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!

July 27, 2017

Rainbow Tears, a Golden Hello, and a Bouncy Balloon

Hello, Stamplings!

We've almost whooshed through another week, haven't we?!

In my neck of the woods, Mother Nature's fever broke for a couple of days and it was so lovely to have the Playhouse windows open. Hammy spent most of yesterday with his nose pressed against the screen. He was fixated and fascinated by the comings and goings of the hummers while enjoying the fresh breezes that would blow up his fur knickers from time to time!

I've got a long line-up for you today and I know you've got a side dish to make for the barbecue (potato salad? baked beans?), so I'll try to keep my ginfers from typing on willy-silly as they are wont to do.

The first two cards which feature rainbow tears are a CASE of a card I made ages ago.
The designs are simples using the water drops from Designs by Ryn.  The "thinking of you" sediment might be from MFT, but I'm not for sure. The "Sending Hugs" is from PTI.

Challenges
RRCB 67
~~~

Next down the runway is a sweeping golden hello with a matching gold floral wreath draped over a jewel-tone chiffon, shot through with gold:
In my last post I made a card that fit the brief at Less Is More, but I biffed it when I wrote my post by submitting it to too many challenges. Slap! I'd already linked to everybody, so I couldn't make a withdrawal. Well, by golly, I decided to make it right by creating another card just for LIM! 

Sorry you can't really see all the glitz and shimmer of this card because the gold metallic paper is so hard to photograph. To make this "no stamps" card, I took one item from Mt. NBUS (the Cascadia Wreath from Memory Box enabled by my friend Sheri), one item from my UCB box (the gold-splattered-tissue-paper-and-ink background enabled by my friend Loll), and the hello die (also in gold) from WPlus9.
~~~

And in case you were just drifting off, how about a splash of pink passion?!
This card is to celebrate the 5th birthday of one of my very favorite Clean and Simple Challenges: CASology! Congratulations to Melissa and everyone who has been a part of her team over the last five years! Cheers to many more years!

There is a sponsored (meaning prizes!) Blog Hop happening at CASology and the theme for this birthday celebration is "Balloons." I wanted to come up with a design that included a critter, so Hammy immediately thought of this old, but well-loved, Penny Black hedgie stamp which I heat embossed and painted with my Ziggies. The sediment is from Technique Tuesday.

