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 21, 2021

Duo CASliciousness

Hello Stamplings!

We've whooshed around to another Friday Saturday and I hope you all have had some fun this past week. I can tell you that my right index finger had a lot of fun clicking the mouse to buy a few must have goodies. I call those MHG. It doesn't have the controversy of MSG, but it has been known to be dangerous to the budget.

A dear friend recently said she needed to acquaint herself with the definitions of the words "want" and "need," in order to curtail buying MHG. She was very pleased when I told her my research found an obscure definition under both words (13[f] and 9y(a), respectively) which said: "(k)nown: Universal. There is no differentiation between the definitions of want/need when applied to arts/crafts supplies. [Dw4]"

So there you go. Spend away and create all day . . . 

Onefer
I began this design by die-cutting the lady using a "Susan Silhouette" die from Memory Box. 
I then used the negative portion as a stencil to color her in hues of pink with blended CP inks. Next, Hammy chose a cool collage stamp from Design Objectives for me to over-stamp the silhouette through the stencil. Next I cut the frame using a Double Stitched Scallop Rectangle from poppystamps. And then I embossed the panel with the 3D Subtle e/f from SU. 

I was going to leave a sediment off this uber CAS design, but then I ran across the perfect sediment from GKW to go along with all those thoughts swirling in her head! I will use it for a birthday ~ which one hopes would be full of happy thoughts.

Challenges

Twofer
I think this might be one of my favorite cards I've made. I love this Penny Black Adornments stamp and I wondered if doing the direct-to-stamp-and-spritz technique would work if I used one of my ancient Kaliediscope ink pads. It did! This pad is called Blue Breeze and I have no idea if they make it any more, but I love how it worked with this slaptick cling rubber stamp.

I did use a tiny brush to smooth out the baubles in a coupla places and I added silver to the dealiebob that the hanger goes through. I also added a gray wash to ground the image and a silver-embossed sediment from PB. Finally, I let Hammy loose with a silver winker. Thankfully it's been around a while, so no matter how high he jumped on his trampoline to shake the winker, the schplatters ended up nicely understated which let the blues rock the stage.

Challenges
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy and keep safe! LITS!*

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*Life is too short!

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56 comments:

Monica C. said...

Great CAS card on the first one. I live the lady done with the negative space. The Christmas baubles look great too. I like the whimsy look that the stamping produced.
Hugs Monica

Glennis F said...

Your baubles card is perfect - what a great result with your experiment

Linda said...

Love your ornament card, Darnell. It is fantastic. Hope you are doing well. Hugs, Lin

Bunny said...

Ohhhhhhh and awwwwwww. I do love that blue ornament card. It's lovely.

I wonder how many people are telling their spouses or significant others that you said want/need is the same thing when it comes to craft supplies.

My husband agrees with you. I'm keeping him.

Talking about whooshing by............our oldest son just had his 46th birthday whoosh by yesterday. He can't be that old. He just can't. Sigh.....time is marching on. Mainly in lines across my face. [Bunny]

Bonnie said...

This lovely lady sure has a lot of thoughts flooding her mind! It happens when you have more and more birthdays! Love the pinkiliciousness! The baubles are GORGEOUS done with the Kaleidoscope ink pad! Your definitions of want/need look to be right on target to me! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend. xoxo

Pat said...

This silhouette die makes a great stencil Darnell and love the stamping through it and such pretty pink tones and finished beautifully placed on that super stitched scalloped mat and with the Subtle embossing and spattering, and a great sentiment too. The baubles look brilliant using the straight to stamp technique and perfect with the silver bauble tops and matching sentiment. I think it's perfectly fine that 'want' and 'need' mean the same thing when applied to craft stash and will not feel guilty next time I want/need to buy something. x

Nora Noll said...

Your cards are GORGEOUS!! I LOVE how you did the first card using the die to shade. Your second card is my favorite, though. This is BREATHTAKING!!! Love, love, love!!

Loll said...

So happy to see you joining us again this month, Dolly! LOVE your sweet pink silhouette with stamping. The sentiment IS perfect!! And those blue baubles are so pretty with the silver accents. Gorgeous cards, my friend! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas! Love, Lolly

My Paper Epiphany said...

