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!

September 29, 2020

Playing With PP

Hello Stamplings!

No, not pp as in patterned paper this time. This time the PP stands for Perfect Pearls! If you're like me, you have some small jars of powder pearls in various colors tucked away in the back of the book shelf or drawer.

I got together over Zoom last month with a group of friends for some crafty time, led by Lolly. This month we got together again and we are going to try and make it a monthly thing, which would be awesome. The first month we played with a very current trend and this month we played with a very old trend. I think in future sessions we are going to continue revisiting those products that we've had lying dormant or that we don't use as often as we'd like.

I was able to put together three designs with my PP play. (I beg your pardon?) As usual, the camera can't quite capture the shimmer and sheen of the pearl paints, but you get the idea.

Onefer
Using butterflies from "Butterfly Birthday" by HLS, I created this birthday card. The butterflies were gold heat-embossed and by adding water to the powdered perfect pearls, I painted the inside bits. After class, in homage to Seize the Birthday's challenge logo, I added a fussy-cut, popped-up purple butterfly and a gold heat-embossed sediment by PTI filled with yellow. Hammy went wild schplattering to his heart's content.

Challenges

Twofer
For our second play, we painted again with PP, this time onto die cuts. I used a Penny Black die, that much I remember. But I don't remember the name. This happens a lot, so this time I put the die in a Safe Place to refer to when I wrote up this post. As I'm sure you know, a Safe Place is one of those good thing/bad thing principles. The good thing is that the item placed there will not be disturbed. The bad thing is its capacity to erase itself from your memory if you don't retrieve it within 48 hours. Oops. ETA: Thank you, Brenda. The name of the die is "Berry Flourish."

The leafy swirl looks rather dull unless you turn it to the light and then the glimmer is gorgeous. I used the die cut on a Christmas card with a dark green panel, a schparkly sediment and a gold mat.  

Threefer
The butterflies for this design are from Hampton Art. This PP technique is a simple one. You stamp the solid layer stamp with Versamark and then stamp the image onto your colored or black paper. Then you dab the Perfect Pearls onto the image and the PP clings to the Versamark ink. You brush away any excess. Then you stamp the second layer stamp with Versamark and then stamp over the first layer on your card. The Versamark on the second layer "lifts" the PP off the first layer, leaving the detailed image. You set the powder with a fine mist of water. 

[It's hard to describe how to do a technique when the same word is used as a noun and a verb! I was making a card so I took my stamp and stamped my image. I biffed the stamping of the stamp, so I stamped my foot. Once I corrected the biff and finished the card I took it to the post office where the nice lady placed a stamp on it and afterwards, since I was there, she stamped my passport.]

But I digest. I also used PP on the sediment. By simply painting PP with a large brush over a panel of colored paper, I made handmade glimmer paper. After drying, I die-cut the Believe, which is a Simon Says Stamp die. I was tickled to find that snippet of pp, er, patterned paper, which matched so well. I covered the seam with a "ribbon" of thin platinum Washi tape from Altenew.

