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 5, 2018

Swirl!

Hello, Stamplings!

I hope you've had a marvelous weekend! Wasn't that Super Bowl beciting no matter who you were rooting for?! I mean, well, no, I guess it wasn't if you are a Patriots fan, sorry, but that was some good football!

Unlike a lot of the country, we are having some amazing unseasonably warm weather. The bulbs are opening, the birds are singing, the mowers are starting up, and the neighborhood kids are kathunk-kathunking their basketballs in the street. We need lots more rain though, so we hope it's just temporary.

Meanwhile, in the Playhouse, Hammy can be found reading conversation candy hearts aloud. He reads the words, makes up a quick love story, announces, "The End," and then eats the candy. It's so cute! If there were a video, it would break the Internetting, I'm sure!

When the game was over, we worked on our February love mood board and made this:
This little QACAS number showcases a beautiful NBUS wreath of hearts die that came in my Christmas card from Bozena. Thank you, my friend! The sediment is from Avery Elle.

Is it me or is that last score line crooked? I shouldn't have said anything because now you looked. It does make me wonder how many times I've done that and not noticed! Of course, the little hearts had to be painted and winked!

Challenges

~~~

What about if I covered the hearts with snowflakes and made a Christmas card with the wreath?
The NBUS snowflakes are from the Poppystamps "Polar Bear Fun" stamp and die set. I did a watercolor teal wash in the middle of the wreath of snowflakes and then added a few more snowflakes as embellies and a coupla straight score lines. The sediment is from "Scripty Holiday Greetings" from The Ton.

Challenges

~~~

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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82 comments:

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wonderful CAS cards, Darnell!! They look both fabulous with hearts and snowflakes! Love the touch of scoring too!
Hugs

sandie said...

I like that pretty wreath, fab for a CAS card and who cares about the score line! A very cool idea to make a Xmas card too. Thanks for joining Ink and have a good week x

Craft-E-Place said...

Beautiful cards, crisp and clean ... simply stunning!
Elaine

Jane Willis said...

Two real stunners, you have really showcased the versatility of this lovely die
Jane

Lia said...

Darnell, superbowl does not mean anything to us over here, but I understand it's huge in the USA!
WEll, your cards are amazing. It's great what you can do with just one die.
Lia xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fantastic twofer Darnell, this card look great in both versions with the hearts or with the snowflakes.

Sue xx

Julie B said...

Fun couple of cards Darnell. You can have some of our rain, we've already had far too much and the fields are awash! :)

Marina said...

Such a pretty and delicate wreath looks perfect in the two ways you've used it. Great cards.

kiwimeskreations said...

Ooohhhhhhh love these Darnell - they are so darn cute, and beautifully made as ever - of course with Hammy to help after all the love stories, they couldn't help but be sweet! So glad to hear he is earning his keep again
Blessings
Maxine

Kathyk said...

Woo Hoo!, Two super makes from you today, Darnell

As to the football, hubby was watching it as I fell asleep (within minutes of the game starting) and he was also watching it when I awoke at 04:00!! Guess he's a little bleary this morning but he enjoyed the game

Happy post SuperBowl Monday!

Kathyk

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving both cards.

We are having a below freezing phase at the moment, with snow forecast at any time.

Hope you have a good start to the week.

Hugs
Sue

Viv said...

Loving these cards Darnell! x

Carol L said...

I love the "twofer" you've created with that pretty wreath die, and how wonderful to receive that as a gift! The scoring adds such a touch of elegance to both cards too. Yes, that was a good football game, right up until the last play! I wonder how many folks will call out sick from work today? LOL

Marilyn said...

Two pretty cards!! If you hadn’t mentioned the crooked score line I wouldn’t have noticed it. It still looks great!

Pat said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell and the pretty die has adapted well to a Christmas card with the added snowflakes and love the two different uses of the embossed lines. I think your lines are fine and the camera does sometimes lie, just down to the way we are looking at it. x

Jeanne said...

Two lovely cards, Darnell. I really like how you added the snowflakes to the second one. The score lines look great, too! That Super Bowl was a great game! I thought I'd work on handwork while watching, but nope, didn't even pull it out of the bag. So exciting. Our winter has been pretty mild here, too. Not much snow and several days in the upper 50s and 60s. While nice for us, we do need moisture, too. I hope you have a fantastic day and week, my friend! :) Hugs!

Diane said...

