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 10, 2020

Playing With Circles and Bubbles!

Hello Stamplings,

I hope you are having a great week! Did it escape anyone else's notice that May quietly slipped into June as we've been distracted by world events? At this rate, I'm going to turn around and it will be October, so I need to get going on my Christmas cards!

But not today. Today, I have a coupla bright and summery cards. It's the tenth of the month and the start of the June Twofer Card Challenge where the prompt is "Circles/Bubbles!" I set this prompt up months ago, but I think it turned out to be timely because we can all use some playtime with circles or bubbles!
The stamp my Twofers have in common is the PTI "Dot Spots" stamp set.

I know, you're surprised that I didn't choose bubbles and have them floating out of a champagne glass, aren't you? Obviously I need to stop allowing Hammy to have any vacation time!

Onefer
This very CAS card was made by stamping the medium dot spot circle across the card front in rainbow colors using CP inks. A hello die was added over the top. It is from Uniquely Creative and was a gift from a friend. QACAS at its best!

Challenges

Twofer
To make my second distinctly different design, I used the same dot spots circle stamp as a sun setting behind the hills with a weeping willow in the foreground. The weeping willow is a NBUS die from Poppystamps (cut from schparkly black paper) and the sediment is NBUS from Penny Black's "Good Wishes" set. The gentle hills were blended using a curved mask and CP ink.

I was fascinated by weeping willow trees when I was growing up. You could get under those long leafy branches and be unseen inside a magic quiet world with nothing but your imagination. As you might expect, I could happily be under there for hours. 😌

Challenges
Help yourself to our buddy button06-20 copy
little red wagon

~~~

I hope you'll be excited about the circles/bubbles prompt and come play in the June Twofer Card Challenge #28! Talented Guest Designers Jenny and Linda and the entire Design Team have exceptional inspiration waiting for you there! 

You can't play with circles or bubbles and not feel like you're having fun and who doesn't need that?!

If you do play, you might want to also link up to another fun challenge called Happy House where they are honoring TCC by having their own "Double Challenge!" I'll be linking my cards there and over at the June NBUS. ETA: And I've just gotten word from my friend Ike that she is running an "R is for Round or Dots" challenge at Ike's World Challenges, so please join me in linking there, as well!

Do you like our house?  Add the Happy House badge to your Blog

~~~

I'll leave you with some chuckles. Here are the new names of songs that have been revised to make them appropriate for those of us who are now enjoying our rusty golden years:
  • "Splish, Splash, I Was Having a Flash," by Bobby Darin.
  • "Mrs. Brown You Have a Lovely Walker," by Herman's Hermits.
  • "I Get By With a Little Help From Depends," by Ringo Starr.
  • "Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver," by Paul Simon.
  • "On The Commode Again," by Willie Nelson.

And I stole this from my friend Susan who posted it on FB:
Haha, I just realized the way I wrote that could be interpreted as Susan reporting on Facebook that I stole her sign! 😂😂😂

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Keep yourself safe and well!

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!)

89 comments:

Anita in France said...

Thanks for those funnies, Darnell ... morning chuckles are always a Good Thing! A delicious twofer ... I do love that Dot Spot set ... it was one of my first acquisitions so holds a special place for me! Love that vibrant rainbow of dotty colour dancing across your first card ... QACASly fabulous with the simple die cut sentiment! Gorgeous weeping willow scene ... doesn't that image make for a wonderful glowing sun ... I can imagine myself settled on those gentle hills, camouflaged under the draping branches of the willow. Can I join you?? LYAMYLALMA ... WTCLN! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Jane Willis said...

Oh what stunning cards! And I love the funnies, especially "50 ways to lose your liver"
Jane

Julie B said...

What a fun challenge, I might have to dust off those cheeky chicks again and join in.
Love the last funny Darnell, it reminded me of my Mum who was always houseproud and worried that there would be dust visible to visitors. I haven't inherited the dusting gene, it must have missed me, the dust will still be there long after me!

