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!

August 22, 2014

Nonni's Birthday, Anita DJKASE, and NBUS #148

Happy Whoosh Day!

Today we are celebrating several extraordinary card artists, one of wooms having a birthday!

Happy Surprise Birthday to Nonni!!

Nonni is from Finland and her blog is the incredible Korttikarkuri - Runaway Cards. She has been blogging since 2012 and she is well known in our stamping community for all of her design team work, her challenge entries, and her wonderful sweet disposition! Nonni's card art ranges from CAS to vintage, so there is something for everyone on her blog and if you haven't had the pleasure, make sure you check her out!

For your birthday card, Nonni, I played along with the current TIME OUT Challenge where you are on the Design Team. We are to CASE the card made by the outstanding Anita of My Papercraft World. Since I've been meaning to DJKASE a card of Anita's for some time now, I hopped at this chance.

Here is my card,
which is winging its way to you, Nonni!! I hope you have a very special day and I hope you extend your celebrations at least through the entire weekend! Here's a matching grid cake for you!
Pretty Cake With Squares Applique Pattern
{source}
The kind and talented Sandie of London Days is providing us with an InLinkz button to add our birthday cards to a gallery for Nonni for two weeks. I hope you will be able to join the party!!

~~~

And here is the spectacular card of Anita's that I DJKASEd:

Isn't it stunning? I had the best time making my own version of this happy card. It's not too late for you to join in the Anita challenge!

Anita has been blogging for a couple of years (coming up on your 2nd Blogaversary, Anita!) and every time I visit, I leave wanting to make a card just like she did. Her card art designs are breathtaking, CASlicious, and clever! I'm thrilled to have had this opportunity to CASE her!

Since I'm avoiding the stencil and embossing paste trend until I can cross off some other Try This Technique items, my twist to Anita's card was using a NBUS "Grid Border" die from Simon Says Stamp instead. I sponged a background to peek through and I popped some of the wee squares back into the grid to give it a faux paste effect. Sort of like. (Are you buying that?)

The happy sediment is a die from PTI that I triple-cut and layered like Anita did on her card. In my photos, however, it looks a little blurry for some reason, but it snot blurry IRL, I promise. However, yes, it's true that the word "birthday" (Avery Elle "Fanfare") is a bit crookity. It was a dumb move to stamp the sediment AFTER I made the ENTIRE card! I'm such a dork. I should have just stamped "birthday" on the inside. That's a tip, although I suspend that most of you will not need it since you wouldn't be that foolish in the first place!

Anita, thank you for all the inspiration you continually provide to me, as well as your personal friendship! For those of you not already familiar with Anita, I know her card will have you scooting over for a vis ... well, okay, you could have waited until you finished here, but I don't blame you!

Today's Challenges:

TIME OUT Challenge (DJKASE of Anita)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge (Anything Goes)
Grab Our Badge!Simon Monday Challenge Blog

Addicted to CAS (ATCAS) (geometric)
Just Us Girls (JUGS) (blue/green/neutrals)

If you click on the links for any of the challenges, you will find out the details regarding rules, sponsors, and prizes.

~~~

New Friends Corner

I am delighted to welcome and introduce some new friends today!

Aussie Annie of The Journey is the Start. As her name suggests, Annie is from Australia and her cards are sensational. Her coloring and designs are divine, which is why you will find her on several design teams. It is certainly a fascinating journey when you visit Annie!

Kelly of You and Your Big Dreams. Kelly has been blogging since 2010 and like Annie, her coloring is absolutely spectacular. In addition to giving you lots of inspiration, Kelly is very generous with sharing tutorials about her beautiful works of art!!

Julie of Any Old Craft. Julie just started blogging last year, but it feels like she has been a pro for ages. Not only do I think her card art is fun and often unique, she provides her readers with free digi images! You'll often see Julie playing in, and winning, challenges!

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

~~~

I noticed that I am getting close to reaching 600 followers which means it will be time for the NBUS #2 Challenge! With the holidays coming up, I'm thinking I'll hold the next challenge the first part of September whether I'm at 600 or not. By then all the schools will have started and it will be after the long Labor Day holiday weekend in the States so some of you moms will be able to settle back into some crafting time. Plus, it will be over before the big holiday rush overwhelps Blogland, so I think that will work best for everyone. I hope you are all becited!

~~~

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!

101 comments:

sandie said...

