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!

November 5, 2014

Feathers and Bows!

Good Morterning!

You're not going to believe it, but I finally used a feather stamp on a card!! Let's hear a giant NBUS yippie for me!!

I have to tell you, I didn't think I was ever going to catch up with the feather band wagon before it disappeared completely, but, phew, I made it! It's not like I didn't buy feather stamps and dies when everyone else did, it's just that other things kept pushing to the front of the line. Finally, Hammy had had it and here you go:
Both the ribbon with bow and the feather are from Papertrey Ink. I have the die, too, but that feather is just gorgeous stamped and heat-embossed directly onto the card base and I love a one-layer card for mailing. The designers at PTI knew what they were doing with these stamps. They look so beautiful stamped together and I'm sure many of you have already done just that! The sediment is by Stampabilities.

I used gold embossing powder by Personal Stamp Exchange. I've had the bottle for over ten years and it still embosses like buttah. The ribbon ink is Ultramarine by StazOn.
All of these items are NBUS today! I stopped numbering my use of NBUS in my blog post titles to avoid any confusion with the NBUS Challenges. I didn't want people thinking we were on NBUS Challenge #158, but I'm still on my campaign to keep on using that never-before-used-schtuff!

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Challenges

Christmas Card ChallengesFor your blog
Please click on the links for details on rules, sponsors, and prizes.

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New Friends Corner

I have six more new friends who would love to meet you! Please help me welcome:

Angela Hartley, on the left and Susan, on the right. Ladies, thank you for following. I'm unable to locate your blogs. If you have one, please email me to let me know, so I can pass it on!

Desire Fourie of Doing Life. Desire has been blogging since 2007 and she has over a thousand followers! She is well-published and has won many awards for her creations. It will take awhile for you to get to know Desire and her cards, scrapbooks, projects, and tutorials!

Jenny of Pushing the Right Buttons. Jenny has been blogging since 2012. She is another well-published and award-winning designer whose works of art have got to be seen to be believed! I'm not kidding, folks. The creations that come to life under Jenny's talented hands are extraordinary!

Nicola of Sunshine Girl. Nicola has been blogging since 2006! She didn't really take off until 2010, but take off she did! In addition to fabulous cards, you will find stitching projects, organizational tips, and workshop information. There's a wealth of inspiration waiting for you!

Melissa Davies of rubberFUNatics. Melissa has also been blogging since 2006! She has been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 1998! I think you will find her cards and projects to be amazing and you'll find inspiration and advice on any kind of technique you can imagine!

What a joy to have these accomplished and talented ladies as new friends! Thank you so much for joining and welcome to the Playhouse!

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I'd also like to thank all of you for your good wishes on my eyelid reduction on Monday. (I wrote the above post a few days ago.) I'm happy to report that the procedure went well and I'm just the cutest human raccoon you ever did see! I think. I'm avoiding mirrors, but that's what the Mister tells me! I appreciate all your prayers and positive thoughts!!

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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!
  
 
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92 comments:

Veerle said...

I love your card Darnell plain and simple and that feather, oh my is just gorgeous. I'm also happy to read your eyelid reduction went so well. Take care and have a happy crafty day. Veerle xx

Liz said...

Love your CAS feather card! You've inspired me to get my NBUS feather dies out before the trend finishes! Glad to hear your op went well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. xx

Sue said...

WOW! Your golden feather is stunning and I love the bow.
I am pleased your surgery went well.
hugs Sue xx

Sid said...

Darnell, your card is so elegant and beautiful !!

LesleyG said...

Love your card, simply elegant. I haven't caught the feather bug, but did make a couple of cards with borrowed schtuff. Hope you heal quickly xxx

Vanessa said...

This is such a gorgeous card, Darnell! Love the gold, so so elegant! I hope you won't have to avoid mirrors for long!

Sarah said...

Pleased all well went well Darnell. What abby fabby embossing. You are not alone with the "feather thing" I have a die that i've yet to use...just waiting for the right moment!! Keep well xx

Inkyfingers said...

Hello Miss Raccoon, (there's nothing like a husband who calls it like it is!) I'm so glad the surgery went well and I hope there isn't too much discomfort.
Like you, I never got into the feather trend, believing that they always look better when they're on a bird, but this little beauty changes my mind! The embossed detail is just so rich and beautiful and the little bow is cuteness itself! What a stylish and elegant one layer card.
Take it easy until you are fully recovered my friend.
Hugs
Carol x

Sammy said...

It is beeyouteeful! Heat embossing it was a fab idea, and the result is so elegant, but balanced by the lovely playful bow. Love it! x

Lyndal said...

