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 1, 2016

I Love a Pear and a Party!

Oh, hi! Don't you just love waking up on a Monday morning and starting a brand new week filled with who-knows-what fantastic adventures? And double-delight, it's also the start of a brand-new month! Let's hit it!

I can tell you my week is starting out great as I'm honored to be the Guest Designer for Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog! It's a pleasure to use Mary's stamps. They are deeply-etched red rubber and stamp like a dream! I know a lot of your prefer the clear stamps, but with a Misti or a Stamp-a-ma-jig, the process is EZPZ.

The dies are also fun and well made and that's what I am using to inspire you today. For this first card, I'm using an older pear die, which I thought I had used before because I've had it quite a while. (Slap!) However, I can't find it on my blog or Pinterest board, so I guess it's NBUS and that's cool because I'm on a NBUS mission.
It may look like I cut the pear from gold paper, but I dinnit. I smooched alcohol inks and blender onto glossy card so the whole thing is pearish and glossy. Yes, I know I've made that sound like a blended pear Marga Rita and now your mouth is salervating. Mine, too. The pear underwear is cut from a piece of watercolor smooching.
I used this pear for my color inspiration!

Back to the card, I'm using another NBUS Serendipity Stamps die for the sediment, die cut from the same sheet of blended glossy card. To make the Sweet word even sweeter and glossier, I layered on some Modpodge Dimensional Magic. The other bonusi are that I used some of my ribbon and pp (otherwise known as DSP to some of you) stashes!

I gave myself a pat on the back and now my arm hangs funny.

I hope you'll join in the challenge which lasts the entire month of February! The theme is Anything Goes, which we all love!
P.S. The 50% off stamp of the month for February is this awesome tandem bike stamp! You can order the stamp here.
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I made a second card:

The NBUS corner balloon die was just released last month from Serendipity Stamps. Using my We R Memory Keepers fuse tool, I turned the die into a fun party shaker card. The paper (soft stone and hibiscus burst) and shaker sprinkles are from PTI. The party sediment is from Winnie & Walter. You might be able to spy the silver linings behind both the die openings and the party word die-cut.

Challenges
Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
w&w_bb2ndb_challengefinal

