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!

June 8, 2017

Happy Happy Good Times!

Hello, my Stamplings!

I hope your week is whooshing by in ways that make you happy! And I hope you have ink on your fingers or glitter in your hair to prove it!

For my Onefer today, you might say that I let the good times roll!
I've been hitting the alcoholic inks again! Hic! No, actually, this pretty little background was inked some time ago and I recently found it in my box of UCBs or UFOs, or whatever you call your "Oh,-shoot,-it's-time-to-(_____),-so-I'll-put-this-in-here-and-finish-it-later" box. 

The Happy Birthday circular window is a Die-Namics die attached to a stitched card base and Justin Case the recipient wasn't clear on the concept of what a happy birthday entails, I added the NBUS "Good Times" from a clock die by Technique Tuesday. I finished the card by adding three matchy-matchy sequins for a little punch of punctuation. 

Challenges
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Twofer, Threefer, and Fourfer

A bloggie friend sent me a few cuts she made from this whimsical Happy rounded rectangle die from Papertrey Ink. I liked it so much that I bought my own die and put Hammy to work thumbing pawing through my patterned papers for choices.

He thought these first two circular patterns worked a treat with the die:
I simply added a gold heat-embossed "birthday" word, some bling, and some twine from my stash of a thousand years' worth of neglected twine.
This Fourfer above has pp that is shot through with gold so that it glistens when the light hits it. I think it looks quite rugged and manly, so I'm entering it in these challenges:
Share Our Badge! 
~~~ 

Wait. What? A "Fivefer?"

Yup. School is now out for the summer and we are happily enjoying the company of the grandtwins for several days! I was on a roll in the craftroom waiting for them to arrive, but I didn't have enough time to schedule additional posts, so you get them all today.
I think I've used the Darice e/f before, but the "Graceful Cattails" from Memory Box is NBUS. For a little added interest, I lightly schplattered pink ink behind the cattails. I chose the color scheme especially to play in this week's Less Is More Challenge. It's a colour week and the colors are "Neopolitan." How fun is that?! And since I used snippets, I'm joining in the fun with my Playmaters over at Pixie's Snippets Playground!
Snippets Playground Badge

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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:

sandie said...

wow you have been a busy bee and a super collection of cards. Love the alcohol Ink behind the windows and reminds me of a card that arrived for my Birthday! Have a fab time with the kids and thanks for joining Ink

Jane said...

Great cards Darnell you have been really busy. The alcohol ink background is perfect for the birthday die. Have fun with your grandkids, always the best times. Hugs xxx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
as usual your cards and their designs are so wonderfully created and ace designs.
I love them all as they are all so very wonderful.
You sure have a creative genius.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours.
Jenny L.

Gerrina said...

A treat this post!!
First wish you so much fun with the boys!!
And than; your first is my favorite; love the background, the golours and that die-sentiment!!
The serie is a fun one to vary and love the male-coloured one! Your last is so elegant! As I said; a treat for the eyes this post!! Hugs, Gerrina

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards Darnell. Enjoy your time with the boys x

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, All the cards are fab.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Izzy Scrap said...

WOW ! You rock with all these wonderful cards, Darnell ! I LOVE your first card with this alcohol ink blending, the colour combo is so gorgeous ! Your masculine cards are fabulous ! This Happy rounded rectangle is so great ! And what an amazing card with our colour challenge ! Love the bold embossed sentiment ! And it matches so well with your NBUS die which is fabulous ! A really beautiful card ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along with us at Less is More !
Enjoy your time with you grandchildren ! Hugs xx

Sandra H said...

Oooh Darnell you treat us so well!! totally stunning are your cards l love everything about them your so talented xx

Kathyk said...

Just popped across from LIM to admire your Neapolitan confection only to find more gorgeousness - you HAVE been busy mate

Kathyk

Carole said...

I can feel the buzz and excitement from you as you create 5 wonderful cards and await the family arriving! Love your cards, you are certainly on top form. Have a good time with the 'kids'.......and take care xx

