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 2, 2016

NBUS Challenge #6 ~ Day Two!

Welcome to Day Two! I hope your week is going well!

And I hope you are having fun looking through your schtuff for your NBUS! I can just picture your face as you find that stamp or die or punch that you put away and forgot you even had!

I often get comments like, "You really DO have a lot of NBUS!" Well, um, yeah! Doesn't everyone? If you drive around Blogland any time at all, you're gonna see something you want bad. If you aren't tempted by continuous new releases from fabulous companies, you're tempted by something you saw on a friend's blog, or in a challenge gallery.

For a while now, my weak spot has been dies. Good night Nancy Nannette, they are SO fun to play with! And you always get two for the price of one because you can make a card from both the positive and the negative cuts. That is so economical that it would be silly not to buy them! She says, coyly.

At Christmas I received a very pretty card from my friend Bobby on which she had used this really cool ornament die. Enabled, I purchased it foretooth. When it arrived, Hammy said, "Oh, goodie, that's a fun balloon die." Now, in fairness, he happened to be hanging upside down in his cage when I opened the package. This has happened before and, sure enough, after a bit of a laying my ear upside my shoulder, I could see what he meant.

So I made this one firstly:
I cut the die twice: once from white linen card and once from a glossy card which I handmade by blending alcohol inks in pretty jewel tones onto glossy card stock. Above is the positive die card using the white linen cut which I then laid in with the colored glossy bits. The sediment is from "Compact Sediments" by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Here is a closeup of how shiny it is:
 Then I made this one secondly:
The sediments are from "Smirthday" by Technique Tuesday.

Didn't that ornament die make a cute balloon? Different, anyway!

~~~

I still had some of the colored glossy paper I made, so I used a Christmas die to make another card:
This NBUS die is called "Jumbled Happy Holidays" and it's from Poppstamps. The single jingle bell is from Lil' Inkers. Here is a closeup. Using linen and gloss papers together just makes me feel jingle bell happy in my heart.
 
These colors remind me that I (and possibly you?) rarely use my whole family of orchid, plum, raspberry, and burgandy colored paper stock. I declare them popular again! Do you think that will work if I just say so?

How about if I declare these pretty raspberry and blue colors as tropical colors? Would you agree? Think of those tiny little umbrellas that come in yummy rummy drinkie poos lovingly brought to you by scantily clad pool boys as you leaf through stamping magazines on the chaise under a palm tree. 

Well, good, then. While you're thinking about that, I'm going to enter this as my first entry in the 2016 Merry Monday Christmas Challenge!
~~~

