A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

April 25, 2018

WILD About You!

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? I hope you were finally able to get the grill and chaise lounge out of winter hibernation and pack up your sweaters! I'm always a little conflicted about putting the sweaters away because it immediately becomes evident to everyone how many chockie bars I ate over the winter! Cough.

I'm also a little hesitant to toot my horn, but I have to say I'm really chuffed to have won the 4th Birthday Celebration over at TIME OUT challenges this past March where there were lots and lots of outstanding entries! As a result, I have the honor of being the Guest Designer for the next challenge!

For this challenge TIME OUT wants you to interpret the word WILD! Here is my one-layer card to inspire you:
Of course, "wild" is very tongue-in-cheek for these babies who don't look the least bit wild, do they? They all look like sad little orphans you just want to hug. The wild animal stamp is ancient, heat-embossed in black and colored with my Ziggies. I'd be lion if I told you I could bear to part with it.

I masked the critters and stamped the bamboo. The "wild" sediment is from SU and the "welcome" sediment is NBUS from "If Animals Could Talk" by Elizabeth Craft Designs. The corner was chomped by a Cropadile and a smidge of a score line was added under the sediment because, Frankly, the whole shebang was sitting a little too high up on the card to satisfy my symmetrical sensibilities.
I'm sure you can think of several designs for this fun challenge and I can't wait to see what you make! The Design Team has amazing interpretations to inspire you at TIME OUT Challenges. And we are so lucky to have this challenge sponsored by Winnie & Walter!  

Challenges

Blog Badge
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And a super QACAS to share:
This single blossom and sediment are NBUS from Gina K; sad you can't see the pretty winking. That furry panel is old-timey mulberry paper which was very popular near the turn of the century when I first started this beloved hobby. There was (is) something therapeutic about wetting the edge and pulling it like cotton candy being careful not to get that bit that tore off a huge chunk!

What can I say about that floating flower? It looks ridiculous floating in space, so I feel like you might be cocking your head and wondering why I did that. What happened was, I wanted the design to reflect that the person sending the card feels adrift, uprooted, leafless, and blue.

Aha! Well done, except is leafless a thing in a human? Yes, it's like lifeless, only not quite so dramatic.

Challenges
  • Addicted to Stamps and More: Clean and simple
  • Back to Basics and Beyond: This is a new challenge with a focus on helping newbies! How cool is that? But everyone is welcome! The first brief is "Matting and Layering." I did the "matting" part. Welcome to Blogland! (They are having a DT Call!)
  • Less Is More: My original impetus, the brief is "Bring Something Back!" (Mulberry paper.)
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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 and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

76 comments:

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Congrats for your GD and your inspiration is a delight, how much cute are those little wild animals! The scored line is a very professional detail, you always rock! :)
The floral card looks very impressive with that big flower lost in the white, really it reflect the sentiment! LOVE that furry panel that matches perfectly the blues of the flower! Very well done!
I'm going to work at school...(in hurry) sigh... I need summer vacations!
Hugs and thanks for your lovely comment on my blog

Jane Willis said...

Two gorgeous cards, great way to revive very old stuff! I'm sure I have or had that cute animal stamp, I can't imagine I would have parted with it so I wonder where it has got to?
Jane

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving both cards. Congrats on your win.

Sunny and dry here, but temps low as we have an icy wind.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

sandie said...

We are super chuffed to have you as our Guest Designer and thank you for joining us. Love those adorable critters and what super colouring...the bamboo makes them look more wild!
That paper looks fab and I like the floating flower.
Thanks for being with us at Time Out x

Kath said...

Congratulations on your win and I love your 'Wild' card. A beautiful blue flower card too.
Kath x

Julie B said...

Love the cute critters and the pretty blue bloom.
There's plenty of Mulberry paper languishing in one of my drawers too. :)

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell especially the jungle friends at the top.

Sue xx

Cat Craig said...

Congrats on the Guest Designer gig. I love those wild guys. So darling. Your floating flower makes perfect sense too!

Marilyn said...

Cute cards!! Love the adorable animals on your first card!!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

oldpunca said...

You've created two wonderful cards. I like cute wild animals and the simple bamboo as a decoration. The sediment matches into the story. The single blue bloom is perfect combined with the background paper. Is nice to use something from the past and create modern desing.
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Sonja

Darlene said...

OMG this is just adorable Darnell! Now, THAT'S a cute group of friends!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Friendship’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

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

jimlynn said...

They're both wonderful of course but I have to tell ya.....I'm in LOVE with the first one! Cute image and just a perfect card!
Lynn

Terri's Cards N More said...

