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!

March 20, 2014

Christmas Friffles (Frilly Ruffles) ~ NBUS #116

Hi gang!

It's International Day of Happiness and the First Day of Spring!! Let's just take a moment and think about that with a nice deep breath. Aaahhh!

I have a busy couple of weeks coming up, so I'm not sure how often I'll be posting, but I made a special effort to make a card in celebration of one of my favorite challenges, the Merry Monday Christmas Challenge. Lesley, the hostess with the mostess familiar to all of you for her tireless creation of challenges throughout Blogland, and for her outstanding card art, has just posted her 100th challenge to Merry Monday!!

Yes, no, go ahead and stand and join me in applause!! She richly deserves it! (I personally think she might not be human, but that's just between you and me.) Congratulations, Lesley! Thank you for all you do to make this house a home. I look forward to the next hunnert challenges!!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, here is this week's terrific challenge:

I stuck to the colors, but I used a few liberties from my Box O' Liberties for the sketch:

The little card skirt has cast a shadow on the sediment. In case you can't read it, it says, "Celebrate the magic of Christmas." The center medallion is a Christmas Nordic sweater pattern from the Wplus9 set "Winter Wishes." So you might could say that I dressed my card in a lovely Christmas sweater and flouncy fruffly skirt! The party in my head thinks so anyway. Now we need to go make it a purse! 

~~~

I love how those sweet scallop flags turned out on the card and I think this design would be cute for other occasions. I may make one as a birthday card for the adorable little girl who lives across the street from us. Her name is Emma and she and the Mister have crushes on each other. Now that I think about it, I have a crush on her, too. She's four and wears pigtails. If she is outside, she will stop what she's doing and watch the Mister zoom in the driveway on his motorcycle after work. She has learned to wait patiently while he removes his helmet and ear plugs and then she yells, "Hi, Keviiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnn!" He swoons.

~~~

I used lots of scrappy snippets from VOPP to make my ruffles, so I'm going to run my card over to show the kids at Pixie's Snippets Playground. Hammy is very excited about getting to play with Parsnip again!

~~~

New Friends Corner

Karen S. of Karen's Stamping & Crafting Creations has joined us. I met Karen through the fairly new challenge, "The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers"; the name alone always makes me smile! It's all in good fun. Karen has only been blogging since the very end of 2012, but she has many awards under her belt! When you pop in to visit, Karen's blog will inspire you. You will see lots of other crafty projects she has made, in addition to her wonderful cards!

Welcome, Karen, and thank you for joining the party over here!!

~~~

If you live where there is still snow on the ground, please stop and quickly page down to comments. Sorry! 

In my backyard, I'm so blessed to have evidence of the first day of spring. I relocated my little lilac bush last fall and it seems to love its new spot in the backyard. Maybe this is a trait of lilacs, but I think it's amazing that the blooms are really bursting forth before the leaves have even opened up! Is that normal?

Long-time readers know how much I love lilacs. When I said at the beginning of this post that I had lots to do in the next couple of weeks, one of those dos will be burying my face in these flowers for minutes at a time, as often as I can!! I hope your creative imagination will have you smelling the heady and intoxicating aroma as you enjoy the collage.

Okay, you smell sensational! Go 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!

Project Details
PaperPTI white; Provo lime sherbet rope ladder DSP
Stamps    Medallion: NBUS Wplus9 "Winter Wishes"
Sediment: NBUS PTI "Tree Trimming Trio"
 InkSU melon mambo
AccessoriesPTI NBUS Scallop banner die
SU melon mambo ribbon
Large lime sequint from Darice
Hot Pink bling from Hero Hues

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84 comments:

vic said...

This is gorgeous! I love the scallop edges they look fab on your card along with the pink polkadot wow! Gorgeous creation :)
Hugs to you
Vic xx

shirley-bee said...

Fun interpretation of the sketch, Darnell! You're right, it would work brilliantly for girly ra-ra skirt cards!

Lesley said...

Well your card is super snazzy and let me tell you, I love your take on the sketch! Sweater and skirt indeed! It is perfect! Your neighbour sounds super adorable! How fun for both of you. Thanks for playing and for being such a good pal.
Hugs,
Lesley

Sue - said...