Knew you couldn't resist a party!! Thanks for swinging by! And I adore the faux paste look hon...I haven't gone there yet! And patience was needed here to add those squares back in but it looks great.Thanks for joining us at TIME OUT as well as Nonni's bash! And looking forward to your challenge x

Lyn said...

Gorgeous card and Yay for the next NBUS :)

Kylie said...

Do you know what I hate about this? Absolutely nothing except the fact I now want to buy that die, waaaaahhh. Off I go onto the internet to look for it. This card is truly outstanding. From that cool die to the little squares you added back in to the triple cut word die. The colours are gorgeous. Oh! and thanks so much for playing along at ATCAS. Your card is amazing xx

Nonni said...

Hi Darnell! THANK YOU so much for the sweet introduction and attending my birthday party at Sandie's. I'm so happy to have "met" you all in blogland -all the fun we have here gives a lot to the "real" life, it's just such a gift. Your card is stunning and a beautiful CASE of Anita's card -very clever and cool design! Thanks for taking TIME OUT and joining our challenge... And thinking of me! :) xxx

Craft-E-Place said...

Beautiful card, I love the mesh die and the colours are amongst my favourites! I can't wait for your next challenge.
Take care, Elaine x

Rahmat said...

I totally love this awesome, stunning card Darnell!! its a true beauty, its simple and striking at the same time.

Liz said...

Simply stunning! I love how you've used the grid die - something else to add to my wish list! x

Linda said...

Stunning as always Darnell ...... love how you've used the grid die .... very clever!
Looking forward to the next NBUS challenge already.
Have a great weekend .... hugs Linda xx

Sue said...

Your card is stunning Darnell, I really love the design and the colours are gorgeous too.
I hope you have a good weekend.
hugs Sue xx

Sue said...

Fabby card.

Hope you have a fab Friday.

Stamping With Bibiana said...

hello darnell; love this style of card...so fresh and light! great job...congrats on the almost 600 subscribers, this is wonderful...big hugs
bibiana

Julie B said...

A great CASE Darnell, love that die cut. Blogging is seriously injurious the the pocket and my covert gene is in overdrive!

Lynn said...

Oh you knocked Anita's inspiration card out of the park Darnell. Love your faux embossing paste...perfect! Nonni will cherish this for sure!

Ros Crawford said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the 3 layered word ... Must give that a try! I'm going to visit your friends blog too ...Have a lovely day!

nwilliams6 said...

OM Gosh - this is fabulous. The card you cased is great and I totally love your version! I love how you left some of the little squares in the die. I would have taken everyone out and the effect would not have been the same. Fun card and very trendy - same kind of look as the stencil/modeling paste trend stuff but cleaner. Wonderfully done. Hugz!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous CASE of Anita's card Darnell.Love this mesh die too and the squares that you put back give a fabulous effect, Cathy x

Carol L said...

This might be one of my favorite cards you've ever made! I love the sponged colors behind the grid, and especially how you added some negatives back into the pattern! I love the triple layered sentiment too! Gorgeous card!

Lisa Elton said...

Wowzers Darnell you really nailed the inspiration of Anita's card!! I adore your layered happy. Nonni is going to treasure this work of art!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Becited does not begin to describe it! This is a magnificent KASE! Adore that border die!

Deepti said...

Stunner!! Love the beautiful colors peeking through those squares. You cased Anita'd card perfectly ! Thank you for sharing with ATCAS :)

adele holcomb said...

I really like this graphic-style card with the layered sentiment and the subtle colors -- very appealing!

Nan G said...

Fabulous card!

Stamps and Paper said...

Groegous card Darnell and so effective also love the shadowing on the sentiment...

Anne

Jeanne said...

What a pretty card, Darnell. I really like the colors you chose. So bright and happy. :) You have some fun dies in your stash. Thanks for the introduction to some fun new bloggers, too. Hope you have a great weekend!

I Card Everyone said...

Well, D., it's awesome, incredible, and Anita will love it, too!
=] M.

Sue said...

Stunning card Darnell!! have a great weekend huggles Sue xx

Sharon Underwood said...

Hi Darnell! Your card is beautiful! I love that grid die, and your colorful Happy makes the card!

Gerrina said...

Wow, like how you combined all those challenges into one super beautiful card! It is elegant, vibrant and CAS at the same time; so clever! Hugs, Gerrina

jimlynn said...

Awesomeness - is that really a word!!!
LOVE THIS!!! Darnell, this is knock dead gorgeous! So beautiful.
Lynn

Linda said...

