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 30, 2014

You're Swell ~ I'm a Lucky Dip LIM GD!

Happy Saturday Seaside Salutations!

I am thrilled and delighted to be posting today as the Guest Designer at everyone's beloved Less Is More (LIM) Challenge hosted by the very talented Chrissie, Jen, Sarah, and Anne! My long-time bloggie friends will know that LIM is one of the first challenges I entered when I started my blog two and a half years ago.

Chrissie and her-then co-hostess Mandi were so kind and helpful to me when I emailed with countless questions.

"I don't understand, how is that "white space?"
"Just exactly what is a one-layer card?"
"Are you saying CAS and CASE are not the same thing?"
"Could you explain what a 'backlink' is?"

And then, my favorite, "What the heck is a 'Lucky Dip' challenge?"

Well, it's because there is a fifth week in the month.

Um. Okay. Spacifically, it's a British expression for a grab bag game where players would "dip" their hands into the bag, not knowing what they would pull out.

But in colloquial American English where I grew up, a "dip" was someone who was acting less than intelligently. So you can imagine my confusion when the darling ladies at LIM had a "Lucky Dip" challenge! A wait. What? We had some fun emails going back and forth across the pond about that!

And now here I am having the honor of serving as a Guest Designer for a "Lucky Dip" week!! It's appropopo in so many ways!

The Brief

Our Lucky Dip theme for this week #187 is:

 "I do like to be beside the seaside!" 

This was a popular British music hall song. It was written in 1907 by John A. Glover-Kind and first recorded in 1909. At that time, it became popular for the working-class to visit the seaside.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside
I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play:
"Tiddely-om-pom-pom!"
So just let me be beside the seaside
I'll be beside myself with glee
And there's lots of girls beside,
I should like to be beside
Beside the seaside!
Beside the sea!
My GD Inspiration Card

As you can see in the closeup at the top of the post, I used glossy white paper. The "sand" was made by pouncing a Brilliance gold ink pad onto the paper. The waves were made with a stamp from an OOB company and the inks used were SU marina mist and pool party. The pier pilings, sea gulls, and sediment are all from the Paper Smooches "Surf and Turf" set. The pilings and sea gulls are covered in WOS. The card base is SU marina mist.

That pearl must have come from an oyster on the beach because I swear I don't remember seeing it until just now. 

I hope all of you can join in this fun end-of-summer challenge! Thank you again, Chrissie, for the pleasure of serving as Guest Designer for this challenge!! 

~~~

New Friends Corner

The Blue Button Tour bus pulled up to the Playhouse and I'm becited to introduce you to several new friends!

Tracey of Crafty Corner. Tracey has been blogging since ~wait for it~ 2008! And not just seven or eight cards a year, but hundreds of beautiful cards a year! Needless to say, Tracey is an award-winner who has served/does serve on numerous design teams. Thank you for that immense amount of inspiration, Tracey! 

Jean Straw of My Crafty Corner. Jean not only shares a similar blog name with Tracey, she has also been blogging since 2008! Jean's Mum taught her to knit when she was only three and she has been crafting ever since. She started stamping twenty years ago! Go Jean! She also adores ATC art, both making them and receiving them. Her cards are clean and layered and always really pretty!

Faye Winn-Jones of Stampinfluffinstuff! You know already Faye's blog is going to be a fun one just by the name! Also because she is the daughter of another well-known and very fun card artist, Mrs. A of ValeryAnne Designs. Faye is an artist, a designer, and a certified Copic Designer. She says she runs on fairy dust and I believe it; her coloring is so sublime, it's hard to believe a human did it!

Flo Selig of Flo's Belongings. Flo has been blogging since December 2012 and you'll often see her creative and fun cards gracing the galleries of the challenges we all love. Flo is from Germany and her cards and her happy face tell you that she is a lady who loves to have fun!

Granmargaret of Granmargaret's Cards-n-Stuff. Although she's been stamping and making cards since 1995, Granmargaret started her blog in 2012 in order to join in the challenges. She is now a pro at them and serves on several design teams. She describes her cards as cute and fairly simple. I think that style is exactly what a lot of us enjoy and like to make ourselves. If that's what you like, you will thoroughly enjoy visiting Granmargaret!

Sharon Fontenot of Higgledy-Piggledy Crafts. Sharon has only been blogging since the beginning of this year, so I would really appreciate it if you made a special effort to click over and welcome Sharon to Blogland and follow her. Her cards are such a delight and she provides double the inspiration by beautifully designing the insides of her cards as well as the outsides! 

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

