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!

April 23, 2014

Memories ~ NBUS #122

Hello Everyone!

My post today is gimongous, so pull up a chair.That's meant for those of you on your phones. Your feet will get tired if you don't wait until you're somewhere comfy.

Let's start with a card since I know some of you are only here for card talk and that's dandy. For you, I have two cards.

Coloring with water continues to be the rage throughout Blogland and I couldn't be happier. On Monday, Nicole posted the Papertrey Ink (PTI) Make It Monday video and challenge which is "Watercolor Splats."

Her cards are so fun! I didn't have a rounded brush handy, so my dots aren't as artistic, but I had fun making them anyway.

Here is the card I am entering:
The paper and the NBUS "Memories" die cut sediment are by PTI. The stitched circle is by Lil' Inkers. I loved the way my splatted water drops looked like clouds and that reminded me of the current challenge code word at Addicted to CAS, which is "Far Away."
My card can either evoke memories of someone who has passed away or of someone who has moved away. Or the design might represent looking out the window of a plane on the way home from a place where new memories were created.

Random Useless Information. Have you noticed that because they have moved all the rows around in planes to provide "more leg room" (for more money) in part of coach, none of the rows are lined up with the windows any more? You have to peek under the arm of the person in front of you or crack your neck like a chicken looking under your own arm out the window over your shoulder. 

I used snippets of white and turkoice for my die cut, so I'm taking my cloud card over to show my friends at Pixie's Snippets Playground. I even have some chocolate to share, but more on that later.
Pixies Crafty Workshop
Since I did not use a stamped or digi image on my card, I am also playing in Simply Create Too.
Grab Our Badge!
I hope you can join in these wonderful challenges! Just click on the links for all the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes!

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For my second water-colored and water-splatted card, you'll have to check the next post. After I finished this opus, I realized it was just too much tome for one post, so I split them up. It was Ami Cable.

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Easter Memories

We had a beautiful Easter Sunday with friends and family. I've made a collage of the traditional Easter egg hunt enjoyed by the twins while mom and dad provided hints and encouragement from the speculators area. Duke managed to photobomb a couple of shots.
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Friends and Chocolate Research

On Monday, I had a fun-filled few hours with Kim and Harriet at a local outlet mall.  I had just been telling them about an article in our local newspaper about a scientific study which made a coral lation between low blood sugar (specifically lack of chocolate) and grabbiness in woman. I mean crabbiness in woman. And about how the article had been cut out, circled, and pointed out to me by the Mister. He was just sayin'. Carefully.

See, the thing is, we both went on diets the middle of January and cut out sweets, which, for me, meant chocolate. After which the entire chocolate industry experienced a huge drop in profits the first quarter of this year. And after which the Mister noticed a huge increase in, erm, witchiness on and about my person. Well, for one thing, who wouldn't be a tad ticked if they cut out all that chocolate and only lost two pounds in three months while a certain Mister lost 18 pounds!! It's so not fair.

So, anywaffle, blah, blah, there we were at the mall talking about chocolate and suddenly right in front of us was a Ghiradelli Chocolate store!! An hour later we had finished shopping, I was beaming from rear-to-rear, and the nice cashier lady, her pockets bulging from the commission, took our photo:
Harriet, Darnell, Kim
Three little stampers went for chocolate.
One little stamper had some.
One little stamper had none.
And one little stamper went wee, wee, wee all the way home!

Kim is so funny. She had me hold her bag so she wouldn't look like the greedy pig! Just kidding. That's all mine and don't even think about touching it!

Here's the Mister's reaction upon seeing the huge bag on the table:
I'm happy to report that immediately afterwards, he looked up with a huge grin on his face as it dawned on him that before long peace and harmony would once again prevail in the Land of Matrimony!

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I have new friends for you to meet, but I'll do that in the next post as well. You're so supportive making it to the end of the post and I appreciate it!!

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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!

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Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
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Mwah!

75 comments:

Karren said...

Fabulous card, Darnell. These totally look like clouds! And anyone who gives up chocolate is absolutely entitled to be a bit witchy! For the sake of peace in my household, I've vowed to never give up chocolate! Yes, I'm considerate like that :)

Vanessa said...

You are just the best, I so enjoy reading your posts!!! A Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop??? That would be my downfall! Ooooh. We just finished reading Charlie And The Chocolate Factory to my girl, that didn't help…
How was one little stamper able to go out with NONE??? I am not worthy!
Your card is beautiful! I love that your splats look like clouds!

Hannelie said...

