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!

March 14, 2019

Shiny Teacups and Baby Love x 2

Hello Stamplings!

How are you doing? I hope you're having a great week. Thank you for all your well-wishes following my last post. I am feeling a bit better and I appreciate your kind best wishes. It's a process, but it will all work out in the end.

Like so many of you, when I'm feeling meh and low on mojo juice, I turn to my favorite challenges to light a fire under my assets. There are so many challenges that spark me and Loll and Bonnie's series of CAS challenges are among them. I set to work and, sure enough, they dialed in my focus, which is just what I needed. I have one to share today.

Onefer
This design is for CAS Mix Up Card Challenge where the brief is to make a faux stained glass design. Here's a close-up so you can see the faux better:
I have to say I love the die I picked for this technique, which is Teacup Stack by Poppystamps. The bottom layer of teacups was die-cut from a Brusho background. Then the cups was die-cut another three times in white. Two white die-cuts were glued to form a stack and then I applied Glossy Accents, with Hammy's help in the tight spaces. After that dried the final white die cut was glued to the top of the stack. In one of her posts, Loll shared the tip of saving the top die cut until after you spread the gloss. That lets you get messy with glopping the gloss because then you can cover it with the top layer and everything looks crisp and clean.

The double stitched oval is from MFT and the borders are Washie tape. In order for the tape not to detract the eye from the focus pocus teacups, I folded it over the edge of the panel so only two narrow stripes are showing.

Challenges
For your blog03-19

Twofer
For years now, another favorite challenge of mine is Less is More. The current challenge is "Horoscopes." I chose Gemini so I could make a twin baby card. Did you know Gemini is represented by the twins Castor and Pollux (known as Dioscuri) who were granted shared half-immortality after the death of the mortal brother, Castor. Okay then.

The little twin onesies are from Stamplorations, paper-pieced with ancient pp. The sediment is also ancient from Paper Smooches. The hem-stitch border die is NBUS from Spellbinders. Everything is popped up with butter and salt.

Challenges
SPREAD THE MIXED UP LOVE - grab a badge
~~~

Speaking of twins:
Every year I get completely addicted to watching various live cams provided for free at explore.org. I am particularly thrilled with the bald eagle hatches and I just found out today there are also owl cams! There are cameras at several eagle nests on The Channel Islands, California, and another nest in Decorah, Iowa. I highly recommend checking out explore.com unless, of course, you want to get anything else done!

By the way, the above nest has one more egg which might be hatching as we speak so there will be triplets in this one! (Fraser Point nest.)

~~~

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!

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 a 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!)

77 comments:

Heidi Weaver said...

Hi Darnell, we also have owl cams and eagle cams available for viewing in our area and they are fascinating. Mind you, I love most wildlife watching opportunities. I love the cards in your post. Your style and expertise are always such a delight. The little onesies are adorable. Love the paper-piecing. Using that die-cut border is perfect. It makes me think of the beautiful hand sewn borders my grandma used to stitch. And now we have dies... Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.

Maria - Ivyleaf Crafts said...

Both cards a great. The teacups I love and the onesies are so cute. I have SB Hemstitch on my wish list and seeing it used on your card has put it to the top. Thanks for all your inspiration. Xx

Jane Willis said...

Oh how gorgeous both cards are, especially the teacups one. What a brilliant use of the stained glass effect.
And thanks for the reminder that it's bird cam season, must dig out to the link to the one we have in the UK which has owls, ospreys and kingfishers among others. I spend hours watching every spring.

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
these are so gorgeous and such wonderful designs.
Love them both.
The teacups are so colourful and bright and beautifully created.
Oh how cute are those Baby Vests.
My hubby is a Gemini.
Thank you for the heads up on the explore.com will be looking at the Owls in particular.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards. Someone is going to be busy with two babies in one go.

Really like the Bald Eagle. I watch some of the wildlife cams as well.

Hope you have a good day. Sue

Aquarius said...

What a super stained glass effect with the teacups and a clever idea for the zodiac baby card. Challenges are great for taxing the brain and getting the creative juices flowing just when we think they've dried up!! Take care.

Michelle W said...

Two great cars Darnell! Those little onesies are adorable and a great idea to use them for our horoscope challenge. Thanks for playing along with us at Less is More.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the glass effect that you've used on the cups. It make a wonderful card and the cups look so bright a cheerful.