~~~

As it happens, we visited the beach today and I have a great twin silhouette to share with you of the seaside!
Gosh, they are getting so lanky for almost ten years old. I can already see the teenage years peeking through!

~~~

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!

93 comments:

Karen M said...

I just adore your beautiful beach side card Darnell and congrats on your guest spot - so happy for you:) Hugs xx

Sammy said...

This is such a fab card Darnell. I do love me a seaside theme (and now I'm going to have that blasted song stuck in my head all day long! lol).
Such a well-deserved guest design spot, and you certainly did them proud! x

Craft-E-Place said...

What an exciting start to my Saturday morning ... My blog friend Darnell guest designer on one if my favourite blog challenges - a well deserved honour!! And your card is brilliant and so evocative of the seaside! Beautiful.
Elaine

Julie B said...

What a great card Darnell, I love the sentiment with the image.
Well done on your GD spot you deserve it! :)

Anne said...

Darnell I'm used to being divided by a common language with our N American friends but I had never realised Lucky Dip was an Englishism! So glad our Lucky Dip has pulled out you for GD this week and what an awesome card you made! The wave and sand background is stunning and sets off your images to perfection.
Anne
x

Sheila in Cyprus said...

Super card Darnell. love the sand and sky effect.
Nice piccie of the two boys, our eldest Grandchildren are 13 and 14and now taller than myself and O.H. Where has tome flown?
Take care
Love Sheila

Rita said...

What a great card Darnell. Guess what I'll be singing around the house today. Hugs Rita xxx

Sarah G said...

Great to see you over at LIM this morning! Fab card - the way you have created the sea and sand is great. Lots of lovely white space too :)

Margaret said...

What a lovely surprise this morning to see you are the guest designer on LIM - I love reading your blog! And a great choice of theme as I have loads of seaside stamps (some are NBUS) Margaret

Suze Bain said...

How happy I am to see you as LIM's GD. Your lanky birds are echoing your lanky twinks! A super card Darnell. Tiddly om Pom Pom! Xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
fab seaside card.
Great designing as always.
Now this is funny as I will be singing this song, with my little singing group, when we entertain at a nursing home to commemorate the 1st world war.
We do this for donations which we send to the Dame Vera Lynn charity for children with spinal probs.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Inkyfingers said...

Love the card Darnell, especially that pouncing technique. Congratulations on the GDT post and have a great weekend with the Twincks.
Hugs
Carol x

Redanne said...

Oh yes, very appropopo indeed! I love the story - it never ceases to amaze how we can be divided by a common language.... but it is fun sometimes!

Your card is fabulous, I love how you did the sand and sea - very realistic looking - wonderful! The pic of the boys is beautiful too. Hugs, Annie xxx

Pia S said...

The questions you had when starting are exactly the same I had. Another one I wondered about is "Animal Antics" - still don't know what it means, but when making a project with an animal it seems to be fine...
LOVE your seaside theme, the sand and ocean look fantastic, a really beautiful scene for your seagulls.

Sue - said...

Congrats on your GD post! And you've made a gorgeous beach scene for it!

Vanessa said...

I love coming to your blog in a blink of free time! Your card is beautiful!! This background is gorgeous!

Linby said...

Big congrats on being a LIM GDT Darnell.

hugs
Lynn x

Sazzle Dazzle said...

So thrilled to have you join us on the DT at less is more this week Darnell. Love your cards and fun humorous posts. Your lucky dip explanation had me giggling away. Superb card and love the waves stamp that's something else.
Sarah
Less is more
Xx

Dotty Jo said...

Great card Darnell, and BIG congrats on your GDT at LIM, Jo x

Stamps and Paper said...

Such a great card Darnel.. love the 'surf'abd those two little birds enjoying the view...