Love those pretty wreaths and how each s so unique and fun!! Hammy sure is a little character isn't he, I think Hammy needs to write his own children's books!!

Colleen said...

Amazing cards my friend! I love both and how clever to cover up the hearts with little flowers. You are the Master at Two-fer!! Hope your week is fantabulous!! Heart Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Both great cards. I like the way you have embossed the lines - I think it works well the the die cut circle Chantell Just Add Ink

Redanne said...

I immediately fell in love with the red hearts on the white, it is stunning ... and then you do the Christmas card - wow, it looks just a gorgeous with the snowflakes. Two great fonts on the sentiments too, love them! I didn't really notice the lines... until you said - lol! It does not detract in any way from the beauty of the card... Big hugs, Annie xxx

oldpunca said...

Amazing CAS cards. Transformation from hearts to snowflakes is a fabulous idea.
I have heard about warm weather that you can enjoy. We have winter back with snow and eis. :-(
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Sonja

jimlynn said...

Two fantastic cards! Love the way you changed them up to make them totally different.
No, the score lines really aren't crooked - it's just your eyes trying to sort themselves out? Maybe..........LOL! They're perfect to me though and a great idea to add to a card.
Lynn

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, I love that you changed up the hearts and added snowflakes...they could also be little flowers too.

Marina said...

When I commented on this earlier it was because I spotted it in my blog feed - I missed that you'd entered it at Inkspirational. So I'd like to add....
Thank you for joining us at Inkspirational Challenges!

conil said...

You know I'm a sucker for dry embossing...it just looks so elegant on both of these cards. Your friend Bozena really did you a favor sending you that die...so versatile. You could use leaves for Fall, flowers for Spring and flipflops for Summer if you could find ones that were small enough. Anyway, looks fantastic on both of these cards.

Unknown said...

Fabulous cards love the way you've used the same idea for totally different occasions x

Jane said...

That really is a very pretty wreath die. Love how you’ve used it in two completely different times ways on your cards. A real twofer! Thanks for joining in with the current AAA Cards Challenge.

Mac Mable said...

Such great ways to use that adorable die cut wreath...lucky you on receiving as a gift x Fun post, so enjoyed reading it and thank you for sharing these beauties with us x

Dr Sonia S V said...

Oooh those swirls do look pretty Darnell!!


Cheers
Dr Sonia

Virginia L. said...

Darnell, these are so delightful!! Love your use of colors and die! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge! Beautiful colors and design. Well done!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, dang, I didn't notice the tilt until you mentioned it, which goes to show it's barely there and nothing to worry about. Not that you're worried. You don't sound too worried. All I see is CUTE! Then you went and made a Christmas card with the same die -- a wonderfully creative twofer! Rich and I were just talking about how we may fall short of rain this year. Gosh, the whole neighborhood was out this weekend and it was delightful. Wally and LuLu love being neighborly.

Unknown said...

If it's crooked it just adds to the charm.

Bunny said...

Lovely cards. You could place several small butterflies around it to make a nice card. Or, fall leaves. Wow......there are endless possibilities.

The score line is definitely crooked. But I didn't notice until you said something.

The Super Bowl was fabulous! It was nice to see the Lombardi trophy go to another team. [Bunny]

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both of those designs are so wonderful. What a great wreath. And, very versatile I can see. Using it for a Valentine with the hearts is amazing! And, the by just adding the snowflakes you have a gorgeous Christmas card. Thanks for sharing. I love these ideas! And, it was a good game.

Shelly Schmidt said...

Way to stretch your die and make two seasonal cards! Love the shimmery hearts, and really love the snowflakes as well! How sweet that hammy could help you out as well. I was not going to watch the game- but we turned it on and it was so neck in neck that we got drawn in. We really were cheering for the Eagles : )

BożenA said...

I am impressed by your creativity. Because why only hearts ...? Both cards are amazing and I am very happy that you had fun with this die.
Great hugs,
BozenA

Donna said...

Fantastic cards Darnell! What a great die cut, I am thinking shamrocks would work too!

Glittered Paws said...

Love the CAS of both of the cards - if you turn your head a bit sideways you don't see a crooked line LOL. I watched the game for the commercials but ....didn't think they were as good as in years past. Keep Hammy busy with those conversation hearts.

Patti said...

Such a Twofer!! I love both cards : ) and really love your scoring lines!! You should not have said anything because no one would notice... except my sister... she is the straight line police! heehee but these are truly CASolicious!!

