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!

September 9, 2017

Inspired By the Little Things

Hello Stamplings!

My best wishes go out to all those in the path of the incoming hurricanes. It must be so surreal to be told to evacuate your home when outside the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and there is only the wisp of a breeze. I hope everyone heeded the warnings and got to safety!

As I mentioned a coupla days ago, I am filling in for Lesley Croghan as one of the Administrators on her challenge Inspired By All the Little Things in order for her to have more time with her new baby daughter, Maeley. 

This week it is my turn to host the challenge over on the main blog and I wanted to make a card, too, so I made this:
On a linen card base (from Handy Hippo), I layered a horizontal panel stamped with En Francais from SU. Over that I layered a panel of burlap to mimic the burlap peeking out from behind the boutonnieres in the inspiration photo below. The layered flowers are NBUS dahlias from The Ton, which were fun to ink up. The sweet little tag tucked in the flowers is from MFT and the sediment is from My Creative Time.

Here is the pretty photo inspiration:
Another fun part of being the challenge hostess is that I get to feature a guest artist and I've picked one of my besties! Please visit the Inspired By All the Little Things main blog for all the details of the challenge and to see who my fabulous guest is!! You'll also see what the talented members of the Design Team have made to inspire you!

Inspiration IS All Around.
You may have noticed that I used a gray flower on my card instead of a white one like in the photo inspiration. That's because I also used an additional photo taken by Lesley as my inspiration ~ and she doesn't even know it!

Not too long ago, Lesley posted a photo of her daughter Maeley on Facebook, which I've cropped. I couldn't believe how well Maeley's sweet little dress resembled the photo inspiration for this week's challenge, so I used it for additional inspiration!! 
Isn't that amazing? And isn't it fun being inspired by the little things?! 

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Challenges


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Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy!  LITS!* Everyone take care out there!

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74 comments:

Jeanne said...

Congrats on the guest spot, Darnell! Your card is beautiful and my heart melted a bit at where you got the inspiration for the gray. How thoughtful. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Hugs!

Happy Dance said...

Congratulations, dear friend!! I'm so happy for you I could just burst! Your card is a perfect reflection of the inspiration photo - that burlap band really highlights those gorgeous blossoms. And of course I do love all that white space you've got going on too. Thanks for choosing me as your first guest artist. I'm honored and tickled coralish and minty blue-green! I know you'll have wonderful and continued success with this challenge. Giant hugs and a million smiles to you!! xo Bev

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous card, I love the colours. Take good care, Shirleyxx

stampwithsandy said...

Oh such exciting news Darnell, not only are you on the DT at Inspired By, but also an admin! What a wonderful addition you will be. Such a pretty card, love the Dahlia's and all the wonderful texture. And how cute that Maeley's dress is! Hugs and have a great day :) Sandy

Marilyn said...

Congrats on the GDT spot and your card is lovely. I like all the different textures, especially the burlap and that gorgeous linen paper. I've not heard of Handy Hippo before but I'm off to check it out!

Maura said...

I love your interpretation of the inspiration, Darnell! Those Altenew flowers are gorgeous (a set I don't have) and the burlap is genius!!

Bobby said...

I love how you snuck in all the little photo details on your wonderful card, Darnell.

Sarah said...

Love the pretty colours of this gorgeous make and a fabulous interpretation of the sweet fabric xx

Sue said...

Darnell, That's a lovely card.

Hope you are having a nice day. Sue

KandA said...

Wow, this is a stunner Darnell. Love the design with those fabulous flowers. I'm off now to check out the challenge and see who your guest artist is. Take care xx

Lesley said...

You've done such an excellent job, Darnell! Thank you and I am delighted that Maeley's little dress inspired you too!! How fun is that!!
Hugs! Love your pretty card!

Pat said...

A great first outing with this challenge Darnell. That Dahlia flower from The Ton is fabulous and I love the way you have incorporated the extra inspiration of Maeley's pretty dress. I think the background strip of script with the burlap complements the flowers so beautifully too. x

conil said...

Think you nailed the challenge and that inspiration piece. Especially picking up the colors from Maeley's frock. Since grey is my go to neutral, I'm totally smitten with outcome. Truly a gorgeous card...amazing color, texture and interest. Pretty brilliant using the tag for the sentiment. I'd say you aced this, friend.

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely gorgeous Darnell, loving your design and colours, congratulations on your GDT, Kate x

Trina P. said...