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It's not you, it's me. One more quick comment about Blogger. I have noticed my inbox notifications of your posts have dropped significantly, so I don't know when some of you have updated your blogs. I DO have a Google account, so I wasn't expecting this to happen, but apparently there is some monkey-business happening even if you already have a Google account. If you haven't heard from me for a while and suspect that I've been dropped from your followers, please let me know so I can come and refollow/ resubscribe. 
~~~

Head's up, a new 3-part item has been added to my GIVEAWAY page!
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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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83 comments:

Milka Gubo said...

Hi Darnell! It's been a while I was here. So many gorgeous projects!!! :o)
Congratulations on your GDT spot. Your peer card is gorgeous and oh WOW balloon card!!! LOVE IT! :o) Enjoy & smile! :o) hugs

Mimi said...

Wish we were at a party with a pitcher of pear margaritas! Lovely detailed cards, as usual. Love that pear! You nailed the color!

Loll said...

That fancy die-cut pear is BEE-U-TI-FULL! Love the gloss from your alcohol inks, and the smooshed underwear is the perfect colours. Combine that with the Sweet sentiment and even sweeter plaid background and it's a knockout! Awesome!

And LOVE your shaker card. I'm going to have to get one of those fuse tools. This looks amazing ... and great idea to line everything in silver. Adds even more sparkle and shine. Great job with your GD cards Dolly --- congrats!

I have lost followers too. I guess Google is being persnickety with everyone!
xx

Kath said...

Two great cards - my favourite is the shaker card - fabulous!
Kath x

kiwimeskreations said...

Hmm Google is being a pain worldwide - I gained two followers recently, but lost three or four...
Love your cards Darnell - the pear one is a real stunner, and the party one ever so sweet - did Hammy help with the sequins in the shaker??.
Congrats on your GDT spot - it is well deserved.
Blessings
Maxine

Linda said...

Good morning Darnell (well its morning over here) and a happy February to you. Gorgeous cards to start the week .... Congrats on your GD spot too.
Google is driving me nuts at the moment ..... followers coming and going .... Why can't they just leave things alone. If it ain't broken don't fix it and all that!!
Have a fabulous week xxx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Both lovely cards. Congrats on get the DT spot.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

Hettie said...

Well what do you know!!!! Mr Hettie went shopping on his way home from work this morning and bought pears, which is unusual for him, and here you are showing yours off!!! Wowzer!!! Liking yours, though like mine as I can eat them. Don't s'pose alcohol inks taste very nice!!
Loving your party card too. Shall we have one at the Playground later?
Hugs
xx

Canonbury creations said...

Two fab cards Darnell, love the balloon shaker card!
Val x

Di said...

Oh Darnell - what a fabulous per card - that die is really terrific and the shape and colour does match your real life pear so well :) A pair of pears?

Great party card too - I have parties on the brain here. Did giggle about the pat on the back and your arm hanging funny - wiping peppermint tea from the laptop screen here now!

Have a lovely day!

Hugs

Di xx

Pat said...

I love Serendipity stamps and dies and your glossy pear is a beauty Darnell and I love that pretty checked background and the lovely glossy sentiment, and the second card with the balloon shaker is a fantastic idea. Congratulations on your GD spot too. x

Nan G said...

Pear-fect cards Darnell.!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Congrats on the GDT! These are gorgeous! LOVING the pear and the balloons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barb said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell. That pear looks too good to eat and certainly very yummy and your ribbon is beautiful.

The second card really shouts out "Celebrations". What a great shaker this is.

I'm having the same problem as you and when visiting notice I've never got some posts shown at all. If you have time I hope you'll join in with my blog candy giveaway. Barbxx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, very cute cards! The pear just looks so sweet. I'm not a big pear fan, though! They look delicious, until I take a bite. I use to hate to see them in my lunch when I was a kid...lol! The balloon shaker card is really cute! I just haven't had time to work with my fuse tool. I've tried in the past without luck and kind of gave up. May have to pull it out again and give it another whirl. Have a great week! Happy February! Another month closer to warmer weather :)

JD/ Jill said...

Congrats on being chosen to be a guest designer. You did them proud with this awesome card! I like your shaker card too. Did you know that you are an enabler? Because I liked the shaker card that you sent me so much...that I purchased a fuse tool. However, so far it would qualify as NBUS. I guess I should learn how to use it.

Brenda in IN said...

The pear card is sweet. I love the filigree die and the bright color. The alcohol inks make it so shiny. The party card makes me want to party. All those fun colors and happy balloons. Whoo hoo.