Craftychris said...

Oh wow! What an awesome selection of wonderful cards - I love every one of them! Have a lovely time with the boys! xxxxxxxxx

Brenda in IN said...

I love the alcohol ink card and the added Good Times. Those are good masculine cards amd the brown and gold paper is perfect. What a fun time you will have with the boys and it is good to get away.

Marilyn said...

Beautiful Cards!! You have been busy!

Aileen said...

Wow have you been busy or what, five cards no less. Love that card for Less is More, the Neopoletan nah cant spell but you know what I mean beautiful card cattails embossed sentiment moon beautiful, alcohol inks card perfect with circle happy birthday and the three masculine cards with pattern papers all perfect. Totally enjoy your time with the grandkidlets.

Di said...

What a fabulous selection of cards Darnell! I love them all for different reasons - my fave is your snippets card though. Such lovely colours and so elegant as well!

Have fun with the twins - photos please! :)

Hugs

Di xx

Bunny said...

Very nice cards. You were on a roll. I really love the CAS Happy Birthday Good Times card.

Have fun with the grands.

Carol L said...

Your cards are all spectacular, especially the first with the pretty water colored peek-a-boo panel! Great collection of creations by you, and I do hope you enjoy your time with the grands! Have a fabulous day :)

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I was wondering what that background was, alcohol inks! Yay, I am always very HEAVY when I use AI, so I appreciate the light look you got. Great design for a card set!

Cara said...

Wow, you and Hammy have been busy! A wonderful set of cards, I particularly love the first one and did laugh at you highlighting the mood of birthdays! Enjoy spending time with you family (and resting afterwards) x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

How many fabulous cards, Darnell!! Really striking all them! I'm in LOVE with the first one so elegant and fabulous!!
I have a lot of UFOs in my stash!! But I'm so busy in these days because of school work (I'm waiting summer vacations!) so haven't time to inking my fingers or glittering my hairs :D LOL
Thanks for calling on my blog! I really hope having time for craft by the next week
Hugs

Trina P. said...

😱 Wow, Darnell. You spoiled us today with all this eye candy. All wonderful cards using NBUS and snippets. I really like the alcohol bg and the EF. Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at Less is More.

Maura said...

What a bevy of beautiful cards, Darnell! I enjoyed your sense of humor too :) The masculine cards have such a different look when you change the color - cool! Happy you've joined us this week at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge! Maura

Linda said...

What fun and "Happy" cards. I really like that die and the AI background in the first one. Have a great time with the twins.

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, and I so happy to have the third card hanging on my card display. It stands out well against a sea of cards. (Thanks again!) Loving all the designs.

Ruth said...

Blimey you have been busy. I should probably go through my stash of stuff I've left for ages and am not sure what to do with. I love the 'cattails' or bulrushes as I'd call them. That is a very pretty Die indeed. I'm off to my new playroom to tidy up! Xx

Jean said...

What a fabulous set of cards Darnell, I love the sunny, happy look to the first birthday card, that window die is lovely. I really like the die you used for the next three cards as well, and the super smart stripy paper is so masculine looking.
Have a wonderful time with your grandsons.
Jean x

Pat said...

What a bumper bundle of gorgeous cards Darnell and I love the three pretty papers you have used with the Papertrey Happy Rounded Rectangle, and the first with that pretty alcohol ink background behind the window which looks terrific, and perhaps my favourite, the cattails/bulrushes in the ice cream colours as it is so elegant with that Darice EF. I hope you have a great time with the boys. x

conil said...

Mind boggling eye candy. Between you and Hammy there isn't any diecut that safe in your craft room. Window cards are always a treat for me. Love seeing how other cardmakers use them and then shopping for the dies (as if I didn't have enough already). Looks like you and your critter know exactly what to do. Hope you have a blast with your g-sons. I know you look forward to sharing them with their parents.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wow! You really outdid yourself with all of these gorgeous beauties. I love them all and I always find some leftovers now and then too that are the perfect addition to a card design. You certainly did with that alcohol inked background and wonderful die. Have a great week now.