Sue xx

ionabunny said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell. Love the stained glass teacups. Take care and feel fabulous soon. Hugz

Lisa said...

Both cards are so beautiful!! The colors of the cups are so stunning!! I love them!! The onsies are so sweet!! I'm off to check out that eagle cam!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Adorable cards! Love those tea cups!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Neet said...

I love your teacups. The stained glass technique you used is just beautiful - one to try.
Just love the picture you put up of the babies feeding - off now to explore the explore link.
Hugs, Neet xx

Linda said...

I love your little stained glass teacups, and the baby card is just too cute.
Great picture of those cute little eagles too xx

Gerrina said...

Your teacups look amazing! Beautiful how they shine and remind me of thin porcelain... And the babycard is sweet... Hugs, Gerrina

Em Louise Fairley said...

Your cards, and the eaglets are adorable xoxo

Pat said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell and the teacups were an inspired choice for the faux stained glass technique and they are so pretty and love the Brusho background and the embossed oval frames it perfectly. The twin boy/girl onesies are so cute and and great to represent Gemini for the LIM Challenge, and that Hemstitch rectangle is a gorgeous NBUS die to lay them on. Thanks for telling us about the web cams and I must have a look. I can see that these could become addictive. Glad you are feeling a bit better on your new meds. x

Bonnie said...

I LOVE these bright and happy teacups, Dolly! Wouldn't it be fun to drink tea out of such cups! The baby onesies are adorable. Love the paper you've used for them and that pretty border! Looks like this eagle has it's own set of twins. It's fascinating watching them!

Lisa Babitz said...

Love your faux stained glass tea cups - so pretty! Your twins card is adorable as well!!

Susan Joyce said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell! The tea cups are a splendid choice for the CAS Mix Up challenge this month, thanks for sharing.

Cat Craig said...

Your teacups are gorgeous. All that lovely white with the beautiful stained glass. Stunning. I might have to have another go at that one. YOur onsies and the hemstitch die are adorable and such a great idea for the challenge. Hugs.

Sue said...

Oooo love the cards Darnell so cute! I hope your feeling much better lots of huggles Sue x

OH Babs said...

My message did not go through. So I said I love both cards especially the tea cups. I am glad you are on the mend. Wishing you a Happy St. Pat's Day, Barb (1/4 Irish) Mwah

Bunny said...

Oh boy do I love watching bird cams and the bear cams in Alaska.

I LOVE your tea cup card. It's my cup of tea for sure. It is just beautiful.

Glad to hear you're feeling a better. Life is so much more pleasant when you feel good isn't it? [Bunny]

Chris said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell, the baby card is so cute with the twin onesies, the tea cup card is a stunner, what a fabulous technique, perfectly showcased!
xx

Christine Alexander said...

Two great cards, love those tea cups. great faux stained glass technique :)

Brenda in IN said...

I wish I could come have tea with you in those darling cups. Beautiful stain glass or rather stained tea cups look. The twinsies/onesies are adorable too. Animal cams are the greatest thing ever to get up close and personal with nature. Thanks for sharing. I hope you continue to feel better and better.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful cards and so gorgeous in their simplicity. Sometimes starting out simple leads us to bigger and better later on. But in my opinion, these you made are both outstanding. I enjoyed the cam shot too.

conil said...

Well now, I see you've mastered the stained glass look...it's really a WOW! I'm impressed with how much the color stands out against the intricated diecut. (BTW, thanks for sharing Loll's tip.)
And the Gemini card is darling, perfect for the challenge. I enjoyed the backstory...you're so full of tidbits of knowledge. If I watched those eagles nesting I would never accomplish anything...but, then, I'm not accomplishing much right now.

Kathy said...

Love the teacups card - so creative! thanks for all the challenge inspiration, too.

Helen F. said...

LOVE both of your cards, Darnell! The first one has so many tea-riffic details and dies and coloring techniques~I want to buy all of the products so I can CASE it ;-) The baby card is very sweet too!

Loll said...

Your stacked teacups are so pretty!! LOVE this card Dolly! Great work with the faux stained glass. Love the design with oval and colourful strips on the sides of the card. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Your twinsies are adorable! Perfect card for Less is More.

What a fantastic way to see nature up close. Thanks for sharing the screen shot of mamma and babies. I could sit and watch that live cam all day long! Love, Lolly

wannabcre8tive said...

