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 21, 2019

Let Me Cool You Off ~

Hello Stamplings!

Bless you, I hope you are already cool, sitting in front of a fan, or an air-conditioner, or an open refidgidater with a tall icy-cold beverage up to your lips. Holey moley, it is dangerously hot over half of the world. 

I don't even want to tell you that we are heading to the beach to cool off, so I won't. I just hope you are safe and cool wherever you are and that you have taken precautions for your inks and your chocolates. Wait. I meant to say for your chocolates and your inks. I mean, I love inks, but please, let's be reasonable!

I've made you a freezing cold snowflake card.
Did it make you shiver just for a second?

No matter how I angled this card, I'm sorry that I could not capture for you the schparkly smooth white card I used. I've hoarded it had it in my stash for ages. If you could feel ice cream and not get a melty mess on your fingers, that's what this card would feel like. To my eyes the snowflake is a different tone, but I guess that's because of the black distorting it maybe? Anyway, it's cut from the same schparkly creamy white paper. The NBUS snowflake die is from MFT and the Let It Snow frame is from Poppystamps. The snowy e/f in the black night background is from Sizzix. 

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Well, that snow certainly melted fast! But I used cool subtile colors on this summertime card so as not to shock your system with a drastic temperature change. The ingredients of this card come to you almost entirely thanks to my sweet and talented friend Sonja. The die cuts were all gifts from her. Thank you, Sonja!

I "painted" my background by scribbling my Ziggy onto an acrylic block, spritzing it with water, and then picking up the color with a piece of acetate which I then smooched onto the card. Of course, I let a certain little furball schplash around on the block and run across the card willy-nilly. Now he's over on his bed sound asleep with cute little blue paws. 

Likewise, the tulips were Ziggified by scribbling the colors onto my acrylic block and picking up the ink with my aqua brush.

Challenges


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

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76 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Lovely cards. The flower one is bright and cheery.

We are heading for high temps next week, but luckily I don't have to anywhere till Thursday, when hopefully it will be cooling down a bit. I walk the girls very early to beat the heat.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Jane Willis said...

Beautiful, beautiful cards. That snowflake one is so elegant and simple yet fabulously festive. And I love the splashy watercolour background for your flowers.

KarinsArtScrap said...

lovely and beautiful card Darnell
Gr Karin

Julie B said...

Two fab cards Darnell, love the photo at the end too, perfect for a Sunday!
Keep cool over there, currently all curtains closed in the hope that we can keep the forecast heat at bay for a few days. These thick walls keep the heat out but will keep it in if given the chance! :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your cards Darnell, but I don't need to be cooled down, rather the opposite at the moment Down Under! Love the way you encouraged Hammy to work on the second card, and he has earned his sleep :)
Enjoy your trip to the beach and stay safe from the heat
Blessings
Maxine

Cut It Up Challenge Blog said...

That's the funniest church sign I've ever seen! :)

Your card is so elegant. The snowflake die is beautiful by itself, but the green center really sets it off. So very pretty!

Thanks celebrating Christmas in July with us at Cut it Up!

Evelyn
http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

Glittered Paws said...

Pretty cards - BUT - I didn't get the chill you intended with the snowflake card - yes it was beautiful - but a cool down in our area is due tomorrow.
Your floral card is awesome and I know Hammy enjoyed his run through the colors.

HJ said...

What more could we want on a scorching day in Delaware! Two beautiful cards and a church sign that made me laugh out loud! Love the cards. Thanks for the details. Enjoy your day at the beach!

Bunny said...

Snow in Florida would be welcome. The church sign really had me tickled. So funny.

Love your cards. Especially the smooched background. Hammy always does such a nice job. [Bunny]

Jeanne said...

Good for you for heading to the beach where it should be cooler. Heading to the mountains might do the trick as well. ;) Hope you have/had fun! Your cards are lovely my dear. The snowflake sure is a pretty one. And your Ziggified flowers are lovely! Well done, mate! Got a good chuckle from the church sign. Clever, clever. Have a great day, my friend!

I Card Everyone said...

