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!

September 25, 2014

PTI September 2014 Blog Hop and Rudolph Day

Happy Day to you!

Lots going on today, so I'll get right t'wit! It is the 25th of the month so two of my favorite blogs have featured events happening!

First up is the September 2014 Blog Hop Challenge {capture the moment} hosted by Nichole to showcase Papertrey Ink (PTI) products. This week we had wonderful inspirations to guide us. I used the colors and came up with this:

The paper is PTI enchanted evening and soft stone. The inks are enchanted evening and autumn rose. The sediment is from the PTI set "Cutting Garden." The watering can is from an unknown SU set, and the cool pussy willow stamp is from an out-of-business company. After I masked the watering can, we held up the local liquor store. Then I stamped the single stalk three times and colored them with markers. I took some creative license with the coloring.

You'll find lots of wonderful creations in this hop!! Here is the gorgeous photo that inspired the hop today:
Inspiration photoBlog-hop-logoSimon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog


I am also entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge of "Stencils and Stamps."

~~~

I feel in love with the blackberry and raspberry tones in the photo so I made these two Christmas cards to enter into Sarn's "Rudolph Day" challenge on her blog, Stamping for Pleasure:
The papers are PTI white, enchanted evening, and autumn rose. (The mitten colors became darker and brighter after I glossed them with Dimensional Magic.) The dies are from PTI. The e/f is Sizzix Textured Impressions (Dots #5). The mittens are from WPlus9 "Winter Wishes."

I'm also entering my Christmas cards in:

GRAB OUR BADGE!Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog
You can find all the rules, sponsors, and prize information by clicking on the challenge links.

~~~

New Friends Corner

Here are five more talented card artists waiting patiently to be introduced to all of you! I've ordered extra chairs and another case of the Pinot Grigio. Go ahead and kick off your shoes!

WG Burgoyne of No Blank Space. I can't tell you any details about William, like how long he has been blogging or any of the other facts we so often share, because he keeps his blog clean and minimalist in order for all the focus to be on his incredible works of card art. It's a joy to visit him!

Beebeebabs of Beebeebabs. Like William, Beebeebabs doesn't put personal information on her side bars, but I looked back far enough to know she has been blogging for at least a year which means you'll find a lot of inspiration. She loves to enter her wonderful CAS cards in challenges and her coloring skills are exceptional!

Stella Schenkel of A Little Bit of the Things I Enjoy. Stella is from the Netherlands and she has been blogging since 2010. In addition to making cards, Stella enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, and quilting. Please allow plenty of time for your visit as you'll find post after post of impeccably-made and award-winning CAS card art!

Karen Ladd. Karen does not have a blog, but she does post her gorgeous cards on Flickr. If that link doesn't take you to her photostream, then just go to Flickr.com and do a search under her name to locate all the inspiration she shares!

Pink Unicorn of Invisible Pink Cards. Pink has only had her dedicated card blog since January of this year. Prior to that, she commingled her beautiful cards with her other major interest of food and cooking. You can find those cards and lots of yummy recipes on Invisible Pink Food which she started in 2012. Pink is a scientist who is obviously well in touch with her artistic side! Her other interests are shoes and, as you might have guessed, anything pink! Please welcome Pink to this wonderful community of card artists!

Thank you all for joining and welcome to the Playhouse!!

Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)~~~

The NBUS Challenge ends TODAY, in just a few hours! It looks like the entries will be close to 300, if not over 300! I am filled with appreciation for your support and participation!! Thank you to all who have entered!! I will post the winners at noon PDT on Sunday, September 28th! Good luck!

~~~

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!

Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!

 
*Life Is Too Short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:
Click CTL + Home. 
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
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Mwah!

103 comments:

Joyce said...

Killer post today, Darnell. Love your blog hop card--so perfect as a sympathy card. And, your other 2 cards are just so darn fun.

conil said...

LOVVE this color combo...certainly one I'd never thought of. That watering can card is so cleverly designed. Those pussy willows are purring at me.

Marilyn said...

Love, love, love these cards!
Sympathy cards have to be the hardest ones to do but yours is so elegant and really, it says it all.
The other two are so cute and fun and I like them too!

Leigh Penner said...

Great cards, Darnell! I especially love the first one -- wonderful take on the inspiration photo!

Becca Cruger said...

What a beautiful, crisp sympathy card! I love the punch of glitter you sprinkled on. Just lovely.

Diana K said...

Love these, Darnell. Especially how you recreated the berries with the first card.

Becky said...

What gorgeous cards Darnell.

Kristie Goulet said...

LOVE these, Darnell! Awesome!

Nancy Penir said...

Perfection in the masking dept.! Awards later. Can you believe my comment is in the top 10??? Usually in the bottom 100's!

Kathyk said...

FAB makes missus!

Happy Thursday

Kathyk

Sue said...

Loving the cards.

I have had far too many Sympathy cards to send out recently. Must confess I have bought most, as never sure how to do them, but yours is perfect.

Hope you have had a nice day and tomorrow is even better.

Redanne said...

I hope you got some good stuff from the liquor store raid!! Seriously though, your cards are both beautiful, the pussy willows on the first one are so beautifully coloured and I love the colours you used on your second card. It is delightful! Big hugs, Annie xx

Birgit said...

Fabulous cards! Love the watering can, so serene and perfect for that type of card. Great masking and (whisper)... hope you don't get caught!

oldpunca said...

I enjoy every time when I visit your blog. The cards that you have prepared today, are very nice. I love the simplicity in your christmas cards. :-)
Hugs from the other part of the world, Sonja

Jacee said...

Lovely cards Darnell, fab work.
Hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love all the cards you featured today. Great colors together too!

Greta said...

Great job of masking on the first card--lovely sympathy card! Your Christmas cards are so festive--love them! Enjoy your day, Darnell!

Pat said...

Great cards, Darnell. And it makes sense to find some place to hold-up once you get the mask on!

LesleyG said...

always fun, and fab cards too! xxx

Lynn said...

Okay...I'll admit to being slow...and was wondering why you held up the liquor store. :) Love that watering can...the detail is fabulous.

Janeen said...

i love love love the mittens cards. i have lots of NBUS schtuffs, just never seem to get them posted. :)

Patti J said...

Ugh....I don't even want to THINK about mittens yet! lol... Love all of your cards, Darnell, even the mitten ones! I especially love the sympathy card - those are the most difficult for me! Thanks for sharing!

1CardCreator said...

Gorgeous cards, love the embossing with the mittens, just too cute! ~Diane

Renee said...

They're all fabulously perfect for this challenge...
love that first one...
simply beautiful!
And perfect for the occasion...
which sympathy is the hardest one.

Helen F. said...

Fab Blog Hop card, Darnell. Masking the watering can (why didn't I think of that with my vase card?) was brilliant.
Love love love the mitten cards ~ too cute :) Now I have to look for that EF cause it looks so much more like snow than my ol' Swiss Dots folder!

Barb Ghig said...

Wait a minute...you held up a local liquor store??? You are too funny!!! I guess with all that intricate work you needed a stiff drink :)

Your watering can is GORGEOUS, Darnell! Such an elegant design and beautiful coloring on this card, and I love this sentiment, too!

I love how you paired your die cuts with those darling mittens on your Christmas cards...so sweet, and your snowy background is perfection!

Thanks so much for another fun post...I always enjoy stopping by to see what you're up to!

Gerrina said...

Okay, unmasked (çause that reads and laughs a lot easier) and holding up just my teacup I had so much fun again reading your post! Thanks!
