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 18, 2016

Amour, Anita and a Few Hydrangeas

Well, hello again!

Look at me ~ post toasties two days in a row! I had to come back today because today is a special occasion. It is the birthday of my lovely friend and fellow BABE, Anita Raffo of My Papercraft World. Happy Birthday, Anita! I hope you enjoy your very special day!

In honor of Anita, I made this one-layer card (OLC) for the current CASEplorations Challenge over at STAMPlorations where Anita is the featured card artist!
Before I tell you what I did, just check out these THREE amazing cards Anita made! Don't they get you reenthused to want to CASE her and play along?!
CASEplorations GD2 - February 16
WOW, Anita!

For my card I used the same color schemer as Anita did and I used the same design ideas of border elements, a simple sediment, and a bit of bling. My border was made by watercoloring with my Ziggies through a "Nested Circles" STAMPlorations stencil. Don't they look like sugared citrus candies? The sediment is from "Noteworthy," also by STAMPlorations. 

I'm also entering this card in Kathy's 30 Day Coloring Challenge.
IMG_0795
~~~

And then, well, here's what happened. I went in to take a nap and I asked Hammy & Co. to clean up my desk, but when I came back they had done just the opposite. Oy. My basket of newest NBUS was tipped over and stamp sets and dies were all over the floor. 

Have you ever noticed that you can almost anagram HAMMY into MAYHEM?

As we were picking everything up, Hestor pointed out my new "Mondo Hydrangea" stamp/die set from Ellen Hutson and reminded me that the current challenge at Less Is More Challenge is to "make a one-layered card with a stem." 

You don't say? So I made this:
I stamped the image with Archival black and then did a simple watercoloring with my Ziggies. The sediment is from Uniko's "Simply Said Birthday," which I off-set to make a better composed situation. BTW, LIM is having  DT call, so head's up!

[Sometimes I get a glimpse of a brand-new-to-card-making-blogs visitor who reads my blog (or yours) with a HUGE question mark over her head! So, translation: By the way, Less is More is having a Design Team call, so head's up!]

I'm also entering Addicted to CAS where the code word is "Bloom."

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

And then the sun came out and this happened: 
The hydrangea stamp is very large, so I got to thinking that it might be neat to just stamp it over some random wet-on-wet watercoloring and I think I thunk right. For someone who really does like to color inside the lines, I have to say I'm in love with how this turned out! It's very Shirley Bee.

I just wet my watercolor paper and used a small brush to plop drops of color and let them play. I made an ever-widening mass until when I held the stamp in the air over it, I could see that the painted section was about the right size to fit the stamp. Does that make sense? Those odd-looking line-like sections are from pouncing on the wet watercolors with a balled-up tissue. Hey, what can I say? Why not?

I waited until the paint was dry and then I stamped the flower in Archival ink. The sediment by Penny Black was stamped in SU brilliant blue. I'm entering this in the current One-Layer Simplicity Challenge. The theme is "Friend," which is where this card is headed.
OLS
~~~

There's more? Yup. It would be illegal to put the set away without making at least one card using the die, right?
I think you can see that the hydrangea is literally winked.  The background is a piece of K and Company pp from my stash and it makes me happy to use it. The sediment is from the "Year-Round Puns" set by Papertrey Ink and I think it, too, is NBUS. I know the butterfly is. It is cut from the "Small Butterfly Frame" by WPlus9 in both white linen paper and a lilac vellum.

I haven't played in Mrs. A.'s Butterfly Challenge for a long time, so I'm taking my card over there. The theme for the current challenge is, "S Is For Stamping and/or Sapphire."
Grab My Button.
~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

Thanks for hanging in there through this long one! And, as always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and taking 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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Finally! NBUS #6!

The next semi-annual NBUS (Never-Before-Used Schtuff) Challenge is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for two weeks from today!! Wheet!! If you are new to NBUS and would like more information, please click here.
Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (Stamps, Dies, EFs, etc.)

108 comments:

Milka Gubo said...

Hello Darnell! :o)
WOW, how many cards! All are GORGEOUS!! My favorite today is the first one! Awesome CAS design and gorgeous colors!! Great CASE!!! :o)
Can't wait for super fun NBUS challenge!! :o)
Have a great day! Big hugs! :o)
Milka xx

Unknown said...

My mind is literally overcome with the gorgeousness of these cards Dippy. How nice to CASe Anita (whose cards are amazing). Absolutely love your hydrangeas - they're absolutely beautiful.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Cathy said...

