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!

May 21, 2017

Clearing Out the UCBs

Hey, there! Happy Sunday Funday! 

We've had a busy and wonderful coupla days celebrating the graduation of one of our nieces from medical school. She worked very hard to achieve her dream and the Mister and I are looking forward to single-handedly keeping her busy now that we've reached our dotage! 

Did you know "dotage" means feebleness and senility, but it also means foolish infatuation? The word dates back to the 1300s, but no reason is given for the two unrelated meanings. Unless, as often happens in works of literature, some senile old coot was foolishly infatuated with his nurse? 

"In his dotage, Wilbur experienced dotage towards Clementine, his day charge nurse. Clementine, thirty years younger and twice married and widowed, responded by ... ." 

I like wondering how you would finish that sentence. In the meantime, hello! Where were we?
You've seen this front panel before which I made by sprinkling Brusho powders through a Tim Holtz stencil, spritzing the powders with water, and then quickly drying them with a piece of paper toweling. I finally turned the panel into a card. The sediment is gold embossed on vellum.

~~~

Next, continuing to work my way through my box of Unfinished Card Bits, I've taken some previously posted tags and made them into cards.
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75 comments:

Julie B said...

Well done in converting your bits and bobs into finished pieces, they all look fab.
Not really thought about dotage, even as it is fast approaching. Thought to dote on someone is to care deeply, but as without the fierceness of infatuation. Perhaps that's where it comes from? :)

Jane Willis said...

I didn't realise UCBs were a Thing. I have a 12 x 12 box full of them, and the poor little dears didn't know they had a name until now. I shall rush straight to them and tell them, to cheer them up, and then I will attempt to make some cards as lovely as yours.
Jane

Redanne said...

and responded by... giving him a meaningful wink.... (perhaps she is looking for husband No. 3 !)

I love how you used that beautiful panel, I do wish I could get my Brushos to work as well as yours! Such a great idea to turn the tags into cards - I must go not and search my UCB's!! Hugs, Annie xxx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards. I have been looking to get a set of tag dies, as I love making the tags into embellishments for cards.

Well done to your niece. Hope you don't need to call on her medical expertise.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Big congrats to your niece! Fabulous brusho's card and great work with your scraps! Love the three cards with tags, expecially the last one!

Liz said...

I didn't realise that UCB was a technical crafting term. 😉 I've got a box full of UCB that I really ought to do something with, rather than add more. I think some of them may date back to the last century!

Congratulations to your niece. It's really handy having a medical person in the family, as I've appreciated this week. Although being told by my physiotherapist daughter to keep off the alcohol because it can makes the bruising worse wasn't what I needed to hear. I hasten to add that alcohol played no part in my accident! LOL!

Love all your projects, especially the beautiful panel on the first one. xx

Brenda in IN said...

I didn't know those pieces I throw in a drawer had a name. I don't think I've ever gone back and looked at them once they are in there. I love your Brusho background and those tags made beautiful cards. I especially love that last one. Congratulations to your niece. I'm sure she will have enough work without you both trying to keep her busy, but that's nice of you to offer! I think Clementine probably told Wilbur he was a cutie but she was staying single for the rest of her days to not hurt his feelings.

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

beautiful cards :) its so great to put those lil bits to use and make finished pieces. I will have to do that too.
Hugs
Preeti

Kathyk said...

Fab finishes for your UCB's Darnell - YAY!

Happy Sunday

Kathyk

Milka Gubo said...

Darnell, your cards are GORGEOUS!! Love them all!!! :o) Big congrats to your niece! :o) Hugs!! xx

stampwithsandy said...

Fabulous gallery of cards, Darnell! I especially love the last one with its beautiful floral tag. But wait... I am confused... What's the difference between a UCB and a UFO? LOL have a great day!

Stamps and Paper said...

Lovely cards Darnell...just catching up after a little vacation

Anne

MRS DUCK said...

..... straightening her short uniform, undoing another button and saying "I feel its my mission in life to dote on those in their dotage, as long as they male and loaded"

Anyhoo, back to the cards which are all terrific but I do love the zestiness of the first.
Congratulations to your niece. I hope you'll get family discount lol!
Ang x

Pat said...

