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!

February 28, 2014

Pinch Me! ~ NBUS #108

Happy Day, my friends!

It is, indeed, a happy day in my little corner of the stamping world!

I'd like to interrupt my regular card shenanigans to bring you a special announcement and ask you to forgive a little self-boosterization. I am pleased as butterscotch to have the huge honor of being inducted into the Wall of Fame at Addicted to Stamps and More (ATSM)! It is another distinct honor to be sharing this recognition with the fabulous Bonnie and the fabulous Anni!


I hope you'll check out this challenge, which I always find to be tons of fun, if you don't already play there! Everyone is welcome, the Design Team is sensational, and you'll never run out of inspiration! Thank you so much, ladies! I'm thrilled and grateful!


~~~~~~~~~

My card today was sparked by the current Merry Monday challenge. It is a delightful color and sparkle challenge:
Who doesn't love aqua/turquoise? Scrumdidlyicious! My beautiful DIL chose turquoise for her wedding color and her sisters all looked stunning in their gowns. All that white and turquoise in the photo inspiration reminded me of that magical day.

Here is my card:


This card was simple to make, but it was hecka hard to photograph. Photographing a mirror card, as you know, is like trying to capture a photo of the imaginary troll living under the 12th street bridge!

I started with a white card base to which I applied the gorgeous striped paper from SU that I've had for a year or two. The silver stripes shine like foil. Over the PP I attached a piece of SU silver mirror card which I embossed with a NBUS embossing folder from Sizzix called "Thank You Set #5." Over the mirror card I applied the NBUS joy sediment which is from a Wplus9 die called "Seasonal Sentiments Die." The snowflake is also part of that set. The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye.

Simple Dimple! (That's a little longer than QACAS.)

~~~

A lot of us are friends with Sandra (Sarn) who runs a once-a-month-Christmas-card-only challenge called "Rudolph Day." The link is only open from the 25th day of the month to the last day of the month and then you get to rest until the 25th day of the next month. Okay, well, maybe not rest, ezackly, no need to choke.

So, anyway, that's ducky and it's another great challenge to allow us to build up our stashes of Christmas cardlets all year long. But just a minute. This year Sarn threw us for a loop, put a wrench in it, and generally stirred the pot by changing the roolsh that you can only enter if you make TWO Christmas cards and enter them at the same time each month! 

It's actually a nice idea and what a good friend she is because then we build our mustaches sooner, doncha see? So the Rule of Two is a fabbie idea unless you totally forget until you are in the process of writing your post. In which case you stop writing and run and make a second card!

Like this: 

Since I had a scrap of this and a larger piece of that on the desk, and some ribbon and, "Hey," the hamster chimed in, "remember that decades-old textured paper you have in your drawer of white papers?" . . . a new design evolved.  And since this one is less busy than the first one, I can enter it in the current ATSM challenge which is "Clean and Simple (CAS)" and bring my post around full circle stop to where we started today.

I love it when that happens.

Sarn asks that we link a photo of our two cards together for her challenge, so this is for her:
 
***
Check out all the challenge links given to find the rules, sponsors, and prize details. 
~~~

New Friends Corner

I am delighted to see a third gentleman has joined our party! Please help me welcome Ignacio Molina of Nicecrane Designs. Ignacio also has a company website and no doubt you have seen him generously sponsoring so many of our wonderful challenges in this stamping community. His designs, both freebies and for sale, are incredibly beautiful!!

Welcome, Ignacio, and thank you for joining!

~~~

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

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!  Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor! 

 
*Life Is Too Short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:
Click CTL + Home.
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and the pop-up box opens.
Click Jump to Comment Form; no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!

98 comments:

Alanna said...

Congrats on the design team. How fun!

And both your cards are gorgeous. I love what you've done with them.

Sue said...

Congrats Darnell!!!!! and love the cards have a great weekend huggles Sue xxx

Kathleen said...

Huge Congratulations on the DT and love both your Christmas cards, fabulous colours and lets face it all we want is Joy at Christmas.

Kath x

vic said...

Huge congratulations :) go you yay!!! :))))
Hugs
Vic x

Irish Cherokee said...

Congrats. Two absolutely top notch cards.

Deepti said...

