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!

August 9, 2013

Lotta Candy Canes ~ FFC #14; MM #69; NBUS #34

Hello Friends!

Sure nuf, we whooshed right back around again!

I have a whole lot of stripey brightness for you today and a whole lot of NBUS (never-before-used schtuff).  I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, so my first card was made Wednesday night.  (I don't want you to think I can work all day and come home and make two cards in one night.  I'm not a young Snapper of Whips like so many of you; I feel like a cape Ed crusader just getting one done in an evening!)

The current challenge at Festive Friday is an "element challenge" where the element is candy canes:

I love, love, love the red and white of sweet candy canes on a Christmas card, so I had to play along.  I made this:
I started by layering stripes of my red and white striped Washi tape on an angle across the card front.  I trimmed it all around.  Next I adhered a slightly smaller white card panel over the top of the Washi tape.  I added the NBUS candy canes from the PTI "Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers" stamp set.  Don't they look so real and lickable?  I colored them with Prismacolor pencils. 
 
In my ancient vellum stash, I found this delectable Christmas green polka dot sheet.  One single sheet.  Dared I cut it?  Yes, I dared.  LITS, people!  And anysnizzle, what kind of a movement leader would I be if I didn't lead by example?!  I also used a NBUS die from Paper Smooches called "Crystal Clear 1" to die cut my jar to hold my candy canes.
 
I attached the jar with a tiny dot of Glossy Accent right where my bow center was going to be.  I tied my bow and attached it with another tiny dot of GA.  Finally I applied GA to the red sections of the canes.
I flipped the sediment position and used my sediment from the same PTI set to top off the card. 

Some people use yoga to develop good breathing techniques.  I wait until I have prepared every other detail of my card, hold my breath, and then apply my sediment.  And then I breath again.  I figure after stamping as long as I have, I could dive for scuba for eight and a half minutes without a snorkeler.
 
~~~
 
I had so much fun with the red, white, and candy, I made another card last night.  This time I used Lesley's wonderful sketch for the current Merry Monday challenge:
and I made this:
For this card I used horizontal NBUS Washi tape that I just got in from Simon Says Stamp, applying it up one side and down the other.  Also NBUS and also from Simon is the triple circle die I used, called "Tri Circle."
 
After I die-cut the circles, I traced around them with a pencil, opened the card and triple-stamped the candy cane from a 1995 SU! set of unknown name.  I thought the circles needed a little oomph (a technical stamping term), so I cut out and applied the in-between layers of my not-NBUS Spellbinders Nestie "Standard Circles Small" die.
 
I added a wee sparkle to the candy cane bows with my Sakura "Clear Star" pen.
It's a really cute card, but honestly it's not that practical as far as holiday cards are concerned.  You couldn't write a whole lot inside, so this card would have to be for (a) if you don't have any snews, (b) that sweet friend you see all year long, or (c) your 94-year-old Aunt Charlotte who doesn't read so well anymore anyway and who will simply get a kick out of getting a card with holes in it.

(No she won't.  She'll poke around it with her fingers and think some bleeping words you didn't even know she knew!)
 
