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 26, 2021

Cone Flower Flurries

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? Have you heard that there are now families of wild boars roaming the streets of Rome?

I intended to talk about it a bit more, but reading that sentence in my rear-view mirror, I got stuck on the fact that I used the word 'roaming' in the same sentence as the word 'Rome.' Remember being told in English class that you should avoid sentences structures like that? I do. I must have been told off about it in front of the class because it made a big impression. I'll start over.

Have you heard that there are now families of wild boards casually strolling along the streets of Rome? That's better. Wait? Boards? Oh, forget about it. Let's just get on with the cards I made.

No, not Christmas cards. I don't know what happened there. A squirrel, I think.

My cards are thematic today, so I'll skip the onefer/twofer bit and just lump them all together. The theme is cone flowers and I broke out a NBUS unmarked cone flower die I received from a friend:
They are all very simple, but I'm chuffed that I used embossing folders, colored cardstock, and DSP (cone flowers) to add interest and texture to the designs. A triple-high-five for using my schtuff!

And while I was putting the cards together, Hammy added dementia to the cone flower petals by rolling them around his No.2 pencil. Cool, eh? He's going to be happily doing that for quite a while because ... well, you don't want to now how many cone flowers I die-cut because I think they are the cutest. In fact, would it be okay if I send you a Christmas card with a cone flower instead of a poinsettia this year? I hope so, because it may come to that.

Challenges
Blatantcy

You know how we've talked about companies that have slowly reduced their product size while continuing to charge the same or more? For instance, sugar in four-pound bags instead of five, less sheets of toilet paper on a roll, less ounces in a can, etc., etc. Well, check this out:
No, those are not feminine products. They are mozzarella cheese sticks. An in-your-face example of getting less product for your money! Not nice.

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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*Life is too short!

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64 comments:

Marianne said...

Yay for using your embossing folder and I love your pretty colourful cone flowers. I'm hoping to post several cards soon. I have been crafting more lately and will hopefully do some more crafting in the next ten days while my sister is here.
Marianne x

Stamps and Paper said...

Your cone flower cards are lovely Darnell..love the different colours of the flowers...and I think your idea of a cone flower for a Christmas card is brilliant....Yes everything we buy seems to be shrinking in size...still does that mean should also be shrinking in size??

Anne

Aquarius said...

Cone flowers are a favourite of mine - lovely selection of cards you've made with your flurry of die cutting.

Julie B said...

What a fab die Darnell, you've certainly showcased it with these autumnal cards. Although mine in the garden are looking a bit shabby after flowering for so long, I can't bear to cut them down as the birds flock to them in the winter just leaving the stripped cone centers!
Thanks for joining in at Uniko, but as far as I can see you haven't linked up yet. :)

!neke said...

great cards !!!!
Hope everything is ok at your place !
groeten Ineke

Kathyk said...

NOW I can't get the image of boards running wild in Rome!!!

Fab coneflower makes today Darnell.

I'm with you about the number of products virtually halving in size whilst not reducing in price, I recently bought Turkish Delight and was surprised at how tiny those have become!

Happy Sunday Darnell and readers

Kathyk

Nan G said...

Not much to eat for ‘boards’ in a city of stone. :) Absolutely love the cards! So bright and cheerful. Have Hammy do some winking and perfect for Christmas. ;) Watch out for bear’ds in your area. Have a great day! Hugs Nan and the Girls

Sandra H said...

Every one of your cards Darnell are beautiful and the embossed folders used too just love them, so right with foods being reduced in Suze and less in tins it’s happening to lots of products the prize doesn’t get any smaller though in some cases they increase, take care enjoy your day xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the lovely cheery cards.

I did chuckle at the feminine products....no wait they are Mozerella cheese sticks:) LOL

Hope you are having a nice weekend. Sue

Jeanne said...

Lovely floral cards, Darnell. So bright and happy. Great job. And grrr on the packaging. So annoying! Although I prefer to think it's a bit of a snafu that the smaller one didn't get pulled off the line. But it wouldn't suprise me if that isn't the case. Have a great day surrounded by your coneflowers. :)

Hilda Burton said...

Oh, Darnell, your cards are lovely in every way. They are bright, cheery, and will bring a smile to the recipient. The printed paper you used for the flowers is perfect. It looks as though you made it yourself. I feel a CASE coming on for them. Enjoy your day!

Dthielker said...

Your cone flower cards are stunning Darnell, I really enjoyed the first two and then 3 scrolled down and two more beauties! Thanks for the inspiration! Wish I was roaming Rome.

