Hello Stamplings!
I hope you're doing okay, my friends.
I don't know why no one has thought of this yet, but why aren't we all doing Isolation Isometrics? (Should I © that?) Remember isometrics? It's an excellent type of exercise one can do all alone and without equipment. Just the thing for the current times when the gyms are closed. Isometrics still exists as far as I know, but it fell out of popularity after Jack LaLanne died, if not before. (I can only imagine the number of you reading that name and cocking your head to the side in the international symbol for, "WHO?")
Anyway, just a thought. If you try it, let me know how you like it. I would try it myself, but I can no longer hold a thought longer than ten seconds, let alone a mussel.
Here's a Twofer to take your mind off everything.
Onefer
I noticed there are a coupla challenges with food and splats briefs. I beg your pardon. That didn't sound right, but this is what I came up with.
I thought of this birthday card design because millions of families are experiencing togetherness like never before, which is a positive result of the pandemic. It's wonderful that parents and children are getting the opportunity to play board games, or put puzzles together, or cook and bake together.
So I took a whisk and splat from Technique Tuesday, as one does, and came up with a visual of what I think a child would consider the coolest frosting EVER for a birthday cake. Of course, that would be rainbow frosting, especially if it's been glossified by a certain hamster. And because kids love to sign their work, I used an ancient wooden stamp from Rubberstamp Ave, dated 2002, to make the wonderful declaration of pride.
Everything was floating around, however, so I used narrow dotted Washi tape to grind everything to the center of the card.
Challenges
- Less Is More: Scribbles, Drips, and/or Splats.
- Retro Rubber: Anything Goes.
- Seize the Birthday: Food and/or Drink.
Twofer
And then what happened was I checked my challenge links for ideas and I saw a sketch challenge I liked, so I made this:
I used the MFT Home Sweet Home die and cut it down to fit the sketch. The sediment and boots are from a Stampendous set. I colored the boots with my Ziggies and Hammy used Nuvo schparkly glimmer paste for the fur. Part of a rectangle scallop die and Washi tape were used for the horizontal bit.
Using Tim Holtz stencils, the chimney was blended with Fired Brick (of course) and the smoke was made with a white gel pen. There isn't a smoke stencil, as such. It's a sort of filigree stencil that I noticed had a swirly bit that looked like smoke so that's what I used. I added longer smoke lines by hand to make the bigger wisps work. Easy for you to say.
Challenges
- Christmas 24: Make it sparkle.
- Christmas Craft Creations: Use a stamp.
- HLS Christmas: Anything Christmas goes.
- Jingle Belles: Oh Christmas sketch, Oh Christmas sketch.
- Rudolph Days: Anything Christmas goes.
~~~
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
Please take care, keep your distance, and keep safe!
- If there's a baby boom nine months from now, what will happen in 2033? There will be a whole bunch of quaranteens.
- So many coronavirus jokes out there, it's a pundemic.
- What's the best way to avoid touching your face? A glass of wine in each hand!
- Feeling guilty about letting the kids watch too much TV? Just mute it and put the subtitles on. BOOM. Now they're reading!
Please take care, keep your distance, and keep safe!
*Life is too short!
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81 comments:
Love the first one, so funny and what a fab font! Cute chimney one too, and clever smoke :) keep smiling xxx
Two really fun cards - you are right we do need smiles and the odd laugh - take care and stay safe.
Two great cards Darnell you always make us smile with your posts a tonic we need right now..keep safe
Anne
Gorgeous cards - I'm planning to have a play with the Jingle Belles sketch this morning.
And I love the coronavirus jokes - black humour can sometimes look a bit insensitive but it's a great coping mechanism.
Two fun cards!
But I don't know what isometrics is?
I keep it with a bit of meditation and yoga...the crafting and a house we all feel good in and the last week with great sunny weather keeps us all going good through the intelligent lockdown we have here, without feeling to much caved in...
We are here at day 44 of the intelligent lockdown and it will take a lot more days before life will get a bit more 'normal' step by step...
Stay home and safe and stamping :) Hugs, Gerrina
There are not only bad things about isolation. Now I know who was Jack LaLanne. :-) Always good to learn something new.
I like your interpretation of the challenges. Birthday card is so funny. I agree every child would like to have a rainbow cake. Cute washi tape border. You're second card designed on sketch is fantastic. I belive till Chrismas there will not be isolation any more. And Santa-boots will be in use again. :-)
Stay safe!
