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!

August 23, 2019

Through the Seasons

Hello Stamplings!

How's your week going? I know I've been posting a lot this past week, but because of a busy first half of the month, everything card-related got pushed and now I'm up against some challenges closing so I've got a Fourfer for you. Ah, that was sweet of you not to groan.

I promise I'll be quick, but I'll wait a sec if you want to get a drink and put that lumbar pillow behind your back. Doe a deer, a female deer, re, a drop of golden sun, mi, a name ... oh, hi. I was just humming while I waited for you.

Here we go!

Onefer
I've used NBUS butterflies from Memory Box cut from a watercolor background for this design. The dies are called "Drifting Side Butterfly" and "Flitter Side Butterfly." 

Challenges

Help yourself to our buddy button

Twofer
I liked it so much, I made a few more of these colorful butterfly designs. For this one, I added gems and a birthday sediment.

Challenges

Our blog badgeSnippets Playground Badge
Threefer
I made this simple design using a plaid stencil and a bottle of NBUS Wendy Vecchi Pearl Mica Spray. I am intrigued that the Pearl spray appears silver when sprayed on the black. The stencil is "Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Plaid THS097."

Challenges
For your blog

By the way, the shimmer is amazing in reality:
After spraying the stencil inside a big box, I quickly flipped it over onto another piece of black card and was able to get another shimmery panel. It's lighter, of course, but still visible enough to grow up to be a card some day.
I have to say that was fun. I've had this spray for ages and never used it. I have occasionally tried other sprays in the past without much success. I really appreciate the CAS stable of challenges for inspiring me to step outside - literally - and try new things! 

Here's a tip I saw on a blog (I'm sorry I didn't note which one): When you spray, don't point the spray at the paper. Lay a big box on its side and place the paper flat on the side that is now the floor of the box. Then, instead of pointing your nozzle at the paper, point it at the back of the box and you'll get lovely coverage just from the falling mist and there won't be much piddling. It worked for me. (I hope it wasn't just a spray manufacturer telling us to do it this way! 😏)

Fourfer
This is another card panel I made at the 2019 ESCR. The card is glossy black and the embossed snowflakes were made by pushing a glittery paste through a snowflake stencil. Again, very schparkly in real life between the glossy card and the glitter in the paste. I used Nancy's technique where you cut strips out of the image panel for a little extra interest. I think the sediment is from PTI?

