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!

June 4, 2017

Shaker Butterfly and Surfing Granny (Not Me!)

Hi there, my friends!

Our town was jam-packed with graduation parties over the weekend as both high schools released their Seniors out into the big bold world. I wish them all the best as they embark on the rest of their lives, lives which will be filled with peaks and valleys. The important thing to remember is that valleys are always followed by peaks ~ even though sometimes it's a long hard climb back to the next peak!

Wouldn't that be a good marketing approach for a hiking shoe company?!

I want to share a card I made yesterday to join in the celebration for my friend Ardyth who recently celebrated her milestone 50th birthday! The link will take you to Ardyth's personal blog "Maskerade," but the celebration is being held over at her Muse challenge. 
I used Die-Namics wonky dies and Memory Box butterfly dies. The sediment is NBUS from Rubber Dance Stamp.

Normally the brief at Muse is to CASE (copy and share everything) a specific series of designers, but this week we are to CASE any of Ardyth's own cards. Ardyth and I have known each other since we both started blogging over five years ago, so I have lots and lots of her cards in my to-CASE folder. It was fun searching through the years and in the end, I chose this card which she posted August 4, 2016:
Ardyth usually makes square cards, but I was lazy and made my card an A2 size, so I wouldn't have to make a square envelope. (Obviously, Hammy and I need to have a talk about getting an Old World monkey with opposable thumbs to help us out.)

Happy Birthday, Ardyth! I wish you many, many more!!

