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!

September 15, 2014

Cheers! Stamplorations GD!

[If you're looking for my NBUS Challenge, click here.]

Aaaah! Breath deeply of the fresh clean smell of a brand new Monday! It's like that new car smell, full of the promise of adventure on the road through the week!

Because of a challenge I won back in August with this card, I am thrilled to be coming to you today as the Guest Designer at Stamplorations!! I so appreciate the win and the honor of serving as GD for Sketch Challenge #20!

This sketch has so many possible interpretations! I tried to think how I could make it work for a friend's birthday, so I created this:
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This is a one-layer card with a background paper taped behind the candle openings. The candles were cut using the Serendipity Die "Cupcake and Candle" (012ED). The letters were cut using Avery Elle "Cheers" die (D1333) and the enamel dots are from my stash of dots, mostly from My Mind's Eye. 

For the background design and the letters, I used a piece of glossy card stock and dropped alcohol inks and blending solution onto it and let them do their thing. I won't lie, I had a hard time using this particular background scrap because I've had it propped up against my glue bottle for weeks to admire the pretty colors. But in the end I used it for today because, as Hammy often tells me, "Hoarding should only be practiced by hoars." You can't argue with that.

Here is the Stamplorations sketch:
The Design Team has brilliant inspiration posted on the blog today! I hope you will have a chance to play and I can't wait to see how you interpret this fun sketch!! 

I am also playing in the Seize the Birthday challenge (no topper, although my candles look good enough to eat!), the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge to make our own background, and the Pixie's Snippets Playground challenge to use up those snippity scraps. 
Simon Wednesday Challenge BlogPixies Crafty Workshop
Just click on the links to the challenges for detailed information on rules, sponsors, and prizes! You will also be treated to lots of inspiration from the design teams and galleries!

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BTW, big CHEERS to my friend Jim, otherwise known as Irish Cherokee (Love The Details), on the occasion of his birthday today!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday Jim and many, many more!!

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New Friends Corner

Five more lovely and talented friends are here today waiting to meet you! 

Penne Norris of Wee Craft. Penne, I see that you started your blog to share your cards and leave a legacy for your grandkids in January of this year, but then you stopped after only a couple of posts. Thank you for following me; I'm delighted to return the flavor! I hope that you start up again one day and let me know when you do!

Cybil Lynch. Cybil doesn't have a blog, but she is a huge friend of many of our blogs and leaves lovely comments throughout Blogland! Cybil, if you ever do start your own blog, please make sure and let me know!

Nikki of Nicnakschat. It's hard to look past Nikki's blog header of two of her absolutely adorable young sons to see her equally adorable cards! Nikki has been blogging since July of 2009. Her cards truly are tons of fun and I have nothing but admiration for her to be able to mother three little boys and manage to make cards and blog!

Gail Iona of Crafty Nomad. Gail, who also answers to the name of Iona, is from Norway. She started blogging in November 2012 and in addition to crafts, she loves rabbits, chickens, and gardening. Iona is mostly a clean and simple card artist, but she can make some incredibly colorful and layered cards, too. I know you will enjoy her fun blog and her interpretations of the many challenges we all enjoy!

Marianne of Marianne's Cards 'n Stuff. (Ha, it was hard for me to type stuff without misspelling it schtuff!) Marianne started blogging in April of 2011. She is a Dutch native living in Greece (Crete) and she has been crafting for many years. More recently she has become addicted to stamping and card art. Marianne is an award-winning challenge participant and I love her impeccably made clean and layered style!

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

Reminders

I'm delighted to have you follow me whether or not you have a blog, but sometimes the thumbnail information does not link me to you in any way whatsoever, blog or no blog. I would love it if you left me a comment or an email at the time you join to save me lots of time searching the Giant Intertube for information to welcome and introduce you, which I enjoy doing. Thank you!

Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)~~~

The NBUS Challenge ends on September 25th. Please make sure you are checking the rules under the tab at the top of my blog. A big thank you to all who have entered!! Since the entries are now over a hunnert, I have increased the prizes from five to TEN so you have better odds of winning!

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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!

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.
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Mwah!

93 comments:

Julie B said...

Congrats on your GD spot Darnell, I remember the doggy card well! :)

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Congrats on DT,
cheers to you to
have a blessed week
hugs Tamara

Cathy said...

Such a clever take on the sketch Darnell, fantastic card and I love the peep of alcohol inked card. Congrats on your GDT spot too, Cathy x

Petra Swart said...