designbydonna said...

Your pear card is very sweet. Love the pastel plaid, makes a perfect background to make that gorgeous pear pop. The balloon party card is really festive.

Olga Fink said...

Beautiful cards both of them! but I have a sweet spot for shaker cards! and so I really loved yours! xoxo Olga

Unknown said...

Two great cards Dippy. Couldn't believe it when I saw the photograph of the pear you took your colour inspiration from...........it's an amazing piece of colouring and matches the pear perfectly. Your balloon card is also wonderful - I'm just waiting for my Fuse tool to arrive so hopefully you will be seeing some shaker cards from me soon.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Marybeth said...

So fun to have you with us at Serendipity Stamps this Month ! Your pear looks amazing ,you sure did a great job with the coloring, love your inspration. Wow ,on fusing each little balloon ,you sure know how to use that tool ! Adorable shaker! You made me laugh out loud on my ..I cut my heart out comment :) I should have said I cut the heart ......
I lost 3 followers in one day and I felt kinda bad,like I did something wrong....I'm going to hope it's a blogger thing and not take it personal,have a great week and yes I do love Mondays too!

Happy Dance said...

Pear underwear... Girl, you crack me up! But that pear card is amazing. I love all the shine on your dies and everything on such Spring like paper. (Snow tomorrow here...) (That sounds like "no tomorrow here' doesn't it?!) And card #2 has me all a flutter! I love that you've made a shaker card from that cooleroo balloon die. This would be really fun to get in the mail! Awesome card! Awesome cards! And if I were just a wee touch more tecchi, I'd invent a new kind of blogging platform for us all. Miss you Miss D. Bev

Diane said...

Greetings Darnell, the colors on your pear are fabulous. The shaker card design with all the fun balloons is a very clever idea.

Hugs Diane

KT Fit Kitty said...

Congratulations, Darnell, on your Guest Design feature! Both of your cards are gorgeous! I'm especially enthralled with the party shaker! Woohoo! Love it!

Linda Callahan said...

Happy February! First of all that is one gorgeous pear! And second of all looks like the party is at your house with a whole lot of shakin' goin' on! Fabulous party balloon card!

Jeanne J. said...

Gotta tell you true Darnell.. you did get my mouth watering with the pear! I love the shine you got on that baby and dang, but now I need to buy some Modge Podge! I was sure you were going to say glossy accents! The second card with the party balloon shakers is amazing! First time I've seen that die as a shaker and it's gorgeous! Total party going on! SO happy to see you guesting at Serendipity! Pinning your projects to save for later!! Pear Margarita left overs.. who'd a thunk it?

conil said...

Congrats, oh mighty Guest Designer. Both your contributions are certainly... well...Sweet! Reminds me to get those alcohol inks out and play with glossy paper. Look at you, using your fuse tool, DSP, ribbon and NBUS. Your really ARE on a mission. I'm impressed.

KandA said...

Both gorgous cards Darnell, Especially love the balloon shaker card.

It's so lovely and generous of you to tempt us with your giveaway but I am still sitting on my hands to resist temptation xx

Michele K. Henderson said...

Great card, Darnell! That pear die cut is one of my favorite Serendipity dies! You made it look beautiful!
Take Care!
Michele

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love both of the cards you made. I am a fan of pears too! And, what a darling party balloon shaker card you created with that die. That is awesome too!

BożenA said...

The first card is very cute. The second card is great shaker. I like all the color of the card combined with an ascetic, elegant white. Sentiment beautifully complemented card. Your card is so cute, I'd like to have this die from Serendipity.
hugs,
BozenA

Cat Craig said...

That pear is gorgeous Darnell, you really showcased the die beautifully.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Congrats on the guest DT spot. It's well deserved! Love both your cards.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Jean said...

Congrats! Love the cards!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Big congrats for your GD!!
Both your cards are so fun, the shaker with these balloons is a great idea and the pear looks just gorgois!

Sue said...

Darnell, such gorgeous cards and as always, I love visiting you and reading your blog posts - they really make me chuckle...have a great week.
Sue...xxx

Susanne Vargas said...

You had indeed lots of reasons to pat yourself on the back with using a NBUS die, PP, and a ribbon on the first fabulous card! And the balloon shaker is great fun!
Congrats on your GD spot!

oldpunca said...

Congratulation for a honour to be guest designer by Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog! You have created two amazing cards. The shaker card with balloons is super idea. :-)
Have a great week!
Sonja

JoAnn said...

Love your gorgeous pear, so pretty in gold. Love your inspiration photo too, it looks yummny. That balloon shaker card is wonderful. Love it.

Chriss Blagrave said...

Well, I am loving your elegant pear! Your background plaid is so soft and pretty, a perfect pearing :)))