Other Challenges
Share Our Badge!Image may contain: text

I liked it so well in pink, I made one in blue.
I think I might make a batch of these in every color. I forgot how much I love that hedgie's happy little face as he's bouncing his balloon across the floor! I'm pretty sure he is letting some air out every now and then to make fart noises and then giggling historically! It's a wonder he hasn't fallen off!

~~~

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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96 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you so much for the smiles your post gave me Darnell - love your hedgie card (and comments about why he is smiling)!! The gold is just stunning - love all the smakle and shine, and how well we enable each other....
The rainbow tears cards are gorgeous - sure to cheer somebody up.
Glad to hear Hammy loves bird watching....;-)
Blessings
Maxine

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, The cards are fab as usual. I particularly like the tears ones.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Lesley said...

Lovely work here my friend!! Good luck with the Challenge celebration at Casology! Happy to hear you had some cooler days! It's been pretty warm here too! Hugs! LC

Liz said...

Another wonderful selection of cards, Darnell. I love the water drops on the first two, they look gorgeous in the rainbow colours and so realistic. The tissue paper centre on your next card is beautiful, I really must get round to trying this technique. As for your last pair of cards - I love that adorable little hedgehog, I can almost hear him giggling. xx

Anita in France said...

What a delicious post, Darnell ... I was transported to the Playhouse with you and Hammy! Outstanding cards, my friend ... those rainbow droplets are gorgeous and so realistic (I have the sentiment set you used on the first, it's from N&T) ... the chiffon shot through with gold is gaspingly gorgeous, rich, luxurious and beautiful ... and that final hedgehog duo is completely cute and CAS ... love the idea of him appearing in every colour ... wonder if there's a 'balloon noise' insert that can be had?? LYSMYHMAHTCWCATPH! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Gerrina said...

Love all the colours! A festive post...The blue and pink cards are my favorite, but the colourful card is a good second; love the movement! And those coloured dripps look like deluted paint that random rolls of the card; beautiful! Enjoy the "better" weather! Hugs, Gerrina

Julie B said...

Wow you have been a busy bee! Love your take on the balloon cue word and the droplet dribble is a fab stamp. :)

Mac Mable said...

Laughed out loud....Great cards, great blogging and love popping in to see your unique and creative cards x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fabulous collection of cards here Darnell, I love the gold hello especially.

Sue xx

Redanne said...

Oh what a feast for the eyes today! I love those raindrops (my remains un-inked, need to remedy that), they look so beautiful in your rainbow of colours. The gold card is so elegant and the hedgie is just adorable - a great idea to make a whole set, they will bring a smile to all who see them! Hugs, Annie xxx

Izzy Scrap said...

As usual it was a delight to read your post while my husband was preparing the barbecue AND the side dish ! Gorgeous cards and I really love the one you especially made for LIM ! What a gorgeous background for this stunning gold wreath! You rock again ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along at Less is More!

Aquarius said...

Your posts never fail to make me smile - a great selection of cards today as well. The rainbow one is effective but a fave has to be the hedgie bouncing along on the balloon (with sound effects I'm sure).

Stamps and Paper said...

Lots of inspiration for us today Darnell with so many lovely cards...I have the raindrop stamp somewhere amongst my stash but love what you've done with yours all those gorgeous vibrant colours

Anne x

Cara said...

Wow, you have been busy! All stunning creations. I did giggle at Hammie's fur knickers, think he must be a bit toasty in this weather, poor thing!

Craftychris said...

Oh Darnell, I am laughing lots what with breeze up Hammy's fur knickers and Hedgie making fart noises with his balloon! You are a real tonic, thank you so much! Absolutely love all the wonderful cards too! Hugs. xxxxxxxx

Pat said...

Thought I had been doing well with my cardmaking lately Darnell but you have maxed out here! I adore the water drops and the second in that pretty red with the envelope flap design, and your gold flecked tissue paper is gorgeous surrounded by the pretty wreath, and the pink and blue balloon riding hedgies are so cute and such fun. Phew I've got writer's cramp...lol. Glad you have had a couple of cooler days, that constant heat must be very tiring. x

