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!

April 12, 2019

Spring-a-ding-ding!

Hello Stamplings!

I've got a lot of spring art on the blog today, thinking especially of those of you dealing with this year's second winter dervishing its way from Colorado through the Great Lakes and eastward. Since you can't see anything but blowing snow outside your window, I'm glad you stopped in here to take your mind off it. And I'm glad to see you have your beverage!

Onefer


That beautiful pink paper has a lovely sheen and the MFT frame is cut from glossy paper. The white-embossed egg is from an out-of-business company, and the white-embossed sediment and vellum butterfly are both from Happy Little Stampers.

Who's that, you ask? Hammy has his friend Fitzwilliam visiting and he kindly let Fitz be in the card shots today. They met online. We are taking care of Fitz while he has some corrective eye surgery at a well-known clinic here in the Bay Area. I know, right? You'd think the surgery would be for those rather large ears, unusual for a frog, but we don't embarrass him by mentioning it.

Here's a closeup of the pretty sheenification:
Challenges
Help yourself to our buddy buttonLooking for our current challenge?
~~~

I made quite a few cards with this design, using different papers and colors, but they were too similar to post them all. The only ones a bit different were these two:
Challenges
~~~

Twofer
Next up is a QACAS card made with a NBUS Freida Curve die from Memory Box, attached to some pretty pp. The sediment is from the Essentials Greetings set from Simon Says. I made several and you know how frogs are, once you take one photo, they want more taken:
After I took the above photo, I overheard Fitz telling Hammy that he thought the fronts of the cards were a bit meh. I had to agree with him once I got down to his level and looked at them. So I added more interest with some polka-dotty spring wellies:
Challenges
Our blog badgeFor your blogChallenge icons
~~~

Threefer
Another CAS design, this time for a spring birthday card using Altenew's Beautiful Heart stamp set. For this card I followed the brief laid out by host Susan at the CAS Mix Up Challenge. We are to use the technique of "layered stamping with  heat embossing." I heat-embossed the flower using SU melon mambo and Ranger white e/ps, and for the leaves I used WOW olive and Ranger white e/ps. Another new technique to me and I have to say, it really does add a lot vibrancy to your images!

I added some additional shades of pink to the flower with my Ziggies and popped it and the leaves on a leafy embossed background. Can you see the sediment? In order to keep all eyes on the flower, I simply stamped it with Versamark and white heat-embossed it for shine.
Challenges


~~~

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

As always, thank you for coming by and staying a very long time to visit the Playhouse! Special thanks to you if you took 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:

Loll said...

Spring has shown up at your house, Dolly! The weather looks gorgeous ... I really needed my sunglasses to look at the photos! :) Fantastic cards, my friend. Starting with the Easter cards. Beautiful design with gorgeous patterned papers. Love the combination of the egg with butterfly. Very elegant. Your leafy hello cardsare so sweet. I have that die and haven't used it yet. You've inspired me! Such a great design to make multiples. Have to say that I LOVE the addition of the bright green wellies! And your last card is AMAZING! Great work with layering embossing powders. Love the colours and the sparkle. Thanks for sharing your last card with us at CAS Mix Up! Love, Lolly

PS Fitz is very photogenic ... I hope Hammy isn't jealous!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving your beautiful cards.

Hope the op goes ok for Fitzwilliam:)

You take care. Sue

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Wow you've been busy Darnell, what a gorgeous collection of cards you've made. I love the Spring card with the spotty wellies on.

Sue XX

Marianne said...

Thanks for the Fitzwilliam chuckle, Darnell. I do hope his surgery went well. I had no idea the ears were for real. I actually thought he had dressed up for Easter. You never know what these youngsters come up with next, do you?
As for your card makes, they all have such a lovely spring feeling about them, and I do agree about the wellies.
Marianne x

Jo said...

