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 22, 2012

One Layer Wednesday 93 In the Kitchen! and SCS and Simon Says Stamp, "Anything But A Card"

I hope you are having a fabtastic Friday!

I made a card for one of my all-time favorite challenges, One Layer Wednesday.  The Outstanding Originator is Susan Raihala and her site is here.  The links to the four amazing hostesses of this challenge can always be found on the side bar of her site.

This week our magnificent hostess is Heather Telford who has come up with a very original idea!  At least it is to me.  We are to look around our kitchens for inspiration.  I had so many inspirations, I was a little dizzy, a not uncommon feeling.   I decided to go with the design on the holder of my kitchen shears (not to be used for anything other than food under penalty of death). 


I first tried to whatdyacallit where you put a piece of paper over the image and then rub a pencil on it to bring up the design.  Remember we did that in elementary school?  But that would only work on copier paper which I would then have to glue to cardstock and that would make it more than one layer and that would be naughty.  So I drew it, not very well.  For the indentations, I used a small leaf stamp from SU, because I don't have a teeny-tiny raindroppy stamp.

I colored it too literally.  Or rather I should say, I wish I had used some imagination and made it brightly colored.  It's doing nothing for me colored as it is, but we've all been in this kafuffle where we spend a LOT of time on a card and come away feeling blech about it, but golly chips, we are going to go ahead and show it to the world anyhoo because we spent a LOT of time on it, pride be hanged.


Isn't that a great idea for a challenge though?  You should look around your kitchen, kick it up, and join in!

~~~

While I was at it, it occurred to me that you might like to see how I have used stamps to create decor in my home.  After a search, I even found a challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers for this very thing!  And, a quick edit, as now I also see that Simon Says Stamp has an "Anything BUT a Card" challenge going on! 


Here is a picture of my living room.  Sorry, I had to take it with the shades drawn because of the glare.  (She's not a bad neighbor and I don't know what I did to tick her off, but seriously, doesn't she have anything better to do than stand there and glare at me?)


And here is a close-up of the framed pictures:




I got the frames at IKEA.  The stamps are from the Stampin' Up! set, "Reverse Prints," which I stamped onto Old Olive cardstock.  I love them so much.

I'm delighted to welcome Mrs. Harry as a new follower!  Her brand-new blog is called De-Stressing My Life and she makes really cute cards!

Enjoy!   As always, thank you for stopping by to visit. Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!



Paper:  PTI white
Ink:  Marvy black marker; and
  Memento desert sand

21 comments:

Victoria said...

Absolutely be proud and show your card! (You're your own worst critic though as I rather like these colours!) Your living room is absolutely gorgeous, Darnell. That's kind of how I imagine a 5* hotel to look. Seriously. Next time I'm at Ikea (it's a couple of hours away from me) I'm going to get a few frames and have a go at doing something like this. I have so much crafting stuff that I feel I need to make something other than cards with it!

Ardyth said...

I think you did a great job with this - I love the organic look of the leaves! I also love the look of your art (and your uncluttered living room - I aspire to that - maybe once the kids have moved out?!). I agree that the kitchen idea was great - I was amazed at how many things I found in my kitchen that I thought would make cute cards.

Redanne said...

They used to call it brass rubbing in my day but then I am very old - lol. I love how you have drawn your piece, it looks great to me, the colours are perfect. I love the curtains (drapes?) in your living room - very nice........Anne x

Bonnie said...

Hi Darnell, I agree with Victoria. I need to find an Ikea store! I really need some art work for my living room and can't afford the real stuff. I think you did a fantastic job on your card. Right now all I can think of in my kitchen is the food Jack has scattered. I don't think Cheerios would be too interesting. But on second thought, they might do. Hmmm, after I clean up the kitchen, I'll have to see what I can come up with. Have a good weekend.

Tracey McNeely said...

Excellent challenge and card and living room decor. I love IKEA, heading there tonight for there midnight madness on their summertime items in Canada anyway.

Susan said...

That's a beautiful card and what a great idea!! Your living room is gorgeous and the frames are just fantastic!! You have inspired me to try something similar for my home. :)

Kim Heggins said...

Beautiful card...what a fun way to get some inspiration for a card, would have never thought to look around my kitchen. Great take on your inspiration piece.

Sandy said...

Love you art work what a great idea, your lounge room looks so comfy and inviting. I really liked your card as it is. I know what you mean about the color though, would really look cool in purples. I laughed so hard at your comment on my blog so funny. That sketch was a dandy one hey. I just felt I had to give it a go. Love the Retro sketches blog they have the greatest sketches.
Sandy :)

Kara Lynne said...

Glad you shared! The colors of your card are the colors in my kitchen: black, a soft gold, and white, so I guess I'm partial to your card the way it is! Ooo, I love your living room. Are the twinks allowed in there? Great artwork idea and perfect for that space.

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

What a lovely stylish card! And I love your living room - beautifully decorated and such a lovely setting for your beautiful frames :))) x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Love the elegant card and I know what you mean about wanting to keep things when we've spent time on it. Are you sure that is your living room and not a photo from a magazine ? It's stunning, love your decor ! Enjoy the weekend, Shirleyx

shirley-bee said...

...must be the way Shirleys think - I also think it looks straight out of a magazine (just jealous). I love your card, you've done a great representation of your inspiration, and I like the colours, quite neutral.

Vicky Hayes said...

I love your card Darnell in those sophisticated neutrals and I think you've interpreted your cutlery holder beautifully. You made me giggle about pulling the shades down because of the glare and I LOVE your artwork! But most of all I adore your decor... I am on my way to stay with you, with the whole family and a cat (well in my dreams anyway!) Vicky x

Inkyfingers said...

Well I think your card is lovely and it was such an interesting piece to take inspiration from. Your sitting room is gorgeous and I can imagine you relaxing there is the evenings. Great Idea to use the the Ikea frames for personalised pictures. Another idea for me to file away!

Jenny said...

Well what a great source of inspiration to use Darnell and you drew it pretty perfectly if you ask me. I know what you mean about cards that take a long time although I actually like the neutral colours you used and how you made the teardrop bkgd.
Love your home decor projects, they would be lost in my house because of all the crap surrounding them!
Your room is just gorgeous :0)
Jenny x

~ Jo ~ said...

Wow your talent is amazing! I love how you were able to make your own home decor... you are much braver than I am!!! LOL and your living room is stunning!

Hugs,
Jo
www.jwscrapshack.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I am glad you noticed your shears holder because it is a cool piece of inspiration. I love the fact that your drew your design too. Way to go, it looks great.
Heather

Jingle said...

WOW! Those look beautiful! Thanks for linking up to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!

Marianne said...

Ha, love your comment about how when you spend so much time on a card you're going to show it off no matter how you feel about it. I have definitely had that moment.

Usually, it turns out that other people really like the card - as it is in this case because I think your card is fab.

Cheryl said...

Very artsy...and oh so clever my dear! Again, another great color combination.

Joy said...

Such a clever idea to look around your own kitchen super creative... thanks for joining us at Simon Says Challenge blog