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!

February 3, 2015

A Zestive Shaker

Hi, it's me. How are you? I hope you're having a great week!

I've another Christmas card for you today which hasn't been posted. I love all the bright and bouncy nontraditional colors for Christmas, but I can also see this paper and bow making a great birthday card shaker.
This is a one-layer card onto which I've added a shaker, so now it snot a one-layer card because another layer has been added. But the added layer is a lot of interactive fun, yo! 

Because the paper had pretty North Stars on the design and some of the embossed flakes are geometric stars, I only put stars inside the shaker as rattlers. The card base is DSP from PTI and it was embossed with a snowflake e/f. The shaker elements and heat-embossed sediment are also from PTI.  Simples. Not QACAS, but still simples and very zestive.

Once my card was up on the preview screen, I asked Hammy the Critic what he thought. In his usual dry drawl, he said, "I'm getting a dry cleaner/laundromat vibe. It would be an awesome advertisement for the Sparkle Dry Cleaners, doncha think?" Oh. Sassy Pants.

Challenges
  1. Merry Monday Christmas Challenge: "Bows."
  2. Virginia's View Challenge: "Shaker Cards."
  3. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: "Anything Goes."
  4. Just Us Girls: "Make the sentiment the star of your card."

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
Please click on the challenge links for details on rules, sponsors, and prizes, and to see the various design teams' inspirational works of art!

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New Friends Corner

Please help me welcome five more new friends!

Phedra of My Workshop. Phedra is from Russia and she has only been blogging since October 2014. Another new member of our wonderful stamping community in Blogland! I hope you will go and introduce yourself and follow her to show her just how wonderful we are! In addition to lovely cards and scrapbooking, Phedra loves snowboarding, cooking, cross-stitch, painting on glass, and ceramics. She has an amazing range of creative style from CAS to mixed media and 3D, so there's something for everybody!

Monica Maier of Monica's Craft Corner. Monica has been blogging since August of 2013. She originally started her blog to chronicle the card challenges that she, her mom, and some friends made up for themselves. How fun is that?! Since then, Monica has been entering challenges around Blogland and receiving well-deserved recognition. She has a wonderful clean and simple style and her coloring and sponging skills are extraordinary!

Steph of Crafted by Steph. Steph is a delightful young lady who lives in Europe. She has only been blogging since July 2014, however, she has been crafting in some form since she was a little girl. Steph is also very inventive with making the most use of the limited product she owns right now and she enjoys sharing tips on how to create frugally. In addition to her sensational card art, Steph loves quilting and working with felt, and she shares all of these hobbies with you on her blog. You have to see her wonderful felt critters and all the adorable critters on her fun cards!

Rosie of Polka Dot Rosie. Rosie started blogging in 2014. She is a mother, daughter, wife, and crafter. Rosie doesn't post often, but when she does, her cards are fantastic and inspirational. She is a designer who also enjoys entering challenges. It is readily apparent when you open Rosie's blog that she is an exuberant and fun-loving card artist!

Jennifer Spivey of Twokidsmom Crafts. Jennifer has been blogging off and on since 2012. As Jennifer's blog banner says, she loves "all things cute and creative." Appropriately, she creates all things cute and does it creatively!

