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!

November 13, 2019

Holiday Branches

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you're having a great week! I'm knee-deep in all products Christmas and am shocked (as I am every year) by how much of it is NBUS. Do you think Hammy has figured out how to get on the computer in the middle of the night and order things?! I'm not complaining because it's like Christmas when the mail comes, but he needs to finger out a way to give me more hours in the day to USE everything!

Anyhoozle, we're all busy this time of year, so I'll prolly do more posts, but quick ones, just to share the cards I'm making which may spark ideas for you. Today I have cards I made using a NBUS full-size Holiday Branches stamp from Echo Park. The design itself is a CASE of a card made by Jenny Mullens, which  I saved from a Craft Stamper magazine ages ago. Thank you, Jenny!
The great thing about using a full-size stamp is that you can cut it in half and make two cards using the same design, as I've done here, or you can cut it into even smaller pieces for borders, small panels, etc. Wait. What? Clumsy me. What I meant to say was you can cut the stamped panel in half, not the actual stamp! (Is it bedtime yet?)

To begin the card, I did a watercolor smooch panel on mixed media paper using shades of green Distress Ink. (It's Evergreen Spruce that takes on a bluish tint.) For the first card above, the white heat-embossed sediment is from The Ton. The die-cut sediment on the second card is from Creative Expressions. The white paint lines on both cards were made with a Pen-Touch paint pen, a gift from Lolly, and the schplatters are watered down gouache paint.

Challenges for card one:
Challenges for card two:
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Here's one of another Twofer I made using the same stamp heat-embossed in white. I wanted to show you how pretty it looks on gold paper. The yummy-textured snow paper is from my friend Chrissie. I'm don't know the manufacturer of the Be Merry die. I used an American Crafts gold metallic pen for the transition line.

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Please keep the residents and fire fighters in New South Wales Oz, in your prayers as they deal with the catastrophic fires.

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!

Note to Bette: I don't have your email address, so I hope you see this. Chester's card was made by Cornelia. The stamps used for Chester are from Cats on Appletrees. In the future, if you ever have any questions about the card illustrations on The Back Stories, you can always click on Cornelia's name at the bottom of the story and that will take you to her blog for details about her amazing cards. Thank you for asking!

*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!)

74 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Love all three cards.

Hope you enjoy your day. Sue

Tina Z. said...

wow, so beautiful in different colours ...
I should also made more twoffers, especially for Christmas cards, uf ...
hugs xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell - and well done on making two cards from one stamped image - and of course Hammy is ordering the stamps - he doesn't want to get bored or have you loose your muse.... yeah right!
My favourite is the one you have stamped on gold paper -that is breathtaking
Blessings
Maxine
p.s. - I shared the Chester story with several friends and they all loved it

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

All so beautiful Darnell there sure is an added bonus with larger stamps as they give us so much helping us create more than one card at a time.
I agree wholeheartedly about time, there's so much to love about new Christmas products but I rarely have time to get online as late let alone use up what temps me. I shamefully have things I (NEEDED) last year that I've yet to open the packet or stamp out. Maybe one day we will all be granted peace and time to create just because we can...
Sending light & hugs your way Tracey xx

Craftychris said...

All these are stunning cards! Love the greens you used for the first two, they look great on the kraft and the gold for the third is so pretty with the embossing. How kind of Hammy to make sure you have lots of goodies to keep you busy! Hugs xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Three gorgeous cards Darnell, I love both versions.

Sue xx

oldpunca said...

If Hammy has ordered this amazing stamp in the middle of the night, you can only be proud on him. :-) All three cards are very elegant and super nice, but the gold one is my favourite.
Happy crafting and a super nice day. :-)
Hugs,
Sonja

Chris said...

Hammy did you a real favour here Darnell, that's one gorgeous stamp! All three cards are beautiful, I'm particularly drawn to those with the fabulous green background.
xx

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards! I especially love your gold one
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Carole said...

Hi Darnell...well I am in love with these cards...all of them! What a fabulous stamp and so versatile as you have showcased so well. Really like the white on gold too. I think Hammy is in league with a gang that place mystery orders for Christmas products...maybe they think they are early Christmas presents? Hugs xx

Jean said...

These cards are just gorgeous!!

Marcia Hill said...

What a beautiful background stamp Darnell and 3 lovely, lovely cards! It worked perfectly for the smooshed monochromatic green cards with the white embossing...sooo pretty! And I love the elegance of the gold card with the embossing too! Thanks so much for sharing these beauties with us at CAS Watercolour and have a great week!! Hugs. :0)

Jeanne said...

Beautiful work, my friend! I especially like the elegance of the card with gold. Wowza!

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards Darnell, what a fab design, very simple but so effective, I especially love the one with the gold paper, it's so classy, hope all is well with you, Kate x

Bonnie said...

