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 8, 2015

Celebrating International Women's Day 2015

Hello!

Welcome friends, both women and men, as we celebrate International Women's Day 2015. 

All around the world, International Women's Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.

International Women's Day theme
International Women's Day
International Women's Day 2015 Theme: MAKE IT HAPPEN

Each year International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political, and social achievements of women. Organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations, and the media celebrate the day.

Various organizations identify their own International Women's Day theme, specific to their local context and interests. Many charities, NGOs and Governments also adopt a relevant theme or campaign to mark the day. For example, organisations like the UN, Oxfam, Women for Women, Care International, Plan, World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and more - run exciting and powerful campaigns that raise awareness and encourage donations for good causes. 
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In the spirit of #Paint it Purple, I made a couple of cards in celebration:
Those are little sundresses marching around the globe of the world. I'm not thrilled with how they look like hair bows or bikini tops or you're-not-quite-sure-at-first-glance-what-they-are, but hopefully, you get the point of my design.

I like my second card better.
I am finally finishing the online watercolor class from *cough* months ago, so that I can in good conscience take the online class that starts next week. I have learned that if I don't sit down and do the classes when they first go live, they get shoved to the back burner. The one deep in the shadows and forgotten.

The pretty NBUS shoe from Rubbernecker is embossed in purple. The sediment is from PTI's "Meadow Greens" set and it may have been NBUS as well. The background is gaily watercolored and sprinkled. 

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Challenges
Take It, Make It Challenge
Share Our Badge on Your Blog!Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
The challenge links will provide you with details on rules, sponsors, and prizes.

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New Friends Corner

I'm delighted to have you meet these new friends of the Playhouse!

Ilse of My Creative Space. Ilse is from Belgium and she has been blogging since 2009. Ilse loves entering our many fabulous challenges in Blogland and she will fill you with inspiration as you enjoy all that her varied style has to offer from CAS cards to fabulous art journal pages!

Shawna Standish of The Grand Stampede. Shawna has only been blogging since November of 2014. That was only a few months ago, so please do pop over and give some welcome love and encouragement to Shawna! Shawna has only been making cards for two years, but as you will soon see, there is a professional feel to all her card art that will make you think she has been making cards for a decade!

Jenelle Triggs of Blue Lily Sentiments. Jenelle is also fairly new to blogging, having started just last July 2014. Like a lot of us, she started blogging to enter her favorite challenges and share her love of paper crafting which she learned as a girl when her mother helped her make cards. Jenelle also loves scrapbooking and making paper collages, but her current interest is making cards which she does extremely well. Please visit her and let her know what a welcome and kind community we are!

Charlie-louise (Mrs. C.) of Craft Room Diary. Mrs. C. has been blogging since 2011 under her former SU blog "Crafty Little Moo." She can now be found exclusively at the "Craft Room Diary," which she started at the end of last year. Between the two blogs you will find enormous inspiration from Mrs. C.'s creations and also her craft room photos and adventures!

Christine Pereira of Mud Maven Designs. Chris is on the other end of the spectrum in that she has been blogging and sharing her amazing creations since 2007! Chris is a potter and a weaver, and she also enjoys knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Besides stunning cards, Chris shares free sediments and family updates. (She and I share the magic of having twin grandchildren!) I know you will enjoy meeting Chris and seeing her beautiful card art over the years!

tesno70. Welcome! I'm sorry I cannot find any information about you via Google. Please let me know if you have a blog or online photo gallery that I can share.

Lorraine Mastalski of Paper Vermissage. Lorriane's blog name comes from her love of all things paper and "vermissage" means a one-person art show! Lorraine is a lifelong crafter who has been blogging since 2008, so again you are in for extensive visits to soak up all of Lorraine's inspiration! You will love her gorgeous and creative cards, her tangle art, and her photographs!

