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 7, 2018

A Rose By Any Other Name Is a Poinsettia

Hello Stamplings!

Welcome back from the long 4th of July holiday. The 4th fell on a Wednesday this year so a lot of folks went on vacation for the week, bookmarking it with weekends on both ends. The rest of us stayed home and simply ate the whole week long preparing food before the 4th and eating it after! Burp!

I managed to get away from the trough long enough to make a coupla of pink flower cards ...

Onefer
This card is a birthday card for my friend Janice's 50th birthday. Not only does she love roses, but two years ago she treated herself to braces and next week will be the big reveal!

This rose is die-cut in gold from a NBUS SU "Rose Garden" die. I received it from my friend Hazel three years ago when I met her in England. This week Hammy and I were feeling nostalgic and looking through my saved cards from that trip and there was the die, forgotten inside Hazel's card instead of filed away in the die storage. Oops! Thank you again, Hazel! This design is a CASE of Hazel's card where the rose is allowed to be the star of the show! I added a navy blue border and a die-cut Smile sediment from Penny Black.

Challenges
  • Color Throwdown: I couldn't miss participating in this monumental celebration of 500 challenges! Congratulations! As someone who recently started a challenge, I am incredibly impressed by that number! That's a lot of work and we all appreciate it!
  • Seize the Birthday: AG Birthday ~ optional: sequins.
  • The Library Challenge: The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley.
  • TIME OUT: Smile quote.

Twofer
This design has the navy blue border on both sides. The framed stamp image is NBUS from PTI's set, "Botanical Blocks IV." I watercolored the poinsettias with my Ziggies. I love these small framed botanicals. Of course, every little bit of it has been liberally Winked, so it's quite appropopo for Christmas!

Challenges

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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63 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Sounds like you had a nice 4th:)

Cards are lovely. I really like the colours in the second one.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Loll said...

Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate July 4th, Dolly! I'm sure Kevin was happy to laze around and eat too! :)

Two gorgeous cards. Love that beautiful rose outline die-cut. And WOW!, does it every look spectacular in gold. Perfect for a 50th birthday!

Your framed poinsettia are gorgeous! Wonderful watercolouring ... love the colours of the flowers with the navy border. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas! Lolly xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell. It reminded me that I have that same die and guess what? that too has never been used before. Sounds like you had a great 4th July.

Sue xx

Redanne said...

I do understand, eating what seems to be nearly my body weight, on most holiday weekends and then regretting it - lol ! Both cards are gorgeous, the rose is beautiful. For me though the poinsettia card is stunning, your watercolouring has really brought those wonderful blossoms to life. Hope you have a lovely weekend! Hugs, Annie xxx

KT Fit Kitty said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell! I especially love the one with the rose - what a treat it must have been to find the die after all this time, and such a beautiful die it is! Your poinsettias are gorgeous too; I love how you coloured them!

Gerrina said...

Wow your poinsetta card is stunning! (I'm just not so into gold...) We have enjoyed all the roses here and the one that blooms all summer is so full of beautiful nics-smilling flowers! Have a good weekend!

Ros Crawford said...

Beautiful cards Darnell and what a lovely die from Hazel! Love the colouring on your poinsettias! Sounds like you had a grea 4thJuly holiday! Let the diet commence Lol! Have a good weekend!

Kathyk said...

Smashing makes and I especially love the poinsettia - fab colouring

Happy Saturday

Kathyk

Cat Craig said...

How fun to stumble across a forgotten gift, its like another gift all over again. The rose is lovely in gold. Your framed poinsettias are so pretty all glitzed up. I may have to take a gander at that set if it still exists in the selling inventory of PTI. Have a fab weekend and hopefully its not too hot.

HJ said...

Both cards are gorgeous! I have that rose die and now a beautiful reason to get it on my desk. Your coloring of the stunning poinsettia caught my eye right away. Have a wonderful weekend.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fabulous both the CAS cards!! Love the filigree feel of the birthday card and the warm look of the poinsettias, great colouring!
Have a lovely weekend!
Hugs

Marilyn said...

Gorgeous cards!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Wanda Cullen said...

Wow, I really love both cards! That elegant rose die steals the show and what better sentiment than "Smile" for someone finishing up with braces?! So happy to have you joining us at CTD!

Bobby said...

I can't believe I'm not #99 to comment. It seems I'm waaaay down the line to tell you how beautiful your cards are and by then everyone has said what I'd like to say. ;) That rose is gorgeous, Darnell, and what a nice gift, both from the giver of the die and for the birthday girl. The poinsettia are beautiful and reminded me of my stamp but now I probably won't use it for that challenge unless I go a whole different way with it.

jimlynn said...

Both are so beautiful. Love, love your coloring on the poinsettia and it's framed out lovely.
Lynn

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your rose card with the gold and pink is so gorgeous but what really blew me away was the beautiful poinsettias done in those colors. I love it!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I like the creative die cutting for the sentiment on the first card and the poinsettia stamp is awesome! You colored it perfectly.