These are tree great CaS-cards! Love mittens, beautiful branches and blue so think they are all top! Hugs, Gerrina

Barb Ghig said...

In all my excitement about you getting away with holding up a liquor store, I completely forgot to thank you for playing along with us at ATSM this week! Hugs ~ Barb

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell. I especially love the delicate design for the sympathy card. I must admit, it did take me a while to understand about the masked watering can holding up the liquor store!
Hugs Sue xx

Kathleen said...

Three gorgeous card, love the way you have done the watering can and the stems look really real.
Great RD cards too, love the colours and the embossing folder.

Kath x

Deepti said...

Delightful cards!! way to use the inspiration photo colors :) Thank you for sharing with ATSM !

Jean said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, I love the pussy willow one, great masking and stamping. The mitten christmas cards are fun too, I like the die cut words.
Jean x

Liz said...

Beautiful cards. I especially love the image on the first one - lovely sentiment too. x

Kay Miller said...

Oooooooh your PTI card is stunning Darnell! Just lovely! The Christmasy one is darling too! Love the embossed snowflakes with the bright bold "merry"!

Lindsey said...

Beautiful cards all! Definitely a fine colour combo.

cm said...

So you "masked the watering can" and held up the liquor store... bwhahahahahahaha! Snigger, snort! Tooo hilarious! Your cards are delight: soft and pretty for the sympathy; festive and bright for Christmas. Cute mittens!
Hugs~c

Marianne said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. Love the serenity of your sympathy card and the subtle background, and your Christmas card are delightful. Wish I had had time to join the PTI blog hop, because I love the inspiration colours...

Virginia L. said...

Love your card--so serene and peaceful, Darnell! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge!

BethieJ said...

All of your cards are FABULOUS!!!
Have a GREAT day!
Happy Hopping! :)

OH Babs said...

Lovely cards, as usual. But I really like the sympathy card and the colors selected for the hop.

Kylie said...

Both cards are devooooon, Darnell. Those little mittens look so warm! Great take on the sketch and thank you so much for the shout out for Happy Little Stampers. Thanks so much for playing along at HLS and ATSM xx

Jacquie Southas said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell! The sympathy card is especially lovely with the perfectly masked images. I love the embossing folder on the sweet mitten cards :)

Taunya Butler said...

I feel like I stopped by at just the right moment - I have been feeling a little blue today about the loss of my dad and this card filled my heart with thanks for all the love I have received since his passing!! Your card is so well done and your be merry pair is so cute! I just wanted to let you know that I am working this weekend on catching up on commenting and getting my craft room back from its' guest room state! We had 11 extra people around for the funeral so we had to put them somewhere!! Also I plan to see if I can craft and create this weekend and then I plan to post on September 29th! I really hope you will come by and see me!! I have sure missed everyone!! Thank you for your kind words and caring!!

Linda said...

Three lovely cards Darnell. I love those CAS Christmas cards. So adorable.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous designs as always, LOVE the watering can!!

Anonymous said...

Great cards.
Love your posts - a pic of your liquor store haul? :)

Bobby said...

Love your little pussy willows in the watering can. They make a lovely sympathy card. The Be Merry cards are great, too, but I also wish putting glossy accents etc over cardstock didn't darken it.

Carol L said...

You've created a beautiful trio of cards, and I especially like the Christmas Be Merry sentiments! Well done on all of them!

Tracey McNeely said...

Beautiful sympathy card Darnell and the two mitten cards are so so cute!

Sheila H said...

Lovely cards! I particularly like the sympathy card. The flowers look great in the watering can. It's a different image than you usually see. The mitten cards are fun - cool colors.

MaryH said...

Ooh-EEE. What a treat for me this evening, after a couple days of aggravating computer router problems! Bother-A-SHUN! Love your w/can with the sweet stems. Liked it very much for the occasion of the sentiment. Great coloring, my friend. Now Rudy's cards are just too wonderful. Love the way you've combined the sentiment fonts. I wondered about using that Merry as it was quite large compared to my other sentiments. Love this look. Those little mittens are cute as can be!!! TFS & big hugs. Got my Rudy cards ready, but got to do some pc cleanup first. Ugh.

Kim Heggins said...