~~~

But, boy, do I get a kick out of introducing you to new stamping friends!  Please join me in warmly welcoming Sandy Leigh of Eat. Write. Dream. Stitch!  Don't you love what she has as her number one priority?  She's our kind of girl!  You will be amazed at all the creative inspiration and enthusiasm for life she has on her blog!  Welcome, Sandy, and thank you for joining us!
 
~~~
 
Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 
 
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!
 
 
*Life Is Too Short!   

Not mentioned above:

Paper:  PTI white; Su! real red
Ink:  SU! real red
Twine by "Doodle Twine"
Vertical Washi from "Freckled Fawn"

48 comments:

Sammy said...

Both cards are gorgeous Darnell! And I am impressed with your ability to cut into a single sheet of something pretty. I'm still struggling with that particular issue!

Unknown said...

Super, fun cards Darnell. You're doing a great job of using your NBUS - must try and do the same with my mountain of stash!

Jessi Fogan said...

I love the angled washi on the first card! And I have that jar set - I am impaired at using it, though. Must try again. I also love the idea of the holes in the second card, mostly for the description of poor old Auntie Charlotte, lol.
And, finally, I never thought of that adding sentiment last as a yoga-type breathing technique. I do that too! See, I *am* calm & relaxed. Honestly.

Redanne said...

Wow Darnell, not only do you do full days at work but you produce the most fabulous cards too! Love the red and white washi one, the candy canes just scream Christmas and the vellum jar is amazing. The holey one would be great for me to send, don't like writing too much in my cards........ Fabulous cards!! Hugs, Annie xx

Mrs Harry said...

Gosh, you have been working hard Darnell. I say work, we know it's a labour of love and mainly a de-stressing technique. These cards are just so festive. We don't seem to do candy canes so much over here, but I love your cards. I can think of so many other items that could peep through the holes, Santa and his reindeer, wise men shephards and baby Jesus. The list goes on. I shall have a play tonight.
Thanks for sharing, as always. Pat x

Penny Ward said...

I clicked on your blog from a comment you made on mine...had never seen your name as a commenter, so I was curious. I am SO glad I did!!! Your cards are gorgeous and oh so publication worthy and your blog is JUST TOO WONDERFUL! Have joined as a follower, hope you will join mine also. Now following you on Bloglovin because you and I girlfriend are sisters of another mother...you just know how to put it into words! Love Love Love your humor (and your Playhouse)!!!
hugs,
Penny

www.pennywardink.com

Carol L said...

Fun cards with a pepperminty flair! I love that vellum "jar" too! Just try to find a candy cane in the stores now whydoncha?!

Ardyth said...

Great cards - can't decide which I like better - I was tempted to add some green to my card to make it more Christmassy, but I love the clean feeling of just the red and white as well! Thanks for playing with us at Festive Friday!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, I know I have said it before but I have to let you know how much I enjoy reading your posts, you always make me chuckle!
Your candy cane cards are wonderful. I love the use of vellum on the first card and the cut out holes on the second is such a great design.
I hope you have a good weekend
Sue xx

Notes by Nina said...

Fabulous card Darnell, I love the candy canes. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday this week.

Karen Petitt said...

So far I have managed very well not to succumb to buying the current Washi phenomennon - but these make me want to buy some! Both are gorgeous but I do love a candy cane especially if I get to eat it lol! You could write a sentiment on the back in large letters for the rude old biddy lol! Karen x

Nancy Penir said...

Candy cane washi? Too clever. Bet that's a great textural element in person. Got to check out that other Christmas card blog. Thanks for the heads up. And both cards are winners. Lovin the punch outs!

Craftychris said...

Both these are wonderful! xx

JD/ Jill said...

Cute and creative, as Always. You have been such a good influence on me...I have used more NBUS stuff these last couple of weeks...than in the whole year last year!!!
In fact, I posted a card on my blog last evening that I had actually started 5 years ago...and I finally finished it!!!!! Just a bit late!!!

Colleen said...

Love both your candy canes cards, Darnell...we were thinking along the same lines!! Of course that is about the only candy cane stamp I have other than Tiny Treats!! TGIF, maybe you can get some more cards made this weekend! I am heading up to Seattle to visit my BFF for 5 days and have a family reunion. You can bet Linda and I will be making cards!!

Jacquie Southas said...

I practice the same stamping/breathing technique Darnell and always have a plan B if I'm stamping directly on the card base - you know, the "wouldn't a little label die cut with the sentiment look better here" to cover up the oops! Love the way you framed the circle cut-outs on the second card!

Lisa Elton said...

Lovin all of the candy canes and stripes Darnell!! The second card is my fave, cute design!!

Miriam Prantner said...

Wonderful cards! I love the green mason jar using vellum and the sweet little windows on the second are just right!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

OH, you really got carried away with those candy canes - great cards, love everyone of them, but the first with the vellum I like best! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog!

jimlynn said...

Well, let's see.....I love candy canes and love candy cane stripes - so I'm loving your cards totally! So cute and festive. Really like that design you used on the second card.