Stamps and Paper said...

Love your bright and cheery cards Darnell love your dotty stamp ...thank you for the ‘funny’s’ also ....dust what’s that?..
I look and think it’s will be tomorrow’...life is too short to worry about cleaning all the time .

Anne

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell, your circle stamp look wonderful stamped in different colours. Love the funnies at the bottom of the page also.

Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Wonderful, wonderful cards Darnell - love them both.
I would climb trees to 'escape' (into a book) as a child. My mother knew where I was, but I could stay still and as she could not see me, I could get away without responding.. didn't do it very often, I didn't dare!!
So glad Hammy gets to have a holiday - but is he safe going away with C-19 around?? I hope so!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Marilyn said...

Needed t wake up to these funnies Darnell!. Love your cards!
have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Chris said...

Wonderful inspiration for your Twofer Challenge Darnell, can't decide which I like the most- the beautiful, colourful CAS Hello card or the tranquil scene with the willow tree and sinking sun, both gorgeous- love the stamp you used.
Can't believe people still fall for the dusting waste of time - life is too short!! I'm allergic to dust anyway and moving it around sets me off sneezing-loud and explosive- which can last all day, so that's another good excuse to leave it alone!
Have a great week.
xx

Brenda said...

So loving your cards using that fabulous circle Auntie! Such interesting that it has so many circles that make up one big circle, love it! Your first card is so fun and summery. Love the rainbow order and the large hello. Your second card is simple fabulous!That circle makes a great sun. Love the weeping willow tree die too. Now that brings back memories on my grandparent's farm! Yes, you can get lost under a weeping willow-especially reading a book, but I also loved swinging on the branches. lol I loved everything about the farm, but my two favorites was the weeping willow tree and the sour cherry tree, which I stood at for long times eating those sour cherries-oh and the bing cherry tree, climbed that sucker picking and eating the cherries. Yum Yum! Thanks for the memory reload! Hugs, Brenda

Linby said...

Two fab cards and you used the circle so perfectly on the landscape one. Those stamps remind me of a spirograph - did you have those in the States?
As for May/June I did comment the other day I feel a little like Rip Van Winkle just waking up and where did the month go!

Pat said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell and love the dot spots stamp, common to both, and used beautifully with the line of rainbow coloured circles and the white sentiment pops wonderfully over the top, and the weeping willow die with the glowing dot spots sun, and a super sentiment too...so pretty. Thanks for the song title changes, really made me smile, and Susan's too. I hate dusting so I'll definitely be using that one...lol. x

Donna said...

Those cards are fantastic Darnell, so clever as a twofer, bright and beautiful! Thanks for the chuckles!

Jeanne said...

What a fun and creative use of the stamp in two ways! Love the rainbow on the first card. So bright and vibrant and happy! The scene on the second is beautiful. Like you, I loved the idea of willows. I seem to remember a book I loved reading as a child had a willow where you could have a a magical life. Gosh, I wish I could remember the name. I can almost see it in my mind's eye! Anyway, Your card brought that to mind immediately! Thanks for the chuckles, too. Much needed! Have a happy day, my friend! Hugs!

Diane said...

Wow, these are fabulous and so dang creative...I sure hope I can find time to join in this month!! Both cards are so beautiful, you always have the best ideas!! Loved the funny songs, me me chuckle right off, yes we all need that!! Have a happy day!!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for the chuckles, my friend! After an early morning grocery excursion, they hit the spot. Love those bright and happy dotted circles! A fun way to say hello! The weeping willow tree is so serene looking with the rolling hills! Love how you shaded them! I think I have just the thing in my NBUS box for this challenge. Got my thinking cap on.

jimlynn said...

Fantastic way to use those circles!! Two great cards too.
Lynn

Brenda in IN said...

Oh my gosh, I will be singing those songs all day long! How funny and I feel that way about dust too. This month's circles/bubbles is a happy one. I love the rainbow circles and how it became a sun. I never see weeping willows anymore and I don't know why.

