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 9, 2014

I Love You More! Meet the New NBUS Riders! NBUS: #135

Hello! Hello!

Take a deep breath! Ah, the freshness of a brand-new Monday! There is nothing like it!

I needed to make some anniversary cards, three in fact. Just like graduations, June is a time for weddings and what follows weddings? Babies! Oh, well, that, too, but this time I was thinking of yearly anniversaries. With the success rate of divorces ... wait. What? It's sad, but true, so every anniversary is a cause of much celebrating!

I have had the idea of this card in my head for some time. It came together, but it was like pulling teeth. I always say I love it when a card practically makes itself (well, duh, who doesn't?), so it stands to reason that there will be times when a card will fight you all the way. Sometimes you give in and give up and sometimes, dagnabbit rabbit, you refuse!

Put on your shades! 
The sunset colors were made with my NBUS Tim Holtz DI markers scribbled on an acrylic block, spritzed, and then stamped onto watercolor paper. The couple is from one of my all-time favorite SU sets called "Summer by the Sea." To make the happy couple more noticeable against the riot of background color, I applied some hash marks to the image with a black outliner pen.

The "husband, wife ..." is also by SU and the "Happy Anniversary" is from the PTI set, "Think Big Favorites #24." The conversation bubbles are NBUS from the Amy Tangerine stamp collection. The hot button is from my stash.

Everything is as I imagined it would be except for the part where I schmudged the "MORE" which I hand-wrote on the card. It was fine. It even looked like a stamp made it. But could I leave well enough alone? Oh, no. No. I decided it needed a doodled box around it. But then I thought the box around it was a little bit crookedy, so I made the outline thicker in order to straighten it. And then one side was too thin so I made that thicker. So now my card said sweetly: "I heart U." "I heart U" black box. You know, like he had called her a bleep and the censors had put a black box over it. Really?

I came THIS close to throwing it out, but I had put too much into it, so I held my ground and just stamped "MORE" on a yellow scrap of paper and popped it up on the card. The "MORE" word was cut from a stamp in my NBUS Tim Holtz set "Playful Journey." Goodness, lots of different companies played together on this card!

I hear some of you asking the obvious question, where the heck is Hammy? Very a stoot of you! I wouldn't have had so much trouble making my card if Hammy had been here. Hollywood called and Hammy is now a star making Sprint commercials! They call him Tom and he has a mobster accent! Here's a YouTube video. I'm going to give him his 15 minutes of fame and then I want him BACK!

~~~

I am entering my card into the current FUSION challenge. The colors are obvious and if you turn the sketch on it's side and bring the sides in to make it narrow, there is my layout. It's been a long time since I've done a  true fusion!
I'm also playing in the Mod Squad Challenge where the theme is "Happy Anniversary."
And I'm also linking to the current Time Out Challenge which is "summer" (w/o the option of flowers). I should have doodled a flower on the beach. My bad.
Grab Our Badge!
Make sure you click on the challenge links to find the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes. Even if you can't join in, you will find fantastic inspiration from the Guest Designers and Design Teams!

~~~

NBUS Challenge #1 Reminder

I want to thank all of you who immediately sent me comments of support and then entered your card in the gallery of my first-ever NBUS Challenge! Talk about inspiration, there are some amazing entries!! I so appreciate your participation. After supporting numerous challenges and friends in the last couple of years, it's fun to have that love returned! The information on the NBUS Challenge can be found here. The Challenge is open until June 27, 2014. Please make sure you read the rules and paste this button on your blog post featuring your card entry. Thank you!
Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)
I would also like to remind you that I am the co-Guest Designer for the month of June at a new challenge that would love to have more participants!! Please do join me by linking your card to Words 2 Scrap By where the theme is "Oh, The Places You Will Go!"
Our Badge!!!
Thank you, everyone! MWAH!

~~~

New Friends Corner

It turns out the letters BUS in my acronym were appropriate as A TON of new friends have taken the N Bus right up to the Playhouse!! There are so many, in fact, that I'm going to introduce them to you in groups of five. I want you to click on the links and I think if there are too many it will become a job, and we don't want that now, do we?

Today, first and foremost, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the new friend who was responsible for the 500 milestone mark which precipitated the first NBUS Challenge! Her name is Simonne Clay and she has been writing her blog Semsee Crafts and making her award-winning cards since 2010. There is a ton of inspiration on her delightful blog, a lot of it whimsical, which is always a treat!

Joyce M. of Cards-by-the-Sea. Joyce has been blogging since 2011 and she is one of the most creative and prolific card artists I know. It isn't unusual to visit her and find an array of a half-dozen cards in one post! I have trained myself now to place my left hand under my chin to hold it up before I click to open her blog! I mean, seriously!

Mary Anne (MA54K) of Lakeside Stamping. Mary Anne has been blogging since 2009 and you know that means tons of goodies are there for you to scroll stroll through and enjoy! Mary Anne's blog is a happy, lighthearted place and her terrific cards are a reflection of that!

Jenny of My Paper Epiphany. Jenny has been blogging since 2011. Jenny is another prolific card artist who makes the most beautiful clean and simple (CAS) cards! She always nails the challenges she enters, so she has won many awards!

I'll finish today's introductions with Shery of One-Layer, CAS, and Mixed Media Cards. Shery has been blogging since 2012. She is an award-winner who serves on many Design Teams and she has also started up her own challenges, which you can find on the side bar of her blog. Whatever style of card art inspiration you are looking for, Shery's blog is the place to go!

Thank you so much for joining, ladies! Welcome to the Playhouse!

