A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

March 3, 2016

NBUS Challenge #6 ~ Day Three!

Hi there! You made it up and over the hump of the week! It'll be smooth-sailing down hill to the weekend from here!

I put that new "feature" button on my side bar about the challenge, but it just occurred to me that some of you can't even see the side bar on your devices so instead of that, I'll start each post with a link to get you to the linky tool. Here you go: NBUS Challenge #6.

I sure appreciate how you are jumping in and playing! I picked March and September for my biannual NBUS challenges, thinking there weren't many other things going on around those dates, but between Blogland and Facebook, I see that there are a ton of new releases and hops, and even new challenges happening right now. The more the merrier to keep us inspired and creating, right?

~~~

Today's post is a case of card interruptus. I had a card all lined up and my post half-written and then all of a sudden, Hubert whistled all the other hamsters into the conference drawer for an emergency intervention. In order to make some chaos out of the order around here, we agreed some months ago to run the Playhouse as a democracy.

The long and the short of the becitement and voting was the creation of this card:
What happened was the current CASology challenge showed up on Hubert's blog list. He is the most athletic of the hamsters and so he subscribes to all the in-cage exercise and wheel-spinning blogs that are out there. (You might be surprised how many there are!) Since the cue card this week at CASology is "spin," it popped up on every single one of the blogs in his little reader!

Now you would think we would have made a card like this:
Except that we already did that last year and I've since made more of those cards so that each of the little furballs has one for their poster board. Because of that, we wanted to go a different way and use NBUS.
The NBUS that launched this card were those sweet pinwheels. A package of them was given to me as a bit of card candy by my friend Kim M. about four years not too long ago and they've been used as hamster toys ever since, waiting for the right inspiration to propel them onto a card. Thank you CASology and thank you Kim! And thank you, Hubert!

My sunshiny yellow white space is embossed with a swirl e/f. I purpoisely placed it on the card upside down because I thought it better reflected swirling wind spinning the pinwheels which are popped onto the card sans sticks. The watercolored paint schmear is a stamp from MFT called "Jumbo Abstract Art." The circle die is from Lil' Inkers.

The word "spin" is made by lining up each individual script alphabet letter together. Shut up! No, seriously! How fun is that? You can spell anything! They are from Concord & 9th, a newish set from a newish company. Despite my resolve not to buy any more NBUS, I simply had to have this and play with it! And I'm not sorry either. There, I said it. 

Challenges
  • CASology Cue Card: Spin.

    I realize my card today might be a bit too busy for CASology, but the little whisker wearers got so into it, I didn't have the heart to tell them that. Besides, I'm always happy to just spread the word about the challenges that are out there!
  • CAS Mix Up Card Challenge.

    This is a brand-spankin'-new challenge owned and operated by my friends Loll (Stamping With Loll) and Bonnie (Stamping With Klass). They have teamed up to bring us a challenge with a concentration on technique! We are all constantly learning and loving new techniques, so it sounds like a frolicking good time with lots of ideas and tips to help us. My card has the requisite stamping and watercoloring with a third element of dry embossing. Ladies, I wish you lots of luck with your new challenge and thank you for all your hard work!
~~~

Enjoy your day! Enjoy NBUS #6! 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!

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68 comments:

Loll said...

Now this is a fun card!! I LOVE the bright and happy yellow background, and those pinwheels are pure joy. Awesome design Dolly, and thank you so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up!! Lolly xx

Milka Gubo said...

Weeeeeee!!! Your card is so cute!!! Love the design, soft colors and oh that super cute little pinwheels... I'm melting!! :o) Have a beautiful day! hugs & xx & :o)

Ruth said...

Oh I love this! I'm working up to use some NBUS next week. I adore the yellow embossing folder - think it looks amazing upside down! Xx

Jane Willis said...

Absolutely wonderful card, there's so much going on and yet it's still gorgeously CAS. Those hamsters have learned from the best (I'm talking about Hammy of course)
Jane

TK said...

What an awesome card! Curious about the one that got tossed aside when Hubert's vote took over, but I'm loving this one -- and whoda thunk about a pinwheel?! I guess it helps to have multiple minds around...

Kathyk said...

FAB cards and post today, particularly loving the hammy in the wheel, mate!

Kathyk

Annie said...

oh my you are so clever - fabulous work. Annie xxx

Lizzy Hill said...

Good on those Hammies, making you think before you post!!! LOVE your card....very pretty & full of fun....dunno if I'll get a chance to join in, but I'm sure you won't miss me! BUSY time atm. Not changing anytime soon!!!

Julie B said...

A very bright and sunny interpretation Darnell, those windmills are so sweet. The embossing looks fab to, love that you shows the deboss side. :)

Aileen said...