Darnell, your cards are beautiful, as always. I love what you did with the cup die and the brushos. I have that die so I need to use it, thanks, for reminding me. I have some backgrounds perfect to go with it.

Your little twin onsie card is adorable. How perfect to have a boy and girl set of twins.

Sandra H said...

Ooh wow Darnell l just love both of your cards the teacup image is amazing love the stained glass effect and the oval stitched die, and the 2nd card is just as lovely great edge work and twin images are just so cute, l don't get any wildlife in my garden although l do live across from the gold course so no birds or not many in my garden but l do see families of foxes often walking along the fairway, so nice that you have shared this picture and will it be triplets mother nature is a wonderful thing take care x

Jean said...

Your teacups are just delightful! Love how you did them! A what a sweet card! Thank you for the inspiratioN!

Lisa Elton said...

Who wouldn't love a stack of these gorgeous teacups in their cabinet! You've done a beautiful job with the technique Darnell, this is fabulous. And how sweet is your baby card. Almost as sweet as the twin/triplet eaglets!

Nonni said...

Those baby onesies look so cute... Love the patterned paper you used! Very creative take on our challenge. So many eye catching details and yet the look is very CAS, super job! Thanks for joining us at Less Is More Darnell!

Mac Mable said...

Cheerful colours on your tea cup card and the technique looks fabulous. Adorable 'Gemini' card and thank you for the information on the star sign.
What a wonderful way to spend some time watching mother nature....love it x
Hope you are feeling a little better today? x

Kathleen said...

Absolutely blown away with your tea-cup card, it is absolutely fabulous.
Sweet second card too.

Kath x

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I love the teacup card! It is a great clean and simple card, because you used some really cool, bright colors where there is color! Sometimes I find cards too white, but this one is a WOW! Love the baby card too!

Redanne said...

Wow, the stain glass effect on the tea cups looks absolutely stunning, the clean white really makes those colours pop! The little baby outfits are just adorable, I love them!

It is wonderful watching these nature cams and seeing new life being born. I am hoping the little Hummers come back to you to nest this year, they are such beautiful little creatures.

I hope you are getting used to the meds now and feeling a little better.

Hugs, Annie xxx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Hi Darnell, your cards are wonderful and the one with the faux stained glass cups is my favourite, such amazing effect!!
Love seeing the eagle with her chicks, how wonderful is Nature!!
But sadly man is destroying all
Hope that the Global Climate Strike all around the world make something good to push the Big Ones finally taking immediately decisions for Earth safe!!!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/03/youth-climate-strike-kids-save-the-world/
Tomorrow I and my class of kids will protest too, so hope for your grandtwins :)
Hugs

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Impeccable technique! I am so impressed! Looks fabulous! The Brusho background is perfect. I will stay away from those life cams - too much else to do....But thanks for sharing a still picture. Bald Eagles are amazing creature and so are owls.

Leslie Miller said...

Well, gee, thanks for explore.org, Darnell. I'd never heard of it, but now it's bookmarked. Evenings after dinner I generally sit on the couch with my laptop for a bit. It's just idle time, anyway, so now I have another idle time option. Gosh darn, you did pick a cute die for the stained glass (which I originally learned about right here on your blog). Great idea to use the Brusho background which looks sooooo pretty all glossified. Just look at all that bright white sunlight, too! I can't resist a baby card and those two little onesies are adorable. Uh, no, I didn't know all that about Castor and Pollux. Where have I been all their mythological lives? Did you know they make dog food? Neither did I.

Sharron said...

Your colorful shiny teacups are so pretty, a wonderful choice for the stained glass technique! And I adore the adorable baby card for twins! That hemstitch die is so cool too. It comes in different shapes so I'm trying to decide what I would use the most. It's definitely on my wish list though!

Cris G. said...

Hi Darnell, I'm happy to know that you are feeling better!
Your first card looks very yummy with the vibrant Brusho background and glossy faux stained glass accents. I agree with you... the die is absolutely beautiful.
Castor and Pollux twins are cute, but the real life feathered twins are a little bit cuter, if you don't mind :). Thank you so much for sharing explore.org!

Hugs,
Cris

Cheryl W. said...