As you can see, it was a productive Zoom play date. We also smooched with PP, but that card will be revealed another time. If you would like to visit the blogs of my Zoom playmates and see their schimmery creations, here are the linkies: BonnieBrendaChristineLoll, and Susan.

~~~

Thought you might get a smile out of this piece of mail I received the other day:
No, it wasn't a large handmade card, thank goodness, but seriously?

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy, but please be safe out there! 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!

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62 comments:

Loll said...

Wonderful cards using your PP, Dolly (bet you never thought you'd hear that sentence!). :) It was a lot of fun trying out all these wonderful techniques with Perfect Pearls ... and you aced the lot with these gorgeous cards! Great work, my friend! Can't wait until next month! Love, Lolly

Christine Alexander said...

gorgeous cards Darnell, you nailed those butterflies with sparkle and shine and love your elegant Christmas card.
What a fun zoom session, I can't remember the last time I used PP :)

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Had to chuckle every time I read PP in your sentences, Darnell - but very beautiful cards with it!! I have taken to noting my supplies in an iPhone note - that way my memory doesn't have to work overtime! Well, only to find my phone...

Lynette said...

Three wonderful cards, Darnell! I especially love the second one. Bummer about your bent "Do Not Bend" package!

JD/ Jill said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! What else can I say! I wish I could see those in real life! I bet they shimmer so beautifully done.

OK, now you have inspired me again. and YES, I have some perfect pearls tucked in a back drawer somewhere (lying dormat) I need to go see if I can find them and give them a try.

Jim installed zoom on the computer...but so far, I haven't figured out how to use it. My two long time crafting buddies (the ones that would come to my house for so many years for our weekly craft night...want me to go on zoom with them.
Again, take care, Blessings, Jill

Lindsey said...

Beautiful cards! I always enjoy playing with perfect pearls; just don't get them out often enough. I didn't know about the layered stamp technique, so thank you for sharing that! And thank you for linking up that beautiful butterfly birthday card at Seize the Birthday!

Kathleen said...

A super collection of lovely cards, great images, colours and designs.

Kath x

Redanne said...

What a brilliantly productive Zoom session you had, the cards are beautiful but I had to read your post twice because I kept giggling so much at your PP's! The Christmas card is my favourite but I really love the technique you used on the last card, the butterfly looks gorgeous.

As for the envelope.... I despair!

It is so lovely to have friends who you can Zoom with, it has, I am sure been a great benefit to so many during the dreadful pandemic. Take care my friend and keep safe and well. Hugs, Annie xxx

Trina P. said...

Wonderful set of cards. Great job capturing the shimmer in your photos... they must look even better IRL, I think I need to pull out my PP.

Donna said...

What a fun idea doing a Zoom card play date! And your threefers are stunning. I need to dig my PP's out!

Nancy said...

How fun to have a Zoom card party! I Zoom monthly with my SU group but we don't make any cards. I think I am going to suggest it. The Demonstrator just shares the product and her creations with us that we were going to make in class. Loving your Perfect Pearl butterflies! I can only imagine the shimmer in real life! Loving your Christmas card with the red holly and your second butterfly card too! Thanks for joining us for our 200th celebration at Seize the Birthday!

Marcia Hill said...

WOW...I think you got the PP down to a "T" Darnell!! Your cards are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and I'm sure the shimmer and shine is even more pronounced in real life! Love them all, but I think my favorite is the middle card (Christmas)....SOOOO ELEGANT!! Guess I need to dig my PP's out and have a play! Thanks for sharing all your beauties...loved seeing them all! Hugs. :0)

Bonnie said...

What gorgeous butterflies, Dolly! Wow! Adding the fussy cut purple one added to the fun! Love, love, love that gorgeous branch, whatever it's called! It's so elegant against the dark green cardstock! I haven't tried the layered technique yet. I'm not sure I have any layered stamps left. I need to look because I love the way it turns out with the PP! Looking forward to our next get together!

Pat said...

Three great cards using perfect pearls Darnell and love the brightly coloured butterflies and the leaves and berries and die cut sentiment painted with them, and then brushed over versamark on the last super butterfly. Fantastic techniques and all looking stunning on these lovely designs. The zoom meetings are a great idea and obviously very productive. x

Pat said...

Sorry, I meant to say I hope whatever was in the envelope was not completely ruined! Take care. x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I must admit I giggled at the PP's just as Anne did hee hee!! What a treat to see a surprise of a threefer, I'm not sure of the spelling let alone saying it out loud but all as beautiful as each other. Those pearls really are luscious, never fade and always guaranteed to give us a shining light. My favourite has to be the second, the gold against the green background is rather tasty.
Silly postie folding your do not bend package, you'll be glad to hear across the pond we also get bent do not bend letters arrive too. I often wonder if the NOT is where they place their finger haa haa!! Silly billies, i'm glad the contents was not harmed in any way during it's origami session.
Super shares Darnell, take good care now & have fun in future Zoom lessons.
Hugs Tracey xx

TK said...

Wonderful day with friends, and beautiful creations! I do love PP and I ventured into them just recently, it was definitely a flash-back

Cheryl W. said...