Lynn

shirley-bee said...

Seems like stamp yoga is common practice amongst many of us! Especially if there's any glitter involved :)

Fab cards - I love the thought of Aunt Charlotte poking her fingers through it!

cm said...

I love stripes, especially candy cane stripes - and the ones on your cards are FABULOUS! Another excellent post; your 'breathe in aaannndddd out' stamping yoga technique is brilliant! I get the breath in part fine, and wind up holding it far too long. Blue in the face - that's me! You've brightened my day yet again. Off to check if my mobile crafting unit has anything Christmas-themed in it! Feeling Darnell-inspired!
c

Unknown said...

Your are too funny, I could totally picture old Aunt Charlotte poking the holes…. Or Uncle Pervicible making inappropriate comments. I think both cards are wonderful. I can't believe it's that time of year already. I am not ready to think of the Jolly fat guy yet. Shh, don't tell my DH I said that. Kidding… Seriously I think your cards and your post are delightful. I'd be proud to hang either card on my wall. Have a great weekend. (((HUGS)))
Kimmie

Marybeth said...

I have a lot of catching up to do as I have been out of town.
Love that tri circle die and your beautiful CAS card Darnell. You candy cane card with the green vellum is very sweet too…. Off to see what I missed while I was gone.

Happy Dance said...

Very sweet! Love the circle-y one, and green mason jars???!!! Darn clever my girl, darn clever. You always come up with the most brilliant ideas. Fun cards! Bev

Unknown said...

Two brilliant cards Dippy but I just love your holey candy cane card - such fun. Weird, but I do that hold my breath stuff when I put my sediment on.....great minds think alike! hehe

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

April said...

Loving the three circles with the candy canes. That can be used for so many things. :-) I will be CASEing that card. The candy canes in a jar is a cutie too. I just can't bring myself to make Christmas cards yet. I work better under pressure. ;-)
April

Deepti said...

Lovely creations, I like the idea of putting candy canes in the jar :) and the red and white in the second card is perfection :)

Joyce said...

These are both just wonderful. I love candy canes, and how fun to see them on a card when it is so hot outside right now. I am beginning to think we have a lot in common--you have an awful lot of NBUS...

Anonymous said...

Love the washi & stamp set on the 1st card... I've always wanted those fillers sets!! :)) :)) They are fab!
Your coloring is awesome & they do look good enough to eat!! :))

On the 2nd card -- the layout is fantastic !!
The whole card just pops!!
Perfection!! :)) :))
Xo

Greta said...

Fun, fun cards, Darnell!

Linda said...

Darnell,
Both of your cards are so pretty. I love the red and white. They just pop.

Tera Callihan said...

Good morning! I'm glad you where able to get the follow thing to work, I actually thought i already followed you, but i must have done it wrong, or blogger was having an off day :D. Am for sure now! BTW I love these two cards! very cute!! Happy weekend!

Kim M said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell! That's funny about us both using the washi tape in similar ways. LOL. Great minds think alike right?! :-). Anyway, I love the glossy accents on your candy canes in the jar. :-)

Denise Price said...

Both cards are gorgeous! I especially like the way you used washi, vellum, and (of course) those adorable stamps. Now I need to go eat something peppermint flavored... :)

Kelly Griglione said...

Hahaha, how thoughtful of you to make a card with just pictures for old Aunty who can't read anymore! Or it could be for the young ones who don't know how to read yet. My, the similarities between the old and the young!

Love how you cut into your ancient vellum stash, it was so worth it for your jar! You are indeed a figurehead for this movement : )

scrappymo! said...

Great cards as always!
Love the crisp look of the red and white!

Bonnie said...

Candy canes are fun. And delicious. And both of these cards are too! I love the holes with the candy canes peeping through! I think Aunt Charlotte would consider the source and probably giggle a little!

Leigh Penner said...

These are both great! Your first one is such a great take on the photo!

alexandra s.m. said...

Great post Darnell and I love the two cards...
now I'm craving a peppermint stick!
Thank You~

Allisa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Allisa said...

Love your candy cane cards! You are a brave sole adding the sentiment to your cards last! Thanks for playing with us at Merry Monday!

Unknown said...

well now! aren't these sweet! The triple window card is my fave...perfection!

Susan Joyce said...

Lovin' all those stripes Darnell, sweet cards. Thanks for playing at Merry Monday this week.

Meredith MacRitchie said...

I was pretty excited about the jar on the first card until I saw the second card - and now I can't decide which one I like best! Both of them are so awesome, and I am so glad you shared them with us at Festive Friday this week, Darnell!

Brenda "Disney Girl" said...

Super cute cards! I am a new follower to your blog. Always fun to find another crafting blog:-)

Julie said...

Two great cards Darnell. Sweet work!!!

Geri said...

Two sweet, SWEET cards, Darnell!!! Love the glossy accents you added to those big dudes...they DO look lick-able!!! And the bit of sparkle/shine you added to the tiny ones...sweet little detail. And the stripes and cirles in your design on that one look so striking (...as a great candy cane card should!) And just so you know...MY Aunt Charlotte would NEVER think those words...I'm almost SURE of it!!! I've been loving your creations for Festive Friday...so happy you're joining us!!!