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 11, 2015

Sail Away in a Sea of Blue

Ahoy, Mateys!

I'm going nautical today and I hope you'll enjoy relaxing on the blue ocean breezes with me. 

I'm not sure why the hamster and I came up with this background watercolor design, but now that we've done it, it reminds me of an inflatable mattress used for floating in the pool. Mine, of course, would be the one that has a built-in area for my drinkie-poo.

If I had a pool. Which I don't. I'll still take the drinkie-poo, though, thank you.

Let's set sail!
The sailboat is from o.o.b. PSX, stamped onto vellum in ultramarine blue Stazon. The striped and starred paper and flip flops are from my stash. Of course, I had to Wink the clouds behind the sailboat. It's on the sweet flip flops, too, but the photo didn't capture that so much.
Challenges
Pixies Crafty WorkshopOur Badge!!!
~~~

Looking very simpilar, here's my second card: 
I cut a circle with my Lil' Inker dies to make a hole for my shaker schtuff. The surf and wave (NBUS) and sediment were brought to you by Paper Smooches "Wicked Nauticool" stamp set. The 3D lighthouse sticker is from the Paper House.

Challenges
~~~

And here's a photo tutorial sorta:
After taping down my watercolor paper, I drew lines with my marker to guide me. FYI, I also have one of the wide aqua brushes, which was perfect for this design.
Here you can see where I added dark blue along the lines and then just pulled the color to the right. I found it was easier (for this pattern) to work from the right side of the paper to the left so that my hand would stop pulling as it got to the area that was already filled in to the right.
And Jack's your rabbit, there you go!
Isn't that fun how it adds dimensation? I'm thinking other smart peoples have already done/seen this before, but we haven't, so Hammy is quite popping his buttons over how clever he is.

Having said that, you can see in the photos that I did have some leakage (don't we all?) and warping (don't we all?) because I didn't hit them with the heat gun afters. I'm guessing that's why. I'm still new at coloring with water, so I know you'll be kind.

In Other News

Thank you for sharing all your tips about your placement of sequints on cards! I'm not sure how many of you were joshing me, but I'm planning to embrace the same plan that several of you attest to embracing, t'wit: toss a few up in the air and stick 'em down wherever they fall!

