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!

March 10, 2015

City Crafter Challenge Guest Star ~ The Keys to Time

Hi there!

This is my second week coming to you live from the carditorium of the City Crafter Challenge Blog as the March Guest Star. Don't forget my new CD is available at a table in the lobby blocking your way out after the show. This week our play is entitled "The Keys to Time."

As it happens, I made a clock card for another fun time-themed challenge just recently, so I thought this time I would key on the keys rather than time this time.

But wait. If you've been a friend of mine for any length of time, you know that I have an indecent number of stamps in my collection. Could I find one of a key?

No.

What?

And since I'm a dunce at digi, I'm here representing the "Time" part of the theme after all and not the "Keys" part of the theme because that's what I have just to show you how flexible the challenge is!

First, I made a flat, easy-to-mail, card that can be used for any number of eventations.
The ingredients are below. Here is a close-up of the black and blue moire embossing.
And here is my second card with a slightly different design and emphatic colors, to which I added a double-layered gold and clear vellum clock stamp and a bow:
And a close-up:
I hope you will be able to join City Crafter and share how you were inspired by The Keys to Time!
Take it, it's yours
I'd like to thank those of you who joined in last week and I'd like to thank the Design Team again for the honor of joining them for the month of March! I'm having fun and making lots of new friends!

~~~

Other Challenges
Take It, Make It Challenge
Simon Monday Challenge BlogMarch Challenge: All Things Embossed
The challenge links will provide you with details on rules, sponsors, and prizes!

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Translate for us, please.

One thing I've noticed in my travels around the globe for hobs, hops, and challenges is that many of your blogs do not have a free "Translate" button on the side bar. I recommend that you take a minute to add the button (and please add it near the top), so that your visitors from every country can read the words you take the trouble to write! Thank you! Merci! Danke! Hvala! Tack! Paldies! Etc. ...

~~~

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! ... Time Flies!

Ingredients
Paper: PTI vintage cream and blueberry sky. SU more mustard, unknown rustic cream, gold and clear vellum from stash
Ink: TH DI old paper and mustard seed; SU pear pizzazz; E/P is blue moire and Embossing Arts silhouette black
Stamps: Large bee: Hero Arts "Big Bee"; small clock: "Journey" by Tim Holtz; chicken wire is Stickable Stamps by Great Impressions; Dots by Stamps by Judith; remaining stamps unmarked
Ribbon: Black organdy from Michaels

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80 comments:

Becca Cruger said...

Goodness Darnell, you are soooo flexible. I bet you can even touch your toes! :) LOVE these cards! Everything from the honeycomb background to that vellum clock - you sure know how to make a design buzz with creativity.

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

We are glad to have you for the month of March too, your cards are lovely, thanks for guesting at CCCB!

Rahmat said...

Wow, I love that honeycomb stencil, and the clocks, nice gorgeous colors to do this card Darnell.

Liz said...

Beautiful cards. I love the embossed bees, makes them pop out of the card. xx

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell. I love the embossed bees and wonderful honeycomb background.
I hope you are having a good week.
hugs Sue xx

Anonymous said...

Fabulous cards, wonderful designs!
Helen x

Colleen said...

Well, I am sure glad (and surprised also!) that you did not have a key stamp because your "time" card is gorgeous! As always you are a delight to visit!

Inkyfingers said...

Fabulous spring like cards Darnell and I love your wonderful embossing - it really pops off the page.
Hugs
Carol x

BożenA said...

Your cards make it feel spring. Time to look around, and will be bees. Beautiful card. The clock on the second card is stylish and reminds me of the passing of ... Every spring is a beautiful time, but also a year more on our account ...
Darnell thank you very much for the lovely comment on my blog, but I do not feel Not a bit the artist. I'm trying to be what I was doing was nice, but I am aware of its shortcomings. Your words motivate me to do still more.
hugs,
Bozena

BożenA said...

Your cards make it feel spring. Time to look around, and will be bees. Beautiful card. The clock on the second card is stylish and reminds me of the passing of ... Every spring is a beautiful time, but also a year more on our account ...
Darnell thank you very much for the lovely comment on my blog, but I do not feel Not a bit the artist. I'm trying to be what I was doing was nice, but I am aware of its shortcomings. Your words motivate me to do still more.
hugs,
Bozena

Sue said...

Lovely cards.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Donna Hanley said...

You did a marvelous job with both of these beautiful cards. Love, love, love your bees. They really pop out and draw the eyes right to these cards. Have a wonderful day and I hope it does not fly by too fast, but as your cards say it usually does.

Jenni's Jems said...

Love these Darnell especially the one with the vellum clock, it made me think not only does time fly, but through the mist of time ... not sure if that's even a saying though!! :-)& your didn't Darnell I am one of those with no translate button need to investigate how to get it on so thank you x

Lizzy Hill said...

Hmmmnnnnn....I Wonder how long til you rectify THAT li'l problem!!!! Loving the 'pun' on the card. You're so clever like that! Gorgeous cards, as always!!!

Jenni's Jems said...

