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!

August 26, 2021

Bumps, Dots, and Flakes

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are doing well. You know, under the circumstances. I know it goes without saying, but I'm gonna say it often anyway: thank goodness for this hobby as a feel-good distraction because making and sending a handmade card to someone is a guaranteed way to make two people smile.

Or maybe three. I've got a Threefer for you today, so here we go.

Onefer
At a recent Zoom craft session, we used 3D embossing folders with metallic paper and then we sanded the raised bits. In this case, the bumpy bits. This cool Cobblestone e/f is NBUS from Sizzix. The scalloped cover frame is from Reverse Confetti. The geezer tourist ("Golden Oldies") is NBUS from Art Impressions. The artist of these AI oldster stamps sure knows how to draw geezers and I love the little details like the title of the magazine and the smiley face button on his baseball cap!

The sediment, which is heat-embossed in copper, is from Rubber Dance Stamps. I decided not to color the dude so as not to compete with all that beautiful copper. 

You'll be seeing more examples of my play with my 3D folders and metallic paper as I make my panels into cards. Bonnie is right: it is wonderfully addicting and fun!

I am playing in 
The Male Room Challenge were they are celebrating their 8th birthday! Congratulations!

~~~
During an earlier Zoom session we had a play with embossing pastes and I finally used a NBUS product called "Stone Effect Concrete" (which has been in residence for ages) to make the next two uber CAS cards. The texture is amazing and the paste is literally hard as concrete once dry so I think it might even make it through the mail with a liner. If not, contrary to my first paragraph, the recipients are going to be unhappy to have crushed concrete in their laps!

Twofer 
The seahorse stencil I used is a Dreamweaver Stencil from Stampendous. The bubble/dot/circle stencil I used is unmarked and the sediment is from SSS. Hammy added a black marker to the seahorse eye which really brought him to life. The seahorse, not Hammy. Hammy is already full of spunkilicious life.

Challenges

Threefer
The snowflakes stencil is from Memory Box and the sediment is from Creative Expression. You can faintly see that Hammy added tiny drops of snow with his winker here and there on the snowflake panel.

I'm playing in 
AAA Cards (one inch strip and colored card), Little Red Wagon (stencil), and the Rudolph Days (anything goes Christmas).
~~~

You may not get this until Friday, but as I write this, it is Thursday, National Dog Day, so I thought I should send you off with a photo of sweet baby Nellie sound asleep in her doggie divan in the Playhouse. Enjoy!
And enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy, but keep safe! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

62 comments:

nancy littrell said...

Aahhh...so much to Love and smile about in your new post, sweet Dolly:-) I am always inspired by your Zoom play days!!!! I have now made and posted 1 card using the 3D Folder on Foil Cardstock Technique. Plus I have a stack of 7 more backgrounds and have ordered and received 1 new 3D Folder and just ordered 2 more 3D Folder last night...Yep, you and friends are right...It is Addicting, but what a fun and beautiful addiction:-) We have such wonderful sharing Joyful hobby and so appropriate during these difficult times:-) I could buy Lots of 3D folders with all the postage stamps and envies I have now in my stash:-) So well worth it. Whoops...BTW, I really do LOVE your snarky guy b-day card with the perfect sentiment and way cool 3D Foiled background, cover plate:-) OMG..the cement textured seahorse is so cool! Let us know if the recipient ended up with a lap full of cement:-) Beautiful CAS snowflake card and photo of sweet baby Nellie so comfy napping by her mommy made for a joyful post...Thank you so much, my dear friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Pia S said...

The shine of that copper metallic paper looks fantastic! It's a fun design and I like the white die cut top you added too, it makes a great contrast to the copper.
As for the seahorse, how cool it looks in that stone-ish paste, reminds me of a fossil.
I also like the non traditional colored Christmas card, that 1/3 strip is a super starting point for a clean design.

Tina Z. said...

I love your cards, they are so beatiful and many interesting techniques were used. I should try them, especially with the 3d embossing folders.
Crafty hugs xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, What a lovely photo of Nellie.

Loving the cards. I adore the Seahorse.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Aquarius said...

An intriguing title to your post which made me want to read it to feed my curiosity. Three great cards - looks as if you had fun producing all three.

Ros Crawford said...

What terrific cards!! I love that sentiment on your first card... Made me laugh! I have never heard of that embossing past but it looks amazing! Loving the snowflakes and the seahorse is gorgeous! Sending hugs

kiwimeskreations said...

Love, love, love that old geezer and how you have used him Darnell - and paired with that sentiment - priceless. I initially thought the background was a patterned paper covered with olives!!
That concrete is certainly textural and adds just so much to the stenciled image - trust Hammy to add the extras - he's such an inspiring wee helper.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love all three of your fantastic cards Darnell. I'm loving the texture of your paste too.

