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 17, 2018

Ace of Hearts & Flowers

Hello, Stamplings!

I hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are! Papa and I are having fun with the grandtwins over the long President's Day weekend! The weather will be beautiful so we'll be walking on the beach, fishing along the river, and hiking among the redwoods, making memories!

Beforehand I made a coupla more Twofer cards for you. I mean, I can't very well ask you to keep making heart cards until February 24th for the Twofer Card Challenge if I don't stretch myself, too! I'm enjoying finding ways my heart stamps and dies can be used other than once a year for Valentines!

Onefer.
I bought this NBUS stamp and die set (cough) years ago from CAS-ual Fridays because my sisters and I love playing cards when we get together, but I put the set away and completely forgot about it! And it's such a cute set! The border is Washi tape from Mike's and I've glossified the small hearts to make them look like enamel embellies.

BTW, the set comes with lots of sediments! This sediment, "You're Aces" can be used for a graduation or any type of celebratory occasion card, or a thank you card, or an encouragement card, etc. ~ and it works for both gals and guys.

Challenges
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Twofer.
Using the same exact hearts, I made fragile long-stemmed flowers for this airy birthday card. The stems and leaves are from MFT's "Build-able Bouqet." Simply adding some matching matting, doing some winking, and adding a butterfly 3D sticker finishes this pretty card!

Challenges
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HEARTfelt thanks to all of you who have already played in Twofer Card Challenge #2!! If you haven't played yet (or you want to play again), I hope I have inspired you! Mwah!
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My little heart flowers remind me of these sweet bulbs blooming again in the back yard, so here are my annual photos for you!

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

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and a 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 to return the favor!








*Life is too short!

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72 comments:

Lia said...

You made great CAS cards and used the hearts in so different ways!
Lia xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Hope you and the grandsons have a lovely weekend.

Think those flowers are Freesias. Sue

Julie B said...

Two very contrasting cards Darnell, both fab in their own way.
I wish my back garden looked half as cheerful as yours. The bulbs are still hunkering down and the rabbits are trying their best to dig up the herbaceous perennials! Still the snowdrops are out on the lane so spring can't be far away! :)

Jane Willis said...

Oh I love your cards, clever to use the heart as a flower on the second. And I love, love LOVE your freesia photos, they are among my favourite flowers.
Jane

Gerrina said...

Sounds like a super weekend! Enjoy!
Great way to use the heartstamp twice so different; shows how different you can look at and use your stamps... Hugs, Gerrina

Marilyn said...

Cute cards and a great idea on how you used the hearts in a different way !!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Cute ideas! I have that playing card set, and although I made a few cards with it a couple weeks ago, I find it hard to use. I love yoru twofer with it, lovely idea!

Jeanne said...

These cards are great, Darnell. I especially love the flowers you shared. They are so very pretty! Keep 'em coming! :)

Pat said...

What a clever use of the larger heart from the playing card on the first by using it for the pretty glittery flowers on the second Darnell, and they are both great CAS cards. The washi is the perfect accompaniment to the glossy hearts, and the sweet little butterfly goes beautifully on the second. I hope you are having a super weekend with the grandtwins and TFS us the gorgeous flowers. We do have snowdrops, crocuses and some daffodils in bloom over here at the moment, but nothing as exotic as this. x

SD pooja said...

Cool ways to use hearts on both the cards !

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW Darnell what creative use of the hearts!!
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Carol H. said...

Beautiful flowers—on your card and in your garden! Love your aces card too! Have fun with your grandkids!

Susan said...

two beautiful cards! LOVE the Aces card...I can see using that one often! One of these days I'm definitely going to play along with your challenge!!

Bunny said...

Fishing, playing cards and walking in the the woods...........I'm coming to your house to visit.

Love the cards........especially the Ace card. Great idea! [Bunny]

Debbie Mageed said...