Marilyn said...

WOW,WOW,WOW!! Your cards are gorgeous! I especially love the tears card!

Diane said...

Fun fun post with fabulous cards!! Love each and everyone of them, from the elegant to the fun and cute cute hedgie!!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, Lots of beauties here today:) The rainbow trickling water is gorgeous and I especially love the tissue background with gold on the 3rd card. When I have a craft room again, I hope to remember to try this :) Glad your heatwave let up so you & Hammy can breath fresh air. Take good care, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Bunny said...

Wow! These are beautiful. The water drops are just fantastic. I'm glad you were able to open the windows yesterday. I'll get to do that in November...........maybe. [Bunny]

Colleen said...

amazing cards friend! Love your little hammy's in pink and blue...I think a rainbow color of them would be awesome!! Your gold wreath card is stunning, love it!! And let's not forget the amazing water drops...you are just so clever! Glad you get a little bit of weather reprieve, love open windows and fresh air blowing in...we are getting a lot of hot weather here too and I am kind of loving it! I am off tomorrow for my big trip to the Mediterranean...so excited!! I will be missing in action for about 16 days, so don't think I am ignoring you!
Heart Hugs, col

Happy Dance said...

Potato Salad. My sister's recipe, which is the best in the whole, wide world. Though, there's no bbq, just a dish for supper tonight. Looking at this array of your cards is much more fun than cooking, however. I love those drippity drops. They're so pretty in all those colors. I think I could look at them for quite a while. Love the red dotty paper on your second one especially. Your beauty for LIM has taken my breath away. That tissue paper looks fabulous beneath the golden wreath, and that 'hello' is perfection. Hammy did a good job in choosing this stamp for your pink and blue balloon cards!! Absolutely adorable!! My kids would have done the whole bounce across the floor making fart noises with their balloons thing, too. Boys!! Calling winner here.... Love and miss you. xoxoxoxoxo
Bev

Darlene said...

Your cards always make me smile Darnell! What a cute creation for our challenge! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Black & White with a POP of Color’ challenge! We hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please stop in for a visit!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Might be a long lineup, but I love them all, and sure do adore that Birthday Smirthday sediment! Excellent concoctions!

Ros Crawford said...

Hahaha! I'm laughing about that comment on the little hedgehog! Superb display of cards Darnell I miss a deadline for a challenge today... I need a little Hammy to remind me I think. I hope you are feeling good... Sending hugs your way!

JD/ Jill said...

Wow! You were really on a roll with all these fabulous cards! Way to go...thanks for all the beautiful inspiration!

Brenda in IN said...

I'm glad you are having some cooler days and I see you are enjoying the playhouse. I love all of these cool cards today. The hedgie's are adorable and would be cute in every color. The gold is stunning with that gorgeous gold touched tissue. I love that. And those water drops really are my favorite. By the way, I am bringing deviled eggs to the bbq. What time do we eat?

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
beautiful cards as usual.
Their designs are awesome and very wonderful.
Especially love the gold wreath one as I am a Magpie sort of person.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Viv said...

So many super cards here Dee, I am lucky if I make just one to share recently lol!Enjoy your weekend my luverly friend and keep on making those yummy creations too ;) Vee xx

Lisa said...

These are all so gorgeous!! I love the designs of each one!! The colors on the first one are beautiful!! I love the elegant wreath on the second one!! And the little hedgies are so sweet on the last ones!! Love them all!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

conil said...

I adore those drips...now, especially, in rainbow hues. Makes for a CAS card with HUGE impact. You really did Loll's tissue technique proud. It looks glorious with that golden, viney wreath. Inlay is always beautiful, to me. The hedgie is also one of my favorites I totally forgot about. Just so cute bouncing on that balloon and perfect for CASology's anniversary.

Leslie Miller said...

Wow, wow! So much to see! It's kinda easier to put it all in one post, isn't it? Those rainbow tears are awesome. Love both designs, and especially loving the simplicity of the sentiment placement on the first card. Sometimes it's the smallest things that grab me. Incredibly gorgeous gold wreath and tissue panel with the fabulous, large "hello". So beautiful! Finally, I good good giggles from the last two cards with the hedgies bouncing their balloons. I'm sure at least the boy is making fart noises with his.