Oh Darnell your choice of mask and stamps is perfect! The sentiment really makes you focus on what lovely thoughts she might be having! Very uplifting card. The ornament card is equally beautiful! I've been meaning to get that stamp and now you've enabled me:) Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up:)

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous Think Happy Thought pink silhouette girl image, Dolly. Love your subtle background and framing too. Love your stamping thru the stencil for extra texture and dimension too. So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up, my dear friend. Love your Stunning blue ornaments for your Christmas card. Every detail is perfect and I so appreciate your detailed description of all your steps and beautiful products. A real watercolored beauty:-) TFS your Twofer. Love and Hugs..Nancy

Robyn Oliver said...

Oh gosh Darnell.... TWO fabulous cards... you nailed the stamping thru the stencil and your Christmas Baubles are just wonderful... whooopie I love them, hugs Robyn

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh my goodness Darnell, you and Hammy have really rocked these cards this week. Loving your stamped and stenciled, or should that be stenciled and stamped, pink lady
As for those baubles - that is mind blowingly gorgeous!! Wonderful work with the kaleidoscope pad, and Hammy winked it to perfection while he got his daily exercise.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Jeanne said...

Lovely cards, Darnell. The first two are very unique and striking! What a great use of the stamps and dies. The third card is beautiful. Great use of the ink pad, it added some fantastic colors to the ornaments. So fun to be able to use a blast from the past. Got a good giggle from your research on the definitions of want and need. haha. Thanks for sharing. ;) Hope you have a fantastic week ahead. I also hope you aren't being too badly affected by the big fires in CA. So heartbreaking. Hugs.

R's Rue said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Nan G said...

Wow! Love the lady in pink thinking deep thoughts. Probably your definitions. 🤣 Absolutely smashing holiday card too. I had plans to start mine back in ….. what month was that? Oh yea, July. Now for those definitions. I could give you a big tight hug, Darnell. I’ve done a bit of wanting/needing myself….ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-chunk! Oh well, I tell myself I haven’t bought any stamping supplies for years and needed to update. And I pat myself on the back, patted T’s back can’t reach mine. All the new schtuff has been sorted and put away! Take care my friend. Lots o’ hugs, Nan and the Girls

Brenda in IN said...

That is a wonderful card for stamping through a stencil. Those blue ornaments are gorgeous. Thank you for clearing up my thoughts about want and need. I'm so relieved they mean the same thing and can now continue to order things!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Great cards. I really like the pink one.

Hope you are having a nice weekend. Sue

conil said...

The sentiment on you silhouette lady is exactly how I feel when I go to bed at night. Thoughts abound, as though I hadn't had a single one all day. I'm sure I'm the only person who that happens to... Anyhoo, love the concept and the loveliness of you card. Thanks for sharing at CAS Mix Up.
Not done yet though. That vintage ink pad worked a treat for shading those gorgeous blue ornaments. The technique seemed to be just the right one to make them shine. Some lucky recipient is going to be delighted to get this card.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two gorgeous CAS cards, Darnell - just love the pink silhouette lady with the texty collage on card one and the stunning blue ornament trio on card two!!

Mac Mable said...

The framing, the technique and all that pink makes one fabulous and creative card Darnell x. The kaliediscope ink looks so pretty and so very artsy on your amazing Christmas card and no wonder it is one of your favourites x. Sending happy thoughts right back to you Darnell x.

Bobby said...

Your ornament card might be one of my favoites of yours too, Darnell. Whether the ink pad or the silver winking, the ornaments are beautiful and have a wonderful glow about them. The open profile die worked great for the stencil stamping and your choice of stamp was perfect as was the sentiment. I too have used my mouse to click on a few things lately. I'm pretty discriminating about what I buy anymore so I think my new treasures are a need and not just a want. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Leslie Miller said...

