A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

May 1, 2013

WOYWW #204; LIM Sketch; His and Hers

Happy May Day WOYWWers and All!

I only have one thing to say as you gander at my desk:


 I am out of control.

Seriously.Out.Of.Control!

I mean it's on my floor, people!!

You can see what happens when I have an ongoing thank-you-card-make going on, homework to do for an online class, and (ahem) new stamps to break apart and organize.  Okay, I broke my promise about not buying more stamps until all my current stamps were used once.  I'm not perfect and, you know, a lot of you guys are expert enablers! 

That astounding sponged and colored and layered black card you see on my desk is a card I received from my friend, Christine, of Chris's Ramblings.  Thank you, Chris!  The other cards hither and yon are cards I made and mentioned in earlier posts.
 
(BTW, have you ever wondered why the Earl gets a special word we all use all the time, but none of the others guys get one?  We don't say, "I came by lordier."  Certainly I've never said, "I dialed your cell phone dukier and left a message."  These are just little curiosities that amuse the hamster in my head.)

After today's post, I am checking myself into the local chapter of Overstampers Anon E. Mouse.  I have already started a maximum dosage of Ben A. Drill to deal with the hives and tics I am experiencing.  I can't find a bleeping thing.  I managed to do okay on my homework (below) for today's online class, but I spent way too much time just moving stuff around and searching for things.  I'll be back next week, still abnormal, don't worry, but neatness will be restored. 
 
If you would like to share your desk and what you are working on, please go to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday to join in the hop!  At the site you will meet our brilliant hostess, Julia, and she'll give you all the details you need.
 
As always, thank you for popping in here for a visit.  If you can't stay for the homework, please wheel to the bottom and let me know you came by so that I can return the flavor.  As many of you know, sometimes that takes me all week!!
 
~~~
 
Online Card Classes Pattern Play
This is the second day of the "His & Hers" class from Online Card Classes.  Another wonderful series of videos was presented!  I highly recommend it!
 
For my first card, a "Hers" card, I used the excellent sketch that Chrissie and Jen have this week at the Less Is More challenge.
 
 
The sketch is drawn by Jen and it's going in my "Go-To Sketches" folder!  Thank you, Jen!
 
 
Okay, so my first card is a not-very-good CASE of Jennifer McGuire's class card.  Using a petal stamp, she made incredible His & Hers stamped rainbow flower cards.  I do not have a petal stamp (darn it) appropriate to recreate what she did, but I plan to fix that little inhibition so I can try this soon! 
 
In the meantime, I "inked" a fun splatty blossom stamp from Judi-Kins using markers, spritzed it, and stamped it on watercolor paper.  The sentiment from GKW was inked onto clear vellum and wrapped around the sides like Jennifer showed us.
 
Here you go:


~~~
 
For my "His" card, I pretty much prezactly CASEd Cristina Kowalczyk's outstanding guy card.  Cristina showed us how to make our own colored vellum paper, but being short of time and having colored vellum paper, I used it this time.
 
 
You will note that the "Happy Birthday" sentiment on the "Hers" card above is a very feminine cursive script.  One way to make a guy card a "guy" card, is to use a sentiment that is not a cursive script.  Seeing as how the only die-cut "Happy" I have is cursive script, however, I went ahead and used it.  I'm thinking the non-cursive "Birthday" under it (again, on wrapped-around vellum) mans up the card.  Or no?
 