Super card Darnell, with what I think is quite a difficult colour combo for Christmas. Mind you my crafting mojo seems to be having a rest this week!

Suze Bain said...

You smell lovely too Darnell! ;) Loving that medallion stamp, a super card. Have a nice day! Xx

Sue said...

This is wonderful Darnell. I love the image and gorgeous scalloped 'skirt'.
hugs Sue xx

Redanne said...

Oh what a beautiful card Darnell, I love the untraditional colours and your little 'skirt' is fabulous! Love the story of Emma too, she sounds like a little sweetie. Big hugs, Anne xx

Debbie Henderson Debbie's Designs said...

Love, love, love the scallops! It adds so much to your card! Thanks for being part of our 100th celebration at Merry Monday!

Marcia Hill said...

Love your skirt and sweater card Darnell...quite bright and cheery! Of course you could have an all black card and it would still be cheery to me...I ALWAYS smile after reading your posts! Thanks for sharing your great card and have a great day! :0)

Benzi said...

Your sweater and skirt are just the "best". I do love your card....and your lilacs. They're both gorgeous.

You really should make that little pigtailed neighbor a cute birthday card. She sounds like a real sweetie pie.

Carol L said...

Great card with the ruffled border and pretty medallion! All of our snow is just about melted now (yay) but I too just adore lilacs! I'd love to have just one tree so I could smell them when they bloom in spring! Sweet stuff!

Inkyfingers said...

Those colours look wonderful together and I love the frill on the 'skirt'. Gather your lilacs while you may and have great time.
Hugs
Carol x

Diane said...

Pretty~pretty card...love the "ruffles"!!! I do have snow on the ground...lots, but I read the rest anyways...so there!! I do envy you to getting dirt under your fingernails and all the back breaking work gardens entail...but bring it on!!!

Hettie said...

Aww! I always feel guilty about lilacs. You see we accidentally err k****d the one in our garden. Not intentionally, but the undergrowth turned into overgrowth!
I digress. Lully card there. Hope your card has some tights on as it may be cold outside in just jumper and skirt!
Hugs
xx

Brenda in IN said...

Sweet, cute party outfit. Love the colors! How fun your little neighbor girl sounds. We don't have snow on the ground but maybe be getting a little more. I will live vicariously through your flowers. I can almost smell them!

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the flirty skirt on your card - perfect take on the sketch! I'm eagerly waiting to see if our jacaranda blooms this year - not sure if our hot, dry winter will have been good for it or not.

jimlynn said...

OMGoodness! What a fun and pretty card for the holidays. Love those colors and of course the big scallops just scream FUN! Love it!
Lynn

Shannon J said...

What a pretty Christmas card!! My fave part: those sweet ruffles!!! BTW, are you sure I smell sensational? Because I haven't even showered yet!!! ;) ha ha!!!

Chris Dring said...

I adore your sweatered and fluffled Christmas card, Darnell! It just screams WARM FUZZY!! And wow, that lilac bush seems to really be enjoying it's new home. Take all the time you want smelling the flowers, my friend! We are just starting to see the daffodils peaking through the ground, so I'm excited to see those bloom soon! Happy first day of Spring and have a great day!

Linda said...

Darnell, so beautiful. Don't you just love these colors together. Lilacs are my favorite too. I love the smell, but I have a slight allergy from them.

Anonymous said...

Awesome Christmas card with beautiful ruffles Darnell!!!

Andrea said...

great card i love the idea of a sweater and skirt combo where did yo get you box O' liberties from I think everyone should have one occasionally!...;-0 .sweet design and great colour combo I do like tahts it so not traditional and I'm sure it would be a fab birthday card for the pigtails sweetie ..have a great week and enjoy the flowers they look lush and I can if I try hard just smell them crafty hugs andrea x

scrappymo! said...

Emma and your DH sound like sweeties and your card is one too. Love the flounced skirt with the warm sweater. It is truly dressed for Christmas.

I agree that this design would make a lovely little girl card...may have to try one myself!