Gorgeous makes....especially love those spotty wellies!
Jo x

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, thank you for Fitzwilliam. :-) Your giggling therapy is priceless. I like it when my "smiling muscles" are suffering. :-)
Your easter cards are wonderful. A very nice patterned egg in combination with butterfly in a simple and effective design. Spring cards (especialy the last one with green wellies) are amazing. It is a wonderful use of a die cut. The card with the layering embossing technique is a masterpiece. Nice flower on a nice background. Great mix of techniques.
Have a nice day!
Hugs, Sonja

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh my goodness Darnell, you really have got spring fever with all those cards coming - and each one wonderful!! How dare Fritz and Hammy collude to criticise your work... shh, I love the resultant polka dot gumboots though ;-).
Yes, Fritz really does have some problems... I hope Hammy stays ok in such umm-err dubious company
Blessings
Maxine

Carol L said...

What a fun array of cards you've made! Welcome aboard to Fitz too, he sure is a cutie with those ears and his egg-in-hand! Love those delightful spring cards and the flower turned out gorgeous! I'm stuck on your post title now too, I'll be saying that to myself all day I'm sure. It really has a great ring-a-ding-ding to it :)

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, they're all so gorgeous!! I love those beautiful eggs!! I thought the spring card was beautiful before you added the rain boots, but they were a perfect touch!! And the flower is stunning on the third one!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Mrs A. said...

Oh gosh his a frog!!!. I only focused in on his ( Erm) ears and my mind decided wabbit! So sorry FitzWilliam. Perhaps they could fit me in for eye surgery at the same time as you. Now what's all these gorgeous flutterbies idoing on these cards along with the lovely eggs. The colours are fab. Hugs Mrs A.

Marilyn said...

So many beautiful cards Darnell! Love the polka dot wellies on your Spring card. Fitz is so adorable with those bunny ears
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Pat said...

Wow Darnell what a lot of wonderful cards here, and I think Hammy's friend Fitz is a handsome dude, especially with his bunny ears. The Easter eggs with the different butterflies look so pretty, and then the curvy leaf border die looks great over the two pretty background papers especially with the sweet dotty wellies, and your beautiful flower certainly pops with the fabulous two tone colours of embossing powder on flower and leaves, and the embossed background goes perfectly, also keeping the embossed sentiment white on white is a great idea to keep it in the background. x

Redanne said...

Fitz is adorable, I confused him for a bunny at first but now I see that he is a frog, I hope he enjoys his visit with Hammy, although I don't envy him the eye treatment!

Your cards today are like a breath of fresh air, light and beautiful. I really love the butterflies on the eggs and those green wellies are just the cutest ever! You have certainly brightened up my day, thank you! I know I owe you correspondence, apologies, this virus thing knocked me for six and I had to resort to bed rest for a few days, still playing catch up! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Bunny said...

What lovely cards. Especially the Freida curve cards. Love those.

As for Fitz, being a bunny mysefl I tend to enjoy those big ears. So does the Easter Bunny so I hope Fitz keeps them and isn't embarrassed about them. I think he's like a cousin to the Easter Bunny. They both hop.
[Bunny]`

Lisa Babitz said...

I am loving all your spring projects today. Great shine on your Easter cards. Your embossed vellum butterflies look great; I don't think to use vellum nearly enough! I was really loving your spring note cards before Fitz's suggestion, but the addition of the rain boots and green on the background was awesome! And I'll have to give the "layered stamping with embossing" a try! Thanks for all the inspiration!

Jean said...

Our snow from yesterday has turned to rain today! So glad to see your spring inspiration! Simply delightful cards!

Bonnie said...

You've been really busy with your Spring cards, Dolly! All this happy Springness will lift the spirits of those with snowy scenery. Beautiful butterflies and Easter eggs. Love the patterns on the eggs! The patterned paper makes a perfect backdrop for the lovely die cut foliage and the polka dot wellies make it fun too. Your layers of embossing on the flower make for an awesome single flower garden! I hope Fitz minds his P's & Q's and recovers quickly!

Wendy L said...

All very beautiful cards, thanks for joining us at MAWTT, xxxxx

I Card Everyone said...

D your cards are fabulous - LOve that gorgeous egg, and every other blooming thing about this Spring-y post!
Hammy's friend Fitz right in! xx
=]

A.Rose said...

You certainly have been busy with the Spring theme. Just stunning! I have to get busy on these challenges!

KandA said...

Love all your amazing cards Darnell. Super eggs on the first batch and love the butterflies. Love the background on the spring cards and the added wellies are perfect for the april showers. And your threefer is a real beauty. Hope Hammy and Fitzwilliam are having fun together and not causing too much mayhem with the glitter xx

Corrie Herriman said...