Challenges
Grab the Badge 
Blank icon
~~~

For my Twofer today, I had fun making this:
I used a single NBUS Die-Namics stitched rounded die to cut three appetures this way and that way and then I used the negative openings as a stencil and the positive cuts as a mask to blend the top and bottom rounded rectangles using Distress and Oxide inks. Come again? I mean, I don't know how else to describe it, but it sounds more complicated than it was. 

I used the round blending tool to make my sun by simply inking and pressing the tool into the paper.

Then for the center rectangle, I again used the negative opening as a stencil and I stamped a NBUS Inkadinkado stamp that I received as a gift from my dear friend Brenda quite a long time ago. A very long time ago. Cough. Using inks and my aqua brush I painted the stamp image and the background. After wards, I ran the one-layer panel through the BS using a waves e/f and attached it to a card base.

The sediment is from the Die-Namics "label tape" set of dies and stamps. The inside says, "a Happy Birthday!"

Gotta love a surfin' granny! I noticed that this granny's many curves have turned into just the one circular curve just like mine has done!

Challenges

Watercooler Facebook Page
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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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102 comments:

Heidi Weaver said...

Wow, Darnell, I love both cards. It was fun reading through the whole post. Best wishes to your talented friend, Ardyth, whose lovely card inspired yours. But then I got to your surfing granny and, after having a really good chuckle over that terrific image, have to say I love all the various and wonderful details which make the card such a delight. Those embossed waves make the perfect background as do those three different coloured rectangles. Placing granny's image in the centre of the blue one really puts her in the best position. I hope she manages the waves and doesn't lose that cute beach hat. Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.

Jenni's Jems said...

Wow that butterfly card is simply stunning and love the surfing granny one Darnell !x

Maria - Ivyleaf Crafts said...

Both card I great but my favourite has to be the butterfly
Have a great day xxx

Ruth said...

Beautiful CASE of Ardyth's card, and a very Happy Birthday to her too! I understood exactly everything you meant with your surfing Granny - it worked really wel! Have a fabulous day my friend and an equally superb week :) xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Both cards are great. The Butterfly one is so pretty and I did chuckle at the surfing granny:)

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Julie B said...

Such a fabulous CASE of Ardyth's stunning card Darnell. The surfing Granny is super too, fab masking! :)

Cathy said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell, I've never made a shaker card and I love yours! Great CASE of Ardyth's card. Have a great week, Cathy x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow darnell, these cards are so creative and interesting!!! Amazing butterfly shakers, and love the idea and the technique of your beach themed card!So inspiring both!

Ros Crawford said...

What terrific cards!! I particularly love the surfing granny! Fabulous design!

Gerrina said...

Two beautiful cards! Your CASE-card is a great one, but I just love the techniques you used on the twoofer!! Hope you have a good and colourful weekend!

Carol L said...

ohhhhh, now I think I need to case your butterfly shaker card one day soon! It's gorgeous and so beautifully CAS! Fun surfin' granny card too with all the waves! Have a great weekend :)

ionabunny said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell. Love that surfing beauty. Thanks for the reminder about Ardyth's b'day. I had an idea about that and life has got in the way so I really must pop into my crafty space and make her a card. Also you have a new to me challenge posted so thanks for that as well. Have a wonderful day. Hugz

Aileen said...

Fabulous cards Darnell I do so love a butterfly and a shaker card so combined they make perfection. As for your second card what a stunner hey. You know my mum and her twin use to holiday at the seaside down the sout coast every year for many many years before that Alzehimers came along. They were the fittest ladies and surfed every morning often getting there before the locals and were known as the surfing grannies. I even did a cake for their 70th I think it was depocting them running along with their boards under their arms. You just gave me back a wonderful memory thank you mf

Sandra H said...

Wow both cards are amazing Darnell and your friend is so talented too! xx

Marilyn said...

Pretty cards!! I loved that butterfly card!!

Marilyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynn said...

I love your case of Ardyth...but let's chat about the embossing on the second one and the sketch layout. You seriously knocked it out of the park. I love all the texture and the fabulous stamping. So fun Darnell!

Fiona said...

Both cards are lovely - the butterflies are stunning. The surfing granny is a great fun card and I love the way you did the background. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week

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

Gorgeous cards. I love the CASEd butterfly card so much!! Its stunning.
Hugs
preeti

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely pair of cards Darnell, and I'm particularly drawn to Surfin' Granny - such a fun image and creative design!
Hugs
Carol x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

...and thanks for playing with your stunning card at the Butterfly Challenge#79!
:)

Brenda in IN said...

Your CAS of Ardyth's card is beautiful. I love all the different colored sequins in the shaker. I like the font on the greeting. It may have taken a long time to use the granny stamp but you did it proud. The stenciled panels make a great backdrop for her and the waves are perfect for her surfing. Yes, she is a bit rounded but I can identify!