I enjoyed reading about your little get together Darnell. How lucky are the 3 of you!
Your card looks great... so does that big bag of choccies!

Sue - said...

Very definitely clouds on your card! Well if you only lost 2lbs and Mister 18 it just shows who ate most of the chocolate - doesn't it?:-)

Canonbury creations said...

Hi Darnell, love how the concept of your card is so CAS but so effective:) Chocolate mmmm............
Val x

Lynn said...

I think that is the perfect connection between women and chocolate...although my addiction is salty snacks. Cannot stay away! I love how your card looks like clouds. Gorgeous Darnell and I love the Easter pictures. Looks like the perfect day!

Ros Crawford said...

What a fabulous post! I love your card ... just posted one too ... And I love your photos ... your Mister looks remarkably like one of our doctors ... very very much like him ...hmm...
Chocolate ... No I couldn't live without it ... don't even ask me!
Thanks so much for your lovely comments ... I'm glad when the judges agree with you too! haha!

Marilyn said...

Cute card!! Chocolate is my weakness. I gave up chocolate and all sweets for Lent and I can't see where I lost any weight at all.

Kim M said...

Oh wonderful card, Darnell! Your story about the chocolate is too funny. I'm pretty sure that low blood sugar will make anyone cranky! I have a big sweet tooth myself and it's hard to cut back. Looks like you had a wonderful Easter. We did too although it was pretty quiet. I may have gone a little overboard on Donovan's treats and that this tear. LOL. Oh well. :-). Hugs!

Gerrina said...

Love your 'a little bit' dreamy card (or a card to dream away by?) Enjoyed reading your post and glad that you really enjoying your free time! Inky greetings, Gerrina

Ardyth said...

I knew there was a story behind that bag of chocolate when I saw the photo on Kim's blog! Love it! So fun to hang out with bloggy buddies - you 3 have crossed over into real life buddies, I think! Love the look of the water on the blue - very pretty!

Benzi said...

Wonderful card, Darnell, and that really does look like clouds.

Awesome photos of your family at the Easter egg hunt.

Hubby always loses weight so much faster than I can even dream about. Ugh!

Chocolate....no way I can resist. I can almost taste yours now. :-)

Suze Bain said...

I am loving your watercolour clouds Darnell, must try that technique, but have to say I am drooling even more over that big chocolate goodie bag and since you have already tried out the choc free diet on our behalf, I now know that there's just no point in cutting it out! Xx

Sue said...

Your card is wonderful Darnell, a really effective technique and I love the sentiment die.
I am pleased you had a good Easter, your collage of photos looks fabulous.
Yet again you have made me smile, I love your photo, you certainly look very happy with your purchases.
hugs Sue xx

Irish Cherokee said...

Great post, nice card, yawn. good story telling. Time for a nap now. LOL. Love your posts but by the time I get here everything has been said. LOL. LOVE THE DETAILS. LOL.

Linda said...

Lovely card Darnell. I love how your splats turned out. And your chocolate story is too funny. Why is it that men always lose more weight than we do. It just isn't fair. Enjoy your chocolate.

Linda said...

Oh and great picture of the three of you....

Redanne said...

Those clouds are absolutely fabulous! Love the collage of the family, everyone looks like they are having a lovely time. Good for you buying some chocolate too! Enjoy it, unless of course you have already.... Hugs, Annie xx

Jacquie Southas said...

Great job on the water drop technique - love that you framed it with a circle! So inquiring minds want to know - how long does that big bag of chocolate last :)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card Darnell! I atemped to make one last night but didn't have time to get a picture. Great pictures!!!

Martha said...

Darnell, what a fabulous take on the MIM technique! Love the design!

Loved your fun chocolate story & sense of humor!

Diane Jaquay said...

Great card you made for MIM, Darnell! Very unique and creative!

Irene said...

Darnell you are the best, and I loved reading your post - just brilliant. Ohhhhhhh all that chocolate my mouth is watering at the thought. Stunning card love the clouds/water drops/tears.
luv
irene
xxxx

Julia Aston said...

what a great splatter card Darnell! love the clouds and stitched circle! HOW FUN that you met up with Harriet and Kim! AND you got chocolate - I spewed my coffee when I saw the size of your bag - Mine would have been quite similar!!!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, I love your card, Darnell!! Lovely clouds you created and so perfect for the ATCAS challenge!!!
Enjoyed your story of the chocolate shopping - why on earth does the stuff have to be fattening??!! (That is one big bag, hey!!! - would have loved to see what's inside!! LOL!!)
Have a great day!!

