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!

April 4, 2017

Sending Big Ranunculi Hugs

Greetings, Stamplings!

I hope your week is starting out well! If not, I have some hugs for you! Even if you're doing great, I have some hugs for you!

Can you believe my Mt. NBUS excavations have taken me all the way back to Papertrey Ink's 2013 release?! I love ranunculus flowers, so I have no idea why these plump blossoms were still in my never-been-used-schtuff! 
The sediment is from "Big Scripty Greetings" by Simon Says Stamp. I think I will make a few more of these pretty flowers in different colors while I have all the goodies out. For the leaves, I sprinkled on three different colors of e/p from two different companies which I've never tried before. I don't mean I've never tried the companies before, I mean I've never tried that technique before and I have to say I like the variegation.

But I do have a question about embossing powder for you: what makes the coverage "bubble" sometimes? Is my Versamark getting old (I cover the image very well) or is it the quality of the e/p?

~~~

Check out these ranunculi from the garden right now! 
You can see where I got my color inspiration, but Mother Nature did a way better job with hers! Those layers are just exquisite.

~~~

Coming April 1-11, 2017

Thank you to everyone who is joining in my April Boo-Boo Hop and NBUS Challenge #11 just for fun! Linky below until April 11!

April Fool's Day has passed, but you can still share your boo-boos if you want, or just show us your NBUS! Hammy and I are enjoying all your entries!

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy! 









*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" 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!

64 comments:

Tina Z. said...

wow, stunning card, I love this beautiful large flowers.
I am sorry I don't know the answer about embossing powder but I have the same problems sometimes. I think these bubbles are a bit "artistic approach" :)))

hugs xx

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

Beautiful card :) love the graded look of the leaves.
About the bubbling - ive noticed that if i heat the embossed image longer it bubbles up sometimes, moving the heat gun away as soon as the embossing powder turns shiny is one possible solution perhaps. I saved a boo boo card for this occasion but cant seem to find it. Will keep looking.
Have a great day!!
Hugs
preeti

Kath said...

A fabulous card - love the flowers and beautiful vibrant colours.
Kath x

Marjeta said...

Gorgeous card. Fantastic stamp.

Marjeta

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your cards Darnell, and the photos of the ranunculi.
Thank you for the big hug, I needed it as the last few days have been difficult.... Don't know if I will get to play this time around as it looks like another hospital admission may be on the cards for DH.
Blessings
Maxine

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, What a beautiful card.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Redanne said...

Your ranuculus flower card is beautiful and I am so impressed that you can grow these gorgeous blossoms in your garden too - wow, they are gorgeous!

I do think embossing powders vary in quality. Sometimes, if you heat from the underside, you will get a much smoother finish - perhaps you could do a little experiment with the ones that you used for this card and see if that theory works.... Hope you have a lovely day my friend! Hugs, Annie xxx

Ros Crawford said...

What a super card!! You are so lucky to have exactly the same beautiful blooms in your garden ... They're gorgeous! Have a great day!

Birgit said...

What beautiful bold blooms Darnell! I love the pictures of your inspiration as well. They are truly stunning flowers! I love the look of your combined embossing powders. I'll have to give that a try if I can remember it. Maybe it bubbled because they're combined?? I don't know but I love the textural look it gave. A lovely, lovely card!!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Stunning card Darnell! It really jumps off the 'page'. As for the 'bubbling of the EP, the only time I ever get bubbling is if I overheat it accidentally, either by holding my gun too close or leaving it in one spot for too long. I have also found, like Redanne said in a previous comment, sometimes I find heating from behind makes for a smoother finish (depending on the brand), but, of course, it takes a little longer that way! Have a great day! Luv n’ Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Marilyn said...

Beautiful card! not sure why your embossing bubbles!

Jeanne said...