Unfortunately, Jennifer's blog is set up just like Christi's in my last post. She has both the Blogger Blue Button for followers and the Google+ button, but those of us who are only Blogger Blue Button followers cannot leave her comments. This is a shame because these people are missing out on a lot of encouraging comments. If anyone knows how to change their settings to fix this, please help them and please let me know, also, so I can advise others. Your help is appreciated!

~~~

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!
  
 
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122 comments:

Vanessa said...

This card is so happy and beautiful, Darnell!! Love your stamping on the embossed background!! Hugs, Vanessa

Hussena said...

What an absolutely Fabulous card Darnell ..I love the way you have added the shaker to a one layer card and the colors are so pretty.What a perfect non traditional christmas card :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Love it - that sentiment is a wonderful die cut, and the stars in the shaker the perfect touch!!
Blessings
Maxine

Liz said...

It's coming up for 7.30 here in the UK.. You do make me chuckle when a read your posts, Darnell. What a great way to start the day! I love your shaker card, a great design. I've only ever tried to make a shaker card once, and that was a long time ago, Lots of the shaky bits got stuck inside the box and didn't shake, so I'm not sure if it really counts as a shaker card anyway. Perhaps a need to try again! xx

Nelleke said...

Prachtige kaart met een prachtige inlay. Ook jou welkomsbericht gelezen een paar berichten terug. Leuk! Groetjes, Nelleke

SD pooja said...

lovely shaker card ,those colors make me Happy !

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous card Darnell love your bright coloured spots card card to cheer anyone up

Anne

Kathyk said...

You've rocked this shaker challenge, Darnell, and that hammy's waaaay too harsh a critic Take no notice!

Kathyk

Sue said...

Gorgeous card Darnell. I love your shaker design and wonderful colours.
hugs Sue xx

Jilly said...

Lovely fun card, love the colours as nice to see non traditional Christmas cards xx

Pink Unicorn said...

Your card is so cute, I love the bright colours for Christmas and I think the ribbon going through the shaker is sooo fun! I think your critic needs to be re-calibrated as he seems to be a bit off...

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Oh this is so beautiful! love the fabulous design and the colors you used are so pretty.

Suze Bain said...

I love everything about this card Darnell, particularly the colours, very merry! Xx

Sarn said...

Very pretty Christmas card Darnell. Sorta has a retro vibe . . . absolutely love all the big bold circles.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Inkyfingers said...

I love that paper too and it was a great idea to emboss it. You have just invented a new style of shaker card and I love it!
Hugs
Carol x

Sue said...

Really fab card. I like the colours.

Hope you have a good day. Sue

Julie B said...

What a fun shaker card Darnell, love the non trad colours also! x

Aileen said...

Love this card Darnell and absolutely love the sediment. As always love dropping in.
Ps have shopped and now waiting for my new NBUS

Sue VanDeVusse said...

What a happy card! I love your shaker with the stars and sentiment. Love your blog :) Thanks for playing with us at JUGS!

Canonbury creations said...

What a fun unusual Xmas card Darnell, I wish my washing machine looked like that!
Val x

Taunya Butler said...

This card sparkled its way onto my Top Ten Favorites list of cards you have made!! Everything about it - the shaker part, the ribbon, the non traditional Christmas colors - yes, pretty much EVERYTHING about this card made me fall in love with it - I am smitten!!! Thanks for the burst of beauty today - it'll keep me smiling all day!!!

Nancy said...

What a fun shaker card Darnell I love the colors and that fancy sentiment. Love the comment from hubby...LOL!! So glad you joined us at Just Us Girls...it is so much fun reading your blog! HUGS!

Lynn said...

Darnell, this is perfection! Love where the shaker portion is placed and how much fabulous movement it creates.

Sue - said...

Super shaker card. I can't believe I've never actually made one ----yet!

Carol said...

Such a fun card Darnell, love the happy colours! Carol x

Lizzy Hill said...

LOL....your DH sorta has an eye for certain ways of looking at things. Now I can't get the dryer image outta my head:/ I love the shaker bit & most of all that lovely embossing. Gorgeous work.....& hey! Your man has a DRY -errrr sense of humour??!!!!!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Your sentiment truly says "Ta Da"! Gorgeous shaker, Darnell!

Marilyn said...

Cute card!

~amy~ said...

super fun, love the embossing and the colors!

