A two-part post, with two cards, for two AH-MAZING people who have brought joy and love into my life:
I am a *naughty, naughty* friend! I missed our lovely, wonderful, sweet Darnell's birthday by SIX days *hanging my head in shame*. BUT.. I am here now with a 'relatively' good reason for my tardiness. New goodies I'd been anxiously been awaiting for over the past couple-three weeks - arrived later than I anticipated - yep, placing the blame squarely on that situation - and then came the learning curve of figuring them out. The combination of time and 'd-uh' (not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to some images...and we won't even discuss water-colouring) results in the story of why I'm behind (add a weekend's worth of bike races to the mix, too). Hopefully, you won't mind too much, my friend!
So, today, July 8th, I'm 're-celebrating' Darnell's birthday. You are, indeed, a most dear, precious, special friend. In this wonderful community, you've touched ever so many lives, through your engaging, hilarious posts, your delightfully creative cards and your always warm, sweet comments. My life has been enriched in having you in it, especially back in December...you offered a shoulder to lean on and ears to listen. For the gift of your friendship I truly am incredibly grateful, incredibly blessed! Still, you can give me a good 'talking too' about being un-punctual! I shall stand in the corner and then, write lines.
The stamp sets I'm using joined my collection as the result of a win from darling Daisies Girl, Taunya Butler. Because of her exponential generosity, Altenew's Lacy Scrolls and Label Love have come to live at my house. Thank you ever, ever, ever so much Taunya!
Before I made Darnell's card, I made
After a bit more practice, a change in colours and slight shift in design, Darnell's card emerged...
Whew...after figuring out how to add some depth and dimension to the images (I relied on Jennifer McGuire, of course), I'm rather pleased with the results. I hope you, Darnell, and you, Taunya, will like the cards I made...
I'm sharing one or both in the following galleries:
CAS(E) this Sketch #130
Virginia's View Challenge #16~Focus on Stamping - my flowers are stamped with Memento Dew Drops, then highlight coloured with white and yellow Prismacolour pencils. I totally understand if this doesn't fit your challenge, Virginia, but crossing fingers it does...)
Hugs,
Oh my goodness, Carol, stop it! My face is so red from blushing, I might need a cold cloth applied! Thank you for this incredible blog post in my and sweet Taunya's honor and for all those compliments which I return back to you! Especially since I know how crazy-busy you've been!
ReplyDeleteYou make it so easy to be your friend, your bosom body, your shoulder to lean on, your card admirer! In this case, your cards blew me away! Both of them are extraordinarily gorgeous! And who was it said she couldn't watercolor?!!!! These are such winners! I can't wait to get mine in real life for fondling and CASEing! Love and hugs, Darnell
beautiful card, Carol - lucky you to win that gorgeous stamp set and lucky Darnell to receive such a wonderful card!
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards Carol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Case this sketch and Seize the birthday!
These are ab-sol-utely gorgeous Carol...both of them.I am loving the purple...but then I am also loving the pink, either way they are both coloured so beautifully and make such a statement. What a lovely way to honour your friends.
ReplyDeleteCarol
ReplyDeleteI adore that flower
and your did it so FANTABULOUS
love the purple
and love the pink one too
TWO ADORABLE CARD I love it much
hugs, Monika
For sure they will love your cards - delicious stamping! Perfect shading, adding dimension to those gorgeous flowers! - You bike-race? Cool!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are amazing! I love the colors! Purple of course is my favorite color so I am going to be partial to the purpler one :) Beautiful shading on them both and I love the black labels! ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteThese are both stunning, and surely you are more than forgiven for your slight tardiness. Absolutely love those gorgeous flowers and perfect coloring. Thanks so much for playing along at HLS Sketch challenge.
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous cards for such sweet friends. I am a big believer in drawing out birthdays for as long as possible, so your cards are timed perfectly. These images are so stunning, and they are watercolored beautifully. You have to stop saying you aren't good at it - you are good!!!!! Love these and sending hugs your way. Thanks for your wonderful encouragement on my creations. xoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, your colouring is gorgeous. Cathy x
ReplyDeleteThat Darnell is certainly one amazing lady that is for sure! I'm sure she won't mind the celebration continuing on for a little longer! lol I love, love, love both of your cards! That flower is just stunning and you have did a great job getting the dimension in both of these cards. Jennifer McGuire is another fabulous lady and one to learn so much from. You did good my friend! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards to honour two beautiful ladies. Great job with the new stamps Carol!! Thanks for playing along at Happy Little Stampers. xx
ReplyDeleteI really like the purple flowers, but am absolutely in love with the pink ones! Your coloring is pretty darn amazing my friend. Your post was wonderful to read too. You are one of those especially nice people out here in the world. Blessings to you dear friend, and a hello to your mom. Bev
ReplyDeleteI love both of these, Carol--beautifully designed!