What an adorable image for your "Wild" card. So beautifully colored and great layout. Thanks for joining the "Simply Made" challenge at Stinkin' Inkers.

Skye said...

Congratulations on the Guest Designer at Time Out.
Two lovely cards. I love the first one, baby animals - how sweet. The colouring is terrific

Tracy Freeman said...

Oh my gosh those baby animals are cute, love how you have used them and coloured them too.
Thanks for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. Have a great day x

Lisa Elton said...

Yay you, congrats on your win and guest designing!! Your card is amazing and colored beautifully. Nothing wrong with a floating flower if it floats a little joy into the recipients day!

Gerrina said...

Those babies may not look so wild now...they will be when they are bigger! Such a colourfull card with so many great images and love the colours! Thank you for being our guest designer at TIME OUT! Hugs, Gerrina

Pat said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, and congratulations on your GD spot and a much deserved win with those beautifully coloured flowers. This group of wild babies would not normally be seen together but they are so cute and love the way you have coloured them and added that lovely bamboo in the background, and what a great idea to add the embossed line under the sentiment to balance things up. The second QACAS card is really bright and pretty and adore that fabulous flower and the wonderful toning mulberry paper with the torn edges is a super addition. x

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

There are lots of "old" references in this post. That animal stamps is older than ancient... I own it too! Pretty sure I own the blossom, also. Seriously, I love using that old stash. Besides, what is old is new again! Great cards, Darnell!

conil said...

Again, congratulations on your TO win. Can we talk about those most adorable critters in stamp heaven? Couldn't be sweeter looking. Obviously, you had the perfect sentiments to enhance this darling card. Can see why you can't bear to send it out.
Also think you achieved your goal on the second card. Is a terrific miss you card. And you even used mulberry paper...I'm sure I have some of that too.

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell and congratulations on your new DT role.
Two fabulous cards, love the baby animals super design and your floating flower is gorgeous, love the vivid blue shades, Kate x

Lisa said...

Congrats on your win and GD spot!! Both of your cards are gorgeous!! I love the sweet animals!! They're precious!! The flower card is so beautiful!! Love them both!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Kathyk said...

WELL DONE on your well deserved win and GDTM slot AND on the fab makes shared with us today, love the jungle make as well as the LIM entry

Happy Thursday

Kathyk

Carol L said...

Congrats on your GD spot, well deserved for sure! Love this little group of wild critters - if only humans could get along so easily! Love the mulberry paper too along with the floating blossom - I'm loving the whole effect! Have yourself a grand day!

Sarah said...

Well done you!! Love the family of little wild ones, you are right though about the need to hug them!! I had forgotten all about the fluffiness of mulberry paper and have to say it looks amazing as a backdrop to that wonderful blue bloom xx

Patti said...

WILD about your cards!! heeheehee congratulations on your DT stop. They are blessed to have you friend!!

Donna Phelan said...

Those baby critters are super cute! I also love that bamboo accent! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Double D Challenge Blog, Friendship, Donna, DT Member.

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
congrats on your DT appointment.
Oh my word that wild animal card is outstanding and so beautifully coloured.
Yes you are right you could just cuddly them all and they do look like little orphans.
Your flower card is also very beautiful and the colours are stunning.
Very satisfying all that tearing and the flower is so pretty.
Sorry I didn't get to play in your twoferchallenge I don't own any pet stamps.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Redanne said...

Congratulations on your win my friend and also your DT spot, well done you! Your first card is delightful, I love that little furry group! The second card is a real stunner, the blue is gorgeous... I still have some mulberry paper stashed away somewhere... I think it might come in handy for journalling (providing I can find it of course). Hope you have a lovely weekend. Big hugs, Annie xxx

Donna said...

The most adorable of baby collections... can’t beat cutesy animals, you know.
And I love mulberry paper. It deserves a come back.
X

Brenda said...

Congrats on your win Auntie! How exciting although not surprising as talented as you and Hammy are! I have to say I am loving this "wild" card. The sweet little critters are just way to cute and I could just cuddle them! Little babies they look and just so adorable. Love your CAS card as well. Such a pretty color of blue and of course that beautiful bloom. I do remember mulberry paper well and it sure was all the rage back then. lol Yep, wetting the paper and tearing it could be therapeutic or stressful. I think you achieved the feel you were going for in a "missing you" card. Well done! Hugs,
Brenda

Kathleen said...

Congrats on the win and your GD, a really super card and fabulous image .
Well we have an old saying here in England "don't cast a clout, till May is out" Now there is a bit of confusion as to if it is the month of May or the May flower, I have always gone with the month mostly because I do not know what the May flower is, as yet, will be nipping off to search. It means that you don't remove winter clothing or an item of clothing till after May, We had three hot days last week and people were out in T-shirst and shorts and now they are back into winter clothes. Sorry got carried away.