We are over the moon that the twins will be arriving early in the morning to spend a long weekend with us! It has been way too long since we've had a sleep-over, what with one thing and another. Now that they are getting older (too fast!), they are into sports and lots of after-school and weekend activities. Summer vacation is here now, yippie kiyay, so we are hoping to be able to see more of them!

~~~

I'm off to clean up the Playhouse for them in case they want to make Dad some Father's Day cards.


Enjoy your weekend! 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!

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91 comments:

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous blues, in your two cards. Thank you for the tutorial. the lighthouse looks great to the side.

Rahmat said...

2 fabulous cards Darnell, I love the background! The shaker one is a great idea with the lighthouse....loving all the blue here today!! reminds me of holidays.

Cheryl W. said...

Not sure I should be just "kind." I think I should be awe-filled, 'cuz these cards are awe-some. And I'll drink to that! *clink*

Unknown said...

Pretty cards! Love blue and white for summer! And just as I said that, it's starting to pour down outside, grrr!! That's a great tip for the sequins, have to try that again!

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you for the photo shoot as to how you made the paper Darnell - the outcomes are fabulous.
You get the warps out by 'booking' the paper once it is dry - i.e. put the paper under a stack of books for 24 hours or so and it flattens it to perfection - that is if you can wait that long ;-)
Blessings
Maxine

Greta said...

Have fun with the twins---of course you will! Love the creative background--gotta try that! So glad you joined us at W2SB!

Jane Willis said...

What gorgeous cards, and that background is brilliant. I've only just got into using waterbrushes too, and I definitely have leakage and warping issues (but I though that was my age!) so I'll try the heat gun
Jane

maria f. said...

I wanna go to where this luscious blue can be found -I'd take sky or water! Have a great time with the kids.

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Your summer cards are fantastic
hugs Tamara

Redanne said...

I am so glad you shared the 'how to' because I would never have guessed how you made those fantastic 'wood panelled' backgrounds which really do add lots of wonderful dimension to the cards. I have a slight weakness for lighthouses so I love that one with the shaker in, it is fabulous. Love the first one too. Very clever and very beautiful.

Busy day today, off to spend another crafty day with friends.... Hugs, Annie xxx

Aileen said...

Really love the blue on your two cards, i have yet to get into the nautical schtuff. Wonder if this technique would work with mixed colours, looks so nice. Dont know if you used a couple of blues but it looks like there is, its really effective. Enjoy your time with the twins. I am off to my sons and we are going to do a movie marathon tomorrow afternoon/night and watch all three Lord of the Rings movies. Elysha has gone to stay with my daughter in Canberra and Ii have done three days at mum and dads so tomorrow is my time. Cant wait.

shirley-bee said...

I love your water coloured lilo, Darnell! And now I need a wide Aqua brush!

Sue said...

Lovely cards. I especially like the lighthouse one.

Hope you have a fab Friday. Sue

scrappymo! said...

Two more beautiful cards!
That is a cool technique.
I have been making lots of water themed cards too...somehow I find them relaxing! lol

Kathyk said...

Very cool, thanks for sharing the HOW too!

Kathyk

Sarah said...

Two great cards Darnell, love the watercolour lilo effect!! xx

Sue said...

These are stunning Darnell. I really love the way you have created the backgrounds, thank you for tutorial.
Enjoy your weekend.
hugs Sue xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell and a lovely technique

Anne

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Yay Darnell - two lovely visions in blue! I love them both (the banner on the first one reminds me of a beach towel!) and I'm afraid you are going to have to race me to that lilo!! I love that each of your watercolour background looks different too - adds to the uniqueness - and a cool technique. Shakers are always fun too! Enjoy your weekend with the twins - and thanks for joining my masculine challenge over at The Paper Players this week!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Thanks for the tutu on that great background. Love all the blues! The shaker card is a beauty, also. Hugs.....

Nannie4 said...

Hi, Darnell.It's been awhile but I'm happy that I stopped by. Blue is my favourite colour, so That was the first attractant, and the cards themselves are awesome! That background technique is very cool. Love the shaker card. I've yet to be successful with one of those. My "shakies" always get stuck in the foam tape. :( Have a wonderful weekend with the grandkids. Wish I was seeing mine this weekend.

