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 12, 2014

New Home Shaker

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

Happy Friday!!

Yes! Yes! It has happened again! We have managed to whoosh ourselves clean through another week to Friday!

I thought today we might hold a class on how to build a house. Now, don't get too becited, I don't mean like your dream home. I mean like a wee home of about three inches by three inches that can sit on a plot of card stock. And then, since I live in California, I thought it might be fun if we make our house on shaky earthquake card stock! Oh, c'mon, you gotta have a sense of humor about these things.

Just like in Archie's textural magazines, I'm going to show you the finished house first and then we'll do the structions.
How about a pretty little pink house? Don't pretend that you dinnit want one of these when you were five!

I have three friends I needed new home cards for all at the same time in different parts of the world. I thought it would be fun to make them shaker cards. I have to say I surprised myself when this idea came together because, of course, I don't own a little house-shaped die. What to do?

I woke up the hamster and here's what we did. Hopefully, you can chimprovise as necessary when you build yours!

1.  My particular square die set did not have one small enough for the "roof" of my house so I made it out of my SU square punch. I held it at an angle and made this cut:
2. Then I needed a slightly larger square for the body of the house and I found a square frame die from PTI that worked. 
It didn't matter that it was a frame because I just needed the outer opening it made. I laid it like you would for a house shape and held it in place with a piece of Washi tape. After cutting, it looked like this:
3. Next I laid a piece of acetate over the opening and taped it into place. Then I built a frame around my house with foam tape. I put my foam tape as close to the opening as I could so that my sequints didn't disappear beyond the depth of the opening after I was done.
I put a double layer of foam tape around my shaker card opening to allow for more "wiggle room" for the sequints to play in. Tip: make sure your foam layers line up prezackly or else your sequints can stick to the exposed tape. No fun shaking a shaker that doesn't shake! (Profound. Write that down.)

4. Then I put my sequints inside the hidey-hole.
5. Then I laid a piece of card stock over the taped shape to close in the sequints. I used the same color as I used for my card base because it would show through the back of the house window. (Aqua card shown below.)
Then I used more foam to pop the shaker front onto the colored card base. Walla! And Walla!
Oh, haha, here's the biggest tip:

If you are going to put a sediment onto the front of your shaker card anywhere, like I did with this solid gold sediment, I recommend that you stamp it immediately after you make your opening in whatever shape it's gonna be and NOT after you have made the entire shaker card. Sob.

 Here is the lineup of the other two cards I made:
You might notice that this b/w card doesn't have as many sequints playing in the pool. Cough. That would be because some of them are stuck down there in the bottom, adhered to the foam tape. At the time I made these, I didn't know the tip in step number 3, but now we all do. And hopefully the sendee won't even notice. Sssh.

So that was fun, right? Let me know if you ever make one. Unless it gives you fits for some reason and you hate me for it, then, of course, you don't need to share that with me. 

Challenges

You knew this was coming. 
  • I'm entering my pink house in the photo portion of the Fusion Card Challenge "{Shiny Pink}."
  • I'm entering my b/w house in the TIME OUT Challenges "Home Sweet Home" because it's most like the cool black and white wooden sediments; and also
  • In Catherine Pooler's "Housewarming" to celebrate her new blog.

Make sure you click on the challenge links to find out all the details about the rules, sponsors, and prizes!

~~~

New Friend's Corner

I know this is long, but I promised in my last post to introduce you to more delightful new friends you can play with:

The considerate and considerably talented Peggy whose gallery is "jasonw1" over at Splitcoast Stampers. If you look up the word sweetheart in the dictionary ~ um, I guess I should start saying at dictionary.com ~ you will see Peggy's picture. I'm not sure how long Peggy has been posting to SCS, but I can tell you that she has 520 images in her gallery! Be forewarned: do not look at more than 20 images at any one setting or your jaw will become permanently dislocated!

Nancy of The Summers on 49th Street. I think I will copy Nancy's own words in her profile, which tells you best about her: "My blog is dedicated to my grandmother, who always inspired my creativity. The story started in my first post, and I continue to write about my memories of 49th Street. I studied art in college, and my life's journey has blessed me with many creative interests. Here is where I share my love of arts and crafts, my new interest of stamping and card making, and various other ramblings." Her cards are fabulous, too!

Vicki of Stamp Smiles. Vicki has been blogging at Stamp Smiles since June of 2013. She is the mother of busy boys, but she still has time for all her creative activities of scrapbooking, card art, and cooking. She is a design team member who loves challenges and she has many awards under her belt for the stunning cards that she creates and shares with all of us!

Kathy of KT Krafts. Kathy has been blogging since February 2012. Kathy is a huge supporter of cardraising groups like Cards 4 Kids and Operation Write Home. She enjoys entering the card challenges and has won several awards. In addition to her card art, Kathy enjoys knitting and reading. Her expertise with techniques and her use of snippets in her cards, tags, and ATCs will inspire you!

Ineke de Graaff of Scraps &! Neke. Ineke is from the Netherlands and she has been blogging since February 2013. Like so many of us, Ineke started her blog in order to participate in challenges and share her cards with other card artists and, in turn, be inspired. She loves to participate in many of the same challenges that I do as she loves making CAS (clean and simple) cards. You will find out when you visit that she does them very well!

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