The stained glass effect on your cups is really awesome. Thanks for sharing the tip about saving the last die-cut until the gloss is dry. It's probably a good idea to always do that, whether using gloss or not. I can't tell you how many times I've smudged something (including die-cuts) on my card and then had to add an embellishment to cover up the smudge! Your little onesies are sweet, too. I have twin girls (they're both mothers themselves now), so I always get a kick out of seeing cards for twins. When I had them (40 years ago), I lived in a small town in ND that had a very small selection of baby announcements for sale--so I made my own. That was before cardmaking was a "thing." I just didn't have a choice. Guess I should feature one of them on my blog one day. They were pretty crude, but they did the trick of announcing our twins. We see eagles regularly here in MN, as we live near the Mississippi River, which is a migratory path for them. We even saw one on a high tree a block from our house this winter!!!

frommycraftroom said...

Such great cards. Love the twins.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Must find me some mojo too!

Vikki H said...

Poppystamps make terrific dies and your treatment is very pretty. I love the colors in each cut out and Thank You for passing on the Glossy Accents tip. Duh, why didn't I think of that. We love to keep track of bird cams at our house also. They can be addictive, right?

Susan said...

Two great cards and also great info on the live cams. Especially love your first card with the pretty tea cups - I do love my cups of tea!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Good to hear you are feeling a little better Darnell, your so right that creativity can take our minds off things and help our healing progress. I love your faux stained glass effect teamed so well with that die. Such a useful card that could be given for various occasions, I love those go to cards.
The Twins card is very sweet, there seems to have been a decline in multiple births around my circle of friends so a joy to see your card today.
The live nature cam's sound fabulous, i'm sure I would get nothing done if I was to take a peep.
Hugs for the weekend & Take good care Tracey x

kiwimeskreations said...

What a fabulous cup stack Darnell - those cups look good enough to use - so glad you helped Hammy this time... ;-).
Love the twin baby card...so sweet
Blessings
Maxine

Kathyk said...

LOVING your teacups and twins makes Darnell as well as the fabulous photo. Sorry for the delay in commenting but we've been away visiting friends.

Happy Friday, have a great weekend

Kathyk

papierelle said...

Great idea!!! This makes the cups especially valuable.

oldpunca said...

Your faux stained glass tea cups are fantastic! I like the colors and the design. Perfectly done.
It is amazing idea how you have imagine horoscope challenge at LIM. I'm impressed. Great work! :-)
I'm glad to hear that you feel better. <3
Hugs,
Sonja

Mrs A. said...

Sorry to hear that you have been so under the weather. Hope your meds are kicking in and making an improvement for you. I love your top card with the stack of tea cups and the stunning effect you have created with the background. What a good idea with leaving the top stack piece to the last..
I was going great guns with my craft room make over. I have a detailed cupboard plan made with a blow by blow account of what is in each box and where it all is. I have some photos of the my new space but now no internet to show them at the moment. Finishing off my craft room has to wait now as the phone line is now dead as a dodo which of course means my internet is also affected. Now working on my iPad which is ok for commenting but not blogging. We think fixing the phone line is going to be the big did up the garden job which we are dreading. Hugs Mrs A.

Bobby said...

That teacup card has to be one of my favorites of yours, Darnell. The Brusho colors are lovely and the tie in with the washi is perfect. Of course you'd think of babies times two for the horoscope challenge being the grandmother of twins. I couldn't think of a thing so bypassed that challenge this week.
I used to watch the Decorah eagles all the time and had totally forgotten about them. But owls intrigue me more since I go gaga over them. I'll have to check out where to find them.

cuilliesocks said...

Well the eagle stole the show Darnell, what a fabulous photo, thanks for sharing it. I must check out this site.
Brilliant cards, I love the teacups stack and the wonderful stained glass effect on them, beautifully done. Sweet baby card too.
pleased to hear that you are getting there healthwise, it seems as one gets older the slower it takes to recover, take care of yourself, Kate x

KandA said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell. I love those fabulous glossy teacups and your baby card is such a sweet CAS design. I hope you feel like your old self again soon xx

Lindsey said...

That is a fine teacup die - not too fussy, as so many of them seem to be. Beautiful with th stained glass brushos behind! The twins card is adorable!

Fikreta said...

love that teacup card!
is so very nice!
baby card is so adorable!
amazing photo !

Karen Brown said...