Looking for the InLinkz button for the NBUS #6 Challenge? It is at the top of my side bar or you can click HERE. Have fun!!
~~~

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75 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Wonderful cards Darnell - and I am so glad Hammy saw the balloon in that die - and yes, those jewel tones are now fashionable, 'cos you said so!
Blessings
Maxine

Jane Willis said...

What gorgeous colours and great mileage you got out of your fab inked paper - a threefer in fact! Scrumptious
Jane

jasann said...

What a fun card!!!! love the colours, they are so summery!!!!!

SD pooja said...

Loved the jewel tone colors and gloss on die cuts !!

SD pooja said...

Loved the jewel tone colors and gloss on die cuts !!

Annie said...

Wow what a treat these cards are - stunning - love all that shine. Annie xxx

Kathyk said...

Well Hammy IS right about it being a fantabulous balloon die, just BET it would make a great bauble too!!! lol. You KNOW I would approve of the colour you used too, mate!

Loving your NBUS challenge

Kathyk

Sue said...

Loving all the cards. The colours are fab.

Hope you have a good day. Sue

Stamps and Paper said...

LOvely cards you've made using your alcohol inks and die cuts Darnell the colours are beautiful

Anne

Marianne said...

Imagine being able to use your die 4 times instead of 2: both as a very cool balloon and as a fun bauble AND using both the positive and negative die cut!
Love how your cards turned out, Darnell. Jewel tones are always in fashion if you ask me, but I'm glad you agree. And lastly, you forgot to mention one huge incentive for buying more schtuff: a sale. I have a box full of new goodies that I bought in the Black Friday sales. Although I'm trying very hard and succeeding fairly well to break into those new supplies, I still have enough NBUS left to create a few cards for your current challenge. Hope you will be feeling up to par really soon. DH had his second operation to remove his stoma last week and is now trying hard to get his bowels to work properly again. That's going to take weeks if not months...
Marianne x

Diane said...

Oh these are FABULOUS...you are so lucky to have Hammy help you figure out other ways to use dies other then what they were intended for...but wait...my card I entered in your challenge is using a die in a different way too...maybe I felt some of Hammy's vibes all the way to Michigan!....Anywho...these cards are 'FABBY'!!!

Carole said...

Love these cards Darnell, what a fabulous balloon...great mileage from this die! Love all your piecing in the first card with that fabulous colour background you made...love the colours...oooooh so shiny just like a balloon.xx

Kim M said...

What a fabulous idea! Turning that Christmas ornament into a balloon! I love it when cool ideas happen, don't you? Love the colours you chose and the way you inked up your glossy paper. I've got some glossy paper I need to use this way too! So, how are you feeling? Any better? Hope so. :-). Love the Christmas card as well. That linen paper is awesome. Big hugs! :-)

Gerrina said...

Great use of that (I get it totally!)-die! And so effective to do that in the purple shiny paper! Three quick but beautiful cards!
I keep my NBUS-ses in a box and that is the first place I go looking for new ideas. I dream of an empty box or just four new things on my table, but that will probebly never happen 'cause I also see to many "must-have"-playstuff:) One thing I want to do this year is use more of what I already have, and since I have a lot after 5 years I am just happy that I don't HAVE to buy anything to let my ideas flow and get them onto paper...
Hugs, Gerrina

Lynn said...

Wow! The glossy paper is absolutely fabulous. Love all those purple hues and how you stretched your supplies to make three gorgeous cards. Love that you used the ornament as a balloon.

Ros Crawford said...

Fabulous cards!! That ballon is so cool and I'm loving your mix of colours!

KandA said...

Brilliant cards Darnell and I love the colours xx

Pat said...

Three fabulous cards Darnell and the NBUS bauble die works wonderfully as a balloon also the purple shiny paper is beautiful on all three. Hammy was very clever to spot the potential usefulness of this die. x

Cheryl W. said...

What a perfect trifecta of cards! Love the ornament as a balloon. That Hammy is very creative!

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Hello Darnell: This trio of Christmas cards is just amazing, the shimmery purple shades of this ornaments are beautiful. This Challenge is perfect for you, since you live in warmer climates, us poor folk up here in the Northern States are still shivering in the grip of Winter.
This is a really fun challenge, when you participate in Christmas challenges all I can think about is snow, snow, ice, snow, snow..... but this time the DT at Merry Monday really made us think outside the box.
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous cards.
Big Hugs,
Maria.

Jeanne said...

Gorgeous cards and I absolutely love your rationale for buying dies! Now, why didn't I think of that! And purple is popular. I know because you said so! :)

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Neversee a ball on die like that before....how super!