Sweet trio of cards Darnell...I love them all but your first card for the hop is just beautiful and really makes a nice sympathy card. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Deborah Frings said...

It's been a while since I dropped by - sorry! I adore the mittens on your Christmas cards - perfectly CAS. Love the sympathy card too. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!

Lindsey said...

These are wonderful Darnell! I'm especially loving the water pail. And can I just tell you how much I appreciate you! You always make me feel like a million bucks. Your comments make me smile and laugh and just warm my heart. Thank you so much!

Martha said...

Darnell, I love the darling cards!
You are one talented paper-crafter & writer.

Lisa Elton said...

The long slender pussy willows look so pretty in the watering can with the long slender spout...or whatever you call the part that leads to the spout LOL!! Anywho, love everything here tonight Darnell ;)

Geri said...

Love the result of the 'creative license' you chose to run with for the sympathy card. Definitely creates a subtle, yet dynamic contrast with just two colors!

Using this licence & the two great colors into the Chhristmas scene looks great! Sweet puffy mittens & CAS design!

Sue from Oregon said...

Great cards...the first one is so lovely...nice sentiment- pretty CAS creations!!

Kelly Latevola said...

Well I hope you got some good wine from that liquor store, you know so you can celebrate how awesome your card is. I love your sweet sympathy card. Your little mittens are pretty cute too so raise your glass. I hear stolen liquor tastes better anyway ;)

Unknown said...

Great take on the inspiration Dippy. Perfect for a sympathy card. Loving your two CAS Christmas cards as well.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Hussena said...

Beautiful cards Darnell ..especially loved the first one !! Such a perfect sympathy card!

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Love your CAS designs Darnell. Especially the first one. very pretty...

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

Brilliant designs, Darnell! Sorry, messed up your name with a typo :) xx

Sarn said...

Hi there Darnell . . . thanks for entering those 2 beauties into Rudolph Day . . . the embossing and die cutting is just gorgeous.

Love the pussy willow watering can card too.

Happy Friday to you.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what fab creations.
You always come up with unusual creations.
Love them all.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

laurie said...

Awesome cards Darnell, I'm headed over to check the hops and the other cards too!

I Card Everyone said...

D I love what you've created - cannot stop looking at that inspiration photo!!!
=] M

Stamping With Bibiana said...

lovely card, good luck on all those challenges, hugs bibiana

Alanna said...

Well done Darnell. I love the images you used on your PTI card and those fun Christmas cards are just too cute.

Pat said...

Three lovely cards Darnell, and the pussy willow makes a good substitute for heather. Great Rudolph Day cards too with the colours reversed they look completely different and the random dots are perfect for snow. Hope you have a good weekend. x

Krisha said...

I really could have used the sympathy card idea this week. May have to just use it and get some done while I DON"T need them.

Christmas cards are so fun and a really cute idea......of course!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Such a great post. I am loving how you used the PTI colours on your trio of cards today. I really wanted to participate, but just wasn't able to swing it...
The holiday cards are really fresh looking with these colours and the adorable mittens, yum! I think I have that watering can from SU, in an herb garden set? It's a classic for sure and you chose the pfect colour to make it look galvanized. Hope you are having a great Friday so far. Hugs,
Chriss

Petra Swart said...

Oh, I love what you have done with the watering can, Darnell - looks stunning with the stalks in it!!! Your use of the colours is beautiful and I love the subtle blue shading. Beautiful sympathy card!!!
The two X-mas cards are so cute with the sweet little muffins!!! Great EF you used!! Love them!!

Have a super weekend!!!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the feature! It's always a pleasure reading what you write, as much as it is to see your cards! Cheers and happy crafting!

Viv said...

More fantabulous creations again Dee, you are sooo clever. Yes I did manage a craft room tidy...but still more to do alas grrr ! enjoy your weekend my luverly friend :) hugs Vee xx

Bonnie said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty! Over 300 entries! Do you feel the love?

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Both cards are so pretty! Don't ya just love those colors together!

Nonni said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell! The soft look of the first card makes it my favorite... Great stamping. Have a fun weekend! xxx

