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!

July 5, 2015

Watercovering Plates

Hello! Happy Sunday Funday! I hope my American friends all had a safe and sane 4th of July celebration!

Today is July 5th, which is the day in 1937 when SPAM was first introduced to the world by the Hormel Foods Corporation. They had no idea that now, 78 years later, it would have a whole different meaning! [#Trivia Nugget.]

When I saw Nichole's Make It Monday video challenge was about adding color to cover plates, I was immediately intrigued, especially since one of my favoritiest card artists in the world made the video. That would be Laura Bassen of Doublestick Heaven, of course! (I like to pretend I'm one of her moms. As a result, she has a restraining order out on me, but it doesn't make me love her any less.)

The challenge is almost over, but if you have any cover plates or full-size dies such as I used in my twofer, you should click on either of the above links and watch the amazing video. Conversely, if you have any colors that need cover plates, you're on your own.

Here is my rendition:
I used PTI's Quartre Foil cover plate and the heat-embossed sediment is from PTI's "Signature Greetings" set.

I'm also entering the Curtain Call challenge of "Celebrate," which is running for the whole month of July in celebration of their 3rd anniversary and the birthday celebrations going on over at STAMPlorations in honor of their 2nd birthday! Congratulations to both awesome challenge blogs!
~~~

My twofer:
This one was made using my NBUS MFT Die-namics CU die "Floral Fusion." Because I used gold ink for some of the flowers (yes, that's gold, not pooey brown), I backed the plate with a metallic gold paper. The NBUS ribbon is SU lost lagoon. The sediment is an ancient unmarked wooden stamp.

I'm sad that the photo doesn't show how pretty the flowers and gold are IRL, but this might help:
Is it just me, or are "twofers" now becoming all the rage in Blogland?!

Challenges
  • Addicted to Stamps and More: Anything Goes.
  • Just Us Girls is celebrating their 300th challenge with a Word challenge and the word is "Congratulations." Congratulations to them for such a successful challenge!

GRAB OUR BADGE!
~~~

All the best to the US Women's Soccer team in today's championship game against Japan! Congratulations to all the teams from all over the world who made it into the competition and played their hearts out!

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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91 comments:

Karen M said...

Love both your gorgeous cards Darnell and many Happy Birthday wishes!(my apologies for being a little late) I hope that you enjoyed your special day - hugs xx

Cathy said...

Wow, such a great technique, and such pretty cards. Cathy x

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - I think you have enabled me [to buy some cover plates] - I am heading to a big craft fair this week.....
Blessings
Maxine

Sarah said...

These are really lovely Darnell, such pretty colours and very touchable too!! xx

!neke said...

That technique is great !
Your cards .....wow..... love it !
Have a sunny Sunday !
Ineke

Canonbury creations said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, great technique, love the flowers. Hope you had a wonderful birthday sorry for the belated greetings!
Val x

Jan Clothier said...

Love the water-coloured coverplate! It's gorgeous! Thanks for the heads- up and the link to the video,

Sue said...

Loving the cards. I like the bright colours.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

lostinpaper said...

I saw this technique and loved it too, your cards are so wonderful Darnell, thanks for the inspiration!

Inkyfingers said...

Such a fabulous technique and I love how you showcased it here Darnell! Hope you had a good birthday and 4th July!
Hugs
Carol x

Lizzy Hill said...

Oooh, those sparkly flowers - would be great to see them in RL! And the top one with the quatrefoil.....LOOOOVE - that subtle shifting in colour. Amazing!!!

KandA said...

These are both gorgous cards Darnell and fabulous colours.
I well remember tins of Spam and the "fun" had in trying to open them when the little key broke, but nowadays the word SPAM breaks me out into that Monty Python song! Enjoy the rest of your weekend xx

Monica Maier said...

Love the cards Darnell! I love Laura Bassen too her coloring and blending is fantastic. A restraining order!!! LOL You carack me up!!!

Unknown said...

As always super loverly cards Darnell! Awesome dies and great colouring! Great designs! Thank you for joining us at ATSM this week!
Kamila DT

Marilyn said...

Your cards are awesome Darnell!! I love the colors!!

Nancy Penir said...

You are a master of this technique! Probably true because you're Laura's mom (Ha!) Gorgeous gold posies and bg, and the quatrefoil cover plate is precious in pastels! Always loved that one! Both beauties, Darnell!

Regina said...

two very pretty card! I love the flower card!

sending sunshine greetings from Germany
Regina

adele holcomb said...

I'm with you -- I love Laura Bassen! Not only is she talented and full of great ideas, but I could listen to her patter all day long! It's like sitting down with a good (and funny) friend.

