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 27, 2017

UCBs and a Perk Up

Hi, stamplings!

First of all, thank you again for the good wishes and cards that keep pouring into the Playhouse! I appreciate your kindness very much! The place is looking very cheerful and Hammy is having a great time building castles and tunnels using your envelopes!

My recovery continues as expected, so all is well! I'm still a wee bit tender pretty much all over and round tother side, but that'll be gone soon. I'm not on the computer much yet, but I've been able to spend some fun minutes diving back into my "Unfinished (sometimes ancient) Card Bits" box, so I've got a few finished quickies to share. 

First up:
This goofy bird panel was colored for me by my friend Jim of Love the Details and sent to me by his wife Jill of Ribbon Challenged. They have been good friends for many years. I added the perfectly appropopo sediment, matted the panel with a Memory Box Cross-Stitch Frame in black, and attached it to a tangerine card base. (Bonus using some of my colored cardstock.) Thank you, Jim and Jill! 

~~~
Isn't that butterfly panel just glorious? Believe it or not, I cut it from an envelope that accompanied a stunning matching card from my friend Linda of Life in the Craft Lane. She has prolly long ago forgotten about sending it, but I saved a bit of the envie all this time to use on a card because it was just too beautiful to bin. I'm pickled tink to have finally made it into a simple card. Thank you, Linda!

~~~
The above three QACAS cards were made with toppers that were a gift from my friend Nonni of Nonni's Handmade Cards. I made cards from a couple of others when they first arrived (cough) ago, but then these three toppers just sat neglected as UCBs. I mean, honestly, it took only minutes to make these cards, so slap my biscuit and call me lazy for not doing this sooner!! Thank you, Nonni!

It feels so good to work my way through these treasures and turn them into cards to spread the love to someone else! I'll hopefully have more UCBs to share another day soon.

~~~

And now, something I made from total scratch yesterday.
I know, you're impressed by the layers and detail and countless hours I dedicated to this design, aren't you? Haha, of course not. I whipped up this OLC for Amy's 2017 Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop. The NBUS perculator and sediment stamps are from Whimsy Stamps. The NBUS wee flower that I poked in the opening of the masked perculator is from MFT's "Buildable BG" set. Mr. Zig and Ms. Stella were responsible for the technicolor floral effects.

I'm also joining in the Tic Tac Toe Challenge, using the left-most vertical line of "blue, one-layer, and yellow."
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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 as soon as I am able!








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88 comments:

Craft-E-Place said...

Great to hear that all is good with you and that you are feeling better.
This is a stunning collection of cards ... I love the way you have combined the images with coloured card layers. My favourite is your coffee card ... it is so crisp, clean and understated, just brilliant!
Take care.
Elaine x

!neke said...

Good to hear you feel better !
Your collection of cards is great !!!!!

Ineke X

Jane Willis said...

Glad you are recovering - and the enforced rest hasn't diminished your creativity!
Jane

Stamps and Paper said...

Pleased to hear you are feeling better and in the mend.
Love collection of cards Darnell

Anne

Linda said...

Hi Darnell .... glad to hear you're on the mend after your op.
I'm just catching up with everything after being away on holiday. We were on a boat on the Norfolk Broads with not very good internet connections so I feel as though I've missed loads!
What a great gallery of cards .... love the large 'Hi' die from a few days ago, and I thought I recognised that butterfly :)
Look after yourself hun .... bug hugs xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Well done Darnell on being able to craft and healing well!! Lots of rest and gentle walking too, remember :-). BTDT - that translates been there, done that.
Love your cards and QACAS is perfect for this time. Glad I am not the only one to save envelopes to repurpose, even if it is for the washi tape on them. It's called being thrifty!! Well that's my story and I am keeping to it.
Blessings
Maxine

Canonbury creations said...

Hi Darnell so pleased you're on the mend! What a beautiful array of cards, that bird and sentiment made me laugh out loud!
Val x

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

What a terrific selection of cards.
Isn't it great to use up some of your bits and pieces.
And - you've reminded me, I have those flower toppers somewhere. I must dig them out.
xxx

KandA said...

So glad to hear you're mending well and taking it steady. I Hope Hammy is looking after you properly when he's not busy building. Love that super burd on your first card and the lovely colours of the butterfly and those LOTV toppers are so pretty. Love your last card - that sentiment is perfect with the image xx

Barb said...