~~~

Postscript

Real quick. So my last post had an autumn card with a branch of autumn leaves and in a very artsy-fartsy move, I put one leaf down in the corner. Then this morning when Hammy was reading over the blog with his kibbles and bits, it occurred to him that if I had REALLY wanted to be artsy-fartsy, I should have removed one of the leaves from one of the branches. So here is my "before" and "after":

Unfortunately, when you want glue not to stick, it holds up a bowling ball, so removing the leaf left a smoodge. I sorta colored and smoodged the area more to make it look like I meant to do that. Sometimes it's better to leaf well enough alone!

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

Reminder: The NBUS Challenge ends on September 25th. Please make sure you are checking the rules and 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!

~~~

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!

96 comments:

Vanessa said...

Super cute card, Darnell! Love how you created the house shape, so clever!!

Tracey McNeely said...

What do mean when I was 5, I still want a pink house with pink appliances and pink Corelle (I collect that). Love your shaker Darnell, cute as can be! So glad you joined us at Catherine`s Housewarming Party!

Kathyk said...

FAB make - ingenius!

Happy Friday, Darnell

Kathyk

Sue said...

I love your hew home shaker cards and thank you for a fabulous tutorial. A great tip on making the house shape - I will try to remember that!
I hope you have a good weekend.
hugs Sue xx

Petra Swart said...

Oh, these little house cards are so super cute, Darnell!!! ...and so clever to use the dies so creatively!!!! Thanks for taking the time to show how you have done them!! Never made a shaker card myself, but your post is inspiration to try it out now!!!

Have a super Friday!!

Rita said...

Good Morning Darnell. Love your shaker card. Must have a go at this. Quite ingenious. Have a Good Day. Hugs Rita xxx

Sue said...

I like both versions.

Loving the new home cards.

Hope you have a fab Friday.

Stamps and Paper said...

Love both your new home designs Darnell a clever idea and very effective

Anne

Ros Crawford said...

Super cute house cards!! I love them! And I love the leaf card either way! Have a lovely friday!

sandie said...

A very Happy Friday to you my freind! And these sweet little cards are a perfect way to make us smile it is Friday!! I have an idea for the leaf card that you removed-perhaps some glitter or WOS would help? Just an idea...I don't mind if you laugh, I like to do cover ups (well like is probably not the word but I often I have to do them!!)
So pleased you joined us at TIME OUT xx

Sue - said...

Super cute shaky houses! Your post cheered me up this morning as still not feeling 100%.

Gerrina said...

Great cards! So good of you to come up with the idea to use a squiredie for it!Like all three and the tut. is super clear! Hope you'll have a fun weekend, inky greetings, Gerrina

*Vicki* said...

I have to say that it is so much fun to read your posts!! I bet you are a blast in person! :) Really love your shaker house...too cute!! I don't make these very often, but I'm inspired!

I need to remind myself to get to playing in your challenge too! Thanks for your sweet comments my friend! BIGGEST HUGS

adele holcomb said...

Aren't you a clever girl to figure out how to make a house shape without a house die! Cute cards and fun post, as always.

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
my this is a fab idea.
I love them all they are super.
You are a very clever crafty lady.
What super designing and it's very modern too.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Susanne Vargas said...

Another proof of your brilliance! Maybe you'll be an architect when you grow up? Those cards are all fabulous! Thank your for all your tips and tricks. I have yet to make a shaker card...

Jeanne said...

What a clever way to make a house cut! I must remember that! Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoying reading the rest of your post as well. You have a wonderful style of writing that promotes happiness and smiles. Thanks for that, too! I hope you have a wonderfully and creative weekend. :)

Ardyth said...

Ooh - clever, clever, clever!

Sheila H said...

Your house is cute and so clever - thanks for sharing how you made it.

Viv said...

Great house card Darnell!

jimlynn said...

Cute little pink house! Love the shaker card too and just haven't been brave enough to try one. Thanks for the tutorial since maybe that will inspire me and actually do one now!
Lynn

Krisha said...

Love them all! Very good tutorial too, with great tips.....grin.

Colleen said...

You never cease to amaze!! Happy Friday, Darnell!!

shirley-bee said...

You and Hammy are so clever! If I tried cutting a house like that, it would definitely look post-earthquake!

conil said...

Anyone ever call you brilliant. Well, you are. I would never have thought of making a house with 2 squares (of course, it makes perfect sense NOW). But then I don't have a hamster, only a snippy cat and a needy dog. Clever, clever, clever...that's you.

Pia S said...