Thank you for the kind and sweet comment you made on my sweater post Darnell. You are always so encouraging! I appreciate you!

We are basketing *wink* in the sun in New Mexico this month!! I am so stinking grateful to be out of the cold I can't believe it!! Enjoy your warm days and I'll pray for some rain - after dark only : ) - just like Camelot!

Have a great week.

Patti

Sarah said...

Two beauties Darnell and what a lovely wreath die, very versatile. A little bit of wonkiness, to me, means hand crafted charm!! xx

Kathleen said...

Two really lovely cards and what a versatile die. Super creations.

Kath x

Susan said...

What a great twofer using that wreath die! I love both versions - great variations of score lines on them. I think Hammy needs to be the star of a series of children's picture books - you've got a perfect little plot for the Valentine version with the candy hearts.

JanetB said...

What a great die! As you've so beautifully shown, it can be used for more than a heart wreath, the possibilities are numerous.

Bonnie said...

Two adorable wreaths, Dolly! Love the winked hearts and would not have noticed the score lines...Love it with the snowflakes perched atop the hearts and the awesome sentiment!

JoAnn said...

A lovely pair of cards. I like how you covered the hearts in the wreath and made a Christmas card also. The scoring lines are a great touch.

Bobby said...

That's a wonderful die and obviously versatile. It looks great in all seasons, Darnell.

Lisa Elton said...

Both of these are CAS prettiness Darnell! I think I like the snowflake version the best with that little wash of blue you added to the wreath center. But as fabulous as the cards are...the Hammy story made my evening!!!

Cheryl W. said...

Such creative cards, today, Darnell. The wreaths are pretty, and the scored lines add lots of texture and dimension.

Melissa L. said...

Goodness! Look at all of the comments! I had to scroll to China to get to the bottom! These are sweet and superbly CAS, Darnell. Great die from Bozena and I love the 2 ways you used it. No, the game stunk (New England native here) and it we are supposed to get 8-12" of snow on Wednesday, followed by a low 0 degrees. I love the snow, but could live without temps below 10! Anyhooo, I will rejoice with you about your warm weather. I look forward to seeing you share some photos of flowers in bloom. It will be another 10-12 weeks before we see that here! Thanks for playing along at AAA Cards with your lovely and creative CAS Card.

Helen F. said...

Two wonderful creations here, Darnell! Love that sweet wreath die and how you switched it up from a Valentine to a Christmas card ~ guess you could add any Holiday deco and it would turn out fab-U-lous!

ike said...

Oooh - how cool these are. I love how it changes when you add snowflakes :-) No - I think the lines are good... it's just the angle of the shot :-)
I would love to hear Hammy making up the stories :-D :-D
I think I already have Spring here in Greece .

Hugz
xxxx

Maria - Ivyleaf Crafts said...

What a great die I like both cards xx

Linda said...

What a pretty little die, and what gorgeous cards. Great idea to add the snowflakes for a different look .... very creative xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh what gorgeous cards! You and Hammy really came up with suoer designs and don't you just love a die that is for all seasons! Hope you are doing well my friend

Nikki Spencer said...

That wreath is so pretty Darnell and combined with the scattered hearts it's a really lovely card. Thanks for sharing at Just Add Ink.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Adorable cards, Darnell. Love the switch up to Christmas... perfect for the snow falling here right now...
Hugs,
Em xoxo

Lynette said...

Two VERY delightful cards, Darnell! So sweet of Hammy - I would love to see the video:)

Bobby said...

I'm back to thank you for sharing your card with us at Just Us Girls, Darnell. I love it CAS look.

OH Babs said...

Wow what a cool die and gift. The cards are lovely. Yes the heat is on here in So Cal - so pray for rain, but not too much. :) B

Happy Dance said...

Very cool wreath. At first I thought you randomly added those hearts...then I kept reading and looking. What a fabby die!! And then you go and give it snowflakes... Girl, you are one clever cardmaker. Pretty colors, and wonderful designs. I do so love these two beauties. Going to see if I have any wreathies now.... xo Bev

Sue said...

Wonderful cards Darnell and the only part of the superbowl I watched was Justin Timberlake at half time LOL huggles Sue xx

Lisa T said...

That’s a really pretty die and you made two lovely cards Darnell. There is a trend again for score lines, you use them beautifully on both your cards. I love the added interest such a little touch brings! Thanks for inspiring as always, Lisa xx

Loll said...

