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!

July 13, 2019

Happy Birthday, Frondly

Hello Stamplings,

Happy weekend to you all! Like everyone, we are embarking on a busy time with company coming, family outings planned, and just generally enjoying the outdoors. So, short and sweet from me today, she says, as she starts out, not knowing how much of a windbag she'll be by the end.

Just the Onefer today:
I tried my hand at lifting alcoholic ink through a stencil. Hic. This one was attempt no. 38. I watched all the videos and I've seen the wonderful cards from designers and galleries and bless their hearts, the artists do make it all look so easy, don't they? After several attempts, I was happy to get this result, although the sponge was still a bit too wet. The stencil I used is a small ATC stencil made by Joggles.com. Hammy helped this time by picking the die-cut sediment from Impression Obsession.

I also tried the Alcohol Ink Lift pad technique by stamping an image on some of my AI on Yupo backgrounds, without success. It's a cool technique that allows you to pick up the ink from your background and then stamp it onto a clean piece of cardstock so you get two cards from one lift-off. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I'll keep trying. I'd like to get lift-off.

Challenges
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~~~

Wait. What? No Twofer and no jokes? I don't want you to think I've been instructed by aliens, so I'll leave you with these funnies which my friend Mary shared with me a while back. Enjoy!

And 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!

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57 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab card.

Did smile at the funnies. The telemarketer one hit a nerve, as I had the same recorded message 9 times in an hour yesterday.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Jane Willis said...

Gorgeous card, I love the ethereal effect of the background. And i'm going to do that next time I answer the phone to "Nigel" from "Windows"

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's a wonderful card Darnell
Gr Karin

Aquarius said...

Looks like a great technique (new to me) - hope you get 'lift-off' sooner or later. Thanks for sharing the funnies - loved them.

Sandra H said...

Lol Darnell l would of given up after a lot less then you you must be so patient l just love it the colour and layout is beautiful so nice to see new ideas enjoy your weekend xx

Happy Dance said...

I like the look of this one. All the color layers are marvelous. You know what happens when I attempt inky techniques...yep, they look like nasty toilet paper. Hammy did a good job on choosing the sentiment strip. It looks great against those colors. Great card! Those little funnies...especially love the telemarketer one! Too funny! Missing you. xoxoxo Bev

Ros Crawford said...

I love the result!! It's so arty! and I'm still laughing at those funnies... Have a brilliant weekend!

Carole said...

Once again you have made a wonderful card and made me chuckle with the funnies (much needed). I do hope you get lift off soon...and have a blast of a time with your family and friends. xx

Lisa said...

Your card is so stunning!! I love the result of the lift technique!! I have the same problem after watching videos of techniques that look so easy and then 200 attempts later, all I'm left with are piles of unusable paper and stained fingers ;) Thanks for the laughs with the fun quotes, too!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Cute card!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Mac Mable said...

Such a unique and wonderful effect with the lift technique Darnell.....Yes I think this technique takes a little practice but you've nailed it...Glad you kept going and no 38 is fabulous....LOL x
I also love the glorious greens with the crisp white and of course Hammy's intervention finishes your card off beautifully x.
Thanks for the funnies at the end x

Pat said...

I think practice definitely makes perfect Darnell, and this has worked beautifully using that pretty stencil, and love the accompanying die cuts make it so crisp, clean and elegant. The funnies are great too. Enjoy your weekend. x

Bunny said...

Actually I think this turned out pretty. I love the colors.

However...................I know what you mean. I've tried the technique. Maybe I need to add more juice to the pad or something. Like you, I've watched the videos. They LOOKED easy. So, I'm going to give it a whirl again just to see if I can beat your record. [Bunny]

Bonnie said...

Your ferns look so peaceful and cool, Dolly! I think most of us had to try this technique more than once. Actually more than twice or even more than 38 times! I believe that you have succeeded. Have a wonderful, busy weekend.

Brenda in IN said...

You say 38 times like it's a bad thing! Persistence pays off and your card shows it. It is soft and you can clearly see it is an elephant. Oh wait, ferns, now I see them! That is the next thing I'm going to tackle. I hate that I can't use that "on the air" phrase because all my calls arr robocalls on a loop. Love that border die.

Marcia Hill said...

Had to chuckle at your attempts at the alcohol lifting technique...you are SO not alone Darnell and I have quite the pile of YUPO paper tries sitting next to me as I type this up! I thought it looked pretty easy from the videos too, but no such luck for me! Oh well, try and try again...if I don't run out of YUPO paper that is!! But anyway, I think your card turned out wonderful and let Hammy know he picked out a wonderful sediment and great idea to cut it in white so it really pops against the leafy background! Have a great weekend and fun with all the company coming!! Hugs. :0)

Viv said...

