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!

April 22, 2015

Day Three - Stamplorations Spotlight Week!

Hey, there! How zit going? Happy Earth Day! 

We are halfway through an exciting new release at Stamplorations and I'm honored to be guesting for this fun Stamp Spotlight Week!

Here is a look at all the magnificent stamps in the new release:

Today, our spotlight is on NOTEWORTHY:
Noteworthy-preview
I love every.single.one. of these uplifting sediments! Here is my card to inspire you:
Squee! I stenciled again! You can find this pretty floral stencil here. It's called "Happy Flowers." Isn't that a perfect name?!

I taped my stencil to my watercolor paper and watercolored in the flower spaces on the stencil. I then took my refill bottle of gold Delicata ink and poured a little into a plastic lid. Using my water brush, I gave the whole background a wash of gold.

As you can see, the stamp I chose to feature today is the awesome "embrace life" sediment. I embossed it in gold (of course) onto vellum and then attached it to the card front with v.o. gold brads.

On a whimsky, I grabbed my skizzers and angled all the corner bits.

At that point my card was done. I took a photo. I called it a day.
And, you know, that's very pretty. But the next day dawned and the more we looked at it, the more we cocked our heads to one side. Even though it was WAY more everything than we were used to putting on a card, we were getting a meh feeling, so Hammy snatched it from the Done Pile and gave it back to me. 

Owell, what the heck, I thought. I already took a photo, so if I mess it up, who will know?

Whereupon I proceeded to trace around the flowers with my fine line Micron brown pen. I think it really made the flowers POP. In fact, I thought the difference was so astounding, I pulled out all my old photo albums and traced around all the pictures of me. 

Here's a zoom:
The camera caught the 18-carrot gold sheen very well because that's how goldilicious it is in real life!

I shocked your biscuit with this one, dinnit I? Well, I shocked my own biscuits. In fact, I went so far out of my comfort zone, I had to call the Mister to come and pick me up!

~~~

Shery is generously offering PRIZES for this Release Week! For a chance to win one of the prizes, make sure you leave a comment here and on the blog posts of the fabulous Design Team members listed below. Each has made you stunning inspiration using "NOTEWORTHY."

Wei Wei

~~~

Enjoy the hop and your day! No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS!* 

Please hug a tree and do something nice for the Earth today!

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!
Challenges

Addicted to Stamps and More: Anything Goes
Virginia's View Challenge: Layers and Dimensions

GRAB OUR BADGE!

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!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave
me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

105 comments:

Ardyth said...

WOW! You are rocking this release (and the stencils!), my friend! That shimmer is just stunning!

Sarah said...

Oh you do have me in stitches Darnell!! Just what I need after a pretty rubbish morning!! A fabulous card with and without the fine liner!! xx

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Ahhhh - here it is - that stunning beauty of yours - finally out in blogland for everyone to see and admire!!!! That fine liner made all the difference! Who would have known that fine lines are something to admire....(thinking anti-aging commercials here...) - anyhow - hammy was right - hurrah to him!

New Creations said...

That gold shimmer is super delicious with fab water coloring and you focused so well with the uplifting sentiment!

Susanne Vargas said...

Wow! Look at that breathtaking shimmer! And fine lining the flowers was the perfect finishing touch! You know you could enter it at the Retro Rubber Challenge since you used brads!

Inkyfingers said...

Happy Earth Day Darnell, and you really hit it out of the park with this beauty. Love all that rich gold loveliness and the tracing was a genius idea!
Hugs
Carol x

MrsC.x said...

Happy Earth Day Darnell :)

great projects on your blog last few days :)
thanks for sharing
have a great week
Mrs. C.x
http://craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Darnell, this is gorgeous! And your tracing around the flowers did make a difference! I love how you watercoloured these flowers and the gold background! And the snipped corners was a brilliant idea!

Deepti said...

This is so pretty! That shimmering background looks so striking:)

Pia S said...

Hooray, you got to use a stencil! That's how I feel when I'm able to use one:) Dies and images no problem, but stencils are a bit out of my comfort zone still, as is watercoloring. Cutting the corners is a nice twist to an a2 design. Very pretty colors and card.

Craftychris said...

Ooh stunning card! xxx

Mrs A. said...

Persconolly I doos that when I colour to make sure the over the lines don't show. Oops did I just write that. Shame on me. Hugs Mrs A.

Jerrie said...

OOh I love the gold sheen and the silver embossed saying. Looks like you picked these flowers right from the garden!! Great job stenciing!

Dana M said...

Gorgeous card Darnell! Amazing how that extra step of tracing the image with the micro pen pushed it from wonderful to fabulous!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Dood! I live in Southern Arizona! All the vegetation has STICKERS. I ain't hugging no tree. I do plan to take a cactus out for drinks after work though so it's all good.