So many fun techniques, so little time! I have just a few Perfect Pearl colors, but now I really need to get them out and try some of these techniques. I especially want to try the watercolor technique. Your cards are beautiful. Thanks for inspiring me once again. How in the world am I going to get my Halloween cards done when I see all the fun stuff you're doing?? he he

Birgit said...

I love my perfect pearls and just used some last night. I love the butterfly card which is so bright and cheery. I really like the green card with the golden leaves and red berries and the last one is cheery. They are fun to use.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards, especially the last one.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Stamps and Paper said...

Three beautiful cards using PP Darnell..lovely techniques...they really do enhance your cards..

Anne

kiwimeskreations said...

Wonderful use of the perfect pearls Darnell, and fabulous results. So glad Hammy had a hand oops, paw, in the creating of the super schparkly card. He did a marvelous job!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sandra H said...

So beautiful are all of your cards Darnell your so adventurous with your crafts so lovely to read your meeting up and hopefully do so monthly nice to be able to create such beautiful cards too enjoy your day x

Jane Willis said...

Gorgeous cards, and you've inspired me to get my PP out too. I do love revisiting long neglected stuff, it's like having it new all over again. Even better in some ways as new ideas and techniques have come along over the intervening years so now there's even more we can do with the stuff.

sandie said...

we had a zoom meeting for Time Out and it was so fun! We didn't do crafty stuff just a chat! But wow you guys sure did have fun and made some amazing cards. I am loving all the shimmer and of course all that shining gold for Time Out is oh so welcome. Sending love xx

Vicky Hayes said...

How lovely to have had a zoom play date and what an excellent idea to revisit products that were all the rage back along and give them a fresh look! Your cards are all superb and although I don't have any PP lurking about in the Craft Square Metre, I'm tempted to get some! You made me giggle with your PP nonsense and I can tell you that I will never read about PPE in the news in quite the same way again! Vicky x

Jeanne said...

How fun that you were still able to get together with your friends for a virtual play date, Darnell. The cards you created using Perfect Pearls are beautiful. I have some in my stash, too. Add that to my miles long want to pull out again list. LOL thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have an amazing day. :)

Jean said...

Your cards have wonderful shimmer and shine. How fun to have zoom crafting play dates.

Fikreta said...

Your cards are so very beautiful!
hugs

Em Louise Fairley said...

Three gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

designbydonna said...

I love your shimmery butterflies. I haven't used Perfect Pearls. All your cards are gorgeous with it. Sounds like a very fun playdate.

Brenda in IN said...

This was such a fun zoom. Your cards are gorgeous. The butterflies sparkle so much I'm surprised they can fly. That die is called berry flourish. I know because I can find mine but I cannot find the die I put away to use for lightning, so I understand! That card is gorgeous! Love how you made your shimmer paper and that butterfly done with two stamp stamping. I used that technique after you told me about it. Does that say "unfit information enclosed" on your envelope?

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Amazing results on each of these cards and so very beautiful Darnell.
Faith x

JoAnn said...

3 gorgeous cards. Those butterflies are so pretty and sparkly. Your Christmas card looks elegant and pretty. Great use of the PP. TFS

cuilliesocks said...

What gorgeous cards Darnell, all beautifully designed and sparkled. I couldn't pick a favourite.
How lovely to have a zoom meeting with your crafty pals, I bet you had great fun, take care of yourself, Kate x

Glittered Paws said...

Love the cards using the PP - I have some - hmmm somewhere. I think my favorite is the second card - although love the butterflies on the first one. I am glad you were able to keep Hammy busy. Take care and continue to stay safe.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are all wonderful. I don’t have Perfect Pearls but I have product similar.

conil said...

Giant OOPSIE by the deliverer of your mail. Guess he didn't understand "bend". Your post is an incredible shimmer fest. I find the powder gets everywhere when I do this. Must be failing pp, huh? Anyway, you obviously succeeded because your cards are lovely.
Hope you're surviving the smoky air. :-[

Sharon Underwood said...

Hi Darnell!!! Sorry I haven't commented for a while. PT for my back is kicking my butt! But, I'm here now & am so inspired by your beautiful cards.

Love the PPs!!! Had to laugh. You have such a way with words & I adore your posts. Yes, I have some PP tucked away in a drawer. Fortunately, I just organized, purged & sorted lots of things in my Craft Room so I do know where it is.

My question is, does spritzing with water always sets the powder for you? Mine still comes off so I don't use it very often. Any tips?

Vicki Dutcher said...

How fun zooming! Love your shiny pp card. I can see how you were inspired by the graphic too - well done :) Thanks for joining in at STB.

Leslie Miller said...

Don't you all have fun! Seriously, it sounds like a LOT of fun and I wish I had something in my room I could Zoom with (other than my phone). Your cards are varied and gorgeous, Darnell! Each technique produced beautiful results. I no longer have my Perfect Pearls, but isn't it interesting that just about everyone does have them, or did have them at one time. Hmm... your big envelope appears curiously bent considering the large, red letters that say "do not bend", sheesh.

Nance said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. Great use of the PP. Thanks for joining us at Krafty Chicks Challenge.

Brenda said...