Tina Z. said...

absolutely amazing!
hugs xx

Marilyn said...

Shakers are my favourite cards and this is really clever the way you used the die.
The surfin' granny is a fun one and I like the way the image looks over the embossing.

conil said...

I do believe you've captured me to perfection on you 2nd card...I, too, have developed that delicious curve...meh. Anyway, that card is beyond adorable. What a great birthday card. Your masking is awesome, as is your coloring.
Seems we both had butterflies in our brains when we made Ardyth's card but yours is so much more fun. That die make a perfect aperture for shaking contents. Gorgeous.

Marsha Reed said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. I love that surfing granny. Thanks for joining us this week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

Christine Alexander said...

Darnell, your butterfly card is out of this world. All that wonderful colour against the white is awesome. The second card has such a fun image and I love the little beach scene :)

Leslie Miller said...

What a fabulously pretty shaker -- both yours and Ardyths! Love your granny card, too. I have that stamp set, as well, and happy to say I have used it a couple of times. Some things take longer to explain than they do to make. The wave embossing is perfect with it!

Trina P. said...

These are fantastic cards Darnell. The butterfly shaker is beautiful with all those colourful sequins. And your second card was what drew me here. Love the rounded rectangles and the beach scene you created. So fun, especially with that granny image. Great masking and reverse masking too. Enjoy your Sunday!

Trina xx

Sandy said...

Both are lovely cards Darnell. I really enjoy seeing shaker cards with unusual shapes, and the butterfly is a fun one, as well as a lovely CASE.
Seeing the granny NBUS, I think I have the same or a similar one somewhere (purchased in a bag of used stamps at a consignment sale). I must dig it out after I finish with the upcoming house move.

Cara said...

Wow, two stunning cards, love the elegance of the first and the humour of the second! Have a great week x

Ardyth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ardyth said...

Gorgeous butterfly - I love the bright colours you used in your shaker! And that granny is hilarious - love the wavy embossing folder! As for my square cards - because they are 4.25x4.25, they fit in A2 envelopes - I never even thought of making square envelopes to go with them! lol! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and for joining my party at Muse!

Happy Dance said...

Hi Pookie! Just like a bad penny, I keep turning up! But I had to...I needed to tell you how much I like your cards. That CASE of Ardyth's is just gorgeous!!! I adore that wonderful shakered, wonky-framed buttery-fly card. Those brightly colored sequins are delightful behind those lacy wings. And surfing granny...What a hoot!! She's pretty darn brave, cuz at my age, it's not something I'd try; not sure that my hips would take it, and....there'd be no way anyone, anytime, anywhere would get me into a swimming suit, lol!!! The waves are a perfect compliment to the whole theme. This is fantastic and fun. Love 'em both. Miss you tons, and sending hugs. Bev

Leigh Penner said...

Great cards!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are both so amazing and lovely. You always make beautiful cards and I am always inspired.

Redanne said...

The butterfly card is stunning, I love the way you did it! Surfing granny is a real hoot, she makes me smile!! I certainly would not be so brave!!

Hugs, Annie xx

Canonbury creations said...

Two fab cards Darnell, loving the surfing granny! Too late for me I think 😂 xx

Jean said...

Such fun cards!

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous cards, love your take on the lovely card by Ardeth, great sparkle and super CAS cards.
What a fabulous fun image for your second card, love that EF and your choice of colours and the way you have done the backgrounds. You are not the only one with a figure like the image.
Have a good week.

Kath x

Marilyn said...

Hey Darnell, love your CASE card for Ardyth's birthday ... it is gorgeous. Also, love the surfing granny. I always look at your blog to see what you've created. Hugs, Marilyn

KandA said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell. Gorgous butterfly shaker and your surfing granny is stunning. Love the design and that super fun stamp xx

Penny Hanuszak said...

Thanks for joining us at the WWC#121 Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week Darnell with your two great cards. I've always been a fan of shaker cards, and yours is such a great CAS yet classy looking card. I also love the singing granny. Too fun!

Lisa said...

Wow, these are both so fabulous!! That shaker butterfly looks so amazing!! Surfing Granny totally makes me smile!! I love them both!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Bonnie said...

Mine too! But I doubt I'd try surfing. I don't like falling off boards, even in the water! But granny sure is cute with her surfboard and the sponged rounded rectangles are a great backdrop! Love, love, love the butterfly with the bright and pretty sequins. Perfect for Ardyth's sparkly personality!

Pat said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell and with a butterfly works great, and a shaker alone is wonderful, now put them both together in one card and that is a definite WOW! The surfin granny is such fun and your design is perfect for the CASE This Sketch Challenge, and I love the way the waves embossing covers everything apart from the sentiment which stands out beautifully with the white on black. x

Pat said...

Sorry I meant to say Happy Birthday to Ardyth and her butterfly card you CASEd is very pretty too. x

Lisa Elton said...

Your shaker butterfly is beautiful Darnell, love it!! And how much fun is your surfing granny!! The embossed waves are the perfect accent!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous cards. Great CASE of Ardyth's card.I hope she had a fabulous birthday.
