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!

January 24, 2021

Black and White and Colored All Over

Hello Stamplings!

Happy Sunday Funday! We are gearing up for a week of rain which we desperately need here in California, so everyone has a skip in their step. Mind you, I'm only skipping in the figurative sense. You know, up in my head where there is a swing set, a wading pool, and a long paved trail for skipping and roller skating. Don't try skipping with your roller skates on. It might not surprise you to know that I did that once and fell hard on my head.

What was I saying?

I realized mid-afternoon yesterday that I was running out of time to play in the January CAS Christmas Card Challenge where Julia is the host and the prompt is Silhouette. You'll be proud of me for reaching first for a brand-spanking-NBUS stamp to make this QACAS card:
This stamp is from Stampers Anonymous and it's called "Deco Christmas." I think it's been around a while and with the images being so big, I'm sure my design is not original. The set has three great silhouette stamps and three beautifully-fonted sediments. 

After stamping the image and sediment, I thought some embossed snow would add a little drama and wintry feel. I forgot to add a little shadow under his feet to ground him and Hammy wasn't here to remind me. (He was over at the neighbors for a playdate with their gerbil.) Let's just say the snow was coming down so hard it immediately filled in the footprints. Yes, let's say that.

Challenges


CASEing PP
The above is a card I made and posted last year out of a beautiful piece of Alexandra Renke pp and a sediment. I just love everything about Alexandra's watercolored flowers and the very free-flowing artsy feel. I wanted to see if I could CASE her flowers, so I made my own floral pp:
I used a whole slew of various company's solid stamps in my stash to create this garden card. I colored each stamp with my Memento markers, spritzed lightly with water, and stamped them. As you can see, I couldn't bring myself to stop with large gaps between my flowers and leaves in the wonderful organic way that Alexandra has with her hand-painted art. In the end, I guess I'm more of an overflowing English-garden kind of girl! 

Challenges

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Take care and keep safe!
Thank you for your continuing good wishes about my back. I am feeling much less pain already. That's the good news. The bad news is that now it's harder not to overdo it. Oy! 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!)

63 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Loving your cards Darnell - total contrast between them too - love the drama of the silhouette, and the soft 'English garden' is beautiful. So glad you let Hammy have the occasional afternoon off for a playdate next door :)
Stay safe, and don't skip anywhere BUT in your head ;)
Blessings
Maxine

Tina Z. said...

Wow, I love your card, I like silhouettes and CAS, it is perfect.
and stunning watercoloured flowers, great technique.
I have to laugh reading this, a lot of immortals here...uf, this sounds like The Twilight...
Crafty hugs xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love both of these gorgeous cards, the first because I love silhouette stamps and the second is so colourful and reminds me that these are brighter sunnier times ahead. Glad to hear you're in less pain with your back.

Sue xx

Vicky Hayes said...

What a beautiful pair of cards Darnell! I love the simplicity of the first with that fabulous silhouette and your perfectly placed enamel dot. As for the snow filling up the footsteps as he walks, well it's snowing here today and that's definitely what happened when Eva and I walked about in it!! Your Alexandra Renke flowers CASE is a stunner. I'm a big fan of that kind of loose watercoloured floral too and you've done a wonderful job. The overflowing English country garden look is my kind of thing too (I hate weeding and it keeps them down!) Such good news about your back but I know that feeling of 'Yay! I can do anything now!' and, as you know, it is best to err on the side of caution!! Loving that study :) Has anyone done one that proves that sitting about with chocolates and a good book is good for you? My snowman-building days are over! Mwah! Vicky x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Hi Darnell, I was going to write a lot then read Vicky's comment and thought, you know she has said everything I would have said, including the snow. We had a lovely covering overnight. We don't get it often, so it looks beautiful.
Glad to hear your back isn't as painful but please take care. I gotta say sumfin about your cards, love the silhouette, it is beautiful, love the red gem? Your English Country Garden is an absolute delight with gorgeous colours and details (or lack of?) and I can't wait for our garden to be the same?
Keep safe
Faith x

Gerrina said...

So great how you cased that pp! A stunning card!
Although a great silhoette is always beautiful is the flower card my favorite! Enjoy the sunday!

Hilda Burton said...

I love both of your beautiful cards. Glad to hear your back is improving. Don't overdo it just because you have less pain. I know that's tough for an A-type personality like yours. Enjoy your day!

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell, wow both your cards are so beautiful love the monochrome with the touch of red what an adorable image used too! Loving your colours on the 2nd card and the reminds of summer to come nice and bright enjoy your day and hopefully your rain will be just enough xx

Sharyn Polesel said...