This is a really cool border die and I love how you used it. So pretty.

Meg said...

Fabulous take on Anita's card - it is just beautiful.

Casandra Bennett said...

I LOVE your card. The soft colors, that awesome cut-out that makes me think of computer being defragmented (weird notion, but so cool), and that awesome sentiment, too. Possibly my favorite card of your's to date, and I like them all. :)

Mrs Harry said...

This is just amazing. So beautiful Darnell. I will be CASing your CASE!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Both cards are absolutely fabulous. I have grid die envy lol!
You CAS so beautifully.
Have a great weekend.
Ang x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous cards
have a lovely weekend
hugs Tamara

conil said...

Becited I am. Woot. BTW, loved the card you cased and the resulting case"ment". Colors and that grid are awesomeness.

Krisha said...

DIE-NAMIC! Darnell

LauraJane:) said...

I'd say you are on a minty Flavor today Darnell!
LOVE the staggered HAPPY!

Sheri said...

This card is the most amazing card I have seen in a long time! My birthday is in Dec. and I hope I get one just like it - just kidding :)

Bobby said...

Duh, how dumb am I to not get the "faux paste" reference. Thanks, Lynn, for pointing it out. Faux sure this is one of your best cards, Darnell. Nonni is happy and Anita is proud. And "yay" for another NBUS challenge. I've been saving up for one. wink wink

Pat said...

Once again I've gotten my daily inspiration and LOL moments from this blog! Plus introductions to other talented ladies. Much indebted to you and admiration for such pleasures and beauty you add to each day.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Cool card designs and love the fact you added some of the squares back in to add more of a dimensional look. I had thought similarly of doing that but never got to trying it but you have inspired me now. I love the slight overlap to create a two color sentiment too.

Viv said...

Wow Dee your beautiful card is just AMAZING! is it just me or are your cards getting more fabulous with each new one......nope it's not just me, no wonder you have so many comments here! Sure Nonni will love this card too.I have posted a few pics of the 'Forest Fest' if want a peek now too :) hugs Viv xx

Kathleen said...

Brilliant card, lovely colour and love the way you have left a couple of the squares in the die cut, great idea.

Kath x

Eve said...

Hi Darnell,
sorry that I haven't visited for a while.
WOW!! I just had to comment on your FABULOUS card - AMAZING.
Hope you are well,
Eve xx

Sybrina K said...

Hi, Darnell.

Love the inspiration card and your CASE -- both are amazing! Your use of that die is so clever. :)

dottielottie said...

Happy Birthday to Nonni. Beautiful case of Anita's lovely card Darnell. I love your colour palette and the grid border is perfect love your faux paste effect too lol. I had better pull my socks up (as we say)ready for the NBUS #2 challenge. Mmmm,is it allowed to buy new schtuff in preparation (as long as I don't use it of course)lol.
Have a great weekend Hugs Lottie x

Lindsey said...

Gorgeous CASE, er, DJKASE! Perfect colours and not-embossing-paste look.

Kay Miller said...

Oh Darnell that card is fabulous!! I love the die cut layered in different colors like that! Must put that on my "to try" list!! The blended background behind the cut out is lovely too! I'm avoiding the stencil and embossing paste trend too. Can't do it all! Can't wait for the next NBUS challenge! Happy weekend! ((Hugs))

Bonnie said...

Love this die and how you've put some of those teeny, tiny squares back in! I can imagine they gave you a bit of a tussle! A great card to honor 2 fantastic artists!

Loll said...

Beautiful DJKASE of Anita's card Dolly. LOVE this grid stencil ... and love how you've added back some of the small square pop-outs - so clever and creative! Very special card for Nonni's birthday! Lolly xx

Lyndal said...

FABULOUS card & cake Darnell - do you think you could send me a slice ;

Lyndal said...

;) LOL!

Barb Ghig said...

Oh Darnell ~ What a beautiful CASE of Anita's card! I love how you inked behind the border and your alphas look amazing on your sentiment! I'm sure Nonni is going to love it to pieces!

I'm loving the 'Yummy' looking cake, too :-)

Patti said...

You dork! I can't believe you called yourself a dork LOL

LOVE your card! it is so much better than embossing paste which I am avoiding too (especially being that I can't find it anywhere here in Nowheresville where I live!)

I don't think your sediments look blurry or crooked but then I've been drinking. jk : )

Patti

Sue from Oregon said...