Beautiful card, Darnell. Perfect kickoff and inspiration for your first hosting gig at Inspired. 👏🎉🎉🎉👏 Love it.
Enjoy your weekend! 😊 Trina xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Big congrats for your GD! A perfect interpretation of the photo, LOVE it!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous kick off project Darnell. I hope to play along, I brought a few crafty things along that might work. Again congrats on becoming part of the team at IBS.

Kathleen said...

Beautiful card Darnell, gorgeous colour pallet and love the CAS look. The dress has gorgeous colours too.

Kath x

Redanne said...

The flowers are gorgeous, I love the grey one and I love both of the inspiration pieces, especially the lovely little dress, you matched it perfectly! Hugs, Annie xxx

Liz said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell, and love how you've also used inspiration from Maeley's dress. It's amazing where our inspiration often comes from! xx

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, love the colour pallet and the CAS design of your card. The colours of the dress are so gorgeous too.
We have been to the Caribbean loads of times and so very saddened by all the devastation that has been caused, especially St Maartin as it is our favourite island.

Kath x

jimlynn said...

Love the feeling of Fall on this! The flowers are so pretty and adore that burlap accent. VERY pretty!
Lynn

Fikreta said...

gorgeous card!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Such a beautiful card and I love the burlap you added. That looks so lovely with the flowers. I like the gray flower too!

Craftychris said...

Congratulations on being part of the team at Inspired by The Little Things! Your card. Is beautiful - love the gorgeous flowers on the fab burlap panel. The pretty dress for added inspiration is brilliant! Hugs xxxxxx

Greta said...

Love, love, love! Really beautifully done, Darnell! Off to see who you picked for your guest!

Linda said...

Your flowers are gorgeous, and such a pretty colour combo. love the added burlap too xx

Carol L said...

what a pretty bunch of flowers and I love how the inspiration came from a baby dress! Thr horizontal burlap panel looks so neat here, and I congratulate you again on your hosting duties :)

Patti J said...

Oh my, I love the inspiration for your creation! Beautifully done, Darnell, as always! Congratulations on your guest spot! Hugs...!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card.
Hope everyone got out safely too.

~amy~ said...

Yay You!
Such a beautiful card!

Birgit said...

Your card is really pretty and I love what inspired you. It is a perfect homage to her dress.

Leigh Penner said...

Beautiful take on the inspiration photo, Darnell! And welcome (again!) to our awesome team!

Christine Alexander said...

gorgeous card. I love your inspiration from the blog and the dress. Such a pretty card )

nancy littrell said...

Love your inspirational photo that you chose as the host for Inspired by All the Little Things. I checked out the blog and your challenge and had to see your chosen Guest Designer too:-) Bev was perfect. Loved her interview. TFS your pretty floral card and the sweet photo of the baby dress:-) Have a fun week hosting. Hugs...

ike said...

Oooh ! Congrats on your new 'position' :-)
I really love this card - gorgeous flowers and such a crisp, clean look. It's fabulous xxxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell you really have rocked the challenge - love your card and the two sources of inspiration you have combined.
Blessings
Maxine

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh you are so kind to help in that way.
Such a lovely thing to do.

My heart goes out to those people caught up in such terrible weather, and I do hope their homes are intact when they get back to them.

Love this wonderful card, and the colours are so pretty.
Gorgeous designing as usual, and very clever to remember that dress, and the wonderful flowers and design.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Donna said...

Stunning, like the colors and all the texture!

LesleyG said...

love all the texture and that pretty group of flowers. you have really shown how to be inspired by the little things, and how fabulously that dress coordinates too! xxx

Susanne Vargas said...

Congratulations on your new job as the administrator of "Inspired by all the little things"! Your card is fabulous! Love the touch of burlap!

Leslie Miller said...

Isn't this the sweetest thing! And, oh yes, love that pretty dress. These colors are really beautiful together with the burlap and crisp linen card base. Such gorgeous sunshine in your photo, too!

Linda said...

Another gorgeous card, and again congrats on being chosen to be an Administrator for Inspired by all the Little Things.

Bonnie said...

Gorgeous flowers, Dolly! Love the texture of the burlap and French script too! That linen cardstock is so pretty. Thanks for the link.

Cheryl W. said...

Congrats on your hosting assignment. Your card is truly inspiring. Love the color combo - including the gray flower.

Izzy Scrap said...

