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!

July 5, 2014

Happy Birthday, Kylie!!

Greetings!

I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful 4th of July celebration! Between my birthday and the 4th, my party hat has made a permanent indentation under my chin. I like how it gives me an automatic wattle lift so I'm thinking of just wearing it all the time. Trends have to start somewhere and it's cheaper than surgery.

Today we are here celebrating another July birthday! Lots of us were born the last week in June and the first week in July.** (I think we can surmise that Halloween costumes really turned on our freaky parents.)

~~~

The Birthday Girl for today's party and blog hop is the well-known and well-loved Kylie Purtell of Kylie is Addicted to Stamps! You can find the party headquarters for Kylie's birthday over at Loll's blog, "Stamping with Loll." Thank you, Loll, for hosting the party!!

Kylie is a sweet and sassy, fun and funny Australian who inspires me again and again with her incredible card art! She is also the owner of two challenge blogs I love: Addicted to Stamps and Addicted to CAS and she has recently started a craft forum called Happy Little Stampers. (You should check it out and register!) If there's one thing I've always said about Kylie, it's I wish that girl had more energy.

Here is my card for you, Kylie:
I used one of my favorite watercoloring techniques of applying ink with markers directly to the stamp and then spritzing the stamp with water before stamping it onto watercolor paper. The stamp used here is a Penny Black brush stroke image called "Pastoral" (2952K). For a little more interest I used two pieces of diagonally cut paper in colors matching the marker ink as my mat. I applied the sticker sediment and enamel dots to a vellum overlay and wrapped it around one side of the card top, which I then popped up with foam tape.

I hope you have the best birthday ever, Kylie, and many, many more!! Mwah!

~~~

I am entering my card in these current challenges:

 Addicted to Stamps which is "Make Your Mark."
GRAB OUR BADGE!
Congratulations to Kylie for achieving over 500 followers for this challenge blog and congratulations to the very talented new and returning Design Team members!
**************
Keep it Simple (KIS) which is "Lots of Turquoise."
Be sure and click out the challenge links for the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes!

~~~

**Just before post time, I learned that today is also the birthday of our bloggy friend Shery of Stamplorations! Happy birthday, Shery, and many, many more!! Mwah!

~~~

New Friends Corner

I'm delighted to resume introducing all the new friends that have come to the Playhouse! Here are five more sensational card artists:

Hilde of Happy Glitzy Girl. Hilde has been blogging since 2010 and makes the most amazing bright and glitzy cards. She is a breast cancer survivor, wife, mother of three and grandmother of three who has always loved crafts. I love her colorful and happy cards!

Angel Johns of My Whole Stampin World. Angel is a Stampin Up demonstrator who has been blogging since 2011. She is mother to Caleb and Noah and lately she has managed to spend more time on challenges and blogging. You will love her upbeat writing and cards!

Carmen of Carmen's Creations. Carmen is a Canadian, wife, and mother of four who has been blogging since April 2013. She loves to work with cut files and digital images and creates terrific and well-executed cards. Carmen is a designer and challenge participant whose cards have won her many awards!

Chrissie of Simply One Of A Kind. I've known the very kind and talented Chrissie from the beginning of my blogging days and to me her blog name fits because she herself is one of a kind and her cards certainly are! I'm sure a lot of you already love Chrissie's card art and know her as the co-creator of the popular and fun "Less Is More" challenge. If you've never visited her personal blog, you're missing a treat and a ton of inspiration!

Debi Brile of That Might Look Good on a Card. Debi has been blogging since 2012. She is another designer, award-winner, challenge participant, and all-around crafty and happy card artist! As you can tell from the hilarious name of her blog, Debi is a hoot and I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit with her!