I'm totally hooked on shaker cards at the moment, I've made 3 in less than two weeks, so nice to get inspiration for a CAS one of this type as well! Love your little house!

Jacee said...

Great idea Darnell, a fabulous card.
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Mrs A. said...

Your ever so clever . This is a flabby dabby ickle house. I was so envio that Princess Anne had a play Ouse in the grounds of indoor Cale.

Mrs A. said...

For goodness sake . I so did not write that!
I was so envious that Princess Anne had a play house in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The nearest I got to it was having a cardboard cut out replica to play with . So not the sme.
Hugs Mrs A.

Anonymous said...

Such a clever way to make your houses! I love all of the colours you have used, so many pretty sequins! Cx

Chriss Blagrave said...

Genius! You had your engineering cap on for this shaker series of cards...all gorgeous with their sequins! As soon as I saw the pink house, I was singing John Mellancamp's little pink houses...love!
I also love that you were able to use the same shaker card and spin-offs for the great challenges you are entering. Good luck with them! I must check them out ;)
Always such a darn pleasure reading your posts Darnell.
Have a great week-end!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Love how cute they are! And thanks for stopping by my blog to say HELLO Darnell, happy weekend!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Oh, I forgot to say...I love the stray leaf even more now on your revisited version!

Karen Petitt said...

Such a stunning card Darnell! In fact I would still love a pink house, lol, not that you didn't already know that 'bout me. I love your pink and white with glimmering sequins creation.
I've just entered the second creation I made at the weekend for your wonderful challenge and it would be so lude of me not to pop on over and be 'spired!
'Ave a fab time this weekend Karen s

Verna Angerhofer said...

Cute and clever house shaker card. And, I love your leaf trick too!

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

These houses are just the cutest! Great way to use your stash and come up with a creative way to use what you have! I'm going to go check out your challenge now, haven't been blogging lots lately so I am super behind! Carri~Abusybee
Skittles!

~amy~ said...

Such a fun shaker...love the pink and gold!
Thanks so much for playing with us at FUSION.

Jeanne H said...

Funny you should do this post and card! I've just made a congrats new home card and am pleased with it. Now to get it blogged...

Jean said...

I love these cute shaker cards. Clever way to cut the house shape. Great tutorial too, it's ages since I made one of these.
Jean x

Christine said...

Great idea, funny card Darnell!
Hug
Christine

Lindsey said...

So generous of you to share your hard-earned shaker card knowledge with us! And brilliant way to make a house cut-out, so smart. Of course, the finished cards are fantabulous!

Bobby said...

How ingenious of you to use square dies to make your house, Darnell. And a shaker house at that. Such a great idea all around.

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Home sweet home
gorgeous
have a lovely weekend
hugs Tamara

Kathleen said...

Love your new home shaker card, what a clever girl you are, go to the top of the class.

Kath x

Sybrina K said...

What a clever way to make a house template! LOL about the shaker cards that won't shake since I've made one or two of those in my life. Have a great weekend! :)

Vicki Dutcher said...

LOL Perfect CA House -- shake, shake, shake! :)

Hettie said...

How do I get a Hammy? I need one now. Monkey has lost his mojo these days!
Great card. I wanna pink house now!!
Hugs
xx

Geri said...

"leaf" well enough alone - good one! I like the 'shaded' spot where the leaf has fallen from. It is a true reflection of 'fall' :)

I'm sure there's a whole whack of us, that dreamed & wished for a pink dollhouse! GREAT tutorial (especially the tip about the glue strip!) and fabulously fun cards!

Another awesome post pal :)

Anonymous said...

So cute and clever, Darnell. I especially like the classy black and gold colour scheme.
Heather T

mamapez5 said...

Love the way you used the die and punch to make your house shape. three great cards. Kate x

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Darnell! Your "house" cards are wonderful! Such a great way of making a special house-warming or other home-theme card - the sequins are a very great touch. Thank you for showing how you made the house! Great cards! hugs, de

Karen M said...

Love your cute little house cards Darnell - just perfect for a new home and so much fun to make! I wish I had your tips when I attempted my first shaker card.....but we live and learn and after all - it's only paper!Hope you have a wonderful weekend - hugs xx

Barb Ghig said...

Your shaker cards are absolutely fabulous, Darnell! I love how you figured out how to create your own house with your dies (we won't tell those big manufacturers who are making all that money off of us), and your shaker component is so FUN! Such a lovely idea for a housewarming card!

