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!

June 17, 2020

A Glass Half Full

Hello Stamplings!

Happy Hump Day aaaaaaaagain! Didn't we just have one of those? Oh, well, hic! 🍹
Ever since I mentioned that my Twofer on the 10th should have been a glass of something bubbly, I haven't been able to get the idea out of my hamster's head. I used a card base of gorgeous old-timey glitter-infused blue-gray cardstock. The NBUS "Layered Champagne Glass" is from MFT and the gold-embossed sediment is from Stampingbella. 

The die comes in two parts: the full glass and the insert with the holes (bubbles). I cut the full glass from opaque vellum and the insert a coupla times from a shimmery gold paper. Then I glued the bubbles as shown. A bit fiddly, but worth it. The friend I'm sending this to will definitely be popping open a bottle of bubbly for her upcoming birthday!

She won't mind if I also consider this card a toast to you for your stamina and stick-to-it-tiveness and your efforts to continue to be creative during this extended time of isolation. It's important to remain positive and consider your glass half-full. If it's not considered half-full, then by all means, pour in some more!

It's also important that we not become weary and careless. It's better to be safe than sorry, and to continue to wear our masks, keep our distances, and get tested if we don't feel well! Life is too precious. You're too precious.

Now that we've had some reinvigorating libation, here's a closeup of my card to show you the pretty schparkle you can't see above:
Challenges

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For this card, I used the Avery Elle "Holiday Glass" stamp and die set. I cut a square aperture using the square die and stamped the bell stained glass. That's not to say that the bell stained my glass, but rather it's a stained glass image of a bell. I watercolored the image with my Ziggies, Hammy winked (and I'm sorry I didn't take a closeup to show you), and then I clear-embossed the image. Next I stamped and clear-embossed the sediment from Technique Tuesday. All good. All bright and shiny.

Then I decided that the Stately e/f frame would work great to, um, frame the design. Now, I've often embossed my card after I've stamped the sediment with no problem. But I haven't done it immediately after clear-embossing the sediment. Apparently it's not a good idea. It looks like part of the e/p hadn't set up enough. Sigh. This card will go to a card artist friend because she will understand and not judge! 🤍

Challenges
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TCC

I want to remind you that we are at the halfway point of the current Twofer Card Challenge where the prompt is Circles/Bubbles. Design Teamie Anita has made two fabulous inspirational designs and I highly recommend you click over to enjoy them and I look forward to seeing what you link up!

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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!)

62 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Both lovely cards.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous sparkle on your Birthday card, Darnell! I love the blue/gray card base and that you chose gold for your sentiment! You did a beautiful job coloring the stained glass window and I love how you added shine with clear EP...so clever! Love your triple frame, too ~ Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas...We always enjoy seeing your creations in the gallery!

Aquarius said...

Great cards and some lovely sparkle on the first. Glass half full (or even full) is a great philosophy!!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell.

Sue xx

Sandra H said...

Fabulous as always are both your cards Darnell loving the sentiment and the colours used enjoy your day stay safe xx

Gerrina said...

Such a warm card with the glass! Love the paperchoices you made! And a beautiful traditional x-mas card! Hugs, Gerrina

Diane said...

Both fabulous cards, what a fun die that glass is and look at those bubbles, so creative!! Love the shiny Christmas bell card as well, I laughed at your 'oops' as I have had many of those more often then not!! I used to send my 'oops' card to my Aunt as she was old and couldn't see well..hah, but sadly she is no longer with us!!

Macimbalo said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I love your "framed" one for the JUGS challenge - it's so pretty and that frame is so cool! Love both cards! Thanks for sharing with us at Just Us Girls!

Hilda Burton said...

Both cards are beautiful, Darnell. I love your creativity with the glass of bubbly. Enjoy your day!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Both are wonderful, a chuckle and a smile from both cards. Love them.
Take care
Faith x

Marcia Hill said...

