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!

May 17, 2017

Another Birthday?!

Greetings, stamplings!

I hope those of you who celebrated Mother's Day had a great time! We've now got graduations and then Father's Day and so it goes as we march race towards Christmas. I'd like to say I have a dozen new Christmas cards to show you, but alas and alack, I have been forgetting all about them. Slap!

I have been making birthday cards, however, to plump up my always-needed stash. 

For this first OLC card, made espeshully for a challenge, I used NBUS Washi tape and applied the "less than 10 minutes" rule.
I used two OBB stamps, which means "old but beloved." You know, like your grandma. The sarcastic humor of the sediment never fails to karack me up when I use it on a card. 

You may be seeing lots of QACAS Washi tape cards in my future posts. Mike had these unbelievably gorgeous boxes of Washi tape on sale from $25 to $9 and I couldn't resist. I chose b/w for this design, but the boxes also have tape in very bold patterns and stunning colors. 

Challenges
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I've also been playing around with a NBUS angled die from Die-Namics and  I made these:
It was a quick and fun way to use more die cuts from friends, stick-on winged critters, and lots of designer pp!

You asked ...


A few of you want to know what I did with my purged stamps. I'm happy to say that the clear stamps were divided up between bloggie friends and the wooden stamps were divided between two young kindergarten teachers and a bloggie friend who works with a senior group. I love the idea of having them used by new hands both young and old, rather than having them languish in my dark drawers. Everyone is happy!


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Here is a Mother's Day photo of me with Henry (left) and Adam who arrived for brunch all spiffy and handsome in their dress shirts and trousers:
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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 to return the flavor!








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72 comments:

Glennis F said...

I love your card Darnell, very casual, and I especially love the message

Marybeth said...

I love your black and white card with that fun tape from Mike (love that) you even made Oscar smile with that one! I too love that sentiment! Im so excited for tomorrow!

Cheryl W. said...

I really like your washi tape card. The sentiment is great! I can see you've been busy making lots of cards. Wish I could say the same. I've made a few over the last week or so, but not as many as I'd like. Your grandsons look so handsome and happy! Lucky you to have them in your life. :D

Linda said...

Black and white is one of my favourite combos and I love the splash of colour from those balloons. Great sentiment too.
Lovely photo of you and those handsome chaps ..... they're growing up so fast!
xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving all your cards.

Your grandsons look very smart.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Redanne said...

Christmas cards? Hmmm, I have not done any either, despite saying I would.... oh dear... now I feel really guilty...

Is there anything nicer than black, white and a pop of red - I don't think so - your card is beautiful! And all those others too - wow, they all look amazing. You really did have a fun time with that die!

Adam and Henry are such handsome young men, you and Mister clearly passed on some great genes! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Dreja said...

Eine sehr schöne Karte. Vielen Dank für deine Teilnahme bei den Sweet Stampers.
LG Dreja

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your QACAS black and white snarky card Darnell - a great sediment!! Well done on purging your stamps - I have yet to part with any of mine as I still use them all.
Blessings
Maxine

Linby said...

Love how you used the washi tape. Haven't you been busy with an amazing array of cards!
Your grandsons look so smart and a lovely photo for the album.

Ros Crawford said...

Oh I love that sentiment! What a super array of cards! And I love that photo... Don't they grow up fast! It took me 50 years to grow up!

Marilyn said...

Cute card and I love the sentiment!!

KandA said...

LOVE this card Darnell. Such a fabulous design with the b+w washi tape and pop of colour and that sentiment is BRILLIANT xx

Cara said...

Glad it's not just me that's sadly lacking in the Christmas card department! Love the sentiment on your first card, it would have taken me an hour just to pick the washi tape to use (and that's from my collection of um 20!). Love your other cards too so bright and cheery. Lovely to see the photo of you and those dashing young men, just fabulous. Cara x

Birgit said...

I love that picture of you and the boys because your smiles are broad and just so happy! You have been busy! Sometimes a quick card is perfect and this looks so good. Love the black and white with that splash of colour. Your other cards look great..busy gal!

Pat said...