Those jewel tones are very popular in my stash so you declare away.
The sheen from that cardstock is striking.
All three are fab cards!
Have a great day.
Ang x

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

These are gorgeous! LOVING the colors and how you turned them into balloons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa said...

Your cards are so stunning!! The colors are amazing!! I love how Hammy saw the balloon in the die :) It looks so fabulous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Sandy said...

That Hammie is quite brilliant -- it looks fab as a balloon. Love the purple/white color schemes on all cards today.

KimCreate said...

i'm lovin all the blues and purples you used for these cards. Thanks for hosting the NBUS Challenge 6.

Kath said...

A fabulous selection of cards - lovely colours too!
Kath x

richardbreaks said...

Darnell, you really came up with some sharp cards! I love purple, myself, but I seem to have an issue finding the right card stocks. I will jump on purple popularity with you!

designbydonna said...

Love it when you can use dies and stamps for more than one purpose. Love the colors too. As my granddaughter says "Purple Rules!!"

Marilyn said...

Cute cards!! Love the color!

Olga Fink said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell!
xoxo Olga

Shelly said...

Fun and fabulous cards, Darnell!! Love the colors!

Cindy H. said...

Gorgeous cards, all! Darnell, I really love the paper you created. Those colors look fab together!!

!neke said...

Those fab colors !!!!!
Great cards !!!!!!

Loll said...

LOVE the colours of these cards. Definitely tropical colours, so perfect for Merry Monday. :) Great designs and great use of the positive and negatives. Congrats on your NBUS #6 and I'll be playing soon. Lolly xx

Sarah said...

LOVE these jewel coloured gems Darnell xx

dottielottie said...

Well Darnell You don't need to convince me about using orchid, plum, raspberry, or burgundy colours as these come under my all encompassing heading of pinks and purples and as you may know I always gravitate towards these colours. So I lurrrv both your positive and negative card creations and the Happy Holidays card too. Thinking 'if' (ha,ha,ha)I have any NBUS to use on your NBUS #6 challenge. Hugs Lottie x

Liz said...

Wonderful cards! Such a clever way of making the balloon. xx

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

So fun and sweet!!

Barb said...

Great cards Darnell. What a clever little chap hammy is. Lucky he was upside down! I love the colour of the card you made. It's gorgeous. Barb xx

Bonnie said...

More pretty balloons! Lucky you to have Hammy to tell you that the die was a balloon! And I think your colors are very tropical! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!

Redanne said...

Hammy really is so clever! Such a great idea to turn an ornament into a balloon, I love the shape and your colour choices today are positively scrummy!! Hugs, Annie xxx

conil said...

Look at you putting all that glossy cardstock to work. Doesn't look like there was much leftover. Then being "economical" using that "balloon" die in multiple ways. Way to go, so ecologically correct. Going one step further to word dies. So effective and looks tropical to me. I bow deeply to the Master and her furry mascot.

Jean said...

These are such fun!

Sandra H said...

Wow all are so effective l love everything you do your so talented....l have candy on my blog x

TK said...

Yummy is right! I love those purple and plum colors, and your die as a balloon is fantastic!

rachel said...

super makes Darnell - I love your makes - and I love that you do this challenge - its a perfect excuse to delve into that brimming box I have for new schtuff! its far too big!!! Hugs rachel x

oldpunca said...

Your inspiration to use NBUS stuff is amazing. :-) You have created fabulous cards.
Hugs,
Sonja

Kathleen said...

Absolutely wonderful cards Darnell.

Kath x

Patti said...

Oh wow!! that really is a unique and down right awesome balloon die!! no WONDER you caved in to buy it!! You sent me on a HUGE buying spree when I got your Christmas card! LOL NOT kidding giggles! and thank you very much!

Have a great day!

Patti

Linda said...

WOW!! This is so cool ..... well done Hammy for thinking outside the box. xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow, such a great colours combo!! It's a true dream! Love these jewel tones on glossy cardstock!! You have made a fabulous trio of CAS with them and your die!

JD/ Jill said...

These are so cute! I so enjoy seeing all the creative cards you make with dies...

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

These are beautiful cards Darnell! I LOVE the colours! Great use of your NBUS! I hope you are feeling a little better! Take care! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

April said...

Hammy has the greatest ideas. I never would have thought of using that as a balloon. It looks great. Way to go Hammy.
April

Lisa Elton said...

Look at you clever lady making a balloon from an ornament!! These are all terrific Darnell!

Karenladd said...