Love the pretty colors and the way you nestle that little 'birthday' onto the card!

Karen M said...

Love your pretty card Darnell - your border looks amazing! Hugs xx

aussie aNNie said...

Darnell, thanks for your sweet warm welcome...I love this cased card and Anita's is gorgeous too...well done on the casing...love the border and amazing colour combo.xx
The Journey is the Start



Redanne said...

I do get it and I love it! You did a fabulous job case-ing that beautiful card. Hugs Annie xxx

Anonymous said...

I love that die, I adore your card and its fabulous design, beautifully CASed absolutely stunning Darnell Im sure Nonni will be delighted with it. Thanks so much for sharing this beauty with us at ATCAS and good luck.

Marie

Pat said...

What a great case of Anita's pretty card Darnell. I love the grid design die cut and the lovely colouring behind and then putting some of the little squares back is a wonderful idea, and the triple layer sentiment incorporating all the colours is perfect and with your birthday at a slightly jaunty angle adds to the charm of the card. I don't know how many times I have made the card and then held my breath while I stamped the sentiment - no pressure as they say. Happy Birthday to Nonni who will adore this card. I have never visited Nonni so I will do so straight away. Have a good weekend. x

Leslee said...

Great card! I totally love it!, from the colours to the grid die! So going to have to add it to my stash! I don't use embossing paste either. But have used stencils for a long time. Have a super weekend!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your return visit! I very much enjoyed your blog and have subscribed to the RSS feed (feedly kind of thing), I think that won't show in your stats, but your blogposts are imported to my mailprogram automatically.
What a lot of positiviness comes from your site - thank you!
The DJKASED card is lovely, and your way for replacing the stencil and modelling paste is great! It looks like a fun die, great for pixel art :) (Adding it to my ever expanding wishlist...).

Your "Happy Mail" page makes my Internet Explorer (9) crash. It works fine in Firefox though. What wonderful cards you have received!
I love the NBUS challenge - I'm sure I have a few things I've never used before.
I hope to be able to read all your post, thought work begins soon again and I think I'll be at a loss for time regarding anything but work,take care of the kids, household tasks that are really necessary (groceries, cook, clean the necessary things, laundry), eat and sleep, in varying order.
If only the hours of free time would last longer!

Debbie / Daqa

Anita in France said...

SQUEAL!! Said loud so you would hear it from here, Darnell! There are soooo many of your fantastic cards that've hit the top of my faves list ... but this one has just leapt with seven league boots to the very peak! I LOVE it ... every. single. last. little. so pinned. bit of it! That grid die absolutely has to come to live at my house ... d'you think your NBUS #2 can wait till I get it ... I want to CASE you! Thank you so much for your so splendid make-my-heart-sing words, my lovely friend ... the feeling's so mutual! Hugs, Anita :)

Anita in France said...

Oops, in my becitement I forgot to say ... thanks so much for playing along at Time Out ... and for such a delicious DJKASE! I'm honoured! More Hugs, Anita :)

laurie said...

Beautiful CASE of the card, and I can't wait for your 600th celebration!

Peanut said...

WOWZER! This is absolutely stunning, Darnell. LOVE the colour combo - so clean and fresh.
hugs, Asha

Inkyfingers said...

This is one magnificent case Darnell and I love EVERYTHING about it. That grid border technique is genius - I saw that for sale and thought it looked a bit boring but you have done amazing things with it.
Hugs
Carol x

shirley-bee said...

FABulous DJKASE of Anita's card, Darnell!

Carole Z said...

Fabulously stunning Darnell, love everything about it! Everything! Hugs Carole Z X

Karin said...

Beautiful card, Darnell, lovely coulours for the background and nice die, I love the faux paste effect!
Karin x

Marisa said...

Fabulous use of that die!! Great card :)

Barb King said...

Wow, so many details on these cards, very sophisticated!

Greta said...

Wow, wow, wow! You've gone over the top in the wonderful category, Darnell! LOVE Anita's card & your case is fabulous! Happy Weekend!

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

A stunning CAS design (as always) Darnell. Love the grid die and the stacked sentiment - beautiful summery colours too!
Have a very happy week - Sylvia xx

alexandra s.m. said...

Lovely card Darnell!

Kim M said...

What a fantastic card, Darnell! It's just amazing! I love the way you did the grid die. :-)

Carol Cel said...