Nice card Darnell, the spin wheels are set off perfectly with that yellow background. Very very nice.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

This card make me happy! :D So bright and sweet, the pinwheels and the topper with these super-watercolouring are fantastic! Love the yellow embossed panel! Fabulous!!!

Suchi said...

Such an awesome card Darnell! Love the cheerful bright colors! :)
Suchi xx

Barb said...

What a great fun card Darnell. I love everything about it. Barbxx

Sandra H said...

Oooh so beautiful they are and so colourful l just love the embossxed coloured background on the first card and the stitched edges around the other so talented you are xx

Carole said...

Now this is a super card Darnell and probably sums up my life at present...a flat one of course(spin)...and probably that of many crafters! It makes me think of the beach with the yellow sand and the windmills in the sandcastles....so it makes e smile! Take care xx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

So good to see your card Darnell, had a chuckle at your hammy conference must admit hamming it up came to mind just for a teeny minute then quickly banished such thought ;) love your card both I weelie love you and spin....
Very clever...and why do we always need new schtuff??????
After showing a certain family member a new purchase explaining all its virtues the response was ..."an' jus' what r u going to do with all this schtuff when u no longer craft...ah well guess you could eBay it" sigh...
Shaz in Oz.x praying you're feeling a little better each day.

Viv said...

Two brill cards Darnell.. love hammy! xx

Diane said...

What a fun, fun card..and loving the perfect background! You and Hammy sure have some clever ideas!!

Marilyn said...

Gorgeous card!! Love those little pinwheels!

Pat said...

What a great spin on the 'spin' challenge Darnell, also shows we should always tuck away those little bits which we can't think of a use for at the time because their day will come! Those little pinwheels are so cute and I love the swirly embossed background in that wonderful yellow. x

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So fun! LOVING the pinwheels!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanvi said...

Lovely cards! LOved the pinwheels!

Dana M said...

The pinwheels are fabulous - perfect card for a spin challenge. The yellow just makes me happy and ready for spring. Terrific cards Darnelle!

Yolanda Garrido said...

hahahaha you made me laugh with the card interruptus!! I love how you made that embossing!! Wow! It´s gorgeous! Hugs!

SD pooja said...

Fun card ! Colors make it even more cheerful !

SD pooja said...

Fun card ! Colors make it even more cheerful !

Helen F. said...

Your card is a smilefest, Darnell! From the fun-loving yellows to the cute colorful pinwheels!

Betty said...

what a fun spin on things you put on your card in those pretty spring colors and the little pinwheels!

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

Oh I love those pinwheels! So happy and bright!

ionabunny said...

Hi Darnell. Love your spin card. The little pinwheels are so cute. Hugz

Marybeth said...

Both great spin cards and perfect for the challenge, love the bright embossed yellow!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, I love the cards.

Hope you have had a good day. Sue

Viv said...

Wow Dee what a beautiful bright and cheery card here, I just adore it!Looks like you have lots of sun there judging by the photograph pleeeease send some our way ;) hugs Vee xx

conil said...

You've put a great spin on your card for both these challenges. (let the groaning commence.) Your should be very pleased with Hubert for this one.

OH Babs said...

Hey Darnell, I spotted your card on the CAS Mix Up Challenge - how cool. What I like: the shade of yellow, the great die cut with the splatter and just the whole dang card. Very Clever. Your creativeness continues to grow.

Lisa said...

What a gorgeous card!! I love the yellow and the embossing!! The pinwheels are perfect touches!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Donna said...

Such a happy card, Darnell. Really pretty :)

Karenladd said...

This card is more fun than a party with those bright colors, the pinwheels (eek!), the embossed background in sunny yellow, and those oh-so-clever alpha letters combining to make a word. The teeny tiny pinwheels are a worthy NBUS to show off today and reminds me that I actually have a pinwheel die tucked away somewhere, that would probably love to get some use. High five to Hubert and all the little hamsters for inspiring this design.

Redanne said...

Golly Darnell, you are certainly not on your own, I find stuff that I 'must have' nearly every week, despite my resolve too.... I have given up trying to be good!! Love your card, the pinwheels are a brilliant touch and the yellow reminds me that Spring is just around the corner (I hope!!). Hugs, Annie xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Super sweet, gloriously colourful, and an overall wonderful card Darnell.
So glad Hammy and co work with you to produce your masterpieces - give them my congratulations on this one too :-)
Blessings
Maxine

Bonnie said...

Ach! Those little pinwheels are adorable! I'm surprised the hamsters let you put them on a card! Love your watercolor schmear and the bright happy colors! We're so happy to see you at CAS Mix Up!

Linda said...

This is such a happy looking card ..... I love the pretty yellow background and those pinwheels are just adorable. I'm loving the challenge by the way xx

rachel said...

super cute card Darnell - I'm loving the pinwheel! Hugs rachel x

Carol L said...

