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!

October 20, 2018

For Melissa

Hello Stamplings!

I'm slowly getting back to my routine after dealing with unpacking two suitcases and climbing Mt. Laundry. Unloading my "craft suitcase" and putting everything away took the longest, especially since I stopped with most items and enjoyed the memory of my time at the lake house.

I'll have more photos and fun to share another time, but today I wanted to share a card I made in honor of my friend, Melissa Lane, who passed away suddenly on October 2nd at the age of 47. You can read a very beautiful tribute to her by Shery on the STAMPlorations blog. Thank you, Shery, for putting this link up for us to contribute in memory of Melissa.

Here is my card.
The flowers are "Fancy Flowers" from MFT and the sediment is from "You're My Person" by Concord & 9th. I used my Clarity Brushes to color a stencil by Kaiser Craft (a gift from Lolly) for the background panel, which I stitched with a Paper Smooches die and backed with an aqua panel. I used my Ziggies to color the pretty flowers and Hammy wanted to join in, too, with his winking speshceeality!
I first met Melissa online in January 2015 when she joined in one of my NBUS challenges and then I had the absolute pleasure of meeting her, her husband Chris, and their four wonderful children in person at the Swindon Retreat in the UK in 2016. Of course, I had to make an entrance the first night by coming into the hotel dining room decked out in a Miss USA sash, white gloves, and a tiara! All the ladies took turns wearing the tiara for photos, but Melissa wore the whole package because she was a fellow American who loved having fun!
Rest in peace, my friend. You will be greatly missed. You have a lot of Blogland keeping your grieving family in their thoughts and prayers. 💖

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Tell your family and friends how much they are loved.

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to 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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63 comments:

scrappymo! said...

You have made a beautiful card to homour your friend. I am sure it will be so appreciated.

Judy1223 said...

Darnell, this is such a beautiful card in tribute to Melissa. You are so lucky to have met her in person! I visited her blog often, as she often participated at CASology on the five years I was on the design team there. I was struck by her awesome faith and beautiful strength, as well as her artistic ability and love of nature. I was frankly caught off guard at how saddened I was to hear of her passing -- I felt as if we had a connection even though we had never met. That is the amazing thing about this community to which we belong, isn't it? Thank you for sharing thus story, it made me smile today in honor of Melissa.

Craft-E-Place said...

This a lovely card. What a beautiful photograph and wonderful memory to have of Melissa.
Elaine

cuilliesocks said...

What a beautiful card for your friend Darnelle, how sad to die so young, your card is a lovely tribute, Kate x

Redanne said...

Oh Darnell, I am so sorry to hear of the death of your lovely friend Melissa, such a young age too, it must be so difficult for her family and friends.... Your card is beautiful and those words are so lovely. Hugs, Annie xxxx

Kathleen said...

A really lovely card.

Kath x

Bunny said...

Beautiful card, Darnell. I love the colors. What a nice memory that you shared with us about Melissa. https://bunnyscards1.blogspot.com

Darlene said...

Beautiful card Darnell honoring Melissa! I'm so saddened by this news ... gone way too young!! May she RIP. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Stripes & Dots’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please stop in for a visit!

Pat said...

This is beautiful Darnell, and a fitting card as a tribute to Melissa. How sad to be taken at such a young age, and my heart goes out to her family and friends. Unfortunately I can't recall coming across her in Blogland but she was obviously a beautiful lady inside and out and will be missed by many people. x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

So sorry for Melissa and her family, my prayers go especially to her son
Your tribute for her is so sweet and beautiful!

Panggang Ayam Marketing said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mac Mable said...

Beautiful card for one special and beautiful lady.
Glad you are home safe and sound x.

Patti said...

Beautiful card and a beautiful tribute Darnell!

Christine Alexander said...

Dolly, you can make me smile laugh and cry, you have the gift of the written word :)
Hugs Christine

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Lovely card. so sorry to hear about your friends passing.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Loll said...

Hi Dolly! Lovely card to honour Melissa. Doesn't she look beautiful in the photo from 2016. What a special memory of time spent with her and meeting her family.

You are a master now with your clarity brushes! Beautiful background and love those bright and fun flowers.

Looking forward to seeing some pics from your trip when you have time. Glad you're back home safe. Love, Lolly

Craftyfield said...

A lovely card for Melissa, Darnell. She looks fab in her American garb, a wonderful souvenir of your meeting.