Marybeth said...

Beautiful card and post to celebrate Lesley's 100th post.
I love your scalloped edge and stamped image....thinking outside the box with this one!
Oh....I love lilacs too...enjoy!

Pat said...

This is a really pretty Christmas card Darnell, and I love the pink medallion with the green of the skirt, and such a gorgeous dotty ribbon. I have to say the skirt idea works so well, and my brain is fizzing with different ways of doing something like this as a border. If I do I will definitely say where I got the idea from. x

Alanna said...

What a beautiful card Darnell. I love the scallops at the bottom.

Enjoy your lilacs. I am wishing I had some to smell right now.

Kristie Goulet said...

YAY! LOVE your card for the challenge, Darnell! So happy you had some time to play along to celebrate at Merry Monday!!! Thank you for sharing your lilac bushes. I am wishing I had some to smell right now too. We sadly, got more snow today. :(

Irish Cherokee said...

Reaalllyyyy great card Darnell! Like the Nordic touch.

Notes by Nina said...

Beautiful card Darnell,the ruffles are so pretty. Sweater and skirt :) love it. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday .

LeAnne said...

I love your card's little outfit...it's quite adorable! And I have a little pigtailed one around my house today too! So glad you played with our challenge this week! And I agree, I am not sure Lesley is human either...NO ONE can start a challenge like she can!

Tracey McNeely said...

I love the way you the sketch and the colours--gorgeous!

Happy Dance said...

The bit o'green in the midst of the medallion is perfect. The colors are perfect. The rufflies are adorable. So I guess this is just another home run card! I've got tulips and daffies pushing up as of Tuesday, and I've seen a robin or two...first signs of spring around here! All seasons in their own time. The Mister sounds a bit like DH. So many of the little ones call him "Papa". Warms my heart. Have a good one. : ) Bev

Susanne Vargas said...

Don't know what I like more - your card or your new word: Friffles! Makes me laugh!
Hugs,
Susanne

Katie Melhus said...

Your friffles are just perf-tastic (that means perfectly fantastic but I bet you already knew that didn't you?)and I must agree wholeheartedly with your praise of Lesley, she is amazing no? Love the card and love seeing you in the Merry Monday gallery...welp I love seeing you in all the galleries, Gurl.

My Paper Epiphany said...

Love your frilly card! I'm glad Spring is showing itself. Every time I think we have seen the end of summer over here in Oz, we get another hot day. I'm hoping for some crisp , sunny Autumn days very soon!

Kathleen said...

Brilliant card love the sweater and the skirt and the fabulous shades of green and pink.

Kath x

Linda said...

Hi Darnell, I love your take on this week's Merry Monday ..... your card is just adorable. And I totally agree that this layout would suit any occasion.
My entry for this week is still in the 'thinking' stage ..... not my usual colours so it could take a while! Hugs .... Linda xx

Canonbury creations said...

Great take on the colour combo Darnell, love your frilly skirt!
Val x

MaryH said...

Well first day of Spring, you make a Christmas card?????Wellll! It is downright PURTY and I like the Spring green & pink...so THERE! Love that Nordic doily, and certainly did enjoy the hot pink with that lime green. And you had the exact right color of pink grosgrain ribbon too. Bet you got a lot of stash, hmmmm? Very lovely, and so very cheery with the little ruffles & fluffles. I like it...LOTS! TFS- PS - almost forgot: We have a very old lilac bush, but it has just begun to get some little green along the limbs. Soon now. Thanks for reminding me to check it. Poor thing has been ignored all winter.

laurie said...

What a cute skirt! Such a great idea.

Happy first day of spring!

Bonnie said...

This little card came dressed for the party, Darnell! Love that ruffled skirt! When I was growing up, everybody had huge lilac bushes that were so full of blooms in the spring. My mom would cut me a big bouquet and I'd come home from school to find my room smelling heavenly. I've never been able to get them to grow in the south. Enjoy a sniff for me!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Such a super fantastic card! Love the medallion stamp! We still have lots of snow left but in a few short months we will be basking in the Summer sun :) Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

Deanne :)

Mrs A. said...