Hugs, Sonja
Two fantastic cards Darnell, I love the rainbow frosting on the first card and the second is gorgeous. I love the dies that you've used for the house. Thank you for joining in Rudolph Days Challenge this month.
Sue DT xx
I love both cards, such clever design and tricks.
Yes, we have to laugh and stay positive in these time, although it is hard sometimes. My son asked me yesterday, why do I laugh so much?! So, I am doing something right, I think.
Crafty hugs xx
Oh my goodness Darnell, you and Hammy are really rocking these cards - it must be the fresh spring air!! Loving them both, but I think the first one is priceless. I also enjoyed the funnies.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Two very cute cards Darnell! I love your little jokes. I just love reading your blogpost, but hope I don’t have a mouthful of coffee because then it will be all over the place with the funny things you come up with!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️
I love that cute rainbow splat - great card. Loving the boots on the Christmas one too.
Stay safe
Lx
Hi Darnell, Loving the cards.
I had to look up Isometrics and there are videos on YouTube. Not the kind of thing I do. Walking my girls and housework is enough for me:) LOL
Thank you for the beautiful card. Really cheered me up.
Hugs
Sue
Two great cards, Darnell! Always love your posts - you're so witty! Here in the UK we are starting each day at school with a Joe Wickes workout. The sessions are meant for the kids but we adults are loving them too. Keep safe, Jo x
I remember Jack LaLanne very well. He was always so fit looking. Lord knows I need some exercise. We just keep packing on the weight.
I absolutely love your Christmas card. Those shoes are great.
[Bunny]
Good idea about the isometrics. Hrmmm, maybe it's not catching on because the gyms are squashing the idea because they want us to keep paying for the luxury of going there to work out after stay at home is lifted?! LOL Good reminder though that we can still be doing those. Your cards are wonderful. I love the rainbow splat on the first card. Perfection! And the second is so jolly! Great job on both. I think being able to laugh is so important, it helps us process this crazy pandemic. I, too, am so sad for the lives lost and changed forever. Stay safe my friend and keep the giggles coming. Hugs!
Told you Dolly - it's all about how you say it -
“I can’t do anything because of coronavirus” = sounding whiny,boring and weak
OR
“I’ve sworn an oath of solitude til the blight is purged from these lands” = heroic and valiant. Not only that people think you are really cool and assume you have a sword and it's impossible to check if you really have a sword because of coronavirus!!!
So from now on no “social distancing,” - take “an oath of solitude” instead!!!
(Nice cards by the way). xxx
Great cards, as always, Darnell. And yep, having lost someone to this thing and someone else suddenly to an unrelated cause since it began, I agree that a little laughter really helps salve the soul xoxo
Your frosting is exactly what Jack would make. In fact he made some at Christmas that looked like that. He kept at it until it looked like a pile of you know what! Your house with the curling smoke coming from the chimney is perfect for the Jingle Belles challenge! Thanks for the inspiration! Thanks too for the laughs! xoxo
Love both of your cards today. So cute!
Hi Darnell, Love your first cards with the splat of frosting! Reminded me of the retirement party I had for my hubby this time last year, as the theme was paint splats. As for the second card...I have the exact stamp and it's one of my favs. Love the house and the smokestack with the swirl of smoke billowing out. I so appreciate you hanging out with us at Seize the Birthday! I am not familiar with Jack LaLanne or Isometrics. ;)
What a great idea to use a rainbow coloured splat and the whisk Darnell, and the fun sentiment and all contained by that edging washi, and all very current. Over here flour is in such great demand millers are having a job keeping pace with it. I love Santa's boots on the sweet little house, beautifully put together, and the bright strip of paper with the green scalloped edge and swirly smoke, and all standing out brilliantly against the black background. Take care. x
Two really ingenious card, very clever indeed, both of them xx
Both cards Darnell are gorgeous as always l like the panel on the first card l imagine that's a whisk from any kitchen draw l too have taken up more homemade cooking and baking during this lockdown also love the house card gorgeous pair of boots your so creative .. l do yoga sitting is great where yoga is concerned isometric exercise not a lot of huffing and puffing and can be done in most places take care stay safe xx
Your first CAS card has great impact, love the rainbow splat, the second is fabulous also with the chimney swirls. As for Isometrics, seems it was around when I was fit and active so didn't need it, now I'm older I couldn't hold any of them in the palm of my hand either!
