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!

July 3, 2015

Explosive Celebrations and Heartfelt Thanks!

Hello, Friends! TGIF! Thank you for whooshing through another week!

Thank you all for the birthday love you left me yesterday or sent to my email and/or snail mail boxes, whether on time or yet to come! You make me feel very loved and I appreciate each and every one of you! I'm still sending thank you emails and as soon as possible, I will get all the sensational cards I have received photographed and uploaded to my Happy Mail tab at the top. MWAH!!

I also heard from several friends I've made who don't comment and don't have blogs, but who enjoy reading my blog and visiting other blogs in our community. I want to thank all of you who are silently watching and applauding and supporting me! I appreciate each and every one of you, too! MWAH!

And now we turn our attention to the birthday celebrations of America happening tomorrow! Since that's not a person, I made my cards without an actual "Happy 4th" sediment. That way I can use them for summer birthday cards or. or. well, I'm not sure about how I could use the twofer card, but first let's look at the onefer card:
I started out wanting to use the sketch from the Less Is More challenge. Then I got to stenciling the Flash stencil from Winnie & Walter onto my card using ink and my daubers and one thing led to another until pretty soon my "less is more" turned into "more is more." I was pretty happy that I hadn't messed up the pattern by having the same two colors touch each other (euu!), so I went ahead and made it into a card anymorgan.

The sediment is from the The Alley Way Stamps "Ka-Pow" set. My two panels were made using Lil Inkers stitched dies. The sediment was colored with markers, topped with a white WOS, and covered in Mod Podge. The panels were popped up and Pretty Pink Posh sequints were added. Bam.

Challenges
GRAB OUR BADGE!
SIP Color Challenge 3
~~~

Starting over, having quieted the hamster, I made this CASier twofer:
Same paper, same stamp set. Same sediment treatment using white WOS topped off with Mod Podge. Removing a diamond in the sky from Lucy, I adhered it to the large splat. Bam!

Occasions for sending this card to someone? A broken bone? A goal accomplished? An invitation to a game of paint ball? A counting of chickens before they are hatched? Someone shot their eye out? ???

Challenges

We'd love you to display our banner
~~~


HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY AMERICAN FRIENDS! Be safe out there!

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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!

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99 comments:

Kathyk said...

Good to hear you had a good day matey!, and Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Loved your first make but the more CAS second one is really special, Darnell

Kathyk

Cathy said...

Belated wishes for a wonderful birthday Darnell, love theses cards, the sentiments are such fun, Cathy x

Craft-E-Place said...

Happy birthday , a little late in being wished but sent with love.
Fabulous cards, have a great weekend!
Elaine

Laura Norris said...

What fun cards! Glad you had a happy birthday! You are well loved in the bloggie community, for good reason! You always provide great inspiration and good reads!! I'm glad I have gotten to "know" you !

Monika Reeck said...

Happy belated Birthday Darnell
Sorry I am late and will try to send you again a card
love to do it sweet friend
the card is look so happy and so bright love them both
and nice sunny day you show on th photo of your card
big hugs and happy happy birthday again
Monika

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you for the giggles Darnell - Happy Birthday for yesterday - may you have many more.
Love your vibrant and joyful cards.
Blessings
Maxine

!neke said...

Hope you had à great birthday!
Your cards are great!
Greetings Ineke

Sue said...

Belated birthday wishes Darnell. I am pleased you received the card in good time but I had intended to Email you yesterday too!
Your cards are wonderful, I love your stylish designs and fabulous sentiments.
I hope you have a good weekend.
hugs Sue xx

Carole Z said...

Happy belated birthday wishes Darnell, hope you had a lovely day! Love your cards, hugs Carole Z X

Nessa's Crafty Place said...

Happy Birthday for yesterday Darnell-hope you had a fabulous day :) xxx
Fun cards today!Happy 4th July for tomorrow!
Hugs,Nessa xxxx

Sue said...

Fab cards. Good idea to make the sentiment suitable for other occasions.

Hope you have a fab Friday. Sue

Kath said...

Fabulous cards and sending you lots of belated birthday wishes and hugs.
Kath x

Sammy said...

A very, very happy belated birthday to you Darnell! And many more.
Love your cards, especially the "splat bam" :-) x

Gerrina said...