Love the card! As soon as I saw it I knew you drew around and was impressed with your drawing around the edges ability. Not all of us are so blessed with that talent!!!!

Ксения Phedra Ли said...

I like the gold shiny background and, you are right, the line around the flowers edges really makes them pop! Very cool card)

Cat Craig said...

Very nice trip outside the lines of comfort!

Gerrina said...

Beautiful this combi from gold and glimmer with the watercolours! Love this card! (And the sentiments are indeed all so usefull) Hugs, Gerrina

conil said...

Once Mr. picked you up off the floor, I hope you did a little back-patting cuz, girl, this is awesome. Love everything about it and you and Hammie are brilliant to think of outlining thos flowers. It really does make the card look totally cohesive.

Sue said...

Beautiful card.

Hope you've had a good day. Sue

Marilyn said...

Oh wow... this made me suck my breath in when I saw it. This is beautiful, just gorgeous and I also really like the embossed sentiment. I love those sentiments and may have to (ok, will have to) go buy them.

jimlynn said...

Beautiful card and fantastic stenciling! I know I'm the last to get on the band wagon here since I haven't been on the computer - BUT, Big Congrats on the new DT!!!! WooHoo!
Lynn

Ann said...

Beautiful card, love the wash of gold in the background.

Monika Reeck said...

So elegance with all that gold love love love this card and love your flower too...oh my you posted a very beautiful card I love from you today...big hugs from Munich

Lisa said...

This is absolutely stunning!! I love the sparkle!! The colors are so beautiful!! Love, love this!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Kay Miller said...

Wow!! That's gorgeous Darnell!! You need to move out of your comfort zone more often!! You watercoloring is fabulous the shimmer soooooo lovely!! The vellum and the gold embossed sentiment is stunning! They need to add you to the permanent DT!!

Kristie Goulet said...

Gorgeous! LOVE the watercoloring and that stencil! Awesome!

Liz said...

WOW! This is stunning! Fab stencil - and the outlining made so much difference, although it was pretty stunning before too! Love the gold, a really classy look. xx

Stella said...

This is a stunner; such a fab use of that stencil. The flowers really do pop after using your marker to trace around the flowers. The shimering look of gold is adding a wonderful elegant touch. I love it!

MaryH said...

Whee, I'm nearly caught up again, and saved the best for last! You genius - to use the Delicate reinker on that background. Marvelous look with the dreamy stenciled & so gorgeous florals. Just a wonderful look to this entire card. You done good, girl! TFS & Hugs (hoping to do a post today and share your magnet info).

maria f. said...

You and hammy are truly forces to be reckoned with. Thanks for the tip about the old photos. I'll have to give that a try ;) And yes, you knocked my socks off with all that gold shining off my screen. Originally intended to say I needed to don sunglasses, but you made me lose my train of thought. Hope DH didn't hurt his back, BTW.

Lee-Anne said...

Lady, you are priceless! This is such a gorgeous design! And congrats on your Guest Designer spot!

Taunya Butler said...

I am so glad that you went out of your comfort zone because this stunningly amazing and just so gloriously beautiful!! I LOVE what the micron brown pen did to perk those flowers right up!! Gorgeous work and I think you must have a really steady hand because the outlining looks so perfect!! Love it!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your card is so rich looking and gorgeous in every detail. Love it!

Beverley said...

WOW! Loving all the sparkle & shimmer. What a beauty. Hugs Bev x

Anita in France said...

Both the before and after versions are shimmerlicious, Darnell ... the outlined one is kinda cool and groovy in an unstructured sort of a way ... and makes those sweet blooms really pop! Can I say wowilicious? Hugs & Bisous Bisous, Anita :)

Carol said...

This is gorgeous Darnell, love the gold background and the fine liner really makes those flowers pop. Carol x

Kathleen said...

Brilliant card, love the colours and what a difference the liner makes, love the gold embossing.

Kath x

Becca Cruger said...

Just when I think you've pulled out all the stops - there you go pulling them out again! WOWZAS the sparkle on this is incredible! And I totally agree with you about the lines making the flowers POP!

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

That flower is beautiful. I love your coloring of the image. TFS

Monika Skinner said...

Wow,Darnell!!! This is exquisitely gorgeous! Love all the gold and watercoloured Happy Flowers. You certainly rock stencils and STAMPlorations' Noteworthy set! Hugs xxx

Bonnie said...

This is fit for a queen! Love the difference of the outline. I should have done that with my stenciled butterfly that looked meh. I popped a die cut butterfly over it. It only took it to OK! BTW, does outlining photos of you really work! If so, I'm sure going to get my albums out!

lostinpaper said...

A big WOW comes to mind here Darnell, what an incredible card!

BożenA said...

Wonderful card! Beautifully painted, great technique. Golden background is just stunning!
Regards,
Bozena

Bobby said...