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous Gold die cut rose card (what a fun and surprising find) with the rose as the star. Love your beautifully zig colored flowers on your 2nd OLC, Dolly. TFS both beauties. Hugs...

Donna said...

Stunning cards Darnell, like how you added yellow to the poinsettia's.

Celeste Goff said...

Sounds like you had a fun week. I do more eating on the holidays too. Love both of your beautiful cards Darnell!

Brenda said...

That Hazel sure is a sweetie and I bet she is every bit as lovely in person! I love your rose card Auntie! So beautiful with the blue border on the side. Love that you kept it simple and let the focus be on the rose, I'm sure your friend will love it and I know all her friend are going to love her new smile at the reveal! The poinsettia card is stunning.! Love those beautiful colors you chose for your flowers. Is it colored on watercolored paper and do you used a water brush??? I just love the way they look! Loving again the blue borders on both sides and of course the CAS design of both cards! Nothing wrong with eating all week either! lol Hugs, Brenda

Colleen said...

Fabulous cards my friend! I almost pulled out that same poinsettia set, so glad I didn't you would have shown me up for sure...LOVE LOVE your colors in it, really WOW! so happy you were reminiscing about your England trip so you could find that awesome die! three years? Really? time sure does fly by! Have another great bookend to the 4th friend!!

Lisa said...

They are both so stunning!! The rose card is gorgeous and elegant!! The poinsettias look so amazing on the second!! The colors are absolutely beautiful!! Wow!! Love these!! Have a wonderful second half of the 4th of July!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Susan said...

Wish we celebrated July 4th and could have a week of eating like you!!! Beautiful cards, especially the poinsettia - love its vibrant colours and the way the image is framed - and I'm sure it's sparkling in real life with all that winking! Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Christmas!

Leslie Miller said...

What a beautiful, big rose die! It was a gift all over again, coming across it like that. So nice to have something that makes the whole card. And how perfect the "smile" sentiment is for your friend. Some of my teeth went wonky over the years after having wisdom teeth pulled when I was younger, so I got braces which came off at age 53. What a happy day that was, and certainly something to celebrate! Love your gorgeous poinsettias, so beautifully colored and standing out crisply against the white. Two wonderful cards for the challenges you're supporting!

SD pooja said...

Lovely cards ! My favorite would be the first one with rose ,very elegant it looks !

conil said...

I belong to the second class of July 4th revelers, too, and I have the waistline to prove it. Love the soft pink on the rose card. It's a lovely change and that rose is spectacular in gold. I loved those PTI framed stamps, as well. So classy...especially dolled up with beautiful coloring.
Let's see if we can both stay cool for the next several days. That would be a blessing.

JanR said...

Fab cards! I really like how you coloured up the poinsettia. Thanks for joining us at Little Red Wagon.

Linda said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell. Your Zigging is so amazing. Beautiful.

Jane said...

Oh my how beautifully coloured is that poinsettia! And how effective is that simple frame. Love your card Darnell! Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.

Kathleen said...

One way or another you never miss making me really smile or laugh out loud.
Two fab cards, both super CAS cards and especially like the poinsettia one which is beautifully coloured and very striking.

Kath x

Viv said...

Glad you had good celebrations Darnell. Two gorgeous cards. Sorry been missing again... it's the usual mad time of year - and yes thank you sooo much again for my birthday card. You are a wonderful person! x

Fikreta said...

Wonderful cards!
hugs

Liz said...

Sounds like you enjoyed your 4th of July celebrations. Two great cards, the rose certainly takes centre stage on the first card. Great poinsettia image on your second card, so beautifully coloured. xx

Carol L said...

LMAO over the trough! LOL Girl, you really have a way with words :) Wonderful cards today, both of them! So glad you enjoyed a nice 4th all week long :) That's my kind of holiday :) Eat up, I see you're behind! LOL

Pat said...

So pleased you had a good 4th July celebration Darnell and relaxing and eating are two things that are never a hardship...lol. Your die cut rose looks beautiful in gold card, and the large sentiment works really well with it, then that stunning poinsettia image so prettily coloured, and with lots of shimmer and sparkle. x

Trina P. said...

So glad to read you had a yummy week long celebration, Darnell!

Your cards are so pretty and stylish. Way to put that fabulous NBUS rose die to use... Janice will love it. Your blue framed poinsettias is gorgeous and so beautifully watercoloured. And I wouldn’t expect anything complete until you’ve Winked the heck out of it! 😉 I do the same thing as I love my sparkles! Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas Poinsettia challenge.
Have a great weekend! xx

Christine Alexander said...

So glad you had a great 4th of July and that you found a little crafting time to make these wonderful cards.
Your rose die is beautiful, such a classic out line image, that will certainly make her smile a new smile :)
Your poinsettia is gorgeous, I love the touch of yellow in the pink and the frame focusing us on the flowers. thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

Cheryl W. said...

I love your flower cards. I just wish men loved flowers as much as women so we could make them flowery cards, too. Those poinsettia's look amazing! You did a wonderful job coloring them.

Izzy Scrap said...