I adore your pretty washi tapes with the stripes and spots Darnell which look so pretty in black, white and grey, and the red balloons really stand out, and wow, what a great selection of cards using the NBUS die, also a lovely photo of you and the boys, and glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day. x

Bunny said...

I like that little pop of color with the b/w. Very nice card. It's nice that you have a stack of birthday cards getting bigger and bigger. Now............about those Christmas cards................

Brenda in IN said...

Great black and white card. It fits right in to Indiana right now as this is race month and we think in black and white all month. Clothes, decorations and flags! The sentiment is so fun too. Wow, I'm so impressed with all the pretty cards you made with extra bits. I love the idea of young and old using your purged stamps. I have seen people in nursing homes doing crafts and it is so rewarding for them. This is a wonderful picture of you with the twins. We have had the opportunity to watch them grow up through your blog and they are such handsome young men.

Marcia Hill said...

You've been a busy stamper (sounds better than busy beaver, doesn't it?!) Darnell!! I love your washi tape card! I have many, MANY rolls of that stuff and should get them out and use them!! Love the sentiment on that one too! Your angled cards are so cool too!! And of course your Mother's Day photo is fabulous...love all those smiling faces!! :0)

Kathyk said...

Great pic of you with the grands! Smashing cards too. Well done on the repurposing of your surplus stash too

Happy Thursday

Kathyk

Carole said...

Well you have been a busy bee Darnell. I love your black and white card...fab sentiment...defo not a wishi washi card!.....lol Your grandsons look very smart and what a lovely photo of you all. Hugs xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love all your cards, Darnell. The photo is cute too. The boys are growing like weeds!
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Kuni said...

What a beautiful CAS card Darnell.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers Challenge and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni

Christine Alexander said...

love all those wonderful die cut cards, great way to add to your stash. The balloons are so cheerful on your OLC :)

Susan said...

Haven't been to Michael's in a while...probably a good thing, since I can't resist a good deal! I LOVE Washi tape, but struggle to use it! I love what you've done with it here! And...one can never have too many birthday cards!

OH Babs said...

I always love seeing the photos of you and the "boys." They certainly are growing up fast and before you know it they will be in high school. Yikes! I have a vast collection of Washis but if I saw that deal of course I would buy it at Mike's (love it). The sentiment is great.
Your succulent card was lovely and I too love my succulents and they are easy to grow. When a flower appears it is very special. Have a good week. :) B

designbydonna said...

Love our card. The b/w is stunning. That sediment kracks me. up too. And I had to type that 3 times--spell check just would not let me say what I wanted. Great card to have in your stash for man or woman.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Ah ah ah!! Fun sentiment on the first card, love it! :D Beautiful design and great use of your short time :D
Lovely array of cute cards with the new angle die, theyare so colourful!
Lovely smiling shot too, your nephew are two so beautiful boys!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Darnell you know I love your fun posts every time and such gorgeous cards. I'm afraid I've got to point out on this one that we can't allow washi tape on a one layer card at Less is More. So sorry about that but this question was put to me just the other day and I had to say it was a no as it's an added layer. Your card is a real fun beauty though and thanks so much for sharing it in our gallery this week. Hugs Sarah x

Carol L said...

I love the array of pretty cards you made, but the first one karacks me up too! I LOVE that sentiment - it's so clever and sure to bring smiles. Speaking of smiles - those twins have the greatest smiles too, just like grandma's :)

conil said...

I can clearly see you haven't been idle. That black and white card is the bomb (yes, I know that turn of phrase is dated). That washi tape really served you well. Then to turn out all those sweet cards with you diecuts. Brilliant. Makes me feel like I'm sloughing off.
Are those boys growing to fast, or is it just me (wider). Certainly are handsome, though. See a lot of you in them.

Jeanne H said...

Love your cards today (as usual). I too think the picture of you and the twins is wonderful. Aren't grandkids fun? Mine are all teenagers now with one driving. I am pleased you still have time to blog and always open yours first! Many hugs from MN!

I Card Everyone said...

With cute washi like that, who needs a stamp ... but the balloons are really wonderful, and the sentiment says it all! Oh you do make me laugh, D.
=] xx

Linda said...

I love the fresh and clean look of black and white and the pop of color is perfect.. Great picture of you and the twins.

Gerrina said...