Diane said...

Beau-ti-ful shaker card...I am so addicted to these..and I LOVE yours!!!

Jessi Fogan said...

Oh Hammy. lol! I happen to LOVE this card - and the fun bright colours!

richardbreaks said...

Sparkle dry cleaners would pay big bucks to look this good! It WOULD make an awesome sign, especially if the shaker spun like a dryer!
Oh, boys and their brains...
It IS gorgeous, Darnell. Love tags colors and stars.

Casandra Bennett said...

Love your bright and fun card!

Hettie said...

I likie....I likie alot! Great idea for birthendays too!
I just saw your card below. I likie that one too!
Hugs
xx

Alanna said...

What a fun shaker card. And I love Christmas cards with non traditional colors.

Claire Broadwater said...

Darnell, I love this card! I love the colors, the shaker and all the attention to detail! How fun! XX

Unknown said...

I just can never get over how professional your cards look. So clean, with colour and texture - love them all xx

Leslee said...

Love your untraditional colours for your Christmas card! It certainly is a fun shaker card.

Cat Craig said...

Great texture and color Darnell. So much to feel and look at on this card, a great bit of eyecandy.

Lisa said...

This is so gorgeous!! I love the colors and the amazing texture!! The shaker is so fun!! What a beautiful card!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Willeke said...

Hi Darnell,
what a lovely card you made !
Greetings from Willeke

Kara Lynne said...

This is embossing heaven! I love the texture you put on the DP and great job heat embossing that sentiment, that took a very steady hand!

KandA said...

I love this card Darnell. Super splashes of colour alongside the snowflakes and a great shaker design xx

Theresa's Studio said...

Great Shaker card! Love, love all the bright colors and your design.

Rita said...

Beautiful card Darnell. It's ages since I have done a shaker card. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxxx

shirley-bee said...

Whee!! Love this zingy zesty shaker card, Darnell!

Anita in France said...

Sparkly, shimmery, bright and shiny, Darnell ... and chock full to the brim (in a poetic sort of a way rather than literal) of shakery yumminess! Hugs, Anita :)

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Darnell,
your card is really wonderful with the texture and the colors. Beautiful details.
Best regards, Synnöve

jenn shurkus said...

so very pretty! I love the non-traditional colors too :) thank you for playing a long with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

conil said...

I think Sir Sassy Pants has his head full of cedar shavings. This is festive and very BIRTHDAY.

~Tammy~ said...

Oh my gosh, I love this! The colors and design look beautiful! LOVE!

ionabunny said...

I can see where Hammy is coming from but, like those ink blots when you ask different people what they see, it wasn't my first thought LOL. I like the clean look and those overlapping bright circles. And the shaker. Gotta love a good shake. Hugz

Unknown said...

Very Cute Card. Love the colours!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Darnell, I love your card, as always! Hugs xxx

Sheri said...

what a fun card! I am shaker challenged but I managed to make one for Valentines Day and am going to attempt another one.

Chriss Blagrave said...

What a fun card! Love the ingredients in your shaker and that embossed sentiment is over the top gorgeous!
Your embossing on the dp is brilliant! Way to make your card perfectly themed :)
Hugs ️️Chriss

Jerrie said...

Oh I love this shaker! This certainly is zestful!! Have a great day.

Redanne said...

I absolutely love shaker cards and this one is so pretty and fun - great colours too - love, love, love this beauty! Hugs, Annie xx

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, your shaker card is wonderful. :-) Superb colour combination. There is a challenge in Slovenia for shaker cards and the great part of our small country played with this kind of cards in past days. :-))
Have a nice day, Sonja

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Another fab card. Multi purpose no less! Good to look at and for a bit of shake rattle and roll. . . . . . Well, maybe not the roll lol!
Best wishes.
Ang x

LesleyG said...

Oh my, I love this zestive card. Such scrummy colours, and I love shakers. Yours is a cut above though! I adore the embossed sentiment, and how you placed the ribbon to show through. So pretty, I 'm going to run off and take notes! TFS xxx

Sharyn Polesel said...

Shaker cards are always so much fun. Love this one! Also, love the pops of beautiful color you have added to your snowflakes. Thanks for joining us this week at Just Us Girls!

Sandy said...

Hiya Darnell