Hi again, Darnell!!
You know what - for some unknown reason I have missed your post for the WOOF winning card!! Don't know what happened for me to miss it!!! And now I have your darling WOOF standing (I mean sitting) in it's special place on my desk!!! So a late congrats at WOOF being nr 1 in the challenge and earning you a GD spot!!! And your GD card is just soooo cute, Darnell!!! Love the happy CHEERS and the candles - such a lovely and clever take on the sketch!! Love the colours and the enamel dots as a finishing touch!!! Lovely card, Darnell!!!

Have a super day!!!

Susanne Vargas said...

What a creative and fun take on the sketch! I am also proud of you for using that gorgeous background paper instead of hoarding it! Should follow your example!

Susanne Vargas said...

Oh, and congrats on your GD!

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell this is such a FUN card, those candles are so much fun and Jim is going to love it!! Happy Monday!

Aileen said...

Hi Darnell, Well done on your GD. I thought your beautiful background was a printed paper! no wonder you admired it for so long but how wonderful to make it into a card for your friend!

Take care

Aileen x

JD/ Jill said...

Congrats on your DT spot...and great job with the sketch.
You made by day, and I KNOW you made by hubby's day with your shout out. Means so much...thanks for all your kindness. Hope you have a really special week.

Irish Cherokee said...

Congratulations on the GD. Am I blushing? Thank you for the birthday wishes from a special friend. Happy to have made it this far. Love your card. If it were real and had all of the candles required it would burn the house down. LOL. Well, at least it would warm up the house nicely. LOL.

Blessings
Jim

Redanne said...

Huge congratulations on your GD spot and what a brilliant job you did on that gorgeous card. I love how you backed the candles - a truly inspired card! Hugs, Annie xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Congrats your your DT list Darnell...love your super birthday card

Anne

conil said...

Ooooh, congrats on guest designing... clever use of the sketch. Like how your mind works. Would never have thought of candles but the card is lovely.

adele holcomb said...

Clever interpretation of the sketch!

Krisha said...

Well done on being in the GD spotlight.
Beautiful card and great interpretation of the sketch.

Have a great week!

Lisa Elton said...

BRAVO Darnell, very well done!!

Sheila H said...

Love your take on the sketch - it's so clever!

Sarah said...

My word Darnell, what a fabulous CAS card with such brilliant detail and gorgeous colour too xx

1CardCreator said...

Congrats on the DT and what a gorgeous card, love how you used that layout, very clever! Big hugs, ~Diane

Inkyfingers said...

Congratulations on the win and GD spot - very well deserved IMHO! Love this clever card Darnell, I can see why you just wanted to look at the pretty colours. I have had alcohol inks for years but I've never even opened the bottles (hangs head in shame)!
Have a great week.
Hugs
Carol x

sandie said...

great take on the sketch Darnell. I love that background card and big congrats on this GDT. A very happy Monday to you xx

Shery Russ said...

Awesome, awesome card, Darnell! We're so happy to have you over as our guest at STAMPlorations! That background is beautiful -- glad you chose to use the background scrap instead of hoarding it and depriving us of one of your fun cards! Hope you have a great week!

Cat Craig said...

Wonderful design, Darnell. Love the inky background.

Sue said...

Congrats on the guest designer post.

Hope you've had a good start to the week.

Jacee said...

I love this Darnell, a great design, love it!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

OH Babs said...

Congrats as Guest Designer and what a neat sketch. The card is delightful and a little different for you - good job.

Faye Wynn-Jones said...

Oh, you've used that sketch brilliantly and I love the colours too x

Lynn said...

Oh this is so cool! I love the die cuts with the background information.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love what you did to create this card. Bright and cheery and awesome the way you added the letters in with the same color combo too. And, how you got the enamel dots to match so well is perfect. I don't think I would have been so lucky in that respect. So, yes! I do indeed love this design.

Bobby said...

Congrats on your guest design spot, Darnell. This is a great idea for the sketch. I love that background paper, too.

mamapez5 said...

I think that sketch might have floored me, so well done on making such a great card using it. i love the alcohol backgrounds. they are always so pretty.
Well done on your guest designer spot too. Kate x

Sheri said...

How cool! Now I have to go see if I have a candle die! Love it!

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on your GD spot, Darnell ... what a fabulous card! Hammy was right to insist that you use that alcohol inked yummy snippet ... it's so dreamy and pretty, and so gorgeous behind the negative space! Hugs, Anita :)

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
super card.
I love this great idea, and it is so effective, and lovely.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Sue said...

