy. lol Hugs, Brenda

Donna Nuce said...

Love a retirement card that's not all soupy and melancholy! This is so bright and cheerful just as retirement should be! Needless to say I am loving retirement!!! Have a great day Darnell -- Need to get my NBUS card done -- way behind!

Kim Heggins said...

Fun, fun card Darnell! I love your card, it looks like a day in paradise.

Anonymous said...

Your card is so sweet, Darnell! I'm sure your friend will love this! I'm so glad that you played along with us for our 100th challenge at CASology. May

Linda Beeson said...

Just right for summer, so glad you played along at AAA Cards

Sheila H said...

Your card is so bright and sunny - a perfect happy day card!

Jane said...

Lovely happy retirement card, your friend will love it - and retirement too! So pleased you played at AAA Cards and can't believe I'm leaving this comment on your blog as part of a DT team - you were one of my first ever followers and gave me the confidence to keep blogging. :)

Kim M said...

What a fun a bright card! Love that glittery embellishment! Hugs! :-)

Hannelie said...

Darnell! A big smile and hug from me for joining us at AAA challenge!
Your card is perfect for your retiring friend... AND for our challenge!
Thanks so much!

dottielottie said...

Your retirement card for Nancy definitely suggests palm trees sunshine and celebrations to me Darnell, it's a gorgeous, happy and colourful card and I wish Nancy a happy retirement too. Love the memos on your work desk pic, the same could be said for my place only with the addition of nose art on my window from my cats!. I hold my hands up, cos I would so be guilty of nipping over your fence and helping myself to those chocs. Almonds and chocolate Mmm, Mmm yes siree!
Hugs Lottie x

Hettie said...

Lovely card there Darnell. I would love to have palm trees and be retired. Not a chance of either here in Wales!
Thank you for your message yesterday and your lovely card. I had a lovely day and had a small hangover to prove it this morning!
Hugs
xx

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love this retirement card Darnell. Your friend Nancy will surely enjoy this tropical destination! Congrats to her.

stampwithsandy said...

Yay, Darnell! So happy you are playing along with our 200th challenge at The Paper Players! You friend is going to love this card. Those die cut sunshines and embossed palm trees are fab. Great colors too! Hugs!

Nance Leedy said...

What a bright, fun and happy card Darnell! Love the embossed palm trees and sunshine...so glad you could celebrate our 200th with us!

Victoria Lavender said...

Hi Darnell! I'm so happy you came to play with us at AAA! Your card is a "just right cutie". Everything is wonderful and it's always so nice and fun to visit your blog (I've placed your blog address on my sidebar:) Best of luck, Hugs, Victoria

~Tammy~ said...

Happy and bright! The best!

Angela said...

Darnell, what a great endorsement from you with this beautiful retirement card. I love that you've joined us at AAA cards! Thank you!

Greta said...

Finally made it to your blog after being gone. Fritz is really slowing down my catch up time--he needs so much attention at this point. Anyway, this is such a great retirement card--wish it was for me--LOL!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love the stitched suns! I'd be more than happy to retire someplace with sunshine and palm trees...oh, look, out the window! Sunshine and palm trees. I'm sure the boss won't mind. See ya!

Diane Jaquay said...

LOVE your sunny card, Darnell, the palm trees debossed in the red circle are brilliant!! And thanks for always leaving such wonderful comments on my blog, you are very appreciated :)

Robin said...

Hi Darnell! Awesome card for your friend. It was also nice to get to "meet" your new Playhouse friends. Hugs, Robin

maria f. said...

Oh how cheery this is! Embossing on a die cut - DUH - what a great idea. Hope her pension can keep up with her daydreams...

Leslee said...

Hope you are enjoying a terrific week!, love your bright and cheery card! I love the embossed palm trees!

LeAnne said...

What a fun, cheerful card--I am especially happy that you used my sketch as your starting point...I think some people found it intimidating, LOL! Thanks for helping us celebrate our 200th challenge with this beauty!

Viv said...

Wow what a lovely bright card, I bet your friend Nancy just loved it too.My MIL would call it a real humdinger ! I love being retired also, just where does the time go too though?? whooosh and the day is gone :) hugs Vee xx

Anne Marie Hile said...

Such a bright and cheery card, Darnell! Thank you so much for joining us this week at the Paper Players for our 200th challenge! :)

Shona Chambers said...

Retirement is such a huge change, I'm sure your hints of an island oasis will be well appreciated. Love the colours you chose and all those gorgeous die cuts, it will be a hit with her I'm sure!

Janelle said...

Love the fun sunny colours in this card. Your die cutting and embossing is the tops! I must try something like this myself. Well done!

Janelle said...

Love the fun sunny colours in this card. Your die cutting and embossing is the tops! I must try something like this myself. Well done!

Judy1223 said...

Darnell, this is just about the most cheerful "congrats" card I have ever seen! I almost needed to put on my sunglasses just to take in all the bright, cheerful elements at once! I love how you incorporated the "celebrate" sentiment, too. Thanks for being a constant supporter at CASology...and thanks for helping us celebrate this week!

Karen M said...

I just love your bright fun card Darnell - it looks amzing:) I hope you are having a crafty weekend and thankyou for the lovely comments that you left on my blog - Mwah! hugs xx

Anita in France said...

Yay, Darnell ... you're a Washi Winner at AAA cards ... how fabulous! Congratulations, my friend! Hugs, Anita :)

nwilliams6 said...

So fun, bright, and cheerful - the way all cards should be! Hugz!

nwilliams6 said...

So fun, bright, and cheerful - the way all cards should be! Hugz!

Vicki Dutcher said...

You are a definition of success - I see you have gained another 52 followers - your challenge has gone viral to EVERYONE, and you won over at AAA Card Challenge! You go girl! :)

Geri said...

Seeing this card really, REALLY makes me wish I was Nancy! Sun, palm trees, retirement and a frosty cool beverage (that I'm sure is hiding behind the palm trees!). Awesome job pulling the colors from the washi tape into your design!

MaryH said...

Just love these Lil Inker dies, and that's a great EF too. Palm trees and sunshine, and lots of cheery color. What more could a pretty retirement card need? Love this one, and so will the recipient. Off to check out some of your new friends. Hugs

Jen W. said...

LOVING this bright and cheery card, Darnell! Funnily enough I made a goodbye card yesterday with a palm tree in a circle (although I forgot to take a picture of it). Great minds huh? :) I really like the embossed palms and how perfectly the congrats fits in the circle. It all rocks! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

cm said...

Second look at this gorgeous card is as impressive at the first. It's totally lovely!! Palm trees, sunshine, celebrations...yes, that is what retirement "must" be made of. Add to that beverages with little umbrellas in them, served by handsome waiters...
Hugs~c

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