Two beautiful CAS designs Dolly!! The hearts are so sweet. And love your sweet snowflakes on the second card. I find I have a lot of small stamps that come in stamp sets that I rarely use. Now I see I need to start using them because this is beautiful! Lolly xx

Sharron said...

What a cool die! Love all those sweet little hearts. How clever to switch to some snow for another beauty!

Sheila H said...

That die is fabulous for your Valentine card. I thought you had added the hearts when I looked at the card. Coloring them is perfect. You are so clever - you made a twofer for the second card. Love it!

Brenda said...

That Superbowl game was very exciting and a very tight game! I thought for sure the Eagles were going to lose, but then they pulled it out and held on to it! I was so happy to see them win, sorry Patriots fans, but the Eagles deserved that win. lol Wish we had your warm temps Auntie, I could use some warm, but no...we have snow coming, then ice and then rain tonight. Had the same thing on Superbowl Sunday and I still have ice on the patio, the way I go out to my unattached garage! So I tip toe very carefully and now more on the way. What the heck?!!! Send those nice warm temps this way would ya?!! lol Love, love, love both of your cards. That wreath is so cool and the "love" card is just so stunning. Then I love how versatile this wreath is and how you made it into a Christmas card, how fun! I think you will be doing more with this wreath die! Hugs, Brenda

Cara said...

I can just visualise Hanmy with those love hearts are we call them over here, bless him! I love how you showed off the versatility of this die with two fantastic cards. The score line looks perfectly straight to me ;-)

Carole Pollard said...

such a pretty die what a lovely gift. Your cards are very pretty as well. Please send some of your warm weather to the UK as I hate cold weather snow again for us yesterday.Love and hugs Carole x

Gerrina said...

Don't know about any superbowl; not important here :)
But your design looks great with both the hearts and the flowers!
Hugs, Gerrina

Anita in France said...

Great gift, beautifully put to perfect use, Darnell ... both QACAS cards are delicious, fresh, crisp ... and of course I love the shimmer! Hammy's so sweet keeping you amused with love stories ... are you sure he wouldn't like to make a video so we could all see how cute he is?! LYAMYMA ... EFTWR! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Kara Lynne said...

Beautiful wreaths, Darnell! Your snowflakes sure change the look and feel of that wreath die. The sentiments and score lines are also beautiful! I did look when you mentioned the line, but even so, I didn't see it as anything but perfect!

Craftychris said...

Absolutely gorgeous card with the beautiful heart wreath! You can't see anything wrong with the line at all! What a cool idea to add the snowflakes and make such a beautiful Christmas card! Hugs xxx

Birgit said...

Beautifully CAS cards Darnell! Love that twiggy wreath die with the hearts added. Just so sweet and valentine~y. Thanks for always inspiring us with your creations, your words and your kindness! <3

Tracey McNeely said...

These are both so pretty Darnell! Love the difference between the wreath with the hearts and the snowflakes--versatile! Yes it was a good game, not much of a football fan but always watch the Super Bowl and of course snacking food! We used to get together with neighbours at our old house every year, but the drive to the city is a bit far now that we live in the country.

Fikreta said...

Beautiful cards!

Viv said...

Such gorgeous cards again Dee!...no the lines look ok to me,just love that pretty hearts die. Enjoy your weekend too ;) hugs Vee xx

Liz said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. What a lovely die!

We watched part of the Super Bowl, as I kept seeing all the hype leading up to it. I'm not sure I understand the rules at all. LOL!! xx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

These are just fabulous Darnell! Love how you have used the same wreath in two very different ways! So creative! If you want some rain, we can send you buckets of it from here!! Unfortunately, that is one thing that has damped my mojo! Thank you for sticking with me during my hiatus! You are so kind! Have a wonderful day my friend! Luv & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Cheryl said...

Both of these are lovely, Darnell! Love the wreath die cut with the red hearts. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards challenges.

Susanne Vargas said...

I guess this wreath could be called "a wreath for all seasons"! Love it with all the bright red stars but also with the snow flakes! Now you just have to make one with flowers and one with leaves... *wink*! The scored lines is something I always forget about but really like the look of it!

Greta said...

What a fun die & 2 fabulous cards, my friend!

Ellenor said...

A very beautiufl card :)

Thank you for playing along with us at Addictet to CAS - Ellenor