Sherri Thacker said...

Hey, we had a big birthday bash for my mother-in-law yesterday who turned 94 and I did make homemade potato salad with sloppy joes and lots of other goodies. Your Birthday Smirthday card is perfect for the Cards in Envy challenge. Thanks so much for joining us.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, beautiful selection of cards, the raindrop tears are so lovely, beautiul design. The wreath card is so very elegand but the hedgie makes my heart sing, he is adorable, and I would make him with every colour too, Kate x

sandie said...

you know I love a bit of pink and what a stunning design with the little image in the left-love this in the pink. Thanks for joining HLS...also loving the gold explosion card x

Cat Craig said...

A plethora of fantastic cards Darnell...and I agree that the hedgie is enjoying all the noise he can make as he bounces about.

Linda said...

Wow, a bunch of awesome cards. I really loved the gold wreath card. So gorgeous. Have a great day.

Jane said...

Loving the rainbow tears and the wonderfully CAS layout of your first card. Think I might just have to borrow that one at some point. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.

JoAnn said...

Lovely cards Darnell. Each one has its own perfect design and colors. Thanks for sharing.

Berina RGA said...

Such beautiful cards Darnell!! I love the tissue paper technique. The rainbow tears cards are very creative!

Kathleen said...

Rainbow tears, they look really great but thank goodness it is only an art thing, just think what a mess you face would look like if we did cry rainbow tears, talk about a distress background!
The gold wreath looks stunning against the lovely background.

Two really lovely hedgy cards, love the LIM style.

Kath x

BożenA said...

I remember your card with Ryn drops, a few years ago. It was she who made me start following your blog :-) Remake is just as perfect! And I love the second card, it's so elegant. Gold must shine amazingly. The next card with a sweet hedgehog made me smile. And although I love blue, I'm not able to pinpoint which card is more beautiful!
Hugs,
BożenA

Claire Grantham said...

Hello my friend, so good to see you in the gallery. Love all your cards, you have been busy. I am about to embark on 4 whole days of peaceful desk time! The teardrop rainbows are amazing! Thanks for joining us again at Retro Rubber. Claire DT

Carole said...

Well Hi Darnell...you have been a busy bee while I have been on my hols! As always you have made some wonderful cards and brought a smile to my face! I do hope this productivity of yours means you are well on the road to recovery now. Can't possibly choose a favourite card...like them all, always so varied and inspiring. Hugs xx

Bonnie said...

Love your rainbow drops, Dolly! And the hedgie with the balloon is fun in pink or blue!

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a wonderful array of great cards. You really have been busy. I think that hedgie card is so darling and looks great in both pink and blue.

Carol L said...

What a fantastic array of fabulous cards! I'm just really loving the golden hello card for some reason - I can't take my eyes off of it! LOL I love the textured cardstock you use too - it makes fantastic cards! WEll done on everything, and now you deserve to sit back and watch the hummers for a while too :)

Cheryl said...

All of your cards are beautiful! Love the simplicity of your rainbow card and the shimmer background in your hello card. Thanks for sharing at AAA cards.

Lisa Elton said...

Drippy little rainbow water drops, a fancy shimmering gold wreath and happy little hedgies...what could be better about this post!! Love the variety Darnell and all perfectly executed. I can just hear the high pitched air squealing out of those balloons!!

creative lady said...

Darnell, oh my! Your cards are gorgeous....I can't just pick one! Great take on the challenge. Thanks for joining Retro Rubber.

Christine Alexander said...

now that I've stopped laughing at your blog I can say, the waterdroplets are wonderfully colourful. I love every bit of bling on your wreath card and those hedgies are so darn cute :)

Cheryl W. said...

The rainbow tears make me think of a crying unicorn. That's what her tears would look like, right? I love the hedgie cards. That truly is the happiest little hedgie ever...bouncing along on his colorful balloon. I think purple would be a great color to add to that collection of cards.

Trina P. said...

Wow, Darnell! These are all fabulous. Your LIM entry card is beautiful and luscious with all that gold. Love that wreath die. Thank you for coming back to enter again this week at Less is More. 😊 Trina xx