Your story about joining the LIM challenge made me laugh...isn 't it strange how different words mean different things in our countries..
Enjoy your weekend

Anne

Lynn said...

I love the twins picture. It is fabulous! And my mum sings that exact song...she's a Scot :) Love your card...the sand ocean is one layer but has texture/movement. So cool Darnell.

Doreen said...

Wow love your fabulous card,beautiful texture.xxx

Sheila H said...

Congrats on your guest designer selection. Your beach scene has a very organic feel - love your colors and the birds :)

Petra Swart said...

WOW, I love how you've done the waves and the sand on your card, Darnell - looks so real!! ...and the sea gulls are just sooo cute!! Lovely card and congrats on the GD spot!!!
Love the photo of the twins - beautiful!!
Hope you're having a lovely weekend!!

Chris Dring said...

I can't love this card enough, Darnell! Love the waves and beach you created. Those seagulls are the cutest little birdies and that pearl is a fabulous final touch! TFS!

shirley-bee said...

Congrats on your LIM GD gig, Darnell! I love how you've created the sand and sea, and those seagulls are so cute - not like the British seagulls that swoop down and nick your food out of your hand. BTW, you should nod your head from side to side as you sing, music-hall style :)

Harriet Skelly said...

Congrats on your GD at LIM today! I had to laugh when I saw that it was Lucky Dip today and you were the GD! I knew you'd say something about that in your post!! Mom and Mel are moving here this Monday! I actually took some time to look at blogs today so of course I came to yours!

Sue said...

BIG congrats on your GDT spot Darnell and thank you for making me chuckle!
Your card is wonderful, the way you have created the waves and sand looks amazing, I love the sea gulls and fabulous sentiment too.
I hope you are having a good weekend.
hugs Sue xx

Canonbury creations said...

Many congrats on your GDT spot Darnell, fabulous card, love how you created the waves and the two birds are wonderful! It would have been an interesting challenge if the definition had been yours!!!
Val x

Lisa Elton said...

YAY congrats to you Darnell!! A terrific card, LOVE the waves. They look like they have water spray along the top. And your speckley sand is perfect! Have a wonderful holiday weekend ;)

Anita in France said...

Yay ... congratulations, Darnell ... I had a wonderful feeling it would be you as LIM GD this week ... how fabulous! What a splendid beach scene ... the waves and sand are amazing ... I want to reach out and touch! BTW, that song will be parading round my head all evening, reminding me of my grandparents, and having me smiling ... thank you! Hugs, Anita :)

sandie said...

Congrats Darnell on your GDT, wonderful card and I love the photo. You know in Britain dip also means the same as you but we do like to have lots of ways to use just one word!

conil said...

Ooooh, I can hear the roar of the surf. Need to know how you crafted that water...looks just like...well, water. Great card. So glad you're a "Lucky Dip".

Veerle said...

Oh Darnell, I absolutely love your card. I'm going to try to join in the LIM challenge.
Hugs Veerle x

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Love your seaside card Darnell - those waves are so realistic! Loved reading your post too - I came from LIM and have made a note to pop by more often!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your seaside scene. Great movement in the ocean too.

Peggy in Mentone said...

That whole CTRL + Home thing always amazes me...I must admit the first time I was looking for "click" on my keyboard as part of the magic....I am sometimes tooooo literal in my thinking! LOVE LOVE LOVE your card today... I was so impressed with your wave making technique and then read that it was a stamp and then I was impressed that you HAVE a stamp that makes such cool looking waves. Either way I am impressed with the design and crafting of todays creation. I did also see it on the Less is More blog and was so happy to see YOU being featured. I must admit I sometimes don't get to your blog when I am uber-focused on trying to get a card out "in time" for someone's birthday (I am always more than behind...I am the most be-hindered person I know. But I digress...this is about you and not me! Love the fussy cut seagull on the watch-ma-callits (senior moment, can't go back to your deets from here...at least I fear if I do I will lose what is already written) and the single pearl is genius! The perfect gift from the sea!

