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!

June 16, 2015

Retro Rubber Reminder ~ Tie It On!

Good day!

I'm popping in real quick with a reminder post about the current challenge going on at Retro Rubber where I have the honor of being Guest Designer. The challenge is to use ribbon or twine on your creation for the theme, "Tie It On." 

For my inspiration cards today, I give you Christmas in June.
Now there's some ribbon! The bright sun was a little too bright and my card is a bit over-imposed. You can barely make out the card base is embossed with a snowflake e/f and the image is matted in sparkly paper. The stamp was made sometime in the last century. It is from Great Impressions (G241). I can't really say this is a neglected stamp, however, as I really love it and use it just about every year. 

Here's a better view of the sparkle from the paper and from all the pizazziness I applied to the image.
My twofercard:
The stamp set I used for this card is the beautiful "Ornamental Pine" from SU which came out last Christmas. It isn't over a year old, but the sediment is a couple three years old. It is from Technique Tuesday's "Jingle All the Way" stamp set.

For the ribbon treatment, I just threaded one end of a piece of ribbon through two tiny holes on either side of the ornament and then did a Chris Cross and taped it to the back. The panels are popped up.

~~~

This has been an interesting challenge for me. It made me realize that I am consistently reaching for enamel dots or sequins to add a little shashing to my card, where I used to reach for ribbon. Why do I have to use one to the exclusion of the other?

Goodness knows, I've spools and spools of ribbon in my stash to use. Heck, I even have a pair of skizzors dedicated just for cutting ribbon and they were nearly rusted! Okay, not really, but I do thank Retro Rubber for the revelation and reminder!
How about you? Is your ribbon or twine being neglected along with your older stamps? I hope you will bring them into the light of day and join us! The challenge closes on June 19th, so hurry!!