Nice cards! I have that PTI sentiment and sometimes have trouble using it because the "y" is so long. I never thought to cut around it and round the corners. And your colored flowers are beautiful!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

LOL to the restraining order!!! I love love love your cards!!! Gorgeous colors!!!!

Lynn said...

Ha...I'm a Laura lover too! :) Love both of your cards..the color choices are divine...and your shine and shimmer. Wow! Beautiful Darnell.

Jeanne said...

Oooh, that Laura is quickly becoming one of my faves, too. I so enjoy her videos. She sounds like she'd be so much fun to hang out with. Sorry to hear about that restraining order. LOL Your twofer is (are?) fabulous! I like how you colored the individual shapes. I'm sure they are even more stunning in person. Lots of sparkle on the second one! Great work, Darnell. Hope you had a great day even if you couldn't cap it off with a fireworks show.

Cindy H. said...

Beautiful cards! Thank you for the closeup of the second card as it really lets us see just how beautiful and sparkly it is.

Pat said...

I love tbe idea of inking a die plate before cutting and getting this gorgeous effect Darnell. Two wonderful cards and love the colours. x

pinky said...

Super gorgeous card Darnell, loving the soft rainbow of colour.

Anita in France said...

You've done your retraining-ordering-pretend-daughter proud, Darnell ... lovely used of Laura's technique in your beautiful cards ... delicate, delightful, delectable! Hugs & Bisous, Anita :)

Vicki Dutcher said...

Super fun twofer post ;) -- I bet those flowers are stunning in real life - Thanks for joining in at JUGS 300!

conil said...

Twofer...don't think I understand...or is it, that I never do it. Too slow, I guess. But you've taken this challenge and OWNED it! Yowza. These two are spectacular.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, two gorgeous cards, beautiful dies which make gorgeous backgrounds, I love how you have added the colours,hugs Kate x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous all cards
hugs Tamara

Alanna said...

What a beautiful card. Your cover plates looks amazing. And to come here and get a twofer? I love how you colored the flowers on the second one with all the different colors.

Krisha said...

Thanks for sharing the video....yes, I watched it....*grin*
Your cards turned out fantastic......you go girl!!

Birgit said...

I totally understand restraining orders since George Clooney has one out on me...and probably 30 others:) Love these cards and had to snicker at the "pooey brown" since I knew it was gold. I wish the camera would pick up all the glitter but the close-up definitely does. Love both of these!

Brenda in IN said...

I love Laura Bassen too. She has the best sense of humor and I love her videos. I think if the two of you made a video together we would be rolling in the aisles! I do love the coloring of the die cuts and your cards are stunning. The flower one is especially lovely but both are pretty. I loved SPAM as a kid, not so much any more. At the time it was really cool, meat in a can on the grocery shelf. Who would have thought! Have a happy Sunday.

Scrapmate said...

fab cards, I must check out the video later. I must confess to having done a couple of twofer so recently as well - lack of time and a desire to enter some challenges close to my heart were the reason. what I don't see the point of are the 'sixers' and 'tenner' (are those even words?) but you get what I mean. Is it a legit challenge entry if you've just read a blog that collates all the different challenges and tried to squeeze your card into as many different challenges as possible sometimes not even bothering to read the rules of the specific challenges you're entering? Ok rant over (I feel better having got that off my chest).

Greta said...

Wowzer, Darnell! You nailed the challenge, my friend! I had to color the frame black, if you know what I mean--LOL! But your frames are still perfectly white. Of course I could have masked, but no, not me--LOL! Hope you had a wonderful 4th!

Carole Z said...

Such pretty cards Darnell, love the colours, hugs Carole Z X

Lynette said...

Great cards, Darnell! Your posts are always SO entertaining:) I didn't realize this was Spam's anniversary. My husband is from Austin, MN and I lived there for eleven years. My first full-time job was at the Hormel Corporate Office:)

designbydonna said...

Beautiful selection of colors on your cards. Loving the look of cover plates. Just might have to go shopping as I have lots of colors that need cover plates.

Planetsusie said...

Oooh 'eck missus - these are both gorgeous, such lovely colours! I sat and watched your complainant's(!) video and was sooo quiet that the maestro thought I was unconscious! Not normal for me to be quiet you see. I also went to check out her vid 'cos I thought 'wassa cover plate' then the penny dropped from a great height and I realised that I have some of these so will be trying to do this myself. LOL!!!

Hugs to you Soupie xxxxx

MaryH said...