Wonderful card. What beautiful flowers these are, both on paper and in real life! As I've never grown them, do they have a scent as well? Not sure why the powder bubbles. Too much heat seems reasonable. Then again, I seem to remember hearing way back when that embossing powder can get 'old.' Or what that the operator of the powder? Hrmmmm... Hugs right back at you, my friend!

Fikreta said...

Wonderful card!

Karen said...

I thought I recognized everything PTI, but I don't remember these beautiful flowers. I love ranuculus, and wonder if I could grow them this summer. I always think of them as florist flowers. The card is gorgeous!

Lisa Elton said...

Looks like Spring Darnell! I had to giggle that this NBUS dates back 4 years ;) I've heard that embossing from behind the image gives a smooth finish, hope that helps!

Mac Mable said...

Eye catching card and fabulous stamps, thank you for the inspiration x

stampwithsandy said...

Wow, what a stunning card Darnell! Your garden blooms are extremely impressive, too!

conil said...

Ranuculi are, by far, the most exquisite flower...it amazes me that nature can create something with so many petals and still make it look pristine and unbusy. Think your cards layout and execution does definitely lend itself to a card set. It is lovely and versatile. Just change the sentiment and, bang, you're done.

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous card Darnell, those are some of my favorite flowers just because they are so lush with the petals and are often brightly colored.

Sylvia said...

Darnell, A lovely card. I think it would be the embossing powder that has changed not the ink which has caused the bubbly effect. Sylvia D.

Pat said...

Ooooh, gorgeous Ranunculus flowers, both created and real Darnell, and your three different colour EP's work beautifully for some lovely shading on the leaves. I know that heating from the back gives a smoother finish, but other than that not sure, but it is a very pretty look nevertheless. x

Lisa said...

What a gorgeous card!! The flowers look amazing...both on your card and the real ones!! I've had EP bubble before from too much heat...but then, I've also had it fall off from not enough heat, so I'm not a good one to answer that!! I'll be back tomorrow to link up with NUBS!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Donna said...

Fabulous card Darnell, the flowers look like the ones from your garden, did you plan that? No tips on the embossing powder.

jimlynn said...

No idea on the embossing powder. Maybe it's old........or maybe we are.
Everything is coming up roses though and they're gorgeous!
Lynn

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Absolutely beautiful! Re embossing - don't overheat and try the back side , as two or three or more other gals have
mentioned.....

Jean said...

So pretty I get bubbles sometimes. Just figured it was me😀

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I love ranunculi too and yours are fabulous, both on cards and garden!!
My ep bubbling when I heat it too much closed... but I'm not an expert
Hugs

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous image, I love those flowers too, great fussy cutting, gorgeous colours and love that font of the sentiment.
Some fabulous entries.

Kath x

Carol L said...

Those bigger-than-life flowers are gorgeous, and I love how perfectly that big sentiment fits into the design! I could use a big bouquet of fresh flowers in the house to bring the outdoors inside!

Linda said...

WOW! What beautiful blooms, both on your card and in the garden, the colours are stunning.
Not sure about the EP question ..... I think all my answers have already been covered. Heating from underneath, move the heat tool as soon as the EP starts to melt. Each brand is different .... if you find a solution please let me know :) xx

cuilliesocks said...

What a gorgeous floral card Darnell, I love the pink and white theme, beautifully designed, Kate x

oldpunca said...

Nature did great colours, but your colouring is fabulous. Fantastic card. I do really like your playing with different techniques. :-)
I think it is the quality of e/p. As I bought new powder, the bubbles are gone. :-)
I'm sending a big hug to the other part of the world, to you!
Sonja

scrappymo! said...

Your blossoms are beautiful. You really got captured the look of the two ones blossoms.

Hope to get a couple more entries finished and submitted.

Anonymous said...

A very pretty card. The flowers in your garden are gorgeous mother nature has done an outstanding job.

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, What a pretty card... and gorgeous garden blooms! Still hoping to play along with your NBUS challenge. :)

Happy Dance said...