Thanks for the laugh Darnell.
Keep safe and well.
Faith x
Hi Darnell, glad to see you are keeping busy and am impressed you can even make cards with a glass of wine in each hand. I think we all need a Hammy to help out in the craft room! I love the splat from the whisk - rainbow coloured is a genius idea and signed is brilliant too. I can see you have embraced your inner chile! I agree, that if there is a silver lining to the WV (wretched virus) it is that a lot of children are getting a lot more time with their parents, doing all sorts of creative things. I think some will remember it for the rest of their lives. I had to look up isometrics and it turns out it's Callanetics which I did back in the last century. It's a good toner but not sure if it will address a spare tyre brought on by mindless ice cream noshing! Love your interpretation of Stef's sketch at Jingle Belles and the chimney and smoke are so clever! Those beautifully coloured boots are pretty comfy-looking too! Thanks for the fun and laughs. Sending mwahs across the miles (now there's another one for the sentiment set in my head!) Vicky x
I remember Jack LaLanne. My mom loved to watch him. I’m not sure how much exercising she did, but she probably thought he was handsome!
Your cards are so fun! I love the first one with the whisk and the spat. Those wisks can make a mess!
PS My dad used to do “calisthenics”. Do you remember that term?
Both card designs are so well done and beautiful...and filled with fun! And, thanks for the smiles with your little humorous notes too. We need to stay positive and humor helps to make it more bearable in these days of isolation from each other.
Adorable cards, Darnell, and I just love those little booties in the house! Great, fun cards!
Awesome cards Danielle! I think I'll stay away from the isometrics. Migraines are making my balance off.
Two wonderful cards Darnell, your first card is such fun and brilliant colours.
Lovely little house, beautifully designed and coloured, the little boots are adorable, Kate x x
Good grief, you keep pulling out these terms from the past that remind me how old I am. I attribute my butt muscles to Jack and his isometrics. Fancy name for sqeezing and holding. Remember doing that a lot during my corporate days although, today you probably couldn't tell.
Your quarantine is allowing you to produce your fun cards, anyway. Your mojo and humor seem to be working just fine. Laughter and joy are free and necessary during these times.
Two fabulous cards Darnell, I really love the rainbow splat on the first one and the declaration of pride sentiment is just adorable. The texture on the second card is wonderful!
I love your little ditties, you are right, we all need to have a bit of cheer and a laugh in these difficult times, but like you, my heart goes out to all the families of those lost during this dreadful pandemic...
Hugs, Annie xxx
wonderful cards Darnell...your whisk looks like a magic wand! And you rocked that sketch. Stay safe, and thanks for the smiles today.
Fabulous fun cards Darnell...keep safe and lots of huggles Sue x
Glad you're having fun being creative during this COVID madness! Love both of these cards!
Love those boots they are so eyecatching Darnell :) and your right laughter is the best way to deal with what is going on at the moment x
Darnell , great cards !!!
Great colors !
Groeten Ineke
Fun cards! We all need some laughter. Think I am going to go get 2 glasses of Wine!!
First, thank you for the fun jokes!! They put a smile on my face. I LOVE your pretty cards you created. The first cracked me up with the rainbow frosting. The second with your fun boots. Is that Bazzill paper you watercolor on did you put the watercolor through and embossing folder after? Either way I LOVE the texture. Thank you for your creative inspiration!!
I love how your mind works Dolly! Your first card is awesome with the rainbow splat of icing! :) And your Christmas is adorable. LOVE how the bright paper panel pops against the black. And those Santa books are adorable --- create watercolouring, my friend! Thanks for the laugh. You always inspire and entertain us Dolly. Everyone could use some laughter these days! Love, Lolly
Looks like you're having fun making cards and sharing jokes during these crazy times! These are fun Darnell, I like the rainbow splat!
I don't usually have much interest in frosting, but I think I'd like to taste that rainbow stuff. Your pink, dotty washi tape anchored your image and sentiment perfectly! Your second card is very festive. I love the smoke swirls, although they are an indication of a smoldering fire--one that Santa might not want to drop into. he he
your splat had me rolling around on the floor, glad to see you whisked up that rainbow splat.