Jean said...

Simply GORGEOUS cards! Love how many techniques you used. I say make red ones and use them for holiday cards:)

TK said...

These are great, Darnell! I love that you had so much joy in busting out your NBUS supplies, along with the others. They're adorable and adorably curled by Hammy - kudos to you both.
As for less product and bigger price? It's almost quite insulting that they producers of such products think we don't notice! I guess they're trying to keep the prices the same, but if I need/want 5# of sugar...

Carole said...

Oh these are all so lovely Darnell...my favourite being the first one, possibly the contrast of the beautiful cone flower against that white embossing.Looks like yu hacu them from inky pieces...so effective. Hope you are well..hugs xxx

Bobby said...

You hit me right where I live, Darnell. I strive to not use the same word over in a sentence. It must be our generation and the English teachers back then.

I love coneflowers too so one on a Christmas card would be fine with me. I need to follow your lead and die cut a bunch of something and make a ton of cards, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas ones. When I get home I plan to do just that.

I love the varied backgrounds and the curly petals. You and Hammy make a great pair.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Wow Darnell, you've been busy!! Just love all your cone flower cards but especially #3 - so fun with the embossed bday folder (love that one!). If you sanded off the embossing on 3 or 4 (letters or numbers) you could enter at Let's Squash It! Here's the link if you care to join in:
https://letssquashit.blogspot.com/2021/09/challenge-12-sand-it.html
I hear you about the products! Old recipes calling for cans of stuff now need you to split up multiple cans - so frustrating! Take care and don't eat too many mozzarella sticks!!

cuilliesocks said...

What gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the flower image, and all of your designs. Great use of embossing folders, I very seldom use mine, thanks for the inspiration, Kate x

Pat said...

Coneflowers are one of my most favourite flowers and yours look gorgeous over the different 3D embossed backgrounds and using all sorts of pretty paper and card. x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

WOW! All such beautiful and incredibly "simple" cards that look like they have taken an age, I LOVE the embossing, the gorgeous colour cards and the gorgeous cone flower, I can see why you wanted to cut loads. I have to say the card that caught my eye, is the frame around the word "happy", because I have the EF and can case it. ;D
Fabulous work Darnell.
As for things getting smaller, too many by half!!!!!
Keep well
Faith x

conil said...

Look at you using one of my favorite flowers and all those crafty supplies that have been taking up room in your work space. I AM IMPRESSED! I need to do more of this to clear out the stuff I bought while down in ye old rabbit hole. All are so pretty...lucky you to receive that die. It's a winner.
I know what you mean about corporate downsizing and charging the consumer for a lesser amount of the same product. Burns my butt.

Brenda in IN said...

These are all terrific cards. I really love that pattern paper and that lime green is awesome. I am not a green person but this really catches my eye. The cone flower die is a great gift from your friend. Do companies really think we won't notice things like this. That is a big difference is size all at once. I don't want to buy from them when they downsize like that.

Susan said...

Well you are definitely on a cone flower roll! Love all that coloured cs and use of embossing folders. My absolute favourite is the first one - wonderful colours in the cone flowers, fabulous script background.

Jeanne H said...

Absolutely beautiful cards, Darnell. Just one after another. Super well done! A hug to you.

HilaryJane said...

I love that cone flower die, I am not surprised you have cut far more than you need. what wonderful examples of embossing to add interest and dimension to your cards too. thanks for the inspirations. Love them all. great English lesson too, now I want to now why there are boars roaming the streets of Rome xx

Leslie Miller said...

Ah, yes, using your stuff is a beautiful thing, and your cards are proof! I'm guessing the coneflowers were made from designer paper. I have some similar I haven't used yet and I love the idea of die cuts with it. Cute curl on the petals. It's surprising how well they stay that way, too. Rich and I were just talking about how quickly pigs go feral and multiply out of control. Now they're roaming the streets of Rome? Tsk tsk.

bolletjelucky.blogspot.com said...

Wow I love your cards. Beautiful colors and love that you've used embossingfolders to add texture to your cards. I'm forgetting to use mine all the time :(
Greetings Miranda

Celeste Goff said...

First of all, I had to chuckle at the cheese sticks. Yes, I thought they were feminine products at first. But on a more serious note, I love all of your beautiful floral cards!!

Lisa Elton said...

I wouldn't mind one of your darling cone flowers on a Christmas card one little bit! That last one is my favorite with the hint of blue and the fun numbers in the background!

