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!

May 19, 2013

Paper Smooches and Pixie's ~ Thanks, Teacher

Howdy Friends!

I was weak in the stamping knees thanks to all you E. Nablers out there.  As a result, I bought a lot of couple Paper Smooches stamps.  Then I went in search of a Paper Smooches challenge and I found the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge. 

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I'm pickled tink to be joining in the fun there for the very first time and pretty close to closing time, too!  The second full week of the month is Designer Drafts challenge and this is the awesome sketch:

 
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I'm also happy to be able to take part in the weekly snippets challenge at Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground, Week 73.  I do try to use some of my snippets in every card, but last week I wasn't able to do that.  I duly went to detention.  That was as much fun as pulling hairs off a cactus so, believe me, I used snippets in today's card and I'll be oh-boy-oh-boy skipping it over to the Playground!

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Using the vertical sketch, I made another teacher thank you card, thusly:
 
 
The top and bottom panels are from some more wonderful patterned paper from (I think) DCWV.  The red sheen on the card above is that way because that is the way the paper is made:  all the red parts are shiny metallic. 


Now you see why I've been hoarding it for ages and ages!  It's truly magnificent paper, but now I'm proud to say it's another piece of my 12x12 patterned paper that has been cut and used.  Yippee!!
 
The pencil and the sentiment are both from Paper Smooches "Smarty Pants" set.  You don't need me to tell you that their stamps are adorable, but do let me second or fiftieth other comments about the high quality. 
 
I stamped the pencil three times onto a scrap of yellow paper, added some shading with my Prismacolor pencils, and cut them out.  I used a gold pen to fill in the gold metal part of the pencils and a silver metallic pen for the leads.
 

I just love this pencil stamp!  You may see it showing up on, say, Valentine cards, Christmas cards, cards with bunnies, and . . .
 
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I'm delighted to let you know about the appearance of a fun new friend!  Please welcome Nicole Nastali of Nicole's Craft Nook!  Nicole is a brand new blogger who makes super cards.  She would be overjoyed to have you stop by for a visit and a howdy!  Thank you for joining us at the Playhouse, Nicole!!
 
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Today I want to leave you with a giggle in your wiggle!  Mister wanted to know what year Miriam graduated from my course on Domestic & Maternal Engineering.  Hey, hey there, Mister. 
 
 
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Enjoy your Sunday!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*!
 
Thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse. Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower! 
 
*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  DCWV; PTI white; unknown yellow;
  steno pad note paper
Stamps:  Paper Smooches "Smarty Pants"
Ink:  Versafine onyx black; Prismacolor pencils;
  pens:  atyou Spica, Sakura
Doodle Twine
Star from stash
 
 

38 comments:

Di said...

Brilliant snippets card Darnell! That paper is a great one and you used it so well. A gold star this week!

Have a lovely Sunday when you arise from your boodwah :)

Hugs, Di xx

Anonymous said...

How cool is this? Amazing DP, Darnell, perfectly paired with these cute pencils ... the highlighting on for the leads and metallic eraser trim is just brilliant ... so clever! Thanks for the chuckle (as ever!) and your always encouraging words (here and on my blog)! Anita :)

Redanne said...

Love your post today Darnell, I can tell how happy you are with that pencil stamp - and it is fabulous, just like your gorgeous card. Love that DP and it works so well for a teacher card. Love the cartoon too, thanks for the chuckle, as ever. Big hugs, Annie xx

Sue said...

That is indeed fabulous paper and I love how you have used it. I love you added detailing on the pencils too.
Thanks for making me chuckle again Darnell!
Sue xx

Sue - said...

What fabulous and fun paper. Not surprised you've been hoarding it!

Anonymous said...

What a fun card Darnell-i jsut love that paper,so glad you finally plucked up he courage to use it LOL! Arn't we crafters terrible buying all this gorgeous 12x12 and keeping it squirrelled away just for stroking and coo-ing over tee hee !
Have a great Sunday :)
Hugs,Nessa xx

stampwithsandy said...

Super cute card, Darnell. Love your dsp and those pencils were done just perfectly. PS: I'm a hoarded too! Hugs :) Sandy

Susan Raihala said...

Awesome card, Darnell, and fab use of that cute paper!

cm said...

Welcome to the "addicted...er, in love with...PS stamps and dies club" - wonderful to have you join us! Yes, buying "just a couple" sets is but the beginning. Trust me - you'll find more and more arriving in your mailbox! Your card here is super-duper delightful! Paper choice (you have a mighty interesting variety in your collection!), stamps (debut of the new stamps = excellent) and post are fantastic! Love it all! And, you're sending me off to the PS store (again!) to scope out that set. Another order just might be happening (okay, forget the "might be"...). Sweet Sunday wishes to you...
c

Sue from Oregon said...

This is a great card! I have to say I am hoarding some of this very same paper...love the shiny,glitter and black all together! Cute stamps too!