Claudia Neubacher (die amelie) of Von Pappe II. Claudia is from Austria and she started blogging in June of 2012. With a Master of Arts degree, Claudia was an arts and crafts teacher for almost 20 years and now enjoys life as full-time mom, paper artist, poet, and writer. She is on several design teams, has won several challenge awards, and is a designer and writer for Craft Stamper magazine. Claudia loves all things weathered and grungy, textured, and graphical. The inkier, paintier, messier, and more chaotic her crafting becomes, the happier she is! Whether you create steampunk and mixed media or not, you will be fascinated and enchanted by Claudia's incredible talent!

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

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy. LITS!* Celebrate your own womanhood and/or that of the women in your life. And cheers to the feisty women who came before us!

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!

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89 comments:

Milka Gubo said...

Dear Darnell :-D

Happy Women Day!!! :-D

Your both cards are beautiful and like them both a lot!
On the first one I love colors, globe and letters! Cool design.
Second one is WOW! Love love love the design, sentiment, high heel image and colors... well, that´s everything! LOL :-D
Your watercoloring is AMAZING! :-D

Have a beautiful day!!

hugs
Milka

Vijaylaxmi Siyal said...

Hi Darnell ..Happy women's day ..both cards are lovely ...liked the watercoloring !!

Carole Z said...

Two super cards Darnell, Happy Womens' Day, hugs Carole Z X

Sue said...

Happy Womens Day.

Loving th4e cards.

Hope you have a good day. Sue

Julie B said...

Two fab cards Darnell, my daughter would love them for the cause and the colour! :)

Inkyfingers said...

Happy IWD Darnell, and I'm loving the gorgeous purple cards you made. Congrats on finishing the watercolour course, and I'll probably see you in class next week!
Hugs
Carol x

Redanne said...

Happy IWD to you too Darnell! I did see the dresses on your first card and thought - how very clever of you! I love the embossed globe in the centre of the dresses too. I would love to wear a pair of those killer heels in your second card and I love the wonderful background you created - I think the splatting is brilliant! Hugs, Annie xx

Viv said...

LOVE THAT SHOE!!!! Fab cards Darnell.

Sarah G said...

Fabulous IWD cards, Darnell! I love the dresses around the globe - a fabulous idea and I am absolutely in love with the shoe on your second card. I also have online classes that I haven't finished so you have motivated me to go and fire up that back burner that I have left them on :)

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, both of your creations are awesome. I like the idea of dancing
dresses around the globe. :-) The background on the second card is something that takes my breath away. :-))
Enjoy a woman's day,
Sonja

Ros Crawford said...

I love both cards!! How I wish I could wear shoes like that know! Have a beautiful day!! I'm celebrating the friendships of all my women blog friends!!

Marilyn said...

Two beautiful cards!! loce the colors

sandie said...

Well these are fab and purple is perfect to me, the shoe card is a stunner, I must get some purple shoes! Thanks for joining Ink x

Sarn said...

Happy IWD 2015 Darnell.

Love your very creative and purplicious makes here.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Je@net said...

Happy Women's Day, Darnell.
Two beautiful cards, just love the shoe and the colors!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

HI Darnell, beautiful designs, love the colours and especially like the card with the shoe. The spatter background is fabulous. I was away so now trying to catch up on all the lovely designs! Happy Weekend, Shirleyxx

~Tammy~ said...

You go girl! Love this~ The purple looks amazing and wonderful cards to celebrate~

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Happy day
fantastic post
hugs:)

Canonbury creations said...

hi Darnell, Happy Women's Day! Two great cards and I'm loving the shoe:) Couldn't wear them now though!
Val x

Diane said...

Beautiful purple cards...so creative and gorgeous....you have the best ideas!!! This looks like a fun challenge, I just might have to join in...I am sure like you , I have some "NBUS" I can use..thanks for sharing...fun!!

Birgit said...

I knew they were dresses right away and I love the card! It really represent women all around the world so I love the layout you did. I also enjoy that last card with the girly shoe I can never wear but it so pretty and the background is cool

Lorraine said...

Happy International Women's Day. Your cards are so pretty. I love the watercoloring you did and the shoe image is beautiful. Thanks for the shout out too!

Krisha said...

Happy IWD! You had me giggling about the sun dresses.

That shoe is gorgeous!!

Deepti said...

Wow what a fabulous post! I love those cards... Amazing designs:)

Unknown said...