Redanne said...

First up, thank you so much for the shout out my friend!! It was a real honour to be asked.

What a feast for the eyes today, the first card is beautiful, I love the round happy birthday and the stitched edges. Hammy has done a brilliant job too, I love all of your other cards today, they are so clean and beautiful looking.

Hope you enjoy your few days with the grandkids. Big hugs, Annie xxx

Liz said...

WOW, Darnell, you HAVE been busy, five cards in one post!!! .....and what beauties they are! I love the dies you've used, especially the last one, looks fabulous in neapolitan colours. xx

Geri said...

WOWZERS!!! You've been busy dear friend! AWESOME, AWESOME cards!!! Love the soft colors behind the 'good times wheel of fortune'; love the polkie dots and stripes on the happy, happy, happy b-day cards; and ABSOLUTELY LOVE the drop dead gorgeous cattail card! The pink, brown and cream are totally yummy!

I've been totally MIA these past few weeks...yep - playing in the yard and loving it!

Enjoy fun times with the twinks!

Shelly said...

Oooh, FIVE fabulous cards, Darnell!!
Enjoy spending time with your grandtwins! :)

Nonni said...

Wow Darnell, you've been busy! I love all of your cards! I just saw the card you sent to Sandie for her birthday (I was in London last week) and this die is truly gorgeous. Great background. Your new die is great too and I love your card for LIM -it has such an elegant, sophisticated, clean look. Thanks for joining us at Ink and LIM! Enjoy the time with your grandchildren!

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell, Sorry I've been awol. A couple of projects have kept me from checking in with blog friends. But, those are under control... so I just had to stop by and tell you how pretty these cards are. Boy, what a difference those pattern papers make in 2-4! Enjoy the grandtwins visit!!!

Kathleen said...

Let the good times roll eh! Super card the subtle background looks fabulous behind the die and the matching sequins a great idea.
A great collection of Happy cards too be the brown and pink of the last card, looks very striking.

Kath x

Bonnie said...

Looks like you and hammy had a really happy time! Love everything, especially those cattails! Enjoy the boys! (I know you will, just had to say it.) xoxo

oldpunca said...

O, what a wonderful bouquet of cards! I'm impressed about all of them and can not pick out the most beautiful one. :-)
Enjoy your time with the twins!
Hugs, Sonja

JoAnn said...

Wow a bunch of lovely cards. I like them all, especially the last one. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

Christine said...

Love the onefer... the die is special.
Enjoy your time with the 'little' uns.

Christine said...

Love the onefer... the die is special.
Enjoy your time with the 'little' uns.

Fikreta said...

those are so very nice!
have a great day!

Julia Aston said...

What a great post with wonderfully designed and executed cards Sis! Love the die cuts on the first - so fun! as well as the die cuts on the last - also fun!!! I'm sure you'll have happy times with the grands! Julia xx

Lisa Elton said...

Oh boy have you been a busy bee! These are all fabulous Darnell! Love the pretty background colors on the first card. The happy die cards are a great way to use up your stash of PP. Fabulous work. Enjoy the twins!!

Happy Dance said...

While you've been creative, I've been YKWing...all fricken' week. Ugh! However, felt well enough to craft a little today, though not as much as you, lol!! Fully enamored of your first card. That background is stunning and the additions of the 'good times,' and the sequins are perfection. Wow is all I can say!! Love it!! And your trio of 'happy' cards is amazing. I love the papers you've chosen and they highlight your die perfectly!! Especially love the masculine one - I'm always looking for manly card ideas! Your cattail card is sweet enough to eat! Just like the ice cream (and dagnabbit, we're out!). Something special about those colors together and you've really showcased them well with this beauty. Missing you tons babe! xoxoxoxo Bev

Bobby said...

You were on a roll in your playhouse, Darnell. Five cards? That's spectacular. I think Hammy was right on with that circle design paper that fits the cut in the die perfectly. But the design looks good and manly in the stripes too. I have never seen that ef before and it is wonderful. So are the cat tails.

Cheryl W. said...

Wow! You had that card production line humming! Your cards are gorgeous. Please pass along my admiration to Hammy for his choice of papers. He's definitely an irreplaceable assistant. :) Have a great weekend. Hope it's filled with twinsy smiles and laughter.

Loll said...

