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!

December 28, 2015

A Smooching Rose Parade for Friends

Greetings, my friends!

I hope your holidays were very special for you and that you made lots of awesome memories!

We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve with the Mister's sister and her family and then Christmas Day was spent at Dan and Rachel's. It was a fun time and a culinary delight as the prodigal plied us with prime rib. Yummo!!

It was also a delight to see that Radio Flyer wagons are still beloved by the youth!

Afterwards the twinsters and Duke came back home with us for the weekend to give their mom and dad a couple of days of alone time which wrapped up the holiday perfectly for all of us!

~~~

I haven't had any crafty time the last few days, but in the odd quiet moment last week, I decided I needed to get to my January birthdays before they all became belated. Using a very old rose stamp from Stampin Up and falling back on the tried and true techneke of craft mat smooching, I made this ...

which led to this: 
I was caught short again this Christmas when it came to the amount of cards I needed, so I've gotten a head start on my resolution to go straight from twofers in 2016 to tenfers. Or in this case, fourteenfers!

I must say I felt quite schmug when they were all soldiered together for the photo shoot!

~~~

To make my watercolored strips, I made three different card front panels using (alternatively) Distress Inks, SU markers, and PTI ink cubes. I used four different colors of ink cubes (two blues, two greens) and one by one I schwiped them back and forth three times directly onto my Ranger Craft Mat in an area about five inches across by six inches long. You can smoosh a smaller area if you are making tags. 

You can use as many different ink colors/brands as you like. You can also use markers instead of ink pads/cubes. Here is a link to a You Tube video by The Mad Stamper doing this technique with markers, which I also like. For these cards, I swiped ink cubes instead of markers, but the technique is the same.

After applying the ink, I lightly spritzed the mat and then lay my paper upside-down over the ink. I pressed the paper down and smooshed it a bit back and forth using an acrylic block just for a few seconds and then I lifted it off the ink and turned it over. 

You can also just use your hand to press and smooch. And if you don't like the result you can lay the paper back down and smooch it again until you're happy with the coverage. You can also dab the ink with a paper towel after you turn it over if you like a more pastel look or to stop the color from flowing.

Once the watercolor panels were dry, I cut them into strips for my card design.

~~~

Missing Friends

I wanted to mention that something appears to be going on again with Blogger, both from my own experience and from other bloggers commenting that their follower numbers are decreasing. I lost eight followers in just a couple of days and I'd like to think it's a glitch and not that people are really leaving me in droves! Eeks! 

ETA from Shaz who posted this Google notice: ... "We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow." ... Full notice here.

That appears to be that then. If you check the "Blogs I Follow" on your own profile page and my blog has dropped off your list, I would appreciate if you would sign up for a free Google Account, if necessary, and then re-follow me. Thank you!

~~~

Lost Friend

R.I.P.
Many of you know The Crooked Stamper Leslie Hanna. A shining star in our community in Blogland, Leslie passed away on Christmas Day. Her amazing talent, droll and wicked sense of humor, and kind encouragement will be forever missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

~~~

New Friends

Diana M. Larson of DL Art. Diana has only been blogging since January 1, 2011, but I'm sure you know of her. Diana is a prolific crafter and blogger. It would take you years of Sundays to peruse ~ with pleasure ~ all the wonderful tips, tricks, techniques, and talent Diana shares with her readers!

Sharon of My Crafty Cardz. Sharon is from the UK and she started her blog in 2013. She has always enjoyed making cards for her family and I think you will be as happy as I am that she started blogging and sharing her beautiful card art with the world. Her cards are always complete and make sweet little gifts in and of themselves!

Tasha Vovchuk of My Scrap Corner of Joy. Tasha is from Kiev and she is the mother of two young children. She has a passion for scrapbooking and her 3D and card art are simply divine! A multi-time challenge award winner, Tasha also serves on Design Teams. I think as you scroll back through Tasha's posts you will soon see why she has received so much recognition!

Joanna Harty of Harty by Heart. Joanna lives in Sweden with her husband and two little boys. She started blogging in December 2013 ~ happy 2nd Blogaversary! Joanna serves on several well-known Design Teams and she has achieved considerable kudos from challenges she has entered. In addition to blowing you away with her card artistry, Joanna shares and makes videos to show you how you can do it, too!

Sandra H. of Nanagramps Craft Designs. Sandra started blogging in 2011, she is retired, and she has three grown children and two grandchildren. Sandra started making her own cards in 2007 for family and friends and she enjoys playing in card challenges. She also serves on Design Teams for challenges where she's the one who helps provide loads of inspiration to the rest of us!