~~~

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!

73 comments:

Happy Dance said...

You so rock! The anniversary card is bright and perfect for the Fusion challenge. With those 'hot' colors, it should give the recipient couple a couple of ideas, lol! Wonderful card. So glad your NBUS challenge has taken off, but like it wouldn't, right?! You're just so special, and I'm glad that so many of us can call you 'friend.' xoxo Bev

Happy Dance said...

P.S.
I WAS #1 for a change!!!!!!!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful anniversary card. I love the hot sizzling colors used on it too.

Alanna said...

What a fabulous card. I love the image and that you didn't give up on the card. The end result is just lovely.

It looks like you have a lot of entries into your challenge which I'm so happy for - not surprised, though. I can't wait to have a minute to look through some of the entries.

Bonnie said...

This is such an awesome stamp and I wish I'd bought that set and the other similar set when they were available. Oh well, it's not like I don't have enough stamps! Love the hot colors! Nice of you to lend Hammy to Sprint! He's doing a great job for them. I'm sure he misses the escapades at the Playhouse and will be back really soon. Meanwhile, you're not doing badly without him!

Colleen said...

Awesome stamp and card...really beautiful, I love how the sunset colors come through their images! Great story, Darnell!

Nonni said...

The hot summer colors of this are simply stunning and I love all your personal touches of drawing and writing. Very creative! Thanks for taking TIME OUT and joining our challenge!

Redanne said...

I LOVE Hammy's video, he is so cute! I love your card too, you really have very neat writing/printing! The summer colours are wonderful happy colours. Hugs, Annie xx :)

Kristie Goulet said...

Love the awesome colors on this card. So pretty! Great story, Darnell! xo

Kathyk said...

FAB make and well cool colours Darnell

I've taken the NBus!

Kathyk

MaryH said...

Hello Miz Darnell! I LOVE this card, and loved reading your trials in making it even more (that sounds odd, but you KWIM). It's fascinating to me, to read the 'saves', and this was a great one. Really liked the bubble as I think it certainly enhanced an already beautiful card. Loved the spritzing technique to create the sunshine colors. Just right for this sweet stamp and it made a perfect anniversary card. Hope I can summon enough energy to join in the NBUS, as it's a terrific milestone for you (no surprise though!). Congrats on achieving the 500 mark. You're my inspiration, Lady. I'm off to see Hammy's debut, and yep, I hope he comes back. I like to think of him reading along over your shoulder, or whispering suggestions as you are creating. TFS & Thanks for your good wishes. Allergy symptoms better, still fighting to get my MoJo & energy back to where it oughta be. Just takes time. Hugs!

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Darnell. The image is so delightful, I love the colours and wonderful sentiments too.
Thanks for the smiles!
hugs Sue xx

jimlynn said...

Glad you decided not to chunk it!! Love the bright colors and the way you did the sentiments. VERY cute and pretty and perfect for an anniversary card!
Lynn

Hettie said...

Hello there Missey! And Hammy!!
Gorgeous card there. As is the one I didn't see arrive today. Loving the colours.
Hugs
xx

Anita in France said...

Oh, Darnell, you romantic soul, you! The imagery is wonderful ... happy couple basking in the warm glow of one anothers' company! Perfect use of those glorious colours! Glad to see Hammy's getting his moment of fame ... p'raps he'll run it out of his system and stay home in future! Hugs, Anita :)

Diane said...

