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 20, 2014

Peeking In To Say Hello! ~ NBUS #139

hELLO mY fRIENDS!

Oops. Caps lock is on again, sorry. Thank you so much for whooshing through another week to Friday! You may wonder what's happened to my "Friday DJKASES?" I've put that on hold during the NBUS Challenge. Granny only has so much stampina!

Speaking of granny, I thought I would share a recent photo the Mister took of me. I was peeking around the edge of the window frame to let him know I was home. I had attended a party where we watched California Chrome get thawarted in the Triple Crown race. Hence the hat. Jeepers, my blue rinse looks great, but I wish I'd known about sunscreen when I was a girl!
I'm kidding. That's not me. I'm not that thin. About once a year I pull this River City Rubber Works stamp out of the drawer and make a card with the old dear. Her real name is Lula Belle Irene.

Lula Belle always had a smile for everybody. In this picture, taken in 1922, she was only 67 years old. Life was hard back then. She was married at 15 to her first husband who was 32 years older than she was. They had five children in seven years before he died face-down in a plate of Pasta Fuzz Ulee.

She bore 12 more children by her next two husbands, both of whom coincidentally died from being run over by newfangled automobiles. After that, she raised up all her children as a single mother! Except for that one incident when she lost half her right index finger, all the kids turned out okay. In 1911, Lula Belle Irene met and married Homer Wozkowski, her fourth and final husband. She never fed him pasta in any form.

Math Problem: How old was her third eldest child when her last child was born?

You didn't see that coming did you?

To present Lula Belle to you as the focus pocus of a one-layer card, I embossed a NBUS window die and then stamped LB in the corner. I colored her with my markers directly onto the stamp, but it didn't impress very well, so I used my water brush to watercolor her with the marker inks.

I used a gray marker for her face, neck, and arm, but when I removed the stamp, there was no image in those places. She was a ghost!  I was going to cut an oval out where her face was supposed to be and inset a photo of my face, but then I remembered I was making a one-layer card, so that was a no-no. Stampamajig to the rescue! Love that thing.

After stamping the sediment in the corner, I thought the window needed more definition, so I sponged some color around the outside (to make it look a bit like the stucco on our house) and on the inside of the frame using Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks, which haven't seen the light of day for like ever.

Challenges:

I am entering these challenges:
  • Less is More where it is "One-Layer Card" week with a theme of "Off the Edge." My little friend is peeking in from the corner edge of the window frame, so I hope that sufflies.
    We'd love you to display our banner
    One-Layer Simplicity challenge where the fun theme, chosen by the talented Karen Dunbrook, is "I've Been Framed."
    OLS
Make sure you click on the links for the above challenges to find out the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes! I hope you can join in the fun!!

~~~

New Friends Corner:

It is again my absolute pleasure to introduce you to five more new friends!

Barbara of My Creative Room. Barbara is a retired nurse who has been blogging since 2009. She is the mother of five and grandmother of seven! When she's not busy with family and travel, she is making wonderful inky and bold works of card art!

Carole of This Small Corner of Texas. Carole has been blogging a little bit off-and-on since 2009. She is hoping to make her hobby of cards and blogging a bigger part of her life and I'm sure a visit and some encouragement from you would be appreciated! Her CAS cards are just gorgeous and she often shares beautiful cards done by her 11-year-old niece!

Brenda Frame of 2 Peas In a Pod. Brenda has been blogging since 2010. She makes beautiful cards, but she also makes a lot of really cute and/or practical projects and she gives wonderful step-by-step instructions. A recent post shows how to turn those bags and bags of flat-petaled flowers into beautiful roses!

Taunya Butler of Daises Girl. Taunya has been blogging since 2012. You will find wonderful creations on Taunya's blog. She is enthusiastic about her hobby, her grandchildren, and life in general! She is all about spreading beauty and sunshine!

Lucy Woods of Little Lucy's Handmade Cards. Lucy is a wonderful inspiration and not just for her beautiful card art! She is 24 years old and she lives in the UK. She has severe ME and is bedridden, but her spirit and her artistic talents are not diminished in the least. Lucy has only been blogging since April and I would love it if you made a special effort to go and introduce yourself to Lucy and welcome her to this wonderful community!!

Thank you for joining, ladies, and welcome to the Playhouse!