They are all great ! Thank you for joining our April Challenge over at Country View Challenges !
Corrie x

OH Babs said...

Another great of array of creativeness, especially love the ornate egg. I have various frogs in my yard and it began with a garage sale find which looks like a lump of concrete but it is unique. Happy spring and hope you are not suffering from allergies. Our yard is filled with luscious colors and aromas but my allergies are acting up.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Thanks for all the spring inspiration. You do great work and I love all of them. The sheen on that first one looks awesome. I am sure missing not being able to make a card or two. But at least I am making progress on the cleaning. So that is good. Thanks for brightening up my April snowy day.

Susan said...

Where to start commenting on all these gorgeous cards? Love the Easter eggs (they are reminding me that I need to treat myself to some chocolate Easter eggs!!) - such pretty colours. And your blue and white spring cards speak to my favourite colour combination!! I think they are perfect in just their plain version, though the one with the rubber boots is a lot of fun.

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all so pretty, Darnell xoxo

Poppyfield Card Crafts said...

My goodness Darnell you have been very busy!

Thank you for joining our 'Spring' challenge at MAWTT, your design is beautiful and looks so elegant

Happy crafting....

June/DT

Patti said...

Incredible signs of spring in the playhouse!! each one is so fresh and beautiful. Those eggs are making their way to the top of my wish list!

cuilliesocks said...

Well my goodness Darnell, what a wonderful selection of cards from you today. The eggs have the most gorgeous papers and so beautifully designed. But really all are beautiful.
Hammy little friend is so cute, Kate x x

Carole said...

Oh what a wonderful selection Darnell.....you have been a busy girl! Love the eggs and butterflies and your beautiful Altenew stamp but I am really take my the 2nd card ad when you added the green polka dot wellies...it made me smile....love it! xxx

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, a lovely spring visit to your blog for sure. Your egg and butterfly creations are perfect for Easter and I love the variations. Your sweet spring card with the die cut panel definitely ups the cute factor wiht the addition of the wellies. And of course I love that you call them wellies. Your heat embossed layered on dry embossed panel is stunning. Well done...that technique scared me and I don't have many colored eps...but I might play when I return east. You've inspired me.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fitz makes me laugh, such fun bunny-frog! :D
Amazing bunch of cards, love the embossed egg and the snowy cards, so adorable, especially with those polka-dots wellies!

Kathleen said...

Well you are really spoiling us here Darnell with some really fabulous creations, they are all superb and so was the fabulous card you sent us for our Anniversary, thank you so very much.

Kath x

conil said...

Easter is, most definitely, coming to your house. What an awesome array of Spring colors and happy sentiments. Fitzwilliam seems to have made himself at home. He looks very natural amongst your card. Maybe his eyes don't need correcting. Perhaps, they're like that because it's mating season.

Carol H. said...

I sure admire your ability to crank out so many cards! LOVE the egg cards! The blue background ones are my favorite, especially the one with the pink and green butterfly! I do love the addition of the dotty boots too! Although the CAS look of the others is just as pretty! So glad we don't get snow (much) in Texas! Just got a lot cooler, which was good as it was 90º on Wednesday! Rain and t-storms tomorrow! Have a fabulous weekend! Hugs!

Lisa Elton said...

You've been a busy bee! These are all extra pretty Darnell. I'm loving the big bloom on the last one!

Tammy said...

Gorgeous cards, I love the spring cards with that awesome curvy die! Thanks so much for joining us about at Cardz for Galz.
Tammy x

frommycraftroom said...

Oh such lovely cards. The egg is gorgeous. Love the addition of the boots in the spring card.
Hope Fitz's surgery goes well!

Christine Alexander said...

I'm loving all those Faberge eggs Darnell. I can just imagine the diamonds and rubys :)

Leslie Miller said...

Goodness, just seeing all these cards is inspirational. You got right down to business! I get a kick out of seeing whatever stamps and dies you're playing with. That egg is so pretty! And I love each one with a butterfly perched on top. Gosh, I was thinking how I love the Frieda Curve cards and didn't think they were missing anything, but then with the wellies they look so much more springy. I have a little group of those froggies all dressed up for Thanksgiving. They're so cute!