I like the look of your card, bubbly or not. Chalk it up to your bubbly personality! Pretty colors, and what an amazing sentiment! Love the font on it and that you've done it in pink. I made a card recently with a bubbly effect. Decided that next time, I'm double embossing. Using my stamp, and putting the paper in the very corner so I can get the stamp in the exact place. Other than that, I don't have any ideas... Been YKWing again, but heading off to dr. in the morning for a new Rx. I'm fine. I miss you darlin'. And hugs rightbackatacha Bev

aussie aNNie said...

Thanks my friend for your sweet comment on my card and blog header. I do all of my own headers and backgrounds in Paint shop Pro...xx ♥[aNNie]

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there dear Darnell,
Well, things are flat strap here it is all happening at once it seems to me...however had to make DT card!
... which happened by God's mercy to contain a couple of NBUS and saw on dear Brenda's blog (or was it Miss's now come to think, yepp! over peeking at playground)..

Am tad neglectful of blogland, bad me! I owe so many comments but, God willing will catch up in week or two.. or not..our time is not our own sometimes. :D
Love you card, love ranuculi, they're so frilly and pretty and perfect looks, great job on mixing EP too!

Mm, dont have enough colours but could mix colours I guess :D.. agree with others re the heating issue.
Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration, and most of all your fun challenge!
Shaz in Oz.x

{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

Dana M said...

Beautiful, bold and vibrant! Fabulous card Darnell.

Birgit said...

This is really quite beautiful and it looks so much like your actual picture of your flower. So very pretty

Cheryl W. said...

Beautiful flowers - beautiful card! I've mixed two colors of EP before and also liked the result. I did it on some stamped mittens with red and white, and it actually looked "wooly."

Greta said...

The flowers from your garden are amazing, Darnell! Love the card, too--especially those gorgeous variegated leaves! Hugs, Greta

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful card. Love the colors.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Diane said...

Wow I love your card, what a beautiful stamp...I would use it over and over...well I would if I had it..lol!! I was so hoping I could get over here and play and today is the day...yippee!!

Olga Fink said...

Gorgeous card!
xoxo Olga

Brenda said...

Wow, your card is stunning Auntie!!!! I've never combined embossing powders before, but love the look you got. I've been using my NBUS stuff too and I'm proud of myself for doing so! lol OMGosh, those blooms are stunning! You have everything in your garden Auntie! Wish I had beautiful gardens like yours, need to get at mine, but not many flowers I'm afraid, just shrubbery. Maybe one day. lol I do sit and drool over the flower catalogs though! Hugs, Brenda

Geri said...

BEEE-U-TIFUL!!! Your stamped ranunculi are just as beautiful as the for-real-life ones in your garden! Love where you placed the sentiment...it looks so comfortable snuggled up between the leaves!

Gorgeous vivid pink color and AMAZING leaves...you're definitely onto something here cuz the mix of greens looks so cool!

BTW, the snow is still blooming beautifully in my garden...not quite as vivid as your flowers though!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Love your beautiful card! I love being challenged to look at unused stuff, as I have a thing or two....

Helen F. said...

Love your card and real life photos of those gahgeous ranunculus, Darnell!
Sending HUGS back atchya, GF!

Loll said...

Love those big, beautiful blooms, Dolly! And great idea to combine the two green embossing powders to create variation of shades on the leaves.

As for bubbling embossing powders, I think it's the difference in the brands. Some are smoother than others. I find Ranger's EP to be very smooth. Lolly xx

Leslie Miller said...

I think it's the EP. Nevertheless, it looks awesome on your big flowers and sometimes it's kind of a cool effect. My SU colored EPs bubbled. Some say it's when the EP gets old. You sure have some fabulous NBUS. 'Fraid some of mine should be purged. They get old before I use them and then I wonder why I bought them in the first place, tsk tsk.

Berina RGA said...