Fabulous feather Darnell - I was going to suggest it would be perfect to link up with Virginia's View Metallic Challenge, but I think you can only link up to a total of four challenges to play by the rules ;) Glad to hear your surgery went well!

Sue said...

Lovely card.

Linda said...

I love your CAS, non-traditional Christmas card Darnell. That feather sure is a beauty and it looks stunning in the gold embossing! Hugs ... Linda xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful card! Simple yet very effective! Xx

Rahmat said...

Glad your surgery went well Darnell :) this is such an elegant card! Stunningly CAS, and perfect for the Virginia's view challenge too.

Cathy said...

Beautiful card Darnell, this stamp is gorgeous, it's so hard to choose between all of the goodies available sometimes, this one is a beauty, cathy x

Julie B said...

Glad to hear you came through your op OK.
That embossed feather is fantastic and I had to look twice to check that the bow wasn't real! :)

Marilyn said...

Awesome card!! Love the gold

Lynn said...

Woot! Woot! Way to go Darnell...the detail on the feather is amazing!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

I just love the elegance of white and gold and that little pop of blue realy shows it off to great adavntage! xx

Carole Pollard said...

So beautiful this is a fabulous stamp and gorgeous designed card love and hugs Carole x

Kim M said...

I love this Darnell! That feather stamp is awesome and the gold embossing really shows it off. Of course, I love the CAS design too. Lovely to see you joining us over at Festive Friday! :-). Glad to hear your eye lid surgery went well. Rest up and take care. Hugs!

Canonbury creations said...

Fabulously elegant Darnell, love the feather! Shame you're not off to a masked ball with your racoon look ;-) Val x

Skye said...

A very elegant CAS card. The detail in the embossing is very clear. A great feathe image and it lookd great in gold.

Carol L said...

That's a beautiful golden feather, and a lovely CAS card! Way to use that NBUS!!

Hussena said...

What a gorgeous card and I love the fact that you have used a NBUS stamp to create it. I had been eyeing a few feather stamps and dies for quite some time now but that trend has come and gone now :(
But, seeing your card today I'm motivated to invest in some :D

Ardyth said...

Very elegant! I have feathers too and need to get them out before the party's over! So glad you joined us at Festive Friday!

Brenda said...

Wow, this is a stunning card Auntie! I love that feather, which I haven't jumped on that band wagon yet-I'm always slow! That feather is just stunning but I think I love the bow even more. lol I am trying to keep using my NBUS too, I just have so much it is going to take a long time to use it all. lol Love that embossing powder you used too! I hope all went well with your eye surgery since you are making cards. Big hugs, Brenda

Maura said...

LOVE that embossed feather, Darnell! Doesn't a beauty like that make you wonder why you waited so long?! Also stamping the string bow with it was PERFECT! Glad to hear your eye procedure went well, best wishes for a continued recovery.

adele holcomb said...

Simple and elegant always makes a huge impact, and I simply love your elegant feather cards!

I Card Everyone said...

Good on you! Still don't have a feather stamp...but feather boa? I'll never show, or tell!!
=] Michele

Becca Cruger said...

Human raccoon! How do you manage to crack me up every time?! I'm glad your procedure went well! Your card is so CAS and lovely. The gold really pops right off the page.

Brenda in IN said...

I'm so happy your surgery went well and you are doing well. You can say your raccoon look is left over from your Halloween outfit. Love your gold embossed feather and that bow is so cool.

Petra Swart said...

WOW, what a stunning feather, Darnell!!! And I love it embossed in gold - looks beautiful and all the detail is showing so nicely!!! The bow is so creative!! This is a lovely one layer CAS card, Darnell!!!
So glad all went well on Monday!!! Speedy recovery!!!
By the way - I don't own any feather stamps!!!
Have a lovely day!!!

Susanne Vargas said...

So glad to hear that your procedure went well!
Love your elegant one layer card! That's a beautiful feather and you are right, it doesn't need anything but the gold embossing powder! I still have some old PSX EPs and they work great.

Cindy H. said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell! I just used the string and bow stamp set recently, too - love it! I don't have the feather but after seeing yours, it's on my wish list. So glad your surgery went well.

Carole Z said...

Hi Darnell, glad all went well for you...love your card, beautiful! Hugs Carole Z X

Loll said...

Beautiful Christmas card Dolly. The gold and blue are so elegant together. And you gotta' love a one layer card that's easy to mail!

Happy to hear that your surgery went well. Take care. Lolly xx

conil said...