Challenges
 SPREAD THE MERRY LITTLE LOVE AND GRAB A BADGE!
~~~

Thank you for making it to the end! I try to only do two cards per post because I know it's hard to remember them by the time you get to the end. Oh, and before you ask why I didn't mention Hammy's help with these, he is away at the annual hamster convention in Bellingham WA in honor of Mr. Saddlebags.

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!)

71 comments:

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful and lovely cards Darnell
Gr Karin

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Hi Darnell, fabulous array of cards! I'm in awe with your butterflies CAS ones, they are so elegant and sweet!! I put those dies and EF in my infinite wishlist :D LOL
Great result with your mica spray! Love the plaid! I haven't sprays, but thanks for the tip, one day perhaps I will need it! :)
Great effect of the glittery paste for snowflakes in the last card! Cutting the stripes has been a great choice, another tip to follw one day!
Have a lovely weekend!

Vicky Hayes said...

Good morning Darnell! What an array of cards to inspire us today! I adore those water colour butterflies and wonder if they are magical ones that will flutter past the ghostly flowers and bring them to colourful life... The shparkly Christmas cards are gorgeous too. I'm deeply mistrustful of shimmer sprays with their potential for puddling (not to mention blocked nozzles!) so thanks for the tip :) Love that banner on the last card - a lovely pop of colour against the monochrome background. What an interesting article on 'Mr Saddlebags'. Let's hope Hammy doesn't get eaten! I have to say, that photo of Aharoni makes him look like a man positively crazed about hamsters! Have a lovely day! x

Julie B said...

Fab fourfor Darnell, the butterflies are so pretty. I must admit that I have struggled with sprays blobbing and spoiling the effect so I may try your tip! TFS. :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh My Goodness Darnell - these are amazing - each and every one - love those butterflies, and the prayed plaid is stunning - thanks for the spray tip - I sort of work like that, but I will refine my technique further! The final shimmery black card is a fabulous finale.
I hope Hammy behaves himself on the trip away with no unexpected little surprises in the future!!
Blessings
Maxine

Carole said...

Wow Darnell...what a fabulous display of cards..I love the butterflies of course...my fave being card No 2. Lovely shimmer with the pray and stencil and I bet you have a pretty box too! Don't be telling hammy how well you managed without him...he may not want to come home! hugs xxx

Lisa said...

All four are absolutely gorgeous!! I love the beautiful butterflies and their pretty colors!! All of your cards are fabulous!! I hope Hammy is having a wonderful time in the evergreen state!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell!
have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Carole Pollard said...

Stunning selection today always fabulous designs and an enjoyable post to brighten my day Love and hugs Carole x

Birgit said...

Wow! Lots of pretties to enjoy with my morning coffee. Your watercolored butterflies are so pretty with the simple flower. Lovely CAS designs!! the shimmery plaid is awesome!! Who made the stencil? I'm feeling enabled to go out and buy one so if you don't remember, it's probably a good thing. And finally, I can't forget your shparkly shnowflake card. BE-U-TI-Ful! Have a happy day my friend!

Tina Z. said...

I love your collection of cards and thank you for your tips. Butterflies are stunning and I like cards with black colour.
Crafty hugs xx

I Card Everyone said...

Could there be a better side show for my morning cuppa than a Fourfer with flitterings, and glitterings?? I think not... and you've done it so beautifully... thanks, D!
=]

Donna said...

Fourfers are great, like your beautiful butterfly cards and 2 more fabulous cards for your Christmas stash!

designbydonna said...

Beautiful 4fer foray. Those butterflies are stunning. I love that plaid stencil. I haven't tried the sprays. Another technique to add to my long list of things to try.

JoAnn said...

They are all beautiful. Love the pretty butterflies and the sparkly Christmas cards. I haven't had much luck with the sprays but I am trying.

JoAnn said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful butterfly card with us at Seize the Birthday.

Barbara said...

I sure enjoyed your collection of beautiful cards. Especially love the butterfly cards. They were my favorites. Thanks for joining in the fun and sharing with us at Seize the Birthday.

Barbara DT

Brenda in IN said...

You warned me but now I wish I'd gotten the pillow. To late now! This group of cards is great. The butterflies are gorgeous around the die cut flower. How clever to use the pearl spray on black card stock. Subtle and sparkly. My favorite is the last card with bright shiny snowflakes on the black glossy paper. Those snowflakes and the design, plus the pop of red made me drool.

jimlynn said...

They're ALL super fantastic. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ones with the butterflies. Gorgeous!
