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 29, 2013

CASology #50; NBUS #14 ~ Free to W-O-W

And we're back around to Saturday ~ whoosh!

We had the twins over yesterday, so now we've whooshed right into Saturday, prolly even Sunday for some of you!

I was really intriglued by the cue card word for this week's CASology challenge, which was "free."


There were oh-so-many ways to go with this word and a lot of you did stunning cards evoking what the word brought to your minds.  Truthfully, I just wanted to link up a solid white card base.  Period.  For a card artist, a blank card is the epitome of freedom.  We get to experience that feeling of freedom every single time we sit down to make a new card.  Utter coolness!

But, well, I thought maybe that would be a little too QACAS, even for me!  (Talk about a One-Minute-Craft-Dash!)  So I put a little effort into, but still kept it white-on-white (W-O-W).
 
I choose two NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) embossing folders and since the top embossing layer had a butterfly, I heat embossed a two-layer butterfly (fussy-cut) to attach as added depth to the card.  The bottom layer of the butterfly is card stock, the top layer is vellum. 
 
 
I just love the purity of an all-white card.  Using the butterfly to represent free was not unique or original, but there you have it. 
 
The CASology Design Team was curious to see what "free" meant to us when we think of it's definition and synonyms.  Butterflies fit several of the definitions given:
3b:  not bound, confined, or detained by force,
7a:  not obstructed, restricted, or impeded,
7c:  not hampered or restricted in its normal operation,
8b:  not confined to a particular position or place, or
8c:  capable of moving or turning in any direction.
That was fun!  It makes me want to go back to the Playhouse and make about 58 more cards representing "free," especially cards be fitting the upcoming 4th of July holiday in America, as so many of you have brilliantly done!

~~~

The twins were here just for yesterday.  Unbeknownst to them, they provided today's post with the 8-year-old version of "freedom."  You see before you two young boys who are free to sit or lay anywhere in the entire room:  floor, sofa, three chairs.  Instead they both want the exact same area and they were happy to fight it out for that precious "elbow room!"

Duke couldn't care less.  He had his area staked out first!

~~~

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

Thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!
 
*Life Is Too Short!   

Paper:  Neenah "Solar White"
Ink:  Imprintz EP "Detail White"
Dies:  SU! "Square Lattice"; Darice "Butterfly Flower"
Pop Dots

46 comments:

Greta said...

Incredible picture, Darnell! Duke is one smart dog & of course the kids want the same spot--LOL! LOVE your elegantly gorgeous card!

cm said...

Darnell, your card is a stunning, pretty, gorgeous interpretation of freedom! The W-O-W is wonderful here; such impact! Impressive! Your photo of the twinks (post-elbow duel) is delightful; I can only imagine how much fun they are! My niece and nephew are off on their first camping/rafting trip; the pictures are showing quite the time being had by all! As always, your post and card have made my day ever so much better! Thank you!
c

Cathy said...

Hi Darnell, lovely WOW card, beautiful embossing. Your floor trio look very free and happy LOL :) Cathy x

Carol L said...

Those butterflies on white look just stunning! Freedom indeed! Love the pic of the twinks too - they're growing so quickly!

roffeycreations said...

W.O.W cards are so - lush - I always imagine what colours I would use on them - and continually change my mind - then appreciate the shadows... over-analysing - never!! Love your card Darnell - Mxx

Lesley said...

Gorgeous card! WOW!

Georgia G. said...

This is an utterly gorgeous card. Seriously--WOW. Love it!

Michelle said...

Beautiful, beautiful cards, Darnell! The twinks and Duke have given me a great big smile. I love that dogs just lay down and relax and leave the kids to fight for the same one-body space of floor, LOL! In reality, I think that if Duke wanted that space too, he'd win the battle. :-)

Happy Dance said...

Simply elegant card, Darnell. Love that butterfly; it looks like it will flutter right off the card. Gorgeous. And what a pack of funny little fellas. Boys just crack me up. Seeing them is always fun--thanks for sharing your pride and joy. (or should I say Henry and Adam?) Sorry. Bev

None None said...

This is stunning, Darnell!! I love the white on white and the dimension you added with the butterfly. all of the textures work together so beautifully!!

Dianne said...

I loooove WonW is sooo elegant, love your butterflies.Love the photo of the twinks:) to be young again with that freedom, sitting on the floor, couldn't get up on my own anymore LOL.. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your weekend..

stampwithsandy said...

Your mojo was full force today, girlfriend! What a super gorgeous and elegant creation! So much detail with two kinds of embossing, but the WOW kept it so clean. Superb!!!

Kara Lynne said...

The purity of WOW is striking! Beautiful use of the velum and embossing. Those boys, like my girls, really do live in total freedom don't they?! Free to move and play and without a real care in the world.

Jean said...

