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 16, 2013

Bev's Birthday! CTS #45; NBUS #51; STB!

Happy Monday!  Just breathe in that scent of a fresh new week!!
 
This is a scheduled post because I'm off having fun with my grend (GiRlfriEND) Cheryl.  You've met her before here.  We've known each other for over 40 years and have a lot of fun together.  When we first met, I started calling her Myrtha and she started calling me Ethel.  We thought giving each other "old lady names" (no offense) back then was bwahahaha funny.  Now that we ARE old ladies, maybe we will switch back to calling each other by our real names!  Bwahahaha!
 
But that's not why you called.  Today is the birthday of another good grend of mine, Bev of Happy Dance!  I wish you the best birthday, Bevie, and many, many more! 
 
I started Bev's card by finding a sketch challenge that I like.  I used the current sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch where we have this wonderful design by the awesome N@ Ali!
Since my card is a birthday card, I am also linking up with the "Anything Goes" challenge at the always fun Seize the Birthday!
~~~
 
I thought about ways I could make my card personal for Bev.  I imagined a head with a giant PING over it, because she is blessed by pingitivity!  I couldn't figure out how to make that work with the sketch, however, so I thought instead of other things that reflect Bev.  I pulled these facts from her blog:
  • "Can you guess which animal is my favorite? Hint: I'm from 'Wiscownsin'...hahahaha!" from her post here
  • "I love red and white ... ." from her post here
  • "... a nice tall glass of lemonade with maybe just a smidge of gin in it!  It's my favorite summertime drink."  from her post here.
  • "I just love happy things. Glitter, flowers, bright colors, balloons...sequins - happy." from her post here

Armed with these factotatums, I made Bev this one-layer card:
I just love this drinking cow!  It makes me giggle every time I use it!  (Don't tell Mz Cow, but I think this time she got a little heavy-handed with her cherry red lipstick!)

Remember all those sequints I bought and sorted?  The sketch has butterflies, but I think the balloons are more apt for a birthday card and, anyswizzle, Bev loves balloons and sequins, so what could be better than balloon sequins??!!  I took two silver ones and colored them with a red marker.  This is the maiden voyage for my boatload of sequints, so they are today's NBUS.  The balloon tails were made with a stamp meant as a butterfly or bee trail.

I think I channeled Bev pretty well and I hope she likes her card.  As you surf around the Blog O'cean today, you'll see other pretty cards from some of Bev's other many friends.  Don't forget to stop by Bev's blog and leave her cakey wishes!

~~~

I also took a picture of Bev's card outside in front of my "laugh" wooden art because Bev makes me laugh and it's my way of giving her a fresh virtual bouquet of flowers because flowers are also on her list of what makes her happy!
And it gave me an opportunity to show you some of the flowers that broke my back a few weeks ago, that I promised I would show you.  From the photo above, you might think I only have bright pink flowers, but I really do have a few other colors.
~~~

While I was outside, I saw this little damselfly.  It is in the dragonfly family (Odonata) with the main difference being that when the damselfly is at rest, the wings are held alongside, and parallel to, the body.  This little damselfly loves resting on the frog's head.  She's a risk-taker!
~~~

Enjoy the next few days!  No, seriously, enjoy.  Take some risks!  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! 
 
 
*Life Is Too Short!  
 
Paper:  PTI white
Stamps:  Penny Black "Cheers" 3476H;
  PTI "It's Your Day" Think Big Faves #2;
  SU! (balloon tail) "Every Moment"
Inks:  SU! real red; Ancient Age coal black
Sequins:  Darice
Pop Dots

56 comments:

Redanne said...

Hi Ethel (sorry I mean Darnell...), I hope you are having the most wonderful time! Your card is so clever, I really don't know how you managed to think up such wonderful creations all the time but this is way up at the top - love, love it - the lipstick on the cow is a real hoot. Great pics of your garden too. Love and hugs, Annie xx

Victoria said...

Some careful research there, Ethel, and I'm sure Bev will love the card. That cow did give me a giggle. Have a great time with Myrtha!

Ardyth said...

Wow! Great job researching and personalizing this card perfectly for Bev! I love the way you 'split' the cow to take advantage of N@'s sketch! Bev will love this!

Hettie said...

Hey Up Ethel!!! (Said with Yorkshire accent!). I love this card. I have the perfect friend to send it to. I made a cow card for her - but she is a farmer's wife!
Love that Damsel fly. Well done for catching it in shot.
xx

Kathyk said...

Lovely card and pix, Ethel!!

Kathyk

Sammy said...

What a fantastic card, and I can't see how she can do anything but love it! x

Hannelie said...

You nailed it Darnell!
THIS WILL make Bev happy!
Thanks so much for sharing!

Karen Petitt said...