Sue xx

AndrejaM said...

Beautiful card! Thanks for playing at The Male Room blog challange

Marilyn said...

Awesome cards Darnell!
have a great day!
Marilyn💖

Surekha Galagoda said...

Dear Darnell
All three cards are gorgeous and I cant pick one for sure.Tc stay safe

Jeanne said...

A trio of fun is what we have today, Darnell. That first card with the copper is very cool. I like the image a lot, too. That sentiment made me snort just a bit. Great job. I can see where this technique would be addicting. The paste you chose is so unique! The look it gives is fabulous. Hopefully it will mail fine and not become a lapful of cement. The sea horse looks amazing. The snowflakes look amazing as well. Great job on these cards. Oh, but the star of this show is your sweet Nellie. She looks so sweet keeping her mama company. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Dthielker said...

So exciting Darnell a threefer! All fabulous, I look forward to your zoom techniques. The embossed metallic paper on your first card is stunning, the concrete paste card is striking and your third card is my favorite, very eye catching. Nellie is as adorable as always!

I Card Everyone said...

After reading your post title, I thought sure you'd had a view through my shower door, D!! LOL
I always love the view through your Playhouse window - sweet Nellie, and the Geezer have stolen my heart today! xx
=]

designbydonna said...

Let's pause while I wipe the coffee of the screen. Your old geezer card caused quite a chuckle. On the serious side, that copper is spectacular and showcased so well with the white cover plate. On the fun side, that old geezer is so fun. I'm going to go check out that collecion. The stone effect on the other two works really well. Your seahorse is cute. And, I really do like the gray and white for a holiday card. Hopefully no one ends up with crushed concrete.

Stamps and Paper said...

Hi Darnell....three lovely makes...your embossing folder card is very effective and I love the image...the the embossed seahorse and snowflakes...you really made me smile...I could just imagine Hammy droping the snow dots with his winkler....brilliant

have a good weekend

Anne

Sarah said...

What a terrific threefer Darnell, love the look of the embossed foil board, it looks fabulous!! Little Nellie steals the show today though xx

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fabulous threefer, Darnell - cool effect with the sanded 3D ef and I love your geezer (not Kevin, of course!). My fave is the concrete seahorse - adore it!! And the snowflakes look amazing too - you've been busy!!

Nan G said...

Hello my friend! Absolutely unequivocally love the Geezer but that cement paste has my heart! Hope it holds up in the mail. We’re all thinking alike. And I wasn’t part of the Zoom-play-date, stencils and 3D embossing folders. I’m trying my darn-dest to make one layer cards. So far I’ve managed 2 and you got one. ;) well Nellie certainly enjoyed National Dog. ;) cooling hugs, Nan and the Girls

Jean said...

Such cool cards! Love the different techniques!

JoAnn said...

Your old geezer card is so cute. Love the embossed foil background. Your snowflake card is very pretty. Cute seahorse card too. Love the picture of baby Nellie. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. ((hugs)) JoAnn

Sue said...

Awww lovely photo of Nellie and your cards are gorgeous Darnell hugs Sue x

Lynette said...

Three super-wonderful cards, Darnell!! I especially love the sediment on that first one - very clever! That concrete stuff looks very cool, too. And I really, really like those beautiful snowflakes.

Leslie Miller said...

I'm smiling! Those cobblestone dots are tons of fun as a background for your seasoned tourist guy. In total agreement about how well the artist captures the essence of her characters. She must be quite a people watcher. Very cool concrete embossing paste. I felt like running right out (online) and looking for it. Must reign in those impulses. I was thinking of my brick wall stencil, but it looks amazing on your seahorse, too. Kind of like a fossil. The eye dot really does make him more alive. Love the sentiments on your first two cards. The concrete snowflakes look super with your gray card base. Lots to love between your three cards today! Sweet slumbering Nellie is the dessert for today's post. She always tugs at my heartstrings. You give her the special treatment she deserves and she gives so much back to you. Love!

Brenda in IN said...

That old geezer is so awesome! He reminds me of some of the guys I know! That is a great embossing folder and adding the cover plate is so cool. The sentiment cracks me up. The seahorse card is so cool with the embossing paste and I hope it doesn't crumble. Beautiful snowflakes too. I love the picture of Nellie on her adorable comfy couch. Looks like she had a great National Dog Day.

conil said...

Gotta love these 3D embossing folders. Have no idea what I'd do without mine. That geezer seems to be enjoying it, too. Wish I knew about this concrete paste earlier. The texture looks amazing and it would be handy not to use a card liner. Especially love it on the seahorse who looks just like the ones I saw at the Monterey Aquarium. It worked a treat for those snowflakes, as well. Nicely done threefer, my friend.