Ros Crawford said...

Fabulous cards!! The sympathy card is so beautiful!

Anita in France said...

Your pussy willow in the watering can card is just so beautiful, Darnell ... calm and serene and perfect for the sympathy sentiment. Those sweet little mittens are adorable ... all snuggly and cosy looking! Congratulations on all those entries to NBUS ... what a tribute to your loveliness! Hugs, Anita :)

Sue said...

Fab post as always Darnell and gorgeous cards I hope this lets me comment because I've already tried 5 times!! LOL huggles Sue xxx

Darnell said...

Test.

Laurie Unger said...

Wonderful cards! I want to know why you held up the local liquor store?

G Peplow said...

Hi Darnell, My you have been a busy crafter, looking back it seems Mr has had a birthday too :D What a handsome chap, lucky you my friend LOL Fab cards again, I just love everything about Christmas (apart from the bills!!) So your cards are simply wonderful, have fun my friend, hugs Gay xx

Canonbury creations said...

Love both designs Darnell, simply beautiful and perfect CAS cards.
Val x

Shelly said...

Such wonderful cards, Darnell! Love them! And I'm kicking myself right now...I missed your challenge, AGAIN!!! lol Well, hopefully there will be another and then I will have to mark it on the calendar! ;)

Meihsia Liu said...

All your cards are so beautiful! Love the fabulous clean and simple style. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

Sally H said...

three gorgeous cards, Darnell! your first one is simply elegant and perfect for the purpose which is never easy. Your Rudolf day cards are simply gorgeous!

Brenda said...

Your sympathy card is so pretty Auntie Darnell! I'm so glad that you and the watering can didn't get caught holding up the liquor store though. lol I love the serine and peaceful feeling this card has, makes for a great sympathy card. I love, love those cute Christmas cards! The colors are fabulous and I love those cute mittens. Yes, I'm so far behind in my commenting but I am going to try to get caught up with you here tonight. I go away for a few days and get so behind. It's maddening. lol Hugs, Brenda

Cris G. said...

Fun cards, Darnell. Love your take on the inspiration picture for PTI Challenge, perfect for a sympathy card.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Did you get a good haul from the liquor store? I can barely hold myself up, yet alone a whole store... you must be superwoman!

Love the inspiration photo and your take on it.

Your mitten cards are fun too! The best mittens I ever had were the ones on a string so you take them off but not lose them!!!

Twinks Stamping said...

Darnell, Your Christmas cards are really lovely because they are just so clean & simple. I absolutely adore your sympathy card, so beautifully put together. Just love it! Jan xxx

Tracey said...

Fabulous cards Darnell :o)
I hope you are well & having a fab weekend.
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Very beautiful cards Darnell.

Warm hugs
Maarit

Pia S said...

Beautiful combination of stamps on your sympathy card!
So sweet CAS Christmas cards, love that embossed background with the random spots.

Vicky Hayes said...

These are just gorgeous cards Darnell. Love the muted colours of the willow in the watering can and the message on your Christmas cards is perfect - basically you're saying 'be cheerful and keep warm'! Excellent advice! Vicky x

Patti said...

Wow!! I really love your cards!! I love that color combo as well and I applaud your take on that beautiful inspiration photo!!

You've been busy in my absence friend!! I am so happy for you (though not a bit surprised!) at your growing number of followers. You are indeed a talented and UBER generous lady!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Karenladd said...

Wow!! That watering can card design is so wonderfully simple and yet I can't stop looking at it. The color combo against the white background is spectacular!

Wendy Nicola Jackson said...

LOVE your interpretation of the inspiration image. So fabulous and I love that it's a sympathy card. These are so hard to get 'right'. This is elegant and perfect for the occasion. I love the sentiment. The other two cards are fabulous too. CAS gorgeousness for Christmas. Big hugs, Wends x

Kim S said...

So sweet and simple. Masking that watering can was worth it! It's such a soft scene - just right for the sentiment. And I love your simple "Be Merry" - I always feel "merry" when the snow is falling!

April said...

Love the watering can with the flowers. I love winter, but I'm just not mentally ready for the cards. LOL (It is too cute though)
April

Lesley G said...

Hi Darnell,
You left me a lovely, kind and heartwarming comment on my blog a while back and I am finally here taking a peep around your blog - you have some fabulous creations here and I'm sure I'll be popping back for extra peeks! Thanks again for kind words xx