Love this little scene...makes me HAPPY!

Hugs and have a good weekend!

Kathleen said...

This is stunning and what a great talent you have to think of such an idea.
Congrats on the GDT.

Kath x

Carole Pollard said...

Brilliant card today and I've had great fun singing I do like to be beside the seaside Such fun Love and Happy Crafting Hugs Carole x

OH Babs said...

Guest designer, now isn't that swell, your card is delightful. The grand boys are getting tall and lanky and such a nice photo.

Bonnie said...

Congratulation on your Guest Designer spot! I hope I can find a few minute (or hours) to come up with an appropriate card for this challenge. Can you believe how those boys are growing? They're going to be taller than you soon.

Shelly said...

Congrats, on being a Guest! Love your card! And I got a good giggle out of your post! ;)

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

What a great job with thar seascape! It looks fabulous!!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Congrats on the GD gig - you lucky dip :) -- Great seaside card~

Pat said...

Hi Darnell, I tried to get your blog up this morning, but it would not appear, so here I am at the extreme end of the day! Firstly, congratulations on your LIM GD spot, you really deserve it! This card is great and love the way you got the texture on the beach and those waves tumbling in. Those birds seem to be eyeing that pearl, perhaps they think it's food ..lol.
Lovely photo of the twins on the beach too. x

Susanne Vargas said...

Congrats on your DT spot! Love your shimmery beach scene and those birds are adorable!

Barb Ghig said...

What a fabulous card, Darnell! I love the creative way you stamped the ocean and inked the sand...WOW! Love your wonderful story, too...Thanks for the laugh!
Beautiful twin silhouette of the boys, too...something I would put in a frame :-)
Have a great holiday weekend!

Bobby said...

Congrats on your guest designer assignment, Darnell. Am I the only one that "got" the sentiment? And they used to call me "Dip" in high school. I thought it was endearing but I guess I was naive. I love your little seaside scene. In fact it's swell - literally.

Diane said...

Such a fun beach scene card design Darnell.

Hugs Diane

Taunya Butler said...

What an awesome GD you are, Darnell!! Such a great card - I love how real it feels! The sand turned out fabulous and those waves appear really to be bringing pearls in!! A tremendously cool card and what a sweet pic you were able to capture of the littles!! So great! Have an awesomely creative weekend!! Love to you!!

Jacee said...

Hi Darnell, thank you for your kind comments on my blog, I very much appreciate it, and also for becoming a follower, I too have joined your blog and look forward to seeing more of your work, I'm looking around now and your work is amazing! I'll be visiting you often. Take care and thanks again.
Hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Unknown said...

Congratulations Dippy on your GDT at LIM, so well deserved. Love your seaside themed card. Great waves and those seagulls are so cute. Wasn't it lucky that oyster decided to give up its pearl for the perfect finishing touch? I really laughed out loud at your first experiences with Chrissie and Mandy back in the day. Looks like you're having a good time with the twinks.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Anonymous said...

Ooh, love how you have created both the sand and sea, such a great effect. Congrats on being chosen as a guest designer, this is a fab inspiration. Also, great photography skills - love the silhouette photo, just stunning. Cx

Carole Z said...

I just love this beach scene Darnell, the waves and sand both look fab and I adore those gulls! Hugs Carole Z X

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely lovely card!! I love the waves and the sand ... And great photo of the boys ... the years go fast!