The surfing grannie made me laugh! Thank you.

Cheryl W. said...

Cool cards, Darnell. The butterfly one is beautiful, and the surfin' granny is fun. Love that she has that rounded granny physique - I know all about that!!!

Jacquie Southas said...

The hardest part of the Muse challenge this week was picking just one card to CASE and you pickd a beauty! Your take is fabulous!

sandie said...

I had such fun CASEing Ardyth and this shaker you made is amazing, such a bright and cheery card and so very creative x

wienerhoneymooners said...

SPECTACULAR shaker!!! HUGS!

kiwimeskreations said...

Fabulous cards Darnell - my curves have sort of blended onto one too - I'll blame gravity!! Love your CASE of Ardyth's card - it's gorgeous
Blessings
Maxine

Jane said...

Swoon! Well that card is a bit of a stunner Darnell, just love the bright sequins inside the shaker and their crisp contrast with the white butterfly and card. Thanks for playing along with AAA Cards 3rd birthday celebrations.

Brenda said...

What a beautiful job you did on CASEing Ardyth's card Auntie! I love it and love that it is a shaker card. I love Ardyth's cards as well, she makes some amazing CAS cards!! But then so do you! Then there is the Surfing Granny-OMGosh, I love the way you did this card and that image just cracks me up! That Brenda has fabulous taste in stamps!!! Hugs, Brenda

Em Louise Fairley said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

The shaker butterfly is so great, I love how you cased it as a regular A2 card as that is what I honestly prefer to make too! The surfing card is so fun, I really think embossing over everything helps pull it together to be wonderfully compete. Thanks for sharing!

Sharon Underwood said...

Love both your cards, Darnell! I always enjoy seeing Shaker cards (although I can't make them worth a darn), and the colors for both creations are so bright & happy! Always love a beach scene of any kind. Hope you're doing well!

Monika Reeck said...

the second card is so cute with happy colors and so unique shape of the images the lady on image so cuutee
and I am not making shaker card too
yours is adorable CASE from Ardyth`s card
Love yours and Ardyth card too
I see your card at MUSE Challenge thats why I visit you today
hugs
Monika

Linda said...

Two fab cards Darnell .... I love the surfing granny and I think I follow how you did all the apertures. Your butterfly shaker card is so pretty too, O love the wonky stitching around the edge. Have a great week my friend xx

Bonnie Lynn said...

Both of these cards are just awesome! I've never thought to dry emboss "over" my colored image. I love that look. Going to have to try that sometime. Also going to have to check out the challenges you participated in.

Cat Craig said...

YOur card for Ardyth is lovely and a wonderful case of her card. I love the font on your stamped sentiment. Your surfing granny card is the bomb! Love the image, the inking and the embossing.

Barb Ghig said...

Beautiful take on Ardyth's shaker card, Darnell! I love the simplicity of the design and all the sparkle inside the butterfly wings! I also love how you placed and colored the panels to showcase your FABULOUS 'Surfing Granny'! Great idea to emboss your background, too...the waves add so much dimension and really showcase the image perfectly!

Liz said...

Two fabulous cards, Darnell. I love the CAS design of the first one, just stunning. The second card is such a fun card, love the image and the waves embossing is just perfect. xx

Becca Cruger said...

You should probably switch careers and run over to a hiking company stat. Pitch them your brilliant idea and they will have no choice but to make you their CEO! :) As for your cards, which are equally brilliant, I am in <3 <3 <3 with that sweet shaker. I definitely think I need to give that a go. And I never thought I'd like an all-over emboss over a colored image, but the effect is really cool! Thank you, my sweet, for your lovely comments on my blog.

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh these cards are so brilliant and wonderfully created as usual.
I love the Butterfly shaker one as that is such a super idea.
The surfing granny one is also excellent and very unusual, and of course such good fun.
You have just reminded me of one year my DH took me to Brighton to recouperate after an op, and we spent the weekend there, and it was gradustion weekend and all the hotels were holding balls.
I loved seeing the yougsters arrive in their finery and enjoying themselves.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

oldpunca said...

Fantastic butterfly shaker card! I like the coloured fill. With the second one you remind me that summer is just around the corner. :-) Super fun!
Have a great week!
Hugs, Sonja

Nora Noll said...

You are totally rocking these challenges!! LOVE the shaker card with the vibrant sequins and how you embossed on the second card. I never think of doing this but it looks oh so cool!! I am not a square card maker myself because it costs extra postage and I have to go to the PO to send. I think A2 size is perfection!!

Gail said...

How much fun is this?!?! Love your Surfing Granny - Go, Granny, Go! Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday.

Sharron said...

Both are fantastic! Love the butterfly as a shaker card! And your granny card is just amazing. Love the embossing and your creative design!

Craftychris said...

Your butterfly shaker card is so gorgeous! I am sure Ardyth loved it! The surfer granny is such fun - a clever design too! Hugs xxx

Anita in France said...

Sigh ... Darnell, that delightful, delicate butterfly is a stunner ... all those shimmery shaker sequins make it seem as though she's flittering and fluttering all round that wonky stitched panel ... what a beauty! Surfing Granny ... hilarious ... even with her curvacious little figure, she sure cuts a dash with her flowered swimmies, fun beach hat and cool dude board! Oh, and I love those rolling waves! LYAMYMAHYHTMWW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Mrs A. said...