Congrats on guesting!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Oh, I forgot to tell you how I love your fun balloon card! What are those delicious ingredients!?

TK said...

Sweet pear of CA! Love the card and the inking to get the color (can I have the real pear now that you're done with the card?). JK Great Party card too.

OH Babs said...

Congrats on being guest designer. Your cards are super fun and I am sure you had a good time creating them. I have yet to make a shaker card so no nothing about a fuse tool.

Carol L said...

Congrats on your GDT spot! And you've done quite well with these 2 cards! I love that gorgeous pear and especially those shaker balloons! I need to check into the fuse tool you mentioned :)

Laura said...

I love the balloon card! I am really needing the fuse tool.

Bonnie said...

I like how you used watercolor and alcohol ink to make this pear! Great patterns! You know I love the shaker balloons. That card looks like a party in progress!

Kris B said...

Your cards are amazing! I love how you made that pear shine! The balloon share card is so fun! Always so fun to visit your blog!

Cheryl W. said...

Both pears--the real one and the one on your card--look delicious! I love all the glossy goodness on your card. The shaker card is super fun, too. I can't help but want to part-tay, when I see it. :)

Greta said...

Congrats on being the GD, my friend! Beautiful use of alcohol ink & I love the festive balloon card!

Valerija said...

Congrats on being the GD. Wonderful pear card.
Valerija xx

sandie said...

Congrats on the GD and the lead does look yummy. I love the corner balloon die, a new one on me. And super creative to make it into a shaker. Have a fun week xx

Tina Z. said...

I love your both card, especially the shaker card, it is fantastic!
hugs, tina

Ros Crawford said...

I just love reading your posts ... I'm still chuckling! Fabulous cards! Your pear is so glossy and just look at all those sprinkles in the balloons!! Rocking those challenges Missy!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Sorry Ive been missing but I've been chasing my tail lately.
I'm such someone's already said "Nice Pair" which could relate to your two divine cards (esp love the party shaker) or your fruity creation.
You're such a talented gal!
Best wishes.
Ang x

Ps......yes, some of my cards have been on TV courtesy of my friend John (Johnnextdoor blog) who works for a major UK craft company.

Redanne said...

The pear is very, very, very nice, it is a fantastic die and your colouring of the die cut looks so realistic! The balloon party card is a delight too, great colours. Congratulations on your GDT spot too.

I thought I escaped the 'Blogger' issues, but no, I have lost 20 followers in the space of 3 days... sigh. I have not looked today... Hugs, Annie xxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Mmmm! MmmmM! MMMM! That golden pear looks good enough to sink my teeth into. Fun shaker card too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Darnell! Its been awhile! I hope everything OK with you? I love your pear card and the balloons are perfect!!! I always love to stop by when I have time to cruz blogland :-)

cm said...

Cheering and applauding your GD role at Serendipity...and WOW! You've done these stamps and dies proud! You've translated the colours of the 'real' pear to yummy perfection! Your balloon party card: ACK! I want to give it a shake, shake, shake and listen to those sprinkles rock n' roll! Yes...a peary-wonderful post, indeed!
Hugs~c

Karenladd said...

Wow, that is some pear die!!! All that glossy color and shine really makes it a stand out...and you've captured that pear skin texture just perfectly. What a great idea to use alcohol inks to color the glossy die cut just so (I noticed that you colored the stem and leaf part green and the pear in yellows!). My favorite card is that festive shaker, which looks like it's filled with candy cupcake sprinkles!
I'm going to have to check out Serendipity stamp dies now that I've seen this fun stuff!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Congrats on GDT
great presentation
love your work
hugs Tamara

Petra Swart said...

Oh, my, that pear looks fabulous, Darnell!!! What a lovely card and you've nailed the colours - beautiful!!!! (and such yummy texture, too!!!!)
Love the cheerful balloon card!!!
Congrats on the GD spot!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!
Hugz

Leslie Miller said...

You are so creative! Two beautiful cards. Love the yummy warm colors of your pear card, and the balloons shaker is just too cute!

dottielottie said...

What a great likeness to your real pear Darnell they are both so beautiful in their shininess and you got the colour spot on.Love your balloon party card too with all the pretty coloured do-dads showing through.I am jealous of your sunshine, here in the UK it is grey, wet, very windy and COLD! Hugs Lottie x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, both cards are beautiful, I especially love the bow on the top one and the balloons on the 2nd. I've lost a lot of followers, I don't really understand what the heck Blogger is doing. But I assume they were following with non-google accounts? I don't know if I've lost blogs that I was following, as I have so many of them on my side-bar. Take good care, Shirleyxx

Karen B. said...

Fantastic interpretation of the pear, wow! Two great cards.

Gerrina said...