I'm with Hammy in seeing that die as a cute little balloon die! How perfect is that to be able to use a die all year round....for Christmas as an ornament and every day as a balloon? You do realize that you can also cut off that little tag-thingie on the end and then this die looks just like the planet Jupiter?
So yes, a multi-purpose die and a gorgeous card! However, the thought of all that inlaid die cutting makes me start to itch so I'll leave that fiddly work up to you!
Hoping that your card creations mean that you're feeling a tiny bit better now?
Big hugs to you and thanks for inspiring me to do some crafting myself this evening for your NBUS challenge.

Susanne Vargas said...

Don't think I would have seen a balloon in that die but it works perfectly! Maybe I should look at my stuff more often while doing a headstand! The colors on the glossy card stock are gorgeous and look great on all three cards!

Helen F. said...

FABULOUS cards, Darnell! The ornament used as a balloon = brilliant idea. And, of course those jewel tones are totally fashionable ~ "heard it here, so it must be true" :-)

Rose said...

Love those colours! Fabulous use of your alcohol ink piece.

Greta said...

Oh how wonderfully creative, Darnell! Love the colors & I'd say they qualify for tropical! Gotta get myself in gear & make a card for your challenge!

ike said...

How excellent - that makes such a fabbo balloon :-D Love your gorgeous background you made xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rocky said...

I love that ornament die, without the string it's an alien planet! Thanks for all the ideas and encouragement to use it up.

Elizabeth said...

First of all, thanks for the inspiration to go use some of my NBUS! I love your glossy tropical colored jingle bell!

Colleen said...

Darnell, your cards are all gorgeous, WOW, the colors are simply stunning...good thinking about getting twice the worth of your money from a die...LOVE IT!! Better go shopping for more dies!! * wink Thank you for joining us for your first 2016 Merry Monday challenge!! Keep it up we love seeing your creative twist on things!!

And what is this I hear about you being under the weather? Please tell me you are okay now and all is good....!

Anita in France said...

Well ... what a lovely thought to be going to bed with ... thanks so much, mon amie ... drinky poo's and palm trees ... oh, and maybe the drinky poo servers as well! Isn't Hammy creative ... shimmeringly splendid balloons ... all that shiny glossiness is spectacular! Sending you big NBUHs & bisous, Anita :)

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous, well done Hammy...way to make that die work year round. Impressed!

Bobby said...

You're welcome, Darnell. ;) You may have enabled me a time or two, too. That glossy purple paper is gorgeous. Using it for the tropical Merry Monday challenge is inspired.

Elizabeth S. said...

These are so cute and love reading your post as its so true on buying stuff with so many new releases from different great companies and love when I see how you can get two for price of one or seeing other ways to use what you have....these are super adorable and love the way you used the negative and positive. Plus, adding in glossy accents...which inspires me to re look at what I have. I have so much NBUS that I need to pull out and use.

Mimi said...

You're a freakin' genius! You realize your brain sees things in multiple ways, and that is a gift!

Deborah Frings said...

First of all the new balloon die is just amazing!!! Love the combination of texture and shine - makes me want to touch the cards! And that holiday card is awesome. Second, I just love reading your posts! It always makes my day. xxx

cm said...

Hammie deserves extra treats (or at least an evening off from the Hamettes) for his brilliant observations in seeing that die as a balloon. Just goes to show what happens when one changes their perspective; perhaps I ought to hang upside down once in a while (or twist and turn my dies/stamps more often). Your 'balloons' are fabulous...and those glossy colours seriously shimmery yummy! Another duo of delight (speaking of which: we're at my mom's, to celebrate my 'delights' birthdays - my girl turned 6 on the 3rd; my special boy, turns 4 on the 12th...). Need to leave early today, as we have a cycling meeting to attend in a town that's midway between here and home...
Hugs~c

Notes by Nina said...

Lovely CAS card Darnell, I love the colours. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Beautiful cards as always! Love the colours Darnell! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

Brenda said...

Well yes, at least 95% of my purchases comes from being enabled in blogland!!! You see it, you have to have it! lol Until I get it, then I'm not sure what to do with it, thus why I guess it sits being a NBUS, also out of sight, out of mind. But I do love, love, love dies. I think too they are practical even though I have a cutting machine. lol Maybe I should have gotten into dies first then I might not would have bought a cutting machine. I think Hammy had a great idea with this die! I love it as a balloon! And what a way to get more mileage out of it! Loving that shiny paper and the colors of it as well. Yes, I think you can bring back they colors and make them popular once again Auntie! Love, love, love! Hugs, Brenda