Oh my, Darnell ! Two beauties here again ! This gold die cut rose is gorgeous and I’m sure your friend will love it ! But you stole my heart with these stunning poinsettias. They are beautifully watercoloured and they pop up brilliantly over the white card and within the blue frame. LOVE it ! Have a fabulous Sunday. Hugs

Julia Dunnit said...

I may not be at your knee, but you do teach me; I love how you break down the colour challenges...before seeing your works I used to not know where or how to start (run screaming, really) and now, I’m thinking I might be able to look one or two in the eye! Lovely cards, your friend won’t be able to contain her new smile will she..how marvellous!
Thank you a bajillion for the lovely birthday card, it came in good time and you are a dear be to remember, let alone organise something. Really was a very cheery way to start the day. Xxxx

kiwimeskreations said...

What wonderful cards Darnell - love the gold rose and how you have accented it with the blue. Your poinsettia card is gorgeous - it looks as though you have fun colouring it.
Don't let Hammy get too quiet in the playhouse, he needs to earn his (minuscule) keep!
Blessings
Maxine

sandie said...

What a super design for your Time Out card, I just love the use of the negative die space and CAS design-thanks for joining us and why not enter this into The Library Challenge-the book is 'The Rose Garden'-here is the link:

https://thelibrarycraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2018/06/challenge-10-rose-garden.html

Linda said...

Sounds like you had a great 4th July.
Love your cards, the rose die cut is just beautiful and the pretty coloured poinsettia looks very fesitve xx

Ruth said...

Love that Poinsettia! I love that it's framed and is perfect on cards or framed in a frame!! xx

Bonnie said...

The gold die cut rose on that soft blush with navy border is so classy, my friend! Good that you found that die. Kind of like Christmas to find something hidden away like that!

Love your framed poinsettias! Beautiful job of watercolor and I love the long panel with the borders of navy on the side! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Christmas!

Patti said...

BEAUTIFUL!! cards Darnell : ) Smile! is such a sweet braces-coming-off celebration card! : ) My sister had braces about the time she turned 40. She never regretted it! : D

Sandra H said...

Both of your cards Darnell are so pretty l love the b'day card for your friend which l am sure will love as l did with mine thank you so very much and l'm sure she will look gorgeous with out her braces take care sending lots of love xx

JoAnn said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell. Love the pretty rose die cut. Glad you found it to make your lovely card.
The poinsettia card is colored so pretty. Great job my friend.
Have a wonderful day.

Marina said...

Two beautiful cards and the rose one is perfect for The Library Challenge. I love the big bloom and that you teamed it with a blue which makes it just a bit less predicatable than (say ) pink or red. Thanks for joining The Library.

Tracey McNeely said...

Both are lovely cards Darnell! Funny, Canada Day fell on a Sunday but it seemed that Canadians did the same thing. Can you say stretch it out two for weeks? Things were busy around here so I just managed to get more and more behind. Hope you are staying cool in CA, heat wave finally over here but today is really hot but at least not humid!

Mac Mable said...

Yep sounds a fabulous way to celebrate...I'm in x Such an elegant and classy first card and letting the rose die cut take centre stage is perfect. What a lovely gift from Hazel and so glad you finally used it x Such a beautiful second card, love the colours you've used on the poinsettia and what a wonderful stamp x.

frommycraftroom said...

I bet it was like Christmas when you found the die again. You have made 2 gorgeous cards.

oldpunca said...

It seems you had a wonderful 4th of July.:-)
Back to your amazing cards. I like them both. Your poinsettia is fantastic coloured.
Have a nice week!
Hugs,
Sonja

Em Louise Fairley said...

I love both cards, Darnell. The die used for the first is from the same set I used to create your card and gift on the same trip. Grin.
Hugs xoxo

Anita in France said...

Your colouring on those lovely poinsettia is spectacular, Darnell ... they positively glow ... and shimmer, of course! What a gorgeous gold rose ... delicate and rich at the same time ... love how you've allowed it to take centre stage! As always, I'm delighted to have you playing along with us at Time Out! LYAMYMA ... HTWAGWTM! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Just love both floral cards, Darnell - the gold rose looks amazing and I love the coloring on your poinsettias!!

Lisa Elton said...

Your rose is ever so fancy and lovely dolled up in gold, but the pretty poinsettia's steal the show for me!!

Nance said...

Two beautiful floral cards, Darnell. A nice misplaced surprise to come upon. I love those poinsettias and the way you colored them, so bright and whimsy. Thanks for sharing it at CAS Christmas!

Ã…saJ said...

Beautiful coloring! Love your framed card! Thanks for joining AAA Cards! Hugs Ã…sa

Lisa Kind said...

Your cards are absolutely beautiful as usual. I love the watercolored poinsettias. So pretty! And the Smile card is beautiful with the shiny gold flower die. Thanks for taking the Time Out to play with us!

Greta said...

Beautiful flowers, Darnell--love them both! I haven't used the poinsettia stamp much, but now I want to get it out again!

Karenladd said...

Oooh, I am loving the way you colored your poinsettia with both red and yellow. Still traditional, but with a wink!