What a beautiful selection of cards Darnell. My favourite is the first. I love your colouring on that fun bird. I'm glad that you are now feeling much better and hope you continue toimprove day by day. Hugs, Barbxx

Ros Crawford said...

Wonderful cards here Darnell and good to know you are on the road to recovery my friend!

Di said...

Brilliant cards Darnell - and lovely to see you blogging and keeping us entertained as always. Don't overdo things though! :)

Hugs

Di xx

Yang Kuo said...

So glad to hear you're mending well and taking it steady. I Hope Hammy is looking after you properly when he's not busy building.

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Cara said...

Looks like you've been very busy creating such beautiful cards. Glad to hear that you are continuing to recover well x

~amy~ said...

I'm so glad that you're feeling better! What a treat to see you link up for the Summer Hop. Loving all your cards but especially your fabulous 'perky' OLC!

Brenda in IN said...

Glad you are feeling well enough to visit the playhouse and good for you using up the UCB. All of them are great. That bird just cracks me up and what a cool use of the envelope butterfly. Nonni's card fronts are lovely and you gave all of these such pretty new life. Oh gosh, we used to have one of those perk coffee pots so this card brings back happy morning memories.

Shelly said...

These are all so pretty, Darnell!
Glad to hear you're feeling better! Take care...hugs <3

Sharon Underwood said...

Wonderful cards Darnell! You've been busy, and that shows how good you're feeling. You certainly haven't lost your mojo. I'm glad to see that! You've inspired me to get out my various baggies full of die cuts and USE them. Thank you for that!

Heidi said...

Great cards, love the design for the summer coffee hop!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

All the cards are amazing! Glad to hear you are feeling a lot better!

Colleen said...

Darnell, so happy to hear your recovery is going as planned and you are making your way back into the Playhouse! what a delightful group of cards you made! Wow, so impressed, don't have a favorite because each is clever and unique and you are just amazing! Keep up the good work and stay healthy!

Shannon Jaramillo said...

Carnell, I love reading your posts, they always make me smile:) It's so nice to turn saved bits and bobs into finished projects, isn't it?! All of your cards are so sweet but that sentiment with the percolator is just too funny! I struggle with one layer cards (why did I add that to my board?!?) because I just love layers but your card is just perfect! Just the right amount of detail! Thanks for playing along with the Tic Tac Toe Challenge this week! XX Hope you continue to feel better and recover!!

Pat said...

Wow, you have been busy Darnell and it always feels good to use up some of those bits that have languished in a box, and the cute bird coloured by Jim is such fun, and that beautiful butterfly, what detail by Linda putting this on an envelope. I love the flower toppers to so artsy and pretty, and love that coffee pot and sweet flower, just perfect for the blog hop and challenge. So pleased to hear you are gradually feeling stronger but go easy won't you. x

conil said...

Actually, I'm amazed you're even in the Playhouse this soon. Look at all these UCB's (leave it to you to create an acronym that I'll see all over the internet from now on). Good for you using all those bits and to such beautiful advantage. Good to hear the recovery it progessing as expected. Hope Hammy doesn't get lost in all those envelope tunnels. With your popularity, he may never find his way out.

OH Babs said...

So glad you are feeling well enough to play with SIP. I saw your card of Amy's blog hop so had to comment. A great CAS card that you could send to yourself. Ha ha ha. :)BBB

Kath said...

Fabulous cards and glad to hear you're feeling a little better.
Kath x

Sheila H said...

So glad you're recovering nicely, Darnell. Your cards are such a treat - full of fun.

cuilliesocks said...

Glad to hear that you are improving, but don't overdo things.
Your selection of cards are fabulous, that bird is prehistoric, but oh so cute. Lovely floral cards and love the coffee pot image, take care Kate x

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Sending heaps more positive healing thoughts and hugs (((Darnell))). Glad you are improving.

Loving all the cards.

You take care. Sue

Unknown said...

It's good to hear your recovery is going well and I hope this is it for you now, no more problems. Continue to take care of yourself. Love all your beautiful cards and glad to see you have joined in with Tic, Tac, Toe challenge too. Hugs, Linda xxx

Cat Craig said...

You have the best bits and bobs lying around Darnell and you have created a fabulous selection of cards with them. You rocked the stash for sure.