Yay!! congratulations :) I so glad to see u on our wall of fame !! and to top it of u created two master pieces, I absolutely adore these cards :)

Benzi said...

Good for you on your induction....well deserved. Your cards are awesome today.

JD/ Jill said...

Congrats on being inducted on the wall of fame. Didn't I tell you that you were famous? !!!!!
Your cards are great...very nicely done.

Lyn said...

Big congrats a well deserved award you make some gorgeous cards.........love your two new cards for today well done I think you caught them on camera pretty well!

Kim M said...

Beautiful cards! Love that stripey paper! Congrats on your induction to the wall of fame at ATSM! You deserve it! :-)

Redanne said...

HUGE congratulations on being inducted Darnell, how fantastic is that?! Well done and well deserved. Oh, yes, I love your cards too. Hugs, Annie xxx

Nora Noll said...

Congratulations on your induction in the hall of fame. So exciting!! I LOVE your cards. They are stunning!!

Bonnie said...

Congratulations, Darnell! I'm in such good company and my post is so ho hum compared to this that they'll be bootin' me right off that wall! Your cards are delightful with all that joy! What gorgeous embossed paper! I don't think I could have cut into that beauty!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Congratulations, sweet Darnell!!! I am not surprised!!!!!

Jacquie Southas said...

Congratulations on being inducted into (on to?) the Wall of Fame at ATSM! Love the Christmas cards - such a beautiful color combination. I'll have to check out Rudolph Day, but admit to being leery of a challenge that will "build our mustaches" sooner LOL. I've reached a certain age where I don't need any help with that ;)

Aileen said...

Congratulations Darnell though I have to say I'm not surprised. You do such wonderful cards. Keep us happy and keep posting.

Cathy said...

Congratulations Darnell on your wall of fame spot. 2 gorgeous chrissy cards they're bringing me joy right now! Cathy x

jimlynn said...

Fantastic honor and award - and two fantastic cards for Christmas!!! Fabulous!
Lynn

Patti J said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations DarnellL your cards are both beautiful, my friend...thanks for sharing them!

Alycia said...

I saw that!! And no one is more deserving. :)

Lee-Anne said...

Congrats, Darnell...easy to see why you've been honored...your cards are always fabulous! Gorgeous cards today!

Kristie Goulet said...

Congratulations on your honor, Darnell! Well deserved! I am absolutely in love with your Christmas cards. Both of them! WOW! You rocked this color combo! So happy you joined us at Merry Monday! ♥

Bobby said...

Well, Joy, Joy, Joy. Two beautiful cards and an induction. It's your day! Congratulations.

Kylie said...

I LOVE a little self-boosterization!! Congratulations on your induction at our little challenge blog. Your contributions are so much appreciated!! Beautiful cards, too!! xx

Susanne Vargas said...

Congratulations on your induction to the wall of fame over at ATSM! You certainly deserve the honor!
Both of your cards today are gorgeous! The second one is especially impressive because you had to make it so quickly! I guess you work well under pressure!
Hugs,
Susanne

cm said...

Wildly applauding your Wall of Fame induction; an honour most well-deserved! Oohing and ahhing over your gorgeous two-fer cards with their aqua and silver,glimmer and sheen. Be-YOU-ti-ful in every respect, especially the dies you've used, which I have, too. They're favourites in my Christmas collection. Excellent additions to your mustache *grin*! Another post = more sparkles added to my day! Hugs~c

Geri said...

Can you hear me cheering? Yep...I'm clapping my hands, and smiling and shouting out a really loud Whoo Hooo for your well deserved induction to the Wall of Fame!!!

Then you add in these two amazing cards and now I am clapping even louder and harder (my hands are hurting already) cuz they are are soooooo pretty! Gorgeous mix of paper, bling, texture and ribbon!

Great job photographing the reflective paper...tough job, but you got it done!

Lisa Elton said...

HUGE CONGRATS Darnell!!! Your cards are super duper today, love the first one, so shimmery and pretty!!

Unknown said...

The honor of induction could not have been given to a better card maker. You certainly deserve it. Your cards are fantabulous!

Congratulations! Traci

Greta said...

2 beauties, Darnell! That striped paper is so pretty--love how it shows through the word on the first one!

Shannon J said...