Hi Ethel! What a fab card, your tales do make me giggle. I l ove that cow stamp, now that is a hoot. Have a fab time with your bff xx

Tracey McNeely said...

So should I start called you Ethel? lol Your card for sweet Bev is fantastic. Way to go researching all the facts about her. Love all of your outdoor garden photos, looks like somewhere I would like to be today. brisk and chilly and 48 here this morning.

Sue said...

This is fabulous Darnell. I love how you have included all of Bev's likes into one card and I am sure she will be thrilled with it.
Gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing.
hugs Sue xx

Suze Bain said...

Ha, ha, those cows are fab and I love the B&W&R colour scheme. Your garden's looking gorgeous too! Hope you've had a fun day! xx

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Great card Darnell - love that image. fabulous. x

Marybeth said...

Love this fun card, I love silly cows and cows that drink even more. Beautiful flowers too.
Thanks for the heads up on our sweet friend Bev! I bet she loves this card.

Jackie Rockwell said...

Wonderfully personalized card Darnell . . . I mean "Ethel"! It's so fun and the lipstick is perfect!!! I'm sure Bev will love it! Enjoy your week!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Your card cracked me up, Darnell! Thanks for the education about dragonflies - so interesting!

Aileen said...

Don't have a cow Ethel! Ha Ha. Your card is so funny, made me smile immediately. Have fun with your grend, Darnell. Say Hi from all of us!

Aileen x

Unknown said...

Love your sequin balloons and your fun cows - hope Bev had a wonderful birthday.

Your garden is looking pretty too.

Anonymous said...

Well that just gave us both our after dinner guffaw tonight, Darnell, thank you! I was wondering how you were going to combine all the little snippets you so thoughfully gathered ... and then you created this fantastically fun card. Bev will totally love your balloonequin-adorned-gin-augmented-lemonade-drinking-lipstick-layered-bikini-wearing-cow ... happiness!
Anita :)

Brandi said...

What an adorable and fun card, not to mention the amount of meaning behind it. Your friend is going to love it!

tilly said...

love this fab card with the gin drinking cow lol and you sequins.
Tilly

Happy Dance said...

Oh Darnell! I'm pretty sure someone sent you a photograph of me wearing lots of my favorite red lipstick, after, of course, having several of those gin and lemonades, all the while dressed in my isty bitsy teeny weenie red and white string bikini! I almost fell out of my chair laughing! This is absolutely wonderful. I just can't stop grinning! Thank you so much dear friend. It's been one of the best birthdays ever, and the day is young. You've made this day really special with this card and your sweet wishes. You're the best. Big hugs. xoxo : ) Bev

Carole said...

Reading your blog is like a sweet little visit to the playhouse. Your flowers are so pretty, I let my eyes rest there a moment. The card is utterly whimsical and charming. Be well. Hugs C

Geri said...

What an absolute perfect tribute to the birthday girl! My goodness, you researched every little detail...especially lovin' the gin drinking bovines!!!

Beautiful pics - it's no wonder that your back got broke!!!

Hope you're having a blast at your GREND event!

Inkyfingers said...

What a fun card Darnell and the drinking cow is so you somehow - lipstick and all!! I'm sure Bev is going to love this and bring on one of her happy Dances. Have a great time with your buddy.
Hugs
Carol x

Helen F. said...

LOVE your sequin balloons and funny cow card, Darnell! Bev will surely get a laugh from this :)
PS: Great photo collage of your flower garden too ~ they are so much work, but bring so much pleasure!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I LOVE her! Fabulous card Darnell and what a great take on the sketch :)
Nessa xxx

Lisa Elton said...

You are just so darn fun to visit Darnell!! Love the story of your friendship and the names! A fun card that I'm sure she will LOVE!

Bobby said...

Where on earth do you come up with those crazy stamps that always seem to be perfect for whatever card you're creating? You're a scream, girl. I can hear Bev laughing now. :)

stampwithsandy said...

What a great layout to show off your adorable and too funny cows! I love that one is enjoying a cocktail, and the lipstick and toenail polish are great! I'm sure Bev will love it.

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

You are so funny, Ethel!!!! And I adore your card with all of it's sequins and cows and lipstick and oh yeah ...the bikinis!

Kim Heggins said...

What an adorable card...I just love those festive cows, so is that what you would call a party animal? I am sure Bev will love it. Love all your outdoor photos too, so pretty.

Shannon J said...

I'm just going to get it out, because I'm dying to call you Ethel!! Ahhh, that's better! Ha ha - okay, on with the comment! You are such a good, sweet friend - I LOVE how, and how much you personalized this card for Bev! As they say, it's the little things that matter, and finding all of these "little things", and bringing them all together to make this special card is a true representation of who you are - awesome!!! I also just got a little glimpse of you on your lunch date today with Kim - oh that must have been wonderful! I'm sure I'm not the only one jealous of this rendez vous!! Ha ha!! Hope you are still on the mend and feeling better every day!!