Sorry Darnell don't know where the extra words came from but hope my comment still makes sense!...hee he x

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

These are Bee-utiful, Darnell. I love the look of bees on paper since I am off the chart allergic! Gorgeous backgrounds.

Ros Crawford said...

Brilliant cards Darnell ... I love the little bees flying around! I'm with you on the translate thing ... Many times I've had to use google translate to read what the entrants have said ... all too time consuming and time does fly!
Have a great day!

Lisa Elton said...

Love the honeycomb in the background!! These are both fabulous cards. The first a bit more playful and the second has an elegant feel with the sheer ribbon. I was so disappointed to find your CDs had sold out. I heard Mister sings backup and Hammy has a rockin' drum solo!!!!!

Samra said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell :) What a great take on the challenge :)

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are so gorgeous!! I love the designs and all of the details!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Deepti said...

Honeycomb and those colors make ur card so fabulous :) love it

Casandra Bennett said...

What a fun card! I love the embossed bees.

Susanne Vargas said...

It's true that time flies when you are having fun stamping! You made some gorgeous cards! I hope you immediately took steps to rectify your keyless stamp situation...

Unknown said...

As always beautiful composition, very creative approach and a stunning card Darnell! Thank you for sharing your talent! Have a great day!

Gerrina said...

Two beautiful time-cards! Great colourmixes and I really think your BG are getting more interesting by every card! Always fun to see that your ideas keep on flowing! Enjoy the week, Gerrina

Krisha said...

REALLY? NO KEYS? REALLY??? It is rather hard to believe, but you did fantastic without them!

I Card Everyone said...

I've found that time flies even when you're NOT having fun... but your cards are full of fun, D...I've never played at City Crafters - maybe it's TIME I did?
=] M

Brenda in IN said...

Both of your cards today are timely. I love both of the color choices and the time flies sentiment with the bee. Since I already have the CD I was hoping for a tee shirt instead!

Sue - said...

Two lovely cards Darnell. Love your slightly distressed honeycomb backgrounds.

Sue - said...

Two lovely cards Darnell. Love your slightly distressed honeycomb backgrounds.

Maria said...

Such beautiful cards! Love the bees and all the clocks! The vellum clock is so pretty! Perfect sentiment, too!:-)

Harriet Skelly said...

Fabulous sample for the City Crafter's Challenge Darnell! Hugs, Harriet

Brenda said...

Well now Auntie, you might not had any keys, but you made two delightful cards involving time! I love them both, the bees are so pretty embossed on both cards, I love the colors you used and the stamping. Yep, you made two great cards! Hugs, Brenda

Unknown said...

Adore bees and love seeing them on your beautiful cards! Your honeycomb background is lush too xx

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell! I love how you played with your honeycomb stencil and your embossed bees are just beautiful! Love them both! Hugs to you, Barb

Anonymous said...

Sooooo cute Darnell!!!! Congrats! I love seeing your smiling face at City Crafter!!!

Sue said...

Fabulous Darnell your so clever! huggles Sue xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous cards with colours that I love. Great combination of images as well. I can't find your CD :) I hope you are doing well, Shirleyxx

Sharron said...

Oh, LOVE both of these--so gorgeous! The honeycomb is of course the perfect background and I love the embossed bees!

Sharon Underwood said...

I love your interpretation of Time with the flies! You've got an incredible sense of humor that I just love. Great card!

Birgit said...

Since bees can keep time according to one documentary I watched and you have a clock and that is the key to any great busy bee(hehehehee0I think you captured this really well and I love these creations. The embossed bees look really cool and the 2nd card just pops with the bow

oldpunca said...

You are a genius in replacing not found stamps, dear Darnell. :-) Both cards are something special, amazing. Most of all I like the background. Congratulation for the honour of joining the DT team again.
Hugs, Sonja

Marybeth said...

Oh my gosh Darnell! I love the bees and the clock! Your flat mail card has so much detail you would never think it was flat. Beautiful embossing and I love the vellum overlay! A big congrats to you! I know you are in high demand and they are lucky to have you .

Kara Lynne said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell! I love those embossed bees, they are so cool! I'll have to check and see if I have any clocks or keys!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your cards and those backgrounds are perfect. Wow! Just amazing work again!

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, those are wonderfully crafted cards. The colors, details and placements are just as perfect as they could be. I love these nature cards.

Redanne said...

What a brilliant idea to use the Time Flies stamp and have beautiful bugs flying Darnell - you are so clever with your adaptations - I really love the honeycomb too! Fabulous card, wonderful colours... I do so agree about the 'translate' button, I find it invaluable. Hugs, Annie xx

Tracey McNeely said...

Congratulation sweet friend so happy to see YOU as the Guest Designer at City Crafter Challenge! Your cards are as usual gorgeous! The bees and the honeycomb and the ink--swoon baby swoon! xoxo

My Paper Epiphany said...

I love both of your cards! So original! The colours are really beautiful and the bees really make it!

Jean said...

I love your time cards Darnell,always an interesting theme I think. Your take on the "time flies" is great with the lovely embossed bees and the honeycomb background.
Jean x

Stella said...

it is an honor to have you as our GD. And this week you nailed the theme again! Love your cards Darnell!