~~~

Here's a little snortle for the day! I can't remember if I've posted it before, but it's okay if I did because it just karacks me up!
~~~

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 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.
Click Comments and the pop-up box opens.
Click Jump to Comment Form; no more car pool tunnel! Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave
me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

68 comments:

Sarn said...

YAY - two wonderful Christmas cards here Darnell. Love the ribbon! Currently hot and sunny in the UK and I'm enjoying a few days off!

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Christine Harrop said...

Two great cards Darnell. Love the sparkle and the ribbon. You can't make a Christmas card without a bit of sparkle - it's against the law!!! Well if it isn't it should be!! Hugs Christine xx

Marilyn said...

Pretty cards!! Love the images

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell, what wonderful cards, i especially love the second one with the tartan background paper, hugs Kate x

Marybeth said...

Two beautiful Christmas cards,love the shimmer and shine with the green bow. I am a bit behind this year on my Christmas cards. Congrats on your GD spot ,thanks for the inspration.

Jeanne said...

Great cards, Darnell! I like the sparkle and shimmer for sure. I'm with you on the ribbon, have plenty of spools, but never the right color! So frustrating! LOL Thanks for sharing your very pretty cards. I hope you have a fabulous day. :)

Eve said...

Hi Darnell
I'm so sorry that I haven't called by your blog in a while :-(

I love your sparkly Christmas cards and that green ribbon is just lush!

Hope all is well with you - keep smiling!

Eve xx

Redanne said...

Two real beauties today Darnell, I love the gorgeous ribbon and the sparkles are beautiful - a very cheery Christmas in June!

The cartoon is brilliant, I have not seen it before, it made me chuckle too. Hugs, Annie xxxx

designbydonna said...

Two gorgeous Christmas cards. Love the sparkle and shine. I'm with you on the ribbon. I've hoarded enough to maybe circle the globe. LOL!!!

Julia Aston said...

Two lovely Christmas designs Darnell - love all the glitter!

Pat said...

I love both these cards Darnell and my ribbon gets sadly neglected too! The lovely shimmer on the jingles and the pretty glitsy red paper look great on the first and I am a sucker for tartan at Christmas so I love the two different plaids you have together with the prettily tied ornament on the pine branches and love the idea of framing it as you have. Great joke too. x

Kim M said...

Congrats on your GD spot! Always well deserved. Fabulous cards, Darnell. Love the jingle bell one especially. Wish I had that stamp. :-). I have been neglecting all my ribbon too. I find it hard to incorporate it into my one layer cards which is what I seem to be drawn to making these days. I must see if I can dust some of my ribbon off. :-)

stampwithsandy said...

Darnell I love both of your cards but the first one is just gorgeous! Love those shiny sleigh bells and and that fabulous bow. Love your new signature too, Hammie is the cutest!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Awesome cards Darnell
have a lovely day
hugs Tamara

Happy Dance said...

Hahahahahahahaha! Sure wish more dogs did this kind of business on lawns rather than the other kind! You are too funny! Two fantastic Christmas cards. LOVE that green ribbon on your jingle bells card, and all the sparkle and shine too. And boy!, that plaid panel really sets off the gorgeous ornament on your second card. You're pretty darn amazing, and congrats on the GD gig; I've got a card with some ribbon on it so will head for home and write a post and link up! Later dudette! Bev

Carol said...

Two cracking Christmas cards Darnell....and yes my ribbons and twine are largely neglected atm! Carol x

conil said...

Get to the cards in a sec...the "giggle" piece made me laugh out loud. Reminds me of the days when I could walk the dog without little blue plastic bags wadded up in my pockets. On to the cards...Maybe I should join into this challenge as the amount of ribbon and twine I have is indecent. Anyhoo, what you've done with it is fabulous and now you have two more Christmas cards done. It's a win-win.

Becca Cruger said...

I find it harder and harder to use ribbon on my cards, but I'm really trying! I love the glittery raised up bells in the first design and the deep, rich colors of the second have me swooning!

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are so beautiful!! Love the glittery bells on the first one!! The details of the second are just fabulous!! And ha - love the cartoon!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

scrappymo! said...

Two great cards, Darnell.
I have a lot of ribbon...could fill a dumpster full of ribbon!!! lol

And i never remember to use it till the card is finished and then there is no room!

This would be a good challenge to make us focus on using that ribbon up!

Cat Craig said...

I think as my cards move more toward the clean side, I use less ribbon too...but I love ribbons, I have a whole drawer full and scissors for ribbon only too...lol.

That bow is fabulous, and its genius to loop the ribbon for the ornament in the second card. You go!

Shelly said...

Such pretty cards, Darnell! Love the little comic, too! lol ;)

Sue said...

Fab cards.

Hope you have had a good day. Sue

Sharon Underwood said...

Beautiful cards! I love the Christmas in June theme. That ribbon is absolutely beautiful!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Fantastic cards for the special time in the year. Great !
Best regards, Synnöve

Sheri said...

Both are great cards! Maybe if I make Christmas cards it will cool off here! Hot hot hot! And your cartoon is hilarious!

Lisa Elton said...

A lovely pair of Christmas cards Darnell!! I love the lush green ribbon. It is funny how our go to supplies change. I've gone from brads, to buttons, to rhinestones, to sequins...Oh I still have all of it, just hanging around waiting to get back into the rotation again!!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Haha! That cartoon funny cracked me up as well! I do so enjoy your lovely cards and it reminds me to get started on Chrismtas cards sooner rather than later. Love the ribbon and the layering bourse are both so elegant and sophisticated. Awesome sauce! Hugz. ~Nini

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Oh these are so beautiful.

JoAnn said...

Love both of your cards. Great design and I think we should make Christmas cards all year long (I do) :).
Have a wonderful day.

Jean said...

I love your jingle bell stamp Darnell, the card is lovely with that gorgeous ribbon bow. A beautiful bauble stamp on your second card too, ( I'm a bit of a stampaholic in case you hadn't noticed ).
Jean x

Geri said...

I bow down to your bow tying ability and if I had a violin I would crank out a tune using my bow!

Whoda thunk that 'bow' has so many variations! Bow & arrow....bow of a boat...

Squirrel!

Awesome cards - love the sparkle of the bells and l& the shimmer - so festive! Awesome background DP and cool way of 'hanging' the ornament!

Sweet cartoon....need to send this to the folks up the street from us!

Jean said...

Such pretty cards!

Bonnie said...

Two pretty Christmas cards, Darnell! Love the sparkle on the first and jingle bells are always fun! The Pine boughs with the ornament are classy and I love the ribbon treatment!