Jacquie Southas said...

Terrific post, Darnell! I seriously love the balloon holding hedgehog! Thanks for playing along with the CASology anniversary challenge this week!

Linda said...

Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! What a stunning collection to end the week. I love the water droplets and they look fab in the rainbow colours. The golden wreath is beautiful against that pretty background and Hedgie well ..... he is just too darn cute! Have a fabulous weekend my friend xx

Kathyk said...

Oh, good grief woman! - you spoil us! So many fab makes today - LOVING your rainbow droplets and your LIM entry and .... you get the picture!?

Happy Friday

Kathyk

Neet said...

Love your rainbow droplets. I can vaguely remember seeing them once before but this time they kind of registered in my head as something I would love to do myself. Would you mind? I think I am in a "Colour mode" at the moment, having a passion for things bright and beautiful. So you see your pink passion at the end has certainly grabbed hold of me.
Not that I had to be awakened as I was drooling over your golden halo and the lovely greens inside of it.
Such beautiful cards - thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Neet xx

Donna Phelan said...

BEAUTIFUL creations! I am loving your CAS Hedgehog birthday cards! Classic look with great POPS of color! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Double D Pop Of Color Challenge, Donna, DT Member.

Anonymous said...

Such gorgeous cards. I have all sorts of images now of hedgehogs! thanks for making me smile

Cris G. said...

What a lineup of beautiful cards, Darnell! The rainbow drops are sure to make anyone happy... I am happier now :)!

I Card Everyone said...

Darnell these are all just beautiful... but jump right to the hedgie on the bouncy balloon and THAT'S where you'll find my heart... xx
=]

Sheila H said...

I love all your cards, Darnell. I like how you CASE yourself!

Ruth said...

How adorable is your little Hedgie! I'm amaze don't he hasn't burst that balloon already. I'm loving all the water droplets too, that is a really brilliant design. Well done you for getting another card made just for LIM. It's been so long since I entered any challenges, I need to get my rear in gear and do the rounds. Xx

Greta said...

We got a little break from the oppressive heat, too & loved it! Wonderful cards today, Darnell--absolutely love the golden wreath with the beautiful tissue paper--stunning!

Canonbury creations said...

Wow you're on a roll Darnell! Love your rainbow tears so unusual but I was blown away by the golden wreath with that gorgeous centre! Loving the hedgehogs too. It's cooler here now with torrential showers most days xx

Jan Clothier said...

Darnell, I've been too long away from your blog! I'd forgotten what a ray of sunshine your posts are. I think your rainbow tears are simply glorious! It's a lovely, clean design. Thank you so much for joining us at Retro Rubber for our rainbow challenge.

AlisonC said...

Your hedgie definitely has a naughty grin so that must be what he is doing. I love your gold and chiffon concoction. So starry and elegant.

Shelly said...

These are all FABULOUS, Darnell! I just love that little hedgehog on the balloon...I just may need to add that to my stash. ;) And those water drops are simply awesome! Love them in the rainbow of colors! Also, let's not forget your beautiful wreath card...the touches of gold are perfect!
Have a great Friday and weekend! Hugs

Fikreta said...

so pretty!

Joyce said...

What a wonderful assortment of cards, Darnell. Your rainbow cards are fantastic, and I truly adore the cutie you made for our anniversary celebration at CASology. Thanks so much for playing along.

Donna said...

Such an amazing collection of cards Darnell, all stunning.

Michele K. Henderson said...

Hi Darnell!
I love ALL of your pretty cards today! Guess what? On June 24th, I sent you a lovely birthday card, all the way to the West Coast, in order to reach you by your birthday! TODAY, the card was returned back to me, after all this time, unopened, with a yellow return to sender sticker on it! I would love to resend it to you, since this was a special card that I think you'll recognize! You were /are so nice to me earlier this year, and I feel terrible if you thought I had forgotten your birthday. I'm at crimsonowl@chartre.net. Could you drop me a line and send me your current snail mail address? Happy VERY Belated birthday!
Love,
Michele

TaeEun said...

The water drops caught my eyes and brought me to this post with your gorgeous creations!!! Love the beautiful tissue paper and the happy hedgie on the ballon, too! Fabulous set of cards, Darnell!

Tracie Pond said...

Such fun and beautiful drops of rainbow colors. Thank you for sharing with us at AAA Cards.