Lynn

Cat Craig said...

Your two butterfly cards are so pretty, soft and lovely. Your black and white options are striking as well. How cool that the pearl shows as gray. That was a win. YOur glossy black with sparklie snowflakes is a great design. And I'm not sure what to say about the hamster story, very enlightening.

Susan said...

Having had several hamsters as pets when I was a child, I was totally intrigued by Hammy going off to a hamster convention in Bellingham WA - that is a hop skip and a jump away from me and had I known the convention was happening, I'd have joined Hammy (though maybe no humans are allowed). I was also intrigued by the mention of Mr. Saddlebags - such a bizarre name - so followed your link and read the fascinating article on the discovery and breeding of the hamster - thank you for that as it was completely new to me. I'm hoping for some trivia question one day where I can drop the name of Aharoni or give a brilliant answer about hamsters being discovered in the 1930s in a Syrian farmer's field.

Having been sidetracked by that, I suppose I should comment on your cards too. Love them all, but especially the butterflies - wonderful CAS design with the frame, the simple white on white flower die cut, and the way the butterflies fly into the frame. Gorgeous colours on both of them. Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Christmas!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Four beautiful cards and so well designed. I love the simplicity of them but yet they still retain elegance and style.

Bunny said...

Beautiful cards. Don't let Hammy read the part about what the male hamster did to the female hamster. Yikes! Now, you know that could send everybody running to read what happened. [Bunny]```

conil said...

I'm sure you're missing Hammy's assistance. Hope he has a good time. But, seriously, four amazing cards??? I'm impressed with your speed and efficiency, not to mention, your skill. All are so pretty...gotta try that spray idea soon. Love the last card a lot...you'll probably be seeing one like it on my blog soon.

Trina P. said...

Wonderful fourfers, Darnell. Love your non-traditional B&W Christmas cards... you and Christine have been on the same wavelength. 😉. Thanks for the spraying tip... I’ve ruined so many cards spraying at the end.
If you hurry, you could sneak in that gorgeous glittery final card in at Cupcake Inspirations Glitter challenge... I believe it closes today. xx
ps. hope Hammy is having a good time!

Sandra H said...

Wow Darnell all of your cards are stunning always like monochrome and a welcome change from traditional colours for Christmas so creative you are as always enjoy your weekend take care xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, You have been busy and the result are lovely cards.

Hope you have a nice weekend. Sue

Kara Lynne said...

Your bright butterflies look amazing against the white on white background! I love how your spray turned out on the black card stock, and good for you for getting a two for one special out of it! Great glittery snowflakes on the black gloss - just striking!

Loll said...

Beautiful array of cards, Dolly! Love the bright colours of your beautiful butterflies. They really pop against the white background, framing and pretty flower die-cut. Looks amazing in both the green and blue colours for the butterflies!

Very cool CAS Stencil card with spraying through your plaid stencil onto black. I LOVE IT! Very warm and cozy looking with the plaid, but also sparkly and pretty with the sprays.

Your last card is amazing with the contrast between the shiny black card and the white embossed snowflakes. Cutting out a couple of strips really makes it special and adds a special touch.

Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour, CAS Christmas, and CAS Stencil!! Lolly xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I LOVE each and every one of of your cards, they are so different even though using the same things! The tip about the spray is great, thank you,I would have thought it would be the same for stick & spray glue too. I'll have to try it. The glittery paste and glossy card I like combo too.
Have a great weekend, don't miss Hammy too much
Faith x

Redanne said...

Wow, a bumper bundle of beautiful cards today! The butterflies are just gorgeous and I love the tartan backgrounds on the Christmassy ones.

Thanks for the spraying tip, I am definitely going to try that one out! Have a lovely weekend, we are set for a heatwave over here... Hugs, Annie xxx

Bonnie said...

Beautiful butterflies, Dolly! I have both of these dies in my NBUS box and now I'm itching to get to the studio and use them. Your sprayed stencil is awesome and I wish the camera would show the shimmer! Thanks for the tip on spraying. I need all the help I can get! Love those schparkly snowflakes on the black card! A great idea to do the split card with that piece and I love the red sentiment banner! It was fun spending time with you and your long post with all those goodies to drool over! Thanks for sharing with us at the CAS challenges!

Kathleen said...

Brilliant post, brilliant cards.

Kath x

Julia Aston said...