Julia Aston said...

So happy to hear you are on the mend Sis! and what a fat lot of cards you've produced in your drugged state!! Wonderful CAS coffee card! Julia xx

Nora Noll said...

I am glad that you are feeling better and utilizing this time to create a little bit. I adore your cards made from the "bits." I never think of doing this but now am going to have to look a bit closer. I LOVE your Altenew card. I have been eyeing this stamp set FOREVER but since I don't really drink coffee, I have not splurged. I am also TRYING not to buy anything starting on the July 1st. I have so much NBUS that I could refrain from spending for a year and still not use all of what I have!! Thank you for the inspiration!!

Peggy Noe said...

Darnell, your card is delightful! What a wonderful one layer card! It sounds like you've perked up a bit yourself and I'm so glad you were able to join our challenge this week. Thanks for sharing your card with us at Tic Tac Toe Challenge!

Birgit said...

I am so glad you are on the mend and could make these simple but beautiful cards! I think it is almost harder to create something with one layer or just have an image without any extras. I hope you are catching up with reading and watching plenty of movies:)

Pia S said...

Fun and inspirational post with lots of eye candy and tips for quick makes!

Redanne said...

So pleased to hear that you are still on the mend, hope the pain and discomfort don't last too long...

A real feast for these old eyes today, I love all your cards, especially the first one, the kooky bird is so cute. Thanks so much for your lovely comments, I really do appreciate it!! Hugs, Annie xxx

JoAnn said...

Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Great job with the cards. Love them.

Ann said...

Super cute card.

Sue - said...

Good to hear all is going well! A great collection of cards from the UCB box.

Sue D said...

Great cards. I like the one for the coffee lovers blog hop--I need to make one soon.

Kathleen said...

Where do I start.. at the end for once I think, what a super card, great image and the sentiment is brilliant and definitely suites the CAS look.
Three super cards with the LOTV toppers.
The butterfly background is stunning and what a great way to make a background on an envelope and nice to see some decent coloured butterflies.
What a super fun image, he/she really looks to be smiling and Jim has made a great job of the colouring.

Glad to hear that you are making good progress, I have one of those boxes too.

Kath xxx

Jean said...

Glad to hear you are doing well. Such gorgeous cards! Love how you did these!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

It is good to hear that all is on the mend and going well in your world. Great cards. I laughed at how it only took minutes to put those together so why didn't you do it years ago? I don't know myself but I've been in that spot myself. Why oh why indeed? Love the layered detailed and overwrought card. *wink*wink* Sometimes you just gotta do 'em up short 'n sweet 'n simple.

oldpunca said...

What a clever use of wonderful motives! I like your quick and easy cards. :-) I'm glad to read, that you are feeling better.
Hugs, Sonja

Carol L said...

What a wonderful array of lovely cards! I'm glad to see you're feeling well enough to spend some time in the playhouse already! I do hope you are "perking up" as well! Take good care of yourself!

Gerrina said...

What a great way to use all of those onto cards!
And I love that perculator image! A great OL and CAS-card!
Hugs, Gerrina

JD/ Jill said...

OH My Goodness! I had to do a double take when I saw your first card!!!
You made my Jim's day! I still laugh every time I see that image!

Hope you are doing much better...I think you may have had your quota of doctors this year... (I'm sure that you would much rather spend time in your playhouse than visiting a doctor's office...smile...
Please Keep well...and Keep smiling...
Blessings and hugs...Jill

Bonnie said...

Awesome cards, my friend! I need to do some digging in my UFO box and do the same! Glad to hear you are progressing with your recovery and behaving yourself in the process. Hopefully Hammy will keep you from overdoing! xoxo

Greta said...

Wow--you made such great use of your limited time in The Playhouse, Darnell! Love all the cards, but your last one is just brilliant for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Lisa Elton said...

What a fun quirky bird!! Love the pretty shades of blue and green for your butterfly card. Pretty floral cards and a perfect coffee themed card! You've been busy. So HAPPY to know your recovery is going well!

Happy Dance said...