Thank goodness for Bunny, and Jeanne... I had to look four times, through the tears in my eyes, and then have Tom read it, too! OMG we're off to google Effing, SC!
Your fabulous cards cooled me off, and warmed my heart - in that order!
Stay cool, and safe at the beach - sharks are especially fond of medium-rare human. xx
=] M

Bonnie said...

What a wonderful contrast with the schparkly cream snowflake and dark night background. Makes me think of putting on the outside light so I can watch the snow fall after dark. Ooh, I do feel cooler! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Christmas!

Your tulips are so pretty and a perfect segue into the next season. The soft pink tulips are always my favorites. Love the smooshing, splattering and painting! Hope you can cool off. xoxo

Barbara said...

A fantastic way to smooch a background for your tulips. I must remember this as it looks easy and gorgeous too. Thanks for joining in the fun at Double D Challenge "Birthday". Hope to see you again.
Barbara DT member

Brenda in IN said...

You have a lot of nerve to go to the beach when we are suffering so much, let alone telling us about it! Seriously, I wish we had one close by and hope you have a great day. The snowflake on that black background is stunning and those soft tulips are beautiful. Be sure to take Hammy with you to the beach so he can get his feet washed off.

Pat said...

Two great cards Darnell and the black and white is so crisp and clean and love the sweet little gem in the centre of the pretty snowflake, and the stitched scallop oval frame works so well with the beautifully coloured tulips, and an adorable blue smooshed background and more wonderful contrast with the large die cut sentiment. x

Darlene said...

Both of your cards are just fabulous Darnell and of course I LOVE your stories! VERY hot here in Ohio but I'm good! Hiding out in the crafting cave doing a little catchup!
The background on your birthday card is fabulous! I haven't used that technique in years ... thanks for inspiration! Enjoy the pool! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Birthday’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please stop in for a visit!

OH Babs said...

Thanks for bringing church to me this early Sunday morning.
Two very different cards and both charming. Smooshing to watercolor is a great and easy technique. Stay cool. BBB

Aquarius said...

Elegant snowflake card, pretty tulip card and a funny to finish - what more could one want to finish the day with a smile. Keep ool.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, two lovely cards, a Christmas one and a Summer one, lovely snowflake and the tulips are so beautifully coloured.
Love the church sign...I had to read it twice as I only saw the kate part at first.
Pleased your card arrived and so quickly and that you liked it, enjoy the heat at the beach, Kate x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Well the balance in temps with your two cards from winter to summer make it just perfect. Not too cold and not too hot but just two fantastic and wonderful card designs. I wish the schparkle would have shown up better but I can just imagine how gorgeous it must be on the snowflake one. And, I love the pretty floral design and colors you made it. Thanks for sharing and I hope you are in a cooler temp situation now. We are which feels great and a lot less humidity.

Pia S said...

The design with the snowflake against the black background is stylish and nicely clean and simple. Sparkle is hard to capture in a photo, but I’m sure it looks lovely irl.
Beautiful water coloring on the second card, I like how the blue is randomly added and how you framed the flower.

JD/ Jill said...

Yes, it worked! But just for a couple of seconds! Then I starting melting again. Our window A/C is struggling keep up with the heat. Enjoy the beach for us too. (It's been 12 years since I've been to a beach.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Beautiful cards, the first one is so different with the black embossed background for the gorgeous snowflake!
My fav is the second one, more sweet and delicate :) great smooching (also thanks to Hammy ) :D
Stunning church sign, very clear, so men could understand well (if they want...) LOL :D
Here is cloudy, not too much hot. We have already have the crazy hot last weeks.
Enjoy your beach day!!
Hugs

designbydonna said...

Love the snowflake. It did make me shiver a bit--but wait, that maybe the A/C kicking on right next to my desk. I have been looking for a b/w inspiration. May just use this one. Your pretty spring flowers take us right into spring.

Anita in France said...

The cool, graphic frostiness of that gorgeous snowflake is delicious, Darnell ... thanks for the touch of refreshment! Those watercolour tulips are just lovely ... summery and fresh ... Hammy did a great job with the background! Hahaha ... clever sign ... someone else that enjoys playing with worms!! LYAMYBLMA ... ETB! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Stamps and Paper said...