Woot woot! What an honour to be inducted into the hall of fame! Congratulations!!!
What a fabulous festive duo you have here! I'm glad you followed the rules so we could see two beauties for the price of one!!!

Nan G said...

Congrats! Love love the cards especially the second one made from leftovers. Hugs

Karen M said...

Congratulations Darnell on your wall of fame - I am happy dancing for you I am so pleased:) Very well deserved my lovely friend! I love both of these cards too - hugs xx

scrappymo! said...

Congratulations! What lovely news!

Two great cards...love the embossing folder on the first one...so masculine looking!

Inkyfingers said...

La, la, dada, dada! I'm doing the happy dance for you my friend, and your honour is so well deserved. Many congratulations!
These cards are just beautiful - I love aqua, and pairing it with silver makes it even better. When are you going to try the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge?

Hugs
Carol x

Jasleen Kaur said...

Woohoo!! Congratulations on the well deserved recognition Darnell. Your cards are indeed wonderful. Love the two cards you have posted here too, with the silvery glittery stripes adding glamour to your cards.

Gerrina said...

Congrats and what an hohour! Like your cards; the colors are so beautiful together! Hope you have a fun weekend planed, Gerrina

Shona Chambers said...

Turquoise and white is one of my most favourite combos, and to add in silver as well just makes these cards perfect! I haven't seen silver mirror card before, it looks amazing so will have to see if I can find some. Thanks so much for your comment on my CAS(E) this Sketch #65 card. And I can't believe I won some stamps from CFC, isn't that amazing since I was just blogging recently about not having many...brilliant!

Ros Crawford said...

Congrats to you!! Love your cards!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Congrats for DT Darnell
your cards are gorgeous
hugs Tamara

Carol L said...

Congrats on your induction to the wall of fame! Today's cards are so awesome, and you photographed the mirror cardstock so well too! I've been hoarding a piece of that striped dsp too, but you may have inspired me to CASE your card and make one of my own! Both are beauties, well done!

Sarn said...

Good Morning Darnell . . . CONGRATULATIONS on your Wall of Fame spot - very well deserved too.

I adore your JOYful Christmas cards and fab colour schemes.

Thanks for joining in with Rudolph Day.

Hugs,
Sarn xxx

NJ Stamping Queen said...

Very pretty cards! I love the textured metallic paper with the very colorful striped DSP. They are both "joyful" cards. Congrats also on all your recent successes!
:) Marie

Twinks Stamping said...

My first time visiting your blog and WOW to your Playhouse! and WOW to your gorgeous cards. Congratulations too xxx Jan

sandie said...

Congrats Darnell, so good to see you on our Wall of Fame x

Unknown said...

Congrats Darnell! Much deserved!! Love your cards in this post. I, too, love this colour combination. I will have to make something for Merry Monday!

Aileen said...

Two lovely contemporary christmas cards. Bet they look fab in real life all shiny!

Well done on your Wall of fame. Well deserved. x

Hettie said...

Congratulations Honey. I do know that challenge and indeedly won it once!
Lovely card makes here. Love that embossing folder you used on the first one.
btw - that troll is REAL! Really!
Hugs
xx

Karen Davis said...

Both cards are totally gorgeous Darnell. I love the striped paper you have used, and what a fabulous idea to emboss mirror board. Thank you so much for joining us at Merry Monday.

Pat said...

Such lovely cards Darnell. I love the blue stripe, and the spots go perfectly with it. The joy die cut in the embossing folder with the stripe showing through is a lovely idea. Congratulations on being made an ATSM Wall of Fame member, and so well deserved! Have a lovely weekend. x

Brenda in IN said...

Congratulations to you! I'm so happy for you. Your first card is gorgeous but that second one made my jaw drop. It is stunning. Love the striped paper and that white embossed paper is so, so pretty.

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

Congrats on being selected for the DT! Way to go.

I hope you aren't getting flooded like the southern part of the state. We sure could use some of that rain here.

Your TWO Christmas cards are great, by the way.

Hugs,
Kay

Sharon Underwood said...

Congratulations, Darnell! You deserve it! I also love your cards, btw. Beautiful paper and I love that die. (I have it too!)

Viv said...

