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 21, 2015

Guest Designing for UNIKO!

 Hello, my lovelies!

I'm tickled pink to have whooshed through the week so I could come to you today as Guest Designer for Uniko Challenge #24!
A lot of you are familiar with the lovely Beverley Brown, owner, operator, and stamp designer of Uniko, and card artist extraordinaire! Oh, and we mustn't forget she's also the mother of twin boys who are now up and walking and giving Bev a workout every minute they are awake! As a grandmother of twin boys, I know what my DDIL went through with her active toddlers, so Bev has my utmost respect!

I was honored when Bev asked me to guest design for this SUMMER challenge which will run from today through September 4th. For an extra twist, here is a beautiful summer inspiration photo for you:
And here is my card:
I used a pink watering can cut using the Memory Box die, "Garden Watering Can." The small flower is from my miscellaneous small flower stamps and the NBUS leaves are from Uniko's set, "Nature's Treasures I." The flowers and leaves were colored with my SU markers. They were then winked and dotted. The NBUS sediment is from Uniko's set, "Simply Said Birthday." Both card panels were embossed with the Lil' Inker stitched rectangle dies. 

There are also prizes to be won for those who join in! For details, please pop over to the Uniko Challenge. You'll also see what my fellow Guest Designer Wiebke and the uber-talented Design Team have created to inspire you! Summer is ending way too soon, so let's keep it alive for the next two weeks! I can't wait to see your wonderful works of art!
.
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New Friend Corner

I am so pleased to welcome a new friend today! Her name is Barb Williams and her blog is Barb's Faraway Crafts. Barb is fairly new to Blogland, having just started her delightful blog in February of this year! Barb lives in Northants and you'll notice on her side bar that she and I share a love for little tiny craft houses! Barb has been crafty since she was a child in one form or another. She started making cards seven years ago and really enjoys stamping. I love her fabulous card designs and I think you will, too! It would be a treat if you could take a minute to visit Barb, follow her, and welcome her to our kind and supportive community!

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

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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88 comments:

Redanne said...

Oh, how lucky am I to be first! I just love that inspiration photo, it is like a beautiful fairy house in those pretty colours. Your card, as always, is a real beauty, I just love the watering can and those beautiful flowers. Congratulations on your GDT spot too! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Jenny Marples said...

Huge congrats on your GD spot Darnell! LOVE what you've done with this card - the watering can looks like you could just pick it off the card and get out amongst the flowers. Apologies for the lack of visits too. Time is not on my side. Hugs, Jenny xxx

Kathyk said...

Warmest Congratumalations on your GDTM slot mate, well deserved .... and your make from the photo is simply splendid.

Happy Friday

Kathyk

Gibmiss said...

Hi Darnell
Fabulous card... Love the flowers.....
Congrats on you GDT... Well deserved...
Hugs Sylviexx
Your playhouse is Fantastic.. How lucky you are...

Tanja said...

cogratulations on your Guest Designer Spot - you've created a beautiful card

Julie B said...

Fab summery card Darnell and congrats on your GD spot. :)

Sazzle Dazzle said...

I'm so excited to have you join us as a GDT this month at Uniko Darnell your card is certain to inspire with your super pretty blooms and beautiful little scene. Great take on the inspiration photo. Sarah x

Stamps and Paper said...

Hi Darnell...love your take on the challenge a very pretty card...

Anne

Aileen said...

Wow Darnell another session as Guest DT . You are popping up everywhere. Love your card, colours are perfect.

lostinpaper said...

Oh my, love your gorgeous take on the inspiration! For some reason I'm thinking of icing and cakes lol.

Jenni's Jems said...

Congrats in being asked to be a GD over at Uniko Studios and what a beautiful and elegant card you have created!x

Monika Reeck said...

Congrats on being UNIKO GD dear Darnell...And Bev must be proud of you the card with this flower in the cane so lovely love the color on the flower too 3..in red pink and in purple so so sweett and cute cane too (what is the name in english??in germany KANNE)...I love that cute enamel dots too
I miss your visit but I knew you are busy with some GD and I can imagine it..as I am now in 3 DT member less time to visiting one by one my blogfriends blog :((
Just info: start 23 Augst we drive to Croatia for Holidays with my sons and if no comment from me anywhere I am aways from Internet (grinz)
I hope you have a great time there
hugs
Monika

Jane Willis said...