Pretty tulips card and love your CAS snowflake card Darnell...high temperatures are also expected in parts of the UK as well...hope you’re managing to keep cool

Anne

conil said...

Love a minister with a sense of humor. But onto the cards. I'm sure those who are baking in this lethal heat really appreciate your efforts to cool them off with that snowflake card. It is CAS perfection. And your choice of blue for the b/g of those pretty pink tulips is equally cool. It's awful that the world is sweltering in this heat right now. Hope the forecasters are right and it will dissipate soon.

Brenda said...

Your frosty snowflake card indeed makes one shiver a bit Auntie! I love that white paper you used and can imagine how beautiful it is in real life. Thanks for the cool down. Your second card is so beautiful and the blue reminds me of water at the ocean or poolside. Love that Hammy had a play in the ink too. lol The tulips are just beautiful, what a great die and so sweet of Sonja to share them with you. You had me chuckling with the church sign. Oh my that is so true and so cleverly written! Hugs, Brenda

Redanne said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the shape of the snowflake and the way it stands out against the dark background. The tulips are beautiful too.

The church sign is fabulous, although I did wonder when I saw that the town is named Effing..... it was very funny though! Hugs, Annie xxx

Mrs A. said...

Is that sign for real! Your card. Is nice and cool though it look sludgy green to me. Mind you
I am on my second glas of Soave so ooooo cares. Hugs me.

Cat Craig said...

I did get a wee bit of cooling from your snowflake...its a gorgeous card. YOur tulip is so pretty as well. Love all the scallops - the panel, the frame. So pretty.

Kathleen said...

Two brilliant cards Darnell, love the black and white with the lovely snowflake. Super tulips, love teh subtle pink and a great layout.

Been meaning to ask you, have you heard anything about Mary H lately, I know she was taking a break due to ill health but it has been quite some time now, perhaps she has got out of the habit of card making and blogging but I hope it is nothing more sinister.

Kath x

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
brilliant makes as usual.
Yes the first did make me feel quite cold as it's not that hot here but we expect HOT temps this week.
Love the wonderful snowflake.
Such a super second card and the lovely colours and design my daughter would love this as Tulips are her fave flower.
Love the photo at the end it did make me giggle so.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Jean said...

THe heat and humidity broke after severe thunderstorms this weekend. Today is lovely. Your cards are so pretty!

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are so beautiful!! I love the frosty snowflake and the beautiful flowers on the second one!! That sign made me laugh out loud!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marcia Hill said...

Two FABULOUS cards Darnell!! Love the classic black and white snowflake card...SOOOO elegant looking! And yes, quite a temp difference moving on to the 2nd card, but just as lovely too! It's been quite warm here too (90's for West Michigan is kinda rare!), but I've also been surviving by staying in the air conditioning and making Christmas cards and eating frozen m & m's...you are SO right about priorities!! Hopefully this week will be cooler...hate to think what our electric bill is going to be because you know I could be spending that money on stamps!! Haha!! Have a great week my friend! Hugs. :0)

Lisa Elton said...

Thanks for the cool breezes you sent my way in the form of your frosty snowflake and lovely spring tulips! Two marvelous cards Darnell!

Trina P. said...

These are beautiful, Darnell. The unconventional black and white snowflake card looks so cool. Makes for a great masculine card... you should enter it in the Christmas in July challenge over at The Make Room. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas with this one. .
Your second tulips card in contrast is so delicate and pretty... perfect for the girls.
Have a wonderful week. xx

Vicki said...

Fabulous card, Darnell! I love the background you created! Thanks for joining the Double D, "Birthday" Challenge.

Cheryl W. said...

I love your frosty snowflake. I feel cooler just looking at it! The tulips are so pretty, too. You're becoming quite the artist with those Zig markers and your spritzer bottle. Your background is the perfect contrast to your lovely flowers.

Christine Alexander said...

OK, I have to get this out of the way, I almost peed my pants with the photo.
Now onto the cards. I wish I could see all that shparkle I'm sure it's amazing. I hate taking photos of sparkly stuff it never looks as shparkly as it is IRL.
your flowers are beautiful, wow look at that smooshed background.

Sandra H said...

