Tuesday 22 September 2015

Sunset Aperture, Birds in Garden, Female

Eek...  I haven't posted in ages, have I?

I've been having some ongoing health issues that are a huge inconvenience more than anything else...  they kill my energy, make my eyesight blurry at times and make me oh so very dizzy (among many varied other things).  Not conducive to 'playtime', hey?  Still...  it could be worse :)

My card today was specifically made for the latest Poppystamps Challenge, but as I've taken so long to get it finished other challenges have popped up along the way that also tie in perfectly.  I guess that's one advantage to being so S L O W...  spotting other challenges and tailoring the card to suit them all :)

Dies used...
Poppystamps 'Resting Birds'
Poppystamps 'An Apple A Day'
Poppystamps 'Garden Step Ladder'
Poppystamps 'Serendipity Bird Frame'
Poppystamps 'Grassland Border'
Poppystamps 'Bushel Basket'

Stencil...
Tim Holtz 'Bricked'

Stamp...
Kaisercraft Edges 'Texture'


Here's my card...




Believe it or not, this was originally going to be a CAS (ish) design that featured the Grassland strip section (minus the far left bird) paired with a sentiment.  I kind of changed my mind on that idea, but will use it again someday!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges...















With the exception of the Grassland borders, all other dies used were from my 'snippets' card collections.  I still have many, many more to use up...  so I'm so glad I found a happy challenge blog where some mischief is allowed...  as well as my many teeny, tiny offcuts :)

Not sure if 'grunging' it up like this has worked or not.  Part of me says 'yes', but the other part thinks CAS would have been the better way to go.  

What do you think? 

Don't know what I'm going to make next...  but something far less 'busy', I think...

Take care...  and if you are popping in from 'The Playground',  here's a *Wave* just for you :)

'Bye...





67 comments:

  1. Oh WOW Donna!!! I literally squealed when I saw this fabulous card - a perfect scene, so beautifully designed and made. I do so hope the girls pop over from the Playground to see this beauty. I can't believe how wonderfully everything goes together and it looks so three dimensional as well! Brilliant!

    Hugs

    Di xx

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    1. Hello Di :)
      (Breathes a HUGE sigh of relief)..!
      So happy you like this card. I am generally always a little bit afraid when I post anything online... I am my worst critic, I think!
      I like playing in the playground, so you'll see more of me. I wasn't joking about my mound of snippets. If I don't get on top of them soon I'll have a mountain to climb!

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  2. Psssssst, I changed your link in the Playground, it was sending folk to your filmstrip post :) xx

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    1. You may need to talk me through what I did wrong!
      I'm used to Mr Linky so obviously I did a 'boo boo' somewhere!
      Thanks Di... you're fab :)

      Delete
  3. Stunning card Donna, perfect with the grunge!, beautiful colours and die cuts..
    Thank you for joining us over on Poppystamps challenge blog..
    Hugs Pam x

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    1. Thank you, Pam :)
      Creating 'scenes' is a favourite of mine, I think.
      Love the Poppystamps challenges. Some really lovely people on the DT :)
      Hope you are doing ok. I know you are busy with the show coming up.
      Donna. X

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  4. Replies
    1. Thank you :)
      ... and well done on your NBUS win :)

      Delete
  5. Really awesome. Thank you for sharing your lovely creation with us at Creative Card Crew.
    Hugs
    Cathy DT Member
    xxxxx

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    1. Thank you, Cathy :)
      Glad to have found another challenge to play along with.
      Will stop by your blog for a proper 'hello' :)

      Delete
  6. Such a lovely scene, Donna! Love the textures and distressing!