LOVE this one ~ the all white is gorgeous and the embossed butterfly is perfect. This one has to be a winner!

Hannelie said...

absolute beauty!

Rosemary said...

beautiful card, darnell... for a CAS design all white is the ultimate freedom for sure! thanks so much for playing along with CASology!

Anonymous said...

Darnell,

Love the free from color card you made! It was so soothing- so freeing- so relaxing like an all white bedroom with a cool breeze flowing through it on a summer's evening. Oh, see what kind of mood you put me in...thanks for sharing:)

Lyndal said...

STUNNING card Darnell - looking forward to the next 58 too!!!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Beautiful embossing,
stunning card,
hugs Tamara

shirley-bee said...

You've definitely captured freedom with this card, Darnell!

Anonymous said...

Stunning, Darnell, I love WOW and this is such a beautiful example ... the vellum butterfly is so delicate and elegant, perfect with that soft embossing! Anita :)

Kim M said...

What a lovely card , Darnell! I don't think I've ever made a all white card before. I'm thinking maybe I should. You've inspired me! :-)

Ardyth said...

Love your beautiful white card and I think it's a really clever take on free. Although I have to disagree on the blank white cardbase - scares the heck out of me. I need at least one tiny direction to get me going! lol! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CASology this week!

Sue - said...

Its definitely a wow W-O-W! Very elegant.

ria gall said...

an all white on white card is a real WOW card and you have done a fantastic job on this card so pretty
Ria

Tracey McNeely said...

Stunning card Darnell, love the white on white. Cute twinks shot too! Thank you so much for sharing this week at CASology!

Unknown said...

Such a pretty card Dippy - just love white on white.....so classy Fabulous photo of the twinks and Duke.........glad the dog got himself sorted first! lol Do you ever show the twinks your posts of them? If so are they totally embarrassed? Hehe.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

OMG how gorgeous is this card!!! Stunning!

And the photo is precious !

Canonbury creations said...

Absolutely gorgeous Darnell, I love WOW and the ef's are so pretty:) two handsome boys!
Val x

Carole said...

Oh so lovely and free spirited. Beautiful card... I will pin it to view often.

Kim Heggins said...

Stunning card Darnelll, love that white on white, gives your card an amazing and very elegant look!

Mrs A. said...

I'm loving your (W O W) card. The butterfly is gorgeous. I have just done two white on white cards for a swap in Australia so can't show them yet till they arrive at their destination. Hugs Mrs a.

alexandra s.m. said...

what a gorgeous and elegant card Darnell!
I love that picture also, precious!!
Thank You~

Jeanne H said...

Your all white card is just stunning, Darnell. I so admire your talent and fun looks into your life. Cute kids too. Thanks for sharing!

Jeanne H said...

OK just read all the other comments. We all think your card is stunning. Wish I could have thought of an original word... oh yes, your card is the best!!

Anonymous said...

Your FREE card is breathtaking!!! I love how you "DIDN'T" use color!! :) :) :) Kind of a new concept, right?? So awesome, I'm glad to be back from vacay and catching up on the blogs!!!
Your grands look like they were enjoying a FREE day, too!

Melissa said...

Darnell, you nailed this one! White seems to define CAS design, doesn't it?! :) LOVE what you've done with this...that butterfly is absolutely stunning!
Those twinks seem kinda similar to my three boys...do they EVER not battle for a good position?!! LOL! Love the movement you caught in that photo! heehee!
Thanks so much for joining us again over at CASology!
p.s. I'm secretly wishing you'd linked up that blank white card you mentioned...I'm still giggling about the idea! :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Darnell-and what better way to capture "free" this is such a pretty card.
Hugs,Nessa xx

Redanne said...

So sorry I have been missing, little bit better now. I adore white on white and love butterflies even more - so this is a perfect card in all respects, in my eyes. Love it and love the pic of the twinks - love that the dog got his place first. Hugs, Anne x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful white on white. Cute pic of the gkids, we can see Duke is the smart one of the three as he got there first!

Hugs
Brenda

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful card!

scrappymo! said...

Wonderful card...the folder choice is excellent and fussy cutting the butterfly was such a great idea.

The twinks with the dog made me smile...we have the grandkids up for the week and I had to bribe the little guy that I would buy him a carton on chocolate milk tomorrow if he went to sleep instead of chatting to his sister as they are sharing a bed here! He was out like a light in about 3 minutes flat! Dreaming of his Choc milk I guess!

Joyce said...

I just love your interpretation of free. Butterflies and all that white space definitely makes me think of being free. And, I love the picture of your three lounging guys.

jimlynn said...

How in the world did I ever miss seeing that absolutely stunning card!!! WOWSERS!!! So elegant and pretty.
Lynn

Bonnie said...

Another WOW card, Darnell! So elegant!

Unknown said...

such an elegant, gorgeous card! i love the embossed background...it's just a perfect card!