Hi Darnell, gorgeous CASE of Anita's card and what an amazing array of florals, love this flower stamp by the way! Cathy x

Jane Willis said...

Those cards are STUNNING! Love the way you've showcased such totally different ways to use the hydrangea stamp.
I keep pondering the idea of doing a "craft blog abbreviations dictionary" post, that newbies could refer to. In fact I've even made a few draft notes for it - wonder if people would find it useful?
Jane

kiwimeskreations said...

What amazing cards - three different ones from one stamp - and all of them stunning - Hammy really did you a favour tipping up the NBUS tray...
Blessings
Maxine

Liz said...

WOW, you have been busy! What a fab collection of cards today - and the hydrangea looks so different on each of the cards you've used it on. x

shirley-bee said...

You're definitely split personality today, Darnell! Your first card for Anita is beautiful, and could have been made by her - you've CASEd her style beautifully. The colouring on your first hydrangea is wonderful, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw the second version - you're right, so *very* me! I love the effect with the blotted tissue. You're an artist :). The third version is stunning with all the winked petals. I hope Hammy got an extra treat for 'selecting' this NBUS set for you.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Darnell you have the most charming way of writing!! Makes me smile all the time. Love how you created the cased card...wooo to think you made it using just a stencil and brush pens..awesome!!
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Kathyk said...

Fab makes and mayhem today!

Kathyk

!neke said...

Great cards and your conversation is always very very nice !!!!!!

Ineke XX

Sue said...

Really fabby cards made by you and Anita.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Ruth said...

I keep seeing that hydrangea stamp all over the interwebs, and it cries out to me, and I know why it does because you just made three amazing cards with it. I adore the watercolour splotched (sorry can't think of a better word right now!) one. Now I'm on a buying ban until Easter of stamps, inks and other colouring media, so we shall see what happens then - a massive splurge I think!! Gorgeous, gorgeous!! Xx

Julie B said...

Like the look of that hydrangea stamp Darnell. You've made 3 v different but equally stunning cards with it. :0) x

Marianne said...

Love your beautiful CASE of Anita. Made me wonder why I wasn't following her as yet, since her designs are always wonderful. I have just popped over to her blog to rectify this at once.
Also love what you did with this new Hydrangea stamp (which is high up on my wish list). As much as I love your first version, your second one is my favourite!
Marianne x

Olga Fink said...

Well what can I say? except to repeat my-self again,
WOW WOW WOW these cards are Amazing!! I love them all!
you are so talented! and so inspiring!
xoxo Olga

Happy Dance said...

Oh our birthday girl is going to love your CASE of her cards! It's brilliant; seriously brilliant! Love those bright happy colors. And those hydrangea cards.... Wowzers!!! That first one with its pretty ziggy painting and those flower centers is so gorgeous, and your artsy-fartsy second one has blown me away. Then you winked one all up for a great finish to your terrific hydrangea trio. So pretty. Way to go girl!! Hey...I miss you. (botox day!!!) Bev

Pat said...

Wow Darnell, what fabulous cards. I love your CASEing of Anita's pretty cards and then the three versions of that gorgeous hydrangea and being more of a neat and tidy than a random person my favourite is the within the lines watercolouring with the beautiful shading, and what a pretty blue you have used. x

Jeanne said...

Gorgeous cards, each and every one! Thank you so much for the beautiful inspiration. Looks like you are having loads of fun crafting. Great examples of how to use that big hydrangea in multiple ways! :) Big hugs!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Wow wow wow and more wow!! These are just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mimi said...

Good stuff, good stuff... A great post about how versatile stamps can be! I think that is so cool--I love efficient product use!

Ardyth said...

I hestitated (and didn't get) about the hydrangeas, but you've made me realize that it was a bad decision to leave them out of my cart! lol! Anita will love your card as much as I do. Love the colouring technique you used - yes, Shirley will love it! So glad you joined us at OLS!

Nan G said...

Hammy n Hestor = mayhem alright. But love love what the mayhem inspired! Wow NBUS 6 no way number 6 ?! And I haven't been able to get in on any...yet! Hugs

SD pooja said...

Lovely cards ! I loved the one with hydrangea a bit more :)

Julia Aston said...