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  7. This is a fantastic card - I love all the fab detail! :-)

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    1. Hello... and thank you very much for taking the time to comment :)
      Stopping by your blog for a proper 'hello' :)

      Delete
  8. This card is amazing and for not feeling well you are so gifted Donna! I had to pick my jaw up off the ground.... So many wonderful things to look at so I am going to go back and enjoy for a while. Thanks for joining us in the Poppystamps Challenge
    I am so sorry you are not feeling well, being dizzy is not fun, hope you feel better soon Donna

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for leaving this uplifting comment, Marybeth. I shall treasure it... even if I was only crafting in my 'inbetween' feeling rough times :)
      Healthwise, it's nothing serious... I've recently been diagnosed as having Histamine intolerance (from food/drink sources). Trying to modify my diet... just having some 'teething' problems :)
      Thanks again :)

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  9. Truly a work of art! I suggest that you frame this card! Love the depth, textures and all the gorgeous details! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Die Crazy” Challenge!

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    Replies
    1. I have only very recently stumbled across your blogs... and all I can say is this comment (coming from you) has left me feeling very humbled. Thank you so very much for stopping by... and for your very kind words :)
      I certainly did go 'die crazy', didn't I?

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  10. It is fun, thanks for sharing with us at CCCB!

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  11. your card is superb, good luck on the challenge
    hugs from california
    bibiana

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  12. Oh, wow - this card is gorgeous! So much goodness to look at! I hope that you are feeling better now! Thanks for joining our fall theme challenge this week at Use Your Stuff!

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    1. Thank you, Lori :)
      Only found your challenge site yesterday... so very happy to be playing along :)

      Delete
  13. What a delightful scene Donna! There's so many wonderful layers and textures on your card. Hope you are feeling better soon! Thanks for joining us at Poppystamps this month!

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    1. Hello Sue :)
      How are your 'inky fingers' doing?
      I love the Poppystamps challenges... Just don't always have the time or the dies to play along!
      Hope you are well :)
      Donna

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  14. Clearly your card has solicited a lot of feedback. I think that means we're all glad your health is better and we think the card design is just right. I particularly like the baskets of apples. It looks like the fall of my youth. I'm so glad you joined the City Crafter Challenge this week.

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    1. Hello Andie... Thank you for taking the time to stop by :)
      I'd been hunting around for new challenge sites when I spotted City Crafter Challenge. At this stage, I'm enjoying 'dipping my toe in' to get a feel for the challenges and DT members. Comments mean far more to me than any prizes on offer (although I do love my challenge badges)!!!
      Thanks again :)

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  15. And it turned out great! It's gorgeous! I hope you feel a bit better soon.
    Thanks so much for joining us this week at CCCB!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stella :)
      Glad you like it... and thanks for the well wishes. X

      Delete
  16. Thank you, Julia.
    It's nice playing along with new challenges :)

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  17. Such a cute card! Thanks for taking part in our challenge at UYS - DT Majo ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it :)
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  18. Wow so cute!! Great dimensions!!

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  19. Hi Donna . . . well, I simply ADORE this card . . . and the way you've used that bricked stencil by Mr Holtz is F.A.B. Great scenic card . . . CAS or BUSY . . .doesn't matter . . . cuz it's WONDERFUL.

    PSST: See my behind the bike sheds in the Snippets Playground for this week's special hooch offer!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    Replies
    1. Hello Sarn :)
      Did you see me *wave*???
      I LOVE this bricked stencil... It's one of my favourites :)
      Hope you are having a good week... Don't get caught with the hooch!!!
      Donna. X

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  20. Hi Donna-love this scene-fabulous creation! Must have taken forever to make-what a lovely project :)
    Nessa xxx

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    1. Hi Nessa :)
      Glad you like it... The 'strip' took no time as I knew exactly what I was doing with that part. The rest... on and off for just over two weeks, but I had been unwell!

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  21. Oh Wow!! So lovely!! An amazing scene!! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!!

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    1. Thank you, Ros.
      So glad you stopped by :)
      I will come on over to return the 'visit'...
      Glad you like the card :)

      Delete
  22. Oh how cute this is. I love all the details and it is such a pretty scene.