Both are yummy, and you can bet I'll be watching this video. You amaze me with the TWO cards.. Loved the SPAM trivia..who knew? Only Our Darnell would come up with something to smile about a thing called Spam! Happy Sunday, and hope it's just grand. Hugs & MWAH. TFS

Linda said...

Beautiful quatrefoil card. Love the colors. Your second card is pretty too, but really love the first.

JoAnn said...

Both cards are so pretty. I really love the first one. Great job.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love these and love the idea of coloring the dies that way. When I get back into card making I will have to try that too.

Kay Miller said...

Both of your cards are stunners Darnell!! That looks like a fun technique that if I ever come up for air, I'm going to try! haha!! I hope you had a happy fourth and a very happy birthday!! So sorry I'm a little late!! Like I said, still trying to come up for air here!! heheh!! ((Hugs my friend))

Clare said...

Wonderful cards! I'm so jelly now that I don't have any cover plates to play with, because I'm feeling very inspired after seeing your takes! And you know, gold is just rough to photograph - I totally feel ya there. ;)

Cat Craig said...

Darn you ... now I am going to have to look at cover-plate dies...arrrggh! Love these cards, the color is so lovely and delicate.

Sharyn Polesel said...

Beautiful cards, both of them! What a great technique! I'm going to have to try it. Thanks for joining us at Just Us Girls for our 300th!

Redanne said...

You won't be seeing any 'twofers' from me any time soon, I am not such a clever crafter as you are!! I do love both cards, the trellis frame on the first one looks gorgeous and I bet the gold on the second one looks fantastic IRL. I am so pleased that the girl's football/soccer has been so widely broadcast, thumbs up to the ladies!! Hugs, Anne xx

Kathleen said...

Totally gorgeous Darnell and I have watched the video and I just love the idea and the colours unfortunately I do not have any of these type of dies.... yet!

Kath x

Bonnie said...

The color adds so much interest! Both of these are so pretty! Love your choice of colors! (I would have stuck to just one color and bored you silly!)

Kim Heggins said...

Two absolutely gorgeous cards! Love how you colored both of them, such a wonderful look!

Brenda said...

Yuck to both Spam's! lol I don't care for the canned Spam or the computer spam. lol Who knew that spam would become another meaning?! Oh Auntie, I would never put out a restraining order on you! lol Of course I'm not famous nor do I have a video out. lol But I can tell you that I plan on watching that video. I love, love your first card, so soft are the colors, it is just plain beautiful! Your second card is so sparkly and pretty, love all those flowers! I say a great job on both! Hugs, Brenda

Marisa said...

Fabulously done!! Love the first one and the second is so bright and cheery. Belated Happy Birthday - trusting it was an enjoyable day and cheers for a great year ahead :)

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, both are very beautiful with fantasic colours. I laughed at the gold is not poo brown:) it's frustrating sometimes taking photos, some colours and glitter do not want to show how they are IRL. Have a great week, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Lisa Elton said...

I would be hard pressed to pick favorite here Darnell!! You did a fabulous job on both!

Pam said...

These are awesome, Darnell. Doesn't Laura make the funniest videos out there/ I could watch her all day.

Marilyn said...

Wow... I love them both. Both are utterly gorgeous and so creative.
Interesting about Spam. Mom used to give us that awful stuff in our lunches and to this day, I cannot bear to even think about what is in it, let alone eat it.

Nora Noll said...

What lovely cards you created!! And I love Laura too. She is too cute in her videos. I really like how you backed the second card in the gold metallic paper. Gold is so difficult to photograph too!!

My goal is always to make twofers but I never seem to meet it. Or if I do, I have to post it on different days just to get posts in. I think you rock the way you have been consistent with posting two cards that you sit down and make.

Lucy E. said...

These are such lovely cards with all
of that yummy color!!! Thanks for
sharing :-)

Jill Norwood said...

Hi Darnell! Love your "twofer" cards! The close-up of your second card shows how pretty it is IRL!!! Gorgeous my dear!!! They are both wonderful! I need to try and make a card before tomorrow! So fun!

Dana M said...

Gorgeous cards and fabulous technique. Thanks for sharing the link!

Anonymous said...

Great cards Darnell.

Unknown said...

Two brilliant examples of this technique Dippy although when I saw your blog post title I thought you were going to wash your dinner plates!!! Love the different colors on the way a quatrefoil card and the wonderful shimmer and shine on your second card......definitely winners in the twofer challenges.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Gerrina said...

A fun technique to stretch your supplies! And two lovely sunny cards! Enjoy your week! Hugs, Gerrina

Caz said...