So pretty and creative as always are your cards Darnell love them both we are heading for hotter weather sometime this week we could do with it being bright as its so dismal at the moment hopefully not too hot so we cannot enjoy it take care and enjoy your time at the beach keep covered up though x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell. It's not to hot here in the UK yet, but the forecast says it's heading this way.

Sue xx

Craftychris said...

Brrrrr I can feel a chill! Oh its Darnell's cool (excuse the pun) snowflake card! Love it and my hot bod (again excuse the pun) thanks you! Your second card is soooooo pretty! Gorgeous smooching and beautiful pink flowers. Hugs xxxxxxx

oldpunca said...

O Darnell, your tulip card is fantastic! Wonderful design and super cute pastel colors. I'm glad, you've used those cuts. :-) And I'm glad that also Hammy had his fun. Let him sleep. :-)
Thank you for cooling me with the snowflake card. :-) I needed this, because we have already the third or forth heat wave in this summer. :-) Hight degrees and heat storms. Very interesant weather and not boring at all. :-))
Have a nice week!
Hugs, Sonja

Birgit said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell! Your snowflake card did the trick! I'm cooled down and ready for another cup of coffee. ;0) Your tulip card is stunning and I love the inky splashy background. Hammy is quite the artists, to be sure! Glad you're finding ways to stay cool. I too, have been to the beach more this year than ever in years past. I'm not complaining though, it'll be over way too soon for us here on the east coast. (hugs)

Marilyn said...

Two pretty cards!, we are very hot over here too! They are talking about an unusual cold front to come through in July. Not sure when that will be. Probably only means that temps will be in the 80 ‘s instead if the 90’s.
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

Nananas said...

I really love you floral card with the tulips and smooshed background. Thanks for joining our AAA Birthday challenge!

Celeste Goff said...

Fabulous cards! I love the snowflake one especially!

Diane said...

FABULOUS cards!! Pretty snowflake and yep it made me cooler, but we spent 4 days at the lake house to keep cool. Pretty floral card too, thank you for joining us at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

Chris Dring said...

These are two wonderful cards Darnell! Love the smooshy flower card, and that Christmas card is so elegant! Thanks for helping us celebrate our 400th challenge at Shopping Our Stash!

Leslie Miller said...

I sure hope everyone's air conditioning is working properly. No heat wave here, but I told Rich if it ever gets too hot I'm going out to the motor home and turning on the air conditioner. It's a life saver... literally! I did feel nice and cool when I looked at your snowflake card. I love how those dies work together. Subtle sparkle is sure hard to photograph, but I do see the sparkle in the center of the snowflake and the "O" of the sentiment! Now, your tulips, sigh... they speak of spring when there were snow storms across the country, remember -- weird! Now heat waves? Such pretty watercolor! Finally, that church sign -- hahahahahahaha! Humor is a great way to get a point across, and this sure does the trick! Thanks! Oh, and thanks for playing along with us at Double D!

Fikreta said...

wonderful cards!
WE dont have air conditioning at hoome,we hae fans and its hot.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

FAbulous cards, love the simplicity of the snowflake card and the gentleness of the tulip card. As for your heat, I do feel for you. The rest of the UK was quite hot (for us) but in this part of Wales, we had low heavy cloud and rain, although the temperatures weren't bad at 19C.
Hope you're cooler soon.
As for the church sign, it's just wonderful, more should read it LOL.
Faith x

Loll said...

Fantastic cards Dolly! Love the contrast between your white sparkly card front and gorgeous snowflake, with the dotty black background. Stunning Christmas card with this classic combination of black and white. I can feel the cold ... thanks for that! :)

Your tulips are so pretty in the splashed oval. Love the brightness of the blue against the flowers. Also wonderful design to add soft splashes to the card front around the oval. Awesome summer card, my friend!

Have a wonderful time by the water. I can just see you reclining in a beach chair with your umbrella-adorned drink in hand. :) Love, Lolly

Sarah G said...

I love the juxtaposition of the crisp snowflake and pretty florals - both a refreshing change from the current heat! The watercolour tulips look especially pretty. Thank you for joining in with us at AAA Birthday this month :)

frommycraftroom said...

Fab cards. Love the technique in the second one using acetate. Might give it a go with other markers (don't have ziggies! there has to be a limit!).
Love the church sign/meme.