Oooh many congrats Dranell...ooops Darnell...now you see I am always getting names wrong! Great news about the design team position woo hoo! Two lovely cards here also, can't choose which I like the best either, both fab! ...Thanks for the lovely comments as always....if my head gets much bigger I doubt I will get through any door though lol :) hugs Vic...Vic?...Viv xx

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your Wall of Fame award - richly deserved.

Beautiful Christmas cards and quick thinking getting another card made for the challenge - it's reminded me I have those lovely papers in my stash.

Have a great weekend. x

Sue said...

Woohoo! Congrats on the DT! These cards are awesome. I love them both!

Craftychris said...

Congratulations on your induction! Brilliant! Also both these cards are brilliant, I absolutely love them! Will email you tomorrow with a progress report on Darren! xxx

Petra Swart said...

Hi, Darnell and thanks for visiting my blog! I'm here and have just become your next follower! Can't wait to enjoy all of your work in future!
Congrats on the Wall of Fame award and the DT spot!! Love both your cards!!
Hugz

Pia S said...

Congrats Darnell!
Also, love your idea of making two cards, a great way yo stretch your supplies and avoiding lots of scraps!

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

Wow! You really captured the mirror effect in your photograph, Darnell. both cards are just wonderful- love the striped paper with the silver. And...Congrats for the induction, girlie!

Cat Craig said...

Congratulations! Your cards are lovely, those mint and silvers together are fantastic.

Sandy said...

Congratulations!
sandy

Unknown said...

Hi Dippy, congrats on your WoF induction....so worthy of the honour. Two fabulous cards today, love them both even if you had to run off to make the second one in short order.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Kim Heggins said...

Congrats my friend and so well deserved. So happy for you! Your cards are amazing. I love those colors together and your designs are awesome. Have a soggy weekend!

Pat said...

Congratulations on becoming a member of the Wall of Fame - well deserved, for sure! Your cards are beautiful. You've presented wonderful examples of the benefit when two cards are required for a challenge - the use of all that product already on the work area. Great job!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Congratulations on a well deserved honor. I am proud of you. And, your cards are super lovely too. As to me doing more challenges, I am lucky I am able to enter a couple at most. Just don't have time it seems.

Mau xx said...

So well deserved Darnell xx
I love the blog myself and agree the DT are Stupendous!!!
Love the two cards and yes I love Aqua/Turquoise too, my favourite colours ar present.
huge Hugs xx
Mau xx

Jean said...

Congrats on joining the wall of fame. Fantastic cards - I really like the embossing folder used on the second one.

Joyce said...

Congratulations on your induction. Wall of Fame--so you are famous now, and that is so wonderful. Two fantastic cards today.

Harriet Skelly said...

Congrats on the Wall of Fame at ATSM! Now you are on two walls - soon there will be a whole room full! :o) I love both Christmas cards - the second one was a good come back to make sure you had two to post! Have a great weekend - isn't this rain grand???

Katie Melhus said...

What a beautiful card, Darnell! Err, I mean cards. Way to throw that last one in there! I think you captured your mirrored card very well. Must be all that good "film" you used! Hugs - katie

Vicky Hayes said...

I was so pleased to see you on the ATSM wall of fame Darnell! Your Rudolph Day cards are fab too and I'm glad I'm not the only one who forgets about the rules of things (not this month though - whoopee, the dementia's getting better!). Vicky x
PS That troll is imaginary?!!!

Linda said...

Whoo Hoo Darnell!!!! Well done you on your award ..... very well deserved I must say.
Another two stunning cards too .... fab paper and i just love the embossing details. Enjoy the weekend hun xx

Marybeth said...

Congratulations on your induction!
These are two very classy and elegant cards . I know how hard the first one is to photograph. You captured its beauty. Oh.....that embossed paper looks wonderful and elegant on your second card....I love that you let the paper do the talking with both!
Hope you enjoy your weekend and rain.

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on being inducted to the WOF at ATSM, Darnell ... soooo well deserved! Gorgeous cards ... love the cool aqua and silver! Anita :)

Chris Dring said...

Kudos to you on your ATSM score! Woot Woot! Now, for your cards: Look at all the delicious NBUS you, well, USED for these cards! Awesomesauce! Both cards are, as always, fabulous Darnell!

Laurie Unger said...

Woot Woot - congratulations on the ATSM WOF. Really like both of these cards! TFS

shirley-bee said...