Karenladd said...

Well, I tried my best to take a good, long look at those beautiful cards, but have to admit that Fitzwilliam kept distracting me. It's not his fault that I have such a short attention span but I already struggle enough with keeping my brain where it needs to be without a sassy frog in the way, haha! As for those cute little rainboots that you added...I notice that they're almost the same exact green as Fitz' shoes.
Those Easter egg cards are fabulous in all your color combos, and it's no wonder you used the egg in several different designs. Happy spring and happy Easter!

Cheryl W. said...

Your spring-colored cards definitely brightened my snowy Minnesota day. We've had about 8" of the white stuff, but I think it's done now...'til next time. I love the simplicity of your egg and butterfly cards. The pretty papers add so much lovely detail that nothing more is needed. The leafy die-cut for the "Hello Spring" cards is gorgeous! I can see why you made several. And the big, luscious rose - its aroma has wafted across the mountains and found its way to Minneapolis!! Have a wonderful weekend.

Papercraft Boutique said...

The vellum butterflies and the heat-embossed Easter eggs are so pretty, Darnell! The colors and the shine are simply beautiful. I love the variation of design! A great use of design paper for the hello spring cards. Happy to see a special friend of Hammy. :-)
The layered heat-embossed flower is gorgeous! Adding the shades of pink is so effective and embossed background is a wonderful touch. Thanks for sharing this beauty at CAS Mix Up!
Hideko xx

Susan Joyce said...

Wonderful selection of cards Darnell! Your embossed flower for CAS Mix Up is awesome I love the palette of colours you used and the embossed background, thanks for joining us this month at CAS Mix Up.

Jane said...

Hi Darnell what a fab selection of makes. Thanks so much for joining our spring/Easter challenge over at Country view with your delightful card xx

Shelly said...

These are all so beautiful and certainly Spring-y! ;) Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! Hugs

Sandra H said...

Ooh wow l so admire all of your cards and what a lovely array of them you are showcasing today simply gorgeous they all are and the butterflies are totally stunning as is are the layouts the sky’s fabulous and the colours too! enjoy your weekend xx

Kathy said...

Beautiful cards - love the teal background and eggs. Wish I could be as productive!

Monika Reeck said...

First of all many thanks for my sweet Card you sent me Darnell so sweet of you
and second...
oh woooww so many beautiful spring and easter card
my Fav one the second card the butterfly looks so real here and the frame is to die for..great design and lovely set
I was not too much in Bloggy land just tonight I have time visiting my friends in Bloggy land...
perdon me
Hugs
Monika

Linda said...

Spring has definitely sprung where you are hun. What an amazing collection of cards .... love the Easter eggs, and not a calorie in sight. Enjoy the rest of your weekend xx

Brenda said...

Wow, look at all these beautiful spring cards Auntie!!! I love that eggs and butterfly you used on the Easter cards. I am loving Hammy's friend, Fitzwilliam too, he is adorable! Your twofer spring cards are beautiful too, even without the wellies. Then there is your threefer, oh goodness, loving them too! Altenew knows how to do flowers don't they?!! My thoughts are with those in the path of the blizzard and tornado's! We are having beautiful weather, some rain, some sun and for the most part-decent temps as well. Hugs, Brenda

JoAnn said...

Wow, love all your cards. The blue & white Hello Spring is my favorite, without the "wellies".
Have a wonderful weekend.

Mynn xx said...

A beautiful array of spring themed creations, Darnell! I adore them all--and I love the different textures you put together! Thanks for joining us at TRCC! Hope to see you again SOON! :) Mynn xx

Jane Willis said...

My mind is officially boggled. So many stunning cards, so much gorgeousness. You and Hammy must be utterly worn out after that mega craftathon.

Sarah said...

What a fabulous bunch of springness!! One and all, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. Great to meet Fitzwilliam...hope the op goes well!! I am off to find myself some lime green spotty wellies xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh what a beautiful array of cards Darnell... You've been so busy and creative even with your guest there too... I hope his surgery goes well though he looks kinda cute anyway Lol! Have a wonderful Easter my friend... Catch up when I get back. Hugs

Viv said...

Wow so many cards Dee and all just so gorgeous too.Love Fitz too he he what a cutie even with the big ears ;) hugs Vee xx

Inkyfingers said...