Well thank you kindly to you and Hammy for fluttering into the butterfly garden with this magnificent butterfly specimen. Those sequins are so sparkly and move every which way they turn in the light. Thank you for entering my challenge. Hugs Mrs A.

Dotty Jo said...

Thanks for playing along with The Sisterhood, I just LOVE your surfing granny! Love your butterfly card too - totally beautiful! Jo x

Fikreta said...

gorgeous cards!

scrappymo! said...

Two great cards. That second one is so darn funny!

The first is a lovely take on your friends card. The shaker part is pretty and colourful and the butterfly looks so pretty.

Hope all is going well with you. We are almost finished the renos. Counters are in and just waiting for the tile guy to do the backsplash. The a painter to paint the baseboards and touch up a few booboo's.

debby4000 said...

Fabulous cards, absolutely love the butterfly one.
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
Luv
Debby

Majo said...

So cute! Love the image. Thanks for getting beachy with the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.

Majo - DT ♥

Carole Pollard said...

The butterfly cards are both so classy I love them both and bet your friend did as well Loved your fun card as well Love and hugs Carole x

BożenA said...

Hello Darnell,
The card with butterfly is very beautiful. I congratulate you on winning at Muse, right choice DT :-))

Anne said...

Great cards Darnell. Thanks for popping by to say hi. Anne x ( Copperbeechcrafts)

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love the butterfly shaker card. It's too much fun. I applaud your laziness and willingness to sacrifice a square for a regular A2. I'm not sure about an old world monkey though, mayhaps a new world one?????

Tracey McNeely said...

Your shaker butterfly is super fun Darnell, love the colours. Now strings granny is fantastic! Love the embossed background and the cool colouring. are you sure you don't surf??

Loll said...

Wonderful case of Ardyth's gorgeous shaker card, Dolly!! The bright colours and CAS design are amazing and I can see why you were drawn in particular to this design. Great job!

And I love your two-fer. That granny cracks me up! :) Love the design with your three apertures. Lolly xx

HJ said...

I love both card. The butterfly is gorgeous being a shaker with the brightly colored sequins. The granny is definitely a smile maker, so funny. Thanks for the description of how you made her. Love the wave e/f. Enjoy your day!

Bobby said...

Pinned that gorgeous butterfly, Darnell, because I do have that die and may want to CASE your CASE of Ardyth. Pinning the granny just because she's so cute and the way you designed the background is amazing.

Geri said...

OH NO!!!! I haven't been out and about in blogland and totally forgot Ardyth's b-day! I'm soooooo bad! Thanks for making my old brain rememenber!

Two stunning cards! Your butterfly card is THE perfect CASE of Ardyth's work! Love the shaker blings!

Your second card....TOTALLY OUT OF THIS WORLD COOL!!! Your design is brilliant! Love the fun images and love the black & white sentiment blocks! I am sooooo calling Winner Winner on this clever creation!

donna mikasa said...

Hi Darnell! I love the inlaid embossing on your CTS card--just fantastic! And your CASE of Ardyth's card is gorgeous, too!

OH Babs said...

What a delightful CASE of Ardyth's card, it is lovely.
The award winning surfin granny is a hoooot with many aspects to it. By goodness you had your mojo hat on that day. Of course for me there are days when my mojo hat flew off in the wind.
Hope all is well. Keep in touch. Barb

Coralynn Murray said...

I love your shaker and how the butterfly gives it such interest. Thanks for playing along with us at AAA Cards!

Ceal said...

Love the shaker butterfly, so pretty! Thanks for joining our birthday celebration at AAA Cards!

Donna said...

Love the surfin granny!
Thanks for getting beachy with Edna and the sisterhood of snarky stampers!!

Karenladd said...

Wow, I am thoroughly impressed with your beautiful butterfly shaker card! Shaker cards kind of scare me, and the prospect of combining a butterfly die with sequins and shaker elements makes me want to hide under my craft table! High five to you for this gorgeous CASE version. As for that surfing granny....still chuckling over this one!

cm said...

"Circular curve"...hahahahahah! Too funny! Okay, having re-settled on the couch after my ROFL moment, time to compose a proper comment. Your card for Ardyth: swoon! You've captured her lovely make with one equally as gorgeous! Your surfing granny is not only a fantastic image, but your creation of the beach scene is genius! Genius, I tell you! Love it!
Hugs and love~c

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Congrats - that butterfly card won somewhere (can't remember where, but I saw it)! I am not at all surprised - such a delicate beauty! But your beach card steals the show - just hilarious! I can see how fun it must have been creating it!

Helen F. said...

Totally gorgeous butterfly shaker cards! Love your design for these. The surfing granny card is awesome...and I can certainly see you up on a surf board! :-)

Lisa T said...

Wowza! That butterfly card is a stunner. I have these Memory Box dies and a mountain of sequins, so I am definitely going to case it. Truly stunning card, with a fabulous mix of coloured sequins. Beautiful Darnell, hugs, Lisa xx

stampjournal said...

Really beautiful use of the butterfly die. Thank you so much for playing in this month's Memory Box challenge.

Cathy said...

Congrats Darnell on this beauty being showcased at the MB blog! Fabulous card, Cathy x

maria f. said...

Congrats on your shout out over at Memory Box! What a beaut!

Greta said...

I missed this post & oh my goodness--2 fabulous cards, Darnell! Just saw your butterfly shaker got the Blog Badge at MB--so well-deserved! This one I will have to case! The surfing granny is adorable--such a fun & wonderfully designed card! Love how you used the dies! Stay cool, but I wouldn't recommend surfing--haha!