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 18, 2013

LIM #124; NBUS #6 ~ "Hex" a Gons

And we're back around to Mo ... wha' happened to yesterday?
 
Happy Tuesday!!
 
Oy with the hexagons already.  I don't mean world-wide, I just mean here in the Playhouse.  I took a tiny break from my endeavor to choose a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) first and then choose a challenge.  That's because I like to play in the weekly challenges at Less Is More.  Our lovely hostesses, Chrissie and Jen, are giving us a "theme" week this week and the theme is "HEXAGONS."
 
So I started with the challenge. 
 
And started again.
 
And started again.
 
It was like a hex had been placed on me.
 
I'll be honest.  I usually just go with whatever pops up first to the top of my Eight Ball brain of ideas.  This time, I really had to work with it.  I don't have a hexagon die.  Okay, first of all, how did that happened?  I do have a couple of hexagon stamps.  Some of them are those after-thought-unrelated stamps you sometimes find in your package of clear stamps.  The one I used is small, with three hexes on the gon.
 
I always think of honeycombs when I see hexagons and so a bee took center stage:
  

A gold-embossed bee:


It's the second card I made. 
 
That's because my first card got a little out-of-hand in the "less is more" department:


I started CASly enough by running the hexagon stamp down the middle.  Then this cute bee just fits so nicely in the open-ended hexies.  Three of them fit, but then they looked like they should be about to dip their cute faces in a flower bag full of pollen.  And that's when all help broke loose and my card turned into More Is More.  I thought I'd share it anyway.
 

And now you see why some people say "cute as a bee," instead of "cute as a button!"

~~~
 
I'm tickled today to welcome another new friend!  I'd love for you to meet Siara of Siara's Sweet Sensations.  Siara is a busy mom who blogs when she can and when she can, her cards are definitely inspiring and worthy of a visit.  Welcome, Siara, and thank you for joining our goofy journey!
 
~~~
 
I spent the entire day yesterday planting new plants in our backyard and lemme tell ya, I am one lump of creaky and achey.  It is SO going to be worth it, once the rock is delivered.  I will share before and afters when it is finished.  I've about 12 more plants to get potted or planted, but I think day after today will be soon enough for that.
 
I do have to share one of our two oleander trees that are bursting with flowers!  In this picture you can see part of the area I am working on.  It stretches the entire length of the backyard.

Here is a close-up of the tree:

 
Isn't that magnificent?

 ~~~

Printer Survey
 
Before you go, please scroll down to read about my little printer survey.  Thank you to those of you who have responded already!  I am keeping the question out there the rest of this week and will tally the results next week.  So far the answers are all over the place, so I'm hoping to get more data.  I know most of you are anxiously awaiting the results, so please ask your friends to participate as well.  Thank you!!
 
~~~
 
Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 
 
And 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!   
 
I'm just listing below the LIM supplies; if you
want info on the other card, please email.
 
Paper:  SU! more mustard
Stamp:  Paper Smooches hexagon (NBUS);
  bee, Hero Arts E1597; sediment unknown
Ink:  Versa Fine onyx black
EP:  Personal Stamp Exchange gold
Corner Chomper Angle
 
============================================================================================================================

PRINTER SURVEY
My laser printer is running low on expensive cartridges again and it doesn't like printing on vellum or on heavy card stock, so I think it's time for a change.  So many of you print out digis, sentiments, and even colored patterned paper that look so crisp and I'm wondering what you use for your printer needs (manufacturer and model, please).  Ink jet printers included.  I already have one recommendation from a trusted friend, but Mister and I are old-school and he'd like it if I get more than the one. 
Please tell me if you don't like your printer, too, so I can factor that into the results.   
Thank you for your input!  I will publish the results.  Mwah!! 

31 comments:

Lisa Elton said...

I like the less and the more Darnell!! I'm sad to say I don't own hexagons either. Maybe some paper LOL!! Your tree is beeautiful!!!

Harriet Skelly said...

Great cards Darnell - I thought the triangle was the new hexagon but lately the challenges are still with the hexagons! I didn't realize oleanders grew as trees - I thought they were bushes/hedges. That tree is stunning!

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. Two fab cards ... I LOVE the one with the iris blooms - so pretty!

Your oleander tree is gorgeous. Looks like you are having perfect summer weather ... beautiful blue skies --- perfect for working out in your yard. Looking forward to more pictures of your garden. Lolly xx

Redanne said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell, I do love bees! Your oleander tree is just stunning - how wonderful to have two of them! Take care with the planting, it will be there another day.... Hugs, Annie xx

Anonymous said...

Loving your sunny heaxgon bee card Darnell-beautiful -i am determined to make time this week to play at LIM-but i have no hexagons either !
You made me laugh with your "More Is More" i am sure we have all done that(many times LOL!)but your card was lovely anyway.
Have a great day :)
Nessa xxx

Aileen said...

Two Bee- utifully made cards. Love the embossed bee and your cute bee too. Your garden is just gorgeous. What a stunning tree! x

Canonbury creations said...

Love those bees Darnell, so cute! I have ordered a hexagon die but it probably is a trend I am too late for:) It's a shame I don't live near Karen as she seems to have everything!
Val x

Sue said...

Wonderful cards Darnell. I love the cute bee!
Your oleander tree looks amazing, thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos.
Sue xx

Bonnie said...

I love both of these cards, Darnell! The bright yellow is so cheery and the More is More is adorable. Of course those bees needed some pollen!

Cathy said...