Joyce said...

Always a treat to stop by here, Darnell. Love both of your Christmas cards, and especially that gorgeous ribbon and bow on your first. I think I have seen that hilarious comic before, but that doesn't mean I don't laugh every time. Are you a hummingbird expert? I've got a tiny nest right outside my front door--it's too adorable.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love both of your gorgeous Christmas cards.

Greta said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell! I adore the green ribbon & bow & all the shine & sparkle of the first card! I do hope ribbon isn't going out of style as it still is one of my favorite elements & I have tons of it! I'll be using it no matter what--trendy I'm not--LOL! Unfortunately, few bows on my Christmas cards since I've promised myself to keep to regular postage this year for 90% of them. Gonna see if I have any cards that should be posted to the challenge. Congrats again on being the GD!

oldpunca said...

Your use of retro stamps is fresh and modern. :-)) Super nice cards although I want to be the summer. :-) Congratulations for the guest of DT!
Hugs, Sonja

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Lovely holiday cards Darnell!

Kim Heggins said...

Two gorgeous Christmas cards, love your beautiful style. And your sweet comic is so funny and just too darn cute.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Awesome shiny and sparkly cards!

Did you see my FB comment about your "she shed"?? :)

Brenda said...

Wow, both cards are just gorgeous Auntie! I love the sparkle and shine on your first one, that ribbon is beautiful!! The second card is equally beautiful, I love how you have used this stamp set and I love how you did the ribbon! I had tons of ribbon too and need to use it more, but like you I tend to go with the trends, and neglect my other supplies. Of course right now everything is getting neglected as I haven't had any time to play with all the summer stuff going on. :-( Soon I hope. lol Love the funny, don't think I've ever seen that one. lol Hugs, Brenda

Jo Herbert said...

What great to chrissy cards? You have motivated me to get started on mine because every year its a mad rush in the lat couple of months. Thanks for being so inspiring. Hugs Jo

Taunya Butler said...

Always such a pleasure and a genuine treat to visit you in your Playhouse!!! You did a delightful and impressive job on both of these cards sporting some ribbon for the Tie it On challenge!! I love that challenge too - I will be scooting over there to see if I can play too!! Thanks for the laughs and the sweetness that is found here - you are the best!!

Cheryl W. said...

Two super Christmas cards. That jingle bell image is really a nice one. I can see why you use it every year. Oh yes, and that silly cartoon made me laugh out loud!

Unknown said...

Two great Christmas cards Dippy and love your use of ribbon. Is it me or do your bells look like they're smiling?????

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Carole Pollard said...

Great cards today love that stamp can see why you use it every year its so lovely and traditional which i love as well. Love the great design on your second card its fab. Thanks for the joke really made me smile this morning Love and hugs Carole x

Stamps and Paper said...

Two lovely Christmas card Darnell and I suppose I ought to take a leaf out of your book and start making Christmas cards early instead of the mad panic at the end

Anne

Ros Crawford said...

I too have a stash of ribbon and actually used some on today's card!! Your cards are beautiful Darnell ...Congrats on being GD too! I can't enter my card though because I didn't use a retro stamp ... Have a good day!

Sue - said...

Two great cards Darnell. I too have masses of ribbon and don't often use it either! Hugs xx

Anonymous said...

Love the cards. All nice and glittery.
The cartoon made me laugh - I have a dog and she has friends who come to play wish this was the only business they did :)

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Oh my gosh!! what amazing cards Darnell, truly amazing!!! Love the sparkle on the little jingle bells, the sun really makes them shine. And the card with that gorgeous Christmas ornament is so beautiful too, I love the window you created to display it.
I've never seen that cartoon, but it's hilarious, thank you for sharing it, you cracked me up right now at 5:43 am.

Bobby said...

Two lovelies to add to your Christmas stash. The glimmer is wonderful on card 1. I love all the layers on card 2 and the way you've "hung" the ornament.

Monika/Buzsy said...

Pretty Christmas cards Darnell. Love the touch of sparkle and shine on the first one... plus it's a really nice image. I have the ornament and pine stamp set. Thanks for the inspiration. Love the ornament hanging in the oval opening.

Viv said...

Two fabulous Christmas cards Dee, I love the added sparkle and the beautiful ornament on the second one. Love the funny image too he he! Sorry my commenting has been absent lately, life took over alas! Been so busy , we have a brand new granddaughter too(smiles), pics soon ;) hugs Vee xx

Barb Ghig said...

Two really gorgeous cards, Darnell! Love, love, love all the sparkle and your ribbon and bow, too! Thanks for the cartoon...very cute :)

*Vicki* said...

WOWZA!! Really love the Christmas bling here Darnell!! :) These are all gorgeous cards and good for you on getting a jump on that already!! Thanks for sharing these!! ;)

Kara Lynne said...

Wonderful Christmas cards! I love when older stamps stand the test of time, that means it was a wise purchase! Funny cartoon!

kiwimeskreations said...

Darenll these cards are fabulous (when do you ever make a card that is not?) Love the sparkles on the top one, and the wonderful bauble on the second - and of course the ribbon!!
Enjoyed the cartoon too :-) - thanks
Blessings
Maxine

Unknown said...

I can see why you love those jingle bells. And the sparkle on them is fan-freakin-tastic. And I absolutely love that ribbon.

That ornament stamp is absolutely stunning. Wow. And I want that plaid paper.

You definitely did a fabulous job as a guest designer for Retro Rubber.

Kelly Latevola said...

Oh my goodness I haven't used ribbon on anything in forever!! Your cards are stunning. I especially love the sparkle on the first one. Just beautiful!!

Kelly Latevola said...

Oh my goodness I haven't used ribbon on anything in forever!! Your cards are stunning. I especially love the sparkle on the first one. Just beautiful!!

Donna said...

Fabulous Christmas cards and liked your comic!

Gerrina said...

I'm not in the X-mas-mood jet, but so jealous of that great bow you made; looks super! Hugs, Gerrina

Birgit said...

These are beautiful!! How did you get the glossy look on the leaves and ornament?? I love that look. Your 2nd card is just also a stunner. I am laughing at this joke-so feels like Gary Larson

Helen F. said...

Two lovely designs, Darnell! It's hard to get motivated for making Christmas card for during the summer months ~ it's been in the freakin 90's here for a couple of weeks :-o

Petra Swart said...

Two lovely X-mas cards, Darnell!!!! Love the shine and the ribbon on both!!! So enjoyed the cartoon!!! TFS!!!

Anita in France said...

Gorgeous Christmas cards, Darnell ... lovely shimmer and shine ... and such a wonderful outing for your ribbon stash ... delicious bow and wonderful ornament hanger! Thanks for the cartoon ... just had us in fits! Hugs & Bisous, Anita :)