Oh Darnell what a delightful Anniversary design. Now you know why I don't stamp, gosh you have a lot of patience.

Hugs diane

Nan G said...

So good of you to let Hammy have fives minutes of fame. ;) Fab card and good thing my glasses are the new transitions! p.s. Love my ATC! Adorable purse on it. Hugs

Mau xx said...

Oh Darnell, you are such a fun loving lady, and just what I need today...Thank you.xxxxxx
Love the card, I was certain it was only me that had all these boo boos with my cards.....lol you are so good not letting it beat you :o)
beautiful colours and image.
Hugs Mau xx

Pat said...

I love the stamp Darnell and those fiery colours make it a really hot summer's day. I always remind myself when things don't go right that they are not mistakes but happy accidents, but the finished result is just perfect as the yellow speech bubble works perfectly. x

Carol L said...

It's a good thing you managed to save this, because it's a great anniversary card! I love those bright summery colors too!

Miriam Prantner said...

So bright and so fun! I love the multiple sentiments and the ombre!

Vickie Z said...

That's one of my most FAV SU sets too! Speech bubble works perfectly for this little mishap and a saying at my house....sure many others....isn't that wonderful! Then, the divorcees/babies thing....you just say it like it is! I'm doing the NBUS challenge...just give me a couple days!

scrappymo! said...

I have three cards planned to submit. The first goes live tonight or tomorrow night...can't remember...it is auto scheduled.

Your card is full of colour, fun and of course, love!

Great card Darnell! Glad to see you are demanding the return of Hammy!

I think the NBUS chalklkenge is such a great idea and have been trying hard to follow your lead at using NBUS since you invented it.

I put it on the stamping board at Two Peas as well and people loved it there. Will check to see if I can place the link to your challenge there for you.

See ya soon and love that card!

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell! I love, love the bright summery colors, and how creative you are to add those hash marks to the image so it would POP! Beautiful mix of stamps, and perfect for the challenges!

Thanks so much for the update on Hammy and for sharing 'his' video with us ~ You really know how to make us smile :-)

Lynn said...

Oh la la...so glad you stuck it out and I love the end result! Fabulous colors. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Time Out and Fusion!

Bobby said...

Love that you used that background technique to make a sunset for the happy couple. What a great save! I so enjoy reading your blog. I'm so excited for your new challenge and promise I will have a card to enter soon.

Sheila H said...

Your card is bright and beautiful. The feel of sunshine and warmth and love is all around and through it :)

Taunya Butler said...

Darnell - I am a newcomer to blogging! But as I have been looking around I have happened to notice many comments made on other blogs by you!! Here is what I have noticed - you are positive, upbeat, and so encouraging!! I love that you list specifics of what you like about their work or their blog! All in all, I find you to be a great pleasing presence in the blog world!! So thank you for being the way you are!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Awesome anniversary card Darnell, I LOVE the bright and cheery colours! Youa re soo right about anniversaries being so special. Far too many people give up too easily. Hubby and I prefer to sleep with one eye open after a disagreement rather than give it all up. ;)

Julia Aston said...

Love how you 'moderned up' that SU image Darnell! great bright colors and fun sentiments on this - especially the 'hot' button!!! Hammy is doing a terrific job in Hollywood - those ads are SO weird that they're fun!?! thanks for joining us in the Fusion Challenge this week!

Marybeth said...

Perfect Anniversary card Darnell! Yep June has manny anniversaries 38 for us this month. A huge congrats on over 500 followers no surprise though .What a warm welcome you give. I wish I would have done that long ago. Your card says it all!

sandie said...

Darnell, these sunset colours are perfect and you story of the smudge made me giggle as the card I have made for your challenge had a 'design element' that needed a little flair.....cover up!!! Thanks for joining us at TIME OUT x

sandie said...

Darnell, these sunset colours are perfect and you story of the smudge made me giggle as the card I have made for your challenge had a 'design element' that needed a little flair.....cover up!!! Thanks for joining us at TIME OUT x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous anniversary card
have a nice day
hugs Tamara

Unknown said...

Hot, hot, hot Dippy. What fantastic colours on your gorgeous anniversary card. I've got this SU stamp set but have only used blues and yellows with it. Love the way you used hatching to make the couple stand out. The addition (however painful) of the "more" was genius. Glad Hammy is getting his 15 minutes of fame but am sure he'll be back in the playhouse soon.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Gerrina said...