Goodness gracious Darnelle - what a prolific stamper you were - starting out to just create one card! love all of your pretty designs - and I'm so happy to see an NBUS coming up!!!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

This is a bunch of really lovely cards, Darnell! Love all them, expecially the second one. Yes, I'm a lover of colour inside :D but also the third one, that with the colour "splashed" random, is stunning and has a very interesting look!
Thanks for the explanation/translation... I'm always with a big question mark on my head reading your acronimes :D

designbydonna said...

All beautiful cards. I am really loving the watercolor and then stamping one. I have lots of trouble staying inside the lines when I try to watercolor so this would be perfect for me.

Colleen said...

Darnell...I am in love with your hydrangea..gorgeous stamp and
WOW, your coloring and the water color is outstanding!! Fabulous my friend!!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Oh another post oozing yumminess Darnell. All so bright, sunny and gorgeous. In fact I could do with a bit of heat from the sun if you can pop some over the pond!!!! Great to see you playing along at Less is More this week and WOAH! Can't wait for a new NBUS round the corner. Fantastic! Sarah xx

Canonbury creations said...

Love your cased card Darnell and the hydrangea ones are gorgeous!
Val x

I Card Everyone said...

My head is swimming with adjectives, D... let's just say WOW, wow, Mondo WOW!!! LOve what you've done with the wet stamping!
=]

G Peplow said...

Soo many super cards Darnell.....well done, you have been a busy girl :D Thank you for your kind comments on mine Hugs Gay ;D xx

Geri said...

Wowzers....you're on fire girl! Two days - two posts! Love it!

GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS CASE of Anita's card! You're right - your images do look like the sugared candies(which will now have me running across the road to the gas station to buy some!!!). Really cool stencilling.

The hydrangea cards are stunning! I'm totally smitten with the 'Shirley Bee' channelled card! The shades of blue are gorgeous!

The last card...my-oh-my...it is fer prettier than one of them thar for real life flewers! Y'all have gone and added a mighty perty flutter-by too!

Krisha said...

BAM!! An other round of gorgeous cards......I thought I was the only one on a card marathon! Now I just need to get some of them posted...LOL

I am in love with the Hydrangea stamp and die......your cards make me want to buy all the same toys you have........maybe I should just come to the "Playhouse" and PLAY!!!

Sarah G said...

Lots of great techniques and inspiration today, Darnell! I LOVE your CASE of the amazing Anita's design - the colours, white space and embossed line are just perfect. I may also have to go and buy that hydrangea which looks fabulous! Love your Ziggy watercolouring which is so lifelike and the freestyle watercolouring too. All beautiful :)

Redanne said...

Oh my, you have been busy and created a visual feast for us!! I love all of the cards but the last hydrangea one has just stolen my heart - over the top gorgeous - I have a hydrangea stamp somewhere, must try that technique. Fabulous cards!! Hugs, Annie xx

Lisa said...

All of your cards are so gorgeous!! I love the colors of the first one!! The flowers look amazing on the others!! Absolutely beautiful!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Brenda said...

Wow, wow, wow! What beautiful cards Auntie! Love your take on Anita's cards, such fun and vibrant colors and you used your Zigs, something I need to get to using. I love those hydrangea cards, they are stunning, especially the watercolored one! I will have to give this a try with a hydrangea stamp I have. Somehow I don't think mine will turn out as fabulous as yours though. lol I am looking forward to the newest NBUS challenge coming up Auntie! Now I'm off to wish Anita a Happy Birthday! Hugs, Brenda

Gerrina said...

What a beautiful case-card! Did you find Anita's card so great to case?
Love that big hydrageneastamp and all three cards with it are beautiful, allthough my favo is the first! Hugs, Gerrina

HJ said...

Beautiful cards. I love the first very colorful one and also the awesome coloring on the hydrangea one, as well as the die cut hydrangea one. All are totally beautiful. I love your upbeat attitude and the sunshine you bring to your blog everyday.

Sue D said...

Wow--you were quite busy making all these fabulous cards.

TK said...

What a bunch of stunning cards! I love the script on the first sentiment, and who doesn't love that Mondo Magnolia???

Jean said...

Simply gorgeous cards!

Julie said...

Wow Darnell.The second is particularly stunning. Great image and lovely stamping!

jimlynn said...

All of these are yummy looking beautiful! Love the coloring with those Zigs!
Lynn

AlisonC said...

What a lovely stamp and you have certainly showcased it's talents. Love the blue watercolour. Very brave but wonderful result, the effect is like marbling. The hydrangea on the butterfly card has such a lovely pearly colour.
It is good to see you over at the Butterfly Challenge.

Dana M said...