LOVE your 1st card Darnell, although you're going to laugh at what I thought when I saw the 1st photo...why in the world is she putting milk in a champagne glass?! I know, I know...I'm showing my age by even thinking that, but I didn't see all the sparkle until I saw the 2nd photo and close up! Then it all made sense! Maybe it's just too early and I need to go back to bed?? Anyway, lovely card now that I see the glass as half full...of sparkling champagne!! And your 2nd card is beautiful with that stained glass bell! I didn't even notice your oops until you mentioned it...guess I was too dazzled by the stained glass! Lovely, lovely card and beautiful addition to the CAS Christmas gallery! Hugs and stay safe my friend!! :0)

Pat said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell and the vellum champagne glass looks great and love the way the bubbles go up through the glass and are added above also the gold really pops, and what a wonderful glittery grey card for the background, then your stained glass panel with the bells is beautiful and the EF frames it perfectly. The slightly blurry finish to the sentiment lends charm to the finished look, always a happy accident! x

Brenda said...

Oh I am so loving that shimmery glass of bubbly! That card base paper is amazing and just perfect for this beautiful glass die. I love the size of it and gluing down the bubbles was definitely worth it! Your stain glass bell is beautiful too, I love the beautiful colors. I guess I have ever embossed over embossing powder. Now I know to make sure it is completely dry before doing so. Oh well, stuff happens doesn't it? It sure doesn't detract from this stunning card and no judgement here! I sure am careful when going out and I wear my mask. Hate it, but don't want to have another shut down, so will do what I have to do! Stay well Auntie, you are so loved! Hugs, Brenda

Jeanne said...

Lovely glass of bubbly, Darnell. So shimmery and schparkly. Your Christmas card is wonderful, too. I love that stained glass bell! A bitty oops, maybe, but it doesn't take away from the beauty. Thanks for the reminder to stay the course. It's not so hard for me, but I know it probably is for others. Hope you are doing okay, really. Hugs!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both gorgeous, Darnell xoxo

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, your cards are all beautiful today. I love the first two and the glass made out of vellum and such a lovely sentiment.
Lovely Christmas card, such a pretty design and lovely colours and design, Kate x

Stamps and Paper said...

As always two fabulous cards...just love the vellum on your first card for the glass it looks so real....lovely Christmas image.

Anne

OH Babs said...

Great cards and lovely the bubbly glass. I think my mojo is sick of being cooped up. It took me two days to complete one card having said that it was stamping, then die cutting and yada yada. It was a stamped image and not an image colored with Copics, and I must say I love to color. Leaving the house a little but annoyed that so many people are wearing masks. Arghhhhh!

Donna said...

What lovely cards, glad you showed the close up of your glass half full, the first pictures did not do it justice, love the bubbles and the vellum glass! Your stained glass Christmas card and the sentiment are beautiful, nice coloring too! Take care and stay safe!

Jean said...

Gorgeous cards! You are so right! So many are ready to just give all of this up and go back to the way it used to be. That is so dangerous! We need to do what we can to stay safe. Thanks for brightening the day!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Great pair of cards, Darnell - might try me some champagne later - hic! Great idea to do the flute in vellum - the insert shows through perfectly and I love your bubbles! Oooo - love the stained glass bells - nice schparkle!! Hey - the card is hand made, oopses give it character, remember that!! Take care, my friend, and craft on!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Lynette said...

Two fabulous cards, Darnell! I especially love the second one - so utterly CAS. Glad to hear you are still being so careful. We are, too, and it's getting harder and harder!

sandie said...

love the glass card-what a fun die and love the base you have used it with and the added sparkle! oh how I wish I could have one of these...one day and we will cheers together! Sending hugs from London!

Lisa Babitz said...

The gold in and around the vellum champagne glass looks amazing! Love your clean holiday design as well.

conil said...

OOOOH! The shimmery champagne looks delish...wish I had a bubbly bottle in the fridge. Oh well, there is ice cream.
Can't tell you how many times I've done the same thing with embossing...let's just say, LOTS! So sad after spending so much time on a beautiful card like this one.

