I messed up the auto scheduling for this post … it was supposed to go live about six hours ago because that’s when a reasonable hour in the morning arrived on the west coast of the USA … the start of the birthday of a special, delightful, super talented and wonderful friend and fellow BABE, Darnell! You probably already know Darnell as she’s famous in this warm and welcoming blog world of ours (actually she has a lot to do with it being so warm and welcoming!) … and if you don’t, you’ll really want to, so run over to her blog, say hello, wish her Happy Birthday and enjoy heaps of inspiration and laughter! I’ll wait. Oh, and take a picnic hamper or two … you’ll be a while! Happy, Happy Birthday ma chère amie … wishing you the most perfect day filled to the brim with joy, fun, love and laughter … and a year to come full of wishes come true! I made you this card (flitting across mountain ranges, oceans and miles/kilometres as we speak!) …
I sponged the base card with Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Evergreen Bough) and stencilled the droplets over the top using Salty Ocean. The dragonfly is from Clearly Besotted … it’s two part … the lower part is smooshed Distress Ink, and the delicate finery of her wings and body are layered on top … with lots of Wink of Stella that glints in the light. The on-the-line ‘happy’ is MFT from the Lake House stash … the dragonfly was adhered flat to it, I stamped the Avery Elle birthday and added the trail of tiny pearls, before popping it up on foam tape on the stencilled base. Thought you might like to see that glimmer …
Darnell‘s dragonfly is flitting over to …
AAA Cards – Paste and/or Stencil Techniques … second entry today!
Addicted to CAS – Splash … the dragonfly’s watery background is full of splash!
Inkspirational – Wild … a dragonfly’s a wild thing, isn’t it?!
SSS Work It Wednesday – Refreshment … what’s that lovely insect doing around all that water?!
SSS Monday – Summer … just when these wonderful creatures make an appearance!
Hope you made it back from Darnell‘s in fine fettle … wasn’t that a fantastic visit? Once again, my lovely friend, Happy, Happy Birthday … sorry I messed up that morning scheduling for you!
Thanks so much for coming by, your visits and comments are always a joy! Anita 🙂
My Papercraft World 
So pretty! Love the colours and the sparkly wings!
Oh, and that pearl! Genius and beautiful!
You’ll be pleased to know I’ve been away from my computer with phone calls all morning and I only just now popped on and there was your SPECTACULAR card and dedicated post just for little old me! You made me blush, you made me smile all over my face, and you filled my heart with love! Thank you so much, Anita Babe!! It will be a thrill and an honor to own this work of art from you!! I’m having trouble tearing my fondling eyes away from all the color and texture and sparkle and pearls and then I think, ahhhh, I’ll be able fondle it and stare at it in person soon and to my heart’s content!! I thank you, I love you, and I miss you! MWAH!!! Darnell
Wow .. this is amazing Anita. A gorgeous birthday card to honour a gorgeous lady! Darnell will LOVE this. xx
A real Beauty, Anita! I love everything about this dragonfly model and her wonderful surroundings :)))
Darnell will be over the moon, once this lovely arrives!
This is so perfect for Darnell…just love that fabulous blue and that sweet dragonfly, simply stunning!
Beautiful Card! Love the colors & sparkly dragon fly 🙂
What a stunning card. I love your pretty background, and that Dragonfly is seriously calling my name.
Simply stunning – love the stencilled background and elegant dragonfly! Cool, CAS and clever as always. Darnell is sure to love receiving this beauty 🙂
What a great design! I love the colours and sponging and that “light”-looking dragonfly! Enjoy the weekend!
Stunning! Love the sparkly dragonfly with his pearly trail and the greeting looks so crisp die cut against your stencilled background. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.
A beautiful card, and a beautiful tribute to our dear friend and fellow BABE. I know these shade of blues are some of her favorite colors, and like the rest of the gang at the Lake House, that linen like paper is also among her favorites. This is one gorgeous card. Fantastic design. Missing you sweet friend, bisous, bisous.
Gorgeous card that you’ve made for Darnell Anita – she’s going to absolutely love it. I sent her my card but totally mistook the date of her and Kevin’s anniversary for her birthday!!! Unfortunately it had been posted when I realised my mistake so quickly made an anniversary card (which got there in time luckily) and had to tell her not to open the first one but to put it somewhere safe til July………….she actually did remember where she put it so was able to open it today!!! What an idiot eh?