You have two beautiful cards here, Darnell, and I've been looking at both for the longest time. The Susan Silhouette makes such a lovely statement in reverse with this cool stamp for her innards. Vintage, yet with a modern twist. The sentiment is perfect, and love the scallops and the Subtle embossing. Thank you for adding this inspiring piece to our gallery at CAS Mix Up! Now, those ornaments... they've probably never looked so pretty! Genius idea to use your Kaleidoscope pad on them. One more thing for me to jot down for future reference. I have a wad of Post-It Notes in my stamp room drawer. Love the shading and the shine, and the icy blue and silver. And, ohhh, those MHGs! I recently added a pile to my NBUS. Here I'm trying to make my new, smaller desk and cabinet space somehow accommodate what I pulled out of the old desk, and I go and buy more stuff, but, hey, I made it work! The heart knows what it wants.

Susan said...

Be still my beating heart! A blue and white Christmas card that is a CAS masterpiece. I have that Kaleidoscope ink pad and may just have to CASE (copy) your card (I think either Loll or Christine have that stamp). It is so beautiful. Your other card is lovely too - especially with that most perfect sentiment!

designbydonna said...

Two gorgeous cards. I saw that stamp thru a stencil challenge but hadn't quite figured out how to do it. You rock that technique. I feel like that girl some days--so many thoughts rushing around in my head. I gasped a "wow" when I saw the blue baubles. Love all that luscious blue.

cuilliesocks said...

What a gorgeous card your first one is Darnell, I love the lady, she looks like a cameo, lovely colours and design.
Your Christmas card is so pretty with the baubles, beautifully coloured and designed.
Hope all is well with you and yours, Kate x

Vikki H said...

I love your ornament card with its shading and silver touches! The first stenciled lady is fun and clever. Stay safe

HilaryJane said...

Two perfect CAS cards. I love your Susan silhouette, what a good idea to create a stencil from the dies as it is perfect for this technique, perfect framing too. Your bauble has turned out really well too, I love the effect from the ink, it makes them look so interesting and realistic. I had a little MHG moment on Friday too or not so little when I saw the total, thanks for making me feel better about it xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wonderful CAS cards, you are always so creative! Love especially the baubles one, the technique you used here is difficult for me, I always spritz too much water... LOL
Hugs, have a lovely new week

Redanne said...

That is such a great technique that you used on your first card, I really love it. Your second card is just a-maz-ing, it turned out so beautifully, I can see why it is a favourite.

I have been doing a lot of need/want myself this week, with Tim's new releases coming thick and fast but somehow I don't feel guilty at all and your definitions confirm that I don't need to feel guilty! Thank you my friend.

All is well here at the moment, still no news but hey ho we just get on with our lives.... Hugs, Annie xxx

Pia S said...

The stenciled girl potrait is lovely. I actually think you could use the "stencil" for a card too.
The Christmas bauble card is gorgeous, just the right amount of silver and sparkle. And the grey area is a nice subtle detail too

Lynette said...

Your cards are both awesome, but I REALLY love that second one - so gorgeous! Love those ornaments. I would have liked to have seen Hammy on his trampoline doing the schplatters!

Cheryl W. said...

Sometimes I wish I could just stamp some happy thoughts into my own head! Especially when I stew over things after going to bed at night. Love your cards, though. Those ornaments look amazing! I have a 3-ink pad in shades of blue, which I rarely use. Your card has got me thinking--how could I use it for a gradient look on a solid stamp? Thanks, as always, for the inspiration.

Ros Crawford said...

I have that happy finger that keeps buying too, not really crafty stuff but who cares... I like the packages.
Fab cards - I especially like those baubles, they look so effective. Sending hugs and have a lovely week

Carole said...

Two great cards Darnell with two clever techniques...love the baubles. xx

Jean said...

Simply wonderful cards! I think the ornament card is one of my all time favorites!

Brenda said...

I love this woman silhouette card Auntie, it is so pretty and fun. Love how you put the stamping on the inside of her. The sentiment is perfect for this card! Love that boarder frame as well. Your bauble card is amazing and I think it has to me one of my favorite makes from you as well!!! I love how your Kaliediscope ink pad gave these beautiful blues on the baubles! I had one years ago, not sure if I still have it or not, need to look. lol If I do, I need to dig that baby out. This is simply stunning! The added understated silver on the metal hangers is perfect. As is the splatters and "table". I am so loving this stamp! Very stunning Christmas card!!! Hugs, Brenda

Birgit said...