Whoa, this is such a bright, cheerful and fun card with those pinwheels! I'm blown away that you stamped the sentiment with separate letters! How fabulous is that?!?! I love it!!

oldpunca said...

You have sreated amazing spin cards. :-) I'm also playing in your NBUS challenge.
Hugs, Sonja

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful card. I really like the pinwheel design. But I love the hamster one too!In fact, I have that same stamp set which has not seen ink either. Shame on me.

Bobby said...

Your NBUS challenge may bring more NBUS to my house, Darnell. I love that Abstract Art that you so beautifully watercolored and the letters. I saw them, thought no, and am now rethinking. Although the S looks like how I make my Ls. And I did notice the embossing was upside down before your mentioned it and it looks great like that.

Nora Noll said...

What, fun, fun cards. I LOVE your take on the challenge. The pinwheels are the perfect touch!! I have yet to play with the NBUS challenge but hope to this weekend!! I have a lot of things to ink up!!

Cheryl W. said...

I can see why you had to have those scripty letter stamps. They're awesome! I was wondering how you ever found a word stamp that said "spin." Now I know. Your little pinwheels are so cute.

Susanne Vargas said...

Love the spring colors and those cute pinwheels!

Lisa Elton said...

Your pinwheels are darling Darnell, this is so much fun!

dnisme@blogspot.com said...

Love your spin card, Darnell! Now I want to get busy and make some pinwheels and attach them to a card.

Greta said...

I've been thinking about pinwheels lately & these are just darling! I've never heard of alphabet stamps like that, but now I want them! Thanks for the inspiration & enabling, Darnell!

SHartl said...

I love those little pinwheels and that embossed background is just perfect to represent swirling breezes. It's so sunny and bright, and full of fun!

ike said...

Oh, that is just super AWESOME. I love the gorgeous yellow background and adorable little pinwheels :-D xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Olga Fink said...

It's always such a pleasure to read your posts! And this card is gorgeous!
Xoxo Olga

Anonymous said...

Fabulous bright happy card. Love the font on the sentiment.

Joyce said...

You are too funny, Darnell. I love both of your cards, and they are each perfect for our spin challenge. Thanks so much for playing along at CASology this week.

Judy1223 said...

Darnell, nothing says SPIN like your cheerful card! Love the spinning embossed card base and the sweet pinwheels, too! Thanks for joining us and being a cheerleader for CASology...you are the best!

Mimi said...

Love the pinwheels! Remember making them as kids with binder paper and wondering why they didn't work! Must try now with my grown-up supplies :-)
Also, I'm totally down with using either side of an embossed paper! Go girl!

Gerrina said...

It is great to read your posts; always such funny ones and always a beautiful card! Love the sunny yellow! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Unknown said...

What a fantabulous card Dippy. Love the "spin" sentiment, it's gorgeous but unfortunately sold out......so will be sitting on my hands fof the time being.

Hugs

Karendipity xxx

Anita in France said...

Just look at that delicious, swirly, sunny, spring-y yellow, Darnell ... what a perfect backdrop for those fun, bright twirly spinners! Yummy watercolour stripes ... and that awesome lettering is fab ... thanks for adding weight to my wish book with those C&9th letters!! Hubert and his fellow hairies should be proud!! Miss you, mon amie! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

cm said...

Good thing Hubert has his radar finely tuned for challenge alerts, because WOW: what a marvelous SPIN card you've created! Smitten with the pinwheels; crushing over the watercolour paint strokes, and delighting in the spring-y yellow swirls. The Concord & 9th letters...oh my! Another 'want' added to my wish novel...
Hugs~c

Jen W. said...

Hello, Miss Darnell! I am loving your bright and cheery card and whoop whoop for the use of NBUS! You should enter it int his NBUS challenge... oh right. Never mind. :) Anyway I love the embossed swirls and the paint schemers and those adorable pinwheels. So I like all of it!! I keep seeing those alphabet stamps and despite what everyone says I'm still suspicious of how easy they are to line up... (Not that I'm shopping these days anyway...) Also thanks for the mention of the Mix Up challenge - I'm definitely going to check it out. And thanks for playing along with CASology this week! Hugs!

Brenda said...

I am in love with this fun and sunny card Auntie! Those Hamster's are clever I have to say. I love those adorable pinwheels and if you had said they were a die, I would have had to break my resolve and order it. lol So I'm happy there weren't a die! Love the paint smear, embossing and the sentiment. Ok, now you got me with the sentiment stamps! Love the font and to learn that they are separate letters that you put together to make the sentiment, well I am in love! Will see if I can resist them as I said I do not need anymore stamp sets. Hugs, Brenda

Kim Heggins said...

So cute...love your take on spin!

D.Ann C said...

How fun is this?!!!