That pink and green remind me of the nylon pop socks we had as kids. Or I should say the neighbours kids did . We had to have boring old white ones. anyways your card is fabby. hugs Mrs a.

Lisa Elton said...

Your layered scallops are so pretty Darnell!! This marvelous!

Joyce said...

Pretty and fun.

Unknown said...

Love the nordic sweater print and adorable skirt. And I'm with you, I think Lesley's blog challenges are wonderful.

Di said...

LOVE your card Darnell - it truly is like a Nordic sweater and ra-ra skirt!

Most of all I just adored hearing about Emma and the Misters mutual crushes - I can almost hear her hollering Keviiiiiiiiiiiiiin :)

LOTV are bringing out some new stamps on 24th March apparently - featuring a cute little girl with pigtails! Only sayin'

Hugs

Di
xx

Anita in France said...

Sweet and snuggly, Darnell ... love the ruffly skirt ... looking forward to seeing the matching purse! Your little neighbour sounds a complete sweetie ... what joy wee ones bring! Anita :)

Ros Crawford said...

Beautiful stamping and lovely scallops make for a stunning card ... I love lilacs too and have a tree in my garden ... have a lovely weekend

Mrs Harry said...

What a pretty card Darnell, it really made me smile. Your lilacs look great too.

Barb Ghig said...

You are so funny, Darnell...and, I just LOVE coming to visit you at the Playhouse! Do I say that every time I leave a note for you? Well, it's true...I think it's that party in your head that gets me!

Love this pretty Christmas card! Such a beautiful non-traditional color combo and I love how you paired the warm Nordic sweater and ruffly skirt...very clever! I'll bet a child's version of this card would be perfect for Emma!

Thanks for sharing your collage of stunning lilacs with us too, and for always making me smile...Have a wonderful day!

Viv said...

Fabulous card as ever Dee.....I think I am in love with Emma now too lol :) Viv xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Darnell, thought I would pop along to see how you are.
Love the card, never thought about using a skirt, it's a great idea.
We do not have snow this year in England but I have plenty were I am at the moment as we have been skiing in France this week.
Happy crafting, Angela x

Geri said...

Pu-lease send some of that sunshine our way! We are back to -40C windchill temps tonight! My lilacs are likely ready to pick up roots and head on over to camp out with your newly transplanted fragrant darling.

I ADORE your card...the Frifffles steal the show! Alternating the white & green creates a nice contrast, especially when paired with the pretty pink polka dot ribbon. Mister's wee girlfriend would love a card like this for her birthday!

sandie said...

Hi Darnell, I am always a day behind on your posts, blogger is a bit of a pain!! I immediately thought of a Xmas sweater when I saw your card and do love those little frills x

Bobby said...

I love the fruffly skirt on your card. I'm still trying to decide on a pink and green idea for mine. It's been a busy week and I'm way behind on my homework for OCC and my challenges.

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

I love your pretty ra ra skirt card!!!! The colors are fabulous!!

♥Gemma♥ said...

This is beautiful Darnell and i am so loving those scalloped flags, they are fab!! xxx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous Darnell
have a lovely weekend
hugs Tamara

OH Babs said...

Nice card. What is vopp? 59 messages!

Brenda said...

I love, love this card Darnell! That little sweater is so pretty and I love, love your card's skirt, so fabulous!! I think this is the best dressed card I've ever seen. lol I truly love it and think it would be awesome as a birthday card too! Now that little one that yells hi to your husband after waiting so patiently sounds adorable! I am also so jealous of your lilacs. lol I so love lilacs too and I have had mine bloom once before the leaves were out. Not sure why, but thinking that spring was really early that one year. Enjoy sniffing those babies! Hugs

Judy1223 said...

Darnell, this is quite fabulous! I love the colors and your interpretation of the sketch! Well done!

Jill said...

These are my kinds of colors! I must do this challenge! :-) Great card, Darnell, I especially love the scallop banner!

Cathy said...

Love these colours Darnell, and the frilly petticoat, gorgeous card, Cathy x

Deborah Frings said...