Bobby said...

These cards look like you're delving into the mixed-media trend, Darnell. All the different elements you've added make them so interesting to look at. I know people say "interesting" when they don't have anything nice to say, but I mean that in the nicest possible way. I love what you've done here.

Hettie said...

Georgeous cards there Miss D. Love Love NEED those bee stamps...you know I am married to a Bee Keeper and a Trainee Bee Keeper myself now don't you? I talk to them all the time...as well as my Girls!
Bootiful cards.
Hugs
xx
PS go and see the post on FB that I have been tagged on which involves chickens...so funny!!
xx

Carol said...

I echo what Becca said up at the top!!! These are fabulous Darnell. Carol x

Joyce said...

Congrats again on your GD spot. And, good for me that I was able to discover another challenge. Love both of your cards.

Nora Noll said...

All that layering-am I really on Darnell's blog? I think you are channeling some Becca on that second card!! LOVE the fun layering of the stencils and the colors yo used. FABULOUS design!! Congrats on the GD spot!!

Shelly said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell! I just love those bees! And the backgrounds on both are sooo sweet! YAY for your second week as a Guest Star!...Way to ROCK it! ;)

Bonnie said...

Two very "timely" cards! Perfect for any occasion! I have a key already stamped. Somewhere.....

Helen F. said...

Love the honeycomb stencil, the clocks and even the embossed flies (not my fave insect) on both of your very cool "Time certainly does fly" cards, Darnell

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

You are so genius!!! LoVe how you made this beautiful card!!!

Unknown said...

Love it Darnell! Quietly, I do think you are harbouring a key stamp somewhere, but are demonstrating your incredible versatility with these fab cards! I never would have thought of pairing bees with clocks, but now I cannot imagine them apart! I love all the texture you have created with your different embossing techniques all harmoniously buzzing around your cards! Thanks for the inspirarion! Xx

Anonymous said...

What wonderful cards.
Now I'm not sure you need encouragement (I rarely need an excuse to buy :)) but what a great reason to go shopping!

Greta said...

Great stamping, Darnell--2 great "time" cards!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Awesome Darnell
super card
hugs Tamara

Janelle said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. The one with the bow particularly appeals to me. :) Great idea to add a translate button. I'm off to do it straight away.

Unknown said...

Great save on the theme Dippy! Can't believe you don't have a key stamp somewhere in your arsenal.....perhaps Hammy hid it from you? But love the card you've made. Will try and join in the fun.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sheila H said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell! And thanks for telling me to add the a
Translate button. I should have done it a long time ago, just in case...

conil said...

I'd say you are fulfilling your guest design duties, admirably. Both cards are truly beautiful. You'll have to file me in on "moire" embossing cuz I've never heard or seen it before. Although, maybe I have and it didn't sink in (that's been happening a lot lately).

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love, Love, LOVE the embossing on your card. The bees and timepieces... such a great combo!

Pat said...

Congratulations on your Guest Star for the month spot Darnell and these two cards are both beautiful. I love the wonderful backgrounds on both and the vibrant blue embossed bees add a lovely punch of colour, and then the second is enhanced so prettily by the added clock face and the pretty ribbon. They are both the 'bees' knees' if you will pardon the pun. x

Petra Swart said...

Love your beautifully embossed bees and the stunning bg's you've got them on, Darnell!!!! Both lovely cards!!
You don't have any key stamps - oh, boy, you'll have to go shopping!!!!
Have a great day!!

OH Babs said...

You are creating some lovely cards little lady 😉

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Wow! Darnell, you see to be a master card maker! I loved your take on the challenge and yes time flies ...loved the Bee too. Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog and being my newest follower too. Hugs. Happy to follow you too.

Geri said...

WOWZERS girl! You're rocking this Guest Star spot! Your beautiful stamped/inked backgrounds showcase the images so well. Flawless embossing - nary a schmick of stray powder to be found! So cool to see how the velum and ribbon change the feel of the card!

Kim Heggins said...

Oh so fun to see you guesting again and what a stunning pair of cards. Love all your buzzing bees with those classic clocks, they are just beautiful.

Anita in France said...

Yay, another GD spot and more awesome cards, Darnell ... there isn't a single style or technique that you haven't beautifully mastered! I'm seeing wonderful collage stamping ... depth and dimension with your time's-buzzing-by clocks and bees ... and texture with that yummy paper ... really wonderful ... and clever sentimenting!! Hugs & Bisous, Bisous, Anita :)

cm said...

Yayy for another GD showcase, and your collage style is blowing me away with its amazing-ness! Bees, honeycombs, clocks...love them all! I have some NBUS clocks somewhere...off to sleuth them out (another distraction from vacuuming...)
Hugs~c

Emma Williams said...

Fabulous cards and I love the honeycomb background, it's gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your project and for joining us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! :)

Taunya Butler said...

Amazingly cool and chic cards - love the stamps you used and the sediment!! What fun to see both these cards - I really like the backgrounds on both of them!! And your embossing looks so great!! Hope you are doing well on this sunny day - is it sunny there?

Renee said...

Great card! Thanks for joining us at the Take It Make It Challenge.