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 13, 2018

Musical Birthdays and Heartfelt Hugs

Hello, Stamplings!

Are you finding it difficult to step away from the Olympics and do anything else? I love the skating in particular and can watch it hour after hour! I think I must have been part of an Olympic ice-dancing couple in a former life. Oh, hahahaha, the very idea!

I did roller skate as a kid for a short time, but I never ice-skated. Poor Mister tried to teach me to ice skate back in the glory days of our dating. Back when he didn't have to worry about a hernia from picking me up when I fell. And fall I did, again and again! I'm not saying I did it on purpose to have him put his arms around me to help me up. Okay, yes, I'm saying it.

Thanks to a reminder from Hammy, I did tear myself away from the TV to make this ...
Using an MFT die, I cut a rectangle frame from a stamped musical background stamp from SU. The NBUS "Elegant Musical Staff" is from Poppystamps. This QACAS design was specifically made to help Less is More celebrate their 7th birthaversary!! Congratulations, ladies, and here's to many more!!

Coinkadinkily, a tweak of the design ...
made this card perfect for the photo inspiration at TIME OUT Challenges!

Thirdly, another heart design ...
A deep red coral embossed panel made a fun background for the splattered (but intact) heart from Concord & 9th. A simple card filled with love and hugs! Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!!

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I'm a Diecut Diva TooSnippets 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 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!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL +  Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click page down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and the pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond.  Thank you! p.p.s. Did you notice one of the frames of the musical cards is upside down?! I know nothing of musical notes and they all looked every which way to me! I paid attention with the second card and noticed the cut-out part had numbers on it, so I know that the second gold card is right-side up!

73 comments:

Lia said...

You are showing beautiful cards today!
And yes: I also like watching ice skating, and I am a fan of figure skating since my childhood. But instead of figure skating speed skating is huge in Holland and untill this moment we already won 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals! The newspapers are colouring orange (our national colour) and I think there will be more successes in the next days.
Lia xx

Unknown said...

Fabulous cards Darnell !
I love the ice dancing too, at the moment in the UK we have a reality show on a Sunday evening called Dancing on Ice where tv/sports celebrities are partnered with professional skaters it's brilliant...Torvill and Dean are 2 of the judges :)
Hugs Kaz xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, All three cards are lovely.

My dad use to speed skate on the fens. My brother skated, but mum and I never got it. Think we bnoth suffered from the same lack of balance..

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Julie B said...

A fab trio of cards Darnell. :)

StirYourCreativity said...

Wow these are such beautiful cards!

Kathyk said...

Popped across from LIM to admire your music card only to find two there AND a smashing heart themed card too - you're on a roll matey!

Happy Tuesday

Kathyk

Mac Mable said...

Yes I am loving the Winter Olympics too and I was fortunate, once, to go to Winter Olympics in Turin (2006) to watch the ice dance/figure skating....which I love and it was a wonderful experience. Love the two music cards, very elegant and crisp, no favourites between them both...of course x. Great texture on the wonderful heart card. Love the idea of the red being on the background and not on the heart x Going back now to watch the speed skating xxxx

Jackie T said...

Hi this is a stunning selection of cards. The heart card is gorgeous. Thank you for joining us at Moving Along with the Times Challenge Blog The theme is Love. Hugs Jackie DT

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Crikey! It seems ages since I've been to visit you Darnell - where is the year flying by? Super-dooper designs on all your cards here but I am swooning at the fabulous black and white music card. Total sophistication and elegance there. And it's always good to do a twofer, eh?(must find time to join that challenge too ;-) ). Anyways, thank you so much for joining us at Less is More xx

Gerrina said...

Love the border of your first card and oh that heart die is beautiful!
I do like Carnaval, but it is chaos in the home :) Hugs, Gerrina

Marilyn said...

Awesome cards!! Love that gold musical staff!

Jeanne said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. Love the music ones, since I have two girls involved in Band and they point out all music type stamps when we shop together. They can read the music, I cannot. LOL I really like the heart one, too. So pretty. I've been watching a lot more of the Olympics than I normally do in the winter. I do love the ice skating. Thanks for sharing your sweet story. Have a happy week! Hugs!

ionabunny said...