The first 2 cards are cool. I love how you were able to make 2 cards with one stamp. The punks are so sweet for these 2 cards. I love the rename the card! The blues of the baubles is so impressionistic.

Christine Alexander said...

OMG two amazing cards. You made me smile with your Kaleidacolour ink pad a wonderful blast from the past. You've probably started a revival of spending :) thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas XX

oldpunca said...

Wau! Fantastic cards, Darnell. The shape of the woman is very nice. It was a good idea to make a stencil with the die. The stamp for the required technique is just great. I like the frame too. Christmas card is fabulous. Very well designed. Great motive of bubbles. Adorable card.
Have a great day! Hugs, Sonja

Lisa Elton said...

Your pretty in pink lady is simply marvelous! And those ornaments, love that they fill the card front. Give Hammy a high five on that winking ;)

Cathy said...

Wonderful twofers Darnell, I love those gorgeous baubles, lots of lovely texture from your ink and spritz technique and the silver detailing is perfect. Thankyou for playing along at CAS Christmas, Cathy x

Marlena M. said...

I came to get a closer look at your gorgeous ornament card Darnell, and got to see two more lovely creations!

Trina P. said...

Awesome cards, Darnell, but it was your gorgeous blue bauble Christmas card that caught my attention from the CAS Christmas gallery! It’s definitely my favourite of yours! Of course, I love the colour! 💙 You’ve stamped, spritz and smoothed them out perfectly to achieve amazing dimension. Enabled alert… now to source out that Blue Breeze ink pad. 😂

Em Louise Fairley said...

So pretty, Darnell. The negative from the 1st would make a great card, too xoxo

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell...especially your baubles! What a fabulous effect and your CAS design is sheer perfection! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas! We always enjoy seeing your beautiful cards in our gallery ~ xx

Chrissie said...

Well my friend, you managed to get a twofer from the card that wasn't a twofer! Your stamping through and around the stencilling made two cards... it's a technique I had never heard of previously but is one I will probably be trying again!
The stamping certainly added great interest to the stencilled silhouette.
Thank you for joining in the challenge at CAS Mix Up once again!
Chrissie xx

Sue said...

Loving your cards Darnell lots of hugs Sue x

Julia Aston said...

Two lovely cards Sis! I was intrigued by the stamping through a stencil challenge - but never got my butt seated to try it- maybe another day ?!?!? And I Love your beautiful blue ornaments inked and spritzed - SO pretty! thanks for playing with us at CAS Christmas! Hope the smoke is clearing around you??? xx

Pauline C said...

2 gorgeous cards, the second one is absolutely stunning .. the baubles look completely luminous! x Spotted this card on a challenge entry list so had to visit to see more x

Barb Ghig said...

CONGRATS on your well-deserved win at CAS Christmas, Darnell! I LOVE your card so much, and I can't wait to see what you create as our Guest Designer!!! Stay well, my friend ~ xx

BożenA said...

Great designs. Both cards are wonderful and so cleverly designed.
Congratulations on your victory in the CAS Christmas Card in August. Your card won the hearts of not only DT members. She is beautiful and I love all the shades of blue that appeared on the card.
hugs,
BożenA

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Congrats on your win at CAS Christmas with your gorgeous blue ornaments!!

Jacquie Southas said...

This really is gorgeous, Darnell! I think it deserves a little frame and to be put out with your holiday decor. Hope all is well in your world!

Linby said...

Great designs. Congrats on winning at CAS Christmas, those baubles certainly look 3d amazing work.

JD/ Jill said...

Great cards. Well I certainly didn't need the craft products that I just ordered... (One look at my craft room would tell you tat) But I WANTED something new to start making my Christmas cards. And New craft stuff always lifts my spirits and hope the things I make with will brighten someone elses's day!

Deanne Saunders said...

Beautiful!!! Thanks so much for participating in our CHRISTMAS CRAFTS ALL YEAR ROUND challenge!!! Can’t wait to see you participate again in our next challenge!! Have a happy crafting day!! Stay safe and healthy!!*Sorry for being so late commenting but please know that I have checked out your project and appreciate you entering my challenge!!!
Deanne at A Little Bit O’ Paper