Celeste Goff said...

Oh my gosh Darnell, these cards are simply stunning, especially the tree card! So beautifully done!

Kath said...

Fabulous cards Darnell - both lovely but my favourite is the rainbow card.
Kath x

Glittered Paws said...

What fun cheery cards for your twofer - I like them both equally well. Bright cheery cards. Love your new revised songlist as well.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! Darnell I have had a laugh with your post today. Firstly I absolutely love your bright and happy cards. How different that stamp looks in each card. I love weeping willows too, we had a huge one in the garden when growing up, only as it got bigger and I got older, it was at it's best stage to hide under when I married and left home. Your song titles are great fun and the dust poster? I do that too LOL.
Take care
Faith x

Maria said...

Beautiful fun cards, Darnell! Love the rainbow circles and the bright sun with the weeping willow! Perfect sentiment, too! I need to remember that in the mornings with the achy bones, lol! And, thank you for the laugh with the songs...too cute! Take care and have a great rest of the week, hugs!!

Kara Lynne said...

You cracked me up with your new song titles! I'm loving that PTI stamp! I may have to borrow that when I see you next. Those dots just radiate out, which is why it looks amazing as the setting sun behind your weeping willow. I had a love for those trees when I was young too. Whenever we'd pass one in the car, I would point it out and right on cue, my dad would shake his head and reply, "messy trees". He always was a realist. Your colorful line-up is another perfect way to use that stamp because they overlap so well! Two great cards, Darnell!

Jean said...

So bright and cheerful! Just lovely cards!!

conil said...

I'm laughing to hard to think about cardmaking. If you continue to leave these charming gems at the end of your posts...I won't get anything done. Seriously though, if I'm going to do as well as you did with your circles, I better get hopping. Love the colorful swath and simplicity you created across the first card and the second card is just beautiful. Always though weeping willows were magical.

Sarah said...

Lovely cards Darnell, fabulous use of those dotty circles. Love the dusted Once.....!! xx

Loll said...

Always a bonus when I can start my day with one of your posts, Dolly! LOVE those sweet dotty circles. The rainbow hello is AWESOME! Love everything about it ... this has brightened my day! Your sun behind the sweeping hills is genious! And I love your schparkly weeping willow. I have always been facinated by those amazing branches that dance in the wind. Love you, Lolly

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both cards are so fantastic in design and the colors are so cheery. I love your bubble cards.

Cat Craig said...

I giggled at the song titles...sad but true. Your circle of dots is a fabulous stamp to play with for this challenge. Loving your hello card and its wonderful colors as well as the stunning sun this stamp makes for your scene. Weeping willows were my favorite trees as a child too, we had one in the back yard.

Fikreta said...

so very beautiful cards!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are gorgeous, Darnell! xoxo

Trina P. said...

😂🤣🤗 Your posts never disappoint... thanks for the smiles and laugh today!
Fun challenge and awesome twofers. Always love me a good rainbow creation and my CAS-loving heart loves your row of rainbow spots. And then using it as the sun on your second card... brilliant. 👏 Your memories of playing under the weeping willow definitely sounds magical.

oldpunca said...

Oh, what a fun summer twofer! I like your two colorful cards with a super nice circle stamp. Rainbow colors are always my favourite in any way. I'm admiring wonderful scene on the second card. And the sentiment too. Thank you for joining our Happy House Challenge. And thank you for mention it in your post.
Have a great day!
Hugs, Sonja

Bobby said...

I love your undulating rainbow colored circles, Darnell. The stamp worked well to make a sun in your lovely scene. Thanks for sharing that card with us at Just Us Girls.

GerJanne said...

Hi Darnell,
I like bubbels in the swimmingpool as well as in my glass of champagne...So I'll have to think what I choose for the challenge. Your cards are so perfect, both.
It was funnie to read your post and I love the saying about the dust, ;-)

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, lovely bright and cheerful colours and a some super dies. Susan's card is brilliant, really made me laugh out loud..
Hope you and the Mister are coping and in good health.