What a pretty stamp, Dolly! And the colors you've put it on are gorgeous with the kraft cardstock! Love the elegance of it on the gold too!

Pat said...

I adore all these cards Darnell and the white embossed foliage stamp is so pretty with the green and the gold background and love the kraft card, and the beautiful falling snow with the gold too. x

Donna said...

These cards are stunning Darnell and what a great idea, may have to case this one as I am working on my Christmas cards, I should be posting some, will do so soon!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all beautiful! xoxo

engaztop2 said...
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Gerrina said...

Both cards look so good! Favorite is the green (not such a bling girl)... I allow myself to buy one christmasstamp every year (or none if that is possible), but being in DT's that one stamp seems to grow to 4-6 stamps a year.... But he I'm not complaining :)... And yes I would like more hours in a day also to make all that I have been thinking! Hugs, Gerrina

jimlynn said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous cards! WOW!
Lynn

Verna Angerhofer said...

Three gorgeous cards and in beautiful colors. I really like how you changed the last one up to gold and white. That is so elegant looking.

Craft-E-Place said...

Fabulous cards! I love it when you can get two for the price of one!
Thanks for the very kind comments that you have left for me ... I’ve been struggling to create until recently ... I’ve been absorbed in wedding planning but that’s now passed so hopefully my creative mojo has found its way back.
Elaine

Lisa Babitz said...

All three cards came out great! I LOVE the white embossing on the gold.

Dotty Jo said...

Please don't ask me to confess just how much of my Christmas stuff is NBUS! Thanks so much for playing at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge, Darnell, great to have you here again, Jo x

Sarah said...

What a great job you have made with that gorgeous leafy stamp, the fresh green background looks amazing with the white detail and the gold embossing looks so luxurious xx

Robyn Oliver said...

So gorgeous and simple - and three (four) cards - I even think I could patch together small stamps from different sets to achieve this - you're inspiring me Darnell, great cards and a fabulous week Robyn

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous Darnell, love it. Hugs Tamara

Cat Craig said...

Love these all...and I usually end up doing it the hard way...trying to position a part of a piece on the bg stamp...duh. Thanks for the tip! Smooches.

Kathleen said...

Gosh I thought the green and kraft cards were brilliant but the gold embossed one is really stunning, you take my breath away(wouldn't that be a good title for a song?)

Kath x

conil said...

Apparently, Hammy has figured out to give you more time during the day...wish he'd do the same for me. And you used it so well...that background stamp came in super handy and is so beautiful in color, as well as, gold. Don't you just love these diecut sentiments...so lovely on your cards.

Trina P. said...

Beautiful array of fabulous and festive Christmas cards, Darnell. Love the Kraft, gold and the shimmer. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas.

Stamps and Paper said...

Three beautiful cards Darnell

Anne x

اوائل الرياض said...
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Celeste Goff said...

Love these gorgeous cards Darnell!!

Redanne said...

I am certainly with you on the Christmas NBUS, I think I can go back three or four years.... I really should try to use them before they get any older, thanks so much for the timely reminder my friend! I do hope Hammy finds a way to give you more time too, please share it when he does....

Your cards are gorgeous, I do love white on kraft, it always looks so elegant and clean to me. The gold card is quite simply stunning, I love everything about it!

Hugs, Annie xxx

Susan said...

Beautiful colours on all the versions - my favourite is the gold one! Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas!

Chrissy said...

Beautiful cards, I love your embossing, gorgeous.
Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Addicted to Stamps..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Nora Noll said...

GENIUS idea on stamping the paper and then cutting it up to make two cards!! LOVE the pretty watercolor with the white embossing. I LOVE the same treatment you did on the gold. AMAZING cards!!!

Loll said...

WOW!! Three beautiful cards using that fabulous stamp set, Dolly! LOVE IT! Guess I need to go shopping again soon, because I would love to use that! So gorgeous with the green and blue sponging which looks fabulous with the kraft paper card base. Your golden version is so elegant and shiny. Love, Lolly

Loll said...

Oops ... thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas, my friend! xx

Shelly said...

Oooh, these are so beautiful!! Love them!
Have a great rest of the week, my friend!
Hugs

Cheryl W. said...

Well, I'm loving your first pair of twin cards (they're obviously fraternal twins), but I adore the pretty golden sister. She's a beauty for sure!! That's a great background stamp you used on each of the cards. It would be really pretty done as a watermark, too.

Christine Alexander said...

Dolly, I love that background stamp, and love your snippits on each card. that's the perfect way of making stacks of Christmas cards :)

Karenladd said...

Oh, now I want to make a bunch of backgrounds and cut them in half to make two cards each as well. Twice the fun in half the time is always a winner. These are just gorgeous!

Dawn Phillips said...