Congrats on your GDT spot Darnell.
Such a brilliantly designed card. I LOVE the way you have created the background colours, I really must give that a try. I am glad you took Hammy's wise advice!
hugs Sue xx

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

This is so cool how you used negative die cuts and staggered those candles - wonderfully creative - so great to have you as GDT!

oldpunca said...

What a wonderful card and a great idea! Colours are awesome.
Congrats on your GDT spot, Darnell.
Hugs, Sonja

Barb Ghig said...

Congrats on your well deserved Guest DT spot!
You are so creative, Darnell! I LOVE your background so much! The colors are so pretty, and look fabulous peeking through the negative space of the candles! Love how you played with the alphas, too! Hammy is a smart boy...and, I'm so glad you shared this pretty creation with us!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fabulous GD card for the sketch! Love how you made it your own!

shirley-bee said...

Oh dear, I'm a hoar! LOL!

It's wunnerful to have you as GD at STAMPlorations, Darnell, and I love your fab interpretation of the sketch. That paper would have been propped up on my desk forever, just so's I could look at.

And thanks for playing along at Seize The Birthday too (seems like I'm a two-timing hoar ;)

Nikki said...

Waaaah! Thanks for the shout out Darnell {hugs} xxx
Fabulous card, those little enamel dot are the perfect finishing touch to a creative and fun card xxx

Unknown said...

Congrats on your GD spot Dippy.....so well deserved with that "doggone" card!!! Love this one with the positives and negatives.....very clever.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Love the vibrant colours you have used.
Always listen Hammy!
Best wishes.
Ang x

Deepti said...

Soooooooo happy to have u Guest Design for us and what a beauty u created, that alcohol inks have done such a magic :) so pretty !

MRS DUCK said...

That should be always listen TO Hammy lol!

Sue - said...

Congrats on your GD spot! Great take on the sketch and love the letters between the candles. Thank you also for your lovely comment today!

Hettie said...

I love this card Darnell. Wishing it was my birthday soon! Perhaps I should be like our Queen and have two just so I can have a card like this one! Well done on the GD Honey.
Hugs
xx

Anonymous said...

Congrats Darnell! LOVE your card very die savvy :-)

Kathleen said...

Just fabulous.

Kath x

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, Congrats on your GD spot! Love your interpretation of the sketch. :)

Lindsey said...

So pretty! And what a great way to interpret the sketch. Congrats on the guesting!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the GD spot, and what a great inspiration this card is. I love the alcohol ink background and I have some in my stash I haven't used yet. Hmmm, I sense a challenge coming on... Cx

Jean said...

A fabulous interpretation of the sketch, this is a lovely card. I love the pretty alcohol ink colours you used.
Congrats on the GDT spot.
Jean x

dottielottie said...

Brilliant Darnell! love the design of your candle card with the pretty alcohol inked background. The enamel dots match so well and finish it off perfectly. Hammy is such a wise and knowledgeable little fellow, I never knew that definition!
Hugs Lottie x

dottielottie said...

Ooo, forgot to say congrats on your GDT spot for Stamplorations x

Shona Chambers said...

What a clever crafter you are!! Brilliant way to use the sketch and I can understand why you didn't want to use the background, the colours look gorgeous! You've inspired me so much that I'm going to try this challenge myself for the first time. And thanks for mentioning Jim's birthday, have just popped over to wish him a wonderful day!! Congratulations on your GD spot too!

joy said...

Hi, Darnell! This card is just adorable! Who wouldn't want to receive it for their birthday?? Congrats on your GDT spot; I loved seeing this beauty over there.

Nancy said...

Such a creative use of the sketch! Beautiful design!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love this Darnell, you took this sketch to another level! Great interpretation and huge congrats on the GD spot!
I love the candle cut outs and the Cheers! Brilliant engineering again ;)
Hugs, Chriss

Karren said...

I love this card! The alcohol ink peeking through the die cuts is so clever!

Maura said...

What a great take on that sketch! I looked at the sketch and thought, well how would I use that sketch and have it not look "choppy" but you did it beautifully!! Well done.

Maura said...

Oh, and congrats on the GD!

Stamping With Bibiana said...

love love the great post. and beautiful card, you deserve to be featured there congratulations my friend
hugs from sunny bay area
Bibiana

Marianne said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Darnell. You made me blush with your description of my crafting lol.
Wonderful card and such a fun take on the sketch.