The star is there to cover up the stupid adhesive, which some manufacturer should have by now figured out how to make disappear behind vellum, IMHO, spoken in my best grumpy gramma voice.
 
~~~
 
I hope to see you tomorrow with more homework.  But right now, I'm off to blow the lid off the Playhouse!  I hope you enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*!
 
*Life Is Too Short!
 

72 comments:

Sandy said...

OMG thought I was in the wrong playhouse have aliens landed and taken over to play.. LOL...
Love the messyness lots of creativeness happening bet you are having loads of fun.. Love your cards they are awesome and the one on your desk how wonderful.
Happy WOYWW
Sandy :)

Candace said...

Oh I so NEED a playhouse!

Have a great week

Candace #58

tilly said...

2 great cards and those are good tips with the script!
Tilly

roffeycreations said...

Such nice fresh his & hers cards Darnell... oh and thanks for mentioning Chris's Ramblings - I popped on over and was blown away by her last few Floral Card posts -Oh and I have taken the plunge to follow WOYWW with Julia - Mxx

Cathy said...

Gorgeous cards, Thankyou so much for sharing your homework with us. I'd love to do a class but don't think I can fit it in! It's so lovely to see what you do though :) Cathy x

Andrea said...

LOL I hope you get of the floor soon.. you did make me LOL. love the cards especially the burst of colour on the hers card its ace and was a bonus to get such along post I know what you mean re purchases its so hard to resist with so many beautiful products that we 'need'. Have a fab week and look forward to seeing more homework hugs Andrea x #73

Helen said...

Yay, welcome to the floor.... it's a useful place to play... Have a lovely week. Helen 3

Carole said...

Thanks for sharing the pics of your working space and beautiful cards, the cards are perfect and your desk is like mine! I'm putting stuff away next!!! C x

shazsilverwolf said...

Great cards, and fantastic workspace shot!. By the way, are you sure its Overstampers Anon E Mouse, and not House Mouse? rofl! Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #81

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab makes but I have to say you are not out of control, just normal crafter with a sense of duty to create! Take care Zo xx 77

The Scrapbook Lady UK said...

i have just looked at the outside of your playhouse.. can i have one too! happy woyww jenx 90

Lisa-Jane said...

I think it is our right to take over every single available inch of space for our crafts, otherwise it doesn't get used does it? Better to be used I say ;-)

ike said...

Oh - so lovin' the Playhouse and your 'Lordier' and Dukier' made me snort coffee !!! Hysterical. :-D
Happy WOYWW.
Nice to meet you
IKE xxxx
# 93

Sue said...

WOW!!! Wonderful stylish cards Darnell, fabulous designs and colours.
I am glad I'm not the only person who has not kept promise about not buying more stamps until all my current stamps were used once.
Sue xx

cm said...

Hi Darnell, your Playhouse is fabulous (want one!) and as for 'messy' - well, we know the saying, a messy desk is the sign of an active mind! Your His and Hers cards are wonderful; love the petals on the Her card and hes, the cursive script works perfectly well on the His card. You've done an awesome job with your homework. As for the stamp situation, ummm, is there room in your Overstampers Anon E. Mouse course for me, please? I'm about to order more today. Time to post my assignments, then head to work. Have a great day! See you in "class."
c

Marie said...

Love your interpretation of the sketch and the great color palette. The overloaded work area and the 'no more new stamps' mantra, makes us kindred spirits!

Anonymous said...

Fresh and crisp and precise and just gorgeous, Darnell ... I'm so enjoying your 'homework' from this class! Anita :)

ria gall said...

oh my goodness I took one look at your desk and thought you had had a break in, I have never seen your workspace like that.
I love the two cards you have made, a really simple layout but you have made it pop
Happy WOYWW and enjoy the rest of the week, I hope you get some crafting time
Ria #113

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, I was not sure it was your place at first! This is not like you at all - but I guess by the time you read this you will have tidied up! Loving your fabulous cards, especially the male one. Not joining in today - one word - Builders!!! Hugs, Annie x

susibee said...

My floor is part of my creative space sometimes too Lol!

Enjoy the rest of WOYWW. Susi #65

Craftychris said...

Thank you so much for showing my card on your desk and being so nice about it! I feel very honoured indeed! Your post had me laughing as always! You guy card is definitely 'man' enough and I love the girl card too. I couldn't manage WOYWW this week. Take care, Christine xx

Happy Dance said...

What mess??!! Looks just like my craft room--a work of wonder... Your cards are fabulous. Love the vellum on both cards, and how you've used the splatty blossom. Great colors and both are just so much fun. ttfn. Bev

Tracey McNeely said...

You did good n your homework again Darnell, fabulous cards!

Lin said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell - I'm so pleased to see more people using vellum! Your masculine version is a great design - I'm pinning it for future reference!

Joyce said...

Your cards are brilliant, and your desk--yikes! You clearly thrive on chaos. I am just so envious of that amazing window right over your desk--super source of natural light.

Karen said...

Wonderful cards on your CAS assignment! It's always more difficult to make 'male' cards. Love your cute hamster too..I think I have one of those too. Karen 133 x