Bonnie said...

I love each of these coneflowers, Dolly! Such pretty colors and four unique backgrounds that gives each a special look! Thanks for sharing with Krafty Chicks this week.

Cheryl W. said...

I love those multi-colored petals. I think I may have to try that. You definitely went on a die-cutting tangent with your coneflower dies, and the results are fantastic. So many cute cards for your stash! I've noticed the "less for more $" trend that continues across the country. Do you suppose it will continue until we get virtually nothing for our hard-earned cash?

nancy littrell said...

BTW, dear friend I Love cone flowers anytime of year:-) So fun seeing your beautiful die cut flowers out of pretty Designer Paper. I have been trying to use more colored cardstock and even a bit of DP. I do love the idea of using the DP for die cut images...TFS and always inspiring me, Dolly. Thank you for reminding me to look out for wild boars in the strangest places, too! Love and Hugs...Nancy

Loll said...

LOVE your colourful, happy, cone flower cards Dolly! Good for you for using some gorgeous coloured card bases, and embossing folders, and patterned paper! The trifecta! :) And look at the sun shining as you took your photos ... beautiful! Looks like you got a lot of use out of your cone flower die in just one sitting! Love, Lolly

Cathy said...

Those coneflowers are so sweet Darnell, love how you've used them in all of these cards, especially the embossed ones, I do love embossing! Thankyou too for joining in at Seize the Birthday, Cathy x

Christine said...

One lovely Post explaining how to get the most from your stash. I could not choose a favourite so don't ask..

Lisa T said...

I totally thought you had coloured those cone flowers! What a pretty patterned paper you have used (don't tell me what or you know I am going to go in search!). And bravo for you using your embossing folders - I bought some of the Simon Says Stamp ones about 6 months ago and they are still NBUS. Sigh. Fabulous array of cone flower cards Darnell, wishing you a wonderfuly day xx

Linda said...

Sorry I haven't visited for a while, I have some serious catching up to do!
Your cone flowers are beautiful, and so versatile. I love all the different ways you've used the die. The colours look fabulous and the embossing in the backgrounds is a lovely touch xx

Bunny said...

The cards are lovely. The coneflower is a nice die. Hammy did good too.

Don't get me started on these companies that give you less and you give them more money. We used to purchase sausage (Hillshire Farms) and 16 oz would feed the 5 of us in most recipes. Then they went to 14 oz and now they're at 12 oz. Almost all products are like this. It just really ticks me off. Especially when they think we don't notice. [Bunny]

Donna Ellis said...

LOL! What a fabulously fun post, Darnell! My grammar teachings were much the same as yours. I find often there are several "alliterized" words within a phrase or sentence. I've decided these days to go with it, like it was intentional LOL. Besides, the roaming boars in Rome is a great pun - play on words! LOL And then the fact that the morphed into boards is even better! You already have me laughing... but wait! Then I have the fact that squirrels upset the Christmas card progression. Actually those squirrels are quite talented. I am IN LOVE WITH the cone flower cards, my favorite being the first one. Lovely Autumn like colors set afire with the pretty background just barely visible. They are all pretty, especially the dimensional cone flower at the bottom. Fabulous creations! Wishing you a great week! hugs, de

Colleen said...

OMG, you must be feeling GREAT! You made a whole slew of cards and each one is fabulous my friend! I love that you used embossing folders for the background, so much added interest! And I love your cone flowers! And you know, I would NOT be disappointed in getting a cone flower Christmas card! You and Hammy sure work well together, you compliment each other so nicely!

Lynette said...

Oh my goodness, Darnell, your cards are all SO lovely and wonderful! I love coneflowers/daisies/etc. and these are spectacular. Good job of using so many tools and supplies! And oh my gosh - there is almost nothing left of the mozzarella sticks! I've said for a long time that it's amazing a box of cereal will still stand up on the shelf, considering how thin it is. I think it's awful.

Em Louise Fairley said...

The cards are all beautiful, Darnell xoxo

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell your blog always cheers me up! hugs Sue x

Melanie Hungerford said...

I love seeing the different ways you used that die, all gorgeous cards! Thanks for sharing at Krafty Chicks this week.

kiwimeskreations said...

AMAZING cards Darnell - loving the coneflower and all the ways you have used the die, both with the colours combinations and textures.
I would image that Hammy will be happy rolling the petals - what an awesomely important task for him, and change from winking and getting glitter and schparkle through his fur.
I am gradually getting back into the swing of things - but still can't do as much as I would like - does that get me 'off' the housework?? Trouble is there is no-one else to do it.....
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Jane said...