What wonderful creations using your UCB's Darnell, a term I haven't heard of before. I have quite a few of these lying around and not many manage to make it onto a card so well done to you for using yours. The brushos through the stencil is a gorgeous piece and love the vellum with the gold embossed sentiment, and the three different tags with the beautiful purple flowers, the sweet little boat and that fabulous paper and gold butterfly all work perfectly with the added ribbons, foliage, sequins and stars, and I love the embossed background with the flowers and the pretty stamped and coloured background with the boat. I must search some of mine out and use them as you have inspired me with your excellent designs. x

Christine Alexander said...

it's always fun to rummage though the stash and come up with some beautiful cards.

Happy Dance said...

"In his dotage, Wilbur experienced dotage towards Clementine, his day charge nurse. Clementine, thirty years younger and twice married and widowed, responded by asking Wilbur to make it legal. Clementine got up and called the justice of the peace to come immediately to the house, as, she explained, 'Wilbur is unable to leave his bed, and we'd like to be married right away." Being a family friend, Justice Benson arrived about an hour later with his wife, who would act as witness. After the most brief of ceremonies, Justice Benson pronounced the two 'man & wife.' Clementine beamed and tears streamed down Wilbur's face; he couldn't believe that 'Clemmie' was now his wife. Life was good! Justice Benson (with a hefty check in his pocket) and his wife drank a toast to the happy couple and departed. Clemmie turned toward Wilbur, and asked if he'd like some tea and cake. "Most certainly, 'wifey-pooh,' he replied. Clementine hummed as she brewed tea and cut slices of a lemon pound cake. She used the nicest cups, saucers, and plates she could find in the cupboard and arranged everything beautifully on a tray. Smiling, she set the tray on the table next to the hospital bed, and handed a cup to Wilbur. After taking a sip, Wilbur remarked, "Darling,this tea has the most faint hint of almond." "Yes, dear" she replied, "it does." "I'm not sure I like it Clemmie," he responded frowning slightly. Only the left side of her mouth smiled and her eyes were flat as she said, "Don't worry, dearheart, in a year you won't be able to live without it..."

How's that?! You know me...why use a sentence when a paragraph will do?, lol! And dang, girl! What a dazzling array of beauties you've got going on here! That Brusho panel is gorgeous, and the vellum 'hello' strip is the prefect compliment. Love it! Those three UCBs turned out perfectly, too. Especially love the baby and the butterfly ones. Gorgeous and yay for you!! I might have to dig through my UCB box now... Miss you!! Bev

Lisa said...

These are all so beautiful, Darnell!! The brusho background looks amazing!! I love the colors!! Your UCB cards are gorgeous, too!! I have so many UCB's to use, it's a little daunting!! Huge congrats to your niece!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Linda said...

Oh wow, so many lovely cards. That brusho one is so pretty. Love the colors. Congrats to your niece. Hope you have a great time.

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell, and Big Congratulations to your Niece, no mean feat to become a doctor, and no wonder you are so very proud of her.

Lovely cards, lovely designs and colours, Kate x

Monika Reeck said...

oh I really love the last card with TAG sooo beautiful tag you made Darnell the one with the ship so sweet for manly or boys card and the TAH with flower is beautifully made the Hello card I love that Stencil and the colors is funtastic
happy Sunday dear Darnell see you maybe around
I miss you
hugs
Monika

Sandra H said...

Well done it's always nice to see and ending in sight! your cards Darnell are so pretty l just love the symplicity of all of your creations so beautifully finished too! sending lots of love x

conil said...

"...accepting Wilbur's proposal and making sure all his assets were put in her name immediately following the nuptials. As she was one smart cookie, she'd checked out his financials beforehand and was delighted to learn he was a billionaire. Nowadays, she spends most of her time on the Cote de Azur far from Wilbur's nursing home."
How's that for one cold beotch.
Anyhoo, loved looking through your "extras" cards. Have a bunch here that you are certainly welcome to.

Jean said...

Congrats to your niece! Such lovely cards! Great use of tags!

Janeen said...

don't you just love using up UCB's? these are so pretty and fun and i feel good for you because i love doing that process. Thanks for sharing them.

HJ said...

Love your card and the tag cards made with UCB's...a new word for my vocabulary!! The comments from your readers are a hoot! I love how several of them have finished the passage you used at the beginning of this blog. They are a very fun and creative bunch in lots of ways. Take care and enjoy your day.

Nan G said...

I've given Lil of my UCBs away they're making beautiful cards with them. Otherwise they would languish in the box until their dotage. Careful Wilbur you'll end up as hubby #4 ! Great cards Darnell. Love what you can do with brushos! Have a great week. I've got to get back and finish a couple of cards that I'm painting. Toodles

Bonnie said...

I'm glad this pretty background finally found a home and the tags too! It's a good feeling to put those bits on cards!

Susan said...

Wonderful cards to use up some of your bits!! I'm always so glad when I can do that.