When I was a child we would go to the sweet shop and buy a Luck Bag ... obviously we didn't know what was in it ... a toy and some sweets too ... It was always a treat ...

Carol L said...

WTG on your GDT gig! Love the beachy card with the little oyster pearl :)
Great pic of the boys too! I was thinking the same thing as you......the teen years are rapidly approaching!
Have a great Labor Day Weekend, you lucky dip :)

Brenda said...

I had to laugh at all your questions Darnell because they were MY questions. lol I slowly learned and the CAS & CASE just the last few months!! lol Love how your seaside card came out and enjoyed the song too. The picture of the twins by the seaside is just gorgeous! When they hit the teens it goes quickly so hang on to this time. Congrats on your GD spot too!! Hugs, Brenda

Krisha said...

OOOH, GD now are we? You rightly deserve it with this fantastic card. Makes me want to go back to the beach.

Picture of the twins makes my heart ach.....those GKs are ALL just growing up way to fast! Speaking of which, we are attending a 40th B-day party late this afternoon for a young lady I used watch when she was 5......now tell me, where has that 35 years gone??? LOL
Inky Hugs always.....

Greta said...

Fabulous picture of the twins at the beach! Huge congrats on your GD spot, Darnell! This is one fabulous card--perfectly crafted!

Monika Reeck said...

the sea look you made on your card is adorable Darnell I love it and the two birdie without color hihi soo sweeeet makes me smile and love all together this scene you made....If me I will use my Cloud stamp background but it will look so busy ..also your card is already perfect summer card on the seashore...Love this too Darnell..how are you today...wish you have time to visiting me back my friend..its always a happiness to read your encouragement...biiig hugs, Monika

Kate said...

Great inspiration there in that photo of the twins. Love your shiny, happy card. Sentiment is great (appeals to my corny sense of humour).

Hettie said...

I know that song sooo well. Your card is absolutely fabulous. Those seagulls don't half get around. We have seen them in Guernsey, Scotland and Tenby! And now they are on your card. Amazing!
I have seen your Happy Mail roll too! Wow! You are a lucky girl!
Hugs
xx

dottielottie said...

Congratulations on your GD spot for LIM Darnell. Your card fits the bill perfectly, I love your watery waves and the seagulls finish it off to a T
Lovely pic of your grand children at the beach too. Happy days eh!
Hugs Lottie x

Nan G said...

Hey you Lucky Dip GD! Way cool card! And WOS?

Craftychris said...

Well done being guest designer! A perfect card for the theme, it's fab! Love the sea and sand and the seagulls are cute little fellas! We have lots of them here in Bournemouth ! I have been singing the song too - just cause I can! xxxx

MaryH said...

Wow, I didn't know what Lucky Dip was either! Thanks for the enlightenment. They picked spot on, choosing you for the GD - they recognize a good thing obviously. That was brilliant to use the gold ink as you did for the sand, and the ocean waves were perfect with it. That's a very nice texture water stamp. The birdies were cute as could be. Also enjoyed the seaside photo, tfs with Blogland. Also enjoyed your beautiful card over at Cherokee's just now. Happy Labor Da. Hugs.

Lindsey said...

Perfectly beachy and CAS.

Bonnie Lynn said...

This card is too cute. I can hear the ocean waves crashing on the sand with it.

nwilliams6 said...

What a fun post Darnell! Your humor is so refreshing. Love your card - the waves are amazing those birds are super cute. The twins so look awfully tall for 10. Fun times. Fun card. Hugz!

Gerrina said...

Congrats on being G-DT on LIM! Weel desirved! Your post is one that I read with a smile on my face again... and your card is beautiful and so clever made! Hope you have a good week, Gerrina

Jan said...

Great card and congrats on your Lim GDT xx Jan

alexandra s.m. said...

Congrats my Friend!
Love your card!
xx

Irish Cherokee said...

