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 31, 2015

City Crafter Challenge Guest Star ~ Polka Dots!

Hi! I hope things are going well for you today!

I'd like to welcome you to the last challenge for the month of March over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog. This is my last week appearing live on stage as the Guest Star at CCCB. Thank you to Kirsty and the outstanding Design Team for graciously having me as their guest this month. It's been an honor and a privilege!

For this week's challenge, we want to see your dots in all their polka glory! You know you have them. They are on your papers in your hoardboard, they are on your embossing folders, they are on your ribbons, and some of them have even crawled into the drawer where you keep your butterfly and flower embellies! Go get 'em!

Here is what I've made for you as inspiritation:
Now what the heck is going on there? Is that the comingaling of two dies as if they were one? Why, yes, I believe it is, and why not? It's spring!

First off, the polka-dotta paper is some of my all-time favorite SU paper. It's a lovely apple green and it is self-adhesive! From that I cut my Memory Box dies: on the left, the flower in the pot is called, "Fancy Potted Flower" and the die on the right is called, "Glorious Gerber Daisies." Using ginger, I placed my flowers as you see them on a Lil' Inker stitched white card and attached that to a topper of the same SU dotty paper. The sediment is from Stamping Bella, "Matilda on a Swing."

~~~

Here is my second card:
For my second card, I used the paper liner that backs the paper that has the adhesive. I don't know how to describe it better. Do you know what I mean? The schtuff you normally throw away after you've peeled it off your die cut adhesive. Well, instead of throwing it away, I glued it to my green stitched paper and made another card from it!

Then I used the polka dot centers of the first card (which had been removed and replaced with the enamel dots) to garnish the flower centers of the second card. It's a shiny and fresh card and I feel too clever by half.

City Crafter Challenge Blog

Here is your photo inspiration for this week:
Take it, it's yours
Thank you to everyone who has entered the City Crafter Challenge Blog challenges in March! I hope you will be able to join us with your polkie dottie creations this week!!

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Challenges


Simon Wednesday Challenge BlogClick the image to play along with the current challenge!
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Calendar Notices
  • If you get busy TODAY and you use never-before-used schtuff on your creation and it is Tuesday, March 31st where you live, you can enter last-minute to my NBUS Challenge #4 which ends at 11:55 p.m. PST tonight!! Run like the wind!
Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)
  • Beginning at 12:00 am and ending at 11:55 pm (where you live) on Wednesday, April 1st, you are directed to commit at least one act of tom-foolery on someone in celebration of April Fool's Day!

  • Beginning at 12:00 a.m. PST on Thursday, April 2nd 
    • I will publish the FIVE $25 gift card winners of my NBUS Challenge #4! Thank you all so much for your participation!
  • Beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 2nd 
    • I will be back to support Tenia and Veronica Z who are teaming up to hold a blog hop for autism awareness. I will be a participant with my blue card and I am also one of many sponsor for this worthy cause! You can simply leave a comment on the blogs as you hop or join the hop itself by linking a card to either Veronica's or Tenia's blogs. There is more information on Facebook.
~~~

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84 comments:

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell that is some fabulous comingaling! Love the fresh green polkas of spring!

Lesley said...

I love your Springy projects too, Darnell! You are such a love to play along during my Anniversary! Hugs to you!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Sweet project Darnell, so glad to have you for the month of March, you are truly an inspiration! Thank you!

Virginia L. said...

Oh. so PRETTY!! love your monochromatic theme going on here...just lovely, Darnell! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge!

Sarah said...

How fresh!! Two fabulous makes Darnell and gorgeous colours too xx

kiwimeskreations said...

WOW Darnell you have rocked these cards - love that green and can understand why you have used it - so fresh and clean and with the white, outstanding.
Blessings
Maxine

Inkyfingers said...

Lovely cards Darnell, and I'm loving how you are making 2 cards each time these days - I really should try that. Such clean designs too!
Hugs
Carol x

Kath said...

Fabulous cards - perfect for spring!
Kath x

Sarn said...

Two fantastic cards using the positive and negative die cuts. Good work Darnell!

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Gerrina said...

Love your green cards both; they both are so lively and these scenes could be right in a garden... And polka dots; who doesn't like them :)! Hugs, Gerrina

Liz said...

Two gorgeous cards. I love the fresh look of the white and green. xx

Pat said...

Two great cards Darnell and love the idea of using the waste for the second, it's like the ying and yang of crafting. Gorgeous colours too. x

Nessa's Crafty Place said...

Loving your spotty-dotty-Spring cards,so pretty :)
Nessa XXX

Ros Crawford said...

Absolutely fabulous cards Darnell ... Love the die cuts!! It's been such a pleasure having you with us at CCCB these past weeks ... Thank you so much!! Mwah!

Sue said...

I love both cards.

Hope you have a good day. Sue, Polly & Honey

Stamps and Paper said...

Two lovely fresh looking cards Darnell..love them both

Anne

Aileen said...

Darnell, wow I totally love these two cards. The die cutout just poi fect. Or as Eylsha said when zi showed her 'ohh mum wonfull just wonfull and ai couldnt agree more.

