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!

July 14, 2020

More Flutterbies

Hello Stamplings!

Surprise! Feast or famine with me. But what happened was, I let all my butterflies out of the drawer when I was making my Twofer cards and it seemed a shame to just choose a couple of them and put the rest back in the drawer without playing with them. 

Onefer
In the last post I used a sediment from PTI's, "A Bit More: Butterfly Blooms." This butterfly and the little circle blingies are also part of that set. I masked the section where the sediment would go and then used Catherine Pooler inks in fun summer colors to stamp the butterflies. 

I don't know if you can see them, but in order to delineate the sediment area, I added score lines. To make the matching die cut, I vertically blended the same colors onto a piece of scratch paper and then die cut the NBUS Thanks Folksy Script from Poppystamps.

Challenges
Blog Badge

Twofer 
For this card design, I used a NBUS stencil from Darkoom Door. I sprayed the stencil with Pixie Spray after first spending ten minutes patiently trying to explain to Hammy that the light tack glue was NOT, in fact, made from pixies. 😲 He was quite distraught until I assured him that pixies had formed a union (UPAG = United Pixies and Gnomes) in 1963 which protected them from such mistreatment.

With the stencil in place, I used my makeup brushes to color the butterfly with CP inks. After wards, I used my Pilot Precise ink pen to trace the stencil in black. Thank you, Nancy, for this great idea! It was uber easy and gives a really cool effect!

The sediment is from MFT. As another design feature, I planned to add score lines or a piece of Washi tape to the area between the image and the sediment. The score line was meh, I didn't have a Washi tape that worked, and since the technique I used for the die cut on the first card worked so well, I did it again. I simply blended the inks onto a snippet of paper and then cut a narrow strip to add to the card. 