Hugs.
Karen xxx
Completely stunning and a lovely tribute to one of my favorite blogpals. Gorgeous card.
Beautiful, beautiful dragonfly Anita! Thanks for sharing it with us over at ATCAS!
Stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, ravishing…and yes, I could go on with yet more accolades for this card you’ve made especially for our darling Darnel! I know you’ve captivated her with this lovely gift; something she’ll treasure forever! That dragonfly…oh my…takes my breath away (and it’s not flittering and skittering all over the place!). LOVE this, Anita…
Hugs~c
Ooops…I was so enamoured I forgot to say: Thank you for sharing this gem in the Inkspirational gallery! Actually, that’s not exactly true: I just wanted second helpings of gazing and admiring *grin*…and perhaps a third, fourth and fifth will come, as well…
Hugs~c
What a perfect card for Darnell, Anita! She’ll love all the wink on the dragonfly! I love this too and thanks for sharing it with us at ATCAS! (Sorry I’m so late visiting.)
What a great background, the colors and the stencil design. So glad you could join us at AAA Cards
Oh I love this Anita – just beautiful…those gorgeous blue hues are so restful! I’m sure Darnell will be thrilled!
Turquoise gorgeousness and love the stencil you used (must buy some more stencils!!). I posted Darnell at card on Friday 26th June and she got it four days later, isn’t that crazy??!!! I bet she had the most fabulous day and loved all the cards she received from everyone.
so very pretty, anita!
Beautiful card! Love the blues in the background and on the dragonfly. Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!
Simply stunning & beautiful with these sea colors – so calming & serene, with the lovely stencil pattern. Love, love that dragonfly perched there. Marvelous way that you did the sentiment, and so pretty with the texture pattern on the crisp white c/s. A perfect card for a super lovely lady. I was pleased to read the bit about the smiles – because I always come away from enjoying Our Darnell’s post, with a smile and lift to my heart too. TFS & Hugs.
Beautiful card Anita and Darnell will love it! Your background looks amazing and I adore the pretty colour:) xx
Gorgeous dragonfly card – love that little trail you created and those shimmery wings! Wonderful inking!
Stunning! Love that gorgeous BG 🙂
I am behind on my visiting Anita, please forgive me!! I love Darnell’s card, it is so beautiful just like all your cards. I love the calming colors, the stenciling, everything! She certainly is one amazing lady, but then all you BABES are amazing women! I love the bond you ladies have, it is wonderful to see that women from around the world can get together and create this special bond in this world today. Hugs, Brenda
This is just beautiful for Darnell! 5 hours is much better than five days. I missed it completely . Love your pretty dragonfly and shimmer!
That dragonfly is stunning. Perfect colours for its wings and the WoS is the perfect touch! Thanks for joining us at aaa cards challenge!
Bonjour Anita
Your card truly is a master piece!
What a fab design and glorious turquoise!!
I really do love your style
Greetings from Chicago~
Beautiful card Anita! The dragonfly is just stunning, I love the detailing behind it!
What a gorgeous background… like shimmering water which is perfect for a dragonfly 🙂
Jenny x
First things first….those wee pearls rock this card! I’m in awe of the visual effectiveness and design enhancing ka-pow that the 3 little gaffers have created! The dragonfly looks amazing against your beautiful sponged background! Darnell will be wiping tears from her eyes when she reads your lovely post!
Hi Anita! Of course I’m very late for the party, as I’ve been flittering all across the country like this gorgeous dragonfly – SO stunning, my friend – just love the trail of pearls and the fabulous A.E. font … must get a belated greeting off to Darnell!! Thanks for sharing your friendship, Anita!
=] Michele
Beautiful! I love the tone on tone stenciling!
Oh, what a stunning and so delicate dragonfly, Anita!!!! The shimmer is beautiful and it must be so lovely IRL!!!! Your sponged and stencilled bg is amazing – looks like a lovely pond!!! Love how you have done the sentiment and the pearls are such a special touch!!! So beautiful and perfect for Darnell!!!!
Your card is so gorgeous, Anita. I love that dragonfly in all it’s glittery glory. Not only did I miss this post but I missed Darnell’s birthday. Shame on me. 😦