Beautiful card, Darnell! Your talent is growing in leaps and bounds. Good for you for not jumping on the stenciling trend -- wish I could say the same. I've got the stencils and paste, but haven't used them yet -- where is that support group? Oh well.
I'll be looking forward to your NBUS challenge, but as moms get more time to play, I'll be having less time. :)
Your card really is amazing - great job!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Wowowowwow!
This is totally amazing Darnell, love this CASE on Anita's beauty! The colours peeking, the teensy tiles and your grand sediment. So lovely and fitting and I think this card of yours is THE winner! I love your "hole" story about the stencil and paste explanation and I buy this...and I will have to buy this die too ;)
I hope you have/ are having a lovely week-end and are crafting another lovely. It's always such a pleasure to visit your blog and I want to thank you for your most kind words left on my last post! You are a sweetheart!
Hugs, Chriss

Anonymous said...

Ridiculously good Darnell, love your take on Anita's also gorgeous card! Cx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Fantastic card, love it!

Warm hugs
Maarit

Anonymous said...

This is lovely! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

G Peplow said...

Love your card Darnell, great DJCASE and you chose smashing colours,m well done you :D xx

Jenni's Jems said...

Oh Darnell this ticks all the boxes I love the clean and graphic look to this card a winner in my book even with acrooked oops sorry offset sentiment! x

Pia S said...

A greasy and modern look, a type of design that works for both men and women. I'm sure you know by now that it's something love about a card, and you're great at making those versatile ones!
Thanks for the heads up for NBUS 2, I didn't manage to join your first one, but will try and join the fun next time up!

Dawn @ LilyPinkScraps said...

Oh my, this really caught my eye!! Love your take on the Time Out CASE card - so graphically perfect and very striking :)

Sue said...

I love your card! Perfect for each challenge, too! I haven't done any of the embossing paste either, but I am working more with stencils. They are fun.

Erica said...

Your card is absolutely gorgeous and your muse is making the rounds in the blogging world. I've seen it several places. I am hoping to avoid the pastey world too Darnell...not quite sure why...I think I just too much stuff that I just don't want to add to it.

Miriam Prantner said...

Oh I do love this one! Love the inking in the background and how you left some of the squares in there and love the layered sentiments!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Oh wow, Darnell! This is truly fantastic!!! Love it!!!

Brenda said...

Wow Darnell, this is a fabulous CASE of Anita's card! I love it and love that die you used. I recognized which of Anita's cards you were casing right away. lol Also a happy birthday to Nonni! I am also super excited about the next NBUS challenge!! Fun, fun, fun!!! Hugs, Brenda

Shelly said...

Such a pretty card! Love the colors!

Taunya Butler said...

This card is amazing and lovely and just as breathtaking as the one you KASED. Love the soft colors and the design!! What a beautiful tribute to someone!!

Harriet Skelly said...

Geez it has taken me forever to scroll to the bottom to add my comment!! Anyway - I LOVE your case of Anita's card - I love how you kept some squares in the grid while others are popped out. Thanks for playing with us at ATCAS!!

Harriet Skelly said...

Geez it has taken me forever to scroll to the bottom to add my comment!! Anyway - I LOVE your case of Anita's card - I love how you kept some squares in the grid while others are popped out. Thanks for playing with us at ATCAS!!

Nora Noll said...

Onto my Pinterest board this goes. I LOVE everything about it. You ROCK!!

Lisa Kind said...

Oh my word, I love this card! What a great technique and such beautiful colors! Thanks for taking the Time Out to play with us!

cm said...

Oh, leap for joy - I'm #98 this time! Yeesh! I'm aswoon with how stunning your card is...grid-greatness! And that cake? Seriously...you rock!!
Hugs~c

Kelly Latevola said...

I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to get over here to say thank you for your sweet words! I can't tell you how much it means to me <3 I love all your cards! I definitely need to get that die :)

Shona Chambers said...

I just knew you wouldn't be able to resist casing Anita's card. Your take is brilliant and love the geometric side panel, those colours underneath are gorgeous!! And I bet Nonni will have loved this card too!!

Monika Reeck said...

woowww too Darnell I am commentator number 101 yaaayy I love your case ing Anita card ..this is really adorable look at the left side of your card I love the color combo on the HAPPY...looks really fun card...your card always adorable Darnell and I wish I can make a bit like yours..my card has no die cut its all pure with stempel Imagel..hope one day I can visiting you and we can create cards together..(only in my dream maybe :) LOL) hugs from germany, Monika