Two gorgeous cards! I particularly appreciate the Twins card that you entered in our challenge. Thank you for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday.

Lisa T said...

Hi Darnell, I was hoping that you would be feeling a little better but it doesn't sound like you are back to your usual self quite yet. I'm really sorry to hear that, but glad things are getting a bit easier. I know these things take time but it's hard to be patient sometimes. Cardmaking can definitely help pass the time if you can summon up the energy. I am in love with your brusho teacups. I often struggle with Brusho bakckgrounds and think they often look best behind white die cuts or just simply die cut. Your teacups look beautiful! Sending you all the hugs my friend, thinking of you, Lisa xx

Brenda said...

What a fun card Auntie! I so love those stacked cups and I love your stain glass effect. Looks so wonderful!! Your baby card is adorable too! How cute are those onesies? I am loving that "hem stitch" border die as well. It gives such a nice look to this adorable card. Yes, Eagle cams are everywhere, we have one from our town and have watched it. You really can get into it! lol There are cams for just about every animal from just about all over the world! This is why I have to get off the computer, I'd never get anything done between crafty blogs and adorable critters! lol I hope the other egg hatches, and then it will be triplets! Hugs, Brenda

Donna said...

Two beautiful card. That faux stained glass card is amazing, I've not seen that before, wow!

Robin said...

Love the tea cups and your coloring, Darnell! Thank you so much for participating in Poppystamps "Spring Cleaning" Challenge!

Jo said...

Vibrant, cheery and delicious. These tea cups are simply beautiful and I love how you repeated the colours around these beauties. True sunshine and bravo to the faux stained glass applied to this die.
Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up! xx

Marlena M. said...

Your mojo seems just fine Darnell, WOW AND WOW! Love the stained glass look (esp in a clean,crisp atmosphere) and sweetness all around with your baby card. Praying you get to a comfortable normal~

Celeste Goff said...

Such gorgeous cards Darnell!!

nwilliams6 said...

Gorgeous cups - love your bg paper on them and the dies are fun! Super twins card too. Fun CAS cards. The eagle twins are darling too! Many hugz

Anita in France said...

Good to hear you're feeling a little more like your old self, Darnell (as opposed the the new self that appeared ... not anything to do with age doncha know!). Gosh, the faux stained glass effect on that sweet stack of cups is brilliant ... it emphasises the amazing effect of the brusho's beautifully! Sweet onesies (or as we call them babygrows ... or growbags if you prefer!) ... that frame die is delicious! Thanks for the pic of the eagles and their chicks, how fabulous to be able to dip in and out of their lives. LYAMYEDMA ... big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Papercraft Boutique said...

Glad to hear that you're feeling better, Darnell! Hoping you feel the same way as you did before the new meds very soon.
Your faux stained glass tea cups are fantastic, and I love this card! The Brusho colors are bright and vibrant, making the rest look really white. The double-stitched oval frames the lovely tea cups perfectly. The thin washi tape borders in matching colors give the card a finishing touch.
The twin onesies are so sweet! The fun font of the sentiment and the pretty hem-stitch frame go so well with the onesies.
Thanks so much for sharing the tea cup card with us at CAS Mix Up!
Hideko xx

Dawn T said...

totally amazing Darnell. Particularly the little baby card. It's so adorable. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday this week.

Dawn ~DT

Dana M said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! Bright, sweet and happy. Super cool image of the mama and baby eagles. I hope you are feeling better. :)

Linby said...

I love all things connected to tea and those cups are adorable, I love how you used them. so sweet the baby card too.
I'm sorry you've been a little under the weather and I only just caught up to find out.

Greta said...

Wow--baby eagles! There should be some around here, but finding them is the tricky thing. Your teacups card is just fabulous--love it! Cute onsie card, too! Hope you're feeling better, my friend!

Barb Ghig said...

Your stained glass teacups are absolutely GORGEOUS, Darnell! I love the colors you chose for your Brusho background and the double-stitched oval frame is sheer perfection! Thanks so much for the tip for Glossy Accents...I'm sure I would make a mess :) Loving your CAS baby card, too! Your patterned paper is so sweet and the hem stitched border adds just the right touch to this card!
And, thank you for sharing another great photo from explore...human nature is amazing, isn't it? Hugs, Barb xx

Cindy said...

Very sweet baby card! Thanks for sharing with us at Mix It Up.