Thanks for coming by and checking up on me.. I sneak into to see your wonderful cards but forget to leave a comment so making sure I do today. Lol at the dry cleaner advert.. I think your card is very cute with its spots and its shaky elements.. Will make sure I comment when I pop in now.. I have gotten involved in Mixed media and collage now and lots of zentangles and Kawaii characters are the newest phase I am into.
Sandy :)

Birgit said...

Great card for any occasion which is hard to do! I have never made a shaker card and this looks so wonderful and professional

Bonnie said...

What a fun shaker card, Darnell! Love the non traditional Christmas colors! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!

Pat said...

A lovely and unusual Christmas card Darnell and I adore the embossing and then the pretty shaker element with the cleverly placed sentiment stuck on the front finishes it beautifully. I love the stitched frame for the shaker too. x

OH Babs said...

Wow I am impressed. Love the colors of your shaker card and I guess everything else. good job!

Nora Noll said...

Your shaker is amazing. Those fun colors you used just make me happy. Love the sentiment on the acetate. Fabulous design.

Karen said...

Darnell, this is filled to the brim with holiday cheer! I LOVE all of the shaker components... I so badly wanted that huge shaker kit that came out last year! I love the stars inside and of course the sentiment is perfection! The embossed background is so pretty and I love the brightly colored circles. :o) Lovely work as always, my sweet friend! I hope you have a twinkly night. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Monica Maier said...

Love the fun colors and embossing on the shaker card! Thanks for the intro as a new friend. I love new friends! Also it looks like I'll be sending a card for this months CCC! Have a great week!!!

Bobby said...

You make shakers look easy, Darnell, although I can see Hammy's point of view. Four challenges with one card is great. I'm so far behind, the harder I try the behinder I get.

JoAnn said...

I love your shaker card. It is so pretty and creative.

Carol Cel said...

great card -- i love all the colors!

Rubeena I. said...

Beautiful card!!

Lesley said...

Pretty and oh so fun! :)

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell..this is jut so sweet and I love that die you used, or is it a stamp? May your holidays sparkle...so so pretty and would be perfect for an advertisement for Sparkle Cleaners...LOL

Happy Dance said...

Am loving this, Miss D., but then I pretty much LOVE everything you make! Love the stars in the shaker!! Love the embossed sentiment. Love the circle die. Oh heck, I just love this card!!!! And you. Missing you like crazy. Want some snow? We've now got plenty to spare....Bev

Tracey McNeely said...

Lots of nonsense going on inside that shaker--LOL Wonderful fun nonsense that is. So Merry and bright and festive!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Your shaker card is gorgeous!!! Love the embossing and the stars!

alexandra s.m. said...

It's a beauty Darnell!
I had to laugh at your Hubby's comment!
Thank YOu~

Cheryl W. said...

Wonderful card, but Hammmy's got a point!

Lisa Elton said...

I like the stamping over the embossed background Darnell, this is such a GREAT card!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card. Love the sediment then I realised I think I have that one! Better use it next Christmas :)

Greta said...

Festive, fun & beautiful, Darnell!

Craftychris said...

Your card is like you, a star! I love it - so bright and cheerful. The shaker element looks fabulous - shaker cards are so popular I must have a go at one! xxx

Carole Z said...

Hi Darnell, I love shaker cards and this one is just fab! So bright and happy in those lovely colours, hugs Carole Z X

Linda said...

I love your little shaker card Darnell .... those bright colours are so cheery! xx

PiecesbyEmily said...

Fabulous card! I love the embossed background and how the shaker is placed off to the side. Love it!

Ros Crawford said...

Absolutely lovely!! I really love those bright circles!

Jeanne said...

I really like your zestive shaker card, Darnell. It's bright and cheerful and makes a whole lotta shaking go on. Nice twist on a one layer card for sure. Thank you SO much for your sweet comments on Happypotamus. Very much appreciated. :)

Kristie Goulet said...

LOVE your shaker, Darnell and so happy you joined us at Merry Monday this week with this beauty!

Neha said...

Lovely card, Darnell & what a fun post. I love the way you spread smiles.

Shelly said...

This is such a fun holiday card! Love it!

Anonymous said...

Oooo, oooo! Too cute! Does not remind me of a dry cleaner advertisement at all. :)Very funny though!

Kelly Griglione said...

Wonderful idea to emboss right on top of your pretty dot/star pattern, Darnell! Love your shaker! And I'm giggling at "sassy pants" ... I am totally going to use that on my oldest tonight if he's in the same mood as yesterday. I can't wait!!