Your cards are always the best! I wish I had the skills and the imagination :-P

Janelle said...

Hi, Stranger. It's been ages since I've commented to you - not been well. But I had to say that I love what you did today with the coloured background die cuts. I saw Nichole's video as well and love this technique. I particularly am inspired by your quatrefoil card. YUM!!! Hugs, Janelle :)

Janelle said...

Also almost forgot that it was your birthday last week. Happy Birthday. I'm sure you've only become another year better! :) (P.S. It's mine tomorrow, so us Cancerian chicks need to stick together. ;)

Joan B said...

both are beautiful!!

Ros Crawford said...

Terrific cards!! So sorry I missed you birthday ... I hope you had a wonderful day ... Big hugs!

Kara Lynne said...

Beautiful job with Laura's technique! I love seeing your twofers, I keep thinking that's a great way to enjoy a technique or products while they are still out there on my desk. I'm too old to be your daughter, but could I claim to be Laura's cousin so you could at least be my Aunt?!

Deepti said...

These are so very beautiful! Way to rock the cover plate dies :)

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are stunning!! I love the colors!! They look amazing!! Wow!! Love, love them!! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Pia S said...

Im gonna check out these tutorials, I love the result of your colorful cards and it's always great to discover new methods for using what's already in your stash.

oldpunca said...

Oooo, I'm amazed about both of your cards, dear Darnell. Such a great idea! And wonderful colour choise.

OH Babs said...

Lovely glad to see you used them and the look so good. I have one and used it but boy it was hard to get out all the pieces - guess I will give it another go. Hope you are feeling better, much better. BBB

Shery Russ said...

Crushing on both your beautiful cards, Darnell! Love the quatrefoil on the first and the floral goodness on the second. So happy to see you celebrate with us at STAMPlorations -- our birthday's made even more special with your cards gracing the linky!!! Thank you so much and big, big hugs!

Sharron said...

Fabulous job with this MIM technique! Both of your cards are gorgeous--love the colors! The close-up of your second card is wonderful. I'm sure the whole card looks stunning with all the sparkle and shine!

Marybeth said...

Love them both! I am going to have to call you the queen of shimmer and what wonderful photos you take of your shimmer cards! wow!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

These are both beautiful! I don't have any cover plates, but your cards make me wanna get some!

Dora B. said...

Wow, what a technique...thanks for showing it to us. Your cards are so sparkly and light. After I just finished ranting about not buying one more thing, here comes something to make me change my mind.

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

I do not have any of these cover plates, but if I did, I would surly try out this fabby technique! They look so awesome, Darnell!

Irish Cherokee said...

Interesting technique Darnell. Looks sorta like you used a spray gun. I must get mine out and try something with it again.Love the results of both cards.

Love, Hugs and Blessings
Jim

Joyce said...

Love both of these cards, Darnell. Sorry I'm coming by so late.

JD/ Jill said...

Both cards are so very nicely done.

Barb Ghig said...

I'm so sorry for my late visit...Two really beautiful cards, Darnell! I love how you created your own banner on the first card and the sparkle on the 2nd one is just gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at ATSM!

Shona Chambers said...

I wouldn't have called it 'pooey brown', more like 'I shouldn't have drunk that water in that country' brown...lol. Love the gold with the flowers and your so lucky to have so many large die-cuts. Both of yours are gorgeous and its such a good idea to use the water colours with them. And of course if Laura says its a good idea, it must be!! I always say I want to be Laura Bassen when I grow up, does that mean you will be my Mum too?????

Shawna said...

It just keeps getting better.. I think this came from the Papertrey Ink tutorial.. I have this plate and must CASE this for myself.. I will give you credit, I promise!! These colors are wonderful and the gold BG is the icing on the cake.. Your take on the Card Concept challenge is perfect!! L-O-V-E!!

Sue VanDeVusse said...

Darnell, these are amazing! I love how you colored those cover dies, absolutely stunning. The metallic gold behind the flowers is gorgeous. Thanks for celebrating our 300th challenge with us at JUGS!

Lindsey said...

Here in Canada we have the two-FOUR, which is a case of beer. :D
Two fantabulous cards!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Hello little lady! I am intrigued with these things you call cover plates. I had to google this. Hehe! I absolutely love this! Your first card is stupendous and the colors are mwah! Your second card does look like gold in the second pic-awesome sauce!!!! Loves the twofer! Hugz! ~Niki

Petra Swart said...

I definitely have colours needing cover plates, Darnell!!!! Don't have any of those to play with!!! Your beautiful cards might just have me going shopping!!!