Maybe you'd better sent the Mister over to pick me up. Stenciling AND watercoloring AND outlining. You've come a long way, baby. This card is seriously gorgeous. Kudos to Hammy for insisting on the extra step.

Brenda said...

I fell in love with those sentiments when I looked at them. They are fabulous and your card is fabulous....until I saw your "redone" card. OMGosh, that brown micro pen made a huge difference!! Uh, can I borrow that pen so I can trace around the few pictures that I have of me?! lol It really did make your flowers pop Auntie! I love how they look and boy oh boy, do I love that gold. Stunning!!! Hugs, Brenda

TangledBlueRose said...

Fabulous color and texture, love it!~kim

Redanne said...

Wow, wow and thrice wow, this is absolutely gob smackingly (?) stunning Darnell. The gold looks fabulous and I love the outlining of the flower, it really did make them pop - fab-u-lous work!! Love!! Hugs, Annie xx

Julie B said...

You rocked the stencil Darnell, stunning colour choices and the gold embossing is so gorgeous. :)

D.Ann C said...

That gold is incredible!! On my shopping list - thanks for the inspiration!

JD/ Jill said...

Just stunning! So very nicely done! You are definitely on a roll!

Ann said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell - and yes, the outline did a magic job of making those delicate flowers POP, but I just had to comment because of the way you bring humour to those who read your blog! It's 8.00 am here where I'm writing, and now I'm off to a great day, having started it with a shared laugh with my hubby while we both read your blog. Thank you so much - you're a gem!

Pam said...

Wow! Stunning card. Love all that gold shimmer and shine. You are rocking this release!

Sandy said...

Such a wonderful card it was to start with but it seems it just needed jumping out and lining up on.. Looks spectacular when you where finished with it..

Carol Cel said...

this card is really beautiful -- love the gold and pink -- congrats on your design spot!

Unknown said...

This card certainly brought a smile to my face today! Lovely job as always Darnell :) Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us this week at Addicted to Stamps and More! We would be delighted to see you back again soon :)

pcm said...

lovely flowers and love those sentiments!

Bananastamper said...

Gorgeousness!!! I love both versions! Happy Earth Day!!!

Kylie said...

I love the technique of watercolouring through a stencil. Must try that one! The results are amazing!! Thanks so much for playing along at ATSM xx

Lisa Elton said...

Well this is just splendidly splendid Darnell!! You are waltzing your way through this release with such beautiful cards. Love the elegant shimmer on this one!

Geri said...

You make me giggle out loud! Fabulous post! Especially the part about calling Mister to pick you up!!!

Can I have the directions to wherever it was that you went? Then I could make an incredible card like you have!

Seriously...incredible!!! The gold shimmer & angled corners are fabulous BUT THE OUTLINING...WOW!!!

You're rocking this release!

Tracey McNeely said...

You my friend are killing this release! Your watercolouring over the stencil is fantastic and the gold wash adds such a gorgeous shimmer--wow!

My Paper Epiphany said...

Wow! I love the sparkly gold and the luminous pink - gorgeous! Congrats on guest DT!

kiwimeskreations said...

Awwww Darnell this is stunning - love that gold wash and the fabulous flowers - the doodling on the edges of the flowers is perfect.
Blessings
Maxine

Suze Bain said...

Oh I really love this one Darnell. beautiful! Xx

Caz said...

I love the close up where you can see all the lovely detail :-)

Shona Chambers said...

I can actually say I am sitting here laughing out loud after reading about you tracing around your photos.....hilarious!!! Might have to try that myself.... And your totally right, it has made the most amazing difference to the flowers. I've seen a few people do this lately and its such a good effect. I just wouldn't have a clue when to do it. Brilliant card and you have totally made me smile. In fact I'm still chuckling....husband will wonder what I'm watching on tv this late at night!

Shona Chambers said...

And you know all that laughing caused me to forget to thank you for sharing this with us at ATSM this week. Always a pleasure!!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Love the fact that you an Hammy thought in mewh! and so much better with a little pop...
am just over from Mary's post and read about the use of magnets with MISTI and Pacemakers good that you were on the watch for that!!!
Lovely Sherry's greetings!
Shaz in Oz.x

Suchi said...

Bling it On! It's so very eye-catchy! Cool card! :)

Ros Crawford said...

Happy Earth Day!! Gorgeous card Darnell!!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Lovely golden shimmery card Darnell! Loved the first version and then outlining the organic style blossoms was a perfect move on your part for card #2! That Hammy is so crafty :)

Pat said...

Wow! Shiny or what! Both versions are really beautiful Darnell, but the outlining really adds that extra vava voom!! x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Wow Darnell, this is absolutely stunning! So beautiful! I love it! Hugs xxx

I Card Everyone said...