I think it is a great idea for you ladies to have a monthly Zoom get together! You sure came up with some great ideas for the pearl powders and yes, so many had them and put them away never to see the light of day again. lol I can't wait to try out some of these techniques you ladies used. I'm in love with your first card, The colors are beautiful and I bet it really shimmers and shines in real life. Hammy did a great job of doing his splattering. The Christmas card is just stunning in the green/gold and pop of red! I love that leaf/berry die, so beautiful painted with the pearl powders. Then there is your butterfly card, wow, that is one elegant butterfly! I love how you did it, Brenda explained it to me and I will definitely have to try that one out. Love that beautiful paper and washi tape. Makes for a stunning card. Cool how you did the believe too. It really pop's off the pattern paper. Great job Auntie, you and Hammy always make a great team! Hugs, Brenda

Carol L said...

What a great trio of cards using PP! I cannot understand why, but I've never bought or used PP in all the years I've been crafting! LOL Each card is just beautiful, and I'm especially fond of the golden branch with the red berries! Your mail carrier has the same mentality as ours - last week she had a pkg she was too lazy to deliver on the porch, so she hung it on the mailbox flag in a plastic bag!! Lucky for us no one took it before we collected the mail!

Colleen said...

I loved seeing your cards with the PP's...I have quite a few of those too and it has been ages, or rather years since I have used them. You have inspired me to get reacquainted with them! Lovely story to go along with the had to chuckle at the pp play! Heart Hugs, col

OH Babs said...

You certainly have not misplaced your mojo. I lost my umpf. Gorgeous cards and that refers to all the cards you have been creating.

Kara Lynne said...

Oh my, each of your cards looks amazing, and I love how you used PPs in so many ways! I think I played with them once - such a shame, I really should get those out. In Darnell-ese, they are lying door mat in the back of my drawers.

HilaryJane said...

I am just going to have to get my perfect pearls out after seeing you amazing examples xx

Cat Craig said...

So glad you got some crafty time with friends over zoom. I am sure it was fun. YOur pearly cards are lovely and I'll bet the shine is fabullous IRL.

Julia Aston said...

Ok, so I'm going to just look at the pictures and try to figure out what you did because you are confusing the heck out of me!! ;) what fun techniques for an old product and you made beautiful cards using them! - I'll be get getting mine out for sure and giving them a new whirl!

Linda said...

Stunning cards using your PPs, sounds like you all had a lot of fun xx

oldpunca said...

I've already seen first cards made by you and your friends via Zoom. It is a great idea to get together with a little help of modern technique. :-) I assume if the world would be as it should be, there wil be craft retriet somewhere in IN. Or? :-)
You've created amazing cards in various techniques with perfect pearls. The most I like elegant chriistmas card in gold.
Hugs, Sonja

Happy Dance said...

A veritable trio of delights, my friend. Right now, I don't think I'd have the patience to sit down and make something like this, but I'm awfully glad you showed these beauties. They are very inspiring. The butterflies look beautiful and very sweetly shiny. That Christmas card - OH! Truly gorgeous. That green panel is the perfect green for your gold berry flourish. LOVE this card!! And I love that you've used PP with your PP for your last card. Really pretty card. You're wonderfully creative and I am jealous. But in a good way! Sending hugs. Stay safe and talk soon. xoxo Bev

Celeste Goff said...

All gorgeous cards Darnell! Love that gold leafy swirl against that hunter green background!

Cathy said...

3 beauties Darnell! It's ages since I've used my PP !!! Mostly I use the powder with water in a spritzer as a shimmer mist, but I must try some of your techniques, sounds like a fun zoom meeting :), Cathy x

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Three awesome cards, Darnell. I LOVE that first one. You worked your PP so fabulously! You can get so much mileage out of this post. I am now inspired to pull out my PP and play. This is an awesome take on our challenge at Time Out. Thanks so much for playing with us.

frommycraftroom said...

Oh how lovely! I like loads of others have some lurking in my draw. I always say I'll use them but then I get distracted!

I love your cards and maybe this time I will have a play with mine.

Thanks for the pic at the bottom - I'm sure you didn't find it funny immediately - but I found my self saying W**!

Anita in France said...

What a delicious, shimmery trio, Darnell ... the fluttery butterflies are just so pretty on both designs ... and lend themselves wonderfully to being all shparkly! The golden, red berried sprig is a glimmery stunner ... so striking against the rich background! Oops about the envelope ... hope it didn't ruin the innards! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

BożenA said...

Three amazing cards, Darnell. Do you meet in person or online during these creative sessions? It must be great to create together ... And the cards you shared are wonderful. I especially love the third card and I wonder if you have applied PP to the versamark ink-coated stamp? The reflection is great.
hugs,
BożenA xx

Ros Crawford said...

We hardly ever get our mail these days... Even so WTH?
Your cards are beautiful Darnell and what fun to get together with your friends... Somewhere I do have PP...Along with lots of other schtuff hiding away.
Have a lovely week... I'm off to my exercise class later (argh!) If we ever get back to some sort of 'normal' at least I hope to be a little fitter. Lol!

Mac Mable said...

Talking of Zoom....my 24 hours are doing just that....x Spoiling us with your three fabulous cards and with fun techniques with the perfect pearls. so inspirational and I have learnt lots x. Always great to craft with friends, even virtually x.....Sorry about your do not bend mail!!!! x.

Greta said...

How funny--completely folded in 1/2! Beautiful use of the PPs, Darnell! I really love the gold embossed butterflies painted with the PP!