Well Dolly Daydreams, this is a rather nice card I think! And only 38 attempts?? I am buried under mounds of alco ink lift smudged yupo here.
Things I have learnt -
You must tape your stencil down so hard so that it cannot breathe.(learnt on Attempt 16).
You must not soak the sponge too much nor press down too hard (learnt on Attempts 25 and 27).
A paper towel pressed lightly on top of the stencil to mop up any excess helps - a bit (learnt on attempt 325)
Alco Ink Lift pads are not as easy to use as they make out on all those videos -(Learnt on attempts 1 to 24 which is when I gave up and used the sponge)
Have a lovely weekend! xxxx

I Card Everyone said...

You're way ahead of me, D... I have not even tried the magic lift-off ink! I am quite frond of your attempt, don't be too hard on yourself! LOve the funnies... I'm so using that on the air one! xx
=] M

papierelle said...

Beautiful background and perfect CAS card!!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Such a beautiful card, love the technique, another one I have to endeavour to try? Aren't the jokes just GREAT LOL.
Faith x

Brenda said...

Love your beautiful card Auntie! That background is just so beautiful. I haven't tried this technique yet, but I know how the designers make everyone look so easy. lol Doesn't always work out for me though. But this is one I've been wanting to try for a while now. Love the funnies too, as they have so much truth to them that they are so funny! Hugs, Brenda

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Love the unique look of your stencilled card, wow!! It remember me a tropical forest and could seeing there a toucan or a parrot :) Wonderful greens!
I have bought an ink lift pad but I haven't already tried... :/
The quotes collage made me smile !! :D
Hugs!!

Bobby said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had trouble with this technique, Darnell. I tried, ruined a sponge dauber and almost ruined the stencil I do have the lift off ink but the first time I tried it the results were unsatisfactory. Maybe it's time to try again if I have time before I leave on vacation. I do love your leafy card though.

Jean said...

The card is wonderful! Thanks for the funnies!

Anita in France said...

Well, I think you did a brilliant job with this technique, Darnell ... these fern fronds look so lush and tropical-rain-forest-ish ... and the crisp white sentiment chosen by Hammy is perfect! We just had a good giggle at the funnies ... thank you! LYAMYLMA ... INTEMY! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Nora Noll said...

I LOVE your alcohol lift. The green is FANTASTIC!! I also like that you kept the frame and sentiment white. Really makes the image pop. I am like you-have tried this technique so many times and thrown so many horrible examples out...maybe #38 will be the trick for me too!!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Thanks for the giggles and this fun card. I have never tried this technique. Have a fun weekend!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Oh, I fully understand the frustration of trying to do something and not having it work out. But I remember making some alcohol ink creations years back that I did not want but I saved those pieces. And, then I took some fine sandpaper and scrubbed in two directions and created sort of a faux linen look and then I worked them into a card. So maybe the pieces you did can still be saved and made useful. I do love this one you made though. This turned out fantastic. I don't own Yuppo paper so I doubt I will buy some and even try it. I have too many things to work with now...but that doesn't stop me from wanting more. LOL

cuilliesocks said...

Your funnies have got me smiling Darnell, they all have a ring of truth to them.
You've managed this technique really well, it's a lovely card.
Hope your weekend is going well, Kate x

conil said...

What do you mean you're not good at alcohol lift...it appears your wrong...looks pretty darn good to me. I find it difficult, too, as my trash bin could tell you, if it spoke. Anyway, I keep having to lift, buff off, reink and lift, for ages.
Mary's memes all pertain to me, too. Except the "run" one...I gave up on that long ago.

Lindsey said...

Beautiful background - I like how arty the fronds turned out!

Lisa Elton said...

I think it looks great Darnell! I've never tried the technique, but you've done a fabulous job! I like the funnies, especially the telemarketer one!!

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, I have yet to try this technique. I do love your fronds. Thanks for the funnies too. Have a fab weekend.

Kathleen said...

Brilliant card, love the design, that looks like one super die.
Loved the funny's.

Kath x

Celeste Goff said...

"I had my patience tested. I was negative." is one of my favorite snarky comments! Love this beautiful palm frond card Darnell. It's just gorgeous!

Liz said...

Your card is beautiful, Darnell, love inky background. I haven't tried this technique yet - I'm not sure why inky techniques scare me! LOL!!
Thanks for the smiles at the end of your post. xx

Maria said...

Oh, such a lovely card with the fern background! It looks very pretty with all the white! I haven't tried the technique in quite awhile! I'll have to give it a try again soon. Thank you for inspiring me! Also, thank you for the jokes! I can now answer the phone with telemarketers, lol!

Christine Alexander said...

Darnell, I love your artsy fern background so pretty.
the lift technique is finicky, try inking stamping stamp on white (switch out the yupo and white card) and repeat a few times then blot with paper towel before you remove the colour :)

Cheryl W. said...

I think you did a bang-up job on that frondly card. I haven't tried any of those techniques. I have a couple of containers of alcohol inks, so I guess I should give it a try. Like you, though, we have company coming (tomorrow) and lots of activities planned. I cleaned and cooked today in preparation, but didn't get everything done. The harder I try, the behinder I get!

kiwimeskreations said...