Nann

Pat said...

Two beautiful blue cards Darnell, and I adore the background they both have which does look like a lilo and the boat on vellum is a great design idea with the cute flip flops, and then the lovely circular shaker with the great lighthouse embellishment you have added works beautifully on the second. Have a great weekend with the twins. x

Ros Crawford said...

I have a real penchant for nautical ... maybe that's 'cos we had a few sailors in the family (and I dated a few in my time too ... ah happy days) Anyway, I LOVE your cards and your clever tutorial ... The blue just reminds me of the pool I don"t have too (mine's a G&T thanks) ... Have a beautiful weekend with your gorgeous boys!

Gerrina said...

Blue is my favorite colour and the water is my favorite place to be in or around in Summer, plus the great watercolouring => that makes two beautiful colours and a wish here that I had time this weekend to go to the beach... Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Gerrina

Jeanne said...

What a neat technique, Darnell. It looks fabulous. Maybe I'll get brave and try it sometime. The colors are so vibrant. Thanks for sharing. You and Hammy should be very proud. Enjoy the weekend with your grandsons!

Di said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell and I adore the watercoloured backgrounds you did. So dimensional too.

Have a fun weekend - great to see you in the Playground again, it's been too long!

Hugs

Di xx

Susanne Vargas said...

Such fabulous backgrounds! I was wondering how you did them - thank you for the photo tut! Great cards!
Have fun with the twins!

Renata said...

Lepi, modri voščilnici! Hvala za tutorial.
lp.Renata

Brenda in IN said...

Wow, you created some great backgrounds. Love the color and the theme. I kept looking at that lighthouse and wondering how in the world you did that. Then I read the post, Duh. Very clever sentiment for the ocean swells. I love how your mind works. I'm so glad you get the twins for the weekend. They do grow up so fast and these are the memories you will be making for them. Enjoy the time spent with them.

Monica Maier said...

Love the card themes Darnell, I'm a sucker for nautical/ beach themes. (It's the theme of at least 3 rooms in my house) I may have to case the background technique love the texture it created! Have a fantastic weekend and loads of fun with the twins!!!!

Hugs, Monica

Happy Dance said...

Just popping in really quickly to say you've rocked the watercoloring. And to borrow a phrase, very "nauticool!!" Thanks for sharing the little tutorial (I can't write tute...sounds like a fart) with us all. Might have to borrow that technique. Love these two beauties. You just so rock. Bev

KT Fit Kitty said...

Gorgeous cards and background, Darnell! Thanks for sharing how you made it! Haven't seen this before - love it!

jimlynn said...

Great way to watercolor the background and thanks for the tutorial! Love both of these. You just must have know that blue is my favorite color!! Have a great weekend!
Lynn

Sharon Underwood said...

I love the nautical theme, and that blue background is totally awesome! Wonderful cards, Darnell! Have fun with the twins! Cherish your time with them, as they do grow so fast.

Kara Lynne said...

I love how you created that background! Perfect for your nautical theme! So glad you'll have time with the grandtwins! I'm off to take a look back at your posts, been so busy sandwiched between the kids finishing school, and moving my mom out of her house full of memories!

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, these are wonderful! I love how you made a shaker card with the CTS sketch!

Linda said...

Great nautical cards Darnell. Have fun with the twins....

designbydonna said...

I can just feel the waves washing over my feet. Those blue stripes look just like the blues of the Caribbean. Thanks for the demo on how to do that.

Carole Z said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell and I love the technique you've used, gorgeous colour, hugs Carole Z X

Carole Z said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell and I love the technique you've used, gorgeous colour, hugs Carole Z X

Birgit said...

I love these cards and picture myself with a drink in hand along a beach somewhere inst5ead of this office I am in. I love these cards and the painting. Now please forgive my blondness but did all that coplour come from that one small blue line? If it did-wow and if you added something then I hang my head in shame. I love the shaker card with the sequins and also just love the beach one.

Carole Pollard said...

Just brilliant and thanks for the great tutorial you make it look so easy I better get plenty paper to cover everything if I give it a go I can see ink everywhere!! Your cards are very special just such lovely designs Enjoy your weekend with the twins Love and hugs Carole x

conil said...