Love the floating flower and the backing mulberry paper.

Have a lovely weekend.

Kath x

JoAnn said...

Congratulations on your win at the Time Out challenge and being a guest designer. Your card is adorable. Love those sweet animals and the sentiment. I also like your lovely CAS card. Thanks for sharing.

Joyce said...

Wow, Darnell--your wild animals are also so cute and cuddly looking. Fantastic card. Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer at Time Out.

Donna said...

Congrats on your win and GD spot!! Your animal card is so cute and like your CAS flower card too!

Celeste Goff said...

Congrats on the guest designer spot...well deserved! Love both of your cards but that critter card is just too stinking cute!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Congratulations on your win and guest spot. I just love the interpretation you took for the word WILD. Those sweeties are the cutest wild little fellas I have ever seen. I love that card. I also love the pretty CAS floral card too.

Trina P. said...

Congrats on GD at TO. Your wild animals are so cute!
Your ‘leafless’ 😉 blue flower is delightful. I don’t think i’ve ever used mulberry paper before, but the torn feathery look is so interesting. I like it framing your floating flower. Thank you for joining us at Less is More. xx

Bobby said...

Those jungle babies are adorable, Darnell. I can see why you'd want to keep that stamp. I think I may have a sheet of that mulberry paper around here somewhere. I love the ruffly edge you gave it. I thought it was feathers before I read the description.

Carol H. said...

A big congrats on your win and GD spot! No one is more deserving! Love your interpretation of the wild challenge! Those critters are so cute and cuddly! I’m really loving your floral card with the torn mulberry paper! Awesome way to use that! Hugs!!!

Christine Alexander said...

congrats Darnell one being GD over at Time out and wonderful card with all those baby critters :) OMG multiple cuddly sweetness.

Cheryl W. said...

Well, now, I'm WILD about your first card. Your second card has left me breathless...which leads to leafless. Or is it the other way around? Anyway, both cards are wonderful!!!

mamapez5 said...

Congratulations on your win. I just love the 'wild babies' stamp, and the card you have made with it. Kate x

Sandra H said...

Many congratulations Darnell on your win and your guest designer your so talented and wow l just love your creations and what gorgeous image you used for the one card layer challenge coloured so beautifully too! love the floral blossom image and the furry panel is so effective your so talented enjoy your weekend and l still have my winter sweaters out as the weather here keeps changing x

Susanne Vargas said...

Congrats on your GD spot! Your group of wild baby animals is adorable! And the blue flower card is really pretty! I still have mulberry floating around, of course. Still like the look... Thanks for reminding me!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Congrats on the GD spot. Both cards are gorgeous! xoxo

Diane said...

Both cards are fabulous and I love, love that baby animal stamp, it is so stinkin' CUTE!! Thank you for joining in our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT https://bbbchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Bonnie said...

Congrats on your win at Time Out, Dolly! A well deserved win, I might add! Your little congregation of gently wild animals is adorable and so well colored! It would intimidate me! Love the blue flower and the mulberry paper! I have some of that paper hoarded somewhere but not that pretty shade of blue. Hope you have a fun weekend ahead!

aussie aNNie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brenda in IN said...

These little babies are the sweetest all grouped together like that. Your coloring reflects each one so well. Congratulations on your win and being guest designer. I love mulberry paper and may still have a sheet of it. I love the featherly look it gives and I hope it comes back. I hope your floating flower is not a reflection of you being rootless and blue. If so, get out your zigs and color yourself a happy color and smile!

Pam Sparks said...

Super cute! I remember that stamp but I don't own it! Delightful cards!

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Another brilliant duo from you Darnell. Such a cute (no strike that), wild baby animal card - love it. But you have managed to bring good old mulberry paper right up to date in your second card. And my, what a glorious colour of mulberry paper that is! Thanks so much for sharing that one with us at Less is More xx
Less is More

Mac Mable said...

Enjoyed reading your fun and witty post Darnell. The first card is absolutely adorable and I wouldn't want to part with it either! Perfect CAS second card which portrays the I Miss you sentiment perfectly x

Fikreta said...

congrats!
wonderful cards!
hugs

laurie said...

Awesome cards! Your one layer is amazing..they are so hard for me to do. Congrats on your win and guest spot!

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. You are on a roll with this post. Of course I had to groan out loud because I couldn't bear to hear you lion. :)

Love your wild card. What a sweet image and your colouring is AMAZING! Great work.

Love the bright blue mulberry paper. I didn't know about wetting and tearing the edge. It's so cool. And it's the perfect colour to go with your beautiful flower. Love, Lolly

Jeanne said...