Fabulous cards Darnell! Beautiful CASE of Anita's cards and perfect way to honor her birthday. Gorgeous hydrangea cards too.

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I'll have to check out that Hydrangea stamp. Your water coloring turned outfabulous...

Anita in France said...

Darnell, my lovely friend ... thank you so much for your stunning CASE ... I'm honoured ... it feels so me!! Those mouthwatering juicy colours are so delicious against the crisp white ... and what a perfect sentiment with all that energy and movement of your Zigging! So delighted to have you playing along with us at CASEplorations!

Your hydrangeas are beautiful ... all three of them ... the first wonderfully fresh, crisp and clean, the second splendidly unstructured and very Shirley-esque, the third rich and shimmery and elegant ... wow!

Your gorgeous card and gift arrived in our mail box this afternoon ... such perfect timing ... thank you so much ... you and Hammy had me smiling all over my face!! D'you think I now have some NBUS to use for your next challenge??? Miss you heaps, mon amie! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Chriss Blagrave said...

Oh My, what a beauty of a card for Anita! Cheery and sunshine filled and the white space ❤️
Your hydrangea cards are super, elegant and artsy! You have been so creative!
Big hugs xoxo

Karen Petitt said...

A really beautiful take on Anita's card Darnell, which reminds me that I must pop on over and follow her because I love her CAS cards, especially when there is quite a bit of ink involved too lol!
I love how you used that fabulous flower stamp too, it's a really gorgeous stamp and the way you used it is fabulous and something for me to try some time.
Huge big apologies for not visiting for so long. Have been struggling with my back and despression issues which are affecting me and hubby quite badly. Add on to those facts is my mum was hospitalised and my health is so bad that I can't get over to see her. We're still hopeful that she won't have to have open heart surgery but we're waiting for test results.
I plan to spend some time playing with my inks and paints tonight to take my mind off all of the 'stuff' bubbling away inside Karen xx

Kathleen said...

Some fabulous creations and some fabulous colours but I think I totally adore the Hydrangea water coloured card.

Kath x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards. Such a productive day :)
Love the tissue effect on the second hydrangea card.

conil said...

As the old web had been dead here all day, just found out about Anita's birthday. Wouldn't you know there would be issues today. Nuts! (said something stronger, earlier) You, being who you are, came through for her, BIG TIME. Love the way you cased her card. Then came that glorious hydrangea that's been sitting on my desk, screaming for attention. Seems as though the Hamsters knew you needed to use it. And boy, did you. Awesome...all so different and very, very cool. Hope mine doesn't wait for the NBUS challenge.

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a busy lady you have been. I love all of the gorgeous card designs. The first one is a bright,bold and cheery design. And, then you made those with the beautiful florals on them. I was so enthused with those too! You colored them so well and they sure make me think of Spring.

Pam said...

Wow! You have been a very busy lady! Love your case of Anita's card. I am swooning over your hydrangeas. Just so lovely!

OH Babs said...

You did a marvelous job of CASEing Anita, just lovely.I love the unstructured hydrangea, and I love hydrangeas - I may case you.

Kim Heggins said...

Simply fabulous cards my dear sweet friend...just love what you made for our sweet Anita!

Susanne Vargas said...

Sugared citrus candy! What a delicious take on Anita's cards! I know that she will love it!
And your parade of hydrangeas is splendid, all different and all fabulous!

Birgit said...

All these cards are just amazing! I love the first one with the oranges and reds-she will love this card. The last 3 just shows what one can do with one stamp! I love the first rendition with the beautiful blue but then the 2nd is so cool with the free flow of colour. The last one is just something with the glitter and the background-beautiful!

Lisa Elton said...

How FABULOUS are all of these!! You've been a busy bee. I love the pearl adorned hydrangea, so beautiful!

Aileen said...

Wow have you been busy, what a fantastic collection of cards. In love with the Hydrangea flower stamp, have tried to purchase a few times but it is always sold out which is probably good cause I have soon much for the NBUS challenge. Let me enter 10 times okay????

I love the different ways you used this stamp and really enjoy the free flow of the watercolour, squished with your tissue (hope it was clean to start with!!), that really works well.

Anita's birthday card is wonderful, love those colours.

New Creations said...

Your creations are always stunning! Love the first one most with bright color impact!

Cat Craig said...

You've been busy Ms D. I am loving your colorful cards, the first does look like the sugared fruit pieces! Your MH is stunning in all three settings. It's sitting in my to be opened, inventoried and used pile.