Sue said...

Oh fab card Darnell! and ohhhhhhhh chocolate looks like you had a fab day lots of huggles Sue xx

Kristie Goulet said...

I always enjoy seeing these types of posts with pictures of meeting up with bloggy friends! LOVE it! I love how your splatters look like clouds! Have an amazing rest of the week and I may not be able to pop back by here until next week, I am heading to Raleigh to meet up with crafty buddies too! :) xoxo

Diane said...

Wonderful way to make clouds Darnell, great Easter pictures a chocolate shopping.

Hugs Diane

Marybeth said...

This is just one big happy post and I love it!
Love the clouds on your card….. very nice!
Love the beautiful family Easter pictures and I do mean beautiful!
Sounds like more fun with friends… nice that you keep in touch so much. The chocolate stuff loved it all you make us smile and laugh. Enjoy… or is it all gone already?

Andrea said...

stunning card darnell I love the clouds ..it looks so delicate . also great pics of your Easter with family and fab weather too...perfect memories and great photos. My sis left today we have had a lovely few days was fab to see her ...she is not into crafting in any shape or form.. so haven't been near the craft room since last Thursday but well worth it..Great story re the chocolate research LOL....I can relate to that and fab photo of you and your friends ..you did make me lol and hubby does look very pleased with the chocolate goodie bag contents ...enjoy ...I am sure he will enjoy the benefits of your pleasure. and I hope you have great week ahead Andrea x

Deepti said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, I interpreted it to be the cloudy sky :)Lovely easter photos and the best is where ur husband is peeking into the chocolate bag!! I can see the happiness in his eyes :) Thank you for sharing with ATCAS, I mean ur card... of course not the chocolate :)

Anonymous said...

A gorgeous CAS card, love your clouds, very creative, thanks for your lovely comment too!
Helen x

Anita in France said...

I need to know, Darnell ... what's in the bag?? I'm a chocolate free zone at the moment too ... and I'm doing FINE, really, I AM! Awesome card ... everything on it is so perfect ... colours, clouds, framing, sentiment! And it put me in mind of Dumbledore's pensieve in Harry Potter ... always a good thing! Thanks for playing along with ATCAS! Anita :)

Greta said...

Oh I'm still laughing as I write this, Darnell! I'm also jealous of that big bag--if only my hubby would smile with delight if I had one--doubt it--LOL! Love the picture of you 3 & hope one of these days I can join in a fun day like with you. Your card is just wonderful! Before I read your post I immediately thought it was the sky with clouds, but didn't think of all those reasons it would be appropriate to send--very creative!

Karen P said...

Beautiful - love the inking and the water stamping - absolutely gorgeous Darnell and perfick for them there challenges Karen xx

Tracey McNeely said...

LOVE your post today. First your waterdrop clouds are brilliant! That hamster wheel worked well here. Your lunch with Harriet must have been such fun! I so wish we had Ghiradelli stores here in Toronto! I love chocolate too!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous CAS card Dippy. Love your cloud "splats" they are so effective. Thanks for playing along at Addicted to CAS. Loving your choccy bags, but especially the look on Mister's face!!! Priceless...... More gorgeous photos of your lovely family at the Easter egg hunt; you certainly hid loads by the look of the baskets. Your gorgeous card arrived today......thank you so much, it's beautiful.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sharon Underwood said...

I do love your card--perfect for a sympathy card! Love your story about the chocolate. I, too, have given up some foods for a diet, but my sweet tooth is still calling my name, real loud, especially after dinner. It's driving me crazy(er).

Meg said...

Your card is just... beautiful - I love it.

shirley-bee said...

I'd say that's the right size bag for a chocolate shopping trip :) Fab card - definitely looks like the view from a plane for me.

Shannon J said...

Now that's my kind of bag o' chocolate!!! Gobble it up - diet schmiet!!! And YES what is with those airplane seats not lining up with the windows!!! Gorgeous card, Darnell (as always!) but not as gorgeous as that gorgeous family of yours...looks like you had an awesome Easter!!!

Pat said...

I love these clouds in the sky as they fit the theme so well. The last time I saw clouds from a plane was coming home for a trip to visit our DS in Aus. which evokes lots of great memories. It looks as if you had a fun weekend with the family, and I do love the expression on DH's face when gazing at the bag of goodies .. yum yum - enjoy! x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful card design and love those clouds you created. And, glad you found a chocolate store. I had heard that dark chocolate was very healthy for a person to consume so I am having a couple Dark Chocolate Doves a day. Yummy! Normally I am not too keen on sweets but I do love chocolate. So here is to a happier you and me!