"Clementine responded by accepting Wilbur's hand in marriage, then using his money to hire a new nurse and to equip the most wonderful craft room with every possible gadget, die, stamp, etc. From then on she spent her days happily making cards instead of doting on Wilbur."

Carole said...

Beautiful tag cards Darnell...and 'Hello' you are so inspiring with your UCB's.
Congrats to your niece.....clever girl...but look who Auntie is!! :)

luvhymns said...

marrying him for his money!

Kathleen said...

Checking his bank account... You crack me up.
You are starting to become my most hated follower not only do you make fabulous cards but your type of humour is right up my street, so really I suppose that make you my favourite follower. Keep up the great work.

Kath x

Fikreta said...

your cards are so nice!

Anonymous said...

Great work on making your tags and pieces into cards. Fab results.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love the ways you used your Unfinished Card Bits. I try to do that as often as I can too. So many times when one does die cuts there are some really neat things that fall out of them which most would consider scraps. But sometimes you can get a lot of tiny hearts and stars and other fun things. I save especially if they are of glitter or foil as they always look great on other cards. And, I use my tags that way all the time as I am not a tag person normally. Keep inspiring me with all your lovely designs. They are awesome.

April said...

Congrats to your niece. It's always nice to have someone in the family that knows medical stuff. I have 2 boxes full of unfinished card bits. I would be happy to send them your way - in case you get bored. ;-)

April

nancy littrell said...

I love how you finished your card front and tags into finished beautiful and very creative cards. I am trying to work thru all my pieces from our BC craft retreat and get tons of weeding done!!! Making progress on both :-) Happy Day my friend. Hugs..

P.S. Congratulations to your Dr Niece too...

Lisa Elton said...

Shazam Darnell, what an amazing background for your embossed sentiment! This is such a pretty card. In fact they're all pretty. Great way to work through those bits!!

Cheryl W. said...

You've been very productive--in a creative, cardmaking way!! Your cards are awesome. I know how good it feels to use up UCBs, but my pile seems to grow much faster than I can diminish it.

Marjeta said...

Cards with tag´s rocks.

Marjeta

Nonni said...

Well done finishing off your pretty background and turning these tags into cards! I especially love the tag with the purple die cut flowers, so pretty! The embossed bg is perfect for the tag.

kiwimeskreations said...

I learnt something - another meaning to dotage.... hmmm, now how can I use that information!!
Love your tags converted to cards Darnell, and that very useful term, UCB!! The brusho'd panel with the vellum is stunning on the first card
Blessings
Maxine

Tina Z. said...

amazing cards with tags, so different.
hugs xx

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Why is it that someone else's unused card bits, look way better than your own?
You have created some might fine cards with those doo dads!

Ros Crawford said...

Yep, I feel I'm in my dotage... Loving your cards and that you used your bits... I use some of mine but never in a month of sundays would I get to use them all... Every now and then I chuck them out or offer them to Pat ... She loves it! Have a good week and I'll catch up after I've been to Italy, Majorca, Corsica, Sicily, Menorca .... Have I made you jealous? Haha... You take care xxx

Birgit said...

Your creations are all so lovely! I could craft for a very long time using all my little extra pieces as I keep them in zip lock baggies on my craft table and stored in a shoe box. Dear me! There's a lot of them. ;0)

Em Louise Fairley said...

...by kissing his bare butt after administering his latest shot.

Beautiful backgrounds, Darnell. Love how you've used them.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Linda said...

I love the Brusho panel .... great job with that stencil!
Gorgeous cards too made with those bits and bobs. That's something I should really get around to doing .... finishing all those things I've started, the box is beginning to get a little full! Have a fabulous week xx

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, those UCBs! Yours are much prettier than mine. Love your beautiful Brushos background made into a card with the gold sentiment and the card base enhancing the cool aqua. Congratulations to your niece! That's a huge accomplishment.

Carol L said...

what fantastic cards you've made with those UCB's! I adore that vivid purple and green tag - wow!! Loving them all, and especially the different twists on tying ribbon! I never thought of one dangling downward instead of upward, but I like it a lot! I'd finish that sentence with " handing him a tall glass of ice water." LOL

Patti J said...

Congrats to the graduate!!! Your cards are all beautiful, Darnell! However do you find time to make so many? I'm pretty impressed! Hope you're well - hugs!!!

Berina RGA said...

Congratulations to your niece! Beautiful cards Darnell. I love how you've made cards with tags.

Sarah said...

Well do everything you your Niece!! Lovely little cards Darnell xx

Cara said...