Oh, and I was so happy to see your card on Bev's blog ... she picked a great one to case!

Yolanda Garrido said...

Your card is gorgeous! I love the colours and the sentiment in blue! Shakers are great!!!!

Notes by Nina said...

Fantastic card Darnell, I love your fun and festive shaker card. Thank you for playing along with Merry Monday.

Anonymous said...

Very nice shaker card! Love the sentiment!
Thanks for joining us this week at Just Us Girls!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Spotted your card on Merry Monday - what a cutie! Love the embossed card base with the shaker on top - great idea with the sentiment die over the window too!

Karin said...

Beautiful shaker card, love the embossing and the bright dots on your card!
Karin x

MaryH said...

This is wonderful! I can see you getting that delicate flourish out of the die...oh my. But it was lovely against the shaker top, and bright thought to use your stars as fillers there. Lovely embossing on that bright white which made the glow of those brilliant circles just pop splendidly. And of cawse I love that stitched frame circle. That Hammy...did he used to work in Vaudeville? He's a card. TFS Jennifer S' link...I needed that to update my spreadsheet. Delightful that you have some wonderful new friends too. Will try to pay some visits. Hope ya'll are keeping well. TFS & Big hugs

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Hmmmm what a super yummy, colourful and ingenuous Christmas card Darnell. Love it😀

Benzi said...

Darnell, this is a favorite of mine. I love all the awesome colored dots scattered about and the shaker full of stars is awesome. It's full of happiness and cheerfulness.

Brenda said...

I am totally in love with this Christmas card Auntie! It's fun, festive and I love the non traditional colors! Love you put stars only in the shaker. That Hammy is a Sassy Pants! lol Hugs, Brenda

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a very fab and lovely and bright Christmas card.
Great designing as always.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Virginia L. said...

Get out of town....this is GORGEOUS, Darnell! I love the embossing on the acetate and use of colors! I must say Hammmy the Critic's response is quite like Dr. John's! They have the same kind of sassy humor! This shaker card is absolutely darling! So glad that you join the fun over Virginia’s View “Shaker Cards” Challenge!

dottielottie said...

Gorgeous card Darnell love those stitched circles and splashes of stamped colour and the perfectly stamped sentiment, we all know how tricky that can be and the sweet little stars that echo the wonderfully embossed card front But!
I am afraid your little buddy Hammy may have a point, so I shall always think of this beautiful card as.....
The Washing Machine Card!
Soapy Hugs and Bubbles Lottie x

Helen F. said...

Such a fun Christmas, Birthday, Laundry Day shaker card, Darnell! :-)

maria f. said...

Maybe I need to take to my washing machine with some stamps and ink...

Brenda in IN said...

This card just sparkles! Love how you did the shaker part and the shiny stars inside. The paper is so much fun. The embossed sentiment on the transparency is so pretty.

Marybeth said...

Funny! I love your pretty shaker card! Nothing to do with the laundromat . LOL to what Maria said too.

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

oh how beautiful!!!

Chris Dring said...

I didn't even see the laundromat look, until Hammy spoke up! Regardless, this is an amazing shaker card, Darnell! Thanks for joining us this week at Just Us Girls!

sandie said...

I do love and Xmas card of non trad colours and lots of sparkle to boot!

Jasleen Kaur said...

I love shaker cards and this one's so pretty, bright and fun ! :)

Petra Swart said...

Love your cheerful X-mas card, Darnell!!!!! Now that you've mentioned what Hammy thinks of it, you've had me have a second look and maybe, just maybe he's got a point, but let's just ignore him this time, hey!!!!! Your card is super fun!!

Debbie Bonczek said...

Love your shaker card - adorable.

Bobby said...

Give Hammy a raspberry. Despite his comment, you got an honorable mention at Merry Monday.

victoria h said...

Fab shaker card.

Shona Chambers said...

Hammy is so cheeky!!! I think this is such a fun and colourful card and you can never go past a shaker for lots of excitement!

Ксения Phedra Ли said...

Darnell, I'm so exited to be in your guest corner! Thanks for good words, it means for me a lot!

cm said...

Good heavens, Darnell, I've fallen behind in commenting - AGAIN! Right now, we're visiting my husband's family in Kelowna, heading back tomorrow, then Wednesday, I'm off to see my mom, with Andy coming to get me on Friday, to return Saturday. I'll be a tad travel-weary, methinks! Anyway, your shaker sure has amazing shake, shimmer and roll! Love it!
Hugs~c