Greta said...

Absolutely love that gorgeous, elegant snowflake card, Darnell! Hope you're keeping cool! I do love the tulips & the background is perfect!

TK said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell, and thanks for trying to cool us down with the snowflake first! The softer tones of the second are gorgeous, and I love that you noted how you used your Zigs (different than what I've heard or done)!

Jane said...

Tulips have to be my most favourite of flowers, they're about the only ones I ever buy for myself. So of course I love your card. Thanks for playing at AAA Birthday, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. And yes I am sitting right in front of a fan as I write this!1😜

Carol L said...

Thanks for the cooling cards, I found a little relief from the heat wave with your great snowflake! Those ziggy colored flowers look so pretty on the blue waters that have been spattered like a cool shower on your card! Simply beautiful! By the time winter gets here, we'll all be yearning for summer again I'm sure! Such extreme weather takes a toll! I've been hibernating indoors! Love the sign outside the church too. We have a local water company in my area that changes their sign every few weeks and the last one made me laugh so hard I got into a coughing fit as we drove by and I read it. "The best fireworks are set off by the person who has 6 fingers and wears an eye patch!" There's a little food for thought eh? :)

Mac Mable said...

Hope you are managing to keep cool? x Gorgeous CAS Christmas card and to me it looks bottle green!....Which I might add looks fabulous x. Such a pretty celebration card and so very delicate. Hammy did a wonderful job with his paws and you did a fabulous job too....LOL x Thanks for the 'funny' at the end x

Donna said...

Beautiful cards, we have had a break from the heat in St. Louis and we are enjoying it!

Susan said...

It's not too bad heat-wise here in Vancouver - it's been quite pleasant. But I sure worry about all the places with terrible heatwaves. Making snowy cards hopefully helps a bit with the heat (not to mention helps to build up that Christmas card stash). Love your frosty flake! Very pretty tulip card too. I'm off to madly finish my "Garden" Twofer and get it in before the linky closes!

Gerrina said...

Sitting in a room with the fan on speed it is nice here...in a few moments I want to try if my ink still does what I want, çause I have some ideas that have to go on paper...
Your first card made it feel a bit cooler; love how less colours make such an impact! And 2nd looks so fesh and beautifully coloured! Hugs, Gerrina

Kara Lynne said...

I want ice cream textured paper! Okay, now I want ice cream! I love your gorgeous winter card and your beautiful spring tulips! Hammy did a great job adding his paw prints without getting carried away. We lost power when the tornado ran through Saturday, but thankfully no damage to the house and we were away camping. Usually we run into the storms when we camp, so we really didn't know what to do with ourselves.

Cris G. said...

Lovely cards, Darnell! If you don't mind I'll pick the flower card, not because I don't like snowflakes, but because I plan to enjoy summer for as long as I can... maybe until fall :).

Jane said...

Just spotted it at Uniko, thanks for linking up there too.

Diane said...

Both cards are fabulous, I feel much cooler already with the snowflake..lol...the tulip card is gorgeous...how nice to have friends send you goodies to play with and you can make such beautiful use of them!! Have a great day, it has cooled off here for a few days, until next week at least!! Thanks for joining us at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

Karen Brown said...

Two really nice cards! Love the a paper-pieced ink smooshed tulips. :-)

Ericka Strange said...

Great card and I love the watercolors and the background with the pretty die. Such a great design with these pastel colors. Thanks for playing along with us over at The Flower Challenge!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I am back to repeat that your cards are Fabulous and to thank you so much for joining us in our Christmas in July challenge at The Male Room. SO sorry to be late in commenting, life got in the way!
The Male Room
themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk

Monika Skinner said...

The little freeze was very welcome, Darnell! Great CAS card. Thanks so much for playing along at The Male Room Craft Challenge. Good Luck!

Beverley said...

A delightful duo of cards. I adore snowflakes and simply love this CAS design. Your tulips are a pretty sight to see too and it always puts a smile on my face when I see you in the Uniko gallery :) Thanks so much for joining in on the Uniko Challenge. Hugs Bev x

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards .... love the pretty tulips. Thank you for playing along with the Uniko challenge xx