~~~

Reminder:

We are down to ONE WEEK left in the NBUS Challenge #1! I'd like to thank everyone who has participated so far! I am overwhelmed by your entries and your enthusiasm, support, and kind words! It's fun to be on the other side of a challenge after playing in and supporting so many as a participant!!

Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)
June 6, 2014 - June 27, 2014
~~~

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!

Project Details
PaperPTI white
Stamps    RCRW, "Lula Belle Irene" 3043-I; Hello from TAWS "Words to Live By"
 InkVersafine onyx black; Pebbles pearl chalks; Marvy markers and water brush
AccessoriesDie Memory Box "Small Madison Window"; 
Darice sequins

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!

75 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

You've made me smile this morning Darnell what a great card just love the expression on her face and the fact that she's peering around the window .,very clever idea
Have a lovely weekend

Anne

Dan said...

Lovely card and your write-up was a treat to read too :) Although I don't have that particular stamp, I do have others in that series, they're such fun to use! Thanks making me smile and for joining us for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

Jasleen Kaur said...

I wish I had this extraordinary gift of bringing a smile on the face and making somebody's day, the gift you are blessed with, dear Darnell :) As always, I loved reading your post and enjoyed your one-layered sweetest card too :)

Craftychris said...

This has made me smile this morning! Fab funny post and brilliant card! So quirky and funny! Love it! xx

Kathyk said...

Another smashing card and post form you Darnell and, no, I didn't see that teaser coming either!!

Happy Friday

Kathyk

Canonbury creations said...

Love your card Darnell and Lula Belle is wonderful peeking out of the window. The sponging around the frame works beautifully. Your question scared me I never could answer them at school!
Val x

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Beautiful and fun image Darnell with great positioning for our Off the Edge challenge.
Thanks for sharing and taking part
Sarah
Less is More

Ros Crawford said...

Go Lula Belle Irene! Fabulous post and fabulous card!

Carole Pollard said...

Hi Darnell sorry I've not been around these last couple of weeks but have been on holiday you have had some amazing posts while I've been away and I'm loving todays card its fantastic Love and Happy Crafting Hugs Carole x

Carol L said...

Lula Belle certainly had a memorable life according to your story! I'm no good at math so I'll just say your card is great! I love that vintage woman and the beautiful way you framed her! Who knew Pasta Fuzz Ulee was lethal? Thanks for the warning! Bwahahahaha!!

Sue said...

I love that card. The old girl looks good after those husbands and all those kids:) LOL

KT Fit Kitty said...

Thank you for the smile today! Your card is adorable!

Deepti said...

I like the embossed window and of course your fun filled post :) u are so awesome, I am gonna use the term Stampina... It's so cool !

Carole said...

It's so nice you brought the old dame out to say hello. Lula Belle is quite experienced and prolific...I'm sure she has many stories to tell...just like you.
How do you keep up? Hugs Carole

Jeanne said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment (or three), Darnell. I sure appreciate it! Thanks, too, for the giggles this morning. That is a neat stamp and I just love the behind the stamps story you shared. Hope you have a fantabulous weekend!

Cathy said...

Brilliant design Darnell, love the granny peeking around the corner, such a fun card, Cathy x

Nora Noll said...

This post cracks me up. I am on vacation from working at a school so I will forgo the math problem!! (I was never good at word problems OR riddles anyway!!)

That granny stamp is adorable. Really like how you embossed the window and outlined it with ink. Have a fabulous day!!

Patti said...

Granny is that you?

Fab card Darnell you crack me up! I love the blue hair! My Dad has always had fun teasing the "blue haired" ladies : )

Have a wonderful weekend friend.

Patti

Krisha said...

At first glance I thought you'd been sneaking around my house with a camera!

You want the answer to a MATH problem this early in the morning???? 61 I did loose my count when I took off my slipper, but that's pretty close!! LOL