Such a pretty card Darnell. I love t he variation in the embossing powder colors. I don't know about the bubbling, but I do get a textured look at times. I think it's because the coverage is not even i.e., not much powder stuck to the image because there wasn't enough ink.

Ruth said...

That is a beauty of an image - love the hot pink. Can't help with the EP, the only time I had an issue with it, I left the heat on it too long and it burnt. I'm enjoying all the boo boo cards. I may have one after tonight's merriment with making a magic slider card.....so much fun!! Xx

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Love these flowers, also. Guess I have to stick to paper ones, as I can not get them to grow. I plant the little corms and they never even sprout. I am beginning to think they are a favorite snack for squirrels. Squirrels I can grow, the flowers, not so much. These are so done in pretty colors, Darnell! The leaves look great! Maybe you invented something new?

Canonbury creations said...

Fabulous card Darnell, gorgeous flower, they were one of Karen's favourites!
You would love Alexandra Palace's craft fair shame you're not here! Google Ally Pally it was the birthplace of the BBC.
Val x

Lisa T said...

Oh this is a beauty! I love a good ranunculus (have the WPlus9 one and have almost worn it out)! Such a pretty pink colour Darnell, and as you say, a great stamp for mass producing in lots of summery colours.

I find with heat embossing, I firstly make sure the gun is really hot first and then I move it around a lot and alternate from back to front until it starts melting. I don't keep it in one place too long. I think this helps a lot with a smoother finish. I think it would bubble if overheated although this hasn't happened to me yet (there's always time). Huge hugs, Lisa xx

OH Babs said...

Beautiful card Irma. I think the powder was overheated and make sure the gun is hot when you start not a cold one. And as others have said keep the gun moving. The flowers in your yard are spectacular. In nearby Carlsbad there are flower fields (in an outlet center) and the flowers are all ranaculas - spectacular. Thanks for all your kindness.

designbydonna said...

I love those big beautiful flowers. I am garden challenged so I never knew what they were called. Yours are colored beautifully.

Aileen said...

Beautiful card and beautiful flowers in your garden.. I cant believ you have reacher your 2014 schtuff does that mean you are knocking mount NBUS on its head or you are working through to the older stuff before hitting the newer stuff. Questions questions?????? I try so hard to cut down the pile but then I splurge and itsl ike its even bigger than when I started. Ohhh my need a cuddle. Enjoy your coming Summer hugs Aileen

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Beautiful blooms on both the card and in your garden. Spookily, I was looking at some of these at a garden centre today.
I'd concur with the heat from behind so as not to overheat suggestions.
Hope all is well and that The Mister is doing better with his back.
Ang x

Sue - said...

Oh my goodness Darnell your flowers, real and stamped are gorgeous! I've been told that heating from behind is the best way to get a smooth finish, but I find it takes forever!

Craftychris said...

Ooh this is a gorgeous card! I love the beautiful flowers and the cool embossing for the leaves. If I ever emboss silhouettes or anything heavily embossed, I heat from behind and it seems to come out much smoother. I have no idea why some embossing powders work differently though. Hugs xxx

Anita in France said...

Goodness, what a fabulous spectacle of loveliness, Darnell ... those pink blooms are so bold and striking! Seems to me the bubbling in the embossing creates a heap of yummy texture that I just want to run my fingers over, so it's all good IMHO! Given that I'm late coming by, I guess you've had your answer about old stuff and too much heat ... they're the reasons I sometimes get an effect I hadn't planned on. I usually end up double embossing if it's something that's just got to be smooth ... or triple embossing to make it positively glass like. LYAMYBLMAWYAHS! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Bobby said...

Just how big is THAT mountain, Darnell? I can't imagine having a four year old stamp that hadn't been used. Of course I don't keep my NBUS separate so maybe there are a couple that I've forgotten about but I try to use my soon after I get them. Your flowers are gorgeous, both the stamped ones and the ones in the garden. I love your variegated embossed leaves too. What a great idea! Maybe I need more colors of ep.