Bonnie said...

Love those cloud-like splats! Good thing you used blue! I also love the size of your chocolate bag! Have you tried the dark chocolate with sea salt caramel? They don't stay long around here. And hubby doesn't touch them! Talk about crabby. Just try to touch my chocolate!

Bobby said...

An excellent water splat card, Darnell. I love your Easter pictures. I wish it had been warm enough for shorts here. And don't even mention chocolate, although I only eat dark chocolate, because they say a little a day is good for you. Now if I could only stop at "a little".

Carol Cel said...

Great card, Darnell. And that bag of chocolate is making my imagination wander. . . . I had my own encounter with a Lindt outlet last week. :)
Coast to coast chocolate share!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

First...your card! You did a fantastic job with the watercolors and splotches, you are right! They do look like clouds! So your sediment is perfect!
Second...I know what ya mean about the chocolate!
I mean, how can a girl survive without her daily, I mean weekly chocolate fix???? God would not have invented it for us if it was bad! Don't cha think??? I thought for the longest time that I was being very clever hiding my addiction in my stamp pad drawer. Then one day my hubby asked me for a piece!!!! I eventually realized he was talking about the chocolate!!! hahaha

Happy Dance said...

Love that card, girlfriend! Those watery clouds are beautiful - love the depth they have. The 'memories' doubled up die is perfect for 'far away' too. I have been eating a smidge of Brooksides Acai thingies each and every day. Can't not. But just a few. It's so not fair that men can lose faster!!! Your Easter photos look like you all had a wonderful holiday. Later, dudette! Bev

Cathy said...

Fantastic card Darnell, your splotches do look like clouds, I like the aeroplane view! Thanks for passing on the research info about chocolate too!LOL, Cathy x

Sue said...

I love the card, Darnell. Your splats look like clouds, perfect for the "Far Away" challenge. Your story about chocolate made me laugh and hit home. I gave up chocolate for Lent. I was so happy on Easter morning when my hubby gave me some chocolate turtles from a local candy store that makes their turtles. So good. I missed my chocolate, too!! There had to be a large drop in profit if we both gave chocolate...hahaha. Too funny!

Carol L said...

TFS all these great pictures of your Easter week! I WISH we had a Ghirardelli chocolate store here - but then again, I'd probably soon weigh in at 500 pounds if we did! LOL So glad you had a great week, and a fun card to share as well :)

Patti said...

You make me laugh, friend, even if there are clouds around you - yu can make them look beautiful!

Wonderful card. I might try that challenge but I admit to being a bit scared to try it!!

I hope you win!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Lisa Elton said...

Fabulous card Darnell, you did a great job even without the suggested brush!! Looks like you girls had a great time...mmmmm chocolate ~LOVE!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Hi Darnell, love your cloudy card and I see you had a lot of fun with Kim - chocolate - OMG - delicious! Happy belated Easter to you! I am on vacation right now, so not much time for commenting....but great to see you over at Simply Create Too! Hugs, Cornelia

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, your card is just fabulous! Such a fun take on this week's challenge at several different challenge blogs, just love it when that happens. I had so much fun spending the afternoon with you and Harriet and looking forward to our next get together. But I do have to set the record straight, chocolate is not really my cup of tea, other than plain M&M's, I would much rather have a hand full of jelly beans or candy corn.

Di said...

Oh Darnell, what a terrific card and such a funny post! I just read the airplane window situation out to Le - tee, hee. And as for the chocolate, like one of your friends I'm not a great fan either (is that totally weird?) but am so glad that harmony has returned :)

Hugs

Di xx

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Wow - fabulous water-colouring Darnell - the clouds are awesome!
Love your photos - particularly the humongous bag of chocolate - yummy!!
Thank you for joining in the fun at ATCAS - Sylvia xx

Susanne said...

Grabbiness cures crabbiness - it works for scrapbooking supplies as well as chocolate and wine and . . .

Barb Ghig said...

Your Watercolor Splats are just beautiful, Darnell! And, I agree...I think it looks like the clouds we see from above in an airplane! I love how you added a shadow on your die cut sentiment, and your stitched circle is the perfect touch!

Looks like the boys had a great time on their Easter Egg Hunt...what a fun gran you are! Enjoy all that yummy chocolate, Darnell...You certainly deserve it! After all, you need the energy with all that crafting you do in the Playhouse!