Seriously great cards, Darnell! I come from a card-playing family (the gene skipped me unfortunately haha) so the first one would be perfect for any of them but especially my mom. The second one is very pretty and a wonderful way to use the hearts all year round. Thank you for playing with us at Cardz 4 Galz and hope you will join our gallery again soon.

Brenda in IN said...

The aces is a perfect card for anybody that is a card player. My grandparents would have loved it. You do the coolest things with your washi tape. Your heart flowers are so pretty and a great way to use the hearts. I am so jealous of your yard with all the flowers blooming. It is snowing pretty good as I type this and cold again. I can't wait for spring. Enjoy fishing, hiking and walking the beach. Wish I was there! Glad the twins have some time off and can spend the time with you and hubby.

Leslie Miller said...

Well, would you look at that! These two cards couldn't be more different, and I love them both! The first stamp set gives you lots of uses. Amazing how they can stay NBUS so long, isn't it? I've used old playing cards for greeting cards before and they turn out pretty cute, but with this sentiment it's perfect! And your heart flowers are so delicate and pretty. You've reminded me I have some of those butterflies which need to be used. Now you're making me jelly of your flowers. They look so flawless. Here it seems that when blooms appear it's a signal for the rain to come. These beauties are a ray of hope, though!

Tracey McNeely said...

Barb fabulous designs using that stamp set from CAS-ual Fridays. I still have that one and forget to use it! Great twofer!

cuilliesocks said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell, fabulous designs and gorgeous colours, love them, Kate x

Mrs A. said...

Love your butterfly card. Must admit when I first saw the theme for your Twofer challenge my heart sank as I only ever ever make the one valentine card and I assumed (wrongly as it turned out) that Norm had it covered for Sammy. So now I'm ditching the whole Hearts /Valentine thing and resorting to thinking outside of the box. I'm thinking, I'm thinking!!!!!!!!! In the meantime thankyou and Hammy (after all when you've seen one wheel you've seen them all so to speak) too for spinning the butterfly wheel this week. Hugs Mrs A.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Great Twofer card designs using the hearts. I especially love the Aces one. That is such a neat idea. But those heart flowers are lovely too.

conil said...

You're doing these"heart" cards up right. Love the playing card set and the card you made with it. Thought I had that one but was mistaken. And the twofer card is so remininscent of Spring it makes my old bones ache. Just lovely. Have fun with your Grands this weekend. Hugs.

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell really beautiful huggles Sue xx

Cat Craig said...

Two very different cards, Darnell. The Aces card is fun and the flowers are delicate and lovely. Fabulous twofer. Enjoy the long weekend.

Kathleen said...

Two really super cards Darnell, the colours in the second card really match your lovely flowers.

Kath x

Greta said...

Enjoy your long weekend with the twins, Darnell--always surprises, I'm sure! Wonderful hearts cards--love just letting them be flowers--gotta remember that! Beautiful springy flowers in your garden--lots around here, too. Hoping I didn't prune the roses too early!

JoAnn said...

Two lovely cards and great inspiration. Love the beautiful blooms in your yard. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Carol L said...

I'm loving both of your cards, and it's great that you remembered this fun stamp set in your stash! Hope you're enjoying a fabulous getaway with the grands. As for me, I'm sitting here watching the snow falling and accumulating at about an inch an hour outside the window :( Even your flowers outside aren't cheering me up right now LOL Have a fun weekend!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Very creative use of that heart die, both your cards are amazing!
Lovely freesias in bloom, it's my favorite flower, so vibrant and smelling! :) Mine aren't blooming yet.

Glittered Paws said...

Love both of your cards especially the one with the heart flowers and butterfly. How old are the twins? Sounds like a fun weekend. Seeing your flowers makes me wish for spring. We had a temp of 80 Thursday and 2inches of snow this am. Crazy. Mother Nature is bi-polar..have a great weekend.

Bonnie said...

Way to go using these hearts and not for Valentine's Day! Love the sweet heart flowers that look like they're blowing in the wind! You live flowers are so bright and make me happy just looking at them. Have fun with the boys (I know you will)!