I'm loving the 'Artsy-Fartsy' look of your autumn card with a leaf missing...very cool! I guess Hammy really comes in handy at these times, huh? Sending you my best wishes for a really fun weekend!

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the shaker houses, Darnell! Because not all of us can line up the adhesive layers perfectly, I learned that running a q-tip dipped in baby powder along the sides of the adhesive will stop the stickiness. Just make sure you don't get it on top :)

Julia Aston said...

What a fun little house shaker card Darnell! very creative design!

Lisa Elton said...

You are too clever for your own good!! What a nifty way to make the house Darnell!! CUTE CUTE cards. Love your leaf redo too ;)

Shona Chambers said...

You know Darnell, this would have made a fantastic tutorial video......do you think you will ever capture your moments on film?? Brilliant idea for the house and one that I could definitely use. I love that you can make this in any colour combo you want too. I need to find one like this for Xmas.... And so excited that you were able to join in over at the Time Out Challenge too!!

Taunya Butler said...

Well, I want to be the first to claim not only wanting to live in a pink house but actually doing it. We had a very charming pink house that we lived in when I was four!! I still talk about the Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard at the pink house!! These cards are awesome - thank you for sharing your tips with us about making a shaker card!! I am so impressed at your thoughtfulness and think you are just an incredible lady!!

JD/ Jill said...

So cute! And thanks for your step by step picture tutorial!

Lauren said...

This is great on so many levels for me. I had a pink dollhouse when I was little, and I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, so we have had a lot of earthquakes in the past few years- in fact we had a 4.2 yesterday so I know all about shaking houses!

Anita in France said...

Oooh, Darnell ... such clever construction and tips galore on building the perfect little home! Your Playhouse, stylised and immortalised in delicious shaker splendiferosity! So delighted to add ... thanks so much for playing along at Time Out! Hugs, Anita :)

Kristie Goulet said...

I LOVE how you made your cute little houses and shaker houses to boot! Genius!

Carol L said...

The pink card has me singing that song by John Mellencamp - "little pink houses for you and me." Ah yes, the memories of a good song! What a great collection of shaker cards, and brilliant in the way you created the houses too! Love the "dropped" leaf on the previous card too........what a great finishing touch!

Unknown said...

Gorgeously cute houses Dippy - and very creatively cut! One tip with the d/s foam holding on to the sequins etc........coat the side that the sequins will come into contact with, with some talcum powder and then nothing sticks.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Leslee said...

Very cute house cards. I like the fact that you used dies on hand to create your houses!!! Hope you are enjoying a terrific weekend!

OH Babs said...

Oh so cute and clever. I think Hammy may need a rest he is working overtime.

Loll said...

Adorable shaker cards Dolly ... and so ingenious how you made your house die-cut. Us crafters are ingenious, right??!! Love the tips ... thanks for that.

Love the idea of pulling one of the leaves out for the fallen one near the sentiment ... very clever. Lolly xx

Andrea said...

Hi Darnell
as always a fab post and another great card.You do make me giggle ...even better I've been thinking about making a shaker card but wasn't sure how so perfect timing to visit ..instructions and all! ... so watch this space! I'm taking some time out before I make tonight's dinner to visit my fav sites, have good weekend before you blink and miss it.I also posted a card today first time in a wee while and forgot about your challenge ...oops ..will have to spend some time crafting now to make another ;-) so I can take part.... big Hugs Andrea x

Carole Z said...

Fab post and card Darnell! Love it, hugs Carole Z X

Redanne said...

Your cards are brilliant Darnell, clever girl coming up with that house shape from those two dies too! That is such a great tip about the tape - I too know from personal experience... sigh. Big hugs, Annie xxx

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Oooh - I would love to live in a house like that Darnell! Might have to make a bigger one though as I am quite tall. Thanks for sharing the structions - you made them very easy to follow.
Hugs, Sylvia x

Pat said...

I love both these houses Darnell, but I think the pink shaker house is my favourite, and a really lovely card. I laughed at the glue story, but the cover up was superb on those pretty leaves.. x

Pat said...

I love both these houses Darnell, but I think the pink shaker house is my favourite, and a really lovely card. I laughed at the glue story, but the cover up was superb on those pretty leaves.. x

Karenladd said...