Great to read the post on how you made the card! Love the sunny and postivity that it shows! Thank you for taking the TIME OUT and join us, Gerrina

Sue said...

Fabby card.

Michelle said...

Great anniversary card, Darnell! I'm glad you kept at it, however hard it fought you, because you've come up with an awesome Fusion! :-)

Brenda in IN said...

Gorgeous colors on this card. There are no mistakes, only new ways to create! I'm thrilled for Hammy but I hope this doesn't go to his head. We don't want you to give up card making and blogging and become a stage mother and agent. Stay with us please.

Sarn said...

Awesome anniversary card . . .very effective and lovely and bright.

You are a total star.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Brenda said...

OMGoodness Darnell this card ROCKS!! I love those colors and boy I need to try this technique!! I love the couple and they really show up great in your colors. I must have missed this stamp when SU had it. I sure love it and I love how you did the speech bubbles-too cute! Oh my Hammy better get back to you soon! How fun he got to have his 15 minutes of fame. Glad it was him and not me though. lol Ok, going to see if I can get a card done for you challenge today. But in order to do that, I'd better get this behind in gear this morning! lol Hugs, Brenda

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Thanks for the reminder of posting the button, and all of the rules... I made sure I took care of that toot sweet. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the shout out/acknowledgement of my blog. I only enter a few challenges, and just try to keep this hobby fun! I have received some very kind visitors from your bloggers

Sharon Underwood said...

Love, love, love this image! They look so lovey-dovey, and your colors make it even hotter! So glad Hammy's getting his 15 minutes of fame! You're a great stage mom!

1CardCreator said...

Great card, love how you got there too, I can't tell you how many times I take what I perceive to be a small flaw and keep trying to fix it until I have made such a mess I want to throw it out, glad yours worked out, that was a great save! ~Diane

Loll said...

Bright, happy and beautiful ... great anniversary card Dolly!! Love the way you've done your sunset - awesome technique. Great save with the word bubble.

Not surprised that lots of your friends are joining you in celebrating the 500 follower milestone! Congrats to you, my friend. I have had a busy few days, but am hoping to join you for the celebration SOON! Lolly xx

Deepti said...

Your anniversary card is simply perfection, you have captured the true essence of love with that image and the colors :) Thank you for sharing with Fusion!

Lee said...

You.Are.Simply.Amazing!!! Your card is bright, cheery, filled with love and just perfect!!! Of course I do adore PINK so there is that! ;) And I LOVE reading your posts...you are a pure joy!!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Mod Squad and one of these days when I actually get a little more time and have a brain that remembers I plan to play along with your challenge!

Pia S said...

Creativity also means finding solutions to cover up mistakes. The big painters apparently did it all the time, they can see that with today's tools... I think the end result turned out fabulous, I like how the image has colors without having been colored. Cool technique, makes your card a bit different! Love it!

Sandy said...

No! I love you more!!!
Sandy xx

~Tammy~ said...

What a fabulous Anniversary card! You nailed the challenges too!

Hope your Tuesday was TERRIFIC!

Lindsey said...

Your card is awesome! I remember that SU stamp set from when I very first found out stamps existed and I love that you used it in a totally modern way.

Linda said...

Wow! What a fab anniversary card ..... Love the bright colours and what a lovely stamp. hugs Linda xx

Pink Blossom Creations said...

Love the colours on this card. The wording is just what my partner and i say so really bought a smile to my face. The image has been one of favs for a while but never did get that image.
Hope you are keeping well
Caroline x

Karen Petitt said...

I love everything about this card Darnell. The stamp is great, the colours you have used are fabulous, I just love it! Karen xx

Anonymous said...

Awesome be-dazzling , bright, anniversary card, love it!

Lisa Elton said...

LOVE LOVE the gorgeous sunset colors Darnell, this is fabulous! Hammy will be back before you know it. I've heard Hollywood is not all it's cracked up to be!!

Jacquie Southas said...

What a fun anniversary card Darnell - I love the way you used the Fusion colors!

Jacquie Southas said...

What a fun anniversary card Darnell - I love the way you used the Fusion colors!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Hot HOT HOT is right, LOVE this fiery romantic Anniversary Card!!!

CONGRATS again your challenge, bless you for being so supportive to everyone, I have been meaning to tell you that long ago I asked you to visit a new blogger Jane, and you did, and later she posted how much it meant getting messages of support and encouragement from you, and it nearly brought a tear to my eye, I am such a softy anyways........you are a blessed darling!!!! HUGS

wienerhoneymooners said...