~~~

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!

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79 comments:

Kathyk said...

So pleased to read of the fab time you and the mister had over Christmas and so sorry to read of the loss of a blogging buddy, yours is the second blog to mention Leslie's death, a sad loss to the creative community.

Rest assured your blog has not disappeared from my "blogs followed" list. There's a thinking that blogger has had a clear out of inactive blogs but ..... I can't be sure. I've lost six followers (who all disappeared within a few hours of one another) so I suspect it's nothing to do with individual bloggers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and the Mister

Kathyk

Kathyk said...

Oh dear! There I was, wittering on (like I do) and TOTES forgot to mention your fabulous batallion of cards - brill, and well done on making your January selection

Kathyk

Lizzy Hill said...

Fun times! And fun cards:) that's a LOT to start the year with;) silly blogger!!! I use bloglovin & obv you're still there!!!

!neke said...

So you had a fabulous Christmas time with the family !
We did to !
Your cards are great !
Ineke X

Dr Sonia S V said...

Good to hear you had a wonderful holiday Darnell and I love popping by to see which new crafters you are introducing
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Julie B said...

Glad you had a fab time with family , we had the full set this year for a whole 3 days! Love my Grandson to bits but he will insist on waking up at some ungodly hour full of beans, I'm out of the habit of early rises since I gave up work!
Great set of cards marching across my screen.

As to the lost followers, I lost just the one last week but couldn't see why, perhaps Blogger is doing some housework!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year. xx

Sue said...

You are still on my list. I have lost one Follower, but maybe they have actually left:(

So glad you had such a nice Christmas.

Loving the cards. I hope to get my January ones made. I did do one before Christmas for a friends birthday that is on the 4th. Got it posted early, so hopefully it will arrive on time.

Sorry to hear of your blogging friend. Although they may be people we have never meant, they still have a place in our hearts.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous cards'
Check this out.
http://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/google-changes-may-lose-some-followers.html


Kath x

Pat said...

Glad you had a wonderful Christmas Darnell and love your array of pretty cards with some beautiful smooshing and the rose stamp is gorgeous and is so detailed it looks great just as it is. x

Di said...

Hi Darnell, I'll leave two comments - this first one is about your follower numbers dropping. I follow this guy: http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2015/12/blogger-followers-google-friend-connect.html

If you paste that link he's given an explanations - it's to do with Blogger not allowing 'non-Google account folk' to follow blogs. No warning, no nothing!

Do be aware that I'm pretty sure this guy, Chuck Croll, is somewhat affiliated to Blogger so although it could be useful to perhaps follow him (I do although I sometimes have problems following what he writes) keep a low profile if you're feeling critical.

Hugs

Di xx

Di said...

Wonderful cards Darnell! How very organised. and you sure had a lovely Christmas too.

Hugs

Di xx

Barb said...

What a beautiful selection of cards Darnell. So glad to hear that you and Mister had a wonderul time with your family. Glad to say I'm still with you.Barbxx

Liz said...

Sound like you had a great Christmas.

Most impressed that you're so organised with 2016 cards already - a lovely set of cards.

Wishing you a great 2016. xx

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I had lost 8 followers in one day also - so odd!! I love love love the cards!! GORGEOUS!!!!! And glad you had a wonderful Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gerrina said...

I love the technique you used for these cards! And those colours are ones I love to use... Good to read you had a good time this long weekend! And what a great way to do as you said you would next year already in this year! Hugs, Gerrina

Lynn said...

So glad you had a wonderful Christmas Darnell. Nothing better than spending it with family. And I'm sure your son/DIL loved having a few days to themselves. Your cards are gorgeous...love the tried and true smooching technique! Having the same problem with blogger. So sorry to hear the very sad news about Leslie. xx

Viv said...

What a massive caboodle of cards Darnell! Lovely!!!
Envy your warm Christmas - here's a link to how it is here where I live!
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14168316.VIDEO__FLOODING___RED_ALERT__Homes_evacuated_and_severe_weather_warning_issued/

Worse to come too over the next couple of days - perfect excuse for sitting here and making inky!And perched up on the top of this hill suffering lashing rain and gale force winds I am hoping that the power comes back real soon for those down in the villages below me!
You are So right - Life IS too short! x

Nan G said...