Love your cards, Darnell! The silhouette is lovely and that touch of red is perfect. Your CASE of the pp is genius. I think I must be an English garden kind of girl too. I like yours the best! Glad to hear you are improving with your back. These sure have been trying times, hang in there. Hugs, Sharyn

Carole said...

Well there is no stopping you Darnell...two great cards..I like the silhouette and you have got him lovely and black and the flowers..well another hidden talent...can't wait for the spring here and some colour in the frozen garden. Stay safe, take care...and glad you are able to move forward on the back front. xx

Mac Mable said...

Your silhouette card looks so striking Darnell and what a fabulous silhouette image....see how much you miss Hammy when he is not there....I suspect he will love that that he was missed x.
Wow ... what a stunning and artsy free flowing water coloured card. You sure look like you had fun? Yes an English garden it is and absolutely amazing....I love it Darnell.
So glad to hear your back is on the mend but take it easy.....x.

Brenda in IN said...

I'm glad to hear the pain is easing up for you. That silhouette really catches the eye with it's size and delightful image. He really wants to deliver that wreath! We have snow today too and it's still coming down. I'm happy you are getting much needed rain but not happy you are sharing all these weather fronts that are coming in all week. Isn't that great that Hammy has a good friend to spend time with. Wish he could come and play with CoCo monkey and Cassie kitty. I am so envious of the water color garden. That is what I'm striving for and have been working on it. Yours is stunning. I can't tell you how happy I am about this new study. Now I can continue to buy supplies since I will be around forever to use them!

OH Babs said...

Oh no not Christmas cards, I just put my "things" away.
Love the WC card which I hope to do as soon as I finish Valentine cards for the grandkids. Stay dry.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Two very different style of cards but both are so well designed and gorgeous! I love the black and white silhouette and yes, I believe you when the snow covered up the grounding. And, the colorful flower design is so very close in every way to the pattern paper one. You did a fantastic job on that as well. Glad you are able to keep on being creative. I hope you are healing as well.

Cat Craig said...

What a fun silhouette Darnell and clearly the snow is coming down fast! Your blooms are such fun and wonderfully colorful.

Christine Alexander said...

Great minds think alike Darnell with your dapper Gentleman. Great stamp and love the simplicity of the masculine card.
Now your field of flowers is total jaw dropping. I Love, Love, Love that card.

Bonnie Lynn said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I forgot about the CAS Christmas challenge. Now where is that NBUS silhouette stamp I know I have just got to find it. Hopefully I do find it and you'll see it over at NBUS. Thank you for all the inspiration you share with us.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, I couldn't get on with roller skates, as I kept ending up on my butt:)

Loving the cards, especially the beautiful flower one. Makes me long for spring.

Stay safe. Sue

Sarah said...

I just love that olde worlde gent marching along in the snow, such a striking fellow and your wtercoloured pp looks fantastic. Pleased to hear you are on the mend xx

designbydonna said...

I love silhouette cards. That large one makes for quick cards. Your watercolor flowers are very pretty. I forget about that technique. I'm giving it a try today. Take care, be safe Have you had your COVID vaccines yet?

Jean said...

Both cards are lovely. Glad you are getting much needed rain.

Bonnie said...

I love this silhouetted gentleman rushing to hang his wreath! I've often thought of adding him to my NBUS box. Your English garden is so pretty! You do Alexandra Renke proud, my friend! I'm glad your back is better and that you're expecting rain! Don't slip on the wet pavement!

nancy littrell said...

Love your silhouette gentleman, Dolly. He sure has a long elegant stride! I thought you placed the beautiful sentiment with the beautiful font perfectly, which took the place of a grounding effect...honest, I really did until you blew your cover with your description! Still loved your card and the dry embossed snowy background.

Stunning watercolor stamped CASE'd English Garden designed card too. So happy to hear you are now in much less pain. Be sure to keep wearing your brace and the bit of pain you have will remind you when you are not behaving, which could be often:-) Love and Hugs my dear sweet friend!!! Nancy

Lisa Elton said...

He's quite dapper isn't he! This is marvelous, Darnell. And just look at your pretty flowers, great job! So happy to hear you're having less pain XO

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I would wish giving you some rain that here doesn't stop by days, but I can't... sorry! Glad instead to know that your back is going better!
Two beautiful cards, very different one by the other! Love so much especially your CASeing of Alexandra Renke's paper! Great water-stamping, your flowers garden is a joy for the eyes!
Hugs

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous colours and some really lovely images, beautiful creation. Thank you for joining our Beautiful Blooms challenge at Allsorts.

Kath x

Kathleen said...

A super silhouette card, great image and a lovely pop of red.

Kath x

Donna said...

I do always enjoy your posts, always fun. Your cards are great! I love your English garden, perfect! Glad to hear that you're on the mend with your back. Here in So Calif we're looking forward to some more rain! YAY!

oldpunca said...