HJ said...

Both cards are adorable, Darnell. Love both in different ways. The one with flowers is so light, airy and spring-y! We are getting some snow here in Delaware tonight, so anything that makes me think of spring is welcomed. Have a great time with your twingrands! Memories are so precious for you and them. Enjoy your weekend.

Cheryl W. said...

Such creative uses of your stamp set. I love both cards. Thanks for the reminder about the twofer challenge. I need to get into my craft room and get busy!!

Christine Alexander said...

awesome cards, what a great take on the Twofer with those hearts. Hope to get my card posted tonight :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Love the heart flowers - very clever way to stretch those heart stamps/images.
Lovely flowers in your garden too. Bet you're having a great time with the grandtwins.

MaryH said...

Love this 2fer lots! The dimensional perspective on the center ace card is spectacular. Love the washi borders,and the glossy ace face. How cute to make these airy heart flowers (that look much like the real ones in your photos!) Glad you are having fun with the kids, and hope the weather is fine. We are enjoying the sunshine, as its rainy & cold at home and snowing in our friend's town. Can't beat 80+ and sunshine! TFS & Big hugs.

Lisa Elton said...

Oh that aces card is too much fun! We play cards with my family all the time, love this! Your heart flowers on the birthday card are wispy and lovely. Have fun with the grandtwins, sounds like a great long weekend!

Mau xx said...

What a joy to be back in blogland after my forced break Darnell! I have missed your wonderful creations and your fun posts. Your cards are as wonderful as I always expect them to be! Love the way you have used your heart stamp in such different way! I love visiting your blog and have missed your happy posts xx

Redanne said...

Love your Twofers today, they are so different and so clever and so beautiful, I just wish I could stretch my imagination like you do my friend!!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! We are just setting off for a couple of days away too, sadly not to the beach though, but fun (I hope) nevertheless! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Your first card is great for the card players, and the second is just sheer loveliness. You are rockin these hearts!

Ros Crawford said...

I envy you that good weather... It's cold and miserable here and I long to be out in the warmth of the sun. Your cards are terrific! What a clever use of those hearts! I'm so glad you shared those pictures of your pretty flowers too ...They are my favourites and I adore the scent... Enjoy your day!

Fikreta said...

Gorgeous cards!
have a nice day
hugs

Sue - said...

Hi Darnell love your two cards! So clever to use the hearts as flowers too. Thanks for joining us at Cardz for Galz

JD/ Jill said...

Great card...so very creative!

Cara said...

Two stunning cards, enjoy making memories x

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what superb crds and their designs are brilliantly created.
Love them both as they are fantastic.
Isn't it lovely to make memories with the Grand children.
I hust love it when we get together.
My Granddaughter and I last Monday did lots of making things with her sewing machine she had for Christmas last year.
Now I miss my sewing as I can't see too well to sew these days, but her machine was like a felting machine and didn't need threading.
Oh the joys of getting old. LOL!!!!!!!
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

nwilliams6 said...

Darnell, Some fun cards - very cool Valentines. Awesome flower pics too. I have missed your posts - so glad to be catching up this afternoon. Hugz

Bobby said...

Have a great long weekend with the boys, Darnell. Maybe you'll get some card playing in with them. I always loved to with my grands. Your aces card is. . . well aces, and making the hearts into flowers is really stretching your stamps. Those stems and leaves paired with them perfectly.

Virginia L. said...

You know how to make cards...and you play CARDS so BEAUTIFULLY as well, Darnell! Hope you have fun with your love ones! So glad that you join the fun over Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Add a Die Cut” Challenge! Awesome details and design! Super work!

kiwimeskreations said...

As usual, these are beautiful cards Darnell - and I see Hammy is AWOL again!!
Love your freesias - they are one of my favourite flowers, and I can't seem to get them to grow well here :-(.
Blessings
Maxine

Loose Stitches said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, love the designs! Beautiful flower photos!
Hugs, Sherry x
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads

oldpunca said...