Well goodness Sis - we can do one stop blogging here for all our inspiration needs today! What a great set of cards - love the plaid spray stencil on the black - the shine really shows up and funny how it's gray in some places! thanks for joining us at CAS Stencil!! xx Have a great weekend!

Pat said...

Four fabulous cards Darnell. I love the colourful butterflies over the white die cut flower and frame, and the two Christmas designs with the pretty shimmery plaid panel using that wonderful mica spray, and then the snowflakes, both quite dramatic on the black card, and a great pop of red with the sentiment banner on the last. I was very interested to read the piece about how the hamster was found in Syria and named by Aharoni. I have never heard that before and I think we should carry on calling them Mr Saddlebags...lol. x

Robyn Oliver said...

Darnell you have been a very busy lady.. love all the cards and especially happy that you used your Pearl Mica on the black card.. it look fabulous with this stencil, I really thought it was a piece of PP, that's one great plaid stencil. Thanks so much for sharing with CAS Stencil, hugs Robyn

Lisa Elton said...

Love all of the sparkling and fluttering you've been up to! These are marvelous Darnell. Hope Hammy is behaving himself. Those conventions do have their reputations LOL!

Nancy said...

You sure have been fluttering about in your studio Darnell! Your bright butterflies look amazing against the white. Love all the sparkle on your plaid Christmas card along with the fun layout on your last card! Always a pleasure to stop by and also have you in our gallery at Seize the Birthday! Happy weekend!

Cheryl W. said...

Gorgeous cards, all! I may have to invest in a plaid stencil. I love the look of it. I've got a few sprays I never use, too. I need to drag them out and have another go. As for Hammy visiting Bellingham, I've got some friends who live there. Wonder if he'll run into them. Of course, they're not hamsters, so maybe not.

Jeanne H said...

A really lovely bunch of cards, Darnell. Good tips too. Thanks and a hug.

nancy littrell said...

You weren't kidding, Dolly...so many beautiful and creative cards with different techniques, colors, mixed media products, occasions and styles!!! I am impressed. TFS and joining us at CAS Stencil with your Gorgeous shimmery plaid stenciled non-traditional colored Christmas card. Wow....Wee....my friend. Hugs...Nancy

Barb Ghig said...

Fabulous 'Fourfer', Darnell! Your watercolored butterflies are so pretty, and I love the plaid pattern on your stenciled background! Thanks for sharing your tips with us for using a mister...never thought to do that :) And, thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Stencil...we always enjoy seeing your creations in the gallery! Hugs, Barb xx

KandA said...

Wow you have been busy and without Hammy's help too. I LOVE those beautiful butterfly cards, the shimmer on the threefer is gorgeous and the split panes on the last are a great idea xx

Craftyfield said...

Lovely set of cards! Thanks for the spray tip, I'll have to try next time... Many thanks for joining us at Country View Challenges this month.

Gerrina said...

Four beauties! That plaid patern looks not only warm and coosy, but also festive with the glimmer! And the butterfly cards are a delight! (Not ready for x-mas here with the nice summerweather thisweekend and next week :) ) Enjoy the weekend and stay cool! Hugs, Gerrina

Liz said...

You HAVE been busy, Darnell! What a super creations!! I especially love the butterfly cards, so striking with the colours you've used. I love the plaid stencil - one to add to my wish list. Thanks for the tip about using a spray, I've had a few disasters using sprays, so tend to avoid them. This is definitely a technique I'll be trying using your tip. xx

Linda said...

WOW! Now that is a fab four! Love the butterfly designs, the layered die cuts look gorgeous.
Great job with the spray too, the shimmer looks amazing.
Have a lovely weekend my friend xx

Marcia Hill said...

Four FABULOUS cards Darnell and I have to say I'm loving your COLORFUL butterfly cards...they both totally make me smile! Your Christmas cards are GORGEOUS too...something so elegant about black and white! Hope Hammy is enjoying his convention and you're not missing him too much! He'll probably be a little upset about the 3rd card and not be able to help with the sparkly stuff...or maybe you're just not going to show it to him?? But anyways, great cards my friend and thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour!! :0)

Celeste Goff said...

Such gorgeous cards Darnell! I love the Christmas cards especially!

Lynda said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell - and you got me singing that song with you - again, and again......
Thank you for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz with your delightful green butterflies... Lynda :) :) DT

HilaryJane said...

I love all this cards but I am particularly impressed by the plaid one. what an amazing stencil and thanks for the tip re spraying over the paper, I haven't heard that before. first I need to get myself a box as I always just spray and get it everywhere! xx