Bobby said...

I agree about this wonderful, smile-inducing hobby, Darnell. At least I guess it is in most cases. I do have a photo of one granddaughter receiving a card that thrilled her no end but that's my only proof. But it makes me smile to make and send them. Or to see what others have made. Like that tourist and accompanying sentiment. At first glance I thought the background was chocolate chips. haha The sea horse was a great image to try out that concrete. So realistic looking. I love that strip of snowflakes and the reminder that I need to make a card for the AAA card challenge.

cuilliesocks said...

Well little Nellie has stolen the show here Darnell, she is just so sweet snuggled into her doggy divan.
All your cards a fabulous, you've managed such different designs. Super textures and colours, really love the seahorse.
Hope all is well with you and yours, Kate x

R's Rue said...

Coming here always brings a smile. Merci beaucoup.

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh that cobble effect is brilliant, and of course the old codger, love that he’s carrying a MAD! a really like the one inch strip challenges, you are a master at the NBUS Miss Darnell, you really are.

Susan said...

Oh dear - I made the mistake of showing Tessa Nellie's doggie divan and now she wants one for up in my craft room. I tried to tell her she gets to sleep on the guest bed in the adjoining room while she's up there but no, she really wants a special divan all of her own.

Wonderful threefer today, especially the Christmas snowflake one - I'm very partial to that grey and white combination. Love the stone effect paste for that lovely seahorse - he looks great against the blue stencilled bubbles!

Pat said...

I love your three cards Darnell and the copper foil embossed with that wonderful bumpiness and some super sanding, and the scalloped cover die cut over the top both go perfectly with your fun senior gentleman and a fun sentiment too. Such wonderful texture on both the seahorse and the snowflakes using this stone effect concrete paste and such a wonderful contrast with the blue spotty background and then the accompanying grey background which coordinates brilliantly with the snowflakes and two more fab sentiments...another fun one and then the ornate look to the die cut one on the last. What would we do without our hobby to distract and also to bring some pleasure to the recipients, you are so right, and sweet little Nellie looks extremely comfortable on her own little sofa, it made me chuckle as I haven't seen a dog bed quite like that. x

Bunny said...

Your cards are great. I especially love the copper colored card and the seahorse. [Bunny]

Jo M said...

They are 3 lovely cards with plenty of inspiration.
Love your 4 legged companion as well,
Please keep safe and well.

Cheryl W. said...

Another triad of triumph-- three awesome cards in a single post! I love when you share new (to you) techniques that you have tried. They are almost always new to me, too, and inspire me to give them a try, as well. Stay healthy and happy and keep on crafting.

Jasleen Kaur said...

Aww, Nellie is adorable :)

I love your cards, Darnell. That technique in your first card is so interesting; I think I must give it a try. As always, your posts make me smile.

Goga said...

Beautiful birthday card! Thanks for playing at TMR challange. Goga

Jane said...

The snowflakes and the grey card base look super cool together. All three cards are gorgeous though. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Bonnie Lynn said...

Little Nellie is so adorable Darnell. I love all of your threefer cards. I've never thought to sand metallic embossed papers before. I'll have to try that.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

You made me chuckle so Darnell with the concrete in the lap comment, you are adventurous, I’m not sure if trust myself with concrete in the craft room!
Love the threefer.. and those top bumpy lumps under the die.
Yes know what you mean by under the circumstances, we are goth week of lockdown, no cases for over year in our area. Doesn’t make sense as businesses are dying.
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Bonnie said...

What a fun old geezer, Dolly! The pebble stencil makes an awesome background and the sentiment is so perfect! The concrete seahorse has amazing texture and looks awesome on the bubbly background! Love this layout! Your Christmas card is so classy with the sparkly snowflakes and awesome sentiment! This hobby is a blessing and so are my creative friends!

Marcia Hill said...

FABULOUS cards Darnell!! Those AI images always make me smile and steal the show, but all the copper really makes a statement too! I'll look forward to seeing what you do with the rest of your foil embossed panels...once you get going they are pretty addictive! (Ask me how I know!!) Both of your cards with the concrete paste are AWESOME! I didn't even know such a product existed!! That stenciled seahorse is amazing and your snowflake panel reminds me of just how cold (though pretty!!) snowflakes really are! And Nellie just couldn't be any sweeter all snuggled in her bed...give her a hug from Miss Marcia and one for Hammy too! Take care my friend! (Hope the backs are doing ok?! I'm still spotting...grrrrrr!!)

Lisa Elton said...

A terrific trio today, Darnell! That old dude on the first one and the sentiment are a hoot! Nellie steals the spotlight yet again!