What a gorgeous card, congrats on your GDT position! And that house in the photo is so sweet - I wonder if it really exists somewhere or if it's a studio set up? I'd love to take my granddaughters to visit a house like that - last week I saw their faces when they went to Peter rabbit's garden and I can just imagine what they would look like if they saw that house.
Jane

Barb said...

Morning Darnell, Congratulations on being chosen as a Guest Designer for UNIKO. Your card is beautiful. I love that pink watering can. Would love to have one like that. What a lovely photo of the little house. It's every little girls dream isn't it.

Thank you so much for the very special Welcome to your blog. Barbxx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Many congratulations on your well deserved GD spot Darnell! I love your take on that wonderful inspiration photo, it's so pretty with those sweet little flowers in that lovely pink watering can! Have a great day/evening! Hazel xx

Di said...

What a wonderful card Darnell - so reflective of the inspiration photo! Beautifully thought out and made, as always of course. Congrats on your well deserve GD spot too!

Hugs

Di xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Fabulous card Darnell
love the motive
and colours
hugs Tamara

Beverley said...

Hey Darnell! I am beyond super happy and excited to have you guest designing with us at Uniko :) You are too kind with your sweet words! Those beans are certainly keeping me on my toes and this morning we went for our first 'family' swim session - FUN and only a few tears!! Your take on the inspiration is so pretty, I love the die cut watering can and how you have stamped the leaves spilling over the edge.
HAPPY Hugs Bev x

Linda said...

Hi Darnell .... what a gorgeous take on the challenge. that little watering can is just so cute!! Have a fab weekend hun ..... big hugs Linda xx

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

CONGRATS on the GDT!!! Your card is gorgeous! LOVING the colors and the flowers!!!!!!!

!neke said...

This is a gorgeous take on the challenge !
Have a great weekend !
Ineke x

Marilyn said...

Beautiful!!

Pat said...

Firstly congratulations on being GD over at Uniko Darnell and this watering can full of pretty flowers and the way the foliage is continued over on to the can brings it all together. I love the double stitched mat they are sitting on too, just so elegant. x

Deborah Frings said...

Hi Darnell - so pleased to have your guesting with us! Love your watering can of fab flowers - perfectly summer! I do like the dimension with the enamel dots. xxx

PS - I don't know how Bev does it! I had a hard time with one boy!!! :)

Rubeena I. said...

Congrats, Darnell!!!! Such a pretty card and a good take on the inspiration <3

~amy~ said...

Darnell, congrats on your guestie spot!!!!! What a fabulous card, awesome take on the inspiration!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Big congrats, Danell, for your GD at Uniko!!! Love the Uniko stamps, they are very clean and come with a DVD box, so useful for the organization! :)
Your card is so sweet, with this wateringcan and the pretty flowers! Lovely work!

Cheryl W. said...

Congrats on the guest designer spot! Your take on the sketch is fabulous...and VERY summery! Love how you used those pretty pastel colors on your card. I'd like to keep summer going until about November 15. In Minnesota the winters get waaaaay too long, so I hope you can keep these lovely, fresh, summery cards coming.

Marybeth said...

Congratulations on the GDT spot! Wow your card could not be any more perfect for this cute inspiration photo! You nailed it my friend!

cm said...

Cheering and applauding your GD spot at Uniko! Such a whimsical and wonderful house to draw inspiration from; I'd love to see the inside! Your card is yet another delight, especially because it reminds me of the watering-can filled flowers my grandmother used to have in the house. Her garden of flowers was nothing short of amazing. From pansies, to asters, to poppies, to roses, to marigolds - and everything in-between - she had them! And her vegetable garden...oh my! Thank you for sharing this gem...makes me smile!
Hugs~c

I Card Everyone said...

You GO girl! So happy for you, and for me 'cuz I get to see this darling card!
=]

Shelly said...

YAY for guesting!! Congrats! Your card is beautiful!
Happy Friday!

Jacee said...

Wonderful design Darnell, congrats on the GDT spot too
hugs JAcee
Simply Paper Card Design

Sarah said...

You were born to guest at Uniko Darnell and what a fabulous interpretation of that fairy tale house you made. I have only recently discovered Bev and her fabulous stamps and have a Christmassy one in the pipeline xx

Cat Craig said...