You were definitely on a roll, Dolly!! Five awesome cards! LOVE the ai background with your round happy birthday die-cut. Really fun and so perfectly CAS with all that beautiful white space.

I can see why you had to buy that adorable die-cut with the rounded edges and happy insert. So fun and looks awesome with the different patterns papers in-behind. What a great way to use your pp stash too! We all have lots of that!

And beautiful neapolitan sunset. I would never have thought to use those colours with these dies, but it looks AMAZING!! Lolly xx

Anonymous said...

WOW 5 cards! All 5 are fabulous. You were on a roll. Bet it feels great to use some of the much loved paper :) Enjoy the boys.

Ros Crawford said...

You certainly were on a roll! Heck I could use your services for my Thursday club! Wonderful cards and I hope those Grandtwins take good care of their Grandma!

Linda said...

WOW!! Someone's been busy. Gorgeous designs .... I love the look of that circle die especially with those gorgeous papers.
Enjoy your time with the grandkids xx

Megan J said...

Hi Darnell, so many beautiful cards, love the cas design of the first cards, but love your take on Neapolitan colours and the gorgeous snippety make with the embossing folder and the die cut cattails, thank you for coming along to play with us this fortnight in Snippets Playground, good luck in the draw, have a wonderful weekend... Megan GD

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love, love, love, love, love them all! The last makes me crave ice cream! Grin.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

LeAnne said...

Holy smokes, you've been a busy stamper! Look at the stash you now have for your birthday card pile! LOVE that circular diecut with the pretty background peeking through! Thanks so much for sharing all of these at the Paper Players this week!

Diane said...

All the cards are fabulous, what a great die, too, how fun it is....enjoy those grandsons, they grow up so dang fast! Have a wonderful weekend!
Diane {Nellies Nest}

LeAnne said...

Darnell, I had to pop back in and tell you that we appreciate your playing with the SIP challenge too!! Yippee!

Leslie Miller said...

Cute die cuts, pretty cards! Love how you layered the first one, and that background is gorgeous!

Tracey McNeely said...

These cards are filled with a whole lot of happy!

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Well, you are just oooozing yummy creativeness from the seams this week Darnell. 5 incredibly inspirational pieces for us to ogle at here, all totally different but equally stylish in their own way. Thank you for popping that gorgeous graceful cattails card into Less is More. The colours suit that die perfectly and the embossed sentiment really finishes the card off a treat xx

Annie S. said...

Hi Darnell! I'm in awe of 5 cards in one play session - they are all fabulous. We're glad you linked up the perfectly manly one to our challenge over at Cards in Envy! Have a great weekend ~ Annie

BożenA said...

It's a really lucky time when I can see your new cards :-)) and read your next story. My English is very, very poor, so not everything I manage to translate, but I love your posts, Darnell. And back to the cards. The card has a background that delights !! These colors are so incredibly superimposed. In this card there is a lot of air, if the background is saturated with air .. Wow! True artistry. The next card creates a wonderful set suitable for everyone.
BożenA xoxo

Greta said...

Enjoy the kids! Hard to believe it's already summer vacation! Boy did you have a great cardmaking session, Darnell! Fun die with the printed papers & I really love that last card!

Sue B said...

Oh Wow! What a gorgeous card Darnell !!!! I love the pretty colours of the alcohol inks and the sequins match perfectly. It’s a great Window Die and it gives a fab stained glass effect with the colours behind.
I love your Happy Cards too! They are fab layouts and love the contrast of the white with the bright colours!
And fifth but not last! A very beautiful card with some fab embossing! Love the cattails with the sun behind!
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Big hugs, Sue B xx

OH Babs said...

I am delinquent in commenting on your posts. Wow you have been one busy lady and I love these unique dies, especially the happy birthday which I have not seen before.
The boys are out of school, not mine and I think they get out on Wednesday. Hopefully June Gloom will have disappeared. Do you get it? May Gray, June Gloom may only be Southern California terms. We need sun so when we do some baby sitting they can go to the pool.
I love the alcohol ink background. Last week I demonstrated a class using shaving cream and alcohol inks, and acrylic paints and food dye. Later

Carol H. said...