OOoh, love that embossed panel on the last one. Congrats to your win at Happy Little Stampers. I did love that truck load of hearts. Hugz

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

The music theme is fantastic! Love your cards! And yes, I am watching rather a lot of the Olympics!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I especially love the music themed one.

Sue xx

Trina P. said...

All beautiful cards, Darnell. Feel so honoured you pulled yourself away from the olympics to create your fabulous music cards! Super CAS design with all that luscious white space. Love how you changed it to fit the TO photo challenge too. Enjoy the olympics and thank you for celebrating with and joining us at Less is More.

Bunny said...

Beautiful cards. Love the treble clef and notes. The heart is very pretty against the nice EF.

I tried ice skating..........ONCE. In Florida there's not much opportunity to get good at it.

I honestly don't know how people ski the moguls. My knees would give out. I do love watching the Olympics. Cheering my country on and other countries and even feeling disappointed when something bad happens to one of the athletes. To think that they train for so long and one slip up can really be devastating for them. [Bunny]

Carole said...

Three fabulous cards Darnell...love the music ones and the last one has used my all time favourite heart...all intact...now why didn't I think of that. Happy Valentine!

cuilliesocks said...

Wow Darnell what three fabulous cards, I especially love the musical themed ones and the heart card is wonderful with that bright embossed background, just lovely.
Never skated myself, but I do love the ice dancing, Kate x

Redanne said...

The musical background is fabulous!! I love both colourways for the focal images. As for the heart card, that coral colour is fast becoming my favourite colour at the moment, it is just so wonderfully cheery!

I loved ice skating as a child and teenager and I am thoroughly enjoying the skating in the Olympics, especially the pairs, I am so impressed that they can actually 'dance' on the ice! Love the speed skating too, it is so exciting!! Hugs, Annie xxx

maria f. said...

Love and hugs to you too, Dorothy, I mean Darnell ;)

Pat said...

Considering the Olympics on tv has been keeping you away Darnell, you have been making up for lost time with your three beautiful cards. I love both versions with the music background, and the treble clef added in black and then gold on the other stand out so well against the white space behind. The last card with the gorgeous bright red embossed background has such a pretty die cut heart and looks perfect with the pieces left intact, and the added red heart, gentle spattering and substantial die cut sentiment, are just perfect as finishing touches. x

alexandra s.m. said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell!
Love your bold CAS sense of design!
xx

Arlene said...

Both cards are marvelous. So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas.

Leslie Miller said...

You're so good with QACAS! I can only dream... All fabulous cards, sigh...

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow!! Two striking cards!! Such fabulous designs!!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
as always your card are so excellently crafted.
Love them all they are so super and gorgeous.
The second appeals to me the most with the gold die cut as I am blingy type of girl, sure I was a magpie in another life.
Your heart one is so beautiful and the embossing and heart is stunning.
Yor cards have just given me an idea for the Twofer hopefully.
Thank you for joining the MAWTT Challenge.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

conil said...

Music and hearts...what could be better considering cupid is flying around here with his quiver of arrows. Those clef cards are CAS perfections and that giant, luscious heart is beautiful.

Verna Angerhofer said...

i love both of your cards. Keep inspiring me. I might get in the mood to create again soon. LOL But maybe we need a break now and then.

Glittered Paws said...

Oh my I would have to close my eyes and pick my favorite- but I think it is the second one with gold embossed treble cleft. (I played piano until a few years ago when I had a 4 wheeler accident and broke my arm in several places) and now I just don't have the flexibility to play the piano anymore. But oh I can still stamp. Loving the Olympics - so far I have really enjoyed the snow boarding - talk about having no fear.

Kathleen said...

Three fantastic LIM cards, they look very classy.

Kath x

Di said...

Gorgeous cards, as always Darnell! I do live the heart of strings one of course - I adore that die yet keep forgetting to use it! I only really make cards with hearts on for Len each year - ought to think about your challenge really but am limiting my time at the desk a bit.

Great to see you in the Playground! Parsnip asked me where the Hershey Kisses were to be found - silly little bear was puckering his lips thinking he was in for a bit of a 'session'. Should I tell him what they are or let him sweat a bit more? :)

Hugs

Di xxa

Susan said...