Carole Pollard said...

Beautiful designs such classy cards Love and hugs Carole x

LeAnne said...

Both cards are beautiful, but the bells really RING! So pretty, clean and simple, love them! Thanks so much for playing with our color challenge this week at the Players!

Kathleen said...

Now if this is your idea of a glass half full then I will come and have a drink with you any time, as to me it is nearly 3/4 full, which my glass is at the moment, as I have just poured it, won't be too long before it is empty though.
A really great idea and a lovely card. Love your second car too, super framing and a lovely bright image, looks very classy.

Kath x

Nora Noll said...

I love the way you used the dark cardstock behind that first card. Makes the champagne glass look so dramatic. The pretty way you colored in the stain glass, though-totally STUNNING. Wonderful, wonderful cards!!!

oldpunca said...

I agree that the glass has to be half full. :-) This is the rule for optimist, as we are! Fantastic card and fantastic use of vellum. Second card with stained glass bell is amazing. Hand made cards can not be without a small mistakes. This is obligatory to show creativity. :-)
Have a great day and take care!
Hugs, Sonja

Bonnie said...

I always chose a glass of bubbly at least half full, my friend! Full is even better! hic...Love your stained glass bell! The clear embossing no doubt makes it look like real glass! I've done the same thing with embossing after the sentiment. Last time I managed to emboss happy birthday on several pieces. Fortunately it was the subtle embossing folder so I could turn it over.

Lisa Elton said...

Your sparkling cardstock on the bubbly card is fantastic! But that stain-glass bell surrounded by all of the crisp white is pretty special too. Two beauties Darnell!

Loll said...

Your bubbly will help cool you during your hot days, Dolly! :) So pretty with the layering and vellum. And I love the beautiful and sparkly blue paper with gold embossing.

Your Christmas Bells are GORGEOUS! They really do look like stained glass. Zigs give such a bright and clean colour that they look like glass. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas! Love, Lolly

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are fabulous! And I could sure go for a glass of that bubbly right now. It's hot here today, and a little libation as the day comes to a close sounds perfect. I also love, love, love the frame on your second card. It's so elegant. BTW, i didn't even notice there was a problem with the sentiment until you mentioned it.

nancy littrell said...

TFS the close up of your pretty bubbly 1/2 full champagne card, Dolly. Loved your Christmas Bells card too. We had a sunny day today, which gave us an extra boost of energy to tackle the weeds that loved our inch of rain. Now we need sunshine to dry out our veggie garden. I need to pick more strawberries...hopefully tomorrow. I also made a card yesterday and today. My mojo keeps coming and going, so when it is coming to life I hurry and do some creating:-) I have been mailing out lots of thinking of you, etc cards the last 3 months so need to add to my stash and always love being able to add to my Christmas stash:-) Take care my friend and stay creative. We are still being very safe and smart...So happy you are too. With much love and Hugs..Nancy

kiwimeskreations said...

Loving that glass half full Darnell - are you sure Hammy didn't drink the top half????
That Christmas card is beautiful - the stained glass 'window' must look stunning all embossed with the schparkle under the embossing!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Jane said...

Perfect idea for using vellum and we all need that glass half full mentality at the moment! Thanks for playing at AAA Birthday, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Linda said...

Oooh bubbly ...... full, half full .... I'll take either. Cheers! Although I think I may have done that a little too often these past few months.
Two pretty cards ... love the sparkle and shimmer on the champagne design, and those Christmas bells look gorgeous xx

Craftychris said...

Love both of these cards. Bubbly is always good and I am a 'glass half full' kind of gal definitely! Except maybe in the case of bubbly when I prefer it full to the brim! Hic hic! Hugs and stay safe my friend. We are staying firmly at home! xxxxx

Fikreta said...

Wonderufl cards!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I love both cards but the extra sparkle and shine on the wine card really caught my eye!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful cards.