Congratulations again Darnell ! And you already rock with your first post ! Your card is really beautiful and you show us stunningly how to be inspired by the little things. There are so many details from the photo in your card, wow, fabulous ! Bravo mon amie ! Bises

Wanda Cullen said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell! So glad to have you joining us for a time!

Virginia L. said...

Love the textures and use of images, Darnell! Happy to visit your blog again! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Stamp It” Challenge! Beautiful colors and design. Well done!

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on your first spot at Inspired By, Darnell! Beautiful blooms, set against positively touchable texture, creating a wonderful depth and dimension that just leaps off my screen! LYAMYHMAWYTMWW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Angela Walters said...

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy being on a design team, Darnell! I used to be on a few different ones before I hurt my back and really enjoyed them a lot. I actually miss doing them. I hope you love it as much as I did! Great job on both of your sparkly star card also. Thank you for all the kind comments on my cards. It's great to be stamping again!

Gerrina said...

What a great way to help a blogfriend! And good to see you there! Hope you are enjoying doing this!
Love the textures and depth on your card! Have a good week!

Karren said...

How wonderful that you have joined the Inspired By team! It's a great team and I was sorry to leave. Your card (and inspiration) are fabulous. Love the actual texture in the linen cardstock and the beautiful 3D look to the flowers.

scrappymo! said...

Beautiful! Loving the colours used and your take on the moodboard.

Ros Crawford said...

How wonderful that you are guesting! And you couldn't have made a more perfect card based on that photo! It's gorgeous and perfect in every way!

Macimbalo said...

Congrats Darnell! I love your card and especially the wonderful texture and those die cuts! Thanks so much for linking this beauty up at Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies Sept Challenge!

Narelle Farrugia said...

Wow! those flowers are just gorgeous and stunning with the colours you've used. Thanks for joining us at FMS this week!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Stunning card, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Sheila H said...

The colors and texture are awesome, Darnell.

Cara said...

Gorgeous card, love all the textures you've created x

Sheri Gilson said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell! Love the added texture of the burlap! So excited to have you joining us at Inspired By All The Little Things!

Tracey McNeely said...

Great job on your first post Darnell, a beautiful card and those flowers. The inspiration really does look like Maeley's dress! Welsome aboard!

Sarn said...

Such a beautiful card Darnell. Very cool and CAS.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

shirley-bee said...

How cool that you got extra inspiration from Maeley's dress, Darnell! Fabulous start to your tenure as admin for Lesley :)

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Wow, what a stunner and you are so darned neat. Never a smudge or thread out of place on the Hessian.
A beautiful creation.
Ang x

Mrs A. said...

Speaking of the little things we most certainly did not have our photos taken . We didn't want people thinking we had completely lost the plot by letting a monkey use a camera on us !!!! We did have one little girl come across to us and ask why there were so many monkeys sat on the settee watching TV. True to form I answered with a " well they are attending a monkey convention" Expecting her to ask the next obvious question but she just said "oh" and then "ok " and scuttled off. Hugs Mrs A.

Sharron said...

Big congrats! You've certainly started with a gorgeous design! Your blooms are so lovely and really do look like the sweet dress photo. Love all the wonderful texture and dimension too!

BożenA said...

You're right Darnell, little things can change everything. Adding a gray quill made it possible to add this wonderful card to the two challenges. It's very clever. Your dear ones are stunning. I love the layer of canvas under the flowers. Beautiful card, my dear friend :-)
BożenA xoxo

KimCreate said...

Darnell, have I said "welcome to Inspired by all the little things yet? You are going to add a lot of fun to the group. :) love you card!

OH Babs said...

Your take on the inspiration photo and the dress is great. You are doing a fine job of temporarily taking L's place.

LauraJane:) said...

Love the mix of burlap and Dahlia blooms Darnell!

Marcie Sharp said...

I love that linen card base; it adds so much beautiful texture to your card!

Lisa Elton said...

Incredible texture, this is beautiful!!

Barb Ghig said...

How sweet you are to fill in as Hostess for Lesley! I'm sure she appreciates more time with her daughter :)
Your card is absolutely stunning, Darnell! Love your choice of blooms and your burlap panel is fabulous! I also love the texture on your card base and tag...it adds so much elegance to your design!
So sorry I didn't visit sooner so that I could have played along...next time, I promise!

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

This is lovely Darnell. I especially love the burlap, and the fact that Maeley's sweet little dress goes so well with the inspiration. Awesome! Thanks for linking up and playing along with us at Happy Little Stampers September Anything Goes With Dies Challenge!