JD/ Jill said...



what a WOW card! Everything just pops! I now need to go take a better look at my 12 x 12 design paper stash...thanks for the inspiration!

Bonnie said...

Love those pencils! And the paper is wonderful for a school theme! Wonderful bright colors on a chalkboard background!

jimlynn said...

WOW!!!!! That paper is awesome and your card is absolutely perfection!! Love those little pencils. Bright, bold, and fabulous!
Lynn

Joyce said...

Well, where do I start--I love your card, and kudos to you for cutting into that paper. I can see why you had a hard time, but so glad you did. I hope you will use it some more. Your card flows together so well, it is hard to see where the stamping and patterned paper begin and end. And, I just love that comic. Now, I am going to get a job just like that nice lady.

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

A great card, Darnell, and a good use of that paper. Thank you for your visit this week and your kind words. Rosie came in from nursery the other day and requested to ring Grandma, which was so cute. I am determined this week to do some crafting in between the masses of paperwork I still have to deal with. xx Maggie

Susan said...

Super cute card Darnell. I love how you've used the patterned paper...I rarely use patterned paper, mostly because I never can get it to look right on a card...but this paper you used is perfect for the theme!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Awesome & perfect teacher thank you design. The DP is a great match with your new fabulous stamp. I also hoard paper, but finally decided I could give about 1/2 away and not miss it, I need the room for more new stash :) Beautiful baby card in the post before this one. Hope you had a great weekend, Shirleyx

Bobby said...

That paper makes a wonderful teacher card. I don't know how you can fit any more stamps in the Playhouse. Someday there won't be room for you. ;)

Vickie Z said...

You're totally a nut girl....but, I smile every time I stop by!! Ahhh....haven't bought any paper smooches yet myself but, was just browsing there!!! Love your card!! Hope you had a great WE!!!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

What an adorable card! You rocked the challenges!

Linda said...

Darnell, what a cute card. Nice when you can use up some snippets of paper. Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. You are so good with words which I am not, so they all say pretty much the same.

Carol L said...

Pulling hairs off a cactus?! I learn so many new things from you when I visit here! Bwahahahahahaha!!
Seriously, your card is so colorful, fun and festive! I love it, and I love the cartoon too! It's never too late to start your own business :)

Tracey McNeely said...

I love how you used that great patterned paper for this card, I turned out fabulous, the lined paper, the pencil and the twice tie it all together perfectly!

Lori said...

So fun! Love the little sparkly details on the pencils. Thanks for joining us at Paper Smooches SPARKS!

Geri said...

Holy kamoly woman! You have cooked up one heck of an awesome card!

The PS pencils were made for this DP (yep, I'm lovin' this paper too!)

Mister is a brave, brave man! No doubt whatsoever that Miriam graduated top of her class, as did the rest of us domestic goddesses!

Thanks for my Sunday giggle :)

Lisa Arana said...

super adorable! thanks for joining us at Paper Smooches Sparks!

Lesley said...

Awesome use of the sketch Darnell, love that paper and the "fun" element of this card!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the shout out, Darnell!!! :) :) :) I was finally able to finish some cards today & get my mojo back!! Thank goodness!!! :) :) :) As a former kindergarten teacher, I just LOVE your FUN cards!!! :) :) :) The paper is so FAB!!! :) :) I can see why it was in your stash!!

Lisa Elton said...

What a happy card! SO full of fun and cheerful colors, I LOVE the chubby pencils!

Zippy said...

This is an amazing card! xxx

Kim Heggins said...

I just love your sweet little comic...is that you sitting there? LOL
Your card is amazing and those pencils, wow! You really have an eye for coloring too. I am in love with that patterned paper, it was well worth hanging onto if you ask me. Love your card and it looks like a winner to me!

Aileen said...

Fun teachers card. Love your use of the papers. Some papers are so good they prevent us from cutting them up but it's so liberating when you do. x

Jenny said...

I have a whole pad or two of DCVW papers that I just can't use because they are for looking at and stroking!! Lol
I never saw this design before but it would end up the same way if I had :0)
Your card is super fun and the PS pencils are a great match for the paper too. Fab shading :0)
Jenny x

Elizabeth said...

Hi Darnell, once again you have me splitting my sides reading your most entertaining post. Love the card and I can see why you had to hang on to that paper - it's brilliant. Elizabeth xx

Cathy said...

Cute card Darnell, love that paper :) Cathy x

Sarn said...

Super card. Can't wait to see the valentine card using the pencil!!!!

Love the cartoon.

Happy Tuesday!

xxx

Karen Petitt said...

Awesome card Darnell and fab use of snippets. Very happy you're no longer on detention and can come out and play Karen x

Unknown said...

I had this whole stack from dcwv and gave it away a few years back...i felt guilty for never having used it! lol i love the pencils and of course PS sentiments are the cayootest!