Two great cards Dippy - love the second one with that glorious shoe! Must admit to being the same....if you don't do the classes when they are first released then you tend not to! Ask me how I know...........

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

I Card Everyone said...

I do! and I love it! Both fab... who knew?
=] M

Lisa said...

Both cards are absolutely gorgeous!! I love the designs and details!! Happy Women's Day!!

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Gerrina said...

The first had to ave two times looking before I saw it, but I think the idea is so original!!
The second looks great with the splatters! Have a fun sunday, Gerrina

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Didn't know we got a day. So could I have gotten out of cooking breakfast this morning? Rats! Missed out on that for another year.
Both cards are fabulous but hands up, I did have to look at the first one twice lol!
Have a great day.
Ang x

VanessaB said...

happy woman's day to you! your dresses around the world is sooooo creative. love that!! and the second card is just gorgeous. wow!! beautiful! have an amazing day!

shirley-bee said...

I love the idea of sundresses linking around the world, Darnell! And that shoe - fabulous!

Pat said...

Two great cards to celebrate IWD Day Darnell,and I adore the purple and blue Brusho backgrounds. The pretty dresses circling the world is a great design idea, and the gorgeous stiletto heel and lovely sentiment is so pretty too. I feel great respect for women who can actually walk in shoes like that ..lol. x

jimlynn said...

I actually love both of these cards! The little sundresses around the globe is cute and creative. Been a LONG time since I've worn a sundress too! Your second card is a beauty. Love the water coloring and that fancy shoe. Yep, been a while since I wore any heels that high too - if ever! Both are great!
I'll be seeing you in the online class next week too!
Lynn

Brenda said...

I did not know there was a National Women's Day out there! Remember what I said about being dense?! Plus you have to remember I'm married to a farmer so women are just kept busy period cleaning up after their farmer and cooking for him. lol How fun this is, too bad I never knew about it, not that it would have change anything but still...Love, love the dresses going around the world and yes, they look like dress to me, sun dress to be exact! I love that shoe card too, what an amazing background and an amazing shoe! How many women do you suppose will kill for those shoes?! Not me, I love them but at my age I'm all about comfort, not style. lol Hugs, Brenda

Unknown said...

Stunning!!! I love the shoe and the spattered background!
Lucy x

Di said...

Two wonderful cards my little friend - perfect for IWD of course.

Sending you a special big hug, seems you might need one?

Love, Di xxx

Donna said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell! Like those backgrounds!

Carol L said...

Happy IWD to you too! Gosh, these purple cards are both so awesome, but I absolutely love that shoe!! Well done on both!

Susanne Vargas said...

Happy IWD to you, also! How cool that you made cards for it! Come to think of it... I have a stamp that would have been perfect for it! Maybe next year...
Love the dresses around the globe and the shoe in front of the watercolored background! Although, I could not even take one step in them... ;)

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Happy day, happy day.... I am woman, hear me roar! Love this shoe card, and the circle of frocks is perfect for the IWD card.

conil said...

I think it's interesting that IWD & DST occurred on the same date this year. Bodes well for us women. Of course we always have had to put extra hours in our days to achieve what we were striving for. Enough of my rant. Both your cards are perfect to celebrate these days and I think the sundresses marching aroung the globe, says it all. That high heel is completely fabulous. Wish I could wear it.

Laurie Unger said...

Perfect cards for our special day! I really like the purple shoe!

OH Babs said...

I have never heard of this special day thanks for the info. Love the purple heel, I have their tennis shoe.

Taunya Butler said...

Wonderful cards for a way cool cause!! Love the one with the world and the dresses lined up around it - to me it represents a unity among the women of the world!! Fascinating card!! Your second card is BEAUTIFUL and made me feel it today!! Life is beautiful and should be lived every second to the fullest!! Sometimes I let time slip by without being grateful for all the goodness around me - thank you for this wonderful reminder!!!

Kristie Goulet said...

Happy IWD to you, also!!! LOVE that you made two awesome cards for this occasion. These are great!

Kathleen said...

Happy Women's Day to you too, one heck of a Woman.

Great cards and great shades of purple.