Linda said...

Two fantastic cards, Darnell. I have that Avery Elle stained glass set. Such a lovely sentiment to go with that prettily colored bell. Hugs to you. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

Redanne said...

The stain glass of the Christmas card is gorgeous (I would love a window like that). The glass card is so, so beautiful, it really does look like there is liquid in there and the bubbles add so much - love it!!

Take care and keep on keeping safe and well. Hugs, Annie xxx

Stamps-N-Lingers said...

Such a pretty "stained glass window" with our colors this week. Christmas in June - I love it! :) Thanks for sharing it with us at The Paper Players this week! :)

Leslie Miller said...

Thanks for reminding us to see our glass as half full rather than half empty. It's sometimes hard to stay positive these days, even when we're so much luckier than some. Your cards are a bright spot in my day, Darnell. So cute and fun!

TK said...

Fun and cute cards, Darnell, the shimmer on the first and the shine on the second -- each so special

Susan said...

How I'd love to share a glass of something bubbly with you, Darnell! Fabulous card, great glass and sparkles for the bubbles. And a a lovely stained glass Christmas image.

And thanks for the pep talk on staying on course with the social distancing, etc. It's tough to keep it up.

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, both your champagne and your bell are super cards. I could use a bit of bubbly actually I'd love a mimosa right about now. The bell card just looks crisp to me, and I love all that white.

Ros Crawford said...

She's going to love that sparkly birthday card - It's terrific! Love the simplistic look of the Christmas card... Still being safe here, enjoy your weekend

Celeste Goff said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell! I have that same MFT glass die and have yet to use it. Your card has inspired me to crack it out.

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Two lovely cards Darnell but the stained glass bells take top spot for me today - perfectly CAS and the colours just pop against the white. Thanks for playing along with our colour challenge over at The Paper Players this week!

My Paper Epiphany said...

Yes I had thought of champagne too! I love your gorgeous glass and bubbles:) The Christmas card is so perfect and classy! I hope you have a creative week ahead!! Hugs x

Christine Alexander said...

perfect glass of bubbly could always go for one of those, and your stained glass window of bells is gorgeous. Wow love that layered framing :) Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

frommycraftroom said...

Two gorgeous cards.
Love the sparkly!!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Using vellum for a glass is a wonderful idea, Darnell! Love the schparckliess and the timely sentiment.
The stained glass bell is so pretty! I can imagine the pretty shimmer of Wink of Stella Hammy applied. :-) The embossed frame adds a sense of completion and keeps the card CAS. Wonderful Christmas card! Thank you so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas.
Hideko xx

Anita in France said...

What a gorgeous frosted glass all bubbly with golden champagne, Darnell ... love how the base card has such shimmer, it's like the teeniest little champagne bubbles! Crisp, CAS and wonderfully festive Christmas card ... I always enjoy seeing you use that frame, it's sooo stylish! LYAMYLALMA ... FOHFGTA ... cheers! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Mac Mable said...

Great sparkle from the half full beautiful card and so elegant too. Striking Christmas card, which I am sure your friend will not judge x.

Julie B said...

I apologise for being late to the party Darnell with my comments, thought I'd already been here! Anyway better late than never. Fiddly those bubbles may have been but they work so well against the blue base, the vellum glass works so well too.
Thanks for sharing at HLS CAS too. :)

BożenA said...

WOW! How clever you created this sparkling glass of champagne. Wonderful workmanship and an amazing, unique card. A friend will definitely be delighted with this card. I also love the second card, wonderful CAS! All these frame layers creates a beautiful effect.
BożenA xoxo

BożenA said...


Thank you for sharing this amazing card in our HLS CAS gallery. I apologize for the late commenting.
BozenA DT HLS xoxo

Nananas said...

Lovely glass of bubbly and great I idea for using vellum! I also love the sparkles for the bubbles! Thanks for joining our AAA Birthday challenge!