Petra Swart said...

Your fabulous card for Anita and your wonderful hydrangea cards are all so beautiful, Darnell!!!!! Such creativity with the different ways you used the hydrangea stamp!!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

Donna said...

Your boundless creativity never ceases to amaze me, Darnell. So many beautiful, 'happy' cards. x

Mrs A. said...

All gorgeous makes but my favourite has to be the one made specially for me. I couldn't believe it when I read your post cos I have WPlus9 stamps out on my desk right now having a watercolour play with them and then your butterfly minded me I had a another set of WPlus 9 butterfly stamps in ANBUS state and then you said your having another #6. That's plain spooky wookie. Anyways I digress from your Hydrangea which is gorgeous with all its sparkle and colouring and lookie the butterfly landed just in time for the photo shoot too. Thankyou for fluttering by. Hugs Mrs A.

Marilyn said...

WOW!! All of your cards are gorgeous!!

Craft-E-Place said...

Stunning, brilliant, gorgeous!! Fabulous cards ... the hydrangea ones are brilliant.
Elaine

oldpunca said...

You have created beautiful cards, dear Darnell. I like them all. Particular I like a big stamp of hydrangea in all three variants. :-)
Have a great weekend,
Sonja

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

I could have sworn I left a comment on this post - but I must be wrong....(demented???). Gorgeous cards - love what happened with the sun - but kind of odd? How do you explain it??? Never happened to me? Perhaps its the paper. But the effect is great. Clearly a Shirley.
Thanks for coming by my blog and pointing out the picture problem. I could see it just fine, but I re-uploaded it. Hopefully its fixed now...

Ros Crawford said...

Wow!! What stunning cards Darnell!! ... 'Simply watercolouring" HELLO! Your hydrangea is magnificent!! And I have to say that the stamped over watercolour card is just as brilliant... Fit for a gallery me thinks! Happy Birthday to your friend who is going to love her card! Have a beautiful day and enjoy the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Amazing cards Darnell!!! The water coloring hydrangea is WOWEEEEEEE!!!!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell such gorgeous card. I love your case of Anita with the colours fabulously watercoloured. Youu are having fun with your Zig's. I am still deciding whether I will let them into my heart or not--lol Your experience with the hydrangea turned out super fantastic--love love love! Have a wonderful weekend~hugs!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

This is such a neat post with great work, great designs, thanks for sharing your beautiful cards Darnell!

D.Ann C said...

Woot-woot!!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

ooops! Just spotted your card over at ATCAS too Darnell. Works perfectly in our bloom challenge and a pleasure to visit again. Thanks for playing along. Sarah x

Chrissie said...

I just love that hydrangea image Darnell and you've done such fab things with it too... it would be very hard to choose a fave! All full of yumminess!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Loll said...

You were on a roll Dolly! Beautiful cards, each and every one so creative and unique. Especially love your inspired makes of channeling Anita and Shirley-bee. Awesome! Aren't the zigs so fun to work with?? Lolly xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I had to stop laughing over "HAMMY and MAYHEM are almost anagrams" before I could comment. Sounds like you've owned a hamster before. I had one escape artist who would get out and scare the cats. You could tell she was out because the cats would all be nervously looking around and standing the furniture (you know they'd make girly screams if only they could).

You've been on a card making roll! I love the scrumptious colors of that first card-bright and bold! Then all those lovely cards with the hydrangea. I like the water colored blob one best. Yep, you done thunk that one up right!

Becca Cruger said...

Whoaaaaaa! 4 beautimous cards! Where do I even begin to put my compliments? I'll start by the card that made my heart go all pittery-pattery - that one with the splattery painted flowers (card 3, I believe). It's so artsy and fun! I also realllllly love the first card with the stenciled bleedy border. <3 You've proven again just how versatile one stamp can be! Kudos!

Maura said...

A.MAZE.ING!!!!! What a boatload of beauty, my friend!!! Love that mondo flower and wish I had ordered it before it went out of stock! I think those cards are my favorites, though I love, love, love the CASED card too. Can't wait till NBUS!

Maura said...

A.MAZE.ING!!!!! What a boatload of beauty, my friend!!! Love that mondo flower and wish I had ordered it before it went out of stock! I think those cards are my favorites, though I love, love, love the CASED card too. Can't wait till NBUS!

Carol L said...

What a creative and fabulous collection of beautiful cards! HB to Anita - you cased her cards in such a lovely way! I love that blue hydrangea too, and whatever happened to that beautiful SU! brilliant blue color line anyway? I've always loved that blue!