donna mikasa said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell! I'm intrigued with the rainbow colored drops but that hedgie has my heart!

Christine Traversa said...

The stamps are soooo cool! Love this! Thanks for joining the RR challenge!

Janelle said...

Oh lordy, Darnell, you do make such pretty cards. ☺

Loll said...

What a beautiful collection of cards, Dolly. You are on an roll! Starting with the rainbow tear cards ... awesome designs. Your tissue and gold card is a beauty! Love it. And your hedgies made me smile. Adorable cards. Hope you are keeping well. Lolly xx

Susanne Vargas said...

You did it again and made me laugh with your writing! And your cards blew my socks off (wait I'm not wearing any, it's summer)! The rainbow raindrops are spectacular, the same goes for the golden wreath card, and the hedgehog cards are super cute!

aussie aNNie said...


A beautiful creation. Lovely design and gorgeous colours used ...hope to see you next challenge.. Double D Challenges{DT aNNie}

stampingbowd said...

WHat a great selection of cards! The rainbow water droplets look amazing!!! Such cool cards! I love wreath cards and your is stunning! So smart to make multiples of cards. Fun to have pink and blue cards!

KandA said...

STUNNING cards Darnell and a wonderful thought of Hammy looking out of the window. Love the colours on the first two cards and the fabulous DBR droplets (and thanks for the reminder that I've got some DBR water drops still uninked). Love the gold dies and the beatiful colours of the tissue background on the next one and finally that wonderful hedgie is having so much fun on his balloon - just hope he doesn't pop it with one of his spikes! Take care xx

LisaM said...

Awesome cards! Thanks for sharing them with us at Cards In Envy!

Greta said...

Congrats on the Top Pick at Retro Rubber for your creative card, Darnell! Hope you're staying cool--getting to be a difficult task up here!

Carol H. said...

Awesome cards, as always, Darnell! The rainbow of tears is such a unique card and so pretty! My fave is the golden hello card--love the tissue in the middle of the wreath! Beautiful! Send some of that cool air to Texas please! LOL! Hugs!

Jerrie said...

Oh Darnell, your cards are so fun and I love the designs! Your rainbow tears remind me of the hands that stick on surfaces!

Lisa T said...

Wow you have been busy creating Darnell! What a lovely set of cards, love the simplicity of the tears and hedgie cards but the gold in the Hello card is just beautiful. So inspiring! I don't know when I will ever have time to try out all the ideas that I see that inspire me... its like the painting of the Forth bridge haha! Xx

Sherrie M. said...

Fabulous cards Darnell but your CASology card makes me smile. I can feel the happiness in your little critter. So glad you joined us for the CASology anniversary celebration!

Kristie Goulet said...

FAB cards, Darnell! I absolutely love the rainbow tears! Awesome!

scrappymo! said...

Those hedgie cards are so drn cute! I had not seen that image before today!

Your golden card is super. Lol's background so beautiful and your gold additions are perfect here.

The raindrop cards are lovely too!

PS It was great to see you using a NBuS...after all you inspired me. We are well over half of this year and I have been able to stick to my goal of at least one NBUS item on every card in 2017...yay!

Lin said...

Such pretty cards, Darnell, and the rainbow teardrops are something I haven't seen before! Thank you for sharing these with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

Geri said...

Wowzers girl...you're on a roll here! These cards are SOOOOOOOO awesome!

I must be living under a rock (not must...I do live under a rock) cuz I've never seen this tear drop stamp before. The bright colors that you used will definitely make the recipient smile.

The little gold number is definitely a runway hit! The colors inside the breath are gorgeous, especially with the flicks and flecks of gold mixed in.

The 'birthday smirthday' cards are beyond adorable and definitely stole my heart! Love all the white space (who me?).

Macimbalo said...

Wowsers, so may beautiful creations Darnell!!! I love the rainbow tears and I can't get over how perfectly CAS your hedgehog cards are - they are sooooo adorable. You are such an inspiration!

Sharron said...

It's colder here too and what a blessing--even got a good night's sleep. Your creations are wonderful! The rainbow tears are so lovely as is the gorgeous gold. Your hedgehogs are so adorable and yes, definitely need them in all colors! Those little Penny Black hedges are my favorite!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Stunning cards, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Sue - said...

A great set of cards Darnell! Love the hedge! It's cooler here too, and wet and grey today, more like winter! Hugs xx