Oh my, you have been so productive and put me to shame Darnell! Love the pretty Easter and spring cards, and the layered stamping on the last one looks so professional. Good luck to Fitzwilliam for the upcoming surgery.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Hugs
Carol x

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fabulous set of Easter/Spring cards, Darnell! Hammy steered you right - the wellies add the perfect touch to your spring cards and I love the large Easter egg!!

Sharron said...

Goodness Darnell, these are all so gorgeous--and they just shout 'SPRING'!! Love those eggs and pretty butterflies. So sweet of you and Hammy to have Fitz as a guest while he's there for surgery!!

Celeste Goff said...

What gorgeous springtime cards Darnell and Fitz is too stinking cute!

Trina P. said...

Oh WOW, Darnell! What an incredible springtime post bursting with beautiful and fresh inspirations! You’ve been busy. Love them. xx
And so excited it’s just one month away till we meet again! 🎉🎉🎉 YAY!!!

Anita in France said...

So much spring loveliness in this post, Darnell ... talk about stretching all your goodies and inspiring us all! The rich butterfly eggs are gorgeous ... and that bold flower really pops against the embossed white! Have to say I love the addition of the green polka dot wellies to your collection of yummy blue over white cards ... they're perfect! I'm so pleased that Hammy got to meet his online friend Fitzwilliam ... some of the best friendships happen that way ... ask me how I know!! Hope the surgery goes well for Fitz ... with you and Hammy looking after him, I'm sure he'll be tickety boo! LYAMYBLMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

I am in love with this beautiful flower! Thanks for sharing this pretty card with us at the Card Concept Challenge!

Debbie Mageed said...

Beautiful cards! They just ooze Spring and are perfect for Easter. Thank you for playing with us at the Cardz 4 Galz Challenge and hope you can join us again soon.

Susan Powell said...

WOW you've been busy! These are all fantastic. Thanks so much for joining us at The Card Concept.

Lisa T said...

I hope this isn’t the last we see of Fitzwilliam, and I wish him well for his corrective eye surgery! I wish I could make as many cards as you do Darnell! And they are all so lovely! That Memory Box die is beautiful, especially with the beautiful PP. I also liked the pop of green wellies too. Fun, and always a joy to visit your blog, Lisa xx

Chris Dring said...

Wow! A whole basket full of lovely cards! Fabulous designs all!

Mac Mable said...

Hello to Fitzwilliam.....x
Glorious last card and so very beautiful and the technique looks fabulous. Love the green polka dot wellies, a great addition to the already wonderful cards. Wow to the Ester egg cards. The papers look stunning and love the shimmer and those fabulous butterflies.
You have spoilt us again.....Thank you and also thank you for joining in The CAS Mix up challenge with your last stunning card x.

Michelle said...

WOW...... a gorgeous array of springtime beauties!!! Fabulous colors/coloring, designs and detail - one more lovely than the next!

Fikreta said...

gorgeous cards!

sue t. said...

Holy cow, you are on a roll with the springtime cards! Love all of them! Thanks for joining us this month for our pink challenge at The Rainbow Card Challenge!

Cazro said...

Stunning inspirational cards with the pretty papersfor our challenge. Thanks for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz. Caz. DT

Greta said...

Oops--missed this post with so many beauties! I have some old egg stamps similar to what you used & you've really made me want to get them out, Darnell! I also haven't used that MB die much & I love how you used it for spring cards--the wellies are too cute! Beautiful pink flower & congrats on the HM! Tried to make a card, but this darn cold is making it impossible. At least I can read blogs & hope that things improve tomorrow.

Lee Ann Barrett said...

Hi Darnell! What a beautiful batch of cards! Your egg cards are exquisite! Love your variety of colors and thrilled that you included a pink one for The Rainbow Card Challenge! Thanks so much for playing along! It was fun to see all of your cards! Hugs!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Darnell, I'm back again as part of The Rainbow Card Challenge DT. Your entry card is absolutely gorgeous, and I'm sure you know how much I love butterflies! Thanks for joining us and good luck!
Em, TRCC DT

cohenna said...

Beautiful! Thanks so much for participating in the Rainbow Card Challenge this time and good luck :)