Loved the play-by-play of your shaker card and the result is adorable! However, I have a love-hate relationship with shaker cards (with an emphasis on the hate part) so not sure I will ever make one again! Your tips, however, will probably prevent some of the horrible mishaps that my shaker card experience took me through and prevent others from suffering the Shaker Card PSD that I did!
Your friends are going to be thrilled with these fun cards!

Kim Heggins said...

So sweet...when I read your post title at first I thought you were talking about another earthquake! And then got a little excited that you were going to show us all how to build a playhouse in our back yards...but no you showed how to make a cool house shaker card without using a house die. You are the best!

Sharron said...

Super clever use of your dies--your house turned out great! Your cards are adorable, especially the pink version--love that! And the simple sentiment with hearts is perfect.

Kelly Latevola said...

Your posts are so funny! I think your houses came out fabulous. I have never tried a shaker card but I'm glad to know about step #3 in case I ever give it a go :)

Kelly Griglione said...

You created a house out of square punches, that is just awesome!! Great creativity on display, Darnell!

Maura said...

Darnell, Your blog is hilarious!!! I had to read part of a different post to my husband cuz I thought it was so funny! And I wanted to thank you for your kind comments on my cards in my splitcoast gallery. They brightened my day for sure!
beesmom at splitcoast. I'm going to follow you with bloglovin!

oldpunca said...

Hello Darnell :-)) I have to thank you for visiting my blog,and also for the nice comment.
I like your shaker houses very much. Nice idea. :-) It is a lot of fun to make shaker cards. At the last one I made i have used moos gum instead of 3D glue tape. And I was surprised about the result. :-)
I admire your work and your posts are always so funny.

Hugs, Sonja

nwilliams6 said...

Hey Darnell, love this house shaker and how you did it with square dies - so fun. Great idea and it looks fabulous! Hugz!

Unknown said...

I love the way you created your house cutout shape to make your fabulous shaker card - very clever.

Great arty farty card too.

dottielottie said...

Isn't it great when a plan comes together. Your new home cards are just perfect Darnell, that was a superb idea to use the square punch and die. I have been known to have the occasional good idea but somehow things don't work out as well as they do in my head! lol It is as you say, sometimes best to leaf well alone. Hugs Lottie x

Sue said...

Darnell, no matter how many tips I remember when making a shaker card, there's always one I forget...lol! I love shaker cards, but hate the headaches that go with them. Maybe someday, we'll get it right the first time!

donna mikasa said...

Hi Darnell! I'm commenter number 85! I don't know why I always end up wayyyyy on the bottom--must be the time difference between you and Hawaii! I just wanted to tell you how cool your shaker cards are and that the one with the black BG looks like Catherine's blinkie! Well done!

ionabunny said...

Great card. Gosh on the extra prizes for NBUS. Just on my way to add a link. Hugz

Cathy said...

Brilliant cards Darnell, love how you made these, TFS your tips and tricks too, Cathy x

cotnob said...

This is a fabulous shaker card Darnell - I really must have a go at one of these.
I do love your sense of humour, I am guaranteed a good giggle every time I visit your blog!
Pauline
x

Heather North said...

You crack me up! Lovin' your earthquake card. Very punny. Thanks for sharing your tutorial on how to build a house. Brilliant simplicity.

Brenda said...

What a clever Auntie you are! I was thinking, awww isn't that little house die so cute?! Now I'm saying, wow, that Auntie of mine is so dang clever! lol I love how you and Hammy thought out of the box. I love your idea of the CA House complete with earthquakes aka the shaker part. My favorite one is the pink one. Yes, I wanted either a pink house or a yellow house when I was a kid. lol Now I love your leaf card with that wonderful sentiment, but I also love that one leaf taken out, but tell Hammy next time to let you know in advance before you have it all glued down! lol Hugs, Brenda

Jen W. said...

Awesome! I totally thought that was a house die! You're so clever!

Rubeena I. said...

Creative! :) I love shaker cards.

Monika Reeck said...

Darnell..clever way to make that house...I have no cuttle bug machine and look at your tutorial its so clever how to make the shape of the house...and sweet pink house shaker card..you are a clever card maker..so happy to know you through the Internet :) hugs from Germany, Monika

Greta said...

Super creative house shaker cards--love them, Darnell!

cm said...

Um yes, I could have used Tip #3 earlier this week; made a shaker that shakes sporadically, on account of some foam tape non-alignment. Gahhh! Your tutorial: far toooo much fun! Fabulous Archie-texture with those wee houses. The new home-owners will adore their cards, as do I!
Hugs~c

Jeanne J. said...

I love your little pink house - and the fact that it's a shaker card makes it MORE BETTER!!! :)