Fab cards! But most iomportant in this comment is: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Enjoy the, festive?, weekend! Hugs, Gerrina

Sue - said...

So glad you had a good day! Two fun cards as well think they are both great.

Kate said...

Happy Birthday for yesterday. I hardly touched the computer yesterday or I would have sent birthday wishes earlier. Hope you had a wonderful day!!!

Redanne said...

So pleased that you had a good day! Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend too. Love both cards, they certainly make an impact - I think anyone would be delighted to receive one of these beauties - they really do 'pop'. Gorgeous work, as always! Hugs, Annie xxx

Stamps and Paper said...

Belated birthday wishes Darnell....love your 'splash and splodge' cards great colours and would fit either male or female

Anne

Linda said...

Belated Birthday Wishes Darnell ...... so sorry I missed it! Glad to hear you had a fabulous day though.
Love both of these cards ..... the bright, bold designs look fab and wouldn't they be great for men!!!
Happy 4th July weekend my friend ... enjoy!
Big hugs
Linda xx

Sazzle Dazzle said...

OOOPS! Belated birthday wishes Darnell - hopefully you had a spectacular day and had a few sips of the old fizz! Doesn't look like the birthday fun stopped you crafting either. 2 FABULOUS and eye-popping designs, full of colour, and class! Can't pick a favourite but I'm thrilled you've linked them up at AAA Cards and Less is More. Thanks so much. Sarah xx

KandA said...

Hope you had a great birthday yesterday. Love these 2 cards - super stencilling and colours xx

Carole said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, love the shapes and colours on the first one, and your reasons for the second made me smile!.....and belated birthday wishes too! Hope you had a fantastic day. Happy 4th July weekend to you as well of course.....seems you have plenty to celebrate.

Marilyn said...

Love your cards!! Happy belated birthday!!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Hope you had an amazing BIRTHDAY!!!! I love love love both of your cards!!!! So fun and LOVING the colors!!!!

Bananastamper said...

fun, fun cards!!! Loving your splatters or splotches! I say the second card is perfect for "congrats" as in, you hit the nail on the head!
Happy Belated Birthday!
Shanna :)
p.s. Now you have me singing "Lucy in the sky with diamonds..." You did that on purpose didn't you?!? Will think of you when I am still singing tomorrow. lol

Happy Dance said...

I'll bet when you were little you thought the fireworks were in honor of your birthday. Pretty sure they should be! You are so loved in this blogworld, and I'd like to add heaps and loads more love onto that. So glad you were kept busy with calls, emails, and happy mail birthday wishes. Love your twofer cards. Perfect for summery celebrations. They're just fun and happy -- much like you! Missing you and sending hugs. Bev

Carol L said...

Oh I LOVE these cards, and especially for the possible occasions you might be sending them for! LOL Explosive and festive, as our upcoming weekend promises to be! Glad your birthday was a good one, now have a super duper weekend of celebrating!

Jeanne said...

Happy belated birthday, Darnell! I'm sure you had a firecracker of a day. Your cards are explosively happy! :) Enjoy your weekend! Big hugs!

designbydonna said...

Happy Birthday yesterday. Super and safe explosive cards, just in time for fireworks displays. Great sentiments for great achievements--whatever they may be.

Vicki Dutcher said...

HAPPY [late] BIRTHDAY! And naturally, my card to you is late too! I am known for that! Glad you got lot of wishes and hope you had a great day!!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello Darnell! I'm on a blogging break now but I just read somewhere that it was your birthday and I wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Birthday although I think I might be a day late. Hope it was a good one! As long as people are still sending birthday wishes, you can keep celebrating LOL! So that means more cake today! Enjoy!

Love your fun cards!

Pat said...

Happy Birthday Darnell as I missed it yesterday. I should remember as it is our anniversary today and hubbie's birthday in just over a week's time so definitely a celebration month! I am also doing a couple of songs in a July 4th concert tomorrow night so triple whammy!
Anyway on to more bloggy subjects. These two cards are gorgeously bright and I love the effect of the mod podge and the pretty stencilled stars are so pretty on the first and then the fireworks stamp and the splat and the sentiment which look prettily dimensional. You so cleverly coordinate your stamps and sentiments. Have a great weekend. x

Kara Lynne said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Darnell! What a wonderful person to celebrate! I love your twofer! I'm sure an occasion will pop up! Both cards are so fun! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Marcia Hill said...