Morning Darnell! Absolutely love this post - your card really is very pretty.

I'm sooooo jealous of your lilacs! Still snow on the ground here, although much less than last week :)

craftmates said...

Fabulous card! Those ruffles are so adorable. Perfect for the challenge- Irma

Larissa Heskett said...

AMAZING CARD!! I LOVE the Tree Skirt!! Too FUN!! THANKS for sharing and I'm just alittle Jealous about your Flowers!! =) I want mine to be ready for SPRING Life, but alas they aren't and I guess I'll just have to be patient and HURRY UP and WAIT for Spring to come!! Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND/WEEK!! =)

Vicky Hayes said...

Thank goodness I came to visit Darnell - I had momentarily forgotten to breath! I love your uniquely stylish Christmas card - and aren't those brilliant colours for Christmas?! And (randomly) I agree that Lesley is a phenomenon, Miss Pigtails and the Mister having a crush made me melt and I adore lilac too so I am virtually joining you with my nose. Have a lovely day, Vicky x

Kim Heggins said...

This is just too, too cute! And that word, "frilles" is amazing and I will be using that one from this point on, I love it! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

cm said...

Your frillies card is absolutely adorable; beautiful images and colours for Christmas (although I was momentarily side-tracked by glimpses of your backyard in the backgroud...ah, spring!). I agree: Lesley is nothing short of amazing (a trait you both share), and the Emma-Kevin crush is sheer delight! Those four-year olds (like my niece) have such a knack for melting hearts! Your lilacs...ho, how I love lilacs. I rarely see them here in Canmore, but in my home city of Edmonton, they bloom in abundance (eventually...we have winter until June!). Another fabulous post! Enjoy your 'busy' next two weeks; hope 'fun' is on the agenda! We'll miss you! Hugs~c

Sue said...

Love your sweater and skirt card! It's beautiful. I love these colors together!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Ooooh! You opened the Box 'O Liberties indeed! I love it and I love that it's a sweater and a frilly skirt, very fancy schmancy indeed. Lilacs, I know nothing about them but I am probably allergic to them even though they aren't yellow (it's my joke, not that I'm allergic to all the blooms around here but that I'm allergic to the color yellow, why is it all yellow??!?!!!!)

Greta said...

We have something else in common--love of lilacs! I used to wait until dusk & take them from the bush near the pro shop where we used to golf--much to hubby's chagrin! My mom loved them & always sent me back to college from Spring Break with a big bouquet. Love your unique & lovely card!

Karen Davis said...

Ohhhh! so Pretty Darnell. I love the fairisle stamp and that GORGEOUS wee skirt. The green paper really makes your eyes move. Thank you so much for joining us at Merry Monday.

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Darnell, what a fabulous card,all dressed up in her skirt and jumper. What a cute, sweet story about Emma.Lets hope Hammy behaves himself, although his crush is very cute. Thanks for sharing Karen's blog, she is a wonderful card maker.. Well it's still -16C no sign of that sprig fellow yet, so have a few sniffs for me I looooooove Lilacs too, have a wonderful week, do get a wee rest in your coming busy time.. ((( BIG HUGS)))..

anja curvers said...

Awesome card love the colors love the way you did the sketch.

Jean said...

Love how you interpreted the sketch ~ the scallops look fabulous. Emma sounds delightful, I would probably have a crush on her too!

Craftychris said...

This is so bright and cheerful and I love the sentiment! xx

Sharron said...

Wonderful design, Darnell! Such fun colors for Christmas and your scallops look adorable! Keep enjoying your gorgeous lilacs!

Joni Andaya said...

Simply Fabulous!!! Love this to bits....I hope I can smell the lilacs too :)

Sheila H said...

The scallops are to die for! Have fun with your flowers :)

Deepti said...

This is super stunning, love the over lapping scallops and amazing color combination.

Petra Swart said...

Oh, I love how you've dressed up your card, Darnell!! Beautiful!!
Hugz

JD/ Jill said...

Cute card, Darnell...great job with the colors. This is one of my favorite color combos for a card...but I never found the time to make one for this challenge.