JD/ Jill said...

Another creative card, and as usual, you went out of your way to personalize it. Just a perfect card for your friend, I'm sure that she will love it.

donna mikasa said...

Ha! LOVE those peekin' cows! What a fun take on the sketch, Darnell! Love it so mooooch! No, really, I do!

Craftychris said...

I hope you had a lovely day yesterday! I love Bev's card - it made me smile lots with those cows! How nice that it is personalised for her. Loving your flowers and the damselfly is so sweet! xx

Brenda in IN said...

Great friends are wonderful. You have outdone yourself on this card for her. Love is in the details. Flowers are beautiful. What a peaceful place to spend time in.

Whimcees said...

Hello!

Love your card - it is so cute! And your flowers are beautiful! Thank you for coming to visit my blog and leaving your kind comments! I have just finished a new set of dolls and will post soon. Wishing you a happy day!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Sian Ridley said...

Hello my darling! I love this card! You put so much time into the research element that only a card perfectly tuned to Bev was ever going to materialise! Well done you! ;) A drinking cow...genius!!

JoAnn said...

Adorable card. Love the cute cow images. Have fun with your girlfriend. Thanks for sharing your card with us at Seize The Birthday.

cm said...

Oh my, but I LOVE this post! From your research of "Bev-factotatums," to placing the data collected into the hilarious X 1,000,000 cow card (we can't say too much about the lipstick - after all, hoof-application must be rather messy), to the snippet about your friend's visit, to the lesson on damselflies (truly fascinating!), to the stunning flowers in your yard - I'm in awe! You are witty, engaging, entertaining, creative, brilliant! Yes, *Ethel* you are a gem! A rare, priceless gem!!
c

Dianne said...

I love your card, the cows are fun! Your friend is very lucky. You have some beautiful flowers in your garden too.

Dianne.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love, love, love! The cow card. It made me laugh too. So silly and va-va-voom all at the same time. Thanks for sharing all the other pretty pictures as well.

Marybeth said...

I am back to say I love the old lady names.....we have some very good friends and we call them our Fred and Ethel ...just drop in and out anytime kind of friends.

Karen said...

Oh that cow is SOOOO cute! Just perfect for girlfriends! Happy WOYWW! ♥ Karen ♥ 87 x

Kay Miller said...

Your card is just adorable!! Too funny about the nicknames. I had a friend a long time ago and we called each other Cleodis and Josephine! haha! Old lady names too. Love your pretty flowers. The playhouse looks charming!

Susan (rainy) said...

This is so fun and perfect for Bev from WisCOWnsin!!

Pamela said...

LOVE the card... and your garden!!!!! I love how you used the stamp and stamped just half of it on either side!

Anonymous said...

Hope you are having a great great fun & memorable time!!! I have no doubt that is exactly what's going on!!! :)) :)) Stay out of trouble, you 2 !!! Lol

Your cow card is so fun!! Could the lips be any bigger...!!? Ha! She's sassy!!
Hope she loved it!!!
Xo

Joyce said...

Such a wonderful card. I love that cow--too funny. And the sentiment is so striking in red.

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, this is too cute!
Thanks so much for playing along with CAS(E) this Sketch!

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

What is it about COWS- they just are perfect for cards! Love those cow commericials these days...makes me laugh every time. Love your personalized card for your long-time friend, Bev. Have fun!

Robin said...

Well Darnell, I think you are now officially Ethel. And it really was Bev's B-day (not like Harriet?). Sorry I just loved that post and this one is just as cute. The card is awesome! I love the lipstick on the cow and the drinking cow. It's just too precious! And thank you for showing us your beautiful outside area. The damselfly was really cool too. Big hugs! Rasz

Kim S said...

I cannot believe how much you pulled from her blog to create this absolutely perfect card!!

I hope you and Myrtha have continued having a wonderful time!

Geri said...

Wow! HUGE congrats on your Wall of Fame shout-out at ATCAS!!! So well deserved! Your cards that are showcased are all so fabulously "Darnell".

Heck, yesterday I didn't know any "Wall of Famers"....today I know three! Way to go pals!

Dianne said...

Well Miss Annie (red) said it perfectly, you are soooooo creative, I love how your mind works and with your sense of humor your fabulous :). The card is perfect and I know Bev will love it. Thanks for sharing your garden it's beautiful love all the stones. That sweet damselfly is amazing, I didn't know about them I have heard of them, but I thought they lived only with the fairies, nice they visit you too..

Chrissy Larson said...

Ha ha ha! Super fun card! It totally will make anyone smile!