I'm loving your shimmering card, the perfectly named stencil, and those sentiments, D... OH might I get an update on the Hummingbirds, please?
=] M

SD pooja said...

Its beautiful and the gold shimmer makes it glamorous !

Sarn said...

Playing catch-up after internet flakiness . . . this is a STUNNER Darnell. I think the outlining worked a treat.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

shirley-bee said...

Well, Sarn just took the words out of my mouth, Darnell - this card is a stunner! Hammy is such a clever little thing :)

Christine Kiehl said...

Squee I love this stenciled card you crafted for the blog hop!!

Karen said...

Darnell, my sweet friend, your card is gorgeous! What a beautiful stencil, made even lovelier by your work with it! The colors are stunning and what a huge impact the lining has! Truly stunning and a perfect pairing with the wonderful sentiment. And thank you for the beautiful words on my card yesterday... it was a very hard one to make. I love that family and miss Audrey so much. Thank you for always being such a huge support!

Extra hugs and blessings,
Karen

Laura said...

Love the gold shimmer. Didn't even think about outlining a stencil.

Greta said...

Picking my jaw up off the floor, Darnell! Stunningly gorgeous work of art! Amazing the difference with the outlining & you just can't beat that gorgeous gold ink--my favorite! I've never tried coloring through a stencil, let along watercoloring! Those sentiments will have to be my next purchase from Stamplorations. They may not let you go after seeing this!

cm said...

Gorgeously stunning card, Darnell! I wouldn't have had a clue as to how to make an image "pop", let alone actually doing so! Such a marvelous difference with the outlining (laughed out loud that you took your marker into your photo albums!) Water-colouring through a stencil - another 'never done' technique (although given my *luck* with wtaer-colours, it may remain that way). You're rocking the STAMPlorations images!
Hugs~c

Jacquie Southas said...

beautiful goldelicious card, Darnell! Love the pink & gold together and the black outline really does make the images pop.

joy said...

Exquisitely beautiful, Darnell! Love this pretty stencil and what you did with it. Yummy!

Shelly said...

Ooooh, gorgeous! Love!

Kim Heggins said...

Oh my...this is so beautiful. I love these amazing sentiments, so sweet and unlike others I have seen. Your flowers are just stunning...love this card!

Cheryl W. said...

Gorgeous! The outline was the perfect touch.

Kelly Latevola said...

All that gold is simply stunning! Your watercoloring is so beautiful, it's amazing what a little outline can accomplish isn't it? I hope mister helped you pick up your biscuits too :)

Carole Z said...

Fab card Darnell,love the stencilling and lovely colours, hugs Carole Z X

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, I love your beautiful card. Amazing embossing and fabulous shading around the flowers.
Hugs, Sonja

Barb Ghig said...

WOW! And I mean WOW!!! Your water colored flowers are so beautiful, and I love how you created your background, Darnell! Great idea to use your Delicata ink with all that yummy shimmer! Stunning card!

Congrats again on your Guest DT spot...you are truly an asset to the team, and I'm so glad you've also played along with us this week at ATSM!

Unknown said...

Ooh sparkly shimmery goodness Darnell I love that lettering too xx

Karen P said...

No, no, no, no! Aw Darnell I now need these stamps! The before version was stunning in its own right but the second one - it's awesome! Love the gold, the pink and the way those gorgeous flowers pop - you one clever artist Karen x

Karen P said...

No, no, no, no! Aw Darnell I now need these stamps! The before version was stunning in its own right but the second one - it's awesome! Love the gold, the pink and the way those gorgeous flowers pop - you one clever artist Karen x

Brandi R said...

Gorgeous! Love the shape and oh that beautiful flower. Fabulous job ♥

Jean said...

So pretty!

Kate said...

That is stunning.

Asmah Zainal Abidin said...

I just love reading your style of writing, makes me laugh and happy all day long whenever I think of you! Thanks for making someone's day bright and cheerful Darnell. Your flowery card and goldilicious quote are fantabulously awesome! So inspired! Hugs xx

Joyce said...

Gorgeous card, and I love how you used the gold shimmer.

Marybeth said...

Wow , wonderful watercolor and gold! Love the font of these sentiments!

Helen F. said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell. Happy Flowers, indeed! Your water-coloring and embossing that sentiment on vellum created a work of art!

*Vicki* said...

WOW!! This sure is one gorgeous creation Darnell!! I love the vellum over lay and the gold background is so striking on this!! Thanks for sharing your creation with us at Addicted to Stamps & More! Hugs & Smiles - *Vicki*-DT member

ionabunny said...

Fab card. Love the gold shimmer and these uplifting sentments. This day was a day to get one year older, for me at least! Off to hug a tree. Hugz

Unknown said...

I'm not sure which version I like better. I like the impressionist feel of the pre-outlining version. But I agree that the outlining makes the flowers really pop. You are doing some lovely things with stencils.