Fabuloso birdy bird bird card. He's got such personality, and I like the black x-stitch frame and orange base you've put him onto. Very cool card!! My hair looked like that this morning, too.... An envelope??!! So glad you saved it and made this pretty card with it. Perfect on the green base! You're brilliant, girl!! And I'm not slapping you. They were the perfect way to get back into the craft addiction; not too much work and turned out gorgeously!! Love all three!! Love your coffee card, too. Hey!!! Let's go out for a cuppa! Oh, wait... I'm kinda stuck here and you're kinda stuck there. Oh pooh! Someday soon though. When I win the lottery, hahahahahaha. Missing you and hope you're feeling better and better with each passing day. Thoughts and prayers. Bev

Verna Angerhofer said...

So many wonderful cards. You have doing a great use of your recovery time. I love that coffee pot designed one that you did from scratch too.

Sylvia said...

Darnell, I so glad to hear your recovery is going well. Love the perk card with a simple flower. Excellent. I love your acronyms. Amazing how those UCB come in handy at times. Be well. Sylvia D.

Christine Alexander said...

great to hear your are now starting to feel better and ready to dive into the UFO box. By the way some awesome makes :)

Anonymous said...

Its a circle - you make cards, get better and then make more cards, get even better.. you know how it goes!! ;) Anyway, glad to hear you getting better and better, Darnell! Those pretty cards prove it! And here's to seeing more from the "UCB"!!
xx Ashwini

Chrissie said...

Fab bunch of cards and great news to hear that you are recovering well Darnell.
Your posts are always so entertaining even when you're not feeling 100%! We'll raise a glass to your continued recovery on our next cruise starting this coming weekend!
Love Chrissie xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
so glad you are contuing to make good progress after your op.
Love your wonderful cards they are so very brilliant and perfectly made as always.
Love and big gentle crafty hugs from my house to yours.Jenny L.

Craftychris said...

So glad you are progressing so well! What an awesome selection of cards, I love them all! A wonderful post full of eye candy, thank you my friend! xxx

Carole Pollard said...

So glad you are on the mend just take it steady for a while. Loving your post today You have some amazing friends the cards are all very special I follow Jim's blog and his colouring is beautiful Love and hugs Carole x

Em Louise Fairley said...

So many gorgeous cards, Darnell. Glad you're resting too.
Gentle hugs,
Em xoxox

Diane said...

Happy to hear you are doing better and creating again!! ALL your cards are fabulous as always...that silly bird made me crack up..he looks like I feel...lol!! Have a great day!!

Nan G said...

Stunning cards! Who knew they were just over there awaiting on ya!? Happy to hear your recovery is going well. Ooh, ppsstt, your b-day card may be late as I'm in the middle of a major purge of the crafty room. (Inspired by yourself no less!) have a wonderful rest and enjoy the week. Hugs

Becca Yahrling said...

I'm a birdie lover, so that crazy bird - L*O*V*E!! And I adore the cute CAS coffee card. Perfection! Everything is lovely. Glad you're on the road to recovery!!

Geri said...

Nice to see you out and about and know that you are on your way to a full recovery from the prodding & poking in 'those' areas!

Fabulous cards! The bird on the 'hello' card is BEYOND adorable....don't you just love his/her expression? Love the orange base paired with the orange beak!

The butterfly card is stunning! The background makes the perfect sky! Great call on the green base.

The 'toppers' are fabulous! What a great way to whip up a few cards in mere minutes.

Last but certainly not least...the coffee perk card is FABULOUS!!! Clean and simple fun!

Leslie Miller said...

Look at all this great stuff with your UCBs! Love the funny bird and all the pretty flowers. And then your totally made from scratch coffee card... perfectly clean and simple and fun with the colorful flower you tucked into the spout. Glad you're coming along, getting perkier by the day. Take care!

Sarah said...

Good to see you and to hear that your recuperation is going well. Love this great selection of your work Darnell, that bird has to be my favourite though!! xx

Sandra H said...

l love your card collections and so pleased to read your felling much better although don't rush into anything take your time looking forward to your amazing creations once your better take care sending lots of love x

cotnob said...

A wonderful collection of cards Darnell, the are all pretty but the floral ones are my favourites.
I'm pleased to hear that you are recovering well.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Anita in France said...

Well, hello beautiful right back again, Darnell! Great to hear your recovery is continuing as it should ... and lovely to see you feeling good enough to dabble in your UCB box. What a brilliant collection ... apart from them being fabulous cards, I love that each one puts you in mind of sweet friends! Oh, and I laughed out loud at that amazing bird ... he's just fantastic! Hope you perked yourself up while making that cute coffee card ... so fun and so deliciously CAS! Praying for and thinking of you, my friend! LYAMYHMAWLTBSCATPWY! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Allisa said...