You and me both, Darnell - the Winter Olympics are mesmerizing, the figure skating in particular. I did ice skate as a kid in Toronto and even took a year of figure skating lessons - I think I'd fall flat on my bottom if I tried any fancy stuff now but I do still like to skate. I've been watching so much of the Olympics that I think I've turned into an addict and don't want to do anything else, though I do make myself put together the odd card or watercolour an image (but only during the boring bits).

Almost posted this without commenting on the cards - love the musical ones, especially the second one with the gold - it's such a perfect take on the inspiration photo. And the heart one reminded me that I have to tear myself away from the TV and get my Twofer hearts made!

Bobby said...

Those music themed cards are terrific, Darnell. Perfect for any occasion it appears. The embossed red background is one I've never seen before and I love it's graphic nature.

Birgit said...

How is Hammy doing? I bet keeping you company and critiquing the ice skating which i also love to watch. I skated but just around and around and the only way i knew how to stop was to crash into the boards. I missed you and coming here but i had quite the bad January. I love your simple but elegant cards...nothing simple about them in my eyes just so eloquent. I can't wait to get back to crafting...again

Bonnie said...

Love that music die, Dolly! It's especially musical in the gold! Love that fantastic heart too. I need to get some cards posted using that die!

Lisa Elton said...

Love the simplicity of your designs Darnell, but they still pack a big PUNCH!! Terrific cards!!

laurie said...

Beautiful cards Darnell!I love the music card..the gold is so striking!

Have a great Valentines day!

Christine Alexander said...

wonderful CAS masculine cards, that musical die is gorgeous and love that sweet little heart :)

Susan said...

Love all 3 ca dos...but the music cards really make me say WOW! I might even have to CASE them!

Vikki H said...

Oh, I love the musical theme and you inspire me to try this when I get home this week from a month in sunny So Cal. The heart die is fabulous and setting it on your embossed panel is the icing on the design! Happy Valentines

Cheryl W. said...

Awesome cards today. The musical staff die-cut is so versatile. It could definitely also be used for anniversaries, weddings and just-a-note cards. Your intact heart with splatters looks so pretty, and I love the coral color of your embossed background.

Cat Craig said...

Wonderful cards Darnell! Love all the hearts. I too am in Olympic thrall...all through the night sometimes til past 7 am. It's only a bit more than two weeks right???

sandie said...

Glad you got time away from the Olympics to play. Perfectly CAS card and do love the striking gold for out card at Time Out. Thanks for joining Time Out

kiwimeskreations said...

A beautiful trio of cards Darnell - love the musical ones, especially the one with the embossed stave of music, and your heart one is perfect! i do hope you have a wonderful Valentines and are spoilt to bits by the family
Blessings
Maxine

Linda said...

What a stunning trio of cards ..... I like the music die!
I haven't been ice skating in years ...... many years in fact, I was still at school!! If I tried now it would be like Bambi on the ice xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell xoxo

Cara said...

Fantastic cards, I think the pop of gold on the second makes it my favourite x

Anita in France said...

Goodness, that's such a luscious heart, Darnell ... so scrumptious against the texture-y coral! Your musical cards are a delight ... one cool and stylish in an understated way ... the second with a touch of glitz and glamour ... and both simply gorgeous! Delighted you tweaked and played along with us at Time Out! LYAMYMA ... HVDAHO! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell..I have been watching the ice skating too I have always loved it..we were lucky to have an ice rink built near us when we were teenagers..it's still there and we would go every Saturday and then my Dad bought me some white skates I was over the moon lol! huggles Sue xx

Mrs A. said...

Great cards considering you only had the TV comercials to make them in. I did make the one valentine card for yours truly and that one nearly did my head in working out how to do it. Hugs Mrs A.

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

You just crack me up Darnell... Love the ice skating story, you vixen you. I LOVE the second take with the gold and how well it goes with our inspiration photo. Thanks so much for playing with us at ime Out!

oldpunca said...