Di said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Di said...

Wonderful cards Darnell! And how great to see you in the Playground. AND using those NBUS MB sideways butterfly dies. I've had those for ages and ages as yet unused. To be honest, I got a shock at how big they are when they arrived here - you've now got me thinking it's time I used them as yours worked so well.

And how fascinating to read about 'Mr Sandbags'. A lot of years ago we were looking after a neighbour's hamster and it got out during the night. Luckily I found it but we hadn't been told it was related to Harry Houdini and blow me if it didn't break out again. That time it disappeared for good! We had buckets with treats up lengths of wood to try to lure it (with a soft landing in the buckets of course) and goodness knows what. Len pulled all the furniture out, took off the kick boards in the kitchen in case it had squeezed in there where there was a gap beside the dish washer and we even cut underneath the sofas open! Also took the gas log fire apart and the ventilation grille on the outside wall. Zilch! All we could come up with was that it had indeed gone behind the kick boards in the kitchen and been attracted by the smell of fresh air, wriggled into where the cold water pipe comes into the house and then fallen right down beside the pipe umpteen feet and been unable to get back up. And guess what, when the neighbours came home I had to break the news (in tears of course) and the reaction was 'Oh yes, it's always escaping. It's eaten a chunk of the dining room carpet on one of it's escapes'. Sheesh - never again! We like to think that 'Harry' scampered off free but really it's very unlikely he could have survived even if he managed that much!

PS - Should have known he was trouble, on first introduction he sank his teeth into my finger!

Hugs

Di xx

Cathy said...

Wonderful array of cards Darnell, wish my mojo would co operate that well lol! Thankyou for playing along at CAS Stencil too, Cathy x

OH Babs said...

Love the butterfly cards Darnell. My mojo is still sleeping when it comes to Christmas cards. However having said that I volunteered to make 100 by December 1 -- I have a couple of Santa's helpers. It is for a good charity. Happy week.

TK said...

Your "side-winder" butterflies are quite beautiful; the interesting plaid that you MADE; and your fun sparkly snowflakes! Such beauties to behold! Thanks for the tip of the sprays, now I must only remember it!

Christine Alexander said...

four beautiful cards Darnell, I love that schparkle spray, my have to head out and pick some up. thanks for passing on the tip about spraying with the nozzle not directly pointed at the card.

cotnob said...

A beautiful collection of cards Darnell, they are all fabulous but I especially like the pretty butterflies.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Greta said...

Oh wow--the butterfly cards are beautiful, Darnell! Love the plaids, too!

Karen Brown said...

Your plaid stencil Christmas card is non-traditional in its colors but lots of fun for the guys. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday.

Anita in France said...

Oh, you are en-forme, Darnell ... with this delicious collection of yummy cards (delicate, dreamy, striking, dramatic ... in that order!) ... with your sweet humming (thank you!) ... with your word craft (as ever) ... and with that great tip for spraying! What a great post for a Sunday afternoon's reading and enjoying! LYAMYHMA ... BD! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Sue - said...

A fabulous fourfer! The butterflies are so pretty. Thanks for joining us at Cardz for Galz.

Sharron said...

Beautiful butterflies, especially love the one with the additional blues! And your plaid looks amazing. That one along with the last beauty are so special with all the sparkles. Thanks for the spraying tip! I also went visiting your link about Mr. Saddlebags--very interesting. I had never heard the facts about our fun friends!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all beautiful! xoxo

Karenladd said...

Wow!! Those butterflies against the white-on-white backgrounds really stand out in an amazing way. I am partial to shades of blue anyway, but they look so fresh against a white card base.

Now I have to go check out the Mr. Saddlebags link...more time wasted on the computer...sigh

Linby said...

Fab makes. I do like the butterflies against the white, very dramatic. Thanks for the spray tip (I'll try to remember lol!)

frommycraftroom said...

The butterflies are gorgeous!
Thanks for the spray tip - If I'm every inclined to spray I'll try and remember that!

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful CAS card!!! Thank you for joining the August challenge of the Country View Challenges!

Fikreta said...

these are so nice!
have a great day!
hugs

Monica Maier said...

Darnell... I love the cards especially the last one! Love love love the sparkle and shine with the red banner! Monica DT- https://monicascraftcorner.blogspot.com/

BożenA said...

Both color versions are beautiful. This is a very beautiful project. And I also see new trends in your Christmas cards ... :-)
Hugs
BożenA