Stunning card(s)!!! Love the soldier pic. ;) And a very good idea as I didn't make enuf cards this year either. :( in fact, today I'm making four more. Have a wonderful and crafty week. Huhs

Nan G said...

Comment #2.....after some research I've found that Google Friends Connect is a side feature/reader within the Google world that is linked to Blogger. Google is blocking the use of this reader to anyone who does not have a Google account. So yes, it looks like your losing followers but you're not actually. If peeps use another blog reader or come directly to your blog via the URL they should be able to see/read your blog. This is just Google flexing its cyber muscle to try to force peeps to have a Google account so they can build their internet market share.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous design, love it and the colours. The group of cards look fantastic lined up perfectly together :) Enjoy the season, Shirleyxx

Happy Dance said...

So cool that the boys have a RF wagon. I remember good times with my brother's wagon back in the day. Made sure to get the grandkids theirs several years ago. Sounds like your Christmas was wonderful! And I'll be there next year just in time for some Prime Rib, lol! Love this fourteenfer! The cards are all beautiful, wearing their own colors, yet all have that gorgeous rose. Perfect sentiment font too; cool and lovely. Well done you!!! Thanks for letting us know about the passing of Leslie. All of us should go over and leave a message of sympathy for our fellow blogger's family. Gosh I hope someone does this for me when it's needed. I lost one follower, had no idea why, but after reading Nan's comment, that stinky ol' Blogger/Google needs me to talk to their mothers! That'd be the end of that! Miss you darlin'. Will talk soon!!! xoxo Bev

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow! Your Birthday cards are just amazing!! Suc a great idea and the black stamp looks so well!!
Glad you have had a Happy Christmas and I wish you a Fabulous New Year!

Stamps and Paper said...

Sounds like you had a great Christmas with all your family....love the design of your card Darnell.

Anne

Ardyth said...

These are gorgeous! Love the contrast of modern, artsy, loose colour and vintage, classic image!

Sarah said...

Looks like you've sorted out a couple of month's worth of cards there Darnell and fab they are too!! Glad to hear you had a good Christmas and I wish you and yours many good things in 2016 xx

Pia S said...

Well,all those cards should help you get through January at least with no belated cads being needed:)
Love the color technique used, very effective, and a great tip for me as I'm not always in mood for coloring...

Marie Bingaman said...

Beautiful set of cards, Darnell! I too was sad, and shocked to hear of Leslie's passing. She will be missed!

oldpunca said...

I'm glad to hear (to read) about your superb Christmas days. Your rose parade cards are fabulous. Enjoy the last week in this year!
Hugs, Sonja

Pam said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! I think I have to start doing that to catch up. Happy New Year!

Rubeena I. said...

You're still on my list :) These cards are BEAUTIFUL!! I received your card in the mail. Thank you so much for thinking of me!!

Geri said...

Another year of fabulous Christmas memories are safely tucked away in our hearts...at the ready whenever we need them!

Fabulous 14-fer....AWESOME craft mat smooching - love the cool shading!

Radio Flyer Wagons ROCK and will NEVER grow old!!!

Jean said...

Sounds like a perfect Christmas!!

Sheri said...

Love your cards! I love to smoosh my inks and it looks like you do too! Isn't it fun to see how they come out? Yours are beautiful!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautifully done and a great idea to make more of one design when working on cards. I find though I mostly only get a couple done these days. Always have other things to work on first. Mundane things like cooking and house work of some sort. Ugh! LOL

April said...

What a lovely card. I will have to CASE that one for sure.

I'm glad you mentioned that Leslie was the Crooked Stamper. I followed her blog. I didn't realize that she was the same person who ran the Use Your Stash Challenge Blog. Such a loss for our little crafty community. I"m sure heaven will have much prettier cards now. :-)

April

Marianne said...

Your card soldiers are looking just fabulous, Darnell. Love the overall design too. Happy to hear you had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was quiet and relaxing. The chemo is starting tomtake its toll on DH, so it was good to take things easy for a few days. If all goes well, there's only one more round to go in January. The highlight of our Christmas was skyping with DH's grandchildren (11 and 9) and their mother for the first time in many years. Something to be truly thankful for.
Marianne x

Carol said...

A regiment of roses Darnell...they look wonderful. Carol x

JoAnn said...

Beautiful cards. Love the colors and the technique you used with that pretty rose stamp.
Happy New Year to you and the Mister.

Redanne said...

So pleased you had a lovely Christmas with the family - and the extra bonus of having the twinsters for extra time too! Your cards look amazing, everyone who receives one of those will be delighted.