Marianne said...

Forgot to say congrats on your DT spot.

*Vicki* said...

Congrats to you on your GDT spot!! I love the colors coming through the die cut!! Very cool effect!! HUGS :)

Di said...

I love this Darnell! How clever to pop the coloured card behind the cut outs - super result!

Tee, hee - I see you spotted my box of frogs comment :)

Hugs, Di xx

Cris G. said...

Congratulations and congratulations again, Darnell. For the winning without water and for the GD spot. I knew that dog was a winner, such character!
Love the look of alcohol inks, I'll have to try them one of these days. Great to know that you can always count on your wise hamster :).

Sue said...

Congrats on GD. You deserve it and I love the card you made, too! So very clever! Enjoy your week!

G Peplow said...

Well done another Gd position :D well deserved too :D Great candle card Darnell, lovely colours behind the candles, pretty design :D Thanks for letting me link up with your NBUS challenge too! Hugs Gay xx

Jessi Fogan said...

Congrats!!! This is a brilliant take on the sketch. And I'm still laughing at Hammy's comment about hoarding!
I've used NBUS twice since you started #2, both for upcoming DT stuff that I can't share. DOH. But I'll get there!

Joyce said...

This is such a creative take on the sketch. Love how you worked all those colors in. Congrats on your GD position.

Brenda said...

Congrats to you Auntie Darnell for your GD spot! They know a good thing when they see it! I love, love this card and love your take on the sketch, it is perfect! Love those candles and that background you made-such beautiful colors and of course I love the sentiment. You and Hammy crack me up, but Hammy has got a point. lol Hugs, Brenda

Jen W. said...

A brilliant take on the sketch and I love that background paper you created - it's gorgeous! I don't know if I could have ever used it. :)

Nancy said...

Such a creative card! Love those colors behind the candles too! Thanks for sharing your talents with us at Seize the Birthday...it's a pleasure to stop by and see what you have been up to!

cheiron said...

So cute! I love the cut outs. Thank you so much for playing along with us in the Make Your Own Background Challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog this week :)

Kylie said...

I love creating backgrounds using that technique. It is really pretty! You have used the sketch magically. LOVE those candles! Thanks for being a GD over at STAMPlorations xx

Ros Crawford said...

Congrats on your GD spot!! You and hammy are just so clever!! This card apart from being quite unique is amazing!!

Sarn said...

Love your sketch interpretation Darnell. xxx

Nonni said...

Thank you for joining us as GD, Darnell! I love your fun interpretation of the sketch and the colours you used. Very creative! xxx

Donna Ellis said...

How clever, Darnell! RICH BEAUTIFUL COLORS and an ingenious layout - love your interpretation of the sketch, too! xo

Bonnie said...

Beautiful candles, Darnell! I tend to want to hoard and look at some of those backgrounds instead of use them. This was a great way to use those pretty colors! Much more special than solid candles!

Sally H said...

Congratulations on your GD spot! Well deserved. I LOVE your gorgeous card. Wonderful colours and I love how you coordinated the enamel dots. That Hammy is very wise, lol! Note to self - Hoarding could ruin my reputation!!!!!

Sally H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim Heggins said...

Fabulous card Darnell and how fun to be the GD too. Your work is always so fun and so refreshing too.

Peanut said...

CONGRATS!!! Love the composition of your card.... actually, its pure GENIUS!
hugs, Asha

Pia S said...

Such a fabby card for your guest designer spot. The paper you've used behind the cut outs and the enamel dots match each other perfectly!

Debs Willis said...

Such a clever idea, and love the background colours. Very cool!
Debs xx

Monika Reeck said...

Clever use the Sketch dear Darnell and love the paper behind the card base and lovely enamel too fit with that colors...Congrats on your GDT and Great card as always...

Greta said...

Big congrats, Darnell! Your card is so creative--love it!

cm said...

How thrilling to see you as GD at STAMPlorations - and your card is totally brilliant! Way to rock the sketch! Love it oodles!
Hugs~c

Anonymous said...

Hi Darnell. Love you take on our sketch, the inky BG is fab. Your comment about clutter just made me laugh out loud, it's great! Good to have you as our Guest Designer at STAMPlorations. Have a lovely week. hugs Monika x

Taunya Butler said...

Love your take on this sketch - it looks so good!! Cool how you diecut the candles and put that cool paper behind!! You did a really cool job on this card!!