Okay, now I'm just jealous that you and Hammie came up with this. Golly girl. it's AWESOMESAUCE! When I can fit it into the chaos around here, I definitely am applying this to paper. It's yummy and versatile. Can't wait. BTW, did you have the drink before or after you did it...maybe as a reward. Hope Hammie wasn't too envious of the rabbit. Enjoy you Grandkids this weekend. I cherish any time I can spend with mine since the local one's are so busy with extracurriculars and stuff. The other is in another freakin' state. (Need to talk to her Mother about her living choices. Because, of course, it's all about me.) I'm always shocked how they've grown and how much they know about things. (Yeah, all those life things.)

Unknown said...

Such a fun card Darnell - and it does look like a pool float! Thanks for sharing your technique - and thanks for joining the Paper Players Masculine Challenge!

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, I was SO excited to see you posted a second card for our W2SB challenge! And, I love the backgrounds you created for your two posted cards. Very cool... and cool looking! Have fun with the twins this weekend and thanks for joining us again at Words 2 Scrap By!

Anita in France said...

What stunning backgrounds, Darnell ... I was wondering how you did it, so it was great to find your fabulous photo tutorial! Have a fantastic weekend with the twins! Hugs & Bisous, Anita :)

Jean said...

I love your sea themed cards Darnell, the blues are fabulous. Thank you for sharing the background technique, it looks great.
Have a lovely time with your Grandtwins,
Jean x

Taunya Butler said...

Thank you, Thank you SO MUCH for showing how you made those gorgeous beyond words blue backgrounds!! Love these two cards - each of them has a quality about them that is just so nautical and reminiscent of the beach - thanks for sharing these lovelies with us and for being so LOVELY yourself!! Have a wonderful day!!

Carol said...

Two super male cards Darnell, love the watercolouring. Enjoy your visitors. Carol x

Bonnie said...

What a great watery background (in more ways than one)! Great idea to use the backgrounds for nautical cards! Have fun with the boys! We had ours last weekend and I'm missing them like crazy!

Karren said...

I really like the way you created your background, Darnell. Such a simple technique yet so effective - just how I like techniques to be :) Fabulous masculine cards and I love that you used a PSX stamp - love their stamps! Thanks so much for joining us at The Paper Players.

Jean said...

Such a delightful background in a wonderful color!!

Suzanne said...

As always, both cards are fabulous, love the blues, so pretty and so watery...perfect backgrounds for those cards! Hugs Suzanne

Susan said...

Ahhh - blue, my favourite colour! I love the shaker card version - what a brilliant idea for a shaker card to represent the water. Into my Pinterest shaker board for future inspiration!

Carol L said...

Two beautiful blue cards, and they make me feel cooler just looking at them! Thx for the fun tutorial, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend with the grands!

Kim Heggins said...

These are simply fabulous Darnell...just so sweet. Love your light house shaker is amazing and I am in love with your beautiful background too, so clever and it does not look too hard either. Have a fun weekend with your twins!

Anonymous said...

Two fabulous cards. Thanks for the pics of the background - you are so clever.
One day I might give this ago.
Enjoy your sleep over :)

Carol Cel said...

Great colors -- I love the background you created!

Lisa Elton said...

I like the pretty blues Darnell and I'm crazy about the lighthouse!! Enjoy your weekend with the twins. Grab all the hugs you can ;)

Pam said...

Fabulous watery backgrounds n these great cards, Darnell. Have a wonderful weekend full of fun with the twins.

Colleen said...

YES! I think you just invented a new technique!! You and hamster should give it a clever name! Love how it looks and gives so much dimension to the card. Great lighthouse!! Awesome cards, my friend!

Eliza said...

Love both your cards and the technique it reminds me of one I did many moons ago to create a fence gosh it had to be 20 years now and I loved it then, I do think yours is heaps better. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs Eliza & Yoda

Skye said...

Two lovely nautical cards. I love the background and the lighthouse shaker is great

Manuela said...

both are wonderful maritime cards, great looking watercolor technique!

Hannelie said...

So very beautiful Darnell!
Thanks for playing along at Case this sketch!

Julia Aston said...

Two wonderful nautycal cards in blue Darnell - love your background! thanks for joining us in the Fusion Challenge! have fun with the twins!

TK said...

How ingenious of you and Hammy! The backgrounds turned out wonderful. Nice cards. Enjoy the twins.

Bobby said...

A photo tutorial. What's next, Darnell? A video? ;) I am glad you showed us how you made that terrific background. Both cards show it off well.