What a great pear ; both I mean! They look like the taste great both :) Congrats on being GD! Your card is a beauty! And the second is a beautiful and fextive one; think in every age this card is perfect!
About blogger; you are still in my list, but one day some-one was of the followers list, and next day back...a lot of my followers dissappeared...can't believe they all decided to leave in three days...
So don't know what blogger is doing, but after that blogger now almost 2 years ago decided to multiple the amount of vissitors from some countries, so I cannot see how many visitors there where on my blog on a day...I think this is really annoing everybody...
Glad that I just like to follow my stamping journey, but I am really allert on not missing blogpost...
Wish you a good start of the fresh month!

MaryH said...

Love this pear, and gracious, it looked so very realistic with the shine. (my kitchen decoration motif is pears! Imagine that). Lotsa shine on the filigree & love the dimension & shine on the sentiment too. Yay for you with the fuse tool (mine is still a NBUS). You used those balloons to wonderful effect to add the sprinkles inside each one. That's a super look. Like the hot pink party in the corner. Blogger is being naughty. I'm leaving some comments, but not sure they are being published. What gives? You & Mr. have a grand day. TFS & Hugs

Cris G. said...

Hi Darnell! First of all, congrats on your Guest Designer spot, what a great way to jump start the month and week! Your pear looks yummy, in fact they both look yummy :). I definitely have to give a try on my alcohol inks, love the vibrant colors and shimmer. Love the shaker balloons too!

Leigh Penner said...

Great cards, Darnell! I especially love your gorgeous pear!

Tracey McNeely said...

Definitely a 'pear-fectly' awesome card, look at you rocking the techniques! Love your super fun shaker too! Congrats on being the February guest designer Darnell!

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on your GD spot, Darnell ... an honour sooo well deserved! Your shiny, perfectly smooshed pear is a stunner ... I can almost taste the juiciness emanating from my screen ... and seeing the IRL inspiration just adds to the effect! Such a celebratory, fun shaker with the slivers of silver just peeking out from the balloons and sentiment ... can I come to the party?? Still laughing at your post ... watercoloured underwear ... hahahahahaha!! Hugs & bisous across the miles, mon amie ... miss you heaps! Anita :)

Geri said...

"SWEET" pear! Time well spent creating your glossy 'pearish' image cuz it is awesome!!! Plaid paper (especially pastel plaids) is my second love next to polkie dots!

The party card has nearly rendered me speeachless (yeah right...like I would EVER be speechless!) Totally fun! The shaker element rocks...and rolls...and shakes....and shimmies...

Helen F. said...

Darnell, your pear card is so elegant (as only pears can be ;-) Love the pretty pastel plaid background. Those balloons are screaming PARTY in the most festive way.

LeAnne said...

Wowza, that balloon shaker card is something else! My patience runs thin when just doing ONE image, but you've outdone yourself! Anyone would love to receive this sparkly creation! So happy you shared it with us this week at the Players!

Bobby said...

Oh my, that is one gorgeous pear, Darnell. I didn't know you used alcohol - inks that is. ;) Your party card is shakerific and makes me want that fuse tool even more.

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Love both of these Darnell - the pear is so glossy it looks good enough to eat and the tiny sprinkles in the balloons are gorgeous - I need to get me some of these!! Thanks for joining us for tic-tac-toe over at The Paper Players this week!

Jan Clothier said...

Both cards are lovely but it's the PP card that's my favourite. The corner punch is wonderful and to have turned it into a shaker card - genius.

Vickie Z said...

Girl...I don't know how you keep up with the comments!! Love this pear and a party...so happy you are playing along this month!!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Now that is one yummy pear, na - two yummy pears and a fun balloon card!

Dana M said...

Seriously amazing cards Darnell! The pear is just stunning and a shaker card designed to bring a smile!

Brenda said...

Sigh...I am in love with both of these cards Auntie! I wish I had your talent! The pear card is amazing, I'm not even going to begin to act like I understand how you got that wonderful color on that pear, but it is amazing. I love the shine of it as well as the color and the underneath underwear! The sweet word die is so "sweet"!!! lol I love the background paper and I love those sequins. Now what is Modpodge Dimensional Magic??? On to the second card-Wow! What a party card!! I love that corner balloon die, how fun is that?! This die just screamed for you to make a shaker out of it. Love the bright "party" with the silver shadow, it looks great in the shaker too. Yep, this is a fun, fun card! Hugs, Brenda

Julie- justwritedesigns said...

These are so pretty, Darnell! I love all the little balloon shaker elements on the second. So happy to have you with us at Serendipity this month!

Helen F. said...

Playing catch up is such a delight on your Blog! I wish I could keep up with commenting daily, your posts would be a great way to start the day :)
Love these two, Darnell. The sweet pear is making my mouth water and that corner balloon punch is too much FUN on your party card!