OH Babs said...

Hope you receive this as your email appears in spam. Let me know. Hugs, Barb

Redanne said...

Awww, Nellie looks adorable in her bed and the bed looks really comfortable!

All of your cards are beautiful, I really love the look of the cobble embossing folder but the seahorse one is just gorgeous, it is so dimensional! The sparkly snowflakes are a delight.

You are right about this hobby, it certainly keeps me going in these strange times. Keep safe and well my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

laurie said...

Awesome cards as usual!!! Always a treat to visit your blog!

frommycraftroom said...

Three awesome cards and one very cute doggy!

Love the christmas one will have to remember that one! I'm sure I have a snowflake stencil around here somewhere!hehehe

TK said...

Beautiful and fun cards! But I wonder -- have you been peeking whilst I wasn't looking? I really like soft snowflakes, seahorses and lumpy old geezers (haha - tell NOT Hubbs)!

JulieP said...

What a wonderful three-fer!!! I am really drawn to the texture and colors of your seahorse. It's amazing. Thanks so much for playing with us at the Seize the Birthday By the Sea challenge!

Celeste Goff said...

What fabulous cards Darnell! I especially love the sentiment on the birthday card!!!

Brenda said...

Being able to get crafty can make all the difference in this wild world right now for sure Auntie! Card do making people smile for sure! Especially handmade ones. Love the first one as I am loving this technique you ladies are doing! It's so cool looking, love the cover frame and I love that image you used. I think too, he looks better uncolored as he would compete to much with your cool background if he was colored. Your twofer is so cute! I love that little seahorse stencil! He looks like concrete, that is a cool NBUS product I must say! I really love the effect. Great little card for sure and I sure hope it doesn't turn to concrete dust in the mail too. Your threefer is beautiful, love those snowflakes looks so cool in the concrete paste, loving the white and gray color combo. So beautiful! Nellie is looking so sweet in her adorable little bed! Looks like she enjoys that doggie divan in the playhouse with her mammie! Hugs, Brenda

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell, as was mine, which I opened the day this post was written... so thank you! xoxo

Monica C. said...

Really lovely cards! I need to try the embossing on metallic cardstock and then sanding. It looks lovely.
I recently discovered a Zoom crafty group and it is such fun.
Hugs Monica

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. Triple the fun with your beautiful three cards. The metallic embossing IS additive (and beautiful!). :) LOVE the texture of your contrete embossing paste. I have a lot of pastes sitting waiting to be used for the first time. Just need more time in the day to get through it all! :) Anyways, lovely cards my friend. And a lovely photo of Nellie resting in her chaise lounge. A dog's life is pretty sweet! :) Love, Lolly

Quillish said...

Such an inspiring cards and lovely post, Darnell. I love your cute Nellie on the Diwan and also this embossing paste is so cool and absolutely new to me. Love the card with snowflakes with the colored cardstock! That white strip makes them snowflakes float. So glad to come across your card at AAA cards, thank you for joining us.Hugs ~ Ishani

Brenda said...

I love the bumps(it caused a chuckle), the dots are amazing (what great texture) and the flakes are beautiful (Hammy has such wonderful design sense). As for the real star of the post, Nellie is absolutely adorable and completely stole my heart. Thanks so much for joining us this week at Little Red Wagon!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Even with the blogger change you still get an amazing amount of comments! You go girl. All your cards have something unique -- I am loving the textured seahorse - very cool Thanks for joining in at STB, ATCAS, and HLS Stencil - you busy girl you ;)

HilaryJane said...

What a lucky Nellie she is to have such a special bed to enjoy. Three great cards, love how you have used the embossing folder on the first, that lovely dimension on the second and the grey and white (plus the dimension) on the third xx

Linby said...

Love all the dimension on these cards. 3d embossing is addictive!
Sweet pic of your lovely doggy too.

Mac Mable said...

The 3D dry embossing on your first card looks fabulous and what a fun card. I am loving the textural paste on the second two wonderful cards and both perfectly CAS. Nellie is adorable and loving her doggie divan x.
Sorry to be late in commenting Darnell...I was away at a family wedding and I so enjoyed catching up with the family (at last) x.

R's Rue said...

Have a beautiful weekend my friend.

JD/ Jill said...

All your cards are wonderful. I think I need to play more with my stuff. Even if the cards don't turn out right for me. I'll have fun trying...
Thank you for your words of encouragement. (They were really appreciated) I know that I not the only one feeling depressed with all that is going on. I think one of the problems is....There is so much out of our control.
Your picture of Nellie is just what everyone needs right now...Sure brought a smile to my face. So Adorable. <---Jill trying to play catch up...I am so far behind with commenting on everyone's wonderful work.