Love the black/white card! And the other cards all also look so CAS and beautiful! Nice pic of you three! Hugs, Gerrina

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love all of your cards my friend. But the birthday one using the Washi tape and that hilarious sentiment really caught my attention. I need to use more of my Washi tape I can see as I love that idea of yours.

Jean said...

Wonderful cards! Such a fun photo!!

Izzy Scrap said...

WOW ! Your card is fabulous and so eye-catching with these b/w stripes and dots ! I love it ! But my favourite is the sentiment ! So funny ! So sorry that it cannot enter our challenge ! Anyway it is gorgeous as well as all the array of the other cards you made ! Love the picture of you with Henri and Adam, you look so great ! You have all the same eyes ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along with us at Less is More.

Kathleen said...

Yep, I can certainly say that the sentiment karacked me up too, love the black and white with the touch of colour.
Your other collection of cards look fantastic too, super colours.

I also pass my stamps on to young, new crafters, not sure that their parents approve as it seems to make them want to buy more new stash as the 'bug' sets in even more.

Super photo too, they seem to look very much like you, I think.

Kath x

JD/ Jill said...

Your card is really neat! Always like to see black and white..so elegant! I just purchased some washi tape on sale (so now I have a collection of three...smile...and they have been sitting in my craft room as NBUS. You have inspired me to get them out and try them...smile.
Glad to hear that you had a nice Mother's day. I did too. Our daughter made a nice lunch for us at her home. (Always nice when you don't have to cook your self)

Fikreta said...

wonderful cards!

Trina P. said...

Love your cards, Darnel, especially the b/w card. Completely caught my attention when I saw your e-mail post in my inbox.
How wonderful of you to donate your much loved supplies. That's a great idea. And such a sweet Mother's Day photo. Looked like a super nice day.

Have a great day!

Hugs,
Trina xx

Bonnie said...

I love this birthday sentiment! What a fun card with the Washi tape and balloons! And a bevy of fun cards using the die cuts etc.! Henry & Adam are growing into very handsome young men and Nana's smile shows how much you enjoy them!

Happy Dance said...

Now there's a couple of handsome lads if I ever saw them! They're growing so fast!!!! Someday they'll be able to say (about this photo), "that stunningly beautiful woman in between us is our grandmother, how about that?!!!!" GREAT photo. Love your OL card all dressed in black and white, with only those perfectly colored bunch of balloons for accessories! Perfection! And you've been a busy little person working with your NBUS die, too! Those are such pretty cards, and I love the pinks and blues. Fabulous collection. Hope all is well, and we'll have to chat one of these days. Missing you tons!!!!! xoxoxoxo Bev

Karen said...

What a wonderful photo of you and your grandchildren! And what a nice stash of birthday cards you've created. I need to do the same!

nancy littrell said...

I love your black and white washi tape designed 10 minute card, Darnell. Fun seeing all your angled die cut cards..that is a lot of very productive stamping my friend. Great photo of you and the boys too :-) TFS all..hugs..

sandie said...

This is a fab one layer card for LIM, full of fun. I need to do what you have with your stamps, need to find a school that might want my wooden stamps. Have a fun day and adore your photo x

Lisa T said...

Ooooh that washi is gorgeous. And a complete steal at that price! I love the black and white as it is perfect for adding an impact border and I love how you used it to frame that hilarious sentiment. You always seem to have the perfect sentiment, design, or stamp, or paper. I guess that is more about you just being a fab cardmaker. Love your card and all those beauties with the new angular die too 😃, Hugs, Lisa xx

Bonnie Lynn said...

Ooohhhh!!!! That birthday card is fabulous! Love that snarky sentiment.

Cat Craig said...

Great sentiment and you rock washi well.

serendipity said...

Love your Washi tape card, the sentiment is brilliant

Geri said...

Awesome cards! Love the B & W washi - totally fun! The angled die is sooooooo cool! Sure beats hand cutting! Loving the DP's.

Twinks and Granma picture steal the show in this post! Those two fellows are soooooo darn cute! Their hair is AMAZING!!! Grandma is looking mighty hot too!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, I especially love the black and white with the pop of color from the balloons. Hilarious sentiment! And look at all those extras ready to go! You and the grands make a mighty good lookin' picture, too!