I have not lost you from my blog as yet, although a couple of others have gone... sigh. I do wish Blogger would leave well enough alone!! Hugs, Annie xx

Bonnie said...

You are so clever to get all these beauties done! Love the smooching and that beautiful rose!

JD/ Jill said...

So happy to hear that you had a lovely Christmas. Ours was nice but very quiet! Your rose card is lovely!

I lost 7 followers in one day. I thought it was me...my blog has been a bit neglected and even more boring these days...smile... Hope to do better in 2016!

Carol L said...

It looks like a great Christmas from your photos, and I'm loving those gorgeous cards too! Have a wonderful and bright new year in 2016 and I wish better health for the Mister too as he mends!! CHEERS!

PatM said...

Still here and enjoying your BLOG. Love the January birthday cards and aren't you smart for "getting 'er done" before panic steps in!

The colorful inking strip on the side is nice. Could you tell me the name of the rose stamp...I like the way it is truly the focal point without having to worry about a lot of white space.

Looking forward to your posts!

Marisa said...

Fabulous card - love it. Smart lady doing multiples too :) I had quite a few dropped followers as well. Thanks for the info!

Birgit said...

I have that rose stamp! It is one of my favourites. I love your card(s) you made and you got busy! Good for you especially during this hectic time. It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a beautiful New year. I am so sorry to hear about this lady's passing. It is always hard but especially when it happens right on Christmas. My prayers are to her family and friends

Lisa Elton said...

So happy your Christmas was merry and bright Darnell!! Your cards are gorgeous, you are a good smoocher ~ heehee!! I'm so very sorry to hear of your blogging friend's passing. Prayers for her and her family.

Greta said...

What a great Christmas you guys had--fun seeing the twins with the wagon! I love that technique & you've used it to perfection, Darnell--gorgeous cards!

Jacquie Southas said...

The card is lovely & elegant and perfect for multiples, Darnell! So happy to see you are having a great Christmas break with the family.

Kim Heggins said...

Hello my dear....these are simply gorgeous and look so amazing, I got to see them in person! And can't wait to make a set of my very own after getting a lesson from the master! They look so beautiful all standing at attention, just so stinkin' creative!

Suchi said...

Glad to know you had a great holiday time Darnell! LOVEDDDDD your gorgeous card! :)
Suchi xx

kiwimeskreations said...

So pleased to hear you had a great Christmas after all the fodoodle with Mister late in the year!!
Love your set of cards - way to go Darnell!! Simple, each one unique, and elegant!
i have put the whole Google update on my blog to let folks know, but I have lost a couple of followers :-(
Blessings
Maxine

sandie said...

Good to hear your Xmas was fun. I love these cards. That rise may be old but so very elegant x

Anita in France said...

Sounds as though you all had a heap of fun with the family, Darnell ... a perfect way to spend Christmas! Gorgeous cards ... all fourteen of them! Beautiful smooshed panels and such a lovely, delicate rose! Don't know if follower-losing is only down to blogger ... I lost half a dozen last month and that's with Wordpress! Hey ho ... technology! Hugs & bisous, mon amie! Anita :)

Ros Crawford said...

Holy Moly those cards are beautiful!! I LOVE that stamp! I'm so very sorry to hear the news of your friend Leslie ... so very sad, and on Christmas day ... May she be at peace with the angels.
Have a beautiful day Darnell

Em Louise Fairley said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards, as always, Darnell!
Hugs,
Em x

OH Babs said...

Mass producing is probably a good idea for you as you have so many followers and admirers. It is a lovely design. Question: "did you have a preference for the ink you used?" Hooray for smooshing and friendships. :)

conil said...

Tenfers???? Now I really do feel inadequate. However, totally enjoying the feel of this incredible card. The black & white against those splashes of color is really effective. Loved it and Instagram, love it more now that I've seen the bigger picture.
Heard of Leslies's sad passing just yesterday (I think). Hopefully kind words and prayers with bring some comfort to her family.

Lindsey said...

Darnell, I am so SO glad you created an army of these cards because I think this is the most fantastic design. I can't believe how you've breathed new life into this old stamp. If there ever was a card to CASE, this is it! Love it! I'm glad to read you had an enjoyable holiday. Hoping this new year brings you more joy than ever! Hugs, my friend!

Unknown said...