Kath x

Pia S said...

The shoe card looks absolutely smashing! Great symbolism on your second,
I love the colors of both cards and your watercolor splatter technique. And that embossed globe would be great for a holiday card as well.

Carole Pollard said...

Such an interesting post on a very important subject The cards are both stunning love the colours love and hugs Carole x

Bonnie said...

Love this purple HIGH heel shoe and the water colored and sprinkled background! Wish I could wear shoes like this! I'd be as tall as other folks!

Kara Lynne said...

I got the first card at first glance! I love these beautiful purple cards with all that wonderful spatter!

BożenA said...

Beautiful card. The background is just perfectly beautiful. Happy Women's Day.
hugs,
Bozena

Lizzy Hill said...

Glad u finally got that class done!!! Love the purple (NEVER thought I'd say that!!!!) & the shoe is my fave too... Although those dresses are pretty darn cute:);)

Carol said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell...love that shoe and your pretty water-coloured backgrounds. Carol x

cm said...

Happy IWD, my friend! A day of empowerment and, hopefully, opportunity, for our many sisters around the globe. Speaking of globes, your sundresses' card is an innovative delight and yes, your message is clear. Brilliant! Your sparkly purple shoe on its pretty water-colour background...oh my! Once upon a time, long, long ago, I wore shoes *sort of* like that (high heeled pumps my preference). Sighhh...and I had outfits to match. Now, nope! Comfy in my flats, thank you, but still, I do admire a gorgeous pair of shoes..Thank you for sharing your marvelous sprinkle-inspired card in the Inkspirational gallery! BTW: forgot to ask in my recent note: how are you enjoying the Chameleon pens? I'm still floundering...
Hugs~c

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell. That high heel is beautiful. I learned something new on your blog today. I never knew there was an IWD :) Thanks for informing all of us!!

Jenelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pam said...

Fabulous cards! I love the second one.

Jenelle said...

Happy International Women's Day to you too! Thank you for the introduction on your post! I love that shoe! The purple and blue with the ink splatters and the sentiment are gorgeous! Your first card is lovely as well and very clever.

Nora Noll said...

These cards are BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE the purple shoe-so fun. Wish I could find real purple shoes!!

My friends and I were talking about this "holiday" on Friday. One of my friends is a florist in a very ethnic area of Hartford, CT and she said that they have TONS of business for this day. I had never heard of it until last week. Awesome post!!

Kim Heggins said...

What a fabulous pair of cards...love your sweet designs, just so perfect for this special day. And good for you, finishing your water coloring class, your cards are amazing.

Bobby said...

I recognized the dresses right off but it took a mention for me to see they were circling the world. A very inspired card, Darnell. And that shoe! That's fantastic! Love what you did with the background.

Lisa Elton said...

Fabulous cards Darnell!! They look like pretty little sundresses to me and that shoe is beautiful!!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Happy Women's Day! What a great reason to make such beautiful cards! I especially love the second one! The shoe is gorgeous!!!!

Janelle said...

Happy IWD!
Love the stamp of the shoe. The entire card it is used on is fantastic. The colours always draw me in. Purple and blue - mmmmm! :)
Hugs, Janelle

Sabrina Scrapbook said...

Hello Darnell, and happy IWD to you! Thank you for your recent kind words, and I love reading your posts which are full of useful contents. The cards are lovely in pretty purple. Thank you for sharing, and here's wishing you a fantastic week ahead! :)

Caryn said...

Hi Darnell, Happy IWD! Your cards are all so creative, striking and heartfelt - great job.

Thanks for playing along at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
Hugs,
Caryn x

Kay Miller said...

Happy women's day Darnell! I'm a little late, but it's still heartfelt :) Both of your cards are beautiful, but like you I think I like the second one better. I just love your watercolored speckled background! So pretty! The first one is really lovely too with the embossing and the little dresses. I knew they were dresses first thing :) Have a wonderful week my friend! :)

Cat Craig said...

Wonderfully uplifting cards Darnell, so appropriate.

Brenda in IN said...