Greta said...

You're amazing, Darnell--love these, especially the gorgeous, creatively colored hydrangeas! You've made me want to use my Zigs!

Annette Allen said...

wow all of your cards are amazing.. I really love the first one the colors just pop and I have to say I just love that color combo.. fabulous designing..

Thank you so much for that sweet comment you left me today... :) have a wonderful and crafty weekend.

Sue from Oregon said...

One layer, CAS cards are hard to make...these are just amazing!

Claire said...

Phew, you've been busy Darnell! What a fab take on Anita's card...a wonderful way to use those nested circles. And your colouring is just gorgeous in your blooms - they positively pop off the card!

Jaydee said...

Darnell, I love how you showcased one stamp in so many ways. Stunning. So glad you joined us ATCAS this week
jaydee

Stephanie said...

I love how many cards you created!! They are all gorgeous and I especially like the one that looks like sugared citrus candies!! and it totally does!!! Hope you have a fantastic week ^_^

sandie said...

Fabulous cards, great CASE of Anita! And love your flower card. The colouring for the LIM card is superb and I really like the artsy look of the one left in the sun. I really like the control of stamping but also enjoy water colouring as it allows us to just 'let it go!!'
Have a good weekend x

Linby said...

Your blog is always a little ray of sunshine and even more so today with these beautiful cards.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Darnell, your cards are gorgeous! I find one-layer cards to be the hardest but you've mastered them beautifully! I love your new NBUS stamp! Very excited to see another NBUS challenge coming! Woohoo! I know I still have some NBUS items in my stash!

scrappymo! said...

These are gorgeous. I think they are all perfect but my fave is the watercolour card. Such a wonderful look!

I will be back for the NBUS challenge. You have inspired me to use up so much of my VOS and NBUS stash.

Linda said...

Beautiful cards ...... your LIM entry is simply stunning. Gorgeous image and beautifully coloured. xx

Vicki Dutcher said...

Whoa - lots of eye candy going on here! [So fun to visit] - Thanks for joining in at CASEplorations - Your card is fabulous

ionabunny said...

Love the hydrangers. Off to put the NBUS announcement in my sidebar. Oh happy day. Hugz

Bonnie said...

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!

Anne said...

What bee-yoo-tiful blooms Darnell, love the watercoloured one!
Gorgeous bright colours on Anita's card too.
Thanks so much for joining us for one layer week
Anne
"Less is More"

maria f. said...

A busy bee you were! OK, to the sugared candies... never liked those to eat but man are they graphically delish! Thanks for gracing the CASEplorations gallery with this bold beaut honoring Anita. As for that mono hydrangea, heck the naked stamp is gorgeous. I LOVE hydrangeas, especially the purple kind. You've totally done that NBUS justice. Way to go hammy!

Kelly Griglione said...

What a ton of inspiration here, Darnell! Really loving the bright colors on your nested circles card, and how loose they are. So artsy! Of course, the hydrangea is a huge hit, but I really love your example in blue with the sediment straddling the stem. Well designed!

Kim M said...

What a great bunch of cards, Darnell! I love your CASE of Anita's card. The way you used the stencil for it was really cool. Great design too! Thanks for joining us over at CASEplorations this month! :-)

Jenni's Jems said...

Wow you have been a very busy lady and they are fab!!! Loving the teacups and then I loved the big bloom watercolour ...fair to say i loved them all ! x

Bobby said...

I love your 'Anita' card, Darnell. The colors are perfect and so is the sentiment. Hammy knew what he was doing when he pushed the hydrangea front and center. You've shown just how versatile it is.

Helen F. said...

Hy there, Darnell, Your CASE of Anita's card is beautiful. Lovely assortment of cards using the Floral ~ each one is so pretty and unique!

Kath said...

Congratulations on being ShowCASed on Less is More - well deserved!
Kath x

Nora Noll said...

WOW!! Your CASE of Anita's card is FABULOUS!! I LOVE how you used your Zig's on these. I still am a novice at them and have had them since this summer. Your hydrangea cards are amazing. I LOVE the second one where you just did the drops of watercolor. What a cool way to create!! I am going to have to try this.

TK said...

Congrats on the honors at LIM!

Miriam Prantner said...

Gorgeous hydrangea cards, love all the different looks at that! But love, love, love how you created the bottom portion of the first card with the zigs and stencil, looks amazing!