I'm late by visiting your blog. But I have to say, I like to watch ice skating to. :-) I'm admiring your simply and powerful design of LIM birthday card and beautiful Valentine card.
Enjoy by watching winter Olympics! :-)
Hugs,
Sonja

Hazel said...

Beautiful CAS cards - love the heart. Thanks for joining us at MAWTT. Hazelx

Sheila H said...

Your musical note cards really strike a cord with me, Darnell - pun intended. The large note is a real standout. I love the background. Your heart card is fabulous. I ice skated only once. It was way too cold for me. Your story of why you fell so much cracks me up!!

MaryH said...

I could barely roller skate (no coordination!) but I enjoy watching ice skating. sorry no Olympic viewing however...Love both colors of your CAS music design, it packs a lot of interest with the fab die. The coral background on the sunburst heart design is a big WOW and is anything but a 'simple' card! Love all the dimension and warm color. TFS & Hugs.

Kara Lynne said...

That is such an elegant treble clef and staff in both black and gold! The heart with its spattered rays is gorgeous on the embossed coral cs! I used to enjoy both roller skating and ice skating back in the day, but I could never imagine twirling or leaping into the air let alone at the same time!

Fikreta said...

gorgeous cards!

KandA said...

Gorgeous 'threefers' Darnell. The music one is such a great design and very classy looking and I love the heart on the last one xx

Esther said...

These are great, Darnell! I love the music card, so eye catching with the stamped background but still really clean and crisp... perfect! And the bold heart card is fabulous <3 Thanks for sharing!

scrappymo! said...

Two lovely cards. I loved the musical notes Birthday cards. I have a musical notes die but never thought to combine it with musical score paper. Fabulous idea.
The second card is so pretty. A heart full of love.

Must run and get to work on my twofer cards!

Izzy Scrap said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell. I love your two musical cards, so delicate and so CAS ! And this heart die cut brilliantly pops up over this red panel. A fabulous trio ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along at Less is More. xx

Loll said...

Wonderful design for your musical card Dolly. QACAS cards are great, aren't they?? And I love the second version with a bit of gold shimmer ... very elegant. Your heart card is so pretty with that die ... hmmm ... might have to get one of those for myself. I'm crazy about heart dies and have a million of them. Maybe exaggerating a little, but not much. :) Love the sweet little puffed heart within the heart. Lolly xx

Greta said...

So glad Hammy got you out to the Playhouse as you've made wonderful card, Darnell! I love both of the music bg cards, but am especially drawn to the one with gold! The C&9 heart die is so wonderful--may end up "having" to get it & I love the look with all the pieces kept & the splatters! Great embossed bg, too!

Anonymous said...

Three lovely cards. Love the gold on the second one.
Umm cough cough I must be the only person on the planet not watching the olympics.

Mau xx said...

Three Fabulous cards Darnell, all so different and all equally lovely xx

Mau xx said...

Sorry my tablet keeps freezing Darnell, I wanted to add that the music card looks so different once you added gold to it, I love it!

nwilliams6 said...

More awesome cards! Love the musical birthday cards - super pretty. Fun heart card too. I am not keeping up too much with the Olympics but when I do - there are some magical stories there!

Susanne Vargas said...

Love your musical cards and did not notice that one frame was upside down until you mentioned it! Love the splattered heart in front of the embossed panel!
Hugs,
Susanne

Craftychris said...

Cool music cards - love them with either the black or gold centrepiece! Beautiful heart card - such a gorgeous design and love the splatter on the heart along with the fab embossing. I went ice skating a couple of times in my late teens and was absolutely rubbish! I could hardly stand up so didn't go again. I love watching the ice dancing though, so awesome! Hugs xxx

jimlynn said...

I'm pretty much in LOVE with those first "musical cards"! Wow! So pretty!!!! Love the heart card too of course.
Lynn

Helen F. said...

Wonderful Musical notes cards, Darnell! I Love the background stamp that you cute to use it as a frame~very cool idea. The Valentine is beautiful also.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
You certainly know the score..........boom boom!!!
This would be perfect for a friend of mine who sings in a choral society. I made her something similar last year as a good luck card for her concert.
You have reminded me that I haven't blogged it yet lol!!!.
You are loving your hearts at the moment.......love must be in the air.
Ang x