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

~~~

Take it easy this weekend with those leftover fireworks and that potato salad that sat outside for hours yesterday!

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!

77 comments:

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

This is so pretty! Great technique! Carri~Abusybee
Skittles!
DoubleClick Skittles Design Team Call!

jimlynn said...

A great technique and a beautiful card!!
Lynn

Patti said...

This is such a STUNNING card/technique/color combo!!

I am bowing! : )

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Kylie said...

You flatter me, Darnell!!! What a surprise I have had waking up this morning. The best surprise EVER. Your card is simply stunning. I just love it! Yummo!!! Thanks for the shout out for my blogs/forum - I do like keeping busy lol. Thanks for my wonderful surprise xx

Pat said...

This Penny Black stamp is lovely Darnell, and just right for this watercolour technique, and what a wonderful idea to use the two colours combined together to back the image. The vellum sentiment strip mounted at the side like that is so creative too. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. x

Cathy said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, I'm sure Kylie will love it, that technique looks awesome, Cathy x

conil said...

Terrific card. The diagonal matting is sensational...gonna give it a shot, if you don't mind. I'm crushing on that sentiment, too. Hmmm, maybe I'll just case the whole card.

Inkyfingers said...

What a pretty card Darnell and I love that watercolour technique. Happy holiday weekend.
Hugs
Carol x

Loll said...

Gorgeous card Dolly!! LOVE your watercolor technique --- you have mastered it. And love the diagonal split 2-color background --- that sounds long, but you know what I mean. Very creative and a beautiful way to frame your watercolor. The vellum is genius. Lolly xx

JoAnn said...

Beautiful card Darnell. Love the embossed sentiment too. TFS
Have a wonderful weekend.

Karen M said...

Gorgoeus card Darnell - Just perfect to celebrate the birthday for our lovely friend Kylie - I know she will love it - hugs xx

Carol L said...

This is absolutely STUNNING in color and design! The vellum panel is just beautiful, and I love those diagonal color blocks too!
Catch your breath now - you've really been a busy blogger!!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Barb Ghig said...

Absolutely gorgeous card, Darnell! Your water colored blooms are just beautiful and pair perfectly with the elegant sentiment! I also love your diagonal matting on this card...I see that Kylie is tickled pink with all the love you put into it, too!

So glad you had such a fun birthday...you are so deserving!!!

Mrs A. said...

Simply bootiful. Hugs Mrs A.

Lucille K said...

This is such a lovely card, Darnell. Love the image and the colors you used here :)

Lisa Elton said...

What pretty watercolor flowers and I AODRE the fancy gold sentiment!!

Joyce said...

What a beautiful design. I just adore your watercolor flower.

Sheila H said...

Your water color technique is so pretty. The colors are very artsy. Love the design - the side sentiment adds to the overall elegance.

MaryH said...

Simply stunning watercolor. Love those bright blue flowers. Happy Birthday Kylie!!! TFS & Many Huggies.

Tenia Nelson said...

Gorgeous!!!!! :)

Helen F. said...

This technique always creates such a smashing result! LOVE your B-Day card for Kylie, it really is gorgeous, Darnell.
PS: Funny observation about Halloween and our freaky parents...
my birthday was June 30th :-)

JD/ Jill said...

Stunning card, I hope you are getting time to rest from all your festivities.

Taunya Butler said...

Your card for Kylie is so gorgeous - I am in love with the split colored background and the vellum!! Such a beautiful tribute for a friend!! I love knowing there is YOU in the crafting/blogging world!!

Greta said...

Wowzer! This is absolutely beautiful, Darnell! The 2 colors for the mat is brilliant!

Maura said...

What a beautiful card. I love that technique for watercoloring also. thanks for your kind comment on my card !
beesmom at splitcoast

Kim Heggins said...

Fabulous card Darnell and I love your stunning flowers and what a fun technique that I will have to give it try. As for freaky parents...here is just a tid bit of information, there are more babies born on September 16th than any other day of the year, so I am thinking it must be something with the holidays...ho ho ho!

Chrissie said...

This is a stunner Darnell and I love this technique...you have used it to perfection!
Just lurve this card
Chrissie
You said such nice things about me on your blog here...thanks a whole bunch!

Dotty Jo said...

Another gorgeous card Darnell! Jo x

Sue said...

Beautiful card.

Nan G said...

Lovely card, Darnell. Sit back put your feet up have a cold drink and catch your breath after a whirlwind few days for you! :) So glad your birthday card made it on time. Hugs

Rita said...

What a Wonderful card Darnell. I have never seen this technique before. So effective too. Enjoy the rest of the celebrations. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxxx

Redanne said...

You have done that Penny Black stamp proud, your card is stunning and that is such a great technique. Love, love, love it! Birthdays always last a week in this house, hope they do for you too! Hugs, Annie xxx

Petra Swart said...

Oh, this is beautiful, Darnell!!! I still have to figure out how to do this water colour technique properly - I tried it once but ended up with a big blops of paint on the paper not nearly looking like the flower stamp I used!!! You have really done it professionally here - I can see the different colours of paint you used - looks beautiful!!! I love how you've done your mat and the vellum looks great!!! This is really beautiful, Darnell!!!

Have a super day!!

Carole Z said...

Beautiful card Darnell, such a technique, which I never seem to get right...this is perfect, hugs Carole Z X

Carole Pollard said...