Stamps and Paper said...

Welcome home Darnell...your tribute card for Mellisa is beautiful as was she....

Anne

Jane Willis said...

Welcome home Darnell! Your card is beautiful, and the whole post is a wonderful tribute to Melissa. Thank you for sharing at Back to Basics

Jeanne said...

What a gorgeous card for a beautiful soul who is gone too soon. Thank you for sharing that wonderful tribute. Welcome home and hope you defeat Mount Washmore! Thank YOU for all the joy you bring to blogland. You are a treasure! Hugs!

Carol L said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend, and she was taken much too soon at such a young age. Your card in tribute for her is just beautiful and hopefully blogland will always keep her family in their hearts and thoughts. As you always say at the end of each post lITS and it truly is.

Marilyn said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Your card is beautiful!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

~amy~ said...

Darnell, your card is so pretty. Love the blooms and the colors palette. The butterfly is perfect. Thanks for sharing your story + photo about Melissa. Such a nice tribute post.

Bobby said...

What a wonderful tribute, Darnell. This loss must be extra difficult for those who knew her in person. I'm so glad you have those memories to keep her alive in your heart.

Bonnie said...

What a lovely stencil that makes the perfect background for your pretty, schparkly flowers! The background reminds me of tears. So appropriate for the occasion!

Donna Ellis said...

Darnell, such a loving tribute to your friend Melissa. Thank you for sharing. It's a wonderful creation for our challenge, too, with those pretty colors! Thanks for uploading your fabulous creation to Back to Basics and Beyond Challenges. I hope we will see more of your artwork in our future challenges. Be sure to check back later to see if you have won!
Crafty hugs, de
{Creative Smiles}

Glittered Paws said...

Beautiful card for your friend, this is so appropriate and I know will be cherished.

Diane said...

Fabulous card and a beautiful tribute!! thank you for joining our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

Donna said...

What a lovely card in tribute to your friend. Sorry for your loss.

Susan said...

Sending love and hugs for the loss of your friend, Darnell. Your card is a lovely tribute to her.

Jane said...

Darnell this is a wonderful tribute to Melissa, it really was such a shock to hear of her death at such a terribly young age. Life is very precious and must celebrate it every day xxx

Sarah said...

A beautiful tribute to your lovely friend xx

conil said...

I never had the good fortune to meet Melissa but I did enjoy all her lovely creations. Yours is a tribute worthy of her.

Lisa said...

What a beautiful card to honor your friend, Darnell. I'm sad to hear of her passing. Way too young. This is stunning. Big hugs

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Mrs A. said...

A beautiful tribute and a lovely card. Thankyou for coming and spinning the butterfly wheel with me this week. Hugs Mrs A.

Cat Craig said...

A wonderful memory shared and a lovely card in tribute.

Lisa Elton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa Elton said...

This is a wonderful memory and photo of Melissa you've shared with us Darnell. What a blessing for you. Your card is just lovely.

nancy littrell said...

Hi Dolly, Thank you so much for sharing your sweet photo of Melissa and how you met. We met online when Melissa was in Germany and she was on the CAS Happy Stampers DT and then again when she joined STAMPlorations. Melissa, Chris and the kids were so happy to be back in the states and creating their farm. What a beautiful legacy for the family.

TFS your beautiful flowers card and the wonderful sentiment. So hoping all our cards will bring the family a bit of joy knowing how much she was loved by the stamping community. I will be making my card soon. We get home tomorrow after 2 long days of driving. Can't wait. Love and Hugs, dear friend.

shirley-bee said...

Wonderful card and tribute to Melissa, Darnell. How lovely that you got to meet the whole family in real life on your UK travels. It will be such a comfort to her family to know well-loved she was in blogland.

Gerrina said...

Some people leave a creative gap...
Your card is beautiful...love the fresh blues... Hugs, Gerrina

Anita in France said...

A beautiful card and lovely words in tribute to Melissa, Darnell ... and such a fun and wonderful photograph to bring happier memories to her family and to everyone who knew her. LYAMYMA ... big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Ros Crawford said...

You card is beautiful Darnell... I'm sure she will be looking down and smiling. It was such a shock to hear the news and though I never met her I was really upset... Yes this community has a bond that brings us close even when we have never met... Glad you enjoyed your trip and got home safe and sound and I just know you are looking forward to doing that laundry haha!
Enjoy your week...