Wonderful use of the same heart. I will join your cahallenge. Cards are ready to publish. :-) Enjoy your day with the boys!
Hugs, Sonja

KandA said...

Both fabulous cards Darnell and I love your heart flowers, and your real flowers are so beautiful - are they freesias? xx

sandie said...

gosh reminds me I haven't played cards for a while. This is a cute little set and I love the sentiment to match. Great to see you at Time Out.
Adore the soft feel of your second card with the touch of sparkle x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

Tammy said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, both so different and beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz!
Tammy x

Kara Lynne said...

So funny, I was just thinking the other day that playing cards would make a great theme for a stamp set, and here you have one! We're big card players in my family, so I really appreciate your card card. I'm also a huge fan of seeing flowers in February, and so I also truly appreciate your lovely heart flowers! Hope you are all having a great trip!

Anita in France said...

Your willowy, shimmery heart blooms are so dreamy and delightful, Darnell ... and the fluttery butterfly is just gorgeous with them! Cool aces card ... bold, bright and clever ... and perfectly glossified! so happy to have you playing along with us at Time Out! LYAMYMA ...HYHASLW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Lurvely freesia BTW ... at least I think that's what they are!

Craftychris said...

Love these cards! The second one is absolutely beautiful and so clever! xxx

Deborah Frings said...

Love the playing card for the hobbies challenge, and such a great idea to use it to make those pretty flowers too! Love your Twofer challenge - I will try to play along this month! xx

Sheila H said...

Your cards are so clever, Darnell. I believe I have that stamp set. I only used it once for our grandson. Making flowers with it is genius. I will probably CASE your card in the near future - LOL! Hope you, your hubby and the grandsons are having a wonderful time.

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Wonderful twofer Darnell. Love the playing card one especially. I can only imagine you and your sisters playing a hot game of War! Thanks so much for sharing your hobby inspired card with us at Time Out!!

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely pair of cards Darnell! I love the bold monochrome look on your aces card and the pretty second one reminds me that spring WILL come eventually I hope. I trust you had a great weekend with the boys.
Hugs
Carol and thanks for sharing with us at ATSM this week. xx

Izzy Scrap said...

Another fabulous twofer ! I love your "playing card" card, absolutely great and so clever. And your second one showcases so well that a single stamp can be very versatile ! Thanks again for the great inspiration !

Birgit said...

Two sweet cards Darnell! What a great inspiration for your heart challenge! I'm swooning over your pretty spring flowers while we're still covered under snow. Thanks for the glimpse of spring!

jimlynn said...

Isn't it wonderful to see those pretty flowers blooming in the yard! That means spring is on the way. Love those pretty flowers on that second card too! Cute way to use the hearts - on both cards.
Lynn

Mac Mable said...

Both cards are so different and both so gorgeous and unique. Hope you made memories with the grand-twins ? x

Susanne Vargas said...

Another set of heart Twofers? Fabulous! Your playing card card ;) is awesome! You should make one for each of your card playing sisters! The sparkling heart flowers put me in the mood for spring, they are so pretty! Thank you for the bouquet of flowers from your garden - it will be a while before anything blooms around here...

Helen F. said...

Oh how fun is your Ace of hearts card! And, those 'Heart' blooms are just so pretty! Great Twofer today~lovely garden flowers too. Hope you had a fabulous time with the Grandtwins :) :)

Janis Lewis said...

Beautiful cards. Thanks for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz.

Lynn said...

I am woefully behind on commenting but how could I not pass on this fabulous card - celebrating card playing! Pat's great aunts (nuns!) taught us how to play cards and it is definitely a favorite around our house.

Thank you so much for playing with us at Time Out!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Another super set.
Love the freesias. Had them in my wedding bouquet as their scent is beautiful.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Ps..........Trump has his own day????????