Congrats on the GD. Your card is a perfect summer bit! Love that inspiration photo I can see it's colors in your card.

conil said...

What could be sweeter that an pink watering can filled with blooms...NOTHING. Lovely choice of images and the bouquet is simply gorgeous.

Sue said...

Loving the card.

Hope you have a nice weekend. Sue

Verna Angerhofer said...

A gorgeous card indeed! And, you captured all the colors from the photo as well. Love it!

Sandy said...

That house is so cute! Minnie Mouse must live there or possibly the Seven Dwarfs!!
Congratulations Sugar!!
Your card is every bit as sweet as the house!
Sandy xx

Lisa said...

Congrats on your GD spot!! Your card is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the watering can and the beautiful flowers!! It's fabulous!! Have a great weekend :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Chriss Blagrave said...

Congrats on the GD spot over at Uniko!
You have captured the essence of the inspiration photo splendidly! I would love to join in! Off to see the Uniko DT...
Have a great weekend XOX

Linda said...

Beautiful watering can of flowers. You captured the colors from the picture so well.

laurie said...

Your card is so perfect for the inspiration photo. The colors work so well together, and the flower can with blooms is so pretty!I think I need that die now!

Jan Clothier said...

Super sweet and super beautiful!

Kathleen said...

Congrats on the GD and a really lovely card.
To be honest not really sure if we have had a Summer this year, certainly doesn't feel like it, I think it ended in June with just an odd day of that yellow thing in the sky.

Kath x

Nora Noll said...

Congratulations on being a guest designer!! I LOVE that photo inspiration and your take on it. The little flowers are PERFECT for that pink watering can. Really beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your talent and your spirit. It brightens my day!!

Carol said...

Congrats on the GD spot Darnell. Your card is a really beautiful take of the inspiration picture, so pretty. Carol x

Jeanne J. said...

Congratulations Darnell! I love your project - you translated the yummy colors and feel of the inspiration photo beautifully!

Rose said...

Such a pretty card! You've captured the inspiration perfectly.

Wiebke Kommerell said...

Darnell, fine to have you as GD-partner for the August-Challenge by my side! :-)
Your watering can with the soft coloured flowers fits perfectly to the summer-theme and the coloures of the inspiration-pic.
Thanks a lot for your nice words on my today's DT blog post.
Hugs and greetings from Wiebke

Geri said...

I love how you drew your inspiration from all the pretty flowers in this photo! Beautifully colored and winked! Awesome job stamping the leaves on the watering can and lining them up with the leaves in the bouquet!

Is this building for real? Wow - talk about a Hansel & Gretel cottage!

Marisa said...

Beautifully done!

Bonnie said...

That pink watering can is almost as pretty as the flowers, Darnell! My but your garden grows pretty! Congrats on your Guest Designer spot!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card for the challenge at Uniko. Congratulations on your Guest DT position.

Kim Heggins said...

Sweet, adorable, precious...I could go on for days. This is one pretty card, I love your adorable little posies peeking out of the watering can. Congrats on guest designing too!

JD/ Jill said...

Congrats on you GD spot...

Very pretty card!

MaryH said...

What a delightful little girls' playhouse this fancy little house would be. You really nailed the inspiration photo with the pretty little pink flower can filled with all the lovely flowers. Congrats on your GD spot...What a fine effort you made with this latest assignment. Hoping your wkend will be great, TFS & Big Hugs.

Dana M said...

Congratulations and well deserved position as guest designer at Uniko. You nailed the inspiration photo with your card. Lovely card!

Lisa Elton said...

A HUGE congrats to you Darnell!! What a fun inspiration photo. I can see a little flock of woodland fairies residing here!! Your card is simply delightful. Love the pretty pink watering can!!

Greta said...

Congratulations--great choice by Beverly to have you GD! I adore your beautiful floral creation, Darnell!

Anita in France said...

Many congratulations on your GD spot, Darnell ... and on such a delicious card! You've captured the essence of that yummy (and dare I say almost edible looking) little cottage so beautifully in your sweet watering can of lovely blooms, which are, of course, winked to perfection! Hugs & bisous, bisous, my friend! Anita :)

kiwimeskreations said...

What a sweetie this card is Darnell - Love your pink watering can.
Blessings
Maxine

Jane said...