A delightful card today just love the image and what a great technique. hope you had a fab birthday and 4th July Love and Happy Crafting Hugs Carole x

Marilyn said...

Gorgeous card Darnell! Love the watercolor technique

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

What a beauty, gotta pull out my markers again. The colors are gorgeous together!

Brenda said...

Wow, this is one beautiful card Darnell! You used markers on it??? Are they paint markers? I didn't know you could do that. lol I learn so much going to visit you wonderful ladies. I'm sure that Kylie is going to love it too, who wouldn't?! Hugs, Brenda

Vicki Dutcher said...

The sticker sentiment goes so perfect with your pretty water colored image! Kylie is going to love this card!

Laurie Unger said...

Wonderful card! Hope you had a fabulous Birthday and 4th of July Holiday! Let me know if the Birthday hat trick works! ;-)

Leslee said...

Hope you had a terrific 4th! And sorry I missed your birthday. Loving your card. I love the blue and gold.

Bonnie said...

Beautiful, beautiful irises, Darnell! Somehow when I spritz, I end up with an indiscernible blob! (How bout that big word, TG for spellcheck!)

Gerrina said...

What a beautiful card! Love the watercolourtechnique and the blue! Hope you have some energy left after this weekend, so you can make it a fun and creative week! Hugs, Gerrina

Mary-Anne V said...

Love the watercoloured look you achieved with this technique. Your comment about freaky parents made me laugh.

Irene said...

Beautiful Darnell,just stunning.
Love, love this technique.
luv
irene
xxxx

Sheri said...

What a beauty! Love the colors you chose!

Kay Miller said...

Ooooh Darnell that is lovely!! I love your watercolor technique of spritzing the inked stamp! That sure made a lovely impression! The blues and greens are wonderful! We have a lot of July birthdays in our family too. There must be something to that Halloween theory of yours ;) heheheh!!

Christine said...

A real beauty Darnell!
Christine

Verna Angerhofer said...

An absolutely gorgeous card. I love the watercolor look! Awesome colors too!

Anita in France said...

Wow ... Darnell, this is simply stunning! You have this technique off to a fine art (intended!)... it's beautiful! Hugs, Anita :)

Pat said...

What a beautiful effect with the spritzing technique...I've seen it before but have never tried it. I'll use you as inspiration to finally just do it! TFS and also for the introductions to other talented folks out there in blogland. I enjoy visiting...and learn so much in the process.

Nora Noll said...

This is so pretty!! I love the watercoloring technique. I also love how you did half green/half blue card stock background. Such a fun idea. Fabulous design. Love it!!

Trish said...

Kylie and I both love your card! Love the watercolored flowers and velum panel. PS The comment about freaky parents cracks me up.

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous water colour card and fabulous image.

Kath x

nwilliams6 said...

Beautiful colors and such a lovely card!!!! Hugz!

Hettie said...

This is bootiful my luverly! I haven't used this technique for a while so fankoo for reminding me to.
Hugs
xxx

Shelly said...

Such a beautiful card! Love the colors!

Bobby said...

Your card is gorgeous, Darnell. I am now coveting that stamp. It works beautifully with the marker/spritz technique.

Indy's Designs said...

Absolutely perfect for a birthday card!
Hugs,
Debbie

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Darnelle! I must give this a go. I had forgotten about that technique. You chose the perfect image.

Unknown said...

Perfection Dippy. This is one of my favourite techniques as and love how you have matched the layers to the two colours in the flowers. 😃 Kylie will love it.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Shona Chambers said...

So, so pretty and can imagine Kylie will be over the moon with these gorgeous flowers. However, I'm imagining myself using your technique and ending up with a big smudgey squish of ink. I'm such a clumsy oaf with my stamps sometimes, so will vicariously through you for this one!!

Ros Crawford said...

This is such a piece of art! I LOVE it!

Flo Langley said...

Wow! This is just stunning. Love everything about it.
Florence xx

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Darnell ,I LOVE your eater color cards, the stamp looks gorgeous like a painting, the design is fabulous, thanks for sharing, I'm glad I sent the love out to you we'll call them your BD gift :O)...

KandA said...

How beautiful. Love the flowers and colour combo xx

1CardCreator said...

Gorgeous card, love the watercolor and the 2 toned frame too! ~Diane

Sharon Underwood said...

Darnell, this is beautiful! I enjoy creating with this technique as well.

OH Babs said...

I keep leaving comments on this particular card and they do not appear. This is one of my favorite of all your cards as I love the wc, the gold embossing and the vellum. Great job.

shirley-bee said...

I always love your direct to stamp cards, Darnell, and this one is fabulous!

Unknown said...

Lovely technique and gorgeous card! Thanks for playing with Addicted to Stamps Challenge!

Karen P said...

I so want that stamp! Beautiful stamping, fabulous direct to paper technique, love the colours you have used, I quite simply love everything about this card Karen xx

Geri said...

Wow! The water colored image is gorgeous - I love the deep, vibrant colors! The velum panel with the gold lettering is exquisite!

The diagonally cut mat - sheer creative genius dear friend!

Deepti said...

Oh my this is gorgeous ! Love the water color effect :)

Tenia Nelson said...

So so pretty!! Thanks for playing along at KIS!!

maria f. said...

Muy fabuloso!

cm said...

WOW! The water colored flowers are gorgeous - stunning,vibrant colors! The vellum panel with the gold lettering: exquisite! I'm in awe...Okay, now I definitely need to add a mister (the water spritzing variety, because I already have one of the human species) to my collection. Maybe 'that' will help my water-colouring attempts. I can only hope. Again, a card that Kylie will cherish!!
Hugs~c