Unknown said...

I love your cards. Don't be too hard on yourself, non of us have EVER kept the "I not buying anything new until I use what I have". Happy Crafting #10

jimlynn said...

Darnell, these cards are awesome!!! WOW! Love both!
Lynn

Bobby said...

Yay! You got your homework done. I didn't. :( I was too busy making my LIM card that didn't quite go with the lesson. It's difficult for me to always do these cards when they focus on stamping - I have very few stamps, mostly sentiments. I love how you did the blossom with markers. It worked great!

Lunch Lady Jan said...

And WHY does a Duke have a Duchess, a Marquis has his Marchioness, a Lord has his Lady but an Earl has a Countess????? Did he need help with his arithmetic....you see, my hamster works overtime too........ :)
Hugs, LLJ 26 xxxx

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. Two fab cards ... love them both. Definitely the un-script birthday on the second card does "man-it-up". Love the layering of the vellum shapes - geometrically speaking, that is :) Loll xx

Maisie Moonshine said...

Your post made me smile - I daren't show photos of my floor - I'm so ashamed! Love your cards, simple but full of impact. Have a great week - Hope your time in stampers re-hab helps! MMx #56

Bobby said...

I meant to mention when I was here before - I use a Glue Arts tape gun and wonder of wonders their tape doesn't show under vellum.

Inkyfingers said...

You have to break eggs to make an omelette Darnelle, so I wouldn't worry about the mess. I'll send in a search party if you don't post for more that few days! I love the cards you made for the first 2 days of classes. I'm playing catch up as usual but I'll maybe see you in class!

Ali H said...

Oh my - looking at your creative mess makes me feel my desk isn't so bad after all !! Looks like your card classes are very inspiring ! Have fun with them ! Ali #4

Julia Dunnit said...

Out Of Control1 On the FLOOOOOR! Oh my, you've surpassed my expectations! Even I don't resort to the floor..it causes me to get off my erm, chair! Love your cards, CASEd, copied, inspired..however.

Bonnie said...

That watercolor flower is gawgeous! Whenever I try that technique, I end up with a mess. Need to try more. And the cursive sentiment is perfect! The diecut happy isn't too feminine. I think it's perfect in size and shape! I'll give you another A+.

Jules said...

:) Love your homework. Especially love the His card. Really nice stuff!. Jules No57

Bonnie said...

Oh, how in the world do you use the Big Shot on the floor?

Nan G said...

From such mess comes some beautiful cards! Happy WOYWW! Nan G #5

shirley-bee said...

Top of the class, Grumpy Gramma! Love the male card, and the cursive happy works for me :)

Aileen said...

Still not as bad as my space and I've tidied! My big shot lives on the floor too when in use!

Another two fabby cards. Love the rainbow splash and the geometric look on the second. x

Unknown said...

The hamster in my head LURVES your cards! :)

Kim S said...

It's a snowy day here and I decided to treat myself to a day of cards...and I got nowhere. I finally decided that I had to waste some of my special day on stamping new stamps into my stamp index notebooks and cutting new dies for the my die index. (Yes...I'm obsessively organized.) It took forever - but when it all got done - I put out a card in about 1/2 an hour. Sadly, the kids are already home and my quiet time is over - but I'm clean and ready for the next time.

I so love what you came up with. Love the bold shapes on each!

Carol L said...

I'm really digging your homework cards today! The masculine version with vellum really grabbed my attention with the shapes and colors! I never would have considered making a card for a man with vellum, but it works so well!!! NJ in your chaotic crafting room :)

Chrissie said...

These both look great Darnell, I really like the sentiment on vellum, I really should use it more! These look terrific!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Carole said...

You have described my feelings when dealing with the chaos I create when crafting....toooooooo much stuff. It blows my mind.
We can all learn from you taking classes. They both look great. I love the bold purple and the splats of color. Be well Darnell

alexandra s.m. said...

You crack me up every single time Darnell!
Thank You for that and for sharing your gorgeous cards with us ;-)

Vickie Z said...

Girl.. These are both wonderful!! Love the colored blossom and the "boys" need a little cursive now and then!! As to stuff on the floor....GUILTY....GUILTY... All the time I'm afraid!!

Kim Heggins said...

Fabby cards Darnell and your desk is way out of control!!! Love to see that I am not the only who needs to find more space that happens to be the floor. Good luck with your homework too and looking forward to seeing your next lesson.

Geri said...

You're crazy girl! How do you think of these hilarious things to say? I really gotta get me one of them hamsters!

Like Bonnie, I'm also kinda wondering how you use your Big Shot on the floor?

Fabulous cards! Don't you just LOVE the texture of the watercolor paper? Makes the image look so artsy! Beautiful script sentiment - love the different colors!

The guy card is totally he-man worthy, sentiment and all! The block font on 'birthday' completely maintains the testosterone level of this card - so no worries here!

Pallavi said...

You've got a lovely craft room with a lot of light. I really like your cards and the happy cut out. Happy WOYWW

Viv said...