Love the story behind the card, such an imagination you have and it made the card even more enjoyable!

Linda said...

I am always guaranteed a laugh when I visit your site. Your card is too cute. Love Lula Belle.

Sheila H said...

You crack me up! The story behind your card is too funny. I like the card - your stamping is quite artistic.

Viv said...

Oooh that Lula Belle sure got around didn't she...and what a life ! love the card, it made me smile...AGAIN. I have to tell you she reminds me of my elderly neighbour who does just that lol! she suddenly appears at my front window( room where I craft)and knocks on my window before letting herself in. I know I will have an hour of listening to her latest problems then lol.Have a lovely weekend Dee :) hugs Vee xx

Jacquie Southas said...

I want to read more about Lula Belle and can't resist a good math problem, but my head just about exploded trying to figure out this one (I'll get the kids working on it when they get up). Love the embossed window and the way you positioned the image peeking around the corner. I've been trying to enter the NBUS challenge, but everytime I make a card I seem to be using already used stuff :( I promise to try harder this week!

jimlynn said...

My minds not working properly this morning so won't even attempt to answer the "age" question!!! I DO love the card - however, not sure that hat would pass inspection at the Triple Crown race!! VERY cute!
Lynn

Nan G said...

chuckling snickering oh okay LOL! Another selfie Darnell, really?! Hugs

Vickie said...

Love the card and the story about Lula Belle Irene.

Vickie said...

Love the card and the story about Lula Belle Irene.

Diane Jaquay said...

Hee hee, what a funny stamp, looks nothin like you ;) Have a great weekend!!

Bonnie said...

LOL, Lula Belle Irene is lookin' good! She better watch out flirting through the window like that. She'll be catchin' another man! Have a great weekend!

Kathleen said...

My goodness me, what a crazy Lady you are, thank goodness, too many people with no sense of humour these days.
Fabulous card, love Lula Belle Irene.

Kath x

Bobby said...

My friend Lula Bells would love your card, especially since it bears a striking resemblance to you. ;) Yes, I do have an actual friend Lula Belle although every calls her Lou.

Joyce said...

Fabulous card--love that dear sweet old lady.

Anita in France said...

18 ... but good old Lula Belle must've been exhausted by that time! Great card, Darnell ... such fun, thanks for the chuckle! If LB didn't have her nine and a half fingered hands uncovered, she'd remind me of Granny Glittens (of amazing mittens fame!) Hugs, Anita :)

Diane said...

Thanks for the big laugh Darnell. What a cute card design.

Hugs Diane

Chrissie said...

Your story about this gal certainly made me smile Darnell....they made them tough in those days!
Your card is great fun...she has her arm over the edge of the frame that's for sure!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

dottielottie said...

What a lovely old dear Lula Belle looks, amazing she can still find something to smile about after all her tribulations! love you OLC Darnell, and the fascinating snippets from Lula Belle's life. You never cease to make me smile whenever I stop by. Thank you :)))
Hugs Lottie X

Pat said...

What a sweet old lady - your stamps are so unusual Darnell. I love the way you have embossed the window and given that lady just the right colours for someone who has led such a colourful life. x

Hettie said...

You are a funny sausage!
Great card.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
xx

Mrs A. said...

So whats the answer then? Iv'e turned the page upside down and even turned it over to no avail.
Me weekend is ruined now! Hugs Mrs A. Great card BTW.

Cheryl said...

Too honkin FUNNY! I am still giggling while I post this...you are a hoot! Thanks for making my day, but mostly, Thanks for sharing your card! Blessings to you!

OH Babs said...

That is a darn cute one layer card. Did you say she was from Iowa? There may be a family resemblance.

Anne said...

Darnell this old dame is amazing and I'm so glad she was able to join us at LIM this week!
Wouldn't it be amazing to see a horse take the Triple Crown again
Thanks so much for joining us this week at Less is More
Anne
LIM Designer

Linda said...

Well that's my Saturday off to a good start ..... thanks for the giggle Darnell. Great off the edge design .... Lulu Belle is fab!! Have a great weekend
Linda xx
LIM Guest Designer

Helen F. said...