Beautiful cards Darnell!! Love your alcohol ink background colors!! Have fun with the twinkies! :) Hugs!

Colleen said...

Whether it is a one-fer or a fivefer we can count on you to have splendid cards for casing!! what fun you made with these treasures! And now fun with the grands!! Have a great time and enjoy...gosh my kiddos still have 7 days of school!! Heart Hugs, col

aufspapiergebracht said...

Here comes the sun ☀️- I really love your first card! Pure summer !!
Greetings from Germany Elisabeth

Sue from Oregon said...

What a great stash of birthday cards...loving your neopolitan card!

Inkyfingers said...

Wow, you have been one productive lady my friend and you have created such a lovely collection of cards. I particularly love the first one with the alcohol ink background - so classy! Enjoy your time with the twins.

Hugs
Carol x

Nora Noll said...

Five cards? You have been so prolific in your card making!! LOVE that first card. That die is in my NBUS supply. Love that you used some alcohol inked paper behind it. I also love the addition of the "good times" in the middle. So cute. The second three cards are simply perfect with the lovely patterned paper you chose. That last card is my favorite though. It is breathtakingly beautiful!! Have fun with the grand kids!!

Donna said...

What a fabulous collection of cards, so much fun to see 5 cards in one post!

Patti said...

Wowie Darnell!! I love your new blog look! did I miss it last time I was here or is it new new?!? either way I think your spot in blogland is lookng better than ever friend!!

Oh! and I am loving your cards too-fer! : )

Patti

Karenladd said...

Have a wonderful visit with the grandtwins, while we ooh and aaah over your cards. Love how you cleverly took advantage of your the patterned paper to make a focal point with the rounded rectangle die. Don't you love it when a card comes together perfectly?

Anita in France said...

Goodness, Darnell ... you've been having such a lovely time ... and now we can too by enjoying the fruits of your labours! What an awesome collection of cards ... gorgeous neapolitan cattails, delicious use of those yummy DPs with that brilliant happy (the gold striped one is positively James Bond-esque!), and that first one with the soft AI colours and the rolling happy birthday wheel ... LOVE it ... fresh, CAS, fantastic! LYAMYHAHMAHYHAWTWTT! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

cm said...

Hokey Smokes, my friend...you've been crafting up a storm! The first has completely captured my heart with that gorgeous window and the crisp, fresh, stitched panel! In love! The next trio: one delight after another after another. The finale: oh my! Scrumptious colours transformed into one beautiful, classy card! Swooning! Great that you have the twins for a few days to keep you out of trouble *grin* I'll be heading to mom's on the 25th for another round of marking, then a couple days tacked on to take her for Eye #2 cataract surgery (Eye #1 is tomorrow; sister in charge). We'll need a catch up soon!
Hugs and love~c

Canonbury creations said...

A fabulous "fifer" post Darnell that first card has such impact and i love the rounded rectangle ones, so versatile! The last one is such an unusual colour combo but so pretty and I love the cattails xx

Cris G. said...

Wow, you have been busy making elegant and numerous... fers! Just LOVE the Onefer gorgeous background!
Wishing a wonderful time with grandtwins!
Hugs,
Cris

conil said...

YAY for you and the Less is More challenge. They loved the cattails as much as I did.

Lisa T said...

So many cards and so much prettiness except the manly one which is definitely manly. I love that circular happy birthday die cut, I must order one and of course it's perfect with that super pretty inked background. Love the way you used your patterned papers too, I still need to do better with mine! Always something else to think about and promotly forget!! Hufs, Lisa xx or even hugs, but you can have hufs if you want as its hot and humid where I am and huffing has become the order of the day x

Claire said...

Looks like you've been busy Darnell - what a great way to use up all that patterned paper..love the masculine one with the gold. And congrats on your win over at LIM - so well deserved!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

A birthday card Smörgåsbord! Awesome cards - the first one is my absolute favorite! Total awesomeness!!!!

Helen F. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Helen F. said...

OKAY, these B-Day cards are all wonderful! The sentiment die cuts are so fun and the patterned papers in the backgrounds go perfectly! Nice job helping out with that, Hammy!
PS: Whenever I hit the alcohol and try to create cards, they never ever come out as pretty as yours.
Wait, what...You were hitting 'alcohol inks'? :-)