I love that globe on your first card. The circle of dresses is a good representation of all the women around the world. I love the colors in your second card. That aqua and lavender look so pretty and I love the sentiment.

alexandra s.m. said...

Awesome post Darnell!
I love your cards and wish I had known about the theme! Thank You!!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Good for you for finishing up the water color class. I myself just got some non-kid watercolor paints for Valentine and no time to play (reading between the lines: not finished the class yet either). Love the shoe card, so pretty and feminine. The other card is nice too but not as stunning. It makes me think of someone's logo.

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell fabulous purple I love that impressed globe! What a fun design. Your water colouring also wonderful And the splatter rocks!now let's start on the shoe! Want it want it but could not walk in them-lol. It would be fun to try. Happy belated woman's day!

Shelly said...

Your cards are FABULOUS, Darnell! And I wasn't seeing any hair bows or bikini tops, just dresses! ;) Happy (one day late) IWD!

Craftychris said...

Both of these are fabulous! I see only dresses of loveliness on the first one and the second one I see an awesome background behind the gorgeous shoe! xxx

JD/ Jill said...

Both are pretty cards! Hope you are having a good week!

Liz said...

Two fabulous cards - spotted the sundresses straight away! I love the shoe, it looks wonderful in purple. xx

MaryH said...

Who knew this day? I didn't, so thank you for the heads up! I love both these cards, and think #1 is a super way to show solidarity with the celebration of this occasion. It's Ka-Yute! Will confess I'm par-shul to #2, though, just cause I'm crazy about your spatters. You aced that spatter class, girl. I looked at all the videos, didn't do the 1st bit of homework. Trying to decide whether to spring for this next online class. Even skipping the homework, get some great ideas. Managed to get to one of your new friends, and off to visit another newbie that you have shared. TFS & big hugs. Looking forward to May.

Geri said...

You've celebrated this awesome day in GRAND style dear friend! Love your sweet purple sundresses and high fashion shoes (I bet Cinderella would have loved these sweet pumps!).

And, thanks for the history/info on IWD. I had no idea that it dated back to 1911!!! Makes me realize how slow the world was to change...but change it did! Hopefully, change will come quickly to those still waiting.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful cards.
Love the shoe stamp. Thanks for all the information on International Women's day.

Becca Cruger said...

Both of these cards are gorgeous examples of purpley womanhood. And that SHOE card! I adore it!!! I am a rabid, ahem, I mean avid collector of high heels. LOVE the splattery background too! And I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has those deep, dark corners!

Unknown said...

You second card really caught my eye (although I love both), the gorgeous high heal... I've actually got post coming up on this thursday which your shoe actually reminded me of, very similar - a project I had great fun doing, so your beautiful shoe card is really singing to me :) x

Joyce Erb said...

I love watercolor backgrounds and your splatters really ad a lot. Thanks for joining us at The Mod Squad Challenge.

Joyce said...

Wonderful cards. How did I not know about International Woman's Day. Shame on me. Love all the purple.

Shawna said...

Wow Darnell I just want to thank you so much for giving me a shout out! And your kind words warmed my heart.. I love creating cards and sharing them with others of the same interest is just a joy (and it lets me know I am not crazy). Thank you again Darnell I am happy to have met you!

Greta said...

Love, love, love that second card, Darnell--stunning!

Linda said...

Beautiful cards Darnell .... loving the shoe!! Thank you for joining in with the Craft Stamper TIMI challenge .... good luck! Linda xx

Renee said...

The shoe is gorgeous! Thanks for joining us at the Take It Make It Challenge.

maria f. said...

You rock on any day of the week, woman! Love the chic shoe with the artsy artsy watercolor BG. BTW, can't wait to see you rock the STAMP birdies soon ;)

Anita in France said...

Oops, sooo late coming by to join the purple party, Darnell ... I blame that monster (again!) The splatteriness on each of your cards is just awesome ... love that dressed (hahaha) impressed globe ... and oh my, that spectacular shoe ... wow! Yay for finishing your class ... I won the copics one in summer and it's still lingering rather unloved, in my WTD (want to do) pile. One day ...! Hugs & Bisous, Bisous, Anita :)