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!

January 16, 2017

Blog Birthaversary SURPRISE! NBUS Challenge #8!

Greetings, my friends!

Today is a day of many celebrations for me and I'm becited to share them with you! You're gonna wanna grab a jumbo beverage and maybe a large sammich.


First, and most importantly, it is the 46th wedding anniversary of me and the Mister! Trust me when I say it seems like 146 years! No. Stop it! It truly does feel like we've only just begun, which just happened to be our wedding song! Happy Anniversary, K2, and cheers to many more loving years together!!

Second, today is the 5th anniversary or birthday or, as I like to say, birthaversary of this little ol' blog! I'm delighted to have become friends with over 1,000 like-minded card artists in that time and written over 1,000 posts! I'm very passionate about this hobby and hope I'll be able to continue for many more years.

Third, as you can see, I've had a face-lift for the special event thanks to my friend Loll! She took a piece of Brusho art that I had created to make a custom background, which I love. And since so many of you use my first name rather than my blog name when you mention me, I decided to change the header design with Loll's help. I hope you like it! Thank you so much, Loll! 


~~~


I couldn't let my blog birthaversary go by without throwing a giant NBUS PARTY now could I? No way! So here we go!

For this event (and this event only) I am running three NBUS Challenges back-to-back for three weeks, with a different challenge running each of the three weeks. Each week there will be different prizes and themes. 

  • So today is NBUS Challenge #8, which will run for a week. There is an optional theme and five prizes, and you can enter three times;
  • Next Monday, January 23rd, will be NBUS Challenge #9 which will run for a week. It will have a new optional theme(s), and five new prizes, and a chance to enter three more cards; and 
  • Then the next Monday, January 30th, will be NBUS Challenge #10 which will run for a week. It will have a new optional theme, five new prizes, and a chance to enter three more cards.
  • Winners for all three challenges will be published in one post on February 13, 2017. 

Squee!! Let's have fun with our bad selves and our NBUS!

The basic idea of this challenge is evident in the name. You are to use schtuff never before used (virginal) on your creation. It can be something you've had for years or something you got yesterday. For the history of NBUS and to see prior challenges, please see the tab above or click HERE.

January 16, 2017 ~ January 22, 2017



๐Ÿ”นPlease use a NBUS item and share what it is.
๐Ÿ”นPlease follow using the blue "Follow" button on the side bar.
๐Ÿ”นPlease only enter this challenge three times with new work only.
๐Ÿ”นPlease only enter four other challenges, for a total of five, including this one.
๐Ÿ”นPlease mention the NBUS Challenge and link your post back here.
๐Ÿ”นPlease leave encouraging comments on each other's creations.
๐Ÿ”นPlease click HERE for how you enter if you don't have a blog.
๐Ÿ”นPlease enjoy!




In the past, other than the requirement that you use NBUS, I've run Anything Goes challenges. For this NBUStival, however, there will be fun specific optional themes. 

Personally, in addition to using NBUS this year, I'm challenging myself to start using those NBUS techniques that I've been meaning to try for ages. (These techniques are old ones that many of you have done before and I'm just late to the party.) 

So for this challenge I would like you to join me and


Note: If your thing is using colored pencils on kraft and you've done it a million times, or you don't own any colored pencils, or you don't own any kraft paper, I would love it if you could instead try some other NBUS technique, something you've been meaning to try. Please share with us what it is. Of course, you still must use some NBUS product. I do hope a lot of you will be able to use colored pencils on kraft if at all possebley, because it will look really cool in the gallery, but remember, this theme is entire optional!


For the September NBUS Challenge #7, there were no prizes, just to see if you were entering because of the prizes or because I encouraged you to use your NBUS. You proved you played whether there were prizes or not (thank you!), but this milestone calls for PRIZES!

These prizes are open to everyone worldwide, provided the rules are followed.
  1. $25 gift card. Winner's choice to any American company. [GC]
  2. $25 gift card. Winner's choice to any American company. [GC]
  3. Faber Castell Polychromos. [P]
  4. Mini MISTI Stamping Tool. [M]
  5. Clarity Stencil Brushes. [C]
Important: In your comment (or after your name in the gallery when you link up), please indicate which of the prizes you would like to win by including the alpha letter(s) shown after the name of the prize. To be fair, for the non-gift certificate items, please don't request them if you already own them or something substantially similar. If you want to participate in the drawing and would be happy with any of the prizes, please type [ANY] in your comment. 

If you do not make an indication of your preference, I will assume that you do not want to be included in the drawing for a prize! Thank you!

Also, if you and I have not communicated via email in the past five years, please make sure you use the secure "contact me" form on the right to provide me with your email address! Commenting doesn't always provide me with your email information if you are a No-Reply Blogger. If I can't contact you, you can't win! ๐Ÿ’™


I will hold three separate drawings for each of the three NBUS Challenges, but winners of ALL THREE challenges will be published on February 13, 2017.
~~~
Here is my entry as inspiration for you.

The swooning lady is Madge from Art Impressions. I just found via Google that Art Impressions has a challenge and the current challenge is about trying new techniques, so I'm going to enter Madge over there!