Fabulous cards again Darnell, my craft room looks somewhat like yours atm. too.I have been known to use my Cuttlebug on the floor and finish a card in the tiny one inch space I have left near my keyboard.Loved the 'Lordy' thing but as my head is still suffering from this horrid cold virus thingummy it took me a while to understand just what you were talking about.You are as crazy as I am it seems !Happy crafting( cough... splutter....cough):)Won't send you a hug as you might get what I've got! Viv xx

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can sympathize with you, Darnell. I can mess up an entire room making one card. I sometimes can't believe it!! Your cards are great, and I think your HIS card cursive is manly enough to pass...Thanks for sharing with your peeps:)

mjbest said...

LOL. Looks like my workspace. I've just finished a wall decor project and haven't put everything away yet. Whenever I leave my bigshot on the floor, I'm always afraid that I will forget it's there and trip over it.
Love the simplicity of your cards. They look fabulous as your work always does. Thanks for sharing.

Carole Z said...

Ha! This looks just like my craft room..had to step over things to get to my computer this morning! I didn't get time to take part on WOYWW this week even! Love your cards, Carole Z X

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Wauuu-stunning,
hugs Tamara

Unknown said...

wow lots and lots going on!
Karen #52

Sian Ridley said...

Darnell, girl! Brilliant! I may be alone in this...but I am loving that your playroom is a mess for once!! That's what my workbench looks like after I make ONE CARD!! I think I'm a more visual person - it has to be out and I have to try every possible combination before I can commit to the final decision - therefore everything comes out!

I love these cards! The watercolour flower is just so pretty and the cursive script on the guy card is perfectly in balance with the more masculine font below and, of course, the 'boy' colours - it is, undeniably, a boy card :)

I absolutely loved your most recent comment on my blog, it had me chuckling away! I also am a fan of big words that have fallen out of everyday use - let's bring 'em all back!! :)

Vicky Hayes said...

Hello lovely Darnell! Oh by the way, I think there might have been one or two bits of stash you didn't bring out...! Very excited about the pretty multi-coloured flower and loving the vellum 'His' card too - like you, I get a bit grumpy about glue and vellum. We've put a man on the moon for crying out loud - and that was AGES ago! Vicky x

Anonymous said...

Hi, Darnell! Yes, you are out of control, but in a good way, that WOYWWers fully approve of. ha, ha Looks like you're having fun with the online card class. I think a classy script font can go either way, depending on the design of the rest of the card. Just my humble opinion. Happy WOYWW from Laura #105

Anonymous said...

Fabby cards Darnell-i love those bright colours-and the vellum looks perfect.As for being out of control-we all get a little like that every now and again my friend LOL!!
Hugs,Nessa xx

Jenni's Jems said...

These are terrific Darnell I'm loving these and loving too the comments you left on my blog and if you bear with me and I can rope in my kids or hubby I will e-mail you the digi stamp that I used after all a fellow blogger passed it onto me so if can I will do the same!and a digi stamp isn't really another stamp is it! x

April said...

I cannot believe my eyes! A messy playhouse - UNTHINKABLE! I'm glad you've joined the rest of us slobs. LOL See what beautiful things you created in that mess - you should be messy more often. April #122
P.S. I think the guy card is very masculine.

sara j said...

So what? You're just not getting to the floor? I couldn't live without the floor. LOL. And I KNOW i couldn't keep myself from buying stamps until I used all the ones I own at least once...uh oh. I might be....out of control too!! Oh well. Could be a lot worse.
Love your writing, your desk and your cards. Have a great week.
Sara J #22

Unknown said...

It's a great space and I use the floor too! 'Seriously Out of Control' is what makes us awesome! Thanks for sharing and a belated Happy Woyww Liz@55

JD/ Jill said...

Terrific cards! Really like how you did them. I have to confess that my craft room was totally out of control too. So I spent a good part of this week cleaning up my craft room (Of course, I didn't get much card making done) The sad thing is...it won't stay looking neat and tidy long...one card...and it will probably be out of control again...

okienurse said...

Wish I could see my floor on good days! I have so much stuff and not good organization if the truth be told! I could use more shelves and plastic storage boxes. Thanks for visiting my desk and leaving a nice comment...Vickie #41

Kelly Griglione said...

I feel like I'm in the busiest deli in town ... number 70?!? Wow, good thing I don't have to wait that long! ANYway, LOVE, love, LOVE your masculine card with the vellum shapes, Darnell! And thank goodness you didn't own any vellum tape ... that star adds such a nice dimension and quirkiness to your otherwise very graphic card. Quick, find a challenge to enter it in!!!

Sue from Oregon said...

hehehe...I think we might be twinsies! Yep, pretty sure of it!

AB. said...

I LOVE THESE CARDS!!!!!!!!!!! So colourful and the use of vellum is genius! :)

Neet said...

What a fabulous post you have just sent. Well, not "just" as you did it last week but I have only just come across it because I have been away.

Well Darnell, if you are out of control with that degree of "untidiness" (not) then I don't know what you would say if you saw mine today.

Thanks for visiting me earlier and sorry I am so late. Hugs, Neet xx