Kath x

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fun theme for this month's Twofer, Darnell - just love me some bubbles!! And I love your dotty circle (reminiscent of a doily to my eye) running across card one and play acting as the sun on card two! Well, I gained a few years of life laughing at your funnies - ain't they the truth! Here's one that needs no revision - "Help!" by the Beatles...

Sandra H said...

Oh wow two fabulous cards nice and bright colours on the 2nd card love the weeping willows l have one over lapping my garden it’s just so lovely grows so quickly too! hope you and the mister are keeping busy take care & stay safe xx

Marcia Hill said...

Two great cards my friend! Love your rainbow hello card with those dot spots...forgotten all about that stamp set but how perfect for this challenge!! Your 2nd card is awesome too and I love the little peaceful scene you've created with the willow tree and setting sun (or could it be "rising"? It is pretty light outside on your card. Just sayin...) Either way, it's a FABULOUS card! And a FUN challenge too this month...loved it! Thanks for the chuckles too with the revised songs...too funny! Take care. Hugs. :0)

Lisa Elton said...

I love your polka dotty circles Darnell, using one for a sun...brilliant!

ike said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell. :-)
I really love the new song titles - that made me laugh :-D
I hope you will come and play at our R is for Round Challenge ?
https://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/ikesworld-challenges-133-r-is-for-round.html

Hugz
IKE xoxo

TK said...

Fun cards, and your second is really serene. Love the puns too, Darnell, you're a hoot!

Cheryl W. said...

Ok, so now I've got this in my head: "Tiny bubbles, in the wine, make me happy, make me feel fine. Tiny bubbles, make me warm all over, with a feelin' that I'm gonna love you 'til the end of time." I actually saw Don Ho sing this in Hawaii. Guess I better quit babbling and start making some bubble cards. And BTW, I love both your cards. That stamp is gorgeous, and you have used it so creatively!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards. I love the bright colours.

Did laugh at the dusting quote:)

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Mariann Jakobsen said...

Wow! These two cards are fabulous!
Thanks for visiting me, and leaving me some love.
Have a nice day! Hugs!

Carole Pollard said...

Wonderful card love that circle stamp and beautiful willow tree die stunning Had a good jchuckle at your chuckle rhymes so funny Hope you are well Love and hugs Carole x

As.I.Do.Rodos. said...

Brilliant card . Thank you for joining us at Ike's World Challenges. Good luck Ginny DT for
Ike'sWorld challenge
My Blog As I do Rodos

Carol L said...

Great twofer once again this month, and I'm especially fond of that birthday card with the setting sun! Brilliant way to use those circles on both cards! Love the funnies and stolen sign. I agree - I'm not falling for that dust nonsense again either LOL

Natalie said...

Such lovely cards Darnell! The first one is so clean with its rainbow coloured circles. Great idea on the second one using the stamp as the sun. BTW I love the sign you "stole" from your friend. I might just have to make one for myself.

Will have to come up with something for the challenge once the garden stops calling me!

AlisonC said...

Love the rainbow of circles. It's so very cheerful and just what we need. I have no idea how we are in June, it's worrying. Off to dig out a circle die which needs much more use. x

HilaryJane said...

Two lovely happy and summery cards, just what we need, thank you xx

Linda said...

Two awesome cards, Darnell. Love the rainbow colored circles (not sure how I missed this stamp set at PTI) and the circles as the sun on your weeping willow tree. Both adorable. Thanks, my friend for having me as one of the GD's this month at Twofer.

Redanne said...

Both cards are truly beautiful. The tree is very dramatic and your clever sun creates such a lovely scene.

The chuckles are great, we all need a chuckle these days. The dust one is so appropriate for me! Keep safe and well my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Happy Dance said...