Challenges
Grab the Badge

~~~

I've got to run. I opened a can of worms mentioning UPAG. Hammy's been on the computer and discovered there is no mention anywhere of any union representing hamsters.

What have I done?!!
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Keep safe and well and wear your mask!
This is so true, especially if yours are 44 x-long like mine!

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!)

54 comments:

Loll said...

First ... two fabulous butterfly cards Dolly! I LOVE your first card with the rainbow of butterflies. The one-layer design is awesome and your die-cut sentiment in rainbow is just perfect. Gosh, those CP inks are lovely colours. And then there's the big butterfly. Gorgeous and summery colours again. The black outlining makes such a difference, doesn't it!! Such a great technique ... well done.

And thanks for the laugh. That is totally true! I never let the girls go wild in public, but it's a different story at home. Warning! Call before you drop by! :) Love, Lolly

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards. Butterflies and cards just go together.

Did laugh at the bra comment. We have to wear masks/face coverings in all shops from 24th. Well I've been doing that since this all began.

You take care. Sue

Pia S said...

Pixie spray is new to me, I use score tape to keep my stencils in place on the edges, but I can see how this spray would make it easier for keeping down the stencil in the middle. Your second card is beautifully vibrant and I like how you drew with a pen for a more defined look. So glad to see it in the gallery over at Ink too.
Your first card is so fun with all those rainbow or summer colors, l like how they cover the whole background except for the area for the sentiment.

Stamps and Paper said...

Darnell you never to make us smile about bras...and its so true...
Love your pretty butterfly cards..what beautiful colours.

Anne

Sandra H said...

Your posts are always an interesting read just love seeing you pop up, both cards are fabulous what a lovely design using butterflies πŸ¦‹ loved the larger butterfly πŸ¦‹ on the 2nd card gorgeous colour too! Ooh l feel the same where bra’s are concerned so uncomfortable 😣 that picture is me all owner πŸ˜‚take care x

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh, poor Hammy - no union to protect him from unjustified gluing and winking... I wonder if he realizes UPAG is also a bit of imagination...
Loving your flutterbies fluttering on your first card Darnell - so colourful and summery. The second flutterby is so dramatic - love it.
Bra's and I are generally friends, but I am a very close friends with my night attire in the winter - nothing quite as warm as a fluffy dressing gown to snuggle in...
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

oldpunca said...

I'm glad you didn't put your butterflies back to the drawer. I like wonderful background of rainbow butterflies and clever idea to mask the area for the sentiment. On the twofer you achieved fabulous effect with black pen to add the dimension to the stenceled butterfy. I like the quote.
Clever lady on your photo. I would prefer if all people will accept her thinking and will wear masks. Althougt the masks are not expecily comfortable. Also high heels are not comfortable. And stright jeans too.
A lot of hugs, Sonja

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell. I especially love the rainbow butterflies.

Sue xx

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I love your first card with all the different colors!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Jeanne said...

Love your butterfly beauty cards, Darnell. Can't go wrong using them on cards. ;) Oh boy, hope Hammy doesn't revolt! I love your imagination, my friend. Hugs!

Donna said...

What fabulous cards, great designs and beautiful cherry colors Darnell! And as always you started my day with a smile and a chuckle, have a wonderful day dear friend.

Lynne said...

Fabulous cards, especially the first one. I love all the pretty colours and the way you've coloured your sentiment x

Jean said...

Beautiful cards! Love how you colored the second one. Mask wearing is now required in Michigan in stores and crowded outdoor areas.

Em Louise Fairley said...

The cards are gorgeous, Darnell, and as always, your stories bring a smile xoxo

Bonnie said...

Your bevy of colorful butterflies is so uplifting flitting all over the card! I love how you blended ink for the sentiment. I hope to remember that trick!
Your stenciled butterfly is bold and beautiful with the bright yellow and orange! A perfect stencil for outlining! The blended ink strip is perfect for separating the butterfly from the fabulous sentiment! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Brenda in IN said...

It's always nice to make all the butterflies in the drawer feel special. That bright, cheerful card using them is so pretty. I love those colors. The outlined one really pops. Both of the sentiments look wonderful. I hope Hammy forgives you.

HilaryJane said...

As always, two great cards, love the colours on the first one and the outlining on the second. that really is a good technique that I must use more often. I am so glad you have joined us at CAS Mix Up this month. Totally agree re the bra thing, I haven't worn an underwired bra since lock down started and feel quite liberated! xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Love your colourful butterflies, so very pretty, love the large one also, and with a pencil outline, that took patience I'm sure. And always a laugh, which I appreciate today.