@ lovely cards Darnell, love the embossed bee on the first one, so tactile! I bet the real bees will love your beautiful trees too! :) Cathy x

Kathyk said...

Lovely cards and pics .... must be the theme this week as I had three goes before I was happy too!

Kathyk

Kim Heggins said...

Your tree is gorgeous...love all the beautiful blooms on it. Your cards are fabby too. I love the hexagons, but have only played with them a time or two. I love your new way of thinking too, pull out a NBUS and find a challenge, very clever and sounds like so much fun.

Sue - said...

Two lovely cards Darnell. I've been struggling with hexes today too and still have a desk of bits and no card! The tree is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Love your second card Dippy (first posted) but think your first (second......is this getting confuddled?) is gorgeous with those cute bees and lovely irises.Your oleanders are stunning, I am so jealous. Can't wait to see how the garden turns out when the rocks arrive. On the subject of printers I've got a Sony black laser printer which I use in conjunction with my foiling machine and an Epson inkjet with a continuous ink system which I use for everything else - digis, inserts, general stuff. Always been really happy with Epson printers, think this is the third we've had (plus the ink is very reasonable unlike a lot of other makes). Hope this helps.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

wienerhoneymooners said...

Love, love, love the embossed Bee!

(Though I am very allergic, (picture the movie the elephant man, and that is close to what I look like once stung..NO REALLY. I remember when I was 11 and me and another girl raced up a tree, I won being the bigger tomboy, and just as I reached the highest branch, I saw these large horseflies circling 'round my face, then I HEARD them, they were large Wasps...Needless to say I was the first DOWN the tree too ---sting..sting all the way!
And not too funny, several neighbor kids came from far and wide (a few parents too) once they heard that my face looked like a balloon and I might need rushing to hospital (you would have thought we were giving away ice cream the way they all lined up to see), --should have charged money... hee hhee.
luckily I do not go anaphalactic or whatever, so I just had a face full of steak with tenderizer).. Ha, that sure brought up a whole mess of a story...)

A simple image does that sometimes.

And you are the storyteller to tell a good story to.

Have a wonderful day Darnell, keep crafting - I am watching you. :)

Anonymous said...

Your gold embossed bee is positively touchable, Darnell ... and I chuckled at your 'more is more' story with the slowly developing bee playground! Lovely tree! Anita :)

Carol L said...

Your bee cards are definitely cute, and I like the more is more version! (Great name for a new challenge for those of us who like to use layers BTW) I just love your beautiful back yard and that tree is magnificent indeed! What a fabulous view!

jimlynn said...

Beautiful back yard and that oleander tree is so lovely!
You didn't get the hex at all - but you did get all the hexes!! LOVE your cards - and the bees (both big and little) are precious! GREAT!
Lynn

Tracey McNeely said...

Beeee--utiful Darnell! LOL
Love the photos of the oleander trees-I have never seen one.

Bobby said...

Horizontal or vertical, your hexa-combs with bees are great. I envy you such a beautiful yard with flowering trees. It must be heaven to sit out there and commune with nature.

Greta said...

Your tree is just gorgeous! Love your More is More card & your Less Is More & that little bee is just too cute--love how you made him sparkle! I have an old printer, so will be interested to hear what your survey shows, but I don't do a lot of printing--too many stamps to use digis.

Sharron said...

Fabby cards--both are great! I especially love your gold bee! And your tree is stunning. Love your raised bed and the rock work!

Joyce said...

Love both cards. Even though I don't like bees....

Lyndal said...

Glad your hex's gone!!! FAB cards Darnell - they're the bees knees!

We've just got a Canon Pixma MX926 - but it's getting a better workout for school projects than digi stamping requirements!!!

Anonymous said...

Love your bee cards- the hexies are sweet!

What printer don't I use? Hmm...the basement printer is a Canon M160 (free with a one of my kid's laptops)- it works nicely with my SU MDS2 . Our kitchen computer is an HP Officejet 7310 and does a great job as well. Both have a black and a color cartridge. Ugh, cartridges range from $28-39. I have no real preference since both have performed well. Good luck with your hunt!

Kara Lynne said...

Your process is priceless! That gold bee looks so regal, and the others are so fun! Our printer is the HP Officejet pro 8600 plus. Rather bulky, but Gene works from the house quite a bit. I haven't used digis yet, but I just ran a Copic over some printing and it doesn't smear at all. I use it for journaling in scrapbooks quite a bit with great results. The one negative is it doesn't always like to pick up cardstock fed from the tray.

Chrissie said...

I think that both these are great Darnell, not too more is more at all!
Your back yard looks fabuloso...the blossom is amazing!
My printer is a Lexmark X4650 and it's fine-ish!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Craftychris said...

I love your bee cards, and the cute bee is so, well, cute! I hope you have stopped aching now, it will be worth it! xx

Viv said...

Fabulous 'LessisMoreness' again Dr Arnell ( he he, can't stop it now),two super cards here.Loving both equally, esp. that litte cute bee too:) Viv xx

Viv said...

Ooops forgot to say what a beautiful tree too , love it. We have a mock ornage(orange) tree in flower and the smell is divine:) Viv xx

MaryH said...

Was interested to read your laser won't handle vellum or heavy c/s. I have an Epson Stylus 515, which doesn't like Cryogen - which is s'posed to be 80#. (Don't have the packing as I split with a friend). I can do GP & Neenah ok. Haven't tried my nice Xpress, because I hate to waste a sheet if it messes up. I'm looking for a new(er) printer as well, and had thought laser. Think I shall reconsider that one! I have never tried vellum printing at all. Thanks for having this survey! Hugs