Gorgeous cards!

Sharron said...

So glad to hear you are feeling good and are now on the mend! I know it must feel good to have the surgery over. Love your wonderful collection of cards! That bird is so cool. He brings a smile for sure! Smiled at your coffee pot too--such a charming little design!!

Maria said...

I had to pop over since I saw your lovely coffee card from the hop! And, I'm glad I did as I see several other wonderful cards! I do hope you are feeling better and continue to do so! Take care!

Cheryl W. said...

Now that's a passel of pretty cards! You've been busy as a bee. Creating cards from long neglected card parts still counts as creativity in my book. You're rockin' it! Continue to heal and feel better. We're all rootin' for you.

Lisa T said...

What a lovely way to spend some recovery time. Using all those bits up and making them into gorgeous cards. And even creating a whole one from scratch. I left my mojo in Lake Como enjoying George Clooney's company more than mine, so I have struggled to make any cards. Having unusued images and colourings is perfect for times like these! That goofy bird kills me (LOVE) and those toppers are stunning. And lovely to hear you are still recovering well. Don't rush, take your time, we don't want any more bits falling out of you please. Huge hugs, Lisa xx

Hetty said...

Awesome cards all of them and wishing you well soon!

shirley-bee said...

Oh, my! That is the cutest bird I've ever seen! Linda's envie has made a fab card, and Nonni's card toppers are so pretty. The flower poking out of the coffee percolator is so sweet, it's a great QACAS OLC. Your enforced inactivity has been very productive! Glad to know your recovery is continuing in the right direction :)

Susan said...

What a lovely bunch of cards, especially the butterfly one! So glad your recuperation is going well and that Hammy is keeping you entertained with his building endeavours!

Fikreta said...

all cards are so very nice!
hugs

Izzy Scrap said...

OMG Darnell, you've been a busy bee even while recovering ! It's a pleasure to hear that you're feeling better day after day and I can read it ! You never lose your sense of humour and you always me laugh while reading your post, thanks so much for that ! Your cards are all beautiful ! I love this funny bird, your butterfly card is just stunning with this smooshing background, the three bouquet of flowers are wonderful and I love how you framed them, and least but not last, your OLC is just amazing...it is just YOU ! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful showcase ! Take care ! Hugs. xx

Liz said...

Glad to see that you're recovering well and able to play in your Playhouse for a little while. Great selection of quickie cards, I especially love the first one, the image really made me smile. Thanks for the inspiration to go through my UCB box, I know it's full of quite a rew antiques, so perhaps I'll dust off one or two.

Hope your recovery continues to go well and you're soon able to go bungee jumping, sky diving, or what ever else you've got on your bucket list! 😉 xx

Sarn said...

HI Darnell . . . just dropping by to send you some warm GET WELL WISHES. Miss Di put up a blog post and I skipped straight over here.

Hope you continue to make a good recovery.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Patti said...

Oh my friend! I have been so MIA from Blogland that I missed your post describing your surgery. I've gone searching and see what I missed. : ( I'm sorry!

I have a "Thank You card on my desk waiting to send you as well as a (now belated) Birthday card and I'll soon be adding a get well message!! I have not been doing wonderfully myself but I am happy in my heart and hoping to get my act together before too much longer LOL

Be well my friend BIG ((( HUGS )))

Patti

Lisa said...

All very beautiful and love your cute coffee card!

Bunny said...

Forget the cards...........Happy Birthday! Hooray! We (my husband and I) had a bowl of ice cream to celebrate your birthday.

Please.......do not fall into any of Hammy's tunnels. You're on the road to recovery.

Aquarius said...

All great but the goofy bird gets my vote - he is amazing and really made me smile. Tried to follow you on Blogger but got a 'forbidden' error message for some reason.

Helen F. said...

The goofy bird is fabulous, Darnell :-) LOVE LOVE LOVE all the beautiful panel cards (I was a happy recipient of one~YAY.
And, your Coffee PerkUp card is so fun!

Bobby said...

Kudos to you for finishing up some bits and pieces of projects, Darnell. That bird is fabulous! I love your new creation too. The sentiment is so much fun.