Anonymous said...

You are one crafty lady, but we already knew that. Two very nice cards with two very different looks just by using the same dies in a different manner. I love polka dots and yours on this beautiful Apple Green paper are so sweet. Have a fun day today.

Kate said...

Love the fresh green and white and the two-for-one die cuts. You clever girl, I usually just throw the backing out.

Becca Cruger said...

Limey! *said in a British accent* Jolly good commingling, old chap! Ummm this is In-your-face springtime smacked on some card stock! I'm in love with all things polka dotty and will attempt to add this challenge to my schedule.

Julia Aston said...

What a fun design Darnell - comingling two dies (it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to pronounce that word!!!) so bright and springing with the dots and great green color! congrats on being guest DT!

Brenda said...

Oh my these two cards are just beautiful! I am so loving that polka dot paper and I love how you used the negative part for another card Auntie! So fab! Good luck to everyone playing along with the NBUS challenge. I don't think I said, but I am just playing for fun this go around. Hugs, Brenda

Marisa said...

Looooove polka dots so the first card made me smile. Adore that die too! Great job mixing both parts :)

Taunya Butler said...

WOW - you sure Polka'd to the DOT!!! These cards are fresh, bright and Springtime-y!!! I am trying to make it unto my craft room to play with NBUS before the deadline tonight!! You are so great to hist this challenge!! I have got a new floral set from Avery Elle just a callin' my name!! These cards made me feel bright and happy so I sure hope your day is filled with Happiness and Bright Sunshine!! Hugs to you!! P.S. Thanks for the email - made me feel special and YOU are worth every visit I make here!!!

Sharon Underwood said...

What an awesome color of green! I love the polka dots, too. Love how you recycled the paper for the second card!

Cheryl W. said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! I love polka dots and use lots of polka dot paper. Fun to see your creations and imagine ways to create more of my own.

Jacee said...

How fantastic, I love these designs!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

conil said...

Too (or should Insay, "Two") clever by half, indeed. Hammie must have been sssssssooooooooooo proud. Fresh is certainly the right word for both these cards.

Carole Z said...

Two fab cards Darnell, love the designs, hugs Carole Z X

Elizabeth S. said...

Love the way you made both of these cards and so clever to use the stuff we normally throw away..perfect. These are fabulous!

Loll said...

Beautiful dies, Dolly. Love how you've made the two cards with the reverse colours. Lolly xx

Robin said...

Hi Darnell! I am finally back in the beautiful blogging world! I LOVE polka dots and your doty creation is gorgeous! The stitching with all the dots fits so well. The flowers are beautiful and now I want to go out into my new yard and plant flowers, lol! I have missed you my friend. Hugs!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Darnell, I absolutely LOVE both of your cards. They are beautiful!

Sandy said...

Gorgeous cards you mart lady!
Sandy xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh what super creations.
That green is so refreshing, and I love your stamped images too.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both these cards are super fantastic. I love polka dots too! And, the spring green colors with the white work so well together. The first one with the bright blue centers in the daisies really makes that outstanding!

Carole Pollard said...

Great cards love your dies and such clever ways of using them That inspiration is perfect its so like Cath Kidston Designs in the UK Love and hugs Carole x

Kay Miller said...

You are just too cool and crafty Darnell! Using up stuff that we normally throw away and making it gorgeous too! These cards are amazing! And guess what? The snow is gone, it's in the 70's now and I'm going to go sit in the grass :) heheh!! ((Hugs))

Kathleen said...

Two fantastic cards and a gorgeous shade of green, both super ideas and equally effective.

Kath x

KandA said...

2 Super cards Darnell but I really LOVE the first - gorgous colour combo, such a brilliant pairing of dies and the enamel dots are the perfect centres xx

Jean said...

Two gorgeous creations, I love the green colour and the dotty paper.
Jean x

oldpunca said...

What a wonderful use of the same die cut! :-) I like your polka dot card, but a little bit more I like the second one. :-))
Hugs, Sonja

Stella said...

Darnell it has been a privilege to have you with us at CCCB for the whole month. Your cards are great and you are amazingly talented. I love your take on our theme. Thank you so so much for joining us; it has been a fabulous month with you on our team as our Guest Designer!
XX

Unknown said...

Love you green cards! Fabulous! So springy:)

Anita in France said...

So you should feel too clever by half, Darnell ... your cards have me smiling all over my face with their polka dotted zesty zinginess and sweet blooms! Delicious! Hugs & bisous, bisous, Anita :)

Carol said...

Two delightfully dotty creations Darnell, so pretty! Carol x

ionabunny said...

Two lovely cards. The green and white is so fresh. Not colours I would usually think to put together but they look fabtastic. Hugz

Jenny Marples said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell! LOVE the polka dot look, particularly when it's die cut this way. Jenny x

hellerlittle said...

Your cards are both dottylicious, Darnell! I want to thank you again for the lot of inspiration you ever give to us
CU hellerlittle

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

Such great dies! We skip spring and go right into summer here in AZ! Already sitting at 95! Carri~Abusybee
New Skittles Released Today!

