Jan 15, 2012

It's the 15th - Time for Another Dueling Darling Round!

It's the 15th of the month, and that means it's time for the Dueling Darlings to post their creations sent to us by this month's hostesses: Melina & Joan!  (The Dueling Darlings are two teams of friends from SCS, The Dazzlers & the Divas) who take turns hosting a challenge.  The hostesses send a card kit to their team mates and we create and post our response on the 15th.

Kit Contents
Here's what the lovely Melina sent to us for the January duel.  The theme this month is "It's the Little Things" and she sent 3 tiny but cute little images, 3 little blue punched circles, 2 green pearls, a piece of tan ribbon & white baker's twine, a white button, yellow paper clip and 2 swatches of DP.

The challenge was to use all 3 images on our card, as many of the embellishments as we could and to add our own sentiment.

We are also to post the first thing that came to our mind when we opened the kit and read that "It's the Little Things" as our theme.   Hmmm, well, after 2 new babies being born to my co-workers this past year, I have to admit, I thought of making a baby card with the kit!  But once I started working with it, things went in another direction!

Here's my finished card:

I thought that a side step card would allow each of the little images a chance to be noticed. I punched them into circles and (if you look closely) you can see that the large panel has embossed circles on it.

Melina recently posted to her blog that she loves circle shapes and likes to use them on cards.  Well, it's the little things, right?  So, I decided to use circles!

When it came time to add a sentiment, I found two teeny, tiny sentiments among my vast array of SU sets, and Voila ~ not a baby card, but a "Hello" card instead.  What can I say?

Here's a glimpse of the inside where I used the ribbon and the rest of the striped DP:


I'm a bit proud that I managed to use all of the kit contents with one exception:
the paper clip.  Sorry Melina, I just couldn't accomplish that one!!  Ha ha, but you gals are sure teaching me about using DP, that's for sure!

I hope that you visit the blogs of the other Dueling Darlings!  There are links to their blogs on the right sidebar here.  While there, be sure to leave them some much-deserved love on this month's challenge.

As for posting our list of "Little Things"...well, with me, the list could become a book.  Much too long to post here.  Permit me to say this: I tend to take a big picture perspective on life and my relationships.  But the big picture is comprised of all the little things.  So little things matter a lot.
However, it's a double-edged sword.  While we take great pleasure in the little things, we also have to let go of the little things that cause us stress or anger.  I find that when I do that, life is a lot easier for me.  But, I do have to remind myself to let go at times!  Continual improvement is how I view myself!  Ha ha!  Thanks for visiting and putting up with my rambling.  Make it a great day!

16 comments:

April said...

I love this fold! And what a way to show off the kit!

I love what you said about using dp.....I am so very inept at it....lol

Here's to anew year of duels ~ Salud!

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

WOW!!! Darlene, I love your card... what a perfect fold for all those little images. And look at you, using nearly everything in the kit and mastering DP all at the same time! Impressive!

Loved reading your thoughts about your perspective of life.

Huge hugs and gratitude that you are a Dazzler!

Laura Jean (LJ) said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE Darlene

Don't think I have made a step-card before, this might get me to try! I love all the bright colors! Any mom-to-be would love this as a baby card!

LJ

MiamiKel said...

Such fine, fine words Darlene - you are so right, the little things make us keep it all in perspective :) And your card! Gah!!! This is a showstopper!! My jaw just dropped! I absolutley love your take on this fabby kit and just love those lil guys you got to work with! Super fun! Blessings to you, my friend! x0x0

jimlynn said...

Can't believe you used all that on one card and it's just perfect! Love the stair step card and with all these cute images it's just fabulous.
Lynn

paige said...

I love what you made with your card kit! What a fun challenge to enjoy with your blog groups!

Judy McMullen said...

BEAUTIFUL! Love the stair step card, Darlene and how you colored, layered and place those cute images, especially the bright dp scalloped circles. Everything on this card is so bright and cheerful it makes me smile!! Love it!!!

Jamie Sanchez said...

Beautiful card. I have been wanting to try the step card too! I might have to give it a spin now. You did a magnificent job Darlene!!

Terry Ladwig said...

Great card Darlene! I love the side step fold you used and it gave each of the little images it's own "home"! I love it!!

I couldn't get myself to use to paper clip either, no matter how hard I tried! I'm glad I wasn't alone ☺

Thanks for being a Dazzler! I am happy that you're part of my team!!

Barb said...

Darlene--your card is a work of art! I love all of the colors and those images are the cutest! The side-step card you used is indeed perfect for these three small images1

Thanks for being a part of this wonderful group of ladies!

~Paola~ said...

ohh wowwww!! what a splendidly executed card yiu created Darlene!
It absolutly showcases all the lil images perfectly and with such beautiful d/p cicled b/ground too...You absolutly nailed this challenge BIG time!!*Indeed an awesomeeee job my friend!!♥

Carol W said...

Holy Hanna girlfriend...my jaw is still on the floor...what an awesome card..love, love, love it. So well done. You really nailed this challenge and totally blew me away...what a fun card. I love the step card (haven't done one yet myself was it hard???) I love how you showcased each image in its own little circle and the circle embossing on the yellow paper...Two thumbs up for sure...WEll done.....♥

Melina said...

Great card! I love how you went with the step! Each image pops! I also love your thoughts on the theme :)

:: BlueInks :: said...

Look at you, Miss Side Stepper! WOW! I so would not know how to do that fold. It works perfectly with the small images, you are right!

Great job this round. I love the use of all of the items. You put great thought into this one and it shows.

Shelly Schmidt said...

How fun- the kit looks great- I love the images and the fun DSP. I love the fun fold you used for your card.

Marilyn said...

This is so sweet and cute! I've never done a step card but I'm going to try... just adorable!