PS Thanks for entering this lovely card to FUSION - I taking notes from this lovely!!!!

Mynn xx said...

LOVE the warm colors you used here, friend! Thanks for stopping by my blog. HUGS! :) Mynn xx

Joyce said...

Fabulous anniversary card--so sorry it fought you all the way. Some cards are just like that. Send it out right away, in case it decided to talk trash about you to the other cards in your playhouse. Thanks so much for your oh-so-kind words about me and my blog.

Shannon J said...

What is this about Hammy being a movie star?!!! Well, maybe just commercials for now, but it's just a matter of time!! Miss Thing is going to lose her mind! Hollywood, here we come! ha ha!!
I am so glad you decided to "fight on" (oh, I know the struggle), but kapow, in the end you obviously scored a TKO!! This card IS a knock out!! Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS!!!

JD/ Jill said...

Great, creative, Anniversary card...I know what you mean about making so many Anniversary cards right now. I have three to make too. It must be true that June is the Month for Weddings...Hope you have a great weekend!

Sybrina K said...

Hi, Darnell.

This anniversary card made me smile for several reasons besides its cheery, bright, colorful design. Reason #1 is that hubby and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary in August. So, I've been working on a Tim Holtz-inspired book/card for him. Reason #2 was your description of having to mess with your "MORE." I do the same kind of thing all the time -- think most of us do. Tim told us more than once in our CREATE classes to get over ourselves -- felt like he was speaking directly to me!

Thanks so much for being our Guest I-Teamer at Words 2 Scrap By this month... and for your blog shout-outs. Still love your adorable graduation car. And, it's been great to have several of your friends link up cards for our June challenge. We are accepting entries until June 21. If any other friends would like to play along, there is still time.

Thanks again and happy scrappin'! Have a great weekend!

Sybrina K said...

Hi, Darnell.

This anniversary card made me smile for several reasons besides its cheery, bright, colorful design. Reason #1 is that hubby and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary in August. So, I've been working on a Tim Holtz-inspired book/card for him. Reason #2 was your description of having to mess with your "MORE." I do the same kind of thing all the time -- think most of us do. Tim told us more than once in our CREATE classes to get over ourselves -- felt like he was speaking directly to me!

Thanks so much for being our Guest I-Teamer at Words 2 Scrap By this month... and for your blog shout-outs. Still love your adorable graduation car. And, it's been great to have several of your friends link up cards for our June challenge. We are accepting entries until June 21. If any other friends would like to play along, there is still time.

Thanks again and happy scrappin'! Have a great weekend!

Geri said...

Well...I'm totally at the opposite end of #1 (Bevie) and likely the last for this post cuz I am so far behind in my visits!

This card needs to be on the "Great Save Wall of Fame"! Such creative, ingenious and resourceful ideas that kept this beauty out of the recycle bin! Gotta love the "I love you More".

Speaking of love...Danny's mom & dad are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow. I best get to sleep soon cuz I will be up early slicing & dicing again this weekend! Salads taste so good but are such a pain to make!

Karen M said...

Love this gorgeous beauty Darnell - great image and the colours you have used look amazing:) hugs xx

cm said...

Sweet Bev is #1, amazing Geri #whatever, and finally moi - way down the line because 'hectic' has taken over this past week! Sheesh! I'm here, however (waiting for my niece and nephew to wake up ~ they're HERE at my house!! Woo hoooo!!) Your anniversary card is simply outstanding; images, colours, the "more"...anniversary celebration perfection! My parents have been together 55 years, my sister and husband 27, my brother and his wife 6 and then my husband and I just about at 3 (old bride, me!!) All those minutes, days, weeks, months and years of marriage combined are to be cheered and applauded, indeed! As for your NBUS - I'll be catching the BUS, too - just want to be sure I bring something 'special' to the trip!! Hugs to you, amazing friend~c

maria f. said...

Yep. Sometimes you just gotta remind those cards who the alpha female is!

Betty said...

WOW, Darnell. Your card is an eye catcher. Love your colours, sentiment and every single detail on it. Thanks for playing along at FUSION!

Greta said...

That is one fantastic anniversary card, Darnell! Love the colors, image, everything!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, I'm loving the bright colours on this card, Darnell!!!! Lovely image stamp and you've done a great job covering the booboo!!!
Lovely!!