Monday, June 09, 2014

Mosaic Birthday


I saw this card from Vicki for the (new to me) AAA Cards sketch challenge and went in for a closer look.  I also saw the inspiration photo from Paper Smooches Sparks.  I think you might just see how my card was born!


I sponged some Distress Inks through my stencil with my new (NBUS) Tim Holtz mini blending tool, stamped the sentiment using Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler and mounted the piece onto some NBUS gunmetal grey card.  I don't normally use coloured cardstock but I bought a pack at the last craft show I went to.


And because I used NBUS (never before used schtuff - and I've got plenty of it) I can play along with Darnell's NUBS challenge to celebrate 500 followers (and counting).  More than 500 of us already know what a sweetheart Darnell is, but if you've never had the pleasure, here are just some of Darnell's more endearing qualities ;)

  • entertaining (of the Tena Lady variety.  Some of those tales...) 
  • educational (oh, the things I've learned on her blog) 
  • uplifting (well, depending on her attire.  She didn't feel very uplifted in that shot with her sister the other day)
  • pet-friendly (not only does she Duke-sit, she has her own resident head-hamster)
  • eloquent (!)  
  • and she even has her own language (see, educational again)

Congratulations on reaching 500+ followers, Darnell, it's no surprise to us.  Mwah!


49 comments:

  1. Beautiful card, love the vibrant & different colours over the stencil. Have a great day, Shirleyx ps.. still can't join your blog as a follower, strange but I have you on my blog roll.

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  2. Way to combine these two challenges! Totally brilliant idea! Love your card. And you are soooo right about Darnell. She's just fabby, isn't she?! Bev

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  3. Another beautiful card, love the colours on this and great use of stencil. Ruth x

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  4. Gorgeous - looks just like the inspiration picture!

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  5. Great card, loved seeing the inspiration for it too! I am new to Darnells blog, but it is so nice meeting all her friends, you are a great group of bloggers! ~Diane

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  6. I am in love with what you did and wow does it ever fit both challenges! Glad you played along at AAA Cards

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  7. Love your card Shirley which I saw on Darnell's challenge. I love the technique you used, the colors and the Paper Smooches sentiment.

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  8. Shirley I love the card using the stencil and the touch of black is a great touch. I will case this card and put it in Pinterest.

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  9. This is beautiful, your cards are stunning. I'm in awe of your designs.
    Elaine

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  10. Absolutely love the mosaics! Such a great take on the AAA Cards sketch, thanks for playing.

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  11. Oh, Shirley ... so glorious, so perfect, sooooo pinned! LOVE it! Anita :)

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  12. I love all the bright and cheery colors. What a fun card design and you certainly captured the style of Vicki too. She is super great I think as well.

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  13. Your card is gorgeous, and your description of Darnell's endearing qualities absolutely bang-on! Thoughtful, heart-warming and funny, both of you!
    c

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  14. Unbelievably adorable! Love, love the way you made this mosaic look! Thanks so much for playing with AAA Cards. Please be sure to come back often!!

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  15. How fun is THAT! You, inspired by me :) Made my day! :) Love your sponged bg - very awesome in those colors! Thanks for the shout out :)

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  16. Oh yeah - thanks for joining in at AAA too!

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  17. LOVE this card. The vibrancy. I also have this stencil though bigger version I think. I love using it with bright colours. Love how you faded the colours out, sooooo clever.

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  18. Your control and skill using color is so awe-inspiring, Shirley! I predict you absolutely have another winner here and well you should!! I also warrant that this is spreading throughout Pinterest as we speak. Oh, hey, more publicity for me! Thank you for linking up with my NBUS Challenge, ESPECIALLY with this extraordinary card!!

    Now, seriously, I'm not sure I can get to the exchange office tomorrow to get a UK money order, so I've opened an international paypal account to send you the amount we agreed upon. You more than adequately covered all the bullet points we agreed upon, altho I don't remember that bit about my foundation garments. Also I don't know what a Tena Lady is, so I'll go Google that. I imagine it must be something very regal having to do with Lord Tena.