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  23. Oooohhhh!!! Wonderful!! Love, love, love your scene and the 3D look of this card!!
    I come from the Pixie Snippets Playground challenge.
    Any detail is just amazing, and the aperture is really a catch-eye. Fabulous stenciled brick and distressed edges, they give an adorable textures to your card! And the ladder is stunning!
    I pinned your work :)

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    Replies
    1. Hello :)
      Now... Sarn has taught me just a few things about the playground... *waving* and hooch behind the bike sheds!!! I'm a good girl so I will just *wave* (I haven't been around long enough to be naughty)!!!
      So glad you've stopped by to say hello... and very happy you like my card that much :)
      Will stop by your blog for a proper 'hello'.
      Thanks for the very kind words :)

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  24. I'm here from the playground just love your card especially the wall. I've got a stencil I'm going to use to try that too. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. *Waves* from the playground :)
      Hello Linby... My first attempt at this bricked wall technique was April of this year if you want to see another one (Stampin' Up Best Blossoms). Difference is first wall was pasted over a very faint stamped brick wall.
      Thanks for joining my little group of 'Friends'... I shall stop by your blog for a proper 'hello' :)

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  25. Amazing card, love the gorgeous scene you've created, Cathy x

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    1. Hello Cathy :)
      Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the card... Will stop by your blog for a proper 'hello' :)

      Delete
  26. WOW your card is simply wow..love the fruits, the ladder and the way you made the sun pop!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dr Sonia :)
      Very kind of you to stop by... shall do the same to you :)

      Delete
  27. This is absolutely stunning Donna! I always love your cards and happy to see you back in action. Every little detail is spot on perfection!

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    1. Hello Jeanne :)
      Thanks for stopping by... you are very kind.
      Hope you are having a good week :)

      Delete
  28. Wow! I love this card! There are so many really fantastic elements here -- I love it all! Great color and deign and just beautiful work! Thanks for playing along with us over at Poppystamps!
    Take Care!
    Michele

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    1. Thanks Michele :)
      Looks like you've been busy lately... I've seen lots of designs made by you in my inbox. Such a creative gold mine.
      Thanks for stopping by...
      Donna

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  29. Congratulations on winning the challenge, Donna! (I could never make it :))) Your card is fantastic and I love your style - CAS approach but so many lovely details and textures and that fabulous distressing of yours!

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    1. Thank you, Olga :)
      To be honest, I didn't think I would ever make it, either!
      Yes... I like distressing edges A LOT... I'm also quite partial to apertures, can you tell?
      Hope you are having a good week... and thanks again. It's really kind of you to touch base with such kind words :)

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  30. Many congratulations on a fabulous win. I just love this card. The little bit of grunge works for me. The layout and the idea is so creative, just love it...Congratulations!

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    1. Hello Mac :)
      Many congrats on the prize win. I've only just stumbled upon your blog this past week or so... Do you have a follow by email button? Couldn't find it anywhere!!! I don't really use Google but joined up out of desperation to try and (hopefully) get updates on your blog. You have a great style that I just love :)

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  31. Congratulations on your win with this stunning card,hope you are feeling better.

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    1. Hello Marybeth :)
      Yes, feeling better than I was (thank you).
      Appreciate you stopping by. Thanks for the congratulations... X

      Delete
  32. I just love everything about this, what a perfect fall scene you have created! Thanks for joining us at Use Your Stuff and come back and play along with the new sketch challenge!

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    1. Hello Karrie.
      Glad you like the card. Thanks for leaving such a lovely comment :)
      Will come back and take a look at the sketch!!!

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  33. pretty card. Nicely created scene. Have a great day

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    1. Thank you, Yogi :)
      Have a good weekend...

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  34. Saw your card on the Poppy site and it is just wonderful! Hope you feeling ok and able to create!! Have a wonderful weekend! Jen

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jen :)
      I love the Poppystamps challenge, but don't play along every month as my dies don't always fit the theme. Maybe I need more... but goodness knows where I would store them!!!

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