Wow, great job on finishing off those little works of art and huuuuuge congratulations to your neice. She's obviously as talented as her Aunti is! Cara x

Carole Pollard said...

Congratulations to your niece so clever Loving your pretty array of cards Love and hugs Carole x

JD/ Jill said...

Lovely card and tags...The third tag is my favorite!
I need to go through my box of unfinished cards...and see if I can make something with them...If NOT...(they need to be thrown!) My craft room cleaning will never end!

Donna said...

Ha! I like that, UCB! I have a collection of those as well and every so often (not really often) I surprise myself and use something from that container and make a card. Well done! Congrats to the graduate, makes everyone proud doesn't it?

Helen J said...

I love what you did with your UCBs, beautiful finished cards.

Geri said...

...first off I'm gonna bet that young Clementine might have replied..."if you got the money honey, I got the time!"

Or...she would have given Wilbur a good smack to the side of his head and said "in your dreams buddy!" Guess we'll never know....

Absolutely love what you did with the tags! They always look so cool and so 'important' once they are placed on an actual card!

Hmmmm...I wonder if that is considered "a promotion" if you were a tag?

Still love the stunningly radiant purple flowers best of all!

Julia Aston said...

Four lovely cards from your card bits Sis - the brusho background looks great! and Clementine responded by promptly having him sign over all his worldly riches to her! how cynical is that first thought that came to my head??!! Julia xx

Barb Ghig said...

she responded by ...Slapping his hand (because we all know what he did next :)
I recognize the amazing effects of Brushos a mile away, and boy oh boy, they look AMAZING with this stencil, Darnell! Love your embossed sentiment, too!
Your cards look beautiful with your tags, too! So many gorgeous flowers and I love how you made the borders and background of each card special and unique! Way to go for using your unfinished card bits...your recipients will be very happy indeed! Hugs, Barb xo

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Hi dear friend, Darnell,
I've been meaning to pop over for ever, my brain is toooo tired to think of an ending to your chuckle worthy sentence, but have tons of UCBs including similar brusho ones, and annoying part re one is I can't quite recall how did it and really like it.
The UCBs are right next to my NBUSes of course.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration! Praying for 20th, trust you enjoy your break or past tense perhaps..
Prayer Hugs,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

shirley-bee said...

Great way to use up your UCBs, Darnell! I've got a box of tags that need prezackly the same treatment!

OH Babs said...

Hi, happy Memorial Day weekend, stay safe and enjoy. A lovely array of cards but I must say I am partial to stencils and the use of Brushos makes for a great card. Stay healthy. Warm thoughts, Barb

Anonymous said...

Gosh Darnell.... you have been busy cardmaking! It takes me ages to come up with one card!! Love your ramblings (and your cards) x

laurie said...

You have been busy! Awesome cards Darnell....love the ones you did with tags..so creative!

Sue from Oregon said...

I have a whole drawer of unfinished starts and stops...loved seeing the end creations Darnell!

Anita in France said...

Gosh, Darnell, what a delicious collection ... you're doing brilliant things with your collection of UCBs ... great inspiration for me to carve out some space to get to mine! Catching up (at last!) ... and finally getting to comment ... loved the photo of beautiful you with your dishy young men in the last post (as well as your HUGE collection of cards!)... good looks clearly run in the family! LYAMYAWLTBCITPHWY! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Janice said...

A lovely selection of makes Darnell! What a wonderful abbreviation UCB is! I too have many of them so perhaps I too should get using them!
Congratulations to your niece.
Janice x

Cat Craig said...

Your unfinished card bits all became fabulous grown-ups!

Greta said...

Great job turning the tags into cards, Darnell! I've laid some out, but still haven't gotten it done. I really love how you used that gorgeous stenciled panel!

BożenA said...

Beautiful holiday colors! They associate me with turquoise-green sea. Great use of stencil and brushos. This effect is unique. And the next three tags cards are sensational. Especially the last card impressed me. The tag looks like a professional designer made paper. Is this tag embossed in an embossing folder?
Hugs,
BożenA

Helen F. said...

Oh Myyyyy! These cards are FABULOUS, Darnell! I'm gong to get my
box o' UCB out of the cabinet they are hiding in and onto my (always overcrowded with schtuff) craft desk right now :-)

Bobby said...

This reminds me that I need to play with my Brushos again. And turn my tags into cards. All your cards are wonderful, Darnell. Thanks for the inspiration.

Susanne Vargas said...

That panel is so gorgeous and I absolutely love the card you made with it! And your tags look pretty on the cards!
Hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

Sue - said...

I did wonder what a UCB was, obviously a type of UFO😄