Thanks so much for always making me smile...it's so fun to stop here for a good laugh and a peek at your beautiful creations!

JD/ Jill said...

Great card, Darnell, really like that technique...must give it a try...thanks for sharing the link. Love all your pics...so enjoy seeing them...great pics of the shopping ladies...kindred spirits...love chocolate...doctor said I could not have any...don't tell her but I cheat...Hope you are having a good week.

cm said...

Oh my, the mere thought of that bag of chocolate has me nearly drooling and twitching, never mind the real thing! I think it would go well with my kitchen decor! Your post is, again,a laugh and smile inducing charmer! Gorgeous card; gorgeous family; gorgeous you and the gals having a great time! Awesome to the nth degree! Hugs~c

Emily Keaton said...

A gorgeous card creation, Darnell! More great splats ;). And I'm so jealous of that big Ghirardelli bag! I hope it was stuffed full of the good stuff!!

Pia S said...

Your cloudy sky turned out great, Darnell! Such a beautiful dreamy like design!

Brenda said...

I am loving your card Darnell, it really does look like you are looking out of a plane window at the clouds!! Not sure how your got your water drops to look like clouds, but they are very cool indeed. Did not know about the airplane windows though because we don't fly much. It's been years and I don't really care for flying anyway. lol I love the Easter memories, looks like the lads had a fabulous time hunting eggs. You gotta love that! Then you had me in stitches about the diet thing, men stink as they can loose weight so much easier than us women. I can stop eating all together and won't lose a lb, but hubby can just give up his night time snack and can lose 15 lbs. Not fair I tell you. Isn't it bad enough we had to birth all the kids, God couldn't have given up a metabolism that works real good?! What's up with that?!! Besides, I have to say this, you look like you can eat the darn chocolate because you are already thin! Unlike me who if I just look at a piece of chocolate gain 10 lbs!! lol Plus dark chocolate is really good for you, so there. Hugs

Unknown said...

I love your posts...any waffle and grinning from rear to rear.....thanks for the smiles!

Karen M said...

Beautiful card and I love your fun easter photos - looks like you had a fun time together:)Hugs xx

Anonymous said...

What a stunning take on the code word and so many possibilities as you mentioned perfect for so many occasions. Glad to hear harmony has been restored in the marital home thank goodness for chocolate ! Thanks also for joining us at ATCAS its always a pleasure to have you play along with us Darnell.

Marie

Anonymous said...

Forgot to say what beautiful photographs and what a gorgeous family you are. Love the garden too so pretty.

Marie

Princess Judy Palmer said...

So good to hear that you got your hands on a little bit of chocolate so no one would get hurt. It's been touch and go there you know....

The memories your card invoked for me was lying on the grass as a kid looking at the clouds and identifying the shapes. I remember grass. *sigh* and the sky *sigh* Do they still exist? she asks from her cement box.

OH Babs said...

I have seen a lot of blue cards on your recent posts and one as nice as the other.

stressfreestamping said...

Wow, I love the water splotches! They really do look like clouds! Will have to give that one a try! Thanks for joining us at ATCAS. :)

Kim S said...

Your card is stunning. For me, it's a very relaxed spring afternoon with the clouds overhead. I did notice that about airplanes but I have to admit, I was blaming stupid designers instead of the moving around of seats. AND...your friends are telling other stories about your visit together - there was a little more than just chocolate involved, wasn't there??

Geri said...

Beautiful card! Stunning 'ink' clouds! This card can be used for so many different occasions! The 'memories' die - perfect choice!

The rest of your post and your pics (including photo-bombing Duke) made my day! Your yard really should be featured in a magazine!!!

maria f. said...

Gave me a rear-to-rear smile, ya did! Looks like a lovely Easter was had by all and you sure know how to make Ghiradelli happy. Thanks for joining the fun at Simply Create Too! When I saw your card in the gallery I immediately thought of clouds out the plane window (recently been there, done that, ya know?). Great to pair 'em with that sentiment.

Shona Chambers said...

I do so love to read your posts and your humour about everyday life is wonderful. The card is so pretty and looks perfect in the circle, surrounded by white. I'm too scared to try watercolour yet..... And as for chocolate, I totally understand about moods that overcome us when chocolate is in short supply. The Easter Bunny didn't visit me again this year but my gorgeous children gave me some of theirs. I love hollow eggs, the chocolate just tastes better. And today at the supermarket I found a big hollow egg for $3 (down from $13)...well you can imagine how quickly it jumped into my basket. Winters coming, I need extra layers!!