Great Christmas card, Santa had to use the chimney the windows were all gone :)
Two absolutely fab (and humorous) cards from you in post - love them both
Hope you and the mister continue to stay well
Kathyk
What a fun twofer ...... love the rainbow splat on the first one and those little boots are just adorable on the second.
Thanks for the giggles too .... just what I needed right now.
Stay safe and well my friend xx
smoke from the chimney ... clever clever clever ... and I love those booties on the textured card stock ... so very glad you got sketchy with us at Jingle Belles.
What a totally fun pair of cards! I love the first one - it's so whimsical and downright CUTE, and the 2nd one looks great on black! Love the smoke coming from the chimney too - how creative you are! Isometrics? Is that a glass of ice with metropolitan ice cream and sprinkles?
I remember Jack and there were ladies showing how isometrics could keep your face looking great. I could never do them for laughing at how she looked doing them. Not it's too late! Face fell! The colorful splat looks great and I love that boot card. Such a pretty strip of paper and scalloped trim behind it. Thank you for how to keep from touching my face, what a wonderful solution.
Two great cards, Darnell - love the rainbow splotch on card one and the sweet house on card too!! Cute puns too - gotta have a laugh or we'd cry all the time with all the pandemic nightmare!! Take care and enjoy your isometrics - I'll just go eat some more left over Easter candy....
Darnell, your rainbow splat cake and accompanying declaration of ownership gave me a big smile this morning. The narrow washi tape does its job perfectly. Thank you for joining in with us again at Retro Rubber Challenge.
great cards!
Ooh Darnell, both these are fabulous and both soooooo clever! You have such a good imagination my friend. Love the jokes at the end of the post too. Take care and stay safe. Hugs xxxxxxx
Love the rainbow splat card, so fun and cute!! Awesome Christmas card, too! Such cute boots in the house! Wonderful color against the black! Isometrics and exercise? Ha...what’s that? Lol! The only exercise I’ve been getting is walking the dog. I hope it warms up soon to get out and ride my bike. Always love your fun posts and cards, Darnell! Take good care, hugs!!
Hi Darnell, yes 'tis me with a (fairly) new blog. I had some 'technical difficulties' so I changed the name and started again. So nice to be back in touch, I'll have to refollow you so I can keep up.Thank you also for your lovely comment.
Your little rainbow splat is genius, I love it and can see you've still got your sense of humour.
Thanks for joining us at Less is More, Lynne x
This old bird remembers Jack LaLanne, Darnell. Do Kegels count as isometric exercises? lol Togetherness for families is one good thing coming from this pandemic and your little baking card is adorable. I love the house, and all the texture, with Santa's furry boots at the door. Thanks for sharing that card with us at Happy Little Stampers Christmas.
Hi Darnell,
Happy Rudolf Days.
Your cards are so lovely and as usual beautifully created.
Super the House one is that's for sure.
As I am not an avid keep fit person I really don't know who you are talking about. lol.
Still your blog your cards and words always bring a smile to my face that's for sure.
Lots of crafty love from my house to yours. Jenny L.
Oooo what a great take on the sketch challenge and well done you for thinking outside of the box too and with my DT hat on thanks for joining us at Aprils Rudolph Days Challenge,
Your jokes are good at a time like this and like you say you need humour to get your through
Luv Sam x
Fabulous cards Darnell, I LOVE the sentiment on the first one and love your Covid-19 jokes too, especially the wine in both hands.... say no more
June x
Haha great jokes. Um I like them.
Great cards too!
Great job on this cute card, Darnell. I like the house you made but love the boots best of all!
Hope you are keeping safe and doing well.
Thanks for taking part in the April Rudolph Days Challenge.
What super cards... I adore that Christmas card! So unique and adorable. Food and splats kinda makes me think of Ian, no better not. Thanks for the laughs, stay well and keep sharing your happy blog and cards
Great cards and such a fun post Darnell! I quickly hopped over to give you the link for 'Fadge'. There's potato fadge and there's no yeast fadge. The recipe I found to try is the no yeast milk fadge one - this is the link, it's also printable: https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/2012/11/rural-store-cupboard-supplies-sepia-saturday-and-milk-fadge-emergency-bread-no-yeast-recipe.html Great website, UK based and the writer has a Northern background which suits me fine. It's also where I found the Stottie bread recipe. When you finally get some yeast that is soooo worth making!