For the sediment, I did a little creative and unauthorized manipulation of a "You Make Me Smile" stamp from CFS. You can see it here:
I just masked the "mile" and handwrote "woon" instead. I mean, don't get me wrong, the Mister still makes me smile, too, but with the fabulous posturating of the theatrical Madge, I had to acknowledge that he still makes me swoon, too!

Then I thought, well, maybe I can kick it up a notchlet, so I did this to it:
Funner.

~~~

And then what happened was, right after I finished the above card, I got my Happy Mail and in it was a NBUS stamp from Penny Black ("Kisses For My Sweet"), which I've been loving for quite a while and finally bought. How could I not make another card for this special day? It isn't colored pencils on kraft, but it is NBUS!
I used my Zig KGT paints to watercolor the sweet couple. I embossed the side with a heart e/f from Sizzix for SU and offset the panel onto a matchy-matchy card base. The sediment is from Papertrey Ink. A crop-o-dile chomped the corner.

Here is the most recent picture of the Mister and me at Christmas at the Mister's sister's house holding the Mister's sister's dog Cisco. (Sorry I made you spit with all those esthes.) We're not looking too bad for being 78-years-old and married for 46 years, huh?! Well, oookay, we're not that old, but you did think we were looking especially good there for a second, dincha?! 
~~~

Enjoy your day! Enjoy the surprise NBUS ChallengesNo, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse. Thank you very much for participating and for being incredible friends and followers and supporters! Your friendship and your encouraging comments keep me going! MWAH! 

If you have any questions, please use the contact form on the right or email darnell dot knauss at gmail dot com. And, remember, if you want to be in the drawing for a prize, please make sure to let me know which prize you want and how I can contact you!!



*Life is too short!
Let's also celebrate Dr. King today!
Image result for mlk images
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 a pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, 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!

232 comments:

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scrappymo! said...

Love your pencil crayon on kraft image. Those Art Impression images are always such a hoot!

Sliding in near the last hours with my card. Hope you like it. I don't have amny pencil crayons so would like to be considered for the PolyChromos (P)

Thanks so much for your very fun challenges. I have lots of NBUS so will try to do three cards each for your next two weeks...

scrappymo! said...

Me again. I posted your link to the challenge on my sidebar. I wanted to place it also right on my post but could not manage to do it. My computer used to allow it and now the pop up thingy has disappeared! Sorry!

Sharron said...

Well, very Happy Anniversaries to you--5 wonderful blog years and even more important 46 memorable years with the Mister! Love the photo of you two! Two awesome cards too, with great coloring on both and super fun sentiment on the first. Thanks so much for doing another NBUS challenge. I totally missed your last one. I always need a little push to get something made so thank you for that. No prize needed, just the fun of helping you celebrate is good for me!

Robyn Oliver said...

Just simply want to say a very Big Congrats Darnell for everything...lovely photo of you both, great new look, fabulous cards (I love that image) and a Very Big Thank You, you are amazing and an inspiration to us all.

Helen J said...

Congrats to you and the Mister - that's quite some achievement!

If I were lucky enough to win I think I'd like a $25 voucher please - thanks for the opportunity.


PS I'm following you on Bloglovin' & Pinterest

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

I did manage to blog Darnell, so popping back!!!
.... and also I did new technique as well as NBUS, as you say funner and funner ๐Ÿ˜€
I didn't ackshully say huge congrats to you and Mister, although I did in round about way...
Yes please to a prize.... so have others just in the [GC] or [C] please ..... thanks awfly!!!
Shaz in Oz.x

Donna said...

Happy Anniversary to you and the mister, great picture! So excited to see not one but 3 NBUS's! I would like the excitement of being in the drawing for GC. Thanks Darnell!

Nonni said...

Added my second card with a NBUS product and technique... Thanks for inspiring me to try something new... And well old at the same time. :) If I'd be the lucky winner, a GC would be amazing! Fun to get to play along!

Hussena said...

Congratulations on your anniversary :) And congrats again on having written 1000 posts on this blog. I finally managed to create a card to take part in the challenge. So happy to see your new blog header, it looks fabulous!
I'm not much into colouring and have just about started to take watercolouring seriously so I would really love to lay my hands on the coloured pencils so that I can try out newer techniques with it :)

Brenda said...

Yay! I got to play along Auntie! Got in under the wire, but I got in. Just playing for fun this week. Big hugs, Brenda

Milka Gubo said...

Hi Darnell :-D
Once again, thank you for the challenge. I've made one card and went with optional twist. :o)
Thank you for the opportunity to win AMAZING prizes. I would like to win Faber Castell Polychromos. [P]
Big hugs!
Milka xx

Olga Fink said...

Congratulations Darnell on your big milestones and your anniversary!
And as we say in Greece:"May you grow old together on the same pillow"
xoxo olga

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

[ANY]
I entered with my first tangram work, finally!
Thanks for the challenge!

Mac Mable said...

Wanted to reiterate all that has been said. You are one special lady and well respected in the blog world x Loving the new look...Loll is so talented. Congratulations to you and your husband and for the 1000+ followers. I do so enjoy your blog posts as they always bring a smile to my face...today is no exception...Many many congratulations x

Karen Petitt said...