First, the card...YUM! Oooooh gold and cobalt blue, who wouldn't love it. Second, glad your procedure went well. Sorry about the bruising but, think of it this way, don't have to apply eye shadow for a while. How's that for positive thinking.

Marsha Reed said...

Beautiful card, Darnell! Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges.

Patti said...

Stunning! stunning card! I love every perfect detail.

So super glad to hear you are on the mend!

Patti

Happy Dance said...

Glad to hear you're recovering nicely. You've been on my prayer list and in my thoughts often. Your feather and bow card is beautiful, darlin'. That gold just works for this image, and I love that bow stamp. I've been thinking about that set since it came out, and now I'm even more enabled...Oh well, Christmas is coming! Hope every minute brings less and less raccoon and faster and faster healing. Bev

Lisa Elton said...

Your golden feather is beautiful Darenll adn that little delicate bow is the icing on the cake!!

Anonymous said...

There are few techniques I love more than the elegance of gold heat embossing on a simple card. Beautiful! I haven't succumbed to the feather trend yet, but this image is the loveliest I've seen -- very tempting. :-) Glad your procedure went well! ~ Laura

Victoria H. said...

Oh this is card is gorgeous, love the embossed feather and the bright blue bow.

Linda said...

Stunning card embossed in gold. Never thought to emboss it.

Chriss Blagrave said...

Such a stunning card Darnell! I have this stamp set too and I think I may have stamped one of the feather images, but not in a gorgeous gold...yet!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Super striking Darnell and love the feather ... I'm a bit like you and only bought a set recently! think I've used it once! They are beautiful though and love your card for Christmas. Full of sophisticated elegance - may have to dig my feathers out again.
thanks for joining the challenge
Sarah
Less is More

Chrissie said...

This feather was worth waiting for Darnell, it's beautiful!
Fabby card!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Pat said...

I love this feather stamp Darnell and the gold EP is gorgeous with that great colour blue bow. The sentiment is just the right size too. So glad your procedure went well and you are getting on ok. x

Sian Ridley said...

Gorgeous!! :)

Manuela said...

pretty card!

shirley-bee said...

Ooh, beautiful CAS feather card, Darnell! So glad that surgery went well :)

Redanne said...

So relieved to hear that the surgery went well, do take care though!

I love your card, the feather is absolutely stunning embossed in the gold - love, love it -a lot.

Lovely to see my bestie Jenny following you, she really is an outstanding crafter and a jolly hard worker too!
Hugs, Annie xxx

Verna Angerhofer said...

That is so beautiful with that gold embossing. I love CAS.

Kathleen said...

One word comes to mind for this card, Very CLASSY, (well two words then.

Kath x

Greta said...

Truly gorgeous, Darnell! I don't have a feather stamp yet (on my PTI wishlist) but I did get peacock feather dies on sale & haven't opened the package yet--ugh! So glad you're doing well post-op!

Marybeth said...

Such an elegant feather card,love it embossed . No need for the die. I am late on many band wagons .
Good to hear your procedure went well and now you will be on the mend.

Jean said...

Wow Darnell your card is gorgeous. The feather stamp looks stunning embossed with gold and the little blue bow is a great finishing touch.
I'm glad you eye lid op was OK, and hope it is not too uncomfortable and that it heals up quickly.
Jean x

Unknown said...

Love that you jumped on the feather band wagon cause this card is gorgeous!! Also glad to hear that everything went well on Monday. xo

Kim Heggins said...

Hello my sweet raccoon friend...so happy to hear you are on the mend. You are still in my prayers. Your card is stunning, that gold feather stands so beautifully alone. Your sweet bow is the perfect way to finish off your card, well done! See you soon.

OH Babs said...

OMG! The card is gorgeous. Hooray for embossing powder, especially gold. Great job Darnell.

dottielottie said...

Know what you mean Darnell I too have loved the feather stamp trend but have not have not added one to my NBUS stash yet. This one sure is a beauty and you have stamped and embossed it to perfection. Love, love, love it!! Glad everything went well with your procedure and hope you will soon be looking and feeling tip top. Hugs Lottie x

Jen W. said...

Well, it was totally worth the wait for this feather stamp because your card is gorgeous! Love that gold paired with the purple too. I'm going to have to check out that embossing powder because my gold Ranger powder is CRAP!

Indy's Designs said...

GORGeOUS! I love that gold feather!!

Hugs, Debbie!

Joyce said...

That feather is absolutely gorgeous embossed in gold. Now, do I really need a 3rd feather set? And, I love that beautiful blue bow you stamped on top, and shame on me for buying that very stamp set and forgetting about it until right now.