Someone once wrote in a comment to you that they were happy there was a "jump to comment form" box. I'm reminded of that today as I hit #53, lol!! I love this stamp set. You've really showcased its versatility in your cards. That CAS 'hello' one, is so pretty and bright; I love those colors. And can I just say that great minds think alike, as I've been eyeing this willow tree die for several weeks now! It's so cool in that black sparkly paper, and that circle makes a perfect sun coming up over the hills. As always, fabby cards, Darnie. Missing you. Keep safe darlin'. xoxo Bev

Maria said...

oh what lovely cards! I love those circles and how you used one for the sun! Great job and thanks so much for playing along with Just Us Girls this week.

My Paper Epiphany said...

Such an inspiring Twofer! I LOVE your rainbow dotty circles - a very happy card:) The willow is gorgeous and that stamp makes one stunning sun! I now 'need' that PB sentiment too:) I was just thinking about Weeping Willows the other day. We used to have them in parks when I was young and I loved them Moist of our parks have more native varieties now, which is probably better, but I miss the WW! Thanks for having me as one of the GDs:)

Christine Alexander said...

Two great cards Darnell, your rainbow bubbles and sun really brightened up my day :)
I know what you mean I blinked and missed May.
Take care Christine

sandie said...

Love the 'dust' funny....I so agree with that! And love this challenge idea and your cards are so full of fun and cheerful colours. I especially love the weeping willow tree card-lovely atmospheric card and adore the lovely scene you created. Sending hugs my friend x

Kathyk said...

Terrific makes Darnell and Congratulations on your win over at Just Us Girls too

Happy Friday - stay well

Kathyk

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Love those dotty circles Darnell and how you used them in two completely different ways. I do love the rainbow of dots behind the diecut sentiment - such a colourful CAS card. Thanks for sharing with us over at The Paper Players this week!

Claire Broadwater said...

Hi Darnell! So happy to see you in the gallery this week! I love your dotty circles! I love the rainbow and the way you added the "hello" on top of all that color! The tree card is fabulous! Especially touching for me since my birthday was last week! Just gorgeous! So happy you joined us at The Paper Players this week!

Anne Marie Hile said...

Darnell, thanks for the chuckles! Those song titles are pretty funny. Both of your cards are fabulous! I really like those bright and cheery blooms. Thank you so much for joining us this week over at The Paper Players!

OH Babs said...

You used some neat stamps Darnell. The circle/dot stamp makes some fun designs and I love the birthday stamp too. But I am not buying as I had to shop at Paper Smooches last week as Kim is retiring. boo hoo I am tired of being bored but that just means being able to go do what I want and when I want. My best to you and Kevin.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Congrats on your COW pick! Love how you did the sun -- turned out awesome

Di said...

Oh these are fabulous Darnell! So clever.

Love, Di xx

Nora Noll said...

Your blog makes me SMILE every time I come here!! LOVE the little punny songs.

Loving your card design. The first card with the rainbow of circles is just so FUN. That large hello is the perfect addition to it. I am in LOVE with how you used that stamp on your second card, though. It makes a FANTASTIC sun. NEVER would have thought of using that stamp that way. I also love your beautiful silhouette tree and that sentiment-AWESOME!! You totally ROCKED all those challenges!!

Doni High said...

The dot spots circle stamp makes a perfect sun! Thanks for sharing with us at Little Red Wagon this week.

frommycraftroom said...

These are fabulous! Love the setting sun - you are very clever.

Thanks for the funnies :)

Yes mid June already - boy time is flying by faster and faster each year! It certainly will be Christmas before long! I hope we can visit people freely by then though.

Barb Ghig said...

Bright and summery is the perfect way to describe these 2 fabulous cards, Darnell! I love how you used the colors of the rainbow on the first one, and how you created sunshine (literally) on your 2nd card...so fun! As always, I'll be playing along again this month...thanks so much for the inspiration! xx

Gerrina said...