Awesome cards. I'm loving the gold one. I need to try stamping white on gold. Thanks for the inspiration. Thanks for joining us at Cardz4galz. Love Dawn x

Karen Dunbrook said...

great cards Darnell, the kraft looks so great...I always forget how I love the look of it.
Thanks so much for playing along with the CAS Watercolour Challenge.
:) xxKaren

Vikki H said...

Fabulous stamp! It looks wonderful in the greens and the gold version is stunning! BTW, the Be Merry is from a PTI Bold Borders: Yuletide die.

Brenda said...

Oh Auntie, that is a beautiful background NBUS stamp! Does Hammy order with his own money? lol If so, then send him my way. lol There never seems to be enough time in the day or as I'm told, maybe I'm just not organized enough! Which could very well be the case now that I'm older and I don't think as well as I used too thus using up the day thinking what it was that I was going to do. sigh At any rate, your cards are stunning. Loving the paint pens you used and loving your twofer card as well. Your backgrounds are amazing. Hugs, Brenda

Linda said...

WOW! Beautiful Christmas cards ..... keep them coming Darnell I could use the inspiration. The festive spirit seems to be passing me by at the moment.
I like the idea of using a large background stamp and getting two for one! xx

HilaryJane said...

3 great cards, I can't choose between them x

Linda said...

Darnell, three beauties, but I particularly love the gold one. It is stunning.

Mac Mable said...

Great use of that wonderful stamp and always good to get more than one card. Glorious cards Darnell and thank you for the wonderful inspiration x.

Maria said...

Love all your cards using the holiday branches, so pretty! Very pretty backgrounds, too! Thanks so much for the beautiful inspiration, Darnell!

Leslie Miller said...

What a beautiful background stamp! I love the white embossing and getting more than one card from one stamping. Such a pretty blended background on the first two cards and really love the snow paper on the last card. NBUS... tell me about it! I keep working away at it and it keeps showing up on my doorstep. Tsk tsk... I love it!

TK said...

Beautiful cards, it's easy to see why you'd want to CASE it! I'm also HIGHLY impressed you could get heat embossing to work on a gold panel!!!

Sandra H said...

So pretty Darnell are your cards background is beautiful so impressive enjoy your day x

Happy Dance said...

Dang girl. Your use of kraft with those greens and whites is both brilliant and gorgeous. I am madly in love with that EP stamp. And the little lines...how did you do that? Every time I try, I get it all messed up. And lest I forget, poils. Not sequins, not diamond blings, but poils. They are just the absolute most perfectest little addition to both of your cards. Yep. Love 'em. That gold and white looks amazing too. You really know how to show versatility by using the same stamp set. Absolutely fabulous. Sending hugs and missing you. xoxo Bev

KandA said...

Three gorgeous cards Darnell. The stamp is beautiful and I especially love the first two with that lovely watercolour smooching xx

Bobby said...

That stamp is so versatile, Darnell. It's gorgeous on the gold.

frommycraftroom said...

Gorgeous! Love the white on gold.
PS when you work out how to get more hours in the day please share with us! ;)

Glittered Paws said...

Well now why didn't I think of that??? And such a beautiful stamp to do it with, I bet you get a lot of mileage out of this stamp. Love the white/gold so elegant looking.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Brilliant cards Darnell, sweet shades of green match so well with kraft and just love the look of the white stamp on gold, just gorgeous!!!
Hugs

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell - especially love your embossed snow on card three and the yummy inking on cards one and two - perfect with the kraft!!

Greta said...

Love, love, love these cards, my friend! Gotta case you! I've always been afraid to heat emboss on metallic paper, but now I'm going to try it! Just need more time for all the ideas I need to try!

Christine Alexander said...

hi Darnell, I meant to have said thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas with your warm and cozy greenery. Love those colours :)

Brenda in IN said...

I don't know how I missed this post but these cards are beautiful. The green is so pretty and the gold and white is stunning.

Fikreta said...

gorgeous cards!

foleysfriend said...

Totally awesome cards. I love how different the cards are when starting with the same background stamp. Never thought about white heat embossing on gold. The effect is stunning. Thanks for joining us at Addicted to Stamps and More.

Sue n.

Anita in France said...

What a gorgeous stamp, Darnell ... deliciously warm and cosy in the soft aqua/green with the kraft ... and classy and elegant on that luscious gold with white! Hmmm ... stylish! LYAMYHAHMA ... LHWDWWB! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Cazro said...

All are wonderful cards. Thanks for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz. Caz. DT.

Nance said...

Three beautiful cards, Darnell. I love how you can get different looks with one stamp. The first two are very woodsy and country while the gold one is so elegant. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas this month.

rachel said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell - really lovely! Thanks for joining us at countryview challenges! Hugs rachel xx

BożenA said...

I love your connection! It looks great, and the gold version is just as beautiful.
hugs,
BozenA