Thursday 12 June 2014

Darnell's NBUS Challenge

Our lovely and very talented blog buddy, Darnell, has hit the magic number of 500 followers and there are BIG celebrations over at the Playhouse. Darnell has a fabulous giveaway and to join in all you have to do is to use some NBUS (Never-before-used-schtuff) from your craft goodies. If you can work the theme of Friendship into your card that's even better - so why wait? I bet every single one of us has NBUS just waiting for a first outing.
 
Sheesh, I was horrified at how spoilt for choice I was - need to put the brakes on buying new stuff before the walls of this place suddenly explode outwards. I found goodness knows how many unused goodies but one kept coming to the top of the pile - a stamp set I've had for over 20 months, ever since I saw it in a magazine article. I spent bally ages quite a while planning and making this card so I hope it gets the Darnell seal of approval :)
I used:

- 5" x 7" white card blank

- blue card stock

- all the stamps are from the Hero Arts stamp set called 'Kiss for the sun' (strange as the sentiment uses 'from' the sun)

- first of all the grass was die cut using Marianne's Creatables Icicle die (LR0135) and a snippet of green card

- the branch, birdies and clothes were stamped onto the blue background and then paper pieced. The branch, leaves and pegs were stamped onto thin white card then coloured using Whispers markers before being cut out and popped onto the card. The clothes and birdies were paper pieced by stamping onto snippets of Raspberry Road's 'Love Lives Here' paper pad (free with QCME magazine last year sometime) - since taking the photo I've given the little birdie on the left some feet so he isn't levitating!

- the sun was stamped onto the card and topped with a big yellow button threaded with bakers twine

- the clouds were die cut from a snippet of white card using dies from MFT's 'Cloud Trio' set

- the sentiment comes in one long strip, I just masked it to stamp in two parts in the space earmarked (too cowardly to snip it apart - yet!)

- all that was left was to add some foliage and flowers to the bottom of the card. I used a snippet of green card and the Memory Box 'Fresh Foliage' die, which I just cut into pieces to suit. The flowers/daisies were punched using a sweet little Tonic punch and snippets of white card - then little domed self-adhesive centres were added

And that, after a few hours worth of planning and making, is my first entry for Darnell's NBUS Challenge #1. Then I went and had a lie-down!

Di
x

20 comments:

  1. Awww, a kiss from me back to the sun! This is a paper-pieced master work of art, my friend!

    First of all, brilliant to use the icicles die for the grass! I read through every word of the next 53 steps and was on the edge of my seat, especially when you got to the part where you stamped the sediment AFTER doing all the other detailed and pretty piecing work! Phew! I know it could have been covered over in any event, but I'm wildly applauding you for hitting the mark the first time, especially with the masking, which can sometimes leave unwanted smoodging!

    I just love it to pieces! I have pulled out the Playhouse's LARGEST seal of approval, look, see, I'm holding it up - just for you!! I've never awarded one that big before!!

    As if the card and link-up weren't tribute enough, thank you for the shout out and spreading the word from your own grand Playground to all your readers!! I appreciate it very much, Di! Mwah! Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  2. A gorgeous card Missy Pixie and I see the lovely Missy D has visited already lol!
    I have wondered if that icicle die could be used for grass as I didn't want to purchase it just for icicles but I may do now that I know it will work for grass too.
    I didn't notice the birds feet until you told us! Love the stamps and this is such a beautiful and summery card - love it! Karen xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my gosh...this is so darned cute! I love the paper piecing and the stamp is swoon worthy. How the heck did you keep that one in the cupboard this long??? lol

    I shouldn't even say that tongue in cheek as I have some even longer than that...languishing in the dark of the closet...hangs head in shame!

    Great card Di and a perfect one to use in this start of summer weather!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A lovely cheerful card Di, those little birds are so cute, you can tell they are happy that the sun is shining! x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this happy sunny card - great stuff. I could well have some NBUS around - some? who am I kidding??? Loads more like it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well I wholeheartedly agree with Darnell and everyone else!

    Absolutely fab card and I KNOW it took you AAAAGES to make!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Di, this is adorable! This made me smile! Nothing sweeter than that sweet little dress hanging on the branch. Screams summer fun! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A super cute card. Just enough elements to make it perfect. A real smile getter.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is the cutesst card...I can tell with all these neat elements on your card that this card did take a bit of time to make...a labor of love for our dear Darnell!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Di just catching up on your cards cos I've been a bit busy LOL they are all fab as usual but omg!!! I love this one!!!! and I'm sorry but I've linked my last card for the 3 in 2 weeks but it went on twice:((( and I don't know how to remove it..lots of huggles Sue xxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is so FanBloominTastic Di. Brilliant paper pieceing, dies, button and the way you put it all together.
    I got all my unused schtuff out the cupboard but had to put it back 'cos there was too much of it!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brilliant card, love everything about it.
    Great idea for the sun.....!!

    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
  13. So beautiful Di is your card and so perfect in everyway x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fab card love all the elements. Now do decide which of my stuff to use for this great challenge!
    Linby x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Welcome aboard the NBUS train! This choo-choo is growing longer day by day and we're going to have to add about 12 more cars for passengers & supplies before this challenge is over! LMAO!! Seriously, this is one darling card with great images and die cuts! I love what you used to create the grass! Genius!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Di,

    What a cute card! What a clever way to use the icicles die! You definitely have a talent for looking outside the box!

    Busy around my house - but no crafting. Last weekend I moved everything from my storage unit to my house. I have boxes everywhere!!!

    Hugs,
    Kay

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't know why it took so long to use these supplies. I guess you'd been thinking and planning this for the full 20 months cuz it's AMAZING! Not only is the scene adorable but the sentiment is one of the best I've seen! I'm not even going to look where it came from. If I buy much more the upstairs is going to fall into the down! A kiss from the sun to you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Aw, this is just cute as can be. So much to love on it. Like the sun button. The delightful paper piecing. The perky green grass. Good job. And a great entry for the NBUS, which I'm hoping I can get something to submit. Don't wanna miss out on Our Darnell's big celly-bration. TFS & Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well Missus what can I say, this is blinkin' lurvely and Blossom loves those blossoms!!! I am such a divvy I was convinced it said NIMBUS challenge especially when I saw your clouds on here! Must get me specs re-glazed! Hadn't realised we could bring washing to the Playground so me smalls are on their way!!!

    Lovely card Di for a lovely challenge!

    Hugs to you Sue Pxxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my goodness, Di--this is a masterpiece & worth every minute you spent on it!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much if you take the time to comment!

This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.