OMG, Darnell you (and Lulu Belle)are just too funny! Love the card design.
Thanks for the smiles this morning~oh wait, it's afternoon already and I am poking around in BlogLand instead of doing the housework that's not going to do itself :-o

Rita said...

Fabulous card Darnell. I would get on just fine with Lulabelle you know. Anyway, thanks for the lovely comments left on my blog. Wish we could have spent longer with Anne and David, but the last two days will always be precious to us. Enjoy the Weekend. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxxx

Laurie Unger said...

I'm cracking up at your old lady story! she actually reminds me of granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. Super one layer off the edge card!

laurie said...

You are too funny! Love your card as always. So hard to do those one layers!

Sally H said...

That is brilliant! Lulabelle and the story/ quiz made me laugh! Was she 17?! Thanks also for your wonderful comment on my card this week, and no, I wasn't offended, in fact quite the opposite xxx

Janelle said...

Thanks Darnelle for your support. I do take Lyrica, but only when things are really bad as it knocks me out. So I have to take it early in the evening, otherwise I'm not functional the next day. My doctor is really supportive - he learnt long ago that when I say something's up - there's something to investigate. :) It's also encouraging to know that there are people around who have what I have and it doesn't stop them from doing what they want; so it sets me a good example. Thanks again for sharing - it does mean alot to me. Mwah!!!

Gerrina said...

Granny still is great! Love how you made the window stand out! Have a fun weekend, Gerrina

nwilliams6 said...

Your posts are so fun to read! Your one layered embossed card is really fun too. I have that image but bought it as plain rubber with no backing and I can't get it to stamp clear - I need to remedy that. I love the look on her face! So are all those details about her true? Fun stuff. Hugz!

G Peplow said...

Brilliant card and I love your story about Lulla belle, what a crazy life she had LOL I am amazed you have the stamina to write so much in your posts Darnell, always very entertaining though. Many thanks to you, :D Hugs Gay x

JoZart Designs said...

I enjoyed seeing and reading all about Lula Belle Irene!. quite a gal!
Thanks so much for your birthday greeting, which my lovely friend dolores let out of the bag. I was keeping it all low key except for family and close friends but the world now knows. I don't feel 70 and it's just a number!
Had a lovely day out and a good meal with Neet yesterday.
love Jo x

JoZart Designs said...

I enjoyed seeing and reading all about Lula Belle Irene!. quite a gal!
Thanks so much for your birthday greeting, which my lovely friend dolores let out of the bag. I was keeping it all low key except for family and close friends but the world now knows. I don't feel 70 and it's just a number!
Had a lovely day out and a good meal with Neet yesterday.
love Jo x

JoZart Designs said...

I enjoyed seeing and reading all about Lula Belle Irene!. quite a gal!
Thanks so much for your birthday greeting, which my lovely friend dolores let out of the bag. I was keeping it all low key except for family and close friends but the world now knows. I don't feel 70 and it's just a number!
Had a lovely day out and a good meal with Neet yesterday.
love Jo x

Virginia L. said...

You never fail to amuse me, Darnell! This stamp at first didn't seem like much...but after reading your fun facts, it has become endearing and sweet! Thanks for sharing your talent and friendship. I had linked up my NBUS :) Thank you!

Geri said...

You are such a crazy fun lady!!! Awesome post!

Lula Belle Irene seriously looks like my dearly departed Baba! I'm 100% positive my Baba had a hat just like that and her handmade dresses always had a white collar!

Great sentiment - Lula really does look like she's peaking 'round a corner to say hello!

Thanks pal for making my Sunday morning a smiley one!

Kay Miller said...

Oh my goodness Darnell!! By the time I am done reading your post and rolling on the floor laughing, I have totally forgotten you posted a card! haha! All I can say is that I am very glad that I am not Lula Belle! Two precious kiddos is all I can handle! I do love your card though and that image is priceless!! I'll look forward to seeing her again next year ;) heheh! Thanks so much for the sweet comment you left on my blog about my guest spot win!! ((Happy Hugs))