Shelly said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell! Very happy and sweet! Love the green, too!

Anonymous said...

Two great cards. No waste fanstastic - like the way you used the bits that would normally be binned. The white backing pops against the green. Very clever :)

Bonnie said...

I thought the polka dot card was super fantastic. Then I saw the green and white made from the leftovers! Now that one is supercalifragilisticexpialidosous!

Claire said...

Beautiful green concoctions Darnell! Both are bursting with Spring I think. And congrats on 800+ followers...I just didn't have enough time to play your latest challenge unfortunately - hopefully next time. (Unless you've gone bankrupt...lol)

Kim Heggins said...

Love your fabulous take on this wonderful kitchen inspiration photo. Those dies are just so fun and you made them rock.

Susanne Vargas said...

These two dies look perfect together! The polka dotted paper adds lots of fun and, of course, I love that you upcycled the backing paper!

Rubeena I. said...

Such cute cards!!!! <3

Lisa Elton said...

Oh good golly Miss Molly!! A polka dot themed challenge, I hope I have time this busy week to play along. I ADORE your fresh pretty green polka dotty card Darnell!! You've done a fabulous job guesting this month ;)

Lisa Elton said...

Oh good golly Miss Molly!! A polka dot themed challenge, I hope I have time this busy week to play along. I ADORE your fresh pretty green polka dotty card Darnell!! You've done a fabulous job guesting this month ;)

Greta said...

Well aren't you the clever one! I think I actually like the second card best--just brilliant, Darnell! Plan to enter the challenge--polka dots are so fun!

JD/ Jill said...

These cards are so adorable...and yes looks like a fresh, lovely day in spring.

I liked that paper too. I had to buy two packs of it, and I think I have it all used up.

Birgit said...

I love these cards! So inventive and fun-who doesn't like polka dots...I may even want to polka! On second thought no. I love the stitching and just these 2 colours-very spring:) Now I have to think up something evil to do to my hubby for April fool's

Helen F. said...

Oh Darnell! these two cards are stunning! I love your creative ideas here~and I am not above stealing them ;-)

Hettie said...

Both of these cards as soooper Darnell. Gotta love the spotty one though.
Hugs
xx

Brenda in IN said...

Love the polka dot card and your recycling of the backing paper was truly inspired. It made a fantastic card.

Carole said...

Dancing robots they're great bright and springy. I call the left over bits "innies"

Pia S said...

Similar cards but with totally different looks! I've got a soft spot for, well, spots, but I really like how those white die cuts came out with the green background too.

Carole Z said...

Wow, these are both so different and fabulous, love the colour, hugs Carole Z X

Cazzy said...

Pretty good garnishing Darnelle! I love anything polka dotty!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
What a lovely pair!. . . . . Of of cards obviously lol!
Got me Bloomin dates wrong for the challenge so will have to wait for next time.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Jerrie said...

I like both of your cards Darnell! The green background with the white flowers is my fav!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards Darnell!!! I love them both and the pretty green!! I sure have loved your GDT time!!! Hugs, Char

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Oh these are both so fabulous!

Nora Noll said...

I love these cards Darnell!! The green and white color scheme is so pretty. Makes me want spring!! All I see outside is dirty snow and yellow/muddy ground!!

OH Babs said...

How clever and creative. Happy egg hunting.

Happy Dance said...

When one of my boys was little, and I can't remember which one, he used to call them 'polka lots.' Maybe that's why I love them so much to this day. And I love your cards here -- not just because of the polka lots either! That green is quite full of Springtime goodness. And the daisies are really sweet. Stitched panels, sequins, and enamel dots...perfect finishing touches. Love these cards! Easter blessings to you and your family too. Big hugs, and miss you. Bev

Diane said...

Oh WOW..these are FABULOUS!!!

Nance said...

Wow, both cards are gorgeous, Darnell! Love the dies in the same paper as the background! Thanks for sharing the first one at The Challenge! I so keep wanting to play in your NBUS. I missed it again but will soon!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Oh. I feel dumb--Dee Yew Em, dum. I've been yapping about die cut and trying to get them to stick and there you are just using adhesive backed paper like a champ. I used to do that with punches so why did that not make the crossover?

Anyway, polkie dots, I'm pro polkie dot and like what you did with your double dippin' polka dotting card there and the one with adhesive backed stuff. Pfft. Y'all being brainy 'n stuff.

Anita said...

Beautiful spring cards! Thanks for playing along in The Challenge's anniversary celebration!

Linda said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell.

Bobby said...

Those two dies are perfect together, Darnell. I don't know how you handled such skinny pieces, especially the backing which often curls up after being removed. That was a clever idea, btw. Love both card and hope to find time to do a polky dotty one myself today, just in time for the deadline.

Geri said...

OMG!!! These two cards are amazing! I love both versions. Such a cool idea to do use the negative sticky paper to create another card!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Such a breath of SPRING!! Thanks for joining us at The Challenge on our Anniversary Linky Party Celebration! Sure hope that you join us again for a BRAND NEW exciting challenge tomorrow! -YAY!!!