Take care
Faith x

Cat Craig said...

your butterflies are fabulous love the rainbows and the stencilled card. I quite agree with the bra thing. I wear one if there is a possibility we are going out the door...otherwise freedom reins.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two more beautiful butterfly cards, Darnell - you'll have all the butterflies in your stash in use before this Twofer ends!! And well done if you do! Just love the colorful butterfly background on card one and the gorgeous stencil outlining on your card two butterfly!! Thanks for the chuckles too :)

Maura said...

Love these cards, Darnell! And I have taken to adding score lines to sentiment panels or areas also - I think it makes SUCH a difference!!! Glad you are well, my friend!

conil said...

Delighted that you and Hammy decided to grace us with more flutterbies. Love the masking and, yes, I can see the embossed line around the sentiment on your first card. So pretty and colorful. The second is really dramatic with the stencil tracing. Really pops out both the image and the colors.

nancy littrell said...

Oh my, Love your Summer colorful butterflies with matching die cut sentiment, Dolly. Your sentiment looks perfectly slipped in place. Please let Hammy know that my Pixie's do have a union, but that they are so shy that they have not joined the any social networks and actually hide out in Pixie Spray bottles...oh...they do come out at night to brighten our skies:-)

So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up Stencil Tracing with your 2nd Pixie Sprayed Gorgeous Colorful butterfly card. The tracing added so much depth and beauty to your card. Take care and I will call before I drop by:-) Love and Hugs...

okienurse said...

Beautiful butterfly cards! I love the CAS look but just can't seem to do it! Definately a knack to it. Thanks for the laugh! I think I will share it! I just read that bras maybe why the old girls hang now days. See we were right back in the 60's after all!
Vickie

Heather said...

Such beautiful butterflies, Darnell - a perfect way to meet our color challenge, I love them! SO bright and cheery! Thanks so much for playing at Sunday Stamps!

cuilliesocks said...

Just so beautiful Darnell, beautifully designed and coloured cards, love the butterflies and the gorgeous colours.
Thanks for the laugh, Kate x x

Lynette said...

Oh, these are both SO beautiful, Darnell!! I'm so happy that you're back to creating! I love to see what you make. And you always make me smile, too:)

Greta said...

Love all the butterflies! You've brightened my day, Darnell!

Melanie Hungerford said...

Just the most cheery, happy card, so glad you joined us at Stinkin' Inkers!
Melanie

Kathleen said...

Two fantastic cards, great image, colours and designs.
Love the Bra sentiment, I put mine on as late as possible and take it off as soon as possible and while in lockdown not wearing it at all.

Kath x

Redanne said...

Your first card reminds me of a beautiful rainbow with those gorgeous ice cream colours. I love the whole design and how the sentiment matches so perfectly.

The stencil and pen idea on your second card look so effective and really make that beautiful butterfly 'pop'.

Poor Hammy, perhaps he could set us his own union, just a thought....

Hugs, Annie xxx

Pat said...

I love all those prettily coloured butterflies on the first card Darnell, and such a great idea to colour card for the die cut sentiment using all the same colours...gorgeous, then the black outlined stencilled butterfly on the second, so bright and pretty, and a wonderful sentiment, and yet another beautifully coloured matching strip of card. You always make me smile with your Darnellisms and the bra comment is so funny, and I just realised I have been sitting here now trying to make mine comfortable around the areas where it always feels far too tight at the end of the day..lol. x

Brenda said...

Oh Auntie, you are so funny and clever. You sure give Hammy a run for his money and vise versa! lol I love both of your Twofer's! The first card is amazing and I am so loving that butterfly stamp. The colors are so summery as is the inky sentiment. Just a beautiful and stunning card. The second one....well I'm sorry to hear that Hammy is all worked up. I think you did it now! lol How fun is that butterfly?!! Outlining really makes a difference with making it pop off the page. The inky strip in the same colors is perfect to separate the butterfly from the sentient. And speaking of sentiments, this is a beautiful sentiment! Now, go sooth Hammy! Hugs, Brenda

Lisa Elton said...

Oh, I LOVE your rainbow colored butterflies! What a playful and darling card Darnell The pop of orange on your second butterfly is wonderful. Two fabulous cards. I do hope Hammy hasn't taken to picketing the playhouse over the union representation! XO

frommycraftroom said...

I'm so glad you played before you closed the drawer. The rainbow butterfies are just awesome. Love it.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with the bra issue! :)

TK said...