    Okay, so off I go, you've given me lots of research to do and I'm short-handed with the hamster off mugging it up in Jollywood!

    Thanks again! You're the best! Mwah! Darnell

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  19. Your card is just a fabulous piece of inspiration Shirley... and perfect not only for our challenge at AAA cards, but the others as well!
    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  20. Beautiful card, Shirley! Love the happy colors and great to see it was inspired by Vicki's equally gorgeous card!

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  21. Great stenciling :) love how you nailed all the challenges !

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  23. Beautiful card. Love your take on the AAA challenge-quite brilliant!

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  24. Beautiful use of the stencil. Love it.

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  25. WOW! Really awesome card, Shirley! I love how you were inspired to create your design, too...so graphic and fun!

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  26. WoW!! What a FUN Card!! =) I totally see how you were inspired!! =) THANKS so much for sharing and Playing along with us over on the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog!! =) I hope to see you again next week!! =) Have a Fabulous Week!! =)

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  27. I am just loving this card. The colours blend with the mosaic and just beautiful x

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  28. Fun, artsy, colorful, perfect for the challenge... winner material I'd say. Fabulous take on Darnell too:-) what's Tena Lady?

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  29. Very artistic and colorful card Shiley. Like CAS as always.

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  30. Oh I absolutely love this! The spectrum of color is fabulous. Thanks so much for playing with us at PaperSmooches Sparks!

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  31. Thanks so much for sharing your card with us at AAA Cards! I was delightfully surprised when I first saw your card, your inspiration is so clever! It's playful, bright and modern- cool cas. Cheers, Victoria Lavender

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  32. Hi Shirley, I've joined Darnells NBUS too whom I've met through WOYWW... yes an inspiring lady. I dropped by to say your card stood out for me...colourful, simple and I love it...Cheers and have a great week Robyn

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  33. Wow such a fabulous card , I love it :) Viv xx

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  34. Love the look of the 'bits of confetti falling from the sky' and how one color rolls perfectly into the next! Nice bit of white space around the sentiment too! Great call with a black base - it sure makes the colors and the sentiment pop!

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  35. Love the look of the 'bits of confetti falling from the sky' and how one color rolls perfectly into the next! Nice bit of white space around the sentiment too! Great call with a black base - it sure makes the colors and the sentiment pop!

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  36. Shirley...I am still amazing looking at your card..how can you be following the wall on the paper smooches challenge and also the color on the AAA card challenge...you ROCK girl...clever idea clever card and clever card base too and cute sentiment also I ADORE your card...if you like to visiting me my card is number 10 at AAA card challenge would be happy if you could leaving me some love too...big hugs, Monika

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  37. This card is a show stopper!! I love the colors and the use of white space making for an eye popping design : ) WOW!

    Patti

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  38. Congratulations on the recognition from AAA Cards, Shirley Girley!! Hugs, Darnell

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  39. Hi Shirley, fantastic card, love your take on these challenges, Cathy x

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  40. What'd I predict?! Congrats on your shout out at AAA, girlie.

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  41. I saw your card on the NBUS challenge and had to pop in to say hi an dget a closer look .i love the bright colours and designs its fab , I need to add that stencil to my wish list and the grey card makes it pop... good choice .
    best wishes andrea x

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  42. What a FABULOUS card, so rich with color and design! I absolutely LOVE this creation!

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  43. I love this. I love the mosaic pattern with those cheerful and bright colors. Thank you for sharing your card.

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  44. Has this stencil been discontinued? I'm not having any luck finding it.
    Thank you.

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    1. It looks like it's still available - I've found it online in the UK, US, Netherlands, Poland. Search for The Crafter's Workshop Mini Cubist 6x6. Good luck!

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  45. Thank you. With the help of a friend, I did finally find the stencil. For anyone else who might be looking for it, it is Mini Cubist, TCW248s, from The Crafters' Workshop. The Mini Cubist is 6 x 6; they also sell a 12 x 12 version.

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