Congrats on your double-addiction-wall-of-fame (I seem to recall you've also been inducted into the ATCAS Wall of Fame too). And impressive short-order card making!

Danielle Vincent said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell! I really love the card that has the striped paper showing through the sentiment - fab idea.

Thanks so much for joining us at ATS&M this week. We are pleased as punch to have you on the Wall of Fame and as a future guest designer. Congrats.

Lauren said...

These cards are both so amazing! I have never seen mirror paper, I may have to go find some as what you have done is beautiful.

Happy Dance said...

Thank goodness for the "jump to the comment form" button!! TWO awesome Christmas cards, Darnell! Your poor little hamster worked overtime on these, but all of his efforts were so worth it! Really love the mirrorry paper on your first one, and that textured paper on the second is so pretty! And btw, a big congrats on the Wall of Fame at ATSM! How cool is that, my friend??!!!! You so rock! Thanks again for the counsel yesterday! Bev

Sheila H said...

Beautiful cards - I love the mirror paper. You're smart to be making Christmas cards!

Barb Ghig said...

Firstly, I want to say CONGRATS to you on your 'Well Deserved' induction to the Wall of Fame at ATSM!!! I love seeing what you create for their challenges (well, all the challenges you enter), and I think it's wonderful that you have been recognized for your contributions!

Your Christmas cards are amazing, Darnell! I love how you played with the mirrored cardstock...WOW! And your turquoise papers and ribbon (and enamel dots) are gorgeous! Since it happens to be my fave color, you've inspired me to get my 'turquoise on' for my next card...thanks!

Also, thanks for introducing us to Ignacio...I'm off to check out his blog! I hope all is well with you...thanks so much for another wonderful post!

Karren said...

Love your cards, Darnell! The texture is just divine and I love the shine! Thanks so much for joining us at Merry Monday.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

WEll! So much to comment on. The imaginary troll under the 12th street bridge doesn't like his photograph taken as photographs steal your soul, don't you know? And aren't you thrilled I lead with that? Secondly, but actually really firstly but I had to get the troll thing out of my system--congrats on being inducted into the wall of fame! WOot! That is too cool. And lastly but not leastly, great card for those couple various swaps. You reminded me that I had a very similar color at my wedding. People called it teal. No wonder guys don't "get" color all those names for what is about the same color--teal, aqua, turquoise, bluey-green. *sigh* I love all the silver you put on your cards, hard to photograph but they really made the cards wonderful.

Jeanne H said...

I too love your two cards and especially the dsp and silver! Happiest congratulations, Darnell. Well deserved. :-)

Notes by Nina said...

Both cards are fantastic Darnell and congratulations. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

maria f. said...

And the Oscar goes to - yippie for you, you inductee. And those are some shiny, cool Christmas cards. So jealous you're growing your stash already.

Lori Turner said...

Congrats Darnell! And thanks so much for entering this beauty of a card into Merry Monday's challenge this week - Wowza! xoxoxo

Vickie Z said...

Fun cards Darnell!! That hamster must have been running miles!!

Sharyn Polesel said...

Congratulations, Darnell, on your much deserved win at Merry Monday! Your card is gorgeous! Hugs!

Dianne said...

eekkss 2 more Christmas cards, I'm so jealous, not a one done yet for me, I just caaaan't face it hahahha. A huge congrats, you belong on a few walls of fame, 91 lovely comments, stacks of challenges, lots of sharing with your followers, abundance of beautiful cards :O), thanks for sharing...Oh Love your new follower, I do admire men who create, and his designs are fabulous..

Sue said...

Congrats on your MM's honorable mention. Both cards are just beautiful!

Mrs A. said...

There is always a silver linning and you have two of them in one go. Both are beauties on their own bur together they make a winning team. Hugs Mrs A.

Anonymous said...

Congats Darnell!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Darnell. Love your turquoise, white and silver creations. All perfectly CAS. Know what you mean about photographing mirror card ... Thanks for joining the fun at ATSM. Monika

Brenda said...

Wow, these two cards are amazing and oh so beautiful Darnell!! Gosh I love them and the colors you used on them. Beautiful embossing, just beautiful everything! Hugs!

Nancy Thomas said...

Two gorgeous Christmas cards.Congrats on the Wall of Fame!