Great cards Darnell, and I'm sorry to say I missed your birthday yesterday...hoping it was a super happy one though!! :0)

Linby said...

Happy 4th of July for tomorrow.
Two great fun cards!
Linbyx

Cat Craig said...

Great cards, have a wonderful holiday.

Monika/Buzsy said...

Happy Belated Birthday Darrnell. Hope you had a fun day... in any case... have a wonderful weekend! Fun cards. Love those splashes in those colors... perfect idea not to be specific about the 4th...

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

I am always a day later for something. Hope you had a fabulous birthday, sweet lady! Love the cards. :) <3

Unknown said...

Ohh what fun cards!! Have a lovely weekend!

Carole Pollard said...

Hope you had a fab birthday I missed it i'm so sorry. This card is just great so patriotic enjoy your 4th July celebrations Love and hugs Carole x

conil said...

Okay then, you've once again bowled me over. Both of these cards ROCK-et (very little pun...ouch). You clearly are having a very good week. Yay Darnell!

Sue said...

These cards, are beautiful Darnell. I particularly like the first one, and the card you have used is very effective...So glad you had a lovely birthday, sending belated wishes your way...
Sue...xxx

Lisa said...

Happy belated birthday, Darnell!! I hope your day was filled with much love and happiness!! Your cards are so fabulous!! I love the designs and the awesome sentiments!! You did an amazing job with both!! I hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

MaryH said...

What brilliant, bright & such fun cards. Loving your cheeky splats, and loved the way you used the stitch dies. Made such an interesting layout. Love both these cards, and would brighten anybody's day...whatever the occasion. Always pretty, but also bring a big grin. So happy that you had a nice (and well deserved Happy, Happy) birthday. I'm sure Hammie and Himself spoilt you silly...they better have!!! Big hugs & TFS. Happy 4th & wkend too.

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Happy belated Birthday Darnell, I hope it was fabulous! Love those eye popping cards, such fun! Have a lovely weekend! Hazel xx

Lisa Elton said...

Kerpow...what FUN cards Darnell!! So happy you had a wonderful birthday, you deserve it my friend :)

Carole said...

Hello Darnell, you deserve all the birthday wishes from all your fans.I'm sorry I missed it. You make everyone else feels so special...you are a gift. Thanks for the visit and the suggestions.The cards are brilliant, simply exploding with energy. Hugs C

jimlynn said...

Two fun and cute splat cards! Both are wonderful and think you could send these to whoever for whatever reason!
Ok, the only thing I can think of is that you're going to have to take out a TV add or billboard for your birthday since it seems to slip right past me! So sorry I forgot but hope you had a great day!
Lynn

Chriss Blagrave said...

Absolutely love these two cards Darnell! Such impact and a terrific colour combo. I just ordered Bermuda bay ink and CS and will receive them on Tuesday. Anxious to try this combo in a graphic pattern like you!
So happy for you that you received some of your birthday cards on time :). Keep celebrating friend!

JoAnn said...

Happy Belated Birthday wishes. Love your fun cards.
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July.

Jean said...

I love both of your colourful, fun cards Darnell. The sentiments and colour splats look great and I am certain they would raise a smile whatever reason you used them for.
I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday, have a great weekend.
Jean x

Kathleen said...

You do make me giggle, both your cards are wonderful, love the bright bold red on the white and your colour choices on the first card.

Tip top work.

Kath x

Kim Heggins said...

Fantastic cards....they really pack a punch. Love them both, so festive! Wishing you and the Mister and a very Happy 4th of July! Thanks for joining us at Colour Me!

Pat said...

Love your cards of course and also love hearing your musings about their uses - LOL-worthy. Thanks again for making my day.

Anne said...

Belated birthday wishes to you Darnell! Mwaah!
Two stunning cards, I actually like your more is more version, which is a bit unusual for me, love its sediment too.
Thanks for joining us this week
Anne
Less is More

oldpunca said...

Happy Birthday, my dear blog friend! :-)
You've made two superb cards.
Hugs, Sonja

Nanette said...

Fun Cards! I just found your blog thru Joyful Creations with Kim.

I became a follower and am looking forward to seeing all your work.