Loll said...

Fun birthday card, Dolly. Love the mix of b&w washi tape ... and such a funny sentiment - made me laugh! :) Great job with your new angled die-cut. Beautiful stash of cards using patterned paper. And you look so happy with your two handsome grandsons. They are growing up so fast! Lolly xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what wonderful cards and their designs are super and gorgeous.
Love the stamped sentiment on your dots and stipes card.
All those wonderful other creations are fab and I do like that unusual die.
Super photos of the young men I can see the family resemblance.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

That sentiment just cracks me up so much. In fact I love it and your card so much that I think I'll have another birthday just so you can send it to me!
Ha!

Canonbury creations said...

Fabulous array of cards Darnell, great sentiment on the first one! Lovely photo of you and the boys xx

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful cards Darnell. Love the first one! The NBUS cards are lovely. Nice pic of you and the boys.

Lindsey said...

Best sentiment! And a classy design to go with it.

Sharron said...

Great sentiment--love it! And your classy black & white is wonderful! So happy that you had a wonderful Mother's Day with a visit from the grands.

Greta said...

Such a sweet picture of you & your grandsons, Darnell! Love the Washi tape BD card--such a fun sentiment! Wow--you were really on a roll making all those beautiful cards with the printed paper & fun die cut edge!

Neets B said...

What a fab card, I love that sentiment, not seen that one before. The black and white with the pop of colour from the balloons looks terrific. As it's been said, washi unfortunately adds another layer, such a shame it won't qualify this time. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Less is More, Anita xx

Jeanne said...

Oh wow! Love that washi tape card. Great use for the stuff that seems to go on forever. :) I also really like your designer paper card. Great way to make several cards quickly. A lesson I need to embrace more often! Your grandsons are so handsome and look at that super happy beautiful grandmother, too! Hugs!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful card with the washi tape and the set of cards. You are very productive. It feels good to purge crafting supplies and especially when you know they have gone to good 'homes'. I hope you are doing well, take good care. Hugs, Shirleyxxx

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Love, love, love this. Looks very schik in black and white. Haven't tried washi tape. Don't see much of it about here but did see something about stamping patterns on masking tape.
Did wonder who this fella "Mike" is and why he's been tempting you with his wares. Did the Mr know your head had been turned for $9 ? Then the penny dropped (as we say in these here parts) Oh if only we had a Michaels over here.
The boys are looking very handsome and grown up. Tempis fugit.
Best wishes.
Ang x

MRS DUCK said...

Bloomin predictive text. That should be tempUs fugit!!!
Ang x

Monika Reeck said...

Nice BOYS smile and yours too
I am happy to see you are posting again
the bday card so sweeetttt in black and white and balloon
the NBUS cards wooooww so much and each one is beautiful Darnell
you have play much on your PAUSE time
I think so too
see you maybe around sweety
always sooo happy to get your visit
hugs
Monika

Anonymous said...

I bet brunch was lovely.
Your cards are beautiful. Very nice to hear all your things went on to nice new homes to get some more love.

Susanne Vargas said...

That sentiment is too funny! Love the pop of color in your mostly black and white card! Yes, Washi tape is perfect for making quick cards but then why do I usually forget to use it???
The big grins the three of you are wearing in that photo makes me smile, too!

Bobby said...

Love the sentiment, Darnell, and black and white always draws my attention. Y

Barb Ghig said...

It's always so much fun to visit your blog, Darnell! Looks like you had a blast playing with your new Die-Namimcs and I am LOVING your dots and stripes on your challenge card...NBUS Washi tape? WOW! I love the pop of red on your balloons, too...not to mention your fabulous sentiment!

So glad you had a lovely Mother's Day! Gosh, your grandsons get more handsome every day!!!

shirley-bee said...

Ooh, love the b/w/red card with the spotty dotty washi! And your QACAS angled die-cut cards are a great way to use up pp. I'm attacking my paper mountain one sheet at a time - very slow progress! Fab photo of you with Adam and Henry - they're growing so fast!

Helen F. said...

LOVE this fun card ~I am definitely stealing that sentiment :-)
The boys are so handsome and really growing up way too fast!