Colleen Dietrich said...

Thanks for brightening my day with your humor, Darnell! Your 'photo' is just terrific. :)

MaryH said...

What a delicious card, and I'm with you on wishing I'd known of sunscreen back in the day. Paying for it now! This lady is a hoot, and I loved her hair & blue rinse. (Q-tips we called 'em in Fla). Wonderful smiling card, and I loved reading the story of Lula's adventures. She was one heck of a gal, and wouldn't I loved meeting her. I can just picture her as this card lady. TFS such a cute card, and giving me the smile I always leave here with. Happy SUnday and off to enjoy some of your earlier posts. Hugs

Petra Swart said...

OMG, I love this Lula Belle Irene of yours, Darnell!!! I love her brightly coloured purple hat and the blue dress with the white collar, but I do think she had forgotten to put on sunscreen before going to the beach!!! This is such a fun card and a very enjoyable post!!!
Thanks for all the laughs for the evening!!!! Time for me to go to bed!!!

Karen Petitt said...

Such a cute card with a very sweet lady! Just popped my second entry into the NBUS #1 Celebrate challenge Missy D! You have two pages worth of entries and you have over 500 followers! Way to go huni Karen xx

Cris G. said...

What a fun post, Darnell. Love your sense of humor and your math problems :).
Lovely card to honor Lula Belle Irene.

okienurse said...

what a hoot...I was really thinking your husband had had some fun with the computer changing the image!!! Lula Belle Irene looks like an awesome woman. Love the stamp! I enjoyed making what I did for #1. WOW a lot of participants this month! Vickie

Michelle said...

I'm so glad that you let Lula out to play every now and then. She's looking pretty spry with her watercolor wash!
It was pure delight visiting your blog this evening. Thank you so much for sharing Lula and her story with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. ~Michelle

Leslee said...

Love your card and the story of Lula Belle! Sounds like my grandmas family! She was the youngest of 13. Her dad remarried when his first wife died in childbirth. And he wasn't home a lot being a merchant seaman!

Taunya Butler said...

Fun, Fun card! And you have a delightful sense of humor!! Also, sincere thanks for the shout out!! What a generous and supportive blogger you are!!

Greta said...

Terrific card, Darnell! Made me smile!

Unknown said...

Thank you for your very kind words Darnell! You are a very lovely lady!
Crafty hugs
Lucy x

Brenda said...

You crack me up Darnell and I love this card!! I'm not a math person so I will ignore the math problem. lol This is definitely a great card and glad you pull the old gal out from time to time. She sure is fabulous!! Hugs, Brenda

JD/ Jill said...

You did it to me again, Darnell, I get so wrapped up in your posts and meeting your new friends and checking out links with all the interesting things you have on your posts...that
I forget to comment. Your card is really cute...and obviously, I enjoyed your post...Hope you are having a good week.

cm said...

Okay, you seriously need to stop this (NOT), because I hurt myself falling off my chair, rolling on the ground, in total peals of laughter. Indeed, my husband came running, wondering what all the commotion was about, and I nearly took him out with my flailing!! You are hysterically hilarious...'nuff said! Love your card, love the story of LBI. She perhaps should have enjoyed some 'singlehood' time for a while (especially after the 32 years older than her guy passed on..hahahahahahah). Whoa...I'm going to skootch my chair closer to the table...preventative measure...You're the best! Hugs~c

cm said...

Okay, you seriously need to stop this (NOT), because I hurt myself falling off my chair, rolling on the ground, in total peals of laughter. Indeed, my husband came running, wondering what all the commotion was about, and I nearly took him out with my flailing!! You are hysterically hilarious...'nuff said! Love your card, love the story of LBI. She perhaps should have enjoyed some 'singlehood' time for a while (especially after the 32 years older than her guy passed on..hahahahahahah). Whoa...I'm going to skootch my chair closer to the table...preventative measure...You're the best! Hugs~c

OH Babs said...

Congrats on your One Layer Simplicity Challenge. Hooray!

Anita in France said...

Yay, Lula Belle just got a shout out at OLS, Darnell ... congratulations! Hugs, Anita :)