My blog is: http://nanettescardcreations.blogspot.com/

I haven't posted anything on it for quite awhile but I would like to get back to doing card challenges.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Happy Fourth of July! And, I must say I love those cards you created. Great designs.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Happy Fourth of July! And, I must say I love those cards you created. Great designs.

Brenda said...

Oh my Auntie, I am so loving this first card! I love that it is so festive and fun! It would make such a great July birthday card. Love, love, love! The second one, well that one makes me laugh. Yep, I can picture this one used for so many events. Especially a broken something, something! lol And also as an invitation to a game of paint ball, something my guys used to love to do. I guess they have finally grown up though as the paint ball stuff sits in the closets and basements not to be touch anymore. Both cards are so fun and festive and I love them both! Happy Birthday week Auntie!!! Hugs, Brenda

Sharon Underwood said...

Belated Birthday Wishes, friend! I'm sorry I missed it. Life's been hectic lately. Your cards are awesome! Love both of them--they're lots of fun, just like you!

Birgit said...

You know I can't recall if I sent you Birthday wishes so Happy 29th Birthday! I love these cards because they are festive and much prettier to see than the real thing in someone's backyard. I love the 2nd one-for some reason I want to see Batman and Robin duke it out with the Joker and Penguin:) They are great and love the sentiments

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Happy , Happy birthday sweet Darnell!!!!
And I hope you have a fabulous 4th of July!!!!
Hugs!
Mackie

Joyce said...

Happy 4th of July to you. I hope that you can think of the fireworks in the sky as just more birthday celebrations. Love your cards, especially the fun one you made for CASology. Thanks so much for playing along this week.

Jinny Newlin said...

Super fun and festive for this time of year! Great, grid designs, too! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at Colour Me...!

Geri said...

...someone shot their eye out...girlfriend, you crack me up! I love visiting you cuz I always leave with a smile o my face!

Two "Ka Pow" "ka Boom" "Ka-ool" cards! Really neat how the first card still maintains a clean & simple feel even with a few more stamped images! Could it be the somewhat graphic look? Whatever...they both look amazing!

Cheryl W. said...

You have the most inventive mind - next to the haster, that is. Love your cards today. I'll keep the two-fer in mind in case someone in my family shoots their eye out. It could happen!

Greta said...

Fun cards, Darnell! I really love the first one--so festive & fun! Happy 4th, my friend!

Neets B said...

Oh, Darnell, your posts sure make me chuckle! :D
Fabulous cards, such a great combo of that stencil and sentiment, and those splats are just awesome.
Happy Belated Birthday, so sorry I missed it xx
Thanks for sharing at ATSM and Less is More this week, Anita x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Happy 4th of July
great project
hugs Tamara

Sarah G said...

Happy Belated Birthday, lovely lady! Love your splat cards - they are fun and funky. Great take on the LIM sketch too :)

Pam said...

Happy belated Birthday, my friend. I hope you had a wonderful day. I love your explosive cards. Someone shot their eye out - I hope I never have to send a card for that, but you made me laugh again. You are better than a therapist! Hugs!

Valentyna Komisarenko said...

Happy Belated Birthday to you Darnel!
Your cards are gorgeous! Love those bright splashes. Thank you for playing alone with Colour Me!

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Love both of your cards Darnell, and I certainly got a good chuckle reading your post. Love the stenciling in the first one, and the second one is just plain funny! Thanks for linking up and playing with us at AAA Cards.

nwilliams6 said...

Happy late birthday Darnell! Great 4th of July cards - actually you could use the first one for other things too. Very cool techniques and great cards. Hugz

Brenda in IN said...

These are such fun cards! Festive and colorful and happy. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy 4th and no explosions other than fireworks.

OH Babs said...

Happy 4th Darnell. Thanks for sharing two fun cards - nice job of stenciling. Hope your birthday was as special as you are. Hugs, BBB

Barb Ghig said...

If I were a dog, I would have my tail between my legs for being so late in wishing you a Happy Birthday, Darnell...I'm so embarrassed! I do hope you had a wonderful day with that beautiful family of yours...you certainly deserve it! And, thank you so much for my gorgeous b-day card...you are so thoughtful!!!

You've created two really fabulous 4th of July cards...WOW! I love how you played with your stencil on the first one, and your stamping on the 2nd card is amazing! Loving the fun sentiments, too! Have a safe and Happy 4th of July weekend! MWAH right back atcha!!!