I'm a bit late to the party but I too want to say how lovely it is to have you guesting at Uniko. And your watering can of flowers is just adorable, love how you've used the colours from the inspiration photo.

Petra Swart said...

That little house in the photo looks like it's good enough to eat, Darnell - pink and purple frosting all aver the place!!! Love how you've taken the flowers and colours as inspiration and made a lovely card!! The watering can is really lovely!! Beautiful!!!
Have a super weekend!!!

Jeanne said...

Congratulations on your guest designer spot, Darnell. You've done yourself proud on this card that is for sure. Loved the photo of the colorful house. Lots of inspiration! I adore the flowers in the watering can. I might have done that a time or two in my time, but yours look like they would last a lot longer. :) Beautiful all around. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful day! :)

KT Fit Kitty said...

Congratulations on your guesting at Uniko! I love their stamps! I need to use mine more often - so many stamps, so little time hehe. Your card is so pretty - I love those flowers! Gorgeous dies too! Beautiful colour combo! Looks like you definitely have your mojo back!

MiamiKel said...

Many congratulations on your guest designer position! That means a lot more wonderful projects will be on their way! I drool over your blog and thought it was finally time to post how inspiring you are and how magnificent your card creations are - always so bright and colorful. Thank you for sharing your little world of creativity with us :) blessings!

jimlynn said...

Oh, I want to live in that house and just pretend I'm a fairy or something! How fun. Love your card too! A precious little watering can full of beautiful flowers! Congrats on the guest designer spot for Uniko!
Lynn

Krisha said...

Stunning card Darnell

My Paper Cat said...

Great challenge and great inspiration, thanks

Sally H said...

A gorgeous card, Darnell! Beautiful colours - a perfect match for the inspiration photo. Congratulations on your GD spot x

KandA said...

Congrats on the GDT spot Darnell. Your card is so pretty and a great take on the inspiration photo. Love the way the stamping is under and on top of the watering can - that is so clever xx

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Very pretty Darnell, and congratulations for the guest spot!

Em Louise Fairley said...

HUGE congrats on the GDT spot. Sooo well deserved! The card is beautiful and I love it!
Hugs,
Em x

OH Babs said...

Congrats Miss Guest Designer. Well this is a very cheerful card with nice color choices. Where is the house, Eureka?
Enjoy your weekend. BBB

Taunya Butler said...

What a treat to get to Guest Design for Miss Beverley of Uniko stamps - And what a LOVELY, BEAUTIFUL card you have made for this!! I love the colors and how close they match the inspiration photo and the touch of whimsy of your card which also matches the pic!! You are a genius and I love visiting and seeing such amazing creations from you!!

Joyce said...

Congratulations on your GD spot, Darnell. You are showing off those little flowers so well.

Ros Crawford said...

Congrats!! And you really captured those colours!! Fabulous card!!

ionabunny said...

Congrats on your GDT. Is that house real??!! Cute pink watering can. Hugz

shirley-bee said...

Congrats on your DT spot, Darnell! Your watering can coordinates perfectly with the gingerbread house :)

Birgit said...

Your card is so pretty and spot on with the colours of that gingerbread house. I wonder if a man lives there:) You card is very pretty indeed.

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Congrats on the guest designer spot. This looks like great fun! I am in total love with the inspiration photo, and it's colors.

Donna said...

Congrats on designing for Uniko, they picked well! your card is stunning, like the colors, stitching, embellishing and especially how you stamped and colored the leaves on your die cut! Catching up on all your beautiful cards you posted while I was on vacation, please understand my not commenting on all of them after being gone 9 days but had a great time looking at them!

Gerrina said...

Love what you did whit those "girly" colours! Looks not to sweet; through the bold design it looks just the opposite; clever! Hugs, Gerrina

Bobby said...

Congrats on being guest designer, Darnell. I adore that pink watering can and your posies are so cute perched in it. They definitely match the colors of that delightful house.

Helen F. said...

BIG congrats on your GDS, Darnell~you will be fabulous!
Your card is beautiful, love that watering can and your pretty posies :-)

Anonymous said...

Lovely card, Darnell. Congrats on the GD spot! :) That's super fun. Thinking of you and hoping you are well.

Shona Chambers said...

Congrats on your GD spot and your watering can card is simply delightful. I'm still catching up on comments so please bear with me, my eyes and fingers don't move as quickly as they used too at the moment. Think I need new ones!!!