Congrats on your guest designer spot. Love your take on the theme. Those sweet babies could drive a mother wild for sure! Wonderful card. And your sweet blue flower with the mulberry paper is lovely. I remember when mulberry paper was the rage. Great use of it here. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a lovely weekend! Hugs!

Leslie Miller said...

I adore those cutie patootie baby critters and the way you colored them so prettily. Group hug! Wouldn't be the same without the bamboo. What a perfect finish that is! And your floating flower -- leafless can be a thing. Say you're feeling unproductive, stuck in a rut, stunted creatively or whatever. Okay, maybe. I love the look of the mulberry paper which I do remember, had a bunch, but no longer. Maybe it can make a comeback. My mulberry edges never came out so perfectly. I'm glad you played along with us at Double D, and congrats on your GD spot with Time Out!

Lisa Kind said...

Your “ancient” stamp is great and perfect for our wild challenge! This is such a lovely card! So happy to have you joining us at Time Out!

Glittered Paws said...

Love the little wild critters - they are adorable and the "floating" card - I like - like a lot. Especially the mulberry paper.

Birgit said...

I love both your cards. The critters are so cute and you captured the word, “wild,” for sure. Congrats on winning!! Your second card is so pretty with that floating flowers but it looks so good especially with the blue ripped background border paper. We only had 9C today which is much better than 2 weeks ago when we had an ice storm. Since I am still menopausal, I feel leafless:)

Inkyfingers said...

I have such fun when I visit here, Darnell - you always give me a giggle! Your floating flower has such a clean, graphic look and your existential description of it should be put in the philosophy textbooks lol! Your cute baby animal card is so sweet and I love your ziggy colouring.
Thanks for sharing with us at ATSM.
Hugs
Carol x

Jill V said...

Your wild animals are just too adorable - and I love how your paired them with the bamboo! I also love the addition of mulberry paper on your second card - I remember that from my early scrapbooking days and had forgotten how pretty it could be until I saw your card. Thanks so much for inspiring us as our GD at Time Out! Jill

Mrs Duck said...

Hi Darnell
They do look cute rather than wild..........wild is me having to extricate two kittens from my kitchen blinds at least twice an hour lol!!!
Your floating floral is coloured beautifully and looks great with your Mulberried edging.
Ang x

Cazro said...

A beautiful card. Congratulations on your accomplishments. So pleased you shared your artwork with us in our first challenge at Back to Basics and Beyond. We greatly appreciate your support. Caz. DT.

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your wee zoo babies Darnell - I am wild about that card.
Your mulberry paper frizzed beautifully on the edges, and the flower fabulous.
Blessings
Maxine

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell :-) the little wild friends are adorable and your coloring is stunning!! one of the cutest cards I ever saw! and I love the flower card too, so pretty :-)

I have a drawer full of mulberry paper, I hope this becomes a new trend! ;-)

Congratulations you have won the $50 voucher on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. Please email us, there is a clickable link on the sidebar of the challenge blog :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Sunshine HoneyBee said...

Wild about the card with the cute critters. I'm fond of Pandas & Cheetahs. Where did the stamp of the critters come from? Congrats on winning at Simon Wed.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"

Greta said...

Big congrats on the win, Darnell! I love those darling critters & the blue flower is gorgeous!

Claire said...

Congrats on your win at SSS Darnell! What a fab one layer - love the way you've coloured the tigers and cheetahand your blue bloom is brilliant!

Greta said...

Just saw you won at SSS--how exciting! Enjoy your spending spree, my friend!

Anita in France said...

Oh, Darnell, what an adorable snuggle (the collective noun!) of huggable furry critters ... so beautifully coloured ... and so perfectly placed with the wild bamboo in the background! The message of your blue bloom couldn't be clearer ... it's brilliant ... and so eyecatching! Absolutely delighted to have you inspiring our players as our Guest Designer at Time Out! Congratulations on your win at SSS ... yay!! LYAMYHMA ... WYACAPW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Mac Mable said...

Many congratulations Darnell on your wonderful win over at SS with this adorable card x

Joyce said...

Did you see that you won on SS Wed with this card? Congrats, and so happy for you. Also, thanks for the sweet, wonderful birthday card.

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

I am so late to the commenting party, but I love this collection of adorable wild animals with the bamboo behind. Just adorable, wonderful coloring and perfect for our challenge. Awesome as always Darnell...

BożenA said...

Hello Darnell,
I congratulate you on winning the SS Wednesday Challenge AG # 49. This card deserves the main prize. I love your cute wild animals.
Hugs,
BożenA