I'm so not into a x-mas-vibe at the moment; so glad that I had to nake a lot for DT and so I am already almost done with them....
I love how you used that stamp twice so different! On both cards it looks great and I like both cards! Hugs, Gerrina

Lori m said...

Brilliant and beautiful, the colored circles behind the text just beautiful.
Thank you for playing along over at IKE's World Challenges, hugs, Lori m

Cathy said...

Clever twofers Darnell, love the rainbow of dots, and using the same stamp for the sun was genius! Love the serene willow scene you've created. The funnies cracked me up too, TFS, Cathy x Thankyou for playing along at Seize the Birthday too, xx

Nancy said...

First, your cards are wonderful! The rainbow one really got my attention as it's so bright and happy and you have stamped it so perfectly. As for the weeping willow, they are magnificent trees indeed. I love them as much as you. Congrats on your pic over at Just Us Girls and So happy you also linked up at Seize the Birthday. I always enjoy your cards, your posts and your chuckles. Thanks for all you do for the crafting community. Stay well!

Greta said...

The dusting sign came from me--just ask my hubby! I'm adding weeding to it now! Haven't seen the dot stamp in ages & you used it brilliantly--for both cards, Darnell! I love the rainbow card design & so clever to use the circle for your sun! We had a weeping willow tree when I was a kid & I see one when I walk Fritz.

Craftychris said...

Your twofer cards are both glorious! Love the stamp you used. The first one is so bright and beautiful with the rainbow colours and the scene you made for the second with the dazzling bright sun is so pretty! Thank you for the fun stuff too. Stay safe. Hugs my friend xxxxxxxxx

JoAnn said...

Two great cards with those circle stamps. Love the serene scene with the tree. Clever use of the circle stamp for the sun. Thanks for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday.

ike said...

Thank you for coming to play at IKEsWORLD Challenges :-)
Hugz
IKE xx

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Karen M said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell, especially the colourful circles and hello card. Very clean and simple and one I would use for a masculine card x

Izzy Scrap said...

Two amazing cards ! I especially love the beautiful scene you’ve made with the circle as the sun. Very clever ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along at Uniko.

rachel said...

A really lovely make Darnell - perfect for my challenge - thankyou for entering the challenge at Countryview Challenges this month and good luck in the draw! Hugs Rachel xx

Liz Williams said...

A great stamp and two terrific ideas for its use.

Majda said...

Love your bright and cheery cards Darnell! Fantastic way to use those circles!! Love the rainbow circles and the bright sun with the weeping willow! Perfect sentiment, too!
Thank you so much for joining our Vesela hiška Challenge/Happy House Challenge and thank you for mention it in your post.
Hope you have a lovely day : )
Hugs, Majda

pam said...

Stunning cards Darnell.
Thank you for joining us over on Poppystamps challenge blog.
Pam x

VEANA R. said...

Wow ! What an amazing circle/bubbles cards . I love them both, specialy the bright colours take my eyes,,, Thanks for joining our Challenge at Vesela hiška ( Happy house) and wishing you good luck ! Hugs, Veana R. DT

Valerija said...

Two wonderful cards. Love them both! Thank you for joining our Happy House Challenge.
Hugs, Valerija DT

Tina said...

Both are wonderful. clever use of those dots. And I just love that weeping willow. Thanks for joining us at Poppystamps. Tina

Jeanne J. said...

Hi Darnell! I haven't visited in a while! I hope you are doing well and summer is off to a great start! I always smile when I think of you in your sweet little house! Your cards are beautiful! I love he rainbow of color on the first and the details of the second... glossy branches, intricate stencil sunshine and how you created this dreamy scene! Hugs to you!

BożenA said...

Excellent proposals for the Twofer challenge. I love your colorful wave and I am delighted with your sun. Thank you for the inspiration
xx

Borqna said...

Two fantastic cards - bravo Darnell! So pretty!
Thank you for coming to play at IKEsWORLD Challenges.
Good luck!