Beautiful, and beautiful! Love the first in all its glorious colors but your second ink blended with outline is a neat technique, I must try this... Once again, you've inspired us, Darnell!

Cheryl W. said...

Your butterflies are all so pretty! Thanks so much for passing along the tip about tracing around the openings of a stencil with a black pen. I need to take a look at my stencils to see which ones I could use for that technique. I'm thinking other colors of fine point pens would work, too. Maybe even several different colors of fine point pens for one stencil. So many possibilities!

Susan said...

Beautiful summer colours, lovely designs - cards that made me feel happy. But then I thought of poor Hammy searching fruitlessly for a hamsters’ union and my happiness dissolved into concern for him and his desire for union security. Poor wee fellow!

Craftychris said...

Tee hee, love the bra comment! So true! Love both these gorgeous butterfly cards. Such lovely colours on the first and the second is so striking with the outline in black. I have yet to try this technique. Poor Hammy looking for his union, I wonder if he will find it!!! Take care and stay safe. Hugs xxxxxxx

Linda said...

Two fabulous butterfly designs ..... love the rainbow colours on the first one, so pretty!
Love the bra comment too ..... so true! Wouldn't be seen out without one, but around the house in lockdown is a different matter!
Take care hun xx

Birgit said...

Two beautiful cards here Darnell! I love the rainbow of colored butterflies on the first card and the background of the second card is lovely! Thanks for the great laugh about the bra. Same goes for my girls. There's nothing like the freedom of being at home!

Glittered Paws said...

What an awesome twofer - and love the first one with all of the rainbow colors and how you did the colors on Thanks. And the second card - great idea to use a microfine pen to trace around the stencil. Love your tips. But wondering about Hammy - has he settled down since the use of the pixie spray. By the way love pixie spray. And love the time I can take off bra in the evening and just go free!!!

Bunny said...

Lovely cards. You're going to have to come clean with Hammy. Be sincere and make it quick.

Taking off your mask is the new taking off your bra. Seriously. [Bunny]

Lindsey said...

Pixie spray and baby powder... two of life's many mysteries.
Two glorious butterfly cards! I may have to gather all my butterflies, as you did. Not sure I have any as pretty as yours, though. Thank you for joining us at Inkspirational!

Anita in France said...

Hahahaha ... that last pic ... and your comment to go with it had me chortling heavily, Darnell ... 44 x-long ... took me back to LH1! Gorgeous cards ... that first one is what one could definitely call a kaleidoscope of butterflies ... fresh, colourful and delicately delightful! The outlining of those warm shades on your second card adds a lovely touch of drama ... what a striking beauty! Hope Hammy has settled ... he's so excitable! LYAMYSMMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Mac Mable said...

I have a bear that has a union representing him, so I feel your pain over Hammy and the union...LOL x
The butterfly image on your first card is so pretty and what marvellous background stamping with it.....such a beautiful card. Your second card looks so striking and what a fabulous technique Darnell x.....Keep wearing those masks x

Mrs A. said...

I suppose since we are all wearing face masks now, that there is not a lot of call for using our make up brushes so it is great to see you putting yours to such good use. Your large butterfly is rather scrumpous looking. Thankyou for winging it over the pond and playing in the butterfly garden. Hugs Mrs A.

Leslie Miller said...

More butterflies! How wonderful! Your first is scrumptiously delightful in yummy summer colors and I love it so much. I have a similar stencil idea on my table right now, but remains to be seen if I get around to it. Yours turned out great. The shading is beautiful. I get all inspired when I visit blogs like yours. BTW, I always enjoy your funnies at the end.

Vicky Hayes said...

More lovely butterflies! I adore the first with all those gorgeous creatures in such pretty summery colours and beautiful rainbow sentiment. The stencil trace card is fab too - love that you ink blended (blent?!) again to create your own tape. Loved the idea of UPAG although am feeling slightly worried about fairies, brownies and goblins! I've heard of brownies being eaten - maybe by a-gobblin' - hahahahaha! Okay, I'll get my coat...
Vicky x

Fikreta said...

so very pretty cards!

Celeste Goff said...

Oh my gosh, these are so pretty! I love that inked sentiment on the first card especially...just gorgeous!

Terri's Cards N More said...

Both of your cards are beautiful. I really love the "Thanks" card with all of those bright colored butterflies and circles. Thank you for joining the challenge at the Stinkin' Inkers.

Sue - said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell. I really like the multicoloured one. I’ve not come across a Pixie spray over her so off to as Mr Google about it! And I totally agree with the lady and bra!

Annette Elliott said...

Darnell, you are too funny! Plus, I am completely jealous of your playhouse! Love it! Your butterfly cards are so pretty and I love the sponging of the sentiment to match. Thanks so much for joining this weeks challenge at Sunday Stamps! :)