ReplyDeleteSorry for not commenting for so long! But I am back now! And you just took my breath away with these ubergorgeous cards! I want those flowers now (have the labels) and it's all your fault! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd belated congratulations on making the Tag It! DT! They couldn't have chosen someone better!
Wow-wee, so gawjus!!!!! All that practicing turned out some utterly perfect cards for some rather fabulous peoples!
ReplyDeleteWow! Fabulous cards, Carol. Love your flowers!
ReplyDeleteThere is no time limit on celebrating friends' birthdays, in my humble opinion, just opportunities to extend the celebration and that's exactly what you did here and gorgeously I might add. :) What glorious flowers you have created. They make me smile, that is for sure. Friends are truly worth celebrating year-round. You are equally sweet and generous, Ms. C! Have a happy day! Oh and thanks so much for the heads up on the blog candy you told me about. I was quite surprised. I didn't have/couldn't find an email address to thank you privately, so here is my heartfelt thanks for all to see! :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteNo one would mind you being late when they receive one of these gorgeous cards! Gorgeous creations -- very nice post re Darnell and Taunya, you are a good friend
ReplyDeleteOh, these are both beautiful, Carol! I love your take on the sketch!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are gorgeous, Carol! I love love love flower cards and these are beautifully CAS too! WoW-Wa. I like them so much! thanks for playing along over at HLS' July Sketch Challenge. Melissa - DT
ReplyDeleteOh Carol! these are beautiful! awesome coloring !
ReplyDeleteThe bloggy world is such a small, delightful realm of amazing crafters. Taunya and Darnell are two of them, along with yourself of course! What a way to celebrate these women - with GORGEOUS feminine cards. I really like the little swirly bottom of the purple one!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! You rocked the colouring and the flower image is fabulous. Lovely tribute to Darnell too :)
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never! That's the philosophy I've adopted when it comes to commenting!
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are gorgeous! I can definitely see the lovely dimension in the prink flowers. That Jen Macquire is one amazingly talented lady...and thankfully shares her how=-to videos with us!
Yes, better late than never...I have to agree with Miss Geri. Your pair of cards are as sweet as can be. Love those flowers and with the bold sentiment. Simply fabulous me dear friend! Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers.
ReplyDeleteCall it being fashionably late... I believe celebs get away with it! This really is a gorgeous card, Carol.
ReplyDeletehugs, Asha
Your cards are stunning! All that practice makes perfect! Thanks for playing along this month at Happy Little Stampers!
ReplyDeletec... I've loved catching up here at your lovely blog.. you'll forgive me if I leave one over-all LOVE your cards post? Taunya is a darling and I know she and Darnell will love receiving these beauties in their mail-boxes. Those Altenew flowers couldn't be more beautiful - well done, my friend!
ReplyDelete=] M
Beautiful, beautiful cards! Definitely worth eleventy twelve attempts! And I think it means even more that you cared enough to get it right.
ReplyDeleteWho was it that said she couldn't watercolor? It couldn't be you, Carol. Both of these cards are so perfectly done and absolutely gorgeous. I'm sure both wonderful ladies will be thrilled with them.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Carol...you absolutely knocked it outta the park with these two GORGEOUS cards! Beautiful coloring and your designs are just amazing...WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteWow!! The flowers are gorgeous!!! I love them!! Fabulous cards!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cars, Carol! I love the shading on the pink one.
ReplyDeleteStunners, Carol ... both of them ... they and your lovely post will have been so well received by sweet Darnell and Taunya ... such wonderful cards and words for them both! Anita :)
ReplyDeleteLIKE these cards - no, I LOVE THEM and I think they are both stunning and beautiful and a wonderfully nice thing for you to do!! I thank you so much for the sweet shout out and say that I think YOU are one of the sweetest, most awesomest people I have met through blogging!!! I am applauding you wildly not just for your talent and gift to me and Darnell but for the amazing and completely HUGE size of your heart!! You are beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are both stunning and how incredibly thoughtful of you to honor your crafty friends with these beauties! Thanks so much for joining the Happy Little Stampers Sketch Challenge!
ReplyDeleteIt is FABULOUS and it does fits the challenge, Carol! Thanks so much for playing Virginia’s View “100% Stamped” Challenge! Hope to see your lovely work soon again!
ReplyDeleteOh both cards are so pretty! Totally love how you added the extra bit of oomph with the pencils too. Lovely lovely lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful stamping carol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing along at Happy Little Stampers.