How beautiful! Love the colours on your daisy. Thanks for playing at Uniko, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Redanne said...

Wow Darnell, that is a real feast for the eyes today! I do love coneflowers, we even have some in the garden this year and they are so beautiful and you have shown them beautifully in your cards. Well done for using the embossing folders too, I really need to get a grip and use some of mine....

It is an absolute disgrace to reduce products in size so much! Although, I wish I could shrink at the same rate...!

Keep safe and well my friend, love and hugs, Annie xxx

Barb Ghig said...

I really thought those were tampons...yikes! It's so wrong the way we have been cheated over the years...shame on them!

Gorgeous cards, Darnell! I love how you used your embossing folders and how you colored your cone flowers...so pretty! I wouldn't mind at all if you sent me a Christmas card with cone flowers ~ xx

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my gosh, I apologize...I completely forgot to thank you for playing along with us at Addicted to CAS! xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Such fabulous cone flower!! Love so much all your cards, especially the first one, the contrast with the embossed script is awesome!

oldpunca said...

Cone flower on a Christmas card will be just fine. :-) I like all your cards. They are amazing and makes a great effect to the embossed background.
There is no ethics in business world. :-( Everyone wants only to make profit.
Take care! Hugs, Sonja

Karenladd said...

Oh no, I think I may need a cone flower die now that I've seen these fanciful designs of yours. Combining the flowers with embossing folders brings out the best in both of them My favorite is your first card, because of the gorgeous colors!!

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely cards Darnell... I really like the green ones. Oh my, I can't beleve the difference in those mozzarella... What a con!

Di said...

Hi Darnell! Wowser, what a glorious selection of cone flower cards. I love each and every one - some great ideas there!

Love and hugs to Nellie

Di xxx

Debbie Mageed said...

Wow, Darnell, I am so excited to see all of these beautiful coneflowers you created! Yes, your use of products definitely gets a high 5! Perfectly done, as usual!! Thank you for playing at the Happy Little Stampers Die Challenge and hope you can join in again soon.
Debbie
Secrets To Stamping
Join my Creative Creases Challenge for fun folds!

Mac Mable said...

The cone flowers are so very pretty, love all the dimension from the embossing folders and what striking designs Darnell x. Yes it is awful about the smaller sizes and teh price staying the same or indeed even higher!

Cat Craig said...

I love cornflowers and these cards are all spectacular.

JulieP said...

What the heck??? It looks like someone took a bit of your cheese stick before they shrink wrapped it. You can bet I'll be examining my packages to make sure I buy from a company that hasn't sunk so low.

Your cards are fabulous. I love how you created so many pretty variations. And if you manage to get holiday cards out at all you're ahead of me. Not sure it's gonna happen.

Thanks for playing with us at the HLS die challenge this month Darnell!

Pia S said...

I love seeing cards made with the same product or products. It shows the potential of what we already can find in our stash. And I like how your cardbase helps add color to the design. I like how you framed the embossed happy on one of the cards,and I love the color of the flower used together with the numbered embossing folder. 4 fantastic cards.

Linby said...

I remember that English lesson too lol! I feel your pain with the cheese, so many products in the same packaging and not until you open up do you see less product - need to start checking the weights.

Now for the wonderful cards, all so inspirational and using products I have so watch out for me when I CASE them. You might be interested in my next blog post as an ex secretary - yes the EF typewriter comment did make me lol!

L x

BożenA said...

A great combination of embossed backgrounds with these beautiful daisies. Lovely cards, Darnell. And the second point is about the photos - they're brilliant, with all that chiaroscuro! All cards are amazing!
hugs,
BożenA

Sue - said...

Lovely cone flowers Darnell. I’m very fond of them but for some reason cannot get them to grow in my garden. I think the slugs like them too much! Maybe a die is the answer - then I can have as many as I want!

Beverley said...

Stunning collection of cards. Thanks so much for sharing and joining in on the fun at Uniko. Crafty Hugs Bev

Wiebke Kommerell said...

Darnell, once more, you created a bunch of beautiful cards!
These cone flowers look great themself, but in combination with your different embossed backgrounds they increased!
My absolute fav one is the first one with the bright embossed script, cause here all the beautiful colours pop out!

Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas with us in the Uniko Challenge.
Greetings from Wiebke (Uniko BA)