Bobby said...

Love the gold feather, Darnell, and it looks spectacular with the bow stamp. I'm glad the surgery went well. Recovery will give you time to do some more card making I'm sure. Unless you can't see well for a while.

Susan said...

Beautiful card! I don't own a feather stamp...but have several feather dies (that have never touched card stock!) Glad your surgery went well..luckily the black eyes will go away in time!

Aileen said...

So glad the surgery went well and you are working your way through your NBUS. I love tis card, I have admired and bought feather dies that have yet to be used. I also have a stamp or two, also to be used but I do love this particular stamp and planned to buy but never got there. It really is beautiful, the gold embossing shows it to perfection.

maria f. said...

Tickles my fancy, your feather tied up in ribbons. Glad to hear your OP went well.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card.
Glad to hear op all good - I'm sure you wont look like a raccoon for long :)

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Darnell, a Christmas card with a feather is perfect, feathers are very special to me,wow I love the bow stamp, that's what I need I'm crap at making those LOL. I'm really glad your still using the NBUS, Since I have cut back on my time on kine I do miss visiting you, I'm so glad to hear your operation was a success and your on the mend, hope you have a wonderful week ((( BIG HUGS )))..

Ros Crawford said...

Oh so gorgeous!! I love your feather stamp!

Shirley-Anne said...

Hello Darnell .Now this is right down my street as I LOVE CAS creations
I do have some feather stamps and like you other images just seem to push in front .So mine have yet to be inked but now that I see how elegant a feather can be that may be remedied sooner rather than later ..
Did I say that I love the card ..?
hugs Shirley-Anne

Donna said...

Cutest use of a feather that I have seen just gorgeous!

Shelly said...

YAY, for using your feather stamp! :) It's gorgeous! Love! And thanks for joining us at CAS on Sunday, too! ;)

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a superb creation, and it's so superbly created too.
Love that superb gold embossed feather.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

sandie said...

Stunning g in gold and you got there and that is all that matters!!

Pia S said...

The golden feather looks fabulous against the white background. Stylish!

Hettie said...

This is absolutely gorgeous dah-ling!!! Love it! Could be Christmas or birthday or fluff up your feathers kinda celebration!
Now I have six chikkins who would love some gold feathers...hint hint!!
Hugs
xx

Jacee said...

I love this Darnell, so stylish and classy.
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Shona Chambers said...

This is 100% a one-layer wonder and a winner for sure! And I think this is one of my favourite cards of yours. The stamp is so intricate and you've embossed it perfectly. And I love it with the colour of the ribbon too. I can see a whole lot of these done with different coloured ribbons, what a wonderful design!!!

Gerrina said...

Catching up again.... This is a card with the WOW-factor! You're right it looks so great embossed with that gold! Hope you have a fun weekend planed, hugs, Gerrina

Sharron said...

So glad to hear your surgery went well! Wow, the gold feather looks stunning! And I love the ribbon--such a perfect card! I don't even want to admit to all the NBUS I have right now. I even had some out for your challenges then never got anything completed :(!!!

Deborah Frings said...

Oh my goodness! This is absolutely stunning! Love the shimmer of the gold feather and the pretty blue bow!

Bonnie said...

The gold feather is so elegant! Love the stamped ribbon too! USPS will love it!

Viv said...

Wow Dee this is so jaw droppingly gorgeous, I love it !Glad the operation went well too, take it easy ;) Viv xx

Milka Gubo said...

Very elegant card Darnell :-D
I am glad your operation went well :-D
hugs
Milka

Anita in France said...

Sigh ... simply beautiful, Darnell, and so elegant ... I can imagine some 18th century lady using such a feather to pen letters to her rather chic friends! Hugs, Anita :)

Craftychris said...

Ooh this is gorgeous! The simplicity is perfect for showcasing the beautiful feather. I am so glad your op went well - I will email you soon with an update on Darren. Take care xxxxxxx

cm said...

Hello, Cute Racoon...er, Darnell! Great to hear you're on the mend, and though your eyelids may be sore, your creativity is soaring with this gorgeous, intricate, feather image! Stunning..elegant...classy. Yes, I love it!
Hugs~c

Zw@@n said...

Wow, fab card, Darnel. Pretty feather and colours. Thank you for joining us at CAS on Sunday. Luv, Wilma

Anne said...

Awesome one-layer card Darnell, that ow it perfect for the fevver!
Sorry to be so late commenting this week, thanks so much for your LIM entry
Anne
Less is More Designer