Viv said...

So sad about Melissa, I didn't know her myself but always sad to hear about a fellow card maker passing.We are a small community in once sense even though we are all scattered around the world.Flowers make everything seem better don't they. Anyway your card is glorious Dee, what better tribute than flowers on a card.Love all the sparkle too of course.Thank you for sharing with us over at 'The Flower Challenge'once again ;) hugs Vee xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful card and tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss xoxo

Brenda in IN said...

A beautiful card to honor Melissa. I did not know her or visit her blog and I really missed out. I'm glad you were able to meet her and her family and that she embraced the Miss USA look. It's wonderful to have those sweet memories of her. Can't wait to get my Clarity Brushes that you enabled me. They do put down a very soft look and your card shows that so well. I'm not surprised it's taken so long to unload your craft suitcase. It was almost more that my grandson could carry in the house and he lifts weights!

Leslie Miller said...

I didn't know Melissa, but she sounds like a beautiful person and her family will be grieving for a long time. It's lovely the way the stamping community comes together at a time like this. I do know how it helps ease the spirit to receive love in a card. Yours is very pretty with the bright and happy flowers. It's good to have you back, Darnell.

Leslie Miller said...

Oops, I forgot to thank you for linking up with us at Double D! It's wonderful to see you there!

Happy Dance said...

She looks lovely in the "Miss USA" sash and such, doesn't she?! And what a perfect photo to remember her by, too. Your card is pretty and delicate, and reminds me of her gardens I've seen in photographs. The blues and greens and yellows are happy and sweet, and I love how you've got them all winked up. Beautiful card, and beautiful tribute. xoxo Bev

Kara Lynne said...

A beautiful card and tribute to Melissa. Our community is so close, yet I never had the pleasure of meeting her, even online. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to know her. Your flowers are colored beautifully, and I love seeing the Clarity brushed bg as it reminds me of our fun tutorial!

Sandra H said...

Such a lovely and loving card and tribute to a lovely lady so young too! xx

Brenda said...

Oh my goodness, how sad my heart is. I didn't know Melissa but it saddens me so when someone leaves this life so early. My thoughts, heart and prayers go out to Melissa's family. Sometimes life is just so unfair, but I know first hand that the Lord picks roses for his rose garden. I guess that is why I'm still here as I'm nothing close to a rose! Your card is a beautiful tribute to Melissa Auntie and that sentiment is awesome! Hugs, Brenda

Greta said...

What a sad reminder of how fleeting life is. Special to have had that time with Melissa & her family. Beautiful card!

Kylie said...

A beautiful tribute to one Miss USA to another :) It was an amazing weekend and aren't we blessed to have met Melissa and her family. xx

oldpunca said...

Beautiful card to honour your friend. A nice gesture. I'm reading about this sad news all over the blogland. :-(
I'm glad to read about your safe return back home.
Hugs,
Sonja

Fikreta said...

beautiful card.

frommycraftroom said...

A lovely tribute.
Such a gorgeous card.

Aileen said...

A beautiful card for a beautiful heart from a beautiful person. Such a wonderful tribute and my heart goes out to all those who mourn her passing. Hugs Aileen

The card is a wonderful sparkly design and perfect for our challenge. Thank you so much for joining us at The Flower Challenge and we hope to see you there again soon. Aileen DesignTeam

Susanne Vargas said...

What a wonderful card for Melissa's tribute!
I had come across Melissa in Blogland but didn't really know her that well. Nevertheless I couldn't stop thinking of her and her family when I learned of her sudden death. Thank you for sharing your story and photo of meeting her!

Ruth said...

What a terribly sad situation but I have seen such wonderful cards out there to her memory and that is what keeps us all thinking of her. I love the blue and the sentiment is just perfect. xx

Craftychris said...

Such a beautiful card! A perfect tribute to the lovely Milissa - how lovely you got to meet her in Swindon and have such fun memories of your time with her! It's so sad she has gone so soon and my heart goes out to her family and friends. Hugs xxxxxxx

Cazro said...

A stunning card made with love. My sympathy for the loss of your friend. a truly wonderful tribute. Thanks for sharing with us at Back to Basics and Beyond. Caz. DT

Cheryl W. said...

Your card honors Melissa in such a special way. I can see that it was made with love. Thanks for sharing your remembrances of her.