I like the simple design of the card with the silhouette. It's perfect Christmas card. The card of the "English- garden" is stunning. So colorful and full of joy. Just to fall in love with it.
Nice to hear good news about your back.
Regarding to the buy of craft supplies I'm immortal too. :-)
Stay safe!
Hugs, Sonja

Glittered Paws said...

I love silhouette stamps - no coloring just a few embellishments or even one and you have a great looking card. I love your English watercolor garden.
Good to hear your back is doing better - just don't "over do" your activity and wind up back flat on your back.
We just celebrated New Years Even last night with friends/family - our BIL and wife. Everyone was out of town for a family funeral on New Years eve so we finally got together last night. Lasagna dinner- a glass of wine and then an evening of Farkel, Uno and Rummy.

Claire said...

Ooh I love your watercolouring Darrell, I think its brilliant and I'm definitely jelly... I can't watercolour very well but you nailed it so beautifully.

I love the traditional, vintage feel of the Christmas card... I love images from a bygone age and tbh I don't think he needed grounded as the sentiment acts like he's strolling across it :)

Stay safe n snug x

Colleen said...

Darnell, I am in love with your English over grown garden! I love that look (BTW, you can't see if there are any weeds among them this way!) *wink And I LOVE your Stampers anonymous stamp for the CAS Christmas, thank you BTW for playing along with us and getting in under the wire! I love this image and how large it is, you don't need anything else, except maybe a sidewalk *wink *wink!! JK...Glad your back is feeling better! Heart Hugs, Col

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I'm here again with my DT hat! Thanks so much for sharing your artwork with us at We Love Chocolate Baroque challenge! Your garden full of colourful blooms it's so sweet and happy!

Carol Cel said...

So glad you're feeling a tad better, and CA is getting some rain.
I enjoy reading your blog, and your cards. Your narration is so enjoyable, and makes me smile.
Stay well.

JD/ Jill said...

Wonderful card, Darnell.
So happy to hear that you are doing better!

TK said...

Both are wonderful cards, but your attempt at your floral card is beautimous! Love the artsy feel and such great colors

frommycraftroom said...

Lets start with the silhoutte. Stunning - gorgeous font on the sentiment.

Your CASed pp is absolutely gorgeous! Love it. I think I am also an overgrown English garden girl too.

And lastly um I think I should be classed as immortal - stash and half finished knitting/sewing/quilting projects have been pulled out and are now decorating the floor! I am suppose to be making a few cards!!! Lucky tomorrow is a public holiday here.

Loll said...

Your silhouette card is fantastic! LOVE that large image ... adding falling snow and a sentiment is all you needed. Love the sweet little pop of red. I have this stamp set and have never inked up this image, but have used the sentiments quite a bit. They are a wonderful font.

Great work with creating your own watercoloured garden Dolly! It's so beautiful, colourful and happy. Wonderful work, my sweet friend! Love, Lolly

brenda said...

What a super silhouette so striking.

But being a totally floral girl I am of course drawn to the beauty of those watercolour flowers and the lovely fresh Summery colours bringing much needed cheer which we all need in our lives at the moment.

Many thanks for sharing and joining in with our 'Beautiful Blooms' theme at Allsorts challenge this week. Also our 'Feminine' theme at We Love Chocolate Baroque, what lady wouldn't love to receive that beauty.

B x

Ros Crawford said...

Love the silhouette card but the painted English garden is amazing!! Bravo my friend! Stay safe... NO skating and have a beautiful week

Linby said...

Such a striking Silhouette it looks fab. Love your watercolour blooms, they look so pretty and in lovely bright cheerful colours. Nice to see you at Allsorts and We Love Chocolate Baroque with your fabulous blooms.

L x

Marilyn said...

Love that silhouette card and your second card is gorgeous!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell xoxo

Julia Aston said...

Love your dapper gentleman carrying his Christmas wreath - (I have this set as well and I don't think I've ever used and yet I love him! I think I have to move the set to a new location so I remember I have it?!?) You could say he is grounded by the sentiment there Sis - with his feet firmly on the C and S!? Beautiful watercolor florals on your 2nd card - you captured the DP perfectly! Thanks for joining in my CAS Christmas Challenge! xx

conil said...

It's likely that all your followers are immortal buy now (get it). Love that image on your Christmas card...I always wonder where he's going in such a hurry everytime I see it. Grounded or not, he's perfect for a seasonal card. Youre CASE of Renke's paper is extraordinary. Just like an full English garden and the colors are spot on. Simply lovely.
Hope you're feeling much better...you must be to be putting out cards like these.

Brenda said...