Huge congrats to you and Mister for this long huni: that's one heck of an achievement in this day and age. Funny but that Carpenters song is one of my favourites too.
I only just made it because I read the details wrong lol! No thank you for the prizes sweet friend. Here's to many more happy years and huge congrats on reaching those amount of followers. Mind you Darnell you got that many followers because you are a lovely beautiful lady and soul xx

Maria said...

Congrats on your 46th wedding anniversary!!! Your new header looks beautiful and happy 5th blog anniversary!! I haven't entered your challenges in awhile, but so glad I saw this one from another blog friend! I had tons of fun coloring on kraft with colored pencils!! Thank you for your inspiration!! Take care, hugs!!

Pam Sparks said...

Time does fly when you're having fun and this is such a fabulous reason to celebrate! Congratulations Darnell! Tim and I just celebrated our 41st in December. wow! lol Thank you so much for the fun and all the work you go to for us to have these challenges! When I saw this earlier in the week I knew I HAD to play! Which reminds me I forgot to put a p behind my name. I better go fix that! lol Gorgeous cards from you again! THANKS so much! All the best to you and the mister!

scrappymo! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
scrappymo! said...

Back again with a second card. this is such a wonderful celebration Darnell.Happy Anniversary to you and the hubs and thanks for the chances to win. Wish I could have made another kraft coloured card but ran out of time.

I would love the Polychromo pencil crayons P but would be happy with anything.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
And, mega congratulations to you and Mr K on your anniversary. I didn't realise that you were allowed to get married at the age of 4 in the US ๐Ÿ˜‰.
Congrats on your blog birthday too. It's a happy and fun place to be. Love your blog makeover. Wish I knew how to pimp up mine properly lol!
Love your cards. Your colouring is brilliant, as is your handwriting.
Have a great week.
Best wishes.
Ang x

ionabunny said...

Hello, me again. So happy I have managed 3 entries. Not that I am short of NBUS you understand. Just it's that time thingy. It seems to slip away. I forgot to write ANY on my first two entries, although I did add a comment on my posts with the link. Just thought I'd add one here since you said it in the rulie bitz. Just in case I get lucky you understand. Now I'm ready for your next challenge. Ho ho ho. Hugz

Tina Z. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tina Z. said...

o wow, happy double anniversaries, Darnell.
Thank you for the new NBUS challenge and your amazing inspirations, great ideas :).
Thanks for the chance to win these goodies - I would choose polychromos, please (P).
hugs, treebug
xx

Nancy Penir said...

Darnell, you're the best! Congrats on 46 years, the same time spent with my hubby, 47 in March! Unbelievable! Love that I can count on a laugh every time I visit you, and even your beautiful cards are wonderfully funny! Madge is colored so well, with shading in all the right places. Love how you can even see the color of her lips and rouge on the cheeks! So darn cute. Btw, your blog header is fabulous. That Lol is amazing. Thank you for all you do bringing us all together! xxx

Mary-Anne V said...

Congrats on your wonderful accomplishment. If I am lucky enough to win I would love to win a gift certificate since I already have a stamp tool similar to the Misti.

JD/ Jill said...

So many wonderful things to celebrate. Happy Belated Anniversary!
So many people are so happy that you started your blog...you have touched so many of us with your thoughtful and caring ways.
Bless you...Jill <---who is still feeling under the weather!

Sheila H said...

Hi, Darnell. I think I commented earlier, before entering the NBUS challenge. If I didn't, congratulations on both your wedding and blog anniversary. And thanks for this challenge. If I were to win, I'd like a gift card. Thanks so much for all your wonderful inspiration.

Janice said...

Congratulations to you and your husband Darnell, an amazing celebratio, and a lovely photo!
Love te new look blog too. I would love any of the ptizes please, so generous of you!

Pat said...

Congratulations on your anniversaries- both wedding & blog. Anyone married for more than 4 decades deserves cheers & best wishes. And here's a hug from me. Your blog posts always brighten my inbox, & today is no exception. Love these cards.

Misty Elam said...

WHAAAAAT?!!!?? I JUST made 2 cards on kraft card stock using colored pencils, AND NBUS and I'm a freaking day late!!! NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I can't believe the last 2 cards I made were MADE for this challenge!!! So bummed....

Jenni's Jems said...

Oh damn I missed it the challenge i mean and happy anniversary and blogaversary too!.Mr Jems and I can only clock 30 years this August so well done to you both ...you look amazing!!!xxx

MaryH said...

Finally! I got over to enjoy your cute cards (and I'm worried about this swooning lady! I kinda look like that sometimes, but I thought I was just frazzled and tired. I'm glad to know I was swooning!) Seriously, I had to grin at both of 'em. But I'm really glad you got the Happy Post (and bet you jumped up & down as shouldn't have!) cause it's a perfect card for Mr. Loved seeing the picture of this handsome pair, and it's obvious both of you chose perfectly. You look real happy. And I'm loving this post! Happy Belated Anniversary to you both. Hugs & TFS. Now off to enjoy some of the entries.

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