Dueling Darling 2 - June 2022

FYI - This is my second post of the day. I hope you'll check it out as well as the SCS Sketch Challenge card that is in the next blog post. If you need to go directly to that blog post, please do so by going - HERE.

The 15th of each month is such a special day here on my blog - it's Dueling day.

Not to worry; no blood is drawn in the duel. Well, unless someone punctures themselves with a paper piercer gets a deep paper cut or some other such hazard of this hobby we love. This is actually a friendly harmless duel. That's why we are called Dueling Darlings 2.

Not sure what that is? It's a concept that my friend Kelly came up with over a decade ago - two groups, two hostesses, one theme, and lots of fun. The hostesses choose the theme and then each hostess sends a theme-appropriate kit to the other members on her team. 

Each person creates a card and keeps it all a secret until the 15th, which is posting day.

This month was to be Kelly's and my turn to host but I begged, pleaded, and did everything else within my power to get Kelly to agree to let me send kits out to both groups. I'm so glad she finally agreed to let me do that. It was my way of giving back just a wee bit because Kelly always ALWAYS goes above and beyond in spoiling all of us. So this month we all have the same kit to work with - I hope you'll enjoy seeing what all eight of us do with it.

This month's theme is... 

Women of Strength

This is what was in the kit:

Image - Hello Bluebird "Frosty Mornings" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Accent Opaque 120# White CS

Sentiments - Simon Says/Pink Fresh "Next Level Amazing" and Great Impressions "Only As Strong" stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink on Accent Opaque 120# White CS

DP - Moxxie Coffee Addict, Paper Studio Cozy Little Christmas, Recollections Stocking Stuffers Paper Pad, plus two others from unknown companies

Ribbon/Fiber - Ribbon Boutique, Sheer Creations, Stampin' UP! and Twine from an unknown vendor

Embellishments - Paper Studio Glitter Enamel Dots and Wooden Coffee Cup, Taylored Expressions God Drip Drops, and a Button, Corner Photo Tab and Sequins from my stash

Now, let's duel...

Here's my card:

Here's the inside:

Believe in how strong you are.

There's a little extra "assignment" this month, too. I sent a note in everyone's kit (except Kelly's) - at least I hope I didn't send the note to Kelly.  After I mailed them, I feared I'd accidentally done so.

Here's what the note said...

Shhh! This is a secret from Kelly, so don't spill the coffee beans.

As a bit of an "extra" to the June duel, you might have noticed that the Women of Strength Kit includes Coffee (Kelly's beverage of choice), Friendship (which is so important to Kelly), and the color Green (Kelly's favorite color).

So, while our theme IS Women of Strength, it also draws attention to our beloved Kelly. If you are comfortable doing so, I would love for you to include in your blog/gallery post a story or thought (or even an encouraging word) that highlights Kelly's strength.

Kelly truly is one of the strongest women I know. She juggles so many things in life - suffice it to say it is A LOT! I often have thought she reminds me of the Energizer Bunny. She just keeps on - keeping on. No matter what life throws her way. She balances it all with a smile and a kind word, barely more than a wink of sleep a night, and an occasional trip to Starbucks to refuel. Okay, maybe more than occasional... but she deserves every single one of those trips. Kelly, I don't know how you do all that you do. You are amazing! I admire you more than words can express.

Now, be sure to check out all of the Dueling Darling 2 cards (and hopefully some words about our fabulous leader, too):

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Jeanette - that's me

Kelly

Lorraine - SCS Gallery

Terry

Tracie

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only things I used other than what was in the kit was some CS (Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip) and dies (MFT Stitched Rectangles and MFT Stitched Tag-Corner Square).