These cards are a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!! Perfectly lined up stamping wise and love the matching pearls/dotties..........schmazing Dippy. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Kay Miller said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas! I'm so glad! :) Your cards are AMAZING! Saw that one on Facebook this morning and gasped!! You have done well with the "smooching" technique and I am so glad to see you referring to it as smooching, since spell check changes it to that every time I try to type something different :) Hope you have a very happy new year my friend!! ((Hugs))

Aileen said...

Darnell I dont remember seeing a card done like this before, what a brilliant, beautiful card. Love the smooching but also the way it divides to blues and greens and then your rose stamped on top just partially. Must must try this idea, looks wonderful. Clever duck, take care xx

Nancy said...

Wow! What a stunning set of cards, Darnell! Gorgeous colors! Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!

Carole said...

Thanks for posting the bit about losing followers...I was thinking it strange that some would stop following...trying not to take it personally.

Now about the fantastic collection you've created. You almost have to go into mass production to keep up with all your fans. Be well Happy New Year! Carole

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous collection Darnell. I am so glad you had a wonderful holiday. I am finally back in Maryland after my holiday travels and am trying to catch up. I was shocked to hear of Leslie's passing. I will miss her dearly. Sending hugs to you my friend, and sending appreciation for your lovely posts, fabulous writing style and wonderful humor. Hoping the Mister is improving as well!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I gave away my Radio Flyer a few years back (to the thrift store that helps kids in need). I didn't get one until I was an adult. It was a much coveted when I was a child. Probably my parents though (rightly so) "Where we would put this thing?" That is what lead it going to Case de los Ninos.

Anywho, love the card and the card factory. I admire your overly ambitious goal of doing TENfers. Heck, even twofers is a bit out there for me. My thing is when I make 3-4 of the same design I send out 1-2 of them and then can't remember who they went to. I don't want to send the same card to the same person. So usually I end up giving those extras away because I'm too afraid to use them.

Leigh Penner said...

These are gorgeous, Darnell!
Thanks for stopping by my blog for my 10th Anniversary Celebration -- I really appreciate your sweet comments and encouragement!

Laura said...

Darnell,
What is the smooching board technique?
Laura

LauraJane:) said...

LOVE a GREAT rose parade!! These are FABULOUS!!

Dana M said...

Stunning cards Darnell! I love the Radio Flyer too, classics are the best :)

JennyH said...

I love these cards Darnell, so much so that I had to hunt the stamp down from Pinterest and Google, finally found on ebay and paid an exorbitant amount but well worth it : )

Bobby said...

I'm so glad you had a wonderful Christmas, Darnell. We did, too. Now I have to clear my desk and label my NBUS so I can get back to crafting. Your rose stamp is gorgeous and you know I love a good smooshing. But making 14 of the same card would bore me to death. ;)

Sue - said...

So pleased you had a good Christmas! We did too! Your cards are very pretty and I can say even better IRL, Thank you so much! Hugs xx.

Nora Noll said...

What stunning, stunning card!!! I LOVE the smooshed colors you used on these!! Glad you had a fun Christmas!!

TK said...

I lOvE your cards, and your "smooshing" is superb -- something I am still working on :P

Jeanne J. said...

One of the most clever cards I've seen in a while! The color brings your detailed image to life and is so stunning!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

You'll make up for lost souls in no time at all! Especially with all this fabulousness going on on your blog all the time! Such an amazing set of cards!

SHartl said...

What a great set of cards, and a really awesome technique. I tend to steer clear of stamps that need a lot of coloring so this is a good way to add the color without having to spend a lot of time on it. Love the photo of the twins messing around at your house!

Helen F. said...

So happy you had such a great time with family, Darnell! It's a true blessing to have them close by.
As for your set of cards, well...GASP! This is a gorgeous design, thank you so much for the how to and link. LOVE the multiples concept!

cm said...

So much for my "keep up with commenting on special friends' posts" resolution! Dang! But after this catch up, I'm aiming to remain 'caught up.'! You and 'the gals' have been my incredible supporters in this journey and it's high time I put more effort into my connection. May have to rethink the ol' DT commitments. Anyway...your Christmas sounds fabulous! How fabulous the twinsters love their Radio Flyer; Ms. T and Mr. C have one and it sure receives plenty of TLC when the snow is gone. LEGO was the 'hit' this year with those two (and a certain Aunty and Uncle, too). Your 14 cards are STUNNING, Darnell! No need for me to critique what you've done (everyone 'on time' has done so, eloquently), so I'll just say: I LOVE THESE!
Hugs~c