Love
Di xx
Hello my friend! Hope you and yours are safe and well. I love that first card for RR, it made me smile, I bet that there is a lot of that splat being made in houses all around the world! Thanks for joining us this time at Retro Rubber. Cx DT
I think both your cards are just fab. Love the boots in the house on your Christmas card. Sorry to be so late commenting. Thank you for playing along with our Sparkle challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge. Deborah, DT.
PS Keep safe x
Thank you Darnell for bringing a smile to my face whilst reading your post x. Such a fun first card with fabulous rainbow frosting x. Unique and wonderful Christmas card with creative 'smoke' x.
Thank you for the funnies at the end and you stay safe your end x.
I saw your splat at LIM and came for closer look:) I love both cards and thanks for the humour!!!
I'm so sorry I'm so late but really Darnell, both these cards are fabulous.
Love your CAS splatter one, I wish all my splatters look like rainbows.
And your Christmas card, awesome, love those boots.
Thank you for sharing with us at RETRO RUBBER.
Hugs and stay safe.
Maria.DT
I'm so impressed you and Hammy maintained the rainbow-y-ness in your splendid splat, Darnell ... p'raps it's all those isometrics, ya know, muscle control! Adorable little Santa boots ... they're almost cosy enough to be Santa slippers really ... so cute! Thanks for the chuckles ... yep, gotta stay positive, smiing and happy ... and you help everyone with that, my lovely friend! LYAMYEAEDMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
Love your CAS card. Thanks for playing along with Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.
Isolation isometrics, brief splats- oh how I’ve missed your ridiculousness! Almost as much as I’ve missed your creativity. I would have gladly gobbled up some rainbow frosting when I was a child ( who am I kidding I’d gladly gobble it up now). And that 🎄 Christmas card is just the jolliest- you always look at a sketch and see something clever.
I love the idea of a rainbow frosting. The card is cute and fun!
I think you were so creative with the sketch, brilliant idea to use the house and smoke from the chimney as swirls.
Great cards, both of them.
Two fabulous cards Darnell. I love your rainbow frosting splatter on the onefer and your twofer is such a super take on the sketch. Your funnies bought a much needed smile to my face and we do need laughter to keep us sane xx
This is so cute and fun, Darnell! I love the rainbow splat of icing! The card made me smile. :-)
And a wonderful take on the sketch for the Twofer. I'm impressed that you hand-drew the longer smoke lines. Your and Hammy's team work worked wonderfully for the holiday boots!
Hideko xx
Hi Daarnell
This is such a nice card and your post is so filled with posiitivity...
Thank you for joining us this month over at the Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge.All the Best
Hugs Seemaa (DT)
https://homehashtagdiy.blogspot.com
Sorry but
I had to get close up and perskonell to type this. My arms arrn’t That long to keep me distance. I never sneezed nor nuffin. Two splaty wonderful cards. You and hammy make a great team. Stay safe, zane, and elthy. Hugs Mrs A.
Fabulous, Darnell ! Not only your cards but the entire post. It's always so distracting to read you and you always put a smile on my face. And you're right, social distancing created new family links and at home it's with cooking ! We even made a cooking challenge with two other families during one week and we all shared the results via a live video aperitif ! All that to say that I love your take on our splats challenge. A very fun and CAS one. Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along at Less is More. Take care and stay safe at home !
The use of washi tape worked wonderfully, these two stripes put the card in a great order. I love the rainbow stain on the first card.
The second card has so many qualities. I love the black base card with its embossing. Elf shoes are wonderfully colored, they look stunning. I also love the way to make smoke from the chimney, it's very clever. You've got so many amazing ideas from Darnell!
xx
oh how i LOVE the house and smoke as the tag and swirl elements of the sketch. totally totally BRILLIANT, as is that cool & dramatic black background! so pleased you could join our SKETCh-mas fun at JINGLE BELLES! ♥♥♥
(for the record, i remember jack lalanne bc our neighbor who sometimes babysat me as a very young kiddo did her exercises in front of the tv every day!!! and then we'd watch "password" at lunch time, lol!) :)
Both fun cards, great stamp set. Darling daughter and I have been working out everyday which is something I haven't done is a LONG time. Trying to keep up with a 22 year old is exhausting! Hope you are keeping well!
Oh my goodness--one of the most creative Christmas cards ever, Darnell! I love the fur on the boots, but how you made the smoke is amazing! Fun first card, too!
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