ionabunny said...

Hi Darnell, blue is good and I like the stripes. Whats a oob PSX?? Couldn't get that. Like the sequin theory. Can't ever seem to get them right. Maybe it's all down to Lady Luck afterall. Hugz

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love the background on these beauties Darnell! Thanks for showing how you achieved...I would have thought they were masked and sponged and I have a terrible time with sponging and blending, but this is a very cool alternative for me to keep in the noggin :)
Love the nautical images, very masculine and handsome for Father's Day!

Inkyfingers said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell and such a useful photo tute! Hope you have a wonderful sleepover.
Hugs
Carol x

Barb Ghig said...

Two gorgeous nautical cards, Darnell! I love how you created the stripes with your brush (thanks for the pics)...such a lovely effect! Your sailboat is really amazing on vellum in the dark blue...WOW! I also love your shaker element on the 2nd card! Hope you're having a lovely weekend ~ Hugs, Barb

Geri said...

Okay...these are just waaaaaay beyond cool! They seriously look 3D-ish! Gorgeous colors and funky lighthouse - love the circle diecut 'wave pool'.

Great tutorial too!

Lynette said...

Cool technique and great cards!

G Peplow said...

Hi My Lovely friend :D What a fab tutorial and such brilliant results :D I really love the idea of throwing bling up in the air and sticking it where it lands, had a good giggle over that one LOL Have a great weekend, Hugs Gay xx

Marybeth said...

I LOVE the beautiful blue backgrounds you created! They turned out stunning! Wonderful cards of blue!

Sue said...

What a fabulous way to create a background, Darnell, thanks for sharing. I will have to give this a try. Two gorgeous seaside cards. x

Jan Clothier said...

Your background is glorious. In New Zealand, we call that floating mattress a 'lilo.' (Said 'lie-low.) The second card is super-adorable with it's shaker port-hole.

Hettie said...

Oooo Darling these are just spiffing!! I love these two cards. Just wonderful.
The floating things are called lilo's here too!!
Hugs to you and Hammy.
xx

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Darnell....cool blue cards and an excellent tut...how easy is that and so very effective - it's on my to try list. Have a wonderful long weekend Robyn

laurie said...

What a fun technique, and so perfect for your nautical cards! Very COOL!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! Thanks for sharing your technique with us! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Fusion.

Deanne :)

Brenda said...

I got the pool and drink Auntie, but you are a little far away. Of course you were in NC, still to far away but at least you were on the same coast line as me! lol Believe it or not, I haven't even been in the pool yet. It's hot enough, but just haven't gotten out there. I am so loving your cards! The blues are so beautiful, almost reminds me of the old Currier and Ives pattern but in a nautical theme-they had beautiful blue images on them. I am really loving the nautical looks though and I so love your watercoloring. I'm always envious of those who can watercolor and not have leakage, I'm afraid that's not me. lol Of course I'm just a beginner, very beginner at watercoloring. And even though you had some leakage, I think that just adds to the charm of these two cards. Hugs, Brenda

Jeanne J. said...

Super cool background that I can't wait to try! I love how you added so much color without actually coloring the design! The shaker is so fun too with all those sparklies inside. Makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop looking at it!

Lyndal said...

Gorgeous nautical but nice cards Darnell - FABulous watercolour backgrounds! So glad you joined in the fun @ FUSION!

Unknown said...

Both cards are fabulous. And I love the background you created. Thanks for sharing the pics of how you did it, because I was having a hard time figuring out exactly how you did it just from the first picture.

Helen F. said...

Oooohhh, great BG for your nautical cards, Darnell. Thanks for the tutorial how-to. Looks like I'll be able to CASE the first one ~~ I have this PSX sailboat stamp too ;-)

Petra Swart said...

You and Hammy are such a great (and clever) team, Darnell - the two of you created a lovely bg for your nautical cards!!!! Thanks for taking the time to show how you did it!!!! Lovely cards!!! Hope you and the twins had a great time!!!

Caz said...

Blue isn't my fave colour but I love these cards, they have a nice calm feel about them :-)

BobbisTreasure said...

LOVE how you did (and explained!) the background! Perfect!

cm said...

Nifty nautical cards, Darnell! I'm quite loving the blue...and the thought of a drinkie-poo, too! Toss-and-glue sequin placement: that's what I do...and you see how many sequins I 'don't use! Can't believe I missed wishing your awesome twinks time...but I know you had that, and more!
Hugs~c