Glad you are getting much needed rain Auntie! I am very thankful you are only skipping around in your mind though. You need to be careful and not over do anything with your back!!!

I love your card, that silhouette is so fun and festive! That artsy greeting is so cool too. A great set from the looks of it! Love, love, love! Wow, I am so loving the CAS flower card too! You did a great job on making your floral pp! I had to laugh about the "overflowing English garden kind of gal", I am loving it nice and full! Stay well Auntie and don't be over doing anything with that back!!! Love and hugs, Brenda

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

What a fun vintage silhouette on your CAS card, Darnell - love it!! Oh my, though, what a gorgeous garden you created - just love how you filled it all in - a feast for the eyes!!

Redanne said...

The silhouette stamp is one of my favourite Christmas stamps so I just love your card, that pop of red on the wreath is just perfect!

I also love your English Cottage Garden, you did an amazing job with the flowers! Beautiful cards my friend.

Keep safe and well and enjoy that rain, we have snow at the moment, quite a nice change from all the rain. Hugs, Annie xxx

Barb Ghig said...

Your silhouette is absolutely STUNNING, Darnell! I love how you added the snowflakes and your sentiment is sheer perfection! Speaking of perfect, I'm so impressed with your watercolored floral arrangement! Great job CASEing the pretty patterned papers...WOW!
It's always fun to visit your blog...thank you for that :) Also, thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas! Barb xx

Lynette said...

Your English garden is just beautiful, Darnell!! The paper you used for inspiration is gorgeous, as well. And your silhouette card is great. I think if we look closely enough, we can just barely see the footprints. LOL! Glad your back is better.

Cheryl W. said...

Your silhouette card is so classic. I love the addition of a single red enamel dot on the wreath. Your flower garden card just blew me away!! It is so gorgeous. I have a little trouble with white space, too, and would have filled the garden with flowers just as you have done. Your card reminds me of Spring, which is a nice thought when we're blanketed with snow here in Minnesota. So glad your back is healing. Back pain can be so debilitating, and I really hope you heal quickly and completely.

Pat said...

I love the Victorian style gentleman silhouette with the pretty embossed background and the red enamel dot to finish the wreath he is holding, and your beautifully designed flowery card full of gorgeous blooms. There is wonderful song called 'In An English Country Garden' and it catalogues all the different summer flowers and this card reminds me of that. I hope the rain lasts for long enough to do some good and so pleased that your back is less painful now. x

Lindsey said...

Your silhouette card is quite Dickensian, and so of course I love it! And then there is your absolutely beautiful DIY patterned paper - WOW! Both cards are terrific. Thanks for joining us at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Trina P. said...

What a distinguished silhouette image resulting in a fabulous card. Your watercolour garden card is so beautiful and a great CASE. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

And yay for rain and less back pain. Sending continued healing hugs. 💗

Mervi said...

Gorgeous blooms, lovely card!
Thank you for sharing at Allsorts
and over at We love Chocolate Baroque Challenges;-))m

Leslie Miller said...

Your old timey Christmas gentleman is in a fine hurry to deliver that wreath somewhere. He's beautiful with the sentiment and falling snow. Bet the other stamps in the set are great, too. Now... hold me back... your English garden is an absolute dream! Words fail me. Pardon while I gulp, sigh, and swoon. The sentiment is what it's all about and goes well with your funny at the end. Guess I'll live forever, too. Glad you're feeling better. Take care about the overdoing. Hugs!

maria f. said...

Glad you're feeling a bit better. Keep up the good work. A walk through a nice English garden like the one you've stamped would surely be a good idea. It's dreamy.

Anke said...

WOW Darnell I love your flower card, absolutely stunning, the bright colours are so beautiful.

Greta said...

So glad you're having less pain & hope it's healing well. LOVE your cards! The Christmas card is striking & the floral case card is just amazing, Darnell!

Donna said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, the first is so striking, and the second is so gorgeous, I would be framing it, it is like a painting you would see in an art museum. Glad to hear your back is improving.

Maria said...

Two gorgeous cards, Darnell!! Love the silhouette of the gentleman! A wonderful CAS Christmas card! And, would love to walk through the lovely flower garden on your second card! Many beautiful flowers in lovely color! Happy to hear that you are feeling better, take care!!

CoryHales said...

This is the best way, as for me.

Susan Renshaw said...

Love the two cards, Darnell! I was amused by your comments about lack of shadow...lovely silhouette by the way - must look out for that stamp set.
Funnily enough this is the second blog in a row that has mentioned Alexandra Renke products... I think they are available in Australia!
Thank you for sharing with Addicted to Stamps and More!
Susan
Addicted to Stamps and More
Calling All Crafters! – My personal Blog!