What a gorgeous card Darnell - so glad Hammy chose that wee sediment so we can see your wonderful alcohol lifting!
Thanks for the giggle at the end - too many of them are a little close to the truth :)
Blessings
Maxine

Redanne said...

Your card is just gorgeous, I think it turned out beautifully and set against the white background gives it such a fresh feel. You are not on your own on your attempts with this and the alcohol lift technique, I seem to end up with mud most of the time. I was actually beginning to think that all the videos I watched had been 'photo shopped' - lol.

Thank you for the smiles, I can identify with most of those expressions! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Carol L said...

That's such a pretty card with those swirly green ferns working the background! I;ve never tired that technique, but I may check into it because I love the look! Love the funnies too, especially the telemarketer trick! I mostly don't answer, but if one persists and keeps calling repeatedly, I like to pick up the phone and breathe deeply without saying a word. I love hearing the "hello? Hello? Hello? is anyone there? hello? Hello? until they finally hang up in total frustration. It gives them a sense of what they put me through. LOL I wish telemarketers were non-existent in this life, as the telephone has become mostly a nuisance since they've taken over.

Julia Aston said...

A great background achieved with your AI's sis! Love the green and the lovely sediment Hammy picked for you - it looks perfect in the white! The lift is tricky - I found that some of my AI's were older - and they thicken or something and don't remove as easily - but any result can be used on a card - and we pretend we meant to have it that way!! love your humor at the end there..... Julia xx

JD/ Jill said...

I like all the colors on your card! I have never tried this technique, and since, I'm not the patient person that you must be...(38 times!) Yikes! I would probably give up on about the try number 3!

Barb Ghig said...

I feel much better knowing that I'm not the only one who had a hard time with this technique! After several tries, I finally grabbed my Copic Colorless Blender to remove the color and it worked like a charm :)

Love how your card turned out! Your CAS design is perfect with this beautiful pattern and I love how you placed your sentiment!

By the way, you are not a windbag! I love visiting your blog and really enjoy your stories and jokes...Thanks, Darnell! Barb xx

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my gosh, I completely forgot to thank you for playing along with us at CAS Stencil!

frommycraftroom said...

What an awesome card! Sorry haven't tried that technique so no tips from me.
Love the meme's at the end.
PS Thanks for sharing with us at Unstampbelles ;)

nancy littrell said...

I Love your artsy texture you achieved with your alcohol ink lift technique thru a frond stencil, Dolly. Hammy picked out the perfect sentiment too:-) So glad you did not give up...having a stubborn streak comes in handy at times:-) TFS and joining us at CAS Stencil, my friend. Hugs...Nancy

Cathy said...

Your card looks beautifully lush and tropical Darnell, wish I was there lol! It's very chilly here at the moment. I've been die cutting lots of things from my "experiments", even if the panel is not what you expected the diecut can often look fantastic. Glad you hung in there and thankyou for playing along at CAS Stencil, Cathy x

oldpunca said...

You are right. It always looks so easy what artists do and it is not more so easy, when you try to do the same. :-) Your attempt with stencil and alcohol ink lifting is amazing. I like the pattern. You've achived amazing effect.
Thank you for the funnies. Some of them are not far away from the truth. :-)
Have a nice week!
Hugs, Sonja

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful card, Darnell xoxo

Loll said...

This is definitely a tricky technique. I gave up on the Alcohol Lift pad long ago. I think most of us had several attempts before being happy with the outcome. 38?? Thanks for sticking with it Dolly!! :)

LOVE your gorgeous, artistic card. Seriously, so beautiful, especially with the white framing and sentiment. Really makes the greens pop. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Stencil! Love, Lolly

Linda said...

Glad you stuck with it hun, great results and what a gorgeous little stencil. Thank you for playing along with the CAS Stencil challenge xx
BTW .... love the funnies!!! x

HilaryJane said...

I think your finished card is just great. I love the colour and the subtle foliage effect you have created. I know what you mean about this technique. I have been trying to use it and had similar problems xx

TK said...

Beautiful, Darnell! I am not versed in alcohol lift but it is intriguing, and I think your effort is awesome!
Great punnies (I had to read them to Hubbs)!

Leslie Miller said...

Since it's the first thing on my mind, having read it last, I'll remark on your funnies -- hahahahahahahahahahaha! I clicked and saved... I need this one! Now, your card -- it's simply beautiful! The ferny alcoholic background is a heart-stealing show stopper! I'm not good about trying techniques, so kudos for sticking with it and planning to try again. This one is gorgeous!

Gerrina said...

Well I did the same: Saw it, looked easy, bought it and got trying...and trying...and trying... What worked was the lifting and stamping that with a stamp and the liftpad, but I didn't get nice clean lifts with stencils or from the yuppo paper...
So super that you did!
That is one product (I think it are two) that I am dissappointed in...
Hugs, Gerrina