Carol said...

A very belated happy birthday Darnell. Two fabulous fun cards. Carol x

Bonnie said...

Both of these are very festive and perfect for celebrating our nation's birthday or any birthday. Love that second card and can think of a lot of occasions it would be good for. I might not send it for many of them, but I would enjoy thinking about it!

LesLee said...

Happy Happy Birthday to you sweet Darnell. Love those cards I think they both pop!

Linda Beeson said...

Great cards, cute bursts. So glad you could join us at AAA Cards

Colleen said...

Darnell, happy belated birthday! Oh man,I had this post all ready to go, then I forgot to post my card for you...it is up now thanks to my grandson who spent $16 to get internet service! Your cards are awesome...love those big sentiments! Hope hammy had something special for you on your day!! I am sure your family took care of you in royal fashion! Happy day friend!

Claire said...

Great cards Darnell! A belated happy, happy birthday to you! Hope you enjoyed your day!

Unknown said...

Two gorgeous cards Dippy. They both remind me of the Superman comics.........whoosh, pow etc!!! Perfect for all the challenges. Loving the whites WOS treatment, great effect.

Happy 4th July.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

stempelfrida said...

Dear Darnell, I like your star explosion idea! Thank you for joining the ATSM challenge. Will we see you again next week? Creative regards from stempelfrida
http://stempelfrida.blogspot.de

Unknown said...

Your cards are always so exciting to look at! I love these two gorgeous explosions of vibrant colours! I usually mess up by running out of space and having to stamp similar colours next to each other hah SO great job!! :) Love the border stitching and the sentiment! Thank you for joining us at ATSM this week!
Kamila DT

Anita in France said...

Great to hear you had such a lovely day, Darnell ... and that the birthday celebrations will continue for days (or even weeks!) to come! Fabulous energy filled and fun cards, BTW! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Tina's Crop Shop said...

Darnell, I absolutely adore your card! I honestly think I may "need" that flash stencil! Thanks so much for joining us at Stamp, Ink, Paper for our color challenge this week!

Pia S said...

Think your second card would be suitable as a birthday card or any other occasion card for a teenager. Or maybe a comic book lover. Very cool and young design!

Jen W. said...

First of all a very happy heated birthday! I hope the Mister and the rest of the family spoiled you sufficiently. :)

I love the stenciled flashes on the first card and I cracked up about the same colours touching each other - I'm the same! It totally stresses me out trying to get it all random looking! LOL! Your second card is great for so many things but I think especially a cheer up card - it certainly made me giggle. :) Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

Shona Chambers said...

So glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday and I bet you were inundated with cards and the like. So wonderful to be so loved! Loving your explosive cards, especially your red and white number. Love the sketch you used and how cool you could share it between the three challenges. I think its a winner for sure, its so clean and 'pow-worthy'.

Caz said...

I've just had a nose at your happy mail tab, there are so many wonderful creations on there! :-)

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Hi Darnell, not sure if my card made it to your house in time, but if not - it will get there! Happy, happy belated birthday! I wish I could have a slice of that wonderful cake Kim made for you.... mouthwatering! I am sure you enjoyed it tremendously! Great card!

Sharron said...

Sending you very happy belated birthday wishes! Hope your weekend was wonderful! Love both cards--fabulous designs and I love the sentiments!

Unknown said...

Splat BAM for sure! How fun :) So happy to have you playing along with us this week, sure hope to see you back in the gallery for a new challenge soon!!!

JD/ Jill said...

Belated Birthday wishes, Dear Friend! Right now I am really upset with myself. You sent me the nicest, prettiest birthday card, and I have totally forgotten about your birthday. I am so sorry! I hope it was a very special day for you.

Tonya said...

Great cards. Thanks for playing along with us at Sparkle & Shine.

Petra Swart said...

Hi, Darnell!!!!
I was so upset when I discovered that I have missed your special day, my friend, but I have done something about it and have put you something in the post on Monday already!!! (so you are going to receive a very, very belated birthday card - hopefully it will arrive before your next birthday is due!!!)
So happy for you that you had a great day and I hope the happiness goes all the way through this new year in your life!!! Have a great year!!!
It's been some time since I've been here as I have been very much absent form Blogland during July, but I'm going to enjoy all of the cards you have posted recently, now!!!! Can't wait to see what you have made!!!