This is a tough place to comment from. The bottom of a comment well. Surprisingly well lite though. That is because anything that can be said about the post has been said already. So that said, What everyone has said I agree with. I really have to try and be in the first ten or so to comment. LOL. Good luck to me on that one. LOL. Beautifully done Darnell.

Blessings
Jim

JD/ Jill said...

This is an adorable card...and definitely makes me wishful to be able to see a beach again. It's been a long time.

Like the way you did the water and the sand.

Thank you so much for the Anniversary wishes. On our blog, and on your card. It meant so much to both of us! Blessings, Jill

LesleyG said...

Such a fun card and a fun post...there are so many language differences, and you do make me laugh and brighten my day! Congrats too xxx

Joyce said...

What a fabulous card, and congratulations on your GD spot. Your correspondence cracks me up.

Kim Heggins said...

Wonderful card Darnell...so sweet and looks like summer on a card! Your photo of the twins is so sweet, they do grow up way too fast.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Congrats on being GDT - I'll try to play, if I find time! And congrats on having over 600 followers - they are just piling all into your blog - I am not surprised - always so much fun to visit!

laurie said...

Your card takes me to the beach....I love how you did the water and sand!

aussie aNNie said...

Brilliantly created card Darnell, your seaside venture looks super.xxx

Indy's Designs said...

Oh this is wonderful! Thanks for explaining the Lucky Dip! Have a great Tuesday!
Hugs,
Debbie

1CardCreator said...

So glad you explained what a lucky dip was, I am with you on what the US meaning was, lol. You made a great card for it too. Sorry I am behind on visiting, I do hope to catch up. ~Diane

Andrea said...

great photo darnell and well don ere the guest spot you do make me lol fab card and perfect sentiment have good week ahead hugs Andrea x

Karen Petitt said...

Congratulations on the LIM GDT Missy D! Fabulous, fabulous card - I can hear the surf hitting the beach and gulls squawking!
It sounds like you wanted to add a bit more colour huni but it works perfectly! I still struggle with CAS but now and again I love to give it a whirl! Sorry for lack of visits I'm hoping to settle down in the next week or two and things should become easier Karen x

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Guest DT!! Your card is smashing!!!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Beautiful card Darnell! Love that scene that you created, gorgeous waves...like a swell, just like your sediment says ;). Cute pearl story too!

Brenda in IN said...

I love how you made the waves "swell". This is a fun card for sure. I thought lucky dip was just something you found you really liked to dip your chips in. Thanks for the clarification. The twins are getting taller. It's fun to see them grow up on your blog.

G Peplow said...

Fabulous creation and hearty congratulations Darnell, so pleased to see you GD at LIM :D I burst out laughing at your description of the 'Lucky Dip' Just goes to show how we take our cultures for granted, funny though LOL Hugs Gay xx

Chrissie said...

It's a delight to have you as our GD this week Darnell, your card is just fabbo and your comments are just wonderful!
Thank you so very mush!
Chrissie xxx

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Darnell this card is gorgeous! I love the sea - it's so effective, and I didn't appreciate the lovely shimmer on the sand until I saw that extra card on your blog - stunning. So nice to see you guesting at LIM this week.

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, I really enjoyed reading your post. And I like your card. It's amazing and wakes up memories on the seaside just a few weeks ago :-).

Hugs, Sonja

cotnob said...

Such a fabulous card Darnell, I love your sand and sea along with the fun sentiment.
Congratulations on your GDT spot.
Pauline
x

cm said...

This *dip* (aka: me, and the definition is most apt, especially of late!) thoroughly enjoys your "Lucky Dip" sea-side seagull & sand sensation (see what I mean: I'm a dip-ster!). The photos of your lads is wonderful; they're growing up - quite literally - far too fast! Fab post, and I'm a-smiling!
Hugs~c